March 29, 2020

Nagaland Post This issue 9 + 3 = 12 Pages @ ` 5.00

www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 112

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020 Pages 9 ` 5.00

Life lessons from the history of lockdowns

We not giving up: DJ Bravo comes out with COVID-19 song

COVID-19: Italy registers 969 deaths in one day

SUNDAY POST

SPORTS, PAGE 9

INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 7

Migrant exodus negates lockdown State govts asked to set up relief camps, provide food

CM highlights govt’s preparedness

NHAK is now COVID19 hospital; no new patient to be admitted Govt priority for DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): After declaring the Naga Hospital Kohima (NHAK) as COVID-19 Hospital, the state government has ordered that no new patient would be admitted at NHAK with effect from March 27, 2020, until further notice.

In an order, the state government informed that arrangements have been prepared for the convenience of patients, saying that existing in-patients requiring further hospitalization be safely moved to Putuonuo Nursing Home (0370-2221857); Oking Hospital (0370-2290080); Bethel Medical Care (03702224202) and KP Bethesda Hospital (9485238298).

Also, new patients seeking emergency healthcare in NHAK would be diverted to the above hospitals. The order stated that only emergency cases would be entertained till further orders.

The medical expenditure for in-patients who are shifted or new emergency patients who are referred would be worked out with the respective hospitals, the order stated.

welfare of those at the frontline

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio has reiterated the government’s commitment to tackle the spread of coronavirus by taking people’s support and giving priority for providing protective gear to health care teams, police and media persons who are at the forefront, reports DIPR .

Highlighting crucial measures undertaken by his government in containing coronavirus in the state, Rio also assured that medication equipment and safety measures are being put in place for safety of general public and medical workers.

He also said the government was taking all steps to procure medical safety gears, ventilator and equipments with urgency. Rio said the fist consignment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have arrived with the second consignment expected by Monday through the Air Force.

Regarding essential (Cont’d on p-8) Medical equipment exclu-

sively for COVID-19 cases, he said the State has 16 ventilators, 1712 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 551 numbers of N95 Masks, and 16 cardiac monitors which have further been distributed to various districts.

He mentioned that the State has received medical equipment consignments totalling 1536, which include- Triple Layer Mask, PPE, BD Universal Viral Transport and swab sticks.

Further, he said, additional medical equipment and accessories totalling 2,16, 800 is expected very soon adding 33 more ventilators were also expected by the coming week.

Constant efforts were being made to expedite delivery of such essential medical equipment and accessories with the help of Government of India.

Rio also reminded that the Health Department has till now made available 173 isolation beds for COVID -19 cases in addition to 175 isolation beds in identified COVID-19 Hospitals.

Further, the number of quarantine facilities has been increased to 1043 in the State and continuous efforts are being made to increase

it further, he said. The chief minister informed that as of March 28, a total of 3076 people including students returning from outside since March 6, have self reported to the respective District Surveillance Teams and currently undergoing home quarantine.

A total of 18 blood samples were sent for test of which 13 tested negative for coranvirus and results of the remaining five still awaited.

Rio also reiterated that the lock down was not intended to restrict the flow of essential goods and commodities since essential goods and commodities including POL has not been restricted in any manner. He said the stocks and availability of the items were normal.

He appealed to the Union Home Minister and all the chief ministers of states in India to provide assistance to any Nagas stranded in their states. He further appealed to stranded Nagas to keep in touch with the Nagaland houses around the country. Rio also said funds have also been released to take care of their (Cont’d on p-8) needs.

NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (PTI): With tens of thousands of migrant workers walking down to their homes far way amid the coronavirus lockdown, the government on Saturday directed states and union territories to immediately set up relief camps for them and carry out health check-ups.

Scenes of mig rant workers walking endlessly and many trying to cram into buses to reach their destination were common in several parts of the country as the countrywide lockdown entered fourth day.

With lakhs of these workers stranded on highways and inter-state bus terminus, the government stepped in and asked states and union territories to immediately set up relief camps for migrant workers and others who are returning to their home states or trying to do so during the nationwide lockdown period.

Home Minister Amit

Shah said the Centre has committed all support to migrant workers during the 21day lockdown announced to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centre also asked state gover nments and union territory administrations to utilise state disaster response funds, to which Rs 29,000 crore has been allocated for the next fiscal, for providing food and shelter to migrant workers hit by the lockdown.

With their livelihoods coming to a halt after im-

DC Dimapur’s advisory to VCMs, GBs on volunteers

India records highest single-day jump COVID-19: Legislators, NSO appeals India, Myanmar in COVID-19 cases; 918 positive now depts & others donate to cease military operations

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi through an order issued on March 28, has requested all village council chairmen, VCMs/GBs to ensure that vehicles carrying essential commodities and exempted government officials on duty were not restricted in their areas. He also directed volunteers deployed in compliance with the directives of Sec 144 CrPC to observe social distancing.

He also directed all persons returning from outside the state to observe 14 days quarantine, and said that violation of the quarantine should be reported to the district administration.

Further, DC directed all volunteers assisting wards/village councils to wear protective gears like masks, gloves, sanitizers etc. and ensure social distancing by observing one meter distance. The order was issued in the light of reports that vehicles carrying essential commodities, medical staff and government officials on duty were being restricted.

Also the DC said reports were received that some persons who recently returned from other states/ countries were being unduly harassed and refused entry into the villages and wards.

NEW DELHI, MAR 28 6QEBUF (PTI): The total number of COVID-19 cases in India reached 918 with 179

fresh cases being reported .BIBSBTIUSB

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The total number of As many as 79 people reported the highest number 918 cases in the country were either cured or dis- of COVID-19 cases so far at included 47 foreigners, the charged and one had mi- 180, including three foreign grated. Maharashtra has nationals. data stated.

This is it!

“The inside of your mask is pan-stained. It’ll only protect virus. So, what’s the use of putting it on?�

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Migrants wait to board a bus to their native villages at Kaushambi in Ghaziabad, Saturday. (PTI)

position of the countrywide lockdown, thousands of daily wage workers and labourers, including women and children, with their bags on their heads and backs and many also wearing protective masks waited in long queues to board buses at the Anand Vihar Interstate Bus Terminal in Delhi.

The Uttar Pradesh government announced that it has arranged 1,000 buses to ferry migrant labourers stranded in the border districts.

During the day, sev-

eral cases of violation of lockdown norms were reported.

Meanwhile, the Congress held the government responsible for the plight of migrant workers with Rahul Gandhi demanding that it take concrete steps so that the situation “does not become a major tragedy�.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said when the government can send planes to bring back Indians from abroad, why cannot it provide transport to send the labourers home.

&29,'

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): Cutting across party lines, all legislators have decided to donate one month salary towards purchase of medical equipments and other exigencies to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

Apart from this, Phek district legislators have also decided to add another Rs. 5 lakhs in advance (Rs. 1 lakh each) from LADF towards the same for Phek district.

This was stated by minister for Planning & Co-ordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary of Phek

Affairs and DPDB chairman district,

Neiba Kronu.

Meanwhile, Higher & Technical Education & Imna Along also Tribal Affairs minister, Temjen

from the handed over one day salary contribution

staffs of Higher Education, Tech. Education. &

Tribal Affairs dept amounting to Rs. 26,54,896

towards CMRF to chief minister Neiphiu Rio.

Rio, in his tweet expressed gratitude

to the staffs for selflessly contributing.

Taking to twitter, Rio also the IAS thanked

Association of Nagaland for their kind gesture and

timely help by coming forward to contribute 6HULHV oneday salary towards the CMRF. Further, Rio said the 6HULHV Nagaland Wrestling Association contributed Rs. 1 6HULHV lakh to CMRF. He said NWA expressed appreciation to the Health department, health workers, law enforcement agencies, churches and volunteers. “Grateful to NWA for the help,� Rio tweeted.

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): Amid COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, the Naga Students’ Organization (NSO), Myanmar has claimed that joint military operations by the government of Myanmar and India was being carried out in the northern western parts of Naga Self-Administered Zone (SAZ), Sagaing Region of Myanmar bordering India.

NSO through its media cell has appealed to the governments of India and Myanmar to promote peace and tranquillity besides development in the field of education, healthcare and socio-economy in Naga Hills instead of war.

NSO said that Naga villagers continue to live in fears and trauma under the military forces, adding that their voice and cries have gone unheard.

The student body lamented that the joint operation was undergoing in Naga regions despite poor villagers already living in fear of COVID-19

pandemic.

NSO also appealed to the military forces of both Myanmar and India not to harass and torture the innocent villagers in the name of operation against the NSCN. The organisation also requested all the Nagas to remain confined in respective villages and not to travel to town and cities in order to avoid the contracting coronavirus until the situation returned to normalcy.

NSO asserted that one cannot imagine if the Covid 19-hits Naga hills, a place where even curable diseases in outside world cannot be treated.

NSO also urged all businessmen and shopkeepers in Layshi, Lahe and Nanyun, saying “Nagas are not money making machines and should not over charge on any commodities for daily consumption taking the advantage on coronavirus issues.�

(More on p-8)

‘Self declaration COVID-19’ App launched Panic buyers and harassed sellers in Dimapur DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio launched the ‘ Self declaration COVID-19 Nagaland App’ on Saturday at his residential office. Rio in his tweet said that the mobile application was mandatory for any person who entered Nagaland after March 6, 2020 even if they have called the state/district helpline. “This is crucial for tracking & surveillance of high-risk cases,� Rio stated.

According to DIPR, the Health department has taken a step further to tackle the threat posed by the growing pandemic of COVID -19 and launched the app which will be crucial in tracking and surveillance of highrisk cases, thus preventing spread in the community.

The mobile application will track registered individuals using their phone’s GPS and offer alert notifica-

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): Uncertainty continues to cause panic buying in Dimapur, even as many citizens complained about the inconveniences they face.

An elderly person complained to this Reporter that on reaching some shops, he Neiphiu Rio launching the mobile App on Saturday.

tion specific to user location. “The department will track the users and keep a close surveillance through the app in order to curb the community spread,� it added. It also urged students or travellers to register immediately even if one had called the state/ district helpline and registered earlier, saying “noncompliance is a punishable offence under Epidemic disease Act 1897.�

Android users can download the nCOVID-19 App from the app store from https://naKalandhealthproiect.on and IOS users can download from https:// www.nagalandhealthproject. org/covid/login-user.php.

The Health department has also appealed to the family members and others to assist those who are not familiar with smartphones/app.

found that large quantities of grocery items were already bought by those who brought their vehicles and loaded the items to stockpile food. A middle aged mother, said she had to walk a long distance since autos were not available in order to buy essential items.

A grocery shop owner

told this reporter that rice, milk powder and other essential commodities were sold out within two days. He said people who thronged his shop were not maintaining social distancing and for which he was compelled to erect a barricade at the entry. He said even his pleas on customers to wear masks and maintain social

distancing fell on deaf ears.

Although the average sales had shot up, the grocer regretted that people were behaving irresponsibly.

One grocery shop at a colony had shut down at 11 a.m. yet desperate people were queued up at the back of the shop requesting the shopkeeper to allow them to buy rations.

DDVCCA seeks clariďŹ cation from Food & Civil Supplies deptt DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): Dimapur District Village Council Chairman Association (DDVCCA) has sought clarification from the Food and Civil Supplies (F&CS) department with regard to department’s directive to Priority Household (PHH) agents to deposit three-month (May-June 2020) advance money on or before April 15, 2020.

In a letter addressed to the Food and Civil Supplies director, DDVCCA president I Khekuto Wilson and secretary Vitho Zao queried as to

why Fair Price Shops (FPS) had to do so when the Centre has decided to provide free rice/food grains for three months?

The association state that the directive was in total contradiction with the Centre’s decision According to DDVCCA, the village FPS were receiving calls from Food and Civil Supplies director office to deposit the amount immediately and for the month of May/June deadline has been given to deposit.

Further, the association stated

that it was not practical for village FPS to stock FPS rice for two months with no proper godown.

It also said the village Fair Price Shops would find it difficult to deposit an amount for 2/3 months at a time. “When the whole country is under lockdown, we find the office order highly insensible and most unsympathetic when the public need help and assistance we have been burdened,� the Dimapur District Village Council Chairman Association said.

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state

2

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020

Organisations contribute towards COVID-19 exigencies

Khriehu Liezietsu (2nd right), and his team with essential ENPO representative handing over a cash to Deputy Dr. Rev. Daniel Chishi handing over the amount to DC food items of his constituency on March 28. (NP) Commissioner Kiphire at her officer today. (NP) Zunheboto.

news in Brief NDMA entrusts officer to monitor stock: To streamline the distribution of COVID-19 related items such as PPE, surgical glove, N-95 masks, 3 Ply masks, sanitizer, the Nagaland Disaster Management Authority has informed that Thejangulie Zao DDMO (Kohima) has been entrusted to control the stock availability in the store. Over and above he will monitor the distribution of any other items related to COVID-19.

DC Tuensang informs on domestic violence: Deputy commissioner, Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant has informed to all concerned that, any women under Tuensang district caught in any form of domestic violence/rape/sexual harassments etc are to quickly report to the one stop centre/district administration/ police/legal services/women organization. These authorities/organizations are to immediately report such cases to the Nagaland State Commission for Women, One Stop Centre helpline number 181. DC also informed that as a measure to prevent and contain the outbreak of Corona Virus in the district, the following locations have been notified as quarantine centres in Tuensang district: Navinn Lodge; KC Lodge; East Wind Lodge; Circuit House (old building).

DC Mon informs: Deputy commissioner (DC) Mon, Thavaseelan K notified in the interest of public health and safety, that spitting of paan/tamul, sputum in public places and institutions under Mon town is banned with immediate effect. Strict action will be initiated against the violators along with penalty in accordance to relevant laws.

NKU informs: Naga Kuotsu Union (NKU) has informed that, its golden jubilee scheduled to be held on April 18 has been postponed due to the pandemic.

LSU officials with police personnel at Wokha town on Jain Samaj members with police personnel.

March 28. (DIPR)

Xaqhe SHG member giving to the needy.

DIMAPUR: While the COVID-19 situation has put the entire world to a standstill, the shortage of food is on the rise for the daily wage earners and the poor citizens. In an effort to stand by the needy at the hour of crisis, various organisations are coming forward to contribute towards the cause.

Khriehu reaches out to senior citizens: Khriehu Liezietsu, MLA from 10th Northern Angami-I Assembly Constituency has been distributing rice and daal to senior citizens and needy people in his constituency since March 26 to mitigate their hardships during the nation-wide lockdown. MLA and his team distributed 10 kilos of rice along with 4 kilos of daal to each and every senior citizen living in his constituency. Till Saturday, 2000 senior citizens have received the essential items. In addition to the essential items, pamphlets were also distributed to the citizens and other people on do’s and don’ts on the deadly Covid-19.

They also distributed hand washing facilities with hand sanitizers at 20 colony junctions. Liezietsu said due to the lockdown and restriction for combating the deadly Covid-19, their people have been facing hardships. “To keep them healthy and peaceful during this period of unprecedented restriction, we have been distributing rice and dal to the senior citizens,” he said. “We will continue to distribute the same to the needy soon and our people should not suffer for want of food.” (Correspondent) ENPO contributes to CM’s relief fund: Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) in solidarity con-

the administration for any needs & to implement the regulations too, every which way.

Dimapur Bongs distributes food to stranded people: Dimapur Bongs along with Shree Gurudwara Sikh community and the Dimapur Bengali Samaj (DBS) distributed food to more than 200 people who are stranded under the flyover and the footpath around the Kalibari Road on March 28. A press release from Dimapur Bongs president stated that, the food were cooked and packed by the members of the Dimapur Bongs. It may be noted that the members of Dimapur Bongs are maintaining one metre distance even during the preparation of food and distribution. Dimapur Bongs also appealed citizens of Dimapur to stand by the needy people and contribute in the best possible way to the poor and needy regardless of caste, creed and religion.

Xaqhe SHG feeds the poor: Xaqhe Self Help Group (SHG) from Shozukhu village, Dimapur has started humanitarian service of feeding the beggars during the lockdown.

KLH contributes: Kohima Lotha Hoho (KLH) on March 28 took a noble step to contribute towards the fight against COVID-19 in the state by permitting the NSDMA to utilize its conference hall at Kezieke along with the furniture and other facilities for the present state-wide lockdown period. DIPR reported that the premise has Wokha Police (DEF) marking circles at several locations been set up as the state control room to tackle COVID-19 around shopping areas for citizens to maintain safe by the state government. distancing while shopping. (DIPR)

tributes Rs. 50,000/- towards CM’s relief fund and Rs. 25000/- each to the four districts of Eastern Nagaland, namely Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire. ENPO decided to contribute not because of self-sufficiency, but to extend solidarity on behalf of the people of EN, stated an ENPO member. (Correspondent) SBAK-Aizuto donates: Dr. Rev. Daniel Chishi pastor Zunheboto Town Sumi Baptist Church SBAK-Aizuto donated Rs 100,000 (1 lakh) to Peter Lichamo deputy commissioner as contribution towards the pandemic COVID-19 medical aid. He was accompanied by Kihoto Zhimo deacon chairman and the deacons.

LSU provides PPE to police personnels: Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) led by president, Ashanthung Humtsoe handed over protective preventive equipments (PPE) to OC Wokha, N, Nchumbemo Kikon for police personnel working on the frontline on March 28. OC thanked the LSU for the initiative undertaken for the welfare of the personnel.

Jain Samaj: Volunteers of Jain Samaj in Dimapur took up their social responsibility by contributing four hundred food packets, fruits & water to the police personnel, doctors & nurses, volunteers besides the desolate people surrounding Marwari Patti for the fourth day, under the chairmanship of Kailash Jhanjhri. President Om Prakash Sethi announced that Dimapur Jain Samaj will keep serving the society daily in general pro-actively during the whole period of lockdown. Samaj stands by

Organisations condemn March 16 murder incident

D I M A P U R : Va r i o u s organisations have condemned the murder of late Er. Kevinguto Khate on March 16 at Kuda village, Dimapur.

NIE MNAA: National Institute of Engineering Mysore Naga Alumni Association (NIE MNAA), condemned the heinous murder committed on its bonafide member, Er. Kevinguto Khate.

