Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXX No. 100
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00
No gatherings, protests of over 50 in Delhi till Mar 31
No deadline for decision on Olympics: IOC
China reports 14 new coronavirus deaths
NATIONAL, PAGE 7
SPORTS, PAGE 12
INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9
State govt orders closure of schools, colleges Train passengers not screened for Covid-19 Staff Reporter
Total ban on entry of tourists, ILPs suspended DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): As a precautionary step to prevent and control outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state, the state government has ordered closure of all educational institutions (elementary, secondary, higher secondary, colleges and universities), both government and private in Nagaland with effect from March 17, 2020 and would remain in force till April 12, 2020. In a notification, the state chief secretary Temjen Toy also ordered deferment of all non-essential official gatherings such as seminars, workshops, conferences etc during this period. However, the ongoing board/council/university examinations would continue as per schedule. The government has also put on hold official functions and programmes involving big gatherings including mini hornbills. Issue of new/fresh Inner Line Permits for Tourists
DTF fixes face mask, handsanitizer rates DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Dimapur District Task Force on COVID-19, which met on Monday, decided that surgical masks and hand sanitizers were to be sold at MRP rates. The whole sellers and retailers have also been directed to put up boards displaying rates for the selling of masks. At the meeting, DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi requested the Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association to keep sufficient stock of those commodities. Reminding that the Centre has declared those items as essential commodities, the DC has, therefore, warned that any retailers not adhering to the official fixed rate as mentioned above, would be dealt with as per the provisions of the law which includes fine and imprisonment upto seven years.
NSSB: NSF postpones proposed agitation DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): In the wake of Coronavirus pandemic and threats it posed to the general public, Naga Students’ Federation Monday announced its decision to keep in abeyance the proposed democratic agitation.
Neiphiu Rio chairing a high level meeting on coronavirus on Monday. (DIPR)
(Domestic/Foreigners) and all other categories would remain suspended with immediate effect until further orders. The government has also banned all tourist entry (foreign and domestic) into the state with effect from March 18, 2020 till further orders. All entry points and check gates into the State to be manned and screened by manpower provided by the State Police forces. The manpower would be trained and provided with equipments by the H&FW department. State government has constituted a special action group (SAG) to continuously monitor the situation and to ensure that actions are taken in order to keep the state in readiness for any eventuality besides taking prompt measures for pre-
vention and control of the virus. The public have also been advised to refrain from holding any social, cultural, sports, political, religious, academic and family functions/programmes which could see gathering of large number of people. Further, public have been advised to avoid all forms of non essential travel outside the state. All persons, students as well as public, entering the state have been informed to contact COVID19 helpline no: 7005435243, 9856071745, 7005539653 and Toll Free no: 1070 or Email: nlssu.idsp@nic.in CM chairs high-level meeting: To take stock of the situation arising out of COVID-19 pandemic, the state chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, convened a high-level
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Even as the threat of coronavirus (COVID19) looms large and the government claims it has adopted a slew of measures, the state remains vulnerable from the most potent hazard but yet ignored source-mass transportation system- such as passengers travelling by trains. Passengers arriving by trains to Dimapur, seem to be let off without any effort to screen them despite well founded fears that community spread of coronavirus is the main source for posing a serious threat to public health. Railway officials on condition of anonymity admitted before Nagaland Post that thousands of passengers arriving by trains were not being screened as it was done in stations like Guwahati, with thermal sensors. They said about 5,000 people commute by trains everyday via Dimapur station and it was not possible to screen all of them as there were multiple entry and exit points at the station. They also added that it was impossible to track
Thermal screening of passengers at Guwahati Railway Station on March 16. (IANS)
the origin of passengers given the nature of rail travel in India. For instance, there are multiple stations between Guwahati and Dimapur, where passengers, some of them ticketless hop into the train making it practically impossible to track their origin, they said. They however claimed that awareness was being carried with passengers having symptoms being asked via public address system to come forward and self declare. The officials claimed that awareness campaign in the form of pasting posters in four languages – Hindi, Assamese, English and Bengali – and regular informative announcements through public address
No coronavirus case yet; state govt Govt urged to take precautionary steps to implement Epidemic Disease Act Correspondent
KO H I M A , M A R 1 6 (NPN): Altogether 2,889 people have been screened in Nagaland for the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19), following which two persons have been put under home quarantine, while 108 were under surveillance. However, there has been no confirmed case of the deadly virus so far. This was stated by health & family welfare (H&FW) principal director Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie during a press conference held at his office chamber here on Monday evening. Mentioning that the State government was also all set to implement the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, Suokhrie explained that the Act would enable the government to initiate action against those not cooperat-
