August 17, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 252

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

‘Will stand with India against threats’ international, Page 7

Follow us on @Nagaland_Post

Dimapur shops open from today

Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , AU G 1 6 (NPN): While there is a general feeling of relief that all shops in Dimapur (from August 17, Monday) will reopen Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and remain closed on Wednesday and Sunday, there is also a lurking fear among many that this could lead to rise in transmission of COVID-19.

The relaxation has the potential of enlarging the scope for more transmission of the virus when thousands of people throng crowded market places.

This is in the light of reports that several persons in Dimapur who were tested positive could not identify the source of transmission.

This leads to the definition of community transmission but both the state government and the government of India, continue be on denial mode.

Till August 16, 2020 the total number of COVID19 cases in Nagaland stood at 3394 with 1958 active cases, 1422 recovered and 8 deaths.

Quarantine and con-

ENCSU questions DoTE on NSEE selection process D I M A P U R , AU G 1 6 (NPN): The Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) through its media cell expressed surprise at the directorate of technical education (DoTE) making forms available online and collecting fees from individuals wishing to appear for the Nagaland State Entrance Examination (NSEE) 2020 for selecting candidates to allied training courses without any prior notification.

Claiming that many candidates were not satisfied with the way the department had gone ahead in selecting NSEE candidates based on marks obtained in NBSE without any prior information, the union in a press release said the directorate could have notified in advance and should not have troubled the candidates to collect forms online and deposit examination fees, if it had no plan to conduct the exam.

ENCSU said it was totally aware about the current pandemic situation in the State, but added that it was ethically and morally wrong to take undue advantage of the situation as the directorate could have still conducted NSEE online.

tact tracing for COVID-19, as per Standard Operating Protocol (SOP), may be effective only when there are not too many cases. Today, the virus has spread and the tally continues to rise.

The virus has escaped from the quarantine centres, to market places and even colonies. This has left the over worked frontline workers and authorities to undertake contact tracing, sealing of houses/colonies and treatment at various COVID-19 care centres.

Most of those infected with COVID-19 and who are the main carriers are asymptomatic (who have very mild symptoms or who do not observe the symptoms but who carry the virus).

The most vulnerable to COVID-19 are the aged people above 60 and those below 10 years including those suffering from various diseases such as-- high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, stroke, and cancerous conditions.

According to medical science, COVID-19 will be around for as long as there is no authentic and proven vaccine against it. The only way is individual precautions

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dararajan, had informed that the sub-committee would still be in place and directed them to monitor and submit reports from time to time.

Meanwhile, Dimapur Police informed that the odd-even system for vehicles in Dimapur will continue, except on Sundays. The category under essential services as notified earlier would be exempted. Twowheeler would also be exempted from the new traffic regulations.

The new traffic regulations for non-essential vehicular movement within Dimapur town and NH-29 till Chumukedima town will come into effect from August 17 to August 31, stated Commissioner of Police Dimapur, R. Tetseo IPS. Government servants on bona fide duties and vehicles involved in providing essential services/involved in COVID-19 related duties will be exempted on production of relevant documents and valid ID proof.

All heavy vehicles, except those engaged in fourlane construction works with valid permit, are restricted from plying within the town area and highway area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Landslide damage house, road in Mkg

(L-R) A house damaged by landslide and rescue operation underway to find the missing person. (NP/SDRF)

Correspondents

MOKOKCHUNG, AUG 16 (NPN): Heavy and incessant rains led to landslide here on Saturday night disrupting normal lives. The landslide completely damaged a connecting road at Alongmen ward of the town, affecting more than 30 households of the ward, besides destroying portion of a house.

Upon hearing about the incident, Housing & Mechanical minister Tongpang Ozukum visited the area

on Sunday morning to take stock of the situation and assured the affected people to provide government assistance. The minister was accompanied by Mokokchung DC Limawabang, SP Vishal and other officials.

Search ops on to rescue missing person: Meanwhile, a massive search and rescue operation is underway at Dikhu river where one person reportedly slipped and fell on Saturday afternoon.

Sources said the incident occurred when vic-

tim– identified Imtikumzuk (34) of Kubza village and a resident of Artang ward of Mokokchung– and one accomplice went to the jungle to collect bamboo shoot. On their way back, the victim fell into the river and was washed away.

Till Sunday evening, the search and rescue efforts were being carried out by various government agencies, including the State Disaster Response Force Mokokchung, police and the public.

nagalandpostofficial

Stage 3 of Russia’s Covid vaccine may begin in 7-10 days M O S C OW, A U G 1 6 (IANS): The third stage of the research on the world’s first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus, called Sputnik V, may begin in 7-10 days, a report has said.

According to the Tass news agency, several tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in this research of the vaccine created by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry.

“On Monday, we will present the first version of the protocol on post-registration research,” Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center, was quoted as saying to Tass. “Given this great interest and attention of the public and the press, I think that the Health Ministry won’t delay the process and will approve the protocol within a week...,” Gintsburg added.

Meanwhile, Russia has begun production of the first batch of vaccines against Covid-19, its health ministry said in a statement released on Saturday.

Chief Secy, DUDA, IGP (INT) offices sealed for 48 hrs D I M A P U R , AU G 1 6 (NPN): Following the detection of COVID-19 positive cases, the offices of the chief secretary at Nagaland civil secretariat and Directorate of Under Developed Areas (DUDA) and IGP (INT) have been sealed for 48-hours with effect August 16.

In separate notifications, ADC Kohima, Tongpi Rutsa said that besides sealing, fumigation and disinfection of the office premises will be carried out, following all health safety measures and SOPs of the government.

Since the proposed ‘sealed areas’ have been mapped and cordoned off, public have been advised to follow all safety precautions to ensure public hygiene and personal safety within the proximity of the sealed areas.

sports, Page 8

Nagaland COVID-19 tally 3394 COVID-19 STATUS AS ON august 16, 2020 District

Asymptomatic

Dimapur 1165 Kiphire 0 Kohima 604 Longleng 0 Mokokchung 1 Mon 75 Peren 14 Phek 2 Tuensang 3 Wokha 8 Zunheboto 82 Total 1954

ACTIVE CASES RecovMiTotal Symptomatic Death ered grated Cases Mild Moderate 0 3 561 1739 8* 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 305 911 0 2 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 17 18 0 0 0 0 186 263 0 2 0 0 250 264 0 0 0 0 29 31 0 0 0 0 45 48 0 0 1 0 10 19 0 0 0 0 16 98 0 0 1 3 1422 3394 8 6

*1 death is Covid-19 positive but not due to Covid-19

details of COVID-19 cases detected on Aug 16, 2020 District

Armed Returnees/ Traced Frontline Others* Forces Travelers contacts workers

Total

Kohima 0 5 18 3 0 26 Dimapur 6 2 13 0 0 21 Zunheboto 7 0 0 0 0 7 Total (Today) 13 7 31 3 0 54 Total (Till date) 1481 1168 476 215 54 3394 Percentage 44% 34% 14% 6% 2% 100% * Others include cases related to NLA, Raj Bhavan, patients excluding returnees

D I M A P U R , AU G 1 6 (NPN): Nagaland on Sunday recorded 54 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 3394 cases-- 1958 active, 1422 recovered, 8 deaths and 6 migrated.

State Health minister, S. Pagnyu Phom in a tweet said that the 26 fresh cases

were detected in Kohima, 21 in Dimapur and 7 in Zunheboto. As per the severity of symptoms, 1954 cases are asymptomatic, 1 mild and 3 moderate cases.

According to Health department’s data (cases by domicile district), Dimapur has 1637 cases, followed by

Govt lacks vision to resolve unemployment issue: NPCC D I M A P U R , AU G 1 6 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie has accused the State government of lacking vision to resolve unemployment issue and promote entrepreneurship.

Reacting to chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s speech on the occasion of Independence Day on Saturday, the senior Congress leader observed that unemployment and entrepreneurship were not the priority of the State government as these found no mention in the message.

He said the speech not only failed to show any change but also could not inspire any hope.

Pointing out that the Independence Day and Republic Days speeches are usually a summary statement of the government’s achievements and policy document, Therie remarked

Kohima- 839, Peren- 343, Mon- 288, Zunheboto- 100, Tuensang- 53, Phek- 32, Wokha- 29, Mokokchung18, Longleng- 5, Kiphire- 4 and others- 46.

Further, out of the 3,394 positive cases, the distribution across various categories of people include 1,481 personnel of the Armed Forces, 1,168 returnees, 215 frontline workers, 476 traced contacts and 54 others. According to Health department, the current doubling time of COVID cases was 14 days. It has reduced from 18 days in the previous week.

India COVID tally crosses 26-L mark

Agencies: The coronavirus cases in India jumped to 2,619,177 with 63,489 new infections on Sunday as the country became the third most affected by the pandemic in the world, reports Business Standard. The death toll crossed 50,000mark with 944 deaths in 24 hours, according to Health Ministry.

India has been reporting over 60,000 cases daily since August 7, barring August 11 when it registered 53,601 new infections.

ENPO flays Aug 15 firing incident

D I M A P U R , AU G 1 6 (NPN): Eastern Nagaland Pe o p l e s ’ O r g a n i s a t i o n (ENPO) has condemned the August 15, firing incident near ITC Dan, Noklak district reportedly by a group of unknown armed cadres.

In a press note, ENPO media cell said that the incident was contrary to the December 18, 2007 Tuensang Resolution and December 18, 2019 Tuensang Peace Agreement, which was based on popular public prayer and demand for peace and tranquillity within ENPO jurisdiction.

It was also based on people’s experiences of years of hardships and violence.

ENPO reminded that dishonouring the sentiments of public for peace and tranquillity was devoid of public support for any political movement. Therefore, ENPO appealed to all concerned to honour the (Cont’d on p-6) sentiments of public.

that Rio’s speech this time mainly touched upon the government’s efforts to contain COVID-19 pandemic He said he did not know whether TrueNat machine reports should be considered as authentic as the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the US has recommended BioSafety Level-3 laboratories to test Covid-19.

While the State government has constituted a Strategic Committee headed by the chief minister In response to economic challenges, Therie said the government has also created a Department of Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland but with no policies to fund entrepreneurs.

“It is something like supplying pen drives to students with no access to computers,” he added.

Has India become the global hub of Covid-19? NSCN (I-M) accuses RN Ravi of making mockery of Framework

Spl. Correspondent/IANS

NEW DELHI, AUG 16: In what can be a matter of concern, India has left the US and Brazil behind, as far as its seven-day average of (Cont’d on p-6) daily new coronavirus cases are concerned. Since the pandemic broke out, this has happened for the first time.

What does it mean? In simpler words, it suggests that for a straight week, India has consistently reported more new cases every day than the other two front-running nations.

If numbers are any evidence, then Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center indicates that on August 11, India had a weekly average of over 60,000 new cases each day.

That was way over what the “Sorry Sir, your pappads other two -- US and Brazil and dal haven’t worked.

-- recorded.

You’re tested positive for According to renowned COVID-19.” cardiologist, former IMA

This is it!

such as avoiding crowded places (especially in the light of new revelations that the virus can be carried by aerosols in the air), wearing of masks, frequent washing of hands with soap especially after touching surfaces such as door handles, articles and maintain a safe distance of at least six feet from another person.

To avoid overcrowding, the Dimapur District Task Force at its meeting on August 13 decided that vegetable vendors would be allowed to sell vegetables only in the colonies/villages and not in the daily markets. It was also decided to prohibit vendors from selling various items along the Super Market footpaths.

The DTF, as recommended by the sub-committee headed by DCM administrator, also decided to extend shopping hour for wholesalers from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

On demands for reopening of Hazi Park (Hongkong market), New Market, Millennium Market, DTF has left it pending till prior approval was obtained from the government.

The deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur Soun-

Lyon dumps Man City out of CL

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presidnet and current president of Confederation of Medical Association of Asia and Oceania (CMAAO), Dr. KK Agarwal said that the doubling time by October, India will be number 2.

What’s more, that even as the US graph is coming down and Brazil has found a plateau, India seems to be on a gravity-defying spree.

If numbers are anything to go by as far as indications of what is in store for the immediate future, India is in for a rough ride.

Dr Randeep Guleria, renowned pulmonologist and director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) maintained that even after the rapidly rising coronavirus numbers, COVID-19 cases are yet to peak in India. Dr Guleria said, “These are trying times. It has tested the resilience of the nation. We have not reached the peak or

started plateauing as far as cases are concerned.”

India’s doubling rate every 24 days is a stark contrast against every 47 days in Brazil and an even envious 65 days in the US, where the graph has already started to come down. The longer the doubling rate period grows, the better as it is a sign of having a grip over the pandemic. While the US has been successful in increasing the doubling period quite fast which is reflected in its overall Covid-19 performance, as of now, India is visibly struggling to do so.

If that was not bad news enough, India is all set to cross what was once the coronavirus peak of the US and cited by many in India to make a point how India was faring better than the US. That peak of the US came on July 22 when it hit a weekly average of over 67,000 new cases. India is all

set to cross that record.

