August 2, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 237

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

PSG beat Lyon; lift French League Cup

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sports, Page 8

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State COVID tally crosses 1800-mark Highest singleday spike of 130 cases 1183 active 640 recovered 2 migrated 6 deaths* D I M A P U R , AU G 1 (NPN): Incidence of Coronavirus continued unabated as Nagaland on Saturday recorded the biggest singleday spike of 130 COVID-19 cases. The overall tally also crossed the 1800-mark (1831 cases-- 1183 active, 640 recovered, 2 migrated and 6 deaths).

In a tweet, Health minister S. Pangnyu Phom said that out 552 samples tested for COVID-19, 130 came out positive. He said 109 cases were detected from Dimapur and 21 from Kohima.

As per the severity of symptoms, 1,181 active cases were asymptomatic, 1 mild and 1 admitted to ICU on oxygen and 6 deaths-- 4 due to COVID, 1 death

Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh dies NEW DELHI, AUG 1 (PTI): Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, who once wielded imAmar Singh mense influence in power circles as a close aide of Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, died on Saturday in Singapore where he was undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments. Singh, 64, had undergone kidney transplant in 2011 and was not keeping well for a long time. He was admitted to a hospital in Singapore some eight months ago. Singh is survived by his wife Pankaja Singh and two daugthers --Drishti and Disha.

Zion hospital suspends services

D I M A P U R , AU G 1 (NPN): Zion Hospital and Research Centre (ZHRC) Saturday announced that all services would be suspended starting August 2, 2020 till further notice. In a public notice, ZHRC management informed that services were being suspended as a precautionary measure after a few of its staff tested positive for COVID-19. ZHRC said that all contact tracing, testing and isolation have been initiated as per guidelines.

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON august 1, 2020 District Dimapur

ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsympRecovMiTotal Death tomatic grated Cases Critical ICU ered Mild With Oxygen 0 0 167 821 647 6* 1

0 362 Longleng 0 Mokokchung 11 Mon 109 Peren 21 Phek 13 Tuensang 4 Wokha 7 Zunheboto 7 Total 1181 Kiphire

0

0

0

Kohima

1

1

130

0

0

3

0

0

7

0

0

39

0

0

231

0

0

15

0

0

42

0

0

1

0

0

5

1

1

640

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

0 495 3 18 148 252 28 46 8 12 1831

*4 deaths reported as due to Covid-19, 1 death is Covid-19 positive but not due to Covid-19 (paid quarantine center) and 1 Covid-19 positive death (with co-morbidities) under investigation.

(positive) but not due to COVID and 1 death under investigation (co-morbidities and positive case). .

Meanwhile, active surveillance and contact tracing have been activated to prevent further spreading of the infection.

According to state Health department data (positive cases by domicile district), Dimapur recorded the highest number of cases at 719, followed Kohima423, Peren-331, Mon- 173, Tuensang- 51, Phek- 29,

Mokokchung and Wokha18 each, Zunheboto- 14, Longleng- 5, Kiphire-4 and others- 46.

T h e r e c ove r y r a t e among the COVID-19 patients in Nagaland is 34.83 per cent.

Till August 1, a total of 24,917 samples were sent for testing through RT-PCR and results of 22,436 samples received. Out of 16,307 samples received at BSL-3 lab (NHAK), 15,137 were tested out of which 1,264 tested positive.

1 more death reported in Dmu

D I M A P U R , AU G 1 (NPN): Another suspected COVID-related death was reported in Dimapur’s Kevijau Colony on Saturday.

According to official sources, the deceased, reported to be 75 years had earlier been admitted to a hospital for some ailment.

He was discharged from the hospital on July 25 and died in the morning of August 1.

On being informed of the death, a medical team collected swab samples for testing through TrueNat and the result confirmed positive for COVID-19.

However, another test for COVID-19 will be done through RT-PCR at the BSL lab and result was awaited.

With this, the number of deaths (all from Dimapur) rose to 10.

As per the Health department data out of five deaths (all COVID positive), four died due to COVID-two at Dimapur District Hospital; one at Nikos Hospital; one at Medzhiphema CHC. A woman (from Assam) who died and tested positive for COVID at a

Oppn plea to Gov for extension of NLA session D I M A P U R , AU G 1 (NPN): In order to discuss issues of “public importance” including Naga political issue, COVID-19 and SARFAESI Act, 2002, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) TR Zeliang has sought the intervention of the Governor of Nagaland for extending business session to three days during the ensuing 6th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

In a letter addressed to the governor, the LoP said that the date of commencement and the number of days for Assembly Sessions are chosen at the convenience of the Speaker and Leader of the House.

However, he said that this privilege cannot act as a license for either the Speaker or Leader of the House to construe duration of Assembly Sessions tailored for their personal suitability.

Zeliang said that the Assembly Secretariat had

shifted the culpability of holding one-day Session to the Raj Bhavan through its Bulletin Part-II on the night of July 29, 2020. Zeliang said the bulletin maintained that the direction of the governor for postponement “indicated” August 13, 2020 implying that the 6th Session of the 13th NLA would be a one-day session as most of the MLAs would move to various Administrative HQs on August 14, 2020 for hoisting the National Flag on Independence Day. Asserting that the dignity of the Assembly and its democratic principles “cannot continue to be abused by the present day government”, the LoP said it was essential that the governor re-examine the matter with utmost urgency and consider his three-point suggestion: (1). Convene the 6th Session from August 11, 2020 to August 13, 2020 for a period of three days; (2). differing the commence-

ment date of the 6th Session to a day after August 15 or preponement of the same in order to accommodate at least three days session or commence the 6th Session on August 13 as scheduled and (3). adjourn the House without sine die and resume for another two days after August 15 (post recess).

Zeliang said NPF had proposed extension of the 6th Session to the Speaker, but it went unattended.

He admitted that it may not be conducive for holding normal Assembly Session at this juncture since the state including its Capital was reeling under immense pressure due to COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent imposition of total lockdown by the state government.

He, however, said that one-day Session was not adequate by all means and therefore, urged the governor to intervene and issue necessary direction.

Jawans carry casket of Rifleman late Methna Konyak in Mon.

K Y M C

paid quarantine centre in Dimapur, was not due to COVID, it added.

On July 25, an employee of a gas agency died due to health issues and tested positive for COVID through TrueNat. On July 29, a woman around 45 years old from Aoyimti village had tested positive for COVID-19 through TrueNat after her death. She was also suffering from health issues.

On July 30, another woman (around 45 years) from West Yard colony died after suffering from health issues. The initial test through TrueNat was positive and RT-PCR confirmation test report also returned positive.

A resident of Duncan Basti (male around 40 years) died on July 31. Sources said that the person had been suffering from other ailments. The TrueNat test report was positive and RTPCR confirmation report awaited. It was learnt that the deceased was buried on August 1 at the new Naga cemetery at Zani village area.

international, Page 7

New Education Policy will turn ‘job seekers’ into ‘job creators’: PM NEW DELHI, AUG 1 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the new education policy announced by the government emphasises on making ‘job creators’ instead of ‘job seekers’ and is an attempt to transform the intent and the content of the country’s education system.

Addressing the finale of the Smart India Hackathon, he said the National Education Policy-2020 facilitates inter-disciplinary study which will ensure that the focus is on what the students want to learn. “It is not just a policy document but a reflection of the aspirations of over 130 crore people.

A large section of students feel they are judged on the basis of subjects in which they have no interest…,” he said. “This approach has contributed to a population which is literate but what it has studied is of no use to it… despite having a pile of degrees, individuals feel incomplete and lack confidence which affects their whole life. The new education policy is an attempt to change this approach and bring systematic reforms

State to offer ‘one nationone ration card’ scheme

NEW DELHI, AUG 1 (AGENCIES): Nagaland including Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Uttarakhand have joined the ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ scheme, taking the total number of states and union territories connected under the scheme to 24, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Saturday.

With this, about 65 crore beneficiaries, comprising 80 per cent of the total beneficiaries, covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) can now get their subsidised ration from anywhere in these 24 states and union territories, he said. Remaining states/UTs are targeted to be integrated in national portability by March 2021, he added.

Under the ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ initiative, eligible beneficiaries would be able to avail their entitled foodgrains under NFSA from any fair price shop in the country using the same ration card. “While taking note of the requisite technical readiness J&K, Manipur, Nagaland and Uttarakhand, the department of Food & Public Distribution has enabled the integration of these four states/UT with existing 20 states for the national portability,” Paswan said after reviewing the progress of the implementation of this initiative.

in the education system by reforming the intent and content,” he added.

Modi said that the new NEP has been framed keeping in mind the aspirations of the youth of 21st century of our country. “The 21st century is the era of knowledge. This is the time for increased focus on learning, research, innovation.

This is exactly what India’s National Education Policy, 2020 does. We are focussing on the quality of education in India. Our attempts have been to make our education system the most advance and modern for students.

“The policy is about the spirit which reflects that we are shifting from the burden of the school bag, which does not last beyond school, to the boon of learning which helps for life, from simply memorising to critical thinking. The role of the youth is very important in achieving the goal of ‘ease of living’ to give a better life to the poor,” he said, while addressing students.

NEP approved by the Union Cabinet earlier this week replaces the 34-yearold National Policy on

DIMAPUR, AUG 1 (NPN): Rifleman Methna Konyak of the 4th Assam Rifles (AR), who was among the 3 killed on July 29 in a joint attack by militant groups, was laid to rest in Mon on Saturday. In a statement, PRO IGAR(N) said that

Methna was laid to rest in full military honours at his native home town in Mon. Police personnel, president Konyak Union, president Konyak Students Union and well-wishers were present to pay homage to the slain soldier.

“The brave heart made a supreme sacrifice for the Nation while fighting insurgents in Manipur on Jul 29 at Khongtal area of Manipur’s Chandel district near the Indo-Myanmar border.”

Offering condolences to the bereaved family members, the commandant Mon battalion assured all necessary support and assistance from Assam Rifles.

It was reported that the joint team of-- Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF), Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) and United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I), laid the ambush to a column of 4 AR on area domination at Khongtal village in Manipur’s Chandel district bordering Myanmar Wednesday night, around 8.30 p.m., close to the Indo-Myanmar border. The rebels attacked the jawans by detonating an improvised explosive device (IED) first and then opened fired at troopers with sophisticated arms.

Education framed in 1986 and is aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems to make India a global knowledge superpower.

Teaching up to class 5 in mother tongue or regional language, lowering the stakes of board exams, a single regulator for higher education institutions except for law and medical colleges and common entrance tests for universities are part of the sweeping reforms in the NEP. Replacing the 10+2 structure of school curricula with a 5+3+3+4 structure corresponding to age groups 3-8, 8-11, 11-14 and 14-18 years respectively, scrapping M.Phil programmes and implementing common norms for private and public higher education institutions are among other salient features of the new policy.

“Languages of India will progress and develop further due to the changes brought in the education policy. This will not only promote knowledge and learning in the country, but will also strengthen its unity,” he said.

India’s COVID tally races past 17L

NEW DELHI, AUG 1 (PTI): India’s COVID-19 tally of cases went past 17 lakh on Saturday evening, of which 11.1 lakh were reported in July alone thus accounting for about 65.48 per cent of the total instances of the viral infection reported in

the country so far.While around 7.32 lakh new cases were registered between July 15 and 31, the past month also so 19,111 lives lost due to the disease, which is around 52.34 per cent of the total 36,511 deaths recorded so far.

According to Union health ministry data updated at 8 am on Saturday, the country recorded 57,118 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours taking the tally to 16,95,988, while the death toll increased to 36,511 with 764 people succumbing to the disease during the same period.

At the same time, the number of recoveries too surged to 10,94,374.

This was the third consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 50,000.

However, by the evening, a PTI tally of figures showed that India’s COVID-19 count has crossed the 17-lakh mark and the number of recoveries has gone past 11 lakh.

The tally has been compiled with information provided by respective states and union territories.

The health ministry had in the morning reported that there are 5,65,103 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country.

Slain AR jawan from Mon laid to rest DUCCF, GBs Union query to H&FW on BSL-2

This is it!

“They’re sealing houses of our neighbour. Feels like a Hollywood horror movie.”

Mexico third in global pandemic deaths

nagalandpostofficial

DIMAPUR, AUG 1 (NPN): Dimapur Urban Chairman Councils Federation (DUCCF) and GB’s Union Sadar Dimapur have questioned the health minister and department officials why the Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory at CIHR had been inoperative due to lack of reagents “despite the flow of funds”.

In a joint press release, DUCCF president Tsenthungo Nyamo and GB’s Union Sadar Dimapur president MY Ngullie maintained that adequate resources have been pouring in from the central government, adding that state-of-the-art facilities should be set up with those resources to combat the pandemic.

They said that it was imperative that since Dimapur, being the most densely populated district in the state besides being the commercial centre and gateway to Nagaland the testing lab should be functioning on war footing.

They also said that the staff of CIHSR should check the stock of testing kits and reagents, adding that by now the staff should be able to assess how long the testing kits and

reagents would last.

The two organisations termed as “unfortunate” that in Dimapur only the dead seemed to get access to tests. They maintained that recent incidents showed that samples of deceased have been collected for testing which ultimately turned out to be positive cases.

They said that testing should have been done when they were alive so even family and friends would have taken adequate precautions when tending to their loved ones.

DUCCF and GB’s union Sadar Dimapur have, therefore, requested that required testing facilities and reagents be made more abundant to cater to all sections of the populace.

Under such circumstances, they said district task force was compelled to call for lockdowns, which bring the economy to a grinding halt.

They said that the most adversely affected were the daily wage earners, vendors and shop owners.

“It is the lower strata of the populace that faced this daunting daily reality,” they said.

Nikos hospital to resumes services

DIMAPUR, AUG 1 (NPN): Following deputy commissioner Dimapur’s directive, Nikos hospital informed that it would resume services from August 3 onwards.

