February 18, 2019

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 72

DIMAPUR, monday, february 18, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.0

Constitution in danger if Modi comes back to power: Yechury

Man City through to FA Cup quarters

Zarif accuses Israel, US of seeking war

national, Page 5

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

Traders bandh: Half day closure of shops across Nagaland today as it will be solidarity half day shutter down till noon and not total bandh.

DCCI & EDBA: Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA) have decided to observe half-day shutter down from morning till noon along with Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry .

In this connection DCCI president Akashe Zhimomi and EDBA president Atoka Zhimomi have directed all shops under its jurisdiction to down their shutters from morning till February 18 noon, while medicine shops and educational institutions have been exempted.

Chümoukedima: A joint meeting of Chümoukedima Hindu Society (CHS) headed by its working president, Pintu M Ghosh and Chümoukedima Muslim Committee president Jamal Uddin Choudhary with due consultation of EAC

95 year old electrocuted in Longleng district

Punish guilty cadres involved in heist: ACAUT

LONGLENG, FEB 17 (NPN): In a delayed report, a 95 year old man died on the spot after being electrocuted on February 2 at Sakshi village under Longleng district.

The victim identified as one Mongnyei Phom, former Head GB of Sakshi village under Longleng district reportedly lost control and fell on the 63KV transformer, installed just five feet away from his house, and died on the spot.

The villagers informed this Correspondent that despite several complaints to relocate the transformer to a safer place, there was no positive response from the concerned authorities. They said that since the time the transformer was installed, no safety measures were put in place like erecting a fence around the area.

They also alleged that the lineman, after submitting his joining report last year, was yet to report to work. While pointing out that it was negligence on the part of the department and a clear sign of breach of service rules, the villagers also demanded adequate compensation to the victims’ family at the earliest.

This is it!

“Everybody here has a union. So we decided to form a Beggars’ Union with you as our president”.

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DIMAPUR, FEB 17 (NPN): ACAUT Nagaland has expressed shock at the alleged duping, robbery and kidnapping of Wilson Kenye by combined cadres of different Naga Political Groups (NPGs), and that no action has been taken by their respective groups.

In a press release issued by its chairman Tia Longchar and secretary Hetoi Chishi, the civil society group asserted that such atrocity and unreasonable behaviour was beyond all human reasonable limits, while urging Nagas to seriously ponder as to what kind of a “bizarre and lawless society” was being sought to be created.

“Is this a glimpse of future that is to come? Is this what the Naga have been fighting for decades, a world of Wild West lawlessness where might is the rule?” it questioned.

According to ACAUT, the cadres posing as used-car sellers and robbing Rs 6 lakh from Wilson was the lowest form of business treachery. And to add salt to

said all shops and markets, except medicine sellers will remain shut till 12 noon.

WDCCI: Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WDCCI) president Renponthung Ezung stated that traders in Wokha district will be hoisting black flags in all the shops for one week.

Expressing regret for not being able to join the ‘bharat bandh’, WDCCI said it was a sudden decision to call for a bandh and as such it would be inconvenient for those coming to town for shopping from different villages.

Meanwhile, CAIT president BC Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal reportedly said that the traders will observe a day-long fast and will undertake candlelight marches across different states to pay tribute to martyrs.

Besides, CAIT is also planning to raise funds for the families of the martyred Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans.

DIMAPUR, FEB 17 (NPN): Dimapur Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (DBPF) has welcomed closure of shops and makeshift bazaars on Sundays that had become a matter of concern for believers in the “Christendom State of Nagaland”.

In a meeting held on February 12, DBPF observed that there were many Sunday bazaars spread in different parts of Dimapur and causing inconvenience, especially to Churches located in those vicinities owing to noise and traffic congestion. DBPF expressed appreciation to citizens of Dimapur for cooperating with one another.

DBPF said avoiding selling/buying on Sunday also confirmed the diktat of the Bible-- “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it Holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath to the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:8-10a).

DBPF encouraged everyone to live according to this principle of Christian faith that might seem to be an insignificant concern and yet destroy an individual, church and society in the long run.

DIMAPUR, FEB 17 (NPN): Heeding the call of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to hold a nationwide traders strike (bharat bandh) on February 18 to protest against the terror attack on security forces in Jammu & Kashmir, various trade bodies of Nagaland have decided to observe a half-day shutter down on February 18.

CNCCI: Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) in support of the ‘bharat bandh’ called

by CAIT has decided to observe half day shutterdown on February 18.

In this regard, CNCCI has asked all the district chambers to express their solidarity with the nation and also send out a message that terrorism had no place in society.

According to CNCCI chairman, Dr. Khekugha Muru, pharmacies and educational institutions will be exempted. Further, CNCCI appealed to the public not to be confused

Correspondent

Chümoukedima, Chümoukedima Head GB and Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce and Trade Association unanimously decided to hold a ‘total trade’ bandh on February 18 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In a press note, CHS general secretary Prakash Chetri stated that the bandh is being organised to express solidarity with the nation and families of the martyrs.

The societies have therefore appealed to all other traders under Chüm o u k e d i m a Tow n t o unite and join the bharat bandh.

MCCI: Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has also decided to join the nation-wide traders bandh February 18 to show the solidarity of traders with the nation and families of the martyrs of the deadly Pulwama attack in J&K. In a press note, MCCI president Tsukti Longkumer and general secretary Limalenden Longkumer

DBPF welcomes closure of bazaars, shops on Sundays

the injury, when the victim filed an FIR, he was kidnapped the very next day for another ransom of Rs 6 lakh, it added.

Warning that the “little trading town image” of Dimapur would be shattered if such horrendous practices continued, the ACAUT Nagaland alleged that the ongoing peace talks were taken by most Naga political groups as a license to tax the helpless public.

It further alleged that most Naga political groups were united and truly reconciled only when it came to sharing of taxes as spoils in terms of tenders, wholesaling, coupon-systems and monopolies.

Demanding immediate payment of what rightfully belonged to Wilson and a public apology for the harassment melted out to him, ACAUT applauded him for doing the right thing to stand up for one’s right, adding more citizens should follow his example.

The civil society group further demanded that various

Naga political groups, whose cadres were involved in the heist, should give a befitting punishment to them, while urging the State machinery to exercise its full power to see that such criminals were tried under relevant laws of the land.

ACAUT called upon all right-thinking civil society organisations to condemn such “dastardly double victimisation” of Wilson. It also appealed to chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group to get involved in the matter and see that justice was served.

Public Action Committee (PAC) of the Naga Council Dimapur on Saturday also warned the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) that it will be compelled to take necessary action, as their requests to act against those cadres involved in extortion activities etc. seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

PAC also appealed to the authorities of the respective NPGs to discipline their cadres who were demeaning the cause of the Nagas.

Citizenship Bill in BJP manifesto: Shah

Amit Shah (File)

GUWAHATI, FEB 17 (IANS): BJP will make the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 part of the party manifesto for the next elections and pass it on return to power this year, said BJP national president Amit Shah, here on Sunday. “ We a r e g o i n g t o include the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in our manifesto. It was not only for the northeast, but for all refugees in the country. A lot of people came to different states. Where will they go now? I can assure you that Assam and the northeast will not have to take the burden,” he said. “Only this Bill can secure Assam’s demography and safeguard the identity of the indigenous people,” Shah said Shah slammed the Opposition parties for not presentation of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha and said the

CRPF issues advisory against fake pictures NEW DELHI, FEB 17 (PTI): The CRPF on Sunday cautioned people against “fake pictures” being circulated online of body parts of its 40 jawans killed in the Pulwama attack, the deadliest terrorist strike on security forces in Kashmir Valley in three decades.

“Please DO NOT circulate/ share/like such photographs or posts,” the force said on its official Twitter handle @crpfindia. It also asked people to report any such content by sending an email to webpro@crpf.gov.in.

The paramilitary force issued another advisory on bogus messages being circulated on social media vis-à-vis Kashmiri students based in various places in the country.

“Fake news about harassment of students from Kashmir is being propagated by various miscreants on social media. CRPF helpline has enquired about complaints about harassment and found them incorrect. “These are attempts to invoke hatred. Please DO NOT circulate such posts,” CRPF said in another tweet.

Congress, AGP and Mamata Banerjee were spreading misinformation about it.

“We passed the Bill in the Lok sabha where we had majority. We didn’t have majority in the Rajya Sabha.

But I want to tell the Opposition that don’t be too happy.

The BJP is going to come back to power and the equations in the Rajya Sabha will also change,” Shah said.

“The National Register of Citizens (NRC) was the soul of the Assam Accord.

But the Congress could not introduce the NRC in all these years since 1985.

Our government brought in the NRC, sending a strong message to illegal foreigners. Congress kept the issue of implementing the Clause VI hanging since 1985. But our government has formed a committee to implement it. Once we return to power this year, we will implement the Clause VI on the ground,” Shah said.

Shah was here to take part in the Bhoomi Puja ceremony of the BJP state office.

“Political parties are working to strengthen the country’s democracy in their own way. But among all of them, the BJP is different.

It’s different because the

party has kept the system of internal democracy strong and vibrant. Every three years, we hold democratic elections for positions ranging from booth chief to national President. The BJP is not a dynastic party, but a cadre-based party,” Shah said.

Launching an attack on the Congress, the BJP national President said dynastic political parties cannot develop a nation.

“Many parties in the country have become dynastic parties. When a party becomes dynastic, the owner’s son stakes claim to become the Prime Minister, irrespective of the fact whether he has the merit, experience and patriotism. What matters is that he was born in the family,” Shah said.

“Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi - don’t ask me any further names. In that party, there is no scope for the party workers. These kind of parties cannot develop the country. They can’t fulfil the objectives of the Constitution. That is the reason why there is no development even after one family ruling the country for 55 years,” he said.

Senior state BJP members quit party DMAPUR, Feb 17 (NPN): In a setback for the State BJP unit, 11 senior BJP members including former minister TA Ngullie have quit the party accusing BJP unit president, Temjen Imna Along and secretary (org) Ananta Mishra of functioning in an “authoritarian attitude”.

The members who have quit the party included- former minister and former chairman of political affairs committee TA Ngullie, former vice president of state minority cell Tutiur Rehman Tapadar, former state BJP mahila president Sanuo Ngullie, former state BJP mahila vice president Akhrieno Jamir, former secretaries state BJP mahila-- Phyobeni Ezung and Rani Tapadar, former state mahila executive membersNemla Chang, Bokali Kiho, Vungthunglo Ngullie and Vono Ngullie and former Dimapur district BJP mahila secretary Setsala Phom.

The members alleged that Imna Along and Mishra have left the stet BJP party in total

disarray, ignoring and sidelining all the senior party cadres who had struggled in building up the party from scratch to power.

They also expressed dismay that all their efforts have now go in vain as even the Central leadership has failed to listen to the voices of the most dedicated and committed party workers.

The members said though most of the senior party leaders were unhappy, they chose to remain silent because the central leaders were “shielding and supporting” the state president who has been accused of corruption and cheating, with cases pending before the court.

Therefore, the members felt that it would be morally wrong to remain in the party under such circumstances. “We do not have any moral standing to go to our people for votes,” they added.

The members also warned that many more will be quitting the party if Imna Along and Ananta Mishra continue to lead the party.

NNagaDAO asks Centre to release backlog payment Shrinking prospects for passenger DIMAPUR, FEB 17 (NPN): Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organisations (NNagaDAO) has urged National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) to release the backlog payment of 2015-16 under their targeted intervention (TI) projects.

Pointing out that targeted intervention staff mainly from key population and working as peer educators and outreach workers are solely dependent on salary for their livelihood, the network in a memorandum to Sanjeeva Kumar, additional secretary of Union health & family welfare ministry and director general of NACO and RNTCP, said some of them were no more alive, having died without receiving their dues from NACO/ NSACS (Nagaland State AIDS Control Society).

N N a g a DA O a l s o called for urgent expansion of the laboratory at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima by installing a viral load machine, a monitoring tool to provide quality management system (QMS) and improvement of access to routine viral load testing, besides achieving HIV viral load suppression for timely detection of people living with HIV (PLHIV) eligible for second-line and thirdline anti-retroviral (ARV) treatments.

Seeking revision of entire TI budget with special attention to salary enhancement of staff, PE incentives and chief functionaries’ honorarium, besides replacement of old computers and laptops used in TI projects, the network said frequent shortage of ARV drugs in Nagaland has become a major cause of concern, especially as it was related to the very survival

of PLHIVs. It feared that such shortages could lead to virological failure resulting in ARV drug resistance.

The network, therefore, urged Kumar to do away with “middleman” (CMSS) system and ensure there was no shortage of stock in the future.

Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organisations also demanded immediate implementation of HIV co-infection with HCV prevention and treatment programme supported by global fund across the State.

Mentioning that the Technical Resource Group (TRG) thoroughly deliberated low threshold approach for Oral Substitution Therapy (OST) on March 12, 2018, took cognisance and resolved to introduce a low threshold strategy for take-home dosage of buprenorphine for optimum

uptake and OST retention rate, the memorandum demanded that the TRG’s decision should be honoured and the revised take-home policy of buprenorphine be implemented.

Taking into consideration HIV epidemic in the Northeast and to accelerate achieving the 90-9090 target and the need to strengthen the existing TSU, NNagaDAO also proposed TSU in Nagaland to provide technical expertise to TI and the entire HIV programme in the State.

Alleging that many a times its grievances and concerns were unheard and unattended, the organization also urged the health ministry to setup a grievance redressal system in NACO and NSACSs for key populations and civil societies.

The memorandum was signed by NNagaDAO president Abou Mere.

amenities at Dimapur Railway Stn.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 17 (NPN): While volume of passengers travelling by trains to and from Dimapur is rising and when improvement of passenger facilities and amenities in other states are witnessing far reaching changes; the condition of Dimapur railway station, the second highest revenue earner for Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR), is being held hostage encroachment and constructions.

Over the past decades, Nagaland Post has been highlighting the deficiency at Dimapur railway station on account of encroachment by vested interests on one hand and on the other, unfair treatment to Dimapur railway station

by Northeast Frontier Railways authorities.

Earlier in a recent report, Northeast Frontier Railways sources told Nagaland Post that the much needed expansion for improving Dimapur railway station has been dealt the biggest blow by encroachers.

The railway authorities have alleged that a long drawn court battle pertaining to land encroachment has turned out to be a major bottleneck and halted railway authorities from widening platform number 2 at Dimapur Railway station and building a roof over it.

Much of lands belonging to railways have been leased and today the lessees have pattas provided by the state government.

The railway authorities have also alleged that then Divisional Railway Manger in the early 1960s

had also written a letter to the then principal secretary of Nagaland who had directed the district authorities to look into the matter.

Despite all this, pattas were issued, the railways alleged.

There are around ten mandirs within the precinct of Dimapur railway station and it is baffling as to whether these were permitted for improving passenger facilities. It has been noticed that one particular mandir supposedly constructed some 70 years back is gradually expanding beyond and taking the shape of a big building.

The first storey above the mandir is under construction and it appears that the ultimate use would be either as a residential or commercial premises.

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Kiruphema and Tsiepama organize friendship feast

Thepfülhoucha Kinyü (left) of Kiruphema and Rev.Yagwelie Shüya (right) of Tsiepama speaking at the friendship feast. (NP) Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 17 (NPN): After a gap of 65 years, two Angami villages, Kiruphema and Tsiepama from Kohima and Dimapur districts celebrated the friendship their forefathers shared. To relive their ties, a traditional friendship feast was organized on February 16 at Kiruphema Local Ground (Peducha).

Rev. Yagwelie Shüya of Tsiepama and Thepfülhoucha Kinyü of Kiruphema exhorted the traditional friendship feast and said it was celebrated “so that

the younger generation continue to perpetuate this friendship in its true spirit according to the values and customary practices of our forefathers.”

The feasts had tradition recreational and competitive activities, such as High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, and Feet Jump.

Earlier, the friendship feast began with a prayer by reverends and pastors from both villages followed by a Souvenir release by Kekhrielhouto Nakhro, chief coordinator, IT, NBSE on behalf of Rokoneicha Kuotsu, former minister Nagaland

Legislative Assembly.

Folk ar tistes from both villages presented a song each. The program was chaired by Khrehie Makritsu, convener of the Souvenir Committee and a welcome speech was said by Thepfüyiengu Vielie, chairman KGC. A vote of thanks was delivered by Zhavozo Kuotsu. The feast ended with a traditional bonfire in the evening.

The organizing committee acknowledged all the participants and all attendees for gracing the feast.

state

news in Brief KNSKC 2nd general meeting DIMAPUR: Konyak Npupuh Sheko Khong Chümoukefima (KNSKC) will be holding its 2nd General Meeting at the union treasurer’s residence on February 19, 10 am. All the members have been requested to attend the meeting without fail.

