April 3, 2019

Nagaland Post This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00

www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 116

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019 Pages 16 ` 5.00

Massive disaster relief bill stalled in US Senate

Arsenal climb to third with win over Newcastle

Rahul challenges PM Modi to debate

international, Page 13

sports, Page 16

national, Page 7

Social media campaign for Cong manifesto dishes out slew of sops for NE victims of Kandhamal conspiracy

Rahul, Sonia and Manmohan release party’s manifesto. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, APR 2 (AGENCIES): Indian National Congress (INC) on Tuesday released its muchanticipated manifesto for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections and made a slew of promises for the North Eastern (NE) states with the most significant among them being restoring the special category status and a firm resolve to scrap the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Dedicating a whole page to the region, Congress affirmed that the NE states are a unique and valued part of India that bring into the nation many diverse and rich cultures, languages, traditions and bio-diversity.

Congress stated that the party was committed to ‘defend and protect’ the interests of the region and their people and to ensuring the rapid economic develop-

WhatsApp unveils tipline to report fake news in India

ment. Congress promises to restore Special Category status and also implement an industrial policy. It also promises to ensure that no Indian citizen is denied inclusion in the final National Register of Citizens.

INC promises to address the issue of illegal immigration through consultation with all NE states and evolve a consensus on the legislative measures that will secure the identity of indigenous communities. The party also assures to engage the neighbouring countries, Bangladesh and Myanmar, to address and resolve the issue of illegal immigration.

The Congress also promises to strengthen security of the borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar and China, resolve any border issues through dialogue with the neighbouring coun-

NPP moves SC over NLA Speaker’s order

DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): National Peoples’ Party (NPP) has challenged the order of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker before the Supreme Court for approving the merger of two of its legislators with Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

In this regard, NPP has filed a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court (no. 12164-2019) on April 2.

The two NPP legislators- Imnatiba Jamir and L. Khumo Khiamniungan had merged with NDPP on March 20.

According to NPP, the order of speaker on March 20 was in gross violation of paragraph 4 of 10th Schedule of the constitution. The party pointed out that the speaker’s order was DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): also in gross violation of Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address the party’s election rally at DDSC stadium, Dimapur from 10 a.m. onwards, said NPCC sources. Rahul will arrive Staff Reporter Dimapur the same morning and after the meeting, will DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): fly to Assam, where he is Even after 55 years of Stateto address public meetings hood, Nagaland’s oldest disat Bokakhat Sports Com- trict Tuensang did not have plex Ground, Golaghat dis- an intensive care unit (ICU). trict and Govt. H.S. School Add to it, the perennial Ground, North Lakhimpur. pathetic condition of roads, lives of patients requiring intensive care and urgent medical attention hung by a thread. The other option was use of helicopters, which again is not affordable for common public. This lack of basic medical facility has led to loss of many lives over the years.

But on Tuesday, all that changed for good as Tuensang finally realised its long cherished dream of having an ICU, which came as a huge relief as patients can now receive intensive care without having to travel “Please leave me alone. beyond the district. The ICU I’m the ultimate victim of was made possible largely all the false promises of due to the collaborative efpoliticians.” forts of Tuensang Chamber NEW DELHI, APR 2 (IANS): WhatsApp on Tuesday launched a service in India where over 200 million users in the country can tip off fake news, misinformation and rumours related to elections.

Launched by PROTO, a media skilling start-up, the tipline will help create a database of rumours to study misinformation during elections for Checkpoint -- a research project commissioned by WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned company said in a statement.

People in India can submit misinformation or rumours to the “Checkpoint Tipline on WhatsApp” at +91-9643-000-888.

Rahul to address rally in Dmu today

tries and make the borders ‘borders of prosperity and growth;’ and also assured to resolve the pending inter-state issues, including boundary issues, through dialogue or mediation.

Congress in its manifesto also underscored the importance of border trade to the economy of the region like regular export and import trade to create economic opportunities, including more jobs. Congress also assures to strengthen the North Eastern Council and take steps to expand and reinforce the original mandate of the Council.

Congress also promises to substantially increase the budget outlays for infrastructure and social sector development, especially for railways, roads, communication, connectivity and tourism. INC also promises to leverage the rich bio-diversity and natural resources of the region to generate livelihood opportunities in sustainable agriculture, horticulture and organic farming.

Congress while acknowledging the importance of Autonomous District Councils, promises to enhance financial assistance to these Councils.

principle of natural justice as no notice was served to it before prior to passing of the order.

Further, there was no merger of original political party (NPP) with NDPP, the petition added.

In a release, NPP explained that it had approached the apex court directly as it believed that violation of paragraph 4 of the 10th Schedule of the constitution by the speaker and also by the two legislators elected on its symbol should be heard and decided expeditiously.

Besides going against the provisions of 10th Schedule, the party also accused the speaker of acting in a partisan and unfair manner, contrary to the provisions of the constitution.

The petition is likely to be heard at an early date, the release added.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CONG MANIFESTO

National security: “Will ensure defence spending is increased to meet requirements of the Armed Forces; evolve suitable policies to address data security, cyber security, financial security, communication security; rapidly expand domestic capacity to manufacture defence and security equipment.

Employment: “All of the 4 lakh vacancies as on 1 April 2019 in the Central government, Central Public Sector Enterprises, Judiciary and Parliament will be filled before end of March 2020.

Congress will request state governments to fill all vacancies, estimated at 20 lakh, in the 2 sectors and in local bodies.”

NYAY: “Poorest 20% of families to be guaranteed a cash transfer of Rs. 72,000 a year each; money to be transferred to the account of a woman of the family; estimated cost will be <1% of GDP in Year 1 and <2% of GDP in Year 2 and thereafter.

Taxation: “Congress promises to enact Direct Taxes Code in the first year of government; review and replace the current GST laws with the GST 2.0 regime based on a single, moderate, standard rate of tax; abolish the e-way bill.”

Electoral reforms: “Will scrap the opaque Electoral Bond Scheme that was designed to favour the ruling party; set up a National Election Fund to which any person may make a contribution; promise that 50% of EVMs will be matched against VVPATs.” Laws, rules and regulations: “Congress promises to decriminalise defamation and sedition; amend laws that allow detention without trial; pass Prevention of Torture Act; amend ASFPA; institute comprehensive prison reforms.”

Anti-corruption: “Will enforce anti-corruption laws without discrimination; will investigate several deals entered into by the BJP Government in the last 5 years and, in particular, the Rafale deal.”

Planning: “Will scrap Niti Aayog and constitute a Planning Commission with re-defined responsibilities.”

Agriculture and farm labour: “Congress promises to waive outstanding farm loans: introduce a separate ‘Kisan Budget’; re-design BJP government’s failed Fasal Bima Yojana (Crop Insurance Scheme); double the funding in 5 years for teaching, R&D, agriculture-related pure sciences and applied science and technology in the agricultural sector; restore the original Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and the Forest Rights Act.” Rural development: “Congress promises to launch MGNREGA 3.0, which will increase the guaranteed days of employment up to 150 days; connect all villages and habitations with a population of 250 with a road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana; pass the Right to Homestead Act to provide a homestead for every household that does not own a home or own land.”

(Cont’d on p-11)

Rajasthan Gov’s remarks violative of poll code: ECI NEW DELHI, APR 2 (AGENCIES): Election Commission of India on Tuesday dashed a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind regarding Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh’s alleged remarks supporting the return of Narendra Modi as prime minister in 2019, saying it was a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Addressing the BJP workers at his Aligarh residence on March 23, Singh had reportedly said, “All of us are BJP workers and we want the party to win. We want Modi Ji to become the prime minister”.

“Election Commission has written to the President against Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh for violation of model code of conduct,” ANI reported.

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, APR2 (NPN): A 17-minute video titled “Innocents Imprisoned”, which purported to expose the alleged fraud behind the orchestrated attacks on Christians in Kandhamal jungles of Odisha in 2008, was shown to media persons and others at Press Point, Supermarket here Tuesday.

The video, produced by journalist author Anto Akkara, who authored a nationally acclaimed book titled “Who Killed Swami Laxmananda?”, is part of a Social Media campaign for truth and justice for Kandhamal victims where seven innocent Christians including a mentally challenged illiterate who continue to languish in jail for over 10 years due to a travesty of justice.

Anto said the documentary “is a unique social media campaign to prick the conscience of the nation to the travesty of justice in Kandhamal.” It was first shown in New Delhi in August 2018 to mark 10th anniversary of the Kandhamal plot. Anto blamed what he termed as Hindu nationalist

Gornath Chalanseth

Bhaskar Sunamajhi

Munda Badmaji

Bijay Kumar Sanseth

fraud that was responsible for the killing of 81-year old Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on Janmashtami night of August 23, 2008. He said the conspiracy to frame the innocent Christians was confirmed by videos, graphics and documents.

According to Anto, the conspiracy was hatched by the Sangh Parivar to kill the Swami and then blame Christians for it. He said as part of the plot, the body of the Swami was taken in procession across the district where communal passions got inflamed to incite illiterate Hindus to take revenge on Christians.

He said Christians were

Sanatan Badamajhi,

Budhadeb Nayak

Durjo Sunamajhi

given ultimatum to forsake their faith and those who refused, were burnt alive and chopped into pieces. In unabated violence that gripped Kandhamal for weeks, he said nearly 100 Christians were killed, 300 churches and 6,000 Christian houses were plundered and torched rendering 56,000 homeless.

“The conspiracy was sprouted by Swami Laxmanananda’s boastful claim that Europe, US, Pope and Sonia Gandhi wanted to eliminate him. Armed with Swami’s allegation, top Sangh Parivar leadership hatched the Kandhamal conspiracy,” said Akkara.

(Cont’d on p-11)

Hailstorm lash Peren; lightning kills woman

(L) A man holds golf ball size hailstones. (R) Rear windscreen of a car smashed by hailstones. (Social media)

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): An elderly woman in her late 60s was killed after she was struck by lightning at around 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Ndunglwa village, 12 km away from Peren Town.

The incident occurred when the deceased woman identified as Reminzeule, and her daughter were on

their way home from field after a day’s work. A strong lightning suddenly struck an Oak tree just beside them and knocked them down.

Speaking to Nagaland Post over phone, Ndunglwa village council chairman, Zierangbe Ikie, said that the duo were knocked down by a lightning strike rendering them unconscious. Fortunately, the

daughter was unhurt and gained consciousness after some minutes. Thereafter, she made a phone call to her brother and informed about the incident. Volunteers from the village then rushed to the spot and brought the body to the village.

The lightning that claimed the life of a woman occurred prior to the heavy downpour and hailstorm

that hit most parts of Peren district.

On the same day at around 2:30 p.m., parts of Peren district especially Jalukie valley was hit by heavy rain and hailstorm resulting in destruction of many properties. The hailstorm destroyed CGI roofs of various houses, cars and other properties besides vegetable and plantation crops in the area.

Tuensang district hospital gets state-of-art ICU LS polls, a fight for Naga identity: NBCC

This is it!

K Y M C

Newly inaugurated ICU at District Hospital Tuensang.

of Commerce and Industries (TCCI), Assam Rifles and donors and well wishers all of whom generously contributed to the initiative.

The state-of-art fourbedded ICU unit at the district hospital was inaugurated by IGAR (North) Maj. Gen. P.C. Nair in the presence of Health and Family Welfare officials and other AR officials.

The newly-constructed ICU unit is equipped with reverse osmosis (RO) water dispenser, a cabin with

four height adjustable beds, utility rooms, an ECG machine, four infusion pumps, four suction apparatus, four patient monitor units, defibrillator, ventilator, oxygen generator with nebuliser and a two-ton AC unit. This is also only the second ICU unit in the State to have a ventilator after the ICU unit at Naga Hospital, Kohima.

The idea of building an ICU unit to save lives came about last year at a brainstorming session organised by TCCI during

which it emerged that it was possible to set it up through donations despite limited resources, if people pooled in money and resources.

“Tuensang is the oldest district in Nagaland and yet we do not have good medical facilities. We have waited for over 50 years. We felt there is an urgent need for an ICU,” TCCI president L Dorothy Sangtam said.

Dorothy told Nagaland Post that TCCI first approached AR for help, who readily agreed to provide all equipments needed on the condition that the trade body construct the building along with the requisite infrastructure. After having got the assurance of assistance from the paramilitary force, she said TCCI approached the district medical authority and sought allotment of land for the ICU unit, to which the authority obliged and allotted a plot of land for the pur(Cont’d on p-11) pose.

Correspondent KOHIMA, APR 2 (NPN): Clean Election Campaign (CEC) of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has asserted that the ensuing Lok Sabha elections would be a tough fight-- a fight for Naga identity and not just position.

CEC-NBCC convener Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger underscored this in his keynote address during the prayer and consultation meeting for the 17th Lok Sabha election with candidates and political parties at NBCC Platinum Hall Bayavu here Tuesday, jointly organized by CEC-NBCC and Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF).

CEC-NBCC convener lamented that though Nagaland was a Christian majority state, the state was tagged as one of the most corrupted states in the country, which he described

as “very shameful.” Stating that NBCC and NJCF were focussed on honesty and clean election, Rev. Atsongchanger said that it was the moral responsibility of the churches to conduct the event and appeal to the political parties and the candidates to join the movement and adopt the principles of Clean Election.

In his brief address, NJCF president and NBCC general secretary, Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho also lamented that Naga professed to be a Christian, but when a call has been made for a prayer, none responded.

He said the church leaders were deeply concerned because bad politics has entered into the state.

He said the politicians alone cannot be blamed, but each and every individual were responsible.

Rev. Zelhou Keyho said the church would not give up and put God’s factor

in the political system so it could make differences.

A representative from NCRC said the church leaders receive many criticisms on the clean election movement, but would continue the movement and would give their best to maintain the best discipline.

Independent Candidate for 1-Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency 2019 Election, Dr. M.M Thromwa Konyak, in his brief address said he was committed to sacrifice in all sectors. He also assured to check any threat against Naga identity and to resolve issues through peaceful means. Dr. Thromwa also sought the support and prayer of the people.

Regrettably none of the major political parties attended the consultation cum prayer meeting.

The programme was chaired by CEC-NBCC coconvener Rev. Vikuo Rhi. K Y M C

state

2

NEISSR observes â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;World Autism Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Resource person addressing the students on Tuesday.

DIMAPUR: North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) observed World Autism Day at NEISSR Conference Hall on Tuesday.

A press release by NEISSR stated that internationally acclaimed journalist, Anto Akkara, addressed the students as special guest in a programme organised by youth development specialization students.

In his address, Akkara, stated that positive attitude can change life and that a strong determination would define a person. He narrated the real life story of a boy from Assam, whose arms were amputated but whose attitude towards life was positive and beautiful. He also narrated the life story of a girl who was born without arms but possesses excellent computer skills of

designing.

Akkara said there should not be any excuses in life not to make it happen and give up. He then encouraged the students to pursue truth as it has the power to liberate.

At the programme, Ghupito from semester IV spoke on the concept and history of autism and also gave a video presentation on autism. The programme concluded with a prayer.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Yimchungru region NNC (Parent Body) clarifies

DIMAPUR: Yimchungru Regional Council (YRC) and Yimchungru Women Federation president (YWF) of the NNC (Parent Body) has clarified that the council was not under z. Royim Yimchungru, stating that the latter had compromised Naga political rights.

In a joint statement, YRC president Ahoshe Yimchungru, Yimchungru Women Federation presiden Majila Yimchungru and YRC midan peyu Sheto Yimchungru also clarified that Z. Royim â&#x20AC;&#x153;cannot terminate vice president Zhiongba Yimchungru,â&#x20AC;? who it claimed was, elected by the NNC general meeting. While condemning the statements in the media, YRC said the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yimchungru region will never support Article 371 (A) for Naga political solution after many years of suffering and sacrificial deeds for Naga freedom.â&#x20AC;?

Pointing out that Z. Royim is a GB and VDB member under Sangphur Village Council, the bodies

therefore asked Royim to not involve in Naga politics anymore.

The signatories said Royim was only the acting president and not the actual president.

Therefore, they said claiming to be president without any election was shameful and null and void. In this regard, they asked Royim not confuse the Naga people anymore.

Yimchungru Regional Counci said it will always support the elected NNC leaders-- Yilow Humtsoe (acting president), Zhiongba Yimchungru (vice president) and V. Nagi (general secretary).

The members said that the region will stand behind them since they were duly elected for their integrity in Naga freedom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Region will fully support and stand on the resolutions passed in the general meeting (March 7, 2019) for the Naga political rights for freedom,â&#x20AC;? they added.

Bike rally reaches Kiphire town

Assam Rifles flagging in the bike rally at Kiphire town.

DIMAPUR: The bike rally, which was flagged off from Tsiesema Basa on March 30, to commemorate the platinum jubilee of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Battle of Kohimaâ&#x20AC;?, reached Kiphire town after a halt at Jessami on March 31.

According to PRO HQ IGAR (N), the bikers traversed a distance of 130 km in nine hours through the adventurous and historic route of World War II, passing through significant villages of Melluri, Akhegwo and

Longmatre. A flagged in programme was organised at DC ground, Kiphire that featured some amazing numbers from local youth. The bikers will complete the last leg of the historic bike rally at Jotsoma on April 4.

NPF losing political ideology: Kronu Meluri, Apr 2 (NPN): Minister of planning and coordination and land revenue, Neiba Kronu on Tuesday attacked opposition NPF claiming that party is losing its political ideology due to its wrong policy and internal crisis.

In this regard, Kronu wondered how the NPF will face the public in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election when it had not fielded a party candidate by extending its support to Congress.

Kronu, who addressed PDA election rally at Meluri, further called upon the supporters not to believe in the

propaganda and rumour doing the round and exercise their vote wisely in favour of NDPP candidate Tokheho Yepthomi in the Lok Sabha polls.

He also called upon the people to stay connected with the present PDA government for all round development.

NDPP general secretary Neikhrolo Khalo, JD (U) Nagaland organising Secretary H. Mukam, NDPP women wing vice president Abeu Mero, NDPP ex candidate Nyusietho, ex MLAs Chiekhwutso and Khuosatho also addressed the rally.

Later, the minister along with election committee officials also addressed election rally at Razeba and Pfutsero.

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A condolence message from VKRSU tribunal, Toino K. Wokha described late Kheshepu as a true icon of peace, progress and prosperity to the area and its people.

VK Range Students Union believed that his spirit of vigour and integrity will be imbibed by the young generation. The union further conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members.

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nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Will Modi’s strategy to win the Lok Sabha polls succeed?

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

A B C

Phoms celebrate Monyiu festival Motorcycle rally on clean election

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

15% 79% 6%

Next poll

Q: Is there a Modi wave or

anti-Modi wave in the country today?  Modi wave.  Anti-Modi wave.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST April 3

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A p.m. thunderstorm in spots 32 21 Aizawl

A strong afternoon t-storm

27 14

Guwahati Hazy sun

29 18

Hazy sun

27 14

Imphal

Itanagar A morning shower; hazy sun

24 15

Shillong A p.m. thunderstorm in spots 19 10 Kohima

A thunderstorm in the area

Dimapur Hazy sun Mkg

21 11 28 16

A morning t-storm; some sun

23 12

Tuensang An a.m. t-storm; partly sunny 15 8 Wokha

Cooler

21 13

Zunheboto An a.m. t-storm; partly sunny 20 9

Cultural troupe presenting folk dance on the occasion of Monyiu celebration at Pongo village on Tuesday. (NP)

Correspondent Longleng, Apr 2 (NPN): The 17th edition of Phom Monyiu festival jointly organized by Nagaland state tourism department and Pongo Village Council was celebrated with much pomp and gaiety at Tourism village Pongo, Longleng on Tuesday. Executive engineer PHED, Longleng, Er. Imnazulu Ao graced the celebration as special guest.

Extending greetings to the Phom community, the special guest said, Nagas celebrate their respective festivals throughout the year in their own unique culture and traditions by

invoking God’s blessings for the year ahead.

He also empathized on the rich culture and traditions of the Nagas, and reminded the gathering that preservation of the rich culture and traditions should be regarded as important, so that the unique identity is not lost due to modernization.

He said festival was a time to rejoice, reconcile, forgive and forget the past misdeeds and set new approach to move forward in every field. He therefore, called upon the people to maintain peace and unity, adding that peaceful coexistence was the first and foremost thing towards

Medical screening in Phek

Medical personnel screening school children during the RBSK and CMO monthly screening.

DIMAPUR: A Phek Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) team under the office of chief medical officer (CMO) Phek visited 20 schools and 21 anganwadi centres during the month of March 2019 as part of their monthly screening for people in the age group of 0-18 years.

A press release from CMO office, district media officer Phek stated that a total of 884 students were

screened in schools for 4Dsdefects at birth, deficiencies, diseases and development delays. 157 students were found to be suffering from dental caries (tooth decay), 42 from substance abuse (tobacco), eight with vision impairment, two with hearing impairment, one with cognitive delay and nine other adolescent health concerns.

Altogether 61 students were referred to CHCs, 14 students to Adolescent Friendly

Health Clinic (AFHC) and three students to District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC).

In the anganwadi centers, a total of 700 children were screened, out of whom, two had skin diseases and one had a heart disease.

Apart from the screening, health talks on tobacco and its effects, personal hygiene, awareness on oral health and its maintenance were given for the school children.

the celebration of any festivals.

Speaking on the significance of Phom Monyiu festival, P. Khangyong G B said, the festival is celebrated in the first week of April every year with much pomp and gaiety in every Phom villages.

He said, it was observed after sowing seeds in the fields and spread for six days starting from April 1.

However, with the advent of Christianity, followed by the mass conversion to Christianity; for some time, the Phom did not give much importance to traditional festival.

But, with the dawn

of new understanding that Christianity can also be adapted to the Phom culture and that traditional values can also be incorporated in the process of modernization, Phom youngsters are making strong effort to rediscover and preserve the rich heritage. Students’ unions of every Phom village are playing commendable role in this direction.

The highlights of the celebration included Bu ow Kesho (folk dance) by village guard Pongo village, Vonglukuongpu (bamboo pole climbing) competition, Aw shumanlung (indigenous fire making), Vu Shupu (tug of war) between Church leaders and Pongo village council and Denjakesho (modern song) by Pongo Baptist youth.

Apart from delegates from neighbouring villages, special invitees from Ao and Konyak communities also attended the day-long celebration.

Earlier, the programme began with an invocation prayer by L. T. Monglong Phom pastor Pongo Baptist Church, welcome address was delivered by Bunga Phom, Monyiu chairman and vote of thanks by K. Chungba Phom, chairman Pongo village council.

The programme ended with a benediction by Kaito, associate pastor PBC.

Anoop Khinchi flagging off the rally at DC Complex in Kohima on Tuesday. (NP)

Correspondent Kohima, Apr 2 (NPN): Kohima district administration in association with Nagaland Motorcycle Club organised a motorcycle rally under the theme ‘Be the one, Yes to Clean Elections’ under Kohima district SVEEP campaign, on Tuesday.

The rally was flagged off by DC and DEO Kohima, Anoop Khinchi at his DC office complex.

Before flagging off the rally, DC said that the rally was organized as part of the district SVEEP campaign to create awareness on clean election. He therefore, called upon the riders

to propagate the message to the general public “to vote right, in order to have their future bright”. He hoped that through their participation, the message on clean election will reach to the general public.

Around 30 bikers participated in the rally with marshal Daniel Metha leading the bikers and Medo Makrietsu at the end.

