March 26, 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 109

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Naga MMA fighters vie for spots at GAMMA Asian C’ships sports, Page 12

Follow us on @Nagaland_Post

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

N Korea test-fires missiles in message to US international, Page 9

speech of citizens can’t be Farmers protest: ‘Bharat Bandh’ today Free stifled with criminal cases: SC Nationwide shutdown from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Rail, road transport likely to be affected.

Supplies of vegetables, milk will also stopped.

Major impact of bandh to be felt in Haryana, Punjab.

NEW DELHI, MAR 25 (PTI): Rail and road transportation services are likely to be affected and markets may remain closed in parts of the country Friday as farmer unions protesting against the three agri laws have called a complete ‘Bharat Bandh’, even as it will not be observed in four poll-bound states and Puducherry.

According to the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha, the

nationwide shutdown will start at 6 am and it will be in force up to 6 pm across the country on March 26 which marks four months of the farmer agitation at Delhi’s three borders -- Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri.

In a video message, SKM leader Darshan Pal said that supplies of vegetables and milk will also stopped by the protesting farmers. The Samkyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of protesting unions, appealed to protesting farmers to be peaceful and not get involved in any kind of illegitimate debate and conflict during the ‘bandh’.

“All shops, malls, markets and institutions will remain closed under complete Bharat Bandh. All minor and big roads and trains will be blocked. All services will remain suspended except

for ambulance and other essential services. The effect of Bharat Bandh will be observed inside Delhi as well,” SKM said in a statement.

Senior farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said that road and rail transport will be blocked, claiming that markets will also remain closed. The Morcha said that the ‘bandh’ will also be observed in the national capital. Rajewal said that trade unions from organised and unorganised sectors, and transport and other associations have extended their support for the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call of farmer organisations on March 26.

“Farmers will block rail tracks in various places.

Markets and transport services will be closed during ‘Bharat Bandh’,” Rajewal told PTI. He said that however, emergency services like

ambulance and fire will be allowed during the nationwide shutdown.

Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur demanding a complete repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee for the minimum support price on their crops.

Confederation of All India Traders, which claimed representation of eight crore traders in the country, said that markets will remain open on March 26 as it is not participating in the ‘Bharat Bandh’.

“We are not going to participate in ‘Bharat Bandh’ tomorrow. Markets will remain open in Delhi and other parts of the country.

The ongoing deadlock can be resolved only through dia-

logue process. There should be discussions on amendments in the farm laws that can make existing farming profitable,” CAIT’s national general secretary Praveen Khandelwal told PTI. The statement issued by the SKM claimed that various farmers’ organisations, trade unions, student organizations, bar associations, political parties and representatives of state governments have supported the bandh call of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha.

Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar, who is also senior member of SKM, said that the major impact of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ will be felt in Haryana and Punjab. Kohar said that farmers have appealed to trader associations to close their shops during the nationwide shutdown.

NEW DELHI, MAR 25 (AGENCIES): Supreme Court Friday said that free speech of the citizens of the country cannot be stifled by implicating them in criminal cases, unless such speech has the tendency to affect public order.

A bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao and S. Ravindra Bhat said India is a plural and multicultural society and the promise of liberty, enunciated in the Preamble, manifests itself in various provisions which outline each citizen’s rights; including right to free speech, to travel freely and settle throughout the length and breadth of India.

The observation by the top court was made while quashing the FIR registered against Shillong Times Editor Patricia Mukhim on a

Facebook post on violence against non-tribal people in Meghalaya. The bench said when allegations in the FIR or the complaint do not prima facie constitute any offence or make out a case against the accused, the FIR is liable to be quashed.

“As there is no attempt made by the appellant (Mukhim) to incite people belonging to a community to indulge in any violence, the basic ingredients of the offence under Sections 153 A and 505 (1) (c) have not been made out,” it said.

The bench said a close scrutiny of the Facebook post indicate Mukhim’s agony was directed against the apathy shown by Meghalaya chief minister, DGP and the Dorbar Shnong (Khasi village institutions) of the area in not taking any

action against the culprits who attacked the non-tribals youngsters.

“Disapprobation of governmental inaction cannot be branded as an attempt to promote hatred between different communities. Free speech of the citizens of this country cannot be stifled by implicating them in criminal cases, unless such speech has the tendency to affect public order,” the bench said.

Justice Rao, who wrote the verdict on behalf of the bench said: “At times, when in the legitimate exercise of such a right, individuals travel, settle down or carry on a vocation in a place where they find conditions conducive, there may be resentments, especially if such citizens prosper, leading to hostility or possibly violence.

Lack of commitment to teach hampering children: PD RTA Kohima bans pvt vehicles plying as taxi Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 25 (NPN): Nagaland has over 2,000 gover nment schools, of which 1,100 are primary, 600 middle and 293 high and higher secondary schools and the teacher-student ratio is 1:7. This was stated by principal director (PD) School Education, Shanavas C during the inaugural programme of the two-day State level training for district and block level resource persons on Foundation Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) held at the

Fuel prices fall for second day DIMAPUR, MAR 25 (NPN): State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) reduced the retail price of petrol and diesel for the second consecutive day Thursday. Petrol price fell by 21 paise per litre and diesel by 20 paise per litre.

After today’s rate revision, petrol price in Dimapur was retailing at Rs.89.81 per litre while diesel price stood at Rs.83.34 per litre.

In the state capital Kohima, a litre of petrol and diesel was priced at Rs.90.72 and Rs.84.07 respectively.

State records 3 new COVID cases DIMAPUR, MAR 25 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday recorded three new COVID-19 positive cases in Dimapur, taking the total caseload to 12229. With this, the active cases rose to four while a total of 11979 patients have recovered from the infection so far.

This is it!

“She’s fighting on four fronts. Against PM, next day HM, then DM then rival party chief.”

K Y M C

State Capital Convention Centre here on Thursday.

He said there were 1,40,000 students and 20,000 teachers in these government schools.

Clarifying that he was not generalising, he, however, regretted that many teachers lacked the commitment and motivation to teach, because of which children in government schools mostly from poor economic background like domestic helpers who did not get any support from guardians suffered. With this kind of

background, he asserted that good results could not be expected and FLN objectives would not be met.

Shanavas mentioned that often gover nment school performance in class 10 and 12 exams was poor and ultimately the teachers and school managements were blamed. However, he remarked that when the foundation of the students was not strong, one could not expect good results.

He said math and science phobias were creation of the mind and reminded

the teachers that there were many simple ways to teach children. Reminding everyone that no one was born intelligent, he said children coming to government schools at young age should not be labelled as useless or that they would be able be able achieve anything.

He said FLN was simple and teachers have to find simpler methods of teaching to help children understand and generate interest in them. “Without performing one’s duty, one cannot expect good results from

children in class 10 exam,” he pointed out.

He also urged those present at the programme to replicate this training for teachers in their own districts and blocks and encourage them to support the children so that the objectives of FLN could be met. Else, even if the objective was achieved by 2025 through various training programmes and activities, the result would remain the same after 2025 when the children reached higher (Cont’d on p-8) classes.

Fake marksheet racket busted; 3 held

TSUD concerned over misuse of social media

Three accused under police custody. (PHQ)

DIMAPUR, MAR 25 (NPN): In a major breakthrough, Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Crime Investigation Department led by Dy.SP (Crime) busted a fake marksheet racket and arrested three persons.

Run by a gang of IT professionals based in Assam, the racket was providing fake marksheets and other educational certificates of HSLC and HSSLC for students in Nagaland.

According to SP (Crime) and PRO, the SIT apprehended three persons Mohbubur Rashid Choudhury alias Manoj Das, Rahul Sen alias Rajat Yadav and Jinna Razzakul Alom alias

Mitul Alom from various locations in Assam after a month-long reconnaissance and surveillance. While prime accused Mohbubur was arrested from Guwahati, the other two were arrested from Kokrajhar.

In the successful operation under the supervision of DIG (CID) and SP (crime), the SIT along with cyber cell of PHQ and cyber forensic lab (CFL) Chumukedima conducted simultaneous raids in Beltola and Kokrajhar and recovered various incriminating documents and evidences like fake marksheets, seals of high ranking officials of Nagaland Board of Sec-

ondary Education, cash, laptops and various electronic equipment used in producing fake marksheets and certificates.

The gang operated under the brand of ‘Career Today Nagaland & Edumart Naga’ and the accused impersonated themselves as directors and executives of the fake career and placement consultancy and would convince institutes in different parts of the country with false promise of providing students for admission. They would then submit forged documents to the institutes and extract huge sums of money from them on the pretext of travelling and other logistic requirements.

The case came to light when the matter was reported to PHQ by NBSE chairman, who said that marksheets and other educational certificates sent to the board for verification by various technical institutes from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were found to be fake.

D I M A P U R , M A R 2 5 taxis and not illegal taxis M.V. department will con(NPN): Regional Trans- and report the over-charg- duct recce at the proposed port Authority (RTA) Ko- ing fares to the following stretch of road. hima has banned all private numbers—7005986027, The committee also vehicles illegally plying as 7005986028. discussed suggestions by local taxi within Kohima At the meeting, it was DEF Kohima presented with immediate effect. also decided that the fares of by DSP (Traffic) and KoIn a press release, city bus, local/ regional taxi hima Village Youth Orgathe regional transport of- & two-wheeler taxi would nization with regard to Bus ficer Kohima, SY Sanglee remain the same pre-Covid Stands, Local/ Regional Chang, said that the deci- 19 till reviewed and notified Taxi Stands, Two-Wheelsion was taken at RTA by RTA. er Parking, Tata Parking, Kohima meeting held in It resolved that the pro- Fruit/ Food Stalls. the office chamber of the posed city bus fare would be The Committee also deputy commissioner and reviewed in the next RTA discussed proposed recesRTA Kohima chairman on meeting. sion of City bus fares subMarch 23, 2021.

At the meeting CEO mitted by the City Bus OwnThe meeting decided Kohima smart city project ers’ Union and Two-Wheelthat hereafter enforcing briefed the committee on er Taxi fare circulated in the agencies; the police and MV the ‘No Parking Plan’ for the media. A joint committee enforcement would penal- stretch from TCP Junction of district administration, ize those illegal taxis found to Old Tata Parking. The police, KMC & smart city plying as per provisions of committee deliberated on & M.V. Department would the MV Act. the plan and decided that submit a detail report in a The committee would a joint committee compris- forth night to the RTA for give notification urging ing district administration, further necessary action, it DIMAPUR, MAR 25 public to use proper local police, KMC/smart city & stated.

(NPN): Tenyimi Students’ Union Dimapur (TSUD) has voiced its concern over misuse of social media platforms and spreading DIMAPUR, MAR 25(NPN): Western resulted in loss of many precious lives in of misinformation and Sumi Hoho president Dr. Kakheto Zhi- the past.” hatred. momi has resigned from the post owning He also reiterated that there should Acknowledging the moral responsibility for the violation of the be no room for acceptance of any form benefits of digital empow- Western Sumi Hoho resolution 2019-2022 of bloodshed in a civilised society and for erment, TSUD president “that no individual or group will be allowed which the WSH vehemently opposed any Rukewezo Wetsah and to shed even a drop of blood especially in violent crimes. finance secretary Asin the case of land disputes and that matters However, Dr. Zhimomi said the March Rengma said this has also pertaining to such issues be amicably re- 22 incident was a total violation of the brought in challenges and solved through negotiation.” resolution and declaration that had been some of its reckless abuse In a statement, Dr. Zhimomi stated passed. In view of this, Dr. Zhimomi said posed a serious dilemma of that the above “resolution was passed in he has resigned as president WSH since he striking a balance between view of the perpetual land dispute between has “no moral right to hold the office any freedom of speech and the Zeliang and Sumi community that had longer.” expression.

It called for awareness, empowerment and the obligation to be responsible and accountable, so that social media platforms did not become vehicles DIMAPUR, MAR 25 (NPN): While DIMAPUR, MAR 25 (NPN): Aqahuto to commit crime, incite thanking GPRN/NSCN for the condo- Tokukujo Kukami Kuqhakulu (ATKK) and lence message over the killing of three the people of Aqahuto Area have expressed hatred or extremism. shock and pain over the loss of the lives of (Cont’d on p-8) people at Lamhainamdi, Peren District Youth Organisation (PDYO) said it was three persons on March 22.

In a press note, ATKK president Kakiho however saddened that the condolence Achumi and general secretary Vikishe Swu message was issued as a clarification.

Stressing that Zeliangrong people said their statement was issued as there has held GPRN/NSCN--- referred to as been various social media posts overflowing move forward towards real- NSCN (U) in the statement, under the with hateful comments against the people of ising our aspirations.” The leadership of Neokpao Konyak and N. Aqahuto Area, adding, “the ugly face of tribparty conveyed its heartfelt Kitovi Zhimomi in high esteem, PDYO alism again knocks at our door” as Sumis in condolences to members of claimed that Zeliangrong brothers and sis- general and Sumis residing in Aqahuto area the bereaved families. ters sacrificed their lives fighting for Naga have become “targets of hatemongers”.

NTC: Nagaland Tribes cause standing with NSCN (U) and were ATKK said it reiterated, with full conCouncil (NTC) said it was still doing it. Thus, it said it was saddened fidence in factual circumstances and not on saddened at the brutal kill- to see the condolence message conveyed whimsical/sentimental beliefs, that villages ing of three people. in Aqahuto area were “not established on as a clarification note.

NTC president Toniho Mentioning that cautioning of Ze- lands belonging to other villages or comYepthomi and general sec- liang leaders by NSCN (U) not to paint munities”. retary Nribemo Ngullie the incident along tribal line was a good While stating that any person/commusaid the incident not only thought, PDYO said the Zeliangs for nity who claims land within the territories sent shock waves across the decades saw it as an issue between land- of Aqahuto area was welcome to establish State and beyond, but recur- owner and encroachers. But on that fateful his/her claim, ATKK however said whether rent use of fire arms to elim- day, PDYO said not only were the three it was the people of Aqahuto area or people inate God’s precious lives brothers killed mercilessly with automatic from elsewhere, resorting to illegal means is without (Cont’d on p-5) weapons, but the (Cont’d on p-8) no justification.

(Cont’d on p-7)

WSH president resigns from post

PDYO rejoinder to GPRN/NSCN

ATKK on March 22 incident, land issue

NDPP, NTC others condemn March 22 killing DIMAPUR, MAR 25 (NPN): Various organizations including the NDPP, NTC have condemned the killing of three persons along Dimapur-Peren border area on March 22.

NDPP: Condemning the incident, NDPP expressed concern that instead of approaching the administration and law enforcing agencies to adjudicate disputes and misunderstandings, people chose to take law into their own hands and resorted to “cold-blooded killings”. Demanding that

law enforcing agencies must go after the culprits and book them as per the laws of the land, NDPP also urged the state government to restore supremacy of the law so that citizens could live without fear in their own land.

NDPP further appealed to all and sundry to abide by the law and, more importantly, adhere to Christian ethics while dealing with their fellow brethren, abjure violence of any kind and live and let live. It also urged all rightthinking people to refrain from giving a communal

touch to this ugly incident and insisted that perpetrators of this barbaric deed, no matter to which community they belong, should be brought to justice at the earliest so that justice reigned supreme.

NDPP said that the Naga society must make genuine efforts towards real peace and work towards more understanding so that the aspiration of lasting peace was achieved. It also called upon Nagas to rise above smaller divisions and work towards real Naga unity, adding “only then can we

K Y M C

2

state

‘Smoke free Kohima city’ panel meet

DIMAPUR: The sub-committee for “Smoke free Kohima city” held its first meeting at Kohima Municipal Council's conference hall on March 25. The meeting was chaired by the subcommittee convenor & SDO (C) Sadar, Kohima, Daniel Angami.

According to DIPR report, the convenor informed the members that the sub-committee was constituted during the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) meeting of District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC), Kohima on November 25, 2020. He said that the committee was constituted to initiate 'smoke free Kohima city', where he invited the members to contribute their views and suggestions for the successful implementation of the exercise.

State nodal officer National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), Dr. C. Tetso who was also present in the meeting said that the whole

YTC hold its 73rd general session at Iponger village DIMAPUR: The 73rd Yimchungru Tribal Council (YTC) session was held at Iponger village under Pungro sub-division, Kiphire on March 24 under the theme "Patriotism and Peace”.

According to DIPR report, special guest, advisor IPR, SCERT & VG, Toshi Wungtung, unveiled the Yimchunger Tribal Council monolith in the presence of ENPO president and YTC president.

Wu n g t u n g i n h i s speech greeted all tribe leaders from different units and from administration under Kiphire district who had come to attend the session.

Various traditional songs and dances were presented by cultural dance Longtsungru village, Zaonger village, Zhimkiur cultural troupe and tribal squad, Pungro village. The programme was chaired by vice president YTC, Kiuji and vote of thanks was proposed by general secretary YTC, Laji Luyanba.

Committee meeting for smoke free Kohima city at Kohima.

idea of smoke free was to make the city a healthier place. Informing that the department plans to launch campaign for smoke free in all district headquarters starting from April 2021, he suggested Kohima being the capital of the state to initiate earlier and set a good example to other districts as well.

Tetso also shared his suggestion made during a meeting with Kohima Smart City, to incorporate “smoke free Kohima city” in Kohima Smart City Project.

Dr. Tetso further informed that the International Union against Tuberculosis and

Lungs diseases is scheduled to visit Kohima and Wokha this year to survey the implementation of COTPA, as such he called upon the committee to strengthen the activities in the district.

District nodal officer, Kohima, Dr. Arenla Walling also informed that during the awareness rally on health hazards of tobacco, particularly on smoking tobacco on April 28, 2016, declaration was made for making Kohima city' free from tobacco smokes for greener, healthy and safe future. And in pursuance of the declaration, the DLCC in its consultative meeting

held on May 26, 2016 had chalked out the guidelines and action plan for effective implementation of 'smoke free Kohima city' as envisage under COTPA 2003.

Dr. Arenla further presented the guidelines and action plan of 'smoke free Kohima city' where she informed that some activities have been carried out keeping in line with the guidelines.

Other members also shared their views and suggestions for the implementation of 'smoke free Kohima city'. It has decided to initiate the exercise with all the district offices, management people of public places, pledge for government servant and more sensitization programme with the Angami Women Organization, Angami Youth Organisation and Kohima Village Youth Organisation to be the ambassador in their respective areas for the successful implementation of the 'smoke free Kohima city'.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

More reports on World TB Day news in Brief

DIMAPUR: With the rest of the world, Nagaland observed “World Tuberculosis Day” under the theme, “The Clock is Ticking” on March 24 to raise public awareness about the epidemic of tuberculosis (TB).

Kiphire: Kiphire observed the World TB Day at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Kiphire with T. Yangseo Sangtam, MLA as the special guest. Speaking at the occasion, Sangtam appreciated the health facilitators, ASHA workers for playing a vital role in data collection and disseminating information about National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTCP) so as to help eradicate TB in the district. He appealed the students and various stakeholders to work together to spread information about the program and get free treatment and live a TB free life.

M.O of District Hospital Kiphire, Dr. Holiba. A. Anar while speaking on the theme said the world leaders in the year 2020 envisaged to eliminate TB by 2030 and that India was trying to eliminate the disease by 2025.

Anar said Kiphire is the only district in Nagaland to compete in sub-national TB free status and was awarded bronze medal with

certificate fulfilling the criteria of being 20% total case reduction since 2015. Chairperson of the programme, PMDT supervision, NTEP, Ajamo Tsopoe informed that free diagnostic and treatment facilities were available in DHK and CHC Pungro.

Kohima: District TB officer and staff of the National TB Elimination Program, Kohima district observed World TB Day on March 24 at Viphoma Village.

In short sensitisation programme held at the Council Hall, CMO Dr Vezokholu Theyo called for community participation to eliminate TB. She said that TB is completely curable if treated properly and on time. District TB Officer, Dr Asunu Thong spoke on the theme adding that India has taken a stand to eliminate TB by 2025 although it is one of the most TB burdened country in the world. She urged the people to do away with the stigma associated with TB as it can affect anyone, but instead encourage and guide those in need. Deputy CMO and district immunization officer, Dr Rupert Peseyie encouraged people above 60 years and 45 years and above with co-morbidities to take the COVID vaccine to safeguard their health.

Rejoinder to March 20 assault incident

DIMAPUR: Reacting to the allegation of March 20 assault incident at Purana Bazar ‘B’ Village, the head GB Padumpukhuri village Dimapur, Kakuho Awomi has expressed shock over the charges made by Khetoi Village Union Dimapur (KVUD) president, Kiyevi Yepthomi and general secretary Ikavi Sumi wherein he was accused of forcibly entering the residence of KVUD member Hovukhu Awomi, damaged the property, assaulted the family members and “attempted to kill”.

In a rejoinder, head GB Padumpukhuri village Dimapur, Kakuho Awomi has clarified that his name has been dragged into the incident by referring as “Ex-GB, Padampuphuri, Dimapur”. He said that if the president and general

secretary of KVUD were trying to incriminate his name, they ought to have ascertained the identity of those persons involved and properly verify the facts without taking sides and then only comment over the issue on merit without jumping the gun to make wild allegation in the print media.