RPI(A) Nagaland launch timing changed DIMAPUR: The launching program for the Republican Party of India (A) Nagaland, scheduled for February 19, 12 pm, has been changed to 10 am due to unavoidable circumstances. The date and venue remains the same.

Clarification DIMAPUR: Apropos the news item published February 17 under the heading “MNK celebrates Nyusho festival,” MNK has clarified that its president’s name should be read as Rieletho Ngouri and not as published.

NPF 3 Dimapur III consultative meeting A press release from NPF unit’s media cell stated that Azheto Zhimomi, who represents the constituency in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, urged the NPF party workers to gear up for the forthcoming elections and work united to ensure victory for the NPF party.

T h e m e e t i n g wa s called in view of the Indian general elections, 2019 expected to be held in April and May 2019 to constitute Azheto Zhimomi, along with NPF party workers during the consultative the 17th Lok Sabha.

The meeting was atmeeting held at NPF Dimapur division office on February 16. tended by office bearers of DIMAPUR: A consulta- Dimapur III Assembly MLA, was held at the NPF the parent body, youth and tive meeting of the Naga Constituency (A/C) led Dimapur division offices women wings and other frontals of Dimapur-III. People’s Front (NPF), 3 by Azheto Zhimomi, NPF on February 16.

Book on Lotha dialect released Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 17 (NPN): Advisor IT, Science and Technology, New and Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon released a book titled “Basic conservation in Lotha Naga dialect”, at DCO conference hall West City, DC Court, Dimapur on February 17. Pastor LBC, Dimapur, Rev. K. Chumben Kyong said a dedicatory prayer for the book before it was released.

Published by Dongphi Chokae Okho (DCO), and complied mostly

by Rev. Dr. Ezamo Murry, the book focuses on preservation of culture, and promotion of Lotha values, etc.

In his speech, Kikon lauded the DCO for their voluntary service and said that releasing a book was a small step but it will have a monumental impact for the Lothas.

He admitted that there might be some errors that need correction in the book. He suggested that instead of criticizing the publisher/authors on these possible errors, the counter narrative or argument should come out in the form of a book.

“We should not take any issue personally, but if there is any issue among us, then it should be deliberated from a neutral position”, he added.

Earlier, Rev. Dr. Ezamo Murry delivered a keynote address and Rev. Moses Murry shared from his experiences on how to preserve traditions and culture.

The launching program chaired

by Abeni Ovung began with an in-

Mock drill at JNV Chukitong DIMAPUR: A training session with a mock drill was conducted at JNV Chukitong under Wokha district on February 12.

The training & mock drill was initiated by the district commandant Home Guards & Civil Defence, Wokha.

According to a DIPR report, during the mock drill, the students were trained on emergency methods of rescue and first aid.

Principal and staff of JNV Chukitong expressed his appreciation for the district commandant for conducting the training and creating awareness in the students.

State BJP holds coordination meet with district presidents DIMAPUR: The State BJP deliberated various issues pertaining to party functioning and adopted several resolutions at a coordination meeting convened by its president Temjen Imna Along with district presidents at his official residence on Saturday.

A press release by the BJP State general secretary, Jaangsillung Gonmei stated that district presidents present in the meeting, endorsed the

PDA gover nment and resolved to strengthen the PDA government to bring about rapid all-round development in the state.

The presidents also extended their full support to deputy chief minister, Y. Patton, state unit president and all the party ministers and advisors with confidence that “they shall take the party to new heights and ensure the welfare of the party workers...” They also beseeched BJP ministers and

advisors to work united for the development and prosperity of all Naga people.

Appreciating the efforts of the PDA government, the district presidents also lauded chief minister Neiphiu Rio and Y Patton for “vigorously undertaking major development works and bringing progress in the state and reviving the hopes of the Naga people.”

At the meeting, the state unit president ap-

pointed acting Peren district BJP president, Tingsangai John Panmei as the president of the district with effect from February 16.

The tenure of all the district presidents will be coterminous with the tenure of the state president, from February 16.

Further, the house vehemently condemned the terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir and demanded immediate and stringent

actions against the inhuman perpetrators.

T h e m e e t i n g wa s attended by all district presidents; organization district presidents; state general secretaries Jaangsillung Gonmei and kavili Achumi; state treasurer Mahesh Kotecha; spokesperson Lanu Akum O; and State IT Convenor, Pronoy Boruah.

The meeting commenced with a prayer by Tuensang District president, T Chongsen.

DFS DABA organizes reunion program

(L):Oldest DFS graduate, L. N. Sashi. (Mid) Christian Education Ministry performing the opening dance of worship. (R) 68 year old Temjen Aier playing guitar for the worship team. (NP) Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 17 (NPN): Duranno Father School (DFS), Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA) held its reunion program at DABA Church on February 17.

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L. N. Sashi (88), speaking at the reunion program, urged the gathering to not forsake the promises and commitment to God. He expressed hopes and prayed that the DFS would not only be a school for a single tribe, but for the Nagas as a whole.

Two delegates from Korea, director of Korea FS, Seong Wan Choi, and director, Overseas FS, Oh Chang Jee, also spoke during the program, where they both said they were delighted with the response and the activities carried out in Nagaland for the Father

Schools. Choi mentioned that the Father School was not created through an idea or imagination of the human mind, but through God’s plan. He stated that FS originated in the year 1995 in Korea, and now covers more than 69 countries worldwide, with more

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

than 3,50,000 graduates.

Rev. Imly Jamir shared a report of their visit to Korea, where he mentioned that he along with one member attended the FS program for three days. He also stated that altogether, 22 countries attended the program in Korea.

Earlier, Christian Education Ministry opened the program with a worship dance. A number of songs were presented by different groups and individuals, including a play presented by the DABA Youth Ministry Drama club.

A welcome address was delivered by pastor, DABA, Rev. I. Wati Jamir.

In his introductory speech, he stated that FS started at DABA on September, 2014, and as of now, there are 2354 FS graduates in Nagaland. He also stated that for 2019, they will conduct nine FS -- three of them in DABA Church The praise and worship session was led by the Father School Worship Team. The program ended with a vote of thanks by Rev Wati Kichu and a candle light service.

NNC calls general meeting DIMAPUR: The Naga National Council (NNC) has convened a general meeting at Oking for March 7, 10 am to determine the future leadership of NNC. NNC Information & Publicity Wing, in a press note said the most important deliberation “will be the future stand of right political decision for the cause of Naga people’s freedom.”

It is compulsory for all executive council members, regional council members, women federation officials, Naga army officials, and sub-regional council members to attend the general meeting.

Loaded timber vehicles banned in Peren Town

Mmhonlumo Kikon releasing the book in Dimapur on February 17. (NP) vocation by Rev. Kaifa Ezung. W. Chenithung Humtsoe delivered an introductory and welcome address.

A special number was performed

by Mhathung Patton and the program concluded with a benediction by catechist, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Dimapur, M. John Humtsoe after a vote of thanks by N. Jacob Yanthan.

The DCO was formed in 2008 and has been engaged in social activities to uplift the Lotha community. It also aims to provide a platform for talented Lothas.

DIMAPUR: Loaded log vehicles have been banned from plying on the main town road --Kipeuzang junction to Zero Point -- in Peren Town. The vehicles have been directed take the alternative route leading to Zero Point via Heragizang.

According to recording secretary Keddy Thou, this was decided in a joint meeting of the GB Union, Ward Chairmen Union, Peren Town Youth Organisation, and Peren Town Women Welfare Organisation, held on February 13, at Head GB Hall.

Failing to comply with this order, the vehicle along with the timber will be seized and necessary action will be taken.

Kohima Smart City: An app to monitor SWM vehicles

The GPS enabled Solid Waste Management Vehicle Mobile App being launched in Kohima on February 16. (DIPR) DIMAPUR: A mobile app that will allow citizens to track movement and speed of Solid Waste Management (SWM) vehicles was launched in Kohima on February 16. Citizens/users can also get alerts on their mobile phones when the vehicle approaches waste collection points.

A DIPR report stated that the Adoption Committee for 8 Western Angami Assembly Constituency under Kohima District Planning and Development Board 2018-19, adopting

Midland Ward, launched the Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled Solid Waste Management Vehicle Mobile App. It was launched by 8 Western Angami MLA and advisor of Ward Adoption Committee, Keneizhakho Nakhro, in the presence of CEO Smart City Dev. Corp.

Ltd, Kovi Meyase and Ward Panchayat members at APO Building, Kohima.

The pilot project is being initiated by the Ward Adoption Committee in collaboration with KSCD

Ltd. The mobile app is expected to enhance management efficiency and easy accessibility to Solid Waste Management (SWM) vehicles which will directly interface with citizens on smart phones.

The Adoption Committee has urged denizens of the ward to utilize the service for better efficiency and provide relevant feedback for this pilot project which will be replicated to other wards under the Kohima Smart City project if it proves successful.

ARC Ahthibung conducts cleanliness drive

DIMAPUR: Ahthibung Region Club (ARC) carried out a cleanliness drive at public ground Ahthibung town on February 15.

A press release from ARC vice chairman, Henpu Kuki stated that post the Mimkut festival, the ground had remained un-cleared and polythene bottles (nearly 1500), and wrappers were littering the ground.

Ahthibung Region Club members gathered for the cause and cleaned the ground up. Considering the importance of sanitation and hygiene, the ARC came forward to conduct the drive.

It said that even in the future, the club will carry-on with such initiatives.

Six youth members of the ARC club contributed two hours to clean the public ground.

WC reacts to NNC CRC statement

D I M A P U R : Wo r k i n g Committee (WC) of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has termed the statement of Chakhesang Region Council (CRC) of NNC as “too narrow and bereft of facts, arguably an opinion of some misguided elements”.

Referring to the statement issued by the group post a meeting held at Chozubami village on February 12, the committee in a press release said the group got it all wrong. WC asserted that the decision by NNC, CRC as to who could be a Chakhesang and who could not was an insult to the great Chakhesang pride in the context of the Naga national movement.

The release claimed

that WC of NNPGs transcended region, tribe or community as it owed its existence to all Naga tribes.

“WC NNPGs from the very beginning of the political negotiations with Government of India has clearly laid out the agreed principle signed on November 17, 2017 on which the talks would be based. In it, the essence and spirit of Naga plebiscite of May 16, 1951 is clearly retained and entrenched,” it added.

WC asserted that negotiations between New Delhi and NNPGs were between two entities – Nagas and Indians – and that it had the solidarity and prayer support of all Nagas, adding seven NNPGs were involved in the talks on

behalf of the Nagas. Claiming that Chakhesang leaders were among the most vocal in the negotiating table, the committee said statements that did not conform to reality should be avoided at this juncture.

Mentioning that it was not right for a few members from the Chakhesang community calling themselves NNC, CRC and seeking to malign and demean the great contribution of the community in the Naga political struggle, WC declared that none should attempt to “belittle the enormous responsibility admirably being discharged” by esteemed Chakhesang leaders in the ongoing dialogue between the NNPGs and Government of India.

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nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Will world condemnation of Pakistan for Pulwama terror attack be enough?

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

A B C

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A

B

Yes No Can’t say

C

12% 84% 4%

Next poll

Q: Does it matter now

if the NLA takes up the issue of resolution against the CAB?  Yes  No  Can’t say

WEATHER FORECAST February 18

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Clouds and sun

28 14

Aizawl

Times of sun and clouds

Guwahati A stray afternoon shower Imphal

Clouds and sun; nice

Itanagar A little a.m. rain; clearing

21 10 24 14 22 8 16 12

Shillong

A couple of afternoon shower 14 5

Kohima

Partly sunny

17 5

Dimapur Partly sunny; delightful

24 10

Mkg

A stray afternoon t-shower

Tuensang A passing shower; cooler Wokha

Clouds and sun; cooler

Zunheboto Partly sunny

19 7 10 2 15 10 16 5

Disagreement hampering growth of Sumis: Khehovi

DIMAPUR: H. Khehovi Yepthomi, advisor for Tourism, Art and Culture lamented that differences of opinion on all issues had caused a major split in the Sumi Churches which, he said, was now hampering the Sumis in all spheres and in their spiritual growth.

A press release from Sumi Christian Centre Aizuto (SCCA) media cell stated that Khehovi said this while speaking at the 7th Sumi Missionary Kuposhukulu (SMK) at SCCA on February 17.

H. Khehovi recalled how the people of Aizuto were revered and honoured and said that the name Aizuto itself evoked peace and

H. Khehovi Yepthomi.

reverence among those who heard about it. He therefore urged Sumi missionaries to kneel down, stoop lower than before, in order to bring the Sumis under one umbrella through God’s word.

Khehovi appealed to

both the Sumi Churches to realize how the Churches were being economically crippled. He urged Sumi missionaries to focus their attention on the promise of sending ten thousand missionaries from Nagaland, proclaimed by the NBCC and asked Sumi missionaries to be a part of the promise with dedication and commitment.

The advisor also sympathized with the missionaries and wondered how they had been surviving and giving their best to the service of God with meagre salaries and allowances. In this regard, he promised to offer his best possible support as long as he was alive.

NPAD to purchase land for its office

DIMAPUR: The Nagaland Pensioners’ Association Dimapur (NPAD) will purchase a plot of land near Sr. Treasury office, Dimapur to set up a permanent office.

Rs. 500 from life pensioners and Rs. 399 from family pensioners will be collected (one-time) at the earliest for this purpose.

According to a press release from NPAD secretary,

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

CD Krome, this was among three decisions taken at its annual general meeting on January 21, at Lotha Hoho Ki under the chairmanship of NPAD president, I Meren Longchar.

During the meeting, retired director of Geology and Mining, SK Kenye was also unanimously elected as the new president along with eight executive members for

Pulwama attack: Candle light vigil at NU DIMAPUR: Nagaland U n ive r s i t y S t u d e n t s ’ Union (NUSU) Lumami (L) in collaboration with EUNU (L) held a candle light prayer vigil at old Cafeteria, NU lumami campus on February 17, to condemn the horrific Pulwama terror attack on CRPF personnel.

A press release from NUSU (L) information and publicity secretary, Suraj Kumar stated that NUSU (L) president, K. Buche Khiamniungan hoped and prayed that the government would leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice and give a befitting reply to those behind the attack.

He further appealed to all political parties to put their political differences aside and unite in this hour of crisis. The union and all the students

Students of NU (L) praying for those martyred in Pulwama, and for their families on February 17.

of NU in general, offered prayers and condolences for the bereaved families of the dead and injured.

M e a n w h i l e, t h e NUSU (L) also congratulated the different state governments of the North

East, civil bodies and organizations and the people for their tireless efforts against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016.

The union expressed hope that the Government of India would not adopt

measures which will jeopardize the interests of the region. The union put forth an assurance that it would always oppose anything that could jeopardize stability in the region even in the days to come.

the tenure (2019-2021).

NPAD also resolved to inform all pensioners to immediately make ID cards as per the directions of the government of Nagaland in order to check bogus pensioners.

At the meeting, an audit report for the period of 2018 to 19 was also presented and approved by the house.

First Campus Bird Count event in Nagaland

Organisers of the Campus Bird Count program, along with students of Montfort School, Baghty, on February 16.

DIMAPUR: A first ever Campus Bird Count in Nagaland was done at Montfort School, Baghty, Wokha district on February 16.

A press release from Montfort School Baghty media cell stated that Cam-

pus Bird Count, a national event runs through February 15 to 18, is held every year. This is the first time that a campus from Nagaland registered for the event.

At the program in

Wokha, Onenjunghi Ao, photographer, Nagaland Forest Department, briefed the students on facts and importance of birds and their conservation. Lansothung Lotha, range forest officer, Baghty range, introduced

students to the Campus Bird Count event, GBBC and classroom birding.

Besides bird watching, the events at Montfort School included a quiz competition and classroom birding where digital media was used a means to identify birds, and to teach students the importance of birds and bird watching.

The program was organised by Baghty Range under Wokha Forest Division in collaboration with eBird India, Bird Count India and Greenhumour.

Organizers also thanked Zuthunglo Ezung, DFO, Wokha for her valuable guidance in organising the event. Altogether, 40 students participated in the program.

Concerned citizens of Dimapur paid ‘Shraddhanjali’ to the Pulwama terror attack victims, on February 15 at Westyard Colony. Many prominent figures of Dimapur, members of charitable organizations, and NGOs of Dimapur town were also present to pay homage to the victims and express solidarity with the bereaved families. (Hindu Yuva Sangha)

More than 6000 people attended a candle light service organized by Dimapur 24/7 and Sweet Club at Bata Char Ali, Deluxe Point, Dimapur in solidarity with jawans martyred in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The service was followed by a peaceful march that culminated at Dhobinala. (NP)

State team at international agriculture conference

DIMAPUR: A team of officials from Nagaland attended an international conference on ‘Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services: Innovation to Impact’ from February 12 to 14 at National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad organized by MANAGE in collaboration with Michigan State University (MSU).