The rally covered the whole area of the town with a short stoppage at the following locations: Old MLA Hotel junction, Keziekie, High School junction, Secretariat, Don Bosco junction, PHQ, Lerie and culminated at

the box cutting area.

Under SVEEP campaign, series of awareness programmes on the theme “No to Plastic, Yes to Clean Elections” through music, distribution of posters, social work, rally etc have been carried out in Kohima district.

Meanwhile, a similar bike rally was also organized at Tuensang under the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign on April 1.

ADC Tuensang, M. Chaitanya Prasad flagged off the rally, comprising of Nagaland Motor Cycle Club Tuensang Chapter at DC Office Complex.

Sensitization on ‘one village, one co-operative society’

Correspondent

Kohima, Apr 2 (NPN): Sensitization on the benefit of “one village, one cooperative society” under Northern Angami-11 covering 30 villages was held on Tuesday at Hotel Vivor.

The programme was organized by Assistant Registrar Co-Operative Society Kohima in collaboration with Norther n Angami Chukehie Society Kohima.

Addressing the gathering, deputy registrar cooperative society, Anthony Yhome, expressed hope that “one village one cooperative society” would be beneficial to the farmers.

Pointing out that many of the societies in the state were not contributing to the society, he warned that government will stop extending help to those societies.

He also said that any person can become the

A section of participants during workshop on “one village one, co-operative society” at Hotel Vivor, Kohima on Tuesday. (NP)

members of the co-operative society to start any activities like weaving society, poultry, dairy farm etc. He also asked the villagers to avail benefits offered by the cooperative society.

Assistant registrar cooperative society, Bokato Hesso in his address, said that the initiative was the first of its kind in the state

Special Expenditure Observer arrives State monitoring team Dimapur, over. stated a DIPR report.

Observing that distriAt the meeting, Goyal bution of liquor and other urged the members to be contraband items were vigilant on the inflow of common during elections, black money in the state so Goyal advised the excise as to check the influence of department to continue money during the coming to be alert on the flow of Lok Sabha Elections. such items.

Goyal also sought coThe special expendioperation from the banks ture observer also mooted and asked them to provide the idea of giving advertisedaily information to the ments and placing hoarddistrict administration on ings with regard to the any unusual transactions C-Vigil app, so that the based on real time. Besides message percolates down SBI, Goyal informed that to the public at large. cooperative banks and all He encouraged all the other private banks have to officials to cooperate with give information of their one another and give their The meeting in progress at 173 CRPF battalion conference hall on April 1. (DIPR) daily transactions to the best efforts for successful DIMAPUR: Special Ex- from all the election related election expenditure viola- district administration till conduct of the 17th Lok penditure Observer for officials and the other Ex- tions by Candidates and the election process was Sabha Elections.

Nagaland, DD Goel, for penditure Observers.

Political Parties for inducethe upcoming Lok Sabha Goel, was keen to un- ment of voters. According- CEO Nagaland review meeting with DEOs, SPs Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland and Elections, arrived in the derstand the major com- ly, he impressed upon the State on April 1. ponents of inducement of State election machinery to state police nodal officer held a detail review meetIn a press release, me- voters and reviewed the sta- enhance publicity of the c- ing with all the District Election Officers (DEOs) dia cell, CEO office Na- tus of seizures (cash, liquor Vigil App through various and Superintendents of Police (SPs) through video galand stated that Goel had etc), was briefed by the media especially the daily conferencing to review poll preparedness at the CEO Office, Kohima Tuesday. rounds of meetings with CEO, the state police nodal newspapers.

According to CEO office media cell, all SPs were CEO Nagaland, Abhijit officer and the Expenditure Earlier, on his arrival Sinha; Commissioner & Observers present. in Dimapur, the Special asked to put in more effort with regard to deposition RO Nagaland, M. Patton; In this connection, the Expenditure Observer pro- of arms and also the preventive action that needed to Expenditure Observers observer also proposed to ceeded to 173 CRPF Bat- be taken against identified intimidators.

DEOs and SPs were also asked to finalize their and others at Hotel Japfü, examine the market and talion conference Hall and Kohima to take stock of find out if there has been conducted a meeting with district deployment plan and hold security coordination the election expenditure any sudden spurt in the Deputy Commissioner meeting with all the security agencies in the district. monitoring mechanism in sale and purchase of any (DC) Dimapur, Commis- DEOs were further asked to direct all the banks to the run up to the ensuing particular item that could sioner Police Dimapur, report all the suspicious transactions without fail.

Discussion on deployment and randomization Lok Sabha elections in have a bearing on the ensu- Airport Dimapur Director, Nagaland. ing elections.

Additional Commissioner of polling personnel was carried out and districts The observer highHe also underscored Excise, CO 173 CRPF, of- were directed to make the necessary arrangement for lighted the ECI’s guidelines the importance and effec- ficials from Income Tax, covering all the shadow areas by proper communicaregarding expenditure and tiveness of the c-Vigil App banks, CISF and nodal tion system. Districts were told to ensure that all the also elicited status reports in curbing and addressing officers for expenditure and arrangements are in place at the earliest.

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

and expressed confidence that it would progress with the cooperation from the villagers.

He pointed out that cooperative society, is an autonomous association to meet the common economic, social and cultural needs through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise, by imbibing the

value of self –help, self –dependent, democracy, equality and solidarity.

He also said that cooperative society was a legal society under Nagaland cooperative societies Act 2017, whose objective was to promote the economic interest or general welfare of its members or of the public in accordance with its seven

cooperative principles.

In this regard, he said registered society can avail various schemes of the state and centre.

Assistant registrar cooperative society, Imsunungsang shared the socioeconomic, cultural benefits by forming co-operative society. He also highlighted the various activities to be carried out by the responsible department.

Earlier, the programme chaired by president of Northern Angami Chukehie Society Vibeilietuo Kets began with an invocation by Sr. Pastor Central Baptist Church, Neichalie Chadi.

Around 300 persons from 30 villages of Northern Angami areas including VCC, GBs, village leaders, youth members and others attended the programme.

Many societies formed from various villages registered on the same day.

Ex-MP highlights Aoleang festival

DIMAPUR: Former Lok Sabha MP, W. Wangyuh Konyak on Tuesday highlighted the significance of Konyak Aoleang Monyu festival, which is celebrated by the entire Konyak community in the first week of Aoleang Lee (April). He said that the festival is observed after completion of sowing of seeds in the new fields and to mark the end of the old year by welcoming New Year blessings. The festival is spread over six days, where each day has separate names and different significances.

The first day is called “Hoi Lai Yah Nyih”, which means the preparation day of Aoleang Monyu.

The second day is known as “Yin Mok Pho Nyih”, where domesticated animals were searched and roped in and tethered to a post to be killed during the Aoleang. Young boys, who have not joined headhunting, were also taken to the jungles for proxy headhunting.

The third day is called “Yin Mok Shek Nyih”, the day for killing animals.

The fourth day “Lingnyu Nyih” is considered as the greatest day amongst the six days. On this day, men and women wore beautiful ornaments and spent the whole day in community feats, amusements, dances and merrymaking.

The fifth day is called “Lingha Nyih”. It is a day of honouring each other.

The last day is called “Lingshan Nyih”, which means the final day of Aoleang Monyu. Here, the day is spent in cleaning the village and houses.

HG personnel trained for LS elections

Home Guards personnel being briefed on the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections, on March 30. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Superintendent of Police, Wokha initiated a one-day training programme for Wokha district Home Guards personnel drafted for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Election 2019 at Home Guards & Civil Defence district office on March 30.

According to a DIPR report, resource person circle inspector, DEF, Wokha, Medosa Yoho briefed the personnel on general guidelines, enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, general duties and responsibilities, “Before the Polling Day”

for Police/Home Guards personnel guidelines, do’s and don’ts and guidelines on returning from polling stations.

During the training session, an interactive and question hour was also held to clear doubts and queries about polling duty.

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northeast

4

Four parties to support Mnp Congress Inner PC. Among parties fielding their nominees, the ruling BJP has been heavily engaging electioneering of party candidates to snatch both the parliamentary seats from the Congress.

IMPHAL, Apr 2: In a boost to the Congress fighting to retain the two parliamentary seats in Manipur, four parties working under an alliance -Secular Democratic Front (SDF) - announced support to Congress candidates in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

While announcing the support, leaders of the parties vowed to root out BJP from Manipur and also to prevent BJP from coming to power at the Centre again after the ensuing elections.

The four parties were Manipur units of Janata Dal (Secular), Democratic Janata Party, Samajwadi Party and Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress.

Addressing a press conference at Imphal Congress Bhavan, JD(S) state unit president, Manihar Goshami who is also chairman of SDF said that the four parties will extend their supports to Congress candidates in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Manipur.

Besides the presidents of the four parties, MPCC president Gaikhangam, former chief minister O Ibobi

withdrawal of his nomination.

He alleged that his signature was forged in the withdrawal letter by Dolo.

In the by-election that followed on December 21, 2017, BJP candidate Waghe bagged the seat, defeating his lone rival Dolo of the Congress by a margin of 475 votes.

In 2019, the contest would be a tough one as both the candidates are equally popular among the 7,000 odd voters in the constituency, according to poll observers.

Welly, who quit the BJP to join the Congress last year, stressed on the possibility of rigging during the April 11 polls, while sitting MLA Waghe alleged that the Congress candidate has been resorting to ‘cash for vote’ tactics.

“The Congress candidate is alluring voters by paying them huge sum of money,” Waghe alleged.

We l ly d e n i e d t h e charge, saying, “He (Waghe) is from the ruling party and everything is possible in the state for the BJP, not the Congress.”

Jimmy Chiram, the superintendent of police

of Pakke- Kessang district, contended that the administration has taken adequate measures to thwart any untoward incident.

“We have deployed two companies of central armed police forces and one company of Indian Reserve Battalion, along with civil police, to ensure violencefree polling in 26 booths, five of which are critical,” Chiram added.

Deputy Commissioner T Messar said all arrangements have been made, including uploading of postal ballots on the Election Commission (EC) website.

“The nakas (check point) have been set up and patrolling intensified in all the vulnerable areas of the district. While videography will be in place to record the polling process in the critical booths, the EC has also appointed flying squad and static surveillance teams to check the flow of cash during elections,” the DC maintained.

This time, Waghe has chosen infrastructure development as his main poll plank, while Welly is attaching priority to issues of unemployment and road connectivity.

NE people’s conference in Imphal to oppose CAB

8 shops gutted in fire in Phulbari; one injured

BJP flags off mobile video vans

Manipur BJP launching mobile video van for election campaign purposes in Imphal on Tuesday. (NP)

Singh and other leaders of the state Congress attended the press conference.

The main objective of supporting the Congress candidates was to root out the BJP from the soil of Manipur as well as to prevent the saffron party from coming to power again at the Centre.

“We extend our support to Congress candidates to save democracy and India’s integrity,” Goshami declared.

He alleged that democracy and integrity of India has been put at stake since the BJP-led NDA government came to power at the Centre.

According to the SDF chairman, only the Congress can save democracy from the hands of the BJP. The voting for the two parliamentary constituencies in Manipur will take place on April 11 (for the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency) and on April 18 (for Inner Manipur PC).

Congress is fielding its nominees in both the seats which the party is occupying for the last two terms which multi-corner fight is in the offing.

A total of eight candidates are in the fray in the Outer PC while 11 in the

Three Diphu treasury staffs interrogated by police

18 nominations in third phase Assam LS polls

Correspondent

Guwahati, Apr 2 (PTI) :Altogether 18 nominations were filed for the third and final phase of polls to four Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam till Tuesday, an election office spokesperson said.

Seven candidates have filed for Dhubri, four for Kokrajhar (ST), two for Barpeta and five for Gauhati parliamentary constituencies.

In Dhubri, Shahjahan Sheikh of Voters Party of India (VPI), Surat Jaman Mondal of SUCI(C) and Mehbubar Rahman of Republican Party of India (A) filed their nominations while sitting AIUDF MP Badruddin Ajmal, AITC's Nurul Islam Choudhury and independents Asrof Ali and Selina Sultana had filed their papers earlier.

In Kokrajhar, sitting independent MP Naba Sarania, Assam's Social Welfare Minister of BPF and CPI(M)'s Biraj Deka submitted their papers while VPI's Rajesh Narzary had filed his papers earlier.

In Barpeta, TMC's Esahak Ali Dewan and SUCI's Chitralekha Das filed their papers today.

Diphu April 2: Based on public complaint and enquiry of the sitting Executive Magistrate, Norsing Bey, the Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong, Mukul Saikia sealed Diphu Treasury yesterday and also lodged a complaint against Treasury Officer Amarandra Sharma and seven other staffs of the treasury office at Diphu police station.

The accused are; Hemanjali Handique, Ujjal Kumar Tanti, Mangal Ram Deo, Abhishek Das, Lomima Rongchehonpi, Utpal Goswami, and Bimal Basumatary. According to sources, three accused have been picked up by police for interrogation till now while the others are absconding.

The Deputy Commissioner has instructed the police to book the accused under various sections of anti corruption acts. A team of Chief Minister’s vigilance department and senior police officer will interrogate the arrested persons.

In the meanwhile, rebutting claims of the accused treasury officer that insufficient fund in the coffer of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s compelled him to

stop clearing the bills of the council; Principal Secretary of KAAC Mahananda Hazurika told media that the KAAC has a clear balance of Rs. 288. 77 lakhs approximately and the authority issued Rs. 61.6 crores worth cheques for clearing and the treasury office did not issue any official objection to the Council authority in this respect till the evening of March 31. It may be mentioned here that on the closing day of the financial year, hundreds of contractors and government officials agitated against the incumbent Treasury officer Amaranda Sharma and his staffs for extorting huge sum of money for clearing bills and government cheques issued by the finance department of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. The treasury officer and his staffs stopped forwarding the government payments to the bank for payment. Forced closure of Diphu Treasury has given rise to public resentment as thousands of people have been monetarily affected due to the sudden upheaval. At the time of filing this report, the district administration has not notified any date for the reopening of Diphu treasury.

Meanwhile, state chief minister N Biren Singh today flagged off five mobile video vans which will engage in the election campaign of the party.

After flagging off the vans, Singh said that the vans will create awareness to the people about the achievements of the BJPled NDA rule at the Centre during its five years tenure as well as two years rule of BJP-led coalition government in the state.

The vehicles fitted with LCD and other electronic gazette will highlight various schemes and project undertaken into the development and in the greater interest of the state to the people, he said.

BJP national general secretary Nalin Kohli who is also election in-charge of Manipur was also present at the launch held in Imphal’s BJP office.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Apr 2: A one-day conference of the Northeast people in Imphal on Tuesday decided to form a common platform of the civil society organisations (CSOs) of the region to fight common issues including the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.

Manipur People Against Citizenship Amendment Bill (MANPAC) hosted “The North East People’s Conference 2019” held in Imphal’s City Convention Centre.

Re presentatives of CSOs from seven states of the region - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura - attended the conference that mainly discussed building a common platform of the indigenous people of the region. The delegates termed CAB as a “draconian law” which will threaten the very existence of the indigenous people of the region and alleged that India government’s move to implement the CAB was to supress the indigenous

Congress party here today.

IPFT has been demanding a separate tribal state since it came into being in 2009 by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which constitute two third of the states territory and is home to tribals, who form one third of the states population.

The party formed an alliance with the BJP before February 2018 state elections and won eight seats in the sixty member assembly.

Dominant partner BJP had won 36 seats. Youth IPFT leader and Belonia divisional head Mrinal Tripura said, “The demand for a separate tribal land in the state is an implausible dream, which cannot be implemented.

K Y M C

people of the Northeast.

While sharing their opinions during the conference, the delegates stressed the need to collectively fight issues ranging from CAB to sectarian policies and attitude shown towards the people of the region by the Central government.

Taking part in the conference, advisor of Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) Z Lohe observed that if CAB becomes into force as an Act, protective legislations like Inner Line Permit (ILP) and Article 371(A) would not be able to protect the indigenous people of the region. ILP is in force in some states of the region including Nagaland and Article 371(A) of Indian Constitution is extended in Nagaland.

Asserting that indigenous people of the region were under threat from ever increasing illegal migrants from across the international border, he said that only the outnumbering migrants from the Bangladesh was enough to swallow the indigenous people of the region. “CAB is not only

Itanagar, Apr 2 (PTI): A neck-and-neck electoral battle is on the cards in the assembly constituency of Pakke-Kesang, the newly created district in Arunachal Pradesh, where candidates of both the ruling BJP and the Congress claim to enjoy equal popularity.

BJP contestant B R Waghe and Congress nominee Atum Welly will vie for the seat, which was earlier a part of the East Kameng district.

Simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls are going to be held in the state on April 11.

The Pakke-Kesang constituency was in the news after the 2014 assembly polls, as former deputy chief minister Kameng Dolo, who won as a Congress nominee, had to give up the seat following a Gauhati High Court order that declared his election null and void.

Atum Welly, who had contested the election as a BJP nominee, filed a petition against Dolo in the high court claiming that a fraudulent move threw him out of the race as the Election Commission accepted a forged letter declaring

threatening the indigenous people of the region but also violates their constitutional rights,” he said.

MANPAC convenor, Yumnamcha Dilipkumar hoped that the conference will able to bring the indigenous people of the region to a common platform to fight common issues hurting their interests.

Centre’s attempt to convert CAB into Act despite the strong objections from across the indigenous people of the region was nothing but to supress the people of the region by imposing another draconian law, he alleged.

Unchecked influx of migrants from neighbouring countries, particularly from Bangladesh through the porous international border had already threatened the very existence of the indigenous people, he said, adding that only a collective fight of the people will able to protect rights, language and heritage of the indigenous people of the region. Convenor of North East Peoples’ Parliament (NIPP) Bikram Hanse alleged that the In-

DIMAPUR, NAGALAND

INFORMATION

This is to inform all the registered members of Landowners Pattadars forum (army occupied) who have not yet submitted, to submit necessary land documents for submission to DC's Office on or before 10th April 2019 to Dr. LA Kikon, Khushiabill, Dimapur, Contact : No. 9436004911, 7005053101 and Vizolie Mepfuo, Tin Pati, Kohima Contact No. 8974452812.

K. Thong Gen. Secretary Mob No. 9612169565 DP-2448

PITHITSA

Sümi Alokümussü muqqo no sümi kikimiye le kukuxu küpüghü shi akeu kikithi.

Akimiji :- kikimiye le Püxü kitheni.

DECLARATION

A-a :- Zunheboto

I, Ipeurai, S/o Peheihingbe, a resident of Nkwareu village, do hereby tender my sincere apology to the Nring Khel of Old Jalukie village for tampering the personal document of Shri. Iketetlung.

I also declare that I shall not commit such offense in future and any recurrent thereof I may be dealt with as per the customary law of the land owner.

IPEURAI Nkwareu Village

DP-2542

OFFICE OF THE

MEDZIPHEMA TOWN SUMI STUDENTS' UNION MEDZIPHEMA TOWN-797106, DIMAPUR Affiliated to Sakipheto Range Students, Union

FELICITATION

We the MTSSU would like to express our heartiest congratulations to Er. G. Jekuto Sema on being promoted to Executive Engineer, Department of Road and Bridges, Government of Nagaland and Mr. Nighato Rochill for being appointed as Supervisor in Department of Industries and Commerce, Govt of Nagaland.

May the Almighty God bless abundantly in their future endeavours.

Bento Chishi Tonato Rochill President, MTSSU General Secretary, MTSSU

DP-2545

Helo Yimjungnok, Wishing you Happy birthday.

Many many happy returns of the day .

From, Anoker, Züintu & Odiben

GUWAHATI, APR 2 (AGENCIES): The Assam Police is in constant touch with its counterparts in neighbouring states of the Northeast to stop infiltration of any militants into the State in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a press meet here today, Director General of Assam Police Kuladhar Saikia said that all the neighbouring states have been requested to increase security in the inter-state routes.

“Since the last few days, we have built upa strong coordination with police depar tments of the northeastern states. I requested them to carry out strict checking in both train and othervehicles, so that members of any radical force or militant outfit cannot enter Assam.

We are also ready to carry out joint operation, if needed,” Saikia said.

The DGP said that 30 additional companies of paramilitary forces have been brought to Assam to strengthen the security arrangements during election time.

OFFICE OF THE LANDOWNERS PATTADARS

400 IPFT supporters, activists to join Congress in Tripura Ag a rtala , A p r 2 (PTI): In a blow to Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) ahead of the general election, 400 hundred supporters and activists of the ruling alliance junior partner led by its senior vicechairperson Kritimohan Tripura joined opposition Congress on Tuesday. The defectors also opposed the tribal party’s demand for a separate state.

“The people of the state are confused with the demand for Tipraland and our leaders had cheated us.

Now we understand that this demand is not practical.

So we have decided to join Congress as it has assured us of development of the indigenous people”, Tripura told reporters after joining

BJP, Cong locked in tight battle in Arunachal assembly seat

Akikithi Müqqo Sümi Alokümüssü Müqqo

TURA, APR 02 (AGENCIES): In yet another fire incident in Meghalaya, 8 shops were reduced to ashes when a fire broke out in one of the shops in Shyamding locality of Phulbari in West Garo Hills on Tuesday morning at around 4 am.

Around 8 shops including a vehicle repair shop were gutted due to close proximity, one LPG cylinder blasted due to fire, which caused a minor injury to one civilian who’s already discharged after first aid.

Officials reported that the cause of fire was short circuit; foul play has been ruled out. “All necessary formalities observed; Overall situation normal under control and close watch,” said the officials.

It was informed that the MLA of Phulbari, S G Esmatur Mominin paid a visit while promising some financial help to the affected households.

AFFIDAVIT

I, Shri. Pongo T Konyak Alias Nokphong Konyak, S/o, Shri Tonhrei Konyak Alias C. Nokpang Konyak, R/o Chi Village, Dist - Mon, Nagaland, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under : 1. That I am a citizen of India and a resident of the above mentioned address.

2. That in my Appointment Order Memo No. MON/DP/RO-36/2018-19/ 1048, Dated 22nd June 2018, my name has been mistakenly/wrongly entered as Shri.

Nokphong Konyak and my father name as C. Nokpang Konyak and in some documents my name has been mentioned as Pango T Konyak. But my correct and actual name is Pango T Konyak and my father's actual and correct name is Tonhrei Konyak.

3. That my friends and family members known to me by both the names i.e Pongo T Konyak and Nokphong Konyak and my father as Shri Tonhrei Konyak and C. Nokpang Konyak.

4. That my names i.e Pongo T Konyak and Nokphong Konyak are one and the same person.

5. That hence forth I shall be known by the name Pongo T Konyak and my father's name as Shri Tonhrei Konyak and my address as Chi Village Dist - Mon Nagaland for all official and other purposes.

6. That the content of this affidavit are true to my personal knowledge and no part of this affidavit is false and nothing material has been concealed therein.

DEPONENT Solemnly affirm before me on this 25th day of March 2019.

Notary Public Kimongthung Lotha Regd. No. 65/2019 Advocate & Notary Public Date : 25/3/2019 Nagaland

Atsala :- Ghileqhi 8-2019

Asaxü Atüghiu - 50000/Akiniu - 30000/Aküthü - 20000/1. Thililephe (Solo) ngo Mikinilephe (Duet) ani.

