10 April 2023

Nagaland Post

IPL: Shikhar excels but PBKS lose to SRH ; Rinku seals win for KKR over GT

Russia pounds Ukraine amid Easter pleas for peace

Resurrection Sunday observed across Nagaland Modi offers prayers at Delhi’s

Sacred Heart Church

on Easter

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 9 (NPN):

Along with the rest of the world, Christians in Nagaland celebrated Resurrection/Easter Sunday, with religious fervour and piety.

The day commemorates

Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

In Kohima, people congregated for the sunrise service at Naga Solidarity Park, organized under the aegis of Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship.

Delivering the resurrection greetings, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) general secretary Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho said the resurrection completed the redemptive work of God. “Resurrection is not the invention of humankind but a demonstration of God’s power,” Dr Keyho said. He said resurrection “completes our salvation and gives us the indescrib-

India logs 5,357 fresh Covid-19 cases, 11 deaths

NEW DELHI, APR 9

(AGENCIES): With 5,357 new Covid-19 infections, India’s active case tally climbed to 32,814 on Sunday, the data provided by the Health Ministry indicated as of 8 am. The death toll increased to 5,30,965 with 11 deaths.

On Saturday, the country had reported 6,155 fresh cases and 11 deaths, including two reconciled by Kerala.

Covid curbs back in some states: With the rising cases of Covid over the last few days triggers an alarming situation, several states have issued Covid guidelines and made masks mandatory again. Amid the heavy surge in Covid cases in Kerala, Health minister Veena George announced to make masks mandatory for pregnant women, the elderly and those with lifestyle diseases.

Haryana government has made face masks mandatory in public places, where there is a gathering of more than 100 people, government offices, malls, etc. The Puducherry administration also made face mask compulsory in public places, parks and theatres, with immediate effect owing to the rise in Covid-19 cases.

The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a ‘highpriority’ directive, instructing officials to ensure the screening of international passengers at all airports. In Delhi, hospitals, polyclinics and dispensaries have been instructed by the health department to scale up testing.

it!

able hope of life that is eternal.” Dr Keyho pointed out that the empty tomb gave believers the power to overcome the fear of death and the confidence for future.

Quoting 1 Corinthians 15:13 “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith”, Keyho said the essence of the statement was “we stand or we fall on resurrection”.

He however observed that people today took Christianity and faith for granted

because they focused less on the power of resurrection and more on modernising one’s faith.

He noted that people were influenced whatever they came across in social media platforms like WhatsApp and YouTube without even bothering to think what was right or wrong, or find out the source of information.

“For some it (social media) has become their primary and the Bible their

secondary source of information.” He also noted that what went around in social media seemed to be more appealing than what the Bible says.

He cited how people forwarded messages some that read “Forward the message to 10 different groups and you will receive your blessing, type Amen and God will bless you”.

Dr.Keyho stressed that blessings did not come by forwarding messages ten times and termed it a “Christian scam”. He said God did not grant one’s wish by typing “Amen”, but blessings of any kind came through faith in the resurrected Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

The NBCC general secretary also observed that biblical Christianity was fading and that churches were becoming more like social clubs.

While there was nothing wrong with beautiful structures, yet he empha -

sised that the beautiful architecture “should not deter us from saving souls, bring hope to the hopeless and ministering to the world around us.”

For the church, he said nothing could substitute building lives.

In his message, Khedi Baptist Church pastor Dr Ruokuovilie Sachü said resurrection of Jesus Christ was the moment that marked the fulfilment of prophecies as the resurrection hadbecome true. He termed the message “He is not here, He has risen” as not only the defining factor not only in earthly life but to see Jesus’s face to face.

He mentioned that the resurrection of Jesus was not fake and that there was nothing to be afraid or frightened of. Instead, as believers, he said one should be firm on his faith and rejoice because “He is the way, the truth and Life.”

NEW

DELHI, APR 9

(PTI/AGENCIES): Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church here on Sunday on the occasion of Easter and offered prayers. He also planted a tree on the premises. An official video showed him greeting priests and worshippers, and he later joined them as they offered prayers on the auspicious day.

Modi’s visit to the church is imbued with political significance as well, as the ruling BJP has been actively wooing Christians, with the prime minister himself underlining the minority community’s growing connect with the party by citing its poll successes in Goa and recent wins in two North Eastern states. These regions have a large Christian population.

After the visit, Modi

Fire engulfs Burma Camp area: 1 charred to death, 900 homeless

spread of the fire was caused b y multiple explosion of gas cylinders. Some fire personnel were also injured by the fire.

Seven fire tenders were presses into action– four from Central Zone, two from West zone and one for Chümoukedima. It took nearly three hours for the fire personnel to completely douse the fire.

Prime Minister Modi during his visit to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi on Sunday. (Pics: Twitter)

tweeted, “Today, on the very special occasion of Easter, I had the opportunity to visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi. I also met spiritual leaders from the Christian community.”

Earlier in the day Modi extended greetings to people on the occasion of Easter and wished for harmony in society. Ahead of Modi’s visit to Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church, Fr.

Francis Swaminathan of the church said the visit will demonstrate his support for the minorities.

“I think this is the first time that a sitting Prime Minister will come to visit a church. The fact that the Prime Minister is coming is, in itself, a big message. We know he cares about all minorities, including the Christians,” Fr. Francis Swaminathan added.

ULB issue: Day of judgement on Apr 17 on contempt case

Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APR 9

(NPN): The Supreme Court on April 5, fixed the hearing on the contempt of court notice for April 17 where the state government, state election commission and others are being impleaded.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 9 (NPN):

One person was charred to death after a huge fire broke out at East Block Colony Burma camp here Sunday afternoon, reducing an en-

tire block of bamboo and CGI roof hutments to rubble besides rendering hundreds of families homeless.

A fire official told Nagaland Post that an elderly lady in her 80s, who was alone at the time of the fire,

was charred to death. The body was later recovered by the fire personnel and handed over to police for necessary formalities, the official said The official also confirmed that around 260

houses were reduced to rubble and that around 900 people have been made homeless. Though investigation was ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire, it was disclosed that the rapid

Himanta to file defamation case against Rahul over ‘Adani’ Tweet

GUWAHAT, APR 9 (PTI):

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said he will file a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over a tweet that linked him to the Adani group.

Addressing a press conference here, Sarma said the defamation case will be filed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Guwahati on April 14.

“Whatever Rahul Gandhi tweeted, it’s defamatory. We will respond after the PM leaves the state,” he said.

“Definitely, a defamation case will be filed in Guwahati,” he added.

Gandhi on Saturday took a swipe at some leaders who have quit the Congress in recent years and some of whom have joined the BJP as he kept up his offensive against the government over the Adani issue.

“They hide the truth, that’s why they mislead everyday! The question remains the same - whose

Rs 20,000 crore benami money is in Adani’s companies?” Gandhi asked in a tweet in Hindi, sharing an image with ‘Adani’ written as an acronym of sorts with letters of the names of the leaders.

He cited the names of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kiran Kumar

Reddy and Anil K Antony in his tweet. After quitting the Congress, Azad formed his own party, while the rest joined the BJP. Scindia is now a Union minister and Sarma the chief minister of Assam.

Quoting Gandhi’s tweet, Sarma had earlier tweeted, “It was our decency to have never asked you, on where have you concealed the proceeds of crime from the Bofors and National Herald Scams. And how you allowed Ottavio Quattrocchi to escape the clutches of Indian justice multiple times. Any way we will meet in the Court of Law (sic).”

According to DPRO Dimapur, properties worth around one crore rupees were destroyed in the fire.

District Disaster Management Authority Dimapur under the chairmanship of DC Dimapur distributed relief

(Cont’d

Armoury of Kuki militant outfits under CF looted

I MPHAL, APR 9: Suspected militants belonging to Kuki Independent Army (KIA) Sunday looted 25 sophisticated weapons from the armoury of three militant groups staying in the designated camp under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement in Manipur.

According to police KIA militants (also known as Kuki Independent Organisation) looted at least 25 sophisticated arms in the early hours of Sunday from the designated camp of three groups at Churachandpur in Manipur.

(More

Hospitals across India to run 2-day drills for Covid preparedness

NEW DELHI, APR 9 (AGENCIES): Amid rising COVID-19 cases, a nationwide mock drill to take stock of hospital preparedness will be held on April 10 and 11 in which both public and private facilities are expected to participate.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit AIIMS, Jhajjar on April 10 to oversee the mock drill, officials said on Sunday.

In a review meeting held on April 7, Mandaviya had urged state health ministers to visit hospitals and oversee the mock drills. He had also advised them to review the preparedness with district adminis-

trations and health officials on April 8 and 9.

In the meeting with state health ministers, and principal and additional chief secretaries held virtually, Mandaviya had stressed the need to identify emergency hotspots by monitoring trends of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute

respiratory infection (SARI) cases, ramping up testing and vaccination, and ensuring readiness of hospital infrastructure. Besides enhancing genome sequencing and ramping up whole genome sequencing of positive samples, he had emphasised creating awareness about

following Covid-appropriate behaviour.

During the meeting, states and union territories were informed that currently the World Health Organisation (WHO) is closely tracking a variant of interest (VOI), XBB.1.5, and six other variants are under monitoring (BQ.1, BA.2.75, CH.1.1, XBB, XBF and XBB.1.16), a health ministry statement had said.

It was highlighted that while Omicron and its sublineages continue to be the predominant variants, most of the assigned variants have little or no significant transmissibility, disease severity or immune escape.

The prevalence of XBB.1.16 increased from 21.6 per cent in February to 35.8 per cent in March. However, no evidence of an increase in hospitalisation or mortality has been reported, the statement said.

During the meeting, it was observed that 23 states and union territories had average tests per million below the national average.

Mandaviya had said that irrespective of the new variants, the five-fold strategy of ‘Test-Track-TreatVaccinate and adherence to Covid-Appropriate Behaviour’ continues to remain the tested strategy for Covid management.

Nagaland Post broke the news first on April 2, on contempt of court initiated against the state government and others for violating the apex court’s directive issued on February 13, 2023 to hold municipal and town council polls by issuing notification on or before March 14.

It may be recalled that the State Election Commission accordingly issued a notification on March 9 for holding polls on May 16.

However, the state assembly on March 28, 2023 resolved to effectively call off the ULB polls through the Nagaland Municipal Act (Repeal Bill 2023) and make a new Municipal Council Act after taking into account various inputs from apex tribe hohos and organisations. The contempt of court was initiated

by the appellant-- People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)- whose advocates impleaded themselves in the case for 33% women reservation after members of the NMA in 2017 withdrew their names from the case (No.242/2014). The case was filed as a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court in April 2016 by NMA office bearers.

It may be recalled that the state government in 2016 invited the series of controversies first by amending the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 to include the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. The amendment also included 243 (T) which required one-third reservation of seats for women and 243 (U) was inserted which lays down that election to every municipality would be held before the expiry of its duration.

Without elected representatives since 2010, the Municipal Councils have failed to meet a crucial criterion to be eligible for funding from the Central government.

SC to hear batch of pleas on identification of minorities

NEW DELHI, APR 9

(PTI): Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a batch of pleas seeking the identification of minorities at the state level.

A bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Ahsanuddin Amanullah will take up for hearing the petitions raising various issues related to the identification of minorities, including challenging the constitutional validity of the National Minority Commission Act, 1992 and the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutes Act, 2004.

The pleas include the one filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay who has sought directions for framing guidelines for the identification of minorities at the state level, contending that Hindus are in minority

in 10 states including the North East.

The status report, filed in the apex court on January 11, 2023, said that comments from six states and UTs – Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan and Telangana –are still awaited.

On November 22 last year, the Centre told the top court that it has held consultative meetings with all state governments, UTs and other stakeholders on the issue of identification of minorities at the state level and 14 states have furnished their views so far.

In its status report, the ministry has said that the “last reminder” was sent on December 21 to these six states and UTs which have so far not given their comments.

(5th from L) Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho along with church leaders during the Sunrise Service in Kohima. (NP)

File image of health workers at Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi during a Covid mock drill. (R.V. Moorthy)

(File) Rahul Gandhi and Himanta Sarma and (R) Tweet by Rahul.

(L) Fire fighters dousing the raging fire and (R) smoke billows from the structures gutted down by inferno on Sunday. (Pics: Social Media)

Christians in Nagaland celebrate Easter Sunday

Correspondent

ATMA Dhansiripar conducts field day at Bade Village

KLBC: Kohima Liangmai Baptist Church (KLBC) D. Block celebrated the Lord’s Resurrection Day/Easter Sunday at the Church premises. In his sermon, Pastor Rev. N.Silubo Zeliang said Jesus, the powerful son of God, conquered the death and reigned. He said the resurrection of Christ demonstrates, God saving His people from their sin.

Easter Sunrise service at Seluophe Model village.

Gorkha Students’ Union Chümoukedima District (GSUCD) on April 8 held a coordination meeting with Nagaland Gorkha Association (NGA), Gorkha Public Panchayat Kohima (GPPK), and Gorkha Students’ Union Kohima (GSUK) at GPPK Hall. The union submitted a memorandum for better functioning and development of Gorkha student community of the state.

Training on ‘entrepreneurship development in pearl farming’

DIMAPUR: Department of Zoology, St. Joseph University hosted a one-day training on “Entrepreneurship Development in Pearl Farming” on March 31. The aim of the workshop was to teach the students about both the academic and practical sides of pearl farming, such as the identification and anatomy of mussels, water quality parameters, etc. Resource person of the event was Dr. Akalesh Kumar Verma, Assistant Professor, Department of

Zoology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam. He shared his knowledge and experience on pearl farming. A total of 130 students, including Ph.D. research scholars, from the Zoology and Biotechnology departments attended the workshop. The programme chaired by H Ilika Yethomi and Haiyong L (M.sc. Zoology, SJU) began with an invocation by Rev. Fr. Anish, PRO.Welcome address was delivered by Dr. S. Jeyaparvathi, professor & Head, Department of Zoology.

“His perfect sacrifice of dying on the cross saved us from sin and through the resurrection of Christ we found the faith that we will ultimately be in eternal relationship with God,” said Rev. Zeliang. During the celebration, KLBC youth department presented a skit on Christ’s forgiveness. The programme culminated with an Easter feast.

SFXCC: St Francis Xavier Catholic Church Kidima celebrated Easter with Don Bosco Panamai (Manipur) principal, Reverend Father Frank, SDD, as main the celebrant.

In the homily, Fr Frank asked the parents whether like St Paul there were imitating Christ to guide their children. He said

Condolence messages

DIMAPUR: NSCN/ GPRN (LI) has expressed sadness on the sudden demise of ‘Col’ late Kejingkhum, “national worker and a patriot who joined the national service in 1964”. In a condolence message, NSCN/GPRN MIP said late Kejingkhum had served the “nation in various assignments and military commands as an efficient commander”. NSCN/GPRN said his demise was a huge loss to the government and the Nagas at large as late Kejingkhum was a man of principle and one of the pioneers of “Alee command”. NSCN/ GPRN president, Luyangba Yimkhiung and ato kilonser, ‘Col’ (Retd.), Isak Sumi along with all the rank and files of NSCN/GPRN expressed condolences to the bereaved family, and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

Late Mrs MOAKALA IMSONG

A year has passed, but not a day goes by when we reminisce about the time you are with us.

We believe that you are in heaven watching us.

However, it can’t ease the pain of losing you.

We love you dearly. No one can ever replace you in our hearts.

K-751/23

Loving Husband, Children and Family Members 10-04-2022

10th DP -1520/23

Lt. Zevilhou-ü Nguzhü

Born in 1924 – Died on 10th April 2013

Since the day of you passing away, a decade had gone and we continue to miss you deeply.

In God, today we venerate your life with all the memories we had together and rejoice that we will meet again in eternity.

Catholics were the “risen” and those who have strong faith and abide the word of God would not face the “tragedy in life”. Highlights of the celebration included special number by fathers and youth association, baptism, “eucharist with the word of God fest”, and a fellowship meal.

Miqlat Ministry: Miqlat Ministry NBCCWD in collaboration with United Christian Church, Chakhesang Baptist Church, Baptist Revival Church, Christ King Church of Seluophe Village and Gorkha Baptist Church of Singrijan Village observed the first ever Easter Sunrise Service together, on April 9 at Amphitheatre, Seluophe Model Village.

Resource person interacting with the farmers at Bade Village on April 5.

DIMAPUR: A field day at maize and brinjal field was conducted by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Dhansiripar block on April 5 at Bade Village with Assistant Technology Manager (ATM), Kaiho Achumi as the resource person. A press release by ATMA Dhansiripar block stated that during the visit, Achumi briefed the famers about the potential of maize variety “HQPM-3” and brinjal variety “Arka

Navneeth”. Achumi appraised the farmers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies for better plant health management and sensitised them about fall army worm infestation in maize and various pest and disease problems in their fields. He also suggested bio-intensive management practices. The field visit concluded with harvesting of maize and brinjal crops. The programme was attended by 15 farmers.

DP-1531/23

North East Christian University (NECU) MA 4th semester political science students undertook a study tour to Bhutan from March 30 to April 4.

NSCN/GPRN (Akato): NSCN/GPRN (Akato Chophi) has expressed deep pain at the demise of kilonser, Huveto Ciero, who passed away on April 6. In a condolence message, NSCN/GPRN MIP said late Ciero, who joined the “Naga National Movement” on April 10, 1998, was “vociferous and defensive, when it comes to national integrity, chivalry and honour”. NSCN/ GPRN said late Ciero served the “nation” under various capacities for requisite and competent “nation building”, and was also holding additional charge of Chairman (Chakesang Region) till his last breath. Further, NSCN/ GPRN has beseeched for divine and heavenly intervention for comforts and solace during the bereaved family times of grief.

KOHIMA/DIMAPUR, APR 9 (NPN): Along with the rest of the world, Christians in Nagaland too celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ by organising special Resurrection Sunday/Easter Sunday devotional services.

AR observe ‘WHD’; organise programmes

Model goat village inaugurated at

DIMAPUR: KVK Peren, ICAR-RC for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Jalukie, inaugurated “Model Goat village Poilwa Namchi, Pig Village Poilwa and Capacity Building of Vegetable farmers” at Poilwa village on March 31.

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles

Battalion under the aegis of Headquarters Inspector General of Assam RiflesNorth (IGAR-N) observed “World Health Day”, conducted meetings and other activities across Nagaland.

