October 19, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 315

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Armenia, Azerbaijan accused of violating truce

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Pak fails to fulfil 6 key mandates of FATF national, Page 5

ENSF suspend indefinite agitation Govt admits community transmission in India NSF, State govt seeks 18 months time to resolve issue Covid peak over, can be controlled by Feb: Panel

Says ‘limited to some states and districts’

NEW DELHI, OCT 18 ( I A N S / AG E N C I E S ) : Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday admitted that India is in the community transmission stage. However, it is limited only to certain districts and states. The statement has come in the backdrop of West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s admission on Monday that the community transmission of Covid-19 has started in the state.

Vardhan’s statement was a response to a query made during his weekly webinar, ‘Sunday Samvaad’ where he interacts with his social media audience.

The query was “Mamta Banerjee has said there are instances of community transmission in the state. Are there other states with community transmission as well?” To this, the minister responded, “In different pockets across various states, including West Bengal, community

India’s democracy in most difficult phase: Sonia NEW DELHI, OCT 18 (AGENCIES): Congress chief Sonia Gandhi ripped into the government Sunday over the recently passed farm laws, the handling of the coronavirus outbreak, the economic slowdown and the alleged atrocities against Scheduled Castes, claiming democracy in the country is passing through its “most difficult phase”. Addressing a meeting of the party’s new general secretaries and state in-charges - named after a recent reshuffle-- Gandhi said, “A conspiracy has been hatched to defeat the gains of the ‘green revolution’’.

The farmers of Punjab-- where the Green revolution had taken place under the Congress government in the ‘60s and ‘70s have been hugely upset over the new farm laws that allow them to by-pass the weekly markets and sell directly to big corporates.

“Lives and livelihoods of crores of farm labourers, leasehold farmers, small and marginal farmers, toiling labourers and small shopkeepers are under attack. It is our solemn duty to join hands to defeat this sinister conspiracy,” Gandhi was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. (Cont’d on p-6)

Harsh Vardhan (File)

transmission is expected to occur, especially in dense areas. However, this is not happening across the country. It is limited to certain districts occurring in limited states.”

The admission comes after months of denial.

This is the first time that the health minister has acknowledged the community transmission.

Earlier this week, Banerjee had urged people of West Bengal to maintain caution ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja season.

In July, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had released a guidance document which had inadvertently revealed that community transmission happened in India as early as April.

The document was later taken down from the website of the union health ministry.

Even as the Union Health minister, Harsh Vardhan Sunday admitted that India is in the community transmission stage, a government-appointed panel on Sunday said that the country has past the coronavirus peak, pointing to the tapering number of cases over last two weeks.

From a peak of 97,000plus cases, India is now logging 60,000-plus cases a day. The daily spike stood at 61,871 infections today, taking the tally close to the 75-lakh mark, Health Ministry data this morning showed. The number of active cases remained below eight lakh for the second consecutive day.

Since August 8, India has been logging the highest figures worldwide in the daily spike in cases.

Today, in a first in nearly two months, the US had the higher figure.

The panel --which has members of the Indian Council of Medical Research and IITs -- said if safety measures are properly followed, the virus can be brought under control by “early next year, with

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rise. It can be as much as “upto 26 lakh cases within a month,” the committee said, adding that only 30 per cent of the population has developed immunity so far.

The committee underscored that protective measures must continue.

“If all protocols are followed, the pandemic can be controlled by early next year with minimal active cases

by February end,” the panel has concluded.

Lockdowns, however, are now undesirable and should be in place only in narrow geographical areas.

The country, the panel said, should now move towards full resumption of activities.

There is some evidence that large gatherings cause rapid spread, the committee said, pointing to Kerala, where after the celebration of Onam festival from August 22 to September 2, a sharp rise was observed September 8. The infection probability increased by 32 per cent and the effectiveness of medical response dropped by 22 per cent for Kerala in September, the committee said.

Correspondent

KO H I M A , O C T 1 8 (NPN): Following a written assurance from the State government to resolve the issue of mainstreaming SSA amd RMSA teachers of 2010 and 2013 batches into State education cadre within 18 months, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) have announced suspension of their proposed indefinite State-wide ban on all government-registered vehicles (NL 10 and NL 11 series) that was set to resume from Monday.

NSF president Ninoto Awomi and ENSF president Sepili L Sangtam in a joint statement said the state government “through a notification No. DSE/ SSA/REPRE/4-32/2016 (pt) date even no. 18th October, 2020 has met our demand to streamline the SSA-RMSA teachers of 2010 &2013 batches within 18 months without any conditions whatsoever”.

Hence, they said they were suspending their agitation, even as they ex-

pressed their gratitude to the government for taking positive action in the interest of the teaching community.

The two federations said they had set out on a joint journey in a collective bid to ensure that the plight of a large section of the teaching community in Nagaland was taken due notice and affirmatively addressed by the government.

The journey was a painstaking and arduous one, only made easy by the wholehearted support and participation of the federating units and sub-ordinate bodies of the two federations, said the statement.

NSF and ENSF also acknowledged leaders of the federating units and sub-ordinate bodies and the

entire Naga populace who stood with them throughout their journey for a cause “that is just and fair”.

The indefinite ban on government vehicles began on October 12, but it was temporarily suspended after the first day following the demise of forest, environment & climate change minister CM Chang as a mark of respect. The agitation was set to resume on Monday.

Altogether 37 vehicles were seized by the volunteers of the two federations on the first day - 10 in Dimapur, 11 in Kohima, four each in Wokha and Zunheboto, three in Kiphire, two each in Peren and Tuensang, and one in Mon. The seized vehicles will now be released.

Chief Secy. writes to NSF, ENSF State chief secretary J. Alam, in a letter to the two student bodies, requested them to give the government a period of 18 months to bring the matter to a logical conclusion.

The issue of mainstreaming SSA and RMSA teachers of 2010 and 2013 batches requires in depth consideration of the government for which the government has requested 18 months to resolve the matter once and for all within the stipulated time, the letter stated.

Nagaland COVID tally 7816 Need for healing leadership COVID vaccine may be ready by Dec: SII COVID-19 STATUS AS ON october 18, 2020 ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsympCritical-ICU District tomMod- Se- With On atic Mild erate vere Oxy- Ventigen lator Dimapur 1014 35 7 1 0 1 Kiphire 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kohima 326 6 4 4 2 0 Longleng 3 0 0 0 0 0 Mokokchung 58 0 0 0 0 0 Mon 55 0 0 0 0 0 Peren 24 0 0 0 0 0 Phek 1 0 0 0 0 0 Tuensang 34 0 0 0 0 0 Wokha 0 0 0 0 0 0 Zunheboto 7 0 0 0 0 0 Total 1522 41 11 5 2 1

Death ReMi- Total under cov- Death grat- CasInvestiered ed es gation 3079 12 2077 6 44 373 274 35 95 26 120 6141

21* 0 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 27

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

39 0 8 7 0 8 0 0 0 0 3 65

4198 12 2430 16 103 438 298 36 129 26 130 7816

*6 deaths not due to Covid-19 *1 deaths in under investigation

DIMAPUR, OCT 18 (NPN): Nagaland on Sunday reported 118 COVID-19 positive cases– 93 in Dimapur, 13 in Kohima, 9 in Mon and 3 in Peren, taking the tally to 7,816.

Further, out of 7,816 positive cases, the distribution across various categories of people include 3477 cases from the armed forces/ police, 1601 returnees, 2353 traced contacts and 385 frontline workers.

India’s COVID tally nears 75-lakh mark

PTI: India’s COVID19 caseload mounted to 74,94,551 with 61,871 new infections being reported in a day, Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The coronavirus death toll climbed to 1,14,031 with the virus claiming 1,033 lives in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

and solidarity, says FNR

DIMAPUR, OCT 18 (NPN): Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has said that the Naga national political leaders and tribal and civil society organizations need to set and practice “tone at the top” by reflecting in each one’s personal conduct-- a commitment to integrity and ethics.

“The present situation needs the leaders to reach out to one another and provide healing leadership and solidarity,” FNR stated.

In a statement, the forum emphasised that at a time when Nagas were hoping for peace, it was imperative that all NPGs, tribal bodies, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the church retrospect the past and move forward by reinventing imaginative new models of constructive nationalism, based on Naga history and political rights,

through non-violence, peace and understanding.

Recalling that the signatories of Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR) had agreed on numerous occasions for a non-violent peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue, FNR said the signatories had also agreed to detest and reject in toto provocative words that could hurt others, realising that violence was not the only weapon of conflict but also of words.

The forum therefore stressed that all outstanding differences among the signatories should be addressed through mutual respect and dialogue.

While the public acknowledges that NPGs exist within their boundaries, FNR said this must never prevent them from embracing Nagas belonging through nonviolence and (Cont’d on p-6) peace.

NEW DELHI, OCT 18 (AGENCIES): India may get a COVID-19 vaccine by March 2021, revealed Dr Suresh Jadhav, executive director, Serum Institute of India.

“India may get COVID-19 vaccine by March 2021 provided the regulators speed up the process as multiple manufacturers are working on it,” Jadhav said at the India Vaccine Accessibility e-summit organised

by HEAL Foundation in association with ICCIDD. “India will get 60-70 million doses

of Oxford vaccine Covishield by December but the vaccines will come to the market in March 2021. The time between December and March will be required for licensing,” Hindustan Times quoted Jadhav as saying.

“India is heading fast towards vaccine development as two manufacturers are already in phase-3 trial and one in the phase-2 trial, while more players are joining the race,” the Indian Express quoted Jadhav as saying.

Coronavirus found on frozen food packaging: China

This is it!

“Don’t mind my shifting here to sell imported vegetables. It will ad d m o re va ri e t y t o customers.”

minimal active cases by February end”.

The total number of infections by the time the epidemic reaches its slowest point, could be about 105 lakh (10.5 million), the panel said. The current figure is 75 lakh.

But alongside the reducing number of cases, pushing the US total ahead of India, there has been a spike in the number of fatalities.

Over the last 24 hours, the country also reported 1,033 deaths linked to the virus, taking the total number of fatalities to 1,14,031.

The highest number of fatalities recorded in the country so far was 1,290 on September 16.

The panel, however, has warned of a possible spike in the festive season and with the onset of winter. Both factors, it said, can increase people’s susceptibility to Covid. Festive seasons carry a big risk because of crowds and laxity in maintaining safety measures.

It further said that Relaxation in safety measures can lead to a significant

BEIJING, OCT 18 (PTI): China’s health authority has confirmed the detection and isolation of living novel coronavirus on the outer packaging of imported frozen marine fish in the port city of Qingdao, in what it described as the first detection of its kind on the cold food chain in the world.

The authorities in Qingdao, where a new cluster of COVID-19 cases were reported recently, conducted tests on all of its about 11 million population. No new clusters of cases were found after the tests, the local authorities said.

In July, China suspended imports of frozen

shrimp after the deadly virus was found on packages and the inner wall of a container.

The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday said it detected and isolated the living novel coronavirus on the outer packaging of imported frozen cod(large marine fish) in Qingdao.

The finding was made during an investigation to trace the source of recent infections reported in the city. It has proved that contact with packaging contaminated by living novel coronavirus could lead to infection, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, quoting the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention statement.

The statement, however, did not mention the country from where the package was imported.

It is the first time in the world that living novel coronavirus has been isolated from the outer packaging of cold-chain food, the statement said.

The agency said the risk of cold-chain food circulating in China’s market being contaminated by the novel coronavirus is very low, citing recent nucleic acid test results for samples taken from the business.