According to Nikos hospital managing director, Dr. Victo A. Wotsa the emergency room and ICU were sealed since July 18 and then total lockdown since July 22 after two patient tested positive for Covid-19, out of which one passed away on July 21.

Eight of the staff, who had also tested positive for Covid-19

by TrueNat, were also shifted to Covid Care Centre.

Dr. Victo said that hospital complex has been thoroughly sanitized by the DMC and all non contact staffs were also under home quarantine since then. As per DC’s order for unsealing and permission to resume services, Dr. Victo said all services will resume from August 3.

K Y M C

state

2 nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Even with more COVID19 cases, will it be safe to reopen all daily markets in the state?

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

A B C

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

KVK Peren conducts awareness programme

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

A

B

C

Yes.

25%

No.

63%

Can’t Say.

12%

Next poll

probe on every case, a sign that people don’t trust state police?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

august 2

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A stray afternoon t-storm

34 27

Aizawl

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

Guwahati Mostly cloudy with a t-storm

28 22 35 26

A t-storm around in the a.m.

32 22

Itanagar A morning t-storm; some sun

32 25

Imphal Shillong

Couple of thunderstorms

26 19

Kohima

A shower and t-storm around

26 20

Dimapur

A stray morning thunderstorm 33 26

Mkg

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

Tuensang A thunderstorm in spots Wokha

A t-storm around in the a.m.

Zunheboto Couple of thunderstorms

29 21 24 17 28 22 27 19

Resource person sensitising farmers at the awareness programme held at Dwukwaram on July 27.

DIMAPUR: KVK Peren, under ICAR Research Complex for NER, Nagaland Centre, conducted awareness programme on Fall Army Worm (FAW) at Deukwaram under Peren district, on July 27.

A press release by KVK Peren, stated that farmers were sensitized about causal organism, mode of infection and

management of FAW in their maize fields. Plant protection chemicals were also distributed to the farmers.

Farmers reported that previous year, local sticky cultivars were not much affected but was found in all cultivars both local and improved varieties this year.

Fur ther a visit to maize fields to observe the

incidence of the pest was also conducted. Farmers were also sensitized about importance of maintaining hygiene, social distancing and wearing face mask to prevent infection from corona virus. Resource persons of the programme included Dr. Patu K. Zeliang, James Kikon and Dr. L. Babita Devi from Peren KVK.

KMC notifies on opening of shops

NPF minority wing extend Eid-ul-Zuha greetings DIMAPUR: On the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha, the NPF minority wing has extended warm greetings to Muslim community of Nagaland.

A greetings message

by NPF minority wing, central president Bishnu Bhattacharjee stated that Id-ul-Zuha was a festival of sacrifice and celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety in India and the world.

Mokokchung police arrest 2

Q: I s d e m a n d i n g C B I

WEATHER FORECAST

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020

DIMAPUR: Two persons were apprehended at Longkhum village on July 29, based on FIR by 23 Assam Rifles Mokokchung.

According to SP Mokokchung, the Assam Rifles FIR stated that basing on specific inputs from sources, an operation was undertaken at general area of Longkhum village, where in the process, arrested Takanungba (48 years) s/o late Tenenkaba and Among (28 years) s/o Sashi, both from Longkhum village.

Also, a number of weapon parts were also recovered from their houses.

DIMAPUR: Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) administrator Kovi Meyase has notified that following number of shops shall be allowed to open against each wards listed below.

According to DIPR report, the shops will be subject to: Strict adherence to all precautionary measures as mentioned in the SOP on use of masks, hand sanitisers, gloves and social distancing protocols; Strict adherence to directives of the ward authorities on the timings for opening & closure of shops; Strict adherence to rates of essential commodities as notified by KMC. The grocery shops to be opened wardwise are: Ward 1, 6 shops; Ward 2, 7 shops; Ward 3, 9 shops; Ward 4, 3 shops; Ward 5, 3 shops; Ward 6, 3 shops; Ward 7, 3 shops; Ward 8, 3 shops; Ward 9, 9 shops; Ward 10, 6 shops; Ward 11, 10 shops; Ward 12, 3 shops; Ward 13, 3 shops; Ward 14, 6 shops; Ward 15, 13 shops; Ward 16, 11 shops; Ward 17, 13 shops; Ward 18, 3 shops; Ward 19, 15 shops.

These grocery shops have been listed after due consultations with the ward authorities keeping in mind

Dead swine sample tests positive for CSF CIH Medziphema online trainings any unprecedented entry of individuals and groups without safety clearance is in order, not to expose the public of the sub-division and the rest of Wokha district and beyond, to the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic spread.

No unauthorised persons shall be allowed to enter the state of Nagaland, Wokha district or Bhandari sub-division through Wokha-Merapani road or any undesignated points, nor allowed to go out of Wokha district as COVID-19 positive cases have reportedly surged in the neighbouring districts of Golaghat and Jorhat in Assam, the order stated.

DIMAPUR: Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Medziphema under the Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, India, provide institutional support for development of horticulture in North East region.

A press release by CIH Medziphema stated that, during the national lockdown, the institute has been striving to continue its activities on post harvest management and has been assisting/training interested individuals through online portal and online trainings of all aspects of food processing for entrepreneurship development.

It also encouraged individuals to establish their own food processing units for their self income besides generating employment in this sector. The objective is to provide self-employment, to reduce post-

DDGBA for retaining incumbent DC Dimapur

DIMAPUR: Reacting to the transfer of Dimapur DC Anoop Khinchi during “these precarious and unfortunate times,” the Dimapur District GBs Association (DDGBA) in line with Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum, Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation, Naga Council Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union and other CSOs/NGOs has also decried the sudden transfer of Pochury Students’ Union (PSU) held a meeting with Business Association Meluri on the said officer.

July 27 at PSU office, where the Business Association accepted the appeal of PSU to DDGBA president disinfect the essential commodities vehicles bound for Meluri town. (PSU media cell) Khehovi V. Chophi and general secretary, L. Ponghok Phom in a press release has justified that DC

DC issues lockdown measures for Dimapur

DIMAPUR: With partial lockdown being declared in Dimapur from August 3, 2020, the deputy commissioner Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi has issued the lockdown measures for Dimapur, strictly to be followed by all.

1. From August 3 2020, only shops dealing with essential commodities will be opened for public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

2. Wholesale markets will remain open from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. only 3. Vegetable vendors will be allowed to sell vegetables in the colonies/ villages only and not in the main market 4. Pharmacies will open from 9 a.m. and will continue to remain open as per normal business hours.

5. New Market, Hongkong Market, Hazi Park, Millenium Market, Railway bazaar and Vegetable market at Purana Bazar will continue to remain closed.

6. Public are directed to buy essential commodities from their respective colonies/village shops.

7. As the lockdown

is enforced in the State, movement of all public are restricted except those coming out to avail essential services.

8. Inter-State & Inter District Movement is restricted. However, movement of Medical Emergency cases and Essential goods and services with proper safety measures in place will be allowed.

9. Odd/ Even system of vehicular movement will continue.

10. Autos are allowed to ply with only one passenger following all necessary Standard Operating procedure Protocol for COVID-19.

11. In all the essential commodity shops, social distancing to be strictly maintained and adhered to. Plastic screens are to be mandatorily installed in all shops & plastic shields to be mandatorily worn by all shopkeepers.

12. All persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health

purposes as per national directives. However, the functioning of the Offices of the District Administration, Police, Security Forces and Medical and Essential Service Providers like Treasury, Fire & emergency Service, Home Guards & Civil Defence, Prisons, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Airport Authority of India & Airlines, District Courts, Life Insurance, PHED, Power, NIC, DIPR, Food & Civil Supplies, Social welfare, IT &C, Directorates, Municipality/Town Council, AIR, Doordarshan, Central Institute of Horticulture, Medziphema, ICAR Jharnapani, Agri & Allied Departments, Postal Services, Pharmacies, Medical Clinics, Nursing Homes, BSNL & Private Telecom Services, Internet Service Providers, Media, LPG, Banks with minimal staff & ATMs, Petroleum outlets, Quarantine Centres, Persons/patients with Medical Emergencies and those person/individual involved in authorized COV1D- 19 related duties are exempted from the purview of the lockdown measures.

harvest losses and to provide fair price to farmers/growers of their produce.

Most of these entrepreneurs have difficulty locating information on processing techniques, ingredients, equipment, regulations, and most importantly, marketing therefore the institute has taken the initiative to provide hand holding support to the entrepreneurs. With the technical support from the institute, the trainees have started preparing value added products like pickles, jams, candy, RTS, cold pressed juices and fruit wine etc, which are being sold from home or via home delivery system during the lockdown. Till date CIH has conducted 4 online hands on training on processing and value addition of fruits and vegetables.

More such trainings will be conducted on a regular basis during the lockdown period.

NWHD on installation of BSL-3 lab DIMAPUR: Extending support to the statement made

by Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), the Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) urged the government to immediately install BSL-3 Lab at Dimapur COVID-19 Hospital. A press release by NWHD general secretary, Elis Z. Swu has questioned the “biasness in disclosing the test results” where for instance the results of samples taken later are declared much earlier than the sample taken much before it.

NWHD reminded the state government that Dimapur has hosted thousands of returnees in the past few months which make it most vulnerable for the spread of virus putting the district at higher risk. Pointing out that such lapses in the test laboratory and delay in sample results would worsen the situation, the NHWD stated that the district should be made fully prepared for any circumstances in the days to come.

Anoop Khinchi leading the DTF and other frontline workers has shown “undaunting statesmanship and unwavering spirit” and deserves accolades.

Pointing out that, “we holds no grudges against the new DC, (whomsoever) nor are we interfering with the working system of the government”, the DDGBA stated that replacing the incumbent DC who had been in office for just a

few months “appears too haphazard, absurd, farcical and very uncalled for.”

Dimapur District GBs Association therefore has beseeched upon the wisdom of government’s competent authorities to reconsider and immediately revoke the order and retain the incumbent DC, so as to enable him to continue shouldering the responsibilities, which he has been executing efficiently.

OFFICE OF THE ALICHEN COUNCIL SPO Alichen – 798607, Mokokchung Dist., Nagaland

NOTICE

As per the directive of the Govt. of Nagaland regarding COVID-19 pandemic, during this period of lockdown, the Alichen Council strongly opposes the move to call more than one hundred (100) personnel to 2nd NAP Alichen for training.

Sd/Kikameri Longkumer Vice Chairman

Sd/C. Atsung Secretary

MKC-175

and has asked the concerned department to continue monitoring the case for public health safety.

He also asked the Sector Commander, CRPF (Neutral Force) to cooperate in imposing a total ban of butchering pigs at Merapani Bazaar.

In another order issued on the same day, ADC Bhandari also stated that no individuals or returnees would be allowed to enter or cross over to the state of Nagaland through Bhandari Sub-division without clearance from the district authorities and health authorities concerned.

The order stressed that the purpose of restricting

DIMAPUR: Nikos Hospital and Research Centre’s (NHRC) services such as OPD, emergency/casualty, in-patient admission, deliveries, operation, vaccination etc has been granted to resume from Monday by DC Dimapur.

A press release by NHRC, managing director Dr. Victo A Wotsa stated that, the hospital’s emergency room and ICU were sealed from July 18 and further for total lockdown since July 22, since two patient admitted in

We the Konyak Students’ Union Dimapur (KSUD), Konyak Union Dimapur (KUD), Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong Dimapur (KNSKD) and all the Dimapur Konyak Community extend our heartiest congratulations to all the Konyak Brothers and Sisters for successfully clearing CBSE examination 2020, we also acknowledge both the toppers namely: 1. Mr. Jenkap Wangnao, S/o Rev. M. Chemyuh Konyak for securing 96.4 % & 2. Miss. Shukai Zebiah Konyak, D/o Mr. T. Manhom Konyak for securing 94.2 % in the recently declared results of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) both from Delhi Public School Dimapur.

Further the Unions and Dimapur Konyak Community wish them and pray that our Almighty God continue to bless them in all their future endeavors.

Mr. Wangwan Konyak President (KSUD)

Mr. Mosa Konyak President (KUD)

Ms. Angep Konyak President (KNSKD)

the ICU tested positive for Covid-19.

The release informed that tracing, isolation and testing of all contacts were carried out following proper protocol under guidance of Health department, where, unfortunately eight of its staff tested positive for COVID-19 by TrueNat screening and were shifted to Covid care centre.

Hospital complex had been thoroughly sanitized

by DMC and all non contact staffs were also in home quarantined since then.

news in Brief DC Peren convenes DTF meeting: DC Peren, Sentiwapang Aier has informed to all the concerned members that there will be a District Task Force (DTF) meeting on August 3, 12 noon in the conference hall of deputy commissioner Peren, to discuss matters related to COVID-19. All members have been requested to attend the meeting positively.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to notify to all the Consumers & Stakeholders of the State of Nagaland that M/s. Halo Energie Pvt Ltd., Hyderabad has filed a petition for Generation Tariff Determination of 20 MW Green Energy Solar Plant at Jalukie, Peren before the Nagaland Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on 29th June 2020.

The summary of DPR and Tariff Proposal are as below: Executive Summary: • Generator : M/s Halo Energie Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad • Capacity : 2 x 10 MW AC • Stages of Development : Single phase to commission full capacity • Plant Load Factor : 19.20% • Gross Power Generation : 28,185,910 kWh/year • Loan Term : 10% • Debt Equity Ratio : 70:30 • Nearest Sub Station : Jalukie Sub-station (33/11kV) at 2 Km distance • Plant Type : Solar Estimate Proposed on Cost & Finance Sl No

FELICITATION

DIMAPUR: Private hospitals registered under NHCE Act 1997 have been permitted to use Rapid Antibody Test (RAT) as Point of Care (PoC) for COVID-19 testing subject to fulfilment of the advisory.

