10 june 2023

Nagaland Post

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Judicial panel team in Manipur

Correspondent/IANS

NEW DELHI, JUN 9: The three-member Commission of Inquiry, set up by the Union Home Ministry to probe the recent series of ethnic violence in Manipur that so far claimed 105 lives and injured over 320 people, arrived in Imphal on Friday.

A senior Manipur Home Department official told IANS that the judicial commission under the chairmanship of the Gauhati

High Court’s former Chief Justice Ajai Lamba would soon start their inquiry into the ethnic strife, which broke out on May 3.

The MHA, which constituted the Commission of Inquiry on June 4, asked the probe panel to submit its report to the Central government as soon as possible but not later than six months from the date of its first sitting.

Former IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and re-

Over 11 pc Indians Diabetic, 36 pc have Hypertension: Lancet

NEW DELHI, JUN 9

(PTI): The prevalence of diabetes in India is 11.4 per cent, while 35.5 per cent and 15.3 per cent of people suffer from hypertension and prediabetes respectively, according to the findings of a nationwide survey published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal.

The largest epidemiological study on diabetes and non-communicable diseases (NCD) estimates that in 2021, there were 101 million people with diabetes in India, 136 million with prediabetes, and 315 million had high blood pressure.

The study, conducted by Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research and funded by the Health Ministry, also found that the prevalence of generalised obesity and abdominal obesity in India stood at 28.6 and 39.5 per cent, respectively.

The estimate shows that 254 million people in India had generalised obesity, and 351 million had abdominal obesity in 2021.

In 2017, the team found that the prevalence of diabetes in India was around 7.5%, meaning there has been an increase of over 50% in the burden since then. Among the states, Goa (26.4%) had the highest prevalence of diabetes and Uttar Pradesh (4.8%) had the lowest, while Sikkim (31.3%) and Mizoram (6.8%) had the highest and lowest burden of prediabetes.

Donald Trump indicted in classified documents case

the administrative measures taken to prevent, and to deal with the violence and riots.

The inquiry of the Commission, whose headquarters shall be at Imphal, shall also be in regard to the

complaints or allegations that may be made before the panel by any individual, or association, in such form and accompanied by such affidavits, as may be specified by the Commission.

CBIformsSIT,files6FIRstoprobeviolence

tired IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar are other members of the Commission, which would probe the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities, which took place in Manipur on May 3 and thereafter, the sequence of events leading to, and all the facts relating to such violence, whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty in this regard on the part of any of the responsible authorities and individuals, the adequacy of

NIPF flays Manipur violence; questions govt’s inaction

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed six FIRs and formed a special team to probe an alleged conspiracy in connection with the violence in Manipur.

“CBI has today registered six cases transferred by Manipur pertaining to incidents of large scale violence leading to destruction and looting of properties, arson, looting/snatching of arms/ammunition, loss of human lives etc. in various districts of Manipur,” the central probe agency said confirming mediapersons.

According to officials, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under supervision of a DIG has been constituted for

DoSE asks schools to submit data of Manipur returned students

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN):

Department of School Education (DoSE), which is collecting data on students who are residents/inhabitants of Nagaland and returned from Manipur, has directed heads of all schools (govt/private/ NBSE/CBSE/ICSE) within Nagaland to submit number of such students admitted in their schools since May 2023 at the Activities Tab provided at Online School Monitoring Portal https:// school.dosenl.in on or before June 12.

The department also directed the schools following state’s curriculum to

grant provisional admission to students belonging to the above category up to Class 7 without production of educational documents from the school previously studied. However, the department said that parents of such students would have to submit an undertaking that they would submit all required documents before the commencement of the third term exam 2023, failing which provisional admission granted would be cancelled. It informed that admissions to Classes 8 and above would be done with prior approval of NBSE.

Naga MLAs from Manipur meet HM

TELLS HM TO EXCLUDE NAGA AREAS IN ANY ARRANGEMENT FOR KUKIS

a thorough probe in all the six cases and to unearth the criminal conspiracy behind the unfortunate incidents. The SIT will comprise 10 officers, who will investigate six FIRs which have now been re-registered by CBI.

“As part of the CBI investigation, six cases have been identified for further examination. One of these cases focuses on a possible common conspiracy, aiming to determine whether the ethnic violence was preplanned. The investigation will delve into details to uncover any evidence suggesting a coordinated effort behind the unrest,” said an official.

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN): Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum (NIPF), at its meeting on June 8, strongly condemned the burning of villages and churches and the inaction of the Centre and Manipur government in curbing the violence and bringing back normalcy.

NIPF through its media cell expressed shock that state uniformed personnel instead of controlling the situation were “seen leading mobs followed by people in black dresses” and attacking settlements of other communities even when Section 144 and 355 of the IPC had been imposed in the state of Manipur.

In this regard, NIPF has questioned Manipur government and the Centre as to why the violent situation in Manipur had gone uncontrolled and mobs were allowed to take control of

NPCC flays attack on 2 Naga youth in Guj

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee has condemned the attack on two Naga youth at Chanakyapuri area in Ahmedabad, Gujarat by some 10 men “for selling non-vegetarian and northeastern food” on June 4.

NPCC president S. Supongmeren Jamir described the incident as “an absolute disgrace” to the ethos of “diverse India” and affirmed that the party would stand against any hate crime and injustice done towards “our people.” Extending support to the victims and Gujarat Naga Students’ Union, NPCC assured that the party would not rest until correct action was taken according to the law.

Assam lifts ban on transportation of live pigs

KOHIMA, JUN 9 (NPN):

State animal husbandry & veterinary services (AH&VS) has informed that Assam government has lifted ban on transportation of live pigs subject to observance of relevant SOPs.

In a press release, AH&VS director informed that both individual health certificate (not more than 7 days between testing and loading in the wagons or trucks) and transit certificate (certifying the condition of transporting the animals are complied with) issued by officer not below the rank of assistant director, AH&VS from the point of origin.

Further, veterinary doctor, AH&VS Nagaland manning the inter-state check-gate would examine the pigs on arrival at the state border.

The release said concerned party should write to state government of the sourced animals to write to the governments of Nagaland and Assam informing that animals are free from African Swine Flu (ASF). The concerned party should also inform the OC of the respective police stations at the inter-state border at least 72 hours prior to the arrival of the animals.

The department in -

formed that ASF is a viral disease of pig (swine), which has great effect on the economy of the piggery farmers due to high fatality of pig. In view of this, strict adherence of SOPs is enforced while bringing live pigs from outside the state to prevent spread of ASF.

The department cautioned that concerned parties failing to comply with the SOPS would be dealt with stern action as per relevant Acts. Any persons interested in livestock trading could obtain detail SOPs from the directorate of AH&VS Nagaland during office hours.

CP seeks cooperation to tackle extortion

Sophie stressed on the need for collective responsibility to solve social problems such as drug trafficking, extortion, illegal taxation, liquor adulteration and ILP issues. He, therefore, urged public leaders to provide timely information to the police department for timely action.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN):

A delegation of ten Naga MLAs from Manipur that included five NPF membersManipur Transport minister Khashim Vashum, Leishio Keishing, Awangbow Newmai, Ram Muivah and Losii Dikho; two BJP MLAs S.S. Olish and Dinganglung Ganmei, two NPP MLAs N Kayisii and Janghemlung

Panmei including Independent member J Kumo

Sha, accompanied by Outer Manipur MP Lorho Pfoze of NPF had met Shah in Delhi to discuss the issue

of demand for a separate administration within Manipur by Kuki-Zomi MLAs.

On return the delegation halted at Dimapur where an interaction was held with media persons at Niathu Resort at Chümoukedima on Friday. NPF member Awangbow Newmai disclosed that they held “meaningful discussion” with Amit Shah on the present situation in Manipur.

The delegation expressed gratitude to Shah for his prompt action in bringing the situation under control in Manipur and also

their efforts to bring both the warring communities to an understanding to restore normalcy.

Newmai said the delegation conveyed to the Union minister that in the event of any arrangement for separate administration for Kukis, Naga areas should not be touched since that had been a contentious issue for many years. He said they pointed out to Shah that there had been many issues and problems in the past too when separate administration were created in Manipur.

H&FW issues ‘imporvement notice’ on ice cream factory

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN): State health & family welfare (H&FW) department has issued an improvement notice to proprietor of Popsicle Ice Cream factory under Section 32 of the FSS Act’ 2006 after the food safety officer Dimapur collected

samples for quality testing at state food NABL accredited laboratory. H&FW through the state programme officer (food safety), Dr. John Kemp informed that notice was issued in connection to the video related to Popsicle Ice Cream Factory

and based on the inspection of the factory by food safety team, Dimapur. In this regard, the department served 14-day time to the proprietor to comply and take corrective measures, failing which legal action would be initiated against the operator.

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN): Commissioner of Police (CP)Dimapur, Kevithuto

Sophie has appealed to the public and all stakeholders to cooperate with the police in order to tackle the menace of extortion.

on Friday, to discuss various issues and the collective intervention, Sophie stressed sharing of information with the police with regard to any illegal activity.

He also requested all to report violation of Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act and cooperate with the police on issues like Iner Line Permit, Permanent Residence Certificate, etc.

Participating in the meeting and sharing a short note on the ill-treatment faced by drug users, Prodigals Home director K. Ela lamented that drug users were treated like second class citizens. She asserted that just because a person was involved in substance abuse, did not mean that he should be treated like a criminal or harassed.

Ten Naga MLAs from Manipur addressing the media on Friday. (NP)

Kevithuto Sophie addressing the stakeholders, Friday. (NP)

(Cont’d on p-8)

NEXT POLL

Q: Is the

state doing its job to inspect manufacture/preparation of food items?

FORECAST

Teachers to be trained on disaster management

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 9 (NPN): Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, department of School Education and Naga Ed, a digital education company, have signed an agreement to train school teachers on disaster management through online mode.

The agreement was signed at NSDMA conference hall, Civil Secretariat on June 9. Assistant manager (training and education)NSDMA, Home department Khrolou Koza Lohe informed that 10,000 teaches of both government and private schools will be trained.

Lohe said the primary objective was to train teachers on disaster management through online mode and also support them in formulating their individual school safety plans. Under the agreement, NSDMA will look into the finance, the course and act as the facilitator and interlocutor while department of School Education will provide list of teachers for training and enforce such participants for certificate course. NagaEd

a leading digital education company based in Nagaland, committed to transforming education through technology, will design and develop the digital compliance module and also provide technical support in rolling it out besides providing training on how to use the platform.

The agreement was signed by Commissioner and Secretary School Education Kevileno Angami, Commissioner and Secretary NSDMA Lhouchalie Viya and NagaEd operations manager Marina Dzuvichu in the presence of Joint CEO NSDMA Johnny Ruanggmei and Principal Director of School Education Thavaseelan K. Commissioner and secretary of School Education and SCERT Kevileno Angami

KSU demands upgradation of GHS ‘C’ Mon

DIMAPUR: Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) has appealed to state government and education department to immediately upgrade GHS ‘C’ Mon town to higher secondary from the forthcoming academic session in order to accommodate the qualified underprivileged students.

NEWS IN BRIEF

AHoD/HoD meeting: A meeting of Administrative Heads of Department (AHoD) and Heads of Department (HoD) has been convened on June 13, 1 p.m. at the Secretariat Conference Hall. All AHoDs and HoDs have been informed to attend the meeting.

Noklak DPDB meeting: Noklak District Planning Development Board (DPDB) monthly meeting has been convened on June 12, 11 a.m. at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Noklak office. All members have been asked to attend the meeting.

Tseminyu DPDB meeting: Tseminyu District Planning Development Board (DPDB) monthly meeting has been convened on June 13, 12 noon at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tseminyu office. All members and district officers have been asked to attend the meeting.

asserted that creating safe learning space was very important. Principal director, School Education, Thavaseelan K mentioned that safety measure programmes have been going on under the “Samagra grant” but more planning and trainings on how to handle situations when disaster occurs were needed.

Earlier, NSDMA joint chief executive officer, Johnny Ruangmei in his welcome address spoke on school safety policy, where every state government in the county was supposed to implement the policy. It was for this reason, NSDMA has developed a comprehensive School Safety Policy that outlines guidelines and procedures for Schools across the state, he said.

In a press release, KSU vice president Yuwang Konyak and general secretary A Pangnan pointed out that every year around 1500 students qualify HSLC from private and government schools at Mon headquarters alone. However, due to acute limited seats in government secondary school, KSU said the fate of poor students lay in jeopardy. The union stated that Mon being the largest district, the percentage of qualified students annually could be estimated on a par with any other districts. However, KSU said the scarce infrastructure in education sector derailed the hope of students for better academic future. Therefore, KSU threatened to prevent the commencement of the new academic session until the government heed to its demand.

Advisor IDAN calls for partnership with American centre

DIMAPUR: Advisor to chief minister and chairman, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha paid a visit to the American Centre in Kolkata, West Bengal on June 9. He was accompanied by chairman of TaFMA, Theja Meru.

A DIPR report stated, Metha met director of

Adrian Pratt, Sameek Gosh and Aishwarya Mondal and also interacted with other officials from various departments including education, exchanges and entrepreneurship.

Metha conveyed greetings and appreciation to the American Centre for organising various programmes in Nagaland and the North East. In the

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY

Lt. Ruovilhoubino Gwirie

meeting, Metha informed the US Government officials on the various initiatives undertaken in Nagaland and highlighted the possibilities for partnerships and collaborations.

Some of the areas possibilities that were discussed included education, opportunities for underprivileged children, programmes in various sectors including

sports, culture, music, arts etc.

Chairman, TaFMA, Theja Meru highlighted the mandate and initiatives under TaFMA and discussion were held on future partnerships in the fields of music, arts and culture.

Metha expressed confidence that deliberations will result in positive initiatives that will strengthen

2nd DEATH A NNIVERSARY

bilateral ties and increase people to people contact which will result in mutual gain and benefit.

Both Abu Metha and Theja Meru were alumni of the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Chumou DPDB meeting postponed: Chumoukedima District Planning Development Board (DPDB) monthly meeting scheduled on June 10 has been postponed to June 15, 11 a.m. at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Chumoukedima office. All members have been asked to take note and attend the meeting.

CPO visits displaced Kukis

KOHIMA, JUN 9 (NPN): Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) in collaboration with Chakhroma

Youth Organization (CYO) and Chakhroma Women Organisation (CWO) paid a courtesy visit to the displaced Kuki tribals from Manipur taking shelter at Medziphema, Sirhima, Maova, Molvom, Bungsang and Khaibung.

A press release by CPO president, Zhato Kimho and CYO president, Seyieneilhou Keyho, stated that during the visit, relief materials and other essential commodities were distributed to the displaced families and individuals.

The release said as per the census collected the number of displaced persons taking shelter in various villages under the Chakhroma Area at present: Medziphema Town306, Sirhima - 126, Maova - 69, Molvom - 103, Bungsang - 39 and Khaibung61. The release also stated that CPO with serious concern on the ill-fated tribals taking shelter in its jurisdiction initiated the move with a positive motive for

1st Death anniversary

CPO, CYO and CWO members with some of the displaced people on Friday. (NP)

the welfare of those people.

