December 24, 2018

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 22

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.0

KCR to meet Odisha, Bengal CMs

Real Madrid clinch third straight Club WC

Japan emperor gives emotional farewell

national, Page 7

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

MSAD alleges Making false disclosure a ground for police 222 killed in Indonesia tsunami disqualification: EC to tell Law ministry intimidation

Residents inspect a house damaged by the tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, Sunday. (AP/PTI)

CARITA, DEC 23 (AGENCIES): A volcano-triggered tsunami has left at least 222 people dead and hundreds more injured after slamming without warning into beaches around Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, officials said Sunday, voicing fears that the toll would rise further.

According to AFP, hundreds of buildings were destroyed by the wave, which hit the coast of southern Sumatra and the western tip of Java about 9:30 p.m.

(1430 GMT) on Saturday

NE fails to feature in list of top 10 police stations NEW DELHI, DEC 23 (AGENCIES): In what may be termed as a matter of concern for the eight North Eastern states, no police station from the region has featured in the list of top 10 police stations recently released by the Home Ministry. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh awarded police officers of three bestperforming police stations in the country in a programme which was held in Gujarat on December 20.

The Kalu Police Station (Rajasthan) grabbed the top spot on the list and was followed by Campbell Bay (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), Farakka (West Bengal), Nettapakkam (Puducherry), Guderi (Karnataka), Chopal (Himachal Pradesh), Lakheri (Rajasthan), Periyakulam (Tamil Nadu), Munsyari (Uttarakhand) and Churchorem (Goa). The list was prepared by the IB along with state agencies.

Greetings

This is it!

“We are a nationalist party and those who criticise us will be charged under NSA.” K Y M C

after a volcano known as the “child” of Krakatoa erupted, national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

Search and rescue teams were scouring rubble for survivors, with 222 people confirmed dead, 843 people injured and 28 missing, Nugroho said.

Tsunamis triggered by volcanic eruptions are relatively rare, caused by the sudden displacement of water or “slope failure”, according to the International

Tsunami Information Centre. Unlike those triggered by earthquakes, they give authorities no time to warn residents of the impending threat.

The destructive wave left a trail of uprooted trees and debris strewn across beaches. A tangled mess of corrugated steel roofing, timber and rubble was dragged inland at Carita beach, a popular spot for day-trippers on the west coast of Java.

Kathy Mueller from

the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the toll was likely to rise as the conditions on the ground became clearer. Teams of aid workers were helping to evacuate the injured and bring in clean water, tarpaulins and provide shelter, she added, saying the group was preparing for the possibility of diseases breaking out in the tsunami zone.

Anak Krakatoa, which forms a small island in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, emerged around 1928 in the crater left by Krakatoa, which erupted in 1883 killing at least 36,000 people.

Indonesian authorities initially claimed the wave was not a tsunami, but instead a tidal surge and urged the public not to panic.

Nugroho later apologised for the mistake on Twitter, saying because there was no earthquake it had been difficult to ascertain the cause of the incident early on. Heavy equipment was being transported to badly hit areas to help search for victims and evacuation posts and public kitchens were being set up for evacuees, he added.

Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC 23 (PTI): Election Commission will make a fresh push for electoral reforms with the government, including making filing of false declaration a ground for disqualification and putting a cap on expenditure by candidates in legislative council polls, in the coming days.

According to highlyplaced sources in the poll panel, the EC top brass, at the planned meeting with Legislative Secretary G Narayana Raju after the end of the winter session of Parliament, will also ask the government to make bribery during poll period a cognisable offence.

The winter session of Parliament will end on January 8. While the Law Ministry is the administrative ministry for the EC, the Legislative Department is the nodal unit for issues related to the poll panel.

The sources said, the Commission would also ask the ministry to take a call on its demand to extend constitutional protection to the two election commissioners on the lines of the Chief Election Commis-

Fire destroys 31 houses in Dimapur

Charred remains of structures at the location where a fire broke out at Ura Villa Colony in Dimapur on Saturday. (NP)

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 23 (NPN): A blazing inferno swept through Ura Villa Colony here on Saturday evening, razing at least 31

houses. The fire was reportedly caused by a short circuit.

Fire Brigade assistant sub-inspector Pumo Hayang Chang, who was in-charge at the time of the incident,

told Nagaland Post that the department received a telephone call around 4:07 p.m. about the fire, adding fire tenders reached the spot around 4:14 p.m.

He said four fire ten-

ders from Dimapur station were pressed into service to extinguish the fire.

The fire gutted 31 CGI (corr ugated galvanised iron)-roofed hutments, destroying goods worth Rs 40 lakh approximately. No casualties were reported.

Speaking to this reporter, Ura Villa Colony gaon burah Chemri and chairman Tsükmen Santam said the fire was brought under control, thereby preventing it from spreading further, due to the timely intervention of the fire brigade personnel.

They also expressed their gratitude to the colony members and well wishers who came forward to extend their helping hand and support during the time of need.

Jagannath Seva Samiti Utkal Samaj, Dimapur also came forward to extend support by providing meals to the fire victims.

sioner (CEC). The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners after the Law Ministry initiates the file for their appointment.

CEC can be removed from the office only through impeachment by Parliament. The President can remove the ECs based on the recommendation of the CEC. In its report on electoral reforms submitted in March, 2015, the Law Commission had proposed extending constitutional protection to the two ECs. Another proposal that the EC would press for is making electoral law gender neutral for armed forces personnel. As of now, an armyman’s wife is entitled to be enrolled as a service voter, but a woman army officer’s husband is not, according to the provisions in the electoral law.

But a bill pending before the Rajya Sabha proposes to replace the term ‘wife’ with ‘spouse’, thus making the provision gender neutral. Members of the armed forces, central armed police forces, personnel of state police forces posted outside

ed money up to USD 3,500 from US citizens by intimidating them with arrest by the FBI over “stolen” social security numbers, a unique nine-digit pin number given to American residents, the officials said.

Over a dozen actions were witnessed in October and November too, when fake call centres targeting foreigners, mostly American and Canadian citizens, solicited money to fix computers attacked by virus sent by them or by offering “tax benefits“.

“Between July 20 and December 21 this year, 25 fake call centres have been busted after they were found running dubious operations,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Gautam Buddh Bagar, Ajay Pal Sharma told PTI. “Close to 300 people have been arrested in the raids, over 400 computer systems seized while frauds

worth crores, including those targeting foreigners, were unearthed during the process,” Sharma said.

T h e a c t i o n s d r ew praise from the US, with its embassy in India recently hailing them as a “great example” of US-India law enforcement collaboration, noting that the FBI’s assistance to local police with investigation on numerous fraudulent call centres “affecting thousands of victims worldwide“.

Noida, adjoining Delhi, in western Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district, was one of the biggest beneficiaries in the early 2000s, when it found a place on global map as a new “call centre hub”, while India replaced China with lower manpower costs for the booming industry.

There have been fake call centres, which offered “cheap holiday packages”

to exotic locations like Goa and Himachal Pradesh, and in the process duped several Indians of lakhs of rupees, officials privy to the probes in cyber fraud cases told PTI. But a newer trend revealed how foreigners were becoming more vulnerable to such fake call centres.

“It is easier to target someone sitting in the US or Canada because chances are less of them approaching the police for an amount of money they would consider ‘less’,” the official said.

The easy availability of data and details of individuals has also added to the vulnerability of people being targeted for cyber frauds. With more personal information, picked up from employment websites, mobile apps, the callers have in cases even claimed to be representatives of tech giants.

IMPHAL, DEC 23: Manipur Students’ Association Delhi (MSAD) on Sunday alleged that the state police wants to arrest its leader for protesting against the arrest of journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem alias Wangkhemcha Wangthoi.

A team of state police had come to the residence of its general secretary Javed Mehedi in Keinou (Bishnupur district), MSAD alleged in a statement dispatched to local media. In it, MSAD alleged that the police had come to nab its leader.

The police team also asked about president, Veewon Thokchom of MSAD and its advisor Damudor Arambam. “They asked all his details and intimidate his family as much as possible.

And it is a time when we speak too much against the arbitrary arrest of journalist Wangkhemcha Wangthoi”, the MSAD statement said.

MSAD said, “Way back, MSAD’s plan to organize a protest march in New Delhi, against the arbitrary arrest of Wangkhemcha Wangthoi, was foiled by Delhi police following the directives of the Manipur chief minister.”

Snooping: Cong to challenge order in court NEW DELHI, DEC 23 (AGENCIES): The Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) order allowing 10 agencies to monitor any computer resource is unconstitutional and will get challenged in court soon, said senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday.

On December 20, the MHA issued a directive authorising select security and intelligence agencies for the purposes of “interception, monitoring, and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource.”

Alleging that the latest directive will be misused by the enforcement agencies, Sibal told ANI, “They gave this power to Delhi Commissioner of Police, CBDT. Earlier, the right was given to the MHA only. Now they’ve given this right to every institution. After the privacy judgement, Supreme

25 ‘call centres’ busted since July in Noida, 300 cyber thugs held NOIDA, DEC 23 (PTI): A group of officials from FBI of the US and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police flew down to India in July and called on the chief of the police in Noida, adjoining the national capital, in a meeting coordinated by the Interpol.

The details of the closed-door meeting held at the police headquarters in Gautam Buddh Nagar never emerged in public domain until a spate of raids were reported in the months that followed, as a massive crackdown began on fake call centres, duping foreigners.

On December 21, the police arrested 126 people in its biggest action so far against a fake call centre operating from a quaint office in the city’s Sector 63, a commercial hub, which has also seen similar illegal, fake call centres thriving.

The call centre solicit-

their state and employees of the Centre posted outside India are eligible to be enrolled as service voters.

“Much depends on Parliament. The bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha...

It is a major electoral reform for service voters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls... We want government to get it passed at the earliest,” an EC official said.

Referring to the issue of filing false declaration, the sources said, as of now, it attracts a six months’ jail term.

But the EC wants to make it into an “electoral offence”, they said. Conviction in an electoral offence is a ground for disqualification. “Jail term of six months does not instil fear. Disqualification would,” another official explained. As of now, candidates contesting legislative council elections don’t have a bar on campaigning expenses, which, the EC wants to put a cap on.

The expenditure should be half of what is allowed for candidates contesting assembly polls. Every state has a different expenditure limit based on its size, number of voters and assembly seats.

For instance, on the intervening night of November 22 and 23, eight fake call centres were busted in simultaneous raids in Noida and Greater Noida and 23 people arrested for duping foreign nationals.

“These fake call centres were not linked to each other but had a similar modus operandi of sending malware to computers in the US, Canada, and other foreign countries and then approach them as being representatives of companies such as Microsoft, Apple and solicit money to solve their problems,” SSP Sharma had.

Several of the accused arrested in cases where foreigners are duped hail from the North Eastern states, such as Nagaland, with officials saying their recruiters preferred them “for their English accent, which made them very authentic sounding on tele-calls“.

Court had said that privacy is a human right. I think it is an unconstitutional decision and it will get challenged in court soon because if you give Commissioner of police this power, he will use it. These powers will be misused in the same way the enforcement agencies misuse other powers.”

Calling the order an attack on democracy ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leader said, “Home Secretary is their own man. Whoever makes an intervention, be it CBDT, Commissioner of Police, Home Secretary will give his stamp on it. If it goes to Home Secretary, he will put his stamp and these powers can be delegated as well. These can be given to different organisations, other states. This is a bad step.

They have been attacking democracy daily and will continue to do so because 2019 is approaching.”

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The Ministry has already issued a clarification.

I can’t say anything on it right now as the Parliament is in session. If I am asked, I will speak on it in the Parliament.”

On December 21, the Centre clarified that every individual case will continue to require the prior approval of Union Home Ministry or the state government.

“Union Home Affairs Ministry has not delegated its power to any law enforcement or security agencies,” the Central government clarified.

“The notification does not confer any new powers and adequate safeguards are provided in the IT Act 2000,” the government further said, stating that similar provisions and procedures already exist in the Telegraph Act along with identical safeguards.

Army court orders dismissal of exIGAR (N) for sexual harassment CHANDIGARH, DEC 23 (AGENCIES): A general court martial (GCM) on Sunday dismissed a Major General who allegedly misbehaved with a lady officer.

The GCM’s verdict is subject to confirmation by the Chief of Army Staff.

He was charged under Section 69 of the Army Act read with Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code for conduct unbecoming of an officer, sources said.

He was posted as the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North), Nagaland, when a Captain from Judge Advocate General’s Branch submitted a written complaint to her superiors, alleging that he had called her to his room late in the evening for official work and misbehaved with her. The officer, who had denied the charges against him, has the right to appeal against the verdict.

The trial had commenced near Chandigarh in June this year and concluded in the wee hours today.

The officer was posted in the Assam Rifles when the allegations surfaced. Later, he was attached to an Army formation in Ambala for disciplinary proceedings.

During proceedings, the Major General had refuted the allegations against him, claiming that he was a victim of a “factional feud” in the Army’s top hierarchy.

A case challenging the disciplinary proceedings was also filed by him before the Delhi Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal.

Though, he was initially attached to the newly raised 17 Corps at Ranchi, which is part of the Eastern Command, for the conduct of disciplinary proceedings, he had represented against it in the interest of fair play.

K Y M C

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CYAJ celebrates Golden Jubilee Eucharist

The CYAJ jubilee choir along with Rev. Fr. Charles D’Souza SJ after the golden jubilee celebration at Mary Help of Christians Church on December 23 in Jakhama.

DIMAPUR: The Catholic Youth Association Jakhama (CYAJ) celebrated it’s Golden Jubilee Eucharist under the theme, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10), on Sunday.

CYAJ member Max Khieya, in a press release stated that Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the bishop of Kohima Diocese, presided over the Holy Mass as the main celebrant with Rev. Fr. Charles D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Arul SJ as

the concelebrant priests at Mary Help of Christians Church in Jakhama.

In his homily, Dr. James said jubilee was a time for renewal, reparation, restoration and rededication. “Renewal comes only with repentance and repentance leads to renewal and rededication,” he said.

It is also a time to look to the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion and look to the future with hope, the bishop added.

The bishop also said, “The word ‘Catholic’

means universal, and universality is the character of the true Church.” He reminded the congregation that without belittling or depreciating one’s tradition and identity, Christians have to go beyond the limits of tribe, creed or cast.

In his sermon, Dr. James also recounted how politicians manipulate facts and misuse public office for their vested interests and said the mission of the “Disciples of Christ is challenging.” He told the gathering that believers have been called to challenge political ideologies that seek

EIS celebrates advent Christmas

Tiny-tots of EIS strike poses during their Advent-Christmas program held on December 20.

DIMAPUR: Euro International School (EIS), Dimapur organised an advent Christmas celebration program at the school premises for school staff and students on December 20.

A press release from EIS principal, Sandeep K Jain stated that tiny-tots of

the school celebrated Christmas by sharing their meals especially prepared for the occasion. After the cake cutting ceremony, all the children of the school participated in the gift exchange activity organised for them. They also sang and danced as part of the celebration.

ATMA Weziho block training and demonstration

DIMAPUR: ATMA Phek, Weziho block conducted a training and demonstration program at Yisi and Shatuza villages on November 7.

A press release from ATMA Phek stated that, method demonstration on package and practices of oyster mushroom cultivation was given by Sanchibeni Humtsoe, BTM Weziho block. She further encouraged the participants to

take up mushroom cultivation to meet their dietary requirements and also for additional income. Spawn of oyster mushroom and polybags were also distributed to the participants.

Training and demonstration on integrated pest management in winter crops was conducted

by Nuzo, ATM Weziho block at Yisi village, where he highlighted the importance of careful evaluation

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Medziphema Town cleanliness awards

Thsuvisie Phoji and EAC Medziphema, Sentilong Ozukum along with ward chairman and GBs. DIMAPUR: Khonoma Khel, Ward 5 was awarded the cleanest colony prize in Medziphema town during a program held at Medziphema Town Council office on December 21 under the Swaach Survekshan 2019.

According to a DIPR report, the top three cleanest colonies were awarded cash prizes, where ward 7 and ward 8 were won the second and third prizes respectively.

Accepting the award, chairman of ward 5, Mianichilie Krose, credited all the residents of the colony who worked to keep the colony clean throughout

the year. He mentioned that colony members clean the area every evening and cleanliness has become a habit for the residents of the ward.

He also stated that the colony organises plantation drives from time to time in an effort to keep the colony green and clean.

Chairman of ward 7, Yikhao Lotha, thanked all the members of the ward for the achievement. He stated that the ward has assigned volunteers to pick up thrash every morning on the roads in an effort to educate the young generation about the importance of sanitation and cleanliness.

Medziphema Town Council over the past one year has adopted the residential waste pick-up system where town council workers along with a dumper truck goes and picks up trash from residents every morning making Medziphema town one of the cleanest towns in the district.

The prog ra m wa s chaired by ADC Medziphema, Thsuvisie Phoji, who is also the administrator of Medziphema Town Council. The program was attended by ward leaders and GBs of all the wards under Medziphema Town Council.

Art and painting competition held DIMAPUR: As part of the Youth Voters’ Festival, 2019, Kohima, a district level art and painting competition on the theme “Accessible and easy election” was held on September 20 in the conference hall of the DC Kohima. An essay competition for students of Nagaland University on the theme “Voting is not just right, it is our responsibility” was also held on September 21, at Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema. A press release from assistant election officer (AEO), Kohima, Nagaland, R. Toshimeren Aier stated that winners of both categories will receive awards along with citations on January 25, 2019, on National Voters Day.

A view of Pokhungri village in Meluri sub-division, Phek district. (Z. Rotokha)

Governor offers condolences

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya has expressed deep grief on hearing of the demise of Arvind Vaishampayan, Internal Auditor of North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur.

Acharya, in a condolence message said that late Arvind Vaishampayan was appointed as Internal Auditor of North East Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India with effect from June 15, 2015 and his contribution during the period as

Auditor of NEZCC would be remembered by the all staff of NEZCC. The Governor, who is also the chairman of NEZCC, along with his wife and also on behalf of the staff of NEZCC, offered deepest condolences to the bereaved and late Arvind’s near and dear ones in the family.

“I pray to God Almighty to give you all enough strength and fortitude to bear the loss. May his soul rest in peace” the message added.

Greeting messages

CHS: Chümoukedima Hindu Society (CHS) has extended heartiest Christmas Greetings and wished a happy New Year to all peace loving denizens of Chümoukedima in particular and to the people of Nagaland and across the world in general. In a press release issued by CHS working president, Pintu M Ghosh, and general secretary Prakash Chetri, CHS stated that Christmas is the season of peace, joy and hope. “...may this festive

spirit of Christmas sparkle and shine and fulfill all of your wishes and dreams to the new horizon” it added.

DPON: The Dimasa Public Organization, Nagaland (DPON), has wished one and all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2019.

DPON president, K. Naben and general secretary P. Manuhar Thaosen, in a greeting message wished for the spirit of joy and happiness of the

celebration of Christmas to abide in everyone today and throughout the New Year 2019. “God bless Nagaland” it added.

NIIT Dimapur Centre: NIIT Dimapur Centre has wished everyone a Merry Christmas and extended wishes for the Prince of Peace to bring prosperity in the life of every citizen of Nagaland.

It added that classes will remain suspended from December 24 and resume from December 27.

ROAD SAFETY AWARNESS

oad travel has become an integral part of all of us and cannot be avoided in our day to day life. With increasing economy and population, there has been an immense increase in the traffic on the roads over a period of time. While on the one hand it has made things convenient for us but on the other hand it has also increases our concerns of road safety.