A press release from deputy PD, ATMA Phek, Dr. Keviu Shuya stated that subject matter experts and extension specialist from Michigan State University, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Uganda, Australia and all over India participated in the conference. The program comprised of presentations and panel discussions.

The conference was aimed at brain-

storming innovations in agricultural extension the world over, and share approaches that are successful.

The team from Nagaland was led

by Dr. I. Amenla, director SAMETI, Nagaland & principal IETC, Medziphema along with Bodevi Shuya, DAO & PD ATMA, Kohima and Dr. Keviu Shuya deputy PD ATMA Phek.

USLP coordination meeting held

Correspondent

KIPHIRE, FEB 17 (NPN): The United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) held its coordination meeting for Kiphire division at Hopongkyu Memorial Hall in Kiphire on February 14.

The meeting was attended by village Hd. GBs, council chairmen, VDB secretaries, Sangtam political leaders, USSC, AST, ENWO representatives, ENPO representatives, GBs of Kiphire Town and former USLP office bearers.

At the meeting, Longdiba L. Sangtam, SDO(C) Kiphire Hq. said the cultural heritage and history of Sangtams had to be protected. This would, he

said, not only enlighten the present generation about their roots but also help the next generation learn about their forbearers.

Congratulating the USLP for leading the Sangtams, he maintained that the organization, as one of the most powerful Sangtam organizations, plays a unique role in shaping and moulding the future of Sangtams.

Longdiba was of the view that such coordination meetings should be held on a regular basis where Sangtam intellectuals could gather and deliberate important issues confronting the tribe.

Also speaking at the meeting, Setsacho Sang-

tam, secretary, GBs & DBs Joint Forum Kiphire district said the USLP was the gate keeper for the Sangtams in every sphere of their lives. He asked USLP to resolutely protect the welfare of Sangtams assuring it of the GBs full support.

Welcoming the gathering, USLP president, Seopi Sangtam said the coordination meeting was organised to help better communication and interaction between the public and the organization.

More such meetings will be held on a regular basis, he added. The house reaffirmed their full support and cooperation with the USLP.

Hegui Pame being ordained by (L-R) Rev. C. Bendang, Rev. Alem jamir, Rev. Bailei Phom, at Zeliangrong Baptist Church on February 17, in Dimapur. (NP) K Y M C

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northeast

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Won’t let Assam turn into another Kashmir: Shah

Guwahati, Feb 17 (Agencies/PTI): BJP chief Amit Shah on Sunday said that Modi-led government at the Centre will not allow Assam to become another Kashmir and that is why it has brought about the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Saying that the NRC had been brought in to identify infiltrators, he said, the BJP will rid Assam of all such aliens by deporting them, Hindustan Times reported.

“We won’t let Assam become another Kashmir, this is our commitment.

We’ll repeat the NRC exercise as many times as required to, but we’ll identify and deport each infiltrator from Assam,” Shah said while addressing a public rally at North Lakhimpur in Assam. Shah criticised the Congress and its former ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and said both the parties had done nothing to implement the Assam Accord despite ruling most of the period since the pact

because there is no Congress government at the Centre. It is BJP government and the Narendra Modi government will not compromise on any security issue,” he added.

Amit Shah (PTI)

was signed in 1985.

Referring to the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which the Centre couldn’t present in Rajya Sabha, he said misinformation was being spread as if it was only for Assam and other parts of the Northeast.

“It was not for Northeast alone, but for all refugees across the country. The way demography is changing in Assam, without the Citizenship Bill, the people of the state will be in danger,” he added.

He also spoke about the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed in a suicide bombing on Thursday. “This cowardly act was done by Pakistani terrorists. Their (jawans’) sacrifices will not go in vain,

Congress cannot nurture country’s democracy

Launching a blistering attack on the Congress over its dynastic politics, BJP president Ami Shah Sunday said the opposition party cannot nurture the country’s democracy and fulfil its objectives.

Naming Congress leaders from the Nehru-Gandhi family, Shah said the oldest party of the country does not have “internal” democracy.

Taking a dig at the Congress, he said that the party, which does not have “internal democracy”, cannot strengthen the country’s democracy. “That is why, only one family ruled the country for 55 years...

Nehru-Gandhi family of the Congress ruled these 55 years. But what has the country got?” Shah said.

Two senior BJP leaders join Cong in Arunachal I ta nag a r , F e b 1 7 (PTI): Two senior BJP leaders Saturday returned to the Congress’ fold ahead of the elections, three years after joining the saffron party.

The fresh blow to the BJP came within a month of former chief minister Gegong Apang’s quitting the saffron party, citing unhappiness with its functioning.

The former state ministers -- Atum Welly and Tatar Kipa -- resigned from the primary membership of the BJP and joined the Congress at a function organised at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here.

The two senior BJP leaders alleged that the saffron party was not following norms and procedures in selecting candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls.

Both Welly and Kipa, in similar letters to state BJP president Tapir Gao on Thursday, said that they were tendering their resignations from both the primary and active memberships of the party and from all portfolios assigned to them.

179 Nepalese trafficking victims sent home

Correspondent/IANS

a counsellor of the Nepalese Embassy. Adhikari appreciated the state police, customs officials and NGOs for their active role in rescuing the youth who were victims of trafficking. Their united efforts have able to save the youth from reaching the hands of traffickers, he added.

Police said some of them were intercepted at Imphal International Airport while others were picked up from bus stands and hotels in the city.

Meanwhile, according

to IANS, officials said three persons have been arrested in this connection.

Police said it was not the first such incident.

Some Rohingya girls have also been rescued in the recent past. Some girls from Manipur had been trafficked to other states and countries on the pretext of education, training and employment.

The Social Welfare Department in an advisory has cautioned people from falling prey to assurances of lucrative education and employment.

Will make Sikkim a carbon neutral state: Pawan Chamling Ga n g tok , F e b 1 7 (IANS): Terming Sikkim as one of the "cleanest and greenest" states in the country, Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling on Sunday said if he is returned to power, his government will strive to make the state carbon neutral.

"With the efforts of the current government and the people of the state, Sikkim has been declared as an organic state in 2016.

It is one of the cleanest and greenest state in the nation.

In future, we will make the state carbon neutral," he said in his speech on the concluding day of the three-day SAATHI (Sikkim Against Addiction Towards Healthy

India) annual meet here.

The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) chief said while the ecological balance is getting disturbed across the globe due to deforestation, the forest cover in Sikkim has increased under his government.

"Nowhere in the world is the forest cover increasing. But in Sikkim, it has increased by four percent...

This is a world record. "Unlike many other states like Delhi and Punjab where too much chemicals are used on the fields, the cereals and vegetables in Sikkim are completely chemical-free and organic. We have achieved a remarkable success in this regard," he said.

Sikkim announces Rs 3 lakh each for families of Pulwama martyrs

Gangtok, Feb 17 (IANS): Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Sunday announced Rs 3 lakh each for the families of the 49 CRPF personnel who were killed in the Pulwama terror attack last Thursday.

“My tributes to the martyred soldiers and deepest condolences to their families. The Sikkim government announces Rs 3 lakh for each of the bereaved families,” he said while addressing the annual Sikkim Against Addiction Towards Healthy India (SAATHI) meet here.

Hello aMbO Many many happy returns of the day, wishing you blessed happy birthday.

May our Almighty God bless you with best thing in your life. Once again happy birthday.

With prayer ToLi & aToKi Dearest Sam(Heaven) I wish you a day filled with great fun and a year filled with true happiness!

Let yourself do everything that you like most in life, may your Big Day be cheerful and happy! Wishing you the abundance of fun and glory, Happy Birthday! May this day be so happy that smile never fades away from your face. Glad to have you in my life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY With Love, The Unknown

Arrest of youth sparks protest in Manipur

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 17: The arrest of a youth sparked a protest in Manipur’s Thoubal district where residents imposed a blockade along Imphal-Moreh section of NH-102 on Sunday. The residents alleged that the youth was picked up by police for allegedly taking a lead role in the recent antiCAB protests agitations.

Thangjam Charles Meitei (35) son of Th Shamo was arrested by police on Sunday morning. He was later released at around 3 pm. Soon after his release, the blockade was also suspended. Talking to reporters, a woman leader warned that people of the area will be compelled to launch serious forms of agitations in the event of such arrests.

2 arrested with drugs in Imphal Imphal, Feb 17 (PTI): Two people were arrested in separate incidents by Narcotics and Affairs of Border Police at Imphal International Airport Saturday for allegedly trying to smuggle out drugs.

NAB sleuths seized 7.75 kg of opium from the baggage of a Madhya Pradesh resident who was to board an IndiGo flight for New Delhi. In another incident, a Manipuri resident was arrested after one kg of brown Showing solidarity with the rest of the Nation Yuva Sanstha Club took out a candle march sugar was recovered from his rally from Lahorijan I. B. Complex to Nagaland Gate via Line Hotel to condemn the cowardly baggage. act of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir where more than 40 CRPF Jawans were killed.

DC-223

IMPHAL, Feb 17: Nepalese human trafficking victims numbering 179, mostly girls, recently rescued in Manipur, were handed over to the Nepal Embassy in Imphal on Sunday.

In a recent crackdown against human traffickers, Manipur police along with officials of the state social welfare department and NGOs rescued the 179 youth including 147 girls and 32 boys from Nepal from various hotels and

rented houses in Imphal and Moreh, Manipur border town at the Indo-Myanmar border. The victims had been lured with false promises of employment in various countries. They were to be taken to Myanmar.

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh handed over the 179 Nepali citizens to officials of the Nepal Embassy at a simple function held in Imphal’s Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium today.

They were sent off in eight buses under the supervision of Pravash Adhikari,

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

Rahul Gandhi insulted India’s intelligence: Goyal

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi over his dig at the Make in India programme after Vande Bharat train experienced trouble during its initial run, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the Congress president has insulted India’s intelligence and hardwork by mocking the initiative.

After the semi-high speed train ran into trouble early Saturday, Gandhi tweeted, “Modi ji, I think Make in India needs a serious rethink. Most people feel it has failed. I assure you we in the Congress are thinking very deeply about how it will be done.”

In a quick response, Goyal tweeted, “Such a shame that you choose to attack the hard work and ingenuity of Indian engineers, technicians and labourers. It is this mindset which needs a reset. ‘Make In India’ is a success and a part of crores of Indian lives. Your family had 6 decades to think, wasn’t that enough?”

In a Facebook post Sunday, Goyal further said Gandhi has “insulted” India’s intelligence and the hardworking engineers of railways who have put in backbreaking effort to build the country’s first indigenous semi-high speed train,

Piyush Goyal (File) the Vande Bharat Express.

“Somebody who was unable to explain why Engineers Day is celebrated, he insulted the hardworking engineers of railways who have put in backbreaking effort to build India’s first indigenous semi-high speed train, the Vande Bharat Express. Rather than encouraging them, he has taunted them,” he said.

“Vande Bharat Express is developed and designed in India whereas earlier designs (ICF, LHB) were imported. It costs less than half of the cost to import a similar train. It has set the highest standards in Railways & is already fully booked for the next two weeks,” he said.

Escalating the attack on Gandhi, Goyal said the modern coach factory in Rae Bareli, which is Lok Sabha constituency of his mother and Congress leader

Sonia Gandhi, is a live example of how Congress makes empty promises.

Sharing the details of the turnaround of modern coach factory in Rae Bareli, Goyal said its foundation stone was laid in February 2007 but the construction began only in May 2010.

The factory was slated to produce 1,000 coaches.

However, only 375 coaches were “refurbished” between 2011 to 2014 during the Congress-led UPA regime whereas it should have been fully manufacturing coaches.

As the prime minister said it only painted coaches and tightened screws during the period, Goyal said.

“In August 2014, it finally started production of fully formed coaches. Since then it has doubled production almost every year: 140 coaches in 2014-15, 285 in 2015-16, 576 in 2016-17, 711 in 2017-18. We hope to produce 1,422 coaches in 2018-19,” Goyal said in the post.

He underlined that the turnaround of modern coach factory in Rae Bareli required a change from the “pessimistic mindset inculcated by Rahul Gandhi’s family”, which the Prime Minister Narendra Modiled government has done so successfully.

national

5 Pulwama terror attack 4 Kashmiris Constitution in danger if Modi from comes back to power: Yechury will be avenged: Naqvi suspended Jaipur institute

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (File) Lucknow, Feb 17 (PTI): Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Sunday the Narendra Modi government has “broken the backbone” of terrorists as he asserted that the “cowardly” Pulwama terror attack will be avenged.

“National security is most important and there cannot be any compromise on this. Neither can there be any soft posturing. The cowardly act will be avenged,” Naqvi told reporters here, referring to the recent terror attack in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

“In the more than fourand-half years of the Modi government, the backbone of terrorists has been broken. Since the formation of BJP government at the Centre, barring some places in Kashmir, there have been no terror attack,” the Union minister said. Citing Sankat Mochan temple (Varanasi), Mecca Masjid (Hyderbad) and Lucknow, he claimed

that earlier there were no places where terror attack had not taken place.

“But, during the tenure of the Modi government, the terrorists have not been able to strike,” he said.

The minister said the Pulwama terror attack that took place last Thursday is “unforgivable” and those responsible for the strike will not be spared.

“The Prime Minister has already made his intentions clear in very strong words. We are not going to compromise with those responsible for the terror attack, those who give them patronage or those who sponsor them. They will not be spared,” Naqvi said.

He referred to the government actions in the aftermath of the deadly terror strike. “The Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status accorded to Pakistan (by India) has been withdrawn.

The process of reining in separatist forces, who sing praises of Pakistan, while staying in India, has also started,” Naqvi said.

The security cover of six separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was withdrawn Sunday.

To a question whether the Lok Sabha elections would be postponed in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, the Union minister said the poll process and the terror strike are separate issues.

Jaipur/Simla, Feb 17 (AGENCIES): Four female paramedical students of Kashmiri-origin were suspended from a private institute in Jaipur and later booked for allegedly celebrating the Pulwama terror attack by posting “anti-national” messages on an instant messaging app, officials said on Sunday.

The second-year students of the National Institute of Medical Science (NIMS), were suspended for posting on WhatsApp a picture in which they were purportedly seen celebrating the terrorist attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.

The picture soon went viral, prompting the university administration to take action.

In the suspension order, the NIMS registrar said,”You have posted an anti-national message on your WhatsApp for celebrating killing of Pulwama terrorist attack martyrs.

The university will not tolerate and strictly condemns such activities. The act is grave and serious in nature.”

Later, a case was registered against the four students following a complaint by the university administration, a police official said.

Sitaram Yechury (File) Kasargod, Feb 16 (PTI): The return of Narendra Modi to power will be the “death knell” of all the constitutional institutions in India, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Saturday.

He was speaking here at the inauguration of the northern region ‘Kerala Samrakshana Yatra’ which will be led by CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran and will highlight the “failures” of the central government.

“Return of Narendra Modi to power will be the death knell of all the constitutional institutions in India.

As of now, an attack has been launched against them.

It will result in creating a wide gap between the rich and the poor in the society,” Yechury said. Speaking about the Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, he said it should not be communalised for political gains.

“The Kashmir attack

should be seen as a terrorist attack. The attack should not be communalised considering the religion of the terrorist and used for political gains. The country should stand together against terrorism,” the CPI(M) leader said. Yechury also said the Sabarimala issue is not going to have an impact on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He said in West Bengal, both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP are political rivals of the communist party.

“The massive rally of the CPI(M) in Bengal shows our clout there but Trinamool was not allowing people to vote there. We have not made any deals with the Congress party, but the aim is to oust the Narendra Modi government. (We) will take decisions accordingly. The main aim is to defeat the BJP candidates,” Yechury said, addressing thousands of Left Democratic Front (LDF) workers.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the LDF has organised two regional yatras in the state.

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan began his march from the southern district of the state -- Thiruvananthapuram -- on Thursday and it was inaugurated by CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy. Both the marches will conclude on March 2 in Thrissur.

PM dedicates Rs 33k crore projects to Bihar Security of 5 J&K separatist leaders withdrawn Barauni/Patna, Feb 17 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 33,000 crore in Bihar, including the longawaited Patna Metro Rail Project.

