15 May 2023

Therie red flags Gov on illegal weapons

DIMAPUR, MAY 14

(NPN): Former president Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) K Therie has urged upon Nagaland governor La Ganesan, as guardian of the Constitution of India, to raise the issue of constitutional provisions with his council of ministers and wake them up to enforce the rule of the law of the land. His statement comes against the backdrop of the killing of Ms. Supou P, a final year student of MA (History) by one Thingiu Khiam (36), a deputy kilonser of NSCN (Khango) on May 8 at Zeliangrong colony Dimapur.

Therie maintained that safety and security of the

IMD issues orange alert for rainfall in NE

DIMAPUR, MAY 14

(NPN): The Indian Metrological Department (IMD), said that Cyclone Mocha that made landfall in Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts is continuing the weakening trend and warned that very heavy rainfall will occur over North Eastern states.

Issuing an orange alert for the North Eastern region, IMD predicted rainfall very likely over the region during the next five days.

It said that heavy rainfall very likely at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh on May 15-16, similar conditions will prevail over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from May 15 to18.

Very heavy falls has been predicted over Assam, Meghalaya on May 15, 16 and 18 and over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during May 15-17.

Meanwhile, it has been predicted that scorching heat waves will take over most of India on May 15 and 16, affecting tens of millions of people across a vast landmass in central and northern India.

Experts have pointed out that the intensity and frequency of heatwaves have increased over the years.

Meanwhile, the power demand is likely to rise as more people would turn to cooling devices such as air conditioners.

Counteroffensive does not aim to attack Russian territory: Zelensky

Sidda vs DKS: Congress top brass to take final call on Karnataka CM

people are not mere words but a matter of life and death and therefore, why should there be loss of life like that of Ms. Supou P? He reiterated that if unauthorised weapons were not in the hands of criminals, then the victim would have been alive. He blamed the state government as being responsible for her death as in the loss of many lives in the same manner.

Therie urged upon the Governor La Ganesan to pay serious concern over safety and security to life and property. He said the opposition-less government in the state was safe and secure but not the public, especially entrepreneurs, as it was “hand in glove with factions”. He alleged that many in the state were “speaking and writing between the lines to avoid provocation for fear of unauthorised weapons”, while complainants are “directed to compromise with

factions for future safety as the government cannot be always with them.”

Therie said there were approximately more than 1000 weapons in the hands of factions of which he has lost count but was “enlightened by CNCCI that we have 18 factions.” He said people are paying taxes to 19 groups including the state government and this was the reason why funds could not be utilised for repair of potholes on roads.

Therie pointed out that while negotiations were ongoing between the

government of India with NSCN (I-M) and 7-member NNPGs, at one time the chairman of the Cease Fire Monitoring reportedly issued over 700 arms for protection of faction leaders.

Therie said the question posed by Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI): “Who is incharge?” was the same being asked by every citizen as the existence of the state government is not known.

He said all these activities have been happening for years. Therie lamented that the recent assembly election verdict, “appears to favour the continuation of such a situation” though for him, it was a senseless verdict.

However, Therie said though the electoral verdict was senseless, “we cannot ignore the safety and security to life and property of our citizens.” Therie reminded the Governor

that the people of Nagaland deserve governance and that there was no need for arms during negotiations.

He asked why not confine weapons of all factions within their respective designated camps? He recalled that in 1954 then NNC which organised the Naga freedom struggle, formed the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) to defend Nagaland and not to kill brothers or sisters or to extort. Therie said since all factions are in cease fire, it is the bounden duty of the state and government of India “to control unauthorised weapons” and also accelerate development.

However, in case the state government was unwilling to do that, Therie reminded the Governor of options before him. He concluded that expressions of regrets during funerals for victims or giving posthumous awards cannot bring back precious lives lost.

Manipur CM summoned by Central leadership

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 14 (NPN):

Amid the unrest, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh along with state BJP chief A Sarda Devi and some cabinet ministers left for Delhi on Sunday.

Sources said they dashed to the National Capital after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah called them to discuss the prevailing situation in the State. The chief minister was accompanied by State forest minister Th Biswajit, works minister K Govin -

das, RD and PR minister Y Khemchand and education minister Th Basantakumar, sources said.

Besides deliberating on the prevailing situation in the State in the wake of violence incidents that claimed lives of over 73 people and rendered thousands homeless, the meeting with the Central leaders was likely to discuss a memorandum recently submitted by 10 sitting Kuki MLAs, including two cabinet ministers, to the Centre demanding a “separate administration” for the Kukis in Manipur.

The 10 MLAs had sub-

mitted a memorandum to the Centre regarding their demand. The chief minister-led delegation is likely to share a detailed account on the origin of the recent spate of violence in the State and involvement of militants under tripartite suspension of operation truce with the Centre and State government. Meanwhile, four BJP MLAs, who recently resigned from their administrative posts assigned to them by Singh, in a joint press release strongly reacted to the demand for a separate administration for

Cyclone Mocha makes landfall in Myanmar

DHAKA, MAY 14 (AP):

Thousands of people hunkered down Sunday in monasteries, pagodas and schools, seeking shelter from a powerful storm that slammed into the coast of Myanmar, tearing roofs off buildings and killing at least three people.

Cyclone Mocha made landfall Sunday afternoon in Myanmar’s Rakhine state near Sittwe township with winds of up to 209 kilometers (130 miles) per hour, Myanmar’s Meteorological Department said. The storm previously passed over Bangladesh’s Saint Martin’s Island, causing damage and injuries, but turned away from the country’s shores before landfall. As night fell, the extent of the damage in

Sittwe was not clear. Earlier in the day, high winds crumpled cell phone towers, cutting off communications in much of the area.

In videos collected by local media before communications were cut off, deep water races through streets while wind lashes trees and pulls boards off roofs.

Meanwhile, authorities in the Bangladeshi city of Cox’s Bazar, which lay in the storm’s predicted path, said earlier that they had evacuated hundreds of thousands of people, but by early afternoon it appeared that the storm would mostly miss the country as it veered east, said Azizur Rahman, director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department in Dhaka.

“The level of risk has reduced to a great extent in our Bangladesh,” he told reporters.

Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune city, said cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are becoming more intense more quickly, in part because of climate change.

Climate scientists say cyclones can now retain their energy for many days.

Cyclone Amphan in eastern India in 2020 continued to travel over land as a strong cyclone and caused extensive devastation.

“As long as oceans are warm and winds are favorable, cyclones will retain their intensity for a longer period,” Koll said.

Kukis by 10 MLAs. They declared that the demand was unacceptable on the ground that it would lead to a direct challenge to the unity and territorial integrity of Manipur.

“We, therefore, appeal to all to refrain from such provocative statements in the larger interest of Manipur,” the four MLAs stated in the release.

The release was signed by Karam Shyam, Paonam Brojen Singh, Kh Ragumani Singh and Th Radheshyam Singh, all of whom had quit from their respective administrative posts.

India’s active Covid-19 cases dip to 15,515

NEW DELHI, MAY 14 (PTI): India has logged 1,272 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have dipped to 15,515, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on May 14.

The death toll has increased to 5,31,770 with three deaths. While two deaths were reported from Punjab, one was from West Bengal, the data updated at 8 a.m. stated.

The COVID case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,80,674).

The active cases now comprise 0.03% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.78%, the ministry said.

Mobile tracking system CEIR set for pan-India launch

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(PTI): People will be able to block and track their lost or stolen mobile phones across India with the rollout of a tracking system by the government this week, a senior government official said.

Technology development body Centre for Department of Telematics (CDoT) has been running the pilot of the CEIR system in some of the telecom circles, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and North East region, and the system is now ready for panIndia deployment, a DoT official, who did not wish to be identified, told PTI. “CEIR system is sched-

uled for pan-India launch on May 17,” the official said. When contacted, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Project Board at CDoT Rajkumar Upadhyay did not confirm the date but confirmed that the technology is ready for pan-India deployment.

“The system is ready and now it will be deployed

across India in this quarter. This will enable people to block and track their lost mobile phones,” Upadhyay said.

CDoT has been able to add features to check the use of cloned mobile phones across all telecom networks.

Himachal govt to prepare drug de-addiction, rehabilitation policy, says CM

The government has made it mandatory to disclose IMEI -- a 15-digit unique numeric identifier -- of mobile devices before their sale in India.

The mobile networks will have access to the list of approved IMEI numbers which will check the entry of any unauthorised mobile

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(PTI/AGENCIES): As the race for the chief ministership of Karnataka hotted up between Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday rushed back to Delhi and said the AICC observers will convey the opinion of the party’s MLAs to the high command which will then take a final decision.

He also asserted that everything has gone smoothly for the party in the assembly polls and the government will be formed as soon as possible.

During the meeting, the MLAs adopted resolution to authorize the AICC Chief Mallikarjun Kharge to appoint the CLP leader who will also be the next CM of

the state. The newly elected assembly in Karnataka has to be put in place as the term of the previous assembly expires on May 24. Amid the suspense over the name of the next Chief Minister of Karnataka, the swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place on May 18.

There were speculations doing the rounds that Siddaramaiah will be the next chief minister of Karnataka, with DK Shivakumar as his deputy.

However, Congress leader in charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala said that the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) unanimously passed the resolution and the observers sought the opinions of all MLAs, which will be conveyed to the party high

command.

The Congress high command on Sunday evening summoned KPCC chief DK Shivakumar and former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to Delhi on Monday, after the party concluded MLAs meet to elect the CLP leader in the state capital.

According to the reports, the high command was taking opinion of all the MLAs individually before talking to Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah and taking a call. The party has however confirmed that the state cabinet will take oath on Thursday, May 18.

Speaking to reporters at Nonavinakere in Tumakuru, Shivakumar said the Congress and the legislature party will decide the next chief minister of Karnataka.

He also brushed aside speculations about differences between him and former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

Kharge, who returned here from Karnataka in the afternoon, said the priority of the Congress was to serve the people of the state, irrespective of who voted for the party and who did not.

Kuda village sets deadline for obtaining ILP

DIMAPUR, MAY 14

(NPN): In view of reports of the alarming presence of non-indigenous persons in Dimapur district without Inner Line Permit (ILP), the Kuda Village Council (KVC) has directed all nonindigenous persons residing in Kuda village to compulsorily obtain Inner Line

Permit (ILP) from the office of the deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur within 30 days from the date of issue of the notification.

In the notification dated May 13, Kuda Village Council secretary Megolhubei Savino also appealed to all Khel chairmen, Khel officials, GBs and youth

bodies to ensure that all non-indigenous persons residing within their respective jurisdictions were enrolled for ILP.

The village council said that the notification was in line with Home department’s notifications of December 9, 2019 and March 6, 2020.

phones on their network. Telecom operators and CEIR system will have visibility into IMEI number of the device and mobile number linked to it, and the information is being used in some states to track your lost or stolen mobiles through CEIR.

“One of the common practices is that miscreants change IMEI number of stolen mobile phones which prevents tracking and blocking of such handsets. It was a national security issue. The CEIR will be able to block any cloned mobile phones on the network with the help of various databases,” Upadhyay said.

‘State hand inglovewith armedgroups’

Siddaramaiah, D.K. Shivakumar and others during the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bengaluru, Sunday. (PTI)

K. Therie (File)

Senior citizens sensitized on schemes

healthy ageing by serving the senior citizens of India with honour and compassion.

Liegise also explained the old age pension scheme for senior citizens and the benefits of availing a senior citizens’ card. She also shared about the need for a Recreational and Day care centre for senior citizens in all the villages in Nagaland.

She informed that so far, the Elder Line has rescued over 26 destitute senior citizens, since its inception.

NWHD, THD condemn killing of college girl

DIMAPUR: Naga

Training & monitoring on low chilling apple in Mokokchung

DIMAPUR: A community awareness programme for senior citizens and free medical camp was organised by the Elder Line Nagaland under the banner of National Helpline for Senior Citizens on May 13 at Viswema Village, Kohima.

A press release by Elder Line Nagaland informed that the pro -

gramme was conducted to sensitise the people of Viswema about the Elder Line and various government schemes and programmes for the benefit of the senior citizens.

During the programme, Elder Line Nagaland, programme manager, Neithonuo Liegise explained about the helpline

number 14567 and the services it provides such as information, guidance, emotional support and field intervention- rescue and abuse cases. She informed that helpline was available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Sunday. She said Elder Line aims to provide services so as to facilitate happy and

TNAI Tuensang celebrates ‘Nurses Day’

DIMAPUR: Trained

Nurses Association of India (TNAI) Tuensang unit joined the world in celebrating “International Nurses Day (IND)” on May 12 at District Hospital Tuensang (DHT) with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tuensang, Nokchasashi as the chief guest.

Addressing the nurses, the DC appreciated and acknowledged their tireless services to the people.

Referring on IND 2023 theme, ““Our Nurses, Our Future”, Nokchasashi emphasised on the importance of investing in nursing profession.

On the occasion, certificate of honour was

Celebration of International Nurses Day at Tuensang.

awarded to the two oldest nurses from Tuensang district namely Ramtsula Yimchunger and Mathiam Khiamniungan.

The programme began with invocation by DHT chaplain, Kamchila,

welcome address by TNAI Tuensang unit, S. Tongpangkokla Ozukum, special prayer for the nurses by Rev Sangkap, highlights on IND 2023 theme by Imsukumla and benediction by pastor, Ajong.

Panel lawyer of Kohima District Legal Service Authority, Keduvi Zhotso talked on “Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.” He sensitized the gathering on various laws that exist to protect the senior citizens.

The programme attended by over 160 senior citizens including Elder Line team was followed by free medical camp.

Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) and Thang Hoikam Dimapur (THD) have condemned and demanded justice for a 25-year-old college girl, Supou P, MA history final year student at Unity College, who was allegedly shot dead in Dimapur by Thingiu Khiam (36), deputy kilonser of NSCN Khango group. NWHD said it was “sickening to hear and read of such barbarism in our society.” The Hoho said these kinds of act was unforgivable and have no place in the society. It appealed the law enforcing agencies to take the matter seriously and bring to justice those involved in the crime. THD also condemned the merciless killing and appealed the law enforcing agency to deliver justice and to execute befitting punishment to the culprit as per the relevant section of the law.

DIMAPUR: A two-day training and monitoring on low chilling apple was conducted by School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development: Nagaland University (SASRD:NU) Medziphema campus on May 11-12 at Longkhum Village and Yimchalu Village under Mokokchung district.

A press release by SASRD:NU informed that the training was held under North Eastern Council (NEC) funded projected

in North Eastern Region (NER) of India.

During the training, resource persons from National Innovation Foundation - senior innovation officer, Hardev Choudhry and research associate, Dr. Rajiv Milli, delivered lectures and demonstration on training and pruning techniques in apple. The beneficiaries were given hands on training on field and were also taught on how to organically control various pests

and diseases prevalent in apple plantation with locally available resources and herbs. An interactive session between the participants and the experts was also held. The training was followed by monitoring of beneficiaries’ farms at various locations headed by project in-charge, professor Akali Sema and co-project in-charge Dr. Graceli Yepthomi from department of horticulture, SASRD:NU, Medziphema campus.

CBP for farmers; aquarium unit inaugurated in Dimapur

DIMAPUR: A Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for farmers of Nagaland on “scientific aquaculture” and inauguration of Aquarium Unit on fish germplasm of Nagaland was held on May 13 at Brooder Fish Farm Dimapur.

According to a DIPR report, the programme was organised by Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture and Department of Fisheries (ICAR- CIFA) and Aquatic Resources, government of Nagaland. Addressing the gathering as chief guest, ICAR-CIFA director, Dr. Pramoda K. Sahoo termed the day as a

Dr. Pramoda K. Saho and Rongsennungba inaugurating the Aquarium Unit at the Brooder Fish Farm Dimapur. (DIPR) proud and special moment and thanked the team for making the project a reality.

Dr. Sahoo said different fish species of Nagaland has very useful potential and the potentials could be exploited through the interest of the people and the department.

Informing that huge number of fish species, about 60 percent was being imported into the country, he requested the farmers and the stakeholders to pass them to the department for preservation instead of consuming it. He also underscored the

Educational institutions organise various programmes

DIMAPUR: As part of the academic curriculum and extracurricular activities, educational institutions and other organisations organised various programmes for the students, faculty and non-teaching staff.

SSP: Sainik School

Punglwa celebrated its 16th Founder’s Day on May 13 with great fervour, with YSM, SM, Deputy Inspector General, ARTC Sukhovi, Brig S K Sheoran as the chief guest. The event began with the lighting of the lamp of knowledge and the release of half yearly newsletter of the school.

In his address, the chief guest stressed upon the indispensable role of the parents,

Enforcement drive on tobacco in Peren, Tuensang

DIMAPUR: District Tobacco Control Cells (DTCCs) Peren and Tuensang under National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) carried out enforcement drives on tobacco to implement Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 in respective districts.

Peren: District antitobacco squad Peren carried out a surprise raid on the sale of tobacco products near the school area on May 9. The team penalised two defaulters and seized tobacco products.

Tuensang: An enforcement drive as part of “World No Tobacco month” was conducted on May 9 at Tuensang. The team was led by district consultant, DTCC, Sentilong Longchar and accompanied by ASI Moshamongba Chang and other police personnel.

The team carried out raids near district hospital, private nursing home and educational institutions and penalized 11 shops.

teachers and students in bringing out quality education. He advised the students to be sincere and know the value of time. Brig Sheoran also iterated that they should have a clear goal, dream big and work hard in order to achieve success. He later gave away awards in various categories to students.

