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ASSENG/2015/64205

5 DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIRS

Vol. II

Issue 134

Dibrugarh, Thursday, December 1, 2016

Dashed expectations

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Assam records 928 new HIV cases PTI Guwahati, 30 Nov

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Districts showing consistently higher HIV prevalence among ANC attendees are Karimganj, Tinsukia and Karbi Anglong.

Assam has recorded 928 new HIV cases with an estimated 12,090 people living with HIV (PLHA) last year, according to Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS).

“People with HIV may have increased due to more people coming for testing. But, Assam is categorised as a low HIV prevalence state with an estimated adult prevalence of 0.06 per cent, lower than the national prevalence of 0.26 per cent,” ASACS Project Director Manvendra Pratap Singh said here on Wednesday.

Manipur has shown the highest estimated adult HIV prevalence in the country at 1.15 per cent, while other high

Assam has recorded 928 new HIV cases with an estimated 12,090 people living with HIV (PLHA) last year, according to Assam State AIDS Control Society Manipur has shown the highest estimated adult HIV prevalence in the country at 1.15 % , Mizoram at 0.80%, Nagaland at 0.78 % Analysis of the district level data shows Kamrup (Metro) has the highest detected HIV positive cases at 38% followed by Cachar, Dibrugarh and Nagaon districts

prevalence states in the region include Mizoram at 0.80 per cent and Nagaland at 0.78 per cent during last year.

Assam is highly vulnerable for HIV transmission as it is

the gateway to other northeastern states and is surrounded by the three highly prevalence states of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, Mr. Singh said.

“A large number of young people from the state go to big cities for employment and get involved in high-risk behaviour.

“Besides, a large number of females from other northeastern states, West Bengal and Nepal, who come to Assam for employment and education, get involved in certain behaviour favourable for HIV transmission,” he added.

HIV sentinel surveillance data shows HIV epidemic in the state concentrated in the high-risk groups of Intravenous Drug Users (IDU) at 1.46 per cent, men having sex with men (MSM) at 1.40 per cent and female sex workers (FSW) at 0.46 per cent, while HIV prevalence among ante-natal clinic (ANC) attendees was low at 0.18 per cent.

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Ashok : 9706289816

10 Things for High-School Students to Remember

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POI PEE MAU TAI 2111 CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA COMES ALIVE WITH CM AND RIJIJU’S VISIT

consistently higher HIV prevalence among ANC attendees are Karimganj, Tinsukia and Karbi Anglong.

Two districts — Cachar and Sonitpur — have recorded more than one per cent HIV prevalence among the ANC attendees.

While analysing the data of HIV detection in the state, it has been observed that the main route of transmission is through heterosexual at 84.6 per cent, parent to child at 4.6 per cent, homosexual/bisexual at 2.2 per cent, blood and blood products at 1.1 per cent, infected syringes and needles at 2.3 per cent and three per cent through unspecified transmission, Mr. Singh said.

Analysis of the district level data shows Kamrup (Metro) has the highest detected HIV positive cases at 38 per cent followed by Cachar, Dibrugarh and Nagaon districts, he added.

2nd Day of Poi Pee Mau Tai at Namsai.

News at page 2.

DFO: Strong network of disgruntled individuals trying hard to tarnish the image of Digboi Division Following the continuous portrayal of perverted picture of Digboi Division on a bad light on various fronts by different media houses, Bipul Bora the newly appointed DFO of Digboi Division while talking to The Eastern Today urged the people and the local organizations not to be misguided by any vested group as they are concerned about their selfish motives only. News at Page 4.

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

P2 Salman Mungrey takes over as President of All Changlang District Students’ Union ET Bureau Changlang,Nov 30: Salman Mungrey, who was holding the post of Vice President has taken over as the new President of Changlang District Students’ Union. The post of President of Changlang District Students’ Union was left vacant following the resignation of President Mengpa Haisa. Salman Mungrey,a pivotal figure in the student union, has been a popular figure among the students' fraternity in the district of Changlang.

Backing Salman Mungrey, as the ideal figure to lead the union, the Chief Advisor Mr. Lomhom Tangha asserted, “He will propagate the students’ grievances of the district and I am sure, he will not leave any stone unturned to mitigate the problems of students’ community”.

Besides being an abled leader Salman Mungrey has

the academic acumen, believes Chief Advisor, Lomhom Tangha. He asserted, “Salman Mungrey is a B.A (hons) LLB, graduate and by virtue of that, he will shoulder the grievances of the students’ community in the district without any bias”. The Chief Advisor of All Changlang District Student Union has all the backing for the new President and believes that his leadership will spearhead the Changlang District Students’ Union’s vision in the right direction.

HOROSCOPE Aries

Have sympathy for those who need to vent today, Aries. Don't be surprised if people line up outside your door for a chance to bend your ear for an hour or two. Your mind is sharp.

You will be able to see to the core of any issue brought before you. More than likely, you will understand things intuitively. People will do well to take your advice on any issue they have.

Taurus

You will probably want everyone to know how you feel today, Taurus. You won't be shy about expressing your emotions. Feel free to take the lead on matters, for you have the self-confidence and emotional stability to do quite well at the helm of the ship. Try not to let your mind trip over itself, however. You have the tendency to think about one issue so much that you completely lose perspective.

Gemini

Put your foot down today, Gemini. Don't let others push you around. It could be that you're used to letting people have their way in order to keep the peace. The problem with this is that your dreams and goals may get lost in the shuffle.

Don't lose sight of your true destination. There's much more to life than you might see on the surface. Dig deeper.

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

For goodness' sake, make a decision today, Cancer. The more you flounder about which way to go, the likelier it is that you will miss the boat altogether. You have all the facts you need, so don't delay any longer. Once you make up your mind, be strong and throw all your weight behind it. Your mind can be like a computer filing away information as long as you stay alert.

Mentally, you're apt to do very well today, Leo. You will find that you can tackle just about any cerebral challenge that comes along. The most difficult aspect of the day will be dealing with your emotions. More than likely, you will feel a great desire for attention. You just want to be loved. Get up on stage and say what's in your heart. This isn't a good time to harbor your feelings.

Your heart is in the right place today, Virgo, so feel free to share your good mood with others. Keep things simple and straightforward. Try not to complicate issues with unnecessary garble. Streamline your thoughts and actions. You will find that you can be much more efficient when you cut out the aspects that aren't pertinent or absolutely necessary. Follow your heart.

You may find it hard to get rolling today, Libra. It's likely that you're caught in a gridlock between your mind and heart. Be careful about letting this tension build. The most important thing for you today is to relax. Tackle things one step at a time and finish one project before starting another. You could get overwhelmed if you have too many things on your plate at once.

You're apt to be spurred into action by strong forces that don't want you to take a break, Scorpio. Keep in mind that the more you resist, the more you will be pushed and pulled by outside sources.

If you find yourself in a bind, take a deep breath and calm down. Act from a point of neutrality instead of a point of anger or defensiveness.

Sagittarius

Feel free to let it all out today, Sagittarius. It's finally your turn to stand up and say what you feel.

Don't let others push you into places you don't want to be. The key is to probe deeply with your penetrating mind and share your incredible insights with others. Don't be surprised if your actions cause some tension. Don't let this stop you from doing what you feel is right.

Capricorn

Emotionally speaking, you're probably doing quite well today, Capricorn. You have extra self-confidence to draw on to tackle your projects.

The one difficult aspect of the day probably has to do with some sort of mental challenge that for some reason just isn't making sense. Don't continue to beat a dead horse. If things don't want to budge, let them sit. Tackle them later.

Aquarius

You might be in a bit of a jam today, Aquarius, when one person or situation doesn't work well with what you're thinking, and another doesn't fit well with what you're feeling.

There's a clash taking place that may be difficult to reconcile, especially if you remain stubbornly in your position. The more flexible you are, the better off you will be.

Pisces

Today is a good day for you to follow through, Pisces. Normally you're much better at tagging along or simply going with the flow of the situation.

This way of doing things has proven quite effective for you in the past. Indeed, it has gotten you far. What you have now is a different situation.

The things you've started will do you no good until you complete them.

Dasanglu Pul sworn-in as MLA, asserts to upgrade Huyuliang District Hospital as her first priority A Staff Reporter Naharlagun, 30 Nov: After winning the by-election to 45-Hayuliang (ST) Assembly Constituency, Dasanglu Pul asserted that upgrading District Hospital, Hayuliang would be her first priority, and that she would take up the matter with the chief minister very soon.

Speaking to reporters at the headquarters of the state Bharatiya Janata Party, on the alleged suicide of her husband and former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, Dansanglu said that “Kalikho Pul believed in the law and I too believe in it, and I hope law will take its own

course of action”.

Bage, who joined the party recently with 32 ASMs and 71 Gram Panchayat members.

Welcoming Dasanglu, state BJP president Tapir Gao said that it is a red letter day for the state BJP as today it has its first elected women legislator.

Bage, who earlier contested as independent candidate said that the ideology of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP has influenced him and others to join the saffron party so that they can actively participate in the developmental plan of the central government.

Earlier in the day, Dasanglu was administered the oath of office at the Nokmey Nimati hall of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly by Speaker T N Thongdok, today.

He added that the scope of BJP coming to power in 2019 general election has further enhanced with recent stunt in by-election.

Hoping that she will stand up to the expectation of the people of her constituency and the state, Gao asserted that she has the support of the state BJP as well as central members also.

Gao also welcomed Dumporijo MLA Paknga

Deputy Speaker Alo Libang, ministers, parliamentary secretaries, legislators, party functionaries, state Chief Secretary Sakuntala D Gamlin and other senior government officials were also present during the ceremony.

Dasanglu won the Hayuliang Assembly bypoll held on November 19 last from the BJP ticket by defeating Independent candidate Yompi Kri by 942 votes.

Out of 9822, she secured 5326 votes.

The by-election to 45Hayuliang (ST) Assembly Constituency was held consequent upon the untimely demise of late Pul.

Poi Pee Mau Tai 2111 Cultural extravaganza comes alive with CM and Rijiju’s visit Namsai, Nov 30 : Chief Minister Pema Khandu landed here today along with Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju to attend the second day of the Tai New Year festival Poi Pee Mau Tai 2111.

Various cultural troupes from Thailand, Tai community and from various tribal communities of Arunachal welcomed the distinguished guests here at Poi Pee Mau ground. Before proceeding to witness the evening cultural extravaganza, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Hochayan (Cultural Hall) - the venue of the festival. The guests were then introduced with the cultural troupes participating in the evening cultural show.

The Chief Minister released a souvenir - Sasana Hom Tai (Aspiring as one Tai) published by the Tai Khampti Development Society (TKDS). Another Souvenir on Poi Pee Mau Festival published by the festival committee of Poi Pee Mau was released by the Union Minister. An audio CD on Tai music and modern songs were released by Agriculture Minister Wangki Lowang and Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Pasang D Sona.

Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, the Chief Minister appreciated that Poi Peem Mau celebration has become a face of Arunachal with participation from various tribal

The Chief Minister released a souvenir - Sasana Hom Tai (Aspiring as one Tai) published by the Tai Khampti Development Society (TKDS). communities in the festival.

He said culture is the strength of Arunachal. Foreign tourists come to Arunachal to see our ancient culture and traditions.

The CM appealed the youths to preserve their culture and tradition and urged them to be the bridge between tradition and modernity.

The Chief Minister called upon the people of Arunachal that time has come to be self-reliant and not always depend on centre for resources. He expressed hope that eastern part of state has great scope for growth, as the new civilian airport in Tezu is about to come up. Also a railway network upto Parashuram Kund is on the pipeline. The CM informed that Union Railway Minister or the Minister of State

for Railways would soon visit this part of the state.

Khandu urged the centre to immediately clear the proposal for a new tourist circuit ie Namsai – Parashuram Kund – Bhismaknagar, for which he directed the local administration to prepare a proposal as early possible. He informed that earlier funding pattern on the basis of tourist circuit has been discarded and the new concept of ‘Swadesh Darshan’ has been framed, as per which an area with scope for tourism will be funded.

Speaking on the tourism prospect of the region, the CM mentioned about the prospect the Glow Lake near Wakro that offers in terms of its beauty and vastness. He promised will be

soon visiting the Chowkham constituency where the lake is situated.

Responding to the proposal to name Poi Pee Mau as state festival, the Chief Minister alternatively suggested the people to come up with a concept of a combined festival that represents various communities and tribes from the area, which would be then be named as state festival.

Khandu appreciated the festival committee for dedicating the festival to fight against the drugs. He informed that state government has sanctioned Rs 6 crore to start all the defunct de-addiction centres in the area.

Further the Chief Minister called for more cultural exchanges between Thailand and Arunachal. This year

the festival has participants from delegates of Thai Embassy.

Earlier addressing the gathering, Rijiju expressed delight that Poi Pee Mau Tai 2111 has gone global with the presence of Thai Embassy delegates. He observed that Khampti and Thai people has great resemblance and are culturally closely linked, which must be explored and studied. Rijiju suggested on forming expert group to study with help from Thailand on how to work in areas of tourism, trade, commerce, religion and culture so that Arunachal and Thailand can mutually benefit.

Taking cue from Thailand, the Union Minister said that Arunachal can too develop in line of Thailand if it can cash on its tourism prospect.

He informed that home ministry is making all efforts to ease travel restrictions on foreigners to Arunachal to increase tourist flow.

Rijiju further informed that centre is preparing special package for Arunachal, being jointly proposed by the home ministry and rural development ministry. All norms on population and other criteria for development of roads under schemes such as PMGSY will be relaxed. The centre has planned to develop each border area of Arunachal and has on proposal to develop roads and other border infrastructures. The Union Minister informed

that these special package would be announced soon by the PM when he visits Arunachal.

Earlier in his welcome address, ?Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein said that “new era of tourism as well as cultural relations with Thailand has begun which would help in development of tourism in the state”. He also stress on building border trades with Myanmar, Bhutan and other neighboring countries for boosting economic development of the state. ?Citing the tourism potential of Namsai and adjoining districts, Mein proposed to the Chief Minister for creation of Namsai Kongmu Kham Parsuramkund - Tezu – Bismaknagar – Namsai Tourist Circuit with a provision for development of required facilities. He informed that Poi-Pee Mau Tai has now become an international festival with the participations of international cultural delegates from Thailand and with presence of other foreign audience, he requested Chief Minister to declared Poi-Pee-Mau-Tai Festival as an Annual Calendar Event of the state.

The festival was attended

by Forest Parliamentary Secretary CT Mein, Tax & Excise Parliamentary Secretary Zingnu Namchoom, Tourism Secretary Dr Joram Beda and other dignitaries.

AACWA vouches for corruption free society; presses for Lok Ayukta ET Bureau, Itanagar, Nov 30: The All Arunachal Contractor’s Welfare Association (AACWA) urged PPA-BJP NEDA government to immediately constitute a full pledged Lok Ayukta in the state to curb the menace of corruption in the state. “Every BJP ruling government and its alliance government ruling state had appointed full pledged Lokayukta in their state, why has not Arunachal constituted Lok Ayukta despite the green signal given by the previous congress regime under ex-chief Minister Nabam Tuki ,” the press release questioned. General Secretary of All Arunachal Contractor’s Welfare Association, Nabam Akin Hina asserted that the state has been a beneficiary of economic grants from the Centre to alleviate its infrastructure but the funds is not being utilized through right mechanism and most of the

times; grants are not reaching to the right hands. Nabam Akin Hina largely blamed the poor state of infrastructural developments and public facilities, like Hospitals, Schools, Road and Communication, to the siphoning of centre’s funds into the wrong hands. “It is an irony that the private building are mushrooming in rainy season and number of high class SUV cars plying on roads is skyrocketing, whereas infrastructural developments and public facilities are pathetically at a low level”, Nabam Akin Hina opined.

AACWA urged state government. to utilize the government funds on social sectors like education, health, road and communications and employment generation instead of procurements of SUV cars for Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, Chairman And Vice-Chairman.

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

Cash-crunch hits hard at remote Mechukha A Staff Reporter Mechuka, 30 Nov : The cash-crunch triggered by demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes has aggravated the woes of people of remote areas in Arunachal Pradesh, like Mechukha, which is already suffering from numerous infrastructure deficiencies,

including petrol depots and ATM booths.

Anger among the customers reportedly intensified in Mechukha town on Tuesday as the lone State Bank of India branch of the entire sub-division failed to dispense cash due to unavailability of new notes.

Reportedly, tempers frayed as hundreds of people queued for hours outside the lone SBI branch at Mechukha for the last four days.

Even as people are struggling to get new currency notes from the bank, another problem that everyone

is facing now is reportedly non-acceptance of old Rs 500 note in the markets.

“Especially during medical emergencies, the people are facing great difficulties, and the tourists visiting the picturesque town are also in problem due to cash crunch,” lamented Tachang

Two terror incidents in Jammu; 7 armymen, 6 terrorists killed

Jebing, vice president, All Mechukha Sub-Division Youth Welfare Association (AMSDYWA).

The AMSDYWA reiterated its earlier demand to the SBI authorities for early installation of ATM booths at Mechukha for the greater interest of the public.

Chief Minister Pema Awareness programme on power looms held Reporter Guwahati gave presentations Khandu extends greetings Staff PASIGHAT, Nov 30: An about the various schemes un- The programme was inauguprogramme on der North East Region Tex- rated by Bani Lego, Dy. Comon Indigenous Faith Day awareness power looms was conducted at tiles Promotion Scheme. missioner in-charge as Chief ET Bureau Itanagar, 30 Nov: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has extended his warm wishes and greetings on the auspicious occasion of Indigenous Faith Day to be observed across the state on December 1st.

Khandu emphasized on the significance of the Indigenous Faith movement, particularly under the aegis of the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP), that has successfully preserved and maintained the traditional customs and faiths of the indigenous tribes of the state in the age of rapid globalization.

Reiterating that ‘Loss of culture is loss of identity’, he asserted the necessity to preserve the distinct indigenous identities of the various tribes of the state lest these are lost forever.

“Ours is a distinct state with several tribes and communities residing side by side for ages and maintaining their own unique indigenous culture and traditions.

