13 feb, 2017

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 68

DIMAPUR, monday, february 13, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Ashwin’s record in 1st Test against B’desh

Germany elects Frank-Walter Steinmeier as new president

Rs 5L cr worth of orders for roads, ports: Gadkari

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

business, Page 8

Political paralysis adds to state’s woes Staff Reporter/Correspondent

Dimapur/Kohima, Feb 12 (NPN): Nagaland will undergo the second phase of the state wide bandh from February 13 onwards, after T.R. Zeliang refused to step down as chief minister within three days- February 8 to 10 asdemanded by all apex Naga tribe organisations.

The option for restoring normalcy appears limited as NPF, the dominant partner in the DAN alliance grapples with a leadership issue but the biggest fear among all sections was about resultant violence if government forces and public confront each other.

Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya has been pursuing for resolving the stalemate through dialogue. It was learnt, the Governor called both Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio and chief minister T.R. Zeliang Saturday to resolve the crisis.

Informed sources disclosed that at the meeting Saturday, the Governor had sought for views on whether Art.371A provides insulation from Art.243T. It was disclosed that, T.R. Zeliang

PH disowns conduct of five individuals DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Pochury Hoho (PH) has resolved to disown the irresponsible conduct of five individuals who had attended the consultative meeting called by the chief minister on February 8.

In a press note, Pochury Hoho president Chülekhu Nyusou said the resolution was made during the emergency meeting of the hoho office bearers, executive members and range presidents on February 11.

PH said the house condemned conduct of the five persons for violating the resolution passed by apex Naga bodies on February 7 at APO hall, Kohima under the aegis of NTAC and JCC. PH clarified that the individuals were never endorsed or recommended by the executive council to attend the meeting.

CM to deliver radio address today

DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) media cell has informed that chief minister, T.R. Zeliang would be delivering an address to the state through the All India Radio, Kohima on Monday at 7.30 p.m. CMO has requested listeners to tune to listen to the CM’s address.

This is it!

“History repeats. Trump’s wall will join the ranks of the Great Wall of China and Berlin Wall.”

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Assam Rifles and police in riot gear outside CM’s residence in Kohima, Sunday. (NP)

explained the stand of the government. Sources said Rio also mentioned that under Art.371 the state assembly could pass a resolution to apply or exempt Art.243T. On working towards resolution, Rio fully backed it but said it had to be seen in the light of the demand by various apex Naga tribe organisations for T.R. Zeliang to step down as chief minister.

When asked by the Governor on appeals by four NPF legislators to revoke suspension on Rio and

Imkong L. Imchen, it was learnt that chief minster T.R. Zeliang said he was not averse and assured to take up the matter with the NPF president and they would communicate with Rio on Sunday. However, it was learnt that till late Sunday evening Rio who was waiting for the call in Kohima did not get any communication from the two leaders.

Later when contacted by Nagaland Post over phone, NPF president and DAN chairman Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu said the issue

Former MPs back appeal to revoke suspensions DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Former Members of Parliament-- Imchalemba, Wangyuh Konyak, Chingwang Konyak (Lok Sabha) and Khyamo Lotha (Rajya Sabha) have extended support to the statement “of appeal” to NPF president, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu by four NPF MLAs urging the latter to revoke the suspension order on former chief minister and Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio and NPF MLA, Imkong L. Imchen.

Taking note of the alarming crisis in the state, they said it was worrisome to see complete closure of the government machinery for the past 10 days and the agitation against the government by the masses and apex tribal bodies.

Stating that the agitation had become a people’s movement and needed political solution and not through force/intimidation, the former parliamentarians urged the party leadership as well as the leaders of the government for unity, oneness and reconciliation and the people from calm.

of revoking the suspension order of former chief minister and current Lok Sabha, MP Neiphiu Rio and former minister and MLA Imkong L. Imchen will be taken up with the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC).

He informed that the four MLAs met him Saturday night and submitted the letter to him. Dr.Shurhozelie said it being Sunday , he could not meet the chief minister but indicated that the matter would be discussed in the party’s appropriate platform –the DAC.

He said the suspension orders were signed by him based on the recommendations of the DAC. How long it would take to initiate revocation of suspensions was not specified.

It may be mentioned that the four NPF legislators-- Noke Wangnao ,C.M. Chang, Er. Kropol Vitsu and Namri Nchang urged NPF president to revoke the suspensions as the situation in the state had “gone out of control”. They said Rio was capable of salvaging the situation and who could reunite the party in the greater interest of peace and development of Nagaland.

juncture, the people needed the leadership of Neiphiu Rio. The independent MLA said his views were also shared by a majority of people including a significant section of his colleagues, that only Rio could reunite the party rank and file and bring political stability for peace and development.

Thomas also expressed deep apprehensions over the state government asking the Army to be on stand by in case of need. He reminded that as Nagaland was under AFSPA, involving the army could complicate matters in the event of any unwarranted or unwanted incident.

Ind MLA backs Rio

Rio summoned

Inde pendent MLA from 39 Sanis A/C N.Thomas Ngullie has expressed deep concern over the crisis that has enveloped Nagaland where normal has been adversely affected due to the stalemate between the government headed by chief minister T.R.Zeliang and all apex tribe organisations.

Speaking to Nagaland Post here Sunday, Thomas said he fully agreed with the views of the four NPF legislators that at such a critical

In a significant development, Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio has been summoned to Delhi for urgent consultations with Central leaders. Sources said Rio will be leaving for Delhi on Monday for the consultation. Central leaders have been monitoring the Nagaland situation. Earlier on Thursday state chief minister T.R. Zeliang flew from Guwahati to meet with union home minister Rajnath Singh.

Tribe bodies ask MLAs to Govt has shied away remain in constituencies from truth: ENSF KOHIMA, FEB 12 (NPN): A joint meeting called by NTAC with all Kohima based tribe organizations was held on Sunday, wherein the house resolved to urge upon all legislators to remain in their respective constituencies rather than in Kohima, as all government machineries continue to remain paralyzed.

NTAC media cell said the house took note of the continuous presence of legislators in Kohima, “who seemingly appeared to have been coerced to give moral and physical support to the beleaguered chief minister, T.R. Zeliang” even as he was adamant to step down on moral grounds despite persistent demand from the Naga people.

In a situation like this, NTAC said “when the Naga people have come out in

Second wave state wide bandh begins Staff Reporter/Correspondent

KOHIMA/DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC), along with various tribe organizations will enforce the indefinite bandh across the state from February 13.

However, the bandh timings vary for the convenience of the respective districts.

KOHIMA: The bandh Kohima would be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and enforced by the Angami Youth Organization. NTAC informed that activities of all educational institutions including NBSE and SCERT would not be exempted. Only the following have been exempted- press media and newspaper hawkers, paramilitary, administration, medical, police stations.

NTAC media cell in a release reminded that the bandh was renewed since chief minister, T.R. Zeliang refused to step down. JCC and NTAC said the bandh would be peaceful and nonviolent and so have asked bandh volunteers to maintain maximum restraint and discipline.

DIMAPUR: In Dimapur the bandh will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and enforced

by Dimapur Naga Youth Front (DNYF).

JCC said exemption in Dimapur would be restricted to- media, police, district administration, power departments on emergency duty, ambulance service on genuine medical grounds, Red Cross and students appearing CBSE examination.

No exemption has been put in place for institutions/students scheduled to appear the NBSE final board exams from February 14, 2017.

JCC informed that passengers travelling by air/ train would be exempted only after producing valid tickets. JCC appealed to volunteers to maintain strict discipline, youth co-ordinators to initiate invocation prayer at every junction and not to consume any alcohol

while enforcing the bandh.

M O KO KC H U N G : Ao Senden’s Joint Coordination Committee will impose indefinite dawn to dusk bandh starting February 13 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ao Senden JCC convenor A. Bendangnukshi Jamir and con-convenor N. Bendang Jamir the bandh has been imposed due to the adamant attitude of chief minister T.R. Zeliang from stepping even after the expiry of NTAC and JCC deadline. JCC said those exempt included - students appearing exam, teachers/ invigilators on exam duty, magistrate on duty, police and paramilitary and press and media personnel.

ENPO: ENPO has decided to impose total bandh as called by NTAC and JCC from February 13 under ENPO jurisdiction.

ENPO media cell has requested all its federating tribal units to strictly comply and implement the bandh in all districts and sub-divisional administrative head quarters. It has exempted the following form from the purview of the bandh- paramilitary forces, invitees to wedding on production of invitation cards, funerals, press, medical (ambulance and private vehicles carrying patients), postal services, fire & emergency services.

WOKHA: Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee (LHJAC) has also called for the bandh in Wokha district starting February 13, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LHJAC convener, R. Nchumbemo Ezung and joint secretary, Renbi Ngullie said those exempt include- medical, para-military and print media.

LHJAC has directed all frontal organizations to depute volunteers and assemble at police point in full traditional attire on February 13. It has also appealed to Lotha public and bureaucrats to understand and bear the inconveniences. It stated that the situation was “created by NPF-led DAN

DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) on Sunday said it out rightly condemned the state government “for shying away from the truth”.

In a press note, ENSF vice president, Z. Throngshe Yimchunger and finance secretary Lumtsase Sangtam opined that the government should have handled the situation in a matured way where justice could have been delivered as per the law of the land.

ENSF said the lukewarm attitude of the government should be solely held responsible for the breakdown of the entire state mechanism, saying it was of serious concern for every Nagas.

Further, (ENSF) condemned the murder of two youth by police personnel in Dimapur, the death of one person in Longkhim and injury caused to several others in Longleng in view of the ULB election issue.

ENSF demanded punishment of all erring personnel and in charge as per the law of the land. The federation conveyed condolences (Cont’d on p-8) to the bereaved families and also wished speedy recovery of the injured. ENSF also hoped and prayed that the blood of three precious souls would shut the door of further bloodshed and DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Naga Christian leaders across disunity among Nagas once and for all.

(More on p-3) denominational lines from Dimapur and Kohima have expressed serious concern on the prevailing situation in the state and appealed to the government and the NTAC/JCC not to act against the dictates of the God-given conscience.

As confrontation would only produce consequences, the Church leaders said at this juncture both the people and the leaders must sought the intervention of the almighty God to ber by future generations who show us a constructive way forward. (Full text on p-6) ruined the lives of several thousands of students for the politi- DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): BJP legislators and state BJP senior leaders Sunday cal ambitions,” NPF added. appealed JCC and NTAC to come to the negotiating table with the government and D I M A P U R , F E B 1 2 adopted in the presence of Naga Students’ Federation resolve the matter amicably to resume nor- (NPN): Joint Co-ordination tribe bodies, JCC reiterated (NSF) has appealed to all section mal life at the earliest.

Committee (JCC) has hit that JCC and NTAC was The decision was taken during a joint back at the NPF Central, not a political institution of the Nagas to ensure smooth functioning of the educational consultative meeting held at Kohima on stating that the U-turn of and reminded that “this institutions and also to facilitate Sunday to deliberate on the present scenario the state government with historic movement shall not hassle-free passage for students in the state, BJP general secretary (media) regard to January 30 agree- be politicized in any manner who would be appearing exams and spokesperson Jaangsillung Gonmei ment, cannot be justified whatsoever”. stated in a press note. from February 14. with a passage of time.

Therefore, JCC said The party said that the stalemate had NSF Education secretary, JCC while reacting to there was no question poImtiyapang in a release called created immense hardship to the public and NPF statement, explained eticizing or having any poupon the students not to get students who were to appear exams and that as per January 30 agree- litical inclination instead, it distracted by the present social also blocked important government social ment, it was agreed to give asked NPF not to confuse unrest, but rather concentrate on service activities. two months time to JCC to themselves saying the intenBJP stated that the DAN government educate and dialogue vari- tion of JCC/NTAC was their studies and do their best for had already complied with the demands of ous local bodies subject to to safeguard the right and the examination.

NSF reminded that any the JCC to defer the polls and nullified. the agreement of cabinet integrity of Nagas. Further, Meanwhile, sources from the party said and state election commis- JCC warned any political form of irregularities in the functioning of schools and col- two legislators out of the four, were not pres- sion, unfortunately, before party/individual not to take leges due to the present social ent at the meeting. the expiry of 24 hours, the advantage of the situation.

When contacted, BJP legislator Im- state government betrayed unrest would amount to irrepaAlso, it appealed to the rable damage to the career of the tilemba Sangtam said he could not attend the the NBCC and JCC. government employees to meeting since he was in Dimapur. He said he younger generations.

In this regard, JCC said co-operate with the moveThe federation further ex- was informed about the meeting on Febru- “January 30 agreement was ment even though they have tended its wishes to the students ary 11 evening while he was on his way from declared as null and void.” not received their salary due to do their best.

(Cont’d on p-8) Citing February 7 resolution to present situation.

Kohima to Dimapur. one voice seeking justice on moral grounds, the legislators should realize the danger of flocking together by ignoring the voice of the people and neglecting their responsibility of leadership whose primary duty is for the welfare of the people.”

It went on to state that when a society does not value life, that society becomes valueless. As such Nagas had come out strongly against the loss of innocent lives. NTAC said it would be wise on the part of the legislators to realize the pain and suffering of the people and respond to it appropriately instead of being holed up not being given the liberty of sagacity.

It maybe mentioned that apex bodies of the Ao, Angami and Lotha community had also mounted pressure on their legislators to resign.

Church leaders call for peace

Agitators holding people to ransom: NPF State BJP urges JCC, DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): NPF Central Hqs on Sunday said it was seriously concerned over the career of thousands of students who are scheduled to appear the HSLC and HSSLC examination from February 14, and the adamant stance of the agitators to go ahead with the bandh in various parts of the State.

In a statement, NPF media & press bureau accused the agitators of “holding innocent civilians to ransom for political mileage of a few vested interests.”

Even after ULB polls and 33% reservations issue was already addressed by nullifying the elections, as desired by the protesting organisations, NPF said it was disheartening to see that “some of the leaders still refused to see reason and continue to hijack the movement to meet their pre-planned, personal political agenda.”

It pointed out that the NPF government was restraining itself to avoid unwanted collateral damages. However, NPF

said agitators were hell-bent to cripple normal life and to paralyze the government machineries with the sole aim of projecting to the Centre that President’s Rule would be the only answer.

NPF expressed hope that sanity and reason would prevail amongst the leaders, since time, energy and resources were lost over the days where the innocent public and students were at the receiving end.

The party said such unprecedented move had no place in a civilized and democratic society, where issues should be resolved through dialogue and not through violent means.

Asserting that it should be the endeavor of everyone to work for the larger interest of the younger generation, NPF party said the career and future of the students appearing crucial examinations should not be compromised in any manner.

“Those responsible for disturbing their academic careers would go down the annals of history in infamy and remem-

NTAC for dialogue

NSF appeal for students

JCC hits back at NPF central

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state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monday, February 13, 2017

AR conducts various programmes across state

(L-R): Villagers and students avail medical treatment during camps organised by 15 Assam Rifles and 44 Assam Rifles at Tuesang, Mokokchung and Longleng.

(L-R): 44 AR medical team vaccinates an animal. 41 AR intereacting with GBs and local organisations. A mother with her children avail medical treatment during 28 AR medical camp.

DIMAPUR: 15 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) conducted a medical camp for the villagers of C’ Saddle and adjoining villages of Chingmei, Old Chingmei and Chentang of Tuensang District from February 9-11.

According to PRO IGAR (N) a total of 407 patients including 182

male, 163 female and 62 children were treated and provided free medicines.

PRO also stated, that the village authorities have expressed gratitude to Assam Rifles for addressing to the medical needs of the locals of these remote areas.

Mokokchung: 44 Assam Rifles conducted a de-worming camp in

Mokokchung under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) on February 10.

According to PRO IGAR (N) de-worming is an initiative to free the children from the menace of worms and related health hazards. PRO stated that de-worming camp was organized in conjunction with the World De-worming Day, wherein children

between the ages of 5-19 years, were de-wormed.

Altogether 156 children were given de-worming medication, PRO added.

Longleng: 44 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR(North) also conducted a veterinary camp at Orangkong village under Longleng on February 10. The camp was conducted by the veterinary

team of 14 Mob Fd Veterinary Hospital, Dimapur led by Lt Col M Sengupta of 44 Assam Rifles.

The aim of the veterinary camp was to provide medical assistance and treatment to livestock and local pets of the needy people wherein a total of 947 livestock were examined and their owners provided with free medicines.

Medzhiphema: 41 Assam Rifles under aegis of HQ IGAR (North) organised an interaction with GBs and local organisation heads at Medziphema on February 10.

The aim of the meeting was to spread awareness about civic assistance and job opportunities for youths and locals of the region. The event was

attended by representatives from various Village Councils and youths of the region.

All participants pledged to work together towards development and maintaining peace, law and order in the region.

Wokha: 28 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) organised a medical camp at

Lakhuti village in Wokha district on February 10.

According to PROIGAR (N) Kohima, free medicines were provided to the sick and ailing people. In addition people were educated on health issues like timely vaccination, personal hygiene and sanitation and AIDS through a lecture-cumworkshop.

Accept mistakes of government, NTAC tells NPF DIMAPUR: Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) while reacting to the NPF press bureau press statement that “government’s effort is to save and protect Article 371 (A) from court’s encroachment” said that the latter should accept the mistakes of the government in power.

NTAC Kohima media cell, stated that the Naga people at large are wise enough to know the ground reality and that it would be wise on the part of the NPF press bureau to accept the mistake of the government in power rather than throw accusations which are not deemed fit in the present context.

The committee said that NPF press bureau in its press statement had indicated that “tribal hohos and other civil societies who were pioneering the present agitation would be responsible in the event the Supreme Court passed any judgment diluting the provision of Article 371 (A) in the near future”.

In this regard, NTAC has questioned the NPF press bureau that if the government of the day was really concerned to protect the Article 371 (A) then “why was the September 22, 2012 resolution of Nagaland Legislative Assembly withdrawn in the assembly session of November 24, 2016 against

opposition and apprehension expressed by the tribal hohos of Nagaland”. It asked why the government had started the “process of ULB elections against the wishes of the people”.

NTAC stated that having reached a point of no return the government “headed by chief minister, T. R. Zeliang has nullified the ULB election process”.

Instead of admitting the misadventures of “the issue of ULB elections and their tussle with the JACWR, with which it was at loggerheads at the Supreme Court”, NTAC stated that the government through its NPF press bureau had hurled “accusations on the

CMO dismisses JCC’s claim

DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Reacting to news report made by co-convener of JCC published in section of the local daily that the chief minister had requested the NBCC that he would be in office till the end of the financial year, the media cell of Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has dismissed the claim as “absolutely false”.