According to DIPR report, the department of Health & Family Welfare have asked the interested hospital/ labs initiating testing through the rapid antigen PoC test to mandatorily register with ICMR for data entry into the ICMR portal on a real time basis. Such hospitals/ labs are to send their details to the state nodal officer for COVID-19 testing, Dr. Robin Lotha, joint director by email to stonu@ rntcp.oru and for any queries to contact at 8119000484. It informed that registered private hospitals within the state are allowed to charge an amount of 15% above MRP plus GST per test from the patient(s) for COVID-19 testing through Rapid Antigen Test.

Only ICMR validated RAT shall be used. The details of validated test kits list of companies/vendors of RAT kits for COVID-19 can be downloaded from https://vvww.icmr.gov.in/ pdf/covid/kits/List of rapid antigen kits 22Q72020.pdf.

NHRC to resume service from August 3

Amount (in lakhs)

Particulars

1.

Land Cost (per MW per year lease)

2.

Civil & general works

3.

PV Modules

4.

Mounting Structures

`. 35.70

5.

Power Conditioning Unit

`. 33.60

6.

Evacuation cost upto interconnection point (Cables & Transformers)

`. 54.60

7.

Preliminary & Pre operative expenses

8.

Total project cost per MW

9.

Proposed Tariff per kWh

`. 0.21 `. 50.40 `. 203.28

`. 42.00 `. 420.00 `. 4.20

3. Interested parties may peruse the said DPR and tariff proposal from office of the M/s Halo Energie Pvt Ltd., by mail: nccisd@gmail.com. On payment of Rs.100/- per petition or can download from the NERC’s official website i.e. www.nerc.org.in 4. Objection/ suggestion, if any on the DPR and tariff proposal submitted by the developer through the State Government, together with supporting materials may be filed before the Secretary, Nagaland Regulatory Electricity Commission, 341 Upper Agri Colony, Kohima in person or through registered post so as to reach the Commission on or before 15th August 2020.

5. The Public Hearing on the above matter shall be as per the date, time and venue decided by the Hon’ble Commission in due course of time.

DP-3343

DIMAPUR: Additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Bhandari, Tiameren Chang has issued a public order on July 29, stating that samples of death swine under Bhandari subdivision which were sent for test at ELISA Lab, Kohima, confirmed positive for classical swine fever (CSF) by the department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry on July 10.

According to DIPR report, it stated that the earlier order on total ban of transportation of pigs and slaughtering of pigs for meat consumption purpose under Bhandari subdivision, is reiterated further

the need for facilitating the public while also being mindful of the health protocols during the lockdown period. It is therefore reiterated that no other shops shall be allowed to open till further orders except those listed.

Grocery shops whose stocks need replenishments will inform their respective ward authorities for further needful action by KMC for which purpose, the chief inspector, KMC may be contacted at 94360-01900.

For the rural areas, area administrative officers may also contact the above official from the KMC for arrangement of any such requirements.

Furthermore, home deliver y ser vices will also be available at contact numbers: The Green Caravan 94360-01016; Entrepreneurs Associate 89744-73931; Y. V Deliveries 81328-63484.

Enough and sufficient stocks are available and that special movement permits are being issued to wholesalers for transportation of additional essential commodities into the district. Citizens are therefore advised not to panic.

Private hospitals permitted to use RAT

K-1278

Sd/Director, Halo Energie Pvt Ltd

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020

Militants trying to reorganise in Tripura: Ex-CM Manik Sarkar

AGARTALA, AUG 1 (PTI): Expressing concern, former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar has said that militants were trying to reorganise themselves in some parts of the state, and this should be crushed immediately.

Speaking to reporters at the CPI(M) party office here, Sarkar said the insurgents maybe were trying to revive their operations with an eye on the upcoming elections of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTADC).

“I have noticed that in certain areas in Khowai district, Lefunga in West Tripura district and Panisagar subdivision in North Tripura, which has a border with Bangladesh, the militants are trying to reorganise themselves.

This is a matter of concern and this should be crushed immediately,” he said on Friday.

Sarkar claimed that the insurgency could be crushed in the state due to the policies and programmes of the previous Left Front government.

In our time, the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) simply ceased to exist and their total arms and ammunition were taken away either by Bangladesh security forces or other militant groups who were hiding

Manik Sarkar

Bangladesh,” he said.

The National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) was also crushed during the 20-year Left rule in the state, the Leader of Opposition said.

It is worrying that they are trying to revive their operations, perhaps they are targeting TTAADC elections,” he added.

Sarkar said that his party CPI(M) wants the elections to be held in a free and fair manner at the earliest.

“The tribal council was dissolved on May 17 and the governor could have given a year’s extension to the incumbent council but he did not do so. In any case, we want the elections to be held in a smooth and peaceful manner at the earliest,” he said. The executive committee of the TTAADC was dissolved on May 17 as elections could not be held within its tenure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gover nor Ramesh Bais appointed an administrator.

Sarkar, a Politburo member of the CPI(M), expressed grave concern over the COVID-19 situation in the country as well as in the state.

He said that decisive actions should be taken in consultation with experts to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

What is most regrettable is that the COVID crisis has pushed the poorer sections of people, including the migrant workers, to the brink. They have lost their livelihoods and are not being provided with new means of income.

Even our demands for free ration for six months and a cash grant of Rs 7,500 per family have not been fulfilled by the Centre or the states,” Sarkar said.

Sarkar said that the CPI(M) was not opposed to the idea of lockdown and it appeals to people to maintain physical distancing but the total collapse of all activities due to the restrictions will ultimately lead to the collapse of the economy and suffering of the people.

He also demanded that doctors, nurses and paramedics be sent by helicopters to the remote areas of the state to take care of the situation there.

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NORTHEAST

COVID-19 fatalities rise to six in Manipur Correspondent IMPHAL, Aug 1: A 77year-old man who died at a private hospital in Imphal was found to have been infected by COVID-19, taking the tally of the pandemic related fatality to six in Manipur.

He expired late Friday morning and his swab sample was tested for the virus on the insistence of the family members as they felt he might have contracted the virus, official sources said.

The man who hailed from Chandel district of Manipur died at Catholic Medical Centre (CMC) in Imphal’s Koirengei where he was admitted for treatment of chronic diseases.

He expired due to COVID-19. He was also suffering from Hypertension, T2 diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, a report of the COVID-19 Common Control Room said today.

Following the result, CMC hospital has been sealed after the Imphal East district administration declared the hospital premises as a containment zone, the source said.

Including the aged person, the state has reported six COVID-19 related deaths since the first fatality reported on July 29.

Meanwhile, 80 more personnel of the Central security forces posted in Manipur and 55 individuals

including 37 without recent travel history were among new COVID cases detected in the state in the last 24 hours (6.30 pm of July 31 till 6.30 pm of August 1).

A release of the COVID-19 Common Control Room informed that of the 55 new cases, 43 were males and the remaining 12 females. Among them, 37 had no significant recent travel history.

Of the 55 new cases, 31 were from Imphal East district, nine from Imphal West, four from Bishnupur district, two each from Kakching and Tengnoupal districts, three from Thoubal and one each from Kangpokpi, Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts.

Including the new cases, the COVID-19 infections tally in the state rose to 2756.

Of these, 1051 were active cases and 1699 recovered cases as 10 persons were recovered and discharged on Saturday.

The common COVID control room said contacts were divisible into close or high risk and low risk contacts. Close contacts were persons who have come within six feet of a positive case and remained there for more than 15 minutes.

Close contacts should compulsorily undergo 14 days quarantine and testing.

Low risk contacts on the other hand, may not necessarily undergo testing unless symptomatic, it added.

Schools, colleges in Assam may open on September 1 GUWAHATI, AUG 1 (PTI): The Assam government has made preliminary plans to reopen educational institutions on September 1 but the final decision will depend on the directives of the Centre, state Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday.

All teachers and employees of the schools will have to get themselves tested, and the Education and Health departments will coordinate the efforts for the tests that will be conducted from August 23-30, the minister said while addressing a press conference here.

“We have drawn up a preliminary plan for reopening schools but it is still open for further discussions with parents and other stakeholders, and will be implemented only in accordance with the directives of the Union government,” Sarma said.

Schools will remain closed for students up to Class 4 till September-end, he said.

Classes will be held in open spaces such as the playground or courtyard of the school for students of standard 5-8, he said.

The classes will be divided into sections of 15 students and only these many students can attend classes at a time, he said.

Students of standard 9 and 11 will attend classes

Himanta Biswa Sarma in their classrooms for two days a week with 15 students being present at a time. Those in standard 10 and 12 will attend classes four days a week.

Only 15 students will be present at a time in a classroom and classes will be held for only three hours in a day, the minister said.

“Efforts will be made to ensure maximum social distancing with schools initiating shift systems with a particular class coming at an allotted time of the day,” he said.

At the degree level, classes will be held only for the final semesters while for the post-graduate students, the universities will take a decision.

All these propos als will be put up on the website of the Education

Department and people are welcome to give their suggestions till August 20, Sarma said.

“We will work on these suggestions but also wait for the Centre’s directive before taking a final decision,” Sarma said.

The minister further said that the Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA) and Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) have also been asked to consider either reducing the syllabus or providing maximum options in the question paper so that students do not face any difficulty if a portion of the syllabus has not been covered.

Educational institutions in Assam are closed since March 20, following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Eid-ul-Adha observed, sans festivity in Meghalaya Assam devotees offer Bakr Eid Correspondent Shillong, Aug 1: Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakri Eid, was observed

by Muslims across Meghalaya on Saturday, not with traditional festivity, but with prayers from home, as the state fights to curb the spread of novel Coronavirus pandemic.

The Meghalaya government is yet to take a call on reopening places of worship following surge of COVID-19 positive cases in the State. Thousands of Muslim faithful prayed for people suffering and dying from the contagious COVID-19 across the world.

“We offered ‘namaz’ in our homes and prayed for the doctors, nurses, para medical staff and administrations of all hos-

pitals around the world that Allah the Almighty keep them safe in carrying out their services for the ailing people,” Shillong Muslim Union leader, Sayeedullah Nongrum said.

The Eidgah of India’s first glass mosque, the Madina Masjid in Shillong, which usually witnesses large congregations during Eid-ul- Adha wore a deserted look today.

Likewise, eidgahs and mosques in other regions in the State also were without footfall as the State restricted the assembly of people as part of pre-emptive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the State.

“It never happened in the past when people could not congregate in mosques or eidgahs to pray together,” Nongrum said.

Meghalaya recorded

856 positive COVID-19 cases that includes 631 active, five deaths and 220 recoveries so far.

Governor Tathagata Roy and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma greeted the people on the occasion. “May this festival of sacrifice be celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in India and the world and instill in each one of us the spirit of love, compassion and selflessness and further strengthen the bond of love, brotherhood among fellow citizens.”

Roy said.

Sangma said: “May this holy festival help each one of us reaffirm our commitment to the spirit of love, compassion and selflessness and further strengthen the bond of love, brotherhood and camaraderie amongst all,

so as to achieve a society which is truly inclusive, a prerequisite for sustained growth and prosperity of the State.” Muslims constitute four per cent of Meghalaya’s nearly three million people -- predominantly Christians

BSF and BGB exchange sweets

Troopers of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) exchanged sweets on the occasion of Id-Ul-Zuha (Bakrid) on Saturday while adhering to the protocol of covid-19 taking all precautionary measures, an official said.

Inspector General of BSF, Meghalaya frontier, Kuldeep Saini, while conveying best wishes and greetings to BGB said,

“BSF and BGB while guarding the International border are also setting up an unprecedented example of deep friendship between them and acting as an ambassador of their respective countries.”

Saini also wished best of health and happiness to the people of Meghalaya on the occasion of Id-UlZuha.

Deputy Inspector General of BSF, U.K.Nayal said in the present scenario of COVID-19 and floods in the border area, both border guarding forces are tackling smuggling and other trans-border crimes with excellent coordination and trust among them.

“There is a smooth exchange of information between the forces upon which prompt action is being taken,” Nayal said.

Rajesh Kumar appointed Mnp chief secretary Imphal, Aug 1 (PTI): Senior IAS officer Rajesh Kumar was appointed the new chief secretary of Manipur on Saturday, as per an official order.

Kumar, who was the additional chief secretary, is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the

1988 batch, belonging to the Manipur cadre.

“The Governor of Manipur is pleased to allow Dr Rajesh Kumar IAS (MN 1988) Additional Chief Secretary to hold the charge of Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur with immediate effect

COVID-19 patient ends life by jumping off hospital building AGARTALA, AUG 1 (PTI): A 31-year-old COVID-19 patient allegedly died by suicide by jumping off the third floor of a hospital building in Tripura on Saturday, police said. The man, a resident of Muhuripur village in South Tripura district, was admitted to the state-run Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital here on Friday after allegedly consuming poison, they said. He had tested positive for COVID-19 during the mandatory rapid antigen test conducted before his admission to the hospital, authorities of the medical establishment said.

The man went to the third floor of the hospital building and jumped off a window early on Saturday. He died on the spot, they said. “Preliminary investigation suggests that the man was suffering from depression and he had twice attempted suicide earlier,” officer-in-charge of G B police station, Rakesh Patoari said.

and until further orders in public interest,” the order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms said.

J Suresh Babu retired as the chief secretary of the state on Friday on his scheduled superannuation from government service.

Dearest Toli, Many many happy returns of the day. May this birthday bring you good health, happiness and prosperity.

As you step a year older, may wisdom know no bounds in your life and you yearn more of God’s love.

With lots of love husband and son.

namaz at home amid COVID-19

Guwahati, Aug 1 (PTI): Most of the devotees of Assam offered their Eid al-Adha prayers at home on Saturday following a government order that did not allow large gatherings in mosques in the wake of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the state.

The Muslim community refrained from qurbani (animal sacrifice) this year in view of the pandemic, said officials.