Despite our varied diversity, we as Arunachalees are united and take pride in our indigenous cultural heritage. This cultural mosaic has to be maintained, preserved and propagated at all costs while keeping intact our unity in diversity,” the Chief Minister added.

Governor extends Indigenous faith day greetings ET Bureau Itanagar, Nov 30 : The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya Shri V. Shanmuganathan has extended his heartiest greetings to the people of the State on the special occasion of Indigenous Faith Day. He expressed his hope that celebration of the day will inspire all to carry forward our indigenous faith system, as the people have done since times immemorial.

In his message, the Governor said that the Day, which is being observed as Donyipoloism Day, Rangfraism Day and also Intayaism Day in respect of indigenous faiths, cultures and customs in the State, re-

flects the unique cultural heritage of the indigenous people.

It also reinforces our distinctive culture which always has been for peace and harmony.

In order to strengthen this spirit, it is my firm belief that if rights of indigenous peoples respected, the cultures and traditions of the people will be maintained and strengthened.

He expressed confidence that the occasion will give impetus to the endeavour indigenous community for all round development of our Arunachal Pradesh State.

On this joyous occasion, I offer my prayers to Almighty to invoke thy blessings for each one of us, he added in his message

the conference hall of Assistant Director, Textile & Handicraft, Pasighat today where total of 50 entrepreneurs, weavers and artisans attended.

The awareness programme was conducted by a team of officers from Textiles Regional Office, Kolkata and Indian Jute Industries Research Association (IJIRA), Guwahati. The officers from Kolkata and

While Group Captain (Retd), Mohonto Pangging, spoke on experiences and advantages of opening the first power loom unit of Arunachal Pradesh here at Pasighat. Pangging, a former fighter pilot in Indian Air Force turned entrepreneur, is the proprietor of ELAM Industries which is now a leading manufacturer and supplier of cotton and polyester textile fabric.

Guest, while Maklek Pertin, Asst. Director, Textile & Handicraft attended as Guest of Honour. Both the guest appreciated the awareness programme which would be very beneficial for entrepreneurs, weavers and other artisans. Mukkin Megu and Prabal Bhattacharjee, EO and DO respectively also attended the programme.

Centre resumes Northeast industrial policy, but industry calls it a sham ET Bureau Guwahati, 30 Nov: Though the Centre after the lapse of almost two years has revoked suspension on registration of new units under Northeast Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP), the industry of the region has termed it as a sham.

The industry is of the view that with just four months left for the expiry of the policy, this revocation of the suspension was more out of compulsion after two adverse court judgements that questioned the suspension.

On the top of it, the new notification dated November 22 (which revoked the suspension) has diluted several incentives that were guaranteed in the original policy declared in 2007, thus leaving the industry guessing.

The industry of the region, under the banner of ‘Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region’ (FINER), moved the Gauhati High Court questioning the suspension and the court ruled in their favour.

Though the Centre has now reintroduced the policy, the industry finds that many of its incentives have been diluted.

Take, for example, Central Capital Investment Subsidy. As per the original policy, CCIS

was 30% of the investment in plant and machinery without any upper ceiling. However, as per the revised notification dated 22 November, CCIS has been kept to a maximum of Rs 5 crore per industrial unit operating in the manufacturing sector and Rs 3 crore per industrial unit operating in the service sector.

Also, the Freight Subsidy Scheme (FSS) of 2013, which had a sunset clause to expire on 22 January 2018, has been discontinued immediate effect vide the new notification.

“The NEIIPP, 2007 was suspended from 1 December 2014 to 22 November 2016 that is almost for two years. During this period almost all new investments were kept on hold, and therefore practically FSS was discontinued from December 2014 that is just after one year and eleven months from the date of its notification,” said Sandeep Khaitan, an industry expert.

According to the industry, NEIIPP has been the single largest contributor to employment in the Northeastern region apart from agriculture.

Approximately, 50,000 direct and 2,00,000 indirect employment has been generated due to setting up of units after the announcement of NEIIPP in

2007.

“Since 2007, around 9,000 units have been set up in the region. It was expected that employment opportunities would further increase with series of big investments and its indirect investments effects in MSME sector,” said Pabitra Buragohain, president of FINER. Buragohain lamented that when the government could seek industry’s views on several other issues including before announcing budget, what held them back from consulting the industry of the region to understand ground realities before finalising things with regard to NEIIPP. Bajrang Lohia, an industrialist from the region, felt diluting provisions guaranteed originally without consulting the industry and stakeholders amounted to step-motherly treatment to Northeast.

NEIIPP was announced in 2007 and is due to expire on March 31, 2017. As per the provisions of NEIIPP, industrial units in the region are eligible for 100 per cent income tax exemption, 30 per cent capital investment subsidy, excise duty benefits varying from goods to goods, interest subsidy, among others.

Jammu, Nov 29 (PTI) Two major terror attacks rocked Jammu region today in which 7 army personnel, including a Major, were killed and eight other securitymen, including a BSF DIG, were injured, before six heavily-armed terrorists were eliminated in the separate fierce encounters.

In one incident, a group of heavily-armed terrorists in police uniform stormed an

army unit in Nagrota, about three kms from the Corps headquarters on the outskirts of Jammu city this morning, triggering an intense gunbattle that lasted for hours.

Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in this attack before three terrorists were killed in an armed stand-off which also involved a hostage-like situation with 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children

being held captive. All were rescued, army spokesman said.

Three terrorists were gunned down by BSF in Ramgarh area of Samba near the International Border after an encounter that lasted several hours and was followed by intense cross-border firing by Pakistani troops. Four security personnel, including BSF DIG, were injured in this incident. .

DC urges agencies to refrain from duplicity in selection of beneficiaries ET Bureau Yupia, 30 Nov : Presiding over Disha, the first District Development Co-ordination and Monitoring Committee (DDCMC) meeting of Papum Pare district on November 30 at the conference hall of the Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC) office, Yupia, Deputy Commissioner Tai Kaye called on all executing agencies to refrain from duplicity in selection of beneficiaries of the schemes.

Kaye, who is also member secretary of the DDCMC, asked the executing agencies for proper implementation of all government schemes and also to ensure that benefits reach the target group.

Informing the house on power supply status of Yupia Township engineer Ajay Murtem said that one 500KV generator set is required to meet up the power need of the area, while DMO Dr Tasso Kampu highlighted the dismal condition of health facility in the district and stressed on improving the health scenario of the district.

Meanwhile, Kimin ZPM Tai Tayu also reiterated that executive agencies have been repeatedly requested to provide details of report that are to be presented in the meeting to all concerned Panchayat members before the meeting is conduct, but none of the executing agencies comply with the order.

He said that if they are given

details prior to the meetings then it becomes easier for them to have a proper discussion and come up with meaningful solutions.

During the meeting all the executing agencies, including departments like DRDA, RWD, PWD, ICDS, UD, PHED, Power, Health, Agriculture and Horticulture, presented reports on their physical and financial achievements through power-point presentations.

Among others, ZPC Nabam Aka, PD DRDA Toko Babu, all heads of departments, including all ZPMs, Anchal Samiti Chairpersons of the district were also present in the meeting.

Governor graces XIV Convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University

Think about the State and Country and make India great: Governor to RGU graduates and students ET Bureau Itanagar, 30 Nov: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya V. Shanmuganathan graced the XIVth Convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University as Chief Guest in the University Campus, Rono Hills, Doimukh on 30th November 2016. State Cabinet Minister for Urban Development etc. Nabam Rebia, Chancellor Air Marshal Pranab Kumar Barbora (Retd), Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tamo Mibang, members of Executive and Academic Councils, Deans of Faculty, Heads of Departments, members of the Faculty, Registrar and other officials of the University, special invitees and students of the University were present on the occasion.

Congratulating the students who were conferred with degrees, the Governor asked expressed their gratitude to their parents, teachers and educational institute. He advised them to have quality life, high moral ethics and physical fitness.

The Governor called upon the graduates and the students to have a purpose and goal in life. He advised them to think big and act in time with conviction.

The Governor said that to do any great work they have to focus on their performance. This will lead to rec-

ognition and in the long run earn respect. Respect will give them power. Thus, they have to concentrate on their performance. Discipline, speed of decision making, velocity of action are the necessary attributes for high performance. To bring out the best in you, you have to rise above gender, caste, religion, race, and regionalism. Leave your ego behind, eliminate bias and welcome courtesy and dignity, openness, fairness, transparency, accountability and meritocracy, he said.

Citing examples of Indians doing extremely well internationally, Satya Narayana Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, Pichai Sundararajan CEO of Google Inc and Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi CEO of PepsiCo, the Governor said that the youth of India have huge potential. In the same line, he expressed hope that the students of Arunachal Pradesh can become topmost person in the world. He advised the students to have faith and confidence in themselves.

The Governor exhorted the students, particularly those who were conferred the degrees to have the passion to contribute towards the society. He advised them to think about the State and Country and make India great.

The Governor, who is the

Chief Rector of the University urged upon the students to carry out research works through innovative means to address poverty, diseases and other challenges faced by the people.

In his address, Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University, Air Marshal (Retd.) Pranab Kumar Barbora congratulated the parents, faculty and students. He called upon the graduates to perform and help India in her progress. The Chancellor advised them to start street smart and stand out.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tamo Mibang gave a brief on the University. He informed that 61 major and minor research projects have been taken up by the University. It is one of the unique universities of the country where strength of the female students is more than their male counterparts.

Registrar, RGU Prof.

Rachob Taba proposed the Vote of thanks.

The Governor presented the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for academic session of 2015-16 to Arvind Kumar Maurya, Master in Computer Application. He also gave away the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy to Penny Rose Chinir (Tribal Studies), Goken Geyi (His-

tory), Chera Tamak (History), Upen Konch (Political Science), Goli Bagra (Political Science), Ajay Kr. Yadav (Political Science) in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Leki Norbu (Geography) in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Johny Tabing, Habung Yabo and Ashok Tajo in the Faculty of Education, Tonlong Wangpan (Botany), Pankaj Bharali (Botany), Purbajyoti Saikia (Zoology) and Dilip Basnet Chetry (Zoology) in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Ashok Sharma (Commerce) and Devi Baruah (Commerce) in the Faculty of Commerce & Management.

Chancellor Air Marshal (Retd) Barbora presented the Vice Chancellor’s Gold Medal for academic session of 2015-16 to Ms. Abhisweta Bhatt, B.Sc. in

Zoology. He also gave away the Degree of Master of Philosophy to Jose Kutty Thomas (Tribal Studies), Dol Bahadur Thapa (Economics), Rimjim Bordoloi (Economics), Rinkumoni Patir (Economics), Chow Minichan Mannoi (History), Jumter Loya (Political Science), Miti Siboh (Political Science), Kavita Karmakar (Sociology) and Neelam Rupa (Sociology) in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chello Lima (Commerce), Chiging Yamang (Commerce) and Rajashree Kalita (Commerce in the Faculty of Commerce & Management, Moti Pangkam (Mass Communication) in the Faculty of Information Technology and Debmalya Dasgupta (Botany), Nguli Dabi (Zoology), Taba Meth (Zoology), Tapak Tamir (Zool-

ogy) and Tongchen Jomba (Zoology) in the Faculty of Life Sciences.

On the special occasion, Chancellor Air Marshal (Retd) Barbora presented gold medals to the toppers in Post Graduate and Under Graduate courses.

The Gold medal winners for Post Graduate in the academic session of 2015-16 are Ms. Chera Devi, M. Phil (Tribal Studies), Mr. Apo Bagang, M.A. Anthropology, Ms. Jumbi Kato Lobom, M.A. History, Atu Yekar, M.A. Political Science and Ms. Jumi Ete M.A. Sociology in Faculty of Social Sciences, Mr. Tashi Dorjee Bapu, M.A. Geography in Environmental Science, Jumgam Riba, M.A. Education in Faculty of Education, Nyabi Bagra, M.Sc. Botany and Dunya

Buni, M.Sc. Zoology in Faculty of Life Sciences, Mayurakhi Bhuyan, M.Sc. Chemistry in Faculty of Basic (Chemical) Science, Kirnu Badak, M.Sc. Mathematics in Faculty of Basic (Numerical) Science, Mr. Abhijit Nath, M.Sc. Physics in Faculty of Basic (Physical) Science, Jango Sonam, M.A. English and Ms. Vandana Pandey, M.A. Hindi in Faculty of Languages, Sange Tsering, M.Com and Tenzin Choephel, MBA in Faculty of Commerce & Management, Udang Basumatary, M. Tech in Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Ogin Nayam, MA Mass Communication in Faculty of Information Technology and Mr. Arvind Kumar Maurya, MCA in Faculty of Computer Science Engineering.

The Gold medal winners for Under Graduate in the academic session of 2015-16 are Abhisweta Bhatt, B.Sc. in Zoology, Litnya Tangjang, B.Sc. in Botany, Manish Kr. Pandey, B.Sc. in Mathematics, Mudang Nampi, B.Sc. in Physics, Nabam Kama Hina, B.Sc. in Chemistry, Kago Yanya, B.A. Honours in Geography, Vandana Mishra, B.A. Honours in Hindi, Millo Chanya Nancy, B.A. Honours in English, Aning Gao, B.A. Honours in So-

ciology, Hage Siri, B.A. Honours in History, Gendan Lhamu, B.A. Honours in Economics, Ongkin Borang, B.A. Honours in Education, Horreithing Lungleng, BA in Mass Communication, Khusboo Singh, Bachelor in Commerce, Rehun Taijong, B.A. Pass Course, Renuka Mishra, Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery, Gallen Taloh, Bachelor of Law (LLB) and Mintu Das, Bachelor of Computer Application.

Amidst the festive setting, 6338 Post Graduates and Under graduates, which includes 678 Post Graduates were conferred degrees. 16 (sixteen) candidates received their Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 18 (eighteen) candidates were received their Degree of Master of Philosophy on the occasion.

21 Ph.D, 56 M. Phil, 338 MA, 61 MA (Distance mode), 95 M.Sc, 47 M.Com, 17 MA (Mass Communication), 22 MBA, 15 MCA and 6 M. Tech degrees were conferred in the XIV University Convocation. In Under graduate section, 4136 BA, 890 BA (Distance Mode), 7 BA (Mass Communication), 294 B.Com, 266 B.Sc., 12 BCA, 29 LLB, 3 BA LLB and 23 BHMS were also conferred.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

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DFO: Strong network of disgruntled individuals trying hard to tarnish the image of Digboi Division Laxman Sharma DIGBOI Nov 30: Following the continuous portrayal of perverted picture of Digboi Division on a bad light on various fronts by different media houses, Bipul Bora the newly appointed DFO of Digboi Division, told that a strong network of disgruntled individuals have been trying hard to tarnish his image and the image of his home town.

“Some vested interest and unscrupulous have been trying to show Digboi Division on a bad light

since the day I took charge,” alleges, Bipul Bora, the newly appointed DFO of Digboi Division.

Terming the recent allegations on the forest Department as manipulated and man-handled, Mr Bora told that from the day one of taking over the responsibility of the Division, he has been taking stocks of the divisions, visiting the entire flora kingdom to assess the exact status of forest resources.

Reiterating that

the

projects and plans which have been implemented and the schemes which are under progress as left behind by his predecessors are under progress under his regime, Bora said, “I have been streamlining the entire system in a rather effective way to bring about efficiency among the present work force for their best delivery towards the desired end, and while doing so it is natural that the miscreants accustomed with previous systems sustains economical injuries and trying to get rid

of me to continue their unabated reign of exploiting the forest resources,” Bora further added.

According to Mr Bora the continuous media coverage have sent discouraging picture of the Division, whereas, he has been leaving no stone unturned to check the illegalities, irregularities and other anti-natured commercial activities across the division, besides emphasizing on conservation of resources

both flora and fauna.

Appealing to the people to stay calm and to repose faith on him he said, “It is too early for anyone to assess my work as DFO within a couple of months, I am rather removing the existing infections now, I am yet to implement my concept and strategy for effective outcome, the people and local organization must come forward to assist me and encourage in my endeavour to escalate the green division into an international arena in terms

Dergaon Road Mishaps: 4 Killed, 20 Injured Rituraj Phukan Jorhat, 30 Nov: At least four people have died and twenty more were severely injured when a tanker(WB11B 8145) laden with chemicals hit a Tinsukia bound night super (AS 01GC 4766) in the early morning hours on Wednesday in Dergaon.

"Around 3 am the mishap took place" said one of the police officials.

In the mishap, Madhurjya Bora (Majuli) driver of the night super, Gautam Kuruwa(Burhapahar) helper of the bus, Summit

Kapur and another person, who is yet to identified, died in the spot. On the other hand, Kuldip Kunwar, Dr. Prasahnata Baruah, Nibir P. Dhar, Fatima Khatun,

Mridul Barman, Debu Gogoi, Surajit Barman, Laxman Sarna, Jayanta Karmakar, Bijoy Dey, Ajoy Ghosh, Summit Poddar, Munmi Gogoi, Ashim

Barua, Pran K. Dev, Satyajit Rai, Abhinandan Goshwami Bijoy Shankar Gogoi and two unknown person are injured in the mishap and are undergoing

treatment in the Jorhat Medical College Hospitals.

Two other unidentified passengers sustained major injuries and are in critical condition.

of conservation of Biodiversity”. Bora is adamant that people are behind him as his constant well wishers.

However, when asked about the hillock cutting, defores t a t i o n and encroachment in Lal Pahar area under Lekhapani Range he said that he would investigate into the issues and if needed he would call for the accountability of the rangers concerned.

Describing the issue of encroachment for

residential purpose as rather complicated he told that eviction would be carried out sooner or later after necessary administrative formalities and no encroachers of reserve forest would be spared.

When referred to the allegations of the local NGO, Mr Bora categorically termed it as “a result of manhandled and misguided act to defile me and my division”.

Nonetheless, he asserted that there might be some

elements of truth but the i n t e n t i o n o u g h t t o be preventive and constructive rather than unfairly accusing the Division.

Bora categorically termed the whole Digboi Division bashing as “making mountain of a mole hill”.