A total of 2.98 million samples had been tested across the country’s 24 provincial-level regions

by September 15, including 670,000 taken from cold-chain food or food packaging, 1.24 million from working staff and 1.07 million from the environment.

Only 22 samples from cold-chain food or food packaging tested positive for the virus, the CDC said.

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state

2 nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is China prepared to revive and normalise ties with India?

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

On human-animal conflict mitigation Ambulance handed over to CHC Tening

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

A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

21% 71% 8%

Next poll

Q: I s

reopening of educational institutions advisable this year?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST october 19

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A couple of showers

32 25

A stray afternoon t-storm

27 19

Guwahati A passing morning shower

32 23

Aizawl

Clearing, a thunderstorm

Imphal

27 20

Itanagar Cooler; a stray p.m. t-shower 27 19 Shillong

A stray morning thunderstorm 25 14

Kohima

Couple of thunderstorms

Dimapur A stray t-storm; not as hot

23 16 30 21

A stray morning thunderstorm 24 18

Mkg

Tuensang Cooler with a stray t-storm Wokha

Cooler; a stray a.m. t-storm

Zunheboto Not as warm; an a.m. t-storm

18 13 24 19 21 16

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

Dr. Panda addressing the gathering at Morashen Hall on Sunday. (NP)

Correspondent WOKHA, OCT 18 (NPN): National coordinator, Elephant Cell, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MOEFCC), Dr. Pranjana P Panda, on Sunday called upon all stakeholders to join hands in mitigating human-elephant conflict in order to ensure safety of both species. She was speaking at the awareness programme on ‘humananimal conflict mitiga-

tion’ organized by Wokha Forest Division here at Old Riphyim village on Sunday.

D r. Pa n d a , w h i l e acknowledging the pain and suffering caused to the villagers by the wild elephants, reminded the villagers that the elephants were trapped due to increased human habitation and this leads to increase in conflict between the two species. She stated that the severity of the conflict was also acknowledged by the

ministry and to address the grievances, the number of elephant reserve in the state was increased to two from one. Dr. Panda also appreciated the indispensible role played by stake holders at every level, and encouraged them to continue their efforts in ensuring peaceful co-existance of humans and elephants.

Guest speaker also called upon the villagers to learn, observe, innovate and come up with new, indigenous and cost-effective

ideas to keep away the elephants away from human habitat and farmlands. She further assures assistance to Nagaland for creation of eco tourism spots in the state.

Mhonbemo Ngullie, chief wildlife warden, Nagaland, in his keynote address pointed out that Riphyim village was one of the worst affected areas in the existential humananimal conflict. He said reser ved forests alone couldn’t sustain the elephants and were therefore foraying into private lands for food.

DFO Wokha, Zuthunglo Patton also highlighted the severity of the conflict, current measures and way through PPT. Chairman of NSBB S.P Tripathi also appealed the special guest to listen and act on the grievances of the affected villagers. Chairman of Natural Nagas, Steve Odyuo stressed on the importance of confidence building measures as the need of the hour.

D C Wo k h a , S P Wokha, VCC Old Riphyim village and representative from Englan Range also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, the meeting was chaired by range forest officer, Lansothung Lotha.

Namri Nchang handing over key of Ambulance for CHC Tening on October 17. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Laboratory installation-cum-handing over of ambulance for Community Health Centre (CHC), Tening was done by advisor of Water Resource, Namri Nchang on October 17.

According to DIPR report, Namri inaugurated the bio-chemistry machine and ambulance towards

CHC funded by the Local Area Development Fund (LADF). In his address, he highlighted the various developments in the state headed by the chief minister, Neiphiu Rio and called upon the people for unity towards future developments.

Short speeches were delivered by deputy com-

missioner, Sentiwapang Aier, deputy CMO Dr Lanuakum and Aku Nhai.

The formal programme was held at the Govt High School auditorium. Dr Neilasakuo Linyu medical officer of CHC chaired the ceremony. Vote of thanks was proposed by additional deputy commissioner, Rhosietho Nguori.

Imported cigarettes seized and destroyed at Diphupar

NGRC-I CU meeting-cumBy-election general observer stationed in Kiphire installation of new team KIPHIRE: With by-election for 60 Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituency slated to be held on November 3, general observer, Dev Raj Dev has arrived Kiphire and shall be stationed in Kiphire till election process is over.

An official press release stated that, the scrutiny of candidates’ nomination papers was done in the presence of the observer at DC’s office Kiphire on Saturday. General observer was accompanied by deputy commissioner, Kiphire, Ajit Kumar Ranjan.

Meanwhile, in view of the ensuing by-election to 60 Pungro-Kiphire A/C, DC and DEO Ajit Kumar Ranjan informed

General observer Dev Raj Dev along with DC Ajit Kumar Ranjan at Kiphire.

to the general public that any related grievances/ complaints or repor ts can be made to the general observer, Dev Raj

Dev. He may be contacted at 9863337880 or by visiting him in the chamber of general observer, office of DC Kiphire.

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Govt. Registered Class-1 Contractors’ Union (NGRC-1 CU) conducted its general meeting-cum-installation of new team with union advisor, Neibu Nagi and union legal advisor, Kezhokhoto Savi, advocate as resource person.

A press release by NGRC-I CU president Seyiekuolie and vice president, S. Bendang Jamir stated that, while addressing the gathering Neibu Nagi encouraged contractors to be hard working and honest. He also pointed to three important components that a contractor was required to have i.e financially sound, complete set of machineries and a team of engineers in one’s office. Kezhokhoto Savi asked the contractors

to strictly follow the code of NPWD & CPWD starting from tender process to avoid deduction of commission in the name of party fund, etc., so as to ensure quality of work. He said only then can one have good roads and other infrastructural developments in the state.

Earlier in the session chaired by S. Bendang Jamir, a five-minute silence was observed in respect of late Yashitsungba, Hokato Naga and Mhalie. Presidential speech was delivered

by Seyiekuolie. The nomination committee report was presented by K. C. Angami while Viu Belho installed the new team led

by Theyiekielie Tacii as president, E. Zuchamo Jami as general secretary along with three others.

Seized cigarettes put to destruction in the presence of village council members, Police and others.

DIMAPUR: As per pretrail destr uction order passed by chief judicial magistrate Dimapur, Somet Chumden Chang on October 15, twenty four thousand packets of foreign made cigarettes illegally imported to Dimapur were destroyed at Diphupar police station on October 17.

State level webinar on consumer DCCI caution business community awareness organised by DGC to follow government SOPs

DIMAPUR: State level webinar on consumer awareness under the topic, “consumer awareness: rights and responsibilities in the context of global pandemic” was organised by Dimapur Government College (DGC), department of Economics on October 16, with president of Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) and assistant professor Kohima Law College, advocate Kezhokhoto Savi, as resource person.

A press release by NVCO press and media cell stated that, Savi said that consumer protection was of vital concern and importance for every citizen of the country and that provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 were compensatory

in nature and applied to all goods and services. Savi spoke on the rights and responsibilities of every consumer in exercising one’s right. He also mentioned the rights to safety, information, choice, to be heard or for representation, and right to consumer awareness. Savi also spoke on the responsibility for exercising one’s rights, filing complaint, how to file complaint and the relief available to consumer.

Savi further spoke on Nagaland state consumer helpline with toll free No. 1800 – 345 – 3701, an alternate consumer dispute redressal mechanism where a citizen can call and seek information, advice or guidance for his day to day consumer problems.

DIMAPUR: Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) conducted a surprise checking along with law enforcing agencies, as majority of business community were functioning without adhering to the SOPs. A press release by DCCI president Akashe Zhimomi stated that, the DCCI was surprised to find out the lackadaisical attitude, where many shops and shopkeepers were not even wearing face mask and endangering public health.

DCCI warned the business community that due DIMAPUR: Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has to callousness of few shops convened an emergency meeting on October 19, 2 p.m at its Khermahal base office, and shop keepers, it will not Dimapur. All the members have been requested to attend positively. allow them to jeopardise the

NFHRCC emergency meeting

ADC Kohima notifies on sealing DIMAPUR: ADC Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa has notified that in view of the detection of few COVID-19 positive persons, and as per the SOP on preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Transport Commissioner’s office and the Regional Transport office, Kohoma have been sealed for 48 hours with effect from October 18, 2020.

Public and all concerned have been advised to follow all safety precautions and to ensure public hygiene and personal safety within the proximity of the sealed area.

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functioning of entire business community, which has been affected throughout the year. DCCI cautioned them to strictly comply with the district administration SOP order of wearing face mask, face shield, keeping hand sanitizers and maintaining proper physical distancing in the shop. DCCI further stated that, any shop or shop keeper defying the order will be strictly dealt with to the extent of sealing

A press release by public prosecutor and chairman of destruction committee, T. Marlemba stated that, the Diphupar Police arrested three accused persons for possession and transportation of the said seized cigarette and is under investigation. The pretrial destruction order was

issued after confiscation of the article by the respective investigation officer under the grounds of no proper storage space, hazard to health and vulnerable to theft.

Destruction was witnessed by Diphupar Village Council chairman, Hd. GB and others.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

of shop as the situation has become a matter of grave concern.

DCCI also asked for public corporation and requested the shoppers to report non-compliance by shop/shopkeepers to the DCCI grievances cell, police and administration and also desist from buying from those shops not complying with SOP for their own safety and to check the spread of COVID-19 infection.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “for me, to live is Christ and to die is Gain.”

Phil 1:21

NAC inaugurated in Dimapur DIMAPUR: Coinciding with the 2nd Nagaland Art Festival which started from October 15 to 17, the Nagaland Art Centre (NAC) at IMC, Dimapur was inaugurated by DCF pastor, Supong Jamir on October 17.

According to DIPR report, during the inaugural programme, coordinator of Eastern Art Council, Myingthungo Ababe Ezung said that the purpose of opening the art gallery was to provide a platform for artists to showcase and promote their works. He said that Naga artists get very less opportunity or

Pastor DCF inaugurates Nagaland Art Centre at IMC Dimapur on October 17. (DIPR)

platform except during Hornbill Festivals. Ezung informed that the art gallery which was opened last year at Super Market

would now be operating at IMC, Dimapur. It was also informed that altogether 31 artists participated with their works.

Born on: 10/08/1955 – Died On: 15/10/2020 We, the family of LATE RUOKUOZHALIE SUOKHRIE would like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual, churches, neighbors, relatives and well wishers who stood by us physically, financially and spiritually upholding us through prayer at his untimely demise.

Special thanks to: 1. Khedi Baptist Church, Kohima 2. Pesocha Baptist Nhicuko Krotho 3. CRC Bayavü Hill, Kohima 4. Suokhrie Chienuo We regret our inability to thank every individual personally. But it is our earnest prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Children & Relatives K-1653

We the bereaved family would like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all the churches, individuals, friends, relatives and loved ones of Satakha town and from different villages of its area who have helped and comforted us through prayers, physically, financially and materially at the sad demise of our beloved father Lt. Shri Ahovi Zhimomi of Satakha village who left us for his heavenly abode on 12th of Oct 2020.

We regret our inability to mention and thank each and every individuals, but it is our sincere prayer that our Almighty god bless you all abundantly and take you under his care in days to come.

Loving wife, children, grandchildren, inlaws and relatives.

DP-4521 K Y M C

Northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

Assam-Mizoram border dispute: many hurt in clash Aizawl/ Silchar/ Guwahati, Oct 18 (PTI): Simmering tension prevailed on the AssamMizoram border after a violent clash took place between the people of the two states, injuring several, officials said on Sunday.

The situation is now under control in the area, whichis in Kolasib district of Mizoram and Cachar district of Assam, they said.

