November 22, 2020

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 348

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Amit Shah on 2-day visit to Chennai

Follow us on @Nagaland_Post

national, Page 6

nagalandpostofficial

Surge in COVID cases fuelled by SSE: H&FW FOUR SUPER SPREADER EVENTS Setting

Cases

Percentage (%)

Govt Office (1)

59

36%

District Jail

47

29%

Govt Office (2)

36

22%

Post Office

21

13%

TOTAL

163

100%

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON november 21, 2020

District

Dimapur Kiphire Kohima Longleng Mokokchung Mon Peren Phek Tuensang

ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsympCritical-ICU tomMod- Se- With- With On Mild atic erate vere out Oxy- VentiOxygen gen lator 776 19 6 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 320 3 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 26 2 0 0 0 0 0 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 1 0 0 0 0 0

Death MiRecovunder Total Death gratered InvestiCases ed gation 5064 23 2724 9 113 538 311 37 155

34* 0 18 0 1 2 0 0 1

4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

66 0 15 9 3 9 0 0 0

5970 25 3094 18 120 577 461 44 197

0

29

Wokha

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

28

1

0

Zunheboto Total

1 1323

0 26

0 11

0 4

0 5

0 0

0 1

135 9137

0 57

0 5

3 139 105 10674

*6 deaths not due to Covid-19 *5 deaths under investigation

D I M A P U R , N OV 2 1 (NPN): Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department on Saturday expressed serious concern at the rapid rise in COVID-19 positive cases in the State mainly due to super spreader events (SSE). In its weekly report, the department said that the state recorded 970 infection this week, the highest ever spike in a single week. It said that the spike in cases were fuelled by super spreader events. A superspreading event are gatherings in which a single infected individual can infect an “unusually high” number of people/ secondary cases.

H&FW said that the past week recorded four super spreader events in the state-- in one government office 59 cases were reported, 47 cases in a district jail, 36 cases in government office-2 and 21 cases in post office. All the four events have happened in crowded and closed settings, it added. The department said that 80/20 role in epidemiology states that 80% percent of cases come only from 20% of the infected and these 20% were responsible for explosive growth and sustained transmission. Super spreading relies on more than one person, and it cannot happen in isolation. It takes a group of

people that gather in such a way that increases the risk of transmitting the virus. In this regard, the health department said that preventing future superspreader events in the state was one of the main pillars in containing the pandemic. The department has appealed all to avoid closed settings, social events/gatherings etc. and to strictly follow the 3 W’s (Wear mask, Watch distance and Wash hands). Though 64% of deaths were below the age of 60 years, the department expressed concern that there had been continuous increase in cases among 51-60

years age group in the past one week. Another worrisome case that has seen a 10% surge was positivity among symptomatic/ preop screening/ travel purposes coming to flu clinics. It also said that the positivity rate among household contacts were 29% (1139/3952) and office goers at 25% (999/3952), which continues to be the highest. Meanwhile, the sample positivity rate continued to be higher than the national average at 9.8%. The department explained that the high sample positivity rate could also point to more undetected cases in the population.

Fuel prices hiked for 2nd day in a row

PMEGP aggrieved applicants withdraw 7-day ultimatum

Closure of NH29 stretch at Sechü-Zubza

D I M A P U R , N OV 2 1 (NPN): State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) hiked the petrol price by 15 paise per litre and diesel by 20 paise on Saturday, the second straight day of increase in rates after firming international oil rates broke nearly a two-month-long hiatus in price revision. On Friday, petrol price was raised by 17 paise per litre and diesel by 22 paise. After today’s rate revision, price of petrol in Delhi rose to Rs 81.38 per litre from Rs 81.23 while diesel rates went up from Rs 70.68 to Rs 70.88 per litre. According to IOCL website, petrol price in Dimapur was raised to Rs.84.22 per litre while diesel was increased to Rs.74.53 per litre. In the state capital Kohima, a litre of petrol and diesel was retailing at Rs.85.06 per litre and Rs.75.23 per litre respectively. This is the first revision in petrol prices since September 22. Diesel rates had not changed since October 2. Public sector oil marketing companies - Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd - revise rates of petrol and diesel daily based on benchmark international oil price and foreign exchange rate.