Talking to The Eastern Today, the new DFO urged the people and the local organizations not to be misguided by any vested group as they are concerned about their selfish motives only.

Chief Minister Sonowal and team leave for Hornbill Festival at Kohima A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 30 Nov: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has left for Kohima to take part in the Hornbill Festival, 2016 which will get off to a colourful start tomorrow at Nagaland’s historic Kisama village. Along with Sonowal, state Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and several

other MLAs will attend the inaugural ceremony.

Chief Minister Sonowal was invited to grace the Hornbill Festival by his counterpart TR Zeliang when the duo met for a discussion at Kaziranga Convention Hall on 17th October last.

Further, a 28 member cultural troupe of Assam will also perform in the Hornbill

Festival showcasing the rich culture of Assam through a dance programme.

Hornbill Festival organized by the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Government of Nagaland has already earned international recognition and many domestic and foreign tourists throng to Kisama village to be part of this mega cultural event of North East India.

AJYCP stages protest in Govt’s drive for opening bank accounts of tea Delhi demanding IPL workers marred with practical difficulties

Manoj Pandey Dibrugarh, 30 Nov: The government’s decision to open bank accounts by 5 December for disbursal of wages of thousands of tea garden workers is getting lukewarm response as the plan is hit by misplanning and apathy shown by banks.

Local banks are certainly not too concerned about it as some tea garden workers allege. It may be recalled that the government has ordered banks to open accounts for all tea garden labourers by December 5 so that wages can be transferred into accounts, but owners and labour unions think this is an impossible task.

Earlier, Post demonetisation, BJP led government in Assam has turned its focus on tea workers, which is the party's main support base in the state. Banks will open as many as 7 lakh accounts and set up 1,000 ATMs in the tea estates. The plan is now facing challenges with nearly 114 small to large tea plantation in Dibrugarh district in which 90 per cent of wage workers are illiterate.

The challenges are numerous. Of course firstly as most of the workers are illiterate documentation works and other paper works relating to opening of bank account is an uphill task. To add to the woes of

A group of organisations of the Northeast, led by Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP), staged a dharna in New Delhi on Tuesday demanding its introduction in Assam.

Currently, Arunachal

Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram are “protected” through the system of ILP. A domestic tourist is required to obtain an ILP to visit these states. Foreign tourists, other than from countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and Bangladesh, are issued the Protected Area Permit (PAP).

In the past two years, Manipur has witnessed a series of violent protests by

groups and organisations over the demand to introduce ILP in the State. Similar protests were seen in Meghalaya too. In Assam, the demand to introduce the ILP system is spearheaded by the AJYCP. “Time calls for the immediate introduction of ILP which can rescue Assam from the danger of the (illegal Bangladeshi) immigrants,” AJYCP president Biraj Kumar Talukdar said.

Assam to have surplus number of GNM nurses

A female tea garden worker plucking tea leaves at a tea plantation in Dibrugarh on Wednesday.

Photo by Manoj Pandey the workers, even if they have debit cards, the workers are reluctant to use it as they do not know how to use debit cards.

Some workers laments the fact that the ATMs which are set up in the tea gardens either remain out of operation or out of cash

most of the time. In this case “how will they withdraw money” is a question posed by many tea garden workers. Some angry tea garden workers expressed their helplessness in not knowing how to operate the debit cards at ATM kiosks.

“If I have to withdraw money from ATM kiosks I

will have to take the help of someone who knows how to withdraw money from ATM booths, can I afford to take someone on a daily basis?” articulated one worker.

Some also are lamenting the ratio of ATM to cater to thousands of tea garden workers. In most of the cases there is only one ATM

booth for five thousand wage earners. “How can five thousand workers withdraw from one ATM? The government must set up more ATMs to ease up the pressure of cash striven workers, most of the time ATMs are out of cash,” lamented one tea garden worker.

NF Railway Officials Visit Furkating Junction; explores feasibility to accord sanction of stoppage of Rajdhani Express Mina Nsgori Golaghat , Nov 30: A team of top brass of NF Railway yesterday came on a official visit to Furkating Railway Junction and Kaziranga. Two top officials of the NF Railway C Ram, General Manager and P Mishra , DRM Tinsukia Division made this visit to check the ground reality and feasibility to accord sanction of stoppage of Rajdhani Express at Furkating Junction which was a prolonged demand of the local people and United

ET Bureau Guwahati, 30 Nov: After Manipur and Meghalaya, the demand for the introduction of the inner line permit (ILP) system is gaining momentum in Assam.

Chamber of Commerce Golaghat . Yesterday a delegation of United Chamber of Commerce Golaghat led by President AB Goswami and Executive Committee member RM Binnani met with the top officials of the NF Railway at Furkating and handed over a memorandum regarding the same.

The GM of NF Railway said that he had come personally to check and verify the distance details. He also stated that the demand for Coach Indication LED Display System

will be provided very shortly. Also United Chamber of Commerce EC member RM Binnani urged the GM to display colourful posters , LCD Display of Photographs of various tourist attraction and historical places at Furkating Junction to which the GM of NF Railway immediately ordered the DRM to execute the project . Also United Chamber of Commerce delegates demanded to provide one tourist train to cover all the tourist and historical places .

ET Bureau Guwahati, 30 Nov: Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the state will strive to have a surplus of over 25,000 GNM nurses in the next few years to help fill in the gaps in the nursing sector and compete with states like Kerala that have a nursing surplus.

Sarma was speaking at the ceremonial distribution of engagement letters to 706 nurses under the National Health Mission on Tuesday.

He also said that in order to have a surplus in nurses the state government needs to expedite process in setting up nursing schools and institutes in the state.

"We need to compete with the best in the state. States like Kerala that have a sur-

plus in nurses have made a difference to their respective health sectors. Assam also should strive to achieve the surplus in nurse. We have set the ball rolling and aiming for a 25000 eligible nurses in the next few years," said Sarma.

The minister also said that in the upcoming medical colleges cum hospitals at Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Dhubri the new nurses will play important roles in the next coming years. The medical colleges will require an estimated budget of Rs 240 crore.

He also added that the nursing schools and institutes will be equipped with state of the art infrastructure catering to the modern amenities required in doling out nursing education to eli-

Guwahati Boy tops Indian Engineering Service Exam 2016 ET Bureau Guwahati, 30 Nov: Idul Ahmed from Guwahati has made North East proud as he emerged as topper in the Indian Engineering Services (IES) examination, 2016.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) that conducts Engineering Services Examination (EAS) recently declared the results of EAS 2016. Hailing from

Guwahati and currently residing in New Delhi, Idul Ahmed was a former Engineer in Oil India Limited, Duliajan.

He completed his schooling from Don Bosco High School, Guwahati and college from Cotton College, Guwahati. He was a student of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Guwahati.

gible nurses.

Sarma also laid out plans for commencing the constructions of the medical college cum hospital at the three locations. He said that work will begin by early next year.

"What is to be seen is that in the next one year there will be a requirement of 10, 000 nursing graduates in the state. We also have to accommodate nursing training to over 25000 eligible nurses in the next few years.

The nursing institutes will be equipped with all the best of facilities," added Sarma.

He also said that by next year the state government will roll out measures to set up six 200 bedded district hospitals, 62 model hospitals, 60 health centres and 1000 sub health centres.

Haj Committees dissolved Dispur, Nov 30: As per the decision of the meeting of the Joint State Haj Committee, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland held on November 20, 2016, all the District Haj Committees and the Sub-Divisional Haj Committees of Rangia/ Bilasipara sub-divisions (Civil) are dissolved with immediate effect.

The dissolved committees will be reconstituted within December 31, 2016.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

DC releases deleted voters list Sushanta Roy Diphu, Nov 30: The Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong, today published the MAC wise struck off list for preparation of the final Electoral Rolls for Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Election, 2016-17 as per notification of Assam State Election Commission, Dispur and Autonomous Districts Council (Constitution of District Council) under Rules 1951/129.

Objection and claim in this issue can be taken up with the nearest Election Office within 15 days. It may be mentioned here that a person will have to reside in this district for at list 12 years to be entitled for voting in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council election.

Irritated customers close down bank Sushanta Roy Diphu November 30: Following demonetization of Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 currencies on November 8, yesterday, the cash striven angry mob forcefully closed down the Doyangbra LDR Bank in West Karbi Anglong district accusing the Bank authority of failing to issue amount demanded by the customers. The bank was reopened only after the Bank employees pleaded the public and made them to understand the consequence.

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APSC Scam: 4 more officers questioned by Investigation Team A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 30 Nov: In a major development today related to the investigations in the APSC job appointment scam, the team of investigation officers today questioned four priestly serving officials, who are suspected to have got through the Assam Public Service Commission selection by paying hefty sum of amount as bribe.

Among the four officials, three are ACS officers and are serving as EACs and one is a APS officer and is serving as a DSP. All the four were today questioned at the head office of the Special Branch, Assam police today at Kahilipara today.

According to sources at the Assam police and the Assam home department, there are many more who have recently qualified through the APSC and are under the lens.

“These ACS and APS probationers could face arrest if the police find evidence of any wrongdoing by them," the source said.

This development comes barely days after Assam Public Service Commission member Basanta Kumar Doley was arrested on Monday by a team of Dibrugarh Police in connection with the APSC cash-for-jobs scam.

Doley was accused of destroying evidence after he asked his office peon to set

fire to several documents at the APSC office on November 6 on the pretext of driving away mosquitoes.

Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay today said besides arresting Assam Public Service chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul and four of its officials, the police have examined 46 persons so far in connection with alleged corruption in the organisation.

Of the 46 interrogated, the DGP at a press meet here without giving details in the interest of investigation, said they were from the APSC, public servants and private citizens.

To a query, Sahay said efforts were on for submitting

even a part charge sheet on the case in court.

In connection with the cashfor-job scam he said so far over Rs 40 lakh, digital evidence, including computers and mobiles, answer scripts, master answer scripts, tabulation sheets etc, have been seized and the digital evidence have been sent for forensic test.

"So far five belonging to the APSC have been arrested, including its chairman (Rakesh Kumar Paul), two members (Samedur Rahman and Basanta Kumar Doley) and Assistant Controller of Examinations (Pabitra Kaibarta). Four are in judicial custody and one is in police custody," Sahay added.

“Madrasas remain closed on Fridays in Pakistan and Bangladesh, not in India.

In our country Sunday is

ET Correspondent, Haflong Nov 30: Monojit Barman, Supervisor and Amarjit Roy, machine operator of a construction company engaged for the construction of NH 54 E, who were kidnapped by some unknown gunmen from Changpijan village of Mahur miraculously escaped from the kidnappers’ clutch in a place under Jaypur Police Station in Cachar district on Tuesday night.

They were brought to Haflong today safe and sound. They describing their nine days’ ordeal said

they were kidnapped by five gunmen having AK rifle and pistol and took away through dense jungle and was provided with meal. They were to walk long through thorny

bushes; they were mentally broken down and never thought to be free. They however thanked the God who they believe as their savoir as they could return unhurt.

Diphu police arrest 2 UPLA cadres, arms seized

AITUCDC submits memorandum to increase DEMU train service A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Nov 29: The reduction in Diesel Electric Multiple Unit(DEMU) train services for local passengers in the Dibrugarh Tinsukia - Ledo/Dangri section in upper Assam from Saturday which began on October 8 to ease passengers commutation inconveniences has not gone down well with the people here in the tea town.

The members of the All India Trade Union Congress District Council (AITUCDC) taking note of the reduction of DEMU services have expressed re-

sentment. Expressing disapproval at the decrease of DEMU train service, the secretary of AITUCDC and social activist, Ranjan Chaudhury, while submitting a memorandum to the Railway Divisional Manager Northeast Frontier Railway, Tinsukia, demanded increase in DEMU train service in Upper Assam for shifting the socio-economic picture of the Railway division because this train service was anticipated to be economically viable for all sections of people. As such, several proposals have been suggested in the memorandum

by AITUCDC, to which consideration of the Railway Divisional Manger has been sought.

The demands as incorporated in the memorandum are - The LedoDIbrugarh Town 7906 and Dibrugarh TownLedo 7905 DEMU Train Service should start at 7 am and must run four times daily; the DEMU Train Service on LedoJorhat and Jorhat-Ledo should be introduced.

Both the train services must start from 5 am and should run twice daily; shades on platforms

should be constructed immediately at Ledo , Tinsukia , Dibrugarh and Mariani Railway stations with adequate human resource; the frequency of Dangri – Dibrugarh – DEMU train service should be increased together with the construction of a railway station at Dhola; reopening of closed railway stations, especially the one at Bogapani along with development of platforms in all the railway stations, and proposal for building of Double Railway Line Track from LedoMariani – Dibrugarh.

remark has provoked angry protest in some parts of the state and All Assam Minority Student Union (AAMSU) staged protest at Kharupetia by burning his effigy. The protesters also blocked roads at some places.

Sushanta Roy Diphu November 30: A team of Diphu police led by the Superintendent of Police Karbi Anglong Dabojit Doloi arrested two cadres belonging to UPLA (United Peoples liberation Army) after a skirmish near Diphu ITI, when they came to collect payoff from the private residence of Bidyasing Rongpi, Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, police has recovered one 9mm pistol and 3 live bullets from the assailants; the CBZ bike (AS09B/1742) used by them has been seized police.

Some Muslim organizations and madrasa teachers’s associations have criticized the education minister over his warning.

The incident took place around 8.30 PM.“We have received complain from Bidyasing Rongpi that the outfit has demanded five lakhs from him over

State BJP govt warns of action against madrasas if closed on Friday ET Bureau Guwahati: Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sparked off a controversy by directing madrasas of the state to function on Friday and said his government would take stern action against those who didn’t follow the order.

Kidnapped NKC employees escaped from kidnappers’ clutch

the uniform weekly off for people of all faiths.

Madrasas too have to remain closed only on Sundays,” Sarma said. His comments have triggered an angry protest from a section of Muslim organisations and madrasa teachers association.

The government only recently discovered that some madrasa institutions in the state remain closed on Fridays. The government said it was against the law and that it would not hesitate to take action against the heads of such institutions.

ment has no objection to students attending namaz on Friday afternoon but madrasas should not be closed on Fridays.”

The madrasas of the state were following the practice of having a holiday on Friday for “namaz”.

Sarma, warned of action if “they do not give up the practice immediately.”

“I have checked it there were no laws that made the madrasas and other educational institutes to remain closed on Fridays.

It came to the notice of the government recently,” Sarma said.

He clarified, “The govern-

The education minister’s

phone; accordingly police laid an ambush near his residence; when they were near the house, we commanded them to halt instead they fired two rounds at the police party ; in the retaliatory fire both received bullet injury and the rear wheel of the bike was deflated but they somehow speeded away from the place of occurrence and took shelter inside an empty quarter of the Council colony allotted to another Executive Member of KAAC Pradip Signar which is few kilometers away from the place of incident. Police party carried out a systematic hunt of the whole locality following the blood marks, at around 2.00 AM both the injured cadres reached Diphu Civil Hospital from where they were taken

into custody and now they are undergoing treatment,” Pradip Nath, officer in charge of Diphu police station said to this correspondent.

The cadres have b e e n identified as Gautam Terang 23 and Sanjay Bey 22. Police have registered case no. 251/ 16 under section 387 of IPC. Till filling of this report condition of the injured cadres have been stated to be very critical by the attending physician. It may be stated here that after declaration of truce by KPLT ( Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger) the UPLA has become active in subversive activities in both east and western part of Karbi A n g l o n g a u t onomous district.

They Waited for Years for a Road, Now these Determined Villagers Are Building One Themselves Dibrugarh, 30 Nov: In a remote corner of the northeastern state of Assam, a 38year-old social worker named Aching Zeme is helping villagers help themselves. Almost 70 years after India’s independence, their villages still do not have road connectivity.

“The youth in the villages say their previous generations have been wiped out just from walking,” Aching says. “They do not want to suffer the same fate.”

Without roads, everything is an ordeal for the villagers – be it getting to the market or to the hospital.

The villagers have approached the government many times to construct a road but nothing has come of it, according to Aching.

As a result, the villagers have decided to take matters into their own hands.

The villagers and Aching have pooled in money and

lets are home to different communities – the Rankhol tribe in Boro Robi, a Nepali community in Raotilla, and mostly Naga tribals in Inchaikang.

Most of the people here are involved in jhum cultivation, which refers to the slash-and-burn method of farming. Others are engaged in selling firewood, charcoal, or vegetables.

“There are no other occupations,” Aching says.

the residents have volunteered to provide manpower to build a motorable dirt road connecting the villages of Boro Robi and Inchaikang, a 12-km stretch. The road will also

pass through Raotilla settlement, which lies between the two villages.

The nearest big town is Haflong, about 5 km from Boro Robi. Haflong is the

headquarters of the Dima Hasao district of Assam.

The entire region is mountainous, which makes the construction of a road especially difficult.

The villages are remote and

small. Boro Robi village has only about 40 houses, and nearby Raotilla has about two dozen households. Inchaikang village is relatively larger with about 56 houses. The three ham-

The estimated cost of construction for the dirt road is about Rs. 1.5 lakh. A major part of that money will go towards operating an excavating machine, which is necessary for a project like this in a mountainous region. The road itself will be built using local materials.

The villagers have managed to put together about Rs. 90,000 to launch the project

last week. Of this, about Rs. 60,000 came from Aching’s own pocket, Rs. 20,000 from the villagers, and the rest was contributed by friends and well wishers.

About 10 people have been working on the road every day since November 24.

The villagers work on a rotation basis and no one is paid for their efforts. The hope is to finish the construction by December 10.

Once the road emerges, small motorized vehicles like autos, cars and twowheelers will be able to ply on it. “It will make it easier for children in the village to get to school,” Aching says.

The better-off villagers send their children away to private schools where they live in hostels.

For the poorer folk, the nearest school is almost 7 km away in Jatinga and their children walk almost one-

and-a-half hours every day to get to it.

The nearest hospital is in Haflong town. A road would allow the villagers to get to the facility faster and more comfortably.

Aching has been a social worker in this region for almost 15 years. He reaches most of the villages where he holds awareness campaigns by walking. The new road would not only help villagers but also allow him to get to them faster.

