17 April 2023

ULB issue: Contempt of court hearing today

Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APR 16

(NPN): The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday (April 17) the contempt petition against Nagaland government and the State Election Commission (SEC) alleging noncompliance of the order of the apex court directing the State government and SEC to hold local body election in Nagaland.

It was learnt that chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy chief ministers-- Y. Patton and TR Zeliang were scheduled to leave for Delhi on April 17. It was not known whether their visit to Delhi was to hold consultations with Central leaders on ULB issue or other matters concerning the State.

It may be mentioned that the court on April 5 had stayed the March 30 notification cancelling till further orders the elections

to the urban local bodies (ULBs) in Nagaland which were scheduled for May 16 after almost two decades.

Accordingly, the fixed the hearing for April 17 and directed the state government to file their response within a week’s time.

Following pressure from tribal organisations and civil society groups, the Nagaland Assembly had passed a resolution to repeal the Municipal Act, resolving not to hold the elections.

On March 30, the

State Election Commission (SEC) issued a notification which cancelled the election programme notified earlier “till further orders” in view of the repeal of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001. The apex court, which was hearing a petition seeking 33 per cent reservation for women in the elections to the local bodies in the state, had noted in its March 14 order that the SEC counsel had submitted the elections will be held on May 16. It

had directed the schedule will not be disturbed now and the election process be completed in terms of the schedule.

The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Justices S K Kaul and A Amanullah. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioners, said the elections have been cancelled.

“The order of this court dated March 14, 2023 despite making it clear that any endeavour to tinker with the local elections now would be in breach of the orders of the court either by the Election Commission or the State Government. Notice both to the Election Commission and to the State Election Commission,” the bench said in its order.

“In the meantime, the order dated March 30, 2023 cancelling the election programme is stayed,”

MHA to prepare SOP for journalists’ safety and security

NEW DELHI, APR 16 (AGENCIES): Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will draft a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for safety and security of journalists following the April 15 incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj when mafia don-turned-politician

Atiq Ahmed and his brother were shot dead by three persons posing as TV news reporters.

Ahmed and his brother Khalid Azim alias Ashraf were shot dead by three assailants while being escorted by about a dozen policemen for a routine medical checkup. A senior government official said on Sunday that

AKM census drive

MOKOKCHUNG, APR 16 (NPN): Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) has informed all non-Nagas residing in Mokokchung town to renew/register their AKM Survival Mokokchung census card from April 17 to 21.

In communique, AKM vice president Onenpong has asked all non-Nagas to register at the AKM office between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the period. However, for new registration, applicants have been asked to be present with the guarantor and provide required documents.

List of documents for registration-- Inner Line Permit, AKM census card, guarantor’s NOC, temporary resident certificate issued by ward authority with name of the house owner, house number, name of tenant and ward/sector seal and signature of competent authority.

an SOP was in the works for the safety of media persons when they follow an accused or interview them in police or judicial custody. The decision to draft the SOP was taken as per the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the official said.

The three accused-Lovelesh Tiwari, Sunny Singh and Arun Maurya-carried identity cards, a mic and camera. One of the accused shot point blank at Atiq Ahmed’s temple when he was interacting with media persons.

The FIR said one of the accused was injured in cross-firing and some media persons were injured. It said

some media persons were injured in a stampede-like situation when the incident occurred.

AdvisorytoStates

On October 20, 2017, the Ministry advised all States “to strictly enforce the law to ensure that a peaceful environment prevails, allowing journalists/media personnel to exercise freedom of speech and expression in their professional pursuit; ensure that investigations are concluded in a timebound manner and public trust in criminal justice system is maintained.”

The advisory said the “Fourth Estate” is an im-

portant institution of our democracy which ensures that citizens are able to express their opinions freely without any fear and coercion as provided under the Constitution.

The advisory added, “From time to time, incidents of attack on journalists/media persons are reported in the media. All such cases need to be investigated promptly to ensure that criminals get prosecuted in a time-bound manner. States should also take all preventive and deterrent action as deemed required. States are already empowered to provide security to individuals based on threat perceptions.”

Around 30 houses gutted in Dimapur fire

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 16

(NPN): Around 30 houses were completely gutted in a major fire that broke out at Master colony, C Khel Kuda village area here on April 15 at around 11:44 p.m.