While condemning the violent situation in Manipur the signatories also called for the concerned communities and individuals residing in the Chakhroma Jurisdiction to maintain peace and harmony and not to be carried away by the ongoing situation in Manipur. They also informed

any displaced person taking shelter in and around Chümoukedima town and Dimapur town to approach the CPO or any of its frontal organisation for any kind of needs or grievances at the given contact numbers: CPO president -7005922992, CPO Gen secretary- 8132910436 and CYO president9366145816.

10th June, 2022

A year has gone by but we still find it very hard to accept that you’ve gone. We are missing you every day with silent tears and nothing seems to be same with you.

We will always cherish the times spent together.

Loving husband, children, grandchildren & in-laws

Lt. I Kahoto Aye (10th June 2021)

Days have passed on, to a year and two, Yet your essence and memories always remain fresh in our mind. Dad, You are deeply missed every moment.

Loving Wife, Children, In-Laws and Grand Children

DP-2663/23

2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY

Of our beloved father LT. NLONGTSU EZUNG

DIED: 10-06-2021

“In memory of a life so beautifully lived, a heart so deeply loved”

Loving wife, children, in-laws and grandchildren

MARCUS KITHAN 14/05/1953 – 10/06/2022

Dear Apo, a year has passed since you left us. You are missed and remembered each day with silent tears but we take comfort and solace that you are at peace in the hands of our Almighty God.

You are always in our hearts.

DP-2675/23

Loving Family Members

Representatives of NSDMA, NagaEd, DoSE at the signing of agreement. (NP)

Three killed in firing in Manipur

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JUN 9: At least three suspected militants including a woman were killed and two others sustained bullet injuries as armed confrontations escalated in strife-torn Manipur on Friday.

The armed confrontation that resulted in the death of the three suspected militants erupted at Sangathil-Koken intervillage border. Sangaithel is a village in the periphery of Imphal West district bordering Kangpokpi district.

Reportedly after interrupted gun firing from around midnight, the armed confrontation between the villagers guarding the Sangaithel village and suspected militants erupted around 4.20 am today.

The confrontation lasted for about 10 minutes, until a combined team of state force and Central paramilitary forces, including BSF, rushed to the spot and intervened to flush out both the groups.

The security forces intercepted at least three dead bodies and two injured persons in the follow up operation after the cross firing ceased, police said.

The dead bodies and injured persons were taken

by the troops of Assam Rifles and later handed over to a team of Kangpokpi district police.

A local source, however, believed more casualties were inflicted on the suspected militants’ side while claiming that they were seen taking away some bodies while escaping from the spot.

After the armed confrontation, the combined forces conducted search operations in the areas covering Sangaithel and Koken villages. The combined force prevented some youths who allegedly attempted to enter the spot from different directions upon hearing the gun

firing on the western side of the Sangaithel Olympiad Park.

The security force, however, allowed the youths to leave the place after a crowd of womenfolk from adjacent villages thronged the place and put up a strong resistance while trying to pick them up.

In further operation on the hill side, the security forces reportedly intercepted around 20 temporary bunkers and continued house to house search in villages till late in the afternoon. There were no reports of picking up any suspect or recovery of arms in the operation which reportedly continued till late this

Meghalaya: Day after ban, bacteria found in fish shipped in from outside

SHILLONG, JUN 9 (PTI):

Meghalaya health authorities on Friday flagged the issue of fungal and bacterial contamination of fish shipped in from outside the state, a day after they found the presence of formalin in samples collected from markets.

Officials have already announced a ban on the shipment of fish from outside the state after the detection of formalin.

About 80 per cent of fish samples collected last month from across Meghalaya have tested positive for formalin, a colourless solution of formaldehyde in water, used chiefly as a preservative for biological specimens.

“The samples have also tested positive for serious fungal and bacterial contamination,” a senior health official told PTI, requesting anonymity. The official said that 30 of the 42 samples collected in the first phase have tested positive for formalin, adding that more samples are being collected from as many markets as possible.

According to FSSAI officials, ingestion of foods with mould contamination can cause memory loss, headache, joint pain and persistent cough.

Ingestion of as little as 30 ml of a 37 per cent solution of formalin can be fatal for human consumption and continuous intake, even

SC declines plea against internet ban in Manipur

NEW DELHI, JUN 9

(PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday refused urgent hearing on a plea by two Manipur residents against the repeated internet shutdowns in the state rocked by ethnic violence. A vacation bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal said the high court is already seized of a similar issue. “The HC is hearing the matter. What’s the need to duplicate proceedings? Mention before the regular bench,” it said.

US seeks help to locate remains of American soldiers killed in Assam in WW II

GUWAHATI, JUN 9

in smaller quantities, can cause major gastrointestinal diseases, the officials said.

Khasi Jaintia Fish Wholesalers and Retailer Association executive member C Wankhar told PTI, “We urge the authorities to pinpoint those involved in putting formalin in fish. This is a serious criminal offence and the culprits should be punished”.

Shipment of fish had also been banned in the northeastern state in 2018 after samples showed the presence of formalin.

Currently, Meghalaya buys over 21,000 MT of fish mostly from Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam and consumes over 33,000 MT annually.

afternoon.

Two days ago, a combined force comprising state police and Central security forces had conducted combing operation to recover if any illegal arms in Sangaithel and Khoken villages where armed confrontation erupted. The combined force, however, did not recover any arm during the operation.

On the other hand, reports of security forces engaging in gunfight with suspected militants were also reported Purum Likli village in Imphal East district bordering Kangpokpi district and Napat in Bishnupur district bordering Churachandpur district.

Advocate Shadan Farasat mentioned the matter before the bench seeking urgent hearing The top court was hearing a plea filed by Chongtham Victor Singh and Mayengbam James.

The plea said the shutdown was “grossly disproportionate” in its interference with the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression, and the right to carry on any trade or business using the constitutionally protected medium of the internet.

The Manipur government on Tuesday extended the ban on internet services till June 10. The suspension of mobile data services, including broadband, has been extended till 3 pm of June 10, an order issued by Commissioner (Home) H Gyan Prakash said.

DRI seizes heroin worth Rs. 27.94 crore in Meghalaya

Correspondent SHILLONG, JUN 9: In a major drugs bust, the Shillong Zone unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Thursday seized 3.99kg of heroin worth more than Rs 27 crore on the market and arrested a drug smuggler, an official said on Friday.

Based on specific inputs about the transshipment of the narcotics via Meghalaya, DRI sleuths swung into action and intercepted a SUV along NH-44 at Mawryngkneng, in the outskirts of Meghalaya’s state capital Shillong.

During search of the vehicle, the DRI officials recovered 307 soap cases weighing 3.99 kgs of pinkish

powder wrapped in polythene sachets concealed inside a secret chamber below the seat of the SUV. The seized drug is worth Rs 27.94 crore in the market.

(PTI): The US Consul General in Kolkata has sought help from Assam government to locate the remains of American soldiers who were killed in the north eastern state in World War II. The Consul General of USA at Kolkata, Melinda Pavek, placed the request before Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma when she called on him here on Thursday. “The US Consul General also sought our support to help locate the remains of nearly 1,000 American soldiers who lost their lives in Assam in World War ... I have assured that we will do everything we can in this regard,” Sarma wrote on Twitter. Sarma also underlined the close ties between India and the United States and stressed on Assam’s growing economic potential for

American investment, the CM’s office said in another tweet. “Consul General Melinda Pavek was glad to meet Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and discussed a wide range of issues, including regional connectivity, energy, agriculture, health and climate change. The @USAndKolkata values its collaboration with the people of #Assam on various areas such as health, agriculture, and economic development. #CGPavek @CMOfficeAssam @himantabiswa,” the US Consulate Kolkata tweeted Pavek also met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in Raj Bhavan on Thursday and discussed a gamut of issues of mutual interests, an official release said.

Kataria expressed his views with regard to important sectors where Assam and the US can explore

opportunities for mutual benefit in the fields of higher education, research in science and technology and research in conservation measures.

“Consul General Melinda Pavek met with the Honorable Governor of Assam Shri Gulab Chand Kataria in #Guwahati and discussed Assam’s prosperity, economic issues, and ways to advance #USIndia relationship in the key state of Northeast India. #CGPavek @Gulab_kataria,” the US Consulate Kolkata tweeted. The US envoy also enquired about various issues relating to the Act East Policy and the development narratives of Assam and other North Eastern states. The governor highlighted the investments made by the government of India in the entire North East region.

KJCLF appeals for restoration of peace in Manipur

Correspondent

SHILLONG, JUN 9: The Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) in Meghalaya on Friday said it is deeply dismayed and saddened that violence is still continuing unabated in Manipur.

“The heinous violence which has claimed a number of lives, caused destruction to innumerable churches, properties and human settlements need to stop,” Secretary KJCLF, Rev. Dr Edwin H Kharkongor

said. The Forum further appealed to the citizens of Manipur to cease the fighting and return to calm.

The KJCLF also expressed solidarity with all victims of the violence and hoped that peace will gradually be restored.

Kharkongor said the forum also called on all Christians, Churches and Christian Forums in the region to voice their concerns and show our togetherness with the citizens of Manipur affected by this unmitigated violence.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND SCHOOL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION

Dated Kohima the 9th June, 2023

No. DSE/HSS/14-2/2022 :: Pursuance to the Advertisement issued vide this Department’s letter of even number dated 19-5-2023, the walk-in-interview for engagement of contractual Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs) under School Education Department is scheduled from 13th -17th June, 2023 in the Directorate of School Education, Kohima, Nagaland.

2. The walk-in interview will be conducted as per the schedule given below:-

Sl. No. Date Subjects

1 13-06-2023 (Tuesday) Political Science

2 14-06-2023 (Wednesday) English

3 15-06-2023 (Thursday) Education & Economics

4 16-06-2023 (Friday) History & Botany

5 17-06-2023 (Saturday) Sociology, Zoology, Philosophy, Mathematics, Geography, Chemistry & Physics.

3. Applications of overaged candidates and candidates without final B.Ed. degree certificate are rejected. Hence, they should not appear for the interview.

4. Candidates should come along with their original documents on the day of the interview.

5. Time for the walk-in-interview shall be from 9am to 4pm Sd/Commissioner& Secretary to the Government of Nagaland DC-

CORRIGENDUM

With reference to the affidavit R egd. N o 2120, D ated 05-06-2023 1 st Class Magistrate, (Additional District Magistrate Pfutsero Nagaland) I, Smti MESEWETSHO-U MERO D/o EZHIETSHUNYI

MERO was appointed as A/Teacher (School Education) whereas my name was inadvertently written MEWETSHO U MERO missing the spelling ‘SE’ in Adhoc appointment and secondly, even in regularized order it was inadvertently written again MESEWETEHEU MERO with wrong spelling ‘TEHEU’ it should be ‘TSHO U’. This is a clerical typing mistake. All my official documents are documented as MESEWETSHO U MERO I therefore, do hereby solemnly declare that my official name is MESEWETSHO U MERO which shall be used as a piece of proof and evidence at all times for all purposes. DB-773/23

AFFIDAVIT (Correction of Name)

Date. 06/06/23

Regd. No. 345/23

I, Smti. Wekhropeu Mero, D/o Kedoulo Mero of Pfutseromi village do hereby solemnly affirm and declare that:-

1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India.

2. That my official name is Wekhropeu Mero.

3. That in some documents it has been written as Wekhrope-ü, Wekhropeü Mero, Wekhropeu Chakhesang, Wekhropeu & Wekhropiu.

4. That the above mentioned names are one and the same i.e. myself.

5. That, henceforth, I shall be using Wekhropeu Mero in all official and future purposes. That the above mentioned statements made by me are to the best of my knowledge and nothing has been concealed therein.

K-1367/23

DEPONENT

Chief JudiCial, Magistrate

gOVerNMeNt Of NagalaNd

OffiCe Of the dePutY COMMissiONer

WOKha : NagalaNd

PuBliC NOtiCe

dated Wokha, the 8th June' 2023

NO.dCW/lr-74/2019/369-8 : Whereas Shri. Robin Patton, Seasonal Chairman of the proposed new Village under Bhandari has submitted an application for recognition of new Village called Tongtiyan Village having an area of 1,049 Acres / 4245152 Sqm with the following boundaries:

1. East - Lishuyo Village Reserved

2. West 1 - Mongphio Village

3. West 2 - Mongphio Village Reserved

4. North - Lishuyo Village

5. South - Longchung Village Reserved

Now, the public of Wokha district hereby invited to file objection if any within 30 (thirty) days from the date of issue of this public notice. Failing which the recognition of new Village Called Tongtiyan will be initiated after the expiry of 30 (thirty) days subject to the fulfillment of all other conditions laid down by the Government vide. O.M.N.GA-12/13/74, dated Kohima the 22nd March 1996.

(ajit Kumar ranjan) ias Deputy Commissioner, Wokha : Nagaland DB-776/23

SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

application under succession act 1925 for grant of succession certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late. Wondango

Lanthungbeni, M/o, Lt. Wondango

Patton has been applied by Smti.

Patton, R/o. ……, Wokha, Nagaland for possession of;

1. SBI

2. Service claims and benefits.

Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/he so desire appear in this court on or before 03-07-2023.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this day the 03-06-2023 Sd/- District & Sessions Judge Wokha : Nagaland WC-140/23

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER TSEMINYNU : NAGALAND

Email: deoffice.tseminyu@gmail.com

NO.DCT/SDR-4/VILL-RECOG/2022/ 341 Tseminyu, dated the 6th June 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given to the general Public for any Claims and Objections with respect to Recognition of New Village under the name 'Khupfunyu', Tseminyu District, measuring 1037 Acres with the following land and boundaries.

North : Kandinu East : Tsutho River/Chunlikha/Nsunyu

West : Anuni River/Sewanu/Phiro

South : Tesophenyu

Claims and objections, if any and should there be any, should be submitted to the DC Office Tseminyu on or before 30 (Thirty) days from the date of publication in the local newspapers. No response within the given stipulated time would be treated as ‘No Objection’ and the matter shall be forwarded to the government for further necessary action.

(LONGASEN LOTHA) NCS

Addl. Deputy Commissioner Tseminyu: Nagaland K-1374/23

AFF ID AV I T Regd No.1504/2023

Date 9-06-2023

I, L Sukavi Sumi, S/o Lahovi, resident of H.No 5, Lane No 5, Mishikito Village, Full Nagarjan, District Dimapur, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm on oath and declare as under :

1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India and a resident of the above mentioned address.

2. That, my actual and correct date of birth 11-09-1981 but in my PIMS Entry bearing Code No. PWD07450, the same has been inadvertently recorded as 22-05-1980.

3. That this affidavit is solemnly sworn before the competent authority for making necessary correction/rectification of my correct date of birth as 11-09-1981, and the same shall be construe as my official date of birth for all intents and purposes.

Security forces at Sangaithel-Khoken inter-village border.

