August 30, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 265

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

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Bigger states showing 2nd wave of COVID Centre issues ‘Unlock 4’ guidelines India’s daily Covid cases highest-ever globally: report NEW DELHI, AUG 29 (AGENCIES): The latest COVID-19 trends over the last 10 days are worrying.

Not only at the all-India level, but 10 of the 20 bigger states in India are showing signs of a second surge, reports the NDTV. Data shows, in a simple form, the clear upward trend in daily new cases-- the rising positivity rate (which is particularly worrying in the context of increasing number of Rapid Antigen Tests being conducted. Antigen tests have a high false-negativity).

The worrying resurgence of the increase in R (the Reproduction Rate, which measures how infectious the virus is still). There were some hopeful signs a fortnight ago with the “R” gradually coming down and the positivity rate falling too.

Unfortunately, those encouraging signs did not last long and there was likelihood of early stages of a second wave.

No mask, SOP violation could land flyers in no-fly list NEW DELHI, AUG 29 (AGENCIES): Violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) or not wearing masks during flights could land an air passenger on the ‘no-fly list’, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asking airlines to apply the rules pertaining to unruly flyers on such passengers. Meanwhile, the government has allowed airlines to resume in-flight meal services on domestic flights, and serve hot meals and alcohol on international flights subject to certain guidelines.

A senior DGCA official told The Indian Express that the decision to apprehend a passenger will rest with the crew, which can make a formal complaint if the said passenger refuses to adhere to the SOPs put in place to prevent transmission of Covid-19 disease on flights.

“Someone will have to remove a mask for sometime if they want to drink water or have meals. After such a service is over, the crew can ask the passenger to cover their faces with the mask.

If someone is misbehaving, and only the crew can assess the situation, they can be put on the no-fly list,” the official said.

Meanwhile, experts around the world have been predicting a second wave of coronavirus infection.

Experts have said that acting fast is going to be pivotal to check the ‘second wave’ of Covid-19 and many countries can avoid it if they decided to move deftly based on experiences learned during the ongoing pandemic situation and lockdown scenarios. Several countries in Asia are already experiencing the second wave of COVID. Australia is the latest country that is battling the second wave.

India’s daily cases: India’s trajectory of daily COVID cases continued to be the highest-ever recorded globally since the start of the health crisis in December 2019. On Saturday, India reported 76,472 new coronavirus cases, taking the total tally to 34,63,972, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

This was slightly lower than the country’s all-time spike of 77,266 cases a day earlier. Single-day cases in India have been rising at an alarming rate in the last three weeks, putting it ahead of the US and Brazil, the two worst-hit countries.

India’s journey to over 34 lakh cases Saturday took almost seven months since the emergence of the first case on January 30. On July 17, the country had logged 10 lakh cases, which then doubled to 20 lakh in 20 days, on August 7 and added another 10 lakh by August 23. It has now added four lakh cases in six days. At this point, it is pertinent to compare parameters to see the progression of the virus.

The doubling rate, which is the rate at which the total cases in the country are doubling, is 32 days as against 68 days in Brazil and 96 in the US. The positivity rate, which is the total confirmed cases out of the total tests conducted that day, has come down as compared to July. It currently stands at 8.23%. Another parametercase fatality rate, which is the proportion of deaths among the confirmed cases, is 1.8%. The rate is better than the global average of 3.4% .

Meanwhile, the recovery rate is currently 76.4%.

The five most affected states by total tally of cases are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.

Meghalaya to witness spike in COVID-19 cases by Sep: AL Hek

SHILLONG, AUG 29 (AGENCIES/PTI): Medical experts predicted that there would be a spike in COVID-19 cases in Meghalaya by September and October, Meghalaya Health Minister Alexander Laloo Hek was quoted as saying by a news channel on Saturday.

Hek talking to reporters said Meghalaya government was prepared to tackle any kind of eventuality to combat COVID-19. Hek reportedly said that the state government would leave no stone unturned in the fight against COVID pandemic.

877 newbor ns, 61 pregnant women die in 4 months: At least 61 pregnant women and 877 newborns have died in Meghalaya in the last four months starting from April for want of admission to hospitals and also due to lack of medical attention because of diversion of the health machinery to fight COVID19 pandemic, a senior health department official said.

The fatalities from April to July this year were

due to diseases other than the novel coronavirus.

Newborn deaths were due to lack of medical attention, care, pneumonia and birth asphyxia, Director of Health Services Aman War said.

“It is a matter of concern that the infant and maternal mortality rate has risen sharply as the entire state health machinery is diverted to fight the COVID19 pandemic, War told reporters Friday.

He said most of the women died because they were not admitted to hospitals or health centres for institutional delivery.

The state has an infant mortality rate of 34 deaths per 1000 live births and pneumonia is the major cause of deaths of babies at birth even as birth asphyxia is another cause, War said.

He said the health department has told hospitals and health centres that they should not refuse admission to patients including pregnant women even if they come from COVID-19 containment zones.

Nagaland COVID-19 tally 3851 COVID-19 STATUS AS ON august 29, 2020 District

Asymptomatic

Dimapur Kiphire Kohima Longleng Mokokchung Mon Peren Phek Tuensang Wokha Zunheboto Total

423 1 398 1 4 40 3 1 8 5 31 915

ACTIVE CASES RecovMiTotal Symptomatic Death ered grated Cases Mild Moderate 7 1 1434 1877 9* 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 779 1181 0 3 0 0 3 5 0 1 0 0 18 22 0 0 1 0 232 275 0 2 0 0 265 268 0 0 0 0 31 32 0 0 0 0 46 54 0 0 0 0 19 24 0 0 0 0 81 112 0 0 9 1 2908 3851 9 9

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

D I M A P U R , AU G 2 9 (NPN): Nagaland on Saturday registered 46 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 3851 cases-- 925 active, 2908 recovered, 9 deaths and 9 migrated.

According to Health minister, S. Pangnyu Phom, the new cases on Saturday were reported from three districts-- 44 in Kohima, 1 each

in Phek and Mon. As per the severity of symptoms, 915 cases are asymptomatic,9 mild and 1 moderate case.

Further, out of the 3,851 positive cases, the distribution across various categories of people include 1,633 cases from the Armed Forces, 1244 returnees, 278 frontline workers and 696 traced contacts.

Cong to continue as oppn for next 50 India’s virus tally yrs if party polls crosses 34 lakh not held, says Azad P T I a d d s : I n d i a ’s COVID-19 tally raced past 34 lakh with a single-day spike of 76,472 cases, while the number of recoveries surged to 26,48,998, pushing the recovery rate to 76.47 per cent on Saturday, according to the Union health ministry. The total number of COVID-19 cases rose to 34,63,972, while the death toll due to the disease climbed to 62,550 with 1,021 people succumbing to it in a span of 24 hours, the ministry’s data updated at 8 am showed.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate has further declined to 1.81 per cent in the country.

There are 7,52,424 active coronavirus cases in the country currently, which account for 21.72 per cent of the total caseload, the data showed.

NEW DELHI, AUG 29 (AGENCIES): Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was one of the signatories to the letter of “dissident”, has said that the party is at the “historic low” and will continue to sit in the opposition for the “next 50 years” if elections to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and key organisational posts are not held.

Prospects of the party would be better if an elected body leads the party, otherwise “Congress will continue to sit in the Opposition for the next 50 years,” Azad said.

“If my party wants to be in opposition for the next 50 years, then there is no need for elections within the party,” Azad, who is the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha said.

Citizens undertake road repair work in Zbto, Wka

This is it!

(L) Road repair work being carried out in Zunheboto town and (R) cleanliness drive cum road repair work in Tsumang ‘B’ colony Wokha.

“Playing cards is better anytime. Our kids play pubg day and night and it’s affecting their minds.”

K Y M C

D I M A P U R , AU G 2 9 (NPN): Citizens in Wokha’s Tsumang ‘B’ colony (Ground Kup sector) and Zunheboto Area Public Organisation (ZAPO) in collaboration with the Madhucon Projects Ltd. carried out cleanliness drive and road repair work under their respective jurisdictions.

ZAPO: Zunheboto Area Public Organisation (ZAPO) in collaboration with the Madhucon firm, carried out repair work of

the deplorable road in Zunheboto town area stretching from Amiphoto colony to Laghilato colony (around 03 km) from August 24 to 29, ZAPO media cell stated.

ZAPO urged the state government and the concern department to look into matter before the road turns into a river bank-like road condition, which will affect all commuters in the district headquarter. While thanking the deputy commissioner Zunheboto for

his enthusiasm towards the development, ZAPO also expressed gratitude to the Fire department, Traffic Police, PWD (R&B), PWD (Mech) and all who had assisted.

Further, ZAPO affirmed that it will continue to assist in the developmental and public welfare activities in Zunheboto.

Wokha: In a press note, Tsumang ‘B’ colony media in-charge, Yanrenthung J Humtsoe said that around 62 volunteers Saturday carried

out cleanliness cum road repair work under its jurisdiction in the presence of colony council and GBs. While encouraging the volunteers, the council chairman stated that amid the COVID pandemic, it was the fundamental right of every citizen to have good roads and clean surrounding. He also urged the volunteers to be responsible citizens and continue to contribute for the welfare of the society.

Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG 29 (NPN): Centre on Saturday announced the fresh guidelines for ‘Unlock 4’ plan. Under the guidelines, lockdown will be extended in the country till September, 30, 2020.

However, the lockdown will only be implemented strictly in the containment zones, it said.

“The new guidelines, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments,” the Centre said in a statement.

In a significant directive, the Home ministry said that state governments shall not impose any local lockdown outside the containment zones without prior consultation with the Centre.

In a major development, metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from September 7 in a graded manner, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA)/ Ministry of Railways (MoR), in consultation with Home ministry, the statement said.

Guidelines for containment zones: According to the order, lockdown in containment zones will

remain imposed till 30 September, 2020. These virus containment zones need to be carefully demarcated by the state governments or UTs. Within the perimeters of containment zones, strict social distancing and other norms of containing the spread of the virus shall be maintained and only essential activities will be allowed, MHA said in a statement.

These containment zones will be notified on the websites of respective district collectors of the states and UTs and activities taking place in these zones will be strictly monitored by the authorities.

DAYO refutes Khango-led NSCN (K) claims DIMAPUR, AUG 29 (NPN): In connection with the alleged kidnapping of an employee of SymBios Creation Pvt Ltd in Dimapur on August 26, the Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) has described as “totally false and baseless” the claims of Khango-led NSCN (K) that “Dimapur Ao youths came to the Police station in mob, took away the lady manager without allowing her to complete the formalities and forcibly registered the FIR as kidnapping offence.”

In a press release, DAYO president Aotemsu Aier and general secretary S Pangertoshi also said Khango-led NSCN (K) through a communiqué dated August 28, 2020 summoned DAYO and others to their office at Thilixu village at 4pm on August 29, 2020 “for consultation/clarification on kidnapping allegation”.

DAYO, however, said that it did not deem itself obligated to comply with the demand of Khango-led NSCN (K).

The youth body expressed its firm belief that the state law enforcing agencies were the only competent entities to handle and investigate the matter.

Therefore, DAYO said it would “allow the law to take its own course which is (Cont’d on p-5) sub judice.”

CM condoles demise of Dietho

D I M A P U R , AU G 2 9 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio expressed pain to learn of the untimely demise of Dietho Pfukha, on August 29, at Dimapur. In a condolence message, Rio said Pfukha was an efficient officer with Air India and was exemplary in carrying out his duties.

“He epitomised a fine gentleman and a responsible officer. Apart from his professional career, he has also made significant contributions to society for the welfare of all sections, especially the weaker section,” he added. Rio said he was a cheerful, friendly person, who would readily assist anyone in need. Rio along with his wife conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family and prayed that God grant them strength to bear the loss and also for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

PAC Dimapur flays ‘kidnapping’

Public Action Committee (PAC) Dimapur has vehemently condemned the alleged kidnapping by “NSCN-K cadres” on August 26. PAC said that such act was “very much uncalled for” at this crucial juncture of political negotiations.

Appreciating the police for their “immediate action in arresting the culprits”, PAC demanded that the judiciary should not grant bail, but award due punishment as per the law.

BAN declines meeting invite

Business Association of Nagas (BAN) executive, at an emergency meeting on August 29 decided to not attend the meeting called

by Khango-led NSCN(K), saying attending a consultation/clarification meeting was “irrelevant” as the group had already refuted the basis of allegation.

BAN said: “Thus, we find it futile for a meeting as BAN is not the appropriate authority to decide on the rebuttal.” BAN said it was concerned over the kidnapping of a staff serving under Naga entrepreneur and also concerned over disturbing the business activity of its advisor. As an association that exist to protect the interest of Naga entrepreneurs, BAN said it deemed appropriate to “condemn such an act.”

Meanwhile, BAN said that since the case was with the executing authority it looked forward to investigating agency completing the probe without any interference whatsoever.

Rail connectivity for 3 more NE states by 2023

GUWAHATI/AGARTALA, AUG 29 (IANS): Six of the eight north-eastern states’ capital cities will come on the Indian railway map by March 2023, top railway officials said.

The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR), which has already connected Assam’s main city Guwahati (adjoining capital Dispur), Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh’s capital cities, is laying tracks to connect the capital cities of three more NE states -Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland -- by March 2023.

