March 2, 2018

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 84

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

PSBs need to improve risk infrastructure: SBI chief

Spurs into FA Cup quarter-finals

Vladimir Putin boasts of new Russian nuclear weapons

business, Page 8

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international, Page 9

JD(U), NPP stage protest at Kiphire Demand nullification of votes cast at Pungro Town ‘B’ PS

JD(U) and NPP supporters protest outside DC & DEO’s office in Kiphire. (NP)

Correspondent

KIPHIRE, MAR 1 (NPN): Thousands of supporters of Kiphire district units of Janata Dal (United) and National People’s Party (NPP) staged a protest near deputy commissioner’s office at Halibad Kiphire on Thursday against the alleged illegal casting of votes at Pungro town “B” Part 19 polling station.

The two parties also submitted separate representations to the returning officer (RO) of 60 Pungro-Kiphire constituency.

NDPP suspends sr. vice president DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): NDPP president, Chingwang Konyak has suspended its senior vice president, Mathung Kithan for openly opposing the NDPP-BJP alliance candidate.

In the order, Konyak stated that the action was taken based on the genuine complaint filed by the NDPP Wokha region including BJP members and the BJP candidate.

NDPP candidates demand action

DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): NDPP candidates from 9-Kohima Town A/C, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire and 8-Wester n Angami A/C, Er. K. Kruse have appealed to the chief electoral officer (CEO) Nagaland for immediate action against electoral malpractices on polling day. In a complaint letter to the CEO, Dr. Nicky accused his rival candidate of malpractice, forgery and use of fabricated documents and undue influence during polling day Booklets containing forged photo voter slips at polling stations-- 29 AG Colony upper-I and 41 jail colony were seized and handed over to the police and returning officer, he (Cont’d on p-7) added.

This is it!

“For past two days, they’ve been making their own exit polls over who will form the government.”

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Initially, party workers and supporters of JD (U) gathered outside the DC’s office in protest against the alleged illegal casting of votes, which was later followed by NPP party men and supporters. Supporters of both the parties also displayed placards some of which read—“Threat to democracy”, “Stop terrorising”, “Misuse of power by sector magistrate” etc.

Meanwhile, JD (U) candidate from 60 PungroKiphire A/C, T. Yangseo Sangtam in the representation alleged that the sec-

tor magistrate of Part 19 Pungro Town “B” polling centre had violated the election model code of conduct.

He alleged that the presiding officer, on the directive of sector magistrate, had issued 120 pre-printed serial numbered slips which were supposed to be issued before 4 p.m.

He further alleged that the presiding officer had also issued another 60 preprinted serial numbered slips after closing the gate and allowed casting of votes till 7:30 p.m. on poll-

ing day on Tuesday. He also accused the sector magistrate for trying to politically influence the voters.

Alleging that some rival party leaders had threatened voters of other parties, Yangseo appealed to the RO to crosscheck the videographic evidence of the polling station and nullify the vote count.

In another memorandum, NPP party’s election agent Lirimong Sangtam and polling agent Yimsuba alleged violation of Election Commission of India (ECI) norms by the presiding officer of the Pungro town “B” polling station. They claimed that the presiding officer had issued 120 voting tokens at 4:30 p.m. besides allowing casting of 16 extra votes without voting slips in the presences of other polling officials, Pungro ADC and polling agents.

Alleging that about 200 to 300 youth supporters of NPF had also forcefully entered the polling room, NPP demanded that polling at Part 19 Pungro Town “B“ polling centre be nullified for violation of ECI guidelines mentioned

NDPP-BJP confident of forming stable govt.

DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): NDPP-BJP alliance on Thursday expressed confidence of securing a clear majority to form the stable government in Nagaland on its own. A joint statement issued by NDPP secretary general, Abu Metha and BJP election committee convenor, Dr. M. Chuba Ao said that the alliance partners held a joint meeting at Kohima to take stock of the post poll situation, wherein the house deliberated on the formation of the government in a smooth manner, in the greater interests of the people of Nagaland.

The NDPP-BJP alliance also congratulated the people of Nagaland for coming out in huge numbers to cast votes and participate in the most important democratic exercise.

While condemning all election related violence in the state, the house urged upon the law enforcing agencies to ensure that justice was done. The house also expressed condolences to the lives

that were lost and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The alliance also extended its sincere appreciation to the ECI and the Election Department in Nagaland, especially the administration and police.

It also extended appreciation to the civil societies, NGOs and the masses for their contribution towards the successful conduct of the elections.

Further, NDPP-BJP said that the clean election campaign under the Church’s leadership should be appreciated by all because it has the potential to change our society for the better.

The meeting was also attended by NDPP president, Chingwang Konyak; BJP president, Visasolie Lhoungu; NDPP working president, Alemtemshi Jamir; co-convenor BJP election committee, Mmhonlumo Kikon; NDPP general secretary, Rusemtong Longkumer and NDPP parliamentary board member, Tokheho.

in chapter XXIX clause of poll 1.1 and 1.2.

The RO has since forwarded both the memoranda to chief electoral officer for nullifying the poll.

The Pungro Town “B” Part 19 has a total of 1,161 voters.

Though ECI had already announced re-poll at Pungro Town “A” and Khonga under 60 PungroKiphire constituency, along with other polling stations in Nagaland, however, JD (U) and NPP have demanded nullifying of the votes under Part 19 Pungro Town “B” polling centre.

Both the parties have warned of strong action of their demands were not met.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner and the returning officer have also written to the chief electoral officer Nagaland seeking his immediate intervention and direction.

It may be recalled that Kiphire deputy commissioner Mohammed Ali Shihab had issued prohibitory orders under Section144 of CrPC in the district on February 25 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. till the entire election process was over.

Politics of Self Before Service Staff Reporter

Dimapur, Mar 1(NPN): After counting of votes on March 3 results of election to the 59 assembly constituencies will open the next and ultimate chapter of government formation by the party or alliance having majority (crossing the halfway mark of 30 in the 60-member house).

Aside from the saying that ‘politics is the last refuge of scoundrels’; the declaration of results also closes the chapter of weeks of hectic campaign/ payment of crores of rupees of hoarded, borrowed or looted cash to buy votes.

The ultimate objective of any elected member is to recoup the expenditure and that itself is going to certainly confirm that instability will loom large over any government. For instance, the first stage for winners is to be included in the cabinet of 12. Obviously becoming a mantri also demands a lucrative portfolio to facilitate grabbing crores of rupees.

The other less-fortunate ruling party members who did not find either favour or who are considered junior etc, will also demand some reward. If

parliamentary secretaries cannot be appointed owing to the Supreme Court judgment on July 27,2017 which ruled that state assemblies do not have the power to enact law for appointment of parliamentary secretaries. In order to please the aspirants, the post of chairman of various public undertakings may be offered with some other portfolios to please the MLAs. The fallout of power politics is that soon even opposition members may be tempted to jump ship (defect/merge) in order to recoup expenditure or enjoy the privilege of being a ruling party member.

With re-polling ordered in several polling stations spread under nine(9) assembly constituencies on March 2, there could be a slight impact on some of those constituencies where the margin has been close.

Local pollsters have had their field day in making predictions and speculations on which party or alliance will cross the 30- halfway mark and eventually form the next government.

One pollster claimed that the NDPP-BJP alliance will be able to form the next government with absolute

Fight against terror is not a fight GT exam: NSF places against any religion: PM Modi demand before govt NEW DELHI, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the fighting against terrorism and extremism was not aimed at any religion but against a mindset that was misleading the youth to harm innocent people.

“Those who commit crimes against humanity perhaps do not know that they are harming the very religion that they claim to stand for,” Modi said at an event organised by the India Islamic Cultural Centre in which King of Jordan Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein delivered a special address on “Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation” here.

“The campaign against terrorism, extremism and radicalisation is not a campaign aimed at any particular faith,” he

Narendra Modi

said. “Rather, it is aimed against that mindset that is misleading our youth into torturing innocent people.”

Modi said that India is a land where every religion flourished.

“Every religion found life here, it grew here.

Every Indian is proud of this virtue, no matter what language he speaks, no matter what religion he practices,” he stated “Be it Buddha 2,500 years back or Mahatma

Gandhi in the last century, the fragrance of peace and love has spread across the world from India. India has given the idea of ‘Vasudev Kutumbakam’ -- which means that the whole world is our family.

India found its identity in considering the people of the whole world as one family,” he said. Modi said that in India the efforts are on for all-round development taking everyone along because the prosperity of a nation is inextricably linked to the happiness of all the people.

“The large gathering here today shows that you all want to guide the coming generation to the right path,” he said.

“It also indicates that you want not only the progress of the youth but you want to instill human values in them.”

DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Drawing attention to the results declared for graduate teachers (mathematics) in local dailies on February 22, 2018, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has demanded that the state government nullify declaration of selection of non-indigenous inhabitant applicants of the state and consider the subsequent waiting list merit indigenous inhabitant applicants for selection to the vacant posts.

In a memorandum addressed to chief secretary, the NSF president, Kesosul Christopher Ltu, and general secretary, Imtiyapang Imsong, cautioned that the federation would resort to any form of actions, if the government failed to fulfill the genuine demand.

The signatories pointed out that the federation thorough a representation dated September 22, 2017 and a reminder letter dated November 7, 2017 addressed to the minister of school education appealed for selection of indigenous inhabitant applicants of the state in the departmental examination for selection of graduate teachers (science and mathematics).

NSF stated that in response to its representation and reminder the minister of school education assured to consider only eligible applicants of the indigenous inhabitants of the state through letter Ref. No. Min. (PHED)-7/2017 dated 9-11-2017.

However, NSF lamented that as per the results declared for graduate teachers (mathematics) on February 22, 2018, the candidates selected were “against the aspiration and voice of the student community.”

Re-poll in 12 polling stations; fresh poll at Ladigarh KVYO reiterates commitment DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered re-poll in 12 polling stations on Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and fresh polling at 1- Ladigarh under 49- Tamlu Assembly Constituency on March 2, 2018.

This was stated in a letter by ECI to the chief electoral officer, Nagaland (CEO).

Re-polling has been ordered in eight assembly constituencies-- 7-Peren, 9-Kohima Town, 17-Chizami, 19-Phek, 20-Meluri, 41-Tizit, 52 LongkhimChare and 60-PungroKiphire. (See table) ECI in another notification has directed the CEO Nagaland to hold fresh voting at polling station no. 1 Ladigarh under 49 Tamlu constituency at some alternative temporary structure nearby on Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

No.& Name of Polling Station

No. & Name of AC

15- Village Council Hall, Samziuram ‘A’ Sector

7- Peren

29-AG Colony Upper-I

9-Kohima Town

1-Comunity Hall, Middle Khomi Village

17-Chizami

10-GPS, Mesumi Village, A/Wing

17-Chizami

9-GPS, Metsalemi Village

19-Phek

25-Panchayat Hall, Phek Village B/Wing

19-Phek

1-GPS, Suthotsu Village

20-Meluri

13-GPS Building, Zangkham Village

41-Tizit

3-GPS Chare Village-A

52- Longkhim-Chare

9-GMS, Tonglongsor

52- Longkhim-Chare

19-GHS Building, Pungro Town ‘B’

60-Pungro-Kiphire

25-GPS Building, Khongka

60-Pungro-Kiphire

80.95% voter turnout recorded on 1st March M e a n w h i l e, C E O media cell on Thursday informed that the overall voter turnout recorded as on March 1, 2018 was 80.95% with 79.09 % male and 82.85% female voters.

majority. According to this ‘exit poll’ NDPP will win 25+ seats and with BJP which is expected to win six to seven seats, they will have majority of 31 or 32 MLAs. Another pollster predicted that “NPF will win not less than 27 seats” and with its alliance partners, NPP (expected to win four) and JD-U (expected to win two) will form the next government with 32 or 33 MLAs. Some independent candidates could also win a few seats, far lesser than the eight in 2013.

The entire permutation or combination will unravel by late March 3 evening when MLAs could likely be herded in hotels to guard against poaching. Smaller parties and independents will be most vulnerable to the threat of poaching by the biggies.

It has also been largely speculated that the BJP might like to play a larger role in government formation and could supplement this effort by mobilizing needed resources as in other states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. BJP is keen to make an impact in the region by replacing Congress as the dominant national party.

Sec 144 imposed in Peren Deputy commissioner (DC) and district election officer (DEO) Peren, Smita Sarangi, has promulgated Section 144 of the CrPC

at Peren town with effect from February 27, 2018 and at Jalukie Town and Samziuram Village from March 1, 2018.

According to an official bulletin, the order will come into force immediately and continue till March 3, 2018.

The prohibitory order was imposed over reports that there were chances of post poll violence in and around Peren which could disturb the peace of the area.

As per the order, assembly of five or more persons, carrying of arms, stones, lathis, etc and vehicles with more than five persons (including driver) were prohibited.

The order, however, will not hinder/restrict polling personnel, government officials and central para military forces involved in the conduct of election.

for smooth conduct of polls

DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Taking note of the re-poll ordered at booth no. 29 in Upper AG Colony under 9 Kohima Town constituency, Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO) expressed its regret and condemnation against those responsible for it.

Reiterating its earlier resolutions to ensure smooth conduct of poll in their traditional jurisdictions, KVYO said it would be on the spot to assist the colony panchayat and government officials to ensure that no disturbance was repeated at the polling booth.

KVYO president Medozhatuo Rutsa and general secretary Ruokuoneitso Kire, in a joint statement, also advised the electorate to carry their official ID cards along with voter slips to avoid any misunderstanding. They also warned that KVYO would be

exercising “zero tolerance” against any individual/ group not registered at the polling booth and found to be interfering in the re-poll.

Proxy voters and elements causing public disturbances would face swift responses, they cautioned.

Meanwhile, KVYO expressed its appreciation to every colony panchayat and colony youth leader under Kohima Town, Northern, Southern and Western constituencies under its jurisdiction for ensuring a peaceful poll. It further expressed its gratefulness to all the electorate for listening to prayers of the church and various organisations for doing away with electoral malpractices. KVYO also expressed gratitude to all permanent residents under Kohima municipality and Kohima village localities for staying back and voting.

NPF informs Gov on prepoll alliance DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) has informed Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya about the pre-poll agreements it had separately entered with the Janata Dal (U) party and Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) in the run up to the assembly elections in Nagaland.

It may be mentioned that JD(U) and NPP are part of BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

In a letter to Nagaland Governor, NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, stated that besides declaring pre-poll alliance with NPF, both JD(U) and NNP have declared in the agreements that TR Zeliang would be the chief minister of the state in the event of the NPF forming the next government with its allies K Y M C

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

Departments bid farewell to outgoing officers

Er. Khupi Natso addressing the gathering during farewell programme at Kohima (NP).

Er. TS Angami with department officials and others at the farewell programme in Kohima on Thursday. (NP) Correspondent

Kohima, March 1 (NPN): Nagaland Public Works Department (NPWD) bade farewell to its outgoing engineer-inchief, Er. Khupi Natso after serving the department for 35 years in a farewell programme organised in his honour by the department at NPWD conference hall on Thursday.

In his address, Er. Khupi Natso expressed gratitude to the department’s staff and officers for their constant support and

encouragement throughout his tenure in the office. He urged the senior officers of the department to complete the unfinished task he had left by giving pressure to the government which are very important projects for the upcoming generations.

He also appealed to the commissioner and secretary Works & Housing (W&H), to transfer and promote the rightful engineers in time for betterment of the department. Er. Natso advised the department staff and officials to work

together as a team with transparency and never bring defame to the integrity of the department.

Commissioner and secretary Works & Housing (W&H), Bendangkokba said that the retiring engineer-in-chief was knowledgeable and thorough with the subject matter and always willing to work hard and wished Er. Natso a very fruitful retiring life as he venture into different life.

Speaking at the programme chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Er. K. Rhetso

said that during his 35 years in the department, he had given his best service for the department and set good example to the other officers.

In a short speech, chief engineer, police engineering project (PEP) Er. P. Lanu Aier acknowledged Er. Natso and said that he was always calm and approachable and many mega projects of the state were his brainchild. Chief architect NPWD, Ar. K. Angami in his address said the retiring officer was an inspirational mentor to

Incoming director of agriculture, G. Ikuto Zhumomi (second from left), two outgoing additional directors, Imtitemjen L and N. Thungjamo Lotha along with other senior officers during the farewell programme. many young officers.

In his address, additional chief engineer PWD (H), Er. H. Kahuto Sumi added that Er. Natso was a hard working officer who possessed novel ideas and was regular in duty.

M e a n w h i l e, c h i e f engineer PWD (NH) Er. R. Temsutemjen, additional chief engineer PWD (mech) Er. Tsashika Wotsa, president AOE (NPWD) Er. Lima Akum and other department officials also addressed the gathering.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by deputy chief engineer Er. P.I. Imna Ao while Er. Lopongol Angami SE (D) PWD (R&B) proposed vote of thanks. The programme was attended by department staff and officials, family members, well-wishers and others.

DIMAPUR: Department of Agriculture (DA) organised a farewell programme in honor of its retiring officers, additional directors, Imtitemjen L and N. Thungjamo Lotha at directorate conference hall on February 28.

While presiding over the programme, incoming director of agriculture, G. Ikuto Zhimomi expressed happiness and congratulated two retiring additional directors of the depart-

Governor extends Holi greetings Information on counting of votes

DIMAPUR: Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya has extended Holi greetings to the people of Nagaland in particular as well as the country. Terming Holi as a “colourful and vibrant festival”, the governor said that the festival strengthens fraternity and togetherness amongst the people and spreads peace, prosperity in the society.

In his message, Acharya said that Holi signified “victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter” and that it was also a festive day to meet others, laugh, forgive, forget and repair broken relationships.

Further, the governor appealed to the people to let the spirit of Holi rise above all barriers and strengthen the social fabric to make Nagaland shine by bringing the society together with the spirit of forgiveness and renewing friendship.

Acharya also added that it was a time to spread the message of peace, joy and love across the society and celebrate “unity in diversity”.

“May this festival of colours strengthen bonds of friendship and go a long way in promoting brotherhood and unity among the people”, he added.

MITE Kohima celebrates 7th foundation-cum-cultural day

One of the speakers addressing the trainees.

DIMAPUR: Modern Institute of Teacher Education (MITE) Kohima celebrated its 7th foundation-cumcultural day on March 1 at the college auditorium.

During the programme, “significance of foundation day” was delivered by managing director MITE, Pelee Hekha who emphasised on how K

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important it was to form a strong foundation, while also highlighting the changing trend in B.Ed course.

Meanwhile, Hekha advised that youth should “work and learn” rather than sit at home and remain fr ustrated and stressed on the importance of time management in a fast changing world.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by B.Ed student-teachers, Kito and Aseo, while vote of thanks was proposed by Yarmongla.

Highlights of the programme included cultural dance, puppet show and a talk show performed by student-teachers of B.Ed Semester-II.

DIMAPUR: CEO Nagaland has informed that counting of votes will take place on March 3, 8 a.m onwards till counting is over for all the districts under Dimapur i.e. 1-Dimapur-I AC, 2-Dimapur-II AC, 3-DimapurIII AC, 4-Ghaspani-I AC, 5-Ghaspani-II AC, counting will be held at DC Office, Dimapur.

A press note by media cell, CEO Nagaland informed that counting for 6-Tening AC and 7-Peren AC will be held at DB’s Court, Peren and Old DC’s Conference Hall respectively.

For 8-Western Angami AC, counting will be held at DB’s Court, DC Office Complex, Kohima, 9-Kohima Town AC at DC Office, Kohima, 10-Northern Angami-I AC at DRDA Conference Hall, DC Office Complex Kohima; 12Tseminyu AC at DPDB hall, DC office complex, Kohima, both 14-Southern Angami-I AC and 15-Southern-II AC at pensioner office building, ground floor, DC office complex. Counting for 13pughoboto AC will be held at DB’s court, ADC office complex.