Awomi also clarified that he was appointed as “Head G.B. of Padumpukhuri Village” vide Order No. GEN-1/2009D/12857-60 on March 30, 2010 and is still serving as Hd. G.B. Padumpukhuri Village.

Awomi said that the allegation was intended to cause damage to his reputation. “When in fact on the fateful day, at the time of the incident I was not even in the vicinity where

NEAN to observe NLTP Day Dimapur: North East Artis Network (NEAN) has informed that it would be observing the 32nd anniversary of Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989 on March 29 as “NLTP Day” under the theme, “Understanding and Empowering Alcoholic Community”.

the said incident occurred which can be supported by evidence, whereas an attempt made by the president and general secretary of KVUD to inflame the minds of people against me by tarnishing and diminishing my reputation and image amounts to defamation by libel and for which I am on the process to take legal course of action before the appropriate court of law”, he clarified.

The head GB said that he was stunned when it was brought to his notice of an FIR being lodged against him over the said incident, thus realising the plot of some individuals with vested interest devising to associate him with the said incident.

Awomi said he was required to take refuge of law to protect himself from egregious allegation and further committed full faith in the investigating agency for vindication.

WSKH emergency meeting: Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH) has convened an emergency meeting on March 27, 10 a.m. at Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) office, Chekiye Village. All kukamis, WSYF and area unit office bearers within Western Sumi jurisdiction have been informed to attend the meeting without fail.

DBC informs on social work: Duncan Bosti Council (DBC) has informed all residents of Duncan Bosti that a mass social work would be carried out on March 27, 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., for which all residents have been asked to clean their surroundings. DBC has also directed all shopkeepers and owners of business establishments to clean their shops as well as their “immediate” premises.

PHED to commission new water supply project for Kohima Town: Department of Public Health Engineering will be commissioning a water supply project for Kohima town by pumping from Zari River at water treatment plant site, Mima village on March 26, 11 a.m. with chief minister, Neiphiu Rio as special guest and ninister PHED, Jacob Zhimomi as host.

NSF senior consultative meeting: Naga Students’ Federation (NSF)has convened its senior consultative meeting on March 29, 12 p.m. at Hotel Japfu to discuss matters concerning the federation. All the senior members of NSF have been requested to attend the meeting.

6 th DEATH ANNIVERSARY LATE N.RENTSAMO LOTHA 26.03.2015

‘We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him’

1Thessalonians 4:14

“You will forever remain alive in our hearts and memories” DP-1596

Loving wife and daughter

MKC-93

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8: 28)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DP-1607

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

12/05/1966 – 19/03/2021 Through this column, we would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one who stood by us financially, materially, physically and prayerfully at the sudden and untimely demise of our beloved Late Ghushito Assumi on 19/03/2021.Words are inadequate to express our love and gratitude to each individual, yet it is our sincere and humble prayer that our Almighty God will bless each one of you abundantly.

Conveying our profound gratitude to:1. Officers and staff of EE PWD (R&B) Pughoboto Division 2. Pughoboto Town Baptist Akukuhou 3. Pughoboto Town Baptist Akukuhou (Youth Ministry) 4. SABAK Mission Centre 5. NCRC Pughoboto Town Akukuhou 6. NCRC Mishilimi Akukuhou 7. Pughoboto Phughi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (PPKK) 8. Police Church Pughoboto Town 9. Ghathashi Tokukujo Youth Pastor’s Fellowship 10. Natsumi Baptist Akukuhou 11. Ghokimi Baptist Akukuhou 12. Asukiqa Baptist Akukuhou 13. Tsaphimi Baptist Akukuhou 14. Kichilimi Baptist Akukuhou 15. Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Naga United Village 16. Sumi Baptist Akukuhou, Women Ministry, Naga United Village 17. Sumi Baptist Akukuhou, Youth Ministry, Naga United Village 18. Sumi Baptist Akukuhou, Children Ministry, Naga United Village 19. KIchilimi Union Kohima 20. Kichilimi Union Zunheboto 21. Kichilimi Kuqhakulu Dimapur Area

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

Kichilimi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu Ghokimi Village Council Aphuyemi Football Club (AFC) Pbto Dr. Sukhato A Sema, Ex. BJP Candidate 13th AC Pughoboto Mr S Hukato Swu, Hon’ble Judge, Gauhati High Court Er. Hozheto Shikhu, SE PWD, Zunheboto Er. Chengato Kath, Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Er.Akum Yanger, SDO (R&B) Pbto Er. Kitoho Yeptho, Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Tseminyu Er. Moameren, JE PWD (R&B) Pbto Er. Kehuzinbe Hau, JE, PWD (R&B) Pbto Er. Hentung Phom, JE, PWD (R&B) Pbto Er. Chipung Kusun, JE PWD (R&B) Pbto Dr. Vekuto Muru, Vetenarian, Rengmapani, Niuland Mr Myanthung Patton, SDAO (Agri) Pbto Mr Jevito Achumi, Cl- I Contractor Mr Atovi Shohe, PA to DC Pughoboto Viyikhu Wotsa, Adhoc Town Chairman Pbto Er. Vitoho Kiho, New Ministers Hill Kohima Mr Atoka Assumi, Chairperson SABAK Youth Executive Mr Kughato Achumi, President WSSU

We regret our inability to mention each and every individual, though your kind gesture will never go unnoticed in the sight of our Lord Almighty, may God bless.

Loving:Wife, Children, Brothers and Relatives DP-1629 K Y M C

15/10/1954 – 20/03/2021 We, the family of Late Mrs. Mozano Agnes Kikon, offer our heartfelt thanks to the many friends, neighbors, well-wishers and extended family who stood by us and provided us with emotional and practical support at the sudden demise of the exceptional woman we were lucky enough to call “Ayo”. For those who called, travelled long distances, sent floral tributes and messages of condolences, we are truly grateful.

A special word of thanks to: Dimapur Yimpang Ekhung, Dimapur Kikon Ekhung, Dimapur Tonphyak Tsu Ri Ekhung, St. Alphonsa Catholic Church: Women Wing, Youth Wing & Rosary Prayer Group, Holy Trinity Church, Bor Lengri Lotha Baptist Church & Bor Lengri Lotha Baptist Church Eloe Yangro, Bor Lengri Block I Colony Youth Organization, Vedruna Sisters, Delhi Police (Lotha Community), Dimapur Yanthanpvui Ekhung, and Staff of Eden Higher Secondary School, Dimapur. We will always cherish your kind gesture and sympathy.

To those who helped in any way, your contribution made our loss more bearable.

Even though we are unable to thank everyone individually, it is our prayer that you accept our acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude. May God bless you all abundantly.

Loving husband, children & grand-children DP-1612

12/12/1938 – 13/03/2021 The family of Late L Vishito Sema of Satakha Town (Ghukhuyi Village) wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us during the brief illness and demise of our beloved father.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to all our friends, neighbours, churches, various unions and well wishers who visited our home, attended the woke, service and burial and who provided emotional and practical support for us at the difficult time. For those who telephoned, travelled long distance, sent floral tributes and message of condolence, as well as those who made charitable donations, we are truly grateful. As it would be impossible to thanks everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

DP-1622

Loving wife, children, in-laws and grand children

K Y M C

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Has the state govt achieved

s u c c e s s i n p rov i d i n g potable water?

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

A B C

Workshop on strategic planning for disability

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

12% 86% 2%

Next poll

Q: Should police, SF be

permanently deployed to maintain peace in disputed areas?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST March 26

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Very hot with hazy sunshine

39 20

Aizawl

Hazy sun and very warm

32 15

Guwahati Very hot; breezy in the p.m.

37 17

Hazy sunshine

32 11

Imphal

Itanagar Sunny and very warm

33 17

Shillong

Nice with plenty of sunshine

27 13

Kohima

Hazy sun

28 14

Dimapur Hazy sun and very hot

37 19

Hazy sun

29 14

Mkg

Tuensang Hazy sun and not as warm

21 9

Hazy sun

29 19

Zunheboto Hazy sun

26 12

Wokha

Diethono Nakhro (seated) during the inauguration of occupational therapy facility. (NP)

Staff reporter DIMAPUR, MAR 25 (NPN): A workshop on “Strategic planning for disability”, was held at Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), here in Dimapur on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering, commissioner for persons with disability (PwD), Diethono Nakhro, said disability sector was completely neglected for a long period of time, especially in our state (Nagaland), lamenting that there was total neglect

and very little awareness.

She maintained that even after being recognised as an independent office, she asserted that the office was not being functioned properly.

Maintaining that things were slowly moving in the right direction, whereby in various areas disability movement has become a strong force, Nakhro reiterated that although good number of people were coming out actively and speaking up for themselves, she lamented that it was ‘frustratingly’ slow, claim-

ing that everything was being started from scratch.

In regard to roles and functionaries of her office, Nakhro informed that some of the main duties of the office was to monitor and assure guarantee of various provisions of disability Acts, such as, rights of persons with disability Act 2016.

She added that there were many schemes for disability sector, however many disability schemes and programmes were not implemented, for which she pointed that the office was trying its best to fol-

low up on the neglected schemes and programmes, so as to not allow loss of opportunity of the benefits and schemes laid down for persons with disability.

Nakhro also maintained that the office also possessed powers of civil code such as try cases of violation of rights and noncompliance, where the office can take up a suo moto or via complains taken up from persons with disability.

In this, she stated that the court had been fully functional, where it had successfully taken up several cases, such as violation of rights, transfer and posting cases for persons with disability etc.

Nakhro viewed that the Covid-19 pandemic situation was actually an eye opener for the office as it exposed the kind of deficiency that was present in the disaster management plan, with regard to disability inclusion.

She maintained that people with disability were some of the worst impacted by the pandemic and were also one of the most at risk group of people and lamented that the disability community was basically nowhere in the picture when it came to the response in the covid situation.

She further added that

the office had to take charge and force the government to get in touch with different district administration, such that people with disability or their families were delivered reliefs such as rations or medicines.

Another pandemic related project underway was the survey being carried out together with North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research, in Dimapur, to assess the covid impact on persons with disability and their families, she added.

She further highlighted some of the programmes being carried out by the office, such as mental health related programme, tech education awareness, adaptive sports, inclusive education, and establishment of Composite Regional Centre (CRC), to which she lamented that Nagaland was the only state without a CRC in whole of India.

Earlier, inaugural programme for “Occupational therapy facility” was conducted, where Nakhro inaugurated the facility.

Short speeches were also delivered by Dr. Simpson, Dr. Atsung Aier, Shuyini, Rokotsino and Imlibenla, on the topics, “Children with special needs”, “CBR”, “Occupational therapy”, “Skills”, and “Arukah network”, respectively.

3 NEZCC needs course correction: Governor

DIMAPUR: Governor of Nagaland, R.N. Ravi, who is also the ex-officio chairman of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), said the council over the years has performed exceptionally well, however, now need “course correction”.

A press release by PRO to Governor, stated that the Governor said this while addressing a gathering during NEZCC Young Talent Artiste Award Ceremony on March 24 at Dr. Imkongliba Ao Hall, Raj Bhavan Kohima.

“States are political entity and the core character is politics and power- there is aggressiveness in it, and culture is an attribute of society- there is harmony and it brings people together,” said Ravi.

The governor expressed concern that the character of states was getting imbued in the functioning of the zonal cultural centres.

He further stated that culture of the state was basically the culture of the people living in a region and the continuum of it brings people together. Ravi then said there was a need to highlight this aspect of culture.

While congratulating the award recipients, Ravi said the award presentation programme was postponed earlier due to COVID-19 pandemic.

With arrival of vaccine as well as the required protocols, he expressed hope that the people would overcome the pandemic soon.

The governor presented the YTA Award 2018-19 to the following recipients: John Paleng (Folk & Tribal Dances & Songs), Debajit Deka (Mime), Rajashre Sarma (theatre), Shivam Saikia (theatre), Khumanthem Nganthoileima (Folk song), Haobam Hemlata Devi (Theatre), Milan Laishram (Painting), Dalariti Gratel Kharnaior (Folk song), Shovezo Keyho (Painting & Sculpture), Mhasiselhu Viyie (Sculpture) and Meribeni Ngullie (Beads Making).

Earlier, director NEZCC, Gouri Basu delivered the welcome address and cultural troupes from Manipur presented traditional dances.

Various organisations condemn March 22 killing DIMAPUR: Various organisations from different sections of the society have condemned the killing of three persons along Dimapur-Peren district border area on March 22 by unidentified assailants.

KIN: Kuki Inpi Nagaland (KIN) has strongly condemned the killing of three persons at Lamhai Namdi.

In a condemnation note, KIN president, L.L Kuki and secretary media cell, Lallenmang Singson have appealed the state government and the district administration to examine and delve into the root cause which triggered the incident. KIN said the case should be settled amicably so as to elude such ugly incidents and bring contentment and peace in the future.

Further, KIN has conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that God Almighty give comfort and solace to ease their grief.

NDA: Nagaland Dobashi Association (NDA) has expressed shock and grief over the killing of three innocent persons of Lamhai Nandi village by armed assailants.

In a condemnation note, NDA general secretary, R Kemerio Yanthan said whatever was the point of contentions between the disputing parties it was irrational to resort to taking arms to take lives of the innocent persons and destroying properties.

Demanding justice for the victims, NDA appreciated the state government for immediately setting up SIT to probe the killings and expressed faith that the perpetrators would be booked at the earliest.

Further, NDA has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace.

NCD: Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has vehemently condemned the barbaric and heinous crime and expressed grief over the inhuman massacre of three innocents lives.

In a condemnation note, NCD urged upon the government to grasp the case and book the culprit, award befitting punishment and deliver justice.

Further, NCD has conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and K Y M C

prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace.

T U D, T S U D, TWOD, TYOD, TH: Tenyimi Union Dimapur, Tenyimi Students’ Union Dimapur, Tenyimi Women Organisation Dimapur, Tenyimi Youth Organisation Dimapur and Tribal Hohos have appealed for justice for the three victims.

In a release, TUD informed that the organisations on a peace mission met Zeliangrong bodies, CSOs of Peren district and the families of those murdered at Lamhai Namdi on March 25 and laid wreaths on the graves. Prayer service was also held at the site where the innocent villagers were killed.

PHD: In a condemnation note, Poumai Hoho Dimapur (PHD) president A. Jotham and general secretary, Jonah Duo have vehemently condemned the murder of the three innocent Naga Brothers.

The hoho has appealed the law enforcement agencies to book the culprits at the earliest. Further, PHD has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.

P H D D : Po c h u r y Hoho Dimapur District (PHDD) has expressed shock over the killing of three innocent persons and termed it as “inhumane act” and should be condemned by all right-thinking citizen. PHDD president, Zhitho Nyuthe in a condemnation note stated that the culprit should be booked immediately by the law enforcing agency and befitting punishment according to the law of the land. Further, PHDD extended deepest condolences to the bereaved family and to almighty God to solace at these hours of grief.

DENSU: Dimapur Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU) while condemning the murder of three innocent lives said that when entire Nagas are seeking and praying for peace to prevail in the land such evil act was intolerable. The union has appealed all brethren to refrain from committing such cruel act.

DENSU has also urged the law enforcing authority and the district administration to turn no stone unturned in the investigation and punish the culprits.

CAN: Catholic As-

sociation of Nagaland (CAN) has expressed its remorse repugnance and said it believe that every human person, in the form of communities, could live honourably or peacefully without suppressing or being supressed. CAN said the Catholic community, under the aegis of the CAN was committed to establishing just peace and appealed every Naga community to uphold and respect human life and shun any form of violence and killing. Further, CAN has conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the eternal rest of the departed souls.

ZBCC: Zeme Baptist Church Council (ZBCC) while condemning the brutal killing of three people allegedly by armed militants and said that such barbaric murder was unthinkable for any society especially for a Christian society like Nagaland. ZBCC said the incident was “symptomatic of accrued debts of sin in our land” and that it reflects that the church has failed to live up to the teachings of Christ.

ZBCC has appealed all believing Christians to give up such hateful act and strive to live the Christian faith and relentlessly pursue a radiant Christian life.

Further, ZBCC has expressed deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for divine consolation and healing.

ZSUD: Zeliangrong Students’ Union Delhi (ZSUD) has expressed shock and dismay over the inhuman massacre of its three brothers. In a condemnation note, ZSUD president, Isaac Smilingbo Pamai and general secretary, Gaikhuanlung Gangmei said the massacre of innocent lives and unhindered firing upon unarmed and unsuspected farmers by a group of fully armed men with sophisticated weapons was a worst form of cowardice.

ZSUD has appealed the government and the law enforcing agencies to take prompt action and arrest the culprits. It has also appealed all Naga “national workers” irrespective of organisations to come forward and extend active cooperation to arrest the culprits. ZSUD cautioned that their silence

and turning blind eye to this heinous crime would be taken by the Zeliangrong people and Nagas in general as an endorsement and encouragement to such criminals. Further, ZSUD said any misunderstanding or conflict should be resolved amicably through mutual discussion without resorting to violence.

While extending solidarity, ZSUD has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace.

NJSU: New Jalukie Students’ Union (NJSU) has vehemently condemned the barbaric act, the coldblooded killing of three unarmed and unsuspected innocent lives by unlawful and fully armed miscreants using sophisticated armaments.

Condemning the incident, NJSU president, Aphun Gonmei and general secretary, DigumsingIrangbe said the union on behalf of the New Jalukie Village student community strongly condemn the antisocial activity.

NJSU has also appealed for peaceful coexistence between the parties and expressed the hope that harmony would prevail and no untoward incident would occur in the future.

Further, NJSU has demanded the Central and State government and the law enforcement agencies to take appropriate action and book the perpetrators at the earliest.

Extending solidarity to the three deceased brothers, NJSU has conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that God would bring comfort to the families during this hard time.

PHAYO: Peren Hill Area Youth Organisation (PHAYO) has vehemently condemned the murder of three innocent lives and destroying of properties by fully armed militants.

Condemning the incident, PHAYO president, Bangau Nza and assistant general secretary, GamsaInsing said such heinous and barbaric violence was an attempt to create disharmony and chaos amongst the Naga society. It urged every right-thinking citizen to condemn and stand against such anti-social elements.

PHAYO has also urged the state government to im-

mediately track down the killers without any delay.

Further, the organisation has conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and dear ones.

GBUD: GB Union Dimapur (Urban) had strongly condemned the brutal killing of three villagers of Lamhainamdi. In condemnation note, GBUD president, M Y Ngullie and general secretary, T. Onen Jamir said taking the life of own brethren would not bring any solution rather it would create hatred and conflict.

GBUD has strongly urged the state government and law enforcing agencies to ensure that the culprits were booked at the earliest and justice be delivered as per the law of the land.

Further, the union has conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that God Almighty comforted them in this time of grief and sorrow.

NSU: Ngwalwa Students’ Union (NSU) while strongly condemning the barbaric murder of its three brothers by “land encroachers” have appealed the investigation agencies and the government of Nagaland to immediately arrest those” land encroachers” and award them befitting punishment. Further, the union said it stand in solidarity with different CSOs of Peren district. NSU has also extended deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and relatives of the victims.

LYOD: Lotha Youth Organization Dimapur (LYOD) while condemning the barbaric and inhuman act stated that such actions should be condemned by one and all. LYOD called upon the law enforcement agencies to book the culprit at the earliest and deliver justice to the deceased.

Further, LYOD has conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace.

NPC: Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC) has expressed deep sadness over the brutal incident and also expressed disappointment at those group of people who carried out such inhumane act when Nagas are crying for a peaceful solution in their land.

NPC said violence in any form was a threat to peace and appealed all concerned to refrain from any provocations and retaliations.

Further, NPC appreciated the state government for securing the disputed area and hoped that the various agencies, both governmental and non-governmental, would restore peace at the earliest.

YAN: Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN) has expressed anguish over the killing of three innocent lives and strongly condemned the barbaric act.

YAN through its Media Cell appealed the government and law enforcing agencies to conduct fair and impartial investigation into the murder and punish the culprit according to the law without delay.

Fur ther, YAN has conveyed condolences to the victims’ families and prayed to grant them comfort.

RY O D : R e n g m a Youth Organisation, Dimapur (RYOD) has expressed shock and dismay over the brutal murder three brothers and has demanded a thorough and unbiased investigation from the responsible government authorities at the earliest.

In a condemnation note, RYOD vice president, Sony Lorin and general secretary, Aga Rengma have appealed to the government for ex-gratia/ compensation to the family of the victims.

RYOD requested the administration to ensure the safety and security of Lamhainamdi villagers in particular and the people of the concerned areas in general from further violence and atrocities.

Further, RYOD conveyed condolences to the bereaved family, friends and relatives of the victims and the villagers of Lamhainamdi.

ZSUS: Zeliangrong Students Union Shillong (ZSUS) has vehemently condemned the brutal killings of three innocent lives and destruction of properties. ZSUS said this horrific act was intolerable and in no way be compensation.