SNIPPETS

BSF recovers 5 kg heroin airdropped by Pak drone

CHANDIGARH, JUN

9 (IANS): The Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday seized over 5 kg of narcotics dropped by a drone near the International Border in Amritsar sector in Punjab. The BSF personnel deployed heard the buzzing sound of a drone and something being dropped in the fields near Rai village, the BSF said. On searching one big packet containing 5.260 kg heroin was recovered, it added.

Excise dept recovers

320 litres illicit liquor

CHANDIGARH, JUN 9

(PTI): Punjab government recovered 17,000 kg of ‘lahan’, used in making illicit liquor, during searches carried out in the last two days in Dasuya area of Hoshiarpur district, an official statement said here on Friday. The excise department also seized 320 litres of illicit liquor and equipment used in the distillation of moonshine, it said.

3.9 magnitude quake

hits Ladakh, J&K

LEH/JAMMU, JUN 9 (PTI): An earthquake of magnitude 3.9 jolted Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said. There was no report of any loss of life or damage to property, officials said. The earthquake struck at 10.23 am and lasted for a few seconds, the NCS said. The depth of the earthquake was 10 kilometers below the surface of the earth at latitude 35.64 degrees north and longitude 76.62 degrees east.

Girl, 12, raped by three youths in UP

BALLIA (UP), JUN 9 (PTI): A 12-year-old girl was raped by three youths, all of them aged 19-20, police here said Friday. The girl’s father in his complaint said the three youths in March and April lured his daughter with some blandishments speaking to her on phone, and then raped her. The girl became silent after the incident and revealed she was raped only on Wednesday, police said.

3 killed in Jharkhand mine collapse

DHANBAD, JUN 9

(AGENCIES): At least three people were killed and many feared trapped when an illegally operated coal mine collapsed near Dhanbad. The incident occurred this morning at the Bhowra Colliery Area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited. The mine had been declared closed. Local residents reached the spot, began pulling out people from the debris and rushed five people to nearby hospitals. Three people - a child, a woman and a 25-year-old man - were declared dead.

Temple priest kills illicit lover HYDERABAD, JUN 9 (IANS): Police have arrested a priest of a temple in Hyderabad for the murder of a woman with whom he was having an extramarital relationship. The shocking incident came to light on Friday, nearly a week after the priest killed the woman in cold blood and dumped her body in a manhole. The accused, who was already married and father of two children, was having extramarital relations with Apsara, a resident of Saroornagar. As she was exerting pressure on the priest for the marriage, he hatched a plot to eliminate her.

AI’s potential for India’s tech ecosystem vast: PM

NEW DELHI, JUN 9 (AGENCIES): The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing India’s tech ecosystem is indeed vast, particularly among the youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. The Prime Minister reacted after meeting OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in the national capital.

“Thank you for the insightful conversation @ sama. The potential of AI in enhancing India’s tech ecosystem is indeed vast and that too among the youth in particular,” PM Modi said in a tweet. “We welcome all collaborations that can accelerate our digital transformation for empowering our citizens,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Altman said that he met PM Modi and discussed India’s incredible tech ecosystem with him. Altman, who also addressed students and others at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIITDelhi), said that he had a

great conversation with PM Modi. “Great conversation with @narendramodi discussing India’s incredible tech ecosystem and how the country can benefit from AI,” Altman tweeted. “Really enjoyed all my meetings with people in the @PMOIndia,” he added. Altman had said that the company behind ChatGPT is not presently training GPT5 — the successor to GPT4. “We have a lot of work to do before GPT5. It takes a lot of time. We are nowhere close to it,” Altman said at a conference hosted

BSP to project Mayawati as PM

LUCKNOW, JUN 9

(IANS): The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has decided to project its party chief Mayawati as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

BSP sources said that the party would not join any opposition alliance but would go it alone in the Lok Sabha elections.

Senior BSP leader Bhimrao Ambedkar said, “The leaders of the opposition are holding meetings in various states to prepare the groundwork for the opposition parties to fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Even after several

rounds of meetings, it is not clear as to who would be the Prime Ministerial candidate from the opposition.”

The BSP, however, has decided to project party chief Mayawati as the PM candidate,” he said. Ambedkar said that BSP is not a follower of other political parties but it is a party based on ideology and cadre.

by The Economic Times in Delhi. “We’re working on the new ideas that we think we need for it, but we are nowhere close to the start. There need to be more safety audits: I wish I could tell you about the timeline of the next GPT,” he added. Altman’s comments come amid growing concern among AI researchers and Big Tech executives about the alarming pace at which the technology is developing. In March, several top entrepreneurs and AI researchers, including Tesla and Twitter CEO Elon Musk and Steve Woz-

niak, Co-founder of Apple, wrote an open letter, asking all AI labs to immediately pause training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4 for at least six months. Over 1,100 global AI researchers and executives signed the open letter to pause “all giant AI experiments”. After a few weeks, Altman acknowledged that

the letter lacked the most technical nuance, but asserted that OpenAI hadn’t started training GPT-5 and wouldn’t do so for “some time”. In May, Altman admitted that if generative AI technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong, as US Senators expressed their fears about AI chatbots like ChatGPT.

WillregulateAItoensureitdoesn’t harmdigitalcitizens:Chandrasekhar

The government will regulate Artificial Intelligence to ensure that it doesn’t harm ‘digital citizens’, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said today while giving a presentation on how far India has travelled in terms of digitisation in the last nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led centre. “Toxicity and criminality have significantly increased on the internet. We won’t let attempts to harm digital citizens succeed,” he said, highlighting that 85 crore Indians use the internet, which is expected to shoot up to 120 crores by 2025. Crimes like doxing (posting private and identifying details of individuals on the internet with malicious intent and without their consent) have been rising, the minister said, adding that law and order are state subjects and the Centre will have to work with state governments on strict initiatives regarding it. “There is a boost of digital connectivity in the country, and it’s the vision and mission of the government to ensure safety and security in cyberspace,” he said.

BENGALURU, JUN 9

(PTI): The Karnataka government will review the largesse of the previous BJP government in allotting ‘hundreds of acres of land’ to RSS and its affiliated organisations, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Friday. He also said a few tenders issued by the BJP government have been cancelled while others will be looked into.

The functioning of the health and family welfare department, its officers and doctors and the measures taken to ensure sound public health will be discussed in a meeting next week, Rao added.

“Hundreds of acres of government land in the state have been transferred in the name of RSS and Sangh Parivar affiliated organisations,” the minister said in a press conference.

According to him, the purpose behind such al -

lotment was to help these organisations grow and with that its ideologies should also grow.

“This (allotment of land) should not happen. One should inform everything to the people. Nothing should be kept secret. People should know. Taking everything in one way is not proper. So we have to take steps,” the minister added. When asked whether the government has taken any steps yet, Rao said he cannot say anything about the steps taken at this juncture but he pointed out that the Congress government has to do it.

Train accident: Govt demolishes school used as morgue

BHUBANESWAR, JUN

9 (PTI): The Odisha government on Friday began demolishing the 65-yearold Bahanaga High School building that was used as a temporary morgue for victims of Coromandel Express.

The demolition was being carried out in presence of the school man -

aging committee (SMC) members and Public Works Department officials. The decision to raze the building was taken after the SMC said it was old and not safe and that kids were reluctant to attend classes in the school where bodies were kept.

Guardians had also demanded demolition of

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the building as photos of bodies being ferried to the school for identification by their families had been imprinted in the minds of children.

Based on the SMC’s decision and request by guardians and locals, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held a meeting with senior government officials includ-

ing the Chief Secretary and sanctioned reconstruction of the institute on Thursday. He also approved a proposal to make it a model school with modern facilities such as a library, science laboratory and digital classrooms.

During his visit to the institution on Thursday, Balasore Collector Dat -

tatraya Bhausaheb Shinde had said the school managing committee wanted the building to be demolished. The district collector appealed to all not to spread fear and superstition, suggesting that efforts should instead be made to inculcate a scientific temper in the young, impressionable minds.

VJ'S COACHING CENTRE & HOSTEL

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* Offer Intensive Coaching for Repeaters/Regular

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DP-2626/23

NEW DELHI, JUN 9 (AGENCIES): Congress

General Secretary KC Venugopal on Friday confirmed that party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will attend a meeting of the top Opposition leaders convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, to mobilise the opposition ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reports ANI.

Speaking to ANI, KC Venugopal said, “Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge will attend the opposition meeting in Patna...”

He further said that it is high time to have unity between the opposition parties “to fight against these forces who are ruining the country.”

Nationalist Congress

Party Chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday confirmed that he would participate in the meeting of the Opposition parties.

Speaking to mediapersons in Patna on Thursday, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said that almost 15 parties will attend the meeting. However, the presence of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao was not confirmed as Tejashwi Yadav did not have a chance to speak with him.

T he meeting, aimed at laying the groundwork for the coming together of like-minded Opposition parties against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government at the Centre, was originally scheduled to be held on June 12.

However, the meeting was pushed back after several Opposition leaders, including Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, expressed their inability to attend the meeting on June 12, citing prior engagements and preoccupations.

NO.DTE/SCTE/6/2020-21/4607

Dated, Kohima the 9th June, 2023

NOTIFICATION

NO.DTE/SCTE/6/2020-21: In view of some seats still lying vacant under Government run Polytechnics, the interested candidates are hereby informed to collect application form and submit filled form to the nearest Polytechnics or Directorate of Technical Education Kohima on or before 23rd June 2023 for admission.

The prescribed application form is also available in the website www.dtenagaland.org.in

Sd/(Er. VIPULHOU LHOUNGU) Director DC-724/23

A DMISSION S TARTED

Rainbow CoaChing CentRe

Lengrijan Dimapur : 797113. Nagaland. Estd -2006

Offers Coaching for CL-10 & 12 (Arts) Repeaters

 Hostel attached for both boys & girls in separate building.

S PECIAL F EATURES: 24x7 backup electricity & water supply, Hygienic Food, Indoor-Outdoor activities, Spiritual Retreat, Evaluation Exams, Monthly-Weekly Test. Classes from Mon-Friday, Life Skill Enhancement activity, Focuses on all-round development with 98% passed Result every year.

For Admission Contact : 9856857778/ 9862700227 DP-2591/23

NAGALAND UNIVERSITY

(A Central University Established by an Act of Parliament 1989) Campus:: Medziphema School of Agricultural Sciences Medziphema-797106(Nagaland)

NO.SAMN/Acd-141/2020- 576

Dated:09/06/2023

ADMISSION NOTICE

It is hereby notified to the aspiring students seeking admission to the various degree programs under the Department of Vocational Studies & Skill Development in the School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Medziphema Campus, Nagaland University for the Academic session 2023-2024 to fill in the online form available in the university website, www. nagalanduniversity.ac.in. Application form and information brochure can be downloaded from the University website. Application fee of Rs.170/- (Rupees one hundred seventy) only for SC/ST/OBC candidates and Rs. 220/- (Two hundred twenty) only for general category candidates must be paid online at https://www.onlinesbi.com/sbicollect/icollecthome.htm

PRASAR BHARATI INDIA’S PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTER

REGIONAL NEWS UNIT

AKASHVANI: KOHIMA No. KOH/RNU/PTC/ (2)2023

ADVERTISEMENT

Dated: 09. 06.2023

Akashvani Kohima invites application for engagement of Part Time Correspondents (PTCs) for the Districts of Kohima, Peren, Phek and Mon on contractual part time basis. Interested candidate who meet the following criteria may apply for engagement of PTC.

Essential Qualification:

1. PG Diploma/Degree in Journalism/Mass Media or Graduate with minimum 2 years journalistic experience.

2. Age limit 24-45 years as on last date of application.

3. Should reside at the district Headquarters or within a radius of 10 kms from the District Headquarters/ Municipal limit in the concerned district.

4. Journalistic experience to be desirable for candidates in difficult and border areas like NorthEastern States.

Desirable Qualification:

1. Knowledge of computers and word processing.

2. Experience for electronic coverage Applications containing full bio-data along with self-attested copies of supporting certificates, testimonials and one photograph should reach the Head of Office, Akashvani Kohima, Old Minister’s Hill, Post Box-42, Kohima, Nagaland, PIN.797001” latest by 23rd June, 2023 only in the prescribed application form only. Necessary Details and prescribed application forms may be collected from the News Section of Akashvani Kohima or download from the website https://newsonair.gov.in under the vacancies category.

Sd/(ASONUO) News Editor For Head of Office Akashvani Kohima K-1375/23

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF NAGALAND NAGALAND : KOHIMA

Dated Kohima, the 9th June 2023

NO.IDAN/INVEST/PROJECTS-74/2023

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting with ChatGPT maker OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, in New Delhi. (PTI)

‘Land allotted to RSS, its affiliates by previous govt will be reviewed’

Rahul, Kharge to attend opposition’s big Patna meet

Dinesh Gundu Rao

Cleaner environment for health

Global awareness can only be meaningful if there is positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. At the local level, civic authorities especially in Kohima and particularly Dimapur need to seriously reorient their priorities towards achieving a clean environment. In the recent months, this newspaper had published photos of piles of garbage littered across several colonies in Dimapur. While it took more than a two weeks for the civic body to collect and dispose the garbage within the municipal area; at another site near the Old airport road junction, Darogapathar village along with PHE department eventually collected and disposed of the garbage after over one month. Despite the ban on polythene bags, the piles of garbage appear resplendent in all their colors, though being in the wrong place and perhaps even the wrong time. Garbage should not be left unattended to melt as part of the landscape and neither should they allowed to become a home for various kinds of flies or even rotten food items.

The profuse and indiscriminate use of polythene bags and other plastic goods not only cause disturbance to the eco-system because of their non bio-degradable nature but also make a dent into the fertility of soil, pollute the nutrients contained in them, cause contamination of drinking water, have the potential to cause serious and irreversible chocking of rivers and drainage system of the cities. According to studies, polythene-wrapped fish and meat generate a kind of heat that creates radiation, which ultimately makes the food poisonous. It was also said that the fish, meat or vegetables wrapped in polythene get infected by anaerobic bacteria - a germ responsible for skin disease and cancer. Apart from this, polythene shopping bags dumped near households become safe havens for breeding mosquitoes, which cause dengue fever and other fatal diseases. Civic bodies have to take note of the negative consequences of ignoring such modern hazards and take immediate measures to rid of the garbage piles and enforce the law regarding use of polythene bags and other substances harmful to the environment. Garbage recycling has been implemented decades ago in other metro cities and the same ought to be high on the agenda of civic authorities. Another common sight is effluents being discharged to the already clogged drains and the stagnant water in Dimapur which become breeding places for millions of mosquitoes. Drains in Dimapur have largely become redundant because repairs and clearance have been neglected for decades while in many others, drains have disappeared due to encroachment. On the part of the civic authorities, there is an urgent need to do more to clean up dirt or pick up garbage strewn across drains, streams, market places and roads. Disposal of garbage has become a very critical issue for many towns in the state especially Dimapur, where garbage is being strewn on roadside and any place. There is need to triple the number of sweepers and cleaners in Dimapur under contract work so as to give a big boost to cleanliness. Even public need to be held accountable for littering and various ward chairmen have to be sensitized about this matter. Imposition of penalty alone can discourage people from littering or creating unhygienic conditions. Keeping our towns clean requires effort, resources and manpower. The consciousness will also create a conducive environment for health and hygiene which are very essential needed for society.