Imams along with the permitted number of worshippers offered namaz in mosques on the occasion of the festival, also known as Bakr Eid. The persons permitted to gather at mosques and idgahs were directed to follow social distancing protocols at the time of prayer and wear facemasks.

“The places of offering namaz must be sanitised before and after the namaz,” ac-

cording to a government order. Following meetings with community leaders, the Assam government allowed the gathering of three to five persons for offering namaz in masjids in different districts on the occasion of the festival.

The administration of Kamrup (Metropolitan) district that comprises Guwahati has allowed the gathering of five devotees for offering the Eid namaz. Authorities of Kamrup, Karbi Anglong and Barpeta permitted the presence of three persons, including imams. The figure was kept at five, again including the imam, by Karimganj, Hailakandi, Jorhat, Nalbari, Tinsukia districts. Some devotees distributed uncooked rice, dal, oil and vegetables among needy people.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 237 Dimapur, SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020

Four-pronged assault

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ssam faces its worst crisis with COVID-19 ravaging the state, heavy rains causing floods to spring up another attack in the form of Japanese Encephalitis while swine flu has caused deaths of thousands of pigs in several districts. The vector-borne disease- Japanese Encephalitis (JE)- is spread by culex mosquito and has so far, caused the deaths of nearly 200 in 29 out of the 33 districts of the state. Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a serious public health problem in India. It is characterized as acute-onset of fever and a change in mental status (mental confusion, disorientation, delirium, or coma) and/or new-onset of seizures in a person of any age at any time of the year. Japanese encephalitis (JE), a vector-borne viral disease, caused by a group B arbovirus (Flavivirus) and transmitted by Culicine mosquito. Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) is most widely caused by Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus and in particular, mostly affects those under-15.

Japanese Encephalitis has been a perennial problem in the Northeast that affects the states during annual floods. In Assam now only Dina Hasao, Udalguri and Karbi Anglong districts have not reported a Japanese Encephalitis cases, rest 29 have. Kamrup (rural) adjoining Guwahati and Jorhat in Upper Assam are the worst-affected districts according to Assam health officials. AES due to JEV was clinically diagnosed in India for the first time in 1955 in the southern State of Madras, now Tamil Nadu. During 2018, 10,485 AES cases and 632 deaths were reported from 17 states to the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) in India, with a case fatality rate around 6 per cent. AES cases were reported mainly from Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh. Assam health teams, observed that Japanese Encephalitis (JE) transmission is going on in the state but at the same time transmission of other pathogens was also observed.The outbreak of both the vector-borne diseases - JE and AES - is severe in June, July and August in the State. Around 20-30% affected patients lose their lives in Assam annually because of JE and AES. This year, most the deaths were reported in June and July. Just like other viral strains, AES spreads through contaminated surfaces. According to a health official, viruses such as enteroviruses may be contracted through contaminated water. Once infected the patient can infect more individuals through their secretions and saliva. Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is one of the most common types of disease prevalent in the country. Since the mosquitos breed the most during the onset and peak monsoon season , the cases tend to rise around this time. The syndrome can also be caused by severe dengue, measles or zika virus strain. Since the symptoms are hard to identify and control, if not treated in time, the disease turns fatal. With COVID-19 then swine flu and now AES and JE, Assam’s health authorities have their hands full. However, the floods have not made their jobs any easier. It is also time for the health authorities in Nagaland to take note and to sound a note of caution for public with regard to rearing of pigs near houses and to make available test kits for AES and JE before outbreak of the disease, which has already reached Karbi Anglong.

DailyDevotion Learning About His Ways

When Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples…He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. —Matthew 11:1 He comes where He commands us to leave. If you stayed home when God told you to go because you were so concerned about your own people there, then you actually robbed them of the teaching of Jesus Christ Himself. When you obeyed and left all the consequences to God, the Lord went into your city to teach, but as long as you were disobedient, you blocked His way. Watch where you begin to debate with Him and put what you call your duty into competition with His commands. If you say, “I know that He told me to go, but my duty is here,” it simply means that you do not believe that Jesus means what He says.

He teaches where He instructs us not to teach. “Master…let us make three tabernacles…”

(Luke 9:33).

Are we playing the part of an amateur providence, trying to play God’s role in the lives of others?

Are we so noisy in our instruction of other people that God cannot get near them? We must learn to keep our mouths shut and our spirits alert. God wants to instruct us regarding His Son, and He wants to turn our times of prayer into mounts of transfiguration. When we become certain that God is going to work in a particular way, He will never work in that way again.

He works where He sends us to wait. “… tarry…until…” (Luke 24:49). “Wait on the Lord” and He will work (Psalm 37:34). But don’t wait sulking spiritually and feeling sorry for yourself, just because you can’t see one inch in front of you! Are we detached enough from our own spiritual fits of emotion to “wait patiently for Him”? (Psalm 37:7). Waiting is not sitting with folded hands doing nothing, but it is learning to do what we are told.

These are some of the facets of His ways that we rarely recognize.

Quotes

All human wisdom is summed up in two words; wait and hope. ~ Alexandre Dumas

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020

Post-mortem

A govt that listens to ZB (AMN) statement on the voice of the citizens Zeliangrong people’s aspiration N T he Zeliangrong people’s aspiration to use together under one single administrative unit was based on the firm foundation laid down by Haipou Jadonang, the Founder of the “Naga Raj” and Ranima Gaidinliu, the Veteran Freedom Fighter of India. The Zeliangrong people political demand is one of the longest political demands in the North East India which was well recognized by the Government of India. But the political journey of Zeliangrong people had witnessed different situations during the past many years from time to time due to various reasons. The untimely demise of Ranima Gaidinliu, the Veteran Freedom Fighter of India prior to attainment of Zeliangrong people political demand had greatly impacted on the movement where her successors were unable to carry the baton forward. The rise of Naga insurgents movement with physical and psychological threat and intimidation meted out to Zeliangrong leaders to discontinue the demand for which some prominent leaders were shot dead by the Naga insurgent groups in the name of Naga National movement has also been an impediment to the Zeliangrong people’s aspiration. Under the barrel of booming guns of the Naga insurgent groups the movement has been lying without any progress all these years despite the fact of burning spirit inside the hearts of the

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increasing spirit of the Zeliangrong people to continue the movement had at last destined the Zeliangrong people to take resolutions to pursue and carry forward the struggle till the attainment of the long cherished dream of great leaders like Haipou Jadonang, Ranima Gaidinliu and many others. To accomplish the task and to achieve the cherished dream of our great leaders, the collective responsibility of every Zeliangrong is the need of the hour.

No individual or group interest or petty issues should be allowed to overshadow the common interest and aspiration of the Zeliangrong people.

The question of misunderstanding or ideological differences does not arise when it comes to collective future of Zeliangrong people.

It is high time we should uphold the uniqueness and inseparable bond of Zeliangrong people and build our collective future on the fine and solid foundation laid down by our great leaders whose spirits have been guiding us always. Despite facing many obstacles and disturbances the Zeliangrong people have come thus far. The Creator of Zeliangrong is the Almighty God. Zeliangrong people have a great future. Let us unite and march ahead until we establish a rightful and dignified place for ourselves in the comity of states.

Zeliangrong ringtelou!

Athuan Abonmai, President ZB (AMN)

all, being a democratic country, the citizens have every right to put up their demands or criticize or supplement the government. However, being the powers are vested in the hands of the elected representatives, it is their prerogative to either listen or ignore, but for the smooth functioning of the government as well as to realise its purpose for establishing peace, development and prosperity, people’s interest and opinion have to be taken on board.

Interestingly, this time, the action of the State government with regard to the approval for setting up of SSB is indeed historic and highly commendable. They have listened to the voice of the people, and thus their decision has brought hope in the minds of the aspirants, so also their parents and relatives who have been praying unceasingly for them, and even for that matter the upcoming generations as well. Still are we not thankful?

Don’t they deserve appreciation? Lastly, it is our prayer that God will give wisdom to the government to select the right candidates for the post of the NSSB Chairman, Members and other officials.

God bless us, stay safe everyone.

M Abenthung Humtsoe, Airfield Colony, Wokha

Rejoinder to NCSA and NPSA

s clearly stated

by NCSA and NPSA, the present encadrement arises due to historical circumstances, insurgency and Naga political conflict, and it has been practised since four decades so I have to humbly agree to disagree on their pretext. It is a fact that Nagas in general and Naga officers in particular suffered untold miseries during the prolonged law and order problem. However, we have much more advanced social, political and economic institutions than those of the olden times and it’s not wise to express that we are still plagued by the historical circumstances. “ T h e h u m a n l ive s move forward but never drift backward” – quoted.

We can find the lessons from the historical epitomes, and cultivate our humility as a by-product of this process, and to discern why but not just exhibit it through the cherry-picking of paragons.

Learning about the past does not mean dwelling on or repeating excessively in it, but revise it, learn from it, and to identify the correct rhyme for the betterment of our present and future.

Historical stage of the civil servants in Nagaland holds so much informa-

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Zeliangrong people to carry forward the demand. In the name of Naga political movement many innocent and promising Zeliangrong people had sacrificed their precious lives at the altar of the Naga National movement and the reciprocation for the contribution and supreme sacrifices of Zeliangrong people towards the Naga cause are injecting the feeling of hatred, instigation for social disharmony and confusion.

The contribution and supreme sacrifices of Zeliangrong people for the Naga political cause have been ignored and sidelined out of jealousy. But the contributions and supreme sacrifices of Zeliangrong people rendered for the Naga cause will be recorded and remain in the pages of history which can never be erased. Unable to bear the ill treatment and undue interferences poked into the affairs of the Zeliangrong people, the Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) during the 10th Dirnki (Assembly) held on 15th July, 2020 have withdrawn the Zeliangrong people’s mandate given to NSCN (IM) some years ago.

Now the Zeliangrong people are five to take any decision to shape its own future and destiny to live and prosper as respected and dignified people without any dictate, interference, threat and intimidation from the outsiders in the pretext of Naga national movement. With the passage of time coupled with the

agaland is a small state with a high literacy rate. With less job opportunities in the private sectors due to multiple reasons, it has become more or less like a compulsion specially for the educated unemployed to seek for government jobs. Despite the fact that the state government of Nagaland cannot provide jobs to each and everyone of them, however the sad reality is that the selection process for the suitable candidates has been compromised in many cases during the previous years.

But, amidst the pandemic, the recent approval by the government to set up the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) for the recruitment of Group ‘C’ posts has instilled ‘Great Hope’ in the minds of the aspirants. It is now expected that aspiring candidates will no longer have to bear heavy expenditures, waste time and energy which were prevalent before. Most importantly, it is the hope of the people that backdoor appointments, nepotism and favouritism have become stories of the past.

Apparently, the fight for SSB was not so easy. The people of Nagaland are so much indebted to the NSF, PSAN and ACAUT for their tireless effort in this struggle. Above

tion, value, wisdom and experience that the present bureaucrats may not ever accumulate in their entire service careers. The past NCS and NPS officers did exemplary tasks in shaping and moulding the administrative system in spite of all odds and death threats.

The present NCS and NPS officers are no exception to their predecessors, perhaps even incomparable. Most of the present NCS and NPS officers are serving at the rural or remotest location by sacrificing their personal life and family hardship, but performing a commendable job in public services. They have been delivering public service agencies with the highest integrity and devotion to duty. Of course, we do have capable and competent NCS and NPS officers, whose deep knowledge in Naga history, cultures, traditions and customs are required to effectively deal with the public in all aspects. However, the service of government servants is regulated by the service rules and strict compliance of the rules is the core function for civil servants to develop efficient public service. Deviation from the rules would bring public service to a halt or even invite legal course

of action and it should be discouraged at all levels for transparency and accountability in public service delivery.

In line with the IAS (cadre) service rules, the power is not vested with the state government to violate the rules at its own discretion, except to strictly comply with it. The IAS (cadre) service rules is governed by the All India Services (AIS) Act, 1951 and there is standard procedure for modification or annulment of rules therein. If the State government is not satisfied with the rules, the State shall report full facts and proposals to the Centre for modification or amendment of existing rules, if any.

This is also reiterated in the clarification of the IAS (cadre) service rules, 1954.

In the light of aforesaid grounds, four decades was perhaps enough for the State government and bureaucrats to persuade the Centre for modification of IAS cadre posts in respect of Nagaland state. As affirmed by NCSA, some NCS (cadre) officers held even Chief Secretary post and to be precise, the proposal for modification of the existing rules/policies is formulated by the State executive decision-making body and the top echelons of

bureaucracy (mainly Chief Secretary at the state level).

They have significant roles to add their own knowledge and insight on the issues, and are extensively involved in preparing explanatory memorandum and justification for modification on the operation of existing rules.

Perhaps, we inadequately failed to strike while the iron was hot but it’s never too late to adopt alternative strategies without contravening the rules.

On the present issues of the officers disappearing during emergencies; neglecting official duties; unauthorized absence or unpermitted headquarter leave, the problem lies within the state government, top echelons of bureaucracy and controlling officers – on their failure to implement strong and stringent government services (Discipline & Conduct) rules to all the government servants evenly – which gives no room for the wrongdoers to escape.

We have so many Naga central government servants (IAS/ IPS/ Group A services /Subordinate services) serving in different States/ Union Territories of India with utmost dedication and productive services. Their disciplines and conducts are strictly governed by the

services (conduct) rules of the respective state government/ ministry/ department and they become an asset of that particular organization rather than a liability. So, why the same yardstick can’t apply to central government servants in Nagaland? Is the Nagaland government servants (conduct) rules also true in paper but not true in practice? The public are eagerly waiting to know the official statement on these issues without any further argument.

Lastly, I do agree with the NCSA’s and NPSA’s statement on improvement of the present law and order situation, as in assessing the present situation in relation to the past, Nagaland state is largely peaceful.