The first train in NE chugged out from the industrial city of Dibrugarh in eastern Assam 138 years ago. NFR’s general manager Sanjive Roy said new railway lines were laid to extend the railway lines in three more capital cities of North East-- Imphal, Aizawl and

Kohima-- excluding Shillong and Gangtok.

“The work to lay the broad gauge railway line has been progressing well in Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. There are some land-related and other environmental problems in Sikkim and Meghalaya, causing the delay in extending the railway networks in the two hilly states,” Roy told IANS. NFR, one among the 17 railway zones in India, operates fully and partially in six of the eight northeastern states, excluding Meghalaya and Sikkim, and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.

NFR said the government had sanctioned electrification of railway lines in the region and tender-related work was being undertaken for the purpose.

K Y M C

state

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.:Is the Indian National Congress in the news for the wrong reasons?

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

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

A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

60% 40% 0%

Next poll

Q: Ultimately, do Online

classes lead to acceptance that a complete change in syllabus is needed?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST august 30

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Cloudy with spotty showers

33 26

Cloudy with a few showers

28 21

Aizawl

Guwahati A couple of afternoon showers 32 25 Imphal

A morning shower; cloudy

Itanagar Cloudy with a stray t-storm

29 22 28 23

Shillong

Cloudy, a t-storm in spots

23 18

Kohima

A shower and t-storm around

25 18

Dimapur Mostly cloudy Mkg

31 23

Cloudy with a thunderstorm 26 20

Tuensang Cloudy with a thunderstorm 20 16 Wokha

A t-storm in the afternoon

26 21

Zunheboto Cloudy with a thunderstorm 23 18

Kohima Smart City Ltd to provide ‘community bicycle workshop’ D I M A P U R : Ko h i m a Smart City Development (KSCD) Ltd in collaboration with the Nagaland Mountain Biking Association (NMBA) and the Tribal Cult will be conducting a free “community bicycle workshop” on August 30, 10 a.m at the Old Assembly Secretariat to promote safe, smart and confident bicycling.

A press release by KSCD Ltd, CEO, Kovi Meyase stated that, workshop is for commuters, recreational riders and young people to promote bicycle safety. It also aims at equipping old and new riders alike with the resources and skills to ride a bicycle safely and confidently, with the ultimate goal of increasing bicycle ridership

in Kohima.

Basic cycling techniques like braking, cornering, ideal body position, attack position, bunny hopping, climbs, jumps and drops will be demonstrated at the workshop by cycling experts from the city.

Participants have been requested to bring along their own bicycles and safety gears. A few bicycles will also be made available for those who wish to give cycling a try.

This is in continuation of the India Cycles4Change Challenge whereby Kohima under the initiative of the Kohima Smart City Development Ltd. is participating in the competition along with 95 other cities. It is an initiative of the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry

of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India which would conclude by October 2020.

In a separate programme, KSCD Ltd also initiated first “handle bar survey” for India Cycles4Change a free “community bicycle workshop”, with cyclists and traffic personnel to gather qualitative and quantitative information regarding existing conditions.

A press release by KSCD Ltd stated that the survey was conducted to collect information about pedestrian and bicycle network gaps, signalised intersections, bicycle parking demand, safe/unsafe routes, posted and actual vehicular speeds and way finding amenities.

DIMAPUR: Department of Botany, Sao Chang College (SCC) Tuensang organized a one-day state level webinar (online seminar) on the topic, “Impact of Covid-19 on the Environment” on August 28, with Dr. Latonglila Jamir, assistant professor, Environmental Science, Nagaland University as

the resource person.

In a press release, SCC Tuensang media cell convenor, HoD, M. Shiu stated that, resource person spoke on the various environmental impacts caused by the COVID-19 on air, water quality, biodiversity, noise level, waste management, energy and on

RYC Dimapur officials at the programme held on August 29.

customary court, Dimapur on August 29, with a small gathering adhering to the SOPs of COVID-19.

In a press release by RYC Dimapur stated that,

NSCN (I-M) condolence DIMAPUR: NSCN (I-M) has expressed grief at the untimely demise of late ‘sergeant major (posthumous)’ Lunglaingam Thaimei, Naga Army No. 43416/15 of Phungtha Brigade, Naga Army from Ganglon village under Zeilad region on August 27.

NSCN (I-M) in a condolence note through its Ministry of Information & Publicity (MIP) stated that, late Lunglaingam had enrolled in the Naga national service on August 11, 2015 and served the Naga nation with unwavering patriotism until his

demise.

Expressing that void created by his demise was deeply felt and would be difficult to fill in, the Ministry of Information & Publicity further stated that, for his selfless contribution to the Naga national cause, his name shall be recorded in the pages of the Naga history and his sacrifices shall ever be cherished by all.

GPRN conveyed deep condolences to the bereaved family members and friends of late Lunglaingam and pray Almighty God grant his soul eternal peace.

James Akham, president Rongmei Community Dimapur as special guest exhorted the gathering. Panti Kamei, member Naga Peoples Movement for

DIMAPUR: GPRN/ NSCN has discharged ‘L/ Corp’ Hopongmola, A/ No. 19647 D/o Laning of Tobu village, Konyak region from active service of Naga Army on health ground.

A press release by GPRN/NSCN through its Ministry of Information & Publicity (MIP) stated that, the discharge was carried out as per office order released by camp commander, GHQ, Naga Army, GPRN/NSCN on August 11.

GPRN/NSCN has acknowledged the service rendered during her tenure and wishes her healthy and prosperous future.

K Y M C

DIMAPUR: Annual North East zone inter central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) debate competition on human rights 2020 was organised at Assam Rifles Training Centre & School, Shokhuvi on August 28, wherein seven teams from NE based CAPFs and Assam Rifles participated.

A press release from ARTC&S stated that, PJP Hanaman, member of Meghalaya Human Rights Commission, Limasunep Jamir IGP, Kohima and Bano Haralo, editor, Nagaland Today were panel of jury members.

Topic of debate was “human rights acts as a hindrance to the security forces in performing their duties”.

Brigadier Arjun Segan, SM, commandant, ARTC & School in his

socio-economic environment.

Altogether 100 people across the state comprising of university professors, college principals, associate professors, assistant professors, PGTs, school teachers, research scholars and post graduate and undergraduate students took part in the programme. Earlier,

Human Rights (NPMHR) spoke on the topic “what can we learn from Jadonang’s life.”

He concluded with a challenges put forward towards the gathering to live with a cause. R. Kamei, chairman Ragailong Colony, Dimapur also spoke on the freedom struggle of Haipou Jadonang.

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by RYC president Makuran Rongmei, who also chaired the programme. Rev, Gaidim Kamei, pastor Rongmei Baptist Church Burma Camp offered a prayer and vote of thanks was given

by RYC general secretary, Gangangpou Dangmei.

It must be noted that on this day, the legendary leader Haipou Jadonang was hanged to death by the British colonial ruler.

IN REMEMBRANCE 25 TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY

closing remarks, emphasized that people in uniform must constantly strive to adhere to the law of the land and uphold the values enshrined in constitution regarding human rights.

28 speakers debated in Hindi and English, 14 speakers each for and against the motion. Assam Rifles secured 1st position and Border Security Forces (BSF) secured 2nd position in English language debate category.

In Hindi language, ITBP secured 1st position and BSF secured 2nd position. Assam Rifles and BSF have been selected for English debate and ITBP and BSF have been selected for Hindi debate to represent NE Zone in semi-finals of inter CAPFs debate competition to be held at Kolkata from September 4 to 5.

news in Brief NNC/FGN 57th Indo-Naga ceasefire day: Naga National Council (NNC) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) will observe the 57th Indo-Naga ceasefire day on September 6, 10 a.m at Transit Peace Camp, Kohima. All fellow Nagas have been requested to offer a prayer on this historic day.

Aboi COVID status: EAC, Aboi, Lihtrila Sangtam has notified that in view of the COVID-19 positive cases detected in Aboi town on August 28 and medical staff being in contact with the new ambulance for Aboi, CHC has been sealed till further orders. In case of medical emergencies, one may contact Dr. Joshua at 84159-9977 or control room Aboi at 9612855434/98626-51830.

Health camp conducted at Penli Ward Mokokchung

programme host was assistant professor, Botany, SCC, Tekameren Walling while assistant professor, Botany, SCC Dr. S. Arenla introduced the resource person.

Vote of thanks was delivered by assistant professor and HoD, Botany, SCC, Tongpangkokla Chang.

Assam Rifles seize IMFL

Health care givers at the health camp conducted on Saturday at Penli Ward, Mokokchung. (NP)

Correspondent

MOKOKCHUNG, AUG 29 (NPN): Amidst the dreaded fear of COVID-19 pandemic, the health care workers, under the aegis of National Urban Health Mission have been imparting community health care in Mokokchung district on a war footing.

The apprehended along with assorted IMFL and police personnel.

A health camp was DIMAPUR: As part of the ongoing crackdown by Assam Rifles to prevent illegal activities, troops of Assam Rifles seized IMFL in general area Burma Camp, Dimapur on August 27.

According to PRO HQ IGAR (N), based on specific intelligence regarding illegal activities in general area Burma Camp, Dimapur, troops of Assam Rifles

alongwith Police representative launched an operation and apprehended Kanhaiya Kumar, age 25 years, r/o Motihari, Bihar.

Recoveries included assorted bottles of IMFL amounting to Rs. 3.5 lakhs.

The apprehended individual along with recovered items was handed over to East Police Station, Dimapur for further investigation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We extend our profound gratitude to all who supported us physically, financially and through prayers during the brief illness and sad demise of our beloved Lt. Nyeiwang Konyak (2nd NAP).

May the God Lord bless you all.

DP-3655

Loving wife, children and relatives

19-02-1967 – 18-08-2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Late A. SHIKATO LOHE

DP-3623

GPRN/NSCN discharge one

Assam Rifles wins NE zone inter CAPF debate

SCC Tuensang state level webinar on impact of COVID-19

RYC observes Marty’s Day of Jadonang in Dimapur

DIMAPUR: Rongmei Youth Club (RYC) Dimapur observed Martyr’s Day commemorating the 89th death anniversary of Haipou Jadonang at Rongmei

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

(8th Oct 1939 – 30th Aug 1995) Years have passed by, But memories of our happy days are still fresh.

You are forever in our hearts.

Until we meet again....

Loving Wife & Family Members

conducted on Saturday at Penli Ward community hall under the supervision of Dr. S T Jamir, UPHC Yimyu.

Speaking to Nagaland Post, Dr S T Jamir stated that the outreach health camp was providing free medicine and consultancy, associated with free testing and screening of sugar, malaria, HIV along with vaccinations, OCP, etc.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We the bereaved family members of Late Medo Angami (Viswentso), would like express our sincerest gratitude to all who stood by us spiritually, physically, financially and materially during his brief illness and untimely demise on 22/08/2020.

Your act of kindness shown to us shall never be forgotten.

We regret our inability to thank each individual but pray that God Almighty bless you abundantly.

Special thanks to:1. Phevima Baptist Church 2. Kacharigaon Phevima Village Council 3. Kacharigaon Phevima Women Organisation 4. Kacharigaon Phevima Youth Organisation 5. DC Office Dimapur and staff 6. CIHSR, Dimapur 7. Nagaland Multispeciality Health & Research Centre, Dimapur 8. Friends, families and well wishers.

Loving wife, children and family members DP-3663

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.

So, whether we live or die we belong to the Lord .

- Romans 14:8

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LATE SUB (Retd) FUBEMO LOTHA Born in : 1918 Died on : 20/08/2020

"The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away: As it hath pleased so it is done; Blessed be the name of the Lord" Job 1:21

Lt. Mr. LUHOYI SEMA (1933-2020) We the bereaved family of Lt. Mr. LUHOYI SEMA would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation each and every Individual, Friends, Neighbors, Churches, Organizations, Relatives and all the well wishers who stood by us spiritually, physically, morally and financially during our grief at sudden demise of our beloved on 27th August, 2020.

We are unable to thank everyone personally. But it is our sincere prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Epo, we love you and we will miss you everyday till we meet you again!

K-1358 Loving Wife, Son, Daughters, In-Laws and Grand Children

Through his column, we the family members of Lt. Luheli N. Kiba express our deepest gratitude to every individual, societies, friends and well wishers who supported and comforted us through prayers, physically and financially at our darkest hour.

We convey our special thanks to:1. Pastor, staff and members of Zhekishe Baptist Church 2. Satami Kibami Welfare, Dimapur 3. East Police Council Welfare, Dimapur 4. East Police Colony Youth Organisation, Dimapur 5. Family friends and relatives.

We regret our inability to thank you all individually, but it is our sincere prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

DP-3652

Loving Children, Grand children & Family Members.

(10.05.1946 - 13.08.2020) The family of Late SUB. (Retd) Fubemo Lotha would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to every individual, organisations, churches, village communities, friends, neighbours, relatives and well wishers for your prayers, support and comforting presence, when we were going through difficult times at the sudden demise of our beloved father on 13-08-2020.

We would like to make a special mention of: 1. Wokha Town Baptist Church 2. District administration, Wokha 3. New Colony Wokha Council, members and fellowship.

4. New Colony Youth Fellowship and Organisation 5. Wokha Town Mekokla Ekhung 6. Suren Colony Youth, Wokha Town We deeply regret our inability to thank each of you individually. However, it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

DC-505

2

Loving Wife, Children, Grand Children and Family Members.