A meeting, chaired

by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, between both the state will be held on Monday to take stock of the situation, Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana said.

Chief secretaries of the two states will be present inthe meeting, he said. The two states have deployed security personnel, including those of the Indian Reserve Battalion, in the violence-hit areas near the Vairengte village in Mizoram and Assam’s Lailapur, officials said.

Vairengte in Kolasib district is on the northernfringe of Mizoram through which the National Highway 306(formerly 54) passes, linking the state to Assam. The nearest village in Assam is Lailapur, which is in the Cachar district.

Kolasib district deputy commissioner H Lalthlangliana told PTI that a large number of Vairengte residents assembled when some people from Assam, armed with sticks and dao,

pelted stones at a group near the auto-rickshaw stand on the outskirts of the border village on Saturday evening.

The irate mob from Vairengte retaliated and set on fire about 20 temporary bamboo huts and stalls built along the national highway by residents of Lailapur despite a prohibitory order being in place, he said.

One of the injured persons, who suffered a cut in his neck, was admitted to the Kolasib district hospital and the condition was critical. Three people were being treated at a Public Health Centre (PHC) in Vairengte, he said.

“Despite the prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC and policemen trying their best, the situation turned violent and became out of control as people gathered in large

Two arrested drugs smugglers in Karbi Anglong with the seized packets of drugs.

Assam cop dies during op to catch cattle smugglers Guwahati, Oct 18 (PTI): A policeman died as he slipped into a pond while attempting to apprehend cattle smugglers in Assam’s Mankachar near the India-Bangladesh border on Sunday, officials said.

A team of 17 police personnel from Jaleswar andJordanga police posts was part of an operation at Char Kokurmora in the Mankachar police station area to nab cattlesmugglers, they said.

Around 1.45 am a group of cattle smugglers were seen on the bank of a pond and immediately four constables followed them, they added.

One of the constables, identified as Raben Das (25), slipped into the pond, police said.

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situation is under control and senior officials along with police are in the area to defuse the tension.

The state’s forest Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya, who is the MLA of Dholai in Cachar, told PTI that such incidents happen in the area every year as people from both the sides illegally cut trees.

Suklabaidya, on the direction of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, visited Lailapur during the day and interacted with the people.

The incident was the handiwork of miscreants to create disturbance in the community, a statement issued by the Assam government quoted him as saying.

Assuring the people living close to the border of safety and security, Suklabaidya said he would place their demands of

PTI that she visited the troubled area but found no officials there.

Lalthangliana said the Kolasib district administration is giving shelter to truck drivers, mostly from Assam, at Kolasib town and Kawnpui village and volunteers of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) provided them food.

Mizoram’s MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo, who is camping at Vairengte, said that his state is not hostile to Assam or its people but is protecting its territory from infiltration by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, who are living in the border areas.

He claimed that more than 80 per cent of people living along the AssamMizoram border are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Sailo alleged that the border dispute is a ploy by some politicians with vested interest to take advantage in view of the Assam election, likely to be held early next year.

At least 11 MLAs of Mizoram’s ruling party MNF, including deputy speaker Lalrinawma, are at present camping in Vairengte.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga also held a cabinet meeting over the border dispute during the day.

“I sincerely request everyone to maintain peace and to kindly not bypass any administrative proceedings,” he tweeted.

Man arrested for trying to rape minor girl

Security forces eliminate NSCN (K-YA) cadre

Manipur reports five COVID deaths, 322 fresh cases

A meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, between both the state will be held on Monday to take stock of the situation

Drugs worth over Rs 15 cr seized in Assam, 4 held

Guwahati, Oct 18 (IANS): Assam police on Sunday apprehended four drug peddlers and seized heroin worth over Rs 15 crore from their possessions, at two different parts of the state, officials said.

Police said that acting on a tip-off, police personnel led by Sub-Inspector Manujjal Gogoi intercepted a truck carrying 3.45 kg heroin in six packets in central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district. Two persons, peddling the drugs, both residents of Manipur, have been arrested under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police said that in another incident, police personnel raided a house and seized 88 containers with

numbers,” he said.

The incident could be the fallout of the demolition of a makeshift hut used by local volunteers who guard the inter- state border near the Saihaipui ‘V’ village, about 3 km from Vairengte, he said.

The volunteers are guarding the border to check the movement of the people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lalthlangliana said no one died in the clash and one person from Assam was admitted at Silchar Medical College and Hospital. He said that he has spoken to Cachar deputy commissioner Keerthi Jalli over the violence and asked her to take measures to ensure that the national highway, which has been blocked by the local people, is cleared at the earliest.

The Assam government also said that the

police outpost and other security-related issues to higher authorities.

“The government is with you all and will take necessary steps,” he told the locals.

Jalli, the deputy commissioner of Cachar, also visited the area along the inter-state border.

She assured the locals that the administration would provide them the security to ward off the “evil machinations at work” to create disturbance between the people of the two states.

Commissioner (Home) Gyanendra Tripathi assured thelocal people of protection and urged them to live in harmony with the people of Mizoram.

Assam’s DIG Southern Range Dilip Kumar Dey, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rajib Roy, and Circle Officer of Sonai Sudeep Nath were also in the area.

“We got reports of a few temporary houses and stalls being burnt. Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. We are taking all possible steps to ensure such incidents do not recur in near future,” Cachar’s Superintendent of Police Bhanwar Lal Meena said.

Security has been beefed up in Lailapur and along the inter-state border, the Assam government said in the statement.

However, former Silchar MP Sushmita Dev of the Congress earlier told

one mg suspected heroin each, besides items stolen from temples and the Jagiroad Paper Mill in Morigaon district.

A couple has been arrested under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the NDPS Act. On September 27, a huge quantity of drugs, valued at Rs 25 crore, was seized in Karbi Anglong district and one person was arrested. All these drugs, according to the security forces and intelligence officials, have been smuggled from Myanmar.

Smuggling of drugs, arms and other contraband is taking place frequently in the northeastern region across the borders specially from Myanmar.

Tura, Oct 17 (PTI): A man was arrested in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills after his attempt to rape a minor girl, which her clan members tried to hush up, was reported to the police, a spokesman of the force said on Saturday.

The incident took place two days ago and the clan members had met and attempted to reach a compromise with the man on Friday, the police said.

The man had forcefully taken the girl and gagged her before trying to rape her.

The younger sister of the victim, who witnessed the crime, raised an alarm and the man was caught by the villagers, the police said.

But instead of handing over the man to the police, the villagers held a ‘Mahari’ (clan) meeting where they sought to reach a compromise in which the man would be let off.

The police later arrested the man on being informed and booked him under the provisions of POCSO, said the district superintendent of police M G R Kumar.

Correspondent

Belongings of the slain NSCN (K-YA) cadre.

Kohima, Oct 18: Security Forces eliminated a hardcore cadre of NSCN (K-YA) in general area Wakka, Longding district, Arunachal Pradesh on October 17 A press release by PRO (Defence) stated that, based on specific input, the Security Forces launched an operation along with Police in general area Wakka.

On being challenged, firing was initiated by insurgents to which AR

troops retaliated. In the ensuing fire fight, security forces eliminated one insurgent, without troops or any civilians suffering any casualty.

Security forces also recovered one Lathode G u n w i t h t h r e e l i ve rounds, one .32 pistol with magazine and one round and one Chinese hand grenade.

The recovered items we r e h a n d e d ove r t o Longding Police Station, the release added.

IMPHAL, Oct 18: Five deaths in a span of 24 hours pushed Manipur’s COVID-19 fatality tally to 116 on Sunday even as infection toll rose to 15,463 with 322 fresh cases.

The daily update of the state health department showed deaths of five male COVID-19 patients aged between 60 to 84 years in the last 24 hours. The cumulative number of deaths stood at 116, it added.

A total of 322 new positive cases were detected during testing of 2,762 samples in the last 24 hours, till 4 pm of October 18. Among them, 13 were CAPF personnel.

The state has so far tested 3,30,798 samples, out of which results of 15,463 tested positive for the virus. Of the total infections, 2,643 were personnel of Central security forces posting in the state.

Of this total infection, 11,741 including 2,350 CAPF personnel were discharged from the Covid care facilities after they recovered from the viral infections.

3 Turncoats pitted against each other in Mnp by-polls Correspondent IMPHAL, Oct 18: Two of the four candidates named by the opposition Congress in Manipur for the November 7 by-polls were former vice-presidents of BJP Manipur Pradesh.

Days after the ruling BJP announced names of the persons who will be contest on party tickets, the opposition Congress did the same on Saturday night.

Like the BJP, the Congress will also field its candidates in four out of five Assembly segments where the by-polls will be held on November 7. Analysis of the candidates of the two rival parties in the state showed that the by-polls will be a fight between Congress turned BJP and BJP turned Congress.

All the four BJP candidates were former Congressmen who resigned from the state Assembly before switching to BJP which then necessitated the by-polls. On the other hand, two of the four candidates named by the Congress were former leaders of the state BJP. Among them was exMLA Salam Joy Singh.

He was the vice-president of the state unit of the saffron party. He left the party recently after his traditional rival MLA O Lukhoi joined the party after tendering resignation as MLA. Joy had lost the 2017 general elections to the state Assembly against Lukhoi who contested on congress ticket. In the previous term, Joy contested the election as independent candidate and won.

They will contest the by-election from the Wangoi Assembly segment which Lukhoi vacated. He was inducted as a cabinet minister in the BJP-led coalition and became ag-

riculture minister.

Another candidate named by Congress for the by-poll was Moirangthem Hemanta Singh, also the vice-president of the state unit of the BJP. He quitted the party in December 2018 and joined the Congress.

He will contest the bypoll against BJP candidate P Brojen who won the seat in 2017 general election on Congress ticket. The bypoll in this constituency is to be held after he vacated the seat before switching to the saffron fold.

Both the BJP and Congress are leaving one Assembly segment each as BJP did not name its candidate for the Lilong Assembly segment in Thoubal district and the Congress will not fielded its candidate in Singhat Assembly segment in Churachandpur district.

For the BJP, it will extend support to Md Abdul Nasir who resigned as Congress MLA from the state Assembly but did not join BJP unlike other five resigned Congress MLAs. Congress has decided not to field any candidate in the Singhat Assembly segment but would extend support to a like-minded, secular candidate, said the MPCC president M Okendro. Even as the ruling BJP is campaigning to secure all four seats where the party is contesting, the opposition Congress is confident of winning in at least three constituencies.

“Congress party would be victorious in three out of five Assembly segments,” said a confident MPCC president.

All the Assembly segments which are going to by-polls were won by Congress party in the last Assembly election and there are a large number of Congress voters in these Assembly segments, Okendro claimed.

Assam’s COVID-19 tally crosses two lakh-mark

GUWAHATI, OCT 17 (PTI): The COVID-19 tally in Assam crossed the two lakh-mark on Saturday with 672 new cases, while 12 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 865, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The fresh infections have increased the northeastern state’s caseload to 2,00,391.

Of the new fatalities, three were reported from Jorhat, two from Golaghat and one each from Sivasagar, Kamrup Rural, Kamrup Metropolitan, Karbi Anglong, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh and Chirang, Sarma said.

“Very sad and anguished to inform that 12 more COVID positive patients have succumbed to the disease... My condolences to the family.

We stand by you in this hour of grief,” he said on Twitter.

The fatality rate in the state is currently at 0.43 per cent.

The new cases included 149 from Kamrup Metropolitan, the minister said.

Assam conducted 23,129 tests during the day with a positivity rate of 2.78 per cent, he said.

The recovery ratio among coronavirus patients in the state currently stands at 85.23 per cent.