Jalukie: On the occasion of “World Health Day”, Assam Rifles battalion organised a unit hospital visit for school children and teachers at Jalukie on April 7. During the visit, the team explained to the children the significance of “World Health Day”, pointing out that this day was an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved quality of life during the last seven decades. During the visit, children were briefed about basic hygiene

and sanitation, importance of physical activity, nutrition and other significant aspects of health. The event was attended by 21 students and 11 school teachers.

Old Peren Village: Commemorating “World Health Day”, Assam Rifles battalion organised a lecture on “Health for all” on April 7 at Old Peren Village. AR said the event aimed at raising awareness about health issues, promoting healthy behaviour and providing health education. An effort was made to address their concerns and provide practical tips and suggestions on how the villagers could improve their health and well-being within their local context.

The lecture was attended

by 47 villagers.

Wangti Village: Assam Rifles organised a security meeting on April 8 at Wangti Village, Mon district and discussed the prevailing security aspects. The meeting was attended by GBs, Village Council and Nagaland Village Guard. AR said the locals assured their full support and cooperation in maintaining peace in the region.

Chenloisho, Mon: Assam Rifles participated and connected with the locals during the Konyak Aoleang festival in Chenloisho area Mon district from April 3-7. During the festival, the Assam Rifles troops interacted with the youth, elders and important authorities conveying the best wishes of Konyak

Aoleang. The troops of Assam Rifles also attended the Aoleang Festival celebration organised by Chenloisho Village Council and Wangto Student’s Union and participated in singing songs and dancing. The troops also participated in log drumming, trumpeting, fire making competition and witnessed competitions namely spinning cotton, pottery making and pounding grain song amongst locals.

Tuensang: Strengthening the Spirit of “Sentinels of North East”, Assam Rifles battalion participated in the quiz on Indian History under “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” at Tuensang. A total of 167 participated in the quiz competition.

NORTHEAST

Modi to launch projects worth Rs 8,500-cr in Assam

GUWAHATI, APR 9

(PTI): Prime Minister

Narendra Modi will roll out various projects worth nearly Rs 8,500 crore, including an AIIMS and four other hospitals, a bridge over Brahmaputra and one methanol plant, in Assam on April 14, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference here, Sarma said Modi will be on a day-long visit to Guwahati, where he will kick start a range of projects through physical and virtual modes.

“He will land in Guwahati at 11:30 am and will reach IIT Guwahati by a chopper. From there, he will reach the upcoming AIIMS and inaugurate it. Around 85 per cent construction of AIIMS are completed and the remaining will be over in due course of time,” he added.

The AIIMS is being constructed by the Centre

at an expenditure of Rs 1,123 crore, and it will have a 750 bed hospital and 100 MBBS seats.

Sarma said Modi will also virtually inaugurate three medical colleges at Nalbari (Rs 615 crore), Nagaon (Rs 560 crore) and Kokrajhar (Rs 535 crore), constructed by the state government, from the AIIMS campus.

“These hospitals will have 500 beds and 100 MBBS seats each. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of a research hospital within

IIT Guwahati campus, to be developed jointly by IIT Guwahati and Assam government, which will initially invest Rs 600 crore,” he added.

Then Modi will virtually distribute health cards to 1.1 crore people, who will get a health cover of Rs 5 lakh every year, the chief minister said.

From the IIT Guwahati campus, the prime minister will reach Khanapara and go to Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra to address the closing ceremony of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Gauhati High Court, he added. “He will then spend around 30 minutes at Koinadhora State Guest House.

At 4:45 pm, the PM will reach the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium and inaugurate three projects virtually,” Sarma said.

The first one is a methanol plant at Namrup in Dibrugarh with 500 tonnes

TroublebrewsforConginAssamwith MLAsthreateningtoquitpartyposts

GUWAHATI, APR 9

(IANS): All is not well at the Congress camp in Assam with at least three MLAs expressing displeasure over the state leaders and resigning from their party posts.

Though the three legislators, and Assam Pradesh Congress President Bhupen Borah denied the resignations, the latest development fuelled a further rift within the opposition party.

The displeasure began with the recent appointments of a few district presidents of the party across the state. In Cachar, Tamal Banik, a close aide of Assam Congress working president Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, was replaced by a ‘less popular’ leader, Abhijit Paul, which made Purkayastha furious.

The Congress leader claimed that despite being a working president of the party in the state, he was not even informed before making the change.

Cachar falls within southern Assam’s Barak valley, where Purkayastha holds good influence among the party workers. He won as an MLA in the assembly elections from that region three times in a row.

Puraksyastha questioned: “If I was not informed about a change in the organisational structure in my area, why should I continue in the post of working president?”

He informed the party in-charge in Assam, Jitendra Singh, about this and sent a letter expressing the desire to quit the party post.

Singh dialled Purkayastha and urged him not to step down. Singh told the three-time Congress MLA that he would visit Assam to end the logjam.

According to sources, Purkayastha has been waiting for Singh to arrive here. He even told his supporters that the whole episode was like a humiliation to him.

But not only Purkasyastha, a few other MLAs also expressed anger over how the state leaders were behaving towards the legislators.

Nandita Das, a twotime MLA from Boko constituency, was recently slapped with a show-cause notice when she was recording visuals of a party meeting attended by a central leader. A section of the state’s Congress leaders accused Das of working

at the behest of the BJP. Though Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah said he was satisfied with Das’s reply, the whole incident has angered a few other MLAs.

They have opened a front against the Assam Pradesh Congress leaders, claiming that the legislators were not given the honour and respect they deserve in the organisational structures.

Along with Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, two other MLAs -- Misbahul Islam Laskar and Khalil Uddin Majumdar -- reportedly tendered their resignation from party posts following the difference.

Sensing a possible storm, Bhupen Borah called an urgent meeting on Saturday. Following that, Borah said: “A section of the media was falsely propagating the news of the resignation of MLAs. I have not received any resignation letters.”

Leader of the Opposition in Assam assembly Debarata Saikia said: “In a democratic party like Congress, someone may express his or her displeasure, but nobody was giving any resignations.”

per day (TPD) capacity by Assam Petro-chemicals Ltd (APL), constructed at an investment of Rs 1,709 crore.

“In this plant, the Assam government has 51 per cent stake and 49 per cent is held by Oil India. After commissioning, APL will be able to sell methanol to other states as well as export to neighbouring countries,” Sarma said.

The second project to be kick started by Modi is the Rs 100-crore beautification work of the Rang Ghar, he said, adding “we have already acquired the land for this purpose”.

The ‘Rang Ghar’, an amphitheatre, was built by King Pramatta Singha. This two-storied ovalshaped pavilion in Sivasagar is one of the largest of its kind in Asia.

“The third and the biggest project that the PM will launch is the Palasbari-Sualkuchi bridge over

Brahmaputra. He will lay the foundation stone of the bridge, to be constructed at an expenditure of Rs 3,197 crore over the next 3-4 years,” Sarma said.

The state government has already received environment and other necessary clearances from various agencies for starting the construction work, he added.

“The day will end with the biggest attraction -- the largest Bihu dance. The PM will witness 11,010 dancers and drummers dancing to the tune of a Bihu song in their attempt to register it as the largest recital of the folk dance form in Guinness Book of World Records,” Sarma said.

After witnessing the 15-minute dance, which will likely be the largest Bihu dance recital at a single venue, Modi will address the public at the stadium.

A press release by principal scientist and head, KVK Peren, ICAR research complex for NEH region Dr. K. L. Meena informed that, the aim of the programme was to develop a Model Goat and Pig village for breeding purpose to enable supply of good quality goat and piglet and production of vegetable crops round the year for sustainable farming, income generation and livelihood improvement.

The programme was funded under TSP project on “Animal Health Camp/ Awareness programme cum Input Distribution in Peren district of Nagaland”; “NEH Component of Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IIAB), Ranchi” and “NEH Component of Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangaluru”.

At the technical session, CTO (Animal Science) Dr. L. Babita Devi highlighted the details about the programme and stressed on important dis-

eases of livestock and prevention. The theme of the programme was shared by ACTO (PBG) Dr. Patu Khate Zeliang, and details on seed production of vegetables crops were elaborated, PS & Head, KVK Peren Dr. K. L. Meena, highlighted the KVK activities of Peren district farmers

Chairman Poilwa village, Rangsam and chairman Poilwa Namchi village, Paunamlung on behalf of the respective village council, expressed gratitude to KVK Peren, for adopting their village for development of model Pig and Goat Village. They also assured to uphold the project by forming Pig and Goat farmers group.

Special guest, president Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland I. Daniel Hemang,

congratulated both the villages for being selected as Model Pig and Goat village and advised them to work sincerely with full cooperation by following scientific technologies.

Around 79 participants from Poilwa, Poilwa Namchi, Helagem, Poilwa Zangdi village including village council members, youth representative, women representative and officials attended the programme.

Assam Hill Goat and Black Bengal Goat, 1000 kg wheat bran and Maize crush and veterinary medicines (Mineral mixture, Calcicare, Anthelminthics, Vitamins, Antibiotics, Ointments, Potash.) 30 large white Yorkshire piglets, vegetables seeds, hermetic bags were also distributed at the programme.

AGARTALA, APR 9

(IANS): The participants in the Army’s 22-day-long pan-northeast car rally “Purvottar Bharat Parikrama”, were greeted in solemn functions in Tripura on Saturday.

The car rally, which was flagged off on March 22 in Fort Williams, Kolkata, aims to reach out to the youth, freedom fighters, gallantry award w inners besides martyrs’ families and common people in the northeastern region. As a part of the welcome ceremony, several events were organised which included paying homage to freedom fighters and fallen heroes, felicitation of ‘Veer Naaris’ and ‘War veterans’, motivational lecture by Param Vir Chakra awardee honorary Capt Yogendra Singh Yadav (Kargil war hero) and interaction with ex-servicemen.

The team also moti -

vated the local students and NCC cadets by distributing school bags and stationery items. Wreath laying ceremonies and various other events were organised at the Albert Ekka War Memorial on the outskirts of Agartala city.

Hailing from Jharkhand, Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, was killed in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Defence sources said that the 22-day long car rally has been covering a total distance of around 4,000 km across 8 northeastern states -- Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya, navigating through extreme terrain of Nathu-la in Sikkim, Se-la tunnel and Bumla in Arunachal Pradesh, the War memorial at Kohima and many historical locations.

He said that “Purvotar Bharat Parikrama” is part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the year-long Platinum Jubilee of India’s Independence, showcasing the country’s journey and the achievements of her people over the past 75 years. “The car rally aims to strengthen nationalism and motivate youth to join the Indian Army. The initiative would serve as a unique platform to showcase the cultural diversity of the northeastern region, encourage tourism and strengthen the bond between the people of the eight states and the rest of the country,” sources said. During the journey of the rally, a series of motivational programmes were held at various schools and colleges. The rally, which comprises 38 members and 10 vehicles, would culminate on April 12 at Umroi in Meghalaya.

8 reserves in NE benefit humans as much as tigers

ITANAGAR/AIZAWL,

APRIL 8 (IANS) : Though there are eight Project Tiger reserves in three northeast India states -- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, wildlife experts have mixed opinions about their further development and upkeep of the tigers. Of the eight Project Tiger reserves, Assam has four reserves -- Manas National Park, Orang National Park, Pakke Tiger Reserve and Kaziranga National Park; Arunachal Pradesh has three -- Kamlang Tiger Reserve, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Pakke Tiger Reserve; Mizoram has the Dampa Tiger Reserve.

Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha Tiger Reserve is the oldest in the northeastern region which was notified in 1987 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Dampa Tiger Reserve does not have a single tiger now while according to the 2018 census, Assam has 190 tigers while 29 are in Arunachal Pradesh.

Northeast India’s bio-diversity conservation and research organisation, Aaranyak’ secretary general Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar said that the tiger being India’s national animal, it has the attention of government

and non-government agencies working to secure the future of tigers in India.

“Project Tiger launched in April 1973 with the declaration of the tiger as India’s national animal has been playing a leading role to safeguard tigers and their habitats in India.

“Efforts put in the past 50 years in India indeed resulted in the protection of tigers and their habitats that not only benefited tigers, but also other associated species in the tiger reserves,” Talukdar told IANS.

He said that Aaranyak has been complementing the efforts of the government agencies and initiated camera trapping of tigers in Manas National Park in Assam way back in 2005 when most people thought that Manas may not have any

tigers due to the prolonged socio-political turmoil in that landscape.

According to Talukdar, the camera traps set up by Aaranyak in association with the Manas National Park authorities in 2005 found a few tigers, giving renewed hope for tigers’ recovery in the Manas Tiger Reserve. Head of Tiger Research and Conservation Division of Aaranyak, Dr M. Firoz Ahmed said that the tiger reserves in northeast India are important conservation sites for human wellbeing and not just for tigers. However, local communities are increasingly wary about the tiger reserves due to poor communication as well as restrictions on them, Ahmed told IANS. He said that the current model needs a relook to

ensure that the communities are partners with the tiger reserves rather than sufferers.

“Such changes are likely to ensure community ownership, support, increase the tiger population and at the same time benefit the ecology, people and biodiversity,” Ahmed said.

A tiger reserve is not only about the tiger but also has a variety of flora and fauna ranging from small insects to big mammal species.

The Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh is a forested area which has high species richness.

As there has been no official documentation of the species inhabiting the reserve, Cheshta Singh, field director and divisional forest officer of the Kamlang Tiger

Reserve, took the initiative to monitor the biodiversity of the reserve and record the different species. The compiled report titled, ‘Kamlang Tiger Reserve: At a glance’, has comprehensively documented the species including 33 mammals, 37 birds, 4 snakes, 79 butterflies, two dragonflies, one spider species and four floral species. Forest officials in Itanagar said that the Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry would soon notify the Dibang Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.

Once notified, the Dibang Tiger Reserve would be India’s first high altitude tiger reserve and the largest in terms of area, at 4149 sq km, the officials said.

Assam Rifles with the local populace at Jalukie. AR personnel with the village leaders.

Army’s ‘Purvottar Bharat Parikrama’ gets grand welcome in Tripura

Narendra Modi

KVK officials and beneficiaries at Poilwa village.

CrPC 144 imposed after clashes during JAC protests in Sikkim

GANGTOK, APR 9 ( AGENCIES): Sikkim government has imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) after sporadic clashes broke out during a protest rally held by the Joint Action Committee on Saturday in Singtam town in Sikkim’s Gangtok district, reports East Mojo.

Violence broke out after some unidentified miscreants attacked JAC General Secretary Keshav Sapkota when he was trying to mobilise local JAC workers for the protest rally in the state capital against expansion of the definition of the ‘Sikkimese’ people in Section 10 (26AAA) of the Income Tax Act 1961 under the Finance Bill 2023 passed by Parliament recently.

The Singtam Police lodged two cases in this connection and nabbed three persons in this connection, Gangtok, Superintendent of Police (SP) Tenzing Loden Lepcha, said.

“We have lodged an FIR and a counter FIR by

Opposition,civilgroups condemnincident

Meanwhile, the Sikkim Ex-Naval Sailors’ Association and Sikkimese Society have condemned the incident. The civil groups also issued letters to the governor seeking to restore peace in the rule of law in the Himalayan state. Meanwhile, Bhaichung Bhutia also wrote a letter to the SP Gangtok Tenzing Loden Lepcha to identify the goons responsible for the alleged attacks. He also appealed to residents to maintain “peace and tranquility.”

Shillong gears up for G20

SHILLONG, APR 8 ( AGENCIES): Hectic preparations are under way in Shillong in the wake of the Space-20 programme slated for April 17-18, reports Shillong Times.

Meghalaya is set to host a meeting of the G20 nations to deliberate over how space partnerships can contribute to the economies of the countries.

KIA militants loot designated camp of SoO militants in Manipur

Correspondent

IMPHAL, APR 9: Suspected Kuki Independent Army (KIA) militants looted a designated camp of the Kuki militants under suspension of operation (SoO) truce in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Saturday night.

After keeping the four cadres tied down with ropes inside the camp premises, the KIA militants raided the camp and looted the arms deposited by the cadres of three groups under SoO, the source said.

7.62mm pistol with maga-

rival parties and arrested three persons based on the video recording in circulation on social media,” the SP said.

A member of the Singtam Taxi Drivers Association was also injured when he was attacked by JAC workers.

Apprehending the threat to the law and order situation, the Additional District Magistrate of Gang-

tok issued prohibitory orders for the entire Singtam Bazar area and within the periphery 200 m radius of Singtam Bazar.

After the violence, Former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and Sikkim BJP chief DR Thapa visited the Governor on Saturday. Chamling requested the Governor to look into the law and order situation in Sikkim.

GANGTOK, APR 9 (PTI):

SDF supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling claimed that the Sikkimese people feel betrayed as Article 371F, which guarantees special provisions for Sikkim, was “violated”.

The former chief minister, in a telephonic interview with PTI, also alleged Sikkim had become a hotbed for political violence and sought President’s rule to ensure a free and fair election in 2024.

Correspondent

SHILLONG, APR 9:

Christians in Meghalaya

Sunday joined their brethren the world over to celebrate Easter, while while adhering to all safety health protocols.

Easter marks the end of the period of Lent or suffering and it is believed that Jesus Christ was resurrected after his crucifixion on Good Friday.

Bishops led the services and delivered sermons in various cathedrals and churches of different Christian denominations in the city.

Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese Rev. Vic-

tor Lyngdoh, presided the Easter mass at the Grotto Chapel at the Mary Help of Christian Cathedral here.

Pascal commemoration in many perishes was marked with candle light processions and baptism of new born children.

Leaders of various political parties have greeted the Christians on the occasion of Easter.

Governor Phagu Chauhan, who greeted the people of the state, hoped that this day brings immense joy, peace, and prosperity to all. “May this Easter bring renewal and revival in our lives, and guide us towards the path of righteousness,” Chauhan said.

According to Article 371F, only the descendants of Sikkim subjects (those who lived in the state before its merger with India) whose names were mentioned in the 1961 register are Sikkimese with rights to own land and get state government jobs. They were also exempted from paying income tax.

“But now, the Financial Bill, 2023 redefines Sikkimese as any Indian citizen domiciled in Sikkim, extending to them the same benefits as that of the original inhabitants whose forefathers’ names were in the 1961 register,” Chamling said.

Sapkota suffered injuries to the head, nose, and neck and was taken to Singtam District Hospital, where the attending doctors referred him to Central Referral Hospital.

“As of now, Sapkota, an ex-Navy serviceman, is in the ICU,” said Passang Sherpa, VP of JAC. “Pawan Chamling visited the patient on Sunday afternoon followed by HSP prez Bhaichung Bhutia.”

