Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXX No. 347
DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00
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Blockade at Mariani on Mkg continues
(L) People gathered at Tsutapela check gate and (R) Tsurangkong Range Naga Youth Front volunteers on Friday.
Correspondent
MOKOKCHUNG, NOV 20 (NPN): Tension along the state border between Nagaland and Assam remained high as volunteers from Assam side continued with their economic blockade on the vital MarianiMokokchung road since November 15. Several Assam-based organisations imposed the blockade on Nagaland at Mariani-Nagajanka road in Jorhat district. Vehicles travelling to and from Nagaland were not allowed to cross the border between the two states. When contacted, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mokokchung Limawabang Jamir confirmed to Nagaland
Gov, CM greet Garo community D I M A P U R , N OV 2 0 (NPN): Nagaland governor RN Ravi and chief minister Neiphiu Rio have extended warm greetings to the members of the Garo community and to the people of Nagaland on the occasion of Wangala festival. Gov: In his message, Nagaland governor RN Ravi said that Wangala was a time to celebrate with joy and gratitude for the plentiful harvest. He said that observing Wangala festival fosters friendship and unity and also makes the younger generation more aware of the Garo’s rich ancient history and culture. “This time it is imperative that you not only observe this beautiful festival safely but also be exponents of Covid-19 protocols where ever you are,” Ravi said and wished everybody good health, happiness and prosperity on this auspicious occasion. CM: Taking to microblogging site twitter, chief minister Rio prayed that Wangala festival bring blessings of good health, peace and prosperity to all. “I wish you a happy and safe Wangala,” Rio tweeted.
This is it!
“If government is to have Hornbill in virtual, then ‘Land of Festivals’, will become government of festivals.” K Y M C
Post that the blockade at the inter-State border continued till Friday. Even though the situation was tense, the DC said there has no untoward incident. Limawabang also informed that he was in touch with his Jorhat counterpart and had proposed to hold a meeting to de-escalate the tension. On Friday, there was a commotion at Tsutapela check gate as people from neighbouring areas gathered at the gate. Over 50 volunteers of Tsurangkong Range Naga Youth Front (TRNYF) also reached the spot. A meeting was held with the district administration and police officials at the check gate. Later, the TRNYF volunteers also
visited Aosenden village. It may be recalled that the issue escalated after Assam accused Nagaland of setting up a police camp inside Dissoi Valley Reserved Forest on November 10. In a move meant to deploy police, Assam deployed its armed police to the area and also erected a temporary camp near the spot. The Assam Police continues to maintain the position. TRNYF warns: Earlier, TRNYF had warned that it “will take its own course of action to protect and safeguard the ancestral land of the Nagas and the state government of Assam will be held solely responsible for any untoward incidences that may arise in our fight against the illegal blockade.”
TRNYF president, Bendangwati and secretary, Shiluyongdang reminded that the front had submitted a memorandum to the state governments of Nagaland and Assam through the DC Mokokchung, to clear the economic blockade by November 20, 6 a.m., that was imposed by “some unknown miscreants since November 15, 2020 at New Sonowal Assam.” TRNYF said it had also urged Nagaland and Assam governments resolve the boundary issue at the earliest. The front also reiterated “Tsurangkong Range under Mokokchung district is our ancestral land and that the traditional boundary cannot be altered in any manner.”
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Fuel prices go up after twomonth hiatus D I M A P U R , N OV 2 0 (NPN): State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) increased the prices of petrol and diesel on Friday after nearly two-monthlong hiatus in price revision. Petrol price was hiked by 17 paise per litre and diesel by 22 paise. According to IOCL website, petrol price in Delhi was hiked to Rs 81.23 per litre from Rs 81.06 while diesel rates went up from Rs 70.46 to Rs 70.68 per litre. After Friday’s rate revision, petrol price in Dimapur was raised to Rs.84.09 per litre from Rs.83.94 per litre, while diesel price went up from Rs.74.15 per litre to Rs.74.36 per litre. In the state capital Kohima, petrol now costs Rs 84.93 per litre and diesel costs Rs.75.05 per litre. This is the first revision in petrol prices since September 22. Diesel rates had not changed since October 2. Oil marketing companies-- IOC, BPCL and HPCL- revise rates of petrol and diesel daily based on benchmark international oil price and foreign exchange rate.