DBHSS: An awareness programme on HIV & AIDS for the students of Classes 8 to12 was organised by Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Kohima on May 12 with SPO and state nodal officer, national AYUSH Mission, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Seyiekhrietuo John as the guest speaker.

Exhorting the students, Dr. John explained how HIV spread and what students must do not to be victims of HIV and AIDS. He asked the students not to be scared of the disease and guided them on the Dos and Don’ts of HIV and AIDs, stating that having a good knowledge about it would able students to enjoy robust health and excel in their studies. Dr. John also emphasized on the implications and challenges faced by people living with HIV and AIDS, and urged the students to be more compassionate and learn not to look down or discriminate people living with it. He also awarded the prize of certificate to the

winners of the various competitions of held on painting, drawing and poetry composition to promote students’ awareness on HIV and AIDS with the theme: “Love is the answer” to all ailments in life including HIV/AIDS.

SJC (A): With a view to protect public health and spread awareness on tobacco consumption, an awareness programme on ill-effects of tobacco consumption was organised by the NSS Unit of St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Jakhama in collaboration with National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) on May 12 at Government High School, Jakhama. During

the programme, a detailed power point presentation was presented to the students by the resource person, district nodal officer, Dr. I. Simon Sumi. PO NSS SJC (A), Kelengol Neikha also talked about the ill-effects of tobacco consumption and encouraged the students to say “No” to tobacco and say “Yes” to life.

In a separate event, the Alumni Association of SJC (A) Jakhama organised a career guidance for the 4th Semester PG and 6th Semester UG, on the theme, “Gearing up towards a Better Tomorrow: Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?” on May 12 at the College Indoor Stadium. Resource

person, project coordinator and International Business Machine CorporationSTEM, Youthnet, Zhozoto Nakro highlighted on the various career choices for the students and their impact on life. He also shared the different stages of Career development and guided the students to identify steps to achieving them.

FAC: One-day workshop on work ethics for nonteaching staff was organised by Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung on May 12 with retired principal of Dimapur Government College, Akok Walling and Mokokchung Town Baptist Arogo Pastor, Rev. Sentimeren Jamir as the resource persons.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

importance of encouraging the younger generation to preserve new species of fish. In a key note address, director of fisheries and AR government of Nagaland, Rongsennungba termed the project as the dream project which was achieved through the endless help from CIFA. He said the state has a rich infantry of fish spices which harvest different kinds of fishes as it has a 42 aquarium of houses of indigenous fishes collected and donated from the 16 districts of Nagaland. He reminded the department for proper preservation and maintenance of the unit for the benefit of the people.

In a brief highlight of

Dear Apo we miss you dearly and remember you with love and gratitude in our hearts and thank you for everything you have done for us.

the project, deputy director of fisheries & AR, Dr. Vimezo Kire also acknowledged the support of CIFA. He also urged the staff to take care of the new aquarium so that the species would be well preserved. He said that this preserved aquarium would help and inspire children in their studies to get information about different kinds of fish species. The programme was chaired by joint director of fisheries & AR, Ketusielie Angami; the Aquarium Unit was dedicated by DABA assistant pastor Lanuakum Longchar and vote of thanks was delivered by SDFO, Shamator, Shamyung O Ongh.

Late

Born on : 22nd Jan. 1983

Died on : 7th May 2023

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; May the name of the Lord be praised”. Job 1:21

We the bereaved family of Late BENDANGTEMSU JAMIR would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and thankfulness to each and everyone who stood by us physically, spiritually and financially at the sudden demise of our beloved on 7th May 2023. We are unable to repay your sympathy, yet it is our sincere prayer that Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Father, Mother, Sons, Daughters, Brothers, Sister-in-law and near and dear ones.

15-05-2022 to 15-05-2023

“Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it. We anticipate (we know) that someone close to us could die, but we do not look beyond the few days or weeks that immediately follow such an imagined death..... We might expect if the death is sudden to feel shock. We do not expect this shock to be obliterative, dislocating to both body and mind.” – Joan Didion Dearest Aba,

As days passed and turned into a year, in desperate honesty still refusing to believe it is real. It only taught us how emotionally and physically we struggled everyday to go on living without your presence.

The bitter bereavement and grief, the longingness and loneliness unflinchingly shall live on. It is truly an “agonising universal experience” but “through it all love remains”.

We take comfort and solace that you’re at peace in the hands of our Good Lord. Rest in Love and Peace Dearest Aba.

Senior citizens at the community awareness programme at Viswema.

Experts and participants at the training programme.

FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY of Akangnungsang Longkumer

Q.: Are the revised prices of pork meat and others in Dimapur much on the higher side?

SFS, TOAHDCC celebrate Mother’s Day

DIMAPUR: Meitei Baptist Church Dimapur (MBCD),Kuki Gaonbura Association Nagaland (KGAN) and Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) expressed deep pain over the suffering caused by violence leading to loss of innocent lives and public properties, churches and temples in Manipur.

NEXT POLL

Q: Is the govt of Nagaland willing to act against forcible collection of taxes?

KOHIMA/DIMAPUR, MAY 14 (NPN): Mother’s Day was celebrated on Sunday by organising special programmes for mothers. It may be mentioned here that Mother’s Day was conceptualised by an American social activist, Anna Jarvis, following her mother’s demise in 1905.

Jarvis campaigned to establish a national holiday to honour mothers as she wanted to create a day for individuals to express their love and gratitude to their mothers.

SFS: Mother’s Day was celebrated in Kohima despite the weather playing spoil sports on Sunday.

At St Francis De Sales (SFS) Church, Kohima, the message was shared by assistant parish, Fr. Alex Tep who explained the significance behind celebrating mother’s day all over the world.

He observed that mothers were irreplaceable which was why a special day was marked to celebrate their lives.

Fr Tep drew comparisons on how Christ expressed His love for the world by dying on the cross and similarly mothers also sacrifice a lot to build a family which would in turn spread love in a society.

He said mothers carry

a child in their womb for nine months, carry that child on her lap for around three years however, carry that child on her heart for the rest of her life.

Fr Tep said that a mother leaves behind indelible impact in the lives of their children with her actions, therefore, he said, it was important that mothers sow the seed of love in the family, a responsibility entrusted on her by God.

The priest also advised the gathered husbands and children to also be grateful for their wives and mothers by being a source of joy to the mothers.

Mothers present during

the mass were showered with love

TOAHDCC: Tribal Old Age Home-cum-Day Care Centre (TOAHDCC) celebrated Mother’s Day on the theme, “Godly Mother’s” on Sunday with Nukmen Baptist Church Pastor, Kilang Longkumer as the speaker.

During the service, Ebenezer Orphanage Home and Meren Imsong presented special message through skit and song. TOAHDCC director, Imlitongzuk Amri exhorted the mother’s and bless them with gifts and prayers. The oldest mother who attended the service was 93 years old, Mrs. Imsüienla.

KLBC: Kohima Liangmai Baptist Church (KLBC)

Kohima D’ Block celebrated Mothers’ Day to honor all the Liangmai mothers at their church.

On the occasion, youth pastor, Kungkam, shared from the story of Ruth drawn from the Bible, and encouraged all the mothers to live a life of surrender, service and submission to God by walking in faith.

Sunday school department and the youth Department showered their love and respect for the mothers through a song, musical play and choreography while pastor, N.Silubo offered a prayer of blessing to the mothers.

In a press release, MBCD said such violence was against the principles of God and condemned every individual who were involved in the inhumane act. It urged the people of Manipur to work for peace and harmony in the state and peaceful coexistence.

MBCD has also appealed the government to restore peace and protect all innocent people. The church has also conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.

KGAN: Kuki Gaonbura Association Nagaland (KGAN) has condemned the prevailing situation in Manipur and appealed to everyone to shun violence and hatred as it will not solve any problem.

In a press release, KGAN appealed to the centre to provide basic necessities to the affected

families lodged in relief camp at the earliest. Kuki Gaonbura Association Nagaland also appealed to the centre to intervened and provide security and livelihood to those affected as Manipur government has failed to “protect and secure the lives and property” of the people. Further, the association has also demanded that the perpetrators of the crime be brought to justice at the earliest.

DDCF: Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) has expressed concern on the prevailing turmoil in Manipur.

DDCF strongly condemned the loss of lives, properties, and attacks on the religious institutions and earnestly appealed to all the tribal and non-tribal of Manipur to cease all forms of violence and try to solve the issue through dialogue and proper understanding, and bring back normalcy permanently. DDCF also questioned the sincerity of the state government as well as the central government in solving the problem and bringing a peaceful solution to the ongoing “war like situation” in Manipur without any bias.

drive on PMFME Sümi Baptist Church Kohima organises blood donation drive

DIMAPUR: Sümi Baptist Church Kohima (SBCK) organised blood donation drive on May 13, wherein participants were highlighted on the importance of blood donation, HIV and AIDS prevalence in Nagaland and True Love Waits (TLW).

DIMAPUR: As part of its state-wide sensitization drive (Phase-I), Department of Industries and Commerce (DoI&C) conducted statewide seminar and workshop on Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme on May 11-12.

A press release by the department informed that the seminar and workshop were held at Tuensang Town (Tuensang district), Pungro, (Kiphire district), Longleng Town (Longleng district), Phek Town (Phek district), Tobu (Mon district) and Bhandari (Wokha district)

on May 11 and at Longkhim (Tuensang district), Pfutsero and Meluri (Phek district) on May 12.

The department informed that the programme aimed to encourage potential entrepreneurs and groups to avail assistance under the scheme to upgrade their existing units and also set up new micro food processing enterprises.

With the support of Rural Development- Nagaland Rural Livelihoods Mission (RD-NSRLM), National Urban Livelihood MissionState Urban Development Agency (NULM-SUDA),

North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA) and District Industries Centre (DICs), the department said various prospective individual entrepreneurs and groups like Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmers’ Producer Organisations (FPOs), Farmers’ Producer Companies (FPCs) and cooperative societies from the concerned district took part in the programme.

Further, the department informed that it would also be covering different blocks of various districts during the Phase-I of the sensitization drive.

A press release by SBCK media cell informed that the blood donation drive was organised under the initiative of pastor Khekavi Yeptho at SBCK premises.

Addressing the gathering, chairman of Voluntary Blood Donors Association Kohima, Bendang Imsong appreciated the church for organising the drive. Highlighting the participants on demand of blood in Nagaland, Imsong said Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung districts record highest demand for blood, and encouraged people to come forward and donate blood as it is a “gift of God”.

Sensitising the partici-

pants on HIV and AIDS, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, deputy director, Ainato Yeptho said HIV and AIDS was a threat to present Naga society. He said there are 16

thousand HIV patients undergoing medical treatment in Nagaland and that children as young as 12-13 years were infected by the virus. Yeptho informed that Dimapur district recorded the highest HIV

Medical teams visit health centres; conduct camps

prevalence followed by Kohima and Tuensang districts.

Stating that 90-91% of HIV cases was through sexual route in Nagaland, he said 90% of HIV problems could be solved through

correct and consistent use of condom.

Yeptho also urged people to reach out at toll free number 1097 for any HIV related cases and assistance. He also encouraged the youths to live a healthy lifestyle and spread HIV and AIDS awareness to the masses.

Speaking on True Love Waits (TLW), Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) youth secretary, Rev. Suhuto Chishi said youths from 85 churches have taken TLW pledge. He also highlighted the participants on the TLW campaign.

During the blood donation drive, 24 youth church members including the deacon of SBCK donated blood with the assistance of Blood Bank Naga Hospital, Kohima medical staff. The programme was hosted by SBCK associate pastor youth, Akuto Achumi and SBCK associate pastor children education, Piokali Sema.

CNWA holds foundation day

DIMAPUR: Central Nagaland Women Association (CNWA) held its inaugural foundation day prayer meeting on May 14 at its office.

The event was attended by Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) president, T. Lanu Imchen and his colleagues. In his address, Lanu congratulated CNWA and wished the association a bright future. CNWA president, K. Atoli Sema highlighted the activities initiated by the association during the last one year. The programme was chaired by CNWA general secretary, Zujano Patton.

ABAM executive secy releases book

DIMAPUR: Medical teams have been organising visits to Primary Health Centre (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) to assist and assess the implementation of various health schemes and programmes. The department also conducted outreach camps.

Kuhuboto PHC: A medical team comprising of senior specialist (obstetrics and gynaecology) District Hospital Dimapur, Dr. Yanrenthung Jami and district programme manager (quality assurance) Dimapur, Imlinoba Changkiri visited Kuhuboto Primary Health Centre (PHC) under Niuland district on May 10 to assist and assess in Extended Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhyaan

(ePMSMA) activities.

A press release by the department informed that ePMSMA is a fixed day, assured comprehensive quality Antenatal care (ANC) Service provided to every pregnant woman across the country on 9th of every month.

Interacting with the staffs of the health units, Dr. Yanrenthung urged them to disseminate awareness on ePMSMA programme to communities and to encourage pregnant women to avail at least four ANC check-ups during their pregnancy to ensure safe delivery for both mother and child.

The department informed that Dr. Yanrenthung would be visiting all PHCs and CHCs un -

der Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dimapur to provide specialized ANC services to pregnant women, while Imlinoba re-orients the staff on quality and timely reporting of ePMSMA monthly report.

Dhansiripar block: A team led by District Surveillance Officer for National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Dr. A. Kavito Zhimomi, visited health units under Dhansiripar Block to monitor and supervise activities under NVBDCP and IDSP on May 8-9.

A press release by the district programme management unit stated that during the visits, the team assessed

implementation of health activities in health units, especially focusing on NVBDCP and IDSP activities.

The team also ensured that health programmes were being implemented efficiently and effectively to prevent any disease outbreak and to achieve goals of the programmes. Dr. Kavito interacted with ASHAs and village health committees to encourage them in supporting health units in all health activities and also apprised them on their roles and responsibilities.

The team also conducted a review meeting with senior medical officer, Community Health Centre (CHC) Dhansiripar, Dr. Khriekuolie Liezietsu and apprised him of their find-

ings and feedbacks on performance of health activities under Dhansiripar Block.

The team included epidemiologist, Dr. Molungtsungba Jamir, programme officer, surveillance USAID NISHTHA- Jhpiego, Dr. Antara Sharma and staffs under IDSP, NVBDCP, and NHM Dimapur and accompanied by Block Programme Manager, Dhansiripar Block.

The department informed that the team would continue visiting all health units under various blocks in the district in the coming weeks.

Phek: A Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) outreach camp was conducted on May 11 at Tehephu Village, wherein the

medical team also carried out Interpersonal Education and Communication (IEC) activities.

A press release by the department informed that the medical team led by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Phek, Dr.Khriezotuo Paphino offered services to 86 patients including pregnant women and children.

The team included (obstetrics and gynaecology) District Hospital Phek, Dr. Pangertemsu, DPO RCH/UIP, Dr. K. Pewezo Khalo, epidemiologist, Dr. Limatoshi, Dr. Chikhopalu, Dr. Chuvilu, RBSK nurse, nurses from sub-centres of Tehephu village, Suthostu and K. Khuno and various categories of staff from CMO office.

Correspondent MOKOKCHUNG, MAY 14 (NPN): ABAM executive secretary, prof. Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener released a book titled “He is Still on Time” on May 14 at the Mangmetong Baptist Church, Mokokchung district.

The book was authored by late Dr Atula Ao, who passed away in 2021 while working on the book. In her honour and

legacy, her husband, Dr Samuel George compiled, edited and completed her book. Late Dr Atula was one of the few doctorates in Old Testament. Both, late Dr Atula Ao and Dr Samuel George served as professors in Allahabad Bible Seminary (ABS). As the late Author hails from Mangmetong village, her husband Dr Samuel gladly and prayerfully decided the book to be released in Mangmetong.

Mothers praying at SFS Church Kohima on Sunday.(NP)) Celebration of Mothers’ Day at TOAHDCC.

Medical team examining a woman at Kuhuboto PHC.

Medical team and others at the outreach camp in Phek.

Blood donation drive at Sümi Baptist Church Kohima on May 13.

Government officers and others at Pungro.

Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener releasing the book on Sunday.

10 houses, two tipper trucks torched in fresh violence in Manipur

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 14: Miscreants suspected militants torched at least 10 houses and two tipper trucks at different places in the fresh violent incidents reported in the last 24 hours.

The torching of the 10 houses took place at Torbung, an abandoned village of Bishnupur district at the border with Churachandpur district, the epicenter of the recent violence that claimed so far 73 lives besides injuring hundreds of people.

Armed miscreants suspected torched the houses last night, villagers as well as official reports said.

Residents of Torbung village taking shelter at safer places alleged that the suspects burnt down their houses despite presence of Central security forces.

Talking to reporters, the villagers alleged that the security forces remained like mere spectators even as the suspects set afire the houses.

They demanded the government give them arms as the security forces were unable to protect them and their properties and to remove the Central security forces from the area as they

did nothing against the militants.

Bishnupur district SP N

Herojit along with brigade commander Tiwari of 59 Mountain Division visited villagers of Torbung area currently taking shelter at adjacent Phaobakchao village Sunday morning and assured necessary security measures will be taken up immediately for safety of the villagers.

On the other hand, two out of five tipper trucks hijacked by armed miscreants were torched at a place at Kotlein village under Sapermaina police station of Kangpokpi district early today morning.

