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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 146

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 Pages 8 ` 4.00

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THE BIG FIGHT 2021: For Mo-Sha it's ‘Khel Shesh’ in W. Bengal

DMK wins TN; LDF retains Kerala; BJP retains Assam; BJP+ wins Puducherry

DMK-led alliance leading in at least over 150 seats. The party-led front is leading in 143 Assembly constituencies (Congress 15, CPI and CPI-M two each, VCK three) for which the polls were held on April 6. On the other hand, the AIADMK-led front is leading in 90 constituencies (AIADMK 81, BJP 3 and PMK 6). According to Election Commission data, the DMK secured 37.2 per cent of the votes polled and with

3,840 votes. Assam: For the BJP, Assam emerged as the lone bright spot with the ruling NDA projected to win 77 of 126 seats to retain power in the state. The BJP alliance in Assam staved off a strong challenge from a 10-party grand alliance led by the Congress and a new regional front sired by the 2019 protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Raijor Dal, the two parties formed as an outcome of the antiCAA protests, managed to win only one seat. Assam chief ninister Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP strategist and finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma both won their seats from Majuli and Jalukbari constituencies respectively. Puducherry: In the Union Territory of Puducherry, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) defeated the Congress-led Secular Democratic Alliance (SDA) to come to power. The NDA alliance, comprising of All India NR Congress, BJP and AIADMK, won 16 seats out of 30 to form the government in the southern state. (The numbers are subject to change.)

Nagaland records 216 fresh Covid-19 cases; 2 more deaths

ANGPTA demands implementation of NSES Rules

Six UTPs escape from Mon district jail

MBBS and nursing students may be called for Covid duty

This is it!

"If advertisement models don't wear masks, how can we be expected to do otherwise?" K Y M C

Assam 126/126 SEATS (64 SEATS TO WINS) Alliance

BJP+

INC+

WINS + LEADS

+/-2016

-1

PUDUCHERRY 30/30 SEATS (16 SEATS TO WIN) BJP+

INC+

OTH

WINS + LEADS

ALLIANCE

+/-2016

-8

WEST BENGAL 292/292 SEATS (147 SEATS TO WIN) ALLIANCE

TMC

BJP

WINS + LEADS

215

-72

-6

+/-2016

District

Mild

ALLIANCE

OTH

DMK+ AIADMK+ MNM+ AMMK+

OTH

WINS + LEADS

159

+/-2016

-61

KERALA 140/140 SEATS (71 SEATS TO WIN) ALLIANCE

LDF

UDF

WINS + LEADS

+/-2016

-1

-6

and Indian Secular Front (ISF), which had stitched an alliance hurriedly before the polls, drew a blank. In terms of vote share, the TMC had 48.1 per cent of the votes against the BJP's 37.8. Tamil Nadu: Change of guard is all set to happen after 10 years in Tamil Nadu with the DMK-led alliance coasting towards an emphatic victory in the 2021 Assembly polls. DMK chief MK Stalin is set to become the state chief minister with the

ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic RecovMi- Total Death Critical-ICU ered grated Cases Moder- SeWith On Ventiate vere Oxygen lator 12 17 0 3 6417 75 317 7925 0 0 0 0 40 1 0 43 5 2 1 0 4059 22 64 4462 0 0 0 0 13 0 9 30 3 0 0 0 189 5 11 234 1 0 0 0 594 3 9 625 0 0 0 0 506 0 1 510 0 0 0 0 53 0 0 62 0 0 0 0 249 2 1 272

Dimapur Kiphire Kohima Longleng Mokokchung Mon Peren Phek Tuensang

984 2 295 5 20 3 2 9 19

100 0 15 3 6 15 1 0 1

Wokha

Zunheboto Total

2 1344

0 141

0 21

0 19

0 1

0 3

139 0 12295 109

*10 deaths not due to Covid-19 *0 deaths under investigation

DIMAPUR, MAY 2 (NPN): Nagaland on Sunday registered 216 fresh Covid-19 positive cases from across the state-- 104 in Dimapur, 95 in Kohima, 11 in Mon while Mokokchung and Longleng recorded four and two respectively, taking the total caseload to 14350. With this the active

LEFT+

TAMIL NADU 234/234 SEATS (118 SEATS TO WIN)

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON May 2 Asymptomatic

OTH

3 417

144 14350

cases in the State surged past the 1500-mark (1529 cases as on May 2). Meanwhile, two more deaths were reported on Sunday-- one in Dimapur and another fatality in Mon. Both, according to officials, succumbed to the virus, taking the death toll to 109.

BJP+

OTH

(The numbers are subject to change)

faced a setback as Mamata herself lost her seat to her lieutenant-turned political foe from the BJP, Suvendu Adhikari for Nandigram, by over 1,700 votes. Though she had conceded defeat initially, Mamata later said she would move the poll body (Election Commission of India) demanding a recounting, alleging tampering of votes after confusion broke out over who had actually won the high-voltage seat. In a decisive mandate, almost all TMC turncoats, except Adhikari, have bitten the dust by losing their contesting seats. The BJP, which had boasted that it would win more than 200 seats, was left egg-faced as it struggled to even cross 100, finally settling to 75 seats (provisional), causing an embarrassment for Modi, who is now largely blamed for the catastrophic Covid-19 situation in the country. In a first instance since Independence, the West Bengal assembly will be bereft of any member from the Communist party and grand old Congress, both of which had ruled the state for decades before Mamata Banerjee seized power in 2011 riding on a farmers' movcement over land acquisition. The Left, Congress

NEW DELHI, MAY 2 (AGENCIES): With a shortage of healthcare personnel amid the latest surge in coronavirus cases across India, the government could ask final-year students of medical and nursing courses to join the Covid force and incentivise those joining in future recruitments, sources said on Monday. The decision is said to have been taken at a virtual meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with experts to review oxygen and medicine availability on Sunday. “Decisions may include delaying the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and incentivising MBBS pass-outs studying for it to join Covid duty. The decisions may also include utilising the services of final year MBBS and nursing students in Covid Duty. Medical personnel on Covid-19 duty will be given preference in government recruitment as well as a financial incentive,” sources stated.

Sonowal or Sarma? Who will become next Assam CM?

allies, it was about 43 per cent while the AIADMK got 33.5 per cent and along with allies it was about 41 per cent. Kerala: In Kerala, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government scripted history by retaining power, the first time in four decades that the same grouping will form the government for the second consecutive time. The CPM-led LDF alliance is projected to win around 97 seats in the 140member assembly, while the Congress-led UDF alliance had a dismal performance as it is expected to grab only 43 seats. Vijayan on Sunday attributed the victory of the Left Democratic Front in the Assembly polls to the residents of the state, reported PTI. He also said that there was no space for communal politics in Kerala. Vijayan's statement that the BJP, which had won one seat in Kerala in the 2016 Assembly polls, would see its account getting closed this time, has come true when the party drew a blank. However, a major upset for the BJP was the loss of 'Metroman' E. Sreedharan in Palakkad to Congress rival and Youth Congress President Shafi Parambil by a margin of

NEW DELHI, MAY 2 (AGENCIES): M amata Banerjee rode the BJP challenge to take her Trinamool Congress to triumph for a third consecutive term in West Bengal on Sunday while the BJP was set to return in Assam and the LDF in Kerala, signature victories for ruling parties which decisively beat the anti-incumbency syndrome. However, Tamil Nadu and Puducherr y voted against the incumbents – AIADMK prepared to cede space to the opposition DMK-led alliance in the former and the AINRCled NDA taking over from the UPA. TMC sweeps Bengal: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee stormed back to power for the third consecutive time, decimating the mighty challenge from the BJP juggernaut, led by the duo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. As per the latest data from the Election Commission, TMC is on its course to win over 210 seats in a 294-member Assembly, while BJP is likely to win 77 seats. Amid the stunning victory the TMC however

Record 3,689 deaths in India in 24 hours

India on Sunday witnessed 3,689 Covid-19 fatalities which pushed India's death toll to 2,15,542, while the infection count reached to 1,95,57,457 with 3,92,488 more people being confirmed positive for the disease, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Sunday. This marks a minimal decline in new infections as the country had passed the grim milestone of recording over 4 lakh cases on Saturday. Meanwhile, 3,07,865 were discharged from various hospitals, taking the total number of recoveries in India to 1,59,92,271. The active tally saw a further spike to reach 33,49,644 in the last 24 hours.

GUWAHATI, MAY 2 (AGENCIES): BJP leaders in Assam pushed the ball to the parliamentary board of the party headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi even as the saffron party and its allies on Sunday headed towards absolute majority in the Assembly, reports Deccan Herald. "That decision will be taken by the parliamentary board. The party is sending an observer, will talk to all stakeholders and a decision will be taken based on his report," Ranjeet Kumar Dass, president of Assam unit of BJP told reporters on Sunday afternoon. Union minister Jitendra Singh also did not give a clear answer whether the party will go with Sarbananda Sonowal or decide a new one. Party insiders said the contest for the CM post was between Sonowal and senior party leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, who switched from Congress to BJP in August 2015. Himanta, 52 quit Congress after leading dissidence against former CM Tarun Gogoi reportedly after the party rejected his

(L-R) Sonowal and Sarma

wish to be the next CM. Sarma and some of his loyalist MLAs switched over to BJP in August 2016 but the saffron party had already named Sonowal as their CM candidate. "Sarma deserves to be the next CM as he has not only performed well as minister but also led the party to victory since 2016. He has also proved himself to be an efficient crisis manager for the government and the party as well," a BJP leader said. He has also proved himself to be an efficient crisis manager for the government and the party as well," a BJP leader said.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAY 2 (NPN): Six under trial prisoners/convicted persons escaped from Mon district on Sunday afternoon. Sources informed Nagaland Post that out of the six prisoners, one was reportedly an ULFA cadre. An FIR has been registered, even as all security forces have been alerted and attempts are out to nab the prisoners. Meanwhile, a look out notice has also been issued to report to the following-- OC Mon 8118997755/9436014444, OC Tizit7630856828, OC Aboi- 8787887985, OC Naginimora- 9862555552, OC Tobu- 7380771165 and OC Angjangyang- 8731053375. According to the notice the six UTPs have been identified as Bikash Gogoi (20 Yrs) resident of Sonari, Assam; Leishe Konyak (24) from Tizit; Daniel Konyak (20) from Mon town; Nokyon Konyak (31) from Longting village; Manpha Konyal (31) from Tizit; Achoi Wangsu (35) from Arunachal Pradesh and R/O Tizit village. More details could not be obtained Lookout notice issued against the six UTPs who had escaped from Mon district jail. (Cont’d on p-6) till the time of filing this report.