A condemnation by NIE MNAA stated that his demise was a great loss for the association and Nagas in general. It also appealed law enforcing agency to ensure that no stone was left unturned in bringing the culprits to book and in ensuring a befitting punishment to such criminals. Union also conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

KTUN: Khonoma Thevomia Union Nagaland

(KTUN) has condemned the murder in the strongest term and requested district administration and Police to award befitting punishment to the murders as per law. A condemnation by KTUN president Akho-u Sophi and advisor, Ravolhuto Whiso expressed concern that before the punishment of another heinous crime perpetrated upon one of its citizen could start, another young and dynamic member of society was murdered. KTUN called upon the responsible administration and law agencies to award stringent punishment to the perpetrators of the crime. KTUN also extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray that God grant the departed soul to rest in peace.

CMK: Chakhromapfü Mechü Krotho (CMK) has condemned the “coldblooded and senseless murder” of late Er. Kevinguto Khate, assistant professor,

NIT Nagaland on March 16. A condemnation by CMK stated that, a life to be cruelly cut short in broad daylight was unimaginable and an insult to humanity. CMK grieves with the family and pray for comfort and solace, while urging the authorities not to grant bail under any circumstances and demanded the severest punishment for those guilty.

ASU: Angami Students’ Union (ASU) in a condemnation by president Vizokho Zashümo and general secretary, Petekhrietuo Kiewhuo stated that, late Er. Kevinguto Khate was a dynamic and upcoming young technocrat whose future possibilities were immensely bright and promising. ASU urged the government of Nagaland to leave no stone unturned so that justice was delivered at the earliest. ASU conveyed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the Police personnel keep vigil while all shops are closed bereaved family. as complete lockdown in Kiphire on Saturday. (NP)

NSCN (I-M) condolence DIMAPUR: Government of the peoples’ republic of Nagalim (GPRN) has expressed grief over the untimely demise of late ‘captain’ Riakeukam Pame of Kiusumong battalion, Naga army from Beisumpuikam village under Asalu region who passed away on the March 27 after a prolonged illness.

A press release from NSCN (I-M) through its MIP stated that, late Riakeukam Pame had served the Naga nation with unwavering national spirit until his demise and that the void created by his demise will be deeply felt and difficult to fill in.

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Dimapur Municipal Council Order

MIP 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 sacrifice for the Naga nation will be cherished by all.

Further, the office of the Longvibu, Naga army bestowed upon him posthumously the rank of ‘major’ on March 28 in recognition of his service to the Naga nation. GPRN also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and pray that the Almighty God grant the departed soul eternal peace and rest.

District wise report on COVID-19 DIMAPUR: Principal secretary Abhijit Sinha has issued the district wise report on COVID19 on law and order and facilitation of essential goods and services manufacturing, distribution and E- commerce of the state of Nagaland on March 27.

According to DIPR report, he said that control room to monitor essential supplies was set up in all the districts and shops for food grains and groceries are open in all the districts. Shops for milk are also open

in all the districts except Peren, Mon, Phek, Kiphire. Medicine shops in the districts were open and there was no report of any shortage of food grains, groceries, milk and medicine in the state.

The district report stated that in Nagaland a total number of 100 people violated the lock down/ curfew orders. It is also reported that three persons were bound under U/S 106/107/CrPc and 27 people were arrested, one vehicle seized and one case of FIR registered. No incidents of

law & order problem have been reported. On essential services, manufacturing distribution & E-commerce has reported that in Dimapur district suitable arrangement have been made for providing food & shelter to migrant workers affected by COVID19 restriction. In Dimapur Bengali Samaj, Sikh community distributed food packets. Permits have also been issued to commercial vehicles for transportation of essential commodities in Dimapur.

DIMAPUR: In view of controlling escalation of price during the on-going lockdown due to the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) under its jurisdiction has fixed the wholesale and retail price of various essential commodities as listed under: Sl. No.

Items

Wholesale Price Per Kg./etc

Maximum Retail Price Per Kg/etc

1

Tomato

Rs. 20/-

Rs. 28/-

2

Green Chilly (Big)

Rs. 40/-

Rs. 50/-

3

Green Chilly (Micro)

Rs. 50/-

Rs. 60/-

4

Beans (Big)

Rs. 30/-

Rs. 40/-

5

Beans (Small)

Rs. 25/-

Rs. 35/-

6

Cabbage

Rs. 10/-

Rs. 20/-

7

Brinjal

Rs. 20/-

Rs. 30/-

8

Bitter Gourd (Big)

Rs. 50/-

Rs. 60/-

9

Bitter Gourd (Small)

Rs. 40/-

Rs. 50/-

10

Cauliflower

Rs. 20/-

Rs. 30/-

11

Garlic (Big)

Rs. 130/-

Rs. 140

12

Garlic (Small)

Rs. 120/-

Rs. 130/-

13

Cucumber

Rs. 15/-

Rs. 25/-

14

Onion

Rs. 28/-

Rs. 35/-

15

Potato

Rs. 20/-

Rs. 28/-

16

Masoor Dal (Big)

Rs. 65/-

Rs. 70/-

17

Masoor Dal (Medium)

Rs. 69/-

Rs. 75/-

18

Masoor Dal (Small)

Rs. 84/-

Rs. 90/-

19

Mong Dal

Rs. 106/-

Rs. 112/-

20

Arhar Dal

Rs. 88/-

Rs. 95/-

21

Sugar

Rs. 39/-

Rs. 45/-

22

Rice (Andra/arham)

Rs. 1700/per 50 kg bag

Rs. 1830/per 50 kg bag

23

Egg

Rs. 140/- per plate

Rs. 160/- per plate

In an order issued by DMC administrator, Albert Ezung said, this order will come into force with immediate effect. The above prescribed rate is the maximum amount fixed by DMC which has to be strictly followed by the retailers. However they are at liberty to sell below the rate prescribed by DMC. Further it is informed that no increase of prices will be considered unless the prices are reviewed periodically by the competent authority.

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3

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020

Government reminders, public appeals and information on COVID-19

DIMAPUR: In continuous efforts to combat spread of COVID-19 into the state of Nagaland, the government agencies and various civil bodies are tirelessly giving awareness and directives for the general welfare of the citizens.

DC Dimapur prohibits hampering movement of medical staff: DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi has prohibited hampering/obstructing movement of paramedical staff on duty and harassment to paramedical staff to vacate rented houses by the landlords. Failure to comply with the order action will be initiated under section 188 of 1PC. DC also requested all the religious & community leaders to disseminate information on social distancing to their respective followers/members i.e maintain one metre or more distance between individual. The leaders are requested to disseminate the information through different channels; one channel may be to make a short video of social distancing for wide circulation in the respective community.

NPP Nagaland state: While appreciating the united effort of all concerned towards eradicating COVID-19, particularly the doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health workers, NPP Nagaland state also raised certain grave issues which have cropped up since the lockdown was declared in India.

A press release from NPP Nagaland state president, Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema and general secretary, Limanuksung Longkumer stated that, authorities in Nagaland including the Police and the lockdown enforcing village and colony youths councils have grossly misunderstood the real concept of a lockdown and has created a situation akin to a total curfew during a war-like situation. Pointing out the need for compassion and love towards fellow human beings, the release added that common people are being harassed especially the helpless ones.

NPP Nagaland state stated that government of India had never given an advisory to any of the states that individuals should not and cannot venture out of their homes to buy essential commodities, medicines, etc for their families and

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Has the chief of World Health Organisation (WHO) shown incompetence in the COVID issue?

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

A B C

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

83% 17% 0%

for emergency purposes including funerals. In this aspect, NPP pointed out that Police and the village/ colony authorities should understand this and avoid harassing and physically assaulting the public in the name of lockdown. Various organizations should also not take law in their hands at this crucial juncture which may worsen the situation and may result in total breakdown and chaos, stated the release.

NPP Nagaland therefore request all concerned to show utmost restraint while dealing with the situation at present. NPP Nagaland also requested the state government, especially the concerned departments, to come out with an immediate and well-streamlined policy like procuring enough ventilators, setting up quarantine centres in all the districts, keeping enough ambulances as standby to deal with any eventuality and most importantly to procure enough testing kits, hazmat suits, masks and hand-sanitizers so that in the eventuality of an outbreak, the state would be adequately prepared for the worst. It also stated that state government needed to ensure that there was free flow of essential commodities in the market and authorities concerned of all the districts should strictly deal with grocery shops and pharmacies, which are trying to hoard goods and charging exorbitant prices from the public. State government also should come out with a clear-cut policy with assistance from the centre to facilitate the daily wage earners, the homeless beggars and those who are stranded in various states due to the lockdown, the release informed. While appealing the general public to cooperate, the NPP also asked that the Police department be sensitized to be more humane in their dealing towards the public.

JDU Nagaland: Janata Dal (United) while appreciating the health workers of Nagaland for meeting the challenges of COVID19, has also raised concern on the plight of the Naga daily wage-workers who are most affected as a result of the state-wide lockdown.

A press release from JDU Nagaland publicity wing has appealed to the PDA government to urgently come out with necessary measures to address these philanthropic concerns.

JDU Nagaland stated that it was indeed very appreciative and inspiring to witness the prompt action of the various ward councils and village authorities who are responding swiftly to the challenges of COVID-19, but such kinds of alertness must continue till normalcy is attained. JDU appeals to all concerned citizens to cooperate with the genuine advisories towards battling

Dimapur helpline details

Dimapur district administration has set up the following helpline numbers and general public have been informed to contact the same: Essential commodities 8794442024; Ambulance 8787551751; Price hike issues 8974796425; Food bank (if anyone wishes to donate for the needy) 6009924366; Dimapur district community kitchen for homeless, stranded and needy 6009924366.

Dimapur district community kitchen DC Dimapur has informed that the district administration has set up district community kitchen to help the homeless, stranded passengers, those in distresses and in need of help. The general public can contact the committee at 6009924366.

Food bank to help needy DC Wokha along with SP and CMO briefing the media persons on the preparedness activities undertaken in the district. (DIPR)

this global pandemic and be vigilant against rumourmongers lest they became victims.

PVC: Phiro Village Council together with students, youth, eloe hoho, church leaders, colony chairman held a meeting on March 28 and decided to bar entry and movement of public till the COVID19 pandemic is contained.

A press release from PVC council chairman, Yanpemo Tungu stated that, any person who goes out of the village without any genuine reason shall be barred to enter the village.

Also keeping in mind the administrative order, the PVC reminded that all shopping /marketing will be done with the knowledge and authorisation of the council chairman. In this regard, PVC has requested all public to cooperate in order to stay safe and also informed that no public gatherings would be allowed under its jurisdiction except unavoidable circumstance.

Further, pertaining to the administration order, the council has also banned poaching, hunting under its jurisdiction till further notice.

GVC appeals: Ghukiye Village Council (GVC) has urged all its villagers to seriously adhere to the given guidelines during the ongoing period of complete lockdown for the safety and well being of all. A press release from GVC chairman T. Kiheto Zhimo GB and chairman medical board Kiyevi Zhimo advised villagers not to venture out for anything beyond the village jurisdiction till the lockdown period is over.

GVC stated that for emergency purpose the council chairman and secretary can be consulted beforehand, and also advised its citizens residing anywhere outside the village not to come to village till this crucial lockdown period was completed. Council also send out a strong message to the doctor, nurses and other staff posted at Ghukiye PHC to immediately be present in the station so as to contain

the situation any time at call. Council also appealed CMO Zunheboto to provide all required medicine and other facilities available to its PHC according to the ongoing situation.

Ts e m i n y u U n i o n : In pursuance of the government lockdown order, Tseminyu Union has informed outsiders not to enter its jurisdiction and directed its members to refrain from travelling to other neighbouring areas and to remain indoors. A press release from its publicity and information secretary, Gwasolo Kent also directed members residing in the affected areas to inform the office of the union before entering its jurisdiction.

C AG B U a p p e a l s : Chümoukedima Area GB’s Union (CAGBU) has appealed to its citizens to adhere to the directives of the state government and requested all the village councils under Chümoukedima area to strictly follow the instructions given by the administration to protect its citizen from COVIDl9. A press release from CAGBU president, Tokishe Achumi and secretary, Pamong Phom also appealed the general public to follow the precautionary measures against the pandemic during the lockdown period by staying at home, social distancing etc. Meanwhile, union also appreciated chief minister Neiphiu Rio for releasing grand-in-aid to rural areas for procurement of basic necessities to fight against the COVID-19.

Disability inclusive guidelines: The guidelines/ advisories issued by the state government and specific departments like the Health and Family Welfare are applicable to all citizens. However, as per department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, MoSJE, the following measures need to be acted upon by district administrations to give focused attention to protection and safety of persons with disabilities during this COVID 19 situation: All persons responsible for handling emergency response

Next poll

the 21-day nationwide Lockdown be extended to contain coronavirus?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST March 29

Max Min

Agartala Hazy; hot, low humidity

38 21

Aizawl

Hazy and remaining very warm 32 17

Guwahati Hot with hazy sunshine

36 18

Hazy sunshine

32 16

Itanagar Hazy sunshine

30 18

Shillong

Hazy sunshine

26 13

Kohima

Imphal

Hazy sunshine

27 15

Dimapur Hot with hazy sunshine

36 19

Hazy sunshine

29 16

Tuensang Hazy sunshine and cooler

20 11

Hazy sunshine

28 19

Zunheboto Hazy sunshine

25 14

Mkg Wokha

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to visit shops for purchase of essential commodities; There shall be no vehicular and public movement on non-marketing days except in some exceptional cases or medical cases; Pharmacies shall be permitted to open daily as usual; Private water tankers and carriers shall be allowed to collect and distribute water to consumers for 6 (Six) hours daily from 8 a.m to 2 p.m; Village councils shall be permitted to compile a list of essential commodities required for respective villagers and detail a vehicle for procurement of the same and shall provide vehicle registration number and contact number of driver/helper to the district administration or police before arrival in the town; Field goers, public gathering, work constructions were also informed to stop.

DC Wokha brief DTF: Deputy commissioner-cumchairman task force for COVID-19, Wokha Orenthung Lotha held a briefing with the media personnel about the preparedness activities undertaken in the district. According to DIPR report, DC said that as soon as the district administration received directive from the government, the district administration came up with all necessary arrangements and issued information for dissemination to the public. He further stated that so far there was no shortage of essential commodities in the district which would last for around two weeks and necessary arrangements were also being made so that supply of essential commodities was not stopped. He also directed shop keepers not to sell goods above the MRP and no hoarding should be done and sell goods as per rate fixed by Wokha Town Council. Lotha also said, if situation demanded 144 CRPC would be imposed in the district in order to maintain total lock down and will be relaxed only for 2 or 3 hours for people to buy essential commodities twice or thrice in a week.

Emphasizing on taking

preventive measures, DC also urged public to maintain personal hygiene and social distancing. DC also requested media fraternity to collect first hand information from the district administration, Police and CMO before going for publication. Superintendent of Police, Wokha, Imti Toshi who was also present during the briefing assured fullest cooperation to the district administration in maintaining law and order in the district. Chief medical officer, Wokha, C. W. Tungoe informed that all front line health workers were sensitized in all the blocks. He has already appraised the status of shortage of protective preventive equipments to higher authority for early supply for the district. ADC & administrator WTC, K. Mhathung Tsanglao, also said the town council was contemplating in going round disinfesting public places to boost the morale of the people with the limited resources. To ensure that supply of essential commodities was not stopped proper co-ordination with Assam counterparts and other district especially Dimapur was also maintained, he added.

DC Peren appoints sector magistrates: DC Peren has appointed following officers as sector magistrates in order to ensure that various government orders and directions are properly enforced in their respective jurisdiction: Ruopfukuotuo Noudi SDO (C) Ahthibung for Ahthibung/Khelma circle; C. Wangan EAC Jalukie for Jalukie circle; Rumbemo T. Kithan EAC Ngwalwa for Ngwalwa circle; Tumben Tsanglao EAC Tening for Tening/Nsong circle and Seyievilie Pfukri EAC Peren for Peren circle.

Peren DTF constitutes SDRRT for COVID-19: Peren district task force (DTF) on COVID-19 has informed that the sub-divisional rapid response teams (SDRRT) on COVID-19 for the sub-divisions of Peren, Jalukie, Tening and Ahthibung are constitut-

ed with the following as members. For Peren subdivision: Seyievilie Pfukri, EAC Peren 7640812690; Dr. Kekhrie, MO 7049855251; Yanthithung Lotha, UBI 8787687778; Nduzeu, Peren Town Youth Organization president 7005544235.

For Jalukie sub-division: C. Wangan, EAC Jalukie 8974998809; Dr. Alber t, MO 7629847302; Lugobu Nsu UBI8837043881/9774660126; Haluising, Ward Chairman Union Jaluki e To w n , p r e s i d e n t 8014881540/9436202728.

For Tening sub-division: Tumben P. Tsanglao, EAC Tening/Nsong 8837220169; D r. N u k s i n g , M O 8575654710/9402050624; Bangdung UBI 9436815016/8575654710.

For Ahthibung sub-division: Ruopfukuotuo Noudi, SDO(C), Ahthibung 7005264974/8731815626; D r. V i z o k h u l u , M O 8730936669; Akumnungsang UBI 9856277771; Ngulminlen Singson, KukiInpi (N), general secy 6909673502.

DC Tuensang constitutes DTF: Deputy commissioner Tuensang informed that the following members were designated as members of the district task force: Deputy commissioner as the chairman, EAC (Dev) as member secretary, CMO, SP Tuensang, administrator Tuensang Town Council, commandant 28th Assam Rifles, commandant 45th Assam Rifles, commandant 3rd NAP, commandant Village Guards, sub-divisional officer (C), executive engineer PHED, chief veterinary officer, principal Sao Chang College, district education officer, district relations officer, DPA, district disaster management authority, presidents CKS/YTC/ KTC/USLP, president Tuensang Town All Wards Union, president Tuensang Chamber of Commerce & Industries and secretary, ECS as members. DTF shall be responsible for the monitoring and management of issues related to COVID-19 in the district.