The other three tippers along with the drivers including those of torched vehicles were released unharmed, reports said.

Meanwhile, addressing the media at chief minister’s secretariat on Sunday afternoon, security advisor to Manipur government, Kuldiep Singh informed that additional three companies of BSF have been deployed in the state after the fresh violence .

He said.the miscreants after torching houses, the suspects escaped toward the hills as the security forces chased them and no untoward incident was reported after the deployment of the

Border Arunachal Pradesh village gets 4G mobile connectivity

Central security force Updating the law and situation of the state in the last 48 hours, the security advisor said apart from these fresh violence incidents, police today recovered a partial decomposed unidentified dead body from a place at Moirang Kumam Leikai under Moirang police station of Bishnupur district on Saturday evening.

With this, the death toll to the recent chain of violence in the state rose to 73. Among them, 41 died due to violence while others have died due to other causes, the security advisor said.

“Action will be taken after whatever results come

out after the enquiry,” he said. Daniel Hmar, an assistant commandant of 86 CRPF based in Imphal’s Lamphelpat along with his personnel allegedly physically assaulted two locals of Sangaiporou when he visited his brother’s house which was partially damaged by a mob on the evening of May 3 last.

A team of Imphal West district police led by the SP who rushed to the locality immediately apprehended the assistant commandant and questioned him at Lamphel police station.

In three hill districts of Tengnoupal, Chandel and Kangpokpi, the curfew was relaxed from 6 am till 1 pm today. For Jiribam district, it was relaxed for ten hours, from 5 am till 3pm.

There was no relaxation of curfew in Churachandpur and its adjoining Pherzawl district and no curfew was imposed in hill districts of Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong, he said.

A total of 385 FIRs have been lodged in connection with the violent incidents and so far 30 persons have been arrested.

“The number of in -

jured persons is 243 while the number of arson cases reported from the whole of the state is 1,809,” he said.

As many as 456 arms snatched by the unruly mobs from various police stations, were so far recovered, he added. “Various measures of confidence building are taken,” he said, adding that so far over 46,145 affected people were evacuated and they have moved to relief camps or to their localities where they were supposed to go.

Tripartiteceasefirepact tosettleKukiissues operational: adviser

A little over two months after the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh-led Manipur government said it will pull out of a ceasefire pact — signed between the central government, state, and tribal insurgent groups — it continues to be in place and fully operational, Kuldiep Singh, security adviser to the chief minister, told ThePrint Thursday.

The tripartite “Suspension of Operations” (SoO), was signed on 22 August 2008, to initiate political dialogue with tribal insurgent groups operating in the

state and to end hostilities and settle demands made by the state’s ethnic Kuki tribals for a separate homeland. In the pact, 25 Kuki insurgent groups were represented by two umbrella bodies — Kuki National Organization (KNO) and United People’s Front (UFO).

As part of the agreement, insurgents who came overground were put up in designated camps, called

SoO camps. The camps are regularly inspected by security agencies, under the provisions of the agreement.

“SoO agreement is very much in place. We have started inspection of the SoO camps, as part of the agreement, following the violence that broke out in the state on 3 May [between the ethnic Kuki tribals and non-tribal or Meitei community],” Singh said.

AssamRiflesrescuevisually impairedchildreninManipur

Assam Rifles rescued 45 visually Impaired students and supporting staff of Mission Blind School, Kakching, amidst the clashes in the state of Manipur in first week of May.

A press release by PRO ( Defence) stated that based on request of principal of Mission Blind School, K Parenag Kom, one Security column of Assam Rifles was launched to the rescue the stranded visually impaired children and supporting staff.

The release stated that they were safely extricated and escorted to Kakching garrison where they were provided solace, food and shelter. Finally, Assam Rifles in coordination with family members dispatched these children back to their homes safely through dedicated columns on May 13.

Assam Rifles’ initiative in reuniting these stranded children and staff with their kith & kin was deeply acknowledged by K Parenag Kom, Principal Mission Blind School and their parents. They expressed their gratitude and appreciated the efforts taken by Assam Rifles in these trying times, the release added.

Manipur’s Meiteis demand NRC to check illegal immigrants

NEW DELHI/IMPHAL, MAY 14 (AGENCIES):

The Meitei community of Manipur gathered in large numbers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar today to demand the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), an exercise to identify illegal immigrants and deport them, reports NDTV.

ITANAGAR, MAY 14 (PTI): Kibithu the last village on the Indo-Tibet border in Arunachal Pradesh, has received 4G mobile connectivity on Saturday after Airtel successfully commissioned 4G network connectivity, providing seamless connectivity to the citizens of the hamlet.

The village is situated in Anjaw district of the state and is nearly 70 km north of the district headquarters Hawai.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that it’s a giant step aimed at providing

seamless connectivity to the people.

Taking to Twitter, Khandu said, “It’s not a simple phone or video call but a giant step aimed at providing seamless connectivity to the people of the first village of India - Kibithoo.”

“Heartening that the 4G network has been commissioned at Kibithoo –under the Universal Service Funded Scheme,” Khandu added.

The chief minister said that he is in Gujarat and is able to talk with the people of Kibithoo which was once

called a ‘remote’ village.

“Today I am sitting in Gujarat and my people of once a ‘remote’ village are talking to me with ease. Feeling great, indeed!” Khandu tweeted.

“This is a giant step towards ensuring seamless connectivity to border villages that will create opportunities for the people by facilitating them access to information,” he added.

Local MLA Dasanglu Pul said that it was a longfelt dream of the people of the village under her constituency.

The protest comes amid simmering tension in Manipur, where thousands of people from the Meitei and the tribal Kuki communities have been internally displaced after violence broke out earlier this month over the Meiteis’ demand to be included in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.

The protesters said Meiteis who have been living in Kuki-majority hills have left their homes and they are unable to return, allegedly due to threats from Kuki insurgents who are hiding in the hills.

The NRC was last done in Assam, where many people alleged they have been misidentified as foreigners. They had to go to the foreigners’ tribunals and the courts for relief.

“The entry of illegal migrants needs to be identified which is the need of

‘PradyotKishorecaughtintrap’:ManikSarkar

AGARTALA, MAY 14 ( AGENCIES): Two days after the Centre-appointed interlocutor tasked with looking into the demands of the Tipra Motha failed to visit Tripura for the second time, former chief minister and CPI(M) politburo member Manik Sarkar Sunday said Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma has been “caught in a trap”. Political observers said Sarkar’s remark was in reference to Pradyot Kishore’s emphasis on the interlocutor’s role in achieving a Constitutional solution for problems faced by tribals in the state, reports The Indian Express.

On May 10, the state General Administration (Political) Department had issued a notification stating that Akshay Kumar Mishra, advisor to the Government of India on NE affairs, would be treated as state guest during his visit to Tripura starting May 12.

Speaking to reporters in Agartala, Sarkar said: “Pradyot Kishore should be asked and he can clarify the issue. He has been caught in a trap. Now he has to think about how he will get free from this trap. Why would

Earlier, CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhary had termed the appointment of the interlocutor as an “eyewash”. Pradyot Kishore had then hit back at the communist party by claiming that the CPI(M), which ruled Tripura for over three decades, should be blamed for the backwardness of the tribals. He also piled heat on the ruling party and said some BJP tribal leaders were trying to wean away the Motha support base.

“An interlocutor is appointed by the Union government. It seems odd that the chief minister or the state government does not know about it and a third person is announcing the name of the interlocutor. It

was later published in the media that the government issued a notice saying who was appointed for the post, when he is coming, how he would be welcomed or seen off,” quipped Sarkar.

His remark was apparently in reference to Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha’s comment a few days before the state notification was issued that he had no ‘official knowledge’ of the appointment of an interlocutor.

The interlocutor failed to turn up in Tripura earlier this month as well, after which Pradyot Kishore clarified that AK Mishra had to rush to Manipur following the outbreak of violence there.

Further commenting on the repeated failure of the interlocutor to visit Tripura, Sarkar said: “Those who are involved in this are taking themselves down to a ridiculous position. It is bound to happen. One cannot go far with deceit. Those who do this and think they will win will be caught (in a trap) sometime. People would not let them go.”

Pradyot Kishore’s TIPRA Motha, which was floated to raise the demand of ‘Greater Tipraland’ in 2021

– won the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council polls the same year, barely two months after its formation.

It contested 42 seats in the Tripura assembly polls this year and won 13, becoming the prime Opposition party in the assembly.

The ruling BJP won 32 seats in the polls and currently has 31 MLAs after Union minister of state Pratima Bhoumik resigned from the Assembly to keep her central berth, leaving the party with just one seat more than the magic figure. Notably, Bhoumik has been ‘instrumental’ in initiating a series of talks between Pradyot Kishore and BJP central leaders.

However, Pradyot has maintained equidistance from both the BJP, and the Opposition CPI(M) and the Congress, and have stuck to his demand for a Constitutional solution for tribals.

Meanwhile, Sarkar also reacted to the Karnataka election results, calling the mandate for the Congress a “decisive” one. He added that the BJP’s defeat in the southern state was also a defeat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

the hour. This will help to safeguard all the indigenous communities in Manipur.

The illegal immigrants with the support of their armed insurgent wings have raised atrocities to the indigenous community systematically since 1993 and this should be stopped at any cost,” World Meitei Council chairman Heigrujam Nabashyam, who is one of the organisers of the protest, said in a statement.

“Meiteis have been demanding constitutional protection for their survival for the past 11 years. Only constitutional protection to Meiteis will allow them to survive against the rapid changing demogra -

Tripura prepared for ‘Mocha’ storm

AGARATALA, MAY 14 (AGENCIES):Tripura governent is putting finishing touches to prepration for facing the evil effects of the upcoming cyclonic storm ‘Mocha’ though its full effect will not skirt Tripura and mainly affect neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar, reports Tripurainfo.

On Saturday, a high level meeting stewarded by the chief minister Dr Manik Saha and chief secretary J.K.Sinah was held in the state secretariat . There was extensive discussion in the meeting and a relief was expressed over the fact that the main thrust of the ‘Mocha’ cycloni c storm will skirt Tripura but there may be heavy rain between May 14 evening and May 17. A high yellow alert has been sounded all over the state and the leave of all officers and employees has been cancelled. The meeting was also attended by special secretary Anindya Bhattacharjee and the disaster management chief Sarat Chandra Das. They said that all concerned departments of the disaster management have been put in readiness.

phy caused by the influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Myanmar,” it said in the statement.

The Kukis have objected to the Meiteis’ demand for inclusion under ST category citing the numerically larger and economically stronger Meiteis will grab all government benefits and take their lands.

Currently, the Meiteis - Hindus who are mostly settled in and around the state capital Imphal valley - can’t buy land in the tribal-majority hills, while the tribals can buy land in the valley. Tensions had been dormant for a while as the Meiteis continued to push for

their ST demand. However, violence broke out during a protest by an umbrella group of all tribals in Manipur’s Churachandpur district against the Meiteis’ ST demand earlier this month, after which it spread in the following days.

The Meiteis have alleged Kuki insurgents, seen armed on visuals, openly participated in the Churachandpur protest. Some 60 people from both communities have died in the violence that followed. Kukis who lived in and around Imphal valley have fled, and Meiteis who lived in Kukis settlements in the hills have come to relief camps in the valley.

The army has asked

people to guard against fake news on social media about the situation in Manipur. “Numerous queries on content posted on social media and messaging apps related to Manipur were made to us and most of them were found untrue. Indian Army requests everyone to rely on information disseminated through verified handles only,” the Spear Corps tweeted. The Assam Rifles along with state government agencies and local groups have successfully helped 124 displaced people return to their homes in Manipur’s Moreh, on the border with Myanmar, news agency ANI reported. Officials said the successful return of the displaced people is a positive sign of healing and progress.

Ten tribal MLAs in Manipur have asked the centre to create a separate administration for their community.

“As the state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect us, we seek from the Union of India a separate administration under the Constitution of India and live peacefully as neighbours with the state of Manipur,” the MLAs said in a statement on Friday.

Arunachal Governor reviews security scenario in L-Subansiri

ITANAGAR, MAY 14 (AGENCIES)

: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General K. T. Parnaik, on his two-day visit to Lower Subansiri, reviewed the security and law and order scenario in the district. He said that Arunachal Pradesh is receiving lots of focus for social, economic, and infrastructure development from the central government, which requires meticulous planning and timely implementation at the district and state levels, reports The Sentinel Assam.

Parnaik advised the security forces to diligently plan by means of automation of their systems for timely analysis and integration. He also stressed a cohesive approach, proper liaison, and coordination amongst the security forces and state police. The governor advised the officers to absorb the local customs and traditions of the people and participate in their cultural events. He further asked them to encourage the youth to join the armed forces, as sons of the soil will always be an asset for the forces.

The governor, during

his tour, also visited the Panyor Lower Hydro Power Station at Yazali and reviewed the whole project, which is the second largest hydro power station of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO) in the state. Parnaik commended the NEEPCO officials for efficient power production and maintenance of the station and further advised them to work with dedication and sincerity as their efforts are contributing towards nation-building. The project has an installed capacity of 405 megawatts, and in the financial year 2022–23, the plant generated 1376.279 MU against the design energy of 1293.73 MU.

Parnaik also visited the water conservation projects, Seeh Amrit Sarovar and Sikhe Amrit Sarovar, at Ziro, the district headquarters. He congratulated the people of the Ziro plateau for the projects and said that they immensely benefit the agrarian community and are a blessing for the flora and fauna of the valley. The governor said that both lakes are in

the line of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Amrit Sarovar Campaign, which must be emulated in other parts of the state.

He emphasized biodiversity conservation and the cleanliness of the lakes. Parnaik further suggested setting up emporiums, light and sound shows, and art and culture facilities in the vicinity of the lakes, which would be a source of income and employment generators for the youth. The governor also visited the Advance Landing Ground (ALG) at Ziro, where he was apprised of the status of the ALG operations as well as issues of concern being faced by Squadron Leader S. P. Pavithran, Detachment Commander of the ALG. Parnaik said that the security of the ALG, which is a national asset, needs to be maintained at all times and further emphasized that issues related to the ALG need to be addressed on a priority basis in consultations with the civil administration by exploring local solutions and consulting with all concerned.

Villagers transporting their household belonging fron their abadoned Torbung village of Bishnupur bordering Churachandpur district.

A protest by Manipur’s Meiteis demanding the NRC amid simmering tension in the state after recent ethnic violence.

Kibithu village.

I waste time talking about it? Let us see what he says.”

Manik Sarkar

SNIPPETS

5 killed as truck falls into gorge in Himachal’s

Kangra

DHARAMSHALA

(HP), MAY 14 (PTI):

Five people, three of them members of a family, were killed on Sunday when the truck they were travelling in rolled down a 100-metre-deep gorge near Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, officials said. The accident took place in the Rasehar village in the afternoon, they said. Four people died on the spot while one succumbed to injuries on the way to hospital.

Navies of India, Indonesia begin 6-day exercise

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(PTI): The navies of India and Indonesia on Sunday began a six-day maritime exercise in sync with their overall efforts to expand bilateral military engagement. The Indian Navy has deployed its indigenously built anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kavaratti, a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and a Chetak chopper for the Samudra Shakti exercise, officials said. Earlier, the Navy said the ship arrived at Batam Port in Indonesia for the exercise.

Kerala govt distributes land title deeds to landless people

THIRUVANANTHA -

PURAM, MAY 14 (PTI):

The Kerala government on Sunday distributed land title deeds to 67,069 landless people as part of a scheme that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said is aimed at ending landlessness in the state. He urged everyone to stand together for equitable socio-economic development.

3 arrested for sharing SIM card OTPs with Pak operatives

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 14 (PTI): The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police have arrested three persons for allegedly procuring SIM cards in fake names and sharing their OTPs with Pakistani intelligence operatives. The one-time passwords (OTPs) were used to create fake accounts on social media for pursuing antiIndia activities, STF IG J N Pankaj said on Sunday. The accused were selling the OTPs (linked/generated using the SIMs) to various clients, including some Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO)/ ISI agents in Pakistan as well as in India.

3 students washed away in Kollidam river in TN

CHENNAI, MAY 14

(IANS): In a tragic incident, three students of a Veda Padashalai were washed away when they went to take a bath in the Kollidam river at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchi district on Sunday morning, police said. All were students of Acharayan Sriman Bhattar Gurukulam Veda Padasalai at Melavasal in Srirangam.

Trio held for conversion attempt in UP

GHAZIABAD (UP), MAY 14 (PTI): Three people have been arrested for allegedly trying to convert a woman worker of the BJP to Christianity in the Khoda area of this Uttar Pradesh district, police said on Sunday. Ibrahim Thomas, his wife Reewa and one Babita were arrested on Saturday following a complaint by Sunita Arora, a local BJP worker.

In her complaint, lodged at Khoda police station on Friday, Arora alleged that her neighbour Babita introduced her to Thomas, a Kerala native working at the Kalwari Church.

Through SAARC, not G-20: Mehbooba

Mufti on India becoming ‘Vishwaguru’

SRINAGAR, MAY 14

(PTI): The forthcoming G-20 meeting may be a “good promotion exercise” for the BJP at the international level but holding the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit and discussing problems in the region would help India in becoming a ‘Vishwaguru’, says the last chief minister of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state Mehbooba Mufti.

Mehbooba was speaking to PTI-video on the preparations for the G-20 grouping meeting on tourism in Srinagar from May 22 to 24.

