February 26, 2018

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 80

MONDAY, February 26, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Sangma spearheads Cong battle for Garo Hills

India win 3rd T20I to clinch series

Sridevi: Bollywood superstar dies at 54 of heart attack

northeast, Page 4

sports, Page 12

Infotainment, Page 10

Campaigning ends Correspondent/Staff Reporter

D imapur , F eb 2 5 (NPN): Campaigning by political parties ended on February 25(Sunday) at 4 pm, 48 hours before the end of polling on February 27,2018, reported Media Cell of CEO. In view of one candidate declared elected unopposed from 11-Northern Angami-II, a total of 195 candidates will contest the remaining 59 assembly constituencies to the 13th NLA. Of the 60 seats one seat Dimapur-I is open for general candidate and the rest being reserved for ST candidates. There are 11,91,530 voters this time, an increase of about 2000 from the last General Election.

CEO informed that since November, polling stations have been classified under three categoriesCritical, Vulnerable and Normal. In the previous election, if voting was more than 75% or a candidate got 75% of the votes or where there are complaints or booth capturing falls, such a station was classi-

Curfew in Kiphire dist DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Kiphire, Mohammed Ali Shihab (IAS), as empowered by the state government has restricted the movement of three or more persons in groups between 6 p.m to 6 a.m within Kiphire district with effect from February 25, till the entire election process is over.

The order stated that the restriction was being passed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc). Polling personnel, magistrates and security personnel are exempted from the purview of this order, it said. The order warned that individuals found violating the order will be arrested and necessary action will be initiated against them as per the provisions of the law.

DC MKG informs of parking restriction

DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN):DC Mokokchung, Sachin Jaiswal (IAS) has informed all concerned that in view of the upcoming 13th General Assembly Election to the state of Nagaland, no parking zones will be enforced in the following locations under Mokokchung Town on February 26 and 27.

(1) From Imlong place to Imkongmeren Sports Complex (IM Road) (2) From Imlong Place to BOC (AM Road)

fied as Critical category. In cases of threat of intimidation to voters or element of violence, such a polling station fell under Vulnerable category while others fell under Normal Category.

Presently there are 1100 Critical, 530 Vulnerable and 566 Normal polling stations which classified

by DCs, SPs and respective administrative officers.

Nagaland will go to polls on February 27, 2018 and counting will take place on March 3,2018.

Two former and the present chief minister are in the fray for the February 27 election to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly which will witness 53 sitting MLAs in the fray including – first timers out of a total of --- candidates.

This time there are five (5) female candidates, the highest ever and promises to end total male dominance in state politics. Of the five female candidates, two are from NPP, one BJP, one NDPP and one Independent.

The new entrants to the assembly election are, Dimapur-based Nationalist Democratic Progres-

sive Party (NDPP) which has set up 40 candidates, Meghalaya-based National People’s Party (NPP) has set up 25 candidates and Aam Admi Party (AAP) has set up 3 candidates.

The other parties in the fray include BJP which has set up 20 candidates, NPF 58, JDU which has set up 13 candidates, INC 18 candidates, NCP has set up 6 candidates, LJP has set up 2 candidates and 11 Independents.

Former chief minister Neiphiu Rio who is the NDPP chief ministerial candidate was declared elected unopposed after the NPF candidate Chupfuo Kense withdrew from the race on health issues.

Present chief minister T. R. Zeliang who is the chief ministerial candidate for the ruling NPF is locked in a straight fight with NDPP candidate and retired police officer Iherie Ndang in 7-Peren A/C. Another former chief minister K.L. Chishi joined BJP recently and is contesting from his previous constituency at 32 Atoizu A/C against sitting NPF legislator Er. Picto Sema.

Entire Mokokchung dist. Modi bluffed Nagas on solution: Cong under Sec.144 CrPC Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer of Mokokchung, Sachin Jaiswal (IAS) has promulgated prohibitory order under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC) in the entire area of Mokokchung District in apprehension of possible breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity which might vitiate the smooth conduct of elections in the district. According to DIPR, the order shall come into force from 4 p.m on February 25 and will stay in force till February 28, 2018.

The prohibitory order comes in the wake of serious election relate violence, including an incidence of violence which resulted in a death on February 22 in Tuli. Nine persons were arrested in this connection.

Also 15 persons were arrested on February 23 after a stone-pelting clash erupted between supporters of two rival parties. Again on February 24, a clash erupted in Chungtia where two persons reportedly suffered bullet injuries. Under the order, assembly of 5 or more persons and carrying of fire arms,

DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): NDPP 7 Peren A/C has accused an official of the Urban Development department of canvassing for a candidate of the constituency by “alluring the innocent public voters with government schemes.”

A complaint to the Chief Election Officer (CEO) from NDPP 7

Peren-A/C president, Itwa asked the CEO to look into this matter with the utmost seriousness as per the election conduct rules.

Meanwhile, another press release from NDPP media and communication committee called this conduct a serious breach of rules because the said official allegedly not only

supported a candidate but used government resources to do so.

The NDPP demanded that the officer be suspended and a high level enquiry be set up.

They also said that the officer should be arrested and befitting punishment meted out to serve as an example for other officers.

NDPP dismisses merger rumours DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party party has dismissed the rumour circulating is social media that the NDPP-BJP alliance had decided on a merger of the two parties.

A press release from NDPP media & communications committee called this rumour ‘propaganda’ and assured citizens of the state that they would stand

firm on the commitments they had given to the electorate.

“There is no question of merger with anybody” the press release asserted.

It said that the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) had full faith in the wisdom of the Naga people and they would themselves not resort to any forms of false rumours and propaganda that spread lies.

Correspondent

KO H I M A , F E B 2 5 (NPN): With just a day to go for the Nagaland state general elections, 11,70,548 voters are registered to exercise their franchise on February 27 in 59 constituencies. A total of 5,79,108 are female and 5,91,440 are male.

Among the 195 candidates, five are women.

According to ADR reports 2018, there are seven candidates between the ages of 25 and 30, 29 candidates are between the ages of 31 and 40, 39 candidates between 41 and 50, 66 candidates between 51 and 60 and one candidate is above 80 years.

As per the affidavits filed, Rongsenshilu from Mokokchung Town is the youngest candidate being

25 years old and the oldest is Kejong Chang at 81 years of age.

In 2013, a total of 10,80,887 (90.57%) voters cast their vote with Longleng district having the highest voter turnout percentage -- 94.35% followed

by Wokha with 94.35%.

Of the 60 elected members in 2013, six candidates were between the ages of 30 and 40 years and 32 year old Merentoshi Jamir from Mongoya AC was declared the youngest MLA amongst them all.

Out of the 60 elected members in 2013, former chief minister Neiphiu Rio from 11 Northern Angami-I A/C won the election with the highest margin of 12,271 followed

by C. L John with 7891, G. Kaito Aye, 7168, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire,

6711, Chotisuh Sazo, 6410 and Yitachu, 5551.

C. Apok Jamir from Mokokchung town, which was also the smallest constituency in the state, won the election with a margin of 47 just votes, Longriniken with 156, Mmhonlumo Kikon, 254, Thongwang, 274 and Hukavi Zhimomi, 322.

Most of the winning candidates from the last elections won by margins between 1000 and 5000.

Meanwhile the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha informed Nagaland Post that 144 CrPc was imposed for the entirety of Mokokchung district.

Informing of this on Sunday evening, Sinha said 31 companies of CAPF and 10 state IR and NAP companies were

deployed in Mokokchung district.

He also said that strike forces were deployed at various vulnerable places like Lonkhum, Chungtia, Changtongya, Tuli, Ungma and Aliba and also in some other parts of the state ensure smooth conduct of the polls.

He further he reiterated the earlier stand of the authorities that action would be initiated against village councils imposing penalties on villagers and voters by favouring particular candidates.

He stated that for the 2018 polls, movement of armed cadres were not reported except once in Longkhum while adding that more than 250 companies of central forces had reached Nagaland for the February 27 polls.

Poll security review meeting held in Longleng CBI files case against private sugar company, officials for bank fraud

DC & DEO Longleng Chairing the Security meeting.

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D imapur , F eb 2 5 (NPN): All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary, Dr. K. Jayakumar on Sunday, slammed the BJP government at the centre for going ahead with the State Assembly elections without bringing a solution to the protracted Naga issue.

In a press conference at Aier’s Enclave, Dimapur, Dr. Jayakumar said he expected Prime Minister Narendra Modi to at least profoundly apologize to the people of Nagaland during his rally at Tuensang for going ahead with the assembly elections without a solution to Naga issue.

Dr.Jayakumar said Modi should have at least apologised to the people out of courtesy for going ahead with the elections. “On the contrary, Modi said that discussions with the government were on and various groups are participating in it. He (Modi) also said anybody can come and give their views anytime on the issue”. If this was the status, Dr.Jayakumar asked, then “how long should the

the 2018 budget...He is bluffing the people of Nagaland,” he added.

The AICC secretary also accused Modi of bringing instability to the north eastern region and dubbing him as “the father of instability in north east.” Dr. Jayakumar accused BJP of manipulation on governments in various parts of the country. He said Congress, on the other hand, always strived for stability of the north eastern region and the country.

While calling upon the Naga people not to sell their faith and integrity but to vote according to conscience, Dr. Jayakumar said, “If BJP wins in Nagaland, I would say Christianity has been sold and that Christianity has been bartered for money.”

On Congress coming to a post-poll alliance with Naga People’s Front (NPF), Jayakumar said that the party is not supporting NPF but would want to be a part of a secular front. He admitted Congress cannot form a government on its own, however, it will be the play maker for forming the government after the elections.

NDPP accuses govt. servant of campaigning 11,70,548 voters to elect 59 out of 195 candidates

This is it!

“These days only money speaks so out of boredom they drink and play cards all day.”

stones, lathis, explosive materials or any such items are prohibited and the violators will be held liable for punishment under Section 188 of the IPC. However, the prohibitory order will not be applied to government officials involved in the conduct of elections, law and order and essential services.

DIPR further reported that Polling in Mokokchung district will be conducted in 226 polling stations and adequate security measures have been made to enable electors to exercise their franchise without fear.

Superintendent of Police Mokokchung, Raguramarajan. A (IPS) said that a total of 31 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and 10 companies of Nagaland police including IRB have been requisitioned for poll duty in the district out of which 28 companies will be deployed on poll duty. According to DIPR, he said 12 companies will remain on duty as striking forces to deal with any eventuality, especially in sensitive areas in the district.

The SP said one company of CAPF has been earmarked for strong room duty.

talks be allowed go on? It is time to put an embargo against prolonging talks” he added.

Dr.Jayakumar further added that Modi’s remark indicated that there is no deadline to when the Naga issue will be solved.”

The AICC secretary also accused Modi of bluffing the Nagas. “When we talk of solution, he talks of development... We did not ask for development.

We asked for solution,” Jayakumar said.

Further he pointed out that the prime minister has been giving tall promises but all of them have never been fulfilled. For instance he said Modi announced Rs.90,000 crore for roads in the north east in 2017 with an eye for the 2018 Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura elections but there was not a single paisa earmarked in the 2018 budget. Again, Jayakumar said the prime minister promised Rs.10, 000 crore for road connectivity during his election rally at Tuensang another Rs.400 crore for Nagaland healthcare, Rs.1800 crore for Kohima smart city.

“None of these things have been mentioned in

DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Longleng election officials held their final security meeting on Sunday for the upcoming Assembly Elections. According to DPRO, Longleng, the meet was held at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer (DC &

DEO) of Longleng, John Tsulise Sangtam.

The DC & DEO spoke on the restrictions and authority to enter polling booths, safe custody of EVMs/VVPATs, movement & return plan of polling parties, role of Presiding Officers and Sector Magistrates, use of authorized mobile phones and the secrecy of voting. The DC & DEO

also urged the meeting to utilize the services of the DBs who were deployed to facilitate the maintenance of law & order.

Dr. Raghav Langer IAS & General Observer, spoke on the Joint Communication System with the Control Room at the DC & DEO office, compulsory contact numbers of Sector Magistrates & Sector Com-

manders and other team leaders, security arrangements for both inside and outside the polling booths, challenge votes, proxy votes, location of election booths and voters facilitation booths, sanitization of a 100 meter area around polling booths and the role of micro observers.

Police Observer, Jalindar D. Supekar (IPS) and the Longleng Superintendent of Police briefed the meeting about the overall security arrangements in the district. They also urged the Sector Magistrates, other officials engaged on election duty and the security forces to work as a team and stay connected for timely intervention to normalize any crisis and situation.

The meeting was attended by the DC & DEO, General Observers, Police Observers, SP, Returning Officer of 49 & 50 A/C, Sector Magistrates and Sector Commanders besides officers from Police and Security Force.

NEW DELHI, FEB 25 (IANS): The CBI on Sunday registered a bank fraud cases against a Uttar Pradesh based private sugar company, its top officials along with unknown bank officials for allegedly causing loss of Rs 109 crore to Oriental Bank of Commerce, officials said.

According to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials, the Hapurbased Simbhaoli Sugars Ltd in 2011 fraudulently diverted funds received as loans for sugarcane farmers and self help groups.

CBI also conducted searches at offices of the company and residences of its officials at eight places, including one location each in Hapur and Noida, and six locations in Delhi.

“Searches are being conducted at eight premises including residences of Directors, factory, corporate office and registered office of the company in

Delhi, Hapur and Noida,” CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal told IANS. The agency has named the company’s Chairman and Managing Director, its Directors, CEO, Chief Financial Officer and unknown bank officials and other private persons, under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery slapping sections under Prevention of Corruption Act for causing loss to the bank.

Officials said that the Bank sanctioned a loan amounting to Rs 148.60 crore in 2011 to the private company for financing individual, Joint Liability Groups, Self-Help Groups under the tie-up arrangement under the RBI Scheme to 5,762 sugarcane farmers supplying sugar produce to said private company during the period from January 25 to March 13, 2012. It has been alleged that the company has diverted funds for personal use.

According to complaint, the account turned Non Perfor ming Asset (NPA) on March 31, 2015 and was later declared as alleged fraud by the bank to RBI on May 13, 2015 for an amount of Rs 97.85 crore.

It was further alleged that in addition to the existing NPA as on March 31, 2015, the bank, under multiple banking arrangements, had sanctioned another corporate loan of Rs 110 crore to the sugar company on January 28, 2015, to pay its outstanding loan of Rs 97.85 crore, and adjusted the total liability of Rs. 112.9 crore of said private company on June 30, 2016 by way of deposit of this new corporate loan.

The corporate loan, too turned into an NPA on November 29, 2016, thus resulting in its first outstanding loan of Rs 97.85 crore (as alleged fraud) and the corporate loan of Rs 109.08 crore (as fresh outstanding).

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state

2 nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: How much money in total is being used in all 60 constituencies in Nagaland?

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

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CBI Dimapur observes graduation ceremony

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Rs. 600 crore @ Rs.10 crore in 12% each constituency.

Rs.1200 crore @Rs.10 in each 25% constituency.

Could be much 63% more.

Next poll

Q: What people generally

vote for in candidate/ party?  Issues  Party’s record  Money

WEATHER FORECAST February 26

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A thunderstorm in spots

31 18

A strong afternoon t-storm

20 13

Guwahati Partly sunny with a t-storm

26 17

Aizawl

Cooler; a morning t-storm

21 12

Itanagar Cooler with brief showers

20 14

Shillong A thunderstorm in spots

17 10

Imphal

A morning t-shower; cooler

17 10

Dimapur A thunderstorm in the area

25 14

Kohima

Cooler

Mkg

Tuensang Cooler with a thunderstorm

Cooler

Wokha

Zunheboto A t-storm in spots; cooler

19 9 12 7 18 14 16 7

(L-R) CBI director, teachers, officer bearers with graduate students.

D I M A P U R : C a l va r y Bible Institute (CBI) Dimapur held its 6th batch g raduation ceremony on February 23 at Life Spring Corner Dimapur under the theme “arise and shine” (Isaiah 60:1), that the light has come and glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

In his message, while focusing on the students, CBI director, Rev. Suk Kumar Chettri encouraged the students to rise and shine to preach and save souls as the light was given and that during the one year of Bible training, students were filled with light and knowledge of God’s calling in their life.

Further, he informed students that they have been filled with light and it was high time to arise and shine so that people will follow them.

He also reminded the students to continue to spent time in the presence of God to shine and be filled with His glory quoting the story of Mosses who usually do which people were unable to see his face as the Glory of God shined on his face.

Meanwhile, the programme also felicitated students basing on the students ministry report.

CBI vision was delivered

by Rev. Andrew Khawas from Sikkim, while the

programme highlighted group song, testimony by CBI graduates, solo song

by Sarda Chettri, wife of Rev. Suk Kumar Chettri, group dance by Nepali Baptist Church Kohima youth followed by ordination prayer for graduates.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by pastor, John Lepcha, invocation prayer by pastor, Daniel Sotang, welcome address by chief co-coordinator CBI deacon, Rana Chettri, vote of thanks

by CBI treasure deacon, Gagan Mahora, closing prayer by pastor, Dammaru Thapa and benediction blessing prayer by Rev. Zeblum Lepcha.

PPVC holds meeting; adopts resolution DIMAPUR: Padum Pukhuri Village Council (PPVC) held a meeting on February 18 wherein the house adopted resolutions for a smooth conduct of general elections.

During the meeting, the house adopted resolutions to maintain peaceful atmosphere in the polling day of the ensuing assembly election 2018.

It resolved that no one will be allowed to interfere with the polling process by bringing outsiders in the village and that only genuine voters will be allowed to cast their votes.