Altogether 818 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, taking the total number of recoveries to 1,71,081.

The state now has 28,442 active cases, which accounted for 14.19 per cent of the total caseload, while three migrated out.

DC-642

K Y M C

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 315 Dimapur, MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

Second wave in Europe

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ountries across Europe are seeing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases after successfully slowing outbreaks early this year. Europe's second wave of coronavirus infections has struck well before flu season even started, with intensive care wards filling up again and bars shutting down. Making matters worse, authorities say, is a widespread case of COVID-fatigue. Media citing report by John Hopkins University stated that Russia, Spain, France and the U.K. are leading with the majority of new cases. Each of their epidemiological curves are showing steep increases, with new daily cases surpassing previous records observed at the onset of the pandemic.

Multiple European countries are announcing greater public health restrictions in response to increased coronavirus transmission across the continent. Along with the Americas, Europe is experiencing an uptick in new cases following a slowdown during summer months after initial outbreaks in February and the following spring. From France to Russia, from Britain to the Czech Republic, European leaders are confronting a surge in coronavirus cases that is rapidly filling hospital beds, driving up death tolls and raising the grim prospect of further lockdowns in countries already traumatized by the pandemic. After easing lockdowns, the reopening of some social spaces, including restaurants and university campuses, helped fuel a second surge in new cases - not unlike the wave of new infections hitting the U.S. As the United States approaches 200,000 coronavirus deaths and the seven-day average for new cases has been steadily rising, some top health experts are warning that the country could be headed into dangerous territory in the fall(September to November). The vast majority of countries are declaring more cases each day now than they were during the first wave early this year.

The increase in infection numbers could be due to increase in testing capacity. Many governments around Europe are ramping up restrictions in a desperate bid to stem the resurgence of Covid-19 and avoid more damaging lockdowns and ever-tighter rules. Some countries are in a better position than others while the World Health Organization said that the soaring numbers of Covid-19 cases in Europe was of "great concern." The continent, which once compared favorably to the United States in its handling of the pandemic, is being engulfed by a second wave of infection. With an average of more than 100,000 new infections per day over the past week, Europe now accounts for about one-third of new cases reported worldwide. To some extent, Europe’s setback is hardly a surprise. Public health experts have long warned that the virus could roar back when the days grew colder, driving people indoors, where the risk of transmission is far greater.

In several European countries, lockdowns were lifted abruptly, sowing complacency among people who felt they could return to their normal lives. In the face of intense political pressures, European leaders have been reluctant to impose new, economically damaging lockdowns, often opting for the lightest possible measures. The other fear is that COVID-19 could mutate in some animal species into a form of resistant to future vaccine before being passed back to humans.

If this happens and there is more possibility of being so, then nations across better not pin their hopes on the expected first prototype vaccine.

DailyDevotion The Key to the Missionary’s Devotion

…they went forth for His name’s sake… —3 John 7 Our Lord told us how our love for Him is to exhibit itself when He asked, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:17). And then He said, “Feed My sheep.” In effect, He said, “Identify yourself with My interests in other people,” not, “Identify Me with your interests in other people.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 shows us the characteristics of this love— it is actually the love of God expressing itself. The true test of my love for Jesus is a very practical one, and all the rest is sentimental talk.

Faithfulness to Jesus Christ is the supernatural work of redemption that has been performed in me by the Holy Spirit— “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 5:5). And it is that love in me that effectively works through me and comes in contact with everyone I meet. I remain faithful to His name, even though the commonsense view of my life may seemingly deny that, and may appear to be declaring that He has no more power than the morning mist.

The key to the missionary’s devotion is that he is attached to nothing and to no one except our Lord Himself. It does not mean simply being detached from the external things surrounding us. Our Lord was amazingly in touch with the ordinary things of life, but He had an inner detachment except toward God. External detachment is often an actual indication of a secret, growing, inner attachment to the things we stay away from externally.

The duty of a faithful missionary is to concentrate on keeping his soul completely and continually open to the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. The men and women our Lord sends out on His endeavors are ordinary human people, but people who are controlled by their devotion to Him, which has been brought about through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Quotes

To be free is to have achieved your life. ~ Tennessee Williams

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

Stimulus in mesh, staff gets less, pays more T he unveiling of yet another stimulus package through increasing the purchasing power of the central government employees is a welcome move for cash strapped, slowing economy, and heading for high inflation amid contraction of industrial production.

It is a limited package of Rs 73,000 crore – Rs 28000 crore LTC and leave encashment, partly taxable, for purchasing consumer goods; Rs 8,000 crore on age-old festival advances (loan); Rs 12,000 crore capital investment by states via 50-year interest-free loans and Rs 25,000 crore additional capital spending on infrastructure – roads, defence, water supply and urban development.

The government is trying to nudge the private sector to offer similar LTC benefits, a provision that does not exist in most company rules. It estimates if it happens an additional Rs 28,000 crore boost to the economy would be available. It may, however, not succeed to the extent despite offering of tax benefit to private companies.

According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the LTC move would

create demand worth Rs 19,000, not very large but is likely to help large GSTpaying farms. The spending has been clubbed to an amount three times the value of LTC benefits on purchase of items having at least 12 percent GST from GST-registered vendors. In short, it will not benefit if one purchases farm goods or any other services that is not subject to 12 percent GST. An employee will have to spend Rs 2.94 lakh if he receives Rs 1.34 lakh of LTC benefits, as per the official circular.

The circular says the benefit is being given because travel is difficult during covid19 as there is disruption of transport and hospitality sector. It is candid admission of the dislocation of services.

The largesse is aimed at boosting industrial production as the index of industrial production shrinks 25 percent in the first five months and continues to shrink June to August at 8 to 15.7 percent against a 2.4 percent growth in the same period in 2019. There could be a small ripple effect as the government employees alone have some surplus for spending but expecting a mere Rs 28,000

crore to do miracle is a bit too much. The employees would have to pay income income tax on their leave encashment component of Rs 15,000 and GST of Rs 36,000 – government gets back minimum of Rs 51,000 per purchase.

Still it would add to the festival happiness to a large section of the employees, though SBI Research estimates that it would be availed by about 10 percent of the employees because of the rules and the condition of shelling out double the amount from their savings. The researchers wonder Shivaji how many employees could shell out Rs 1.6 lakh from their own kitty to receive Rs 1.34 lakh.

The rules rigmarole and a provision that only 50 percent of the LTC would be given as advance and rest on production of purchase invoices would lead to several intra-departmental harassment of employees, as is normal for claiming even official travel expenses may act as dampener. In reality, unless the full cash component is given and the government stops witch hunting, a good move may get entangled in

apprehensions and remain unutilized.

The festival interestfree Rs 8,000 crore loan for non-gazetted employees is an annual feature. It boosts market sales. This is almost universally utilized. The LTC component too can be allowed without attaching so many strings to it for the pious aim of boosting the sales. Let the government trust its employees and serve the goal of boosting economy.

The government’s gesture admits that the nation needs huge cash infusion. It evaporated with demonetiSarkar sation. Expecting the private sector to get into such rigmarole at a time when the firms themselves are in crunch may not fructify.

The other Rs 37,000 crore infrastructure components to be spent by state governments are long-term expenses and would have small, if not little, impact in immediate terms. Instead extending it as loan for their GST dues could have served better and created a festival bonhomie.

The stingy moves may dazzle publicity but it is getting lost in bureaucratic

mesh. The officials have put more spanners into it than the political element of the government can understand. It is not easy for a government to shell out Rs 73,000 crore and wishing it away as mere publicity gimmick is a bit too much. But the gestures should come with a bigger heart and without the strings for really boosting a sagging economy.

The gover nment must free these of mesh of rules and redo the task for larger benefit of the nation, whether for individual employees or the states. The intention that people and states take the money and spend needs to be encouraged and put on platter and not be stymied with socialistic cloaks of unnecessary rules.

The gesture is worth million words as the economy is contracting severely – 9.5 percent as per RBI and 10.3 percent as the IMF says. Purchasing power is reducing as inflation is shooting up. In September, inflation shot up to 7.34 percent, an eight-month high. However, the rural sector that shows signs of 12 percent more, better than pre-pandemic level, in e-commerce, FMCG,

consumer durables and insurance spending in September, according to CMS Information Methods, have not got any benefit of the package.

The rural sector is in crunch too. The free food grain dole and less procurement have suppressed wholesale prices of wheat and other grains. Many farmers are struggling to get even Rs 1450 a quintal though the MSP is Rs 1950.

The free dole has impacted demand and due to lockdown official procurement has slowed down. Thus the farmer is losing but packaged large grain sellers are profiteering by spiking prices for urban consumers - a peep into the future post-new farm bills!

Mere stimuli for the sake of it are not enough.

It must be backed by rules simplification and sticking to the concept of giving dole as doles. The socialistic way of giving with one hand and taking it back with two would not achieve the aims of the government. If it is for cash infusion, it must do it with vigor. This nation runs on cash and let its economy thrive on it. Freer are shackles better would be the growth.

Post-mortem Pollution divides urban and rural 69th Naga Martyrs’ Day speech

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xpecting others to do the right thing is always a losing expectation. People want everybody else to keep the city clean, everybody else should not honk, everybody else is wasting and polluting and they are creating the problems, not them.

This expectation always meets with frustration, hence smart politicians sometime harness it and direct it to people not like 'them'.

The nip in the Delhi air will soon turn into chilly winds and smog will smother the city with pollution. Whether this will lead to rise or fall in the number of Covid cases as it also attacks the lung, only time will tell.

Fashionable, rich Delhi dwellers who need an SUV to travel 500 metres to a market will explain to you in great earnestness that farmers are the ones who are causing the pollution. By burning rice stubble in the fields, the farmers are choking them and their children.

Their impassioned pleas crumble under data, as transportation contributes 41 per cent, industry 18 per cent, and wind blown dust over 21 per cent topollution.

Yes, stubble burning exacerbates the situation by preventing dispersion, but the major contributors of pollution do not go away. Experts predict vehicle ownership rate to grow at a staggering pace, from 22 cars per 1,000 people in 2018 to 175 cars per 1,000 people by 2040.

According to a study by the Centre of Science and Environment, stubble burning reached its peak in 2016, since then it has been coming down every year, including in 2020.

Punjab still has 5-8 times more active stubble burning hotspots as compared to Haryana. This means that farmers

have changed their behaviour and reduced stubble much more in Haryana than in Punjab.

Stubble burning results in smog, according to fashionistas, but it's not so simple. It will result in smog in Delhi only if stubble burning is concentrated, that is a lot of farmers burn stubble on the same day, and the wind is blowing towards Delhi.

If they disperse the stubble burning over several weeks, it may not actively contribute to the smog. But the bigger question that is still unanswered is why is the smog caused only in the city? Do the rural areas also get the same level of smog, or a high level of concentration of PMI 2.5 in the air showing toxic pollution.

There is no data for pollution in the rural areas where stubble burning happens and even the adjoining areas of Delhi which are rural. The agencies which collect pollution data do not think its worthwhile to record or report data in the rural areas, as if rural lives don't matter.

If there was data on rural pollution, farmers can be told that their stubble burning is affecting the health of their family members, and they may make some efforts to reduce stubble burning.

Instead, the state uses coercion, threats and fines to prevent stubble burning. The assumption among the policy makers is that the farmer is stupid, does not care for self-preservation and the only way to change his behaviour is to threaten him.

The gover nment works through threats; it does not nudge change in behaviour, especially for people they don't know. Or people that are not like them.

A farmer does not look like a policymaker or a citizen of Delhi, and therefore it is easy to threaten and blame him. But pollution is

not a smog issue. Pollution or its indicator PMI 2.5 builds up.