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 (NPN): All Nagaland Government Primary Teachers’ Association (ANGPTA) has called for implementation of Nagaland School Education Service Rules, 2017. In a letter to principal director of school education, association president James Ruokuoselhou and general secretary T Along Changkiri regretted that though much water had flowed under the bridge, the Nagaland School Education Service Rules, 2017 remained elusive and had been made a bad joke upon all cadres of the department, barring some cadres. This, they said, was an agonising wait for primary teachers’ cadre without any relief in sight due to what appeared to be a systematic delaying tactics being

NFR places 10 Covid isolation rail coaches at Dimapur station Tseminyu Union alleges multiD I M A P U R , M AY 2 Sharma on Saturday with a (NPN): Acting promptly request to provide 10 Covid on a request from the State care coaches at Dimapur gover nment, Northeast railway station to cope Frontier Railway (NFR) with the surging number has placed 10 Covid care of Covid positive cases in isolation coaches at railway Nagaland. station here. NFR placed the 10 Each coach is having coaches in line number 3 of 16 beds equipped with all Dimapur station on Sunday necessary hygienic arrangewith necessary arrangements and medical facilities ments like proper signage, like provision for oxygen pathways, ramps, electriccylinders to provide medical ity, etc., NFR chief public attention to patients referred relations officer (CPRO) to by the State health deSubhanan Chanda partment for admission. A reception desk will As reported in the also be provided by the Nagaland Post on May 1, railways, which would be chief secretary J Alam had manned by State health written to Railway Board An inside of the Covid Care isolation coach delpoyed at department officials to keep chairman and CEO Suneet Dimapur Railway station on Sunday. (NFR) records of admitted and

discharged patients. CPRO said that senior railway officials at the headquarters and Lumding division were in touch with State government officials to provide all necessary help. SOP for proper co-ordination between the State government and railways would be followed upon, he added. It may be mentioned here that to strengthen the capabilities of the nation in the united fight against Covid, the Union ministry of railways has, amongst its multi-pronged initiatives, prepared nearly 4,000 Isolation coaches with almost 64,000 beds.

crore scam; demands probe

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 (NPN): Alleging "multicrore rupee scam" under the two-lane road project in Kohima district, Tseminyu Union (TU) has demanded immediate setting up of an independent inquiry committee to verify the road project within a period of one month. In a statement, TU president H Kegwalo Tep alleged that as per the list of damage compensation of Kohima district in the strengthening and widening work of two-lane road with paved shoulder of NH-2 from 40/000 km to 72/400

km under EPC mode, huge amount of money were paid against unaffected buildings and also against many government properties to few individuals. It also alleged that enormous amount was also paid against many ghost building, depriving genuine beneficiaries. Demanding disciplinary action against erring officials and individuals involved in the alleged scam, TU threatened to take its own course of action if the authority responsible failed to constitute an independent inquiry committee within a stipulated time period. K Y M C

state

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

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

IIYF, others inspect road construction

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

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

65% 28% 7%

Next poll

Q: Should there be a relook

at appointments to the Election Commission?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST May 3

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A t-storm around in the a.m.

35 22

Sun and areas of high clouds

30 18

Guwahati Cloudy with a stray t-storm

30 21

Aizawl Imphal

A strong morning thunderstorm 31 17

Itanagar A morning t-storm; cloudy

28 19

Shillong

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

21 14

Kohima

Cloudy with a t-storm or two

22 15

Dimapur Cloudy with a thunderstorm

30 20

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

23 15

Tuensang Mostly cloudy with a t-storm

18 12

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

23 19

Zunheboto Cloudy with a thunderstorm

21 14

Mkg Wokha

Members of IIYF, government officials, village leaders and contractors during the inspection.

DIMAPUR: Ikiye-Itovi Youth Front (IIYF), government officials, village leaders and contractors of the ongoing construction of PMGSY Phase-IX, Batch -I (2017-18) between Satoi -Itovi- Ikiye on April 29 inspected the construction work and held a joint meeting. A press release by IIYF media cell stated that the meeting convened by IIYF along with join council Ikiye-Itovi, GBs, council members was held with the executive engineer, SDO spot officer, JE site in-charge, PWD R&B Zunheboto division and contractor,

SAMETI organises two-day online training

DIMAPUR: State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) organised a two-day online training programme on “skills for using ICT in agricultural extension & kisan mobile apps” for ATMA functionaries at SAMETI, Medziphema from April 29 – 30. The training programme was aimed at imparting technical knowledge on skills for using ICT. A press release by SAMETI Medziphema stated that resource persons for the training programme were professor & head department of agricultural extension SASRD: NU Medziphema, Dr. K.K. Jha, principal scientist (agronomy) ICAR research complex for NEH region, Nagaland centre Dr. Lohit K Baishya and professor & head department of agriculture economics, Dr. Amod Sharma. Participatory lectures

on ICT in agriculture extension-basic skills & kisan mobile apps and scope and opportunities of ICT in agricultural extension were covered during the training programme. Altogether, 22 participants from different districts attended the training. Earlier, the valedictory programme was chaired by DPD SAMETI, Janet Chishi. In her valedictory address, she encouraged the participants to take the practical knowledge gained during the training and to download and go-through important apps related to agriculture and disseminate the information to farmers. Feedbacks were received from all the participants and E-certificates were distributed to the participants. M e a n w h i l e, D P D, SAMETI Yezaho Swu pronounced the vote of thanks.

DTF Longleng emergency meeting DIMAPUR: District administration Longleng has convened an emergency meeting of District Task Force (DTF) Longleng on COVID-19 on May 3, 12:30 p.m. at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Longleng Conference Lobby room. All members have been asked to attend the meeting.

proprietor Nagaland Steel Engineering Works NPW/ Class-I/138. The resolution stated that the contractor should arrange sufficient machineries for early completion; the join council shall detail a volunteer to monitor the construction and make necessary correspondent to all the concerned and extend corporation to the contractor and the department; the council also empowered IIYF to supervise the ongoing construction of work till the completion of work to ensure quality workmanship; the road construction

between Itovi to Ikiye shall be constructed with formation cutting as per the DPR; the contractor shall clear all the landslide and construct drainage between Satoi to Ikiye-Itovi on the ongoing construction of work as early as possible; the contractor shall rectify/expand three sharp u-turn location on the ongoing construction of road towards Itovi village. At the meeting, the release informed that the EE PWD R&B Zunheboto division assured quality workmanship as per the specifications of the work order.

K Y M C

DIMAPUR: Barak Extended Team Dimapur (BETD) has submitted a memorandum to Union Minister Railway, Piyush Goyal through advisor for Power, Tovihoto Ayemi for introduction of a direct passenger train from Dimapur railway station to Agartala. In a memorandum, BETD said the direct train would benefit several lakhs of people of Barak valley (South Assam) and Tripura who are residing in the state of Nagaland, who faces untold hardships during the train journey due to non-availability of a direct passenger train from Dimapur railway station to Agartala. BETD said Tovihoto gave a patient hearing to the plights of the people and assured to take up the matter on a priority with the Union Minister.

Installation of public toilet in Zbto

DC Zunheboto, Peter Lichamo, 32 AR officials, Sumi Kukami Hoho and others on April 30.

DIMAPUR: Zunheboto battalion of Assam Rifles under its “Civic Action Project 2020-21” installed six portable public toilets in Zunheboto on April 30. The installation of toilets was inaugurated by DC Zunheboto, Peter Lichamo in the presence of 32 Assam Rifles senior officers, presi-

DIMAPUR: Six-day Skill Training for Rural Youth (STRY) programme on value addition of fruits and vegetables was conducted by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Peren from April 26 to May 1 at Jalukie town. A press release by ATMA Peren stated that the training aimed at imparting skill-based training to rural youths so as to create skilled manpower to promote employment in rural areas was organised by ATMA Peren in association with SAMETI, Nagaland and MANAGE,

Hyderabad. During the course of the program, DPDs Kumui Nring and Tonikali Achumi deliberated on the importance, necessity and role of value addition in reducing post-harvest losses, improving the profitability of farmers and employment creation etc. The different methods and types of fruits and vegetables preservation and value additions was also elaborated in detail. Resource persons were BTM Imti Walling, ATM, Wo s h a n t h u n g Ja m i o, ATM, Keneingunuo Sorhie and ATM Vimetseino Zao.

dent Sümi Kukami Hoho, executive engineer PHED, Zunheboto and members of Zunheboto Town GBs Association. The portable toilets were installed at different locations- circuit house, daily market, public ground, Zunheboto Government College road and PHED

compound North point colony, Zunheboto Town. Portable toilet materials were provided to GBs Association Zunheboto Town by 32 AR and installation was completed through the initiatives of GBs Zunheboto Town, PRO stated in a press statement.

SOVC inaugurates ancestral road DIMAPUR: An ancestral circular road about reconstructed by the Shena Old Village Council surrounding the village was inaugurated on May 1 by chief engineer PWD (Police Engineering), Er. Kahuli Sema.

“Sunrise Road” at Pungro town was inaugurated by ADC Pungro, Abhinav Shivam on April 28. “Sunrise Road” at Pungro town connecting from forest ward to Pungro village was constructed through crowd funding by various civil societies and individuals of Pungro town headed by Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC) and Pungro district administration.

ATMA Peren conducts six-day STRY

Training on ‘agrobiodiversity’ DIMAPUR: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kohima conducted a one-day training programme at Chunlikha village on April 24. Resource persons for the programme were Puchono Kweho, SMS (Agronomy) and Eliseni Tsopoe, SMS (Plant protection) who delivered on the topic “Agro-

The training in progress.

biodiversity in Jhum” and “Mushroom production” respectively. In the technical session, Kweho spoke on the importance of afforestation, introduction of leguminous crops, etc and Eliseni Tsopoe stressed on the importance of mushrooms in contributing to the livelihoods of rural dwellers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The trainings were fol- to the 15 participants upon lowed by demonstrations completion of the training and certificates were given course.

2nd Death Anniversary

13TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF

EVANGELIST LATE L. NTSEMO MERRY

03-05-2008 Apo, We missed you deeply, your live was a well lived. We remember the evening prayers you led us in singing ‘A bide with me’ before we retired. Every morning we sang with you “Joy cometh in the morning” and prayed Apo, Heaven is your home which is not very far from us. Loving children, grand & great grand children & in-laws DP-2240

LATE IMCHANUNGLA (MEKULI) 11th July 1934 – 26th April 2021 “The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her”. Through this column, we, the bereaved family members of Late Imchanungla, convey our heartfelt gratitude to each of you who stood with us morally, physically and through prayers at the demise of our gracious mom. Your presence and support has been immeasurable, words fall short in expressing our indebtedness but it is our sincere prayer to the Almighty God for His abundant blessings upon you all. Loving family members. MKC-131

1st Death Anniversary

23.09.1989 – 03.05.2019 Remembering LT. MISS MOAJUNGLA JAMIR (CHUCHUYIMLANG) GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN FROM OUR HEARTS. AS THE DAYS GO BY, WE MISS YOU MORE AND MORE. REST IN ETERNAL PEACE OUR DEAREST. Deeply Missed – Loving Parents & Brothers MKC-132

Dept. of Sericulture bids farewell to officer

Remembering you with love Late Tiayanger (Chuchuyimlang) Born : 27.06.1955 Died : 03.05.2020

K-903

DIMAPUR: Department of Sericulture organised a farewell programme in honour of Wabang Lemtur, who retired as director of Sericulture, at the directorate conference hall, Kohima on April 30. At the programme, short speech was delivered by commissioner and secretary, department of Sericulture, Orenpomo Kikon. Kikon congratulated Wabang for his selfless service rendered to the department and requested him to continue to help the department in the coming days. In his farewell speech, Wabang thanked God for giving him good health and guidance till his last day in the department. He also thanked the officers and staff for their hard work and support while he was discharging his duties. Incoming director of Sericulture, T.Sanny Pongener on behalf of the department thanked the outgoing director for his dedicated and able leadership for completion of many infrastructure works.

BETD submits memo to Piyush

K-905

DC-413

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is holding IPL amidst devastating second covid pandemic wave wrong?

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

To our beloved 'Oba', a year have passed, today we mark the anniversary of your passing and we celebrate the love and memories you gave us. To the greatest Dad, Husband and Grandfather, we miss you everyday. K Y M C

3 Assam BJP not to celebrate victory in polls due to Covid

northeast/State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

BJP strategy works in Assam polls

Guwahati, May 2 (AGENCIES): Assam proved to be the main consolation for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on counting day as its alliance won a comfortable majority in the state Assembly elections, reports The Quint. According to the portal, the fight back by Congress and its allies AIUDF, BPF and Left was underwhelming as they failed to even cross 50 seats. What Worked for the BJP? The victory is all the more credible as the NDA government in the state faced massive protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019 but it doesn’t seem to have had much of an impact politically. The NDA ended up sweeping Upper Assam, the epicentre of the protests and the Congress and Raijor Dal-AJP alliance, which raised the CAA issue, couldn’t quite get traction.