Our roads have a heterogeneous mix of traffic with high speed vehicles, rickshaws, motor cyclists, scooters, cyclists and pedestrians all sharing the same space at the same time which makes things difficult, on an already over burdened road infrastructure leading to major accidents.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF THESE ACCIDENTS Around 80% of the road accidents happen because of the fault of the driver.

There are several other reasons for these high accident rates such as• Drunken driving.

• Driver’s fault due to over speeding.

• Underage, untrained driver’s.

• Pedestrian’s fault.

• Bad and defective roads.

• Mechanical defects in the vehicles.

• Bad weather conditions.

• Over loading.

• Talking or Texting on Mobile.

• Lack of proper implementation of Road Safety Law. K

of each pest infestation and understanding the life cycle of the pest, possible damage, natural enemies etc before implementing a control plan.

Two farmer groups from Yisi and Shatuza villages were mobilized and a brief introduction on the purpose and benefits of working together in groups was given by Sanchibeni Humtsoe, BTM Weziho block.

only materialistic welfare of the majority who voted for those in power.

Prior to the eucharistic celebration, elders of the parish led the bishop where he unveiled the CYAJ golden jubilee monolith and released the jubilee rosary balloon.

Along with Dr. James, Fr. D’Souza SJ and Fr. Arul SJ also released five pigeons each tagged with the note “CYAJ Golden Jubilee” as symbols of peace.

Former CYAJ presidents from 1968 to the present president lit the jubilee

candles and a minute’s silence was observed in honour and remembrance of departed souls of the parish before the Eucharist commenced.

Later, Tepiilu-o Zephyrine, Nokhule Josephine and Phekhweho William read from the Bible; prayer of the faithful was offered by former CYAJ secretaries; and Rokovizo John lead the service.

A felicitation program was held soon after the eucharistic service where Dr. James released the golden jubilee souvenir.

Special numbers were also performed by former CYAJ presidents and the jubilee choir.

Priests, sisters, brothers, former present CYAJ executives, various Church youth leaders, invitees from different denominations and organisations, and individuals were felicitated with jubilee souvenirs, mementos and shawls and other gift items.

Av i z o T i t u s a n d Kikotsanu Leena chaired the function and Rokovizo John pronounced the benediction.

A Jubilee Feast and a Jubilee Nite were also organized at Campion School ground at Jakhama Village.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

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WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THESE ACCIDENTS • Loss of Life.

• Loss of earnings for the family affected.

• Costly injuries.

• Property damages.

• Loss of travel time and increased congestion on the road.

• Total economic loss to the country due to road accidents is more than 3,00,000 crore therefore road accidents are a huge

burden on the economy growth.

MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO CURB THESE ACCIDENTS • Making Road Safety Assessment a compulsory part of the syllabus in schools which will help children to learn about the rules and safety of roads early in life.

• Defaulters should be fined heavily for breaking the rules.

• Make Licensing and driving tests manda-

tory and more strict.

• Imprisonment and heavy penalty for drunken driving.

• Mandatory registration of criminal cases if the vehicle’s is under the influence of alcohol, overloaded, untrained or underage.

• Mandatory fitness checks of the school buses as well as the drivers.

• Need to provide well maintained, safe and efficient public transport systems.

• Enforcement of stringent rules in implementing road safety laws and traffic management.

• Installation of CCTV cameras for better monitoring of traffic, Highway patrolling using radar to detect over speeding vehicles, weather monitoring stations.

• Organizing traffic incident management program to reduce congestion and rescues the accident victims to nearest hospital authority.

WHO SHOULD SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ROAD SAFETY • Citizens of the country, as responsible citizens of the country together can make change.

• Government and Legislative bodies of the country.

• Police can improve road use behaviour through enforcement and strict measures.

• Media can play a very important role in

creating rod safety awareness through advertisement on safe driving.

• NGO’s 10 GOLDEN RULES OF ROAD SAFETY FOR DRIVER’s • Conduct a pre-trip inspection on your car.

• Wear seat belt.

• Respect and follow the rules of the Road.

• Stick to the speed limit.

• Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or any other substances.

• Protect children by ensuring they are in appropriate car seats.

• Pay attention while driving.

• Stop when you are tired- swap driving with a travel companion.

• Wear helmet if you are riding a twowheel vehicle.

• Be courteous- Always consider other roads users when you are on the road.

Let us make our Cities and Town’s safe and accident free with our conscious effort and positive attitude. Be an active citizen and educate others- take initiative in spreading Road Safety awareness and relevant matters of safety and security. Have a voluntary discipline within ourselves to overcome this hurdle.

Source-Nagaland Road Safety Authority (A DIPR feature by Tovikali, IA) K

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nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Do Modi’s policies benefit the rich or poor?

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

A B C

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A

B

Rich Poor Can’t say

C

94% 2% 4%

Next poll

Q: W a s

surrogacy regulation bill a logical decision?  Yes  No  Can’t say

WEATHER FORECAST December 24

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sun

26 12

Aizawl

Abundant sunshine; pleasant

Guwahati Hazy sun

23 8 25 12

Sunshine; nice

23 7

Itanagar Mostly sunny, not as warm

22 10

Imphal Shillong

Hazy sun

19 5

Kohima

Plenty of sunshine

19 7

Dimapur Sunny; comfortable Mkg

Plenty of sunshine

Correspondent IMPHAL, DEC 23: Teachers of government aided schools have threatened to tender mass resignations registering strong protest against the cancellation of a scheduled DPC to absorb them as full-fledged government employees.

Altogether 1672 teachers are engaged in 558 schools across the state running with grant-aids from the gover nment.

Teachers in these aided schools used to be absorbed as full-fledged government teachers from time to time under a policy of the government.

To absorb some of teachers, the state Education department fixed the DPC to be started from December 17 onwards.

However, it was recently cancelled by an order of the director of the department.

The decision to tender mass resignation if the government fails to meet their demands, which includes among other things -- early

completion of the DPC -- was taken in a general body meeting of the Joint Administrative Council (JAC) of All Manipur Government Aided Schools Employees’ Organization held on Saturday, a statement said.

The meeting, while deliberating their service related matters, strongly condemned the recent cancellation of DPC which was scheduled for December 17.

Other demands of the JAC include remuneration of approved government aided school employees on the scale of 6th Pay and filling vacant posts in government aided schools.

The statement of the JAC stated that memorandums highlighting the grievances and several demands of the employees have been submitted to the chief minister and Education minister on various occasions.

It added that teachers and staffs of many government aided schools have been facing untold suffer-

21 8 14 6

Brilliant sunshine; Cooler

18 12

Zunheboto Plenty of sunshine; cooler

18 6

ings owing to prolonged negligence of the state government to look into their plights and problems.

When all the government employees are demanding implementation of the 7th Pay Scale Revision in the state, the teachers and staffs of government aided schools have not been brought even into the 6th Pay Revision till date and they are paid on the 5th Pay Scale Revision, it alleged.

Government aided schools face acute shortage of teachers and other staff and this has added to their workload.

As the numbers of approved teachers in most of the government aided schools were less, they were left with only a few thousand rupees as salaries because the salaries of nonapproved teachers were shared from salaries of the few approved teachers.

“Lesser number of approved teachers in the government aided schools means lesser amount of salaries for all the staffs of

the concerned schools,” it stated.

“Most of the schools have just one or two approved teachers,” it added.

Saying that shortage of teachers also has severe negative impacts on the affairs of the schools and education system as a whole, the statement urged the government to hold DPCs to fill up the vacant posts in government aided schools at the earliest.

The statement claimed that the number of vacant posts in different government aided schools is 280 and this has had a severe impact to the government’s initiative to bring quality education in the state.

Expressing hope that the government would fulfil their demands at the earliest, the statement warned that all the teachers of government aided schools will launch a series of agitations which will be followed by a mass resignation drive if the government fails to address this issue.

The Car-&-bike rally proceeds to mark the pre-Christmas celebrations in Diphu town on Sunday. (Northeast Now)

Diphu, DEC 23: The Christian community in Diphu town organised Christmas carol service on Sunday and took out a carcum-bike rally to mark PreChristmas celebrations in Diphu town.

According to Northeast Now, the rally was organised by the United Christian Forum (UCF). Cars, bikes, auto-rickshaws and other types of vehicles were decorated with balloons, flowers and lights and took part in the carol service.

The rally was flagged off from the Christian English High School (CEHS) playground by UFC vice chairman Rev. Khoyasing

Ronghang.

Earlier, prayer was offered by UCF chairman Rev. Y Athang.

The rally started at 2:30 pm from CEHS and went to DAV HS School road, then to Lorulangso Daily Market pass in front of Diphu Police Station to SBI, Lumding Road and in front of Post office, then proceeded to Longnit via Manja.

From Longnit, the rally returned to CEHS for a Christmas carol singing.

Choir and solo Christmas songs, choreography and skits were presented by different churches. Hmar Christian Fellowship also presented Christmas choir

on the occasion.

General secretary of the Council Baptist Church in North East India (CBCNEI), Dr. Rev. Solomon Rongpi, was present as the speaker. In his speech, Dr Rongpi stressed on the need to share Christmas message of love and peace with the people. He said the spirit of Christmas is the celebration of peace and love of God to mankind. Hmar Christian Fellowship, Karbi Anglong Presbyterian Church, Catholic, Believers Church, Assembly of God, Baptist, Reformed Presbyterian and Free Evangelical Church of India took part in the programme.

Assam Rifles conduct civic action programs

25 12

Tuensang Plenty of sunshine; cooler Wokha

Mnp teachers threaten mass resignation Pre-Christmas celebrations grip Diphu

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State/Northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

Top militant leader brought back to Imphal Correspondent IMPHAL, DEC 23: A top leader of the Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group), who was recently arrested in New Delhi after he allegedly issued an assassination threat against Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, was brought back to Imphal on December 23.

The self styled commander in-chief of Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group), Oinam Ibochouba, alias Khoiranbga Khuman, is a resident of Thanga Oinam Leikai in Bishnupur district. Oinam Ibochouba had been in the judicial custody of Delhi Police after he was arrested in the national capital on August 28 of this year.

He was arrested by a Delhi Police (Special Cell) team in a raid in Delhi’s Kotla Mubarakpur area, where Oinam was said to have been hiding out. The Delhi Police team was acting on inputs from Manipur Police after Oinam allegedly issued the assassination threat on the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues through social media.

A team from Imphal Police Station brought him back today for further investigation, a police source said.

The police source also revealed that a case against the arrested KCP (PWG) leader was also pending at Imphal Police Station.

The 22nd Assam Rifles medical team with villagers during the Medical Camp conducted on December 23.

An Assam Rifles officer and some villagers with Chukhruvi Lea and Muliba Lea who were given the wheelchairs on December 19.

An Assam Rifles officer delivering the lecture on pollution control in Pungro.

The lecture on Skill Development in progress in Anatongre village.

DIMAPUR: A free Medical Camp under “Operation Sadbhavana” was conducted at Weziho Village at Phek District on December 23 by a medical team of 22nd Battalion of Assam Rifles, Phek.

Phek Town Youth Society press secretary, Kedupa Venuh, in a press release stated that altogether 127 patients were examined and given medical assistance. Medicines were

also distributed among the patients and the village community was imparted knowledge of epidemic diseases.

The purpose of the medical camp was to provide medical assistance those who are devoid of such medical facilities.

Moreover, the medical team visited the house of elderly people who were unable to attend the camp.

Assam Rifles donate

wheelchairs: 9 Assam Rifles of 5 Sector conducted various activities across C h i z a m i s u b - d iv i s i o n throughout the year.

A press release from Tsupfume Village Council (TVC) chairman Ngonyi Lea stated that on December 19, 9 Assam Rifles donated wheel chairs to Chukhruvi Lea and Muliba Lea to help with their mobility. TVC stated that the wheel chair requirement

ZUF rubbishes female cadre arrest claims

Correspondent

IMPHAL, DEC 23: Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has not recruited any female members so far, said a statement reacting to recent claims of a female member of the outfit being arrested by a combined team of state police commandos and troops of Assam Rifles.

Police had claimed that Rebika Devi, wife of M Shamungou of Naoremthong in Imphal West district, was arrested by a combined team of Imphal West commandos and troops of Assam Rifles.

The claims had also added that she was arrested with a huge quantity of ammunition on December 14.

Besides not recruiting any female members, the outfit does K Y M C

not use any female member or allow them to be involved in its movement demanding a separate homeland/statehood for the Zeliangrong people within the Union of India, the statement issued by its information and publicity wing said.

It urged the security forces to not level baseless allegation, fabricated and concocted charges on any person and also to not resort to implicating any parent, brother, sister or any member of the family just because their sons or relatives were participating in the movement because “Zeliangrong homeland/statehood of which movement is not at all an anti National neither unlawful.”

ZUF was compelled to issue this unavoidable clarification to clear doubts and suspi-

cion unnecessarily created by the claim of the security forces, it added.

On the other hand, with the approaching Christmas celebrations, the ZUF extended warm Christmas greetings to all people irrespective of caste or religion, and particularly the Zeliangrong people living in different parts of the country.

While extending the Christmas greetings on the birth anniversary of Jesus the “Prince of Peace”, the outfit asserted that the celebrations heals the wounds of sorrow and pain and lets the spirit of love rejuvenate every heart.

It also wished for the New Year 2019 to bring love, peace, true happiness, success in all the people’s endeavours, and joy to all the people.

for differently-abled persons had been a long pending issue that had never been addressed before.

The release also extended gratitude to Colonel Surender Kumar, commanding officer and Major Anand Thakur, post commander Chizami for conducting various activities to better the lives of the civilian population and reaching out to remote areas with beneficial pro-

grams.

Assam Rifles lecture on pollution: Kiphire Battalion (7 Assam Rifles) organised a lecture-&awareness program on pollution control on the occasion of World Pollution Prevention Day at “Around Saramati Mountain School (ASMS)”, Pungro on December 2.

According to PRO HQ IGAR (N), the aim of the program was to

create awareness about the hazards pollution creates for both living beings and nature. Ways to prevent pollution in the area were also discussed.

A total strength of 60 attended the lecture.

Assam Rifles lecture on skill development: Kiphire Battalion of Assam Rifles (AR), on December 8, under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) conducted a lecture on ‘Skill Develop-

ment’, at Company Operating Base Anatongre.

The lecture was conducted to create awareness on the importance of skill development for personal growth as well as for the society.

The lecture also emphasized on the importance of education and skill development trainings.

Altogether, 60 residents of Anatongre village attended the lecture.

Wake up with richer, tastier Amulya.

K Y M C

northeast

Bogibeel bridge: families want compensation

D HE M A J I , D EC 2 3 (AGENCIES): The Kareng Ferry-ghat Shop Keeper Association, Brahmaputra Ferry Service Association in Dhemaji demanded compensation to the families affected by Bogibeel bridge, which will connect the North and South banks of river Brahmaputra in the Eastern region of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

According to Northeast Now, the two organisations have submitted separate memorandum to Chief Minister through Dhemaji Deputy Commissioner demanding prompt initiative for payment of compensation for the Bogibeel Bridge project affected families from the government’s end.

They further demanded ‘rehabilitation package’ for making an alternative livelihood to survive their families in the coming days.

“We do not oppose the development project in our area, but commencement of the Bogibeel bridge is adversely affecting our livelihood and we consider it a “Man-made disaster”, which will completely shatter our business activities doing for survival”, the

A view of the Bogibeel bridge over the Brahmaputra river near Dibrugarh.

and nearby villages, who fear that they would lose their livelihood after opening the bridge.

About 33 families, who have been surviving with minor businesses such as shops, Kiosks, eateries, tea stall and restaurants at Kareng ferry-ghat on the north bank for last several years, are worrying about their future in the question of survival.

The shopkeepers feel ambitious Bogibeel bridge project to boost link sur-

face communication in the region is adversely affecting their livelihood, but the Central and State governments are not taking problem into consideration.

On the other hand, around 20 private and one government ferry run from Kareng ghat to Bogibeel ghat in Dibrugarh district every day besides at least 100 jeeps, trekkers, mini buses and tempos ply to carry passengers from the Silapathar to Kareng ferryghat and vice-versa, who are

Man held in Meghalaya mine mishap admits he’s the owner, say police

Earthquake jolts Arunachal

Shillong, Dec 23 (PTI): The man, who was arrested in connection with the mine mishap in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district a fortnight ago, has admitted that he was the owner of the 370-foot-deep illegal quarry, police said Sunday.

Fifteen miners were trapped in the “rat-hole” mine on December 13 after water from nearby Lytein river gushed into it. All efforts to trace the labourers have turned futile as the water level in the mine showed no signs of receding in the past 11 days.

Krip Chullet, who was arrested on December 14, admitted during interrogation that the mine in Lumthari village of Khliehriat area -- around 80 km from Shillong -- belonged to him, Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtynger told PTI. Two mine managers, Mohesh and James Sukhlain, are still on the run, he said.

Sukhlain facilitates mine operations, while Mohesh is the person responsible for bringing labourers from West Garo Hills district and Assam, the SP said.

Earlier, the police had said Chullet was involved

sufferers noted in the memorandum.

It was ‘bolt from the blue’ for the innocent villagers of Kareng chapori, when they heard the news that Bogibeel bridge would be open for commuters from December 25 this year.

A large number of people living on the north bank of mighty Brahmaputra and bordering Arunachal Pradesh, but enthusiasm among the common people fail to convince innocent villagers of Kareng chapori

in hiring labourers and sending them down the shaft.

Around 20 miners had entered the 370-foot mine on December 13. After reaching the bottom of the pit, they entered the horizontal tunnels, often termed “rat-holes”, as each just about fits one person.

According to local people, one of the diggers could have accidentally punctured the walls of the cave, following which the river water gushed into it.

Five people were able to climb out of the flooded mine, leaving the others behind.

Seven of the 15 trapped labourers hail from West Garo Hills district, five from Assam and three from the remote Lumthari village, where the accident took place, the SP said.

The state gover nment had on Saturday announced an interim relief of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of the 15 miners and sought high-power submersible pumps from Coal India Ltd to flush out the water and rescue them.

Over 100 personnel of the national and state disaster response forces, along with the police, have been waiting for the water level to subside to begin the

rescue work.

Mining expert Jaswant Singh Gill, who arrived at the site two days ago, has made recommendations to the state to hasten the operation, NDRF Assistant commandant S K Singh said.

The family members have now given up hope that the miners would be rescued alive.

Shohor Ali, who hails from Magurmari village in West Garo Hills district, has his son, brother and son-in-law trapped in the mine. “We have all lost hope to see them alive. I just wanted the authorities to help us retrieve the dead bodies for their last rites,” he told PTI. Ali also said that all three of his family were lured to Lumthari with a promise of Rs 2,000 as wage per day.

“I was the first person to get in touch with MLA (Rajabala constituency) Azad Aman to find out about the accident,” he added.

The MLA, on his part, said he had contacted the police as soon as he received the information.

“It took the police several hours to locate the mine,” the Congress MLA told PTI.

Agartala, Dec 23 (Agencies): An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 on the Richter scale hit the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday.

According to ANI, the earthquake jolted the state at 04:51 pm Indian Standard Time (IST). According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the epicentre of the quake was located at a latitude of 27.2 degree north and longitude of 95.8 degrees east and occurred at a depth of 10 km. Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district was the epicentre of the earthquake. No casualty or loss of property has been reported so far.

losing their business after opening the bridge.