However, no casualties were reported till the timing of filing this report.

When contacted, Dimapur Central fire station official informed Nagaland Post that three fire engines from central station and one each from west fire station and Chümoukedima fire station were pressed into action.

Residents salvage their belongings after the fire incident.

It took over one hour to bring the fire under control, the official said.

An investigation was

the court said in its April 5 order.

The petitioners have moved an application before the top court through advocate Satya Mitra against the cancellation of the elections and urged it to take contempt action for “disobeying” the March 14 order. Besides seeking quashing of the March 30 notification issued by the SEC cancelling the election programme, the application also sought setting aside of the Nagaland Municipal (Repeal) Act, 2023.

It also sought a direction to the Centre to ensure adequate central forces are sent to Nagaland prior to the elections in order to ensure the process is conducted peacefully. In its order the bench said, “Notice also be issued qua the other prayers as also to the Central Government in view of the prayer made in para D for adequate central force.”

DNSU endorses NSF demand

DIMAPUR, APR 16

(NPN): Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has endorsed statement of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) demanding reduction of marks for viva-voce in the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB).

In a press note, DNSU president Moayanger Jamir and general secretary Sedelo T Vadeo said that the union stands firm with the decision of NSF, in the interest of the students and the youth and also extend full cooperation in the event of any kind of democratic agitation.

DNSU, therefore, appealed to all the aspirants who have qualified for vivavoce to refrain from appearing for the interview scheduled to be held on April 17 and 18 for the Combined Staff Recruitment Examination 2022 conducted by the NSSB, until the federation’s genuine demand by the concerned authorities was considered and upheld.

Fire incident in Dimapur sparks concern over illegal migrants

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 16

(NPN): Chaotic scenes in social media after a massive fire that broke out at Burma Camp’s East Block colony recently has attracted serious concerns among many as it was indicative of the consequences of presence of a large number of illegal immigrants.

In the video, scores of suspected illegal immigrants are seen obstructing and forcibly pulling at the hose pipes of the fire tenders which had arrived on the scent to contain the blazing inferno. In the video voices presumably of fire fighters can be heard cautioning the immigrants against trying to circumvent the operation.

According to one GB from Burma Camp’s Niu Colony Hozka Sumi, there had been concerns that several hundreds of illegal settlers at nearby Dudu colony at Lahorijan colony of Bokajan had escaped or taken refuge in some areas of Dimapur. The GB said it was believed that many of the fleeing illegal settlers from nearby Dudu colony at Lahorijan (near New Field Check Gate Dimapur) had sought refuge in Burma Camp.

It may be recalled that as per the decision of the land revenue department of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, an eviction drive was carried on December 20, 2021 by the district administration, paramilitary and state police personnel where

200 bighas were cleared off illegal settlers. Even court stay orders against demolition, obtained by several settlers were dismissed by the authorities as the KAAC chief Tuliram Ronghang said false land documents were submitted before the court.

According to those who were contacted by Nagaland Post Sunday, the issue of checking and preventing unabated influx of suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants has resurfaced and also the urgent need to implement recommendation of the Banuo Commission on Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN). The Banuo Commission had submitted its recommendation at the end of 2019 but the state government was yet to take a call on it.

RIIN would also facilitate the enforcement of

Inner Line Permit (ILP) over Dimapur as per the state government order on December 11,2019. However, the cutoff date for RIIN has been a bone of contention. While all tribe hohos of Nagaland insisted on December 1,1963 as the cut-off date, the state government had put the cut-off date as November 21,1979.

Recently, state chief minister in his speech at the felicitation at the Kohima DPDB meeting on April 15, reiterated that implementation of RIIN will depend on village councils (VCs).

The issue of ILP in Dimapur had been demanded for several years as a measure to check and prevent influx of suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

The Burma Camp episode as uploaded on social media has only served to highlight the problem.

Commenting on the issue, former DGP Nagaland Besesayo Kezo expressed shock at the audacity of suspected immigrants. He said the situation also exposed the failure of Nagas about their fate and others of doubtful nationality to reside as tenants and residents in their houses.