Sarbananda Sonowal The BJP also seems to have succeeded in winning over smaller communities like Morans, Mising, Rabha, Deori and preventing a larger Assamese consolidation on the CAA issue. The Assam government, especially health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, also gained praise for handling the COVID-19 crisis in the state but it is not clear if this was a factor in the NDA’s victory. What is clear, however, is that the presence of two strong regional faces like Sarbananda Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora resigns after poll debacle

Guwahati, May 2 (PTI): Congress’s Assam president Ripun Bora resigned on Sunday after the party’s defeat in the state elections. Taking responsibility, the Rajya Sabha MP sent the resignation letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. “I do hereby tender my resignation from the post of President, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee owing to the responsibility of the humiliating defeat of my party in the Assam Assembly Election 2021. “Madam, I am extremely saddened and disheartened to inform you that despite my immense hard work we were unable to combat the divisive and communal politics played by the BJP and RSS,” Bora said in the letter. Bora, who contested from the Gohpur seat and lost by 29,294 votes against

Ripun Bora BJP’s sitting MLA Utpal Borah, said he did the best to revive the party during the last four years as president of the Assam unit despite all the odds. “However, I pledge to continue my fight as a dedicated Congressman to uphold the ideology and values of Indian National Congress. Madam, I shall be ever grateful to you for assigning me with such a great responsibility of President, Assam PCC to serve my party,” he added.

benefitted BJP greatly in the election. Where Did the Congress Go Wrong? In terms of vote share, the Congress alliance didn’t fare badly, securing around 42 percent votes, only a few percentage points behind the NDA. It seems that between the Congress and AIUDF, the alliance did manage to consolidate Muslim votes and some more but didn’t manage to win over a sizable enough number of BJP voters. This is evident in the alliance’s decent performance in Lower Assam and Barak Valley but poor showing in Upper Assam. To its credit, the Congress ran a competent campaign and tried to pin the BJP down on issues like unemployment and price rise. But its inability to project a strong face against the Sonowal-Himanta duo proved to be its undoing. The outcome may have been slightly different had the Congress de-

ployed senior leaders like Gaurav Gogoi and Pradyot Bordoloi in the electoral battlefield. In addition to this, its ally BPF was routed in Bodoland by the BJPUPPL combine. What Happens Next? The first dilemma for the BJP is regarding the chief minister’s post. Will it persist with Sarbananda Sonowal or will it shift to Himanta Biswa Sarma? There are sufficient arguments being made in favour of both candidates. While Sonowal is popular in Upper Assam and has acceptability among people with All Assam Students’ Union (AASU background). Sarma on the other hand, is more popular with BJP’s core constituency of Bengali Hindu and urban voters. For the Congress, it would mean going back to the drawing board and reconsider its choices in the state.

Guwahati, May 2 (PTI): The BJP, which is heading for a win in Assam as indicated by trends, on Sunday decided not to celebrate the victory in compliance with the direction of the Election Commission (EC) prohibiting victory processions during or after the counting of votes in view of surging COVID-19 cases. State BJP chief s p o k e s p e r s o n Ru p a m Goswami told PTI that supporters were told to follow the COVID-related guidelines issued by the EC and not to gather at the party head office in Guwahati. The ruling BJP-led alliance in Assam is leading in 73 assembly constituencies and appears set to retain power for the second consecutive term, Prominent losers as trends were available for 120 seats. The state Bhupen Roy (AGP) Rajib Ahmed (AIUDF) Purnendu Banikya (AGP) Augustine Enghee (INC) assembly has 126 seats and the saffron party has Moon Swarnakar (BJP) Prabeen Baro (BPF) Angkita Dutta (INC) Ram Prasad Sharma (INC) already won two. The BJP is contestBiswarup Bhattacharjee (BJP) Suresh Borah (INC)

M’laya logs highest single-day deaths & new Covid cases

Correspondent

SHILLONG, MAY 2: Meghalaya on Sunday recorded five Coronavirusrelated deaths, the highest number of fatalities on a single day, since the onset of the pandemic in the State last year. The State also reported 321 more new cases of infection which surged the number of active cases to 1821, the highest single-day surge in the State so far. Chief Secretary M.S.Rao cautioned all residents to restrict movement to the absolute minimum to prevent spread of infection in view of the highest increase in new COVID-19 cases on Sunday. “The total new cases have touched 321 and five deaths were reported. This is a significant increase from the average number of cases during the previous week,” he said. Out of the 321 new cases, he said 97 cases are from those who have

returned or travelled to the State. “Most other cases have been reported from various clusters across the State. Hospital bed occupancy is also rising sharply. This is extremely important so that the health systems are not over burdened,” Rao said. The Chief Secretary also urged citizens above the age of 45 years to actively come forward and get vaccinated at the nearest vaccination centre. “COVID appropriate behaviour and vaccination are the only remedies against COVID-19,” he underscored. Of the five COVID19 related deaths, four persons, including a 41year-old woman Wannalin Marwein, were reported from East Khasi Hills district, and one from East Jaintia Hills district. A Catholic priest Fr. Surendra Kumar Kanher of Visitation Parish of Lumshnong village in East

Jaintia Hills, who tested positive for COVID-19 infection at Khliehriat Community Health Centre in East Jaintia Hills district on April 30, was declared brought dead by doctors at the Maternity and Child Hospital (MCH), Jowai in West Jaintia Hills district late Saturday night. The death of the 48year-old priest referred to MCH, Jowai was due to dearth of Intensive Care Unit facilities in the Community Health Centre hospital, Khliehriat, a health official said. Of the 321 new cases, Director Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War said 212 were detected in East Khasi Hills district, 41 in West Garo Hills district, 20 in West Jaintia Hills district, 15 in Ri-Bhoi district, 11 in West Khasi Hills district, three in South West Khasi Hills district, two in South West Garo Hills district and one in East Garo Hills district. Wi t h 1 1 8 9 a c t ive

COVID-19 cases, the East Khasi Hills, that includes state capital Shillong is the most affected district, followed by Ri-Bhoi district with 177 active cases, West Garo Hills district with 124 active cases, West Jaintia Hills district with 100 active cases, East Jaintia Hills district with 89 active cases and West Khasi Hills district with 53 active cases with the remaining of the 11 districts accounting for lesser numbers. War also informed that 154 patients have also recovered from the viral disease which took the number of recovered cases to 15, 429 in the State on Sunday. He said 371 COVID19 patients are admitted in institutional quarantine centre while 1,450 others are in home quarantine and isolation. Moreover, there were 37 containment zones across the State where COVID-19 positive cases were detected.

State

COVID-19 guidelines, directives PNF holds study of HIV DIMAPUR: With the surge of Covid-19 positive cases across the country and in the state, the state government and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been issuing directives and taking preventive measures to contain the spread of the virus. HPBWC: Following the directives of the deputy commissioner (DC) to keep only 33% shops opened at Hongkong market, the Hazi Park Business Welfare Committee (HPBWC) has enforced fresh SOPs in all blocks of the market. In a press release, HPBWC president Hukato V Achumi stated that in the outer side, alternate shops were open in odd-even manner, while where shops are in long rows inside; one side shops will remain open while the other side will remain closed on alternate days. All the shopkeepers have been advised to follow the DC’s order strictly and see that only 33% shops are open in order to contain the spread of COVID-19. HPBWC have also advised shopkeepers to maintain social distancing, wear masks compulsorily and use hand sanitizers and also insist customers to do the same. DC Dimapur: DC & DDMA chairman Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan has ordered the sealing of SBI, Diphupar branch for 48 hours from the date of this order.

DC also informed that Nagaland industrial development corporation limited, behind Hotel Saramati, Supermarket complex Dimapur, house number EWS-02/house number EWS-03 and NIT Campus, Chümoukedima have been sealed till further orders. During the sealing, necessary sanitisation of the premises would be done by the management. Any person violating these containment measures would be penalised as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster management Act, 2005 besides legal action under IPC Section 188. Meanwhile, the DC informed that Holotoli School Padumpukhuri has been sanitised and all precautionary measures have been taken as per government guidelines. In this regard, DC has declared that the school has been unsealed from the date of this order. ADC Tuensang: Additional deputy commissioner & administrator Tuensang Town Council (TTC), Tuensang, Ajit Kumar Verma has issued an order to ensure the better record keeping of visitors/ customers at various business establishments for necessary contact tracing in future. The ADC has directed all the hotels, restaurants, lodges, bakeries, wholesalers, general shops, hardware, barber shops, beauty

parlors and big business establishments engaging with large number of customers to mandatorily keep a register in order to maintain the details of visitors /customers on day-to-day basis as per following format: name; contact number; alternate contact number; full address; time in and time out. Any non-compliance of this order would lead to suspension/cancellation of trade license and other penal action under relevant provision of law. DC Phek: DC Phek, Razouvolie Dozo has issued instructions for all public transport owners (bus/taxi) DC has infor med all public/ private transport counters functioning within Phek district shall mandatorily maintain a register to record details of all passengers on daily basis. The register should compulsorily contain date wise information with detailed address & contact number of each passenger; the station superintendent (NST), Phek will be responsible for its implementation ANTA Phek unit, will be responsible for its implementation and the district transport officer shall ensure strict enforcement of the order and initiate regular checking of the sane and submit report to DTF COVID-19 on weekly basis or as and when required.

management for PLHA” connected with the participants. PNF stated that the participants were informed that till date the status of appointment of Ombudsman in state was uncertain. Despite Nagaland being the third highest HIV prevalent state in India, the participants were informed that the state has not appointed the single most important point person for this section of society. Having no guidelines on the HIV&AIDS Act 2017 from the state yet, PNF said the study was done on the text of the Central Act. The association, which is functioning under People in Need Foundation, organization, has reported registration of 152 positive members, informed PNF.

Opposition ZPM wins Serchip bypoll in Mizoram

Aizawl, May 2 (PTI): The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) on Sunday suffered a humiliating defeat in the bypoll to the Serchhip assembly seat as arch-rival ZPM’s nominee Lalduhoma, whose disqualification necessitated the by- election, retained the seat by a landslide margin. Lalduhoma secured 8,269 votes, which is 51 per cent of the total 16,595 votes polled and defeated his nearest opponent Vanlalzawma of the MNF by a margin of 3,310 votes. Vanlalzawma bagged 5,319 votes, and Congress nominee PC Laltlansanga got 2,604 votes. BJP candidate Lalhriatrenga Chhangte secured 250 votes. The counting of votes began at 8 am amid strict COVID protocols. The bypoll, held on April 17, saw over 83 per cent turnout. Lalduhoma, who defeated then chief minister

Rev. Dr. Yiepetso Wezah with the faculty and students.

DIMAPUR: Logos College (LC) Dimapur held its 19thgraduation ceremony on April 29 at the college with auxiliary secretary BSI Dimapur, Rev. Dr. Yiepetso Wezah as the graduation speaker. A press release by the

college stated that the degrees were conferred to 64 graduates by president of Logos College, Rev. Dr. N. Paphino while Mezhusevi Zutso introduced online programme in partnership with teachers and professors overseas.

Assam Rifles observe ‘Workers Day’ DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles, under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N), celebrated International Workers Day by carrying out various activities across the state on May 1. Kiphire battalion: Assam Rifles, Kiphire battalion, celebrated the day at Mimi, Longmatre and Pungro villages, under Kiphire, on May 1. Felicitation programme was conducted to honour services of labour community in which essential rations were provided to workers. Chieswema battalion: On the occasion, Assam Rifles,

Lal Thanhawla of the Congress in 2018 assembly polls, was disqualified by Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo in November last year under the anti-defection law, following complaints filed by 12 ruling party legislators. Speaking to reporters, Lalduhoma said the mandate was a “miracle” in the political history of Mizoram as opposition parties hardly won an assembly bypoll in the state in the past. Usually, assembly a by-election is considered “safe” for the ruling party, he said. The IPS officer-turnedpolitician said it was a justice being brought to him by the people. “It is not my own victory but the people of Serchhip and our party,” said Lalduhoma. He said the bypoll result will have an impact on the party’s prospect in the next assembly polls in 2023.