PPVC further cautioned that defaulters will be taken stern action by the village council.

AR conducts medical camp at Laruri

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, February 26, 2018

news in Brief DDPA informs: Dimapur District Pensioners’ Association (DDPA) as implementation of the decision of the government of India revision of pension/family pensioners of pre-2008 pensioners/family pensioner and as notified earlier on the above subject, all pensioners/family pensioners are informed to submit their claims on annexure-II forms issued by the finance department, government of Nagaland vide FIN/ESTT-2/9ROP/ Pen/2016 dt Kohima 20th December/ 2017 alongwith all required documents for onward submission to the disbursing authority as on Marc 15 2018. According to president, DDPA, I. Meren Longchar, after this date, no application will be entertained.

DC & DEO Tuensang appoints election officers and staff: As on Section 24 of the RP Act, 1951, Tuensang DC & DEO, L. Jamithung Lotha has so as to ensure smooth counting of votes has the list of Government officers and staffs appointed as “counting supervisor, distributors, tabulators and dealings.” According to DIPR, all officers and staff so appointed shall be deemed on deputation to the Election Commission of India (ECI) under Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and shall accordingly be subject to “superintendents and disciplines of the Commission.”

AYO appreciates candidates and supporters: Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has expressed its sincere appreciation to all Angami contesting candidates and their supporters for the peaceful atmosphere free of poll related violence in the Angami areas

till date. A press note by AYO president, Neinguvotuo Krose and general secretary, Kekhrie Pfukha stated that AYO, which is also a member of the district level standing committee headed by DC & DEO also appealed to the electorate to adhere to the election model code of conduct. AYO also directed all its range units (CYO, NAYO, SAYO and WAYO) to coordinate with district administration in their respective areas to ensure an environment congenial to a smooth, free and fair election.

GHSS Dmu informs: Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Dimapur senior principal A Mughali Sema has informed all feeding schools and center repeaters of Dimapur-1/ Dimapur-A (A) centre to collect the admit cards of HSLC/ HSSLC 2018 from the office of the GHSS Dimapur senior principal office on March 1.

PBCK to conduct seminar: Peraciezie Baptist Church Kohima (PBCK) is conducting a one day seminar on March 2 for all its members with three sessions – “know your rights”, “rights & benefits entitled to the citizen” and “constitutional provision protecting the Christian community. Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) media cell NVCO president, Kezhokhoto Savi has informed that the seminar will cover allthree sessions with Pastor Kevichalie Metha moderating the seminar. Under the theme, “making digital marketplaces fairer”, NVCO will also begin its two week-long observance of “world consumer rights day” from March 1 to March 15 the release added.

DIMAPUR: Phek battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N) conducted a free medical camp at Laruri village under Phek district on February 24.

According to AR Phek battalion, the aim of the camp was to provide quality medical care to local populace. 35 villagers including 17 male, 18 female have been treated and medicines were distributed.

A lecture was also DC & DEO of Dimapur, Sushil Kumar Patel, with transport I/C and DMC chairman, Moa Sangtam conducted on prevention inspecting requisitioned vehicles at DDSC stadium on February 25. The vehicles are to be dispatched Monday morning to various parts of Dimapur on election duty. (DPRO) of epidemic diseases.

Assam Rifles recover IMFL in Wokha GPRN/NSCN Lotha region conducts handing-taking over prog

Wokha battalion along with the seized items and the accused.

DIMAPUR: Wokha battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N) conducted an operation on specific information with police representative in general area Niroyo tri-junction, Wokha district on February 25.

According to AR

Wokha battalion one Rubongo Humtsoe alias Thomas (64), driver son of late Tsenthungo, resident of Humtsoe presently residing in PWD colony Wokha was apprehended with illegal Indian Made Foreign liquor (IMFL).

AR stated that the recoveries included 421

bottles of Mc Dowell Rum (750 ml), 236 bottles of Officer’s Choice (180 ml), 236 cans of Kingfisher beer (500 ml), 96 bottles of McDowell (180 ml) worth Rs. 2 lakhs and INR Rs. 84, 500/-. In this connection, the recoveries were handed over to Wokha police station.

DIMAPUR: Following the appointment of steering committee member, Renthungo Ovung as the caretaker or CAO for Lotha region of the NSCN/GPRN, the official handing-taking over ceremony was conducted at a formal function held on February 19 in the office of the Central Administrative Officer (CAO) NSCN/GPRN Lotha region.

A press release by GPRN/NSCN region secretary Lotha region, P. Renthungo Odyuo stated that while sharing his experiences during his tenure, the outgoing caretaker or CAO thanked all the senior officials from the Lotha region for extending their full support and also expressed his genuine appreciation to all the staff of the Lotha region for giving him all the cooperation needed to perform his duties and apologised for mistakes committed by him if any or unintentional sentimental hurt while discharging his duties.

He also urged the members present and the entire officials of Lotha

region, regional staff to extend their full support to the newly appointed caretaker or CAO and also gave assurance of his unconditional support or help if needed.

Meanwhile, the incoming or newly appointed caretaker or CAO while assuming the office of the caretaker or CAO Lotha region expressed the responsibility of being assigned the position of the caretaker or CAO Lotha region at this point of time and urged upon all the senior authorities of the region to extend their unstinting support, guidance and help in order to effectively perform the necessary task at hand and sought for the cooperation from all the staff of the Lotha region beginning from the Khapur up to the block leacy in-charge.

Speaking on behalf of the regional staff of Lotha region, region secretary, P. Renthungo Odyuo thanked the outgoing caretaker or CAO for displaying and providing exemplary qualities of leadership during his tenure and also dwelt upon his personal experiences

Committee members at the officials handing-taking over ceremony.

gained from him during the short period of working together. He also asked for forgiveness of any deeds, acts of omission or commission.

Handing-taking over ceremony was officially conducted and a special prayer for the incoming caretaker or CAO was offered by the region chaplin, Merio Kikon. Following the taking over of the office of the caretaker or CAO

Lotha region, the newly inducted CAO took over the process of conducting the remaining part of the programme.

Earlier, short speeches were also delivered by steering committee executive member, Zaremo Murry, and MIS of the NSCN/ GPRN kilonser, O. Mozamo Ngullie. Prior to the conduct of the official handing-taking over procedure, time for short speeches was

given to caretaker-CAO, the incoming caretaker-CAO, and region secretary. The function was chaired by the incumbent caretaker or CAO tatar, Chonbenthung Patton, invocation prayer offered by tatar, Yampo Ovung, welcome address by the chairperson, the function concluded with a mass prayer while benediction was pronounced by the out- going caretaker-CAO, Chonbenthung Patton.

Sector HQ BSF CI (OPS) Mnp on duty for Nagaland polls Clean election campaign in Wokha town

BSF troops manning one of the districts in Nagaland.

DIMAPUR: Border Security Force (BSF) troops have been deployed in Nagaland for ensuring free, fair and smooth conduct assembly elections are also K

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conducted in the remote and sensitive areas of Zunheboto, Kiphire, Phek and Kohima districts.

In a press release DIG SHG BSF Manipur com-

mandant (Ops), Hidam Shubol Singh said that BSF troops have been deployed for area domination, patrolling, mobile vehicle check posts, Na-

kas, night patrolling etc. to sanitize their entire deployment area for ensuring a conducive environment for smooth conduct of the elections and to prevent any untoward incidents, intimidations, coercions

by ANEs, UGs or miscreants. It stated that in view of the active domination of the area and the various preventive measures implemented by the BSF troops, there have been no untoward incidents so far and a peaceful environment has been created in these areas before the elections.

It further said that BSF troops will also be deployed for the security of polling booths, EVMs, polling staffs etc. on the day of the polling.

It stated that BSF troops are ready to thwart any challenges or threats during the pre-poll period as well as on the polling day.

LSU, SJCJ members and others.

DIMAPUR: Lotha Student’s Union (LSU) St. Joseph’s College Jakhama (SJCJ) extended its support to “clean election” initiated

by NBCC. A press release by LSU SJCJ called for the necessity for peace and security in the district. The union lamented

on the present scenario in the district and called upon citizens to shun all forms of violence and embrace peaceful co-existence.

Further, it urged the voters to elect God-fearing, cultured and potential candidate to bring all round development in the district .

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Sangma spearheads Cong battle for Garo Hills

GARO HILLS, Feb 25 (Agencies): On the last day of campaigning before Tuesday’s assembly elections in Meghalaya, as 52-year-old Chief Minister Mukul Sangma landed in Chilpara, a remote village in North Garo hills, he was given a grand welcome by Garo warriors. Young boys and girls in traditional Garo attire danced to the tunes of drums, enacting what used to be the ceremonious welcome accorded to the tribal chieftains.

For the Congress, Mr Sangma is no less. He is the lone warrior this elections.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has come campaigning twice in the state, but the onus of this election is on Mr Sangma.

Mr Sangma, under whose leadership the Congress won 29 of the state’s 60 seats in 2013, says he is equal to the task.

“As you embark on gover nance, you come across challenges and stoppages, and we have been able to deliver despite all that. It was transparent and our delivery system has implemented the promises,” said the Chief Minister, who ruled for full five years despite dissidence.

In Tripura, where elections were held last week,

Mukul Sangma the contest was between the incumbent Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and a promise of development under the Modi sarkar (government).

The same story is playing out in Meghalaya. But unlike 2013, the BJP making a strong bid for wrest the state from the Congress.

“We saw huge ground support in our favour. There is huge angst against Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and the Congress... The people are in a deplorable state and we expect them to rise against him,” said KJ Alphons, the Union Tourism Minister and the BJP’s in-charge for the Meghalaya polls.

Apart from the BJP foray, at least half a dozen other parties are in fray. But they are expected to split the votes. In the last elections, 13 seats had gone to Independents.

With its history of fractured mandate, the people in Meghalaya believe the road to power passes through the Garo hills and whoever wins the region, will have more chances to form the government.

Last time, the Garo hills gave Mr Sangma 13 of 29 seats and he is hoping to improve his showing.

For the last five weeks, the doctor-turned Chief Minister has been camping in the Garo Hills. He has not even gone to the two other key areas in the state -- Jaintia and Khasi hills.

“He is the person who developed us, we like this person and will vote for him,” said Parbita Sangma, Young voter, from Chilpara.

The Congress is facing competition in the area from the National People’s Party or NPP, founded by the late PA Sangma. With a call for change, NPP chief Conrad Sangma is campaigning hard against Mukul Sangma.

“The people will vote for change this time and it is clear that the NPP is emerging as the main alternative to the Congress,” said Conrad Sangma, the party’s president who is also a parliamentarian from Tura.

Campaigning ends for M’laya polls RPF constable S hillo n g, F e b 2 5 (IANS): The high-decibel campaign for assembly elections in Meghalaya, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to unseat the ruling Congress, ended on Sunday.

Voting to the 59 of 60 assembly constituencies will take place on Tuesday morning. The counting of votes will take place on March 3. Election in Williamnagar Assembly seat has been adjourned following the killing of Nationalist Congress Party candidate, Jonathone Sangma in an IED blast at Sawilgre area in East Garo Hills district on February 18.

Both the Congress and the BJP have been aggressive in their election campaign this time. Leading from the front, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Chief Amit Shah and host of top BJP leaders campaigned across the state seeking votes for their party. Congress President Rahul Gandhi besides senior party leaders including former Chief Ministers Tarun Gogoi (Assam) and Oommen Chandy

(Kerala) travelled across the state urging 18.44 lakh voters to vote for Congress.

A total of 361 candidates are in the fray, including Chief Minister Mukul Sangma contesting from two assembly seats - Ampati and Songsak - in Garo Hills region in western Meghalaya. Prominent candidates in the fray include Home Minister Horju Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh, Information Technology Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Assembly Speaker Abu Taher Mondal of the Congress, Leader of Opposition Donkupar Roy of the United Democratic Party, Hill State People’s Democratic Party Chief, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit and former Union Minister Agatha K.Sangma of National People’s Party (NPP).

While the NPP and the BJP have fielded 53 and 47 candidates respectively, the United Democratic Party, the Hill State People’s Democratic Party and the Garo National Council -- which have forged a regional alliance -- have fielded 35, 13 and five candidates respectively.

arrested for killing officer in M’laya

Shillong, Feb 25 (PTI): An assistant commandant of the RPF was killed and three others were injured when a constable of the force opened fire from his service rifle in Meghalaya’s South West Khasi Hills district early on Sunday, following which the accused was arrested, the police said.

“The constable was arrested and his service rifle seized. An investigation into the incident is underway,” Superintendent of Police H G Lyngdoh said.

Assistant Commandant Mukesh Tyagi was shot dead by constable Arjun Deshwal at RPF camp in Mawkyrwat town, Meghalaya CEO FR Kharkongor told PTI. In the ensuing scuffle, another constable, Joginder Kumar, received bullet injury on his arm and was sent for treatment, he said. Inspector Pradeep Meena and Sub-Inspector Om Prakash Yadav also suffered minor injuries, the CEO said.

Manipuri youth death: Case yet to be handed to CBI

Women folk staging a sit-in-protest demanding CBI probe into Manipuri youth death in Noida last year. (NP) Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 25: A sit-in protest was staged Sunday at Eroishemba in Imphal West district demanding CBI probe into the death of an engineering student from Manipur in Noida (UP) last year.

The protest was staged under the aegis of Eroisemba Youth Development Organization (EYDO) and women based local bodies.

The protestors alleged

that the case was yet to be handed over to CBI even after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanat had written to Manipur chief minister about his government’s recommendation to the Centre for CBI inquiry.

Today’s protest was to remind the governments of Manipur and UP to hand over the case to CBI immediately.

“The UP government has informed the chief minister of Manipur that they

will recommend for CBI inquiry. It is not that the matter has been handed over to the CBI,” general secretary M Shandhyarani of EYDO alleged.

She urged the masses not to believe in the false propaganda that the case has been handed over to the CBI. “We would like to appeal to the government of Manipur, government of UP and the Central government to hand over the matter to the CBI at the earliest,” she added.

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, February 26, 2018

Transgenders demand welfare policy in Assam

Manipur chief minister announces probe into misutilisation of sports fund

Guwahati, Feb 25 (Agencies): Transgenders from Assam and parts of the country took to the street here in Tranagenders Pride, a procession demanding a state policy for welfare of the third gender, as directed by the Supreme Court in 2014.

The procession was organised by All Assam Transgenders Association, an organisation of over 5000 transgenders led by Swati Bidhan Baruah, a transgender rights activist.

Bar uah said 1800 transgenders including some from Canada and assistant director of Jurassic Park movie also took part in Sunday’s procession.

Swati Bidhan Baruah, based here said a state policy for transgenders in Assam was required for welfare of the third gender, reservation of jobs and seats in educational institutes.

Swati Bidhan Baruah had filed a Public Interest Litigation in Guwahati high Court last year with a plea to direct the state government to formulate a state policy for welfare of the third gender, besides others. Following her PIL, the state social welfare department has formed a committee to work out a policy.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 25: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh Sunday announced probe into the misutilisation of Rs 100 crore sanctioned under 13th Finance Commission for the development of Khuman Lampak Main Stadium and Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium.

He further assured to increase the annual budget of Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) to Rs 100 crore in the 2019-20 fiscal for further development of sports in the state.

Addressing the Shannaroishinggi Numit (Day of Sportspersons) at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium Sunday, Singh said that a sizeable hike in the budget estimate would enable development of sports infrastructure and hiring of competent coaches from other states and countries.

Manipur celebrates ‘Shannaroishinggi Numit’ on February 25 every year to honour the sportspersons of the state.

Stating that he was suspicious of misutilisation of Rs 100 crore sanctioned under 13th Finance Commission for the development of Khuman Lampak Main Stadium and Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium, Singh said that an independent

Manipur CM flags off a run organized as part of the Sanaroisingi Numit celebration on Sunday. (NP) body would be entrusted to probe the matter soon.

Urging the associations of different sports disciplines to communicate with the government before taking the players to other States for participation in different championships and tournaments, the chief minister said that the government would try to clear at least half of the entitled financial assistance in advance for the convenience of players and associations.

The chief minister said that he was concerned about the inconvenience faced by players while travelling in trains and asked the concerned associations to properly plan for travelling, food

and lodging in advance.

Encouraging the players to put in more effort to bring laurels for the state and the country, he also announced to hike cash incentives for the national level competitions from Rs three lakh to Rs six lakh.

He further said that daily allowance of the players who take part in the national level competitions would be increased from Rs 200 to Rs 500. The state cabinet would take a decision in this regard at the earliest, he added.

Stating that the government was ready to provide jobs to all the state players who are currently playing/ working outside the state,

he urged them to return to the state.

He said that the gover nment was currently awarding Rs one crore to an Olympic gold medalist, Rs 75 lakh to silver medalist, Rs 50 lakh to bronze medalist and Rs 25 lakh to Olympic participants.

Singh also informed that flood lighting facility would soon be installed at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium and astro-turf would be laid at four football grounds of the state soon.

Youth affairs and sports minister Letpao Haokip and YAS Secretary Bobby Waikhom also attended the function as president and guest of honour respectively.

Manipur government employees’ body Smart City slot for Shillong announces indefinite cease-work strike kept on hold due to polls: Govt Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 25: Manipur Government Services’ Federation (MGSF) has Sunday announced an indefinite cease-work from February 27 to protest delay in the implementation of 7th Pay Commission.

A general body meeting of MGSF unanimously reaffirmed to launch ceasework strike from February 27 until the implementation of 7th Pay Commission order is issued.

