February 17, 2021 by Nagaland Post

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 72

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

India thrash Eng by 317 runs; level series 1-1

sports, Page 12

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CM, LoP reiterate inclusive Naga solution

Naga issue is about what is right for Nagas: Zeliang Naga solution will usher era of peace & progress: Rio

T.R. Zelaing

Correspondent

Kohima, Feb 16 (NPN): Leader of Opposition (LoP) T.R. Zeliang said the Naga political issue was not about who was right but what was right for Nagas, while participating in the discussion on the Naga political issue on the third day of the ongoing NLA session. Zeliang said what was being witnessed was a disturbing trend in recent times whereby Nagas were either in denial or indirectly stimulating disintegration of the Naga political movement. Pointing to the many splintered groups formed, he said it was time for Nagas, irrespective of whether they were underground or over ground, to ponder and seek an answer as to what was right and not keep on asking who was right. Zeliang said that Nagas have struggled for decades for an amicable and early solution and this remains the desire and aspiration of all Nagas spread across four Indian

NPSC refutes NNQF claim DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) has refuted the claim made by Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) that out of the 110 sanctioned posts of assistant professor and librarian under the higher education department, only 105 posts have been advertised till date. In a statement, NPSC secretary John Tsulise Sangtam clarified that the commission received 103 posts of assistant professors and two posts of librarian totalling to 105 from the department of higher education, adding that no post was held back by the NPSC as alleged by NNQF. NPSC stated that it published the exact number of posts requisitioned by the department. The commission stated that it was also not empowered to examine/ review any requisitioned post. Further, it said that no RTI pertaining to the above subject was received by the NPSC nor anyone from NNQF has ever contacted the commission on the subject cited above. NPSC has, therefore, requested all responsible to refrain from resorting to print media without verifying the facts from the source concerned.

This is it!

“You’re using more electricity-means higher bills for a car with highest petrol price.” K Y M C

States and two nations. He also mentioned about the activities undertaken by Political Affairs Mission (PAM) of NPF for “One Solution, One Accord”. He said the PDA government later also adopted a similar resolution for “One Solution for One People” on October 15, 2020. Zeliang reminded the House that the chief minister in the past, had also asserted that genuine peace in the land could be achieved only through political settlement based on Nagas’ historical and political rights and on the “unique history and position of Nagas”. Therefore, he said this should be pursued in letter and spirit, and solution should be based in line with this principle. According to Zeliang, NPF stood for inclusiveness though the word “Inclusive” was interpreted in various ways by different section of people. Zeliang said NPF believed that all Nagas living in all Naga ancestral lands be stakeholders in any kind of solution. He also said all Naga political groups should sign ceasefire agreements with the Centre and also join the peace talks for solution to the protracted Naga issue. He also reminded that past mistakes be not repeated but lessons learnt from them as “mistakes are meant for learning, not repeating” adding lessons be learnt from past agreements and accords to reach a solution this time. (Cont’d on p-8)

Leader of the house and chief minister Neiphiu Rio, responding to the discussion said that a political solution that is honourable and acceptable to the Naga people will usher in a new era of rapid economic growth, all round progress and greater employment opportunities for our youth. While asserting that Assembly being the highest platform of democracy in the State that carried the voice and aspirations of masses, Rio said it was important for the House to deliberate on the longstanding Naga issue by expressing people’s desires and feelings. As the House reflected people’s voice, he said whatever was deliberated on the floor would be recorded in history for all times to come. Rio also recalled the journey of the Naga political movement from the birth of Naga Club in 1918, submission of memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929, institution of Naga Hills District Tribal Council on June 10, 1945and the first Naga political body under the nomenclature of Naga National Council (NNC) formed a year later. He also referred to the 9-Point Agreement on June 26, 1947, declaration of Naga independence on August 14, 1947; Naga plebiscite on May 16, 1951 by NNC under the leadership of AZ Phizo, first general election of 1952 under independent India which was boycotted by the Nagas.

Neiphiu Rio

Rio responded to the concern expressed the previous day by opposition NPF member L. Imkong Imchen on the governor’s inaugural address wherein he (governor) had stated that “talks had concluded.” Imchen’s contention was the contradiction with union home minister of state G. Kishan Reddy’s reply to the Lok Sabha on February 12, wherein he said “negotiations are at an advanced stage”, in response to a starred question from Nagaland MP Tokheho Yepthomi. Rio also cited the governor’s message on Statehood Day, wherein it stated that “common understanding having been reached on all the issues on the table and conclusion of the talks on October 31, 2019, the people of Nagaland are anxiously waiting for the new dawn”. Rio said the statement made by Ravi, who is also interlocutor of the political dialogue, and was widely reported (Cont’d on p-8) in the media.

NH-29 stretch to be cleared in 2 weeks Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 16 (NPN): Advisor for National Highways, Longrineken informed the State Assembly that it would take another two weeks to clear the debris that has blocked a portion of the NH-29 stretch caused by the rockslides on February 2, 2021. Taking part in discussion during the 7th session of Thirteen Assembly, Longrineken said this was informed by general manager of M/S Ramky-ECI (JV), the contractors undertaking the construction in that stretch of the highway. He also informed the house that an alternative route between Dimapur and Jharnapani had been located from Khopanullah towards Heninkunglwa by the inspection team led by deputy chief minister, Y. Patton during their visit to the area on February 13. This alternative route covering 18.5 km

was constructed by Urban department in 2010 and it would shorten the present route via Tenyiphe-PimlaJalukie and Heninkunglwa, Longrineken said. Opposition member, Imkong L Imchen, while initiating the discussion on this issue as matters of urgent public importance under rule-50, had earlier suggested that since Kohima was the capital of the State and Dimapur the commercial hub, road linkage between the two should be maintained at all cost. Pointing out that there was very little time left before the arrival of monsoon, Imchen asked the government on what preparations it had made to avoid obstruction for commuters along the Kohima-Dimapur route. Y Vikheho Swu, also participating in the discussion suggested to depute experienced traffic personnel along the rockslide stretch measuring some odd 180

metres, since a slow traffic would be more dangerous in the event of any rockslide. He said government should ensure that no casualties or damage to properties were caused to the public owning to negligence on the part of authorities.

NH-29 partially open for traffic

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Dimapur district administration has informed that all types of vehicles would be allowed to ply from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily along the NH29 stretch between Chathe River Bridge (Patkai Bridge) and Kukidolong with effect from February 17, 2021 till further orders. In a circular, DC Dimapur Rajesh Soundararajan has, however, informed all the vehicles to strictly adhere to all the traffic regulations and maintain a distance of at least 30 metre between vehicles.

Road from NLA Jn to Thizama to remain closed DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Kohima police Tuesday informed that the route from Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) junction to Thizama would be closed for all traffic from February 17 till further notice. In an advisory, Kohima police PRO said that road closure was being necessitated as the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NDSMA) was carrying out the mitigative measures of landslide affecting NLA complex whereby a major rock bolting was to be carried out from February 17 with heavy machineries to be placed on the Thizama road. Commuters have been advised to take the alternative route: NPSC Office junction-Planning Quarter road-Pruzie Shisha Hoho Prayer Centre entry gate-4th NAP Bn. camp, Thizama and vice-versa.

Myanmar police file new charge against Aung Suu Kyi international, Page 9

NLA drafting committee on Naga issue Correspondent

KOHMA, FEB 16 (NPN): After a marathon discussion on Naga political issue, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Sharingain Longkumer constituted a Drafting Committee on the Naga

political issue, comprising two legislators each from all political parties and an independent . The members includeminister, Neiba Kronu, advisor Toshi Wungtung (NDPP); minster Jacob Zhimomi and minister S. Pangnyu Phom (BJP); legislators

Imkong L Imchen and Dr Chotisuh Sazo (NPF) and minister Tongpang Ozukum (Independent). The speaker asked the committee members to meet at his official residence at 3 p.m. on Wednesday for drafting a resolution on the Nagaland political issue.

Members discuss Naga political issue

Initiating the discussion on Naga political issue, opposition legislator Toyang Chang remarked that on retrospection it could be seen that Naga conflict in the past 60 years had only resulted in fear, chaos, confusion, mistrust, economic imbalance, etc, and the Naga society seemed to be emotionally disoriented and hence had no direction. He observed that it was challenging time but crucial to prepare a road map and take the right decision, stressing that the objective should be to rebuild and grow within the limited space. Toyang maintained that Nagaland should accept what was achievable and doable at this point of time else, he warned that missing the opportunity could prove to be very costly, while accepting a half-baked solution could mean that

Nagas embark on yet another phase of journey. Taking part in the discussion, deputy chief minister, Y Patton claimed that a the major landmark was achieved on August 3, 2015 when the Framework Agreement was signed and another significant event was December 13, 2016 when Working Committee of seven NNPGs was formed for united efforts to negotiate a deal with Government of India. He mentioned the significant contributions of elected members in the peace building mission. Patton appealed to all the negotiating parties to show “even higher level” of determination, sincerity and commitment for overcoming all hurdles that could still be there on the path towards the final solution peacefully and in the most harmonious

MLA raises issue over alleged abduction of DB

DyCM directs SP Phek to probe incident Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 16 (NPN): In an apparent inter-State border dispute-related incident, a dobashi (DB) from Khezhakeno under Phek district was allegedly abducted and assaulted by a mob reportedly from Tunjoy village of Manipur on Monday and later released at night. The matter was brought to light by opposition member Dr Chotisuh Sazo during zero hour discussion on the third day of seventh session of 13th Assembly session here on Tuesday. According to Sazo, a mob armed themselves with machetes, axes and 12-bore barrel guns from Tunjoy village in Manipur entered Nagaland and started cutting trees and jungles in Chida

area. Upon being informed by police personnel’s of the Chida post to Phek district administration, he said extra assistant commissioner (EAC) Khezhakeno and Pfutsero SDPO rushed to the spot along with one dobashi (DB) around 12 noon. However, he claimed they were overpowered by the mob, which also abducted the DB of Khezhakenoma Ngolo Ladu and took him away to Tunjoy. Recalling a similar incident that took place two years back, the MLA said when a former governor was about to visit the Chida lake, a group of people from Tunjoy came to the spot and burnt and destroyed the structures erected for the visiting dignitary. (Cont’d on p-5)

manner and achieve what was being cherished by the people without delay. Joining the discussion, opposition member Imkong L Imchen pointed out that Naga political issue was older than the Kashmir issue or the Khalistani movement as, unlike others, Nagas were a distinct race with a distinct history. He narrated the history of the Naga political struggle starting from Simon Commission of 1929 and said Statehood was granted after an agreement, but Naga political issue remained unchanged and political turmoil continued. Imchen also wondered why Prime Minister Narendra did not utter a single positive or negative word till date after signing of the Framework Agreement. (Cont’d on p-5)

1 COVID case reported in Dimapur DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Nagaland on Tuesday reported only one COVID-19 positive case in Dimapur, taking the caseload to 12190. The active case also dropped to 41 while a total of 11908 patients have recovered from the infection till date. 16,189 vaccinated till date: 1075 frontline workers and 521 healthcare workers were vaccinated across the state by the Covishield Vaccine on Tuesday. According to the state immunization officer (UIP) Dr. Ritu Thurr, 868 health care workers received the second dose and no adverse events, which needed medical intervention, have been reported. Dr. Thurr said that a total of 16,189 doses have been administered successfully administered across 300 sessions till date.

DUCCF, NTUCT back JCPI over RIIN issue SSAALWC to stop ongoing Dimapur-Zubza rail project: DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) and Naga Tribal Union Chumukedima Town (NTUCT) have joined other organisations in extending support to the demand of the Joint Committee for Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) for tabling the Banuo commission report on Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) and enacting into an Act in the ongoing assembly session. In a press release, DUCCF president Tsenthungo Nyamo and general secretary Zasivikho Zakiesato said that after the state government issued a notification dated June 29, 2019 for setting up of RIIN, a consultative meeting was held at the State Banquet Hall on July 17, 2019 with all Tribal apex bodies and CSOs where

majority agreed the need to have RIIN. With the Banuo commission having submitted report to the government, DUCCF said it was “only logical that RIIN be passed in the ensuing Assembly session and make it into an Act.” DUCCF, as one of the strong constituents of JCPI, reaffirmed and endorsed that December 1, 1963 should be the cut-off year for registration of RIIN. NTUCT: Naga Tribal Union Chumukedima Town (NTUCT) through its president Lhousito Khro and general secretary Longshi Kikon expressed dismay over the PDA government’s failure to meet the demand of the JCPI and other civil society organisations to enact RIIN as an Act. In this regard, NTUCT has supported the demand

of JCPI that RIIN be enacted into an Act in the ongoing assembly session without any further delay and prejudice. The union maintained that laxity and non-implementation of laws and Act to curb the illegal immigrants has already polluted the state for a long period of time. It said RIIN Act in the state has “become an urgent necessity in order to regulate the registration of Indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland with December 1, 1963 as cut off year. NTUCT expressed regret that despite growing demands for tabling Banuo commission report on RIIN, the government still remained silent. The union affirmed that failure on the part of the state government would compel it to go for various democratic means of protest till demand was fulfilled.

2-lane works indefinitely NFR conducts trail run of train

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): SARDP Sumi Area Affected Landowners Welfare Committee (SSAALWC) has informed that it has decided to suspend the ongoing two-lane road project under Sumi jurisdiction for indefinite period over non-payment of phase-II property damage compensation. In a representation addressed to the deputy commissioner (DC) Zunheboto, the SSAALWC convener Ghuvishe Zhimomi and secretary Kakheto Zhimo said that the welfare committee at a joint meeting on February 13, 2021 reviewed the unresolved matter of non-payment of phase-II property damage compensation under SARDP-NE Road Project way back in 2011. SSAALWC said that it

has, therefore, reaffirmed its earlier resolutions dated August 28, 2019; September 4, 2019 and October 17, 2019, which were submitted to the government authorities. The committee said it would enforce total cessation of ongoing road project till the payment was made to the genuine beneficiaries listed and verified by respective village council, DC and responbsile departments from the year 2012-2016. The committee has directed the contactors/firms executing the work to halt/ suspend the work with effect from February 17, 2021. SSAALWC cautioned that failure to comply with its directive would invite seizure of machineries. The committee also affirmed that it would not attend any joint meeting till its issue was addressed.

Trail run of a train engine carried out on Tuesday. (Twitter)

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): North East Frontier railway on Tuesday afternoon carried out its first trial run of the train engine along the Dhansiri-Shukovi (Dimapur-Zubza) railway track. The train engine arrived from Dhansiri railway station, Assam to Dhansiripar railway station at around 3 p.m. In a tweet, PHE minister Jacob Zhimomi welcomed the development, saying “The first train arrived in Dhansiripar railway station from Dhansiri, Assam (February 16, 2021) at 3p.m. Dimapur district. Welcome to Nagaland!.” K Y M C

state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Rallies and awareness held under ‘national road safety month’

Mokokchung

DIMAPUR: On the occasion of “national road safety month”, various activities were conducted across the state. Mokokchung: A walkathon was organised by District Road Safety Committee, Mokokchung on February 15, from Sewak Gate to

Imlong Place Mokokchung where Personnel of DEF Mokokchung, 23 Assam Rifles, NCC Cadets and members of Run Mokokchung participated. While addressing the participants at Imlong Place, superintendent of Police, Mokokchung, Vishal said

Mon

that in India, thousands of people died every year in road accidents. In this, he added that road safety should be made a social movement and urged the participants to make a pledge to educate people around them on road safety. The walkathon was flagged

AYO, CYO dismayed over slow pace of 4-lane work

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) and Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO) have expressed dismay over pace in which the four lane highway construction is being carried out under the supervision of the NHIDCL. In a statement, AYO president Kekhrie Pfukha and CYO president Seyieneilhou Keyho said that upon inquiry into the matter, it is discovered that the construction company has a huge deficit of seriousness and responsibility and that all the justifications given by them were either “evasive or unreasonable”. They further said that the Dimapur district administration and the State government also cannot

pass the buck entirely to the contracting agency, as they are also equally liable and responsible for the delay in the work. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to comprehend that if mud and rocks are cut from below, such recent occurrence of road slide avalanche types are inevitable,” they said. The two youth body also learnt only a sizeable portion of land are given in the road expansion, when double or triple size expansion of land was required from the stretch between Patkai Bridge and Kukidolong. These, they said were serious issues which the government should focus on. They also wondered whether any environmen-

tal impact assessment was made prior to the implementation of the work. They said that land acquisition was only an open ended measure to activate the work which has hazardously created a total disaster putting human lives at risk, created massive environment destruction and inconvenienced the commuters on the vital lifeline of the State and beyond. The organizations cautioned that difficult times were ahead unless immediate measures were put in place before the monsoon season. “We trust that even a semblance of sanity shall prevail over irresponsibility, lack of seriousness and greed,” they added.

off at Sewak Gate by Commandant 23 Assam Rifles, Mokokchung, Raj Kumar. Mon: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Mon in collaboration with District Administration and Transport Department held an “awareness scooty rally” in Mon on February 15.

amounting to Rs 235 crore. The proposal under the special plan assistance (SPA) was approved by the Centre during 2013-14 and sanctioned an amount of Rs 235 crore under SPA. Accordingly, he said the works were taken up from 2013-14 onwards as per budget allocation and not as per approved amount. However, he said that SPA funding discontinued from 2015-16 onwards and thus all items of work projected in the proposal could not be taken up while the contractor temporarily suspended the work during 2017-18. Overall, a total of 70.66 percent of the work has been completed while the contractor resumed work in October 2018 and works were now in progress. Although there was no clear indication of funding source, he said the contractor was putting in all efforts to complete the bridge works. Presently the road has been affected by landslides,

subsidence etc. and had become unpliable. While no new works had been taken up since 2015-16 due to fund constraints, Patton said that the department, in order to make the road pliable, submitted a proposal estimate for clearance of landslides, construction of side drains, minor bridges and metalling works including the balance amount required for the completion of the Doyang bridge amounting to Rs 143.67 crore, which he informed was under examination. Further, Patton informed that the State government was earnestly pursuing the Central government to release the balance funds under the SPA to complete the remaining works. During 2014-15, the deputy CM said the State government submitted a proposal to Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to declare the Foothill Road as a National Highway, to which

The rally was flagged off from NST Junction Mon by ADC, Mon HQ, Rahul Mali. According to DIPR report, coinciding with Transport Department’s “road safety month”, the rally witnessed messages and slogans in placards about vari-

ous road safety measures. Meanwhile, a slogan for the rally, “yes to life, no to substance abuse” was also conducted. It was aimed at creating awareness among the masses about negative impacts of substance abuse. The rally also distributed pamphlets with helpline

number 8415967564 to address persons struggling with addiction or substance abuse. Altogether, 20 female riders were escorted by District Administration. Phek: During the ongoing “road safety advocacy programme” organised by

Charity Welfare Society, Khezhakeno, Phek, society members, volunteers along with traffic personnel distributed pamphlets on February 10 at Pfutsero town and February 15 at Meluri town. The programme was monitored by DTO staff Phek.

news in Brief

WVC convenes general meeting: Wokha Village Council (WVC) has convened a general meeting on February 20, 9 a.m. at local ground Wokha village following strict SOPs. The council has invited all citizens of Wokha village residing in different districts to attend the general meeting. Members attending the meeting have been asked to wear a facemask. TASU informs teachers in-charge: As per notification from the SDEO office, Mon dated February 15, 2021, office of Tizit Area Students’ union (TASU) has requested teachers in-charge within Tizit jurisdiction to submit the list of absentee teachers to SDEO office, Mon on the stipulated time notified as the same. TASU vice president, Phoanei Konyak and assistant general secretary, K Aman has informed that teachers in-charge would be held responsible for any misinformation or report caught by TASU. ADC Phek on total ban of plastics: As per order for restricting use of plastic in Nagaland, Phek Town Council has reminded business community and public that a total ban of plastic shall be imposed continuously till date. ADC and administrator Phek Town Council, Tsuktimar Jamir has informed that plastic bags should be disposed within 15 days from date of notice for which heavy penalties shall be impose upon any defaulters.