There is always pollution in the air, and it is called baseline pollution. Because of the Covid19 lockdown, factories, industry, construction activity, and even vehicular traffic came to a halt.

It was a great time to do a study on baseline pollution in Delhi, and a scientist did it.

Gufran Beig, scientist with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, along with the DPCC and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), analysed data from February 20 to April 14 and prepared base level of seven pollutants for PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and SO2, among others.

They published their research on October 10.

During the lockdown period, pollution remained below the 40µg/m3 mark on most days and even touched 20µg/m3. On October 10, it was 95µg/m3, almost five times of the baseline.

"The baseline levels of PM10 and PM2.5 were found to be 38µg/ m3 (± 8) and 22µg/m3 (± 6), respectively. They found the baseline value of NO2 to be 8ppb (± 3), which is considered being very high," stated the research paper.

The high baseline figures show that stubble burning is not the only issue, Delhi can raise its baseline pollution by five times without the smog or stubble burning.

Smart politicians do not want to threaten Delhites with penalties, fines or imprisonment to change their behaviour. They want Haryana and Punjab to threaten their citizens to change.

This war against pollution seems to have become a war by urban dwellers against the rural poor.

K Yatish Rajawat (IANS) (The writer is a public policy expert and runs a think-tank in Delhi)

Coronavirus pandemic, a boon to environment

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Dear Naga people, I pray and praise God Almighty as we remember and observe the Naga National Martyrs’ Day of 18th Oct. 2020.

I pay my homage to all the Naga martyrs and pray for their families who had to endure the loss of their loved ones for the cause of Naga National Rights for freedom.

The Naga martyrs had sacrificed their lives for the great cause of freedom, therefore the present generation at this stage must realise the depths and significance of their sacrificial deeds. We must not overlook or disregard the acts of our martyrs but we must uphold and remember their selfless and sacrificial deeds for the nation with high regards.

Today, as we remember and observe the Martyrs’ Day, may we all bow down before our living God and rededicate ourselves once again to Him, let us get rid of our stubbornness, hatred and unforgiving attitude towards one another in National affairs- as this has become the main stumbling block in achieving our desired goal of the people's freedom.

Therefore, with earnest prayer and heart of repentance we the Naga People must pray to our Living God for reconciliation with God and one another to achieve our desired goal, for our living God has a specific purpose for the Naga people.

The NNC will once again reiterate that we cannot relinquish or abandon our down trodden Naga people in the Burma side (Eastern Nagas), the whole Naga people has sacrificed and suffered together for the last many decades for our freedom of Sovereignty.

If the Naga people and more specifically the National workers

are able to reconcile and unite in this endeavour of National freedom then the odds are in our favour and we can definitely achieve our goal and objective, the very purpose for which the Nagas as a whole have been suffering and enduring for the last more than seven decades to achieve freedom and peace in our Homeland.

The NNC as a Non-Violence political Institution of the Naga people have always stood and uphold the principles of noble and peaceful stand, and will continue to do so.

Therefore, the NNC once again reiterate our peaceful stand to all concerned and we appeal to all the Groups to cease infightings based on indifferences of political thoughts and approaches, there is no need for more bloodshed, violence and killings as we have had enough of these things already in the Homeland. Let us all resort to peaceful means and solve the indifferences which exists through reasonable dialogues and better political strategies.

Therefore, in conclusion the NNC on behalf of the Naga people and all concerned once again put forward the very proposal to bring all the National Political groups to the table of reconciliation to reason out all the differences and bring about the best possible and long lasting solution for peace and prosperity in the Homeland,and we request the two Civil Societies viz. The Global Naga Forum and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to take the initiative and execute this.

May our living God bless and help the Naga people for a peaceful achievement of our freedom for His glory. Amen.

Yilow Humtsoe, Acting President, NNC (PB)

Reader’s Post

cross the world, people are living With less human travel, less extraction through a period of extraordinary in forested and other areas, less pollution and change. With job loss, business closed simply less human movement, animals are and familiar routines involving work schools less stressed. With less disturbance comes less and all being thrown out of the window, it’s stress, both for birds and animals who have a lot of change to get used to. But due to the adapted to city life.

Sir, shutting down of the human world, it led to Also with improved air quality, plants Citizens of Nagaland have just about started picking up some the environmental benefits. are expected to do better, especially in cities. semblance of new normal way of life but at what cost? One reads in This pandemic has made less people leave Reduced traffic also means a reduction in the their homes and are less likely to drive cars number of road deaths, not only of animals but the paper that community spread might occur if citizens do not follow the guidelines as given by the central government. It is so difficult to get or fly in the planes, which results in lower- also in this migration period of creatures people to realise that COVID-19 is not just a common flu but could lead ing the amount of green house gas emissions Like turtles, frogs, snakes, and others. In in the atmosphere, especially since factories, some places, species and ecosystem are bounc- to death. People are seen on the streets without wearing mask and least companies which create a lot of pollution are ing back, although this is not true everywhere: bothered about catching the virus. If this is the attitude of most people, then it would not be a bad idea to impose lockdown again in Nagaland now mostly closed, which has helped to keep The glimmers of hope will never make the to ensure that the message gets through. Vehicles are seen plying on the our air cleaner. As an example, people in India incalculable human toll of a global pandemic roads without adhering to the odd even days, causing more congestion who live upto 160 Km from the Himalayas can now see their homes for the first time in worthwhile, nor its economic costs. Yet, hope and pollution which is not at all a good sign. Every individual needs decades as smog is reduced. Similar cleaner remains a vital tool to motivate action to ad- to be concerned about their own self and also for health safety of their loved ones, especially those living with elderly and very young children. air example exists in cities around the world, dress climate change.

Be responsible.

Temjenmongla Pongen, but another ‘Natural’ benefit to a reduction in St. Joseph University, Dimapur Rajesh Chettri, Dimapur human activity will be felt by wildlife.

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.

Be responsible

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

Pak fails to fulfil 6 key mandates of FATF No action against Maulana Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed

Hafiz Saeed and Maulana Masood Azhar

PC cites Biden’s remark, urges voters in Bihar, MP for similar vow

NEW DELHI, OCT 18 the warship’s invincibility (PTI): A naval version of the by engaging naval surface BrahMos supersonic cruise targets at long ranges, thus missile was successfully test- making the destroyer anothfired from an indigenously er lethal platform of Indian built stealth destroyer of Navy,” the defence ministry the Indian Navy in the Ara- said in a statement.

BrahMos Aerospace, bian Sea on Sunday, officials an India-Russia joint vensaid.

The missile was fired ture, produces the supersonfrom INS Chennai, a stealth ic cruise missile that can be destroyer, and it hit the tar- launched from submarines, get with pin-point accuracy ships, aircraft, or from land after performing “extremely platforms.

Defence Minister Racomplex” manoeuvres, they P Chidambaram jnath Singh congratulated said.

“That’s a good vow that “BrahMos as ‘prime the Defence Research and the people of Bihar, MP strike weapon’ will ensure Development Organisaand elsewhere should take when they go to the polling booths this month,” he said B.TH / M.DIV / M.TH CORRESPONDENCE in a series of tweets. The Govt. Recognised & Accredited (National/International/ Global). Housewife /Govt. / Mission / Private employees election of Jacinda Ardern can apply. Excellent notes are provided. Admission going on. as the Prime Minister of New Zealand gives us hope Contact : Faith Theological College (FTC), Ura Villa Colony, Circuit House Area, Dimapur that decency and progressive Phone No. 9856319201 / 7005091090 / 8837099195 values can win elections in Note : B.Th /M.Div regular admission going on. Day Scholar allowed. a democracy, the former Union Minister said.

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NEW DELHI, OCT 18 (PTI): Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said there is no evidence that can validate claims on global multiple focal points for the COVID-19 outbreak, amid China claiming that the coronavirus broke out simultaneously in several countries last year.

During an interaction with his social media followers on the sixth episode of “Sunday Samvaad”, Vardhan said the reported outbreak of COVID-19 from Wuhan in China remains recognised as the first report worldwide.

Responding to a question, he said China has claimed that there was a simultaneous outbreak of the disease across many nations. “However, to validate this claim that there were multiple focal points across the world requires data of uniform and timely reporting of the occurrence of confirmed and diagnosed cases from various countries at the very same time. No such clinching evidence is as yet available regarding this. Therefore, the reported outbreak of

Harsh Vardhan COVID-19 from Wuhan in China has been recognised as the first report worldwide,” the minister said.

Responding to another question on the market being flooded with oximeters made in China, he said, “Consumers should look for FDA or CE-approved products with ISO or IEC specifications while purchasing a pulse oximeter from the market or from online retailers.”

However, he made it clear that a dip in the oxygen saturation level is not a COVID-19 symptom, as it may happen due to other underlying medical conditions as well. Vardhan further said as yet, no mutation of the coronavirus

has been detected in India, which is either more transmission efficient or more pathogenic. In response to another question, the minister said although there are no intranasal COVID-19 vaccines under trial in the country at the moment, Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech are expected to pursue clinical trials of such vaccines in the coming months on receiving the regulatory approval. He clarified that the phase-3 clinical trial is generally with thousands of participants, sometimes even close to 30,000 to 40,000. It is possible that from a specific city or hospital, a couple of hundred participants are selected at a given time, but in general, the overall phase-3 participant pool is much larger.

Sharing details of the special Drive for Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting and monitoring of drugs used in COVID-19, Vardhan clarified that the drive is not because of an adverse reaction reported with an existing drug, but is part of a proactive COVID-19 preparedness programme.

India successfully test-fires naval version of BrahMos missile

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NEW DELHI, OCT 18 (PTI): Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday cited Democratic candidate in the US elections Joe Biden’s remarks about choosing hope over fear and unity over division, to urge people going to vote in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and elsewhere in India to take a similar vow.

Besides the Assembly polls in Bihar in three phases starting October 28, bypolls to one Lok Sabha and 56 assembly seats including 28 in Madhya Pradesh, spread across 12 states, will be held on November 3 and 7.

“Mr Joe Biden, Democratic candidate in the US elections said yesterday ‘We choose hope over fear, unity over division, science over fiction and yes, truth over lies’,” Chidambaram said.

Also, the four nominating countries — the United States, Britain, France and Germany — are also not satisfied with Islamabad’s commitment to taking strong action against the terror groups operating from its soil. Azhar, Saeed and Lakhvi are most wanted terrorists in India for their involvement in numerous terrorist acts, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes and the bombing of a CRPF bus at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

With Pakistan’s continuation in the grey list, it is increasingly becoming difficult for Islamabad to get financial aid from the In-

financial services, another official said.

The FATF plenary was earlier scheduled in June, but Pakistan got an unexpected breather after the global watchdog against financial crimes temporarily postponed all mutual evaluations and follow-up deadlines in the wake of grave health risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The watchdog also put a general pause in the review process, thus giving additional four months to Pakistan to meet the requirements. Pakistan needed 12 votes out of 39 to exit the grey list and move to the white list. To avoid the blacklist, it needs the support of three countries. China, Turkey and Malaysia are its consistent supporters.

Currently, North Korea and Iran are on the FATF blacklist.

Pakistan was placed on the grey list by the FATF in June 2018 and was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019. Since then, the country continues to be on that list due to its failure to comply with the FATF mandates.

tion (DRDO), the BrahMos Aerospace and the Indian Navy for the “successful” test-firing of the missile.

DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy too congratulated the scientists and all personnel involved in the test-firing of the missile which he said will add to the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces in many ways. In the last few weeks, India has test fired a number of missiles including a new version of the surface-tosurface supersonic cruise missile BrahMos and anti-

radiation missile Rudram-1.