Laying the foundation stone of the metro project through a remote at a function at Barauni in Begusarai district, Modi said, “I congratulate the people of Patna, because Pataliputra (the ancient name of Patna) is now connected to the metro rail.”

Modi said the Rs 13,000 crore metro project is being developed in keeping with the future needs of the people. The metro projects will give new speed

Narendra Modi (File) to Patna city, he said. The prime minister inaugurated the first phase of River Front Development at Patna and the Patna City Gas Distribution project.

Modi laid the foundation stone for medical colleges at Chhapra and Purnea and also for the upgradation of the government medical colleges at Bhagalpur and

Gaya. He said the NDA government was giving a lot of importance to the health sector and the day is a historic one in terms of health services in Bihar.

While Chapra and Purnea will now have medical colleges, the ones in Bhagalpur and Gaya would have upgraded facilities.

Modi also said that work is going on for establishing another All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state besides the existing one in Patna.

Modi laid the foundation stone for the Karmalichak Sewerage Network spanning 96.54 km. Works related to sewage treatment plants at Barh, Sultanganj and Naugachia were also kicked off by the PM. He also laid the

foundation stone for 22 Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) projects at various locations of the state.

The prime minister said his government was giving a lot of importance to connectivity. At the function, he flagged off the Ranchi-Patna AC Weekly Express and inaugurated the electrification of railway lines on the BarauniKumedpur, MuzaffarpurRaxaul, Fatuha-Islampur and Biharsharif-Daniawan sectors. The prime minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of a number of projects in the oil and gas sector and said they will significantly augment the availability of energy in Patna city and the region.

Jammu, Feb 17 (IANS): The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Sunday evening withdrew the security cover provided to five separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.

“The security cover of five separatist leaders -- Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, professor Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Ahmad Shah -- has been withdrawn,” confirmed state government sources.

In line with the decision taken earlier in the day, armed guards, vehicles and other facilities to the separatists were withdrawn towards the evening, added the sources.

Sunday’s move comes after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his

Congress must play role of ‘elder brother’ in grand alliance: Soren Jharkhand is based on a larger mutual goal of building a socially inclusive, propeople and welfare-focused government which prioritises the rights and entitlements of the marginalised,” the leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly said.

To ensure the country does not face further onslaught on its constitutional values, secularism, democratic principles and governance, the entire Opposition should stand united against the “fake jumla programmes” of the BJP, said Hemant Soren, son of JMM president Shibu Soren.

“I do strongly believe that all regional parties will give due importance to these issues and as reiterated by all senior leaders at the rally in Kolkata, a grand alliance against the BJP is a natural call of the day,” he said.

Soren said a nationwide grand alliance is shaping up and the country has seen the strength it can gather at the ‘United India’ rally in January.

“Across the country, the regional parties have taken an active role in shaping up (the grand alliance).

Mamata Didi, Chandrababu Naidu ji, Tejashwi, Sharad Pawar ji, Deve Gowda ji have all come forward to ensure we work towards a common goal,” the 43-yearold leader said.

and Kashmir authorities’ move, the Hurriyat Conference on Sunday said they had never sought security cover.

“The government had decided on its own to provide security to separatist leaders which was never demanded in the first place,” the Hurriyat Conference led

by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said in a statement.

“Mirwaiz Umer Farooq in fact said many times during his Friday sermons that he wanted withdrawal of the security cover.

“The decision to withdraw security will neither change the stand of separatist leaders nor affect the situation on the ground,” the statement added.

DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANJAN)

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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Regional Conference on Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) in Kolkata DP-1198

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): Having sealed an alliance with the Congress for the Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand, JMM working president Hemant Soren on Sunday said a grand alliance is the “call of the day” to take on the BJP in the polls and the Congress must play the role of an elder brother in the “family”.

The former Jharkhand chief minister asserted that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress have put the acrimony of a past split behind them and aligned with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) for the Lok Sabha as well as the assembly polls in the state this year.

“Collectively, it has been decided after the meeting with Rahul Gandhi ji that the Congress will contest more number of seats in the Lok Sabha polls and the JMM will contest the lion’s share of seats in the 2019 Jharkhand Assembly elections,” he told PTI in an interview.

Soren said the leadership of alliance partners is in constant touch with him, giving final touches to the seat-sharing formula for both the elections, and the arrangement will be formalised “very soon”.

“Our alignment with the Congress along with JVM (P) and RJD in

visit to the Kashmir valley on Friday, said that security provided to those who received money from Pakistan would be reviewed.

Shah is currently in custody in Delhi after being arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Srinagar on July 26, 2017, in connection with a terror funding case.

Security personnel were, however, deployed outside his residence in Srinagar where his family resides.

Senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Muhammad Yasin Malik were not provided any security cover by the state government.

Reacting to the Jammu

Venue : The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata, Great Ball Room, 1, 2, 3 Old Court House Street, Dalhousie Square, Kolkata, West Bengal SALIENT FEATURES

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF INDUSTRIES & COMMERCE email: industrynaga@gmail.com, e-fax: 08468825666 www.industry.nagaland.gov.in

NOTIFICATION Dated Kohima, the 16th February, 2019 No.IND/ESTT/APPT-GEN/550/2015: In continuation to this office advertisement of even number dated 6th December, 2018, it is hereby informed to all eligible candidates that the Screening Test/Interview for 1(one) post of Digester Man(HMP) Grade IV and 1(one) post of Office Peon Grade IV will be held on 20th February, 2019 at 11.A.M in the office chamber of Director of Industries & Commerce.

List of rejected candidates have been displayed in the Directorate Office Notice Board as well as Department’s website.

All eligible candidates must bring necessary documents in original and submit before the Departmental Screening Committee for verification. Failing to bring necessary documents in original on the day of Interview shall be treated as disqualified.

All eligible candidates are instructed to report to the Office of the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Kohima for collection of their admit cards from 18th - 19th February, 2019 during office working hours. Failing to collect Admit Cards during the stipulated period will be debarred from appearing the said examination.

Sd/( Er. S. Temsulong Jamir ) Director of Industries & Commerce DC-221

Date : 18th February, 2019 from Time: 11:00 AM onwards

Issued by DIPR

Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) provides financial support to voluntary organization working for rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in areas of intervention, special education and community support etc.  The Scheme has been revised and financial assistance has been enhanced to 2.5 times.  The project implementing agencies shall now be entitled to 90% of the admissible grant-in-aid. In case of special areas (specified in the scheme), 100% shall be allowed.  The online portal for submitting the application has been simplified.  Processing the applications and sending of recommendations by the State Government have been simplified.

The detailed information of the scheme is available on the website of this Department www.disabilityaffairs.gov.in

davp 38117/13/0118/1819

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXIX NO. 72 Dimapur, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

Unravelling of a deal

D

espite the best efforts of the CAG to save the Modi government over its controversial Rafale deal, more questions arise because of improper audit of the Rafale deal where the report instead ends up exposing the Modi government’s falsehoods. The CAG report was tabled on the last day of the sitting of parliament February 13. The CAG audited 11 capital acquisition contracts starting from 2012-13 to 2017-18 worth approximately Rs 95,000 crore- including the Modi government’s controversial procurement contract for 36 Rafales from Dassault Aviation in France.

Of the 141 pages in the report, 32 are dedicated to the IAF’s fighter jet procurement saga. In its audit of the cancelled MMRCA deal, the report in its introduction says the government asked the CAG to redact the commercial details of this deal negotiation. One wonders why the government was afraid to disclose the commercial negotiation details of a transaction that never took place.

The report of the CAG has based its figures on assumptions because it wasn’t given the full facts by the government, citing national security. On the other hand, the fairness of the CAG Rajiv Mehrishi was questioned by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal who pointed out that the former was appointed as finance secretary from October 24,2014 to Augutst 30,2015 when Modi visited France and conducted parallel negotiations with Dassault for 36 Rafale jets. Sibal also pointed out that the new Rafale deal was announced by Modi in France on April 10, 2015 and the old deal for 126 aircrafts was cancelled in June 2015. The decision to push through the Rafale deal in haste by the Modi government is not based on mere speculations but on noting in official documents. The CAG report ignored most of these in its desire to salvage the Modi government. The allegations by Sibal that Dassault industries, which manufactures Rafale was in a stressful financial position and how the French government agreed to push through the deal also needs to be probed. In all of the CAG reports, the irony is that an official who was in the know of the deal did not disclose the factors over which it was claimed that the NDA deal was 2.8 % cheaper than what the UPA was considering as price for each aircraft. One of the interesting issue was that the CAG did not even mention the controversial arrangement with Anil Ambani as offset partnet. Sibal also made a strong point when he said that the deal contrary to the government claim that it was a government-to-government deal was in reality a deal but between a private manufacturer(Dassault) and the government(of India). The lie of the government that in view of the deal being between government-to-government there was no need for a sovereign guarantee and so the government of India accepted the letter of comfort(which has no guarantee against violation of contractual agreement). The CAG tried to shield the Modi government from scrutiny but it has failed and the reputation of the institution is under cloud. Even as the CAG tried to absolve the Modi government with an improper audit, it has unwittingly highlighted the blatant lies that the Modi government told the Supreme Court to escape legal scrutiny of Modi’s unilateral decision to help businessmen cronies.

DailyDevotion Taking the Initiative Against Depression Arise and eat. —1 Kings 19:5 The angel in this passage did not give Elijah a vision, or explain the Scriptures to him, or do anything remarkable. He simply told Elijah to do a very ordinary thing, that is, to get up and eat. If we were never depressed, we would not be alive— only material things don’t suffer depression. If human beings were not capable of depression, we would have no capacity for happiness and exaltation. There are things in life that are designed to depress us; for example, things that are associated with death.

Whenever you examine yourself, always take into account your capacity for depression.

When the Spirit of God comes to us, He does not give us glorious visions, but He tells us to do the most ordinary things imaginable. Depression tends to turn us away from the everyday things of God’s creation. But whenever God steps in, His inspiration is to do the most natural, simple things— things we would never have imagined God was in, but as we do them we find Him there. The inspiration that comes to us in this way is an initiative against depression.

But we must take the first step and do it in the inspiration of God. If, however, we do something simply to overcome our depression, we will only deepen it.

But when the Spirit of God leads us instinctively to do something, the moment we do it the depression is gone. As soon as we arise and obey, we enter a higher plane of life.

Quotes

You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. ~ Mark Twain

“M

y dear, here we must run fast as we can, just to stay in place. And if you wish to go anywhere you must run twice as fast as that”, Lewis Carol in Alice in Wonderland as quoted by Economic Survey 2017-18 in terms of Indian education and development.

It is now certain that despite the wish, we are unable to run that fast particularly in the education or human resource development. The disparity in higher education between the public and private institutions is growing.

The better ones are still in the public sector. Private education is not delivering if not failing. Somewhere the policy planners are in a state of confusion.

Growing population, increased demand and increasing learning poverty gap as evident from Annual Survey of Education Reports, the Economic Survey (ES 17-18) states the basic learning benchmark is missed by sizeable section of the children despite higher enrolment and pupil teacher ratio (PTR).

Another aspect that the ES 17-18 stresses is the basic and school education but not higher education. Despite opening of many IITs,

A

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

HRDEthics faces severe crunch is a bygone word in the world of education.

IIMs and central universities the allocation has remained low and general complaint of delivery has increased. It is well known that students have withdrawn from some of the newly set up IITs and many new central universities could not attract students as they lack in faculty, labs and other facilities.

So it means we are posing as if we are running but actually stuck. This is despite positive approach by the NDA government since 2014. India in 2018 has 799 universities up from 670 in 2014 with 2.8 crore students.

It looks good. But when it comes to allocation interim budget for 2019-20 earmarked Rs 93,847.64 crore for the education sector. The allocation this year has seen an increase of 10 percent from last year. The centre during the Budget 2018 presentation had allocated Rs 85,010 crore for the sector.

Out of the total allocation for 2019-20, Rs 37,461.01 crore has been assigned for higher education, while the rest of the amount, Rs 56,386.63 crore has been allocated for school education.

The centre has given a some boost to the Indian In-

stitutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) as two independent ‘Schools of Planning and Architecture’ (SPA) and 18 in the IITs and NITs as autonomous schools are proposed to be set up.

However, there has been a decline in the budget outlays for IITs, IIMs, IISER, UGC and AICTE. Shivaji T h e I I Ts alone have suffered a cut from Rs 7703 crore in 201718 to Rs 6143 crore. In revised estimates these can be further reduced as it happened in 2018-19, when it was cut by Rs 457 crore.

The stress on higher education has reduced. During the last over two decades the governments have been stressing on school education enrolment and leaving the higher education to fend for itself. Even the ES 17-18 does not speak of higher education.

The ministry of HRD has issued innumerable circulars to the higher government and autonomous institutions and universities, including the newly set up central universities to raise 30 percent of their budgetary needs on their own. In most cases it has not hap-

pened. It has affected the quality of education. They have only increased tuition and other fees.

In short, India’s education has become expensive and large number students are under high debt.

Another problem most higher education institutions face is the crowding of classrooms with more and more reserSarkar vations. The pupil teacher ratio (PTR) that is around 30 to 40 according to ES 17-18 in schools is mostly not there in higher education. An average of 60 to 90 is the norm.

Neither classrooms have been added nor faculty. Rather in most public institutions and universities, there has not been replacement for retiring faculty.

In some institutions of the ilk of Indian Institute of Mass Communication and central universities poor selections of top persons have further aggravated the situation. Students are virtually not taught, left to fend for themselves. To buy their silence they are handed over the degrees or diplomas without testing their learning abilities.

While the process of liberalization opened up

doors for setting up private universities, it has further exacerbated the quality of education. While the government universities, IITs and other institutions suffer from faculty crunch, contract employment at about 20 percent of the stipulated salaries, it is worse in private universities.

The private universities, colleges and institutions have a double whammy.

Without any social funding they compromise on the quality of faculty, their wages – often as low around Rs 3,000 to 30,000 a month in the best of conditions.

Most institutions employ young graduates with little understanding of education as cheap labour.

The premise that the institutions could raise high fees is limited to less than five percent really excellent ones. The rest have to cut fees to maintain the minimum of number of students and it is not restricted the engineering streams. This has hit the quality of education not only in BIMARU states but all over the country. Ethics is a bygone word in the world of education.

The governments have forgotten that higher education has been the key to the development in 1960s to

1980s. The brain drain then has become brain gain. So today without a social funding education is gasping and institutions are at their wits end for raising funds to meet their basic expenses.

The norms are not followed either in the oldest Allahabad University or the newest RML Awadh University in Faizabad, in UP. In Allahabad alone there are said to be over 300 vacant faculty positions and there are classes where over 100 students are crammed into one classroom.

The situation is not different in Rajasthan or MP and most of the other states.

The evaluation is the biggest casualty everywhere.

If the industry is not getting quality graduates, the education system is responsible for it.

Still how do some students excel is the wonder.

Well most teachers aver that it is not because of them, but the individual students themselves.

India has to run faster. It has to rethink about education and its funding.

Else despite political drum beating, the nation would remain under-developed and learning poverty ought to increase.

Post-mortem Answer fire with fire Sparing a thought for (on Pulwama attack) Naga Hoho search team

lthough one vaguely wonders which Organization took the initiative to mandate the Search Team, it is nevertheless a comforting relief, in a sense, to know that such a forum has been constituted to cobble up a new team for the Naga Hoho. One cares sufficiently to sincerely hope that this is a step in the right direction...an exercise long overdue...provided the wrong can effectively be righted.

Having said that...one observes the ambiguity in the communiqué of the Search Team (as carried by the local dallies on 16-02-2019) with a fundamental question left unanswered: For instance, are they looking at a term of reference to set up the same kind of a Naga Hoho encompassing Nagas from all Naga inhabited territories as before or a new Naga Hoho that would only represent the voice of the Nagas of Nagaland or both? This is a question being asked without a divisive intent on tribal lines or regional bias. It is a pragmatic one based on the following rationality: 1. No matter where one resides, one does require an apex regional identity of its own to resolve its local issues. Our Southern Naga brothers therefore have their UNC and rightly so. The Nagas of Nagaland too had its very own Naga Hoho once upon a time. Over the years however our Naga Hoho gradually evolved into a Pan Naga Federation in its composition without the Nagas of Nagaland fully comprehending this subtle structural change that had taken shape.

Let it however be made thoroughly clear that there is no dispute in the relevance of Pan Naga Federation (or Hoho) tackling important common issues such as ‘integration’ of all the Naga inhabited areas, politically, culturally, emotionally etc... but certainly inappropriate to address regional kitchen issues that specifically pertain to one region or the other.