K Y M C

3

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

NE COVID-19 roundup: surge in Assam & Tripura Dozen injured in inter-village clash 3,745 1,602 Aru

Sikkim

al P nach

rade

sh

1,01,368 Assam Nag

Meghalaya

alan

d

Manipur 2,283 ip Tr

10,876

a

3,851

5,960

1,003

79,307 people have recovered and three migrated out of the state.

NHM officials also said that the number of recovered patients in Assam is 3.8 times the number of active patients. The state’s recovery rate is 80.26 per cent.

M e a n w h i l e, w i t h rising coronavirus cases, lockdown was re-imposed in Barak Valley region in

southern Assam comprising three districts - Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj - from August 27 to September 4.

The Barak Valley region, the gateway to Tripura, Mizoram and western Manipur, would also remain in lockdown on September 5 and 6, as Assam observes a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) lockdown.

Assam TV serial banned after protests alleging it promoted ‘love jihad’

Man, son injured after ambulance overturns in EKH

mittee.

Based on the recommendations of the committee, which apprehended that there may be a breach of peace and tranquility, the prohibitory order was issued on August 24, he said.

At the end of two months, the TV channel can appeal for a review of the order and the committee will make a fresh recommendation, the officer said.

Groups such as Hindu Jagran Manch and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have been protesting against the serial for the last few weeks, alleging that it promoted “love jihad” and belittled the Hindu and Assamese culture. Social media campaigns against the serial were also on.

Speaking to reporters, the lead actor of the serial Preety Kongkona said, “There is no commu-

nal angle in the serial. In fact, it depicts humanity above faith.

She said the allegations of promoting “love jihad” are a figment of some peoples imagination.

The serial is about a Hindu woman being caught in a difficult situation and is helped by a Muslim man.

However, a rumour was spread that her character Janmoni eloped with the Muslim man,” she said.

The private channel started broadcasting the serial in July.

Kongkona alleged that she was trolled and bullied on social media and even received rape threats, following which she lodged a complaint with the police.

Police said they are looking into these allegations.

SHILLONG, AUG 29 (AGENCIES): A church elder of Khlieh Mawlieh Presbyterian Church lost his life while his son sustained injuries after an ambulance which they were travelling in overturned at Sadew village in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, on Friday at around 2 pm, reports The Northeast Today.

The church elder, K. Wahlang, was on his way to Bethany Hospital, Shillong, for receiving further treatment as advised by a doctor from Nongstoiñ Civil Hospital, West Khasi Hills.

Both Wahlang and his son were first shifted to Pomlum Public Health Centre (PHC) and then to Dr HG Roberts Hospital in Shillong, after the incident.

While the church elder succumbed to his injuries, his son is undergoing treatment.

58.59% of COVID cases in Manipur are local transmission

Assam mulls informal classes for Cl-12, final year

Guwahati, Aug 29 (PTI): A television serial was banned here following protests by right-wing groups, alleging that it promoted “love jihad” and denigrated Hindu and the Assamese culture, officials said on Saturday.

The TV serial, ‘Begum Jaan’, was banned for two months on the recommendations of the Kamrup (Metro) districtlevel monitoring committee, Guwahati Police Commissioner Munna Prasad Gupta told PTI. A prohibitory order was issued under the Cable Television Network (Regulations) Act, 1995 to suspend the telecast of the serial, he said.

Noting that several complaints were received against the serial aired by a private entertainment channel, Gupta said those were deliberated upon by the 10-member com-

Correspondent IMPHAL, Aug 29: The COVID situation in Manipur is grim with surge in locally transmitted cases of novel coronavirus cases.

Analysis of the daily COVID-19 status reports of the state health department showed locally transmitted cases reaching 2589 which is 58.59% of the total 4419 positive cases among the general populace of the state.

As per the latest report of the state health department, the COVID tally in the state stood at 5960, including 1541 personnel of Central security forces.

Of the 4419 cases among the general population, 2589 persons contracted the virus through local contacts which origin could not be traced by the authority of the health department.

The state health department had earlier hinted of community transmission taking place in the state when contacts of some of the positive cases were untraceable.

However, the state government is yet to declare community transmission in the state till date.

Meanwhile, the situation in Imphal West district where maximum number of positive cases detected K Y M C

0.89 per cent against Assam’s 0.28 per cent.

In Tripura, 7,037 people recovered from the disease while there 3,284 active cases as on Friday night.

National Health Mission (NHM) officials in Assam said that so far 98,807 people tested positive for the virus and 286 among them died. Of the total cases, 19,211 are active,

ur

Mizoram

Agartala/Aizawl/ Guwahati, Aug 29 (IANS): As the deadly coronavirus continued to spread across the northeast, Mizoram on Friday became the latest state in the region to see its tally cross the 1,000 case mark, while Tripura surpassed the 10,000-mark.

Mizoram, however, is the only state in India where there is no death reported so far due to the contagious virus.

According to Mizoram Health and Family Welfare Department officials, with 29 more cases detected in the past 24 hours, the tally went up to 1,003 while 514 people have recovered from the disease.

Of the 1,003 Covid19 positive cases, including 175 women, 33.33 per cent belong to Central Para-Military Forces and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

After Assam, Tripura with 10,417 Covid-19 positive cases become the second most affected state among the eight northeastern states. With 93 deaths due to the coronavirus, Tripura’s mortality rate is

in the last few days is deteriorating everday.

Of the 87 new cases reported in the past 24 hours in the state, 62 were from the district. With these new cases, the total number of COVID-19 infections in Imphal West district rose to 1498. There were also reports of cluster transmission taking place in some localities in the heart of the capital city.

Taking serious note of the mode of transmission in the district which is one of the twin capital districts of the state, state health authority has placed emphasis in the district by expanding disease surveillance teams and opening more sample collection centres.

A total of 97 new cases including 30 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel were confirmed in the past 24 hours. Of the 87 new cases among the local populace, 83 have no recent travel history.

In the last 24 hours, one 78-year-old man from Imphal East expired due to COVID-19 at JNIMS hospital where he was referred to from a Covid care facility at Lamboikhongnangkhong in Imphal West district a few days ago after his condition deteriorated.

Guwahati, Aug 29 (PTI): Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that classes for standard 12 and final year of undergraduate programmes will commence on September 15 in an informal and experimental way.

Speaking at a press conference here, he said these informal classes will be on till September 30, but it will be discontinued if any student or teacher tests positive in between.

“The principals or heads will make four-five small groups, which will come and interact with teachers in informal classes,” Sarma said.

“In little primary or middle-primary schools, the kids are now coming once a week for collecting mid-day meals. From September 15, they will come twice a week and the teachers will hand over a study material along with a question paper for submitting it in the next week,” Sarma said.

The teachers will evaluate the answer sheets in front of the students and will give tasks for the next week, he added.

The minister, however, said the schools and colleges, which are housing the quarantine or isolation centres at present, will not be opened.

In Shillong, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that it was decided to re-open several important tourist spots including Ward’s Lake, Lum Nehru Park and Elephant Falls from September 1 for local tourism in accordance with health protocols and standard operating procedures laid down by the government.

Meghalaya so far registered 2,202 Covid-19 positive cases. The hill state has 1,272 active cases and nine patients have succumbed to the infection so far.

In Imphal, Manipur Health and Family Welfare Department’s Additional Director Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang said that the state so far registered 5,843 positive cases, including 1,511 belonging to Central Para-Military Forces. So far, 27 people have died.

Covid-19 cases are also rapidly rising in the three remaining northeastern states - Nagaland (3,784 cases, nine deaths), Arunachal Pradesh (3,633 cases, five deaths) and Sikkim (1,542 cases, three deaths).

Police at the inter-village clash site over land dispute in Thoubal district. (NP)

Correspondent IMPHAL, AUG 29: Over a dozen were injured when two groups attacked each other with stones and deadly weapons over a land dispute in Manipur.

With tension running high in the villages located at the inter-district border between Thoubal and Tengnoupal district, section 144 of CrPC has been clamped in the area.

Reports said that the clash between the two neighbouring villages; Salungpham village of Thoubal district and Ringpam village of Tengnoupal erupted yesterday around 4pm on Friday.

Reports said that the clash erupted over the ownership of a piece of land (Santipur Khunou) lying at the inter-village border

between Salungpham and Rangpam village.

Another neighbouring village, Tollen, was also involved in the dispute that surfaced a few years ago.

While injuries were inflicted on both side, as many as 13 villagers mostly belonging to Salungpham were hospitalised at nearby healthcare centres, the report said.

Timely intervention by police averted major casualty that could have been caused as a result of the clash, a police source said.

Armed police have been detailed after the district magistrate of both districts clamped sub-section 2 of section 144 of CrPC in the area restricting people from moving out of their respective homes.

Efforts were on to ease

tension as the police convened a meeting of leaders of the villages involved in the clash.

The meeting was organised under the initiative of the IGP Zone-I K Jayentakumar at the office of the Thoubal SP. In the meeting, it was resolved to maintain peace in the area and a second round of talks was convened on August 3, the report said.

Earlier, police teams of both districts under the supervision of the IGP inspected the disputed side and took stock of the situation.

There was an informal agreement among the villages to convert the disputed land into a cemetery and to confirm the same, a joint discussion was convened on August 31.

Meghalaya CM inspects Jal Jeevan Mission Correspondent SHILLONG, AUG 29: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Saturday visited several households at Sohiong in East Khasi Hills District, to inspect the ongoing works of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

Accompanied by the PHE Minister, Samlin Malgniang, Sangma and a team of officials from the department, the CM embarked on household visits to assess implementation of JJM in the area.

After interacting with the beneficiaries personally, he said that piped water connection has ushered in “much anticipated convenience” to most of these rural residents that depended on drawing water manually from distantly located water sources in the villages.

Expressing his overall satisfaction on the progress

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma taking stock of Jal Jeevan Mission implementation.

of work, the Chief Minister was optimistic that with the ongoing pace, the State should be able to achieve the targets set forth and provide functional tap water connections to all rural households in Meghalaya by 2022.

“I would like to thank our prime minister and the ministry of Jal Shakti for all the financial and technical support in the

implementation of this programme in our State.

We have a target of almost 2 lakh households this financial year.”

“The PHE department is doing a tremendous job to pursue completion of all works mandated under the programme and move forward aggressively even under such difficult circumstances (COVID19 pandemic) that we are

facing currently,” Sangma said.

Jal Jeevan Mission is a project funded by the Union ministr y of Jal Shakti, which envisages to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.

The programme will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rainwater harvesting.

Meghalaya has set the target of December, 2022 for Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) to every rural household in the State.

Later in the day, the Chief Minister also visited the site of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme at Mawphlang and interacted with the officials from the concerned department.

Haipou Jadonang martyrdom anniversary held in Imphal

DIMAPUR: The 89th martyrdom anniversary observance of Haipou Jadonang organized by Zeliangrong Civil Organizations (ZCOs) was held on Friday at ZSUM, Imphal.

Haipou Jadonang, a pioneer and freedom fighter and the founder of the “Naga Raj” was hanged on August 29, 1931 by the British Government for launching strong resistant movement against the Administration.

A press release by media and publicity cell of the Zeliangrong civil organizations stated that Athuan Abonmai, president, Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) who spoke on the occasion and on behalf of the Zeliangrong Civil Organizations (ZCOs) and Zeliangrong people living in Manipur, Assam and Nagaland, asserted that the supreme sacrifice of Haipou Jadonang for the cause of the people should not be misused to suit the vested interest of particular group or sections of people. The Baudi president also advised the NSCN (IM) to stop undermining the supreme sacrifice of Jadonang and misusing his name to identify the place of few cadres stationed camp as “Jadonang Battalion“ or “Jadonang Brigade”, adding that the Zeliangrong

people cannot tolerate the misuse of “Jadonang” and asked the the NSCN (IM) to immediately stop using it.

He said that the present day “self-proclaimed leaders are preoccupied with full of fears and confusions for which the innocent Naga people who are yearning for peace and progress have now openly speaking their mind against the unrealistic rhetoric.” He said the “emotion of the Naga people have been driven by unrealistic rhetoric all these years but the people have now started realising and perceived their future as such unrealistic rhetoric will not last long but will vanish in no time.”

On the ongoing IndoNaga political issue, he said the government of India should make a special politi-

cal arrangement for Zeliangrong people living in the State of Assam, Manipur & Nagaland in recognition to the supreme sacrifice of Haipou Jadonang for the cause of the people and the great contribution of Ranima Gaidinliu, the veteran freedom fighter of India towards the cause of India’s freedom movement.

He lamented that the Govt. of India has so far miserably failed to address the grievance of the Zeliangrong people even though it had celebrated its 74th Independence Day. The Zeliangrong Civil Organizations (ZCOs) also reminded the state government of its assurance by the chief minister to decide on granting State Holiday on Haipou Jadonang Martyr Day.

Dear Tanisha, Our princess has turned 4! Why are you in a hurry to grow up? we still enjoy you in that cute size where we can still carry you on our back and run like crazies. We love doing crazy things with you, and that will always be the favorite part of our every day. We wish all your wishes will come true.

Love you to the moon and back, baby girl! Happiest birthday to you!