India also carried out successful test firing of a laser guided anti-tank guided missile and nuclear capable hypersonic missile ‘Shaurya’.

The successful test firing of Rudram-1 was seen as a major milestone as it is India’s first indigenously developed anti-radiation weapon.

The flight testing of the missiles came in the midst of India’s bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh.

In May last year, the Indian Air Force success-

fully test fired the aerial version of the BrahMos missile from a Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft. On September 30,

India successfully test fired a new version of the surfaceto-surface version of the BrahMos.

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Pakistan has failed include action against all UNdesignated terrorists like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Azhar, Lashker-eTaiba (LeT) founder Seed and the outfit’s operational commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

Besides, FATF has strongly noted the fact that there was sudden disappearance of the names of more than 4,000 terrorists from its original list of 7,600 under Schedule IV of its Anti Terrorism Act. “Under these circumstances, it is almost certain that Pakistan will continue in the FATF grey list,” the official said.

ternational Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the neighbouring country which is in a precarious financial situation.

The FATF will also judge if competent authorities in Pakistan were cooperating and taking action to identify and taking enforcement action against illegal money or value transfer services and had proven implementation of crossborder currency and bearer negotiable instruments controls at all ports of entry, including applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions.

The country’s outstanding action areas also include effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions (supported by a comprehensive legal obligation) against all 1,267 and 1,373 designated terrorists and those acting for or on their behalf, including preventing the raising and moving of funds, identifying and freezing assets (movable and immovable), and prohibiting access to funds and

No evidence to validate China’s claim on global multiple points for Covid spread

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NEW DELHI, OCT 18 (PTI): Pakistan’s failure to fulfil six key obligations of the FATF, including action against two of India’s most wanted terrorists Maulana Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed, and the sudden disappearance of more than 4,000 terrorists from its official list will most likely lead to its continuation in the ‘grey list’ of the Global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, officials said on Sunday.

The virtual plenary of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), to be held on October 21-23, will take the final call on Pakistan’s continuation on its grey list after a thorough review of Islamabad’s performance in fulfilling the global commitments and standards in the fight against money laundering and terror financing.

The FATF had given Pakistan a total of 27 action plan obligations for completely checking terror financing of which so far it has cleared 21 but has failed in some of the key tasks, an official privy to the developments said.

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national/state

distance between the saffron party and him.

He said the thrust of Kumar’s campaign has been on showing a distance between Modi and him.

Paswan said the chief minister, also the JD(U) president, should be thankful to his ally for following the coalition dharma by giving him a “certificate” every day that it has no links with the LJP president despite “so much anger” against Kumar.

“I do not want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be in any dilemma due to me. He should follow his coalition dharma. He can say anything against me without any inhibition to satisfy Chief Minister Nitish

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Kumar,” he said.

He added that he is committed to Modi’s mantra of development.

Modi is set to address a number of poll rallies with Kumar and other coalition leaders in the coming days in Bihar.

The LJP’s decision to fight the Bihar polls independently after walking out of the NDA, which includes the BJP and the JD(U), has muddied the waters ahead of the upcoming assembly polls.

Paswan has been making determined efforts to target the JD(U) by putting up candidates against it, while his party is not contesting on seats where the BJP is in the fray.

NEW DELHI, OCT 18 (IANS): Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday attributed to the worsening Covid-19 situation in Kerala to the state government’s “gross negligence” during the recent Onam festivities.

“The state is paying the price of its gross negligence.

There were huge congregations during Onam and adequate safety measures were not taken.

“Epi(demic) curve of Kerala changed completely due to Onam festivities across the state... the daily new cases nearly doubled,” he said in “Sunday Samvaad”, his Sunday webinar for his social media followers.

Noting that state-wise unlocking of services, along

with an increase in intraand inter-state travel for trade and tourism, led to the spreading of Covid-19 cases across various districts of Kerala, Harsh Vardhan stressed that this ought to serve as a good lesson for all the state governments which were being negligent in planning for the festival season.

The first confirmed Covid-19 case in India was reported in Kerala on January 30. Between January 30 and May 3, Kerala reported only 499 cases and two deaths and the cases were concentrated in only a few districts. It took 203 days to breach the 50,000-mark in total Covid cases as the state managed to rein in the spread of the infection with stringent surveillance.

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“At this crucial time, when the inhabitants of our land await with much hope, one’s insensitivity can be damaging. Human foible is critical of everybody except own self. While one remains lenient towards the self, let us also be slow to judge others,” the statement appealed.

FNR said Naga national political leaders, tribal bodies and CSOs should set the tone at the top by reflecting one one’s personal conduct— a commitment to integrity and ethics. The present situation required the leaders to reach out to one another and provide healing leadership and solidarity, it added.

The forum declared that it would remain committed to the mandate assigned by 47 Naga tribal organisations, church and other related bodies to “Naga Reconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope” decided at Sumi Baptist Church, Dimapur on September 24, 2008.

(From p-1)

Gandhi said the country was pushed into the “abyss” of coronavirus pandemic by “sheer ineptitude” and “mismanagement” of the BJP government, and accused it of being a “mute spectator” to the misery of migrant labourers.

“The stark truth is that a Prime Minister who promised to defeat corona within 21 days has abdicated his and his government’s responsibility towards the citizens,” Gandhi said.

The Congress chief also attacked the government over what she called the “free-fall” of the economy, which has never been witnessed before.

“Today, the young people have no jobs. Nearly 14 crore jobs have been lost.

Small and medium businesses, small shopkeepers and other small enterprises are shutting at an unprecedented pace, yet an uncaring government remains a mute spectator,” she added.

Atrocities against Dalits, meanwhile, have reached a “new zenith”, Sonia Gan-

dhi said.

“The voice of oppressed families is being suppressed by the agencies of the state. Is this the new ‘Raj Dharma’?” she questioned.

To protest against the BJP-led government’s antifarmer, anti-women, antilabour and anti-poor policies the Congress is planning a series of protests.

The first of these-against the anti-farmer and anti-labour legislations and in favour of the fight for justice for the 20-year-old from Hathras who died after brutal torture and alleged gang rape-- the party will mark October 31 as “Kisan Adhikar Diwas”, the Congress said.

The day is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, whom the BJP counts as one of its icons and the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

“On this day Satyagraha and Upawas (fast) will be held at every district headquarter between 10 am to 4 pm,” the Congress said in a statement.

Blood group O likely to have lower risk of coronavirus infection: Study NEW DELHI, OCT 18 (IANS): Blood group O is associated with a decreased risk for contracting SARSCoV-2 infection, research published in Blood Advances showed.

Identification of risk factors for contracting and developing serious illness following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is of paramount interest.

The study performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all Danish individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 between 27 February 2020 and 30 July 2020, with a known ABO and RhD blood group, to determine the influence of common blood groups on virus susceptibility.

Distribution of blood groups was compared with data from non-tested individuals. Participants (29% of whom were male) included 473654 individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 using real-time polymerase chain reaction (7422 positive and 466232 negative) and 2204742 nontested individuals, accounting for 38% of the total Danish population.

Hospitalisation and death from Covid-19, age, cardiovascular co-morbidities,

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and job status were also collected for confirmed infected cases.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly since its emergence in December 2019, causing a pandemic with 18093891 people infected globally (as of 3 August 2020).

In severe cases, individuals develop a number of symptoms, including acute respiratory illness, collectively known as coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Development of Covid19 is associated with age, sex, and co-morbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases, although severe disease is not limited to these risk groups.

Recent reports have suggested that ABO blood groups might play a role in the infection, with a lower than expected prevalence of blood group O individuals

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PATNA, OCT 18 (PTI): Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan on Sunday downplayed the BJP’s recent attacks on him, claiming that it was only following the “coalition dharma” as an ally of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

“I do not need to exhibit my relations with the prime minister. From the time when my father was in the hospital to his last rites, I can never forget what he (PM) has done for me,” Paswan said in a series of tweets in Hindi.

With the BJP working overtime to dispel the impression of having any tacit understanding with the LJP, Paswan claimed that Kumar has been trying to create

Kerala paying for gross negligence during Onam, says Harsh Vardhan

(From p-1)

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guilty, security for his family, Rs 50 lakh assistance and a government job.

Among the others arrested in the case is Narendra Pratap Singh, the brother of main accused.

He was held on Friday, along with one Devendra Pratap Singh.

On Saturday, Munna Yadav, Raj Pratap Yadav and Rajan Tiwari were arrested from Ballia.

The Uttar Pradesh Police said on Saturday that it would invoke the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and Gangsters Act against the accused.

Under the NSA, one can be detained without a charge for up to 12 months if authorities are satisfied that the person is a threat to national security or law and order.

Under Section 14 of the UP Gangsters and AntiSocial Activities (Prevention) Act, a district magistrate can order attachment of property, whether movable or immovable, if there is a reason to believe that it has been acquired as a commission for an offence triable under this law.

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Dhirendra Pratap Singh was held from Lucknow near the Polytechnic area, Special Task Force (STF) IG Amitabh Yash told PTI. The STF in a statement said the BJP leader carried a cash reward of Rs 50,000 and was held at 11.40 am while waiting for his friend near the Polytechnic crossing.

An Aadhaar card and Rs 1,000 in cash were recovered from him, the STF said, adding that he being taken to Ballia.

Meanwhile, Azamgarh Range DIG Subhash Chandra Dubey assured that the other accused will

secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday asked the BJP to explain to whom it was backing.

“With whom the BJP government is siding in the Ballia incident,” she said in a Hindi tweet, adding that the BJP MLA is openly supporting the accused.

The MLA, who has been called to Lucknow by the party leadership, told PTI on Sunday, “I have been called by the party leadership in Lucknow and not summoned as reported by some news channels.”

“I will hand over all documents pertaining to the case, which are with me, to UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh and brief him about the entire matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, family members of the deceased heaved a sigh of relief following the arrest of Dhirendra Pratap Singh.

The brother of the victim, however, said, “But Dhirendra is a ‘dabang’ (strongman). We fear untoward incidents in future as well.”

He demanded stringent punishment for the

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Dhirendra Pratap Singh

be arrested soon.

The main accused will be interrogated to know which weapon he used to commit the crime and efforts will be made to recover it, the DIG said.

He said a year ago, a case was registered against Dhirendra Pratap Singh for misbehaving with a supply inspector.

“A charge sheet in this matter was filed in a local court,” he said.

The DIG said SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams from Azamgarh and Mau districts are also engaged in arresting the rest of the accused.

Assistance from the Bihar Police is also being taken, he said.

“The properties of the accused will be seized under the Gangsters Act,” Dubey said.

Dubey added that all evidence provided by BJP MLA Surendra Singh will be thoroughly examined.

The BJP MLA has been accused of backing the accused by the Congress. Lashing out at the BJP without naming the MLA, Congress general

India’s democracy in most difficult phase: Sonia

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BALLIA/LUCKNOW, OCT 18 (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested the main accused—a BJP leader—and four others in the Ballia murder case, officials said on Sunday.

The incident had taken place on Thursday during a meeting over the allotment of ration shops at Durjanpur village in Ballia’s Reoti area.

A local BJP leader, Dhirendra Pratap Singh, allegedly shot dead 46-yearold Jai Prakash Pal Gama.

The Uttar Pradesh government had suspended the SDM, circle officer and other policemen present at the spot.

According to officials, Dhirendra Pratap Singh was arrested by the UP Special Task Force from Lucknow while Santosh Yadav, Amarjeet Yadav, Ajay Singh and Dharmendra Singh were held from Ballia.