Amid strain in IndiaPakistan ties, the biennial SAARC summits have not taken place since the 2014 meeting in Kathmandu.

“We don’t live close to Australia, America or Japan which are members of G-20. We are living in this region and the SAARC caters to the problems of this region and if the government takes the initiative and has a summit of SAARC countries and addresses the problems that are being faced by this region including what is

happening in Pakistan” that will help India to be the leader in the region and the world, she said.

But the government “has to understand that the road leads through SAARC and not through G-20”, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief said.

The G-20 event will be the first international meeting being held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh -- in August 2019.

“As far as G-20 is concerned, it has been made into a BJP event because even the logo has been replaced by a lotus. It may be a kind of good promotion for

Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood appointed next CBI director

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(PTI): Karnataka Director General of Police Praveen

Sood has been appointed as the next director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, a government order said on Sunday.

The 59-year-old has been appointed to the post for a period of two years from the date of taking charge after Subodh Kumar Jaiswal completes his tenure on May 25, according to officials.

Sood is a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Karnataka cadre and the senior-most IPS officer in the country after Jaiswal.

His name was cleared on Saturday in a meeting of a high-powered committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Chowdhury, a Congress leader, had reportedly given a dissent note on the selection of Sood as the next CBI director. However, there was no of-

Mayawati accuses BJP of misusing govt machinery in UP mayoral polls

LUCKNOW, MAY 14

the party itself and as far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, especially the Valley you have seen the way the crackdowns are going on...,” she said.

However, the Jammu and Kashmir police denied any high-handedness saying that only those people against whom there is digital evidence of indulging in anti-national activities have been detained.

Mehbooba said that G-20 “may be a good PR exercise for BJP at international level but it is not going to make India the ‘Vishwaguru’ which they talk about”.

It is the SAARC and if the leadership here takes an initiative to have a SAARC summit “that is something that can really establish the leadership of India in this region and ultimately it can establish its leadership in the world,” she opined.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), set up in December 1985, is a grouping of eight countries -- India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The last planned summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad on November 15-19 in 2016 was called off as India expressed its inability to participate due to “prevailing circumstances” following a terror attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan had also declined to participate.

Kashmir will be hosting the third G-20 tourism working group meeting from May 22 and 24. The first working group meeting on tourism was held at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat in February and the second one at Siliguri in West Bengal in April.

Even as authorities have spruced up the city for the event, Mehbooba claimed that the roads of Srinagar have been “destroyed in a brutal way” and the “heritage stones have all been uprooted and replaced by some cheap kind of tiles, public toilet tiles.”

While fiercely criticising the BJP, Mehbooba maintains that PDP allying with the saffron party in 2014 to form the government was not a mistake.

(PTI): A day after results of the urban local body polls in Uttar Pradesh were announced, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati Sunday accused the ruling BJP of misusing government machinery, and said her party will not sit silently over it.

Refuting the allegations, spokesperson of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh Harishchandra Srivastava hit out at the BSP leader and said she is refusing to accept the truth that her party has been rejected by the people.

The BJP on Saturday swept the mayoral elections in the state, winning the posts in all the 17 municipal corporations in Varanasi, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Jhansi, Bareilly, Mathura-Vrindavan, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Aligarh, Shahjahanpur, Ghaziabad, Agra, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Firozabad and Meerut.

In a series of tweets in Hindi on Sunday, Mayawati said, “The BSP is not going to sit silently over the BJP’s misuse of government machinery.”

She also accused the ruling party of using any means (‘saam’, ‘daam’, ‘dand’, ‘bhed’) at its dis -

SC to hear plea of lawyers’ body for action against VP, Rijiju’s remarks on judiciary

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(PTI): The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea of Bombay Lawyers Association (BLA) against Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over their remarks on judiciary and the collegium system for appointment of judges.

ficial word on it.

In the order, the Department of Personnel and Training said, “Approval of the competent authority is hereby conveyed to the appointment of Praveen Sood, IPS (KN:86) as Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the office vice Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS (MH:85) consequent upon completion of his tenure.”

Sood has an impressive educational background. He is an alumna of IIT-Delhi, IIM-Bangalore and Syracuse University in New York.

The lawyers’ body has moved the top court challenging the Bombay High Court’s February 9 order dismissing its plea on the ground that it was not a fit case to invoke the writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution.

As per the apex court web-site, the appeal of the BLA is listed for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Ahsanuddin Amanullah.

The Bombay Lawyers Association (BLA) had claimed that Rijiju and Dhankhar showed lack of faith in the Constitution with their remarks and conduct. It had sought orders to restrain Dhankhar from

Five dead in TN hooch tragedy; CM announces ex-gratia

VILLUPURAM (TN)

MAY 14 (PTI): Five persons, including a woman, died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the district, police said on Sunday.

Four police personnel were suspended in connection with the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said.

All the five were admitted to a government hospital late on Saturday where three of them died initially. Two others, including the woman, died on

Sunday without responding to treatment,police said.

One person has been arrested in connection with the incident and the police are on the lookout for some more individuals.

The incident occurred at Ekkiyarkuppam at Marakanam near here on Saturday night.

Underlining his government’s resolve to eradicate the menace of hooch and drugs, chief minister Stalin said four police personnel, including two inspectors, have been suspend-

ed in connection with the incident. He had announced Rs 10 lakh as relief to each of the families of the three men who died earlier.

AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition, K Palaniswami, said during his party-led 10 year rule (2011-21), there was no place for illicit liquor in the state and blamed the ruling DMK’s ‘inefficiency’ for the deaths.

“Steps should be at least taken now against illicit liquor” he said in a social media post.

FIR against Sanjay Raut for his ‘appeal’ to cops and govt officials against Maha govt

NASHIK, MAY 14 (PTI): FIR was registered against Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut in Nashik city of Maharashtra for his alleged appeal to state officials and police personnel to not follow orders of the “illegal” state government, police said on Sunday.

These remarks were made by Raut, a Rajya Sabha member and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson, on May 12, a day after the Supreme Court pronounced its verdict on the Shiv Sena-centric political imbroglio in Maharashtra. In a press conference, Raut

had appealed to government officials and policemen to not follow “illegal orders of this illegal government.” He had also said the incumbent Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government will collapse in the next three months.

Nashik Police suo motu took cognisance of the remarks and an FIR was registered at Mumbai Naka police station under section 505(1) (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Police (Incitement to Disaffection) Act, 1922, and other relevant sections, an official said.

discharging duty as the vice president, and Rijiju as the cabinet minister for the central government.

In an appeal, the lawyers body said the “frontal attack not just on the judiciary but the Constitution’ by the two executive officials has lowered the prestige of the Supreme Court in public.

Rijiju had said the collegium system of appointing judges was “opaque and not transparent”.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had questioned the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati judgement that gave the basic structure doctrine.

Dhankhar had said the verdict set a bad precedent and, if any authority questions Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution, it would be difficult to say “we are a democratic nation”.

“It is submitted that the Petitioner herein filed the PIL before the High Court of Judicature at Bombay praying therein to declare the Respondent no 1 and 2 as disqualified candidates to hold any constitutional posts of Vice President and Minister of the Union Cabinet, respectively, based on their behaviour, conduct and utterances made in public,” the petition has said.

posal, and said, “When the time comes, the BJP will definitely face the consequences.”

Thanking people for extending support to her party, the BSP chief said, “Gratitude and thanks to the people for reposing faith in the BSP and voting for its candidates despite facing a host of adverse circumstances. Had this election been free and fair, the results would have been something else. If the mayoral elections were conducted using ballot papers, the BSP would have won.”

The BSP had fielded mayoral candidates on all the 17 seats in the state but none could register a win.

“Whether it’s the BJP or the SP, both parties are equally adept at winning elections through misuse of power. This is why the ruling party often manages to secure more seats through

manipulation, and this election was no different. It is a matter of great concern,” Mayawati added.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in Lucknow on April 10, Mayawati had batted for the use of ballot papers in the elections for mayors and corporators of municipal corporations in Uttar Pradesh. Countering Mayawati’s allegations, Srivastava told PTI, “BSP chief Mayawati ji’s tweet is a reflection of her utter frustration, in which she has refused to respect the mandate.”

Instead of acknowledging that the BSP has been rejected by the people, she has called the BJP’s victory a result of manipulation, he said, adding that Mayawati was shying away from the truth.

Srivastava also thanked the people of Uttar Pradesh for choosing good governance and development of the BJP over caste-based politics and corruption of the BSP, SP and the Congress.

In the 2017 municipal elections in the state, 14 out of 16 mayoral seats were won by the BJP, while the BSP had registered wins in Aligarh and Meerut.

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 14 (IANS): Odisha

Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said “single” or “double engine” is not important but governance is. He was addressing party leaders and workers after his party registered a landslide victory in Jharsuguda bypoll, whose result was declared on Saturday.

BJD candidate Dipali

Das defeated her nearest BJP rival Tankadhar Tripathy by 48,721 votes.

Criticising the “double engine government” slogan of the BJP, Patnaik said, “Single engine or double is not important. From people’s point of view, governance is important. Good government, pro-people government always wins.”

“Those calling people of Odisha lawless are working against our state. Those who insult our sisters, mothers, and daughters because they dared to enter into public space, are working against the people and their prosperity. People

of Odisha never forgive them,” he said indirectly hitting out at the BJP leaders.

“During the Padmapur by-election, the opposition disrespected the women. They have abused BJD women candidates in bad language. Be it Padmapur or Jharsuguda, they have abused the girls, who have lost their fathers,” Patnaik said.

In every by-election, they have been criticising Mission Shakti leaders, grassroots workers and mothers, he said. Stating that history is the witness to such behaviour of the opposition, the Chief Minister said people of Odisha have never tolerated such disrespect towards women.

Cyclone Mocha: WB beaches on high alert

KOLKATA/PORT BLAIR, MAY 14 (PTI): Disaster Management Force personnel are keeping a watch on the sea resort towns of West Bengal while preventing tourists from going to the beach on Sunday, as cyclone Mocha made landfall along the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar, an official said.

Disaster Management Force personnel were on high alert along the coastal areas of Digha and Mandarmani in Purba Medinipur district and Bakkhali and Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas districts.

Seven groups of NDRF personnel including divers were deployed in DighaMandarmani coastal areas as the sea turned choppy, the official said.

Over 100 state disaster management group personnel have also been engaged in Bakkhali sea beach in South 24 Parganas district to keep an eye on the movement of tourists.

“We are not allowing tourists to move closer to the sea which has turned choppy. We are regulating movements on the sea beach. We have been asked to be on guard for the next

adequate precautionary measures had been taken to minimise the possible impact of the calamity.

Speaking to PTI, G K Das, Director (Weather) at IMD Kolkata, said, “Andaman and Nicobar Islands were not affected much due to the cyclonic storm because the path was nearly 750 km away from the archipelago.”

The islands had experienced rainfall for the past few days.

dinipur and South 24 Parganas districts to safe shelters.

Disaster Management Force personnel keeping watch on the sea resort towns of West Bengal, on Sunday. few hours,” Bikash Sadhu, one NDRF team member said.

Bappaditya Mukher -

jee, a tourist from Kolkata holidaying in Bakkhali, said, “We did not go to the sea beach today. It was quite hot. We plan to go near the sea when we are allowed.”

Arrangements have also been made to evacuate residents of coastal areas in both districts in case of emergency.

“The weather office had predicted that Cyclone Mocha will skip West Bengal. However, we have taken all precautionary measures in case there is any change in its route.

“We have shifted people living in the low-lying coastal areas of Purba Me-

Adequate relief materials have also been sent to these areas,” another official told PTI.

Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea for three days beginning on Friday.

Cyclone Mocha made landfall along the MyanmarBangladesh coasts on Sunday after intensifying into the equivalent of a categoryfive storm. It made landfall shortly after midday on the Teknaf shorelines before making its way through the Naf River that divides Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Meanwhile, a report from Port Blair said Cyclone Mocha spared Andaman and Nicobar Islands where

Normal life was disrupted for the last couple of days in Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the administration stopping fishing, tourism, and movement of ships from the mainland in view of the impending cyclone.

Keeping in view the safety of passengers and vessels, the Directorate of Shipping Services has cancelled the scheduled departure of MV Dering from Diglipur (North Andaman) to Port Blair via Mayabunder (Middle Andaman) till further notice. Following this, prices of essential commodities such as fish, vegetables and grocery items have skyrocketed, inconveniencing people.

Mayawati

Naveen Patnaik

Praveen Sood

Kiren Rijiju and Jagdeep Dhankhar

Mehbooba Mufti

Not single or double engine, governance is important: Patnaik

Up to the mark

Months ahead of the May – polls in Karnataka, various surveys conducted had predicted a slight edge for the Congress over the BJP. That meant Congress would have around 10 to 15 seats more than the BJP. That meant BJP would still some fighting chance of retaining power through manipulations. The surveys therefore concluded that no party will be able to win majority and this highlighted the popular speculation, that the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) led by H.D.Kumaraswamy, son of former prime minister H.D.Deve Gowda, will be the ‘kingmaker’. This popular notion found resonance with most pollsters and it was in this light that JDS chief Kumaraswamy , during the campaign, went as far as to confidently claim that his party will be the kingmaker after the polls. The BJP used it proven formula of turning the fight as a national election by pressing the services of its mega-star campaigners such as prime minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P.Nadda. In a campaign blitzkrieg, Modi held 19 mega rallies and six road shows. Amit Shah addressed 16 rallies and 15 road shows while Nadda addressed 10 public rallies and 16 roadshows. Besides these mega rallies, the BJP sought to polarise voters along communal lines. BJP’s desperation was visible when in the last ten odd days public saw several rallies and road shows by Modi, who chanted “Bajrang Bali” as a slogan to hit out at Congress’ manifesto promise of banning the Bajrang Dal. BJP leaders also raked up the Tipu Sultan issue and even warned people of the state that if Congress came to power there would be riots. None of these ultimately worked for the BJP but instead , indirectly benefitted the Congress. The Congress party led a highly localised campaign in the run up to the elections in the state, focusing on issues of corruption and price rise, both issues that had captured the imagination of the electorate months ahead of the polling. For instance, even the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association, which has usually been an apolitical body had alleged that contractors had to shell out 40 per cent commission for several projects to the members of the ruling BJP. The Congress, in its subsequent campaigning, led with the ‘40 Percent Sarkara’ slogan, one that became fairly commonplace among the voters as elections neared. Voters of Karnataka are wise enough to know their pluralistic and liberal society would be safer with the Congress and threatened under the BJP. Voters of Karnataka gave Congress 135 seats, the BJP 66 and JD(S)16 and others four. The verdict is for the Congress and rejection of BJP’s divisive agenda. After losing Karnataka, the BJP, finds itself without power in any state south of Maharashtra, highlighting the party’s regional setbacks. While it remains to be seen whether the Congress’ recent success will impact the assembly elections this year in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram and the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections; one thing is clear: the Congress has regained its touch and managed to reclaim its position as the primary national contender capable of challenging Prime Minister Modi’s saffron-dominated political juggernaut.

DailyDevotion

The Habit of Enjoying Adversity

…that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. —2 Corinthians 4:10

We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.

You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).

Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.”

~

SC has to protect Rashtra, a slip hurts, economy, sovereignty

The Supreme Court ruling on the Eknath Shinde case has given rise to a discussion on serious threat looming large. Does it open up a pandora’s box if a repeat of Maharashtra happens at the centre of Rashtra putting at stake - sovereignty, economy and perhaps the nation itself?

Each case has a severe economic cost. The change of government in Maharashtra saw sudden resumption of big projects that were stalled by the MVA government. Now it’s going whole hog at a break neck speed. The projects cost in trillions, involves sensitive ecological decisions or the flouting of it and no one answerable to the enormous financial cost.

The vague approach is serious. The court says splinter Shiv Sena group and Eknath Shinde’s appointment as legislature party leader illegal, slams governor BS Koshiyari for committing blunders, including the directive to then chief minister Uddhav Thakre to take the floor test, and finds the process lacking legality. But refuses to sack the Shinde government on the plea that Uddhav Thakre had resigned.

It slipped away from the court’s mind that when Uddhav group approached the court for stay on governor seeking immediate trust vote, the SC rejected it. So Uddhav resigned. Now the court finds governor at fault. It should have considered this legality and granted stay to Uddhav. Now the blame is being put on Uddhav for tendering resignation.

Technically court can absolve itself. People give a mandate for certain welfare and economic goals. The naivety of the court ruling may have changed that. It should have protected that. The court has to look beyond the obvious, the serious moral, ethical, financial and perceived threats to the nation. That is where Rashtra and Maharashtra matters. The simplistic issue of majority has more to it than could be seen. The court can aver that the finances are not its concern as RBI lawyer Jaideep Gupta put before it against the 58 petitions on demonetisation of Nov 6, 2016. He said, “Judicial review cannot be countenanced in economic policy measure unless found to be unconstitutional. Economically relevant factors in econom-

India taking down Pakistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet is indicative of changing diplomatic might of India. India will not stick to fake goody words any longer. It signals Pakistan about the need to do more to shed the tag of being a global headache on terrorism.

Coming soon after the recent Shanghai Cooperation Council’s (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Summit in New Delhi, India last week hosted the Foreign Ministers of the SCO at Goa.

The common thread between these two summits was the tough posturing by India against its two neighbours Pakistan and China.