2. Ale ye soundtrack/ Akighilebo (Guitar) lono phelu nani.

3. Ale kiphemi kümtsü ale kini pheni. (a) Acheghikeu (original). (b) Iqqikeu (compose).

4. Ale kiphemi qqo ye Aje küsü meh (registration) lumo nani.

5. Ale kiphemi kümtsü Amuthaqhi 5th 2019 zuwuno piputove tsupeni eno tipau gholono alekiphetsa (Lyrics) ghi tsütsü peni ke pithi ani.

6. Akukuxu lo tokulumi qqo le recording shino Cassette mülapheni.

7. Kütüghü kütsümi :(i) Kakügha S. Rotokha - 8837237412 (ii) Tavinto Chishi - 8119015498 (iii) Abel Chophy - 7005661003 (iv) Amento Achumi - 7005163989 DP-2503

dia government has been enforcing various draconian laws in the region allegedly to supress the indigenous people and CAB was one of them which Centre has added above the existing draconian laws.

“To fight against the draconian laws, most importantly CAB, there is the need for a strong common platform of the indigenous people of the region,” he said. He added, “It (CAB) is a draconian for all of us.

Let us come together to fight against it and to protect the indigenous people and out integrity.”

He further called the youths of the region to come together to a common platform to save themselves and their future from ever increasing pressure on them, threatening their survival.

The conference was part of the MANPAC’s campaign to prevent CAB becoming a law which the body formed in the wake of recent Central government’s attempt to pass the CAB had spearheaded people’s movement against the controversial bill.

DP-2538

Correspondent

Assam Police in touch with NE counterparts

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT 12th NAP BN (INDIA RESERVE)

CHINGTOK : LONGLENG NO.12BN(IR)/RO-10/2019-20/ Dt. Chingtok, the th April’ 2019.

To

SHOW CAUSE NOTICE

Regt/ No. 12808 C/N B. PONGCHEI Son of BAMSHING PHOM Village – ORANGKONG PO – LONGLENG PS – LONGLENG Dist –LONGLENG, NAGALAND. Whereas, you have been found absent from bonafide Govt. duty with effect from 22-03-2019 without any leave or permission from the competent authority till date. And whereas, Calling Notices was issued and served to you through concern P.S vide order No.12BN(IR)/RO-10/201819/1481 Dt. 25/03/2019.

The said Regt. No 12808 C/N B.PONGCHEI is hereby directed to report to the undersigned within 7 (seven) days from the date of publication of this notice failing which he will be declared as deserter without further notice.

Commandant, 12th NAP Bn (India Reserve) Chingtok, Longleng.

DC-482 K Y M C

Former RBI official joins Congress in Meghalaya Tura, Apr 2 (NPN): Opposition Congress on Tuesday got a shot in the arm after former Chief General Manager of Reserve Bank of India, Beryl B Sangma joined the party in support of former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who is contesting from Tura parliamentary seat.

“Having been a senior executive of RBI, I have seen the destructive damages done by the economic and fiscal policies of the BJP and NPP governments and now I am giving awareness to the people their fallacies and hollow election promises,’ Beryl said Disclosing that various political parties had approached him to join

Beryl B Sangma

them, he said, “I decided to join the Congress and support Mukul Sangma after conducting his own studies that this is the only political party which is actually working for the development of Garo Hills and Meghalaya as a whole.”

Meghalaya has two parliamentary constituencies — Shillong and Tura — that will go to polls on April 11.

Drive to raise voter awareness in Assam G u wahati , A p r 2 (PTI): The students of IITGuwahati have launched a campaign to generate awareness on the voting rights of people, which, they insisted, was necessary to “strengthen democracy and build a healthier nation”.

The campaign - ‘Wake Up and Vote’ - is a part of the institute’s annual techno-management festival ‘Techniche’, a press release said here on Monday.

The Techniche team, in collaboration with the election office in Assam, aims to mobilize electorates by enlightening them about the importance of exercising franchise in the upcoming the general election.

Polling for the 14 Lok Sabha in Assam will be held in three phases - on April 11, 18 and 23.

In the last three months, the team has released multiple campaign videos, photos and blogs online to encourage people to come out and vote, the release said, adding that the students have also managed to rope in celebri-

ties to support the cause.

‘Wake Up and Vote’, now in its final phase, is organising street plays, holding signature and selfie campaigns in the urban areas to reach out to people, it said.

“Techniche has taken up this cause multiple times in the past. The 2014 general elections and the 2016 Assam state elections witnessed an enthralling campaign by the students, significantly impacting turnouts at the polling booths.

“This year, we planned to raise the bar only further with renewed vigour and sincere efforts,” Techniche convener Suraj Shelke said.

The campaign is aimed at “apprising people of the fact that voting builds a healthier nation and strengthens democracy”, Shelke said.

“We persist in our continued belief that the triumph of a democracy is in the number of people who are willing to be a part of it,” he added.

DEO to probe assault by BJP candidate in Arunachal

ITANAGAR, APR 2 (PTI): The District Electoral Office (DEO) of Kurung Kumey district in Arunachal Pradesh has ordered an inquiry against a BJP candidate and his supporters for allegedly assaulting a magistrate on duty.

Santosh Kumar Rai, in a notification issued on Saturday, ordered a magisterial inquiry into the “physical assault” of Jill Gyamar, who was on election duty near Leel village under Sangram circle of the district.The order has been issued against BJP candidate Lokam Tassar, his personal security officer and other supporters, who had allegedly attacked the magistrate on March 24 in presence of the circle officer and the district magistrate, officials said.The probe shall be conducted by Sangram SDO Otem Jamoh and submitted to the DEO by April 2, the order said.

Mukul, who is currently the Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Assembly, is pitted against former union minister Agatha Sangma of the National People’s Party and Bharatiya Janata Party’s Rikman G Momin.

Beryl credited the former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for restoring peace in the five districts of Garo Hills which was once hit by militancy.

“He (Mukul) has done so much for the State including setting up new districts, civil sub divisions, police stations, opened so many schools, technical institutes, colleges, institutes of higher learning, hospitals, built good roads and bridges and improved communication,” the former RBI official said.

5

AFSPA’s ‘disturbed area’ tag extended for 3 Arunachal dists

New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI): The Centre on Monday extended the “disturbed area” tag under AFSPA for three districts of Arunachal Pradesh for six months more while withdrawing it partly from the state’s three other districts bordering Assam.

According to a Union Home Ministry notification, the decision was taken after considering the present law and order situation in the six districts of the state.

As per the notification, the three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, which will continue to be designated as disturbed areas under AFSPA are Tirap, Changlang and Longding. The designation, which allows imposition of AFSPA, will also continue for the four police stations areas of the state’s three other districts bordering Assam.

They include Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district, Roing in Lower Dibang Valley

district and Sunpura in Lohit district. A home ministry official said the “disturbed area” tag was withdrawn from the four police station areas of the Arunchal’s districts on Assam border, due to the improvement of law and order situation there.

The notification said the Union Home Ministry took the decision exercising its powers conferred under section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. A review of the law and order situation in Arunachal’s six districts was undertaken before the March 31 deadline for the validity of the “disturbed area” designation under the AFSPA. The AFSPA is imposed in areas where armed forces are required to operate in aid to civil authorities. For AFSPA to become valid, an area, however, needs to be declared disturbed either by the Central or the state government under the section 3 of the 1958 Act.

Mizoram CEO urges civil societies to reconsider poll boycott call

Aizawl, Apr 2 (PTI): Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer Ashish Kundra Tuesday appealed to a conglomerate of civil societies and student bodies to reconsider its decision to boycott the April 11 Lok Sabha elections in the state and observe indefinite bandh from April 8.

The NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) Monday said it would boycott polls to the lone Mizoram Parliamentary seat if special polling booths are established in the state for Bru refugees staying in neighbouring Tripura.

The Election Commission is setting up 15 exclusive polling booths in the Mizoram-Tripura border Kanhmun village for 12,081 Bru refugees, who are voters of Mizoram and now housed in six camps in Tripura.

The step had been taken in the November 2018 state assembly polls too. Kundra

ZCOs urge Zeliangrongs to vote wisely

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Apr 2: Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs) on Tuesday appealed to Zeliangrong voters to exercise their franchise free and fair without acceding to any kinds of pressure from any quarter.

A statement of ZCOs – comprising Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Student’s Union - Zeliangrong electorates whose name are enrolled in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency must exercise their rights in a free and fair without acceding to any kinds of pressure from any quarter in the upcoming 17th Lok Sabha elections.

The Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency will go to poll on April 11. Eight candidates are in the fray in this ST reserved constituency.

“The electorates should not get confuse that the most powerful weapon given by India (Bharat) which is recognized as the biggest democratic country in the world to its citizen is to exercise their democratic right to choose a right candidate as their representative by way of voting. Therefore, the electorate should not allow any force to interfere or influence or dictate upon you

while taking decision and exercising your democratic right in choosing your own choice of candidate to represent you for five years,” the ZCOs said in the statement.

The statement alleged that there were reports that “functionaries/cadres belonging to NSCN (IM)” are strongly campaigning for NPF candidate by holding meetings in some villages although those meetings were learnt to have been not given cooperation nor well attended by the Zeliangrong people which were the manifestation of the Zeliangrong people that the people cannot be fooled every time.”

The democratic right of the people should not be undermined or suppressed by way of force or intimidation for the people may not tolerate any longer to such intimidation, it said.

Leaving alone the people to exercise their wisdom in choosing the right choice of their candidate during election will bring more understanding and peace in the region rather than intimidation or dictating on the people by the armed outfit under the barrel of gun which is not acceptable in the civilized world, the ZCOs added.

The practice of NSCN (IM) summoning the village chiefs/chairmen whenever there is an

election, be it assembly or parliamentary or even autonomous district council should be stopped once and for all and instead the people interest and sentiment should be honoured in order to bring peace, progress and development in the region, it said.

The ZCOs, in the statement, advised the NSCN (IM) to refrain from trying to capture polling booth or intimidate electorates in interior areas, rather opportunity should be given to the people to exercise their democratic right in free and fair manner.

The ZCOs reminded the particularly the Naga People’s Front (NPF) that the reputation of any political party, particularly the NPF which is one of the registered political party may be irreparably damaged and party’s political principle and ideology may be diluted and they will lose credibility if the functionaries/cadres of an armed outfit like NSCN (IM) are allowed on campaign activities without sensing the pulse and understanding the interest and sentiments of the electorates.

The ZCOs also reminded electorates of the present generation not be undermined for they may not remain submissive to the pressure of the armed

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outfit , therefore it would be wise and better to fight the election based on the principle and ideology if really wanted to serve the interest of the people.

It alleged that in every election, the NSCN (IM) has been playing the Naga political issue using the Naga card and has been indulging in electoral politics for which the electorates had been misguided and the electorates in the interior areas had been deprived of their democratic rights for many elections to exercise their rights to choose right candidate of their choice.

It also pointed out the lack of development activities in all spheres when the electorates are not given the opportunity to choose their own choice of candidate therefore, adding that to achieve development and progress, the electorates should not shy away from asserting and exercising their democratic rights.

Any kind of violence activities or untoward incident relating to 17th Lok Sabha Election if occurred in Zeliangrong areas during or after the election shall be considered the handiwork of the political party and social organizations whosoever work with the armed outfit for which the entire responsibility shall be fixed, it added.

Bru refugees to vote in Mamit district of Mizoram. urged the civil societies not to deprive the people of their democratic rights and to ensure that people of Mizoram has representation in Parliament.

“At a meeting held before the assembly election last year, it was decided that Bru voters living in the relief camps would exercise their franchise inside Mizoram, and it was arranged. Officials of the EC, the NGOCC and the state election department had attended the

meeting,” the CEO said. He told reporters that as far as he knows, there is no agreement that the Bru refugees will cast their votes in those polling stations of Mizoram where they were enrolled as voters. The NGOCC had earlier threatened to launch agitation if temporary polling stations were set up for the Brus. The organisation was of the opinion that those living outside Mizoram should not be allowed to vote in the state.

Meghalaya Govt to appeal in SC to call off Ksan rescue ops

M’laya govt mulls calling off Ksan mine rescue ops.

S H I L LO N G, A P R 2 (AGENCIES): Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma informed that the Government will appeal before the Supreme Court to call off the rescue operations at Ksan village in East Jaintia hills.

“The Supreme Court has directed not to stop the rescue operations right now.

Therefore, it is going on.

Right from the beginning when the incident took place we had informed that it is a massive challenge and the challenge still exist. It is not an easy situation but yet the different organisations and forces have been working to ensure that at least the body can be retrieved,” Meghalaya Chief Minister said while talking to reporters here today.

When asked if the State Government would

file a petition before the Supreme Court to call off the rescue operations, he said that the Government will do it.

“But majority of us feel that the sentiments of the family members would have to be respected. By retrieving the body at least they would be give a respectful cremation,” he said.

When asked about the campaign of the NPP, he said that the party is fighting aggressively different parts of NE. “The campaign in Tura is going in full swing. We are confident to win the Tura seat. But in any election, we would like to ensure that there is no question of over confidence and to underestimate the opposition.

But I am sure we will win the Tura seat comfortably,” he added.

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OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTORATE

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6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXIX NO. 116 Dimapur, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Dreams and reality

W

hen Modi campaigned in 2014, he promised everyone that “Achche Din” or good days have returned to India. Riding high against the strong anti-incumbent sentiment Narendra Modi arrived as a “messiah” on the Indian soil. Through the media, he successfully projected himself as a “strong leader” while the soft spoken Manmohan Singh was portrayed as a “weak leader”. Today five years after he promised the “good days” to India, Modi has failed to deliver. However, the Indian media, especially the electronic media, has been over gracious and instead reminding viewers that the situation was no better during the UPA rule. One of Modi’s biggest strategy was through constant publicity. This was revealed by a recent RTI query which revealed that the Modi government had spent Rs.4806 crore on publicity of its achievements in its four years of rule, from 2014-15 to 2017-18. That’s more than double the amount spent by the UPA-I and UPA-II governments. This barrage of publicity through all media platforms was meant to create the illusion that the Modi government, has at least brought some changes. As Modi tries to seek another term as the nation’s prime minister – he is trying to seize the moral high ground with hyper nationalism in his speeches. However records will speak for themselves if people care to remember what Modi promised in 2014 and what he ultimately delivered during his five years in office till 2019. The catastrophic decline of the Indian economy in the last four years and the many stratagems the Modi government has used to hide, cannot be wished away.

On the job front, the net employment growth in these years has been close to zero and it remains the single biggest failure of the Modi government.

The labour bureau data shows that job creation could be at the lowest in eight years. Estimates suggest around 2 crore jobs were lost in the immediate aftermath of ‘notebandi’ and the shoddy roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

His surgical strike in the form of “demonetisation” had cost 100 lives, at least 1.5m jobs and left 150 million people without pay for weeks. Farmers too were badly hit by demonetisation, while data from India’s central bank shows, almost 99.3% worth of currency notes that were in circulation have come back into the banking system. This means there was no black money hidden. The Indian economy is in a mess today, and the credit goes to the Modi government. Not only has the consumer price index (CPI) inflation increased from 3.9 per cent in March 2017 to 4.3 per cent in March 2018, and to 4.6 per cent in March 2019 but the foreign trade deficit has also increased from $10.7 billion in March 2017 to $13.7 billion in March 2018 and rising to $14.7 billion by January 2019. The Modi government has destroyed the independence of key public institutions such as –CBI, Supreme Court, CVC,RBI, ECI, CIC and RTI, and also using top military chiefs to answer questions in defence of the government etc. Modi no longer remembers ‘Achche Din’not answers questions raised by the opposition. Instead he continues to defame rivals who he dubs as anti-nationals who speak the language of terrorists. Over the past five years, a number of public dissidents have paid a fatal price for resisting growing intolerance and that is the Achche Din promised.

DailyDevotion The Glory That’s Unsurpassed …the Lord Jesus…has sent me that you may receive your sight… —Acts 9:17 When Paul received his sight, he also received spiritual insight into the Person of Jesus Christ. His entire life and preaching from that point on were totally consumed with nothing but Jesus Christ— “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Paul never again allowed anything to attract and hold the attention of his mind and soul except the face of Jesus Christ.

We must learn to maintain a strong degree of character in our lives, even to the level that has been revealed in our vision of Jesus Christ.

The lasting characteristic of a spiritual man is the ability to understand correctly the meaning of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life, and the ability to explain the purposes of God to others. The overruling passion of his life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you see this quality in a person, you get the feeling that he is truly a man after God’s own heart (see Acts 13:22).

Never allow anything to divert you from your insight into Jesus Christ. It is the true test of whether you are spiritual or not. To be unspiritual means that other things have a growing fascination for you.

Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit’s vision, Gazing on the Crucified.

Quotes

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. ~ George Washington

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

I

Post-2019 election and ‘Indo-Naga’ political talk

n August 2015 when Framework Agreement was signed between Government of India (GoI) and NSCN/GPRN, the BJP-led NDA government was at its peak of power. The saffron party was ruling the country with a majority on its own; the first of its kind in three decades and an unprecedented political phenomenon in India in the era of coalition politics, winning one state election after another and two years later the party is to depute its men to become President and vice-president of the country. By far this is the best conducive political atmosphere for GoI to take any decision towards resolving the longstanding political issue they have with the Nagas. In other words, taking all pragmatic political consideration, the last five years period provides the best opportunity for New Delhi to settle its seven decades old political issue/problem with the Naga nation, and if they had failed to made it, then they only had to blame themselves and not the Nagas.

One, specially any kind of political pundits, cannot simply assumed that the central government is unaware of this historic opportunity at hand, and if the center at all is serious in resolving the issue then the opportunity that was at hand was something they cannot afford to miss.

GoI, run by the BJP, should have convinced the nation that the issue at hand is a non-partisan one which is of national importance, seeking support of different political parties, mobilized the support of Chief Ministers, most of them belonging to their party, across the country and work out for a settlement that is in the best interest of both the parties. Instead New Delhi keep resorting to their old delay politics doing nothing more than assuring the Nagas that the solution which will be honorable is forthcoming and that final agreement “could be sign even tomorrow”, keep sending its interlocutor to Nagaland and different parts of Naga inhabited areas outside Nagaland, particularly at the time of different elections, simply to create confusion and apprehension in the minds of the Nagas and neighboring states, and in the whole process expecting from the side of the Nagas to

D

compromise and give up their quest for a free sovereign nation. If the past five years had any lesson for the Nagas, then the period only demonstrated absolute insincerity and lack of commitment on the part of New Delhi in engaging the Nagas and delivering the historic and legitimate right of the Nagas.

If GoI and Nagas had failed to work out for an honorable and acceptable solution in the last five years, then the prospect of finding it in the Post-2019 general election appears bleak. Whichever political party/alliances formed the government after election, the stage is set at the center for the return of coalition politics, as no political party in the country as of now will be in a position to get the required number of its own to form a government, which means unstable and indecisive government, and the government in the next five years would be run and survive under the compulsion of coalition politics, always finding a way to please every coalition partners and having no scope of providing good governance to the nation.

And under such political scenario, no ruling government would be willing to take any decisions that could possibly provoke the wrath of the nation and threaten the survival of its government. The Nagas’ case is one such sensitive issue where any sort of call on it will have a share of ripple effects in different parts of Northeastern region.

The political discourse vis-à-vis Indo-Naga political talk that is expected to dominate in the public domain in the coming years would be the continuation of constant parleys, assurances, speculations, claims and counter-claims etc.., so as to ensure that Nagas remains with India, and that too only for meeting the strategic purpose of the later and not at all for the welfare of the former. And if this is the kind of fate that awaits the Nagas, then is it high time that we, the Nagas, need to do away with this expectation that something good for us is coming from New Delhi, and instead come home to explore solution from within ourselves?

If GoI is serious enough in bringing an end to the Indo-Naga conflict with an honorable settlement, then

it should not expect only from the side of the Nagas to compromise and surrender everything while on their side not willing to concede anything to the Nagas. This is perhaps the major hurdles that is not only delaying the much anticipated political solution but also adversely affecting the cordial relationship between the two nations.

If it is the case that Nagas would have to surrender our sovereignty, the entire Naga homeland remain under military occupation and the land remain divided into different artificial political administration, and GoI not even ready to negotiate the question of separate flag and constitution then where and what is the “honorable solution” that is left for the Nagas. The Nagas will never accept such kind of settlement imposed on us by the colonial power that serves the interest of only one party. Had it not been on the part of the Naga negotiators in maintaining consistent position, which needs to be appreciated, on the question of Naga sovereignty, based on the legitimate and historical right and which is the true aspiration of the Nagas, the talk would have been concluded long before by accepting some piecemeal solution satisfied with some financial package or with some increase in number of seats in state legislative assembly and in Indian parliament for the Nagas.

The final solution to the Indo-Naga issue rest on the recognition that India and Nagas are two historically distinct people and nation, and working out on the terms and conditions under which the sovereign right of the Nagas, which was lost to the occupying forces, will be restored.

And if the impending political atmosphere in the country does not create conducive ground for both the parties to negotiate on those terms and conditions then would it be better off for the Naga negotiators to reconsider this current talk with India, and rather concentrate here at home, take fresh initiative to unite ourselves and work together which will be the only surest path for achieving our long cherish political aspiration.

Dr. Nsungbemo Ezung, Wokha Town, (ezung_n@yahoo.com)

Are we ready for the fast approaching grand festival of democracy?

A

s election time is again round the corner, our minds are filled with curiosity and excitement as to what will ensue and unfold in the aftermath of the grand event or festival of democracy. We Indians are privileged to be part of the largest democracy to which the whole world looks up with so much admiration and awe. We are proud to be part of such a large subcontinent of great diversity and contrasts where people of varied castes, creeds, religions, colours, languages, tribes, and communities live together in peace, harmony and tolerance. India has been a peaceful and tolerant country and we are hopeful it will continue to be that way in the years to come. India is a land where Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and a thousand other minorities are thriving, flourishing and professing their religions, creeds and sects peacefully for hundreds of years. Once at a job interview, I was asked as to whether there is intolerance in India. I answered there might be stray cases of intolerance here and there, but overall, India is a tolerant country and intolerance is not prevalent.

The spirit of secular democracy has to be continually cherished and promoted and we should show to the world that we are the model of unity in diversity and elections should be held without the interference any religious and racial grudges, freely and fairly. Religion, indeed, should not be allowed to play any vicious role in election process.

Our main enemy is corruption, poverty, unemployment and unequal regional developments.

Northeast is one region of this mighty nation, which is believed to be lagging behind the rest of India in terms of development and connectivity. During the last five years, a lot of development and progress have been made despite the complaints and criticisms against somewhat sudden implementation of policies, programs and exercises such as demonetisation, GST, CAB etc that brought about some hardship and consternation to the people. The ordeal of demonetisation and GST seem to have been gradually overcome despite some scathing negative criticisms and condemnations that were churned in view of the hardship and inconveniences that accompanied the new economic exercises that were intended to bring about positive results. There has also been a lot of hullabaloo about the rise of religious intolerance resulting in the weakening of secularism in the country.

The most recent uproar and indignation has been engendered by the attempt to introduce and implement the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). Particularly, the people of the Northeast rose in protest against the bill, which was feared to generate demographic imbalance with the influx of millions of immigrants from the neighbouring countries. For the time being, the issue seems to have been put in cold storage but likely to be resurrected if the opportunity arises again in the future. The implementation of the bill may not have been thought to have much of an impact on the overall

population of the country as India is bound to be the country with largest population. But the bill poses as a nightmare for the people of Northeast India where the brunt of illegal population influx had already been unmistakably experienced, particularly in states like Assam and Tripura.