It has also expressed solidarity with the resolution passed by the civil societies of Peren district at Jalukie Town on March 24.

ZSUS has also urged the state government and

law enforcing agencies and different Naga organisations to endorse and usher in the apprehension of the perpetrators and award befitting punishments at the earliest.

The student body has also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that God comfort them and give them strength during this time of grief and sorrow.

CAKU: Chakhro A n g a m i Ku d a U n i o n (CAKU) while condemning the ghastly murder of three Zeliang brothers has appealed the public to disclose the name and identity of the murderers, if known to them.

CAKU said there was no problem which could not be resolved in an amicable manner. It said as peace loving and law-abiding citizen it is societal duty to respect the boundaries of neighbours as one has to coexists infinitude.

CAKU has also appealed the “nation workers” to retrospect into the present system prevailing in the society saying that some vested interest using the umbrella term “nation workers” are fulfilling their evil design, accomplishing their selfish motives, creating chaos in the society tarnishing the “genuine name and the hard-earned reputation of the nation workers”.

Further, CAKU has urged the civil administration to leave no stone unturned in nabbing the culprit.

FSMZ organises ‘eat right campus’ in Mokokchung DIMAPUR:Food Safety Mokokchung Zone (FSMZ) organised “Eat Right Campus” – an FSSAI initiative on Thursday at IDSP Hall, IMDH, Mokokchung.

A press release from Chief Medical Officer (CMO) office stated that in a keynote address, DPO (UIP & RCH), Dr. Ayangla Saku said malnutrition effects all age groups and society. Saku said “eat right campus” movement was launched to make people aware of food safety and nutrition. Nursing tutor, School of Nursing, Chubayangla, gave a PowerPoint presentation on nutrition and health; nutrition deficiencies, precaution measures and relation of nutrition to health. The presentation was based on “eat safe, eat healthy, balance diet and eat sustainable”.

Chemist, SPHC, Kohima, Bendanglasenla Ao Longkumer explained to the participants the process of Food Safety (FSSAI).

She also made a brief statement on adulteration of food, the ill effects of eating inappropriate food and cited that food safety aims to bring about a good and healthy society. Designated Officer, FSMZ, Merenlemba concluded the programme with vote of thanks which was followed by a laboratory demonstration of food samples by a team of food technicians led by Chemist, SPHC, Kohima Bendanglasenla Ao Longkumer. The programme was chaired by DCM Watisenla, Jamir.

K Y M C

4

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

Political parties in Assam go all out to woo tea garden workers

Guwahati, Mar 25 (PTI): Assam’s tea garden workers are being wooed by political parties of all shades with promises of sops galore, as they comprise a hefty share of the state’s electorate.

In the ongoing assembly polls leaders from the ruling BJP as well as challenger Congress besides the regional outfits- the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the newly floated Assam Jatiya Parishad- have been fanning out to the constituencies in the tea-belt areas spread across eight districts of Upper Assam.

Out of the 47 constituencies, going to polls in the first phase on March 27, 38 fall in the tea districts of Jorhat, Golaghat, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Bishwanath and Sonitpur The eight lakh work force in 850 gardens of the state is, is seen as a formidable vote bank whose unstinted support, the Congress had enjoyed for decades since independence.

However, in the 2014 Parliamentary elections, the BJP, with support of the RSS and its allied organizations, made winning four of its seven Lok Sabha seats from Assam in the tea-belt areas.

The saffron party followed it up by winning 22 seats in the 2016 assembly

Narendra Modi polls with its ally the AGP picking up four more. Subsequently the saffron party increased its tally in the 2019 parliamentary polls to nine Lok Sabha constituencies, retaining all the seats it had won in the earlier elections.

The Congress is now making an all-out effort to regain lost ground with its election campaign focusing on increasing the daily wages of tea garden workers to Rs 365 from an existing Rs 167, which appears to have caught the ruling BJP on the wrong foot placing them on the defensive.

To counter, it has been highlighting the various measures taken by the party during the last five years of its rule for the tea garden belt. Both the Congress and the BJP have pulled all stops to counter each

File photo of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with tea garden workers. other’s claims on their respective contribution to the tea industry.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made particular efforts to woo the community with both visiting tea gardens and enjoying a cups of tea and lunch with tea garden workers.

The BJP fielded its national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party President J P Nadda, all of whom addressed several election rallies in tea-ricj constituencies.

Priyanka made a popular connect in the tea garden areas as she sat on the garden grounds, chatted with workers, sipped a cuppa, visited the home of a labourer’s family and even tied the wicker basket to her head to go plucking

tea leaves in a garden in Biswanath district which the BJP ridiculed as a “photo op session during the off-season when leaves are not plucked”.

“The BJP may make fun but it is clear that they have cheated the tea garden workers by not fulfilling any of the promises made by the party in the 2016 polls. The Congress has reached out to the workers and promised that all their long- pending issues will be addressed,” Assam Congress President Ripun Bora said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in all his five election rallies so far in the state has alleged that the Congress, which ruled the state for decades, had failed to provide them with basic facilities and it was the BJP during the last five years of its rule that ensured in-

crease in wages twice.

He also underlined that the state government had sought another increase before the announcement of polls but the matter is currently in Court. Once the BJP manages to retain the state, it would try resolve the issue amicably at the earliest.

The BJP government has also opened 7.5 lakh bank accounts for tea garden workers, given a fillip to education by opening new schools, ome up with health facilities with mobile medical units, besides providing financial aid giving to pregnant women, and addressing their nutritional needs. The Prime Minister also pointed out the NDA government at the centre has allocated Rs 1000 crore exclusively for the assistance of tea gardens and its workers in the Union budget.

The BJP in its manifesto has also promised to increase the amount under Assam Chah Bagichar Dhan Puraskar Mela scheme to Rs 12,000 from the present grant of Rs 3,000 in a phased manner.

The party has also promised a high school in every tea garden and a college for every ten tea gardens in the state, appointment of ‘Bagicha Mitras’ in all tea gardens to act as the single

point of contact to ensure complete penetration and reach of government schemes in these areas, improvement of all roads in tea garden areas, among other promises.

The Congress, on its part, has promised free electricity to workers, land rights and housing to landless and homeless persons from the tea tribes’ community and formation of a separate Tea Ministry, the party’s Manifesto Committee Chairman Gaurav Gogoi said.

The ruling BJP’s ally AGP has also stepped up its campaign for the tea garden workers and assured that the NDA government will continue with its initiatives to improve their standard of living.

The newly floated Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has also promised that tea garden workers will be given Scheduled Tribe status in the state and provided constitutional safeguards.

The tea garden workers are, however, not very forthcoming about their preferences with the young, particularly, claiming that both the national parties have made promises in the past which they have failed to fulfil and this time “we will decide as our heart and mind guides us when the time comes”.

Democratic rights will be curtailed if BJP returns: Patkar

Medha Patkar Guwahati, Mar 25 (PTI): Appealing to the voters to exercise their franchise in favour of jailed anti-CAA movement leader Akhil Gogoi, social activist Medha Patkar on Thursday claimed that people’s democratic rights will be curtailed if the BJP returns to power in Assam.

The Narmada Bachao Andolan leader alleged that the saffron party is working only for big industrialists and not for commoners.

“This assembly election is a fight between those selling farmers’ lands and those protecting them. Akhil Gogoi is fighting for land rights of poor farmers in Assam,” she told reporters.

After Gogoi was put behind the bars, the closed toll gates were reopened, construction of big dams began and several more such “anti-people” work resumed, she said.

“If you give the BJP

five more years, it will be devastating for the people of Assam. There will be no rights for the people. Akhil Gogoi is the voice against the corruption of BJP and its minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. That’s why he is languishing in jail,” she said.

Patkar reached Assam on Wednesday and joined an election procession at Sivasagar, from where Gogoi is contesting as a candidate of his newly floated outfit Raijor Dal. Polling will be held in the constituency in the first phase on March 27.

“Yesterday, I saw that all commoners especially youth of Sivasagar were on the streets. They realised that injustice has been meted out to Akhil Gogoi,” she said. The social activist alleged that the BJP governments at the Centre and state work only for big corporate houses. “They are corporatising agriculture by implementing the three infamous farm laws. In the future, these laws will affect Assam also. To save the state, we need voices like Akhil Gogoi which is why he has to win the election,” Patkar said. Gogoi was last year admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) after contracting COVID-19. He is still undergoing treatment for other ailments.

Successive Cong govts gave unemployment, BJP’s double standard on CAA exposed: Baghel insurgency, infiltration to Assam: Shivraj Says BJP scared to

Shivraj Singh Chouhan Palasbari (Assam), Mar 25 (PTI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday slammed the Congress saying that successive governments of the grand old party have given unemployment, insurgency, violence and infiltration to Assam.

Chouhan, while addressing an election rally at Palasbari in Kamrup

AAI integrates upper airspace over NE with Kolkata NEW DELHI, MAR 25 (AGENCIES): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on March 25 integrated the upper airspace, above 25,000 feet, over the North Eastern region with the Kolkata communications, navigation, surveillance & air traffic management facility, the airports regulator said in a press release.

The move is in line with the airport regulator’s plan to harmonize the upper airspace in India with four flight information regions in Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai to establish a single continuum of the upper airspace. Upper Airspace Harmonization is a process by which aircrafts flying in airspace above a particular height are controlled from a central location with multiple airspace sectors.

The Airports Authority of India’s move is expected to enhance the capacity, efficiency and safety in the air space over India, the regulator said. Upper Airspace Harmonization is also expected to facilitate the provision of seamless air traffic management services resulting in reduction of the cockpit work load. The move is also likely to help in reduction of operational cost and thereby bring down carbon emission through assignment of economic flight level & direct routing.

district, said that Assam witnessed development only after the BJP-led government came to power in the state in 2016.

“The Congress had ruled Assam for so many years. What did they give to the state? Their successive governments gave only unemployment, insurgency, violence and infiltration,” he said. The Madhya Pradesh chief minister urged the

people of Assam not to believe in the Congress’s five guarantees. “The Congress never fulfils its promises. You go to other states where Rahul Gandhi had promised to waive farm loans within 10 days of forming governments. Even after one- and-half years of coming to power, none of the Congress-ruled states have waived the agricultural loans,” he said.

The Congress has “guaranteed” that if voted to power in Assam, it will bring a law to nullify the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, generate five lakh government jobs, provide 200 units of electricity to everyone for free and Rs 2,000 per month to housewives and raise the minimum wages of tea garden workers to Rs 365.

Myanmar refugee issue: Mizoram Cong backs MNF govt Says MHA order to stop influx unacceptable

Lal Thanhawla Aizawl, Mar 25 (PTI): The opposition Congress in Mizoram on Thursday backed Chief Minister Zoramthanga on the issue of Myanmarese nationals taking refuge in the state and said that the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to stop illegal migration of people from that country is unacceptable.

State Congress president and five-time former chief minister Lal Thanhawla said that though the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) is an ally of the BJP, he wants the party to disobey the MHA order which also directed four Northeastern states to ensure speedy deportation of the refugees. The MNF is a part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the regional version of the NDA. However, the two parties do not work

together in the state.

The senior Congress leader’s statement came a week after Zoramthanga said that the MHA order is “not acceptable” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide them asylum on humanitarian grounds. Hundreds of refugees have arrived in Mizoram since the military seized power in Myanmar last month. Mizoram shares a 510 km long porous border with Myanmar’s Chin state and most of the Myanmarese nationals who have taken refuge in the state belong to the Chin, also known as the Zo, community. They share the same ancestry and culture as the Mizos of Mizoram.

“I condemn toppling of the democratically elected government and gross violation of human rights by the military in Myanmar,” Lal Thanhawla said in a statement. Hundreds of people have been killed in pro-democracy protests in the neighbouring country, he said. The former chief minister urged the state government to provide food and shelter to Myanmarese nationals and also extend support to the NGOs that are helping those who have taken refuge in the state.

raise issue in Assam

Guwahati, Mar 25 (PTI): Accusing the BJP of adopting “double standard” on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday said the top brass of the saffron party, which had been talking of implementing the contentious law in Bengal, is scared of raising the issue in Assam.

Addressing a press conference here, the Chhattisgarh chief minister alleged the BJP had been avoiding answers on bigger issues of concern such as unemployment, inflation, devastating floods, the plight of tea plantation workers and the thriving syndicate of smugglers. “In Assam, BJP leaders are completely silent on the issue of CAA.

Rs 87.96 cr items seized ahead of Assam polls Guwahati, Mar 25 (PTI): In a record seizure of cash, liquor, narcotics and jewellery in the run-up to the Assembly election in Assam, various agencies have confiscated items worth Rs 87.96 crore since election dates were announced on February 26, Chief Electoral Officer Nitin Khade said on Thursday.

Unaccounted cash valued at Rs 21.18 crore and 13.24 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 24.53 crore have been seized so far, Khade said at a press conference here. Enforcement and regulatory authorities have also confiscated precious metals worth Rs 2.82 crore, drugs with a market value of Rs 31.99 crore and freebies such as cigarettes and black pepper amounting to Rs 7.42 crore. Security forces have so far seized 43 arms and 676 rounds of ammunition while 5,402 arms were deposited by the public on their own while action has been taken against 2,375 intimidators, the CEO said. There have been 1,014 complaints of Model Code of Conduct violation and 700 of them were found to be correct, were examined and disposed of. Khade said that all arrangements have been completed for the first phase of the election on March 27 when 47 constituencies will go to polls.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is silent, minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is silent. The prime minister (Narendra Modi) and home minister (Amit Shah) also avoid the issue during (poll campaign) addresses.

“Their silence shows that they are disoriented when it comes to CAA implementation. The party’s double standard on the matter has been exposed,” Baghel said.

The Chhattisgarh CM further demanded that the saffron party leaders come clean on the issue.

“In West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that a decision on CAA implementation will be taken during the first cabinet meeting, if the BJP forms government there.

However, in Tamil Nadu, BJP leaders have stated that CAA won’t be implemented, no matter what,”

Bhupesh Baghel he pointed out. Baghel reaffirmed that his party, if voted to power in Assam, will ensure that the CAA is not implemented.

“Our leader Rahul Gandhi has time and again said that we will not allow amended citizenship law implementation in Assam under any circumstance,” he pointed out.

Stressing that the Assam Pradesh Cong ress Committee has condemned Shah’s statement, where he

Manipur govt college teachers allege state govt cheating them

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Mar 25: Teachers of government colleges in Manipur on Thursday alleged that the N Biren Singh government has cheated them once again over the implementation of 7th UGC Pay and Regulations.

Federation of Government College Teachers’ Associations (FEGOCTA) Manipur, in a statement, alleged that the state government has failed to issue orders for the implementation of the national policy even after the lapse of two weeks.

After failure by the state govt to issue an order, FEGOCTA, submitted an ultimatum to the state government on Thursday urging it to issue the orders for implementation of the national UGC policy latest

by March 31, 2021.

The government should not compel FEGOCTA to go for another agitation this time by honouring the verbal assurance and MoU signed on March 6, the apex body wrote to the chief minister, education minister and state chief secretary today.

As per assurance given by the government and memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on March 6, 2021 between

FEGOCTA and the state government, orders implementing the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations were to be issued in two weeks .

However, the concerned authority of the state government was yet to issue the orders, the FEGOCTA lamented.

“It (FEGOCTA) regrets the failure to issue the order even after 19 days of signing the MoU. The failure to implement UGC Policy even after seven months of Cabinet decision is a great concern of the higher education and prestige of the Cabinet of Manipur,” the apex body of government college teachers stated.

Teachers of government colleges in Manipur had suspended their latest agitations after an MoU was signed with the government on March 6 last.

FEGOCTA had agreed to call off its strike including the cease work strike after a talk with the government after which an MoU was signed among the representatives of FEGOCTA, AMCTA (All Manipur College Teachers’ Association), and the state government that thoroughly deliberated on the long standing demand of the college teachers for payment of salary as per UGC 7th Pay Commission.

claimed that there has been no protest in the state over the last five years, the Congress leader contended, “He simply wants to obliterate the anti-CAA uprising that happened in Assam.

“He wants to deny the existence of young boys like Sam Strafford and Dipanjol who lost their lives in police firing... What can be more unfortunate for the people of Assam than this?”

None of the BJP leaders found time to visit homes of anti-CAA “martyrs, but Rahul Gandhi did visit the families in Hatigaon and Chaygaon to share the pain of their parents, Baghel, also a senior observer of Assam elections, said.

“The people of Assam understand very well that voting the BJP to power for another five years would mean the state’s culture and identity would get destroyed. They are aware

of the party’s nefarious intentions.

Exuding confidence that the Grand Alliance, of which the Congress is a major constituent, will register a resounding victory, he said, “People will exercise their franchise to win over challenges such as unemployment, price rise and CAA...”

Emphasising that a democracy has provided each citizen with a ‘Brahmastra’ (celestial weapon) to dethrone a party that is “hell-bent on destroying the social fabric of Assam”, Baghel said, “The Congress has given assurances that it won’t let the state become a detention centre.”

Detention centres have been set up in Assam to house people who did not make it to the National Register of Citizens, which was updated in the state in 2019.

UPPL releases manifesto for Assam polls Kokrajhar, Mar 25 (PTI): The United Peoples’ Party Liberal (UPPL) on Thursday released its manifesto for the Assam Assembly elections, assuring all-round development in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

The 24-page document was released here by UPPL president and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Promod Boro, who urged people to vote for the UPPL-BJP-AGP combine for a corruption-free government in Assam.

Dear Aman, Happy Belated Birthday to my special man !! You gave me the joy, love and light in my life .. I may not be able to gift you due to the distance ,but I can give you the love you deserve , because you are an amazing person .. No matter how far we are ,it will be just as it always been : you are always in my heart .. May god bless you and have a long life. Once again happy Belated Birthday.

From, Ur family, friends and Ur girl (lkr)

IN THE COURT OF PRINCIPAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE

MOKOKCHUNG : NAGALAND S/C NO. 47/2021 NOTICE NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-I OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefits of Late Imsunungla Ao has been applied by Shri. Lanutoshi, S/o Late Imsunungla Ao, R/o H.No. 25, Sangtemla Ward, Mokokchung, Nagaland for possession of: 1. GPF 2. GIS 3. Gratuity 4. Leave encashment 5. Pension etc 6. Closing of A/C Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may if she/ he so desire appear in this court on or before the said day of 16.04.2021.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this day the 16.03.2021.

Principal District & Sessions Judge MKC-95 Mokokchung : Nagaland

5 2 CRPF jawans NDPP, NTC others condemn March 22 killing

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

LoC silent in March: Army Chief killed in Srinagar

March, we have not had a single shot fired at the Line of Control (LoC) barring an odd incident. It is for the first time in about five or six years that the LoC has been silent. That really bodes well for the future,” he said.

Last month, the Indian and Pakistani armies recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The return to the ceasefire was agreed upon by the director generals of military operations of the two countries.

“Our core issue is that they have to stop support to terrorism. Unless they stop that it cannot be business as

Supreme Court allows pleas of women Army officers

NEW DELHI, MAR 25 (PTI): The Supreme Court Thursday allowed the pleas of several women SSC officers seeking grant of permanent commission in the Army, while holding that the ACR evaluation process was flawed and discriminatory in nature.

The bench also noted that the structure of our society is created by males for males where talk of equality is a farce and since Independence, efforts have been made to bridge the gap and grant equal opportunity to men and women.

Delivering its verdict on a batch of pleas filed by several women officers who had sought compliance of its February last year directions to the Centre for grant of permanent commission, promotions and consequential benefits, the court said the Annual Confidential Report (ACR) evaluation criteria for grant of permanent commission to women officers ignored achievements

and laurels brought by them to the Indian Army.

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said the process by which women officers were evaluated did not address the gender discrimination concern raised in the verdict delivered by the apex court last year.

In its landmark judgement delivered on February 17 last year, the top court had directed that women officers in the Army be granted permanent commission, rejecting the Centre’s stand of their physiological limitations as being based on “sex stereotypes” and “gender discrimination against women”.

It had directed that within three months, all serving short service commission (SSC) women officers have to be considered for permanent commission irrespective of them having crossed 14 years or, as the case may be, 20 years of service.

Mehbooba Mufti questioned by ED

Manish Sisodia slams government over GNCTD bill

SRINAGAR, MAR 25 (PTI): PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for more than five hours on Thursday, said while dissent has been criminalised, the central agencies like the NIA, CBI and the ED were being “misused” to silence the opposition.

She alleged that anyone opposing the current government was “hounded by trumped up charges” like sedition or money laundering.

“Dissent has been criminalised in this country.

The ED, Central Bureau of Investigation and the National Investigation Agency are being misused to silence the opposition tactically,” Mufti said after emerging from the ED office at Rajbagh here.

“This country is not being run by the Constitution but the agenda of a particular political party,” she alleged.