MGSF, in a statement signed by its general secretary Purujit Lairikyengbam claimed that the general body meeting was attended by “all employees’ leaders from all government departments.”

During the proposed cease-work strike, education departments (teaching and non-teaching staff) will be exempted from the strike in view of human resource development and examinations going on, the

AR organise deworming, medical camp D imap u r , F e b 2 5 (NPN): 5th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles organised a deworming camp for the children of Sneha Bhavan Orphanage. The deworming medicines were given to the children by the unit RMO Captain Jasbir Singh Dhillon. Thereafter, a lecture on hygiene and sanitation was conducted and posters were also distributed to promote personal hygiene and healthy food habits and spread awareness amongst the children. The camp culminated by distribution of nutrition supplements to all children. Meanwhile, Aina Battalion of Churachandpur Sector Assam Rifles also organized a medical camp for the local population of Khoken Village on February 23. Regimental Medical Officer provided medical treatment to more than 100 people including ladies and children during the camp.

Free medicines were provided to the patients and the locals were also educated on various life style diseases and ills of drug/alcohol abuse.

statement added.

MGSF is a body of government employees spearheading the demand for implementation of pay structures recommended by the 7th Pay Commission in the state.

Although it was the previous Congress government which gave in-principle consent to implement the 7th Pay, the present BJP led coalition government also promised to implement the 7th Pay in case they are elected to power.

Present chief minister N Biren Singh, during a meeting with MGSF representatives on November 14 last year, had given a hint of his willingness to implement the 7th Pay. The associations had earlier launched strikes like taking mass casual leave and cease-work strikes.

However, they suspended after agreements were reached with the government.

Following the agreements, the state government constituted a fitment committee to look into the demand of implementing the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission in the state.

The fitment committee had collected proposals/reports from almost all the departments under the state government.

However, the federation and other bodies of government employees like Joint Administrative Council (JAC) of AMTUC and AMGEO have expressed strong resentment as there was no provision for implementation of the 7th Pay Commission in the budget estimate 2018-19 of Manipur government which was passed during the recently concluded budget session.

Recently, the federation had served an ultimatum to the government to consider its demand within a stipulated time.

S hillo n g, F e b 2 5 (PTI): The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has kept on hold the 100th or the final slot of smart cities mission for Shillong, which was recently selected for its inclusion in the scheme, as the city is yet to submit its proposal due to elections in Meghalaya, an official said.

“The 100th slot is kept on hold for Shillong. It is yet to submit the proposal.

They are busy in the election. It is expected that the city will submit the proposal after the elections,” the ministry official said.

Meghalaya goes to poll on February 27.

The number of cities selected under the project stands at 99.

Under the scheme, each city will get Rs 500 crore from the Centre for implementing various projects.

An equal amount, on matching basis, will have to be contributed by the state or urban local bodies.

The 100 Smart Cities Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015.

As on January, 189 projects worth Rs 2,237 crore have been completed, while another 2,948 projects worth Rs 1.38 lakh crore are in various stages of implementation.

Under the mission, the cities proposed to take up various project, including “smart” roads, rejuvenation of water bodies, cycle tracks, walking paths, smart classrooms, skill development centres, upgradation of health facilities and pan city projects like integrated command control centre.

In January 2016, 20 cities were announced under the Smart Cities Mission, followed by 13 cities in May 2016, 27 cities in September 2016 and 30 cities in June 2017 and nine cities in January this year.

It had kept the slot for the tenth city, Shillong, vacant as it could not submit its proposal on time.

RPF/PLA celebrates 39th foundation day Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 25: Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political wing of People Liberation Army (PLA) celebrated its 39th foundation day.

The outfit observed the day as “Independence Demand Day” with the main function at its council headquarters, said a statement of the RPF signed by its publicity secretary Roben Khuman.

The day was also celebrated at Central Bureau, divisional bureaus and others including at the general headquarters of its armed wing.

In his presidential address, RPF president Irengbam Chaoren blamed that prevailing chaotic sociopolitical conditions and discord and confrontation among different communities as the outcome of India’s colonial rule.

He alleged that the people have forgotten their identity and remained in a dream world of being genuine Indians as they were enveloped with thick

RPF cadres during its 39th foundation day celebration on Sunday. multiple layers of the Indian political system and its traditions. “Such a way of living and perception of things is one fundamental factor for the downfall of Manipur,” the statement quoted its president.

Some people have been blaming the revolutionary movement for the restless situation prevailing in the society and its economic underdevelopment but this

is a misplaced concept, it continued.

The highly degenerated socio-economic and political condition seen today in Manipur is a direct product of the colonial policies of India, the statement said.

The outfit leader also warned that “India should not commit the blunder of perceiving the liberation movement of Manipur as an internal issue which

can be resolved within their constitution.”

“Nonetheless, Manipur would not take any hasty decision to fight a decisive war against India.

If necessary, Manipur will definitely fight any numbers of wars against India and these wars would be the only inevitable components of major conflicts which are bound to unfold in the region,” it added.

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, February 26, 2018

PNB fraud should not halt corporate lending: Assocham

6 killed, 13 injured in Pak shelling in past 10 months

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CISF headless for over a month as goverment yet to appoint DG

JAMMU, Feb 26 (AGENCIES): Six civilians were killed and 13 others were injured in heavy Pakistani shelling along the LoC in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir during the last 10 months, an official said on Sunday.

Nowshera and Manjakote sectors were worst hit and accounted for majority of the damage in the shelling from across the border, District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told PTI. As many as 169 residential houses and 12 government buildings were damaged in the shelling from May 1, 2017 to February 25, 2018, Choudahry said. He said 4,600 people migrated from the affected villages along the LoC during the past 10 months even as the local administration constructed 86 underground bunkers at various places in the twin sectors for the safety of the people. Over 80 schools, which were near the border, were closed to ensure safety of the students, he said. Choudhary said the administration is making all efforts to reach out to the affected populace to mitigate their problems and has set up rehabilitation and relief camps.

NEW DELHI, Feb 25 (AGENCIES): The country’s front line security force against terror threats at civilian airports and strategic nuclear and aerospace installations, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), is working without a regular chief for over a month as the Centre is yet to appoint a Director General (DG).

The about 1.80-lakh personnel strong force has been without a regular DG since January 22 after serving chief O P Singh was repatriated to his cadre, on the request of the Uttar Pradesh government, and appointed the state’s director general of police (DGP). The process of decision-making and making large policy moves in the force has slowed down owing to the absence of the designated chief, official sources said.

“This is not a healthy precedent at all and it is happening again and again in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). This shows that the government has utter disregard for the importance of such an important paramilitary force,” retired IPS officer Prakash Singh told PTI. Singh, who has served as the DGP of the Uttar Pradesh and the BSF, has

Delhi HC sets up special courts Spike in SC cases where to try MPs, MLAs in criminal cases govt is party: Law ministry of the same within one year,” it said.

The apex court on December 12 last year, had directed that 12 special courts, to be set up to exclusively deal with cases involving lawmakers, should start functioning from March 1, 2018, and had asked the Centre to “forthwith” allocate Rs 7.80 crore proportionately to the respective states.

It had also called for their speedy disposal, saying such a move would be in the “interest of the nation”.

The top cour t had passed the directions while hearing petitions, including the one filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, seeking to declare the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, which bar convicted politicians from contesting elections for six years after serving jail term, as ultra vires of the Constitution.

It had also said that the respective high courts would trace out from case records under their jurisdiction, the cases pending against the lawmakers and earmark them to these special courts.

NEW DELHI, Feb 25 (AGENCIES): The number of cases in the Supreme Court where the Centre is a party has seen a spike in the last one year, with law ministry officials attributing the spurt to the note ban, GST and other taxation issues.

Between January 1 and December 31 last year, 4,229 cases were filed in the top court in which the government was a party as against 3,497 in 2016, according to the latest data from the law ministry. Officials in the ministry said the spurt could be attributed to a slew of cases on government policies such as demonetisation, the GST regime and taxation issues in the last one year. In 2014, when the NDA government came to power, the number of such cases was 4,748 but dipped to 3,909 in 2015.

From January 1 to February 22 this year, 859 such cases have already been filed in the apex court.

“A number of cases relate to demonetisation, announced in November 2016, GST which came into effect last year and other taxation issues,” a ministry functionary said. According to the

Army in India should remain non-political: Azad New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS): Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said that the Indian army has remained non-political since Independence and should continue to remain the same.

“We have great regard for the army, they are our protectors. But the army should not look into the growth of any political parties in the country. The Army Chief ’s duty is to protect the territory and every inch of the land of the country,” he told media persons at a press conference here. The statement of Azad, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, came in response of the recent comments of Indian Army chief, Gen Bipin Rawat, who during a recent seminar in Delhi had linked the cross border influx from Bangladesh to Assam with the growth of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in the state.

“We are proud of our army which has remained nonpolitical since Independence of the country throughout.

We have kept the army nonpolitical and we want the army to remain non-political in future too,” he said.

Sisodia asks LG to act against Delhi teacher’s attackers

Himachal takes e-steps to provide food subsidy items

New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS): The alleged Rs 11,300 crore fraud on staterun Punjab National Bank (PNB) committed by accused diamantaire Nirav Modi should not halt the entire system of corporate lending as demoralisation would set in among public sector bank (PSB) employees, industry body Assocham said on Sunday.

The country can “illafford” such fraud induced credit slowdown at a time when credit growth is showing signs of recovery and the economy set to grow at a higher pace, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) said in a release here.

Noting the disturbing reports about banks clamping down certain impractical rules and procedures for trade finance, affecting both importers and exporters in the wake of the PNB scam, Assocham said the letters of credit (LOC) or letters of undertaking (LOU) allegedly misused by the diamond traders are legitimate instruments in global trade.

D.S. Rawat “While we may seek long-term solutions like privatisation of the banks, the need of this hour is to rally around honest bank officers and the honest business entities which have built trust on each other,” Assocham Secretary General D.S. Rawat said in a statement.

“Let one or a few black sheep not derail our financial system, which is resilient enough to withstand this kind of shocks, though ideally such jolts are better avoided and averted through systemic reforms,” he added.

According to Assocham, “letters of credit or

Delhi High Court.

NEW DELHI, Feb 25 (AGENCIES): The Delhi High Court has set up two special courts to exclusively deal with criminal cases involving politicians and for their speedy disposal, in pursuance with the Supreme Court’s directions.

The high court designated Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar and Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, of the Patiala House Courts, to preside over the special courts.

An administrative order said Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and other judges of the Delhi High Court, in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court

on November 1, 2017 and December 14, 2017, have designated the two courts as special courts to deal with cases against elected MPs/MLAs. The February 23 order issued through High Court Registrar General Dinesh Kumar Sharma said the special courts will function in Patiala House Courts complex from March 1.

“The acting chief justice and judges of this court have further been pleased to order that the cases pending against MPs/MLAs in different courts be transferred to these two courts before March 1 and to put such cases on fast track and endeavour be made to dispose

Andhra studying feasibility of Hyperloop transportation facility

Bibop Gresta Visakhapatnam, Feb 25 (IANS): India’s first Hyperloop transportation facility is likely to be introduced in Andhra Pradesh, connecting Vijayawada with upcoming state capital Amaravati.

The state government is currently studying the feasibility of the project and if introduced, the 40 km distance between the two cities can be covered in just six minutes.

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies chairman and co-founder, Bibop Gresta, told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing CII

Partnership Summit here that the technology has the potential to transform the mass transportation system in the country.

Hyperloop, an idea originally floated by Tesla CEO and SpaceX Founder Elon Musk, involves a futuristic and technologyintensive transportation system that propels a podlike vehicle through a nearvacuum tube at nearly 1,100 km per hour.

The Los Angeles-based company “Hyperloop One” announced a proposal in March last year to evaluate construction of five Hyperloop lines in India. The five proposed lines include Bengaluru to Chennai, Mumbai to Chennai via Bengaluru, Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai to Delhi and Mumbai to Kolkata.

If the Hyperloop line is completed, people can travel from Bengaluru to Chennai in 20 minutes. The 1,102 km Mumbai to Chennai via Bengaluru line will cover the distance in 50 minutes.

letters of undertaking are an internationally accepted system of global trade.”

“While we need to ensure safe and sound functioning of the system and not allow loopholes like those in the PNB system of money or guarantee transfer, let banks not overreact and hit the trade and industry.”

Noting that Indian exports in January showed a deceleration in growth “even when the global economy is on the uptick”, Assocham said: “The pick up in the domestic economy would require higher imports. Thus, both imports

New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS): Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday asked Lt. Governor Anil Baijal to take action against people who attacked a government school teacher here.

Sisodia took up the matter with Baijal, as Delhi Police falls under the jurisdiction of the Lt. Governor.

The Deputy Chief Minister was referring to the attack on the school teacher by a mob, who broke into the school in Narela area of north Delhi earlier this month.

“In a recent case of an alleged assault of a senior IAS officer, the Delhi Police has taken no-holdbarred action, including arrests within 24 hours, 50 police officers going for collecting evidence in the matter,” Sisodia said, referring to the arrest of two AAP MLAs Amanatullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal.

and exports are key to our economy.”

“How else we encourage investment and jobs if we do not infuse confidence and trust in our financial system.

“By all means, punish the offenders at a fast speed and set examples; but the business should not be allowed to halt. There is a need for vigilance among all the lenders, even in the private sector,” the statement added.

Meanwhile Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has criticised regulators, as well as bank managements and auditors, for their failure to detect bank frauds saying “politicians are accountable but regulators are not”.

“We must always remember that regulators have a very important function.

They ultimately decide the rules of the game and they have to have a third eye kept perpetually open and turned towards the sector. But unfortunately, in the Indian system, we politicians are accountable, the regulators are not,” Jaitley said on Saturday at the ET Global Business Summit here.

Shimla, Feb 25 (IANS): The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in Himachal Pradesh has taken several e-initiatives to provide essential items at subsidized rates to over 70 lakh consumers, comprising those residing even in far-flung areas, an official said on Sunday.

The government has recently launched a smartphone app for ration card holders. The consumers can also give their feedback regarding functioning of fair price shop through the app, besides registering complaints.

Similarly, toll-free number 1967 has been launched for the consumers to lodge complaints regarding quality of commodities, a government spokesperson told IANS. Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Director Madan Chauhan said the department has received 856 calls through the toll-free number. Officials concerned are informed regarding the complaint

data, 3,909 cases where the Union of India is a party were filed between January 1 and December 31, 2015, 4,772 cases in 2013 and 4,149 in 2012.

While there has been a rise in litigation over such matters, the number of law officers representing the Union of India has dwindled. Though the number of law officers representing the government in the Supreme Court is set to go up from six to 10 next week, so far there is no word on who would become the next solicitor general.

A law ministry file recommending the names of Aman Lekhi, Madhvi Diwan, Sandeep Sethi and Bikramjeet Banerjee as additional solicitors general has reached the Prime Minister’s Office for a final approval.

Sources in the government said the final nod of the Appointments Committee of Cabinet on the four names was likely next week.

After Ranjit Kumar resigned as the solicitor general in October last year, the key post has been lying vacant and so far there is no word from the law ministry on who would be appointed to the post.

and asked them to submit the action taken report to the directorate.

Another unique feature of this toll-free number is that the department can get feedback from the consumers regarding public distribution system, he said.

The new initiative has not only ensured easy availability of essential commodities to the consumers but also strict vigil on functioning of 150 LPG agencies and 374 petrol pumps across the state. The state is providing ration at subsidised rates to all sections of society since 2007, under which every ration card holder is provided three pulses, two edible oils and iodised salt.

The state is bearing all financial expenses of subsidised food from its own resources.

Every financial year the state is making a budgetary provision of around Rs 175 crore for this scheme.

There are approximately 1.70 lakh ration card holders in the state.

CISF is yet to get a DG to oversee its functionings. been an advocate for police reforms in the country and the Supreme Court, acting on his petitions, had issued guidelines on the subject.

“Not only policy making and decisions but the entire organisation suffers in the absence of a full-time chief. I do not know what is the problem in appointing a regular CISF chief when there is a pool of eligible IPS officers available to chose from,” he said. Sources in the Union home ministry said the process of appointing the CISF chief is ongoing since the last month.

“It is not at all good to keep a large and important paramilitary force like the CISF headless for such a

long time.

“Last year, the government appointed the new CRPF DG after a delay of two months, during which the force suffered two major reverses in anti-Naxal operations,” a senior official in the security establishment said. The CRPF lost 38 troops in two deadly Maoist ambushes in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district when it was without a regular chief, and after these incidents senior IPS officer R R Bhatnagar was quickly appointed the new DG. In the absence of a regular CISF chief, Additional DG of the force A K Pateria is handling the top charge in an additional capacity.

Rahul approves 43-member election committee for K’taka

Rahul Gandhi with Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah in Karnataka, on Sunday. (File Photo) New Delhi, Feb 25 (AGENCIES): Congress president Rahul Gandhi approved on Sunday a 43-member state election committee for poll-bound Karnataka, which will be headed by the party’s state unit chief G Parameshwara.

Besides chief minister Siddharamaiah, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal, secretaries in charge of the state and all MPs would be part of the SEC, party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said in a statement.

Senior party leaders from the state, Mallikarjun Kharge, DK Shivakumar, Dinesh Gundurao, SR Patil, Veerappa Moily,

BK Hariprasad, Oscar Fernandes and Margaret Alva are also part of the committee.

The southern state, where the Congress is in power, is slated to go to polls in the next few months as the tenure of the 224-member assembly ends on May 28.

The BJP is working hard to oust the Congress and has declared to contest the Karnataka Assembly polls under the charge of former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa.