Nagaland state even bagged twice the “Best performing small state award” in the category of law and order for the year 2018 & 2019 and this is a milestone achievement in the chronological struggles for the state government, administration, police personnel and the law enforcing agencies. On the other hand, we are far cry to tackle corruption, favouritism, nepotism, bribery, embezzlement, maladministration, extortion and illegal taxation – which are the major impediments to

Nagaland Football Reminiscent

his short article is not against any Association or organisation but just my opinion on how to take Nagaland Football forward. Looking at the way our Neighbouring states progressing so well in Football, I feel that we don’t need to go very far to understand the ground reality. It will be good if the concern Football bodies have a field trip and take first hand information from our Neighbouring states. Apart from Association office bearers it will be good if we can set up Administrator or CEO and management team who will be available in Football office all the time and make proper project and assessment which will be put up to executive bodies to decide on the feasibility. I understand that the office bearers being from different District it will be difficult for all of them to be available in the office all the time for any course of action but if proper administration and management team is set up with allowance from Association and also supported

by State Government then we will start producing not only quality players but Football calendar throughout the year.

The Administration from office have to make progress report and submit to the

President of Nagaland Football Association at every regular interval and if any result oriented is put on the table then with the prior concern from President and his colleagues be implemented by the Management team. The Administration and his management be available in office to make new task everyday. That seriousness we need at this hour to take Football forward.

To take Football forward we need full time 24/7 proper plan, twice or thrice sitting in a year can never bring positive results. Proper regulating the club system and player transfering with or without state league can bring out professionality and discipline in club and players. We need to focus lots on grassroot development and make a project of atleast 10 years before to produce quality team. Football is teamwork so we have to focus on whole set of team not on the progress of individuality. State FA need to keep in touch with AIFF regularly on any project or task. Whether AIFF shows interest in our venture or not we need to keep pressurizing them. That’s how we pull their interest sooner or later. Once we succeed one or two AIFF given task

then we will be in good book and we will start getting importance but as long as we remain dormant then they won’t care, they won’t come to our state and spoon-feed us, they got other 27 states and 8 union territories to take care off so we need to set up Administrator and Management team from Football field or promoter who can give their full time and be available in the office for day to day implementation work.

Some of the members required to make Football everyday affairs are CEO or Administrator, Project Director, Field Director, Marketing Executive, Office Assistant etc directly working under Nagaland Football Association. And it will be unfair on my part to end this short write up without giving due credits to Nagaland Football Association for all the tremendous and laurels work they have done this far. Whatever I have suggested above is just for full time execution of Football because that’s how Football should work inorder to progress more.

Kuknalim Shiyeto Wotsa, President Naga United FC and Convener Dimapur Football League

developmental activities in the public services. Perhaps, the opinion of an individual cannot be right even if it is based on truth, fact, knowledge, rule, act, law but as we are well aware, the public today is not the same as yesteryears.

The public are au courant with the government laws, acts, rules, guidelines and policies in comparison to most of the government servants. As the government servants gain more experience and wisdom during their services, the knowledge and wisdom of the public also grow with the changes of time. The public judgement on governance depends on, by and large, the qualitative and quantitative improvements in developmental aspects. The public today wants the provision of public services to be efficient, responsive and fair. However, in a nutshell, the entire responsibilities depend on the government and its machinery, and thus, I, on behalf of the public, leave these issues to the discretion and wisdom of the state government in the same manner as NCSA and NPSA. Ghunavi G Kinnimi Sumi, Guwahati ghuna77kinny@gmail.com

Reader’s Post

Transfer and posting of officers Sir,

Under any circumstances, officers are not at the mercy of some organisations. Sometimes officer should go and sometimes officer should not go, this kind of attitude playing by the organisation seems to be very unfair in front of the public domain. Officers are not purchased commodities to be dispose anytime as per their preferences. Transfer and posting of the officers should not be regulate by the civil societies. Such a move would always attract corruption in the administration as well as in the civil societies, taking advantage of their preference. Transfer and posting is routine and entirely upon the prerogative of the government. We need equal opportunities for the people as a whole. Infact all the officers possess, guts and dynamic to assess and tackle all round developmental activities and situation whatever, in any particular place.

Officers should not be victimize in the interest of some pressure groups. Covid-19 situation in the state may continue.

Y. L. Jami IAS (Retd), Kushiabill, Dimapur

Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020

‘I will welcome rebels if high command forgives them’

JAISALMER/JAIPUR, AUG 1 (PTI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get the alleged attempt to topple his government stopped and said he is open to welcoming back the Congress rebels led by Sachin Pilot.

Asked if the dissidents will be forgiven, he said, “It depends on the party high command. If the party high command forgives, I shall embrace them.”

Since the power tussle between him and Sachin Pilot resurfaced last month, the Congress veteran has used harsh words against his former deputy, once even referring to him as ‘nikamma’ or useless. But Gehlot said he will do whatever the Congress leadership wants.

He said the party trusted him and he has been a Union minister, AICC general secretary, state unit president and chief minister for a third time.

“What else do I want?

I am doing this to serve the public,” he told reporters in

Jaisalmer. The chief minister was on his way back to Jaipur after an overnight stay at Jaisalmer’s Suryagarh resort, where loyalist MLAs have been shifted ahead of the assembly session from August 14.

The Congress has accused the BJP of playing a major role in the rebellion by the now sacked deputy chief minister and 18 other Congress MLAs who are threatening his government.

“We have no personal quarrel with anyone. In a democracy, fights happen over ideology, policies and programmes and not for toppling a government.

“Modi should get the drama which is going on in Rajasthan ended,” the chief minister said outside the hotel where the MLAs were shifted Friday. Gehlot said Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat should resign on moral grounds, claiming that his involvement in a “conspiracy” to topple the Rajasthan government is now known.

He said Shekhawat’s name also cropped up in a

Ashok Gehlot addresses media outside Suryagarh Hotel as he leaves for Jaipur, in Jaisalmer, Saturday. (PTI)

cooperative society scam in which money from poor people was looted.

The chief minister also alleged that some other Union ministers, including Dharmendra Pradhan, are involved in the “conspiracy” against his government.

Gehlot and other Rajasthan ministers are likely to spend most of their time in the state capital as the Congress tries to keep its numbers intact in Jaisalmer.

Including the 19 rebels, the Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member assembly. The BJP has 72

MLAs. He claimed that democracy is under threat in the country and the Union Home Ministry is after his government in the state.

He repeated the charge that the ‘rate’ for trying to lure MLAs away has gone up after the announcement of the assembly session.

Back in Jaipur, he said Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati is giving statements “under pressure” and asserted that all six BSP MLAs lawfully merged with the Congress in Rajasthan last year.

The BSP recently chal-

lenged the merger in the high court, prompting the Congress to charge that the party made the move at the behest of the BJP. Reacting to BJP state president Satish Poonia’s statement over the shifting of Congress MLAs to Jaisalmer, Gehlot called him a “new leader” who wants to take on former chief minister Vasundhara Raje.

He commented that Raje has ‘disappeared’ from the scene. Poonia had mocked the Congress, asking if the Gehlot loyalists will move further westward across the border into Pakistan. MLAs from the Congress and its allies had remained confined to Fairmont hotel in Jaipur since July 13, before being flown Friday to Jaisalmer on chartered flights.

They are likely to visit Tanot Mata temple near the Pakistan border and some other places during their Jaisalmer stay, expected to continue till the assembly session begins.

Gehlot recalled that he had informed Narendra

Modi about the political situation in the state through a letter and a telephone conversation. He said he will write another letter to Modi asking him to call a video conference of all chief ministers again to review the COVID-19 situation.

He said adequate testing for coronavirus is not taking place in some states while Rajasthan has increased its testing capacity to 40,000 per day.

“We have done excellent Covid management in the state. The recovery rate is good, the death rate is less than 1 per cent,” he said.

Meeting reporters in Jaipur, the chief minister said the states are suffering as revenues have come down after the coronavirus lockdown. Gehlot said he has asked the Centre to declare Rajasthan’s eastern canal project, which was prepared by the earlier government led by Vasundhara Raje, as a national project.

The project is aimed at providing water for drinking and irrigation to 13 districts.

5

It’s jungleraj in UP: Priyanka lashes out at Yogi New Delhi, Aug 1 (IANS): Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday wrote to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, called kidnapping a flourishing industry as such people living under a cloud of fear.

In her letter in Hindi, the in-charge for eastern UP said: “I have written to you earlier highlighting the issue of law and order situation in the state. And now crimes in broad day light are being committed creating fear psychosis among people.”

She further said, according to people, kidnapping has turned into an “industry” in the state and murders have become daily affairs. She also pointed out at increase in rape cases “And all these things highlight that due to some reason the criminals have no fear of law and administration,” she said.

Priyanka Gandhi also highlighted the murder of trader Ram Avtar Sharma in Sambhal district while he

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

was returning from his shop.

Sharma was shot dead by two bike borne men, who fled with Rs 1lakh on Thursday night. “I request to arrest the criminals involved in the killing of Ram Avtar Sharma and offer justice to the family,” she said. Traders are living in an atmosphere of fear, she added.

In a no holds barred tweet some hours back she said: “It’s ‘jungleraj’ in UP. Both crime and Corona is getting out of hand in the state. “Dharmendra Choudhary was kidnapped eight days back in Bulandshahr.

First he was kidnapped and then on Friday his body was recovered.

‘Tilak’s belief in Indian language, culture reflected in NEP’ Number of COVID-19 containment zones decreases to 496 in Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s belief in Indian language and culture is reflected in the New Education Policy recently released by the Narendra Modi government.

Inaugurating a twoday international webinar on ‘Lokmanya Tilak - Swaraj to Self-reliant India’, he also said Tilak’s ideas are being promoted through Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a ‘New India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).

The home minister said Tilak’s idea of India as a nation, Indian culture and Indian customs are equally relevant today.

“Lokmanya Tilak’s belief in Indian language and Indian culture is reflected in the New Education Policy of the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Tilak’s ideas are being promoted through the prime minister’s vision of a New India and Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.

New Education Policy, 2020, was approved by the Union Cabinet on July 29 and it proposes sweeping changes in school and higher education.

Teaching up to class

Amit Shah pays floral tribute to freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his 100th death anniversary, Saturday. (PTI)

5 in mother tongue or regional language, lowering the stakes of board exams, a single regulator for higher education institutions except for law and medical colleges and common entrance tests for universities are part of the reforms in the NEP.

The webinar was organised here by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on the 100th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Referring to Tilak’s famous quote that the foundation of true nationhood

is laid on the foundations of culture and traditions, Shah said, “Any reform which undermines or disrespects our past cannot help in realising true nationhood.”

The home minister said Tilak played a key role in the making of the Indian Independence movement complete in letter and spirit and made an unparalleled contribution to the freedom movement.

The slogan ‘Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it’ given by Tilak, will always be written in golden letters in the history of the independence movement, he said.

“This slogan may seem natural to utter in present times, but in the 19th century, very few people could have dared of uttering it and sacrificing their life and working for it to make it turn into reality.”

The home minister said this slogan of Tilak served to awaken the Indian society and convert the freedom struggle into a mass movement, due to which he came to be known as Lokmanya Tilak.

The home minister said despite being an eloquent orator, thinker, philosopher, established writer and social reformer, Tilak was rooted to the ground.

If one wants to know the glorious history of India and Indian culture, then Tilak’s writings will have to be understood, Shah said, adding reading his literary works will give the youth knowledge about his great personality of Tilak.

“By taking inspiration from him, the youth will be able to attain new heights in their lives.” Shah emphasised that in the name of social and political reform “we cannot afford to adopt British models for our institutions”.

Tilak wanted to inculcate the love for the nation amongst the people on the basis of pride for Indian culture. In this context, he set up gymnasiums, arenas, anti-cow slaughter institutions, he said.

The home minister said Tilak was a strong opponent of untouchability and he had launched a movement to unite the society divided in caste and sects.

Referring to Tilak’s significant contribution to connect the working class to the national movement, Shah said Tilak had started celebrating Shivaji Jayanti and Ganesh Utsav to connect the people with the freedom struggle, which changed the direction of the Independence movement.

New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI): The number of COVID-19 containment zones has come down to 496 in Delhi after an extensive review by the AAP government, providing relief to thousands of people living in such restricted areas.

The number of containment zones was 715 in Delhi by the end of July, affecting nearly 3.5 lakh people. With the number going down to 496, the movement of only about one lakh people will be affected, Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot said in a statement on Saturday.

The review of the containment zones by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government comes after a Union health ministry memorandum earlier this week, allowing all states and Union territories to denotify a containment zone 14 days after the discharge of the last COVID-19 patient, officials said. Earlier such a de-notification could be done 28 days after the discharge of the last patient.

“As desired by Honble CM @ArvindKejriwal all the containment zones in Delhi were extensively reviewed in last 2 days with

Arvind Kejriwal

each District DM and surveillance Team,” Gahlot said in a tweet.

A locality is declared a containment zone by the district authorities in Delhi if three or more persons there test positive for COVID-19.

Reviewing the COVID19 situation in the national capital on June 29, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had expressed concern over the large size of the containment zones as it restricted the movement of a huge population, Gahlot said.

“During the last two days, an extensive review of containment zones was carried out with Revenue and Health officials. The result has been quite satisfactory. Against 715 containment zones affecting 348099 people, the number

of containment zones is now down to 496, which affects the movement of 106211 people,” the minister said in the statement.

The situation was again re-assessed by the chief minister, who directed such reviews at regular intervals.

The Delhi government had been demanding changes in the containment zone norms as some restricted areas in the city were under a complete lockdown for three-four months with a large number of people forced to stay indoors, a senior government officer said.

He said the redesigning of the containment zones will affect a lesser number people, while pointing out that the Rajnagar containment zone in southwest Delhi, which affected around 43,000 residents earlier, will affect only about 1,600 people after the exercise.

All entr y and exit points are barricaded in a containment zone to prevent any movement of the residents. Police personnel are deployed to keep a watch on it, while necessary supplies are provided to the people in such zones at their doorstep.