DailyDevotion

Then What’s Next To Do?

Everyone who asks receives… —Luke 11:10

Ask if you have not received. There is nothing more difficult than asking. We will have yearnings and desires for certain things, and even suffer as a result of their going unfulfilled, but not until we are at the limit of desperation will we ask. It is the sense of not being spiritually real that causes us to ask. Have you ever asked out of the depths of your total insufficiency and poverty? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” (James 1:5), but be sure that you do lack wisdom before you ask. You cannot bring yourself to the point of spiritual reality anytime you choose. The best thing to do, once you realize you are not spiritually real, is to ask God for the Holy Spirit, basing your request on the promise of Jesus Christ (see Luke 11:13). The Holy Spirit is the one who makes everything that Jesus did for you real in your life. “Everyone who asks receives….” This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (see Matthew 5:45).

To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God. “If any of you lacks wisdom….” If you realize that you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality— do not put the blinders of reason on again. The word ask actually means “beg.” Some people are poor enough to be interested in their poverty, and some of us are poor enough spiritually to show our interest. Yet we will never receive if we ask with a certain result in mind, because we are asking out of our lust, not out of our poverty. A pauper does not ask out of any reason other than the completely hopeless and painful condition of his poverty. He is not ashamed to beg— blessed are the paupers in spirit (see Matthew 5:3).

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

Reaction to feet-touching by M. Chuba Ao

The local paper published an article of Mr. M. Chuba Ao, BJP national Vice President under the caption “Democratic India thrives and Modi rocks” on 25.5.2023. If my memory is correct, Mr. M. Chuba Ao had a prefix title of Dr. Yet, in the recent article in question, he did not use the very title, and therefore I am addressing him as Mr. As I read the article between the lines, I could understand that it contains two aspects, one is political and the other is religious aspect. Since I do not take much interest in electioneering politics, I may not like to indulge in the political aspect except on religious aspect. Mr. M. Chuba Ao is a popular political figure as he served his party BJP as its President for pretty long time, and under his leadership BJP was well established in Nagaland. Having raised him to the national level by BJP is obviously for his dedicated service rendered to his party in Nagaland. I also believe that he is a humble leader with political acumen and thus, as of today, he is being used extensively for his party in particular and for public service in general. And yet

I know him more from his write-ups rather than from personal intimacy. Sending personal opinions to press media for public consumption by anyone is not accidental episode but it is intentional. Any given opinion in the public domain by any individual of popularity especially or group has impact on the society as it either guides or misguides.

I am particularly attracted to a cue cited by Chuba to convey his desired message to the Christians in Nagaland is, and I quote “Never in history has perhaps a Christian Prime Minister of such a small nation touched the feet of a ‘Hindu’ PM Narendra Modi.” The story relates to a recent visit of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to Papua New Guinea when its Prime Minister Mr. James Marape welcomed the visitor by bending down to touch the feet of the visiting counterpart similar to Hindu culture. Neither touching the visitor’s feet by bowing down cannot be considered as the better and more acceptable reception nor receiving the visitor in normal posture with or without handshake is a disrespect to the visitor as in our Naga culture. I

Resolving the intricate ethnic issues in Manipur requires a delicate balance of inclusivity, dialogue, and understanding among the Meitei, Kuki, Naga, and other communities. With demands for separate administration, objections over territory inclusion, and contentious Scheduled Tribe considerations, the path to harmony may seem challenging. However, through comprehensive approaches that prioritize dialogue, equitable development, and respect for cultural identities, the Government of India and Government of Manipur can navigate the complexities and pave the way for lasting peace and unity in Manipur. This article explores potential strategies and considerations to address the diverse concerns and aspirations of all communities, aiming for a harmonious and inclusive co-existence.

1. Establish a High-Level Peace Committee: The Government of India can create a high-level peace committee comprising representatives from the Meitei, Kuki, Naga, and other communities in Manipur. This committee should be tasked with facilitating dialogue, mediating disputes, and finding mutually acceptable solutions.

Water wars: The new normal?

The recent border clashes between Iran and Afghanistan have a really dreaded portent for the future, both at the local and global levels, besides being a pointer to how we have managed our environment resources in a foolish manner. As per reports from the Iranian Tasnim News Agency, deadly clashes broke out between border guards and the Afghan soldiers in the border area encompassing the Zabul district of Sistan and Baluchestan province on the Iranian side and the Keng district of Nimruz province in Afghanistan.

The deadly clashes resulted in death of two Iranian border guards in clashes with Taliban forces, while the Iranians, on their part, claimed to have killed 12 Taliban soldiers.

Perplexingly, the issue over which tensions between the two neighbours ran high is how to divide the waters of the Helmand River, which the two nations must share.

Iran accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers of violating a 1973 treaty by restricting the flow of water from the Helmand River to Iran’s

believe that the Nagas are traditionally and culturally very receptive to guests and without emulating neo reception culture, the existing practices do suffice. Let me quote few more sentences from the text. Quote. “The citizens of that country (Papua New Guinea) are 98 percent Christians and now the people are being asked whether they want the country to be officially declared “a Christian nation.” Hence, PM Marape knew exactly what he was doing at the airport. His father was a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. Kindly note, Adventist Protestants believe that God created the earth in six days and observed the seventh day as a day of rest. We in Nagaland also believe 7th day as the day of rest.” Unquote. Without meticulously analyzing each sentence or word, how Mr. Chuba has driven the message to the simile between the Christians in Papua New Guinea and the Christians in Nagaland, India. As much is the belief of Papua New Guinea Christians that everything of the creation was completed by Creator God in six days time and rested on the seventh day, that much is the belief of

the Christians in Nagaland, and thus there is no difference at all.

The implication of highlighting the very simile is to neutralize the sensitivity of the Naga Christians on our faith in God based on Bible and having apprehension to get it diluted under the weight of Hinduism onslaught. To cite one example, a local paper published the statement of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on 29th November, 2022 who claimed that “all people living in India were by definition Hindus …” “Anybody who agreed to sing Sanskrit verses in praise of Bharat Mata… is a Hindu.” “People should understand that because they live in Hindustan, they all are Hindus. Hindutva is the name of the centuries old culture to which all the diverse streams owe their origin.” Bhagwat claimed. The quoted speech of Mohan Bhagwat is the very open indoctrination of Hinduism on non-Hindus that tantamount to coercion. Subsequently, the intended articulation whips up that even when a Christian Prime Minister of a sovereign nation had humbly bowed down to touch the feet of the Hindu Prime Minister, why should

the Naga Christians become sensitive to Hindu culture and its ethea.

Clear instructions are provided in Romans 13:1-7 for Christians as to how we have to give due respect to public leaders and remain obedient to the established Govt. irrespective of one belonging to which political party or which party rules.

While reacting to the very intended message in particular, I have no disrespect to any established leader who becomes one by the will of the Living God alone as the Bible says.

What I want to remind ourselves is what the Bible teaches mankind that while giving due respect to whoever he or she deserves for the position one holds, we are not to worship any power that be beside God Jehovah. The two vocabularies, namely, respect and worship are different in its meaning and in its implication too. In Exodus 20:5, we are directed not to bow down to them (gods) nor serve them (gods).

So I understand that I have to give due respect to human authorities but not to worship them in any manner.

The highest degree or form of fear is to be exclusively reserved for worship to the

Bridging differences that divide Manipur

2. Constructive Dialogue and Negotiations:

The peace committee can facilitate structured and inclusive dialogue sessions between the concerned communities. The discussions should focus on addressing key issues such as the demand for a separate administration by the Kukis, objections from Nagas regarding the inclusion of Naga territories, and the concerns raised by other tribals regarding the ST status demand of the majority Manipuri community. The aim should be to find common ground and build consensus on these contentious matters.

3. Autonomous Territorial Councils: Consider the establishment of autonomous territorial councils in Manipur to ensure greater representation and self-governance for different communities. These councils can be empowered to make decisions on local matters, including land and resource distribution, cultural preservation, and economic development, within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

4. Resource Allocation and Development: Implement fair and transparent mechanisms for resource al-

location and development projects in Manipur. This should address the concerns of all communities and ensure equitable distribution of benefits, thereby mitigating tensions arising from perceived inequalities. The government can prioritize infrastructural development, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and job opportunities across all regions of Manipur.

5. Constitutional Safeguards and Legal Framework: Review and strengthen the constitutional safeguards and legal framework to protect the rights and interests of all communities in Manipur. This should include provisions to safeguard the land rights of indigenous communities, protect cultural identities, and ensure equal opportunities for socio-economic development. Engage legal experts, community leaders, and representatives from all communities to ensure a fair and inclusive legal framework.

6. Confidence-Building Measures: Implement confidence-building measures to foster trust and goodwill among the communities. This can include cultural exchange programs, sports events, joint development projects, and initia-

tives promoting inter-community dialogue and understanding. Encouraging people-to-people interactions can help break down barriers and build bridges between communities.

7. Disarmament and Rehabilitation:

Launch comprehensive disarmament programs to encourage the surrender and rehabilitation of armed groups in Manipur. Provide vocational training, skill development, and livelihood opportunities for former militants to facilitate their reintegration into society. This step can help reduce violence, create a conducive environment for dialogue, and restore peace and stability.

8. Sustained Engagement and Monitoring:

The Government of India should commit to sustained engagement in the peace process, providing the necessary resources, expertise, and support to ensure its success. Regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms should be established to assess the progress made and identify any challenges or emerging issues that require attention. By the way, the imposition of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur at this hour may not be a viable solution

Water wars: The new normal?

parched eastern regions, an accusation denied by the Taliban. China’s Xinhua news agency reported that Iranian MP Hossein-Ali Shahriari, who represents Zahidan, the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan province, charged the Taliban government in Afghanistan with stopping up the flow of the Helmand River and storing extra water in the Kamal Khan Dam and other reservoirs. He complained that the Afghans have recently built new dams that are storing water that would otherwise have flowed to Iran. Though this development might be a shocking news to many, however this is not a new phenomenon but was bound to happen not just between Iran and Afghanistan but amongst other countries too.

Journalist Fatemeh Aman wrote a good summary of this conflict for the Atlantic Council, noting that drought and climate change have exacerbated the tensions over water sharing.

Both countries have built dams on the Helmand and irrigated off it, often to raise water-hungry crops not suitable to this arid environment. Fatemeh noted that Helmand is the longest river

in Afghanistan, constituting over 40 per cent of Afghanistan’s surface water. With 95 per cent of the Helmand located in Afghanistan, it is a critical source of livelihood for the country’s southern and southwestern provinces. The river further flows into Iran’s arid southwest to feed the Hamoun wetlands on the Iranian side and lakes on the Afghan side, but damming, irrigation, and drought have partially dried these up, creating conditions for toxic dust clouds.

As per environmentalists, Iran and Afghanistan are projected to heat up faster than the world average, twice as fast, in fact. Already, poor water management and extra heat have had a devastating effect on the Helmand basin. Extra heat dries out the soil and contributes to more intense and more frequent droughts. It also causes greater and more rapid evaporation of water from lakes and rivers.

The water resources are critical for people living in the increasingly droughtprone Sistan and Baluchestan region; in addition the Sistan wetland ecosystem also supports flamingos, pelicans, and other migra-

tory birds. And while the history of conflict over the Helmand River is long, the scenario is similar to conflicts over water in other regions of the world. Many social scientists foresee water wars as a result. This border clash is a small omen of bigger conflicts to come.

Tensions between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the latter’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and Blue Nile River resources haven’t been resolved in years, with both Egypt and Ethiopia threatening a military response at various points. Last year, Russian troops destroyed a Dnieper River dam that diverted water away from Crimea and into Ukraine. Armed groups in Mali, Somalia and beyond destroyed water infrastructure needed by civilians. Mexico, Chile, Israel and Palestine, Kenya and Peru - the Water Conflict Chronology database lists hundreds of conflicts over water in the modern era, as well as across history.

Journal Sustainability Times quoting UN Statistical Division’s data pertaining to 2019, reports that the number of water conflicts by different regions globally as of

Creator God. In Jeremiah 17: 5,6 “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.” Thus, the Scripture is clear that how wealthy and how powerful a human authority may be, the Christians are taught never to worship such earthly or heavenly authority except the Living God Jehovah. No known power or authority can be equated with Jehovah, the Creator, Sustainer and Deliverer of all the creations. Whereas, God has promised blessing if we trust Him. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its root by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7, 8. May God deliver His believers from the clutches of the lust of the eyes, of the lust of the flesh and of the pride of life.

Z. Lohe

to the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga issues. The NRC is a complex process that requires extensive documentation and verification of citizenship, which can lead to exclusion and further exacerbate existing tensions. Instead, it is advisable to focus on dialogue, understanding, and inclusive measures to address the concerns of different communities. Regarding the indigenous status, it is a complex and sensitive matter. Certain communities claimed that a certain community is not indigenous. Whether or not, it often involves historical, cultural, and socio-political factors. In Manipur, where different communities have varying perspectives on indigenous identity, achieving consensus on the indigenous status may be challenging. It is crucial for the Government of India to engage with all stakeholders, including community leaders, civil society organizations, and political representatives, to develop a comprehensive roadmap for peace in Manipur. This process will require patience, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to addressing the concerns and aspirations of all communities involved.

Mathew Rongmei

April 2022 runs up to more than 1100 conflicts. Environmentalist Laureen Fagan in her report for Sustainability

Times further quoted Dr. Peter Gleick, co-founder of the Pacific Institute in the US and author of The Three Ages of Water, as warning that the frequency of water-related conflicts has grown in the past two decades. That’s due to violence in the Middle East, growing disputes during severe droughts over access to water in regions like Indian subcontinent and ethnic and community confrontations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Fagan further referred to a February 2023 paper on the database, co-authored by Shimabuku and published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, saying that it’s the uneven access to fresh water around the world that makes it a strategic priority during conflict, as is the case along the Iran-Afghanistan border. Gleick and Morgan are of the view that social, economic, and political challenges associated with freshwater resources pose a variety of severe risks to communities around the world, from water-related diseases, to crop failures, to

ecological destruction, to actual violence, the risks and incidences of water-related conflicts in recent years, are on the rise, and the factors driving such violence appear to be worsening. We need to understand the root causes of water conflicts and more effective strategies for reducing their probability and consequences. Increasing tensions over water resources point out to the emergence of a new dimension to the global geopolitics, adding to the regional and neighbourly rivalries. Now indeed the time seems to be apt to work cohesively to find a collective solution to the global demand & supply and sharing of water resources, besides taking a conscious, serious and determined approach to care more for our environment instead of just hollow talks, which seem to have become the trend of most global environmental agencies and plans. If indeed we do not act even now, then it may be too late when the real wars due to scarce water resources start erupting across the globe.

Asad Mirza (The writer is a delhibased senior political commentator.)