In Shillong, almost all the major roads have been black-topped, while the allimportant Guwahati-Shillong Road has been painted with signs and indicators, and even walls have been painted as part of preparations. Even illumination by streetlights has been improved in many places in the city, especially Mawlai. Nonetheless, many stretches including the portion from Lumdiengjri to Rhino point continue to look dark although few streetlights are functional. Moreover, few high-mast lights in the area are also non-functional. The Shillong Airport’s terminal at Umroi is also being painted, while renovation is under way and basic infrastructure also seems to be improved in view of the meeting.

betrayed as Article

Prem Singh Tamang, better known as P S Golay, however, said in a Facebook post that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during a recent meeting, assured him that the amendment was only related to income tax exemption and the original definition of Sikkimese will always be respected.

“This violates Article 371F, which was the basis for the merger of Sikkim with India in 1975. People of Sikkim feel betrayed as the special provisions extended to them have been taken away,” he said. Analysts feel the main concern of Sikkim’s politicians is that land rights which are now enjoyed by only those Sikkimese whose parents were subjects of the earlier princely kingdom will be extended to any Indian domiciled in the Himalayan state.

Asked whether this will be a major poll issue, he said, “People are very angry over the issue. We have a very small population of only 6-7 lakh and we fear we will be swamped by settlers within 2-3 years.”

Sikkim Chief Minister

Chamling also claimed that politics in Sikkim has become “violent” after the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government came to power in the state in 2019.

Chamling alleged that Golay, in his SKM Foundation Day speech on February 4, had called upon party workers to attack members of opposition parties, and since then 68 SDF workers and leaders have been injured in violence perpetrated by the ruling party and opposition party offices have been vandalised.

“Earlier, Sikkim was peaceful and adjoining Darjeeling Hills was restive. Now, there has been a role reversal. Stone-pelting happens in our state like Kashmir Valley. So much unrest in a sensitive border state

Ex-militantsbuildbamboodwellingsinforestinTripura

AGARTALA, APR 9 ( AGENCIES): Tension is brewing in the entire Kanchanpur sub-division under North Tripura district after locals noticed that some unknown persons have been building bamboo dwellings in reserve forest areas for the last couple of days, reports East Mojo.

Officials said those who had been encroaching the local forests were identified to be members of different surrendered militants groups. So far, no one from the administration or police could clearly ascertain as to which militant groups are responsible for the act.

Some of the photos and videos available with EastMojo showcase that some people had been installing bamboo structures in the forest areas and constructing house-like infrastructure.

Sub-divisional Magistrate, Kanchanpur had already promulgated section 144 in the areas to avoid any conflict situation between the newcomers and the local inhabitants.

Speaking on the issue, OC Kanchanpur police station Udhyam Debbarma said, “The group, which is constructing houses in the forest land, are in negotiating terms with the administration. According

to preliminary reports, they belong to the deprived section of surrendered militants who previously served in proscribed organizations like NLFT (National Liberation Front of Tripura and ATTF (All Tripura Tiger Force). So far, no one from this group has come to light as a leader. We are keeping a close watch on the situation.”

On being contacted, Nagesh Kumar B, District Magistrate of North Tripura, said that a meeting had been scheduled on April 10 next.

“A meeting has been convened on next Monday at the office of District Magistrate North Tripura to discuss the situation there.

A delegation of the surrendered militant group has also been invited for talks. After we heard the news, we tried to initiate talks. Once they join the table talks then only we can say anything on their demands. Otherwise, we don’t have any idea regarding their demands,” he added.

Meanwhile, local sources have said that the encroachment on forest land is being done in two specific areas and both of them have strategic importance for that particular sub-division.

The first part falls in Manu-Mangpui by-pass road that connects Kanchanpur sub-division with Manu. The second part lies adjacent to Kanchanpur-

Machmara road which is another link road for the subdivision.

Locals said if both the roads are blocked, the whole Kanchanpur sub-division will be cut off from the rest of the state.

An FIR was also lodged against these illegal structures being built in the forest areas.

Speaking on the issue, newly elected MLA from Kanchanpur and Tipra Motha Party leader Philip Kumar Reang said, “I am totally unaware of what is going on there. The state government is the right authority to speak on the issue.”

Sources said some exmilitants, who were earlier

The suspects decamped after looting as many as 25 arms and several rounds of live ammunition, police confirmed on Sunday.

The looted designated camp at Chongkhou village in Churachandpur district was housed by cadres of three Kuki based militant groups - USRA, KNF(Z) and UTLA - under tripartite suspension of operation truce with Central and state governments.

Only four cadres were there at the camp when the KIA militants led by their commander-in-chief Thangkhongam Haokip alias Davidson stormed and looted the camp, the source said.

Around 7pm, the militants forced their way into the designated camp and overpowered the sentry and three cadres present inside the camp and snatched the arms in their possessions.

like Sikkim is not good for national security,” he said.

The looted arms and ammunition included one SLR loaded with two live rounds, a 7.62mm pistol loaded with one round, two .32 pistol loaded with two bullets, one 9mm pistol with one bullet, a .65mm pistol with one live round, a 9mm country made pistol with one bullet, one AK-47 rifles with 101 rounds and two lathod bombs belonging to the UTLA group.

Three AK-56 rifles with two magazines loaded with 37 bullets, two M-16 magazines containing 420 live rounds, one carbine magazine, a 303 rifle, one 7.62 pistol with four bullets belonging to the KNF(Z).

The militants also took away two carbine magazines loaded with 32 live rounds, 12 live rounds of SBBL, 126 live rounds of 7.62mm and a telescoping point belonging to the USRA, the source said. One SLR with magazine, one

zine loaded with three live rounds issued to the cadres for camp protection were also snatched away. After untying themselves, the four cadres managed to proceed to Chongkhojou village and conveyed the incident to the camp commander in the village. A team of Churachandpur district police led by its SP rushed to the camp early Sunday morning and launched a massive joint search operation with troops of 36 Assam Rifles. The operation expanded to the villages and forests in and around the designated camp besides sounding an alert to the security forces and police to the possible escape routes of the militants. The operation was in progress till the time of filing this report and there was no report of arrest of suspects or recovery of the looted arms so far. The KIA, the armed wing of Kuki Independent Organization (KIO) was in the news recently when the Manipur police declared its commander-in-chief Thangkhongam Haokip alias Davidson alias Pareng Kom as wanted criminal.

violated’ 3 die after eating ‘poisonous’ mushroom in Assam

“If the Centre and the ECI want next year’s elections to be free and fair in Sikkim … they must impose President’s Rule in the state before the polls,” he said.

If voted to power in 2024, Chamling said he would restore peace in Sikkim, bring down unemployment, which he claimed has risen to 24 per cent from 3 per cent during his rule, and complete pending projects.

“There has been an economic disaster in Sikkim. The present government has gone on a borrowing spree. There has been no proper maintenance of the infrastructure built during my rule… The condition of roads is bad. People are not getting basic minimum facilities like electricity and water. The tourist inflow has reduced to 4-5 lakh annually from 17 lakh in 2016-17,” he said.

The SDF supremo said people’s response to his Sikkim Bachao Yatra has been “positive” and they appreciated finding their old CM with them in the “current times”.

GOLAGHAT (ASSAM), APR 9 (PTI): At least three persons, including a two-year old child, have died after consuming “poisonous” mushroom in Golaghat district of Assam, officials said on Sunday.

The incident took place in Merapani locality of the district, where members of five families consumed the mushroom on April 2, a senior police officer said.

“Three of the same family died after eating mushrooms. Hemanta Barman (2) died last night after his mother Tarali Barman

(23) and father Prafulla Barman (24) predeceased him on Thursday and Friday, respectively,” he said.

All of them died at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH), the officer said.

Merapani Community Health Centre Deputy Superintendent Dr Chandra Shyam said, “A total of 13 people of five families complained of health complications after consuming the poisonous mushroom.” The condition of those who fell ill is stable, Shyam said.

5illafterconsumingmushroomsinTripura

At least five people of a family, including a child, fell ill in Tripura after consuming wild poisonous mushrooms, health officials said on Sunday.

A doctor of a government hospital in Sepahijala District’s Bishramganj primary health center said that five people of a tribal family were admitted to the hospital on Saturday night after they started vomiting and feeling stomach ache following consuming wild mushrooms.

The doctor said that when the condition of the ailing people, including a three-year-old child deteriorated, they were referred to the government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital for better medical treatment.

Every year, many people, mostly tribals, die or fall sick in the northeastern states after consuming wild mushrooms, and some of them often succumb to their illness.

associated with BNLF (Bru National Liberation Front), who laid down arms in Assam’s Cachar district, are also part of this group.

Kanchanpur subdivision in North Tripura district is one of the volatile areas of the state where anti-Bru protests turned violent in 2020 that even caused loss of lives.

Even though the majority of the displaced Bru migrants had been shifted from North Tripura district, Kanchanpur is the subdivision where anti-Bru sentiments among the non-tribes and Minzo settlements are still palpable.

EastMojo also contacted two of the active organisations of ex-militants fighting for the rights of surrendered rebels. Amrit Reang, who is heading DMRC (Deprived Returnees Movement Committee) an umbrella body of ex-rebels, said that his organisation has no links with what is happening at Kanchanpur.

“Some other group seeking rehabilitation may be responsible for that,” he said.

Leader of TUIRPC (Tripura United Indigenous Returnees People’s Council) Daniel Borok Debbarma also distanced himself from the bamboo constructions in Kanchanpur.

Scientists discover two new beetle species in Arunachal and Sikkim

GUWAHATI, APR 9 (AGENCIES): Researchers at the Zoological Survey of India did not have to go to the field to look for a new species. In fact, they found it when they were examining the specimens, according to a scientific journal.

Two new species of beetles have been discovered in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh by the scientists of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. The new species were found after examining specimens dating to 1992 and 2015. The findings have been published recently in the journal Zootaxa, a peer-reviewed scientific mega journal for animal taxonomists, published by Magnolia Press in New Zealand. The study was done by Devanshu Gupta, Denis Keith, Debika Bhunia, Priyanka Das, and Kailash Chandra. Devanshu Gupta, a senior scientist who has been working on beetles, told EastMojo: “We were working on the National Zoological Collection of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata when we found beetle specimens of two species, which were unique in their structure and appearance, and after investigations found them as new to science.” The scientists

named these new species as Melolontha arunachalensis and Melolontha lachugensis based on the localities of the species. Gupta said the new species in this genus have been described after 127 years. They belong to the genus Melolontha, classified under the family Scarabaeidae. Adults in this genus are 25–30 mm long and cause severe damage to crops mainly in the Himalayan region in India. The male specimens of Melolontha arunachalensis were collected from Pange Valley in Arunachal Pradesh in 2015, whereas, the males of Melolontha lachungensis were collected from Lachung Forest of North Sikkim in 1992. The females of both the new species are yet unknown to science.

The closest relative of these new species is found in Laos and Vietnam, named M. phupanensis, which was

described in 2008. M. phupanensis along with M. arunachalensis and M. lachungensis have their antennal club strongly curved outwardly, 3.5 times as length of basal segments; outer metatibial spur subequal in length to length of metatarsomeres 1 and 2 combined; apical portion of pygidium not narrowed, more or less rounded; parameres symmetrical, apical process of left paramere not raised. Both the new species are unique in their structure and shape of the parameres.

Dr. Gupta informed that the genus Melolontha includes 63 species, over 50 of which are primarily distributed in the Palearctic region. After these new discoveries, the total number of species in this genus from India is now 12, and the majority of species are distributed in the Himalayan region.

‘Sikkimese feel

371F

Former militants spotted building a dwelling space.

Senior activist attacked before rally against tax exemption for old settlers.

Pawan Kumar Chamling

Easter celebrated across M’laya

Easter Mass at Sacred Heart Shrine, Tura.

sNiPPets

Woman’s decomposed body found in Vasai

PALGHAR, APR 9

(PTI): The decomposed body of a woman was found in a flat in Vasai in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, a police official said on Sunday. The body was found on the bed in a room with one end of a saree tied around her neck and the other around the ceiling fan, the Manickpur police station official said.

“She has been identified as 28-year-old Mumtaz Kazi who came to live in that house just a month ago. We are looking for her husband for more information. It seems like a suicide as there are no external injuries on the body. However, we are awaiting the post mortem report,” he said.

Drunk man kills minor son, attempts suicide

CHANDRAPUR, APR 9 (PTI): An inebriated man in Chandrapur in Maharashtra allegedly killed his three-and-halfyear-old son and then attempted suicide on Sunday, a police official said. The incident took place in Rajoli village in Mul tehsil, some 45 kilometres away from the district headquarters, he said. “The 33-year-old man strangled his son after he had a fight with his wife over a petty issue. His wife had left home and was at a kin’s place when the murder took place. The man then tried to end his life by stabbing himself in the neck,” the official said.

India reports 5,357 new Covid cases

NEW DELHI, APR 9

(IANS): India reported

5,357 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours taking the active caseload to 32,814, said the Union Health Ministry on Sunday. The daily positivity rate was 3.39 per cent and the weekly positivity rate stood at 3.54 per cent. The active cases were at 0.07 per cent and the recovery rate currently at 98.74 per cent. The Ministry said that 3,726 recoveries in the last 24 hours increased the total recovered to 4,41,92,837. The total number of tests conducted so far is 92.27 crore, out of which 1,57,894 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

Intruder killed in infiltration bid

JAMMU, APR 9 (IANS): One intruder was killed after a major infiltration bid was foiled by the Army at the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.

“On the intervening night of 8/9 Apr 2023, alert troops of Indian Army on the LoC in the Poonch Sector(J&K), detected some suspicious movement of a group (of) individuals,” the Defence spokesman said in a statement.

“The individuals were challenged by Indian Army troops on their own side of LoC, close to the fence. “On being intercepted, in the ensuing operations, one dead body has been seen and the other intruders ran into the forest area.”

Two killed in bee attack in Chandrapur

CHANDRAPUR, APR 9

(PTI): Two persons were killed and four injured when they were attacked by a swarm of honey bees in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district, a forest officer said on Sunday. The incident took place at Satbahini in Nagbhid tehsil on Saturday night, he said.

The four injured persons, including a six-month-old baby, are being treated at Nagpur, a senior forest officer of Bramhapuri division said.

India does not believe in conflict between ecology & economy: PM

MYSURU (K’TAKA), APR 9 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India did not believe in conflict between ecology and economy but gave importance to coexistence between the two.

Protection of wildlife was a universal issue, Modi said, launching the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) that endeavours to protect and conserve big cats.

The Prime Minister was speaking after inaugurating the programme ‘Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger’ organised at Karnataka State Open University.

Citing data that showed the tiger population in India stood at 3,167 in 2022, Modi said: “The tiger numbers that we have reached shows that this family of ours is growing. This is a moment of pride.”

Calling for a standing ovation to celebrate the rise in tiger population, he added, “I’m confident and I assure the world that in the days to come we will achieve more.”

According to the data, the tiger population was 1,411 in 2006, 1,706 in 2010, 2,226 in 2014, 2,967 in 2018 and 3,167 in 2022.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and Minister of State Ashwini Kumar Choubey among others were present at the event.

The Prime Minister said the success of ‘Project Tiger’ is a matter of pride not only for India but for the whole world.

Stating that India has not only saved tigers, but created an ecosystem for it to flourish, he said, “India is

Sachin Pilot opens new front against Rajasthan CM Gehlot

JAIPUR, APR 9 (PTI):

a country where protecting nature is part of culture.”

“For wildlife to thrive, it is important for ecosystems to thrive. This has been happening in India,” he said, adding that protecting wildlife was not the issue of just one country, but actually a global one.

Pointing out that cheetahs had become extinct in India decades ago, the Prime Minister referred to the recent initiative where the big cats were brought to India from Namibia and South Africa, and said it was the first successful transcontinental translocation of the big cat.

SC to hear pleas on identification of minorities at state level

NEW DELHI, APR 9

(PTI): The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a batch of pleas seeking the identification of minorities at the state level.

A bench of justices

Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Ahsanuddin Amanullah will take up for hearing the petitions raising various issues related to the identification of minorities, including challenging the constitutional validity of the National Minority Commission Act, 1992 and the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutes Act, 2004.

The pleas include the one filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay who has sought directions for framing guidelines for the identification of minorities at the state level, contending that Hindus are in minority in 10 states.

On January 17, the top court had expressed

displeasure over six states and Union Territories (UTs), including Jammu and Kashmir, not submitting their comments to the Centre on the issue of identification of minorities at the state level. Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, had referred to the status report filed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs which said that 24 states and six UTs have so far furnished their comments on the issue.

The status report, filed in the apex court on January 11, 2023, said that comments from six states and UTsArunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan and Telangana - are still awaited. On November 22 last year, the Centre told the top court that it has held consultative meetings with all state governments, UTs and other stakeholders on the issue of identification of

minorities at the state level and 14 states have furnished their views so far.

In its status report, the ministry has said that the “last reminder” was sent on December 21 to these six states and UTs which have so far not given their comments.

The ministry said 24 state governments including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Odisha, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Nagaland and Himachal Pradesh have furnished their views. Others are Haryana, Gujarat, Goa, West Bengal, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and six Union Territories namely Ladakh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Chandigarh, NCT of Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar islands and Puducherry.

VACANCY

Applications are invited for the Post of Assistant Professor in the Department of 1. Education – 2 Posts 2. Sociology – 1 Post Qualification - Post Graduate in concerned subject with 55% marks and NET qualified Application with CV and academic certificates from HSLC onwards may be submitted by email on or before 15th April, 2023 Sd/Principal

He also highlighted that four cubs had been born from these cheetahs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

In July 2019, the Prime Minister had called for an Alliance of Global Leaders to obliterate demand and firmly curb poaching and illegal Wildlife trade in Asia. Taking that message forward, the International Big Cat Alliance was launched today, officials said.

IBCA will focus on protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world -- tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah -- with range countries harbouring these species being its members. The Sahyadri or Western Ghats have several tribal communities, who have worked for wildlife and tigers to flourish, Modi noted as he lauded their contribution in conservation efforts. The Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ also depicts the traditional bond between nature and creatures, he said.

Ahead of the assembly elections in Rajasthan, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Sunday opened a new front against CM Ashok Gehlot, announcing a day-long fast to seek action from his government over alleged corruption during the BJP rule in the state.

The development again brings into open the power tussle in the Congress between the Pilot and the Gehlot factions in the state, putting pressure on the central leadership to resolve it before the year-end polls.