The irrelevance of Pan Naga Hoho masquerading as Naga Hoho was practically proven inconsequential in the local issue like that of the Mukalimi faceoff between the Sumis and the NSCN (IM) where the latter unnecessarily suffered a loss of face in the hands of the Sumi Tribe.

Had the original Naga Hoho of Nagaland existed and interceded during this unfortunate fiasco, the Sumis would have probably shown its due curtsy to the Apex Hoho of Nagaland (to which it would have also been an affiliate) by avoiding direct aggressive confrontation with NSCN (IM) for the obvious reason: no single Tribe living within a common State boundary can survive in isolation. This incident brought out a sharp traditional perception that Nagas tend to respect and rely upon one’s own immediate family members to deal with one’s own kitchen issues...rather than have others beyond the family interfere in one’s affairs. To my mind the present confusion is simply a matter of the use of a nomenclature that is a misnomer by this organization which is Pan Naga in nature....and should have accordingly adopted ‘Pan Naga Federation’ or even ‘Pan Naga Hoho’ in keeping with the identity of its membership composition rather than usurping or wiping out the original identity of the Naga Hoho that once purely represented the voice of the Nagas of Nagaland.

Marginalising the Nagas of Nagaland without its very own regional apex identity was therefore a critical mistake...detrimental not only to the Nagas of Nagaland but all other Nagas living elsewhere. It was akin to uprooting the main pillar of the house. It is therefore absolutely logical and necessary to rewind the hands of time and set right this unfortunate aberration in the use of the Organization’s nomenclature...and restore ‘Naga Hoho’ to the Nagas of Nagaland.

2. While various other reasons may exist, the mushrooming of regional Tribal Hoho groupings within Nagaland can essentially be attributed to the vacuum created by the absence of the original Naga Hoho that was born in Nagaland. Once the present Naga Hoho is rechristened as ‘Pan Naga Federation’ or ‘Pan Naga Hoho’ and Naga Hoho is brought home to where it belongs, it would be a natural progression for all Tribal Hohos of Nagaland to reunite once more...inclusive of all the Tribal Hohos under ENPO. This may well be an

all encompassing solution that should serve the purpose of all concerned.

3. Serious lessons ought to be learnt from events that have been taking place around us. For instance the BJP ran out of steam and could not muster enough courage to introduce the CAB in the Rajya Sabha because of the sustained aggressive agitation against the Bill by all the North Eastern States barring Nagaland.

This is the only kind of language GoI understands.

The same principle would be equally applicable even in the case of Indo-Naga negotiation. GoI has taken the Nagas for a ride for the past 73 years and will continue to do so for another eternity unless Nagas learn the finer democratic art of coercion...which is a far cry as of now with all the divisions and fragmentations of the Naga society both in the overground and underground situation. We have never been able to exert a sustained collective pressure on the GoI and the mainland for them to sit up and take notice. Even the Naga Civil Societies have been leaderless and rudderless in the absence of a recognizable Apex forum with a principled backbone that can honourably be relied upon.

This is the dire state we have indifferently generated for ourselves over the years... and would serve the Nagas well to find a collective focus through an Apex body like the Naga Hoho.

4. Finally, should the Pan Naga Federation be re-created...it would require serious overhaul in matters of membership in the House unlike the present setup. It should preferably be opened to regional Apex Hohos only...for example: UNC from Manipur, Naga Hoho from Nagaland and similar equivalent Apex Hoho from Arunachal and Assam to ensure equal representation of all the regions.

It is definitely a challenging task for the Search Team to really identify the right kind of upright characters to man this awesome responsibility. One would like to wish them all the very best.

Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Retd); 3rd Mile Thilixu Village; Dimapur

I

don’t know what it entirely is in us but surely, there is anger and frustration, and a lot of them. 45 innocent souls simply ripped out of their working flesh...for what? Every single one of the members for the terrorist outfit responsible for this should be torn into pieces. “What goes around comes around” shouldn’t be for sentiments alone.

Jaish-e-Mohammad has been responsible for many such attacks on India. And I used to feel good about the surgical strike of 2016 but when I look back now, I want to shout “That is not enough”. Because clearly, they came up more emboldened. Put the terror back in their heads, India. Unite for once. Irrespective of ideologies, race or color. Don’t ever even think of politicizing this one- not even to one family or one person. Don’t fight back as the government doing it- fight back as India doing it.

The Parliament, the political parties, CBI, NIA, RAW, IB, CAPF, paramilitary forces, Indian Armed Forces, even the police of required places and most importantly the people, should all work as the only two wheels of the chariot. Only then, every single responsible evil from start will be caught. It is not enough that the terrorist group is pointed out or Pakistan is humiliated in public. While, these are important measures, what about the people who handed out information to these reprobates? The 270 km route was suppose to be a peaceful one, but surely there were these coward informers masquerading as citizens of India and these men shouldn’t just be killed, they should be executed in such a way that they remain remarkably anti-examples to those who might possibly become like them in future.

I condemn Pakistan. Pakistan is cut off from being even known as a younger brother to India. It cannot act innocent of the crime. I used to see hope for a better relation between the two countries but not anymore. How easy is it to turn blind eye on what’s happening at your nose and how hard is it to execute one person? The leaders

of these terrorist groups roam as free citizens in the land and the filthy nation pays for them because these terrorists serve their purpose. Same action and same intention only with a different identity. It is clear as day light. Pakistan should have zero say on the harshest of the harshest sanctions imposed on it by every single country in this world.

People of Pakistan, if you are here for humanity and peace, raise a revolution and topple everything. Your leaders are leading you to a death pit.

What does India have to learn here? Well, nothing much besides the massive fatuous error of overlooking a giant SUV with 3500 kg of explosives charging towards the already aware vulnerable group of 78 trucks carrying 2500 personnel. Have you heard about the ‘trolley dilemma’ of running over a friend or five strangers? Many choose the five to survive. And here that one friend is the Prime Minister, the President, the governors and other political heads. I’m not asking to minimize their security and put them at risk. But each life has equal worth. These personnel should’ve been given more security protection. It wasn’t an ordinary convoy of a thousand men, while even such convoy are always given air protection all around the world. There are further more steps that should’ve been taken that military men would know better and I’m sure they have learned to keep it, sadly, in a harder way.

I have nothing much to say right now but to hope that the departed souls rest in peace. And I don’t contradict the system of monetary compensation to the families of the bereaved. I understand that the loss of a loved one cannot be quantified in terms of currency, but what’s better option to show that their loss was indeed a debt that the country took to its heart and that it truly owes the family of the martyr he was looking after.

Now is that moment of a country that comes once in a lifetime where a bloody counter strike can be justified not just in the international politics, but even in conscience of beings.

Motsuthung Yanthan, Dimapur

Reader’s Post Sir,

Request to DMC

The dust that has accumulated along land dividers in Circular Road and even Nyamo Lotha road is an absolute eyesore. Though showrooms mushrooming on both side of the road have added to the aesthetic appeal of the road, the sight of dust diminishes it.

Since most of the major business houses are on these two stretches of road, it would be appreciated if the DMC can clear the dust so that both the roads appear cleaner and the overall appearance is enhanced. It is high time the thick heap of dust that has accumulated along the lane dividers is cleaned.

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

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

national/state

7

Shrinking prospects for passenger...

Sitting on dharna against LG; CM warns of ‘jail bharo’

‘Joblessness a danger to India’

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): The “jobless growth” has slipped into “job-loss growth”, which, together with rural indebtedness and urban chaos, has made the growing number of aspirational youths restless, former prime minister Manmohan Singh said Sunday, as he hit out at the government for failing to uplift the economy to its potential.

Singh asserted that the domestic challenges of India’s economy were daunting in their complexity and devastating in their impact on the society.

In his convocation address at the New Delhi Institute of Management here, he said the “grave agrarian crisis, the declining employment opportunities, the pervasive environmental degradation, and above all the divisive forces at work” were some of the challenges facing the nation.

“Suicides of farmers and frequent farmer agitations reflect the structural imbalances in our economy which call for serious in-

Manmohan Singh (File)

depth analysis and political will to address them,” the senior Congress leader asserted.

“The jobless growth slipping into job-loss growth, together with rural indebtedness and urban chaos have made the growing aspirational youths restless,” he said.

The attempts at creating additional job opportunities in the industrial sector have failed as industrial growth is not picking up fast enough, he alleged.

In a scathing attack on the government, Singh said the small and unorganised sectors which were vibrant and contributing to generation of wealth and employment opportunities have grievously suffered

in the wake of the “disastrous” demonetisation and “slipshod” introduction and implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“Well thought-out policy and implementation strategies are required to stimulate industrial and commercial sectors. Kneejerk reactions and off-thecuff announcements of grandiose schemes and unproductive projects have manifestly failed to uplift the economy to its potential,” he alleged.

Singh said one of the areas of major concern in the endeavours to promote employment-oriented industry is the gap between the skills that the industry needs and the skill-sets that the graduating students possess.

“We are living in a fast-changing world. On the one hand we are getting more and more integrated with the world economy and exposed to the global markets, and on the other hand we face massive economic and social challenges at home,” said Singh,

who was the prime minister from 2004-2014.

Changing equations among global powers and fluctuations in the markets for petroleum products and other industrial commodities and the financial markets affect India’s economy more than ever before, he argued.

“Needless to stress, it is a testing time for our democratic spirit, our patience and tolerance, our capacity of managing contradictions, our resolve of ensuring inclusive growth – a strong, equitable and sustainable growth,” he said.

Addressing budding management professionals, Singh told them that they are joining the business world at an important time when India is projected to be one of the top three economies of the world by 2030.

This possibility opens up many opportunities and challenges for budding management professionals in this fast moving world of unprecedented changes, he said.

(From p-1) If at all, such religious places are to be used as transit points then it stands to reason that even other religions should also be considered for allotment.

It may be noted that Supreme Court on January 8, 2013 through a bench comprising of Justices R.M. Lodha and S.J. Mukhopadhay, banned unauthorized religious structures - often thinly disguised cases of land grab - on public and private land and roads.

The order clearly rules that states shall not grant permission to install any statue or erect any structure on public roads, pavements and sideways and other public utility places.

In respect of unauthorized constructions of religious nature that have already taken place, state governments were asked to review these on a case to case basis and take appropriate steps as expeditiously as possible.

Puducherry, Feb 17 (AGENCIES): Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Sunday warned his ‘dharna’ outside Raj Nivas, for Lt Governor Kiran Bedi’s approval for his government’s proposals on welfare schemes and administrative matters, would intensify into a “jail bharo” agitation from February 20.

As his dharna entered the fifth day on Sunday, Narayanasamy said, “Our protest will continue till our demands, contained in the letter sent to the lt governor on February 7, are met.”

He has accused Bedi of not approving his government’s 39 proposals for welfare schemes, including a free rice scheme, and on administrative matters.

In a letter to Narayanasamy, Bedi has reacted sharply to the public protest and termed his dharna “unlawful”. She has offered to discuss all issues with him at a public forum on February 21.

The two have been at

V Narayanasamy (File)

loggerheads on various administrative issues since Bedi was appointed LG in May 2016.

On Sunday, the chief minister, his ministers and leaders of the ruling coalition hoisted black flags atop their residences as part of their protest against the Lt governor.

“It is unfortunate that we have been pushed to the necessity of hoisting black flags to show our protest,” Narayanasamy said, and accepted Bedi’s offer to discuss the sticking points “as per her choice of the venue and time”.

Claiming that Bedi had “threatened” to take the pro-

testers to task, he said, “We will not be cowed down by such threats and we are prepared even to court arrest.”

The chief minister said leaders of the coalition partners would write letters to the president, the prime minister and the Union home minister, urging them to “recall” the LG. “We will launch a ‘jail bharo’ agitation on February 20 by holding protests in front of central government institutions and will observe fast outside the Head Post Office on February 21,” he said.

He also accused Bedi of spending government funds on attending private functions in Delhi although the former IPS officer “has been making tall claims that austerity should be observed in public life”.

Official sources told PTI that Bedi, who was previously scheduled to return to Puducherry on February 20, has cut short her visit to Delhi and is returning on Sunday.

Lab technician Dealings of European missile candidates to boycott Sidhu skips Cabinet meeting after remarks row manufacture under scanner oral interview today At a press conference in November, he, apparently snidely, remarked: “Kaunsa captain? Oh, Captain Amarinder Singh ji? Mera captain Rahul Gandhi hai”.

The remarks, coming after he announced he was going to Pakistan for the Kartarpur corridor groundbreaking ceremony, was seen as further proof of the friction between the two

leaders who appeared to have reconciled during the 2017 assembly elections.

Sidhu said on Friday—a day after a dastardly suicide attack in Pulwama—that nations could not be blamed for a handful of people. Sidhu said, “There are good, bad and ugly people in our lives. Every place, institution and nation has them.

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DP-1397

that apart from questions on the company’s engagement with the Indian forces, Piedevache would also be questioned on the alleged payments to Talwar’s NGO. Advantage India, to the tune of Rs 88 crore between 2012 and 2015, from MBDA and Airbus.

Later, the entire money was said to have been withdrawn in cash by using “fake purchases”, the sources said.

Analysts said this was probably a rare occasion when the India head of a leading international firm was being summoned by a

D I M A P UR , F EB 1 7 (NPN): Refuting the corrigendum published in local dailies on Sunday by Health and Family Welfare department and seeking proper clarification from the department as to how such error occurred even after thorough verification, aggrieved genuine candidates for the posts of laboratory technicians have decided to boycott the oral interview scheduled on Monday until an honest revelation was given by the department.

In a statement, the candidates claimed to have detected numerous anomalies in the way the exam was conducted and why different yardsticks were applied to candidates from some institutes possessing same qualification, wherein some were allowed and some declared unrecognised.

The candidates also demanded to know from the department on what basis the candidates were selected after dropping out two candidates from the qualified list.

that has to be tabled in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday.

Sidhu had earlier skipped a Cabinet meeting held right after his derisive remarks against Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

Sidhu’s Cabinet colleagues also say that the minister habitually “ducks” this way when he knows he would be pulled up for his statements.

DC-225

Loic Piedevache (File)

probe agency.

Piedevache has been heading the company’s operations in India for a decade.

The Mirage upgrade programme and Rafale were signed during Piedevache’s tenure in India and he could be privy to information, the sources said.

“If required, the probe agency may also summon group export director Jean-Luc Lamothe.

First of all, Piedevache would be asked to explain the company’s payments to Talwar’s NGO,” the sources said.

Piedevache could not be reached for his comments. An MBDA spokesperson said the company would support the authorities in their probe.

It maintained that it had supported social development initiatives in India as part of corporate social responsibility, which included some payments to the NGO. The company is involved in the Rs 30,000 crore offset programme associated with the 36 war planes.

K-319

New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS): A leading European arms manufacturer MBDA, which supplies missiles for the Rafale jets, has come under the scanner of probe agencies here for its suspected links with lobbyist Deepak Talwar, who was extradited from Dubai last month.

The country head of MBDA, Loic Piedevache, has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate to appear before it on Monday in connection with the probe relating to the company’s links to Talwar, who is believed to have steered several deals with Airbus, which holds a stake in MBDA, during the UPA regime, according to sources.

Infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro had entered into a joint venture with MBDA to supply missiles and missile systems to the Indian armed forces.

L&T holds 51 per cent stake in the joint venture, L&T MBDA Missile Systems, and had identified defence as one of the key drivers for achieving growth in the sector.

The sources claimed

Chandigarh, Feb 17 (AGENCIES): Punjab cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, it would seem, is controversy’s favourite child.

As he faces mounting criticism over his statements over the Pulwama attack, Sidhu, Punjab’s Local Bodies Minister, skipped a Cabinet meeting called to approve the state Budget

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

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DIRECTORATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO.HED/AISHE /2017-18/

/Dt. Kohima, the 14th February,2019

NOTIFICATION The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) for the year 2018-19 has commenced from 3rd December, 2018. In this regard, Universities, Colleges, Polytechnics, Nursing Institutes & DIETs within Nagaland are reminded to upload the data on AISHE portal (aishe.gov.in) on priority.

The closing date of the survey is on 28th February, 2019.

Director, Higher Education DC-226

DC-218

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Issued by DIPR

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DC-222

8

FinMin to take up issue of PCA, SME loan with RBI

KAKURO

of optical fibre assets.

“Indus stake is worth about Rs 50 billion (Rs 5,000 crore) today. We have 156,000 kms of fibre.

We have not given any guidance on monetisable value,” a Vodafone Idea spokesperson said.

The company is also planning to raise Rs 25,000 crore through a rights issue to fund its capital expenditure and pare debt.

The promoter shareholders -- Vodafone Group and Aditya Birla Group -- have reiterated to the board that they intend to contribute up to Rs 11,000 crore and Rs 7,250 crore, respectively, as part of the rights issue.