He has received many requests from other villages in the area to build roads for them too. “We will try to minimize expenditure for this project,” he says. ”If we have money left over or if we get more donations we will definitely take up more road building projects.”

(Courtesy: The better India)

EDITORIAL Dashed expectations

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

Today's quote "I like your Christ, I do not like “your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." – Mahatma Gandhi

A last chance for amnesty The amendments to the Income Tax law passed by the Lok Sabha now offer those with unaccounted cash a last shot at amnesty. They can pay half their cash as tax and deposit a quarter into a new Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. Those who fail to do this voluntarily for bank deposits made since November 8 would end up retaining about 15 per cent of the total amount if they cannot establish a legitimate source for the funds.

There is a Robinhood-esque edge to the PMGKY approach, directly linking the war on black money to welfare of the poor. Essentially an extension of the recent Income Disclosure Scheme that cleaned up about Rs.65,000 crore of undeclared income by levying 45 per cent tax, the December 30 deadline for bank deposits in demonetised notes gives a more purposeful push to the effort to clean out all the cash in the grey economy. The scheme for disclosing foreign assets last year had yielded just about Rs.2,400 crore in taxes, so a tougher approach was perhaps necessary to instil real fear among habitual tax evaders. Since the demonetisation of currency notes worth an estimated Rs.14.18 lakh crore, nearly Rs.8.45 lakh crore has been brought back into the system. If the proportion of notes deposited or exchanged is in line with their circulation prior to November 8, about Rs.2.56 lakh crore in Rs.1,000 notes and Rs.3.17 lakh crore worth of Rs.500 notes (that can be spent on exempted categories till December 15) is still out there.

Many clever ploys have been attempted to subvert this drive and convert black money into white: hiring people to exchange currency; tapping cash-in-hand entries of firms to launder illicit cash; pumping funds into bank accounts for the poor; purchasing goods in bulk where old notes are still allowed; even tipping off the taxman to conduct search-and-seizure operations on one's own premises to avail of a provision that allows individuals to pay a mere 10 per cent penalty on such income if they admit to it. The government is trying to close the door on such ingenuity, and the latest tax law changes should be seen in this context. By early January, it will be clear how much money has been mopped up by the demonetisation operation. There is, however, no doubt that this tax manoeuvre is a neater way of gaining fiscal headroom than extinguishing the Reserve Bank of India's liabilities to the extent of unreturned old Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes, and turning that into a special dividend to the exchequer.

Finally, a step towards change With the CPN(Maoist-Centre)-led government in Nepal approving amendments to the Constitution that will be tabled in Parliament, a first step towards positive change has been made in addressing federal concerns. The amendments include federal redrawing of boundaries that will allow for at least two Madhesi-dominated Terai provinces, substantial recognition of rights of naturalised citizens, especially women, and some degree of proportional representation in the Upper House. All these were major demands raised by Madhesi and other groups in agitations that lasted months and disrupted life.

But with the opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Unified-Marxist Leninist) refusing to countenance any change, the Nepali Congress not providing adequate support to the government and the Madhesi parties refusing to budge from maximalist positions in the run-up to the move, it remains to be seen whether these amendments will pass. A failure would mean the political battle to honour the commitments made in the interim Constitution in 2007, which followed a series of agitations seeking a federal democratic character to Naya Nepal, is lost to the status quoists.

Last week marked the tenth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) between mainstream political parties and the Nepali Maoists. It formally ended the decade-long civil war and paved the way for a constitutional republic. The initial achievements, painstakingly won, secured the peace process and mainstreamed the Maoists to bring a measure of stability to a country emerging not only from civil war but also a disastrous spell of rule by the palace. However, these last ten years have not quite seen the substantive change people had hoped for, with political parties abandoning the bipartisan approach to the CPA. Far from rising to the responsibilities of the new compact, the polity reverted to its default position of the 1990s, with short-termist power grabs and spells of political instability. This abdication resulted in a failure to forge consensus on the contentious issues of state restructuring and amendments to the Constitution to address the concerns of the Madhesis and other ethnic groups. The naysayers have cynically used the 'nationalist' line to resist the amendments, suggesting that these are directed by a foreign hand (read India). This ploy has been frequently used to resist democratic change.

Unlike what the 'nationalists' claim, a truly federal Nepal is not a recipe for instability. Provinces sharing the power that is currently concentrated in Kathmandu would stabilise Nepali politics and empower marginalised communities. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' took office promising momentum to the political process. Months later, he has taken the first step.

While demonetisation water on such hopes, at can result in lower interest least for now. Banks will rates over the long run, there have to park with the RBI, are good reasons to not ex- at zero return, all the depospect lending rates to fall its they got in the period quickly.

SeptemT h e ber 16 to government's T.T. Ram Mohan November move to 11. The demonetise high-value cur- period mostly pre-dates rency notes is imposing sig- demonetisation, which was nificant costs on the announced on November economy. No matter, its ad- 8., 2016 vocates say. There will be The RBI wants to ensure benefits, some immediate that deposits that have and some that will show up flowed into the system over the long run. thereafter do not lead to "excess liquidity", that is, more The costs are becoming funds than banks know apparent. Millions standing what to do with. As a result in queues to get cash, indi- of the RBI move, the bankviduals unable to buy es- ing system will be left with sentials, the disruption of lesser deposits than small business, trade, trans- thought earlier. This diminport and agriculture. Many ishes the prospects of a cut analysts think GDP growth in lending rate, and it cerwill drop below 7 per cent in tainly limits the extent to 2016-17. Some think it will which lending rates can be be significantly lower. cut in the near future.

The reason given for the The important question is move is that the RBI does whether the move will de- not have enough stock of liver benefits that outweigh securities to absorb the exthe short-term costs. Let us cess liquidity. The RBI says focus for now on one imme- that issuing additional Mardiate benefit we were asked ket Stabilisation Scheme to expect: a decline in lend- bonds in order to absorb liing rates in the economy. quidity can't be done in a hurry.

Banks have been flooded with deposits. Most of it will But we need to ask why be withdrawn for use. But banks want to park so much even if 10 per cent of the of the deposits coming to deposits were to stay, it was them in government securiargued, it would suffice for ties in the first place. Why banks to cut lending rates. would they not want to use Lower rates would boost the extra deposits to give spending and help offset the out more loans? According huge shock to aggregate to reports in the media, as demand caused by the with- much as Rs.4 lakh crore out drawal of 86 per cent of cur- of the Rs.6 lakh crore that rency from the system at one has come to banks after stroke. demonetisation has been invested in government seDealing with plenty curities.

With its decision on November 26 on incremental Capital position and lendcash reserve ratio (CRR) for ing banks, the Reserve Bank of The answer, quite simply, India (RBI) has poured cold is that public sector banks

(PSB), which account for nearly 70 per cent of banking assets, are unable or unwilling to sharply increase loan growth. They are unable to give out more loans because many are constrained by lack of capital.

Some PSBs are operating close to the minimum capital requirement of 9 per cent.

The average capital at PSBs has fallen well below the level of 13 per cent they had only a few years ago. Regulations limit loans to a certain multiple of the capital that banks hold. The lower the capital that banks hold, the lesser their ability to make loans.

Even PSBs whose capital position is relatively comfortable are unwilling to sharply increase loan growth. All PSBs are wrestling with high levels of nonperforming assets (NPA).

They lack the appetite for making fresh corporate loans, certainly big-ticket project finance. In such a situation, it is unrealistic to expect that a surge in deposits would translate into higher credit growth. We need to fix the problems of capital and NPAs at PSBs first - and little has happened on those fronts.

Most of the incremental deposits in recent months has gone into government securities (G-Sec). This has caused yields on G- Secs to plummet. Before the RBI move, the yield on 10-year G-secs fell to below 6.25 per cent, a drop of over 1.2 percentage points from a year ago and 2 percentage points from two years ago.

Given that rates on loans tend to be at a certain premium over risk-free G-Secs, you would think that a decline in G-Sec yields was welcome.

It is, but only up to a

point. In an economy that is open to capital flows, we have to take into account the effect of a decline in interest rates not just on domestic investors in the real economy but also on foreign investors in Indian debt securities. Any decline in interest rates has to be carefully managed, taking into account the differing preferences of the two constituents. If the difference between the rate on Indian securities and that on dollar securities becomes too wide, foreign investors will want to exit. There could be large, destabilising capital outflows. This must be the RBI's big worry now.

Selling Indian debt Trends in Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) in debt in the current year are already a cause for concern.

In 2015-16, there was a net outflow of Rs.4,004 crore from FPI investment in Indian debt. In 2016-17, up to November 29, the outflow has increased to Rs.12,842 crore.

FIIs have been selling Indian debt furiously after demonetisation. They turned net sellers on November 15, a week after demonetisation was announced. They have continued selling since. Total outflows from the debt mar-

ket between November 15 and November 28 amounted to a staggering Rs.19,089 crore. These huge outflows have offset the net inflows of some of the previous months. A widening of interest rate differentials between India and the U.S. would lead to even heavier selling.

The RBI's worry must be especially acute following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential polls.

Mr. Trump's ambitious spending plans and tax cuts spell a higher U.S. fiscal deficit and higher interest rates. In anticipation of this, there have already been large inflows into the dollar.

The expectation is that the U.S. Federal Reserve will announce an increase in its policy rate at its next meeting on December 14.

With this in mind, the RBI should be treading warily on any cut in the policy rate at its monetary policy announcement on December 7. Consequent to the CRR announcement, some analysts have revised their forecast for an RBI rate cut downwards from 0.5 per cent to 0.25 per cent. Others are betting that there will not be a rate cut at all.

This, of course, does not

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take away from the fact that demonetisation can result in lower interest rates over the long run. Greater financial inclusion and digitisation of payments will cause deposits to swell and help lower lending rates once the problems in the banking sector are fixed.

Tackling black money Demonetisation can potentially confer other benefits as well. There could be changes in behaviour, not just of individuals but of businesses, which leads to better tax compliance and a higher tax to GDP ratio. Cash and black money are not synonymous but, yes, a lower use of cash can indeed help reduce black money in the economy. A serious assault on black money, however, would require measures aimed at real estate, gold, holdings abroad, donations to political parties and significant improvements in the tax, law enforcement and judicial systems.

The short-term costs of demonetisation are steep and plain enough. Whether it turns out to be a transformative measure that delivered substantial long-term benefits and whether those benefits were worth the short-term pain is too early to judge.

The missing Buddhist trick Vipassana is Gautama Buddha's technique for self-awareness, harmonising life with nature's law of impermanence or anichhya should be cut off? Did he with equanimity. If the knee have this in mind when he aches because of proinvited Prime Minister longed sitting in one posiNawaz Sharif to his swear- tion in Vipassana, just learn ing-in? That town in Russia to observe the pain with they met to reset their ties. equanimity. All pain is tranWas he planning to turn off sient as all other sensations the taps there? Or was this are. Vipassana thus constia bit of bad news he forgot tutes the essence of the Buddhist to whisper into dhamma.

JAWED NAQVI Sharif's The pain attenwould go tive ears in Lahore? away without your reacting Modi can be full of bilious to the provocation. It is not hatred but his targets keep an easy skill to acquire. shifting. Pakistan can be a A Hindu businessman target today and a friend to- brought the technique back morrow. Indian Muslims, to India from Myanmar in whom he called Mian 1969. This was centuries afMusharraf ki aulad (Gen ter Brahminical hostility to Musharraf's children), were Buddha's iconoclastic declared his closest broth- teachings, with his unsparers at a BJP rally in Kerala ing criticism of gory rituals recently. Let's see where his and obscurantist beliefs, state of impermanence ensured its demise in the lands him after the elections country of his birth. in Punjab and Uttar I was in Patna the day Rajiv Gandhi was killed and Pradesh. thus remember the date. The If Modi ever becomes fa- morning papers were replete miliar with the concept of with pre-poll caste analysis anichhya he would be a in Bihar. This was where calmer person. Vipassana Buddha attained nirvana at trains the mind to liberate the age of 35 and preached itself from all provocations till he died at 80. Brahmins

It was 10 days of complete silence last week, a gruelling but rewarding Vipassana course in Kerala. We were some 25 men and women from different parts of India and elsewhere. We lived together but didn't say a word not even with a sign.

Vipassana is Gautama Buddha's technique for selfawareness, harmonising life with nature's law of impermanence or anichhya. Life is dynamic and impermanent, and so are the pains and the pleasures that we experience. Hatred is transient. Of this I am now doubly sure.

Being a creature of habit, the first thing I grabbed after coming out of enforced seclusion was a newspaper.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was threatening to change the flow of river water from India to Pakistan.

I couldn't help smiling. Modi is as good an example of anichhya as any. Impermanence has been an ingredient of his policy with Pakistan, indeed, as with others.

When did he decide that Pakistan's water supply

The eagle Once a farmer found an abandoned eagle's nest and in it was an egg still warm. He took the egg back to his farm and laid it in the nest of one of his hens. The egg hatched and the baby eagle grew up along with the other chickens.

It pecked about the

farmyard, scrabbling within the yard and f o r rarely looked up. When it was very old, one day it lifted up its head and saw above it a wonderful sight - an eagle soaring high above in the sky.

Looking at it, the old creature sighed and said to itself, "If only I'd been grain. It spent its life born an eagle".

so many, Yadavs so many, Bhoomihars so many, Muslims so many, dalits so many and Buddhists zero per cent, said an English daily.

Why was there a column for Buddhists if they were reduced to zero per cent centuries ago? Whatever be the reason for the mysterious reference to Buddhism in the caste analysis, be it guilt from history or a mere clerical error, it had its irony.

Bihar - once pronounced Vihar - was where Buddhism began its journey. Bhimrao Ambedkar had to make a new beginning for its teachings in India with the mass conversion of dalits in defiance of the politics of Gandhi and Congress.

In Vipassana one begins by observing the breathing.

The sensations you feel in the nostrils and the area above the upper lip is where you concentrate your mind first. Most people would not be able to successfully observe their own breathing sensations - warm, cold, moist and so forth - for more than a minute, if even that much. The mind loves to

dwell in the past if it is not carrying the cargo of emotions into the future.

One place the mind seldom finds comfort in is the present. Possibly the prime example of your present is in your breathing. You can't breathe in the past or in the future, can you? Once settled and trained, in some cases it could be longer than two days of sustained focus, the mind is dispatched to explore the rest of the body from head to toe, to scour and observe sensations, gross and subtle.

Having learnt to observe the gross pain or the subtler elation without reacting to them with aversion or desire, the mind is ready to face the most difficult provocations in life with equanimity. So says the Vipassana method. It must be logical, and so powerful too, that it threatened to topple centuries of entrenched Brahminical practices rooted in myth-making and sacrificial rituals.

Vipassana and its idea of impermanence can be a humbling experience, but

the mind is full of tricks to dodge the rigour it requires.

For example, among other memories that surfaced in my mind as I struggled to stay focused was the worried phone call from a senior citizen of Pakistan around August. I won't name the lovely man who commands respect among leftist idealists across South Asia. He was concerned that an estranged scion of a political family, in whom he reposes great hope, was squandering her precious time with a Gandhi family scion from across the border. The secrecy more than their apparent proximity was hampering the political energies of both. I decided to ponder the story carefully, fearing the BJP would exploit it for regressive reasons. However, since I learnt that the young Gandhi had spent time in Vipassana abroad, with or without the friend, I am certain he is better prepared to face the world calmly with the truth. Disapproval like other emotions is impermanent. Life is anichhya.

Living with demonetisation It is painful to read almost every day letter after letter in this column criticising the demonetisation exercise, though the concerns are genuine. Whether one likes or not, the Modi government's decision cannot be reversed. Why can't one see the positive side? Organising bandhs and engaging in lengthy debates in television studios will not serve any purpose. What is needed is a step to allay the fears of low income citizens and small businesses and educating them about the need to think of a cashless economy.

Jyotish Chakma Diyun, Arunachal Pradesh

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

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5 Different Types of Extramarital Affairs

There are five different types of extramarital affairs and each happens due to a mixture of motivations. At the very top of the list is the pure sexual affair. This often has little to do with the cheated on spouse and much more to do with the fact that having sex with a new person is incredible. It's a rush that you simply can't experience in a marriage and it drives a significant portion of all affairs. The release of hormones that comes from sleeping with a new person is where the drive for this type of affair is born. These affairs happen quickly and end just as quickly. Once the rush wears off there's no reason to continue the affair. Most of the married but looking men and women out there are into it for this reason.

1) The Revenge Affair Revenge is a common motivator for those looking to find an affair. Generally it begins with a great dissatisfaction in the primary relationship and anger towards the partner for that lack of satisfaction. The affair is both to get the pleasure you've been craving and to get a silent form of revenge on the partner that has denied you what you need for so many years. These affairs are the most commonly discovered because a big part of the motivation is to hurt the person you love. It sounds awful, of course, but it's one way of ending a marriage that just isn't working while having some fun along the way.

2) The Emotional Affair

Affairs can happen even if there's no sex. Some may even find an affair like this even more egregious than a night in the sack because they involve a genuine emotional connection and that can be a major betrayal. Emotional affairs tend to develop between coworkers or good friends that take it to the next level because someone needs that extra layer of emotional support.

When an affair of this type happens the marriage is almost always dead already and is simply being buried by the betrayal.

3) The Family Affair Believe it or not but extramarital affairs in the family happen more often than you might think. I'm not talking about incest of

course, but brothers and sisters in law sleeping with each other. It's not terribly common, but if you're

in an unhappy marriage and you're always at family events with someone in the same type of unhappy

marriage you might very well make that connection. If you take it to the logical conclusion you

will find an affair waiting for you. Would you take it?

4) The One-sided Affair

The one-sided marital affair is exceptionally common and almost always involves a woman sleeping with a man in the belief that he will leave his wife for her because he's so in love when in fact he's just having an affair because he wants new sex.

The woman is in a relationship and the man is in a perpetual married but looking state where he has multiple affairs, sleeping with someone new as soon as the old mistress gets frustrated with his lack of commitment. This is bad for both sides. The woman is being emotionally abused and the guy risks getting caught when his mistress gets angry and tells his wife.