The JDS, another major player in the state, may be the deciding factor in case none of the two major parties get simple majority.

The party has already announced a tie-up with the BSP for the polls.

Stop wearing political loyalties on heads, says Himachal CM Shimla, Feb 25 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday asked people in the state, especially government functionaries, to stop wearing political loyalties on their heads, literally.

Ending decades of practice that his predecessors promoted, he said at a public meeting in Solan town that the time has come to bid farewell to cap politics in the state.

A common practice is that if your cap is maroon in front, then you must be a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter. And if it’s green, then you are with the Congress.

The concepts of “green” and “maroon” stem from upper and lower areas of the state. The green symbolises descendants of upper Himachal, while the maroon represents lower Himachal.

It started with six-time Congress Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who loves

Jai Ram Thakur to don a green flap headgear almost throughout the year.

His supporters too prefer to wear this colour of cap to express their political solidarity with him.

Likewise, BJP leader and two-time Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has made the maroon flap his trademark.

Thakur, who did not wear the trademark maroon flap cap of the BJP at the oath taking ceremony on December 27, said he would not indulge in cap politics as he himself stopped wearing it.

Putting an end to cap politics without naming his predecessor Dhumal, he said “he prefers the caps as they are inseparable part of Himachali culture but not as a symbol of regional divide of upper and lower Himachal as considered during the previous Congress regime”.

During the state Assembly elections last November, the BJP garnered support on the social media through photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi wearing the traditional Himachali ‘topi’.

The photo of Modi wearing the maroon cap during the remembrance ceremony for the Holocaust victims in Israel in July last year was taking a political hue in that election.

“Prime Minister Modi made the Himachali cap the crown in Israel. Thank you,” tweeted Anurag Thakur, the BJP MP from Hamirpur and former BCCI president -- and Dhumal’s son.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXVIII NO. 80 Dimapur, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018

Transaction not election

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s voters in Nagaland near the D-Day on February 27 to elect 59 representatives to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, it would be pertinent to mention that even as the day nears or around 72 hours ahead of polling, the people are not talking about the manifestos. The people are talking about being unsure of whom to vote for, based on reputation of the candidates or the record or trustworthiness of the political parties. There are 192 candidates including five women left in the fray and from which, 59 (one was declared uncontested) will be chosen by a little over 11,82,948 voters spread across 11 districts. The campaigning has been low key as the months ahead before the ECI officially issued notification for holding election, were totally dominated by the uncertainty that there might be no election and especially when all tribal hohos including civil society groups with the full backing of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) demanded that the Centre defer elections so as to focus only on the solution to the Naga political issue. The demand was taken as a done thing. With months gone into the exercise and with the entire legislative assembly passing a resolution to defer the elections, it appeared certain that the Centre would heed their voice. With ‘Clean Election’ campaign, which was a poll issue retired from the race after the ‘Solution Before Election’ demand came to the fore and then receded when political parties rushed headlong into election mode after BJP broke ranks to defy the diktats not to set up candidates; the issueless election with a confused people only heightened uncertainties. That has led to election mode changing gear into vote auction. The practise of ‘note for vote’ comes at a very high price-loss of accountability- since it is responsible for the serious problem which has totally eroded public value and esteem of a sacrosanct forum or the assembly. It also true that electoral malpractices in the form of bogus voters list, proxy voting, booth capturing, intimidation of voters through display of deadly arsenal, use of armed miscreants to abduct agents and workers, diktats , bribes etc have plagued elections since the mid-70s and spread across the state. The candidates who use money to buy votes and muscle power are those who know they have to win by hook and by crook, more so through the latter. People know what electoral malpractices are but unfortunately, since such malpractices are no longer seen as evil today because they have been practised for several decades. These malpractices been tolerated and turned into acceptable practices and therefore, considered as “necessary evils” to win elections. The expenditure limit fixed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for a state like Nagaland at Rs.eight (8) lakhs per candidate is way off target. Given the fact that candidates in Nagaland spend anywhere between Rs. 5 to 15 crore in a constituency, depending on the “appetite” of the public or electorate; the Election Observers and people do not seem to be on the same page.

Extremely high voter turn-out is also a reflection of proxy voting. Have things changed or have the electoral malpractices been reinforced? That will be the test on February 27 when people will choose election or transaction.

DailyDevotion The Destitution of Service …though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. —2 Corinthians 12:15 Natural human love expects something in return.

But Paul is saying, “It doesn’t really matter to me whether you love me or not. I am willing to be completely destitute anyway; willing to be poverty-stricken, not just for your sakes, but also that I may be able to get you to God.” “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor…” (2 Corinthians 8:9). And Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s. He did not care how high the cost was to himself— he would gladly pay it. It was a joyful thing to Paul.

The institutional church’s idea of a servant of God is not at all like Jesus Christ’s idea. His idea is that we serve Him by being the servants of others. Jesus Christ actually “out-socialized” the socialists. He said that in His kingdom the greatest one would be the servant of all (see Matthew 23:11). The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do something like washing the disciples’ feet— that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns— “What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things.” All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God. But the apostle Paul had no conditions or reservations. Paul focused his life on Jesus Christ’s idea of a New Testament saint; that is, not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.

Quotes

The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. ~ Brian Tracy

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018

Post-mortem

Litmus test for Nagas – choose your future R F inally the moment has come.......and we are all geared up to choose our leaders to help pilot Nagaland to the future. We have seen opinions, criticisms, assurances and a lot of similar discourse in different media ever since the announcement of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election. As we prepare to cast our votes, it is imperative for us to mull over our past decisions and evaluate the performance of our leaders. Each of us must take time to not only hear what our current leadership is saying, but look at their track record as well. Do our representatives truly represent the will of the people, or are they blindly beholden to “the party” and their individual selfish greed?

We have seen enough of the false promises and poor implementation by our leaders. There are constituencies where many incumbents although in the ruling (elite) party (interestingly none of them is in the opposition!) yet have not delivered at all.

It will not be (at all) wrong to assume that they are incapable, unrealistic, irresponsible leaders who only think of their own selfish interest of looting and amassing money, position, popularity and self promotion and are least bothered about the pitiful state of affairs of our state. The ultimate upshot of all these years, as is clearly evident to all, is the downfall of our beautiful state due to craze for money and power.

Dear fellow Nagas let us stand up strong and say “Enough is enough”. The time is fully ripen to wake up from our slumber and choose the right leaders, those who can rescue us from the present pathetic condition, irrespec-

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tive of party, religion, tribe, clan, village or the amount of money received from parties for votes. Some may argue that it’s not worth making the effort “to vote”, either because they don’t like any of the candidates or no matter which party comes to be in the helm, they don’t trust the system. Some might even feel that the candidates are the same old wine and that it is just new bottles.

One may have thousands of reasons to justify for not participating in the electoral process. But there are larger consequences in our choice to vote or not vote. In the first place, voting is both a right and a responsibility as a citizen. Our democracy is established upon the principle of free and fair elections in which every eligible citizen casts a vote. We must therefore work to ensure that our electoral process is conducted in harmony with this principle and that those who seek to disrupt the process do not win the day. It is our responsibility also to protect the process itself, and that does not happen by withdrawing our participation. No matter how muddled and unpleasant it may be, our participation is required. Let us also consider that good candidates, if not supported, will not generally stand again. Also in the words of John Quincy Adams - “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”

Let us wake up to the call of our conscious mind and cast our precious vote intelligently. This is the right time to come out and join hands in order to bring a change for our state by using our right to vote. Let us say NO

to the candidates who lures with money and choose the right leader with integrity. Let us remind ourselves that the trademark of our forefathers was honesty, hardworking and truthfulness and that the true Christian principles inculcate and endorses this.

This 27th February 2018 will be a date with destiny, of deliverance, of renovation and the beginning of the dawn of a new future.

Yet, unless we come to our senses and act now, our future is doomed. After years of misrule, mismanagement, neglect of our state and the worst manifestation of poor governance ever witnessed in the history of modern day Nagaland politics, we have another chance to salvage our government, set a new shape and possibly draw a new picture of the kind of state that we want for ourselves, our children and for the future generation. This polling day will be another opportunity to prove ourselves and to God of correcting our mistakes and that we are determined to make a better choice this time around.

We sincerely desire a positive change, a change that will bring about peace, prosperity and all round development in the state which we so deserve but are so deprived.

We are therefore sincerely making this clarion call to our entire dear fellow Nagas to come out, vote and invest in the future by casting your precious vote wisely to elect those leaders who can stand strong and fight against the deep rooted corruption of our society . God Bless.

Prof. Alemla Ao, Prof. Akali Sema, Prof. L. Daiho, Dr. N.Tiameren Ao

Déjà vu?

ecently the Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland has officially warned against proxy voting. He said detection of such malpractice would render the votes in that polling station null and void, and action would be initiated against defaulters as well as polling officials.

Strong words, but much needed, one might say. And considering the fire power and resources made available to the election machinery including CCTVs, ensuring electoral malpractices are prevented is a given. After all the government is duty bound to conduct a ‘free and fair’ election process so that people can vote without ‘fear or favor’ to install a just and transparent government ‘of ’ the people.

Questions - does the government intend to back up their words with action? Will it genuinely gun after proxy voters, or turn the other way? Are these notifications simply for public consumption to show their good intentions? And somehow scrape through the polling and declare the elections peaceful, free and fair? So in a sense do we have here official rhetoric to compete with the run of the mill political rhetoric proffered by politicians and parties? Going by today’s ground reality it is anything but peaceful.

Free and fair? Some polling stations reported in excess of cent percent votes cast in the last assembly elections! We will have to wait and see if this time around it is more free and fair.

In a democratic election we cannot escape the fact that who or what elects a candidate determines who or what he or she will serve. So how can candidates serve the people when they have to sell whatever they own and dole out crores to get elected? On the other hand, can an honest candidate expect to win an election without enticing voters with whatever?

The voter now comes into the picture. NBCC’s clarion call for Clean Elections is laudable and full marks for the effort. But elections are neither clean nor dirty – politics is meant to be a noble profession.

‘We’ are dirty, as if we didn’t know it already. ‘Clean People’ would have been a better slogan! Good thing

is we all agree there is a problem.

Bad thing is we are treating the symptoms, not the disease. Just like prohibition cannot turn people into teetotalers, nor will appealing and praying keep people from offering/ accepting/demanding inducements in exchange for votes. And candidates will continue to outdo each other in doing whatever it takes to win. We have to get to the heart of the matter – the heart. And Transformation of the local church (which means assembly of believers, and not the church building, Deacon Board, or NBCC) from cultural Christians to Christ followers.

While no religion has a monopoly on good behavior, Christians are generally expected to live exemplary lives for the sole reason that we are set apart as followers of Christ. Still stuck on religion? – Try moving on to relationship with God. How about darkness? - The light beckons.

And death? - Choose life.

Scripture talks about un-Christian living this way – “Their god is their own appetite, they glory in their shame, and this world is the limit of their horizon” (Phil. 3:19).

What then is the sum of Christianity? We were never meant to live in the lowly place we are in right now, with no vision of our Creator. Seeing Jesus, and imitating him, that is the sum of Christianity (Max Lucado).

And if we imitate Christ, then we will aspire to minister, not to be a Minister; to empower, not to be powerful; to enrich, not to be rich; to earn money, not to make money; and use the money we earn to glorify god, and not hit the bottle; …. We get the point, don’t we? And isn’t it time we realize that we don’t go to church, we are the church; and that god is our source for everything, not our job, profession or business? Thank god for Christ, our true role model.

And thank god there is still hope for Nagas to rise above the royal mess we are in today. And who knows in the not too distant future the CEO and his boys can go for a hike come election time!

Let us say Amen to that.

Arep Changkiri, Fellowship Colony, Dimapur

Be not Esau & Be not a Cursed Community

he election rallies of various political parties of the present ongoing State Assembly Election has witnessed criticism, charges and counter charges with justification of compromising our Christian faith, which ultimately witnessed the hailing of the Hindu goddess “Jai Mata Di Jai” as well as “Jai Jisu Ji Jai” on top of their voices, with a lot of enthusiasm and commitment in a general meeting by a particular political party. “Mata” means mother, and in this context, it refers to the mother goddess who manifests as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Politicising religion in election campaigns or trying to lure the Christians with free trips to Jerusalem is a breach of the election code of conduct.

However, the greater question is, “Are we bartering our faith and our birthright to vote for cash, development offers and favours from the communal forces?” To subscribe the “Jai Mata Di, Jai” in the Parliament of India is one of the hottest debates in the House to protect our faith after the coming of Modi’s BJP at the centre.

Whereas, our public in a Christian majority State of Nagaland seem to have accepted it before the Parliament could pass the said religious monopoly bill to defeat the fabric of secularism.

While condemning a political party to contest election on religious line is certainly against the secular fabric of the country. Nonetheless, it is expected that a Naga Christian will maintain

religious integrity in matters of faith and not shout on top of their voices and hearts hailing for “Jai Mata Di, Jai”. One cannot serve two masters and God cannot be mocked The 13 Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election 2018 will decide between the “Trishul” and the Cross of Chris. Bartering of our faith and vote with development offers and singing praises of our early Christians by the Hindu Rashtra forces on one hand; and their hands seeking to pierce the heart of Jesus Christ with the “Trishul” on the other should not confuse us. As such, the story of Esau of the Bible is very important for all of us in the present circumstances.

Esau became the enemy of God and Israel because he rejected God’s blessing by bartering his birthright as the older son of Issac, for a bowl of stew. “Esau who is Edom” says Gen 25:30. Why is Edom considered as the enemy of God and Israel?

The kingdom of Edom which stood on the south of Dead Sea was noted for its exceptionally longstanding bitter hostility with Israel. As such, when Esau sold out the priceless birthright blessing of God for a single meal to satisfy his flesh desires, he was instantly called and known as Edom. Be not Esau, be not the enemy of God and enemy of our land which is known and called as “land of Christ” by our Hindu Rashtra neighbour.

Beware of the curses given to Esau in Gen 27:38 & 40 “Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s

richness, away from the dew of Heaven above, you will live by the sword.”

Aren’t our immoral and corrupt practices bartering our faith and vote too keeping us away from the earth’s richness and the dew of heaven? Are we not behaving as leeches today sucking on to the sweat and blood of the tax payers due to rampant corruption? Isn’t our state Govt always in heavy debt since 2011-12 till date?

Are we not living amongst the swords, looking at the rampant corruption, fratricides and extortions? As such, to promote business enterprises, industries and work culture has become too difficult in our Naga society. Development shall have to be born from Nagaland and not from New Delhi.

Be a blessed community, be David instead of Esau, fight our Goliath of corruption and outside forces aiming to wipe out our faith and dignity as a distinct people. “We have achieved our avowed object of piercing Trishul in the chest of the so called ‘ Lord’ Christ, ” quoted from a letter addressed to the BJP’s Prime Ministerial aspirant Atal Bihari Vajpayee by the Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) North Eastern States Coordination Council, HQ Uzanbazar, Guwahati Assam as reported in the MID DAY, February 19, 1998 issue.

Vote for what is right and good for your future that you may have true development, peace, justice and fair play. But do not vote for development offers or favour if it means

bartering your priceless birthright of Christian faith, dignity, soul and integrity as Esau, so as not become a cursed Naga community and enemy of our God, the creator of the universal. It was sad to learn that certain candidates for 2018 Election are on a roll buying votes with cash, free trips to Jerusalem or threatening the voters, preparing to capture polling boots or proxy vote by use of force etc. Are these politicians trying to convert us to become Esau who sold his birthright and sin against God? Be David; be victorious over your Goliath of corruption, fratricide, extortion, immorality and external evil forces confronting us. Your Goliath may be greater and taller than 9 ft but as for David the greater Goliath means greater glory for our Lord the Almighty God. You may say I am too small, poor, and have not much talent, how can I fight my great Goliath? David being the youngest in the family was not brought into public notice, he was from a low estate, a small boy who has not even reached his manhood, his father Jesse was a man of not great rank. He was only trained to tend his father’s sheep. He was dressed like a poor country shepherd boy that he was overlooked even by the prophet Samuel. However Samuel obeyed God against his own judgement.

The God given talent of sling-shot to David was not a big deal; however, his constant practice of sling-shot with grateful-

ness, enthusiasm, commitment and courage in faith, recognised the small talent with his whole heart won the favour of God which ultimately made him to be the greatest king of Israel.

You too may have many weaknesses but you definitely have the sling-shot of faith plus a priceless birthright of a powerful vote. We are at the cross roads. Just money without principle and morality is not our Naga solution. Be alert, watch, repent and pray and cast your most powerful vote to heal our land as per the divine direction, which can change our

world beyond our expectations. God gave David victory over giant Goliath double of his size, who had all possible trainings and armaments being a professional fighter, and David, gave God all the glory, which is the purpose of our creation in His likeness and plan of God for all of us. “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you” Deut 31:6 Kuolachalie Seyie, Hidden Forests, Rüleizou, IG Stadium, Kohima, (kuolachalie @yahoo. com)

Reader’s Post

We need someone who can deliver Sir,

Come 27th of February, our state goes for the 13th Assembly polls along with few counterpart states.

Interestingly, unlike other times we shall be witnessing fewer fresh scenarios and developments.

Bunch of daringly bold women making historic fearless maiden entries, renowned Anti-corruption crusader taking a chance for change, handful of high profile retired Bureaucrats vying for political career with promises of newer & unconventional mantras, Egg-roll seller with his youthful appeal laying a ground breaking opportunity for future aspirants, clean election at least sees an improving affect to certain degree as compared to the past, leading blogger’s envisaging that it may record the highest NOTA this election, etc The core bottom line echoing card - above everything, we humbly wish to attain life to its fullest. We need a Hero who can deliver goods to his/her very own people!