“Commencement of Bogibeel bridge is adversely affecting my minor business, the only way of living hood for my family. The authority, which is taking all out efforts for ceremonial inauguration of the bridge, is not taking our problems into account.

We have no idea what to do next to survive my poor family,”rued one Reeta Pegu, who has been running a restaurant at Kareng ghat for last fifteen year.

Another sufferer Pradip Pegu, who is a Ferry Mohori at Kareng ghat said he was doing the business there for over last 16 years but now he is worried about the future. “After opening of the Bogibeel bridge our business will be completely shattered because nobody will cross the river through ferry. Our livelihood depends on ferry but now we don’t know what will happen,” said a visibly disheartened Pradip.

Many shop keepers, who have been running ghumtis, kiosks, eateries and tea stalls have expressed their fear of losing their livelihood with the opening of the bridge.

Women plant rice saplings at a paddy field in a village in Nagaon district of Assam. (File/Reuters)

Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP).

The assessment is significant for India as a majority of its population is dependent on agriculture which requires water. The Himalayas are a source of many rivers which supply this water.

Bordering eight countries, the Himalayan mountain range is the tallest in the world. It covers an area of about 4.3 million square kilometres and nearly 1.5 billion people depend on it for water, food and energy.

In India, the IHR spans across 12 states -- Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh,

Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and (hill districts of) West Bengal.

The vulnerability assessment was done on the basis of four major factors: Socio-economic, demographic status and health, the sensitivity of agricultural production, forestdependent livelihoods and access to information services and infrastructure.

As per the assessment, the “vulnerability index is found to be the highest for Assam and Mizoram, followed by Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya and West Bengal, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh and Tripura, Ar-

DHR introduces evening toy train services

Guwahati, Dec 23 (PTI): The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) for the first time has started evening toy train services for enabling tourists to experience the joy ride during the second half of the day, officials said.

The toy train service had been exposing tourists to the magical beauty of the Himalayas for more than a century.

Now the visitors will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountainous landscape while taking the evening ride.

The new service was introduced last week, North East Frontier Railway spokesman Pranav Jyoti Sharma said here.

“The evening service will provide an opportunity to tourists at Siliguri and its adjoining areas to experience the ride, which earned the UNESCO World Heritage tag in 1999, during second half of the day,” Sharma said.

The train leaves Siliguri at 3 pm to reach Rongtong at 4.20 pm and it stops at Sukna for 10 minutes so the tourists could visit the museum, he said.

The return journey begins from Rongtong at

DIBRUGARH, Dec 23 (Agencies): Security forces nabbed two NSCN (IM) linkmen on Saturday from Namdang and Longphabasti area in upper Assam’s Tinsukia district.

“Based on a specific intelligence input received from local sources regarding movement of NSCN (IM) over-ground workers in Namdang and Longphabasti area for carrying out extortion, an operation was launched by the 9th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles at Namdang area and apprehended the two over-ground cadre,” an Army official said in statement.

According to Northeast Now, the two NSCN (IM) linkmen were identi-

unachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand”.

“Sikkim is the least vulnerable state,” the assessment found.

The report, however, emphasised that “vulnerability is a relative measure, which means that this assessment does not portray Sikkim, Uttarakhand or Arunachal Pradesh as having a low vulnerability in an absolute sense”.

“These states are least vulnerable relative to the other IHR states, and also have several inherent drivers of vulnerability that need to be addressed,” the report said.

The study explained that states with low per capita income, low area under irrigation, low area under forests per 1,000 households and high area under open forests will receive a high vulnerability score.

“For example, Assam has the least area under irrigation, least forest area available per 1,000 rural households and the second lowest per capita income among the other IHR states, and thus scores the highest

4.45 pm after refreshment and engine reversal, he added.

The train has one dining car with a seating capacity of 12 people and a first-class coach for 17 people. The up and down fare for the journey in the first-class coach is Rs 1,000 and one has to pay Rs 1,200 for travelling in the dining car.

Tourists can order snacks, tea and other ready-to-serve items on the train.

Manual booking for round trips can be made at the originating station and tickets for one-way journey is not issued, Sharma said.

Vistadome coaches and AC coaches have also been introduced in DHR

by NF Railway.

A Vistadome coach,

The two arrested NSCN (I-M) linkmen. (Northeast Now)

fied as Ravi Kumar Paswan and Kena Pangtok. Paswan is the resident of Longpha village while Pangtok is the resident of Phangsum basti of Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh.

One Honda Glamour bike (Regd No AS-23E-5383 owned by Roikam Taikam, a resident of Kaunsa Basti)

with a seating capacity of 40 people, has a transparent roof to enable the passengers to get a panoramic view of the mountains during their journey, he said.

The first-class AC coach with wider windows has been added to DHR recently, he said, adding, it is equipped with multiple television screens, GPSbased info system, and a wide side door for the disabled.

Sharma also said that a directive issued by the Indian Railways, earlier this year, said that local communities within the operational area of these railways must be encouraged to participate in promoting tourism by providing them opportunities to showcase their art, culture and cuisine.

of the auto-rickshaw were charred to death on the spot and another succumbed to his injuries in the Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital.

Four others onboard the other vehicles sustained critical injuries in the accident that took place some 12 km south of here on the Agartala-Sabroom National Highway late on Saturday.

All vehicles bur nt down to their chassis before the fire fighters reached the spot.

Police were yet to identify the disfigured bodies.

vulnerability score,” the report observed.

For Mizoram, the report said that “the state has a very high sensitivity of agriculture sector along with poor connectivity, access to information and infrastructure”.

“The state has seven major drivers of vulnerability - highest yield variability, no area under crop insurance, largest area under open forests, and largest area under slope (more than 30 percent as compared to other states. It also has the second lowest percentage area under irrigation and the third lowest road density among the 12 states,” the study said.

It identified factors such as “least road density, no area under crop insurance, low area under forests per 1,000 rural households, high percentage of marginal farmers, low percentage area under horticulture crops, low livestock to human ratio and low percentage of women in the overall workforce” as drivers of vulnerability for Jammu and Kashmir.

and two mobile phones were recovered from the NSCN (IM) linkmen.

“Further investigation by joint team of Army and Police revealed that they were tasked by the proscribed outfit to hide heavy amount of warlike stores in forest near Namdang. It was also revealed that these

stores were placed with an aim of launching several sabotage actions on security forces and govt functionaries in Margherita area,” the official said.

On search, joint team of Army and Police found heavy amount of explosives including six slabs of TNT, 800 grams of gun powder, 600 grams of RDX, four meters of safety fuze and three detonators.

The nabbed NSCN (IM) linkmen were handed over to Margherita police and an FIR was lodged.

This operation is part of the ongoing crack down by security forces on the militants active in Upper Assam, the official added.

Two police personnel killed in Assam road accident

3 dead in Tripura accident

Agartala, Dec 23 (IANS): Three persons, including a woman and a teenager, were charred to death and four others critically injured, when a CNG-run auto-rickshaw, a car and a bike collided in Tripura’s Amtali area, police said on Sunday.

A high speed bike dashed into the auto-rickshaw from the rear end and the three-wheeler collided with the car coming from the opposite direction erupting in a huge ball of fire.

“The two passengers

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) recently started an evening daily toy train service between Siliguri and Rontong. (File Photo)

2 NSCN (I-M) linkmen arrested in Tinsukia

Assam most vulnerable to climate change in IHR

Guwahati, Dec 23 (IANS/Mongabay): The Himalayan region supports about 20 percent of the world’s population. But the ecologically fragile region, the storehouse of the thirdhighest amount of frozen water on earth, is highly vulnerable to climate change.

Among the 12 states in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), Assam is found to be the most vulnerable to the changing climate, according to a Department of Science and Technology (DST) vulnerability assessment.

The study, “Climate Vulnerability Assessment for the Indian Himalayan Region Using a Common Framework”, was done by the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati and the Indian Institute of Technology-Mandi in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, to help understand climate change vulnerabilities which could inform development of adaptation strategies and ecosystem management for the Himalayan region. The study was part of the Swissfunded Indian Himalayas

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

Guwahati, Dec 23 (PTI): Two police personnel were killed in a road accident in Baksa district of Assam on Sunday when their vehicle collided headon with a tractor.

Baksa Superintendent of Police Binoy Kalita said Sub-Inspector, Denagra Brahma and driver-constable, Bijon Uzir, of Gobardhana Police Station died on the spot, while four civilians were also injured in the accident.

Baksa Deputy Superintendent of Police, Siddhi Kr Baruah, said the SI had gone out at about 5 am taking his driver with the four persons, including a source, after getting information of a theft truck.

"While coming back, the accident took place just 500 metres before the police station.

A tractor laden with stones collided head-on with the SUV carrying the

DC-2071

4

team," Baruah said.

The impact was such that the vehicle overturned, the roof was completely damaged and the entire unit became a mangled piece of metal.

Brahma was investi-

gating the disappearance of a truck laden with iron rods, which was coming from Haryana, near Simlaguri outpost, the DSP added.

The injured have been admitted to hospital.

Dear Abhijeet, On this special day, I pray that God blesses you with every good thing, with love, with luck, and with joy. Thank you for always being there for us and your support and strength. Wishing you love and more love on your birthday!

From Baba, Maa, Dada, Bonu Daddy (Tsipise Antony), You’ve given us so many invaluable things in life and we will always be grateful for them. May your special day bring you plenty of wonderful surprises!

Happy Birthday dad!

From, Lina & Zitiba

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

Gadkari claims media ‘twisted’ his remarks

Pune, Dec 23 (PTI): Union minister Nitin Gadkari Sunday said the BJP is going to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused the media of “twisting” certain remarks he made at an event in Pune.

Clarifying that he is not in any “race” or “competition”, the Union Transport Minister said the BJP will get “reasonable” majority in the next general elections.

Gadkari’s assertion came in the backdrop of his “leadership should own up defeat” remarks made Saturday, days after the BJP’s defeat in the just-held assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The BJP stalwart had said nobody is willing to own up to failure unlike success and maintained “leadership should have the ‘vrutti’ (tendency) to own up defeat and failures”.

“Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan, as when there is success, there will be a race to take credit but in case of failure, everybody will start pointing fingers at each other,” he had said. Talking to reporters here Sunday, the

Nitin Gadkari (File) BJP asserted his remarks had no political overtones and claimed a section of the media “twisted” his comments made at a programme organised by the Pune District Urban Cooperative Banks Association.

“My entire speech in Marathi is available. Whatever I said was in the context of banking and I neither referred it to any election nor any political leader.

“But unfortunately, a section of media twisted my statement by linking it to the current electoral politics by adding up their own comment,” he said. He said if journalists have their own agenda, they are free to write under their own name.

“But things I did not say, it is not good to connect it to my statement,”

said Gadkari. Asked about a letter written by Maharashtra-based farm activist Kishor Tiwari to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, reportedly suggesting a change in BJP leadership if the party wants to win the 2019 polls, the Union minister said in a democracy everybody has a right to put forth his opinion. “If someone is writing something, how am I related to it?” questioned Gadkari, a former BJP president.

Gadkari asserted he is not in any “race” or “competition”.

“It is very clear the BJP will contest 2019 general elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party will get reasonable majority,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the BJP leader took to the micro-blogging site Twitter to claim some opposition parties and a section of the media had “twisted” his statements. “In the last few days, I have noticed a sinister campaign by some opposition parties and a section of the media to twist my statements and use them out of context and draw politically motivated inferences to malign my party and me,” he said.

national India most tolerant country in the world: Rajnath Lu c k n ow, D e c 2 3 (AGENCIES): Rebuffing allegations that intolerance was rising in the country, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on December 23 said there was no nation in the world as tolerant as India.

Singh, who was in Lucknow to attend the 114th foundation day of King George’s Medical University, told reporters: “The tolerance that exists in India, I don’t think that it can be found in any corner of the world.” He said, “India is the only country in the world where people from various prominent religions co-exist peacefully... They have contributed in making India empowered, self-reliant and prosperous and will continue to do so.” Singh’s statement assumes significance in the wake of Naseeruddin Shah’s remarks in reference to the killing of a policeman in Bulandshahr. The veteran actor on December 21 said that the death of a cow was being given importance over killing of a policeman. Asked about the Centre’s surveillance order, the Home Minister, who is also the Lucknow MP, said, “The Ministry has already given its clarification in this regard. Since, Parliament is in session, I cannot speak anything outside...

Whatever I have to say, I will say in Parliament.”

5

BJP placates allies in Bihar for LS polls New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) will contest six seats while the BJP and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) will contest 17 seats each, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar under a seatsharing formula, BJP President Amit Shah announced on Sunday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the JD-U also agreed to give a Rajya Sabha seat to LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan.

“The BJP and the JD-U will contest 17 seats each, while the LJP will contest six seats in Bihar in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections,” Shah said after an hour-long meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Paswan.

Shah said they have agreed to contest under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance would win more seats in Bihar in 2019 than it did in 2014.

He said a joint election campaign would be organised and a final draft to would be prepared by the state leaders of the NDA. On the occasion Nitish Kumar said that the NDA would contest the elections strongly and would repeat the results of 2009 when the BJP and the JD-U contested together and won 32 out of

BJP President Amit Shah flanked by JD(U) Chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (2nd R), Union minister and LJP President Ram Vilas Paswan (2nd L) with his son and party MP Chirag Paswan (L) and BJP leader Bhupendra Yadav in New Delhi. (PTI)

40 seats. “We will jointly campaign and form the government at the Centre,” Kumar said.

Paswan thanked the BJP leadership for a respectful agreement on the seat sharing and vowed to form the government at the Centre again.

“There were no issues in the alliance. Everything is alright. We will won election under Modiji’s leadership,” he said.

The seat sharing arrangement comes as a victory of sorts for the LJP, which had adopted an aggressive stance and was in no mood to compromise on

its demands. The party had given an ultimatum to the BJP leadership to sort out the issue before December 31.

The agreement on the seats was finalised after several rounds of meetings and discussion among the allies.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley held discussions with Ram Vilas Paswan and his son Chirag Paswan on Friday a day after LJP leaders met Shah and shared their concerns over the delay in holding talks over the seat sharing issue.

Of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the BJP

had won 22 out of 30 it contested while the LJP won six out of seven it contested in 2014.

Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), now a constituent of the United Progressive Alliance, had won all three seats it contested as part of the NDA alliance then.

The JD-U had bagged only two seats.

The NDA will take on the UPA, which is led by Rashtriya Janata Dal. The Congress and Hindustani Awam Morcha led by former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and the RLSP are its other constituents.

Only BJP can build Ram NITI Aayog pitches for enactment of NMC Bill Robotic surgeries Pak a land of atrocities to begin in Delhi’s against minorities: Naqvi Delhi, Dec 23 universities abroad as visit- has sought establishment of temple in Ayodhya: Yogi New (PTI): Government think- ing professors at AIIMS or a Council to ensure stan- Safdarjung Hosp

Yogi Adityanath (File) Lu c k n ow, D e c 2 3 (AGENCIES): UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said whenever the Ram temple comes up in Ayodhya, it would be built by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) only.

“Let there be no doubt.

Only we (BJP) can construct Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

No other party will be able to build it,” he said in his address at the Yuva Kumbh programme at Smriti Upvan in Lucknow as youths shouted slogans like “Vote wahi payega, Mandir jo banayega (Whosoever constructs Ram Temple will be voted to power)”.

In an apparent dig at the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi,

Adityanath said, “Those who flaunt ‘janeu’ (sacred thread) do such things for votes. They are the ones who dismissed the existence of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. Do not expect that they would construct Ram Temple in Ayodhya.”

Criticising historians and intellectuals, he said: “We were misinformed about our history. Now, we have the responsibility to correct it.”

“Pushpak Viman (mentioned in the Ramayana) was not a myth but reality. Sage Bhardwaj had written ‘Viman Shastra’ which gives the theory of Pushpak Vimaan,” he added. Pushpak Vimaan is the first flying object mentioned in existing Hindu texts as distinct from the flying horse-drawn chariots of gods. Speaking about the preparations being made for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the chief minister alleged that Hindu festivals were demeaned and Hindu traditions were insulted. “Even Kumbh was termed as anti-youth, anti-dalit, anti-women and anti-environment. Prayagraj Kumbh will reflect Indian culture globally,” he said.

t a n k N I T I A ayo g h a s pitched for enactment of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2017, observing that regulatory bodies the Medical Council of India and the Nursing Council of India have “failed” to ensure adequate availability and quality of health professionals.

In its ‘Strategy for New India @75’ document released on Wednesday, the Aayog has recommended revamp of the regulatory system of nursing education to ensure quality training in nursing schools and also stressed on developing centres of excellence in nursing and enhancing the stature of government nurses.

The Aayog said the quality of health professional training and adherence to standards is suboptimal, including in the private sector.

To address the shortage of doctors in the country, the Aayog has suggested creating conditions to facilitate import of doctors, especially those of Indian origin working abroad, and also deploying teachers from

NIEs while linking at least 40 per cent of district hospitals with medical colleges.

It also suggested developing framework for deployment of doctors and specialists from the private sector to government hospitals on a visiting or honorary basis and expanding the system of Diplomate of National Board (DNB) and Diplomas from College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS).

“Workforce shortages and uneven distribution of doctors, nurses, specialists and allied health professionals plague the sector,” the Aayog said while observing that urban areas have four times as many doctors and three times as many nurses as compared to rural areas.

Medical and nursing colleges are concentrated in a few states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Pointing to the severe shortages in the category of allied health professionals (AHPs) including medical lab technicians, optometrists and radiologists, the Aayog

Kurshid warns against alliance without Cong in UP New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI): Amid reports that the SP and the BSP might leave the Congress out from an alliance in Uttar Pradesh, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid said Sunday if his party is excluded from the coalition in the state, any nationwide anti-BJP front will be “weakened” and it may lead to a “stillborn situation”.

Khurshid said cobbling together a grand alliance in UP will be the “trickiest” exercise for all opposition parties in the state and asserted it was crucial for the Congress, the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) to join forces to put up a formidable challenge against the BJP. In an interview to PTI, the former UP Congress chief said the situation in the state was “fluid” and party chief Rahul Gandhi was taking a “cautiously optimistic view”, while keeping his “mind and

Salman Khurshid (File) heart open” for alliances for the 2019 general election.

Asked about reports that the SP and the BSP may leave out the Congress from the alliance in UP, Khurshid said, “I think it is a little bit of posturing, but I can’t say for sure...I have no reason to believe it to be true or not to be true, but it will be myopic if the Congress is kept out of the alliance in UP because it may have an impact on the larger alliance nationwide.”

“If UP does not contribute in a wholesome manner to the larger alliance nationwide then the

alliance nationwide itself will get weakened and it may cause a stillborn situation,” he said.

The 65-year-old leader expressed optimism over forging of the grand alliance in the state and said it will be the best thing that can happen to the Indian politics.

“Each one of us will have to give and take, there can’t be just a take-take or give-give position. So, with a give and take of the right kind among all four of us, we will put up a good fight to the BJP. If it doesn’t happen, it will be a historic loss,” the former Union minister asserted.

Khurshid’s remarks come amid reports claiming that the BSP and the SP were getting ready to announce their Lok Sabha tie-up without the Congress. The Congress has dismissed the reports as “rumours”.

The BSP too had denied the reports that the party would formally announce the tie-up on January 15, party chief

Mayawati’s birthday.

However, the BSP and the SP neither attended the joint Opposition meet chaired by Sonia Gandhi on December 10, nor the recent swearing-in ceremonies of the Congress chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

In response to a question, he said forging a grand alliance will be the “trickiest” in UP as compared to other states not just for his party but for all the parties.