They have also said that in case the rights issue is under-subscribed, each of the promoter shareholders reserves the right to subscribe to part or whole of the unsubscribed portion.

Jet Airways likely to get over Rs 3,000 crore funds

No. 3760 Yesterday’s solution No. 3759

No. 2786 Yesterday’s solution No. 2785

Across 1 Right card for contest (4) 3 Valuable copier ordered by American (8) 9 Prisoner opening religious community (7) 10 Little insect I’d force to pierce me (5) 11 Hair treatment provided by barber in Seville (5) 12 Sympathetic remark not good enough? (3,3) 14 Birds, for example, disturbed rest (6) 16 Stop going backwards and forwards (4,2) 19 Male fish that was used in laundry (6) 21 Large plane required for elephant (5) 24 The lighter side of chess (5) 25 Obscure thing is visible (2,5) 26 Tremendous performance opposed by Conservative (8) 27 Fish swallowing large lump of earth (4) Down 1 Wind instrument for archivist? (8) 2 Clergyman is able to get about (5) 4 Tripe consumed in turn (6) 5 Search old jazz group (5) 6 Eccentric not even going to dance (7) 7 Appear to be entertained by Chinese emperor (4) 8 Bidding for a change in Thebes (6) 13 Terribly poor duet dragged out of bed (8) 15 Nomadic Chinese leader turns up in band (7) 17 International organisation only? That’s not fair! (6) 18 Twins, say, getting up on car (6) 20 Conservationist of a sickly hue (5) 22 Short form filled in by good business leader (5) 23 Some Scots wi’ glasses drink (4)

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Near Hope Academy School Naga United

Airways and NIIF on their proposed investments in Jet Airways remained unanswered.

Query sent to Jet Airways about Goyal’s stake coming down to around 20 percent after debt-rejig did not elicit any immediate response.

In the three months ended December 2018, Jet Airways reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 732 crore.

WANTED

MALE TEACHERS For a School near Dimapur 1. B.A 2. B.Com Salary Negotiable Contact No. 9856345472 8259977784

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ments would hike its stake only marginally and that would not trigger the requirement for making an open offer for shareholders of Jet Airways under Sebi regulations.

Together, the fresh funding for the airline would amount to about Rs 3,400 crore and Goyal’s stake could reduce to 20 percent from 51 percent at They said that NIIF present, sources said.

Queries sent to Etihad is likely to put in Rs 1,400 crore while lenders, led by JOB VACANCY the State Bank of India FOR CLASS 8TH, 9TH & 10TH (SBI), are expected to conFREE TRAINING FOR 12 WEEKS vert debt into equity worth EARNING DURING TRAINING- 4000 + (P.M) AFTER TRAINING- 25000 + (P.M) around Rs 600 crore.

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a consideration of Re 1 apiece as per RBI norms.

Later, appropriate interim credit facilities by domestic lenders would be sanctioned to the airline, as per a regulatory filing made on February 14. The

government-backed NIIF, where Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is a key stakeholder, is likely to acquire little over 19 percent stake in the ailing airline, they added.

LAND FOR SALE

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No. 9141 Yesterday’s solution No. 9140

After receiving approval from shareholders, during their meeting scheduled for February 21, part of debt would be converted into 11.4 crore shares at

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shareholders would not be able to bring in much value addition.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad, which currently owns 24 percent in the full service carrier, i s a strategic partn e r and is expected to pump in around Rs 1,400 crore, sources said.

On February 14, Jet Airways’ board approved a Bank-Led Provisional Resolution Plan (BLPRP), whereby lenders would become the largest shareholders in the airline.

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New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): Loss-making Jet Airways is likely to receive fund infusion worth over Rs 3,000 crore post debtrejig and investments by Etihad Airways as well as National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) while founder Naresh Goyal might remain the promoter with less than half of the existing majority stake of 51 per cent, according to sources.

While the final contours of debt-restructuring and consequent changes are being worked out, an analyst said that Etihad Airways should come as the main driver for Jet Airways as lenders and

URGENT SALE

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Contact No. : 8119054477

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Su doku

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): Vodafone Idea is likely to mop up about Rs 20,000 crore from its proposed stake sale in mobile tower firm Indus Tower and monetisation of optical fibre assets, sources said. The country’s largest telecom operator plans to use the funds for lowering its debt, which stood at Rs 1,23,660 crore at the end of 2018.

“Vodafone Idea has received combined valuation of around Rs 20,000 crore for mobile towers and optical fibre assets that it is planning to sell. Discussions have started around it,” an industry source close to the development told.

The company had earlier announced its plan to sell 11.15 per cent stake held by the Aditya Birla Group in Indus Towers as well as 1.56 lakh kilometers

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Crossword

It said that boom in e-commerce and organised retail will enhance the growth of plastic packaging and per-capita consumption in the years to come.

Fast-moving consumer goods is one of the primary growing segments in the retail sector and is also one of the biggest end users of the packaging industry, it said adding that pharmaceutical is yet another major user of the packaging industry.

“Pharmaceutical packaging has now become a foremost part of the drug delivery system,” it added.

to $32.9 billion during the 10 months of the current fiscal.

India’s current account deficit (CAD), or the difference between outflow and inflow of foreign exchange in the current account, widened to 2.9 percent of the GDP in the second quarter of the fiscal, against 1.1 percent in the year-ago period, mainly due to a large trade deficit.

In volume terms, the country’s total gold imports increased by 22.43 percent to 955.16 tonnes in 2017-18.

It stood at 780.14 tonnes in 2016-17.

The government had introduced several measures to restrict the import of gold, including restricting duty-free gold imports from South Korea as allowed under the India-Korea free trade agreement, and imposition of self-use condition on Premier Trading House/ Star Trading House authorised to import the precious metal directly from overseas bullion suppliers.

Voda Idea in talks to sell mobile tower stake, optical fibre assets

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Mangaluru, Feb 17 (PTI): The market size of the country’s packaging industry is expected to touch $72.6 billion by FY20 on account of rising population and income levels, according to a study

by Assocham-EY. “India’s packaging industry is expected to witness an outstanding growth during 2016–21, and anticipated to reach $72.6 billion

by FY20,” it said.

The industr y was $31.7 billion in 2015.

“The growth is driven by key factors such as rising population, increase in income levels and changing lifestyles,” it said.

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): The country’s gold imports dipped about 5 percent in value terms to $26.93 billion during April-January 2018-19, which is expected to keep a lid on the current account deficit.

According to commerce ministry data, total imports of the precious metal in the corresponding period of 2017-18 stood at $28.23 billion.

Industry experts said softening prices of the precious metal in the world markets could be the reason for the contraction in imports.

After recording negative growth for three consecutive months -- October, November and December 2018, the imports grew by 38.16 percent to $2.31 billion in January this year.

India is one of the largest gold importers in the world, and the imports mainly take care of demand from the jewellery industry.

Gems and jewellery exports too dipped by 4 percent

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): The government’s disinvestment proceeds have touched Rs 53,558 crore so far in the current fiscal, as against the full year budget target of Rs 80,000 crore.

Last week, as much as Rs 10,000 crore came in from Bharat-22 ETF and, another Rs 5,379 crore from the sale of Specified Undertaking of Unit Trust of India (SUUTI) stake in Axis Bank.

The government has sold as much as 3 percent stake in Axis Bank held via SUUTI through an offer for sale (OFS) and raised about Rs 5,300 crore.

Besides, the additional offering or Bharat-22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) garnered about Rs 10,000 crore to the exchequer.

The issue got bids worth Rs 49,528 crore, with foreign investors pouring in Rs 38,000 crore and retail buyers Rs 2,000 crore.

Share buyback by Indian Oil corporation (IOC) fetched Rs 2,647 crore to the disinvestment kitty, while BHEL, NHPC and Cochin Shipyard garnered Rs 992 crore, Rs 398 crore and Rs 137 crore, respectively.

NLC share buyback garnered Rs 990 crore, while NALCO and KIOCL got Rs 260 crore and Rs 205 crore, respectively.

Besides, strategic disinvestment of HSCC fetched Rs 285 crore.

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India’s packaging industry to touch $72.6 bn by FY20

(CRAR), net non-performing assets (NPA) which are taken care of through recapitalistaion of banks by the government.

The Finance Ministry wants formal commitment on Rs 28,000 crore interim dividend. If the central board of RBI agrees to pay Rs 28,000 crore as interim dividend, total surplus transfer to the government would be Rs 68,000 crore in the current fiscal. RBI has already paid Rs 40,000 crore.

Last month, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had said the central bank was yet to take a decision on dividend. So far RBI has not indicated anything but its audit board had taken up the matter recently. The RBI, which follows the JulyJune fiscal year, has already transferred Rs 40,000 crore in the current fiscal.

In order to enhance bank lending to MSMEs, the Finance Ministry will seek easing certain ‘risk-weight’ guidelines for lending to MSMEs and align them to globally accepted benchmarks. Globally accepted benchmark of a maximum of 75 per cent risk weight for smaller companies as compared with present 150 per cent risks weight for both rated and unrated MSME loans.

Disinvestment proceeds touch Rs 53,558 crore

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ing capital regulatory rules are more conservative than the Basel framework. This includes higher minimum capital requirements and risk weightings for certain types of exposures as well as higher minimum capital ratios.

The RBI also applies certain restrictions to banking activities through its prudential framework. This needs to change. If RBI relaxes the norms, around Rs 6 lakh crore of lending can be achieved without any additional requirement for provisioning, said the sources.

With three banks out of Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) and two banks set to be out of PCA by default, of the 11 banks six remain the restrictive framework. The government wants the capital norms to be relaxed. RBI may have already tweaked the RoA or return on assets norms which allowed Bank of Maharashtra, Bank of India and Oriental Bank of Commerce to come of PCA framework.

Currently, banks having negative RoA for twofour consecutive years are brought under PCA framework. Under the PCA framework, the regulatory trigger points in terms of three parameters - capital to risk weighted assets ratio

Gold imports dip 5% during April- January

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

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New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS): The Finance Ministry will take up the issue of dividend and Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) and easing of SME loan norms by public sector banks with the RBI when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address the Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank on Monday in his first meeting after the Interim Budget.

There will be discussions on these three issues with RBI. The Ministry will seek alignment of capital norms with Basel III, informed sources said.

Indian banks as per RBI directions are required to maintain 5.5 per cent Common Equity Tier 1 (CET 1) as against 4.5 per cent required under the Basel III framework.

Currently, the RBI applies stricter norms and not those specified under Basel III for capital adequacy, leading banks to set aside higher capital for loans.

The government has been in favour of alignment of the capital adequacy norms with Basel III norms.

This higher capital norms translate into additional capital requirement, restricting lending potential and income generation, the sources said.

Many of the RBI’s Indian framework on bank-

business

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

India blaming us without probe: Pak

Islamabad, Feb 17 (IANS): Pakistan on Sunday told foreign envoys here that India was blaming it for a horrific suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir even without any investigation.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said this to diplomats from Africa and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states.

The Dawn newspaper quoted Janjua as saying that there was “a familiar pattern of India blaming Pakistan instantly after such incidents without any investigation”, Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal tweeted.

The Pakistan Foreign Office said a “deliberate anti-Pakistan frenzy is being spurred in India” and warned that “baseless Indian allegations and aggressive rhetoric are counterproductive and a threat to regional peace”.

Islamabad’s statement came three days after the Pakistan-backed Jaish-eMohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama district that killed 49 troopers.

Pakistan said it had

India yet to tell us about MFN status withdrawal

Pakistan asks Indian government not to link Islamabad to the attack without a probe. (AP)

rejected India’s allegations of its complicity because they were “made within a short time from the attack and without carrying out any investigations.

“These knee-jerk and preconceived accusations were nevertheless consistent with well-rehearsed tactics from the Indian playbook after such incidents in the past,” the Foreign Office statement added.

“Bluster, belligerence and pursuit of expedient standards to suit internal political interests is both delusional and counterproductive.

“India must come out of the denial mode, end

Pope asks for prayers for Vatican sex abuse summit

Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY, Feb 17 (Agencies): Pope Francis is asking for prayers for this week’s sex abuse summit at the Vatican, calling abuse an “urgent challenge of our time.”

He has summoned bishops to Rome to help

him chart a way forward after decades of abuse by priests and prelates and the systematic cover-ups of that by their superiors.

The scandals have eroded Catholics’ trust in the Vatican and in church leaders like bishops.

Francis told pilgrims and other visitors Sunday in St. Peter’s Square that beginning Thursday, the heads of episcopal conferences worldwide will discuss “protection of minors in the church.”

He said: “I ask prayers for this appointment, which I wanted as an act of strong pastoral responsibility in the face of an urgent challenge of our time.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

state repression against Kashmiri youth, address widespread alienation in (Jammu and Kashmir) and pursue the path of dialogue,” the statement said.

The Foreign Office also raised questions over India’s acceptance of a video released by the attacker claiming to have ties to the JeM, saying New Delhi had double standards.

“India needs to introspect and respond to questions about its security and intelligence lapses that led to this attack,” it said. “India owes an explanation on reports of (suicide bomber) Adil Ahmed Dar’s arrest and custody since 2017.”

Pakistan said on Sunday that it has not yet been informed by India on withdrawing the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Islamabad in the wake of a bloody suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir.

Abdul Razak Dawood, adviser to the Pakistan’s Prime Minister on Commerce, said: “We are looking into the withdrawal of MFN status by India.

We can speak to India about this issue.

“Pakistan can raise this issue at different forums including the World Trade Forum,” The Nation quoted him as saying.

A day after the terror attack on Thursday, India announced it was taking back the MFN status given to Pakistan in 1995.

The status means that a country will treat all World Trade Organisation member states equally in matters of tariffs on imports.

After withdrawing the MFN status, New Delhi imposed a 200 per cent import duty on all goods originating or exported from Pakistan.

May issues fresh plea to Conservative MPs London, Feb 17 (IANS): British Prime Minister Theresa May has issued a fresh plea to Conservative MPs to unite and deliver on Brexit, urging the ruling party to “move beyond what divides us” and sacrifice “personal preferences”.

May, in a letter to all 317 Conservative MPs on Saturday night after her Brexit plans suffered another humiliating Commons defeat on February 14, said the result was “disappointing” but vowed the government would continue its work to secure changes to the Irish border backstop, the Guardian reported on Sunday.

The Prime Minister announced that she will return to Brussels for further talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker next week and revealed plans to speak to the leaders of every European Union (EU) member state over the coming days.

In an appeal for unity, 41 days before Britain’s scheduled departure, May said: “History will judge us all for the parts we have played in this process. I believe that a country with our innate strengths, enviable resources, and enormous talent can face the future with confidence that our best days lie ahead.

9

Zarif accuses Israel, US of seeking war

MUNICH, Feb 17 (Agencies): Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday accused Israel of looking for war and warned that its actions and those of the United States were increasing the chances of a clash in the region.

According to Reuters, addressing the Munich Security Conference, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also criticised the U.S. administration after Vice President Mike Pence this week called on European powers to pullout of the nuclear deal with Iran. Zarif urged France, Germany and Britain to do more to save that accord.

“Certainly, some people are looking for war ...

Israel,” Zarif said. “The risk (of war) is great. The risk will be even greater if you continue to turn a blind eye to severe violations of international law.”

Accusing Israel of violating international law after bombing campaigns in Syria, Zarif criticised European powers for not calling out Israel and the United States for their behaviour in the region.

“Israeli behaviour is putting international law on the shelf, U.S. behaviour is putting international law on the shelf,” he said.

Speaking to his cabinet on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iranian belligerence was the main destabilising

Mohammad Javad Zarif

factor in the entire Middle East.

“We must deny Iran nuclear weaponry and block its military entrenchment in Syria. We will continue taking constant action to ensure Israel’s security,” he said in remarks broadcast on Israeli media. Vice-President Pence on Friday accused Iran of Nazi-like anti-Semitism, maintaining his harsh rhetoric against Tehran just a day he attacked European powers for trying to undermine U.S. sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Zarif said the U.S. had an “unhealthy” and “pathological obsession” with Iran and accused Pence of trying to bully his allies.

“All in the name of containing Iran, the U.S. claims, and some blindly parrot, that it is Iran that is interfering in the region, but has it been asked whose region?” Zarif said.

“Look at the map, the U.S. military has travelled 10,000 kilometres to dot all

our borders with its bases.

There is a joke that it is Iran that put itself in the middle of U.S. bases.”