“No action was taken (by the Gehlot government) on corruption by the previous Vasundhara Raje government. While in opposition, we had promised that an inquiry would be conducted in the mines scam of Rs 45,000 crore,” Pilot said at a press conference at his residence here, announcing a hunger strike on Tuesday.

“With six-seven months left for the elections, the opponents can spread an illusion that there is some collusion. Therefore, action will have to be taken soon so that the Congress

workers feel that there is no difference between our words and actions,” he said. Pilot said he will observe a day-long fast at Shaheed Smarak on April 11 to press for his demand.

April 11 is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, who belonged to the Saini community, the same community which Gehlot represents. Gehlot and Pilot have been at loggerheads ever since the Congress formed the government in Rajasthan in December 2018 over the post of chief minister.

In July 2020, Pilot and a section of party MLAs rebelled openly, demanding a leadership change in the state. It led to a one-monthlong political crisis that ended after assurance by the party high command to look into the issues raised

by Pilot. The former deputy chief minister said Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had given him the responsibility of the party in the state and he, along with other leaders, had opposed the wrong policies of the then BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje. He said the Congress as a responsible opposition had raised the issue of corruption because of which the BJP was voted out of power.

Pilot also showed videos of statements of Gehlot in the assembly and outside in which he had levelled corruption allegations against the previous BJP government.

“When we were in opposition, at that time we had said that we will investigate corruption in the BJP government. I wrote a letter to CM Ashok Gehlot on 28 March 2022 and on 2 November 2022, but did not get any answer,” Pilot said. He said the state government has a “zero tolerance” policy for corruption and to further strengthen it, transparent and effective action should have been taken.

LG takes a jibe at Kejriwal for targeting PM’s degree

NEW DELHI, APR 9 (PTI): In a dig at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Sunday said that one should not be boastful about one’s degree and some people remain illiterate despite being educated in IIT.

Saxena was asked about Kejriwal’s comments targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his educational qualifications and questioning the genuineness of his degrees.

“I have heard the comments made by the honourable chief minister

in the Assembly. One should never be boastful about their degree. A degree is only a receipt of education but real education lies in your knowledge and behaviour.

“I have seen the kind behaviour exhibited over the last few days. It has been proved how some people remain illiterate despite being educated in IIT,” the LG said. The Delhi chief minister, who has studied at IIT, and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have launched a fresh attack on the issue since the Gujarat High Court recently quashed

ArMy PUBLiC sChOOL

rANGAPAhAr, DiMAPUr, NAGALAND-797112 APsr/sChOOL FUND Dt 09 Apr 2023 teNDer NOtiCe

Army Public School, Rangapahar invites tender from eligible firms/ agencies for procurement of 08 x Green Board (8x4”) for school. The detailed tender document can be downloaded from official website www.apsrangapahar.org.in. Last date of submission of tender is 1000 AM on 17 Apr 2023 (Contact No for any query -03862291788). DB-448/23

VK Saxena

a seven-year-old order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) that had asked the Gujarat University to provide information on Modi’s degree to Kejriwal. The HC also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the AAP chief,

who was the RTI applicant in the matter.

Reacting to Saxena’s remarks, AAP leader and Delhi Education Minister Atishi accused him of raising questions on prestigious institutions like IITs and said the LG and BJP leaders should also show their degrees.

“Those who have to hide their degrees will raise questions over the degrees of others. I would request LG sir to show his degree too and also ask the other BJP leaders to show their degrees,” she said at a press conference.

ArMy PUBLiC sChOOL

rANGAPAhAr, DiMAPUr, NAGALAND-797112 APsr/sChOOL FUND Dt 09 Apr 2023 teNDer NOtiCe

Army Public School, Rangapahar invites tender from eligible firms/ agencies for procurement of 226 x Curtains for School. The detailed tender document can be downloaded from official website www.apsrangapahar.org.in. Last date of submission of tender is 1000 AM on 17 Apr 2023

(Contact No for any query -03862291788).

DB-447/23

get direct Admission in the school.

5. For further information, please contact School Office 0369-2226319 Sd/- Sd/-

Temsuwati Kichu Sangeeta Sharma Chairman, BoG, J. M. S Principal,

PM Modi with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav releases a publication on tiger conservation. (PTI)

Sachin Pilot

State of visions

After the impressive welcome and hospitality accorded to B20 delegates from G20 countries, the Kohima conference has attracted interest of around Rs.4500 crore investment in Nagaland. Around Rs.1000 crore is in the renewable energy section, Rs.1500 crore in bio-fuels, Rs.2000 crore in agro and food processing, rubbe, MSME, medical tourism, sports and IT sectors. Another MoU was signed between the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) delegation with Business Association of Nagas (BAN) at Dimapur. The IBCCI interest was mainly with regard to purchase of bamboo from the 700 acre bamboo plantation at Tuli. Interestingly also, the IBCCI delegation evinced interest in exploring avenues for revival of the Tuli Paper Mill (Nagaland Pulp and Paper Company Limited). The focus on purchase of bamboo pulp from the Tuli Paper Mill, on cursory observation, appears to be a huge potential which promises a financial bonanza. It may be mentioned that the NPCC mill begun production in 1982 with hiccups till it was eventually declared sick and production stopped abruptly in October 1992. After concerted efforts of the state, the ministry of heavy industry finally agreed to revive the mill under BEFR and for which an amount of Rs 552 crore was announced as revival package in 2007, but only Rs 54.62 was released. Another revival package was announced in June 2013 amounting to Rs 679 crore, out of which Rs 100 crore was sanctioned, but Rs 60 crore was inexplicably diverted by the HPC Ltd.The mill had been jinxed due to irregularities be it installation of a second hand boiler that perennially had to be repaired; lack of adequate power and disinterest shown by the HPC. Making pulp means through functioning machineries but the NPCC mill at Tuli is fit for scrap. Making pulp would mean installing new machines and the cost of which will mean pumping over Rs.1500 crore. It is doubtful if the Bangladeshi government would like to begin with a huge minus investment for pulp whose quantity is also under serious doubt because most of the plantation area has reverted back to the donors. Even with all other interested investors, it may be noted that there had been several economic conclaves in Nagaland in the light of the Act East policy after the Modi government came to power in 2014. The focus on the north east for trade with ASEAN countries was made a policy by the then Narasimha Rao government in the early 90s. There have been as many seminars about the policy(from Look East to Act East) and the areas identified as necessary to promote the objective of the policy. There are few vital areas where the potential could be harnessed for the foundation to carry the Act East Policy. These include- food processing sector, hospitality sector, agro based industry and minerals etc. The region can also hope to become an educational hub if the quality of higher education can be improved with reform in the education system. The list also includes the need to promote entrepreneurial skills and to upgrade infrastructural facilities etc. Unfortunately, lack of governance , has landed Nagaland with a huge public debt , in dire need of good roads, efficient rail and air connectivity and rise of a nouveau riche which has invited economic divide.

DailyDevotion

Complete and Effective Decision About Sin

…our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. —Romans 6:6

Co-Crucifixion. Have you made the following decision about sin—that it must be completely killed in you?

It takes a long time to come to the point of making this complete and effective decision about sin. It is, however, the greatest moment in your life once you decide that sin must die in you– not simply be restrained, suppressed, or counteracted, but crucified— just as Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world. No one can bring anyone else to this decision. We may be mentally and spiritually convinced, but what we need to do is actually make the decision that Paul urged us to do in this passage.

Pull yourself up, take some time alone with God, and make this important decision, saying, “Lord, identify me with Your death until I know that sin is dead in me.” Make the moral decision that sin in you must be put to death.

This was not some divine future expectation on the part of Paul, but was a very radical and definite experience in his life. Are you prepared to let the Spirit of God search you until you know what the level and nature of sin is in your life— to see the very things that struggle against God’s Spirit in you? If so, will you then agree with God’s verdict on the nature of sin— that it should be identified with the death of Jesus? You cannot “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin” (Romans 6:11) unless you have radically dealt with the issue of your will before God.

Have you entered into the glorious privilege of being crucified with Christ, until all that remains in your flesh and blood is His life? “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20).

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

Cong has surge in K’taka; Sweep or slip depends on X factor

Karnataka elections will set the directions of Indian politics. The largely triangular contest BJP-Congress-Janata Dal(S) would be interesting to watch whether it gives a clear or hung mandate or how alliances shape up.

The new era politics with Congress back in fighting mood and opposition seemingly coming together may set a challenge to the BJP. With BS Yediyurappa, the face of BJP since 1980s, retiring and the party contesting without a chief ministerial candidate as well as anti-incumbency has its dilemma. Obviously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the BJP’s face. He has been campaigning on a ‘double engine’, party’s government at the centre and the state.

It expects caste-based politics and giving higher quotas to the major caste groups to help it. It also tries to tap the emotions of Hindu voters by leaning on gods and historical icons. Statues of all sizes maark a major part of the poll campaign.

It is an established principle that if you get the ‘macro-picture’ right you will be less troubled by ‘details’ - even when some of them look unsettling at first sight. It is a sign of civilisational confidence of India that it has for its G20 Presidency adopted the motto - ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which means ‘the whole world is one family’.

Nothing can be more comprehensive and higher as the global mission for a world conference, than this thought embracing the entire humanity. A basic advantage here - from India’s point of view - is that any ‘small thinking’ will show itself to all, producing if anything, a certain degree of embarrassment for the dissenter. It is in line with this approach that India favours reformed Multilateralism as a desirable idea to define international relations.

In one word this is multilateralism that produces a positive environment and no negative fall out at all. It goes to the credit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his foreign policy is marked by a consistent adherence to three seminal ideas that added up to this kind of multilateralism.

First is India’s belief in a multi-polar world. This helps to diffuse the danger of the reappearance of the Cold War that was basically the product of a bipolar world order. Multiplicity of major powers makes it more likely that they would make a competitive contribution for improving the world economy and global peacein their keenness to project a good image for themselves, internationally.

It is India’s independent foreign policy that made Prime Minister Modi the first world leader to reach out to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and advise them upfront to stop the armed conflict in favour of negotiated peace.

Through the year long Ukraine-Russia confrontation, India has retained its image as a world counsel for peace because it maintained that

Karnataka is the only stronghold of the BJP in the south. It won 105, short of 11 seats away from majority in 2018, with Congress 79 and JD-S 39. By vote share Congress had done better with 38.14 percent, BJP 36.35 percent and JD-S 18.3 percent. Others had 7.2 percent. The BJP’s aggressive poaching reduced Congress numbers to 69. The state-level performance was different from its Lok Sabha performance. The present poll may be more difficult than the 2018 fight.

The silver line is the entry of AAP with its announcement of manifesto.

This is despite Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s call for opposition unity. It has no presence as of now. How would it fare in the polls is not known.

The general perception is that it might harm the Congress and help BJP. This can change the dynamics. Depending on the impact of strong antiincumbency and scams, if it becomes too virulent it can hurt the BJP and the Congress can be a gainer.

Congress hopes to capitalize on corruption and anti-incumbency, plus its recent national moves – Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatara, which had shown impressive participation in the state, AICC president, Mallikarjun Kharge, a seasoned politician from the state and Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification and notice for eviction from his official residence, and the supposed difficulties of the BJP government may help it.

the education becoming expensive in the wake of National Education Policy. It has not said a word on extending threeyear graduation to four years.

Shivaji Sarkar

Congress leader Siddharamaiah’s popularity is on upswing. KPCC president DK Shivkumar is holding the fort with him. Whether it would tilt the balance in the state or not would be keenly observed. The Congress onslaught on industrialist Gautam Adani, rising prices, farmers’ problems, Shivakumar hopes will turn the table. May be but there are many shortcomings too. It has not raised issues like forced junking of cars and tractors, high road toll, and many other issues including

These issues along with some oranisational weaknesses that are the strength of the BJP could make the road bumpy for Congress. Local RSS workers aver that the party organisation of monitoring at the booth level has developed some cracks. Not all members work with the same dedication. There is nothing to add to the glee of the Congress. Its grassroot organisation needs strengthening.

The AAP entry will have changes in the local voting pattern or not is too early to surmise. If it remains just a minor player as in many places including Goa it may again have limitations. The JD-S is likely to retain its influence in around 35 seats.

During the peak of the Congress at the time of Devraj Urs, Congress had

forged alliance with minorities, backward classes and Dalits. Its tactic to replicate it in 2018 did not do the magic. Now with Kharge at its head, dalits may go back to it. The minorities are likely to swing to the Congress

The BJP’s caste reservation, juggling days before the polls announced may have an influence. The concern of the BJP is apparent. The Congress is trying to take the hold. Some of the recent pre-poll surveys like that ABP News C-voter predict surge for Congress with 40.1 percent lead, 2.1percent upswing. The BJP is losing to 34.7 percent from their earlier vote share of 36 percent.

C-Fore’s survey of a sample size of 22,357 voters across 154 assembly constituencies between 1 and 25 March showed that Siddaramaiah, with 45 percent, was the most popular choice for Chief Minister, followed by Yeddyurappa at 26 percent and Kumaraswamy at 13 percent, while 16 percent preferred ‘others’.

But despite polling less

Reformed Multilateralism

‘this is not an era of war’, abstained from anti-Russia resolutions in the UN and also did not endorse the supply of war equipment and arms to Ukraine by the US-led West in the proxy mode that had only prolonged the war-like situation.

India maintains that concerns of both Russia and Ukraine have to be addressed for working out a peace pact between the two neighbours. Significantly, India has in this period maintained the best of relations with the US, the UK and Europe and with a strategic finesse checked the drift of the world towards another Cold War between US on one hand and the Russia-China combine, on the other.

The second point about India’s foreign policy that paved the way for a reformed multilateralism is that the latter is a natural by-product of India’s favoured option of going in for bilateral relations which were mutually beneficial to both sides in terms of economic and security interests. This policy effortlessly pursued by the Modi regime had ensured that bilateral relations were not at the cost of any other country.

The Sino-Pak axis on the other hand follows an opposite philosophy as it is geared to executing plans ‘against’ India. The unholy alliance between a Marxist dictatorship and a fundamentalist regime is driven by hostility towards this country and is a perpetual threat not only to the security of South Asia but to that of the entire democratic order.

For upholding the case of Pakistan in Afghanistan, China has in fact entered into a give-and-take arrangement with Pakistan on Taliban Emirate and even gone along with the Pak-sponsored faith- based terrorism that threatened global security.

Western democracies led by the US must realise that the motivation of faith that Islamic extremists and radicals brought to bear on the new global terror, has created a perpetual danger for the entire world. This threat had to be countered jointly by all peace-

loving countries through exchange of Intelligence and coordinated action.

Extremism in the name of Islam can enforce an ‘asymmetric’ war because the motivation here was strong enough to produce ‘suicide bombers’ to take down the opponent.

India with its transparent advocacy of ‘all religions being given equal respect’ provides a standing counter to the ‘supremacist’ outlook of a particular faith - in the process it is best placed to act as the anchor of world security against the new threat of radicalisation.

Even as the agenda of G20 is exclusively about economic growth and elimination of the crippling gulf between the North and South, security concerns plaguing the world have also to be addressed during India’s Presidency of the event.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that G20 outreach is designed to fulfil the task of shaping both the global economy as well as world security. To go about it in a mission mode carries the stamp of the Modi government - the latter in fact was living up to the ‘sabjan sukhaye sabjan hitaye’ philosophy.

Finally, ‘multilateralism’ is not ‘alignment’ - it is in fact a negation of the latter. An alignment is always ‘against’ somebody or some country. Reformed multilateralism does not create conflict and India goes for it with that mindset.

India is an active participant in Quad because this forum stands for ‘maintenance of rules based order in the IndoPacific’ - it is not against any particular country but against unwarranted aggressiveness wherever it came from. It needs to be mentioned that India’s bilateral relations with the US, Japan and Australia are on an upswing independently of the geopolitical objective of Quad.

If India also sees in it a preemptive arrangement to counter any hostile encroachment in the Indian Ocean, there is nothing wrong with it. Since China seeks to ‘win a war without fighting a battle’ through

the strategy of salami slicing, India has every right to expose and put down that hidden agenda of the adversary and do whatever it takes to counter it.

India is working for the return of sanity in international relations and is set to improve upon the traditional thinking of somehow preserving national interests even when that meant not caring for the global commons. India has an opportunity of playing this profound role at the world stage and it is a matter of pride that Prime Minister Modi had the political will to rally the international opinion in favour of maintaining global peace so that the cause of economic advancement of the world as a whole, could be served.

In a way the slogan of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ at home is in complete sync with the G20 call of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. If it can establish the feasibility of reconciliation between national growth and human advancement across the globe, G20 would be achieving an unprecedented mission where the world would truly be one- eliminating the menace of conflict and divisions forced in the name of religion, region and race. This would be happening for the first time in the post- Cold War era. Think20 is providing the much needed ideation to the G20 events to enable the latter to fulfil this mission.

Bilateralism enlarging into multilateralism without causing harm to any national entity is perhaps a political philosophy whose time had come - it shows the determination at the national level, to do what was right. While every nation has to have military strength to safeguard its sovereignty, seeking prosperity and gains through arms export and economic destruction of a rival has its limitations - those having such a mindset should realise that.

Some countries will always be richer than others but they all must work for a sustainable human existence in order to minimise conflict and violence that detracted from the

votes BJP had got more seats in the2018 poll than Congress. Could it repeat that? No two polls are alike. But organizationally, the BJP influenced the final count in Tripura. Splitting of votes between the LeftCongress and Tipra Motha helped BJP edge past with a slender margin. Karnataka has hopes for the Congress with its supposed surge but still it is not all roses for it. The election is not fought against the BJP. The RSS cadre strength counts a lot. The RSS would not like to see BJP losing the state like many industrial houses. The recent concern of the opposition at the meeting chaired by NCP leader Sharad Pawar on EVM remains a concern. Others hope that this election might clear the myth and concern about EVM. The Congress enthusiasm is obvious.

A change of guard in Karnataka would do wonders in national political march to 2024 elections and can give rise to a counter opposition rally. Will it happen?

idea of making the world a better place for everybody.

The good news is that the approach of India steers clear of ideological contradictions that had marred international and national politics so far and shows a new light to the world on the strength of its civilisational moorings. Democracy ultimately is rule for the people and whether it is the regional setting that produced the Ukraine- Russia armed conflict or an alliance like Sino-Pak axis that was driven by malice against India, the vision set by the thought of universal good and human dignity would win the battle for the people.