Mummy, Papa and family members K Y M C

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 265 Dimapur, SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

Letter bomb implodes

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uch has been written about the letter bomb authored by 23 senior Congress leaders to their party chief Sonia Gandhi demanding organisational elections and a permanent president who is active and visible. Unfortunately the party’s highest decision making forum, the Congress Working Committee (CWC), quite expectedly brushed contents under the carpet of sycophancy and instead, targeted the letter writers. The outcome of the CWC meeting on August 10 was said to have been scripted by the Gandhi siblings and their advisors. It was Rahul’s handpicked AICC general secretary in charge of the organisation, KC Venugopal, who coordinated the meeting and decided on who all should be allowed to speak. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was one of the signatories to the letter of “dissent”, has said that the party is at the “historic low” and will continue to sit in the opposition for the “next 50 years” if elections to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and key organisational posts are not held. After the devastating losses in 2014 and 2019, the Congress has also been losing key states and today is in power in only six(after losing Madhya Pradesh to the BJP)- Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan while as in coalition in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Puducherry. While the Gandhi family remains the ‘stars’ of the Congress; yet they are unable to win votes. With no organisational elections in states and the CWC, the party’s high command, made up of loyalists, has lost touch with reality on the ground. The other is that no one in the Congress dares to openly differ with the Gandhis and attract the ire of loyalists. The letter writers have said what has been aired and written in the media over several years. The delusion of past grandeur has blinded the Congress from seeing the monumental changes taking place in politics. Foremost is the Gandhi family’s eagerness to re-install Rahul as party chief, where he is already functioning as the de facto decisionmaker. Therefore, it is either Rahul or no one and an ailing Sonia only has to wait for the time when the heir apparent finally accepts the leadership mantle.

However, Rahul Gandhi is not born a politician nor has learnt much to lead such a party. Rahul’s strategy for the party appears to be to attack Modi.

Worse, in comparison with Modi, Rahul is a poor articulator and his messages have been reduced to banter. The BJP has better inside information on the Congress whereas the latter is woefully in the dark about the former. The problem-ridden Congress is no longer a threat to BJP. The 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections have exposed these flaws which have led to the party’s debacles. His obsession for Modi has not benefitted the party politically but only diverted attention from various issues. In the Rajya Sabha, the BJP alone has 85 seats as against the Congress’ 40. The NDA is barely a dozen short of majority in the upper house but it will soon achieve it. Majority in both houses will certainly make several key Congress leaders about crossing over. After all, they know that being where they are will be the end of their political careers and perhaps some of the 23 writers have given that hint.

DailyDevotion The Unsurpassed Intimacy of Tested Faith

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” —John 11:40 Every time you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith. But common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense. In fact, they are as different as the natural life and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture out with courage on the words of Jesus Christ, while the realities of your commonsense life continue to shout, “It’s all a lie”? When you are on the mountaintop, it’s easy to say, “Oh yes, I believe God can do it,” but you have to come down from the mountain to the demon-possessed valley and face the realities that scoff at your Mount-ofTransfiguration belief (see Luke 9:28-42). Every time my theology becomes clear to my own mind, I encounter something that contradicts it. As soon as I say, “I believe ‘God shall supply all [my] need,’ ” the testing of my faith begins (Philippians 4:19). When my strength runs dry and my vision is blinded, will I endure this trial of my faith victoriously or will I turn back in defeat?

Faith must be tested, because it can only become your intimate possession through conflict. What is challenging your faith right now? The test will either prove your faith right, or it will kill it. Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” Matthew 11:6). The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus. “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end…” (Hebrews 3:14). Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God— trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5-6).

Quotes

Thinking: the talking of the soul with itself. ~ Plato

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

Post-mortem

Open Letter to Deepika Singh and Shekhar Gupta R eferring to the six rounds of political talks in New Delhi between Government of India (GoI) and Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), following the first Indo-Naga Ceasefire Agreement reached on September 6, 1964, Ms Deepika Singh published an article on 21st August 2020 (NEWS 18 OPINION).

She writes, “Th. Muivah, abusing the trust of Phizo, mischievously exploited the inter-tribal differences among the Nagas of Nagaland. He instigated Mowu Angami, the Chief of Naga Army against Scato Swu, the President of the Federal Government of Nagaland, who was a Sema, alleging that any settlement with Government of India

by Sema leader would be at the cost of Angamis, ….Muivah, to scuttle the imminent peace deal, created the Sema-Angami divide…… A golden opportunity for a peaceful settlement was lost.

Nagas were disappointed, so were their well-wishers.”

Shekhar Gupta, Editorin-Chief of ThePrint, also published an article on 23rd August 2020 referring to the same Indo-Naga talks. Calling Muivah a “past master at scuttling Naga peace deals”,

Gupta writes “Muivah put up the Angami tribe to believe that this peace deal was being negotiated by the Semas and that they will get a pre-eminent position in the new dispensation. So the Angami Commanderin-Chief disagreed with the peace deal and it was cancelled.” Writers are reading the same Intelligence reports of the situation in Nagaland as heard or interpreted by the agents during those days of the talks, but why these above reactions?.

We have disagreed with Muivah and his close comrades on many points. And we like others have failed to make them reject certain methods they have adopted to achieve their agendas because of our genuine concern for the unity of the Naga people. But where we know he is wrongly blamed, for whatever motivation, as in the present instance under discussion, it is our duty to say so.

All these above accusations are not true, they are absolutely baseless assumptions. The deadlock in the referred Indo- Naga talks in New Delhi instantly came out after the meeting of the two Prime Ministers of Government of India and Federal Government

of Nagaland represented

by Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Mr. J K. Sukhai. Th. Muivah the then Gen. Sec. NNC, or Gen. Mowu the then C-in-C of FGN army were never in the picture during the said New Delhi political talks.

This was known to almost anyone in Nagaland during that time including us.

According to written records:“It was resolved by the Tatar Hoho (Parliament) that J.K. Sukhai, Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister), Federal Government of Nagaland, was to be sent along with Z. Ramyo, Isaac Swu, Zashei Huire, Megometo (Darülie) Krose, M. Chumbemo Murry, Gen. A. Maken, Tsilise and Khodao Jami to New Delhi for the talks as a necessary process of the Ceasefire Agreement between GoI and FGN, with the consensus mandate of Tatar Hoho. The Ato Kilonser was made accountable to the Tatar Hoho by its resolution of 23rd August 1967 reaffirming earlier Tatar Hoho resolution No. 2.”

In the last of the six rounds of Indo- Naga Peace Talks in October 1967, Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi suggested that Ato Kilonser J.K. Sukhai and she have a talk in private. It was learnt that from the talk, Indira

Lessons from the cemetery

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his afternoon, I had a friend take me to the public cemetery to pay my last respect to our friend and brother who was laid to rest exactly two afternoons ago. As we walked towards his permanent spot, I couldn’t help but notice the astounding number of epitaphs that showed the year 2019 and 2020 marked on it. It’s appalling that, so many of our near and dear ones have left us in such a short span of time; way beyond my human ability to imagine just how many families have lost their loved ones, how many hearts broken, how many eyes dry of tears and how much more, still struggling to recover from the shock and loss.

Universal equality of all humans is most significant only on two specific occasions in life – at birth and in death, and this we realize very well when we visit a burial ground, where the most popular person in his lifetime is buried next to someone whose name doesn’t ring a bell, or the wealthiest or the most beautiful of bygone eras laid to rest next to someone their complete opposites in life.

I glanced my gaze from one corner to another, and could see an engraved picture of someone as old as 90 or beyond, surely happy and satisfied with the long and meaningful life that she must have lived, while on another a teenage girl of 19 whose glass enclosed box contained her presumably favorite pen and pencils, definitely someone who enjoyed her role in life as a student before the heavens took her away from earth. Then, a little blocks away, I saw the pictures of two young boys all clad in smiles next to each other and the same date of demise brought to mind the incident a year ago, where one jumped into the lake to save his drowning friend and both perished tragically; yes physically they perished but the spirit of true friendship that, they displayed in the last fleeing moments of their life, stands as a living testament to the eternal bond of friendship that we can forge in this life and the next- forever is indeed a reality.

The saddest was of a cute little baby who lived for just 3 days. I couldn’t begin to imagine the depth of pain and sorrow the parents must have gone through or if they are still struggling to come out of it and to which I offer my most sincere prayers that they gain the divine strength to go on in life.

With all these thoughts heavy on my shoulder, I gently placed the bouquet of flowers on my friend’s grave, the concrete still fresh of human touch even as I lamented his death- for he was just 33 years old, about to start his adult life after landing a job a

little more than a year ago. The weight of these mixed feelings was too much to bear even for a hardy man as myself- for I let the tears that welled up in my eyes to flow down freely without protest. Imagine how many of these recent ones must have been looking forward to the morrow which never happened for them.

How many unknown souls must be wishing to go back, if just to live for one more day or an hour to set things right.

Thus, it made me wonder how much time I am left with before my breath finally becomes air. I know we can’t live forever, yet how often do we have the false confidence that we still have more time to live and to do all the things we want, before we say ‘yes I have had my fair share of life, come you can have me now’. The plain truth which we deliberately ignore is that, our final moment could be anytime starting from this very moment; It is only when we absorb the genuineness of this introspection, then shall we realize how unmindful we are of our parent(s), friends or sibling(s) as though we have sufficient time to show that we care and love them and to make amends if any. It is either them first or us but either way, we are on the losing side.

The only other question we should ask ourselves is what are we so mindful and proud of ? We are here today but could be gone tomorrow, we could be breathing now but become a deceased the next moment. What becomes of the value of our body when it ceases to function? Let’s humble ourselves and try not to pull or drag each other down for a short glory on earth but instead give each other a helping hand that we may live in peace and go in peace when summoned.

Lastly, how often do we misinterpret forgiving as a weakness, showing emotions openly as not strong enough or not admitting one’s shortcomings and mistakes as standing one’s ground regardless; Can we just shed off all these conspicuous mental baggage from our shoulders and live a light spirited life with full of zest and glory given its temporary nature.

Let us try to evolve into a breed of humans who are easy to forgive, swift in admitting one’s fault and show emotions courageously when required- for it is more healing than to keep it suppressed.

After all, we are all just another human and not robots.

However, if I don’t sound very convincing, try going for a brisk walk in the cemetery with an open mind someday - it’s spiritually self therapeutic and they say, the dead have more to teach the living about life.

Nyan Lotha Naga

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Gandhi said “Mr. Sukhai ask anything except sovereignty”. Our leader Sukhai promptly and confidently replied “I will take nothing except sovereignty”. Sukhai’s unequivocal instantaneous response was very well appreciated by all, although some pointed out that Nagas were not asking India to give sovereignty as our history had already given that to us and the Naga struggle was to defend it.

The day after the meeting of the two Prime Ministers of GoI and FGN all the delegates from Nagaland staying at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, went out to meet some dignitaries and relatives. Only Krose stayed behind. On that day a telephone message came from the External Affairs Ministry of GoI to the reception which Krose received. The message said Indira Gandhi would be going to Europe for some urgent official tour and the talk may be continued only after her return and the date of her return was indefinite.

The delegates were angry as they regarded the message to be an act of mischief and a treacherous insult. A press conference was called, in which they declared there was deadlock in the talks

gust 1967 which reaffirmed earlier resolution of Tatar Hoho, it was not to Gen. Mowu or the Angamis as alleged.

The Naga people have come to know after paying a very heavy price that certain fundamental issues of our struggle based on our history are too difficult for India’s fragile democracy to handle.

But India should understand our pioneers chose their position for their identity and nationhood as entitled by their history, in which there was no evil intention to do any harm to India or any of our neighbours, none of whom had any connection with us. If India cannot do what she cannot do, we cannot force her as of today on our own. But let India show the respect due to us.

Then, a settlement of fair play relevant to the present context should be able to be achieved. On our part Nagas are not against India. We want India to be the civilised great nation the world needs her to be.

Mr Krurovi Peseyie, Mr Kuolachalie Seyie, Mr Medoselhou Keretsü, Mr Kethozhapu Sahou, Mr Zasilhuto Makritsu, Mr Tsilie Sakhrie Kohima, Nagaland

90th Jadonang Martyr’s Day 2020

am glad to witness and share the moment of commemorating the 90th Jadonang Martyr’s Day being organized and observed

by Rongmei family and Youth. I am grateful to Rongmei Youth Organization for organizing this Martyr’s Day in such a manner of solemn tribute paying to our brave hero freedom fighter. It is my pride and joy to know that the Rongmei family of Zeliangrong is keeping the torch of freedom on to this day that the world may see and know the in-depth aspiration and cherishing dream of Zeliangrong people to live together in one political administrative unit.

The torch and spirit of visionary Jadonang was handed down to Rani Gaidinliu till the time of India’s independence 1947 when she was released from the jail. From then on, Rani Gaidinliu had defined and organized the aspiration into a movement called; Zelian-

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with the GoI and as such the same talk would not be continued. Mrs. Gandhi denied there was plan for a trip to Europe and claimed it to be a miscommunication. However, the Naga delegates returned home as to them the talk had come to a deadlock. The treatment was regarded as treacherous and humiliating.

Therefore the question of the then NNC Gen. Sec. Muivah or Gen. Mowu the then Naga Army Chief scuttling the Indo- Naga political talks from 1964 - 1967 on tribal line, as baselessly alleged by Deepika Singh and Shekhar Gupta, does not arise. Persons of their standing and calibre trying to create the Sema-Angami divide today with baseless allegations are extremely regretted, unexpected and unacceptable. It is earnestly requested that these false and baseless wild allegations are never repeated in future for public peace, tranquillity, and harmony on this small world of ours. Truth shall prevail for all, that Mr J.K. Sukhai, the then Ato Kilonser FGN and his team sent to New Delhi for the Indo- Naga political talks was made accountable to the Tatar Hoho of FGN by its resolution of 23rd Au-

grong People’ Convention (ZPC) Movement and processed with the Govt. of India, demanding for Zeliangrong Homeland(State-hood).

