EasternChroniWINDOW TO THE EAST cle WEATHERWATCH CHINA’S XI JINPING CALLS for CLOUD, AI AND DATA TO JADEJA, MOEEN SPIN CSK TO Max 33°c fairer world order as rivalry with transform in next 45-run win over RR Min 23°c US deepens P 6 decade: Nilekani P 9 P 10 Humidity 64% VOL XI, ISSUE 372 PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY FROM GUWAHATI KOLKATA PAGES: 10 epaper at: www.easternchronicle.net PRICE `9 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 SPOTLIGHT BUSES TO OPERATE WITH 50% CAPACITY; GUESTS AT PRIVATE FUNCTIONS LIMITED TO 100 ICSE Class 10 exam cancelled 50 percent attendance, NEW DELHI: The ICSE class Covid restrictions in : 10 board exams have been cancelled in view of the worsening COVID-19 sit- staggered timing in uation and the option for students to appear later has Markets to close at 6 pm been withdrawn, board sec- retary Gerry Arathoon said AGENCIES Amongst other measures, the schools for class 6, above on Tuesday. order said that open functions Last week, the board had GUWAHATI: Implementing a will be allowed with the permis- AGENCIES postponed both class 10 and slew of restrictive measures sion of the District Authority 12 exams. to curb the spread of Covid-19 subject to strict adherence to GUWAHATI: The Assam Govern- The Council for The in Assam, the government COVID appropriate behavior ment has issued guidelines Indian School Certificate announced on Tuesday that at 50% of venue’s capacity or with respect to COVID-19 as to Examinations (CISCE) had all establishments, including 400 persons, whichever is lower. how educational institutions announced that class 10 stu- markets, shops and restau- The order said the number will function amid the ongo- dents will get an option to rants will be closed by 6 pm in of guests in private functions ing pandemic. All educational either write the... Pg 5 the state. at private venues including institutions in the state includ- On Monday, Assam conduct- marriages will be restricted to ing schools, colleges and uni- ed 65,410 tests and detected 1,367 100 persons while in funerals, versities, as per the guidelines, Sonowal pays his fresh Covid cases and reported gatherings should be of not more must provide quality virtual last tribute to seven deaths. The state has a than 20 persons. education. Physical classes entrance and exit gates. than 100 COVID-19 cases, little over 6,300 active Covid File photo. Regarding offices, exclud- for the students of Class 6 and As per the COVID-19 guide- the Secondary Education Bhumidhar Barman patients. on Tuesday, while adding that Management Authority, signed ing those of essential services, above will be allowed with lines issued today, the Assam Department said offline class- “All establishments should pubs and restaurants too will by Barua, said, “All marketplac- except officers, only 50% of 50 per cent attendance and Government has also asked the es will be held with 50 per cent CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE close down by 6 pm. All, except have to close down by that time. es, supermarkets, shops in the employees will be allowed to schools have been directed to schools to avoid morning assem- of students in attendance for pharmacies,” Assam chief secre- The order issued by malls, weekly market should be work from the office. stagger the class timings so blies or any other assemblies. Classes 6 to 10, 12. The same rule GUWAHATI: Assam chief min- tary Jishnu Barua told the press the Assam State Disaster closed by 6pm.” “Pregnant women... Pg 5 that crowds do not form at the For districts with more applies... Pg 5 ister on Tuesday offered his last tribute to for- Rahul Gandhi tests Gauhati HC restricts mer chief Mamata writes to PM positive for Covid announces functioning minister Dr Bhumdhar NEW DELHI: Congress leader Ra- CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE Barman on hul Gandhi on Tuesday tested 7-day ‘lockdown’ over 'faulty' vaccine policy GUWAHATI: his funeral. positive for COVID-19 and iso- Keeping the surging Sonowal extended lated himself. AGENCIES trend of Covid19 cases in the his deep condolences... Pg 5 AGENCIES Minister Narendra Modi, Announcing his status on city, the Gauhati High Court Banerjee said, "The announce- Twitter, Gandhi said, “After AIZAWL: The Mizoram govern- has decided to restrict court KOLKATA: A day after the Cen- ment doesn't address the major