India has set this higher mission and there is every hope that at the end of India’s G20 Presidency it will make a difference to the world. The world can do with injecting some ‘philosophy’ of life in ‘realpolitik’.

To sum up, India has come of age as a major power influencing geopolitical trends. It is an advocate of world peace but also a believer in a firm rebuttal of the attempts of a few to disturb it for their own vested interests or hegemonist traits. It looks upon multilateralism as a constructive pathway to economic well- being that would keep the international community from armed combat and destruction.

Competitive success in the economy may bring in advantages but these should not lead to a temp-

tation for usurping other ‘territories’ or ‘subjugating’ people. Prime Minister Modi’s pithy reminder that this is not an era of war, has made an impact on the world and certainly checked the trend of third parties covertly adding fuel to the fire in an ongoing conflict.

Peace brings in longterm gains while wars produce losses for all parties. A complication in the times we live in, has risen because of the advent of proxy wars that technology - particularly social media and cyber space - had aided. It enabled covert offensives to succeed in creating a sense of victory in combat because violence and destruction went undetected or remained unattributable in specific terms.

Multilateralism has therefore, not only to facilitate mutual economic advancement but also highlight the importance of exchange of Intelligence for countering terrorism and other forms of proxy war. It stands to reason that liaison at the level of National Security Advisors so successfully achieved by India, is becoming the bedrock of India’s international relations and foreign policy strategies. This confirms the reality that global security presaged the world’s economic development and that the two had to be pursued with equal vigour.

D.C. Pathak

(The writer is a former Director of Intelligence Bureau. Views expressed are personal)

Power Department - Why 132 Buttons Again?

Sir, The recharge code for the new Pre-paid system was initially a lengthy 20 digits. The ante was upped against the consumers by raising the recharge code to a 132-button-punch exercise - 120 digits, 6 asterisks [*], and 6 number symbols [#] - to update the balance. One mistake and one had to start all over again. Complaints from some corners over the 132-button affair probably helped get back our original 20-digit code. Alas, our joy is short-lived! The 132-digit-punching torture has come back to haunt us, with a vengeance. Dear Powers that be, of the Department, please … Prof. G.T. Thong Lower Agri Colony, Kohima

“You become what you believe.”

~ Oprah Winfrey

Saffron flag all over Maha in 2024: Shinde

AYODHYA (UP), APR 9 (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Sunday said the ideology of his party and that of the BJP is the same and they will unfurl the saffron flag all over the state next year.

“Our party’s role is clear. The Shiv Sena has an alliance with the BJP. Our ideology, which is Hindutva, is the same. We will go to our state with new energy from Ayodhya and serve the people. In 2024, the Shiv Sena and the BJP’s ‘bhagva’ (saffron flag) will be unfurled in the entire state,” he said while addressing a press conference here.

The Lok Sabha election as well as the Maharashtra Assembly polls are due next year.

Shinde is on his maiden visit to Ayodhya after becoming the chief minister in June last year. He has been accompanied to the temple town in Uttar Pradesh by thousands of Shiv Sainiks.

Without naming anyone, the Maharashtra chief minister said there are a few people who are “allergic” to Hindutva, because if it (Hin-

dutva) reaches every household in the country, their “shop” will be closed. “In the evening, there will be ‘aarti’ on the banks of the Sarayu river and there is a programme of taking the blessings of seers. Many people are a little allergic to this. I will say only one thing -- the Ram mandir and Ayodhya are not political issues for the Shiv Sena and the BJP. It is a matter of our faith and belief,” he said.

Eknath Shinde

Shinde said now that the construction work of the Ram temple has started, Ayodhya will witness rapid progress and lakhs of people will benefit from it.

“Lakhs of people are happy with our Ayodhya visit. But there are some who are troubled because they are intentionally allergic to Hindutva. They intentionally insulted Hindutva and spread confusion about it.

“Hinduism is a way of life. There is tolerance in it, it takes everyone along and does not insult anyone. Many are scared

that if Hindutva reaches every household, every mind, then their political shop will be closed. Due to this fear, after independence, many people made such attempts,” the Shiv Sena leader said. He said that in 2014, when a government based on the idea of Hindutva was installed in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the awakening towards Hindutva, its honour and pride increased.

“Earlier, Balasaheb Thackeray had thought about Ayodhya. He used to say, ‘garv se kaho hum Hindu hai’ (say it with pride that we are Hindus). This slogan was coined by Balasaheb Thackeray and the world knows about it. The Shiv Sena’s ideology is the same as that of the BJP. People are being misguided deliberately, but they are intelligent. I give replies to them through my work,” Shinde said.

Shinde took a jibe at former Maharashtra Chief

Minister Uddhav Thackeray, saying that while Lord Ram suffered 14 years of exile without any objection to keep the promise he had not given to his father, Thackeray against the intentions of his father formed the government in the greed of power along with those people (Congress) who had opposed the Ram Mandir.

“People whom Balasaheb Thackeray had maintained a distance from, a government was formed with them. (However,) the

Godhra train burning case: SC to hear pleas of Gujarat govt, convicts

work of fulfilling the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray has been done by Modiji. Modiji has made the mandir and also told the date. So, who has been proved as a liar?”

Addressing party workers at the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar in October 2015, the then Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray slammed the BJP and raked up the Ram Mandir issue. He had said, “BJP promises to build a Ram Temple but never gives a date.”

‘Left behind farmers’: Oppn targets Shinde’s Ayodhya Trip

Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra on Sunday accused Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other leaders of the ruling dispensation of going on a visit to Ayodhya while forgetting their constitutional duty especially when farmers in the state were suffering from crop losses due to the inclement weather.

The MVA allies - Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) - said Lord Ram will not forgive CM Shinde and Deputy Chief

Minister Devendra Fadnavis for leaving the people of Maharashtra in the lurch. Hitting out at the Shinde government, NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said for the past few days, agriculture produce has been largely damaged in many parts of Maharashtra on the account of unseasonal rains and hailstorm.

Fruits like grapes, cashewnuts, oranges, bananas, mangoes have been damaged and this has severely “crippled the fortunes of farmers”, he said.

NEW DELHI, APR 9

(PTI): The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday bail pleas of several convicts serving life imprisonment in the 2002 Godhra train burning case.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala is scheduled to hear along with the bail applications a batch of pleas of the convicts challenging their convictions.

On March 24, the top court had said it will dispose of the bail applications of the convicts on the next date of hearing of the matter. It had taken note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Gujarat government, that he has to verify certain factual details with regard to some convicts.

The top court had, however, extended the bail granted to one of the convicts on the ground that his wife was suffering from cancer. Mehta had supported the extension of bail on medical grounds.

Earlier on March 17, the top court had said it will

hear on March 24 the appeal of the Gujarat government and the bail pleas of several accused in the case.

On February 20, the state government had told the top court that it will be seeking death penalty to 11 convicts whose sentences in the 2002 Godhra train burning case were commuted to life imprisonment by the Gujarat High Court.

“We will be seriously pressing for award of death penalty to the convicts whose death penalties were commuted into life imprisonment (by the Gujarat High Court). This is the rarest of rare cases where 59 people, including women and children, were burnt alive,” the solicitor general had said. “It is consistent everywhere that the bogie (coach) was locked from outside. Fifty-nine died, including ladies and children,” he had added. Giving details on the court case, the law officer had said 11 convicts were sentenced to death by a trial court and 20 others granted life term in the case.

The high court upheld total 31 convictions in the

case and commuted the death penalties of the 11 convicts to life term, Mehta had said.

On February 27, 2002, 59 people were killed when the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was burnt at Gujarat’s Godhra, triggering riots in the state.

The state government has come in appeal against the commutation of death penalty into life term for 11 convicts, Mehta had said. Several accused, he added, have filed pleas against the high court upholding their convictions in the case.

The top court has granted bail to two convicts in the case so far. Seven other bail pleas are pending adjudication in the matter.

The bench noted that a large number of bail applications have been filed before it in the case and said, “It has been agreed that the AORs (advocateson-record) on behalf of applicants along with advocate Swati Ghildiyal, standing counsel for Gujarat, shall prepare a comprehensive chart with all relevant details. List after three weeks.”

NEW DELHI, APR 9

cumstances.

UGC cautions Class 12 students against fake univs CBI under fire for delayed investigations

NEW DELHI, APR 9

(IANS): Ahead of college admissions, University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned students against unrecognised or ‘fake’ institutions operating in the country. In the last two years, the UGC has identified 27 such ‘fake’ higher educational institutions in the country.

With the admission process around the corner, students across the country have been asked to beware of educational institutions that are not established as per the UGC Act but offer degrees in contravention of stated provisions. According to Union Education Ministry, the degrees provided by such institutions will not be valid for further studies or jobs.

Recently, the UGC detected two unrecognised

institutions and is likely to soon release a fresh list of such institutions.

According to a recent notice issued by the UGC, the ‘Open International University for Alternative Medicines’ and the ‘National Board of Alternative Medicines’ are running courses in violation of the UGC Act 1956.

The UGC appealed to students across the country not to take admission in these institutions as their degrees will not be valid for further education or job.

Earlier, the UGC had also issued a similar notice against the All India Institute of Public and Physical Health Science, a higher educational institution in Delhi. The UGC in its notice advised students not to take admission in “selfstyled” institutes.

(IANS): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India’s premier anti-corruption agency, is facing criticism for its inability to bring cases related to high-profile scams to their logical end because of delayed investigations.

The CBI has filed against former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the Delhi excise policy scam and snooping case. The agency has made Sisodia the accused number one in both the cases, but it is yet to file a chargesheet in either.

The ICICI-Chanda Kochhar matter has also raised eyebrows, as the CBI filed the FIR in January 2019, two years after the preliminary inquiry into the case was initiated. The CBI arrested former ICICI bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar, and Videocon group MD V N Dhoot in December 2022,

five years after lodging the case. The delay in action has raised questions about the agency’s effectiveness. Recently the CBI has filed a chargesheet in connection with the ICICI-Videocon loan case.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: The CBI has failed to complete its investigation into the death of actor SSR, who passed away in June 2020 under mysterious cir-

2G case: The CBI had failed to prove its case in the alleged 2G spectrum scam that cost the exchequer Rs 176,000 cr. Special Judge O.P. Saini, who oversaw the trial of all 2G spectrum cases since 2011, had said in 2017 that his 7-year anticipation for evidence ended “all in vain” because the case was based on “rumour, gossip and speculation”.

WANteD

1 POST OF PRINCIPAL (M.A./ Pol.Sc/Eco; B.Ed.; With Experience)

1 POST OF TEACHER (M.A. Pol.Sc. / Eco With B.Ed.)

2 POSTS OF HOSTEL WARDENS (MALE), M.Div./B.Th.

(In a Higher Secondary School in Mokokchung)

Kindly WhatsApp your Application / Resume with contact number to –+91 7085182138

MKC-133/23

K-662/23(A)

Maruti eyes doubling SUV sales in FY24

NEW

DELHI, APR 9

(PTI): The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India aims to more than double its SUV sales this year and take the leadership position in the fast-growing segment with a market share of over 25 per cent, according to a senior company official.

The auto major sold 2.02 lakh sports utility vehicles (SUVs) last financial year with a market share of around 13 per cent. In the current fiscal year, the company aims to sell around 5 lakh units.

The SUV segment is currently the fastest-growing vertical in the domestic passenger vehicle industry.

The SUV contribution to the overall passenger vehicle market has grown from 24 per cent in 2018 to 43 per cent in 2022.

In an interaction with PTI, Maruti Suzuki India Senior Executive Officer (Sales & Marketing) Shashank Srivastava said the doubling of the market share in the SUV segment would also help the company in its bid to again surpass the 50 per cent market share mark in the domestic passenger vehicle industry.

“This fiscal year we ex-

pect our SUV market share to rise to 25 per cent. The SUV market is expected to be around 19 lakh units this year,” Srivastava said. For the company, Brezza is leading the entry SUV segment while a full impact of Grand Vitara in terms of sales is also expected to come into play this year, he noted.

Besides, the addition of two new models -- Jimny and Fronx -- would also help in bringing in additional volumes this fiscal, he added.

Srivastava noted that MSI has already received close to 41,000 bookings for the two models which are slated to hit the market over the next few months.

He noted that the company’s SUV market share has been increasing over

Fire engulfs Burma Camp area: 1 charred to death, 900 homeless

(From p-1)

material and essential items to the affected families. The team was headed by EAC Dimapur Yan Kikon. Several organizations also came forward to help the fire victims.

It may be recalled that in 2011, more than three thousand people were rendered homeless after a devastating fire wiped out an entire row of 804 houses made of bamboo structure and CGI roof at the same location United East Block, Burma Camp Dimapur.

Three people, reportedly from the Bihari community were also charred to death and many others suffered ailments due to excessive smoke. Three non-Nagas were killed in the incident.

Fire at Naga Cemetery

Another incident occurred inside old Naga Cemetery here around 4 pm on Sunday.

A fire official at the site informed this reporter that the fire might have started from burning of candles kept at a grave on the occasion of Easter Sunday. The fire had spread in the bushy areas of the cemetery, but was contained.

Some colony residents however suspected that the fire might have been started by some miscreants who were smoking weed (ganja).

the last few fiscal. It stood at 10.5 per cent in 2021-22 and increased to 13 per cent last fiscal, he stated.

“We ended the fourth quarter at around 17 per cent. So we have gained market share due to the better availability of Brezza and the introduction of Grand Vitara. And now Fronx and Jimny should give us additional numbers. So we are hoping that we will be number one in the SUV space this year,” Srivastava said. MSI competes with Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Hyundai Motor India for the top slot in the SUV space.

Srivastava said the company’s market share in the non-SUV segment stood at around 65 per cent but due to low penetration in

the SUV segment, its overall market share has gone below the 45 per cent level.

“If we want to increase it towards 50 per cent, we will have to increase our market share in the SUV space and this is what we are trying to do,” he added.

When asked if the current product range would be sufficient to make gains in the segment, Srivastava said: “With these four vehicles, we hope that we can be the leading player in the segment.”

MSI also remains bullish on the CNG segment despite an increase in the price of the fuel impacting the overall sales in the vertical.

Despite the increase in prices, the company sold 3.25 lakh units last fiscal as compared with 2.34 lakh units in 2021-22, Srivastava said.

So the growth was like 45-46 per cent and our total penetration went from 17 per cent to 20 per cent in FY23, he added.

“We now have 75 per cent market share in the CNG space (passenger vehicle segment) and going forward our sales projection for this fiscal is over 4.5 lakh units,” Srivastava noted. MSI currently sells 14

Resurrection Sunday observed across Nagaland

death”.

company models with a CNG option. When asked if the company aims to expand the model range further, Srivastava said: “We are looking very closely at the market because if there is a downward revision of the prices going ahead then we can see even larger traction compared to what we have seen last year.”

The company is watching the market closely and if required would study if CNG technology could be introduced in other models as well, he added.

On the company’s plans regarding the electric segment, Srivastava said the company plans to have six battery electric vehicles in its portfolio by 2030.

The six models would account roughly for 15 per cent of the company’s overall product range.

MSI plans to drive its first battery electric vehicle in the next financial year, Srivastava noted. “In 2030, the overall portfolio of the company will look something like..60 per cent will be CNG and internal combustion engine vehicles, 25 per cent would be hybrid and 15 per cent will be electric,” he said.

(From p-1) According to him, resurrection had not only given humanity the hope of eternity, but also reshaped people’s thinking in daily affairs. Without Jesus in one’s life, he cautioned that everything would be lost and that the whole system would crash down. Sachü commented that it was time to return to Jesus, high time to call upon the name of Jesus, repent and stand firm on “our faith because the Lord Saviour has risen victoriously from

He said when Jesus Christ gave his best for mankind, made way to live with God for eternity, nothing could separate the believers from the Love of God and thereby one should not be afraid by the vices of the world.

Sumi Baptist Church pastor Daklane pronounced invocation prayer, while Chang Baptist Church pastor Anung Chang and New Capital Baptist Church pastor Bendangtensü read the Bible from Old and New

Testaments respectively. Choir from Chakhesang Baptist Church Minister Hill, Kohima and Konyak Baptist Church, Kohima presented special songs. The programme was chaired by Kohima Phom Baptist Church pastor Rev Phom Lee Van, while Metei Baptist Church pastor Jonathan pronounced benediction prayer. In Dimapur, the service was organized by the Dimapur Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship at Clock Tower.

GAIL slashes CNG, PNG prices

NEW DELHI, APR 9 (AGENCIES):

Just a day after the Centre officially notified lower domestic natural gas prices, gas utilities across the country announced the reduction of both piped natural gas (PNG), used for cooking, and compressed natural gas (CNG), used as an auto fuel.

India’s largest gas utility, state runGAIL announced a reduction in its domestic PNG prices by Rs seven per Standard Cubic Meter (SCM) in Bengaluru and Dakshin Kannada and by Rs six per SCM in all its other geographical areas (GAs) from Sunday.

According to Business Standard report, CNG prices have also been reduced by Rs seven per kg in Karnataka and Sonipat and Rs six per kg in all other GAs. GAIL Gas Limited has a presence in 16 GAs.

The Centre had, on Thursday, amended the domestic pricing model of natural gas in line with the recommendations of the Kirit Parikh committee on gas pricing.

Key among this has been the decision to impose a floor price of $4 per MMBtu (Metric Million British Thermal Unit) for the next two years, to cover the cost of gas production by state-run firms ONGC Ltd and OIL Ltd. The ceiling price will be set at $6.5 per MMBtu.

Domestic natural gas prices will now be announced every month and be pegged at 10 per cent of the international price of the Indian crude basket.

The move is expected to accelerate the expansion of CNG and PNG as preferred fuels, and will also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the country’s energy sector.

BankslikelytopostrobustQ4numbers;profitmayhitrecordhighinFY23

NEW DELHI, APR 9

(PTI): The banking sector is likely to post good numbers in the fourth quarter ended March 2023, and the total profit of public sector banks (PSBs) is expected to touch a record high of Rs 1 lakh crore in FY23, aided by the decline in bad loans and healthy loan growth.

According to a senior bank official, the country’s biggest lender State Bank of India (SBI) expected to earn a profit above Rs 40,000 crore in the financial year ended March 2023. In the first nine months of the previous financial year, the bank’s bottomline stood at Rs 33,538 crore, higher than Rs 31,675.98 crore recorded in FY22.

Similarly, other public sector lenders are also likely to report encouraging numbers, helped by a decline in non-performing assets (NPAs), moderation in slippages, double-digit credit growth and rising interest rate.