LC Dimapur holds 19th graduation ceremony

&AIDS Act 2017 for D+WA

DIMAPUR: A study of the HIV&AIDS (prevention and control) Act 2017 was organised by People in Need Foundation (PNF) for the leaders of the Dimapur Positive Women Association (D+WA) on May 1 at the Prodigals’ Home Hall, Dimapur. A press release by PNF stated that during the study, the participants were familiarized with terms like, capacity to consent, informed consent, significant risk, discrimination, protected person, reasonable accommodation, apart from others in the Act. Of the 14 chapters of the Act, PNF said chapter (IV) on “disclosure of status”; Chapter (VI) on “Anti-retroviral Therapy and opportunistic infection

ing the elections in alliance with the AGP and the United Peoples’ Party Liberal. Its challenger, the Congress, formed a ‘Grand Alliance’ with the All India United Democratic Front and several other parties. The poll panel has written to political parties barring them from organising celebratory processions and congregations during or after the counting of votes. In another letter to the chief secretary of the states where votes are counted on Sunday, the EC has asked the administration to take action against all police stations that would fail to stop enthusiasts from taking out rallies. The EC has also directed the authorities to take penal action against violators in all such cases under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other laws and place erring police officials under suspension.

Chieswema battalion provided essential rations to the workers at Chieswema, Tseminyu, Jessami and Cheiphebozu villages of Kohima and Phek . Phek battalion: To mark the day, Assam Rifles, Phek battalion, reached out to labourers by distributing basic COVID sanitary items at Phek, Ziphu, Meluri, Avangkhu, New Thewati and Akhen in Phek. Masks, sanitizers, multivitamins and essential rations were distributed to locals, whereby a total of 169 villagers benefitted. Jalukie Battalion: On the

occasion, Jalukie Battalion conducted wellness and Covid awareness campaign in Peren town. A total of 47 labourers, who are involved in various road construction sites, were benefitted. Medziphema battalion: Assam Rifles, Medziphema battalion felicitated labourers on the occasion at Nihokhu, Kukidolong Ghaspani and Zubza Villages of Dimapur and Kohima. Importance of COVID-19 protocols was deliberated to the gathering, while masks and sanitizers were also distributed to the workers.

The release informed that the online programme was launched by Rokolhou Angami, a board member of the college. The day also marked the “ground-breaking for Neivotso Neikha Study Park” built in honour of Rev. Neivotso Neikha.

STPF flays transfer of MO DIMAPUR: Shamator Town Public Forum (STPF) has expressed displeasure over the transfer of Shamator Community Health Centre (CHC) Medical Officer (MO) without a replacement for the same.In a press statement, STPF president, S.Yanhokiu and general secretary, K.Hankiu said the transfer of the MO without any “instant reliever” was an utter injustice, bias and inhumanity act towards the entire Shamator town community. The forum pointed out that the centre which was upgraded from Primary Health Centre (PHC) to CHC on May 7, 2014 has not received any “single amenities” required to run a CHC. STPF said the centre has been “functioning unchanged and candidly under pathetic conditions”. Questioning the lackadaisical attitude of government towards the community, the forum has urged the government to intervene without any further delay.

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 146 Dimapur, MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

Life and death matter

ith India continuing to witness record breaking spikes in fresh Covid-19 positive cases in a single day for over two weeks, the situation is very grim. The odi government has to listen to the voices of experts and accept the reality. What Director of India’s premier medical institute- All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS Dr.Randeep Guleria has said needs to be taken very seriously. Dr.Guleria on May 1, strongly recommended another aggressive containment or lockdown was the only key as the second wave was way beyond what the country’s health care system could handle. He said not only India but even healthcare system in the world cannot manage the current and deadlier second wave of the coronavirus. Dr Guleria said that India had been caught off guard by the ferocity with which the virus was spreading, and that night curfews and weekend lockdowns imposed by various states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and other states have proved to be ineffectual. Dr Guleria also pointed out the fallacy in hoping for ‘herd immunity’, saying( with at least 40% recovered cases and 70% vaccinated) , “We have this feeling of ‘herd immunity’ without realising that if the virus changes that immunity is not of much use.” To achieve herd immunity through vaccination, there is a requirement of 200 crore doses in the country. Presently around 13 crore Indians have been vaccinated. However, there is acute vaccine shortage across India as majority of states have postponed jabs after the reduction of age to above 18 years of age. The vulnerability of the healthcare system in India has thoroughly exposed in the current coronavirus crisis when hospitals run out of oxygen and ICU beds and number of death is on the rise. Exactly a month ago, Dr Guleria had said that a “mini lockdown” is needed in the country to contain the rapid spread of the virus. However, no one in the top government hierarchy was willing to listen and instead were more focussed on assembly elections. Even as early as February this year, scientists reported the discovery of new Indian variant, which has two mutations in its spiky protein that it uses to stick to host cells. These variations can reportedly encourage faster and easier virus spread, and bypass the immune system. The government was totally inebriated by the ‘success’ it claimed over the first coronavirus wave. Instead, the government was more intent on winning state elections and so cleared announcement of poll schedules by the ECI. Scientists have also observed over a period of time that not only are they more contagious than during the previous stage, they are proving more dangerous too. The double-mutated virus is showing serious and unusual symptoms among non-vaccinated patients. Doctors do not deny the theory that every mutation makes the virus weaker and milder. But it has become more cunning, too.The highly respected medical journal Lancet had more alarming news. It reported a case study where the genome sequence of the coronavirus in the first infection and the re-infection differed significantly, suggesting that the fresh contamination was not from the same virus. In the second wave, the patient’s symptoms worsened, and required oxygen support and hospitalisation. Clearly, with healthcare system reduced to near-shambles and fresh cases still on upward spiral, the government of the day has to take a call.

DailyDevotion The Patience To Wait for the Vision

Though it tarries, wait for it… —Habakkuk 2:3 Patience is not the same as indifference; patience conveys the idea of someone who is tremendously strong and able to withstand all assaults. Having the vision of God is the source of patience because it gives us God’s true and proper inspiration. Moses endured, not because of his devotion to his principles of what was right, nor because of his sense of duty to God, but because he had a vision of God. “…he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). A person who has the vision of God is not devoted to a cause or to any particular issue— he is devoted to God Himself. You always know when the vision is of God because of the inspiration that comes with it. Things come to you with greatness and add vitality to your life because everything is energized by God. He may give you a time spiritually, with no word from Himself at all, just as His Son experienced during His time of temptation in the wilderness. When God does that, simply endure, and the power to endure will be there because you see God. “Though it tarries, wait for it….” The proof that we have the vision is that we are reaching out for more than we have already grasped. It is a bad thing to be satisfied spiritually. The psalmist said, “What shall I render to the Lord…? I will take up the cup of salvation…” (Psalm 116:12-13). We are apt to look for satisfaction within ourselves and say, “Now I’ve got it! Now I am completely sanctified. Now I can endure.” Instantly we are on the road to ruin. Our reach must exceed our grasp. Paul said, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on…” (Philippians 3:12). If we have only what we have experienced, we have nothing. But if we have the inspiration of the vision of God, we have more than we can experience. Beware of the danger of spiritual relaxation.

Quotes

“He that can have patience can have what he will.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

National Government only recourse to economic revival I t is a year now. Panic decisions and maniac actions of keeping people off work has done wonders of squeezing out taxes – GST, income tax, cesses, tolls, fees, charges, high petrol prices – and the ultimate of keeping people in perpetual hunger through severe inflation and total brake on activities. The core inflation has hit its activity so hard that a relapse of the lockdown has led crores of traders cry for deferment of GST and other taxes. The daily business loss due to lockdown in Delhi also is likely to be around Rs 600 crore while for overall India could be around Rs 30,000 crore taking into account full lockdown, partial lockdown, night curfews and other forms of restrictions, according to Confederation o All India Traders (CAIT) secretary general Praveen Khandelwal. Non-compliance of these stipulations, says Khandelwal, will attract huge penalties on traders across the country. So far finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has refused to budge as her economy has collapsed over almost -23.9 plus another about 8 percent since June

2020. There is no thinking, policy or revival plan except that economy is shrinking as people’s incomes are in tailspin, markets have sagging demand and activities are at a virtual thaw after a year of inaction. On the face of it, India panicking into inaction on March 24, 2020 was the severest debilitating process of incarceration without giving a simple thought how 130 crore Indians would survive if their livelihood was snatched away. It happened and the next three months revealed that the decisions to close down all treatments except the so-called covid19 had led the country to a devastating path. At least 10 crore of the 18 crore migrant workers hit the road amid loss of work, dignity and humiliation heaped on by state governments of UP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Haryana, MP, Rajasthan, Karnakataka, Teleangana and who not. The offence could have been pardonable had a government that invoked National Disaster Management Act 2005 merely to amass power, did not come out with a road map of a year ahead. The nation remained adrift in

complacence of “having “The state has failed in conquered” covid19 and its fundamental obligation to patting of self back, only to protect the basic fundamenrealise a year later that the tal right that is right to life nation has once again been under Article 21”, says an failed, infections are spurt- anguished Delhi high court ing, oxygen and medicines on April 30. The bench, unavailable – sorry nobody earlier during the same hearever thought the country ing, had noted the “comwould need these. Millions plete failure of the state” are losing lives and the state when dealing with another remains a mute spectator pleas. There was silence leading the courts to inter- and moist eyes in the court vene to stop the administra- following the announcetion from smothering voices ment by a lawyer who was being raised against the representing the patient, monumental his brothfailure. er-in-law Shivaji Sarkar It is a before jusyear of massive failure that tices Rekha Patil and Vipin the council of ministers on Sanghi. That sums up the April 30 without listing an national inaction. outcome, the press release It does not begin so says, “PM Narendra Modi suddenly. It appears that the said that all arms of the gov- nation in euphoria of colernment are working unit- lecting brownie points, has edly and rapidly to deal with given up the thought about the situation”. The nation is people’s lives or economy. It still expecting an action but started in 2014 itself. it is being only sounded the The Planning Comnews of deaths and failures mission was an institution of the healthcare system. It in the Government of Inis grim. It speaks volumes dia, which formulated in as the nation apparently 1938 by supreme leader Nehas stopped a process for taji Subhash Chandra Bose, thinking and reports from who had been persuaded by countryside say that half- Meghnad Saha to set up a baked hospitals are doing National Planning Commore harm and how they mittee. In 2014, the new are cremating bodies remain NDA government decided mystery. to wind it down. It began

the process of economic wilderness and whimsical decisions of demonetisation on Novemeber 8, 2016, without even caring to discuss a woman, who bore its brunt or introduce an abandoned GST by the Congress, severe joblessness and turning India’s entrepreneurship into a nought. It followed putting brakes on Indian Railways during the last one year, demolishing what the nation painstakingly built strong public sector organisations, reckless destruction of central vista, an unnecessary new Parliament building and taking decisions to fill up the coffers of private companies, who have doubtful contributions to nation building. Destroying even the credentials of national institutions like HAL, which have build Sukhoi, Gnat and many others. The decision making process was steamrolled during the past few years. The latest indicators from RBI on the banking system do not bring a happy note. The bank losses or NPA are mounting. Credit squeeze is obvious. Rupee is plunging. Petrol prices are at an artificial high.

The young students have become skeptical of claims and wonder if the country has not done a bit in 70 years what it aspires to sale to the sharks. Even a Project Monitoring Group (PMG) that was set up by UPA government, credit was usurped by the NDA government, not required the least for at least Prime Minister Narendra Modi government who had so many politically dividend paying rural housing schemes, electricifcation, Ujjwala cooking gas and swachha Bharat and others. Time for corrections has come. It needs to own up not successes of covid19 and its relapse, failures of joblessness following the noteban, severe individual and social crisis but also how to reformulate the resurgence of a nation with the help of all the opposition, religious and social groups not for GDP but a massive survival plan of informal sector, free flow of cash and giving up all political ego. Healthcare has now to become the bedrock but laced with a prudent economic policy even if that means forming a national government.

Post-mortem

Where personal tragedy meets systemic State failure

ike an oncologist who gets cancer or a dermatologist who battles skin disease, this week, I became the story I have reported for the past fifteen months. I lost my father, Speedy Dutt, to Covid-19 and experienced every bit of the devastation, desolation, anger and anxiety that I have only so far chronicled in other families through the pandemic. My father, a former Air India official, but essentially an inventor at heart — a man who loved to sometimes break machines just so that he could have the joy of re-engineering them — was a twinkly-eyed, ever-optimistic man of science. He was an undemanding feminist father who gave my sister and me wings to fly, placing literally no demands on our time or emotion, while he spent hours crafting planes and trains built from mecanno. And he made us promise that when his time came, we would donate these to a children’s orphanage.