“In life you need either inspiration or desperation.”

~ Tony Robbins

Digital

India bill to ban 11 types of content: Rajeev

NEW DELHI, JUN 9

(AGENCIES): Rajeev Chandrasekhar, India’s Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), has announced plans for new legislation that will aim to strictly regulate the internet and combat new cybercrimes in the country. Consultations on the Digital India Bill will begin this month with stakeholders and the new Digital Personal Data Protection Bill will be presented in parliament soon, he told NDTV.

The Digital India Bill is expected to address a variety of online safety issues, including combating child sexual abuse material, religious incitement material, patent violation material, and misinformation on social media platforms. “There are 11 things that we don’t want on social mediachild sexual abuse material, religious incitement material, patent violation material, misinformation, and things like that,” he said. The full

Shinde says govt has taken serious note of threat to Pawar

few days, the chief minister said, deliberate attempts are being made to create tension in the state.

Chandrasekhar said, highlighting the rapid transformation India has undergone in the digital domain. “Today, 85 crore people in the country are connected to the Internet. Today, we have become the largest connected country in the world. By 2025, this number will grow to 120 crore.”

Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ to rapidly intensify: IMD

list of 11 t hings includes porn, content harmful for children, copyright infringement, misleading content, impersonation, content deemed against India’s unity and integrity, computer malware, banned online games, and anything else that is illegal. These types of content are currently listed in the last update of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, but the Digital India Bill will give the government legal teeth to hold platforms accountable for hosting such content.

“In 2014, we were the most digitally unconnected country in the world,”

Cong to fight WB panchayat polls in alliance with CPI(M)

KOLKATA, JUN 9 (PTI): West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Friday announced that his party will fight the upcoming panchayat elections in the state in an alliance with the CPI(M).

Addressing a press conference, Chowdhury said he has directed Congress workers to extend all cooperation to the CPI(M) in fighting the July 8 polls. “The Congress and the CPI(M) will fight the panchayat elections together. We have already

directed our party workers to extend all forms of support to the CPI(M) in this regard,” he said.

Chowdhury’s comments came as the submission of nominations for the elections to around 75,000 seats in the three-tier Panchayati Raj system began.

It will continue till June 15.

The CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Congress fought the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections in West Bengal together, besides the Tripura polls earlier this year.

CP seeks cooperation...

(From p-1)

She said people should respect each other’s rights and called for working together hand-in-hand to find a solution to the problem, and not create another problem. She also alleged that some police personnel’s main motive was to extort money or impose fines on the drug users, instead of providing them proper treatment. Delivering a short speech on the rights of HIV-infected persons and sex workers, PFO, Dimapur, Annalamented that such persons were ill-treated by the society.

She urged the gathering to collectively strive to do away with the stigma, while appealing not to discriminate the HIV-infected persons. “We should find ways on how to solve the problem, instead of victimising the victim,” she stressed.

Dwelling on the rights

of the accused or convicted people, panel lawyer, DLSA, Yambemo Ngullie spoke on the various rights of such persons, emphasising that a person could not be described as an accused unless proven guilty.

He reminded the gathering that instead of putting drug addicts in jails, they should be kept at rehab centresto help them overcome their addiction.

He appealed to the electronic media to blur the face of any accused or drug user to hide his identity as an individual, as per Supreme Court guidelines.

Ngullie stressed that instead of stigmatising the drug users, people should ask the State government to come up with adequate rehabilitation centres. Representatives from several civil society organisations attended the meeting.

MOruNg B OyS HOStEl

Address-Sub

Chandrasekhar blamed the previous UPA government for the current challenges, which he said stemmed from the amendments to the IT Act in 2008 that granted immunity to big tech and social media companies. “We inherited a toxic internet system in 2014,” he said.

The proposed Digital India Bill is a part of the government’s initiatives to make the internet open, and safe, and to protect the digital citizen, the government has said. “Today India is also the largest connected country in the world, and we want to make India the safest and most trusted country,” Chandrasekhar added.

MUMBAI, JUN 9 (PTI):

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said his government has taken serious note of the death threat to NCP chief Sharad Pawar and he has given instructions for a probe. His deputy Devendra Fadnavis said such threats will not be tolerated.

While Mumbai police registered a first information report (FIR) over the threat, Pune cops reviewed security at Pawar’s residence in Shivajinagar area of the city.

Calling Pawar a “senior respected leader”, Shinde said in a statement that all necessary precautions will be taken for his security. Police authorities have been asked to beef up Pawar’s security if needed, the CM said. For the past

“Ever since the Supreme Court verdict (in Shiv Sena-related issues), some people are upset due to which attempts are being made to spoil the atmosphere by glorifying Aurangazeb and Tipu Sultan,” said the statement.

It added, “These attempts will be thwarted. We will foil the conspiracy to create disturbances for selfish political interests.”

NCP leaders said their 82-year-old party president received a message on social media that read “he will meet the same fate as (Narendra) Dabholkar soon”. Narendra Dabholkar, who fought against superstitious beliefs, was shot dead in Pune in August 2013.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, said he had asked police to take action, asserting that the government will not tolerate such threats.

Over 11 pc Indians Diabetic, 36 pc have Hypertension: Lancet

(From p-1) Punjab (51.8%) had the highest prevalence of hypertension while Meghalaya (24.3%) had the highest burden, the researchers said. “The steep increase in NCDs can be attributed mostly to the lifestyle choices of people such as diet, physical activity, stress levels etc. The positive news is that interventions can be used to curb the trend. Our study has multiple implications for the planning and provision of health care in India,” Dr. R. M. Anjana, President, MDRF, told PTI. “The diabetes epidemic in India is in transition, with some states having already reached their peak rates while others are just getting started. These states may see an increase in prevalence over the next 3-5 years before plateauing,” Anjana, lead author of the study, said.

The results, assessing the burden of NCDs across the states, are based on a survey of 1,13,043 (over 1.1akh) people

(33,537 urban and 79,506 rural residents), in 31 states and Union Territories in the coun-

try, between 2008 and 2020. The survey also showed that an alarming 81.2% have dyslipidaemia -- the imbalance of lipids such as cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, (LDL-C), triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). All metabolic NCDs except prediabetes were more frequent in urban than rural areas. In many states with a lower human development index, the ratio of diabetes to prediabetes was less than 1. “Our study results have multiple implications for the planning and provision of health care in India,” said V. Mohan, Chairman, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) and MDRF. “State governments in India, who are primarily in charge of providing healthcare in their respective regions, will be especially interested in the detailed state-level data on these NCDs as it will allow them to develop evidence-based interventions to successfully halt the progression of NCDs and manage their complications, Mohan, senior author of the study, said in a statement.

NEW DELHI, JUN 9 (IANS): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said that cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ is set to intensify in the next 36 hours and will be heading north-northwestwards in the next three days.

It also said that the Southwest monsoon is likely to advance into the remaining parts of Kerala and additional areas of the southern peninsula within the next two days.

“The very severe cyclonic storm ‘Biparjoy’ (pronounced ‘Biporjoy’) over east central Arabian Sea moved nearly north eastward with a speed of 13 kmph during past sixhours and lay centered at 2.30 p.m. on June 9 over the same region near latitude 15.3 degrees North and longitude 66.9 degrees East, about 740 km west of Goa, 750 km west-southwest of Mumbai, 760 km southsouthwest of Porbandar and 1,070 km south of Karachi,” the IMD said in a statement.

“It would intensify further gradually during next 36 hours and move nearly north-northeast wards

during next 48 hours and north-northwestwards during subsequent three days,” it said.

The IMD further predicted that along and of the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts, squally wind speed, reaching 35-45 kmph and gusting to 55 kmph, is likely to prevail on June 10 and likely to increase to 40-50 kmph and gusting to 60 kmph on June 11, 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph during June 12, and 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph June 13 and 14.

“Sea condition is likely to be rough on June 10 and

likely to become rough to very rough during June 11 to 14,” it said. On the monsoon, the IMD said: “In the coming 24 hours, the monsoon is expected to progress into more regions of the central Arabian Sea, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and additional areas of southwest, central, and northeast Bay of Bengal. It is also predicted to reach the remaining parts of Kerala, followed by the northeastern states and certain parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim in the subsequent two days.”

Govt to provide 2.77 L private jobs: CM Mann

CHANDIGARH, JUN 9 (PTI): Punjab

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that after giving more than 29,000 government jobs to youths in the last one year, the state government will now ensure 2.77 lakh jobs to them in the private sector.

Mann said it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that the AAP government has so far provided more than 29,000 jobs to the youths in various departments of the state government. He claimed that it is a record as none of the previous governments

have given so many jobs to youths, especially in the first year of their tenure. According to an official statement, Mann said that merit and transparency have been the twin pillars on the basis of which job opportunities have been given to the youths across the state. The state government is making strenuous efforts to generate new jobs in the private sector also, he said. “So far, due to the massive efforts made by the state government, an investment worth around Rs 48,000 cr has been roped in for Punjab,” Mann said.

JOB VACANCIES

The Nagamaiki Smallholder Pig Producer Company Pvt. Limited is looking for committed Professionals to fill the following positions.

Chief Executive Officer (1 Post)

Educational Qualification: MBA/ Masters in Rural Development/ Agriculture Marketing/ Agri Business Management or in such other related areas

Job Profile: Responsible for overall operation and management of the Producer Company (legal and statutory compliances, FPO administration, human resource & financial and business management etc.). Develop organizational and business goals, strategies, policies and set annual business targets and achieve milestones. Establish profitable business enterprises

Work experience: Minimum 5 years’ experience in the domain of rural livelihoods/marketing and business development

Job posting: Kohima with extensive field work and travel in all the districts of the state

Application Procedures: Qualified candidates only should apply. Please send applications (CV and statement of interest and post Applied for) to nagamaikippc@gmail.com by June 16, 2023.

“Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for next stage of the selection process” K - 1365/23(A)

JOB VACANCy

The North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA) is looking for Committed professionals for immediate Recruitment.

1. Field Coordinator (3 Posts)

Job Profile: Mobilize and work with farmers to increase productivity; marketing support, intensive field extension, maintenance of field registers, activity tracking, data collection and reporting.

Education qualification: BA/BSc/MSW

Work Experience: Minimum 2 Years in implementing rural livelihood projects; experience of community outreach and mobilization, data collection, documentation.

Job Posting: 2 positions for Pungro, Kiphire district and 1 position for Kohima with frequent travel to Tseminyu district.

2. Project Associate (1 Post)

Job Profile: Work with small and marginal farmers; dissemination and monitoring of recommended package of practices, Integrated Pest and Disease Management; farmers field school; on-farm trials; promotion of sustainable farming practices; data management and donor reporting.

Educational Qualification: B.Sc./MSc (Agriculture/ Horticulture)

Work Experience: Minimum 2 Years in Agriculture related field

Job posting: Kohima, Nagaland with extensive field work and travel across the state

Application procedures: Detailed CV should be sent to jobs.nagaland@neida.org.in by 16 June, 2023 “Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process” K-1365/23(B)

JOB VACANCy

Under the Centrally sponsored scheme “Central Sector for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producers Organisation (FPOs)” for Nagaland under Kiphire, Kohima, Tseminyu and Phek districts. FPOs in these selected districts are looking for committed Professionals on contractual basis to fill the following posts for Farmer Producer Organisation:

Chief Executive Officers (2 Positions- one each for Botsa & Tseminyu block)

1. Desirable minimum 1 year in the domain of rural livelihoods/marketing and business development

2. Job Profile: Business Development of Farmer Producer Organizations, Value Chain development in agriculture and allied sector, develop business models, business and marketing plans for Agri business and execute them

3. Graduate in agriculture / agriculture marketing / agri-business management or BBA/MSW or equivalent. 10+2 and preferably diploma in agriculture / agriculture marketing / agri-business management or in such other related areas.

4. Preference will be given to candidate from the particular district (Kohima & Tseminyu district)

Accountants (4 Positions- one each for Jakhama, Botsa, Pfutsero, Chizami and Khongsa block)

1. Desirable minimum 1 years’ experience in accounting

2. Job Profile: Ensure maintenance of appropriate organization internal controls and financial procedures; analyse financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner.

3. Educational qualification of 10+2 with Mathematics as a compulsory subject or alternatively with Commerce or Accountancy background.

Satellite image shows the location of Cyclone Biparjoy in the Arabian Sea, on Friday. (PTI)

Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Eknath Shinde

Soaring air fares play spoiler for family holidays

LUCKNOW, JUN 9

(IANS): Soaring air fares to various prime tourist destinations are now making people cancel holiday plans this summer.

Air fares to Srinagar, Goa, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Kolkata, Dehradun and Kathmandu have soared beyond the reach of middle-class families and record cancellations have taken place in the past one week.

“We had planned to visit Srinagar in mid-June but the air fares are now beyond our reach. The one-way air fares are between Rs 11,000 and Rs 18,000 and I cannot afford it for my family of five. I am told that taxis in Srinagar have also increased their rates,” said Rajeshwar Singh, an executive in a telecom company.

With one-way Lucknow-Dehradun fares ranging between Rs 8,000 to 11,000, several people have opted for road travel to Uttarakhand.

“We went to Muk -

Plea for reservation of seats for NE students at NITTE University

DIIMAPUR, JUN 9

(NPN): Indian National Fellowship Centre (INFC) has appealed to the vice chancellor, NITTE University, Mangaluru, Karnataka to reserve seat for the tribal students of the Northeast under “NITTE Namaste programme”.

Naga MLAs from Manipur meet HM

teshwar in Uttarakhand but could not get any hotel. For the first time, people are seeing traffic jams in this small town. We could stay for just two days in a homestay and then came back,” said Sumit Agarwal, a software techie.

“The rising air fares have been a major spoiler this season. A one-way ticket to Kathmandu costs between Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000. How can any middle-class family be expected to bear the cost of this holiday? We searched for other options, including

Goa but could not afford a family trip,” said Prem Swarup, a retired government employee.

Travel and tour operators also admit that there have been a record number of cancellations due to soaring prices in the industry. Even hotel tariffs have soared beyond the reach of the common man.

Vivek Kumar, who works in a travel agency, said, “The air tariffs are coming down in July but by then schools will reopen and family holidays cannot be planned.”

In an appeal letter to VC of NITTE University, coordinator Dr. N.M. Kithan former director Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland and Dr. Lozhoho Khanyo INFC Nagaland said that with an aim to uplift the social economic and education, INFC has been working with various tribals students of the Northeastern states. It informed that the University at the initia-

tive of former Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya, the founder trustee of INFC, NITEE University under NAMASTE programme, have agreed to reserve seats, which has benefitted tribal students of the Northeast and many of them had received higher education. In this connection, INFC has proposed the following courses for the session 202324 to be reserved (at least 5 seats each). The courses were GMM, PB B.Sc, M.Sc Nursing, B.Sc (Hons) biomedical science, D. Pharm, B. Pharm, M. Pharm (Pharmaceutical Chemistry), B.Sc (Medical lab technology), B. Sc Radiation therapy technology (BMRT) and BA (Hons) media and communication.