On whether the Congress was poised for resurgence in UP following victories in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Khurshid sounded optimistic but asserted UP was a different ball game altogether as the party has been out of power there for a very long time. Because of regional parties, the Congress has been squeezed out in the state and it was a “steeper climb” in UP than in the other states, he said.

dardization of education and putting in place quality control mechanisms for educational institutions, teaching methods and workforce management.

It suggested putting in place an updated curriculum for medical and allied professions that keeps pace with the changing dynamics of public health, policy and demographics.

As far as specialists are concerned, the Aayog observed that a large number of posts are vacant all over the country.

According to estimates, India needs close to five lakh additional specialists, the report highlighted.

There is also an acute shortage of medical faculty.

Of the 1,830 faculty posts across six All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), approximately 583 (31 per cent) had been filled up until July 2017, the Aayog pointed out.

According to the report, as of March 2017, there were 10.23 lakh allopathic doctors registered with the MCI or state medical councils.

High drama at Sabarimala foothills Pamba, Dec 23 (AGENCIES): The Sabarimala foothills in Pamba on Sunday witnessed a high drama as hundreds of devotees blocked paths and chased away a group of 11 women of menstruating age being escorted to the hill shrine by the police. Though the police team tried to arrest and remove a few of the devotees who blocked the traditional forest path and take the women members of Chennai-based outfit ‘Manithi’, hundreds of pilgrims rushed down to the valley to chase them away.

They could barely move 100 metres through the traditional path towards the temple, which is about five km away from Pamba base camp. The women and the police had to virtually run from the scene to the safety of a nearby guardroom, abandoning the trekking plan, after being booed by protesters. Fearing that more protestors will descend at the shrine, police have suspended bus services temporarily.

New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI): The BJP Sunday lashed out at Pakistan Prime Minster Imran Khan over his barb at India on treatment of minorities, terming his country “a land of atrocities against minorities” who have been “persecuted” there since its birth in 1947.

Minorities Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi used a Hidni proverb and described Khan’s comments as a case of a cat going on a pilgrimage after eating 100 mice (Sau chuhe khake bill Haj ko chali). In hard-hitting remarks against Pakistan, Naqvi said that number of minorities like Hindus, Sikhs and Christians have fallen by almost 90 per cent in that country since its birth in 1947 as they were hounded by Islamic fundamentalists in collusion with its government.. Unlike Pakistan, where minorities were killed, forced to convert or persecuted out of the country, in India they have grown and are an equal partner in development, Naqvi asserted. In the neighbouring country,

minorities are barely two to three per cent of its population, he said.

Targeting Khan, Naqvi named a number of popular Indian artistes, including Yusuf Khan better known as Dilip Kumar, and Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan, and noted that generations of Indians have admired them.

“Can Imran Khan name a single Pakistani artiste who has come from a minority community and been liked as much as these actors are in India,” Naqvi said. The Union minister also had a word of advice for veteran Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah, whose comments expressing concern over mob violence in the country were seized upon by Imran Khan to claim on Saturday that he will show the Indian government how to treat minorities.

“Naseeruddin Shah should also consider that such a sweeping statement that is also factually incorrect causes a lot of harm and is used by anti-India forces to target our country,” Naqvi said.

Delhi records year’s 2nd highest pollution level

Will make all efforts to secure farmers’ future: Rahul

New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital is all set to start surgeries using robotic technology in the Urology Department from January 2019 onwards, with the aim to increase the number of treatments in OTs. “Currently we conduct two-three surgeries in a day.

But with the introduction of robotic surgery, we will be able to finish four-five surgeries. This will help us reduce the burden of long pending cases,” Anup Kumar, Doctor and Professor in the Urology Department, Safdarjung Hospital told IANS. Currently, the hospital is using the ‘3D laparoscopy’ technology for conducting urology surgeries.

While in a conventional procedure, surgeons have to make a cut to access internal organs, robotic surgery is performed making three small holes -- through one hole a camera is inserted for 3D vision and the other two holes help the surgeon operate using instruments held by robotic arms.

New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI): Delhi recorded its second highest pollution level of the year on Sunday and unfavourable meteorological conditions are likely to keep the air quality in the ‘severe’ category for the next couple of days, authorities said.

While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) at ‘severe’ level of 446, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed a higher level at 471.

This is the second highest pollution level of this year. The highest was recorded on November 8, a day after Diwali, when the AQI touched 571.

An AQI between 100 to 200 comes under the ‘moderate’ category, 201 and 300 is considered ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, while that between 401 and 500 is ‘severe’.

According to experts, under the ‘severe’ category,

even healthy people find it hard to breathe and doctors advise physical activity to be kept at a minimum.

The CPCB-led task force, during a meeting on Saturday, recommended minimising outdoor exposure for the next couple of days and avoiding use of private vehicles.

On Sunday, 30 areas of the national capital recorded ‘severe’ air quality while it was ‘very poor’ in six, the CPCB said.

S eve r a l a r e a s l i k e Ashok Vihar, Anand Vihar and Wazirpur, among others, inched towards the ‘severe plus emergency’ category, the data showed.

In NCR, Ghaziabad recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 473.

Faridabad and Noida also recorded ‘severe’ air quality, the CPCB said.

In Delhi, the overall PM2.5 level -- fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometer -- was recorded at 402 and the PM10 level at 580, the CPCB said.

New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI): On the occasion of ‘Kisan Diwas’, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday promised the farmers that he will make all efforts to secure their future.

The ‘Kisan Diwas’ or National Farmers Day is observed across the country on this day to celebrate the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India.

Taking to Twitter, Gandhi said he will make every effort to secure the future of the farmers.

“This is not just a promise but also my duty.

I salute the farmers of the country on the occasion of ‘Kisan Divas’. We are because you are,” he tweeted in Hindi, with the hashtag ‘Thank you farmers’.

Gandhi has been raising farmers’ issues alleging that there is continued agrarian distress under the current government, a charge the Centre has denied.

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXIX NO. 22 Dimapur, MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

A desperate gambit

W

hen the Ministry of Home Affairs through the union secretary on December 20, officially gave the go ahead to central probe agencies including commissioner of police Delhi to intercept, monitor, seize and decrypt any computer for the purpose of safeguarding national integrity and security; it caused huge uproar. From rights bodies, civil society groups and especially leaders of several opposition parties saw it as another blatant attempt to abuse power for political gain under the specious argument of national security.

The rules have been notified by the government using the powers given to it by the IT Act 2000.

The ten agencies authorised to intercept and probe include-Intelligence Bureau; Narcotics Control Bureau; Enforcement Directorate; Central Board of Direct Taxes; Directorate of Revenue Intelligence; Central Bureau of Investigation; National Investigation Agency(NIA); Cabinet Secretariat (RAW); Directorate of Signal Intelligence (For service areas of Jammu & Kashmir, North-East and Assam only) and Commissioner of Police, Delhi.

There are several problems with the order and it is appropriate to raise concerns about it. It seems that the order enables government to circumvent more specific rules that allow phone tapping and digital under the Telegraph Act. It gives government broad provisions and that could lead to the 10 agencies misusing them. The issue has reignited the fears that the Modi government at the Centre wants to curb fundamental rights of every citizen by invoking harsh rules. It may be pointed out also, that the government does not need to invoke draconian laws to curb freedom and rights of the people; there are enough ‘murderous fringe elements’ or moral / cultural Talibans and lynching mobs who violate the trample upon the life and security of the ordinary citizens. However, the authorisation for snooping over the narrow restrictions of national security there must be , but its implications are so dangerous that it should be subject to the panoply of oversight. All these are very important issues which have to be weighed in order to bring a balance between competing rights of privacy and security. The rise of big data policing will soon become a civil rights issue for the digital age. The role of direct government surveillance, indirect third-party surveillance, and unintentional self-surveillance should be debated now before the web of digital tracking becomes too tangled.

On the other hand and in the genuine interest of combating threat to national security, current debate is miscast, misleading and confused. Privacy is portrayed as an individual right, in opposition to a collective need for security. The Modi government has only brought adverse criticism upon itself, by taking the step to authorise snooping. This has led to critics and opposition parties to accuse the government of attempting to abuse of powers in authorising snooping just on the eve of the 2019 parliamentary elections. Who are to be snooped and whether it will actually help in protecting the national security is debatable. However, what is less important is that it has come at an inappropriate time to coincide with the humiliating defeats suffered by the BJP in the three states that went to the polls. When the debate is recast taking into account these misunderstandings, the bar for the justification of surveillance is raised and a new balance needs to be found, in political debate, in law, and in decision-making on the ground.

DailyDevotion “Approved to God” Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. —2 Timothy 2:15 If you cannot express yourself well on each of your beliefs, work and study until you can. If you don’t, other people may miss out on the blessings that come from knowing the truth. Strive to re-express a truth of God to yourself clearly and understandably, and God will use that same explanation when you share it with someone else. But you must be willing to go through God’s winepress where the grapes are crushed. You must struggle, experiment, and rehearse your words to express God’s truth clearly.

Then the time will come when that very expression will become God’s wine of strength to someone else.

But if you are not diligent and say, “I’m not going to study and struggle to express this truth in my own words; I’ll just borrow my words from someone else,” then the words will be of no value to you or to others. Try to state to yourself what you believe to be the absolute truth of God, and you will be allowing God the opportunity to pass it on through you to someone else.

Always make it a practice to stir your own mind thoroughly to think through what you have easily believed. Your position is not really yours until you make it yours through suffering and study. The author or speaker from whom you learn the most is not the one who teaches you something you didn’t know before, but the one who helps you take a truth with which you have quietly struggled, give it expression, and speak it clearly and boldly.

Quotes

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~ Roy L. Smith

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

Redo arithmetic, rework strategies

he Indian economy is going through a piquant phase. There is a competitive politics on giving succour to the farmers through loan waivers and on the other hand private economy is slowing down.

It calls for looking at the economy through a new prism. It cannot be a piecemeal approach. The basic fault is that since 1991’s Manmohanomics the farmers are in disarray.

The rural economy is in a quandary. The country is keen on GDP growth without realizing that figures though important do not reflect the ground reality.

The loan waivers may earn votes but is taking the public sector banks to a brink. Their NPAs are growing because the governments take four to five years to clear the bank dues. It is making the banks apprehensive about giving further loans. A “good act” may not be that good. The farmers certainly can ask if industry could sit tight over their loans why should there be hullaballoo about them. They forget once a farmer gets a waiver he is marked ineligible for fresh loans.

Such acts are grinding the bank lending to a halt.

The politics of waivers is creating a culture of morality. The RBI in its July report said that the waivers are making farmers complacent about repayment.

It is being seen as a dole and impacting the public sector banks.

Populism is growing and everybody is keen on collecting the kudos.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has aptly warned against the populist policies like waivers. The bank depositors are also worried lot as they feel their deposits are in danger.

The latest numbers are worrisome. It possibly also reveals that the nation is finding it difficult to understand the economic development.

The government is seemingly obsessed with fiscal deficit and so is on a spree to fill up its coffers.

Coercion is built into the system either through tax terror or through levying of compulsive charges on various facilities, increasing fuel prices and consequent free hand to the big businesses to hike prices in the name of freedom to the market.

The country is in the throes of a severe crisis of conviction. The parties that one time criticised waivers

today are promoting these.

About Rs 1.9 lakh crore have been waived by eight states since UP elections in March 2017.

About 1.47 lakh crore are to be waived in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh.

Loans are mere symptom of the dise a s e. A l l , Shivaji however, are silent on diagnosing the malaise.

Farmers need relief.

They need remunerative prices. But farm price is key to the economic growth. If it is too high, food prices would be rising and could create a political turmoil apart affecting the growth.

In reality, growth, to speak in a sober way, is moderating, euphemism for slowdown. This is revealed by the July to September GDP figures. The growth during the period fell to 7.1 percent as against 8.2 percent.

There is a catch. The economy had grown at a slower pace during the same period in 2017 at 6.3 percent. The present figures are on that low base. So the actual growth is less impressive.

Another interesting aspect is that the nongover nment or private

part of the economy grew at 6.4 percent per year, during the period which was much slower than the overall economy. The nongovernment part of the economy is calculated by subtracting the government expenditure number from the overall Sarkar GDP number during the period.

This is crucial. This indicates how the less fortunate are doing This fall in economic growth was clearly visible in other economic indicators like car sales and twowheeler sales.

Domestic car and van sales during the period July to September 2018 fell by 2.42 percent during July to September 2018. Twowheeler sales grew by 4.9 percent, after having grown by 24.8 percent between January and March 2018 and 13.9 percent between July and September 2018.

This means that despite National Green Tribunal’s quixotic order for junking 10-year and 15-year-old vehicles, the sales are not going up. So why not scrap such quixotic orders? It suggests that purchasing power of the people has been affected and they are away from

the market.

This calls for a detailed study. It is also a reflection that despite higher direct tax realization, overall income is not rising. It is an indirect indicator of falling job opportunities as well.

The recent RBI study on impact of demonetization has volumes to say on this kind of stagnation.

One may boast that it has fattened government coffers but at what cost?

The collections during the last two financial years have made the government richer by Rs 90,000 crore.

The gain in revenue collection comes at a cost more thatn Rs 1.05 lakh crore.

The expense towards tax administration is 35.75 percent more cost of tax collection and anti-tax measures accout for 4.32 percent in 2018-19 It also is a reflection on the policies. It looks nice to say that gross income-tax collection has increased.

But it is also a reality that these are mostly people at the threshold level. It indicates that those low-earning persons, including those in businesses, who earlier may have been making minor savings on tax payments, were contributing to the economic growth.

As the country is mov-

ing towards an election, it is necessary to look deeper. On an average as the direct taxes are tailored, even at the lowest slab, one would be losing about three months’ earnings in filling the government coffers.

This is just impoverishing them. This is affecting growth. Taxes are meant to add to the growth if it is not so it calls for a relook at having such tax system.

It is difficult to comprehend while oil prices since 2014, except for a brief patch, has continuously been falling, the public sector oild companies have been increasing the domestic prices continuously. The minor cuts during state polls were deceptive technique. Had oil prices been in sync with international prices, the growth pattern could have been different.

That oil companies are earning huge profits is apparent from the doles they paid about Rs 3000 crore for erection of some statues.

Let us redo the arithmetic not only of taxes but of all the waivers, fees, charges and road tolls.

Strategies have to be worked out for overall development and just for pacing up the economy.

Post-mortem

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Significance of ‘National Consumer Day’ on December 24

very year the 24th December is observed as “National Consumer Day” and the significance of this day is that on 24th December in the year 1986, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, had received the assent of the President of India. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is considered to be a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country.

Every year the observance of this day provides an opportunity for highlighting the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make the consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities.

The awareness of consumer rights and duties is more important in rural areas and the responsibility of this rests with all of us, and more particularly with the government agencies. The state government has to play a vital role for promoting welfare of consumers and protection of their rights.

As a week-long observance of National Consumer Day, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation(NVCO) launched a consumer awareness campaign on 18th Dec and highlighting the problems faced by the consumers in the state such as short supply of LPG cooking gas, just for fund-raise selling lottery tickets/ raffle draw, etc., the illegal collection of cash at Nagaland Police check-gates and on highways which contributes price-rise in the market, backdoor appointments, corruption in different ways including spending crores of rupees under various names of works without executing the projects especially Special Development Programme (SDP), bad roads, deficiency

services, unfair means of practices by the butchers, human rights violation, selling expiry goods, food safety, food security, removal of original price tag like motor parts, etc. and all these wrong doings are amounting to consumer rights exploitation.

On this “National Consumer Day”, the president of NVCO & National First Prize Award recipient Kezhokhoto Savi wishes every consumer ‘Good Day’ with an appeal to remain alert while buying goods and availing services at all times remembering the great slogan “An alert consumer is an asset to the Nation”. Savi in his message on the National Consumer Day which falls on Dec 24 assured the citizens to continue their fight against consumers’ rights exploitation and to work for the welfare of the consumers and it is all set to reach out the rights of consumers to every nook and corner in the state to promote and protect consumers rights in the state. Savi stated that every consumer should take proper care to check weights, and to read and understand the information provided on the goods. Obtain cash memo/ receipt.

Check the quality and quantity, ISI mark, AGMARK, MRP, etc. The NVCO as well as the department As we observe the National Consumer Day on Christmas eve the NVCO wishes every citizen a ‘Merry Christmas’ and may you all have a blessed Christmas with the Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Press & Media Cell, NVCO

An opinion on our sorry state of affairs

I

would like to begin by appreciating the leadership of Shri. T.R Zeliang under whose tenure as the Chief Minister of Nagaland, we witnessed most of the major development projects that are taking shape today throughout the State, especially in the road sector. It is evident that prior to his government most of the developments were only on papers. I further laud the ACAUT team for spearheading the herculean task of challenging and fighting against corruption, unabated taxation and backdoor appointments under various government departments and organizations within the state.

The Indian government had exempted the state of Nagaland from income tax. However, the internal taxation system that currently exists in Nagaland from various quarters like the underground tax, deduction from various organizations, departments, political parties and ministers etc.., has overburdened the general public and taken a severe toll on our economy and infrastructure.

Further, Nagaland government by enacting NLTP

What’s so amazing about the Bethlehem Baby?

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ver y human being is born, first as a baby. With few exceptions, all babies come heralded, and received with open arms. But as innocent, and mild and gentle they are at this formative stage of their lives, babies do not go much beyond the gleeful, rapturous joy and adulation their parents shower on them. But for baby Jesus, a lot of things were different; he was much more than a normal baby. We must understand this crucial significance at this time when we celebrate his birth – the beautiful Christmas season!

1. Much before his epochal birth, many momentous events had transpired for us to label his birth as extra-ordinary: a. Long before his birth, the prophets of Israel had announced his coming (Is. 7:14, Mic. 5:2) b. Prior to his miraculous birth, his never-ending kingdom had been foretold (Isa. 9:6; Mat. 2:6; Lk. 1:32-33) c. Before his birth, his role as the Savior of human-kind was heralded (Mat. 1:21) 2. Before and during his birth, the Holy Spirit and angels had worked great wonders:

a. It was through the power of the Spirit that Mary conceived the baby Jesus (Mat. 1:18; Lk. 1:35 b. At various stages, the angels had descended on earth to testify about the birth to come (Mat. 1:20; Lk. 1:28; 2:8-14) 3. Jesus’ birth did not happen in promising circumstances: a. Jesus was born in a lowly stable (Lk. 2:7); he made himself of no repute b. Jesus’ birth elicited great jealousy from the reigning monarch of the day. Herod tried hard to have Jesus killed; Joseph and Mary had to run to Egypt (Mat. 2:14) 4. Against all odds, the baby Jesus came out unscathed; come the right time, he would bless the world immeasurably.

The baby Jesus had these rich, unparalleled attestations: a. The baby who was born on Christmas day had existed with God from the beginning (Jn. 1:1-2); even today, as he was in the past, he is ImmanuelGod with us b. Along with (baby) Jesus, God had created the world and all in it (Jn. 1:3)

c. Resident in the baby Jesus was the source of abundant life (Jn. 1:4a). d. The life inherent in Jesus illuminates the darkness resident in every human being (Jn. 1:4b) 5. There is rich treasure to glean from the above quick preview of this wonder baby – Jesus!

1. In Jesus’ humble birth, let us draw the significant lesson that small beginnings do pay rich dividends. Like Jesus, our humility is the one way to draw people to God 2. The baby Jesus has immense power to bequeath us life immortal, and abundant.