Meanwhile, India’s mortality rate has been better than the two. But the trend by Johns Hopkins University shows Brazil’s daily death rate has stabilised, while the US’s daily death rate is slowly coming down. Meanwhile, as far as India goes, it is simply going up. However, India is still behind the US and Brazil as far as the accumulated death counts are concerned.

According to the Health Ministry’s website, at the time this report was filed, India’s Covid fatalities stood 49,980, just 20 short of 50,000. So far only the US, Brazil and Mexico have crossed 50,000 mark.

With the world’s highest seven-day average of daily new cases and upwardly moving graph of fatality figures, India is increasingly appearing to be the global hub of coronavirus.

D I M A P U R , AU G 1 6 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) has accused Centre’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks and governor RN Ravi of not only making a mockery of the Framework Agreement co-authored by him representing the Prime Minister of India but also of insulting the Nagas as a whole by reducing the talks to the State of Nagaland only. NSCN (I-M) reiterated that the talks were on Naga political issues for all Nagas and covering all Naga-inhabited areas.

Furnishing both the original copy and Ravi’s alleged manipulated copy of the Framework Agreement, NSCN (I-M) said the battle over the agreement was now in the public domain, adding there was no running away by either party but to set the record straight in order to

reset the Indo-Naga political talks in correct perspective.

NSCN (I-M) alleged that the very essence of the Framework Agreement was missing or manipulated in the copy circulated by Ravi to his “favoured Naga civil society organisations, including NNPGs, to give different narratives”.

It pointed out that even though Ravi’s off-repeated catchphrase was “one issue one solution”, he had signed two agreements – Framework Agreement with NSCN (I-M) and Agreed Position with NNPGs. Thus, it questioned Ravi where he was trying to take the Nagas to. Accusing Ravi of wanting to keep the Nagas divided by signing a parallel agreement, NSCN (I-M) said he tutored his “favoured Naga groups” on how to look at the Frame-

work Agreement after manipulating its contents that simply recognised Nagas’ past history and nothing.

On the current status of the talks, NSCN (I-M) clarified that the PM level talks had not gone down to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) level talks, adding the interlocutor only carried the mandate of the Prime Minister. NSCN (I-M) asserted that it was talking to Ravi as interlocutor and not as governor. But since Ravi created imbroglio in the talk process, the Prime Minister gave the mandate to continue talks to a team of IB as a fast-track channel for communication and clear the pending points.

Once everything is clear, the agreement would be at the political level of Prime Minister, it explained.

(Full text on p-4) K Y M C

state

2 nagalandpost.com Poll Q.:Will playing IPL 2020 at the UAE rob it of the thrills and excitement?

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

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

‘World Breastfeeding Week’ observed in Tuensang

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

A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

75% 0% 25%

Next poll

Q: Should the state govt extend

the current lockdown till September 30?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST august 17

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Cloudy with a stray t-storm

31 26

Aizawl

Some rain and a thunderstorm 27 21

Guwahati Cloudy with a thunderstorm Imphal

32 25

Plenty of clouds with a thunderstorm 27 22

Itanagar Not as warm with a t-storm

26 22

Shillong

A p.m. t-storm in spots

22 19

Kohima

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

23 19

Dimapur A t-storm around in the p.m.

30 24

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

23 20

Tuensang A shower and t-storm around

19 16

Mkg Wokha

A stray afternoon t-storm

Zunheboto Cloudy with a thunderstorm

24 20 21 18

Lactating mothers, anganwadi workers and ASHAs with health official at Tonlongsor village.

DIMAPUR: World breastfeeding week was observed from August 10 to 16 under Tuensang district, wherein activities were carried out in every health unit with the aim to “Support breast feeding for a healthier planet”.

A press release by DMO Tuensang, Apheang stated that, in Tonglongsor village, community health officer (CHO) Tonglong-

sor Health and Wellness Centre (H&WC), Longtila M Sangtam, took initiative on creating awareness to community on the importance of breastfeeding. She encouraged the mothers for early initiation of breastfeeding and to do exclusive breastfeeding till 6 months of age for improving nutrition and building up natural immunity. Mothers were

also encouraged on complementary feeding after 6 months, as breast milk alone was not sufficient to meet the needs of the baby.

Programme was held at Tonglongsor sub-centre H&WC under Chare block on August 16. During the programme, pregnant woman, lactating mothers, anganwadi workers and ASHAs attended.

NSUP Punjab asks students to enrol as bonafide members DIMAPUR: Naga Students’ Union Phagwara (NSUP), Punjab has informed parents and guardians to encourage their wards to participate and be registered as bonafide members of the Union.

A press release by NSUP president Imsanger Jamir and general secretary, Rokozolie Tsürho stated that, it becomes unfeasible without the students enrolling in the union which often leads to huge gap. It also stated that failure of the individual to register, the Union will not be held responsible to any unregistered Naga students residing within its jurisdiction under any circumstances.

Union also assured that it will remain fully committed to doing everything to support the students through difficult time.

For any queries regarding registration, travel, accommodation or any other related information about studying in and around Punjab, the Union has given the contact details: President 91 7005107979, vice president 14918414 881231, general secretary 91 9612686068 and assistant general secretary 91 8837463039.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

Cover of book ‘3C SOS-The final answer’ released in Dimapur

(L to R) K. T. Sukhalu, Aaron Akivito Sumi and Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema on August 15.

DIMAPUR: Advisor of School Education, K. Tokugha Sukhalu released the cover of a book, “3C SOS-The final answer” authored by Livingstone Foundation International (LFI), Dimapur, chairman, Dr. Andrew Ahoto at Dimapur on August 15.

A press release by LFI stated that, during the release of the book cover, K. Tokugha Sukhalu highlighted the importance of education in the progress and development of an individual and the society at large. He remarked that everyone including the students, teachers and other stakeholders including the department of Education should be serious and committed towards the growth of education which

DCCI reminder to govt on reopening of shops in Dimapur DIMAPUR: While lauding the district administration and DTF for prompt decision to reopen all categories of shops and business establishments in Dimapur from August 17, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) also reminded the state government on the repeated requests for reopening of Hong Kong Market, New Market, Hazi Park Market and Millennium Building Market.

A press release by Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Akashe Zhimomi and general secretary, Sanjay Sethi noted that the DTF Dimapur has also

MDGBA for early solution of Naga issue DIMAPUR: Supporting the clarification given by its president on August 14, the Mon District GB Association (MDGBA) has expressed “resentment” at the statement of NSCN (I-M) Konyak region published on August 12.

A press release by Mon District GB Association president Longphick Konyak and general secretary, Lokphong stated that, the NSCN (I-M) Konyak region “deliberately attempted to tarnish the name of president, NGBF, Shaghlem Konyak.”

Asserting that NSCN IM (Konyak region) “deliberately misrepresented facts and made unfounded narrative” to cause rift between NGBF and NSCN (I-M) and other stakeholders in talks with the GoI, the Mon District GB Association stated that the association stands by the clarification given by its president. It also firmly upholds the stand for early solution to the long standing Naga conundr um, taking all stakeholders onboard.

Clarification: Apropos the news published on August 16 under the headline, “74th Independence Day observed across Nagaland”, the sub-head and sentence DC Phek Sentiwanpang Aier should be read as DC Peren and not as published.

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recommended opening of these markets but so far the state government is yet to take action. In this regard, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry once again appeals the government to take immediate steps to alleviate the plight of the business community of these four markets. Pointing out that losses incurred due to closure of these markets since March 24 was running into crores of rupees, the DCCI stated that distributors, wholesalers, retailers and their families were facing untold hardships due to the closure.

While reopening of shops with extended shop-

was the foundation of every civilized society.

According to the author, Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema, the COVID-19 lockdown period gave him an opportunity to introspect on his contribution towards social transformation as a modern day educator as well as a social entrepreneur.

He expressed being overwhelmed by the total lack of preparedness for combating this pandemic and that the situation could have been better handled and managed if the educational system of the country was at par with that of the developed nations. Dr. Andrew said that this became a great source of motivation for the book which shows painstaking research on climate change,

COVID-19 and educational curriculums around the world.

The book is an attempt at documenting the author’s experiences during his participation along with his youngest son, 12-year old Aaron Akivito Sumi, in the Mt. Everest Fashion Runway event which was coincidentally held atop the Mt. Everest on January 26, this year’s Republic Day. The ultimate motive of this book is to suggest a universal fail safe mechanism of education system which will incorporate skills, entrepreneurial mindset and environmental awareness at its core while also creating opportunities for millions of young minds to be driven by humanity.

Assam Riles assistance to locals

ping hours would go a long way in providing relief to customers as well as help to avoid rush and overcrowding, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry however reminded all shops and business establishments to strictly adhere to laid down SOPs. It reminded all shops to ensure social distancing, insist on wearing mask (both customers and shopkeepers) as well as providing hand sanitisers at their respective shops.

Strict action including Lions Club of Dimapur Blue Venda members on the occasion of Independence Day fine and sealing of shops visited Ebenezer Orphanage Home on August 15. (LCD Blue Venda) would be taken against shopkeepers violating the SOP guidelines, stated the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

DIMAPUR: Jalukie Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) provided assistance to local populace at Azailong in Tening subdivision.

Jalukie Battalion assisted civil administration by providing them with fresh water supply and essential commodities to support inmates who are quarantined at Tening. In

view of the incessant rains, the battalion also assisted villagers with provision of umbrellas. Meanwhile, the battalion in collaboration with Gaili Namdi village stretched out to help rank and file at COB Heningkunglwa. Assam Rifles facilitated Gaili Namdi village with basic necessities, to create awareness on personal hygiene amid COVID-19.

1 st DEATH ANNIVERSARY Late Er. Anil Pradhan

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Acknowledgement Born on : 01.11.1958 – Died on : 17.08.2019

A year has passed since you left us to be with our Heavenly Father yet memories of you live in our hearts. We will always cherish them dearly and carry it with us until we meet again in eternity.

DP-3459

Loving wife, children, parents and family members.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LATE MISS ANGAULIE MBUNGCHA

Abokali I Zhimomi

(April 15, 1990 – August 14, 2020) We, the family of late Abokali I Zhimomi, would like to acknowledge all those who stood by us throughout the prolonged illness and demise of our beloved daughter.

To the Chekiye Village Baptist Church; Chekiye Block-4; Vishepu Ghami Welfare Union (Dimapur); United Family Welfare; Satakha Union Dimapur; Sub-Contractor Union, and all Rank and File of FGN, we are forever grateful for the many gestures of kindness shown to us at this time of great loss.

To our family members, friends, neighbours and wellwishers, though we are unable to mention and thank each one of you individually, your spiritual, physical, emotional and material support will always remain in our memories.

Thank you all for your thoughtfulness.

We pray that God's peace and blessings will continue to be with you all.

Parents, siblings and loved ones DP-3470

(19.05.1989 – 01.08.2020) We the family members of late Miss ANGAULIE MBUNGCHA wishes to acknowledge our heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual, friends, relatives, neighbours and well wishers who stood by us physically, financially and through prayers during our sorrow and sad demise of our beloved on the 1st of August 2020.

We would also like to convey our special thanks to:1. ZEME BAPTIST CHURCH DIMAPUR 2. YOUTH DEPARTMENT ZEME BAPTIST CHURCH 3. POILWA LUI DIMAPUR 4. CENTRAL COLONY WALFORD DIMAPUR 5. RENGMA COLONY WALFORD DIMAPUR 6. CO & ALL RANKS I NAGALAND GIRLS BN NCC KOHIMA 7. NEPALI BAPTIST CHURCH WALFORD 8. CROSS WONDER CHURCH BURMA CAMP 9. POILWA LUI PRAYER FELLOWSHIP DIMAPUR 10. JESUS CALLS MINISTRY, DIMAPUR 11. POIMI NKWA PEREN 12. DIMAPUR POILWA MIPUI TILEU SOCIETY 13. KOHIMA SCIENCE COLLEGE JOTSOMA B.Sc HONOURS (BATCH 2008-11) 14. NAGALAND UNIVERSITY M.Sc ZOOLOGY DEPT (BATCH 2011-13) 15. NAGALAND UNIVERSITY M.Sc BOTANY DEPT (BATCH 2017-19) 16. KOHIMA SCIENCE COLLEGE JOTSOMA DEPT OF ZOOLOGY (BATCH 2008-11) 17. URA COLLEGE OF TEACHERS EDUCATION, KOHIMA (BATCH 2014) 18. GHSS, PEREN 19. GMS, KIPEUZANG 20. GMS DC COLONY, PEREN 21. LEONERS BATCH (2008 -11) KOHIMA SCIENCE COLLEGE 22. PEREN DISTRICT BEAUTY AND AESTHETIC SOCIETY 23. MBUNGCHA LUI DIMAPUR UNIT We regret our inability to thank every individual personally who has been a source of blessing to us. It is our sincere prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Parents, Brothers, Sisters, and Relatives.

DP-3465

Our gratitude and thanks are due to everyone who stood by us and shared our pain and grief over the sudden demise of Late IMTILIBA AO, D/C, D.E.F Kohima, S/o Tekaluba Ao, who breathed his last on 14th August 2020.