COVID-19 isolation ward set up in Tuensang Last phase of COVID-19 training in Kiphire

Q: W i l l

(Temperature in ºC)

services should be trained on the rights of persons with disabilities, and on risks associated with additional problems for persons having specific impairments; Relevant information on support to persons with disabilities should be a part of all awareness campaigns; Some persons with disabilities may be using services of caregivers from outside the home. In such cases, caregivers should be allowed to reach the persons with disabilities by exempting them from restrictions during lockdown or providing passes in a simplified manner on priority; To ensure continuation of support services for persons with disabilities with minimum human contact, personal protective equipments (PPE) must be ensured for caregivers; Persons with disabilities must be ensured access to essential food, water, medicine, and, to the extent possible, such items should be delivered at their residence or place where they have been quarantined; The district authorities may consider reserving specific opening hours in provision stores for persons with disabilities and older persons to facilitate easy access of their daily requirements.

Kiphire administration meeting with civil bodies: Meeting was held at DC conference hall Kiphire, on March 25, attended by the district administration, ward chairman, NGOs leaders, GBs and student’s body.

Deputy commissioner Kiphire, Sarita Yadav briefed the house about the 21 days total lockdown and order were made with immediate effect in Kiphire district: To have more effective monitoring system, all shops selling essential commodities including petrol pump and daily bazaar selling vegetables in Kiphire town shall keep their shops open from 9 a.m to 11 a.m only on every alternate days i.e.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Vehicular movement shall be permitted during this marketing days till 11 a.m and only one person per family shall be permitted

DC Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi has informed that in view of the COVID-19 the Dimapur district administration has set up a food bank to help the needy. Therefore, any person willing to do goodwill donation for the society may contact at 6009924366 (WhatsApp) for further queries.

EAC Chare, Nockpai Konyak along with principal JNV Chare and staff of JNV Chare and PHC Chare.

DIMAPUR: In a bid to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyacombat COVID-19, Tuen- laya (JNV) Chare, Tuensang district administration sang on March 28. set up an isolation ward at A press release from

JNV Chare stated that, while taking stock of the quarantine facility, Nockpai Konyak, EAC, Chare

thanked the staff of PHC Chare and the principal and staff of JNV Chare for extending their ready support and maintaining good hygiene and sanitation in the dormitories as well as the campus. “If we help each other, show kindness and determination, there isn’t a challenge we won’t overcome,” Konyak added.

It may be noted that Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are fully residential and co-educational schools in every district and affiliated to the Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE), operated

by Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), an autonomous body under the HRD ministry.

Altogether 48 beds have been kept ready in the eventuality of requirement of the school.

DIMAPUR: Department of Health & Family Welfare Kiphire district conducted the last phase of training on COVID-19 at District Hospital conference hall, Kiphire, on March 28.

A press release from Kiphire CMO office district media officer, Haichikambe Pame stated that, Dr. TY Apila Sangtam MO, epidemiologist Dr. Dheni, and Dr. Hedungkiebe DTO, trained the medical staff of Kiphire District Hospital and office staff of CMO. Dheni talked about the symptoms, the do’s and dont’s in regard to COVID-19 and said common symptoms of the coronavirus were fever, fatigue, dry cough, difficulty in breathing, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and rhinorhea.

He encouraged the participants to avoid gathering, travelling together, and to

Nurse demonstrating on how to remove shoe cover during the training.

avoid close contact with anyone and constant washing of hands for 60 seconds.

Speaking about the rural areas, Dheni said that if one

person was tested positive in a village, the whole village will be home quarantined.

He added that in such a scenario, parameter control was the most important, for which rapid response team comprising of ASHAs and anganwadi workers were formed to monitor them.

There will also be one supervising officer to visit the suspected house. Sangtam spoke about the donning and doffing of personal protective equipments (PPE), along with demonstration by a nurse. The demonstration covered about the procedure to wear shoe cover, gown, mask, N95 mask (to be worn only by person who would come in direct contact with patients), spectacle, cap, and glove. After every removal hand sanitisation should be carried out and disposed off in the red bin and yellow bin.

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northeast

4

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020

NE battles to curb Covid-19; maintain supplies Police detain over 35 vehicles for defying curfew in Manipur

being taken to contain the spread of the pandemic, Krishna held a meeting of the state-level task force and issued a set of directives.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup Metropolitan District had notified 66 places and localities in Guwahati and its outskirts, where vegetables would be sold from vans. The Chief Secretary had asked the officials of different departments to increase the area of coverage, as per the demand of the people.

Krishna also asked the manufacturing units of bread, biscuits, packaged water, rice mills and flour mills to carry on production with minimum workers, maintaining the social distancing norms.

Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb wrote separate letters to Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan

and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urgently to sanction allocation of rice and transport fuel and cooking gas, respectively.

In Mizoram, the state’s influential NGO Young Mizo Association (YMA) are working from the front in all across the mountainous state and reaching out at the doorsteps to maintain supply of essentials and vegetables.

YMA volunteers and members are assisting the government officials and state, district and sub-divisional level task forces to keep the supply chain unhindered. Meanwhile, a cargo aircraft carrying the first consignment of various protective gear and equipments besides medicines from New Delhi arrived in Aizawl on late Friday evening.

Health Department officials said that another consignment comprising personal protective equipment kits, hand sanitizers, and various other medical necessities are on the way to Aizawl from Guwahati by road.

Meanwile, the samples of wife and children of the COVID-19 positive 50year-old patient have tested negative. A Christian pastor from Mizoram had tested positive for coronavirus, making it the second case in the northeastern region following a 23-year-old Manipuri woman.

The Mizo man had returned to Aizawl from Amsterdam, via Delhi and Guwahati on March 16 while the Manipuri girl returned from the UK on March 21 via Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala.

Health officials in Imphal and Aizawl said that conditions of both are “stable”. In Sikkim, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced an economic package to provide immediate relief to people belonging to economically weaker sections.

The package includes provision of rice, pulses, edible oil, salt, potatoes and onions to families without a government job and a daily wage of Rs 300 for labourers working in all pharma companies operating in Sikkim during lockdown.

The Sikkim government has also announced a one-time monetary incentive of Rs 3,000 for various sections including Sikkim Police personnel engaged in screening and maintaining law and order, Health Department workers posted at hospitals and checkposts, truck drivers under state Transport Department engaged in carrying of essential commodities and ‘Safai Karamcharis’ working during the lockdown period.

The State Government has also decided to provide insurance to all these frontline workers, besides permitting the State Bank of Sikkim to allow three-month moratorium on all loans.

In Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma took to the streets in capital city Shillong to educate people about the practice of social distancing.

Sangma talked to people while urging them to maintain a distance of at least one metre between two people. The Chief Minister also asked the policemen on duty to ensure that people follow the guidelines.

Assam cop dies in market; family claims he was lynched, SP differs

NEEPCO asks employees to fight Corona

Mnp Assembly speaker disqualifies Th. Shyamkumar

Guwahati/Agartala, March 28 (IANS): The northeastern states battled with issues of curbing the novel coronavirus pandemic while maintaining a non-stop supply of essentials, vegetables and medical necessities, all for which the region is largely reliant on the rest of India.

Because of its central location, food grains and vital essential commodities first reach Assam by train or by road before being ferried to the neighbouring six states - Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

An official of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said that even though they are operating their freight trains as much as possible in the northeast but there are problems of loading and unloading of various commodities and cargos as the availability of

Silchar/Hailakandi/Guwahati, Mar 28 (PTI): An Assam Industrial Security Force (AISF) constable died in Cachar district on Saturday, after which his wife claimed he was lynched by a mob while enforcing a lockdown at a market, but police said his death was probably due to high blood pressure.

The AISF constable identified as Baktaruddin Barbhuiya was found dead at a market in Sonabarighat village close to Silchar town in the morning.

“He died probably due to high blood pressure after an argument with a paan shop vendor. There were no injury marks on his body as claimed by his family and some locals,” Cachar Superintendent of Police Manabendra Dev Ray said.

His body was taken to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital where a postmortem examination will be conducted to ascertain

workers become a difficulty in view of the lockdown and maintaining of social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Even as the NFR expanding the railway networks in all the states in the regions - five of the eight capital cities - Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl, Kohima and Gangtok are yet to connect with the railway network causing the dependence on trucks to ferry the goods by mountainous and landslide prone roads.

In Assam, Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna directed Deputy Commissioners of all 33 districts to provide food and other essentials for seven days to daily wagers including rickshaw pullers, labourers and others stranded in the urban areas who are among the worst hit by the lockdown.

After reviewing the preparations and actions

the exact cause of his death, Dev Ray said.

Barbhuiya’s wife, however, alleged that her husband was lynched by some of the sellers and buyers in the market that was open in violation of Friday’s order of the state government.

The Assam government announced that all markets in the state, except for grocery shops and pharmacies, will remain closed from Friday until further notice, after markets got overcrowded by frenzied buyers in a rush to purchase essential items.

The constable’s wife, who works at a nearby tea garden, claimed before the SP and journalists that she had rushed to the market on receiving information that he was “attacked by a mob” and saw that some people were beating up Barbhuiya with bamboo sticks. He then fell down and lost consciousness.

The alleged attackers were angry as he was try-

ing to enforce the lockdown ordered by the government, she claimed. Police has detained five people for questioning.

Cops open fire in air to quell unrest at Assam market Police opened fire in the air in Assam’s Bongaigaon district on Saturday morning to disperse an unruly mob at a market that attacked the security personnel when asked to abide by the lockdown order, an officer said.None was injured in the melee, he said.

People had gathered in large numbers at meat and poultry shops of Bhawlaguri market in the district without maintaining social distancing norms.

As police intervened, most of them dispersed only to return with machetes and stones to attack the officers on duty. The police personnel, when pelted with stones, resorted to lathicharge and opened fired in the air to quell the unrest.

SHILLONG, MAR 28 (AGENCIES): All operating power plants of NEEPCO have been advised to contact the local administration and extend all possible assistance to the local administration to help communities around the plant/ project areas by way of essential medical supplies, dry ration and ambulance etc.

A press release by NEEPCO Dy. General.

Manager Loreta Ann Kharmawphlang stated that locals are being made aware of the COVID-19 through loudspeaker announcement and by displaying banners and hoardings at places.

NEEPCO has further instructed all plant heads to take care of the employees.

It stated power plants are presently run by bare minimum manpower. The Contractor’s workmen who are manning essential services like power supply and safety repair activities will also be extended all possible assistance, the release added.

Correspondent IMPHAL, Mar 28: Manipur Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand on Saturday disqualified Thounaojam Shyamkumar from being a member of the legislature after three years of his defection.

Shyamkumar was elected on Congress ticket in the general elections to the state Assembly held in 2017 but defected to BJP even before administering oath as member of the state legislative Assembly.

Failure on the part of the Speaker’s tribunal to deliver the final verdict of the long pending case, a recent interim order of the Supreme Court of India had stripped Shyamkumar of his cabinet minister post and barred him from entering the state Assembly.

Pronouncing the final verdict of cases pending for the last three years in his tribunal, state Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand said that “The respondent (Th Shyamkumar), thus, ceases

2.6 metric tonnes of medical items airlifted from Delhi to Imphal on Saturday.

Correspondent IMPHAL, MAR 28: Imphal police on Saturday detained as many as 35 vehicles including 12 auto-rickshaws plying on the streets in the city defying curfew.

The entire Manipur has been under curfew since 8 am on March 24 as the state government observed less effective the state-wide lockdown declared earlier to combat outbreak of COVID19 in the state.

As the curfew entered its fourth day on Saturday, few hours of relaxation on Friday led people to come onto the streets, making it hard for the police to deal with them. This strict measure curfew coupled with detection of a COVID-19 infected person in the state made people chose to remain indoors.

However, unlike the previous days, a good number of private vehicles and auto-rickshaws plied on the streets across the twin capital districts. With no delay, police swung into action and forced them back home. Po-

to be a member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly with immediate effect from this date, i,e., 28-03-2020 till the expiry of the term of this assembly, i.e., 11th Legislative Assembly of Manipur.”

Shyamkumar had clearly violated the provision of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of Indian and is liable to be punished as per the provision of the Constitution to uphold the dignity of democracy and the mandate of the people, the speaker stated in the order disqualifying the defected MLA. The Speaker’s tribunal disqualified the MLA under 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India read with Article 191(2) of the Constitution of India.

As many as 15 different petitions were filed by the state Congress seeking disqualification of Shyamkumar. The Speaker’s tribunal clubbed all the petitions while pronouncing the judgment today.

Assam govt allows tea gardens to carry out COVID-19: M’laya CM inspects garo hills plant protection works during lockdown Correspondent

Guwahati, Mar 28 (PTI): The Assam government has allowed tea planters to carry out essential plant protection and irrigation works in the gardens during the 21-day nationwide lockdown but asked them to engage only those who are willing to work, an official said on Saturday.

Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna, who is also the chairman of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), directed the tea associations to ensure that “no unwilling workers” are forced to work in the gardens during the lockdown, the official said. The tea planters have been allowed to undertake essential plant protection activities, spraying of pest repellents to tea bushes and irrigation during the lockdown imposed to K Y M C

The Assam government has asked tea planters to works only if they are willing.

contain the coronavirus outbreak, he said. The Assam Valley Branch Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations had sought exemption from the state to carry out such operations during the lockdown.

The tea garden authorities must ensure social distancing norms and hand washing, the official said, adding that the management should also take up measures

for better hygiene. The government directed planters to provide adequate protective gear to labourers while spraying pesticides to tea bushes.

Meanwhile, the state labour commissioner S Z Hazarika directed officials to keep a strict vigil on tea gardens and ensure uninterrupted payment of wages and supply of ration to workers during the lockdown.

SHILLONG, MAR 28: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Saturday reviewed state’s preparedness to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus in Garo Hills region in western part of the state.

Sangma enquired about the arrangements made so far to tackle threat of infection and gave strict orders to district administration and health department officials implement the guidelines for effective prevention measures.

The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by senior government officials held the review meeting at Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills, also inquired about the availability stock of essential commodities and to ensure that it being provided equally. “I have held a review meeting

with the government officials and stakeholders and have given them instructions to strictly ensure to implement the guidelines for effective prevention measures of COVID-19,” Sangma said.

The Chief Minister informed that 300 beds, apart from the existing 20 isolation centres, are being prepared for dealing with a possible outbreak of the virus in Tura.

He said the Guest House of MBoSE, SMELC and Isolation Ward of Tura Civil Hospital have been converted into quarantine centres to deal with Corona virus related cases.

“We are also working to create a full-fledged testing centre for COVID-19 in Tura Civil hospital and provide more than 15 lifesaving ventilators in the district,” Sangma said.

On challenges faced by the medical doctors in the

region, the Chief Minister said that he has assured them that all the necessary equipments, machinery and medicine that are required will be provided to them.

Urging the people in the region not to indulge in panic-buying, Sangma said, “I want to assure the people of Tura and Garo hills not to panic since the government is doing everything to ensure that all the essential commodities are there and no inconvenience is caused to the people.”

He also urged the people to strictly follow the instructions given by the government to maintain social distancing during the lockdown period and to avoid coming out of their residences unnecessarily.

“We can ensure that if the next 18 days goes off smoothly, we will be able to control the situation,” he said.

lice even erected temporary barricades to prevent the movement of vehicles.

As people continued to defy the curfew, the city police detained vehicles plying with no reason. During the drive, 12 auto-rickshaws, one Jeep, two E-rickshaw and 20 two-wheelers were detained forcing the drivers and occupants to return home on foot.

“We detained the vehicles after the drivers and owners failed to give satisfactory reasons for defying the curfew,” a police officer who wished to omit his details disclosed.

Except for one woman, no other positive case for COVID-19 reported in the state so far. However, the number of individuals in government designated quarantine facilities has risen to 209. As per status update report of the state medical directorate, nine more samples were sent for testing. With this, a total of 56 persons have been tested with negative results.

One suspected case is at the isolation ward of a

Talking to reporters after the pronouncement of the judgment, the Speaker said that the resignation paper submitted by the MLA was not considered by his tribunal.

He added that the resignation paper he submitted to him (Speaker) was not related with the cases pending against the member.

Following the disqualification of the MLA, secretary of state legislative Assembly today notified that the seat of Andro Assembly Constituency in the house is now lying vacant.

The ruling of the Speaker came after hearing for three years in response to petitions seeking disqualification of the MLA filed by Congress MLAs. Congress MLA K Meghachandra who had knocked the door of the Supreme Court in protest against delay in delivering justice to disqualification petition cases against the MLA welcomed the judgment but asserted that it was too late.”

government hospital in Imphal. The person is said to be from Thoubal district.

Meanwhile , 2.6 metric tonne of medical items required by the state in combating outbreak of COVID19 was airlifted from Delhi today. The medical materials were airlifted under the initiative of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) extending solidarity to the state government in its precautionary and preventive measures to check outbreak of the disease in the state.

The NHPC arranged to airlift the cargo on the request of the state government and the items airlifted today included sanitizers, thermal scanners, masks etc.

A source from the NHPC said that the corporation has already earmarked Rs 4.5 crore to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. NHPC’s 105 mega watt Loktak Power Station in Manipur is also generating uninterrupted power in this situation of crisis, it added.

“I welcome the justice delivered by the Speaker but it is too late, as it has already affected the democratic rights of the people in the democracy,” the Congress MLA said in a statement dispatched to the media after the judgment of the Speaker.

He added that it has been three years he has been fighting for justice. He went to High Court of Manipur and then to Supreme Court.

“Had not the apex court given the recent order and its landmark judgment, the Speaker even might not have given the justice. So, I am grateful to the Supreme Court,” the Congress MLA stated, in the statement.

“Nobody can go against our Indian Constitution.

Protecting the Constitution is respecting democracy,” he added.

On March 18 last, the Supreme Court passed an interim barring Shyamkumar from entering the Legislative Assembly while ceasing him to be a cabinet minister immediately.

Dearest Baby Narsen, Wishing you a many many happy returns of the day... You are a blessing little one,tho today we may not be able to gather together and celebrate your birthday its my prayers n wishes that may the love of God n his grace be upon you as you celebrateur 1st Birthday and always keep you safe under his loving arms baby.