W. Ren James, Social Entrepreneur & Development Activist Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBrUARY 26, 2018

NIA to seek Interpol Red Corner notice against Pakistan diplomat

National Investigation Agency office in New Delhi.

New Delhi, Feb 25 (AGENCIES): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated the process for securing an Interpol Red Corner notice against Pakistani diplomat Amir Zubair Siddiqui, who was chargesheeted last week for allegedly conspiring to launch terror strikes on the U.S. and Israeli consulates in South India.

Officials in the agency said the paperwork was being completed and would be sent soon to the Interpol headquarters based in Lyon in France for issuance of the Red Corner notice against Siddiqui, who during his stint at Pakistani High Commission in Sri

Lanka during 2014 had conspired to carry out terror strikes in India.

He was named by a Sri Lankan resident Sakir Hussain, who is at present undergoing a simple imprisonment after pleading guilty in a court of law. He was arrested by the Tamil Nadu Police after the Intelligence Bureau busted the conspiracy in April 2014.

His jail term will end next year.

Hussain had carried out reconnaissance of the U.S. consulate in Chennai and Israeli consulate in Bangalore to facilitate a terror strike similar to 26/11.

For this, two terrorists were to be flown in from Mal-

dives. Siddiqui was working as visa counsellor at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo but had to be repatriated to Islamabad after India mounted pressure on Sri Lanka about his alleged activities targeting this country.

He was nailed after the NIA was handed over evidence by the U.S. authorities. The documents handed over by the U.S. to India established communication between Hussain and ‘Shahjee’, a Pakistani national introduced to the accused allegedly by a Pakistani diplomat working with its mission in Sri Lanka.

The NIA, which has

Alwar police find body of suspected cow smuggler Alwar, Feb 25 (AGENCIES): The Alwar police on Sunday morning recovered the body of a man, suspected to be a cow smuggler, from an abandoned vehicle and rescued about 20 cows, police said.

Alwar superintendent of police Rahul Prakash said the Baswa police of Dausa district received a tip-off about a vehicle smuggling cows and set up barricades in a bid to stop the vehicle.

“The smugglers broke the barricades... During the chase by the Dausa and Alwar police teams, the smugglers opened fire although no one was hit. Police also responded with firing,” he said.

The Alwar police chief said the chase did not go on for long as two of the tyres of the vehicle were deflated.

It hit a cement block and

the smugglers fled into the darkness.

“During a search of the vehicle, we found a body and the cattle. The man may have died while trying to escape,” Prakash said.

Police said they were trying to identify the man with the help of several mobile phones found in the vehicle. The body was taken to Alwar government hospital for the post-mortem.

This is the latest in a series of incidents related to cow-smuggling in eastern Rajasthan.

O n N ove m b e r 1 0 , 2017, the mutilated body of 35-year-old Umar Mohammad of Ghatmika was found on the railway tracks in Alwar. Police said he and two others were transporting cattle when “anti-social elements” attacked them.

A badly damaged pick-up

truck was recovered nearby.

Later, police arrested Umar’s companions, Tahir and Javed, on the charges of cow smuggling.

In December that year, an alleged cow smuggler was killed in an encounter with police in Alwar. Police said the deceased man, along with 5-6 others, was smuggling cows in a pickup truck, and was killed in an exchange of fire with the police in district’s Janta colony.

In September 2017, the Rajasthan government had appointed additional director general of police (crime) Pankaj Kumar Singh as the nodal officer to curb cow vigilantism. Additional superintendents of police in Alwar and Bharatpur were made the district nodal officers on directions from the Supreme Court.

carried out the probe into the conspiracy meticulously, had sent a request under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to the U.S. for details from service provider whose email was being used by Hussain to communicate to his handler in Sri Lanka.

The response provided

by U.S. authorities following the request under the MLAT showed that the account was being operated by “Shahjee” who had provided the name while registering with the email account, the officials said.

There have been communication with some email addresses in Pakistan and even personal account of Siddiqui, they said.

The email account is also alleged to have been operated under the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, they said.

The code name for the terror plot to attack the U.S. consulate in Chennai was “wedding hall” which was to be executed by “cooks”, a code for terrorists who were to gain entry from Maldives into India.

Hussain had given a detailed description of his meetings with various Pakistani officials based in Sri Lanka as well as two “fidayeen” (suicide attackers) whom he had met in Bangkok.

AP govt to go fully online by March, says CM Naidu Vishakhapatnam, Feb 25 (AGENCIES): Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu said on Sunday the government will go completely go online by March-end.

Naidu also said his government was making efforts towards real-time governance with cutting-edge technology. “By March end, we are planning to become paperless offices. My government is online now.

Every citizen will have an optic fibre connection. If any citizen has any problem, he can get it sorted out with a single call or representing the issue online,” he said during a session on ‘Technologies for Tomorrow’ on the second-day of the CII Partnership Summit in Vishakhapatnam.

He said by using technology, the state will be able to monitor every aspect of governance.

Ads in movie theatres must have CBFC certification

New Delhi, Feb 25 (Agencies): The ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) has turned down a suggestion from cinema hall owners to do away with the practice of seeking certification from the central board of film certification (CBFC) for advertisements played during film screenings in theatres, an official aware of the development said on Saturday.

Apart from films that are released in theatres, all trailers of upcoming movies, advertisements and even public service messages are certified by the CBFC before being aired on the big screen.

“The issue of not getting advertisements certified as it is done for television screening was raised by the theatre owners, and it was discussed with the law ministry, which did not object to the suggestion. However, the I&B has asked for the practice to continue,” an official, requesting anonymity, said.

The issue of giving cinema owners more autonomy in screening advertisements was also discussed by the CBFC, but no agreement was reached, a former member aware of the developments said. “At a meeting some time last year, it was discussed that just as TV channels have the liberty to air advertisements without certification, the process can be allowed for theatre owners, too. Just as TV channels can be penalised if they breach the code, the theatre owners could face similar action if they show content that is not permitted,” the former CBFC member said.

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The world has received positive vibrations from Auroville: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi releasing a souvenir on the occasion of the Golden jubilee celebrations of Auroville on Sunday. (File Photo)

PUDUCHERRY, FEB 25 (Agencies): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday drew several parallels between Auroville’s unique vision of bringing together global diversity and the ethos of ancient Indian tradition as he hoped for the universal township to continue to be a beacon for the world.

Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of Auroville, Modi said the world has received positive vibrations from Auroville, in many forms, over the years.

“Be it un-ending education, environment regeneration, renewable energy, organic agriculture, appropriate building technologies, water management, or waste management. Auroville has been a pioneer.”

The first high principle of Auroville that it belongs to all humanity was a reflection of our ancient credo of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

— the world is one family, he said.

“Indian society is fundamentally diverse. It has fostered dialogue and a philosophic tradition.. the very fact that Auroville has brought together such huge diversity of people and ideas makes dialogue and debate natural,” the PM added.

Underscoring one of high principles of Auroville — that anyone who is willingly in service of the Divine Consciousness is entitled to live in Auroville — the Prime Minister said that Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy of consciousness integrates not just humans, but the entire universe.

“This matches with the ancient saying in the Ishavasya Upanishad. This has been translated by Mahatma Gandhi to mean “everything down to the tiniest atom is divine”, Modi said.

“India has always al-

lowed mutual respect and co-existence of different religions and cultures. India is home to the age old tradition of Gurukul, where learning is not confined to classrooms; where life is a living laboratory. Auroville too has developed as a place of un-ending and life-long education”, the Prime Minister said.

“As the world progresses materially through science and technology, it will increasingly long for and need spiritual orientation for social order and stability,” the Prime Minister said.

Noting that Sri Aurobindo’s vision of India’s spiritual leadership continues to inspire us to this day, Modi said that Auroville indeed is a manifestation of that vision and over the last five decades, it has emerged as a hub of social, cultural, educational, economic and spiritual innovation.

DRDO’s Rustom 2 drone succesfully tested New Delhi, Feb 25 (AGENCIES): India’s premier defence research institute DRDO carried out “successful” test flight of its Rustom 2 drone, a medium-altitude longendurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), at Chalakere in Karnataka. on Sunday.

Rustom 2 is being developed on the lines of predator drones of the US to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the armed forces with an endurance of 24 hours, officials said.

“DRDO successfully flew its Rustom 2 today (Sunday) at its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Chalakere at Chitradurga.

This flight assumes significance due to the fact that this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine,” a statement read. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said

The successful test flight of Rustom 2 drone at Chalakere in Karnataka on Sunday. File

the test flight was “successful” and all its parameters were “normal”.

Rustom 2 is capable of carrying different combinations of payloads like synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems and situational awareness payloads, officials said.

DRDO chairman S

Christopher, its Director General of Aeronautical System CP Ramanarayanan, DG Electronics and Communication Systems J Manjula and other senior scientists witnessed the test flight.

The around Rs 1,500crore UAV project was initiated considering re-

quirement of the the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The UAV has been designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the DRDO, and aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics Ltd are its production partners.

Fluorosis-affected Nalgonda to get water treatment plant Peace School group chairman arrested

The water treatment plant at S Lingotam village in Nalgonda district will provide clean and safe drinking water to thousands of households in 585 villages.

N a l g o nda , F e b 25 (AGENCIES): This March, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will launch a water treatment plant that will provide safe drinking water to thousands of households in Nalgonda district long affected by fluorosis, a crippling disease which affects bones and teeth due to excessive intake of fluorine-heavy water.

Built at a cost of Rs 436 crore under the Telangana government’s flagship

programme Mission Bhagiratha, the 25-acre plant in S Lingotam village will provide safe drinking water to 585 villages affected by fluorosis for the next 30 years, M Sampath Reddy, executive engineer of Rural Water Supply department, said.

“We shall provide 100% safe drinking water with zero fluoride content to every household from March,” Reddy said, adding that the water can be used for other requirements

also.

Nearly 11.53 million people in 230 districts of 19 states of India face the risk of fluorosis, according to a Union health ministry study in 2016.

In Telangana, Nalgonda has been the worst affected district, with more than a lakh people suffering from the disease. The high fluorine content here is attributed to very low groundwater levels.

According to the World Health Organisa-

tion norms, the maximum permissible limit of fluorine in drinking water is 1 milligram per litre.

“However, in most parts of the district, it ranges from 10 mg to 19 mg,” said K Subhash of District Fluoride Monitoring Committee, adding that in Batlapalli village of Marriguda block, authorities detected a few years ago that the fluoride content was as high as 29 mg per litre.

“The village has since been abandoned and the people moved to another place a kilometre away where fluoride content is around 9 mg,” he said.

Villagers in the district, especially in blocks like Munugode, Nampally, Marriguda and Devarakonda, are found with crippled limbs, twisted joints, bent spine, disfigured faces, stunted growth and yellowish or brownish enamel on their teeth. Veeramalla Rajitha, 24, daughter of farm labourers of Khuda Baksh Palle in Munugode, about 90 km from Hyderabad, suffers from skeletal flourosis or severe deformity of limbs and curved spine.

Over the last few years, she lost her teeth completely and she could not grow more than two feet height.

“What we were drinking all these years was just poison.

But we had no alternative,” she said.

Ahead of every election, politicians have promised to resolve the issue.

During the movement for separate Telangana state, KCR promised to provide a permanent solution to the fluorosis problem, if the state became a reality.

Measures taken by the previous governments of the erstwhile-united Andhra Pradesh have been insufficient. “There were as many as eight de-fluoridation plants in different parts of the district a decade ago, but none of them is working now,” Subhash said.

In 2013-14, the thenCongress government laid drinking water pipelines for some of the affected villages to supply Krishna river water. “It also set up RO plants (reverse osmosis) plants in villages to treat ground water, but it did not provide a permanent solution,” Subhash said.

T h i ruvanan thapuram, Feb 25 (AGENCIES): The chairman of the Peace International school group, MM Akbar, was arrested at the Hyderabad international airport early Sunday in connection with a case of alleged propagation of communal hatred in schools run by the group, police said.

Kerala police had issued a lookout notice against him in early 2017 after it was found that the schools were allegedly using study materials intended to create communal divide.

“Our officers have left for Hyderabad to bring him back,” a senior police officer said.

Police said Akbar had flown in from Australia and was heading for the Qatari capital where he was currently based when he was arrested.

A spokesman of the Peace School group, who did not want to be identified, said in Kozhikkode that the chairman’s arrest was “part of a vilification campaign aimed at tarnishing a minority education group.” He said the group

MM Akbar

has faith in the country’s judiciary and will question his arrest in court.

In October 2016, the Kerala Police had filed a case against Peace Educational Foundation which runs the Peace International schools in Kerala and neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for allegedly including objectionable study material in school curriculum aimed at disrupting communal harmony.

The state government had closed down one of the school branches in Kochi a couple of months back after the district collector and police chief submitted a report saying though the school was affiliated to the NCERT, its syllabus was quite different. The probe

found contents of texts were radical and promoted enmity between different communities.

In December 2016, the Kochi police had arrested three Mumbai-based publishers for printing the textbooks containing objectionable content that were taught that Peace International School in Ernakulam.

The group came under the security radar after it was found that at least three of its staff members were among the 21 people who left their homes in 2016 allegedly to join the Islamic State. Out of 21, five have been killed.

Abdul Rashid, the alleged leader of the group which went missing, was a public relations officer with the school group before he disappeared. Similarly Yasin Ahmed, who was arrested at the Delhi airport on way to Turkey last year, taught English at the Malappuram branch of the school.

Akbar who used to visit Kerala on and off, never visited the state after the 21 people disappeared.

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and investors in various PSBs shares. While the purported letter was soon found to be fake, the regulator and the exchanges are looking into trade details of various bank stocks to ascertain whether any manipulative activities took place, officials said.

Details would be also sought from telecom and internet operators, if required.

A day after the circulation of the letter, NSE clarified that Sebi did not issue any letter and the exchange did not receive any such directive.

Further, the exchange requested trading members to advise their clients to remain cautious on such unsolicited letter being circulated by unregistered and unauthorised entities.

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Step up collections to meet Rs 10.05 lakh cr target: CBDT

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI): Commerce and industry ministry has appointed four institutes, including IIFT and ICAI, to interact with stakeholders and suggest measures to push India’s ranking in ease of doing business index, an official said.

The National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR), the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) are the four institutes that have been roped in for the exercise.

As per the latest World bank’s Doing Business ranking, India’s position improved by 30 places to 100th.

The government wants India to figure within top 50 in the coming years.

“We have appointed these four observers. They would take views of respondents on the parameters which are taken into in the ranking process. We would then share the feedback with the concerned ministries,” said a government official, who did not wish to be named.

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New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI): Faced with a daunting target of Rs 10.05 lakh crore, the apex decision making body for direct taxes CBDT has asked its field officers to step up efforts and put more focus on better performing zones.

In the 2018-19 Budget, the government has hiked the direct tax, which includes personal income tax and corporate tax, collection target to Rs 10.05 lakh crore, from Rs 9.80 lakh crore budgeted initially.

In a review meeting earlier this month, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has set higher target for zones which are performing well.

“We are looking at better advance tax collection for January-March quarter.

If the trend of October-December quarter continues, we will be able to achieve the landmark Rs 10 lakh crore target,” an official said.

The focus areas of the department for stepping up tax collection will be to follow up with entities which are currently giving taxes on the basis of selfassessment.

“We will check if the tax assessment matches the income profile,” he said,

adding that refunds will also be closely monitored.

Also taxmen have been advised to ensure Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) are duly deposited to the central exchequer and follow up on arrears. “Higher targets have been set for zones which are on track to achieve their initial target,” he said.

The official further said demonetisation data is being scrutinised to check if based on the tax returns filed, some taxes could be recovered in current fiscal itself.

In the April-January period, the government has collected Rs 6.95 lakh crore from direct taxes, which was 69.2 per cent of the revised estimate of Rs 10.05 lakh crore for full 2017-18 fiscal.

In the last fiscal (201617), the government had collected Rs 8.49 lakh crore as direct taxes. Deloitte India Senior Director Sanjay Kumar said usually 25 per cent collections for the fiscal come in the March quarter.

“It is quite regular that in the last quarter, refunds are issued quite sluggishly.

All these would contribute to augmenting the tax collections and so, there is a good chance that even higher revenue target would be achieved,” Kumar added.

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Frankfurt motor show in 2015. “This is a part of the Mission-E of the company,” Shetty said.

In 2016, the company sold 401 units in India, which went up to 434 cars in 2017 (Jan-Dec).

“We are expecting a stable growth in the country as it is difficult to judge the external conditions like exchange rate fluctuations,” he said. Shetty said post Goods

and Services Tax (GST), effective tax rates had gone up for some of its models while for the others, it remained the same.

In the luxury segment, which also includes the super luxury brands, Porsche has a market share between 1.2 and 1.5 per cent, he said.

The company will launch a new SUV model -- Cayenne E3 -- in the third quarter of the current year, he said.

Porsche had introduced models like Cayenne, Macan, Panamera, 718 series, Cayman, Boxstar, and the flagship 911 in India.

The company has eight service centres and six dealer outlets in the country.

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI): Markets regulator Sebi and stock exchanges are looking into possible manipulation in equity and derivatives trade of some public sector banks (PSBs) in the wake of circulation of a fake letter purportedly for misleading the investors.

The fake notice bearing the regulator’s logo and purportedly addressed to National Stock Exchange (NSE) was circulated on various WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms on February 21.