We convey our special gratitude to:1. Nukmen Baptist Church 2. D.E.F. Kohima 3. Dimapur Chungtia Union 4. Dimapur Chungtia Fellowship 5. Darogapathar Village Council 6. Darogapathar Youth Organisation (DYO) 7. Friends, Neighbours, Relatives and well wishers We do regret our inability to thank everyone individually but it's our sincere prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Children, Parents & Family Members DP-3468 K Y M C

Memes prompt road repairs in WGH

The memes that went viral on Facebook.

TURA, AUG 16 (AGENCIES): The residents of Tura in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya have always been known to have a sense of humour, with many on social media highlighting the various local issues through hilarious memes.

The latest in the long list is the recent memes across town, showing the dilapidated road situation within the town.

Some of the roads that have been in abjectly pathetic condition are the ones near Hawakhana, Jail Road, the Tura Bazaar area among others.

The effect of the meme showing people taking baths, children playing in puddles, and one person washing clothes, just near the Members of District Council (MDC) quarters in Hawakhana, was such that repair work began on the stretch even on a Sunday, August 16, reports The Northeast Today.

While the originator of the post is currently yet to be identified, the meme went viral instantly with hundreds sharing it on their timelines. Users even went to the extent of giving the potholes a new title ‘Hawa Lake’.

Seemingly, the meme made a positive impact on the situation leading to repairs being ordered on an emergency basis.

Photos and videos of the repair work being done were posted on social media, with most hailing it as a victory for the platform.

However, the success of the Hawakhana meme seems to have been a oneoff thing as another reported meme, showing a picture of Bollywood actor, Salman Khan sitting on a pothole in front of Jail Road, scratching his head at the situation, has failed

Manipur reports first COVID-19 fatality among BSF personnel Correspondent

Death toll rises to 16 IMPHAL, Aug 16: A Border Security Force ( B S F ) p e r s o n n e l wa s among three persons died due to COVID-29 in the state on Sunday taking the COVID-19 fatality in Manipur to 16.

The three deaths comprised a 73-year-old man from Imphal West, the 44-year-old BSF personnel and a 94-year-old man from Thoubal district due to COVID-19 and other comorbidities.

The first victim succumbed to the disease at JNIMS hospital while the other two, including the BSF personnel, died at RIMS hospital, the source said.

The 44-year-old deceased BSF (Basantakumar) belonged to 182 battalion BSF based in Imphal’s Korengei.

He was admitted to RIMS hospital on August 14 due to chronic kidney disease, uraemic encephalopathy, severe anaemia and COVID associated

pneumonia.

Despite providing intensive care, he patient died at around 9.40 am, a hospital source said.

A source in the state health department said that he was the first victim of the pandemic among the Central security forces personnel in the state even many as 1192 of them were infected by the disease.

As per official sources in the state health department, of the 179 new cases confirmed during testing of 2,261 samples in the past 24 hours (till 5pm of Sunday), 111 were from the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).

Including the latest confirmed cases, 1192 Central Armed Police Force personnel have been infected by the disease in the state so far. The recovery rate among them was very low as only 247 of them had so far recovered, the source added.

Currently, 944 Central Armed Police Force personnel are treated at various Covid care facili-

Assam’s COVID-19 tally tops 75,000 with 1,057 fresh cases

Himanta Biswa Sarma (File)

Guwahati, Aug 16 (PTI): Assam’s COVID-19 tally surpassed the 75,000mark with 1,057 fresh cases, while the death toll mounted to 182 as eight more people succumbed to the virus, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The state’s coronavirus caseload stood at 75,558, while 53,286 people have so far recovered from the disease, he said.

Assam now has 22,087 active COVID-19 cases, the minister said in a tweet late on Saturday.

“Our positivity rate continues to be low at 5.08 per cent, which gives us confidence,” he said.

The fresh case count of Saturday was the lowest single-day spike in August,

a month in which less than 2,000 infections were reported only on three occasions, officials said.

The biggest one-day jump of 4,593 positive cases was recorded on August 12.

Altogether 17,05,526 samples have been tested so far in the state, with 49,734 tests conducted per million.

“Our total number of recovered patients is more than double of the active patients,” Sarma said. The recovery rate in Assam is 70.50 per cent, while the doubling rate has come down to 15.2 days, the officials said.

Meanwhile, 246 people have donated their plasma thus far in five medical colleges and hospitals, a bulletin issued by the health department said.

Eighteen people have contacted from outside the state to donate plasma, it said.

Sarma, who is also the education minister, added that the state government will take a final decision on reopening educational institutions after August 25.

3

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

ties across the state while 977 active cases were from among the general populace.

Meanwhile, the latest report of the COVID-19 Common Control Room showed that 60 out of 68 newly confirmed cases among the general populace have no recent travel history and authorities of the health department were investigating to find the source of the contract.

It fur ther showed discharge of 194 patients after they were recovered on Sunday. Eighteen of the discharged cases were Central Armed Police Force personnel.

The state has 4569 infections comprising 1921 active cases. After 194 patients were discharged, the recovery rate in the state stood at 57.60%.

Majority of COVID19 positive persons do not show symptoms or show very mild symptoms. Such persons do not require hospital care, the COVID-19 Control Room observed.

51 more COVID-19 cases in Arunachal

Manipur CM, 1 Cong MLA, 6 ex-legislators leave for Delhi

School & colleges identified for NCC expansion in M’laya

to elicit any response as authorities continue looking the other way.

Another road just nearby Sunny Hills has also seen sections being washed just a few months after they were repaired.

The distorted sections have now been sealed with a little concrete.

The situation of Jail Road, however, is different.

Numerous complaints of the poor nature of the road have, till now, failed to elicit any positive responses from Public Work Department (PWD) authorities and the area remains amongst the most backward in terms of infrastructure in the town.

The areas mentioned above fall under the South Tura constituency being represented by the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma.

In the bazaar area, huge potholes have developed in many sections but repairs seem to be the last thing on the mind of authorities.

Meanwhile, the BJP – Tura region has also sought the repair of the potholes around Tura, threatening to escalate the matter if the same was not taken care of.

Itanagar, Aug 16 (PTI): At least 51 more people, including 28 security personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, raising the state’s tally to 2,658, a senior health department official said on Sunday.

Barring two, all of them are asymptomatic, he said.

Twenty-three people were discharged from various hospitals in the state, pushing the number of recoveries to 1,771, the official said.

Of the 51 new cases, three were reported from the Capital Complex region, 17 from West Kameng, eight from Upper Subansiri, five from West Siang, three each from Changlang and Papumpare, two each from Lohit, East Siang, Namsai and East Kameng districts and one each from Tawang, Tirap, Upper Siang and Lower Dibang Valley, he said.

State Surveillance officer Dr L Jampa said, “Twenty- eight paramilitary personnel -- 15 in West Kameng, three each in Upper Subansiri, West Siang and Changlang and two each in East Siang and Namsai -- are among the new patients.”

63 more test positive for COVID19 in Meghalaya

16th Students’ Martyrdom Day observed in Manipur

Shillong, Aug 16 (PTI): At least 63 more people, including 39 BSF personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya, taking the northeastern state’s virus count to 1,354 on Sunday, an official said.

Sixty more people were discharged from hospitals following their recovery, he said.

Of the 63 new cases, 48 were reported from West Garo Hills district -- 39 of them BSF personnel and nine civilians, the official said.

The remaining cases were recorded in East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.

Meghalaya currently has 693 active cases, while the number of recoveries stands at 655. Six people have succumbed to the infection so far. East Khasi Hills district has the maximum number of active cases at 388, followed

by West Garo Hills district at 183, Ri-Bhoi at 95, Health Services director Aman War said.

East Garo Hills district is coronavirus-free at the moment, War said. More than 43,000 samples have been examined for COVID-19 in the state so far, he added.

Imphal, August 16 (PTI): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh left for New Delhi by a chartered flight on Sunday with one Congress MLA and six ex MLAs who resigned from the house and the primary membership of the party.

The lone Congress MLA who left for New Delhi in the special chartered flight along with the Manipur Chief Minister was R K Imo Singh.

Imo Singh Congress MLA is the son-in-law of N Biren Singh.

Before leaving, Biren Singh said that he and the present and former MLAs would meet the BJP central leadership in the national capital to personally introduce and to invite them to join the party.

The six ex Congress MLAs who left with the Manipur chief minister had submitted their resignation from the Assembly on August 10 and quit the party on August 11.

They are among the eight Congress legislators who had defied a party whip last week and skipped the one-day session of the assembly, in

which the BJP-led N Biren Singh government had comfortably won the confidence vote.

The six are Okram Henry Singh, Oinam Lukhoi Singh, Md Abdul Nasir, Ngamthang Haokip, Ginsuanhau and Paonam Brojen.

Okram Henry Singh is the nephew of Congress Legislature Party leader Okram Ibobi Singh.

Congress, which had won a total of 28 seats to emerge as the single largest party in the 60member Manipur house after the 2017 polls, saw members deserting it from time to time.

Soon after the election, one of its legislator Thounaojam Shyamkumar was disqualified under the anti-defection law for joining BJP. Further, three Congress MLAs - Kshetrim ay u m B i r e n S i n g h , Yengkhom Surchandra Singh and Sanasam Bira Singh- were disqualified from membership of Manipur Assembly by the speaker.

The six who accompanied the chief minister are the latest additions to the list.

Shillong, Aug 16 (PTI): Forty higher secondary schools and 15 colleges in Meghalaya are set to benefit from the NCC expansion plan, covering 173 border and coastal districts of the country, announced

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address, an official said on Sunday.

The expansion plan of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) will be implemented in the institutions, located across seven border districts of the northeastern state, he said.

There are 11 districts in Meghalaya.

The NCC is a youth development movement managed by the armed forces. It also provides exposure to cadets in a wide range of activities, with an emphasis on social services, discipline and adventure training.

It is open to all regular students of schools and colleges on a voluntary basis.

Defence spokesman here, Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh, said that under the NCC expansion plan, Meghalaya would get 5,445 additional vacancies taking the strength to 11,621 over next three years.

Correspondent IMPHAL, Aug 16: Students’ body Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) in Manipur renewed its vow to fight for the repeal of Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) on the occasion of 16th Students’ Martyrdom Day on Sunday.

The student body has been observing Students’ Martyrdom Day ever y year in remembrance of the sacrifice made by student leader Pebam Chittaranjan Pebam self- immolated on August 15, 2004 in wake of a mass uprisings demanding repeal of the AFSPA following killing of Thangjam Manorama by troopers of Assam Rifles after she was picked up on suspicions of being associated with a rebel group.

Chittaranjan set himself on fire at Bishnupur Bazar in Bishnupur district to demand repeal of AFSPA when the nation was celebrating Independence Day. He succumbed to his injury on August 16 at RIMS hospital. He was an advisor of MSF and was 28 years old at the time of his death.

The day was observed

Observance of Students’ Martyrdom by MSF in Imphal on Sunday. (NP) on a low scale and by strictly adhering to COVID-19 protocols at the memorial sites at Bishnupur district headquarters as well as Pebam Chittaranjan’s locality in Imphal’s Kwakeithel.

Talking to reporters, MSF president Sajat Phuyamayum vow that MSF will continue campaigns until AFSPA is repealed.

He reminded that Pebam had sacrificed his life for the sake of people of the state who were living under the fear of draconian laws.

He made the “supreme sacrifice” on India’s Independence Day to show the world that even as citizens of a free nation, the rights of the people of Manipur were being suppressed by

various draconian laws in the name of countering insurgents.

He alleged that the chaotic situation with a bunch of problems in the state was brought about by curtailment of right to life under black laws for a long time.

“Chittaranjan’s supreme sacrificed carries a great message. He gave the message to the oppressed people that it is better to die than to live like a lifeless soul,” the MSF president said.

He demanded that all black laws must be repealed and there should be no oppression of any forms and imperialism should cease.

When there was no right to live, there would

be no meaning of independence, he added.

Leaders of MSF, other student bodies, leaders of various civil society organisations and women based bodies paid floral tributes.

Many noted human right activists also turned up to pay floral tributes to the statue of the Pebam in Imphal’s Kwakeithel.

Among them was chairman of Committee on Human Rights Manipur Phunindro Konsam and AMUCO president Nando Luwang.

Nando Luwang expressed concern over the human rights violation in the state under the draconian laws extended by the Centre in the name of countering insurgency.

Mario Pathaw bags Crystal Award 2020 Huge cache of arms, ammunition seized near India-Bhutan border Correspondent

Shillong, Aug 16: The Crystal Award 2020 for excellence in visual arts was conferred upon Mario Pathaw by Meghalaya Governor, Tathagata Roy at Raj Bhawan on Saturday after unveiling the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the cultural paintings unveiled by the first lady, Anuradha Roy, an official said on Sunday.

The award was conferred in memory of Crystal Gayle Kharnaïor,a theatre artiste who passed away in 2017. The ceremony was conducted by Riti Academy for Promotion of Art Chairman, Raphael Warjri, in the presence of secretary to the Governor Pravin Bakshi, officials and staff of Raj Bhavan. The governor appreciated the efforts of Riti Academy for Promotion of Art and lauded the relentless pursuit of Warjri for the outstanding artworks that have adorned the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhawan.