experiencing mild symptoms, ment has announced a 7-day functioning with a staggering Repolling in four tral government announced issues like quality, efficacy, sta- I’ve just tested pos- restriction in Aizawl and then roster in all the courts to main- the 'universal' Covid vaccine ble flow of supply of the required itive for COVID. district headquarters to break tain social distancing 50 per- booths in Assam policy, West Bengal Chief vaccines by the manufacturers All those who’ve the chain of rising COVID-19 cent of the staff of the Principal held peacefully Minister Mamata Banerjee on and also the price at which the been in contact cases in the state. Seat and the Outlying Benches Tuesday criticised the Central vaccines are to be purchased by with me recent- The new COVID-19 guidelines below the level of Administra- CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE government, terming policy the states." ly, please follow which were issued on Monday during the restrictions period, tive Officer (Judicial) shall at- as "hollow", "without any sub- "It is apprehended that the CM Mamata Banerjee all safety protocols and midnight did not use the word which is now effective until 4 am tend office alternately. GUWAHATI: Repolling in four stance" and "regrettable show announced policy might lead to may put the common people stay safe.” “lockdown”. However, it clar- on April 26. The directions would be booths in Assam across of evasion of responsibility unscrupulous mechanisms in under huge financial burden. Gandhi recently cancelled his ified that no residents of the Public and inter-village move- applied to the Principal Seat of three Assembly constitu- by the Centre at the time of the market, including the prices "More importantly, the supply Bengal poll rallies. Aizawl municipal area and ment or intra-state movement is the Gauhati High Court, the out- encies held peacefully on crisis". of vaccines as it appears to be would also become very erratic Prime Minister Narendra other district headquarters allowed with permission from lying benches at Kohima, Aizawl, Tuesday. In a letter written to Prime based on market prices which as the vaccine... Pg 5 Modi, meanwhile, Pg 5 should step out of their homes the concerned... Pg 5 Itanagar, Pg 5 The repolling was held at Indira MV School (Right) which falls in the Ratabari `1000 fine for spitting in public constituency, Madhya BJP decides to stop big Cut down industrial use of oxygen Dhanehari LP School under AGENCIES According to the order, social Sonai constituency, Pg 5 immediately, says HC to Centre distancing at workplaces should public events in Bengal GUWAHATI: Persons not wearing be ensured through adequate a mask or spitting in public gaps between shifts, staggering GU postpones AGENCIES AGENCIES why it was waiting till April 22 It said if nothing was done, places in Assam will now be of lunch breaks of staff etc. to ban industrial use of oxygen. then “we are heading for a big- fined Rs 1,000. The order also stated that all PG first semester KOLKATA: The Bharatiya Jana- NEW DELHI: The Delhi High “Shortage is now. You have ger disaster”. The state government on educational institutions must exam after protest ta Party (BJP) has decided to Court on Tuesday said that to do it (ban) now. Look into “We might end up losing Tuesday put in place stricter provide quality virtual options. stop big public events in West economic interests can not taking some oxygen from steel nearly a crore of people. Are curbs, making the wearing "Not more than 50% students CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE Bengal as it is much needed override human lives and sug- and petroleum industries. They we willing to accept that,” the of masks and observance of should attend in person on any to break chain of corona in- gested some reduction in steel have big pockets and big lobbies, bench said. COVID-19 appropriate behav- day. Schools should stagger class GUWAHATI: Gauhati Univer- fection. The party said Prime and petroleum production to but tell them if they have to cut It also suggested increasing iour mandatory for everyone in timings so that largescale release sity has decided to post- Minister Narendra Modi and divert oxygen to COVID-19 production, then they can cut the COVID beds in hospitals public places. of students doesn't arise. There pone the First Semester other leaders to address small J P