Will punish those involved in France shows interest in Thongtsou village attack: Patton potential projects in NE D I M A P U R , N OV 2 0 (NPN): Expressing serious concern over the pre-dawn attack at Thongtsou village in Noklak district by some miscreants that led to the loss of precious life and property, deputy chief minister Y Patton has assured that the State government would help in ensuring befitting punishment to those found guilty in this diabolical and inhuman act. Patton, who also holds home portfolio, also appealed for peace and tranquility as the law would take its own course, even as he urged the people and all tribal leaders of Eastern Nagaland to continue extending all possible cooperation and support to “our people” and the government in promoting peaceful coexistence among the Nagas. Pointing to the State government’s seriousness on the matter, he said a
team led by director general of police (DGP) and Commissioner of Nagaland was rushed to the area to take stock of the situation immediately on learning about the incident. He claimed that adequate police force was deployed immediately in the sensitive areas and a special investigation team (SIT) constituted under senior SP rank officer to conduct a detailed probe into the incident. Patton assured that the state government would extend all possible help and assistance to those affected by the unfortunate incident after examination of reports and prayed for early return of normalcy in the area. It may be recalled that some unidentified miscreants on November 18 attacked Thongtsou village during which one person was killed and several houses burned down.
ISL: ATKMB beat Kerala Blasters 1-0 sports, Page 8
PDA in power drunk stupor: NPF D I M A P U R , N OV 2 0 (NPN): War of words has once again ensued between the ruling NDPP and opposition NPF over the recent hike in tax on petroleum products announced by the PDA government. Following the ruling party’s castigation of the opposition party over its criticism of the move, the latter has hit back. NPF in a statement alleged that the NDPP labelling the increased cost of petrol and diesel as “non issues” exposed the “deplorable fact” that the majority party in the ruling coalition was in a power drunk stupor and had lost touch with reality not just in Nagaland but with the entire modern world whose geopolitics was largely driven by considerations of availability, supply and reserves of petroleum fuel. Mentioning that it was mystified at NDPP deeming the spike in tax on petrol and diesel as “non issues”, NPF said it was bemused at the “laboured justification” that the ruling party conjured up to welcome the increase of tax on petrol, diesel and other lubricants. Acknowledging the efforts of finance department in publishing retail prices of petrol and diesel in some
neighbouring States, the opposition party urged the department that to understand ground situation in proper perspective it should also equally highlight the retail cost of fuel in other Northeastern States like Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura where this was lower than Nagaland, and not just those States where retail cost was higher or very close to Nagaland. NPF further urged the PDA government to instruct its agencies to do a comprehensive comparative study on the cost of essential commodities and other essentials like building materials in Nagaland with the neighbouring States and publish it for public awareness. Sincere effort should then be made to ensure price-control so that the financial burden on the public was eased, it stressed. The opposition party said it was painful to observe that while the people are struggling for their day-today needs due to COVID19 pandemic and prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing every passing day, they now have to bear the brunt of this imperious decision. It, therefore, reiterated its demand to roll back
the government’s decision to hike the tax on petrol and diesel at the earliest. Pointing out that in a democracy, both the ruling and opposition parties have assigned roles to play and that the former should focus on providing good governance to the people and desist from issuing superfluous press statements, NPF observed that NDPP’s attempt to dredge up extraneous and irrelevant issues might be interpreted as an effort to divert the burning issue at hand and does not warrant further comment. “If NDPP cannot take the positive criticism of the opposition party for the welfare of the general public, do the people consider the recent hike on petroleum products as Christmas gift?” the opposition party wanted to know. Observing that the NDPP’s statement quite perplexingly keeps mentioning and defending chief minister Neiphiu Rio time and again, NPF clarified that in its statement released on November 13 it had only demanded that the PDA government should roll back the decision to hike tax on petrol and diesel without even once alluding to the chief minister in person.
KSA, DNSU hold ‘joint courtesy meet’
Spl. Correspondent
NEW DELHI, NOV 20 (NPN): France has expressed its desire to explore the avenues and opportunities of collaboration in different sectors in the North Eastern States as well as tourism and other potentials in Jammu & Kashmir. This was conveyed by Ambassador of France to India, Emmanuel Lenain, who called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on Friday. Dr Jitendra Singh and Ambassador Lenain also discussed potential projects in North Eastern States. Dr. Singh spelt out different sectors in which, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, collaborative initiatives had been undertaken in the Northeast. Dr Jitendra Singh said in North East region there were vast areas of unexplored potential which were waiting to be explored. These, he said, included tourism, handicraft, handloom as well as food and fruit sectors. Dr Jitendra Singh said Prime Minister Modi has not only given special emphasis to the development of the North Eastern region but also reoriented “Look East Policy” into “ActEast” policy and taken a number of steps to increase engagement with the countries across the eastern borders.
DNSU and KSA members/office bearers after the meeting on Friday at Khatkhati.
DIMAPUR, NOV 20 (NPN): Days after Karbi Students’ Association (KSA)-led economic blockade on Nagaland was temporarily suspended, the association held a “joint courtesy meet” with the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, (DNSU) at Khatkhati, Assam on November 20. During the meeting the two organizations strongly warned that action would be taken against any individual “trying to instigate the situation/issue for their own personal gain.” In a joint press release,
KSA president Bijoy Bey and DNSU president Sedevilie Angami also appealed to both the governments of Assam and Nagaland and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) “to take the border issue with paramount concern.” The two student bodies said that since it was “a courtesy meet” no resolution was made. However, KSA and DNSU said they decided to “work hand and hand with peaceful means and to maintain strong and brotherhood bonding between the two brothers of Karbi and Nagas.”