Counting for all the constituencies under Phek district i.e. 16-Pfutsero AC, 17-Chizami AC, 18-Chozuba AC, 19-Phek AC, 20-Meluri AC will be held at New DC’s office building, Phek. Under Mokokchung district, counting for all constituencies i.e 21-Tuli, 22-Arkakong, 23-Impur AC, 24-Angetyongpang AC, 25-Mongoya AC, 26-Aonglenden AC, 27-Mokokchung Town AC, 28-Koridang AC, 29-Jangpetkong AC, 30Alongtaki AC will be held at Town Hall, Mokokchung.

Venue for counting un-

der Zunheboto District i.e.

31-Akuluto AC, 32-Atoizu AC,33-Suruhuto AC,34Aghunato AC, 35-ZunhebotoAC and 36-Sataka AC is at Town Hall, Zunheboto, while for Wokha district i.e. 37-Tyui AC, 38-Wokha AC,39-Sanis AC and 40BhandariAC, counting of all constituencies will be held at Tiyi Hall, Tsumang Colony, Wokha Town.

For Mon district, i.e.

41-Tizit AC, 42-Wakching AC,43-Tapi AC, 44-Phomching AC, 45-Tehok AC, 46-Mon Town AC, 47-Aboi AC, 48-Moka AC and 55Tobu AC, counting will be held at DC office complex, Mon. Both the constituencies under Longleng district i.e. 49-Tamlu AC, 50-Longleng AC, counting will be held at DC conference, Longleng. All the constituencies under Mon District i.e. 41Tizit AC, 42-Wakching AC, 43-Tapi AC, 44-Phomching AC, 45-Tehok AC, 46-Mon Town AC, 47-Aboi AC, 48Moka AC and 55-Tobu AC, counting will be held at DC office complex, Mon. Meanwhile, for both 49-Tamlu AC and 50-Longleng AC under Longleng district, counting will be held at DC Conference Hall, Longleng, while all the constituencies under Tuensang i.e. 51-Noksen AC,52-Longkhim-Chare AC, 53-Tuensang Sadar-I AC, 54-Tuensang-II AC, 56Noklak AC, 57-Thonokyu AC, 58-Shamator-Chessore AC, counting will be held at St. John’s Higher Secondary School, Tuensang and under Kiphire district, both 59-Seyochung-Sitimi AC and 60-Pungro-Kiphire AC, counting will be held at DC Office, Kiphire.

ment. He further lauded them for their valuable contribution at various levels during their entire service career in the department.

Director of Horticulture, Dr. Elithung Lotha stated that attaining 35 years of service was a big achievement and wished them a happy retired life, while joint director, L. Butang Khiam delivered farewell speech on behalf of the department.

Meanwhile, joint director, N. Henry Zeliang read out service profile of the retiring officers, volunteer speech by joint director of Agriculture, Bendanglila and other officers. Chairman of the programme pronounced vote of thanks and concluded with mass prayer and benediction by deputy director, Medovilie Ladu.

KOHIMA: Department of New & Renewable Energy (NRE) Nagaland bade farewell to Er. T. S. Angami, director NRE who retired on superannuation in a farewell programme held at conference hall, hotel Vivor Kohima on Thursday.

Speaking at the programme, outgoing director Er. T.S. Angami thanked all the officers and staff of the department for extending their unflinching support

towards the successful execution and completion of the several projects during his tenure.

Stating that the cabinet has already approved the service rules of the department, he urged upon the officers to pursue the same vigorously for finalisation.

Er. Angami also asked the officers to go ahead with the file for creation of new posts saying that the department was facing shortage of manpower.

Further, he called upon the officers to draw the attention of the ministry on unnecessary pending of the projects and to ensure speedy execution of the projects in the State.

In his speech, joint director NRE, Er. Kimaba said that under the directorship of Er. T.S. Angami, many solar power plants have been installed at Nagaland civil secretariat, directorates and other institutions. He said that three hydro projects have also been completed and that, solar lights at subsidised rate have been extended to many towns and villages across the state.

Stating that the department has also been conferred with many national awards for undertaking several notable works

and activities, he maintained that the credit for all such pride goes to Er. T.S. Angami.

Congratulating Er. T.S. Angami for completing the tenure, Retd. chief engineer of Power, Er. Lanu Toy was hopeful that the latter would continue to extend his invaluable service for well being of the society in many ways.

Joint secretary NRE Sekholun also described Er. T.S. Angami as a man of action adding that his good deeds and sincerity for the growth of the department will be always remembered by the officers and staff, while Keneizelie Kire, UDA NRE said that Er. T.S. Angami had contributed immensely to the department and wished him all success in future endeavour.

L a u d i n g E r. T. S. Angami for his strong determination and commitment in taking the NRE department forward, Er. Khose Sale was hopeful that he will continue to work for the betterment of the society.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by Er. Kavito Chishi, additional director NRE while Er. Renilo Nuh, deputy director NRE proposed vote of thanks.

(Correspondent)

news in Brief ADC&RO Peren informs on re-poll: ADC and RO Peren, Chubawati Chang in a notification has ordered a fresh poll under 7 AC Peren at the polling station number 7/15 Samjiuram A, sector on March 2. Polling time has been fixed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

HMCCK to celebrate Holi Milan: Holi Milan Celebration Committee Kohima (HMCCK) will be organising Holi Milan “the festival of colours” at Gorkha Public Panchayat complex, opposite to government printing press Chandmari, Kohima on March 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In this, the celebration committee has invited members of all residents of Kohima irrespective of religion or creed to join the celebration.

GHS Kiruphema informs:GHS Kiruphema has informed that it will organise its annual sports meet on March 8 and 9 at Kiruphema local ground

wherein Ayie Yome, deputy project director RMSA will grace the opening ceremony on 8 at 10 a.m DC&DEO Dimapur infor ms on counting of votes: DC&DEO Dimapur, Sushil Kumar Patel has informed all contesting candidates /political parties/agents that counting of votes for assembly election 2018 shall be at DC’s office, Dimapur on March 3. It has also been mentioned that strong room shall also be opened on March 3, at 7 a.m.

Therefore, all have been requested to reach DC office by 7 a.m. DC&DEO further informed that there shall be draw of lot for random selection of one polling station in each assembly constituency for mandatory verification of VVPAT slips after the last around of counting. Only vehicles of candidates (without body guard) shall be allowed to enter inside the periphery of the DC’s office on March 3.

Kma requisitioned dept. vehicles to be released

DIMAPUR: Officer-in-charge transport for election duty & SDO (C) Sadar, Kohima, has informed all concerned under Kohima district whose office and attached vehicles have been requisitioned for elec-

tion duty to come and repossess their vehicles. According to DIPR, the vehicles should be collected from Local Ground, Kohima on March 2 during office hours, without fail.

NIIT organises mini job fair in Dimapur DIMAPUR: National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT) Dimapur organised a job fair at NIIT, Dimapur on March 1.

According to a press note by head of center, NIIT Dimapur, Daniel Changkiri, more than 50 candidates attended the mini job fair held at NIIT Dimapur on Thursday wherein 17 candidates were selected by Pantaloons Dimapur and Amazon India partner at Dimapur, besides ten being short-listed.

Raja Gurung, Area HR, East Store and Sanjib Paul, store manager, Jorhat was recruited for Pantaloons Dimapur, Anish Goswami, NE team lead and Ashim Roychowdhury, Dimapur partner represented Amazon India.

Further, a national job fair will also be held at Unity College, Dimapur on March 17, which will be jointly organised by Internal Quality Assessment Cell (IQAC), Unity College and NIIT.

The press note stated that more than 30 organisations from various industries are expected to participate with more than 500 vacancies in all kinds of IT and IT enabled service roles.

Interested recruiters and job applicants have been requested to contact at 9612171341/ 7011007823 for more details. NIIT has also invited the NIITians and alumni of all its institutional partners in particular to participate the fair.

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national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

nagalandpost.com Poll Q . : Have voters in Nagaland voted for any particular party or alliance?

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

A B C

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

A

B

C

Yes No Can’t say

56% 39% 5%

Next poll

Q: Is the BJP going to come

to power in Tripura a Left bastion?  Yes  No  Can’t say

WEATHER FORECAST March 2

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Sunny and very warm

34 19

Mostly sunny

27 13

Guwahati Partly sunny and pleasant

28 18

Aizawl Imphal

Mostly sunny and pleasant

27 11

Itanagar Cooler; a morning shower

22 15

Shillong

Thundershower

19 10

Kohima

A morning shower or two

21 11

Dimapur An afternoon thunderstorm

28 16

Not as warm

22 12

Tuensang Cooler; a morning shower

13 8

Cooler; a morning shower

20 15

Mkg Wokha

Zunheboto A shower or two not as warm

19 10

PNB holds Gitanjali responsible for bank fraud MUMBAI, MARCH 1 (IANS): The recently announced escalation in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud amount by Rs 1,300 crore is attributable to Nirav Modi’s uncle Mehul Choksi-owned Gitanjali Gems, the bank said in a clarification on Thursday.

In another clarification, the bank said it had assigned forensic audit to BDO India, the Indian arm of US-based firm to look into details of five companies involving Modi.

In a note to the stock exchanges, PNB said the latest fraud of Rs 1,300 crore was committed on March 2, 2017.

With this, Gitanjali’s amount of fraud goes up to Rs 6,186.72 crore in the total kitty of Rs 12,600 crore.

The rest of the amount is attributed to the Nirav Modi group.

“Issuance of FLC (Foreign Letters of Credit) is a contingent liability and may fall upon Bank in case of non-payment by opener of FLC. However we have adequate assets/capital to meet any liability which may be crystallised on us as per law of land,” the bank said.

The bank reiterated

filing on Thursday PNB Ungam Venkata Prabhakar had assumed the charge as Executive Director of the bank on March 1, 2018.

It also added Ram S. Sangapure has demitted the office of Executive

CBI arrests auditor of PNB

Punjab National Bank. (File)

that the fraud has already been reported to regulatory authorities. “The announcement made to the Exchanges is about possibility of increase in amount of fraud.”

Regarding bids for the forensic audit, the bank said that bid from BDO India LLP was Ll and after negotiations with them, the company had been appointed as Forensic Auditor for five group companies of Nirav Modi on February 2, 2018.

Headquartered in Belgium, Binder Dijker Otte or BDO is an international network of public accounting, tax, consulting and business advisory firms which deals with profes-

Complicit Modi govt permits another Rs 6,712-cr bank fraud: Congress

New Delhi, March 1 (IANS): Claiming that the “art of leaving after defrauding banks” is the new culture under the Narendra Modi government, the opposition Congress on Thursday alleged another jeweller, Jatin Mehta has duped banks, including the PNB, of Rs 6,712 crore.

“Dupe, deceive, defraud and depart” is the new badge of honour for scamsters and Prime Minister Narendra Modi remain on ‘Maun Vrat’, Congress spokesperson Randee p Singh Surjewala said.

The party alleged that the amount involved in the ‘Jan-Dhan-Gaban Yojana’ under the National Democratic Alliance government had now risen to Rs 39,000 crore.

It said after the PNB fraud accused Nirav Modi

and Mehul Choksi (jewellers from Palanpur, Gujarat), another Palanpur jeweller Jatin Mehta had duped the banks, including the Punjab National Bank, of Rs 6,712 crore. “This exposure of Rs 6,712 crore is of three Mehta companies -- Winsome Diamonds and Jewellery Limited, Forever Precious Jewellery and Diamonds Limited, and Su Raj Diamonds.

“The duping methodology is the same as that of Nirav Modi. Gold was imported based on letters of credit issued by Indian banks. Jewellery was exported to 13 entities in Dubai, who refused to pay and the money vanished,” Surjewala said.

“The three ‘Ms’ -Modi, Mehul and Mehta -- have followed the same modus operandi -- raise

money through Letters of Credit, fleece and fly away to foreign shores. Total money involved in such scams have now risen to Rs 39,000 crore,” he added.

“Mehta’s Winsome Group had defaulted after which complaints were filed by affected banks with the Central Bureau of Investigation as also the Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai Police in February 2014.”

Surjewala said Mehta and his wife too had fled India.

“They gave up their Indian citizenship on June 2, 2016, and settled down in international tax haven of St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean, with whom the Indian government has no extradition treaty. The modus operandi is the same -- flout, fleece and fly,” the Congress leader added.

sional services under the name of BDO. BDO has member firms in 162 countries.

The bank also clarified through a tweet on Thursday, that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had done risk-based supervision of the bank on an annual basis.

“There have been reports in a section of media that Reserve Bank of India has not conducted any audit at Punjab National Bank Brady House, Mumbai branch since 2009. It may be clarified that RBI does risk-based supervision of the bank on annual basis.” the bank said through its twitter handle.

In another regulatory

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an internal chief auditor of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in its ongoing probe into Rs 12,600 crore bank fraud case. “CBI has on Wednesday arrested an Internal Chief Auditor of Punjab National Bank in an ongoing investigation of the cases related to Nirav Modi group and Gitanjali group,” a CBI official said.

The official also said that the arrested auditor has been identified as MK Sharma, Chief Manager rank of PNB. According to the CBI official, Sharma was allegedly responsible for auditing the systems and practices of PNB, Brady House Branch in Mumbai and report the deficiencies to Zonal Audit Office.

The CBI official also said that Sharma would be produced in a court in Mumbai on Thursday.

Diamond trader Modi and owner of Gitanjali Gems, Mehul Choksi have been accused of defrauding the PNB of Rs 12,600 crore, with Rs 1,300 being added to the fraud kitty on Monday night.

Earlier, the amount stood at Rs 11,300 crore.

The CBI had filed the first FIR in the scam on February 14 against Nirav Modi, his wife Ami, brother Nishal, uncle Choksi and his firms Diamond R US, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamond. The agency stated that the fraud involved an amount of around Rs 6,400 crore.

Modi, his family and Choksi left the country in early January. The CBI filed a second FIR on February 15 for Rs 4,886.72 crore fraud against Choksi’s Gitanjali Group.

To date, 12 persons have been arrested by the CBI in connection with the case. The Enforcement Directorate has claimed to have attached properties worth Rs 6,000 crore.

Killing of 2 Pakistani soldiers prompt heavy firing across LoC J ammu, M arch 1 (IANS): Heavy firing exchanges erupted on Thursday on the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district after two Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory firing by the Indian side overnight.

The incident occurred in the Bhimber Gali area of Jammu and Kashmir.

Heavy shelling and firing exchanges were going on in Balakote and Manjakote areas of the LoC in Rajouri, defence sources said.

“After the Pakistani Army resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing in Manjakote and Balakote sectors, our positions retaliated effectively,” the sources said.

Goa court to decide on FIR against Delhi CM Kejriwal

Panaji, March 1 (IANS): A Goa trial court on Thursday said that it would pronounce its order on March 13 on whether a FIR should be filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly exhorting voters to accept money in return for votes from rival candidates during last year’s election campaign speeches. The Judicial Magistrate First Class for Mapusa Shantishri Sinai Kudchadkar on Thursday recorded the statement of the complainant at the Mapusa Police Station against the Delhi Chief Minister’s alleged comments made at three poll-campaign meetings in January last year.

India, Jordan renew support for Palestine, sign 12 pacts NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): India and Jordan on Thursday renewed their support to the Palestinian cause as the two sides signed 12 agreements, including one on defence cooperation, following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King of Jordan Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein.

“Both leaders renewed their support and commitment to the Palestinian cause,” T.S. Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said at a media briefing following the meeting.

“His Majesty was appreciative of our Prime Minister undertaking a standalone visit to Palestine through Amman,” Tirumurti said.

Last month, Jordan facilitated Modi’s transit to Palestine in what was the first ever Indian prime ministerial visit to the West Asian nation. The visit effectively de-linked Israel from Palestine.

Also, in December last year, India voted with the rest of the world in the UN General Assembly against US President Donald Trump’s unilateral announcement recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

According to Tir umurti, King Abdullah also commended India for the “very significant” role it was playing in West Asia.

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Union External Minister Sushma Swaraj and Jordanian Minister of Information and Communication Technology Majd Shweikeh after signing an agreement, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI)

The Secretary also said that economic relations also remain an important focus of the Jordanian King’s visit.

“Both leaders agreed to explore possibilities of cooperating in assisting Africa,” he said. “Prime Minister mentioned about India’s developmental assistance to the tune of $10 billion in lines of credit.”

On Wednesday, King Abdullah met a select group of Indian CEOs and attended the India-Jordan Business Forum.

Tirumurti said both Modi and King Abdullah welcomed the signing of the MoU on defence cooperation folloiwng Thursday’s meeting.

“There is keenness on both sides to take this cooperation further and we are in the process of exploring

Director on February 28, 2018 after attaining the age of superannuation.

Shares of PNB closed Rs 101 per share on Thursday at the BSE, down 0.35 per cent from its previous close.

avenues for enhancing our cooperation,” he daid.

“We are also looking at closer security cooperation keeping in mind the tremendous experience which Jordan has in the region.”

The MoU is aimed at promoting cooperation between India and Jordan in the field of defence by defining the scope of such cooperation and making provisions for implementation of the cooperation in some of the recognised areas like training, defence industry, counter-terrorism, military studies, cyber security, military medical services and peacekeeping, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The two sides also signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of health and medicine.

The objective of this

MoU is to establish and encourage cooperation in the fields of health, medical science, medical education and research on the basis of equality and mutual benefits in accordance with the respective legislations and regulations of India and Jordan.

The various recognised areas of mutual cooperation include universal health coverage, services and IT in health, health research, national health statistics, diagnosis, treatment and medication of tuberculosis and regulation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Another agreement was signed on manpower cooperation which provides for cooperation between India and Jordan with a view to promote best practices in the administration of contract employment of the Indian nationals in Jordan.

Jordan is home to more than 10,000 Indians, who are employed in the textile, construction health and manufacturing sectors as also in fertiliser companies universities, IT and financial companies, A MoU was also signed for setting up a next generation centre of excellence (CoE) in Jordan for training of at least 3,000 Jordanian IT professionals over a period of five years, and setting up of a resource centre in India for training master trainers in the IT field from

Jordan.

Other agreements signed include long-term supply of rock phosphate and fertilisers to India, mutual assistance between India and Jordan to ensure proper application of the customs legislations in the two countries, cultural exchange programme between the two countries from 2018 to 2022 and setting up a Hindi chair in the University of Jordan.

Earlier on Thursday, King Abdullah delivered a special address on “Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation” organised by the India Islamic Cultural Centre here.

Stating that the global war against terror was not between religions but between moderates and extremists, he said the airwaves and the internet should be taken back from the voices of hatred.

“Today’s global war against terror is not a fight between different religions or people. It is between moderates of all faiths and communities against extremism, hate and violence,” the King said while addressing the gathering here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“What is heard in the news and what is shown about religion is what separates people,” he said. “We need to take back the airwaves and the internet from the voices of hatred.”

3 PNB: ED attaches Choksi’s properties worth Rs 1,200 cr NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday attached 41 properties of Mehul Choksi of the Gitanjali Group, worth Rs 1,217 crore, in connection with an ongoing probe into the Rs 12,600 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case.

An ED official told IANS: “At least 41 properties worth Rs 1217.20 crore of Choksi and companies controlled by him has been attached.”

The attached properties include 15 flats and 17 office premises in Mumbai, Hyderabad Gems SEZ in Andhra Pradesh, Shopping Mall in Kolkata, farm house in Alibaug and 231 acres of land in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

On Wednesday, a Blue Corner notice was issued against Nirav Modi and his uncle Choksi in connection with the PNB fraud case, an official said A Blue Corner notice is issued to locate, identify or obtain information on a person of interest in a criminal investigation.

It was issued by the Bureau of Immigration against the two. The notice will be valid for a year starting February 22 at all ports of embarkation.

The IT Department had attached four more properties of the Nirav Modi group which included his farm house in Alibaug worth Rs 13 crore and a 5.24MW solar power plant over a 135 acres of land in Ahmednagar worth Rs 70 crore, as per the books.

Both properties were in Maharashtra.

The Income Tax Department have attached 34 more bank accounts and fixed deposits of the Gitanjali Group having a balance of Rs 1.45 crore.

Choksi along with Modi have been accused of defrauding the PNB of Rs 12,600 crore, with Rs 1,300 crore being added to the fraud kitty on Monday night.