Rather, CMO said that the accusation was “delusive and concocted” with a malicious intention of “doing mischief ” to the image and integrity of the chief minister.

It asserted that chief minister held a series of meetings with the NBCC in the past two weeks but had not made such a

GAF informs DIMAPUR: Global Advance Frontline has informed that the venue of “Pastors Conference Nagaland” scheduled to be held from February 14-16 at 8:30 a.m to 3 p.m has been shifted to New Life Bible College. For any queries one has been asked to contact at 9612818923, 7085051197 and 9856001312.

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“disgraceful request”, or had “such a thought ever entered his mind”. Also, media cell termed it “deplorable” that a leader of JCC could stoop so low to make “fanciful allegation” by dragging the name of the revered NBCC in “his flight of fancy”.

Further, CMO asserted that chief minister respected and appreciated the efforts of NBCC in trying to find an amicable solution to the present imbroglio, therefore, urged everyone not to misuse the good name of the NBCC.

NBCC reacts to report

Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has expressed shock and refuted the news report

published in section of the local daily that the chief minister had requested the NBCC that he would be in office till the end of the financial year.

In a rejoinder, NBCC general secretary Zelhou Keyho clarified that the Council had not received any such request from the government during the course of their discussions nor have they conveyed that message to any party involved.

If such a statement was made by any member of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council team, the Council categorically stated that it does not represent the official communication of the NBCC mediating team.

SVCA meeting postponed

DIMAPUR: Seyochung Village Citizen Association (SVCA) general meeting scheduled to be held on February 16 has been postponed due to the state-wide bandh.

SVCA chairman, Thriseo Annar stated that statewide bandh may be indefinite and movement of y vehicles may also be restricted resulting in less attendance in the meeting.

Seyochung Village Citizen Association said the meeting has been postponed and that the next meeting would be intimated later. The council has regretted the inconvenience.

tribal hohos portraying a ridiculous and embarrassed standpoint” which it stated was highly questionable.

NTAC also stated that the present imbroglio and demand on T.R Zeliang to step down on moral ground from the chair of the chief minister started due “to betrayal of JCC and NBCC on January 30 and sudden declaration of ULB elections on 31 January”.

NTAC stated that the people’s demand was an issue at the moment and should not be mixed up with other issues such as “the accusation made by the NPF press bureau which are totally irrelevant at this point of time”.

Special prayer meeting held for Nagaland in Kma DIMAPUR: Church leaders and pastors from over 30 revival churches in Kohima held a special prayer meeting at Chakhesang Christian Revival Church, upper PWD Kohima for the present situation in Nagaland on February 12.

In a press note, CRC North East India mission director, Rev. Neivotso Neikha stated that as per directive from Nagaland Christian Revival Church head office the meeting earnestly prayed for “divine intervention into the prevailing dangerous situation and early amicable solution”. It also stated that during the prayer meeting, members were also informed of a divine revelation that “Naga leader should rise above issues of egos and personal reasons. Naga leaders should humble themselves, turn from wicked ways and seek God’s face as found in II Chro. Chp. 7”.

It has urged all the people of Nagaland to maintain peace and tranquillity and avoid any further violence.

The meeting was led by vice president NCRC, pastor Koza.

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nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Has the Tamil Nadu Governor erred in not inviting the majority leader to be sworn in?

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

A B C

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

A

B

C

Yes as it is a constitutional 80% process No since Sasikala is not 20% a member of the house 0% Can’t say

Next poll

Q: Will

President’s Rule normalise situation in Nagaland?  Yes  No  Can’t say

WEATHER FORECAST February 13

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Mostly sunny

31 14

Aizawl

Mostly sunny and comfortable 25 8

Guwahati Hazy sun Imphal

Abundant sunshine and nice

Itanagar Partly sunny and nice

29 11 26 7 24 12

Shillong

Partly sunny

Kohima

Not as warm; with a shower 22 8

19 3

Dimapur Mostly sunny and pleasant

27 12

Partly sunny with a shower

22 8

Mkg

Tuensang Cooler with a shower in spots 14 4 Wokha

Mostly sunny and not as warm 19 12

Zunheboto Partly sunny with a shower

19 6

Bandh must not affect exams: Orgns

DIMAPUR: Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) in a statement has asserted that the scheduled High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary School L e av i n g C e r t i f i c a t e (HSSLC) examination 2017 should not be disturbed by the current turmoil in the State.

In a press statement ENSF vice president Z. Throngshe yimchunger and finance secretar y Lumtsase Sangtam has directed has directed all its federating units to “cautiously strive in protecting the welfare of the students’ community within its influence”.

I t t h e n s a i d “ we cannot expect the students to perform well in their exams in the midst of such social unrest”, Stating that the federation “protects unity, integ rity and peace”, ENSAF however added that students mind should not be infringed through “fury” as it was time to study.

The federation said that “violence and bandh which distract and divert the students mind should be out rightly discouraged at this juncture.”

While understanding the present Naga imbroglio and also equally considering the importance of “our”

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur monday, February 13, 2017

student’s career at hand, ENSF has appealed that the upcoming HSLC and HSSLC examination should be held without any disturbances.

“It may be noted that the students from Eastern Nagaland had faced untold misery and suffering on account of various turmoil in the past.

Hence, the federation can no longer tolerate to see such repetition of wrong a g a i n ,” s t a t e d E N S F release.

ENSF has also a p p e a l e d t h e E N P O, ENLU, ENGOA, ENWO, ENCSU, ENEUU and all its subordinate units to extend its unceasing and uncompromising support through action and prayer.

It has asked all to strive so that the future of “our” student community was not affected or diluted at any cost.

M e a n w h i l e, t h e federation said NBCC should continue to strive in restoring peace and harmony and that it look upon the restoration of situation through NBCC intervention in the spirit of forgiveness.

ENSF has appealed Naga leaders and citizen to refrain from taking justice

into “our” own hand but instead to patiently wait and watch for its divine intervention.

A N S TA : I n v i ew of HSLC and HSSLC examinations scheduled from February 14 and 15, All Nagaland School Teachers Association (ANSTA) has made an earnest appeal to all civil society organisations to totally exempt the s t u d e n t s ’ c o m mu n i t y from the bandh starting February 13.

A press note from All Nagaland School Teachers Association president Pochulo Wanth and general secretar y, Visato Koso stated that even if bandh was intensified, it should not hamper the career of innocent students in any manner.

ANSTA has urged upon the agitating party that due priority be given to the well-being of students while chalking out any protest program and ensure smooth conduct of the said examinations.

While appealing for smooth conduct of exam, ANSTA also urged the teachers assigned in the invigilation duty to be sincere and abide

by NBSE rules and regulations of exam.

ANSTA also wished good luck to the examinees in the examination.

CEDOK: Commission for Education of the Diocese of Kohima (CEDOK) on behalf of all the catholic schools of Nagaland has appealed to all concerned to create a peaceful atmosphere for the thousands of students who would be appearing their HSLC and HSSLC examinations star ting February 14.

In a press release, Commission for Education of the Diocese of Kohima secretary, Rev Fr Dr. Jacob Charalel said any disruption and inconvenience in appearing exams will lay waste the hard work that the students have been putting in and adversely affect the entire student community.

CEDOK further appealed to all organizations and a s s o c i a t i o n t o a l l ow smooth movement of all students and persons on examination duty and all establishments connected to examination to function peaceful for the better future of the children.

Manipur economic blockade may impact peace talks: R.N. Ravi

R.N. Ravi (File)

DIMAPUR: Government of India’s interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, R.N. Ravi while taking serious note on the ongoing economic blockade of Manipur has warned that it may have serious impact on the ongoing Naga peace talks.

According to The Assam Tribune report, the interlocutor admitted that the economic blockade of Manipur, a state going to polls soon, would have serious impact on the Naga political talks.

He said the blockade has sharpened the divide between the Nagas and non-Nagas in the Northeast and it would make his

task of finding an early amicable solution to the issues more difficult.

R av i p o i n t e d o u t that the Naga political issue cannot be solved in isolation. He said the neighbours of Nagaland are important stakeholders.

A long lasting solution to the Naga political issue is

not possible by disregarding the sentiments of the neighbours and adopting a confrontational attitude towards them, he added.

Expressing his displeasure on the stubborn attitude of the NSCN (I-M) on the issue of economic blockade, he expressed the view that if the leaders of the militant outfit maintain such an attitude, it would have serious impact on the progress of talks.

The interlocutor was, however, hopeful of an amicable solution following the tripartite meeting on February 3 but unfortunately, the situation has not improved.

In fact, two rounds of meetings failed to bring normalcy to the situation and if this trend continues, the talks would be seriously affected, he warned.

UNC slams CLP Manipur’s recommendation to declare the council ‘unlawful’ DIMAPUR: United Naga Council (UNC) while reacting to February 11 recommendation of chief minister Manipur Ibobi and the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Manipur to declare UNC as an “unlawful organization” saying the recommendation has labeled the UNC as antipeople.

United Naga Council said the council is the apex tribe based organization of the Nagas in Manipur and that every Naga in Manipur is a member through the tribes, villages, clans and families. It said “If the UNC is unlawful so then is the entire Naga population.”

In a press statement, United Naga Council general secretary, S. Milan, stated that February 11 recommendation has once again demonstrated that the Congress Legislature Party under the leadership of Ibobi was “communal and exclusive in spite of claiming to be running the Government for the entire state”.

The release queried why gover nment of Manipur run by the CLP had a tripartite talk with the UNC and government of India on February 7, 2017 if the council was unlawful.

United Naga Council said that Ibobi has stated that land belongs to the State Government.

However, pointed out that the MLR&LR Act of 1960 does not extend to the hill areas and protects the ownership of the tribals over their ancestral land.

Disregarding the four MoUs signed with various Naga organizations and assurance given by the Government of India to consult the stakeholders/ land owners, United Naga Council said Ibobi and the Congress Legislature Party decided to “draw lines across the tribal lands on the pretext of administrative convenience, dividing p e o p l e, a l i e n a t i n g people from their lands, affecting relationships, affecting situations and opportunities of the land owners”.

The council alleged K

Y M C

that Ibobi did not even condescend to consult the Hill Area Committee as enjoined by the constitution and accused him of violating MoUs and the assurance given and thus violating the constitution and tribal ownership of land.

United Naga Council also accused Ibobi of arresting its leaders instead of addressing the issues raised by the protest and claimed that the latter has “tortured and administered electric shocks to the UNC leaders as if they were common criminals”.

The council accused Ibobi of refusing to discuss the core issue of arbitrary declaration of seven new districts in February 3 tripartite talk on the excuse of the code of conduct having come into effect.

It said while the same code of conduct is in effect, Ibobi and the CLP recommended that United Naga Council be declared unlawful.

The council has also accused Ibobi of transferring tribal hill areas which are under the district councils to the Panchayati Raj. It claimed that under Ibobi’s rule 1528 persons have died in extra judicial killings and that organizations which have burnt down the State Assembly and the Indian National Flag on 18th June, 2001 were not declared unlawful but instead the “arsonists and rioters” were declared martyrs.

Claiming that Ibobi and the Congress Legislature Party have created havoc in the land and the lives of the people, United Naga Council said Ibobi “defines what is lawful and unlawful and has done whatever he wants”.

United Naga Council then said that it was for the entire people in the state of Manipur, the government of India and the world to decide the lawfulness of Ibobi and the CLP and the unlawfulness of the people whose rights are being trampled through brute force, domineering majority, legalities and declarations.

K

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Ibobi govt fooling the people, says BJP

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 12: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday mocked Congress Legislator Party (CLP)’s decision recommending Centre to declare United Naga Council (UNC) as unlawful organization.

After a CLP meeting on Saturday, chief minister O Ibobi Singh has written a letter to the Union home ministry to declare UNC, the Naga body imposing an indefinite economic blockade on the national highways, as unlawful organization.

BJP national leader and Union human resource minister Prakash Javadekar alleged that Ibobi led Congress government was fooling the people by taking such decision since it was not able to open the national highways. “Centre has provided more than 17000 Central security personnel for the purpose of re-opening the national highways. However, Ibobi government does not use them to open the highways,” he alleged.

The Union minister alleged that Ibobi did not use the Central security forces because he do not want to end the ongoing economic for his political gain. He

also questioned the logic behind the decision when Congress government had not taken such a decision even as the “Naga body has been creating trouble in the state during the entire 15 years regime of Ibobi government.”

“Congress government is doing politics with the economic blockade when the elections are knocking at the door,” he said.

The Union minister was addressing a flag hoisting ceremony of BJP candidate in Imphal in which many leaders of the state unit of the party attended.

He appealed the electors of the state to give a chance to BJP to bring a change in Manipur.

He also promised a bandh, blockade and strike free, corruption free Manipur under BJP regime.

State BJP leader and lone legislator of the party Th Bishworjit also mocked the CLP decision saying that the ruling Congress was fooling the people by taking the decision to ban UNC. If the Congress government actually wanted to declare UNC as unlawful organization, it should have consulted with all the political parties operating in the state which would be

followed by a cabinet decision before recommending the Centre. “CLP decision cannot be a government decision. Ibobi should have taken the decision before writing to the Centre. The letter said to have sent to the Union home ministry and PMO by Ibobi is invalid one,” he said.

Alleging that people of the state were suffering because of the UNC for the last 15 years, the BJP legislator lambasted Ibobi government for not taking any such decision against UNC while Congress led UPA government was in power at the Centre.

The Congress took the decision only to blame the BJP led NDA government at the Centre and to draw the people in its last effort to retain power. “It is nothing but to take political mileage,” he added.

The state BJP leader further said that it was the Congress that backed the NSCN (I-M) indulging in various unlawful activities in the state.

He reminded various instants where Ibobi government had released NSCN (I-M) cadres arrested by the security forces. “It is Ibobi government that is actually supporting NSCN (I-M),” he added.

northeast Assam law may give monetary cover to elderly NEW DELHI, Feb 12 (Agencies): In what could bring cheer to many neglected elderly and perhaps become a trend setter social reform, the Assam government is working towards giving legislative cover to senior citizens wherein if the young people who are earning don’t take care of their elderly parents they will have to forfeit a part of their salary. The deducted portion of their pay will then be given to the parents by the State.

T h e p r o p o s a l wa s mooted in the state budget and the social welfare department is now working towards preparing the necessary draft to bring in the legislation in the current year.

“It is expected that the percentage of the population over the age of 60 years will continue to increase due to the changing population age structure. Services to cater to this increasing population of the elderly will need to be provided not only by institutional sources but also through familial structures,” said finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. “The intent behind this scheme is to send a strong message in society and inspire our young population to take good care of those gentle pairs of hands which nurtured them and made them what they are today,” said Sarma.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monday, February 13, 2017

Spotlight on conversion in Arunachal I tanag a r , F e b 1 2 (Agencies): The Congress in Arunachal Pradesh has accused the r uling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of pushing Hinduism, once again shinning the spotlight on conversions in the state that borders China.

The BJP came to power in Arunachal Pradesh – the second time in 12 years – in December after 33 of the 43 MLAs of the regional People’s Party of Arunachal switched over.

State Congress general secretary Minkir Lollen said on Friday Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hidden agenda was to make Arunachal Pradesh a Hindumajority state through ghar wapsi.

Ghar wapsi, the Hindi word for homecoming, is the name of a proselytizing campaign launched by some Hindu outfits to convert non-Hindus and “bringing them back into the fold of Hinduism”.

“The indigenous tribes will be insisted upon to adopt Hindutva. The rich tradition and culture of the indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh are at stake under BJP rule,” he said.

The BJP hit back the next day, saying the Congress played a big role in changing the demography of the northeastern state.

“The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has had a long history in being a catalyst for reducing

the indigenous population, while BJP has always stood for policies that support preservation of indigenous practices, tradition and culture,” state BJP chief Tapir Gao said.

T h e exc h a n ge h a s brought to fore the challenges faced by indigenous faiths such as Donyi-Polo and Rangfra primarily from Christian missionaries.

The followers of DonyiPolo (Sun-Moon) belong to the Abotani group comprising tribes such as Apatani, Galo, Nyishi and Tagin.

Adherents of the Rangfra faith, a tribal variant of the Vaishnavism, are mainly the Tangsa tribal people.

The Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, an affiliate of the

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of the BJP, has allegedly been promoting the indigenous faiths of Arunachal Pradesh.

But, many have converted to Christianity over the past three decades, allegedly because of costly and elaborate rituals. Census data say Arunachal Pradesh had no Christians in 1951.

By 2001, Christians were the third largest religious group accounting for 18.7% of the state’s population, behind Hindus (34.6%) and ‘others’, mostly Donyi-Polo (30.7%).

According to the 2011 census, Christianity is now the state’s largest religion.

Christians – bulk of them

Mary Kom juggling life as boxer and MP BJP denies Sharmila’s allegation New Delhi, Feb 12 (PTI): Comparisons of her dual role with a certain Manny Pacquiao only evoke laughter from MC Mary Kom but the five-time world champion says being an active boxer and a Parliamentarian at the same time is no laughing matter as the twin jobs are exhausting and exhilarating in equal measure.

In an interview with PTI on Sunday, the London Olympics bronze-medallist, spoke of her struggles to manage time during the justconcluded Budget Session of the Parliament, albeit jovially. “I joined the national camp a fortnight ago and soon the Budget Session also started (from January 31). So I would go for training at 7 in the morning to the IG Stadium, rush back to change and head straight to the Parliament because I didn’t want my attendance to suffer,” Mary Kom says.

“It was like racing against time and after hard training, you tend to feel very exhausted too. But then most of the times, the

MC Mary Kom proceedings in the Parliament are so lively that there is no risk of being caught asleep. There is never a dull moment,” she adds with a burst of laughter.

“But on a more serious note, I wish the day could be of 48 hours.”

The 34-year-old, who is five-time Asian champion besides having a coveted Asian Games gold medal as well, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha last year.

Tell her that multiple roles make her comparable to Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing superstar who is a Senator as well as an active boxer, Mary Kom breaks into a giggle. “But hey, I am managing a lot more

being a woman. Training, Parliament and then doing my own chores at home and of course taking care of my children,” she points out.

Speaking of her first love, which is boxing, Mary Kom has not competed since last year’s World Championships in May where she could not qualify for what would have been her second Olympic appearance.