Kezo also reiterated that house owners should verify the antecedents of their prospective tenants while the local authorities should also deny strangers from residing in the colonies. He said the state government must arrest and imprison illegal foreigners.

Call for mass movement against climate change

NEW DELHI, APR 16 (AGENCIES):

Tackling climate change is not only the responsibility of the government but also of every individual, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a video message at a World Bank event on climate change. Addressing the global event ‘Making it Personal: How Behavioral Change Can Tackle Climate Change’, PM underlined the importance of small deeds and said, “We believe that individuals making the right decisions for our planet are key in the battle for our planet. This is the core of Mission LiFE.”

“Climate change cannot be fought from conference tables alone. It has to be fought from the dinner tables in every home. When an idea moves from discussion tables to dinner tables, it becomes a mass movement. Making every family and every individual aware that their choices can help the planet can provide scale and speed. Mission LiFE is about democratising the battle against climate change. When people would become conscious that simple acts in their daily lives are powerful, there will be a very positive impact on the environment,’’ Modi said.

Punjab Police busts Dimapur-based drug module

on to ascertain the cause of the fire and also asses the properties damaged in the fire, the official said.

MOHALI, APR 16 (AGENCIES): For the first time, the Punjab Police unearthed a North-East-based drug module. The Fatehgarh Sahib police arrested two members of the module and recovered 17 kg opium from them, The Indian Express report stated.

The accused were re-

manded in 10-day police custody and the police are ascertaining where the drug money was spent by the smugglers.

The module which was based in Dimapur in Nagaland was operating in Punjab and Haryana. The police came to know about the module on April 5 when

Smuggled from Myanmar, areca nut worth `31.73 cr seized in 100 days

AIZAWL/AGARTALA, APR 16 (IANS): The Mizoram Police and the Assam Rifles have seized 5.44 lakh kgs of areca nut, also called betel nut or ‘supari’, valued at Rs 31.73 crore in the past 100 days after these contraband were smuggled from Myanmar, officials said on Sunday.

“Look there go the polling agents. They seem to be most benefitted by our election system.”

A Mizoram Police official said that following the directives of state government, the police is making all out efforts in the fight against illegal transportation of smuggled dry areca nuts, resulting in significant seizures during the past 100 days (from January 1 to April 10). “We remain

steadfast in our commitment to continue our efforts with active support and participation of civil society and all stakeholders for complete stoppage of illegal transportation of smuggled areca nuts,” the official said.

The police have so far registered 19 FIRs and arrested 61 persons in connection with the smuggling and illegal transportation of areca nuts. Due to large-scale smuggling from Myanmar and Assam government’s transportation restrictions, areca nut farmers in the northeastern states, especially Mizoram and Tripura, are affected a lot and are

seeking central intervention. The illicit trade of areca nut is on the rise with the security forces, including the Assam Rifles, often seizing thousands of tonnes of the product, along with drugs, exotic animals and other goods smuggled in from Myanmar. To curb the clandestine trade, the Assam government last year imposed some strict restrictions on ferrying areca nut through its territory, affecting the farmers of Tripura and Mizoram from supplying their produce to other parts of India. The representatives of the Mizoram Church Leaders Committee recently discussed the areca

nut transportation issue with the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla, in Aizawl.

The church leaders explained how smuggling of dry areca nut from Myanmar through Mizoram is banned in Assam, which caused the imposition of a ban on exporting locallygrown areca nut of Mizoram as well. They sought Barla’s intervention in resolving this situation.

The Mizoram and Tripura governments on a number of occasions told the Assam government that there has been huge unrest among the areca nut growers in their states in view of

the problems being faced in transportation of their produce to Assam and other parts of the country.

Congress leader and party legislator Lalrindika Ralte recently sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the problems being faced by areca nut growers in Mizoram due to rampant smuggling of Burmese areca nuts. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ralte had said there has been widespread illegal import of dry areca nuts from neighbouring Myanmar and elsewhere through the 518 km borders with Mizoram.

Badali Ala Singh police arrested a man identified as Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Bihar.

In his disclosure to the police, accused Kumar revealed that he had been coming to Punjab and Haryana for supplying opium. He had delivered four consignments of opium in both

the states. He also told the police that he got the opium consignments from Dimapur in Nagaland from a person called Ram Raj Thakur. Kumar told the police that he bought the opium for Rs 1.70 lakh per kg from Thakur and was selling it to his customers for Rs 2.50 lakh.