The movement got momentum with the mandate of Zeliangrong people declared in 1982 at Tamenglong. The memory, the vision, the struggle and aspiration of Jadonang shared by Ranima when I was with her are still fresh and vivid in my mind. Commemorating the day when Jadonang was hanged at the British scaffold on 29th August 1931 is keeping alive and afresh the struggle of our people’s movement asserting our due and just right to self determination. I should have organize it for all of us in a bigger picture where our people could demonstrate our political rights before India and the world. We shall do it in a grant and bigger platform in the year to come.

For 90 years, the history of sacrifice and service of Haipou

Jadonang has not been well recognized as deserved by the Govt of India and also the Nagas in general. The Death of Jadonang was no lesser than any other freedom fighters of India and the world over, who deserved to be equally recognized and respected.

His vision for our generation could not be fulfilled yet. However, we have not lost sight of the value, the price and vision of Haipouh Jadonang wrought in the history of our people’s struggle. We shall continue to strive harder and move forward with greater determination. Freedom comes as a reward to the brave fighters.

We shall work out together our freedom envisioned and paid by our freedom fighters. With salute and great admiration to Haipou Jadonang, I concluded my message. Thank you.

C.R. Zeliang, President, Zeliangrong Baudi (N)

Unsung hero Haipou Jadonang

oday, many have paid tributes to a great legend Haipou Jadonang in elaborate public functions at different places. He was indeed a courageous and visionary leader. As I ponder to write down on what the word ‘courage’ truly means on his martyr’s day, it reminds me of a story of David and Goliath, where a man hits down a monster whom no one would dare to face-up to. Courage can be either action or emotion. It can also be endurance. Different people may have different interpretation about courage depending on their time and situation. As a matter of fact, it is the ability to face one’s fear despite what hurdle or threat may stand in one’s way.

The English man Robert Falcon Scott not only failed in his mission to get to the South Pole but died on his way back. However, the UK celebrates his bravery though it is seen as an end in itself.

Similarly, legend Jadonang’s struggle for freedom from British rule was seen as a fiasco but unmistakably a show of courage. For, he knew the risk of being hanged to death yet chose to stick to his principle.

Today, his people, across the country, remember him as a great martyr who made a supreme sacrifice for a cause of freedom. Great historians of Northeast India interpret his struggle as a part of India’s freedom movement, while others describe him as a forerunner of the Naga Nationalist Movement.

The British authorities described his ‘Makam Gwangdi’ (the kingdom of the Nagas) as ‘Naga

Raj’. Mrs.Ursule Grahem Bower described it as the ‘Naga Millennium’ where there would be no want, no poverty - a land of plenty and prosperity.

Jadonang, born at the Rongmei village of Kambiron (Puiluan) in south Tamenglong district of Manipur believed that Nagas should not live as slaves under foreign rulers in their own land and asked the youth force ‘Riphen’- the future soldiers to be prepared for war. He ordered the people that no hill house tax be paid to the British from 1931 onwards.

Even though he was brought up by his widow mother Chunlungliu, Jadonang showed himself as courageous and extraordinary child. His father Thiudai died very young. Jadonang was visionary, religious and hardworking as learned from his life history. He loved humanity and brotherhood too.

All these traits attributed to his prolific personality as courageous and just leader.

After the execution of Jadonang on 29th August 1931 at Imphal, his indomitable courage did not end in itself but passed on to his steely disciple- the legendary Rani Gaidinliu who continued the rebellion till 1940.

Haipou Jadonang is today regarded as one amongst the tallest freedom fighters from the northeast India. He is no more but his indomitable courage remains immortal in the annals of history.

Clare Rongmei, Zeliangrong village, Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Sir,

E Sports emerging in Nagaland

As a gaming enthusiast in Nagaland, it is very encouraging to see E Sports emerging in Nagaland.

Though the stakes are much lower as compared to other states, Nagaland has been witnessing several online tournaments hosted by various gaming entities, of various online games, starting from Ludo to PUBG. As an online gaming enthusiast, this evolvement of online tournaments gives hope to many youngsters, not only financially, but also mentally.

Nagaland has many potential on the E Sports world and it is the dream of many youngsters that this evolvement will only grow bigger and bigger.

Sentilong Kichu, Mokokchung

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.

5

national/state

CBI questions Rhea for second day Police provide protection to Rhea

Rhea Chakraborty along with her brother Shovik Chakraborty arrives at DRDO guest house for questioning by CBI team, Saturday. (PTI)

MUMBAI, AUG 29 (PTI): Actress Rhea Chakraborty, who is accused of abetting the suicide of film star Sushant Singh Rajput, reached the DRDO guest house here for the second consecutive day on Saturday for questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), an official said.

A vehicle car r ying Rhea Chakraborty (28) reached the DRDO guest house in suburban Santacruz, where the probe team is stationed, around 1.30 pm. She was escorted by a police van.

Earlier in the day, the CBI team requested the city police to provide security to the actress and the cops acted on the request, an official said.

Rajput’s flatmate Siddharth Pithani, cook Neeraj Singh, domestic help Keshav, manager Samuel Miranda and accountant Rajat Mewati were already being quizzed by the CBI team since Saturday morning at the guest house.

On Friday, Rhea was interrogated by the central agency team for more than 10 hours and was allowed to return home under police escort as a large number of media personnel were present outside her building.

Before returning to her residence at Primrose building in Santacruz on Friday, Rhea had visited the Santacruz police station on the way.

She was earlier questioned by the Mumbai police in connection with the case. The Enforcement Directorate has also quizzed her in a related money laundering case.

The Supreme Court last week upheld the transfer of an FIR, lodged by Rajput’s father in Patna against Rhea Chakraborty and others for allegedly abetting his son’s suicide and misappropriating his money, to the CBI. The 34-year-old actor was found hanging on June 14 in his flat in suburban Bandra.

Based on the request made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Mumbai Police provided security to actress Rhea Chakraborty, who is accused of abetting the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, an official said on Saturday.

The CBI officials, who are in Mumbai to probe the actor’s death case, made the request to the city police on Saturday, he said.

The CBI had on Friday questioned the actress at the DRDO guest house in suburban Santacruz in connection with the case.

“On the request made by the central probe agency, we have provided security to Rhea,” the police official said.

Recently, she had said in a social media post that there was a threat to her and her family’s life and sought protection from Mumbai police.

She took to Instagram and shared a video where her father was seen being hounded by the media outside her building compound.

She said that she and her family members are trying to step out of their house to cooperate with the investigating agencies like the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED)- but are not able to do so due to the crowd gathering outside the residence.

Rajput was found hanging at his flat in Bandra on June 14.

His father had lodged a complaint against Rhea Chakraborty and others, accusing them of abetting his son’s suicide and misappropriating his money.

The Supreme Court had last week upheld the transfer of probe into the FIR, lodged by Rajput’s father in Patna, to the CBI.

Migrant labourers turning out to be a poll issue in Bihar Patna, Aug 29 (IANS): The migration of labourers is turning out to be a poll issue for the opposition parties in Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the opposition, has slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for being unable to create jobs in the state. As a result, workers who walked thousands of kilometres to reach their homes from other states during the lockdown are again heading towards states having more job opportunities.

Te j a s h w i Ya d av ’s statement came a day after Pappu Yadav, president of the Jan Adhikar Party, sharply attacked CM Nitish Kumar on the same issue.

“The development of Bihar is currently reflected at the airport of Patna where hundreds of workers are assembling to catch flights. The development is also visible in villages where buses are being sent by employers from other states to take our skilled labourers,” Tejashwi said.

“These labourers travelled thousands of kms during the Covid-19 lockdown to reach their homes. They deserve some respect and jobs back home. The employers from other states are sending air tickets and buses for the labourers of Bihar. It clearly explains the approach of the Bihar government,” Tejashwi added.

BSF detects tunnel along IndiaPakistan border in Jammu

New Delhi/Jammu, Aug 29 (PTI): The Border Security Force (BSF) has detected a tunnel, originating from Pakistan, just beneath the Indo-Pak international border fence in Jammu, officials said on Saturday.

The force has launched a major search operation in the area to look for other such hidden structures that aid infiltration even as it analyses the about 3-4 feet wide structure that could be used for pushing terrorists and smuggling of narcotics and arms, they said.

BSF Director General Rakesh Asthana has directed his frontier commanders to ensure that the antiinfiltration grid is intact and there are no gaps along this front, they added.

The tunnel, about 50 metres from the border fence on the Indian side, was located by a BSF patrol on Thursday in the Galar area of Samba sector in

(From p-1) DAYO said it was taking this stand “for the sake of civility and rule of law and not impede the investigation by conducting parallel deliberations.”

Meanwhile, DAYO has advised proprietor of SymBios Creation Pvt Ltd and Aoyimti Lanur Telongjem not to attend any summons

Amit Shah (File)

OFFICE OF THE

PINE FIREWOOD DEALERS UNION REGD.NO.HOME/SRC-7241

DIMAPUR:NAGALAND

a video which emphasised the party’s stand on the issue that the government must take into consideration the problems being faced by the students.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the government cannot ignore the voices of students appearing for JEE, NEET and those of their concerned parents.

The Alaphumi Union Dimapur (AUD) with immense pride and honour, convey our heartiest congratulations to :1. Er. Y. Shinito Sema on being promoted to the post of Superintendent Engineer under PWD, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Govt. of Nagaland.

2. Ms. N. K. Keny on being awarded, the Indian Inspirational Women Award 2020 for her contribution towards Social Service.

The Union wishes you the best and pray for God's continued providence in your future endeavours.

Nihoyi Kinny President

Ghokato Awomi General Secretary

CONGRATULATIONS

New Delhi, Aug 29 body aches, days after his (PTI): Union Home Min- discharge.

(P.L ZHIMOMI) ister Amit Shah, who was DP-3644 PRESIDENT admitted to AIIMS here on August 18 for post-COVID care, has recovered and is likely to be discharged in a short time, hospital authorities said on Saturday.

“Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, is admitted at AIIMS, New Delhi This is to inform the electricity consumers in for post-COVID care. He has recovered and is likely Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha, Phek, Chumukedima, to be discharged in a short Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto and Mon, time,” the AIIMS said in a that to avail “Trusted Consumer Meter Reading” statement.

On August 2, Shah, facility, a specific time period i.e 1st to 10th of every 55, had said on Twitter that he had tested positive month has been incorporated in the Department for COVID-19. He had Web portal for billing and online payment in undergone treatment for the coronavirus infection at subsequent month.

Medanta Hospital and was To avail the above facility, the consumer needs to discharged after he tested Log on to www.dopn.gov.in and register. negative for the disease.

According to an earliSd/er statement by AIIMS, he was admitted to the hospiChief Engineer (D&R) tal on August 18 following Department of Power complaints of fatigue and K-1354

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DEPARTMENT OF POWER, NAGALAND: KOHIMA INFORMATION

Vikali A Zhimomi N K Kenny The fraternity of Nagaland NGOs Forum (NNF) heartily congratulate : 1. N K Kenny, Love Care Home, on being awarded the Indian Inspirational Women Award 2020 for her contribution towards social service.

2. Vikali A Zhimomi, We for Women, on being conferred the real FSIA Super Women Award 2020 for her multi ferrous role as an Entrepreneur, a Social Worker and as a Politician.

The Forum further wishes them a bright future in all their endeavors.

Rhuletsu Whorr Jess T. Murry Vice President, NNF Organising Secretary, NNF

CHOPHIMI KUPOSHUKULU FELICITATION

The Chophimi Kuposhukulu convey our hearty congratulations to Shri. Ghokheto Chophi on being elected as President of Naga Council Dimapur.

The Kuposhukulu firmly believes that he will take NCD to new heights and the new team will foster brotherhood amongst the different communities.

The Kuposhukulu extends our best wishes for his future endeavors.

Khevihe Chophi Chairman, CK

Kughato Chophi Secretary, CK

or meetings on the issue without its knowledge.

The organisation affirmed that it “fully stand” by parent body Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) resolution to safeguard the bona fide members advocating their livelihood and that “any palpable harassment” meted out without any tangible reason and proof

would not be tolerated.

DAYO said that Khango-led NSCN(K) “may come to DAYO office anytime after prior information for any consultation deemed necessary.” The organisation has also reiterated its demand to the responsible authorities to expedite the investigation and deliver justice so the rule of law prevailed.

CHISHILIMI WELFARE KOHIMA Ref. No. 003

KOHIMA: NAGALAND Date: 29-08-2020

FELICITATION

The Chishilimi Welfare Kohima with immense pride and joy, convey our heartiest congratulations to Er. Kasho Chishi on being promoted to the post of Superintending Engineer (Power Deptt.) Govt. of Nagaland.

The Welfare wishes him good health and a grand success in all his future endeavors.

(KIKHEVI ACHUMI) (GHUNATO ACHUMI) Chairman Gen. Secy. K-1357 The Akuluto Area Union Dimapur (AAUD) with great joy congratulates :1. Er. Y. Shinito Sema on being promoted to the post of Superintendent Engineer under PWD, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Govt. of Nagaland.