For the first nine months of 2022-23, all 12 PSBs have earned a cumulative profit of Rs 70,166 crore compared to Rs 48,983 crore in the yearago period, an increase of 43 per cent.

“The trend would continue in the fourth quarter. It is fairly possible that PSBs would be earning around Rs 30,000 crore in the fourth quarter and thus close the financial year

2022-23 with a profit of Rs 1 lakh crore,” Punjab & Sind Bank managing director Swarup Kumar Saha told PTI.

The PSBs had earned a cumulative profit of about Rs 15,306 crore in the first quarter, which increased to Rs 25,685 crore in the September quarter and Rs 29,175 crore in the three

months to December. All public sector banks, barring Punjab National Bank (PNB), registered an increase in net profit in the December quarter.

PNB’s net profit for the third quarter was down 44 per cent to Rs 628 crore due to higher provisioning.

SBI recorded the highest net profit of Rs 14,205 crore, an increase of 68 per cent.

However, Saha said, there would be pressure on the net interest margin of all banks due to rising deposit rates and a decline in current accounts and savings accounts (CASA).

Most banks have recorded healthy loan growth in the fourth quarter despite rising interest rates,

he added. For PSBs, brokerage firm Emkay Global Financial Services Ltd in its research report said provisioning is likely to ease on a quarter-on-quarter basis, given that the bulk of PCR (provisioning coverage ratio) build-up has largely been done and NPAs are likely to trend down.

However, it said, a recent prescription by the RBI to build specific provisions on large conglomerates would call for some additional provisions for corporate-heavy large banks. That said, these large banks can dip into contingent buffers to offset these specific provisions.

“On overall, we expect ICICI Bank to report strong profitability among large banks, while Axis Bank is expected to sink into losses

due to write-offs of goodwill on Citi Bank’s portfolio acquisition. IndusInd Bank too should report healthy profitability, led by better growth and lower provisions,” it said. Notwithstanding some margin cool-off, it said, Federal is also expected to report healthy profitability, while RBL is expected to report better profitability (1 per cent RoA) versus Q3. Private banks increased their profit by 33 per cent to Rs 36,512 crore in Q3 from Rs 27,370 crore in the previous year. Except for Bandhan Bank and Yes Bank, all private lenders too reported an increase in net profit in Q3. HDFC Bank’s net profit of Rs 12,259 crore accounted for 45 per cent of the private banks’ profit.

Maruti eyes doubling SUV sales in FY24

NEW

DELHI, APR 9

(PTI): The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India aims to more than double its SUV sales this year and take the leadership position in the fast-growing segment with a market share of over 25 per cent, according to a senior company official.

The auto major sold 2.02 lakh sports utility vehicles (SUVs) last financial year with a market share of around 13 per cent. In the current fiscal year, the company aims to sell around 5 lakh units.

The SUV segment is currently the fastest-growing vertical in the domestic passenger vehicle industry.

The SUV contribution to the overall passenger vehicle market has grown from 24 per cent in 2018 to 43 per cent in 2022.

In an interaction with PTI, Maruti Suzuki India Senior Executive Officer (Sales & Marketing) Shashank Srivastava said the doubling of the market share in the SUV segment would also help the company in its bid to again surpass the 50 per cent market share mark in the domestic passenger vehicle industry.

“This fiscal year we ex-

pect our SUV market share to rise to 25 per cent. The SUV market is expected to be around 19 lakh units this year,” Srivastava said. For the company, Brezza is leading the entry SUV segment while a full impact of Grand Vitara in terms of sales is also expected to come into play this year, he noted.

Besides, the addition of two new models -- Jimny and Fronx -- would also help in bringing in additional volumes this fiscal, he added.

Srivastava noted that MSI has already received close to 41,000 bookings for the two models which are slated to hit the market over the next few months.

He noted that the company’s SUV market share has been increasing over

Fire engulfs East Burma Camp: 1 charred to death, 900 homeless

(From p-1)

material and essential items to the affected families. The team was headed by EAC Dimapur Yan Kikon. Several organizations also came forward to help the fire victims.

It may be recalled that in 2011, more than three thousand people were rendered homeless after a devastating fire wiped out an entire row of 804 houses made of bamboo structure and CGI roof at the same location United East Block, Burma Camp Dimapur.

Three people, reportedly from the Bihari community were also charred to death and many others suffered ailments due to excessive smoke. Three non-Nagas were killed in the incident.

Fire at Naga Cemetery

Another incident occurred inside old Naga Cemetery here around 4 pm on Sunday.

A fire official at the site informed this reporter that the fire might have started from burning of candles kept at a grave on the occasion of Easter Sunday. The fire had spread in the bushy areas of the cemetery, but was contained.

Some colony residents however suspected that the fire might have been started by some miscreants who were smoking weed (ganja).

the last few fiscal. It stood at 10.5 per cent in 2021-22 and increased to 13 per cent last fiscal, he stated.

“We ended the fourth quarter at around 17 per cent. So we have gained market share due to the better availability of Brezza and the introduction of Grand Vitara. And now Fronx and Jimny should give us additional numbers. So we are hoping that we will be number one in the SUV space this year,” Srivastava said. MSI competes with Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Hyundai Motor India for the top slot in the SUV space.

Srivastava said the company’s market share in the non-SUV segment stood at around 65 per cent but due to low penetration in

the SUV segment, its overall market share has gone below the 45 per cent level.

“If we want to increase it towards 50 per cent, we will have to increase our market share in the SUV space and this is what we are trying to do,” he added.

When asked if the current product range would be sufficient to make gains in the segment, Srivastava said: “With these four vehicles, we hope that we can be the leading player in the segment.”

MSI also remains bullish on the CNG segment despite an increase in the price of the fuel impacting the overall sales in the vertical.

Despite the increase in prices, the company sold 3.25 lakh units last fiscal as compared with 2.34 lakh units in 2021-22, Srivastava said.

So the growth was like 45-46 per cent and our total penetration went from 17 per cent to 20 per cent in FY23, he added.

“We now have 75 per cent market share in the CNG space (passenger vehicle segment) and going forward our sales projection for this fiscal is over 4.5 lakh units,” Srivastava noted. MSI currently sells 14

Resurrection Sunday observed across Nagaland

death”.

company models with a CNG option. When asked if the company aims to expand the model range further, Srivastava said: “We are looking very closely at the market because if there is a downward revision of the prices going ahead then we can see even larger traction compared to what we have seen last year.”

The company is watching the market closely and if required would study if CNG technology could be introduced in other models as well, he added.

On the company’s plans regarding the electric segment, Srivastava said the company plans to have six battery electric vehicles in its portfolio by 2030.

The six models would account roughly for 15 per cent of the company’s overall product range.

MSI plans to drive its first battery electric vehicle in the next financial year, Srivastava noted. “In 2030, the overall portfolio of the company will look something like..60 per cent will be CNG and internal combustion engine vehicles, 25 per cent would be hybrid and 15 per cent will be electric,” he said.

(From p-1) According to him, resurrection had not only given humanity the hope of eternity, but also reshaped people’s thinking in daily affairs. Without Jesus in one’s life, he cautioned that everything would be lost and that the whole system would crash down. Sachü commented that it was time to return to Jesus, high time to call upon the name of Jesus, repent and stand firm on “our faith because the Lord Saviour has risen victoriously from

He said when Jesus Christ gave his best for mankind, made way to live with God for eternity, nothing could separate the believers from the Love of God and thereby one should not be afraid by the vices of the world.

Sumi Baptist Church pastor Daklane pronounced invocation prayer, while Chang Baptist Church pastor Anung Chang and New Capital Baptist Church pastor Bendangtensü read the Bible from Old and New

Testaments respectively. Choir from Chakhesang Baptist Church Minister Hill, Kohima and Konyak Baptist Church, Kohima presented special songs. The programme was chaired by Kohima Phom Baptist Church pastor Rev Phom Lee Van, while Metei Baptist Church pastor Jonathan pronounced benediction prayer. In Dimapur, the service was organized by the Dimapur Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship at Clock Tower.

GAIL slashes CNG, PNG prices

NEW DELHI, APR 9 (AGENCIES):

Just a day after the Centre officially notified lower domestic natural gas prices, gas utilities across the country announced the reduction of both piped natural gas (PNG), used for cooking, and compressed natural gas (CNG), used as an auto fuel.

India’s largest gas utility, state runGAIL announced a reduction in its domestic PNG prices by Rs seven per Standard Cubic Meter (SCM) in Bengaluru and Dakshin Kannada and by Rs six per SCM in all its other geographical areas (GAs) from Sunday.

According to Business Standard report, CNG prices have also been reduced by Rs seven per kg in Karnataka and Sonipat and Rs six per kg in all other GAs. GAIL Gas Limited has a presence in 16 GAs.

The Centre had, on Thursday, amended the domestic pricing model of natural gas in line with the recommendations of the Kirit Parikh committee on gas pricing.

Key among this has been the decision to impose a floor price of $4 per MMBtu (Metric Million British Thermal Unit) for the next two years, to cover the cost of gas production by state-run firms ONGC Ltd and OIL Ltd. The ceiling price will be set at $6.5 per MMBtu.

Domestic natural gas prices will now be announced every month and be pegged at 10 per cent of the international price of the Indian crude basket.

The move is expected to accelerate the expansion of CNG and PNG as preferred fuels, and will also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the country’s energy sector.

BankslikelytopostrobustQ4numbers;profitmayhitrecordhighinFY23

NEW DELHI, APR 9

(PTI): The banking sector is likely to post good numbers in the fourth quarter ended March 2023, and the total profit of public sector banks (PSBs) is expected to touch a record high of Rs 1 lakh crore in FY23, aided by the decline in bad loans and healthy loan growth.

According to a senior bank official, the country’s biggest lender State Bank of India (SBI) expected to earn a profit above Rs 40,000 crore in the financial year ended March 2023. In the first nine months of the previous financial year, the bank’s bottomline stood at Rs 33,538 crore, higher than Rs 31,675.98 crore recorded in FY22.

Similarly, other public sector lenders are also likely to report encouraging numbers, helped by a decline in non-performing assets (NPAs), moderation in slippages, double-digit credit growth and rising interest rate.

For the first nine months of 2022-23, all 12 PSBs have earned a cumulative profit of Rs 70,166 crore compared to Rs 48,983 crore in the yearago period, an increase of 43 per cent.

“The trend would continue in the fourth quarter. It is fairly possible that PSBs would be earning around Rs 30,000 crore in the fourth quarter and thus close the financial year

2022-23 with a profit of Rs 1 lakh crore,” Punjab & Sind Bank managing director Swarup Kumar Saha told PTI.

The PSBs had earned a cumulative profit of about Rs 15,306 crore in the first quarter, which increased to Rs 25,685 crore in the September quarter and Rs 29,175 crore in the three

months to December. All public sector banks, barring Punjab National Bank (PNB), registered an increase in net profit in the December quarter.

PNB’s net profit for the third quarter was down 44 per cent to Rs 628 crore due to higher provisioning.

SBI recorded the highest net profit of Rs 14,205 crore, an increase of 68 per cent.

However, Saha said, there would be pressure on the net interest margin of all banks due to rising deposit rates and a decline in current accounts and savings accounts (CASA).

Most banks have recorded healthy loan growth in the fourth quarter despite rising interest rates,

he added. For PSBs, brokerage firm Emkay Global Financial Services Ltd in its research report said provisioning is likely to ease on a quarter-on-quarter basis, given that the bulk of PCR (provisioning coverage ratio) build-up has largely been done and NPAs are likely to trend down.

However, it said, a recent prescription by the RBI to build specific provisions on large conglomerates would call for some additional provisions for corporate-heavy large banks. That said, these large banks can dip into contingent buffers to offset these specific provisions.

“On overall, we expect ICICI Bank to report strong profitability among large banks, while Axis Bank is expected to sink into losses

due to write-offs of goodwill on Citi Bank’s portfolio acquisition. IndusInd Bank too should report healthy profitability, led by better growth and lower provisions,” it said. Notwithstanding some margin cool-off, it said, Federal is also expected to report healthy profitability, while RBL is expected to report better profitability (1 per cent RoA) versus Q3. Private banks increased their profit by 33 per cent to Rs 36,512 crore in Q3 from Rs 27,370 crore in the previous year. Except for Bandhan Bank and Yes Bank, all private lenders too reported an increase in net profit in Q3. HDFC Bank’s net profit of Rs 12,259 crore accounted for 45 per cent of the private banks’ profit.

sNiPPets

Indonesia residential fire kills seven

MANILA, APR 9

(IANS): Seven people, including a two-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, died when a fire swept a residential community in Rizal province in the Philippines, police said on Sunday. The fire broke out before 10 p.m. local time on Saturday in Taytay town and spread fast in the densely packed neighbourhood of old houses, engulfing over 40 houses before it was declared under control more than an hour later, Xinhua News Agency reported. The victims were trapped in their house at the end of the street, and the bodies were found on the kitchen floor and inside the bathroom, according to the police. The fire also left more than 60 families homeless.

6 killed in Egypt road mishap

CAIRO, APR 9 (IANS):

At least six people were killed and eight others wounded as a microbus collided with a farming tractor in Egypt’s Giza province adjacent to the capital Cairo, an Egyptian Health Ministry official said. “The accident took place early in the morning as the microbus crashed into the tractor near an exit on Al-Kurimat Road in Giza,” Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, spokesman of the Health Ministry, told Xinhua news agency, noting the injured people were taken to a nearby hospital.

Egyptian local media said that most victims were passengers of the microbus that was severely damaged, the news agency reported.

44 killed in 2 attacks in Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU,

APR 9 (IANS): At least

44 civilians were killed in two terrorist attacks in northern Burkina Faso’s Sahel Region, said a regional government official. In a statement on Saturday, Lieutenant Colonel Rodolphe Sorgho, who is the governor of the Sahel Region, said that armed terrorist groups on Thursday night broke into the villages of Kourakou and Tondobi, located about five km from the commune of Seytenga in the province of Seno, killing 44 civilians and causing injuries and material damages.

The governor reassured the population that actions to stabilize the area were underway after the offensive led by the defense and security forces. He also invited the local population to unite with the defense and security forces, Xinhua news agency reported.

Avalanche in French Alps kills at least 4 PARIS, APR 9 (AP): An avalanche in the French Alps killed four people on Sunday, France’s interior minister said, calling the death toll a provisional count. The avalanche rolled down the Armancette glacier in Contamines-Montjoie, in the Haute-Savoie region, some 30 kilometers (almost 20 miles) southwest of Chamonix. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin provided no details in his tweet about the deaths. The Alps are a prime vacation spot over France’s long Easter weekend. The local France-Bleu radio station put the size of the avalanche at 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) long and 100 meters (328 feet) wide.

Two helicopters were sent in to help in the search, the station said, quoting the local prefecture in Thonon.

Russia pounds Ukraine amid Easter pleas for peace

KYIV, APR 9 (AP): Weekend shelling by Russian forces killed at least seven civilians, Ukrainian officials reported Sunday as Pope Francis and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby used their traditional Easter messages to highlight the war in Ukraine and other conflicts around the world.

While Russia continued to concentrate on seizing all of Ukraine’s industrial east, two other provinces -- Kharkiv in the northeast and Zaporizhzhia in the southeast -- came under missile, rocket and artillery fire, the Ukrainian military reported.

Kharkiv governor Oleh Syniehubov said two men died Sunday in shelling in Kupiansk, a city that Russia held before Ukrainian forces regained control of almost all of the province. The city remained under attack later Sunday as Russian forces targeted residential areas with multiple rocket launchers, Syniehu-

Pope Francis at Easter: Pray for Ukrainian, Russian people, refugees

which make up the industrial region known as the Donbas.

Bakhmut, a city in Donestsk, has seen the 13-month war’s longest battle. Western analysts have said Russian forces recently made it into the center of the city.

fighting to end and sought prayers for the “martyred” Ukrainian people.

Ukrainian diplomats have complained that he hasn’t come down hard enough in his statements on Russia and particularly Russian President Vladimir Putin as the Vatican tries to avoid alienating Moscow.

VATICAN CITY, APR 9

nities in all were shelled.

Three people were killed and five were wounded on Saturday, Malashko said.

Zaporizhzhia is home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant and one of four Ukrainian provinces that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally annexed in September.

Since then, Russia’s military has sought to oust Ukraine’s troops from those areas, especially Luhansk and Donetsk provinces,

Ukrainian servicemen pack the dead body of a Russian soldier, killed in a recent battle in Ukraine, Saturday. (AP) bov said. Elsewhere in the province, a 30-year-old man was hospitalised in serious condition after Russian shelling of the city of Chuhuiv, he said on Telegram. Shelling also killed two people overnight, one of them a child born in 2012, in the city of Zaporizhzhia, the capital of that province, according to City Council Secretary Anatoliy Kurtev. The Zaporizhzhia region’s governor, Yurii Malashko, said 18 commu-

UK PM Sunak to receive US President for Good Friday Agreement anniversary

tury since the Good Friday Agreement was signed, transforming the political and economic landscape of the devolved region of Northern Ireland.

“The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement was an incredible moment in our nation’s history. It was a powerfully rare example of people doing the previously unthinkable to create a better future for Northern Ireland,” said Sunak.

LONDON, APR 9 (PTI):

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will welcome US President Joe Biden to Belfast in Northern Ireland next week as the UK commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, the peace treaty struck for the region in April 1998, Downing Street said on

Sunday.

Biden will arrive in the UK on Tuesday evening, when Sunak will meet him off Air Force One and the US President will then undertake a programme of engagements including a bilateral with Sunak.

It comes as Monday marks a quarter of a cen-

“It is that promise of a better future that we offered to everyone in Northern Ireland that I will be thinking of first and foremost over the coming days.

It is my responsibility as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to ensure we are making good on that promise,” he said.

Seizing Bakhmut after more than eight months would give the Kremlin a badly wanted victory and a path to push on toward bigger Ukrainian-held cities.

The Russian army is moving elite units to Bakhmut, Col. Serhiy Cherevaty, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Eastern Group of Forces, said Sunday.

Cherevaty said the Wagner Group, a private Russian military company whose fighters have spearheaded the offensive on Bakhmut, was incurring heavy losses, making it necessary to move in regular army units from the regular army, including paratroopers and motorized riflemen.

(AP): In an Easter message highlighting hope, Pope Francis on Sunday invoked prayers for both the Ukrainian and Russian people, praised nations which welcome refugees and called on Israelis and Palestinians wracked by the latest surge in deadly violence to forge a “climate of trust.”