Student drowns in Duilum-roi river

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 16

(NPN): In a delayed report, a fourth semester civil engineering student of Government Polytechnic Kohima, reportedly drowned in Duilium-roi river, at Poilwa village under Peren district on April 15.

When contacted, Addl SP Peren, RT Chang confirmed about the incident and informed that the body of the deceased was retrieved with the help of Heunambe Village Youth Organisation, Poilwa Namci Youth Organization, Dzüleke Youth Organization and other volunteers. The body was later handed

over to family members. He said that the incident took place at around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday when the deceased person along with his classmates had gone for a picnic. It took around four hours to retrieve the body, the official said.

PVC: Poilwa Village Council expressed pain and condoled the bereaved family over the unfortunate incident. As the area is often visited by local tourists, PVC chairman Rangsam N Hau said they received information that the student, who was on an annual picnic with his friends, had slipped into the Duilum-roi river and drowned on April 15 afternoon.

Some of the residents seen forcibly pulling the hose pipe. (Social media video grab)

Focus is on five key pillars to better government schools: Thavaseelan

Correspondent

K OHIMA, APR 16

(NPN): Principal director, school education, Thavaseelan K said the department was focusing on five key pillars of interventions to better government schools and make it the first choice of students and parents.

Thavaseelan said this while inaugurating the newly constructed building of Government Middle School, T. Khel, Kohima Village on April 15, as the chief guest.

Elaborating on the five pillars, he said the first pillar was foundational numeracy and literacy, adding that any number of interventions at a later point in time was simply not going to have the same intended effect if the foundation was not strong.

The principal director said the second pillar was to bridge the gap between “what’s there and what’s needed”, with respect to infrastructural requirement of the schools.

He said the third pillar was infrastructural requirement of the schools; the fourth was to focus on children with special

needs and the fifth pillar was “vocationalisation of education”.

Highlighting the gathering on the World Bankfunded Nagaland Education Project (NEP)—The Lighthouse [Nagaland: Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources (NECTAR)], Thavaseelan said the project was designed as the first targeted initiative in the state that could pioneer instructional leadership and re-orient the education system.

He then stated that the school education department, right from the advisor to the teachers were committed and ac-

tively working to improve government schools and provide all-round quality education to the students.

Congratulating the school for attaining 93 years of disseminating education, Thavaseelan applauded the visionary leaders, pioneers and community who were ahead of their time and understood the importance of education. He also acknowledged the alumni for making sure they gave back to the community.

In a welcome address, GMS T Khel, head teacher, Dzieseneituo Belho said the school was established by some educated

ENPO condole demise of C.L. John’s father

DIMAPUR: The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has conveyed its condolences on the passing away of Cheno Konyak, beloved father of Minister of Forest, Environment & Climate Change and Village Guards, Nagaland, C.L. John, on April 14 at Chenwetnyu village.

DTO Dimapur’s awareness drive on clean air programme begins

elders in the late 1930s to impart and that the school was taken over by the government on February 1946.

The programme was chaired by chairman, T Khel council, Neibou Sekhose, invocation by Senior Pastor, Naga Bazaar Baptist Church, Rev Kevimese Souhu, special numbers were presented by Ledilhounuo Sekhose, GMS choir, Methaneilie Jutakhrie Solo and T Khel Women, and vote of thanks by T Khel Students Union, president, Mhasisetuo Solo. The comperes were Kevipfheu Solo and Seyiekhrietuo Sekhose.

Field day at Aichisaghemi and Lumami Assam Rifles nab NSCN (I-M) cadres

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles apprehended two active NSCN (I-M) cadres, Imkongtiba and Phamching, both “self-styled sergeant major”, from general area New Camp, Mokokchung District, Nagaland on April 14 and recovered two weapons and live ammunition.

In a condolence message, ENPO stated late Cheno Konyak lived a long and meaningful life, truly loved, admired and appreciated by everyone who knew him. At this hour of grief and sorrow, the ENPO prayed for the love and comfort of the Lord Almighty upon the grieving family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

NEWS IN BRIEF

DSC elects new team: Dimapur Sümi Council (DSU) has elected a new team of office bearers, judicial board and advisors for the 2023 -2028 tenure led by Shikuto Yeptho as president and N. Inato Swu as general secretary. There are 14 units under DSU; 17 officer bearers; five judicial board and three advisors.