2. Er. Hokiye Sema on being promoted to the post of Mechanical Engineer under PWD, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Govt. of Nagaland.

We thank God for your achievement and wish you the best in your future endeavours.

Y. Khenito Chishi President

Nihoyi Kinny Secretary

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

NOTIFICATION

This is to inform all the Pine Firewood (roots & stumps) dealers of Nagaland who transports/supply the pine firewood to outside state from Nagaland that there will be a total ban of transportation of the said items from Nagaland to outside state starting from Monday, the 7th of September 2020 till further notification from Government of Nagaland basing on Notification No.FOR/GEN-2/2010(pt) from Government of Nagaland, Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change dated Kohima, the 14th of August 2020.

Failing to comply with the Notification strict action will be initiated through the office of the Union.

pletely unearth the tunnel that is about 170 metres from the IB on the Indian side, the official said.

Spot inspection revealed that the tunnel was under-construction and about 20 feet-long, officials said.

The tunnel, as per sources, has a depth of about 25 feet at the opening and has been located near the ‘whaleback’ border post of the BSF.

FELICITATION

FELICITATION

DP-3658

Amit Shah has recovered, to be discharged in short time: AIIMS

Earlier in the day, the Congress leader tweeted, “Unite your voice with lakhs of suffering students. #SpeakUpFor StudentSafety...Let’s make the government listen to the students”.

“Raise your voice with lakhs of worried students...

Let us demand from the government to listen to the students,” he tweeted, tagging

DP-3664

Court seeking review of its order permitting the Centre to conduct NEET and JEE this year amid the persisting pandemic.

As part of the Congress’ day-long campaign of holding protests and voicing opposition on social media to holding of the entrance examinations, Gandhi tweeted and also put out a video in support of students.

“NEET-JEE aspirants’

pain that this country has had to bear. Now what I don’t understand is why you should be held responsible and why further pain should be imposed on you,” Gandhi said, addressing students.

Alleging that the government has been incompetent, he asked why the Centre should force anything on students. “It is important that the government listens to the students, they are wise, they have the interest of this country at heart and any decision that is made with regard to these exams is made after a conversation and after a consensus has been developed and this is my message to the government,” he said.

Gandhi urged the government to have a conversation with students and resolve this issue peacefully.

DP-3657

Rahul Gandhi (File)

safety should not be compromised due to the failures of the government. Government must listen to all stakeholders and arrive at a consensus,” he tweeted with the hashtag ‘Speak Up For Student Safety’.

With the tweet, Gandhi also tagged a video of him urging the government to listen to students and take a decision only after reaching a consensus.

“You are the students and you are going to take this country to new heights.

Everybody understands what has happened over the last three or four months,” the former Congress chief said in the video.

“Ever ybody understands the mishandling of COVID-19, the devastation that has been caused, the economic destruction, the

Jammu.

The force found that 8-10 plastic sandbags stuffed in the tunnel’s mouth had “Pakistani markings” on them, officials told PTI. A senior official said BSF troops got suspicious after noticing the sinking of earth at some places in a farmer’s field due to recent incessant rains.

An earth moving machine was immediately pressed into service to com-

DAYO refutes Khango-led NSCN (K) claims

Listen to students, take decision after consensus: Rahul to govt on NEET, JEE New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday urged the government to hold a conversation with students over the issue of conducting NEET and JEE amid the coronavirus pandemic and take a decision after arriving at a consensus.

Various opposition parties, including the Congress, have demanded that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) be deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and floods in parts of the country, even as the Union government has made it clear that they will be held as per schedule with due precautions.

Six ministers of opposition-ruled states on Friday also moved the Supreme

BSF personnel stand near a tunnel, originating from Pakistan in J&K’s Samba district, Saturday. (PTI)

DP-3656

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

Entire Khatkhati and Lahorijan Transport Union is grateful to Assam Rifles Authorities for saving the Government consignment. Local Authorities appreciated the efforts of 22 Sector Assam Rifles.

SERVICE BEYOND DUTY BY 22 SECTOR ASSAM RIFLES 22 Sect Assam Rifles located at Jwalamukhi, Manipur went beyond call of duty in evacuating a loaded goods truck which went off the track and almost fell in the Gorge thereby stranding the lives onboard and suspending the traffic on NH2 on 26 August 2020.

Around midnight on 26 August 2020, based on the information shared by sentry of 22 Sector regarding the accident Quick Reaction Teams of Sector and Garrison Battalion 38 Assam Rifles alongwith JCB and recovery vehicle reached the site in no time and evacuated the truck and rescued the lives on board including one pregnant woman.

The Inexplicable act by 22 Sector on Thursday has once again proven Assam Rifles to be a major player in day to day affairs in the region,which not only is devoted to its official mandate but is committed beyond the call of duty in providing assistance to locals in distress. After a resilient and backbreaking effort, the truck was brought back on track and the injured were administered with necessary first aid.

The prompt and swift action by 22 Sector and 38 Assam Rifles resulted in saving precious lives and resuming the traffic on NH2.

Lahorijan & Khatkhati Transporters Union DP-3662

6

national

Cong writes to Zuckerberg over Facebook-BJP link NEW DELHI, AUG 29 (AGENCIES): Congress has written to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg - this is the second from the opposition party this fortnight - for details on steps being taken to investigate allegations that the social media giant does not apply hate speech rules to posts by BJP members.

“We urge you to let us know what steps your company is planning to take to investigate these matters... will also be pursuing legislative and judicial actions in India to ensure a foreign company cannot continue to cause social disharmony in our nation for pursuit of private profits,” the letter said. Declaring the party was “compelled to write again...because of further revelations made public in another article by another reputed and credible American media publication,” Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal alleged a “quid-pro-quo relationship” between Facebook India and the ruling BJP. Referring to an article by TIME maga-

zine, which party MP Rahul Gandhi tweeted today, claiming it “exposes (the) WhatsApp-BJP nexus”, the Congress claimed the BJP had been “allowed to exercise control of WhatsApp India operations in return for a possible license for its payment operations”.

The letter also claimed that “more than just one person in your company’s leadership team in India are biased and partisan in favour of the ruling BJP in their professional endeavours”.

On Saturday afternoon Gandhi tweeted the TIME article with the message: “America’s Time magazine exposes WhatsApp-BJP nexus: Used by 40 crore Indians, WhatsApp also wants to be used for making payments for which Modi government’s approval is needed. Thus, BJP has a hold over WhatsApp”.

A fortnight ago Gandhi also shared an article from the Wall Street Journal that alleged Facebook did not apply hate speech rules to posts by BJP members.

The Journal reported that

an executive of the social media giant said punishing violations by BJP workers “would damage (its) business prospects”.

In its report TIME magazine pointed out WhatsApp (which is owned by Facebook) has “sizeable” business prospects in India, where around 400 million people use the messaging service. WhatsApp is also rolling out a digital payment service - WhatsApp Pay - in India, for which it needs clearances from the BJP-led central government.

Last month consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce (Assocham) said that by 2023, India’s share of a $12.4 trillion digital payments market would be $135.2 billion.

TIME magazine also wrote that both Facebook and WhatsApp are used to “spread hate speech and misinformation... (and have been) blamed for helping to incite deadly attacks on minority groups”.

The article referred to a

January video by BJP leader Kapil Mishra, in which he can be seen giving Delhi Police an ultimatum - to remove anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protesters from the city’s Jaffrabad and Chandbagh areas or face the consequences. Hours later violence broke out across the national capital violence that lasted nearly a week and left over 50 dead and hundreds injured. TIME magazine reported that although that particular video was taken down (it violated Facebook’s rules on incitement to violence), a second version remained online for six months - something another Congress MP, Karti Chidambaram, pointed out Saturday. Use of WhatsApp to organise strikes was also referred to during police inquiries into violence in both Delhi and the city’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, which left 34 injured.

Facebook India is already scheduled to appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which is chaired by Con-

gress MP Shashi Tharoor - on September 2, to answer questions raised by the Journal’s article.

The Congress has demanded a temporary ban on approvals being granted to WhatsApp for its digital payments operations. The party also referred to a senior Facebook executive, who is now in charge of public policy for WhatsApp India, and asked if his appointment had influenced its hate speech policies.

TIME magazine quoted unnamed activists as saying the executive is “too close to the BJP”, pointing out he worked with the BJP to assist in its 2014 election campaign. Pointing at the relations between Facebook and WhatsApp executives with the BJP, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, “Beyond just Ankhi Das, what has now been revealed exposes that another senior executive, Shivnath Thukral of Whatsapp, is an unabashed devotee of the ruling establishment and was partisan in his professional conduct.”

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

Anna questions BJP’s corruptionfree India promise NEW D E L H I , AUG 29 (AGENCIES): Anticorruption activist Anna Hazare has written a stinging response to Delhi BJP president Adesh Kumar Gupta, who had asked him to join a protest against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the city, reports The Print.

Hazare said he heard of Gupta’s letter on 24 August through media, and it pained him because the BJP has been in power at the Centre for more than six years and was still calling him to launch an agitation similar to the one he spearheaded on the Jan Lokpal issue in 2011. “The 2011 agitation took place as people were fed up with corruption and took to the streets, thinking that a person like Anna Hazare is agitating for us. After that, in 2014, your government came to power by showing the dream of corruptionfree India. But people’s life has not improved,” Hazare wrote in a letter posted on his official Facebook page.

‘States should reject GST compensation options’

P Chidambaram

NEW DELHI, AUG 29 (AGENCIES): Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday urged states to reject options given to them by the Centre over the GST compensation issue and demand money in one voice, reports The Print.

His remarks come a day after the government asked states to borrow more to make up for revenue losses due to pending GST dues.

“States must reject both options and demand, in one voice, that the Centre must find the resources and provide the money to the States,” Chidambaram tweeted.

“The two options given by the Modi government

to the States to bridge the GST Compensation gap is a gross violation of the law and an abdication of the responsibility of the central government,” he said.

He claimed that in either option, the central government is passing the buck of financial burden to the states.

Under the law, the obligation to compensate the states falls solely on the central government, the senior Congress leader noted.

“The latest assault on the States is part of an elaborate design of the Modi government to financially cripple the States and reduce them to beg for money from the Centre,” Chidambaram claimed.

Amid a chorus by nonNDA ruled states for compensation of GST revenue shortfall, the Centre on Thursday during the GST Council meeting told states that the estimated deficit of Rs 2.35 lakh crore this fiscal year can be made good by borrowing from the market against future tax revenues.

Downpour floods parts of MP; Army, PM Modi to inaugurate Rohtang tunnel by Sept-end NDRF deployed in Hoshangabad

Su doku

KAKURO

K Y M C

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur visits the Atal Rohtang Tunnel to inspect its ongoing construction. (PTI)

logistics point of view, he added.

Thakur said the Prime Minister has shown keen interest in early completion of this mega project, which would not only be important from the strategic point of view, but would also give boost to tourism activities in

No. 9670 Yesterday’s solution No. 9669

No. 4289 Yesterday’s solution No. 4288

No. 3313 Yesterday’s solution No. 3312

Across 4. Typewriter user (6) 7. Brolly (8) 8. Oriental temple (6) 10. Rough, surly (5) 13. Romantic appointment (4) 14. Satisfy fully (4) 15. Sudden blast of wind (4) 16. Anger, annoy (3) 17. Bellow (4) 19. Cognate (4) 21. Butter substitute (9) 23. Beast of burden (4) 24. Skeleton part (4) 26. Beseech (3) 27. Precious metal (4) 29. Heinous (4) 32. Ended, past (4) 33. Exclusive (5) 34. Starts (6) 35. Gems (8) 36. Pressing (6) Down 1. Stoppers (5) 2. Concerning (5) 3. Red meat (4) 4. Spanish snacks (5) 5. Leaf of a book (4) 6. Abrupt (6) 9. Achieve (6) 11. Rodent (3) 12. Wild (5) 13. Long-lasting (7) 15. Joke (3) 16. Contend (3) 18. American state (6) 20. Prepare to pray (5) 21. Drinking vessel (3) 22. Stick, shaft (3) 23. Shooting star (6) 25. Equipment (3) 28. Beginning (5) 30. Musical instrument (5) 31. Rental contract (5) 32. Donate (4) 33. Makes mistakes (4)

Lahaul-Spiti district besides creating employment and self-employment avenues in the area.

He said that by cutting through the Pir Panjal range, the tunnel has reduced the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km.

He said the Atal Tun-

nel would be a boon to the residents of Lahaul who remain cut off from the rest of the country for nearly six months in winters due to heavy snowfall.

The ambitious Atal Tunnel would provide allweather connectivity to Leh and the forward areas of Ladakh.

The Chief Minister said that for all-weather connectivity up to Leh-Ladakh, additional tunnels would have to be built on the 475 km Manali-Leh route so that the high passes do not impede movement due to heavy snowfall.

A 13.2 km long tunnel would have to be built to negotiate the 16,040-feet high Baralacha Pass and another 14.78 km-long tunnel would be required at the Lachung La Pass at 16,800 feet and

the third 7.32-km long tunnel would be required at Tanglang La Pass at 17,480 feet.

The Chief Minister said that snow galleries have also been built at the approach road to the Atal Tunnel from the Manali side, and this would ensure all-weather connectivity.

He said that bridges on the approach road to the tunnel from the north portal (on Lahaul side) and the south portal have also been completed.

Thakur said the tunnel has several user-friendly features which include an emergency escape tunnel that has been built under the main tunnel. This would provide an emergency exit in case of any untoward incident, which may render the main tunnel unusable.