From Tiny Aunty

FELICITATION The Dzülhami Village Council on behalf of Dzülhami community express our heartiest congratulations to Er. Mülüsato Shijoh, S/o Mr. Thüpusayi Shijoh & Mrs. Alemla Shijoh for securing the post of Motor Vehicle Inspector through NPSC (Combined Technical Services Exam 2018-2019).

We also wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Müdonyi Shijo Chairman, DVC

Purüda Ringa Secretary, DVC

DP-2205

Locals buy vegetables, supplied by Assam Food Supply Department at Ganeshguri in Guwahati, Saturday. (PTI)

2.6 metric tonne of medical materials airlifted from Delhi to Imphal

K Y M C

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020

India proactive in combating COVID-19

NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (PTI): India’s response to COVID-19 has been “preemptive, pro-active and graded”, the government said on Saturday, brushing aside the allegation that the 21-day nationwide lockdown was announced without any planning.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry, in a statement, said the government had already put in place a “comprehensive response system” at the borders of the country, much before the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern on January 30.

The government has come in for criticism that the lockdown was announced without planning and also for the fact that migrant labourers are stranded across the country without any resources.

The government said screening of incoming air passengers, followed by suspension of visas and a ban on international flights were done much ahead of any other country.

“Thermal screening of incoming international passengers from China and Hong Kong was started on 18th January, much before the first case of coronavirus was detected in India on 30th January.

“India’s response to COVID-19 has been preemptive, pro-active and

A security person stands guard at J&K NH, during day-3 of a nationwide lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, in Jammu, Friday. (PTI)

graded,” the statement said.

Citing the examples of Italy and Spain, which started screening travellers 25 days and 39 days respectively after the first reported cases, the statement said the government took a number of proactive measures and shared the chronology of the steps taken by it.

It also refuted the allegation that “prosperous Indians” were allowed to return without screening, terming it “preposterous”.

“The government took swift action to put in a place a comprehensive and robust system of screening, quarantine and surveillance as part of its robust response to the public health crisis right from the beginning.

“This covered every

traveller, Indians returning after business or tourism, students as well as foreigners,” the statement said.

Passengers were screened at 30 airports, 12 major and 65 minor ports and at land borders, the government said, adding that over 36 lakh passengers were subjected to screening.

It also said that the states were regularly requested to maintain and further improve upon the surveillance system so that the coverage was complete and there were no gaps.

“A meticulous system has enabled the states to track down individuals who tried to avoid surveillance or who did not follow quarantine measures,” the govern-

Newspaper vendors be allowed to distribute papers: Delhi Police NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (PTI): The Delhi Police on Saturday said newspaper vendors would be allowed to distribute papers from 4 am to 9 am.

The order by Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava comes in the wake of reports that newspaper agents and distributors were being stopped amid the lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The order was sent to all deputy commissioners of police in the city.

“It has been reported that at many places, newspaper agents or distributors are being blocked from distributing newspapers.

The field functionaries be instructed to allow the newspaper vendors (to distribute papers),” the order stated.

On March 25, the Press Council of India (PCI) had also advised all state governments and administrative authorities to take necessary measures to ensure the smooth functioning of media during the lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

The ministry of information and broadcasting had also written to the states and union territories asking them to ensure operational continuity of print and electronic media

in the current situation.

“At this critical juncture, ensuring uninterrupted operation of printing Press, facilitation of functioning of media persons and continuity of distribution infrastructure of newspapers and magazine is vital,” the PCI statement said.

It is essential that the media houses be facilitated with the required support/ assistance for continued dissemination of appropriate information not only to create awareness amongst people but also for keeping the nation updated of the latest status related to COVID-19 outbreak, it added.

ment said.

The statement said 20 video-conferences were held by the Union Health Secretary with the state governments and six such conferences were held by the cabinet secretary with the state chief secretaries to review and step up the preparedness to deal with the issue.

“Integrated disease surveillance system, which includes monitoring of international travellers, is one of the many issues discussed in these video-conferences,” the statement said.

The number of COVID-19 cases climbed to 873 in India on Saturday with the death toll rising to 19, according to the Union Health Ministry.

India under lockdown, HM mum: Sibal

NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (IANS): Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Saturday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been keeping mum while the country is going through an unprecedented lockdown and migrants are struggling.

“While: 1) A locked down in our homes; 2) lakhs of migrants walk to reach home; 3) struggling to survive at home; and 4) many can’t reach home. Home Minister has neither spoken nor been seen by,” Sibal tweeted.

He also took a jibe at Shah that even he has not pressed any button, yet “we feel the current of government’s decisions at home!”

Shah, during the Delhi Assembly polls, had said that people should press the button so hard while voting that the current should be felt at Shaheen Bagh, where women were protesting NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (PTI): The rail- removed, the lower portion of the compart- against CAA. However, BJP ways has manufactured a prototype of an ment plugged by plywood and a provision could only manage to get 8 isolation ward for treating coronavirus of partition provided from the aisle side for of the 70 seats in Delhi. patients by converting non-air-conditioned the isolation of the compartment, the railways said. Each coach would have 10 isolatrain coaches, it said on Saturday.

Once the best practices are finalised in tion wards, it added. For medical equipment the next few days, each railway zone would to be plugged in, the railways has provided manufacture a rake with 10 coaches every 220-volt electrical points in each compart- NEW DELHI, MAR 28 week, the national transporter added. “Then ment, which have air curtains segregating (PTI): Holding the governwe will serve the hinterlands or whichever one patient from the other. ment responsible for the The railways has also provided a provi- plight of migrant workers region needs the coaches,” Northern Railsion for 415-volt supply externally. way Spokesperson Deepak Kumar said. who are walking down to The four toilets in each coach have their native places in the The prototype was manufactured at the Jagadhri workshop of the Northern been converted into two bathrooms by plug- wake of the COVID-19 Railways in Haryana’s Yamunagar. A se- ging the toilet pan and with proper flooring. lockdown, Congress leader nior official of the workshop told PTI that Each bathroom will have a hand shower, Rahul Gandhi on Satura Link Hofmann Busch (LHB) coach was a bucket and a mug. There is also a provi- day demanded that it take used for the purpose. To make the modi- sion for bottle-holders, which can hold four concrete steps so that the fied isolation ward, the middle berth was bottles in each compartment. situation “does not become a major tragedy”.

He also appealed to Congress workers to help such migrants by offering them food and shelter.

“The government is responsible for this terrible NEW DELHI, MAR 28 state publication posted his stormed his way into a condition.

It is a big crime (PTI): Central security picture identifying him with prominent gurdwara on agencies are looking into his ‘kunya’ (Arabic name) Wednesday in the heart of to bring citizens to this conthe role of Kerala youth Abu Khalid al-Hindi, the Afghanistan’s capital of Ka- dition. “Today, in the hour -- Mohammed Muhsin -- officials said. bul, in one of the deadliest of crisis, our brothers and who is believed to be one They said he, along attacks on the minority Sikh sisters should at least get of the terrorists of ISIS that with his family, had re- community in the strife- respect and support. The claimed responsibility of an turned to Kerala from Ma- torn country. The Islamic government should take attack on a gurdwara in Af- laysia in 2017 and later State terror group, which concrete steps as soon as ghanistan killing 25 people, had left for Saudi Arabia in has targeted Sikhs before possible so that it does not officials said on Saturday. search of work. The same in Afghanistan, claimed re- become a major tragedy,” The youth hails from year he returned and stayed sponsibility for the attack. Gandhi said on Twitter.

He said “hundreds of Kasargod, Kerala, and had with his family for someThe central agencies left India to the UAE in 2018 time before leaving for the with the help of local police our starved and thirsty brothfrom where he is believed to UAE in 2018, the officials reached out to the family of ers and sisters, along with have joined the ranks with said. the accused, who identified their families, are forced to the global terror organisaAt least 25 worship- him to be Muhsin from the walk down towards their tion in Afghanistan, they pers were killed and eight published picture which villages”. said. His identity was es- others injured when a heav- had ISIS flag in the back“If you can, please protablished after an Islamic ily armed suicide bomber ground, they said. vide them with food, water,

Rlys manufactures prototype of isolation ward in non-AC coaches

‘All BJP MPs to release Rs 1 crore from MPLAD funds’ NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (PTI): BJP president J P Nadda on Saturday announced that all party MPs will release Rs one crore from their annual development fund to the central relief fund to fight coronavirus pandemic.

In his tweets, he also said that all party MPs and MLAs will donate their one month salary towards it as well. “All MPs & MLAs of BJP will donate their one month remuneration/salary to the central relief fund to support the fight against Covid19. All MPs of BJP will release Rs 1 crore from their MPLADS fund to the central relief fund in support to fight against Covid-19,” he said.

The party at present has 386 MPs - 303 in Lok Sabha and 83 in Rajya Sabha. An MP gets Rs 5 cr every year as part of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).

As part of his party’s ongoing exercise to help the poor during the lockdown, Nadda also spoke to BJP leaders from West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to oversee the relief work, an official statement said.

The leaders included state and district chiefs, MPs and MLAs besides other senior functionaries as Nadda told them about various measures announced by PM Narendra Modi in the fight against the coronavirus.

5

Blood sample tests for those not having coronavirus

New Delhi, March 28(AGENCIES): India will soon start testing blood samples of people who do not have symptoms of the coronavirus disease in an attempt to find the scale of the outbreak.

The Indian Council of Medical Research, which is overseeing the country’s testing regime, is procuring 10 lakh kits for these serological tests. “We will start [testing] as soon as we get the kits,” said Nivedita Gupta, a senior scientist at the ICMR. These testing kits will not be used by the ICMR for diagnostic purposes. To identify active Covid-19 patients, India employs the RTPCR or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test on nasal or throat swab samples of suspected patients. The RT-PCR tests look for the presence of the virus in the DNA. In comparison, serological tests identify disease-

fighting antibodies in the blood, and are useful to map the spread of the virus among those who may not have shown any symptoms at all.

Rajni Kant Srivastava, director of the ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre, said the serological tests would be done as part of a study “to check the prevalence of Covid19 among asymptomatic people”.

Nivedita Gupta explained: “Right now we don’t know what is the spectrum of the disease - how many people would be there in our community who have been infected but never had symptoms. This is the way to find that out.”

In 2017, the National Institute of Epidemiology did a similar survey to gauge the extent of dengue in India. The survey was done in 240 clusters - 118 of them rural and the rest urban - across 60 districts in

15 states.

Two villages formed a rural cluster while two municipality wards formed an urban cluster. The 240 clusters were randomly selected using an Android programme.

The survey findings indicated that 49% of India’s population had been previously infected by the dengue virus.

On March 27, the ICMR released guidance for the use of rapid antibody testing kits in India, which said “positive test indicates exposure to SARS-CoV-2” but “negative test does not rule out COVID-19 infection”.

This is what makes the serological tests less reliable compared to the RT-PCR test for the purpose of diagnostics, that is, confirming whether a person is infected.

The guidance says the kits are “not recommended for diagnosis of COVID-19 infection”.

States, UTs vigil on travellers arriving from abroad NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (PTI): In a bid to check the spread of coronavirus, many state and Union Territories have intensified monitoring of international passengers who arrived in their jurisdictions over the past two months, officials said on Saturday.

The state and UT administrations have geared up their machinery after Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, in a letter Friday, told them that more than 15 lakh international travellers have arrived in India since January 18, but there appears to be a gap between the actual monitoring for COVID-19 and the total arrivals.

“We have information that the State and UT administrations have intensified their vigil on people who have arrived from abroad in last two months and whether any of them is developing symptoms of Covid-19,” a government official said.

Next few days are crucial and if anyone shows

Screening of passengers took place at 30 airports, 12 major and 65 minor pots and at land borders.

any symptoms, the local authorities will take action to quarantine them or shift to a designated hospital, the official said.

In his letter to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, the Cabinet Secretary said the gap in monitoring of international passengers for Coronavirus may seriously jeopardise the efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19, given that many amongst the persons who have tested positive for so

far in India have history of international travel.

“As you are aware, we initiated screening of international incoming passengers at the airports with effect from January 18, 2020. I have been informed that up to March 23, 2020, cumulatively, Bureau Of Immigration has shared details of more than 15 lakh incoming international passengers with the States / UTs for monitoring for Covid-19.

“However, there appears to be a gap between the number of international passengers who need to be monitored by the States / UTs and the actual number of passengers being monitored,” Gauba said in his letter. The government has started monitoring of all international passengers who have arrived in India over the last two months in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Gauba said it is important that all international passengers are put under close surveillance to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

“I understand that Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has repeatedly emphasised this and requested the States and UTs to take immediate steps in this regard.

“I would, therefore, like to request you to ensure that concerted and sustained action is taken urgently to put such passengers under surveillance immediately as per MoHFW guidelines,” he said.

Govt responsible for terrible condition of migrant workers: Cong

Security agencies look into role of Kerala youth in Kabul terror attack

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

shelter to them during this arduous journey. I particularly appeal for help from Congress workers and leaders. Jai Hind,” Gandhi also tweeted in Hindi.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said when government can send planes to bring back Indians from abroad, why it cannot provide transport to send the labourers home.

“How can we as a nation just leave thousands of migrant workers to fend for themselves? There are men, women and children who are walking as far as Eastern UP and Bihar,” she said.

“We sent planes to bring citizens from Europe, why aren’t we organising transport to take the poorest and

most vulnerable amongst us home,” she tweeted.

She said it is the government’s moral duty to help fellow citizens in this time of crisis. “For God’s sake, Modi ji and Amit Shah ji please use the power you have been given to save

their lives,” Priyanka Gandhi said in an appeal to the PM and Home minister.

“Do not give this treatment to our own Indians.

We should be ashamed that we have left them in this state. These are our own. Labour is the backbone of the country. Please help them,” she said.

She lauded the efforts of UP Congress in helping the people in this hour of crisis. Former finance minister P Chidambaram termed it “another distressing example of the government’s unpreparedness”.

The Congress has been critical of the government’s handling of the situation, accusing it of not taking

adequate steps to mitigate the plight of migrant labour force. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had also written to the prime minister, urging him to take immediate steps to help the poor migrant labour force, who have been forced to return home on foot in the absence of public transport amid the countrywide lockdown due to coronavirus.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also tweeted: “Respected Prime Minister, It is most important to stop this human tragedy. Two pleas: Full ration, half pay. Just food and medicine, Every person should reach home safely.”

Silver Jubilee Celebration Postponed This is to inform all that Assembly of God Church Lama Basti Silver Jubilee Celebration on st 1 and 2nd April 2020 is postponed until further notice. For needed information please contact jubilee celebration committee mobile numbers : 9612643896/ 7005816514/ 9378104349.

DP-2204

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Whether you have the corona virus or not

Vol. XXx NO. 112 Dimapur, SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020

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Viral world war

hile the coronavirus has ravaged several nations across the world where thousands have been confirmed as being infected with coronavirus, the figure in India should be a source of reassurance that the virus is on a small scale and can be contained and not allowed to take on community spread phase of Stage 3. As of March 28 the death toll globally was 26,943 in 176 countries and the total number of confirmed cases was 5,90, 594. The figure is going to rise further. Though India has the second highest population after China, it’s coronavirus cases and toll are very minimal. The As per the latest figure till 9 p.m. on March 28, there were 933 confirmed coronavirus cases and 20 deaths in India, where a 21-day lockdown is currently in force. A total of 84 people have recovered after contracting Covid-19.

The figure in India is just a mere speck compared to that of other nations. As per the report of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as of March 23, the total number of individuals tested for COVID-19 at 92 state-run labs across the country as 17,493. Compare that to South Korea, which in the same period, has tested 2,90,000 carrying out more than 5,500 tests per million people. Italy, in the same time period, had more than 2,500 per million. India lags at just 10 tests per million. here are still so many possibilities of infection cases shooting up in India. If blood sample testing for coronavirus is to be done for at least ten lakh people out of the country’s 130 crore population, the figure will sky rocket. That could also mean that India may already be in Stage 3 of the virus (community spread). The United Kingdom had performed close to 1,500 per million. The US now has more coronavirus cases than any other country after more than 16,000 COVID-19 infections were reported there in a single day, taking the number of patients in America to 1,00,717.

America leads with COVID-19 cases, followed by China with 81,782 and Italy with 80,589 infections.

The virus shot up exponentially in the USA and has now pushed the health services almost to breaking point. The world’s economic and military power today is battling its worst ever nightmare and it will need all the resources to contain the virus. Globally, a total of 24,057 people have died due to the novel coronavirus with Italy standing at the top with 8,215 deaths, followed by Spain (4,365) and China (3,169), as per figures by health authorities. China used surveillance capabilities, like the controversial facial recognition software to turn the tide. Not only did they not impose a lockdown in December, when it became clear that China was dealing with a new and dangerous respiratory illness, but they covered it up. Take the case of Dr. Li Wenliang, the doctor who tried to raise the alarm but was forced to sign a confession admitting to “spreading false rumors”. Dr Li then, ultimately, died of the coronavirus. China managed to stem the tide by undertaking measures bordering on blatant violation of human rights in its intense efforts to identify and isolate the infected. It appears that India might be on a long haul to fight the virus and at what cost, remains a billion Yen question.

DailyDevotion Isn’t There Some Misunderstanding?

“Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “…are You going there again?” —John 11:7-8 Just because I don’t understand what Jesus Christ says, I have no right to determine that He must be mistaken in what He says. That is a dangerous view, and it is never right to think that my obedience to God’s directive will bring dishonor to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonor is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honor ahead of what He is plainly guiding me to do is never right, even though it may come from a real desire to prevent Him from being put to an open shame. I know when the instructions have come from God because of their quiet persistence. But when I begin to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate enter into my mind, I am bringing in an element that is not of God. This will only result in my concluding that His instructions to me were not right. Many of us are faithful to our ideas about Jesus Christ, but how many of us are faithful to Jesus Himself? Faithfulness to Jesus means that I must step out even when and where I can’t see anything (see Matthew 14:29). But faithfulness to my own ideas means that I first clear the way mentally.

Faith, however, is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead.