ing with its directives. He said 66 isolation beds had been identified in all districts, while 14 ventilators had been kept ready. He informed newsmen that two quarantine centres had been identified each in Kohima, Dimapur and Tuensang districts, adding that process was on in identifying quarantine centres in all the districts. Mentioning that private nursing homes too had been notified to identify isolation beds and remain alert for any exigencies, Suokhrie claimed the entire State machinery was geared up and prepared to meet any eventuality. He said the police, disaster management, rural development (SHGs), school education, food & civil supplies and Central forces had been asked to scale up awareness in all
interior areas of the State. With a huge number of students returning home following outbreak of the disease, Suokhrie appealed to them, including those returning from affected countries/States, to reach out at the helpline number so that they could be assisted. The project director admitted that it was a big challenge for the H&FW de par tment to screen passengers boarding and alighting at Dimapur railway station because of their sheer number and multiple entry and exit points. He, however, claimed that the department was working closely with the railway authority and was urging travellers to contact the helpline if they had arrived from any of the affected countries. (Cont’d on p-7)
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Even as number of confirmed coronavirus cases (COVID-19) rise in India and around the world, several organisations have expressed concern over continuous spread of virus and appealed to the state government to take all necessary precautionary steps. NPF: Appreciating the state government for taking up its effort for the preventive measures in the state, NPF, however, maintained that more and stringent effort was required to check and prevent that not a single case of Covid-19 was reported from the state. NPF through its press bureau asserted that the spread of virus should be tackled collectively. It has urged the government to install a Covid-19 test Centre even in Nagaland as Guwahati test Centre was the only nearest centre available for the Nagaland, which was difficult for the citizen of Nagaland to avail the facility. NPF also suggested that Dimapur railway station should minutely monitor as thousands of visitors travel every day. Further, the party urged the government to check the supply and
Dimapur Police arrest 2 fraudsters from Delhi Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Dimapur Police apprehended two individuals allegedly involved in two different scams from Delhi on March 13 and (Full story on p-7) 14 and brought them here on March 15. The first accused has been identified as one Gbamele Alex alias Paul from Côte d’Ivoire, a country located on the southern coast of West Africa. He was arrested for his alleged involvement in multiple cases of fraudulent electronic bank transaction and fraudulent ATM withdrawals all over India from Dimapur-based accounts. Addressing media, DCP zone 1 Dr Naieem Mustafa claimed that during investigation it was found that miscreants used fake “Congress is a dynastic names, fake mobile numparty but our BJP is a bers, bogus bank account, party of dynasts.” etc, to commit the crime.
This is it!
K Y M C
meeting at his secretariat office, Kohima Monday. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said the meet was convened to bring out a collective decision for the best option in order to ensure the safety of the people. He urged the elected representatives to go to their respective districts and hold meeting with the district task force. Expert views on State’s preparedness for Covid19 was given by the chief secretary, Temjen Toy and principal director health and family welfare (H&FW), Dr. VizolieSuokhrie. The chief secretary stated that two important aspects of the pandemic were prevention and preparedness. He expressed satisfaction with the H&FW department for following all
preventive guidelines issued by the Centre. He, however, stressed on the importance of personal prevention. Concerning preparedness, Toy stated that video conference with all the concerned agencies at the Centre was being held regularly and all directions issued were followed. Stating that most cases of COVID-19 deaths were caused by respiratory problem, the chief secretary stressed on the importance of procuring more ventilators. He stated that in rural areas, the rural development department through self help groups would act as a network channel to assist H&FW department to contain the pandemic. Dr. Vizolie Suokhrie informed that Nagaland had no reported or suspected case till date. He stated that the department has initiated procurement of more Personal Protection Equipments and Ventilators to meet the need of all the districts. He also stated that all districts have identified locations for quarantine which includes Military Hospitals, TB Hospitals, AYUSH Hospitals and some government infrastructures.
The two accused. (NP)
It was also found that the fraudsters identified and targeted economically weaker individuals and impressed them to open bank accounts for approximate amounts of Rs 10,000 each, he added The DCP claimed that a number of verified accounts involved in this activity belonged to Dimapur. The police discovered during interrogation of the verified account holders that some of their known
persons had contacted them and asked them to open bank accounts for which they were paid approximately Rs 3,000. Accordingly, the fraudsters would buy the bank accounts for a few thousand rupees immediately after opening the account. After sorting out that the bank accounts were operated from Delhi and other parts of India, it was established that the sold accounts were being used for fraud and other criminal purposes. The police maintained that the account holders belonged to very weaker sections of the society. The special team formed to bust the racket and led by DCP zone 1 identified six mobile numbers of Delhi area that were used to target innocent people in Dimapur. On tracing those numbers, the team found that
the numbers were used from Tilak Nagar area of Delhi. Accordingly, the team followed leads and zeroed down to one of the main accused Gbamele Alex alias Paul, who was involved in fraud along with his other accomplices. The team progressed with the investigation and proceeded to Delhi and arrested the main accused and recovered laptops and mobile phones used in committing fraud. The modus operandi of the fraudsters was that they would lure underprivileged local girls with promises of better life and make them party in the criminal act. The accused also succeeded in convincing local ladies to live with them in Delhi and use them as agents to procure bank accounts from underprivileged locals from Nagaland.