At the Goa meeting, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, revealed that India had twice called out China and Pakistan at the summit for violating India’ssovereignty through their connectivity projects.

The statement was made in response to a question on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which runs through Indian territory currently under Pakistan’s illegal occupation.

Earlier, India had sort of reprimanded the Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu at the New Delhi meeting, on the issue of the stalled talks over the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

India’s critique of Pakistan

Many of us dream to join government services and live happily in life. We are aware of the tough exams like the Civil Services examination which is being conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

There are many other competitive examinations conducted by UPSC in India. A combined competitive examination for recruitment to Junior Time Scale of the Indian Economic Services (IES) and Indian Statistical Services (ISS) will be held by the UPSC commencing from 23th June, 2023 in accordance with the Rules published by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation in the Gazette of India dated the 19th April, 2023.

The examination will be held at different centers across India includ -

ic policy making are best left to experts”. Thankfully court did not agree on December 6, 2022 and said limited scope of a judicial review in economic policy matters does not mean that court will fold its hands and sit back, observing that the manner in which a decision is taken by the government can always be examined.

The Maharashtra government destabilisation has grave financial, economic and other sovereign implications. In June 2022, the Niti Aayog released a report claiming that Rs 24,541.15 crore and 82,060 jobs had been lost due to five cases in which the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal temporarily halted or completely banned economic activities (These are not related to Maharashtra). The Aayog here ignored the environmental implications. In Maharashtra, a slew of projects that were taken up included destruction of marshes, mangroves and Mumbai protected forests. Apparently, big investors were involved.

cal questions. Yes, Uddhav Thakre was at fault for tendering his resignation. But did he have much option?

Had he not resigned he could have been dismissed by the same governor. The court has onerous and sensitive duty in such situations.

Hypothetically, if a similar coup happens say at the behest of some, may be a motley group or select business cartels, at the Rashtra, Delhi, as per the Shinde precedent, would the court again take a view to allow fait accompli!

Shivaji Sarkar

If so, it could be grave miscarriage of justice. It may even be threat to nation’s security and sovereignty.

cannot ignore it.

And, if the political class ignores correction and Constitution remains vague, the interpretation would have to be done by the court. Allowing fait accompli on the plea that there has to be a government that could deliver is faulted.

It was beyond the prism of the court. But its decision of allowing it to function raises many criti-

Soon after such formation of government, the new group of defectors, can act to change the union budget, many defence projects, and other decisions through money bills, which literally are fait accompli. The provision of money bill is debatable. Many non-financial issues have come up as money bills for the purpose of getting these passed without parliamentary sanction. Parliament must mull over such provisions. These can be used for nefarious purposes. Courts

In this case too, the logic applied by the court in the demonetisation could have been applied. Defections, retail or wholesale, have financial considerations. In 1967, Bihar is witness to a Shoshit Dal government that had 22 members, ruled for 22 days and its members made slew of visits all over India. The states have the Centre to protect it. Nobody be allowed to have the advantage of the frailty of the legal process at the Centre. Nation’s wealth may be at stake for vacillating legal approaches.

Sometimes to have an apolitical face, courts avoid a decision. The Uddhav Thakre case may have been one. It is a lesson that the court, even unwittingly, should not become party to destabilising force.

“The court needs to avoid that particular outcome which has a potential to create an adverse effect

Strained Indo-Pak ties to stay

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was in Goa to represent Pakistan at the SCO-CFM. A visit, which happened after a 12-year gap.

The last Pakistani Foreign Minister to visit India was Hina Rabbani Khar, when she met her Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna in Delhi in 2011.

However, what soured the atmosphere this time in Goa, was references made by Zardari over Kashmir and Pakistan being a victim of terrorism itself. Though he also called for reviving the stalled talks.

India, in a strongly worded response to Pakistan’s overtures for talks, said victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism to discuss terror.

Rebutting each of the points made by Zardari, EAM Jaishankar said he (Zardari) was “a promoter, justifier and spokesperson for a terrorism industry which is the mainstay of Pakistan. The tough Indian response came after the news of death of five Indian Army soldiers in a terrorist attack near the Line of Control (LoC) on Friday”.

Jaishankar said Bilawal’s suggestion to sit together and talk was “hypocritical” and said India was feeling “outraged” by the incident.

India’s stand on China

Jaishankar had a similar position on China whose readout

on the bilateral between him and its Foreign Minister Qin Gang described the situation on the boundary as stable.

Jaishankar said that there is an abnormal position in the border areas. “We have to take the disengagement process forward. I have made it very clear. India- China relations will not be normal if peace and tranquillity in the border areas is disturbed. This message was on the same lines as delivered by the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu, a fortnight ago.”

Responding to Zardari’s diatribe, Jaishankar said Bilawal’s opposition to a G-20 meeting to be held in Kashmir had no basis since Pakistan was not even a member of that grouping.

On Bilawal’s opening address at the SCO conference where he said the issue of terrorism should not be used to score diplomatic points, the Minister said: “We are not scoring diplomatic points. We are exposing Pakistan. As a victim of terrorism, we are authorised to do so. We have put up with it. It speaks so much about the mindset of that country.”

He asked Pakistan to “smell the coffee” regarding its grouse about the abrogation of Article 370 as a violation of international agreements.

“370 is history. Sooner the

people realise it, the better,” Jaishankar said.

Indian response to CPEC

EAM Jaishankar also took an exception at the mention of CPEC at the SCO meeting, both by Pakistan and China. And rightly so, as SCO is a multilateral forum, not a bilateral one and further India’s adversarial stand on the CPEC has been very clear from the beginning, as it passed through the PoK.

India has consistently opposed the Belt and Road Initiative and CPEC, as these projects violate India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Jaishankar very clearly stated that connectivity is good for progress, but connectivity cannot violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.

Bilawal’s overture

On his part Bilawal Bhutto Zardari blamed India’s Kashmir policy for the “frozen peace” between India and Pakistan. The India-Pakistan relationship soured significantly after India announced the withdrawal of special powers from Jammu and Kashmir and the division of the state into two union territories in August 2019.

India has always maintained that it wants regular neighbourly ties with Pakistan while emphasising that the onus is on Islamabad to create a safe environment for such an engagement.

on employment, growth of infrastructure or economy, or the revenue of the state,” Supreme Court Justices A.K. Sikri and A.M. Sapre said in a May 2017 ruling overturning a high court decision that shut down a sugar factory because it was too close to another. This ruling has played a significant role. The top court’s judgment sets precedent as projects worth billions of rupees remain stuck for years in a judicial system that has more than 24 million pending cases, including commercial and criminal. India is ranked 130 out of 190 in ease of doing business by the World Bank and 172 in enforcing contracts. The NGT mindless ruling on scrapping 10-year-old vehicles is wrecking individuals and transport industry. Shinde or Thakre case is landmark and needs extreme caution. These can make or mar a nation. The court has to restore the rule of law. That is what gets hurt the most if rulings were vague. Economic benefits cannot always be fathomed. It can happen from innocuous political incidents. The court cannot ignore these or avoid for being correct of a different nature.

The tough Indian response to both Pakistan and China, mainly stems from its exhaustion with its neighbours, who in spite of several Indian initiatives to better relations, prefer to stick with their age-old stands on the contentious issues, preferring not to respond positively to any Indian efforts in this regard. The SCO meet also showed yet again that body language speaks volumes in geopolitics and diplomacy. The distance between the two foreign ministers while posing for photographs was noticeably gaping. However, the cold Indian demeanour, a departure from customary diplomatic niceties, and continuing with its old parroting by the Pakistani Minister were more targeted at their rspective domestic audiences.

The Indian leadership in view of the forthcoming elections in Karnataka wanted to be seen as acting tough, while the Pakistani Minister wanted to showcase his ability to rakeup old issues in the backdrop of the economic woes of Pakistan. But overall this posturing does not augurs well for friendly relations between the neighbours in the foreseeable future.

Asad Mirza

(The writer is a senior political commentator based in New Delhi. He can be contacted at www.asadmirza.in)

Understanding IES/ISS Examinations

ing Shillong and Dispur (Guwahati). The Services to which recruitment is to be made on the results of this examination and the approximate number of vacancies in Junior Time Scale of the Services includes 18 vacancies in IES and 33 vacancies in ISS.

A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years on 1st August, 2023 i.e he/she must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1993 and not later than 1st August, 2002.

There is age relaxation for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe and also for Other Backward Classes.

Aspirants for the Indian Economic Service must have obtained a PostGraduate Degree in Economics/Applied Econom-

ics/Business Economics/ Econometrics from a University incorporated by of an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other Educational Institutes established by an Act Parliament or declared to be deemed as University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or a Foreign University approved by the Central Government from time to time.

Aspirants for the Indian Statistical Service must have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics/ Mathematical Statistics/ Applied Statistics as one of the subject or a Master’s degree in Statistics/ Mathematical Statistics/ Applied Statistics from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other Educational Institutes established by an Act of

Parliament or declared to be deemed as University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or a Foreign University approved by the Central Government from time to time.

The examination includes a written examination carrying a maximum of 1000 marks in the subjects as shown below Subjects for IES include General English, General Studies, General Economics-I , General EconomicsII , General Economics and Indian Economics. On the other hand, subjects in ISS include General English, General Studies, Statistics-I , Statistics-II, Statistics-III and Statistics-IV.

Papers are objective as well as descriptive and the medium of the question paper is English and answers must be written in English only.

The papers on General English and General Studies, common to both Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service will be of subjective type.

The standard of papers in General English and General Studies will be as may be expected of a graduate of an Indian University.

The standard of papers in the other subjects will be that of the Master’s degree examination of an Indian University in the relevant disciplines.

Candidates will be required to write an essay in English. Other questions will be designed to test their understanding of English and workman-like use of words. Passages will usually be set for summary or précis. General knowledge including knowledge of current events, the paper will also include questions on Indian Polity including

t he political system and the Constitution of India, History of India and Geography of a nature which a candidate should be able to answer without special study.

There is an exam fee of INR 200 which is not to be paid by female candidates or candidates belonging to SC/ST Communities.

The Online Applications can be filled up till 6 PM of 9th May after which the link would be disabled.

Aspirants may visit the website of the UPSC for further details and to fill in the form on time.

Aspirants may prepare for the exams from an early time to be successful as it is competitive and lakhs of students appear for the exam.

Ranjan K Baruah

Tony Robbins

SNIPPETS

6 women killed as bus rams into auto AMARAVATI, MAY 14

(IANS): Six women were killed and four others were injured when a private bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district on Sunday. The accident occurred on national highway 216 near Sitaramapuram in Tallarevu mandal. Six women died on the spot.

Foreign liquor worth Rs 5 cr gutted

GURUGRAM, MAY 14

(IANS): Foreign liquor worth Rs 4-5 crore was gutted in a massive fire that broke out at a wine shop in Sector-55 near Golf Course Road in Gurugram, on Sunday. According to the fire officials, they received information around 6.30 a.m. that a fire broke out at a liquor shop. However, no casualties were reported in the incident, they said.

Inter-state arms supplier nabbed

NEW DELHI, MAY

14 (IANS): A 23-yearold inter-state arms trafficker was arrested for supplying illegal weapons to criminals in Delhi and surrounding areas, a Delhi Police official said on Sunday, adding that 10 pistols were recovered from his possession. The accused was identified as Shivam Prajapati, a resident of district Satna in Madhya Pradesh. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that specific information was received that an illicit firearms trafficker Shivam had procured firearms from one Amit Yadav, a resident of Rewa, MP and was on his way to Delhi to deliver the consignment to one of his contacts.

Man held for

raping minor girl

BALLIA (UP), MAY 14 (PTI): A 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a man here on the pretext of marriage, police said on Sunday. On May 6, the girl, a resident of Bihar, had gone to her maternal grandmother’s house in a village under Bairia police station area to attend a function, SHO Dharamveer Singh said. The same day, accused Mukesh Kumar (22), a resident of the same village, raped her on the pretext of marriage, he said. The accused was arrested on Saturday, he said.

Active Covid cases dip to 15,515

NEW DELHI, MAY 14 (PTI): India has logged 1,272 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have dipped to 15,515, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,770 with three deaths. While two deaths were reported from Punjab, one was from West Bengal, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,80,674).

2 killed as boat overturns in AP

NANDYAL (ANDHRA

PRADESH), MAY 14 (IANS): Two persons were killed and another went missing when a tourist boat overturned in a reservoir in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal district on Sunday. Eleven others travelling in the boat in Avuku reservoir were rescued.

Fourteen family members of head constable Rasool Basha had gone to the lake for a picnic. They boarded a boat operated by the tourism department. Water entered the boat when it had covered a distance of half a kilometer in the reservoir. Driver Gangaraju tried to take it back to the jetty but it overturned.

BJP loses in all Scheduled Tribe Constituencies in Karnataka polls

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(PTI): The BJP, which witnessed defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls, failed to win even a single seat reserved for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

Besides, the party also lost in 24 constituencies out of 36 reserved for the Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates.

Karnataka has 51 reserved constituencies, out of which 36 seats are reserved for SC candidates and 15 for candidates belonging to the ST community.

On Saturday, the BJP conceded defeat in the state Assembly elections after its seat share came down to 66 from 104 in the 2018 polls.

The poor show of the saffron party in the reserved seats came despite the outgoing Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s decision to increase reservation for the SC/ST community in the state.

The Cong ress, which

Representational image.

won 135 seats in the 224-member state assembly, registered a massive win in the seats reserved for the SC/ST candidates.

Out of 36 SC seats, Congress candidates won 21, while the BJP candidates emerged victorious in 12 seats. The JDS, which showed poor performance in the polls, managed to win just three seats. The BJP finished as first runner-up on

Politics of hate doesn’t work forever: AAP on BJP’s defeat in Karnataka polls

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

their work and take (Delhi

13 SC-reserved seats.

Congress candidates won Kudachi, Mudhol, Nagthan, Chittapur, Kanakagiri, Hubli-dharwad-East, Haveri, Mayakonda, Mudigere, Koratagere, Pavagada, Kolar gold field, Bangarapet, Pulakeshinagar, Anekal, Devanahalli, Nelamangala, Malavalli, Nanjangud, T Narasipur and Kollegal seats reserved for the SC category.

The BJP registered victory in Raybag, Chincholi, Gulbarga Rural, Aurad, Lingsugur, Shirahatti, Hadagalli, Holalkere, CV Raman Nagar, Mahadevapura, Sakleshpur and Sullia seats for SC category.

The JDS managed to win Hagaribommanahalli, Shimoga Rural, and Mulbagal seats. The Congress trounced the BJP by winning 14 out of 15 seats reserved for the ST category pushing the saffron party to the runner-up place. The JDS won Devadurga seat.

Congress candidates won Yemkanmardi, Shorapur, Raichur Rural, Manvi, Kampli, Siruguppa, Bellary, Sandur, Kudligi, Molakalmuru, Challakere, Jagalur, Heggadadevankote and Maski seats reserved for the ST category.

In the 2018 Assembly elections, the BJP had won 22 out of 51 reserved seats.

(PTI): The BJP should learn from its defeat in the Karnataka assembly elections that “politics of hate” does not work forever, the AAP said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference here, AAP Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sanjay Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also have to understand that “the time of contesting elections on non-issues, playing politics of hate and throttling opposition is going to end”.

“Such a result is bound to come when you won’t talk about price rise, unemployment, Adani scam, Agniveer and farmers issue and contest election on fake and non-issues,” Singh added.

The AAP leader said the Congress won the Karnataka assembly polls as people found it an alternative in view of the “40 per cent commission” regime of the BJP in the state. “Karnataka polls result is a big indication and warning to the BJP that politics of hate

Sanjay Singh

and efforts to make nonissues as issues of election won’t continue for long and meet the same fate,” he said.

Singh accepted the AAP candidates’ defeat in all the 209 assembly seats from where they contested, maintaining that it was a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP, and in such a situation there is hardly any scope left for “any third party” in elections. “Definitely, Karnataka polls result is not good in our favour,” he said.

“But there is no need to be disappointed about that,” he added. Singh said AAP leaders and workers in Karnataka will continue to remain in touch with the people.

“They will keep doing

Chief Minister and AAP national convenor) Arvind Kejriwal’s policies to the masses, then definitely in future good results will come,” he added.

When asked if the Congress’ victory in Karnataka poses a challenge to the AAP, Singh said, “ In Gujarat, it was said that the BJP won in the assembly polls due to AAP joining the fray. In Karnataka, people were saying the BJP will gain as the AAP is contesting the election. Then how did the Congress win?”. He claimed that the AAP has the capacity to defeat the BJP and it has shown it many times.

“We ended the 15-year rule of the BJP in Delhi MCD last year. We defeated the BJP in Delhi assembly polls…We have the capacity,” he asserted. Asked about the AAP’s plan for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Singh said it is too early to talk about it as there are “many factors” on which the party’s starategy for the general elections will depend.

Pilot accuses Gehlot of not taking step to fight corruption

BENGALURU, MAY 14

(IANS): The race for the post of the Chief Minister in Karnataka turned intriguing on Sunday with Congress’ state President D.K. Shivakumar saying that Leader and Opposition and contender Siddaramaiah would cooperate with him.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting of the newly-elected Congress legislators, Shivakumar said he had extended cooperation for him earlier and now Siddaramaiah would cooperate with him.