NKU 16th general conference: Naga Kuotsu Union (NKU) will be holding its 16th general conference at Sechü Zubza Council Hal on April 22, 11 am. Kuo-u descendants from Nagaland, Manipur and Assam are expected to join in the conference where Kovor Kuotsu and Dr. Neilasa Sopfu Kuotsu will be the main speakers. New team of office bearers will also be declared during the conference.

DIMAPUR: A monthlong awareness drive on national clean air programme organised by Dimapur District Transport (DTO) Dimapur office under the initiative of the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) began on April 15.

According to a DIPR report, the awareness

campaign started at various strategic locations in and around Dimapur and Chümoukedima under the leaderships of DTO Dimapur, D. Jambo.

During the campaign drive, the officials disseminate basic information about pollution caused by emissions from automobiles; Dos and Don’ts tips

to reduce pollution from automobiles were highlighted and distributed to the automobile users as paper flyers. The officials also held short seminars with the automobile users on-road vehicles and tested emission levels such as carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxide of nitrogen.

DIMAPUR: Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Suruhuto in convergence with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Fostering Climateresilient Upland Farming Systems (FOCUS) Zunheboto conducted a field day on April 13 at Aichisaghemi Village.

A press release by ATMA Suruhuto stated that resource person, Block Technology Manager (BTM) Tokiye block, Sedi-

visie Liegese demonstrated step by step preparation for nursery seed bed along with specific spacing for cole crops under protected structure. He stressed on the importance of site selection and said that the area should be free from water logging and away from direct sunlight. Liegese also briefed the farmers on the importance of land preparation, sowing, weed control and plant protection in order to yield better harvest. Later

seeds of cole crops were distributed to the farmers.

Earlier on April 13, ATMA Akuluto block also conducted field day at Pineapple Farm School, Lumami village with BTM Akuluto block, Tsuktilemla Ao as the resource person. During the day, the resource person highlighted the farmers on the topic “cultural practices in pineapple production”. Garden rake and shovel were distributed to the participants after the programme.

In a press release, PRO (Defence) said basing on confirmed input regarding movement of active cadres of NSCN (I-M) astride Mokokchung - Mariani Road, “threatening local civilians and carrying out extortion activities”, an operation was launched mobile vehicle check post was established to apprehend the cadres.

PRO said the team intercepted a Maruti Alto (AS 01 X 6465) and on being “challenged”, the occupants fled but were surrounded and apprehended. The apprehended cadres along with recovered “war like stores” have been handed over to Mokokchung Police Station-I, Mokokchung District for further investigations, informed PRO.

25th DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF LATE YEKHEVI SHOHE

Ipu-o!

25 years without you has never been an easy road we’ve cried thousands of silent tears; our aching hearts have survived through countless situation leaning on your memory and love forever imprinted in us

the verse in psalm 37:25

“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” reminds us of you, who left behind a legacy of strong faith; undeniably the finest father one could ever ask for whose noble life is reflected in our lives today

great souls never die but lives on in our hearts over the years amassing love and respect in those moments we think of you and miss you. rest peacefully, Ipu-o! till we meet at Jesus’ feet on the day the trumpet sounds

Loving Wife, 7 Children & 19 Grandchildren

20th OCTOBER 1937 – 8th APRIL 2023

Our heartfelt gratitude to all who have comforted us during our time of grief.

Thavaseelan K and others after inauguration of GMS T. Khel, Kohima village. (NP)

DTO Dimapur and NPCB officials with the police personnel.

Participants of a field day at Aichisaghemi Village conducted by ATMA Suruhuto block.

SD Jain Yuvak Sangh, youth wing of Jain Samaj Dimapur organised a blood donation drive in association with Blood Bank District Hospital Dimapur at Jain Bhawan Dimapur where 15 donors came forward and made their donation.

NEXT POLL

YouthNet launches

‘Cohort 2’ in Dimapur

Introductory and thanksgiving for legislators

DIMAPUR: Introductory meeting and thanksgiving programmes for the newly elected legislators, K Konngam Konyak, C. Kipili Sangtam and Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe were held respectively.