NLA session: Patton highlights status of Foothill Road DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Highlighting the status of the Foothill Road on the third day of the ongoing assembly session Tuesday, the state deputy chief minister Y Patton, who is also in-charge of PWD (R&B), said that the road, which has the potential to bring about changes in the socio-economic front, was yet to be made operational. He said the main reason for failure to complete the road was due to lack of State’s own resources. However, Patton said that the State government was committed to see that the road was made into reality. He said that the state government had, therefore, taken up the issue with Central government at every level. Patton informed the House that in 2013 the government embarked on a plan to provide singlelane foothill connectivity along the foothill areas and thus a proposal put forward for construction/improvement of the road covering a total distance of 324 kms

Phek

MoRTH suggested the nomenclature of the road to be changed into Trans National Highway (Two Lane) and that the works for the same would be taken up phase-wise. He further informed the House that the feasibility Report of Phase I and II and DPR amounting to Rs 4463.65 crore have been submitted to MoRTH for approval while feasibility Report and alignment has been approved during December 2018. He informed that the State was awaiting approval for declaration of the Trans Nagaland Highway as NH. In this regard, he said the State government had sent several reminders and the issue of declaring the stretch of road as NH has also been taken up with the Prime Minister on September 3, 2020 by chief minister. He said the policy for further declaration of New National Highway was yet to be finalised and until such time the mentioned stretch cannot be declared as NH.

Closing ceremony of 15-day “classical dance workshop on kathak” organised by North East Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry Culture Government of India in collaboration with Lipsi Saha, Colours of India, Dimapur was held on February 15 at Pranab Women’s College, Dimapur.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Our eyes waited for your recovery, our ears waited to hear your voice; we prayed, we hoped that God will grant you a few more days with us, but you were too dear to God that He took you in His arms as we looked on.

10/03/1992 – 05/02/2021 We, the bereaved family would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to our near and dear ones who stood by us spiritually, physically and ﬁnancially during the illness and demise of our beloved son Lt. Mesevituo Pienyü, who left us to be with God on the 5th February 2021. We express our sincere thanks and gratitude to: 1) C.R.M.C. Kohima 2) Evangelical Fellowship, Poterland, Kohima 3) Old Ministers’ Hill Youth Organisation 4) Nagaland Two-Wheelers Taxi Association 5) Doctors & Nurses of ICU, NHAK 6) Chedema Union, Kohima 7) Dr. Seyiekhrietuo John Though we are unable to thank each and every one of you individually, it is our sincere prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly. Loving parents, brothers, sisters, wife and in-laws K-381

Born :13-01-1930 – Died : 08-02-2021 The bereaved family of Late Aolemba Ozükum (Waromung) convey our heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual and groups who gave us strength physically, mentally, ﬁnancially; upholding us in constant prayer ever since his demise. Words are inadequate to express how much we appreciate each and every gesture of kindness and thoughtfulness rendered. It is our sincere and profound prayer that our God Almighty bless you all. K-380

Loving wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and relatives

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

1 house gutted in Jalukie

LATE BOBBY ANGAMI Born on : 23.09.1954 Died on : 09.02.2021

‘Kutcha house’ ravaged by fire at Dungki Village, Jalukie on February 15.

DIMAPUR: A “kutcha” house was reportedly razed down in an inferno which brokw out Dungki Village, Jalukie on February 15. No casualty was reported. However, property worth around Rs. 3.58 lakh was destroyed. According to RO (E) (F&ES), on receiving the fire call, the team with fire tenders along with equipment were pressed into action. K Y M C

As a result of the timely information and response, the fire was controlled and prevented from spreading further to the surrounding houses. It took fire team 30 minutes to combat the fire. Cause of fire was suspected to be from electrical short circuit. The response team was led by duty commander ASI, Kevichütuo Zumvü.

1929 to 05-02-2021

Wife and Daughters of Late Pulezo Angami along with their families, wish to acknowledge the love and kindness as well as expression of sympathy shown to beloved Husband and our Father during his illness till his demise at their Agri-Farm Colony residence on 5th Feb 2021. Your support through compassion and comforting words and attendance at the funeral made our loss more bearable. We apologize for not being able to individually acknowledge all those who consoled us during our bereavement. Please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude. DP-933

K-383

Mrs. Vitoli Yoho and Family

Baba you were like a warrior who fought all our childhood battles. You brought so much joy in our lives. Your legacy remains a blessing to the people you left. We know you are in a better place and we promise to live up to all your expectations as you continue to rest in eternal peace. The family of Late Bobby Angami wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us at the time of his demise and our grief. We are truly humbled by the love and support shown to us by our family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, churches and well-wishers; and we wish to say Thank you to all. We pray that God bless each one of you abundantly. DP-924

Loving wife, children & relatives

K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is the state govt delaying the appointment of the next Lok Ayukta? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

A B C

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Central team reviews Horti activities in state

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

97% 2% 1%

Next poll

Q: Is the state’s highest

budget deficit due to unchecked spending?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST MON DD

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Mostly cloudy

31 13

Aizawl

Sunny and pleasant

Guwahati Mostly cloudy Imphal

Sunshine and pleasant

26 8 28 12 28 4

Itanagar Pleasant with clouds and sun 24 14 Shillong Mostly cloudy Kohima

Partly sunny and beautiful

Dimapur Sun followed by clouds Mkg

Increasing cloudiness

Tuensang Partly sunny and cooler Wokha

Increasing clouds

Zunheboto Increasing cloudiness

20 6 21 7 27 12 23 9 16 5 21 12 20 7

Visit to demonstration units of CIH. DIMAPUR: A central team led by additional secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi visited Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Nagaland on February 16 to review the activities of the institute. A press release by PA to director, CIH, Nagaland, Imtinaro stated that during his visit, the additional secretary inspected nursery unit, processing unit, floriculture unit under protected cultivation, fruit mother

blocks and various units of the institute while interacting with the technical staff of the institute.He also took keen interest on the activities as per the mandates of the institute and reviewed the achievements of the institute during the past years. He was delighted to see the remarkable achievements of the institute and appreciated the efforts of the staff for their zeal and dedication towards their work despite working under difficult conditions. CIH continuously provides ca-

1 held for duping people in Kohima DIMAPUR: A 24-year old has been arrested by Kohima police for duping people with promise of jobs in police department. The arrested person has been identified as Ravozo Medeo, a resident of Mission Compound, Kohima, PRO, DEF Kohima said in a statement. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused issued fake appointment letters with

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

forged signatures of certain high ranking officer at PHQ and that of SP of a district. In this connection, a case was registered at North Police Station and further investigation is on. Meanwhile, Kohima Police has appealed to all the citizens to be cautious of such frauds and to report to the police to initiate necessary criminal proceedings.

pacity building programmes such as skill development trainings and certificate courses for rural youth to support the farmers for income generation and as a part of such programme, the addl. secretary interacted with a group of young trainees from Noklak district who were undertaking skill development training on “gardener”. He also encouraged the trainees to have a teachable heart and advised them to make the best use of their time during the stay at the institute.

ATMA Ghathashi block conducts demo on winter crop

DIMAPUR: ATMA Ghathashi block conducted three demonstration programmes at winter crop Farm School, Pughoboto on February 8. According to DIPR report, planting, growing and harvesting of peas and nursery bed (raised bed) and preparation of tomato was demonstrated by resource person ATM, Kaboli Wotsa while demonstration on bio-pesticide preparation was conducted by ATM, Kerilhoulie Rulu. Use of chillies and ash as repellents in the field was also advised. The programme concluded with group interaction among farm school teacher, Livi, farmer’s friends, progressive farmers and ATMA staff followed by distribution of seeds. A total of 20 participants attended the programme. Meanwhile, demonstration on preparation of vermi-composting and cultural/indigenous weed control was conducted at integrated Farm School, Lazami on February 9, with ATM, John Belho as resource person with emphasis was laid on organic practices and sustainable use of resources. Demonstration on organic production practices of king chilli/green chilli was also conducted by resource person BTM, Wellson Shitio. The programme concluded with a group interaction and distribution of seeds among farmers.

DC Dmu convenes meeting with ATMA governing board

DC Dimapur with ATMA governing board (GB) and non-official members. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur Rajesh Soundararajan who is also the Chairman of ATMA governing board (GB) convened a meeting with its members on February 16 in the conference hall of DC Dimapur. According to DIPR report, DC advised the members to focus more on agri and allied convergence activities in order to achieve the target programmes for the welfare and benefit of farmers. He also impressed upon members to create more awareness for establishing integrated farming and expansion of existing ones to bring more synergy. Rajesh encouraged the members to focus on the ongoing activities in

order to compensate the loss of time during the pandemic. In the meeting, agendas including review of ongoing activities, DAP preparation status were deliberated. Underscoring the importance of kitchen garden for growing variety of organic vegetables, one of the participants from the farming community suggested that ATMA create awareness on kitchen gardening in the training programmes. District agriculture officer who is also the PD (ATMA) and member secretary cum treasurer, governing board Dimapur, Atoi Sema, governing board members from Agri and Allied sectors and non-official members of governing board attended the meeting.

NSCN (I-M), DVC condemn raid by Assam Rifles

DIMAPUR: NSCN (I-M) has expressed resentment over the recent raid on the residence of Kishore Jeedung of Dhansiripar village on February 10. NSCN (I-M) through its MIP stated that the “freewheeling nature of operations by the ubiquitous Assam Rifles (AR) targeting NSCN” was becoming an eye sore of the Indo-Naga ceasefire.

Stating that recklessly giving the stamp of identity as NSCN against any arrested anti-social elements was a matter of great indignation for the NSCN, the release said that the “smear campaign indulged by AR against NSCN” was going on without any restraint. NSCN (I-M) further stated that the armed forces charged him with baseless allegation of

involvement in the recent DHD new and old DHD clashes in Assam. However, the Dhansiripar Village Council (DVC) testified that Kishore Jeedung was not a person to be involved in such criminal activities as they knew him well. DVC: Dhansiripar Village Council (DVC) has also expressed resentment over the recent raid on the residence of

Kishore Jeedung of Dhansiripar village by a combined team of Assam rifles (Doyapur camp) including Assam Police and Black Panthers with sophisticated arms deployed at Dhansiri Police outpost, Karbi Anglong Assam. Maintaining that the raid was conducted without any valid reason, VCC Dhansiripar, Joydwaj Hasnu and secretary,

village council Dhansiripar, Thangfen Jigdung stated that Kishore who hailed from the village, was not involved with any crimes or antisocial activities in any manner. Further, DVC pointed out that Dimasas of Nagaland and Karbi Anglong, Assam were neighbours and had fraternal relations since time immemorial.

K Y M C

northeast

SL, Nepal slam Biplab’s comment

C O LO M B O / K AT H MANDU, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Sri Lanka’s Election Commission Chairman Nimal Punchihewa on Monday refuted claims of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) planning to set up a political unit in Sri Lanka. It said, the country’s electoral law does not permit any such arrangement. T h e d e ve l o p m e n t comes after Tripura CM Biplab Deb said Amit Shah, when serving as BJP president, had told party leaders that the BJP would establish rule in other regional countries as part of ‘Atmanirbhar South Asia’ initiative. Deb said the BJP deeply valued the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) partnership. “Any Sri Lankan political party or group is permitted to have external links with any party or group overseas. But, our electoral laws do not permit overseas political parties to work here,” Punchihewa told reporters. Punchihewa’s comments came after media re-

Nimal Punchihewa

Pradeep Gyawali

ports quoted Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb as saying that the BJP was planning to extend its footprint in Sri Lanka and Nepal.

held in Agartala on February 13 that Union home minister Amit Shah had purportedly talked about plans to expand the BJP’s influence in neighbouring countries. Responding to a tweet from a Nepalese citizen on Deb’s comments, Nepal’s foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali said on Tuesday, “Noted. Formal objection has been already conveyed.” Gyawali didn’t give details. People familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity that Nepal’s ambassador in New Delhi, Nilamber Acharya, had spoken on phone with Arindam Bagchi, joint

Biplab Deb’s ‘BJP in Nepal’ comment upsets Kathmandu, draws ‘formal objection’ Nepal has conveyed its “formal objection” to India over Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb’s remarks about expanding the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) influence to Sri Lanka and Nepal and forming governments there. Deb, who is no stranger to controversy, created a flutter when he told an event

Lt. Gen PC Nair calls upon Conrad Sangma

Conrad Sangma with Lt. Gen PC Nair. Kohima, FEB 16: Lt. Gen PC Nair, director general, recruiting, Indian army called upon Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma and apprised him of the effect of the COVID - 19 pandemics on the recruitment activities all across the Indian Army. A press release by PRO (Defence) stated that the DG informed Sangma that recruitment has commenced across the country and also informed him of the forthcoming recruitment drive in the Meghalaya at Shillong, in April. The DG expressed gratitude towards the State Government for the support of previous recruitment ral-

lies in the State. The Chief Minister on his part assured the DG full support from the State Government as it benefits the youth of the State in shaping their future. CM and the DG also discussed plans to conduct rallies in other parts of the state like Jowai (West Jaintia Hills) as well, allowing youth from wider cross-sections of the State to avail the opportunity of joining the prestigious Indian Army. The meeting was also attended by Brig NS Jadhav, DDG Recruiting (North East States) and Col SaketSuman, SM, Dir Recruiting (North East States).

Aizawl civic polls held peacefully Aizawl, Feb 16 (PTI): Election to the 19 wards of the Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) was held peacefully on Tuesday, election officials said. Around 47.71 per cent of the 2.18 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm, they said. Voting took place from 7 am to 4 pm, with the final turnout expected to rise as some people are still in the queue. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga cast his vote at 7 am while state Congress chief and former chief minister Lal Thanhawla exercised his franchise at 11 am. “We are confident of winning the elections by bagging at least 12-13 wards. People still have faith in the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF),” he said. Lal Thanhawla said the Congress has fielded good candidates and exuded confidence of winning the AMC elections. Sixty-six candidates, including 20 women, are in the fray for the AMC elections. Six of the 19 wards are reserved for women.

secretary (North) in the external affairs ministry, to convey Nepal’s reservations over the chief minister’s remarks and to seek clarification. Bagchi is responsible for relations with Nepal and Bhutan. There was no immediate response from Indian officials on the matter. The external affairs ministry has not made any comment so far on the chief minister’s remarks. While addressing the event in Agartala, Deb had referred to comments purportedly made by Shah during a visit to Tripura some time ago when he was the BJP president. Video footage of the event showed Deb, who spoke in a mix of Bengali and Hindi, saying, “We were talking during a meeting at the state guest house when Ajay Jamwal (BJP’s zonal secretary for the northeast) said the BJP was in a good position as it was in power in many states. In reply, Amit Shah said Sri Lanka and Nepal are still left. We have to take the party there and win there as well.”

S H I L LO N G, F E B 1 6 (PTI): Meghalaya government on Tuesday slashed retail prices of petrol and diesel by another over Rs 5 by reducing VAT on them, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said. The decision came amid strike by commercial transporters that entered second day Tuesday. The new retail price of petrol will be Rs 85.86 from its current price of Rs 91.26, while the new retail price of diesel will be Rs 79.13 from its present rate of Rs 86.23 in the state capital, Sangma said after a review meeting he held with his cabinet colleagues and senior government officials. He said the total reduction will be Rs 7.4 for petrol and Rs 7.1 for diesel after the state government had announced a Rs 2 rebate on both the items last week. The lowering of prices of both petrol and diesel was a result of the state governments decision to reduce the VAT from 31.62 per cent on petrol to 20 per cent per litre or Rs 15 per litre (whichever is higher).