Are you debating whether you should take a step of faith in Jesus, or whether you should wait until you can clearly see how to do what He has asked? Simply obey Him with unrestrained joy. When He tells you something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a misunderstanding of what honors Him and what doesn’t. Are you faithful to Jesus, or faithful to your ideas about Him? Are you faithful to what He says, or are you trying to compromise His words with thoughts that never came from Him? “Whatever He says to you, do it” (John 2:5).

Quotes

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance. ~ Confucius

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020

W

hether you have the corona virus or not it is undeniable that the world is in a state of turmoil. The fact that almost all countries in the world have been put into lockdown shows us the severity of the situation, while young people might be making fun of the virus on social media, we cannot take it for granted, recently a healthy 21 year old girl with no past health conditions died of the corona virus which shows us nobody is safe. Teenagers and youths are not immune. This is world war III, a world war not between the triple alliance and the triple entente, but a war between humanity and a virus. In times such as these, doctors and nurses are the heroes we need. Now I mean no disrespect to the Indian army in any way, but now that a war of this scale is going on, what good are the guns and weapons doing us? I mean yes, the military is an integral part of the country and its safety but did you know that the budget for the health sector is only 14

E

very day the global scenario keeps changing especially the health and economic facets due to terrible onset of coronavirus. Global humanity is gripped with fear and thus panicking in the face of an invisible killer—coronavirus (COVID-19). Cutting across race, class, caste, religion, ethnicity, borders, countries or whoever is petrified and totally jilted of this deadly invader reigning over currently the whole world.

The invisible killer has completely brought all activities to a grinding halt. On top of it COVID-19 made everyone right across the world to go for self-imposed captivity as of now for three-weeks and it might even extend.

It has affected and paralyzed the regular rhythm of human movements and activities by forcing people to stay in-doors. Out of fear and panic people stay indoors. Probably for the first time in history such major shut downs and lock downs taking place across the world. How can the invisible killer be negotiated? Is it possible for humans? Since it is invisible not knowing its origin and other details how could we approach the virus? If yes, what are the ways and means? Hundreds

percent of that of the defence budget?

We all know about the Rafale jet controversy but did you know that the 36 jets alone cost about 9 percent of the health budget of India? This is staggering considering the fact that India is near and about 140 in the healthcare rankings performed by the HAQ falling below countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan and should be investing to improve this number. The jets cost India 7.8 billion dollars where as a life saving equipment like a ventilator(a device which helps patients breathe when their respiratory system fails) costs only around 30 thousand dollars. India has a population of about 133 crores compared to 40000 working ventilators. This is in no way adequate and with even a fraction of the amount spent on the jets and weapons, the government could save so many lives. My mother was one of the many victims of this shortage of medical facilities, what seemed like a normal flu at first turned out much

I

worse than expected, she had contracted an infection in her lungs which was causing her problems to breathe. I thank the doctors and nurses who spent sleepless nights looking after her till her very last breath in the ICU but the fact of the matter is that they did not have the proper equipment and facilities to cure her and she was not lucky enough to be provided with a ventilator which meant she could not be transported to a hospital with better facilities and she took her last breath on a cold steel bed in the hospital alone. Now during the time of this Pandemic there is nothing I can do for her except pray to god to look after her in her abode up above but what I can do is ask you to help get this message across and spread awareness against this issue so that the next daughter or son who is feeling helpless like how I did can have their prayers answered and grow up with the love of a mother.

Imna Jamir, The Assam Valley School

want to put a piece of my mind in public domain about the so-called police brutalities in India and in our State, Nagaland as well. In a way it cannot be termed as Police brutalities. It is the State’s collective decision that was placed upon the shoulders of the Administration and Police to carry out their duties with a view to maintain Law and Order.

Every ‘organ’ has its own responsibility; that is Legislature, Executive & Judiciary. For example, in Nagaland we have 60 Legislators which include a Chief Minister and Ministers and MLAs from the ruling and Opposition.

On their own volitions, they contested elections and accordingly the people gave them their mandate. Law and Order in a State/Country is executed under the direction of the Legislative wing of the organ.

The Administration in a State is headed by the Chief Secretary down to the level of an EAC, so also the Police is headed by the DGP down to the level of a Constable. It is also by the personal choice of an individual whether to be in the Police force or the Administration. Likewise, whether an IAS, NCS, IPS or NPS etc. all participated in the recruitment examination in his/her own individual’s volition.

In short, no body is serving in any capacity by force but by choice.

In the context of Nagaland State the Village administration, both Execu-

tive and Judiciary, are being administered by the respective Village Councils, Therefore, in a way the practical action of Administrative and Police officers is mostly in Urban Areas.

Whether it is the Administration or Police, they should not unnecessarily provoke nor use force. Some even go to the extent of making such unwanted actions look like they are meant for the well-being of the Public. This notion is absolutely wrong. There are much better and civilised methods to deal with the Public to maintain Law and Order but not only by the obligation of brute forces.

Human mind is by nature dynamic but not static. Human always explore their rights and windows so as to defend their rights. On any given obligation, use of brute force on them will equally generate ripples and opposition. I have been observing the Police activities across the Country in the present Coronavirus spectre.

Yes, on the order of the Legislators, executive and Police are carrying out such orders so as to help/prevent the spread of this Virus. The intention is good but the method of implementation has gone beyond reasonable limit and therefore it cannot be defended.

As such, the Executive and Legislative organ of the State should address the issue before it snowballs into another controversy of unwanted dimension.

Imkong L. Imchen, MLA

Invinsible God: In the face of invisible killer

and thousands of global workers across the world are forced to remain at home.

Even during World War11, except few countries not such major steps like the current ones.

Considered as motors and engines of economic growth, technological innovation and advancements and know for “good health care system and facility vis-à-vis”Western Europe, Japan, USA seem be crumbling and crashing economically and as days go by these countries are increasingly getting exposed for their unpreparedness to the emergent pandemic. Countries are going for economic stimulus as US government received $2 trillion as part of economic package to keep the US economy afloat and to negotiate invisible killer as well.

Leaders from the developed countries and others in hurry keep saying that by Easter or after some weeks of lockdown life could become normal, but the health experts and those who know about the severity of the pandemic say these narratives are aspirational and therefore duration of time and specific period shall never be predicted. Besides economic component one of

the important facets which is equally important is psychological. The killer pandemic sliced through human psychology and is creating fear of loneliness, trauma and emotional instability. Total lockdown means remaining at home and socials and community get-togethers are forbidden.

The pace with which the world in which we lived prior to the killer disease has been so packed driven by all sorts of desires and aspirations. This lockdown has created psychological fear of contamination leading to fear of losing life and loneliness. Deadly virus has drastically changed the rhythm, routine and pattern of life. One clear message that the invisible killer virus sent to the world is humans are vulnerable and be demolished or be prepared to leave from the face of the earth anytime. And also keep warning that despite good medical care, technology and medical care your life is at stake—would strike anytime and anywhere.

The pandemic clearly indicates that we are not in control of time, pace and space and so these are beyond us—a sheer reminder that we are just mortals, like grass and at any time

we are gone. The current killer COVID-19 clearly exposed our susceptibility openly and nakedly. Take for instance, the body language and narratives of some global leaders a few months ago; compare those to the present. Everything what you observed then and now has been totally changed—largely subdued, mellowed-down and now they know their limitations.

Those who were arrogant and relying on their strength are made to realize that they are responsible and accountable to the lives and security of their citizens. These are the testing times for those populist leaders.

Deadly killer virus has shocked, shaken and brought the whole world to its knee and taught us that we are mortals and so rely on God who is invincible, all-knowing and present everywhere.

People right across have been shattered and disillusioned not knowing what is at stake next—lost their hopes because they foresee changing in relationships, appetites and habits that would drastically alter their life style due to the on-set of coronavirus. We should come to terms to the current impasse. COVID-19 is real, and so, it is in us and with us.

Social distance: Away from people, a way to God

I

Police brutalities

With the onset of the deadly killer we cannot run away, but, as said ”Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the wrath is past” (Isa: 26:20).

In the Christian tradition we have number of responses. In the wake of current lockdown, we should learn to withdraw from the bustling activities of this world and learn to concentrate on spirituality of combat. “... if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, and then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive … and heal their land” (2 Chro 7:14).

A killer virus surfaced all of a sudden rattling the human race to its dictates and what then the best way to respond. COVID-19 has pervaded into the psychosomatic domains. As a result everyone seems to have lost their hope. In such a context what is the best way to bounce back?

Over centuries, humans managed to cruise through and carefully navigated all sorts of barriers. Despite all odds what is that push factor that propels us to survive and sustain? It is the

Spirit in us solidly grounded in our God in Jesus Christ who dwells in us in flesh and blood. It is this Sprit that gushes in us shaping our being and becoming by constantly igniting the power of God—the Alpha and Omega—dwelling in our midst in Spirit. However, we are as mortals seem to have believed and faltered to the dictates of COVID-19. The trust we reposed on coronavirus has gradually shifted to the world of materiality and in the process abandoning our trust in God. As against the backdrop, we are once again reminded what Jesus said “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage. I have conquered the world” (Jn 16: 33). The God in Jesus Christ who is present with us in Spirit is the God of invincibility. Our faith affirmation ought to be ground on the spirituality of combat as Jesus Christ conquered the world and death. We live in uncertain times that requires unflinching faith response that counters invisible and visible forces (idols/Mammon) of death.

Dr. John Mohan Razu

Reader’s Post

I needed to be realistic. No withdraws himself to lonely matter how religious one may places for communion with claim himself or herself to his Father. Many of God’s be at this point, it would be great servants who responded wrong to go against the orders to God’s voice received their of the government and put call when they were alone the life of other people into and on their own. Moses, Sir, I am deeply pained with the outbreak of COVID -19 and its effect the world terrible jeopardy.

Samuel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, As we read more and Joseph, Mary and a host of is facing today and I wish to express my profound solidarity to every individual more the press release of other people met God when who has been affected by COVID-19 pandemic.

At this crucial juncture we cannot afford to be complacent and be a victim church associations and local they were alone. churches coming out openly Assuring the disciples of of this dreaded virus, therefore, NPF party has distributed leaflets on awareness in support of the government his presence in their times of for COVID-19 outbreak in 15 local dialects with deep concern for the general by complying with its direc- isolation and suffering, Jesus public from rural areas who do not understand English and also distributed tives, suspension of corporate told them that “where two sanitizers, masks etc.

An earnest appeal to my fellow Rengmas wherever you are : strictly abide worship in the church might or three are gathered in my not go down very well with name, I will be there among and follow the Govt’s directives and implement total lockdown which is the some Naga Christians. Nagas, them.” This is that time in only way to contain the virus from spreading. Be strong in every aspect and irrespective of our denomi- our history when the presence continue to fight and also pray ceaselessly.

Let us all extend our co-operation and help in every way possible to the national differences, love to of God is needed most and pray in mass like no other when his promise becomes Administration, Police, Medical Departments, our apex NGOs and volunteers Christian groups. We love to more real. Lodged in our own who are all in the forefront sacrificing their own for our survival.

God with us we shall overcome. sing together in a community homes with our own family with all the parts, unlike other or stranded in those lonely AR. Loguseng Semp, Ex Candidate, 12th Tseminyu A/c Christians who also sing in houses with no one or cast groups but only in one part. away in an unfriendly place To pray in silence and to all alone by yourself, this maintain quite time is not our might not be the most conveSir, fort. But this time it might be nient time to worship but it It has been found that many people are stranded in the Dimapur Railway an opportunity for us to withdefinitely is the right time to Station for days now after the lockdown with trains cancelled. Seeing the plight draw from social hullabaloo and retreat ourselves into the turn to God. Social distance of these people many organizations are doing their bit by providing food to presence of God. Didn’t the is taking people away from them.

However, there needs to be coordination as things are done voluntarily. It ancient teacher of the Old people, but it is also showing us a way to God. As we dismay so happen… More that more than one group may bring food at the same Testament time remind us that there is a time for every- tance ourselves and withdraw time which may lead to wastage.

Therefore, the district administration of Dimapur is requested to depute thing and a season for every from fellow human beings, let activity under heaven? This us take this situation to inch someone to oversee the whole exercise to ensure that this act of kindness is might be one of those times closer to God and forge an carried out smoothly. The stranded people have to be sustained for a substantial when God is offering us the intimate bond of relationship period of time. So it is hoped that the matter will be looked into with seriousness at the earliest. much needed moment of soli- with Him. Rev. Rümatho Nyusou Timir Choudhury, Concern Citizen, Dimapur tude and silence. Jesus often 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.

n the wake of the growing menace of COVID-19 pandemic all over the world, the best available prescription flying out from the laboratory of medical research centers until now is “Social Distance.”

In the absence of any vaccine to battle this deathly virus, “Social Distance” seems to be the best and only existing antidote. At this critical juncture, as tens of thousands of dedicated medical experts across the world search and research for a solution to this problem, we can only sincerely hope and pray that an eureka moment comes sooner than later, before more lives are lost to this enigmatic virus.

In the ensuing attempt to curb this deadly disease, when we consider the mixed reaction of people on the tough decision of the government in clamping down on all public gatherings, including religious gatherings for worship, by introducing Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), one wonders whether the government of a secular country is trespassing on its citizens by overstepping into the spiritual jurisdiction. Like most religious people, that was my immediate reaction when I first heard the announcement.

But on second thought, a more sober thought, I realized that I was still on earth and that

Appeal to Rengmas

Appeal to administration

COVID-19: Italy registers 969 deaths in one day

Don Marcello Crotti, left, blesses the coffins with Don Mario Carminati in the San Giuseppe church in Seriate, Italy, Saturday. (AP/PTI)

66,414. “About 6 percent of the total, or 3,732 patients, are currently in intensive care,” Arcuri explained.

According to epidemiological data released by the National Health Institute (ISS) on Friday (and based on data up to Thursday), at least 6,414 health professionals were among those positive for the coronavirus so far.

“They have an average age of 49 years, and some 35 percent of them are male,” the ISS wrote in a bulletin.

At the press conference, the commissioner stressed statistics in Italy and in many other places around the world “prove

how global and wide this health crisis is.”

“In a global crisis, there is a clear need of cooperation, without egoism, and Italy is playing its due part,” he stressed.

Arcuri also recalled Italian authorities were putting much effort in trying to find and purchase equipment and protective gear necessary in the emergency from as many countries as possible. “We keep cooperating with many countries, and keep buying (equipment) from France, Germany, China, and Russia... while talks are under way with further countries, which are often located very far from

us,” he said.

“This is the time of cooperation and solidarity, with no further implication, whether of political or geographical nature. Wherever there is a chance to obtain solutions to our citizens’ problems... that is the right place to go,” he stressed.

Arcuri said all Italian productive and social actors have been called to give their contribution to strengthen industrial production and help the country become more self-sufficient in terms of medical equipment in these exceptional circumstances. In related news on Friday, the country’s Education Minister announced

schools would most likely remain shut beyond the national lockdown period so far imposed by the government, which was officially effective until April 3.

“For sure, the school closure will be extended over the April 3 date,” Lucia Azzolina told state TV broadcast RAI 1.

“At the moment, our goal is to ensure students will return to school only after health authorities have guaranteed this is safest... our pupils’ and our educational staff ’s health is the priority.” The minister explained that “information about final exams, both in primary and secondary schools, will be provided to students in the next weeks.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s cabinet was at work to outline further measures to help the country’s industrial and social fabric sustain the impact of the health crisis.

A first package worth 25 billion euros (27.7 billion U.S. dollars) was passed earlier this month.

Addressing the senate on Thursday, Conte said he was confident the government would be able “to offer companies, families, and workers additional allocations, for a total not lower than 50 billion euros (including the first package).”

COVID-19 stress leads to spike in domestic violence globally SAN FRANCISCO/PARIS, MAR 28 (IANS): With more than one-fifth of the world’s population now staying home owing to lockdowns and social distancing, there has been a spike in domestic violence cases across the world and law enforcement agencies are flooded with such calls. In Texas in the US, advocates say they are seeing an increase in domestic violence-related calls, reports KLTV. Domestic violence survivors are at most risk in such situation as people have been asked not to go out. “They’re at risk right now and that is an increase risk when people are quarantined together in their homes or they’re in lock down,” Glenna Harkness, Programme Director, Family Crisis Center of East Texas in Lufkin, was quoted

as saying. The calls to the centre’s 24-hour hotline have increased by 20 per cent this week, according to Harkness.

“It’s not just physical abuse it’s emotional, it’s psychological and when people are confined in spaces unfortunately it increases during that time,” she added.

Nonprofit organisations fear that ‘shelter-in-place’ policy has made it more difficult for victims to call for support. Such increase in domestic violence calls are being reported from Brazil to Germany and Italy to China. For many French women and families suffering from domestic violence, being confined at home has become a living nightmare, reports France24.

Paris-based psychiatrist Marie-France Hirigoyen recently recounted the plight

M A D R I D, M A R 2 8 (IANS): The Spanish government has banned layoffs during the coronavirus pandemic in the country, saying it had put enough measures in place for temporary leaves to be granted to employees instead.

Employment Minister Yolanda Diaz told a press conference on Friday that nobody was “allowed to use COVID-19 as an excuse to fire people”, reports Efe news. “It is not necessary to fire anyone in this country, this crisis is a parenthesis, we believe there are sufficient mechanisms in this country for people to use public resources responsibly,” she added.

Diaz said the government had simplified the process of placing employees on temporary leave, which now required simply filling out a basic form.

The Minister said temporary contracts due to ex-

of one woman stuck at home. France has been in lockdown since March 17.

In an earlier report, Human Rights Watch cited local Chinese media reports on the uptick in domestic abuse. The report said that the lockdown had triggered a “greater incidence of domestic violence for reasons including increased stress, cramped and difficult living conditions, and breakdowns in community support mechanisms”. Even kids are at risk too.

In Ger many, with schools closed, child protection organizations have warned of a potential increase in child abuse.

According to Rainer Rettinger, Chief executive of the German Children’s Association, says the situation for some children could become life-threatening.

President Donald Trump signs the coronavirus stimulus relief package, at the White House, Friday. (AP/PTI)

want to thank Republicans and Democrats for coming together, setting aside their differences, and putting America first.”

Later at a news briefing, he said he expected another emergency relief package for the nation’s economy crushed by closing of businesses as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus and the rising medical costs.

