As COVID-19 positive cases emerge in the once green zone Nagaland, the state government along with various agencies continue to monitor the returnees. TrueNat machines essential for testing of COVID cases are also being installed in various districts for the welfare of the public. Returnees are arriving steadily and after necessary medical screening, they are sent off to their respective districts for mandatory 14 days quarantine. Out of the COVID-19 positive cases, it is reported that eight has recovered. Meanwhile, legislators, government officials are conducting review meetings and other workshops towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. So far, the pandemic has not spread out to the community, whereby the public are reminded to take all precautionary measures for their own safety.
Kohima District
Patton provides essential protective gears to NPWD: Deputy chief minister, Home, Road and Bridges Y. Patton on Monday donated protective equipments to NPWD and Kohima Press Club.
In a brief programme held at NPWD office, Patton informed that considering the situation, the need to have protective gears was imperative for the field workers. He exuded confidence that the NPWD staff will take all measures to keep safe from the disease. Commissioner secretary of Works and Housing Rovillatuo Mor and engineer in chief NPWD Limadongdang thanked the minister for the generous contribution made towards the department and hoped that the field workers will use the protective gears judiciously. Patton donated PPE, hand sanitiser, gloves, rubber boot, face mask and face shield to the department.
Meanwhile, sensing the need for the journalists working in the field covering COVID-19 pandemic, the deputy chief minister also donated the same, protective gears to the members of Kohima Press Club. The materials were received by KPC general secretary Atono Tsükrü Kense. (Correspondent)
Neiphiu Rio congratulates all HSLC toppers: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio took a unique stride and congratulated the Nagaland Board of School Education’s (NBSE) toppers including all the students who had passed the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examinations of 2020 with a personalized letter addressed to each student, on May 30.
According to DIPR report, Rio in his letter said clearing the HSLC hurdle was not just an important achievement in the academic career of a student but a major milestone for every individual. He reminded the students to rededicate themselves towards successfully sailing over the forthcoming challenges and also encouraged them to enjoy the experiences, celebrate the joys of life and always aspire to be a contributing member of society.
Rio also said that the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, has altered the dynamics of lives forever. Rio also lamented the need to adapt and acclimatize to the changing times and become successful agents of change. He urged all the students to be a responsible citizen, make efforts to ensure a cleaner and safer planet, work towards gender equality, be an agent of peace and forever spread kindness. Rio further called upon the students to be proud ambassador of the state, its rich culture and vibrant way of life.
Workshop on scaling up agriculture in the state: A day-long workshop on “Scaling up of agriculture activities in the state” was conducted at the conference hall of Agriculture directorate on June 4. According to DIPR report, technical officers deliberated on developing action plan & way forward focusing on the production and post production activities.
Delivering the key note address director of Agriculture, M. Ben Yanthan highlighted on the prominence of agriculture sector in terms of economy and employment, wherein, it contributed 27.47% to the state’s total GSDP during 2018-19, provide sustenance to the state’s population of which 70 % work force are women. He thus reminded one and all of the task ahead taking a leaf out of the department’s vision document “Prosperity through Agriculture & Food for all by 2025” for developing an action plan.
Inviting all members for participation and fruitful interaction, he suggested for the convergence of the CSS programmes into a cluster approach by identifying potential area as per crop feasibility.
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by the chairman of the opening session, C. Peter Yanthan, addl. director, short speech by S. Kivikhu Achumi, addl. Director and vote of thanks pronounced by B.N. Phom, joint director. The first session was on the joint directors and deputy directors district tour presentation of May 21 to 27. A first hand report on the operational activities taken up by the farming communities during the pandemic lockdown and field assessment of the districts and agricultural subdivisions in view of the current FAW outbreak and other natural calamities were highlighted. Power point presentations on action plan for “Economy of the state post COVID-19” was presented by Ronchamo Kikon, SMS and on “Social media in the 21st century” for awareness by Amongla C. SMS. After a brainstorming session, a committee was constituted for working on the action plan and recommendations for way forward.
Kohima DTF emergency meeting held: An emergency meeting of Kohima DTF on COVID-19 in regard to the revised SOP for returnees to be released from the institutional quarantine for home quarantine was held in DC’s office chamber on June 8.
According to DIPR report, the meeting chaired by Kohima deputy commissioner and chairman DTF, Gregory Thejawelie was attended by Sr. SP Kohima, K. Sophie, CMO Kohima, Dr. Vezokholu, medical superintendent NHAK, Dr. Kuobunuo, KMC administrator, Kovi Meyase and other DTF members. DC apprised the members on the revised SOP in regard to returnees to be released from the government quarantine centres for home quarantine where the clearance has to be given by the medical team at the centres. Thereafter it will be considered and recommended by the DTF, which will be sent to the chief secretary for obtaining his concurrence. He said that after receiving the concurrence of the chief secretary, the DC will issue the approval letter for releasing the returnees for undergoing home quarantine. In this connection, the DTF decided to follow strictly with the protocols as per the revised SOP and also on sample collection for testing at NHAK, the DTF decided that the concerned assigned medical team to collect the sample of the returnees at the quarantine centres.
State law & order report: The State Emergency Operation Centre COVID-19 control room at Kezekie Kohima has issued the report on law & order across the state as on June 7. According to DIPR report, joint secretary Hiazu Meru stated there were no violations on law and order incidents across the state. Further the report stated that, shops for food grains, groceries, medicine and milk were opened in all the districts of Nagaland. There were no reports of any shortage of food grains, groceries, milk or medicine in the state. There were no restrictions on movement of essential service providers like electricity, telecom facilities, medical facilities etc and personnel/workers in manufacturing units and commercial vehicles for distribution of essential commodities and e-commerce. The state government has organised suitable arrangements for providing food and shelter to migrant workers affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. At present there is 1 (one) active relief camps and 2 (two) active food camps, one each in Kohima and in Dimapur respectively.