Spokesperson, Bobbeeta Sharma, said the party leaders are campaigning against the “draconian CAA” while they are touring the state through “Axom Basaon Ahok” Yatra. “The Congress leadership is interacting and taking feedback from all sections of society on CAA, unemployment and other pertinent issues plaguing the state,” she added. All eight north-eastern states and neighbouring West Bengal witnessed violent protests for many weeks in 2019 end and in early 2020 against the CAA. Five people had died in police firing and more than 200 were arrested in Assam, following the violent protests that damaged a huge number of government and non-government assets, including railway properties in West Bengal and the north-eastern states. Notified on January 10, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who have migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, after facing religion-based persecution.

Correspondent IMPHAL, Feb 16: Manipur government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the grenade attack on the office of a media house in Imphal even as scribes continued to cease work to protest against the failed attack. Newspapers also failed to hit the stands for the third consecutive day on Tuesday. State chief minister N Biren Singh told the house of the state Assembly in the ongoing budget session that a four-member SIT was constituted to probe into the grenade attack at the office of local daily newspaper Poknapham and its sister publication The People’s Chronicle in Imphal’s Keishampat on February 13 evening. The SIT is being led by Imphal West district police SP, Singh who is also incharge of home department, informed while responding to a calling attention motion raised in the house by opposition Congress MLA Kh Joykishan Singh. Strongly condemning the attack on the fourth pillar of democracy, the chief minister termed it as an act

For diesel VAT came down from 22.95 per cent to 12 per cent or Rs 9 per litre, Conrad said. The chief minister said the new tariff will also ensure a competitive pricing of both the items with the neighbouring Assam which had reduced the prices of both petrol and diesel by Rs 5 last week. The decision is likely to pacify agitating commercial transporters who had remained off the road in the past two days and also threatened to go on indefinite hunger strike if the government fails to act. The state government had collected Rs 326 crore as revenue from taxes on petrol and diesel in the last financial year. Conrad said the government had already collected Rs 451 crore by way of taxes on petrol and diesel till January this year. Meanwhile, the state government has also assured payment of electricity dues to Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd worth over Rs

74 crore following which the power company has assured to withdraw power regulations to the state with immediate effect. The power regulation of 70 MW resulting in power cuts of up to 7 hours in a day across the state had begun since Sunday last after the state government failed to pay pending dues of Rs 74.65 crore to the PGCIL. “I am happy to inform that load shedding (power cuts) will be completely taken out within 24 hours. We have the approvals of the PGDCIL,” Conrad told journalists here. He said the state government had cleared a Rs 1345 cr Aatmanirbhar loan from the Centre to liquidate all outstanding dues against the purchase of power from various power- generating institutions. According to the chief minister, the centre has already released Rs 127 crore to the REC which was paid to another power generating company, NEEPCO.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER TUENSANG NAGALAND NO.LR-4(PT)/2010-12/4492 Dated Tuensang, the 5th Jan' 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Whereas, Shri Muchomong Sangtam, S/o Achem Sangtam, resident of Alisopur village has applied for issue of Succession Certificate for change of ownership from Shri. Muchumong Sangtam to Shri. Pusing Lam in respect of site allotment Permit No. 306/Tsg. Location S.E. Colony, Tuensang. Notice is hereby issued that any claims and objections pertaining to the above mentioned plot of land should be submitted to the Office of the undersigned within a period of 30 (thirty) days from the date of publication of the Notice after which the claim or claims, if any will not be entertained and the change of ownership will be effected under the Indian Succession Act 1925.

DP-923

Sd/(KUMAR RAMNIKANT) IAS, Deputy Commissioner Tuensang : Nagaland

Scribes stage sit-in protest in Imphal. of cowardly people and assured nabbing the culprits at the earliest. He said that an FIR has already been lodged and steps have been taken up by the government to deploy security personnel at the office of media houses. Singh then fervently appealed to all the media houses and all the media professionals in the state to resume their service in public interest. He reminded of the important role played by the media in the dissemination of important news and information to the public at all times. Meanwhile, journalists continued to stage sit-in-protest in Imphal’s Keishampat to protest against the failed attack, even as they had set a 48hour deadline to the government to book the culprit(s) involved in the attack.

While setting the 48-hour deadline to book the culprit(s), scribes protesting under the aegis of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) also asked the perpetrator(s) to come up with a clarification with reason(s) behind the bomb attack within the set 48hour. The deadline is set to expire by Wednesday midnight. On the other hand, working journalists in other districts in hills and valley also staged sit-in-protest in their respective districts showing solidarity with their colleagues in Imphal. Publication of newspapers in local dialects in hill districts have also been suspended as Manipur Hill Journalists Union announced support to the joint decision of the AMWJU and EGM.

Dearest Heo-Ruth, Wishing you a very HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY’’ May your day filled with plenty of JOY and HAPPINESS.May the good GOD give you good HEALTH, LOVE & Long LIFE. Once again HAPPY BIRTHDAY. With Lots of love, little bro Joshua, Abigail & all well wishers Hello little Sweet Heart !! Pahhoi@Keren ! Wishing you a very Happy 1st BIRTHDAY to you. You have brought us so much JOY and HAPPINESS in our LIVES. We pray that the Almighty continue to guide & bless, you abundantly in your coming days. With lots of love from family members, Aunty Pon & well wishers. Dear Ben, You are braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and more loved than you’ll ever know. Happy Birthday Ben. From, Sisters and loved ones AFFIDAVIT (Correction/Rectiﬁcation of Name) Regd. No. 570/21

Date : 13-02-2021

I, Smti. KUVETSOLU SHIJO, W/o LT. VELU-O SHIJO, Resident of Seikhazou Colony, Kohima District, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and đeclare on oath as follows:1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India. 2. That in some of the official documents my name has been recorded as KUVETSOLU SHIJO and in some of the important documents my name has been recorded as TSONE SHIJO which is clerical error hence, the stated name represents the same person having single identity i.e., Myself. 3. That henceforth, I herewith rectified the same and declare that my name will be KUVETSOLU SHIJO for all official references. Magistrate / Notary Public Deponent K-382

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER WOKHA : NAGALAND.

NOTICE Deputy Commissioner, Wokha Orenthung Lotha informs that as per the application received from Shri. Myingthungo (Seasonal Chairman) and Shri. N. Thungchibemo Ngullie (Seasonal Secretary) has applied for Recognition/Creation of New Colony under the name and nomenclature of “LONGROTCHU” Colony, Wokha Town within the area described in the schedule of boundary below. NORTH : Forest Colony, Wokha Town SOUTH : Way to Nyiro Range. EAST : Tiyi Reserve. WEST : Saron Colony, Wokha Town. Therefore, public notice is hereby issued for any person to file claims and objections if any, against the above mentioned demarcated area within a period of 30 (Thirty) days from the date of issue of this notice, in absence of such claims and objections within the stipulated time, recognition of proposed colony will be Officially accorded. (ORENTHUNG LOTHA) Deputy Commissioner Wokha : Nagaland. DP-931

03 CORPS DENTAL UNIT REGISTRATION OF VENDORS FOR LOCAL PURCHASE OF DENTAL/MEDICAL STORIES AND REPAIR OF DENTAL EQUIPMENTS FOR FY 2021-22

DC-151

if the party comes back to power. “Guwahati would see a new landmark, a grand memorial in the memory of the anti-CAA movement to be built by the incoming Congress government. This would be the state’s message to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). No CAA in Assam,” Bora told the media. Congress Legislature Party leader, Debabrata Saikia, said the dark days of BJP’s oppression of Assamese people are about to get over. “Congress is winning Assam and would make a memorial of the historic people’s struggle against CAA,” he added. Echoing similar sentiments, Congress Manifesto Committee Chairman Gaurav Gogoi also asserted that the party would build a memorial to salute the supreme sacrifice of the antiCAA protestors. Congress leader Abdul Khaleque said the reason why the Congress has announced that it would make a memorial for the anti-CAA struggle is to make sure that future generations remember how the people stood up to the autocratic rule of the BJP and its imposition of an anti-Assamese law. Assam Congress

GUWAHATI, FEB 16 (PTI): Assam Tourism Minister Chandan Brahma registered the highest growth rate of assets while Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta also figure among the top five re-elected MLAs whose assets increased significantly, according to a report. Brahma, who belongs to Bodoland People’s Front (BFP) heads the list of the highest growth of assets and is followed by AIUDF’s Abdur Rahim Ajmal, Nazrul Islam of Congress, BJP’s Sarma and AGP’s Mahanta, according to an analysis of assets of 34 re-elected MLAs in the 2016 assembly elections by the Assam Election Watch. The average growth of assets of re-elected MLAs in 2016 was Rs 1.48 crore, registering an increase by 95 per cent, the report said. Brahma’s assets increased from Rs two crore in 2011 to Rs nine crore in 2016, registering an increase of 268 per cent while Ajmal’s increased from Rs six crore to Rs 13 crore.

Mnp govt forms SIT to probe attack on media

M’laya further lowers petrol, diesel retail prices by over Rs 5 per litre

Anti-CAA memorial if voted to power: Assam Congress

GUWAHATI, FEB 16 (IANS): Ahead of the Assembly elections in Assam, taking a tough stance on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the Congress on Tuesday announced that the party if elected would build a memorial to commemorate the martyrdom of anti-CAA protestors, who sacrificed their lives to save ‘Assamese pride’. Assam Congress leaders were present during the party’s election campaign in the state on Sunday where former Party President and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi announced that the controversial CAA would not be implemented in Assam or any part of the country at any cost. Congress Campaign Committee Chairman, Pradyut Bordoloi, on Tuesday said that after winning the state Assembly elections, the party would build a memorial to the anti-CAA people’s movement that has been going on in Assam. “The memorial shall remember the people’s struggle and sacrifices, protest songs and paintings,” he added. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President, Ripun Bora, reiterated that a grand memorial would be constructed in Guwahati

Assets of reelected Assam MLAs rise by 95%

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Applications are invited for fresh registration along with certified copies of following documents. (i) Drug License. (ii) Registration cert and photo of shop. (iii) Proof of ownership with photo. (iv) TIN/PAN/GST No. (v) Authorization cert from various firms. (vi) Latest income tax cert. (vii) Proof of Govt/Institute supplier. (viii) Undertaking to supply at a short notice. (ix) Address / Phone No / e-mail ID. (x) Affidavit stating details of document submitted on non-judicial stamp paper. (xi) Necessary registration for e-procurement. (xii) Three specimen signatures on your letter pad. (xiii) Bank details with blank contractor bill with name of bank and IFSC Code. Vendors desirous of participating will have to apply to the Commanding Officer, 3 Corps Dental Unit Rangapahar Military Station, Dimapur, PIN-797112, Nagaland, within 25 days of publication of this advertisement on their company/ firm letter pad. DC-150

Toolkit: Court allows Disha to speak to family

Muluk gets temporary pre-arrest bail; Delhi Police seeks info from Zoom NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, FEB 16 (PTI): The Delhi Police on Tuesday defended the arrest of activist Disha Ravi in the toolkit case, saying it has acted in accordance with the law, even as another suspect Shantanu Muluk was granted a 10-day pre-arrest bail by the Bombay High Court. Intensifying its probe, the police have sought details from video conferencing platform Zoom about a January 11 meeting by a pro-Khalistan group on the controversial toolkit backing the farmers’ stir that has been cited by critics as “proof ” of a conspiracy to fuel protests in India. Ravi, who was on Sunday sent to a five-day police custody after being arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly creating the toolkit, was allowed by a Delhi court on Tuesday to speak with her family members over the phone for 15 minutes a day and meet her lawyer for 30 minutes a day. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pankaj Sharma also asked the Delhi police to hand over to 21-year-old Ravi a copy of the FIR and other documents related

Disha Ravi

to her arrest and permitted her access to warm clothes, masks, books, etc. While several opposition parties and activists have questioned the manner in which Ravi was arrested and brought to the national capital, the Delhi Commission for Women on Tuesday sent a notice to the city police seeking a report by Friday on issues like why she was allegedly not produced before a court for transit remand and not provided a lawyer of her choice. However, Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava denied any lapse. “Disha Ravi’s arrest has been made in accordance with the law which doesn’t differentiate between a 22-year-old or a 50-yearold,” he told reporters at

an event while dismissing criticism of the police action against Ravi. According to the police, Ravi, along with Mumbai lawyer Nikita Jacob and Pune engineer Shantanu Muluk, created the “toolkit” related to the farmers’ agitation against agri laws that was posted on Twitter by activist Greta Thunberg. It alleged that they shared it with others to “tarnish” India’s image and collaborated with proKhalistan elements. Muluk, a resident of Beed in central Maharashtra, and Jacob had on Monday approached the high court separately seeking transit anticipatory bail after a Delhi court issued nonbailable warrants against them.

Members discuss Naga political issue (From p-1) Imchen asserted that as NLA members were stakeholders of the Naga issue, they had a say on whatever the groups negotiate, stressing that flexibility and understanding of the ground reality by the groups was the need of the hour. Mentioning that the 60-member House was no stranger to the Naga political issue, he said the voice and sentiments expressed in the House ought to be considered in right perspective and should not be ignored. He said anybody attempting to threaten elected members was regrettable and demanded that all 60 members should be taken into proper consideration. Opposition MLA, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo observed that the Indo-Naga political issue had been dragging on for almost 100 years since submission of representation to the Simon Commission by Naga Club in 1929. Since then, he said many agreements and ceasefire were reached in the past few decades though, till now, no settlement or solution could be finalised even as governor RN Ravi had stated in his speech on February 12 that the talks had concluded. Sazo suggested the Centre and the Naga negotiating parties to expedite the talks, make a roadmap to bring an inclusiveness, honourable and acceptable solution for the Nagas, while appealing to all Naga negotiating political groups to come together, sit across the table, sort out their differences and form a common platform to arrive at a final solution. He also suggested that NLA should appeal the Centre to respect and honour what was agreed in the past and implement them in toto till the solution was finalised, including clauses of 16 Point Agreements like clause 11 regarding financial assistance from New Delhi to supplement the revenues of Nagaland, clause 12 on consolidation of forest areas and clause 13 on consolidation of contiguous Naga areas, pointing out that all these clauses were not implemented till today. Reiterating the need for integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas into a single administrative unit, he said New Delhi should honour and implement what had been agreed in the past. On his part, Pohwang Konyak recalled the resolution of ENPO on “unity first and then solution” because of the successive failed agreements in the past. K Y M C

national/STATE

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

He asked whether any consultative meeting had been initiated with the Nagas of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, if inclusive solution was what Nagas talk about. Konyak was sceptical about the unity among the 60 legislators, pointing out that while solution was desired by everybody yet Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) was not united. In this regard, he urged JLF chairman to bring all members under one forum. He said though majority of the Naga groups were having ceasefire with the Centre, danger would always loom large if the solution was delayed, adding that delayed tactics would not help. NPF legislator, Dr Chumben Murry observed the long-drawn Naga insurgency had invariably taken a huge toll on development and also was the root of many evils seen in Naga society today. He said appreciations had been expressed for Centre for its sincerity and for successive Prime Ministers for recognising the uniqueness of Naga history and for signing of the Framework Agreement with NSCN (I-M) and the Agreed Position with NNPGs. However, he regretted that things did not happen, and not even after the supposed conclusion of talks on October 31, 2019. He questioned why animosity had developed between the Centre’s interlocutor and NSCN (I-M) over contents of the mutually-signed document in the presence none other than Prime Minister Modi and eminent Central leaders. He asked whether Centre was wrong in appointing Ravi as governor of Nagaland in addition to his role as interlocutor, forcing him to take to take two contrasting functions. He further wanted to know what and where were the difficulties in coming together to negotiate under a unified platform signing of one consensual accord, which was the call of this hour and demand of Naga people. Dr. Chumben urged the Naga negotiating groups to also confide with the legislators the content of the agreements reached so far. While appreciating the coming together of leader of House Neiphiu Rio and leader of opposition TR Zeliang for a press conference, he said their agreed stand should become the unequivocal stand of this august House cutting across

party lines. Minister Temjen Imna Along claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah were not confused and wanted a solution as they were aware that Naga political struggle was unique. However, he admitted that the Nagas were looking for a solution for far too long, leading to frustration among the youth. Wondering what kind of solution could be expected without the participation of the NLA, he urged the negotiating groups should listen to the legislators too as they were people’s representatives. He also commented that being part of JLF would not demean anybody and wished that the opposition members could rejoin the forum. Along asserted that since Modi and Shah had made their stand clear and also conveyed the same to State leaders that flag and constitution would not happen, he said integrity of the nation too had to be respected. The minister suggested that NLA should make an appeal to all Naga groups roaming around to go to their designated camps else, it would be a burden for the State, while also cautioning that all youth joining the underground groups were not doing so for freedom, but out of frustration and deprivation. NPF legislator, Yitachu remarked that Naga society being divided did not mean that a solution was not possible as hundred per cent unity could not be expected. He said no amount of speeches would bring a solution unless the members got into action, reminding everyone that unless they kept political and tribal differences aside and push for a Naga solution forward, no solution would ever take place. Vikheho Swu, of the opposition, said there was a need to reform JLF by including political veterans like Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and Chingwang Konyak though both of them were no longer members of the House. Minister G Kaito Aye stressed that members would have to stay united and pursue a common solution. Stating that the legislators’ efforts had brought the political groups together, he stressed that this should be reaffirmed. He also suggested that JLF should be continued and not destroyed for some individual’s personal interest.