There has also been a good deal of uproars against the rise of religious intolerance. The cow issue had been one that caused so much uneasiness in the minds of minority people for whom meat or beef forms integral part of their food culture. The issue seemed to eclipse for some time other more pressing issues like corruption and unemployment. India, with huge percentage of its population constituted by the youth, the problem of unemployment aggravated by rampant corruption that has been flourishing for quite a long time now continue to play havoc with the lives of its hundreds of millions of youth. These two unwanted phenomena indeed need to be given serious attention if we are to bring about a prosperous and welfare society.

It has been sad that such vital issues seem to have been relegated to take the backseat. Corruption, development and unemployment continue to be the main issues that need to be focussed upon and tackled properly. There are also number of other developments and events that are likely to assume contentious election issues. The immediate withdrawal of the notification giving protection to Assam Rifles to arrest suspects without warrant has averted another public uproar. The Northeast indeed is one very sensitive and trouble-ridden region, which needs careful and caring handling in order to avert untoward social upheavals that will have serious political ramifications.

Corruption is one that needs to be curbed through long and short-term measures. Presently, people are still unsure whether this hydra-headed monster has been satisfactorily contained or not as the malady has turned chronic and its eradication is going to take enormous grit and guts. It will take serious and sincere contemplation on the parts of social thinkers and lawmakers to find the ways and measures to wipe it out effectively or at least to satisfactorily ameliorate its evil effects on the society through constant vigil and action. It is sad that now and then public unrest and uneasiness have been engendered due to sudden introduction of bills and notifications, which the people feel will have detrimental consequences and place them in vulnerable position rather than helping them.

Election time is the time when people or electorate are supposed to be busy mulling about the pressing issues, and make their thoughtful judgements and decisions and exercise their democratic rights given by the constitution of the country. This is the time for them to do serious retrospection and decide whom they should choose to be their worthy representatives without allowing money to come in between and play the diluting role.

Khelsoril Wanbe

Theological graduates in politics

uring the course of an election campaign, it is common to hear evangelicals, especially Baptists, quip, “I’m just not that interested in politics,” or, “Politics just aren’t my thing.” Wait a minute we are still on earth, Lord Jesus taught us to pray “our Father....your Kingdom come on earth, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” Matt. 6:9.

As a Preacher, do you want to see Heaven like state in India? Corruption free state; a government that care for poors, orphans, widows, a government that brought us at our doors peace, justice, Godliness and prosperity.

Have you ever murmured about our bad roads, bad infrastructures and unfair governance? Do you care about the welfare of people as your care for their spirituality? Then engage yourself in politics to bring Godly changes in our government for Christ and His Kingdom.

Because Bible-believing, gospel-loving Christians should accept as congruent with Scripture.

The message of the gospel is that by grace through faith sinners can be reconciled with God (Ephesians 2:7-8). This message transforms individuals and enables them to lead

godly lives. Mandated by Scripture (Matthew 28:1920), Christians are charged to share the good news and disciple others in faith.

The gospel is a holistic message with implications for all areas of life, including how Christians engage the political process. Here are few reasons Christians’ ministers should care about politics and personally engage in politics whether on electing rightful candidate or becoming right candidate to run the Office.

1. The Christian worldview speaks to all areas of life: A frequently raised objection against Christian engagement with politics is that anything besides explicit preaching and teaching of the Bible is a distraction from the mission of the church. However, this is a limited understanding of the kingdom of God and contrary to examples in Scripture.

The Christian worldview provides a comprehensive understanding of reality. It speaks to all areas of life, including political engagement. In fact, the Bible speaks about civil government and provides examples of faithful engagement. In the Old Testament, Joseph and Daniel served in civil government, exert-

ing influence to further the flourishing of their nations.

In the New Testament, Jesus engaged in holistic ministry, caring for the spiritual and physical needs of people. Feeding the hungry and healing diseases were an outworking and extension of the reconciliatory message of the gospel. Paul also advocates this approach: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone” (Galatians 6:10). And: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Engaging in “good works” should include participating in the political process because of the legitimate and significant role of government. The decisions made by government have a substantial impact on people and the way we interact with them. A Christian worldview should include a political theology that recognizes every area of life must be included in the “good works” of believers, especially politics, an area with significant real-life implications for people.

2. Politics are unavoidable in this life on earth: As “sojourners and exiles”

(1 Peter 2:11), it can be tempting for Christians to adopt a mindset that earthly governing systems are inconsequential to the task of furthering the gospel. But ask a pastor in an underground church or a missionary attempting to access a closed country if politics are inconsequential.

Religious liberty is not unnecessary luxuries but are often vital for preachers and missionaries seeking to preach and teach the gospel.

Augustine’s City of God offers guidance on this point. Believers are citizens of the “City of God,” but on this side of eternity, we also belong to the “City of Man” and therefore must be good citizens of both cities.

There are biblical examples of how membership in the earthly city can be leveraged for furthering the reach of the heavenly. Paul’s appeal to his Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37, 22:25) is a model of this. James Madison explained that the “consent of the people” is the “pure original fountain of all legitimate authority.”

This reality makes politics unavoidable for Christians citizens who control their political future.

Because politics have real-world implications for Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this

Christian evangelism, missions and preaching the gospel, Christians ought to engage in the political process by leveraging their rightful authority, advocating for laws and policies that contribute to human flourishing.

3. Christians should love our neighbours: When questioned by religious authorities on the law, Jesus explained that loving God with heart, soul and mind was the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37). He added that second in prior-

ity was: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself ” (Matthew 22:39).

Followers of Christ are called to love and serve their neighbors (Matthew 28:1920). When asked about the qualifications of “neighbor,” Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), indicating that irrespective of race, background, social status or occupation, neighborly love is owed.

(To be concluded) Dr. Tiaren. Lusang

Reader’s Post Sir,

Keep a check

The recent government order to remove all black films from vehicle windows, loud horns, flashers etc has come as a blessing. Some people even in the midst of heavy traffic jam and knowing that honking is of no use continue to blare their loud horns as if that’s going to solve the traffic flow. Official vehicles with flashers try to dominate the road as if other mortal beings should move aside for them. Many a times, the so called VIP is not even in the vehicle but occupied by other family members.

Years ago, government had specified who is entitled to use what on vehicles and this should be strictly maintained.

From time to time, the concerned department needs to keep a check as some people have started using all the fancy nameplates etc.

Tiabenla Longchar, AG Colony, Kohima newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Rahul challenges PM Modi to debate

New Delhi, Apr 2 (AGENCIES): At the release of party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Rahul Gandhi brushed a question on his prime ministerial candidature saying, “It is for the people of India to decide.” But Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra on several fronts challenging him to “a debate” on the issues of corruption, development, national security and foreign policy.

“Mr Narendra Modi is hiding. Mr Narendra Modi is scared. Mr Narendra Modi does not want a real debate. I challenge Mr Narendra Modi to a debate on national security, foreign policy and corruption. Why is he scared,” said Gandhi stepping up his attack on PM Modi.

“The prime minister is trying to hide behind hollow narratives, but he can’t do that anymore...

Chowkidar can hide but can’t run,” he said.

Gandhi, who is contesting from two seats in the Lok Sabha including Wayanad in Kerala, dismissed PM Modi’s charge that the Congress president has chosen a constituency where “majority is in minority” because of his fear of losing on the account of the UPA government’s “theory of Hindu terror”.

Rahul Gandhi

“There was a demand for me. There is a very strong feeling in south India that they are not being carried by the current government. South India feels hostility from Mr Narendra Modi.

They feel that they are not being included in the decisions of this country.

So, I wanted to send a message to south India that we are with you and we are standing with you. That is why I am standing from Kerala,” Gandhi said.

The Congress president attacked the Modi government over the issues of unemployment and farm distress alleging that the BJP-led regime neglected the farmers, small businessmen and failed to deliver its promise of “creating 2 crore jobs every year”.

He said, “I am absolutely sure that narrative in this election is unemploy-

ment and state of farmers.

So, absolutely sure that issues in this elections are corruption and NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana, the minimum guarantee scheme promised by the Congress).”

The Congress president has been targeting PM Modi over the issues of Rafale deal, unemployment and farm loan waiver. Gandhi has pitched the Congress’s poll battle against the BJP on these issues.

In March, Gandhi announced to roll out a minimum income guarantee scheme, if the Congress is voted to power in the Lok Sabha election.

The scheme aims at providing cash support of Rs 6,000 a month to around 5 crore poorest families of the country.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley called the Congress’s poll promise a “bluff announcement” but Gandhi has termed it a “revolutionary idea” that will “change the face of India” after the elections.

At the release of Congress manifesto, Gandhi took a dig at the BJP for dismissing the proposed minimum income guarantee scheme.

He said, “I agree it is not doable for the BJP. But it is doable for the Congress.”

National Mayawati slams both BJP & Cong; dubs them corrupt

Mayawati (File)

B h u ban e s h wa r , Apr 2 (AGENCIES): Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on April 2 mounted a blistering attack on both BJP and Congress and accused them of betraying the dalits and the minorities while benefitting the rich.

Kicking off her party’s election campaign in Odisha at a rally, the BSP supremo accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government of introducing GST in haste and failing to implement it in a proper manner resulting in the rise in unemployment among the country’s youths.

She hit out at the BJPled government over demonetisation saying the hurriedly taken measure had harassed small businessmen and traders who eke out their living without depending on any government aid or assistance.

“Both Congress and BJP are corrupt. While Congress was in news for its involvement in the Bofors scam, the BJP government has been embrolied in Rafale deal,” Mayawati said.

7

WhatsApp to tackle fake news New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI): WhatsApp Tuesday unveiled its ‘Checkpoint Tipline’, where people can check the authenticity of information received as the messaging giant looks to crack down on fake news ahead of the general election in the country.

“Launched by PROTO, an India-based media skilling startup, this tipline will help create a database of rumours to study misinformation during elections for Checkpoint - a research project commissioned and technically assisted by WhatsApp,” the Facebookowned company said in a statement. It added that starting Tuesday, people in India can submit misinformation or rumours they receive to the Checkpoint Tipline on WhatsApp (+919643-000-888).

Once a WhatsApp user shares a suspicious message with the tipline, PROTO’s verification centre will seek to respond and inform the user if the claim made in message shared is verified or not. “The response will indicate if information is classified as true, false, misleading, disputed or out of scope and include any other related information that is available,” the statement said.

This centre is equipped to review content in the form of pictures, video links or text and will cover English and four regional languages - Hindi, Telugu, Bengali and Malayalam.

PROTO will also look at working with organisations at grassroot level to

‘Checkpoint Tipline’ will help people check the authenticity of information received. (File)

submit misinformation circulating across different regions in India during the election period.

Facebook, which counts India as one of its largest markets with over 200 million users, had faced flak from the Indian government after a series of moblynching incidents, triggered by rumours circulating on WhatsApp, claimed lives last year.

Under pressure to stop rumours and fake news, WhatsApp had last year restricted forwarding messages to five chats at once. It has also been putting out advertisements in newspapers and running television and radio campaigns offering tips to users on how to spot misinformation.

With ensuing general elections, the Indian government had warned social media platforms of strong action if any attempt was made to influence the country’s electoral process through undesirable means.

Interestingly, the Indian government — through proposed changes in IT

rules — is seeking to make social media platforms more accountable by mandating them to introduce tools that can identify and disable “unlawful content”.

One of the amendments being mulled in the IT intermediary rules (meant for online and social media platforms) will require them to enable tracing out of such originators of information as needed by government agencies that are legally authorised.

However, WhatsApp has so far resisted the government’s demand for identifying message originators, arguing that such a move would undermine the endto-end encryption and the private nature of the platform, creating potential for serious misuse.

In its statement on Tuesday, WhatsApp said Dig Deeper Media and Meedan - which have previously worked on misinformation-related projects around the world - are helping PROTO to develop the verification and research frameworks for India.

1,700 Jan Dhan bank accounts in UP under scanner

New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI): About 1,700 Jan Dhan bank accounts in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad district have come under the scanner of the Election Commission-deployed surveillance teams for receiving suspicious deposits during the poll season, officials said.

They said about Rs 10,000 each, totalling about Rs 1.7 crore, have been deposited in these accounts over the past few days and the instances have come under the scanner of investigative and intelligence agencies for possible abuse by political candidates as bribe to voters.

The Income Tax department has launched an investigation into the issue, along with other agencies deployed to check black money and illegal inducements to voters during the ongoing polls in the country.

The EC has sought a report from the agencies and they have informed it that the bank concerned in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh has been asked for a report and preliminary inputs suggest the money was deposited by banking correspondents, they said.

The next level of probe is on, the officials said, adding it could be a case of some government scheme money or funds being deposited in these accounts.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on August 28, 2014, with an aim to provide universal access to banking facilities for all households.

LS polls 2019: Temple stir era leaders not in poll fray L u c k n ow, A p r 2 (AGENCIES): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders such as Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh and Vinay Katiyar, who led the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, are absent from the electoral race this time.

While some of them have been denied tickets by the party, others have decided not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, or are serving in constitutional positions.

“The for thcoming Lok Sabha will be bereft of the Ram temple movement heroes, probably for the first time in the last three decades,” Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sharad Sharma said. VHP is one of the outfits that spearheaded the Ayodhya movement. “But it is the BJP’s internal matter...,” he said.

Once called an “iron man” by the party, former

Lal Krishna Advani (File)

deputy PM Advani will not contest the election this time. A former party president, Advani led a Rath Yatra in September-October 1990 to demand the construction of a grand temple at the site of the Babri mosque that was razed on December 6, 1992.

Former HRD minister Joshi, who was closely associated with the Ram temple movement, has also been dropped this time. Joshi led the BJP as its president between 1991 and 1993, the period when the country was on the boil because of the temple agi-

tation that culminated into the demolition of the Babri mosque.

Union minister Uma Bharti, who was indicted by the Liberhan Commission for her alleged presence during the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya, offered not to contest the election.

Barjrang Dal founderpresident Vinay Katiyar, also a BJP leader, has been denied ticket. Katiyar has always been very vocal about Ram temple construction in Ayodhya and played a key role in kar seva in the 1990s.

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, who was a Lok Sabha member from 2009 to 2014, will not contest the election this time as he is currently serving as the Rajasthan governor.

The BJP played down the issue. “This is party’s prerogative to choose candidates. But a more important issue is that all party leaders and other

Ram Bhakts are working in tandem to make Narendra Modi the PM prime minister once again,” Uttar Pradesh BJP spokesperson Chandramohan said.

Congress leader Ajay Kumar claimed the BJP is not serious about the Ram temple issue. “The BJP has forgotten the temple issue; so has its leaders associated with the temple agitation.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and spokesman, Sunil Kumar, said, “The BJP has an uncanny tendency of forgetting anything for political expediency. They have forgotten all their promises...”

Prof SK Sharma, who teaches political science at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut said, “The shape of politics and the leaders have all changed with the change of time . The temple agitation belonged the 1990s while today, development is the main issue.”

Nizamabad, Apr 2 (AGENCIES): India has become stronger and its image in the comity of nations and world has gone up following the stable and effective administration of BJP led NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last five years, according to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The country’s economic position before the BJP assumed the power was ninth and was now placed at sixth and in next five months it would go up to fifth, he said at a party election meeting at the Govt Polytechnic College Ground, Nizamabad, on Tuesday. It would be the third largest economy superseding one among the three strongest economies of America, Russia and China by 2028, he said.

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Country’s image improved under BJP rule: Rajnath

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8

business

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Global tensions to force Honda opens 1000th dealer network SC nixes RBI circular on trade slowdown in 2019: WTO bad loans as ultra vires

KAKURO

No. 2830 Yesterday’s solution No. 2829

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DP-2441

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DP-2540

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DP-1783

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No. 3804 Yesterday’s solution No. 3803

Across 1 Many scratches (6) 5 Wanderer sheltered by edgy psychologist (5) 9 Little flower that’s extremely useful held by joiner (7) 10 Girl gets old, having concealed name (5) 11 Refuse to fight (5) 12 Pigeon supporter has to follow (7) 14 Baskerville’s capital resource - a hound (6) 16 Leaders of Anglo-French business make an assertion (6) 19 Time to get in drinks - point made by viewer (7) 21 Beast revealing everything about graduate? (5) 23 Goddess with a heavenly body (5) 24 Busy when given a ring?

(7) 25 Renowned saw (5) 26 Attempting to be troublesome? (6) Down 2 Conceal a hundred and more (5) 3 Genuine software reportedly a setback (7) 4 Leave for outer space with posh chap (3,3) 5 Good wet weather for cereal crop (5) 6 After wordplay, poke one’s tongue? (7) 7 Viewers not starting? That’s right (3) 8 Weapon that’s annoyed London area (8) 13 Bold army manoeuvres in part of Italy (8) 15 Is a tent made from this material? (7) 17 Female everyone has to ridicule - a scapegoat (4,3) 18 Active set can climb (6) 20 A seed may be moved carefully (5) 22 Old vessel with nitrogen?

Some other gas (5) 23 Vehicle required for advancement? (3)

New Delhi, Apr 2 (IANS): Chinese telecommunications and consumer electronics manufacturer Huawei is set to launch its flagship P30 series in India early next week.

Huawei earlier unveiled the P30 and P30 Pro smartphones equipped with advanced camera system in Paris on March 26.

Along with these phones, Huawei is also likely to launch the P30 Lite in India, industry sources told IANS on Tuesday.

Huawei P30 Pro is the first smartphone to have a 5x periscope-like optical zoom and four cameras on the back.

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No. 9185 Yesterday’s solution No. 9184

per the provisional data.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.10 per cent to trade at USD 69.08 per barrel.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, surged 0.17 per cent to 97.39.

Rising for the fourth session in a row, the BSE benchmark Sensex Tuesday added another 185 points to hit an all-time closing high of 39,056 and the NSE Nifty closed above the key 11,700-level on intense buying mainly in auto, IT and banking stocks amid hopes of RBI rate cut.

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DP-2534

Su doku

of the important RBI policy statement that is scheduled this week. The central bank is expected to cut rates and a dovish statement could put pressure on the rupee”.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday said it will inject long-term liquidity worth USD 5 billion into the banking system through dollar-rupee buy-sell swap for a tenure of three years on April 23, the second such auction within a month.

Forex dealers said foreign fund inflows and heavy buying in domestic equities supported the rupee, however, strengthening of the US dollar and rising crude prices restricted the upmove.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net buyers in the capital markets, putting in Rs 543.36 crore Tuesday, as

last mile connectivity. Since the start of its operations, Honda has exponentially enhanced its production capacity and introduced new products across categories.

While manufacturing the best quality products with cutting edge technology, the company continues to strengthen its network.

All Honda Authorized Exclusive Dealerships (HEADs) offer a 4S setup including the industry norm of sales, service, spare parts and the 4th ‘S’ unique to Honda which is safety riding promotion. The skilled staff trained by Honda offer unparalleled experience of best quality sales and aftersales ownership to all their valued customers.

Huawei to launch P30 series in India

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Crossword

ing the day and touched the day’s high of 68.70. It finally settled at 68.74 per dollar, up 40 paise over its previous close.

The Indian unit had appreciated by 16 paise on Friday to close at 69.14.

The forex market was closed on Monday.

According to V K Sharma, Head PCG & Capital Markets Strategy, HDFC Securities, rupee and bonds rose after the RBI announced second USD-INR swap. “ S ove r e i g n b o n d s gain as RBI’s currency swap will add to liquidity in the banking system,” Sharma said, adding “the swap auction comes ahead

dia has now reached the milestone 6000th outlet mark.

On the milestone achievement, Minoru Kato, president & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd said, “I am delighted to be present here on milestone 1000th Honda dealer inauguration. Honda also fulfilled its commitment of providing 6000 network touch points to our valuable customers by the end of current financial year.

This landmark achievement brings Honda closer to the hearts of its customers, who have reposed their trust in the brand.”

Honda continues to spread its wings in India and provide customers with

DP-2350

Mumbai, Apr 2 (PTI): The rupee Tuesday recovered from the day’s low to finally settle at 68.74 against the US dollar with gains of 40 paise amid sustained foreign fund inflows and heavy buying in domestic equities.

Forex dealers said foreign fund inflows in the debt and equity markets helped the rupee recover.

Besides, the local currency gained strength after the RBI announced second dollar-rupee swap, they added.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (forex), the domestic currency opened lower at 69.32 a dollar but recovered the losses dur-

Dimapur, Apr 2 (NPN): Moving a step closer to its customers, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) with its aggressive network expansion plans, announced the opening of its 1000th HEAD (Honda Exclusive Authorized Dealer) with the inauguration of its new 4S (Sales/ Service/Spares/ Safety) facility at Platinum Honda, Zirakpur in Mohali, Punjab.

Honda is the only company in the Indian two-wheeler industry to double its network count and inaugurate a significant 3300 new touch-points in the last 5 years.

With this, Honda’s total network count in In-

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Rupee jumps 40 paise to 68.74 against dollar

Minoru Kato, president & CEO, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India and others during the opening of 1000th HEAD in Mohali.

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loans, which mandates treating a borrower who misses repayments as a defaulter the very next day.

The regulated sector companies of fertiliser, power and sugar had contended that their prices are regulated by the government and they don’t get paid on time and thus they are unable to pay the banks on schedule and are not wilful defaulters and can’t be treated as such.

They have contended that under IBC the resolution plan gives then 270 days but the RBI circular has reduced it to 180.

The real bone of contention agitated by the petitioner-industries in the regulated sector was the RBI circular putting in place a revised framework for resolution of stressed assets.

Under the revised framework for the resolution of stressed assets, the banks were mandated to “identify incipient stress in loan accounts, immediately on default, by classifying stressed assets as special mention accounts (SMA)” under three categories within a period of 1 to 30 days, 31to 60 days and 61 to 90 days.

The February 12 circular was considered a bandaid for Indian banks bleeding due to bad loans. The Indian economy is facing a pile-up of nearly Rs 10 lakh crore in bad loans.

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in which debtors have been proceeded against by financial creditors under Section 7 of the Insolvency Code, only because of the operation of the impugned circular will be proceedings which, being faulted at the very inception, are declared to be non-est.”

The RBI circular that was struck today had said that in the pre-Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) stage, the moment a commercial entity is in default on a loan of Rs 2,000 crore or more even for a day, the bank would initiate steps for resolving, including restructuring the loan.

The RBI’s February 12 circular requires banks to finalise a resolution plan in case of a default on large accounts within 180 days, failing which insolvency proceedings will have to be invoked against the defaulter. It also introduced a one-day default rule on term loans, which mandates treating a borrower who misses repayments as a defaulter the very next day.

The RBI’s February 12 circular requires banks to finalise a resolution plan in case of a default on large accounts within 180 days, failing which insolvency proceedings will have to be invoked against the defaulter. It also introduced a one-day default rule on term

that tensions are resolved, he added in a statement.

The WTO is “definitely hoping that we will hear good news” from the USChina talks, said Azevedo, who is a Brazilian national.

A year ago, the WTO projected that trade growth for 2018 would be 4.4 per cent.

The fact that the final number was 1.4 percent lower than the initial estimate highlights the considerable downside risks plaguing the global economy, WTO economists said.

For this year, the downside risks again outweigh the upside potential, but a “relaxation” of tensions, especially the lifting of restrictive trade measures, could see 2019 beat the projections, the WTO said.