Francis, along with dozens of prelates and tens of thousands of faithful, celebrated Easter Mass in a flower-adorned St. Peter’s Square, affirming the Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead days after his crucifixion.

The 86-year-old pontiff topped the celebration with a traditional speech about troubled places in the world. Encouraging “trust among individuals, peoples and nations,” Francis said Easter’s joy “illumines the darkness and gloom in which, all too often, our world finds itself enveloped.”

The pope’s Easter message is known by its Latin name, ”Urbi et Orbi,” which means “to the city and the world.”

Since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine in February 2022, Francis has repeatedly called for the

“Help the beloved Ukrainian people on their journey towards peace, and shed the light of Easter upon the people of Russia, Francis implored God in his Easter speech, which he delivered while sitting in a chair on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica facing the square. ”Comfort the wounded and all those who have lost loved ones because of the war, and grant that prisoners may return safe and sound to their families.” He urged the international community to work to end the war in Ukraine and “all conflict and bloodshed in the world, beginning with Syria, which still awaits peace.”

Saudi officials visit Yemen’s capital for talks with rebels

CAIRO, APR 9 (AP):

Saudi officials were in Yemen’s capital on Sunday for talks with the Iranbacked Houthi rebels, as part of international efforts to find a settlement to Yemen’s nine-year conflict, officials said.

Saudi Arabia’s delegation, chaired by the kingdom’s ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber, will hold talks with with Mahdi alMashat, head of the Houthi’s supreme political council, which runs rebelheld areas in Yemen, according to the Houthi-run SABA news agency. An Omani delegation, which arrived in Sanaa on Saturday, will also join the talks, the agency reported, citing an unidentified source.

Mohammed al-Bukai-

Leak of secret Pentagon docs on Ukraine sparks probe

WASHINGTON, APR 9 (AGENCIES): The Justice Department is investigating the leak of secret documents from the Pentagon on the war effort in Ukraine that show sensitive data on military activities, including U.S. drone spy planes in the region and use of ammunition by Ukrainian forces.

The Justice Department, at the Pentagon’s request, has launched an investigation of the leak and who is responsible for the intelligence breach. It’s unclear, officials said Saturday, if more documents could be released or the motivation for leaking them.

“The Department of Defense is actively reviewing the matter, and has made a formal referral to the Department of Justice for investigation,” Sabrina Singh,

the Pentagon’s deputy press secretary, said in a statement.

The leaks, first reported by The New York Times, include documents released on social media sites, including Twitter.

Detailed information on Ukrainian weaponry

One document appears to have come from the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It is dated March 1, and is labeled secret and not for distribution to foreign governments. It details U.S. forces in the region on the ground, air and at sea. The document also includes how many artillery shells Ukrainian forces have fired, including rocket-assisted missiles that have been used to devastating effect on Russian command posts and supply depots. The Times

China sends dozens of warplanes towards Taiwan

TAIPEI, APR 9 (IANS):

China on Sunday sent dozens of warplanes towards Taiwan for a second day of military drills, launched in retaliation to the island’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during a brief visit to the US, according to a media report.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said it was monitoring the movements of China’s missile forces, as the US said it too was on alert, The Guardian reported.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sent 58 war planes, including fighter jets, reconnaissance planes, and refuellers, into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone on Sunday morning, according to Taiwan’s de -

fence ministry, The Guardian reported. It did not provide a map or locations, but said 31 planes had crossed the median line the de facto border in the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and China. The PLA had announced the immediate start to three days of drills on Saturday morning. By 7 p.m. that evening, it had sent 71 war planes and eight ships into Taiwan’s ADIZ with almost 60 crossing the median line. Taiwan’s ministry said the activity had severely violated Indo-Pacific peace and stability, and had a negative effect on international security and economies. It urged other countries to speak out against China’s actions, The Guardian reported.

also reported Saturday that more documents had been released that show the U.S. spying on allies. Senior administration officials contacted Saturday

by USA TODAY called the leaks worrisome, and said it’s unclear if more will be released. The sources were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

Why did the documents about Ukraine leak online?

The second administration source called the leak an egregious betrayal of trust but speculated that the information released had limited value because it is several weeks old. The war changes rapidly, day by day, rendering the information a snapshot in time, the source said.

The motivation for the leaks is unclear, according to that source. It’s possible that hundreds of people had access to the documents. The administration

official said it could be an extremist who sympathizes with Russia and Vladimir Putin, or an ideologue bent on changing the course of the war, or a disloyal U.S. spy. Those who spill U.S. government secrets face stiff penalties. Chelsea Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2013 for her role in leaking classified government material to WikiLeaks. President Barack Obama commuted her sentence in 2017.

Houthi supporters chant slogans as they attend a rally marking

8 years for a Saudi-led coalition, March 26, Yemen. (AP) ti, a Houthi leader, said on Twitter that Saudi and Omani officials would discuss “ways to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.” He said achieving an honorable peace between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia would be “a triumph for both parties,” and urged all sides to take steps to “preserve a peace-

ful atmosphere and prepare to turn the page of the past.”

There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia. The office of the UN envoy for Yemen didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The talks in Sanaa are part of international efforts led by Oman to settle Ye-

men’s conflict, which began in 2014. That’s when the Houthis seized Sanaa and much of the country’s north, ousting the internationally recognized government that fled to the south and then into exile in Saudi Arabia.

The Houthi move prompted a Saudi-led coalition to intervene months later in a bid to restore the internationally recognised government to power. The conflict has in recent years turned into a regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia and the Houthis reached a draft deal last month to revive a cease-fire that expired in October. The deal is meant to usher in a return to Yemeni political talks, according to Saudi and Yemeni officials.

SL’s President assures justice for 2019 Easter Sunday victims

COLOMBO, APR 9 (PTI): Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday assured justice for all the victims of the 2019 Easter bombings in which 270 people, including 11 Indians, were killed, saying legal proceedings are being processed independently and impartially, without any influence.

President Wickremesinghe also pledged his unwavering commitment to ensuring the security of the country, by preventing any recurrence of heinous acts.

On April 21, 2019, nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) linked to ISIS carried out a

series of blasts that tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, killing 270 people and injuring over 500.

“The legal proceedings related to this tragic incident are being processed independently and impartially, without any influence. The necessary groundwork towards this end has been laid, to ensure justice for all the victims,” Wickremesinghe said in his

Easter Sunday message. “I pledge my unwavering commitment to ensuring the security of our country, by preventing any recurrence of such heinous acts,” the President said. He also said that the Government is dedicated to realising the aspirations of all Sri Lankans regardless of race, religion, party or colour. “I strongly believe that we can overcome these challenges in the near future,” he said. The Easter Sunday bombings triggered a political storm as thenPresident Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe were blamed for their inability to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence being made available.

Tensions build around Jerusalem shrine after Syria rockets

JERUSALEM, APR 9 (AP): Israeli warplanes and artillery struck targets in Syria following rare rocket fire from the northeastern neighbour, as Jewish-Muslim tensions reached a peak on Sunday at a volatile Jerusalem shrine with simultaneous religious rituals.

Thousands of Jewish worshippers gathered at the city’s Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray, for a mass priestly benediction prayer service for the Passover holiday.

At the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a walled esplanade above the Western Wall, hundreds of Palestinians performed prayers as part of observances during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Hundreds of Jews also visited the Al-Aq-

chants from Palestinians protesting their presence. Such tours by religious and nationalist Jews have increased in size and fre -

quency over the years, and are viewed with suspicion by many Palestinians who fear that Israel plans one day to take over the site or partition it. Israeli officials say they have no intention of changing long-standing arrange-

ments that allow Jews to visit, but not pray in the Muslim-administered site.

However, the country is now governed by the most right-wing government in its history, with ultra-nationalists in senior positions.

Tensions have soared in the past week at the flashpoint shrine after an Israeli police raid on the mosque.

On several occasions, Palestinians have barricaded themselves inside the AlAqsa Mosque with stones and firecrackers, demanding the right to pray there overnight, something Israel has in the past only allowed during the last 10 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Police removed them by force, detaining hundreds and leaving dozens injured.

The violence at the shrine triggered rocket fire by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, starting Wednesday, and Israeli airstrikes targeted both areas.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah’s media office announced that the militant group’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, received a delegation headed by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday. The two discussed “the most important developments in occupied Palestine, the course of events at al-Aqsa Mosque, and the escalating resistance in the West Bank and Gaza, in addition to general political developments in the region, the readiness of the resistance axis and the cooperation of its parties,” the statement said.

Pope Francis

Israeli police escort Jewish visitors marking the holiday Passover to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. (AP)

sa compound under heavy police guard Sunday, to whistles and religious

Ranil Wickremesinghe

Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak

Femina Miss India contestants shoot at Imphal’s Kangla Fort

Finalists of Femina Miss India 2023

The Femina Miss India 2023 state winners camping in Imphal for the grand finale event on Sunday visited Imphal’s Kangla fort and held a video shoot. The shoot covered prime attractions of the fort such as the temple, fort ruins and the iconic twin dragon lion statues. They were also given a yoga session by Prunajita Sen.

The grand finale of VLCC & Trends co-present

Femina Miss India 2023 hosted by Manipur Tourism, co-powered by ORRA Fine Jewellery, makeup partner Colorbar Made for Magic &

Preity Zinta claims being harassed in Mumbai

Actor-entrepreneur Preity Zinta has opened up about allegedly facing harassment on two separate occasions during her recent visit to the city, saying the incidents have left her a “bit shaken”.

In a lengthy post on Instagram, Zinta wrote that a woman tried to take a photograph with her toddler Gia, but when the actor “politely” refused, the lady “suddenly scooped my daughter in her arms & planted a big wet kiss next to her mouth & ran off saying what a cute baby.”

trying to stop me. Over the years he has harassed me for money & I have given it to him when I could. This time when he asked for money, I said sorry today I have no cash, just a credit card.

co-powered by Rajnigandha

Pearls will be held on April 15 at the indoor stadium of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. The pageant will feature the 30 state winners, who will be competing for the coveted title. The winner of the pageant will represent India at the Miss World Pageant. The glamourous evening will witness the attendance of many celebrated personalities.

The star-studded night will feature performances by the entertainment industry’s biggest names Ananya Panday and Kartik Aaryan. The show will be

anchored by Maniesh Paul and Bhumi Pednekar, according to the organizers.

The state winners will walk the ramp in gorgeous ensembles designed by the notable designers Rocky S and Namrata Joshipura, and a special showcase by Robert Naorem, featuring traditional costumes. They will be judged by Femina Miss India Universe 2002 and Mentor Neha Dhupia, boxing icon Laishram Sarita Devi, star choreographer Terence Lewis and ace designers Rocky S and Namrata Joshipura. (Correspondent)

WhatsApp’s new feature to add, edit contacts within app on Android

they can add contacts without leaving WhatsApp.

Moreover, users can also add unknown numbers to their contacts list when they reach others on WhatsApp, without switching to the contacts app, said the report.

“This woman lives in an elite building & happened to be in the garden where my kids were playing. If I wasn’t a celebrity, I probably would have reacted badly but kept my cool as I didn’t want to make a scene,” the actor, who shares twins Gia and Jai with husband Gene Goodenough, said. Detailing the second incident, the co-owner of the IPL team Kings XI Punjab said she was rushing to the airport when a disabled man started getting “aggressive” as she couldn’t offer him money due to lack of cash at the time.

“I had a plane to catch & this disabled man kept

“The lady with me gave him some money from her purse. He threw it back at her cuz it wasn’t enough & started getting aggressive,” she wrote alongside a video of the disabled man following her car.

The 48-year-old actor, based out of Los Angeles, is currently in India to attend the ongoing IPL 2023 tournament.

Zinta, known for starring in movies such as “Dil Se..”, “Soldier”, “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, “Koi... Mil Gaya”, “Veer-Zaara” and “Lakshya”, said it’s high time people realised that celebrities are “human beings” first.

(PTI)

Meta-owned Whatsapp has introduced a new feature - “manage contacts within the app”, allowing users to add and edit contacts without leaving the app on Android.

The ability to add and edit contacts within WhatsApp for Android is now available for some beta testers using the latest beta

version, and it will roll out to even more users in the coming days, according to WABetaInfo.

Users can check the availability of the feature on their devices by opening the contact list within WhatsApp and selecting the “New Contact” option.

If the “New contact” option is available, it means the feature is available and

Meanwhile, WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature, which will allow users to share their status updates to Facebook stories without leaving the app. Earlier, users could share status updates to Facebook stories, but they had to go through the extra step of manually sharing the update each time they posted something new. But now, due to this new feature, the process may be automatic for certain status updates users choose, when the option is enabled.

(IANS)

Constestants of Mister Dimapur season III 2023. Altogether, 17 contestants will be vying for the coveted title. The grooming session will be conducted from April 2528, while the grand finale will be on April 29 at Lorin Hall, Tetso College. The event will be held under the aegis of Meraki Entertainment Nagaland (MEN), in association with Achievers Academy. The title sponsor for this year is Eduversity.

H R. SEC. SCHOOL

With immense pride and honour, the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Moa Subong, who was recently bestowed with the Padma Shri award for his remarkable contributions to the field of art. Subong is not only a professional musician and composer, but he is also credited as the inventor of two unique musical instruments, namely Bamhum and Tikzik (percussion instruments made from bamboo). We believe that your talent shall continue to inspire the younger generations. And, furthermore we convey our good wishes and pray for God’s wisdom, guidance and protection in your endeavors.

17×8.1 Colour

K-744/23

Messi scores to lift PSG out of slump in Ligue 1

PARIS, APR 9 (IANS):

Goals from Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos powered Paris Saint-Germain to a 2-0 victory at Nice to snap their two-match losing streak in French Ligue 1.

The win on late Saturday night also put the 10time league champions back to six points in front of Lens in the standings, to some degree temporarily easing the pressure on every member in the team, especially head coach Christophe Galtier and superstar Messi. Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who has been whistled by Paris fans in the last two home matches, opened the scoring in the first half from a low cross into the box by left back Nuno Mendes.

Ramos, who just came back from a calf injury, scored his first goal of this season as the Spaniard headed in a Messi corner with 14 minutes remaining to seal the win for PSG, a Xinhua report said.

But it was the man standing between the post

that was named the player of the match. Gianluigi Donnarumma made three excellent saves to deny Hicham Boudaoui and Nicolas Pepe’s efforts in the first half, and refuse Youssouf Ndayishimiye’s close-range strike in the second.

Nice proved to be a tricky side as they managed 21 shots against PSG’s shaky defense in the match, eight more the visitors, only to fail to score a goal.

A slip-up would be little short of disaster for PSG as two consecutive home

Injured Woods withdraws from Masters before resumption of third round

golf great tweeted. Dealing with cold and wet weather, Woods managed to finish the second round with a 74 on Saturday morning that helped him achieve a record-equalling 23rd consecutive cut in The Masters.

The 15-time major champion managed to make the cut by the narrowest of margins at three over par, even though he bogeyed the last two holes. However, he had a difficult beginning to his third round, which saw him falling further behind the leaders.

defeats against Rennes and Lyon had put Galtier’s position in risk. The Qatarowned club lost eight of 18 games in 2023, including a humiliating exit from the French Cup and a disappointing defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions

Tsitsipas chasing his third Monte Carlo title

MONTE CARLO, APR 9

(IANS): Two-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece is eager and energised to chase a third consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title.

The Greek defeated Andrey Rublev in the 2021 final to win his maiden ATP Masters 1000 crown, before he overcame Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in last year’s championship match to reign at the claycourt event again.

AUGUSTA (GEORGIA),

League. Earlier in the day, bottom side Angers, who hosted fifth-ranked Lille, earned their first win in 22 league games thanks to a winner by defender Halid Sabanovic in the 84th minute. On Friday, the secondplaced Lens wrapped up their fourth consecutive win by beating Strasbourg 2-1 at home to tighten the title race. The northern outfit will head to the capital city to challenge the defending champions on April 15, a clash set to be vital for both sides as Lens are eyeing a return to the continental competitions after over 20 years.

Polish winger Przemyslaw Frankowski put Lens ahead of the relegationthreatened visitors with a goal initially denied offside but validated after a VAR check. Facundo Medina’s low strike made it two for Lens in the second half before Kevin Gameiro pulled one back for the Alsace side six minutes to the end of regular time.

12-yr-old Ishaan holds IM Kulkarni in All India FIDE Rating Chess

MUMBAI, APR 9 (IANS):

In what can be termed as a major upset so far in the event, 12-year-old Ishaan Tendolkar played the game of his life to hold the topseed and International Master (IM) Vikramaditya Kulkarni to a draw in the third round of the SBI Life All India FIDE Rating Chess Tournament here on Sunday. In their encounter on the top board, Ishaan, playing black, opted for the Modern Benoni Defense to the Queen Pawn Opening of Vikramaditya Kulkarni and soon gained equality. Kulkarni used all his experience to try and outwit Ishaan (ELO 1238) but the youngster was equal to the task. The players called for a truce after a marathon of 96 moves. The results on boards 2 to 6 were on expected lines as the second seed, FM Saurabh Khherdekar (ELO 2090), 3rd seeded Raghav (2066), 4th seeded Arnav Kherdekar (ELO 1722, 6th seeded Guru Prakash (ELO

Ishaan Tendolkar

1691) and 7th seeded Yohan Boricha (1639) registered wins over their respective opponents to take the lead. The lead is now shared

by 12 players, who have three points from three wins. A group of nine players are following the leaders with 2.5/3.

Chukwueze star as Villarreal beat Real in La Liga

MADRID, APR 9 (IANS): Real Madrid gave up any slim chance they had of retaining the La Liga title when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Villarreal on Saturday night.

Samuel Chukwueze was Villarreal’s hero, with two goals and an assist for Jose Luis Morales to help his side to three vital points in the battle to qualify for Europe next season.

to Getafe and the win from the side from San Sebastian would have been greater had David Soria not saved an Oyarzabal penalty.

Osasuna’s excellent week, which saw them reach the final of the Copa del Rey for only the second time in their history, continued as two late goals from Ez Abde saw them come back from a goal down to beat bottom of the table Elche 2-1.

APR 9

(IANS):

Tiger Woods has withdrawn from The Masters due to an injury after completing seven holes of his third round at Augusta National, the organisers said on Sunday.

Woods had 11 holes remaining to complete and was six over par after seven holes of his third round be-

fore play has been officially suspended due to inclement weather conditions.