S N Shrivastava

Justice Vibha Kankanwadi of the Aurangabad bench of the Mumbai High Court on Tuesday granted Muluk ten days’ transit anticipatory bail to enable him to apply for protection before an appropriate court in Delhi. An order on Jacob’s plea would be passed on Wednesday, Justice P D Naik of the high court’s principal bench in Mumbai said after the hearing. The case has been lodged under IPC sections 124(a) (sedition), 153 (a) (promoting enmity among different groups) and 120 (b) criminal conspiracy. Police alleged that Jacob and Muluk were among the around 70 people who had attended the meeting on preparing the toolkit organised by pro-Khalistan

group Poetic Justice Foundation through the Zoom app, days before the Republic Day violence in the national capital that left more than 500 police personnel injured and one protester dead. “The Delhi Police has written to video conferencing app Zoom seeking details of participants who attended the meeting on January 11,” an official said. Sources said police are also likely to approach WhatsApp seeking details of the ‘International Farmers’ Strike’ group created in December last year. “We are also trying to probe the funding module in the toolkit case,” a source said. The police on Monday claimed that Ravi sent the “toolkit” to teen climate activist Greta Thunberg through the Telegram app and also “coaxed her to act on it”. Officials said that police have so far not received a reply from Google on the document being investigated. The Joint Commissioner of Police (Cyber), Prem Nath, had alleged that the e-mail account created by Muluk is the owner of this Google document.

India’s fight against COVID-19 is inspiring the world: PM Modi HYDERABAD, FEB 16 (PTI): India’s fight against COVID-19 is inspiring the world, though at the beginning of the pandemic other countries were worried about the country’s situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. He said India is playing a central role in global vaccination and the country’s vision for wellness is as much global as it is domestic. The nation is following a human-centric approach to furthering global good and it is based on a healthy balanced welfare and wellbeing, he said, virtually delivering the valedictory address to ‘Heartfulness Practitioners’ on the occasion of the platinum jubilee celebrations of Heartfulness Institute of Shri Ram Chandra Mission. Modi said India’s flagship healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat--Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan (PMJAY) has more beneficiaries than the population of the USA and many European nations. “At the beginning of this (COVID-19) pandemic, the whole world was worried about India’s situa-

Narendra Modi

tion. But today India’s fight against corona (coronavirus) is inspiring the entire world. “the alertness of 130 crore Indians in the fight against the pandemic has become an example for the world,” he said. The Prime Minister pointed out that India has under taken among the worlds largest public welfare programmes in the last six years, aimed at giving the poor a life of dignity and opportunity. “From universal sanitation coverage to social welfare schemes, from smokefree kitchens to banking the unbanked, from access to technology to housing for all, India’s public welfare schemes touched many lives. Even before the global pandemic came, our nation had increased the focus on

wellness,” the PM said. According to him, Indias idea of wellness goes beyond merely curing a disease and there has been an extensive work on preventive healthcare. He noted that prices of medicines and medical equipment in India have been lowered. When the world needed medicines for COVID19, India is proud to have sent them all over. Now India is playing a central role in global vaccination. Our vision for wellness is as much global as it is domestic,” he said, adding the world was looking at health and wellness very seriously, especially after COVID-19. “India has much to offer in this regard. Let us work towards making India a hub for spiritual and wellness tourism. Our Yoga and Ayurveda can contribute to a healthy planet,” he said highlighting the importance of Yoga to dealwith lifestyle diseases. On the ‘Heartfulness Practice’, Modi said the world has to be informed about its benefits and invited people from other countries to come and rejuvenate themselves in India.

MLA raises issue over alleged abduction of DB

(From p-1) To queries on the action initiated by the State government, deputy chief minister Y Patton, who is also in-charge of Home department, replied that he has directed superintendent of police (SP) Phek to probe the incident and assured the House that, based on his recommendation, appropriate actions would be initiated.

He also said the DB was released around 11:30 pm and, upon medical examination, it was found that he had suffered physical injuries and an FIR had been registered by the SP Phek. Patton explained that the problem actually started around 9 am on February 12 when a group of Khezhakenoma villagers numbering around 150-200 went to

Kahujo forest area, where officer in-charge (OC) of Paomata police station, Senapati arrived and tried to obstruct them from cutting trees for firewood by telling them that the area was disputed. However, the villagers did not listen to the OC. Thereafter, he said another group of around 500 people from Tunjoy village came to Takuo in the adjoin-

ing area and began to cut trees for firewood around 11 am on Monday. On receiving the information, Patton said the SP Phek sent a team of 11 IR personnel to the spot to restrain the villagers from cutting trees. But instead, he said the DB was caught by the mob and manhandled before being taken away to Tunjoy village. According to the Patton, chief secretaries

and DGPs of both Nagaland and Manipur discussed the issue and decided to make arrangements to hand over the DB to Phek SP. Accordingly, Ngolo Ladu was released around 11:30 pm, after which he was sent for medical examination. Patton refused to comment more on the incident until the SP submitted his inquiry report.

Cong govt in Puducherry loses majority Puducherry/New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): In sudden political developments, the Congress government in the union territory lost its majority with another ruling party MLA resigning on Tuesday, while Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, whose recall has been demanded by the ruling party for long, was eased out of the post. The resignation by John Kumar, who became the fourth legislator to quit the assembly since last month, reduced the numbers of the Congress-DMK alliance to 14 in the assembly with an effective strength of 28, prompting calls by the opposition for resignation of CM V Narayanasamy. The strength of Congress in the assembly has decreased to ten including the Speaker. Its ally DMK has three members and an independent also supports the government. The simple majority in the assembly with the reduced strength is 15 and the opposition also has 14 MLAs in the 33-member House. The party position in the assembly as of Tuesday: Congress (ten), DMK three, All-India NR Congress seven, AIADMK four, BJP three (all nominated and have voting rights) and one independent. Four Congress MLAs have resigned while one member had been disqualified. In a surprise development late on Tuesday, the Rashtrapati Bhavan announced Bedi, who faced several protests by the ruling Congress against her style of functioning, will cease to hold the office of Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, just a week after Narayanasamy petitioned President Ram Nath Kovind, urging him to recall her. Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has been given the additional charge of Puducherry, Ajay Kumar Singh, press secretary to the President, said in a statement. K Y M C

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXxI NO. 72 Dimapur, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Covid still around

f India’s flattening curve of fresh COVID-19 infections elicit hope then has it attained herd immunity?. It is a stage where two-thirds of the general population should have antibodies. Medically antibodies is a neutralising antibody which needs to be in the patient’s system for longer than two or three months, or else, it is conferring no protection to the patient. The other way by which antibodies are developed is through vaccination. On September 16, 2020, while India was seeing its COVID-19 peak, new cases were above 97,000, and deaths averaged between 1,100 and 1,200 a day the same week. Now, in the first week of February 2021, new cases are at an average 11,500 and deaths fewer than 100 a day. A recent report of the ‘ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) Third National Sero Survey’ to check the prevalence of the virus in the population found 21.4 percent of the Indian population has so far has been exposed to the virus and others have not and therefore run a risk of getting infected and therefore all need to take precautions. Earlier to this, the sero prevalance studies of the ICMR in August-September 2020 showed that there are 26-32 actual cases for every reported case in the country. If this is set to the Cynic-o-Meter to 32x, then there should be around 320 million or 32 crore cases, corresponding to 25 per cent of the population of the country. Another report, also based on survey by a team of scientist has speculated that if the official number of cases across India is just over 10 million or one crore, the actual number is likely to be 200 million or 20 crore , or around 15 per cent of the Indian population. The premise is based on the sero survey which indicates that one in every five Indian is exposed to the virus (though much larger in some of the big cities). Dr Manoj Murhekar, a highly regarded medical expert and the director at the ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology in Chennai cautions that Indians cannot afford to be complacent and cannot go back to pre-pandemic routine because what can happen is that since a large population is still not exposed to the virus, there could be a risk of inviting another wave. Dr. Murhekar said getting a vaccine is really important as it is the only protection available other than wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing. However, he said the strain that is circulating in the body of those who have antibodies may not be the strain that is covered by the vaccine. Even the head of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, while admitting that the drop in confirmed Covid-19 infections around the world was encouraging; however cautioned against relaxing restrictions that have helped curb the spread of the coronavirus. If there are reasons in India to take comfort in the declining new cases of the COVID-19 virus, there are equal reasons, if not more, for people to practice greater caution and to not let the guard down. Experts say, the risk is lower than it was a few months ago, but is still non-zero. The risk of complications and death are the same as they were earlier. So, those who are among those who have not had Covid-19, should exercise the same caution and care.

DailyDevotion The Inspiration of Spiritual Initiative

Arise from the dead… —Ephesians 5:14 Not all initiative, the willingness to take the first step, is inspired by God. Someone may say to you, “Get up and get going! Take your reluctance by the throat and throw it overboard— just do what needs to be done!” That is what we mean by ordinary human initiative. But when the Spirit of God comes to us and says, in effect, “Get up and get going,” suddenly we find that the initiative is inspired. We all have many dreams and aspirations when we are young, but sooner or later we realize we have no power to accomplish them. We cannot do the things we long to do, so our tendency is to think of our dreams and aspirations as dead. But God comes and says to us, “Arise from the dead….” When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to “arise from the dead” and do the impossible. The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that the life and power comes after we “get up and get going.” God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. When the inspiration of God comes, and He says, “Arise from the dead…,” we have to get ourselves up; God will not lift us up. Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand, “Stretch out your hand” (Matthew 12:13). As soon as the man did so, his hand was healed. But he had to take the initiative. If we will take the initiative to overcome, we will find that we have the inspiration of God, because He immediately gives us the power of life.

Quotes

One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life. That word is love. ~ Sophocles

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

India, Africa and climate diplomacy

ver the past few weeks, there has been a fresh impetus among countries to respond collectively and/or collaboratively to address climate change. For example, under the leadership of President Joe Biden, the US “joined” the agreement on climate change signed five years ago in Paris. Another instance comes from the EU countries, which in December 2020 agreed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent of their levels prevailing in 1990 to achieve carbon neutrality. Globally, in other words, there are hints at jump-starting collaborative responses, given that scientists warn that evidence on climate change is stronger than ever. Countries are increasingly facing risks of climate change. For India, the frequency of extreme climatic events and the magnitude of losses have increased in the past decade According to the Germanwatch Global Climate Risk Index 2020, which captures the level of exposure and vulnerability to extreme events, India was fifth-most affected country in 2018. Recognising the urgency of the situation, India has increased its share of energy from solar and wind. It is also evident that isolated efforts by countries to mitigate the effects of

climate change have met with limited success. There is a need for a robust collaborative initiative, and it is believed that climate change is emerging as a significant arena of multilateralism. There is a growing opportunity to realize the full potential of multilateral ties. Given the magnitude of problems arising from climate change, going forward, one of the core areas of India’s foreign policy should be climate diplomacy. India co-founded with France a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation — International Solar Alliance (ISA) — which is a step in this direction. According to media reports, thus far around 90 countries have signed the framework agreement, and 70 of them have ratified ISA. India’s foreign policy, especially climate diplomacy, could rely on ISA to consolidate multilateral arrangements. We illustrate this point further by taking the example of India’s relations with countries in Africa. Given the geo-economic and geopolitical significance of the African region, of late, climate diplomacy has been reasonably visible in India’s relations with Africa. A majority of the African states, around 34 countries, are already part of ISA, and this is in tune

with India’s engagement with Africa at multiple levels — continental (with African union), regional (with organisations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association) and bilateral (states like Congo, Rwanda, and Mali, to name a few). ISA is attracting significant attention in African countries, which are endowed with abundant solar energy (also called “sunshine countries”). There is an opportunity to bring power supply to approximately 600 million people by tapping solar energy. In this context, India’s technical expertise and diplomatic initiatives may coalesce to realise a high degree of success, given that India may achieve the targets committed to under the Paris agreement. The cost per megawatt of solar energy has dropped to as low as Rs 1.80. At this price point, solar energy is competitive and is getting cheaper than energy generated by coal. The price of solar energy may drop further as this energy transition gets consolidated. Multilateral arrangements may contribute further to this success by allowing unprecedented economies of scale with respect to solar energy. India has deepened ties with African Union (AU), regional economic

groupings (where both India and Africa are involved) through multilateral routes, besides strengthening bilateral collaborations with states. At the September 2020 mid-term review meeting of India-Africa Forum Summit (IASF) III, a wide range of policies and programmes were accepted to increase involvement through ISA. Similarly, the Indian Ocean Renewable Ministerial (IORM) meeting and collaboration with the African Development Bank are instances of climate diplomacy through the multilateral route. India’s commitment to African countries is evidenced in financial terms — an initial pledge to the tune of US$ 26 million to create a corpus fund. Additionally, India earmarked through Lines of Credit (LoC) US$ 1.39 billion for implementing 27 projects in 15 countries; of which 13 countries are from Africa. Projects in Niger, Senegal, and Somalia are either nearing completion or completed. India through ISA and other such initiatives has positioned the compass of foreign policy in the right direction. There is, however, a need to balance priorities by developing unique platforms or frameworks for the participation of India and countries in

Africa to advance multilateralism. Such a framework may allow for compatibility between regionalism (aligning multiple regional economic groupings on climate issues) and multilateralism that calls for deeper institutionalisation. India may initiate pointed climate diplomacy in its relations with African regional groupings such as Southern African Development Community (SADC), Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) and so on. In addition, India can collaborate with other multilateral initiatives on renewable energy in Africa such as the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), an African Union initiative; endorsed by African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). The broad objective of the initiative is to generate 300 GW of renewable energy by 2030. Other initiatives of the African Union such as African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) can be thought of as a new platform which ISA can align with, in the future. India can be at the forefront in identifying opportunities to significantly enhance the use of solar energy, especially throughout Africa. India’s inclination

to partnerships, African developmental concerns, adds promise to climate diplomacy in Africa. The experience of engaging deeply with countries from Africa in ISA suggests that non-traditional security issues — climate change, just as disaster management and migration — are significant to India’s relations with Africa. ISA, India’s “softer and collaborative diplomacy” is a step towards building a lasting relationship through climate diplomacy. The path of multilateralism for India is viable in the arena of climate change. A few decades ago, India, along with China, was perceived by many countries to be part of the climate change problem. This has now changed. India proactively increased the share of solar and wind in its energy portfolio. Similarly, efforts are underway to start a multilateral bank to advance the goals set forth under the ISA. India’s climate diplomacy through a multilateral route may bring huge dividends, especially by placing Africa at the core of its operations. S Shaji and Arvind Susarla Shaji is assistant professor, political science and Susarla is associate professor, regional studies at University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad.

Transgenders : Battling for social identity Farmers’ agitation also

he revolutionary deci- equal protection of law, of Arjun and Nagkanya ing assistance schemes for sion of Bihar Govern- thereby leaving them ex- had also the association them. In education sector, ment to recruit trans- tremely vulnerable to harass- with transgender Mohini genders as sub-inspector and ment, violence and sexual (transformed female form the government have to constables in State Police assault in public spaces, at of Lord Krishna) before provide scholarship, feeForce has opened the door home and in jail, also by he self-sacrificed himself waiver, free hostel and other of opportunities for fulfill- the police. Sexual assault, to Goddess Kali for the facilities at subsidized rate. Anti-discrimination cell ing their aspirations. After including molestation, rape, victory of Pandav. Apex Court judgement in forced anal and oral sex, The transgenders had to monitor discrimination 2014 for mainstreaming of gang rape and stripping prominent role in royal against TG will be formed transgenders, this inherent is being committed with court of Islamic world, and contents on TG will be commitment reinforces the impunity. particularly in Ottoman included in the curriculum outlook of government reOur society seldom rea- empire and Mugal rule. Jain of adolescent education. garding their long-awaited lise the trauma, agony, and literatures also contain refer- Provision of Career Guidacceptance in the society. pain which the transgender ence to TG which mentions ance and Online Placement Transgenders are most people undergo nor appre- the concept of “Psycho- support, vocational-training, marginalized section of our ciates their innate feelings, logical Sex”. Actually their survey to ascertain their society. They are bereft of specially of those whose situation changes drastically population are also to be their fundamental rights and mind and body disown their during British Rule in 1871, done for their well-being. privileges. Their exclusion in biological sex. They are when the entire Hijra com- Under the Transgender Perevery walk of life, whether it forced to live in low self-es- munity had been legislated sons (Protection of Rights) is social, religious, cultural, teem, low income and poor as criminal tribe. With the Act 2019, National Council political, professional, edu- social dignity. These people passage of time and change for Transgender Persons cational, health care or any are so much neglected that in social & cultural context, (NCTP) have been constiother sectors, has made their the house owners avoid majority of them are now tuted in 2020 for advising, life miserable. to rent them as they think parting away from their monitoring, reviewing & co-ordinating the policies Transgender (TG) is that other residents will feel traditional profession. basically an umbrella term discomfort. Transgenders In India, the Supreme as well as redressing their that includes the person face fear, shame, gender Court, in its landmark grievances. At district level whose own sense of gen- dysphoria, social pressure, judgement on 15th April screening committee, headder does not match with depression, suicidal tenden- 2014,have accorded trans- ed by District Magistrate, the gender assigned to that cies, social stigma, etc. gender as the “Third Gen- has been constituted for the person at birth. They inAlthough in some cas- der” for the purpose of purpose. Along with government clude trans-men or trans- es there is complain from safeguarding their fundawomen (whether or not people about transgender’s mental rights and declared initiatives to root outthe such person has undergone rough behavior, objection- them as socially and eco- social stigma faced by the Sex Reassignment Surgery able comments and forceful nomically backward citizen. transgender community, or hormone therapy or begging. At some places, An “Expert Committee”, intensive public awareness such other therapy), gender they are seen blackmailing, constituted under the aegis is needed. Some TV show queers, person with intersex and even keeping children of the Ministry of Social producers have also come variations and a number hostage for money. They be- Justice & Empowerment forward to highlight such of socio-cultural identi- come ruthless and barbaric (MOSJE) for in-depth study relevant and serious issues ties such as Kinnar, Hijra, for meeting their needs. But of transgender, has recom- through serials like “Shakti Aravani, Jogta, Shivshakti such rare incidences can be mended various measures – Astitwa ke Ehsaas ki”. Besides India, transetc. These people are often dealt under already prevail- to ameliorate their probdiscriminated due to their ing laws. lems. This Ministry has genders have also been rectransgender identity, expresIn India, the transgen- been made nodal agency ognised as Third Gender sion or behaviour. ders have mythological and to accelerate the welfare in Nepal, Pakistan, BanThis group of humans historical background as works with convergence of galaDesh, Germany, New are firstly rejected by their they had a glorious semi- various Ministries and their Zealand, Australia and Thailand. In USA, people parents and then by the scared status in the society. schemes. entire society. They are de- The concept of “Tritiya The schemes advo- are struggling to legally prived of their right of inher- Prakriti” or “Napunsaka” cated by the committee recognize gender outside the itance and have to leave their (to denote absence of pro- for transgender consist of male-female binary (such as parental house. Accordingly, creative capability) has loan with 25% subsidy to Ay-gender, gender-fluid and they have none to rely on; been an integral part of Ved enable them to take self- pan-gender). Transgenders are neiother than like their own and Puran. They have been employment ventures, penphysical and mental group. described with significant sion scheme for 40-60 years ther physically handicapped Due to lack of social ac- role in Mahabharat and age group, and grant-in aid nor mentally disabled; but ceptance, inaccessibility of Ramayan. Lord Ram has to voluntary organization only lacks social identity in education, their reluctance sanctioned them power to working for their empow- their life. For an educated to get an appointment in confer blessings to people erment. The recommenda- advanced society, if we want a formal job and so many on auspicious occasions tions are also for setting up to flourish, the only wayis reasons; they ultimately of marriages, childbirths counseling services to cope to include the entire third trap in to unemployment and inaugural functions; up with trauma& violence gender group into mainor under-employment. For which later on transformed crisis, involvement of An- stream activities by making livelihood, they have to into a custom “Badhai”, ganwadi workers and Self them empowered, educated, struggle at every step and whereupon the Hijras sing, Help Groups on TG issues, skilled and Atmanirbhar sometimes forced to engage dance and bless. In Ku- action against delinquent citizen. (The author is a technoin uncivil commitment by rukshetra Yuddha of Ma- police officials in case of begging, snatching or even habharat, the decisive role violation of their funda- crat & academician) Er. Prabhat Kishore, prostitution. was played by Shikhandi, mental rights, making work Additional SPO, Bihar Non-recognition of a transgender, in the kill- place sexual harassment Education Project the identity of Hijra/trans- ing of Bhishma Pitamah policy transgender incluCouncil, Patna gender persons denies them by Arjun. Aravan, the son sive, and ensuring housReader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this