After all, he came to save us from our sins and free us from all kinds of bondage. This is good news nowhere else available 3. The life resident in Jesus has power to dispel the darkness in any life; truly, Jesus is the Light of the world!

May we celebrate Christmas with this tapestry of meanings embedded richly in our hearts and minds.

Sanyü Iralu, Sechü-Zubza

Act and declaring Nagaland as a dry State, without strictly implementing it have only contributed in creating more syndicates and black market Thus, my appeal to the present PDA government will be to take serious note of this anomaly and either strictly implement it and not for the purpose of appeasement or as a showpiece, or to completely do away with this Act. Thus far, we have not seen any development projects being implemented from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sbah constituency funds.

However, our Naga leaders tend to speak only about developments at any given opportunity. The general public should no longer remain gullible and be swayed by such rhetoric. Until and unless the Naga public strive to eradicate the practice of selling votes during election or the practice of electing candidate(s) from larger village or electing candidate(s) on the bases of their wealth, clan, tribe gender etc. no tangible development can be implemented.

In our North Eastern Region amongst Hindu and Muslim dominates states.

The states of Nagaland

and Mizoram are the only two Christian dominated states. However unlike in Nagaland, Mizoram has dedicated followers subscribing to Christian principles and it is reflected in their governance and development process. We can witness the stark difference even in the quality of leadership they produce and elect.

We, the Nagas had fought and struggled for sovereignty from the British rule in the past and for decades now. We are still continuing the fight struggle for sovereignty from the Indian government. However, today we can see that we have dedicated from the real cause and rather indulge in fighting amongst ourselves. Overburdening and victimizing the public through taxation and extortion etc.

All the right thinking citizens must take collective responsibility over issues concerning general public and stand up against any form of corruption and unabated taxation.

N. Hotongse Sangtam, President, United Naga Democratic Party (UNDP), Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Sir,

My heartfelt thanks to government of Nagaland

I, Nweze Raymond C have finally reached my country home Nigeria of Ebonyi state, after two years and two months of incarceration at Dimapur subjail. I give thanks to the prominent mention of Nagaland government, to Nagaland home commissioner Mr Ramaiah Ramkarishman who had tremendously worked hard for my release, I thank Mr Tovihoto Ayemi honourable advisor government of Nagaland for providing me airfare tickets, and I thank Mr mughagho Aye for contributing me with travelling expenditure. I thank my angel the good Samaritan Mr Solomon Shaikh, without him I would not been released. He fought every odds and got me my freedom. The world should know that a Christian man, a Reverend was languishing in Indian jail in a Christian state, but a Muslim man worked the hardest despite severe challenges to free the man from jail, and had also facilitated the man’s return journey through two Samaritans, Mr Tovihoto Ayemi and Mr Mughagho Aye. I am thankful to all who prayed for my release. I shall pray for the government of Nagaland that will touch their hearts so that they will look into the welfare of some innocent ones languishing their lives in the prison, so that no one will pass the type of challenges, anguish, depression and loneliness which I passed through in the prison. May God continue to bless government of Nagaland mostly the people which their names are mentioned above, especially Mr Solomon Shaikh. I will remain faithful and humble to you people.

Thank you God bless Nagaland.

Nweze Raymond C, Ebonyi state of Nigeria Ishielu LGA, (Raymondray463@gmail.com)

Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

national

Grand alliance a club of ‘rich dynasties’: Modi

New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): Calling the ‘grand alliance’ a club of “rich dynasties”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the efforts of the opposition parties were for personal survival and ambitions and the country would never accept such an incoherent coalition.

“Various political leaders today are talking about a grand alliance or the ‘Mahagathbandhan’.

Let me tell you that this alliance is for personal survival, not ideological support. This alliance is for power, not for the people.

This alliance is for personal ambitions and not for people’s aspirations,” he said during his interaction with BJP workers from Chennai Central, Chennai North, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Tiruvallur through video conference.

Responding to a query, Modi spoke at length describing several instances where the Congress had insulted and deceived several key leaders from different political parties

who are now talking about a ‘grand alliance’.

“Several of these parties and their leaders claim to be inspired by Ram Manohar Lohia, who was deeply opposed to the Congress and its ideology and the way Congress did politics. What sort of tribute they are paying to Lohia by forming an unholy and opportunist alliance with Congress.

“Lohia always said the Congress is a compromise party which had made compromises on many ideological issues and issues of national interest. He said the Congress was responsible for caste inequality in India.

Lohia was pained that the Congress after 1947 was not the Congress of Mahatma Gandhi,” Modi said, attacking the Congress by invoking the socialist leader.

The Prime Minister said the top leaders of several parties who are now aiming for a seat in the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ were arrested and tortured dur-

Narendra Modi (File)

ing the Emergency.

“Sadly, today these parties and the Congress have become oxygen for each other. But people know very well the real nature of these parties.

Whenever they get power, be it in Uttar Pradesh or in Bihar, there is a complete breakdown of law and order. Corrupt and criminal elements are supreme when these parties govern,” he said.

Recalling how the Congress had harassed Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav in disproportionate assets cases, he asked: “Have these parties done justice to the ideals of Lohia?

The answer is a resounding no.”

Hitting out at the opposition, Modi said the Congress and its ecosystem spared no one, including MGR (M.G. Ramachandran) and NTR (N.T. Ramarao).

“Even the great MGR, the stalwart who worked for the poor and the downtrodden, was targeted. In 1980, his elected government was dismissed.

He had the support of the Assembly and the House of the People but the Congress had Raj Bhavan and the House of Governors. Fresh elections were held and MGR won. Indira Gandhi never forgave MGR for that,” he said.

Recalling the Congress’ stand on the Jain Commission, he said the Congress at that time had said that “either it is DMK or it is us”, but today they want to be together.

“If not opportunism, what explains their alliance?” he said.

Modi said that even

NTR faced the anger of the Congress and formed a party for the pride and respect of the Telugus after being humiliated by the Congress.

“Yet today the party of NTR wants to ally with Congress. How can the people of Andhra Pradesh accept this,” he said in a direct reference to the Telugu Desam Party, led

by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The Prime Minister also hit out at former Union Minister Sharad Pawar, saying that his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was formed in severe opposition to the Congress leadership but later it ruled Maharashtra for several years with the Congress.

“The truth is that these so called grand alliances are a club of rich dynasties, they are only to promote family rule. People can see through their opportunism and will never accept such an incoherent coalition,” he said.

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PM manipulating data to boast: Yechuri Kolkata, Dec 23 (PTI): CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechuri on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was resorting to manipulation of statistics to paint a rosy picture of his government’s achievements.

Yechuri claimed Modi’s announcement that 99 per cent goods will now attract 18 per cent or lower GST as a “post truth”, since 97 per cent of merchandise or services already attract 18 per cent or less GST. “The method adopted

by Modi surpasses Goebells,” he said, drawing a parallel with Hitler’s Propaganda Minister during the Nazi rule in Germany.

“Statistics are manipulated to distort facts,” Yechuri said, speaking at a seminar on Karl Marx’s 200th birth anniversary celebrations, organised by the Communist Party of India(Marxist) here. He also claimed that the prime minister and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were resorting to such manipulation to suit their interest and paint a rosy picture of the

Sitaram Yechuri

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s achievements, when the ground reality was otherwise. Modi had on Tuesday said in Mumbai, “Today, the GST system has been established to a large extent and we are working towards a position where 99 per cent items will attract the sub-18 per cent GST slab.”

The GST Council on Saturday reduced tax rates on 23 goods and services, including movie tickets, TV and monitor screens and power banks, and exempted frozen and preserved vegetables from the levy. With this cut, only 28 goods are now left in the highest 28-per cent tax bracket. Yechury said in order to divert and di-

20-yr old Indian woman cycles the globe KCR to meet Odisha, Bengal CMs

An undated photo of 20-year old Vedangi Kulkarni during her globe ride. (PTI)

Mumbai, Dec 23 (PTI): In an incredible feat for any Indian, 20-year-old Pune woman Vedangi Kulkarni has become the fastest Asian to cycle the globe.

Vedangi, who hails from a suburb of Pune, cycled into Kolkata in the wee hours of Sunday, completing the 29,000 km distance required to qualify as bicycling across the globe.

She started off from Perth in July and will now be flying back to the Aus-

tralian city to complete the record. Talking to PTI over the phone, Vedangi said the 159 days spent peddling up to 300 km a day in 14 countries has shown her the “best and worst” of both herself and also the world.

H e r f a t h e r V i ve k Kulkarni said very few people undertake this gruelling campaign and his daughter has become the fastest Asian to cycle the globe.

British adventurer Jenny Graham (38) is the

fastest woman to have cycled the globe in 124 days in 2018, which was three weeks faster than the previous record.

Elements, both human and natural, tested the Indian cyclist. This included being chased by a Grizzly bear in Canada or camping alone for multiple nights in the snow in Russia or being robbed at a knife-point in Spain.

There were troubles on securing the necessary visas as well, which cost her time. The visa process led to a delayed departure and consequently facing weather hostilities in Europe where winter had started setting in.

Ve d a n g i , a s t u dent of the University of Bournemouth in the UK pursuing a degree in sports management, said preparations for the ride began about two years ago with long cycle rises, getting the equipment including a specially crafted cycle and planning the route and time window. She did not have anyone accompanying her for over 80 per cent of the

Shatrughan Sinha attacks BJP leadership

Shatrughan Sinha (File)

known as “Bihari Babu”, has on several occasions made it clear that the “place (constituency) will be the same, even if the situation changes.”

He said loss of power in three states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh is enough to show that the situation is not good in the NDA. “Many people have left, some others are preparing to leave and others driving tough negotiations...all said and done the party’s popularity and that of one leader and two-men Army have taken a beating,” he said.

He was alluding to Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief and former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and RLSP leader Upendra Kushwaha leaving NDA and LJP of Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan bargaining hard with a “weakened” BJP. The actor-politician,

who served as a Cabinet minister in the NDA ministry of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and was a star campaigner for BJP for a long time before falling out with the current leadership after being ignored in the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls, has been critical of the party functioning, alleging all power is vested in one leader (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and two-men Army (Modi and BJP president Amit Shah).

Maintaining that the “writing is on the wall”, the BJP leader said, “There is still some time and some hope left if party veterans like L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Arun Shourie are brought at the front.”

On his remarks on GST, demonetisation and the party functioning often putting the BJP in an embarrassing situation, Sinha said he had been manifesting peoples’ voice and not asking for any personal favour for himself.

Besides meeting Prasad and praising his younger son Tejashwi Yadav as “Bihar’s face” and “its future”, the BJP leader has been frequently seen sharing dias with former union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie and at functions of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) much to the discomfort of partymen.

Hyderabad, Dec 23 (PTI): Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Sunday left here for Visakhapatnam en route to Bhubaneswar where he is scheduled to meet his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik in the evening.

Rao is on a four-day tour to meet various leaders to garner support for his proposed non-BJP and non-Congress front ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

His party, the TRS, has hired a special aircraft for a period of one month for Rao’s trips to various places.

“The Chief Minister along with his family members left for Vizag. He will visit Sharada Peetham and perform special prayers at Rajasyamala temple there.

He will be leaving for Bhubaneswar this evening,” a senior TRS leader said.

At Visakhapatnam, he will seek the blessings of Swami Swarupanandendra Swamiji, an official release had said earlier.

Rao, who is also TRS

Train-18 receives green signal for commercial run New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) has given his clearance -- a must for the commercial run of any new service -- for the launch of Train-18, India’s first Trainset, which recently had a successful trial run at speeds of up to 160 kmph.

However, the CCRS, while giving the green signal for the launch of the swank, Rs 100-crore blue-nosed engineless train equipped with many new passenger amenities, has also recommended the fencing of tracks at vulnerable locations to ensure safety.

“Based on documents submitted, along with the application and inspection and speed trial, the case is being forwarded with recommendation for the sanction of central government for operation of Train-18 up to a maximum speed of 160 kmph on Indian Railways tracks,” CCRS Shailesh Kumar Pathak has stated in his order desptached to the Railway Board on December 21. Taking note of the inspection of the 16-coach train on December 19 at Safdarjung station in the capital and thereafter a speed trial between Safdarjung and Agra on December 20, the CCRS order has recommended certain precautionary measures like fencing and regular greasing of all

the curves on the route.

“For speeds beyond 130 kmph and up to 160 kmph, the provision for sturdy fencing all along the track shall be ensured,” the letter stated.

Acknowledging the CCRS recommendation, a senior Railways official told IANS: “The train is likely to be launched on December 29 between Delhi and Varanasi.” As far as fencing is concerned, the official said: “For 160 kmph, fencing is a must. But to begin with, Train-18 will be running at a maximum speed of 130 kmph like the Rajdhani service. Once the fencing work is complete, the speed will go up to 160 kmph.”

Rail fencing is essential for 160 kmph speeds to prevent trespassing of people or cattle on the tracks.

Before Safdar jungAgra trial, the Railways had already successfully conducted a speed trial of the Train-18 at the Moradabad and Kota sections under the watchful eyes of concerned officials from the Railways’ and Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO).

In fact, laddoos were distributed in the train when it clocked 180 kmph between Kota and Kurlasi on December 2. The first sweets were offered onboard to loco pilot Padam Singh Gurjar and his assistant Onkar Yadav.

K Chandrasekhar Rao (File)

president, will call on Patnaik this evening and stay for the night at his official residence. On December 24, the Telangana chief minister will visit Konark Temple and Jagannath Temple by road, it had said. From Bhubaneswar, the Telangana CM will proceed to Kolkata, where he will call on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Monday, the release had said.

After visiting Kalimata Temple in Kolkata, he will leave for New Delhi in the night. From December 25,

for two to three days, Rao will be in the national capital, the release had said.

Rao will make a courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his stay in New Delhi, it had said, adding he will also meet former Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav.

During his Delhi trip, Rao is scheduled to meet Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Union ministers, with whom he will discuss issues related to the state, the release had said.

Cong wins Jharkhand bye-election Ran c h i , D e c 2 3 (IANS): The Congress on Sunday won the Kolebira assembly byelection in Jharkhand, said an Election Commission official.

Congress candidate Naman Bixal Kongari defeated the BJP candidate by over 9,000 votes, the official said. Kongari polled 40,343 votes while the BJP candidate Basant Soreng managed to get 30,685 votes.

The sitting legislator Enos Ekka’s wife Menon Ekka managed to get only 16,445 votes. The polling took place on December 20.

Temperature drops heavily in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Dec 23 (PTI): Biting cold tightened its grip over Odisha Sunday with the temperature sliding below 10 degrees Celsius in at least 10 places.

Keonjhar became the coldest place in the state recording a minimum temperature of 7.1 degrees Celsius, while the mercury dipped to 7.5 degrees Celsius at the tourist destination of Daringbadi in Kandhamal district, the Meteorological Centre here said.

Coastal areas of the state also recorded a sharp fall in the night temperature with state capital Bhubaneswar and neighbouring Cuttack recording 10.2 and 11.1 degrees Celsius respectively.

The night temperature in most parts of the state is likely to remain 3 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal during the next three days in the state, the MeT centre said.

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Patna, Dec 23 (PTI): Amid speculation that he may be denied a BJP ticket for Lok Sabha polls and join the RJD, actor-turnedpolitician Shatrughan Sinha has kept all sides guessing by saying that people should instead speculate whether he would contest on a BJP ticket or not.

Sinha, who has represented his native Patna Sahib as a BJP MP for two consecutive terms, said his remarks on various issues which have not been liked by some party leaders, were meant to “show the mirror” to the BJP and cannot be termed as “anti-party.”

“Instead of guessing whether they (BJP leaders) will give me ticket or not speculation should be whether I will take the ticket or not,” Sinha told PTI. The actor-turned BJP leader met jailed RJD president Lalu Prasad in Ranchi on Saturday.

Though he said the meeting with Prasad at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences was personal, the timing of the meeting assumes significance.

Speculation is rife that Sinha, whose attack on his party has sharpened in recent times, may enter into fray from Patna Sahib from Prasad’s party if he is denied a BJP ticket for the Lok Sabha polls.

Sinha, popularly

route, and lugged the cycle with the heavy luggage that includes cycle tools, camping equipment and clothing in desolate stretches all alone. The ride was funded majorly by her parents.

Starting off from Perth, she cycled across Australia, through the outback, to reach Brisbane from where she flew over to Wellington, New Zealand, for doing the entire country north to south.

A short flight took her across the international dateline to Western Canada’s Vancouver, from where she continued her eastward journey till Halifax, a port city.

Europe beckoned next and she chose the chilly Iceland to start it all up and later cycled through Portugal, Spain France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland to enter Russia. From Russia, she flew to India for doing the last 4,000 km. She encountered temperatures ranging from -20 degree Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius during the ride.

lute protests growing against the government over “miseries of people, the ruling BJP and similar other organisations are resorting to sharpening of communal polarisation.”

Likening PM Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah with characters from the Mahabharata, the former Rajya Sabha member said, “Of the 100 Kauravas, we know the names of Duryodhan and Dushashan, just as in the BJP, we know of Modi and Shah.”

“The Kauravas said how can five Pandavas defeat 100 of them, but eventually that happened; likewise the BJP claims to be invincible, but the state polls have shown they can be defeated,” Yechury said.

He said the government’s move to authorise 10 Central agencies to intercept any information on computers was an indication that the country was moving “towards a police state.”

Alleging that the Centre wants to gag dissenting voice, he said people talking against the government are termed ‘urban Naxalites’.

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RBI shortlists TCS, Wipro, 4 others for setting up PCR

New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI): The Reserve Bank of India has shortlisted six major IT companies, including TCS, Wipro and IBM India, to set up a wide-based digital Public Credit Registry (PCR) for capturing details of all borrowers and wilful defaulters.

The proposed PCR will also include data from entities like market regulator Sebi, the corporate affairs ministry, Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN) and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) to enable banks and financial institutions to get a 360degree profile of the existing as well as prospective borrowers on a real-time basis.

“Consequent to the publication of expression of interest (EOI) on October 27, 2018, the Reserve Bank had received responses from several vendors for implementation of endend solution for PCR,” the central bank has said.

After evaluating the responses of the interested vendors, the RBI said it has been decided to shortlist the six firms.

The other three shortlisted vendors are: Capgemini Technology Services India, Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India, and Mindtree Ltd. The RBI would soon seek request for proposal from the six vendors.

In June this year, the RBI had announced to

set up a PCR for India to address information asymmetry, foster access to credit and strengthen the credit culture in the economy.

Earlier, a high-level task force was constituted by the RBI to review the current availability of information on credit, the adequacy of the existing information utilities, and to identify gaps that could be filled by a PCR. “In essence, PCR will be a digital registry of authenticated granular credit information and will work as a financial information infrastructure providing access to various stakeholders and enrich the existing credit information ecosystem,” according to the EOI document issued

in October.

The PCR would be the single point of mandatory reporting for all material events for each loan, notwithstanding any threshold in the loan amount or type of borrower.

Currently, there are multiple granular credit information repositories in India, with each having somewhat distinct objectives and coverage.

Wi t h i n t h e R B I , CRILC is a borrower-level supervisory dataset that keeps record of loans of Rs 50 million and above.

Also, there are four privately owned credit information companies (CICs) operating in India.

The RBI has mandated all its regulated entities to submit credit information

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individually to all four CICs. According to the EOI, the proposed solution should allow easy integration with ancillary information sources, such as the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Sebi, GSTN, CERSAI, utility billers, Central Fraud Registry and Wilful Defaulter/Caution/ Suit Filed Lists.