The relief package includes aid for businesses, allocation for medical efforts against the coronavirus, food assistance, extended unemployment benefits and

help for states and local governments. It was passed by a voice vote in the House as many of the 435 representatives could not be present because they were stuck in their constituencies either due to self-quarantine or cancellation of flights.

During the Friday session, the House mirrored the coronavirus prevention measures across the nation: Representatives maintained social distances and disinfected microphones and some wore latex gloves.

The Senate had earlier passed the legislation for the package after more than a

SAN FRANCISCO, MAR 28 (IANS): In what could be the fastest available molecular point-of-care test for the detection of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), USbased healthcare technology maker Abbott has unveiled a test that can deliver positive results in as little as five minutes.

The test can also be used outside the four walls of a traditional hospital such as in the physicians’ office or urgent care clinics.

Abbott on Friday said it has received emergency use authorisation (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the test. Testing remains a crucial step in controlling the novel COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing to supply healthcare providers with new technologies to help curb the spread of infection is a top priority for public health officials and healthcare providers.

Molecular point-ofcare testing for COVID-19 offers healthcare workers rapid results in more settings where people show up for care.

Molecular testing technologies help detect the presence of a virus by identifying a small section of the virus’ genome, then amplifying that portion until there’s

This process can cut testing wait time to as little as five minutes for positive results and 13 minutes for negative results.

enough for detection.

This process can cut testing wait time from hours, if not days, to as little as five minutes for positive results and 13 minutes for negative results.

The new Abbott ‘ID NOW COVID-19’ test runs on Abbott’s ID NOWTM platform -- a lightweight box (6.6 pounds and the size of a small toaster) that can sit in a variety of locations.

Because of its small size, it can be used in more non-traditional places where people can have their results in a matter of minutes, bringing an alternate testing technology to combat the novel coronavirus.

Abbott said it is ramping up production to deliver 50,000 ID NOW COVID-19 tests per day, beginning next week, to the U.S. healthcare

system.

“Through the incredible work of teams across Abbott, we expect to deliver 50,000 COVID-19 tests per day to healthcare professionals on the front lines, where testing capabilities are needed most,” Chris Scoggins, Senior Vice President, Rapid Diagnostics, Abbott, said in a statement.

This comes on the heels of Abbott’s announcement last week of the availability of the Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 EUA test.

Combined with ID NOW, Abbott expects to produce about 5 million tests in April. When not being used for COVID-19 testing, ID NOW is the leading molecular point-of-care platform for Influenza A&B, Strep A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) testing.

Spain bans lay-offs amid COVID-19 crisis

US enacts largest relief package in history NEW YORK, MAR 28 (IANS): US President Donald Trump has signed the largest economic stimulus package in history worth about $2 trillion to rescue the nation from the clutches of the coronavirus pandemic after Congress in a rare show of unity passed it.

The relief package was enacted on Friday as the US recorded 103,942 coronavirus cases during a week in which 3.3 million people officially registered as unemployed. A total of 1,693 people have died in the US due to the disease.

The highlight of the package, which amounts to almost 10 per cent of the US GDP, is an outright payment of $1,200 each to almost all adults in the country and $500 each to most children to help them tide over the crisis.

After months of confrontation and invectives capped by Trump’s impeachment, the two parties came together to approve the recovery package by voice vote on Friday in the House of Representatives and unanimously in the Senate on Wednesday.

But the hostility lingered as Trump did not invite Democratic Party leaders who had worked hard to get it through Congress to the signing ceremony, even though he said: “I

Abbott’s portable test can detect COVID-19 in 5 minutes

week of haggling between the White House and the Democrats.

Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thanked Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, with whom she has been at odds on various issues, for cooperating on the relief package.

“We are all a family, and like many families, we have our differences, but we also know what is important to us.”

The apolitical Commerce Secretary Steven Mnuchin negotiated the package with the Democrats

because of the toxic relations Trump and Republican leaders had with the Democrats.

High drama preceded the passage of the relief package legislation, even as the nation beaten down economically by the movement restrictions waited for help.

Both parties could not risk creating an impression that they delayed or blocked the emergency aid While the initial blockage came from Democrats, who wanted to ensure that the assistance given to corporations was not used to buoy their stock prices or for management bonuses, and wanted to increase benefits to workers, the final hurdle came unexpectedly from four Republican Senators opposing extension of unemployment benefits.

Forceful action by Trump and the party leadership made them back down.

In the House, a lone Republican representative, Thomas Massie, threatened to block the voting using procedural tactics. Trump came down hard on him, calling for his expulsion from the party.

In a tweet, Trump even agreed with Democratic Party leader John Kerry who had used an unprintable epithet to describe what he said was the representative’s malaise of stupidity that needed quarantining.

pire in the near future would be frozen and resumed after the crisis. Diaz’s announcement came 10 days after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez unveiled an unprecedented 200 billion euro aid package designed to help businesses by offering credit lines.

The government also said it would pay benefits to workers put on temporary leave, whether or not they would have qualified in regular circumstances.

Meanwhile, Maria Jesus Montero, the government’s spokeswoman, urged the European Union (EU) to offer a clear response to the health crisis after the bloc failed to land consensus on a financial package following six hours of debate on Thursday. “The EU is synonymous with solidarity and welfare. It cannot turn its back on the population during a crisis like this. We would never forgive that.”

EU leaders said they would meet again to discuss its response within two weeks.

Spanish health authorities on Friday said 769 coronavirus patients had died in the last 24 hours, the highest daily toll in the country since the outbreak began.

The new peak brings the total number of deaths in Spain to 4,858, while the number of new infections rose 14 per cent in a day, the lowest increase in the last 15 days. Spain has recorded a total of 64,059 confirmed cases, almost 50,000 of which are still active.

Fe r n a n d o S i m o n , the head of Spain’s public health emergency department, said the new figures provided a “certain hope” that the country was experiencing a flattening of the curve in terms of new cases, adding that such analysis must be treated with caution at this time.

US arranges airlifting citizens stuck in India NEW YORK, MAR 28 (IANS): The US government was arranging to airlift American citizens stuck in India because of the lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a State Department official.

Ian Brownlee, the official dealing with consular affairs, said on Friday: “We are working directly with both US and foreign carriers to lay on aircraft direct from India to the US,” to bring them back.

He said that the flights could start in about three days, “but it’s the permitting that takes a while both in India and the US”.

Last week, the State De par tment issued a “Level 4” travel alert advising its citizens not to travel internationally and asking those abroad to return home.

India is under a lockdown to fight the coronavirus pandemic with all commercial passenger flights cancelled.

Brownlee said that about 1,500 Americans in the New Delhi area, between 600 and 700 in the Mumbai area and 300 to 400 elsewhere had ex-

pressed interest in returning home.

He said that a church group has chartered a large aircraft to bring 150 or so Americans from India and the State Department was helping them get the necessary permits for the plane.

He said that an American citizen, who had tested positive for the virus in Bhutan, was brought back to the US about 10 days ago and “is doing very well”.

The principal deputy assistant secretary was briefing reporters about help for American citizens abroad affected by the pandemic and visas for doctors to come to the US.

Brownlee said that while routine visa services were suspended, visas would be processed for medical personnel already accepted in US programmes. But he added, “We are not going out looking for others.”

He said globally the State Department was looking about 33,000 citizens stranded abroad due to lockdowns and/or cancellation of flights who wanted help returning home.

Some Americans have decided to wait out the curfew or the quarantine where they are and many of them are expats with homes in the countries they are located in, the official added.

K-458

ROME, MAR 28 (IANS): The cumulative number of coronavirus cases in Italy reached 86,498 on Friday, exceeding the total figure registered in China, according to data by the Civil Protection Department coordinating the national emergency response.

The pandemic also claimed 969 lives, a new single-day record high in fatalities registered here since the outbreak hit the country’s northern regions on February 21, Xinhua news agency reported.

The death toll grew to 9,134, with 50 fatalities occurred on Thursday and not yet included in the total figure, national commissioner for the emergency Domenico Arcuri explained at a daily press conference.

In unveiling the new statistics, Arcuri took the place of extraordinary commissioner and Civil Protection Department Chief Angelo Borrelli, who was under home confinement for the second day in a row due to fever (but negative for coronavirus).

According to the data, 589 new cured people were registered on a daily basis, bringing total recoveries to 10,950. With 4,401 people tested positive on Friday, the number of active coronavirus infections grew to

7

INTERNATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020

8

business/state

Will speak to Banks to facilitate cash flow: FM

NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (AGENCIES): Lauding efforts of bankers in this difficult time, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said that she will speak to all banks to facilitate cash flow and enable timely access to all. She also assured that she will talk to states and ensure that there are no restrictions in the movement of cash, bankers, vendors or bank mitra.

“Appreciate the service Bank Mitra/Banking Correspondents are undertaking across the country.

Will talk to states - request no restrictions in their movements. Will speak to all banks to facilitate cash flow. Let’s ensure timely access to all,” the Finance Minister said in a series of tweets.

It is to be noted that the government earlier this week announced a slew of measures, including direct benefit transfer of cash assistance to poor, old age people and disabled, for mitigating hardship posed by outbreak of coronavi-

Nirmala Sitharaman

rus. “The entire banking fraternity deserves recognition and thanks for their tireless and brave efforts to ensure that banking services continue in these adverse times and that every customer is reached in a timely and safe manner,” she said.

Appreciating efforts of bankers, she said, “Bank officials and staff have consistently been on the frontline in providing services to customers during this time of adversity, whether

it is physically providing cash where it is needed or keeping branches open no matter what”.

According to Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), 1,05,988 bank branches across the country were operational on Friday.

However, banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday.

The Secretary of Corporate Affairs on Saturday addressed the concerns of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation

of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM) and PHD Chamber in view of nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.

“Secretary, Corporate Affairs, has held discussions with Confederation of Indian Industry, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and PHD Chamber to hear and address their concerns. Ministry of Finance will continuously remain and respond to Industry’s inputs,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister appreciated the service banks correspondents across the country and said that she will talk to states and request for no restrictions in their movements.

Meanwhile, IBA has appealed to customers to strictly observe social distancing and avoid visiting branches unless very necessary.

Avoid touching coun-

ters, common places by maintaining proper distance from staff before and after physical transactions, IBA said.

It also urged customers to avoid crowding and maintain 1 to 1.5 metre distance between each other in the queue and only 5-6 customers to enter the branch at a time.

Anyone with cough and cold symptoms to avoid physical transactions, and asked senior citizens and children to desist from going to branches, it said.

The association also asked customers to use gloves or sanitizers or masks while entering the branches, and to carry all documents required for transaction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a 21-day lockdown in the entire country effective from midnight to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that “social distancing” is the only option to combat the disease.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020

Gadkari asks NHAI chief, toll operators to ensure food, water support to migrants NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (PTI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday asked NHAI Chairman and toll operators across national highways to provide food, water and other necessary support to migrant workers.

The directions came amid reports that migrant workers are facing severe hardships while stranded at various parts in the country on account of nationwide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

“I have advised Chairman NHAI and Highway Concessioners/Toll operators to consider providing food, water or any kind of support to migrant workers/citizens who are trying to reach to their respective native places.

“At this time of crisis we have to be compassionate for our fellow citizens,” Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari said. The minister expressed hope that toll operators will respond to

Nitin Gadkari

his call positively.

Earlier, Gadkari had asked NHAI to suspend toll on all national highways to ease transportation of essential goods and supplies.

The suspension of toll collection on national highways will ease supplies of essential goods across the country while facilitating movement of patients and needy people who have obtained curfew passes, Gadkari had said.

Urging people to adhere to the nationwide lockdown, the minister has said suspension of toll is for people who have to venture out for necessary travel.

“Even though it’s a complete lockdown all over the country, there are provisions to issue necessary passes/permissions for those people who approach the relevant authorities and convince their necessities to travel,” he had said.

Such passes are being issued by local authorities so that the needy people can travel, he added.

“Suspension of toll collection is for such people who travel in private vehicles. This will ease their journey without wasting time at the toll plaza.

“Toll collection has been suspended to reduce inconvenience to such people who have been issued curfew pass by local administration/authorities for all vehicles transporting essential goods and even the vehicles carrying patients,” the minister said.

At the same time, he urged people to stay indoors and follow advice of local authorities to fight the spread of coronavirus.

CM highlights govt’s preparedness NHAK is now COVID-19 hospital...

DMC issues permit (From It is clear world in p-1) (From p-1) for home delivery Rio also reminded that the state government has already It, however, stated that any patients shifted or referred by recession, says IMF chief designated ministers and advisers for each district to monitor NHAK to any of the above hospitals would carry an authorization

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preparedness on coronavirus. In addition, he said two cabinet ministers- Neiba Kronu and Pangnyu Phom have been designated to give press briefings and also interact with various DCs through video conferencing.

The chief minister also expressed deep gratitude to all those who have taken initiatives to provide assistance and help during the crisis including volunteers who have set up quarantine and isolation wards and manufacturing or donating safety gears besides providing food to those in need. Rio renewed his appeal to people to forge unity at this crucial period to “prevent, track, trace and treat” the pandemic and also to maintain social distancing with utmost seriousness.

Stop military activities: EKU (Myanmar)

Dimapur, Mar 28 (NPN): Eastern Konyak Union (Myanmar) has also appealed to the Indian and Myanmar governments to stop the military activities in Naga areas.

In a press release, Eastern Konyak Union (EKU) Myanmar president SA Khotai and general secretary K Honwang said that since February Naga public have not been getting rice and other essential commodities due to coronavirus situation in the border area.

The union claimed that Myanmar army deployed in every Konyak village was checking the houses of innocent villagers instilling fear in the minds of people. “Public house is not the underground nest,” EKU said and maintained that they do not want gun fights in the midst of disease spreading. It has asked the military to immediately leave the public in peace.

EKU also urged the Naga NGOs and Naga people human rights to raise the issue on humanitarian ground as Eastern Konyaks were suffering due to “inhuman activities” by Indian and Myanmar government.

order from NHAK managing director.

The treating hospital would be empanelled under AB-PMJAY if not already empanelled, it said, adding that free benefit would be provided to AB-PMJAY beneficiaries as per guideline.

For any queries, one could contact State Control Room: 9099607609/7085444710/0370-2270459 and district control room: 8575563906/6909937493.

Maruti-Suzuki to produce ventilators, masks, PPE NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (IANS): Automobile manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India on Saturday said it has entered into an arrangement with AgVa Healthcare to scale up the production of ventilators.

According to the company, through this arrangement it intends to reach a volume of 10,000 units per month.

“AgVa Healthcare would be responsible for the technology, performance and related matters for all the ventilators produced and sold by them”, the company said in a statement.

“MSIL would use its suppliers to produce the required volume of components and use its experience and knowledge to upgrade systems for the production and quality control of the higher volumes.

MSIL would also help to arrange financing and obtain all permissions and approvals required to enable the higher production. MSIL would provide these services free of cost to AgVa Healthcare. In another development, Krishna Maruti Limited, a joint venture of MSIL with Ashok Kapur, would be manufacturing 3-ply masks for supply to the Haryana and Central governments.

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WASHINGTON, MAR 28 (IANS): The coronavirus has taken the world economy to a recession which will be as bad or worse than the financial meltdown of 2009, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Friday.

“It is clear that we have entered a recession, as bad or worse than 2009,” she said in an online press briefing.

Georgieva said that a key concern of the “sudden stop” of the world economy is a wave of bankruptcies and layoffs that can not only undermine the recovery but can erode the fabric of our society.

For the emerging markets, she said the fund’s estimates financial need of about $2.5 trillion to come of the current crisis. But she warned that the estimate is on the lower side.

Over 80 countries already have requested emergency aid from the

Kristalina Georgieva

International Monetary Fund.

The IMF chief said that though in recession, a recovery is very much possible in 2021 if the virus is contained across the globe.

“We do project a recovery in 2021. In fact, there may be a sizeable rebound but only if we succeed in containing the virus everywhere and prevent liquidity problems from becoming a solvency issue,” Georgieva said.

Merger process of Allahabad Bank, Indian Bank might face slight delay KO L K ATA , M A R 2 8 (PTI): The merger process of Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank could face a slight delay in the wake of the 21-day nationwide lockdown, an official of the Kolkata-based lender said on Saturday.

Basic banking transactions, however, will commence from April 1, the effective date of merger, he said.

“Due to the prolonged lockdown, there could be some slight delay in completing the merger process... but transactions like cash deposits, withdrawals and money transfer will begin from April 1,” the official told PTI. As per the swap ratio of the merger, 115 shares of Indian Bank will be exchanged with every 1,000 shares of Allahabad Bank.

The official also said post the amalgamation, Allahabad Bank will vacate its iconic head office building on NSC Bose Road here and move to a nearby premise.

He said the name ‘Allahabad’ will be retained in

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Area available in any size upto 5 (five) Bighas.

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DP-2065

DIMAPUR: Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has issued permits to Nagaland Two Wheeler Taxi Association (9774171883), Freshzola (8119037070) and Ahibo LLP (8837062880) to deliver door to door of essential commodities within its jurisdiction.

In a press release, DMC administrator, Albert Ezung informed that the permit holders, at their own arrangement, would have to adopt proper safety and precautionary measures as per the guidelines issued by the medical department.

DMC has also issued following directives: the permit holder should follow proper sanitization procedures such as gloves, mask and maintaining a distance of at least 2 meter with the customers; the delivery rates should not exceed more than Rs. 50; the permit holder may deliver goods and essential commodities 24/7; the permit holder should not overcharge for the goods and essential commodities and follow approved market rate/price; the permit holder shall also comply/follow all other directives as passed either by the DMC/Central/State government time to time; this permit is valid with immediate effect. However, the DMC reserves the right to cancel this permit in the event of breach of above terms and conditions or nay other dispute, if arises in future.

Genuine buyer may Contact : 6009013385/ 8974631406

the new logo just below the slot for Indian Bank.

“We will vacate the head office building, hopefully after three to six months once the merger takes place.

This is a rented building and we will move to our annex building across the street on India Exchange Place,” he said.