availability of face mask and hand sanitizer besides putting effort to curtail the price rise. NPF has called upon the state government to give its best effort to educate the people even to the remotest areas about the safety measures. It expressed hope that the government was well equipped with all modern technologies. NPF has also called upon the citizens not to remain fear but appeal every Naga believers to uphold one another in prayers “so that Almighty God will save us from the pandemic Covid-19.” AYO: Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has also impressed upon the state government to be prepared with all necessary measures. In a press release, AYO president Kekhrie Pfukha expressed the need to establish testing facilities in all the district centres besides setting up quarantine centres for people returning home. Expressing belief that the government was putting its best effort by taking all necessary measures, AYO has, however, urged the government to tackle the issue with utmost seri(Cont’d on p-7) ousness.
ASU to conduct ‘nonlocal verification drive’
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Angami Students’ Union (ASU) Monday informed that first phase of “non-local verification drive 2020” would be carried out from March 20 to April 25 at its office below AIR station, BOC Kohima. ASU vice president and ILP monitoring cell convenor Neitseituo Norbert Mere has urged the citizens of Kohima district to “strongly partake and support in the exercise”. Stating that there were stray incidents in the past when ILP holders were hassled by unofficial personnel, ASU has appealed to the citizens to be watchful and report on such unwarranted confrontation. It said that the proposed exercise aims to thwart “the invasion of illegal immigration” and not discriminate citizen possessing valid ILP. It also sought assistance from the state government in its initiative. The union has informed that following documents were required for the process: copy of ILP and any of the following- (Aadhaar/Voter ID/NRC Certificates/Pan Card/Driving License); valid trade license and two passport size photos. ASU informed that government (Cont’d on p-5) servants and students were exempted.
system were being carried out in the station. They said an isolation ward had also been set up at the railway station comprising of two beds to serve as a transitory quarantine for passengers with symptoms before being referred to Dimapur district health authority. “It is a temporary stop before the district authority takes over,” an official explained. Meanwhile, Railway officials have urged passengers having any symptom or coming from any of the affected countries and regions to contact the station superintendent, so that appropriate steps could be taken and such passengers forwarded to Dimapur chief medical office.
H&FW deptt. refutes rumors
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Health & Family Welfare department Monday refuted rumours circulating on social media about positive cases of croronavirus in Nagaland. In a statement, H&FW principal director Dr. Vizolie Z Suokhrie clarified that all across the country, testing was being done only in government facilities duly identified and certified by the Health ministry. Private hospitals/laboratories are not mandated to conduct testing for Covid19, he stated. Since sample collection, transportation and testing are done through the state Health department, Dr. Soukhrie said identified testing centers will reject any sample from any other source except the state Health department.
1 killed in road mishap
KOHIMA, MAR 16 (NPN): A class 8 student was killed on the spot and several injured when the vehicle (van) they were travelling rolled down the road in Seikhazou area, Kohima Monday afternoon. According to reports, the vehicle, carrying 12 school children lost control and hit a tree below the road. One died on the spot and a 7 year old girl suffered grievous injury. The injured were rushed to Oking and KOHIMAS hospital. (Correspondent)
JCPI calls for emergency meet
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) has convened an emergency meeting of all tribal apex bodies and civil society organisations (CSOs) in the conference hall of Tourist Lodge, Dimapur on March 19, 2020 at 11am. In a press release, JCPI convenor K Ghokheto Chopi and secretary Tia Longchar said that an ultimatum was served on the state government on February 24, 2020 to issue fresh notification of RIIN based on Banuo’s Commission report with 1963 as cut-out year, the revocation of 1979 cut off year under BEFR 1873 and physical implementation of ILP as per the Abhishek’s Committee report and the establishment of Foreigners Tribunals under Foreigners Act 1946. However, JCPI said that deadline expired on March 15, 2020 without any action from the government. As regards, JCPI has requested all responsible leaders to attend proposed “important meeting on priority” so as to chart out the next plan of action.
Corrigendum
DIMAPUR, MAR 16 (NPN): Apropos the news item ‘Disqualification case: HC asks speaker, MLAs to appear before court on Apr 3’, published on March 16, it is clarified that the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench in its order dated March 11, 2020 stated that the pendency of the writ petition shall not stand as a bar for the NLA Speaker to decide the matter pending before him. Further, the court fixed the next hearing on April 3, 2020. The error is regretted. K Y M C