Grief, like Covid-19, mutates and escapes the inoculation of both time and the reassurance of loving friends. It is less sledgehammer and more screwdriver, drilling little holes in your head and heart, leaving you haunted by the ifs and buts of your decisions. It’s not even been 72 hours since his death, as I write this on Friday, and every time I turn into his YouTube Channel (devoted to his meccano creations), I find myself collapsing in inconsolable tears, haunted for hours after by regret about all that was left unsaid and undone (including my failure to send Hindustan Times an article he wrote on the end of the 747 Jumbo that he was so keen to see in print). Like many elderly people, my father was not immediately keen to go to hospital. He dreaded not being able to see his family in what he feared might be his last few days. Initially, doctors believed that his infection was

mild, his oxygen levels were stable and agreed that it was better to treat him within his comfort zone. He was home monitored by a fine team of doctors from Medanta. But when the spike came, it came suddenly, unexpectedly, both the rise in fever and the drop in oxygen levels. We panicked and organised a private ambulance in the belief that it would help us get him to hospital quicker than waiting for Medanta’s ambulance. What arrived was a broken down Maruti van with a single cylinder and a crew of one — the driver. He assured me the cylinder worked and he had the gear needed. We clambered on, me in the front seat, my father and his attendant at the back. He lay there uncomfortably on a slab for one hour as we navigated traffic. Despite pleas to the Delhi Police, there is still no green corridor for ambulances because randomly placed barricades to enforce the “curfew” are clogging up the

streets. By the time we reached Medanta, his oxygen levels had fallen sharply and the emergency shift doctor believed he needed an intensive care unit (ICU) bed. It turned out that the cylinder in the van masquerading as an ambulance had faltered, and the mask he had been given was not the one meant for high-flow oxygen. Despite the best possible medical care — and I am so unspeakably grateful to the team of doctors and nurses at Medanta — he did not last for more than a few days, spending the last two days of his life on a ventilator. When we went to cremate him at the grounds closest to the hospital, I witnessed, as I have in multiple reports I have filed from funeral sites, the scrum for space. At least three other families had been given the same token number for a cremation at the same time. An argument ensued, a fight erupted, my sister had to call the

police for help. As a journalist, I have often raised these questions; today they consume me as a daughter. Had the vaccination programme rolled out earlier, might my father have had a better chance at being alive? He had taken one shot and was due for his second the week he got Covid. Had I chosen a different ambulance or waited a bit longer, might he still be alive today? But I am also aware of my privilege through my crushing loss. At least he had a chance to fight for his life — unlike the thousands of Indians whose stories I tell everyday, who are dying at the gates of shut hospitals who have no space or oxygen for them. I am orphaned today, but still luckier than those who have been orphaned by the Indian State. Barkha Dutt is an award-winning journalist (The views expressed are personal)

In this hour of Covid crisis, let science talk

he second Covid-19 wave in India hit us like a tsunami and disrupted us totally. It started very quietly, from the less exposed population clusters in some districts, and then spread rapidly to the rest of India. It is clearly a fast-spreading virus strain, but of unknown virulence. It definitely caught us napping but as resilient Indians, we are fighting it back with ferocity. The history of pandemics suggests that waves will keep coming and going; we have to stay alert 24/7 to take the sting out of them. More than a 100 years ago, the Spanish flu ended World War-I, and during its second wave in India, more than 10 million people succumbed. We need to accept our shortcomings and move with focus, positivity and clinical precision. It’s painful to see India being globally targeted when many other countries in the world have also faltered in their second waves. Western countries continue to report higher death rates in early waves of Covid-19 which is indeed painful given their high spending on public health, infrastructure, and reimbursement model of insurance. However, even as devel-

oped nations struggle with the second wave, we should not be looking outwards but inwards, and attempt to rewire our fragile, overburdened healthcare system to ensure we mitigate this crisis on a war footing. We need to urgently stratify India in red zones of urgency which need medical attention, and save every life by ensuring that every case is assessed by a doctor. Based on that medical input, we need to triage or transfer or start homebased care without any delay, and ensure every case is connected to the medical healthcare provider digitally, 24/7. Cases which have a potential to deteriorate based on patient’s age, comorbidities, persistent fever or cough or, most vitally, oxygen saturation dropping below 3% after a 6-minute walk, or below 93, must be shifted to a care facility, like the Mumbai war-room model. In Mumbai, 24 warrooms have people working in 12-hour shifts and stay connected with patients. In the early days, we had faced tremendous hardships and teething problems, but things seem to be settling down. For every case, we ensure that the patients and their family members isolate themselves, wear

masks, get tested, and stay connected to their doctor. We also ensure that if they need medical care, they are shifted to a facility with beds, oxygen as well as medicines. Both the state and Central governments are working 24/7 to get essential supplies and oxygen across the length and breadth of the country, from urban metros to remote rural villages, and we need to work as ‘one India, one world’ in this hour of crisis. At this time, more than 1.4 billion Indians need to be protected from Covid-19, and public health strategies have to be in place. All geographies which have a positivity rate above 10% must have strict restrictions in place, till the number comes down to below 5%. Once that target is achieved, we need to saturate the region with vaccination through the ‘ring vaccination’ method. Apart from vaccines, which may take a few months to come in large supplies, masking is the strongest tool we have — we must double mask and keep distance from others. The contribution of aerosol exposure to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been under scrutiny. Many global scientists have em-

phasised that infected individuals represent emission sources of aerosol, which is generated by routine activities, such as breathing, speaking, singing, coughing, sneezing — all of which might be capable of transmitting the disease. SARS-CoV-2 is a typical respiratory RNA virus which spreads via aerosol generation. As with any infectious respiratory disease, an infected individual can release aerosols and droplets containing SARSCoV-2 by coughing or sneezing. The transmission efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 has proved to be high, with reported reproductive numbers greater than that of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. SARS-CoV-2 have virus-containing aerosols and droplets that can lead to short-range airborne transmission (~ 6 ft). Such aerosols (<10-m diameter) and droplets (>10-m diameter) can promote infection through surface fomite deposition (still under scrutiny) or subsequent hand-to-mouth/nose/eye transfer. Indian scientists need to study inhalation route to evaluate the infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2 on an urgent basis. Until scientific evidence emerges, it is useful for people to follow

approaches that minimise their risk of infection by reducing their exposure levels and duration of exposure. The combined use of masks and physical distancing can be effective approaches for decreasing exposure to airborne forms of SARS-CoV-2. We are resilient and strong, and will overcome

this wave with grit and focus. Covid-appropriate behaviour, restrictions, and vaccination in Covid-dense geographies is the way forward. Shashank R Joshi (The writer is a member of the Covid-19 Task Force, Maharashtra. The article was first published in The Indian Express on May 2, 2021)

Reader’s Post

Sir

The glitch in the Support Local Campaign

Lately we have seen and heard of many people on social media harbingering to the people on the need to support our local enterprises irrespective of any nature of business they are affiliated to. Yes, it is indeed very much necessary to support our one’s own kind in any ways possible. However, I will not be surprised to state that there is a glitch in this campaign which is none other than the term called ‘Over Pricing.’ We have misunderstood the word Competition from this parlance. A healthy competition is when the businesspersons tries their best to lower the price of their products and that is how they gain the mileage to garner more customers in the long run. However, in the end it all boils down to the entrepreneurs to decide their final rate of their products because the Indian economy is an amalgamation of both the capitalistic and socialistic form of economy. Similarly, the customers also should not be obliged to buy from any if they think the products are overpriced. Keyisogong RZ Herie, Peren Village, PerenTown, Peren District

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.

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

WB results to impact UP poll EC cracks whip as TMC supporters go on Bengal saved India today: and 2024 election: Yashwant celebration spree, flouting COVID norms Mamata on landslide victory

Mamata Banerjee promise, Banerjee said her government will provide free vaccines to the people of the state. “I urge the Centre to give free vaccines to every Indian. To vaccinate 140 crore people, Rs 30,000 crore is needed to be spent. I will sit in protest before the Mahatma Gandhi statue here if the Centre does not accept this demand,” she said. Banerjee said that even though her party received a landslide mandate, no grand oath-taking ceremony will be organised. “Tackling COVID-19 is my priority right now. It’s no time for celebrating victory. Once the pandemic is over, a mega rally will be organised in the Brigade

‘Quitting this space’, declares Kishor, calls EC ‘extension of BJP’

Kolkata, May 2 (PTI): Election strategist Prashant Kishor, who guided the TMC to what is likely to be a spectacular victory, announced Sunday he is “quitting this space”, after firing a parting shot at the Election Commission, accusing it of being an “extension of BJP”. “I am quitting this space,” he told India Today TV channel after trends showed a landslide victory for the TMC, the party whose election strategy he helped craft for the assembly elections. “I have never seen a more partial Election Commission, it did everything to help BJP....from

Prashant Kishor allowing use of religion to scheduling poll and bending rules, EC did everything to help the BJP,” he said, calling the poll panel an “extension” of the saffron party. Talking to NDTV, Kishor stuck to his stand that the BJP was a formidable force in West Bengal.

Parade Ground in Kolkata,” she said. The chief minister also hit out at the Election Commission over its conduct of the polls, alleging her party was treated badly. Taking a dig at the BJP, Banerjee said that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah spoke of a “double-engine” government, her party hit a double- century in the elections. “I targeted 221 as this is 2021. We reached near that figure and I thank the people of Bengal,” she said. Banerjee alleged that some “mischief ” happened in Nandigram, asserting that she will move court against it. “We have won so big in Bengal but I respect the verdict of the people of Nandigram. Let people of Nandigram decide. Whatever their verdict is, I accept that. It is okay,” she said. “But, I also feel there was some mischief as after the news of my victory came things changed. Then, heard that the result has changed. I will later move court on this issue,” Banerjee said.

Yashwant Sinha saffron party in 2018 citing the ‘party’s condition’ and that ‘democracy in India is in great danger’. He alleged that these BJP leaders had claimed mass support in the state by bringing in huge crowds from Jharkhand and adjoining districts. He hit out at the leaders of the saffron party for humiliating Banerjee before the people of West Bengal during their campaigns. It hurt the feelings of crores of Bengalis so much that they gave a suitable reply to both Modi and Shah and made it clear that they stood united with Banerjee by voting for TMC, Sinha said. The election result was an indication that people were satisfied with Banerjee’s work and the development in the state under her.

KOL K ATA , M AY 2 (PTI): Physical distancing went for a toss as TMC s u p p o r t e r s, t h u m b i n g their noses at the raging COVID-19 pandemic, hit the streets, beating drums, bursting firecrackers and smearing ‘gulal’ on one another, prompting the Election Commission to call for action. The poll panel, which barred celebratory processions and congregations on after counting of votes, asked the state administration to take action against all police stations that failed to stop enthusiasts from taking out rallies. Several TMC activists had no mask on their faces as they lustily cheered and danced to their party’s ‘khela hobe’ (game to happen) theme song, which played on huge sound systems in the city’s nooks and corners. Taking to Twitter, an election official said, “The ECI has taken serious note of reports coming in of congregation(s) of people to celebrate anticipated victory. It has directed CS of all five states (including Bengal) to file FIR in each such case, suspend

TMC activists celebrate their party’s winning trend during counting day in South Dinajpur district, Sunday. (PTI)

SHO of the concerned PS and report action taken immediately of each such incidence.” A police officer, posted in the city’s Alipore area, however, said that the ruling party’s supporters did not pay heed, despite several requests and warnings. “What can we do if people don’t listen to us? We had put up barricades to stop them but people are in no mood to listen,” he claimed. A senior government official, when approached, gave assurance that neces-

sary action will be taken against those flouting the EC norms. “We have sought an explanation from the police stations concerned. If we find any laxity on the part of the police station in-charge, action will be taken,” he added. The ruling TMC looks all set to retain power in Bengal with its candidates leading in 202 of the state’s 292 constituencies that went to polls against BJP’s 82, according to the trends available for 288 seats on Election Commission website at 3.45 pm.