It apparently sought to mislead the market community in the wake of Rs 11,400-crore PNB scam by suggesting that Sebi was seeking details of futures and options data of all brokers

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Kolkata, Feb 25 (PTI): Luxury car maker Porsche, part of the Volkswagen group, will launch an electric vehicle (EV) in India in the beginning of 2020, a company official said.

Porsche, which started operations on India in 2012, has so far been selling fully imported cars here as the company does have any manufacturing or assembly units outside its home country Germany. “We will launch a fully electric car in India in the beginning of 2020,” director of Porsche India Pavan Shetty told .

The India launch will follow the global launch in the last quarter of 2019, he said, adding that the prototype was showcased at the

Sebi, exchanges probe equity, trade violation of PSBs

ernment to allow tyre companies to import carbon black on a duty free basis to the extent of the existing gap between demand and supply to enable the domestic tyre industry continue with its planned production.

CBMA said the carbon black industry can easily operate its plants in the region of 90-95 per cent and meet the entire requirement of the country provided the consumers make firm commitments.

It also said the present shutdown of production by Continental Carbon due to government orders is a temporary phenomenon and all efforts are being made by the company to meet the statutory obligations and recommence production.

The industry body said because of the availability of economically cheaper raw material and other inputs (carbon black in particular), the global tyre manufacturers are attracted to India and are adding to employment generation.

“By imposing restriction on imports, Indian industry is able to safe guard its expansion plans and generation of employment for millions of jobless educated youth of India,” CBMA said.

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Porsche to launch electric vehicle in India in early 2020

whereby exporters can get such errors rectified with the help of a manned interface placed at Customs department. This could address the worries of the exporters if this manned intervention is operated timely,” Mohan said.

The CBEC listed out the major errors that are committed by the exporters in claiming refunds. These are mismatch of invoice number, taxable value and IGST paid in the Shipping Bill vis-a-vis the same details mentioned in GSTR 1 / Table 6A, incorrect shipping bill numbers in GSTR-1, GSTIN declared in the shipping bill does not match with the GSTIN used to file the corresponding GST returns.

Besides, there are instances of non-filing or incorrect filing of electronic Export General Manifest (EGM).

“Information is being made available to exporters on a real-time basis with regard to the errors status on ICEGATE website for registered users. Details of refund sanctioned is being sent through SMS on registered mobile phones,” the CBEC noted.

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to Customs by GSTN. “In these cases also, e-mails have been sent to exporters asking them to correct their records through amendment process of GSTR 1 i e through Table 9 of GSTR 1 of the following month,” the CBEC said.

The apex indirect tax authority also said where exporters have already filed information through Table 9 of GSTR-1, the said information is being validated by GSTN. “The validated information is expected to be forwarded

by GSTN to Customs by mid-March 2018 for further processing”.

AMRG & Associates Partner Rajat Mohan said the issue could be resolved if GST compliance structure is simplified and government programmes are designed to achieve a robust digital literacy in the long run.

“IGST refund to exporters are issued in a fully automatised environment, and even a smallest mismatch in invoice number results in non-issuance of refunds. Now, government has planned to provide an alternative mechanism

madri Specialty Chemicals and Continental Carbon have a combined capacity of 10.58 lakh tonnes while annual requirement is around 9 lakh tonnes, it said.

The use r ind ustr y meets about 15 per cent of its requirement through imports due to the duty exemptions, it said.

“This has resulted in exports of carbon black in almost similar volume by the carbon black manufacturers.”

“Under the circumstances, carbon black manufacturers are left with no option but to export similar volume to optimise the utilisation of its production capacities,” CBMA said.

T h e AT M A h a d claimed that in 2017-18, domestic carbon black production stood at 8.4 lakh tonne, while actual consumption was at 9 lakh tonne and exports were at 1.2 lakh tonne.

Import of the raw material stood at 96,000 tonne.

China is the single largest producer of carbon black in the world accounting for about 40 per cent of global production but a steep antidumping duty has been imposed on import of the raw material from the country, the ATMA had said.

ATMA asked the gov-

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The analysis of claims data post October 2017 indicate that while the quantum of error is decreasing, a large number of exporters are still filing incomplete GSTR 1 or Table 6A, where shipping bill number or date or port code are missing.

“These records are not processed / forwarded to Customs by GSTN. E-mails have been sent to exporters asking them to correct their records through amendment process of GSTR 1 i e through Table 9 of GSTR 1 of the following month,” the CBEC said.

The CBEC had in October 2017 started refunds for exporters of goods who have paid Integrated GST (IGST) and have claimed refund based on shipping bill by filling up Table 6A. While for those businesses making zero rated supplies or those want to claim input credit have to fill Form RFD-01A. Analysis of GSTN data show that in a large number of cases, the refund claimed by an exporter is higher than the GST paid by him and consequently, the information filed by exporters is not forwarded

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI): Carbon black manufacturers today said there is no shortage of the raw material used for making tyres and urged the government to keep import duty to safeguard domestic producers and jobs.

The Carbon Black Manufacturers Association (CBMA) in a statement denied any shortage of carbon black in the country, saying in fact, there is a surplus and demand is weak in domestic markets due to cheaper imports.

The statement came in response to reports that claimed shortage of the key raw material used in tyre industry. Tyre makers body Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) recently claimed that shortage of carbon black has led to unplanned shutdown of factories.

“The country in fact holds surplus capacities in production of carbon black and is forced to undertake exports in view of significant imports of carbon black made by the users due to duty exemption schemes of the government,” the CBMA said.

Carbon black manufactures like SKI Carbon Black, Phillips Carbon Black, Hi-

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New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI): As about 70 per cent of GST refunds stuck due to flawed information, the CBEC has asked exporters to amend the details in the final returns of subsequent month to enable the department to process the refund claims by March.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has sanctioned Rs 4,000 crore worth refunds to exporters in 4 months since October. Still about Rs 10,000 crore worth claims are stuck due to discrepancies in the information furnished by exporters to GST Network (GSTN) in filing GSTR 1 or Table 6A or GSTR 3B and shipping bill filed with Customs.

“The analysis of data indicates that only about 32 per cent records of GSTR 1 / Table 6A have been transmitted from GSTN to Customs. In other words, a majority (about 70 per cent) of refund claims are held up either due to insufficient information or lack of due diligence on the part of exporter while filing GST returns,” the CBEC said in a communication to Principal Commissioners.

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI): The Monetary Policy Committee’s next move will likely be a rate hike but this will not be taken up immediately as a recovery is still at nascent stage, says a Morgan Stanley report.

According to the global financial services major, the inflation trajectory will hold the key towards determining when the central bank will likely hike interest rates. “In this context and also from our read of the MPC statement and the minutes, while the next move is likely to be a rate hike, it is unlikely to be taken up immediately,” Morgan Stanley said in a research note.

Morgan Stanley’s base case assessment remains that “the RBI will hike in 4Q18. However, considering that we see upside risks to our inflation forecasts, the risks are also tilting towards an earlier-than-expected rate hike,” it added. As per the MPC minutes, a number of factors will put upward pressures on the inflation outlook. These factors are staggered HRA implementation by the states, MSP rises as announced in the budget, elevated inflation expectations, custom duty increases, further hardening of oil prices and increase in input costs.

Carbon black makers say country surplus in tyre raw material

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70% IGST refund stuck due to flawed claims filed by exporters: CBEC

RBI MPC’s next move likely to be rate hike

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New attacks in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta after UNSC resolution

US preparing for ‘Maximum pressure’: US warns North cyber war: N. Korea Korea as Ivanka Trump hits Winter Olympics

P YO NG YANG, F E B 25 (IANS): North Korea on Saturday accused the US of secretly making preparations to wage a large-scale cyber war on Pyongyang prior to a military attack.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and official daily Rodong Sinmun said the US magazine Foreign Policy has disclosed in its February 15 issue that Washington is ramping up its intelligence capabilities to focus on the Korean Peninsula, Xinhua news agency reported.

US agencies like the Central Intelligence Agen-

cy have been on standby for the attack for half a year with billions of US dollars invested in the plan and many experts trained for it, they said.

US media outlets like the NBC, Bloomberg News and the Washington Post have been reporting about “cyber terrorism” and “threats” from North Korea which means US war moves against Pyongyang have reached the phase of practical implementation, they said.

The US is sending a large number of cyber warfare experts to the war drills with South Korea, the KCNA said.

Mogadishu blasts toll rises to 32

people walk past a damaged site after an airstrike in the besieged rebel held town of MOGADISHU, FEB 25 douma eastern ghouta in damascus syria

DAMASCUS, FEB 25 (IANS): Syrian government forces on Sunday continued their airstrikes and shelling of Eastern Ghouta, a rebel-held suburb of the capital Damascus, hours after the UN Security Council (UNSC) approved resolution demanding a 30-day nationwide cease-fire.

On Sunday mor ning, two airstrikes targeted the town of al-Shifonia, while government troops launched missiles against Harasta, Karf Badna and Jesren, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based war monitor.

Despite fighting b e t we e n g ove r n m e n t

troops and the Jaysh alIslam (Army of Islam), the SOHR reported that Saturday night was the calmest in the region since the government forces intensified their attacks on Eastern Ghouta as there were no casualties.

The attacks involved the use of heavy arms and were the first to take place in al-Shifonia since February 18, when the government forces started their campaign.

Also on Sunday, six surface-to-surface missiles were launched at Harasta, four targeted Karf Badna and Jesren and another four were launched at Hamouriyah, while alShifonia suffered two air-

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBrUARY 26, 2018

strikes, according to the SOHR. The UNSC on Saturday unanimously approved a resolution demanding a 30-day, nationwide cease-fire in Syria, including Eastern Ghouta.

Under the cease-fire deal continued military operations will be authorised against groups regarded as terrorist organisations by the UN, including the Islamic State and Nusra Front, who now call themselves Tahrir al-Sham, which the Syrian government says is present in Eastern Ghouta. A week of intense attacks on Eastern Ghouta killed at least 510 people, including 127 minors, according to latest figures.

(IANS): The death toll in Friday’s twin bomb attacks in Somali capital Mogadishu has gone up to 32, officials said.

A police officer, on the condition of anonymity, told Xinhua news agency on Saturday that the death toll had risen as several beach-goers succumbed to their injuries in various hospitals in the city.

“I can say so far we know 32 people have died,” the police officer said. “The casualties increased since most of those injured, mainly young people who were from the Lido beach, died of injuries.” Al-Shabaab militants have claimed responsibility for the double

car bombing attacks, one targeting the presidential palace and the other went off near the intelligence headquarters.

Somali security forces killed all five militants at the entrance of Villa Somalia, the presidential palace. One presidential guard was killed.

The militants were dressed in police uniform and drove vehicles painted in police colours, evading several checkpoints before arriving at their targets.

Mogadishu Mayor Abdirahman Omar Osman said on Saturday that most of those killed were teenagers going home from Lido beach, which is near the intelligence headquarters.

President Donald Trump’s daughter and senior White House adviser, Ivanka Trump looks at the silver medal of Lauren Gibbs of the US. (REUTERS)

PYEONGCHANG, (SOUTH KOREA), FEB. 25 (AGENCIES): The US warned Pyongyang of “maximum pressure” towards denuclearisation on Saturday as Ivanka Trump kicked off a visit to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics -- where she looks likely to avoid North Korean officials.

After President Donald Trump unveiled the “heaviest sanctions ever” on North Korea, the White House spokeswoman said his daughter Ivanka would probably sit apart from the North Korean delegation at Sunday’s closing ceremony.

Sarah Sanders said the president wouldn’t be “soft or weak” on Pyongyang, despite an apparent Korean detente as the North takes part in the Winter Games, just 30 miles (50 kilometres) from the peninsula’s heavily armed border.

“We’re going to continue a campaign of maximum pressure,” Sanders told journalists in Pyeongchang. “The latest sanctions were the strongest that we have had on North Korea.”

“Hopefully we’ll see a change on the part of the North Koreans to start to denuclearise the peninsula, that’s what our focus is.

She added: “I can tell you the president won’t make the mistakes the previous administration has and be soft or weak.”

North Korea’s delegation at the closing ceremony will be headed by top general Kim Yong Chol, who is widely blamed for a series of attacks against the South including the 2010 sinking of a warship, with the loss of 46 lives.

US vice president Mike Pence awkwardly sat almost directly in front of Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, at the Olympics

opening ceremony, where athletes from the two Koreas marched together.

But Sanders said she believed the seating arrangements would be different on Sunday as the curtain falls on the Games at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium.

“As of now we don’t understand that to be the plan,” she said, when asked if Ivanka Trump would be sitting close to the North Koreans. “We have no planned meetings or interactions with North Korea.”

Asked whether Ivanka Trump would shake hands or perform some other “polite” gesture with the North Koreans, Sanders said: “As of now there’s nothing planned.”

Her visit comes after President Trump claimed to have rolled out “the heaviest sanctions ever imposed on a country” including a shipping blockade.

“If the sanctions don’t work, we’ll have to go to phase two. Phase two may be a very rough thing,” the president said in Washington, without elaborating.

Sanders, when asked if the US would use force to impose sanctions, replied: “I’m not going to get into specifics”.

Ivanka Trump, who had dinner with South Korean President Moon Jae-in after she arrived on Friday, is expected to watch the big air, curling and speed skating events during her visit.

S. Korea to invest China shuts down over 3,900 China urges US to stop ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ Democratic intelligence FEB 25 (IANS): memo released with redactions in Iran’s solar websites in piracy crackdown BEIJING, China has called on the US

WASHINGTON, FEB 25 (IANS): The US Senate’s House Intelligence Committee has released a Democratic memo in redacted form that seeks to undercut Republican claims of FBI surveillance abuses, the media reported.

The committee made the Democratic memo public late Saturday after the White House signed off following negotiations between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the committee’s top Democrat Representative Adam Schiff, over what in the document should be redacted, reports CNN. Earlier this month,

the White House objected to releasing the memo, saying that sensitive material had to be removed first. Schiff ’s memo was written to rebut a Republican memo that has accused the FBI of suppressing Democratic ties to an opposition research dossier on then-candidate Donald Trump and Russia used in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant for former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page.

The memo defended both the FBI and Department of Justice’s (DOJ) role in obtaining the FISA warrant.

power plant project

T E H R A N, F E B 2 5 (IANS): South Korea will invest in the construction of a solar power plant in Zarandieh county in Iran, the media reported.

A South Korean delegation visited the solar power plant site in Markazi province, the official with the Zarandieh Governorate, Mohammad Ghanati, told IRNA news agency on Saturday, Xinhua reported.

An area of 28 hectares has been allocated for the implementation of the project, Ghanati was quoted as saying.

Mexican President Nieto calls off Washington visit

Enrique Pena Nieto

WASHINGTON, FEB 25 (IANS): Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has called off an official trip to the US to meet his American counterpart Donald Trump after a tense phone call brought the two leaders to a policydriven standstill, a White House official has confirmed.

Pena Nieto was tentatively planning the trip for March but the visit has been put on hold following the phone call which took place on February

20, the official told CNN on Saturday.

According to The Washington Post, which first reported the cancellation, officials from both countries told the daily that Pena Nieto “called off the plan after Trump would not agree to publicly affirm Mexico’s position that it would not fund construction of a border wall”.

The White House official told CNN that any meeting would be awkward and counterproduc-

tive given Trump’s vow that Mexico would pay for the wall.

The official said the call was “less hostile” than the one that occurred between the two leaders a year ago, but “no more productive” than that call either.

A Mexican official told The Washington Post that Trump “lost his temper”.

US officials described the President as being “frustrated and exasperated, saying Trump believed it was unreasonable for Pena Nieto to expect him to back off his crowdpleasing campaign promise of forcing Mexico to pay for the wall”.

According to The Washington Post report, the two leaders “devoted a considerable portion” of this year’s call to discussing the wall.

According to the daily, officials from both countries confirmed that Pena Nieto’s “desire to avoid public embarrassment and Trump’s unwillingness to provide that assurance, proved to be the dealbreaker”.

BEIJING, FEB 25 (IANS): China’s copyright watchdog on Sunday said that 3,908 websites have been shut down in a crackdown on copyright infringement in the past five years. The National Copyright Administration investigated 22,568 piracy cases nationwide and deleted more than 6 million links to pirated publications

during the period, reports Xinhua nes agency.

The crackdown has been carried out for 13 consecutive years by the administration in cooperation with other departments, targeting online literature, music, videos, games, animation and software, as well as mobile apps, cloud storage and ecommerce platforms.

Haram attack: 110 girls unaccounted

ABUJA, FEB 25 (Reuters): One hundred and ten girls remain unaccounted for following an attack on a school in the town of Dapchi in the northeastern Nigerian state of Yobe, the country’s information ministry said on Sunday. Insurgents believed to be from the Islamist militant group invaded the school on Monday and, out of 906 students, “110 have not been accounted for”, information minister Lai Mohammed said in an emailed statement.

BBC sues Chinese firm for trademark infringement BEIJING, FEB 25 (IANS): A Beijing court on Sunday said the BBC had filed a lawsuit against a Chinese company for using its name to promote an English learning app.

The lawsuit accused iYuba, a Beijing-based language learning firm, of using BBC’s trademark and content on its apps, websites and social media without any authorisation, reports Xinhua news agency.

The BBC is seeking 500,000 yuan ($78,950) in compensation and asked the company to cease infringing on its trademark registered in China.

The BBC claimed that it had sent letters to ask iYuba to remove its brand name from content and messages. iYuba has not yet responded.

According to the lawsuit, the BBC has registered nearly 400 trademarks in China since the 1980s, 60 of which contain “BBC”.