Bhushan moves SC; challenges First pan-India Covid viral genome Second serological survey sequencing complete: Govt validity of ‘criminal contempt’ for COVID begins in Delhi: Jain

New Delhi, Aug 1 (IANS): Senior journalist N. Ram, former Union Minister Arun Shourie and activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan have moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of Section 2(c)(i) of the Contempt of Courts Act and termed it as a violation of the Articles 19 and 14 of the Constitution.

The petition has been moved days before the apex court is slated to take up two contempt petitions against Bhushan for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the judiciary and bringing it under disrepute.

On July 22, the top court issued notices to Bhushan and Twitter Inc for his tweets allegedly scandalising the judiciary.

Two days later, a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra decided to begin hearing on another contempt case against Bhushan pending since 2009. The two cases will be taken up for hearing on August 4 and 5.

The petitioners argued that this sub-section is unconstitutional, as it is incompatible with preambular values and basic features of the Constitution, and vio-

Prashant Bhushan

lates Article 19(1 )(a). They claimed the sub-section is unconstitutionally and incurably vague, and is manifestly arbitrary.

The Section 2(c)(i) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, defines ‘criminal contempt’ as publication of anything - whether by words, spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise of any matter or the doing of any other act whatsoever - which scandalises or tends to scandalise, or lowers or tends to lower the authority of any court.

The petitioners have asked the top court to issue directions declaring Section 2(c)(i) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 as being violative of Articles 19 and 14 of the Constitution.

“The impugned subsection, despite setting out penal consequences, is incurably vague. It uses vague terminology whose scope and limits are impossible to demarcate. In particular, the phrase “scandalises or tends to scandalise” invites subjective and greatly differing readings and application which is incapable of being certain and even-handed,” said the plea.

The petitioners’ argued that the sub-section violates the right to free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1) (a) and does not amount to a reasonable restriction under Article 19(2).

“That the impugned sub-section, despite setting out penal consequences, is incurably vague. lt uses vague terminology whose scope and limits are impossible to demarcate. ln particular, the phrase ‘scandalises or tends to scandalise’ invites subjective and greatly differing readings and application which is incapable of being certain and evenhanded. Thus, the offence violates the Article 14 demands of equal treatment and non-arbitrariness,” said the plea.

NEW DELHI, AUG 1 (IANS): Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, here on Saturday, announced the completion of pan-India 1000 genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2.

The sequence data will soon be released in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) for use by researchers across the globe.

The Department of Biotechnology had launched the programme in May to be conducted by autonomous Institutes of DBT, collaborating with national laboratories and clinical organisations.

“The information in the database will improve our understanding on how the virus is spreading, ultimately helping to interrupt the transmission chains, prevent new cases of infection and provide impetus to research on intervention measures,” said Vardhan.

The Minister said the data analysis might bring out some interesting conclusions to help in the fight against Covid-19.

He also dedicated to the nation the largest network of five Covid-19 biorepositories established by the Department of Biotechnology. The aim of these

bio-repositories are archival of inactivated virus and clinical samples, including naso-oropharyngeal swabs, stool, urine, saliva, serum, plasma and serum.

These are at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, the Institute of Life Science, Bhubaneswar, the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, the National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, and the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore.

These bio-repositories will use the clinical samples for R&D and are authorised to share the samples with academia, industry and commercial entities involved in development of diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, etc.

The Minister said 16 vaccine candidates were in different stages of development. The BCG vaccine is undergoing phase 3 trial, Zydus Cadila DNA vaccine is in phase I and II trial and 4 other vaccine candidates are in advanced stages of pre-clinical study.

“Five good clinical laboratory practice clinical trial sites have been developed and 6 animal models for vaccine development studies are also ready,” he said.

NEW DELHI, AUG 1 (IANS): Fresh serological survey for Covid-19 has begun in the national capital on Saturday. It was confirmed by Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain.

“It’s a technical process and will be conducted across the capital. We want to find out the change since the last survey,” Jain said.

The last survey, conducted in June, had shown 22.86 per cent of the 21,387 people surveyed had developed anti-bodies against Covid-19. It also meant what percentage of the population was infected and had recovered.

Under the new survey, 150 teams will collect around 15,000 blood samples between August 1 and August 5 as per the Health Department guidelines. It’s aimed at enumerating people who must have developed IgG (Immunoglobulin G) antibodies, indicating their exposure to coronavirus.

It will also help ascertain whether the capital is moving towards the herd immunity.

A Health Department official said the results were expected by August 15.

The survey will be car-

Another phase of the serological survey for COVID-19 began in Delhi on August 1.

ried out in all the 11 Delhi districts. Each team, comprising ASHA (accredited social health activist) workers, an auxiliary nurse midwife, a phlebotomist or a lab technician and a community volunteer, will collect 25-40 blood samples a day.

Eighteen state health department labs have been authorised to process the samples.

To ensure participation of people from all age groups, 25 per cent samples will be collected from those below 18 years, 50 per cent from 18-49 years and the rest from the people 50 years and above.

As per the Health Department, the highest number of samples (2,200) will be collected in the northwest

district, followed by the west (2,145) and the central (1,548). The least 885 samples will be collected from the New Delhi district.

The people whose samples were taken in the first survey will not be approached and it will include only those who have no symptoms.

The earlier serological survey was conducted between June 27 and July 10 by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Most people surveyed didn’t know they were infected.

After this, the Delhi government decided to conduct serological survey every month to gauge the level and the number of people with antibodies against the infection.

6

national

India celebrates Eid al-Adha amid Covid pandemic NEW DELHI, AUG 1 (IANS): Eid al-Adha was celebrated on Saturday on a subdued note. People offered namaz at mosques as well as homes in the morning and exchanged greetings to mark the festival, following safety guidelines amid Covid-19 pandemic.

The people avoided hugging each other after morning prayers at mosques -- a tradition followed on festive occasions -- to curb the spread of coronavirus that has infected 16,95,988 people across the country. On Saturday, a record 57,118 cases and 764 deaths were reported for the last 24 hours.

The people restricted themselves to do ‘salam’.

Citizens above 60 years, persons with comorbidities or asymptomatic and children below 10 years offered namaz at home as advised.

There were no prayers at Eidgahs or in open grounds.

Earlier in the day, mosque care-takers disinfected the premises and surroundings before and after namaz. Most mosques saw prayers in two phases to ensure social distancing among the worshippers.

At most mosques,

Children greet each other while celebrating Eid al-Adha, during the complete lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Bhopal, Saturday. (PTI)

people who offered ‘fajr’ or pre-dawn prayers stayed back for Namaz-e-Eid, held 30-60 minutes after the sunrise.

Eid ul-Adha or Bakrid is the second major Muslim festival celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim, who offered to sacrifice his son Ismail on the Allah’s command. The almighty, however, replaced Prophet Ismail with a lamb just as Prophet Ibrahim was about to slit his throat.

Calling upon the devout to imbibe Prophet Ibrahim’s spirit of sacrifice, Imams, in their sermons on the occasion, said the Eid’s message was that they should always be ready to surrender to the Allah’s will.

After prayers, Muslims offered sacrifice of ‘halal’ animals. Sacrificing is obligatory for adults who are ‘saheb-e-nisab’ or possess wealth equivalent to 87.48 gram gold or 612.35 gram silver.

K’taka minister, wife test COVID +ve

BENGALURU, AUG 1 (IANS): Karnataka’s Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil and his wife Vanaja have tested COVID-19 positive and are in home quarantine, an official said on Saturday.

“As the Minister and his wife are asymptomatic with mild symptoms of the virus, they both are under quarantine at their own home in the city’s northeast suburb,” Patil’s Personal Assistant Keeranna told IANS here.

In a message to his family members and supporters, Patil said they need worry about he being infected as he would recover to get back to work soon. “The Minister’s sonin-law was also infected by

B.C. Patil

the virus at Hirekerur in Haveri district, which is his Assembly constituency,” Keeranna said.

Hirekerur is about 330km northwest of Bengaluru in the southern state.

Patil is the third state Minster to be infected after state Environment and Forest Minister Anand Singh and state Tourism Minister tested positive

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

and recovered from the infection.

Ruling BJP’s legislator Basavaraj Mattimud from Kalaburagi Rural Assembly segment also tested Covid positive on Thursday and is under treatment at home in Kalaburagi in the state’s northern region.

Meanwhile, state’s Independent Lok Sabha member from Mandya and multi-lingual actress Sumalatha Ambareesh recovered from the disease and back to work. Mandya is about 100km southwest of Bengaluru.

About eight BJP and Congress legislators tested positive in June and July and recovered from the symptoms.

An individual can sacrifice a sheep or goat or may join six others to sacrifice a big animal. The meat of the sacrificed animal is distributed equally in three parts.

The person making the sacrifice keeps one part for his family and distributes two parts among the relatives and the poor.

This year, the number of people offering sacrifice at homes came down due to Covid-19. To avoid the risk while buying the animal or hiring services of butchers,

many either outsourced the job to traders or socioreligious organisations.

Many people preferred taking a ‘hissa’ or share in the cattle with the individuals and groups who organised a ‘ijtemai qurbani’ or collective sacrifice every year.

Community leaders said many people entrusted the task of distribution of meat among the poor to the groups arranging collective sacrifice. They wanted to avoid visits to relatives, friends and others to distribute meat due to Covid-19.

Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, urging people to enjoy the festival by maintaining social distancing and other norms. “Eid Mubarak!

Idu’l Zuha symbolises the spirit of sacrifice and amity, which inspires us to work for the well-being of one and all. On this occasion, let us share our happiness with the needy and follow social distancing norms and guidelines to contain Covid19 spread,” the President tweeted. He also tweeted in Urdu and Hindi.

Army jawan killed in firing by Pak along LoC Jammu, Aug 1 (PTI): An Indian Army jawan was killed when Pakistan opened heavy fire on forward posts along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Saturday, a defence spokesperson said.

He said the Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire agreement by opening fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri sector.

“Indian troops responded strongly to the enemy fire,” the spokesperson said.

In the incident, Sepoy Rohin Kumar was critically injured and he later succumbed to his injuries, he added.

Kumar, a resident of

Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district, was a brave, highly motivated and a sincere soldier, the spokesperson said.

He said that the nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty.

Pakistan has been firing and shelling forward areas along the LoC one to two times a day in several sectors for almost the past one month.

A Hamirpur district official said Kumar, 25, was supposed to get married in November.

He was posted in the 14th Punjab regiment in 2016 and his father worked as a halwai in Amritsar.

No. 9642 Yesterday’s solution No. 9641

No. 4261 Yesterday’s solution No. 4260

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020

Ram temple is coming up with consent of all: Kamal Nath BHOPAL, AUG 1 (PTI): A Ram temple is being constructed in Ayodhya with the consent of every Indian, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath said on Saturday, four days ahead of the foundation laying ceremony.

Nath’s colleague Digvijaya Singh said former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi also wanted the temple to come up. “I welcome the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. People of the country were expecting and wishing for this since long.

The construction of the temple is being carried out with the consent of every Indian. It’s possible only in India,” Nath said in a video message. Singh said Lord Ram is at the centre of everybody’s faith.

“The centre of our faith is Lord Ram!And today, the country is being run with trust in the Lord Ram. That’s why we all wish that a grand temple should be built at the birthplace of Ram in Ayodhya. (late PM) Rajiv Gandhiji also wanted the same,” he tweeted.

Singh, however, questionned “muhurt” (auspi-

MP govt drive to increase awareness on wearing masks Bhopal, Aug 1 (PTI): The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a campaign under which two pieces of face masks will be provided free to violators who will be fined for not wearing one in public places.

At the launch of the campaign “Ek Mask-Anek Jindgi” (One mask-Many lives) campaign, Minister for Urban Development and Administration Bhupendra Singh on Saturday said mask banks will be created by urban bodies.

“Under the drive, urban bodies will provide two masks free of cost to every person fined for not wearing masks,” he said.

The minister said the coronavirus infection spread because of carelessness of people. He said a mask is the simplest and cheapest way to prevent infection. Singh said people and private organisations can donate masks at mask banks.

Kamal Nath

cious time) for the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of temple, slated to be held on August, 5 in the likely presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “ I f we t a l k a b o u t ‘muhurt’, then more than 90 per cent of Hindus in this country will be those who believe in religious science like ‘muhurt’, ‘grihdasha’, ‘astrology’, ‘choghadiya’ etc. (sic),” he said.

“I am neutral to the fact that there is no ‘muhurt’ for the foundation laying on August 5. This is playing with the religious sentiments and beliefs (sic),” the Congress leader said.

When asked about

Singh’s tweets, MP Home Minister and senior BJP leader Narottam Mishra said, “Some people have a habit of criticising, and whenever they speak, they seek to find evil in the good.

(Unknowingly) even in their criticism, they have at least taken the name of Lord Ram”. Mishra said it was the Congress which had tried to delay the construction of the temple.

“Kapil Sibal and other big leaders of Congress stood against the (construction) of Ram temple in court and kept saying in the supreme court that Lord Ram was an imaginary character.

Air Marshal V R Chaudhari is new chief of Western Air Command NEW DELHI, AUG 1 (PTI): Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari on Saturday took charge as commanderin-chief of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command (WAC) which looks after the security of the country’s air space in the sensitive Ladakh sector as well as various other parts of north India. He succeeded Air Marshal B Suresh who retired from service.

An alumni of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Chaudhari was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on December 29, 1982.

In a distinguished career spanning nearly 38 years, the officer has flown a wide variety of fighter and trainer aircraft in the inventory of IAF. He has a flying experience of more than 3,800 hours, including operational flying on MiG-21, MiG-23 MF, MiG 29 and Su-30 MKI fighter jets.