providing income source

earn 500 rupees every day by cooking, washing dishes and other work in the farmers' agitation. Along with boys from my village, I am working on a daily wages basis," Shekhar Sharma, a resident of Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, was employed at the airport but returned home during the Coronavirus pandemic, after he was sacked. Left to his own devices, he has found employment in the farmers agitation, albeit on a daily wages basis. Sharma isn't an aberration. Many other people like him are earning a living thanks to the farmers' agitation, which is going on at Delhi's borders for more than 80 days. Although there is no shortage of volunteers at the site of the agitation, with thousands chipping in at community kitchen for langars, for some people, the farmers protest is a means to feed hungry mouths who depend on them. On each agitation site, meals are being cooked for hundreds of farmers. Thousands of people are cooking food, but the help of the workers and labourers is also being taken on a payment basis. “I’ve been present in the farmers agitation for the last one month, earning Rs 300 every day by cutting vegetables and washing dishes,” says Ashok a resi-

dent of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. “Our contractor pays the eight-member team of cooks on a daily basis,” adds Ashok. Bulandshahr’s Chandrapal also earns Rs 500 every day by cooking and washing utensils for farmers from morning till dusk. “I’ve been here for the past 15 days and came here searching for employment,” says Chandrapal. The scene is similar at the Ghazipur border, where farmers themselves are preparing langars, but some tasks are being outsourced to others who are paid on a daily wages basis. Bulandshahr's Chandrapal also earns Rs 500 every day by cooking and washing utensils for farmers from morning till dusk. "I've been here for the past 15 days and came here searching for employment," says Chandrapal. Since December 21, Anjul Kumar, is also working on a daily wages basis, earning Rs 500 every day. Though he also works back at the village, he has joined his other friends to work here. Farmers have been protesting on the borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against three newly enacted farm laws. The 11 rounds of talks between the Government and the farmers ' organisations have remained inconclusive so far. (IANS feature)

Reader’s Post

Request to open the Kohima State Central Library

Sir,

It has been almost a year since the lockdown began in March 2020, that the State Library in Kohima has shut its doors to the public due to safety concerns and understandably so but now with almost all of the government and private institutions opening up after undertaking requisite SOPs and other safety measures, I do not see any reason why the State library should continue close its doors to the public. Many people who are attempting civil service exams, PhD researches, schools and college assignments are dependent on the library for their works so it is of utmost importance that the government not continue to hamper these activities for the best interest of the public. Levi Longkumer, Agri Colony, Kohima newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

SA, Brazil variant of Covid entered India NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (PTI): Four people were detected with the South Africa variant of SARSCoV-2 in India in January, while one tested positive for the Brazil variant in the first week of February, the Centre said on Tuesday. In India, the South Africa strain has been detected in four returnees -one from Angola, one from Tanzania and two from South Africa in January, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said. All travellers and contacts have been tested and quarantined. “The ICMR-NIV is attempting to isolate and culture the SA variant strain from the samples of these four individual returnees,” he said. One Brazil returnee has tested positive for the Brazil variant of SARSCoV-2 in the first week of February. The traveller and contacts have been tested and quarantined. “The virus strain has been successfully isolated and cultured at ICMRNIV, Pune,” Bhargava said, adding experiments to assess vaccine effectiveness are underway. Meanwhile, the num-

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Balram Bhargava ber of people who have tested positive for the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the country has climbed to 187. There has been no mortality. “We have been able to culture and isolate this strain and test the efficacy of the vaccine,” he said. A very close watch is being kept on these variants, he stressed. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said as of February 16 till 1 pm, 87,40,595 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the country out of which a total of 62,82,646 healthcare workers have been vaccinated. First dose has been given to 61,11,968 (60.5 per cent healthcare workers) and second dose have

been given to 1,70,678 healthcare workers which is 37.5 per cent of eligible vaccinations, he said. Bhushan elaborated that the eligible population are people who were vaccinated on January 16, 17 and 18 as only they become eligible for the second dose. “For others, the second dose is not due. The efficacy of a vaccination must be judged on the fact that what proportion of people were due for second dose and out of that how much population has been covered,” he said. He further said a total of 24,57,949 frontline workers have been vaccinated which is 26.3 per cent. Bhushan said 14 states

and UTs have administered the first dose to more than 70 per cent of registered healthcare workers which is higher than the national average of 60 per cent. These states include Rajasthan (70.09 per cent), Sikkim (70.09 per cent), Jharkhand (71.25 per cent), Kerala (71.28 per cent), UP (73.58 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (75.16 per cent) and Bihar (80.92 per cent). While 11 states ad U Ts i n c l u d i n g D e l h i (42.36 per cent), Punjab (36.42 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (49.09 per cent) and Karnataka (49.96 per cent), have administered first dose to less than 50 per cent of registered healthcare workers. “We have asked these states to organise more sessions to increase their coverage,” he said. About the second dose, Bhushan said eight states and UTs, including Goa (100 per cent), Jharkhand (68.3 per cent), Assam (69.7 per cent), UP (81.2 per cent), Gujarat (86 per cent), have administered the second COVID vaccine dose to more than 60 per cent of the eligible healthcare workers.

Anti-India elements want to destabilise country, says Reddy

Indian Army uses drones to monitor Chinese troops pullback at Pangong

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): There are several anti-India forces, who wanted to destabilise the country by making the National Capital as the focal point in their nefarious design, said Minister of State, Home G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday, while addressing the Delhi Police personnel at an event here to mark the force’s 74th Raising Day. Reddy, who was the chief guest at the event, said: “There are many anti-India elements that want to spread instability. Delhi remains their focal point. The riots and illegal protests that took place in February 2020 were a part of this scheme.” Reddy further said: “On January 26, we witnessed how anti-India powers used farmers’ protest to disrupt the law and order situation in the National Capital.” Reddy, while appreciating the efforts of the Delhi Police, said: “The way you handled the riots and illegal protests are examples for other police forces.” He further said: “You also handled the January 26 violence with quite an appreciable restraint and tackled the situation very responsibly despite their antinational active behaviour.”

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (IANS): Indian Army teams armed with drones and cameras are monitoring evacuation and dismantlement of military infrastructure by Chinese troops at Pangong Lake in Eastern Ladakh. Further, the disengagement process at both northern and southern banks of the Pangong Lake is expected to be complete by February 20. The Indian Army team along with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) team will physically verify and re-verify disengagement at Pangong Lake. “It will be a joint inspection team, both from Indian Army and Chinese PLA,” said a senior government officer. The officer further stated that Indian Army teams will use drones and highresolution cameras to check and record dismantlement of military infrastructure, especially created along Pangong Lake by Chinese troops. China has created a military garrison at Finger 7 where 13 jetties were stationed, long-range guns were positioned, bunkers were constructed and per-

Indian and Chinese troops and tanks disengage from the banks of Pangong lake area in Eastern Ladakh. (PTI)

manent structures built to accommodate thousands of People’s Liberation Army troops. “We will verify physically whether each and everything is dismantled and removed from the position. We will go up to Finger 8 to check if disengagement is happening as per the agreed terms,” the officer explained. The agreement states that Chinese troops will move back to Finger 8 and Indian troops will pull back to the Dhan Singh Thapa post between Finger 2 and 3 of the north bank of Pangong Lake. Further, there would be a temporary moratorium on military activities, including patrolling to the traditional areas.

The mountain spur jutting into the lake is referred to as Finger in military parlance. The north bank of the lake is divided into 8 Fingers. India has claimed its territory till Finger 8 and China disputes its claims till Finger 4. There have been regular face-offs between the two armies between Finger 4 and Finger 8, a distance of eight kilometres, on the northern bank of the lake. Further, Indian and Chinese troops are also falling back from eyeball to eyeball confrontation position in the South bank of the lake. In the southern bank of the lake, tanks that were separated less than 100 metres have been pulled back by forces of both countries.

envoys BJP slams Rahul, calls him a migrant leader Uttarakhand floods: 23 limbs Foreign on 2-day J&K recovered in addition to 58 bodies visit from today

or more than two limbs may belong to one person. Bharne also did not rule out this possibility when enquired. “It is possible that two limbs belonged to one person,” he said. However, Bharne said the DNA samples would make it all clear about the identity of the persons killed in the calamitous floods that ravaged the Rishiganga hydel project completely besides partially damaging NTPC’s Tapovan hydel project. Out of the 58 bodies recovered so far, 31 have been identified. DNA

samples of all the bodies and limbs are being preserved in a forensic laboratory in Dehradun, Bharne said. Under the supervision of Ayush Agarwal, Superintendent of Police (SP), Rudraprayga, DNA samples of 49 bodies and 56 family members have been sent to the forensic laboratory for the purpose of matching. In addition to this, photographs and videography of bodies and their ornaments and other identification marks are also being preserved.

Addressing a press conference here to highlight the preparations for the BJP’s ‘Vijay Yatra’ from Kasaragod on February 21, Joshi claimed Rahul Gandhi was a migrant leader who did nothing for the development of Amethi constituency inUttar Pradesh despite being elected thrice from there. “There was no development. In fact, there was no X-Ray machine in the public health facility in his constituency,” Joshi alleged. He said after being rejected by the people there, Gandhi has now taken “shelter” in Kerala and claimed people of the state will also understand that by supporting Congress party, they are not going to gain anything. On the Sabarimala issue, the BJP leader alleged Gandhi supported the Su-

a mosque. The BJP leader also attacked the ruling CPI (M) in Kerala and the previous Congress-led UDF government, alleging both had failed to address the issues of the people. “We will expose the failures of the LDF government and previous UDF government. Both the LDF and the UDF have failed miserably,” Joshi said. He said Uttar Pradesh C h i e f M i n i s t e r Yo g i Adityanathwill flag-off the party’s Vijay Yatra, led by state president K Surendran, at Kasargod on February 21. Senior party leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the yatra when it reaches Thiruvananthapuram on March 7, he added.

OLIVE CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE 2 ½ Mile, Darogapathar, Dimapur-797115, Nagaland

Dr. Heman Prasad MBBS, MS General Surgery., M.Ch Urology Endourology & Uro-oncology Dr. Heman Prasad has joined as senior Consultant, Department of Urology, Olive Christian Hospital. (Patient with kidney and bladder stone, prostate enlargement and Urological problems can come for Consultation and Surgery.) Contact : 9585029290, 7005373705, 8415055995

DC-141

DEHRADUN, FEB 16 (IANS): The rescuers have recovered 23 limbs in addition to 58 bodies so far after the February 7 deluge in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. Out of this, the last rites of 55 bodies and 20 limbs have been performed after collecting DNA samples, said DIG Nilesh Anand Bharne, who is also the spokesman of the state police. But the police believe that all these 20 limbs do not belong to 20 persons separately, which means that one

Pralhad Joshi

preme Court verdict granting entry of women of all age groups into the ancient hill shrine. However, the state leadership of the Congress took a different stand on the matter, he said. This shows that they have no commitment towards Hindu sentiments, Joshi alleged. “So far Rahul Gandhi has not uttered a single word on Sabarimala.I challenge Rahul Gandhi....what is your stand on the issue? You clarify your stand,” he said. Accusing the Congress of indulging in appeasement of Islamist fundamentalists in Kerala, the BJP leader alleged senior IUML leader Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal had justified the Turkey government’s controversial conversion ofIstanbuls Hagia Sophia into

JOB VACANCY

The North East Initiative Development Agency is looking for committed Professionals to fill the following posts for the Handloom Development Project “Charkha to Market” Program Officer: Textile Design (1 Position) Knowledge, Experience, Qualification 1. Desirable minimum 5 years in the domain of woven textile production, preferably handloom textiles 2. Graduate degree in Textile Design from NIFT/NID 3. Thorough knowledge of textile design particularly of Handlooms textiles 4. Subject expertise in woven textiles, hand spinning, dyeing (preferably natural dyeing) Cluster Lead (1 Position) Knowledge, Experience, Qualification 1. Thorough knowledge in Fashion Management/ Business Management 2. Subject expertise in micro-enterprise development/rural livelihoods 3. Desirable minimum 10 years in the subject domain of rural livelihood/ microenterprise development. 4. Post Graduate degree in Fashion Management from NIFT or any other reputed institution/ Post Graduate in Business Management from reputed university/institution Programme Officer (1 Position) Knowledge, Experience, Qualification 1. Thorough knowledge in Business Management 2. Subject expertise in micro-enterprise development/rural livelihoods 3. Desirable minimum 5 years in the subject domain, Loin Loom Training 4. Graduate with relevant Experience /Post Graduate degree in Management or any other reputed institution/ Post Graduate in Business/Rural Management from reputed university/institution Job Posting: Kohima /Dimapur, Nagaland Salary: Will be competitive and shall be commensurate with experience Application Procedures: Your application should be sent to jobs.nagaland@neida.org.in by February 28, 2021 consisting of: a) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with all contact details “Only short listed candidates will be contacted for next stage of the selection process” Charkha to Market (C2M) Program is a comprehensive handloom program which aims at arresting drift of weavers, particularly younger generation from the handloom sector. Overarching objective is to create entrepreneur led microenterprises across each element of the value chain viz. pre-loom, on-loom and post-loom activities.

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Workers wade through accumalated water during rescue operations inside the Tapovan Tunnel on Feb. 7, in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Tuesday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (PTI): Envoys from Europe and Africa will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday to assess the development work and the security situation in the union territory, especially after the successful completion of the District Development Council elections, officials said on Tuesday. They said during their two-day visit, the envoys would receive first-hand information on the development work undertaken by the union territory administration after abrogation of the special status of the erstwhile state of J&K on August 5, 2019. Showcasing the efforts of the Centre for ensuring democracy at grass-roots level, the newly-elected members of the DDC would be meeting besides holding a meeting with a few prominent citizens and administrative secretaries. Strengthening of democratic institutions at the grass-roots level would be significantly highlighted, the officials said, adding that during a presentation the envoys would be shown how panchayats have been empowered by giving them financial powers.

THRISSUR (KER), FEB 16 (PTI): BJP on Tuesday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him a “migrant leader” who has taken “shelter” in Kerala after being rejected by people of Amethi, once a stronghold of his family. Targeting Gandhi, who represents Kerala’s Wayanad seat in Lok Sabha, on the Sabarimala women entry issue, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi claimed that the national leadership and state leadership of the Congress have taken two different stands on the matter. He urged Gandhi to clear his position on the issue of faith. In a bid to woo Christian votes in the state, Joshi, who is the party’s election in charge for Kerala, also cited the “appeasement of Islamist fundamentalists” by the Congress and ruling Left in the state while raking up the issue of conversion of the Hagia Sophia church into a mosque in Turkey. In this context, he cited the statement of a leader of Muslim League, a key Congress ally, reportedly favouring theTurkish President Erdogan’s controversial decision.

Govt to amend 2 acts for bank privatisation

New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): To facilitate the privatisation of public sector banks, the government is likely to bring amendments to two legislations later this year. Amendments would be required in the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980 for privatisation, sources said. These Acts led to the nationalisation of banks in two phases and provisions of these laws have to be changed for the privatisation of banks, they said. As the government has already announced the list of legislative business for the Budget session, it is expected that these amendments may be introduced in the Monsoon session or later during the year, sources added. The ongoing Budget session is scheduled to take up as many as 38 Bills including the Finance Bill 2021, Supplementary Demands for Grants for 202021 and related Appropria-

tion Bill, National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) Bill, 2021, and Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting Budget 2021-22 earlier this month had announced the privatisation of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) as part of disinvestment drive to garner Rs.1.75 lakh crore. “The details are being worked out. I have made the announcement but we are working together with the RBI,” she had said when asked about the proposal. The government last year consolidated 10 public sector banks into four and as a result, the total number of PSBs came down to 12 from 27 in March 2017.