Established in 2012, the Beijing-based company aims to build an online platform for people to learn English.

to immediately cease the wrong practice of imposing sanctions against Chinese entities and individuals, referring to the move as “long-arm jurisdiction”.

The US on Friday slapped heavy sanctions on the North Korea, targeting 56 vessels, shipping companies, and trade businesses, of which Chinese firms and personnel are involved.

“China is strongly opposed to the United States’ longarm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions on Chinese entities and individuals based on its domestic laws,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said

Geng Shuang

on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

China has been fully and completely implementing relevant UN resolutions on North Korea, fulfilling its due responsibilities,

and never allowed Chinese people and companies to engage in any activities violating UN resolutions, Geng said, adding that any violations would be dealt with seriously.

India must lead global efforts to restore democracy in Maldives, says Ahmed MALE, FEB 25 (AGENCIES): Amid the crisis deepening in the Maldives, the country’s former Vice President (VP) Mohamed Jameel Ahmed today urged India to lead international efforts required to restore democracy in the state.

“I believe India must lead international efforts to restore democracy in the Maldives using all available legal mechanisms within the international law,” former Maldives VP Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said.

Ahmed lamented that despite efforts being made by the people of the Mal-

Mohamed Jameel Ahmed

dives, they have been unable to restore democracy in the country.

“People of the Maldives have tried all available measures to restore democracy. The judiciary has given its judgment.

The Parliament has tried.

Constitutional institutions have tried. And they all are unable to restore rule of law and democracy in the Maldives,” Ahmed said. “ I n su c h c i r c u m stances, my opinion is that the international community must come to help,” Ahmed added.

The Maldives has been in crisis since earlier this month when the Supreme Court quashed convictions ranging from corruption to terrorism of nine opposition figures.

Tension came to a head when President Abdulla Yameen’s government rejected the ruling, imposed an emergency

and then arrested the chief justice and another judge of the court the next day.

Hundreds of citizens of the Maldives took to the streets to demand compliance with the court order while Western countries and international organisations urged Yameen to obey it.

The Maldives, an Indian Ocean island chain of around 400,000 people known to outsiders mainly as a tropical paradise for the tourists that provide most of its foreign exchange income, has experienced political unrest since Yameen took power in 2013.

Fitness post on social media may impact others too

NEW YORK, FEB 25 (IANS): When people post photos of their fitness pursuits on social media they may be influencing, for better or worse, the health of their pals too, a new study suggests.

The more exercise-related posts a person sees on social media, the more concerned they feel about their own weight, the researchers said.

“Our results were mixed. Good can come out of this, in the sense that it can make some people more interested in exercising and feel better

about exercising, but it might make other people feel worse about themselves if they are more concerned with their weight,” said co-author of the study Stephen Rains, Associate Professor at the University of Arizona, US. For the study, published in the journal Health Communication, researchers asked 232 participants to log into their favourite social media site and look at the past 30 days worth of posts from their friends.

The participants counted how

many of the posts -- photos or text -- depicted their friends engaging in exercise.

For the study, exercise was broadly defined as any physical activity for the purpose of maintaining fitness and health, which could include anything from hiking to taking a walk to going to the gym.

Participants then chose three of their social media connections who made the most exercise-related posts and rated their perceived similarity to each of those individuals.

Infotainment

10

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018

Sridevi: Bollywood superstar dies at 54 of heart attack

B

ollywood superstar Sridevi Kapoor has died of a heart attack, her family says. She was 54.

The actress known simply as Sridevi had been with her family in Dubai for her nephew’s wedding.

She featured over five decades in almost 300 films, in classics like Mr India, Chandni, ChaalBaaz and Sadma. She was considered one of the very few Indian female superstars capable of huge box office success without the support of a male hero. From the age of four, she had worked in films in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi languages.

Crowds gathered outside Sridevi’s home in Mumbai as news emerged of her death. Bollywood figures and political leaders reacted with shock.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “saddened by the untimely demise of noted actor Sridevi”, while Indian President Ram Nath Kovind said her death had left millions of fans heartbroken.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, paid tribute to the late star, writing on Twitter: “Really enjoyed meeting Bollywood icon Sri Devi on my recent trip to India.

“So sad to hear the news of the death of such a terrifically talented actress, performer and producer.”

The rise of Sridevi is an extraordinary chapter in the nation’s film industry.

Her acting career began at the tender age of four and by 13 she was cast in the adult role of a complicated woman avenging her lover’s death.

It was not long before directors took note of her versatile acting abilities and the offers started to snowball.

She became a box office magnet from the 1970s to the late 1990s with her numerous films spanning more than five Indian languages.

But while Sridevi’s screen presence was a glamorous one, her private life was one of heartbreak, loss and estrangement.

The actress was in the United Arab Emirates to attend the wedding of her nephew, Mohit Marwah.

Sridevi’s husband Boney Kapoor and daughter Khushi were with her when she passed away on Saturday, reports say.

Her brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor said it had happened “roughly around” 23:00-23:30 (19:00-19:30 GMT), indianexpress.com reports.

He did not provide any further details.

She debuted as a lead actress in a Bollywood film in 1978, soon becoming one of India’s biggest film stars.

The versatile actress decided to take a break from the film industry after the release of Judaai in 1997.

She made a comeback in 2012, starring in English Vinglish.

In 2013, the Indian government awarded her the Padma Shri - the fourth highest civilian honour.

Social media sites are being flooded with condolences, with many users expressing shock that the actress died still relatively young.

A

Bollywood mourns Sridevi’s demise

geless beauty, vibrant, beautiful, brilliant and iconic -- the Indian film fraternity outpoured its love for Sridevi as the news of sudden death of the veteran actress left the country shocked.

Hours before the news of Sridevi’s death surfaced, megastar Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: “Na jaane kyun, ajeeb si ghabrahat ho rahi hai (I don’t know why I am feeling uneasy.”

From southern movie stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, veterans like Anupam Kher, Hema Malini and Madhuri Dixit-Nene and younger celebrities like Farhan Akhtar and Alia Bhatt -- celebrities were in disbelief of Sridevi’s demise at the age of 54.

“I’m shocked and very disturbed.

I’ve lost a dear friend and the industry has lost a true legend. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I feel the pain with them. Sridevi, you will be missed,” tweeted Rajinikanth, who featured with her in the memorable “ChaalBaaz”.

Kamal Haasan, her co-star from “Sadma” -- one of her most evocative performances -- said: “Have witnessed Sridevi’s life from an adolescent teenager to the magnificent lady she became.

Her stardom was well deserved. Many happy moments with her flash through my mind including the last time I met her. Sadma’s lullaby haunts me now.

We’ll miss her.”

Actress-politician Hema Malini wrote: “Sridevi’s sudden passing away has left me in deep shock. Can’t imagine how such a bubbly person, a wonderful actor, is no more. She has left a void in the industry that cannot be filled.

Boney is a good friend and I’ve seen their daughters grow up. My prayers are with the family.”

Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli wrote: “The first Lady Superstar of the Country. Fifty of those 54 years as an actress par excellence. What a journey...and such an unexpected end. May your soul rest in peace.”

Before her entry into Bollywood, the actor had been a known face in South Indian films. She made her debut as a child artiste in Tamil film “Thunaivan” in 1969. She also worked in Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films.

Sridevi was awarded the Padma

13th August 1963 – 24th February 2018

Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour, in 2013.

Actor Anupam Kher, who worked with Sridevi in a multitude of films like “Lamhe”, “ChaalBaaz” and “Karma”, said: “Am I having a horrible dream.

Sridevi no more? This is so so sad. And so so not fair. One of the most brilliant, elegant and talented actresses ever. The queen of Indian cinema. And a friend.

Worked with her in so many movies.

So many amazing memories.”

He said he wants to remember her as “happening, vibrant, brilliant, beautiful, bestest and unique”.

Sridevi was in Dubai with husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter Khushi when she breathed her last.

Her elder daughter Jahnvi, who is due to make her Bollywood debut, was in Mumbai.

Sridevi and the rest of the family was in Dubai to attend a family wedding, and she exuded elegance in her appearances -- photos and videos that are now being shared on social media as her “last”.

Author Chetan Bhagat wrote: “She never seemed to age, and now she is suddenly gone. We grew up watching her, and she was still going strong.

Can’t believe she’s not there anymore.

God bless her soul.”

Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar recounted his time with Sridevi from “Lamhe”.

“My first job in 1990 was on ‘Lamhe’ and this song ‘Megha re megha’ was the very first time I saw this legendary actor create her incredible magic on screen. From ‘Sadma’ to ‘ChalBaaz’, from ‘Mr.India’ to ‘Chandni’, it was impossible to take your eyes off her

when she appeared on screen.

“A true star. A gifted actor. A woman with tremendous dignity. Gone too soon. RIP Sridevi. Sad sad day.”

Her “Chandni” co-star Rishi Kapoor wrote: “Woken up to this tragic news. Absolute shock. Sad. Heartfelt condolences to Boney and their two daughters!”

Madhuri Dixit-Nene said, “The world has lost a very talented person who left behind a huge legacy in films”.

Akshay Kumar tweeted: “Shocked beyond words to hear about the sad and untimely demise of #Sridevi. A dream for many, had the good fortune of sharing screen space with her long ago and witnessed her continued grace over the years. Thoughts and prayers with the family. RIP.” Actor R. Madhavan described her as a legend of Indian cinema.

“Our industry will never be the same again. She was the kindest soul apart from being a Giant performer.

The heavens are lucky.”

Actress Alia Bhatt tweeted: “Nothing makes sense. I have no words... just completely shocked. RIP Sridevi. My icon forever. Love you.”

Composer Vishal Dadlani wrote: “Srideviji was a megastar in her own right. She put the early cracks in the glass ceiling and paved the way for female megastars that came after her.

Her reinvention and comeback has been brilliant too. We lost more than a star, today. We lost a pioneer.”

Actor Vivek Oberoi described her as a “legend, an enigma, a superstar whose brilliance dazzled us for decades”. “Srideviji, you will live forever in our hearts,” he added.

Meanwhile Pakistani stars like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mahira Khan and Ali Zafar on Sunday condoled the sudden demise of veteran actress Sridevi, saying that she will live in their hearts and memories forever.

“So grateful to have grown up and lived in the times of Sridevi. Thank you for the movies, thank you for the magic. You shall live on forever... Great artistes... we cry for them without ever really knowing them, we mourn them because they helped us know ourselves,” Mahira tweeted on Sunday.

(BBC/IANS)

‘Yamaha Artiste Nise Meruno was invited to judge a fashion event titled ‘Consensio’ at the Royal Global University, Guwahati. Well known model Esther Jamir was the choreographer for the event.

Seen here with Nise are some of the panelists from across the Northeast.’

Kylie Minogue wants to duet with Lady Gaga

T

he Australian singer duets with ladies, so I admitted she’d love would love to sing with to collaborate with [Lady] Gaga or something Gaga like that, it would be inKylie Minogue has credible.” admitted she would love Minogue, who anto duet with Lady Gaga in nounced a huge UK and the future.

Ireland tour this week, has The Australian singer recorded a number of duwas interviewed on Gra- ets throughout her career, ham Norton’s Radio 2 including tracks with Nick show today (Feb 24) when Cave, Jason Donovan and a fan asked who she’d most Robbie Williams. like to duet with.

The singer also opened Minogue, 49, replied: up about how her many “Wow, there’s plenty. I collaborations have come think all of the duets I’ve about, saying: “I think it can done over the years have happen just really casually just kind of come to me, sometimes, just if you have so I’m just in this habit of mutual friends, or you’ve not actively reaching out just got a project that feels to people. like that person will be right “But I don’t do many for.

(BBC)

Skid Row guitarist says reunion Happy 70th Anniversary with ex-vocalist Bach unlikely David Humtsoe & Khonbeno Humtsoe

S

kid Row guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo has told Ireland’s Overdrive that the band is continuing to work on material for the final installment of its “United World Rebellion” trilogy of EPs. The followup to 2014’s “Rise Of The Damnation Army - United World Rebellion: Chapter Two” and 2013’s “United World Rebellion: Chapter One” will mark the band’s first release with the South African-born, British-based vocalist ZP Theart (Dragonforce, Tank, I Am I), who officially joined Skid Row last year.

According to Sabo, Skid Row has spoken to Michael Wagener, the producer of the band’s first two albums (1989’s “Skid Row” and 1991’s “Slave To The Grind”), about helming the new EP. “He’s totally up for doing that, so we just have to make both schedules work,” the guitarist said. “Obviously, we have a lot of touring that we are doing this year, so I don’t know if we’re gonna be able to go in a do it all in one shot, or just by doing a few tracks at a time.”

He added: “We are just so psyched to be working with Michael again, so much so that it’s really energized us and we’ll just do whatever we have to do in order to make it work.”

Sabo also once again dismissed talk of a reunion with former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach, saying “it’s been talked to death on so many levels” and insisting that “nothing has changed.”

He added: “I don’t disregard our past in any way because it’s what got us here, but let’s just concentrate on the present. It’s like talking about an ex-girlfriend that you dated 20 years ago. Why bother?

I’m all about moving forward and concentrating on the stuff that I’m doing or about to do.”

K Y M C

Despite having played sporadic shows with Skid Row for a year, Theart wasn’t officially announced as the band’s new frontman until January 2017.

(NME)

Your love, dedication and commitment to one another is truly an inspiration to all of us, wishing you both more joy, laughter and happiness in the years to come. May God bless you both.

DC-454

Your lovingly children, in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

DC-326

DC-456

K Y M C

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBrUARY 26, 2018

Suarez hat-trick extends Barcelona’s La Liga lead

Striker Suarez levelled the scoring at 1-1 on the weekend just two minutes after going behind to their Catalan rivals.

M A D R I D, F e b 2 5 (Agencies): Luis Suarez hit a hat-trick and Philippe Coutinho scored a brilliant first league goal for Barcelona as the La Liga leaders thrashed Girona 6-1 to open up a 10-point lead at the top of the table.

Lionel Messi continued his return to goalscoring form with a double to reach 30 in all competitions for the season, as Barca extended their advantage over closest title rivals Atletico Madrid.

Request to reschedule IPL match denied

NEW DELHI, Feb 25 (PTI): The BCCI has turned down ICC’s request of rescheduling an IPL match in Kolkata during its Annual board meeting in Kolkata from April 22-26.

It’s after long time that ICC is having its high-profile meeting in Kolkata and since it is overlapping with the cash-rich league, world body wanted BCCI to ensure that its members could at least watch a home match of Kolkata Knight Riders.

“Yes, there was a specific request from ICC as they wanted its various member delegates to watch an IPL game. However, between April 22 and 26, there are no home games of KKR at the Eden Gardens,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

KKR is playing a home match on April 16 and their next home game is on May 3.

It was the perfect outing for Barcelona after ninth-placed Girona had taken a shock early lead on their first-ever visit to the Camp Nou, as Coutinho, Suarez, Messi and Ousmane Dembele shone on their first start together.

Portu took advantage of hesitation from Barca centre-back Samuel Umtiti to round goalkeeper MarcAndre ter Stegen and slot into an empty net to put Girona ahead in La Liga’s newest Catalan derby. The

hosts took less than two minutes to get back on level terms, though, as Messi collected the ball in midfield before sending Suarez through to score.

Messi’s wizardry put Ernesto Valverde’s side in front on the half-hour mark, after Suarez touched down a long pass from Andres Iniesta for the Argentinian. It looked as though the chance had gone when Messi was forced wide, but the league’s top scorer showed trademark footwork to jink past

several defenders before slotting into the bottom corner. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was running the show, and he doubled the advantage just seven minutes later with a low free-kick under the wall.

H av i n g g o n e f ive games without a goal before his crucial equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek, Messi has scored three in two games. Barcelona’s fourth goal came on the stroke of half-time with Girona’s defenders left begging for the interval after Messi’s perfectly-weighted pass found Coutinho to square for Suarez to tap in.

The Catalan giants eased off slightly in the second half, but Coutinho got off the mark in the league in style as he cut inside and curled a long-range strike into the far corner.

French winger Dembele played his part too late on as he crossed from the left for Suarez to complete a hat-trick. After a slow start to the campaign, the Uruguayan forward has now scored 17 goals in his last 14 league matches.

Russia expects doping ban to be lifted in ‘next few days’ M O SC OW, F e b 2 5 (Agencies): Russia said on Sunday it expected to have the doping ban lifted in the “next few days,” saying restoring the rights of its athletes could become a major result of the Olympic Games.

The Inter national Olympic Committee (IOC) voted unanimously to keep Russia’s ban for mass doping, meaning Russian athletes will not be able to march behind their flag at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics closing ceremony later Sunday.

But IOC said the suspension would be lifted - an IOC source said in “a few days or a few weeks” - if no further positive drug tests come out of the Games, where two Russians tested positive for doping.

“We hope and count on the recovery of the Russian Olympic Committee

(ROC) membership in the IOC within the next few days,” the committee said in a statement.

“Our absolute priority is the status of our country and the interests of our athletes,” the statement said.

Restoring the rights of the ROC and the rights of “all the Russian athletes will be the major outcome” of the Games, the statement added.

The vote to maintain the ban for the time being followed a recommendation from the IOC’s executive board, which met Saturday and early Sunday to thrash out Russia’s fate.

The IOC “could have considered lifting the suspension given that the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) had respected the IOC’s decision of December 5,” IOC president Thomas Bach said.

“However, two Rus-

sian athletes tested positive for doping here in Pyeongchang.”

The ROC pointed out that the IOC voted to lift its suspension after the completion of all doping tests of the samples taken during the Games.

“According to the standing order, it takes 72 hours to implement the test procedure,” the ROC statement said.