In his address, Warjri expressed gratitude to the governor for considering the Award function at Raj Bhavan in spite of the current fragile situation due to

COVID 19 pandemic.

He also placed on record that the pictures at Raj Bhavan were painted along with his talented apprentices, Skhemlang Hynñiewta and Denis Marbañiang.

The meritorious award received by Pascal Mario Kmenlang Pathaw is the outcome of his dedication to art and his enormous folk knowledge on Khasi cultural heritage and various elements of contemporary society. “It was observed that the family legacy is instrumental to nurturing and cultivating positive vibes that have motivated and inspired Mario Pathaw’s works to attain commendable impact and excellence,” Warjri said.

“The creative and original presentation of his graphic novel, film and other visual storytelling assignments is a testimony of his passion, dedication and distinction of his performance,” he added.

Mario Pathaw is an IIT, Bombay postgraduate degree holder in Master of Design and Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and is an ardent expert of innovative and aesthetic deliverance.

In recognition of his outstanding role to the growth and progress of the prospective entity of Khasi visual culture and folk heritage, Riti Academy shortlisted Mario Pathaw’s name among few nominees to honour his contribution with the Crystal Gayle Memorial Award 2020 for Excellence in Visual Arts.

In commemoration of the auspicious occasion, an art gallery and exhibition of Mario Pathaw artworks was inaugurated by Commissioner Secretary, Arts and Culture, Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Commissioner Secretary, Arts and Culture at the newly opened MAD Gallery, Jaiaw Langsning.

In his inaugural speech, Kharkongor spoke at length on the various aspects of visual arts as a cultural expression and emphasised on the formulation of the arts and culture policy.

An expert of art history, F D Hynñiewta delivered a lecture on the relevance of art in society and acknowledged the significance of the new National Education policy, which stressed on the importance of arts and culture in academic education.

Kokrajhar, Aug 16 (PTI): Huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from the forest areas near the IndiaBhutan border in Assam’s Kokrajhar district on Sunday, police said.

Acting on a tip-off, an operation was launched in the afternoon in Katlibil forest in Saraibil border outpost area and Belguri forest in Sefanguri police station area of the district, Kokrajhar’s Superintendent of Police Rakesh Roushan said.

A medium machine gun with a chain, five AK-

56 rifles with four magazines and 244 cartridges, and an INSAS rifle with 23 cartridges were among those recovered, he said.

Besides, three 9 mm pistols with five magazines and six cartridges, a .22 Chinese gun with two magazines and five cartridges, and a hand grenade were also seized, he added.

Police have stepped up search operations in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) over the past one month, and huge quantities of arms and ammunition have been seized

Dear Vungje Seventh May your 3rd birthday be as cute as you my little baby, you are a blessing to us and there is nothing we wouldn’t do for you our sweetheart. Enjoy your day baby of ours. Happy third birthday daughter, you are an amazing kid and we are glad to be here with you, live like there is no tomorrow. Cheers darling!

From all your loved ones.

from various parts of the four districts.

Elections to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), scheduled to have been held on April 4, have been kept in abeyance until further orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 252 Dimapur, MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

DNA of spending

W

hile the Gauhati High Court,Kohima bench will be hearing the PILs filed by three separate litigants over the alleged irregularities in the emergency or hasty purchases of various medical equipments for containing COVID-19 in the state, the recent statement given by state chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds the crucial finance portfolio that the state has already spent Rs.139 crore for COVID-19 purposes is significant. The PILs filed in the high court maintained that irregularities were involved in the emergency purchases of various items. The amount of Rs.139 crore admitted as being spend on COVID by the state chief minister who also holds the crucial finance portfolio since March to August reveals that there has been a “hectic and urgent” driving force behind the expenditure. For example, expenditure on non-medical interventions, as admitted by the chief minister was to the tune of Rs.74 crore. This included relief to stranded people, distribution of food and dry rations to migrants, needy people, preparation of quarantine centres and arrangements. It would mean that since April to August, there was an expenditure of around Rs.18.5 crore per month. The government said the expenditure also included “transport arrangements” for bringing people back. Again under transportation costs under the police department, the chief minister disclosed that a total amount of around Rs.53.40 crore was spent from April 6 to May 18, which is a total of 32 days. This also means that per day the government spent a little over Rs.1.66 crore per day on transportation costs. It was also admitted that a total of Rs.1000 lakhs or Rs.10 crore was been spent for operational cost of quarantine centres and payment to stranded citizens. Again, another Rs.2812 lakhs or Rs.28.12 crore was also spent on COVID19 related activities and “quarantine centres”. It may be assumed that a total of Rs.3812 lakhs or 38.12 crore was spent since April for ‘COVID-19 related activities’. The government expenditure on COVID-19 is impressive for a small state like Nagaland. However, even with regard to the PPEs and other critical equipments in hospitals and COVID care centres, much is left to be desired. Without indulging in finger pointing, the expenditure cannot justify what is actually existing or prevailing on the ground. A number of those frontline warriors are not being given the best of what they deserve. If media reports are anything to go by, the donations from various organisations to the COVID warriors such as cash and kind, have been a tremendous impact on making up for the lack in some areas. This also includes donation of TrueNat machines, PPEs and other items from various individuals and organisations. Unfortunately, at a time when the state faces a humanitarian crisis, there has been a divergence of interest among some of those in positions, to make hay while the sun shines. Reports of quarantine inmates protesting against poor quality of food and basic amenities seems odd since the government was spending a lot on food and amenities. The government will have to answer many questions to the court in response to the PILs as well as the auditing by the CAG in the next few weeks.

T

he call for atmanirbhar Bharat has been given a new tinge for “enhancing capacity, creativity and skills” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech. He calls for a virtual halt to exports of critical raw materials and minerals.

The economists have been raising the issue for decades for a vibrant selfreliant economy. Modi echoed the sentiment and suggested a reversal of the policy to import of raw material and export of value-added products to make India a manufacturing hub epitomizing vocal for local, Make in India and make for the world.

The conceptual change in the policy if implemented can create a manufacturing country that would not only meet its needs but also export enough to the world. It would create jobs, spare Indians with enough resources to sustain themselves and may attract aspirants across the world.

The no-export policy of critical materials would help Indian manufacturers add more value to their products.

India, as Modi says, would become a global hub. Many firms keen on

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

Modi vision on halt to critical exports relocating themselves may flock to India. The hitch so far has been a tax system.

Two days before the I-Day, he announced a faceless tax transparency system that is expected to be more honest and hassle free for the taxpayer.

A debate is raging why Modi is trying to ensure a transparent tax system even as the number of taxpayers shrunk by 55 percent from 3.29 crore in 2018-19 to 1.46 crore in 2019-20.

This is due to raising the taxable income limit to Rs 5 lakh a year from Rs 2.5 lakh in the interim budget 2019-20. This led 1.8 crore people having no tax liability. This is sensible. Now the question is why 1.46 crore people, the real middle class are being tormented to pay tax at high rates. Even those senior citizens having no pension are being robbed off a huge chunk of their deposits due to interest accruals at measly rates of an average of 5 percent a year. The tax on bank deposits is retrograde and no step has been taken to wave it off.

In reality, the transparent system should have freed the bank deposits of TDS or any tax payment at all. It is hurting India’s

purchasing capacity and extending a feeling of oppression. If someone has to survive on his own saving without a pension or any other support, any tax on the interest accrual, a mere hedging of his principal amount, is considered draconian.

There is considered opinion that these small number of personal I-T payers need to be freed from paying taxes. It would help not only them but also the government itself as expenses on collection could be saved. There are 8600 individuals declared Rs 5 crore taxShivaji able income and aobut 3.2 lakh who declared taxable income of over Rs 5 lakh in 2019-20.

The net tax collection of both direct and indirect taxes has seen a significant decline in 2018-19. The personal I-T is to contribute about 5.69 lakh crore in 2019-20. It could actually be less in 2021 as the economy has taken a hit due to covid19 lockdown.

So for who these new set of transparency is? It is aimed at new entities that are likely to enter for business in the country with dollar investments.

Modi would have

done well to announce end to personal income tax.

It has many benefits. It increases purchasing power, creates a healthy economy, boosts demand and larger collection of indirect taxes.

The government achieves more by ending the I-T. A transparent system is to help foreign and Indian businesses and reduces litigation.

Compared to this his I-Day concept of atmanirbhara Bharat of putting a cap on exports raw materials and minerals is more beneficial.

The country produces and works Sarkar with about 100 minerals, which are an important source for earning foreign exchange as well as satisfying domestic needs. India exports iron ore, titanium, manganese, bauxite, granite, and imports cobalt, mercury, graphite etc.

By weight, coal and iron ore are the most extensively traded minerals.

It has long been held that developing countries tend to export raw materials and import manufactures.

India's major mineral resources include coal (fourth largest reserves in the world), iron ore and manganese (seventh largest

reserve), mica, bauxite (fifth largest reserve),chromite, natural gas, diamonds, limestone and thorium.

Japan is a critical buyer of iron ore from India as is China. Japan’s annual purchases are more than its needs. It stores ores in shallow seas for future needs. These kinds of sales deplete Indian reserves and reduce its capacity for value addition.

The new policy is to boost ore enrichment and value addition.

Careful tax policy incentives can change the Indian manufacturing and business scenario. Most foreign companies shy away from the country for its flawed terrorising tax rules and disputes. The tax troubles for Vodafone and Nokia may have earned the I-T department some peanuts but it discouraged many potential investors.

Along with the new atmanirbhar concept of empowering farmers, middle class and creation of rural clusters, a Deendayal Upadhyay-RSS concept, build multi-modal integrated transport linkages and highways for as low as Rs 1500 crore for attracting small companies a new development process may become a reality.

Post-mortem

T

Where is Mr. RN Ravi’s Response?

he battle over the Framework of restoring the credibility of the circulated by Ravi to his favored misdoings of RN Ravi. As a follow Agreement (FA) is now be- Government of India {Go/) that Naga civil society organizations, up for public scrutiny on how RN fore the public domain. There was badly damaged in the hands including NNPGs to give different Ravi misinformed and misled the is no running away from either party of its representative Mr. RN Ravi. narratives.

Government of India we furnish but to set the record straight in order The issue is of serious nature as the Much water has flown down here the original copy and Ravi's to reset the Indo-Naga political talk very essence of FA had been found the Dhansiri River since the day manipulated copy of the Framein correct perspective. It is a matter missing or manipulated in the copy NSCN took the pain to expose the work Agreement: Original Copy Manipulated/modified copy: FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DailyDevotion Does He Know Me?

He calls his own…by name… —John 10:3 When I have sadly misunderstood Him? (see John 20:11-18). It is possible to know all about doctrine and still not know Jesus. A person’s soul is in grave danger when the knowledge of doctrine surpasses Jesus, avoiding intimate touch with Him. Why was Mary weeping? Doctrine meant no more to her than the grass under her feet. In fact, any Pharisee could have made a fool of Mary doctrinally, but one thing they could never ridicule was the fact that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her (see Luke 8:2); yet His blessings were nothing to her in comparison with knowing Jesus Himself. “…she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus….Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ ” (John 20:14, 16). Once He called Mary by her name, she immediately knew that she had a personal history with the One who spoke. “She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ ” (John 20:16).

When I have stubbornly doubted? (see John 20:24-29). Have I been doubting something about Jesus— maybe an experience to which others testify, but which I have not yet experienced? The other disciples said to Thomas, “We have seen the Lord” (John 20:25).

But Thomas doubted, saying, “Unless I see…I will not believe” (John 20:25). Thomas needed the personal touch of Jesus. When His touches will come we never know, but when they do come they are indescribably precious. “Thomas…said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ ” (John 20:28).

When I have selfishly denied Him? (see John 21:15-17). Peter denied Jesus Christ with oaths and curses (see Matthew 26:69-75), and yet after His resurrection Jesus appeared to Peter alone. Jesus restored Peter in private, and then He restored him publicly before the others. And Peter said to Him, “Lord…You know that I love You” (John 21:17).

Do I have a personal history with Jesus Christ? The one true sign of discipleship is intimate oneness with Him— a knowledge of Jesus that nothing can shake.

Quotes

If fear is cultivated it will become stronger, if faith is cultivated it will achieve mastery. ~ John Paul Jones

Given the nature of Ravi's handling the Indo-Naga political issue it is pertinent to point out that the talk is on Naga political issues for all the Nagas and covering all the Naga areas. But surprisingly Mr. Ravi reduces the talk to the state of Nagaland only. This is not only a mockery of the Framework Agreement co-authored by him representing the Prime Minister of India but insult to the Nagas as a whole.

Ravi's off-repeated catchphrase is "one issue one solution" but he signed two agreements-Framework Agreement with NSCN and Agreed Position with NNPGs. Where is he trying to take the Nagas to?

He simply wants to keep the Naga people divided by signing a parallel agreement. After manipulating the contents of the FA he tutored his favored Naga groups on how to look at FA, that FA is simply the recognition of Naga past history and nothing beyond that. The same way he misled the Parliamentary Standing Committee.