As per the amalgamation plan, United Bank of India and Oriental Bank of Commerce were merged with Punjab National Bank, making the proposed entity the second-largest PSB. Syndicate Bank was merged with Canara Bank, while Allahabad Bank was subsumed in Indian Bank. Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank were amalgamated with Union Bank of India. In a first three-way merger, Bank of Baroda merged Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with itself in 2019. SBI had merged five of its associate banks - State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Travancore and State Bank of Hyderabad- and also Bharatiya Mahila Bank effective April 2017.

business/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Naga issue is about what is right for Nagas: Zeliang

(From p-1) Zeliang opined that past agreements had caused disagreements because, though the signatories were visionary Naga leaders, yet the underground leaders were not taken into confidence at the time of signing them and this resulted in the present-day situation where peace continued to remain elusive. Zeliang said many governments at the Centre had come and gone, but no positive step was taken towards resolving the Naga political issue other than the Modi government which signed the Framework Agreement. Zeliang renewed past suggestion for sending a delegation comprising ruling and opposition members to meet the Prime Minister and appeal to him to resolve the longpending issue once and for all to bring permanent peace in Nagaland in particular and the Northeast in general. Raising the issue on the role of Interlocutors, Zeliang cited the case of former Interlocutor RS Pandey. He said Pandey, after having done his homework, prepared a proposal on what could be done for

the Nagas. He said Pandey placed the proposal before the highest authority, but it was turned down. Subsequently, Zeliang said Pandey had no other option but to resign as Interlocutor. He said Nagas would never see light of the day if they depended only on brokers or Interlocutors. Zeliang also shared his observation on the differences between Ravi and NSCN (I-M). He opined that the misunderstanding and miscommunications galore, has negatively impacted the ongoing talks and slowed the overall progress. In this regard, he said it was the responsibility of the NLA to sort out differences, if any, between the interlocutor and NSCN (I-M)instead of watching the apparent breakdown of trust. In this regard, Zeliang assured of support from the opposition members. Zeliang said Naga people were confused because of the contradictions in the statements of Ravi and NSCN (I-M), with each blaming the other over some change made in the Framework Agreement. He urged all 60 mem-

Naga solution will usher era of peace & progress: Rio

bers of the House to rise above politics and appeal to the government of India to work out a formula with political will, to bring out a concrete proposal in black and white and placed it before the Naga negotiating groups for an agreement that was acceptable, honourable and inclusive. Zeliang also requested the chief minister to take into consideration the suggestion of opposition MLAs to set up a committee with two or three members each from NPF, NDPP and BJP and one Independent, where leader of the House could be the chairman with two co-chairmen. He said such a forum would optimise a working mechanism as it will be more convenient and result in better coordination between the members. He exuded confidence that leader of the House would consider the views of opposition bench without prejudice and work together towards attaining desired goal. He added that if past Agreements and Accords are any indication, it is time to learn from them and bring out a tenable solution this time.

(From p-1) Rio also shared details of the initiatives taken by Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF), including the resolution, the appeal to all sections of people, including tribal hohos and mass-based civil society organisations, and the appeal to neighbouring States seeking all possible support and cooperation. He also mentioned about the October 15 consultative meeting where a seven-point resolution was adopted. Further, in yet another step towards further facilitating the peace process, he said a joint statement was issued by him and leader of opposition TR Zeliang on December 18, 2020 welcoming the positive approach of Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah towards expediting the ongoing peace process and urged all Naga political groups to come together under the spirit of reconciliation, mutual trust and understanding. At this critical juncture, Rio stressed that it was of utmost importance that the Naga society stood as one, spoke as one and gave a final

push to collectively achieve a settlement and remove the shackles that burdened the society once and for all. He averred that a democratic and just settlement of the Naga political issue would not only bring permanent peace and stability to the entire North-eastern region, but also directly strengthen the democratic foundations of this great nation. After taking note of the discussion and concern raised by the members, Rio suggested selecting a drafting committee for drafting a resolution with representatives from all political parties. He said a collective voice reflecting the unity of NLA should go out loud and clear so that a positive message of hope was received by all stakeholders, strengthening their efforts towards unity. On the proposal of the LOP to constitute Joint Parliamentary Committee, Rio informed that the matter will be discussed with the respective political parties and will come for discussion later. In his concluding remarks, Rio appreciated all members for their participation on the Naga political issue.

‘Cess introduced in budget will boost states’ agri infra’ Sharp jump in fuel prices for 8th day

Su doku

KAKURO

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No. 4454 Yesterday’s solution No. 4453

No. 3478 Yesterday’s solution No. 3477

to Rs.92.63 per litre and Rs.83.36 per litre respectively. In the last seven days, the price has gone up by Rs 2.36 per litre for petrol while diesel rate has risen by Rs 2.91 a litre.

LAND FOR SALE CHUMUKEDIMA 'A' VILLAGE Rs. 140 per sq. ft. (Nego) Contact No. : 9383383498

LAND FOR SALE

Experience Preferable

LAND FOR SALE 1. 1 Km away from Chathe river bridge between Naga United boundary & Nihoto Village Area : 10,600 sq. ft. Price : Rs. 165/- per sq. ft. (Nego) 2. Naga United Area : 16,000 sq. ft. Price : Rs. 225/- per sq. ft. (Nego) Genuine Buyers Only Contact No. : 8413808228

Land with Building (Four Storeyed) at Main Town, Dimapur

Contact : 9612830694 7005281832

DP-930(A)

URGENT SALE Plot between Vidima Village and Urra Village 120 x 150 sq. ft. Price : 5.50 Ph. No. : 9615771877

LAND FOR SALE

Location : Kushiabill, near Highway (4.5 km from Zion Hospital) Area : Any size plot available Price : Rs. 170 per sq. ft. * Plots with drainage approach road Contact : 8787777148 DP-181(A) 7005227608

1. Residntl. cum Commercial Plot, and Rs. 8000/- monthly income from rental shops. at Thahekhu Tinali Area-9000 sq. ft. 2. Purana Bazar, Model Colony (a) 1 Bigha - 1 no. (b) ½ Bigha - 2 nos 3. Thilixu - 1½ Bighas Genuine buyer may contact No. 7005424879 DP-926

Location : Kushiabill (Dimapur) 5 minutes drive from Zion Hospital Area : 120 x 120 ft (Plain Area) Price : Rs. 165/ft (Negotiable) Contact : 9863200918

at Kushiabill Near Withee Bible College Area : 5040 sq. ft. (Road Touched) Price : 15.3 lakhs (Fifteen lakhs thirty thousand) only Mob. : 9612587148

LAND FOR SALE LAND FOR SALE 2

FOR SALE

Newly Constructed Well Planned Residential Building 3 (Storey) at Naga United 4th Mile, Dimapur. Genuine Buyers may contact 9436276549

Experienced Waiter for Food Truck in Dimapur Salary : 5000/Food & Lodging Free Contact : 8132836727

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LAND FOR SALE

WANTED

LAND FOR SALE at

Duncan Bosti 1 Bigha

Contact : 9612830694

LAND FOR SALE SEITHEKEMA 'A'

With proper approach road Area : 100 x 100 Rs. 150 per sq. ft. Contact No. : 9711174576

LAND FOR SALE Ao only

Location : Aoyimkum, Dimapur Area : 70 x 100 Rate : 180/ sq. ft. Contact : 9856683825 DP-939 7005071440 CHANGE OF NAME OF WIFE OF VETERAN AND SERVING SOLDIER

I, Mrs. Bendangkokla Imchen, Spouse of No. 4368569X Rank Hav Name Waluniba, resident of Village Aliba, Mokokchung, Nagaland PIN - 798617 have changed my name from Mrs. Bendangkokla to Bendangkokla Imchen vide Affidavit No. 51/21 dated 16/02/2021 before Tongpangkumba Imchen, Advocate & Notary Public, Dimapur, Nagaland. DP-927

AFFIDAVIT

Regd. No. : 1669/2021 Date : 16/02/2021

DP-919

URGENT SALE

2555 Sq/Mtr. Opposite Mahindra Show Room Near Bethesda Hr. Sec. School Northern Angami Contact : 8317631936 7005415498 DP-910

DP-930(B)

1. PADUMPUKHURI Near Daily Market (Main Road Touched) 2. AOYIMTI 3. PAGLA PHAAR @Rs. 40/- per sq. ft. Price Negotiable NO BROKER Contact : 9862954673/9436865033

Contact : earnestfernandez291@gmail.com

DP-932

LAND FOR SALE

at Officers’ Hill, KOHIMA Contact : 8837201313 8787576836 K-387

GIRL'S WARDEN REQUIRED

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rol is now priced at Rs 89.29 a litre and diesel Rs 79.70 a litre in the national capital. After today’s rate revision, petrol price in Dimapur rose to Rs.91.71 per litre and diesel price soared to Rs.82.63 per litre. In the state capital Kohima, prices of petrol and diesel climbed

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No. 9835 Yesterday’s solution No. 9834

Across 9. Cut off (8) 10. Fuss (3) 11. Furore (6) 12. Mother or father (6) 13. Trailblazer (7) 14. Den (4) 15. English county (10) 17. Wisdom (8) 18. Savoury (7) 19. Record (4) 21. Excursion (6) 24. Sweets (9,8) 27. Agreement (6) 29. Cash register (4) 30. Unlawful (7) 33. Shoes, boots, etc. (8) 35. Great abundance (10) 36. Applaud (4) 37. Tree (7) 38. Allocate (6) 40. Handy (6) 41. Colour (3) 42. Set free (8) Down 1. Unimportant (10) 2. Nobleman (4) 3. Biased (8) 4. Give up hope (7) 5. Frag rant shr ub (11) 6. Flagrant (10) 7. Gambol (6) 8. Asian country (8) 10. Home (5) 16. Short and abrupt (7) 20. Perfect (5) 22. Underwater missile (7) 23. King, queen or jack (7,4) 25. Generally (2,3,5) 26. Saturated (7,3) 28. Immaculate (8) 31. Praiseworthy (8) 32. Swiss cheese (7) 34. Exemplify (6) 35. Horde (5) 39. Shut noisily (4)

D I M A P U R , F EB 1 6 (NPN): Petrol and diesel prices touched fresh all-time highs across the country on Tuesday after state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) increased the rates by around 30 paise for the eighth straight day. With this increase, pet-

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migrant workers, who had returned home during the COVID-19-induced lockdown, gradually returning to their cities of work, the demand for MGNREGA may not be as high in the coming fiscal, they added. The budgetary estimate for 2020-21 was Rs 61,500 crore but it was revised to Rs 1.1 lakh crore following the pandemic’s outbreak. The sources expressed confidence that the recovery the economy has witnessed in the last few months will be sustained, and India will remain one of the fastest growing nations in the coming years.

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30,000 crore, may fall in the Centre’s kitty but the government has already made it clear that the money will be used to boost Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) mandis and related infrastructure. This all falls under states’ control, so it is states which will finally gain from the cess, they said. While the budget has allocated Rs 73,000 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), this can always go up as it is essentially a demand-driven programme, the sources said. With a large chunk of

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Crossword

share is fixed while that of states rise when the basic price of petrol and diesel go up. On the demand that petroleum products should be brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to relieve consumers of huge tax burden, they said it is for the GST Council, of which all states are a member, to decide. With many opposition parties slamming the introduction of cess in the budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 in Parliament, the sources pointed out that the revenue, expected to be around Rs

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assured return of over 8.5 per cent. They asserted that the measure will impact only one per cent of total account holders. The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is essentially for workers and those who are dependent on it, and it is not fair when some people are putting in Rs 1 crore or even Rs 2 crore annually to get an assured return, the senior government official told reporters in an off-the-record interaction. Asked about concerns over rising petroleum prices, the sources said oil revenue is income for the Centre as well as states and noted that the Union government’s

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New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): The agri cess introduced in the Union Budget 2021-22 will finally go towards boosting APMC mandis and related farming infrastructure, all of which are governed by states, a top government functionary said on Tuesday, rejecting criticism that the cess deprives states of revenue as its receipt entirely falls in the Centre’s kitty. Official sources also justified the introduction of tax on EPF’s interests in accounts where employees’ share is more than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum, noting that many people parked money in crores to get an

I, Shri. Kughavi Sema, @ N. Kughavi Sumi, @ Kughavi Sumi, R/o Notun Bosti, Sumi Khel, Dimapur : Nagaland hereby solemnly affirm that my name is entered as Kughavi Sema at Aadhar Card and N. Kughavi Sumi at my Service ID Card and Kughavi Sumi at Statement of G.P.F. Account and are one and same person and this names shall be use in all my future correspondence. DP-929

Deponent

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Myanmar police file new charge against Aung Suu Kyi Yangon, Feb 16 (AP): Police in Myanmar filed a new charge against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer said Tuesday, which may allow her to be held indefinitely without trial. Lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told reporters after meeting with a judge in the capital, Naypyitaw, that Suu Kyi has been charged with violating Article 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law, which has been used to prosecute people who have broken coronavirus restrictions. Suu Kyi, who was ousted in a military coup on Feb. 1, has already been charged with possessing walkie-talkies that were imported without being registered. The maximum punishment for the COVID-19 violation is three years’ imprisonment. However, the new charge may allow her to be held indefinitely without trial because a change in the Penal Code instituted by the junta last week permits detention without court permission. Groups of demonstrators turned out in Yangon and other cities on Tuesday to protest the coup and demand that Suu Kyi and members of her ousted

Demonstrators display pictures of detained Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar on Tuesday.

government be freed from detention. In Yangon, police blocked off the street in front of the Central Bank, which protesters have targeted amid speculation online that the military is seeking to seize money from them. Buddhist monks demonstrated outside the UN’s local office. The protests are taking place in defiance of an order banning gatherings of five or more people. Around 3,000 demonstrators – mainly students

– returned to the streets in Mandalay, the country’s second biggest city, carrying posters of Suu Kyi and shouting for the return of democracy. Security presence was low-key around the march, with most police guarding key buildings in the city, such as state banks branches. On Monday in Mandalay, soldiers and police violently broke up a gathering of more than 1,000 protesters in front of the Myanmar Economic Bank. They attacked the protest-

ers with slingshots and sticks, and police could be seen aiming long guns into the air amid sounds that resembled gunfire. Local media reported rubber bullets were fired into the crowd and that a few people were injured. The gover nment ordered internet access blocked on Sunday and Monday nights without giving a reason. It has in the past few weeks imposed selective and ineffective blocks on social media platforms and prepared a draft internet law that would

criminalise many online activities. There is also widespread speculation that the government is installing a firewall system that can monitor or block most or all online activity. State media were acknowledging the protest movement with indirect references. The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported about a meeting of the State Administration Council, the new top governing body, and quoted its chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, saying the authorities “are handling the ongoing problems with care.” It said the council discussed taking legal action against protesters, providing “true information” to the media, and resuming public transport, an apparent reference to strikes and slowdowns by truckers and state railway workers. The newspaper also said the council members discussed acting against a “parallel government” established by some elected lawmakers of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, who were prevented from taking their seats when the military stopped Parliament from

South Africa asks SII to take Rocket attack on US base back 1 mn COVID vaccine doses in Iraq kills 1, wounds 6

Vaccine by Astra Zeneca.

SOUTH AFRICA, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): South Africa has asked the Serum Institute of India to take back the one million COVID-19 vaccine doses the company had sent in early February, the Economic Times reported, a week after the country said it will put on hold use of AstraZeneca’s shot in its vaccination program. Serum Institute of India (SII), which is producing AstraZeneca’s shot, has emerged as a key vaccine supplier. One million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine landed in South Africa last week and another 5,00,000 were due to arrive in the next few weeks. The company said it had no comments on the matter. What went wrong? South Africa’s health

minister has said the government may sell doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, after the country paused its rollout following a small clinical trial that showed the shot offered minimal protection against mild to moderate illness from the 501Y.V2 coronavirus variant dominant in the country. AstraZeneca has said its vaccine appeared to offer only limited protection against mild disease caused by the South African variant, based on data from a study by South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand and Oxford University. The African country, which is yet to launch its COVID-19 vaccination program, has decided to start vaccinating health workers with Johnson & Johnson’s

vaccine in the form of an “implementation study” with researchers. WHO listed vaccine for emergency use The Economic Times report also comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday listed the AstraZeneca/ Oxford COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. The WHO allowed distribution of AstraZeneca/ Oxford COVID-19 vaccine to some of the world’s poorest countries to begin. A WHO statement said it had approved the vaccine as produced by AstraZenecaSKBio (Republic of Korea) and the Serum Institute of India. “Countries with no access to vaccines to date will finally be able to start vaccinating their health workers and populations at risk, contributing to the COVAX Facility’s goal of equitable vaccine distribution,” said Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.

Bag h da d, F e b 1 6 (IANS): A civilian contractor was killed and six others including a soldier were wounded in a rocket attack that targeted Erbil airport, which houses a US-led coalition military base, in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, the US military said. Col. Wayne Marotto, Spokesman of CJTF-OIR (Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve), said in a brief tweet that initial reports stated “indirect fire landed on coalition forces in Erbil tonight (Monday). There was 1 civilian contractor killed, 5 civilian contractors injured, and 1 US service member injured”, Xinhua news agency reported. Marotto did not give further details about the nationality of the civilian contractors but said that more information to follow. Marotto’s tweet came hours after unidentified militants fired rockets in the evening at Erbil airport and near it, according to Kurdish security sources.