After a break, the Manipuri decided to change her weight category from flyweight 51kg to light flyweight 48kg, in which she won a majority of her international gold medals.

Her sabbatical is now over and Mary Kom is back in the mix in the national camp, where a new coaching team of 16 under former men’s coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu has taken over. “I am happy with how the camp is going so far. I have been doing light training mostly, spending about 3-4 hours in a day as of now.

There are two training-cumcompetition trips coming up in China and Kazakhstan next month. I have

the option of going there if it works out,” Mary Kom says.

“I am focussed on the Asian and Commonwealth Games next year. I am taking it year by year now. I will try to remain injury-free and there is no lack of fire in me. My hunger remains as strong as ever,” she adds.

“There have been some changes in the international rules, now even women boxers have to compete in the format of three rounds of three minutes each. I have adjusted to all that though.

That has been quite easy.”

And what of the constant speculation that she would take the political plunge full time? Recently there were reports that she could even be campaigning for a political party in the Manipur elections. “I don’t really see myself as a politician although it’s a huge honour to have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Right now I want to continue competing and raise issues close to my heart in the Parliament whenever I get a chance,” she says.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 12: Hitting out at human right activist turned politician Irom Sharmila’s allegation that she was offered Rs.36 crore to fight against chief minister O Ibobi Singh, Manipur BJP Sunday warned that it would initiate legal action against Sharmila if she do not clarify it.

“BJP had never bribed her (Sharmila). If she does not clarify the matter in the public domain, legal action will be initiated against her,” BJP Manipur unit general secretary and MLA Th Bisworjit said Sunday.

Irom Sharmila during an interview with NDTV alleged that BJP had offered her Rs 36 crore which she would need to fight against chief minister O Ibobi in the ensuing election to the state Assembly.

NDTV has quoted her saying, “Their (BJP’s) suggestion was that to fight Ibobi, I will need 36 crores.

If I have it, I should pro-

duce it, if not the centre would sanction it. On that condition, I said I will stand for elections as an independent.”

Addressing a news conference at party office in Imphal today, Bisworjit said that at the initial stage of her fasting struggle against AFSPA in 2002, the then BJP MP Bijaya Chakraborty did insisted her to drop her fasting struggle and chose other form.

Chakraborty had even promised party’s (BJP) support to her struggle. But Sharmila had refused and continued her struggle, he said. Now, she came out with a strong allegation of bribing her by the party.

“It is totally a baseless allegation. If her allegation is true, Sharmila should point out who among the BJP leaders had approached her. If not, BJP would be compelled to sue a legal proceeding against her,” Bisworjit said.

Asserting that BJP is not a political party to fight elections with money

and muscle power, the BJP legislator said that no such amount of money was with the BJP. “How can we offer her such a huge amount when the party itself has not such a huge amount as party fund,” he said.

On the other hand, Sharmila may have been bribed by BJP’s rival party (Congress) to defame the party because BJP has a great prospect of capturing power in the state, he alleged.

“We see it as a political conspiracy. Congress might be behind it. Congress might have bribed her,” Bisworjit said.

Mention may be made here that after ending her 16 year old fasting stir against AFSPA in September last, Sharmila stepped to politics by floating her own Peoples’ Resurgence And Justice Alliance (PRAJA) party. She will be contesting in the upcoming election against state chief minister Ibobi Singh from Thoubal Assembly Constituency.

Roman Catholics – account for 30.26% of the state’s 1.3 million people. Hindus were pushed to the second spot at 29.04%.

Though Ar unachal Pradesh had 5.56% fewer Hindus in 2011 than in 2001, traditionalists were more worried by the 4.5% drop in the number of followers of Donyi-Polo and other indigenous faiths.

Ar unachal was the third Indian state after Odisha (1967) and Madhya Pradesh (1968) to enact an anti-conversion law. The Arunachal Pradesh freedom of religion act of 1978 was aimed primarily at checking proselytization.

Chhattisgarh in 2000, Gujarat in 2003, Himachal Pradesh in 2007 and Rajasthan in 2008 also passed anticonversion laws, prohibiting forced or money-induced conversions. The Arunachal anti-conversion law, unlike in the other states, has been ineffective because its rules have not been framed.

There is speculation that the BJP government led by Pema Khandu might frame the rules to check missionary activities.

Checking conversion has been one of BJP’s goals.

In 2013, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu had declared that his party would bring a nationwide anti-conversion law if elected to power.

The party needs a majority in the Rajya Sabha to do so.

Guard walls in flood-prone zones by April 30 GUWAHATI, Feb 12 (Agencies): The Kamrup (Metro) district administration has set April 30 as the deadline for the construction of guard walls in Nabin Nagar and Anil Nagar. These areas are lowlying and get flooded during monsoon. The proposed guard walls will prevent the water of the Bharalu from entering these areas.

DC and chairman of the district disaster management authority, M Angamuthu, has asked the Guwahati Municipal Corporation and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) to extend full support to the project.

Angamuthu has asked the concerned department to submit a report after cleaning the Basistha, Bharalu, Mora Bharalu, Bahini and Bondajaan canals within a week. He has also asked the authorities to ensure that contaminated water from the city does not flow to the Deepor Beel.

Mizoram women climbing the economic ladder Assam minority woes echo in UP election

women are taking up alternative livelihood activities in Mizoram.

Aizawl, Feb 12 (PTI): More and more women in the Northeastern State of Mizoram are climbing the economic ladder, with a little help from the government. These women, mostly belonging to the poorest of poor households, are taking up alternative livelihood activities like opening petty shops and small businesses or expanding the existing ones like farming, poultry,

piggery and goatery.

Wo m e n S e l f - H e l p Groups, formed under the North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP), run

by Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry, are working as force multiplier for economic empowerment of individual members. Members of an SHG formed under NERLP take up economic activities either jointly or

individually, unlike in an earlier scheme where members of an SHG could work on only one activity.

“We allow members of an SHG to work either jointly or separately unlike an earlier government scheme. This has fetched good results,” said Reuben Ranglong, Aizawl District Project Manager of NERLP. Observing that group activities and individual efforts

have both shown successes, he gave an example of a women tailoring SHG in Sihphir village in Tlangnuam block.

Ten members of the group, aged between 25 and 45, started the tailoring unit with a little financial assistance from NERLP. Every member of the group now earns about Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 a month, besides giving employment to five other women.

“Similarly, an individual member of another SHG in the village expanded her poultry business after taking loan from the group. 54year-old Lalchhuanthangi earned about Rs 3,45,000 last year. Her husband who earlier used to do odd jobs now works full-time in poultry,” he said, adding that there are many such success stories.

Under NERLP, an SHG is given Rs 1 lakh in three instalments over a period of one year. “Our focus is on training and capacity-building of SHG members and we monitor their progress regularly,” Reuben said. “At present,

1,604-odd SHGs with 10 members each are functioning in Aizawl district. We have already covered 95 per cent of the over 3,920 poorest of the poor households,” he said.

Aizawl district houses nearly 40 per cent of Mizoram’s total 10.90 lakh population. The project is also operational in the State’s second largest district by population, Lunglei. Despite initial success, SHG members are facing a few problems. According to them, getting loan from banks to further expand their activities and link with the market remain big hurdles.

“We need support so that we can sell our produce in the market at the right price.

And bank loans too are not easily accessible,” said an SHG member.

In its latest implementation status and results report, the World Bank, which funds NERLP, said the progress was “moderately satisfactory”. However, only 30 per cent of the fund could be utilised so far in the project which is set to end in March 2019.

Ghaziabad, Feb 12 (Agencies): Many AIUDF top leaders from Assam have been camping in UP to join electioneering to help Congress-SP alliance win the ongoing assembly polls.

These top leaders include all thirteen party legislators apart from the three Lok Sabha members.

Led by party president Badaruddin Ajmal, the party leaders and legislators have been campaigning in the Muslim dominated areas.

In a number of rallies in UP, party leaders keep telling the plights of the religious minority people in Assam after an end to the Congress regime. They told the Muslim people to ensure the victory of SP-Congress allies in the polls.

“We are shocked to have heard the plights of the minorities in Assam as soon as the BJP led government installed in Assam.

BJP or NDA us not at all friendlier to us,” said Mustaqu Islam who attended a rally in Ghaziabad.

Sajjan Ali, a local resi-

dent of Yushufpur area told Assam Times that the plights of the minority people in Assam is fabricated. “Why the allegation crops up only in the time of polls. We have heard the same old record during the erstwhile Congress government in Assam,” said Ali who contradicted the AIUDF leaders.

Ru m k i B e g u m a t Surajnagar area in Noida said BJP is more minority friendly than Congress.

She said,”who have been deceiving the minority people for decades?

Congress indeed.

Who has done a lot for the minorities? The answer us NDA. Then why do we vote Congress or SP?”

Dearest Nandani Dey, This day is truly a special day for us because this is the day when we first had a glimpse on our angel. Have a lovely birthday our dear daughter! Happy Belated Birthday!!!

From Papa&Momi, and all loving ones.

Hello Kinoka. H. Achumi (Kingkong) On your special day, I wish you good luck. I hope this wonderful day will fill up your heart with joy and blessings. Have a fantastic birthday, celebrate the happiness on every day of your life. Happy Birthday!!

Loving family members, cousins.

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national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monday, February 13, 2017

Social sector may be victim of short budget HRD to give new life to Aakash tablet

Ko l k ata , F e b 1 2 (IANS): Lack of policy directions for ensuring quality implementation of programmes makes the Union Budget 2017-18 allocations to ailing core social sectors like education and health inadequate in delivering the benefits, experts say.

Schemes like Swachh Bharat-Urban and the National Social Assistance Programme saw no increase, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan got a mere 4.4 per cent rise in allocation, while the Integrated Child Development Services got an enhancement of about five per cent.

Even though programmes like Swachh Bharat-Rural and the National Health Mission got a double-digit hike in percentage terms, the experts said the Budget was “disappointing” and “unsatisfactory”, considering the ground realities.

“The Budget is disappointing. It paid no attention to the effective implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. A mere increase in the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

by Rs 1,000 crore is not going to help in meaningful implementation of the RTE Act,” Right To Education Forum Convenor Ambarish Rai told IANS. He said only 9.5 per cent schools are RTE compliant across the country

Ambarish Rai after almost seven years after the act being implemented.

“Low allocation has been affecting the quality of education in government schools, where over five lakh teachers posts are vacant. At least 6.4 lakh teachers are untrained,” Rai said, pointing out the Human Resource Development Ministry budget has remained stagnant at 3.7 per cent of the total budget.

Ten per cent of the schools have single teachers, 30 per cent are without functional toilets for girls and 20 per cent do not provide safe drinking water, he said.

K.J. Nath, former Director of the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, said while the Health and Family Welfare Ministry has re-

ceived a welcome jump of 23 per cent this year at Rs 48,852 crore, the resource cut in Urban Health Mission to Rs 752 crore from Rs 950 crore in the previous budget was “unsatisfactory”.

“The budget announced a target of eliminating kala-azar and filariasis by 2017, leprosy by 2018, measles by 2020 and tuberculosis by 2025. But where are the budgetary resources to reach these targets,” Nath asked.

The budget allocation for the health sector as a share of the GDP is less than one per cent, which falls far short of meeting the long-standing demand of upping the this to over two per cent, he complained.

Citing an example of how the resource crunch has crippled the imple-

AAP legacy will be health, education reforms: Minister

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS): Reforms in health and education will be the legacy Delhi’s AAP government will be known for, Health Minister Satyendar Jain says.

Jain, 49, said the Aam Aadmi Party’s dominant focus on the two sectors will force a shift in the political discourse and make other parties talk more forcefully about them.

“This change will be a part of AAP’s legacy,” Jain told IANS in an interview at his residence. He said the battle against corruption, despite the Delhi government’s limited powers, was equally significant.

The AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal will begin its third year in office on February 14.

It was on this day in 2015 that the AAP, for a second time, took power in the national capital after winning a sweeping 67 of the 70 assembly seats.

A Kejriwal confidant, Jain said the focus of the Delhi government was to provide the best possible school education and healthcare facilities free of cost to the people.

The government has set up over 100 Mohalla Clinics where medicines,

Satyendar Jain medical tests and doctors’ consultation are available for free. Most have come up in poorer areas though a handful are in middle class colonies. The government had planned to build 1,000 such clinics by December 31. But that has not happened. The target now set is March 31 but it is unlikely all of them will be functional by then.

Besides these primary healthcare centres, the government also plans to set up 150 polyclinics.

Jain, an architect by profession and a foundermember of AAP, said the aim behind the clinics was to see that only those suffering from very serious ailments ended up going to the already clogged hospitals.

“The main difference between developed and

underdeveloped countries is availability of quality health and educational facilities at affordable cost.

Our aim is to provide free quality (school) education and healthcare to all, rich or poor,” Jain said.

He said the government had taken several steps to improve standards in the normally looked-downupon government schools by providing more classrooms, sending teachers abroad for training and providing modern amenities.

“If people of a country are healthy and well-educated, they will force the rulers to deliver on all other issues including governance.”

Not surprisingly, the AAP showcased its achievements in health and education in Punjab and Goa where it contested the justended assembly elections.

“No political party has ever focused so much on these issues in election campaign,” Jain said.

Dismissing reports in a section of the media that the AAP - India’s youngest political party - would fare poorly in Punjab, Jain said it would win around 100 of the 117 seats. But he said it was difficult to predict how many seats the AAP would win in Goa.

NEW DELHI, FEB 12 (AGENCIES): The Aakash tablet is set to spring back to life about two years after the Narendra Modi government pulled the plug on the project launched by its predecessor amid complaints over the quality of the low-cost device envisaged to provide viable education to students across the country.

T h e P r a k a s h Ja vadekar-led human resource development ministry has decided to offer upgraded Aakash 2 tablets as reward to student volunteers who helped push the government’s digitisation agenda post-demonetisation. “There will be a national convention of the selected best volunteers in which we propose to honour 250 national level best volunteers. There is a proposal to award them with tablet PCs developed

by IIT Bombay,” the HRD ministry said in response to ET’s queries.

The national convention is likely to be held in March, officials said.

They said the ministry will felicitate student volunteers from across institutes involved in its Vittiya Saksharta Abhiyan or financial literacy campaign, which was launched to engage with youngsters and students across higher education institutions to actively motivate all payers and payees to use a digital payment system to assist in

sector.

Roychaudhuri said one reason could be that the sector does not provide a “short-term multiplier effect” to boost economic growth despite its longterm positive impact.

“After demonetisation, the government’s short-term goal is to revive economic growth. Real estate and infrastructure sectors can provide a positive short-term multiplier effect that can push up growth in the near-term, but the social sector cannot offer such multiplier impact in the short-run. It has a long-term positive impact on economic growth,” he said.

Again, though the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme received the highest allocation ever at Rs 48,000 crore from the previous year’s Rs 38,500 crore, this is only one per cent more than the revised estimate of Rs 47,499 crore for 2016-17.

“In that sense, the increase in allocation was meagre. The job scheme should have got more allocation, particularly when the demand in the economy remains subdued.

Higher employment and better income under the programme could give an impetus to demand in the economy,” Raychaudhuri noted.

Prez lauds DRDO for successful missile test

Note ban ‘biggest scam of 2016: Chidambaram

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday congratulated DRDO and its scientists for the successful test firing of the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) Interceptor Missile.

“I extend my hearty congratulations to all those associated with the successful test-firing of the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) Interceptor Missile,” Mukherjee said in a message to Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman S. Christopher. “The nation is proud of this accomplishment made by DRDO. This is a significant milestone in boosting India’s defence capabilities and will provide enhanced security against incoming ballistic missile threats,” he said. “Kindly convey my greetings and felicitations to the members of your team of scientists, engineers, technologists and all others associated with this mission. I wish the DRDO continued success in the coming years,” the President added. The test took place at 7.45 a.m. on Saturday, when an incoming missile was successfully intercepted at a height of 100 km with a direct hit by an interceptor missile.

M U M BA I , F EB 1 2 (AGENCIES): Terming demonetisation as the “biggest scam of 2016”, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said the country is likely to grow by 6-6.5 per cent in 2016-17, much lower than what have been predicted by the CSO and RBI, due to the impact of note ban.

Notably, the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) has predicted a growth rate of 7.1 per cent and RBI pegs it at 6.9 per cent for financial year 2016-17. “I am sorry to make the prediction that 2016-17 will end with growth (rate) between 6 and 6.5 per cent, a good one per cent down from the earlier estimate and that means a hit of Rs 1.5 lakh crore on GDP. The GDP this year is Rs 150 lakh crore, so one per cent hit is Rs 1.5 lakh crore,” Chidambaram said at a function here today.

He is in the city to campaign for the February 21 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls+ . Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “So, somebody hit an idea in his head, he decided to go on television and announce demonetisation, and the hit is Rs 1.5 lakh crore (on

GDP).” He said the growth rate in financial year 201718 will be same at around 6-6.5 per cent.

“2017-18 will not see a growth higher than what we have in 2016-17 as the world economy is not benign anymore and we have a unpredictable man sitting in the White House,” the senior Congress leader said, adding that growth would continue to be at the same levels in 2018-19 financial year as well.

Talking about demonetisation+ , he said sooner than later the government will realise the folly of demonetisation. “You first demonetise and then say we are remonetising. What is this joke?” Chidambaram said.

He said Rs 15.44 lakh crore worth of currency was cancelled overnight and now the government is printing notes to bring back Rs 15.44 lakh crore of notes. He termed demonetisation as the “biggest scam of 2016” which the government does not want to acknowledge.

Taking away old notes and printing new notes will not put an end to corruption, or black money or counterfeiting, he said, adding that full remonetisation will go up to June.

After taking away Rs

Uttar Pradesh elections analysis: Veterans missing Luckn ow, F e b 1 2 (IANS): The first phase of the elections to the 403strong Uttar Pradesh state assembly, that ended on Saturday, was marked by many firsts in the electoral history of the politically crucial state -- a major one being the absence of many veterans and political heavyweights from the campaigning.

The front-ranking name in the list of these politicians is of Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

She has been almost out of public life ever since she took ill last year during a roadshow in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sources in the Congress confirmed that ‘Madam’ was unwell and not fit enough to hit the dusty roads of Uttar Pradesh and plunge into the high-decibel

campaign. She is, however, working the wires from her high-security 10, Janpath residence in New Delhi.

Of late, the 71-yearold Italian-born widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi has spoken to some candidates in party pocket boroughs of Amethi and Rae Barely, asking them to “adjust to the alliance compulsions” with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and withdraw from the race.