Rupee rises 4 paise to close at 82.47 against USD

MUMBAI, JUN 9 (PTI): The rupee appreciated by 4 paise to close at 82.47 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday amid foreign fund inflows. Forex traders said a strong dollar overseas and weak sentiment in domestic equities capped the gains in the domestic currency. At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened at 82.49 against the dollar and finally settled at 82.47 (provisional), up 4 paise from its previous close. During the session, it touched a peak of 82.41 and a low of 82.50 against the greenback.

Ward Chairmen Union, Peren Town petitions CM

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN): The Ward Chairmen Union, Peren Town has alleged that as the road project Km 120.800 to Km 123.380 (NH-129A Package-1 (Peren Town) was nearing completion, contractor M/s Mayasheel Construction and JSP Projects Pvt Ltd (JV) had withdrawn most of the machineries and manpower.

In a joint representation to chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Peren town head GB Itingtiebe, PTWWO president Pelingrangle, PTYO president Ngautube Chamlak and PTWCU president Gaigwang Hegeu termed this as most alarming because while construction of 2.5 km of Peren town stretch from design Km 120+800 to Km 123+380 had not even started, the message it had conveyed was a matter of grave concern. As there was no progress on the matter, they said there was apprehension that public interest

and desire to have good wide roads and the dream of having good connectivity with neighbouring States of Manipur and Assam would be sabotaged and even abandoned.

They asserted that the public who were also stakeholders in the project had every right to know the status because it concerned them and that every decision taken unilaterally by the State government or National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd NHIDCL would be uncalled for and tantamount to injustice and deprivation of rights and privileges. They said this would be a direct challenge to the public and the government that in its wisdom and endeavour had granted the national highway.

They pointed out that people had sacrificed their lands despite being uncompensated and despite knowing the fact that owners of land and property owners were

compensated for NH-129A starting from Maram in Manipur till Tepuiki river in Nagaland-Manipur border. They said the owners had lost their land forever for the desire to have good road connectivity.

They alleged that structures that were brought down for construction of NH-129A from Tepuiki river (Nagaland-Manipur boundary and starting point of Package 1) before and after the town stretch had not been compensated till date.

They pointed out that despite the matter having been brought up in public domain on numerous occasions by the affected owners, they had remained steadfast to their commitment not to let compensation issue derail timely completion of the project.

“We have intervened and paved way for dismantling and removal of these structures, despite being uncompensated. Besides, we have also contained to some

extent several issues pertaining to construction which have wide legal ramifications,” the representation stated.

As Peren town connected Manipur and there was also a proposal to connect Kohima with Lekie in Assam via Peren town, the quartet stressed that it was important that the present town road was widened to the extent possible to prevent congestions and restrictions in future.

They expressed their gratitude to the chief minister, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who laid the foundation during his visit to Peren district in 2015, and deputy chief minister TR Zeliang for heeding to their desire. They requested them that the approval so conveyed be honoured and executed without any further delay. They said they would be compelled to seek legal recourse if the issue remained unresolved.

(From p-1) The delegation further urged upon Shah that in the event of creating any separate arrangement, Naga people should be consulted in order to avoid further escalation of the current situation.

“Naga areas should not be touched because that would only create more problems,” he stated.

Newmai also revealed that the delegation requested Shah that in the event of any arrangement for the Nagas, it should be as per the ongoing peace process between the Nagas and the Central government.

He claimed that Shah had assured them that in the event of any plan for a separate administrative set-up, all three communities of Manipur – Kukis, Meiteis and Nagas – would be properly consulted.

To a query , Newmai replied that no other demands were made apart from

excluding Naga areas in case of any separate arrangements.

On the role of Naga MLAs in the crisis-hit Manipur, he asserted that Nagas were peace-loving citizens and that they had tried their best to reach out to both sides to come together and negotiate.

He also dismissed the contention that the current crisis in Manipur was part of delay tactics adopted by the Centre vis-à-vis the ongoing Naga peace process since the home minister was very much concerned over the situation. He also declined to comment whether the current Manipur crisis was related with religion but said the matter was “a very sensitive issue”.

He also denied that the Nagas have been silent on the matter by referring to a peace committee formed in trying to reach out to all communities. “We are silent in the sense that we are not siding with anyone,” he clarified.

NIPF flays Manipur violence; questions...

(From p-1) the roads and streets?

NIPF pointed out that even a seven-year-old boy (in need of medical treatment) along with his mother and aunt were burnt alive inside the ambulance they were travelling, in the presence of state security personnel.

NIPF also expressed shock at the silence of the Prime Minister over

Manipur violence, which has gone uncontrolled for over a month.

“Is this the new India which he has been talking about? Is this what the CM of Manipur vision in his mission ‘Go to Hills’ program?” NIPF questioned.

Meanwhile, NIPF has extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of all the injured

For Sale

BeSt qualitY SaNd

Rate

due to the violence.

SNIPPETS

US to announce new

$2 bn

aid to Ukraine

WASHINGTON, JUN 9 (AGENCIES): The U.S. will announce a new arms package for Ukraine valued at more than $2 billion as soon as Friday, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing administration officials, reports Reuters. The funds under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative will be heavy on air defense munitions and will help Ukraine purchase Hawk missile launchers and two types of advanced Patriot air defense missiles, the report said. 8 dead due to floods after dam collapse

Donald Trump indicted in classified documents case Sudan’s govt declares UN’s mediator in the conflict, no longer welcome

MIAMI, JUN 9 (AP): Donald Trump has been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate, a remarkable development that makes him the first former president in US history to face criminal charges by the federal government that he once oversaw.

in Ukraine

MOSCOW, JUN 9 (AGENCIES): Russianinstalled authorities in southern Ukraine on Friday reported more casualties from the flood triggered by the destruction of a key dam, and said the water could keep rising for more than a week, reports AFP. “Unfortunately, there are casualties... Their number has grown to eight people,” the Moscow-installed head of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said on Telegram. The water, which flooded 22,273 homes in 17 settlements, could “keep rising for up to ten days.”

The Justice Department was expected to make public an indictment ahead of a historic court appearance next week in the midst of a 2024 presidential campaign punctuated by criminal prosecutions in multiple states. The indictment carries unmistakably grave legal consequences, including the possibility of prison if Trump’s convicted.

But it also has enormous political implications, potentially upending a Republican presidential primary that Trump had been dominating and testing

anew the willingness of GOP voters and party leaders to stick with a now twice-indicted candidate who could face still more charges. And it sets the stage for a sensational trial centred on claims that a man once entrusted to safeguard the nation’s most closely-guarded secrets willfully, and illegally, hoarded sensitive national security information after leaving office. The Justice Department did not immediately confirm the indictment publicly. But two people fa-

miliar with the situa tion who were not authorized to discuss it publicly said that the indictment included seven criminal charges.

One of those people said Trump’s lawyers were contacted by prosecutors shortly before he announced Thursday on his Truth Social platform that he had been indicted. Within minutes of his announcement, Trump began fundraising off it for his presidential campaign. He declared his innocence in a video and repeated his familiar refrain that the investigation is a “witch hunt.”

He said he was due in court Tuesday afternoon in Miami, where a federal grand jury had been hearing testimony as recently as this week. The case adds to deepening legal jeopardy for Trump, who has already been indicted in New York and faces additional investi-

gations in Washington and Atlanta that also could lead to criminal charges. But among the various investigations he has faced, legal experts — as well as Trump’s own aides — had long seen the Mar-a-Lago probe as the most perilous threat and the one most ripe for prosecution.

Campaign aides had been bracing for the fallout since Trump’s attorneys were notified that he was the target of the investigation, assuming it was not a matter of if charges would be brought, but when.

Appearing Thursday night on CNN, Trump attorney James Trusty said the indictment includes charges of willful retention of national defence information — a crime under the Espionage Act, which regulates the handling of government secrets — obstruction, false statements and conspiracy.

Smoke from Canadian wildfire blankets Washington

CAIRO, JUN 9 (AP): The United Nations envoy to Sudan, a key mediator in the country’s brutal conflict, is no longer welcome in the African country, Sudanese authorities say. A terse statement issued by Sudan’s Foreign Ministry late on Thursday comes just weeks after the head of the country’s military, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, demanded in a letter to envoy Volker Perthes that he should be removed from his post.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has been notified that Perthes has been formally declared “persona non grata,” the Foreign Ministry said.

attempts to transition to democracy and then as relations between the military and the RSF deteriorated. Fighting exploded in April. Perthes’ native Germany condemned the announcement.

decision.

In recent months, the German diplomat has received death threats and numerous calls to resign. In his letter last month, Burhan accused Perthes of “being partisan,” and negatively contributing to prewar talks between the generals and pro-democracy groups in the weeks building up to the conflict.

Responding to these allegations, Perthes told The Associated Press that those who threatened him were marginal “extremists” and that there is a wide appreciation of UN efforts in Sudan, which has relocated its headquarters to the coastal city of Port Sudan.

Russian tourist killed in shark attack

in Egypt

CAIRO, JUN 9 (IANS):

A Russian tourist was killed in a shark attack in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Hurghada. The Consulate General of Russia in Hurghada confirmed the death of the 24-yearold man as “a result of a shark attack” on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency. The Consulate posted a warning on its Facebook page to Russian nationals currently in Hurghada to remain vigilant when they are in the sea and to strictly follow the Egyptian authorities’ instructions in terms of swimming and diving ban.

Severe flooding hits southwest China

BEIJING, JUN 9 (AGENCIES): Non-stop heavy rains lashed parts of southwest China on Friday, triggering floods in cities, engulfing roads and partially submerging buildings, reports AFP. A particularly harsh first bout of summer rains known locally as “dragon boat water” saw the city of Beihai in Guangxi log 453 millimetres on Thursday.

Downtown Washington, D.C. is seen shrouded in haze and smoke on June 8, 2023.

WASHINGTON, JUN 9 (AGENCIES): The shroud of polluted air emanating from Canadian wildfires pushed further down the Atlantic Seaboard on Thursday, blanketing Washington, D.C., in an unhealthy haze and prompting many residents of the nation’s capital to stay indoors.

Traffic was light and trains less crowded than usual as many companies in the city told employees to work from home. Some nonessential municipal services were suspended, including parks and recreation, road construction and waste collection.

T he Washington Nationals baseball team called off its home game, while the National Zoo shut down for the day. The Biden administration postponed its Pride Month event, which had been expected to be the largest celebration for LGBTQ+ people in the White House’s history.

OFFICE OF THE DIMAPUR NKONJAN CHUDI EKHUNG

DIMAPUR-787112 NAGALAND

FELICITATION

With immense pride and honour, the Dimapur Nkojan Chudi Ekhung takes pleasure to convey our heartiest congratulations to the candidates from Chudi Village who came out successful in HSLC & HSSLC examination 2023. The Ekhung would also like to extend our warmest congratulations to the following individuals for their outstanding performance and achievement in their respective fields and bringing laurels to the village community.

1. Miss Jandeno S Jami, Daughter of Mr. Subenthung Jami & Mrs. Mhonlumi Jami for securing Top 16 in HSLC Examination conducted by NBSE.

2. Miss. Epirhoni N Jami, Daughter of Mr. Nimathung Jami & Mrs. Chumbeni Jami for securing Top 18 in HSLC Examination conducted by NBSE.

3. Er. Ovunthung Jungi, Son of Mr. Rukhyo Jungi & Mrs. Mhalo Jungi, for qualifying the NPSC Examination 2022 securing the post of Secretariat Assistant (SA).

4. Mr. Lorenzo Jungi, Son of Lt. Nribemo Jungi & Mrs. Liboni Jungi, for qualifying the NPSC Examination 2022 securing the post of Secretariat Assistant (SA).

5. Dr. Renthungo Jungi, Son of Mr. Nzanbemo Jungi & Mrs. Mhonbeni Jungi, for being promoted to Assistant Registrar under Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench

6. Mr. Subenthung Jami, Son of Lt. Anyimo Jami, for being promoted to Under Secretary (US) under Nagaland Secretariat.

7. Er. Myamo Jami, Son of Lt. Orenyimo Jami & Mrs. Elizabeth Jami, for being promoted to Regional Transport Officer (RTO) under Nagaland Transport Department.

8. Dr. Joyithung Jami, Son of Mr. Renben Jami & Mrs. Lichibeni Jami, for securing the post Senior Resident, Department Of Radiology under (NIMSR)

The Ekhung prays and wishes them success in their future endeavours. May God continue to bless them all.

It was the worst case of wildfire smoke blanketing the U.S. Northeast in more than 20 years, according to private forecasting service AccuWeather. The U.S. National

Weather Service extended air quality alerts from New England to South Carolina, as well as parts of the Midwest, including Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. The smoke reached as far as Norway by Thursday, according to scientists tracking the level of particulates in Scandinavia.

Millions of Americans have been advised to stay indoors if possible to avoid respiratory issues and other health problems that could arise due to the high levels of fine particulates in the atmosphere. Government data showed air quality readings above the “hazardous” level in Washington on Thursday morning.

FELICITATION

The Valley View colony council, VVSth and VVSKK with immense pride and honour would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to er. Kiyeto Shohe who has been promoted as SDO Electrical.

We pray that our Almighty God bless him with good health, wisdom and every success in all his endeavours.

OFFICE O F T H E JAPuKonG StuDEntS' ConFEREnCE

Hq. Longchem Mokokchung: Nagaland MOTTO: "Progress and Advancement."

FELICITATION

We, the office of JKM with immense pride and honour expresses our heartiest congratulation to Miss Moanola Longchar D/o Mr. Limawapang Longchar (Lirmen) & Mrs. Tsupongtsungla Jamir (Changki) for achieving Top 1 position in the HSSLC examination 2023(NBSE) Arts stream (97.20%).

We wish her every success and God’s guidance in all her pursuit of excellence in the years ahead.

The office also takes this opportunity to congratulate students and teachers of the Government High Schools, namely:

1. Noklangsangba Government High School, Lirmen &

2. Government High School, Saring for their outstanding performance achieving 100% pass result in the HSLC exam 2023.

We extend our best wishes to all the successful candidates and wishes for God’s blessings in all their future endeavours.

Marvin Binnick, who moved to Washington from Nebraska a month ago, said watching the wildfire smoke roll into the nation’s capital from his 12th floor apartment was surreal.

Since April 15, Sudan’s military, headed by Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, have been locked in a violent power struggle that has killed more than 860 civilians, according to Sudan’s Doctors’ Syndicate which tracks civilian casualties. The actual death tally is likely to be much higher. Perthes has been a key mediator in Sudan since being appointed as special envoy in 2021, first during the country’s failed

Office Of the Sümi Community PWD, chandmari & Porterlane (PcP) Kohima Kohima: Nagaland FELiCitAtion

We the Sümi Community of PWD, Chandmari & Porterlane (PCP) Kohima would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Daniel Kiba S/o Lt. Shokiye Kiba and Mrs. Akheli Kiba for being promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, Science College Jotsoma and er. hikali t Achumi D/o Mr. Topukha Achumi and Mrs. Juvitoli Achumi for receiving Gold Medal in B.Tech. Civil from Kaziranga University. Assam. We are proud of her for her academic excellence. We also congratulate the successful students who have cleared their HSLC and HSSLC Examination 2023. We wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.