The projections released Tuesday are based on a “relatively smooth” Brexit playing out over the next two years, WTO economist Coleman Nee told reporters.

Britain leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement, or the various other possible Brexit scenarios that remain in play, will impact global trade, Nee said.

But “the situation is so fluid,” Nee added. “We will have to wait and see what the final outcome is,” before fully understanding Brexit’s influence on world trade.

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New Delhi, Apr 2 (IANS): In a huge relief to the regulated sector, the Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down as ultra vires the controversial February 12, 2018, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) circular that mandates lenders to initiate resolution or restructuring of loans of Rs 2,000 crore and above within six months from the date of default.

After the expiry of the 180 days, the defaulting borrowers, under the now struck down circular, had to mandatorily face proceedings under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

“We have declared RBI circular ultra vires,” said Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman pronouncing the judgement on a batch of petitions by the industries -- power, fertiliser and sugar -- challenging February 12, 2018 apex bank circular.

Justice Nariman was accompanied by Justice Vineet Saran on the bench.

The court verdict would have a bearing on Rs 2.2 lakh crore of bad loans.

“Consequently, all actions taken under the said circular, including actions by which the Insolvency Code has been triggered must fall along with the said circular”, Justice Nariman said.

As a result, the judgement further said, “All cases

Geneva, Apr 2 (AFP): Global trade growth is expected to be lower in 2019 than it was last year, the World Trade Organization forecast on Tuesday, citing widespread “tensions” and economic uncertainty.

The WTO had in its preliminary estimates predicted a 3.7 per cent expansion of trade for this year, but has revised that down to 2.6 per cent, marking a decline on the three-percent growth recorded in 2018.

“The fact that we don’t have great news today should surprise no one who has been reading the papers over the last 12 months,” WTO director-general Roberto Azevedo told reporters in Geneva.

In its main annual forecast, the 164-member WTO renewed its concerns about systemic threats that could continue to disrupt the world’s economy, notably retaliatory tariffs between China and the United States. There are indications that ongoing talks between Washington and Beijing could resolve the bruising tariff battle, but timelines for a possible deal are not clear.

Asked if he saw either side emerging victorious in the trade spat between the world’s two largest economies, Azevedo said “there will be many losers”.

It was therefore becoming “increasingly urgent”

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Last-ditch bid to avert no deal Brexit

L o n d o n, A p r i l 2 (IANS): A cross-party group of MPs in Britain’s House of Commons announced on Tuesday they plan a new bid to block a no-deal Brexit by tabling a bill to extend Article 50 beyond April 12.

MPs said they plan to attempt to force Prime Minister Theresa May to ask Brussels for a further Brexit delay to rule out Britain leaving the European Union (EU) without a deal on April 12, the British media reported.

Conservative MP Oliver Letwin and Labour MP Yvette Cooper unveiled draft legislation on Tuesday that will force May to ask Brussels for an extension of Article 50, the process that sets Britain’s departure date from the bloc.

They aim to get the measure debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday, with a fast-track legislative process through both Houses of Parliament if it wins MPs’ backing.

MPs would have to vote on Wednesday to pave the way for a full debate in the House of Commons.

“We are now in a really dangerous situation with a serious and growing risk

Israeli PM to meet Putin in Moscow Jerusalem, Apr 2 (IANS): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Moscow on Thursday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, his office said in a statement on Tuesday.

Netanyahu’s office did not elaborate on which issues the two leaders will be discussing in their meeting.

The office said that Netanyahu and Putin spoke by telephone on Monday over “regional issues” that included Syria, Xinhua news agency reported. The meeting will be held five days before Israel’s April 9 election in which Netanyahu is seeking to be re-elected for a fifth term. Shifting from a long-held US foreign policy, President Donald Trump last Thursday recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a territory Israel captured from Syria in a war in 1967 and later annexed.

Theresa May (File)

of ‘no deal’ in 10 days,” Cooper was cited as saying by the Guardian, adding “the Prime Minister has a responsibility to prevent that from happening. She needs to put forward a proposal, including saying how long an extension she thinks we need to sort things out.”

Letwin said: “This is a last-ditch attempt to prevent our country being exposed to the risks inherent in a nodeal exit. It’s difficult, but definitely worth trying.”

Letwin had put forward the proposal that enabled MPs to hold a series of indicative votes as a way of ending the deadlock over May’s under-fire Brexit deal, which has been rejected three times.

Although a range of options have been voted on

by MPs, none have won majority backing.

Meanwhile, EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said earlier in the day the threat of a no-deal Brexit was becoming likelier by the day, but it was up to the UK government to present a new plan for the country’s withdrawal from the EU. Addressing a foreign affairs commission at the European Parliament, Barnier doubled down on his belief that the withdrawal agreement struck with the UK government was the only treaty that would allow for a so-called orderly Brexit.

“No-deal was never our desired or intended scenario, but the EU27 is now prepared. It becomes day after day more likely. The UK should now indicate a way forward,” he said.

British MPs on Monday voted on four alternatives to May’s withdrawal deal, but none gained a majority. In the Commons votes, MPs rejected a customs union with the EU by three votes. A motion for another referendum got the most votes in favour, but still lost.

international

9

Roaming recycling bin introduced in Shanghai Disney

Xiao Tui

Shanghai, April 2 (IANS): A roaming recycling bin has been introduced in Shanghai Disney Resort to encourage its guests to learn more about recycling methods amid the city’s effort to promote household garbage sorting and recycling.

The walking and talking recycling bin named Xiao Tui, will travel the pathways of Shanghai Disneyland throughout April, welcoming guests and spreading helpful environmental messages, Xinhua news agency reported.

As well as chatting with guests, Xiao Tui will also help promote the benefits of recycling and sorting, encouraging everyone to take action by emphasizing how small changes can have a positive effect on the environment around them, according to the resort.

“Environmental care and protection have been a key part of Shanghai Disney Resort since day one, and throughout April we are excited to be able to share our commitment and daily environmental practices with our guests,” said Joe Schott, President and General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort.

Shanghai will enact a set of regulations on household garbage sorting and recycling from July 1. Individuals and organizations will be asked to shoulder responsibilities to classify garbage according to the waste categories of recyclable, hazardous, wet, and dry, the report said.

The city will also introduce more environmentallyfriendly packing materials and promote economical packaging standards against over-packaging.

Pak HC forms commission to probe Hindu sisters’ forced conversion Islamabad, Apr 2 (PTI) : The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday formed a five-member commission to probe the alleged abduction, forced conversion and marriage of two teenage Hindu girls in Sindh province that led to massive protests by the minority community in the country. A high court bench led by Chief Justice of IHC Athar Minallah heard the petition filed by the two sisters -- Reena, Raveena -- and their alleged spouses, Safdar Ali and Barkat Ali, to seek protection, the Express Tribune reported.

In their plea, the girls claimed that they belong to a Hindu family of Ghotki, Sindh but converted willfully as they were impressed

by Islamic teaching.

The counsel for the girls’ parents, however, asserted that the case pertained to forced conversion. Justice Minallah sought recommendations to resolve the matter. The matter requires transparent inquiry - it is the government’s job to conduct probes not the judiciary’s, he observed.

The chief justice said the court had to ensure that there was no forced conversion. The bench formed a five-member commission to probe the matter. The commission includes Federal

Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, Mufti Taqi Usmani, Dr Mehdi, Advocate IA Rahman and chairperson of National Commission on the Status of Women Khawar Mumtaz.

The federal government has been tasked to organise meeting of the commission.

The incident came to light when a video surfaced online showing the teenagers’ father and brother claiming the girls were abducted and forcefully converted.

It was followed by another video snippet in which the two girls claimed that they had converted to Islam.

Amid the uproar, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed Sindh and Punjab to investigate the matter and recover the girls if the forceful conversion allegation was correct. During the hearing, the chief justice noted the increasing number of forced conversion cases from Ghotki. He was irked at the governments’ failure to find a solution. “Why are such incidents repeatedly being reported from one district of the Sindh province?” He said the perception that minorities’ rights were not protected has to be changed.

When speaking about the rights of minorities, Jus-

tice Minallah referenced the recent terror incident in New Zealand’s Christchurch that killed 50 Muslims and the Jessica Arden-led government’s response. The judge asked Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf lawmaker Ramesh Kumar Vankwani why the matter was not raised in the parliament. To which, Vankwani said he will bring the House’s attention to it. Until the inquiry is completed, the high court has ordered for the girls to remain in state custody. They are currently being housed at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Crisis Centre in Islamabad. The high court summoned reports sought by the premier and adjourned the hearing till April 11.

The Hindu community in Pakistan has carried out massive demonstrations calling for strict action to be taken against those responsible for forced conversion and marriages of Hindu girls, while reminding Prime Minister Khan of his promises to the minorities of the country. Last year, Khan during his election campaign had said his party’s agenda was to uplift the various religious groups across Pakistan and said they would take effective measures to prevent forced marriages of Hindu girls.

Slain Saudi journalist Khashoggi’s US special envoy for Afghan peace visits Kabul children paid by kingdom: report Washington, Apr 2 (AFP): The children of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have received multimillion-dollar homes and are being paid thousands of dollars per month by the kingdom’s authorities, The Washington Post reported Monday.

Khashoggi -- a contributor to the Post and a critic of the Saudi government -- was killed and dismembered in October at the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul by a team of 15 agents sent from Riyadh.

His body has not been recovered.

The payments to his four children -- two sons and two daughters -- “are part of an effort by Saudi Arabia to reach a longterm arrangement with Khashoggi family members, aimed in part at ensuring that they continue to show restraint in their

Jamal Khashoggi

public statements,” the Post said.

The houses given to the Khashoggi children are located in the port city of Jeddah and are worth up to $4 million, the newspaper reported.

Salah, the eldest of the children, plans to continue living in the kingdom, while the others, who live

in the United States, are expected to sell the homes, the paper said.

In addition to the properties, the children are receiving $10,000 or more per month and may also receive larger payments that could amount to tens of millions of dollars each, according to the report.

Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been accused of orchestrating Khashoggi’s killing, but the kingdom has claimed that the prince was not involved.

Saudi Arabia initially said it had no knowledge of Khashoggi’s fate but later blamed rogue agents for his death.

Its public prosecutor has charged 11 people over his murder.

Kabul, Apr 2 (IANS): US special envoy for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad visited the Afghan capital and exchanged views with the country’s leadership, the media reported on Tuesday.

As part of his multination trip to facilitate intra-Afghan peace talks, Khalilzad arrived in Kabul on Monday and immediately started meeting Afghan officials, Daily Outlook Afghanistan reported.

Khalilzad, the Afghanistan-born US veteran diplomat, met President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and several other politicians.

Afghan Presidential Palace in a short statement released here on Tuesday said that President Ghani and Khalilzad exchanged views on the

Zalmay Khalilzad

situation in Afghanistan and the ongoing peace process and added that the outcome of the peace talks would be shared with the people.

The Taliban has so far rejected to sit on negotiating table with the Afghan government, saying the militant group won’t talk to Kabul administration in the presence of foreign military forces in the

country.

Khalilzad, who ended his fifth round of marathon talks with the Taliban representatives in Doha a couple of weeks ago and resumed his peace mission on March 25 with visit to London and Brussels, is expected to visit Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Qatar after ending his meetings with Afghan leaders.

DP-2552

MITHUN MEAT FOR SALE

K-764

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Good and healthy Mithun meat will be on sale at Chumukedima Saturday bazar. Those interested to buy may book orders to ensure they get the tasty meat.

Contact:- 7005965504, 9862700936

DC-487

TUOPHEZOU CHURCHES AWAKENING CRUSADE Date :7th April 2019 Venue : Tuophema Dahou

B.TH/M.DIV/M.TH CORRESPONDENCE Govt. Recognised & Accredited (National/International/Global).

Housewife/ Govt/Mission/ Private employees can apply. Excellent notes are provided. Admission is going on.

Contact : Faith Theological College (FTC), Ura Villa Colony, Circuit House Area, Dimapur Phone No. 9856319201/ 7005091090/ 8837099195/ 9774870677

DP-1841

Speakers : 1. Rev. Dr. V. Atsi Dolie, Executive Director, ABCC 2. Mr Zhau Sanchu, Principal, Hope Institute of Theology, Sovima Nagaland Bus picking points and timing

K-659

Note : G.Th/ B.Th/ M.Div regular admission going on for new session.

DP-2549

Bus Points Departure time Tuophema Baptist B.O.C Traffic Point 6:45 AM Church Bus Botsa Baptist Kezieke Mini Bus 6:55 AM Church Bus Parking Tuophema Community High School Junction 7:10 AM Bus This crusade is organized for all the kindred of Tuophema Village, as such all are invited. Pray, come and be blessed.

Tuophezou kehou liethoko krotho.

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state

10

Voters’ interface programme in Dimapur

Staff Reporter

Organisers and representatives of political parties on Tuesday. (NP) tended by representatives from YouthNet, ChildLine, Peace Channel, Naga Council, NLSF, EDSYO, Education department, NEISSR, NWHD, DNSU, Pro Rural, DABA, etc. When asked about women reservation and participation of women in policy making, Zhimomi claimed that Congress had always supported women reservation and confirmed that it would back the 33% women reservation. Though there would be endless debates on this, this would be the stand of Congress at the end of the day, he added.

Supporting involvement of women in decision making process, Nakhro said NPF was working on the matter. When it comes to the 33% women reservation, she opined that all women were not equal, some need-

ed it and some did not. But as a whole, she believed that the 33% women reservation should be imposed.

Commenting that Nagas gave equal opportunities to all, Chingo called for implementing women reservation, while keeping in mind the essence of equal opportunities for all at the same time. Regarding CAB and implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Dimapur, both Nakhro and Zhimomi remarked that it was not very much a practical idea, although both claimed that their respective parties were in favour of implementing it.

Nakhro alleged that the present NDA government was not solving the Naga political issue, but rather adding more confusion to it, while Zhimomi

reminded and pointed out to the gathering that there was no connection whatsoever between ILP, CAB and Article 371(A).

When asked about their targets for bringing about change in the fields of education and unemployment, Zhimomi commented that unemployment had hit an all-time high not only in Nagaland, but across the country, adding it would be very difficult for any political party to solve the problem. However, he pointed out that Nagas had very good human resources and by utilising them in correct manner, he felt that the State would not face much of a problem. Regarding improvement of educational system, primarily government institutions, he opined that one main reason for

Training on protected cultivation DIMAPUR: A six-day training programme on “Protected cultivation of High value vegetables”, under Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY), National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), was conducted from March 25 to 30 at KVK Longleng, organized by ICAR-KVK Longleng.

A press release from ACTO (Horticulture), KVK Longleng course director, RK Roshan, stated that during the training programme, resource persons from different disciplines gave lectures and demonstrated different aspects of protected cultivation of High-Value Vegetables.

The resource persons were KVK Longleng senior scientist and head, Dr. KL Meena; SRF, A Namei; KVK Longleng ACTO (Horticulture), Dr. RK Roshan; KVK Longleng program assistant (Home Science), Thungchanou E; assistant professor & head, Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Jha; and agriculture officer Longleng, C Amei Phom.

The topics covered started from vegetable nursery establishment, followed by different methods of propagation, use of plastic in horticulture, production of various high value vegetables crops, vegetable base Integrated Farming Systems, bee keeping, composting, protected cultivation using low cost poly houses and poly tunnels, value addition and post-harvest technology of various high value vegetables crops etc.

Besides being discussed, practical demonstrations were also shown, the release stated.

The Officers and Staff of the Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd., Dimapur was shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Kheshepu Assumi, father of Shri. K. Hokishe Assumi, Director, Industries & Commerce & Managing Director NHHDC Ltd., Dimapur, Nagaland.

In this moment of grief, we the Officers and Staff of NHHDC Ltd., Dimapur convey our deepest condolence and pray to the Almighty God to give comfort and His loving grace to the bereaved family members.

May his soul rest in peace.

Sd/(Narola Alemba Jamir) General Manager DC-486

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born on 28/11/1996 – Died at 28/11/2019 We the family members of Lt. Razouvonuo Chüzho, W/o Mr. Kevisa Chüzho would like to offer our profound gratitude to all relatives, friends, neighbours and well wishers who stood by us physically, materially, financially and spiritually at the sad demise of our beloved on 28 March 2019.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. NCRC High School Area, NCRC Gariphema 2. Jr. CYE NCRC High School Area, CYE Gariphema 3. ‘C’ Coy 4 NAP Bn. 4. Gariphema Chazouketuo Kecha Krotho We deeply regret our inability to thank each and everyone of you individually but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God shower His blessing and grace abundantly upon your lives.

Loving husband & family members K-849

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01/10/1929 – 03/04/2018

“ I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25 A year has passed since you have left us to be with the Lord.

In our hearts you hold a place where no one can ever replace And that binds us as a family which can never fade away.

You are always remembered.

We deeply miss you in silent tears.

K-825 & 852

Loving wife, children, in-laws, grand children & loved ones

2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR BELOVED

LT. K. ROKO THAKRO

IT’S BEEN 2 (TWO) YEARS SINCE YOU LEFT US ON THIS DAY (03/04/2017) FOR E T E R N A L H E AV E N LY HOME. IT’S BEEN HARD BUT YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. NOT A DAY PASSES BY US WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT YOU. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. LOVING MOTHER, BROTHERS, SISTERSIN-LAW, NEPHEWS, NIECE AND RELATIVES.

K-853

K-832

The meeting also deliberated on poor attendance in the office and various government functions and decided that henceforth strict action would be taken up by the AHoDs and HoDs on erring and errant officers and staff.

The meeting further deliberated on issues such as concentration on policy making, setting up of a basic Medical Emergency Unit at the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare for the Secretariat and surrounding directorates and other offices and need to regulate traffic control to ease the traffic congestion in Kohima.

The finance department asked all the departments to furnish the Final Expenditure figures for 2018-19 latest by April 12 and also to furnish the DDO-wise Incumbentwise salary statement as on March 31, 2019 latest by June 15, 2019 for mid-year review of salaries/wages requirement.

CEO, Abhijit Sinha, gave a power point presentation on Model Code of Conduct and a live demonstration on Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).

OF OUR BELOVED FATHER LT. LHOUVIZHÜ VIZO

03-04-2018

K Y M C

ment offices and adopt circulation of circulars and notifications electronically.

The meeting also discussed the need for government officials and departments to be connected to the people for whom they are working. In this regard, the agriculture and allied departments agreed to issue Public Service Announcements from time to time in the media through the IPR department.

DGP Nagaland, TJ Longkumer, also stated that all the police units would gradually be declared as plastic free zones.

Speaking at the meeting, chief secretary said ‘We have become very fond of making excuses and fault finding instead of solution finding’. He said that evolving oneself through transparency and making oneself relevant for effective change and good governance was the need of the hour.

DGP also announced that the Police would be issuing some new guidelines for traffic and enforcing them to ease the traffic problems in Kohima. He called upon all the officers to disseminate these guidelines and instructions in their respective departments.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

of our beloved Lt. Medotalu Nienu

Loving family members

DIMAPUR: State government has asked the departments to submit reports to the home department about the activities they have undertaken on “Plastic Free Nagaland” or send suggestions on what steps could to be taken up in future.

According to DIPR, the chief secretary Temjen Toy informed the departments at the monthly meeting of the AHoDs and HoDs held at secretariat conference Kohima on Tuesday.

The department heads were also reminded that the state government had announced for ‘Plastic Free Nagaland’ last year and that it was being followed up in the secretariat complex and a few departments and offices with discontinuation of using plastic bottled water and instead placing water dispenser in the rooms and in the conference halls.

At the meeting, the officers also advocated that waste segregation should be a moral and ethical responsibility not only in offices but also in every household.

They urged the government to instruct village councils to initiate plastic free zones in their jurisdictions. They also suggested minimising usage of paper in govern-

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

1st Death Anniversary

Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.

Deptts asked to submit report on ‘Plastic Free’ initiative

DP-2541

DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): With Lok Sabha election approaching and parties getting ready, a civil society initiative – “Voters’ Voice: An Interface” – was held at DBIdI Hall, Don Bosco School here on Tuesday.

It was organised by CAN Youth, Path Finders and supported by Social Actions for New Alternatives (SANA) - India.

Key issues that impact the process of development of the State and its people like the peace process, roads and infrastructure, law and order, education, quality medical benefits for all, human trafficking, participation of women in decision making, youth and unemployment, rights of persons with disabilities, Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and electoral reforms were taken up for discussion during the interface.

NPCC general secretary Capt GK Zhimomi, NPF central’s legal cell coconvener Vimeno Nakhro and election agent for Independent candidate Dr Chingo Walim Konyak were present on the occasion and responded to the queries.

The programme was at-

government schools not producing good results was proxy teachers. He said village councils could play a vital role in checking it.

On his part, Dr Chingo promised to work towards removal of corruption, if elected. Referring to the ongoing Naga peace process, he said it should have been concluded by and the Naga political issue resolved.

M e a n w h i l e, w h e n asked why NDPP and NPP did not show up at the event, the organisers explained that they had reached out to all political parties and got confirmation regarding their participation through their workers. It was learned that though NPP’s Lok Sabha candidate Hayithung Tungoe and NDPP spokesperson Merentoshi Jamir had confirmed their participation, they did not turn up.

The moderator for the event was Path Finders’ founder Vitono Gugu Haralu. Welcome address was delivered by SANA – India executive director Bidhayak Das, while CAN Youth chief functionary Jenpu Rongmei gave vote of thanks.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

K Y M C

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Ex-IC flays proposed panel probe against CIC

New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI): Former Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu has written to President Ram Nath Kovind against “conspiratorial attempt” of the government to “kill” the Central Information Commission through proposed committees under IAS officers to hear complaints against Information Commissioners.

Taking note of reports, Acharyulu said the proposed panels would reduce the CIC to the level of a “glorified clerk without glory”.

“I request the President of India to save RTI by insulating CIC from these kinds of onslaughts from the government and their subordinate officers trying to prevent people from asking for embarrassing disclosures using RTI. This attempt is highly undemocratic, unconstitutional and smacks of high-level dictatorship and authoritarianism. This must be totally opposed,” he said.

Acharyulu termed the move to be against the Right to Information (RTI) Act, and violative of letter and spirit of the Constitution which gave independence to information tribunal.

“It is a ridiculous proposal to make such ‘officers’ who are supposed to obey the directions of ICs and CIC, as superior authorities to inquire into the

Sridhar Acharyulu (File)

complaints against CICs. This is another conspiratorial attempt to kill the institution, which was asking the government offices to disclose the corruption and other cases against its officers,” he wrote.

The former Information Commissioner, who gave several landmark verdicts, including issuing notice to former RBI Governor for not obeying a Supreme Court order on following CIC directives, said Information Commissioners and Chief Information Commissioner have the power to direct and impose penalties on the Cabinet Secretary and other secretaries if they don’t give information.

“It is bureaucracy’s desperate attempt to annex the transparency panel under their hierarchy,” he said.

He said the Central Information Commission must function autonomously without being subjected to directions by any other authority under this Act (Section 12(4) or RTI Act).

“The ICs are at par with Election Commissioners, who in turn function at the level of Supreme Court judges. The CICs are appointed by the President on recommendation of the high-power committee led

by PM, Cabinet Minister and leader of the opposition,” he said.

He said if the government appoints independent persons from different walks of life with cherished past of being transparent, there will be no complaints against CICs and no such committees will be necessitated.