Says Centre feeling insecure as Kejriwal ‘emerging as an alternative’ to Modi

NEW DELHI, MAR 25 (PTI): Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday slammed the Centre over the GNCTD bill, alleging that it is feeling insecure as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is “emerging as an alternative” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.

He also said that the AAP dispensation is taking legal opinion on the issue to decide the future course of action. “The GNCTD bill passed by the Narendra Modi government reflects the deep insecurities of the PM and the BJP. We know that at present, the nation

and the world is speaking of the Arvind Kejriwal model of governance and its diverse schemes,” Sisodia said at a press conference.

People have begun to rely on the Kejriwal model of governance and feel that they have a choice to vote for someone who actually works for them, he said.

“This is exactly what is making the BJP-led central government insecure that Kejriwal is emerging as an alternative to Modiji,” he said. “Our work has yielded positive results, the impact can be seen, which has led to the entire nation lauding the Kejriwal government.

Manish Sisodia Today, citizens of other states are also imploring their governments to provide basic facilities like free and 24x7 electricity. People want free and excellent education, they want hospitals with proper facilities,” he

added. The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 despite an uproar and walkout from the opposition. The bill, commonly known as the NCT Bill, was passed by Lok Sabha on March 22.

This bill seeks to give more powers to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) compared to the elected government and will make it mandatory for the Delhi government to take the opinion of the L-G before taking any executive action, a move that the Delhi government says will undermine the

people’s mandate and the elected government of the national capital.

Apart from this, the bill also makes it clear the “government” in Delhi means the “Lieutenant Governor”.

“Nobody in this country has anything good to say about PM Narendra Modi or BJP’s style of governance.

If we ask people today what the BJP has done to ensure the development of quality schools or accessible healthcare or even free electricity, nothing will come to mind.

Because in reality, the BJP model or PM Narendra Modi’s model is just a tokenistic model of governance.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana

3 MONTHS GOVT. CERTIFICATION COURSE Self-Employed Tailor (Cutting & Tailoring) HURRY!! LIMITED SEATS!!

(Free of Cost) Admission opened for the month of April, 2021.

(Morning & Afternoon Shift) Documents required: 1. Adhaar Card 2. Pan Card/ Voter ID along with a KYC document 3. 2 passport photos 4. Mark Sheet / Pass Certificate (8th Std or above) 5. Bank Passbook Contact details: H-No.133, Duncan Bosti opp to NMM building, Dimapur. or call us at 8974081888/ 03862-356599 during office hours (10 am to 4 pm)

DP-1624

OFFICE OF THE

DIMAPUR URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMEN FEDERATION DIMAPUR - 797112 : NAGALAND

INFORMATION

DP-1633

Gen M M Naravane

they are not recognized and resisted by all urgently,” FNR stated.

FNR further said that it would be a cheap conciliation the cries of personhood and reconciliation is not based upon painful truth and a painful process of repentance. “Nagas people must all expose all forms of Lamhainamdis and resolve constructively,” it added.

SNUNS: Souther n Nagas Union of Nagaland State (SNUNS) has expressed deep dismay over the recent incident at Lamhainamdi where unidentified miscreants killed three persons creating communal tension.

In a press release, SNUNS president SaniiPutukho and secretary KashungnaoWorshim said it was “unbelievable” that such delirious act within the Naga brotherhood has caused severe damage including loss of life. The union urged all responsible to stay away from all kinds of violence. The union also conveyed condolences to the members of bereaved families.

with the comments which have been made recently and the very important point is that the agreement is between the DGMOs of both the sides,” Gen Naravane said.

“So obviously the Pakistan Army is on board and if the Pakistan Army is on board then there is every reason to be quite optimistic of the outcome,” he said.

On India-Pakistan ties, Bajwa recently said it is “time to bury the past”.

Gen Naranave also talked about terror infrastructure on the Pakistani side, saying India has intelligence inputs about them.

“The terror infrastructure and launch pads remain in place. We have detailed intelligence of each of those camps, locations and likely strength of terrorists awaiting and who have undergone training and are present there, perhaps waiting for an opportunity to cross over,” he said. Asked whether Pakistan agreed to the ceasefire under compulsion, the Army Chief said, “Yes, that’s quite possible.”

The Office of the DUCCF request all its federation members to attend the Annual General Meet 2021 including one Council Member positively on 27th March 2021, Town Hall-United Colony, Ward No. 20 at 10:00 am.

The Winners of the Inter-Colony Drawing/Poem Competition are:Drawing Competition:1) Sucharita Mahajan, Netaji Colony, Ward No. 8 (1st Prize) 2) Daklen Phom, Bangjak Phom Colony, Walford, Ward No. 4 (2nd Prize) Poem Competition:1) Lanjerichung Kamei, Burma Camp Ragailong Colony, Ward No. 4 (1st Prize) 2) Machoni, Imkonglenden Colony, Ward No. 20 (2nd Prize) The winners are requested to kindly come and receive their prizes on the program day.

DP-1632

DC-283

NEW DELHI, MAR 25 (PTI): The Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir has been silent for the first time in around five to six years as not a single shot was fired in March, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane said on Thursday referring to the recent commitment by Indian and Pakistani militaries to observe ceasefire in the region.

The Army Chief, however, said the terror infrastructure including terrorist launch-pads on the Pakistani side remained intact, asserting that it cannot be business as usual unless the neighbouring country stops supporting terrorism.

Speaking at the India Economic Conclave, Gen Naravane said he was optimistic that the ceasefire will hold as the Pakistan Army was on board.

“I am glad to inform that in the whole month of

and questioned the integrity of those who generated such a situation of return to the past dark ages.

“What should matter most today is whether Nagas are practitioner of deeds who have come of age and whose values reflect good reason coupled with a sense of resolving conflict through dialogue and most importantly, practicing our confessed faith in Christ,” FNR said.

It said as would be, in a climate of change, old ways were breaking down and indigenous peoples are establishing new relationships across ideological and traditional lines.

FNR said Lamhainamdi incident has become an urgent historical occasion for a renewal of people-hood and biblical faith.

“We must immediately, put an end to Lamhainamdi from becoming evil to multiply a haunting memory for both perpetrators and victims,” it said.

“Let not Lamhainamdi tell the generations of Nagas without hope, opportunity, and pride, but of brutality and shame if

usual,” Gen Naravane said at the conclave organised by Times Network.

Asked what could have prompted Pakistan to suddenly agree to the ceasefire, Gen Naravane said the duels between the two sides had not resulted any forward movement and that Islamabad has its own internal problems.

“I feel that they have their own problems internally and from time-to-time, you have to also see whether a strategy that you are following is actually paying any dividend,” he said.

“Over so many years, they would have also realised that it is time to make a change and that would have prompted them to extend this olive branch,” he added.

To a question, the Army Chief said he was optimistic that the ceasefire will hold and even made an apparent reference to recent comments by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

“I would say we are very optimistic especially

DC-278

Says terror infrastructure in Pak remains intact

SRINAGAR, MAR 25 (PTI): Two CRPF personnel were killed and two jawans sustained injuries in a militant attack in Lawaypora on the outskirts of Srinagar on Thursday, police said.

The militants opened fire on the CRPF personnel in Lawaypora in the Parimpora police station area in Jammu and Kashmir, a police official said. Four CRPF personnel were injured in the attack and were rushed to a nearby private hospital, where a sub-inspector was declared dead on arrival, the official said.

He said the injured personnel were moved to a military hospital here, where a constable succumbed to injuries. The deceased have been identified as sub-inspector Manga Ram Dev Barman and constable Ashok Kumar. The injured are constables Nazim Ali and Jaganath Ray. The area, which has witnessed several attacks on security forces and encounters with militants in recent years, has been cordoned off, the official said.

(From p-1) any reservation shattered the minds of peaceloving people and filled them with gloominess.

NTC pointed out that there were sufficient laws – both Naga customary practices and other written laws – for settlement of any misunderstanding or dispute, but not at the cost of human lives.

While condemning the act of taking laws into one’s own hand and exhibiting gun culture when the people of Nagaland were yearning for peace, NTC urged law enforcing agencies to enforce the rule of law and book the culprits.

The council also conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed to Almighty God to grant them strength to withstand the unbearable grief and sadness, besides praying for the departed souls to rest in peace.

FNR: In connection with the March 22 incident, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) said it was saddened and disturbed by the design and acts of violence

(RON SAVINO) Information & Publicity Secretary DUCCF +91-9612076939/7005801362

DEED OF REVOCATION/CANCELLATION OF REVOCATION OF GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY REGISTERED No. 29/2020 DATED 28.02.2020 Regd. No. 292/2021 Date 24/03/2021 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT, I Smti. Vitoli Kent, wife of Late K. Kent, Proprietor of M/s. Accekey Enterprise, resident of Thilixu Village, Dimapur, Nagaland appointed Shri Vinoka Aye, son of Tokheho, resident of House No. 333, Purana Bazar, Dimapur, Nagaland was appointed my lawful Attorney vide special power of attorney registered No. 259/15 to do all lawful works, things and deeds for me and on my behalf in respect of my proprietorship concern M/s. Accekey Enterprise with power and authority to file suits/legal proceedings for recovery of unpaid bills by the PWD (R&B), Nagaland. However, due to some misunderstanding between me and my attorney, I have revoked the said power of attorney register vide No. 259/15 by a Deed of Revocation of General Power of Attorney No. 29/2020 dated 28.02.2020, whereas, the said misunderstanding has been cleared to my satisfaction and by virtue thereof, I hereby cancel the Deed of Revocation of Power of Attorney No. 29/2020 dated 28.02.2020 and the Power of Attorney No. 259/15 favouring my lawful attorney Shri Vinoka Aye is restored bestowing him all power and authority to represent me as conferred in the Power of Attorney registered No. 259/15.

And whereas, Shri Vinoka Aye shall be entitled to represent me and my proprietory concern M/s. Accekey Enterprise by virtue of the registered Power of Attorney No. 259/15 and if need be I commit to execute fresh Power of Attorney bestowing him all powers and authority as was conferred by the said power of attorney registered No. 259/15.

In witness whereof, I hereby set my hands hereunto in good health and sound mind on this 24 day of March' 2021.

Executrix WITNESSES: (Smti. Vitoli Kent) 1. Z. TOHIVI CHOPHI Ph. No. +91-9436003032 2. KHEVISHE Y. ACHUMI +91-8415832024 NOTARY PUBLIC DP-1604

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXxI NO. 109 Dimapur, FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

Mutating viruses

A

t a time when mass vaccination against COVID-19 is underway across India, the detection of a variant of Covid-19 by scientists that has two mutations coming together at the same time, has caused an alarm. According to report, a “double mutant” variant is a virus strain that carries two mutations. It’s not yet clear how many infections have been linked to this double mutant variant, or whether the strain is any more dangerous. Some 10,787 samples from 18 states in India also showed up 771 cases of known variants - 736 of the UK, 34 of the South African and one Brazilian. Mutations in viruses are common but most of them are insignificant and do not cause any change in its ability to transmit or cause serious infection. But some mutations, like the ones in the UK or South Africa variant lineages, can make the virus more infectious and in some cases even deadlier. India’s top Virologist Shahid Jameel explained that a “double mutation in key areas of the virus’s spike protein may increase these risks and allow the virus to escape the immune system”. How dangerous a mutation is depends on where in the virus it’s happening. For instance, the South Africa variant has mutations that change the structure of the spike protein, which appear to affect the receptor binding domain -- the part of the spike protein most important for attaching to and infecting cells.

Researchers are now investigating whether it could help the virus partly escape the effects of vaccines.

Mutations in the spike gene can make the virus inherently “better” at infecting people or can help the virus to escape neutralising antibodies. This means if the virus mutates in the “right way”, it can re-infect someone who has already recovered from Covid-19.But scientists say re-infections will be very mild compared to primary infections in people who are vaccinated or who recovered already from an earlier case of Covid-19. However, if the virus can use re-infection to spread, then it would be “penetrating” herd immunity, says Dr Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport.

This puts the most vulnerable people at risk of severe disease, since the virus can move through the herd to reach them. Virologists explained that all viruses evolve over time, and sometimes make changes when they replicate, causing mutations. Some mutations have little effect -- but others could make the variant more easily transmissible, or cause infections with more severe symptoms. The spike in COVID-19 cases in India during the current month(March) has set speculations that it was due to the mutant virus.

In February, COVID-19 cases dropped by 90% with hardly 10,000 cases. By March 23, the number shot up to over 45,000 and by March 25, it rose to a little over 50,000 cases. However, union health ministry officials say the variants are not linked to a spike in cases in India. The latest surge - which began this month -comes during what some experts have called a “delicate phase” for India – with the healthcare system already exhausted from a year-long battle against the coronavirus. The detection of the double mutant virus could spike vaccine hesitancy and affect efforts for mass immunity.

DailyDevotion Maintaining the Proper Relationship

…the friend of the bridegroom… —John 3:29 Goodness and purity should never be traits that draw attention to themselves, but should simply be magnets that draw people to Jesus Christ. If my holiness is not drawing others to Him, it is not the right kind of holiness; it is only an influence which awakens undue emotions and evil desires in people and diverts them from heading in the right direction.

A person who is a beautiful saint can be a hindrance in leading people to the Lord by presenting only what Christ has done for him, instead of presenting Jesus Christ Himself. Others will be left with this thought— “What a fine person that man is!” That is not being a true “friend of the bridegroom”— I am increasing all the time; He is not.

To maintain this friendship and faithfulness to the Bridegroom, we have to be more careful to have the moral and vital relationship to Him above everything else, including obedience. Sometimes there is nothing to obey and our only task is to maintain a vital connection with Jesus Christ, seeing that nothing interferes with it. Only occasionally is it a matter of obedience. At those times when a crisis arises, we have to find out what God’s will is. Yet most of our life is not spent in trying to be consciously obedient, but in maintaining this relationship— being the “friend of the bridegroom.” Christian work can actually be a means of diverting a person’s focus away from Jesus Christ. Instead of being friends “of the bridegroom,” we may become amateur providences of God to someone else, working against Him while we use His weapons.

Quotes

Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness. ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

T

UN World Happiness Report 2021

he United Nationals released World Happiness Report 2021 on the 19th of March, 2021, issued by the UN Sustainable Development Solution Network on the effects of Covid-19 and how people all over the world have fared. The overarching frame on which the report is based and the aim of the report was twofold: Frist, to focus on the effects of Covid-19 on the structure and quality of people’s lives, and Second, to describe and evaluate how governments all over the world dealt with the pandemic.

India has secured the 139th spot of 149 countries in the UN World Happiness Report. China ranked 84, Pakistan in 105 and Bangladesh in 101 positions are happier than India. In the previous years, India ranked 144 in 2020 and 140 in the year 2019. The findings and results of the report is based on the Gallup World Poll have been co-related with factors like GDP and social security.

Finland is the world’s happiest country according to this survey for the fourth consecutive year, followed

by Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland and many others.

In spite of being on

top of the world in economic and military rankings, the United States of America has secured the 19th spot for happiness.

This leaves us with a question that unfolds that it is not economy, technology and military strengths alone counts, there are many other factors that determines ‘happiness’.

People living in Afghanistan are most unhappy with their lives, followed by Zimbabwe (148), Rwanda (147), Botswana (146) and Lesotho (145).

Happiness is a comprehensive term that relates to quality of life. This time, the UN report based on Gallup World Poll that co-related GDP and social security. During the time of COVID-19, governments have taken the pandemic in different ways and responded to it in their own ways. So, the agency that conducts the research analysis and evaluates its findings primarily basing its research on how the governments tackled the problems of people during coronavirus underpinning “how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be”.

The data has been collected in the following ways that “There

have been in person and telephone samples for India, with the in-person responses being glower than telephone responses, which significantly higher than in-person responses in 2019. Hence, the reversal in 2020 of the longer time slide in Indian life evaluations was not attributable to mode effects.”

The UN Report on Happiness 2021 makes me to wonder as to why as a citizen of India, being part of two-third world being considered to be the largest democracy and the second populous country in the world is in 139 out of 149.

Further, I have been pushed a back to find out answers to the following questions: What then is “happiness” after all? What constitutes “happiness”? Why, India is behind China, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the “happiness” ranking? Out of many definitions on “happiness” I have chosen a few that are comprehensive and self-explanatory.

According to a definition “Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfilment.” Though happiness has many definitions that varies, it is often described as involving posi-

How internet shutdowns damage democracy

M

T

tive emotions and life satisfaction. However, although happiness is equated with feeling, pleasure or contentment, meaning, but by all means happiness is not to be confused with joy, ecstasy, bliss or other more intense feelings.

Amidst such a variety of definitions, happiness for me is comprehensive in the following definition that adds more substance to the conception called “happiness”. “Happiness can be either feeling or sharing meaning that happiness is not necessarily an internal or external experience, but can be both.” It is amply proven that it is not just an abstract concept. It is also not just the material aspects that determine the notion of “happiness”.

For example, the United States with all the material prosperity, technological advancements and military might is in the 19th slot, which means that material acquisition alone shall never be a determining factor.

It is quality of life that encompasses material and spiritual, psychological and physical, within and outer, individual and communitarian. Put together, all these factors add to happiness. Happiness is always

an individual operational category and so it is relational as well. Since it is relational, it is responsible and accountable. So, the conception of happiness has relational responsibility and relational value.

If my neighbour lives in poverty and hunger, injustices, oppression and squalid conditions, how can I be happy?

Happiness is relational in responsibility. Therefore, my neighbours’ happiness is my happiness. As against it, this year the UN seem to have given more weightage to the ways with which governments responded to COVID-19 and how the perception of people. The top slots went to Scandinavian countries. They continue to remain on top because their priority vis-à-vis governments’ as well people are to enhance happiness.

If individuals, families, communities and society are happy, then the sum total of the country as a whole exposit happiness. Their budgets by and large are not devoted to defence -- procurements of arms and armaments, technological developments, buildings and infrastructures, but on people who should be happy. These

governments strive for societal welfare and peoples’ happiness.

India is in 139th position, out of 149 countries.

The reasons are numerous and most of us do know why are we in that position. For years we have not made any headway or breakthrough. Our priority and vision are entirely different. The ranking itself connotes that people are not happy. Majority of India’s population live and lead a life engulfed with fear, insecurity, poverty, volatility, despair and apathy. They do not have any future at all.

In India, during coronavirus the informal workers a huge mass of poor and hapless in millions had to flee fearing life and livelihood. A tiny percent of people and families are happy and enjoy happiness, whereas majority of people do not know what is “happiness”, at all, rather experiencing unhappiness day-in and day-out.When we talk about life that enjoins happiness, it denotes not only qualitative and quantitative dimensions, but goes beyond.

Therefore, “happiness” is a wholesome concept that integrates all facets of life.

Dr. John Mohan Razu

Reducing the cost of Covid-19 vaccines desirable and possible

ost of the activities that mere ideas without operations. here was finally light at dose. An additional 100 ru- the industry and a major factor started as pen-paper ex- Companies such as Flipkart, the end of the Covid- pees is compensated to private for cost reduction. ercises have now turned Amazon, Swiggy, Zomato and 19 tunnel in November service providers. The price of The vaccine presentation digital. From operations of small Uber among many others are 2020 when the world saw the 250 rupees per dose is indeed is in 10-dose and 20-dose vibusinesses to meetings, from food rendered futile when the internet emergence of the first vaccines. affordable for those who wish als which, when compared delivery to banking, there is some is down. The internet has again With India home to a vibrant to avail of private facilities, to single-dose vials, further digital touch in everyone’s life. been the key for India to build vaccine industry, major vaccine even as the jab continues to be reduces costs, both in manuWho would have imagined, even its reputation as an IT services developers contracted Indian given free at public hospitals facturing and distribution. The two decades ago, that even media outsourcing destination over the vaccine players. and dispensaries. expenditure is only till the first houses would be glued to Twitter last two decades. I know of people Based on the interim reBut any reduction in the leg — from the company to accounts of Presidents for major in the IT industry or investment sults on safety and efficacy, vaccine cost will further boost the warehouses. Thereafter, the announcements? I strongly believe banking crippled due to these Indian health authorities gave the vaccination drive. costs are mostly incurred by that the element of digital has internet shutdowns. emergency use approvals even For the Covishield vaccine, states. There are also no major provided a platform to millions The dual-faced nature of the before large-scale trials were the research and development marketing costs since the supwho feel more valued and more government is evident, which, on completed. The government (R&D) costs have mostly been plies are made directly to the heard. I was surprised to discover the one hand, sets an overambi- embarked on the vaccination incurred by the developers, government. that there is a term for the fear of tious target of becoming a $ 5 programme in a calibrated Oxford University/AstraZenThe prices of vaccines supbeing without a mobile device: trillion economy by 2025 and manner, and even roped in the eca, and technology has been plied by the Indian industry to nomophobia. There was even a punches holes in the economy private health care providers. transferred with the intent of Unicef for quantities far lower joke doing rounds on social media through internet restrictions.