This is it!

“Listen, both of us agree on the issue. We only disagree on the style of presentation.” K Y M C

D I M A P U R , N OV 2 1 (NPN): Aggrieved applicants of Prime Ministers Employment Generation Prog ramme (PMEGP) 2015-16 batch under Longleng district while withdrawing the sevenday ultimatum served on the department of industries & commerce Nagaland on Saturday served a one-month ultimatum on the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to release the pending subsidy. In a press release, aggrieved PMEGY applicants Longleng president M Nyeilong Phom and secretary C Chuba Phom cautioned that failure to comply with their demand, the aggrieved applicants/ beneficiaries would take up democratic protest till their

demand was fulfilled. The aggrieved applicants stated that they had he meeting with District Industries Centre Longleng on November 20, 2020 at District Industry Office Longleng, wherein the aggrieved applicant decided to withdraw the seven-day deadline that expired on November 22, 2020. They said that it was brought to the knowledge of the applicants/beneficiaries that Industries & Commerce Department Nagaland was only a facilitator between the KVIC Nagaland and PMEGP beneficiaries. Therefore, KVIC was the competent authority to disburse/release any margin money (subsidy) to PMEGP beneficiaries, they said.

Serve one-month ultimatum on KVIC to release subsidy

Biden may announce Cabinet picks next week

nagalandpostofficial

D I M A P U R , N OV 2 1 (NPN): In order to facilitate site cutting for the ongoing four-lane construction between Kohima and Dimapur, all vehicular movement along the stretch of NH-29 below CRPF Camp, SechüZubza, would remain closed from 7am of November 22 to 5am of November 23. The additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa, informed that light vehicles travelling from Kohima side could, however, take an alternate route from Don Bosco School SechuZubza approach road to Shalom Bible Seminary/ Assam Rifles Camp Zubza Road and vice versa. Meanwhile, all heavy vehicles going from Kohima side could take the 10 Mile Road from Tsiesema to Peducha bridge and vice versa.

State COVID tally rises to 10674

Nagaland on Saturday reported 66 new COVID-19 positive cases-- 51 in Dimapur, 14 in Tuensang and 1 in Kohima, taking the total number of cases in the State to 10,674. Further, out of 10,674 positive cases, the distribution across various categories include 4420 from the armed forces/police, 1753 returnees, 3997 traced contacts and 504 frontline workers. 2 more deaths: Meanwhile, two more deaths were recorded on Saturday, taking the tally to 62. Out of 62 deaths, 51 were COVID19 related, 5 under investigation and 6 deaths not due to COVID. PTI: India’s COVID-19 cases mounted to 90,50,597 with 46,232 infections being reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 1,32,726 with 564 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of active cases remained below five lakh for the eleventh consecutive day.

international, Page 7

TRNYF demands completion of foothill road to avoid road blockades in Assam D I M A P U R , N OV 2 1 (NPN): With the total indefinite blockade imposed at Mariani-Mokokchung road which is continuing since November 15 and which was affecting trade and economy of Mokokchung district (NH-702 D), the Tsurangkong Range Naga Youth Front (TRNYF) has urged Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio to bring a remedy to such unending threats by ensuring early completion of the much expected Naga Foothill Road. In an open letter to the chief minister, TRNYF president Bendangwati and secretary Shiluyongdang emphasised that “as long as the Naga Foothill Road remains just a lip service, Nagas along the border belt will continue to suffer economically and mentally at the hands of Assamese people.” They said that the blockade on all Nagalandbound vehicles at New Sonowal, reflected the “narrow and immature mindset” of some leaders in Assam who were unmindful about disrupting the peaceful co-