“After the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, I took charge of the party. Then

D.K. Shivakumar

senior leader Dinesh Gundu Rao and Siddaramaiah had resigned from their posts. Didn’t I wait patiently and cooperate when I was not inducted into the cabinet,” he asked. Siddaramaiah, after assuming charge as CM in 2013, had kept out Shivakumar from the cabinet for a

long time. “I have extended my cooperation to him (Siddaramaiah),” Shivakumar said.

The statements have assumed importance against the backdrop of the present political scenario. The Congress has achieved majority with the equal efforts of Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, and the top party leadership is maintaining that it will take a call after the Legislature Party meeting.

Marasappa Ravi, Congress district spokesperson has released a press note and urged Siddaramaiah not to become a roadblock for Shivakumar to become the CM.

JAIPUR, MAY 14 (AGENCIES): Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who is undertaking a five-day ‘Jan Sangharsh Yatra’ in Rajasthan, on Sunday said that he is receiving the support of the people as the issues raised are “essential”.

Pilot, who has been vocal about the inaction by the Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government regarding the alleged corruption during the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in the state, said that he and the Chief Minister have to fight “unitedly” against corruption, however, Gehlot did not take steps in this regard, reports ANI.

“We are getting peo-

India to launch campaign to bring back artefacts from UK

NEW DELHI, MAY 13

(AGENCIES): India is planning to launch a campaign to repatriate items in British museums and held by the royal family, including the controversial Kohinoor diamond, later this year, a report has claimed.

The Narendra Modiled government is preparing one of the largest repatriation claims faced by the UK, considered to be even bigger than Greece’s demands for the Elgin Marbles, The Daily Telegraph said in a

report. The report also said that the issue is among the priorities of the PM Modi’s government and likely to spill over into diplomatic and trade talks between the two countries.

While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is said to be leading efforts to reclaim objects sent out of the country since independence, officials are believed to be coordinating with diplomats in London to make formal requests to in-

stitutions holding artefacts seized as “spoils of war” or collected by enthusiasts during colonial rule.

ple’s support because our issues are essential. The chief minister is the face of the state and CM Ashok Gehlot and I will have to unitedly fight against cases of corruption. But the Chief Minister has not taken any action I have been writing letters for a long time to take action against issues of corruption,” Pilot told ANI on the fourth day of his yatra. Describing the paper leak case as a serious issue,

Pilot said that the government needs to change the complete system and make it transparent.

“We need to change the entire system and make it transparent as paper leak is a serious issue and needs to be resolved.

Middle-class suffers the most because of corruption and the allegations we had put on Bommai-led government have proved to be right and this is why people have voted for us in Karnataka,” he said.

Pilot is holding the five-day Jan Sangharsh Yatra from Ajmer to Jaipur. He started the yatra on Thursday in protest against the inaction of the Rajasthan government in the

alleged corruption cases during the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in the state. Rajasthan will go to Assembly polls later this year, where the party is seeking another term ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls in 2024.

On Saturday, Congress won 135 seats pushing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power in the only southern state it ruled and boosting its own prospects for the electoral battles ahead. BJP managed to win 66 seats. Karnataka went to the polls on May 10 for the 224-member state assembly and saw a record polling of 72.68 per cent.

DC-559/23

DP-2082/23 DP-2046/23

K-1025/23A

Sachin Pilot

Siddaramaiah will cooperate, says Shivakumar as race for CM turns intriguing

Rs 300 cr lifeline for Alliance Air

authorised capital is Rs 2,000 crore and the paid-up capital is Rs 402.25 crore, as per the latest data available with the corporate affairs ministry. Alliance Air, which saw its net loss widen to Rs 447.76 crore in fiscal 2021-22, has been grappling with financial woes. The carrier’s cash loss widened to Rs 224.18 crore in the financial year ended March 2022.

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(PTI): The government is set to make an equity infusion of Rs 300 crore in regional carrier Alliance Air, which is facing financial headwinds, according to a senior official.

Alliance Air, earlier part of Air India, is now owned by AI Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL), a special-purpose vehicle formed by the central government. The disinvestmentbound Alliance Air operates around 130 flights daily. In recent months,

Overall 5G connections to grow to 3.2 bn in Asia-Pacific in 2025

NEW DELHI, MAY 14 (IANS): 5G connections in the Asia-Pacific region, both mobile subscriber and IoT connections, will grow from 574 million in 2021 to 3.2 billion in 2025, growing at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 87.9 per cent, according to a new report.

Tata Group to manufacture iPhone 15 and 15 plus in India

NEW DELHI, MAY 14 (AGENCIES):

there have been instances of strikes by pilots to protest against non-restoration of salaries to the pre-Covid level and non-payment of allowance, among other issues. The finance ministry has approved an equity infusion of Rs 300 crore into Alliance Air, the senior civil aviation ministry official told PTI. Specific details could not be immediately ascertained. Flights under ‘Alliance Air’ brand are operated by Airline Allied Services, which changed its name to Alliance Air Aviation Ltd. The company’s

Two Adani firms to raise up to Rs 21k crore

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(AGENCIES): Two Adani Group companies — Adani Enterprises (AEL) and Adani Transmission (ATL) — plan to raise up to a total of Rs 21,000 crore through qualified institutional placements (QIP) or other modes.

On its part, AEL plans to raise up to Rs 12,500 crore, while funds raised by ATL would be about Rs 8,500 crore, Financial Express reported. The purpose of this initiative is to secure additional capital for the companies’ operations and growth strategies, the two firms informed bourses in separate updates.

The fund raising would be through issuance of shares, securities or other permissible modes, for which the companies will seek shareholders’ approvals through a postal ballot,

it added. AEL is the flagship company of the group, while ATL is the largest private power transmission and distribution company in India. Earlier on Wednesday, three group companies — Adani Enterprises, Adani Green and Adani Transmission — had informed the bourses of convening board meetings to take a call on the fundraising plans. However, Adani Green Energy deferred its board meeting to May 24, citing ‘certain exigencies’. The fundraising plan comes after US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research released a report on January 24, outlining numerous issues of suspected fraud at the Adani Group, the second-largest conglomerate in India. The report resulted in the group’s market cap crashing by half to about Rs 9.25 trillion.

Four companies that were earlier part of Air India are now under AIAHL. These are Air India Air Transport Services Ltd, Air India Engineering Services Ltd, Airline Allied Services Ltd and Hotel Corporation of India Ltd. All the four companies are proposed to be divested by the government in due course. The Expression of Interest (EoI) for Air India Air Transport Services and Air India Engineering Services are likely to be floated soon. Loss-making Air India along with Air India Express was taken over by Tata Group in January 2022.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is one of the important reasons for telecom services providers rolling out 5G services in the Asia-Pacific region.

About 12.4 per cent of telecom carrier respondents in Asia-Pacific consider IIoT among top reasons for 5G deployment, according to IDC. Most telecom carrier companies saw vital industries, including manufacturing, Smart Cities with smart mobility, and smart buildings, as the most critical use cases for the introduction of 5G.

“The shift to a greener, lower carbon future will be made possible through digitisation and connectivity,” said Piyush Singh, Senior

Market Analyst, Telecommunications and IoT, Asia Pacific at IDC. One of the concepts in Industry 4.0 is efficiency equals energy saving. Anything and everything organisations do to save energy ultimately increases efficiency, Singh added. Manufacturing facilities all throughout Asia-Pacific have implemented private or dedicated networks for controlling various pieces of equipment on-premises. Unstable wireless communication and latency are the barriers for the adoption of digital transformation in any firm which can be solved with the help of 5G. IoT devices require very dependable communication, which may also be provided via private 5G network easily, said the report.

PM wants us to start building R&D around 6G technology: Cisco COO

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(IANS): As 5G roll-out picks up pace in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is already laying out the blueprint for 6G and has asked global networking giant Cisco to begin research and development (R&D) around the nextgen telecommunication technology to further empower millions, according to the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Maria Martinez.

In an interaction with IANS, Martinez revealed the conversation she, along with other top Cisco leadership, had with PM Modi last week around the emerging technologies and how they can help the country innovate and build for the world.

“It was very exciting

to meet the prime minister and other top leaders to witness the great commitment they have to make India a global manufacturing and export hub for various technologies. 5G is a great opportunity for us to do more, not only for the private sector but also for enterprises of all sizes at massive scale,” Martinez said.

She said that PM Modi asked them to engage on 6G as after 5G, the prime minister is already laying out the blueprint for it.

“We talked about building some kind of joint R&D around 6G as well. We are very excited after seeing the 5G rollout globally, including in India. We’re very excited about 6G too,” Martinez

told IANS.

PM Modi has already emphasised that the 6G initiative will create new opportunities for innovators, industries and startups. In March, he released a vision document that details India’s plans to develop and launch 6G telecom services in a few years. Cisco is also working with telecom operators in India for the monetisation of private 5G use cases as a service model.

The company is witnessing the 5G rollout at a very rapid pace with both service providers Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel connecting cities and towns, as the country aims to connect every nook and corner of the country with 5G access this year.

As Apple looks to expand its manufacturing base in India, a report suggests that two of 2023 iPhone series phones will be Made in India. According to TrendForce, the Cupertino-based company may manufacture iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models in India. The report further states that the handsets will be assembled by Tata Group.

“Due to geopolitical and pandemic, Apple has been accelerating the diversification of its su pply sources, with India being the most well-known case for such transfer. According to TrendForce, India’s Tata Group is expected to become the fourth iPhone assembler for Apple,” the report says. Initially, Tata Group will receive smaller orders which means that the company will get only small orders for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. The TrendForce report says that there

FPI bought equity worth Rs 18,617 crore in May

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(IANS): In May, foreign portfolio investors (FPI) bought equity for Rs 18,617 crore.

V.K. Vijayakumar, the Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services said there is a distinct change in the FPI strategy with a clear tilt in favour of India.

In the first three months of 2023, FPIs were continuous sellers in India due to India’s premium valuations and the opportunities provided by the Chinese reopening and the relatively lower valuations in South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. That phase is now over and India has once again become a favoured emerging market destination for FPIs, said Vijayakumar.

FPIs have been continuous buyers during the last 12 trading sessions. In May, through 12th, they bought equity for Rs 18,617 crore.

Financials continue to be the favourite sector of FPIs. They were buyers in capital goods and autos too.

Vijayakumar said since the rupee is strong and the dollar is expected to decline in the near-term, FPIs are likely to continue buying in India. The improvement in India’s macros also favour continued inflows into India.

Foreign portfolio investors turned aggressive buyers in the last few days of April.

FPIs have bought equity worth Rs 9,752 crore till April 29.

could be three implications of Apple’s relocation plan.

First is that the development could indicate that India will be part of the first wave of shipments for the new iPhone series that is expected to launch in September this year.

Second implication is that Tata’s entry into the iPhone assembly business means Wistron’s exit from the country. Not to forget Tata Group has already purchased Wistron’s iPhone plant in Bengaluru.

Lastly, Tata will be the fourth company to undertake iPhone assembly business in India which started in 2020 for iPhone 12 Pro Max assembly. At

present, Foxconn, Luxshare and Pegatron have iPhone assembly plants in India. In its report, TrendForce emphasized that although Tata’s share of assembly orders for various iPhone models is only 5% in 2023, it still shows an accelerating trend of Apple’s production relocation. Apple iPhone 15 series is likely to make its debut in September later this year. The 2023 iPhone series may consist of four models - iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The handsets will come powered by Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset and will run the latest iOS software.

Much before talk of diesel car ban,

sales down to 17.6% of

CHENNAI, MAY 14

(IANS): The news about an Indian government committee suggesting a ban on diesel cars from 2027 has sowed the seeds of uncertainty in the minds of diesel car buyers today, said top industry officials.

Car buyers will think twice before writing out a cheque to buy a diesel car, they added. The government has suggested a ban on diesel-powered cars by 2027 in cities with a population of over a million people.

“The impact on the diesel vehicle industry will be from now, and not from 2027,” Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, told IANS.

“Nobody buys a car for two/three years,” Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition, told IANS. Interestingly, sales of diesel vehicles have been on the decline for the past several years.

Except for sports utility vehicle (SUV) and multipurpose vehicle (MPV) models, diesel-powered vehicles are on the decline and are being replaced by hybrid/ petrol/compressed natural gas (CNG) mod -

total

volume els, industry officials said. Already many car makers in India like Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Renault and others have stopped rolling out diesel cars. The major diesel car players in India now are Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Kia India, MG Motor and Hyundai Motor India Ltd. Going by industry numbers shared by the officials, banning of diesel vehicles by 2027 need not be a pipe dream.

“The share of diesel cars in the total industry volume is on the decline. Ten years back, diesel cars accounted for about 58.4 per cent of the industry volume. In April 2023, the share was just 17.4 per cent. Last year, it was 18.6 per cent,” Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales), Maurti Suzuki India Ltd, told IANS. What is the reason for this decline?

The economic logic for a diesel car is no longer there owing to the marginal difference in the retail price between petrol and diesel and the high upfront price of diesel cars.

SNIPPETS

24 killed, 12 injured in Zambia road crash

LUSAKA, MAY 14

(IANS): Twenty-four people died and 12 others sustained serious injuries when a bus they were travelling in hit a truck in southern Zambia, the police said. Zambia Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Danny Mwale said on Saturday that preliminary investigations indicated that the bus with 35 passengers on board overturned, falling on the left side of the road into a ditch after the bus hit behind the truck. The bus driver is among the injured.

Japanese civic groups protest against upcoming G7 summit

TOKYO, MAY 14

(IANS): Hundreds of Jap-

anese citizens took to the streets in the Japanese city of Hiroshima over the weekend to protest against the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit. Protests will also be held along the streets on Sunday, starting at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a cenotaph where an atomic bomb was dropped by the United States at the end of World War II, Xinhua news agency reported.

About 200 citizens carrying banners reading “No G7” and “No War” gathered in Hiroshima to protest against the G7 summit on Saturday as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the city to inspect summit-related venues.

135 killed in Rwanda

flooding, landslides

KIGALI, MAY 14

(IANS): At least 135 people died and one more is still missing following recent flooding and landslides in parts of Rwanda, the government said. “Some 110 people were injured in the disasters and 13 are still admitted in health facilities,” said the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management in its latest update on Saturday, adding that more than 20,000 people were displaced after 5,963 houses were destroyed in different provinces of the country, and they are accommodated at 83 temporary sites.

Kenya cult death exceeds 200

NAIROBI, MAY 14

(IANS): Kenyan investigators have exhumed 22 more bodies from a suspected cult grave in the Kenyan coastal town of Malindi, a government official said. Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said on Saturday that so far 201 bodies have been exhumed since the discovery of the mass graves on a piece of land at Shakahola forest in late April, Xinhua news agency reported. The number of people reported missing has increased to 610, Onyancha told journalists at the Shakahola site, adding that one suspect was arrested on Saturday, raising the total number of suspects to 26.

13 killed in clearance operation in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, MAY 14 (IANS): Thirteen people, including six soldiers and a civilian, were killed, and six hostages were injured in a clearance operation at a military compound in Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province, a military statement said. The operation was completed on Saturday morning after the terrorists attacked the compound of paramilitary troops’ frontier corps in northern Balochistan on Friday morning, the military’s media wing InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement on Saturday as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

Counteroffensive does not aim to attack Russian territory: Zelensky

BERLIN, MAY 14 (AP): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory.

Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders.

The Washington Post cited previously undisclosed documents from a trove of US intelligence leaks suggesting that Zelenskyy has considered trying to capture areas in Russia proper for possible use as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022.

This would put him at odds with Western governments who have insisted that weapons they provide must not be used to attack targets in Russia. Asked about the

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in Berlin, Sunday. (AP) report, Zelenskyy said: “We don’t attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory.”

“We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia),” he said, according to an official interpreter. “And we also don’t have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.”

“We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based

Cyclone Mocha causes landfall along Bangladesh, Myanmar coasts

capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the war and came a day after the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros (USD 3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

DHAKA, MAY 14 (PTI): Super cyclone Mocha made landfall along the MyanmarBangladesh coasts on Sunday after intensifying into the equivalent of a categoryfive storm, causing extensive damage to the southeastern coastlines and forcing the evacuation of over five lakh people in low lying areas.

on our constitutionally defined legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally,” Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of further arms to help his country fend off the Russian invasion, and funds to rebuild what’s been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German

Cease-fire between Israel & militants in Gaza appears to hold after days of fighting

Jihad militant group in response to earlier rocket launches from Gaza.

Those killings set off a barrage of militant fire and the conflagration threatened to drag the region into another all-out war until an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire took hold late Saturday.

Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germany’s political, financial and military support, saying the country is now second only behind the United States in providing aid to Ukraine — and joked that he is working to make it the biggest donor.

“German air defense systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer!” he wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

The Cyclone Mocha, one of the most powerful cyclones seen in the country in nearly two decades - made landfall shortly after midday on the Teknaf shorelines before making its way through the Naf River that divides Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The powerful wind uprooted trees and damaged roofs of several houses in Teknaf and Saint Martin’s Island, which is situated about 9-km south of the tip of Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. There was heavy rain along with strong winds in St. Martin’s, an eight-squarekilometre coral-rich island located in the Bay of Bengal.

“The ‘eye’ or the center

Rescue workers remove the fallen tress after a storm in Teknaf, near Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, Sunday. (AP) point of the cyclone made its landfall shortly after midday today on the Teknaf shorelines, coming through the Naf River, ahead of its anticipated time,” Bangladesh Met office spokesman AKM Nazmul Huda told PTI. He said the tail or the rest of the severe storm, which was categorised as a very dangerous categoryfive cyclone, might take more time to cross the coastlines.