By taking upon itself the task securing large quantities for than Covid-19 requirements as COVID-19 brought the world Freedom of speech and ex- of supplying vaccines, black the Covax facility. Clinical trial are in the sub half-a-US dollar to a sudden halt: “Who brought pression includes the right to marketing, which would other- costs have not been significant range. Therefore, why must the the digital transformation in your internet under Article 19 of the wise have happened in a grossly as it has been only phase 3 cost for the government be in organization?” The answer was Constitution of India, noted the supply-deficient situation, has bridging studies with a smaller the $2-3 range? It is reasonable not the CEO or the CTO but honorable Supreme Court while been avoided. number of participants, based for the vaccine industry to price COVID-19. reviewing internet suspension in India now has to vaccinate on phase 1/2 results of AstraWith the advent of COVID- J&K in 2020. With the onslaught a large percentage of the popu- Zeneca. On the other hand, the vaccine at 60-70 rupees per 19, we were forced to embrace of COVID-19, students mostly lation, even as the next wave of Covaxin has had to bear the dose as against the existing 150 activities or events that we never rely on mobile broadband to keep infection is looming large. The full cost of their Phase 1, 2 and rupees per dose. This would imagined could happen digitally. pace with their studies and attend country needs about 2 billion 3 studies by including the re- cover all costs, including capital From doorstep banking to 8-year- classes. As per a Deloitte report, doses to achieve herd immunity quired number of participants. loading for additional investold kids attending classes, it was broadband penetration in rural by vaccinating at least 70% Incidentally, the clinical trial ments made for ramping up the the internet that helped us con- India stands at a mere 29 per cent of its 1.39 billion people. But costs in India are much lower manufacturing capacities.

The vaccine industry must tinue with our lives. against national average of 51 per current prices will pose a huge than in Western countries.

The current BJP government cent and only 7.5 per cent of our burden of over 30,000 crore The manufacturing pro- rise to this challenge. As a tradewill have the distinction of being households have fixed broadband. rupees just for procurement of cess of the live adeno virus off, companies could be allowed in power when both digital pen- Restricting access to students vaccines — any reduction will vectored vaccine, Covishield, exports after meeting in-country etration and curtailment of the doesn’t serve a nation well. not only help the budget of is relatively simple and the commitments, and this would One of the primary respon- health authorities, but also be a virus grows well in cell culture fetch them much higher prices. internet was on the rise. According to analysis by Software Freedom sibilities of the government is stimulus to encourage vaccina- giving good yields. The process That will be a win-win.

Law Centre, from an average of to ensure law and order in the tion further. for the inactivated vaccine, K V Balasubramaniam and five internet shutdowns between country. The best of agencies NK Mehra.

With only two brands ap- Covaxin, is a bit longer since 2012 and 2014, the number of work 24X7 to ensure intelligence proved for emergency use to there are several downstream Balasubramaniam is former internet shutdowns reached 134 is available to act proactively. The date, the government had to unit operations. The vaccine managing director, Indian Imin 2018 and 93 in 2019. Accord- question boils down to incompe- negotiate prices. Starting at 200 business is largely a fixed cost munologicals Ltd. and Mehra is ing to the Global Cost of Internet tence or intent. Even if we take rupees per dose for Covishield business with higher volumes an ICMR emeritus scientist and Shutdowns report released by the current farmer protests into and 295 rupees for Covaxin, driving costs down. For Covid- former Dean of AIIMS, New Top10VPN, internet shutdowns consideration, internet services the prices for both have now 19 vaccines, the high requireDelhi cost $4 Billion globally in 2020 were suspended in almost all of been fixed at 150 rupees per ment is both an incentive for (The views expressed are personal) alone with India’s share a whop- Haryana, except Gurugram and ping 70 per cent ($2.8 billion). The Faridabad, for the most part after same organisation had calculated January 26. What is the intelthe costs for India for 2019 to be ligence that the government of Haryana has that can justify the $1.3 billion.

On the one hand, the gov- suspension of the internet, weeks ernment pushes for more digital after the violence? It seems to be adoption, and on the other, resorts another gimmick to stop voices to internet shutdowns to maintain from pouring in in support of law and order. There are three the farmers.

In this age, both the concept Sir, aspects that need to be analyzed: First, the financial and the opera- of digital and the concept of deIn a recent order, DC Kohima had banned the offloading and dumping of construction tional costs of such acts. Second is mocracy must co-exist. They are materials on the road within Kohima which was well appreciated by the public. Likewise, such the moral or constitutional aspect both powerful in their own right initiatives should also be taken by all concerned authorities across the state. Recently, the roads of it and the third is the failure of but, together, have the potential at Dimapur town have been sporting fresh earth dug out as result of random constructions along the government and its agencies to form a formidable force for a the road. The dumping of garbage from the Murgipatti road to New Market area has gone to to act proactively and manage law peaceful and prosperous world. another level. Also the nullah along the Golaghat road needs proper sanitation and maintenance.

These acts of ignorance should be stopped and the authorities should timely check these areas too. and order.

Gourav Vallabh Therefore, I would like to appeal the authorities to intervene and see to it that proper sanitation There are businesses that (The writer is national drives are carried in these parts of the town. virtually run on the web. Minus spokesperson, Congress Party.

Asenla Ao, Dimapur the internet they are reduced to Views are personal) 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.

Reader’s Post

Proper sanitation drives needed

7 Bihar man sets ATKK on March 22 incident, land issue

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

Campaign ends for WB poll phase-I wife, kids ablaze KOLKATA/ASANSOL, MAR 25 (PTI): Curtains came down at 5 pm Thursday on the high decibel campaign in 30 assembly seats in West Bengal where polls are scheduled in the first phase on March 27.

The 30 seats are spread across tribal-dominated Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Purba Medinipur (Part 1) and Paschim Medinipur (Part 1) districts which were once considered the citadel of the Left in the state.

The campaign for the seats saw high profile leaders of BJP, which has emerged as the main opposition to the ruling Trinamool Congress, addressing poll rallies in Purulia, Jhargram and Bankura districts promising ‘ashol poriborton’ (actual change) to build ‘Sonar Bangla’ (prosperous Bengal).

The star BJP campaigners for the seats going to poll in the first phase were Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The other star campaigners of

the saffron party were Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, party president Jagat Prakash Nadda, top leader Smriti Irani who repeatedly harped on the various scams.

They attacked Mamata Banerjee’s party for the multi-crore rupees Saradha scam, the Narada tapes scandal to the more recent alleged siphoning of money meant for Amphan relief and the TMC government’s dealing with COVID-19 pandemic.

The saffron party leaders virulently attacked the Mamata Banerjee government for not allowing the implementation of central schemes like the Ayushman Bharat, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and 80 others aimed at helping the poor, dalits, tribals and people from the marginalised sections.

The 30 constituencies had overwhelmingly voted for TMC in the last two state elections but BJP had swept them in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Priyanka slams BJP on issue of nuns’ heckling

Priyanka Gandhi

March 19, the ABVP members had accused the nuns and novices of carrying out religious conversions.

The four were allowed to proceed only after an inquiry at the Jhansi railway station established there was no conversion involved.

The ABVP is the student’s wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the BJP. A 25-second video from the train compartment shows the women surrounded by some men, some of whom appear to be policemen. The Kerala unit of the BJP too gave a memorandum on the harassment suffered by the nuns to Shah when he arrived in the state last night for Wednesday’s day-long election campaign.

Shah on Wednesday assured that strict action would be taken against all those involved. “Those involved in the Jhansi nuns’ harassment incident will be brought before the law.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah greets during a public meeting at Baghmundi in Purulia district. (PTI)

TMC supporter killed in crude blomb blast A 40-year-old man, known to be a TMC supporter, was killed in a crude bomb blast in Paschim Bardhaman district of poll-bound West Bengal, police said on Thursday.

Several others were also injured in the explosion that happened in Jamdabad Benedi in Andal police station limits late on Wednesday, triggering tension in the area days ahead of the elections amid a political slugfest over the law and order situation.

According to local sources, TMC supporter

Sarban Chowdhury along with a few others was making crude bombs at a house in the village when the “accidental explosion” happened.

He was taken to a private hospital in Raniganj where he died while undergoing treatment on Thursday morning.

Those injured could not be identified and their whereabouts were not immediately known, police said. The house was also damaged in the explosion, they said, adding that an investigation is underway.

PATNA, MAR 25 (IANS): In a shocking incident, a person set his wife and two minor children on fire in Bihar’s Katihar district, an official said.

The accused has been identified as Mohamad Tahir, resident of Labha village. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Thursday after his verbal altercation with his wife turned violent.

“In a fit of the rage, Tahir poured kerosene oil on them and set them on fire. The neighbours, after hearing their screams, rushed to rescue them but failed.

“The victims charred to death on the spot,” said investigating officer of Pranpur police station.

Tahir, after committed the crime, tried to flee from the spot, but was nabbed by the villagers. The handed him over to the police after thrashing him black and blue.

Police action in assembly: RJD calls Bihar bandh PATNA, MAR 25 (PTI): RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Thursday gave a call for “Bihar Bandh” on March 26 in protest against forceful eviction of opposition MLAs from the assembly when they were agitating against the police bill two days back.

Yadav further said that the bandh would include matters concerning unemployment and farmers issue on which a call for all India bandh on Friday has been

given by the farmers bodies.

The RJD leader claimed that the bandh has support of Congress and other opposition parties that included left parties- CPIML, CPI(M) and CPI. “We have given a call for Bihar bandh tomorrow in the state. Though an all India call has already been given by the farmers bodies for March 26. We witnessed a black day on March 23, the day when the state government murdered the democ-

racy,” Tejashwi said. “Our MLAs were beaten up by police while holding dharna peacefully in front of the Speakers chamber,” leader of opposition in the assembly told reporters here. The assembly had witnessed an unprecedented chaos when the grand alliance legislators had gheroed the speaker’s chamber literally taking him hostage and their women members had prevented speaker from taking his seat in the house later.

temporary shelters.

ATKK also alleged that the armed persons patrolled the encroached areas and threatened Kiyevi villagers with dire consequences while also resorting to firing live rounds at night at the direction of Kiyevi village.

It said these “acts of coercion, threats, intimidations and forceful encroachment of village lands sparked the violence, which resulted in the unfortunate deaths of three persons on 22.03.2021.”

ATKK asserted that it does not justify the killing of any persons but however it cannot remain silent spectators to the fact that the government was allegedly protecting encroachers into Kiyevi village lands by permitting the three persons, killed on March 22 , to be buried on Kiyevi village land under the guard of IRB presently stationed in the area.

According to ATKK this was abominable in Naga customs and practices.

While stating that it does not want to point fingers at any individual and/or community, it however said that facts must be projected and criticism and/or support, if any, must be informed.

ATKK also said as citizens governed by the Rule of Law, its people were of the opinion that the following measures need to be taken: that the government’s 2019 order to maintain status quo must be respected and enforced and to evict those persons who propose to establish the new village to be evicted.

ATTK also asserted that Sumi villages have not encroached on lands of Lamhai village, which

is situated in the interiors of Peren district beyond Jalukie town and far removed from Kiyevi village and the Aqahuto Area.

It ter med various social media reports that lands of Lamhai were being encroached as “pernicious.” ATKK claimed that the place of occurrence in the recent incident was on the lands of Kiyevi village, where the new village Lamhai Namdi was sought to be established.

ATTK said despite complaints, it alleged that both Peren and Dimapur district administration did not restrain encroachers from encroaching into Kiyevi village land.

ATKK also said the issue between Kiyevi villagers and persons claiming to be Lamhai Namdi villagers was “not tribal issue” . It also termed as “most unfortunate” that a tribal twist has been introduced, with all manner of bodies, organizations and individuals, vociferously contributing inflammatory opinions.

In the light of these, ATKK urged the leaders of both the communities to ensure that the matter does not get out of hand and that each community must respect the rights of the other and that respect must also be founded on democratic principles and not on wishful/fanciful sentiments. ATKK said this was the only way forward for the Naga community while maintaining that its statement was issued without malice and with the hope and trust that the views expressed will be appreciated in their proper perspective.

Budget session concludes, LS records 114 pc productivity To ensure beef supply, Goa NEW DELHI, MAR 25 (PTI): Lok Sabha was on Thursday adjourned sine die, bringing an end to the nearly two-month-long Budget session which registered 114 per cent productivity.

The session started on January 29 and was originally slated to end on April 8 but several members had urged Speaker Om Birla to end it early so that they can focus on electioneering in four states and Puducherry.

Speaker Birla had recently tested positive for COVID-19 and was not attending the House in the last week of the session.

Birla in a tweet also thanked for smooth conduct of the session including panel chairpersons, all parties, ministers and others.

“Several important bills were also passed during the session. I could not be present in the House dur-

ing the last days of the session due to health reasons.

During that time the Panel of Chairpersons conducted the proceedings smoothly.

Members also contributed fully to this. Thanks to all for this,” he said.

In his observations before adjourning the proceedings sine die (indefinite period), Bhartruhari Mehtab, who was in the chair, wished Birla a speedy recovery and informed members that the Speaker was stable.

In Birla’s absence, a panel of chairpersons, including Mehtab, Rajendra Agrawal, Rama Devi, Meenakashi Lekhi and Midun Reddy, chaired the proceedings.

Panel of chairpersons

usually comprises 10 members of the House who assist the Speaker run proceedings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several cabinet ministers and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were present in the House.

The first part of the Budget session started on January 29 with the President’s address to joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. The address was boycotted by over 20 opposition parties, including the Congress, in support of the demand of the protesting farmers for the repeal of the three farm laws.

The Union Budget was tabled on February 1.

Thereafter, House pro-

ceedings were washed out for four consecutive days over the opposition’s demand for separate discussion on farm issues.

To compensate the session’s lost time, the House sat till midnight for several days.

The second part of the Budget session which began on March 8 also saw repeated adjournments of House proceedings for the first few days as opposition protested over rise in fuel prices. The Budget session is usually divided into two parts. The recess period allows the various department-related standing committees to examine the demands for grants of various ministries.

to outsource abattoir: CM

PANAJI, MAR 25 (IANS): BJP led-coalition government in Goa is “studying the possibility” of outsourcing the state’s only legal abattoir used for beef slaughter to private companies to ensure regular supply of beef in the coastal state.

“The government of Goa is studying the possibility of outsourcing the modern abattoir of Goa Meat Complex to private

companies for the period of ten years,” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Animal Husbandry Minister Mauvin Godinho told the state legislative Assembly in a written reply on Thursday.

The written reply also sought to know when the state’s only abattoir would be operational in order to meet the demand for beef in Goa.

K-641

NEW DELHI, MAR 25 (IANS): Priyanka Gandhi has slammed the BJP over the heckling incident of two nuns in a train accusing them of religious conversion allegedly by ABVP members.

Priyanka Gandhi tweeted: “Which political party runs the government that enables these goons to harass and demand personal details of young women commuting on a train? BJP.” “Which political party do these goons belong to?

BJP “Which party’s student wing are some of them members of ? BJP “And now that there is an election in Kerala HM @AmitShah is busy giving hollow statements about protecting nuns from harassment. Really?” she added.

The nuns were heckled allegedly by ABVP members.

According to reports, the incident took place last week when the nuns were travelling on the HaridwarPuri Utkal Express. On

in Katihar dist

(From p-1) ATKK said it was conscious that others would accuse people of Aqahuto of illegally occupying lands.

It however claimed that the records maintained by the government will show that none of the villages in the Aqahuto area have been established on lands belonging to other villages/ communities.

ATKK further said that claim by Lamhai village, that it was the owner of all lands till Chumukedima, was “legally untenable”.

ATKK claimed that during the 2019 incident, people claiming to be from Lamhai village had sought to establish a new village named Lamhai Namdi.

It said that contrary to popular perception, Lamhai Namdi was not the old Lamhai village but a new village sought to be established by people claiming to be from Lamhai village. ATKK said the new village was attempted to be established on land belonging to Kiyevi Village and that upon investigation, the authorities directed the “so called Lamhai Namdi village” to be evicted.

ATKK also said that on their inquiry, it was again found , that people claiming to be from Lamhai village were trying to establish the same Lamhai Namdi Village on the lands of Kiyevi Village.

In the process, it alleged that Lamhai Namdi people caused huge destruction of tree plantations, including valuable teak trees above 30/40 years of age besides intruding into farmlands with the help of armed persons and also forcefully encroached and constructed

No. NUCK/ENGG-TENDER FEE/2020

NOTICE INVITING TENDER

SWAVALAMBAN KAUSHAL UNNAYAN/ SKILL TRAINING PROGRAMME ON BAKING (CONFECTIONERY)

Dated: 24/03/2021

Sealed Tenders are hereby invited from appropriate class of contractors empanelled with Nagaland University for the under mentioned works: Particulars Tender Earnest Money Tender Completion Value Deposit (2%) Fee Time Providing & fixing of Dyna roof with steel Truss at Deptt. of ₹ 34,68,600/₹ 69,372/₹1000/1 Month Commerce at NU, Kohima Campus, Meriema.

C.O of Retaining (Rt.) Wall Near Pauna Men’s ₹ 7,50,000/₹ 15000/₹ 1000/1 Month Hostel at NU, Kohima Campus, Meriema.

C.O of Rt. Wall Near Shilloi Women’s & Mesia Women’s ₹ 7,50,000/₹ 15000/₹ 1000/1 Month Hostel at NU, Kohima Campus, Meriema.

C.O of Rt. Wall Near Administrative Office ₹ 20,213/₹ 1000/1 Month Main gate: NU, Kohima ₹ 10,10,650/Campus Meriema.

Tender documents can be collected from Engineering Section, NU Kohima Campus, Meriema during office hours on working days and submit the required documents in a sealed envelope addressed to - The Pro-Vice Chancellor, NU, Kohima Campus, on or before 30th March 2021. Nagaland University reserves the right to accept or reject any tender without assigning any reason, whatsoever.

Sd/Pro- Vice Chancellor NU, Kohima Campus DC-295

SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

Pro Rural, Dimapur invites applications from interested persons of Peren District for a Special Skills Development Training on Baking to be conducted free of cost in April 2021. The Training is sponsored by SIDBI, a Govt. of India Undertaking, Dimapur Branch Office. Interested persons are requested to contact through phone call, WhatsApp or email, to the following:

THE GLOBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, NAGALAND

A State University Established By The Government of Nagaland Under The Global Open University Act 2006 (ACT 3 OF 2006) No.GOUK/PRC/7-7/10 Dated: Dimapur the 26th of March 2021

RECRUITMENT

The Global Open University, Nagaland invites application for filling up the post of Faculty Member under Department of Hotel Management TGOUN, on Fixed pay of Rs. 20000/-PM on contractual basis. Subject to regularization, will be based on their service performance during the contract period.

Eligibility of Name of the Post No. Post Education Qualification Preferably 4 years and above experience Faculty Member B.Sc./M.Sc. in Hotel 1 in Kitchen (Preferably Indian, (Food Production) Management Continental Cuisine and Bakery) Aspiring candidates may apply with the complete Bio data along with attested copies of mark sheets and other relevant documents. The same may be sent to the undersigned at the Global Open University Nagaland, Sodzulhou Village, opposite JCB showroom, Nagaland or email at ce@nagaland.net.in Last date for submission of application 31-03-2021. Shortlisted candidate will be called for interview via email/phone. For further details please contact +91-8731887593/ +91-8731887594 during office hours 10 am – 4 pm on working days.

Sd/Director DC-296

Contact: 8014348078 / 7005458286 Email: proruralindia@gmail.com

DP-1613

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

MGNREGA COMMISSIONERATE OF NAGALAND

NAGALAND : KOHIMA COMMR/MGNREGA/CFP/2020-21 Dated, Kohima the March 2021

NOTIFICATION

In compliance to the Advertisement No. COMMR/ MGNREGA/CFP/2020-21 dated 8th September 2020, all the candidates who have applied for the post of: (1) State Project Officer (GIS) (2) District GIS Expert (3) State Project Officer (NRM) (4) District Coordinator (NRM) (5) State Project Officer (Livelihood) under cluster facilitation Project are informed that the list of selected candidates based as on qualification and experience provided by the MORD along with the list of rejected candidates with reason for disqualification has been put up in the website given below. http://jobs.nagard.in LIBON I. HUMTSOE Additional Commissioner (MGNREGA) Nagaland, Kohima DC-292

business/state

KAKURO

No. 4491 Yesterday’s solution No. 4490

No. 3515 Yesterday’s solution No. 3514

WANTED

1 Helper & 1 Experience Cook for MOMO Needed at Food Truck (Male) Fooding & Loading free at Supply Colony, Dimapur Contact : 8132836727

WANTED

DRIVER FOR SCHOOL DUTY IN DIMAPUR WORK TIMINGS: 5 DAYS A WEEK AND 6 HOURS A DAY SALARY: Rs 4000/- PER MONTH Contact: 9402642658 DP-1638

VACANCY

SWEEPER/ COOK Ph: 8118995482 Between 9 AM to 3 PM DP-1605

ADMISSION OPEN Vineyard Girl's Hostel, 7th Mile For UG/PG Students Limited Seats Add. Tenyiphe 'A' Khel, 7th Mile Near National Highway 39, Dimapur, Nagaland Contact : 8837467230 7085461756 DP-1554

GYPSY EURO-II Colour White Price 3.2/ Lakhs only Contact : 7005539208 9615085365 DP-1621

at 4th Mile Diphupar Near Central Jail.