Air Marshal Chaudhari held numerous impor-

Air Marshal V R Chaudhari

tant positions. He was the commanding officer of a frontline fighter squadron and has also commanded a frontline fighter base. As an Air Marshal, he held the position of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. His appointment as chief of the WAC comes when it is enhancing operational deployment in eastern Ladakh in view of the border row with China.

The IAF has been carrying out night time combat air patrols over the eastern Ladakh region in the last few weeks.

From reusable sanitary napkins to AI, PM talks innovation at Hackathon

NEW DELHI, AUG 1 (IANS): From reusable sanitary napkins to a realtime facial recognition system, Prime Minister Narendra Modi heard about the inventions of students during his interaction through video conferencing with the finalists of the Smart India Hackathon 2020.

A student who is working on a biodegradable sanitary napkin, spoke to the Prime Minister. PM Modi said that the government is already providing sanitary pads at Re 1 each.

“The introduction of reusable sanitary napkins will be of great help to the girls.

I congratulate you for being so thoughtful,” Modi said.

A student from MLR Institute of Technology talked about real-time facial recognition. The student informed that even if one

covers his or her face, Artificial Intelligence will recognise the eyes, the space between the eyes and nose which does not change.

Modi stressed the need of AI in policing to make it interactive.

Much of agrarian India’s fate is sealed by the proper predictions of rain.

A finalist told the Prime Minister, during the interaction, that with the help of satellites, a model will be prepared which will predict rainfall. Modi appreciated the effort saying that it will help India’s farmers.

The Prime Minister, who asked questions to a few finalists during his interaction with them on Saturday, tweeted on Friday that, “Young India is filled with talent! The grand finale of the Smart India Hackathon 2020 showcases

this very spirit of innovation and excellence.”

The Smart India Hackathon is a nationwide initiative to provide students with a platform to solve some of the pressing problems faced daily. It inculcates a culture of product innovation and a mindset of problem-solving, says the government.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank announced that the winner will get a Rs 1 lakh cash prize.

The first round of Smart India Hackathon 2020 saw the participation of more than 4.5 lakh students. More than 10,000 students are competing to solve 243 problem statements from 37 central government departments, 17 state governments and 20 industries.

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020

Mexico third in global pandemic deaths

Paris, Aug 1 (AP): Mexico now has the third most COVID-19 deaths in the world, behind the United States and Brazil, while former success story Vietnam is struggling to control an outbreak spreading in its most famous beach resort.

China reported a more than 50% drop in newly confirmed cases in a possible sign that its latest major outbreak in the northwestern region of Xinjiang may have run its course.

However, in Hong Kong, infections continue to surge, with more than 100 new cases reported as of Saturday among the population of 7.5 million.

Officials have reimposed dining restrictions and mask requirements.

In South Korea, the leader of a secretive religious sect linked to more than 5,200 of the country’s more than 14,000 COVID cases has been arrested.

Lee Man-hee has denied allegations that he hid members and underreported the sect’s activities in an effort to avoided quarantines.

Mexican health officials on Friday reported 688

Relatives of Covid-19 victims attend to their graves in a cemetery on the outskirts of Mexico City.

new deaths, pushing the country’s total to 46,688.

That put Mexico just ahead of the United Kingdom, which has 46,119, according to the tally by Johns Hopkins University.

In Vietnam, a third person died of coronavirus complications, officials said Saturday, a day after it recorded its first-ever

death as it struggles with a renewed outbreak after 99 days with no local cases.

All three died in a hospital in Da Nang, a hot spot with more than 100 cases in the past week.

Thousands of visitors had been in the city for summer vacation and are now being tested in Hanoi and elsewhere.

Twelve additional cases were confirmed on Saturday, all linked to Da Nang Hospital. The city has tightened security and set up more checkpoints to prevent people from leaving or entering the city, which has been in lockdown since Tuesday.

A makeshift hospital was set up in a sports au-

7 killed as 2 planes collide in Alaska

Thousands march in Berlin to protest coronavirus curbs

Wreckage from a fatal midair collision lies in the woods on Friday near the Sterling Highway and Mayoni Street in Soldotna.

majority. Several colleagues expressed condolences.

“I’m devastated and shocked to learn of the crash that claimed Gary K n o p p ’s l i f e,” H o u s e Speaker Bryce Edgmon, an independent, said in a statement. “Gary was a one-of-a-kind leader and a true Alaskan who worked tirelessly for his district in the Legislature. He will be missed by many.”

The other victims were identified as pilot Gregory Bell, 67, guide David Rogers, 40, and the South Carolina visitors: Caleb Hulsey, 26; Heather Hulsey, 25; Mackay Hulsey, 24; and Kirstin Wright, 23.

BERLIN, Aug 1 (Agencies): Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Berlin on Saturday to protest against measures imposed in Germany to stem the coronavirus pandemic, saying they violated people’s rights and freedoms.

The loose gathering, estimated by police at 15,000, included libertarians, constitutional loyalists and sceptics of the science behind policies to fight the pandemic. There was also a small far-right presence with some marchers carrying Germany’s imperial flag.

Protesters danced and sang ‘We are free people!’ to the tune of rock band Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’. Others marched with placards saying ‘We are making a noise because you are stealing our freedom!’ and ‘Do think! Don’t wear a mask!’.

The protests followed a rallying call from Michael Ballweg, an entrepreneur and political outsider who has organised similar rallies in Stuttgart and is running to become mayor of the southwestern city. “Our demand is to return to democracy,” said one protester.

“The mask that enslaves us must go.”

ditorium and doctors have been mobilized from other cities to help.

India recorded its steepest spike of 57,118 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking its coronavirus caseload close to 1.7 million, with July alone accounting for nearly 1.1 million infections.

The country’s Civil Aviation Ministry delayed resumption of international flights by another month until Aug. 31. But it will continue to allow several international carriers from the United States, Europe and the Middle East to operate special flights to evacuate stranded nationals.

The global pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of this year’s Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, with as few as 1,000 pilgrims already residing in Saudi Arabia taking part, down from 2.5 million last year.

Poverty brought on by the pandemic is making it harder for many to join in the four-day Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice,” in which Muslims slaughter livestock and distribute the

meat to the poor.

The Saudi Health Ministry said there have been no cases of COVID19 among this year’s pilgrims. All were tested, their movements monitored with electronic wristbands and required to be quarantined before and after.

In the U.S., Hurricane Isaias’ imminent arrival forced the closure of some outdoor testing sites even as Florida reached a new daily high in deaths.

“We had to put safety first,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said at an online news conference Friday.

On Friday, the head of the World Health Organization predicted the effects of the pandemic will be felt for “decades to come.”

“Most of the world’s people remain susceptible to this virus, even in areas that have experienced severe outbreaks,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in London.

“Although vaccine development is happening at record speed, we must learn to live with this virus and we must fight it with the tools that we have.”

7 China condemns Germany’s HK extradition suspension Berlin, Aug 1 (AP): China has condemned Germany’s decision to suspend its extradition agreement with Hong Kong, accusing Berlin of a “serious breach of international law.”

Germany’s foreign minister announced the suspension Friday following the disqualification of 12 pro-democracy candidates from legislative elections and a subsequent decision to postpone the elections.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam cited a worsening coronavirus outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory in postponing the vote.

The Chinese Embassy in Berlin expressed “strong indignation and firm opposition to the wrong remarks of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas” in a statement posted on its website and dated Friday.

Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States also have suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong last month after the central government in Beijing

imposed a new national security law on the city.

The move raised fears that Hong Kong’s freedoms and local autonomy are being taken away.

Germany’s Maas described the election decisions as “a further infringement of the rights of Hong Kong’s citizens.”

The Chinese Embassy said the actions were justified and consistent with the “one country, two systems” framework under which Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed over to Chinese control in 1997.

“The German side’s erroneous remarks on Hong Kong and the suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong are a serious breach of international law and basic norms governing international relations and gross violation of China’s internal affairs,” the embassy statement said.

“We firmly oppose them and reserve the right to react further.” Germany currently holds the European Union’s rotating presidency.

TikTok may be banned in US, says Trump New York, Aug 1 (AP): President Donald Trump said that his administration is weighing action against TikTok, a popular Chinese-owned video app that has been a source of national-security and censorship concerns.

Trump’s comments came after published reports that the administration is planning to order China’s ByteDance to sell TikTok. There were also reports Friday that software giant Microsoft is in talks to buy the app.

“We are looking at TikTok,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“We may be banning TikTok. We may be doing some other things. There a couple of options, but a lot of things are happening. So we’ll see what happens.”

Reports by Bloomberg News and the Wall Street Journal citing anonymous sources said the administration could soon announce a decision ordering ByteDance to divest its ownership in TikTok. There have been reports of US tech giants and financial firms being interested in buying or investing in TikTok as the Trump administration sets its sights on the app. The New York Times and Fox Busi-

Donald Trump

ness, citing an unidentified source, reported Friday that Microsoft is in talks to buy TikTok. Microsoft declined to comment.

TikTok issued a statement Friday saying that, “While we do not comment on rumours or speculation, we are confident in the long-term success of TikTok.” ByteDance launched TikTok in 2017, then bought Musical.ly, a video service popular with teens in the US and Europe, and combined the two. A twin service, Douyin, is available for Chinese users.

TikTok’s fun, goofy videos and ease of use has made it immensely popular, and US tech giants like Facebook and Snapchat see it as a competitive threat. It has said it has tens of millions of US users and hundreds of millions globally.

But its Chinese ownership has raised concerns about the censorship of videos, including those critical of the Chinese government, and the potential for sharing user data with Chinese officials.

TikTok maintains it doesn’t censor videos based on topics sensitive to China and it would not give the Chinese government access to US user data even if asked. The company has hired a US CEO, a former top Disney executive, in an attempt to distance itself from its Chinese ownership.

US national-security officials have been reviewing the Musical.ly acquisition in recent months, while US armed forces have banned their employees from installing TikTok on government-issued phones.

Secretary of State Mike

Pompeo said earlier this month that the US was considering banning TikTok. These national-security worries parallel a broader US security crackdown on Chinese companies, including telecom providers Huawei and ZTE. The Trump administration has ordered that the US stop funding equipment from those providers in US networks.

It has also tried to steer allies away from Huawei because of worries about the Chinese government’s access to data, which the companies have denied it has.

The Trump administration has stepped in before to block or dissolve deals on national-security concerns, including stopping Singapore’s Broadcom from its USD 117 billion bid for US chipmaker Qualcomm in 2018 in an effort to help retain US leadership in the telecom space.

It also told China’s Beijing Kunlun Tech Co. to sell off its 2016 purchase of gay dating app Grindr.

Other countries are also taking action against TikTok. India this month banned dozens of Chinese apps, including TikTok, citing privacy concerns, amid tensions between the countries.

Anchorage, Aug 1 (Agencies): A midair plane collision in Anchorage on Friday killed seven people, including a state lawmaker who was piloting one of the aircraft, Alaska officials said.

There were no survivors of the crash near the airport in Soldotna, a city on the Kenai Peninsula, the Alaska State Troopers said in a written statement.

S t a t e R e p. G a r y Knopp, who represented the area, was alone in one of the planes. The other plane was carrying four tourists from South Carolina, a guide from Kansas and a pilot from Soldotna,

the troopers said.

All seven victims were pronounced dead at the site except for one person who died while being transported to a hospital, according to the troopers.

Crash debris fell on a highway, which was shut down briefly out of safety concerns.

The Federal Aviation Administration identified one of the planes as a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver.

The FAA and National Transpor tation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Knopp, 67, was a Republican and a member of the state House bipartisan

Iran urges regional cooperation for security, stability

Russia preparing mass UAE starts up Arab world’s first nuclear plant vaccination against coronavirus

T e h r a n, Au g 1 (IANS): Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said regional security can be attained through regional cooperation, semi-official Fars news agency reported.

“Regional security and stability can be achieved only within the framework of regional cooperation,” Rouhani said in a phone conversation with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Iranian president also called for development of relations with Qatar without any limits.

Rouhani expressed the hope that the joint Iran-Qatar economic commission will convene again after the decline of the novel coronavirus pandemic, leading to further promotion of bilateral economic relations.

For his part, the Qatari emir said Qatar attaches special importance to development of ties with Iran.

M o s c o w, A u g 1 (Agencies): Russia’s health minister is preparing a mass vaccination campaign against the novel coronavirus for October, local news agencies reported on Saturday, after a vaccine completed clinical trials.

Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said the Gamaleya Institute, a state research facility in Moscow, had completed clinical trials of the vaccine and paperwork is being prepared to register it, Interfax news agency reported.

He said doctors and teachers would be the first to be vaccinated.

“We plan wider vaccinations for October,” Murashko was quoted as saying.

A source told Reuters this week that Russia’s first potential Covid-19 vaccine would secure local regulatory approval in August and be administered to health workers soon thereafter.

The Gamaleya Institute has been working on an adenovirus-based vaccine.

Russia’s health minister says it is preparing a mass vaccination campaign against the novel coronavirus.

Yet the speed at which Russia is moving to roll it out has prompted some Western media to question whether Moscow is putting national prestige before science and safety.

The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, has likened what he said was Russia’s success in developing a vaccine to the Soviet Union’s 1957 launch of Sputnik 1, the world’s first satellite.

On Saturday, Russia reported 95 additional

deaths from the novel coronavirus, taking its total to 14,058.

Officials re por ted 5,462 new cases, raising the total to 845,443.

More than 100 possible vaccines are being developed around the world to try to stop the Covid-19 pandemic.

At least four are in final Phase III human trials, according to World Health Organization (WHO) data, including three developed in China and another in Britain.

Abu Dhabi, Aug 1 (Agencies): The oilrich United Arab Emirates on Saturday announced the startup of its Barakah nuclear power plant, a first for the Arab world.

“UAE first nuclear reactor at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has achieved first criticality and successfully started up,” tweeted Hamad Alkaabi, the country’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“This is a historic milestone for the nation with a vision set to deliver a new form of clean energy for the nation,” he tweeted in English, along with a photograph of technicians raising their arms in celebration.