Earlier, the amount stated to have been defrauded by Modi and Choksi’s companies stood at Rs 11,300 crore.

The CBI had filed the first FIR in the scam on February 14 against Nirav Modi, his wife Ami, brother Nishal, uncle Choksi and his firms Diamond R US, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamond.

The agency stated that the fraud involved an amount of around Rs 6,400 crore.

Take back Internet from voices of hatred, says Jordanian King

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Stating that the global war against terror was not between religions but between moderates and extremists, Jordanian King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein on Thursday said the airwaves and the Internet should be taken back from the voices of hatred.

“Today’s global war against terror is not a fight between different religions or people. It is between moderates of all faiths and communities against extremism, hate and violence,” the King said while addressing a conference on ‘Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation’ here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“What is heard in the news and what is shown about religion is what sepa-

Goa CM discharged from hospital PA NA J I , M A RC H 1 (IANS): Five days after he was admitted to the state gover nment-r un Goa Medical College and Hospital for dehydration and low blood pressure, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was discharged from the health facility on Thursday, an official said.

“The Chief Minister has been discharged from the hospital and will recuperate at home,” an official attached to the Chief Minister’s Office told reporters.

Parrikar was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on February 15 for “mild pancreatitis” according to the CMO. In a Twitter post, Parrikar wrote that he was “happy to be home”, while also thanking his supporters for their prayers and good wishes and wishing them a Happy Holi.

He returned to Goa on Friday (February 22) to deliver a truncated annual budget speech, before being admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital late on Sunday.

B h a r a t i ya Ja n a t a Party leaders conducted Mahamrityunjay Jaaps (chants to defy death) and prayer services in the coastal state’s churches for Parrikar’s good health.

Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein

rates people,” he said. “We need to take back the airwaves and the Internet from the voices of hatred.”

The King added that around the world, suspicions are inflamed by what different groups don’t know about others.

“Such ideologies of hate distort the word of God -- to stir up conflicts and justify crimes and terror.

“We need t o take

these things seriously...they should never be allowed to distract us from the truth that faith should draw humanity together.”

He said faith inspires countries like India and Jordan where different religious and ethnic groups have lived together.

“It is faith that brings together different civilisations together. Compassion, mercy, tolerance are values shared by billions of Muslims and non Muslims around the world.”

“These values put us together to act for our coming future,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also spoke at the event, presented an Urdu translation of the book ‘A Thinking Person’s Guide to Islam’ by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan.

Aga Khan may set up cancer centre, help Maha agri sector Mumbai, March 1 (IANS): The Imam of the Shia Ismaili community, the Aga Khan, on Thursday said his Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) will work for the agriculture sector and rural support in Maharashtra and consider setting up a children’s cancer hospital here.

Lauding the efforts of the state government for tribal development, the visiting spiritual leader said he will consider extending support to finish incomplete irrigation projects in Maharashtra and create livelihood opportunities for tribals in remote areas.

The Aga Khan said the AKDN is already involved with MIT and Harvard for a programme on Architecture and Design, and expressed keenness to work closely with the University of Mumbai.

He offered the AKDN’s assistance to the university in designing and developing degree or diploma programmes in heritage conservation.

The Aga Khan, currently on a visit to India to commemorate the ongoing Diamond Jubilee of his Imamat, was speaking after meeting Maharashtra Governor C.V. Rao at Raj Bhavan here this afternoon.

He added that the AKDN is currently engaged in developmental works in

six Indian states including Maharashtra mainly in the fields of education, healthcare, rural development and agriculture.

Welcoming the Aga Khan and congratulating him on the 60th year of his Imamat, Governor Rao praised his services to humanity and said that “the world needs a person like the Aga Khan to convey the message of Islam”.

He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed the government’s intention to double farmers’ incomes by 2022 and appreciated the Aga Khan’s offer of cooperation for the state’s agriculture sector.

Rao sought the AKDN’s assistance in creating an Aga Khan Academy of Archery to offer quality training in this sport to sportspersons hailing from the rural and tribal areas of the state.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called on the Aga Khan and discussed efforts on employment generation for youth -- through forest tourism, village developments and water conservation.

“I am happy to know that the AKDN and the Aga Khan Health Services is considering to set up a cancer hospital for children in Mumbai,” Fadnavis said.

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northeast

1st anniversary celebration of BJP-led coalition govt begins

Manipur CM N Biren Singh inaugurating water supply schemes in Imphal.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Mar 1: Inauguration of three water treatment plants by chief minister N Biren Singh on Thursday marked the commencement of the fortnight celebration of first anniversary of BJP-led coalition government in power.

The present N Biren Singh led BJP’s coalition gover nment with Naga People’s Front (NPF) and National People’s Party (NPP) as main partners was installed on March 15, 2017.

As announced earlier by chief minister, the anniversary celebration would be marked by inauguration of around 80 to 100 projects and schemes across

the state.

To mark the commencement of the celebration, chief minister N Biren Singh today inaugurated three water supply schemes – Chinga Water Supply Scheme, Minuthong (Kangla) Water Supply Scheme and Khuman Lampak Water Supply Scheme – in Imphal constructed under Imphal Planning Area (Phase-1).

Addressing a joint inauguration function at Khuman Lampak Water Supply complex, the chief minister said that the BJP-led government would celebrate March 1 to 15 as the ‘Inauguration Fortnight’ to commemorate its first anniversary.

While stating that government was planning to inaugurate around 100

schemes/projects during next two weeks, the chief minister said the projects include many power stations, schools, hostels, water supply schemes, sports complexes and healthcare centres.

To meet the drinking water requirement of the state, Centre had agreed in principle to take up water supply schemes at sub-divisional levels under minority and other backward classes (MOBC), Singh informed.

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of providing potable water to all the households of the country by 2022 is a big challenge to states like Manipur due to topographical factors, however the present government will do every-

Poppy plantation worth Rs 17.5 cr destroyed in Manipur

Narcotic Affairs Border destroying poppy plantation in Kangpokpi district.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Mar 1: Police on Thursday raided a hill range of Waichei village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district and destroyed illegal poppy cultivations.

Plants spread over 25 acres which would produced opium worth about 17.5 crore were destroyed in the crackdown by a joint team led by superintendent of Narcotic Affairs Border (NAB) Manipur.

The joint team of NAB, Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) Imphal East was assisted by troops of 38 Assam Rifles, armed

personnel of 1st Manipur Rifles, state police commandos on refresher course at Manipur Police Training College (MPTC) Pangei.

Representatives of state forest department and horticulture departments took part in carrying out the destruction drive of illicit poppy cultivation in the hill range of Waichei village.

The destruction of illicit cultivation of poppy plants was part of ongoing Manipur government’s ongoing campaign “War on drug”. “We have taken up the task to prevent such illegal cultivations. Such raids

are going on for past three months and we have so far destroyed such plantations at various places across the hill districts of the state,” an official said.

Opium latex is derived from poppy seedpods, which is later used to make heroin.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday also, chief minister N Biren Singh wrote “State government’s War on Drug is in full swing” while informing that destruction of poppy cultivation to around 30 acres of area at the hill range of Kangchup Chiru village in Kangpokpi district.

thing the accomplish the target, he said. PHE minister Losii Dikho, who attended the function, said that water is the basic necessity of life and PHED was responsible for providing drinking water to the masses.

Expressing gratitude to the chief minister for his special concern about the department, Dikho expressed hope that necessary staff of the department would be recruited soon.

Stating that the present government is performing well under the leadership of N Biren Singh, the minister said that the state had witnessed lots of positive changes since the coming of the new government.

Chinga Water Supply Scheme was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 370.09 lakh. It has a capacity of 1.14 million litres per daily (MLD).

Having the same capacity, the Minuthong Water Supply Scheme was taken up at a cost of Rs 331.13 lakh while the Khuman Lampak Water Supply Scheme, which was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 747.27 lakh, has a capacity of 4.45 MLD. Officials of the state PHE said that the water supply schemes were constructed under the Integrated Water Supply Scheme for Imphal Planning Area (Phase-1) with an estimated cost of Rs 89.7519 crore. The said amount was sanctioned under the then transition phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JnNURM) during February 2014.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

86 per cent turnout in Meghalaya re-poll Shillong, Mar 1 (PTI): About 86 per cent voters exercised their franchise during re-polling at one polling station Raliang constituency in Meghalaya Thursday, Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor said.

The re-poll was ordered at Kyndong Tuber polling station after polling officers stopped voting on February 27 following a mixed up of voting machines, he said.

Till 4 pm at the close of the poll today, 544 of the total 628 voters cast their votes

in Kyndong Tuber polling station and this accounted to about 86 per cent of polling, Kharkongor told PTI. The re-poll was by and large peaceful.

Polling for 59 of the 60 Assembly seats was held in the north-eastern state on February 27. Around 84.86 per cent votes were polled on that day. Polling was countermanded in the Williamnagar constituency due to the killing of NCP candidate Jonathone N Sangma on February 18.

Left Front in the state.

The TV channel gave the BJP alliance 35-45 seats and said the Left Front will bag 14-23 seats while one seat will be won by others.

On the other hand, Centre for Voting Opinion & Trends in Election Research (CVoter), a Delhibased agency, hinted at a close fight and predicted the CPI(M) and Left parties to win in 26-34 seats with 44.3 per cent vote share.

It predicted the BJP alliance to win in 24-32 seats with a vote share of 42.8 per cent and said the Congress might win in two seats with 7.2 per cent vote share.

CPI(M) spokesperson

Goutam Das declined to comment on the exit poll predictions saying they these were “speculations”.

Das said his par ty would only issue a statement after the results were declared on March 3.

An alliance between the BJP and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), an anti Left tribal party, has emerged as a major challenger to the ruling Left Front, which has been at the helm for the last 25 years.

BJP state in-charge Sunil Deodhar said exit polls were not always true.

He, however, exuded confidence that his party would

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Era of violence over in Assam, says Rajnath Jamugurihat, Mar 1 (PTI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday said the era of violence in Assam has come to an end. Stating that the law and order situation has improved in the north eastern state, he asserted that democracy is run by discussions, not by guns.

“In December 2014, I had said there is no place for violence in the land of Assam. I am happy to say that law and order situation has improved in the state. The era of violence is over,” Singh said at a function here.

Assam had been on the boil for many years as various insurgent outfits like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB)had been active in the state with various demands. On the arrest of former finance minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti

Home Minister Rajnath Singh waves at crowd at the inauguration of Barechaharia Bhowna Mahotsav at Jamugurihat near Tezpur on Thursday. (PTI) Chidambaram yesterday, Singh said, “CBI is a credible investigating agency. It is doing its job and I do not want to comment further.”

The Union minister was here to inaugurate the 28th Barechahariya Bhaona festival. The 220-year-old drama festival is held every five to six years in Sonitpur

district of the state.

“I have never attended such a traditional and historic event, which started 220 years ago,” he said urging people to maintain the cultural harmony.

Singh mentioned Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Dr Bhupen Hazarika, saying he was one

of the “great sons of not just Assam, but the entire country”.

He also recalled the contributions of the three cultural icons of the Assamese society -- Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Natasur ya Phani Sarma.

Arunachal Express flagged off Smuggled gold seized in Guwahati, Siliguri

Itanagar, Mar 1 (PTI): A new train between Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh and Anand Vihar Terminal in the national capital was Thursday flagged off by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajen Gohain.

Speaking on the occasion Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home said “This is the beginning. Arunachal Pradesh is poised for a giant leap in the developmental front with survey of 11 railway projects in the state going on which, will change the face of the state soon.”

“New Delhi is willing to work for Arunachal Pradesh but the problem lies with the state as the state government has failed to clear land acquisition process for any important project,” he said and added that there was no dearth of fund from the Centre.

Rijiju requested Gohain, the Minister of State for Railways to provide railway jobs to the youths of Arunachal Pradesh in all categories as per laid down norms.

The new train, known as ‘Arunachal Express’ would cover the 2013 kilometre distance between

Naharlagun and Anand Vihar Terminal in little over 38 hours and would have 14 stoppages en-route.

With all air-conditioned LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches, the train would offer all comfort and facilities to the passengers, NFR general manager Lokesh Narayan said during the flagging off ceremony.

This is the second direct train for Arunachal Pradesh and 14th for North East to connect with the national capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Itanagar on February 15 last had announced increasing the frequency of the Naharlagun-New Delhi AC Express train from one day a week to twice and to rechristened it as the ‘Arunachal Express’.

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein speaking on the occasion stated that development process had begun for Arunachal Pradesh with BJP-led NDA government at the Centre attaching priority to Northeast considering it as the ‘Engine of Growth’ for the country.

K o lkat a , M ar 1 (Agencies): Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 9.1kg gold, valued at Rs 3.08 crore, in three separate hauls in Guwahati and Siliguri in the past seven days. Altogether, six persons from Manipur, Punjab and West Bengal have been arrested under the Customs Act 1962. All three gold consignments that were seized had entered the country through the Indo-Myanmar border in Moreh, Manipur.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers in Guwahati conducted two back-to-back operations and seized smuggled gold bars in Guwahati on February 23 and 24. In the first case, a person by the name of Md Kayamuddin from Manipur was apprehended in Fancy Bazar area with 22 gold bars of 3.6kg.

The next day, two passengers — Mann Singh and Manjit Singh — were intercepted on the Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express. They had boarded from Dimapur and were travelling to New Delhi. The search revealed 15 gold bars, nine concealed in the shoes of one passenger and six in

Tripura awaits outcome of Assembly polls Agartala, Mar 1 (PTI): Political parties in Tripura are keeping their fingers crossed on the outcome of the recently held Assembly elections in the state as exit polls have failed to present a clear picture.

Elections for 59 seats in Tripura’s 60-member House were held on February 18 and the results will be declared on March 3.

Polling in one Assembly seat has been postponed to March 12, following the death of a CPI(M) candidate.

A national TV channel NewsX has predicted victory for the BJP alliance, ending 25-year run of the

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win with at least two-third majority in the polls.

State Congress VicePresident Tapas De said exit polls are often done “purposefully” although indications are there that the CPI(M) will retain power in the state.

“If you look at the poll predictions of two different agencies, you will find that one shows BJP would come to power by defeating Left Front, and the other predicting that the Left Front would retain power,” he said.

Kok Tripura, a cable TV channel among the tribals, which broadcasts programme in Kokbarak -the language of more than

10 lakh tribals in the state -- predicted ‘possible outcome’ only in 20 Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved seats of Tripura.

The channel predicted that the CPI(M) could win only in 4-7 ST reserved seats while the BJP alliance could win in 13-16 seats.

It said, the Congress, TMC and others would have no presence in the reserved seats.

DinRaat, a local cable TV channel, predicted the Left Front to secure a minimum of 40 seats and maximum 49 seats and the BJP and IPFT alliance to win in 10-19 seats.

The channel predicted

the Left parties to win in 15 out of 20 ST reserved seats.

Headlines Tripura – a local cable TV channel which broadcast the predictions of ‘Peoples pulse’, a Hyderabad-based agency, said the BJP-IPFT alliance could secure up to 54 per cent votes this time. However, it did not predict the number of seats the parties will win.

In the 2013 Assembly elections, the ruling Left Front polled 52.32 per cent votes while the opposition Congress-Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) combine secured 44.60 votes.

the rectum of the other. The total weight of these 15 bars was 2.5kg.

In a separate case in Siliguri, three persons — Nitish Debnath, Rupam Sen and Pradip Debnath — were intercepted on the second-class compartment

of Sealdah-bound Padatik Express around 8.50pm on February 23. A search revealed six gold bars and biscuits of foreign origin tucked in specially tailored cloth belts tied to their waist.

The seized gold weighed 3.6kg.

AFFIDAVIT

Regd. No. 102/2018, Date : 19/02/2018 I, Shri. S. Phuhlao Konyak, S/o Shri. Sangti Konyak, resident of Monyakshu Village, Mon, Nagaland solemnly declare that my name is inadvertently recorded as Phuhlao instead of S. Phuhlao Konyak in my Field Service documents and both refer to one and same person. From today my name shall be known as S. Phuhlao Konyak in all my official documents.

DP-1711 AFFIDAVIT Date : 28/02/2018 (Clarification of name/surname) I, Viholi K Sumi, D/o Khuniho Sumi resident of H/No. 8 (A), Nihoto Village, BPO Showuba, Dimapur, Nagaland, solemnly declare hereby : 1. That, my actual and given name/surname is/was Viholi K Sumi but in my Saving Bank Pass Book bearing A/c No. 33886946748 of SBI Diphupar Branch, Dimapur, the same has been spelled in brevity as Miss Viholi which is also correct.

2. That Viholi K Sumi and Miss Viholi both are one and the same person.

3. That, I affirm I assumed/adopt my name/surname as Viholi K. Sumi, and the same shall be construed as my name/surname for all official, legal and future correspondence.

4. That, this affidavit is required for the clarification of my name/surname.

VERIFICATION I take oath and solemnly declare/affirm that the particulars furnished above by me are correct and that I have not concealed or misrepresented any fact.

Deponent Identified and solemnly sworn before me by the deponent on this the 28th day of Feb. 2018.

NOTARY PUBLIC DP-1701 Regd. No. 984/2018

AFFIDAVIT (Correction of name)

1. I, No. 84253X Rank : Hav Name : KUMAR BK, S/o Late Jash Bahadur BK presently serving in 8th Assam Rifles C/o 99 APO do hereby solemnly declare and affirm as under : 2. That I am presently serving in 8th Assam Rifles C/o 99 APO in the Rank of Hav bearing No. 84253X. 3. That my name/surname has been inadvertently entered / recorded as KUMAR GURUNG in my service book.

4. That the name/surname KUMAR BK and KUMAR GURUNG both are one and the same person.

5. That my correct and name/surname is KUMAR BK. 6. That this affidavit made to declare as piece of evidence for all official purposes.

7. That the statements made in paragraph 1-7 are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing false has been stated or concealed herein.

Deponent Solemnly affirm and swear before me on this day the ___ of ___ 2018

DP-1707(A)

4

Regd. No. 56/18, Date : 9/2/18

Judicial Magistrate 1st Class

AFFIDAVIT Correction of names/surnames)

I, No. 84253X Rank : Hav, Name KUMAR BK, S/o Late Jash Bahadur BK resident of 8 Assam Rifles C/o 99 APO, do hereby solemnly declare and affirm as under : 1. That I am presently serving in 8th Assam Rifles, C/o 99 APO bearing No. 84253X in the Rank : Hav 2. That the under mentioned following names/surnames of my family has been inadvertently entered in my service documents, as such I am desirous of changing the names/surname from old names/surnames to new names/surname for official convenience : th

Sl No.

OLD NAME/ SURNAME

NEW NAME/ SURNAME

RELATIONSHIP

1.

Lt. Man Bahadur Gurung

Lt. Jash Bahadur BK

Father

2.

Sabitri Gurung

Sabitri BK

Wife

3.

Kamal Gurung

Kamal BK

Son

4.

Sirjana Gurung

Sirjana BK

Daughter

5.

Ansu Gurung

Ansu BK

Daughter

4. That this affidavit made to declare as piece of evidence for all official

purposes.

5. That the statements made in paragraph 1-5 are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing false has been stated or concealed herein.

Deponent Solemnly affirm and swear before me on this day the __ of __ 2018.

Judicial Magistrate 1st Class Regd. No. 55/18, Date : 9/02/18 DP-1707(B)

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

JMC students protest balloonthrowing; police promises action

JMC students protest outside Delhi Police HQ in New Delhi.

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Menaced by balloon-throwing ahead of Holi, girl students from Delhi University (DU) held demonstrations at several places on Thursday and were joined by activists and teachers in their demand for a stricter attitude towards the revellers.

The girl students of Jesus and Mary College and Lady Shri Ram college -- who held demonstrations at the police headquarters and Amar Colony police station, respectively -- were joined by many Delhi University teachers in their protests,

who decried the lack of supervision and deterrent measures to check such vulgar activities. “ We d e m a n d i n creased police patrolling during Holi and marshals in buses as were promised,” Maya John, history teacher at JMC, told IANS outside the police headquarters at ITO. “I think residential societies should also be directed to hold meetings to sensitise their members as balloon throwing is rampant in societies where Holi meets are organised,” she said.