While briefing the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Naga Peace Accord with reference to the Framework Agreement, Ravi stated that the contours of the agreement had not been spelt out in the agreement. According to Ravi, the Framework Agreement was just about the recognition of the uniqueness of the Naga history by the Government of India and an understanding that inclusive settlement will be within the Indian federation with due regards to the uniqueness of the Naga history. He further stated that it was implied in the agreement that some special arrangement will have to be made

for the Nagas. This is simply Ravi's twisted interpretation of FA. Ravi had got himself a good partner in ex-Chief Minister of Nagaland and ex-Governor Mr. SC Jamir who is tooth and nail against Naga solution defending the 16 Point Agreement. Both of them had been surreptitiously working together and they are responsible for holding the NNPGs in the grip and misled the Gal, particularly the Prime Minister.

For all purpose Ravi stood firm behind NNPGs to wreck the FA and maneuvered the NNPGs to do his bidding. At the end of the day Ravi's hidden agenda was out in the open. But by then he had achieved what he desperately wanted, to bring confusion among the Nagas and designs groups to oppose the FA. With his overbearing attitude and hidden agenda up in his sleeves Ravi also went against the successive Prime Ministers of India and the Chief of Indian Army's "will" who declared on more than one occasion that the Naga problem is "political issue" and not "law and order." Much to the indignation of the Naga people, Ravi went against their commitment to pull down the Naga political issue to constitutional law and order problem. As a result of his newly founded stratagem we have seen the killings of NSCN members, house raids, arrest and manhunt by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under his supervision. The ubiquitous Assam Rifles (AR) has gone hyper active since Ravi became the Governor of Nagaland.

In the past much before he came into the scene as interlocutor

Ravi used the print media to write tormenting articles on Naga issue.

In his article in 2012 "Chasing a chimeric peace" he stated that they (the Nagas) know that peace is a distant dream .... not inherently distant because Delhi, by design & default makes it so. As we sum up the sinister game plans of Ravi there is no doubt to it that he is an extension of Delhi plan by virtue of his post. In 2014, he wrote another article "Nagaland decent into chaos". This is exactly what he did to Nagaland today as there is chaos of his making.

Scheming to create schism within the Nagas, Ravi in his meeting convened by him at Hotel Japfu, Kohima, dated 18th October, 2019 coined divisive phrase to categorize the Naga society into "primary" and "secondary" stakeholders. This speaks volumes of his deceitful plan to destroy the Naga society.

On the current status of the talk NSCN put on record that PM level talk has not gone down to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) level talk.

Interlocutor carries the mandate of the PM. NSCN has been talking to Ravi as Interlocutor and not as Governor. But since Ravi created imbroglio in the talk process, the PM give mandate to continue the talk to a team of IB as a Fast Track Channel for communication and clear the pending points in the competency. Once everything is clear the agreement will be at political level of the Prime Minister.

Significantly, there is officially agreed and set up mechanism between the GoI and NSCN for the political talk and ceasefire which need to be enumerated herewith.

(1) Talk at the highest level e.g.

Prime Minister or Group of Ministers. Or interlocutor that carries the mandate of the Prime Minister.

(2) The Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR) review committee is headed by Special Secretary, Internal Security of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), GoI. This committee can amend or change the agreed ground rules. The GoI is usually represented by Special Secretary, DGMO, DGMI, IB, Chief Secretary of Nagaland or Home Secretary, IGAR and NSCN team led by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) V.S. Atem.

(3) Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) is headed by chairman appointed by the GoI. NSCN appoints its Convener. Whenever there is violation of ceasefire from either side the Chairman intervened and control the situation as per ground rules.

(4) The ground rules are made because Indian constitution and its laws are not applicable to NSCN. Therefore, the agreed ground rules are outside the purview of the Indian constitution.

However, there is some highhandedness emanating from the hands of Ravi. How come Ravi who represents the Prime Minister has made the Ceasefire Review Committee (CFRC) and CFMG to nothingness as he has dismantled the officially set up mechanism.

This is a serious matter as it constitutes a part of the Indo-Naga ceasefire that was set up in order to streamline the smooth functioning of ceasefire ground rules from both the parties.

MIP, NSCN/GPRN Note: Do not circulate the original copy with the GPRN/MIP letter head on social media Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the

In the long run, if the concepts are implemented it would lead to rapid changes in the economic systems. Tax rule transparency or simplification is good for foreign investors, who often feel hassled and knock the doors of the ministry for corrections. Convincing tax men has not been easy even for many astute finance ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direct intervention is expected to help in simplification of the process.

The country aiming to become a global hub has to have friendly tax policy that lures all.

The pandemic, however, is likely to delay implementation of the new announcements. The industry is gasping to start their operations. There are many uncertainties and many rent seeking. Sporadic or weekly closures are impacting normalization of business.

The scare of the pandemic is more damaging than the supposed disease.

This too has to be tailored to the vision. The country wishes success to Modi but he also has to ensure practicable operations to achieve it if growth has to be bedrock.

74th Naga Independence Day 14 August 2020 Ato Kilonser Z.Hozheto Chophi Dear, comrades of all rank and files compatriots, countrymen and women.

First of all let us thank our Almighty God for sustaining our Naga Freedom struggle from all ups and downs and sheltering us from our enemies because it was only by his grace and divine intervention that we Nagas could come this far.

On this auspicious day, I take this privilege in saluting our Naga Patriots and martyrs who have laid down their lives for our national cause though there are no more with us, yet their legacy will remain and linger on forever and I pray earnestly to God to provide solace and sustenance to the family members of the martyrs.

After such a long conflict which is one of the longest conflict of Asia which has been going on for almost a century, now our aggressor (India) realised the futilities of military warfare against Nagas, and that the Indo Naga imbroglio cannot be solved militarily but only through political negotiation, that led to the signing of an agreement on 17 Nov 2017 with WC NNPGS of which the talks is still being held so as to come to a peaceful conclusion between the two nation.

The political negotiation between GOI and WC, NNPGS carries the essence and spirit of may 16,1951 Naga plebiscite ,thus there is no major issue left between WC and GOI and therefore could arrive at a solution at any given day.

I appreciate our Convenor Mr. N. Kitovi Zhimomi Ato Kilonser GPRN/NSCN and Co-Convenor of WC for exhibiting utmost maturity and wisdom on the negotiating table and the unity that we exhibit today will contribute to the greatest of Naga Nation tomorrow. Three years political negotiation has covered almost all the core issues for a dignified political solution. The present incumbent RN Ravi interlocutor and PM Modi are more serious to solve the Naga issue at the earliest. Hence it is my fervent appeal to all to continue to pray for our nation so as to bring about a permanent peace between the two Nation. KUKNALIM MIP, NPGN/NNC Editor in any manner.

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

5

PM Modi pay respects Parl monsoon session to witness many firsts toPresident, Vajpayee on his death anniversary

NEW DELHI, AUG 16 (PTI): Hectic preparations are underway for the Monsoon Session of Parliament with several first-time measures in view of the COVID19 pandemic such as staggered sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and use of both chambers and galleries to accommodate members while following physical distancing norms, officials said.

The Monsoon Session is likely to begin in the last week of August or early September.

According to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, members of the Upper House will be seated in both chambers and galleries during the session.

This is the first time in the history of Indian Parliament since 1952 that such an arrangement will be in place, where 60 members will be seated in the chamber and 51 in the galleries of Rajya Sabha and the remaining 132 in the chamber of Lok Sabha. Similar seating arrangements are being worked out by the Lok Sabha Secretariat as well.

For the first time, large display screens and consoles for participation from galleries, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, special cables

A view of Parliament house between the two Houses and polycarbonate separators will be in place.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at a meeting on July 17, after detailed examination of various options for holding the session, decided on using the chambers and galleries of both the Houses.

Naidu has directed officials to complete preparations for the session by the third week of August when testing, rehearsal and final inspection would be carried out. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has been working overtime for the last two weeks to ensure full preparedness, officials said.

While both Houses usually function simultaneously, this time due to extraordinary circumstances,

one House will sit during morning hours and the other in the evening, sources say.

The last Budget Session of Parliament had to be curtailed in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and both Houses were adjourned sine die on March 23.

As per precedent, Parliament has to be convened before the end of six months from the last session.

Work is in progress at fast pace for ensuring several additional installations in the prescribed time which include installation of four large display screens in the House chamber, six small screens in the four galleries, audio consoles in galleries, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, special cables connecting the two Houses for transmission of audio-visual signals and polycarbonate

sheet separating the officers gallery from the chamber, Rajya Sabha Secretariat officials said. They said the arrangements mark the firstof-its-kind session to be held in compliance with social distancing norm to check the spread of COVID-19.

Subsequently, senior officials of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat held detailed discussions with agencies concerned and firmed up special arrangements to be made and they are being worked upon.

Various parties will be allotted seats in the chamber and galleries of Rajya Sabha based on respective strength and the remaining will be seated in the chamber of Lok Sabha in two blocks meant for ruling parties and the others, they said.

Inside the Rajya Sabha chamber, seats will be earmarked for the Prime Minister, Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition and leaders of other parties.

Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda, besides Union ministers and Rajya Sabha members Ram Vilas Paswan and Ramdas Athawale, will also have earmarked seats in the chamber of the House. Other min-

isters will be seated in the seats meant for the ruling party members.

All the seats in the galleries are being fitted with consoles to enable participation of members in the proceedings of the House from their seats.

Placards will indicate the parties accommodated in each gallery of the Rajya Sabha.

Special cables are being laid connecting the two Houses of Parliament for transmitting audio-visual signals of the proceedings both ways without any time lag to enable real-time participation of members seated in the two Houses.

Polycarbonate sheets will separate the Officials Gallery of Rajya Sabha from the chamber as both are in close proximity, the RS secretariat said.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system in the air conditioning system of Rajya Sabha for killing the bacteria and virus in air supply is also under consideration, it said.

Seating in the Officials Gallery and Press Gallery will also be in conformity with social distancing norm, each accommodating 15 persons.

Ram Nath Kovind, M Venkaiah Naidu, Narendra Modi and J P Nadda arrive to pay tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary. (PTI) NEW DELHI, AUG 16 (PTI): President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among several dignitaries who paid tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary on Sunday.

They were joined by several Union ministers and other leaders at ‘Sadaiv Atal’, the memorial to Vajpayee in the national capital, in paying respects to him. Modi said India will always remember his

outstanding service and efforts towards the nation’s progress.

“Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi.

India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation’s progress,” Modi tweeted. Vajpayee, the first BJP prime minister, had passed away on this day in 2018. A statesman and saffron stalwart, he was fondly remembered by other senior BJP leaders.

Home Minister Amit Shah said the country for

the first time saw “good governance” being implemented across the nation under Vajpayee. The Modi government is striving for the welfare of the poor and good governance by keeping his ideas at the centre of its work, Shah added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Vajpayee’s tremendous contribution towards pubic life and India’s development will always be cherished, and his vision for the country will continue to inspire coming generations.

Pranab Mukherjee continues to Russia makes corona vaccine, India hawks ‘papads’: Sanjay Raut be on ventilator support: Hospital much better and stable than the preceding days”.

“Yesterday, I had visited my father in Hospital.

With God’s grace and all your good wishes, he is much better and stable than the preceeding days! All his vital parameters are stable and he is responding to treatment. We firmly believe that He will be back among us soon. Thank You (sic),” he said on Twitter.

“With all your prayers and good wishes, I firmly believe that he will be back among us soon and in good health,” he tweeted.

The 84-year-old for-

mer president was admitted to the hospital on Monday and was operated upon for removal of a clot in the brain. He is also COVID-19 positive. The hospital, in a statement, on Sunday said, “There is no change in the condition of Hon’ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee. His vital and clinical parameters are stable and he continues to be on ventilator support.”

“The health condition of the former president who also has multiple old comorbidities is being closely monitored by a team of specialists,” it said.

DSW launches ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ campaign

Director of Social Welfare, Atoli Sema along with other officials during the launching programme.

DIMAPUR: Along with the rest of the country, “Nasha Mukt Bharat” campaign for the state was launched by director Social Welfare Atoli Sema on August 15.

In a press release, DSW assistant director K Wango Langsym stated that, director in her speech mentioned that campaign will be carried out extensively in three identified districts namely, Kohima, Dimapur and Mon. She said the programme will

be carried out by conducting awareness generation programmes in the schools and colleges for students, teachers and parents. It will also be forming students’ clubs in the colleges to discuss and spread awareness, referring/taking victims or users to rehabilitation centres/ hospitals for counselling or treatment. It will also be monitoring the counselling and treatment facilities in the districts, ensuring strict

implementation of ban on sale of tobacco within 100 metres of any educational institutions.

The campaign will also help in conducting training programmes for the service providers at the district level and sub-division level, encouraging community participation and public cooperation.

Campaign will also help in identifying volunteers in the community and training them to work as community peer for spreading awareness in the community. She also requested line department, service providers, civil societies and faith based organisations for cooperation to carry out the campaign successfully. The campaign will be carried out till March 31, 2021 which will be sponsored by ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India.