Besides, borrowers would also be able to access their own credit information and seek corrections to the credit information reported on them.

Setting up of the PCR assumes significance amid rising bad loans in the financial system. The nonperforming assets in the banking system stand at about Rs 10 trillion.

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List of World’s biggest stock markets sees a churn (Yeah, America is THAT big) Stock-market capitalization

$28trillion

24

20

16

12

8

4

United States

China

Japan

Mumbai, Dec 23 (Agencies): India’s ascent on the global stage has claimed another victory after its stock market overtook Germany to become the seventh largest in the world.

India edged past the equity market of Europe’s largest economy for the first time in seven years, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg. That means, after the UK leaves the European Union in March, the bloc would have only one country, France, among the seven biggest markets.

The move reflects India’s positive returns this year as companies’ reliance on domestic demand enabled them to avoid the

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meltdown in other emerging markets spurred by Federal Reserve tightening and a trade war between the U.S. and China. It also highlights the challenges facing the EU, including its future relationship with the UK, a standoff with Italy over budget allocations and separatist clashes in Spain.

While the MSCI Emerging Markets Index is heading for a 17 per cent decline this year, India’s benchmark S&P BSE Sensex is up 5 percent after seesawing throughout the year amid oil-price volatility.

In a year dominated by trade protectionism and punitive tariffs by Donald Trump’s administration on China, it’s little wonder

India

Germany

0

that investors have turned cautious over countries with a heavy dependence on exports. Germany derives more than 38 per cent of its gross domestic product from exports, based on 2017 data from World Bank. The corresponding ratio for India is only 11 per cent, meaning much of the stock-market opportunity in the country comes from domestic consumer stories.

The reliance on local demand and entrepreneurship also puts India ahead in growth sweepstakes. The south Asian nation is projected to grow 7.5 per cent this year and 7.3 per cent in 2019, a far cry from German growth of 1.6 per cent for each year.

Preparing agenda for WTO: Suresh Prabhu

6 of top-10 cos lose Rs 89,531 crore in m-cap

Mumbai, Dec 23 (PTI): Six of the 10 most-valued Indian companies suffered a combined erosion of Rs 89,531.31 crore from their market valuation last week, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) alone accounting for over Rs 34,000 crore.

Reliance Industries (RIL), HUL, Infosys, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Maruti Suzuki were also among the losers, while HDFC Bank, ITC, HDFC and State Bank of India (SBI) finished the week ended Friday with gains. The market capitalisation (m-cap) of TCS slumped Rs 34,521.94 crore to Rs 7,11,921.19 crore and that of Infosys plunged Rs 26,143.34 crore to Rs 2,82,105.44 crore.

Valuation of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) dived Rs 11,515.94 crore to Rs 3,90,416.08 crore and RIL tanked Rs 8,493.67 crore to Rs 6,96,195.94 crore. Also, Kotak Mahindra Bank’s m-cap declined Rs 5,311.51 crore to Rs 2,34,087.97 crore, while Maruti Suzuki stood at Rs 2,27,670.19 crore with a loss of Rs 3,544.91 crore. On the other hand, HDFC added Rs 7,823.28 crore to its m-cap to reach Rs 3,35,165.94 crore and HDFC Bank soared Rs 4,825.33 crore to Rs 5,74,009.79 crore. SBI went up by Rs 2,231.15 crore to reach Rs 2,60,285.60 crore and ITC’s valuation stood at Rs 3,38,575.91 crore with a gain of Rs 1,040.83 crore.

In the ranking of top10 firms in terms of m-cap, TCS stood at the number one position, followed by RIL, HDFC Bank, HUL, ITC, HDFC, Infosys, SBI, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Maruti Suzuki.

United Kingdom

Suresh Prabhu

New Delhi, Dec 23 (Agencies): India is preparing an agenda for the World Trade Organization (WTO) by taking on board the views of developed as well as developing countries, which is expected to be discussed in Davos, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said. Key trade ministers from countries including from India would meet next month on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Summit at Davos to discuss the road ahead for the WTO. “We are in the process of preparing an agenda for WTO, which will be acceptable to most of the countries, and which will take on board the views of developing and developed countries,” Prabhu told PTI. “We (key trade ministers) are meeting on

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the sidelines of Davos for mini-ministerial on WTO, where we would like to present this proposal,” he added.

The move assumes significance in the backdrop of growing protectionism in the global trade. Several countries are raising customs duties to protect their industry. Duty hike by the US on certain steel and aluminium products has triggered a trade war kind of situation.

The rich nations are forming groupings to prepare the ground for pushing new issues such as investment facilitation, preparing rules for e-commerce, promoting gender equality and reducing subsidy on fisheries.

India has been keenly pushing agricultural issues at the WTO. It has also been raising its voice against bringing new issues, especially those which are not directly linked to trade, to the negotiating table.

The talks at the WTO’s 11th ministerial conference collapsed after the US went back on its commitment to finding a permanent solution to the public food stockholding issue, a key matter for India.

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said that builders can adjust some portion of the 12 per cent GST against the taxes paid on inputs like cement which attract 28 per cent levy.

“The potential homebuyers feel they are not getting benefited under GST. Certain proposals have come before the Council and the law and fitment committee will look into the matter and the matter will come up in the next council meeting. There was a total consensus that something needs to be done,” Jaitley had said.

Currently, in case of affordable housing projects like Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, Rajiv Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or any other housing schemes of state governments, GST is levied at 8 per cent, which can be adjusted by builders against its accumulated ITC. The Finance Ministry had earlier this month said that for such affordable housing projects, after offsetting ITC, the builder or developer in most cases will not be required to pay GST in cash as the builder would have enough ITC in his books of account to pay the output GST.

grow in size by this amalgamation but even if all public sector banks are bundled into one, the merged entity cannot find a place among the top 10 globally.

The unions say postmerger, a large number of branches will be closed and customers will be have to face hardships as already banks are burdened with various government schemes such as Jan Dhan Yojana, Mudra, social security insurance, and PM’s housing scheme, among others.

On December 26, the unions will take out a rally and hold a demonstration at the Azad Maidan in South Mumbai.

Around 3.20 lakh officers from various state-run banks were on a one-day strike on December 21, seeking immediate wage revision and opposing the proposed merger.

The nation-wide strike had partially impacted banking operations affecting services like deposits and withdrawal at branches, cheque clearances and issuance of demand drafts, among others.

Bank managements have mandated the industry lobby Indian Bank Association (IBA) to negotiate for scale 1-3 but unions want this to be raised up to scale 7.

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The official said that currently builders are paying for the inputs for construction in cash and are not passing on benefits to consumers and hence, there is a need to bring them to the formal channel.

Major construction material, capital goods and input services used for construction of flats and houses attract 18 per cent GST, while cement attracts 28 per cent tax.

Prior to GST rollout, under-construction housing projects attracted 4.5 per cent service tax and a value added tax (VAT) of 1-5 per cent depending on the state.

Also inputs used in construction attracted 12.5 per cent excise duty in addition to 12.5-14.5 per cent VAT. Besides, entry tax was also levied on the inputs.

After adjusting for credits on inputs used, the effective per-GST tax incidence on such housing property was 15-18 per cent.

The Finance Ministry has time and again asked real estate dealers to pass on GST rate cut benefits to buyers, but to no avail.

Briefing reporters after the GST Council meeting on Saturday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had

New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI): Close to 1 million employees of various banks, including private lenders, have called for a one-day strike on December 26 to protest against the proposed amalgamation of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda.

The strike call comes on the heels of an officers union of state-run banks observing a day-long strike last Friday on similar grounds along with demand for immediate settlement of their wage negotiations.

In September, government had announced merger of state -owned Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, both under the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework of the RBI, with larger peer Bank of Baroda, creating the third largest lender.

“This amalgamation is not in the interest of banks or bank customers. It is rather detrimental to both,” the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) said.

The UFBU is an umbrella organisation of nine unions, including the AllIndia Bank Officers Confederation, the All- India Bank Employees Association and the National Organisation of Bank Workers, among others.

The unions claim that government wants banks to

Indian stock market overtakes Germany

DP-9691

New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI): The GST Council is likely to consider lowering GST on under-construction flats and houses to 5 per cent in its meeting next month, an official said.

Currently, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied at 12 per cent on payments made for under-construction property or ready-to-move-in flats where completion certificate has not been issued at the time of sale.

However, GST is not levied on buyers of real estate properties for which completion certificate has been issued at the time of sale.

An official said that this 12 per cent GST rate ideally would have been partially offset by way of taxes paid on inputs by builders and hence the actual incidence of GST on under-construction home buyers would have been around 5-6 per cent.

However, builders are not passing on the input tax credit (ITC) benefit to consumers. “One of the proposals before the Council is to lower the GST rate to 5 per cent for builders who purchase 80 per cent of inputs from registered dealers,” an official said.

Nine bank unions call for one-day strike on Dec 26

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

DP-9574

GST Council mulls 5% GST on under-construction homes

business

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8

US govt shutdown set to last through Christmas Washington, Dec 23 (IANS): US President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was negotiating with the Democrats to end a partial government shutdown, but “it could be a long stay” due to continued discrepancy on his longtime demand for a border wall, reported Xinhua.

“We are negotiating with the Democrats on desperately needed Border Security (Gangs, Drugs, Human Trafficking & more) but it could be a long stay,” Trump tweeted.

“Will be having lunch in White House residence with large group concerning Border Security.”

The US House and Senate convened Saturday noon on Capitol Hill, hoping to reach a deal to end the partial government shutdown that began at midnight, after failed attempts to end a budget impasse over a $5 billion bill that Trump wanted to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.

Shortly after the gathering, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that “no further votes will occur until the President and Senate Democrats have reached an

Most critical US security functions remain operational, but 800,000 federal workers are impacted, with many furloughed just days before Christmas while others deemed essential are working unpaid. (Getty images)

agreement to resolve this.”

“We pushed the pause button until the President, from whom we will need a signature, and Senate Democrats, from whom we will need votes, reach an agreement,” he said.

Earlier this week, senators reached a deal on a short-term funding measure that did not include the $5 billion Trump has sought for, and the President later said he would not sign the bill.

The House passed a temporary spending bill late Thursday that includes the border wall money but couldn’t get enough votes to clear the Senate.

The partial shutdown is set to affect nine of 15 Cabinet-level US departments and dozens of agencies, including the departments of homeland security, transportation, interior, agriculture, state and justice.

More than 800,000 federal employees would have to go to work without pay or will be furloughed, US media reported.

Three-quarters of government programmes won’t be affected as they are fully funded through next September.

Trump has been trying to pin the shutdown on the Democrats, while the latter has been firing back.

international Pak Army chief backs Imran’s peace initiatives K a r ac h i , D e c 2 3 (PTI): Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has backed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s peace initiatives, saying the new government has extended a hand of peace and friendship towards India with utmost sincerity but it should not be taken as Islamabad’s weakness.

Addressing the passing out parade of Midshipmen and Short Service Course at the Naval Academy in Karachi on Saturday, Bajwa said that Pakistan was “a peace loving country and believes in peace”.

Lauding the efforts of Prime Minister Khan’s government to achieve peace between Pakistan and India, the army chief said peace benefits everyone and it is time to fight disease, poverty and illiteracy instead of fighting against each other.

“Our new government has extended a hand of peace and friendship towards India with utmost sincerity but it should not be taken as our weakness,” Bajwa said.

The powerful army, which has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 71 years, has always wielded considerable power in the matters of foreign policy.

US envoy McGurk quits over Trump Syria pullout

Mr McGurk (L) had previously said the US should retain a presence in Syria.

Cleared in Blasphemy; Bibi to spend Christmas in custody

ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (Agencies): Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi will celebrate Christmas under guard, despite being cleared of the blasphemy charges that kept her in jail since 2010.

Bibi -- a former labourer who was on death row for eight years -- remains a prime target in conservative Muslim-majority Pakistan, with extremists calling for her blood and the government refusing to reveal her location out of fear for her safety.

“It’s too dangerous, people want to kill her,” said Yousaf Hadayat, a resident from one of Islamabad’s impoverished Christian ghettos, littered this week by a smattering of Santa hats and Christmas trees.

Security this Christmas, like many before it, will be tight with the government set to deploy armed forces to the Christian colonies.

Residents say they feel more uneasy than ever during the religious holiday while Bibi’s fate continues to loom large.

“We’re afraid,” said Pastor Munawar Inayat at Holy of Holies Church in

Islamabad. “We can’t speak against anyone.”

The Supreme Court overturned Bibi’s death sentence for blasphemy in October, and she has legally been a free woman ever since.

But the ruling ignited days of violent demonstrations that paralysed large swathes of the country, with enraged Islamists calling for her beheading, mutiny within the powerful military and the assassination of the country’s top judges.

The government has since launched a crackdown on the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, the Islamist group driving the violent protests charging its leaders with sedition and terrorism.

But authorities also struck a deal with the protesters to end the violence, for ming an ag reement which included allowing a final review of the Supreme Court’s judgement.

Bibi, who is seeking asylum abroad, is believed to be in protective custody inside Pakistan as the review continues.

But there is no clear timeline for when it will be completed.

militants in Syria were on the run but not yet defeated.

He said that withdrawing US forces from Syria would create the conditions that gave rise to IS. In an email to staff quoted by the New York Times, he said Mr Trump’s decision to pull out troops “came as a shock and was a complete reversal of policy”.

It “left our coalition partners confused and our fighting partners bewildered”, he said. “I ultimately concluded I could not carry out these new instructions and maintain my integrity,” he

FELICITATION

The Dimapur Nkonchan Yonchucho Yamo Ekhung (DNYYE) joins Mr & Mrs Wonymo Ezung of Yonchucho village, as they celebrate the exhilarating achievement of their daughter Ms Grace W. Ezung, by winning the Miss Nagaland 1st Runners-Up title in the prestigious Miss Nagaland beauty pageant held during the Hornbill Festival 2018.

The Ekhung expresses its sincere appreciation to Ms Grace W. Ezung for her dedication and also for her stellar performance which bought good-wishes upon Yonchucho village and Wokha district in general.

DP-9690

PRESS STATEMENT

We outrightly condemn the barbaric murder of Kevi Zakiesato in the strongest term. We are unable to fathom the severe manner in which this criminal act was perpetrated. The intent is unknown yet the nature of the crime is something unnatural and alien to our Naga society.

Whomever is the murderer, you will be hunted down under any circumstances. At the same time, we demand the investigating agency to immediately identify, arrest and book the criminals immediately.

In the meantime, if at all anyone has any information or leads kindly report it to the police or the number given bellow; 9774091782/9774749438/9862070574 Sd/1. K.T. Villie, Vice President Angami Public Organisation 2. Neinguvotuo Krose, President, Angami Youth Organisation 3. Petekhrietuo Kiewhuo, Vice President, Angami Students Union 4. Alebou Sanchu Vice President, Angamimiapfii mechu krotho

KOH-11

rent role in 2015 under the Obama administration.

In early December he told reporters: “We want to stay on the ground and make sure that stability can be maintained in these areas.”

He went on to say: “It would be reckless if we were just to say, well, the physical caliphate is defeated, so we can just leave now. I think anyone who’s looked at a conflict like this would agree with that.”

In his resignation letter, seen by AP news agency, Mr McGurk said that IS

went on to say.

Mr Trump announced his decision to withdraw some 2,000 US troops from Syria on Wednesday, asserting that IS had been defeated.

On Saturday, he continued to insist that the decision to pull out was the right one and that, now that IS was defeated on the ground, other players could take care of the situation.

However, important allies including senior Republicans and foreign powers have disputed the claim and say the move could lead to a resurgence of IS. A Kurdish-led alliance, the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) has also warned that IS could recover.

US troops have helped rid much of Syria’s northeast of the jihadist group, but pockets of fighters remain.

A recent US report said there were still as many as 14,000 IS militants in Syria and even more in neighbouring Iraq.

FELICITATION

With great pleasure and honour, the apex students body of the Tikhir Tribe would like to extend our hearty congratulations to our members for their successful achievements on bring selected to various positions in the recently declared Combine Technical Examination 2017 conducted by NPSC. 1. Er. Delimla K., D/o Mr. Khiungmong, J.E (Civil Engg.)

Cl-II Gazetted, under PHE Department.

2. Er. Avila, D/o Mr. C. Khumong, J.E (Civil Engg.) Cl-II Gazetted, under Works & Housing Department.

3. Er. Rulin T., S/o Mr. Tsangli Tikhir, J.E (Civil Engg.) Cl-II Gazetted, under Works & Housing Department.

4. Shri T. Asuthong, S/o Mr. Toju, promoted to the post of Junior Section Officer.

Further, the union prays that the Almighty God continue to guide them in their respective assignments and also wish them a bright future in their career ahead.

Longkamse. S Temong Y. Tikhir President, TSU General Secretary, TSU

DP-9688

Lo n d o n, D e c 2 3 (Agencies): A top US official in the fight against so-called Islamic State group has quit over President Donald Trump’s decision to pull troops from Syria.

Brett McGurk, the US special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat IS, brought his departure forward from February.

Before Mr Trump’s announcement he had insisted that the US would continue working against IS in Syria.

Mr Trump described Mr McGurk’s resignation as a “nothing event”.

Mr McGurk’s decision to quit follows the resignation of Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Thursday.

Gen Mattis had also opposed withdrawing troops from Syria as well as reducing the US presence in Afghanistan.

Mr McGurk, 45, is an experienced diplomat who was appointed to his cur-

9

Japan emperor gives emotional farewell

Lo n d o n, D e c 2 3 (Agencies): More than 80,000 people have paid their respects to Japan’s Emperor Akihito as he gave his final birthday address before his abdication in April.

The emperor, 85, said he took “deep comfort” that his reign had passed without Japan again engaging in war. He became emotional as he thanked the people of Japan and his wife Empress Michiko for their support.

Akihito is the first living monarch to relinquish the Chrysanthemum throne in nearly 200 years.

The emperor, who has had heart surgery and treatment for prostate cancer, will be succeeded in April by his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito. His threedecade reign is known as the “Heisei” era, which means “achieving peace” in Japanese.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito, left, and his wife Empress Michiko, waves to well-wishers to mark the emperor’s 85th birthday in Tokyo Sunday. (AP/PTI)

During his brief address, Emperor Akihito also offered condolences and sympathy to Japanese who had lost family members or suffered damage - a reference to the earthquakes, severe storms and heatwaves that have hit the country over the past year.

Although his position is ceremonial and he has

no political power, Akihito has spent much of his reign spreading awareness of Japan’s actions during World War Two under the rule of his father, Emperor Hirohito.

He has expressed regret over Japan’s military actions in both China and the Korean peninsula, and has also visited several Pacific battle-

fields to honour the dead, actions that have brought him into conflict with rightwing groups at home.

Ahead of his birthday he told reporters: “It is important not to forget that countless lives were lost in World War Two... and to pass on this history accurately to those born after the war.”

In October the head priest at Japan’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine - which honours Japan’s 2.5 million war dead but also enshrines convicted criminals of World War Two - agreed to resign after criticising Emperor Akihito, saying he was trying to destroy the shrine by not visiting it.

Some top politicians including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have visited the shrine, sparking an angry response from critics including China.

Afghan civil Resurgent al-Qaeda planning to police chief blow up airports, airliners: UK minister killed in ambush London, Dec 23 (PTI): Terror group al-Qaeda is on a resurgent mode and may be plotting major terrorist attacks on airports and airliners, Britain’s security minister warned on Sunday.