WEATHER FORECAST

DIMAPUR: Launching and orientation of YouthNet Incubation Centre, “Cohort 2” was held on April 15 at YouthNet Incubation Centre, YouthNet Dimapur Office.

A press release by YouthNet informed that the cohort consists of 33 startups and entrepreneurs from various sectors ranging from food processing, handloom and handicrafts, tourism, agriculture, logistics and others.

Speaking at the launching programme, advisor, industries & commerce, Hekani Jakhalu spoke on the importance and reality of an entrepreneur’s journey, and said

that entrepreneurs need to get their compliances right from the beginning. She also congratulated the Startup Nagaland team effort in curating the entrepreneur’s journey thus far.

In a special address, director of department of industries & commerce, A.Temjen Jamir, highlighted on the Startup Nagaland Policy and the various benefits and opportunities that would help startups thrive.

Jamir said the department, through the Startup Nagaland Policy, dedicated a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the Person with Disability Startup program so as to support entrepreneurs’

businesses, thus making it the first startup incubation program for PWDs in north east India.

Director, Alliance for Commercialization and Innovation Research (ACIR), Erik Azulay motivated the entrepreneurs not only to cater to local or one’s country but to be visionary to take their business South East Asia and other parts of the world. Two workshops were also conducted on various topics, including the vital aspects of becoming a scalable and sustainable business and branding by Erik Azulay and creative director and brand designer, Sinlo Kemp.

HWs trained on climate change and its impact

DIMAPUR: One-day training on climate change with focus on air pollution and its impact on human health for Health Workers (HWs) was organised by Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Longleng office on April 12 at the Conference Hall, CMO Longleng office.

A press release from CMO Longleng Office stated that in a welcome address, CMO Longleng, Dr. Kibangkumba encouraged the participants to educate the public on climate change and its impact on our health and daily lives. He gave a concept note of environment and climate.

Medical officers and health workers at the training.

During the training, resource person, medical officer, District Hospital Longleng (DHL), Dr. Thong Senior presented a power point presentation focussing on potential impacts of climate change, causes and effects, behavioural and environmental factors.

The resource person also stressed on the importance of air quality index and air pollutants, types of pollutants, indoor and outdoor air pollution, Particulate Matter (PM), the AQI tool, air pollution and the respiratory system, facts of air pollution and health

consequences on children, adverse birth outcomes and infant mortality and morbidity due to air pollution and action to help reduce air pollution with health outcomes in later life.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by DEO (NVBDCP), Y. Ongba Phom, report on climate change was given by epidemiologist (IDSP), Dr. Limasangla and public officer AHANAIII NCPI+, Sentilemla Lkr spoke on Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (EMTCT). The training programme was attended by Medical Officers, CHOs, ANM, GNM, staff nurses, DSRC counsellor, data manager, IDSP and staffs from CMO office.

Konngam: The Department of Art and Culture (DoA&C) held an introductory meeting with Advisor, art & culture, treasuries & accounts, K Konngam Konyak on April 14 at its Directorate, Kohima. According to a DIPR report, during the meeting, the advisor asked the officers of the department to extend cooperation so as to work together and do justice to their assigned duties. He said, “Whether we fail or succeed let’s all try and give our best in whatever we undertake.” Commissioner & secretary A&C, Athel O Lotha, IAS also spoke on the occasion and director A&C, Adela Moa delivered the welcome address.

Kipili: A thanksgiving and felicitation programme was held on April 15 for C. Kipili Sangtam, MLA and Kiphire DPDB chairman, at Hopongkyu

Memorial Hall Kiphire

Town.

In his speech, C. Kipili Sangtam expressed his gratitude to God for giving him chance to led his constituency people and thanked the public of the 59 AC for the support in electing him. Kipili said everyone should raise voice for the common welfare of the constituency and urged all man and woman to join hands to work for development of the area. Speeches were also delivered by NPP party

workers and public leaders from 59 A/C.