(hOKitO JAKhALU) (BOKAtO K) Chairman Secretary K-1370/23

“The international community, including the German government, continues to stand fully behind Mr. Perthes and his efforts,” said Andrea Sasse, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, in Berlin on Friday. She said Perthes will continue to do his job from Kenya, from where he is supporting efforts in Jeddah to get the warring parties to the table and secure a cease-fire.

Perthes was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, on Thursday meeting representatives from the African Union and the eightnation eastern Africa bloc known as IGAD. Neither the UN nor Perthes immediately commented on the

The conflict between the two generals has reduced Khartoum to an urban battlefield, with many districts of the city without running water or electricity. There have been reports of widespread looting and sexual violence, including the rape of women and girls in Khartoum and the western Darfur region, which have seen some of the worst fighting in the conflict. Almost all reported cases of sexual attacks were blamed on the RSF, which didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment.

Office Of the village council merangkong P.O. tuli, BPO MerangkOng-798618 Dist. MOkOkchung, nagalanD

Date: 08.06.2023 gratituDe

On 18th April 2023, a violent storm hit our village and destroyed 24 houses. In such a distress situation our honourable MLA shri. a. Pangjung Jamir, advisor, fisheries and aquatic resources, govt. of nagaland has donated Rs. 2,50,000/- for which the Village Council Merangkong would like to extend sincere appreciation and immense gratitude to him for his compassionate act. May the heavenly blessings be showered upon him continuously. sosangmanen arentoshi chairman secretary DC-722/23

Sd/- Sd/-

(N Ralamo Jungio) (Y Tsenchamo Jami) Chairman, DNCE Secretary, DNCE D P-2676/23

Sd/chairman Secretary Valley View Colony Council Valley View Colony Council

Volker Perthes

Donald Trump

Phek celebrates ‘Yuva Utsav-India@ 2047’

country was not developed as a nation. Therefore, he called upon the students to take this as a challenge reminding them that development and the dream of a developed nation depends on them.

GNF appeals NSCN (K) leadership to make peace

Correspondent

DC Phek, Kumar Ramnikant speaking at the Yuva UtsavIndia@2047 on June 8. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) Phek in collaboration with district administration Phek celebrated “Yuva UtsavIndia@ 2047” under the theme, “Panch Pran of Amrit Kaal” on June 8 at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Phek. The “Yuva Utsava-India@2047” was launched by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and celebrated through its premier youth organization, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) across the country.

According to a DIPR report, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Phek, Kumar Ramnikant, while exhorting the students on “Yuva Utsav-India@ 2047”, said the timeline from 2022 -2047 has been taken as a challenge to see what India would be like after 25 years.

Dwelling the theme “Panch Pran of Amrit Kaal”, he said variation of providing good opportunities like education, job facilities between cities, the indifference of states performance, lack of communication facilities in parts of the country indicates that the

Ramnikant also asked them students to do away with the “colonial mindsets” but to take pride in one’s heritage and carry the legacy to the next generation. He called for internal unity and a sense of responsibility as a citizen to contribute to society and towards the country for its growth.

At the programme, DYO, NYK Phek, P. Rebec ca Rangnamei also highlighted the students on “Yuva Utsav-India@ 2047”, “Panch Pran of Amrit Kaal’ and the goals of developed India. GHSS Phek, viceprincipal, Kote-u Sekhami delivered the welcome address while psychologist, DTCC, NTCP District Hospital Phek, Neiweii Losou Kotso spoke on the effects of tobacco usage. The programme was chaired by Khrukulu Rhakho, and the winners of the various categories of competition were felicitated.

DIMAPUR: Global Naga Forum (GNF) has expressed concern over the “deadly infighting” within the Yung Aung-led NSCN (K) and appealed to the leadership at General Headquarters (GHQ) and Central Headquarters (CHQ) to cease the violence and make peace for the sake of the Nagas in Myanmar and for the greater good of the Nagas as a whole.

On June 5, 2023, there was report of exchange of fire between members of NSCN (K) at CHQ and those at GHQ. Followi ng the incident, Naga Army comprising of GHQ Brigade (II), Tangshang area, Brigade (III), Konyak Region, Wancho Region, Leinong Region “unanimously” declared not to work under the leadership of Yung Aung starting June 6, 2023.

GNF through its media cell stated that Naga people have had too much division and infighting for too long. The forum said it was not in a position to dismiss the reason for the internal clash, which it said “must be very serious”. GNF, however, said appealed to the leadership of GHQ and CHQ to halt the fighting and give themselves some time to reflect

on the common mission that brought them together in the first place.

The forum said Naga people were grateful for their dedication to the Naga cause for justice and human rights. However, GNF said that killing one another undermined and completely defeated the cause. The forum said that NSCN (K) leadership knew better about the hardships of Nagas in Myanmar. “Intolerable material and political hardships that seem endless: total economic stagnation, absence of infrastructure, lack of basic medical facilities, resulting in extreme poverty, infant mortality, food insecurity, and so on.” GNF stated.

And on top of those, GNF said Nagas in Myanmar faced exploitation and repression from the military junta. “The point is Nagas in Myanmar need all the help they can get. At the very least, both NPGs and CSOs need to make sure we don’t add to their sufferings,” GNF added.

Meanwhile, GNF has appreciated the goodwill efforts made by the Eastern Naga civil society organizations (KUM, NSO, ENSA, and the Naga Yuya) to prevent the problem from escalating.

KOHIMA, JUN 9 (NPN):

All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organization (AIFUCTO) president, Prof. Kesab Bhattacharya termed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as flawed and alleged that the implementation of the NEP will lead to, “survival of the richest and not the fittest.”

Prof. Bhattacharya said this while speaking at the two-day National Executive Meeting (NEC) and National Seminar of All India Federation of University & College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO) at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, here on Friday.

The event was jointly organised by AIFUCTO and All Nagaland Government College Teachers’ Association (ANGCTA) in collaboration with Kohima Science College Teachers’ Association (KSCTA).

Prof. Battacharya also said the NEP proposed three Cs – centralization, commercialization and communication – in spite of the demands of almost all democratic organizations that the education system should be a combination of three Es - equity, excellence, and education for all. He said this was the main reason why the

Drawing competition organized for PwDs

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JUN 9

(NPN): As part of ‘Jan Bhagidari’, an exclusive drawing competition was organised for person with disabilities (PwDs), at Deaf Biblical Ministry (DBM), Naharbari, Dimapur on Friday.

The event was organised by department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India Ministry of Labour and Employment (DGE) National Career Service Center for Differently Abled Dimapur, and co – sponsored by SD Jain charitable clinic secretary Narendra Jain. Around 60 skill trainees participated in the event and a separate competition was conducted for visually challenged trainees and other category of (Hearing & Orthopedically) challenged trainees.

Judges for the competition were principal DBM Christina Walling, employment officer Kahoto K Zhimomi and young professional NCS Yapangsangla Longkumer.

Speaking on the occasion as guest of honor, State Commissioner for PwDs, Diethono Nakhro emphasised that Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) encompassed all aspects of life and ensured that PwDs have access to quality education.

She lamented that the provision of equal opportunities for PwDs as equal citizens

Committee for checking illegal business activities

DIMAPUR: Deputy Commissioner Phek, Kumar Ramnikant has informed that in the interest of public service, a committee to check and inspect illegal business activities in Phek town has been constituted with the following respective department officers by designations:-

The committee will be headed by ADC Phek as chairman and all SP, Asst. Drugs Controller, Asst. Controller, LMCP and PDCCI president Phek as members.

It stated that the Committee will conduct checking on expired products, illegal and banned substances, weight & measures, etc.

was something that has not been guaranteed historically, and even to this day there were so many barriers and obstacles that prevent disabled people from living full and active lives. She admitted that the society has architectural and comm unication barriers, but the biggest among the barriers was attitudinal –the negative attitude that most people have towards disability and people living with disabilities.

She said stereotyping, stigma, and discrimination were the challenges PwDs face every day and these kinds of attitudes was the basis of all other barriers that lead to exclusion of persons with disabilities.

Nakhro, mentioned that under the Rights of PwDs Act 2016, several

provisions to safeguard the rights of PwDs have been laid down and ensure their full and effective participation and inclusion in society. She claimed that in Nagaland, there were huge neglect in disability sector for which it lacked behind in so many ways, such as rehabilitation services, educational services, disability professionals. However, she said, changes were taking place in the state, where the disability movement has

FELICITATION

grown, public awareness has improved, state government were also responsive and various laws have been implemented. She further acknowledged Deaf Biblical Ministry for their commitment and dedication for the disabled community, particularly the deaf community, noting that the impact of their work were evident in the lives they have touched

within the deaf community. Earlier, the programme was chaired by young professional Yapangsangla Longkumer, invocation by Rev. Yanger Walling, welcome address by Asst. Director NCSCDA Dimapur Dr. T. Mohan, special address by district employment officer, Gideon L Sumi and secretary, SD Jain charitable clinic Narendra Jain.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF RETIREMENT FROM THE INDIAN ARMY

AIFUCTO was against NEP 2020. He pointed out that this new policy was proposed in the month of July 2020 when Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak.

He further said that new policy was well drafted and lucid, but when read between the lines, the policy was going to be a dangerous.

He further said the NEP aims to achieve gross enrolment of almost 50 per cent by 2035 for which huge financial expenditure is required.

Battacharya asserted that AIFUCTO would give its best to intervene and make necessary changes in the NEP 2020 and avert the potential harm it was about to cause.

Sharing the keynote address, general secretary, AIFUCTO, Prof Arun Kumar pointed out the reasons why AIFUCTO was opposing NEP-2020. Kumar said it was against, basic structure of the constitution.

“The NEP-2020 is the only education policy since independence that has neither been subjected to public debate nor placed before the departmental parliamentary committee on education” he said and added that it was approved merely by the internal process of cabinet approval.

A short presentation on teacher’s movement in North East India, was given by

national secretary, NE Zone, Prof M Lokendro Singh. Earlier, the programme was chaired by KSCTA president, Dr Richard Dzüvichü who also gave the opening remark and welcome note.

A special number was presented by Chumbeno Ezung on behalf of Kohima Science College Students while students of Kohima College Kohima presented a traditional song.

Later at a press conference, Prof Arun Kumar said AIFUCTO, being the largest teachers’ organisation in the world would be taking up some of the crucial issues pertaining to teachers’ welfare and the NEP-2020 during the two-day event. He disclosed that AIFUCTO would be organising various dharnas across the country to attract the attention of government of India since the latter had been acting in such a way which was disastrous to the unity of the nation.

He added that the organisation was also pursuing for reverting to the old pension scheme as the new pension scheme was not beneficial for the employees.

Joining the discussion, Prof Kesab Battacharya said AIFUCTO has viewed the appointment of teachers seriously and that it would be writing to the state government in this regard.

OFFICE OF THE KUSONG THSAMVE HOIKAM (Kusong Students’ Union) P.O. Noklak-798626, Dist. Noklak : Nagaland. Motto:- “Fight for victory” FELICITATION

The office of the Kusong Thsamve Hoikam (KTH) is overwhelmed and delighted with the enormous achievement of Miss Aliu T Daughter of Late. Tsumang, securing top 10 at the recently declared HSLC examination 2023 from St. John’s Hr. Sec School, Tuensang.

The union conveys heartfelt congratulations for the spectacular achievement and wishes her the best in her future endeavors.

Miss Aliu T.

SD/- SD/PUTHAN K CHONGLIU M (President, KTH.) (General Secy. KTH)

We the Phüsachodümi Students’ Union & Phüsachodümi Youth Society takes immense pride to convey our heartfelt congratulations to Miss Vekhonielü Cürhah for winning Bronze Medal in UWW Asian Belt Wrestling Championship 2023 and Miss Velü Thuluo for securing top 15 in HSLC 2023.

We also would like to congratulate the teaching Staff and Faculties of Govt. High School Phüsachodü for achieving cent percent pass percentage. PSU & PYS further congratulate all the successful students of HSLC & HSSLC 2023 for their outstanding achievements and convey best wishes in their future endeavors.

Mr. Shenieta Cürhah Mr. Cüsato Rüho President, PSU President, PYS

Miss Vekhonielü Cürhah Miss. Velü Thuluo K

JANABHAGIDARI RALLY AT KV KOHIMA

MR. K. LONGRINO (DIBUIA)

Thanking our God Almighty for bringing you this far in good health. You have retired from work but not from life.

Loving wife, children, grandchildren and in-laws

OFFICE OF THE AONOKPU SENSO MUNGDANG

H.Q.

Kohima, 09.06.2023

A rally was organised at KV Kohima, Nagaland dated 09.06.2023 in connection of JANABHAGIDARI EVENTS. Students of the Vidyalaya participated actively, enthusiastically 7 echoed slogans. Students rallied in neighboring colonies making aware people about the ongoing G20 Presidency & FLN.

A District Level Workshop is to be held on the occasion of G20 4th Education Working Group Meeting, Pune, Maharashtra on the topic, “Awareness About G20 Presidency Especially Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)” at KV Kohima, Nagaland on 13th June 2023, Tuesday.

DC-720/23

The Aonokpu Senso Mungdang would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Miss Sashienla A. Longchar, D/o Lt Imyulangba Longchar & Lt. Akokla for securing 98 % Marks in Class 12 Science CBSE Examination 2023. We are immensely proud of your achievement and wishing you the best in all your future endeavours.

Drawing compeition at DMB, Naharbari. (NP)

FIH Pro League: Indian men down Argentina 3-0

EINDHOVEN, JUN 9

(IANS): A superb secondhalf performance during which skipper Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas and Abhishek scored a goal apiece helped India defeat Argentina 3-0 in the men’s FIH Hockey Pro League and climb back to the top of the points table.

India had slipped to the second spot after losing a couple of matches in London before coming back strongly to beat Belgium (5-1) and Great Britain 4-2 via a shoot-out. They started the Netherlands run with a 1-4 defeat here on Wednesday.

On Thursday, India held the advantage in the first half and created a few chances but could not score a goal.

Things turned in their favour as after a goalless first half, India earned their first penalty corner of the match in the third quarter with captain Harmanpreet Singh producing a powerful drag into the bottom right corner to finally break the deadlock.

With that, Harmanpreet extended his lead at the top of the scoring chart to nine goals, with 18 in the tournament so far.

Harmanpreet was on the bench when India were

awarded their next penalty corner. The trap wasn’t a good one, but Amit Rohidas managed to pick up the bobbling ball nonetheless and drilled a great drag flick into the top left of the goal.

BAI announces squad for Badminton Asia Junior Championships

NEW DELHI, JUN 9

(IANS): Talented players

like Tara Shah and Ayush Shetty emerged as India’s main hopes as the Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Friday announced the Indian junior squad for next month’s Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2023. The continental championships will take place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from July 7-16. Tara Shah has demonstrated exceptional prowess in the girls’ singles section, capturing attention with her skilful play and determination.