The official said though

the branches are noT operating at full strength due to the lockdown, all internal guidelines have been disemminated to the staff regarding standardisation of products, process and procedures.

Post the merger, the total business volume will be to the tune of Rs 8.40 lakh crore, he said, adding, all the staff will be retained.

‘We not giving up’: DJ Bravo comes out with COVID-19 song

New Delhi, March 28 (IANS): At a time when the entire world is battling against the coronavirus outbreak, West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo has come out with a new song to boost the morale of the people.

In an Instagram post, Bravo has launched his new song on the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed over 27,000 lives across the world.

“We Not Giving Up. On this outbreak due to pandemic, my heartful prayers to all of you out there! Let’s fight together. A positive song during this outbreak,” Bravo captioned the Instagram post with the video of his new three-minute 31second long song.

In the song, the West Indies all-rounder appeals to people to fight against coronavirus by taking all necessary precautions like washing their hands regularly, staying at home and follow social distancing.

Earlier, New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi also came out with an innovative way to tell people to isolate themselves amid the coronavirus

Dwayne Bravo

pandemic. In a video that was tweeted by Sodhi’s Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals, Sodhi belted a few rap verses on the deadly pandemic, asking people to stay indoors.

“Coronavirus, please don’t get me today. Coronavirus, I still got cricket to play. I know what COVID19 is, I am sick of hearing your name on my TV screen,” Sodhi’s song goes.

India skipper Virat Kohli has also urged his countrymen to strictly follow the guidelines that have been set by not just the government, but also medical experts in our fight against the coronavirus outbreak.

Taking to Twitter, Kohli said: “Hello, I am Virat

Suresh Raina pledges Rs 52 lakh in fight against COVID-19 NEW DELHI, MARCH 28 (IANS): India and Chennai Super Kings batsman Suresh Raina has pledged Rs 52 lakh in the fight against coronavirus. While he is set to give Rs 31 lakh to the PMCARES Fund, he will hand Rs 21 lakh to the UP CMs Disaster Relief Fund.

In his message to his followers on Instagram, he further askesd everyone to do their bit and stay at home as the world fights the pandemic that has brought countries across the globe to a standstill.

Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar apart from posting awareness videos also decided to donate money to help fight the pandemic.

“While he has been regularly posting videos to create awareness, Tendulkar has decided to contribute Rs 25 lakh each to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in an effort to join hands with the government to fight against the outbreak.

He has earlier also been a part of donations like during the bushfire in Australia and believes that it is important to come together in these trying times,” sources in the know of developments had told IANS on

9

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020

Suresh Raina

Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a 21-day lockdown in the country to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

He said this is an essential step to fight coronavirus decisively. He added that saving lives is priority as of now. “With folded hands, I request you to stay put wherever you are,” said Prime Minister Modi. He added that he is mindful of the economic ramifications of it. However, this is a smaller concern.

PM Modi warned, that if the citizens don’t follow a complete lockdown for the coming 21 days, the nation will go back 21 years and many families will be devastated. The outbreak has seen the suspension of all sporting activities and that has also put the fate of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League in the balance.

Kohli. Today I am speaking to you not as an India player, but as a citizen of the country. What I have seen in the last few days -- people moving in groups, not abiding by curfew rules, not following lockdown guidelines -- it shows that we are taking the fight very lightly. But this fight is not as easy as it looks or feels.

“I wish to request everyone to please maintain social distancing and follow it. Also, we should follow the directives given by the government and just for once think how you would feel if due to your negligence someone in your family gets affected by the virus. Please follow the experts as they are working very hard. It will only be successful when we follow our duties rather than going out in groups and breaking rules. This for me is an act against the country’s well-being. So now, I along with all of you wish to see things improve and please follow the directives of the government. Jai Hind!”

India has been in a 21day lockdown from March 25 to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Baseball jerseys used to make masks

New York, March 27 (IANS): The jerseys for the new season of Major League Baseball (MLB) will be used for making protective masks and gowns for medical professionals who are at the forefront of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Fanatics, the company that manufactures the Nike uniforms for MLB, has temporarily converted its factory to produce the medical attires, according to The New York Times.

The masks are reportedly made from the same fabric used for the jerseys and the first prototypes feature the pinstripes that feature on the uniforms of the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. “I really hope it’s just the first step in baseball contributing to the country getting back on the road to normalcy,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is quoted as saying by NYT. “I just love the symbolism of patterns that are associated with baseball being used by the people who are carrying a huge burden for all of us.” “We’ve got tremendous amounts of fabric, which is exactly what the players wear,” said Michael Rubin, the founder and executive chairman of Fanatics. “We’re just taking it and making the masks and gowns that can be used by the people who are working to save lives every day.”

Mohun Bagan contribute Bhutia to be part of AFC’s 20 lakh in fight COVID-19 #BreakTheChain campaign

KOLKATA, MARCH 28 (IANS): City football giants Mohun Bagan on Saturday announced that they will donate Rs 20 lakh towards West Bengal State Emergency Relief Fund to help medical workers and hospitals fight the global coronavirus pandemic.

“These are challenging times for everyone and none should be left behind.

Our contribution is just a start. We hope that others also join in supporting more families in need. Together we can overcome this crisis,” Mohun Bagan general secretary Srinjoy Bose said in a statement on the club’s website.

Finance Secretary Debashis Dutta added: “Be it good times or bad, our fans never stop supporting their beloved club. During this tough time we want to help the people who are fighting to make our lives easier. We can get through this together! There are so many things people can do to support those affected right now. Big or small, every donation or act of service goes a long way. Our thoughts are with every single person and business affected right now.”

Mohun Bagan have already emerged as the

champions of the I-League with four rounds to go. The League, however, is yet to be completed and the matches are put on hold owing to the outbreak. Another club from the city, Aryan, have also contributed Rs 2 lakh to the state relief fund.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had announced that it would donate a sum of Rs 25 lakh to the state administration with president Avishek Dalmiya shelling Rs 5 lakh from his own pocket, earlier in the week.

CAB office bearers secretary Snehashis Ganguly, vice-president Naresh Ojha and joint secretary Debabrata Das have also come forward to contribute to the cause by donating Rs one lakh each.

Treasurer Debasish G a n g u ly ’s c l u b S o u t h Suburban also showed its intent to donate. Veteran Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee also requested CAB to donate his one month’s salary to West Bengal Emergency Relief Fund. So far there have been 15 confirmed cases in West Bengal with one person dying of the deadly virus which has brought the world to a standstill.

New Delhi, March 28 (IANS): Former India skipper Bhaichung Bhutia will be an integral part of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) efforts to create awareness among the general public about the coronavirus pandemic.

The outbreak has seen the world come to a standstill with sporting activities around the world being suspended.

The #BreakTheChain campaign by AFC features some of the legends of the game from Asia and they will all share messages to help the citizens across the globe understand what are the directives that need to be adhered to in these troubled times. The footballers will remind the people of the practices that need to be followed as per the World Health Organization (WHO).

“The #BreakTheChain campaign features some of Asia’s finest from all across the Continent, such as 2018 AFC Women’s Player of the Year, Wang Shuang from China PR, Indian legend Bhaichung Bhutia and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ and 2016 AFC Champions

K Y M C

Wu Lei revealed that he had a fever and headache on March 15, and tested positive for Covid-19 three days later.

Beijing, March 28 (IANS): Chinese football star Wu Lei on Saturday said that his wife has also tested positive for COVID-19, adding that he is confident the virus won’t affect his career as all his symptoms have completely disappeared.

In an interview with Chinese central television, the Espanyol striker revealed that he had a fever and headache on March 15, and then tested positive for Covid-19 three days later. His wife subsequently showed symptoms and was also revealed

to have contracted the virus.

The couple are now in selfisolation at their home in Barcelona, having sent their two children to stay with their grandparents, reports Xinhua news agency.

“I feel better and better every day and currently have no symptoms at all, and neither does my wife. I had a CT check on March 19, which showed very good results. Based on my own feelings, I don’t think the virus will have any impact on my future career physically,” said Wu, the only

Chinese footballer playing in Europe’s top five domestic leagues. The 28-year-old also confirmed that he has not been tested again in consideration of the test kit shortage in Spain. “I think test kits should be used by those who have more severe symptoms. Right now, I’m just staying at home to rest my body, and will gradually start training in the coming days,” he added.

As COVID-19 continues to ravage Spain, where over 65,000 cases were confirmed as of Friday, Wu said he and his club Espanyol, as well as many Chinese living in Spain, have been trying to ship medical supplies from China to help the European nation. The Chinese Football Association confirmed last Sunday that Wu was the first Chinese professional footballer to contract COVID-19, which immediately became the top search on Chinese social network Weibo. Millions of fans have voiced their support for the much-loved Chinese international. “Many of my friends, teammates, fans and national team head coach Li Tie sent me messages.

I am sorry that I couldn’t everyone all back. I am very thankful for their support,” Wu said.

ative mode we don’t stop him,” he said. However, Dhoni’s childhood coach Keshav Banerjee the wicketkeeper-batsman should be a part of India’s squad for the T20 World Cup. “In a World Cup, you need experience. Rishabh Pant is still learning an K.L. Rahul as a keeper for a World Cup, I don’t think that’s the best idea when Dhoni is available for selection,” Banerjee told IANS from Ranchi. Legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag have said that it is difficult for Dhoni to come back into the fold.

“This Indian team still needs him in a World Cup. Behind the wicket, he is an asset and in the middle, he still binds the innings together,” Banerjee added, backing his ward who led India to 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 50over World Cup titles besides winning the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy as captain.

New Delhi, March 28 (IANS): Rising tennis star Naomi Osaka on Saturday said Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) took a brave decision of postponing 2020 Tokyo Games due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, IOC postponed the Tokyo Olympics to no later than the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed more than 27,000 lives thus far across the world.

In a post on her Twitter handle, Osaka -- who won the US Open in 2018 and the Australian Open in 2019 and was the central character in the video to launch Tokyo 2020’s official motto for the Games launched last month -- said that although she was disappointed that Olympics

Naomi Osaka

LONDON, MARCH 28 (IANS): Premier League, EFL and Professional Footballers’ Association have said that “difficult decisions” will be taken in order to counter the impact of coronavirus pandemic on English football.

All games have been postponed until at least April 30 -- in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed over 27,000 lives across the world thus far – and will recommence only when it is “safe and conditions allow”.

A joint statement of Premier League, EFL and PFA said their thoughts “continue to be with everyone affected” by the coronavirus.

“We have agreed to work together to arrive at shared solutions,” it added.

Further meetings will take place next week with

a view to formulating a joint plan to deal with the difficult circumstances facing the leagues, their clubs, players, staff and fans.

Premier League clubs are due to meet again on April 3 and it is almost certain the current postponement of all matches until April 30 will be extended again.

The last round of Premier League fixtures is supposed to end on May 17, however that now seems highly unlikely.

In Europe, Barcelona has become the first Spanish football club to officially announce a pay cut for players and club staff as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.

In Australia, Football Federation Australia (FFA) has decided to lay off 70 per cent of its staff due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

1st Death Anniversary of our beloved son

INITO S. CHISHI 29.03.2019

will not take place this year, she is sure that “we all be ready to go stronger in 2021”.

“I’ve been thinking about how to articulate my thoughts on this for a couple of days now, so here goes. Everyone knows how much the Olympics means to me and how proud I will be to participate in my home country.

“IN REMEMBRANCE OF DADDY GONE HOME 1ST ANNIVERSARY" “Lt. Rev. Longtsukao Ngullie” “Blessed are the dead who die in the lord from now on, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.

Revelation 14:13 “You left us beautiful memories Your love is still our guide We will hold you in our hearts Until we can hold you again in heaven”

It's been a year without you Inito (Chuba). You left us without a sign. Gone so fast. Memories are all that remain.

From the darkness of night until the morning light. We miss you.

DP-2203

semi-finals. Since then, he has been on a sabbatical and is due to appear on the cricket field in the upcoming IPL edition. India head coach Ravi Shastri had told IANS last year that the IPL would decide the fate of Dhoni, who will turn 39 in July. The former India captain was practicing with his team Chennai Super Kings (CSK) but had to cut short his stay in Chennai after the IPL was pushed back.

Bhogle further said that even though Dhoni might not make it to the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, he still may want to contribute for CSK. “Last year towards the end of the IPL, towards the end of the league stage I got an opportunity of doing a couple of post-match presentations and there was Dhoni and he wasn’t holding back at the presentations which were normally three four minutes but this one seven to nine minutes almost and when Dhoni is in that talk-

League winner Lee Donggook with several more big names poised to join the series in the upcoming instalments,” the AFC said in a statement.

Not just footballers, but also sportspersons across the globe are using social media to send out messages to ensure that people follow the directives of the government as the world has joined hands to fight the pandemic.

With some Indian citizens failing to abide by the lockdown rules implemented by the government, Kohli on Friday made an appeal to all to strictly follow the guidelines that have been set by not just the government, but also medical experts in our fight against the coronavirus

‘Difficult decisions’ to come, China’s Wu Lei confident of future despite COVID-19 infection say Premier League, EFL & PFA

‘My gut feel is Dhoni’s India I support ‘brave decision’ to ambitions might be over’ postpone Olympics: Osaka

New Delhi, March 28 (IANS): With uncertainty looming over the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, celebrated cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle feels it might be the end of the road for M.S. Dhoni as far as his ambitions of playing for India are concerned.

“My gut feel is that his (Dhoni’s) India ambitions might be over. I don’t think Dhoni would have been looking to SeptemberOctober for the T20 World Cup. Maybe if he just had a great IPL but my gut feel is that was beyond him,” Bhogle said while speaking on Cricbuzz podcast.

The IPL, which had already been postponed to April 15, could be cancelled after India went into a 21day lockdown from March 25 to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Dhoni, 38, last played for India at the 2019 World Cup in England where the Men in Blue were knocked out in the

Bhaichung Bhutia

outbreak.

Taking to Twitter, Kohli said: “Hello, I am Virat Kohli. Today I am speaking to you not as an India player, but as a citizen of the country. What I have seen in the last few days -- people moving in groups, not abiding by curfew rules, not following lockdown guidelines -- it shows that we are taking the fight very lightly. But this fight is not as easy as it looks or feels.

“I wish to request everyone to please maintain social distancing and follow it. Also we should follow the directives given by the government and just for once think how you would feel if due to your negligence someone in your family gets affected by the virus. Please follow the experts as they are working very hard. It will only be successful when we follow our duties rather than going out in groups and breaking rules. This for me is an act against the country’s well-being. So now, I along with all of you wish to see things improve and please follow the directives of the government. Jai Hind!”

Loving Wife, Sons, Daughters, In-laws, Grandchildren.

DP-2199

Love from Mom and Brother K Y M C

Sunday Post March 29, 2020

Special Supplement (Not for sale)

(3 pages)

Life lessons from the history of lockdowns P

rime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a national lockdown for 21 days is an unprecedented decision in Indian history. While this is an emergency measure in response to an imminent health security risk, this is not the first time that a government facing a huge threat decides to take an exceptional measure.

A child being tested for respiratory problems at a clinic north of Minsk, Ukraine. For more than two decades, Soviet and Ukrainian authorities maintained ‘The Exclusion Zone’ around the Chernobyl nuclear reactor.

tive psychology against the patients of the Black Death was underlined by the Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio in his famous book The Decameron.

According to him, “What gave more virulence to this plague was that by being communicated from the sick to the hale, it spread daily, like fire, when it comes in contact with large masses of combustibles. Nor was it caught only by conversing with, or coming near the sick, but even by touching their clothes, or anything that they had touched before.”

What was described by Boccaccio at the micro-level of individual psychology in relation to plague patients produced great economic and political changes at the level of state policies and commercial relation in modern Europe. The European maritime states adopted quarantine measures as part of their general mercantilist policies, establishing monopolistic trading companies.

Quarantine measures in early modern Europe not only helped to promote overseas commercial trade, but also served as an ideological function for the European states to stress on public welfare over private lives of the citizens.

Also the English public became more aware of the dangers of the plague epidemic at the end of the 18th century. Quarantine regulations were relaxed in the mid-19th century.

Modern pandemics The end of the plague pandemic in Europe did not mean necessarily that the world was free from all infectious diseases. The modern magnitude and gravity of some widespread diseases conferred upon them a social, economic, and political significance outweighing those of the two world wars in the 20th century. The influenza pandemic of 1918 caused 50 million deaths worldwide.

Lockdowns have existed throughout human history in different forms and for different reasons: either to stop a pandemic, or to fight against terrorism or technological disasters.

Learning about the history of lockdowns is not merely an intellectual exercise. For instance, it has been a great help to doctors, nurses, pharmacists and state institutions in order to respond actively and positively to the dangers of a pandemic like Covid-19. Let us not forget that isolation, quarantine, and total lockdown are recognized public health measures that have been used for a long time.

Pandemics have always been profoundly unpredictable events in history, due to the immense complexity of the interactions between viruses and humans.

It is by using the language of health and purity that modern rationality has approved and administered the creation of boundaries, gated communities and quarantines—distancing healthy society from the impure or unhealthy Other.

The image of the diseased person has often served as an isolation-reinforcing argument, signalling the moral and political imperatives of defending the integrity of a “healthy nation” against all those who are afflicted by the Containing pandemics is not an easy task for governments and civil sociedisease. The interventions may vary from behavioural changes like social disties around the globe. tancing; quarantining infected patients; regional or national lockdowns. However, it is important to understand that modernity coupled with globalization has created its own dark side: pandemics like SARS and coronavirus, global Since 1957, influenza pandemics have killed a million people. With the terrorism and modern technological disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima new infectious diseases such as SARS and Avian flu having a disastrous influcan have a worldwide impact. ence on the global economy and international politics, many developed states Isolation and quarantine around the world had to take severe measures.

The outbreak of SARS in November 2002 in China infected more than 5,300 people and killed 349 nationwide. However, the SARS crisis led the Chinese government to take draconian measures to strengthen its authority while sealing off villages, apartment complexes, and university campuses and putting hundreds of thousands of people in confinement. The anti-SARS lockdown policy in China in 2003, followed by a comprehensive epidemic control plan, taught China how to contain the coronavirus outbreak in 2020.

