Shompo Y Patton, Hon’ble Dy. Chief Minister, Nagaland

Vol XXX No. 73 DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits utmost priority: HM national, Page 5

Stage set for FIFA U-17 Women’s WC s orts, Page 12

COVID-19 death toll soars to over 1,800 international, Page 9

94 being monitored for COVID-19 in state

D I M A P U R , F E B 1 8 (NPN): Altogether 94 persons with travel history to China and affected countries have been put under surveillance in the State, out of which 15 had been advised home isolation and were being monitored twice daily. This was stated by Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) minister S. Pangnyu Phom at a press conference at his residence here Tuesday.

Asserting that Nagaland was prepared to face any potential threat (See table), Pangnyu also informed that Nagaland was the first state to report on the special surveillance system portal for novel coronavirus with the Health Ministry. He said screening of passengers arriving at Dimapur airport started on January 30, even as he clarified that no confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) had been found. Nonetheless, he said all surveillance and rapid response teams had been activated and were put on maximum alert.

Reiterating that the State gover nment was geared up for any eventuality, the minister informed

(C) S. Pangnyu Phom with officials on Tuesday. (NP)

Sl. NO Hospitals/ District Isolation Beds Ventilators PPE N95 Masks Biowaste 1. Kohima 10 3 50 40 Yes 2. Dimapur District Hospital 5 2 50 40 Yes 3. CIHSR, Dimapur 10 2 0 0 Yes 4. Tuensang 2 0 30 20 Yes 5. Mokokchung 2 0 30 20 Yes 6. Mon 1 0 10 10 Yes 7. Longleng 1 0 10 10 Yes 8. Zunheboto 1 0 10 10 Yes 9. Wokha 1 0 10 10 Yes 10. Peren 1 0 10 10 Yes 11. Phek 1 0 10 10 Yes 12. Kiphire 1 0 10 10 Yes 13. Military Hospital Rangapahar 10 3 10 10 Yes 14. Jakhama Military Hospital 6 1 0 0 Yes Total 52 11 240 200 State preparedness status as on Feb17

newsmen that daily surveillance report was being to Central surveillance unit under Union H&FW minister, while district surveillance units were put on alert and were on maximum vigil.

He said 52 beds had been identified and kept ready in isolation wards of government and military hospitals, even as personal protection equipments (PPE), N95 masks and hand thermal screeners had been provided to deal with the epidemic. And out of the 52 beds, 25 had been identified and kept ready in Dimapur district– five at Dimapur District Hospital and 10 each at Rangapahar and CIHSR.

He said calls were being received on helpline numbers of H&FW department and updates on novel coronavirus were sent through WhatsApp 24x7to all State response teams and district surveillance officers.

On the ban imposed by the Home department on hunting in view of the spread of coronavirus in China and World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), he clarified that it was a precautionary measure though there had been no evidence to suggest that the virus had spread from animals to humans.

Meanwhile, H&FW principal director Vizolie Z Suokhrie and H&FW deputy director and spokesperson on corona virus Dr Nyan Kikon have clarified that the 15 travellers who had been quarantined as per the standard protocol of WHO for 14 days would be released. On apprehension of the virus spreading through Chinese goods, Kikon clarified that there was no evidence to suggest that. Though it initially spread from animals to humans, now it was spreading from human to human, he added.

Explaining that 75% of new and emerging diseases were of animal origin, Kikon clarified that till date there had been no confirmation or credible evidence to suggest that it had been transmitted directly from animals. On the other hand, persons with travel history to China or affected countries from January 15, 2020 have been asked to declare or report to-- 7005415243, 9856071745 and 7005539653 or email nlssu.idsp@nic.in for more information. (Full text on p-6) NPP asks govt to discuss SARFAESI Act in Assembly DIMAPUR, FEB 18 (NPN): National People’s Party (NPP) has asked the state government to urgently discuss in Nagaland Legislative Assembly the implications of not implementing the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 and deliberate upon options so that disadvantaged sections of the people were benefitted while at the same time not violating Article 371A and the Nagaland Land Revenue Regulations (Amendment) Act 2002.

NPP Nagaland unit president Dr Andrew Ahoto Sema suggested that one alternative could be a request to the Centre seeking amendments in the SARFAESI Act in the context of special provisions given to the people of Nagaland through Article 371A. The amendments could be made in such a way that in case an inhabitant of Nagaland was unable to repay his/ her loan due to one or the other reasons, his/her land property kept as mortgage with the banking institution concerned could put up for auction. NEW DELHI, FEB 18 (IANS): Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that in a child custody battle, the rights of the child need to be respected as he/she is entitled to the love of both parents, and even if there is a breakdown of marriage, it does not signify the end of parental responsibility, as it is the child who suffers the most in a matrimonial dispute.

A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and A.M. Khanwilkar said: “While deciding the matters of custody of the child, primary and paramount consideration is always the welfare of the child. The courts should decide the issue of custody on a paramount consideration which is in the best interest of the child who is the victim in the custody battle.”