The UAE premier and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, tweeted that work at Barakah had “succeeded in loading nuclear fuel packages, carrying out comprehensive tests and successfully completing the operation”.

“Congratulations on realising this historic achievement in the energy sector & marking this mile-

Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.

stone in the roadmap for sustainable development,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

The UAE sta r ted loading fuel rods into the reactor at Barakah in February, after regulators gave the green light for the first of the plant’s four reactors, opening the way for commercial operations.

The plant on the Gulf coast west of Abu Dhabi had been due to go online in late 2017 but faced a

number of delays that officials attributed to safety and regulatory requirements.

The Nawah Energy Company said at the time that Unit 1 will begin commercial operations after a “series of tests” leading to the start-up process.

During the process, the unit will be synchronised with the power grid and the first electricity produced.

The UAE has substantial oil and gas reserves, but with a powerhungry population of 10 million it has made huge investments in developing clean alternatives, including solar energy.

The plant is a regional first -- Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, has said it plans to build up to 16 nuclear reactors, but the project has yet to materialise.

8

sports

PSG beat Lyon; lift French League Cup

PSG’s players celebrate after winning the French League Cup at Stade de France stadium, in Saint Denis, north of Paris on Friday. (AP/PTI)

PSG had the better opportunities to get a breakthrough on a sweaty day.

However, they were not enough to disrupt Lyon’s concentration.

On the other hand, Lyon, too, nothing exceptional to harm PSG’s cause as the final remained goalless after 120 minutes of play under the hot temperature which reached 34 degrees celsius.

The winning point for the capital-based team

came after the first 10 penalties were all scored, but Keylor Navas saved Bertrand Traore’s shoot which gave Pablo Sarabia the opportunity to score for the victory.

It could be argued that PSG missed the service of their superstar striker Kylian Mbappe as it was evident from their lack of killer instinct in Lyon’s area. Mbappe, who was injured during their French Cup final last week, was

Inter looking to give Messi bigger contract: Report

Organisers told not to hold Madrid Open

Paris, Aug 1 (Agencies): Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Friday edged past Lyon to win the final of the last edition of the French League Cup at the Stade de France. With the 6-5 win in the penalty shootout, PSG completed their fourth domestic treble in six years.

The French League Cup, which was founded in 1993, will be abandoned from next season to “reduce the season sched-

ule”.

Meanwhile, PSG’s victory came a week after they had defeated SaintEtienne 1-0 in the French Cup final. The French giants had also won the 2019-20 season’s Ligue 1 title by virtue of being at the top after the competition was ended on April 10 due to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the final rolled into the penalties, the Thomas Tuchel-manaved

Lionel Messi

Rome, Aug 1 (IANS): Speculation has been rife about Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi’s imminent departure from the club and Serie A side Inter Milan have emerged as the frontrunners to land the signature of the Argentina captain.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter’s owners are willing to table an outrageous four-year contract offer that would see Messi earn 50 million euros net a

year. Messi’s current contract runs through to June 2021 at the end of which he can leave the club for free.

If Inter’s reported plans go through, Messi will end up earning more than his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, whose current contract at Serie A champions Juventus sees him earning 31 million euros per year.

Barcelona last month lost out on the LaLiga title for the first time since the

2016/17 season and Messi cut a visibly frustrated figure who said that the Catalan giants are currently a “weak” team.

“We are a weak team who can be beaten with enough intensity and enthusiasm,” he had told Spanish TV. “We have lost a lot of points which we shouldn’t have done (and) been very inconsistent.

We need to be self-critical, starting with the players but also across the entire club.

We are Barcelona, and we are obliged to win every game.”

Messi has also had run-ins with the Barcelona board, particularly over their failure to bring Neymar back from PSG, which added fuel to the speculation.

Inter manager Antonio Conte however laughed off any possibility of Messi playing under him at San Siro. “I am holding on tight to my players, as they are giving their all, I can guarantee that. It’d be easier to move the Duomo than to bring Messi to Inter,” he told Sky Sports Italia.

Madrid, Aug 1 (Agencies): Madrid Open organisers have been advised by local health authorities not to stage the tournament next month due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the Spanish capital and are evaluating their options, they said on Saturday.

The Madrid Open was rescheduled to take place from September 12-20.

“The organisers of the Mutua Madrid Open have been in close communication with the competent health organisations in the Community of Madrid and with the National Sports Council,” the organisers said in a statement.

“In the last meeting, on July 29, due to the increase in cases, the organisers stated their concerns about being able to stage the tournament free from health complications that might affect players, fans and staff.”

“In view of this situation, the organisers requested the help of Antonio Zapatero, Deputy Secretary of Public Health, and were advised not to stage the tournament due to the current trend of COVID cases.”

the stands cheering for the capital-based team.

Argentine forward Mauro Icardi looked sluggish, while Brazilian superstar Neymar was far from his usual brilliance.

However, the latter came closest to score when his shot off Thiago Silva’s delivery went wide in the eighth minute and when his header was tipped off

by Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes in the second half.

PSG now will eye on their Champions League quarterfinals against Serie A side Atalanta on August 12 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Lyon, who next season will miss the continent competitions for the first time since 1996-1997, is still alive at this season’s Champions League. They will visit Turin to challenge Ronaldo and his Juventus next Friday in the last-16 return leg, holding a 1-0 leading from the first leg.

It was Lyon’s first competitive match since early March. And with the hope of direct qualification to next season’s Champions League squandered, Lyon will be hoping to take the best out of their this season’s stay.

The NBA match between Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks.

rebounds and 10 assists while Kristaps Porzingis paced the Mavericks with 39 points and 16 rebounds.

Trey Burke added 31 points on 8-of-10 three-point shooting off the bench while Tim Hardaway Jr scored 24 points for Dallas.

Covington finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. Danuel

House Jr scored 20 for Houston, making 6-of-12 threepoint attempts. Harden and Westbrook chipped in eight assists apiece.

Memphis Grizzlies 135-140 Portland Trail Blazers: CJ McCollum scored 33 points and Damian Lillard added 29 as the Portland Trail Blazers overwhelmed the Memphis

Grizzlies in overtime to win 140-135 in the first seeding game for both teams.

Portland (30-37) built a first-half lead then surged ahead 75-62 in the third quarter before a 22-6 Memphis (32-34) run pushed the Grizzlies ahead. The Trail Blazers played from behind for much of the fourth quarter, but remained within

Joshua warns Mike Tyson against fighting top boxers

London, Aug 1 (IANS): British boxing heavyweight superstar Anthony Joshua warned legendary Mike Tyson against fighting the current top pugilists of the world and urged him to stick with exhibition challenges on his comeback.

Tyson, 54, has been sharing videos of his training on social media as he gears up for the much-anticipated exhibition bout against another former great Roy Jones Jr. “You see a clip on social media and you think: ‘He’s back in action, he’s fighting fit’. But it’s like an old-time footballer doing a crossbar challenge,” Joshua said at a Sky VIP event.

“Tyson hitting pads with ferocious behaviour is second nature to him. But to someone watching from home? It’s like he’s going to rule the heavyweight division. It’s a passion they both love, it’s what they know.

Tyson has been fighting since he was 13.”

“It’s all they know.

They haven’t got to compete with the young lions of the division. We’re bigger, stronger, science has improved so we have more technology,” he added.

Ronaldinho set to be released from house arrest

Ronaldinho

A s u n c i o n, Au g 1 (IANS): Brazil football legend Ronaldinho is reportedly set to be released from his house arrest in Paraguay’s capital city of Asuncion in the fake passport row.

The former Barcelona forward was arrested in April for entering the country with forged documents.

After serving 32 days in a Paraguayan prison, Ronaldinho was put under house arrest after he paid his bail bond.

According to a report, the prosecutors have compiled most of the case but in the absence of proper evidence, Ronaldinho and his brother are expected to walk free. Ronaldinho had earlier compared his house

arrest to the worldwide lockdown imposed in the wake of coronavirus pandemic and had stated that people understand what it’s like to be locked up inside the four walls.

“It has been sixty long days. People in their homes must imagine what it must be like not being able to do what you are used to,” Ronaldinho was quoted as saying by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo in June.

“I think that is something that will remain with us all forever after living in this complicated experience.

I hope that soon everything will return to normal and we can return to our homes.

Hopefully everything will be as before,” he added.

Kenin ready for career restart after COVID disruption MU M B AI , A u g 1 (Agencies): The COVID-19 shutdown could not have come at a worse time for Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin but the American says she has made full use of the mini off-season and is raring to go when the professional circuit restarts next month.

The 21-year-old lifted her first Grand Slam trophy in Melbourne at the start of the year and then added a WTA title in Lyon, days before the circuit came to a halt due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“I did not expect that, it was a huge shock,” Kenin said in a phone interview from the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, where she is playing in the World TeamTennis event.

“I would say it was a disadvantage, because I was playing really well and I had a great two weeks and it was very memorable. So obviously it was very upsetting with what happened with this whole virus thing.”

“I was just celebrating the moment after winning my first Grand Slam. I thought it was going to be about playing more tournaments, create more experi-

NBA: Rockets, Trail Blazers earn overtime wins Dallas, Aug 1 (Agencies): The Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers earned thrilling overtime wins in their respective restart openers on Friday night.

James Harden scored 49 points and Russell Westbrook added 31 points and 11 rebounds as the Rockets erased a 14-point deficit and rallied for a 153-149 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks. Trailing 139-137, Houston got a tip-in of a Harden missed free throw from Robert Covington with 3.3 seconds left to force overtime.

Covington, following an 0-for-8 start from behind the arc, added a three-pointer with 1:22 left in overtime to extend the Houston lead to 150-146.

By then, the Mavericks, who led 131-120 with 7:09 left in regulation, were out of gas, and when Luka Doncic fouled out via an offensive foul with 28.3 seconds left, the Rockets were headed for a win.

Doncic recorded his league-leading 15th tripledouble with 28 points, 13

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020

striking distance. Two threepointers from Carmelo Anthony in the final 1:23 gave Portland the lead, including a 124-122 advantage with 37.5 remaining. Brandon Clarke, who scored 21 points for Memphis off the bench, responded with a game-tying basket.

Ja Morant finished with 22 points. Morant scored seven consecutive points over one stretch, capped with a spectacular dunk off a lob from Clarke. Morant returned the favour to Clarke in the fourth quarter with one of his 11 assists, but Clarke was hit with a technical foul on the ensuing celebration.

The technical marked a critical turning point. Memphis went ahead by seven points, but Portland began a 12-4 run over the next 2:21.

Neither team led by more than two points for the remainder of regulation.

That changed in overtime. McCollum knocked down a three-pointer, followed immediately by another from Gary Trent Jr for three of his 17 points off the bench.

Sofia Kenin

ences, play lot more matches and see all my fans.”

The professional tours have been suspended for five months since early March but Kenin did not let it affect her mentally.

“I was working on different aspects of my game.

My serve, getting more power in my shots,” the world number four said.

“I’ve worked (hard) during this mini off-season, I would say. I have been practising every day. I know there are some players in Europe that weren’t able to practise for a month or more. But here I was able to practise, doing fitness, so I keep myself ready and keep myself in shape for when the tournaments start

SA tour to WI on hold indefinitely CAPE TOWN, Aug 1 (Agencies): South Africa’s director of cricket Graeme Smith does not expect the national team to be back in action until November at the earliest and confirmed the scheduled tour of West Indies has been postponed indefinitely.

“The West Indies tour has been postponed indefinitely,” he told reporters on Saturday. “We are struggling to find the time with the Indian Premier League, when our players are likely to be needed from the beginning of September.”

“In terms of when we will get back onto the field, we are probably looking at November onwards. And if all goes well, it will then be a very busy period for South African cricket, playing series at times when we don’t usually play. It will be a case of trying to cram in all the tours that have been missed.”

South Africa are scheduled to play test matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia between January and March next year.

happening.”

Kenin has signed up for the Western & Southern Open in New York, which was relocated from Cincinnati because of COVID-19, before the U.S. Open starts on August 31.

Australian world number one Barty has opted to skip the Grand Slam as she was not comfortable travelling to the United States amid the pandemic.

“I would love to play her again deep in tournaments. It’s unfortunate she can’t come,” Kenin said of Barty, whom she defeated in Melbourne in the semifinal.

Kenin has also kept herself match-fit, playing an exhibition event in the

United States before making her debut this year in the WTT. At the WTT, Kenin also had the chance to rub shoulders with childhood idols Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams, with whom she has pictures as a small girl.

“It’s been a really good experience, the WTT. We are having good match play, a lot of competition,” Kenin said, adding that she felt safe with the strict health protocols in place.

“Definitely the match play is going to help me when the tour starts. It’s already over 10 matches I have played... it’s about feeling the pressure again and starting off strong.”

Suspend Infantino, ex-FIFA president Blatter

Sepp Blatter

Gianni Infantino

BERN, Aug 1 (Agencies): Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called for his successor, Gianni Infantino, to be suspended by the global soccer body after criminal proceedings were opened against Infantino.

Swiss authorities said that proceedings had been launched against the FIFA boss by a special prosecutor looking into meetings he had with Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber.

Lauber and Infantino have denied wrongdoing.

“For me, the situation is clear, that the FIFA ethics committee has to open a case against Infantino and so it has to suspend him,” said Blatter.

Blatter himself was suspended and later banned

by FIFA’s ethics committee

in 2015.

“Please note that as a general policy, the Ethics Committee does not comment on potential ongoing proceedings nor on whether or not investigations are underway into alleged cases,” FIFA’s ethics committee said in a statement.

“As usual, any information the Ethics Committee may like to share will be communicated accordingly upon their indications.”

Blatter’s investigation is still ongoing. He has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged.

It centred on a payment of $2.2 million made in 2011 to then UEFA president Michel Platini with Blatter’s approval for work the Frenchman had done a decade earlier.

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