“I am disappointed to have to WD this morning due to re-aggravating my plantar fasciitis. Thank you to the fans and to @ TheMasters who have shown me so much love and support. Good luck to the players today,” the

During the first seven holes of his third round, Woods appeared to be experiencing physical discomfort, as evidenced by his poor performance with two bogeys and two double-bogeys that left him at nine over par for the tournament and positioned him at the bottom of the leaderboard.

After losing the Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic in January, the second seed suffered a disappointing opening-round loss in Indian Wells before his fourthround exit in Miami last month.

But the Greek arrived in Monte-Carlo for the event that started on Saturday, holding a 12-2 record at the event.

Luis Suarez wins first trophy with Gremio

PORTO ALEGRE (BRA-

ZIL), APR 9 (IANS): Luis

Suarez continued his prolific scoring form as Gremio won Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state championship with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Caxias do Sul.

The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker converted a second-half penalty to fire the hosts to a 1-0 victory in Saturday’s second leg of the final at Arena do Gremio in Porto Alegre.

The sides drew 1-1 in the first leg last Saturday.

“The most important

thing is how we’re working together as a team,” Suarez said after the match.

“We’ve started the year the best way possible and won

the title that everybody at the club wanted.”

Suarez has now scored eight times and provided three assists in 14

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his side ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie at home to Chelsea, but Madrid took the lead through a Pau Torres own goal in the 20th minute. Chukwueze leveled before the break, but Vinicius Jr put Madrid back in front with an excellent solo goal in the 48th minute, a Xinhua report said.

Chukwueze’s run then allowed him to set up Morales to level with 20 minutes left to play and he sealed a fine display

Thiem parts ways with coach Nicolas

appearances for Gremio since joining the club on a free transfer in January, a Xinhua report said.

The 36-year-old said Gremio’s focus would now turn to the Brazilian Serie A championship.

The Porto Alegre outfit will begin their campaign with a home match against Santos on April 16.

“We’ve won this important title but now we have to start from scratch,” he said. “I’ve been very lucky to have won a lot of things in my career, but I still want more.”

NBA: Wolves take key step in play-in race with win

AUSTIN, APR 9 (AGENCIES): Anthony Edwards scored 33 points in less than three quarters of court time as the Minnesota Timberwolves set the table to move up in the play-in tournament pecking order with a dominating 151-131 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday afternoon in Austin, Texas.

Minnesota clinched at least a ninth-place finish in the Western Conference standings entering a showdown with New Orleans on Sunday in the teams’ regular-season finale in Minneapolis. Minnesota and New Orleans are jockeying for position in the West.

The Timberwolves led by 12 points after a rousing second-quarter offensive explosion and never looked back, rolling to the win after pushing their lead to 126-93 a minute and a half into the

fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points, Mike Conley scored 20 and Rudy Gobert added 10 points and took 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who set a season high for points in a game.

Julian Champagnie led San Antonio with 24 points while Keita Bates-Diop had

22, Tre Jones had his second career triple-double (21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds) and Malaki Branham added 17 points.

Jazz 118, Nuggets 114

Rookie Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 28 points and Utah concluded its home slate with a win over Denver in Salt

Lake City. The Jazz blew a 19-point advantage and eventually regained the lead at 110-109 with 2:42 to play. Agbaji followed with two buckets, then clinched the win with two free throws with 11 seconds left as Utah won for just the second time in 10 games. Kris Dunn finished with 19 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds for the Jazz.

Kentavious CaldwellPope scored 21 points and Jamal Murray netted 20 in the loss for Denver, which had already clinched the No. 1 playoff seed in the Western Conference.

Clippers 136, Trail Blazers 125 Kawhi Leonard collected 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists to help Los Angeles rally in the second half and post a home win over Portland.

Dominic Thiem

VIENNA (AUSTRIA), APR 9 (IANS): Austrian tennis player Dominic Thiem has announced that he mutually decided with coach Nicolas Massu to end their player-coach relationship.

The pair’s partnership lasted more than four years. They first began working together in early 2019 and Thiem soon thereafter won his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the 2019 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

The Austrian claimed a career-best five titles that season and reached the final at Roland Garros and the ATP Finals.

“What an incredible journey... It all started in early 2019 - you came along with your incredible energy and extreme love for the sport,” Thiem wrote on Instagram.

“That’s how we won the US Open and Indian Wells. But we also reached the finals of the Australian Open, the French Open, and twice at the Nitto ATP Finals. I think that shows we’re an incredible team. But unfortunately, everything has an end and this end came now. We have decided together that we will go different ways starting next week.

with the winner in the 80th minute.

FC Barcelona, who lost 4-0 to Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, can go 15 points clear

in La Liga if they beat Girona on Monday.

Mikel Oyarzabal and Take Kubo scored as Real Sociedad had an easier than expected win at home

Inaki and Nico Williams both scored as Athletic Club Bilbao bounced back from their cup disappointment with a 2-1 win away to Espanyol. Athletic (who hadn’t won away to Espanyol since 1998) dominated the game and Espanyol’s goal came in the last minute as Sergi Darder poked home after an error from Unai Simon.

Sevilla saw two vital points in their fight to avoid relegation snatched away in the closing minutes as they drew 2-2 at home to Celta.

Dortmund return to winning ways; Bayern maintain lead in Bundesliga

BERLIN, APR 9 (IANS): Youssoufa Moukoko’s decider helped Borussia Dortmund overpower Union Berlin 2-1 while Bayern Munich moved 1-0 past Freiburg thanks to the hammer from Matthijs de Ligt in the 27th round of the Bundesliga. The BVB controlled possession from the starting whistle, whereas Union implemented a wait-andsee strategy on Saturday night.

Berlin kept all its men behind the ball but still couldn’t keep Dortmund at bay as the BVB opened the scoring with 27 minutes gone when Raphael Guerreiro’s whipped cross into the box allowed Donyell Malen to mark his third straight Bundesliga goal, a Xinhua report said.

Union showed no interest to take over and were lucky in the closing stages of the first half as goalkeeper Frederik Ronnow defused Sebastien Haller’s dangerous header.

After the restart, Dortmund reduced its offensive efforts and got punished at the hour mark after Kevin Behrens made the most of Sheraldo Becker’s good build-up work to restore parity out of thin air in the 61st minute.

Both sides responded with attacks and were in search for the winner. Dortmund had the last laugh though and took the lead again in the 78th minute when 18-year-old Mou -

koko beat Ronnow five minutes after his substitution in his 50th Bundesliga appearance.

Dortmund almost made it 3-1 but Ronnow was equal to Jamie BynoeGittens’ attempt in the dying seconds of the clash. With the result, Dortmund defended the second spot in the standings and stay two points adrift of front runners Bayern Munich. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich defended its lead in the table after seeing off

stubborn Freiburg on the sole goal of De Ligt, whose long-range goal secured the German record champions a vital win in the title race. Bayer Leverkusen jump into the top six after reaping its seventh consecutive win with a 3-1 over Eintracht Frankfurt. Cologne ended its losing run and stunned Augsburg 3-1. Mainz and Bremen worked out a 2-2 stalemate while Leipzig edged relegation threatened Hertha Berlin 1-0.

PSG’s Lionel Messi reacts after scoring a goal against Nice during the League 1.

Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze celebrates after scoring against R eal M adrid.

Tiger Woods

Luis Suarez with the trophy.

Niklas Suele (L) of Dortmund vies with Kevin Behrens of Union Berlin during the Bundesliga match. (Xinhua)

Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) drives to the basket defended by San Antonio guard Tre Jones (33).

IPL: Shikhar excels but PBKS lose to SRH ; Rinku seals win for KKR over GT

HYDERABAD, APR 9 (IANS): Rahul Tripathi blasted an unbeaten 74 and added 100 runs for the unfinished thirdwicket partnership with skipper Aiden Markram (37 not out) as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Punjab Kings by eight wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

Tripathi smacked his 74 off 48 deliveries and Markram smashed 37 off 21 deliveries as they raised 100 runs for the third wicket off 51 balls as Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 145/2 in 17.1 overs chasing a modest score of 143/9 in 20 overs built on an unbeaten 99 by PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan. The PBKS innings was destroyed by rookie leg spinner Mayank Markahde who claimed his first four-fer with a 4-15.

This was Sunrisers Hyderabad’s first win this season after defeats in their first two matches. PBKS suffered their first defeat after two wins.

Sunrisers Hyderabad got off to a modest start as they managed 34/1 in the Powerplay. At the same time, Punjab Kings were 41/3. The fact that they did not lose too many wickets early in their innings,

fours off successive deliveries, the second one a beauty to execute which he came down the track and lofted inside out over extra cover.

He smashed two sixes off Mohit Rathee and followed up the second one with a reverse-sweep four over point and another four in the next ball, driving square behind point and beating the sweeper to the rope.

He got good support from his skipper Aiden Markram as they added 100 runs for the unfinished third-wicket partnership off 51 deliveries.

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Gujarat Titans by 3 wickets

Kolkata Knight Riders’ Rinku Singh slammed five consecutive sixes to pull off a sensational three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League here on Sunday.

Needing 29 runs off the last over, Rinku slammed left-arm pacer Yash Dayal for five sixes on the trot to register a last-ball victory.

Rashid Khan led from the front and returned with impressive figures of 3 for 37, while Alzarri Joseph (2/27) picked up two wickets, but all their efforts went in vain.

Tripathi and skipper Aiden

Markram batted sensibly on a pitch that was offering swing and seam and was also helping the spinners.

Tripathi was the star for the team as he slogged Rahul Chahar flat over wide midwicket just over Sam Curran for a six and then struck the spinner for fours off successive balls in the 9th over. Harpreet Brar was smacked for three fours in the 10th over as Tripathi hammered

Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Rahul Tripathi during the IPL match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings. (PTI) thus making their chase of the modest target of 144 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here, look early. There was an early stutter when they lost Harry Brook for 13 after he had struck three fours during his 14-ball stay. Mayank Agarwal and Rahul Tripathi took the score to 47 before Agarwal, who has moved PBKS to SRH this season, was out after a 20-ball 21, hitting three fours. However, Rahul

Super Cup: Hyderabad FC beat Aizawl FC

Initially, the South African batter played second fiddle to Tripathi before slicing Nathan Ellist behind point for a four. He hammered Ellis for four successive fours in the 17th over as Sunrisers romped to victory.

Brief scores:

Punjab Kings 143/9 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 99 not out, Sam Curran 22; Mayank Markande 4-15, Marco Jansen 2-16, Umran Malik 2-32) lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad 145/2 in 17.1 overs (Rahul Tripathi 74 not out, Aiden Markram 37 not out; Arshdeep Singh 1-20) by 8 wickets.

Venkatesh Iyer made 83 off 40 balls for KKR while skipper Nitish Rana played a fine 29-ball 45-run knock.

Rinku played the knock of his life and struck one four and as many as six hits over the fence to seal a famous win for KKR.

Earlier, electing to bat, GT rode on Sai Sudharsan and Vijay Shankar’s fifties to post a mammoth 204 for four. Hardik Pandya missed the game as he is unwell and in his place Rashid led GT. Sudharsan made a 38ball 53 while Shankar scored an unbeaten 63 off just 24 balls. Besides Sudharsan and Shankar,

opener Shubman Gill made 39. For KKR, Sunil Narine picked up three wickets by giving away 33 runs.

Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans: 204 for 4 in 20 overs (Vijay Shankar 63

not out, Sai Sudharsan 53; Sunil Narine 3/33). Kolkata Knight Riders: 207 for 4 in 20 overs (Venkatesh Iyer 83, Rinku Singh 48 not out, Nitish Rana 45; Rashid Khan 3/37, Alzarri Joseph 2/27).

Orleans Masters: Priyanshu wins maiden BWF World Tour title

ORLEANS (FRANCE), APR 9 (IANS): India’s upcoming men’s shuttler Priyanshu Rajawat clinched the men’s singles title at the Orleans Master, beating Magnus Johannesen of Denmark 21-15, 19-21, 21-16 in the summit clash on Sunday.

This is Rajawat’s maiden BWF World Tour title and first Super 300 tournament final appearance. His only previous final on the BWF World Tour was at last year’s Odisha Open Super 100 event. Moreover, Priyanshu’s win was the first men’s

MANJERI, APR 9

(AGENCIES): Hyderabad FC defeated Aizawl FC 2-1 in the opening Group B fixture of the Hero Super Cup 2023 at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri on Sunday, April 9. From the first whistle, the Nizams appeared to be in command. Abdul Rabeeh and Joel Chianese were both heavily involved, with the Australian having the game’s first chance. His free-kick hit the wall and the rebound fell kindly to Sahil Tavora. The midfielder unleashed a powerful volley from the edge of the box, but it was parried

away by Aizawl’s custodian Vanlal Hritapuia.

Hyderabad continued to look threatening and took the lead in the 10th minute. Rabeeh’s marauding run down the right flank caused all sorts of problems for Aizawl. Following a couple of passes, Borja Herrera’s effort was saved by Hritapuia, but Chianese found the back of the net on the rebound.

Following the goal, Manolo Marquez’s side found their rhythm and created chances regularly for the remainder of the half. However, they failed to convert those and went into the break with a narrow

Man City close gap on

LONDON, APR 9 (IANS): Manchester City closed Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to five points after a 4-1 win away to bottom of the table Southampton.

Erling Haaland confirmed his return to fitness with two goals including a spectacular volley, as Pep Guardiola’s side overwhelmed their rivals. Jack Grealish and a penalty from Julian Alvarez sealed the win, while Sekou Mara scored a consolation goal for the home side on Saturday evening.

Manchester United and Newcastle United both strengthened their cases for a top-four finish with Newcastle coming behind from a goal down away to Brentford to win 2-1, a Xinhua report said.

Ivan Toney put Brentford ahead from the penalty spot on the stroke of halftime after earlier missing a spot kick, but David Raya’s unfortunate own goal and another from Alexander Isak saw Newcastle turn the result around.

Manchester United beat Everton 2-0, with Scott

1-0 lead.

The Nizmas came out with the same intent and extended their lead just four minutes into the second half.

Aaren D’Silva was tripped in the penalty box and Joao Victor converted the resulting spot-kick to make it 2-0.

Aizawl FC struggled to get into the game and failed to create anything of significance following Victor’s strike. Hyderabad, meanwhile, slowed the tempo down and despite a late goal by Aizawl’s Ivan Veras, the Indian Super League side comfortably secured a victory against the I-League outfit.

singles title on Tour for an Indian shuttler since January last year when Lakshya Sen won the India Open. En route to his maiden Super 300 title, the youngster dropped just one game in the entire tournament. The young Indian took the opening game with an easy. But he made some unforced errors in the second, allowing Johannesen, to make his way back into the match. Rajawat earned seven straight points to take the lead at 16-14. But another slew of errors from him let Johannesen seal the second

Charleston Open: Jabeur beats Kasatkina to reach final

CHARLESTON (USA), APR 9 (IANS): World No.5 Ons Jabeur advanced to her second consecutive Charleston Open final after overcoming a lengthy rain delay to oust No.8 Daria Kasatkina 7-5, 7-5 in the semifinal. A runner-up in 2022, the Tunisian will face either top seed Jessica Pegula or defending champion Belinda Bencic for the title. The semifinal between Pegula and Bencic was suspended for rain with the Swiss leading 7-5, 6-6 but

the American up 4-2 in the tiebreak. The match will resume with the final to follow after suitable rest. In a rain-addled match that saw a lengthy interruption due to the weather, Jabeur rallied from a doublebreak down in the first set and a break down in the second set to seal her first Top 10 win of the season. With her victory, Jabeur tied World No.1 Iga Swiatek’s mark for the most wins on clay since the start of the 2020 season.

top as Man Utd, Newcastle win in EPL

Cooper could be in danger of the sack as his team slipped into the drop zone after a midweek warning that results needed to improve.

Frank Lampard’s return to Chelsea ended in defeat as Matheus Nunes’ stunning first half volley was enough to give Wolverhampton three vital points.

West Ham’s David Moyes survives to fight another week after Harrison Reed’s own goal gave them a vital 1-0 win away to Fulham, but Leicester City slip deeper into trouble after losing a ‘6-pointer’ 1-0 at home to Bournemouth, who escape the bottom three thanks to Philip Billing’s 40th minute goal.

Haaland is on Ronaldo & Messi level, says Manchester City boss Guardiola

Manchester City’s Erling Braut Haaland scores their third goal. (Reuters)

McTominay keeping up his recent scoring form with the opening goal after 36 minutes and although Everton reacted after the break, Anthony Martial ended their comeback hopes in the 71st minute.

Christian Eriksen returned for United after injury, but that good news was tempered by Marcus Rashford limping off with an apparent groin injury with 10 minutes remaining.

Son Heung-min scored his 100th goal for Tottenham and Harry Kane netted a 79th minute winner

in their 2-1 win at home to Brighton, who had equalized through Lewis Dunk’s header.

The visitors were furious after three controversial VAR calls all went against them and coach Roberto De Zerbi was sent off after protests from the Brighton dugout. Brighton’s defeat allowed Aston Villa to move sixth as their winning run continued with a 2-0 win at home to Nottingham Forest thanks to goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins. Forest coach Steve

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that Erling Haaland is on the level of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after the striker made a huge contribution in City’s 4-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League fixture. The Norwegian international scored a brace to take his tally to 44 goals for the season with 30 of those in the Premier League.

Haaland’s total is now the joint-most ever by a Premier League player in all competitions in a single campaign, equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002/03 and Mohamed Salah in 2017/18. The City striker returned to the team after missing last week’s 4-1 win over Liverpool as well as Norway’s two European Championship qualifiers during the international break. “We have lived two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but he is on that level. The second goal was amazing. It is not easy to pick the ball up in the sky and put it on the grass,” City manager Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport.

“I think our bosses bought him for this type of game. We are uncomfortable and not playing at our best level but he gets the goal. The second, you can’t imagine at his height that he has this ability. Exceptional goal,” he added.

game. Rajawat made a strong start to the third game, winning the first five points. A few errors from the Indian allowed Johannesen to close in but the Indian held his nerve to wrap up the match in an hour and eight minutes.

Priyanshu was the last remaining Indian challenge and has been in terrific form in the tournament. In the second round, he upset world No. 12 Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto, who had won the Madrid Spain Masters title heading into the Orleans Masters, where he was the top seed.

Kolkata Knight Riders batters Rinku Singh and Umesh Yadav during the IPL match against Gujarat Titans. (PTI)

Priyanshu Rajawat