Security cover beefed for BJP MLA Raja Singh Hyderabad, Aug 29 (PTI): Security cover has been enhanced for Telangana’s lone BJP MLA Raja Singh in the wake of ‘threat perception’ to him and he has been asked not to move around on a two wheeler in his constituency, police said here on Saturday.

He has instead been requested to use the bullet proof vehicle provided by the government. However the legislator, in a video message, demanded to know what this threat perception was and said he had to movearound on a two wheeler at times as some areas had narrow alleys where a four wheeler could not enter. The city police, in

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a letter, said that it had been noticed that he was moving around in a motorcycle at times,which poses a great security threat to him It requested him to avoid using a motorcycle and travel by the bullet proof car alloted by the government and added that provid-

ing security to all legislators was their top priority.

Raja confirmed having received the letter dated August 28 from City Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar on the security issue and wanted to know which organisation was posing a security threat to him.

OFFICE OF THE TSIERAMIA COUNCIL L.KHEL KOHIMA VILLAGE, KOHIMA

NOTICE

Having confirmed the improper and objectionable home quarantine of persons, non-resident to Phezoucha, (New Secretariat Area), the Tsieramia Council hereby issues notification to all public and private bodies to take note and stop such practices that fall within the jurisdiction of this authority.

Sd/Sd/Keviseyiezo Vizo Khriengulie Dzuvichu General Secretary Chairman

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Crossword

with the flood situation.

“Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force(NDRF) have already reached and started helping Hoshangabad district administration. The Army is likely to reach shortly, he added. “ Fo l l ow i n g h e av y rains, the water level of the Narmada river in Hoshangabad district has gone above 978 metres as against the primary danger level of 964 metres. Many areas in Hoshangabad city were flooded with up to six to eight feet of water,” he added.

“The rural areas in the distrit are lso facing a similar situation, which is why we had to call the Army,” he added.

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officials said.

Hoshangabad received 208 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am Saturday. In the same period, the famous hill station of Pachmarhi in Hoshangabad district and Chhindwara received 228 mm and 142 mm downpour respectively, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Due to flooding, several people reportedly gotstranded at different places, especially in Hoshangbad and Sehore districts.

Talking to PTI over phone, Hoshangabad divisional commissioner Rajnish Shrivastava said that the Army has been called in to help the district administration to effectively deal

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Bhopal, Aug 29 (PTI): Torrential rains over the last two days triggered flooding in several districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Hoshangabad, where the Army and the NDRF were roped in on Saturday to rescue people from inundated areas, officials said.

Sehore and Chhindwara districts also continue to be lashed by heavy rains, which sent water bodies in these regions into spate, they said.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan conducted an aerial survey of the inundated areas of Hoshangabad and Sehore districts and the hailstorm-hit parts along the Narmada river for one-anda-half hours on Saturday,

MANALI, AUG 29 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday visited the strategic Atal Tunnel, earlier known as Rohtang tunnel, constructed at an altitude above 10,000 feet with an outlay of Rs 3,500 crore. He said it would be inaugurated

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi next month.

The Chief Minister reviewed the progress work of the tunnel with officials of the Border Road Organisation (BRO), an official statement said.

He directed the BRO officials to expeditiously give final touch to the tunnel, so that it could be made ready for inauguration by Prime Minister Modi by the end of September.

The tunnel is extremely significant from the military

NOTICE Any Student of Degree 6th Semester (Regular/Repeater) and 5th Semester (Repeater) who has not filled up the NU examination form is notified to do so by 4th of Sept, 2020.

No forms will be accepted after the expiry of the above mentioned date.

Document Required : for Regular : Admit Card & Marksheet of 5th Sem (Xerox) for Repeater : Original Admit Card and Marksheet of 6th/5th Semester Fee(s) : for Regular Rs-1200/for Repeater : Rs 200 × No. of papers, Rs 150 Admit Card & Marksheet, Center fee Rs 300

DC-505

Regd. No. 99/20

Vice Principal Pranabananda Women’s College Dimapur : Nagaland

AFFIDAVIT (Declaration)

Date 07/08/2020

I, Smti Akhile Semy, W/O Lt. Phenchuga Semy, aged about 58 years, resident Chunlikha, Nsunyu, Tseminyu, Kohima, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as follows:1. That I am bonafide citizen of India, belonging to Rengma Naga Tribe.

2. That this declaration is made to declare that Miss Chenchule Semy is my adoptive daughter.

3. That I and my late husband have adopted Miss Chenchule Semy from her biological parents Lt. Solomon Semy and Mrs. Hosi Semy when she was 5 years of age and since her adoption, Miss Chenchule Semy is under my care.

4. That this affidavit may be treated as an evidence that I am the mother of Miss Chenchule Semy.

5. That this affidavit is made as a piece of evidence to prove the aforesaid facts and it may be produce before the competent authority as and when required.

6. That the statements made in paragraphs 1 to 5 are true to the best of my knowledge and I have not suppressed anything.

And I sign this affidavit on this the 07th day of August 2020 at Dimapur.

DEPONENT NOTARY PUBLIC DP-3651

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

Kamala not competent as VP: Trump Washington, Aug 29 (PTI): Kamala Harris is “not competent” to be president, US President Donald Trump has said as he launched an attack on the Indian-origin senator’s credentials for the top post.

Addressing his supporters at a Republican campaign rally in New Hampshire on Friday, Trump said he would support seeing a female president in the US but suggested that his daughter and senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump would be a better candidate for such a role.

Harris, 55, was a presidential aspirant until last year before she dropped out of the race because of lack of popular support.

Harris returned to political limelight after Joe Biden, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, picked her as his running mate in the November 3 election.

Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, Harris is the first IndianAmerican and first Black woman to be picked by a major American political party for the top post.

“You know I want to see the first woman president also, but I don’t want to see a woman president get into that position the way she’d do it, and she’s not competent,” Trump said.

Donald Trump

“She’s not competent,” he said amidst applause from his supporters, a few of whom screamed Ivanka Trump, at an election rally on Friday.

“They’re all saying, ‘we want Ivanka’. I don’t blame you,” he said responding to his supporters.

This was Trump’s first election rally after he formally accepted the nomination of the Republican Party on Thursday for the presidential election.

Tr ump said Harris withdrew from the Demo-

cratic Party’s presidential race before primary season kicked off as her popularity dropped down to single digit.

“How about her? Sheer beauty? What a beauty though. They pick a woman who starts off...She (Harris) starts off (her presidential campaign) sort of strong.

She’s one of the favourites.

Within a period of a few months, she goes down, down 15, 12, 11, nine, eight, five, three, two,” he said, underlining the popularity downslide of Harris in

the few months after her highly impressive campaign launch.

“Then she goes, I’m going to leave because I’ve decided that I want to leave.

I want to leave. She left (the race of presidency) because she wouldn’t have gotten any votes. She was terrible. And this would be your president possibly. I don’t think so. I don’t think so,” Trump said, speculating on the possibility that Harris could emerge as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2024.

Attacking Biden, Trump said he is running on the most extreme, far left platform of any nominee in American history.

“And of our foreign adversaries who are devising a plan to destroy the United States from within all they have to look, is that the Biden-Harris (ticket),” he said.

Hours before Trump delivered his acceptance speech from the South Lawn at the White House, Harris alleged that the president’s policies have been “a reckless disregard” for the danger a pandemic would pose to American lives.

She said Trump has “failed at the most basic and important job of a President of the United States. He failed to protect the American people”.

Torrential rains claim 125 lives in Pakistan

Islamabad, Aug 29 (PTI): Seasonal torrential rains have claimed at least 125 lives in Pakistan and injured 71 others in the last two and a half months since the monsoon began in the country, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The NDMA data showed that 43 people died in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, followed by 34 in Sindh, 17 in Balochistan, 14 in Punjab, 11 in GilgitBaltistan region and six in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir since June 15 when the monsoon started.

“Those killed included 59 males, 13 females and 53 children,” it said. Among those injured, 37 belonged to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Another 13 were injured in Balochistan, nine in Sindh, eight in Punjab and four in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The NDMA data showed that 951 houses were fully damaged due to the rains, floods and landslides, while another 356 were partially damaged.

The authorities so far have provided about 410 tons of food to people affected by rain and related mishaps. They were also given 14,985 tents, 2,956 blankets and 2,200 mosquito nets, in addition to other supplies.

7

China to step up efforts to fight ‘splittism’ in Tibet: Xi SHANGHAI, Aug 29 ( Ag e n c i e s ) : C h i n a must build an “impregnable fortress” to maintain stability in Tibet, protect national unity and educate the masses in the struggle against “splittism”, President Xi Jinping told senior leaders, state media said on Saturday.

China seized control over Tibet in 1950 in what it describes as a “peaceful liberation” that helped the remote Himalayan region throw off its “feudalist” past. But critics, led by exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, say Beijing’s rule amounts to “cultural genocide”.

At a senior Communist Party meeting on Tibet’s future governance ending, Xi lauded achievements made and praised frontline officials but said more efforts were needed to enrich, rejuvenate and

Xi Jinping

strengthen unity in the region.

Political and ideological education needed to be strengthened in Tibet’s schools in order to “plant the seeds of loving China in the depths of the hearts of every youth”, Xi said in remarks published by state news agency Xinhua.

Pledging to build a “united, prosperous, civilised, harmonious and

beautiful new, modern, socialist Tibet”, Xi said China needed to strengthen the role of the Communist Party in the territory and better integrate its ethnic groups.

Tibetan Buddhism also needed to adapt to socialism and to Chinese conditions, he added.

China’s policies towards Tibet have come under the spotlight again this year amid the country’s deteriorating relationship with the United States.

U.S. Secretar y of State Mike Pompeo said in July that the United States would restrict visas for some Chinese officials involved in blocking diplomatic access to Tibet and engaging in “human rights abuses”, adding that Washington supported “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet.

NZ reports 13 new Covid-19 cases

Wellington, Aug 29 (IANS): New Zealand reported 13 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the total to 1,376, the Ministry of Health said.

According to the Ministry, two infected persons had arrived in New Zealand from India on August 23, reports Xinhua news agency. The other 11 cases were community transmissions, 10 of whom were linked to

the Auckland cluster.

The remaining case was still under investigation. There were 11 patients hospitalized as of Saturday, including three in intensive care units, it added.

General public were urged to seek medical advice immediately and to take a test if they develop symptoms consistent with Covid-19.

Erdogan, NATO chief UAE formally ends Israel boycott amid US-brokered deal discuss East Med tensions

Dubai, Aug 29 (AP): The ruler of the United Arab Emirates issued Saturday a decree formally ending the country’s boycott of Israel amid a USbrokered deal to normalise relations between the two countries.

The deal opening up relations between Israel and the UAE was announced on August 13. It required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians.

The state-run WAM news agency said the move Saturday formally ending the boycott came on the orders of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Emirates’ leader.

WAM said the new decree allows Israelis and Israeli firms to do business in the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. It also allows for the purchase and trade of Israeli goods.

“The decree of the new law comes within the UAE’s efforts to expand

Women wearing face masks walk past United Arab Emirates and Israeli flags at the Peace Bridge in Netenya, Israel.

diplomatic and commercial cooperation with Israel,” WAM said. It lays out “a roadmap toward launching joint cooperation, leading to bilateral relations by stimulating economic growth and promoting technological innovation.”

Already, some Israeli firms had signed deals with

Emirati counterparts. But the repeal of the law widens the likelihood of other joint ventures, such as in aviation or in banking and finance.

Dubai International Airport, home to the longhaul carrier Emirates, has been the world’s busiest for international travel for

years. The Dubai International Financial Centre also hosts major firms who trade in the hours between Asian and European markets.

Emirati firms likely also want to access Israeli technological know-how.

Some already had even before the deal — with

the cyber security firm DarkMatter reportedly hiring Israeli military-trained hackers.

On Monday, the first direct commercial flight

by Israel’s flagship carrier El Al is expected in Abu Dhabi, carrying US and Israeli officials including President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

The decree formally eliminates a 1972 law on the UAE’s books since just after the country’s formation. That law mirrored the widely held stance by Arab nations at that time that recognition of Israel would only come after the Palestinians had an independent state of their own.

The UAE is becoming the third Arab nation after Egypt and Jordan to currently have diplomatic relations with Israel. However, while widespread public distrust of Israel persists in those nations, the UAE never fought a war against Israel, nor did it have a historic Jewish population.

In recent years, the UAE has held quiet talks

with Israel and allowed Israelis with second passports into the country for trade and talks.

Sheikh Khalifa has ruled the UAE since 2004.

He suffered a stroke on January 24, 2014, and underwent emergency surgery.

He has been rarely seen since in public, though state media typically publishes images of him around Islamic holidays.

Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has served as the UAE’s dayto-day ruler since Sheikh Khalifa’s stroke. Sheikh Mohammed has focused on increasing the Emirates’ military might amid his suspicions of Iran — an enmity shared by Israel.

While Sheikh Khalifa holds the title of president, the UAE is governed by autocratic sheikhs. Abu Dhabi, as the country’s oil-rich capital, has grown increasingly powerful since the UAE’s founding in 1971 despite each sheikhdom largely governing its own affairs.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Jens Stoltenberg

A n k a r a , Au g 2 9 (IANS): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke about the escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean over the phone.