74th Independence Day celebrated across Nagaland DIMAPUR: The 74th Independence Day was celebrated across Nagaland on August 15 with VIPs and officials at their respective designated places.

Tamlu: Tamlu celebrated the occasion at ADC office compound, Tamlu on August 15 with ADC Tamlu, Chingak Konyak as the special guest. According to DIPR report, ADC unfurled the national flag and delivered the Independence Day speech.

National Anthem was sung by Students of Christian English School Tamlu.

Leo Club Dimapur: Leo Club, Dimapur celebrated along with Lions Club Dimapur, Lions Club Blue Venda, Lions Club of Hornbill, Lions Club of Japfu and Leo Club of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary

School Dimapur (SMHSS), by hoisting the national flag, followed by flag salutation, national anthem, and tree plantation at SMHSS. VWF: Vivekananda Welfare Foundation (VWF) observed the 74th Independence Day on August 15 near the office of VWF at DMC building and at Dimapur Railway Station by riding around the city holding national flag and singing patriotic numbers.

A press release by VWF stated that, short speeches were given by official member Arijit Sharma and VWF president, Niranjan Saha. VWF has been working hard standing upon the motto, “Service to man is service to God.”

publicly claimed that consuming ‘Bhabhiji Papads’ will boost immunity against Covid, stands exposed as he himself is now infected,” Raut said.

Attacking the AYUSH Ministry, he said it had claimed that ayurvedic medicines would be effective against corona, but now AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik has also been infected.

“More than half a dozen ministers in the Centre are down with Corona, former President Pranab Mukherjee is affected, even Amit Shah recently came out unscathed by the virus.

Only Russia went ahead and brought the vaccine and did not even bother to

Sanjay Raut ask the WHO. That’s called a superpower,” the Sena MP said. Now, he said, three days ago, it came to light that the Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust Chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has been infected. “Mahant Das had shared the stage at the Ram Temple foundation

stone ceremony on August 5, along with PM Modi, and was not even seen wearing a mask. He had come in contact with Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, the PM even shook hands with the Mahant. The question is - will the PM be quarantined now,” Raut wondered.

Like Mumbai, even New Delhi is in the grip of the corona scourge with Union ministers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officials getting infected and the national capital which runs the country, is practically “idle”, he said.

“There are no political interactions, even the I-Day celebrations were muted, there are no protests... the

situation was not so bad during riots or wars. There was a fear of Modi and Shah, but the corona scare is greater,” the Sena leader asserted.

L a u d i n g R u s s i a ’s achievement, Raut said that our politicians are “in love with America more”, and if the US had successfully developed the first vaccine, the Indian leaders would have sung paeans to US President Donald Trump.

He also expressed suspicion “whether our VVIPs and officials who have been infected had acquired the Russian corona vaccine secretly, though there’s nobody to bother about the ordinary Indian masses suffering from Covid-19”.

state

Peace Channel & NEISSR observe International Youth Day DIMAPUR: Peace channel and North East Institute Of Social Sciences & Research (NEISSR) observed International Youth Day (IYD) on August 12 through a webinar session with guest speakers Rini Ghose, team leader of Serendip Guardians on mental health, Jenpu Rongmei chief functionary of Can Youth on social entrepreneur and Loreni Sophia, advocate and director, community health initiative (CHI).

While speaking about Serendip Guardians and mental health in the state,

Rini Ghose shared that mental health was not complex as people often think. “Mental health is about emotional, social and psychological well being of an individual.

Linking to the theme for youth on engagement for global actions, it is important to advocate for young people on mental health”, she said.

She added that people need to normalize this issue as important as physical health and amid the pandemic, many had come forward to express that they were” not okay”. Ghose expressed concerned over

COVID-19 especially with returnees who were mostly young people and facing stress and anxiety over loss of job, quarantine centre ex periences of isolations, etc.

Jenpu Rongmei said that, “We lack action oriented young people now. There is so much to be done and we need to come out”. In his 10 years of work experience on social development sector, he saw that there was lack of sharing and people working together and hoped that young people would resolve conflict inside them and start talking about domestic

violence.

Sharing about the latest project, “period movement in Nagaland”, Loreni Sophia said that the journey started for her to address menstruation issues and educate women about their periods, provide sanitary pads and show them how it’s disposed off. Sophia said that with the help of Anoop Khinchi, they launched vending machines for girls in government schools in Dimapur for free, made of bio degradable material.

Meanwhile, the webinar was moderated by

Vitono Haralu, trainer and consultant, Peace Channel with a silent prayer in remembrance of frontline workers and people who have lost their lives due to COVID-19.

60 participants attended the webinar and supported by Serendip Guardians, Can Youth, Community Health Initiatives, Nagaland NGOs Forum and Christian Forum Dimapur. The next webinar session is scheduled on August 18, 11 a.m with guest speaker, Nenden Vinna Mutiara Ulfa, co-founder and trainer of school of reconciliation.

NDPP, ACCC Kohima condolence SCS Chessore bags national award

DIMAPUR: Rank and file of NDPP and 9th Kohima town Assembly Constituency Congress Committee (ACCC) respectively expressed shock and sorrow at the demise of late Neilazotuo Kire, NDPP president of 9th Kohima town A/C at Kohima on August 16. Late Neilazotuo had served as the political secretary to Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, from 20082013 and continued to be his closest advisor till his demise. He was also a registered class-1 contractor known for his philanthropic works among the citizens of Kohima village.

In a condolence message, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak stated that, late Kire had worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the people and was an asset to the people of Kohima town constituency and the NDPP party. As the president of the NDPP Kohima town assembly constituency, he led by ex-

ample and strived to ensure that the party grew from strength to strength, stated the message.

Chingwang also said that in his demise, the NDPP and the constituents of Kohima town A/C, has lost a shinning member and a leader of the grassroots, where the vacuum would not be easy to fill.

NDPP conveyed heartfelt condolences to bereaved wife Ala-a Kire, children and family members and that the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

ACCC 9th Kohima town A/C: In a condolence message the 9th Kohima town Assembly Constituency Congress Committee (ACCC) described late Kire as a man of principle and trust worthy. It also expressed sorrow at the loss of a good leader and friend and pray that God grant solace and strength to bereaved family members and that the departed soul rest in heavenly abode.

DIMAPUR: St. Christopher School (SCS), Chessore, Tuensang district bagged the Golden Award from the Pallikkutam National Awards for “Innovation in Education 2020.”

A press release from SCS Chessore, Rev. Fr. Loyola Antony stated that, over 56 schools from 16 states all over the country participated in the contest.

Literary competitions (written) included mathematical puzzle, mental aptitude, general knowledge, drawing and coloring, handwriting (English and Yimchunger), essay writing, folk story writing (English and Yimchunger), moral story writing (English and Yimchunger), composing poem (English and Yimchunger), translation (English to Yimchunger and Yimchunger to English). The best items will be chosen for the school magazine which the school is planning to print.

Talent competitions (video) included recitation of

folk stories (English & Yimchunger), recitation of moral stories, hair styling, dance (English), dance (Traditional), traditional attire, poetry in action, action song, singing (English), singing (Traditional), unique talent show (any talent not mentioned in this item), speech (English & Yimchunger).The best performing students’ videos will be uploaded in the school YouTube page and they will be given prizes when school

reopens. Besides these activities, the teachers are also giving exciting activities to students and at least 10-15 class-wise activities for each subject, beyond the syllabus (physical and mental) to make the learning of children more interesting and enriching. SCS is an upper primary (class VIII) Catholic school established by the Diocese of Kohima (Nagaland) on March 21, 2015 at Chessore village.

K-1291

NEW DELHI, AUG 16 (PTI): The condition of former president Pranab Mukherjee remained unchanged on Sunday and he continued to be on ventilator support, doctors attending to him said.

They said his vital and clinical parameters are stable. The doctors at the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantonment said the health of the former president is being closely monitored by a team of specialists. His son Abhijit Mukherjee said he visited the hospital on Saturday and his father “is

M U M BA I , AU G 1 6 (IANS): Contending that Russia has given the first lesson in ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) by making a vaccine against coronavirus, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday said India is still busy hawking “wacky remedies like ‘Bhabhiji Papads’”. “Russia had boldly gone ahead and brought the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine. Russian President Vladimir Putin even administered it to his corona-hit daughter to win the country’s confidence over its efficacy,” he said.

On the contrary, in India, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Arjun Ram Meghwal, who

national/state

Raj Bhavan under surveillance: WB gov

Jagdeep Dhankhar according to rule of law.

My internal inquiry will be completed soon enough,” he said.

The gover nor also spoke about confidential documents getting leaked.

There was no word from the government on Dhankhar’s claim.

Expressing “pain” at Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet colleagues not attending the customary At Home hosted at Raj Bhavan, the governor’s official residence, on Independence Day, Dhankhar said that less than 35 distinguished guests had been invited keeping in mind the COVID-19 outbreak.

“It has been very painful for me....I was constantly interacting with the state

government through the chief minister, was impressing upon her consistently that the programme will be held totally and strictly following the COVID protocol and keeping the number to bare minimum.

“It would have been befitting for the occasion, it would have been a good tribute to our freedom fighters’ sacrifice if the chief minister and members of the executive invited (had attended); it has set a bad precedent,” he said. The chief minister had met the governor at Raj Bhavan on Saturday morning after attending the official Independence Day event but did not attend the AT Home. Referring to some of his many face-offs with the Mamata Banerjee govern-

ENCSU questions DoTE on NSEE selection process

(From p-1)

Pointing out that many students did not continue their degree courses and opted for coaching classes just to appear for NSEE, the union asked the directorate whether the directorate would compensate these students who wasted a year just for this exam. It also wanted to know from the directorate on what basis it had fixed the marks criteria for various allied courses.

Asserting that all aspirants deserve a fair chance and opportunity, ENCSU

demanded immediate intervention of the State government in the matter to ensure justice to students.

The union also appealed to the selected candidates to be aware of the situation while taking admission, while asking the government to respond before the completion of the admission process.

It asked the government to redress the issue without delay and deliver justice to all the deserving students before the classes start in various colleges.

It may be mentioned that DoTE had on August

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

5 had stated that candidates wishing to undergo courses in agri and allied and paramedical courses against the State’s allotted seats that NSEE would not be held due to the current pandemic situation and restrictions.

Accordingly, DoTE director Er. Arjun Singh the Common Selection Board (CSB) on August 4 accorded the Merit List 2020 which was determined as per the approved Methodology of Normalization of Marks based on NBSE marks as BASE for selection of the candidates.

ment since he took over as the governor of West Bengal a year ago, including those at the state Assembly, during his visits to universities and the Constitution Day function, he said, these were not the signs of democracy or freedom.

Dhankhar said he had found the gates to the Assembly locked during a scheduled visit. Likewise, the chamber of the vicechancellor was under lock and key during his visit to a university of which he is the ex-officio chancellor, he said.

On the Constitution Day, he was sixth in queue to address the Assembly, the governor said.

“I pray to almighty that good sense prevails, Constitution is respected,” he said, adding, “15th August was another painful day for me, political violence and killing was noticed over unfurling of the national flag.”

A BJP worker was killed allegedly by TMC supporters at Khanakul in Hooghly district following a tiff over unfurling the tricolour at the same spot.

“We are in a state of lawlessness, already situation is alarmingly worrisome,” the governor said.

He said as the governor

he has a constitutional right to know about the happenings in the state and that it is the duty of the chief minister to make information available to him.

Dhankhar said there have been five editions of Bengal Global Business Summit, but his questions on how much investment was promised and how much was actually delivered, and about jobs created have not elicited any response from the government.

He said his advice to the civil administration and police to act as public and not political servants and conduct themselves in accordance with law and neutrally, has gone unheeded.

“It is my commitment to the people of West Bengal, I will do everything possible to ensure that democracy in the state flourishes, and democracy will flourish only if there is rule of law,” he said.

Dhankhar alleged that the police administration is acting in a manner which is “seriously compromising” the activities of political opponents of the ruling party.

He said that even MPs and MLAs were being slapped with criminal cases and “threatened in a manner that will shake anyone.”

BJP and RSS control FB and Whatsapp in India, says Rahul N E W D E L H I , AU G (AGENCIES): Attacking the BJP, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that the saffron party and the RSS control of Facebook and Whatsapp in India.

“They spread fake news and hatred through it and use it to influence the electorate,” he said.

Reacting to Gandhi’s tweet, Shashi Tharoor said that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology would “certainly wish to hear from Facebook about these reports and what they propose to do about hatespeech in India.”

Gandhi’s tweet comes after senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called Facebook “greatest carrier of lies” and termed it a “lethal threat to social harmony and reasoned debate.”

Ramesh also said that the Parliament must institute an inquiry into FB’s practices.

A report by the Wall Street Journal claimed that the social media company had ignored alleged hate speeches by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Rahul Gandhi The story also mentions that Congress had flagged concerns to a senior executive of the social media company whose name has popped up in the news report.

Facebook’s senior India policy executive had reportedly blocked the call for banning BJP’s Telangana MLA T Raja Singh from the social media platform and intervened when the MLA’s hate posts were flagged.