Citing sources, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper

reported that St Martin’s Island, Teknaf Sadar and several other coastal areas have been affected by strong winds which uprooted trees, and blown away roofs of houses. Administrative chief of Teknaf sub-district of Cox’s Bazar Mohammad Quamruzzaman said the wind was blowing at a speed of over 200 kilometres per hour in Taknaf and its southernmost part Shahpori Dip along the Bay of Bengal.

Early results in Turkey’s poll show prez Erdogan leading

ANKARA, MAY 14 (AP): Election polls closed on Sunday in Turkiye, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership of the NATO member country grappling with economic turmoil and the erosion of democratic checks-andbalances hung in the balance after a strong challenge from an opposition candidate.

GAZA CITY, MAY 14

(AP): A fragile cease-fire between Israeli forces and militants in the Gaza Strip appeared to be holding on Sunday after a five-day clash that killed 33 Pales-

tinians and two people in Israel.

The latest round of Gaza fighting was sparked on Tuesday when Israeli jets killed three top commanders from the Islamic

While the calm appeared to bring a sense of relief to Gaza’s 2 million people and hundreds of thousands of Israelis who had been largely confined to bomb shelters in recent days, the agreement did nothing to address the underlying issues that have fuelled numerous rounds of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip over the years.

BANGKOK, MAY 14

(AP): Vote counting was underway on Sunday in Thailand’s general election, touted as a pivotal chance for change nine years after incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha first came to power in a 2014 coup. He is now running against the daughter of the politician who is the military’s top nemesis.

BELGRADE, MAY 14 (AP):

Serbian authorities on Sunday displayed many of around 13,500 weapons they say people have been handed over since this month’s mass shootings, including hand grenades, automatic weapons, and antitank rocket launchers. The authorities have declared a one-month amnesty period for citizens to hand over unregistered weapons or face prison sentences as part of a crackdown on guns following the two mass shootings that left 17 people dead, many of them children.

Populist President Aleksandar Vucic accompanied top police officials on

Sunday for the weapons’ display near the town of Smederevo, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the capital, Belgrade.

Vucic said the approximately half of the weapons collected were illegal while the other half were registered weapons that citizens nonetheless handed over. He added the weapons will go to Serbia’s arms and ammunitions factories for potential use by the armed forces.

“After June 8, the state will respond with repressive measures and punishments will be very strict,” he said of the post-amnesty period. “What does anyone need an automatic weapon for? Or all these guns?”

The polls closed at 5 pm and some results were expected in early evening, with a fuller picture coming later Sunday night.

Thai elections use paper ballots that are counted publicly at polling stations.

The opposition Pheu Thai Party, headed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is widely predicted to win at least a healthy plurality of the seats in the 500-member lower House.

After casting her ballot, Paetongtarn said every vote is important for effecting change in Thailand and that she has high hopes for the final result.

But who heads the next government won’t by decided by Sunday’s vote alone. The prime minister will be

The election could grant Erdogan, 69, a new five-year term or unseat him in favour of the head of an invigorated opposition, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who has promised to return Turkiye to a more democratic path. If no candidate receives more than 50 per cent of the vote, the race will be determined in a May 28 run-off.

Voters also elected lawmakers to fill Turkey’s

lu, 74, the joint candidate of a six-party opposition alliance who leads the center-left, pro-secular Republican People’s Party, or CHP.

selected in July in a joint session of the House and the 250-seat Senate.

The winner must secure at least 376 votes and no party is likely to do that on its own.

Pheu Thai won the most seats in the last election in 2019, but its archrival, the military-backed Palang Pracharath Party, succeeded in cobbling together a coalition with Prayuth as prime minister. It relied on unanimous support from the Senate, whose members share the military’s conservative outlook and were appointed by the military government after Prayuth’s coup.

Prayuth is running for reelection, although the military this year has split its support between two parties.

Prayuth is backed by the United Thai Nation Party; his deputy prime minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, another former general, is the standard bearer for Palang Pracharath.

Prayuth has been blamed for a stuttering economy, shortcomings in addressing the pandemic and thwarting democratic reforms, a particular sore point with younger voters. At his polling station, he also encouraged people to come out to vote.

“The increased youth vote and general awareness of the damage caused by military rule are key factors likely to determine the results of this election,” said Tyrell Haberkorn, a Thai studies specialist at the University of Wisconsin.

“After nine years of military rule, people are ready for a change, even those who were not interested in rocking the boat before.”

Pheu Thai is the latest in a string of parties linked to populist billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted as prime minister by an army coup in 2006.

B’desh won’t buy from countries that impose sanctions: Hasina

DHAKA, MAY 14 (IANS): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from countries that impose sanctions against it.

The prime minister made the remarks on Saturday when inaugurating the 60th convention of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka, Xinhua news agency reported. “There is now a tendency to

impose sanctions, and sanctions on those by whom we contain terrorism.

We have made a decision. I have said that I will not buy anything from those who will impose sanctions,” said the prime minister. Hasina had earlier slammed the US sanctions on officials of Bangladesh’s special security force unit Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) over alleged rights abuse, saying the move was “very con-

demnable act.” She said the elite force has immensely contributed to the South Asian country’s efforts in containing militancy and terrorism.

In December 2021, the US Departments of Treasury and the Department of State imposed human rights-related sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion and its seven incumbent and former top officials.

presidential and parliamentary ballots.

Opinion surveys indicated the increasingly authoritarian leader entered the election trailing a challenger for the first time.

Erdogan has ruled Turkey as prime minister or president since 2003.

Pre-election polls gave a slight lead to Kilicdarog-

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, and his wife Emine, left, prepare to cast their ballots at a polling station in Istanbul, Sunday. (AP) 600-seat parliament, which lost much of its legislative power under Erdogan’s executive presidency. If his political alliance wins, Erdogan could continue governing without much restriction. The opposition has promised to return Turkey’s governance system to a parliamentary democracy if it wins both the

Voting began at 8 am (0500 GMT) and polls closed at 5 pm (1400 GMT). Under Turkiye’s election custom, news organisations are barred from reporting partial results until an embargo lifts at 9 pm (1800 GMT). There are no exit polls.

More than 64 million people, including 3.4 million overseas voters, were eligible to vote in the elections, which come the year the country will mark the centenary of its establishment as a republic. Voter turnout in Turkiye is traditionally strong, reflecting citizens’ continued belief in democratic balloting.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 14

(IANS): Afghans were also involved in the riots and violent incidents perpetrated by Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf workers and supporters in Peshawar after the arrest of party Chairman Imran Khan, as per security sources, media reports said.

Security sources have claimed that the PTI leadership carried out the riots by paying huge amounts to Afghan citizens, Samaa TV reported.

The law enforcement agencies have released an alleged confessional statement following a spree of arrests.

The sources said confessions of three Afghan citizens have been released, while investigation with others is under way.

They added that Afghan residents were bribed by the PTI leadership, Samaa TV reported.

The arrested criminals belonged to Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif, the security sources claimed.

Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir on Saturday said the armed forces will not tolerate any further attempt at

violating the sanctity and security of its installations or vandalism, and resolved to bring to justice all the planners, abettors, instigators, and executors of the vandalism of May 9.

Pakistan Punjab Interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that rioters wanted to torch planes at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base in Mianwali during violent riots on May 9, Samaa TV reported.

He said most people in Mianwali were armed. “It’s an attack on Pakistan,” he said.

Naqvi said PTI rioters burnt 108 cars and 26 buildings and also damaged ‘Safe Cities’ cameras.

Addressing a press conference at CM House in Lahore on Sunday along with the Punjab IG and Chief Secretary, Naqvi said PTI woman leader Yasmin Rashid was the key player in the attack on Jinnah House aka Corps Commander House. He said around 3,400 people were present outside the Jinnah House while around 400 people were present inside the Jinnah House.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Changtongya Senso Telongjem Dimapur (CSTD), Dimapur Changtongyatsur Telongjem (DCT) and Changtongya Kaketshir Telongjem Dimapur (CKTD) extends our heartiest congratulations to the following individuals who have brought laurels to the union :

1. Miss. Akumtenla Longkumer D/o Er. R. Takuyangba Rtd CE, NPWD cleared Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Examination for Bank Probationary Officer (BPO)

2. Shri. Imtisüngkum Lkr Promoted to Joint Director, Dept of Land Resources Kohima, Nagaland

We are proud of your great achievements. May you all be successful and blessed in days to come.

Sd/- Sd/- Sd/President President President CKTD Dimapur Changtongyatsur Telongjem CSTD

Palestinians celebrate the announcement of a cease-fire after five days of fighting, in Gaza City, Saturday.

13,500

weapons collected in amnesty in Serbia

Serbian President Vucic, right, inspects weapons collected as part of an amnesty near the city of Smederevo, Serbia, Sunday.

Thailand counts votes in key election with opposition favoured to win

‘PTI leadership instigated riots by bribing Afghan citizens’

Prayuth Chan-ocha

MoS L Murugan to lead Indian delegation to Cannes Film Festival

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan will lead the Indian delegation to the Cannes International Film Festival, where Anurag Kashyap’s crime drama “Kennedy” and FTII alumnus Yudhajit Basu’s “Nehemich” will be showcased in the official section.

Manipuri Director

Aribam Syam Sharma’s “Ishanou” will be showcased in the Cannes Classics section of the festival, which opens on May 16 in the resort town on the French Riviera.

Murugan is set to walk the red-carpet at the festival along with Oscar awardee Guneet Mongia of “The Elephant Whisperers” fame and actors Manushi Chillar, Esha Gupta and

Kangabam Tomba, according to an official statement.

The India Pavilion has been conceptualised and designed by the Ahmedabad-based National Institute of Design with the theme – “Showcasing India’s Creative Economy” to the global community.

The pavilion design has been inspired by the Saraswati Yantra, the abstract representation of Goddess Saraswati, keeper of knowledge, music, art,

‘The Kerala Story’ crosses Rs 100 crore-mark at domestic box office

speech, wisdom and learning, the statement read.

The colours of the pavilion draw inspiration from the India’s national flag – saffron, white, and green, and blue.

The Indian Pavilion will provide a platform to the Indian film community to sign distribution deals, greenlight scripts, crack production collaborations and simply network with the world’s major entertainment and media play-

ers. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur will address the inaugural session through a video message to showcase India as a global hub for content creation at the 76th edition of Cannes’s festival.

Kanu Behl’s “Agra” will be have its world premiere at Cannes, at the Directors’ Fortnight.

Anurag Kashyap’s “Kennedy” is being screened in Midnight Screenings while “Nehemich” will be showcased in the ‘La Cinef’ section of the festival de Cannes.

A restored Manipuri film “Ishanhou”, will be showcased in the ‘Classics’ section. The movie was previously played in the festival’s “Un Certain Regard” section in 1991

Swedish singer Loreen wins

Eurovision for the 2nd time since 2012

and its film reels were preserved by the National Film Archive of India. The Manipur State Film Development Society got the film restored through the Film Heritage Foundation & Prasad Film Labs, an official said.

The eclectic bouquet of Indian films being screened in the segments of both Festival de Cannes & marche du Films, underlines that the Indian cinema has truly come of age, the official added. A series of interactive sessions organised throughout the festival at India Pavilion will showcase the country as a Complete Filming Destination.

The “She Shines: Contribution of Women in Cinema” will highlight the presence of women in filmmaking. (PTI)

Enrique drops out of headlining music festival due to pneumonia

Singing sensation Enrique Iglesias dropped out of the musical festival Tecate Emblema on the day that he was set to perform, due to pneumonia.

The Spanish singer was set to travel to Mexico City to close out the first night of the two-day music festival but doctors ordered “absolute rest,” reports Deadline.

“The Kerala Story” has raised Rs 112.99 crore in nine days since its release at the India box office, the makers said Sunday. In a press note, production house Sunshine Pictures said the film earned Rs 19.5 crore on Saturday, bringing up the total of its domestic earnings to Rs 112.99 crore.

“The Kerala Story”, a film on conversion that has polarised the political

discourse in the country leading to bans in some states and a tax-free status in others, hit the screens on May 5.

Directed by Sudipto Sen and fronted by Adah Sharma, the Hindi movie was released in 37 countries on May 12. Produced by Vipul Shah, “The Kerala Story” depicts how women from Kerala were forced to convert and recruited by the terror group Islamic State (IS). (PTI)

“Dear fans, much to my regret, it’ll be impossible for me to appear at the show tonight in Mexico,” read a statement in Spanish shared on Iglesias’s social platforms.

“I have pneumonia and doctors have advised absolute rest and have forbidden me to get on an airplane.”

Iglesias continued: “I am frankly sad to cancel this show in a country that has

given me so much. I hope to recover fast and be able to be with you all in full form soon.” Hours later, organiser OCESA shared that a group of artists would take over in the absence of Iglesias including Netflix’s Elite star Danna Paola. Other additions included Kabah, Magneto, CalA, JNS, The Sacados and Litzy, who all are part of the ‘90’s Pop Tour’ group.

The rest of the lineup remains unchanged with The Chainsmokers also headlining the first night of Tecate Emblema. Other artists that would be featured on the first day include One Republic, Melanie C, Belinda, Niki, Pabllo Vittar, The Driver Era and Alizzz. Robbie Williams and KYGO are headlining the second day set to take place on Sunday, May 14. Other artists confirmed for the second day include Black Eyed Peas, Bizarrap, Camilo, Becky G, Roisin Murphy, Emilia, Lasso and Moenia, to name a few. (IANS)

Swedish contestant Loreen came first with her song ‘Tattoo’ at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, beating out 25 other countries to garner 583 points, reports ‘Variety’. Loreen’s win means the contest will likely be held in Sweden next year.

Traditionally the winning country hosts the following year’s contest. Sweden was followed by Finland’s Kaarija with 526 points and Israel’s Noa Kirel with 362 points, who took second and third place respectively, ‘Variety’ adds.

It is Loreen’s second Eurovision win: she previously won the contest in 2012 with her song ‘Euphoria’. Eurovision, which is run by the European

Broadcasting Union (EBU), features musical acts from around Europe as well as a number of countries outside it, includ-

OffICE Of tHE

ing Israel and Australia, who participate by virtue of their membership of the EBU, ‘Variety’ notes. This year’s Eurovision took place in Liverpool, UK, on behalf of last year’s winner Ukraine after it was deemed too dangerous to hold Eurovision in the country following the Russian invasion. Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra won last year’s contest, followed by the UK’s Sam Ryder, who came a close second. Eurovision was hosted this year by rapper turned ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge Alisha Dixon, ‘Ted Lasso’ star Hannah Waddingham, Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina and the popular longtime Eurovision commentator, Graham Norton, according to ‘Variety’. (IANS)

The NDPP Kohima Region heartily congratulates Shri. Prasielie Pienyü, the Acting President of NDPP Kohima Region on his appointment as the Chairman of Nagaland Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Limited (NHHDCL). Prasielie Pienyü, a leader with vast social and political experiences, the Chairmanship is well deserved and the NDPP Kohima Region is confident that under his Chairmanship the corporation will scale greater heights in the interest of society. The Region wishes him the very best and pray to Almighty God to grant him good health and wisdom as he embark on another assignment in the service of society.

The NDPP Kohima Region also express our profound gratitude to the UDA Government headed by Shri. Neiphiu Rio, the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Nagaland, for reposing faith in a party leader Shri. Prasielie Pienyü and allotting him the Chairmanship of NHHDC LTD. The judicious decision has indeed boosted the morale of party workers and re-strengthened the party workers confidence in the Leadership.

KEDUOLHOULIE

NICSE’S FIRST LECTURE WAS HELD ON 25TH MAY 2013 FOR THE TRUST FROM THOUSANDS OF NAGA FAMILIES EXTENDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL NPSC/UPSC ASPIRANTS TILL 25THMAY

NEW BATCHES FROM 25TH MAY

Real Madrid win, Villarreal take big step towards Europe in La Liga

MADRID, MAY 14

(IANS): FC Barcelona will be La Liga champions on Sunday night if they win away to local rivals Espanyol although Real Madrid beat Getafe 1-0 on Saturday night.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti rang the changes ahead of his side’s Champions League semifinal return leg away to Manchester City next week, with Thibaut Courtois, Fede Valverde, Eder Militao and Eduardo Camavinga expected to start in the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

The result was a dull game against the side third from bottom of La Liga, which was decided by a shot from Marco Asensio, who again proved his value. The bad news for Madrid was a possible injury to Camavinga in the closing minutes, which makes him a doubt for next week’s key game, a Xinhua report said. Real Sociedad and Girona drew

2-2 in a result that helped both sides’ ambitions, as Real Sociedad moved a step forward to finishing fourth, while Girona almost maintained their hopes of playing in Europe next season.

Mikel Oyarzabal put Real Sociedad ahead in the

National Games’ logo unveiled by Goa CM

how failed to produce a goal, although Girona ended up with 10 men after Oriol Romeu was sent off in the closing minutes.

Villarreal also moved closer to assuring a place in Europe with a 5-1 win at home to Athletic Bilbao, whose own European options suffered a major setback. Alex Baena and Nicolas Jackson put Villarreal 2-0 up and although Oihan Sancet pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, Baena and Jackson scored again in the second half, while Aitor Paredes scored an own goal as Villarreal ran riot after the break.