According to the US military statements, indirect fire refers to rocket and mortar shells. The regional Ministry of Interior said in a brief statement that several rockets were fired at 9.30 p.m. (Monday night) on several areas in Erbil, injuring several civilians. Another statement by the media office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa alKadhimi, also Commanderin-Chief of the Iraqi forces, said that al-Kadhimi ordered a joint investigation with the Kurdish regional authorities over the rocket attack. Earlier in the night, a brief statement issued by the regional CounterTerrorism Service said that three rockets were fired on Erbil, Two of them landed in Erbil airport, and the third landed outside. A security source anonymously pointed out the third rocket struck the fence of the residential complex of Naz City near the airport, wounding two people and damaging several nearby shops.

opening its session February 1. The self-styled Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has 15 members who met online and said they have enough support to convene Parliament. It stakes a claim to being the sole legitimate government institution and has appealed to foreign powers and the UN and other multilateral institutions for recognition, with no known positive responses. Committee members believe warrants have been issued for their arrests. The military contends there was fraud in last year’s election, which Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide, and says it will hold power for a year before holding new elections. The state election commission found no evidence to support the claims of fraud. The military says its takeover is legitimate under a 2008 constitution that was drafted under military rule and ensures the army maintains ultimate control over the country. The U.N., U.S. and other governments have urged it to return power to the elected government and release Suu Kyi and other detainees.

9 5 sentenced to death in B’desh for writer Avijit Roy’s murder

File photo of Avijit Roy.

Dhaka, Feb 16 (IANS): A Dhaka court has sentenced five militants including fugitive sacked army major Syed Ziaul Haq to death in connection with the 2015 writer-blogger Avijit Roy murder case. Another defendant, Safiur Rahman Farabi, has been jailed for life, bdnews 24 reported on Tuesday. Judge Mojibur Rahman of Dhaka’s Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal delivered the verdict on Tuesday. Four of the five convicts who received capital punishment are Md Mozzammel Hussain alias Saimon alias Shahriar, Md Abu Siddiq Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid alias Shahab, Md Arafat Rahman and Akram Hossain alias Abir. Besides Ziaul, Abir is also on the run. The judge also fined these convicts 50,000 taka

each. The Islamist militants hacked to death Avijit, the US-based Bangladeshi science writer and founder of the Muktomona blog, on February 26, 2015 just after he left the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka. His wife Rafida Ahmed Bonya was injured in the attack. On February 10, the court sentenced to death eight militants, including Ziaul, Saimon, Siddiq and Akram for the murder of Avijit’s publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan, who was hacked to death at his office in a similar attack months after the killing of Avijit. The prosecution submitted CCTV footage of the killing of Avijit, video statements of the accused, their confessional statements and copies of SMSes from their mobile phones to the court as evidence.

Independent commission to investigate US Capitol riots Washington, Feb 16 (IANS): US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said the Congress will establish an “outside, independent” commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by the supporters of former US President Donald Trump. In a letter to lawmakers, she said the commission would be modelled on the inquiry into the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and the Pentagon, the BBC reported on Monday. “We must get to the truth of how this happened,” she said. Trump was acquitted by the Senate of inciting the violence. But Democrats and some Republicans have backed an independent probe into the riots, which left five persons dead. Pelosi said that US Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore had, over the past few weeks, been assessing the security needs

File photo of the US Capitol Hill Riots.

of the Capitol in light of the attack. “It is clear from his findings and from the impeachment trial that we must get to the truth of how this happened,” she said. The commission, she said, “would investigate and report on the facts and causes” of the attack; “the interference with the peaceful transfer of power”; and the “preparedness and response” of both the Capitol police and other branches of law enforcement. She also said that, based on Lt. Gen. Honore’s

initial findings, Congress needed to allocate additional funding to “provide for the safety of members and the security of the Capitol”. Trump survived his second impeachment trial - the only president to face the process twice - on Saturday, after Democrat prosecutors failed to secure the two-thirds majority needed to convict him. The vote split largely along party lines, with the seven Republicans joining the Senate’s 48 Democrats and two independents in voting to convict.

OFFICE OF THE

DIMAPUR RIPHYIM EKHUNG (DRE) DIMAPUR - 797112

FELICITATION

(Dr. Lowrence Kithan) General Secretary, DRE

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(Mhonsao Tungoe) Chairman, DRE

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The office of the DRE with immense pride and honour, express our heartiest congratulations to Er. Thungdemo Patton on his promotion to Superintendent Engineer, PWD (R & B), Government of Nagaland. The Ekhung further extend their best wishes and pray that our Almighty God bless him with good health and wisdom as he takes charge of his new responsibilities for the Department.

Zhato Kimho Convenor, Dimapur Tribal Hoho Forum

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Wanthang Rengma Secretary, Dimapur Tribal Hoho Forum

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A reconciliation meeting of Dimapur Tribal Hoho Presidents and NCD Councillors is convened on 26th February, 2021 at 10:30 A.M at Naga Council ofﬁce. All tribal Presidents and NCD Councillors are requested to attend the meeting without fail.

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PRESS NOTE

Infotainment

World’s first flying car that travels at altitudes of 10k feet to takeoff

I’m a control freak, says Gerard Butler

he dream of a flying car just got one step closer to reality, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted approval to a hybrid groundair vehicle that can soar at speeds of 100 mph. The Terrafugia Transition received a Special Light-Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate from the agency, giving it the green light for takeoff. A flight-only version of the craft is now available to pilots and flight schools, though it will be another year or so before its car components are 'street legal' - it still needs to meet road safety standards. Ultimately, drivers will be able to convert from flying to driving in less than a minute, taking off and landing in small airports or the highway. Terrafugia hopes to have production and approvals on the two-seat hybrid complete for 2022, but those interested in taking it for a spin will need both a driver's license and a sport pilot's certificate. Chinese-owned Terrafugia has been overly op-

timistic about delivering a 'roadable aircraft,' a small plane with retractable wings that can both drive on roads and take to the open sky. It first promised the Transition would be for sale in 2015, then 2018 and then 2019. But Terrafugia general manager Kevin Colburn praised his team's efforts during 'an extremely challenging pandemic year.' 'Our team remained focused, improved our quality system, completed the critical aspects of the design, built the vehicle, completed 80 days of flight testing, delivered 150 technical documents and successfully passed the FAA audit,' Colburn said. ‘This is a major accomplishment that builds momentum in executing our mission to deliver the world's first practical flying car.' Powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912iS Sport fuelinjected engine, the Transition has a max flight speed of 100 mph and a range of about 400 miles, with an altitude of 10,000 feet.

The plane engine can run on either premium gasoline or 100LL airplane fuel, while the car is powered by a hybrid-electric motor. Standard features include four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, a rigid carbon fiber safety cage and an airframe parachute. The vehicle weighs roughly 1,300 pounds and has fixed landing gear and a 27-foot-wide wingspan. The wings actually fold up to allow for easy storage in a single-car garage. Terrafugia envisions owners landing their Transition at a small airport or a stretch of highway and then driving it home. That differs from flying car prototypes developed by Uber, Kitty Hawk, BMW and others, which involve the vehicles taking up commercial air space. The vehicle converts from flying to driving in under a minute, according to Terrafugia. In 2018, the two-seat Transition was priced at $400,000, NBC News reported. Terrafugia is developing several models of flying car, including the fourperson TF-X, a four-seat hybrid electric with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. The TF-X is slated to be semi-autonomous, with computer controls that will allow passengers to simply type in their destination. It will be capable of automatically avoiding air traffic, bad weather and restricted airspace. (Mailonline)

ollywood star Gerard Butler admits being a control freak. Butler was serving as a producer for the film, Greenland, when he enjoyed the chance to have a more hands-on role in the project.

“I’m a control freak! As an actor, when you’re coming up, you beg for roles, and you’re lucky to get one and then you suddenly find yourself in a position where movies are being made, because you’re involved,” Butler told Total Film magazine, femalefirst. co.uk reported. He added: “So if that’s the case, you say, ‘I want to produce it, I want to have some control, I want to help shape this film.’ Not the studio movies, like ‘Gods Of Egypt’ or ‘Geostorm’. But all the other ones, in the independent world. He loves being very involved. “I get a chance to develop, be involved with script, choose the director. It’s more responsibility, but you’re more involved in the process. And I love that,” he said. (IANS)

Nagarjuna wraps up shoot for ‘Brahmastra’

elugu superstar Nagarjuna has wrapped up his portions for the upcoming fantasy adventure film Brahmastra, the actor tweeted a slew of pictures from the set on Tuesday while sharing the news. In the images, the star is seen posing with co-actors Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, and director Ayan Mukerjee. “And it’s a wrap for me on #Brahmastra . Such an amazing experience it has been with our stellar performers #Ranbir and @Aliaa08. Can’t wait for you guys to witness the outstanding world #AyanMukerji has created. #TheBigIndianMovie #Brahmastra,” he wrote on Twitter with the images. Brahmastra also has Amitabh Bachchan in the cast and is the first part of a sci-fi trilogy. The film is scheduled for release in 3D, IMAX and standard formats. (IANS)

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

UNIVERSE online concert draws over 2.6million viewers

ASTRO at the UNI-KON

ver 2.6million people tuned in to UNI-KON, an online concert organised by new K-pop fan community app UNIVERSE. The free showcase, which was held on Valentine’s Day (February 14), drew approximately 2.6million viewers from over 160 countries. This is according to the app’s developer NCSoft, as per Korea JoongAng Daily. UNI-KON featured 14 K-pop artists: AB6IX, ASTRO, ATEEZ, CIX, CRAVITY, (G)I-DLE, IZ*ONE, Kang Daniel, Monsta X, Oh My Girl,

Park Ji-hoon, THE BOYZ, WEi and WJSN. Altogether, the idols performed a total of 46 numbers during the event, which ran for about four hours. “There haven’t been big concerts recently due to COVID-19, but we could enjoy many artists’ performances today through UNIVERSE,” Kang said during the event. “I hope today’s UNI-KON was a gift for the audience.” The concert also gave fans a preview of the app’s premium features, such as the highdefinition viewing experience, multi-view mode, various virtual stage

effects and more. Fans will be able to rewatch the concert through UNIVERSE’s video-on-demand services, with behind-the-scenes footage and interview videos set to be added in the future. UNIVERSE is a Kpop community app that was launched on January 28 by game publisher NCSoft. Since launch, over four million users from over 188 countries have signed up, with 80 percent coming from countries like the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and more. (NME)

Mahalia & Rico Nasty tease new joint single Actor Sandeep Nahar hanged

ahalia and Rico Nasty have announced the forthcoming release of their collaborative single, ‘Jealous’, out later this week. Announced on both artists’ social media over-

night, the single will be released this Wednesday (February 17). It will mark the first release this year from Mahalia and the second from Rico, following ‘Lil Bitch’ with Chillpill and Soleima. Both artists released

records in 2020, Mahalia with her three-track EP ‘Isolation Tapes’ and Rico with her debut album, ‘Nightmare Vacation’. ‘Isolation Tapes’ won Mahalia the Best Female Act and Best R&B/Soul Act categories at the 2020 MOBO

himself in his Mumbai flat

ctor Sandeep Nahar, who had blamed his wife in a video and also mentioned “politics” hefaced in Bollywood in a “suicide note” posted on Facebook,killed himself by hanging in the bedroom of his flat insuburban Goregaon here, as per preliminary probe by police, anofficial said on Tuesday. Nahar, who was in his 30s and featured in films likeAkshay Kumar’s “Kesari” and Sushant Singh Rajput-starrer “MSDhoni”, was found unconscious at his flat on Monday evening byhis wife Kanchan and friends who took him to

Mission: Impossible 8 filming delayed

‘M

ission: Impossible 8’ will no longer film back-to-back with the seventh film in the franchise. Director Christopher McQuarrie and his team are close to finishing work on the latest movie in the action series and had intended to then move straight onto shooting the follow-up, but that has no longer been deemed possible. Sources told Deadline that the cancellation is due to changes in the release calendar because of the coronavirus pandemic, and star Tom Cruise will now be needed for promotional duties for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, which is now due to hit cinemas on 2 July, so he’ll be unavailable for filming. However, once the aviation sequel is out, production on ‘Mission: Impossible 8’ can start so it is hopeful there won’t be too much of a gap. Meanwhile, the direcK Y M C

tor has revealed a successful shoot has now wrapped in the UAE and he and his team are travelling back to London to add some “fin-

ishing touches” to ‘Mission: Impossible 7’. He wrote on Instagram: “Grace and graciousness, magic and majesty,

hospitality and hope. “Of the many challenges we’ve faced on our journey, none will be greater than outshining the gifts

Abu Dhabi has given us. “On behalf of our entire cast and crew, sincerest and most heartfelt thanks to the Government of Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Mohamed Al Mubarak, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, twofour54, Etihad Airways and CEO Tony Douglas, ADAC and CEO Shareef Al Hashmi, HM Ambassador to the UAE Patrick Moody, The United States Marine Corps and all of our incredible military personnel. “A n d , o f c o u r s e, thanks to our extraordinary local cast, crew and the very fine people of Abu Dhabi. We shall most sincerely miss you until we see you again. “Now back to London for a few finishing touches. All aboard for our greatest challenge yet...(sic)” ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ is scheduled for release on 19 November this year, with the eighth film scheduled for almost a year later, 4 November, 2022. (Contactmusic)

SVR Hospital,where he was declared dead on arrival, police had said. Hours before his death, the actor had posted a videoand a “suicide note” on Facebook in which he purportedlyblamed his wife and also mentioned “politics” he faced inBollywood. “Nahar was spotted hanging from the ceiling fan of hisbedroom by his wife and her friends. They brought him down andrushed him to SVR hospital in Goregaon where he was declareddead on arrival,” the official said on Tuesday. He said the door of Nahar’s bedroom was locked frominside. As frequent knocks by the actor’s wife on the door ofthe bedroom failed to evoke any response, she called herfriends, the owner of the flat, and a key-maker, the officialsaid, adding the door was finally opened with a duplicate key. (PTI)

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Awards. As for Rico, NME gave ‘Nightmare Vacation’ a four-star review upon its release, writing, “the frenetic Maryland artist will not be restrained by any boundaries – genre, social or otherwise – as this thrilling, wildly charged, starstuffed debut proves.” “While Nasty’s catalogue has found her focused on pushing to the extremities of self-expression – baking rock, screamo and punk directly into her rap with reckless abandon – with this record she flexes her chops as an artist with mainstream appeal.” The record also appeared on NME‘s list of the 50 best albums of 2020. Last month, Rico made her television debut, performing ‘OHFR?’ on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. (NME)

CONGRATULATIONS

The Koio Eloe Yanpoe Ya n p i a E y i e O k h o would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Mrs N Khothunglo, W/o Mr James Mozhui on being promoted to Deputy General Manager Nagaland Co-operative Bank. The Forum wishes her success and prays that God bless her as she begins her new assignment.

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sports

AUS OPEN: Djokovic, Karatsev; Serena in SFs

Novak Djokovic

stopped chasing shots in the third. After that set, Dimitrov was visited by a trainer and then took a medical timeout for treatment on a muscle problem around his hip or back. He returned for the fourth set but couldn’t compete. In women’s singles, American 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams reached the semi-final of the 2021 Australian Open after beating Romanian world No.2 Simona Halep in straight sets at the Rod Laver Arena. Williams beat Halep 6-3, 6-3 to set up a semi-final clash against Japanese third seed Naomi Osaka. Earlier, Osaka eased into the semi-final with a straight sets win over South Korea’s Hsieh Su-Wei. The three-time Grand Slam champion, seeded third in the tournament, beat Hsieh 6-2, 6-2.

D I M A P UR , F EB 1 6 (NPN): BSCT, Flying Rabbits and Diphupar CC won their respective matches of the 1st Champions Trophy T-20 Cricket Tournament at local ground Chumukedima town on Tuesday. Oganised by Nagamese Baptist Fellowship (NBF) Sports Ministry Chumukedima Village, in the first match, BSCT defeated Climax by 5 wickets. Aslan Karatsev Serena Williams Naomi Osaka Batting first after winning the toss, Climax set a target of 133/9 in 19 overs. BSCT chased down the tarSmashing rackets on court is beget in 18 overs losing 7 wickcoming somewhat of a bad habit for ets. Dip was named man of Novak Djokovic who again lost his match for taking 5 wickets temper during Tuesday’s quarter-final and scoring 17 runs. against Alexander Zverev at the AusIn the second match, tralian Open. Djokovic, who has never Flying Rabbits CC beat been shy of showing his emotion, lost Hurricane CC by 8 wickets. his cool at 3-1 down in the third set, Flying Rabbits won the toss Dailymail reported. and elected to field restricted The world No 1 sent a return Hurricane CC for 99 runs crashing into the net to give Zverev the in 18 overs. They managed advantage and a chance to extend his to comfortably chase down lead to 4-1, which the German took The world No 1 lost his temper while 3-1 down in the target in 9 overs losing with an ace on the following point. 2 wickets. Dramendar was the third set against Alexander Zverev. Djokovic reacted to losing the deuce named man of the match for point by screaming and slamming his Dominik Koepfer. scoring 50 runs. Diphupar Djokovic went on to win the match on his CC beat Braveheart Warracket into the ground. The Serbian then sat at the back of the court in a sulk way to clinching the tournament. riors by 32 runs in the last He admitted afterwards that it was his way match of the day. Decided before asking for the mess caused by his of sometimes releasing his anger, something to bat first after winning the racket smash to be cleaned up. It wasn’t until after he threw his that he said didn’t set a good example to his toss, Diphupar set a target of racket at his bag that he was given a younger fans. 166/9. In reply, Braveheart That happened only a couple of weeks after Warriors were bowled out warning. It was reminiscent of when Djok- Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open 134 runs. This was stated ovic smashed his racket during the when he accidentally hit a line judge with a in a press release issued by quarter-finals of the Italian Open last ball towards the end of the first set of his fourth convenor, organising comSeptember against German qualifier round match against Pablo Carreno Busta. mittee, Jonathan.