Stalin thanks TN people for voting DMK to power YSR Congress gets thumping

C H E NNA I , M AY 2 (PTI): DMK president M K Stalin, who is set to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time, on Sunday thanked the people for voting his party to power and assured them that he would truthfully work for them. Stalin expressed his ‘heartfelt thanks’ to all the people of the state for mandating his party to govern Tamil Nadu for the sixth time. According to the Election Commission data at 6.30 pm, DMK was leading in 122 segments of the total 234 in the state and won two seats, which is inclusive of its allies who fought on the party’s rising sun symbol. The AIADMK was

leading in 74 and won two seats. DMK’s allies Congress was leading in 17, the CPI and CPI(M) two each and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi three. In the past, the DMK had been the ruling party five times, during 2006-11, 1996-2001, 1989-91, 197176 and 1967- 71. The people have given their massive support realising that their wellbeing would be protected if DMK was voted to power, he said in a statement. The victory was a commendation for over 50 years of his party’s committed work for the people and state. Also, it was in recognition of everyday hardwork of partymen to fulfil the dream of bring-

Vijayan’s leadership helps LDF win in Kerala

majority in bypoll to LS seat

File photo of DMK Chief MK Stalin with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (PTI)

ing the party to power, he said. Though they worked to get on to the saddle of power during the lifetime of party patriarch ‘Kalaignar’ (late M Karunanidhi) it did not happen, but they continued to chase that

dream. “I will be truthful to you, I will work for you, my thoughts and deeds would be for the people of this state,” he said. He thanked his party workers, cadres and leaders of alliance parties and all those who greeted him.

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officer, managed to get 5.16 per cent of the votes. She had to forfeit her deposit. It was a consolation for the BJP that it improved its vote-share from a mere 1.22 per cent in 2019, this time though in alliance with the Jana Sena Party. The YSRC, however, failed to reach its target victory margin of five lakh votes and had to be content with less than three lakh. But, it increased its voteshare from 55. 03 per cent in 2019 to over 56.7 per cent now. The TDPs vote-share dipped from 37.65 per cent to just over 32 per cent.

OFFICE OF THE NAGALAND OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION

KOHIMA NAGALAND Basing on the marks obtain in the written and interview conducted on 30/4/2021 the following candidates are selected: Office assistant 1. ROPFEKHROLO-Ü KOZA Waiting List 1. IMSENSUPONG JAMIR Accounts Assistant 1. NUTO VERO Waiting List 1. XUKATO P SHOHE waiting list. The selected candidates will be individually informed for acceptance letters and necessary appointment orders. Date 1/5/2021 Sd/- Assistant SG NOA

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Amaravati, May 2 (PTI): The ruling YSR Congress on Sunday secured a thumping victory in the byelection to the Tirupati (SC) Lok Sabha constituency, trouncing the main opposition Telugu Desam Party by a record margin of over 2.70 lakh votes. A political novice, YSRCs M Gurumoorthy defeated former Union Minister of State Panabaka Lakshmi of the TDP by a margin of over 14 per cent votes. It was virtually a noshow for the BJP, which had high hopes of reclaiming the seat, though its nominee K Ratna Prabha, a retired IAS

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Kolkata, May 2 (PTI): Thanking the people as the Trinamool Congress headed for a landslide victory in the assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday that West Bengal has “saved” India with its mandate. Banerjee said tackling the COVID-19 pandemic was her priority, asking party leaders not to organise any victory rally. “It is the victory of the people of Bengal, the victory of democracy. Bengal has saved India today. This landslide victory came after fighting against several odds -- the Centre, its machinery, its agencies. This victory has saved the humanity,” Banerjee said, addressing the press as she stood on her feet for the first time in nearly two months. “I am doing well now. I told you a few days back that I have recovered and will remove the plaster,” she said, referring to the injury she received on March 10 during her visit to Nandigram, which forced her to continue the election campaign on a wheelchair. Reiterating her pre-poll

H a z a r i b a g (Jharkhand), May 2 (PTI): Trinamool Congress vice-president Yashwant Sinha on Sunday demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah following the outcome of West Bengal assembly poll. He also demanded the resignations of BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and its Bengal president Dilip Ghosh. The result of the Bengal assembly poll will have far reaching impact on Uttar Pradesh state election and the 2024 parliamentary election, he said. The people in the coutry want change in the central leadership. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah should resign. Also Kailash Vijayvargiya and Dilip Ghosh”, the former member of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet told reporters here. The poll result in West Bengal declared on Sunday proved true TMC supremo Mamata Banerjees claim of a resounding victory, while the assertions of a win by Modi and other top BJP leaders have been found to be totally wrong, said Sinha, who had quit the

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KOCHI, MAY 2 (PTI): His decades long political acumen came to the fore as Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led the ruling LDF to a thumping win over opposition UDF in the keenly fought April 6 assembly polls, bucking an over four decade old trend of power alternating between two fronts. A combination of factors contributed to LDF’s historic victory, including delivery of a string of populist measures like distribution of free foodgrains and provision kits to all people, better management of the COVID-19 situation by gearing up the public health care system and enhanced and prompt pay out of social security pensions. Severe organisational weaknesses of the Congress and the BJP’s foray into the traditional anti-Left support-base also helped the LDF coast to victory comfortably, winning 87 of the total of 140 seats so far. The final results are expected later.

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Pinarayi Vijayan

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national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monDAY, MAY 3, 2021

Cong launches Bhopal COVID-19 deaths: Govt 13 Oppn leaders request govt COVID-19: medical advisory helpline says 104, crematoriums say 2,557 for free mass vaccination drive

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

earliest and filling up the vacant AEO and senior AEOs posts for smooth functioning of the system and deliver justice to the primary teachers as well. Expressing happiness over school education adviser having had on several occasions pitched for conduct of the limited departmental examinations to strengthen the school set-up, the association said it was aware that the school education department had already taken up the matter in right earnest with the government. Acknowledging and supporting this initiative, ANGPTA hoped that the department would hold steadfast without fear or favour till the matter was realised. The association also hoped that the principal director would positively act upon its appeal keeping in view that the rules were already provisioned in the Nagaland School Education Service Rules, 2017. Reiterating that it was fully committed to improving the quality of education in “our State”, ANGPTA stated that it did not practise the habit of dictating terms at the cost of holding the whole system to ransom. It however cautioned to explore every possible way to fight for rights if its rights were suppressed indefinitely.

COVID-19 surge: lockdown announced in Harayana and Odisha Chandigarh, May 2 (PTI): Amid a sharp surge in coronavirus cases, the Haryana government on Sunday announced imposition of a week-long lockdown in the entire state beginning May 3. Earlier, a weekend curfew was enforced in nine districts -- Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula, Sonipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Hisar, Sirsa and Fatehabad -- from 10 pm on Friday till 5 am on Monday. “From May 3, there will be a 7-day long lockdown in the entire state,” Haryana’s Home and Health Minister Anil Vij said in a tweet. Haryana on Saturday had registered 125 COVID fatalities, taking the death toll in the state to 4,341, while 13,588 fresh infections pushed the tally to 5,01,566. The massive surge

in COVID-19 cases in Haryana has also put pressure on the health infrastructure, even as state authorities over the past few days have been trying to meet the increased demand of medical oxygen supplies and beds. The other restrictions which were recently put in place in the state to contain the spread of infection include imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC and daily night curfew. Opposition party leaders have also expressed concern over the prevailing COVID situation in the state. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday had asked the government to step up efforts to tackle the situation. Odisha lockdown : The Odisha government on Sunday announced a

No. 9908 Yesterday’s solution No. 9907

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14-day lockdown in the state as cases continue to rise sharply. The lockdown will remain in force with effect from May 5 till May 19, 2021, an official order informed on Sunday. People will be allowed to purchase essential items within 500 metre radius of their residences between 6 am and 12 pm. During weekends,

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they will only be able to avail medical services. The order further said that the lockdown and the weekend shutdown will not be ap-

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(From p-1) adopted by the department and a complete disregard of the Departmental Service Rules, on the other hand, to purposely deny all promotions under the career advancement scheme of teachers. ANGPTA called for immediate implementation of rule 14 by giving promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme Of Teachers of the Service Rules and promoting all eligible primary teachers to senior primary teacher Grade II and Grade I respectively as per the prescribed length of service on time-bound basis. Seeking implementation of rule 15, the association demanded limited departmental examination under the Service Rules to fill all vacant posts of JEO/AHM under the prescribed reservation system and conditions and conducting the limited departmental examinations regularly. ANGPTA further sought recruitment by selection from lower grade and set up departmental selection board under rule 12 to recruit post graduate teachers and graduate teachers to vacant posts so created from amongst the eligible lower grade teachers. It also demanded completing the primary teachers’ seniority list at the

also allowed to conduct the last rites, he said. “The last rites of 1386 persons were performed at our crematorium last month. As many as 727 of them had died due to the coronavirus,” Subhash Nagar Vishram Ghat manager Sobhraj Sukhwani said. The bodies were cremated while following COVID-19 protocol, Sukhwani said. Rehan Golden, president of the Zada cemetery committee in the Jahangirabad area said 373 burials, including those of 176 coronavirus victims, took place in the Muslim burial ground last month.

OFFICE OF THE KANGCHING UNION TAMLU TOWN, DIST. LONGLENG, NAGALAND

FELICITATION

With immense pride and honour we the KANGCHING UNION TAMLU TOWN extends our heartiest congratulations to Mr HE-OHM B PHOM, S/o Y BAMEI PHOM / Mrs LIJE PHOM of Kangching Village for his success to the post of Secretariat Assistant (CL-III Non- Gazetted) under Personal & Administration Reform Department in the recently declared NPSC examination. The Union prays to Almighty God to bless him with wisdom and further success in future life. S PONGI PHOM ONGYAP PHOM President Gen. Secy K.U.T.T. K.U.T.T

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ANGPTA demands implementation of NSES Rules

Vishram Ghat crematorium secretary Mamtesh Sharma said. Those 1654 bodies had reached the crematorium from COVID-19 designated centres in air-tight plastic bags as per coronavirus protocol to prevent the spread of the disease, Sharma said, adding they were consigned to flames. The Bhadbhada crematorium and the Zada cemetery in Bhopal were initially authorised to perform the last rites of COVID-19 patients in the district, an official said. However, due to the rise in fatalities, another crematorium, the Subhash Nagar Vishram Ghat, was

LEKROMI UNION DIMAPUR FELICITATION

LUD takes the pleasure of congratulating Mr. Dieto Kapfo, S/o Mr. & Mrs. Neipezu Kapfo on your most sincerely passing NPSC Exam under Personal & Administrative Reforms Department for the post of Secretarial Assistant. You are the inspiration to the others and the ideals for the newer. Best wishes and all the best in the upcoming days. Neiko Kapfo Ritsho K Mero Chairman Secretary

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the country,” they added. The opposition leaders said the budgetary allocation of Rs 35,000 crore for the vaccination programme must be utilised for this drive. JMM leader and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, DMK chief MK Stalin, BSP supremo Mayawati, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav have also signed the statement, besides left leaders D Raja (CPI) and Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M).

Madhya Pradesh on Saturday reported 102 fatalities.