In the phone call on Friday, Erdogan told Stoltenberg that Turkey would continue to protect its rights and interests everywhere, reports Xinhua news agency.

He asked NATO to fulfil its responsibility against unilateral steps that ignore international law and damage regional peace, according a statement of Turkey’s presidential office.

The President also said his country has been supporting a fair solution in the region with a win-win

mentality for all countries, it added. The tensions over Turkish natural gas explorations off Greek islands in the Eastern Mediterranean have escalated in recent weeks.

Greece considers the explorations illegal.

The European Union has also condemned the Turkish actions and asked Ankara to stop them.

The Ankara government on the other hand believes the waters, in which natural gas is being drilled on a trial basis, belong to the Turkish continental shelf.

Earlier this week, Erdogan said that his country will defend its right of hydrocarbon explorations in the Eastern Mediterranean and make “no concessions” in the ongoing disputes.

Death toll from hurricane Laura in US reaches 14

A damaged home in Hackberry, La, after Hurricane Laura move through the area Thursday. (AP/PTI)

Washington, Aug 29 (IANS): The death toll due to the Category 4 hurricane Laura, that lashed the US states of Louisiana and Texas, has increased to 14, authorities said.

Ten of the victims were in Louisiana and four in Texas, the BBC reported.

Laura has now been downgraded to tropical storm status, but heavy rain is still pounding several states.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has asked the federal government for K Y M C

immediate financial assistance in dealing with the fallout.

“Hurricane Laura is the fifth strongest storm to make landfall in the US in recorded history and the first in memory to maintain major hurricane strength as it travelled through Louisiana, bringing catastrophic destruction to many parishes,” Edwards said in a statement on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference later in the day, he called Laura “the strongest storm to ever hit Loui-

siana”.

President Donald Trump is scheduled travel to the two states on Saturday to meet people affected by the hurricane, the White House said.

Around 8,000 homes were possibly destroyed in the two states, according to the Red Cross. More than half a million homes also faced power outages.

Some 1,500 people, including National Guard troops, are being deployed in rescue and clean-up missions.

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8

sports

Lyon beat Dijon in Ligue 1 opener

Players of Lyon and Dijon vie for the ball during their Ligue 1 match.

Paris, Aug 29 (Agencies): Memphis Depay scored a hat-trick including two penalties as Champions League semi-finalists Lyon began the new French season with a 4-1 victory over Dijon on Friday.

Dutch forward Depay bagged his first Ligue 1 goals since December, having missed the coronavirusshortened second half of last season after rupturing knee ligaments.

Lyon, who finished a poor seventh last term, were without midfielder Houssem Aouar for their opening game of the new campaign after he tested positive for Covid-19 earlier in the day, and the home side fell behind to a first Dijon goal for Aurelien Scheidler.

Depay, the Lyon captain, equalised from the penalty spot after Ahmad Ngouyamsa barged Max-

wel Cornet over as Rudi Garcia’s side turned the game in their favour with three goals in the space of six minutes just before half-time at the Groupama Stadium.

The for mer Manchester United winger spun past his defender on the corner of the box and fizzed in a dangerous low cross that caused Dijon’s Wesley Lautoa to poke into his own net and give Lyon

the lead.

Seconds after the subsequent restart Depay struck again, Karl Toko Ekambi’s deflected ball finding its way to the Dutchman who displayed great poise and skill to volley beyond Alfred Gomis from six yards.

Senegal goalkeeper Gomis produced a magnificent save to deny Depay his hat-trick on the hour as Lyon continued to attack

freely.

England youth international Jonathan Panzo, who won the Under-17 World Cup alongside Phil Foden in 2017, came on for his Dijon debut in the second half two days after his arrival on a three-year deal from Monaco.

The Chelsea academy graduate promptly conceded another penalty after a VAR review as he was adjudged to have clipped the heels of Leo Dubois.

Depay again converted by blasting home via the underside of the crossbar to seal his hat-trick as Lyon made a convincing beginning to their first season without European football since 1996-97.

Nine games are scheduled across the top flight in France this weekend, with Marseille due to visit Brest on Sunday despite another three reported coronavirus cases at the club.

Marseille’s planned opener against Saint-Etienne last Friday was postponed after five players tested positive for Covid-19.

Titleholders Paris Saint-Germain’s scheduled game at Lens on Saturday has been pushed back to September 10 following their run to the final of the Champions League in Lisbon.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

1st Sumi All Nagaland Online Chess Tourney Dimapur, Aug 29 (NPN): The 1st Sumi All Nagaland Online Open Chess Tournament 2020 will be held on September 4.

The online tournament is being organised by Sumi Chess Association Nagaland (SCAN) under the aegis of Nagaland Chess Association. The tournament will be conducted in the platform Lichess and the time format will be 3+0s (Blitz).

The categories for tournament are Open category and U-16 category.

The U-16 players have been asked to send a photo of their birth certificate to SCAN secretary, Mughato Kibami on WhatsApp at 8732883086 without which they will be considered as open category, the organisers informed. The entry fee for open category and U-16 will Rs.150 and Rs.100 respectively. Entries will be accepted till 8:00 pm, September 3.

Only domicile players of Nagaland will be allowed to participate, it informed.

For more information, interested players have been asked to contact 7005580145 or 7005157622.

Rijiju announces hike in prize money of Sports Awards New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI): Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday officially announced a massive hike in the prize money in four of the seven categories of the National Sports and Adventure Awards, which were given away in a virtual ceremony this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prize money for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award has been increased to a whopping Rs 25 lakh from the previous amount of Rs 7.5 lakh, while Arjuna Award has been enhanced to Rs 15 lakh from Rs 5 lakh.

The Dhronacharya (Lifetime) awardees, who were earlier given Rs 5 lakh, will now be richer by Rs 15 lakh, while Dhronacharya (Regular) winners will be given Rs 10 lakh instead of Rs 5 lakh.

The prize money of Dhyan Chand Award has been increased to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 5 lakh.

The hike will come into effect from this year.

“The prize money for the Sports Awards was last reviewed in 2008.

These amounts should be reviewed once every 10 years at least.

If professionals in

Kiren Rijiju

every field have seen an enhancement in their ear nings, why not our sportspersons,” Rijiju said in a release.

Star cricketer Rohit Sharma, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal, paddler Manika Batra and Rio Paralympic gold-winning high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu are part of an unprecedented five picked for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award this year.

B e s i d e s, a w h o p ping 27 athletes have been chosen for the Ar juna Award, while 13 coaches will be conferred with the Dronacharya Award and 15 others have been shortlisted for the Dhyan Chand honour.

Nagaland joins Fit India Freedom Run Barca unwilling to negotiate Messi departure

Er. Zale Neikha flagging off the ‘Fit India Freedom Run’ event at IG Stadium, Kohima on Saturday. (NP) Correspondent

KO HIMA , AUG 2 9 (NPN): To spread the awareness of Fit India, the Department of Youth Resources and Sports organised the ‘Fit India Freedom Run’ in Kohima on Saturday.

Marking the occasion, advisor for Youth

Resources and Sports, Er. Zale Neikha flagged off the event at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima. YRS department officials, state coaches along with National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers took part in the fitness run.

In his brief message, Neikha said the event was aimed to encourage fitness

among the people and also to help them keep away from lifestyle disorders.

Highlighting on National Sports Day, he said August 29 was celebrated as National Sports Day to honour the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chang Singh who won gold medals in the year 1928, 1932 and 1936.

MA D RI D, Au g 2 9 (Agencies): Barcelona is unwavering in its intention to keep Lionel Messi, who told the club earlier this week that he wanted to leave.

Spanish media say Messi has contacted the club to try to resolve the situation, but Barcelona confirmed to the Associated Press on Saturday that it will not negotiate to allow the Argentina great to depart before his contract ends next year.

Earlier this week, Messi said he wanted to invoke a contract clause that allowed him to leave at the end of last season, but the club said the clause had already expired.

A lengthy legal battle may ensue as the 33-yearold forward is expected to say the clause was valid until the end of the season, which was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Barcelona is not will-

ing to give up on the player, especially not for free. Messis contract, which ends in June 2021, has a buyout clause of 700 million euros ($831 million). He has been with the club for nearly two decades, leading it to more than three-dozen titles and holding most of its individual records.

Spanish media said Messi and his team contacted the club late this week to try to discuss his situation.

He had announced his intention to leave by sending the club a burofax, a certified document similar to a telegram.

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu reportedly tried to meet with the player after his decision to leave was announced. He later said he was willing to resign if that was what it took to get Messi to stay, and if the six-times Ballon D’Or winner admitted the president’s presence at the club was the reason he wanted to leave.

Messi reportedly talked to new coach Ronald Koeman before making his decision to leave.

Messi hasnt spoken publicly since the embarrassing 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the Champions League on August 14, one of the worst defeats in the players career and in the clubs history.

He was outspoken against some of the clubs decisions this season, the first without a title since 2007-08.

Spanish radio station SER said on Saturday that Barcelona was ending its contract with its current law firm because it also worked for Messi.

The players are expected to return from their break on Sunday to undergo coronavirus testing.

Training is scheduled to resume on Monday ahead of the start of the Spanish league season on the second weekend of September.

Lionel Messi

Chelsea win Women’s Community Shield Suresh Raina pulls out of IPL Lo n do n, Au g 2 9 (Agencies): Chelsea fired a warning to the rest of the Women’s Super League with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Manchester City in the Women’s Community Shield.

Millie Bright fired in a 30-yard stunner on 66 minutes to put Chelsea ahead before Erin Cuthbert made sure of the victory in the first minute of stoppagetime.

City had Jill Scott sent off just four minutes before Bright’s opener and saw new signing Chloe Kelly hit the post and Janine Becker have a goal ruled out for offside in the first half.

But Chelsea took charge after the break and if it had not been for the woeful finishing of striker Sam Kerr, they would have been ahead long before Bright’s superb long-range strike.

Chelsea carved open the City defence inside the first three minutes, only for Kerr to spurn the first of her many opportunities by sliding the ball under Ellie Roebuck and into the sidenetting.

Georgia Stanway then

Chelsea players celebrate with the Community Shield trophy after defeating Manchester City 2-0.

stung the gloves of KatrinAnn Berger with City’s first effort on goal, before debutante Kelly beat four Chelsea players but opted to square the ball to Janine Beckie rather than shoot, and the offside flag went up as she slotted the ball into the empty net.

That was just before the half-hour mark and the game leapt into life shortly after as Kerr directed a header wide of the post after Ji So-Yun’s free-kick

deflected into her path.

City came close to making her pay just two minutes later as Stanway saw another fierce effort pushed away by Roebuck, with Kelly’s follow-up striking the base of the post and bouncing clear.

Next it was Kerr’s turn to miss another chance, failing to bend the ball into the far corner after shrugging off the attentions of Steph Houghton and bringing the ball into the box.

Chelsea moved up the gears after the break and saw Kerr spurn another glorious chance on 48 minutes, completely miskicking the ball as Fran Kirby laid it on a plate for her inside the penalty area.

Stanway did drag the ball wide for City after being played through before Kerr was again wasteful in front of goal, this time scuffing the ball wide of Roebuck’s goal as she raced onto a ball through the

middle.

Just after the hour mark, Scott flew into a tackle with the impressive Ji and was a touch late.

Referee Rebecca Welch harshly judged it to be a yellow-card offence and Scott was given her marching orders for a second booking.

Frustrated at seeing her team-mates miss chances ahead of her, centre-back Bright decided to try her luck from 30-yards out and duly fired a dipping and swerving effort into the top corner beyond Roebuck - it was a goal worthy of the grand stage.

Chelsea were all over City for the remaining 24 minutes as Ji, Maren Mjelde and Beth England all missed chances.

But it was not until the 91st minute that they finally made the game safe as substitute Cuthbert pounced on a loose ball on the penalty spot and showed great composure to fire it into the top corner.

With the WSL beginning next week, the champions’ performance will serve as a message of intent to their challengers.

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI): Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Suresh Raina has pulled out of the Indian Premier League citing “personal reasons”, the franchise said on Saturday even as it emerged that a second player in the team has tested positive for COVID-19.

The player in question is a right-handed top-order batsman, who has been a part of India A teams in recent past and is a prolific performer in Ranji Trophy.

On Friday, a T20 specialist pacer had tested positive along with 12 members of the contingent in Dubai.

While it is expected that Raina will be issuing a statement later in the day, sources close to the franchise said that one of the biggest draws in IPL desperately needs some downtime to be with his young family at the moment.

The 33-year-old had retired from international cricket earlier this month.

“Suresh Raina has returned to India for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of the IPL season. Chennai Super Kings offers complete support to Suresh

Suresh Raina

and his family during this time,” CSK tweeted CEO Kasi Viswanathan’s statement.

CSK’s quarantine period in Dubai has already been extended till September 1.

“Suresh’s absence will be a big blow for the CSK and also, he is one of the biggest draws in IPL. But in these times, if any player doesn’t feel 100 per cent and has some other pressing priorities, any team respects that and CSK is no different,” a senior IPL official privy to development in CSK camp told PTI on

conditions of anonymity.

While it couldn’t be officially confirmed but speculation was rife that a family tragedy coupled by spike in COVID-19 cases in the team might have disturbed the former India left-hander who retired on August 15 alongside his skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

While it is understood that the tournament is not under threat as of now but one franchise becoming a “COVID-19 hotspot” is slowly becoming an issue for other teams as well as the BCCI.

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