She is strategising with her daughter Priyanka Vadra and son and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi behind the closed doors.

The second noticeable absentee is Bharatiya Janata Party patriarch Lal Krishna Advani, who has been forced into virtual retirement by the new-age dispensation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and partgy President Amit

Shah. Right from the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of the 1990s, the veteran Sindhi politician has always been a star campaigner for the party. Not any longer!

Another BJP veteran and master strategist of the caste matrix in Uttar Pradesh, Kalyan Singh is also out of the campaigning scene as the crucial polls unfold. Holding the office of the Rajasthan governor, the Lodh stalwart is for now bound by constitutional propriety and cannot campaign for a political party.

Though his son Rajveer Singh is a Lok Sabha member and his grandson Sandeep Singh is contesting on a BJP seat from Atrauli, an assembly constituency he represented eight times and held since 1967, the 85-yearold ‘babuji’ is not actively involved in the hurly-burly of election politics. He is,

later declined due to the shift of focus from digital payment systems to other aspects that have emerged post-demonetisation, people familiar with the matter said.

The Aakash tablet, which was to be made available to students in educational institutes across the country, had made headlines globally when the then HRD minister Kapil Sibal announced its launch in 2011 at a subsidised price of Rs 1,130.

The world’s cheapest tablet proved a non-starter, though, with the first lot of devices termed rather substandard by users. IIT Jodhpur, which was originally handling the contract, and the Canadian manufacturer Datawind got into a serious conflict over the testing of the tablet, forcing the ministry to intervene and transfer the project to IIT Bombay. The PMO at the time, too, flagged concerns over the ministry’s draft cabinet note that proposed a `700-crore project under the National Mission of Education through ICT (NMEICT) to invite bids for 5 million Aakash 2 tablets. Wary of another possible embarrassment to the government in case the upgraded tablets also fail to meet the mark, the PMO suggested that the ministry test the tablet’s “performance and viability in the market” before implementing the proposal.

mentation of programmes, Nath, Chairman of West Bengal’s Arsenic Task Force, told IANS: “The central government recently revised the permissible limit of arsenic to 0.01 milligram per litre of water from 0.05 milligram per litre as per the guidelines of the World Health Organization, which is good. But since due to a fund shortage we faced challenges in maintaining the earlier limit, it would be a daunting task to meet the revised standard.”

“The Union Budget has neither provided a policy direction for ensuring quality delivery mechanism in public healthcare services, nor offered a widespread market-oriented training in the education sector,” Jadavpur University economics Professor Ajitava Roychaudhuri said.

He, however, welcomed the proposal for launching the Rs 4,000 crore Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion programme (SANKALP) which intends to provide market-friendly training to 3.5 crore youth.

Sectors like small and medium industries and real estate -- which were severely hit by the government’s demonetisation exercise -- got some policy measures but that was not the case with the social

however, invoked by Prime Minister Modi at election rallies as a “symbol of good governance”.

Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, recently edged out by son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as the party President, is known for his political ‘charkha dao’ (a wrestling master-stroke). The onetime wrestler has gone into a sort of oblivion in the 2017 polls. Once a man in high demand by party candidates to seek votes for them, Mulayam now cuts a sorry figure as his party and family are bitterly divided.

So far, his close aides confirmed to IANS, ‘netaji’ has only confirmed he would canvass for his younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav in Jaswantnagar and younger daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav, who is con-

testing her maiden election from Lucknow Cantt. He showed up on Saturday to seek support for Shivpal.

Shivpal, who enjoyed the No.2 status in the Samajwadi Party since its inception 25 years ago, is now a lone figure. Having crossed swords with his estranged nephew Akhilesh, he has since been pushed to the sidelines and has not been involved in any list of star campaigners for the ruling party. At one point, till the last elections, he was the party’s favourite ‘chacha’ (uncle) who had a helicopter at his disposal during the polls. Also missing from the act are leaders like Amar Singh and former actress Jayaprada -- both now expelled from the Samajwadi Party. While the duo was out of the SP during 2012 state assembly polls too, the wily Thakur had floated his own

political outfit, the Rashtriya Lok Manch, in 2011 and fielded candidates in 360 of the 403 assembly seats in the 2012 polls -- not winning even a single seat.

Film actor-tur nedpolitician Shatrughan Sinha is also absent from the campaign and is likely to remain so in the rest of the six phases that will be conducted over the next one month. The Patna MP is known to have angered the party leadership with his barbs against top leaders, including the Prime minister.

Multanpur MP Varun Gandhi has also failed to make the cut. Having fallen from the party high command’s grace, he was not included in the initial list of star campaigners for the state elections but was later added hastily for some of the phases.

Parkash Javadekar the “transformational shift” in the country post-demonetisation. About 343,000 volunteers registered under the campaign. he government had on November 8 last year announced withdrawal of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as legal tender. On directions from the ministry, the heads of the institutions have been selecting the best volunteers on the basis of the work they have done.

The ministry said it has so far got reports of 10,000 such volunteers selected by the institutions. All these volunteers will be felicitated with certificates at the institution level while the best volunteers on the national level will be gifted with Aakash 2 tablets.

On possibility of reviving the Aakash tablet project, however, the ministry said in its response, “There is no such plan at this stage.”

While PM Modi was initially expected to felicitate the best volunteers on the national level, the Prime Minister’s Office

P Chidambaram 15.44 lakh crore worth of currency, now the currency in circulation, including in the denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and the new 500 and 2,000+ is now about Rs 9.5 lakh crore, he said.

But to sustain an economy which is Rs 150 lakh crore, Rs 9.5 lakh crore is not enough and more

money needs to be printed, Chidambaram said. “By March, we should have about Rs 11 lakh crore of currency back in circulation and by June we would have Rs 15.44 lakh crore.

This is a classic example of ‘khoda pahad, nikli chuhiya’ (Much ado about nothing),” he added.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER PWD (NH) NAGALAND : KOHIMA

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORT&H) Govt. of India invites Bids for the National Highways works to be implemented through PWD (NH works), Nagaland as mentioned below : Sl. No.

1.

Name of Work

Package No

Strengthening of NH-2 from Km 125.000 to Km 135.000 (10 Km) and Construction of CE/NH/NH(O)/ paved shoulders under NH 02/2016-17/96 Division-II, Mokokchung in the state of Nagaland

Approximate Value (Rs. in Lakhs)

1463.98

Note :1. The bidders must be registered in the e-tendering portal of MORTH i.e., www.morth.eproc.in for participating in the bidding process. It is the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that their ETS registration is valid (i.e., not expired) through the life cycle of the tender.

2. Value of work is approximate and may differ in the detailed Bid Document for which no claim will be entertained.

3. For other details and clarifications, bidders may see the official website www.morth.eproc.in and may also enquire the authority mentioned below during office hours.

Chief Engineer PWD (NATIONAL HIGHWAYS) NPWD Complex; Kohima : Nagaland Email:cenhnagaland@gmail.com (Anirban Acharyya) Assistant Executive Engineer for Regional Officer davp 37109/11/0099/1617

6

opinion/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXVII NO. 68 Dimapur, monday, February 13, 2017

I

Failing the test

t is for the first time in its history that Nagaland has been plunged into a deep crisis with the entire government machinery paralysed as offices have been forced shutdown and even police unable to be proactive especially after the firing incident on January 31 night. The entire government machinery has collapsed and police are more inclined to lie low after the firing incidents which probably reminded them that they would be damned if they did and damned if they didn’t.

The present scenario reveals that the government has ceased to function and that itself sums up the failure of governance. There are various factors for the breakdown of the government machinery but one that stands as mute testimony has been poor governance during past decades. The present situation today reminds us that the crying needs is in toning up the administration to effect good governance so that it is responsive to the needs of the people. The stage for establishing a platform for peace and development can come through the role played by the government which must do what is right. For too long have people allowed politics to be the guiding factor with which they expected their leaders to pursue. The consequences of over indulgence in politics have become an aberration with consequences that are evidenced through -corruption, nepotism and lack of transparency and accountability. Democracy functions under the pillars of executive, legislative and judiciary(while the media forms the fourth).Each of the pillars of democracy have their own special and specific functions to ensure that the system serves the people faithfully, irrespective of caste, creed or political affiliation, with equality and justice. Democracy must also be understood as a system that transcends beyond mere election. It involves the way the other branches-judiciary; legislature and executive- conduct their affairs within the ambit of their constitutional responsibilities and obligations.

Reforms in the administration, police and judiciary are also growing needs of a state that has been imbalanced by too much politics. The principle of providing good governance could be the most crucial turning point to correct the drift. In this regard, the thin dividing line. Essentially, the traditional model of political neutrality, which defines the relations between public servants and other actors in the political system needs to be reaffirmed. Today, the state police has grown by almost eight times, with consequent rise in funds, mobility and facilities. Times have certainly changed and therefore, it is but natural also to expect qualitative changes.

There is no second opinion about the urgent need to promote professionalism through changes.

The first change comes with a price-doing away with political and bureaucratic interferences in the functioning of the force. This has been a feature responsible for gradual erosion of professionalism within the force. Improvements don’t come cheap or easy; they require a transparent and accountable system where success is rewarded and failure penalized. The most urgent need today is to put the administration and police back on track but unfortunately, politicization, criminalization and inefficiency are overshadowing the efforts to introduce reforms in the law and order machinery.

Good governance is not effected merely when politicians preach about it like having the cake and wanting to eat it too.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur

monday, February 13, 2017

Post-mortem

An appeal by churches What do/should we prefer: Governor’s rule or Peoples’ rule? N

T

he Nagaland’s ULB elections which are reportedly annulled had placed the State under total chaos. For the first time in the history of its 54th year of Statehood, the Capital of Nagaland has been under siege of the protesters as unprecedented ever. Both the political and the bureaucratic authorities are virtually under house arrest as they cannot move around by Govt. registered vehicles. The opposition-less DAN Govt. has been non-functional in its HQ for more than a week. This is peculiar and this is history.

ULB election’s backlash is the tip of the huge iceberg of the year’s accumulation of the general resentment of the people of Nagaland against DAN’s one and half decade rule. The tradition and the magnitude of abusing power of authority under DAN is unprecedented and one can assertively brand it the worst, the most hopeless, the most useless, the most shameless, the most senseless and the highest degree of unbridled corrupt Govt. in India. The successive disclosures of the mismanagements of the affairs of the people under DAN by forums as ACAUT, NTC and NPRAAF in particular had angered the general public already.

The rampant backdoor appointments, the oil adulteration, the Rice scam, the non-payment of salary to employees, the deteriorated road conditions, the looting of development funds in broad daylight by elected members in connivance with bureaucrats, nepotism, favouritism, tribalism etc. are the propeller of the recent outburst of the public anger.

During the last few days of stalling the governance by protesters, I found the people to be spirited and relentless as they are thoroughly frustrated and feel aggrieved with people in authority. The people are found to be anxious to bring about change in governance.

CM TR Zeliang is not the only person whom people dislike, but he being the head and being largely responsible for the mess we are in now, he has to bear the brunt of it. Had that cunningness been the strategy of TR Zeliang with the intention to outwit the civil organisations by implanting erroneous and manoeuvrable languages in the written deal with JCC on 30.1.2017 on one hand and on the other encouraging a private lady to file PIL in Guwahati HC with the help of Nagaland Advocate General so as to extract the excuse from the given judgement, the tripartite written agreement would have been avoided. Perhaps, TR Zeliang underestimated the civil bodies and he expected to outrun them in his usual manipulations in ULB too.

Yet, the deal became the epic centre resulting into loss of three lives in the hand of Police, injury to people and

destruction of assets. Whatever may be the explanations on the deal now, that tripartite agreement was the litmus test which placed him in the class of liars as per the observation of the public.

The 31.1.2017 bloodshed incident in Dimapur warranted CM TR Zeliang’s resignation from the chair on moral ground as demanded by the protesters under the co-ordination of JCC and NTAC. The killing of the two youth in Dimapur was not accidental as it related to defence of his private building. On the contrary, he put up a defiant posture as perhaps he does not possess atom of remorse.

Indeed, his decision is to totally reject the pressure built against him by keeping the mortal remains of the victims till 3.2.2017. Nevertheless, it is a foregone conclusion that TR Zeliang will not budge an inch from his chair on moral ground and thus the first scene was allowed to pass.

We are now in the second scene.

Whatever may be the developed pressure for his ouster, I do not find the erosion of CM TR Zeliang’s support base within DAN legislature. I also trust his claim of over 40 MLAs supporting his leadership since there is no apparent dissent voice within DAN. He is further emboldened by the unstinted support from the NPF President. With such citadel and with DAN having no sense of remorse, he finds comfortable to cling to his chair. From morality point of view, he should pave the way for normalcy to return by demitting his office, and yet from political and constitutional point of view, he has right to continue as CM since his MLAs continue to lend support to him to do so.

Whereas, people, particularly the protesters, are angry with TR Zelaing but perhaps not with MLAs who are responsible for his continuance. Constitutionally, a Chief Minister cannot be unseated by public protesters on the street except that he is removed from the chair in the Assembly hall by majority elected representatives.

We are still in scene two.

Whereas, as of today, several offices of State Govt. are under siege and completely non-functional. I also speculate there may be bureaucrats who are taking advantage of the situation and stealthily poised noncooperation to Govt. for various personal or official reasons. The Capital is now in hostage under the power of the people. The State Govt. machinery is effectively paralyzed.

For more than a week there has been virtually no Govt. in Nagaland. An elected Govt. which fails to carry out day today activities in peace, deserves to be questioned by the law. When such question is forced to come, a CM having majority support of the elected members may become irrelevant.

Whereas, as long as a popular Govt. remains firm and functioning normally, the Governor has no room to question its stability nor can he unseat the leader who is commanding majority support. Under the stable Govt., at the most Governor can interfere is over the issues of unsatisfactory performances. The undue indulgence of a Governor in the political affairs of his State with ulterior motive used to invite firing from the boss, the President of India.

Whereas, the ongoing stalemate is imperatively serious. Not to speak of the Govt. offices in the State Capital, but in the event of placing the office of an officer, anywhere within the State, under siege for few hours in similar manner and not allowed to function itself is serious. Such incident will definitely be questioned on the floor of the House and the Govt. will be forced to bring the matter to a logical conclusion. Whereas, the present stalemate is the inability of the DAN Govt. to function implies that the people of Nagaland has rejected the Govt. headed by CM TR Zeliang. And the siege of the Capital has been for more than a week. The stalemate now attracts the constitutional question not because of the reason of internal crisis and instability but for the fact that the Govt. is functionally paralyzed. In the given situation of stalemate, the Governor may deem it fit to intervene.

Nevertheless, Nagaland State should be saved from imposition of President’s rule. My reasons: In the present context, I speculate that the Governor Acharya will be anxious to rule the State without popular Govt. after all who does not like to have power (‘Barkis is willing’), and I do not blame him. Yet, the moment the civil rule is replaced with Governor’s rule, Nagaland will be controlled by RSS. The fact is that, the few Advisers to Governor to be drawn will be from among those who have close ties with RSS HQ in Nagpur. The Governor’s rule may like to see Heraka shines in Nagaland.

The Satanic worship will increase once the State is controlled by RSS Pracharaks. Secondly, Nagaland has been under Disturb Area and under Governor’s rule, the atmosphere may become less friendly.

The opportunity for thwarting Governor’s rule is with the elected members, and it is high time for them to shed off egos, become humble and try to reason with people. There are several options at the disposal of 59 MLAs to welcome understanding, peace and normalcy back to our land. The 59 MLAs can convert the negativity to positivity without much sacrifice. And I believe there are solutions to the existing problems.

Z. Lohe

aga Christian leaders across denominational lines from Dimapur and Kohima endorse the mediating role played by the NBCC. The ongoing crisis has revealed the truth about how we can limit and destroy ourselves. What needs to be done to match this perilous moment by the people, and our leaders in particular, has become clear.

All of us in our different ways have produced the eyeball-to-eyeball situation of deadlock. The stoutly defended positions of the opposing sides stand on the fragile foundation of our changing society made up of all of us.

The confrontation is capable of producing consequences no group should bring upon the Naga people. At the moment we cannot find a solution without allowing God to come in to show us a constructive way forward. Therefore, on behalf of Christians in Nagaland, we appeal to the Government and the NTAC/JCC not to act against the dictates of your God-given conscience.

The harsh searchlight has fallen on our leaders who are at the centre of the raging storm. The people’s prayer to God and their appeal to their leaders at this time of extreme danger is that they will choose to be guided by their conscience to do what is ethically right. Anything less will prove inadequate to solve the present crisis and restore peace for our society.

For this we urge all sides to tone down their rhetorical positions and justifications so that the current tensions may de-escalate and allow space for creative interventions and dialogue.

To the Chief Minister, the Cabinet and elected representatives of the Nagaland State Assembly, we applaud the call for dialogue on core issues between all the stakeholders. As a first step towards any dialogue, concrete and creative steps need to be taken to reduce public distrust on the government. Dear Chief Minister, as the head of the government, we therefore, urge you to demonstrate ableleadership by exercising your moral judgement and acting on your conscience to do what is right and needed at this juncture to avert violence, and pave the way for genuine dialogue.

To the leaders of organizations who are leading the resistance against the faulty process and imposition of policies made without the Naga peoples’ informed consent, we implore you to resist from any form of violent confrontation, because violence will only yield more violence. In honour of the precious lives lost and to prevent further damage of the Naga moral fibre, we urge you to once more explore the path of peaceful dialogue.

To fellow Nagas, our traditional ethos and customary law are centred on values of justice, equality, respect and liberty. Let us seize this moment of extreme crisis as an opportunity to exercise Naga values to respect and uphold women rights. This is an opportunity to re-examine old models and practices, and together, through a people’s dialogue and consultation begin the tedious democratic process of creating inclusive and empowering models in which Naga women, men and youth can respectfully participate and decide the course of our common future.

Dear Nagas, if wisdom and conscience is allowed to prevail over all short-term considerations and self-interests, this will be the finest hour for our leaders and all Nagas.

We impress upon all Christians in Nagaland to pray for peace and constructive dialogue to take place among the Nagas.