In a custody battle, the top court observed that no matter which parent wins but the child is always the loser and it is the children who pay the heaviest price as they are shattered when the courts, through its judicial process, tells them to go with the parent whom he or she deems fit.

The ruling came as the court heard a husband assailing the 2015 order of the Delhi High Court which partly allowed the appeal with the direction to the wife to comply with the consent terms, especially on the visitation rights of the husband to meet the son, who is now 11 years old. At the same time, visitation rights to meet the daughter, now 14 years old, were declined.

It was also observed that if the daughter wishes to meet her father, she can do so at her own desire.

In 2016, the Delhi High Court directed a psychotherapist to ascertain the relationship of the children with their father and paternal grandparents before they joined the sole custody of their mother.

The civil matrimonial appeal was filed in the apex court, which held: “The child pays heavy price of being deprived of the love and affection of their parents for which they were never at fault but are always the loser which at no stage could be compensated monetarily or otherwise.” Rights of child need to be respected: SC

(Cont’d on p-7) Anomalies in distribution of PDS rice: MVC D I M A P U R , F E B 1 8 (NPN): Medziphema Village Council (MVC) has alleged anomalies in distribution of PDS rice.

In a statement by its chairman Neikhonyü Kuotsu and secretary Khriengulie Kapo, the council said PDS card holders of other sub-divisions received 5 kg of rice per head whereas villages under Medziphema subdivision had been receiving 4 kg of rice per head from 2017 till date.

Warning that it would no longer be able to stand as mere spectator, MVC urged the food & civil supplies department to conduct a proper enquiry into the matter and clarify the reasons for such discrepancy in Medziphema sub-division. ZPO (N) clarifies on ZTC formation D I M A P U R , F E B 1 8 (NPN): Zeliang People’s Organisation (N), which claims to be the apex organisation of the indigenous Zeliang people of Peren district Nagaland, Tuesday clarified that the proposed formation of the “so called Zeliang Tribal Council (ZTC) on 21/2/2020 at Jalukie is not accepted by the people of Zeliang community.”

This is it!

DIMAPUR, FEB 18 (NPN): Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) Tuesday appealed to the department higher education to immediately detach those assistant professors who were attached to directorate/ district or VIPs since many of the colleges in Eastern Nagaland were functioning without adequate subject lecturers and assistant professors.

In a press release, ENSF vice president Hamnyei Angh and assistant general secretary Khomo P affirmed that the federation would not succumb to any tactical ploy by the government or non-governmental agencies. ENSF has, therefore, asked the responsible department to immediately issue necessary directions to all the attached teachers and assistant professors. Concerning health sector, the federation has appealed to all the medical staff to remain at their respective district hospital, PHC, CHC and Sub-centre within 20 days from the date of publication.

It further asked that all the doctors to make themselves easily accessible to the patients. ENSF has also requested all the CMOs in Eastern Nagaland to ensure that adequate supply of medicines and facilities were available within their jurisdictions. ENSF cautioned that any erring officers or employees taking its appeal for granted would be doing so at their own risk, adding that the federation would leave no stone unturned to reprimand those responsible.

Meanwhile, ENSF has appreciated the department of school education (DoSE)’s directive to those teachers keeping proxies in their place of posting to immediately report to their respective schools.

The federation has appealed to the department to implement the order both in letter and in spirit and also uphold the Nagaland Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1968 without favouritism or nepotism. ENSF demands immediate detachment of asst. profs

DIMAPUR, FEB 18 (NPN): A seven-member delegation of Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) held a meeting with director and other top officials of social welfare department on Monday to discuss issues like distribution of pension of Rs 300 for persons 60 years and above and Rs 500 for persons 80 years and above per month.

The delegation also discussed grants received from Government of India for National Family Benefit scheme (NFBS) of Rs 2,000 under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).

Referring to Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) and Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) introduced in 2009, the forum demanded that all these schemes should be fairly implemented to financially benefit the targeted groups, while awareness should also be created as most of the potential beneficiaries were uninformed.

The department assured to implement all the schemes, including Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAP), with utmost care to benefit the targeted groups.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) schemes, Supplementary Nutritional Programme (SNP) and Poshan Abhiyaan implemented by the department were also discussed at the meeting. The NPRAAF delegation expressed displeasure that food items meant for pregnant women, lactating mothers and severely malnourished children did not have nutritional values approved by the Centre. Social welfare: NPRAAF demands proper implementation of schemes (Cont’d on p-8) DIMAPUR, FEB 18 (NPN): Naga Tribal Union Chumoukedima Town (NTUCT), on behalf of the public, expressed dismay at the state government’s failure to resolve the issue of backdoor appointments in police department in the just-concluded Assembly session in spite of serious anomalies and the issue been raised by opposition members.