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Deve Gowda, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. “In times of the uncontrollable surge of the pandemic across our country, we call upon the Central government to focus all attention in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of Oxygen supplies to all hospitals and health centres across the country,” they said in a joint statement. “We call upon the Central government to immediately launch a free mass vaccination programme across

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New Delhi, May 2 (PTI): Leaders of 13 Opposition parties Sunday urged the Centre to launch a free mass vaccination drive across the country in view of the unprecedented surge in Covid-19 cases. In a joint statement, they also called upon the Centre to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to all hospitals and health centres as they manage the staggering patient loads in view of the rising cases. The signatories include Congress president Sonia Gandhi, JDS leader and former prime minister HD

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Tejashwi Yadav

BHOPAL, MAY 2 (PTI): Crematoriums here claim that the last rites of as many as 2557 coronavirus victims from Bhopal district were performed in April, sharply contradicting the BJP-led state government’s data which puts the COVID-19 deaths in the district last month at 104. The mammoth mismatch has given credence to claims of massive underreporting of COVID-19 fatalities in the city. Managers of two crematoriums and a cemetery in Bhopal told PTI that the last rites of 3811 people, including 2557 coronavirus patients from Bhopal district, were performed in the city last month. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra recently rubbished allegations about the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government underreporting COVID-19 deaths in the state. “Altogether 2052 people were cremated at our facility last month. As many as 1654 of them had died of coronavirus,” Bhadbhada

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wing, said this is for the first time in India’s history that “rather than the government, it is the opposition which is reaching out to the people”. He said people recovered from COVID-19 can register themselves with the helpline and donate plasma. The helpline will soon be linked to the Congress help centres being set up at party headquarters and at state offices, which in turn will help people in need of plasma. AICC spokesperson Pawan Khera said the initiative will come to the aid of those in need of plasma. He said it will help those in need irrespective of their political leanings or belief. Congress secretary Pranav Jha said the hallmark of any government is to be able to help its people when they need it, irrespective of whether they are their supporters or opponents. He said people in need of help are tagging “Congress party frontline workers, youth leaders, their social media handles”.

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HD Deve Gowda

New Delhi, May 1 (PTI): The Congress on Saturday started a new initiative -- plasma collection drive -- with its leader Rahul Gandhi launching a medical advisory helpline aimed at helping those battling with COVID-19. “India needs to stand together and help our people. We have launched ‘Hello Doctor’ a medical advisory helpline. Please call +919983836838 for medical advice,” Gandhi said on Twitter while launching the doctor helpline. “Dear Dr’s and mental health professionals, we need your help. Please enroll on,” he said sharing the “Hello Doctor” helpline link and urging doctors to join the battle against the coronavirus and help those in need. Later, the Indian Youth Congress launched a new initiative ‘Plasma Help link’, whereby those recovered from COVID19 would be contacted by the IYC and their plasma collected. Srinivas BV, president of the Congress’s youth

Faith Theological Seminary, Jotsoma; Kohima District held its 13th Convocation on 29th April, 2021 where altogether Thirty Five (35) students were graduated. Due to the current situation it was held with limited number of people where strict guidelines (SOP) was maintained. The valedictory message was delivered by Rev. Dr. Visielie Angami, Principal of the Seminary. He shared on the Theme of the Programme, “As the Father sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20: 21). As the graduates enters into the Ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, he encouraged the graduates to hold on two anchors- the anchor of their calling and the model of Jesus’ Ministry. Rev. Dr. Viesielie Angami, Principal gave away the Awards and the Certificates to the graduates. The programme was led by Ms. Asola Jamir, Academic Dean. The Academic Excellence Award was received by Miss Nevizonuo Pienyu of M. Div and Mr. Tanwang Konyak of B. Th. The Best Thesis award was received by Miss Vevosalu and Second by Mr. Rupfuvituo both from M. Div. The award for Best Leadership Skill was bagged by Ms. Keviphenuo of M.Div. First Best Term Paper was received by Ms. Khriekethonuo and the Second received by Mr. Hukheto, both from M. Div (DE) Distance Education. All Rounder Award was received by Mr. Rupfuvituo of M. Div. The programme was culminated by a commissioning prayer led by the Principal, the Faculty and the Board members.K-898

7 killed as Myanmar stirs aim to ‘shake the world’

a coup plunged the country into crisis. The protests, after a spell of dwindling crowds and what appeared to be more restraint by the security forces, were coordinated with demonstrations

in Myanmar communities around the world to mark what organisers called “the global Myanmar spring revolution”. “Shake the world with the voice of Myanmar people’s unity,” the organisers

Israel bans travel to India, 6 other countries JERUSALEM, MAY 2 (PTI): Israel has temporarily barred its citizens from travelling to India and six other countries, citing high COVID-19 infection rates there. A joint press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Health Ministry on Friday said that Israelis will not be allowed to travel to Ukraine, Brazil, Ethiopia, South Africa, India, Mexico and Turkey. This regulation will come into force on May 3 and will remain in place until May 16. Non-Israelis, however, will be able to travel to these countries, provided they plan to reside there permanently, the press release said. The regulation

will not be applicable to those who stay at airports in transit in one of these countries for a time period of up to 12 hours while waiting for a connecting flight. The Israeli government also authorised its health and interior ministers to appoint representatives to head an appeal committee and the panel reviewing special cases. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry proposed that those returning from the seven countries enter a two-week mandatory quarantine, even if they have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID19, local media reports said. Those who have received two negative COVID-19 test

reports will be required to be in a 10-day quarantine, they said. These additional restrictions are also expected to come into force on May 3, but are subject to the approval of the Knesset’s (Israeli parliament) Arrangements Committee. A record 3,689 daily COVID-19 fatalities pushed India’s death toll to 2,15,542, while the infection count reached 1,95,57,457 with 3,92,488 more people being confirmed positive for the disease, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The active cases have crossed the 33-lakh mark, the data updated at 8 am showed.

SpaceX returns 4 astronauts to Earth; rare night splashdown CAPE CANAVERAL (US), MAY 2 (AP): SpaceX returned four astronauts from the International Space Station on Sunday, making the first US crew splashdown in darkness since the Apollo 8 moonshot. The Dragon capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, just before 3 am, ending the second astronaut flight for Elon Musk’s company. It was an express trip home, lasting just 6 1/2 hours. The astronauts, three American and one Japanese, flew back in the same capsule — named Resilience — in which they launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in November. Their 167-day mission is the longest for astronauts launching from the US The

said in a statement. Streams of demonstrators, some led by Buddhist monks, made their way through cities and towns across the country, including the commercial hub of Yangon and the second city of Mandalay, where two people were shot and killed, the Mizzima news agency reported. The Irrawaddy news site earlier posted a photograph of a man it said was a security officer in plain clothes taking aim with a rifle in Mandalay. Two p e o p l e we r e killed in the central town of Wetlet, the Myanmar Now news agency said, and two were killed in different towns in Shan State in the northeast, two media outlets reported. One person was also killed in the northern jade-mining town of Hpakant, the Kachin News Group reported. Reuters could not verify the reports and a spokes-

man for the ruling junta did not answer calls seeking comment. The protests are only one of the problems the generals have brought on with their Feb. 1 ouster of the elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Wars with ethnic minority insurgents in remote frontier regions in the north and east have intensified significantly since the coup, displacing tens of thousands of civilians, according to United Nations estimates. In some places civilians with crude weapons have battled security forces, while in central areas military and government facilities that have been secure for generations have been hit by rocket attacks and a wave of small, unexplained blasts. There have been no claims of responsibility for the explosions.

N Korea warns US of ‘very grave situation’ over Joe Biden speech

SEOUL, MAY 2 (AP): North Korea on Sunday warned the United States will face “a very grave situation” because President Joe Biden “made a big blunder” in his recent speech by calling the North a security threat and revealing his intent to maintain a hostile policy against it. Last week, Biden, in his first address to Congress, called North Korea and Iran’s nuclear programs “serious threats” to American and world security and said he’ll work with allies to address those problems through diplomacy and stern deterrence. “His statement clearly reflects his intent to keep enforcing the hostile policy toward the DPRK as it had been done by the US for over half a century,” Kwon Jong Gun, a senior North Korean Foreign Ministry official, said in a statement. DPRK stands for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the North’s official name. “It is certain that the US chief executive made a big blunder in the light of Tehran involved a prisoner the present-day viewpoint,” swap in exchange for the re- Kwon said. “Now that lease of $7 billion in frozen the keynote of the US new DPRK policy has become Iranian funds. “The Americans accepted to pay $7 billion and swap four Iranians who were active in bypassing sanctions for four American KABUL, MAY 2 (IANS): spies who have served part Five soldiers and eight miliof their sentences,” state TV tants were killed when fightsaid, quoting the official in ing erupted in Afghanistan’s northern Badakhshan provan on-screen crawl. U.S. State Department ince on Saturday night, a spokesman Ned Price im- local source confirmed on mediately denied the Ira- Sunday. The clashes broke out when armed militants nian state TV report. “Reports that a pris- stormed an Afghan Reoner swap deal has been gional Army’s checkpoint reached are not true,” Price in surrounding areas of said. “As we have said, we restive Wardoj district at always raise the cases of midnight, Abdul Raziq from Americans detained or miss- the Afghan national army’s ing in Iran. We will not stop 217 Pamir Corps told the until we are able to reunite Xinhua news agency. There were also 10 soldiers and them with their families.”

State TV: Iran reaches deals to release prisoners; US denies

Tehran, May 2 (AP): Iran will free prisoners with Western ties in Iran in exchange for billions of dollars from the United States and the United Kingdom, state television reported Sunday. The US immediately denied the report, while the UK did not respond. The state TV report quoted an anonymous official just as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began giving what authorities earlier described as an “important” speech. However, Khamenei did not immediately discuss any proposed swap amid negotiations in Vienna over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers. The official quoted by Iranian state TV said a deal made between the U.S. and

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the SpaceX Dragon capsule is retrieved from the Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Panhandle early, May 2. (AP/PTI)

previous record of 84 days was set by NASA’s final Skylab station crew in 1974. Saturday night’s undocking left seven people at the space station, four of whom arrived a week ago via SpaceX. “Earthbound!” NASA astronaut Victor Glover tweeted after departing the

station. “One step closer to family and home!” Glover — along with NASA’s Mike Hopkins and Shannon Walker and Japan’s Soichi Noguchi — should have returned to Earth last Wednesday, but high offshore winds forced SpaceX to pass up a pair of daytime landing attempts.

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clear, we will be compelled to press for corresponding measures, and with time the US will find itself in a very grave situation.” Kwon still didn’t specify what steps North Korea would take, and his statement could be seen as an effort to apply pressure on the Biden administration as it’s shaping up its North Korea policy. The White House said Friday administration officials had completed a review of US policy toward North Korea, saying Biden plans to veer from the approaches of his two most recent predecessors as he

tries to stop North Korea’s nuclear program. Press secretary Jen Psaki did not detail findings of the review, but suggested the administration would seek a middle ground between Donald Trump’s “grand bargain” and Barack Obama’s “strategic patience” approaches. Kwon’s statement didn’t mention Psaki’s comments. After a series of high-profile nuclear and missile tests in 2016-17, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un launched summit diplomacy with Trump on the future of his growing nuclear arsenal.

5 soldiers, 8 militants killed in Afghan clashes

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Commuters watch a TV showing a file image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Joe Biden during a news program in Seoul, South Korea, March 26. (AP)

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eight militants wounded in the fighting, he said. The violence lingers in war-torn Afghanistan as the US and NATO troops have been leaving the country. About 3,500 US forces

and 7,000 NATO troops will be withdrawn before September 11, the day which is the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that drew the US into war in Afghanistan.