The Centre has proposed to form committees under cabinet secretary to look into complaints against Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners, a move seen as an attack on the independence of the transparency panel.

The proposal sent to the Central Information Commission (CIC) by the Department of Personnel and Training was discussed in a meeting of the Commission on March 27 where all but one of the seven commissioners, including the chief, were present.

It was unanimously opposed by the commissioners, and Chief Information Commissioner Sudhir Bhargava was urged to send a suitable reply to the government, sources privy to the development said.

National/state

SC reserves verdict on Finance Act 2017

New Delhi, Apr 2 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the Constitutional validity of the Finance Act 2017 on the ground that it was passed

by Parliament as a Money Bill.

A five-judge Constitution bench reserved its order on pleas that also included one challenging the Finance Act 2017 alleging that the government was taking over the powers to decide the terms and conditions of tribunal members, including their tenure.

The Centre justified the Finance Act 2017 as a Money Bill contending it had provisions that dealt with salaries and allowance to be paid to members of tribunals from the consolidated funds of India.

Appearing for a petitioner, senior counsel Arvind Datar pointed to a Finance Act 2017 provision dealing with tribunals that gave the government powers to frame rules overriding the statutory provision relating to the terms and conditions of the members of the tribunals.

Datar noted that the provision was detrimental to the independence of the judiciary and said that India was the only place where

Social media campaign for victims of Kandhamal conspiracy tion claim, was transferred in 2013 before delivering the verdict. The verdict that convicted the seven accused Christians – Bhaskar Sunamajhi, Bijay Kumar Sanseth, Budhadeb Nayak, Durjo Sunamajhi, Gornath Chalanseth, Munda Badamajhi (mentally challenged) and Sanatan Badamajhi - to life imprisonment was delivered in haste by a newly appointed third judge in October 2013. Their bail plea has been bluntly dismissed by the Odisha High Court while the appeal has been dragging on in the same court for five years.

Akkara said he initiated the online signature campaign www.release7innocents.com which generates four instant emails to the Chief Justice of India, President of India, National Human Rights Commission and Chief Justice of Odisha High Court. “It’s shame for Indian democracy and a blot on the judicial system of the country that seven innocents are languishing in jail for a decade while the master conspirators masquerade as custodians of the nation,”

Akkara added.

‘Innocents Imprisoned’ is the visual presentation of the Kandhamal fraud and travesty of justice, exposed in Akkra’s nationally acclaimed book ‘Who Killed Swami Laxmanananda?’.

All the four versions of the documentary (English, Odia, Hindi and Malayalam) can be viewed at www.release7innocents. com – the website for the online signature campaign for the release of the innocents, anchored by the journalist who has made 28 trips to Kandhamal.

Calcutta HC to examine CBI’s validity

I have no desire to become PM: KCR

(From p-1)

Further, he pointed out that the video (showing Swami’s shocking ‘boast’) was used to spread the ‘Christian conspiracy’ theory hatched in a DVD titled ‘The Agony of Kandhamal” produced by the India Foundation.

“Kandhamal was a massive political conspiracy –a ploy to trap Sonia Gandhi, of Italian Catholic origin and then ruling UPA chairperson, to dismiss the Odisha government in which the BJP was a coalition partner at the time. The seven innocents including a mentally challenged are in jail by the subversion of the judicial system to perpetrate the Sangh Parivar conspiracy,” said Anto.

The documentary names even Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav and VHP leader Praveen Togadia as key conspirators behind Kandhamal. He said the plot was proved by clinching documents including the slain Swami’s boastful

Ko l kata , A p r 2 (IANS): The Calcutta High Court will examine the legal validity of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act as well as that of the CBI which derives its power to investigate from the legislation.

Hearing an appeal

by Chandan Biswas, sentenced by a special CBI court in 2018 for corruption, a bench of Justice Protik Prakash Banerjee directed that the matter be posted before Acting Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder for setting up a Constitution bench to decide the issue.

A BSNL official, Biswas was convicted by a Special CBI court for criminal conspiracy and cheating and sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

Justice Banerjee’s order came on amicus curiae Phiroze Edulji’s submission that the case was related to an interpretation

claim. Within hours of Swami’s murder, Akkara said four Christians including a 13-year old illiterate boy were picked up by Saffron henchmen, thrashed and dumped in police stations.

It was VHP leader Togadia who announced the names of ‘Swami’s killers’ and not the police. That is how the nation was fooled about the ‘Christian conspiracy’ behind Swami’s murder, he stated. When the police could not fix the ‘first batch of killers’ who had been detained for 40 days, they were let off with an affidavit: “Due to fear, we had taken shelter in police station.”

The investigation team arrested the ‘second batch of killers’ – seven Christians – six of them illiterates from remote jungles in two batches. During four years of trial of the accused in the Fast Tract Court, hardly any worthwhile evidence was brought before the two judges, he said.

Biranchi N Mishra, the Fast Track Court judge who had presided over the final two years of the trial and questioned the prosecu-

Calcutta High Court (File)

of the Constitution and therefore involved substantial questions of law.

The order noted that the Constitution bench must examine the following questions arising in the case. “Whether the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, is a valid piece of legislation? Whether the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is an organ or a part of Delhi Special Police Establishment?

“In a Constitution having a federal form with distinct feels of legislation apportioned to the federal legislature and/or the federating legislature with corresponding executive

power where law and order and their maintenance are part of the power given to the federating states whether a federal police force even for investigation can be made by Central legislation without following the procedure established by the Constitution for Central legislature making laws which would be enforceable in each of the states,” said the order.

In 2013, a Gauhati High Court order held that the CBI was neither an organ nor a part of the DSPE and cannot be treated as a police force constituted under the DSPE Act, 1946.

The Gauhati High Court had declared the for mation of the CBI “unconstitutional” and quashed the 1963 executive order under which the investigation agency was formed.

T h i s ve r d i c t w a s stayed by the Supreme Court and the matter is still pending before it.

How to sign the online petition: Go to www.release7innocents.com Click on ‘sign petition’ Type your name and email id Click on ‘sign’ again On signing the petition, petitioners would immediately get an email from change.org confirming they have signed the online petition demanding the release of the seven Innocents of Kandhamal.

Warangal, Apr 2 (IANS): Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday said that he has no desire to become the Prime Minister.

Addressing an election rally, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President said that he wants to see a non-Congress, non-BJP government at the Centre to address the real problems of the country which both the national parties have failed to solve in last 70 years.

KCR, as Rao is widely known, said he would like to contribute to bring a qualitative change in the national politics. Urging people to elect 16 Lok Sabha candidates of TRS (leaving Hyderabad for its ally MIM), he said only TRS can work to safeguard the state’s interests and get the state’s rights. KCR demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologize to the people of Telangana for speaking lies.

the top court had allowed it to happen.

Referring to overseas jurisdictions in different countries including South Africa and Sri Lanka, Datar said that the core judicial power being exercised by the tribunals can’t be taken away. Datar told the court that Part XIV -- dealing with tribunals -- was included 49 days after of Finance Act, 2017 was introduced in Parliament certified as a money bill by the Speaker on February 1, 2017. Part XIV of the Finance Act was inserted on March 22 and this was not certified as Money Bill by the Speaker, he said.

However, this was disputed by Attorney General K.K.Venugopal, who said that Part XIV too was certified by the Speaker as a part of Money Bill on March 23, when it was sent to the Rajya Sabha.

Pointing out the differing terms and conditions of services of Tribunal members, CJI Gogoi asked Venugopal, “What we have today is lack of uniformity between the tribunals and within a tribunal. Tell us how uniformity can be brought about?”

The Attorney General told the court that it could decide on the uniform terms and conditions of the tribunal members. “If the court upholds that Finance Act 2017 is a money bill and there is no excessive delegation of powers, then it can decide on the terms and conditions of the tribunal members,” Venugopal told the bench.

ECI flying squad seizes copies of book on Rafale deal New Delhi, Apr 2 (AGENCIES): An election flying squad, accompanied by police personnel, on Tuesday seized copies of a book on the Rafale fighter aircraft deal from a publishing house in Teynampet, Chennai. It was scheduled to be released in the evening by N. Ram, chairman, THG Publishing Group.

Book Nattai Ulukkum Rafale Bera Uzhaal’ (the Rafale scam that is rocking the country), brought out

by Tamil publishing house Bharathi Puttakalayam, is written by social activist S. Vijayan. The publisher had decided to release the book from the publication house office. The election flying squad, led by S. Ganesh, Assistant Executive Engineer,Thousands Lights Constituency, reached the publishing house on Elango Street along with the local police inspector and told publisher Nagarajan that the book release function and sale of the book could not be permitted under the model code of conduct.

He also served a handwritten letter banning the book’s release and sale. In spite of opposition from the publisher and other staff, police personnel and other officials seized all copies of the book.

Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told The Hindu that neither he nor the District Electoral Officer, the Commissioner of the Chennai Corporation, had ordered the seizure of the books.

11 Don’t worry about my family: Pawar hits back at PM Modi

Kolhapur, Apr 2 (IANS): A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Pawar political clan in Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Tuesday advised him to “not to worry about my family”.

In a restrained but hard-hitting counter to Modi’s tirade, the 78-yearold Maratha strongman reminded him that “the PM’s office is like an institution” and he must be extremely careful while speaking about other people.

“Wherever he goes, Modi first launches personal attacks on the Gandhi family. He must not forget that the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi taught a lesson to Pakistan and created not only history but geography also,” Pawar told an election rally.

“After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, his widow Sonia Gandhi did not leave the country but carried on her duties and responsibilities to the country. Does it behove a person of the PM’s stature to keep insulting the Gandhis like this?”

Pawar asked.

The former Union Minister and three-time Maharashtra Chief Minister also accused Modi of not accepting responsibility or exercising caution by making such utterances.

Pawar pointed out that in his five-decade long political career, he had listened to speeches by all Prime Ministers includ-

Sharad Pawar (File)

ing Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao and others but “there was nothing in Modi’s speech” on Monday.

“There are so many burning issues at the national and state levels concerning the commoners, farmers, youth, unemployed, women, but Modi did not discuss these.

Instead he chose to launch direct personal attacks against the opposition leaders. No other leader in the past has ever done this,” Pawar said.

“My mother is from Kolhapur and she has imbibed very good culture in me. Modi has no need to worry about my family. Ajit Pawar is also an excellent administrator,” Pawar said in defence of his nephew.

The Maratha strongman’s response came to a sharp onslaught by Modi in Wardha on Monday in which he singled out Pawar, his family and the NCP and asked the people of the state to defeat the Congress-NCP in all the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Highlights of cong manifesto Tuensang district hospital gets state-of-art ICU (From p-1)

(From p-1)

To raise funds for purchasing raw materials for construction of the building, the trade body held a fund-raising programme “Save a life” on September 20 last year. And in just one night, it was able to collect Rs 7,15,448, even as donations continued to pour in thereafter. The construction eventually began on November 12 and the building was completed in a short span of four months. Eventually, Rs 32, 72,046 was spent in the construction of the building. Alongside construction of the building, training on vital aspects of running an ICU unit was provided to two nurses from Tuensang by head of Naga Hospital ICU, Dr Sentimeren Aonok.

Expressing their gratitude to everyone who contributed towards fructifying the project, a joint statement by Dorothy and TCCI general secretary Lichempi Sangtam said though the idea and initiative was taken up by them, “it was the participation of the people of Tuensang and beyond who rose to the occasion and without which the project would not have been completed in a short time.”

Giving credit to the people at large, the statement further read “This immense response from the people has instilled a faith in all of us of how people can cooperate and unite towards common interest by overcoming the feeling of distinction based on colour, tribe, caste or creed.”

Besides Maj. Gen. Nair, other AR officials who attended the inauguration programme included Brig SK Sheoran, Commandant Samrat Sen Gupta, medical officer Dr Dibangar and Major Abhishek. The AR team also expressed immense satisfaction with the final outcome.

Officials from the health and family welfare department who attended the programme included project director Dr Vikiyie Losu, director Dr Vizole, additional director Dr Hotokhu, joint director Dr Ritu Thurr and deputy director Dr Nyan.

Women: “Provide 33% reservation of seats in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 to be enforced effectively; repeal any provision of law that prohibits night shifts for women; comprehensive review of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplaces Act, 2013; establish a separate investigative agency to investigate heinous crimes against women and children.”

Economic policy: “Congress promises to achieve the target of 3% of GDP by 2020-21 and remain under that limit; achieve a savings level of 40% of GDP and a Gross Capital Formation level of 35% of GDP; bring every Fortune 500 company to set up a business in India; withdraw Angel Tax. Manufacturing: “Congress promises to increase the share of India’s manufacturing sector from the current level of 16%of GDP to 25% within a period of 5 years and to make India a manufacturing hub for the world.”

Public infrastructure and urban policy: “Congress promises to modernise all outdated railway infrastructure; formulate a comprehensive policy on Urbanisation; Right to Housing for the urban poor and protection from arbitrary eviction; introduce a new model of governance for towns and cities through a directly elected mayor with a fixed term of 5 years, an elected Council and a separate administrative structure for each urban body.”

Foreign policy: “Congress promises to establish a National Council on Foreign Policy; re-double the efforts to win for permanent membership India in the UNSC and the Nuclear Suppliers Group; significantly increase the size of the Foreign Service.”

Oppn speaks Pak’s language on terror: Modi Patna, Apr 2 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attacked the opposition, accusing them of “speaking the language of Pakistan” on terror while his government had cracked down on terrorist activities and ensured security in the country.

The Prime Minister addressed two election rallies in Bihar’s Jamui and Gaya Lok Sabha seats for candidates of allied parties.

At a rally in Gaya, from where Janata DalUnited’s Vijay Manjhi is contesting, he alleged that the opposition are helping terrorists “who are in trouble from the ‘chowkidar’”.

“Earlier, bomb blasts were a daily affair but now it has ended after people voted us to power. Every vote matters as it helped to end daily bomb blasts,” Modi said.

He also said that in last five years, several schemes and development projects

Narendra Modi (File)

were initiated and promised people that if they voted for the National Democratic Alliance, he would do what was left.

“You have given me chance to serve and work for development... if you are happy with my work, then give me another chance to complete remaining work,” he said.

He also questioned former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s demand to go

back told the old title of ‘Prime Minister’ in the state. “How it is possible that there will be two PMs in one country,” he asked, adding that opposition leaders were silent over the demand.

Modi attacked the Congress for insulting the Indian Constitution’s prime architect B.R. Ambedkar while the his BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government honoured him.

“Congress has always insulted Ambedkar. But the NDA government is doing everything to respect and honour him,” he said at the rally in Jamui constituency from where ally Lok Janshakti Party’s Chirag Paswan, the son of party chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, is contesting.

Those who consider Ambedkar as an icon and legendary would never support the Congress, Modi added.

Accusing the Congress of creating confusion over reservation by spreading lies, he said: “No one can end reservation in government jobs and educational institutions, not even Modi. Opposition leaders are spreading lies on it.”

The Prime Minister also sought to clarify that the 10 percent reservation for economically weaker sections, brought in by his government, has nothing to do with ending reservation at all.

12

National

Code violation: EC pulls up rlys, AI

New Delhi, Apr 2 (AGENCIES): Election Commission of India has come down severely on both Air India and Indian Railways for their casualness in enforcing election code, as the commission cracks its whip on misuse of state machinery in the run up to general elections.

In letters voicing its displeasure to both Air India and Indian Railways, the election watchdog reprimanded them on Tuesday for their “lackadaisical” approach toward code violations and demanded that the two companies submit their respective reports within the week.

To the Indian Railways, the election commission writes in its notice: “It has come to the notice of the commission that tea cups were provided to the passengers in the train of the Indian Railway by the NGO, namely ‘Sankalp”’, which contained the political slogan of the Bharatiya Janata Party and such matter is closely related to violation of the Model Code of Conduct”.

“The commission, taking cognisance of the incident, has directed that the matter may be looked into immediately and a report may be furnished by 11:00 hours on April 4 that decision may be taken by the commission in the

Election Commission of India. (File)

matter.” The development comes after a passenger noticed paper tea cups that railway catering used to serve refreshments bore the slogan “Main bhi chowkidar”—a campaign the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is using to drum up support for another term.

After the image he tweeted went viral, Indian Railways defended itself saying the cups were used without its approval, but said later that it had withdrawn the tea cups and penalised the contractor.

In a second letter— this one on another code violation— the commission criticised the railways for not complying with its instructions.

This reprimand pertains to a separate code violation that came days before the tea cup issue. In this one, Indian Railways was found issuing tickets with Narendra Modi’s im-

age on it. Railways said then that it was an “unintentional and inadvertent mistake”.

“The commission expresses its considered displeasure over the noncompliance of the commission’s instructions especially when the Model Code of Conduct is in force and the lackadaisical approach towards enforcing the Code,” the letter said.

“The commission has also decided that disciplinary action be taken against the officer in-charge and a report be submitted to the Election Commission within a week.”

Railways hasn’t commented on either Election Commission’s letter or its notice.

In a similarly worded letter to Civil Aviation Secretary PS Kharola, the election watchdog said that Air India failed to respond to its notice. Its deadline

for response was two days ago.

“The Commission expresses its serious displeasure over the non-compliance of the Commission’s lawful instructions and lackadaisical approach towards enforcing the Model Code of Conduct,” the poll panel said in its letter dated April 2, 2019.

The commission said its displeasure should also be conveyed to Air India Chairman-Managing Director Ashwani Lohani for “the lapse of the organisation”.

Air India ran into trouble for its boarding passes bearing photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

The Election Commission issued a notice of the election violation to the Civil Aviation Ministry on March 26. That notice said that the airline was found in violation of the model code of conduct, and referred to clause VII of the code which states that “Issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer ... regarding achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power shall be scrupulously avoided”.

Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 10, when the commission announced election schedule.

Will amend AFSPA for J&K, says Cong in manifesto

New Delhi, Apr 2 (AGENCIES): In potentially controversial promises, the Congress manifesto has pledged to review the Armed Forces Special Powers and rework troop deployment in Jammu and Kashmir, besides abolishing the provision of sedition in the IPC, easing rules for bail, and limit the powers of the probe agencies to search, seize and arrest.

The Congress also promised to enact an antihate crime law to address lynchings and non-engineered violence in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha.

In other important provisions, the Congress said it would investigate the Rafale deal, make defamation a civil offence and amend laws that allow for detention without trial.

The opposition party further said it would scrap electoral bonds and also the Niti Ayog and bring in a modern Planning Commission.

The Congress also said it would amend the anti-defection law to provide for instant disqualification of defecting MPs and MLAs. The party also said it will probe circumstances under which a number of scamsters were allowed to leave the country.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

NASA rebukes Shakti Mission; ISRO scientist Mishra responds Gandhinagar, Apr 2 (AGENCIES): A day after NASA claimed that the debris from India’s antisatellite (ASAT) missile test has increased a collision risk to the International Space Station (ISS) by 44 per cent, Tapan Misra, senior advisor to ISRO chairman said on Tuesday that ISRO scientists will not do anything to shame India and the debris from the “Mission Shakti” experiment will burn out in the next six months.

“Even the best of friends sometimes criticise you on your marriage day saying the food is not good…

When we do something different we will not always get garlands. That is part of life… It has happened at about 300 kilometres in space where the wind pressure is low, but it is enough to burn them down in another six months,” said Misra who was former director of Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre (SAC), a crucial arm of ISRO that is working on India’s space mission “Gaganyaan.”

Claiming that the ISRO experiment was “not an explosion”, but was more like a “bullet”, the distinguished ISRO scientist said, “The Chinese did an experiment at 800 kilometer altitude where the air pressure is not much. The debris is still flying around.” Misra was replying to a query on

Tapan Misra (File)

ISS raised by a student at the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), where the scientist was present for an open house session on the topic “Indian Human Space Programme and its legal implication.”

The comments from ISRO came at a day after NASA administrator Jim Brindenstine pointed out that NASA has identified 400 pieces of orbital debris from India’s anti-satellite test that posed risk to ISS which was launched way back in 1998 and has seen over 54 crewed missions.

Jim had also pointed out that a similar test conducted

by China in 2007 had posed a greater risk than the recent Indian test. He said that the existing space debris was already large and different countries were monitoring it through a network of radars, cameras and telescopes.

“They are cooperating with each other… If you see space debris (in a collision course), you can always change the course of the satellite,” Misra remarked.

7 Pak posts destroyed as Army retaliates Jammu, Apr 2 (AGENCIES): Seven Pakistani posts across the LoC were destroyed as the Army retaliated to cross-border shelling

by Pakistani troops who targeted border areas in Rajouri and Poonch districts, officials said on Tuesday. There had been several casualties to Pakistani troops too, they said. As a precautionary measure, all schools along the borderline in Poonch and Rajouri districts have been closed. On Monday, a BSF inspector and a fiveyear-old girl were among the three people killed while 24 others were injured as Pakistani troops heavily shelled forward areas along the Line of Control in Poonch district, prompting the Army to retaliate “befittingly”, said officials. There was heavy mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Poonch district and Nowshera sector of Rajouri district till Tuesday morning, officials said.

There was also firing and shelling by Pakistan troops in Shahpur sub-sector in Poonch and Nowshera on Tuesday, they said. In the retaliation carried out by Indian troops, seven Pakistan posts across the LoC in Rakhchikri and Rawalakote forward areas of PoK were destroyed, they said, adding that there had been several causalities on the Pakistani side.

Omar defends statement on wazir-e-azam PM, Mamata to launch ED submit more evidences against Shabir

S r i naga r , A p r 2 (AGENCIES): National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah Tuesday defended his statement that his party would strive hard for restoring the terms of accession of Jammu and Kashmir, including the provisions for having a sadr-e-riyasat (president) and wazir-eazam in the state and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to go through history how Jammu and Kashmir became part of India.

At a rally in north Kashmir’s Pattan town, the former J&K chief minister said the demand about Prime Minister and sadre-riyasat was nothing new.

He said that a host of BJP leaders have been attacking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

“First, Finance minister Arun Jaitley wrote on Facebook that 35A should be removed, then BJP president, Amit Shah in a television interview said that it is BJP’s old promise to scrap Article 35A. And whatever was left, PM Naredra Modi in his speech at

Omar Abdullah (File)

Andhra Pradesh made my speech in Bandipore famous throughout the country and world.”

Article 35A of the Indian Constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir state’s legislature to define “permanent resident” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents which are excluded for nonpermanent residents Asking Prime Minister to go through history of the country, Omar said. “Modi sahib, you should read the history of this country and what were the circumstances under which J&K became a part of India. The demand for PM and sadr-e-riyasat for J&K is not new. It is in our

constitution on which Prime Minister had taken oath, the same constitution has given us a separate map, flag and a separate constitution.’’

Later speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the rally, Omar Abdullah said that J&K had its own Prime minister and sadr-eriyasat till 1965. “Whatever I spoke about is part of the constitution.”

Omar Abdullah said that he had not said anything wrong. “I have only repeated truth. Even on behalf of the National Conference, I haven’t said anything different, when I was minister in the NDA under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then also our stand was same on this issue. That time also we were talking about autonomy and demanding pre-1953 position. If that time I was right, how come this is wrong this time? Our stand has never changed as we are seeking restoration of internal autonomy of this state and pre-1953 position.

We want to restore conditions of accession of J&K with India.’’

poll campaign in WB today

Kolkata, Apr 2 (PTI): The battle of Bengal is all set to heat up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee kickstarting their campaign Wednesday in the state that sends third largest number of Lok Sabha members to Parliament.