So far, police have arrested 10 people in connection with the case, in which an FIR has been lodged against around 30 people, most of which are yet to be identified.

Need for healing leadership and solidarity, says FNR

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BJP leader, four others held in Ballia murder case

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

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BEFORE THE NOTARY PUBLIC, DIMAPUR: NAGALAND Regd. No. 1426/2020 Date 17/10/2020 AFFIDAVIT I, SMT. K. BELLE HOANGNYU KONYAK wife of late. Army No. 4364238Y, Rank-HAV, Name - T. KHOLE KONYAK, 15 ASSAM REGIMENT, (2ND ARUNACHAL SCOUTS), AND permanent resident of TAMKOANG VILLAGE, under MON DIST. NAGALAND, do hereby solemnly affirm and state on oath as follows:1. That, I am a bonafide resident of above stated place.

2. That, I am the legal wife of late T. KHOLE KONYAK, 15 ASSAM REGIMENT, (2ND ARUNACHAL SCOUTS) and legal mother of i) YENSO POANGBA KONYAK alias DAVID POANGPA KONYAK and ii) K.S SAMUEL K alias SHELLEN SAMUEL K. 3. That, the correct name of my said first son is DAVID POANGPA KONYAK but in the Discharge Book of my late husband his name was wrongly recorded as YENSO POANGBA KONYAK which needs to be corrected as DAVID POANGPA KONYAK. 4. That the name of my said second son is SHELLEN SAMUEL K but in the Discharge Book of my late husband his name was wrongly recorded as K.S SAMUEL K which needs to be corrected as SHELLEN SAMUEL K. 5. That i) YENSO POANGBA KONYAK and DAVID POANGPA KONYAK. and ii) K.S SAMUEL K and SHELLEN SAMUEL K refers to the names of my said first and second sons and of one and same person only.

6. That henceforth my said first son shall be known as DAVID POANGPA KONYAK and Second said son shall be known as SHELLEN SAMUEL K for all purposes and intents.

7. That, the statements made are all true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief nothing is stated false.

DEPONENT Solemnly affirm and Sworn before me on this the 17th day of October, 2020.

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

Armenia, Azerbaijan accused of violating truce

YEREVAN/BAKU, OCT 18 (IANS): Armenia and Azerbaijan on Sunday accused each other of violating a new ceasefire that came into force in the conflictridden Nagorno-Karabakh region just hours earlier.

The Armenian Defence Ministry claimed that Azerbaijan broke the ceasefire just four minutes after it was enforced at 12 a.m., by firing artillery shells and rockets, the BBC reported.

“The enemy fired artillery shells in the northern direction from 12.04 a.m. to 2.45 a.m. (local time) and fired rockets in the southern direction from 2.20-2.45 a.m.,” Ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said on Twitter.

She later said that Azerbaijan launched an assault in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh on Sunday morning.

“There are casualties and wounded on both sides.”

Reacting to the development, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said that this was the second time that Azerbaijan had broken a ceasefire, adding that it would take all “necessary measures” to

Local resident holds a rifle while showing a crater following recent shelling in the settlement of Shosh in the course of a military conflict, October 17. (Reuters)

bring about a ceasefire and ways of enforcing it “on the ground”.

But in a statement, Azerbaijan claimed that Armenia had broken the truce after two minutes.

“The armed forces of Armenia immediately after the declared ceasefire, starting from 12.02 a.m. fired at Jabrayil city,” the BBC quoted Azerbaijan’s Foreign

Ministry as saying in the statement.

“Azerbaijan remains committed to the humanitarian ceasefire, however, Azerbaijan reserves its right to take counter measures to protect its civilians and positions.”

The latest ceasefire is the second in a month, enforced with an aim to bring peace in the disputed region.

Ivorian oppn prez Car bombing in western Afghanistan kills 13, wounds 120 candidate’s home K A BU L ( A F G H A N I STAN), OCT 18 (AP): A suicide car bombing on Sunday killed at least 13 people and wounded around 120 others in Afghanistan’s western Ghor province, officials said.

The head of a hospital in Ghor, Mohammad Omer Lalzad, said emergency staff were treating dozens of people with both serious and light injuries from the bombing. He expected the death toll to rise.

Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Aran said the car bombing struck near the entrance of the provincial police chief ’s office and other nearby government buildings in the area.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in Ghor, which comes amid an uptick in attacks by the Taliban as representatives of the group and Afghan government officials hold their first-ever face-to-face talks in Qatar, where the Taliban have had a political office for many years. The negotiations are

meant to end the country’s decades-long war.

Arif Aber, spokesman for the provincial governor in Ghor, said the blast was so strong that its sound could heard across Feroz Koh, the capital city of the province.

“It damaged and partially destroyed a few government buildings, including the police chief ’s office, the women’s affairs department and the provincial office for refugees,” Aber said.

On Friday, the Taliban agreed to suspend attacks in southern Afghanistan that had displaced thousands of residents in recent days.

It came after the U.S. vowed to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement the U.S. signed with the Taliban in February.

The U.S. had been conducting air strikes in support of Afghan forces trying to repel Taliban assaults in Helmand province, which threatened to derail efforts to end Afghanistan’s war.

burned down

A B I D J A N ( I VO RY COAST), OCT 18 (AP): Assailants burned down the home of a leading opposition presidential candidate in eastern Ivory Coast while one of his party’s offices came under attack elsewhere, witnesses said Sunday amid rising tensions two weeks before the election.

A residence belonging to Pascal Affi N’Guessan was set ablaze in his hometown of Bongouanou amid clashes in the area Saturday. Meanwhile, an office belonging to his opposition Ivorian Popular Front party were attacked in the commercial capital of Abidjan.

The unrest comes days after N’Guessan and fellow opposition candidate Henri Konan Bedie called for a boycott of the Oct. 31 election, complaining that the country’s electoral commission is made up entirely of officials from the ruling party.

The accusations come despite the two warring countries welcoming the truce.

On Saturday however, authorities in Azerbaijan claimed that 12 civilians were killed and 40 others injured after an Armenian missile struck the country’s second largest city of Ganja.

But Armenia denied the attack and accused Azer-

baijan of continuing to shell some areas inside NagornoKarabakh, including Stepanakert, the major city of the mountainous region.

Following trilateral negotiations between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia that lasted for over two hours in Moscow, the first ceasefire was enforced in the region on October 11.

Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but mostly governed by the Republic of Artsakh, a de facto independent state with an Armenian ethnic majority.

The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, April 2016 and this July.

Armenia and Azerbaijan went to war over the region in 1988-94, eventually declaring a ceasefire.

However, a settlement was never reached.

The current fighting is the worst seen since the ceasefire and the two former Soviet republics have been blaming each other.

7

Rallies held across France to support beheaded teacher

PARIS, OCT 18 (IANS): Rallies are being held across France in support of Samuel Paty, a teacher who was beheaded after showing cartoons of Prophet Muhammad during a lesson.

Loud applause rose from the crowd in the Place de la Republique in Paris, with people carrying the slogan “Je suis enseignant” (I am a teacher), the BBC reported on Sunday.

A man named as Abdoulakh A was shot dead by police on Friday after killing Paty close to his school near Paris. An 11th person has been arrested as part of the investigation.

No details have been given about the arrest. Four close relatives of the suspect were detained shortly after the killing. Six more people were held on Saturday, including the father of a pupil at the school and a preacher described by French media as a radical Islamist.

President Emmanuel Macron said the attack bore all the hallmarks of an “Islamist terrorist attack” and the teacher had been murdered because he “taught freedom

Hundreds of people gather on Republique square during a demonstration, October 18 in Paris. (AP)

of expression”.

Samuel Paty, a wellliked teacher, had been threatened over showing the cartoons In Lille, people carried banners and placards with the simple words “I am Samuel” and “I am a professor. I’m thinking of you, Samuel.”

Thousands of people also gathered in Place Bellecour in Lyon to pay their respects, with another large turnout in Nantes.

Demonstrations are also being held in Toulouse, Strasbourg, Marseille, Bor-

deaux and elsewhere.

In addition to Sunday’s demonstrations, there will be a national tribute paid to Paty, 47, on Wednesday.

“A civilisation does not kill an innocent person, barbarism does,” Tareq Oubrou, imam of a mosque in Bordeaux, told France Inter on Saturday.

Laurent Nunez, the head of France’s anti-terrorism task force, told France Info radio that a “line has been crossed”. He condemned an act of “barbarity” that was an attack on “the freedom to teach”.

Senior Indian, Chinese officials attend SCO cultural event BEIJING, OCT 18 (PTI): Senior officials from India and China as well as diplomats from various countries on Sunday took part in a Yoga event organised by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which is also set to hold key meetings of the top leaders of the eight-member group.

The SCO is comprised of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.

Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri along with SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) chairman Lin Songtian, and Deputy Chairman of SCO Committee for Good Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation Cui Li attended the event. Diplomats from all the SCO countries, including Pakistan, took part in the cultural events which

included a demonstration of Chinese martial art Tai Chi and cultural events of member countries besides Yoga.

The SCO events are assuming significance as the virtual summit of the SCO Heads of the State being hosted by Russia is scheduled to be held on November 10 in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to take part.

It will be followed by the SCO Heads of the Government being hosted by India which is planned to be held on November 30.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is scheduled to take part.

It is yet to be decided as to whether the meeting will be virtual or with the direct presence of the leaders, officials said. Addressing the gathering on Sunday, Misri said, “India is a new member of the SCO but our association with the countries of the ‘SCO Family’ dates back centuries and even millennia

many initiatives proposed

by India in the fields of economics and trade, start-ups, health care, S&T and culture have been supported by SCO members,” Misri said.

“Today’s presentation on Yoga@SCO is especially relevant as it goes beyond race, colour, faith, religion and region. Yoga brings people together around the world. Recent years have seen an explosion in its popularity, especially since 2014, when the UN General Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution designating Indian and Chinese yoga enthusiasts participate in the SCO June 21 as the International Cultural and Sports Events, in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 18. (PTI) Day of Yoga,” he said. in some cases”.

He said India has assumed the Chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government this year and is hosting the meeting of SCO premiers next month.

“We are playing a constructive role in enriching the agenda of the SCO and

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

IPL: Two Super Overs in one night; KKR and KXIP clinch wins

Abu Dhabi, Oct 18 (PTI): A fast and furious Lockie Ferguson produced one of the most incredible bowling performances of this IPL edition to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to a thrilling Super Over win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, here on Sunday.

Ferguson proved to be the “Knight in Shining Armour� with his storehouse of variation as he dismissed David Warner and Abdul Samad in the Super Over, leaving KKR with only a three run-target to chase.

This was after David Warner’s unbeaten 47 and 18 runs off the final Andre Russell over saw Sunrisers level the scores at 163 with KKR in the stipulated 20 overs. Ferguson was magnificent during the regulation 20 overs also as his 3/15 in 4 overs had SRH in all sorts of trouble. He bowled a first spell in which he dismissed Kane Williamson with a short ball, got rid of Priyam Garg with a slower one and saw the back of Manish Pandey with a yorker .

His five wickets in the game got KKR the much-

KXIP players Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle celebrate after winning their match against Mumbai Indians (MI).

needed two points to take their tally to 10 while Sunrisers stay put on 6 points and are in serious danger of missing the play-offs.

Earlier, Ex-captain Dinesh Karthik’s carefree approach was well complemented by skipper Eoin Morgan’s grace as Kolkata Knight Riders managed a par 163 for five after being put into bat.

Karthik (29 not out) and Morgan (34 off 23 balls) joined forces at 105 for four and added 58 runs in the last five overs after 150 was looking a tall-order at one stage.