The terrorist group behind the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York in 2001 poses a growing threat that is keeping ministers “awake at night”, Ben Wallace told The Sunday Times.

“The aviation threat is real,” he warned, adding that British intelligence had revealed that al-Qaeda was developing technology

to bring down passenger jets.

“Aviation is still a blue riband event for these terrorists. al-Qaeda are resurgent. They have reorganised. They are pushing more and more plots towards Europe and have become familiar with new methods and still aspire to aviation attacks,” he said.

The minister said the government had pumped in 25 million pounds into a joint UK Home Office and Department for Transport research programme on how to protect planes even more from new chemicals, different methods of explo-

sion and insider threats.

He noted that the decline of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group meant al-Qaeda would seek to reassert itself as the world’s leading terror group and an aviation attack could be its calling card. “al-Qaeda sat quietly in the corner and tried to work out what the 21st century looked like, while ISIS became the latest terrorist boy band, but they have not gone away — they have reorganised. You’re seeing al-Qaeda appear in areas we thought were dormant,” Wallace told the newspaper.

Kabul, Dec 23 (IANS): A day after eight Taliban militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Herat province, a commander of the Afghan National Civil Order Police was killed in an ambush by the militants in Kunduz province on Sunday, police said.

Commander Shah Tawoos was on his way from Takhar to Kunduz when he faced the ambush in Chartoot area, Takhar police chief Abdul Bashir Rashid said. Two guards were also killed and four others were wounded in the attack, Khaama Press reported.

OFFICE OF THE

TUNGJOY VILLAGE AUTHORITY COUNCIL PAOMATA T.D. BLOCK – 795104, SENAPATI DISTRICT, MANIPUR

REJOINDER

In response to the press statement issued by the Khezhakeno village council on the 13th December, 2018 in your esteem dailies (Nagaland Post) against “TVAC statement on forcible celebration of People’s Festival Khezhakeno 2018 in the jurisdiction of Tungjoy village.” We are shocked to see the immature press release made by KVC alleging TVAC press statement as outrageous, false and baseless is self contradicting and unfounded in the light of the records given below.

That, the Tungjoy village has a well defined boundary with all the neighbouring villages since the establishment of the village. The intervillage boundary of Tungjoy and Khezhakeno village is located at Ziri. In this very boundary of the two villages a cat is cut alive with a solemnly vow to put an end the practice of age old head hunting between the two village to usher in an era of peace and harmony. This memory is still fresh and vivid in the mind of both the villagers even with the passage of time. Neither the village can deny the sacrificial ritualistic performance of that day. Recently, based on various decisions of the colonial rule, the people of Khezhakeno village had started claiming our land and trying to convert the present spot of celebration of Hornbill festival into a disputed land of the two villages. When we go through the records, the following facts were observed. The present disputed land of Tungjoy village is bounded with Khezhakeno village at Ziri in the west and Leshemi village in the north.

That, as per the records of Chief Secretaries of both the States and Deputy Commissioners of both the Districts have passed orders on several occasions restricting both the villagers not to enter into the disputed land till it is settled amicably.

It may be pointed out here that, there was no any land dispute between Tungjoy village and Khezhakeno village during 1872.

However, there was a report of survey conducted by Captain Butler, the then Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills and Dr. Brown, the then Political Agent of Manipur State Darbar and some other officers like Dr. Gordon after much correspondence had made a temporary inter-district boundary of Naga Hills and Manipur without any proper survey and also without the consent of the land owners. Henceforth, the district administrator of Naga Hills and Khezhakeno village started claiming that the inter-district boundary coincides with the inter village boundary. Not considering the fact that every Naga village has its unique traditional inter village boundary with the neighbouring villages which can neither be ignored nor altered by any authority.

The claimed of Khezhakeno village council stating that C.T. Lyod, the then under Secretary had affirmed the official notification of 1925 that the watershed principle would be made the boundary of the two villages was null and void, as no notice was served to the Tungjoy village. This principle of watershed was not applied to any parts of the other districts like Dziikou valley, T.B. Hospital Khuzama and Mao gate, Liyai and Zhamai village, Laii and Chizami village, Tungjoy and Zhamai and also Chakhesang and Ukhrul district of the two states. We want to put up this question seriously to both the state governments whether this watershed principle be exclusively enforced only to the inter-village boundary of Tungjoy and Khezhakeno village or even to the other parts of the districts as well? If the state governments were strictly to enforce the principle of watershed then so many boundary issues would arise.

That, it may be pointed out for your clarification, that in 1933, Mr. G. P. Stewart, the then President of Manipur state darbar and J.H. Hutton, the then Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills did not take up any land dispute case of Tungjoy and Khezhekeno village as it has been falsely claimed by Khezhakeno village council. However, in the year 1934 being Political Case No 41, the case was taken up by them where both the villages took oath – Khezhakeno on their village lives and Tungjoy on the lives of the clan concerned. Whereby decided that the land in this triangular formed by Bodu 2 and the depression belongs to Tungjoy.

That in 1950 being Political Case No. 6 of 1950 Mr. S.C Kagti, the then Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills and Mr. Phukon, the then Deputy Commissioner Manipur State darbar found it a bit difficult to relay on the boundary due to the fact that the path mentioned in the order of Dr. J.H. Hutton and G. P. Stewart could not be located. It is

therefore decided that the Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills will take up step to get the district boundary relay by the Assam Survey in the next winter. If a survey by the Assam survey proved that this land falls within the boundary of Tungjoy village then Khezhakeno shall have to give the possession in favour of Tungjoy thereby ordered that neither party shall cross that boundary till then not allowed their cattle to stray beyond it.

That on the 11th March, 1966 the land dispute case of Khezhakeno and Leshemi of Chakhesang district of Nagaland and Tungjoy village of Shepoumaramth, Manipur was taken up in the court of the Commissioner, Lanye Division, Japfu state, Federal Government of Nagaland and thereby decided that these above mentioned villages shall take oath to claim their land. If any village fail to take oath shall forfeit the right of the claim. If any village disagree this Azha shall appeal to Achang Piyum. If there is not appeal this Azha shall be final.

This indicates that the dispute land cannot be resolved without the concern of the three villages.

That, on the 25th June, 1976 Shri. T.C.K. Lotha, DC, Phek district, Nagaland and Shri S.S. Sharma, DC, North District, Manipur visited the disputed land accompanied by their respective sub-ordinate officers along with the two village authorities and consequently they have taken a decision that the existing potato, cabbage and paddy fields of Tungjoy village on the hills slope of Ngapfure (Minga) in the extreme east of the disputed land will continue to be in a possession of Tungjoy village and shall not be disputed by the Khezhakeno village and also passed an order that both the villagers or their cattle shall not enter into the thick jungle pending further verification by the two DCs and settlement of the dispute by them or the two Governments.

That on the 10th May, 1978 Shri. A.M. Gokhale DM/DC. Phek District Nagaland after close examination pointed out the relevancy of Khezhakeno and Leshemi land dispute to that of Khezhakeno and Tungjoy village land dispute. He stated the primacy of Tungjoy and Khezhakeno land dispute to that of Khezhakeno and Leshemi village and reserved the judgement to settle untill the Khezhakeno and Tungjoy village reaches the judgment stage. And ordered Khezhakeno and Leshemi not to use the disputed land or the forest in any manner pending a decision by this court but the Khezhakeno village has defied this order outrightly by carrying out so many developmental activities in the disputed land.

In 1982 Shri. D.N. Barua, Chief Secretary along with four dignitaries from Manipur state and Shri. I. Longkumar Addl. Chief Secretary and along with four (4) dignitaries of Nagaland state held a meeting at the office chamber of the Chief Secretary. Here, we would like clarify that it is not the Chief Secretary but the Addl. Chief Secretary who was present in the meeting. They had suggested to explore possibility to find out solution for settling the village boundary through traditional systems.

In 1986 Shri. D.N. Barua, Chief Secretary along with eight dignataries of Manipur state and Shri. I. Longkumar Chief Secretary along with three dignitaries of Nagaland state discussed on the Khezhakeno and Tungjoy inter- village boundary dispute and found out the dispute does not involves the inter- state boundary between the two villages. And had advised that every effort should be made to settle the village boundary dispute through traditional systems in the spirit of good neighbourliness.

That, there is no meeting of the DCs and SPs of Phek and Senapati Districts in 2012 in connection with cultivation of vegetables in Chida valley as alleged by KVC. In the light of the above stated points, it will be logical to question, who has been insistent on disturbing the peace and tranquility of the regions. This calls for serious retrospection. The perpetrators should be identified and befitting measures should be initiated against the encroachers. Resorting to force/violent activities should be the last option but if situation compels one has to do what is required.

Therefore, we urge KVC not to issue confusing news item which may mislead the general public.

(P.S. SEVA) Chairman Tungjoy Village Authority Council

K-3735

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

Infotainment

10

William Shatner likens #MeToo movement to French Revolution W illiam Shatner on Saturday reaffirmed he supports #MeToo, but he has serious concerns the movement has gone too far.

Recently, the Star Trek icon gave an interview to DailyMailTV in which defended the Christmas song “Baby It’s Cold Outside” — which came under fire this season for being inappropriate — at the same time calling the #MeToo movement “hysterical.” He also likened it to the French Revolution.

“It’s a whole new culture,” he told DailyMailTV. “The whole business has changed. The whole man-woman relationship has changed to a severe degree.” He added it has even changed the way he

William Shatner

interacts with fans.

“People say ‘Can I put my arm around you?’ I say ‘Yes of course.’ ‘But I don’t.

I’ve changed my behavior to quite a degree… because it’s a revolution,” he said.

On Saturday, Shatner addressed those comments via Twitter with those who were upset over his remarks.

One user asked how he could go from supporting the movement to then

calling it completely hysterical.

“Never said that. I basically said it’s going too far with some. I have 3 daughters so of course those issues concern me.

It’s the ones co-opting it for personal vendettas. It needs to be policed or it will become akin to the French Revolution,” Shatner tweeted.

Responding to another user, Shatner wrote, “I keep asking who is policing it because there’s a lot using it for their own personal vendettas that have nothing to do with the points of the movement. I likened it to the French Revolution because it started with trying to right noble injustices & descended into chaos.”

(HR)

Baldwin, Bieber introduce new family member

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infringement against Universal and for unjust enrichment against S. Leigh Savidge, Alan Wenkus and Xenon Pictures, with whom Heller claimed to have collaborated on a

screenplay about NWA that formed the basis of the film.

Defendants asked the court to toss the suit, arguing Heller’s estate failed to provide support for

Drummer Jeremy Spencer exits FFDP

Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin

tar couple Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber have introduced the newest family member -- a dog named Oscar Bieber.

On Saturday, Baldwin posted photographs and videos on her Instagram Story that showed off her and Bieber’s new dog, reports eonline.com.

In one video, Baldwin filmed the pup running around their bed while Bieber used his hands as a

makeshift toy and played with Oscar.

In another photograph, Oscar was fast asleep next to Baldwin with his paw right underneath his face.

The “Sorry” singer shared a picture on his Instagram Story of Oscar inside a little fenced-in area rummer Jeremy with his bed and a bowl of Spencer has andog food and water sitting nounced his deelegantly on a place mat. parture from Five Finger “Merry Christmas from Death Punch. After sitting Oscar,” he wrote.

(IANS) out the fall leg of the group’s recent co-headlining tour with Breaking Benjamin, Jeremy underwent a second back surgery and will need a tiff had alleged sufficient significant amount of time facts to establish statutory to recover; the band fully standing, as Defendants supports his decision.

Spencer said in a highlight, Plaintiff ’s claim statement: “It’s with mixed for copyright infringement must be dismissed because emotion that I share with Plaintiff ’s allegations es- you the following news: tablish that Universal was I regret that I’ve decided licensed to use the Screen- to step down as the drumplay by alleged co-authors mer of Five Finger Death Savidge, Wenkus, and Xe- Punch. This decision has been weighing on me for non.”

Fitzgerald also found months. Now the time has that the estate failed to sufficiently allege that Heller th had any ownership in the screenplay and therefore the claim for unjust enrichment fails.

(Billboard)

‘Straight Outta Compton’ Lawsuit Tossed Out of Court

ate N.W.A manager Jerry Heller’s l aw s u i t a g a i n s t Universal over Straight Outta Compton has been dismissed by a California federal judge.

The legal fight began in 2015 when Heller sued Universal for defamation and copyright infringement, among other claims.

U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald in June 2016 tossed most of the suit. After Heller’s death a few months later, his estate took over and in September filed a third amended complaint for copyright

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

the claim that the former manager co-authored the screenplay.

Fitzgerald on Friday (Dec. 21) sided with Universal and granted its motion without leave to amend, noting “The action is, at last, DISMISSED.” “[E]ven assuming Plaintiff could establish that there was an objective manifestation of intent to be co-authors, the TAC lacks any allegation that Heller exercised control over the Screenplay,” writes Fitzgerald in the order, which is posted below.

“Even assuming Plain-

D

finally come. I’ve been playing drums since I was six years old. After years of the physicality leading to surgeries, I feel it’s best to step down.

Like you, I will be cheering on the band to continue making great music as they tour the world and bring exciting shows to all our cherished fans.

“Personally, I have a number of future projects I’m excited about — all of which require that I be physically able to move fluidly and without pain.

I hope you’ll continue to be part of the next chapter of my life. “ I s i n c e r e ly w i s h nothing but the very best

for my brothers in Death Punch family. And I encourage our fans to continue supporting whoever replaces me.

“We decided early on to do everything possible to make you fans feel special. As a result, we’ve always had the most supportive and dedicated Knuckleheads.

I know I speak for everyone when I saw we’re grateful beyond words.

Personally, you have made these years the highlight of my life.

Thank you for helping make this dream a reality. Please know I am eternally grateful. Thank you for everything.”

(Blabbermouth)

50 Wedding Anniversary

DP-9637

99 ancient tombs found in Mongolia

FELICITATION

A

Archaelogists digging out some graves.

cluster of 99 ancient tombs dating back to more than 2,000 years have been found in Mongolia, according to authorities.

An archaeological team discovered a complex of tombs in Jungar

Priyanka Chopra leads top actors social media ranking

P

riyanka Chopra keeps her hold on No. 1 of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top Actors chart (dated Dec. 26) for the third week in a row after earning the top six Instagram posts by an actor in the Dec. 1218 tracking week.

The Top Actors chart is a ranking of the most popular actors on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Google Plus, with global data provided by social media analytics company MVPindex.

The chart’s methodology blends social engagement on the platforms along with weekly additions of followers/subscribers. The latest tracking week ended Dec. 18.

Chopra leads Kevin Hart, Will Smith and George Takei in the list’s top four, meaning the chart’s highest reaches remain intact from the Dec. 19-dated ranking. Meanwhile, Eugenio Derbez is the lone entry into the top five, moving 16-5.

(HR) K Y M C

Banner area and a sacrificial pit dating between the late Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.) and the early Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-8 A.D.), Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

Most of the tomb

owners were found without coffins in tombs, animal offerings, including skeletons of goats, cattle and dogs, besides cooking utensils, as well as 10 bronze government seals from the Western Han Dynasty.

(IANS)

Congratulations to ER. KEVIKA Z. CHISHO, S/o Zhewoto Chisho & Vitoni (Lokobo) for your achievement to the post of SDO NPWD in the recently conducted NPSC (Tech.) Exam.

The Lhovishe Chisho Kughuko take immense pride and honour for your success and bringing name and laurels to our family members.

Everyone wants success, but it only follows those who make a true approach to get it. You know the hard work and dedication has a destination which is success.

May God be your guiding star as you serve humanity.

Lhovishe Chisho Kughuko DP-9692

Mr. Doneilie Seyie and Mrs. Visetuoü Seyie Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” (Ps 126:2b) By the great wisdom of God you were united in marriage, lived through ups and downs but never give-up your faith in the Lord and each other. You have done beyond your capacity in educating and nurturing us. Words are insufficient to express our gratefulness. We pray that God give you good health and help you live many more years.

Congratulations Aba & Ama. We love you.

Sons, daughters, in-laws and grandchildren DP-9630

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The National AYUSH Mission (NAM), Nagaland with immense pride convey that the 1st Integrated AYUSH Hospital in Nagaland was inaugurated on 18th December 2018 at Noklak.

The Integrated AYUSH Hospital, Noklak is now the 2nd AYUSH Hospital inaugurated in India out of the 73 Integrated AYUSH Hospital approved under National AYUSH Mission by the Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. Of India.

The AYUSH Mission with deep gratitude wish to thank the Principal Secretary, Principal Director & Officials of Health & Family Welfare for the constant support and guidance without which this couldn’t become a reality. A big thanks to Shri. H. Haiying, Advisor, Prisons, Printing & Stationaries, Govt. Of Nagaland for gracing the occasion as chief guest and dedicating the Hospital for the people. A special mention to the Administrative department headed by SDO Civil Noklak for the arrangements, Police and the Village guard for the Security coverage, Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC), CMO Tuensang, SMO CHC Noklak and leaders of various Organisations.

We are thankful to the Hon’ble Minister, H&FW though he couldn’t grace the Inaugural function, we are always indepthed for his contribution towards the development of AYUSH in Nagaland.

We the AYUSH Mission thank everyone and wish for your continued support.

Sd/- Mission Director NHM/ NAM, Nagaland.

DC-2070

K-3734

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Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic celebrates after scoring a goal against Roma.

ferring to the name given to teams top before Christmas.

Serie A is however holding a round of fixtures on December 26 and 29, before pausing for three weeks. Juve, who have only dropped points against Genoa, travel to Atalanta and host Sampdoria in their final two matches before the end of the year.

Roma are now 25 points behind Juventus and

11

TH

DEATH ANNIVERSARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT "Since no man knows the future, who can tell what is to come! No man has power over the spirit to retain, and no one has power in the day of death. (Ecles. 8:7-8) ".... The day of death is better than the day of one's birth; (Ecles 7:1) We the bereaved family of Late Paul Asingba, Anthony Tsangmong, T. Seliba express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to all the individual organisations and well wishers for your physical, financial, moral and spiritual support during the sudden tragic vehicle incident near Khezhakeno Police Station under Phek District Nagaland on 18/12/2018.

We convey our special thanks to:1. His Excellency the Governor of Nagaland 2. The Government of Nagaland 3. Shri. V. Kashiho, Hon'ble Minister, Soil & Water Conservation, Geology & Mining.

4. Shri. Imnatiba, Advisor, Industry 5. Shri. L. Khumo, Advisor, Fishery, Evaluation, Statestic.

6. Shri. Sutiba, P.A to Minister 7. Shri. Rukuvi Sakhrie, SCMP President, Nagaland State 8. Shri. S.K. James, Public Leader 9. DC, SDO, EAC, Kiphire.