While Modi will address a rally at Siliguri, Banerjee will hold her first public meeting for the general elections in the state at Dinhata, both in North Bengal.

Political circles are agog that a war of words are on the cards with Mamata Banerjee deciding to hold her public rally on the same day the Prime Minister will commence his campaign in the state.

Banerjee, who was earlier scheduled to begin her campaign meetings on April 4 in North Bengal, has preponed it by a day to address the rally at Dinhata in Coochbehar constituency, which goes to polls in

the first phase.

West Bengal has a total of 42 Lok Sabha seats, the third largest number after Uttar Pradesh’s 80 and Maharashtra 48.

After a good performance in last year rural polls and also in a few bypolls, the BJP has pipped CPI(M) as well Congress to emerge as main challenger to TMC in Bengal.

The BJP president Amit Shah has set an ambitious target of winning 23 seats in the state.

Mamata Baner jee popularly called “Didi”, who has been playing an important role in bringing together anti-BJP parties on one platform and whose party see a potential PM candidate in her, is sparing no effort to stop saffron party increase its footprint in the state.

“The Chief Minister will address the rally at Dinhata on Wednesday at 3.00 pm,” TMC Coochbehar district secretary Rabindranath Ghosh said.

New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday told a Delhi court that jailed Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah generated funds from Pakistan and other countries to carry out unrest in the Valley.

The agency made the submission before Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora while opposing Shah’s bail application in a decade-old money laundering case for alleged terror financing, in which the accused is currently lodged in Tihar central jail here.

ED’s special public prosecutor N K Matta told the court that Shah was “involved in generation of huge proceeds of crime from various countries, including Pakistan, to carry out unrest in Kashmir and amassed huge wealth in the form of immovable and movable assets.”

Advocate Samvedna Verma, appearing for ED, told the court that if granted the relief, Shah may use his influence in threatening the witnesses and may not be

Shabir Shah (File)

available for facing the trial.

“Accused Shabir Shah is involved in channelising the illegal money sources from foreign countries, i.e., Pakistan, avoiding banking channel to fund the terror organisations in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country and if released on bail, he may use his influence in pressurising/ threatening the witnesses and may not be available for facing trial,” the agency said.

It also alleged that Shah was in regular touch with Hafiz Sayeed, Chief of Pakistan-based banned terror outfit, Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD). There are serious allegations against Shah and further investigation in the

Navy ex-chief writes to EC over Yogi remark Congress manifesto cannot

New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI/AGENCIES): Indian Navy ex-chief Admiral L Ramdas has shot off a protest letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Sunil Arora, against the remark ‘Modi ji ki sena’ (Modi’s Army) made by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath at an election rally on Sunday.

“The Armed Forces are not a private force belonging to any individual or political party, and therefore any suggestion to that effect is completely unacceptable,” Admiral Ramdas said, asking the EC to take suitable action to arrest such irresponsible actions.

Admiral Ramdas, who lives in Maharashtra, had some three weeks ago, expressed concerns about the growing ‘politicisation of the armed forces by political parties’.

The EC had issued guidelines advising political parties to refrain from using pictures or images of armed forces in their campaigning for the forthcoming General Election.

At a rally on Sunday, Adityanath, while campaigning for sitting MP and Union Minister VK Singh in

EC to examine Yogi’s comment

L Ramdas (File)

Ghaziabad, said: “Congress ke log aatank-wadiyon ko biryani khilate the aur Modi ji ki sena aatankwadiyon ko goli aur gola deti hai (Congress people would feed biryani to terrorists, while Modi’s Army gives them bullet or bomb).

The remarks have also not gone down well with the military.

“This was exactly the kind of development I was fearing when I wrote to you last month,” Admiral Ramdas said, adding as one of the senior most former chiefs of the Armed Forces, I consider it is my duty and responsibility to bring to your notice the fact that we, the armed forces of the country, owe our allegiance only to the Constitution of India.”

The Election Commission on Tuesday received a factual report on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s reported remarks referring to the Indian Army as ‘Modiji ki sena’ and has started examining it to ascertain whether it violated the model code of conduct.

The district magistrate of Ghaziabad has furnished a report in this regard. “It is under examination,” official sources said.

“Congress ke log aatankwadiyon ko biryani khilate the aur Modiji ki sena aatankwadiyon ko goli aur gola deti hai. (Congress leaders would feed biryani to terrorists, while Modi’s army gives them bullets and bombs). This is the difference. The Congress people use ‘ji’ to refer to Masood Azhar to encourage terrorism,” Adityanath said at an election rally in Ghaziabad on Sunday.

The BJP leader was campaigning for sitting MP and Union minister V K Singh.

The Election Commission had on March 19 asked political parties to “desist” from indulging in any propaganda involving actions taken by defence forces during their Lok Sabha poll campaigns.

The advisory came days after the poll panel asked parties and their candidates against using pictures of defence force personnel in their campaign material. “...parties/candidates are advised that their campaigners/candidates should desist, as part of their election campaigning, from indulging in any political propaganda involving activities of defence forces,” it had said.

Former Navy Chief Admiral L Ramdas had Monday said he would approach the Election Commission against Adityanath for his remarks and claimed that many veterans and those in service were upset over it.

be implemented, says Jaitley

New Delhi, Apr 2 (AGENCIES): Union minister Arun Jaitley today shredded the Congress manifesto for the April-May national elections, alleging that it is “dangerous and un-implementable, and an agenda for balkanisation of India”. The Congress promises will protect Maoists and jihadists, and allow terrorists and friends to prosecute the forces, said the minister at a press conference this evening.

“In this manifesto, there are such agendas that do the work of breaking up the nation,” Jaitley said.

“Being involved in terror will no longer be a crime.

The party which says this does not deserve a single vote”.

Earlier today, the Congress presented a bread-andbutter manifesto that, its chief Rahul Gandhi said, focuses on the issues that the common man faces. Its five big ideas, Gandhi said, were poverty alleviation under the NYAY scheme, generation of jobs, a reformed Goods and Services Tax, double budget for education

Arun Jaitley (File)

and free healthcare.

The party also promised to review laws like the controversial AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) that’s in place in disturbed areas like Jammu and Kashmir and parts of the northeast and scrap the one on sedition, which are liable to misuse.

“Omitting Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (that defines the offence of ‘’sedition’’) that has been misused and, in any event, has become redundant because of subsequent laws,” the manifesto reads.

For Jammu and Kashmir, the Cong ress has promised to review AFSPA. “The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and

the Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and Kashmir will be reviewed.

Suitable changes will be made in the text of the laws to balance the requirements of security and the protection of human rights,” the party said in the manifesto.

Since the terror attack on Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama on February 14 and the subsequent air strikes on a Jaish-e Mohammad camp in Pakistan’s Balakot, the BJP has changed the focus of its campaign.

From economic growth and development, the narrative has shifted to national security and nationalism.

Accusing the Congress of going soft on terror, Jaitley said “Rajiv Gandhi got TADA (an anti-terror law that was considered draconian), Narasimha Rao took it back. Manmohan Singh took back POTA.” If all the Congress plans are implemented, there will be “rule of insurgents and terrorists, if the Congress tries to establish this, it will not be acceptable,” Jaitley said.

case was going on and the properties were being identified, the ED said, adding that it was trying to establish the money trail.

Advocate M S Khan had moved the bail application on behalf of Shah on the ground of parity after the Delhi High Court recently granted bail to coaccused and alleged hawala dealer Mohammad Aslam Wani in the case.

The case was registered in 2007 for the alleged offence committed in 2005 and the accused was arrested on July 25, 2017.

The court had in August 2017 denied bail to Shah after ED submitted that it was probing whether he had received money from “enemy countries” like Pakistan to promote terrorism in India.

Shah was arrested in connection with the August 2005 case in which the Special Cell of Delhi Police had arrested Wani, claiming that Rs 63 lakh was recovered from him, out of which Rs 52 lakh was allegedly to be delivered to Shah.

‘AIMIM contest is not on basis of demographics’

Hyderabad, Apr 2 (PTI): Slamming the Congress and the BJP, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi Tuesday said his party contests polls on the basis of its performance and not demographic composition of a constituency.

The AIMIM president was alluding to the debate about the demographic composition in Wayanad in Kerala from where Congress president Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha polls.

“It (AIMIM) ensured construction of schools, colleges & basthi dawakhanas. Majlis stood by our Hindu sisters who are victim to the cruel social evil of abandonment without divorce,” Owaisi said in a tweet.

“Majlis contests its elections on its record of five years, not the demographics of Varanasi or Wayanad,” said Owaisi, who is seeking re-election from Hyderabad.

Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

New Zealand’s new gun law passes first hurdle

Wellington, Apr 2 (IANS): A new legislation on gun restrictions following the Christchurch shootings passed its first hurdle in New Zealand’s Parliament on Tuesday.

L aw m a k e r s vo t e d 119-1 in favour of the bill which bans military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) rifles like the ones used by a white supremacist in March 15 rampage at two mosques which claimed 50 lives.

New Zealand’s Police Minister Stuart Nash said the attacks in Christchurch exposed the considerable weaknesses in the country’s current firearms law.

According to him, the most critical weakness in the firearms law was that too many people had legal access to too many semiautomatic firearms capable of causing significant harm, Xinhua news agency reported.

“We are driven by one objective. We are driven by the need to ensure public safety is as strong as it can

Stuart Nash (File)

be. We are also driven by the memory of fifty men, women and children who were taken from their loved ones on March 15. Their memory is our responsibility. We don’t ever want to see an attack like this in our country again. We are compelled to act quickly,” said Nash.

New Zealand’s current firearms legislation came into force 35 years ago. It dates from the 1980s, a time when the country was more isolated from the rest of the world, he said. There were strong import controls and no Internet market place or

social media.

“Since this time, firearms technology has shifted, the weapons market has become global and there are a significant online community and trading environment. To bring the firearms legislation more up-to-date and substantially reduce loopholes and risk, major change is needed.

This Bill takes the first steps to modernize the Act,” said Nash.

He said that the legislation was not directed at law-abiding firearms owners who have legitimate uses for their guns.

“Our actions are instead directed at making sure March 15 never happens again. Semi-automatic firearms which are commonly used for hunting, pest control, stock management on farms, and duck shooting will not be affected.” Meanwhile, the government will implement a buyback scheme for the newly-banned firearms which are surrendered.

2 Pak policemen arrested for suspected IS links Lahore, Apr 1 (PTI): A Pakistani police head constable and his brother-in-law, who also works in the police department, have been arrested in Punjab province for their alleged links with the Islamic State, police said on Monday.

Hand grenades, suicide vests and other explosives have also been recovered from the duo, they said.

Punjab police head constable Amjad Firdous Khan and his brother-in-law Shahid Khan, a front desk operator at the Lower Mall police station, were working for the banned outfit for quite sometime, they said.

“A m j a d ’s b r o t h e r Shahzad Khan, who was an active IS member, fled when police raided their house in Gujjar Pura a few days ago,” a police officer said, adding that Amjad and Shahid are being interrogated.

“Police and intelligence agencies are determining the exact role of the arrested policemen. It is believed that Shahzad wanted to target officials of the intelligence agencies,” he said.

Fifteen injured in lightning in western Nepal Kathmandu, Apr 2 (PTI): At least 15 people were injured after lightning struck them in remote Achham district in Nepal, which has been battered by a freak storm that has claimed 31 lives and left a trail of destruction.

The lightning struck far-West Achham district on Monday evening injuring 11 persons in Panchadewal Binayak area and four others in Ramaroshan Rural Municipality a day after the massive storm tore down houses, flipped

vehicles and toppled trees and electricity poles in Southern Nepal.

Massive winds accompanied by hailstorms and rain struck Bara and the adjoining district of Parsa in the central Tarai region on Sunday evening killing at least 31 people and injuring 600 others.

Losses to the agricultural, industrial and energy sectors from Sunday night’s killer rainstorm are expected to total millions of rupees, officials said. Heavy rain and strong

winds lashed the two districts The Nepal Electricity Authority said its estimated losses could be around Rs 150 million due to the damage to the electricity distribution system in Bara and Parsa districts.

The Ministry of Agriculture said it had not ascertained the losses, but said they could run into millions of rupees. According to the power utility, around 2,000 electricity poles were knocked down by the powerful rainstorm,

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International

disrupting electricity supply to parts of the southern Nepal districts.

Rehabilitation works were underway in the storm-hit districts. Dozens of houses have been collapsed leaving hundreds homeless.

Many of those who left the villages have moved to makeshift camps. As food scarcity has hit the affected area, the people were living on biscuits, noodles and bread donated by the government and non-governmental organisations.

Massive disaster relief bill stalled in US Senate Washington, Apr 2 (IANS): The US Senate has blocked billions of dollars in disaster relief for states across the country as Republicans and Democrats clashed over President Donald Trumps opposition to sending more food and infrastructure help to Puerto Rico.

Senate Democrats opposed a separate measure drafted by Republicans on Monday, saying the $600 million included in it for Puerto Rico’s food stamp programme was not enough to meet the US territory’s needs as it attempts to recover from Hurricane Maria.

The Democrats were backing a House-passed relief bill containing hundreds of millions of dollars more for Puerto Rico than the GOP version, but it, too, failed to advance as Republicans opposed it, the Washington Post reported.

Most Republicans refused to endorse the recovery bill passed this year by the House.

They cited Trump’s opposition to the bill’s Puerto Rico funding as well as their own concerns

Donald Trump (File)

that the bill lacked money for states like Iowa and Nebraska that have since been devastated by flooding and tornadoes.

The vote on the GOP bill was 44 in favour and 49 against.

The House Democratic bill failed on a vote of 46 to 48. Sixty votes were needed for either piece of legislation to advance.

According to the New York Times, the effort begins anew on Tuesday, when Senate Democrats will propose a measure that would allocate billions of dollars that would help Iowa and Nebraska, as well as Puerto Rico, said a Senate Democratic aide.

Trump has been pres-

suring Democrats to support a disaster relief measure that does not include the money they want for Puerto Rico and he went on the attack late Monday on Twitter.

“The Democrats today killed a bill that would have provided great relief to farmers and yet more money to Puerto Rico despite the fact that Puerto Rico has already been scheduled to receive more hurricane relief funding than any ‘place’ in history,” he tweeted.

Puerto Ricans “are great but their government can’t do anything right,

the place is a mess - nothing works”, the President said.

He claimed last week that he had taken better care of Puerto Rico than any living human being.

But Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rosello, a Democrat, described Trump as a “bully” and threatened during an interview on CNN to punch him in the mouth.

Rosello has publicly called on Congress to approve House Democrats’ version of the bill - although without specifically opposing the Senate GOP version.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved Daddy

Lt. Mr. Atoka Zhimo Died on 3rd April 2018

A year has passed since you left for the eternal home. But your presence is felt through friends, family members, relatives and well wishers who have supported us in every turns. We thank the Lord for his precious soul and also express our gratitude to all those who stood by us. As it will be difficult to thank each individual, kindly accept this acknowledgement as a token of our heartfelt appreciation.

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Wife, Children & Family Members.

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Late Temsurenla September 28th, 1962- April 2nd, 2019 Peacefully passed away on Tuesday April 2nd at 8:05Am . Always kind, full of unending love and compassion for everyone, she died believing in our God and His grace. She was the most beloved wife, mother, grandmother, mentor, friend, director and counsellor to many that she has left behind.! ! ! ! ! !

Funeral Service : Thursday April 4th, 2019

10 AM

St. JOHN Hr Sec Res School, Dimapur DP-2555

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Infotainment

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Crüe scores first U.S. Top Drake, BTS and Ariana boost global music sales to $19bn 10MÖtley Album with ‘The Dirt’ soundtrack

T

he success of Drake, BTS and Ariana Grande have helped the music industry earn its biggest revenues in a decade.

The music market is now worth $19bn (£15bn), close to the level of 2006, says the IFPI, which represents the global music industry.

An explosion in streaming subscriptions has essentially saved the industry, which was in freefall for a decade.

In the space of 10 years, streaming revenues have grown from $40m (£30.7m) to almost $9bn (£6.9m).

The likes of Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer now generate almost half (46%) of the industry’s total revenue.

Their growth last year was enough to offset a 10% drop in sales of CDs and a 21% drop in digital downloads.

However, the rise of streaming appears to be tailing off - with the 44.9% g rowth in subscribers

down down from 57.1% in 2017.

The IFPI has previously named Drake as the biggest recording artist of 2018, followed by BTS and Ed Sheeran.

T h e Greatest Showman was the bestselling album; while Camila Drake, BTS and Ariana Grande.

Cabello’s Haman - Soundtrack 3.5 vana was the biggest global 2) BTS - Love Yourself: single of the year.

Answer 2.7 Overall revenue was 3) BTS - Love Yourself: up by 9.7% in 2018, mark- Tear 2.3 ing the fourth consecutive 4) Lady Gaga - A Star Is year of growth.

Born (pictured) 1.9 The IFPI also revealed 5) Johnny Hallyday - Mon the vinyl revival continues Pays C’est L’amour 1.7 globally, with sales up by 6) Ed Sheeran - Divide 1.3 6%. The format now has 7) Queen - Bohemian a 3.6% share of the overall Rhapsody 1.2 market.

8) Pink - Beautiful TrauBest-selling albums of ma 1.2 2018 (source: IFPI) 9) Eminem - Kamikaze Artist and title Sales 1.0 (million) 10) Mamma Mia: Here 1) The Greatest Show- We Go Again - Soundtrack

0.9

Revealing the figures at a press conference in London, IFPI chief executive Frances Moore said: “In previous years this [event] used to be described as a ‘mourn-fest’, because we only had bad news.

“But four years starts to look like it’s a pattern, rather than just a one-off.”

She noted that Latin America, Asia and Australia had seen doubledigit growth; but there was a slow-down in Europe, where revenues rose just

0.1%.

This was partly due to German music fans finally shedding their commitment to physical products like CD and vinyl. The country’s music revenues fell by almost 10%, making the UK Europe’s biggest music market for the first time in years.

Moore noted growing revenues had changed the industry.

“The potential and the vision is so much different because where you’ve got growth, you can invest.

“When the growth wasn’t there, it was a question of just getting by and keeping the industry going on a day-to-day basis.”

Best-selling artists of 2018 (Source: IFPI) 1) Drake 2) BTS 3) Ed Sheeran 4) Post Malone 5) Eminem 6) Queen (pictured) 7) Imagine Dragons 8) Ariana Grande 9) Lady Gaga 10) Bruno Mars (BBC)

A

ccording to Billboard, MÖtley Crüe’s soundtrack to “The Dirt” has entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 10 with nearly 30,000 equivalent album units. Of that sum, 15,000 were in traditional album sales.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multimetric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units are comprised of traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

Crüe previously landed in the top 10 with its last full-length collection of new material, “Saints Of Los Angeles”, which debuted and peaked at No. 4 in July 2008.

The 18-song “The Dirt” soundtrack mastered

by Grammy winner Dave Donnelly features a collection of MÖtley Crüe classics that meaningfully underscore significant mo-

ments that shape the film.

The album includes 14 fan favorites and chart-topping tracks such as “Dr. Feelgood” that charted at No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and the anthemic “Girls, Girls, Girls” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200, among others. Additional hits featured are “Kickstart My Heart”, “Same ‘Ol Situation (S.O.S.)”, “Shout At The Devil” and the iconic ballad “Home Sweet Home” that landed

the band mainstream recognition.

Exclusive to the film’s soundtrack, MÖtley Crüe recorded four new songs featuring the single, “The Dirt (Est. 1981) (feat. Machine Gun Kelly)”. The three remaining songs conclude the album with the catchy “Ride With The Devil”, “Crash And Burn” and the band’s own spin on Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”.

(Blabbermouth)

Cinema reflects society, it’s not in isolation: Tabu Potential source of methane on Mars discovered

A

cclaimed actress Tabu, whose upcoming film “De De Pyar De” is about a 50-year-old man’s relationship with a 26-year-old girl, says cinema does not work in isolation and it always reflects societal choices and concepts.

Tabu was interacting with the media at the trailer launch of “De De Pyar De” along with her co-actors Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh, director Akiv Ali and producer Luv Ranjan here on Tuesday.

Though the age gap has been experimented with as a theme several times in Hindi cinema -- including in Tabu’s very own “Cheeni Kum” -- will there be a time in Hindi films when the female character will be shown older than her male counterpart?

Tabu said: “If cer-

tain things are accepted in society, then I think films will reflect that. I think the older man and younger woman concept is more widely accepted in the world and in society, so, we see more of it on-screen. I am sure that societal choices and the way we live will reflect in cinema because cinema is not happening in isolation.”

When Tabu was asked if she feels that actresses have less shelf life as com-

pared to actors in today’s time, Ajay chose to give an answer.

He said: “I think this kind of a question is outdated because the time has changed. Today, actresses have more shelf life or as much life as compared to the male actors. It’s not true at all and I am sure everybody will agree with it. There is no difference in shelf life anymore. It was there earlier, but now it is not the case. I think Tabu is here, Kajol is here and there are so many of them who are still working in films.

So, things are changing.”

Ajay is returning to a romantic comedy film after a long time. He said it was a fun experience.

“De De Pyaar De”, produced by T-Series and Luv Films, will release on May 17.

(IANS)

A

n international team of scientists has for the first time identified a potential source of methane gas on Mars, almost six years after NASA’s Curiosity rover first detected hints of the gas on the Red Planet, and which may aid in future space missions.

The team, including researchers from the National Institute of Astrophysics in Rome, have found that methane gas detected by the Curiosity rover in 2013 may have been released from a layer of permafrost containing bubbles of the gas that was fractured by a geological event, the Guardian reported on Monday.

On June 16, 2013, instruments on Curiosity recorded a spike in methane in the Gale crater -- a 96 milewide bowl where the rover landed in August 2012.

In the study, reported in the Nature Geoscience journal, the team analysed data from planetary fourier spectrometer (PFS) on the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter, to look for methane in and around the Gale crater from December 2012 to July 2014.

While the Curiosity rover measured a methane concentration of 5.78 parts per billion (ppb) in the Gale crater on June 16, 2013 the PFS recorded 15.5 ppb in the column of atmosphere above the crater, the report said.

The location, known

as Aeolis Mensae, has a number of geological faults that may have fractured nearby permafrost and released any methane trapped inside. Alternatively, incoming meteorites might have broken the ice open, the report noted.

“Remarkably, we saw

that the atmospheric simulation and geological assessment, performed independently of each other, suggested the same region of provenance of the methane, which is situated about 500 km east of Gale,” said Marco Giuranna from the varsity.

The apparent presence of methane on Mars has fuelled intense speculation that the gas could emanate from microbial Martians beneath the surface.

Even if microbes were not the culprit, Giuranna said the gas would make the planet more habitable because it could be used as a source of carbon and energy. Humans could also potentially make use of methane trapped beneath the Martian soil to make chemicals and rocket fuel.

(IANS)

Rockabilly Hall of Famer Billy Adams dead at 79 a coal miner who worked in the Van Lear coal mine, the same place that Loretta Lynn sings about in “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Adams told Public Radio International for a series they did on rockabilly music, that with no money for instruments, he strummed a lard bucket like a guitar and listened to Bill Monroe on the Grand Ole Opry radio program. Among other songs he recorded in the late

OFFICE OF THE

THIKADARS ASSOCIATION, DIMAPUR Regd. No. HOME/SRC 6874 H.Q. BURMA CAMP, DIMAPUR - 797112 : NAGALAND

INFORMATION

‘50s include “You Heard Me Knocking,” ‘’True Love Will Come Your Way,” and “You Gotta Have a Duck Tail.”