existence of the two states. TRNYF asserted that people living in the border belt have been subjected to undue harassment ever since the beginning of border disputes between the two states. They reminded that it was a fact that every major road leading to Nagaland passes through Assam, and the road blockades are being enforced for trivial matters with the sole intention exploiting this advantage against Nagas. TRNYF said the increasing highway blockades “at the whims and fancy of every Tom, Dick and Harry in Assam” and with inaction against such illegal blockades and those leaders involved, has only emboldened “every Assam based organizations/civil societies/groups to impose such bandhs against the Nagas.” Therefore, TRNYF said that Nagas should not be placed at a disadvantaged position, solely because Nagas commute or travel through Assam and that both states benefit through this inter-state connectivity.

Further, the forum categorically stated the national highway was not the sole property of Assam state, but a national property. Therefore, blockading national highways was illegal as per the National Highways Act 1956, subsection 8(1). TRNYF also said it was beyond reason as to why the Assam government continues to turn a blind eye against such illegal activities. TRNYF reiterated that while Nagas are a peaceful people but “when our patience is taken for cowardice and our tolerance is considered as weakness, we have no other option but to stand up against such illegal activities and criminals.” The forum therefore, said it was convinced that the blockade was “an act of declaring war against us who are affected most by the total blockade of national highway at New Sonowal”. The signatories said the cascading effects compel them to believe that they can survive without the NH 702(D) and also can also intent to “counter block the highway.” (Cont’d on p-6)

Ayurvedic doctors can now practice Tuensang tribal bodies, GS alongside ortho and dentistry NSCN (I-M) leaders meet NEW DELHI, NOV 21 (IANS): Now the Post Graduate (PG) students of Ayurveda would perform variety of general surgery, including orthopaedic, ophthalmology, ENT and dental as the central government has okayed it. The Centre in its gazette notification allowed Ayurvedic PG passouts to receive formal training for such procedures. The training modules for surgical procedures will be added to the curriculum of Ayurvedic studies. The development has come after the Central Council of Indian Medicine amended Indian Medicine Central Council (Post Graduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations, 2016, to include the aforementioned regulation to allow the PG students of Ayurveda for practicing the general surgery. “The Central Council of Indian Medicine, with the previous sanction of the Central Government, hereby makes the following regulations further to amend the Indian Medicine Central Council (Post Graduate Ayurveda Educa-

tion) Regulations, 2016,” the gazette notification read. The act has been renamed Indian Medicine Central Council (Post Graduate Ayurveda Education) Amendment Regulations, 2020. “During the period of study, the PG scholar of Shalya and Shalakya shall be practically trained to acquaint (themselves) with as well as independently perform the following activities so that after completion of his PG degree, he is able to perform the following procedures (list of the procedures) independently,” the gazette notification stated. The notification informed that the students will be trained in two streams of surgery and would be awarded titles of MS (Ayurved) Shalya Tantra -- (General Surgery and MS (Ayurved) Shalakya Tantra (Disease of Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Oro-Dentistry). The latest move by the Centre is an addition to the host of decisions taken amid pandemic which shows an impending paradigm shift in healthcare from modern medicine to the traditional form.

DIMAPUR, NOV 21 (NPN): Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) and all Chang frontal bodies, Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC), Sangtam Union Tuensang (SUT) and Khiamniungan Union Tuensang (KUT) held a coordination meeting with NSCN (I-M) at Chang Khulei Setshang hall, Tuensang on November 20. In a statement, Chang Khulei Setshang president Nungsanglemba Chang and general secretary C. Chongshen Chang said the NSCN (I-M) team was led by convenor steering committee, Hutovi Chishi and member collective B Moba Chang along with five other central officials. During the meeting, CKS said that the NSCN (-M) officials highlighted and explained about various core issues with regard to the “Naga solution viz. the history of Naga national movement, peace and reconciliation, Framework Agreement, PAN Naga etc.” Various doubts which were raised by the attendees at the meeting were also explained and clarified by the NSCN functionaries, CKS stated. It may be recalled that the NSCN (I-M) leaders have also held series of meetings with various leaders of tribal bodies.