Nadda. patients. production. Lives have to be which have their own oxygen The government ordered that will be no morning assembly/ Postgraduate (PG) Theory public meetings with maxi- rallies in Malda, Murshidabad, A bench of Justices Vipin saved,” the bench said. generating capacity. all marketplaces, supermarkets, special assembly etc. in the edu- Examination, scheduled to mum 500 people. Birbhum and south Kolkata. The Sanghi and Rekha Palli said if The court cited the example The observations by the shops in malls and weekly mar- cational institutions. Preference be held from April 19, 2021 BJP national president J P original plan was to have these the lockdown continues, then of a central government counsel bench came after perusing the kets should be closed by 6pm. should be given to online mode after a protest by the stu- Nadda said no more than 500 peo- four rallies spread over two days everything would come to a halt whose father was admitted in Centre’s affidavit which said Except for officers, only 50% of teaching for primary classes," dents under the university. ple each will be allowed into Mr –– on April 21 and April 24. BJP and therefore, what would be the hospital and was on oxygen sup- there was presently no gap in employees will work from office. the order said. In view of the rising posi- Modi and other BJP campaign- functionaries said that all rallies need for steel, petrol and diesel port, but due its scarcity, oxygen oxygen supply to Delhi and that However, this will not be applica- The government directed all tive cases... Pg 5 ers’ remaining poll rallies in would follow Covid-prevention during such a situation. was being provided at a reduced industrial use of oxygen was ble for organizations rendering public transport authorities to Bengal amid the Covid surge. guidelines. “During lockdown, what pressure to him to conserve it. banned with effect from April 22. essential and emergency servic- enforce COVID-19 appropriate Mr Modi will now visit Bengal “We have set a target of dis- would be the development,” the “Can you ask him to hold on The Ministry of Health, rep- es, law-enforcement services and behaviour and seating inside Covid positive on April 23 and address four tribution of 6 crore... Pg 5 court said and asked the Centre till April 22,” the court asked. resented by... Pg 5 those involved in election work. vehicles, carriers, containers etc. murder accused held in Modi will not travel As India crosses 2-million active to Portugal for protests AHSEC CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE India-EU summit GUWAHATI: Assam police on Covid cases, further concerns chief’s controversial remarks Tuesday succeeded to nab NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Naren- BARAK DEMOCRATIC two dreaded criminals who AGENCIES care infrastructure across Union home and health sec- dra Modi will not travel to Portu- CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE Sonowal to take action against were accused in murder India to its limits, the Centre retaries Ajay Bhalla and Rajesh gal for the India-EU summit next the AHSEC chairman. ›FRONT CHIEF CONVENOR and dacoity cases, including NEW DELHI: As active Covid-19 asked states to augment hospi- Bhushan meanwhile reviewed month in view of the COVID-19 SILCHAR: Protests have been In a letter to Sonowal, Dev PRADIP DUTTA ROY ON one Gofur who was earlier cases in the country crossed tal infrastructure in advance the pandemic status in the Union situation and the meeting will voiced by different political said that Borgohain’s remarks TUESDAY VEHEMENTLY tested Covid positive, from the 2-million mark on Tuesday for the next three weeks. Territories on Tuesday while be held virtually. The Ministry parties against Assam Higher were unacceptable and discrim- Ladrymbai in... Pg 5 morning pushing the health- The number of deaths in the noting that from 20,000 cases of External Affairs (MEA) said Secondary Education Council inatory. CONDEMNED THE country too reached 1761 in the reported on January 1, India has it has been decided, in consul- (AHSEC) chairman Dayanan- Barak Democratic Front BORGOHAIN’S REMARKS THE NUMBER OF 24-hour period, the highest on been registering almost 10 times tation with EU and Portuguese da Borgohain for allegedly chief convenor Pradip Dutta SAYING THAT IF THIS IS THE Some hospitals left any day in the pandemic so far. more