5) The grass is always

greener affair The one type of affair that almost always leads to the destruction of a marriage is the one where both members feel as though they've met the person they were meant to be with. They connect on an emotional and physical level and it feels so good it's like a drug they just can't quit. This is dangerous because that kind of passion will almost certainly blow up a relationship for good and leave the married partners in the dust. It can end with everyone unhappy too, since that connection and passion isn't always genuine and honest and can be informed by a marriage that isn't going well.

7 Foods And Drinks That Are Banned Around The World Riya Gandhi Different places around the world have put a ban on different foods, and some of the reasons behind them are actually thought provoking. Are we eating food that is

toxic? Or should these countries just be jealous of us?

1. Samosas are banned in Somalia.

A very common snack in India, these triangular fried delicacies is banned

in Somalia. The AlShabaab leaders find the three sided snack offensive as it resembles the Christian Holy Trinity and the triangular shape is not compatible with their strict Islamic culture.

Ketchup is banned in primary schools in France.

Our perfect companion to fries and pakoras, ketchup, is banned from primary schools in 3. It is illegal to sell Kinder Eggs in the USA. Two of our favourite things as kids in one,

chocolate and a surprise gift. Kinder Eggs used to be our favourite. Their import, however, is banned in the United States as they contain a

non-edible object embedded in it. It works as a precautionary means as children might swallow the plastic toy. We feel for you America.

4. It is illegal to chew gum in Singapore, unless prescribed.

5. Bhang is banned in most parts of the world.

The fact that bhang's

main ingredient is Cannabis, makes this truly Indian drink banned in many parts

6. Raw almonds cannot be sold in California.

In California, it is illegal to sell raw almonds as it has been proven that they are one of the reasons behind salmonella outbreaks. People infected with salmonella usually develop high fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The almonds need to be pasteurised before they can be eaten. But even after being that, they are labelled as "Raw Almonds".

France. They believe it poses a cultural threat to traditional French cooking among children as it "masks the flavour of whatever they are eating."

of the world. India seems pretty chilled out for a moment, doesn't it?

7. Absinthe is banned in US, New Zealand and Canada.

This strong alcoholic drink consists of large concentrations of warmwood, which can lead to hallucinations and violent outbursts, thus affecting mental health. It is therefore banned in the US, New Zealand and Canada.

Since 2004, Singapore has put a ban on chewing gums and only a few with therapeutic value are allowed.

Gums can be purchased

through a prescription from a doctor only. If anyone spits gum on the streets, there's a fine of $500 (Rs.32,000). The reason behind the ban was because of its sticky nature. No wonder Singapore is so clean.

7 bizarre mental disorders you don't know exist Sangeeta Soni We all live in a perpetual belief: 'My life is pathetic '. But do you know there are people who cannot even decide if they are dead or alive? Or even worse, they cannot even decide to decide? There are such rare psychological diseases that are bizarre, uncommon, and hard to accept. They can make you feel that your genitals are shrinking or can convince you that your best friend has been replaced with an imposter.

Read the following and you will end up with a sense of gratitude as your life is only pathetic and nothing worse.

Walking Corpse Syndrome magine feeling that you are dead already, your body is rotting, internal organs are out of order, and you are ceasing to exist.

That is how putrefying it feels like to the patients of Walking Corpse Disorder.

Though majority of the patients experience a lack of existence of their selves, there is a flip side to it - some feign immortality. It was discovered by neurologist Jules Cotard who described it as 'The Delirium of Negation'. The situation begins with selfhatred and can become as strong as experiencing severe delusions and chronic depression.

Erotomania Have you watched 'He Loves Me‌ He Loves Me Not'? Here we are dealing with a condition that Audrey Tautou had in the movie - Erotomania. This is a delusional disorder in which the patient thinks that someone, usually from a higher status, is in love with them. They feel

this through special signals, glances, and even telepathy. The delusion is so strong that even if the delusional lover comes and denies any feeling, the patient would still be unconvinced and think it to be an attempt at hiding his love from the world.

Capgras Syndrome Imagine feeling like Leonardo Di Caprio of Inception only without a totem to tell you if you are living in a real or unreal world. Capgras is a mental condition in which you feel that a close friend, spouse, family member or a pet has been replaced by an identical imposter.

People suffering from this disorder feel that their reality has become warped or substituted. It occurs more commonly in females than males and can be caused due to age, brain injury, migraine and in one odd case, it was caused due to the drug ketamine.

Alien Hand Syndrome A South Park fan? If so, you can visualize this syndrome in Eric Cartman who suffers from Alien Hand Syndrome in the episode titled "Fat Butt and Pancake Head". This one is about your hand getting alienated from your body.

In this neurological disorder, a discrepancy develops between one's intentions and his actions. The afflicted person's hand movement goes out of his control and can do things and reach out to objects without him wanting to do so. It is caused by damaged signals between the left and right part of the brain.

Aboulomania Maybe this is the name of

the medical condition that defines the Hamletian Prufrock of T.S Eliot. The vital question - To be or not to be? - is the beginning and premise of this disease. People suffering from Aboulomania suffer from a deranged willpower such that their everyday tasks become the deciding questions of their lives. To stay at home or go for a walk, to order Mexican food or Italian food, to call or text someone - these are questions they cannot answer without an eternity of dilemmas. This pathological indecisiveness is often associated with stress, anxiety, depression and anguish.

Synesthesia This disorder is what it feels like to be on a perpetual drug trip. A hippy disorder, Synesthesia can make the person confuse a sensory stimulation with another sense. This kind of confusion between senses can make people associate sounds with colors, tastes with sounds, smells with visions or all of them together resulting in what is often called "union of the senses".

Koro syndrome Also known as Shrinking Penis or Genital Retraction Syndrome, it is a delusional disorder in which a person feels that his genitals are retracting into the abdomen, may disappear one day and will kill him, all this without any physical proofs for the retraction. This disorder has struck people in masses and has a history of epidemic spreads in China, Southeast Asia, Africa, U.S, and Europe.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

Infra sector growth jumps to 6-month high of 6.6 pc in Oct New Delhi, Nov 30: Infrastructure sector recorded a growth rate of 6.6 per cent in October -the highest in last six months -- on the back of impressive performance by steel and refinery products.

However, growth rate of power generation, fertiliser production and cement output fell considerably on year-on-year basis. Coal production continued to fall for the third straight month.

The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors -coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity -- was 3.8 per cent in October 2015.

It was 5 per cent in September 2016.

The core sectors, which contribute 38 per cent to the total industrial production, expanded by 4.9 per cent in April-October compared to 2.8 per cent growth in the similar period of last financial year.

The output of refinery products soared by 15.1 per cent in October. The sector had declined by 4.4 per cent in October last year.

As per the official data released today, steel production jumped 16.9 per cent in October against contraction of 5.5 per cent in the year-ago period.

The output of refinery products soared by 15.1 per cent in October. The sector had declined by 4.4 per cent in October last year.

Growth in fertiliser and electricity generation was

at 0.8 per cent and 2.8 per cent, respectively, in October 2016, against 16.8 percent and 13.8 per cent, respectively in October 2015.

Coal production declined by 1.6 per cent in October as against a growth of 6.6 per cent in the yearago period.

Natural gas and crude oil output during October fell by 1.4 per cent and 3.2 per cent, respectively. (PTI)

Smart fence along Pak, Bangla by late 2017: BSF New Delhi, Nov 30: India will have a patrol-less, multi-layered smart fence along its borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh by the later part of 2017 even as 20 big global firms are undertaking a technical evaluation for the same, Director General of BSF K K Sharma said today.

Sharma said the force, after getting sanctions from the Union Home Ministry, is working to implement a Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) where the security of these two sensitive and

difficult terrain borders will shift from the regular troops patrolling system to a quick reaction team pattern where guards strike once they notice a blip of infiltration on their surveillance radars.

"We are taking some concerted efforts to modernise our border fence. Twenty big companies are currently undertaking a technical evaluation for the CIBMS. It is expected that it would be on ground by the second half of next year.

"In this regard few pilot projects are already on...two in Jammu and

Court is seized of the issue and the restriction is only to make the policy effective.

After the parties made their submissions, the bench said that it will pass the order day-after-tomorrow.

On November 25, the bench had dismissed a plea, filed by Ashok Sharma, seeking direction to the Centre to remove the cap on daily withdrawal of money deposited by the public in banks before demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

The court had listed out grounds for dismissing the plea on November 25 and said that first, the apex court is seized of the matter and secondly, the cap on withdrawal was in force till November 24.

The fresh plea alleged that the Centre's notification of November 8 on the weekly withdrawal limit from the

banks was modified on November 14 and now it is in force till December 30.

"The government has not come out before this court with clean hands and it seems that deliberately a misleading false and incorrect statement has been made," the application said.

Earlier, the petitioner had sought quashing of Clause 2 (vi) of the Centre's notification and had contended that the decision to put a cap on weekly withdrawal of Rs 24,000 was "affecting right to livelihood" of the people at large.

Under the earlier Clause 2 (vi), the weekly withdrawal limit from the banks was Rs 20,000 while the daily limit was Rs 10,000. Later, the weekly limit was increased to Rs 24,000 and the daily limit was scrapped. From the ATMs, the daily limit is Rs 2,500. (PTI)

Jamshedpur: JMM leader shot dead in court premises New Delhi, Nov 30: JMM leader Upendra Singh was shot dead on Wednesday by a group of unidentified assailants on the busy second floor of the Bar Association building in a local court here, the police said.

Singh, who had unsuccessfully contested the last Assembly elections from Jamshedpur West seat on a JMM ticket, was visiting the crowded building, within the limits of Sitaramdera police station, to consult his lawyer in connection with his bail in a pending case, when assailants allegedly opened fire indiscriminately.

A profusely bleeding Singh was rushed to Tata Main Hospital, but was declared "dead on arrival", said Superintendent of Police (City) Prasant Anand.

Soon after the incident two persons were arrested, he said adding, further investigations were on.

Singh, who owns a restaurant in the local bus stand, was released on bail a few months ago after he was arrested and sent to jail in connection with the murder of his business partner Ramshakal Yadav last year.

Among other cases, Singh was also an accused in the

firing at the bus stand, which had claimed three lives a few years back.

Bar Association sources said panicky lawyers rushed for safety soon after the incident and a lady lawyer, who fell down in the commotion, suffered minor injuries.

Two of the suspected assailants also suffered injuries after the people caught hold of them and beat up before handing them over to the police.

Senior police officers with adequate force rushed to the spot following the incident to maintain law and order. (PTI)

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

New Delhi, Nov 30: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will lead the Indian delegation at the two-day Heart of Asia conference beginning Saturday which will be attended by over 30 countries including China, the US, Russia, Iran and Pakistan.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is unwell, will not attend the meet.

The main conference will be inaugurated jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on December 4. Afghanistan is the permanent chair of HoA while India is its co-

chair this year being the host.

The ministerial conference will be co-chaired by Jaitley and the Afghan Foreign Minister, Gopal Baglay, who heads the PAI (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) division in Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters.

Swaraj is undergoing treatment for kidney failure and the MEA last week had announced that she will not attend the meet.

The HoA platform was floated with an aim to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours. (PTI)

Man arrested for duping businessman of Rs 2 crore New Delhi, Nov 30: A man has been arrested today in northwest Delhi's Keshav Puram area for allegedly duping a businessman of Rs 2 crore on the pretext of getting his demonetised currency notes deposited in a bank.

On November 22, Kapil Mehta, a real estate businessman, filed a police complaint alleging that he has been duped of Rs 2 crore by Pushpendra Khari (50) after promising that the amount will be deposited in the bank, Milind Mahadeo Dumbere, DCP (northwest) said.

Four persons, Krishan Prakash, Neeraj Garg, Manzar Alam, Hemant Mishra and Subhash Singha made Mehta meet Khari on November 18 for depositing the money, the officer said.

Mehta gave Khari the cash and after some days when he kept demanding for the amount, the accused started avoiding him, Dumbere said.

"Acting on a tip-off, police laid a trap and arrested Khari," Dumbere said, adding during initial interrogation, the accused confessed to his crime.

"Over Rs 3.51 crore in demonetised currency notes have been recovered from the accused.

Other people too have alleged that they have been cheated in a similar manner. Their complaints are being verified," he said.

Khari had been previously involved in more than 10 cases under Arms Act, vehicle thefts, cheating and attempt to murder, the police officer said.

(PTI)

New Delhi, Nov 30: As many as 400 persons have so far been arrested by the excise department of Delhi government in the ongoing drive against public drinking in the national capital.

Although 29 persons were arrested for consuming liquor in public places on Monday, 13 were caught yesterday for violating the laid down rules.

While launching the drive against open drinking on November 7, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said the intention of the government was not to put people in jails but to

reform them and curb so this menace which is taking a toll on the families and safety of women can be ensured.

The action is being taken against the violators under section 40 of the Delhi Excise Act and they are handed over to Delhi Police in different Police Stations for further action as per law.

As per the rules, anyone caught drinking publicly has to to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and anyone creating nuisance in public is fined Rs 10,000 and faces imprisonment of up to six months. (PTI)

Lt Gen Ranbir Singh takes charged of Strike Corps 400 arrested for drinking in public

Mathura, Nov 30: Lt Gen Ranbir Singh today took charge as General Officer Commanding of the elite Strike Corps based here.

"He is an alumni of Kapurthala Sainik School and graduated from the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into 9th Battalion of theDogra Regiment," Defence PRO Lucknow Gargi Mullick Sinha said.

The General Officer has held various command, instructional and staff appointments, she said.

"His assignments include command of the Mountain Brigade and of an armoured division," Sinha said, adding he has served in the United Na-

Lt Gen Ranbir Singh. tions Peace Keeping Missions and at Army headquarters.

She said the General Officer is an expert in counter insurgency operations,

operational art, information operations and his last assignment was at the Directorate General Military Operations at the Defence Ministry. (Agencies)

one each in Punjab and Gujarat where we have marshy areas. One project will be done in Assam's Dhubri," the Director General said.

He said the effort of the country's largest border guarding force, with about 2.5 lakh personnel in its ranks, is "to modernise itself" as humans have inherent weaknesses and equipments and gadgets act as force multipliers.

The DG explained once the CIBMS goes functional, aided by laser fence, surveillance radars, satellite imagery and thermal gadgets, the troops on ground

will respond when there is an alarm of a infiltration bid in the multi-tier security ring comprising the regular fence and laser walls.

He said in cases where the force detects hidden tunnels running across the IB, like in yesterday's case near the Chamliyal border post in Samba, it is looking for gadgets and technical support and it is also in touch with countries like Israel and elite Indian technology institutes like IITs to procure the right technology.

"We are in the process to plug breaches by technical solutions at both Pakistan

and Bangladesh borders," Sharma said.

The DG also said all intrusions in Jammu and Kashmir this year have taken place from the Line of Control, which is guarded by the army.

"We do our best to stop (infiltrators/militants). To a very large extent we are successful. This year whatever intrusions have taken place, I can assure you, has been from the Line of Control. I take guarantee that we will not allow these attempts to succeed from the IB which I (BSF) guard," he said. (PTI)

Arun Jaitley to lead Govt. to constitute CMs' Indian delegation at panel on implementation of HoA conference digital payment systems

Cap on cash withdrawal: HC reserves verdict New Delhi, Nov 30: The Delhi High Court today reserved its verdict for December 2 on an application seeking recall of its earlier order dismissing a plea to remove the cap on daily withdrawal of money deposited in banks before the demonetisation decision.

The plea accused the Centre of making a false statement in the court that the restriction on cash withdrawal of Rs 24,000 by individuals was only till November 24 as this limit has been extended till December 30.

During the hearing of the plea by a businessman, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice V K Rao said that there is no restriction as such, because money can be withdrawn or transferred through cheques, demand drafts or by net-banking.

The Centre also opposed the plea saying the Supreme

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NATION

New Delhi, Nov 30: Aiming to boost the adoption of digital payments systems by people at the grass-root levels and small businesses, the government has decided to constitute a committee of Chief Ministers representing different political parties to examine and implement measures to implement digital payment systems to promote transparency, financial inclusion and ensure a healthy financial ecosystem.

The committee, which will also include experts as special invitees, will comprise Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu as convener; Odisha's Naveen Patnaik, Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Sikkim's Pawan Kumar Chamling; Puducherry's V. Narayanasamy, Maharashtra's Devendra Fadnavis and NITI Aayog vice- chairman Arvind Panagariya as its members.

The committee will also include NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant as member secretary; UIDAI former chairman Nandan Nilekani as special invitee; Boston Consulting Group chairman Janmejaya Sinha as special invitee; netCORE Managing Director Rajesh Jain as special invitee; iSPIRIT co-founder Sharad Sharma as special invitee; and Professor (Finance), IIM (Ahmedabad), Dr Jayant Varma as special invitee.

As per the Terms of Reference, the committee will identify the global best practices for implementing an economy primarily based on digital

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu .

payment and examine the possibility of adoption of these global standards in the Indian context.

It will also identify and outline measures for rapid expansion and adoption of the system of digital payments like cards (Debit, Credit and pre-paid), Digital-wallets/ E-wallets, internet banking, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), banking apps etc. and shall broadly indicate the road map to be implemented in one year.

It will evolve an action plan to reach out to the public at large with the objective to create awareness and help them understand the benefits of such a switchover to digital economy and prepare a roadmap for the administrative machineries in the states to facilitate adoption of digital modes of financial transactions.

The committee will identify and address bottlenecks and indicate solutions pertaining to adoption of the steps required to move towards a digital payments economy and

associate the key stakeholders for implementation of the suggested steps towards a digital payments economy.

Besides, it will delineate and adopt measures evolved by the Committee of Officers constituted for the purpose.

The committee will also examine and address any other associated issues, which are not specifically mentioned herein. The committee may devise its own procedures for conducting business/ meetings/ constitution of subgroups etc.

The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, which was entrusted with the task of undertaking a campaign to implement digital payments systems, has been working on an awareness campaign to popularise the different modes of digital payment that are currently available viz.