Currently ranked 7th in the girls’ singles category in the BWF rankings, Tara Shah is a force to be reckoned with. Her outstanding performance and world ranking further solidified her position as a key player in the team.

Ayush Shetty also secured his spot in the boys’ singles category. With the current world ranking of 20 in men’s singles in the BWF rankings and an impressive second position in the BAI rankings, Ayush brings a wealth of experience to the team. His consistent performances make him a valuable asset for the junior side.

Lakshya Sharma and S. Rakshitha Sree also proved their mettle during the trials,

securing the first position in the boys’ singles and girls’ singles categories respectively. They will be looking to be among the medals at the prestigious tournament.

Nicholas Nathan Raj and Tushar Suveer showcased impressive teamwork and coordination to secure the top spot in the boys’ doubles category. Whereas, in the girls’ doubles section, Radhika Sharma and Tanvi Sharma displayed their synchronized movements, effective communication, and strategic game plans which assured them of the first position.

Samarveer and Radhika Sharma stood first in the mixed doubles category and booked their ticket for the Championships. Their excellent understanding of each other’s game, quick reflexes, and precise shot placements make them a formidable pair.

The team comprises athletes who have showcased their remarkable performances during the Final Selection Trials (Junior) which was held at Karnal Singh Railway Stadium in New Delhi from June 4-7, 2023. These players will

KDFA to introduce grassroot football tournament

KOHIMA , JUN 8 (NPN): Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) is all set to organise grassroots football tournament in three categories for age group U-15 (7 aside), U-13 (5-aside) and U-10 (5 aside- mix gender) from June 21 to 23 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.

A press release from KDFA stated that in order to revive football, the association was focusing on grassroot level.

While hoping that the tournament would inspire young boys and girls to take up sports as a profession by providing them with quality platform in terms of exposure and competitiveness in the game. The tournament will be opened for all district with a registration fee of Rs. 2000 per team. There will be cash prize in each category for first and second position along with trophy and citation. Interested teams or club are requested to contact coach at 70050 88728.

represent India in various categories, including boys’ singles, girls’ singles, boys’ doubles, girls’ doubles, and mixed doubles.

Sanjay Mishra, Secretary, BAI, said,”The players fought hard during the trials to earn their place in the team. The Asia Junior Badminton Championships provide a platform for young players to display their talent, compete at an international level, and gain invaluable experience”.

“We will be calling the selected players for a twoweek junior national camp from 22nd June to 4th July 2023. The camp will help the players to prepare well for the championships as well as it will strengthen the team bonding which is very crucial for the success in team events like this,” he added.

India Squad:

Boys’ Singles: Lakshya Sharma, Samarveer, Ayush Shetty, Dhruv Negi

Girls’ Singles: Rakshitha

Sree S, Shriyanshi Valishetty, Tara Shah, Anmol Kharb

Boys’ Doubles: Nicholas Nathan Raj / Tushar Suveer; Divyam Arora / Mayank Rana

Girls’ Doubles: Radhika Sharma / Tanvi Sharma; Karnika Sree S / Taneesha

Singh

Mixed Doubles: Samarveer / Radhika Sharma; Arulmurugan R / Srinidhi N

ORGANISED BY NAGALAND CRICKET ASSOCIATION

As the clock wound down at the end of the match, Argentina threw all their players forward to push for a goal. But they were caught on the counterattack, Vivek Prasad and

FIFA announces new payment model for Women’s WC 2023

Abishek finding themselves two-on-one with the keeper. Vivek laid off the pass to Abishek to tap it in and seal the 3-0 victory. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who was named Player of the Match, credited their defence for the victory.

“I think we created so many chances but defensively, we defended very well as a team and the structure was playing very well so when we got the chance we scored that goal! Our focus was to keep the ball. Ball speed for us is very important so we kept the ball and let them run and once we got the good opportunities we went for it,” Harmanpreet Singh was quoted as saying by the FIH in a release.

The win took India to the top spot with 27 points from 14 matches, one ahead of Great Britain, who have played 12 matches so far. Spain (17 from 8 matches) are third with Australia (16 from 12 matches) and Argentina (13 from 13 matches) in fifth position.

US remain top in FIFA rankings before Women’s World Cup

NEW YORK, JUN 9

Holders

(AGENCIES):

United States will head into next month’s Women’s World Cup as the top-ranked team, with no changes in the top five in the latest FIFA rankings published on Friday. The U.S., who have held the top spot since June 2017, continue to lead ahead of Germany,

GENEVA, JUN 9 (IANS):

FIFA on Friday announced its new member association distribution model for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, with at least 30,000 U.S. dollars to be distributed to each player for participating in the tournament.

According to the financial allocation, each player will receive 30,000 U.S. dollars for the group stage, while the champions will have 270,000 U.S. dollars for each player, with t he prize money each player gets between round of 16 and runners-up varying from 60,000 to 195,000 U.S. dollars.

FIFA said the initiative marks another concrete step to develop women’s football and ensure players receive a fair deal, a commitment that FIFA hopes sets a standard across the industry, Xinhua reported.

“Under this unprecedented new distribution model, each individual player at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 can now fully rely on remuneration for their efforts as they progress through the tournament,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Each participating member association will get at least 1.56 million U.S. dollars, and the winners will be distributed 4.29 million U.S. dollars.

According to FIFA, its total investment in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is budgeted to exceed 500 million U.S. dollars.

has kindly consented to grace the Finals & Prize Distribution Ceremony as the Special Guest

Sweden, European champions England and France, respectively.

Spain and Brazil, ranked sixth and eighth, swapped places with Canada (seventh) and the Netherlands (ninth) in the only changes in the top 20.

Following friendlies in April, Spain equalled their best ever ranking after high-scoring wins over

Japfü take on Saramati in final of 2nd Women’s Cricket Champions Trophy today

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN): Japfü

Dazzlers will face Saramati Warriors in the final on Saturday at the second edition of the Women’s Cricket Champions Trophy at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima Cricket Ground. The final match and prize distribution ceremony will be graced by Minister Women Resource Development and Horticulture, Government of Nagaland, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, as the special guest.

Playing the first match on Friday at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Japfü Dazzlers defeated Pauna Queens by 9 wickets. Having won the toss, Pauna Queens opted to bat first and managed to put up 75 runs on the scoreboard losing 7 wickets.

In reply, Japfü Dazzlers com-

pleted their task of chasing down the target of 76 runs in just 13.5 overs with contributions from Najmeen 12 runs while the captain Alemienla 36 runs and Talirenla 15 runs remained not out to guide their team to a comfortable win by 9 wickets. Alemienla was adjudged the player of the match for her 36 runs knock and claiming 1 wicket in 5 overs with 1 maiden over conceding only 16 runs.

The match between Tiyi Strikers and Terogvu Titans and Saramati Warriors versus Puliebadze Slingers were abandoned due to rain.

The Nagaland Cricket Association has invited all sports enthusiasts to witness the final and be a part of the occasion as Nagaland Cricket celebrates women in sports.

Norway and China while Copa America Femenina champions Brazil earned an impressive victory over Germany.

World Cup co-hosts Australia and New Zealand are 10th and 26th. Debutants Zambia will be the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at 77th. The World Cup runs from July 20 to Aug. 20.

CDBA to organise inter school badminton tourney

DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN): Chumoukedima District Badmintion Association (CDBA) will be organising inter school badminton tournament from June 22 to 24 at Tetso Arena (Tetso College), Sovima.

A press release issued by CDBA has requested all schools falling under Chumoukedima district to participate in the event. Selected players will represent the district in the upcoming Li-Ning 45th Interdistrict and State Open Badminton Championship to be held in Kohima from July 10 - 14. The categories are U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17 (singles and doubles) for boys and girls. For further queries, school may contact at 7005081490 or 7005310401.

Becky Sauerbrunn of the U.S. and teammates celebrate winning the Concacaf Women Championship 2022 with the trophy on July 18, 2022. (Reuters)

Harmanpreet Singh in action during the FIH Pro League against Argentina.

WTC Final: Aus lead swells to 296 against India

LONDON, JUN 9 (PTI):

India’s Ajinkya Rahane revived his international career with a courageous effort in seaming conditions but it could not prevent Australia from extending their supremacy in the World Test Championship final here on Friday.

Playing his first Test in 18 months and with his side’s back against the wall, Rahane weathered a hostile spell from Australian pacers on way to a memorable 89 off 129 balls on the third day and took India to 296 all out from 152 for six.

His 109-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Shardul Thakur (51 off 109) kept India in the game but Australia still managed to take a massive 173-run lead.

At stumps, Australia extended their lead to 296 runs by reaching 123 for four in 44 overs in their second innings. Marnus Labuschagne (41 batting) and Cameron Green (7 batting) were in the middle.

The pitch continues to offer seam movement but the spinners also came into play on Friday with Ravindra Jadjea taking two wickets and reigniting the debate on R Ashwin’s nonselection for the title clash.

Mohammed Siraj was the standout Indian pacer

once again as he got rid of David Warner (1) with a ball that seamed away from off-stump and took the edge on way to the wicketkeeper.

Usman Khawaja’s second failure of the game came after a loose drive off Umesh Yadav.

A rare positive from India’s point of view was that Australia’s first innings centurions Steve Smith (34) and Travis Head (18) departed in quick succession.

Umesh made a mess of a regulation catch offered by

Head at deep midwicket but Jadeja had him caught and bowled in the same over. Smith had a rare lapse in concentration and his attempted slog led to him being caught by Thakur.

It will take a special effort from India to bounce back in the game but Rahane showed that runs could be scored against a formidable pace attack. His gritty innings had 11 fours and a spectacular six over fine leg off opposition captain Pat Cummins.

Witnessed Brij’s inappropriate behaviour towards female wrestlers: Intl referee Jagbir

mins. India’s tail hardly put up any resistance and the team was bowled out midway into the second session.

In the morning, Rahane stood tall amid the ruins in his comeback game as he showed remarkable skill and courage against a hostile Australian pace attack. But India remained behind in the game despite the resilience of Rahane and Thakur’s much- needed support. Thakur also survived two nasty blows on his forearm and was dropped twice as India managed to score 109 runs in the 22 overs bowled in the first session.

The way Scott Boland and Cummins got the ball to kick off length in the first hour, one could sense a wicket off every ball.

Rahane could not add to his tally after the lunch break, and having once again delivered in challenging overseas conditions, fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Green at gully.

Rahane went through with the shot away from his body off Cummins and a diving Green plucked the flying ball out of thin air for an excellent catch.

Thakur was able to get to his third half century at The Oval with a couple of straight drives off Cum -

Boland ripped through the defense of K S Bharat on the second ball of the day as the Indian wicketkeeper had no answer to a delivery that jagged back in sharply from length.

BRIEF SCORES: Australia 469 in 121.3 overs and 123/4 in 44 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 41 not out, Steve Smith 34; Ravindra Jadeja 2/25, Umesh Yadav 1/21) lead India 296 in 69.4 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 89, Shardul Thakur 51; Pat Cummins 3/83, Cameron Green 2/44) by 296 runs.

NEW DELHI, JUN 9 (PTI): International referee Jagbir Singh on Thursday claimed that he has been a witness to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s inappropriate behaviour towards female grapplers on several occasions since 2013. Brij Bhushan is currently under scrutiny after top Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, demanded his arrest for alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers. “I am an UWW referee since 2007 and I have been a referee before the birth of the the protesting wrestlers. I also know Brij Bhushan for a long time,” Jagbir told PTI. “I couldn’t say much because until the girls register complaints, I could not do anything. But I saw the episode with my own eyes and felt bad,” he said. Jagbir, who has been a coach-cum-international referee since 2007, said he witnessed Brij Bhushan’s

misbehaviour with his own eyes on numerous occasions. “After he became the president during his second tour in 2013 in Kazakhstan, the president told us ‘I will feed you Indian food today’ and he arranged a party in the junior wrestlers’ hotel,” he claimed.

“Brij Bhushan and his accomplices from Thailand were drunk and they misbehaved with the girls and I was a witness to that.

“In 2022, I witnessed something. Whenever the

With the government setting a June 30 deadline for Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, the IOA ad-hoc committee has taken the first step towards conducting the impending polls by gathering the voters list, which will be required to form the electoral college.

The third member of the ad-hoc com-

Djokovic downs ailing Alcaraz to book French Open final spot

on Friday.

World number one Alcaraz had just levelled the contest when disaster struck as he limped to his bench holding his right leg at 1-1 in the third set.

While he continued playing, the U.S. Open champion was clearly hampered but Djokovic was merciless, dropping only one of 12 games to book a spot for Sunday’s showdown against either last year’s runner-up Casper Ruud or German Alexander Zverev.

Swiatek ends Haddad’s dream run to make third final

Defending champion

Iga Swiatek booked her place in the Roland-Garros final for the third time in four years after she ended the dream run of 14th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, beating the Brazilian 6-2, 7-6(7).

Just as she did in 2020, when she won her first Grand Slam title as

the unseeded World No.54, Swiatek hasn’t dropped a set en route to the final, where she will face the unseeded Czech player Karolina Muchova, who edged out No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller earlier on Thursday. The win also ensured Swiatek will retain the No.1 ranking after Ro -

land Garros concludes, whatever the result against Muchova.

Unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova clinched a spot in the first Grand Slam final of her career at French Open on Thursday, after stunning World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-5 in a scintillating semifinal, here.

Fernandez-Townsend reach women’s doubles final

Novak Djokovic

PARIS, JUN 9 (AGENCIES): Novak Djokovic made a huge leap towards a record 23rd men’s Grand

Slam title with a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory against an ailing Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open semi-finals

It was unclear whether Alcaraz, who skipped this year’s Australian Open because of a hamstring injury, was suffering from cramps or injured.

The No.10 seeds Leylah Fernandez and Taylor Townsend needed just 64 minutes to book their place in the first Grand Slam final together, defeating No.2 seeds Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-4 in the women’s doubles semifinals at the

French Open, here on Friday. With this, Townsend advanced to her second major final, having been runner-up alongside Caty McNally at last year’s US Open to Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.

president used to travel inside the country for national tournaments, two to three girls were always with him but we could never protest. We have seen that with our eyes.” Jagbir, in fact, has corroborated the protesting wrestler’s allegations in his testimony to the Delhi Police. Asked about Brij Bhushan’s denial of all the allegations, Jagbir said: “Does a thief ever say I have stolen? Every culprit will make these excuses.”

He, however, refused to comment on the U-turn of the minor wrestler’s father, who said he accused Brij Bhushan due to personal enmity after his daughter was discriminated during U-17 Asian Championship Trials. “I will not like to comment on statement of the minor girl’s father. I even don’t know who is the minor wrestler. Whatever I am saying is all about what I have seen with my own eyes,” he said.

mittee -- a retired high court judge under whose supervision the elections will be conducted -- is yet to be appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). “The judge will be appointed soon. We are already on the job. We have got the voters list from the previous set up,” an IOA source told PTI.

Jagbir Singh

India’s Ajinkya Rahane celebrates his half century. (Reuters)