The protest by JMC students was triggered by

an incident in Sagarpur area on Wednesday, when a girl travelling in a bus was hit with a balloon, allegedly filled with urine.

Some reports said semen was also used, but this could not be verified.

Including the February 24 incident (the first one to emerge), when a Lady Shri Ram (LSR) student had posted a picture of her on social media with a story of how she was hit with a semenfilled balloon, three girls have complained of being hit with balloons, filled with either urine or semen, and two of them have approached police.

Delhi CS working under ration mafia’s influence, says Sisodia

Manish Sisodia NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and other senior officers were working under the influence of the ration mafia in the national capital, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said here on Thursday and demanded an inquiry.

Under a scheme, packets of ration are to be delivered at the houses of beneficiaries and the government was set to roll out the scheme in January.

Addressing the media

here, Sisodia made the allegation after a Cabinet meeting on doorstep delivery of ration was cancelled after the head of the Food and Supplies Department went on leave for a week.

Sisodia said instructions were given to the Chief Secretary not to give leave to senior officers without consulting the Ministers concerned, but he did not inform the Minister.

“This creates a doubt that everyone is working together and under the influence of the ration ‘wala’

(mafia). There should be an inquiry into this,” Sisodia said.

Last week, bureaucrats had decided to boycott all meetings with Ministers after an alleged attack on the Chief Secretary by two AAP MLAs in the presence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on February 19 night.

Attacking Lt Governor Anil Baijal on the issue, Sisodia said: “L-G sir should answer why he is not taking action against the officers.”

The Deputy Chief Minister said Thursday’s Cabinet meeting was the third one related to doorstep delivery of ration.

The Chief Minister has asked the Chief Secretary to submit the proposal at the Cabinet meeting fixed for Tuesday, he added.

Sisodia said senior officials were against the implementation of the doorstep delivery of ration, which would put an end to the ration mafia.

Speaking to IANS, a senior police official said they have received one complaint so far (at Amar Colony police station) and the perpetrator was found to be a 21-year-old woman, who had thrown the balloon at the LSR sociology student on Wednesday.

He said they were verifying if the balloon was filled with any body fluid and assured that appropriate force would be mobilised to ensure protection of women on Holi.

“We will deploy about 1,000 personnel -- including women personnel -- to prevent any untoward incident on Holi. We will also place barricades at several places to deal with hooligans in automobiles also,” Delhi Commissioner of Police (south-east) Chinmoy Biswal told IANS. The student who accompanied the complainant said she was not sure whether the balloon was filled with any body fluid -- semen or urine as reported in the media -- but it was “something gooey and sticky”.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson also wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner asking him to “ensure safety and security of women and girls in Delhi” and issued a notice to the SHO Amar Colony “on the LSR-semen-flinging case.”

Kanchi seer Jayendra laid to rest KANCHIPURAM, MARCH 1 (IANS): Jayendra Saraswati, the 69th pontiff of the Sankara Mutt, who passed away a day ago, was given ‘maha samadhi’ within the mutt premises on Thursday.

His final resting place or the ‘brindavanam’ was built near his predecessor the 68th pontiff, the iconic Chandrasekarendra Saraswati. The 82-year-old pontiff ’s body was interred in accordance with tradition followed for Hindu seers.

The necessary rituals were performed by Vijayendra Saraswati, the 70th pontiff of the Sankara Mutt.

Vijayendra Saraswati was elevated as the head of the Sankara Mutt on Wednesday soon after the death of Jayendra Saraswati.

He later told the media that he would follow in the footsteps of Jayendra Sarswati, who he said was a spiritual leader who did not discriminate while blessing and helping people, irrespective of religion and caste.

Jayendra Sarswati also worked for harmony among all sections, he added.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan and several others were present at the Sankara Mutt when the final rituals were being performed.

Jayendra Sarawasti suffered breathelessness on Wednesday morning and was taken to a private hospital here in Tamil Nadu where he breathed his last.

Bodies of three killed in J&K avalanche recovered

SRINAGAR, MARCH 1 (IANS): The bodies of three persons, who were buried in an avalanche on February 24, were recovered on Thursday by rescue teams in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said. Teams of Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu and Kashmir Police and disaster relief force recovered the bodies. The victims were identified as Altaf Ahmad, Bashir Ahmad and Ghulam Muhammad. Over 80 members of the rescue teams succeeded in recovering the bodies from the avalanche debris in Guchibal Behak, the police said.

Militant killed in J&K gunfight

SRINAGAR, MARCH 1 (IANS): A militant was killed on Thursday in an ongoing gunfight between security forces and hiding militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district. Security forces had surrounded the Hajin area following specific information about the presence of militants. As they closed in on the hiding militants, the latter fired at the security forces triggering the encounter, a police officer said. “One militant has been killed in the encounter so far. The firing exchanges are still going on,” he added. A Pakistani national belonging to the Lashkare-Taiba was killed in the same area during a gun battle two days back.

Police shoot dead two in Madurai

CHENNAI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Two history sheeters were shot dead on Thursday by police in the temple city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, officials said. A police team swooped down at a house in Sikkandar Chavadi on a tip-off about some history sheeters staying there and asked Karthik alias Saguni Karthik and Muthu Irulandi to surrender. Police said one of them was armed with a pistol, and was about to fire when the policemen shot both of them.

5

ED registers case in Simbhaoli Sugars mill loan fraud case

A view of Simbhaoli Sugar Mill in New Delhi. (AFP)

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday said it has registered a case against Simbhaoli Sugars’ chairman Gurmit Singh Mann and others in connection with a Rs 109 crore loan default case.

According to the financial probe agency, the case was registered against Mann, CEO G.S.C. Rao, CFO Sanjay Tapriya, executive director Gursimran Kaur Mann and other company officials.

Besides, some more bank officials in connection with the alleged bank fraud involving the sugars mill and the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) were also booked for money laundering. The ED official said the agency has carried out searches on Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur and Ghaziabad.

The ED officials said they have recovered some incriminating documents

forming Asset (NPA) on March 31, 2015 and was later declared as alleged fraud by the bank to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on May 13, 2015 for an amount of Rs 97.85 crore.

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

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

Situation along LAC has potential of escalation: Subhash-Bhamre NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre on Thursday said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was “sensitive” and has the potential of escalation.

He also expressed concern that rising instability in India’s neighbourhood has increased the “probability of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to non-state actors”.

“Today we face a difficult neighbourhood with myriad of security challenges... On the LAC, the situation is sensitive as incidents of patrolling, transgression and standoff have the potential of escalation,” Bhamre said at the Annual Army Seminar here. “While confidence building measures are being enhanced, we shall continue to take all action as deemed necessary to ensure the sanctity of LAC.” Later, Bhamre told reporters: “So many things

Kerala CPI-M, CPI spar over Mani

T H I RU VA NA Nruption as well as Mani...

THAPURAM, MARCH and we came to power.

1 (IANS): The war between There has been no reason to the two Communist parchange that opinion. There ties in Kerala, the CPI-M, is no place for Mani in the and the CPI, over its stand LDF,” said Rajendran, just towards Kerala Congress before the party state confer(Mani) intensified on Thursence began. day with a war of words But hitting out at the breaking out.

CPI, senior CPI-M leader The Kerala Congressand the party’s Central Mani (KC-M) party was Committee member A. with the Congress-led UnitAnandan said the right to Kanam Rajendran ed Democratic Front (UDF) decide on matters regardfor over three decades and has now moved ing the coalition has not been given to out of it more than a year ago. the CPI. While the Communist Party of India“The common practice in the LDF Marxist (CPI-M) in the past few months is that its decisions are discussed and has softened its stand on K.M. Mani, the debated among the allies and then a deciparty supremo of KC-M, the Communist sion is taken. The CPI need not come to Party of India (CPI) is in no mood to relent any sort of conclusion on such matters as and has ruled out a tie-up with the party no decision has been taken in the LDF. under any circumstances.

They have not been asked to decide on The issue has now taken centre stage what the LDF needs. At the appropriate at the CPI state conference which began time, appropriate decisions will be taken,” on Thursday at Malappuram, and its state Anandan said. After Mani decided to move Secretary Kanam Rajendran told the media out of the UDF, on the grounds that he that Mani is a corrupt person and there is and his party were treated shabbily by a no reason to change that opinion now. section of the Congress party, the CPI-M “The fact is that the present Left began softening its stand on Mani and has, Democratic Front (LDF) government is a of late, been praising the KC-M chief for product of the tough position that we took his stature in Kerala politics, which has during the election campaign against cor- deeply upset the CPI.

during the searches.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), earlier on February 22, had booked Gurpal Singh, son-in-law of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and 12 others including Mann, Rao, Tapriya, executive director Gursimran Kaur Mann and other company officials along with some bank officials in connection with the same bank fraud.

According to the CBI officials, the bank sanctioned a loan amounting to Rs 148.60 crore in 2011 to the private company for financing individual, Joint Liability Groups, Self-Help Groups under the tie-up arrangement of the RBI Scheme to 5,762 sugarcane farmers supplying produce to said private company during the period from January 25 to March 13, 2012.

It has been alleged that the company had diverted funds for personal use. The account turned Non Per-

Subhash-Bhamre are going on (along LAC).

You never know one of the things may trigger the escalation.” The LAC refers to a demarcation between Indian and Chinese territory lying in the state of Jammu and Kashmir that acts as the de facto border between the two countries.

Earlier, at the seminar, Bhamre said in addition to conventional threats, nontraditional threats “lurk in the cyber domain” and that a rise in religious fun-

damentalism and its spread “especially through social media remains a cause of concern”.

“The likelihood of Pakistan becoming a conduit for eastward spread of ISIS ideology remains high... putting the threat of increased radicalisation. The rising instability in our neighbourhood has increased probability of proliferation of WMD to non-state actors.”

He said that with continued ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (with Pakistan) and unabated infiltration attempts, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir remained a “challenge”.

He added that the Indian forces were “dominant on the border” and are capable of “tackling any situation and eventuality at the border”.

THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (THE HIGH COURT OF ASSAM : NAGALAND : MIZORAM & ARUNACHAL PRADESH) KOHIMA BENCH ADVERTISEMENT

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In commemoration of “INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MARCH 8”, EDEN MEDICAL CENTRE invites women to avail “Free Screening and Early Detection for Breast & Cervical Cancer” from 5th to 8th March 2018. There will be Free OPD Consultation, Free PAP Smear Test and Free Ultrasound of Breast & Pelvis.

Kindly contact Reception for Registration. (03862) 248722, 248288.

Registration starts from 9:00 AM of 1st March 2018.

DP-1692

K-540

Dated, Kohima, the 01st March, 2018 NO.HC(K)3/2018/Estt/21/ :: Citizens of India as defined under Article 5 & 6 are invited for a walk in interview on 07th March, 2018 for filling up 1 (one) post of Sr. Technical Officer and 1 (one) post of Developer at Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court.

The appointment is on contract basis for a period of 8 (eight) months. Preferences will be given to indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland.

Interested candidates are requested to reach the premises of the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench on 7th March at 12:00 PM alongwith resume and educational credentials.

Sl. No.

Name of Post

Eligibility

Pay (Fixed)

1

Sr. Technical Officer B E / B . Te c h / M . S c with specialization in Computer Science/Electronics/ IT with 3 years experience in Server Administration/ LAN/DBA/Technical Troubleshooting & Support in Hardware

Rs. 30,800/(Rupees thirty thousand and eight hundred) only.

2

Developer

Rs. 25,209/(Rupees twenty five thousand two hundred and nine) only.

DC-476

B E / B . Te c h / M .

Sc/MCA with specialization in Computer Science/ Electronics/IT with knowledge of software development in PHP+PostgreSQL/ MySQL environment.

(MRS. Y. LONGKUMER) Registrar-cum-Central Project Coordinator, Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXVIII NO. 84 Dimapur, FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

A

Banks in distress

ccording to RBI there was a whopping 8670 cases of bank frauds, while as per the Electronics & Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad the total number of frauds was 25,600. So far Non Performing Assets (NPAs) of banks is over Rs.6 lakh crore if the written off part was included over Rs.12 lakh crore. According to prime minister Narendra Modi, if 82 percent NPAs is included, it means most large loans granted are not repaid. The poor depositors’ savings has become the prey leading to the conclusion that public money is meant to be looted. The magnitude of bank frauds is not limited to the recent exposure of PNB’s Rs 11,400 crore scam and Rotomac owner Vikram Kothari’s Rs 3695 crore “default.” These have wider ramifications as there could be many other banks possibly hiding scams, linked to stocks. Even private banks are not immune to frauds as rural and cooperative banks have shown. For instance, in 2014, NABARD stated that in 2012-13 regional rural banks had lost Rs 727.54 crore in loan frauds and Rs 611.77 crore in 2011-12. It said that the banks were not reporting high value frauds and the actual amount could be higher. Cooperative banks are also prone to frauds all over and the exact estimates are not available. Dwelling on factors for rural banks, NABARD said one of the reasons was the absence of well documented system with defined authority and responsibility at each stage of operation. The internal checks and controls are inadequate. The NABARD said management of some banks were not serious in getting the pending fraud cases reviewed.

It’s almost like the PNB, which did not discuss the Nirav Modi fraud at its board meeting. Many banks don’t even have fraud risk groups. All these indicate that the entire banking sector is plagued with loopholes. Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are in severe distress as they are running on virtual government recapitalization. The budgetary expenditure on recapitalization totalled Rs 81,200 crore between 2000-01 and 2014-15. In October, 2017, the government announced the decision to recapitalize PSBs with Rs 2.11 lakh crore. The ‘sin’ of PSB is that they lent heavily to infrastructure projects that never took off. There are real estate projects, which diverted the funds for other purposes. Once the loan is granted banks virtually have no control. The way forward is to provide for loan losses, infuse capital, fix their management and governance – and look to revive lending. Some like Jaypee’s who despite defaulting with over Rs 95,000 crore for years was not shown as NPAs. The stress tests conducted by IMF experts covered the 15 largest banks, including 12 PSBs, which account for 71 percent of the banking sector assets. RBI’s stress tests also show a rise in NPAs. Thus various RBI and other regulators’ operations indicate that the concern for safeguarding poor man’s deposits is the least. There is also no estimate as to how much actually have been lost to loan frauds and other scams. The only safety is possibly that most banks remain government entities and it goes on pumping money to keep them afloat. The banks should be told to put up names online of those taking high-value credits. A farmer can be named and shamed to the point of committing suicide. Why not all those big wilful defaulting borrowers? Let the trust in banks be preserved.

DailyDevotion The Piercing Question Do you love Me? —John 21:17 Peter’s response to this piercing question is considerably different from the bold defiance he exhibited only a few days before when he declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35; also see Matthew 26:33-34). Our natural individuality, or our natural self, boldly speaks out and declares its feelings. But the true love within our inner spiritual self can be discovered only by experiencing the hurt of this question of Jesus Christ. Peter loved Jesus in the way any natural man loves a good person. Yet that is nothing but emotional love. It may reach deeply into our natural self, but it never penetrates to the spirit of a person. True love never simply declares itself. Jesus said, “Whoever confesses Me before men [that is, confesses his love by everything he does, not merely by his words], him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8).

Unless we are experiencing the hurt of facing every deception about ourselves, we have hindered the work of the Word of God in our lives. The Word of God inflicts hurt on us more than sin ever could, because sin dulls our senses. But this question of the Lord intensifies our sensitivities to the point that this hurt produced by Jesus is the most exquisite pain conceivable. It hurts not only on the natural level, but also on the deeper spiritual level. “For the Word of God is living and powerful…, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit…”— to the point that no deception can remain (Hebrews 4:12).

When the Lord asks us this question, it is impossible to think and respond properly, because when the Lord speaks directly to us, the pain is too intense. It causes such a tremendous hurt that any part of our life which may be out of line with His will can feel the pain. There is never any mistaking the pain of the Lord’s Word by His children, but the moment that pain is felt is the very moment at which God reveals His truth to us.

Quotes

When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance. ~ Joel Osteen

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

C

Revamped Khelo India for Excellence

an India dream of hosting the Olympics someday? Yes, the indication is definitely given the thumbs up – ‘we can’.

What we need is to focus on infrastructural development for providing proper environment for such a big event.

Our country has resources and supplies that it needs to hold such sporting events.

We have successfully hosted IPL, ISL, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Cricket World Cup, many a times. Also we did FIFA World Cup U-17 as well. India is a country of Diversity.

There are lots of things that it can show to the world.

Moreover, we don’t require infrastructural development for the whole nation. Some rapid development in few developed cities will satisfy the job, as it happened with Rio Olympics 2016. Whole Brazil was not developed to host the Olympics. Only Rio was developed and the ultimate parameters for Olympics.

And with the infrastructure, a nation also needs to send a satisfactory contingent for a medal hopes.

India aims to strengthen the network by promoting mass

T

participation and promotion of excellence in sports.

Khelo India is a part of the revamped National Programme for development of sports in 16 disciplines. Also this will act as an avenue for identification of budding sports talent to promote gender equity and social inclusiveness. It happens to be a watershed moment in the history of Indian sports as the programme aims at mainstreaming sport as a tool for individual, community, economic and national development.

The first annual competition Khelo India School Games (KISG) Under-17 held at New Delhi recently in collaboration with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and the National Sports Federations (NSFs). The importance of sports and fitness in one’s life is precious. Playing sports imprints team spirit develops strategic & analytical thinking, leadership skills, goal setting and risk taking.

A fit and healthy individual leads to an equally healthy society and strong nation.

Khelo India School Games (KISG), which is a part of the Khelo India programme

Should India follow Chinese success as sporting superpower? It has been interested significantly since 1990.

The huge foundation during 2008 Beijing Olympics and peoples’ participation made it possible to create a massive billion dollar sports industry there. India must show to the world that it can deliver sporting ambitions by investing in the line with the goal. She should regularly put its bid to host international event.

In India, cricket is the most watched sport but the rise of other sports like Badminton, Boxing and Athletics have delighted the countrymen that there is much more beyond Cricket.

The stupendous success of shuttlers from PV Sindhu to Saina Nehwal on the global stage has brought world attention. Artistic gymnast Dipa Karmakar made history at the Rio Olympic.

Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh turned professional with stupendous success. The journey of Mary Kom is remarkable.

PT Usha was one of the most iconic athletes of track and field. They have won from individual champion-

Clean Election Worked For Me

his 2018 election, I refrained myself from getting involved in any kind of electionrelated-activity. This is my 3rd time voting and for the FIRST TIME in my life, I supported Clean Election - ‘One Man, One Vote’, no visiting candidates, no taking money, no asking for jobs, etc. I tried my very best not to attend any kind of these so-called ‘election meetings’ called by party workers and youth leaders of this and that party where MANY of these meeting attendees (read ‘Christians’) attend just to take some Gandhis back home after the useless/useful meeting. Trust me, most of these attendees really couldn’t care less about the FAKE PROMISES given by our Kaziranga-loving friends and some of the New Dirty Players who are ever ready to recover their debts (crores and crores) once they win. Please exclude the countable few clean candidates whom we’ve heard so much about in different social media platforms, who did not spend a penny to buy the ever-hungry voters. A very BIG SALUTE to these genuine candidates and the educated voters in their constituencies who changed their mind this time to vote for a difference. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. You guys have done something very good which will go a long way. You people are the torch bearers.

Also, I don’t see much development in the next five years.

Why? How? What??! Do you want to play some blame games? Please blame the Government, please.

Our candidates are so loving and compassionate creatures that they don’t mind spending Karores & Karores during election season.

None of them would dare try to

I

under-17 athletes had been invited to participate across 16 disciplines, namely Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.

In the last few years India has made steady progress in the field of sports. This tremendous potential needs to be projected at a global platform. It’s time we inspire young talent to realise India becoming a sports super power. The programme has been introduced to revitalize the sports culture in India at the grass-root level. Talented players identified in priority sports disciplines at various levels by the High-Powered Committee will be provided annual financial assistance of INR 5 Lakh per annum for 8 years. An App based GIS information system has been developed to search for all aspects of sports promotion across the length and breadth of our country.