Cards, USSD, digital wallets, Aadhar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) and Unified Payment Interface (UPI). (PTI)

CID arrests two more doctors, three babies rescued Kolkata, Nov 30: The CID has arrested two more doctors, alleged to be actively involved in the international child trafficking racket in West Bengal, while three babies were rescued from a bush at Falta in South 24-Parganas district.

Dilip Ghosh, who earlier worked at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital and Nityananda Biswas, were arrested by CID sleuths late last night for their alleged involvement in the racket, a senior CID officer said.

Both Ghosh and Biswas, he said, had played crucial roles in the child trafficking racket and had been involved with it for a long time.

Ghosh had contested the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation election on a BJP ticket.

State BJP president Dilip Ghosh told reporters, "We have suspended him from all posts till he comes out

clean in the probe. What he has done in his professional life is not the lookout of the BJP," he said.

With the arrest of the two doctors, a total 20 people have been arrested by the CID in a span of 10 days since the racket was unearthed at Baduria in North 24 Parganas.

Meanwhile, three babies were rescued from a bush near a canal at Falta in South 24-Parganas district.

"We are looking into whether these babies were part of a trafficking racket and also trying to ascertain the identity of these babies," a senior police officer said.

He said locals, who heard the cry of the babies, informed Falta police station last evening, following which police personnel rushed to the area and rescued them.

"The policemen along with the locals launched a search and found the three babies wrapped in a blan-

ket in a bush on the banks of a canal," he said.

The three babies - two girls and a boy - have been admitted to a government hospital at Diamond Harbour, the officer said.

BJP workers staged demonstration here protesting against child trafficking in the state.

The state government yesterday warned the district child protection officers (DCPOs) of Kolkata, North 24-Parganas and South 24-Parganas districts after the racket was busted in the state last week and asked them to step up surveillance in every state-run home.

State secretariat sources say that the government wants to strengthen rules and procedures for adoption and a directive in this regard is likely to be released soon by the Women, Child and Social Welfare Department to intensify vigil on adoption of children. (PTI)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

EDUCATION

How to Become an Advocate for Domestic Violence Victims

ØCollect professional attire.

Finding employment is an important first step for victims. They need to look professional at interviews so they can land a job. Then they need an appropriate wardrobe once they start working. Partner with a local organization such as Dress for Success and help with a ØCreate healthy meals for victims and their children.

Contact local domestic violence shelters in your area and ask to help with meal preparation. Shelters often need dry and canned food donations, meal preparation help and assistance with cooking.[2] ØProvide school supplies.

When victims relocate to a shelter, it means their children are starting a new school. Often the parents cannot afford school supplies for their children. Contact your local domestic violence shelter or Salvation Army to see how you can donate items such as backpacks, crayons, pencils, notebooks, tissues and hand sanitizer.[3] ØCollect used cell phones.

Donate old cell phones to domestic violence assistance programs such as Hopeline from Verizon.

Hopeline refurbishes old phones and gives free phone and texting services to domestic violence victims. The phones are a life line to victims, who are often closely monitored or harassed by abusers.

Provide childcare. From legal appointments, counseling sessions and job interviews, victims have a lot of work to do to get their lives back on track. When you volunteer as a childcare assistant at a domestic violence center or shelter, you’re giving victims peace of mind. They know their children are being safely cared for while they are away. Contact your local domestic violence shelter to find out about training and other requirements such as background checks.[5] ØChildcare volunteers care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school age children. Children over age five usually need care before and after school, while younger children need all day care. You'll help to create a stable environment for children who've come from an unstable or a violent home. You'll provide much needed comfort and support to young ones who are adjusting to a new and unfamiliar place.[6] Be a legal advocate. Help victims keep track of legal appointments and accompany them to court appointments. Victims need help understanding domestic violence laws and connecting with appropriate legal resources. ØYou typically don’t need a legal background because the domestic violence organization provides training to legal advocacy volunteers.

10 Things for High-School Students to Remember

or financial. It’s common for the victim to, at first, deny what is going on, or not want to label what’s happening as domestic violence. Recognize that denial is part of the abuse cycle.

Simply let them know you’re worried about them and are there for them when they’re ready to talk about it. For example, you could say,

From volunteering to professional careers, learn about the many ways you can advocate for domestic violence victims. Domestic violence affects men and women of all ages and walks of life. Victims often feel isolated and fearful of starting a life apart from their abuser. You can play an important role in helping victims get the support they need to build a new future.

Volunteering Donate. Survivors of domestic violence usually leave their homes quickly to escape from abuse. In their rush to seek safety, they leave behind most of their belongings. When you donate items and money to community domestic violence organizations, you’re helping victims get back on their feet.

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Ø “I notice your bruises. I’m worried about you and your kids. How can I help?” Ø “I’m worried about you but I see you don’t want to talk about it now. When you’re ready to talk, I’m here.”

However, you do need to be available during court hours.

Answer hotline calls. Volunteer at a domestic violence call center to help victims find resources such as local shelters. You’ll also help them develop a plan to safely get away from their abusers. You’ll go through extensive training prior to answering calls. ØVolunteering as a hotline advocate is rewarding because you're a lifeline to the person struggling with abuse. You're often the first person a victim ever contacts for help. However, constantly hearing about trauma can take an emotional toll on you. Pay attention to signs of compassion fatigue such as difficulty sleeping or withdrawing from things you used to enjoy. Prevent compassion fatigue by regularly talking with colleagues and supervisors, taking breaks during your shift and making time each day to do something relaxing such as taking a brisk walk or caring for a pet.[8] Aid in domestic violence prevention efforts Most domestic violence organizations provide educational programs in schools or community centers. The programs raise awareness and aid in preventing domestic violence. Ask your local domestic violence organization how you can help with their community education efforts. Sometimes they need teaching assistants or curriculum developer volunteers. ØAs a volunteer facilitator or curriculum developer, you'll help with programs such as teens and dating violence or domestic violence prevention in adult relationships. Help create lesson plans that appeal to the audience. For example, middle schoolers need different content and interactions than adults. You may also present or teach the information. Help people of all ages understand dating and domestic partner violence so they can stop the cycle of abuse.[10] Working as a Professional Advocate Work at Victim Services Most communities have a division of Victim Services, also known as Victim Assistance, offering free support to domestic violence and other crime victims. When you work at Victim Services as an advocate, you provide guidance, emotional support, legal help and connect victims with resources such as social service agencies. For some Victim Services roles, you need an educational background in social work, counseling or law. For others, you need prior volunteer or work experience helping trauma and crime victims. ØThe FBI, police stations, prisons, courts and nonprofit agencies are some of the organizations with a division of Victim Services.

Online career sites are good places to start your victim advocate job search.

Counsel domestic violence survivors With an advanced degree, such as a master of counseling or social work, you can provide individual, group and family counseling to people dealing with domestic abuse. Counselors or therapists help victims understand the cycle of abuse so they can break the pattern in future relationships. They help victims rebuild confidence and self-esteem. Domestic violence counselors work in private practice, domestic violence crisis centers or social service agencies. ØFind out the counseling and social work licensure laws in your state. Some states require that you obtain a license before you provide counseling.

Work as a paralegal or attorney. Domestic violence victims need help with legal issues such as immigration, protection orders and child custody. With an associate’s degree, you can work as a paralegal and help family or immigration attorneys. To become an attorney, you need a bachelor’s and a law degree.[13] Ø As an attorney, you can offer pro bono, or free, services to help domestic violence victims who are struggling to make ends meet.

Provide shelter or hotline advocacy. When you work as a domestic violence shelter or hotline coordinator, you are typically the first point of contact for victims.

You’re responsible for helping them get the emergency resources they need to be safe, as well as connecting them with ongoing support.

Some positions require prior volunteer or work experience with domestic violence victims, while other positions have minimum educational requirements.[15] ØShelter or hotline advocates can also take on additional responsibilities such as community outreach and education and program coordination.

Helping People You Know Offer support. If you suspect a friend or loved one is a victim of domestic violence, let them know you’re there to help. Abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal

Listen without judgement.

When your friend or loved one is finally ready to talk to you, listen without judging. Abuse usually begins subtly and gets worse over time, so it can take a while before the victim recognizes the pattern. Allow your loved one to be open and honest with you by refraining from criticizing them.

Avoid making ultimatums or demands. Meet the victim where they are and invite them to create a plan together with you. They might be ready to leave or not ready to label what’s going on as domestic violence. Vocalize your concerns for your loved one’s wellbeing and safety, without telling them what to do.

Telling victims what to before they are ready may have the opposite effect.

They may retreat from help.

Believe it or not, if you’re in high school right now, you’re at a great point in your life. You have your whole life in front of you.

And now is a good time to start thinking about your future, to make some initial plans; just remember that

out. Be sure to include at least one fun course in your schedule.

3. Work, volunteer, or otherwise gain some experience. As with your education, the more you are exposed to, the more options

5. Talk with as many adults as possible about careers and colleges. The best way to find out about different careers is to ask people — family, neighbors, friends, teachers, counselors — to tell you about their career and college experiences. If you have not already, begin to build a network of adults who know you and are willing to assist you in your educational and career endeavors. And for careers that truly interest you, consider asking each person if you can shadow him/her at work.

You could also consider conducting informational interviews at the same time as the shadowing, or as a less intrusive method of learning more about jobs and careers.

ØFor example, you might say, “You’re telling me he hit you and you’re scared.

I’m scared for you too. No one deserves to be treated this way. You did nothing to deserve this. Let’s come up with a plan so you can be safe.” ØAvoid blaming and demanding statements such as, “What a monster! Why would you stay with someone like that? You need to leave right now!”

Emphasize safety. Ask your friend or loved one to start planning in case things ever spiral out of control.

For example, where would they go if they needed to leave? They should have a hiding place for important documents and valuables so a quick escape can be made. ØValuables include an extra set of car keys, social security card, driver’s license, passport, cash, credit cards and children’s vaccination records. Ø Domestic violence can escalate to dangerous levels when the abuser knows the victim is getting ready to leave the relationship.

Victims should leave when the abuser is not around or they can contact the police for an escort.

Provide resources. Let your friend or loved one know that they can contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) for 24/7 support. The Domestic Violence Hotline will help with finding shelters and safety planning.If they are ever in immediate danger, they need to call 911.

come your way, such as summer educational opportunities and educational trips abroad. If financially possible — and there are many ways to help make it so — attend college; college graduates make a much higher salary, on average, than high-school graduates.

plans can be easily changed. Remember too, that experts predict that the average person will change careers — not just jobs — more than five times in his or her lifetime. Now is the time to pursue your dreams!

And as you start thinking about one or more potential educational and career paths, here are 10 things to remember in the days ahead.

1. Take time to think about what you like to do; dream and imagine ideal careers.

There are so many opportunities, so many different types of jobs and careers in a wide variety of industries — and there are also other career paths that are just emerging. Even if you are fairly sure of a career choice, take the time in high school to explore similar (or even vastly different) careers. Explore all your options. Examine your likes and dislikes and take a few career-assessment tests.

Answer the question, if you could have any job right now, what would it be — and why? Don’t let any barriers hold you back from finding the perfect career.

2. Challenge yourself in high school, but don’t overwhelm yourself. Do get the most out of high school as possible. When you can, take the tough and challenging schedule of classes; you’ll learn more — and it will look good to the college admissions staff. Obviously, you need to stay focused on getting good grades, but don’t overload your schedule — or yourself — so that it makes you sick or burnt

will open to you as you search out careers. There are even a growing number of internship opportunities for high-school students.

Seek work and volunteer experiences in and out of school. And from a practical standpoint, work experience looks good on college applications — and on future job applications and

resumes. And one other benefit if you are working in a paid position: spending money! Just remember that school and grades have to come first, so only work if you can balance your schedule, manage your time.

4. Get as much education as you can. We are now a society in which many jobs and careers require additional education or training beyond high school. Some careers even require a graduate degree before you can work in the field. Take advantage of all educational opportunities that

6. Remember that everyone must follow his or her own path in life. Don’t spend too much time worrying what other people in your high school are doing — or letting their opinions about your dreams and ambitions affect your decision.

And don’t worry if you leave high school with no clear career path — that’s partly what college is all about, discovering who

you are and what you want to do in life. Everyone develops/matures/grows at their own pace, so don’t feel the need to rush to make a decision now… but don’t use the fact that you have plenty of time to make a decision as an excuse not to at least start learning and researching potential career options.

7. People change; don’t feel locked into any college or career now. It’s great to have an ideal plan for your life, but remember that things happen, and your plans may need to

change… so keep an open mind — and keep your options open. Some of your friends — or perhaps you — already know, or think you know, what you want to do in life. If so, that’s fantastic, but don’t become so myopic that you lose sight of other interesting opportunities. There are career paths that have not even started today that may be big in five or more years.

8. Don’t let anyone control your dreams and ambitions. You will be horribly miserable at best if you let a parent or other family member dictate your major or your career. Students often feel pressure to follow in an adult family member’s career path, especially if s/he is footing the bill for college, but the worst thing you can do is choose a career to please someone else.

9. It’s never too early nor too late to get organized and begin making plans.

No matter where you are in high school, now is the time to plan the remainder of your high-school years — as well as your plans after high school. Research your options for after graduation — technical schools, community colleges, four-year universities, etc. Start or continue your preparation for the various standardized tests (such as the SAT and ACT). Start thinking about teachers who might be willing to write letters of recommendation for you — and approach them when the time is near. Finally, make plans to fill any gaps in your plans — such as striving for better grades, taking tougher courses, gaining experience, or earning community-service hours.

10. Never stop learning… read, grow, and expand your mind. Don’t pass-up opportunities to learn and experience new things. Many teachers offer or assign summer and supplemental reading lists — look at these as opportunities for growth rather than a drag on your summer. The more you read, the more you’ll know. It’s a cliche, but knowledge is power.

Final Thoughts About High School High school is a real transition time for teens, as you move into adulthood and the more adult issues of work, careers, and college.

It should be a time of growth as well as a time of challenge. Have fun, but get the best education you can so that you are positioned to take advantage of further educational opportunities… and no matter where you go after high school, never stop learning and growing.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

INTERNATIONAL

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Myanmar's Suu Kyi says national reconciliation 'unavoidable

Manohar Parrikar arrives in Bangladesh on first visit

Singapore, Nov 30: Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Wednesday that national reconciliation is "unavoidably important" for the country to attract investment, but gave no specifics on how her government intends to resolve violence and discrimination against the country's minority Rohingya Muslim community.

"We do not want our country to be unstable.

But we've had a long history of disunity within our nation," Suu Kyi said, addressing senior business representatives at a Singapore dialogue. "So national reconciliation is

Myanmar's Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi (center front) is accompanied by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as she inspects honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Istana or presidential palace on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Singapore. Suu Kyi is on a three day official visit to the city-state.

unavoidably important for us. It's not a matter of choice. It's unavoidable."

"We have to achieve peace and national reconciliation that our country may be

able to progress, and that those who wish to invest in our country may find the right amount of confidence," she said.

Accounts of military attacks against the Rohingya community caused thousands of people to march in protest in Bangladesh last week. Smaller protests occurred in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Suu Kyi is on an official visit to Singapore that lasts three days, ending Friday.

On her schedule is a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

As she courted investment, Suu Kyi painted a picture of a Myanmar

t hat ' s eager f or economic progress.

"Prosperity will help our people to understand that united, we progress together," she said. "If we wish to be a strong and prosperous nation, we have to learn to give, to compromise, to engage in dialogue."

In 2015, Singapore was Myanmar's third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade of 3.5 billion Singapore dollars (US$5 billion). The citystate was also Myanmar's largest inv e s t o r, w i t h i n v e s t ments in the last fiscal year amounting to $4.3 billion. (Agencies)

Pakistan can't afford to have Vietnam grants amnesty to bullet trains: Railway minister more than 4,000 prisoners Pakistan is building highspeed trains under ChinaPakistan corridor.

Islamabad, Nov 30: Pakistan cannot afford to have bullet trains on par with foreign nations, the country's railway minister has said, citing lack of market for the high-speed rail project.

Khawaja Saad Rafique on Tuesday told the National Assembly that even the Chinese advice was against such train, also known as bullet train in common parlance, Dawn reported.

Under the ambitious $46 billion China-Pakistan

Economic Corridor (CPEC) programme, Pakistan is building highspeed trains with a top speed of 160kmph in the country.

"When we asked the Chinese about it, they laughed at us. We should consider the 160kmph train under CPEC as a bullet train. We cannot afford an actual bullet train, there is no market for it," the railway minister said.

Admitting that their party had faced a lot of criticism over not launching

Nearly 20 nations join hands to celebrate issuing of Diwali stamp by US The event would also honour Ranju Batra, chairman of the Diwali Stamp project, who worked behind the scene for several years.

Washington, Nov 30: Nearly 20 countries, including two UN Security Council permanent members - France and Gre a t Britain - h av e joined hands to celebrate here the issuing of the Diwali postage stamp by the US. The event co-hosted by the Permanent Missions of Belarus and India to the UN office along with the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine would attend the "Diwali" stamp dedication ceremony at the Trusteeship Council Chamber of the United Nations in New York on December 5, according to a media release.

The event would also honour Ranju Batra, chairman of the Diwali Stamp project, who worked behind the scene for several years

Ambassador Navtej Sarna and US Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman unveil a Diwali stamp .

campaigning before the US Postal Service (USPS) to issue a stamp in honour of the festival of lights. It has become the number one best seller in the history of USPS. So far more than 170,000 Diwali stamps have been sold. Other countries that have joined the event as cosponsors are Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Ger-

many, Honduras, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Moldova, Morocco, Panama, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Ukraine and Vietnam.

On October 6, the stamp was launched here by the USPS, capping seven-year-long efforts by IndianAmericans and influential American lawmakers to commemorate the festival of lights. (PTI)

22 workers trapped after coal mine accident in China Beijing, Nov 30: At least 22 workers are trapped in a coal mine in China's northeastern Heilongjiang Province, the latest accident to hit the country's mining industry.

The accident took place around 9:00 pm yesterday in Qitaihe city and 22 workers are trapped in

the mine, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Rescue operations are underway and the cause of the mishap is being investigated, it said.