Sd/- Rev. Moses Murry, General Superintendent, AGEI; Rev. N. Paphino, President NCRC; H Moa Konyak KBPF; Sankara Narayam KBPF; Rev. Amos Humtsoe, Baptist Church Dimapur; Rev. Dr. Tseitsu Rutcc, Baptist Mission Church; Rev. Vimesu Suohur, Naga Bazar Baptist Church; A Taku Longkumer Chairman, Nagaland Peace Co-ordinator Former; Rev. Dr. Rachilie Vihienuo, Union Baptist Church, Kohima; Rev. Fr. Neisathou Carolus, Cathotlic church Nagaland; Rev. Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Catholic Church , Kohima; Rev. Phomlee Vam, KBPF; Z. David Koza, MCRC; Deacon Obed Catholic Church; Botoholi, NBCC; Kedo Peseyie, City Church Kohima (KBPF); Fr. C.P. Anto Peace Channel, Catholic church; Rev. L. Kari Longchar, Baptist Clergy; Arithung Kikon (KBFF); Niketu Iralu, Baptist Church Sechu Zubza.

Article 371A – A product of Naga nationalism The games people play through the DailyDevotion prism of the 33% reservation for women A Are You Listening to God?

They said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

—Exodus 20:19 We don’t consciously and deliberately disobey God— we simply don’t listen to Him. God has given His commands to us, but we pay no attention to them— not because of willful disobedience, but because we do not truly love and respect Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Once we realize we have constantly been showing disrespect to God, we will be filled with shame and humiliation for ignoring Him. “You speak with us,…but let not God speak with us….” We show how little love we have for God by preferring to listen to His servants rather than to Him. We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we don’t want God Himself to speak to us. Why are we so terrified for God to speak to us? It is because we know that when God speaks we must either do what He asks or tell Him we will not obey. But if it is simply one of God’s servants speaking to us, we feel obedience is optional, not imperative. We respond by saying, “Well, that’s only your own idea, even though I don’t deny that what you said is probably God’s truth.”

Am I constantly humiliating God by ignoring Him, while He lovingly continues to treat me as His child?

Once I finally do hear Him, the humiliation I have heaped on Him returns to me. My response then becomes, “Lord, why was I so insensitive and obstinate?”

This is always the result once we hear God. But our real delight in finally hearing Him is tempered with the shame we feel for having taken so long to do so.

Quotes

“Moving beyond past wounds and hurts and building a culture of respect, dignity, and flowering love”. ~ William Keepin, Divine Duality

(From previous issue) In that context it is felt that the state government may be the competent authority to legislate on it as deem fit to suit their system.

Definitely there is an urgent need to undertake the codification of the various Naga tribal customary laws and practices making it uniformly applicable to all the Nagas especially on common issues and to filter the archaic and irrelevant contents. The tradition and customary practices should grow and improve to suit the changing need of the day, otherwise they will become inadequate and irrelevant to the fast changing need of the time. It can be codified in the line of the British Common Laws which was literally the compilation of the tribal law practices, conventions and usages of their different tribal groups in the past.

We may, also look from a different angle at the constitution of the ULB on the composition of the members, power and responsibility. It will be comparable to the power and functions of ‘the Council of Elders’ in the village Republics of the past, from where the foundation of the tradition and the customary practice had been originated out of their tested experiences of life distinguishing the Nagas from the others. If the competency of the state Assembly is accepted, then a separate unique

legislation can be adopted by reserving a certain number or percentage out of the total seats for the women in ULB organization as deemed fit suiting to the spirit of the Naga tradition. That will take care of preserving the sanctity of the constitutional guarantee provided to the Nagas at the same time enable the women to participate in decision and policy making body.

A reasonable measure empowering the women to enable to take part in the decision making body may be a departure from the traditional practices. However, their participation will be a real asset for the overall development and growth of the societies. The women activists today understandably, are not contented with the traditional role. They have been asserting the last few years to implement the constitutional mandatory provision of reservation of 33% seats in local urban bodies. To be fair to the demand, equipped with better education (pen is mightier than sword) and with the economic emancipation the women sensibly demand political empowerment asserting that the decision making responsibility is no monopoly of men, needs to be taken positively. It is a reasonable voice which will rather accelerate healthy holistic growth of the society.

Unfortunately, the genuine voices of the women have been once again sidetracked

in the controversial hustling of the tribal Hoho and civil society vis-à-vis the state government which has emanated out of this genuine issue but now it becomes unsure when will it come alive again.

The need of the hour is that every sensible citizen must look at the event with calmer reflection and with restrain. We should not allow the event to divide further among the Nagas nor should allow relegating the reasonable and legitimate demand of the Naga women in larger interest of the society. At the same time we can not in any case accept erosion of the rights being protected through the special provision which is the unique Identity.

The unfortunate death of three persons must be generously compensated by government but regret to observe that so far no such decision seems to have made in this regard. In any case, their sacrifice should not go in vain. It symbolizes the Naga freedom and unity for a purpose and willingness to sacrifice in defending a noble common cause. it has once again renew faith in our common strength and reaffirm that the ultimate strength lies with the people which can bring positive change that is required and the sincere voices of the people must be respected by all.

(Concluded) T.N.Mannen IAS(Rtd)

.Z. Phizo is no more. But Phizoism remains in the heart and soul of the Nagas. We shall not see his likes again. For Nagas, his huge role in Naga history is a source of legitimate pride. For Nagas, since time immemorial, the land and its resources and their culture are their life. They protected their lands and customs tooth and nail against all external forces and remain fiercely independent throughout known history. British encroachment into Naga territories in the 19th century was purely a cosmetic one. They simply allowed the Nagas to continue their primitive life. Phizo stood for the rights of the Nagas over their land and its resources and stood for a separate Naga nation.

In course of time the Nagas faltered, blundered and broke into groups and factions each claiming to be the rightful heir to the ideology and dream of Phizo. Today, things and challenges are different. We are generating formidable turmoil over our own nationalism. Today, even the charisma of Phizo, even if it could be reproduced, would not suffice to tackle them.

Nagas have endured the worst military atrocities of the century inflicted upon them. Many lived long enough to witness how simple Nagas were brilliantly exploited by mainland politicians. Nagas could not counter

them for lack of moral and spiritual forms of power that could have acted against political tyranny. In the early fifties, Naga inhabited territories were mercilessly dissected and a large junk of territory was handed over to Burma and the area that fall within India was further bifurcated between Assam, Manipur and the then NEFA. Realising the gravity of the situation and to prevent further disintegration and damage to the ethnic Nagas, a reasonable section of the Nagas undertook a moderate path of nationalism. But the NNC under Phizo was not going to accept anything short of a separate Naga Nation.

Despite resistance, moderate Nagas appropriated a separate State called Nagaland from the Republic of India under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution. Yet they did not forget certain elements of Naga nationalism for which the Nagas fought for under NNC – the land and its resources, customs, tradition and taxation. These were incorporated in the Constitution by Indian Parliament without opposition. These became a unique provision under Article 371A of the Indian Constitution. These give respect and identity to the Nagas of Nagaland.

(To be concluded) Mapu Jamir I.A.S. (Retd.)

Reader’s Post Sir,

Save the future

With indefinite bandh imposed state-wide, it is a real worry as to how children preparing for HSLC and HSSLC are going to appear for their examinations. It is such a pity that for the sake of politics, the children of our state (the future) are being subjected to such psychological worries. Save our future.

Rachel Lotha, AG colony Kohima

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

7

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monday, february 13, 2017

group urges Bar on women at night sessions at Speaker urges parties to Bengaluru consensus on NWFL Asia’s biggest Christian meet to stay back women’s reservation bill

Naidu urges states to provide logistics for Real Estate Act

Kashmir gunfight claims 8; protestors clash with security

May 1 this year, home buyers can approach Real Estate Regulatory Authorities seeking relief against violation of the contractual obligations and other provisions of the Act. For this to happen, Real Estate Rules including the General Rules and the Agreement for Sale Rules, Real Estate Authorities and Appellate Tribunals were required to be in place and in a position to start functioning.

So far, only four states - Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh and six Union Territories have notified the final Real Estate Rules.

Naidu said the Act would not only provide the much needed consumer protection, but would also give a fillip to the sector.

Over 60 sections of the Act were notified by the Ministry on May 1 last year, including Section 84 under which states were required to notify Real Estate Rules by October 31 last year thereby setting the ground for the act’s implementation.

The Ministry has also received some complaints of violations of some of the provisions of the Act by some of the states, resulting in dilution of the spirit of the Act. I n t h i s b a c k d r o p, Naidu urged the Chief Ministers to ensure compliance with the Act, “as passed by Parliament”.

Srinagar, Feb 12 (IANS): Two soldiers, four militants and two civilians were killed in a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday, police said. The incident triggered clashes between civilians and security forces, leaving around two dozen people injured.

The fighting erupted after the security personnel surrounded Frisal village in the district following a tip that militants were hiding in a house, police said.

“When the militants were challenged, they fired at the forces, triggering the gunfight,” said a police officer.

The dead included two soldiers from Rashtriya Rifles who were injured in the gunfight and later succumbed to their injuries.

Three civilians and three soldiers were injured in the fighting. While a civilian, identified as Ashaq Rishi, died earlier on Sunday, another injured civilian, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad, 22, succumbed in hospital taking the death toll in this gunfight to eight.

As news of the civilian deaths spread, angry villagers poured out of their homes and stoned the security forces, who fired in the air and used tear smoke in an attempt to disperse them. Reports said around two dozen people, including protestors as well as security personnel, were injured in these clashes.

Home Ministry JNU calls Administrative website hacked? Block siege a criminal act

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS): The website of the Home Ministry was non-functional on Sunday and officials said experts were finding out if it had been hacked.

The website’s landing page is drawing a blank and the site itself has become inaccessible. The problem most probably began early in the morning.

“I don’t know when the site developed the snag,” ministry spokesperson K.S. Dhatwalia told IANS. “Details will be available after we find out the glitches. “We are checking,” Dhatwalia said, adding he was not sure when the website would become functional.

The spokesperson had earlier said it was not a case of hacking as the site was being reconstructed.

The site, like all government websites, is maintained by the National Informatics Commission.

Indian government websites have often come under attack from suspected Pakistan hackers.

Last week, the government informed the Lok Sabha that over 700 websites linked to the central and state governments were hacked in the past four years.

Experts attributed the frequent hacking of Indian websites to lack of adequate security measures in the virtual world.

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS): With the Jawaharlal Nehru University students’ ‘Occupy Ad-Block’ protest continuing for the fourth day on Sunday, the university administration issued another denunciation of the demonstrating students and called their agitation a “criminal act”.

“The agitating students have no basis for occupying the Administrative Block building, physically stopping the staff and officials from entering the administration building.

This trespassing is criminal and violation of the law of the land,” a statement by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) authorities read.

The students have been staging a sit-in protest at the Administrative Block of the university, which has the offices of senior university officials, Hyderabad, Feb 12 (IANS): Tibet’s spiritual leader in order to seek a response Dalai Lama on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a from the Vice-Chancellor South Asia hub of the Dalai Lama Centre For Ethics on the adoption of a Uniand Transformative Values here. Telangana Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali and Industry Minister K.T. Rama Rao were also present at the groundbreaking ceremony at Madhapur, the IT hub.

C h e n na i , F e b 1 2 The South Asia hub is coming up on five acres of (IANS): AIADMK Genland allotted by the state government. The Dalai Lama later delivered a public talk on “Ethics, Values and eral Secretary V.K. Sasikala Well-being”. The Nobel Laureate, who arrived here on on Sunday said the party Saturday, went around the facility and addressed Indian has crossed several hurdles Police Service (IPS) probationers and trainee officers and survived betrayals in from Bhutan, the Maldives and Nepal. According to the past and true cadre are Tenzin Priyadarshi, the Centre’s President and CEO, its foundation.

Speaking to reporters the Centre designs and disseminates programmes that are most relevant to the issues facing humanity. “Since here, she said the AIADits inception 2009 at the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- MK government will connology, the Centre has been a driving force in fostering tinue in the state. She said individual and organisational ethics and value-driven the party faced betrayal by some members when its leadership,” he said.

Dalai Lama lays foundation stone for South Asia hub

versity Grants Commission (UGC) notification on M.Phil. and Ph.D. admissions.

The notification -which proposed 100 per cent weightage to viva and reducing entrance examination to a qualifying criteria -- was adopted by the JNU Academic Council (AC) in its meeting on December 26 last year despite protests from almost half of the Council’s members.

The students along with many teachers have raised their objection to the order being passed unilaterally in the Council meeting and have asked the authorities to reconvene the Council to discuss various aspects of the notification. The university has told the students that it would abide by the egalitarian spirit of the JNU in admission policy, which will include reducing the viva to 20 per cent and allocating ‘extra points’ to candidates from backward

regions on account of their being deprived of equal opportunities.

However, it has stuck with the clause which imposes a cap on the number of students which a faculty member can guide.

“JNU Admission Policy has all the socially inclusive admission policies of JNU while adopting 2016 UGC gazette notification. Less marks for viva, deprivation points, concessions to Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes categories... however, will be following the UGC notified upper limits on how many research scholars a faculty can guide,” the administration statement said.

The students, some of whom have been on an indefinite hunger-strike against the notification, have argued that the concerned clause will in effect mean a cut in the intake of students for M.Phil. and Ph.D. streams.

Sasikala hopeful of overcoming hurdles

Resolve ills in Kerala education sector: Cong

T h i ru va na n thapuram, Feb 12 (IANS): The Congress party in Kerala has sought the immediate intervention of the Pinarayi Vijayan gover nment to resolve alleged ills plaguing the higher education sector in the state.

Addressing the media here on Sunday, state Congress President V.M. Sudheeran said it is high time that the Vijayan government intervened strongly.

“There are various issues that have surfaced at the Kerala Law Academy, besides students unrest at

the Nehru College (Thrissur) following the death of a young engineering student named Jishnu Prannoy and unruly scenes at the Toms Engineering college near Kottayam,” said Sudheeran.

Sudheeran said that while there are very good colleges in the self-financing professional sector in the state, the number of institutions where problems are surfacing one after the other has been increasing.

There are over 140 institutions in the state imparting higher education in the professional sector.

“It is high time that the Vijayan government intervenes as the future of a new generation is at stake.

After the Kerala Law Academy gave in to the demands after 29 days of students protests, the students are launching their next phase of protests over Prannoy’s death which remains unresolved.

“We had demanded an all-party meeting to discuss all these issues and, if need be, the government should frame a new set of laws to rein in erring colleges,” Sudheeran added.

M. Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS): Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has urged the state governments to implement the Real Estate Act, 2016, in “letter and spirit” and provide all the institutional mechanisms needed to roll out the legislation from May 1. In a letter to Chief Ministers, Naidu has urged them to take personal interest in ensuring implementation of the Act “in letter and spirit”.

“Real Estate Act is one of the most important reforms for the sector, which would bring benefits to all stakeholders. It is therefore, my sincere request to please bestow your personal attention to this matter so that the Act is implemented in time and in the spirit with which it was passed by the Parliament,” Naidu said in the recent letter, according to an official statement.

Under the Real Estate (Regulation and Developdefeated by J. Jayalalithaa ment) Act, 2016, from then.

Sasikala also said the letter purported to be written by her to the Governor threatening to commit suicide is a fake. For a second day in succession, Sasikala drove down to the Golden Bay Beach resort near Ma- NEW DELHI, FEB 12 habalipuram to interact (AGENCIES): To enwith the party legislators hance passengers safety who have been housed there and curb criminal activities on board, train coaches will for the past several days. be fitted with automatic door locking mechanism soon.

Under the new system to be controlled by train guard from his cabin, all ous issues related to demo- doors will automatically cratic and Parliamentary open when a train arrives affairs, an official said at station and close before The arrangements re- it departs. lated to the conference At present, train doors were reviewed at a high- are opened and closed level meeting here on Sat- manually. urday by officials from the Incidents of passenLok Sabha Secratariat. gers falling off running The conference will be trains are reported regularheld in Indore for the first ly and the problem is acute time. Prior to this, the meet in the Mumbai suburban was organised at places like New Delhi, Mumbai, section.

Falling off trains is and Goa. The conference will the second major cause of also witness a cultural pro- death as well, the first being gramme depicting India’s the cases of persons being run over by trains. heritage.

Joseph Mar Thoma

Automatic door + locking system in Rajdhani, Shatabdi

V.K. Sasikala

founder M.G. Ramachandran was alive and it was

Indore to host South Asian Speakers conference in February Indore, Feb 12 (IANS): A two-day conference of Parliamentary speakers of South Asian nations will be held here in Madhya Pradesh on February 18-19, officials said on Sunday. Indore is the Parliamentary constituency of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Parliamentary presiding officers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will participate in the meet along with hosts India, and will discuss vari-

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human, civil and political rights. “The women empowerment really means respect for women for her human dignity, freedom to choose way of life and active participation in decision making process in participatory parliamentary democracy,” she said.

Mahajan told the conclave that the Parliament is making consistent efforts for policy formulation and programme implementation towards empowerment of the women.

She mooted the idea of Parliamentary Group under the chairmanship of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for discussing ways and means for empowerment of women.

Noting that women are change vehicles in global scenario, she said

on account of security and it’s not a ban,” he said.

T h i s c o nve n t i o n , held on the banks of river Pamba, has over the years become the flagship programme of the Thiruvallaheadquartered Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, which claims to have a following of a million.

The convention is held under the aegis of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association.

Incidentally, for the past one month, a group of Mar Thoma Church members under the name and style of ‘Naveekerna Vedi’ (Reformists) -- which has been in existence for

over a quarter century but does not have the approval of the Church -- raised the issue in the Church meeting, but the matter was not taken up for discussion.

After that they have been trying to gain public support to the idea of entry to women in the night sessions, but it has failed to get acceptance.

The Mar Thoma Church, which defines itself as apostolic in origin, universal in nature, biblical in faith, evangelical in principle, ecumenical in outlook, oriental in worship, democratic in function, and episcopal in character, has been able to make inroads in the education sector and runs numerous educational institutions.

The origin and growth of this annual get-together for a week can be traced to the great revival movement which gathered momentum along with the reformation in the ancient Syrian Church of Malabar under the leadership of Abraham Malpan.

Maramon, Feb 12 (IANS): The bar on women’s entry to the night sessions of the Syrian Mar Thoma Church’s famed Maramon convention that began here on Sunday will stay due to security reasons, its supreme head said.

“There is a group here, who are trying to get media attention by raising non-issues. They want their names to be printed in newspapers and show their faces on TV. At this convention, there are four sessions where women can enter, but it’s not possible in the night sessions and that’s not going to be changed,” said Metropolitan, Joseph Mar Thoma, in his inaugural address at the week-long 122nd edition of what is billed as Asia’s biggest Christian convention.