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TAMLU BÜHÜ LAIVANGH HOICHEM DIMAPUR FELICITATION With immense pride and honour, the Tamlu Bühü Laivangh Hoichem Dimapur convey our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Nganlang C Phom, S/o Shri Chingan Phom for securing the post of Secretariat Assistant (SA) under Personal & Administrative Reforms Department in the recently declared NPSC Exam result. TBLHD further expresses best wishes and success in all his future endeavours. Angam Phom Haukup Phom President, TBLHD Information & Publicity Secy., TBLHD

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This handout from Shwe Phee Myay News Agency taken and released on May 2, shows protesters taking part in a demonstration against the military coup. (AFP)

NAYPYITAW, MAY 2 (AGENCIES): Myanmar security forces opened fire on some of the biggest protests against military rule in days on Sunday killing seven people, media reported, three months after

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MonDAY, MAY 3, 2021

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Dhawan stars in DC’s win over Kings xI

AHMEDABAD, MAY 2 (PTI): Shikhar Dhawan’s delightful 69 dwarfed Mayank Agarwal’s unbeaten 99 as Delhi Capitals defeated Punjab Kings by seven wickets in the IPL here on Sunday to go atop the points table. Agarwal, leading the side in the absence of regular skipper K L Rahul, used the straight bat effectively in his lone hand to take Punjab Kings to 166 for six. Delhi Capitals hardly broke a sweat in the run chase, cantering to victory in 17.4 overs overs, their sixth win in eight matches. For Punjab Kings, it was their fifth loss in eight games, summing up their inconsistent run so far. The destructive opening duo of Prithvi Shaw (39 off 22) and Dhawan (69 not out off 47) gave another flying start to Delhi who raced to 63 for no loss in six overs. Both struck delightful drives and punches on the off-side. Against the run of play, left-arm spinner Harpeet Brar carried on from where he left off in the game against RCB to dismiss the set Shaw on his very first ball which turned just enough to clip the off-

dicitis, steadied the innings alongside IPL debutant Dawid Malan (26) as the two shared a 52-run partnership. Capitals took total control of the game in the 14th over when Axar Patel found the stumps of Malan before Deepak Hooda ran himself out following a mix up with Agarwal at the other end, leaving Punjab at 88 for four. Agarwal did not get much support from the other end thereafter but he took it upon himself to

Andy Ruiz Jr beats Arreola by unanimous decision

Andy Ruiz Jr

CALIFORNIA, MAY 2 (AGENCIES): Former world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr survived an early knockdown to beat Chris Arreola by unanimous decision in California. Knocked down by an overhand right in the second round, Mexican Ruiz recovered to win 117-110, 118-109 and 118-109 on the judges’ scorecards. He had not fought since his December 2019 rematch defeat by Anthony Joshua, after which he lost 55lb. “We did what we had to do to get the victory,”

RR cruise to 55-run win over SRH

Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Capitals bats during the IPL match against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad, Sunday. (PTI)

stump. After that wicket, Punjab were able to bring down the scoring rate by conceding almost run-aball from over 7 to 10. However, they also needed regular wickets to keep themselves in the game but that never came. Fo l l ow i n g S t eve Smith’s downfall, Dhawan stepped on the accelerator and swept Ravi Bishnoi for a six to complete his 44th fifty in the IPL. It was followed by couple of fours in the same over. From there on, there was no stopping Delhi as in the end West Indian batsman Shimron Hetmyer

Ruiz, 31, said. Ruiz looked sharp with the jab in the first round before American Arreola sent him to the canvas with a shot to the temple in the second. Ruiz was hurt again in the third when 40-yearold Arreola landed a left hook, but looked more comfortable over the ensuing rounds. He found his rhythm with the jab in the eighth round and twice forced Arreola to shake out his shoulder - the latter occasion in the 11th with a sharp right-left combo - before staving off Arreola’s desperate attempts in the final round. “I respect the judges, but today I always said beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Arreola said. “Honestly, man, did he win? Fine. But don’t tell me you’re only going to give me two, three rounds.” Ruiz now holds a record of 34 wins from 36 fights, while Arreola has lost seven of his 48 contests.

take the team to a competitive total. Agarwal making a slight room for himself and sending Rabada for a straight six in the penultimate over was one of the best shots of his innings. He was br utal on Avesh Khan in the 20th over, smashing couple of boundaries and a six to end the innings on a high. The last over went for 23 and Delhi Capitals leaked 64 runs off the last 30 balls.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) cruised to a 55-run win over SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. Chasing a mammoth target of 221, Mustafizur Rahman and Chris Morris took three wickets each as SRH were restricted to 165 for eight wickets in 20 overs. Earlier, Jos Buttler scored his maiden T20 century to help Rajasthan Royals (RR) score 220 for three wickets. RR got to the mammoth score largely due to Buttler’s 124 off 64 balls and his second-wicket partnership with captain Sanju Samson. The pair put up 150 runs off 88 balls with Samson scoring 48 off 33. Brief scores: RR 220/3 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 124, Sanju Samson 48; Rashid Khan 1/24) vs SRH 165/8 in 20 overs (Manish Pandey 31, Jonny Bairstow 30; Mustafizur Rahman 3/20, Chris Morris 3/29)

(16 off 4) smashed two sixes and a four in the 18th over to take DC home with 14 balls to spare. Earlier, Agarwal single handedly took the team past 160 with his crucial knock comprising eights fours and four sixes. Delhi kept things tight in the powerplay, conceding 39 runs and sending back Prabhsimran Singh (12) and the mighty Chris Gaye (13). Gayle missed a fast full toss from Rabada after pulling the South African for a massive six. Agarwal, who will captain the team as Rahul recovers from acute appen-

Monday’s Match

Kolkata Knight RidersVs Royal Challengers Bangalore Time: 7:30 pm

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MonDAY, MAY 3, 2021

Arsenal cruise past Newcastle in EPL

Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores against Newcastle in EPL match.

LONDON, MAY 2 (AGENCIES): Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored on his first start since recovering from malaria as Arsenal prepared for their Europa League showdown against Villarreal with a confidence-boosting 2-0 win away to Newcastle at St James’ Park. Mohamed Elneny scored his first Premier League goal for the Gunners, before Aubameyang - on his first start since 3 April - secured the points in the second half. Speaking after the game, the Gabonese striker paid tribute to his “incredible” doctors for their part in his recovery. “The last five minutes I was dying a little bit but to tell the truth I felt good for most

of the game and I was happy with that,” Aubameyang told Sky Sports. “The doctors did incredible work with me and I am really pleased with them and have to say thank you to them.” Arsenal trail 2-1 after the away leg of their semifinal tie with Villarreal and victory in the north east of England was their first in four games. The Magpies had an excellent April to distance themselves from the bottom three but they struggled to impose themselves on Sunday. Steve Bruce’s side, who lost Fabian Schar to a straight red card after a late challenge on Gabriel Martinelli, remain nine points above the relegation zone with four games remaining.

Arsenal, who host Villarreal on Thursday, move back above Aston Villa into ninth place in the table.

Man Utd Vs Liverpool game off after fans protest

Manchester United’s game against Liverpool has been postponed after about 200 fans broke into Old Trafford to protest against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club. The game was scheduled to kick-off at 16:30 BST on Sunday. “This is a collective decision from the police, both clubs, the Premier League and local authorities,” said the Premier League. Talks will now take place about re-arranging the game.

wins Portuguese Grand Madrid Open: World No.2 Osaka shocked Hamilton Prix after spectacular overtakes

Karolina Muchova

MADRID, MAY 2 (IANS): Karolina Muchova added yet another stunning win over a top player to her collection with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 upset of world No. 2 Naomi Osaka in the second round of the Madrid Open on Sunday. The rising Czech captured her third win over a top-5 player this season, and her 10th top-5 win in her career overall, with her one-hour and 49-minute victory over reigning Australian Open champion Osaka. Fresh off her top-20

debut in the WTA singles rankings on Monday, Muchova continued to impress in her Madrid tournament debut, as she plays only her second event since her breakthrough semi-final run at the Australian Open earlier this year, according to wtatennis.com. Muchova str uggled with an abdominal injury after her Melbourne exploits, which included a win over world No.1 Ashleigh Barty. But the Czech looked in fine form against Osaka,

Naomi Osaka

as she survived a second-set comeback by the No. 2 seed. Muchova had 29 winners, two more than Osaka, and converted half of her eight break points on the day. Both players displayed powerful serving in the first set, but Osaka faltered early, double faulting down break point to cede a 2-1 lead to Muchova. Osaka could not recover that break, as Muchova punched away a volley in the next game to save the only break point she faced in the set. Muchova eased to

the one-set lead, ending the opening frame with another unreturned serve. Muchova took control early in the second set as well, breaking for another 2-1 lead with continued aggression. However, Osaka was up to the task, increasing the intensity with her stellar forehand and earning her first break of the day with that wing to level the set at 3-3. Osaka grabbed the momentum and dominated behind that shot, knocking off five games in a row to sweep through the rest of the set and tie up the match at one set apiece. While the players had roughly equivalent success behind their first serve in each set, Muchova’s firstservice percentage dropped from 73 in the opener to 52 in the second set. In the decider, though, Muchova got back on track. At 1-0, the Czech fired a passing winner to set up break point, then used a deep return to earn an early break. Muchova was untroubled the rest of the way, zipping home from there to notch her 10th match-win of the season and claim her spot in the Madrid round of 16.

Lewis Hamilton

LISBON, MAY 2 (AGENCIES): Lewis Hamilton fought back to pass both Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen for a brilliant victory in the Portuguese Grand Prix. The seven-time champion fell to third as Verstappen’s Red Bull overtook him at a restart after an early safety car. But he passed Verstappen four laps later and then hunted down and did the same to his Mercedes team-mate before moving on to control the race. The win gives Hamilton an eight-point championship lead over Verstappen. It was a statement

race for Hamilton, who has moved on to 97 career Grand Prix victories, and a clear demonstration of his unquenched desire to secure a world record eighth world title this year. But he missed out on the point for fastest lap after both Verstappen and Bottas pitted for fresh tyres to chase it in the closing laps. The Dutchman, bidding to minimise the damage in his fight with Hamilton for the title, thought he had taken it - although his time was deleted for going beyond track limits, and so the point went to Bottas instead.

Tokyo Olympic torch Atletico survive penalty; Real stay in race 6staffers diagnosed

Real Madrid’s Eder Militao celebrates with team mates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga match agaisnt Osasuna in Madrid, May 1. (AP/PTI)

BARCELONA, MAY 2 (IANS): Atletico Madrid earned a tight 1-0 win at Elche to maintain their twopoint lead at the top of La Liga with four games remaining, with secondplace Real Madrid beating Osasuna 2-0. Diego Simeone’s side survived a late penalty, missed by Fidel Chaves, as they battle for their first league title since 2014, reports DPA. Atletico striker Luis Suarez came close in the

opening stages and then the Uruguayan had a goal ruled out for a narrow offside. Marcos Llorente fired the Rojiblancos ahead in the 23rd minute with his 12th league goal of the season from Yannick Carrasco’s cross. Suarez had another ruled out for offside early in the second half as his team continued to dominate the game. In the 90th minute Llorente turned villain when he handled the ball inside his own area and handed Elche a penalty kick.

However, Chaves fired it against the post to hand Llorente and Atletico reprieve, while Elche are 19th, in grave danger of relegation. “We got the three points and that gives us a lot of strength for what is to come,” said Llorente. “We’re always positive and there’s not a long way to go, we have to give everything.” Real Madrid were not intimidated by Atletico’s victory and started at a fast

pace at the Alfredo di Stefano. Eden Hazard, on his first start since injury, was bright in the first half and was denied by a fine Sergio Herrera save. The Osasuna goalkeeper was in excellent form and produced two further stops from Madrid defender Eder Militao, who twice sent powerful headers towards goal. At the other end Thibaut Courtois had to react quickly to tip over Manu Sanchez’s cross which was creeping in. Coach Zinedine Zidane, who started with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric on the bench with the Champions League semi-final second leg in mind, kept faith in his team to make the breakthrough and they eventually did. Militao finally got his goal with a superb header from Isco’s corner in the 76th minute and Casemiro netted a fortunate second when his attempted control on Karim Benzema’s pass spun into the net. Third-place Barcelona visit Valencia later on Sunday, while Sevilla, fourth, host Athletic Bilbao on Monday.

with COVID-19

TOKYO, MAY 2 (AGENCIES): Six people who helped with Japan’s Olympic Torch relay were diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the total number of participants in the event who got the coronavirus to eight, organisers said. The six people, who included a man in his 20s and another man in his 30s, helped on the relay in the southern prefecture of Kagoshima on April 27, Tokyo 2020 said in a statement late on Saturday. All of them assisted with traffic control and wore masks, with three of them doing so in the city of Amami and the other three in the city of Kirishima, said the organisers. Earlier last month, two other people who helped with the torch relay on the southern island of Shikoku were diagnosed with COVID-19, including a police officer in his 30s who guided traffic in Kagawa prefecture. read more The Tokyo 2020 organisers urged people to comply with COVID-19 guidelines.

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