Extending its appreciation to the opposition MLAs for grilling the minister in-charge and the government for failing to give a satisfactory explanation over violation of police recruitment procedures, the union specified that failure to adopt any resolution to rectify the wrongs clearly exposed lack of seriousness and concern of the government over the issue. NTUCT cautioned that the intentional delay and premeditated sidestepping of the loud voice of people all over the State could, instead of dying down as presumed by the authority, flare up to a horrible dimension, the consequence of which would have be entirely borne by the government.

Meanwhile, responding to his statement made on the floor of the House, NTUCT asked deputy CM, Y Patton to clarify on his assertion that 272 police men were appointed through open recruitment as it had evidence of 206, adding that the remaining 66 in higher ranks remained a mystery.

Out of a total 1,698 vacancies, Patton had admitted that 1,200 were appointed, leaving 400 posts still vacant. But the union pointed out that in reality it was 498. Mentioning that here too 98 remained a mystery, the organisation asked what he was trying to do again with these vacancies and asked Patton to clarify on these issues.

While going through details of the selected candidates, NTUCT said one could clearly see that no rationality in terms of merit and tribal considerations was maintained at all.

Emphasising that after a leader was elected and inducted as Cabinet minister, he becomes leader of the State and was expected to treat everyone equally, and not have special considerations for his tribe or constituency, the union demanded that the deputy chief minister must clarify to the above queries. NTUCT livid at govt’s failure to resolve backdoor appt issue in police deptt (Cont’d on p-8)

66 bird species in NE face threat of extinction

NEW DELHI, FEB 18 (AGENCIES): State of India’s Birds 2020 report released during 13th Conference of Parties of the Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals in Delhi Monday stated 66 bird species from North East India come under “high-conservation concern” category.

Of these, 23 are in Arunachal Pradesh, 22 in Assam, seven in Manipur, three in Meghalaya, four in Mizoram, five in Nagaland and two in Tripura, claim reports.

Bar-winged wren babbler, bugun liocichla and Mishmi wren babbler are some of the species in Arunachal, which have been identified as having conservation concerns while the chestnut-backed laughing thrush, white-winged wood duck and Bengal florican in Assam are some species of conservation concern.

The report further revealed that little is known about the swamp grass babbler, which is restricted to grasslands in the Brahmaputra floodplains. The chestnut-backed laughing thrush, endemic to the IndoMyanmar lowland forests, is only known within India from the Dehing Patkai forests in eastern Assam.

The Naga wren babbler found in Nagaland and Manipur is one of many range-restricted wren babblers found here.

The Indian olive bulbul is found only in the forests adjoining Bangladesh in Tripura, southern Assam, western Mizoram and Manipur, and southern Meghalaya. “Conservation of these last remaining lowland rainforests in the Northeast is key to the survival of this species,” it said.

The report is the culmination of a collaboration between 10 research and conservation organisations, spanning both government and non-government institutions.

“This assessment of nearly 867 Indian species makes it very clear that our birds are in overall decline, in some cases catastrophically so. Many more species show a downward trend than an upward trend,” the report stated.

The report was created after 10 million observations were uploaded to the eBird platform by more than 15,500 birdwatchers to evaluate the distribution range size of 867 Indian birds, and their trends in abundance in both the long term (over 25+ years) and currently (past 5 years).

DoSE clarifies on MDM scheme

DIMAPUR, FEB 18 (NPN): Directorate of school education (DoSE) has conceded with Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) that food grains received from Government of India (GoI) was in excess of actual requirements in 2019 -20. However, DoSE clarified that excess allocation was a normal practice and the excess food grains received was accounted as unspent balance and subsequently adjusted during the next allocation by Centre.

Reacting to news item “NPRAAF alleges irregularities in MDM scheme” published in local media, DoSE principal director Shanavas C further termed the forum’s claim of the existence of a racket where politicians and departmental officials demanded percentages from profits after illegal sale of food grains in the market from the contractor as a very serious allegation and asked it to substantiate the same with evidences.

He also clarified that the department had engaged only one carriage contractor for transportation of food grains to nine districts along with NCLP. In Tuensang and Longleng districts, he said the department was implementing the scheme with NGOs on PPP mode, adding the food grains were lifted from FCI depot by NGOs for the respective districts.

According to Shanavas, meals were being provided to school children studying in government schools and government-aided schools from Classes I to VIII as per norms under the Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme. He, however, claimed that DoSE was also providing mid day meal to pre-primary (Classes A&B) students, and not only from classes I to VII as alleged by NPRAAF.

MYK C Shanavas explained that yearly allocation of food grains depended on the number of working days and number of school children. And as per entitlement of students (100 gm per child per day in Primary; 150 gm per child per day in Upper Primary), food grains were released by Centre.

He also clarified that Centre allocated 4076.590 metric tonne (MT) of food grains in 2019-20, as per enrolment, while total number of beneficiaries was 1,57,510 (1,19,144 in Primary and 38,366 in Upper Primary), and not 1,06,298 MT as alleged. He said DoSE had also issued directives making it mandatory for every school to display posters issued by it indicating complete details of food grains and cooking costs received for a quarter along with enrolment of students for public awareness and transparency.