T Raja Singh, who represents Goshamahal assembly constituency in Hyderabad, had made communally sensitive posts on Rohingyas saying they should be shot dead. He had also called Muslims traitors and threatened to raze mosques.

Congress IT cell started

running #AntiIndiaFacebook campaign on Twitter after WSJ news report went viral.

Congress’ National Coordinator for social media Gaurav Pandhi tweeted, “By enabling communal hate of BJP, @Facebook is running down Mahatma Gandhi’s values basis which our Independent India was founded. #AntiIndiaFacebook. The details of Zuckerberg’s company favouring hate speech in India for commercial success are disturbing.”

Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary blasted the Modi government saying it doesn’t only control media but social media too.

“Facebook has been showing partiality for a very long time. But now with this WSJ article, things become more clear. Modi Government doesn’t only control media but social media too,” he tweeted.

Congress IT cell chairman Rohan Gupta said Facebook is turning out to be the East India Company of 21st Century adding that it is no surprise that those who colluded with the British are now getting favours from Facebook to run down democracy in India.

Chinese man with hawala link ‘bribed’ monks living in Delhi

NEW DELHI, AUG 16 (AGENCIES): A 42-yearold Chinese man, identified as Charlie Peng who is accused in Rs 1,000 crore worth cross-border money laundering racket, had been bribing some ‘lamas’ (Buddhist spiritual monk) in Delhi’s Majnu ka Tila to gather information on Dalai Lama and his associate, the Income Tax department found in its probe on Sunday.

Peng is alleged to be the kingpin of this racket.

The 42-year-old Chinese national, aka Luao Sang, is allegedly holding a fake Indian passport and officials said he created a “web of sham companies

Luao Sang to launder hawala funds to and from China” in the past two-three years.

It is alleged that Peng got a fake Indian passport from Manipur after marrying a woman from that state. He reportedly entered India in 2013.

According to officials,

No. 9657 Yesterday’s solution No. 9656

No. 4276 Yesterday’s solution No. 4275

No. 3300 Yesterday’s solution No. 3299

Across 3. Spanish snacks (5) 8. Flower containers (5) 10. Pugilist (5) 11. Snake (3) 12. Confine, enclose (3,2) 13. Daybook (7) 15. Finger, toe (5) 18. Pen part (3) 19. Spiritualist’s meeting (6) 21. Represents in words (7) 22. Water jug (4) 23. Move in water (4) 24. Bewails (7) 26. Nutty sweet (6) 29. For every (3) 31. Threaded fastener (5) 32. Mrs Mop (7) 34. Go by bike (5) 35. At this moment (3) 36. Male duck (5) 37. Concur (5) 38. Address the public (5) Down 1. Wooden shoe (5) 2. Beginner (7) 4. Biblical murder victim (4) 5. Tolerates (6) 6. Girl’s name (5) 7. Ancient artefact (5) 9. Former French coin (3) 12. Natural surroundings (7) 14. Pinch (3) 16. Chews steadily (5) 17. Conditions (5) 19. Spire (7) 20. Denim trousers (5) 21. To object (5) 23. Peculiar (7) 24. Solicitor (6) 25. Born as (3) 27. Yellow-orange (5) 28. Lizard type (5) 30. Gem (5) 32. Coagulate (4) 33. And not (3)

Peng used to handover nearly Rs 3 lakh in cash to the ‘lamas’. Some men working with Peng confessed to the I-T department that they used to give money in packets to the people concerned.

The entire communication was done on Chinese app ‘WeChat’, which has now been banned in India. The I-T has shared the information with other government agencies to intensify probe.

The money laundering racked was busted by tax sleuths earlier this week when officials raided some Chinese individuals and their local associates and seized a number of

documents and computer peripherals and recovered about Rs nearly 60-70 lakh cash from multiple premises in the Delhi-NCR region.

The tax sleuths raided at least two dozen premises in Delhi, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad on Tuesday as part of the action under which it covered the Chinese, some of their Indian associates and bank officials, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had said in a statement.

They said his front or showcase business was import and export of medical and electronic goods and some other items.

Charlie, the sources

said, was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police in September, 2018 on charges of fraud and forgery and was allegedly running an illegal money changer.

The CBDT in its statement, without taking any names, had said that the “subsidiary of Chinese company and its related concerns have taken over Rs 100 crore bogus advances from shell entities for opening businesses of retail showrooms in India”.

Evidences of foreign hawala transactions involving Hong Kong and US dollars have also been unearthed, the CBDT said.

India sends assistance to Mauritius to help deal with oil spill

NEW DELHI, AUG 16 (PTI): India has sent 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an IAF aircraft to Mauritius to help the country contain an oil spill on its pristine south-east coast.

A 10-member Indian Coast Guard (ICG) team specialising in containing oil spill has also been deployed to Mauritius to extend necessary technical and operational assistance, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday.

A Japanese bulk carrier struck a coral reef off the coast of Mauritius in late July and leaked hundreds of tonnes of oil in the environmentally sensitive region days later. On Saturday, Mauritian authorities said the ship, MV Wakashio, broke apart. Last week, Mauritian Prime Minister

Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of environmental emergency and sought international assistance to deal with the situation.

“In response to a request of the government of Mauritius for assistance in dealing with the environmental crisis due to oil spill on its south-east coast, the government of India has dispatched over 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an IAF aircraft to Mauritius to supplement the country’s ongoing oil spill containment and salvage operations,” the MEA said in a statement.

The MEA said India’s assistance is in line with its policy to extend humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of

Govt lacks vision to resolve unemployment issue: NPCC (From p-1) Stressing that with no funding policies, there was no point of talking of dreams and plans, the NPCC chief said Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 20-lakh crore package to boost India’s economy but regretted that Nagaland has no clue as to what to do.

He said the State government was proud of Jobs created under rural development department. However, he added that if job cards were distributed honestly, more than 4.5 lakh people would be employed.

And if 100 days’ wages

are honestly paid, he said it would be good money for farmers for working on their farms. In this pandemic, Therie advised the government to stop obtaining blank cheques and stop convergence of funds to other activities from wages money.

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security and growth for all in the region. It said the urgent assistance reflects the close bonds of friendship between India and Mauritius and New Delhi’s abiding commitment to assist the people of Mauritius in need.

“The specialized equipment, consisting of ocean booms, river booms, disc skimmers, heli skimmers, power packs, blowers, salvage barge and oil absorbent graphene pads and other accessories, is specifically designed to contain the oil slick, skim oil from water, and assist in clean up and salvage operations,” the MEA said.

India has also sent Mauritius essential medicines and other materials to help it in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. A special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines and a medical team were part of the assistance.

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KO L K ATA , AU G 1 6 (PTI): Raj Bhavan has been placed under surveillance “undermining the sanctity” of the institution, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar alleged on Sunday, a development that could plunge his already strained ties with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to newer depths.

Making the startling claim, Dhankhar, who has often crossed swords with the TMC government over a host of issues in the past one year, also alleged lawlessness was prevailing across the state.

“I would like to tell you all that the Raj Bhavan is under surveillance. It undermines the sanctity of the Raj Bhavan. I will do everything to protect its sanctity,” Dhankhar told a press conference.

“I have initiated a very serious, critical probe into it. Sanctity of Raj Bhawan’s functioning has to be kept intact,” he said.

Without eleborating on what kind of surveillance Raj Bhavan had been put under, Dhankhar said, “As constitutional act, I will not, will never suffer any surveillance of any nature whatsoever. Those who have done it, must pay the price

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

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6

International

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

‘Will stand with India against threats’

WASHINGTON, AUG 16 (PTI): Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has asserted that if elected, his administration will stand with India against the threats New Delhi faces from its own region and along its borders and vowed to continue to rely on the Indian-American diaspora, that keeps the two nations together.

L a s t we e k , B i d e n scripted history by selecting Indian origin Senator Harris, 55, as his running mate in the US presidential election. Harris, whose father is an African from Jamaica and mother an Indian, is the first-ever Black vice-presidential nominee. Presidential elections in the US will be held on November 3 and the 77-year-old is challenging incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in the polls.

“Fifteen years ago, I was leading the efforts to approve the historic civil nuclear deal with India. I said that if the US and India became closer friends and partners, then the world will be a safer place,” Biden, who was vice-president in the Obama administration, said while addressing the IndianAmerican community on India’s Independence Day. If elected president, Biden said, he will continue

Joe Biden

to believe this and also continue to stand with India against the threats it faces from its own region and along its borders.

Biden said that he will work on expanding two-way trade between the US and India, and take on big global challenges like climate change and global health security.

If elected, the Democratic candidate said, he will work to strengthen the democracies where diversity is the mutual strength.

On this day, let us “continue to deepen the bond that endures between our nation’s and our people,” Biden said.

He said that “as President, I’ll also continue to rely on the Indian-American diaspora, that keeps our two nations together, as I have throughout my career”.

“My constituents in Delaware, my staff in the Senate, the Obama administration that had more In-

dian-Americans than any other administration in the history of this country, and this campaign with Indian Americans at senior levels, which of course includes the top of the heap, our dear friend (Kamala Harris) who will be the first Indian American vice president in the history of the United States of America,” Biden said.

“We all know she’s smart, she’s tested, she’s prepared. But another thing that makes Kamala so inspiring is her mother’s immigrant story to the US that started in India, with pure courage that brought her daughters to this moment. I know the pride you feel. It’s your story too,” Biden said.

“For your sacrifices, and your family’s courage, you became pillars of our community and our country. You’re patriots and the frontlines of this pandemic.

In this reckoning of systemic racism, you’re making real real promise that America is a place where people of all races and religions can live together in peace,” he said.

“But I know it’s hard.

My heart goes out to all those of you who have been the targets in a rise in hate crimes, and the crackdown of legal immigration, including a sudden and harmful actions on H-1B

visas. That for decades have made America stronger and brought our nation’s closer,” Biden said. The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

“While it’s sometimes may not feel like the US of your dreams, we will overcome and build back better than ever. Like (former President) Barack Obama had asked to me, I’m asking Kamala Harris, to be the last person in the room to ask the tough questions of me, provide counsel, most of all to always represent the belief in possibilities,” the former US vice president said.

Around 1.3 million Indian-Americans are expected to vote in this year’s election, with nearly 200,000 in battleground states like Pennsylvania and 125,000 in Michigan, according to the research firm CRW Strategy.

In the 2016 presidential election, 77 per cent of Indian Americans voted for Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton.

President Donald Trump has been seeking to win over Indian voters, praising Indian-Americans as business and technology leaders.

Suspected bubonic plague in Mongolia ULAANBAATAR, AUG 16 (IANS): A suspected case of the bubonic plague has been reported in Mongolia’s Khovd province, the country’s Health Ministry said on Sunday.

A 37-year-old resident of Tsetseg soum in the province is now under isolation at a local hospital, Xinhua news agency.

The man was found to have eaten marmot meat, and is now in critical condition, the Ministry said, warning citizens not to hunt marmots or eat marmot meat.

Meanwhile, at least 22 people who had contacted the man have been quarantined.

Although hunting marmots is illegal in Mongolia, many regard the rodent as a delicacy and ignore the law.

Since the beginning of this year, 13 suspected cases of the bubonic plague have been reported across the Asian country, four of which were confirmed by laboratory tests.

A 42-year-old man died of the bubonic plague in the same province on August 11, while a 15-year-old boy passes away due to the disease in Govi-Altai province last month.

7

Russian docs to be given COVID vaccine ahead of stage 3 trails

MOSCOW, AUG 16 ( AGENCIES): Russia on Saturday said it has produced the first batch of its coronavirus vaccine, just days after President Vladimir Putin announced it had been first in the world to approve a vaccine, reports LiveMint.

“The first batch of the novel coronavirus vaccine developed by the Gamaleya research institute has been produced,” the health ministry said in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies.

Russia has named the covid vaccine “Sputnik V” after the Soviet-era satellite that was the first launched into space in 1957.

On Tuesday, Putin announced that Russia has approved a vaccine against

coroanvirus even though clinical trials were not yet complete. He said that the vaccine was safe and one of his daughters had been inoculated.

Russia’s move to approve a vaccine even before the final stage trials has drawn a sceptical response from many scientists.

The Russian covid vaccine has been developed by the Gamaleya research institute for epidemiology and microbiology in Moscow in coordination with the Russian defence ministry.

The head of the institute, Alexander Gintsburg, told the TASS state news agency on Saturday that volunteers taking part in the final stage testing of the vaccine’s safety and efficacy would have two inocula-

tions. Russia has said that mass production of the vaccine is expected from September. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko had earlier said that first batch of covid vaccine would first be made available to doctors and would later be available to all Russians on a voluntary basis.

The volunteers being inoculated in the final stage of the clinical trials of the Russian covid vaccine would not be hospitalized, new agency TASS reported, citing the head the institute that has developed the vaccine. “The volunteers won’t be hospitalized beforehand.

All of them will come and go from their homes,” Alexander Ginzberg, head of the Gamaleya institute told TASS said.