We should Join and support the Khelo India initiative to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse in the upcoming years.

recover their ‘root of all evil’ they wasted on us voters when they become victorious. Please believe me. I am not lying. I don’t want to say more on this subject! Oh wait, there will be some or a little bit of development after all. That’s only because whichever party comes to power, there is going to be a strong opposition party this time. A little ray of Hope. Yay! Coming back to clean election, never did I know that just because of taking part in Clean Election Campaign would I be disappointing so many people - friends, neighbours, relatives, clansmen and even my parents.

Yes, my parents too. A couple of days before the polling date, an uncle, who is a very active campaigner for a particular candidate in our constituency (15 Southern Angami II A/C), came to our place early in the morning to take me and my brothers to the candidate’s house to ‘know him well’ or ‘know him better’ so that we could find some ways in the future. Unable to refuse my uncle’s kinda-forcing attitude and my parents’ approval, my elder brother and younger brother left.

I don’t know if it was against their wishes but elders are elders.

We Nagas become so obedient at times. I’m sure they came back home smiling. I didn’t see because I went back to sleep after a quick chit-chat with mom and dad after they left. Well, I actually knew what that ‘find some ways in the future’ meant. In today’s educated and civilized people’s dictionary, it is either called BACKDOOR APPOINTMENT.... or POLITICAL APPOINTMENT as some politicians say, which is one of the many factors crumbling our

ships to world championships. But those success stories have not just come easily. The inspiring story of India’s rise in badminton world can be credited to Pulella Gopichand who has changed the face of the sport in our country. For him playing the national anthem at the podium is a big thing.

There cannot be a bigger motivation than that.

Assam’s Emon Gogoi, Jitammrit Kashyap and Jyotishmaan Kalita from Khelo India are to represent Indian team for the participation of 17th Asian Cadet Junior U-21 Karate Championship in 10-13 May at Okinawa, Japan. A pan India scholarship will also sponsor at least 1000 budding athletes across India from the current session. This will certainly beneficial for those athletics to compete with global events. Also it will focus on nurturing sports talent in the country and connecting rural India to global games. Now a Mizo girl is to represent Indian Women’s Hockey Team in South Korea tour.

The love for the sports is in abundance in this land.

Manipur, Meghalaya, Sik-

What is it about politics?

society today. What worries me the most is, many of our parents and elders still think this is okay. My mom and dad ‘were’ one of them.

I’m sure they have given a second thought now after the little chitchat we had. If you would have heard me that unpleasant morning, you’d say I was scolding them. No, actually I was educating them and myself too. I just became a little loud. My message here is, I want all the educated people to educate your parents and elders. Some of them are pastors, deacons and reverends; some of them are church leaders, youth directors, Sunday school teachers, etc. And most importantly, we all are Christians.

It’s not that we don’t know about all these ill practices. We know it all, yet we are still OKAY with it which is not at all okay.

‘We elect leaders not so that they would give job or money or cars to people (their constituency people who are close to them, the rest of the voters who sold their votes during election will all go to dustbin), but we elect them so that they would fight corruption and develop the community/constituency they represent.’ I think I said something like that to mom and dad.

I hope and pray that one day we all will realise what’s wrong is wrong even if everybody does it and what’s right is right even if nobody does it.

I am not trying to be a saint all of a sudden. I am still a sinner, a big sinner indeed. But I’m glad that I have committed one lesser sin than those of you who have sold your precious votes just for a few Rupees more.

God bless!

Kezhaleto Zecho, Upper PWD, Kohima

W

hat is it about politics that make people act like rabid dogs? Turns good men and women into drooling, vapid ‘vote Gollums’? Some of us may gesture towards the vehicle we got, the job promise, the familial or village ties, the large wad of cash in our back pockets or just friendship. Although none of these actually justify our behaviour, there is something to be said about how we benefited.

But what about the people who disregard life and limb for a candidate who probably does not even know they exist?

As an opinion, I think politics appeals to our basest instincts.

Desire for power, clanism, oneupmanship and the, not always healthy, drive to win at all costs.

The candidate seems, in a way, to become our alter-ego – our proxy to power. This does not mean vote proxy, mind you.

Our proxy for the power over the general populace that we know will nearly be impossible for us to attain.

Then there is our instinct to form groups. We love to disagree with someone and in our insecurity, seek out others who agree with us and form our own group. Also for some reason, if someone points out the faults of “our” candidate or political party, we take it personally. This is not everyone, of course, but a lot of us nonetheless. We become blinded to any fault that our side may have and usually retort with “Hoilibi tai khan first….” (But they first……).

It’s like a massive political rhinoceros of complete stupidity trying to run us down. No matter which way we turn, which ditch we jump into, this massive political rhinoceros of complete

Matters of Public Concern & Interest!

for one, is in support of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC); Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF); the Core Committee on Naga Tribal Hoho & Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO); Nagaland Legislative Assembly resolution of the 15th Dec. 2017; the Joint Declaration of Naga Tribal Hohos and the Naga National worker (NNPGs) on the 29th Jan. 2018 that the Naga people shall first seek the Indo-Naga political solution but not election by either postponing/ deferring the proposed Feb. 27, 2018 Nagaland State Legislative Assembly Election, 2018.

Also coming to the support of Clean Election which is also in our public domain supported by some individual writers like Rev. Dr. V.K. Nuh; Rev. Dr. Tuisem Shishak; Rev. Pastor Kevimese; Rev. Dr. Atsi Dolie; Rev. Savito Nagi; Mr.

Kuolachalie Seyie and many like-minded people being expressed in the local papers all these days, I am compelled to pose the same thought of the Naga Public aspiration/ opinion/ principle to all concerned to ponder on before, during and even after contesting/ casting their votes.

1. That these people (State politicians and their innocent followers) are violating/ betraying the original principle & aspiration of the Naga Club Memorandum to the then British Simon Commission on the 10th Jan. 1929; 14th August, 1947 Naga Independence Day Declaration; the 11th May 1951 Naga Plebiscite and the Lakhuti Resolution 27th April 1955, against their own conscience.

2. That, even the former Prime Minister of India, late Shri. Charan Singh once said, “We the Hindus never force or ask people to follow our

religion but accept only those people who want to join us, telling that 80% of the Nagas have come to join us (meaning casting of our votes in the Indian Govt. puppets State elections unlike 1952 & 1957 boycotting of the imposed Indian Govt. Parliamentary Elections since 1st Dec. 1963.

3. That even the recent statement of Shri. Rijiju, the Home Minister of GOI in certain local papers of the last week of Jan. 2018 by discarding/ carving out the map of Nagaland State from his published Map of an Indian Union inspite of the 16 Point Agreement of 1960 or the 16th State in the Indian Union on the 1st Dec. 1963 or accepting the Constitution of India by some 6 Naga individuals on their own volition on the 11th Nov. 1975 known as the Shillong Accord.

4. Coming to our Christian faith and testimony, if

kim and Mizoram are becoming India’s new football powerhouse. AIFF has realised that the heart and soul of Indian football is in the North East. With no big sponsors for NE players, the government has to create infrastructure as well as national centre for excellence with elite facilities for this hilly region. We have to raise the aspiration levels of our kids to aim for Man United or Bayern Munich.

When little known Jalandhar turns hub for sports good industries across India, can North East aspires for Sports Capital Region of India?

I n d i a ’s e c o n o m i c growth is in the right direction. The potential corporate sponsors will certainly watch with the government’s promises. The rise of GDP and population can turn Indian sport into a multimillion dollar business in the future.

With right direction from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, this will certainly harness the immense power of youth for holistic development of the individual, the community and the nation as well.

Kamal Baruah, Guwahati

the so-called Naga Christians do violate/ trespass their covenant with God (NBCC/ NJCF or even ECI), curse may be inevitable to them sooner or later for not following the clean Election in letter and in spirit.

5. Also any political party which may come to power to pursue against the use of ADHAAR Card (a process of Hindutva or a one-world Govt. (666), will get public support and God’s blessing for their endeavour to protect our Christian faith & testimony like Christian-dominated neighbouring States- Meghalaya & Mizoram which rejected outrightly the use of ADHAAR Card which the Nagaland church leaders are keeping silent all these days/ years, unable to guide their church members.

Ruovihulie Angami, B.A, B.Ed, Retd. Jt. Director of School Education, Nagaland

stupidity is able to slide, swerve and slither to keep at our backs.

The other day, when my mother and sister told me who they voted for (turns out we all voted for different people in the same constituency), a chill went through my spine, because my candidate was the clean candidate who spent no vote influencing money and contested in God’s holy name……My face flushed with anger. What was the use of us committing to not let a paisa of election money enter our house if we do not vote for the right candidate…..my candidate?

This was the moment I suddenly realized the massive political rhinoceros of complete stupidity had run me down. It is their vote.

They can vote for whoever they want, be it for the devil himself, as long as he is on the ballot.

The constitution guarantees this choice. If someone is chastised for their political choice with good intentions, we should all remember what they say about what the road to hell is paved with.

If we are fed, sheltered and clothed, greed is only going to drive us towards having less. It is collective greed that has led to the conditions we see around us. But still, this time we did see a lot of families turning towards ethical elections at least in this town. Most of these people heard others saying “Bhal manu hoa pera bhaat napabo” --- a comment straight out of the mouth of that rhinoceros mentioned before. But this change is a start.

Hopefully, one day the people who vote ethically will outnumber the ones who do not. Then the vote sellers and traders will be the odd ones out.

Chuba, Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Aadhaar and voter ID Sir,

The Government of India has made Aadhaar mandatory for its citizens for availing various Government schemes. Your bank account, LPG connection, SIM Card, etc. are required to be linked to Aadhaar. But why doesn’t the Government want your Voter Identity Card linked to Aadhaar?! No political party would want that Voter Identity Cards are linked to Aadhaar for obvious reasons.

Of late, there has been a pubic yearning for clean elections. As an individual, I have no political inclination and, therefore, I challenge all political parties to move a Bill for linking Aadhaar to Voter Identity Cards, which could put an end to proxy voting. I know it’s just a wishful thinking because all parties have been reaping the illegal benefits of proxy voting. Yet I hope for a day when every individual is able to exercise one’s right to vote freely and elect a leader of his/her personal choice!

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

national

Karti Chidambaram, son of former union minister P Chidambaram being produced at Patiala House Courts in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI)

question him and the CBI needed 14 days to interrogate Karti.

Mehta accused Karti and his father, who was then Finance Minister in 2008, connived with each other to get Foreign Investment Promotional Board (FIPB) clearance for the INX Media, headed by murder accused Peter and Indrani Mukherjea, which was earlier accused of serious violations in receiving overseas funds.

The prosecution said Karti needed to be confronted with other accused, including his Chartered Ac-

countant Bhaskar Raman, who is already in custody, and suspects in the case.

There was need to travel to several cities for which 14 days custody would be required, he said.

He said Advantage Strategic Consultants, which is linked to alleged illegal payments, was virtually owned and controlled

by Chess Management in which Karti is said to have stakes.

In her statement to a magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC, Indrani Mukherjea said she along with her husband had trav-

Google to make Machine Learning edn’ available for all

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Google on Thursday introduced “Learn with Google AI” -- a set of educational resources developed by Machine Learning (ML) experts at the company, for people to learn about concepts, develop skills and apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) to real-world problems.

“Learn with Google AI” comes with existing content as well as the new Machine Learning Crash Course (MLCC). “We believe it’s important that the development of AI

reflects as diverse a range of human perspectives and needs as possible. So, Google AI is making it easier for everyone to learn ML by providing a huge range of free, in-depth educational content,” Zuri Kemp, Programme Manager for Google’s machine learning education, said in a statement.

“This is for everyone -- from deep ML experts looking for advanced developer tutorials and materials, to curious people who are ready to try to learn what ML is in the

first place,” Kemp added.

The course features videos from ML experts at Google, interactive visualisations illustrating ML concepts, coding exercises using cutting-edge TensorFlow APIs and a focus that teaches how practitioners implement ML in the real world. Originally developed by Google’s engineering education team, more than 18,000 Googlers have enrolled in MLCC so far.

elled to a hotel in Delhi where they had met Karti.

Mehta said the hotel stay and travel details of Mukherjeas were available with the CBI. He said the Enforcement Directorate had recovered a hard disk in which it found four invoices relating to the alleged payments. He said there was evidence for money shared at various foreign locations on 33 occasions.

Asserting that there was no witch hunt or vendetta, he said the agency was acting in accordance with the law.

“It is a serious finance corruption case and needs to investigated thoroughly.

And thus his custody is required.”

Opposing the CBI plea, Karti’s lawyer Abhishek Singhvi said the agency had questioned him for 22 hours on August 23 and 28 and no summons were issued to him after that.

Asserting that he is a law abiding citizen who returned to the country. He asked “is it possible to arrest a man when he returns back from London”.

“Logical inference is that you (the CBI) have nothing to ask. That’s why you did not issue any summon for the last six months,” Singhvi said in the court.

He also said the CBI never challenged the Madras High Court order of allowing Karti traveling abroad.

Delhi CS assault: Two AAP MLAs asked to join probe

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs on Thursday were asked to join an ongoing police investigation here into a case related to the alleged assault on Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Harendra Singh told IANS that the AAP MLAs Nitin Tyagi and Rajesh Rishi have been asked to join the probe into the alleged assault case.

“They have been asked to come to the Civil Lines Po-

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lice Station by 4.30 p.m.,” Singh said. Last week, Anshu Prakash alleged that he was beaten up by AAP MLAs Amanatullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal, in the presence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence here, on February 19 night, when the Chief Secretary was called for a meeting.

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has declined the invitation to attend a meeting of the Lokpal selection committee as a “special invitee”, saying he was doing so to protect the “inviolability” of the Lokpal Act as the “sacred procedure” had been reduced to a “political pretence”.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi written on Wednesday, Kharge said the invitation was an effort to exclude the independent voice of the opposition from the selection process and his presence without “rights of participation, recording of opinion and voting would be a mere eyewash” ostensibly aimed at showcasing participation of opposition in the selection process.

The meeting of the Selection Committee, scheduled for Thursday, is to choose an eminent jurist to the panel.

“At the outset let me state on behalf of myself, my party and the entire opposition that ‘Special Invitee Invitation’ is a concerted effort to exclude the independent voice of the opposition altogether from the selection process of the most important anti-corruption watchdog.

It negates the letter and spirit of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 in toto.

“A perusal simpliciter of the Lokpal Act 2013, its intent and objective reflect that leader of the opposition cannot be substituted as a special invitee,” Kharge said.

He said it was a matter of surprise that the government was choosing to adopt “this route as a mere paper formality rather than seek any meaningful and constructive participation”.

Kharge said if the government was indeed serious about ensuring that the

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN

DP-1709

NDPP candidates demand action

ADMISSION NOTICE : 2018 -19 Online registration for admission to class I in kendriya vidyalaya for the Academic year 2018-19 will commence from 01.03.2018 at 8:00 AM to 19.03.2018 upto 4:00 PM and for class II and above except class XI. From 02.04.2018 at 8:00 AM to 09.04.2018 upto 4:00 PM. The admission details can be obtained at http://kvadmissiononline2018.in.

Registration for class II and above except class XI, will be done only if vacancies exist. For class XI, application forms will be issued immediately after the declaration of class X results. Subject to availability of vacancies in the vidyalayas.

Reckoning of age for all classes shall be as on 31.03.2018.

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DC-472

Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan DC-470

(From p-1) Dr. Nicky said the entire incident could be checked through the CCTV/video footage.

In such circumstances, Dr. Nicky said a candidate was liable to be disqualified. If not, he said it would lead to grave infirmity of the constitutional rights.

Meanwhile, Er. K. Kruse filed his complaint pointed out that some voters were denied voting by the polling officials. Kurse said that they were shocked to note that the presiding officer had informed them that their votes were already casted through postal ballot. Many of them (28 persons) were farmers, students and one of them already expired.

In this regard, Er. Kruse demanded action to declare those votes as null and void before declaration of the results.

Er. Kruse also demanded strict disciplinary action against erring officials who had connived with a political party and for misusing government machinery.

“The look out circular issued against Karti Chidambaram was premature and issued in haste. The CBI slept for six months.

Even Kumbhakaran slept for six months. It is a mistrial and they are bending rules.”

He challenged the CBI plea on three grounds saying there was no flight risk and Karti was cooperating in the investigation and there no threat of tampering with evidence. “(Karti) went to London on February 18 after the court proceeding on February 16. What new facts emerged in these 7-8 days?

“The whole issue of arrest is motivated and illegal and not justified.

Non-cooperation does not mean that he replies to the agency in the way they want him to.”

Referring to the purported statement of Indrani Mukherjea, Singhvi accused Mehta of making selective leaks to the media.

He also said Karti never owned shares in any of the companies referred to by the CBI. “All the four invoices (payments) referred to, Karti was neither a shareholder nor a director nor connected with any of them. In two of them, there was no remittance, no receipt of money was found. With the other two invoices also, he had nothing to do,” Singhvi contended.

DC-471

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): A court here on Thursday gave the CBI custody of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram’s son Karti for questioning till March 6 in the INX Media alleged bribery case.

CBI Judge Sunil Rana gave the order after three hours of heated arguments between Karti’s lawyer and the CBI counsel, who pleaded for 14 days custody, saying he needed to be questioned thoroughly in “a serious finance corruption case” which is not a political witch hunt or vendetta.

The Judge disallowed Karti’s plea for homecooked food but directed that he could be allowed medicines and a medical examination would also be done.

Appearing for the agency before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta said Karti, who was arrested on Wednesday and sent for one day CBI remand, spent the whole night in the cardiac care unit of Safdarjung Hospital and came to the CBI only in the morning.

“He was only questioned for a few hours. It is amazing that despite no history of cardiac problem, doctors advised him to be in the CCU,” Mehta said.

He said one-day custody was not enough to

Kharge declines invite to attend Lokpal panel meeting

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DP-1706

Mallikarjun Kharge

Lokpal was appointed with the sanctity it deserves, it should bring an ordinance in shape of the amending Bill and place the same before Parliament as it reopens later this month.

“In these circumstances, I must respectfully decline the invite as special invitee to uphold the inviolability of the Lokpal Act 2013 as the current proceedings have reduced a sacred procedure to a political pretence,” he said.

He said it was the duty of elected representatives to never permit dilution of the provisions of the Lokpal act which was enacted with hopes and aspirations of millions of Indians as the highest body to fight graft and ensure accountability.

Kharge said the government had carried out amendments to Delhi Special Police Establishment Bill, 2014, to substitute the “Leader of Opposition” to “Leader of Single-largest Party+ in the selection committee.

He said a bill to amend the Lokpal Act on similar lines was brought in December 2014 and the select committee had also put its seal of approval on the amending bill but the government has failed to introduce and pass it.

“This amending bill continues to languish in cold storage for want of appropriate intent, commitment and objectivity on the part of the government.”

He said the United P r o g r e s s i ve A l l i a n c e

(UPA) had enacted the Lokpal Act and brought it into force from January 2014 but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, despite its rhetoric to fight corruption, has not appointed a Lokpal for four years.

Kharge said this was not a surprise to anyone familiar with the BJP government’s record in Gujarat “in not establishing and preserving the office of Lokayukta”.

He said the meeting of selection committee had been called to satisfy the Supreme Court order of Februray 23.

“Conduct of your government only seeks to diminish the spirit and objective of appointment of Lokpal in as much as you seek to deny participation, voice and opinion of the opposition.

“Such myopic actions belie the spirit of nation building more so while constituting an institution like Lokpal. A more apt and statesman-like conduct is expected from the Prime Minister of the country,” he said.

The Centre had informed the Supreme Court last month that a meeting of the Selection Committee is scheduled to take place on March 1 to deliberate on the steps to be taken for the appointment of a Lokpal.

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DP-1714

CBI gets Karti’s custody till March 6

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DC-474

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group) portfolio,” said Supreeta Nijjar, sector head (financial sector ratings), Icra.

According to her, there has been some diversification in state-wise distribution of portfolio, with entities reducing their exposure to the weaker performing states of UP, Maharashtra, Kerala and MP. The states which were less impacted during the demonetisation period such as Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar had seen their share grow between September 2016 and September 2017.