Djokovic smashes his racket in yet another on-court outburst

India women to play three FIFA friendlies with Serbia

India Women is currently ranked 53 out of 159 nations. (File)

New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): The Indian women’s football team will kick off its preparations for the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup to be hosted by the country with an international friendly match against Serbia in Alanya, Turkey on Wednesday. The match against Serbia is the first of three international friendlies India will play this month in Turkey. The Indian team faces Russia on February 19 and Ukraine on February 23. Midfielder Sangita

Basfore will captain the side. “We’ve had a good couple of months of camp in Goa, where we have had the opportunity to assess all the girls,” head coach Maymol Rocky said. “Serbia are a strong side, and we will have to be at our best to get the desired result against them. All my players are excited to be playing international football once again. They are all pumped ahead of this game,” she added. Defender Ashalata Devi feels that facing such

strong European sides will act as a good preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup”. “I am very happy that the team is once again preparing for International football. Serbia are a quality side. It will be good to test ourselves against them in our first match,” she said. “These matches are extremely important for us. We are preparing for the AFC Asian Cup India 2022 and such matches will make us stronger and confident,” she added.

Jazz beat 76ers for eight straight win Lo n d o n, F e b 1 6 (Agencies): The Utah Jazz beat the Philadelphia 76ers 134-123 in a battle between the NBA’s two conference leaders on Monday. Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score 40 points in Salt Lake City as the Jazz claimed their eighth straight win - and 19th in 20 games. The Western Conference leaders now have an NBA-leading record of 23-5. The Sixers (18-10) made it competitive thanks to a near-triple-double display by Ben Simmons, who had 42 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 40 points as the Brooklyn Nets set a franchise record with 27 three-pointers in a 136-125 win at the Sacramento Kings. Ir ving made nine shots from behind the arc and James Harden six, contributing to his tally of 29 points, 14 assists and K Y M C

-- Amit being best-placed among them at the top of his weight category standings. The remaining categories in which Olympic slots are still up for grabs in the Indian context are men’s 57kg, 81kg and 91kg and women’s 57kg. None of these categories feature Indians in the higher positions. “This ensures a new reallocation pathway, which is based on international onfield results recorded over the past four years (20172021), including but not limited to the BTF Olympic Qualification Events,” the IOC said of the new qualifying procedure. They made the cut at last year’s Asian Qualifiers in Jordan after which sports almost came to a standstill because of the pandemic. Mary Kom welcomed the IOC’s move to cancel the final qualifying event even though it is a setback for those eyeing vacant slots. “While I feel sorry for the athletes not getting a chance to compete in a Final World qualifier, I 100 per cent support the BTF’s solution to rearrange the qualification pathway to Tokyo 2020 in the best interests of all athletes,” she said in a statement issued by the IOC.

EBC annual sports week commences

Bedia show-caused by AIFF for alleged biting incident M a r g a o, F e b 1 6 (PTI): FC Goa captain Edu Bedia was on Tuesday show-caused by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Disciplinary Committee for an allegedly violent foul on an opponent during his side’s Indian Super League match against Chennaiyin FC last week. The incident occurred during the injury time of the match on February 13 at Bambolim, which ended in a 3-3 draw. Video footage of the incident seemed to show Spaniard Bedia allegedly biting Deepak Tangri while getting up after the Chennaiyin FC player fell on top of him while competing for the ball. Even the Spanish media reported the incident. “Bedia was reported of ‘unsporting behaviour towards CFC player Deepak Tangri.’ The Committee has given the Spaniard time till 17th February to submit a reply,” the ISL said in a statement. “The player, who was shown a yellow card for the offence is suspended for FC Goa’s next assignment against Odisha FC on Wednesday, after picking his fourth caution of the season,” the ISL said.

New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): With the IOC deciding to scrap the Olympic world qualifiers for boxing because of the “challenges” posed by the global COVID19 restrictions, India is unlikely to add to the unprecedented nine who have made the cut for the Tokyo Games in July-August. The world qualifier, which was to be the final qualifying event for the Games after the continental events, was scheduled to be held in Paris in June. “The 53 quota places (32 men and 21 women) planned to be allocated at the final World Olympic Qualifier will now be allocated equally across the four regions (Africa, Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe) and all the weight categories,” the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Boxing Task Force stated. From India, Amit Panghal (52kg), Manish Kaushik (63kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg), Ashish Kumar (75kg), Satish Kumar (+91kg), M C Mary Kom (51kg), Simranjit Kaur (60kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) and Pooja Rani (75kg) have qualified for the Games. In the current rankings, those who have qualified are the only ones with good ranking positions

ceremony. In his address, he pointed out that learning without co-curricular activities was incomplete and that sporting activities was important. The programme was chaired by Tunato, M.Div final year and lecturer Chuba L invoked God’s blessing for the sports week. Special items was

presented by Rebecca and team. Scripture reading by Mary Ngullie B.Th II and the oath taking was conducted by the Sport secretary. Various games like football, volleyball, badminton, 100 m race, and other items will be conducted during the four-day event.

Badminton match in progress on Tuesday.

D I M A P UR , F e b 1 6 (NPN): The 47th annual sports week of Eastern Bible College (EBC) Dimapur commenced on Tuesday at the College Ground, under the theme: “Play with Common Hope”, 1

Corinthians 9:24. A press release by Khonzan, Sport Secretary, in-charge, Games & Sports, stated that Rev. Dr. T.N.Lotha Jr, principal of the College was the speaker of the opening

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10th DEATH ANNIVERSARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Tokali Chishi

8th Oct 1974 – 17th Feb 2011

To our much missed Toka, It’s been ten trips around the sun without the light of your love. You were God’s special gift to each of our lives, and even though God decided to call you home on this day, we will hold your memory as a glimmer in our hearts and will forever remember you with silent tears. K-379

Missing you deeply Parents, Brothers, Sisters & Sons

12/11/1982 – 31/12/2020

We , t h e b e r e a v e d family members of Lt. Vekholü Sapuh, D/o Lt. Khüvehü Sapuh of Kütsapo village, extend our deepest gratitude to every individual who stood by us financially, physically and spiritually during her treatment till her unexpected demise on 31st Dec 2020. Words cannot express how much we are indebted to you all. It is our sincere prayer that God bless you richly for all the good works you have done for us.

Loving Mother, step-father, siblings, nephews & nieces

Jordan Clarkson made eight of his 13 three-point attempts as the Utah Jazz took their winning streak to eight.

13 rebounds. Brooklyn were without Kevin Durant because of a hamstring injury but now have a 1712 record after their third straight win. Stephen Curry scored a game-high 36 points in 30 minutes as the Golden State Warriors claimed a 129-98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in San Francisco. The two sides

contested the NBA Finals four years in a row from 2015-18, with Curry helping Golden State become champions three times, but the Warriors gradually pulled away from the roadweary Cavs, who slipped to 10-19 after playing the second night of a back-toback. Curry shot 13-for-19 from the field and 7-for-11

on three-pointers for the Warriors, who are now 15-13. It was the two-time MVP’s 10th straight game with at least 27 points on shooting of 50% or better. Curry, 32, also became the first guard since Michael Jordan (1995-96) with at least 25 points and 50% shooting in 10 straight games.

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Melbourne, Feb 16 (AP/IANS): Defending champion Novak Djokovic beat sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (6) to reach the Australian Open semifinals for the ninth time. The top-ranked Djokovic has never lost at Melbourne Park after making it to the last four. He shattered his racket in the third set by smashing it into the court when he lost a game. But that only seemed to spur a resurgence as he won the next five games to take the set. Djokovic also had to come back from an early break in the fourth and he saved a set point before forcing a tiebreaker. He will next play Aslan Karatsev after the No. 114-ranked Russian qualifier beat Grigor Dimitrov to become the first man in the professional era to reach the semifinals at his first Grand Slam tournament. The 114th-ranked qualifier from Russia advanced to the final four at the Australian Open with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win over 18thseeded Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. Dimitrov won the opening set easily but looked sluggish in the second and

Champions Trophy: BSCT, Rabbits win

11 India’s boxing contingent for Tokyo Games unlikely to go past 9

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

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India thrash Eng by 317 runs; level series 1-1

C h e n na i , F e b 1 6 (IANS): Debutant left-arm spinner Axar Patel’s fivewicket haul in England’s second innings -- coupled with Ravichandran Ashwin’s all-round performance -- made India’s job easy as they registered a commanding 317-run win in the second Test on Tuesday, and level the fourmatch series 1-1. The win takes India to the second spot on the World Test Championship points table. India need one more win in this series to seal a spot in the final that will be played in June at Lord’s, London, in England. New Zealand have already qualified for the final. This defeat broke England win steak overseas. They had won six consecutive Tests, including two in Sri Lanka, from where they came to India straightaway, and won the first Test at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Chasing a target of 482 runs for victory, England were all out for 164 in 54.2 overs in the second session of the fourth day of the five-day match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday. Moeen Ali

Indian captain Virat Kohli with teammates during the 4th day of the second cricket test match between India and England, at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai, Tuesday. (BCCI/PTI)

was the top scorer with an 18-ball 43, though it came when everything was lost for England. Captain Joe Root’s dogged 92-ball 33 was the next best score. Earlier, India, after captain Virat Kohli won the toss, had scored 329 in

their first innings, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s century. Ashwin then captured five wickets to bundle out England for a mere 134, to help India take a huge 195-run lead. In the second innings, Ashwin shone with the bat, too, as he hammered

ISL: Hyderabad blank Kerala 4-0 New Delhi, Feb 16 (Agencies): Hyderabad FC outclassed Kerala Blasters 4-0 in the Indian Super League 2020-21 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Tuesday. A brace from Fran Sandaza (58, 63’) and goals from Aridane Santana (86’) and Joao Victor (90’) helped Hyderabad climb to third on the table. The result meant Kerala Blasters are now mathematically out of the playoff race, News18 reported. Kerala were on top for the majority of the opening half, registering four shots on target compared to Hyderabad’s zero. Hyderabad looked livelier towards the end of the first half but it only showed when Joel Chianese shifted from the flanks towards the middle. A howler from Kerala keeper Albino Gomes in the 21st minute almost gifted Hyderabad the opener. He made a mess while attempting to clear a long ball before Costa Nhamoinesu cleared it out of danger. Seconds later, another big chance went begging for the Nizams. Victor whipped a teasing cross in the box for Santana, who blazed his header over

Fran Sandaza converted the penalty kick to score his second of the game. (ISL)

the bar. While Hyderabad eventually grew in the game, a defensive mistake from them in the 39th minute almost handed Kerala the opening goal. Prasanth Karuthadathkuni pounced on a miscued backward pass by Akash Mishra before firing a shot that went straight to Hyderabad custodian Laxmikant Kattimani. Throughout this season, Hyderabad have always come out stronger in the second half, scoring more goals after the break. And they did that again. Hyderabad broke the deadlock when Sandaza stabbed home from close range after a miscommunication between Bakary

Kone and Costa. Four minutes later, another blunder from Gomes saw Hyderabad double their advantage. Chianese latched on to a poor back pass from Kone before being clipped by Gomes inside the box. Sandaza converted the penalty with a calm panenka finish. Santana joined the party late on after heading in Lluis Sastre’s freekick, yet another set-piece goal for the Nizams. In injury time, Santana turned creator, flicking the ball on from a cross towards Victor, who scored a simple tap-in. Wednesday’s Match Goa Vs Odisha 7:30 pm

his fifth century in India’s second-innings’ 286, which set a gigantic task for Root’s team. England had won the first Test at the same venue on February 9. The third day-night Test begins in Ahmedabad on February

24. The fourth Test will also be played there. Ashwin was the hero of India’s win as he scored a century and captured eight wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. On Tuesday, Axar dis-

Will be awesome to work with de Villiers at RCB: Maxwell Sydney, Feb 16 (IANS): Australia’s Glenn Maxwell has said he would like to go to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) so that he can get to bat with his “idol” AB de Villiers. Maxwell will be in the player pool in the IPL auction, which will be held on February 18, after being released by Kings XI Punjab. “That’ll be awesome. AB (is) one of my idols and one of the guys I’ve always tried to watch the way he goes about (things),” Maxwell was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. “It’ll be awesome to work with him, and he’s always been really helpful to me along the journey. Whenever I’ve caught up with him, he’s been brilliant. So to be able to work with him first hand will be pretty cool.” Maxwell said he would also like to work with RCB captain Virat Kohli, with whom he said he gets along well. “I get along with Virat pretty well. It’ll be certainly nice to work under Virat and will certainly enjoy batting with him - that’s for sure,” Maxwell added.

missed England captain Joe Root (33 off 92 balls) early in the second session on Tuesday to all but end the visitors’ negligible chances of saving the Test in more than two days’ play left. While all-rounder Moeen Ali put up a quickfire 38-run stand with Stuart Broad (5 not out) for the last wicket, he eventually fell to Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, who ended England’s second innings with two wickets. Moeen hit three fours and five sixes in his 18-ball 43. Axar ended up with figures of 5/60, following up on his first innings figures of 2/40. Ashwin took three wickets for 53 runs, squaring off a stellar showing in the Test in which he returned figures of 5/43 in the first innings and scored his fifth century. England had earlier won the first Test at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium by 227 runs. BRIEF SCORES: India 329 and 286 (Ravichandran Ashwin 106, Virat Kohli 62; Moeen Ali 4/98) beat England 134 and 164 (Moeen Ali 43, Joe Root 33; Axar Patel 5/60, Ravichandran Ashwin 3/53) by 317 runs

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Axar 6th Indian spinner to bag 5-wicket haul on Test debut

C h e n na i , F e b 1 6 (IANS): Left-arm spinner Axar Patel on Tuesday became the sixth Indian spinner to take a five-wicket haul on debut in a Test match. The 20-year-old bowler bagged five for 60 runs -- 21-5-60-5 -- to play a lead role in India’s 317run win over England in the second Test at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here. The most recent player to do so was off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who, on his Test debut, against the West Indies in New Delhi in 2011-12 captured six for 47 at the Ferozeshah Kotla. India went on to beat the West Indies by five wickets. The first Indian spinner to take a five-wicket

haul on Test debut was VV Kumar against Pakistan in New Delhi in 1961. He returned figures of 5/64 in the first innings of the match that was drawn. After many years, leftarm spinner Dilip Doshi achieved the feat (6/103) against Australia in Chennai in 1979-80. The match ended in a draw. The leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani, bagged five-wicket hauls in both innings (8/61 and 8/75) against the West Indies, also at same venue in Chennai, in 1987-88, to help India win by 255 runs. And leg-spinner Amit Mishra bagged a fifer (5/71) on debut against Australia in Mohali in 2008-09, before Ashwin’s feat in Delhi. India won by 320 runs.

Foundation stone of India’s ‘largest’ hockey stadium laid Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 (IANS): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of an international hockey stadium in Rourkela in Sundergarh district, which will be India’s largest of its kind when completed. The new stadium named after noted freedom fighter Birsa Munda

will be the 2nd venue for the Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 matches. The stadium spread over 15 acres of land on the Biju Patnaik University of Technology campus will seat over 20,000 spectators, apart from providing them various facilities. “The spirit of hockey is in the soil, air and water of Sundergarh district,

which has now found a place on the world sports map. It is a matter of pleasure that Rourkela city has been nominated for the 2023 hockey World Cup venue,” Patnaik said while addressing a gathering at the BPUT ground. The stadium is adjacent to the Rourkela air strip, from where commercial flights are expected to

start soon. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of astroturfs in all 17 blocks of the district to nurture hockey talent. Patnaik also inaugurated projects entailing an expenditure of Rs 835 crore and laid the foundation stones of various projects worth Rs 4,080 crore.

Chelsea beat Newcastle 2-0 to go 4th

Werner celebrates his goal as he doubled Chelsea’s lead at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

London, Feb 16 (Reuters): Chelsea notched up their fourth league win in a row under new coach Thomas Tuchel on Monday and striker Timo Werner ended his goal drought as the Blues beat Newcastle United 2-0 to leapfrog Liverpool into the Champions League qualifying places. The win pushed the Londoners into fourth place, two points clear of out-ofform champions Liverpool and ahead of fifth-placed West Ham United on goal difference after the Hammers won earlier on Monday. Wer ner, a desolate figure towards the end of Frank Lampard’s time as

Chelsea manager, made no mistake in the 39th minute when the ball fell for him at the far post and he put the hosts 2-0 up with his first league goal since early November. The German also had a big role in Chelsea’s opener eight minutes earlier when he got to the byline and his cross was pushed away by Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow straight to the feet of Oliver Giroud who scored from 10 yards. The France striker had replaced Tammy Abraham who was injured early in the game. Tuchel gave outof-favour goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga his first league start since mid-October after

his erratic form led to his replacement by Edouard Mendy. The Spaniard saved well from a Joe Willock header in the 75th minute but had little else to do against an injury-hit Newcastle and Chelsea kept their fourth clean sheet in five league games under Tuchel. The German coach said after the game that Mendy remained his firstchoice goalkeeper but he had wanted to give Arrizabalaga the chance to recover some of his confidence. Newcastle stay in the last spot above the relegation zone, seven points clear of Fulham in 18th place. Werner’s last Premier

League goal had come on Nov. 7 after which he suffered a run of bad luck and bad finishing which visibly hurt his confidence. When he arrived in London last month, Tuchel told his German compatriot to play a little less wide than he had under Lampard and Werner looked more confident in recent games, creating key goals as Chelsea turned around their season. “Of course for a striker, you always want to score,” Werner told Sky Sports. “I have had in the past a lot of chances, and I missed them... And that’s the important thing for me, that when I keep going, the goals will come like today.”

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