Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXX No. 320
DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00
Ruthless MI beat listless CSK by 10 wickets
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Next 3 months decisive: Vardhan
NEW DELHI, OCT 23 (PTI): Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday said the next three months are going to be decisive in determining the coronavirus situation in the country as he urged people to follow COVID appropriate behaviour in the coming festival season and winter months. He also highlighted that the number of active COVID-19 cases in the country are less than 7 lakh and the doubling rate has increased to 97.2 days. Vardhan, who reviewed the COVID-19 preparedness with the health and medical education ministers and other senior officials of Uttar Pradesh, said in the last three months, the country has seen significant improvement in the COVID parameters, the health ministry said in a statement. “From recording over 95,000 COVID-19 cases in a day, they have been substantially reduced to less than 55,000 per day. The recovery rate of India is nearing 90 per cent. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) is also declining. CFR stands at 1.51 per cent and is moving towards the target of being less than 1
Gov extends puja greetings DIMAPUR, OCT 23 (NPN): Nagaland governor RN Ravi has extended warm greetings to the people of Nagaland on the occasion of Dussehra and Durga Puja and prayed that “this auspicious festival inspire us to follow the path of virtue and guide us towards oneness, peace and happiness.” In his message, Ravi said Durga Puja celebrates the mother goddess and her victory over the demon Mahishasura. “This festival is a celebration of victory of truth over falsehood, triumph of the righteous and defeat of the evil,” he said. Governor has, however, suggested celebrating Durga Puja festival by observing all the COVID-19 protocols this year as it was “absolutely necessary for the safety of our people”.
NST bus service to resume on Oct 29
DIMAPUR, OCT 23 (NPN): Nagaland State Transport (NST) department has informed that bus services would resume on October 29, 2020 by strictly following the standard operating procedure (SOP) and maintaining social distancing of 50% seating capacity. (Read more on p-6)
This is it!
“If elected, I promise to devote myself for peace because that’s what everybody wants.” K Y M C
Harsh Vardhan (File)
per cent,” he was quoted as saying in the statement. “The number of active cases are less than 7 lakh and the doubling rate has increased to 97.2 days, as of now,” Vardhan said. From just one lab, the country now has nearly 2,000 laboratories. The number of total COVID-19 tests conducted across the country have surpassed 10 crore. “This is a positive indication that we are moving in the right direction,” the minister said. He said appropriate measures are being taken to combat the infectious disease. “But the next three months are going to be decisive in determining the situation of COVID-19 in the country. If we take adequate precaution and follow COVID appropriate
behaviour in the coming festival and winter season, we will be in a better position to fight coronavirus,” Vardhan said. “For a big state like Uttar Pradesh, it becomes important that maximum thrust is given to simple precautionary measures which are effective in preventing the spread of the disease to a large extent like wearing masks/face cover, especially in public spaces, and following hand and respiratory etiquettes,” he added. The health minister also spoke to officials of the districts where fresh COVID-19 cases or deaths are increasing. Vardhan also stressed that the northern state needs to focus on increasing testing, surveillance, contact tracing and early diagnosis to keep the fatality rate low. COVID in India mainly driven by super-spreaders: Earlier this month, the researchers said that the transmission of the coronavirus in India has been mainly driven by superspreaders, PTI reported. The World Health Organization describes “super-spreading” as incidents of transmission where a large number of
Nagaland COVID tally 8436 COVID-19 STATUS AS ON october 23, 2020 District
Dimapur
ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsDeath ReMi- Total ympCritical-ICU cov- Death under grat- CastomInvestiMod- Se- With On ered ed es Mild atic gation erate vere Oxy- Ventigen lator 1317 54 8 2 0 1 3233 21* 1 40 4677
Kiphire
3
0
0
0
0
0
12
0
0
0
15
Kohima
268
5
8
2
0
2
2228
4
0
11
2528
Longleng
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
7
16
Mokokchung
61
0
0
0
0
0
44
1
0
1
107
Mon
55
0
0
0
0
0
386
2
0
8
451
Peren
21
0
0
0
0
0
284
0
0
0
305
Phek
0
0
0
0
0
0
36
0
0
0
36
Tuensang
20
0
0
0
0
0
122
0
0
0
142
Wokha
0
0
1
0
0
0
26
0
0
0
27
Zunheboto
9
0
0
0
0
0
120
0
0
3
132
Total
1754
59
17
4
0
3
6500
28
1
70
8436
*6 deaths not due to Covid-19 *1 deaths in under investigation
DIMAPUR, OCT 23 (NPN): Nagaland COVID19 tally rose to 8436 after 140 new positive cases were detected-- 118 in Dimapur, 16 in Kohima, 2 each in Mokokchung and Zunheboto and 1 each in Tuensang and Wokha. Further, out of 8436 positive cases, the distribution across various categories of people include 3737 from the armed forces/
police, 1629 returnees, 2671 traced contacts and 399 frontline workers.