“It must not be forgotten that our Church has always taken the lead by giving due importance to women and we were the first to give voting rights to women. The non-entry to women in night sessions is

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decision-making power was necessary for women.

Naidu said that the state government proposes to start a novel programme titled ‘Thalliki vandanam’ (Salutations to mother) soon. He expressed the confidence that under the leadership of Mahajan, the women’s reservation bill will be passed in Parliament.

He also announced ‘Amaravati declaration’ which will be circulated to all the state governments for taking suitable action to provide equal opportunities to women and ensure their participation in socio economic development of the nation.

Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasad Rao said that 22,000 young women participated in the event and discussed the socio economic political challenges for women’s empowerment.

More than 405 women members of legislative assemblies and 92 women Members of Parliament, Union and State ministers participated in the conclave. Eminent women from all walks of life deliberated various issues related to women’s empowerment.

other water sources, “and the inter-use and inter-state conflicts due to water have placed responsibilities on the central government to address water as a national issue”. “The NWFL should be discussed comprehensively to arrive at a consensus among stakeholders on the provisions of the Bill, and the policies of other sectors should be aligned with the water sector policies.”

In this connection, former Secretary in the Water Resources Ministry and currently Distinguished Fellow at TERI Syamal K. Sarkar noted in the meeting that a glaring example that required addressing is of free electricity for agriculture in some states, which often runs counter to the water conservation efforts of the same state governments.

“Water is an emotive and volatile issue, and its political resolution is difficult.

There is need to move away from the emotive aspects to basing policy decisions in water on hard data,” the statement said.

The Supreme Court earlier this week said it would consider if the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal should have gone into river water agreements between the then Madras Presidency and erstwhile ruler of the Mysore State in 1892 and 1924 in determining the quantum of water for Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and others.

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Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Feb 12 (IANS) :The first National Women’s Parliament concluded here on Sunday with Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan calling up on all political parties to back the bill for providing reservation to women in the legislative bodies.

Addressing the valedictory session, she said that respectfully giving reservations to women is the need of the hour.

Earlier, talking to reporters on the sidelines of the conclave, Mahajan urged upon all political parties to back the long pending bill aimed at providing 33 percent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

The bill was passed by Rajya Sabha in 2010 but it lapsed following dissolution of 15th Lok Sabha.

The Speaker said that empowering women is necessary to make resurgent India and urged the Women’s Parliament to contribute their best for mitigating problems of women to help their empowerment and enable national development.

She opined that agitating for reservations is not fight against men, but it is only asserting the basic

Bengaluru, Feb 12 (IANS): In view of recurring crises like the recent Cauvery water-related dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, a local think tank formed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has called on stakeholders to reach an expeditious consensus on the provisions of the bill for a National Water Framework Law (NWFL) proposed by the Centre.

“The National Water Commission and the National Framework Law for water are important to establish the principles of governance in the water sector, and to speed up the Water Resources Information System to provide hard data,” the TERI Bangalore Sustainable Development Group said in a statement following a meeting here earlier this week to discuss water sector issues. “The idea of a National Water Framework Law (NWFL) proposed by the central government has, however, received a pushback from the states. Under the Indian Constitution, water is primarily a State subject, but it is an important national concern,” it said.

The Bengaluru group said various aspects, including the judicial recognition of the right to water as a fundamental component of the right to life, the sense of an imminent crisis in water, the need to conserve, the pollution of rivers and

8

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Tax officers asked to I-T department gives 5 more Rs 5L cr worth of orders submit self-appraisal report days to 18 lakh assessees for roads, ports: Gadkari

KAKURO

About 2.83 lakh estimated central govt jobs by 2018

(From p-1) government under the leadership of T.R. Zeliang and his colleagues” who pursued a divide and rule policy by creating enmity among the Naga civil societies and public/govt employers. LHJAC has also appreciated Npio Kikon president NPF 37 Tiyi A/C for his “broad sense and taking a bold decision for withdrawing his statement and assuring to stand by the Lotha Hoho guidelines in near future as published in the local media on February 12.

No. 8422 Yesterday’s solution No. 8421

No. 3042 Yesterday’s solution No. 3041

No. 1869 Yesterday’s solution No. 1868

buyers can approach Real Estate Regulatory Authorities seeking relief against violation of the contractual obligations and other provisions of the Act. For this to happen, Real Estate Rules including the General Rules and the Agreement for Sale Rules, Real Estate Authorities and Appellate Tribunals were required to be in place and in a position to start functioning.

So fa r, only four states - Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh - and six Union Territories have notified the final Real Estate Rules.

Naidu said the Act would not only provide the much needed consumer protection, but would also give a fillip to the sector.

Over 60 sections of the Act were notified by the Ministry on May 1 last year, including Section 84 under which states were required to notify Real Estate Rules by October 31 last year thereby setting the ground for the act’s implementation.

Across 1 Girl taking jet to see old stamp (5,5) 7 Maigret’s odd music (7) 8 List of choices for chaps going to university (4) 10 An American gives no backing to king (4) 11 More tempestuous, making more stir (8) 13 Deprived child - no harp ordered (6) 15 Keen perception - having last word about copper?

(6) 17 Pitiful father gets the twitch (8) 18 Competent learner in Lincoln (4) 21 Misfortunes in the ‘ighlands (4) 22 Red tape reformed and gradually reduced (7) 23 Film star, miscast, dived in van (5,5) Down 1 Father raised horse - he’s a heathen (5) 2 Fastener - one of five on hand (4) 3 French girl yet confused about animal doctor?

(6) 4 Stack of fruit in funny rhyme (8) 5 Swindle by company?

Make sure! (7) 6 Sorry camp constructed for a group of soldiers (4,5) 9 Agreed on a mixed drink (9) 12 Engage in a sport - risk a wet outcome (5-3) 14 Gently strike a girl - on the knee (7) 16 Christopher turned up net for for small pet (6) 19 Nobleman - unproductive, so we hear (5) 20 Wide boy has upset bigwigs (4)

New Delhi/ Durgapur Feb 12 (IANS): India’s latest private airline Zoom Air, which launched its inaugural flight on Sunday from Delhi to West Bengal’s Durgapur, plans to fill the gap of “sectors which are less catered” by other scheduled airlines, a company official said.

The airline will start daily scheduled operations from the Delhi-KolkataDurgapur-Delhi sector from next Wednesday and the same will be extended to Amritsar in the afternoon followed by a DelhiSurat-Bhavnagar-Delhi evening service.

“We will fill the gap of sectors which are less catered to by other scheduled airlines. We will connect Tirupati, Vijaywada, Mumbai, Shillong, Aizawl, Pasighat and Zero (in Arunachal Pradesh), Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Indore and Bhopal, atleast once daily from Delhi and Kolkata,” said airline’s CEO and Director Koustav M. Dhar.

The carrier’s aircrafts produced by Bombardier are versatile for short sectors flying and aptly suited for Indian Tier II and Tier III cities, he said adding that the airline is the first private carrier to join Ministry of Civil Aviation’s initiative for Regional connectivity Scheme (RCS).

“We envisage a 18-20 percent year on growth on such under-served and un-served airports. It is all about connectivity and regular reliable services,” Dhar said.

New Delhi, Feb 12 (PTI): Nearly 2.83 lakh central government jobs are estimated to be generated by next year.

This projection has been made in the Union Budget for 2017-18 presented last week by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

As per the budget documents, the workforce of the central government establishments would be 35.67 lakh in 2018, about 2.83 lakh more than the actual head count of 32.84 lakh in 2016.

The Home Ministry will add 6,076 more personnel to take its strength to 24,778 in 2018. About 1.06 lakh more workforce will be added in police departments to take the total head count to 11,13,689 by next year.

The strength of police departments under the central government is 10,07,366, as per the 2016 data.

There will be an estimated increase of 2,109 persons in the External Affairs Ministry as against its actual strength of 9,294 in 2016, it said.

In newly created Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the government has estimated to add 2,027 jobs by 2018.

Its actual strength in 2016 was 53 only.

When contacted, Minister of State for Person-

nel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh today said the additional workforce will help in providing more citizen-centric governance.

“The central government is trying to emphasise more on employability of our youths rather then employment. That is why the Skill Development Ministry has been started. It will train more youths to become entrepreneur and be job-ready in changing scenario.

“The projection of additional workforce will help in providing more citizen centric governance,” he told PTI. There would be an estimated 1,045 more staff in 2018 in the Ministry of Civil Aviation from its actual strength of 1,141 in 2016.

In the Department of Posts, there would be 20,442 more workforce from its strength of 4,48,840. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will add 2,165 more jobs in next year to take its strength to 5,094.

An estimated 91 people will be part of the workforce in the Minority Affairs Ministry in 2018, in addition to its actual strength of 169 in 2016.

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Second wave state wide bandh begins

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS): Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has urged the state governments to implement the Real Estate Act, 2016, in “letter and spirit” and provide all the institutional mechanisms needed to roll out the legislation from May 1.

In a letter to Chief Ministers, Naidu has urged them to take personal interest in ensuring implementation of the Act “in letter and spirit”.

“Real Estate Act is one of the most important reforms for the sector, which would bring benefits to all stakeholders.

It is therefore, my sincere request to please bestow your personal attention to this matter so that the Act is implemented in time and in the spirit with which it was passed by the Parliament,” Naidu said in the recent letter, according to an official statement.

Under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, from May 1 this year, home

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(Form p-1) On the other hand sources said BJP legislator, Mmhonlumo Kikon, was also in Dimapur was informed about the meeting on Saturday evening. Party sources also said that the meeting was supposedly called since BJP legislator, P. Paiwang felt the need for a consultative meeting between its legislators and party workers.

DP-1248

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an end to ‘Inspector Raj’.

The taxpayers covered in this phase need to submit their response on the portal in order to avoid any further notice from the I-T Department and enforcement actions. The information in respect of these cases has been made available in the e-filing window of the taxpayer at the government’s e-filing portal. A detailed user guide and quick reference guide is available on the portal to assist the taxpayers in submitting online response. “Based on the taxpayers’ explanation, data analytics will be used to select cases for verification. If the case is selected for verification, request for additional information and its response will also be communicated electronically,” the I-T department had earlier said.

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PTI here. “We are actively examining the issue. The only thing that we have to ensure is that insurance costs fit into our scheme,” he added.

Recently, in one of the biggest ever breaches of financial data in the country, customers of 3.2 million debit cards belonging to different banks were hit by cyber frauds where their ATM details were compromised.

Several victims even had reported unauthorised usage from locations in China.

The worst-hit card-issuing banks in the episode included SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, YES Bank and Axis Bank.

Banks either had to replace or asked users to change the security codes of as many customers. Even though SBI didn’t suffer any big financial losses due to the data compromise episode, still as a precautionary measure, it had blocked 6 lakh debit cards.

Bank of Baroda, which had seen around 1 lakh of its debit cards being compromised in the recent episode, is also keen to go for such insurance covers in future.

Naidu urges states to implement Real Estate Act

K-0382

Mumbai, Feb 12 (PTI): At a time when cyber threats are on the rise for banks for increasing cashless transactions and effects of demonetization, insurers see rise in demand for cyber insurance and cyber liability insurance, in particular. This is despite the fact that the industry base for cyber insurance is currently as low as Rs 60 crore.

There are various cyber insurance covers available in the country, but it is the cyber liability insurance which is in maximum demand for the banks, say insurers.

Non-life insurers that provide cyber insurance cover include New India, National, ICICI Lombard, Tata AIG, HDFC Ergo and Bajaj Allianz. Country’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI), which fell victim to cyber frauds some time back, is now considering insurance to protect its 30 crore customers.

“We have always seen maximum security in all our IT systems. We are now considering to avail cyber insurance covers for our customers,” SBI managing director Rajnish Kumar told

State BJP urges JCC, NTAC for dialogue

DP-1374

Banks rush to buy cyber security cover

compared to their taxpayer profile.

The process has been labelled as “Operation Clean Money”, in which data analytics has been made use of to analyse the data received between November 9 and December 30, 2016. “There would be many more such lists... second, third, fourth, fifth...

This is only the first list.

We will go for verification from the highest deposits to the lower ones,” Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia had said earlier.

However, according to some reports, the deposits up to Rs 2.5 lakh would not be questioned. The I-T Department has enabled online verification of the deposits, that are under the scanner, to reduce compliance cost for the taxpayers while optimising its resources and put

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earlier this month, the AAArated National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been permitted to raise Rs 70,000 crore through infrastructure bonds, he said.

“For NHAI, tripleAAA rating is there. We already have permission from the Finance Minister for raising Rs 70,000 crore

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS): The income tax department on Saturday said it has extended the time limit for the 18 lakh taxpayers, who have been asked to explain the large deposits made post-demonetisation, to respond till February 15.

“Time limit for filing of online response to cash deposit data extended. Now you can file your details by February 15, 2017 - Operation Clean Money,” the I-T department said in a tweet.

Earlier, on January 31, I-T department had asked the identified 18 lakh taxpayers, who were alerted through SMS and mails, to respond to the queries within 10 days. According to the tax officials, the transactions carried out by these taxpayers post demonetisation seemed out of line as

DP-927

Nitin Gadkari

infrastructure bonds.”

“My toll income is Rs 10,000 crore per year. So, I can monetise for 15 years and I get Rs 2 lakh crore.

There are 101 projects which are ready with where I am going to monetise and I will get Rs 1.25 lakh crore... so, money is not the problem,” he added. Besides, there is easy availability of low-cost overseas loans, the minister said.

“We are getting Rs 3,000 crore in dollar loans with 2.25 per cent interest, and we can raise Rs 50,000 crore without hedge with two per cent interest”.

Gadkari was responding to a question by Assocham TV about how realistic the plans for the transport sector were when the private sector was facing severe financial stress.

Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

The assessment proceedings in all cases selected under scrutiny have to be conducted through email based communications unless the taxpayer concerned desires to opt out of the paperless assessment scheme.

In a communication to Principal Chief Commissioners of I-T in these seven regions, the apex policy making body CBDT has asked them to report disposal of cases carried out in paperless assessment mode by the 7th of next month. As per the format for filing of report, the officers will have to give statistical information regarding the number of e-assessment cases under his jurisdiction at the beginning of the month, and the number of cases selected for scrutiny.

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New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS): The government’s road and highway building programme has enough cash to build the crucial infrastructure, Road Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari has said.

“We have signed contracts worth Rs 5 lakh crore for infrastructure, roads, ports. It is a remarkable contribution from our investors. We do not have any problem, we are receiving public, private investment... we are receiving good response for the Public-Private Partnership, Build-OperateTransfer and hybrid annuity (models),” Gadkari told Assocham TV in an interview.

As per the 2017-18 Budget, presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

New Delhi, Feb 12 (PTI): Tightening reporting norms, the tax officers have been asked to submit self appraisal reports to the Revenue Department and explain reasons for the “poor performance” in doing escrutiny of tax returns. As it promotes paperless e-mail based assessment to limit personal interface between the taxpayer and taxmen, the Revenue Department has asked officers to file a report on the e-assessments they took up and disposed off in the year.

In the self-appraisal form, they have also been asked to file reasons for “low performance”, according to a CBDT order.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has started paperless assessment proceedings in 7 metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru,

Germany elects Frank-Walter Steinmeier as new president

Newly elected German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is congratulated

by German President Joachim Gauck and Angela Merkel.

Berlin, Feb 12 (Agencies): Billed as Germany’s “anti-Trump”, centre-left former foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was elected today as the new ceremonial head of state.

The 61-year-old, who regularly polls as Germany’s most popular politician, will represent the EU’s top economy abroad and act as a kind of moral arbiter for the nation.

His Social Democrats (SPD) hope the appoint-

ment will boost their fortunes just as their candidate Martin Schulz, the former European parliament president, readies to challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in September elections.

Steinmeier received 931 of 1,239 valid votes after Merkel’s conservatives, lacking a strong candidate of their own, agreed to back him to replace incumbent Joachim Gauck, 77, a former pastor from ex-communist East Germany.

The vote was held in Berlin’s glass-domed Reichstag building by a special Federal Assembly, made up of national lawmakers and electors sent from Germany’s 16 states – among them deputies but also artists, writers, musicians and national football coach Joachim Loew.

With his snowy white hair, round glasses and dimpled smile, Steinmeier is one of Germany’s best-known politicians, having twice

served as top diplomat under Merkel for a total of seven years.

Though the trained lawyer is usually measured in his speech, in the thick of last year’s US election campaign Steinmeier labelled Donald Trump a “hate preacher”. After the billionaire won the White House, Steinmeier predicted relations would get “more difficult” and said his staff were struggling to detect any “clear and coherent” foreign policy positions from Trump.

As Steinmeier has prepared for the new post, which he assumes on March 19, he has vowed to serve as a “counterweight to the trend of boundless simplification”, calling this approach “the best antidote to the populists”.

The Berliner Morgenpost newspaper judged that Steinmeier looks set to be “the anti-Trump president”.

In 2009, Steinmeier ran against Merkel and lost badly, only to return years later to serve in her cabinet.

Steinmeier is well known in the world’s capitals, but his appointment worries some in eastern Europe, who see him as too soft on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Sri Lanka’s former rebel leader forms party C o lo m b o, F e b 1 2 (IANS): Former Tamil Tiger leader Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan has formed a new party to voice the concerns of the Tamils in Sri Lanka, the media reported on Sunday.

Muralitharan alias Karuna, who broke away from the LTTE in 2004 and was sworn in as a deputy minister in the previous government, blamed the main Tamil party -- Tamil National Alliance (TNA) -- for not doing enough to represent the concerns of the Tamils, Xinhua news agency reported.

He formed the Tamil National Freedom Front Party with the assistance of his close members.

Muralitharan was the former Tamil Tiger leader in the eastern province and bolted from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2004.

A f t e r l e av i n g t h e LTTE, he formed Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), a splinter faction.

After giving up arms and entering politics, he was appointed a National List MP for the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), the party of former President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Romanian anti-govt protests continue ‘Strong message sent to

upper house on Brexit bill’

Protesters lit torches and wave flags as they gather outside the government building in Bucharest, Romania.

Bucharest, Feb 12 (Agencies): Anti-government protests continue in freezing temperatures in Romania’s capital Bucharest.

The numbers are down – now in the tens of thousand rather than the hundreds of thousands seen earlier – but they remain just as resolute.

Despite political concessions – including the revoking of a decree decriminalising some corruption offences and the resignation

of the justice minister – many who are out on the streets are not satisfied.