Zarif, who said Iran was committed to the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers for now, also accused France, Britain and Germany of not doing enough to ensure Tehran received the economic benefits of that accord. These three countries this month set up the Instrument In Support Of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), a new channel for non-dollar trade with Iran to avoid U.S. sanctions. But diplomats say it is unlikely to allow the big transactions that Tehran says it needs to keep a nuclear deal afloat.

Washington’s major European allies opposed last year’s decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to abandon the deal, which also includes China and Russia, under which international sanctions on Iran were lifted in return for Tehran accepting curbs on its nuclear programme.

“INSTEX falls short of commitments by the E3 (France, Germany, Britain) to save the nuclear deal,” Zarif said. “Europe needs to be willing to get wet if it wants to swim against the dangerous tide of U.S. unilateralism.”

10TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY LATE MR. CHUNGIRAO PATTON

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We are all visitors passing through time, Our purpose here is to love, to observe, to learn, to grow, and then... go home.

These were your words which you lived by, and taught us.

You are deeply missed Apo. Much love, Wife, children, in-laws and grandchildren.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born - 05/01/1960 – Died - 08/02/2019 We the bereaved family members of Lt. Limamangyang Imsong (Chuchuyimpang) would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to each and every individuals, friends, neighbours, relatives, unions & well wishers who stood by us through prayer support, physically, financially and materially at the sad and sudden demise of our beloved father on 08/02/2019.

We are unable to thank each and everyone of you, but it is our humble prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving wife, children and family members DP-1383 K Y M C

(Born : 22/02/1985, Died 12/02/2019) We, the bereaved family members would like to convey our sincere and profound gratitude to each and every individuals, churches, organizations, families, friends and well wishers who stood and supported us physically, financially, materially and prayerfully at the sudden demise of our beloved son Vungathung Tungoe on the 12th of February 2019 at Wokha Town.

Of the many, our special thanks to;1. Wokha Town Baptist Church 2. CNY Mother Church, Wokha Town 3. Etsutchukha Colony, Wokha Town 4. Etsutchukha Colony Youth, Wokha Town 5. Baptist Church Riphyim (Old) 6. Tungoe Wopan Riphyim (Old) 7. Tungoe Wopan Dimapur 8. Tungoe/Enny/Kinghen Union Wokha Town 9. Niroyoe Eloe Hapoe Yanpi Wokha Town 10. DRDA & Staff Wokha Town 11. VDB Association Wokha Block 12. VDB & VC Union WRA Block 13. MC Club 14. Blood Donors 15. Zion Hospital Doctors & Staff Dimapur We remain deeply indebted to you and your sincerity but regret our inability to thank each and every one of you individually, but it is our sincere prayer that Almighty God showers upon everyone with grace and abundant blessing.

Family members and relatives WC-76

DC-224

We the beloved family of Late Ekonthung C. Kikon express our heartfelt gratitude to all who stood by us physically, financially, materially and spiritually at the sad demise of our beloved son on 14/02/19. We convey special thanks to : 1. Koio Baptist Church 2. Wokha Mother Church 3. Wokha Town Youth Fellowship 4. Lotha Mother Church Dimapur 5. Vishaka Bible College Vishakapatnam 6. Dimapur Nagamese Baptist Church 7. Nemcare Hospital Guwahati 8. Notun Bosti Chairman, Colony members, etc.

Though we cannot thank all individually, may our Almighty God bless you all for your kind deeds.

DP-1390 From Loving Family members and friends

K Y M C

Infotainment

10

Naga lad performs at Concerto-Aria concert

(L-R) Lukas Thompson, Joshua Liechty, Abigail Greaser, Minhyuk Kim, Gogo Liegise and Lisa Rosado Rivera.

R

üguoser Gogo Liegise, a Naga pianist who is currently pursuing his double major in Pre-Medicine and Music at Goshen College, Indiana, USA performed at the 59th Annual Concerto-Aria Concert, a prestigious college event which features the best eight students of the college.

A graduate of KIS, Kodaikanal, Rüguoser did his high school from Hollotoli School, Dimapur.

A former student of renowned artiste Nise Meruno, Rüguoser performed

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 3 (Mvt. 3) during the concert held the famous Sauder Concert Hall, a leading performance venue in the Midwest due to its acoustics features and simple elegance.

Other performers included Minhyuk Kim: piano – Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 (mvt 1), Abigail Greaser: violin – Mendelssohn, Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 (mvt. 1), Lisa Rosado Rivera: soprano – Rossini, “Una voce poco fa” from Il Barbieri di Siviglia,

Lukas Thompson & Josh Liechty: duet – Donizetti, “Cheti, cheti immantinente” from Don Pasquale, Nathan Pauls: baritone – Kurt Weill, “Lonely House” from Street Scene, Rebecca Choi: soprano – Mozart, “Batti, batti O bel Masetto” from Don Giovanni.

The concert was conducted by renowned choir master Jose Rocha, an associate professor of music at Goshen College and director of the Goshen College Symphony Orchestra. Strongly committed to music education, Rocha has taught and

directed middle school and high school orchestras in Florida, Texas and Mississippi for the past 15 years, and is a sought-after conductor and cellist in the United States and Mexico. Rocha made his Carnegie Hall debut leading the Johnston Sinfonia Orchestra in 2014.

The annual Concerto-Aria premiere event is sponsored by the Department of Performing and Visual Arts is scheduled for the spring of each year. This concert provides the opportunity for outstanding student soloists to earn the privilege of playing or singing with orchestral accompaniment in a formal concert at the Washington Pavilion.

Students eligible to audition for the Concerto-Aria Concert must be enrolled for at least six hours for credit during the semester of the concert, and must be studying for credit with a member of the applied music staff to ensure that he or she will represent performance standards set by the Program.

A student may be chosen to appear in Concerto Aria only twice in his/her career at Augustana, and not in consecutive years.

(Aneila Seyie Keretsü)

Paresh Rawal appeals to media not to invite Pakistanis on shows

I

n the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, veteran actor Paresh Rawal on Sunday appealed to Indian news channels not to entertain or invite any Pakistani guests on their shows.

“Humble appeal to our national news channels. Please don’t invite any Pakistani or Indian terrorist sympathisers to spew venom against our dear motherland,” he tweeted.

At least 49 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were killed in the attack when a suicide bomber rammed his SUV packed with explosives into a CRPF bus on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama district on Thursday.

Expressing anger over the the attack, the “Uri: The Surgical Strike” actor asked for a ban on Pakistani people who are spreading “venom” in India.

“Those rabid dogs are not allowed in our homes.

Let those maggots die in their own filth,” Rawal added.

(IANS)

Slash confirms new GN’R material is in the works

S

lash recently spoke to Japanese music critic and radio personality Masa Ito of TVK’s “Rock City” about the possibility of a new studio LP from Guns N’ Roses in the nottoo-distant future.

“Axl [Rose, vocals], Duff [McKagan, bass], myself and Richard [Fortus, guitar] have all talked about… there’s material and stuff going on already for a new record,” he confirmed (see video below). “It’s just, with Guns N’ Roses, you don’t go, ‘Oh, there is a plan, and it’s gonna be like this,’ because that’s not how it works. So, basically, the only real answer to give is we’re hoping to put a new record out, and we’ll just see what happens when it happens.”

Guns kicked off its long-rumored and longawaited reunion tour in April 2016 with a club show in Hollywood and appearances in Las Vegas and at California’s Coachella festival.

The “Not In This Life-

Roses had been notorious for internal friction, with Axl and Slash ending their initial collaboration in 1993 following a show in Buenos Aires, the guitarist says that they “really, really had a great time” on the reunion tour. “There was no bullshit,” he explained. “It was one of those situations, a lot of people like to show an appearance and say, ‘Oh, it’s great and this and that time” tour features classic lineup members Slash, McKagan and Rose backed

by Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

“It was surprising in and of itself when we got [back] together in the first place.” Slash told “Rock City”. “And then the first show that we did was magic — that was unbelievable. That first series of shows that we did around Coachella back in April of 2016, it was just such a huge thing. For the guys in

the band — for myself to be on stage with Duff and Axl and just have that chemistry was so powerful. You forget, because it had been a lot of years since I jammed with both those guys, and it was really powerful. And one thing led to another, and we just ended up having this amazing tour that you couldn’t possibly dream of. It was a really great tour. And it lasted a really long time. I think it was the longest tour we ever did. It was about two and a half years.”

Although Guns N’

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

and the other,’ but the reality is something else. But for us, this whole thing was really a magical experience. The band was great, the fucking entourage, the crew, the whole production was just like this really great marriage of people, and we just all had a really good time.

And the fans were amazing.

So I’m really happy that it happened.”

(Blabbermouth)

Congratulation

We the Konyak Region congratulate Honourable President Q. Tuccu and Vice-President Tongmeth Wangnao on being elected as President and Vice-President.

Also we appreciate the Naga people (Specially National Workers) for choosing and electing the right persons to the right post.

May God bless Naga Nation, it's people and leaders.

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Gorkha Youth Club Dimapur (GYCD) members with NPF minority wing president Bishnu Bhattacharya and other leaders during the launching of teaser for the film ‘Gupt’ at hotel Acacia on Sunday. The film is directed by Shiva Kumar BK. GYCD organized the event in order to support the filmmaker and also the cast of the film who are from Dimapur. (NP)

Google shows Pak flag when searched for ‘toilet paper’

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oogle has been showing Pakistani flag when searched for the “best toilet paper in the world”, the “best Chinamade toilet paper” or just “toilet paper”.

The glitch on Google Search results was noticed a couple of days after the February 14 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district that left 49 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel dead.

Screenshots of the search results have gone viral as memes, posts and status updates on several social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Apart from images of the Pakistan flags, a search for toilet paper-related queries on Google results into a number of media reports that have been circulating around the subject.

A query to Google about whether the glitch

has been taken care of or not went unanswered.

Google algorithms have often displayed inappropriate search results on certain topics.

E a r l i e r, s e a r c h i n g words like “Feku”, “Pappu” and “Idiot” led users to images of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and US President Donald Trump, respectively.

(IANS)

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary

RENPHAMO ODYUO & MHONCHUMI ODYUO 18th February 1969 – 18th February 2019

“Herein our Love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement...”

Dearest Mom and Dad! You both are an inspiration to us all.

You have taught us that Love must be taken care of with Respect, Care and Forgiveness.

Thank You Love & Gratitude Children, In-Laws & Grandchildren

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acial recognition video technology has led to recovery of a million dollar painting, stolen from an art gallery in Moscow, and the thief ’s arrest, according to authorities in Moscow, the Russian capital.

Dmitri Golovin, head of the Urban Video Surveillance Division of the Moscow government’s Department of Information Technologies, told IANS in an e-mail interview about the process of recovery of ‘Ai-Petri’, a painting by Arkhip Kuindzhi, one of Russia’s noted landscape painters. The theft of the painting last month was widely reported in the international media.

“The painting was located within eight hours of being stolen from the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow with the help of smart city technologies deployed in the capital,” Golovin said.

“The thief, Denis Chupikov, was tracked down through the surveillance videos,” he said. According to Golovin, Moscow’s smart city and safe city solutions comprise video surveillance system across the capital.

The painting “Ai-Petri”, painted in the 1890s by Kuindzhi, has an estimated value of $1 million. It had been brought to Moscow from the collection of St Petersburg’s Russian Museum K Y M C

for an exhibition.

According to the Russian police, the painting, stolen on the artist’s birthday, was recovered from a construction site outside of Moscow. Golovin said 70 per cent of crimes in Moscow are investigated using a video surveillance system. “To date more than 100,000 entrances of apartment buildings, about 20,000 courtyards and over 3,500 public places have been equipped with cameras,” he said.

The deployment of video analytics to automatically review what the cameras record, including facial recognition, began in Moscow last year.

“At present, the facial recognition system has been implemented for 1,500 video streams and we are planning to increase it to 105,000, that is, to cover all the cameras in the areas of surveillance,” Golovin said.

From this year, the neuro-network system, allowing recognition of wanted criminals from the crowd, is also being introduced,” he said.

The Moscow official said not only paintings but also stolen items like bicycles have been recovered using the technology. “Users can get access to the system anywhere -- at a control centre, workplace or on their mobile devices,” he said.

(IANS)

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Serie A: AC Milan beat Atalanta 3-1

AC Milan’s Krzysztof Piatek, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during the Serie A match against Atlanta.

Hakan Calhanoglu also finding the net.

The result could prove significant in the Champions League race with just one point having separated the sides going into the game.

Milan have opened up a four-point lead over Atalanta as well as over Lazio and Roma, who face Genoa and Bologna respectively over the next two days.

Bale snubbed Real team-mates: Courtois

Gareth Bale

Madrid, Feb 17 (Agencies): Thibaut Courtois has criticised Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale for not adapting to the Spanish way of life, and says the Welsh winger has been dubbed “the golfer” by the rest of the squad.

Courtois says Bale recently snubbed his Madrid colleagues by preferring to have an early night rather than sitting down to a meal with the other players.

Bale, who reportedly spends most of his spare time on the golf course, has been continually linked with a move back from Spain to the Premier League.

When asked what the Madrid players call Bale, the goalkeeper answered, “The golfer.” Speaking to Belgian newspaper HLN, Courtois said, “It is very hard to describe Gareth in one word. I would say he has so much talent, but that it is such a shame that so

often that talent is blocked from shining.” He added, “I live like somebody who is born and bred in Madrid.

I eat late, I go bed late... it is their way of life.”

“The other night we had a dinner with the entire squad. But Bale and (Toni) Kroos did not turn up. They reckoned the dinner was too late at night. We had arranged to be in the restaurant at 9.30pm and we started out meal around 10.15pm and by midnight we were having coffee.”

“We go to bed at around 1am. We have to train every morning at 11am. I think that is a perfect time. But Bale had told us ‘I am not coming to join you, guys. I go to bed at 11’.”

Courtois is not the first Real player to single Bale out for criticism after team-mate Marcelo revealed the winger still does not speak Spanish despite living in Madrid for six years.

With 42 points, Gennaro Gattuso’s side are one point behind third-placed rivals Inter Milan ahead of their clash with Sampdoria on Sunday. Atalanta dropped to seventh.

Piatek became the first Milan player since Mario Balotelli in 2013 to score in each of his first three Serie A starts for the club, having also netted against Roma and Cagliari.

The 23-year-old took

his tally to 17 league goals this season between Milan and Genoa. Atalanta had started the game stronger and took the lead after 33 minutes when Freuler raced onto Josip Ilicic’s cut-back and powered a finish under Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Piatek equalised in first-half stoppage time with an exquisite left-footed volley and the comeback was completed 10 minutes into the second half when Calhanoglu pounced on a poor clearance and rifled a shot into the corner from outside the box, his first league goal of the season.

Piatek then extended his side’s lead by heading in from a corner with just over an hour on the clock.

Meanwhile, Leonardo Pavoletti scored twice to help relegation-threatened Cagliari to its first victory of 2019. Cagliari came from behind to beat Parma 2-1 and move six points clear of the relegation zone.

Juraj Kucka headed Parma in front five minutes from halftime but Pavoletti bundled in the equalizer in the 66th and headed in what proved to be the winner five minutes from halftime.

Cagliari midfielder Cagliari Joao Pedro was sent off late following two yellow cards in quick succession _ the first for a foul on Kucka and the second for dissent immediately after the booking.

Campbell gets maiden ODI callup for Eng series Bridgetown, Feb 17 (Agencies): John Campbell, Carlos Brathwaite and Sheldon Cottrell have been called up to the West Indies squad for next week’s first two one day internationals against England.

The changes to the 14-man squad were made due to injuries to opening batsman Evin Lewis, as well as all-rounders Keemo Paul and Rovman Powell.

It is Campbell’s first call-up for limited-overs cricket. The 25-year-old made his Test debut in the just-completed series against England, which West Indies won 2-1.

He scored 176 runs at an average of 35.2.

Brathwaite, who hit Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes to secure West Indies’ victory in the final of the 2016 World Twenty20 against England, has played 28 ODIs and 35 Twenty20 internationals.

Cottrell, a left-arm pace bowler, has appeared in six ODIs and 10 Twenty20 internationals.

The first two matches of the four-match ODI series will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Wednesday and Friday.

Opelka beats Isner in New York

Reilly Opelka returns a shot to John Isner.

New York, Feb 17 ( Ag e n c i e s ) : Re i l ly Opelka saved six match points and blasted 43 aces to hand John Isner another crushing loss as he stunned the top seed 6-7(8) 7-6(14) 7-6(4) in the semi-finals of the New York Open on Saturday.

Opelka had delivered a similar tough defeat to fellow American Isner in the opening round of the Australian Open last month when he edged out a four-set win with each set finishing in a tiebreak.

The two big servers battled in another grudge match, with Isner falling short despite 38 aces of his own. Their combined 81

aces is a new ATP Tour record in a three-set match.