50/50

Location: Doyapur 10 Puras and 6 Puras Contact: 8974415754

LAND FOR SALE LAND FOR SALE Contact : 9863331603

No Broker

DP-1630

LAND FOR SALE Location : Ekranipathar (2.5 km from T.K Service) Area : 70x60 (4200 sq. ft.)

Price : Rs. 6.50 Lakhs Call : 9402615648 7005204949 DP-1541

LAND FOR URGENT SALE 1. Residential cum Commercial Plot at Thahekhu Tinanli: Area-9000 sq. ft.

2. Thilixu - 1½ Bighas Contact No. : 7005424879

BUMPER SALE OF LAND @ Rs.160/- per sq.ft till 15th April 2021

Location: B a m u m p u k h u r i ' A ' Dimapur (near Doy's Market) 10 minutes drive from Zion Hospital (Approx 4 Kms) No land fill required, drainage constructed, approach road to every plot. Buy as per your budget.

Contact: 9774883284, 8787843979 9436612314, 9366812036 K-652

LAND FOR SALE Commercial with Building Location : D.C. Court, Dimapur.

Genuine Buyers only

LAND FOR SALE

Raffle Draw Results

1st Prize Serial No. - 616 2nd Prize Serial No. - 1126 3rd Prize Serial No. - 572 Consolation Prizes - 39, 171, 848, 426, 757 Contact No. - 8787793877 8731897133 * Prizes are to be claimed within 7 days by producing the original tickets. DP-1627

DP-653

1. Kushiabill Sec-III : 2 nos.

2. Thahekhu Tinali : 1 3. Half Nagarjan 3 storey : 1 4. Imkonglenden : 1 Contact No. : 7005424879

Contact : 7005159069

V.K. Town Students' Union

DP-1610A

FOR SALE

LAND WITH RCC BUILDING

at Purana Bazar 2 plots available Measuring around 5700 sq. ft. and 5400 sq. ft. at the rate of Rs. 360 per sq. ft.

(Negotiable) No Brokers Please Contact : 8729817125 9774247039 DP-1618

LAND FOR SALE at Padampukhuri, Dimapur Area : 86,400 sq. ft.

Rs. 350 per sq. ft.

AND at Same boundary Padampukhuri, Area : 03 Bighas (Approximate) Rs. 270 per sq. ft. (any size) Negotiable No Filling Required Contact No. : 9862128679 8014690505 No Broker

LAND FOR SALE at Vihokhu Village Dry Land Measuring 6 Puras Contact : 8787607106

DP-1614

Contact - 8837346067

URGENT SALE

LAND WITH HOUSE FOR SALE Concrete Assam Type, compound wall with all basic amenities, 3500 sq.ft, Zion Hospital, Dimapur.

26 lac Negotiable. No Broker.

Contact - 8787605588

DP-1529

Driver for small commercial at Chandmari, Kohima

FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE at Bamunpukhuri 2 Plots & 1 bigha 60 x 120 @ Rs. 285 sq. ft.

Good location Roadface, 2 minutes drive from Zion Hospital Genuine Customer (Nego) Mob-9089721643

DP-1564

REQUIRED

Rocky Biege Colour Run-32,480 km, 3 yrs. Old Price 8 L (Slightly Negotiable) Cont. 9366171798 / 9383013770

LAND FOR SALE 13 Puras of Paddy Field touching old approach road of Khehoyi Village and Toshiho village near Nuiland Road.

Genuine customers only.

Contact No. : 9612070707 8787642590 DP-1563

VEHICLE LOST NOTICE Reg. No. : NL-07 EA 8231 Owner's Name : Sailesh Kumar Sah F/Name : Ram Narayan Prasad Engine No. : JA05EGK9G44372 Chassis No. : MBLJAW099K9G15036 Model : Super Splender IBS (Motorcycle) Mfg, Date : July, 2019 Fuel : Petrol Stolen On : 16/07/2020 Contact No. : 9774153953

DP-1606

No. 9872 Yesterday’s solution No. 9871

Across 9. Roomy (8) 10. Wildebeest (3) 11. Rubber (6) 12. Detest (6) 13. Conflagration (7) 14. Compass point (4) 15. Pushy (10) 17. Pleasant (8) 18. Crisp fabric (7) 19. Cupid (4) 21. Serviette (6) 24. Obscure (8,2,7) 27. Period before Christmas (6) 29. Weak (4) 30. Large ape (7) 33. Inappropriate name (8) 35. Maternity (10) 36. Musical work (4) 37. Petty (7) 38. Legally responsible (6) 40. Yearly (6) 41. Consume (3) 42. Scandalous (8) Down 1. Available, informally (2,3,5) 2. Improvised jazz singing (4) 3. English county (8) 4. Painkiller (7) 5. A r g u m e n t a t ive (11) 6. Possessions (10) 7. Insect (6) 8. Finnish capital (8) 10. Social blunder (5) 16. Football official (7) 20. Rule (5) 22. Petulant (7) 23. Imperilled (11) 25. In the end (10) 26. Road marking (6,4) 28. Fat from meat (8) 31. Disregard (8) 32. Make use of (7) 34. Large meal, informally (4-2) 35. Damp (5) 39. Enquires (4)

coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single-day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,17,87,534, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

URGENT SALE

Scorpio Pick-up Getaway

LAND FOR URGENT SALE Prime Land at Mon Bosti Area any size available Contact No. : 9862564114/7005424879

DP-1588(B)

through tougher restrictions and pace in vaccination may quickly stabilise the market,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.

Binod Modi, Head - Strategy at Reliance Securities, said the market capitalisation of domestic market slipped below Rs 200 trillion for the first time after February 3, 2021, resulting in wealth erosion of over Rs 5 trillion in the last two days.

All sectoral indices ended in the red, with BSE telecom, power, auto, energy, utilities and realty indices declining as much as 3.14 per cent.

Broader BSE midcap and smallcap indices tumbled up to 2.22 per cent.

India saw 53,476 new

2010 Model Contact : 9402481869 7005694685

BOLERO POWER +ZLX Model : 2018 Colour : White Nagaland Registered Price : 7,20,000/Ph : 9856313752 8974247694 DP-1634

DP-1588(C)

Mumbai, Mar 25 (PTI): Equity benchmarks crashed for the second straight session on Thursday as a spurt in COVID-19 cases in the country and fears of localised lockdowns triggered an across-the-board selloff.

Bearish global cues and expiry of monthly derivative contracts added to the volatility, traders said.

The 30-share BSE Sensex slumped 740.19 points or 1.51 per cent to close at 48,440.12. The broader NSE Nifty tanked 224.50 points or 1.54 per cent to 14,324.90.

Maruti was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding 3.98 per cent, followed

by HUL, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Auto, NTPC, Bajaj Finance and UltraTech Cement.

Only four index components managed to close in the green -- Dr Reddy’s, ICICI Bank, HDFC and L&T, rising up to 0.74 per cent.

“Increased rate of infection across the country and world is creating more pessimism in the market, which has increased today due to monthly expiry. After the stellar rally, the market was on a consolidation stage during the last one month, which amplified post the sudden rise in infection impacting future economic growth.

“The economic fallout in India from the reduction in world GDP growth is likely to be marginal. A fall in the rate of infection

Date : 28.03.2021 Time : 2.00 PM Venue : Jesus Calls Prayer Tower (Opposite Park Restaurant, Dhobinala) DP-1620

FOR URGENT SALE JCB 3D X Super

VEHICLE STOLEN

LODGY DCI RXZ HAS BEEN STOLEN FROM HOZUKHE VILLAGE ON 23.3.2021.

REGD : NL06C 1129, CHASSIS NO : MEEJSRKF7F3000142, ENGINE NO : E001838, COLOUR : PEARL WHITE. OWNER'S NAME : P. NIKIKA ZHIMO. CONTACT : 6009755997

DP-1635

Su doku

Market rout deepens on virus woes

JESUS CALLS EXAM PRAYER MEETING

amdi”, which was in the knowledge of everyone.

It also requested the NSCN (U) leadership to stop “self-serving attitude” of a particular tribe using Naga common properties.

Meanwhile, pointing out the report of a local news channel quoting a CSO leader as the source of information on the incident without even interviewing, PDYO asked the media house to stick to the ethics of journalism instead of playing into the interest of some section. Seeking a clarification from the news channel in this regard, the youth body warned that the channel would be held solely responsible if any untoward incident happened to the CSO leader.

LOST NOTICE

I, Tekatoshi, am applying for duplicate copy of Marksheet and Pass Certificate of HSLC and HSSLC as I have lost them.

Name : Tekatoshi F/Name : Limanukshi DoB : 01.05.1996 HSLC Roll No. : 1111426 Year : 2011 School : Nazareth High School, Dimapur HSSLC Roll No. : 1417677 Year : 2014 School : Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur

DP-1608

Crossword

Sensex tanks 740 pts amid F&O expiry

ferring to the notes, PDYO urged GPRN/NSCN to first clarify who committed the gruesome murder along tribal lines.

Further, PDYO said the statement that Zeliang leaders were playing faction angle was something really uncalled for. It said that the ground reality spoke volumes about involvement of a section of the cadres in the issue. PDYO also alleged that “a high-ranking NSCN (U) leader with police escort vehicle and a convoy of eight vehicles abducted three innocent Lamhainamdi villagers on March 2 and were kept at Kehoi camp for 12 days on the pretext of stealing teak trees,” only to be released after the intervention of governor. It mentioned that a summon letter was also issued to Zeliang Baudi president under the seal and signature of camp commander, council headquarters, Naga Army, GPRN/NSCN (U) on

DP-1626

in classes 1 and 2 – and upon completion of the training for district and block resource persons, these teachers would be trained on the training modules developed by SCERT subject experts on the basis of present classes 1 and 2 math and language textbooks.

He said the teaching learning materials (TLMs) would be provided to the schools as per the requirement of the training module, adding that the two-day State level training would comprise eight intensive sessions and the district/ block resource persons would replicate the same in the districts and blocks. The programme was chaired by deputy mission director Samagra Siksha Abhiyan Nagaland, Chungngam Konyak.

(From p-1) Mentioning that it was disheartened to see many posts, comments, screenshots, etc, challenging each other using name of tribes, TSUD demanded that such people should be booked and held accountable for any untoward incident.

As most of the social media users were educated, the union said it expected them to be responsible and ensure that individual posts or comments did not hurt the sentiments of others or incite communal hatred.

Asking all its members to be cautious while posting or commenting on social media platforms, TSUD said it would not be responsible for any member trying to instigate or inciting violence.

It also appealed to everyone to refrain from posting derogatory comments.

“At this crucial juncture, we Nagas should stand together with spirit of oneness, empathy and understanding and not let some few individuals with vested interest be the end of us all,” TSUD stated.

DP-1588(A)

(From p-1) In his keynote address, deputy mission director Samagra Siksha Abhiyan Nagaland, Kelhika Kenye said National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 defined FLN as the ability to read, write and perform basic numeric operations and clearly emphasised the urgency to achieve literacy and numeracy for all children in the country and set the target to achieve Universal Foundational Literacy and Numeracy by 2025.

He said reading enhancement under FLN would be implemented for classes 1 and 2 in all 1,676 government schools with student enrolment to cover about 33,795 children.

Kenye said the Statelevel training involved 3,352 teachers – two teachers from each school teaching

population.

He said real time gross settlement (RTGS), which is used to transfer large sums of money, has multi-currency capabilities and there is also a scope to explore if its footprint can be expanded beyond the country.

Das said there are no differences with the government over cryptocurrencies and the RBI has conveyed major concerns on the same to the government, which will eventually take a decision on the matter.

Financial sector stability is a major cause of worry which is being assessed as the RBI works on the central bank’s digital currency, he said.

Das affirmed that the RBI does not wish to hurt innovation done by the financial technology players and will keep its regulations in sync with their work.

When asked about the budget proposal to privatise two state-run lenders, Das said there had been discussion between the Mint Street and North Block before the budget and after it as well, and added that the process is moving ahead.

K-655

Lack of commitment to teach...

Shaktikanta Das ment to use all its policy tools to facilitate the economic revival from the debilitating impact of the pandemic while ensuring price and financial stability.

It can be noted that after deep rate cuts initially, the RBI has been focusing on a slew of measures uncharacteristic policy measures to help the economic revival as inflation – its primary objective – became into a point of concern.

Das declined to comment on the inflation trajectory he sees going ahead, asking everybody to wait for the resolution of the Monetary Policy Committee early next month which will have the RBI’s outlook.

On the future of the ‘V-shaped’ growth recovery,

he made it clear that the RBI had never used any alphabet to denote the recovery but came out with a number, which is being maintained.

When asked about the bond market, Das said the central bank and the market are in no fight and added that the relationship should be non-combative.

He, however, added that the RBI would like for an orderly evolution of the yields curve and no sudden spikes.

The RBI does not want excessive volatilities in the forex market and has been accumulating reserves to protect against the possible impact of the withdrawal of the stimulus measures in advanced economies, Das said.

At present, India’s forex reserves are sufficient to cover for 18 months of imports but there is no level of the reserves which the RBI is tracking, Das said, committing to keep the rupee stable.

Das said in the year of the pandemic, India processed 274 crore direct benefit transfer transactions to help the pandemic-affected

DP-1616

Mumbai, Mar 25 (PTI): The rising COVID-19 infections across the country are a matter of concern, but it may not impact the ongoing economic revival as one does not foresee lockdowns, Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Thursday.

The economic revival will continue “unabated”, Das said, asserting that there is no need for a downward revision of RBI’s 10.5 per cent GDP growth forecast for FY22.

Speaking at Times Network’s India Economic Conclave, Das said, “We have ‘insurance’ to protect economic revival like a fast-paced vaccination drive, greater ability among people to follow COVID protocols”, and one does not see lockdowns as well.

“The renewed surge in COVID cases in many parts of the country is a matter of concern,” the governor said.

“I would feel that the revival of economic activity, which has happened, should continue unabated going forward. My understanding and our preliminary analysis shows that the growth rate next year – the 10.5 per cent which we had given – would not require a downward revision,” he added.

It can be noted that India reported over 50,000 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday with states like Maharashtra reporting newer highs, and a new strain of virus has also been found.

Some pockets of the country have already resorted to stricter lockdowns in the face of the rising infections. It can be noted that a nationwide lockdown last year led to a deep economic impact and the GDP is set to contract by over 7 per cent in FY21. “...at this point of time, one does not forsee a kind of lockdown that we experienced last year.

Last year, it came as a huge shock,” Das said.

The governor affirmed the central bank’s commit-

DP-1538

‘Rising Covid cases a concern, but lockdowns unlikely’

TSUD concerned PDYO rejoinder to GPRN/NSCN p-1) March 3. PDYO claimed that over misuse of (Fromassailants even left be- the “abductees were verbally four red-ink written abused and warned never to social media hind notes beside the bodies. Re- set foot again at Lamhain-

DP-1611

Economic revival to continue ‘unabated’: RBI Gov

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

DP-1636

8

9

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

N Korea test-fires missiles in message to US After silence strike, Myanmar SEOUL, MAR 25 (AP): North Korea test-fired its first ballistic missiles since President Joe Biden took office on Thursday, as it expands its military capabilities and increases pressure on Washington while nuclear negotiations remain stalled.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the launches threaten “peace and safety in Japan and the region,” and that Tokyo will closely coordinate with Washington and Seoul on the North’s testing activities.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired at around 7:06 a.m. and 7:25 a.m. from an area on the North’s eastern coast and flew 450 kilometers (279 miles) on an apogee of 60 kilometers (37 miles) before landing in the sea.

US Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson Capt.

Mike Kafka said the US military was aware of the missiles and was monitoring the situation while closely consulting with allies.

Another senior US official, who spoke on condition

FILE -- This Aug. 29, 2017, photo shows what was said to be the test launch of a Hwasong-12 missile. (AP/PTI)

of anonymity to discuss military observations, matched the information from South Korea’s military, saying that initial assessments suggest the North fired two shortrange ballistic missiles.

“This activity highlights the threat that North Korea’s illicit weapons program poses to its neighbors and the international community,” Kafka said.

The launches came a day after US and South Korean officials said the North fired short-range weapons presumed to be cruise missiles into its western sea over the weekend. North Korea has a history of testing new US administrations with

missile launches and other provocations aimed at forcing the Americans back to the negotiating table.

S t i l l , T h u r s d ay ’s launches were a measured provocation compared to the nuclear and intercontinental missile tests in 2017 that inspired war fears before the North shifted toward diplomacy with the Trump administration in 2018.

Analysts say that the North would gradually dial up its weapons displays to increase its bargaining power as it angles to get back into stalled talks aimed at leveraging nuclear weapons for badly needed economic benefits.

S.Korean, Russian FM hold talks

Sergey Lavrov (L) bumps elbows with Chung Eui-yong after a joint announcement in Seoul Thursday. (AP/PTI)

SEOUL, MAR 25 (IANS): South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and his visiting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov held talks here on Thursday to discuss the Korean Peninsula issue and ways to develop bilateral ties.

It was the first dialogue between the top diplomats of the two countries since June 2019, reports Xinhua news agency. Chung said in a statement that he and Lavrov agreed to continue

Virginia abolishes death penalty WASHINGTON, MAR 25 (IANS): Virginia has become the first state in the US South to stop executions after Governor Ralph Northam signed a legislation to abolish the death penalty.

The Democratic Gover nor signed the death penalty repeal into law on Wednesday, after touring the prison’s execution chamber, where 102 people have been executed since its opening in 1991, reports dpa news agency.

Virginia joins 22 of the country’s other 50 states that have abolished the death penalty.

working together to arrange an early visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to South Korea as the Covid-19 situation is stabilised, while facilitating senior-level exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, according to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul. They agreed to continue cooperation in the areas of “nine bridges” agreed upon by South Korean President Moon Jaein and Putin in 2017 as a framework for substantive

cooperation between the two countries.

The two ministers agreed to expand the bilateral cooperation in the disease prevention and control and the public health, under a common understanding that solidarity and cooperation are of paramount importance in overcoming the global challenge of Covid19, the statement said.

South Korea and Russia agreed to continue close communication and cooperation at various levels to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process, according to the statement.

The statement said Seoul appreciates Moscow’s various proposals to achieve complete denuclearisation and settle permanent peace on the peninsula as well as its consistent support for efforts for improvement in inter-Korean ties and the peninsula peace process.

It’s unclear how the Biden administration would respond before it completes its policy review on North Korea in the coming weeks.

The negotiations over the North’s nuclear program faltered after the collapse of Kim Jong Un’s second summit with President Donald Trump in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of their nuclear capabilities.

Since Trump’s first meeting with Kim in 2018, the North has not conducted nuclear or long-range missile tests, although analysts believe they have pressed ahead with their programs on both. The North has continued short- and medium range missile testing during its suspension of nuclear and long-range tests, expanding its ability to strike targets in South Korea and Japan, including US bases there.

North Korea has so far ignored the Biden administration’s efforts to reach out, saying it won’t engage

cumstances known to us, the massive deterioration of his condition can only be cause for extreme concern,” chief of staff said.

The Kremlin critic was the “personal prisoner, the personal hostage of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin; a dangerous, crazy murderer”, Volkov wrote on Twitter.

“Putin bears the personal responsibility for the life and the health of Alexei Navalny in the torture colony of Pokrow,” he added.

The 44-year-old opposition figure was sentenced to imprisonment at the penal camp in Pokrow, about 100 km east of Moscow,

MANILA, MAR 25 (AP): The Philippine military has ordered more navy ships to be deployed for “sovereignty patrols” in the South China Sea, where a Chinese flotilla has swarmed around a disputed reef and ignored Manila’s demand to leave the area.

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has asked about 200 Chinese vessels he described as militia boats to immediately leave Whitsun Reef, a shallow coral region about 175 nautical miles (324 kilometers) west of Bataraza town in the western Philippine province of Palawan. China ignored the call, insisting it owns the offshore territory and that the vessels were sheltering from rough seas.

Military chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana ordered

in February for violating parole requirements from an earlier sentence, while he was recovering from a poisoning attack in Germany.

Volkov and Navalny’s wife, Julia Navalnaya, also complained that the penal camp had not admitted Navalny’s lawyers for a scheduled meeting with the opposition politician for the first time, citing other measures within the camp.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities on Thursday said jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny was in “good” health, after reports by his staff that his condition was deteriorating in a prison camp.

Stuck ship in Suez Canal imperils shipping worldwide ISMAILIA (EGYPT), MAR 25 (AP): A skyscraper-sized cargo ship wedged across Egypt’s Suez Canal further imperiled global shipping Thursday as at least 150 other vessels needing to pass through the crucial waterway idled waiting for the obstruction to clear, authorities said.