10. South Police Station Kohima 11. Eastern Peoples Union Kohima 12. Kiphire Area Sangtam Union, Kohima 13. Phelongu Union Kohima 14. S.P/O.C and staff Kiphire 15. Tikhir Union Kohima 16. O.C Staff P.S Khezhakeno 17. SDPO Pfutsero 18. O.C Pfutsero and staff 19. EAC Pfutsero 20. Pfuitsero Town Mother Association 21. PHC Khezakeno staff 22. Doctor and staff Pfutsero 23. Kami Baptist Church 24. Kami Village Council 25. Leshami Baptist Church 26. Leshami Village Council 27. Lasumi Village Council 28. Zapami Village Council 29. Zapami Baptist Church 30. Zuketsa Town Baptist Fellowship 31. Zuketsa PHC 32. Kalos Union Pfutsero 33. Sangtam Union Kohima 34. Sangtam Baptist Fellowship Meluri 35. Nguro Baptist Church 36. All Ward Union Chairman of Kiphire Town 37. Kiphire Town Baptist Lithro 38. Jail Ward Kiphire 39. Bazar Ward Kiphire 40. Phelungre Union, Kiphire Town/Phelungre Village Council 41. Litsaoung Union Kiphire Town/Litsaoung Village Council 42. Tikhir Baptist Church Kiphire Town 43. Ao Baptist Church Kiphire Town 44. Tikhir Students Union Kiphire Town 45. Langkok Union Kiphire Town/Langkok Village Council 46. United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) 47. Special Branch (INT) Kiphire 48. Chamber & Commerce Industry Kiphire.

Though we are unable to mention the names of each and every individuals particularly, your act of kindness shall always be remembered. May the good Lord bless you abundantly.

Loving wives, and family members of Lt. Paul Asingba, Lt. Anthony Tsangmong, DP-9681 Lt. T. Seliba Sangtam.

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During the four-day long event, four blocks participated whereby Synthetic Block emerged as the overall champions of the meet.

Khrukuta Neinu and Vekunulu Rhakho were awarded as the individual title for men and women respectively.

In the football final

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

VEZOKHOLU ZATSU BORN: 13.01.1986 – DIED: 14.12.2018 The family of Lt. Vezokholu Zatsu, W/o Kikrukhriezo Zatsu wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us during her illness and sad demise.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to the many friends and well wishers who provided emotional and financial support for us following our sad loss. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

Loving husband and children K-3736

match, Synthetic Block defeated Leather Block by a solitary goal to take the title.

Synthetic team dominated the first half but failed to break through.

In the second half, Kudulhu Rhakho scored in the 59th minute which proved to be the winning goal.

Leather Block got their chance to find the equaliser in the dying minutes but goalie Nulhuta Rhakho produced a stunning save of Berelhu Shijoh’s free-kick and helped the team win the match.

Rubber Block was adjudged the winner of women’s football.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

01/05/1950 – 11/12/2018 We, the bereaved family members of Late O. Subong Jamir (Rtd. General Manager DIC Chozuba, Phek) would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all individuals far and near who stood by us throughout the prolonged illness till the time of our father's demise on 11/12/2018. We may not be able to thank each of you individually, but we convey our prayers that Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. Dimapur Akhoya Senso Telongjem 2. Dimapur Akhoyatsür Telongjem 3. Dimapur Akhoya Fellowship 4. Nagarjan Ao Senso Telongjem 5. Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA) 6. Dimapur Changtongya Union Telongjem 7. Dimapur District Ao Pensioner Telongjem 8. Tir Yimyim 9. Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN) 10. Ex. MLA Shri Toshipokba 11. Kuda Village Council 'C' Khel Loving wife, children, grandchildren & family members

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF LT. SHRI P.F. ZELIANG (IPS)

Husband, sons, daughters & family members

[FORMER ADGP (L&O), NAGALAND POLICE] 27TH DEC 2018

NYANBENI ODYUO

Empty Chairs

IN LOVING MEMORY

Empty Wisdom

OF

LATE TZUDIMEREN TZUDIR

Silent Days Silent Dinners Secluded Debates Secluded (Meaningful) Silence Less Used Racquets Less Used Board Games Lesser Travels Lesser Adventures Cold Jovial Seasons Cold Abode

01.05.1931 – 25.12.2017 A year has passed since you left us for your Eternal Home. Your influence is still guiding us.

What we are today is all because of you and we want to thank you.

Loving wife and family members DP-9605

Your presence still lingers on.

Loving wife, children & grandchildren

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Thanglalmon Thomsong with Langshukyu Sangtam, advisor of Nagaland Sports Climbing Association (NSCA).

Thomsong from Dimapur, Nagaland finished 6th out of the 37 participants at the Asian Kids Rock Climbing Championship held in Bangkok, Thailand from December 7- 9. Thomsong finished with a timing of 10.88 second.

DP-9526

M e m o r i e s are treasures that no one can steal.

Separations are wounds that no one can heal.

Remembering you each moment in our life.

Deeply missed.

Ko h i m a , D e c 2 3 (NPN): The 38th annual sports meet of the Chozubami Youth Association held at Chozuba under Phek district concluded on December 22.

Veswuku nienu, chairman, village youth council graced the closing ceremony and gave away the awards to the winners.

DP-9621

The defeat could have been harsher but for Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen denying Cristiano Ronaldo, with Douglas Costa having a late goal ruled out following a video assistant referee check because of a foul in the build-up.

“We are doing good things, we have reached the Champions League last sixteen and we’re winter champions,” said coach Massimiliano Allegri, re-

drop to 10th after their eighth defeat in as many trips to the Allianz Stadium. They have won just twice in the league since the end of September.

Napoli are way behind Juve but consolidated second place when Raul Albiol headed his first goal of the season from a Dries Mertens corner against to beat struggling SPAL. Meanwhile, Inter Milan were held 1-1 at bottom club Chievo to fall eight points behind Napoli, with the two clubs going headto-head in the San Siro on December 26.

Inter looked set for victory when Ivan Perisic scored the opener six minutes before the break, but the evergreen Sergio Pellissier, 39, gave his side an early Christmas present when he lobbed Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic a minute into injury time.

The pressure is on Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso after Federico Chiesa’s second-half scorcher pushed AC Milan out of the Champions League places at the expense of Lazio.

Chozuba sports meet concludes

DP-9689

Juve edge past Roma in Serie A

Milan, Dec 23 (Agencies): Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal for Juventus to dump further hurt on crisis club Roma and keep the champions unbeaten and on track for an eighth straight Italian league title.

The Croatian World Cup runner-up headed in the winner 34 minutes into the match in Turin to put Juventus back eight points clear of Napoli.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

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sports

Real Madrid clinch third straight Club WC

Real Madrid players celebrate after winning the Club World Cup on Saturday.

ABU DHABI, Dec 23 (Agencies): Real Madrid eased to a third straight Club World Cup title as Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos scored in a 4-1 final victory over home team Al Ain in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The European champions have struggled at times this season but had little trouble in brushing aside Al Ain, whose surprise run to the final included a comeback from 3-0 down against Team Wellington and a shock last-four win over River Plate.

The Spanish giants have now won a record four Club World Cup titles, pulling one clear of arch rivals Barcelona, who were in La Liga action on Saturday.

“These players deserve it. They’re here after working very hard and winning many trophies,” said Real coach Santiago Solari.

“Today they added a finishing touch with the third consecutive Club World Cup, which I think is a great feat for the club, of course for Real Madrid and this group of players in particular.”

Solari, who has had to deal with rumours surrounding his future after former Los Blancos coach Jose Mourinho’s sacking

by Manchester United earlier this week, named a strong side including Modric, Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale.

Ballon d’Or winner Modric gave Real a 14thminute lead, and Marcos Llorente’s fantastic volley wrapped up the win on the hour mark before Sergio Ramos’ late third and Tsukasa Shiotani’s consolation. Yahia Nader put through his own net in

injury time as Real comfortably claimed their 11th win in 13 games and a first trophy since Solari took over from the sacked Julen Lopetegui in October.

“This is what we expected from ourselves, what we have been working on every week,” said Llorente after scoring his first goal for the club. “It’s my first for the senior team, and what could be better than in this final.”

Al Ain started brightly and came close to taking a shock lead when Sweden international striker Marcus Berg could only prod

the ball into the gloves of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

But Real did not wait long to make Berg pay, as Karim Benzema teed up Modric, who took a touch before curling a fine leftfooted strike into the bottom corner.

Benzema went close with a blocked effort, before also firing over the bar.

A second goal always looked likely to arrive sooner rather than later, with Modric denied by an excellent save from Al Ain ‘keeper Khalid Eisa.

But the Emiratis hung on and could have levelled when Rayan Yaslam Mohamad Al Jaberi could only slice a shot out of play for a throw-in.

Real doubled their lead, though, as 23-yearold midfielder Llorente met a looping clearance to drill home a wonderful volley from just outside the area.

The game was all over as a contest in the 79th minute when Ramos climbed above the Al Ain defence to power a trademark header into the net from Modric’s corner.

Japanese midfielder Shiotani glanced in a Caio free-kick to grab Al Ain an 86th-minute consolation, but Nader deflected Junior Vinicius’ effort past Eisa in the first minute of added time.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018

Manchester United thrash Cardiff 5-1

Cardiff keeper Etheridge comes off his goal line and makes a smart save to deny Rashford.

Lo n d o n, D e c 2 3 (Agencies): Manchester United started life without Jose Mourinho with a stylish and energetic display under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they thrashed Cardiff 5-1.

Goals from Marcus Rashford (3), Ander Herrera (28), Anthony Martial (41) and a second-half double from Jesse Lingard (64, 90) saw United score five goals in a Premier League game for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson departed.

After the negative performances under Mourinho, Solskjaer seemed to give his players a freedom to express themselves and was rewarded with a scintillating attacking showing, spearheaded by Martial, who looked especially rejuvenated, as did Paul Pogba.

Cardiff, who had won their last three home games, were

completely outclassed and could only muster a penalty from Victor Camarasa (38) in response to United’s silky and exciting showing.

United made the perfect start when Pogba won a free-kick after a neat onetwo and Rashford stepped up to blast home a swerving effort from 30 yards.

Pogba played a part in the second goal, too. The World Cup winner - out in the cold under Mourinho found Herrera with a clever ball and the Spanish midfielder’s effort from 25 yards took a deflection off Greg Cunningham and flew into the top corner.

Cardiff quickly got themselves back into proceedings as Rashford was adjudged to have handled in the box, which provided Camarasa with a chance from the spot, one that he took.

However, the Cardiff goal only triggered United to step it up another gear.

Martial, Pogba and Lingard linked brilliantly just outside the box and Martial galloped through before finishing into the far corner.

United continued to attack after the break and Lingard was brought down in the box as he tried to dribble past Sol Bamba and Sean Morrison. Lingard confidently netted from the spot.

Four was not enough for the visitors as they pressed on and Pogba slipped in Lingard with one of the last attacks to cap a dream start to Solskjaer’s tenure.

United are back at Old Trafford on Boxing Day when Huddersfield will be the visitors, while Cardiff take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Battered finger won’t stop me La Liga: Barcelona beat Espanyol to go 3 points clear from playing, says Aaron Finch Melbourne, Dec 23 (Agencies): Australian opener Aaron Finch said Sunday that the only way he would miss his home Test in Melbourne beginning Wednesday was if someone were to “cut off ” his battered finger.

Finch was on 25 in Australia’s second innings during the second Test in Perth when his right index finger was jammed by a brutal delivery from India fast bowler Mohammed Shami that left with bone visible.

It was the same finger he had broken before and Finch admitted he felt like “it was going to explode”.

“It was a bit of a shock. Just the initial pain was the thing that got me,” he said. “Being hit a few times in the last month (made it worse), a couple

Aaron Finch

of times by Starcy (Mitchell Starc) at training then obviously Shami.”

But after being given the all-clear by medics, Australia’s one-day and Twenty20 captain is determined to play in the Boxing Day Test and resume catching duties in the slips.

“With a Boxing Day Test, being from Victoria (state), it’s going to have to be cut off (not to play),”

Finch joked to reporters.

“It’s going to be a catch and bat today and reassess, but it feels like it’s improved 100 percent over the last couple of days,” he added.

“I got sent some new bats, so I’ve been walking around the lounge room and waving them around.

It feels okay.”

Finch, who is desperate for a big score to cement his place at the top of the order alongside Marcus Harris, said he would continue to review the finger over the next 48 hours.

“But at this stage, it’s still business as usual and I plan to field at slip and do whatever else is needed,” said the 32-year-old, who spent the few days off between Perth and Melbourne moving house.

M A D R I D, D e c 2 3 (Agencies): Barcelona held off Atletico Madrid to ensure they will be three points clear at the top of La liga going into the winter break after beating a spirited Espanyol 2-0 at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

First-half goals from Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi were enough to move Ernesto Valverde’s side up to 37 points and keep them one step ahead of Atletico, who earlier drew level with Barca with a 1-0 win over Espanyol thanks to an Antoine Griezmann penalty.“In the first half we got behind their defence well, we saw that with any play, playing with the space (left behind) we could score,” said Valverde.

Dembele put the hosts into the lead after just nine minutes when he lashed home on the rebound after Messi’s first-time shot was pushed into his path by

Whyte knocks out Chisora in rematch

Dillian Whyte with the belts after brutally knocking out Derek Chisora in the 11th round at O2.

Lo n d o n, D e c 2 3 (Agencies): Dillian Whyte brutally knocked out Derek Chisora with a huge left hook to settle their heavyweight grudge match at The O2.

Their rematch had been as pulsating as the first fight two years ago, which Whyte had won by split decision, but their rivalry was conclusively ended in the 11th round.

W hy t e w h i p p e d a counter left that sent Chisora careering backwards and ended a brutal fight in a flash.

Chisora was winning on two out of three judges’ scorecards, despite having

two points deducted, at the time of the stoppage.

But Whyte’s vicious victory completed a stellar 2018 in which he has also beaten Lucas Browne and Joseph Parker. Next year his aim of challenging for a world heavyweight title appears closer, and may arrive on April 13 against his former opponent Anthony Joshua, who is still chasing Deontay Wilder.

The exhilarating fight that Whyte and Chisora staged in 2016 continued immediately into the 13th round of their rivalry - Chisora stormed out of his corner like a train but Whyte twice leathered him with

right hands, wobbling his legs. Before the first round of this second fight was out, Chisora was back in his rival’s face whipping his right hand but had to duck underneath a left hook swung from the hip.

After a second round in which Chisora pressured forward and Whyte tried to counter-punch, both men became tangled on the top rope. The referee scolded Chisora after the bell.

Powerful hooks continued to be unleashed by Chisora so Whyte, at times, had to cover up and absorb them. A wild brawl erupted in the third round as they stood chest to chest swing-

ing punches at a remarkable pace. Chisora’s work-rate and his body shots were impressive and, in the final moments of the fifth, he thumped Whyte to the head with a left hook.

The physique that Chisora had carved himself into, under the watchful eye of his former rival and new manager David Haye, was paying dividends when Whyte showed the first signs of fatigue.

Haye was stood at ringside next to Tony Bellew, until recently his bitter enemy, both roaring on Chisora.

Whyte seemed content to remain largely on the back foot, even when openings arose to march towards his opponent.

In the eighth Chisora’s pace slowed, and he had his first point deducted for a low blow. The back-and-forth nature of this rivalry continued as they slugged away but, in the 11th, a second point was removed from Chisora’s score as punishment for using his elbow.

Moments later they both threw punches simultaneously and Whyte landed more powerfully, ending the fight and his feud with Chisora.

Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring for the hosts after 10 minutes at the Nou Camp.

Celta keeper Ruben Blanco.

Messi doubled his side’s advantage just before half-time, bursting through competely unmarked to meet the excellent Jordi Alba’s through ball and wrong-foot Blanco as he slotted in his 15th league goal of the season. The Ar-

Ronaldo to be tried for tax fraud in Jan

Mad r id, D e c 2 3 (Agencies): Cristiano Ronaldo will be tried for tax fraud on January 21, a Spanish court has said.

Ronaldo is expected to plead guilty and receive a suspended two-year sentence, in agreement with a deal the Portugal forward struck with Spain’s state prosecutor and its tax authorities this year.

The deal includes Ronaldo agreeing to also pay a fine of close to €19m (£17.1m) for the reduced sentence.

In Spain, a judge can suspend sentences for two years or less for first-time offenders.

Last year, a state prosecutor accused Ronaldo of four counts of tax fraud from 2011-14 worth €14.7m (£13.2m). Ronaldo was accused of having used shell companies outside Spain to hide income made from image rights.

The accusation does not involve his salary from former club Real Madrid.

Ronaldo left Madrid to play for Italian champions Juventus last summer.

gentine and Alba linked up nicely throughout, with the left-back providing the pass for the Messi shot that led to Dembele’s opener.

“They (Messi and Alba) are a duo that have been working together for some time, they understand each other perfectly,” added

Valverde.

“Let’s hope they carry on working well.”

Luis Suarez missed a great opportunity to put the result beyond any doubt on the hour mark when he flashed wide after being found by Alba with another fine pass, but despite

frequently testing Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Celta could not find the goal that would have put the Catalans under real pressure.

Earlier, Griezmann smashed home from the spot 10 minutes after the break to give Diego Simeone’s side three points from a hardfought match with mid-table Espanyol that extended Atletico’s unbeaten league run to 14 matches.

The 27-year-old Griezmann, who missed out on a Ballon d’Or despite winning the Europa League with Atletico last season and the World Cup with France in the summer, is on a fine run of form after having saved his side with a late winner at Real Valladolid last week.

His winner on Saturday was his fourth in three games after bagging a brace last week and scoring in Atletico’s 3-0 hammering of Alaves a fortnight ago.

Bihar lead Nagaland by 196 runs in Ranji Correspondent

Kohima, Dec 23 (NPN): Ashutosh took seven wickets for Bihar as Nagaland team were bowled out for 209 runs in the first innings of the round 7 in Ranji Trophy at Patna on Sunday.

In the second innings, Bihar were on 255 for 3, a 196 runs lead. Mangal Mehrur was 129 not out at end of day-2.

Resuming the day-2 with 104/4, Nagaland’s captain Rongsen Jonathan

scored his half century 53 off 123 balls and KB Pawan, wicket keeper returned to score 39 runs off 88 balls to guide Nagaland to 210 runs.

Ashutosh Aman claimed five more wickets on the second day (7/47) while Vivek Kumar took two wickets (2-65).

In the second innings, Bihar team saw a much improved side in batting with Mangal Mehrur scoring an unbeaten century 129* runs and MD Rahmatullah 55* runs at stumps in 55 overs.

Mehrur hits 18 fours and a six while Rahmatullah hit six four and two six.

A Kazi managed to get an important wicket of Bihar captain Babul Kumar (39 runs) off lbw in 19.1 overs. Rachit Bhatia got two wickets (2-65) for Nagaland team in the second innings.

Brief scores: Bihar 150 and 255/3 (M Mehrur 129*, MD Rahmatullah 55*, Rachit Bhatai 2/65) lead Nagaland 209 (R Jonathan 53, KB Pawan 39, Ashutosh Aman 7/47) by 196 runs.

Assam Rifles distribute sports items

Mon battalion of Assam Rifles distributing sports items.

DIMAPUR, Dec 23 (NPN): Mon battalion of Assam Rifles under aegis of HQ IGAR (North) in its efforts to promote sports talent and sportsmanship spirit among youth of Mon

district has initiated “Mission: Play on Mon”.

According to PRO HQ IGAR (N), the aim of the initiative is to promote sports among children and encourage budding

sportspersons of the district. As a part the initiative, sports items were distributed to ‘Youth Sports Association’ in Mon, Chui and Goching villages on December 20.

Printed, Published and Edited by Geoffrey Yaden at G.M. Printers, Circular Rd. Dimapur-797112. Ph: Desk 248489, Fax: 225366, e-mail-npdesk@gmail.com, nagapost@rediffmail.com. Adm.& Advertisement :248267 Fax: 248500 e-mail-npostadvt@gmail.com Kohima: 2290567, R.N. 40978/90 RN/NE 707 K Y M C

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