The 21-year-old Opelka will pursue his first career singles title against Brayden Schnur who reached the final by upending sixth seed Sam Querrey 7-6(7) 4-6 6-3.

The Canadian Schnur had never won an ATP Tour main draw match before this week, but the qualifier saved five setpoints in the opening set and kept his unlikely run intact.

“It’s an extremely big moment for me. These last few days have been unbelievable,” Schnur told reporters. “I was one of the last guys to get into qualifying and my coach said to

just see what happens. I think I’ve turned a lot of heads this week and am on the come-up.” Schnur, the 154th-ranked player in the world, won two qualifying matches just to get into the tournament.

After winning the opening set from Querrey, Schnur appeared to be facing a letdown. He had a break point chance to lead 4-0 but ultimately succumbed to unforced errors that allowed his American opponent to take control and level the match. Schnur regrouped with an early break to lead 2-0 in the deciding set and ultimately ended the match after one hour and 54 minutes.

Family, friends pay final respects to Emiliano Sala Progreso, Feb 17 (IANS): Family and friends of Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash last month in the English Channel, paid their final respects at a memorial service in his hometown here.

“It’s too tough what we’re dealing with. This is a town that’s in bad shape.

From this day forward, Emi will be with us every day,” Progreso Mayor, Julio Muller, said in the service on Saturday.

That small town of 3,000 inhabitants where Sala lived from the age of four, has been virtually paralysed for the past few weeks leading up to Saturday’s wake, in which people paid their last respects

before his body is cremated, reports Efe news.

The service was held at the installations of Club San Martin de Progreso, where the striker got his start in the sport.

“Ever ything’s stopped... When we saw the news we didn’t want it to be Emi, but we wanted one thing and destiny another,” Muller said.

Sala’s body arrived in Argentina on Friday along with some family members who were in France during the search for the remains of the light aircraft that disappeared on January 21.

The wreckage was found on February 3 and Sala’s body was recovered and identified four days

later.

“He’s from here (Progreso). He’s a part of us and our history,” Sala’s aunt, Mirta Tafarel, said.

She also said it was important to clarify what caused the plane to plunge into the sea while carrying Sala from Nantes, France, to Cardiff, Wales.

Sala, who played for Ligue 1 club FC Nantes from 2015 to 2019, had returned to that French city after signing a new contract with Cardiff City.

The plane crashed as he was flying back to Wales for his first training session with the English Premier League club.

Among those making the trip to Progreso were officials and players from

Nantes football player Nicolas Pallois (right), Dario Sala (centre) brother of Emiliano Sala and Horacio Sala (centre-back) his father, carry the coffin along with other relatives.

Cardiff City, which had and from Nantes, where paid a club record 17 mil- he enjoyed his greatest lion euro ($19.2 million) success. transfer fee to acquire him, Nicolas Higuain, Sa-

la’s former agent and the brother of Argentine soccer star Gonzalo Higuain, also attended the wake.

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Milan, Feb 17 (Agencies): Two goals from Krzysztof Piatek helped AC Milan come from behind to beat Atalanta 3-1 away in Serie A and move four points clear in fourth place on Saturday.

Piatek cancelled out Remo Freuler’s first-half opener with goals either side of halftime to take his tally at Milan to six in five games since joining from Genoa in January, with

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Man City through to FA Cup quarters

Manchester City’s Phil Foden (left) celebrates scoring his side’s second goal in their FA Cup win at Newport.

Lo n d o n, F e b 1 7 (Agencies): Phil Foden’s second-half double saw Manchester City beat Newport County 4-1 at Rodney Parade to progress to the FA Cup quarterfinals.

After an evenly matched first 45 minutes, Sane opened the scoring after 51 minutes with his 12th goal of the season, before Foden doubled City’s lead with a quarter of an hour left to play.

Newport striker Padraig Amond briefly gave Michael Flynn’s men hope of a stunning fightback by pulling a goal back in the 88th minute, only for late

strikes by Foden - just 71 seconds later - and Riyad Mahrez to seal the contest.

As a result, City’s quadruple hopes remain alive ahead of their midweek trip to Schalke in the Champions League, while Newport - playing in the fifth round of the Cup for the first time in 70 years - can return to their League Two programme with heads held high.

N ew p o r t a c t u a l ly controlled large parts of the first period and could have been leading at halftime had it not been for a breathtaking reaction save

by Ederson just before the

quarter-hour mark.

After Jamille Matt had managed to get a flick to Mickey Demetriou’s long throw, Tyreeq Bakinson - lurking unmarked at the far post - was denied by the Brazilian’s fingertips.

The Premier League champions were not without their own moments of threat in the first 45 minutes, but Joe Day’s outstretched leg prevented Mahrez’s early shot from finding the far corner, before Sane thumped a shot off the outside of the bar.

With the scoreline still goalless at the break, Newport joined a select band of four other teams to have

prevented Pep Guardiola’s star-studded line-up from scoring in the first half of a game this season.

Six minutes into the second half, though, the visitors - no doubt driven on by some half-time words from Guardiola - did make the breakthrough following an exchange of passes down the left between Sane and Gabriel Jesus.

Sane still had a lot of work to do, but from an acute angle towards the byline, the German powered a shot through Day at his near post, leaving the Newport No 1 with a bloodied nose for his troubles.

That strike settled City, whose neat passing game then began to kick in as the visitors went for in search of a second to seal the tie, only for a combination of Day and the woodwork to initially deny them However, City did double their lead with 15 minutes to go as Foden won the ball on halfway, before driving forward and beating Day with a low shot which the ‘keeper will feel he should have kept out.

A m o n d wa s a l e r t enough to take advantage of a mix-up at the back with an opportunistic 88thminute strike, only for City to immediately respond through Foden’s mazy dribble and shot and Mahrez’s powerful near-post drive in stoppage time.

Indian NGO wins Laureus Sport for Good honour

Monaco, Feb 17 (PTI): Yuwa, a Jharkhand-based NGO which works for girl empowerment, Sunday won the Laureus Sport for Good award, becoming the third Indian entry to bag the honour. The NGO, founded by Americans Franz Gastler and Rose Thomson Gastler in 2009, runs a football program in rural Jharkhand covering 450 girls.

Four girls out of the 450- Hima, Nita, Radha and Konika will receive the award on behalf of Yuwa at The Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday.

An Indian sporting feat made its way to the Laureus Awards for the first time in 2004 when the Indian cricket team and its Pakistani counterpart shared the Sport for Good honour for resuming bilateral ties despite tensions between the two countries.

Most recently, Magic Bus from India won the Laureus Sport for Good award in 2014.

On Sunday legendary coach Arsene Wenger kicked football with the young Indian girls ahead of the announcement.

“They are good technically and want to play together. We used to say football is a sport played by 11 selfish individuals but they play like a team and are highly motivated,” said Wenger.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

ISL: Delhi beat Bengaluru FC 3-2

Players of Delhi Dynamos and Bengaluru FC fight for the ball during their match on Sunday.

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): Daniel Lalhlimpuia scored twice in three minutes as Delhi Dynamos FC stunned Bengaluru FC 3-2 in a closely fought Hero ISL clash here Sunday.

Ulises Davila’s goal in the ninth minute gave Delhi the lead and opened the game up in midfield.

Boithang Haokip scored in the 19th minute to bring Bengaluru level. Sunil Chhetri’s 72nd-minute strike looked to have put Bengaluru in the driving seat before Daniel Lalhlimpuia struck twice (77’, 80’) to seal a win for his team.

Delhi Dynamos drew first blood in the ninth minute. Nandhakumar Sekar’s low cross into the box was punched into the feet of Davila by an outstretched Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

The Mexican forward found the back of the net with a

powerful shot.

Bengaluru were back in the contest in the 19th minute. Similar to the opening goal, Francisco Dorronsoro had trouble collecting a Xisco Hernandez cross from the right flank and his punch sent the ball to Boithang whose first-time shot struck the net. The league leaders pulled ahead in the 72nd minute.

The visitors made full use of Delhi’s pressing and the space available behind the defence as Xisco found Chhetri’s run with a perfectly-weighted lobbed throughball. The India striker dribbled into the box and poked the ball past Dorronsoro.

Delhi’s attackers sprang to life and moved forward in search of the equaliser. They were rewarded in the 77th minute when Narayan Das delivered a teasing cross into the centre of the box

from the left flank. Daniel brought the ball under control and slammed the ball straight at Gurpreet who could not prevent the strike from going into the net.

Delhi looked a rejuvenated side in the second half and consistent pressure in the attacking third helped the hosts regain their lead three minutes later.

Juanan’s defensive header off a Romeo Fernandes cross fell to Daniel.

The former Bengaluru striker drilled a low shot towards goal which took a deflection off Rahul Bheke and beat Gurpreet at his near post.

Daniel outmuscled Albert Serran and entered the box in the 86th minute. Gurpreet pulled off a good save to deny the striker but the damage was already done

by Delhi whose second-half performance gave them a morale-boosting win.

Trent Boult, Kohli remains at top in Test rankings Mahmudullah fined Mertens stuns Halep to lift Qatar Open title

Dubai, Feb 17 (PTI): India captain Virat Kohli remained on top while teammate Chesteshwar Pujara managed to hold on to his third position in the latest ICC Test rankings, where Sri Lankan Kusal Perera made a quantum leap of 58 places.

Kohli is leading the chart with 992 rating points ahead of New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (897 points) and Pujara (881). Besides Kohli and Pujara, no other Indian feature in the top 10 list.

The left-handed Perera has reached a careerbest 40th position after 15 Tests, scoring 51 and an unbeaten 153 that guided his team to an improbable win, partnering in the highest ever unbroken 10th wicket stand in a winning cause in first-class cricket.

He added 78 runs for the last wicket with Vishwa Fernando (six not out) to beat an 83-year record set by the Australians against

for misconduct

Virat Kohli

Madras in February 1936.

In the bowlers’ list, Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has overtaken Kagiso Rabada to grab the top spot.

Cummins is the first from his country since Glenn McGrath’s pole position in the list, back in February, 2006. Cummins is leading the bowlers table

ahead of England’s James Anderson and Rabada of South Africa.

Among the bowlers list, India’s Ravindra Jadeja is placed at the fifth spot with 794 points. Jadeja also features in the all-rounders’ list at the third position ahead of West Indies’ Jason Holder and Shakib-Al Hasan.

Christchurch, Feb 17 (Agencies): New Zealand bowler Trent Boult and Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah have been fined for breaching cricket’s code of conduct during the second one-day international in Christchurch on Saturday.

Boult was fined 15 percent of his match fee for an “audible obscenity” while Mahmudullah was fined 10 percent for “abuse” of equipment for striking the fence with his bat while leaving the field after his dismissal, the International Cricket Council said on Sunday.

Both players had one demerit point added to their disciplinary records of a first offence.

New Zealand won the match by eight wickets to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series with the third and final match to be played in Dunedin on Wednesday.

DOHA, Feb 17 (Agencies): Belgium’s Elise Mertens rallied from a set down to beat top seed Simona Halep 3-6 6-4 6-3 and clinch her first Premier-level title at the Qatar Open on Saturday.

After both players dropped their opening service game, Halep took control of the encounter by winning 18 consecutive points from 3-3 to clinch the first set.

World number three Halep grabbed an early break in the second set but Mertens responded immediately to get the match back on serve.

Unseeded Mertens held her nerve to fend off two break points in the seventh game before she broke Halep’s serve to love en route to claiming her first set in six played against the Romanian.

Wi t h m o m e n t u m firmly on her side, Mertens claimed a crucial early break in the deciding set

Elise Mertens kisses the Qatar Open trophy after beating Simona Halep in the final.

and went on to hold off a late Halep surge to win her fifth WTA title.

Mertens, ranked 21 in the world, recorded three top-10 victories in Doha this week, also beating Kiki Bertens and Angelique Kerber in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.

Real Madrid suffer shock home defeat to Girona Madrid, Feb 17 (Agencies): Lowly G irona stunned Real Madrid as they came from a goal down to win 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Sunday in a game that saw Sergio Ramos sent off for two bookings.

Casemiro gave Madrid a half-time lead, but Cristhian Stuani levelled from the penalty spot and Cristian Portu headed home a shock winner for the side that began the day in 17th place.

Girona made a positive start, putting together a neat move when Portu and Alex Granell linked but the final ball into the Madrid area just failed to find Stuani.

Madrid flickered into life, Toni Kroos serving a warning sign when his dangerous free kick was cleared

by Douglas Luiz.

With a little over a quarter of an hour gone, Kroos found Lucas Vazquez, whose shot brought a fine stop from Yassine Bounou, but Girona responded and Stuani drew a good save from Thibaut Courtois.

And Kroos was again involved as Madrid took

lifted the ball over the top.

But they were level after 64 minutes when Ramos handled a Garcia shot and Stuani beat Courtois from the penalty spot, Ramos going into the book.

Vinicius Jr. shot over as Madrid looked to regain their advantage, but things almost got worse for the home side after 71 minutes when Girona’s Portu smacked a shot against the post. And they did get worse with a quarter of an hour remaining as the visitors went in front, Courtois parrying

Lozano’s shot and Portu diving to head the rebound past him.

Vinicius Jr. saw a curler go wide of the far post as time began to run out for Madrid, substitute Gareth Bale then thwarted by Bounou.

In the closing moments, a high boot from Ramos deep inside the Girona penalty area brought a second yellow and his 25th red card for Madrid and there was still time for keeper Courtois, up for a corner, to head narrowly wide.

Barcelona edge Valladolid 1-0

Real right back Alvaro Odriozola challenges Girona defender Raul Garcia during their match on Sunday.

the lead after 25 minutes, his cross headed powerfully home by Casemiro.

L u c a s a n d A l va r o Odriozola combined to look for Karim Benzema, who was unable to reach a low cross, before Alex Granell smashed an effort wide for Girona.

Benzema was close

to doubling Madrid’s lead as half-time approached, Bounou saving his rising shot, and he should have done so early in the second half only to head Marco Asensio’s cross wide when unmarked inside the sixyard box.

Madrid coach Santiago Solari made his first change

just before the hour, bringing Vinicius Jr. on for Lucas shortly before the hour, but soon afterwards his side were thankful for a bad Girona miss.

The visitors looked certain to equalise when Courtois saved from Anthony Lozano but Aleix Garcia, from close range, somehow

Barcelona marked the signing of a new contract for coach Ernesto Valverde with a 1-0 win over relegationbattlers Real Valladolid to strengthen their grip at the top of La Liga on Saturday night. Valverde, whose deal sees him committed to the Nou Camp club for at least another season, had made five changes from the team which was held to a goalless draw by Athletic Bilbao, as Kevin-Prince Boateng came in for a debut.

Despite having one eye on next week’s Champions League last-16 clash against Lyon, Barcelona eventually broke down a stubborn Valladolid side, Lionel Messi converting a penalty just before half-time. However, Valladolid’s former Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip produced a string of fine saves to prevent Barcelona further extending their lead - including denying Messi from the spot late on and then catching the follow-up header.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough 2018 season, winning three titles, and has since maintained her steady progress on the WTA tour.

Halep, who helped Romania to their first-ever Fed Cup semi-final last weekend, struggled physi-

cally in the closing stages and needed medical assistance for treatment on her right foot.

“Honestly, I wanted to lift this beautiful trophy but Elise deserved it very much,” said Halep, who won the Doha title in 2014.

Badminton nationals: Railways want champions AAI disqualified Guwahati, Feb 17 (IANS): The Senior National Badminton Championship here on Saturday got embroiled in a controversy as runnersup Railways alleged that newly crowned champions Airport Authority of India (AAI) have fielded “ineligible” players and appealed for their disqualification.

In a letter to Badminton Association of India (BAI) Secretary Ajay Singhania, the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) said the teams had been informed they cannot field players on scholarship and on contract in the team championship ahead the Junior Nationals in December.

“The AAI employs players only on contract and this makes players ineligible and hence should be disqualified. Our team manager Gajender Singh had raised the issue at the managers’ meeting but

his objections were overlooked. This has resulted in Indian Railways missing out on the title,” the RSPB letter read.

The AAI had won the title after beating Railways 3-2 in the final.

Singhania, however, said the BAI had allowed the AAI to compete since they had qualified for the nationals after participating in the All India Inter Institutional tournament in August 2018, before the rule regarding scholarships and contracts was announced.

“The inter-institutional tournament, which was the qualifying event for the inter-state championship, was conducted before the Junior Nationals and thus we had to allow the AAI to play at the nationals,” Singhania said.

“We want teams to field players who are employed because it will help athletes obtain permanent jobs,” he said.

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