The Icra report noted that supported by capital infusion of Rs 3,000 crore in year-to-date in FY18 (Rs 4,700 crore in FY17), the solvency profile (net NPA/ net worth) for the sector remained comfortable at 17 per cent as on December 31, 2017.

Gold stays weak on global cues, muted demand

SBI hikes lending rates by up to 20 bps to 8.15%

Sugar output to grow; mills operating profits to be hit: ICRA

Mumbai, Mar 1 (PTI): The largest lender State Bank today raised its lending rates by 0.20 percentage point (20 basis points) to 8.15 per cent, with immediate effect, setting the tone for the industry to follow suit.

This is the first lending revision by the bank since April 2016 and comes a day after it massively raised the retail and bulk deposit rates.

Prior to this, the one year-MCLR (marginal cost of funds based lending rate, on which most of the lending is based now, was at 7.95 per cent.

The six-month MCLR has been raised by 10 basis points to 8 per cent, while the three-year loan pricing goes up by 25 basis points to 8.35 per cent.

For the third consecutive time since November, the bank yesterday raised its retail and bulk term deposit rates for various maturities by up to 75 basis points.

Mumbai, Mar 1 (PTI): Even as sugar production is estimated to grow by 33 per cent in the sugar year 2018(SY), beginning from October 1, the operating profits of mills are likely to take a hit this fiscal due to higher cost of cane production, ICRA said in a report.

“Based on current trends, domestic sugar production

Su doku

KAKURO

No. 8796 Yesterday’s solution No. 8795

No. 3415 Yesterday’s solution No. 3414

No. 2441 Yesterday’s solution No. 2440

Across 1 Formerly appearing in concert (4) 3 Near agreement about drink before retiring (8) 9 Like a certain poet composing in Corby (7) 10 Game birds seen by bishop (5) 11 Dress material a poet brought back (5) 12 Take up residence with a wooden bench (6) 14 Island capital as a sun resort (6) 16 Nonsense about fifty times three? (6) 19 Have requirement for lace borders — and sewing implement (6) 21 Type of music that’s provided in playground (5) 24 Some Spode pottery in the warehouse (5) 25 Office wear ordered from Algeria? (7) 26 Harry is upset by early start in part of Scotland (8) 27 Let it stand for hat son mislaid (4) Down 1 Circling or piercing? (8) 2 Dog right in between officer and private (5) 4 Packed as a precaution?

(2,4) 5 Smooth finish on some attire (5) 6 Flower an animal found by mistake (7) 7 Transfer to be approved (4) 8 Harp player, perhaps, beginning to annoy girl (6) 13 Big star making great din (3,5) 15 Football player beginning to sob? Crybaby! (7) 17 Singer ordered to quit (6) 18 Servant more exposed, we hear (6) 20 The wife’s language? (5) 22 The opening of a chain letter (5) 23 Some sophisticated native woman (4)

Rajnish Kumar

agenda of the government to cut down operational costs.

The rationalisation overseas operations of the PSBs, he said, has nothing to do with the Nirav Modi fraud case in which Punjab National Bank was cheated of Rs 12,717 crore. “... this rationalisation of branches whether overseas or domestically has been on the agenda of the government already. And we had done this exercise at the month end that banks need to bring down operational cost,” he said.

For the last three years, SBI has been rationalising overseas branches, he said, adding that Paris branch was converted into a representative office, while the Jeddah office was closed down.

“The question is the kind of cost which we incur. Whether the volume of business justifies having a presence in that location,” Kumar said. SBI chief further said that regulatory requirements across the world are increasing and,”we have to rationalise and we have no choice”.

Overseas Bank repays $500 m bond

Mumbai, Mar 1 (PTI): State-run Indian Overseas Bank has repaid USD 500 million, which was raised as part of the second tranche of its mediumterm notes (MTN) from overseas investors.

Between 2011 and 2012 the Chennai-based public sector lender had raised USD 1 billion as part of its MTN in two tranches of USD 500 million each.

The repayment was

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made on February 21 on maturity of the instrument. The first tranche was repaid in October, 2016.

The funds were raised for business expansion and lending purposes in 2011 and 2012 from the bank’s Hong Kong branch, it said in a statement here today.

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NEW DELHI, MAR 1 (IANS): As the country struggles to bring back the main accused of multi-crore fraud committed in Punjab National Bank -- diamond trader Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi owner of Gitanjali Gems -- the Cabinet on Thursday approved Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018, which would facilitate action against such offenders. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while addressing media after the Cabinet meeting said: “Under the Bill all the assets (in the country) of the offender will be confiscated and not only the proceeds of crime. Even benami assets, if any, would be seized.”

This Bill also has a provision to confiscate assets of the offender in foreign land as well, for which the government will have to make arrangements with different countries.

It will target big defaulters, he said. The Bill will be introduced in the Budget Session of the Parliament.

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Cabinet approves bill to seize all assets of ‘Fugitive Offenders’

North Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh (UP), he added.

The domestic sugar consumption is expected to increase to around 25 million tonne in SY18 from 24.5 million tonne in SY17, he said. “As the production will be higher than consumption in SY18, we expect a closing stock of around 6–6.5 million tonne,” he said.

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cent purity declined by Rs 30 each to Rs 31,360 and Rs 31,210 per ten gram, respectively. It had lost Rs 460 yesterday.

Sovereign however remained unaltered at Rs 24,800 per piece of eight gram.

In step with gold, silver ready fell by Rs 90 to Rs 39,210 per kg and weeklybased delivery by Rs 80 to Rs 38,045 per kg.

Silver coin however traded at previous level of Rs 74,000 for buying and Rs 75,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

for SY18 is anticipated to increase by at least 33 per cent to around 27 million tonne against the earlier estimate of 26 million tonne, although it can even be higher,” ICRA senior vice president and Group head Sabyasachi Majumdar said.

This has been driven principally by a recovery in production in Maharashtra,

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New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI): A weak global trend and sluggish demand from local jewellers pulled down gold price by Rs 30 to Rs 31,360 per ten gram at the bullion market today.

Silver too shed Rs 90 to Rs 39,210 per kg due to reduced offtake by industrial units and coin makers.

Traders said sentiment was dampened due to a weak trend overseas where the strong dollar following comments from Federal Reserve Chairman that fanned concerns of faster-than-expected hikes in US interest rates, took away some of the safe haven appeal of the precious metal.

Besides, subdued demand from local jewellers too weighed on the gold prices, they added.

Globally, gold fell 0.30 per cent to USD 1,313.80 an ounce and silver by 0.34 per cent to USD 16.33 an ounce in Singapore.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per

K-539

Mumbai, Mar 1 (PTI): Helped by improvement in monthly collection efficiencies, the microfinance industry registered a 15 per cent year-on-year growth at around Rs 1.9 trillion during April to December last year, says a report.

Within this, the portfolio outstanding under the NBFC-MFIs, microfinance focused small finance banks (SFBs) and universal banks grew at a faster pace of 19 per cent.

The sector’s collection efficiency has been improving steadily with the monthly collection efficiencies (including overdue collections) up to 97 per cent for December last year, from sub-90 per cent till March, Icra said in a report.

For disbursements made in calendar year 2017, most of the lenders reported 98-plus per cent collection efficiencies. According to

New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI): SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar Thursday said public sectors banks needs to improve their corporate and risk governance infrastructure to mitigate the challenges related to operational risk.

“Public Sector Banks (PSBs) need to improve their governance infrastructure.

“If there are any deficiencies in corporate governance or risk governance architecture, they need to be looked into. And whatever are the gaps they need to be filled into as quickly as possible,” Kumar said on the sidelines of an event here.

He was responding to a question on banking frauds that have been coming to the fore now. Talking about State Bank of India, Kumar said SBI has a good risk mitigation architecture.

On consolidation of overseas branches of PSBs, he said it is nothing new, in fact it is already on the

DP-1698

the rating agency, improved collection efficiency trends, coupled with por tfolio growth and some write-offs led to an improvement in 0 days past due (0+ dpd) delinquencies for the sector, from the peak of 23.6 per cent in February 2017 to 12.6 per cent in December 2017.

While the harder bucket delinquencies have also been declining, as reflected by 90+ dpd percentage declining from a peak of 12.2 per cent in June 2017 to 9.9 per cent in December 2017, the degree of reduction has been lower, owing to sticky delinquencies in the affected geographies, it noted.

“We expect the industry portfolio to increase to Rs 2-2.1 trillion by end of FY18 and maintain an annualised growth of 20-22 per cent over the medium term with a higher growth of 25-30 per cent per annum for the non-SHG (self-help

New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI): Drug firm Pfizer Thursday said Gelusil, Becosules and Corex brands in India will be included in the global strategic review of the consumer healthcare business of Pfizer Inc, in addition to Anacin and Anne French.

Pfizer Inc had announced on October 10, 2017 that it is reviewing strategic alternatives for its consumer healthcare business, Pfizer Ltd said in a statement.

The review will consider a range of options, including a full or partial separation of the consumer healthcare business from Pfizer through a spin-off, sale or other transaction, and Pfizer may ultimately determine to retain the business, it added.

As part of this global review, certain products from across the Pfizer enterprise have also been identified as being good fits

DP-1691

with the suite of products within Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, it said.

“Consequently, in India, the brands Gelusil, Becosules and Corex will be included in the global strategic review of the consumer healthcare business, in addition to consumer healthcare brands Anacin and Anne French,” it added.

Regardless of the outcomes of this review, Pfizer India will continue to focus on and build upon its core prescription portfolio through current and future investments, the company said.

“The company will build on a strategy of strengthening and enhancing its presence in core therapy areas including Sterile Injectables, anti-infectives, vaccines, women’s health, metabolic disease and cardiovascular risk, pain management, and oncology,” it added.

PSBs need to improve risk infrastructure: SBI chief

DP-1713

Brands to be reviewed for MFIs grow 15% at Rs 1.9 consumer health biz: Pfizer trillion during Apr-Dec

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

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8

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

Vladimir Putin boasts of new Russian nuclear weapons

M O S C O W, M A R 1 ( AG E N C I E S ) : Ru s s i a has tested an array of new strategic nuclear weapons that can’t be intercepted, President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday, marking a technological breakthrough that would dramatically increase Russia’s military capability and boost the Kremlin’s global position, reports AP. Speaking in a stateof-the-nation speech, Putin said the weapons include a nuclear-powered cruise missile, a nuclear-powered underwater drone and new hypersonic missile. He said the creation of the new weapons has made NATO’s U.S.-led missile defense “useless,” and means an effective end to what he described as Western efforts to stymie Russia’s development. “I want to tell all those who have fueled the arms race over the last 15 years, sought to win unilateral advantages over Russia, introduced unlawful sanctions aimed to contain our country’s development: all what you wanted to impede with your policies have already happened,” he said.

“You have failed to contain Russia.”

The announcement

Death toll rises to 31 in PNG quake S Y D N E Y, M A R 1 (AGENCIES): The death toll from the strongest earthquake to strike Papua New Guinea’s rugged interior in almost a century has climbed to 31 and would probably rise further, officials said on Thursday, as damage to roads, runways and phone lines slowed relief efforts, reports Reuters.

Remote hamlets closest to the epicenter of the 7.5 magnitude quake in the Southern Highlands were buried, killing 13 people, said James Justin, a research officer at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy in Port Moresby in an email, citing a two-way radio call from a mission station in the region.

Most of the other confirmed fatalities were in or around the provincial capital of Mendi and the town of Tari 40 km (25 miles) from the epicenter, where aftershocks continue to be felt and people afraid their homes may yet collapse have been sleeping in their yards.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives his annual state of the nation address in Manezh in Moscow, March 1, 2018.

comes as Putin is set to easily win another six-year presidential term in the March 18 election.

He said that the nuclear-powered cruise missile tested last fall has an unlimited range and high speed and maneuverability allowing it to pierce any missile defense.

The Russian leader said the high-speed underwater drone also has an “intercontinental” range and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that could target both aircraft carriers and coastal facilities. He said its operational depth and high speed would make it immune to enemy intercept.

He added to applause that names for the nuclear-

powered cruise missile and the drone haven’t yet been chosen, and suggested that the Defense Ministry run a nationwide contest for the best names.

Putin accompanied his statement to an audience of hundreds of senior officials and lawmakers with videos and computer images of new weapons, which were shown on giant screens at a conference hall near the Kremlin.

“No one in the world has anything like that,” he said. “It may appear someday, but by that time we will develop something new.”

The Russian leader said that another new weapon called Avangard is an intercontinental hypersonic missile that would fly to targets

France’s Marine Le Pen charged over IS tweets PARIS, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen was on Thursday placed under formal investigation on suspicion of disseminating violent images over tweets she posted of Islamic State executions, a judicial source said.

According to Reuters report, the investigation relates to three graphic images of Islamic State executions she posted on Twitter in December 2015, including the beheading of American journalist James Foley.

A spokesman for Le Pen did not immediately respond to calls and SMS text messages. Le Pen had denounced an earlier stage of the investigation as “political interference”.

The judge’s decision to step up the investigation comes a little over a week ahead of the National Front’s annual congress, where she is expected to lay out how she plans to rebuild the battered party after her thumping defeat

Marine Le Pen at the hands of President Emmanuel Macron in last spring’s election.

It is, though, unlikely to affect her popularity with party loyalists.

Other ongoing investigations, including one into allegations her party misused European Union funds to pay parliamentary assistants and another into the financing of past election campaigns, have not dented her appeal among the National Front faithful.

Under France’s legal system, being formally placed under investigation often - but not always - leads to a person being sent to trial.

No pay rise for Singapore’s million-dollar ministers

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (R) has a salary four times that of the US president, although Donald Trump has pledged to donate his.

SINGAPORE, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): Singapore government ministers were told Thursday their salaries will stay frozen despite a recommendation for a hike, but there was little sympathy in the city-state for the world’s best-paid politicians.

According to AFP report, ministerial salaries in the financial hub are the highest on Earth, with an entry-level minister paid Sg$1.1 million ($830,000) and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong earning an eye-watering Sg$2.2 mil-

lion.

The government has argued the huge pay packets are necessary to attract topcalibre talent and prevent the corruption that afflicts other Asian countries.

But the issue has long attracted public anger, and the government responded to criticism by slashing salaries after a review in 2012.

A nine-member committee last year carried out the first review of ministers’ salaries since the reductions, and recommended an in-

crease of nine percent.

But De puty Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean announced in parliament there would be no raise, in response to questions from MPs about the review.

“The government has decided not to make any changes, and to maintain the current salary structure and level,” he said.

But far from being welcomed, the announcement only served to remind many Singaporeans of the skyhigh compensation awarded to their public servants.

“No increase? How about deduction instead?” commented Facebook user Kevin Ng. Another user on the site said: “Putting it bluntly, we do not need you to tell us why no increase, there should not be any increase at all, being the highest paid cabinet.”

Lee’s salary is the highest of any elected head of government in the world.

The US presidential salary is $400,000 but billionaire Donald Trump has pledged to donate it.

at a speed 20 times the speed of sound and strike “like a meteorite, like a fireball.”

Putin said that Russia also tested a new heavy intercontinental ballistic missile, called Sarmat, with a range and number of warheads exceeding its Sovietera predecessor, known in the West as Satan.

The Russian leader emphasized that the development of new weapons that have no equivalent in the West came in response to the U.S. withdrawal from a Cold war-era treaty banning missile defenses and U.S. efforts to develop a missile defense system.

He said that the U.S. has ignored Russian complaints.

“No one has listened to us,” he said. “You listen to us now.”

He said the new weapons will help ensure global stability and draw a line under attempts to weaken Russia.

He said that another weapons system, called Kinzhal, already has been deployed in Russia’s Southern Military District. He said it’s a hypersonic missile carried by an aircraft that can strike targets 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) away.

S.Korea cuts 68-hour working week to 52 SEOUL, MAR 1 (IANS): South Korea on Thursday passed a bill to cut the maximum weekly work hours to 52 down from 68, in an effort to improve quality of life and boost employment.

The National Assembly overwhelmingly passed the law which will come into force in July and will apply to large companies before being rolled out to smaller businesses, reports the Guardian.

The cut was a campaign promise by President Moon Jae-in, who also secured a 16 per cent increase in the minimum wage this year.

The law faced opposition from businesses but was seen as necessary to improve living standards, create more jobs and boost productivity.

It is also aimed at increasing the country’s birth rate, which hit record lows last year.

As South Korea’s economy boomed in the 80s and 90s, a workaholic culture took hold and the birth rate plummeted.

Chung Hyun-back, the gender equality and family minister, has called the country’s working hours “inhumanely long” and said they were a factor in the South’s rapidly ageing society.

9

Trump’s top aide Hope Hicks resigns WASHINGTON, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): White House communications director Hope Hicks, one of President Donald Trump’s most trusted and longestserving aides, abruptly announced her resignation Wednesday, leaving a void around a president who values loyalty and affirmation, reports AP. The departure of Hicks, who worked as a one-woman communications shop during his campaign, came as a surprise to most in the White House — and cast a pall over the West Wing at a trying time for the president. It leaves Trump increasingly without support of the familiar aides who surrounded him during his campaign, and marks the latest in a string of high-level departures in the administration’s second year.

Hicks, 29, had a seemingly untouchable role in the West Wing, often viewed more as a surrogate daughter than a staffer. Perhaps most importantly, she served as Trump’s glamorous shield and validator, always ready to provide “Mr. Trump” with a smiling dose of positive reinforcement, and controlling reporters’ access. She was the fourth person to occupy the position since the president was sworn in, as the Trump White House has set modern records for

Hope Hicks staff turnover.

In a statement, Trump praised Hicks for her work over the last three years, saying he “will miss having her by my side.” Hicks informed Trump of her decision Wednesday, a White House official said.

Hicks, who occupied the desk closest to the Oval Office in the West Wing, has been a central participant in or witness to nearly every milestone and controversy of the Trump campaign and White House. She began her White House tenure as director of strategic communications — a title that only partly captured her more expansive role as the president’s gatekeeper to the press.

The news comes a day after Hicks was interviewed for nine hours by the House panel investigating Russia interference in the 2016 election and contact between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Hicks acknowledged to a House intelligence panel Tuesday that she has

Rebels shell exit corridor in Ghouta: Russia

BEIRUT, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): The Russian military on Thursday accused Syria’s rebels of shelling a humanitarian corridor that Moscow set up with the Syrian government, offering residents of Damascus’ besieged eastern suburbs a way out of the embattled enclave, reports AP. Ru s s i a n P r e s i d e n t Vladimir Putin had ordered a five-hour daily humanitarian pause to allow civilians to exit the region. The daily pauses began on Tuesday but so far, no humanitarian aid has gone in — and no civilians have left the area, known as eastern Ghouta.

The eastern suburbs — a cluster of several towns and villages on Damascus’ eastern edge — have faced a deadly and brutal onslaught for weeks by Syrian government troops, backed by Russia. Residents say they do not trust the truce and the U.N. and aid agencies have criticized the unilateral arrangement, saying it gave no guarantees of safety for residents wishing to leave.

The eastern Ghouta residents also fear their region would meet the same

Injured people inside a Civil Defense van after airstrikes hit near Ghouta, a rebel-held suburb near Damascus, Syria, Feb. 28, 2018.

fate as the eastern, rebel-held half of the city of Aleppo, where a similar Russianordered pause in 2016 called on residents to evacuate the area and for gunmen to lay down their arms. A full ground assault followed, finally bringing Aleppo under government control.

Russian Maj. Gen. Vladimir Zolotukhin told Russia news agencies that the militants who control the suburbs are shelling the route, manned by Syrian and Russian forces, and prevent-

Afghan forces detain German fighting for Taliban KABUL, MAR 1 (IANS): The Afghanistan special forces have detained a German national who had been fighting along with the Taliban for almost a year, officials said on Thursday.

The operation, in which another two Taliban insurgents were also detained, was conducted on Wednesday night in Greshk district in Helmand province, Abdul Qayum Nuristani, spokesperson for the Afghan National ArmySpecial Operation Corps told Efe news.