The fact that China’s aggressive measures have slowed the coronavirus does not mean that a global surveillance system for pandemic prevention has become a reality. Containing pandemics is not an easy task for governments and civil societies around the globe. Successful containment would depend on many factors, including tracing exposed individuals, vaccinating the threatened population and decontaminating places and things. Individual isolation and national lockdowns have not been replaced thus far.

The nuclear lockdowns

A quarantine facility The advent of pandemics in the history of humankind has always been accompanied by a series of social, political and economic measures. In 412 BC, Greek physician Hippocrates reported an epidemic that modem doctors believe was the first recorded reference of influenza. Subsequently, there were two major plague pandemics in Europe—the Plague of Justinian (from 600 AD) and the Black Death (from 1340s onward)—followed by socio-political and economic consequences.

As such, each outbreak in the West was accompanied by the implementation of health regulations for its confinement. Isolating the plague patients was one of the measures practised in early modern Europe. A number of Italian city-states established quarantines as early as the 15th century to isolate those sick with plague.

The practice of confinement of those stricken by the plague was adopted by the European maritime powers like England and France during the 16th to the 18th centuries. London’s great plague of 1665 and the Marseilles outbreak in 1720 convinced the French and British administrations to enforce isolation measures in order to protect people from exposure to deadly diseases from overseas.

However, most historians go back to the outbreak of 1347-48. This reacK Y M C

The nuclear accident on 26 April 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near the city of Pripyat in the north of Ukraine, is considered as the worst nuclear disaster in history.

Some of the more recent examples of lockdowns have taken place thanks to nuclear accidents, like those in Chernobyl and Fukushima.

The nuclear accident on 26 April 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near the city of Pripyat in the north of Ukraine, is considered as the worst nuclear disaster in history. Today, nearly 35 years after the accident, it is still difficult to quantify the impacts of the accident, either in terms of public (........Contd. on p-3) health or in terms of economic and social costs.

K Y M C

Sunday Post

2 Toll Free Numbers Airlines Indian Airlines – 1800 180 1407 Jet Airways – 1800 22 5522 SpiceJet – 1800 180 3333 Air India — 1800 22 7722 KingFisher – 1800 180 0101 Banks Corporation Bank – 1800 443 555 HDFC Bank – 1800 3453333 ICICI Bank – 1800 333 499 IDBI Bank – 1800 11 6999 Indian Bank – 1800 425 1400 Punjab National Bank – 1800 122 222 State Bank of India – 1800 44 1955 Syndicate Bank – 1800 44 6655 Automobiles Mahindra Scorpio – 1800 22 6006 Maruti – 1800 111 515 Tata Motors – 1800 22 5552 Computers/IT AMD – 1800 425 6664 Apple Computers – 1800 444 683 Canon – 1800 333 366 Compaq – HP – 1800 444 999 Data One Broadband – 1800 424 1800 Dell – 1800 444 026 Epson – 1800 44 0011 HCL – 1800 180 8080 IBM – 1800 443 333 Microsoft – 1800 111 100 Microsoft Virus Update – 1901 333 334 Seagate – 1800 180 1104 Symantec – 1800 44 5533 TVS Electronics – 1800 444 566 Wipro – 1800 333 312 Xerox – 1800 180 1225 Zenith – 1800 222 004 Indian Railyway Indian Railway General Enquiry 131/139/ 1330 Couriers/Packers & Movers ABT Courier – 1800 44 8585 AFL Wizz – 1800 22 9696 Agarwal Packers & Movers – 1800 11 4321 Associated Packers P Ltd – 1800 21 4560 DHL – 1800 111 345 FedEx – 1800 22 6161 Goel Packers & Movers – 1800 11 3456 UPS – 1800 22 7171 Home Appliances Aiwa/Sony – 1800 11 1188 Anchor Switches – 1800 22 7979 Blue Star – 1800 22 2200 Bose Audio – 1800 11 2673 DishTV – 1800 12 3474 Godrej – 1800 22 5511 LG – 1901 180 9999 Philips – 1800 22 4422 Samsung – 1800 113 444 Sanyo – 1800 11 0101 Voltas – 1800 33 4546 Investments/ Finance LIC Housing Finance – 1800 44 0005 SBI Mutual Fund – 1800 22 3040 Tata Mutual Fund – 1800 22 0101 Travel Club Mahindra Holidays – 1800 33 4539 Cox & Kings – 1800 22 1235 Kerala Tourism – 1800 444 747 SOTC Tours – 1800 22 3344 Insurance Aviva – 1800 33 2244 Bajaj Allianz – 1800 22 5858 HDFC Standard Life – 1800 227 227 SBI Life Insurance – 1800 22 9090 Healthcare Max Multi Speciality Centre, New Delhi - 011 4609 7200 Fortis Hospital, A Block, Shalimar Bagh, Opposite Kela Godam, New Delhi - 011 4530 2222 Naga Hospital Authority Kohima - 2222916 Dimapur District Hospital - 232224 Nagaland Multi Specialty Health And Research Centre 03862-248302, 9856006026 Dr. Imkongliba hospital, Mokokchung 2226216/2226394 Police/Fire Dimapur EAST PS – 7085055030 Dimapur WEST PS – 7085055034 FIRE STATION (DIMAPUR) – 03862-232201 FIRE STATION (CHUMUKEDIMA) – 282777 Kohima NORTH PS – 0370 - 2222222 Kohima SOUTH PS – 2222111 Kohima POLICE CONTROL ROOM 100/2244279 FIRE STATIONS Kohima - 2222952 Mokokchung PS 1 - 0369- 2226241 Mokokchung SEWAK GATE PS 2 - 2226213 Mokokchung FIRE STATION - 2226225

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SunDAY, march 29, 2020

Leaning on faith in a season of change

WA L K I N G T H RO U G H GRIEF Over the past year and a half, Anthony has faced several family tragedies including the sudden deaths of his aunt, uncle, and cousin Wynter Evans Pitts, founder of a Christian girls' magazine, who died at 38.

Another heartache he has dealt with is his mother, Lois’s, cancer battle whose illness is rare and has no known cure. Anthony and his family are trusting God to do a miracle.

Throughout all of these situations Anthony has learned to lean on his faith more than ever as God has walked with him through his grief. " T h e re' s b e e n s o many different ways that God showed up, but the way that I've dealt with it is choosing hope but then also dealing with my emotions at face value," says Andrew.

"I don't try to pretend anymore that I'm okay.

I don't try to put on the worship leader face or do all this stuff. I don't do that.

I go and deal with the real root causes and root issues of what's going on."

The gospel artist also admits that therapy has helped him as well. Anthony shares, "I have made sure that I'm not saying yes to too many things as it relates to work because I don't want my ministry to take precedence over my well-being because my ministry comes out of my well-being.

He also continues to nurture his relationship with the Lord and pur-

sue hope. (The Christian Post).

ALTARED Altared is the ninth studio album released under Anthony’s company, Sherman James Productions. It has already hit No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Albums Sales Chart.

“Altared was birthed out of the moments when God allowed a variation in my life’s situations in an effort to drive me back to the literal Altar.

He allowed this so I could see and experience Him again, but for the first time,” shares Anthony. The cd contains his new single,

KIRAN SPORTS QUIZ

Hope is Alive, as well as new versions of some of the most popular worship songs in churches today, including What a Beautiful Name, Great Are You Lord, and Who You Say I Am. “I wanted to take songs people might know in one way and alter them so they hear them again…for the first time.

My hope is that with this variation the listener will be drawn into the presence of God in a new way,” reveals Anthony.

He is joined by Grammy Award Winning Producer Max Stark, pop producer Bert Elliott among

Q. Who is the captain of Saurashtra cricket team cricket team that won its maiden Ranji trophy?

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other singers and musicians.

He recorded much of the album prior to much of the family news, but admits the healing power of the lyrics in songs like Fighting for Us are particularly healing.

“God is on our journey with us daily and He’s fighting for our well-being, no matter if we hear a no, yes or maybe,” shares Anthony.

“He’s literally fighting for you and with you on your journey where you are. It’s not when you get it together, it’s where you are currently. I’ve experienced

growth when I realized that, no matter where I am God is with and right next to me on the journey… fighting for me daily.

That started to alter the way that I viewed my relationship with the Lord. That’s what this song stated and I wanted to be the message of this album,” reveals Anthony.

Anthony will be touring with his sister, bestselling authorand actress Priscilla Shirer again for more FerVent 2.0 dates starting in September in churches located in eight different states. Anthony’s music from Altared is coupled with the teachings based on the message of Priscilla’s upcoming movie, Overcomer.

HIS MUSIC STORY Anthony is the son of mega church pastor Tony Evans. He grew up in a lov-

ing, supportive family but struggled to find his place in life. Anthony became a Christian when he was in 2nd grade.

However, it wasn’t until he went away for school at Liberty University that he really discovered God for himself and committed his life.

He joined the music group, Truth, at Liberty and over time, realized that his voice was a gift.

He started his musical career leading worship for churches and Christian conferences.

Anthony’s musical excellence quickly led to multiple albums and him being sought after for different Christian music formats.

He built a strong fan base and packed out his schedule with events. Everything was simple in his

world, until he decided to audition for the reality television show The Voice.

Anthony became a contestant on season 2 in 2012 and was mentored

by Christina Aguilera.

Anthony didn’t make it into the later rounds but something more significant happened within him; his world was expanded.

Shortly after his appearance on The Voice he received a call from a producer asking him to come back to L.A. to help record guide vocals for CeeLo Green.

Anthony took the opportunity and those couple of months led to years of working with high profile artists.

He was later hired

by The Voice as a talent producer to help cast new singers for the show.

The 700 Club

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Q. According to the Gender Social Norms Index report, released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), how many countries have achieved gender?

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Contest No. 301

Eligible for Students 15 to 21 years

C. No. 300

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Ans: European Union

Q. In context with the new recruitment system to be followed from 2021 for various government jobs, what does CET stand for?

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School ……..................................

Ph. No..........................................

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 Answer & Winner of Last Week's Quiz Ans: Amrit Kaur Winner: Sanjib Kumar, St. Mary Hr. Sec. School.

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SPONSORED BY :sometimes seen in news, comes under Digitech Institute of IT & Mgmt, Nyamo Lotha Road, which Union Ministry?

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Name.................................................................... ....................................Age..................... Sex........

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School/College...................................................

Phone No............................................................

Near Plaza Bakery, Dimapur 03862-228879 / 227725 / 8258979895

Computer Training Center:Manipal Institute of Computer Education Courses includes:- DCA, PGDCA, HARDWARE & NETWORKING, PHOTOGRAPHY, MS-OFFICE, DTP.

Q. The government has invoked Epidemic Disease Act to make the health advisories enforceable. When was the act enacted?

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Indian Institute of Technology, Madras Winner: Abishek Kumar, RJHSS.

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937

Q. Who was appointed as the fourth advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu?

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Q. Chameli Devi Jain Award is an annual award presented to outstanding performers of which field?

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ANSWER & WINNER OF LAST WEEK’S QUIZ C. No. 936 Ans: Aurangabad airport Winner: Luv Sharma, RJHSS.

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3

Sunday Post

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Sunday, march 29, 2020

Life lessons from the history of lockdowns (........Contd. from p-1) The numbers of victims were staggering: 650,000 workers were directly involved in fighting the fire, assisting evacuees, and cleaning up. About 90,000 people had been evacuated from the 30km-radius, which included the thriving city of Pripyat and more than 70 other settlements. Additionally, 77 administrative districts in 12 regions of Ukraine, including more than 1,500 villages, residential areas, and towns, were heavily contaminated with radioactive material.

Soon after the accident, the Soviet army locked down an area of 30km-radius from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Later the radius was changed to cover a much larger area of Ukraine. Known by the name of “The Exclusion Zone”, the locked down area was initially divided into three subzones: the area immediately adjacent to the reactor where the incident happened; an area of approximately 10km-radius from the reactor; and the remaining 30km-zone.

Considered as the radioactive contaminated area, “The Exclusion Zone” was totally closed to public access and it was under full military control. For more than two decades, Soviet and Ukrainian authorities maintained the zone around the reactor, including the city of Pripyat, once home to 50,000 people.

It is interesting to note that in the memory of Ukrainians and Russians the horrific disaster of Chernobyl was compared to an act of war. As if the lockdown was a victory against a foreign enemy which has invaded the country. No one better than Svetlana Alexievich, the winner of the Nobel Prize of Literature in 2015, has analysed this muddling of the two concepts of “war” and “disaster” in her book Voices From Chernobyl: The Oral History Of A Nuclear Disaster.

In this book, she argues: “In Chernobyl, we see all the hallmarks of war: hordes of soldiers, evacuation, abandoned houses. The course of life disrupted. Reports on Chernobyl in the newspapers are thick with the language of war: ‘nuclear’, ‘explosion’, ‘heroes’. And this makes it harder to appreciate that we now find ourselves on a new page of history.

The history of disasters has begun.”

Consequently, even pandemics, emergencies and lockdowns have their own heroes. Let us not forget that today, nine years after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the Japanese continue to consider the courageous group of firefighters, employees of the nuclear plant, and members of the Japanese Self Defense Forces as their heroes. But even if disasters and lockdowns do not last forever, sometimes heroism and tragedy are put together and turn into a subject of tourist attraction. It is ironic that Chernobyl, that is the site of the worst nuclear disaster in modern times, which resulted in thousands of deaths, is today an official tourist attraction in Ukraine.

According to Greenpeace, the final death toll of Chernobyl, mostly related to cancer deaths, is estimated up to 200,000 fatalities. Chernobyl has become one of the most blatant examples of what

we can call “dark lockdown”, a term that can be associated with death and suffering of innocent people such as the 9/11 tragedy in New York.

The terrorist lockdowns Not surprisingly, most of the famous examples of national lockdowns in the past two decades around the world have been related to terrorist attacks.

Like pandemics, global terrorism is a side effect of a globalized world as ours. 11 September 2001 will be forever remembered as one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in modern times.

The attacks caught America and its leaders completely off guard, but it was immediately followed by a three-day lockdown of American civilian airspace. All incoming international flights were diverted to Canada. Washington airspace restrictions were severely tightened after the 9/11 attacks, but the most severe lockdown happened in New York.

Bridges and tunnels to Manhattan were closed to non-emergency traffic in both directions. As a result, there was interruption of food deliveries to restaurants and groceries.

All public schools, colleges, daycares and universities in New York and in the Washington, D.C., were also closed. The 9/11 lockdown might have been short term, but it had a long-term effect on the social and political behaviour of the American institutions and citizens. It increased anti-Muslim feelings and segregation in certain American cities, limited American democracy with an anti-terrorist laws, extended privatization of the public sector and restricted the use of public spaces.

These are modes of behaviour and governmental decisions which have usually accompanied nationwide lockdowns around the world. In the wake of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris by the Islamic State organization on 13 November 2015, the Belgian government imposed a security lockdown of four days. A terror alert across the Brussels metropolitan area led to the closure of shops, schools, public transportation and the prohibition of any gatherings for a period of four days. This is similar to the Boston lockdown, after the Boston Marathon bombing on 15 April 2013. Thanks to the shutdown, one of the bombers, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, died after the shootout.

So, it goes without saying that recent lockdowns, as a response to pandemics, terrorism or natural or technological disasters, have saved lives. Lockdown, confinement and isolation are words which are used today positively in the battle against the coronavirus around the world. As they say in French, isolation is nothing but a bad solitude. But today, isolation can save lives. Self-isolation is now part of our everyday philosophy of life.

Ramin Jahanbegloo (Ramin Jahanbegloo is professor, vice dean and executive director of the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Peace Studies at O.P. Jindal Global University) Courtesy: www.livemint.com

Drawings of the week 1

The first lockdown occured three days after the 9-11 incident.

The lockdown post the coronavirus outbreak in India was the biggest lockdown experienced by the country.

Italy under lockdown.

LEMON GRASS PORK SKEWER Ingredients 500gm pork (boneless, no fats) 1tsp sesame seed Marinate 3garlic cloves 5-8 green chillies 2tbsp chopped lemon grass 1 bunch fresh coriander ½ tsp ground coriander 2 tbsp light soy 2tbsp fish sauce 2tbsp sesame oil Salt and pepper to taste

2

Method 1. Finely chop garlic, chillies and coriander.

2. Mix marinates ingredients together.

3. Cut pork into thin strips, thread 1 or 2 strips onto skewer and marinate for 20 minutes.

Abhinay Thakur, Class -4, Pranab Vidhapith Hr. Sec. School, Gurudwara Road, Dimapur

MD. Motazzil Hussain, Class-2, Pranab VidhapithHr. Sec. School, Kali Bari Road



Drawings should be sent to:

1st prize Rs. 200/-

Prizes sponsored by :

Nagaland Post

2nd Prize - Rs. 100/-

KASHLIWAL ENTERPRISES

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Cut this coupon and paste at the back of the drawing sheet. 

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Rules & regulations: 1. Traced drawings will not be entertained.

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Please note that all entries should be submitted at Nagaland Post office by Thursday 4:00 p.m.

All artwork should be original. Tracing will not be accepted

4. Heat a non-stick frying pan, grill over a medium heat.

5. Add oil and pan fry pork skewer for about 2 minutes each side or until done.

6. Sprinkle sesame seed and serve hot.

MUSHROOM AND CAPSICUM CURRY Ingredients

250 gm button mushroom 100gm capsicum 1 tsp red chilli powder 1tsp coriander powder 1 onion 1 large tomato 2 green chillies 1 tsp cumin seed 1tsp mustard seed ½ tsp turmeric powder Salt to taste Oil to fry

Method 1. Wash mushroom and cut into quarter.

2. Cut onions, capsicum and tomato into square. Slit chillies into two.

3. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin and mustard seeds to it. Add red chilli powder and coriander powder 4. Add green chillies and onions.

Sauté till golden brown.

5. Add capsicum, tomato and mush-

room. Add 1 cup of water.

6. Mix well; cook until the mushroom became tender. Check for seasoning.

Recipe contributed by:

Alemjungla Jamir foodrecipe10@gmail.com

Attention!! Send your drawings in an A4 size paper and please do not fold your drawings. Winners of next week will be selected from age group of 10 years and above.

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