India’s virus tally rises to 77,61,312
PTI: India’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 77,61,312, on Friday, Union Health Ministry stated. A total of 54,366 new infections were reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 1,17,306 with 690 fatalities.
people can become infected from a common source. A contact tracing study, said to be the largest epidemiological analyses conducted in the world, was published in the journal Science. The researchers, including those from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, found that over 70% of infected patients in the country did not pass the disease to any of their contacts, while 8% of infected individuals accounted for 60% of new infections. The study assessed the infection transmission patterns in 5,75,071 individuals, who were exposed to 84,965 confirmed coronavirus cases, in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Data for the study was gathered by thousands of contacttracers during the nationwide lockdown to rein in the infection. Both the states account for about 10% of the country’s population. It revealed that children are more efficient transmitters of the virus than initially believed. Researchers found children under 14 to be frequent “silent” spreaders of the virus, especially to their parents and friends.
NNPGs to hold meeting with apex tribe bodies
DIMAPUR, OCT 23 (NPN): Working Committee of the NNPGs has called for a meeting with various apex tribal bodies on October 29 at Dimapur. “Taking forward our endeavour to create a just and transparent Naga society through negotiated acceptable and honourable political solution with the GoI, the WC once again seeks your valuable advice and opinion as we deliberate on few issues of common interest,” the invitation stated. The invitation was extended to-- Ao Senden, Angami Public Organisation, Chakhesang Public Organisation, Chang Khulei Setshang, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Konyak Union, Lotha Hoho, Phom People’s Council, Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sumi Hoho, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, Yimchunger Tribal Council and Zeliang People’s Organisation.
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Trump, Biden spar over COVID, race, climate international, Page 7
Depression to bring heavy rains over NE states
PDA govt plan for Hornbill Fest under COVID-19, a ‘suicidal mission’: NPF
NEW DELHI, OCT 23 (PTI): Depression over the Bay of Bengal will bring heavy rains on Friday to the northeastern states of Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Meghalaya, the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. IMD said the depression is very likely to cross West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coasts between Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and Khepupara (Bangladesh) over the Sundarbans on Friday. “Due to this, light to moderate rainfall at most places, with heavy to very heavy falls (115.6204.4 mm/day) are likely at a few places, and extremely heavy falls at isolated places are very likely over Tripura, heavy to very heavy falls at a few places Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, south Assam and Meghalaya are likely,” the IMD said. Depression is a cyclonic circulation and is packed with squally winds and heavy rains. The depression is expected to abate and become a well-marked low pressure area by Oct 24.
DIMAPUR, OCT 23 (NPN): NPF has expressed shock and hit out at the PDA government for its decision to celebrate the annual Hornbill Festival 2020 by describing it as a “suicidal mission” especially during COVID-19 pandemic. Press Bureau NPF said while COVID-19 was on the rise on a daily basis and the state reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic, it expressed surprise with the “heartless attitude” of the PDA government to persist with conducting the annual festival. NPF chided the PDA government that it was “not a time to merry making and momentary pleasure but to ensure the safety of its people and change its decision for the safety of its people.” NPF maintained that though the government planned to hold the festival in virtual form (without public gathering), there was no need to hold such a celebration without public participation. It also reminded that even when the state was under total lockdown, the virus continued to spread.
NPF therefore, wondered how safe was it to celebrate the Hornbill festival in whatever way the government was contemplating to? NPF demanded to know from the government on whether it could assure the Naga public on the safety of the participants from the virus? Further, NPF also demanded to know why the state government made a U-turn for the event when it had earlier curtailed many income generating activities of the public, closure of educational institutions, limited operation of business establishments, restraining tribes from celebrating their own festival due to the fear of virus transmission?. It said despite enforcing safety protocols (SOPs)wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining social distance- the number of positive cases soared to over 8000 and 22 deaths reported. In view of this, NPF asked how far could the virus be contained from going to community transmission by enforcing the SOP during the celebration of Hornbill?
The opposition party also reminded the state government that positivity rate in Nagaland had surpassed the national average, which clearly indicated that Nagaland has higher transmission rate than the national average. While not denying that the Hornbill festival was a perfect opportunity to improve tourism and a time to showcase Naga traditional heritage to the outside world, NPF, however said that under the present situation, the influx of international and domestic tourist from different places would prove catastrophic. It also cautioned that with increase in community transmission of coronavirus, the celebration of Hornbill festival in the state will be a complete disaster. NPF pointed out that when the inter national sports mega event ‘Olympic’, supposed to be hosted by one of the world’s most advance country- Japancould be cancelled due to the pandemic, then what was driving the PDA government to hold the Hornbill festival at the cost of the public life?.