HK leader cuts ties with alumnus

HONG KONG, AUG 16 (IANS): Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has rescinded her honourary fellowship from the University of Cambridge’s Wolfson College, severing ties from an institution she accuses of peddling “groundless” allegations about her, it was reported on Sunday.

Lam’s move came after the college expressed concerns last month over her role in the national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in June which

is aimed at punishing acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security, reports the South China Morning Post (SCMP) newspaper.

The latest edition of her register of interests showed that her Wolfson College title had been crossed out.

In a Facebook post on Saturday night, Lam said that she had written to the college a day earlier to relinquish her fellowship after cancelling her US visa.

Lebanese president calls probe into Beirut blast ‘complex’ Wrecked oil spill ship in Mauritius breaks apart

In this Aug. 8, 2020 file photo, French criminal police officers work on the site of this week’s massive explosion in the port of Beirut, Lebanon.

ship, including Aoun, and security officials were aware of the chemicals that had been stored there for years.

The blast killed 180 people and wounded more than 6,000. At least 30 people are still missing.

Aoun said the probe is divided into three parts. The first aims to determine the circumstances surrounding the cargo, the second where it came from and who shipped it and the third who was responsible for handling and securing it.

“We had the determination to reach conclusions quickly but we found out that the issues are very complex and require time,” said Aoun.

UAE-Israel deal is betrayal of Palestinian cause: Rouhani

TEHRAN, AUG 16 (IANS): Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has slammed the US-brokered agreement between the UAE and Israel, saying that it “a betrayal of the cause of the Palestinian nation”.

Leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are wrong to think that by “attaching themselves to the US and the Zionist regime”, they will guarantee their own security and economical growth, he was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency.

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) also slammed the historic diplomatic move as “a clear betrayal of the common cause of the Islamic community.

The normalization has been “planned and led by the terroristic and inhumane regime of the US”, it added.

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The establishment of UAE-Israel diplomatic ties is aimed to “legitimize the Zionist regime, weaken the Palestinian resistance front and put aside the questions of Jerusalem and Palestine”.

On August 13, Israel and the UAE reached the historic agreement to work towards a “full normalization of relations.”

As part of the agreement, Israel will suspend the annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank, while it focuses on expanding ties with other Arab countries with other nations in the Muslim world.

The UAE and Israel will also immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for coronavirus.

According to reports, this is the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country in 25 years.

When asked about what measures he took when he learned of the explosives in July, Aoun said the information came to him “very late,” but his military adviser was reassured that those with direct responsibility were handling the matter.

“They all were informed,” Aoun said, adding that he made sure those who could take measures to secure the area were in the loop.

Aoun said FBI and French investigators were helping because “they more than us have the capability and ability to find out the details of what got the ship here, what is the source and

who owns it.”

Aoun, who is backed by the powerful Hezbollah militia, said he asked for satellite images to determine if there was an air raid, saying he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a foreign missile attack.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has denied his group has any role in the explosion and said any international probe would likely seek to clear Israel of responsibility in the port explosion, if it had a hand.

Israel has denied involvement and so far no evidence has emerged to suggest otherwise.

Many Lebanese want the probe taken out of

About 90 tonnes of the fuel were believed to be still on board when the vessel split.

PORT LOUIS, AUG 16 (IANS): A Japanese bulk carrier that has leaked hundreds of tonnes of fuel oil off the Mauritius coast has broken apart, according to the authorities in the islandnation.

On July 25, the MV Wakashio ran aground at Pointe d’Esny, a known sanctuary for rare wildlife, with 4,000 tonnes of the fuel, causing an ecological emergency, the BBC reported.

The area also contains wetlands designated as a site of international importance by the Ramsar convention on wetlands. In a statement on Saturday night, the Mauritius National Crisis Com-

mittee said: “At around 4.30 p.m., a major detachment of the vessel’s forward section was observed.”

About 90 tonnes of the fuel were believed to be still on board when the vessel split, the committee said, adding that booms had been reinforced near the vessel to absorb any more oil that leaked out.

Mauritius has said it will seek compensation for the leak from “the owner and the insurer”.

Japanese firm Nagashiki Shipping has pledged to respond to requests for compensation.

According to Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, more than 3,000

social distancing slowed Covid-19 spread: study NEW YORK, AUG 16 (IANS): Government-issued physical distancing orders significantly slowed the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to an estimated reduction of more than 600,000 cases in the US within three weeks of implementation, say researchers.

According to the study, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, between March 10 and March 25, all 50 states and the District of Columbia enacted at least one statewide physical distancing measure to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

“Many have strongly suspected that physical distancing policies helped interrupt Covid-19 transmission during the early days of the US epidemic,” said study author Mark J Siedner from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

“This study adds clear evidence to support those suspicions. The results show the timing of government-

Social distancing

issued orders correlated strongly with reductions in both cases and deaths,” Siedner added.

For the results, the research team analyzed data from the first five months of the Covid-19 pandemic in the US. They collected data on government-issued orders on statewide physical distancing measures and compared changes in Covid-19 cases and Covid19-attributed deaths in states that implemented physical

distancing measures before and after implementation.

The results show the average daily Covid-19 case growth rate began declining approximately one incubation period (i.e. four days) after implementation of the first statewide physical distancing measures.

The period of time required for the number of cases to double (epidemic doubling time) increased from approximately four days to eight days within three

weeks of implementation.

What is unique to this new study is researchers found that the average daily Covid19-attributed death rate also began declining after the implementation of physical distancing measures, which prior to this study had not been analysed.

The study looked at a wide array of measures, including school and business closures, restrictions on public gathering, and shelter-in-place orders. Most combinations of these orders appeared to have similarly beneficial effects.

The findings of the model suggest that statewide physical distancing measures reduced the total number of reported Covid19 cases by approximately 1,600 cases by one week after implementation and - due to the exponential growth of the spread - by approximately 621,000 cases by three weeks after implementation.

of the 4,000 tonnes of oil from the ship’s fuel reservoirs had been pumped out.

Last week, he declared a state of emergency and appealed for international help. An oceanographer and environmental engineer in Mauritius, Vassen Kauppaymuthoo, told the BBC that local residents were now “breathing heavy vapours of oil”, and there was a “mixture of sadness and anger” over the spill.

Police in Mauritius said they have been granted a search warrant, allowing them to board the vessel to take away items of interest such as the ship’s log book in order to help with an investigation.

Happy 75th Birthday

Mrs. Amongla Lanu August 17, 2020

DP-3469

BEIRUT, AUG 16 (AP): Lebanese President Michel Aoun says the probe into a devastating blast in Beirut is “very complex” and won’t be finished quickly.

Responding to calls that he step down, Aoun told French TV station BFMTV in his first interview with foreign media since the August 4 blast that it would be “impossible” because it would create a power vacuum. The interview aired late Saturday.

The cause of the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut’s port remains unclear. Documents have emerged showing that the country’s top leader-

the hands of their government, fearing that bickering among the long-entrenched political factions, notorious for corruption, won’t allow any results to come to light that are damaging to their leadership.

Popular anger has swelled over the ruling elite’s corruption, mismanagement and political uncertainty. Under pressure, Lebanon’s government resigned August 10. For now, there are no formal consultations underway on who will replace Hassan Diab as prime minister and no likely candidate has emerged.

Asked about the public anger, Aoun said he shares the rage. “They call me the father of the people,” he said. “I am one of them.”

Bu Aoun said “it is impossible” for him to step down because it would create a power vacuum. He also said the moment is not right to hold presidential elections.

“The political and popular atmosphere can’t take new elections before restoring calm,” he said.

“They would be emotional and not a true representation of the people.”

Aoun was elected in 2016, breaking more than 2 years deadlock in which Lebanon remained without a president.

Your age do not define the strength that lies within or compare the love you’ve shown.

We stand in awe of your accomplishments. It's incredible to think of all that you’ve seen and done.

Life’s road isn’t always smooth, but you managed to walk in truth, pushing on even when times were tough you showed us that love and truth would always prevail.

Your believed in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving thanks reflects God’s own character of outgoing love and mercy.

No one could guess those complicated medical conditions you fought through. And we believe, God has a mighty hand in all those impossible miracles.

Happy 75th birthday. May God the Almighty, continue to give you good health and happiness.

With love, prayers and gratitude, Sunup, Naro, grandchildren, in-laws and loved ones K Y M C

8

sports

Lyon dumps Man City out of CL

Players of Lyon and Manchester City fight for the ball during their Champions League match.

L i s b o n, Au g 1 6 (IANS): Olympique Lyon faced Manchester City and applied a 3-1 rout, going to the semi-finals of UEFA Champions League.

On the side of City, Pep Guardiola surprised by betting on Fernandinho on the right, Aymeric Laporte in the middle and Eric Garcia on the left in a very defensive line in Saturday’s encounter, reports Xinhua news agency.

In the first minutes of the game, the Spanish coach’s tactics seemed to have worked, since City managed three chances in just eight minutes, with a dominant 75 per cent pos-

session of the ball. However, after 10 minutes, the game started to change and the Lyon team started to take shape. In the 23rd minute of the first half, Toko Ekambi’s shoot was stopped by Garcia’s sliding tackle, and Maxwel Cornet took the loose ball, firing it in the back of the net.

The goal was even reviewed by the video referee, but confirmed shortly thereafter.

City’s response came soon after, with the English team growing in the game against Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes performing four saves in the first half, ensuring that the game

went to the interval with minimal advantage.

At the beginning of the second half, Guardiola was forced to bring on attacker Riyad Mahrez for Brazilian defender Fernandinho.

The change seems to have had an effect and after 23 minutes of the half, when Mahrez on the left released Sterling, who assisted De Bruyne from the byline.

Four minutes later, Lyon’s number nine, Moussa Dembele, received a free kick on the right, advanced and hit between the legs of Brazilian Ederson. The French team was again

ahead on the scoreboard.

Five minutes later, after Ederson’s rebound, Dembele scored the third and finish off oil-rich City, who are still yet to progress to the semifinals of Champions League, despite spending more than two billion euros on player transfers in the past decade.

With this result, the semifinals are already defined with two French and two German teams. On one hand, Paris Saint Germain and RB Leipzig are playing on Tuesday, and on the other, Bayern Munich and the newly qualified Lyon, on Wednesday.

Bencic withdraws from US Open New York, Aug 16 (IANS): 2019 US Open semi-finalist Belinda Bencic became the latest to pull out of the Grand Slam that is scheduled to begin on August 31. Bencic is the third 2019 semi-finalist to pull out of the 2020 US Open.

The 23-year-old Swiss wrote on social media on Saturday that she “made the difficult decision to skip the US swing in New York and will return to the tour starting in Rome next month.”

She will hence be participating in the Italian Open, a clay court tournament that is part of the buildup to the French Open which is scheduled to start on September 27.

“I would like to thank the US Open and the USTA for all their hard work and effort they have put together to have both Cincinnati and the US Open take place this month. I am looking forward to returning to New York next year and wish everyone competing there in the coming weeks the best of luck,” said Bencic.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

De Bruyne is PL player of the season

Kevin de Bruyne

L o n d o n, Au g 1 6 Agencies): Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne was named the Pre-

mier League Player of the Season on Sunday, becoming just the third Belgian to win the award for the

league’s top performer.

The 29-year-old set up 20 goals in the 2019-20 campaign, equalling the record for most assists in a Premier League season set

by Arsenal striker Thierry Henry in 2002-03.

He also scored a personal best 13 goals but was unable to help City defend its top-flight crown, with Pep Guardiola’s side finishing 18 points behind champions Liverpool.

De Bruyne beat Liverpool trio Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Southampton striker Danny Ings, Leicester City’s Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy and Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope to the award.

De Bruyne’s former City team mate Vincent Kompany and ex-Chelsea winger Eden Hazard are the two other Belgians to win the accolade.

Alexander-Ar nold was named Young Player of the Season earlier this week, while Juergen Klopp won the Manager of the Season award.

Former India opener, UP minister Chetan Chauhan dies

NEW DE L H I , AUG 16 (PTI): One of Indian cricket’s most well-known batsmen without an international hundred, former opener Chetan Chauhan died on Sunday due to COVID-19 related complications after being put on life support for nearly 36 hours.

Chauhan, who played 40 Tests for India, was 73 and is survived by his wife and son Vinayak. Chauhan was currently serving as the minister of Sainik Welfare, Home Guards, and Civil Security in the Uttar

Chetan Chauhan

Pradesh cabinet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the veteran BJP member.

“Shri Chetan Chauhan Ji distinguished himself as

a wonderful cricketer and later as a diligent political leader. He made effective contributions to public service and strengthening the BJP in UP. Anguished by his passing away,” Modi posted on Twitter.

Chauhan, who was the legendary Sunil Gavaskar’s longest serving opening partner, was admitted to Sanjay Gandhi PGI in Lucknow on July 12 after being testing positive for COVID-19.

Due to kidney related ailments, his health deteriorated. On Friday night, he

had a multi-organ failure and was put on ventilator support.

After retiring, Chauhan served as the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) in various capacities - president, vice-president, secretary and chief selector - apart from being manager of the Indian team during its tour of Australia in 2001.

He was twice elected to the Lok Sabha from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, in 1991 and 1998 and was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1981.

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