China's mining industry has long been among the world's deadliest with frequent mine accidents.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal.

An explosion at a mine in the southwestern region of Chongqing on October 31 killed 33 people, just weeks after a gas explosion in another mine in Guizhou province killed seven people. (PTI)

years, was greeted by Bangladesh Defence Forces' Principal Staff Officer Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman and other government officials.

The defence minister is leading an 11-member high-powered delegation.

According to an army press release here, Parrikar will meet President Abdul

France calls for emergency UN Security Council session as battles rage for control of Syria's second city.

Pakistan railway minister said that country did not have enough money to build bullet trains. the project despite earlier having made it part of election manifesto, Rafique said that the country did not have enough money to build one.

"Even if we do, we do not have such a big range of upper and middle class passengers who will buy tickets," he said.

Rafique gave members a comprehensive overview of the performance of his department and insisted that he was doing as much as possible to clean up the department and turn it into a profit-making entity. (PTI)

Dhaka, Nov 30: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday arrived here on a two-day visit to Bangladesh during which he will meet the top civil and military leadership to strengthen defence ties between the two countries.

Parrikar, the first Indian defence minister to Bangladesh in the last 45

Aleppo: Up to 20,000 flee as government advances

HIGHLIGHTS

Image for representation purpose.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Hamidand Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his stay in the country.

He is also scheduled to meet with the prime minister's defence and security advisor Maj Gen Tarique Ahmed Siddique (retd) for bilateral talks.

Parrikar, who is accompanied by the Vice Chiefs of the Army and Air Force, Deputy Chief of Navy besides Coast Guard chief, is scheduled to visit the military academy in Chittagong tomorrow.

The Indian military officials will also meet with the heads of Bangladesh's Army, Navy and Air Forces to discuss ways to improve military cooperation.

Top Defence Ministry officials in New Delhi had said the focus of the trip was to deepen security ties and firm up a defence cooperation agreement that is likely to be signed when Prime Minister Hasina visits India next month. (PTI)

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang

Hanoi, Nov 30: Vietnam has granted amnesty to more than 4,000 prisoners, including one sentenced to five years in jail for a national security-related crime.

Giang Son, deputy chairman of the President's Office, told reporters at a joint press conference Wednesday that 4,384 inmates were granted amnesty under two directives signed by President Tran Dai Quang.

"The amnesty once again reflects the policy of leniency of our party and State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the humane tradition of our nation," Son said.

They will be released from their prisons starting Thursday. One of the prisoners is Bui Xuan Kim who

was jailed for national security-related crime, according to Senior Lt. Police General Nguyen Van Thanh.

Kim has served three years of his sentence for organizing people to flee to neighboring Cambodia.

International human rights groups, the US government and some other Western governments have urged Vietnamese government to release all prisoners of conscience jailed for peacefully expressing their views, but Hanoi says only those who broke the law are locked up.

Fourteen foreigners will also be released, according to Vice Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc. They include nine from China, three from Laos and one each from South Korea and Australia. (PTI)

Syria, Nov 30: Up to 20,000 people have fled eastern Aleppo over the past 72 hours as Syrian government forces continued to advance in the rebel-held part of the city, according to the Red Cross.

Terrified civilians have fled empty-handed into remaining rebel-held territory, or crossed into governmentcontrolled western Aleppo or Kurdish-held districts.

The 20,000 figure is an estimate and could increase as "people are fleeing in different directions", International Committee of the Red Cross spokesperson Krista Armstrong told the AFP news agency.

United Nations humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien had earlier put the number of displaced people from eastern Aleppo at 16,000.

The city, which was Syria's biggest before the start of a civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, has been divided between the governmentheld west and rebel-held east, where UN officials say at least 250,000 people re-

The ICRC estimates that 20,000 Syrians have fled rebel-held eastern Aleppo. main under siege.

The Syrian government offensive to recapture the rebel-held parts of Aleppo has sparked international alarm as it intensified this week.

A voluntary rescue group known as the White Helmets reported at least 51 civilians killed in east Aleppo and more than 150 injured during the government assault.

Syrian government forces dropped "more than 150 air strikes from war planes and helicopters and [fired]

more than 1,200 artillery shells", the group wrote on its Facebook page.

The attacks hit the neighbourhoods of Bab alNairab, al-Mayser and alSalheen, among others.

SANA, the official Syrian state media arm, reported that Syrian government forces and allies on Monday took control of several areas in the city's northeast, including alHaidariya, al-Sakhour, alInzarat, al-Sheikh Khedr, Jabal Badro, and al-Halk.

(Agencies)

Fatah holds congress amid Abbas' succession speculation Ramallah, Nov 30: After a two-year delay, Fatah movement's seventh congress is expected to open on Tuesday amid Internal wrangling over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' succession.

Up to 1,400 invited members are expected to design the movement's strategy for the next five years. The congress will also elect Fatah's 23member Central Committee, presided by Abbas, and its 132-member Revolutionary Council.

Abbas is said to be under pressure from Arab states to name a successor. Fatah officials, however, insist that the congress "is not about succession".

"The congress will discuss and review the tools that have been used to achieve two goals: establishing a free and sovereign state and the right of return which remain our national goals," said Husam Zomlot, Abbas' strategic adviser and newly appointed ambassador to the United States.

"A major review should be about bilateralism and successive Israeli governments' insistence to use negotiations as a tool to expand and reinforce the occupation and colonisation," Zomlot told Al Jazeera.

The congress, according to Zomlot, will also address strategic alternatives, including the issue of internationalisation of popular resistance, of boycott and sanctions as well as resorting to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Formerly led by Yasser Arafat, Fatah remains the dominant party in both the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation), which led the Palestinians to

the Oslo Accords with Israel in 1993 and 1995, and the PA (Palestinian Authority). The latter was created as a provisional government as part of the Oslo process, which envisaged a five-year interim period to pave the way to final status negotiations.

But some analysts have expressed concern about the timing of the congress, with political tensions running high; while others have pointed to the need to forward-plan towards Abbas' succession to avoid a power vacuum that could lead to serious destabilisation and the imposition of outside agendas. The 81-year-old Palestinian president was recently hospitalised with heart problems, and his term in office officially expired in 2009.

But while Zomlot insists the congress is not about succession but rather about "submitting each commissioner's report" and assessing their work, analysts have been worried about developments on the ground.

Middle East peace envoy Nikolay Mladenov said during a rare visit to Balata refugee camp in the Nablus governorate earlier this month that he was worried the situation in the camp could "explode", referring to the clashes between Palestinian security forces and alleged criminals operating in the camp.

PA raids into Palestinian refugee camps, including Jenin and Al Amari, have intensified in the lead-up to the congress, as they did around the now-postponed municipal elections, originally planned for October 8.

On October 22, PA security forces broke up a meeting

organised by a group of Fatah leaders in Al Amari refugee camp near Ramallah, which resulted in a number of arrests and ousters from the movement.

They are said to be supporters of senior Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan, who was expelled from the movement over criminal allegations in 2011.

Dahlan, 55, was former head of the PA's security services in Gaza and has been living in exile in the United Arab Emirates since 2012. He is reported to be keen to make a comeback and challenge Abbas' rule.

Arrests reportedly also took place among Fatah's "Shabiba" youth movement, mostly based in universities.

"Fatah is in complete disarray," lawyer and former PLO adviser Diana Buttu told Al Jazeera. "This congress should have taken place two years ago and would not have taken place at all were it not for Abbas' attempts to further consolidate his power.

"Abbas is both limiting the number of people who can attend, including cutting out longtime Fatah members, and replacing them with people who will simply say 'yes' to Abbas and his failed policies."

Observers point out that the last congress was attended by about 2,000 people.

"Today, more than ever, we are in need of new strategies and a political programme that will both unite Palestinians and challenge Israel's rule," Buttu said.

Hugh Lovatt, Israel/Palestine project coordinator at the European Council on Foreign Relations, believes the rise in violence is to be seen through

the lens of the power struggle in view of the postAbbas era.

"One can already imagine a concerted effort by Israel and other Arab states to try to push Dahlan forward," Lovatt told Al Jazeera, adding that Dahlan remains the favoured candidate of Lieberman and the Arab Quartet (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE). The latter have been pressuring Abbas to let his arch rival return from exile and unify Fatah.

"If one wants to talk about a successor to Abbas, then it would be the moment for healing Fatah, and getting a candidate that would be acceptable to Abbas' camp, and to Dahlan's camp," Lovatt told Al Jazeera, adding that he didn't believe this was likely to happen.

Hamas, meanwhile, has allowed Dahlan to get a foothold in Gaza, and in return Egypt has loosened some of the restrictions on access and movement it imposed on the Strip.

"When we talk about the EU, there has not yet been any serious thinking at policy level about the day after President Abbas," Lovatt said. "And so the risk is that one day we find President Abbas is no longer president, and everyone is left scrambling. And this could see the EU and other states falling back on the usual reaction to support the strongman candidate at the expense of democratic representation."

Neither Abbas nor Dahlan fare well in Palestinian public opinion polls. According to the latest poll conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) and published at the

end of September, 61 percent of Palestinians want Abbas to resign, down from 65 percent in the previous three months.

Only 5 percent of respondents would want to see Dahlan replace Abbas following an election in which the current president does not nominate himself. Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti gets the highest consensus at 37 percent, followed by Hamas' Ismail Haniyeh at 19 percent.

"For the Palestinians, Dahlan or Abbas - there is no difference, at least for the majority," political analyst Hamada Jaber told Al Jazeera.

Alaa Tartir, programme director at Al-Shabaka, highlighed six main issues he thinks the Fatah leadership should consider during the congress if the political will existed.

These include creating a real distinction between Fatah and the PA; establishing clear accountability mechanisms to assess the performance of the leadership; caring about the cadre as much the elite care about themselves and their positions; bridging the trust and legitimacy gap as well as taking measures to reverse the damage that Fatah caused the Palestinian struggle, especially with its role in the intra-Palestinian divide and fragmentation; fighting the entrenched corruption from its root causes; and finally fighting authoritarianism instead of being complicit in sustaining it.

"These are doable policy prescriptions if the aim is to trigger genuine reform processes that yield to positive consequences on the Palestinian struggle for liberation and self-determination." (Al Jazeera)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

REST OF

Delhi Eastern Naga Students’ Union celebrates Silver Jubilee Vangamla Salle K S New Delhi [India] Nov. 30 (ANI): Delhi is a city of opportunity where every year people from across the country arrive to seek better education, career opportunities and a better life. Those coming from outside bring their unique cultures and traditions.

Celebrating life in a historic manner, the Delhi Eastern Naga Students’ Union (DENGSU) recently rolled out a red carpet for their people on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee.

The celebrations were graced by Nagaland’s Health and Family Welfare Minister P Longon, DoNER Secretary Naveen Verma and other dignitaries.

“I am happy that I am part of this celebration and to be a part of this commemoration programme.

And, I am also proud of my people; unexpectedly my people are also here in Delhi completing 25 years of their stay,” said Longon.

DENSU consists of six tribes from Nagaland, namely Chang, Phom, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Sangtam and Yimchunger.

Hundreds of students from these tribes gathered

Delhi Eastern Naga Students’ Union, Naga students, Silver Jubilee,

and witnessed their rich and unique culture at the event.

“You feel as if you have come back to Eastern Nagaland. Seeing the Konyak, Morung and the log drum is something that actually took you back to Nagaland. So, I am very happy that the Eastern Naga chapter of Delhi has done a great event. They actually have taken lots of pain to bring and reach Eastern Nagaland right here. And I’ve told that even the bamboos are authentic, so it is very good. I wish that such events are

organised and occur more often here in Delhi,” added Naveen Verma, DoNER Secretary.

“This kind of events should take place in Delhi more often and also not only with Nagaland people but also with Delhites, so that interaction makes them closer to each other. And that will increase the mutual understanding and also the corporation between the people of Nagaland and Delhi,” added Madan Lal, AAP MLA. To mark and honour the celebration, the Naga students set up a real indig-

Another Tripura brave-heart courts martyrdom in Jammu's Nagrota

The martyred Army jawan from Tripura, Chittaranjan Debbarma Agartala, Nov 30: One Army jawan from Tripura, Chittaranjan Debbarma was martyred along with six others in the terror attack in Nagrota camp at Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Within a week two youths of Tripura were killed by Pakistani militants in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, on November 22 BSF jawan Shambu Satmura (34), was killed in mine blast laid by Pakistan at Jammu and Kashmir along the Indo-Pak border at Jamia Wali Gali of Sawjian sector in Poonch district and in the early hours of November 29 another proud son of Tripura and Naik Chittranjan Debbarma (36) of 51 Engineering Regiment of Army was also martyred along with six more Army personnel including two officers during an eight-hour long gun battle at a military camp near the army's sensitive 16 Corps headquarters in Nagrota at Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, three militants were also neutralized in the attack, who had entered army officers mess and there was hostage-like situation at Nagrota army camp but all the 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children held captive, were successfully rescued during the eight hour long gun fight.

Sources said that the group of an unknown

number of militants had entered the field regiment camp of the army around 5:30 am in Nagrota. They started firing indiscriminately at the Officers' Mess inside the camp in Nagrota. The militants were 'fidayeens' or suicide attackers who came heavily armed. The terrorists were reportedly wearing army uniforms.

Family sources of the martyred army Naik Chittaranjan Debbarma said that during the gun battle, Chittranjan called his wife Namita Debbarma (32) at around 7.45 AM of Tuesday, but one of his relative picked up the phone in absence of his wife. Chittranjan told his relative that they were in the midst of militants seize and this was probably his last call to his family. The relative of Chittaranjan also told that, martyred jawan was unable to speak to his wife as she was out of home for some domestic works. "I clearly heard the sounds of gunshots and grenade blast in the phone, but after few minutes the mobile phone automatically got disconnected, I tried once again to call Chittranjan, but there was no response from the other side of the phone call", said the brother-in-law of Chittranjan, who received his wife's phone.

We tried several more times to connect Chittranjan, but we failed,

said a relative of deceased Naik. In the evening, the Army headquarters of J & K informed that Chittranjan Debbarma was martyred during a gun fight with Pakistani militants. All the family members broke in tears as the death message spread across kairingbari village of Padmabil block under kalyanpur police station of Khowai district, the native village of martyred Chittaranjan. He is survived by wife, aged parents ,two children, elder daughter Inlek Debbarma (13) studying in classseven at Kok English medium school at Baijalbari and son Kutlai Debbarma (8) studying in class-three at Don Bosco school, also in Baijalbari area of Khowai district. His elder brother Arun Debbarma is a retired Army and younger brother Amardeep Debbarma, a group-D employee of Tripura government.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, in a condolence message, said his government expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. The brave soldier of Tripura Chittaranjan Debbarma was martyred while protecting our country; we all stand with his family in the hours of crisis, said Chief Minister.

He also said that all are shocked to hear the news and all are also very proud of him. He attained martyrdom while fighting for the nation.

On Wednesday morning local officials led by local MLA Padma Debbarma rushed to the diseased's house in Kairingbari village to express their grief and prepared all arrangements for the last rites of the martyred soul. However, official sources confirm that the mortal remains of Naik Chittaranjan will be brought at his native village on Thursday from Jammu and Kashmir.

(Agencies)

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NORTHEAST

enous Morung for the first time in New Delhi, which remained the centre of attraction.

Another major attraction was the log drum, giving a glimpse of the rich heritage.

“We, Delhi Eastern Nagaland student try to bring something different in the city of Delhi. In our culture, we have Morung and log drum but this is first time in the history of Delhi that we were able to construct this Morung and showcased the log drum.

Log drum is normally used on a occasion, celebration or a war cry. So tradition-

ally for our culture, this is very very significant.

And we are very happy that we could put in place this Morung in Delhi,” said Dr. Hentok Phom, Jubilee Convener.

The artefacts and the materials were brought all the way from eastern Nagaland for the celebrations.

A cultural programme was also organised where performances by various music bands left the audiences awestruck.

Budding fashion designer Doichung Buchen also showcased her latest collections, a unique mix of traditional and modern designs.

“I feel so good and after long time, I came to such places and I really miss back home. And to see the traditional dresses, I really liked it and enjoyed a lot,” added by one of the beaming audiences.

A window to the cultural mosaic of Eastern Nagaland, the event highlighted the rich and vibrant culture and life of the people.

Such celebrations strengthen bond among communities and promotes tribal culture and traditions. (ANI)

Seized Rs 32.5 lakh headache for police, treasury Shillong, Nov 30: The cash seized in the past in connection with various criminal cases is giving the police and the treasury sleepless nights in the aftermath of demonetisation.

In the most recent case, the senior treasury officer at Shillong District Treasury on Tuesday wrote to the officer in charge of Sadar police station regarding over Rs 21 lakh kept in the treasury. Another letter was about Rs 11 lakh seized by the police.

The cash was seized in connection with cases related to Arms Act and under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in 2009 and 2012 pending at Sadar Police station.

In separate letters addressed to the officer in charge of Sadar police station, the treasury officer said as per his advice, one scaled box said to contain Rs 11,50,000 and another Rs 21 lakh are in the strong room of the office for safe custody till date.

"In view of the prevailing scenario of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes of the Mahatma Gandhi Series by the Government of India from November 9, it is therefore

requested to examine and take immediate necessary steps or decision as to what is to be done with regards to the seized money said to have been kept in the sealed box," the treasury officer said in the letter.

The copies of the letter were also sent to the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and the SP. Recently, police were in a dilemma over Rs 50 lakh seized in 2008 from East Khasi Hills.

The police headquarters made a query to the East Khasi Hills SP on the need to exchange Rs 50 lakh due to demonetisation. The money was seized from two individuals, who were keen to sponsor the candidates for the Assembly elections in 2008, and a case was registered under Madanrting police station in this regard.

Commenting on these cases, a legal expert pointed out the dangers of exchanging the seized money which are in scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations as this will lead to tampering of evidence since the cases are pending in the courts. (Agencies)

Over 200 non-practicing advocates including speaker, ex-CM, MLA derecognized Agartala, Nov 30: The Bar Council of Tripura derecognised over 200 non-practicing advocates affiliated with different courts in the state which include some prominent personalities.The derecognised advocates includes speaker of the state assembly Ramendra Kumar Nath, former Chief Minister Samir Ranjan Barman, Trinamool Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman and the vice-president of the BJP state committee Subal Bhowmik.