Need to increase fish production in Nagaland: F&AR dept Baby with rare condition Current anticipated fish production stands at 9448.12 MT D I M A P U R , N OV 2 1 (NPN): State department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (F&AR) has underscored the need for increasing the production of fish in the state to meet the growing consumer demand. Advisor for Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Evaluation, Economics & Statistics, L. Khumo Khiamniungan, who graced the World Fisheries Day celebration programme at Government Demonstration Fish Farm, Thizama Kohima on November 21, 2020, as special guest, said that the day was observed to explore towards the solutions of our economy in sustainable model. He said that

World Fisheries Day serves as an important reminder that people need to change the way they manage the global Fisheries in order to maintain stocks and healthy aquatic ecosystems Advisor also stated that apart from contributing to the food security of the country, fishery was an important sector in India, which plays a vital role in the economy of the country. He pointed out that fisheries contribute about 1.07 percent to the GDP and make up to 5.3 percent to agriculture and allied activities, stated an official bulletin. Lauding the department for assisting the fish farmers in building up their economy and livelihoods, the advisor encouraged the department to continue with the good work for further uplift of the fish farmers in the state. F&AR additional director, Rongsennungba,

stated that India was one of the largest fish producing countries in the world and shares 7.58% to the global production, contributing 1.24% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and 7.28% to the agricultural GVA. He said that the department undertakes various projects and programmes for the development of the fisheries sector in the state to attain self sufficiency in fish production through sustainable development of fisheries activities. The additional director also said that the department focuses on optimising production and productivity so as to generate gainful employment opportunities enhancing the State GDP and improve the standard of living in the rural sector. He pointed out that the demand of fish in the State was estimated to the tune of 22,000 MT@11 kg

per capita consumption as recommended by the WHO against the present population of 19,80,602 persons (2011 census). Rongsennungba said that the current anticipated fish production (2019-20) in the State stands at 9448.12 MT. In addition, the additional director said that a bulk quantity of 3700 MT fish was supplemented by importing fish from outside the State that provides a total per capita consumption of only 6.68 kgs, which he asserted was far behind the requirement. He, therefore, pointed out that there was an urgent need to increase the production of fish in the State to meet the growing consumer demand. Others who also spoke on the occasion included district fishery officer Wokha C Dory Yanthan and one fish farmer on behalf of the progressive fish farmers. Other highlights

of the programme included release of training manuals and leaflets by the special guest, commissioner and secretary and others while presentation of awards/ felicitation was carried out by district fishery officer Kohima, Dr. Vimezo Kire and vote of thanks by F&AR deputy director, Neitho-o Kuotsu. On the occasion, district fishery office Kohima was also inaugurated by the special guest. As part of the inaugural programme, a workshop cum training on breeding and culture of common carp was held. An interactive session with the farmers was also conducted as inaugural activities. The programme was chaired by commissioner & secretary F&AR Dinesh Kumar, who also spoke on the significance of the World Fisheries Day in his welcome address.

treated at Zion hospital

DIMAPUR, NOV 21 (NPN): A 28-day old baby, who was admitted with Meningo-encephalatis and acute Subdural Haematoma (Blood collection inside the brain), the inci- Doctors and nurse of Zion Hospital along with the parents and the infant. dence of which is 10:100000, was successfully treated and discharged after staying for more than a month during the lockdown period at Zion Hospital and Research Centre (ZHRC). In a statement, the Zion Hospital administration stated that the baby was operated by paediatric surgeons– Dr Renchamo Kikon and Dr Leonard Ezung and was managed in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by paediatrician, Dr Imkongkumzuk. The doctors who managed the baby said that it was “nothing short of a miracle” as these babies rarely survive. They said the successful management was because of the “collective team effort including the parents and by the Grace of our Almighty.” K Y M C


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