Mokokchung District
Metsubu holds COVID-19 review meeting: Minister of Rural Development and in charge of COVID-19 Mokokchung, Metsubu, held a review meeting with District Task Force COVID-19 Mokokchung on June 8. According to DIPR report, the meeting was held in the district planning hall under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner Mokokchung, Limawapang Jamir. DC expressed his appreciation to all sections of people who had contributed towards the District Task Force in the fight to contain the pandemic.
He also expressed gratefulness towards the eleven elected legislators for donating a TrueNat COVID-19 testing machine for the people of Mokokchung.
He further thanked the District Task Force for COVID-19 and all the NGOs, especially the Ao Senden and ABAM for their tireless support and magnanimous contribution towards the fight against the pandemic. Metsubu also said that the people of Mokokchung were lucky to be in the green zone till date.
He also called upon those returnees who were in quarantine centres to follow the directives being given by the authorities with proper discipline.
He informed that through the initiatives of the department of Rural Development all villages in the district have the facility of quarantine centre. Minister also visited medical sub-centres in and around Mokokchung town.
Peren District
TrueNat machine installed at CHC Jalukie: Two TrueNat machines provided by the department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland and one which was donated by Leader of Opposition, T.R. Zeliang were installed at CHC Jalukie on June 8. According to DIPR report, the dedicatory prayer was said by Jalukie town local Baptist church pastor, Mongzeung Mpom. The programme was attended by Dy. CMO Peren, Dr. Supongmenla Walling, SMO CHC Jalukie, Dr. Yetovi Tuccu and lab technician, Amen Jamir.
Review meeting of SDTF on COVID-19 at Tening: Additional deputy commissioner cum chairperson of Sub-Divisional Task Force (SDTF) on COVID-19, Rhosietho Nguori convened a review meeting on June 8 in town hall Tening. According to DIPR report, the meeting discussed overall situation and chalked out further action plan for Tening sub division regarding COVID-19. ADC also informed that returnees who had reached Tening sub-division included ten males and twelve females totalling 22, as on June 8.
Zunheboto District
TrueNat installed at Zunheboto District Hospital: TrueNat COVID-19 testing machine was installed in Zunheboto on June 7. According to DIPR report, the team arrived Zunheboto on June 7 afternoon and installation was completed by late evening. Two technicians were trained by the team and trail of 3 samples were done. However the testing of samples in Zunheboto will begin only from June 9 as some arrangements need to be made for proper test results and to ensure that no samples/test is corrupted. 30 samples from Zunheboto were already sent on May 29 for testing and all were confirmed to be COVID-19 negative. So far the district has no positive cases and stringent sample collection is underway from the recent returnees.
Zunheboto receives 16 returnees: 16 returnees arrived at Zunheboto town on June 8, where upon the returnees are being quarantined at Zunheboto Government College. According to DIPR report, 6 females and 10 males, 1 female from Haryana, 4 females and 2 males from Uttar Pradesh, one female and eight males from Chandigarh arrived in a bus from Dimapur.
Longleng District
68th Phom day observed in Longleng: Deputy commissioner of Longleng, M. Shayung Phom said that, the immediate battle at the moment was the global COVID-19 pandemic, which would affect any one so he cautioned that everyone must fight the virus united and determinedly.
DC said this in his address as special guest on the 68th Phom day held at Police Headquarter, Longleng on June 6, where he also called upon the citizens of Phom community to extend all physical, moral and material support to the frontline warriors, headed by the prime minister, chief ministers, Medical fraternity, security, civil societies, churches and all persons involved in fighting the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Maintaining that the first generation of modern Phom stopped the head hunting practice while the next generation focused on literacy and tried to bring social changes like launching literacy campaign, sanitation movement, liquor eradication crusade and revival movement spearheaded by church and clean examination movement led by the students.
Shayung also appealed to empathize with the people who were in the quarantine centres for weeks together not because they were confirmed of infection but to stop community transmission in case they were infected by the virus. He also asserted that since facing Covid-19 for the first time, there may be loopholes from many angles but this was not intentional so the big watch word of this year’s Phom day is to fight the Covid-19 with unified force, he stated. DC also launched Phom day video on YouTube entitled “Sharing peace within”.
President of Phom Peoples Council (PPC) also spoke on the occasion, chaired by A. Mane president PSC. Phom day marks the end of head hunting era and the beginning of peace and harmony among the Phom community. Phom community pledged on June 6, 1952 to be peaceful and to be loyal to the government and ince then Phom day has been observed annually till today.
Three inmates discharged from QC in Longleng: Out of seven inmates in Lempong quarantine centre, Longleng who have completed 21 days of institutional quarantine, three were discharged on June 8 for home quarantine after their results tested negative and all necessary medical investigation found normal. According to DIPR report, while the test results of the four remaining inmates are yet to be received, they have been held back even after completing 21 days of institutional quarantine. All necessary instructions and medical advice were given by the doctors before they were discharged from the quarantine center.
Kiphire District
17 returnees arrive at Kiphire from Dimapur: 17 persons from Dimapur arrived at Kiphire on June 8. According to DIPR report, they were transported by NST bus from Dimapur. The returnees on reaching Kiphire town were received by deputy commissioner Sarita Yadav along with ADC, Police and Medical staffs at the helipad, where all the returnees were registered and face mask were distributed to 12 male, 5 female. After screening, they were transported to the institution quarantine set up at Loyola Higher Secondary School building Kiphire, to be quarantined for 14 days as per guidelines given by the government.