There are over 1100 advo-

cated affiliated to the Bar Council of Tripura but during a recent verification it was found that over 200 of them never appeared before the court during last five years and were derecognised. Pijush Kanti Biswas, President of the Bar Council of Tripura said the verification process was undertaken as per instruction of the Bar Council of India which had set non-appearance in any court continuously for five years as criteria for declaring an advocate as nonpracticing. (Agencies)

No turning back on reconciliation: Dr. Shürho

Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu with party functionaries and legislators at the CEC meeting

Dimapur, Nov 30: NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Tuesday categorically stated that the April 2015 reconciliation within the party was "total and unconditional" and that there was no room for "bargaining with conditions any further".

Addressing the NPF Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting here at the party's Central Hqs, Dr. Shürhozelie further said that the party felt sorry for those who have not accepted the reconciliation, and reminded them that the "particular period" was over and that there was "no ground to turn back and reopen the issue."

"Unfortunate that in some quarters some people did not fit in to the system by making further bargains. However, the April 30, 2015 reconciliation was total and unconditional. Thereby, further bargaining with conditions does not arise," said Dr. Shürhozelie. "We are happy that vast majority of

us have responded to the reconciliation declaration and had regained the earlier position with the spirit of forgive and forget", he said.

Keeping in mind the 2018 general election, Dr. Shürhozelie further said that the party felt necessary to convene the party's General Convention in 2017. However, he said today's CEC meeting could be considered as "a substitute to the General Convention"."For those of you who are in the fray for the party ticket, it is time for you to prove yourself to the party through your performances," he said.

With regard to the forthcoming Manipur Assembly polls, he said the party would be declaring the names of the NPF candidates in a week's time.

He also expressed joy that there were two candidates from the Kuki community and another intending candidate from

the plain sector.

Dr. Shürhozelie said the party would work hard to see that it garners majority in the hill sector.

Dr. Shürhozelie also informed that the party would be opening an office at Khonsa in Arunachal Pradesh. He however said NPF was not ambitious, but wanted the party to take off when the party leaders were willing to work and organize on a stronger foundation.

On Naga political issue, he reiterated that NPF was supportive for a logical conclusion to the vexed Naga political issue at the earliest.

However, he said since assembly polls were nearing, as a party, they had to be prepared for any eventuality. The meeting was attended NPF and Independent MLAs, CEC members from Nagaland and Manipur. (Agencies)

Free health camp concludes

DHD MS Tungoe along with the doctors and members at DHD OPD complex.

Dimapur, Nov 30: After the three-day long health camp organised in District Hospital Dimapur (DHD), the attending doctors' analysis indicated steep increase in tobacco-related diseases and ailments in Dimapur. The camp concluded on Tuesday.

Of 442 patients diagnosed in the camp, more than 100 have been suggested for follow up on biopsy and other related examinations. These included several women who were asked to go for pelvic sonography and breast examinations regularly every month after their cycle and annual follow up was advised for oral habit, informed CPAA executive director Neeta More.

More further said about 95 per cent of the patients screened in the camp were found afflicted with various tobacco related ailments.

They were advised to go for regular ENT screening with local surgeons.

Most of the women patients were explained about breast cancer which has become an important investigation in India. They were taught self examination of breast since it has been rated as number one cancer in urban and rural areas of the country, said More.

She also suggested for

more such camps to be organized regularly as nobody has gone through such detailed investigation which included different types of examinations that provided for early cancer detection.

Terming oral cancer as the biggest problem and drain in health ministry, ENT surgeon Dr. Sanjay Ghildiyal said that government does not have funds for this kind of therapy. He therefore suggested that it would be better to create awareness of the ill effects of tobacco and all such products.

The team would also be organizing the camp at circuit house Wednesday starting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the jawans and nearby residents.

KOHIMA: Four-day medical camp which commenced from November 26 concluded at Naga Hospital Kohima on November 29.

According to DIPR report, in Kohima, a team of five doctors performed surgeries, echocardiologist, ultrasonography and distributed free medicines to the patients.

On the concluding day, Dr. Suparna Nirgudkar M.D (med), consultant physician and intensives and team leaders from Mumbai stated that maximum people were found to be treated with

lifestyle disease of diabetes, heart problem and respiratory ailments.

She also said that six (6) surgeries have been performed and more than sixty sonography of abdomen have been detected. Team leader, Dr. H.S. Palep said, the free medical camps have been organized through the inspiration of the Governor of Nagaland P.B. Acharya through the foundation of Dr. Keditsu, local leading gynecologist, initiative from Rotary Club of Bombay North and Indian National fellowship centre. Altogether hundreds of patients were treated and availed free medicines.

WOKHA: In Wokha, patients from in and around Wokha district have been availing the three-day free medical camp held at Dr. Motsuo, Memorial District Hospital. Five doctors from Mumbai comprising of surgeons, physician and psychiatrist along with 11 doctors from Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital are conducting the medical camp.

Around 700 patients have already availed the free medical camp and more patients are expected to visit the camp which would culminate on November 30.

Medical Superintendent Dr. M. M District Hospital has informed that the visiting doctors would be visiting Doyang on November 30 where medical camp would also be conducted there.

Deputy Commissioner, Wokha Wezope Kenye, while thanking the visiting doctors for the yeoman service, have also appealed to all the citizens of the district to make use of the free medical camp and get treated by accomplished group of doctors and surgeons. (Agencies)

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

P12 NorthEast stay in the hunt for semis after 2-1 win over Delhi

Virat Kohli vaults to career best No.3 spot in ICC Test rankings

Match Awards Club

award:

NorthEast United FC

Fittest Player of the Match: Emiliano Alfaro

Winning Pass of the Match: Robert Cullen

Swift Moment of the Match: Romaric ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Robin Gurung Hero of the Match: Seityasen Singh

Virat Kohli NorthEast stay in the hunt for semis after 2-1 win over Delhi Guwahati, Nov 30 : NorthEast United FC came up with a spirited performance to beat Delhi Dynamos FC 2-1 in front of more than 21,000 spectators at Guwahati and keep their semis hopes alive.

Seityasen Singh scored in the 60th minute for the hosts while Romaric doubled their lead in the 71st minute.

Marcelinho halved Delhi’s deficit in the 93rd minute.

The first chance of the game came Delhi’s way as early as the third minute when Florent Malouda’s clever through-ball found Richard Gadze , who with only the goalkeeper to beat, put his effort wide.

Delhi certainly saw more of the ball from there on, and

England all-rounder Woakes suffers crack in right thumb

IANS New Delhi, Nov 30: The England cricket team's injury woes continued as all-rounder Chris Woakes was diagnosed with a small crack in his right thumb sustained while batting in the third Test in Mohali.

Woakes was struck on the thumb when he tried to fend off a short ball from pacer Mohammed Shami during England's second innings of the Test, in which the visitors went down by 8 wickets on Tuesday.

Woakes went for an Xray after the game which showed what the England management are describing as a "tiny crack," according to a espncricinfo report.

In addition to the thumb injury, the 27-year-old also has a sore knee, which further dents his prospects for the fourth Test, starting from December 8 in Mumbai.

England are also expected to announce a replacement for Haseeb Hameed, who is returning to England for an operation on his hand on Wednesday.

kept a good amount of pressure on the Highlanders.

However, the next opportunity came NorthEast’s way, against the run of play, when in the 18th minute Emiliano Alfaro ran on with the ball towards goal and even got his shot away but Delhi goalkeeper Antonio Doblas stood his ground and made the save. That move spurred NorthEast on and soon they started taking the attack to the opposition.

At the other end, Gadze found another opportunity in the 35th minute when he took down a long ball with his chest in the penalty box but Highlanders goalkeeper TP Rehenesh was quick off his feet and grabbed the ball

to see out the danger.

Seityasen had a big opportunity to create a goal-scoring chance the very next minute but instead of passing it to Alfaro, who was in a better position on the left, he went for a shot himself, which was saved by Doblas.

The match went end-to-end as Kean Lewis missed the next chance for the Lions when he blasted a first-time volley over the bar. Be that as it may, neither team could find a decisive finish and the score line remained goalless at half-time.

The second-half started in an uneventful way, but NorthEast managed to break the deadlock fifteen minutes into the half as Seityasen

controlled Didier Zokora’s long ball on the right flank, showed great strength to shrug off Souvik Chakraborty while going into the penalty box, and rolled the ball into the goal from a tight angle to send the home fans into a frenzy.

NorthEast nearly doubled their lead in the 69th minute, but Romaric’s deflected shot just went wide. But their second goal came the two minutes later when Robert Cullen’s slick pass found Romaric and this time the Ivorian, through on goal, finished neatly, beating an on-rushing Doblas.

Katsumi Yusa then saw his shot go just wide in the 83rd minute, but to be fair to the Japanese, he was off-balance.

The very next minute saw

Ruben Rocha try a long range shot and it stung the hands of Rehenesh.

Alfaro then missed a chance in the third minute of added time when his header was just wide of the target. Delhi did manage to get a goal back in the same minute when Marcelinho blasted a shot from a tight angle on the right which beat the Rehenesh at the near post, and gave the Brazilian his ninth goal of the season.

But it was too late in the day for Delhi as the score-line remained 2-1 at the final whistle. With that result, NorthEast kept themselves in the hunt for a semis spot. The Highlanders though know that they would need another three points from their final game against Kerala Blasters FC on Sunday to make their maiden semi-final appearance.

Mohammad Hafeez cleared to bowl in international cricket Agencies New Delhi, Nov 30: Mohammad Hafeez, the Pakistan all-rounder, has been cleared to bowl in international cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Wednesday (November 30). The 36-year-old underwent the test at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on November 17 and was subsequently cleared, after all his off-spin deliveries were found to be under the permitted 15-degree limit.

Hafeez was reported for the first time in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in June last year. Subsequently, he was banned by the ICC in July and the suspension expired in July this year. He was eligible to go for the test immedi-

Mohammad Hafeez has been cleared to bowl in international cricket, following a reassessment test in Brisbane © Getty ately but a knee injury during the England tour meant he decided to delay the test.

Though he was allowed to bowl in the Pakistan Super

League (PSL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) barred him from bowling in the country's Twenty20 league. Hafeez also worked

with Carl Crowe, a bowling coach from England, to correct his action.

However, the umpires can still report Hafeez. "The umpires are still at liberty to report Hafeez if they believe he is displaying a suspect action and not reproducing the legal action from the reassessment," the ICC said in a statement. "To assist the umpires, they will be provided with images and video footage of the bowlers remodeled legal bowling action."

Hafeez was dropped from the Pakistan Test for the tour of New Zealand and Australia even when he continued to play in domestic cricket. Though he wasn't bowling in the firstclass matches, the lack of runs too hurt his case.

AIFF nominated for the 2016 AFC Member Association Developing Award PTI New Delhi, Nov 30: The All India Football Federation has been nominated for the AFC Member Association (Developing) Award for 2016 along with Vietnam and Malaysia.

The awards will be announced at the gala event of AFC Awards Night in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 1 December.

The prestigious award is given to a Member Association in recognition of its professional administration and governance as well as its exceptional contribution to the development and promotion of the game at all levels within the country. This includes grassroots and youth development work, women's football development and social responsibility.

With India hosting the

Fifa U-17 World Cup next year, Indian Football is undergoing a revolution spearheaded by vigorous football development at the grassroots level, the AIFF said in a release.

The AIFF said it conducted 2 0 Grassroots Leaders Courses in 2016, while 6 0 0 Grassroots Coaches were trained and 12 states implemented the AIFF Grassroots philosophy by setting up Grassroots Centres.

To beef up the number of AFC Licensed Coaches in the country, the AIFF conducted 29 AFC Courses inclusive of 2 AFC A Li-

cense Courses, 5 AFC B License Courses, 20 AFC C License Courses and 2 AFC Goalkeeping Level 1 Courses.

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Coaches became AFC Certified through the above mentioned Coaching Courses.

Extending the horizons of women's football, the

AIFF, as part of the Fifa Live Your Goals campaign, conducted six courses across the country in five states, alongwith four FIFA Courses exclusive only for women - Fifa Women's Administrative Course, Fifa Introductory Goalkeeping Course, Fifa Refreshers Course, and the Fifa Youth Course.

AIFF also conducted 13 Grassroots Festivals under the Live Your Goals project wherein more than 1000 girls were trained in the basics of grassroots football.

Meanwhile, 40 Academies applied for Academy Accreditation to play in the U-16 and U-18 Youth Leagues of AIFF, out of which 26 passed, increasing the base of the Player pyramid structure in the nation.

IANS Dubai, Nov 30: After leading India to an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match Test rubber against England, skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday vaulted to a career-best third spot in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings for Testbatsmen released here.

The 28-year-old Kohli, who scored 62 and six not out to help India crush England by 8 wickets in the third Testagainst England at Mohali, moved to 833 points, within 14 points of second-ranked England's Joe Root in a list led by Australia captain Steve Smith.

Starting the series in 15th position, Kohli has risen at a fast pace scoring 405 runs in the three Tests against England, according to an ICC release.

Kohli, who is top-ranked in Twenty20 internationals and second in One-Day Internationals, looks determined to top the table in

Tests, the only format in which he has never been top-ranked.

The remaining two Tests provide more opportunity to Kohli, who had led India to victory in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia in 2008.

England's Jonny Bairstow has also reached a career best ranking of 9th - a leap of three places with knocks of 89 and 15 while Australia opener Usman Khawaja has moved up nine places to 19th after a match-winning knock of 145 that helped Australia win the day-night final Test against South Africa in Adelaide by seven wickets.

For South Africa, Faf du Plessis's innings of 118 not out and 12 have helped him move up eight positions to 23rd rank while opener Stephen Cook has moved up 30 places to a career-best 44th position after scoring 40 and 104 in Adelaide.

New Zealander Ross Taylor has moved up four places to take the 18th slot after scores

of 37 and 102 not out in New Zealand's 138 run victory over Pakistan in Hamilton.

In the ICC rankings for Test bowlers, India's Mohammad Shami has moved up two places to a career-best 19th position in the list led by his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ashwin's spin partner Ravindra Jadeja occupies the 7th spot.

Australia pace bowler Josh Hazlewood has moved into the top five for the first time in his career after taking six wickets in Adelaide. He has moved up four places to take fifth position.

Meanwhile, in the list of allrounders, Jadeja has gained two slots to reach a careerbest fourth slot after scoring a crucial 90 in his only innings in Mohali.

Ashwin has consolidated his position at the top with 493 points, a tally not reached by anyone since retired South Africa player Jacques Kallis in 2008.

Tinsukia Town club win Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, Nov 30: Tinsukia Town Club beat Tinsukia Cricket Academy by 53 runs in the Tinsukia A-division cricket league tournament organized by Tinsukia district Sports Association at Tinsukia district Sports Association stadium today. Altogether, five teams participated in the tournament.

Put into bat in a batting friendly wicket Tinsukia Town Club added 156 on board in

29.5 overs before being all out.

Pronoy Aich top scored with 24 off 34 balls, hitting four boundaries to the fence. Sunil Bharahav chipped in with 21 off 23 balls with four boundaries.

For Tinsukia Cricket Academy, Anuj Pathak scalped four wickets for 42 runs in 5.5 overs and Yash Shah claimed two for 15 in six overs.

In reply, Tinsukia Cricket Academy were bundled out for 103 in 25.2 overs. Ajay Gohain

smashed 33 off 42 balls laced with five boundaries and Riyazuddin Ali contributed played a patient knock of 22 off 40 balls with the help of two boundaries.

For Tinsukia Town Club, Anup Bujel claimed three wickets for 30 in 4 overs while Amit Singh took two for 10 in 4.2 overs. Tinsukia Town Club bagged three points.

Tomorrow, Tinsukia Railway Divisional Sports Club will play Cosmos Club.

Saina, Kashyap, Praneeth reach pre-quarters at Macau Open PTI Macau, Nov 30 : Top seed Saina Nehwal staved off a tough challenge from little-known Indonesian Hanna Ramadini in a threegame women's singles opening round match to advance to the pre-quarterfinals of the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament here today.

It turned out to be a good day for Indians as Saina, P Kashyap and B Sai Praneeth and men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Summeth Reddy made it to the pre-quarterfinals even as it was curtains for Hong Kong Super Series finalist Sameer Verma at the USD 120,000 event.

Former World No. 1 Saina saw off World No. 44 Ramadini 2123 21-14 21-18 in the opening match that lasted for over an hour. She will next take on another Indonesian Dinar Dyah Ayustine next.

On a comeback trail, Commonwealth Games champion P Kashyap, who recovered from multiple injuries and then took a break after the Denmark Open to work on his fitness and game, defeated Chinese Taipei's ChunWei Chen 21-19 21-8. He will take on Chinese Taipei's Lin Yu Hsien in the next round.

Young Sameer, who had an exceptional campaign at Hong Kong last week, failed to break the defence of Muhammad Bayu Pangisthu of Indonesia and

Saina Nehwal lost 18-21 13-21 to bow out of the tournament.

B Sai Praneeth disposed off China's Sun Feixiang 21-12 2115 to set up a match against fifth seed Wong Wing Ki Vincent of Hong Kong.

Third seeded men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy saw off Hong Kong's Chan Alan Yun Lung and Li Kuen Hon 21-11 17-21 21-9.

They will take on Singapore's Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Hendra Wijaya.

Kashyap, who is back on the circuit after over a month, led 5-0 early on and then entered

the lemon break at 11-7.

However, Chun-Wei led a strong challenge and turned the tables with an eight-point burst.

The Indian then slowly and steadily made his way back to reach 16-19 before sealing the opening game with five straight points.

In the second game, Kashyap was very dominant as he broke off as early as 5-5 and never looked back as Chun-Wei crumbled under pressure.

Yesterday, H S Prannoy retired midway in the opening round match after suffering a back injury.

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