They want the government to resign and maintain that fewer demonstrators is not significant.

“It doesn’t matter how many we are here, because people at home feel the same. And we still need to change this. And people will come back, every day here, I’m sure,” said one.

“We are here because we want a better nation. We want justice to be applied,

Turkish operation in Syria will continue: Tayyip

Pak boycotts UN meet as US delays visa to Rabbani

I s ta n bu l , F e b 1 2 (Agencies): President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that the final goal of a Turkish military incursion into Syria was not just to retake the city of al-Bab from Islamic State, but to cleanse a border region including Raqqa of the jihadists. “The ultimate goal is to cleanse a 5,000-squarekm area,” Erdogan told a news conference before his departure on an official visit to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Turkey has long advocated a “safe zone” for civilians in northern Syria cleared of IS militants and the Kurdish YPG militia, but says such an area would need to be policed by a nofly zone. Erdogan said he had discussed this again with the United States and Russia and that Turkey was prepared to do the infrastructure work in the zone, to help prevent migration from Syria and allow those who had fled to Turkey to go home.

Islamabad, Feb 12 (IANS): Pakistan Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani announced a boycott of the UN-sponsored International Parliamentary Union (IPU) being held in New York next week, after the US failed to issue a visa to his deputy, who was to represent Pakistan at the forum, media reported on Sunday. The Senate Chairman has also directed that no Senate delegation will visit the US “unless an explanation (for) the delay in issuance of visa” to Deputy Chairman Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri was given by the US government or its embassy in Pakistan, Dawn reported.

Maulana Haideri, who belongs to the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), was scheduled to travel to the US with Pakistan Muslim Leag­u eNawaz Senator Lt. Gen. (retd) Salahuddin Tirmizi on Sunday to attend the IPU hearing at the UN headquarters on February 13-14.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur monday, february 13, 2017

we want our rights to be listened to and respected.” said another.

“Here, we are not in this square for salaries or for pensions, we are here for a principle, we are here for an idea. And when an idea unites all of us around one idea, we are very strong.”

There were also reportedly protests in other Romanian cities.

In Bucharest on Saturday several hundred progovernment supporters also turned out.

According to an official statement released by the Senate secretariat, Rabbani has also directed that “no delegation, member of Congress or diplomat of the US will be welcomed by the Senate of Pakistan, Senate standing committees and senators in their official capacity (until) this issue is resolved”.

Sources in the Senate Secretariat told Dawn that since this was an official visit, Maulana Haideri was not directly in contact with the US embassy in Islamabad and all the correspondence in this regard was carried out by the secretariat on his behalf.

Secretariat staff was told on Saturday that the emba­s sy would inform them about the status of the Deputy Chairman’s visa on February 14, the last day of the IPU hearing.

A spokesperson for the US embassy in Islamabad, when asked to comment, told Dawn that they could not comment on visa cases due to privacy laws.

Suu Kyi urges Myanmar armed ethnic groups to sign cease-fire

Aung San Suu Kyi salutes the national flag during Union Day celebrations. (AP/PTI)

PANGLONG, Feb 12 (Agencies): Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on all armed ethnic groups to sign a cease-fire agreement during a speech Sunday in the same place where her father, an independence hero, signed a peace deal 70 years ago.

Speaking during annual Union Day celebrations, Suu Kyi said ethnic groups can still join the movement for peace. “I want to ask those ethnic groups who haven’t signed the nationwide cease-fire to trust yourself and sign it and please participate in our 21st Century Panglong Conference,” Suu Kyi said.

Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party promised that peace would be the top priority when she came to power a year ago. But she has come under fire for ignoring the plight of the oppressed Rohingya Muslims and failing to stop atrocities against other ethnic minorities.

Skirmishes, particularly in the northern zones where Kachin insurgents are fighting the army, have displaced more than 100,000 civilians since 2011 alone.

With military offensives on the rise, ethnic groups have recently expressed that their hopes for Suu Kyi leading the peace

process are fading.

Union Day marks the original Panglong agreement, brokered by Suu Kyi’s father, Gen. Aung San. He, along with ethnic Shan, Kachin and Chin leaders, signed the deal to grant ethnic minorities autonomy and the right to secede if they worked with the federal government to break away from Britain.

But Aung San was assassinated five months after the agreement was reached and the deal fell apart. Since then, ethnic groups have accused successive, mostly military governments of failing to honor the 1947 pact.

UN appoints new envoy to Libya; US objects

Swiss voters consider streamlined citizenship

Lo n d o n, F e b 1 2 (Agencies): Britain’s upper house of parliament has been given “a pretty powerful message” to pass legislation to start Brexit talks and not delay Prime Minister Theresa May’s timetable for leaving the European Union, a government minister said on Sunday.

In interviews with local media, David Lidington, the leader of the lower house of parliament, said the unelected upper chamber should respect the vote to leave the EU at last year’s referendum and the support given by the House of Commons.

Members of the Lords from the opposition Liberal Democrats say they will try to attach conditions to a bill giving May the right to trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, which may derail a pledge to launch divorce talks by the end of March.

“The fact that the exit bill, the Article 50 bill, has gone to the House of Lords with a majority of more than 300 from the House of

Commons and unamended ... is a pretty powerful message to the lords,” he told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.

“Of course they are free to propose and debate amendments, I hope they will also take full account of the strength of opinion from the elected house.”

May won approval from the lower house earlier this month and the House of Lords, where her ruling Conservative Party does not have a majority, is due to start debating the bill on Feb. 20.

Dick Newby, Liberal Democrat leader in the Lords, told Sky News that his hope to attach amendments -- including one calling for a second referendum on a final Brexit deal -- to the bill was not an attempt to “block” legislation or to slow it down. The Liberal Democrats have also put forward a second amendment which would require the government to guarantee the rights of EU citizens resident in Britain and British citizens living elsewhere in the EU.

Over 200 kg explosives seized in Afghanistan

US behind Japan after N Korea missile launch: Trump

Kabul, Feb 12 (IANS): Over 200 kg explosives were seized by the Afghan National Police in Kunduz province, a police official said on Sunday.

“Based on a tip-off, the ANP intercepted a vehicle on the outskirts of Kunduz city and recovered 210 kg of explosives late Saturday night,” Xinhua news agency quoted the official as saying.

A militant was held, the vehicle was confiscated and the explosives were destroyed safely by a bomb disposal team.

The timely discovery of the explosives has foiled terror attacks and saved the city from an expected tragedy, the official said.

The Kunduz province and neighbouring Baghlan and Takhar provinces have been the scene of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to challenge the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.

Washington, Feb 12 (PTI): President Donald Trump today assured America’s full support to Japan after North Korea test fired a ballistic missile in an apparent act of provocation.

“I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, it’s great ally, 100 per cent,” Trump said in a brief statement during a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He did not elaborate on the issue.

His comments came after Abe denounced the Nor th Korea’s missile launch - the first after Trump became the President - at a hastily organised joint briefing at Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

“North Korea’s most recent missile launch is absolutely intolerable,” Abe told reporters. “North Korea must fully comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”

The joint news conference lasted for less than three minutes. The two leaders were talking to reporters

Tripoli, Feb 12 (IANS): Palestinian diplomat Salam Fayyad has been appointed as the new UN special envoy to Libya and the Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya.

The appointment was announced on Saturday by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The US, however, objected to the choice of Fayyad, saying the US was “disappointed to see a letter indicating the intention to appoint the former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister to lead the UN Mission in Libya”, Xinhua news agency reported.

“For too long the UN has been unfairly biased in favour of the Palestinian Authority to the detriment of our allies in Israel,” US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley said.

The US objection was condemned by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, with its member Hanan Ashrawi saying the objection was “unconscionable”.

GENE VA , F e b 1 2 (Agencies): Swiss voters are considering two issues that will affect immigrants and foreign companies in Switzerland, deciding whether to make it easier for “third-generation foreigners” to get Swiss citizenship and whether to lock in competitive low tax rates for businesses.

The “simplified naturalization of third-generation immigrants’’ measure is expected to pass in Sunday’s referendum. It would simplify applications for anyone under 25 whose parents and grandparents have lived in Switzerland for years.

Polls have suggested a tight race over the complex tax reform initiative, which aims to get Switzerland in line with international standards by scrapping a twotrack tax system that offers lower rates to foreign firms to lure investment.

Sunday’s referendum is the latest installment of Switzerland’s direct democracy that gives voters a frequent say on political

decisions. A third issue on the national ballot involves infrastructure spending.

Voters in the eastern Graubuenden canton, or region, are also deciding whether to bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Four years ago, the region rejected a similar referendum about the 2022 Winter Games, which were eventually awarded to Beijing.

Those hoping to benefit from a new, easier way to Swiss citizenship include high school student Selena Mercado. The 17-year-old was born in Switzerland, has gone to school in Switzerland, considers herself Swiss and dreams of a political career in the country one day.

But her passport is from Chile, a country that she’s never set foot in but was home to her grandparents before they moved to this small Alpine nation decades ago. Being born in Switzerland doesn’t mean automatically mean becoming Swiss, a situation echoed in a few other European nations.

President Donald Trump (second from right) and first lady Melania Trump stop to pose for a photo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe. (AP/PTI)

after spending the day at a golf course and discussing US-Asia engagement.

“During the summit meeting that I had with President Trump, he assured me that the US will always [be with] Japan 100 per cent, and to demonstrate his determination as well as commitment, he is here with me at this joint press conference,” said Abe, who spoke via a translator.

In a statement, the US Strategic Command said it detected a North Korean

launch of a medium- or intermediate-range ballistic missile. It occurred near the northwestern city of Kusong and the missile was tracked over North Korea and into the Sea of Japan.

The North American Aerospace Defence Command determined the missile launch from the North did not pose a threat to North America, the statement said.

Earlier, Trump told reporters that he and Abe had a great time together. “We

got to know each other very, very well.”

Trump and Abe arrived at Mar-a-Lago Friday evening from Washington DC aboard Air Force One. The White House said Trump “enjoyed hosting” Abe on the golf course. It described the retreat as “both relaxing and productive.”

“They had great conversations on a wide range of subjects, and the President looks forward to further discussions with the Prime Minister...,” it added.

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Infotainment Japanese manga artist Jiro dies

Valentine’s Day 2017: Ditch red, try sexy black

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elebrate Valentine’s Day 2017 in a sexy and stylish way – switch to black! Black is beautiful and sexy and if you want to treat your lady in a unique way this Valentine’s Day, try a colour other than red and ditch the cliché. How about some cozy time at home? Surprise your lady with black colour as the main theme.

Turn these five things into black and you’ll be ready to cast a spell this Valentine’s evening.

As your Valentine enters your cozy abode, let their eye meet some elegant black-coloured cushions, preferably with some mushy love

messages imprinted on them.

Serve your love in a glass of wine with some black rasberries for company. A bunch of black grapes along wine will make for a romantic evening. You can also try a small DIY with your wine bottle. Paint the bottle in black matte colour and decoupage with an aged book page from a classic romantic novel.

Fill up the roof of your living room with black balloons. As they rise up to kiss the roof, you can tie white satin ribbons to them. You can use these balloons to play a few naughty games too.

Ditch the regular white or red table accessories and try your hands at black tableware that looks sexy.

Nothing gets better than spending a night beneath the stars with your loved one. Paste some night glowing radium stars on the roof of your bedroom and see the magic unfold. Do not forget to dress up your bed in a black bedsheet too.

As Valentine’s week begins, the pheromones of love have started floating in the air. The first day of the Valentine’s Day 2017 week begins with ‘Rose Day’. So, if you have not already planned a big bouquet of red roses Valentine’s Day flowers

for your Valentine, we are here to help you unravel what these different coloured roses mean. Yes, each coloured rose implies something.

Pick the one that conveys your absolute mood!

Red Roses: Has been the classic choice of showing ‘Love’. This iconic rose coveys ultimate expression of being in love.

Peach Roses: The gorgeous rose implies modesty.

White Roses: They look gorgeous but signify a heart unacquainted with love.

Purple Roses: True to its colour, purple roses convey enchantment.

Pink Roses: Dark pink roses signify gratitude and appreciation.

Yellow Roses: Have you been giving yellow roses to express friendship? Here’s a reality check! Yellow roses imply infidelity. Oops!

Rainbow Roses: According to the Dutch florist who cultivated these multi-coloured roses are also called happy roses. They look happy and are meant to spread happiness.

So if you do not want to confuse between the wide varities of roses available and make your partner feel extremely special, get a bunch of rainbow roses!

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monday, February 13, 2017

Was out of work, but never felt insecure: Arshad Warsi

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ne of Japan’s bestknown manga artists, Jiro Taniguchi, has died aged 69, his publisher has announced. Taniguchi, who was known for his elegant line drawings and intricately-constructed landscapes, died on Saturday. His art earned him an international following and some of his work was made into a television series.

His death was announced by Casterman, his publisher in France, where his work was particularly popular. “Casterman must sadly announce the death of Jiro Taniguchi on 11 February,” the company said on its website, expressing “deep condolences” to his family. Taniguchi was widely praised for the gentle manner in which he approached subjects that were often unique for Japan’s manga consumers.

e made a successful debut with ‘Tere Mere Sapne’, but actor Arshad Warsi says post the film he was jobless for nearly three years until films like ‘Seher’ and ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ came his way.

The actor, who went on to star in critically acclaimed films like ‘Waisa Bhi Hota Hai’, ‘Ishqiya’ and ‘Jolly LLB,’ said he could come so far in his career as wife Maria Goretti was a constant support during the low phase.

“After my first film everybody said ‘damn good’.

But when the next twothree (films) died, it was done and I was left with no job. Till I did ‘Waisa Bhi Hota Hai’, ‘Seher’ and then of course ‘Munna Bhai’.

“I was jobless for three years. Luckily Maria (wife) had a job, so we were fine, the bills were being paid.

But for three years I had absolutely no films. I did odd jobs, but I did no films,” Arshad told .

Arshad says he kept

doing whatever good came his way as he had faith in his talent. “You get insecure or worried if you don’t know your job. If you know it, sooner or later everybody will realise that. You can put up an act for sometime but after that people will understand.”

The 48-year-old actor, feels sad for people “who have fooled their way into the job” with a team behind them, “spending crores to make them look good and talented.” “One movie, two movie, three and then people will realise this guy has zero talent. Those are the people who need to worry. I was never worried.

I did my first film and I

thought it was a cakewalk.

I felt I could do it.”

It was the Rajkumar Hirani-directed film which became a runaway hit and gave Arshad’s career a needed push.

“If you look at the character in the film, there is no importance to it, in the sense that he is just a goon. There are five goons behind Sanju, he is one of them who has two lines more than the rest. But, if you have talent and know your job, people will see it. If I didn’t know the job, I would’ve done that film and would’ve been forgotten. Nobody would know, as there were five others with me. Even Makrand Deshpande rejected the film,” he says.

Like he was hopeful during the testing times, Arshad has pined hopes on his latest ‘Irada’, touted as Bollywood’s first ecological thriller. The film brings him back with actor Naseerudin Shah, with whom he has previously worked in the ‘Ishqiya’ series.

Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress performs live for first time Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks, ELO celebrate Tom Petty

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conic drummer and former member of Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy performed the band’s “12 Step Suite” in its entirety for the first time ever on the Cruise To The Edge, which sailed out of Tampa,

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Florida on February 7.

The music documents the musician’s battle with alcoholism, and is an ensemble of five songs recorded by Dream Theater from 2002 to 2009, with titles that reflect his strug-

gles: “The Glass Prison”, “This Dying Soul”, “The Root Of All Evil”, “Repentance” and “The Shattered Fortress”.

The February 10 concert, which was staged under the Mike’s Shattered

Fortress banner, featured the following setlist: Portnoy, who also celebrated his 50th birthday on Cruise To The Edge, said that it was always part of his master plan to perform “12 Step Suite” in its entirety live on stage with DT. However, his 2010 exit from the band made that impossible, until now.

He said: “I wrote all five of these songs with the intention of them being performed from start to finish, and I would have loved nothing more than to be doing it with Dream

Theatre. But it’s obviously not on the cards for them.

I can’t sit around waiting for a reunion that may not happen.”

Po r t n oy, w h o c o founded Dream Theater more than thirty years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with Avenged Sevefold. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (Annihilator, Extreme, James Labrie, Steve Vai).

Portnoy later revealed that he tried to rejoin Dream Theater, only to be rebuffed.

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oo Fighters, Stevie Nicks and ELO were among the guest performers at a special gala held in celebration of Tom Petty.

Petty was honoured

by The Recording Academy – who also distribute the Grammys – as their MusiCares Person of the Year 2017, celebrating his long career in rock’n’roll.

Petty follows past honourees Lionel Richie (2016), Bob Dylan (2015) and Carole King (2014).

At the gala in LA on Friday (February 10) – which also doubles up as a char-

ity event, this year raising $8.5mn (£6.8mn) for musicians in medical or financial need – a full cast of musicians put on a 27-song-strong set of Petty songs, with guest appearances from Foo Fighters (who covered ‘Honey Bee’ from Petty’s 1994 album

‘Wildflowers’), Nicks (who dueted with Petty on ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’) and Jeff Lynne from ELO (who took lead vocals on ‘Won’t Back Down’, which he co-wrote with Petty for the latter’s 1989 album ‘Full Moon Fever’).

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Cristiano Ronaldo is congratulated by Karim Benzema during their match on Saturday.

to win the title for the first time since 2012.

Barcelona sent a stern warning to their La Liga rivals after Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi scored in a 6-0 rout of Alaves yesterday although the win was overshadowed by a serious injury to Aleix Vidal.

Suarez tur ned in a cross from Vidal in the 37th minute to give Barca the lead over the Basques, who they will meet in the King’s Cup final, and Neymar pounced on an error from goalkeeper

Durant leads Warriors past Thunder

Warriors forward Kevin Durant works around Thunder forward Andre Roberson during the first half of a game on Saturday.

LOS ANGELES, FEB 12 (AGENCIES): Kevin Durant was in hostile territory as he returned to Oklahoma City on Saturday, but shut out the noise to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 130-114 victory over his former team the Thunder.

Durant scored 34 points and pulled down nine rebounds in his first game in Oklahoma City since he departed as a free agent for Golden State after last season. The jeers and catcalls greeted him at pre-

game warm-ups and didn’t let up until the Warriors had stretched their leagueleading record to 46-8.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson scored 26 points each for the Warriors, who withstood a 47-point performance from Russell Westbrook, once the other half of a star duo with Durant in Oklahoma.