The Ever Given, a Panama-flagged ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe, ran aground Tuesday in the narrow, man-made canal dividing continental Africa from the Sinai Peninsula. In the time since, efforts to free the ship using dredgers, digging and the aid of high tides have yet to push the container vessel aside. Egyptian officials and others were due to begin work again to free the vessel Thursday morning after halting for the night.

Cargo ship wedged across the Suez Canal and blocking traffic in the vital waterway.

So far, dredgers have tried to clear silt around the massive ship. Tug boats nudged the vessel alongside it, trying to gain momentum.

From the shore, at least one backhoe dug into the canal’s sandy banks, suggesting the bow of the ship had plowed into it.

Bernhard Schulte Ship-

management, the company that manages the Ever Given, said the ship’s 25member crew are safe and accounted for. The ship had two pilots from Egypt’s canal authority aboard the vessel to guide it when the grounding happened around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, the company said.

protests again met with force

YANGON, MAR 25 (AP): Protesters against last month’s military takeover in Myanmar returned to the streets in large numbers on Thursday, a day after staging a “silence strike” in which people were urged to stay home and businesses to close for the day.

Security forces sought to break up some of the protests by force. Social media accounts and local news outlets reported violent attacks on demonstrators in Hpa-an, the capital of the southeastern Karen state, as well as the eastern Shan state’s capital of Taunggyi and Mon state’s capital of Mawlamyine, also in the southeast.

It was not clear if soldiers used live ammunition in addition to firing rubber bullets at the demonstrators.

According to Democratic Voice of Burma, a broadcast and online news service, two young men were shot and seriously wounded in Hpa-an.

Other protests on Thursday morning proceed-

Protesters carry flags as they drive their motorcycles during an anti-coup protest in Mandalay on Thursday. (AP/PTI)

ed peacefully, including in Mandalay, the country’s second-biggest city, and on a smaller scale in neighborhoods of Yangon, the largest metropolis. DVB also reported that another young man was killed and at least four other people wounded Wednesday night in what it described as a crackdown by the army in Kyaukpadaung, a town in central Myanmar.

The military’s February 1 seizure of power ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party won a landslide election

victory last November. It put the brakes on the Southeast Asian nation’s return to democracy that began when Suu Kyi’s party took office in 2016 for its first term, after more than five decades of military rule. Myanmar’s Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says at least 286 people have been killed in connection with the crackdown. It says 2,906 people have been arrested, charged or sentenced at one point in connection with resisting the coup, with most remaining detained.

China says it firmly Philippines deploys more patrol ships amid rift with China opposes Quad alliance

Navalny’s health deteriorating in penal camp M O S C OW, M A R 2 5 (IANS): The health of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who is currently imprisoned in a penal camp, has significantly deteriorated, his chief of staff, Leonid Volkov said.

“Since the end of last week he has been suffering from severe back pain,” dpa news agency quoted Volkov as saying in a statement on Wednesday.

N ava l n y a l s o h a d symptoms of paralysis in one leg and could no longer walk, he added.

Despite the pain, he had been given only two pills in total, according to Volkov. “Under all the cir-

in meaningful talks unless Washington abandons its “hostile” policies.

Kim’s powerful sister last week berated the United States over its latest round of combined military exercises with South Korea that ended earlier this month, describing the drills as an invasion rehearsal and warned Washington to “refrain from causing a stink” if it wants to “sleep in peace” for the next four years.

Just hours after Thursday’s launches, South Korea Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong was to meet with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Seoul for discussions on North Korea and other regional issues. South Korea’s presidential office said it will hold an emergency National Security Council meeting to discuss the launches.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said the North’s short-range tests on Sunday were its first missile firings since April 2020.

President Joe Biden played down those launches, telling reporters, “There’s no new wrinkle in what they did.”

Canal service provider Leth Agencies said at least 150 ships were waiting for the Ever Given to be cleared, including vessels near Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea, Port Suez on the Red Sea and those already stuck in the canal system on Egypt’s Great Bitter Lake.

Cargo ships already behind the Ever Given in canal will be reversed south back to Port Suez to free the channel, Leth Agencies said. Authorities hope to do the same to the Ever Given when they can free it.

E ve r g r e e n M a r i n e Corp., a major Taiwanbased shipping company that operates the ship, said in a statement that the Ever Given had been overcome by strong winds as it entered the canal from the Red Sea but none of its containers had sunk.

the deployment of additional navy ships to beef up the country’s “maritime sovereignty patrols” in the disputed waters, the military said Thursday. It did not say how close the Philippine navy ships would maneuver from the Chinese vessels, whose presence Lorenzana has called an “incursion” and “provocative action of militarizing the area.”

“By the increased naval presence in the area, we seek to reassure our people of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ strong and unwavering commitment to protect and defend them from harassment and ensure that they can enjoy their rights over the country’s rich fishing ground,” military spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

The United States said Tuesday it’s backing the Philippines in the new feud with Beijing and accused China of using “maritime militia to intimidate, provoke, and threaten other nations, which undermines peace and security in the region.” The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest but China insisted it owns the reef, which it calls Niue Jiao, and said the Chinese vessels converged in the area to avoid rough waters.

The US, however, said “Chinese boats have been mooring in this area for many months in ever increasing numbers, regardless of the weather.” Beijing denied the vessels were maritime militias. “Any speculation in such helps nothing but causes unnecessary irritation,” the Chinese Embassy

Detained journo freed in Myanmar NAY PYI TAW, MAR 25 (IANS): A Polish journalist working for dpa, the German press agency, in Myanmar has been freed nearly two weeks after his arrest by security forces. On Thursday, Robert Bociaga took off from the airport in Myanmar’s largest city Yangon and headed for Poland, where he is due to arrive on Friday, dpa said in a report. The 30-year-old was arrested on March 11 in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State. At the time, Bociaga had been reporting from the region about the protests against the junta following the military coup in Myanmar on February 1. “We are very relieved that Robert Bociaga is free and will soon be with his family again,” said dpa Editor-in-Chief Sven Goesmann.

BEIJING, MAR 25 (PTI): China said on Thursday that it was firmly opposed to the Quad alliance consisting of the US, India, Australia and Japan as it asked Washington to refrain from making “troubles out of nothing” and do more to contribute to regional peace and stability.

Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defence, made the remarks at an online media briefing when asked about the recent Quad summit and reported statement by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stating that Quad leaders discussed the “challenges” posed by China and they had no illusions about it.

China is firmly opposed to the Quad alliance consisting of the US, India, Australia and Japan, Ren said. US President Joe Biden who hosted the First Quad Leaders’ Summit

No.Admn/A&E/Circular No.52

ADVERTISEMENT

Date: 25-03-2021

Applications are invited for temporary engagement on hire basis initially for a period of 01 (one) year (2021-2022) from interested candidates for the post of 01 (one) Data Processor for the financial year 2021-2022 having minimum qualification of B. Tech/MCA in Computer application/MSc. Computer Science and having sound knowledge and experience in Oracle 11g/12C, Java, C_Sharp (C#), Red Hat Linux and Server Architecture.

Details are given below: Sl. Name of No. Post 1.

DC-297

told leaders of the coalition that a ‘free and open’ Indo-Pacific is essential to their countries and that his country was committed to working with its partners and allies in the region to achieve stability.

The virtual summit early this month was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

China firmly opposed the “four-side mechanism” promoted by the US as it adheres to the Cold War mentality, Ren said.

He said that the Quad mechanism believes in group confrontation, is keen on geopolitical games, and uses the so-called “China challenge” as an excuse to “form cliques” and openly provoke relations between regional countries. “We are firmly opposed to this”, he added.

No. of Qualification Knowledge/ post Experience required

Data 01 (one) B. Tech / Processor MCA / Msc Computer Science

Emoluments

Oracle 11g/12C, Java, C_Sharp (C#), Red Hat Linux and Server Architecture

As prescribed

by Ministry of Labour & Employment, Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (C), Govt. of India from time to time at present it is Rs. 17,790/- P.M. Interested candidates may send their application addressed to the Sr. Accounts Officer (Admn), Office of the Principal Accountant General (A&E), Nagaland, Kohima giving a brief profile / Resume supported by relevant documents on or before 05/04/2021 (AN) 04:00 P.M. positively.

Sd/DC-294 Sr. Accounts Officer (Admn)

CouchFashion is Hiring Jr. & Sr. Software Engineers in Kohima Pay: 5-6 Lacs p.a. (Jr) 9-12 Lacs p.a. (Sr) Apply Now: http://bit.ly/jr-job http://bit.ly/sr-job Address : 4th Floor, 4B, Jail Colony, Kohima, Nagaland K-651

Infotainment

10

Festival of NE commences at NEZCC

Tsongdi Club from Nagaland performing ‘Anyitsi yongdi jingthing Nyichi’ at the Festival of NE, Stone Sculpture garden, NEZCC on March 25. (NP)

A

four-day “Festival of North East” organised by North East Zone Culture Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur has commenced at Stone Sculpture Garden, NEZCC complex, Dimapur on March 25, 2021.

Addressing the media fraternity, NEZCC director, Gouri Basu, stated that the festival was conducted to highlight the rich cultures and ethnicity of the entire North Eastern states.

Adding that it was

important to showcase each culture and tradition to the other NE states, Basu in a quest to educate the people of NE states on the various art forms of NE states maintained that the eight sister states of North East India has numerous tribes and ethnic groups of which each has their own distinct culture, dances, music, musical instruments, and folklores visibly different from the other.

With regard to the

festival being organised in Dimapur, Basu also informed that the same festival would be organised in different states as well, however maintained that hosting at Nagaland (Dimapur) and Assam (Guwahati) was easier as both has its own venues.

“When we have our own premises, particular during this pandemic times, one can take maximum precautions when we work in our own premises”, Basu added.

Basu further said that NEZCC would be organising similar types of events outside of NE to spread the cultural ethnicity of the entire NE states.

The four days event would witness all eight North Eastern states of India performing their traditional dances and folk songs.

On the first two days of the event, cultural dances and folk songs from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya would be presented and presentations by Tripura, Sikkim and Mizoram states would follow up on the next two days. Cultural dances and folk songs of Nagaland would be showcased throughout the four day event.

NEZCC Dimapur has also requested the citizens of Dimapur to avail such opportunities to witness and learn the vibrant culture and ethnicity of the entire NE states by attending the four day long programme.

(Staff Reporter)

Steam Game Festival rebranded to Steam Next Fest

S

team has announced that its Steam Game Festival will now be known as Steam Next Fest moving forward.

“We’ve renamed the Steam Game Festival to more directly communicate its focus: Announcing Steam Next Fest, a multiday celebration of upcoming games,” said Steam on its website.

Steam’s post continued to share that Steam Next Fest will include “hundreds of game demos”, developer livestreams, and the chance to talk to developers about games that are currently in production. Steam’s Next Fest website also include the dates of this year’s virtual event. Next Fest is scheduled to take place over seven days, from June 16 till June 22. The first two days of the virtual event will also coincide with E3 2021, which is slated to run from June 15 till June 17.

(NME)

Asha Bhosle conferred Helen Mirren to play ‘Shazam!’ villain Hespera in upcoming sequel Maharashtra Bhushan award (Ld)

V

eteran British actress Helen Mirren, 75, will take on the role of villain Hespera in Shazam: Fury of the Gods, the sequel to the 2019 box office hit.

Shazam! was based on the DC Comics character Billy Batson, who transformed from a teenager into an adult superhero upon reciting the magic word “shazam”.

Lead actor Zachary Levi will return in the sequel, as will most of the rest of the original cast and director David F. Sandberg. The movie is set to be released in June 2023.

While not much is known about Hespera, as the character does not appear in the comics, Mirren is no stranger to action roles. The Oscar-winning actress of The Queen (2006) p l aye d a n assassin in Red (2010) and Red 2 (2013),

V

eteran singer Asha Bhosle has been selected for the prestigious ‘Maharashtra Bhushan-2020’ honour, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday.

The announcement was made following a meeting of the Maharashtra Bhushan award’s selection committee presided over by Thackeray, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Cultural Affairs Minister Amit Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister of State Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar, and other top officials.

The younger sister of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar and belonging to the Mangeshkar musical family, Asha Bhosle launched her singing career at the tender age of 10, and over the past seven decades, has sung more than 12,000 songs for over 1,000 films, including whole grains, and protective Hindi and Marathi, besides nutrients such as dietary singing in 20 Indian and foreign languages, and perfiber and antioxidants.

For the study, the re- forming at scores of solo searchers analyzed data from responses to questionnaires administered during face-toface household interviews from 35,084 adults aged 20 years or older who participated in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 1999-2014.

(IANS)

as well as criminal mastermind Queenie in the Fast & Furious movie franchise. She will next be seen in the franchise’s upcoming instalment, F9, which will be out in June, reprising her role as Queenie.

(The Straits Times)

Eating out ups risk of all-cause death

D

ining out is a popular activity worldwide, but a team of researchers has found that eating out very frequently is significantly associated with an increased risk of allcause death. The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, said that among the study participants, 2,781 deaths occurred, including 511 deaths from cardiovas-

IISc researchers develop new, faster way to detect TB

R

esearchers in Microbiology and Cell Biology of country’s premier research institute, Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) have found a new, faster and more efficient way to detect whether a person has active Tuberculosis (TB) by using their immune response to certain proteins unique to the TB bacilli. The new research was published in Clinical Infectious Diseases journal published by Oxford University Press, London in its latest edition.

Researchers led by S. Vijaya in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology have found a new, faster and more efficient way to use a person’s immune response to certain proteins unique to the TB bacilli to detect whether they have active TB. The team has discovered that active TB can be diagnosed if blood samples have immune cells with the following signature - having the biochemicals CD38 and CD4 but lacking CD27, while releasing a messenger molecule called Tumor Necrotic Factor (TNF-a).

(IANS) K Y M C

cular disease and 638 deaths from cancer.

Although some restaurants provide high-quality foods, the dietary quality for meals away from home, especially from fast-food chains, is usually lower compared to meals cooked at home. Evidence has shown that meals away from home tend to be higher in energy density, fat and sodium, but lower in fruits, vegetables,

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

Stroke: A major health challenge

S

troke is the third leading cause of death in India and the sixth major cause of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).

The incidences of stroke have doubled in the past five decades and roughly 87 per cent of these are ischemic strokes where a clot disrupts blood supply to a part of the brain while 13 per cent are haemorrhagic strokes when an artery ruptures to cause a bleed in the brain.

With around 17 lakh new stroke cases occurring in India annually, the projected economic loss attributable to it is estimated to be Rs 2.34 lakh crore. That’s over three times the total allocation for the healthcare sector for the Financial Year 2020-21! Yet, the problem is not drawing the attention it needs from the Government even as its prevalence has increased by over 50 per cent from 1990-2019 in India, according to the Global Burden of Diseases Study, 2019.

The number of cases has been on the rise not just in India but across the globe, especially in the developing countries. It is the second leading cause of death and fourth leading cause of disability worldwide, causing functional impairments, with 20 per cent of survivors requiring institutional care even after three months and 15-30 per cent being permanently disabled. Other than the economic loss and disabilities, the high incidence and prevalence of stroke has a massive impact on societal well-being as well. According to conventional treatment protocols, patients

need to be treated within a little over four hours from the time of onset. A delay in seeking the right treatment can lead to lifelong disability and may even be fatal in some cases. One of the bigger challenges that exist in our country is accessibility, affordability and availability of the optimal, timely care needed to patients who suffer stroke. These constraints are due to the enormous geographic, economic and social challenges across the length and breadth of the Indian subcontinent. A prompt affirmative action from policymakers is imperative for ensuring corrective measures to overcome these hurdles. Given the resource constraints in terms of infrastructure, transport, awareness besides other limitations, the chances of getting a stroke affected patient to a certified facility in time is difficult.

In fact, studies estimate that the average time taken by a patient to reach a hospital is above seven hours in urban areas while in rural areas it is 34 hours. The delay in treatment increases the chances

of permanent disability or even the death of a patient.

Advanced therapies such as mechanical thrombectomy can play a crucial role in such cases because it has been shown to be effective in some patient upto 24 hours post symptom onset.

However, the question remains, when will the Government take cognisance of the available technology and extend support to make it accessible and affordable for all? Currently, the most frequently used treatment available is Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator (IV-tPA) injection which may be helpful if the patient is able to get to the nearest hospital within a little over four hours. Mechanical thrombectomy, on the other hand, can be effective upto 24 hours after symptom onset and in combination with IV-tPA has shown to be upto 60 per cent effective in the long-term.

Paucity of trained healthcare professionals and the lack of awareness is one of the major reasons for mechanical thrombectomy not finding its due place.

(Pioneer)

and group concerts in India and abroad.

With a unique voice, Asha Bhosle is at ease while singing several genres, earning a place in the Guinness World Records.

She has been conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2000), the Padma Vibhushan (2008), two National Awards for ‘Umrao Jaan’ (1981) and ‘Ijaazat’ (1986), 7 Filmfare Awards, 17 other awards of Maharashtra government, 3 MTV and one Channel V awards, BBC Lifetime Achievement Award (2002), and the Lata Mangeshkar Award of Madhya Pradesh Government, Meyisanen Lemtur released his new single “Years Gone By” featuring Jpollnd and among many others.

Temsu Clover. The music was produced by Vitz Zhimo and videography done by (ians) Kohdi Jing Films.

OFFICE OF THE CHUCHUYIMLANG KAKETSHIR TELONGJEM (CKT) FELICITATION

We the Chuchuyimlang Kaketshir Telongjem would like to sincerely congratulate and appreciate Mr. Odimongba, son of Mr. Mapuonen and Mrs. Semsakala for winning the gold medal (Junior 45kg) category at the 9th Blind and Deaf Judo Championship 2021 held at Lucknow, UP. The Union wishes him great success in his future endeavour.

Sd/- (IMLINOK) Sd/- (LIMAAKUM) President Information and Publicity Secretary MKC-92

FELICITATION

Through this column, the family members would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Sulila Anar, daughter of Mr. Alise Anar and Mrs. Mapula Sangtam of Seyochung Village under Kiphire District, for successfully completing her Philosophy of Doctor from one of the most prestigious university in the country; Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi. We hope this would inspire younger generation to pursue research in higher education.

We wish and pray for the Almighty God to continue to use her as a channel of blessings.

Best Wishes, All the family members.

DP-1619

DC-293

K Y M C

11

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

Tokyo Oly torch relay kicks off amid Covid worries Cricket between Pak and

Members of Nadeshiko Japan, the women’s national soccer team, lead the torch relay in Naraha, Fukushima prefecture, on Thursday. ( Reuters).

Waki (Japan) March 25 (IANS): The torch relay for this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games began its 121-day journey after a low-key opening ceremony at Japan’s northeastern Fukushima prefecture here on Thursday.

The ceremony, which

was preceded by a performance from a group of residents from Fukushima, was closed to the public as organisers reduced the number of participants and simplified the program to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Xinhua news reports.

Azusa Iwashimizu, a member of Japan’s winning team at the 2011 women’s World Cup, became the first torchbearer.

Joined by 14 other teammates and their coach Norio Sasaki, she started the relay from the indoor ground of the J-Village

national football training center, which served as an evacuation center after the surrounding areas were devastated by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown in 2011.

Seiko Hashimoto, the Tokyo 2020 organisng committee president, told an audience of 1,000, “For the past year as the entire world underwent a difficult period, the Olympic flame was kept alive quietly but powerfully.

This small flame never lost hope and it waited for this day like a cherry blossom bud just about to bloom.”

Hashimoto, who competed in seven Olympic Games, said that the flame will “carry the hopes of the Japanese people and wishes for peace from people around the world” along the journey, which will cover all 47 prefectures of Japan before reaching the Olympic Games opening

ceremony on July 23.

Also present at the start ceremony were Japan’s Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa and Tokyo governor Koike Yuriko.

Some of the football matches will be played in the disaster-hit area as the Tokyo Olympics has been billed the “Reconstruction Olympics” when the Japanese capital launched its bid soon after the disaster.

“Reconstr uction Olympics’ has always been the theme for us,” said Koike. “Without reconstruction, the games cannot be successful.”

The torchbearers, who will each run a distance of about 200 meters, are required to log their health information and asked not to dine out with others. Organisers also warned spectators to avoid crowding along the roadside, wear masks, and avoid shouting or cheering.

India very important: Afridi

Lahore, March 25 (IANS): Relations between India and Pakistan can improve because of cricket, said former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi.

Afridi’s comments come amid speculation of the two countries playing a short bilateral T20I series this year, which would be the first between India and Pakistan since 2012/13.

“Cricket between Pakistan and India is very important. Sports should be kept away from politics.

Relations between the two countries can improve because of cricket,” Afridi told Cricket Pakistan.

“I have said this before as well, Indian cricketers enjoy coming to Pakistan.

You can improve relationships through sports but if you don’t want to

Shahid Afridi

improve them then they will remain the same way,” he further said.