Morgan’s innings had three fours and a flicked six over mid-wicket off Basil

Thampi while Karthik hit a couple of sixes and equal number of boundaries.

T Natarajan (2/40) was the most successful bowler but it was Vijay Shankar (1/20 in 4 overs) who was the most economical.

Rahul Tripathi (23 off 15 balls) gave the first charge in the Powerplay as he hit Natarajan for a straight six and a pulled boundary while Shubman Gill (36 off 37 balls) struggled to time the ball, save an over from Thampi when he got three successive fours.

Tripathi couldn’t maintain the momentum as an ugly cross-batted hoick off Natarajan only ended in the

bails flying off. Gill however after those flurry of fours found it difficult to up the ante. Nitish Rana (29 off 19 balls) looked in good nick after a gap of few games.

He straight away took on rival team’s best bowler Rashid Khan and deposited him straight for a six and also found a couple of boundaries.

But Gill’s inability to rotate strike did put KKR in a spot of bother as he tried an inside out lofted shot off Rashid. Priyam Garg, running towards his left from long-off, took a brilliant diving catch to see the opener’s back. Gill’s dismissal was followed by Rana’s who mis-timed a shot off Vijay Shankar and was again caught by Garg, who ran forward to take a well-judged catch.

Andre Russell’s (9 off 11 balls) season just got from bad to worse as his shot off Natarajan’s slower one landed in the hands of Shankar at deep mid-wicket boundary. From a stable 87 for 1 in the 12th over, KKR had slumped to 105 for 4 at the end of the 15th over.

KXIP trump MI in second Super Over in dramatic IPL game Kings XI Punjab showed nerves of steel as they defeated defending champions Mumbai Indians in an edge-of-the-seat IPL game that was decided via a second Super Over for the first time in the history of the tournament here on Sunday.

Kieron Pollard helped MI score 11 for one in the second Super Over bowled

by Chris Jordan after both the teams ended at the same score in the regulation 20 overs as well as in the first Super Over.

Chris Gayle then hit the first ball bowled by Trent Boult for a six before Mayank Agarwal cracked successive fours as KXIP notched up an incredible win to keep their IPL playoff hopes alive.

This was after Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul in the first Super Over to leave MI with a six-run target.

However, Moham-

med Shami bowled an equally incredible over as KXIP defended the five runs to take the match to a second Super Over.

E a r l i e r, R a h u l smashed a scintillating 51ball 77 to take KXIP on the brink of a successful chase but team-mates Deepak Hooda and Jordan could only level the scores at 176 for six in the stipulated 20 overs.

Bumrah (3/24) snared three crucial wickets during the regulation 20 overs after opener Quinton de Kock (53 off 43) hit his fourth half-century of the season to restrict KXIP. Opting to bat, MI were reduced to 43 for 3 but opener de Kock scored a 43-ball 53 and shared a 58-run stand with Krunal Pandya (34) to steady the ship.

Pollard (34 not out off 12) and Nathan CoulterNile (24 not out off 12) then provided the late flourish, adding 57 off 21 balls in the death overs as MI posted 176 for 6.

Chasing 177, Rahul,

who currently holds the orange cap, blasted seven fours and three sixes in his knock to cross 500 runs this season and almost single-handedly take KXIP home.

He, alongwith Gayle (24), took KXIP to 75 for one in nine overs after losing Mayank Agarwal (11) early in the innings.

However, Gayle was sent packing by Rahul Chahar in the 10th over and then Bumrah returned to dismiss Nicholas Pooran (24 off 11) to leave Punjab at 108 for 3.

Rahul then pulled Chahar for a six to bring up yet another fifty but the leg-spinner made a good comeback one ball later, removing Glenn Maxwell at the other end as KXIP slipped to 115 for four in 14th over.

Rahul added another 38 with Deepak Hooda (23 not out) but he was done in by a yorker from Bumrah in the 18th over.

Needing 24 off 15 balls, Hooda and Chris Jordon (13) tied the match.

Earlier, de Kock hit three fours and as many sixes for his fourth fifty of the tournament to anchor the innings before Pollard and Coulter-Nile lifted MI past the 170-run mark.

The pace duo of Arshdeep Singh (2/35) and Mohammed Shami (2/30) provided the early breakthroughs, dismissing Rohit Sharma (9) and Suryakumar Yadav (0) respectively to reduce MI to 24 for two in 3.3 overs.

Ishan Kishan then became Arshdeep’s second victim when he was caught at deep third man as MI ended the powerplay at 43 for 3.

Promoted up the order, Krunal deposited Chris Jordon’s third ball over deep extra cover and then picked up a four off Glenn Maxwell in the next over.

With the spin duo of M Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi bowling in tandem, MI picked up the odd boundaries but couldn’t completely free their arms to play the shots.

Mohun Bagan get I-League trophy Narine taken off illegal EPL: Sheffield hold Fulham to 1-1 draw after 7 months; fan frenzy on streets bowling action warning list

Many Mohun Bagan fans were even seen without the mandatory masks as they danced on the streets.

KO L K ATA , O CT 1 8 (PTI): Seven months after they emerged I League champions, Mohun Bagan players were finally presented the glittering winner’s trophy at a ceremony, here on Sunday.

The Mariners had downed former champions Aizawl FC 1-0 to clinch the I-League with four rounds to spare on March 10 but the celebrations had to wait because of the COVID-19 pandemic that ended the season abruptly.

The trophy was handed over to some of the players and officials by I-League CEO Sunando Dhar in the presence of Club President Swapan Sadhan Bose and West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas.

In the absence of their I-League winning coach Kibu Vicuna his deputy

Ranjan Chowdhury was there along with defender Dhanchandra Singh and a handful of support staff members. “I’m very happy to be with you on this special day to celebrate our I-League triumph. Finally the moment has come but unfortunately, I could not attend because of the pandemic,� Vicuna, who is now the head coach of Kerala Blasters FC, said in a video message.

Mohun Bagan, who have now joined Indian Super League after a buyout by reigning champions ATK, had organised the ceremony at a five-star hotel in presence of selected invitees, keeping in mind the COVID-19 health protocols. But what followed was delirious scenes on the streets when the trophy was taken out in an open vehicle

in their victory procession as thousands of fans celebrated the triumph, paying little heed to the health guidelines.

Many fans were even seen without the mandatory masks as they danced on the streets, waving greenand-maroon colours when the I-League trophy made its way to the club tent, traversing through important landmarks of EM Bypass, Shambazar, Girish Park and Dharmatala.

Dhar said the Mariners played the “best brand of football� to conquer the I-League 2019-20. “They have become the best club of India, now I hope they replicate the same performance when they compete in the AFC Cup in the upcoming season,� he said.

Joydeep Mukherjee secretary of the Indian Football Association said: “Their I-League triumph has brought further glory to Bengal football.�

Earlier, a traditional flag hoisting ceremony was observed this morning in the presence of general secretary Srinjoy Bose, finance secretary Debashis Dutta, Dhanachandra Singh and Ranjan Chowdhury to celebrate the homecoming of I-League trophy.

Sunil Narine

Abu Dhabi, Oct 18 (IANS): Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Sunil Narine, who was reported and warned for suspect action after the match against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on October 10, has been cleared by the Suspect Bowling Action Committee in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Though KKR won that match against KXIP by two runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Narine, who bowled the last over, was placed on the IPL warning list.

After that, KKR requested for an official assessment of Narine’s action from the IPL Suspect Bowling Action Committee, submitting action footage in slow motion with back and side angles. As reported by IANS earlier, a video analyst’s footage instead of a 3D

La Liga: Real Madrid, Barca both lose matches M a d r i d, O c t 1 8 (IANS): Cadiz striker ‘Choco’ Lozano made history with his 16th minute goal to give the recentlypromoted side their firstever away win against Real Madrid and hand the reigning champions their first defeat of the La Liga season.

Cadiz, who have won all three of their away games this season, had already had four decent chances before Lozano’s goal and were full value for their victory against a rival that rarely threatened, although Karim Benzema did hit the bar with a dipping shot eight minutes from time, reports Xinhua news agency.

Sergio Ramos was forced out of the game in the 45th minute after hurting his knee in a collision with Lozano and could now be a doubt for his side’s Champions League debut against Shakhtar Donetsk and next Saturday’s ‘Clasico’ away to FC Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Barca also crashed to a 0-1 de-

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in action with Getafe’s Nemanja Maksimovic. (SourceReuters).

feat in Getafe with Jaime Mata’s second-half penalty condemning Ronald Koeman to his first defeat as Barca coach.

Ousmane Dembele, along with new signings Pedri and Sergino Dest, all started for Barca, who controlled the first half and should have scored through Antoine Griezmann.

However, Mata converted his spot-kick which was awarded after a rash Frenkie de Jong challenge on Djene. Barca never looked like getting back into the game after that.

Djene headed against his own bar under pressure in injury-time, but Barca lacked the sharpness to break down their rivals.

Luis Suarez got back

on the goal trail for Atletico Madrid as the Uruguayan opened the scoring in their 2-0 win away to Celta Vigo. Yannick Carrasco scored Atletico’s second goal deep into injury-time.

Granada kept up their excellent start to the season as they ended Sevilla’s unbeaten start to the campaign with a 1-0 win.

biomechanical test was used by the committee to find fault in his action.

Because of Covid19, the BCCI waived off a requirement for 3D biomechanical test, usually a necessity with the official assessment. “The committee carefully reviewed all the deliveries of action footage sent of Narine with the naked eye and has come to the conclusion that the elbow-bend appears to be within the range of permissible limits,� IPL stated in a media release on Sunday. “The committee also noted that Narine should reproduce the same action going forward in the IPL 2020 matches as presented to the committee in the video footage,� the release added.

It should be noted that there was no Suspect Bowling Action Committee before this incident or if there was, no mention of it was made anywhere.

Interestingly, while the board mentioned that Narine has been cleared, it did not mention who all comprised the committee. The 32-year-old was reported for suspect action back in 2014 too while playing for KKR during the now-scrapped Champions League T20 tournament.

Sharp scored from the spot for Sheffield United, four minutes after coming on.

Bramall, OCT 18 (AGENCIES): Substitute Billy Sharp scored a late penalty to earn Sheffield United their first point of the season in a draw with Fulham in the Premier League, reports BBC Sports.

Sharp fired in from the spot after Ademola Lookman’s excellent solo effort had put the visitors ahead at Bramall Lane.

The Fulham winger, making his first start for the

club, skipped beyond two of the season, after losing players before firing left- their opening four games. footed past Blades goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale

Aleksandar Mitrovic had earlier smacked a penalty against the crossbar after defender Jack Robinson

handled.

And it was Mitrovic

who then fouled Robinson

inside the Fulham box,

with the decision awarded by the video assistant ref-

eree. The draw means both

teams have their first point

!"

Denmark Open: Ellis, Langridge win men’s doubles

ODENSE, OCT 18 (AGENCIES): Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge became the first English men’s doubles pair in 45 years to win the DANISA Denmark Open, which they accomplished in an exciting final today in Odense against Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov, reports BWF fansite.

The result could well have gone the other way.

Langridge and Ellis were in trouble early in the third.

Down 2-7, and appearing low on energy, something happened that galvanised Langridge.

It was a comment that rang out from the gallery, something that “burned my skin�, as he later said it.

The shift in energy was immediate and effective; Langridge was again an electric presence at the net, and suddenly the momentum shifted.

The Russians struggled to stave off the English duo at the front court. Appropriately enough, the final smash winner came from Langridge, clinching the title 20-22 21-17 21-18.

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