“The German national has been detained along with other Taliban fighters by commandos from the 7th Battalion in Greshk of Helmand in a Taliban base,” said Nuristani. He added that according to initial reports, the German had been in Afghanistan for nearly one year.

Security forces also recovered documents that confirmed his identity as well as his involvement with the Taliban, the spokesperson said.

“He was a Taliban member and was directly

fighting for them against Afghan forces,” he said.

The man, whose identity was not revealed, said he had been living in the country for about a year and called himself “muhajir”, a term used for Muslims who flee their country of origin in the wake of atrocities to take refuge in an Islamic country.

Afghan Defence Ministry spokesperson Dawlat Waziri also confirmed the German national’s arrest and said that several Taliban hideouts and ammunition depots were destroyed in the special operation.

Helmand Governor’s spokesperson Omar Zwak said that an investigation into how a foreign national joined the Taliban, was underway.

Since the end of NATO’s combat mission in January 2015, the Afghan government has been steadily losing ground to insurgents and now controls only 57 per cent of the country, according to the US Special Inspector General for Reconstruction of Afghanistan.

ing evacuations.

State-run al-Ikhbariya TV reported that dozens of civilians had gathered on the edge of eastern Ghotua to leave, but were prevented by insurgents from reaching a crossing point into government-controlled areas.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said before the truce went into effect at 9 a.m. on Thursday, government shelling and airstrikes on eastern Ghouta killed three people.

The opposition’s Syrian Civil

Defense, also known as White Helmets, confirmed the casualty figure.

State-run Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA, said Thursday that a civilian was wounded by a mortar shell fired by the insurgents in eastern Ghouta at the Bab al-Salam area in the old city of Damascus.

The Russia-ordered pause came after a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a nationwide 30-day cease-fire failed to take hold. While the relentless bombing has somewhat subsided in eastern Ghouta, home to around 400,000 civilians, the Syrian government’s push to squeeze the insurgents out of the region continued.

Elsewhere in Syria, a convoy of 28 trucks carrying aid entered the northern Kurdish enclave of Afrin, where Turkish troops have been on the offensive since Jan. 20 against Syrian Kurdish fighters. The governmentcontrolled Syrian Central Military Media said Turkish troops and Turkey-backed opposition fighters targeting the convoy near the village of Marimameen.

occasionally told “white lies” for Trump. But she said she had not lied about anything relevant to the Russia investigation. She has also been interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team about her role in crafting a statement about Donald Trump Jr.’s 2016 meeting with Russians, as Mueller’s expansive probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential misdeeds committed by those in the president’s orbit moves ever closer to the Oval Office.

Hicks’ departure leaves a vacuum in the White House communications team, and in the president’s collection of trusted aides.

The announcement came a day after news broke of the impending departure of deputy communications director Josh Raffel, and just a few days after senior adviser Jared Kushner saw his security clearance downgraded — limiting his access to classified information.

“I can’t imagine anyone here leaving a bigger hole in the White House than Hope on her departure,” said White House lawyer Ty Cobb.

White House officials and outside advisers suggested Hicks’ departure would strengthen chief of staff John Kelly’s control over what has been an oftentimes chaotic West Wing.

NZ teenager tried to kill Queen Elizabeth in 1981 WELLINGTON/SYDNEY, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): New Zealand’s intelligence agency on Thursday confirmed for the first time that a teenager tried to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the southern city of Dunedin in 1981, sparking a police inquiry into how the incident was handled, reports Reuters.

Documents released by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) show the then 17-year-old Christopher Lewis shot at the Queen as she got out of her vehicle on the way to a science fair on Oct. 14 during her eight-day tour of the Commonwealth nation.

“Lewis did indeed originally intend to assassinate the Queen, however did not have a suitable vantage point from which to fire, nor a sufficiently high-powered rifle for the range from the target,” said a 1997 SIS memo, that was declassified in February and sent to Reuters on Thursday.

Brexit will not divide Britain: May LO N D O N, M A R 1 (IANS): British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday rejected any plans that would mean a Brexit border between Nor ther n Ireland and neighbouring Irish Republic.

Speaking to MPs in the House of Commons during her weekly questions, May said no British prime minister could ever agree to a Brexit treaty that would see borders dividing any parts of Britain, reports Xinhua.

Responding to a question by the Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP David Simpson, May confirmed she will never agree to any trade borders between Northern Ireland and the rest of Britain.

May said she stood by commitments she has made previously on the border issue.

She said the draft legal text the European Commission had published would, if implemented, threaten the constitutional integrity of Britain by creating a customs and regulatory border down the Irish Sea, adding:

British Prime Minister, Theresa May, speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, London on Wednesday.

“No UK prime minister could ever agree to it.”

“I will be making it crystal clear to (European Commission) President Jean-Claude Juncker and others that we will never do so,” May added.

“We are committed to ensuring that we see no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, but the December text also made clear that there should continue to be trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom as there is today,” she said.

Main opposition leader Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn accused May’s government

of being in disarray over Brexit. May insisted there was no disagreement with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on the Irish border question.

“The foreign secretary and I are absolutely committed to ensuring that we deliver no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland,” May told Corbyn.

She added: “That’s the position of the British government. It’s the position of the parties in Northern Ireland, it’s the position of the Irish government, and it was what we agreed in the December agreement of that joint report.”

Infotainment

‘Red Sparrow’ director speaks out on Lawrence’s ‘racy’ scenes

Pitt joins DiCaprio in Tarantino’s film

decision of ‘listen, do I want to make this movie or not?’ and she knew that ‘either I make it and I do what’s in the movie or I don’t do it.

I’m not going to take this movie on and then say I’ll do it but just take all this other stuff out’,” the director said.

He also confirmed that he removed Vladimir Putin from the film – despite the Russian president appearing in the book on which the film is based – to avoid political entanglement.

“There’s two big things.

One is I don’t view it as a political film – I love the human story of it. The other idea was that as soon as you have an actor portraying

A

ctor Brad Pitt has joined Leonardo DiCaprio in the cast of Quentin Tarantinos upcoming Manson movie.

The film will be titled “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, reports variety. com.

Tarantino, who is writing and directing the film, has described the project as “a story that takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood.

DiCaprio will play Rick Dalton, former star of a western TV series, while Pitt will be his longtime stunt double, Cliff Booth.

“Both are struggling to make it in a Hollywood they don’t recognise anymore.

But Rick has a very famous next-door neighbour…Sharon Tate,” said Tarantino.

“I’ve been working on

this script for five years, as well as living in Los Angeles County most of my life, including in 1969, when I was 7 years old. I’m very excited to tell this story of an LA and a Hollywood that don’t exist anymore. And I couldn’t be happier about the dynamic teaming of DiCaprio and Pitt as Rick and Cliff,” he added.

Tarantino has earlier worked with Pitt in “Inglourious Basterds,” which was nominated for eight Academy Awards. DiCaprio starred in the Tarantino’s “Django Unchained”, which scored five Oscar nods.

The Manson movie will be released worldwide on August 9, 2019, thereby opening on the 50th anniversary of the day that the Manson family committed the LaBianca murders.

(IANS)

Elizabeth Banks and Josh Groban celebrate retailer’s gun ban

Tony Cavalero to play Ozzy Osbourne in ‘The Dirt’

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ctor Tony Cavalero, who starred in the TV series “School of Rock”, has been roped in to play rocker Ozzy Osbourne in the Motley Crue biopic, “The Dirt”.

Jeff Tremaine is directing the project based on the 2001 autobiography “The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band” by band members Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, Mick Mars, and Nikki Sixx, along with author Neil Strauss, reports varitey.com.

Rich Wilkes, Tom Kapinos and Amanda Adelson adapted the script.

Osbourne broke out in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, which fired him in 1979.

He then became an even bigger star in the 1980s when Motley Crue emerged.

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na be some backlash…,” Stack told CNN. “We concluded that if these kids are brave enough to organize and do what they’re doing, then we should be brave enough to take this stand.”

The move has been well-received by celebrity activists, who took to social media to celebrate the change in store policy from America’s biggest sporting goods firm.

“This is a BIG DEAL,” wrote actress/filmmaker Elizabeth Banks. “Props to Dick’s & Power to the #Parkland students for continuing to speak out.”

“Thank you, @DICKS for not selling assault weapons anymore and choosing our children’s safety over money,” posted motherof-two Alyssa Milano. “I will buy (her kids) milo and bella’s sporting goods at @dicks. Your leadership on this issue is so appreciated.”

Singer Josh Groban also expressed a desire to spend a ton of money at the

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eteran actress Sridevi’s sudden demise left Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Anupam Kher with myriad thoughts about life.

Sridevi died due to “accidental drowning” in a bathtub in a Dubai hotel last week. Her last rites were performed in Mumbai on Wednesday, and a sea of fans expressed their love for the big screen’s “Chandni”.

Here are some of the after-thoughts of celebrities: Amitabh Bachchan: Sticks of sandalwood held precariously in hand... in turn they be laid by them that present themselves at still form... Gun fire in salute of state formality frightens the precincts of mourners... Three rounds... symbolic... white adorned folded palms... A line of bereavement... Passers by in reverence... A gentle embrace some... some of soft reassurances.. head embarrassed down, in cheer of the mass collection about... For them it’s a celebrity sighting... For us a departure... respect of the moment thrown out of fan

AGHUNAQA AREA CHURCH LEADERS’ FELLOWSHIP Niuland Sub-Division DIMAPUR - 797112 : NAGALAND

FELICITATES

With immense joy and honour, the Aghunaqa Area Church Leader‘s Fellowship extend our heartiest congratulations to its president Dr. P. Inaho, Pastor of Homeland Baptist Church for securing the research degree Doctor of Philosophy in Christianity Thesis: title.

“Esther- “the Star” from Andhra Pradesh Theological University, Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam, India.

The Fellowship further prays that the Almighty Living God give him more wisdom and knowledge both in physical and spiritual life and let his life be a channel of blessing for many people, and wishes him more success in his future endeavour.

Khutoi Aye F/Secy, AACLF

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store in support, quipping, “I suddenly feel like buying a baseball mitt, some tennis strings, a football helmet, a lacrosse stick, and pare of pole vault sneakers, a jockstrap, soccer cleats, Astro turf, hockey gloves and a power bar.”

“Let’s support @dick.

Powerful move chock-full of concience (sic),” encouraged former Glee star Jane Lynch, as actress Jaime King wrote,

Benjamin Yeptho Gen, Secy, AACLF

window... grace and dignity for departed an unheard culture for them... Value of life unknown; or know to be unknown... reverence for us, irreverence for others... no one taught them, or perhaps did but never complied... here endeth the lesson.

Shah Rukh Khan: How can one not just feel love and beauty and be grateful for a life that became a part of yours in some small way by making it prettier... Isn’t it just easier to feel love and give towards that life, even in death... The comfort of appreciation and gratitude.

Anupam Kher: The only way to get over a

death is by seeing it as a life completed, instead of a life interrupted. Goodbye Sridevi.

Vivek Anand Oberoi: As we saw her lying in the casket, felt such a strong sense of loss... That magical smile, those eyes that could express a million emotions... closed forever... an icon is lost... A legend lives on!

Jacqueline Fernandez: Srideviji has left behind a remarkable body of work. She was a people’s superstar.

She will live with us through her work, her songs!

Shekhar Kapur: Goodbye Sri. I met you as a young newcomer. Shy and reserved. And saw you leave as a Devi. All of us that were part of your incredible energy in your lifetime have been blessed. Sridevi final journey, Sridevi.

Rohit Roy: Don’t know how her immediate family must be dealing with this loss.. my heart goes out to those little girls and Boney saab. Srideviji RIP. Ileana D’Cruz: You were, are, and will continue to be loved by us all.

Love and strength to your family.

(IANS)

NIKIQHE BAPTIST CHURCH Sub-Division Niuland P.O Dmapur-797112 : Nagaland

FELICITATES “The Deacon Board and members of Nikiqhe Baptist Church with great joy congratulate Dr. P. Inaho Pastor of Homeland Baptist Church and President of Aghunaqa Area Church Leader‘s Fellowship (AACLF) for securing the research degree Doctor of Philosophy in Christianity, Thesis : title. “Esther- “the Star” from Andhra Pradesh Theological University, Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam, India.

His labour has brought glory to our village. We pray that the good Lord bless and guide him in all his future endeavours and let him continue to extend the kingdom of God in this earth and glorify the name of God. Q. Kughavi Kiba Church Clerk Nikiqhe Baptist Church

Pukhaho Swu Pastor Nikiqhe Baptist Church

“THIS IS HUGE!!! Thank you to the amazing kids from #StonemanDouglas and to #EdStack @dickssportingss for choosing life over money.”

Actors Zach Braff, John Leguizamo, and Debra Messing also championed the move online, while Captain America’s Chris Evans hailed the news as “amazing”.

(Hollywood.com)

FELICITATION The Alisopur Baptist Lithro expresses great joy over the ministerial ordination of one of i t s m e m b e r s , R e v.

Imdaklemla Sangtam, wife of Rev. C. Lima Sangtam, the Executive Secretary of United Sangtam Baptist Lithroti Ashimükhong (USBLA) on the 18 th Feb, 2018.

With this act, she has become the first woman ordained by the USBLA. The Alisopur Baptist Lithro wishes her success in all her future endeavour.

May she continue to soar high for the glory of our Lord!

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tars including Elizabeth Banks, Alyssa Milano, and Josh Groban have applauded bosses at a top U.S. sports retailer for banning sales of assault-style weapons in response to the latest high school shooting.

Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO Ed Stack announced the groundbreaking decision on Wednesday (28Feb18), two weeks after a disgruntled former student walked onto the campus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and opened fire on staff and students, killing 17 people, using an AR-15 rifle he had purchased at the store.

His actions prompted survivors to organise the upcoming March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C. in an effort to force politicians to tighten U.S. firearms laws, and now Dick’s Sporting Goods chiefs are taking steps of their own to combat gun violence, declaring: “We don’t want to be a part of this story any longer.”

“We know there’s gon-

Bollywood celebs dwell upon Sridevi’s demise

Pastor Alisopur Baptist Lithro

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he director of Red Sparrow has spoken out about the ‘racy’, Jennifer Lawrence-starring scenes in the upcoming film.

Much has been made of Lawrence’s nude scenes in the upcoming movie, which follows the actress as she portrays Dominika Egorova, a former ballerina who is involuntarily drafted into the Russian secret service to act as a seductress.

Speaking to the Radio Times, director Francis Lawrence – who worked with Jennifer on the Hunger Games – said she was all-in on the film from day one.“When she read the script she had to make the

somebody that’s very well known within the world, I think it starts to feel like a very different kind of movie and suddenly it would be very distracting… It would just feel like a different kind of film and I wasn’t interested in that. I was just interested in the human characters within the story.

“It starts to feel political and I just don’t see the movie as a political film.”

Jennifer Lawrence has opened up herself on the scenes of nudity in Red Sparrow, admitting that they were an “actual nightmare”.

Last week, Lawrence opened up on the psychological impact of her nude photo leak, which left her dealing with “a long period when I didn’t want to be seen sexually and I didn’t want anybody to see my flesh”.

Now, the star has told the Today Show in Australia: “It was really scary to say yes to the [Red Sparrow] movie because I knew the only way to tell the story is if I agreed to really do the scenes and go full Monty.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

Juventus to face Milan in Italian Cup

Juventus players celebrate after scoring against Atalanta.

L o nd o n , M a r 1 ( Ag en c ies ) : M a n chester United have extended the contracts of Daley Blind and Ashley Young until 2019, after exercising options in their contracts.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who is on loan at Aston Villa, has also had his deal extended by 12 months after United took up an option in his contract.

All three players’ deals were due to expire at the end of the season, but will now run until the summer of 2019.

Blind, Young and Johnstone are just the latest in a line of players whose contracts have been extended by United.

Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Juan Mata were all set to be free agents at the end of the current campaign, but are now contracted to Old Trafford until 2019.

Marouane Fellaini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Michael Carrick are the three players in Jose Mourinho’s squad whose deals are still due to end in the summer of 2018.

Carrick is retiring at the end of the season to join the club’s coaching staff, whereas Fellaini and Ibrahimovic are currently free to negotiate moves to foreign clubs.

Vinesh enters Asian Wrestling C’ships final BISHKEK, Mar 1 (PTI): Vinesh Phogat assured herself and India of at least a silver medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships as the Commonwealth Games gold medallist entered the final of the 50kg category with win over Japan’s Yuki Irie.

T h e 2 0 1 4 C WG champion earned the win by taking a bigger point as she locked the score 4-4 with her move.

The Asian Games bronze medal winner will now fight out with China’s Chun Lei for the gold medal.

Another Indian woman wrestler, who is in medal contention is Sangeeta, who will fight for a bronze with Korea’s Jieun UM in the 59kg category.

Sangeeta had lost her quarter-final 5-15 to Uzbekistan’s Nabira Esenbaeva.

Lalita though had no luck going her way as she was outplayed 0-5 in the 55kg quarterfinal against Mongolia’s Davaachimeg Eekhembayar.

Meanwhile, India’s two Greco-Roman wrestlers have already won bronze medals.

Harpreet Singh grabbed bronze in the 82kg when he outclassed Uzbekistan’s Khashimbekov 11-3, winning on technical

Vinesh Phogat

superiority.

Rajendra Kumar had won bronze in the 55kg as he beat Uzbekistan’s Mirakhmedov after declared winner. He also got victory by points after levelling the score 3-3.

To miss out on a bronze medal was Kuldeep Malik (72kg), who lost the bronze medal bout 0-11 to Japan’s Inoue Tomohiro and Manishm who was edged 4-6 by Uzbekistan’s Rakhmatov Mirzobek.

N ave e n , c o m p e t ing in the 130kg, lost his bronze medal round 1-3 to China’s Xiaoming Nie. Naveen had reached the medal round after winning his repechage round 10-0 against Sonoda Arata from Japan.

Others who were ousted at earlier stages were Vikram Krushnath(63kg), Sunil Kumar (87kg), Hardeep Singh (97kg).

Para-swimmer suspended for three years NEW DELHI, Mar 1 (PTI): Para-swimmer Prasanta Karmakar was on Thursday suspended for three years by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for allegedly recording videos of his female counterparts at the National Championships in Jaipur last year.

“A written complaint regarding acts of misconduct, misbehaviour and manhandling was lodged against the 2010 Commonwealth Games bronzemedallist,” a PCI release said.

Karmakar allegedly asked one of his associates to film female swimmers during the event. On the objection of the parents of those swimmers, the associate told the Chairman of Para-Swimming, PCI, VK Dabas, that he was instructed by Karmakar to record the swimmers.

The PCI claims that Karmakar was himself caught recording videos of female swimmers with a tripod camera.

“Karmakar was called by the chairman wherein he, in full anger, asked the chairman and other officebearers of the PCI why they were stopping his man from making the video.

He was told that the act is being objected to by the parents of the swimmers,” the PCI said.

TURIN, Mar 1 (Agencies): Holders Juventus booked their ticket to the Italian Cup final for the fourth year in a row to set up a meeting with AC Milan after a 1-0 win over Atalanta in a semi-final second leg tie played in the snow in Turin on Wednesday.

The first leg ended 1-0 in Bergamo thanks to an early Gonzalo Higuain goal, and Juventus also won the second when Miralem Pjanic slotted in a 75thminute penalty awarded after Blaise Matuidi was fouled in the box.

The three-time holders will play AC Milan who battled past Lazio 5-4 on penalties in the Stadio Olympico after their semifinal remained goalless

after extra time.

Nikola Kalinic almost scored the winner after 117 minutes but sent the ball over the bar when alone in front of goal, sending the game to penalties.

AC Milan could thank the saves of teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for a spot in the final in Rome on May 9 with centre-back Alessio Romagnoli scoring the winning penalty.

The win extends Gattuso’s unbeaten streak with AC Milan to 13 games, with six straight wins.

But the former AC Milan midfielder insisted there was too much talk about him and how he has turned around the team.

Five-time winners Mi-

Argentina, Israel to play pre-World Cup friendly

MGMHSS sports meet underway Nagaland inter-school U-16 cricket D im a pu r , M a r 1 (NPN): The Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) will be conducting inter school cricket in different districts of Nagaland for Under-16 group by third week of March.