A repor t in Pakistan’s Jang newspaper on Wednesday quoted a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official as saying that their cricket board had been asked to “be ready” for a series with India, though no one from India has made any commitment to the series.

“A PCB official said

that while there has been no direct discussion with anyone from India, indications are there and we have been told to be ready for such a series,” said the report in the Urdu newspaper.

However, the Indian and Pakistani boards have said they have no knowledge of any development on the resumption of the bilateral cricket.

A top Indian cricket official on Wednesday told IANS, “No, we have no information on India playing a series with Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s Geo TV quoted PCB chairman Ehsan Mani as saying that they have not been contacted by anyone for a possible India-Pakistan series and neither has he been part of any discussion with his Indian counterpart on the issue.

COVID-19 case in Germany team ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifier CSK sign up Afghan pacer The team’s Instagram account posted pictures Wednesday showing Leipzig defender Halstenberg playing a game of backgammon with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Hofmann indoors. Both were wearing masks.

G e r m a n y ge n e r a l manager Oliver Bierhoff said he was optimistic the virus was unlikely to spread because the team had taken measures to reduce contact between players outside training sessions. That includes keeping players apart on two team buses and separate eating arrangements.

“Of course, we will implement any require-

ments the authorities may have,” Bierhoff said.

It is the first time a player has tested positive for the coronavirus while with the German national team, which has played eight friendlies and Nations League games since the pandemic began.

The match against Iceland will be Germany’s first since a 6-0 loss to Spain in the Nations League in November.

That was the team’s worst-ever defeat in a competitive game, and worst in any game since 1931.

Germany plays Romania away on Sunday and hosts North Macedonia on Wednesday in Group J.

England striker Rashford doubtful for San Marino clash

LONDON, MARCH 25 (IANS): England striker Marcus Rashford is a major doubt for England’s World Cup qualifying opener against San Marino on Thursday, manager Gareth Southgate said.

The 23-year-old Rashford sat out training on Wednesday as he continues his rehabilitation from a foot injury. Southgate said Rashford was struggling to be fit but was more optimistic for Arsenal’s Bukayo The 23-year-old Rashford sat out training on Wednesday as he continues his rehabilitation from a foot injury.

Saka, DPA news reports.

“They’re doubtful,” Southgate said. “I’d say Marcus more doubtful than Bukayo at the moment but we’re going to assess them.

Marcus has been very keen to be with us. He obviously wasn’t with us so much in the autumn.” Saka, who is still with Arsenal, has been battling a hamstring strain.

England visit Albania on Sunday after the San Marino match and finish their opening triple-header in Group I at home to Poland on March 31.

Biden, Rapinoe fight for equal pay

CSK to continue IPL preparations in Mumbai

US President Joe Biden, Football Star Megan Rapinoe team up in fight for equal pay.

Wa s h i n g t o n, M a rc h 2 5 ( IAN S ) : Football star Megan Rapinoe has joined US President Joe Biden at the White House to promote equal pay for women and men.

Rapinoe, 35, has been part of a long-running fight for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) to be paid as much as their male counterparts, DPA news reports.

She said at an event at the White House on Wednesday that despite her numerous career wins, including a Ballon d’Or Feminin, two World Cups and an Olympic Gold, “I’ve been devalued, I’ve been disrespected and dismissed because I’m a woman and I’ve been told I don’t deserve any more than less because I am a K Y M C

woman”.

“For each trophy, of which there are many, and for each win, for each tie and for each time that we play, it’s less,” Rapinoe added, stressing the need for policies supporting equal pay.

During the event, First Lady Jill Biden also revealed that when she first started teaching she was earning just 75 per cent of what a man hired at the same time earned.

“A job is so much more than a paycheck, but our paychecks reflect how we are valued by our employers and even by our communities,” the First Lady said.

“Equal work deserves equal pay no matter who does it.”

The President mean-

while stressed how the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated the gender gap.

“It undermines financial security for women and families. It hurts our entire economy.

“My administration is going to fight for equal pay ... It’s about justice, it’s about fairness, it’s about living up to our values,” he said.

The event took place on “Equal Pay Day”, which marks how much longer women typically have to work to match what men make in a single year.

US women working full-time year-round are typically paid just 82 cents for every dollar paid to men.

Earlier in the day, Rapinoe testified in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which is examining “the economic harm caused by longstanding gender inequalities, particularly for women of colour”.

“What we’ve learned and what we continue to learn is that there is no level of status, accomplishments, or power that will protect you from the clutches of inequity. One cannot simply outperform inequality or be excellent enough to escape discrimination of any kind,” said Rapinoe.

MUMBAI, MAR 25 ( AGENCIES): Three-time Indian Premier League champions Chennai Super Kings on Thursday travelled to Mumbai and will continue their preparation for the upcoming edition of the tournament in the western metropolis.

The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team began training at the M A Chidambaram stadium here on March 8 and practised till Wednesday.

The team will be based in Mumbai for a month, a press release said.

CSK began their preseason preparatory camp involving the available players at Chepauk, with skipper Dhoni leading the way.

“The players felt the fortnight-long camp was very beneficial. We also had four or five days of open nets,” CSK chief executive officer KS Viswanathan said.

“After the previous season, Dhoni told us that he’d reach Chennai in March to prepare for the 2021 edition. True to his word, he was here,” the CEO added, hailing the talismanic captain’s commitment.

Farooqi as net bowler

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS): Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi has been signed up by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a net bowler, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said. The ACB tweeted photos of Farooqi leaving for Chennai while making the announcement.

“Young Fast bowler @fazalhaqfarooq6 left to India where he is roped in as a net bowler by @ChennaiIPL for the upcoming season of @IPL!” said the ACB. Farooqi made his international debut in the third

Fazalhaq Farooqi

T20I against Zimbabwe on March 20. He opened the bowling for Afghanistan and got his maiden wicket off the fifth ball of the first over itself, dismissing Zimbabwe opener Tinashe Kamnhukamwe for one.

CSK’s pre parator y camp shifted from Chennai to Mumbai on Thursday.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our Beloved Father Lt. Holuvi Awomi

Its been a year since you left us but your memories of you still remain afresh in our hearts.

You are deeply loved and missed.

DP-1617

Loving Wife, Children & Family Members

1959 – 2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DP-1615

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

Died : 02-02-2021 We, the family of Late Prativa Rani Chakraborty, Netaji Colony, Dimapur, wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following the loss of our dearest.

We heartly thanks the many friends, neighbours and well wishers who helped and prayed for our mother during her sickness and provided emotional and spiritual support for us.

We deeply regret our inability to name and thank everyone individually, but it is our sincere and humble prayer that our good Lord bless each and everyone of you.

From Loving sons, daughter & family members DP-1609

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF LT. IMTISANGLA LONGCHAR (26TH MARCH 2020)

23/03/1938 - 26/03/2020

Dear Ipu, Today we commemorate your one year anniversary in heaven. Much as we mourn that you are no longer with us, we celebrate you everyday because the life you lived is a perfect demonstration of God’s love. We rejoice in the knowledge that your love and prayers continue to lead and light our ways. You live in our hearts forever.

DP-1623

Yours loving Wife, Children, Grand Children & In laws

God saw you getting tired When a cure was not to be.

So He wrapped His arms around you, And whispered, “Come unto me”.

You didn’t deserve what you went through And So He gave you rest.

Gods garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best.

So when we saw you sleeping, So peaceful and free from pain.

We could not wish you to come back, to suffer that all again.

Remembering of you to this day.

Till we meet again.

MKC-94

E U ROPE , M AR 2 5 (AGENCIES): Germany will be without two players for its opening World Cup qualifier against Iceland after midfielder Jonas Hofmann tested positive for the coronavirus and full-back Marcel Halstenberg was deemed a close contact.

The German soccer federation said Thursday’s game was still going ahead and that Hofmann was in isolation and symptomfree.

A matchday fitness session outdoors was called off and the team was screened again using rapid antigen testing kits, with negative results. More tests midfielder Jonas Hofmann tested positive for the coronavirus and full-back Marcel are planned for Friday.

Halstenberg was deemed a close contact.

~Loving Mom, Dad and Brothers.

K Y M C

12

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

Naga MMA fighters vie for I-League: Chennai survive late NEROCA fightback, win 2-1 spots at GAMMA Asian C’ships

From L to R: Kekhrieneitso Angami, Limasunep Imchen, Arsenba Ozukum and Mairidin Newmai.

BENGALURU, MAR 25 (NPN): A contingent from Nagaland is taking part in the Global Association for Mixed Martial Arts India (GAMMAI) Open National Championships is curently held at Fiton Sports in Bengaluru from March 23 -26 to determine

the team that will be selected to represent India at the GAMMA Asian Championships to be held in Kyrgyzstan in July this year.

Kekhrieneitso Angami, Limasunep Imchen, Arsenba Ozukum and Mairidin Newmai from

Nagaland and training out of The Combat AcademyNagaland in Dimapur are taking part in this tournament.

Kekhrieneitso Angami in the lightweight 70.3kgs category won 3 fights on route to the finals where he will face Sumit Bhyan from Maharashtra tomorrow.

Limasunep Imchen in the bantamweight 61.2kgs categor y won his first bout but came up short in the quarterfinals against Aaquib Javed from Karnataka. Arsenba Ozukum in the flyweight 56.7kgs category won 2 bouts and will be facing Adinath Barde from Maharastra in the finals tomorrow.

Mairidin Newmai in the featherweight 65.8kgs category won his 3 fights and will be facing Laishram Chourajit Singh of Manipur tomorrow in the finals.

Kolkata, March 25 (IANS): Chennai City FC survived a late fight back from North Eastern Re-Organising Cultural Association (NEROCA) Football Club to win their final match of the I-League season 2-1 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Thursday.

M o h a m e d I q b a l ’s (90+4 mins) late strike in added time of the second half proved to be the difference between the two sides as Demir Avdic’s (24 mins) first-half goal was cancelled out by Romtan Singh (90 mins) in the second half.

With NEROCA already relegated, it was clear in the opening minutes of the match that Chennai had the extra edge to take home the win as they attacked from the opening minute. In the 11th minute, Chennai were handed a penalty as a defensive error prompted the referee to point to the spot. However, NEROCA survived as Syed Suhail Pasha’s poor

Chennai City players celebrate after scoring a goal against NEROCA. Courtesy- Outlook.

penalty was easily saved by goalkeeper Rahul Yadav.

Chennai’s momentum eventually proved too much to handle for NEROCA and their defence gave away in the 24th minute.

Demir Avdic beat the offside trap and took his time in front of the goal before smashing the ball home.

NEROCA found it hard to gain any momentum. Passes were misplaced and it looked like the Gift Raikhan-coached side lacked the motivation to compete for a win in their final match of the

season.

Chennai, meanwhile, dominated possession and shut NEROCA off. So much so that in the entire half, NEROCA could not create one clear goal-scoring chance. The half-time scoreline read 1-0 in Chennai’s favour.

Raikhan made a tactical substitution in the second half with the inclusion of Subash Singh Singam in the attack. This caused NEROCA to play much better in the final third, where they started to find their targets. In the 57th

minute, a well-weighted through ball found Subash inside the box. The substitute tried to control the ball before releasing his effort, but his first touch let him down as the ball was robbed off him.

Two minutes later, on the other end, substitute Vijay Thomas came agonisingly close to doubling Chennai’s lead as his shot from outside the box went inches wide of the opposition goal.

In the 72nd minute, Mohammed Iqbal had a perfect chance to swell Chennai’s lead but the winger’s attempt from inside the box, after a cutback from the left-wing, went straight down the goalkeeper’s throat. Five minutes later, Demir Avdic missed a sitter from pointblank range.

The best opportunity to equalise fell to Subash in the 87th minute when he burst onto the goal after a lovely one-two. He, however, failed to even hit the target.

Aizawl FC stage late comeback to beat 10-man Sudeva Delhi

Aizawl FC staged a remarkable comeback by scoring two goals at the fag end to beat 10-man Sudeva Delhi FC 2-1 in their last I-League match at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium here on Thursday. After Sairuatkima was sent off in the 34th minute, Kean Lewis gave Sudeva the lead in the 42nd minute. Substitute Rohmingthanga Bawlte scored the equaliser in the 90th minute before Brandon Vanlalremdika struck from the spot in the sixth minute of the added time to hand Aizawl all the three points.

Coming on the back of a 3-1 win over Chennai City FC, Aizawl FC continued with their usual attacking style of football in the opening minutes of the match. The swiftness of the Aizawl forwards troubled the Sudeva Delhi FC defence.

World Cup qualifiers : Turkey beat Netherlands , France held by Ukraine Orleans Masters: Saina, Ira reach quarters

Belgium proved too good for Wales in a 3-1 victory.

EUROPE, MAR 25 ( AGENCIES): The Netherlands slumped to a dramatic 4-2 defeat by Turkey in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, while reigning champions France were held by

Ukraine despite a brilliant Antoine Griezmann goal and Belgium came from behind to beat Wales.

European champions Portugal battled to a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan, but 2018 World Cup run-

ners-up Croatia lost 1-0 in Slovenia as they started their bid to reach the finals in Qatar.

In Istanbul, Turkey led 3-0 shortly after halftime through two Burak Yilmaz goals and a Hakan

Calhanoglu strike, but substitutes Davy Klaassen and Luuk de Jong gave Frank de Boer’s Dutchmen hope.

Yilmaz’s wonderful free-kick sealed him a hattrick and Turkey a crucial win, though, in a match between the two favourites to qualify from Group G. “Very disappointing result, and also the way that result came about,” De Boer told NOS TV. The defeat was a dreadful start to the campaign for the Netherlands, who failed to qualify for either Euro 2016 or the 2018 World Cup, but are one of the fancied sides ahead of the delayed Euro 2020 finals this year.

France kicked off their title defence with a 1-1 draw against Ukraine at the Stade de France.

Griezmann curled a fine finish from outside the box into the top corner in the 19th minute to draw

level with David Trezeguet in fourth place on France’s all-time goalscoring list, with 34.

But Presnel Kimpembe put through his own net before the hour mark to draw Ukraine level.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender had a late chance to make amends, but headed too close to away goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan.

“We need more accuracy and movement against these opponents,” France coach Didier Deschamps told TF1. “Qualifying is a long haul and not a long, quiet river, it never has been.” The other game in Group D saw Finland and Bosnia and Herzegovina draw 2-2, with Teemu Pukki netting twice for the Finns in Helsinki.

“It left a bad taste in my mouth,” said Pukki. “I’m a bit gutted we couldn’t get the three points.”

Orleans (France), March 25 (IANS): Saina Nehwal beat France’s Marie Batomene 18-21, 21-15, 21-10 to reach the women’s singles quarterfinals of the Orleans Masters Super 1000 tournament on Thursday.

Ira Sharma, who was promoted to the main draw from the qualification, also reached the quarterfinals after beating Bulgaria’s Mariya Mitsova 21-18, 21-13.

Saina, seeded fourth in the tournament, struggled in the first game against Batomene, ranked 65th in the world. The pair went toe-to-toe for much of the game before Batomene won three consecutive points from 17-17 to reach game point. However, Saina gained control of the match in the subsequent games, winning three consecutive points to start off the second game and going into the interval with a 11-6 lead. She maintained a six-point lead

Saina Nehwal

for much of the game, taking it 21-15. Saina then won four consecutive points from 17-10 to sail into the quarterfinals. The 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist now faces either Iris Wang of the US or France’s Yaelle Hoyaux in the quarterfinal.

Ira, meanwhile, secured her second win over higher-ranked opposition in Orleans. Ranked 162, 21-year-old Ira had defeated 110th ranked LeOnice Huet

in the first round before her win over the 71st ranked Mitsova. Ira did well to come back from a 4-9 deficit in the first game, fighting back to level the scores at 12-12. She then took the lead and never turned back, winning four consecutive points to race to 16-12. She won another three consecutive points to reach 20-15 and while Mitsova saved three game points, Ira took the game with a three-point gap.

T20I series: India look to seal series ISSF World Cup: India add gold, silver to continue dominant run

The Virat Kohli-led side won the first ODI by 66 runs.

P une , M arc h 2 5 (IANS): India will look to seal the three-match series against England in the second One-day International at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Friday. The Virat Kohli-led side won the first ODI by 66 runs. The victory was scripted largely by the performances of youngsters, pace bowler M. Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Krunal Pandya, both debutants.

India will miss middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer who dislocated his left shoulder during the first ODI and it will be interesting to see who India play in his place. Suryakumar Yadav can replace him.

India’s strength has been their pace bowlers’ ability to use change of pace to make things difficult for the English batsmen.

England pace bowlers, on the other hand, are a bit one-dimensional as they have not been able to

master, or use, the change in pace. And to add to their woes, their strike bowler Jofra Archer is out of the ODI series due to injury.

England have also not been able to conjure up the form that won them the 2019 World Cup. They have lost four of the last five matches they have played, including the previous game.

The visitors’ middleorder batting has struggled throughout the six shorter format matches in India.

Even in the first ODI, while the openers provided a blistering start, raising 135 in just over 14 overs, the middle and lower-order came unstuck against India’s tight and inspired bowling.

India, on the other hand, came into this series after two successive ODI series losses in New Zealand early last year and in Australia, in late last year.

Playing in familiar conditions has been a change and has helped them. They look like a well-oiled machine.

If India win this game, it will be a hat-trick of wins across the three formats against England in the ongoing tour.

India had beaten England in the Test series 3-1 and won the T20 International series 3-2.

Squads: India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur England: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Livingstone, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, Mark Wood

New Delhi, Mar 25 (PTI): The Indian juggernaut remained unstoppable at the ISSF shooting World Cup with the country’s women shooters grabbing the spotlight by clinching the 25m pistol team gold medal following a silver in the 50m rifle 3 positions team event here on Thursday.

The seventh competition day was also marred by the Hungarian team’s pullout from the men’s rifle 3 position final -- against India -- after a dispute with its seasoned shooter Peter Sidi over a bipod that was

(R-L) Rahi Sarnobat, Manu Bhaker and Chinki Yadav, Tokyo Olympics quota winner.

attached to his rifle, leading to a postponement of the event to Friday. The host nation’s team will take

Babu claims bronze; India finish para shooting WC with 7 medals

Sidhartha Babu

Al Ain (UAE), March 25 (IANS): Para shooter Sidhartha Babu won a bronze as India ended their campaign with seven medals, including two gold medals, at the Al Ain 2021 Shooting World Cup that concluded here on Thursday. On the final day of the competition, Babu, who secured a Tokyo 2020 Paralympics quota

at the Sydney 2019 World Championships, settled for the bronze after being eliminated with 223.6 points in the R6 mixed 50m rifle prone SH1.

India finished in third place behind Ukraine with 11 medals (five gold, five silver and one bronze) ahead of hosts UAE which won five medals (three gold and two silver).

on third-placed USA in the final. There was positive news for India after that unprecedented act, as

the triumvirate of Chinky Yadav, Manu Bhaker and Rahi Sarnobat shot a total of 17 to beat Poland’s Joanna Iwona Wawrzonowska, Julita Borek and Agnieszka Korejwo, who managed to score 7.

“In individual competitions if we make mistakes, we are losing the points, nobody else. But here, we feel a little more responsible. It is very different from qualification, it is hit or miss here, but, in qualification, every shot counts in a different way,” Sarnobat said.

Bhaker added, “I take

everything as practice for my main match. It’s not like a test event or anything, it’s just that we have to perform so we have to be at out best. I consider it the same thing, just the name has been changed.”

The team gold came only a day after Yadav, Bhaker and Sarnobat swept the individual final by winning all the medals on offer on Wednesday.

The victory in this event consolidated India’s position at the top of the pecking order with 21 medals, including 10 gold, six silver and five bronze.

Injured Iyer exits bio-secure bubble, says will be back soon stronger: Iyer Pune, Mar 25 (PTI) : Injured India batsman Shreyas Iyer has left the bio-secure bubble here after he was ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against England as well as the entire IPL starting next month even as he vowed to come back even stronger.

Iyer dislocated his left shoulder while fielding during the first ODI against England on Tuesday and he is set to undergo surgery, which will rule him out of action for a minimum four months.

“Shreyas iyer has exited the bio-bubble,” the BCCI said on Thursday ahead of the second ODI here.

Earlier in the day, Iyer vowed to come back from the injury even stronger.

Iyer dislocated his left shoulder while fielding during the first ODI against England on Tuesday.

“You know what they say, the greater the setback, the stronger the comeback.

I shall be back soon,” Iyer tweeted. “I’ve been reading your messages and have been overwhelmed by all the outpouring of love and

support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone.”

The 26-year-old Iyer is also unlikely to play for English county side Lancashire in their one-day tournament.

Printed, Published and Edited by Geoffrey Yaden at G.M. Printers, Circular Rd. Dimapur-797112. Ph: Desk 248489, Fax: 225366, e-mail-npdesk@gmail.com. Adm.& Advertisement  :248267 Fax: 248500 e-mail-npostadvt@gmail.com Kohima: 2290567, R.N. 40978/90 RN/NE 707 K Y M C

K Y M C