A DNSU member said that the meeting was held at a hotel in Khatkhati. It was fruitful and both sides decided to take up the matter with the respective state governments. It may be recalled that the Karbi Anglong based civil society organizations led by KSA had temporarily suspended the indefinite economic blockade on Nagaland on the first day on November 17 and also submitted a 6-point charter of demands addressed to the chief minister of Assam through DC Karbi Anglong.
‘COVID-19 reinfection unlikely for at least 6 months’ Nagaland COVID tally 10608; 2 more dead L O N D O N, N OV 2 0 ( AG E N C I E S ) : Pe o p l e who’ve had COVID-19 are highly unlikely to contract it again for at least six months after their first infection, according to a British study of healthcare workers on the frontline of fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The findings should offer some reassurance for the more than 51 million people worldwide who have been infected with the pandemic disease, researchers at the University of Oxford said. “This is really good news, because we can be confident that, at least in the short term, most people who get COVID-19 won’t get it again,” said David Eyre, a professor at Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Population Health, who co-led the study. Isolated cases of reinfection with COVID-19, the disease caused by the
SARS-CoV-2 virus, had raised concerns that immunity might be short-lived and that recovered patients may swiftly fall sick again. But the results of this study, carried out in a cohort of UK healthcare workers - who are among those at highest risk of contracting COVID-19 - suggest cases of reinfection are likely to remain extremely rare. “Being infected with COVID-19 does offer protection against re-infection for most people for at least six months,” Eyre said. “We
found no new symptomatic infections in any of the participants who had tested positive for antibodies.” The study, part of a major staff testing programme, covered a 30-week period between April and November 2020. Its results have not peer-reviewed by other scientists but were published before review on the MedRxiv website. During the study, 89 of 11,052 staff without antibodies developed a new infection with symptoms, while none of the 1,246 staff
with antibodies developed a symptomatic infection. Staff with antibodies were also less likely to test positive for COVID-19 without symptoms, the researchers said, with 76 without antibodies testing positive, compared to only three with antibodies. Those three were all well and did not develop COVID-19 symptoms, they added. “We will continue to follow this cohort of staff carefully to see how long protection lasts and whether previous infection affects the severity of infection if people do get infected again,” Eyre said. Meanwhile, World Health Organisation on Friday, suspended Gilead’s drug Remdesivir from its ‘prequalification list’, which is an official list of medicines used as a benchmark for procurement by developing countries, Reuters reported.
D I M A P U R , N OV 2 0 (NPN): Nagaland on Friday reported 148 new COVID19 positive cases from across the state, taking the tally to 10,608. Dimapur reported 138 cases, Kohima-8 while Mon and Tuensang reported 1 case each. The death toll also mounted to 60 after two more COVID-19 related deaths were reported on Friday-- one each in Kohima and Dimapur. Out of 60 deaths, 50 were COVID related, 4 under investigation and 6 not COVID related. Further, out of 10608 positive cases, the distribution across various categories include 4411 cases from the armed forces/police, 1751 returnees, 3944 traced contacts and 502 frontline workers. As on November 20, there were 1340 active cases, 9104 recovered and 104 migrated.
COVID-19 STATUS AS ON november 20, 2020 District
ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsDeath MiympRecovunder Total Critical-ICU Death grattomInvestiCases Mod- Se- With- With On ered ed Mild atic gation erate vere out Oxy- VentiOxygen gen lator
Dimapur
754
19
6
1
0
0
1
5036
34*
4
65
Kiphire
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
23
0
0
0
25
Kohima
324
1
5
2
4
0
1
2724
17
0
15
3093
Longleng
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
9
18
Mokokchung
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
113
1
0
3
120
5919
Mon
26
2
0
0
0
0
0
538
2
0
9
577
Peren
155
0
0
0
0
0
0
306
0
0
0
461
Phek
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
37
0
0
0
44
Tuensang
27
0
0
0
0
0
0
155
1
0
0
183
Wokha
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
28
1
0
0
29
Zunheboto
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
135
0
0
3
139
Total
1297
23
11
3
4
0
2
9104
56
4
104 10608
*6 deaths not due to Covid-19 *4 deaths under investigation
India’s virus tally breaches 90-lakh mark
PTI: India’s COVID-19 caseload surpassed the 90lakh mark on Friday with 45,882 new cases, while the recoveries surged to 84.28 lakh pushing the national recovery rate to 93.6 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The total coronavirus cases mounted to 90,04,365 and the death toll climbed to 1,32,162 with the novel coronavirus virus claiming 584 lives in a span of 24 hours in the country, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed. K Y M C