A. Rahman, convenor Cricket Development Committee of the Nagaland Cricket Association has informed interested schools in various districts to contact respective

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ments of 2018-19. A player should be born on or after 1-9-2002 and the date of birth should be confirmed by the school authority.

The various district cricket association in-charge for inter-school are: Dimapur- Toni Chishi (9774642205) Kohima – Abijit Sarkar (8732809816) Peren – Bappi Adhikari (8729933646)

Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Fr.P.S.Varghese reminded that, “Winning and losing are important life skills to assimilate in participation. While participating in such events, one will learn fair plays and abide by the rules without question and respect others”.

lon Smyrnis, was handed a similar punishment for the same offence.

Former Ilioupoli player Michalis Nikolopoulos was sentenced to four years behind bars, a sentence that will be suspended under the condition that he appears every month at the local police station and is under the supervision of a social welfare officer.

N i k o l o p o u l o s wa s found guilty of betting, as well as bribery in two matches. Achilleas Beos, the mayor of the northern city of Volos and ex-president of Olympiakos Volos, received a four-year sentence for bribery, manipulating results of two matches and illegal betting.

Asteras Tripolis owner Dimitris Bakos and the club’s president Giorgos Borovilos were handed suspended three-year terms for bribery, while former Levadiakos president Giannis Kombatis got a term of

30 months. The longest jail term was given to former Ilioupoli president Giorgos Tsakogiannis, sentenced to 10 years and 10 months for illegal gambling, illegal betting, bribery, money laundering, attempted extortion and the possession of illegal weapons.

He was reportedly involved in four attempts to rig matches.

All those sentenced have the right of appeal.

Originally 84 people were named in the matchfixing scandal, including Olympiakos boss Vangelis Marinakis who along with 24 others were acquitted.

Greek judicial authorities began the investigation after a list of 41 suspicious matches were submitted to the country’s football federation by European football’s ruling body UEFA. The list included two matches from the Super League and many from the second division.

Born on 16th November 1964 – Died on 15th February 2018.

The family of Late I Bendang Jamir of Ungma village wishes to thank all individuals, friends, neighbours, and wellwishers for your expression of sympathy and thoughtfulness.

Your kind act will always be remembered.

God bless each one of you.

Loving Family Members DC-472

8th Death Anniversary of

Lt. Hiji Kath Eight years have passed since you left us on this day for eternity. Yet your heavenly character will remain cherished in our midst till we meet again.

Loving parents, brother & loved ones

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ing, the chief guest said, “It does not matter whether we win or not but it is participation that matters.”

While stating that active participation of every child is a must in sports, she said, “sports is important for the all-round development of a child, so every child should avail this opportunity.”

of Lt. T. Mayangteka Longjemdang

at Kevijau Colony Council Hall (Signal) Dimapur at 9:00 AM. Date : 2/3/2018.

R.Amongla being felicitated during the inaugural function.

D im a pu r , M a r 1 (NPN): MGMHSS annual sports meet got underway Wednesday at school ground with District Educational Officer (DEO) R.Amongla as the chief guest and Assistant Educational Officer, Asangla was the guest of honour.

Addressing the gather-

Tuensang – Meren (9612475498) Mokokchung – Imnatoshi (9402715454) Mon –Sashi (8974634404) Phek- Aduyi (8414911577) Kiphre – Justin (9612835970) Longleng – Apong (9612303606) Zunheboto – Vinoka Chishi(8575775585 Wo k h a - - Ya n r e n t h u n g Kikon (8118915539)

FUNERAL SERVICE DP-1710

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

58 sentenced in Greek match-fixing scandal ATHENS, Mar 1 (Agencies): Fifty-eight people were sentenced to jail terms ranging from 30 months to 10 years on Wednesday for their involvement in the 2011 match-fixing scandal which rocked Greek football.

Several of the sentences were suspended for three years, while a number of other individuals can avoid jail by paying five euros per day for the duration of their prison term.

Among those sentenced by the three-member Court of Appeal was former Greece international and current Brisbane Roar defender Avraam Papadopoulos who received a suspended 30-month sentence.

The court ruled the 33year-old was guilty of illegal betting on matches while he was playing for Greek giants Olympiakos.

Another former Olympiakos player Kostas Mendrinos, now at Apol-

district cricket associations for further details and confirm their participation by March 12. The tournament will be played in white cricket dress and with red cricket balls. After the tournaments, respective districts shall forward the names of talented players to the NCA for state level camp from where the Nagaland state U-16 probable will be selected to represent NCA in the BCCI tourna-

Born on 12th July 1999 Died on 2nd March 2010

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR BELOVED ABA

Lt. TEKANUNGSANG JAMIR (MANGMETONG)

Born on : 29/07/1950 – Died on : 02/03/2017

Aba,

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Jerusalem, Mar 1 (IANS): Argentina will fine-tune their World Cup preparations with an international friendly against Israel on June 9, officials said. The match will be played in Israel though a venue has yet to be confirmed, the Israel Football Association said in a statement on Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

“Discussions will continue in the coming days to finalise the contractual details for signing,” the statement read.

Argentina and Israel have met on four previous occasions in the lead-up to a World Cup. One such clash was in 1986, when the Albiceleste won 7-2 before being crowned world champions in Mexico.

The Argentine Football Association has already confirmed friendlies against Italy and Spain in March as the two-time World Cup winners prepare for football’s biggest tournament in Russia.

lan last won the Cup in 2003, with their last final in 2016.

Earlier Juventus took on Atalanta, whose Serie A game Sunday was snowed off, with light snowfall still in the Allianz Stadium.

It will be a record 18th final for Juventus with Allegri’s side bidding for a 13th Cup in total.

Higuain missed out as he recovers from a sprained ankle. Atalanta had come out firing with Alejandro Gomez sending over the bar with Gianluigi Buffon tested as he latched on to Josip Ilicic’s deflected cross pushing over the top.

Gomez thought he had scored the equaliser for Atalanta after the break with Buffon off the line,

lobbing the Juventus captain, only for the ball to bounce off the outside off the post.

The breakthrough came when Juventus were awarded a penalty when Matuidi went down under pressure from defender Gianluca Mancini, with Pjanic slotting in to the fury of Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

AC Milan and Lazio battled for 220 minutes in total between the San Siro and the Stadio Olympico in a tie between two ambitious sides who have rediscovered their form in Serie A and the Europa League.

Lazio threatened early with AC Milan staying in the game thanks to Donnarumma who tipped over a Ciro Immobile shot within the first five minutes and then denied Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with his legs.

Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha also did well to clear off Suso after a quarter-of-an hour, but almost created an own goal by badly clearing Hakan Calhanoglu freekick.

Both sides had their chances in the second half with Milinkovic-Savic again missing in the final minute.

After their gruelling match both sides face tough weekends in Serie A with Lazio hosting Juventus and AC Milan a derby against city rivals Inter Milan.

Man Utd extend Young, Blind deals

It’s your First Birthday in Heaven; within our store of memories you hold a special place, for no one else can ever be more cherished in our hearts.

It’s lonely here without you, we miss you more each dayFor life is not the same for us since you were called away you are missed each and every day, for you were someone special who was thought and meant so highly of, as more than words can say who’ll always be remembered with affection, warmth and love.

Loving wife, daughters and family members

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Spurs into FA Cup quarter-finals

L O N DO N , M a r 1 (Agencies): Fernando Llorente scored a secondhalf hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspur advanced into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 6-1 win over lowly Rochdale in a fifthround roplay at a snowy Wembley on Wednesday.

The match had threatened to be overshadowed by fresh controversy involving the Video Assistant Referee, who was repeatedly called upon in a first half that ended level at 1-1.

But Llorente’s treble put the result beyond doubt with Son Heung-Min, who had opened the scoring on the night, making it 5-1 in the 65th minute.

Spurs, eight-times FA Cup winners, will now be away to Premier League rivals Swansea -- Llorente’s former club -- in the quarter-finals as they bid to win a first major trophy since lifting the 2008 English League Cup. “I feel good,” Llorente told BT Sport. “I’m happy because the team have won and it’s important to be in the quarter-final. We know Swansea very well -they’ve improved a lot and it will be difficult.”

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, reflecting on the use of the VAR, said: “It’s too early to judge the system but it’s not

Tottenham players celebrate after scoring a goal against Rochdale.

easy. I think the referees in the Premier League are the best in Europe”.

Rochdale boss Keith Hill was proud of his players despite an ultimately large loss.

“I’m not bothered about the scoreline,” Hill insisted. “I wanted the lads to show bravery.”

Third-tier strugglers Rochdale were unchanged from the side that held Tottenham to a 2-2 draw in the original tie while Pochettino made nine changes from the team which snatched a 1-0 league win at Crystal Palace last time out.

Spurs thought they had taken an early lead thanks to Erik Lamela’s close-range finish.

But referee Paul Tierney, after consulting the VAR, ruled it out for what appeared to be a foul by Spanish striker Llorente on Harrison McGahey in the build-up.

Tier ney consulted the VAR, being trialled in English cup competitions this season, again to deny Lucas Moura a penalty but Spurs did take the lead soon afterwards when Son slotted home in the 23rd minute.

With Harry Kane on the bench, Son was Spurs’ designated penalty-taker.

He got a chance from the spot when, after another lengthy VAR consultation, Tottenham were awarded a penalty for a foul by Matt Done on Kieran Trippier.

The South Korea star then put the penalty into the back of the net but Tierney disallowed the ‘goal’ because Son had stopped in his run-up.

Po c h e t t i n o ’s f u rious mood would not have been improved when Rochdale equalised in the 31st minute, with Stephen

Tokyo unveils mascots for 2020 Olympic

Murray could return before grass-court season

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Mascots.

Tokyo, Mar 1 (IANS): A pair of futuristic superheroes triumphed in the race to become mascots for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Tokyo 2020 organisers revealed here.

The winners were selected by 109,041 elementary kids from across the country out of a shortlist of three competitors on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

It is the first time in

Olympic history that pupils have the final say in selecting the mascot. The names of the mascots are yet to be decided.

The Olympic Mascot is a fox-like creature with blue and white checks.

It “has a strong sense of justice, and is very athletic” and its superpower allows it “to move any where instantaneously,” Tokyo 2020 said in a statement.

The pink-checked Par-

alympic Mascot is derived from the attractive cherry blossom of Japan.

The nature lover not only “can talk with stones and the wind”, but also possesses the supernatural power of “moving things by just looking at them,” said the press release.

The release immediately triggered heated discussion in the mascotmad country. Although some of the comments on social media said they expect “more round” and more “huggable” characters, Ryohei Miyata, chair of the Mascot Selection Panel, believes the winning design is a vivid presentation of Tokyo 2020’s brand: “innovation from harmony.”

With the Tokyo Olympics 900 days away, the committee says it hopes the release of the mascots can spur global attention in the upcoming world sporting extravaganza.

Lo n d o n, M a r 1 (Agencies): Andy Murray’s rehabilitation from hip surgery is going so well that the former world No 1 could return to action sooner than expected.

M u r r ay h a s b e e n targeting a return for the grass-court season having been sidelined since last year’s Wimbledon due to a hip problem that he had surgery on in the new year, after breaking down again just before the start of the Australian Open.

Murray, who turns 31 in May, has been back in the gym working on the bike, Versaclimber, weights and taking regular pilates classes, with plans of returning to the court towards the end of March and the intention of being match ready in time for the grass season. And with his rehabilitation from injury going better than expected, he could be back sooner than Wimbledon.

Humphrys latching on to a fine ball over the top from Andy Cannon before shooting past Tottenham goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

Cannon, unluckily, hit the post before Llorente ended any thoughts of a huge upset early in the second half.

He made it 2-1 in the 47th minute when he chipped over goalkeeper Josh Lillis from Moura’s through ball.

Six minutes later, Llorente gave Spurs a two-goal lead when, from Moura’s cross, he finished from close range.

Just before the hour Llorente completed his hattrick after heading in from six yards out following a cross by the influential Son. And it was Son himself who made it 5-1 when, after Moura had released Lamela down the left, he tapped into an empty net from the edge of the sixyard box.

Now only an abandonment could deny Spurs but Tierney was content merely to ask the groundsmen to clear the lines of snow.

And deep into stoppage time, with virtually the last kick of the game, substitute Kyle WalkerPeters scored his first Spurs goal to make it 6-1.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

US Olympic chief resigns after sex abuse scandal

DENVER, Mar 1 (Agencies): US Olympic Committee Chief Executive Scott Blackmun is resigning for medical reasons, the organisation said on Wednesday, following months of sustained criticism stemming from the sex abuse scandal involving former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

In a statement, the USOC cited Blackmun’s “ongoing health issues” related to prostate cancer, for which he has been receiving treatment. As part of the same press release, the group also outlined new reforms aimed at protecting its athletes from abuse.

The Colorado Springs, Colorado-based USOC, which announced the change less than a week after the Winter Olympic Games ended in Pyeongchang, South Korea, had resisted calls to fire Blackmun over the Nassar case. Blackmun, 60, did not attend the Games.

The scandal prompted the entire board of directors at USA Gymnastics, the sport’s governing body, to resign, along with the president and athletic director at Michigan State University, where Nassar also worked.

It also spawned lawsuits and criminal and civil investigations.

Scott Blackmun

A number of critics, including athletes who said they were abused and two U.S. senators - Iowa Republican Joni Ernst and New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen - had called for the ouster of Blackmun and USOC board members, accusing them of failing to promptly act on complaints raised against Nassar and fostering a culture of silence.

“Scott Blackmun’s resignation as CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee is long overdue,” John Manly, a lawyer representing 120 of Nassar’s victims, said in a statement. “Under his leadership, USOC has focused nearly all its efforts on money and medals while the safety of our athletes has taken a back seat.”

Shaheen also welcomed the resignation, citing Nassar’s years of abuse.

“It’s clear that the culture at the U.S. Olympic Com-

mittee desperately needs to change,” she said in a statement. Olympic gold medalist swimmer Nancy Hogshead-Makar, an advocate for female athletes and member of the Committee to Restore Integrity to the USOC, said in a Twitter post that Blackmun “didn’t enact basic #ChildProtection policies or educate the membership about how to prevent it.”

“His legacy will be that he failed athletes,” she added. The USOC statement did not address whether the sexual abuse scandal played a role in Blackmun’s departure. His compensation in 2016 totaled $1.075 million, according to USOC tax filings. “Given Scott’s current health situation, we have mutually agreed it is in the best interest of both Scott and the USOC that we identify new leadership,” USOC Chairman Larry Probst said in the statement.

Nassar pleaded guilty to molesting female athletes under the guise of medical treatment and was sentenced to life in prison. Authorities say Nassar victimized more than 260 women and girls, including several Olympic gold medalists. Nearly 200 of them offered testimony during a pair of sentencing hearings in Michigan earlier this year.

La Liga: Atletico close gap on Barcelona Madrid, Mar 1 (IANS): Atletico Madrid moved to within four points of FC Barcelona at the top of the Spanish football league table as striker Antoine Griezmann scored four goals -- his second hat-trick in four days -- at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Atletico’s 4-0 victory over Leganes on Wednesday night puts pressure on the league leaders, who will receive Atletico at the Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon in a meeting that will go a long way toward deciding the destiny of this season’s title race. Griezmann scored twice in the first half with goals in the 26th and 35th minute, and doubled his tally after the break with further strikes after 56 and 67 minutes to see his side to a comfortable win.

The Frenchman now has 15 league goals this season, while Atletico have won their last five league games before the vital Camp Nou fixture. Valencia remain

Antoine Griezmann celebrates with Diego Costa after scoring a goal.

fourth after a 1-1 draw away to Athletic Club Bilbao.

Geoffrey Kondogbia put Valencia ahead with a smart first-half shot, but Oscar de Marcos equalised shortly after the break after Aritz Aduriz saw a firsthalf penalty saved for the Basques. Sevilla moved back into fifth thanks to a 1-0 win in a scrappy game against

bottom of the table Malaga, with Joaquin Correa’s 15thminute goal leaving Malaga with just 13 points.

Villarreal drop back to sixth after Kike Garcia’s 16th minute goal gave Eibar a 1-0 home win over Javier Calleja’s side to move the Basques back into seventh.

Getafe also moved closer to a place in Europe

for next season with a simple 3-0 win over struggling Deportivo la Coruna.

Angel Rodgriguez’s 11th goal of the season opened the scoring five minutes from the break, before Eneko Boveda’s own goal doubled Getafe’s lead on the stroke of halftime and Jorge Molina sealed the win in the 82nd minute.

Di Maria double sinks Marseille in French Cup Blatter appeals for WC without VAR

PARIS, Mar 1 (Agencies): Angel Di Maria grabbed two goals as Paris Saint-Germain downed fierce rivals Marseille 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the French Cup semi-finals, hours after the club

confirmed Neymar will undergo surgery on his fractured foot.

The Argentina international replaced the injured Neymar in the starting line-up at the Parc des Princes and struck the

opening goal in first-half stoppage time.

Di Maria added a second shortly after the interval before Edinson Cavani wrapped up a second 3-0 victory over Marseille in four days, following Sun-

duced a magnificent save to deny Di Maria minutes earlier but was helpless to keep out the Argentine’s shot as it flicked Adil Rami before nestling in the corner.

Poor defending presented the former Real player with his second on 48 minutes, as Aymen Abdennour failed to cut out Yuri Berchiche’s left-wing cross and Di Maria turned home via another deflection with the ball creeping past Mandanda.

Cavani netted a third on 81 minutes -- the Uruguayan’s 32nd goal in all competitions this season -- as PSG moved a step closer to a fourth successive French Cup title.

The holders are joined in the last four of the competition by two third-division clubs -- Les Herbiers and Chambly -- while Lyon visit Caen in Thursday’s remaining quarter-final.

Les Herbiers knocked out Ligue 2 outfit Lens in a penalty shootout on Tuesday following a goalless draw in Nantes, with Lassana Doucoure scoring a late winner for Chambly in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over top-flight Strasbourg.

BERN, Mar 1 (Agencies): Banned former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Thursday that the World Cup should not be used as an occasion to experiment with video replay technology.

Blatter’s comment on Twitter followed a series of confusing incidents involving the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system which is being trialled in Italy’s Serie A, the English FA Cup, Germany’s Bundesliga, the Portuguese league and other competitions around the world.

The sport’s law-making body IFAB is due to decide on Saturday whether to approve VAR on a permanent basis and FIFA has already said it intends to use the system at the World Cup in Russia in June and July.

“A personal appeal to IFAB the Guardians of the Laws of the Game: FIFA WC cannot be used as experiment for such a fundamental change: VAR,” said Blatter.

The latest confusion involving VAR was at Wednesday’s English FA

Sepp Blatter

Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur and Rochdale, where the London side had an early goal disallowed and a penalty later awarded by the VAR. Afterwards, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said VAR risked killing emotion in the sport, echoing a sentiment which

has already been expressed by some Serie A coaches.

It was not clear if Blatter was appealing for IFAB to reject VAR outright or give it more time. Blatter quit after 17 years as FIFA president in June 2015 after the global soccer body was engulfed in a corruption scandal.

The 81-year-old was later banned from the sport for six years for ethics violations. Blatter told Reuters last month he was considering legal action to clear his name. Last week, he tweeted his support for Morocco’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup.

DC-271

Di Maria is mobbed by PSG players after he scores a goal.

day’s home league win that came at a heavy cost. PSG announced shortly before kick-off that Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, would travel to Brazil for an operation at the end of the week after suffering a hairline fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

The absence of the 222-million euro ($264 million) Brazilian is a bitter blow to PSG as they attempt to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Real Madrid next Tuesday in the Champions League last 16.

The injury news then got worse for PSG when key striker Kylian Mbappe didn’t appear for the second half on Wednesday after picking up an ankle injury.

Di Maria, who sat out the entirety of the first leg defeat in Spain a fortnight ago, demonstrated all is not lost for Unai Emery’s team as he broke the deadlock with a deflected right-foot strike on the stroke of halftime.

Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, absent for Sunday’s loss, had pro-

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