T h e t wo t r a d e d a couple of on-court barbs, which Durant passed off as normal trash talk, and despite the palpable tension

Root the right man: Broad

Stuart Broad

Lo n d o n, F e b 1 2 (Agencies): Stuar t Broad has backed Joe Root to take over from Alastair Cook as England Test captain.

Root, Broad and allrounder Ben Stokes are believed to be the leading contenders to re place Cook, who stepped down from the role earlier this month.

And Broad, who received an MBE for his services to cricket at Buckingham Palace this week, feels it would be the right decision to offer the job to one of his younger team-mates.

But the 30-year-old re-iterated his previous comment that he would K Y M C

never reject the chance to captain his country if the England and Wales Cricket Board instead offered the role to him. “I can’t imagine a scenario where a professional sportsman would tur n down the chance to captain their country if the offer was made, and I’m no different,” Broad wrote in his column for the Mail on Sunday. “ B u t f o r m e, i t feels time for the next generation to be given that responsibility. I’m more than happy to be a strong senior player who helps guide that evolution. For me, in the best interests of the team in the medium and long term, I believe a younger modern-day captain is the way to go.”

“Joe Root looks like just the man for the job for me. He’s not had a lot of captaincy experience so he will have to learn on the job, but he wouldn’t be the first England captain to have to do that. The whole point of having a new captain is so they can bring a different type of energy and ideas to the group.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said it wasn’t the worst such reception he’d seen from fans for a former favorite.

The Philadelphia 76ers halted the Miami Heat’s 13game winning streak with a 117-109 victory.

Rober t Covington, Nerlens Noel and Dario Saric scored 19 points each for the 76ers, who won their second straight. Goran Dragic led the Heat with 30 points, but the longest winning streak in the league this season came to an end.

Beijing digs new depth in Olympic legacy Beijing, Feb 12 (IANS): The newly updated corridor on the roof of Beijing’s iconic “Bird’s Nest” has been open to the public which enables tourists to overlook the Chinese capital on the highest point of the 2008 Olympics main stadium. The corridor, extended to 1,000 metres from some 200 metres, is made of stainless steel and runs all across the roof from south to north with a stopping point at the west end of the roof where is the highest point of the stadium at 69 metres, reports Xinhua news agency.

On the roof, one can stand on the huge steel beams which are woven into a gigantic nest-like str ucture. It ear ns the stadium the nickname “Bird’s Nest”, and offers a s t u n n i n g v i ew t h a t includes Beijing Olympics aquatic center “Water Cube”, Linglong tower for broadcasting during the Games, the dragon-shaped river as well as various highrises.

Wellington, Feb 12 (Agencies): Senior batsman Ross Taylor has again been kept out of the New Zealand Twenty20 squad to play South Africa later in the week.

New Zealand Cricket announced its Twenty20 and one-day international s q u a d s, w i t h C o r e y Anderson and Tom Bruce preferred over Taylor to prop up the middle order in the game’s shortest form.

Taylor is the thirdhighest run scorer for New Zealand in Twenty20 cricket but has not been required since the World T20 11 months ago.

Leg spinner Ish Sodhi retains his place in the ODI squad along with Mitchell Santner, while big-hitting all-rounder Colin Munro has been dropped with Jimmy Neesham taking over the number six spot.

India lifts 2nd Blind World Cup

Indian Blind Cricket team celebrates after winning 2nd World T20 Blind Cricket trophy by beating Pakistan at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. (PTI)

Bengaluru, Feb 12 (PTI): The Indian blind cricket team successfully defended its Twenty20 World Cup title here today, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan in the final for the second successive edition.

With eight wins from nine matches, India had gone into the final as favourites and lived up to it with a comprehensive victor y. For Pakistan though, it was their first loss in the tournament.

The two teams had clashed in the 2012 edition final as well with India emerging triumphant.

The victory was also a sweet revenge for the Indians, who had lost to Pakistan in the league stage of the current edition.

Batting first, Pakistan made 197/9 but India chased down the target in 18 overs without much of a fuss, losing just one wicket in the process. Man of the match Prakash

Jayaramaiah stood out with a splendid unbeaten 99-run knock, while Ajay Kumar Reddy was the only man to be dismissed for 43.

Reddy was run out.

Man of the series Badar Munir was the topscorer for Pakistan with a 570-run effort.

Ketan Patel and Jaffar Iqbal were the pick of Indian bowlers, grabbing two wickets each after conceding 29 and 33 runs respectively.

Indian women’s goalie Aditi bats for structured football league

New Delhi, Feb 12 (PTI): The only Indian to have played women’s club football in England, national team custodian Aditi Chauhan feels a structured league here for players can make a lot of difference.

Having played with West Ham United Ladies, she says there is a lot of difference between clubs managed in England and in India.

“England has a long history of women’s football, and hence, the whole setup is very structured. There are a lot of leagues and cup games throughout the season, different leagues for different levels of football. No matter what level you play at, you can play football either professionally or just for recreation,” she says. “ W h e n y o u p l ay football throughout the year and there is a structured

l e a g u e f o r p l aye r s t o progress, it makes a lot of difference. In addition to this, there has been a lot of investment in the game and the results are visible,” she said in an interview to The Equatorial Line magazine.

Chauhan feels there are exciting days ahead for women’s football in India which, she says, is going through a transition. “ Wo m e n’s c o a c h education has become a big focus for AIFF and at the grassroots level. On top of that, the AIFF Women’s League is the one which we are waiting for.”

Though she feels there is a lot of potential in women’s football in India, she says there isn’t that much of involvement.

“The planned AIFF Women’s League will help it grow commercially and interest the corporate world.

We need to have sponsors,” she says. Though she loves

Aditi Chauhan

outdoor sports, Chauhan says her inner self told her ‘this was for me’ the first day she played football.

She also says she enjoys football as it a contact sport. The latest edition of The Equatorial Line is dedicated to football.

More and more footballers from the northeast are donning the India colours and turning out for the country’s big clubs but the region had its first brush with glory way back in 1948 when Nagaland’s Talimeren Ao

led the national team at the 1948 Olympics.

“Manipur may have conceded to Mizoram its pre-eminent position as a catchment area for Indian football, but the state continues to dominate almost all the categories of the game, including women’s football,” the article says.

Each of the northeastern states has its own story to tell.

“The new wave has already washed away wellentrenched myths and prejudices, clearing the way for a new beginning.

Wherever you watch a thrilling football encounter, at a climactic moment the player scoring an improbable goal or frustrating a lethal attack, there will possibly be a quiet northeast boy, with a beatific Buddha smile in the moment of glory,” it says.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

K-0384

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Born on 28th Sept 1969 – Died on 31st January 2017

25/01/2017 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" Rev. 21:4 We express our profound gratitude to one and all who comforted us spiritually, physically, materially and financially at the sudden demise of our beloved Late Rapolumi Kikon who left us on 25/01/2017 We convey our special gratitude to : 1. Wokha Town Baptist Church 2. Tsumang A/B Colony, Wokha 3. Tsumang Youth Fellowshp 4. Wokha Town Aree Yanhen/Yanthan Khumshum/Okho 5. Pvushenyeni Okho 6. King's Media, Wokha 7. Staff D.C Office, Wokha 8. J.N.V Chukitong Alumni Association 9. Staff, District Hospital, Wokha 10. Faculty, GHSS, Wokha 11. Family, friends and neighbours.

Loving brother, children, grand children and in-laws

DC-260

Zidane’s side added a third through Vazquez with the last kick of the game.

Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas needed to produce a string of quality saves to preserve their advantage before Vazquez sealed only a second league win in seven visits to the perennial La Liga strugglers.

Real top the standings on 49 points, leapfrogging Barcelona on 48 after the champions thrashed Alaves 6-0 earlier. Zidane’s side have two games in hand on their arch rivals as they bid

Fernando Pacheco in the 40th minute.

Messi hit the ball under a hapless Pacheco for the third in the 59th minute to complete a full house for the ‘MSN’ trident, while an own goal by Alexis Ruano, a thumping strike from Ivan Rakitic and a volley by Suarez completed the rout.

The Uruguayan, who was sent off at the end of Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid which sealed Barcelona’s place in the King’s Cup final, moved one goal ahead of Messi at the top of the league’s scoring charts with 18 strikes.

A brilliant outing for Luis Enrique’s side turned sour, however.

Vidal was left writhing in pain from a harrowing ankle injury sustained in a challenge from Theo Hernandez with five minutes remaining.

Hernandez had given Barca an early scare when he hurtled from his own half towards goal but was thwarted by goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao moved up to seventh with a 2-1 win over Deportivo la Coruna, whilst Betis and Valencia played out a 0-0 draw.

New Zealand leave Taylor out

DP-1366

Real Madrid remain top; Barca hammer Alaves 6-0

M a d r i d, F e b 1 2 (Agencies): Real Madrid returned to the top of La Liga after winning a testing away clash against Osasuna 3-1 last night thanks to goals from talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, midfielder Isco and substitute Lucas Vazquez.

Osasuna striker Sergio Leon cancelled out Ronaldo’s 24th-minute opener in the 33rd after defender Tano had been carried off with a sickening double leg break.

Isco restored Real’s lead in the 62nd and Zinedine

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sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monday, february 13, 2017

We, the bereaved family members of Late J. Asangba Chang would like to express our heartfull gratitude and thanks to all who stood by us physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially and materially at the demise of our beloved on 31st January 2017.

Our sincere thanks to : 1. St John Sector “B” Tuensang 2. Noksen Village Union Tuensang 3. Longtang Saoshong Thangjam Tuensang 4. IET Chang Thut Tuensang 5. Holy Angels School Tuensang 6. Mission Board TTBL 7. Election office staff Tuensang 8. Noksen Students' Union Tuensang 9. Kangshou Phang Union Tuensang 10. Tuensang Town Baptist Church Lashoung (TTBL) 11. Yali Baptist Lashoung 12. Doctors, nurses and staff of Civil Hospital Tuensang 13. Chentang Village Council 14. Noksen Fellowship Dimapur 15. Changsao Thangjam Dimapur 16. Women Deptt Lotha Baptist Church Diphupar ”B” Dimapur 17. Lotha Baptist Church Diphupar ”B” Dimapur 18. Chang Baptist Lashoung Diphupar ‘B’ Dimapur 19. Lotha Ekhung Diphupar ”B’ Dimapur 20. Noksen Village Council 21. Lotha Prayer Fellowship Ground Colony Diphupar “B’ Dimapur.

We deeply regret our inability to thank each and every individual by name but your act of kindness, love and generosity, reaching out to us during our times of sorrow can never be forgotten. We pray that the Almighty GOD bless you all abundantly.

Loving wife, children, parents, brothers and sisters DP-1393

(30/10/1988 to 04/02/2017) We, the bereaved family, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all who stood by us and helped us in every way possible on the sudden demise of our beloved son and brother Lt. O. Puten Konyak.

Our special thanks to : 1. Principal, staff & students of DCPE, Amravati (Maharashtra) 2. Dr. Naro Jamir & Dr. Mhonthung Ngullie (Nagpur) 3. Dr. Swatakar (Amravati) 4. Pastor Zuchan Ovung, NECF Nagpur 5. North East Students' Union, Nagpur 6. Naga Students' Union (Amravati & Kolkata) 7. Smt. Arenla Jamir, DRC & Office staff, Nagaland House Kolkata.

8. Mr. & Mrs. Yollow Konyak, Parl. Secy., CAWD. 9. Kongan Union Dimapur.

10. GHSS Naginimora.

We are unable to thank each and every individual personally, but it is our sincere prayer that our Lord bless you abundantly.

Loving family members DP-1391 K Y M C

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur monday, february 13, 2017

sports

Ashwin’s record in 1st Test against B’desh Wenger plays down Arsenal exit talk

Indian cricketers celebrate the dismissal of Tamim Iqbal during the 4th day of test match between India and Bangladesh at Uppal stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday. (PTI)

Hyderabad, Feb 12 (PTI): A dominant India remained in pursuit of a comprehensive victor y after Bangladesh finished the penultimate day at a precarious 103 for three, chasing a mammoth target of 459 in the one-off Test here.

Rather than looking

at the improbable task of scoring the remaining 356 runs, the visitors will try to stay afloat for minimum 90 overs on the fifth and final day and save the game.

Despite the benign nature of the track, India’s bowling attack has firepower to get the remaining seven wickets.

A j i n k ya R a h a n e ’s sharp one-handed catch off Ravindra Jadeja to dismiss a well-set Soumya Sarkar (42) put India in the driver’s seat after the visitors looked comfortable during the posttea session as they started their second innings.

Sarkar, along with Mominul Haque (27), had

added 60 runs for the second wicket before the lanky lefthander poked at a Jadeja delivery that didn’t turn much.

With the momentum broken, Ashwin then had Mominul deceived by the drift. The batsman pushed at a delivery, which turned a shade away to take the leading edge and present Rahane with another catch, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 75 for three.

Ashwin (2/34 in 16 overs), who completed the fastest 250 Test wickets, gave a better account of himself in the second innings by getting the turn and the drift. Being given the new ball helped him get some bounce off the pitch as well.

In the post-lunch session, Cheteshwar Pujara scored a quickfire halfcentury as India declared their second innings at 159 for four at the stroke of tea, leaving Bangladesh with a daunting target.

Pujara smashed 54 off 58 balls while skipper Virat Kohli contributed 38 off only 40 deliveries after having bowled out Bangladesh for 388 in their first innings.

A cushion of 299 was good enough for the hosts to go for the jugular even though openers Murali Vijay (7) and KL Rahul (10) were dismissed in quick succession by Taskin Ahmed (2/43). But Pujara and Kohli upped the ante with an aim to have a a go at Bangladesh on the fourth day itself. During their 67run partnership, Pujara, , was the aggressor even as Kohli scored at a quick pace.

Using Taskin’s pace to his advantage, Pujara hooked him behind the square for a six.

Brief score: Bangladesh 103/3 and 388 all out (Soumya Sarkar 42; R Ashwin 2/34) need 356 to win against India 159/4 decl (Cheteshwar Pujara 54*; Taskin Ahmed 2/43) and 687/6 decl.

LO N D O N, F e b 1 2 (Agencies): Arsene Wenger insists he is not preparing to end his long reign at Arsenal despite Ian Wright’s claim the Gunners boss is on the way out.

Wenger’s future had been questioned in the wake of defeats against Watford and Chelsea that effectively killed off their Premier League title hopes.

Wenger’s side returned to winning ways as Alexis Sanchez’s double secured a 2-0 home victory over Hull on Saturday. But after the game the Frenchman was quizzed on his future, with his current contract expiring at the end of the season and a minority of fans turning on the manager for recent results.

Former Arsenal striker

Arsene Wenger

Ian Wright had fanned the flames by claiming on Friday that the 67-yearold had told him he was “coming to the end” of his time after 20 years at the helm.

“I was with the boss last night, and if I’m going to be totally honest, I get the impression that that’s it,” Wright told BBC

Radio 5 live. “He actually mentioned when we were talking that he’s coming to the end. I’ve never heard him say that.”

Yet Wenger countered by saying any tiredness stems from his commitment to the job and that Wright must have misunderstood any conversation.

Asked whether he had given Wright the impression he was leaving, Wenger replied, “No, no.

Mark (Gonnella, Arsenal communications director) was with me as well on Thursday. It was questions and answers. I could be tired because I get up early in the morning and I finish late at night, so I am tired, yes. But I didn’t give any indication about my future.”

Brady stunner holds Chelsea

Robbie Brady celebrates after levelling the scoreline against Chelsea on Sunday.

L on d on , F e b 1 2 (Agencies): Robbie Brady scored a brilliant freekick as Burnley came from a goal down to hold Premier League leaders Chelsea 1-1 at Turf Moor on Sunday.

Chelsea had taken the lead in the seventh minute through Pedro but his early effort was cancelled out with Brady’s curling free-kick and the Clarets held on to take a deserved point.

Eden Hazard and Diego Costa combined early on to threaten Tom Heaton in the Burnley goal but the latter’s effort was not powerful enough to cause the shotstopper too much trouble. Moments later the Blues mounted a brilliant counter-attack with Hazard passing to Victor Moses and he crossed into Pedro, who beat Heaton in the bottom left-hand corner.

The Blues would have been expected to push on but it was the home side that were celebrating in the 24th minute when Joey Barton was fouled by Nemanja Matic 25 yards from goal.

B r a dy s t e p p e d u p to take the free-kick and the Republic of Ireland international did not disappoint as his effort curled into the top-left hand corner. Chelsea enjoyed the majority of the possession but they struggled to make it count, while Thibaut Courtois was forced to make a couple of smart saves to prevent the Clarets from taking the lead. Antonio Conte sent on Cesc Fabregas and Willian in the closing stages in a bid to find a way through but they could not find a way through the Burnley defence.

The result means Chelsea sit ten points clear of Tottenham and Arsenal but their lead could be reduced to just eight if Manchester City beat Bournemouth on Monday evening.

Match results Stoke City 1-0 Crystal Palace Man United 2-0 Watford Middlesbrough 0-0 Everton West Ham 2-2 West Brom Sunderland 0-4 Southampton Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham

Sabalenka puts Belarus into Fed Cup semis

MINSK, Feb 12 (Agencies): The 18-year-old Aryna Sabalenka put Belarus into the Fed Cup semi-finals on Sunday with a straight-set win over Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands in the World Group opening round tie.

Sabalenka, who is 142 in the world, won 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 her first ever meeting with Krajicek, 28, to give the hosts Belarus an unassailable 3-1 advantage.

The rivals traded breaks throughout the opening set, which Sabalanka took in a tiebreak after 50 minutes on court. The second set was almost a carbon copy of the first as the exchange of breaks continued. But the Belarus teenager was a bit more accurate again taking the set and the match in one hour 37 minutes.

Earlier on Sunday Aliaksandra Sasnovich, ranked 128th, put Belarus into a 2-1 lead as she beat Bertens also in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in one hour 23 minutes ending the Dutch star’s eight-match winning streak in Fed Cup. Sasnovich acted confidently from the start at the hard court of Minsk Chizhovka Arena under watchful gaze of Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko.

She produced four breaks to earn a one-set advantage after 41 minutes, while Bertens broke back only on two occasions. The opponents traded break throughout the second set but Sasnovich was more precise winning the set and the match to level her record with Bertens, ranked 24th in the world, at 1-1.

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