Adams told PRI he was inspired to write “Rock, Pretty Mama,” listening to the sound of trains near his home. It was released in 1957 and was included in multiple compilations of rockabilly songs. He re-

corded a comeback record at Sun Studios called “Legacy” in 2000. A 27-track collection of his songs also came out in 2002, which led to him performing at South by Southwest music festival and others. He also wrote and sang gospel music, and one of the songs he penned was “I Saw A Man,” a hit for the Happy Goodman Family.

CONGRATULATORY NOTE

Congratulation to Miss Thungchobeni Kikon, D/o of Mrs. & Mr. N. Limathung Kikon, a bonafide member of the Purana Bazaar Area Kikon Ekhung for topping the Horticulture Extension Assistant exam under Department of Horticulture, Nagaland.

The Purana Bazaar Area Kikon Ekhung is highly pleased with her achievement and further wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

(Tsenyimthung Kikon) Chairman

(K. L. Moyo) Secretary

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ockabilly Hall of Famer Billy Adams, who wrote and recorded the rockabilly staple “Rock, Pretty Mama,” has died. He was 79.

Adams died Saturday in Westmoreland, Tennessee. His funeral was held Monday in Spring Hill, Tennessee, said Clif Doyal, Adams’ publicist and manager.

Born in Redbush, Kentucky, Adams was one of 14 children and the son of

FELICITATION

MEMBERS OF THE THIKADARS ASSOCIATION, DIMAPUR BURMA CAMP, DIMAPUR

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TOKHEYI MURU Chairman Thikadars Association Dimapur, Nagaland

The Dimapur Tsopoe Ekhung conveys our heartiest congratulation to Mr. B Mhajan Tsopoe, son of N Bena Tsopoe, for being nominated and inducted as the General Secretary of the Dimapur Naga Students' Union. The Ekhung pray and wish him good health and success in his future endeavors.

The DTE would also like to express gratitude and appreciation to the NSF High Power Committee for their sincerity and efficiently setting up the DNSU new governing body.

Chairman Dimapur Tsopoe Ekhung Dimapur : Nagaland

Secretary Dimapur Tsopoe Ekhung Dimapur : Nagaland

DP-2547

This is to inform all the public to kindly give your construction works only to those Thikadars, who are registered under our association, i.e. THIKADARS ASSOCIATION, DIMAPUR and having valid ID Card issued by us.

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Bencic, Ostapenko advance in Charleston

Charleston, Apr 2 (Agencies): Swiss ninth seed Belinda Bencic made a strong start to her claycourt season with a 6-3 6-0 win over qualifier Destanee Aiava to reach the second round of the Charleston Open in South Carolina on Monday.

The Swiss star returned to action following her early exit at the Miami Open. The world number 20 was ready to make the transition to clay as she faced a younger competitor who was making her debut in the tournament.

The 18-year-old Aiava had never faced Bencic before, but was hoping her 33-9 career record on clay was good enough to force an upset. The Swiss star didn’t get more than two victories on the dirt last season and last featured here in 2015.

Bencic blasted out a break to love to begin the match before struggling on her own serve in the second game. Aiava opened up a 40-15 lead before it was erased as Bencic forced deuce. Aiava gained another break point but lost it to the Swiss star who was intent on making a statement on court.

Bencic took the second game and then raced

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Belinda Bencic during her Charleston Open match against Destanee Aiava.

away to a 4-0 lead. Just when it looked like the set was slipping away from Aiava, the Australian teen held it together in the fifth game to get on the board.

Bencic made sure to hold her own serve in the sixth game, forcing Aiava to serve as she tried to extend the set. The Australian managed a quick hold and break to get back on track but Bencic was done letting opportunities slip away and

broke back quickly to secure the set in 33 minutes.

The Swiss then started the second set with a hold before forcing errors from the teen’s racquet to take a 2-0 lead. A dominant display from Bencic put her firmly in control at 5-0 as nerves continued to plague the young Australian’s game. Eventually, faced with two match points, Aiava succumbed meekly as Bencic closed out the

match in 55 minutes.

“I’m very happy with my match,” said Bencic following her victory. “First rounds are never easy but I was very focused today and tried to play my game from start to finish and I did that well so I’m really happy.”

Up next for the world number 21 at the green-clay event will be American Allie Kiick, who beat Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier 6-3 6-0.

HC seeks status of notice to Sreesanth, others

Students of Christian School, Tseminyu during its annual sports meet which was held from March 27 to 29. Blue House emerged as overall champions while yellow bagged the march past trophy.

Students with their medals during the annual sports meet of Union Christian School, Pfutsero which was held from March 27 to 30. Wepre Wetsa, assistant geologist, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) graced the meet as the special guest.

New Delhi, Apr 2 (IANS): The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked its Registrar to find out whether the notice on Delhi Police appeal’s have been served to everyone, including cricketer S. Sreesanth, in the 2013 spot fixing case.

Justice Sunil Gaur sent the matter to the Registrar for further hearing on April 10 and asked the official to file a report.

The court was hearing a Delhi Police plea challenging a trial court’s order discharging all the accused.

O n N ove m b e r 1 8 , 2015, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to all the 36 respondents who were discharged in the case.

The Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Sreesanth and his two Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan in the spot-fixing case during the India Premier League 2013.

However, on July 25, 2015, the trial court dropped the charges. On March 15, the Supreme Court cancelled the life ban on Sreesanth and asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider his punishment.

Former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, a runner-up here in 2017, dropped the opening game of her match but quickly righted the ship and dominated the rest of the way in a 6-1 6-4 win over Swede Johanna Larsson.

Latvian Ostapenko had seven double faults in the match but rounded into form as the match wore on before clinching the win by firing down an ace.

She will next face American Shelby Rogers, who was a 6-4 6-2 winner over Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina in her first match back after being sidelined for more than a year by a knee injury.

Such was her relief at being fit and back on court again, Rogers succumbed to tears after winning the opening set.

“It’s kind of embarrassing to be honest,” the 26-year-old Charleston native told reporters.

“It was a great moment, I enjoyed every second of it — even when I got broken. That’s part of it. It’s all those feelings I missed so much. The adrenaline, the nerves, the excitement, everything.

You can’t recreate that outside of the arena.”

Roca among 40 applicants for India’s football coach

New Delhi, Apr 2 (Agencies): It has been reported that around 40 people, including many highly rated European coaches, have applied for the position of the coach of the Indian football team.

The list includes names like Giovanni De Biase, Albert Roca, Hakan Ericson, among others, as the AIFF zero in on the ideal candidate.

Stephen Constantine had resigned from the position of Indian football team’s head coach at the start of the year instantly after India were eliminated in the group stages in the AFC Asian Cup in UAE. The AIFF (All India Football Federation) had later opened up applications for the vacant spot, the last date for which ended on March 29.

And it has now been reported that the apex governing body has received an overwhelming response with as many as 40 applications for the post, most of whom are Europeans.

The list includes many prominent names like Italian Giovanni De Biasi, who had a very successful stint with the Albanian national team, Spaniard Al-

Albert Roca

bert Roca, former Bengaluru FC coach, and Swede Hakan Ericson, who has coached his country’s U-21 team. The list also includes the likes of Italian Massimiliano Maddaloni, Dutch Eelco Schattorie, Englishman Ashley Westwood, and Croatians Igor Štimac and Robert Jarni.

“Roca, De Biasi, Ericson, Croats Igor Stimac and Robert Jarni have reportedly applied for the India head coach’s job to replace Englishman Stephen Constantine. Massimiliano Maddaloni, who was assistant to Marcello Lippi in China, NEUFC coach Eelco Schattorie and former BFC coach Ashley Westwood are also

in the race,” sources said, reported TOI. Previous reports had even claimed that SvenGöran Eriksson and Sam Allardyce were in contention, but with the entry of De Biasi, he becomes the biggest contender for the position. The remuneration for the top job is also expected to go up to $3,50,000 to $4,00,000 per annum, from the earlier salary of $3,00,000 per annum.

The AIFF officials have chosen to remain mum, and have abstained themselves from revealing any names.

“We will get a clear picture only after the shortlist is made,” they said.

Aguero ruled out of Cardiff match

Spurs linked with £50m swoop for Everton’s Keane

Lo n d o n, A p r 2 (Agencies): Pep Guardiola has confirmed Sergio Aguero will miss Manchester City’s match against Cardiff on Wednesday.

Aguero was taken off midway through the second half of the 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, although Guardiola described the substitution as a “precaution” in his postmatch comments.

The Spaniard has now confirmed Aguero will miss the match against Cardiff but could return to face Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.

“He didn’t train the last two days, tomorrow he is not able [to play],” said Guardiola. “Hopefully next Saturday or Tuesday but we will see the evolution in the next few days.”

Guardiola confirmed Gabriel Jesus will start in place of Aguero against Cardiff.

Jesus has scored 17 goals in 37 games this season and Guardiola is confident the Brazilian can cope with the pressure of leading the line in Aguero’s absence.

When asked if Jesus is ready for the challenge, Guardiola said, “Of course. It is a challenge but

Sergio Aguero

he’s had a good season.”

“It is not easy to play at this club as a striker, with the position of Sergio. Gabriel fights against a legend, an incredible player. The best season we have been together with Sergio is this season.”

“At the same time he [Jesus] is a respectful guy and when he plays, he plays well. Tomorrow he is going to help us, score goals and fight a nd create spaces for the others. He is going to do a job.”

Cardiff are currently five points adrift of safety in the Premier League after

their controversial 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.

However, Guardiola is taking nothing for granted against Neil Warnock’s side.

He said, “It is a final every single game. Cardiff, what I saw in the last game against Chelsea, is alive.

They have spirit and what they do, they do it well. It is not like the team is already done.”

City head into the match two points behind league leaders Liverpool after the Reds snatched a late win against Tottenham on Sunday.

London, Apr 2 (Agencies): Tottenham are reported to be weighing up a move for Everton defender Michael Keane when the transfer window opens again.

Spurs may need a new central defender as doubts continue to surround the future of Toby Alderweireld, and it has been suggested that Keane is a target.

The 26-year-old is producing his best form since making a £30 million switch from Burnley in 2017, which has also resulted in a return to the England squad.

Keane played in both of England’s recent games against Czech Republic and Montenegro, scoring in the latter, and rumours are rife suggesting he could be on the move from Goodison Park.

Everton will not be interested in cashing in on the player, but that will not stop Tottenham from making a move with reports claiming a £50 million offer could go in.

Tottenham will face competition however, with arch rivals Arsenal also said to be showing a keen interest, and like Spurs, have sent scouts to check him out.

Everton probe Pickford bar brawl allegation LONDON, Apr 2 (Agencies): England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is under investigation by his club Everton about his alleged involvement in a brawl in Sunderland.

The 25-year-old, who shone at last year’s World Cup, is believed to have reacted when revellers in a bar directed derogatory remarks at his fiancee Megan, who recently had their first child Arlo.

A video has spread on social media in which onlookers can be heard shouting “Jordan” as a fight breaks out before the man, believed to be Pickford, is dragged away.

Pickford had played in Everton’s 2-0 away win over West Ham on Saturday before spending a day off in his home city.

“The club has been made aware of an alleged incident involving one of our players and we are looking into the matter,” the Premier League club said.

Pickford came through the system at Sunderland but joined Everton for an initial $32.6 million when they were relegated from the Premier League in June 2017.

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RR beat RCB to register first win

RR bowler Shreyas Gopal make an appeal with his teammates during their IPL match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Tuesday. (PTI)

Jaipur, Apr 2 (PTI): Leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal bamboozled the batsmen with his googlies before Jos Buttler struck 59 as Rajasthan Royals finally won their first game of this IPL season with a seven-wicket defeat of Royal Challengers Bangalore, here Tuesday.

Gopal claimed three wickets, including that of Virat Kohli (23) and AB de Villiers (13), conceding just 12 runs in his four-quota over to unsettle RCB. It was opener Parthiv who resisted the Royals attack with aplomb, hitting a belligerent 67 off 41 balls with nine boundaries and six to help his side put 158 for four after being sent in to bat.

Marcus Stoinis (31 not out) too played a key part in shoring up team’s total, add 32 quick runs in partnership with Moeen Ali (18).

Buttler led the chase with his confident knock as Royals overhauled the target with one ball to spare, handing RCB their fourth defeat in a row.

RCB, who dropped plenty of catches in this match, are placed at bottom of eight-team table without any points.

Buttler packed a lot of power in his strokes and went on to score his second fifty of the season. He hit eight fours and a six on a wicket which got slower as the game wore on.

Royals were off to a

steady if not fiery start with Ajinkya Rahane (22) and Buttler adding 60 runs for the first wicket. Rahane was dropped on 1 by Kohli off Mandeep Saini but the skipper did not utilise on the reprieve as much as he would have liked, getting trapped by Yuzvendra Chahal (2/17).

Buttler and Steve Smith (38) added 44 for the second wicket but Chahal struck again, dismissing the British batsman.

Chahal could have got the Australian as well but Umesh Yadav dropped a sitter near boundary line when Smith on 23.

Smith went on to add 50 runs for the third wicket with Rahul Tripathi (34 not

out), who finished the match with a six in the penultimate ball of the match.

Earlier, Playing with a cautious approach, Kohli was happy working the ball around. Parthiv was aggressor of the two. Parhtiv hit three boundaries in Jofra Archer’s first over as RCB finished the Powerplay overs with 48 runs on the board.

Immediately after that, Gopal was introduced into the attack and he began to trouble the Indian captain with his googlies. Gopal deceived Kohli with one, which went through the gates.

The leg-spinner returned and this time got rid of de Villiers with another wrong one which stopped a bit as the South African hit it straight back to Gopal, who bowled a rare wicketmaiden.

Left-handed Shimron

Hetmyer became his third victim when he edged one away-going delivery and Jos Buttler took a sharp catch behind the wicket.

Parthiv was still there but boundaries had dried up.

The diminutive left-hander finally lofted one from Ben Stokes for a six over midwicket and followed it up with a crushing drive on the off side.

He completed his fifty with a single off Archer, who was smacked for a six

by Stoinis soon after. The West Indian dismissed Patel later.

Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 158/4 (Parthiv Patel 67, M Stoinis 31*; Shreyas Gopal 3/12) lost to Rajasthan Royals 164/3 (Jos Buttler 59, Steve Smith 38, Rahul Tripathi 34*; Yuzvendra Chahal 2/17) by 7 wickets.

IPL 2019 Points Table Team

P

W

L

D

Pts

Chennai Super Kings

3

3

0

0

6

Kings XI Punjab

4

3

1

0

6

Sunrisers Hyderabad

3

2

1

0

4

Kolkata Knight Riders

3

2

1

0

4

Delhi Capitals

4

2

2

0

4

Rajasthan Royals

4

1

3

0

2

Mumbai Indians

3

1

2

0

2

Royal Challengers Bangalore

4

0

4

0

0

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3,2019

Chelsea, PSG and Man united eyeing Coutinho London, Apr 2 (Agencies): Philippe Coutinho will not be short of options if he decides to leave Barcelona in the summer, with Chelsea, Paris SaintGermain and Manchester United all keeping tabs.

Coutinho has struggled to settle in Catalonia since arriving from Liverpool in 2018, and his agent is reported to have had plenty of calls about his availability.

It is understood Barcelona would be willing to sell for the right price in the summer, and SPORT report that three clubs are at the front of the queue.

On Tuesday’s front page, they ran the headline ‘Admirers for Coutinho’, before listing the options available for the 26-year-old should he up sticks and leave Spain.

Two English clubs are on the list, with Chelsea and Manchester United both said to be keen. Chelsea are currently under a UEFA transfer embargo, but want the Brazilian to supply Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge next season.

That, of course, would rely on their ban being lifted, which Chelsea are continuing to fight ahead of the summer window.

United, meanwhile,

Philippe Coutinho

have other targets on their list but are keeping tabs on Coutinho’s situation at Barcelona. He is not their No 1 option but a move could still come to fruition.

The third club listed

by SPORT is Paris SaintGermain, who are looking at the possibility of reunit-

ing Coutinho with his Brazil team-mate Neymar in France.

The Parisiens are once again running away with the league title but have failed again in Europe, and it is believed Coutinho could be the man to take them to the next level.

Murray returns to court after surgery Arsenal climb to third with win over Newcastle

Andy Murray

L ondon , A p r 2 ( Ag e n c i e s ) : A n d y Murray’s recovery from hip surgery took another positive step after the threetime grand slam champion

posted a video of himself back on the court.

The 31-year-old announced plans to end his career ahead of the Australian Open in January as he

continued to be troubled by hip pain.

M u r r ay h a d b e e n struggling with the issue for 18 months and conceded his first-round defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut at the year’s first grand slam could be his last competitive outing.

He underwent a hip resurfacing operation following his Melbourne exit to provide him a better standard of life and suggested he could yet return to the ATP Tour.

A Wimbledon doubles spot has been mooted by some to aid his return, a rumour Murray refused to rule out when asked last month.

The for mer world number one’s latest Instagram story – which was accompanied by the message “it’s a start” – will only add fuel to the fire he could feature at the All England Club in July.

In the video posted on Monday, Murray was seen making five backhands and four forehands – albeit nowhere near full power.

LONDON, Apr 2 (Agencies): Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal a 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday and lifted them to third place in the Premier League above rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Ramsey found his way through a packed defence on the half hour to score with a low shot before Frenchman Lacazette put the game to bed in the 83rd minute with a chip over the keeper.

The result put Arsenal on 63 points with seven games left, two above Spurs and Manchester United, with Chelsea a further point behind, as Unai Emery’s side boosted their hopes of a top-four finish and Champions League football next season.

F ive o f A r s e n a l ’s remaining seven fixtures are away, where they have picked up fewer than half of their points this season, a fact Emery was quick to pick up on after the match.

“Our challenge is away - to be as consistent as we are at home,” the Spaniard told

Real Madrid to sell Courtois or Navas

Thibaut Courtois

MADRID, Apr 2 (Agencies): Real Madrid could sell Thibaut Courtois or Keylor Navas this summer after head coach Zinedine Zidane said on Tuesday the club will have a clear first-choice goalkeeper next season.

Zidane also defended his choice to play neither keeper against Huesca on Saturday, instead handing his 20-year-old son Luca only his second competitive start for the Spanish giants.

Courtois was signed from Chelsea last summer, despite Navas winning UEFA’s best goalkeeper award

Keylor Navas

after helping Madrid win the Champions League.

Santiago Solari then put faith in Courtois during his four months in charge but Navas, a favourite of Zidane’s, came back in for the Frenchman’s opening game against Celta Vigo last month. “At the moment there are three good keepers and we are going to finish the season with them,” Zidane said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“But I assure you that next season there will be no debate about the goalkeeper, I’ll tell you that now. It’s going to be very clear.”

Luca Zidane’s surprise promotion came after Courtois picked up a knock on international duty with Belgium while Navas had trained only once after returning from Costa Rica.

But it suggests Zidane feels his son, who joined Madrid’s academy aged six, is ready to compete for a place. “Luca is here on his own merit,” Zidane said.

“He’s been here for 16 years.

If people who want to go on about the personal thing, I don’t care.”

Madrid face Valencia on Wednesday in La Liga.

But Barcelona remain 12

points clear of them at the top of the table, with focus continuing on potential changes to Zidane’s squad in the summer. “I have spoken to the club and I have told them what we want to do,” said Zidane.

“This is an institution, a club with important people. We do things together, as always,” he added.

Gareth Bale is among those whose future is in doubt. The Welshman was again whistled by some of the home fans on Saturday.

“I know whistles are never good, I’ve been whistled at, you have to accept it.

You have to have the character for it,” Zidane said.

“About Gareth’s future, we’ll talk about that at the end of the season. We have to finish the season then we’ll see.”

Zidane was more emphatic about the future of his World Cup winning defender, Raphael Varane.

“I want him to stay,” Zidane said.

“We don’t want a Madrid without Varane. He’s a young player and he seems fine to me, he has not told me otherwise.”

Aaron Ramsey celebrates with Arsenal team-mates after scoring a goal during their EPL match against Newcastle.

reporters. His players, nevertheless, seem confident that they can return to Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in three seasons.

“I can feel the difference in the atmosphere from last season. Now we can maybe go to the Champions League,” Lacazette told Sky Sports after a convincing

Open penalty shoot-out at Medziphema

win over the Magpies.

Newcastle had not beaten Arsenal since November 2010 and not won away since December and they appeared to set themselves up for a draw at best in North London, with five men in the back line and another four in front of them for most of the game.

The tactics worked until a sweeping Arsenal move in which Welsh midfielder Ramsey found Lacazette and then raced forward into the area to meet the return pass with a sweetly timed left-foot shot that went into the net off the far post.

Arsenal pushed forward repeatedly as the open-

ing period came to a close but failed to finish off any of their moves, with Sead Kolasinac particularly guilty of some wayward passing.

Their best chance came just before halftime when Lacazette latched onto a pass from Mesut Ozil, spun round and lashed the ball goalwards only for Matt Richie to head it off the line.

Lacazette wrapped up the points, however, when Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles failed to clear a header into the area from Arsenal substitute PierreEmerick Aubameyang.

The Frenchman nipped in behind Lascelles and chipped an inch-perfect ball over Martin Dubravka to seal the win.

Newcastle remain in 14th place on 35 points, seven points above the relegation places, and have six games left. “For us every game is a final. We should focus, concentrate, not be overconfident,” manager Rafael Benitez told reporters ahead of their next match at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Malaysia Open: Sameer crashes out

Dimapur, Apr 2 (NPN): A one-day open penalty shoot-out, organised by C4C Group, will be held on April 13 at IETC ground, Medziphema. Interested teams can collect the registration forms from Popular Bakery, SK Provisions, Medziphema and Akholie Bakery, Chümoukedima. The entry fee is Re.1500. Registration forms will also be accepted at the venue before kickoff. For more information, contact 7005877730 or 9366529619.

6th Frolic Cup from April 23 Dimapur, Apr 2 (NPN): The 6th edition of Frolic Cup 2019 will commence on April 23 at local ground, Medziphema town. Therefore, interested clubs can collect the forms from Moon Store, Medziphema, and Bright Printer Press, Chümoukedima. For more information, contact 9615268502, 8119959662 or 8974694974.

Sameer Verma

Kuala Lumpur, Apr 2 (PTI): India’s Sameer Verma put up a daunting effort before going down in three games in a pulsating opening round clash against World no 2 Chinese Shi Yuqi in the USD 750,000 Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, who had lost to Shi Yuqi in the semifinals of the World Tour Finals in December last year,

suffered a heart-breaking 2022 23-21 12-21 loss in a 65minute men’s singles here.

Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy, however, made a good start to their campaign, eking out a 22-20 2422 win over Ireland’s Sam Magee and Chloe Magee in mixed doubles.

T h e m e n’s s i n g l e s match was a close battle till 8-8, Sameer fall back to 11-16 but he fought back to make it 20-20 before being

edged out by Shi Yuqi in the opening game. The second game was no different as the Indian was lagging 11-16 again but this time he not only clawed back at 20-20. And even though the Chinese had grabbed one match point, Sameer reeled off three points to take the match to the decider.

In the third game, Shi Yuqi jumped to a 9-0 lead and didn’t allow the Indian to fight back.

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