Accused in Oct 21 murder admits to the crime Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, OCT 23 (NPN): Dimapur Police have disclosed the identity of the main accused involved in the brutal murder of a 17-year old girl and student of class 10 on October 21. The body was discovered on October 22 within the premises of St. Claire Higher Secondary School, Kacharigaon. Speaking to media persons at his office here Friday, Commissioner of Police (CP) Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo revealed that the accused, a 19year old theological student– Yilobemo Mozhui, resident of Senjum village (near Rangapahar army Cantonment) and son of Thechamo of Yanhom village had admitted to the heinous crime. CP said the accused had admitted to the crime during interrogation and also disclosed that he be-
friended the victim through Facebook. The CP said the accused contacted the victim over phone on the fateful evening and invited her under the pretext of evening walk. The commissioner of police said that motive of the crime was yet to be clearly established and that investigation was still at a preliminary stage. Police handed over the body of the deceased to the family after post mortem was conducted. Parents held for killing daughter: In another incident , police on Friday arrested parents of a 14-year-old girl at Sukhovi village for killing their daughter but claiming it was suicide. According to the CP, on receipt of information, the Chümoukedima police personnel reached the site. Though the parents had lodged an FIR of suicide, police after investigation
suspected foul play, the CP said. Based on suspicion, police arrested both parents of the victim-Muhammad Islam of Morigaon (Assam) and his wife. Meanwhile, CP has appealed against spreading or sharing pictures or disclose names of victims on social media platforms. He warned that such actions - sharing the pictures or disclosing the names of the victims in any platformwould be liable for arrest. 3 held for truck driver’s murder: Meanwhile, the CP Rothihu Tetseo also informed that the police arrested three persons in connection with the murder of truck driver Jiten Gogoi, shot dead near IMC Hall, Dimapur on September 22, 2020. He also said police escorts were being provided for inbound trucks carrying essential commodities. Illegal liquor unit
case: Asked about the status of the raid on illicit liquor manufacturing units by security forces, the CP said that four persons have so far been arrested. He said that the prime suspect, currently abroad, was yet to be interrogated but that a summons has been issued to the suspect. On the forced closure of East India Transport Agency operated by two Naga ladies, the commissioner of police said a team of police reached the agency and unlocked the godown and was providing 24/7 security. Crime report: The CP also provided crime reports from January 1,2020 to October 23, 2020. According to the report, a total number of 78 cases have been registered for extortion for which 127 persons were arrested and out of which 60 were from different underground groups. (Cont’d on p-6)
Target to enroll first batch med students by July 2022 Review of implementation of JJM in State Correspondent
KO H I M A , O C T 2 3 (NPN): Though construction works were far from complete, official sources exuded confidence that admissions of the first batch to Nagaland’s first medical college at Phriebagei, Kohima is expected to commence by July 2022. Highlighting the roadmap of the medical college, sources from the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare informed Nagaland Post that an application to Medical Council of India (MCI) for first year requirement as per the MCI is expected to be given in June 2021. This will follow only after completion of at least the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry departments including residential blocks, residences of MS & dean residence, hostel etc.
Ongoing work 1. Medical college 2. Sports complex 3. MS residence 4. Hostel blocks.
According to the sources, to commence the first academic year, the requirement included construction of 400 bedded
teaching hospital, advertisement and appointment for HR recruitment for both medical college & Naga Hospital Authority Kohima
(NHAK) and procurement of equipments, instruments, furniture etc. for the first year of both medical college and hospital. Sources said that after fulfilling the required infrastructure in the first year as per requirement of MCI, for the first three years NHAK with 300 bedded located within 10 kilometers radius will be used for secondary care. Then after completion of the 400-bedded hospital at Phriebagei, it will be used for tertiary care. The foundation stone was laid down on March 3, 2014 by chief minister, Neiphui Rio, after the medical college was sanctioned by Government of India. Since then till 2018, the state government was in the process of negotiating with land owners for procurement of land and recruitment of consul(Cont’d on p-6) tant.
Spl. Correspondent
NEW DELHI, OCT 23 (NPN): A mid-term review meeting on planning and implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Nagaland was held Friday in New Delhi, wherein Nagaland state officials presented the progress to the National Jal Jeevan Mission team. Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship program of Government of India to provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household of the country by 2024.The mission aims to improve the lives of rural people by providing safe drinking water to every rural home through household tap connections. The decentralized, demand-driven, community-managed water supply schemes at village/ habitation level is perceived
as a transformational programme in drinking water sector. 1,351 villages out of 1,502 in Nagaland have Piped Water Supply (PWS) systems, through which 3 lakh tap water connections can be provided. Thus, the retrofitting/augmentation of such schemes will ensure the annual target of 1.47 lakh FHTCs. In the only aspirational district, Kiphire, 83 villages (75%) out of 111 villages have PWS. Further, out of 15,845 households in the district, 13,478 (85%) households have access to PWS and the remaining households will be provided tap connections. Stressing on the need for proper planning to be done to achieve the goal of the mission within the time frame with focus on retrofitting/augmentation of existing water supply systems to provide tap water connections to remaining house-
holds, the senior officials advised the State Government officials to expedite the implementation. Nagaland was advised to give priority to these areas as well as complete the accreditation of State and district laboratories in next 3-4 months and also to open those for public so that they can test the quality of water supplied at very nominal rate. During 2020-21, Nagaland was allocated Rs.114.09 crore, out of which Rs.28.52 crore was released to the State. Further, under 15th Finance Commission Grants to rural local bodies, Nagaland was allocated Rs.125 crore in 2020-21, 50% of which is mandatorily to be utilized on drinking water supply and sanitation activities. State was requested to ensure all the anganwadi centres and schools are provided piped water supply. K Y M C