Sudirman Cup: India loses to Chinese

Taipei 1-4 in opening Group C

tie

fourth minute and David Silva doubled their lead in the 24th minute, only for Girona to fight back with Yan Couto pulling a goal back in the 37th minute and Cristhian Stauni equalizing in first half injury time.

The second half some-

Osasuna got back to winning ways with an impressive 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Almeria thanks to goals from Ante Budimir, Abde Ezzalzouli and Moi Gomez.

Pablo Maffeo’s first half header following a corner gave Mallorca a 1-0 win at home to Cadiz on Friday.

Italian Open: Djokovic beats Dimitrov to reach 4th round

Swiatek into Round of 16; Bouzkova upsets Gauff

World No.1 Iga Swiatek eased into the Round of 16 after beating Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 6-0 in the third round on Sunday.

The two-time defending champion will face either No.16 Liudmila Samsonova

ROME, MAY 14 (IANS):

Six-time champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia overcame a second-set slump to defeat Grigor Dimitrov in the third round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Italian Open) here on Sunday. Djokovic came up with a high-class third-set showing to win the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 The top seed and defending champion Djokovic won the first set easily and looked set for a routine third-round victory when he led Dimitrov by a set and a break at 6-3, 4-2.

An inspired run of four games from the Bulgarian Dimitrov gave him the second set and forced a decider at the Foro Italico. However, Djokovic expertly raised his level to reach the fourth round with his 1050th tour-level victory. With his two-hour, 20-min-

ute win, Djokovic improved to 11-1 in his ATP head-to-head series against Dimitrov. The 35-year-old will next take on 13th seed Cameron Norrie or Marton Fucsovics as he bids to reach the quarter-finals for the 17th time in as many appearances in Rome. Medvedev downs Ruusuvuori for maiden win

Daniil Medvedev arrived at this year’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia with 76 ATP Masters 1000 match wins, but none of them had come in Rome.

On Sunday, the 27-year-old added to his collection a win in the Eternal City by defeating Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland in the second round of the Italian Open. Medvedev overcame Ruusuvuori 6-4, 6-2 to reach the third round at the clay-court event.

MTSU organizes 1st Inter ward tournament

Champions Tanlao Ward with the organisers.

DIMAPUR, MAY 14

(NPN): The first inter ward football tournament was organized by Mon Town Students’ Union (MTSU) in collaboration with district administration under the theme, “Chase Your Dreams, Not Drugs” from May 9 – 13 at local ground Mon town.

Altogether, 11 wards

of Mon town participated in the tournament where Tanlao Ward won the tournament and Zaklom Ward bagged the runners-up. Chingshen of Tanlao Ward was awarded player of the tournament, Noaman and Chingshen of Tanlao Ward as highest goal scorer and Naiwang of Zaklom was awarded as the best keeper.

or No.21 Donna Vekic next.

In other action, Marie Bouzkova of Czech Republic notched an upset in a rain-postponed match, ousting No.6 seed American Coco Gauff 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the Round of 16.

THE IndIAn PublIC SCHOOl

Date: May 12, 2023 lETTEr Of COMMEndATIOn

The School Management, in conformity with norms, is highly appreciative of Master AKAITO YEPTHOMI’S exceptional result in CBSE Class XII Board Examination-2023.

He appeared for class XII Examination in 2023 with an aggregate percentage 96.25. He is a topper from the Indian Public School, Rajawala, Dehradun (UK).

We thank and congratulate Akaito’s parents: Mrs. Tokatoli Shohe & Mr. Omega Yepthomi for reposing their faith & confidence in the school management & faculty.

We wish best of luck to Akaito Yepthomi in his future endeavours.

DB-615/23

PANAJI, MAY 14 (IANS): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant unveiled the logo for the 37th National Games at Dr Shyama Prasaad Mukherjee stadium here on Sunday. In his remarks at the gala event, Sawant said that Goa was keen to host the National Games for the last ten years. “This is coming into reality now and we are fully prepared for it. Along with required infrastructure, even human resources is ready to host this sports event,” he said. He said that Goa had hosted football games much before the liberation of the coastal state and there are many sportsmen here. Goa has a rich history of football games, which was played by Portuguese here and in 1923, played host to the first international match in India between British vs Portugal. “Along with spiritual and medical tourism, Goa will be also known for sports tourism in near future. We will support all the national events in the state,” Sawant said.

SUZHOU (CHINA),

MAY 14 (IANS): India began its Sudirman Cup campaign on a disappointing note, losing 1-4 against Chinese Taipei in its opening Group C tie, here on Sunday.

The tie began with a mixed doubles match, where the duo of Sai Pratheek and Tanisha

Crasto suffered 21-18, 2426, 6-21 at the hands of world no. 30 Yang PoHsuan and Hu Ling Fang.

The Indians started well and took the first game but failed to continue with the momentum as they lost the second game 24-26 and the deciding game 6-21, thus Taipei held an early 1-0 lead in the tie.

In the second rubber, India’s top-ranked men’s singles player, HS Prannoy, fell in straight games 21-19, 21-15 to world no. 5 Chou Tien Chen. In the third match, P V Sindhu was up against familiar foe Tai Tzu Ying. The Taipei shuttler comfortably won the

first game and the Indian ace bounced back to force the decider, winning the second. But Tai regrouped in the deciding game and handed Sindhu 14-21, 2118, 17-21 loss to seal the tie for Taipei with a 3-0 unassailable lead.

Notably, each tie comprises five matches -- women’s singles, men’s singles, mixed doubles, women’s doubles and men’s doubles. The team which wins three of these five matches takes the tie and pockets one point. Then, Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin extended the lead to 4-0, handing

a 21-13, 17-21, 21-18 defeat to India’s top-ranked men’s pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in the men’s doubles match. In the last match of the tie, the women’s doubles pair of Gayatri Gopichand Pullela and Trisha Jolly earned India’s first win of the day, winning 15-21, 21-18, 21-13 against Lee Chia Hsin and Teng Chun Hsun. India will next face another big gun Malaysia on Monday in their second Group C tie before going up against Australia on Wednesday.

Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) led by its president Mhasimhalie Mathew Yhome (seated C) along with licensed coaches of Kohima district held a coordination meeting at Hotel 2k on May 13. During the meeting, matters related to the welfare, development and upliftment of football in Kohima and beyond were discussed.

Match in action between Real Madrid and Getafe.

PV Sindhu in action during the Sudirman Cup.

Novak Djokovic Daniil Medvedev

IPL: KKR register 6-wkt win over CSK

CHENNAI, MAY 14

(IANS): Captain Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh slammed critical fifties and dominated spinners with immaculate ease to help Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stay alive in the race for Playoffs in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 with a clinical six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

Chennai had a chance to seal their place in the Playoffs at home, but Rana and Rinku had other ideas by stitching a 99-run partnership off 76 balls for the fourth wicket to take Kolkata home in a chase of 145 with nine balls to spare.

While Rana was unbeaten on 57 off 44 balls, Rinku was impressive in scoring 54 off 43 balls as the duo also achieved the distinction of stitching the highest-ever partnership for the fourth wicket against Chennai at Chepauk.

Chennai struck in the opening over when Deepak Chahar had Rahmanullah Gurbaz slicing a drive on a full and wide ball to deep backward point running to his right. The pacer again struck in the third over

when Venkatesh Iyer nicked straight to short third man, after being hit for two fours. Given a third straight over, Chahar was straightaway pulled for six by Nitish. But he bounced back with Jason Roy getting an outside edge on an attempted drive off a knuckleball to short third man. Rinku got off the mark by driving Cha-

har through extra cover for four and ended the Powerplay by launching Tushar Deshpande over long-off for six. He then proceeded to drive Moeen Ali through extra cover and got an edge past slip to collect back-toback fours in the ninth over. Rana further relieved pressure on Kolkata by reverse-sweeping Moeen

RCB thumps RR by 112-run; keep playoffs hope alive

JAIPUR, MAY 14 (IANS):

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik address the media during their protest. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(PTI): The protesting wrestlers on Sunday termed the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to take charge of all the activities of the Wrestling Federation of India as the “first step” in their fight against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former WFI chief.

The country’s top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat among others, have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar for the last 22 days demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan for his alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers.

The IOA, through its letter on May 12, asked the secretary general of WFI to hand over the official documents including financial instruments to its ad-hoc panel, making it clear the outgoing office bearers shall have no role in the running of the federation.

The WFI said it has no issues in obeying the IOA order since they were already co-operating with the authorities.

“This (the dissolution of the current WFI) is the first step in our fight for justice. Our fight has begun in right earnest, it’s a victory for us... and we will continue or fight until we get justice,” said Bajrang, the

Shooting WC: Manini finishes

6th in 3P as India finish second

in their kitty, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) informed in a release on Sunday.

NEW DELHI, MAY 14

(IANS): Manini Kaushik, reached her first career final in a senior World Cup stage, finishing sixth in the women’s 50m rifle 3-positions (3P) event as India ended their engagements at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Manini shot 415.6 in the final, which was won by Briton Seonaid McIntosh who finished with 467.0.

China’s double Olympic medallist Li Yuehong won the other final of the concluding day, the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol (RFP), helping his country top the medal tally with four gold, one silver and two bronze medals, even as India finished second with one gold, two silver and one bronze

Manini, for her first final at this level, shot well and was placed fifth after the first 15 shots in the kneeling and prone positions. Briton Seonaid Mcintosh had established a big lead by then at the top of the field, about 1.6 clear of second-placed Norwegian Jeannette Hegg Duestad.

She did well to hold her position after the first 10 shots in the final standing position as well when the eighth and seventh shooters get eliminated. However, a 9.2 for her 41st shot meant that Manini had to be satisfied with a sixth-place finish.

Among the other Indians in the women’s 3P, Anjum Moudgil was 18th with a qualification round score of 573, while Sift Kaur Samra shot 571 for a 21st-place finish. Shriyanka Sadangi and Nishchal, playing for ranking points only. shot scores of 572 and 569 respectively.

for four at the start of the 11th over and immediately got a reprieve on 18 when Matheesha Pathirana dropped a tough chance after sprinting in from deep backward square leg.

Rinku went big again when he got low and slogswept Jadeja for six in the 14th over, followed by Rana cutting and driving down the ground off Theekshana for back-to-back fours.

Rinku got his sublime fifty in 39 balls when he clipped along the ground off Pathirana on the last ball of the 16th over, followed by Rana getting his half-century in 38 balls in the next over. Though Rinku was run-out by a direct hit from Moeen in the 18th over, Rana finished off the chase in style with a four driven off Deshpande through third man to keep their playoffs hopes alive.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 144/6 in 20 overs (Shivam Dube 48 not out, Devon Conway 30; Sunil Narine 2-15, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-36) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 147/4 in 18.3 overs (Nitish Rana 57 not out; Rinku Singh 54; Deepak Chahar 3-27) by six wickets

Riding high on a dominating bowling display Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) thumped Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a huge 112-run margin in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, here on Sunday, to keep their playoffs hopes alive.

The win gave RCB crucial two points and they sit fifth on the table with 12 points and a healthy run rate of +0.166, with two matches to go.

For RCB, Wayne Parnell was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed three wickets with the likes of Michael Bracewell and Mohammad Siraj also bowling really well as RCB sealed a massive win.

After Faf du Plessis’ composed innings of 55 off 44 and Glenn Maxwell’s 54 off 33. Anuj Rawat’s cameo of unbeaten 29 off 11 lifted RCB to a competitive 171/5 in 20 overs.

Then, the RCB bowlers, led by Wayne Parnell (3-10), came out all guns blazing as they reduced RR to 28-5 in the Power-play. The hosts never recovered from the early collapse as they were bowled out for 59 inside 11 overs.

Chasing 172, RR lost three quick wickets and were reduced to 7 for three in the first two overs. Mohammad Siraj drew the first blood as he removed inform opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for the duck. In the next over Parnell struck twice to claim the wickets of Jos Buttler and skipper Sanju Samson. Parnell struck again and picked up his third, trapping Root lbw. Bracewell got his second wicket in the seventh over as he removed Dhruv Jurel and RR lost their sixth wicket with not even 50 runs on the

scoreboard.

Then, Hetmyer did what he does best and smashed three back-to-back maximums to Karn Sharma. The next ball, a bit of a mix-up in the middle resulted in Ravichandran Ashwin’s run out, and RR were reduced to 50/7 in eight overs.

Maxwell came into the attack in the 10th over and got rid of RR’s only hope Hetmyer and the host were struggling on 59/8 halfway through the chase.

Karn Sharma’s double strikes in the 11th over put

the last nail in the coffin and restricted the host to 59. He first cleaned up Adam Zampa on a googly. A delivery later he dismissed K.M. Asif and RCB secured a massive 112-run win.

Earlier, opting to bat first, RCB had a modest start as RR bowlers kept the opening duo, skipper du Plessis and Kohli, at bay with their superb bowling -just four boundaries coming in the first six overs and the visitors were 42 for no loss at the end of the Power-play.

In the over after the Power-play, K.M. Asif provided a crucial breakthrough as Kohli completely failed to pick up his knuckleball and holed out for 18. But RCB continued to prosper as Glenn Maxwell upped the ante a bit with his big hits while du Plessis just kept the scoreboard ticking. RCB were 78/1 in 10 overs.

Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 171/5 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 55, Glenn Maxwell 54, Anuj Rawat 29 not out; Adam Zampa 2-25, KM Asif 2-42) beat Rajasthan Royals 59 all out in 10.3 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 35; Wayne Parnell 3-10, Michael Bracewell 2-16) by 112 runs

EPL: Arsenal title hopes crushed after defeat by Brighton

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist.

Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat rued that not a single ruling party’s parliamentarian had met the wrestlers “to extend support in our fight for the dignity of women”.

She said that from Monday onwards the wrestlers will give letters by hand or via e-mail to all women parliamentarians of the ruling party to come and support them. “When they talk about the safety of women in the country, then we too are their daughters and they should come out and support us,” she said.

The IOA’s threemember ad-hoc committee has made it clear that the process to elect new WFI office bearers will be completed within the 45-day time frame and that the charge will be handed back to the elected body.

“Once the elections will be held, the administrative powers will go back to the WFI. The newly elected officials will run the show. It’s just a temporary move that ad-hoc is managing the affairs of the federation,” an official told PTI.

Brighton’s Julio Enciso scores their first goal past Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale. (Reuters)

LONDON, MAY 14 (AGENCIES): The flickering embers of Arsenal’s Premier League title dream were all but extinguished as they suffered a 3-0 home drubbing by Europe-chasing Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday. With relentless Manchester City winning at Everton in the earlier kickoff to move four points clear, long-time league leaders Arsenal knew only a victory would suffice.

But they produced a laboured display against the crafty south coast club and were outplayed after the break as Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan

all scored for Roberto De Zerbi’s side who moved up to sixth place.

Arsenal’s former Brighton forward Leandro Trossard struck the crossbar in the first half, but Arsenal looked deflated after Enciso struck in the 51st minute and crestfallen when Undav lobbed over Aaron Ramsdale in the 86th minute. A fifth league defeat of the season left Arsenal on 81 points with two games remaining to City’s 85 with three left and victory for Pep Guardiola’s side next Sunday against Chelsea would wrap up City’s fifth title in six seasons. They could secure it before that though

if Arsenal lose against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Brighton have 58 points with four games still remaining.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard drilled a shot just wide and Bukayo Saka did the same in first-half stoppage time but Brighton hogged possession and were always a threat with Enciso twice having a clear sight of goal.

The home fans tried to galvanise their team but the mood fell flat six minutes after the interval as Brighton attacked down the left and after his initial cross was blocked, Estupinan lifted a ball into the area for Enciso

to head in. Arsenal never looked convincing as they tried to respond and shot themselves in the foot when Ramsdale passed the ball out to Trossard and his flick rebounded back towards goal and Undav had all the

time in the world to dink a lob into the net. With Arsenal in tatters, Estupinan then put the icing on Brighton’s cake, steering in a rebound after Ramsdale had parried Undav’s powerful shot.

Manchester City two wins away from crown after 3-0 win over Everton

Captain Ilkay Gundogan scored a brace and set up one more as Manchester City despatched relegationthreatened Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park in the Premier League fixture, here on Sunday. With this win, Pep Guardiola’s side moved four points clear of secondplaced Arsenal and a step closer to a seventh Premier League title. The three points put City in pole position to retain the league title, with two more wins from their remaining three matches set to be enough to seal the crown. After winning the league in 2020/21 and 2021/22, City needed a maximum of six points from their remaining games against Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford to become just the second club in the Premier League era to lift the trophy in three consecu-

tive campaigns. Gundogan, on his 300th City appearance, opened the scoring with a beautiful flicked finish in the 36th minute before providing for Erling Haaland to head home his 52nd goal of the season just two minutes later. He added his second and City’s third shortly after half-time with a perfectly executed free-kick.

Gundogan, who was named Player of the Match after an influential display, scored a superbly improvised first goal, with his second coming from a direct free-kick curled into the top corner. The victory extended City’s winning run in the Premier League to 11 matches and their unbeaten streak across all competitions to 22 games. The loss for Everton left them looking nervously over their shoulders with two games remaining, hovering just one point above the relegation zone.

IOA’s decision to take charge of WFI is first step in our fight for justice: wrestlers

Manini Kaushik

RCB players celebrate the wicket of Rajasthan Royals batter Shimron Hetmyer during the IPL match. (PTI)

KKR batter Rinku Singh being congratulated by team captain Nitish Rana after his half century during the IPL match. (PTI)