Russia was formally banned in December from taking part in the 2018 Olympics following revelations of widespread drug-cheating, but 168 athletes deemed “clean” were allowed to compete as neutrals.

They were representing “Olympic Athletes from Russia” under strict guidelines including a ban on Russia’s flag, national colours and the national anthem.

Hafeez wants ICC to retain ‘doosra’ DUBAI, Feb 25 (PTI): Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez says the International Cricket Council (ICC) should tweak its rules to ensure the ‘doosra’ remains part of the sport.

“Really happy to see leg spinners come into international cricket. But I still believe something should happen when it comes to the doosra,” Hafeez said on the sidelines of the Pakistan Super League.

“Saeed Ajmal has given us a lot of excitement as well as Saqlain Mushtaq. It is one area ICC must look into. Some extension in the rules... doosra should be a part of cricket, not taken away from it,” he added.

Hafeez, a top order batsman and a handy offspinner, has been reported for more than once in the past for his suspect bowling action and currently he cannot bowl in ICC events.

Hafeez said he is not surprised by the rise of legspinners in world cricket and feels it’s a great option to get wickets.

“This is one area that every team looks forward to. Having leg spinners in the team provides them with lots of excitement and options to get wickets,” Hafeez said.

Players of FC Goa and Pune City FC during their ISL match on Sunday.

Pune, Feb 25 (IANS): FC Goa kept themselves in the race for the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) semifinals as they crushed FC Pune City 4-0 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium here on Sunday.

FC Goa, who were winless in five matches, opened the scoring through Manuel Lanzarote’s penalty in the 28th minute. Hugo Boumous made it 2-0 immediately in the second session and then Ferran Corominas scored a quick brace in the 58th and 65th minutes to give Goa a much-needed K Y M C

boost.

The victory took Goa’s points tally to 24 from 16 matches. They are now placed sixth and will qualify for the semi-finals if they win their remaining two matches.

Pune City are still second with 29 points from 17 matches and need a draw from their final league clash against Delhi Dynamos FC. And they will have to do that without their captain and leading goalscorer Marcelinho who picked up a red card in the 80th minute.

Goa tasted success in

the 26th minute when they won a penalty as Moroccan midfielder Hugo Boumous was brought down inside the danger zone by Adil Khan. Spanish forward Lanzarote kept his cool to send goalkeeper Vishal Kaith the wrong way for the opening goal.

Goa should have had their second goal in the first session itself. At the stroke of half time, Goa almost caught Pune on the counter when Corominas and Lanzarote worked their way up but Kaith came up with a spectacular close-range save to deny the former

Taylor ton spoils Stokes comeback

Ross Taylor batted impressively to anchor the New Zealand reply after England had made 284.

H a mi lto n, F e b 2 5 (Agencies): Ross Taylor’s magnificent century, in a partnership of 178 with Tom Latham, laid the foundations for a three-wicket New Zealand win in the first ODI against England in Hamilton.

Mitchell Santner’s 45 not out from 27 balls got the Black Caps over the line with four balls to spare after Ben Stokes (2-43), in his first England appearance since he was arrested in Bristol last September, dismissed Latham (79) and Colin de Grandhomme in quick succession to give the tourists the advantage.

Jos Buttler (79) and Joe Root (71) hit half-centuries as England posted 284-8 but after recovering from the loss of three early wickets, New Zealand held their nerve to

win a pulsating encounter and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

After being invited to bat first England were unusually subdued in the first 10 overs as Tim Southee and Trent Boult bowled with admirable discipline, the latter having Jonny Bairstow (four) caught behind.

Root and Jason Roy put on 79 for the second wicket, batting with great maturity on a slow surface before Santner beat Roy (49) with an arm ball that skidded on and uprooted his leg stump. New Zealand were indebted to Southee (0-47) and Boult (2-64) as they frustrated Buttler during the final few overs and prevented England from reaching the 300-plus score they had threatened going into the final powerplay.

However, England could still be happy to have reached a highly competitive total and their collective mood would have improved further as Chris Woakes removed the dangerous Munro (six) in the second over of the chase. Taylor and Latham showed all their experience though and gradually built their partnership to not only bring New Zealand back into the game but put them in the ascendency.

Stokes finally made the breakthrough, having an increasingly tired-looking Latham caught at mid-on by Root with New Zealand still needing 80 to win and when Tom Curran had Henry Nicholls (0) caught in the next over, England were back in the game.

Taylor (113) remained but when he was stumped off Adil Rashid (1-55), England looked to be favourites again, only for back-to-back sixes from Santner to swing the pendulum back New Zealand’s way.

The hosts were left needing nine from the final over and after Santner got a thick inside edge to send Woakes’ (2-47) near-perfect yorker down to fine leg for four, the game was all but up and the left-hander heaved the ball high over the square leg boundary to seal the win.

India captain gets ICC Test Championship mace

CAPE TOWN, Feb 25 (PTI): Skipper Virat Kohli was presented with the prestigious ICC Test Championship Mace as India retained the top spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings.

On behalf of the ICC, the mace was presented by ICC Cricket Hall of Famers Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Pollock at a ceremony at the Newlands Stadium here after India concluded the tour of South Africa by clinching the T20 International series 2-1, following a seven-run win in third match on Saturday.

India ensured the number one spot on the ICC Test Team Rankings and a prize of $1 million after their victory in the third Test at Johannesburg against South Africa last month. The win ensured that no team can move ahead of India in the Test rankings at the 3 April cut-off date. India won the prize for a second year running and have now been at the top of the rankings since

October 2016. They have also been at the top two times before under Kohli - in January-February 2016 and in August 2016. India’s longest stint at the number-one position was from November 2009 to August 2011, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the captain. The other captains to have received the mace are Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla (both South Africa) and Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan).

“It’s truly a great feeling to hold the ICC Test Championship mace again, which is an acknowledgement of our success in the truest format of the game,” Kohli said. “We’re proud of the way we have performed in Test matches over the past couple of years and our performances have reflected in the rankings. The quality of a side is judged in the way players step up when

needed, and that is what our boys have done time and again.”

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson congratulated India, saying: “India

has been simply outstanding in Test cricket over the last twelve months and I’d like to congratulate Virat and his team for retaining the Mace.”

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved father

Late Pehuto Zhimomi

Born : 1947 | Died : 26.02.2017

Our hearts still ache with sadness and our silent tears still flow.

We hold you close within our hearts and there you will always remain.

DP-1675

FC Goa beat FC Pune City 4-0 to remain in contention for ISL semis

from adding to his 13 goals in the league.

Goa came out all guns blazing in the second session and caught Pune by surprise. A minute after restart, Hugo made a run to the right and calmly squared it to Lanzarote who hit it on target but Kaith made another spectacular save.

A minute later, Hugo struck the post with a powerful left-footer. But he finally got the goal he was looking for a few seconds later when he received a ball inside the box from Corominas and danced his way past a defender before finishing it past a diving Kaith.

The Pune defence was caught napping again when Hugo back-heeled a sweet ball to set up Corominas and the leading goal-scorer made it 3-0.

Corominas was soon to score his 15th goal and Goa’s fourth in the 65th minute from a penalty, which was awarded after Mandar Rao Dessai’s cross was handled by Sarthak Golui.

Pune City didn’t test Goa goalkeeper Naveen Kumar as much as they would have liked with Marcelinho’s curler which went wide, the closest they came to finding some consolation.

11

Loving wife, children, in-laws & grandchild

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

12/7/1937 – 21/2/2018 “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil” psalm 23:4 We the family members of Lt. Er. K. L. MERRY would like to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to all our family, relatives, neighbours, churches, friends and well wishers who have extended your overwhelming love and concern at the sudden demise of “ our beloved” through your physical presence, financial, spiritual and emotional support.

Though we are unable to thank each and everyone of you personally, it is our earnest prayer that God Almighty will bless you all abundantly.

“MISSING YOU DEARLY” Loving wife, children, grandchildren and in-laws.

DP-1673

K Y M C

12

sports

Winter Olympics: Curtain down on ‘Peace Games’

Fire work display during the closing ceremony.

PYEONGCHANG, Feb 25 (Agencies): South Korea brought the curtain down on its “Peace Games” on Sunday, with winter sports athletes dancing and singing together at a vibrant closing ceremony, though there was little warmth between dignitaries from the United States and North Korea.

South Korea President Moon Jae-in, who hopes to use these Games as an opportunity to engage with the North, warmly greeted U.S. President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka before offering a brief handshake to North Korean delegation leader Kim Yong Chol.

Despite the cool body language, Moon’s efforts

Athletes wave to the crowd during the closing ceremony.

may be bearing fruit. The South’s presidential office said on Sunday that members of the North Korean delegation had expressed the North’s openness to talks with the United States.

Trump sat front and centre, beside Moon’s wife, while North Korea’s Kim was seated a row behind, decked out in a long black

jacket and furry hat. Sitting two seats along from him was General Vincent Brooks, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea.

Kim’s appearance at the closing ceremony has been greeted with outrage by some in South Korea. The former North Korean intelligence chief is accused of having been behind a deadly

2010 attack on a South Korean warship. South Korean protesters tried to block Kim’s motorcade to the closing ceremony earlier in the day.

Despite the divisions and distrust between the two Koreas, they agreed to have their athletes march together at both the opening and closing ceremonies under a banner of unification. They also fielded a unified women’s ice hockey team.

IOC president Thomas Bach paid tribute to the athletes, saying they were an example to the world.

“You have shown how sport brings people together in our fragile world; you have shown how sport builds bridges,” he said. “The IOC will continue this Olympic dialogue, even after we extinguish the Olympic flame.

“In this, we are driven

by our faith in the future.”

Bach signed off by calling upon the youth of the world to gather in Beijing in four years’ time for the 2022 Winter Games.

With the ceremony showcasing cutting-edge South Korean technology and a remarkable drone show that dotted out the image of the Games mascot Soohorang, a white tiger, in the night sky, athletes marched into the stadium, many wearing their medals.

The Russian flag, absent at the opening ceremony, was again nowhere to be seen after the IOC decided not to lift the suspension on their country. It was a bitter-sweet day for Russian athletes, who after savouring the high of winning a nail-biting men’s ice hockey final on Sunday then had to march without their flag.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, FEBrUARY 26, 2018

Kashyap wins Austrian Open

Parupalli Kashyap

VIENNA, Feb 25 (PTI): Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap overcame Malaysia’s June Wei Cheam in straight games in the men’s singles final to clinch the Austrian Open International Challenge, his first international title in over three years.

Kashyap, a former National champion and second seed, saw off Cheam 23-21 21-14 in a 37-minute clash late last night.

The Indian looked in

good touch throughout the tournament as he didn’t drop a single game en route to his title win. The final, however, was not a cakewalk as world number 126 Cheam matched Kashyap in the first game, which went down to the wires.

In the end, the Indian had to save three game points before pocketing the first game.

Kashyap looked in better control in the second game and eventually sealed the contest in 37 minutes.

India win 3rd T20I to clinch series Svitolina retains Dubai title

India clinch the series 2-1, beating South Africa by seven runs in the series decider.

Cape Town, Feb 25 (IANS): A disciplined b ow l i n g p e r f o r m a n c e helped India seal a sevenrun victory over South Africa in the final T20I in Cape Town and complete a 2-1 series win.

It means India remain unbeaten in a fifth suc-

cessive T20 series, despite the visitors being without captain Virat Kohli who was sidelined with a sore back.

The visitors had posted 172-7 after being put in to bat, with Suresh Raina (43) and Shikhar Dhawan (47) laying the platform.

In response, the Proteas struggled and despite a half-century from JP Duminy (55) and a quickfire 49 from Christiaan Jonker the home side fell just short of their target.

Playing in just his third T20I, South Africa’s Junior Dala starred with

the ball and had an immediate impact on the match as he trapped stand-in Indian captain Rohit Sharma lbw for eight. Raina and Dhawan shared a 65-run second-wicket stand before the former was caught well off Tabraiz Shamsi for 43.

Dala swung the match in the Proteas’ favour as he had the dangerous Manish Pandey caught before brilliant running out Dhawan for 47 and dismissing MS Dhoni to take his seventh wicket in the series.

Needing 173 to win, the hosts scrapped to 52-2 off their first 10 overs and although Jonker blazed five fours and two sixes in his 24-ball 49, six of India’s seven bowlers took wickets to restrict their opponents to 165-6 and ensure their tour of South Africa ended on a high.

Brief scores South Africa: 165/6 in 20 overs (Jean-Paul Duminy 55, Christiaan Jonker 49; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/24) vs India: 172/7 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 47, Suresh Raina 43; Junior Dala 3/35).

Manchester United defeat Chelsea 2-1 London , F e b 2 5 (Agencies): Romelu Lukaku scored one and set up another as Manchester United came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Belgium international scored his first goal against a top-eight club this season with United’s equaliser (39), after Willian fired the dominant champions ahead (32). Lukaku then crossed for substitute Jesse Lingard to head the winner 15 minutes from time.

The victory sees United reclaim second place in the Premier League from Liverpool and open a potentially crucial six-point gap over fifth-placed Chelsea in the race for the top four.

Chelsea’s positive midweek performance against Barcelona may have been marred

by Lionel Messi’s away goal but the champions showed no sign of self-pity as they flew out of the traps, the restored Alvaro Morata turning Marcos Alonso’s cross onto the bar inside five minutes. Such was the dominance of the visitors’ bright, exuberant start that it took United until the 27th minute to register an effort on goal.

First Lukaku had a shot blocked before, a minute later, Alexis Sanchez’s toe poke at the end of flowing counter was comfortably saved by Thibaut Courtois.

But just as it seemed the hosts had found a foothold in the game, Chelsea struck as Willian played a one-two with Eden Hazard and bludgeoned a shot

Lingard and Lukaku celebrated with a special handshake while team-mate Ashley Young patted the sub on his back.

through David de Gea’s defences.

It was no more than Chelsea deserved, as was the lead at the break, but United’s only moment of quality denied them that as Sanchez and Martial combined at the end of an intricate move to free Lukaku, who slotted the equaliser home from six yards. Chelsea continued in the second period from where they had left off, though, as Willian released Morata through on goal on 49 minutes, but Chris Smalling, having initially lunged in, recovered to block the Spaniard’s shot.

Danny Drinkwater’s dipping 20-yard strike drew a fumble from De Gea shortly after, before his counterpart Courtois pulled off a stun-

ning fingertip save to deny Lukaku an acrobatic second on 67 minutes.

But having been denied, Lukaku turned provider, curling a fine cross from the right onto the head of Lingard, who steered his 13th goal of the season beyond Courtois to ensure Jose Mourinho got the better of old foe Antonio Conte.

Spurs down Crystal Palace 1-0

A solitary Harry Kane goal gave Tottenham a 1-0 win and all three points in their clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Kane missed a sitter before the hour mark in the London derby, but made no mistake with a deadly header in the 89th minute.

Christian Eriksen floated in a corner from the left, with Kane moving to meet it at the far post with a perfectly weighted header that keeper Wayne Hennessey got a hand to but couldn’t prevent hitting the back of the net.

It was Kane’s 150th goal for Spurs and yet another example of why Real Madrid are keeping such close tabs on the striker.

Spurs are now unbeaten in 15 games - their best run in 19 years, fourth in the league table and just two points off second-placed Liverpool.

For Palace, the defeat was a hugely frustrating one given they had withstood for so long. Roy Hodgson’s side sit just one place above the relegation zone.

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine holds the trophy after she beats Daria Kasatkina of Russia at the final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship

Dubai, Feb 25 (Agencies): Top seed Elina Svitolina successfully defended her Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title after defeating Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 6-4 6-0 in the final.

The fourth-ranked Ukrainian joined Justine Henin and Venus Willliams as the third women’s player to win successive Dubai titles.

Svitolina, who had won both her previous meetings against Kasatkina, dominated the early phase and went on to seal a break of serve in the fifth game. Kasatkina, ranked 24 in the world, saved three set points but was incon-

sistent with her groundstrokes and Svitolina soon wrapped up the opening set.

Svitolina made the most of the momentum and produced a faultless display in the second set, recording three more breaks of serve and 18 winners to claim the victory in 70 minutes.

It was an evening to forget for the Kasatkina, 20, who committed 34 unforced errors, but her victories over Britain’s Johanna Konta and world No 3 Garbine Muguruza this week reflected her remarkable progress on the WTA Tour this season and is guaranteed a move to a career-best 20th on Monday.

Mary Kom settles for silver at Strandja boxing SOFIA, Feb 25 (Bulgaria): Five-time world champion MC Mary Kom had to be content with a silver medal after going down in the final of the 69th Strandja Memorial boxing tournament for men and women here on Sunday.

Mar y Kom (48kg), who came into the event in pursuit of a third consecutive gold medal after the Asian championships and the India Open, lost to Bulgaria’s Sevda Asenova.

Also settling for a silver was Seema Poonia (+81kg), who went down to Russia’s Anna Ivanova.

It was a stunning result for Mary Kom, who dominated the bout against the local favourite. The Olympic bronze-medallist Indian was the one initiating any attack for most of the bout.

In fact, she quite literally chased Asenova, who was content with occasional touches and back-paddling evasively. One such chase for getting a punch across by Mary Kom, led to the boxers tumbling over each other.

It came as quite a surprise when the judges ruled in the Asenova’s favour, leaving the Indian corner shocked. In contrast, Seema was up against a powerpuncher in Ivanova and was found wanting. Ivanova was also quicker of the two and stuck to hitting straight. Such was the Russian’s dominance that even a warning in the final round for bending had no bearing on the final outcome.

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