cases daily since April 1. leadership, to hold the summit asking the people of Barak val- Roy on Tuesday vehemently with just a few hours ›DEATHS IN THE A total of 180350 people have Over the last 11 days, new in a virtual format on May 8. "In ley to create a separate state condemned the Borgohain’s VOICE OF THE MAJORITY COUNTRY TOO REACHED succumbed to the contagious cases have almost doubled from view of the COVID-19 situation, it if not willing to learn the As- remarks saying that if this is PEOPLE OF BRAHMAPUTRA of oxygen 1761 IN THE 24-HOUR disease till date. 1.31 lakh reported on April 11 to has been decided, in consultation samese language. the voice of the majority people VALLEY, IN THIS CASE, India now has 2,031,977 active 2.73 lakh reported on April 11. with the EU and Portuguese lead- All India Mahila Congress of Brahmaputra Valley, in this NEW DELHI: Chief Minister PERIOD, THE HIGHEST ON cases while the country has 15.3 The Centre stressed upon ership, to hold the India-EU lead- president and former Silchar case, people of Barak Valley are PEOPLE OF BARAK VALLEY Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday ANY DAY IN THE PANDEMIC million confirmed cases -- the strict enforcement of Covid ers' meeting in a virtual format MP and Assam Congress leader ready to become separated from ARE READY TO BECOME urged the Centre to provide SO FAR. second-highest after the United appropriate behaviour along on May 8," MEA spokesperson Sushmita Dev has urged upon Assam. “However, Barak Valley SEPARATED FROM ASSAM. medical oxygen to Delhi, say- States. with stricter... Pg 5 Arindam Bagchi said. the chief minister Sarbananda has not raised such... Pg 5 ing some hospitals are going to run out of it in a few hours. He had on Sunday termed ‘DON’T WANT TO COME BACK AGAIN’ the shortage of oxygen for coronavirus patients an “emer- AR promotes ’s Tharon gency”. Migrant exodus continues on Kejriwal also wrote to Union Minister of Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal, Caves and Barak waterfalls seeking his intervention in the Delhi lockdown day 1 matter. CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE try to the vibrant heritage of the native place. AGENCIES said: “We are afraid we won’t SILCHAR: The vibrant, di- 44 Assam Rifles under the get a bus today. My husband educational verse and unique culture aegis of 22 sector/ IGAR (East) NEW DELHI: On Tuesday and I don’t have any savings of Tamenglong district in organised a talk on preserving morning, Pinki (26) and her left because our landlord forced institutes to stay Manipur has many heritage these heritage sites under the husband left their home in us to pay the rent this month shut till April 30 sites of tourist interest. The theme ‘Complex pasts: Diverse Delhi’s Jhilmil Colony, filled and our employers haven’t paid global pandemic has effected Future’ recently. with anxiety. The couple us anything in the last 20 days. these otherwise frequently People from diverse back- worked at a printing press How will we survive here if visited sites. Over the years ground and culture set aside near their home but were told there’s a longer lockdown? The the Tharon Caves and Barak their differences and come for- by their employer that they left with their three children printing press produces school waterfalls has become major ward to spread the message of won’t be paid during the lock- in search of a bus that could books and election posters but tourist attraction in the dis- solidarity. Tharon Caves situated at Tamenglong in Manipur. down and should consider take them to Sitapur in Uttar our employers didn’t pay us trict. It not only opens the Speaking on the occasion these heritage sites. He also to celebrate the joint history leaving the city and returning Pradesh. now because books aren’t being beautiful picturesque nature the commandant Tamenglong said that we observe the day and heritage of human race, when work resumes. With no Standing with her children printed these days. Every time to outside world but, con- battalion Col Pradeep urged to celebrate various cultures he said. savings, they borrowed mon- at Anand Vihar ISBT while her I see an election poster, I feel Full Story on Page 5 nects people across the coun- upon the people to preserve and their heritage. It is a day Stressing... Pg 5 ey from their neighbours and husband looked for a bus, Pinki cheated. Pg 5