Humtsoe: Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe, MLA from 38th Wokha A/C held a thanksgiving programme on April 15 at Wokha Village Pubic Ground, wherein he called upon the people to come together and work for the for social progress as individual alone cannot do much. According to a DIPR report, Humtsoe while stating that “coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working togethe r is

a success”, appealed the gathering to do away individualistic mindset and attitude for a prosperous society. He also acknowledged the electorate for electing him and committed to work for the well-being and up-liftment of the society. Advisor to the chief minister, Dr, Chumben Murry, state president NCP, Nagaland Vanthungo Odyuo and chairman Lotha Hoho Mhondamo Ovung also delivered shot speeches during the thanksgiving programme.

Kohima Orphanage & Destitute Home celebrates 50 years

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 16(NPN):

Kohima Orphanage & Destitute Home (KODH) celebrated 50 years of existence (1973-2023) under the theme “Give your best for the humanity” on April 16 with advisor to chief minister and chairman IDAN, Abu Metha as the special guest.

Addressing the programme, Metha shared that the jubilee was a historic day and was also a time to reflect and acknowledge God’s blessing. On the significance of KODH, Metha reminded that it was also a time to introspect and appreciate the milestones and the achievement made by the founder of the institution. He lamented that 50 years to run a home would be of great challenge and a life of sacrifice which includes to give everything and take nothing in return. He lauded the contribution made by Lt Zaputou-ü who

Abu Metha speaking at the programme. (NP) started the Orphanage in 1973 and claimed that she was one of the makers of the state. Metha said such an occasion was a reminder to the Naga societies to retrospect on their challenging journey and what they can do to help the children. He said that it should be their aspirations and goal to make sure the society help these children and make them contributors and be assets of the society He also reminded the people that it was their responsibility to

care for them and make them ambassadors of Nagaland so that they could help in national building.

Metha encouraged the children to run the extra mile and be brave in whatever challenges that came in their way and to remember that the state was supporting and believe them in their potential.

Presenting a brief history of Kohima Orphanage & Destitute Home, Neibanuo, informed that it started as a one child home built

up to be a home for 700 children.

Sharing the story that there were times when they faced problems of food and basic necessities, she informed that with the help of several well-wishers and concerned people, they have been able to come this far giving home to 700 children and at present there were 90 children. Neithono Liegise, shared that great potentials were seen in the children and urged the civil societies to bring change and reminded the people that if every citizen contributed, new doors would be opened to children to excel to greater heights.

Earlier, invocation was offered by pastor, Koinonia Baptist Church, Medotseilieü Kiewhuo, special song was presented by Children of KODH, Shalom Bible Seminary and performance by Sunshine Orchestra Nagaland Chapter while vote of thanks was pronounced by Dr. Khouvizotuo Belho.

Educational institutions organise various programmes

Kegwayhun Tep speaking at the programme.

DIMAPUR: Educational institutions and other institutions across the state organised various programmes.

SJC (A): A two-day national seminar on “75

Years of India’s Achievements: Ideas and Resolve” was organised by Internal Quality Assurance Cell, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Jakhama, Nagaland, sponsored by Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), New Delhi on April 14-15 at College Conference Halls. The keynote speaker was Professor Kedilezo Kikhi, department of sociology, Tezpur University, Assam and chair professor, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair, Tezpur University, (Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, government of India). During the seminar, 25 papers from various academicians and scholars was presented.

Kohima College: Kohima College celebrated its 56th social parting on April 15 at the College Courtyard

under the theme “Bon Voyage - Good Wishes” with president, Naga Students’ Federation, Kegwayhun Tep, as guest speaker. A press release issued by Kohima College media cell stated that Tep cautioned the 360 outgoing students of Kohima College stating that the hope was for them to be an asset but the danger existed in them becoming a liability instead. “Youth has become a liability to our family, our community and society at large”, he added. Tep also maintained that they would face the question of employability and the unemployability of the Naga youth which remained the highest amongst all Indian States.

According to him, that intractable problem faced by most graduates from Nagaland was two-fold — firstly the Naga tendency to only consider government jobs and secondly, the non-transparency of the job recruitment process for majority of the jobs in the government sector. The guest speaker pointed out that problems

IQAC and departmental of History Sao Chang College

of unemployability and mental instabilities can be fought by the youth fighting against prejudices and coming out of their comfort zones. He further challenged that the youth must “weigh themselves” and know their worth as they go forth into their uncertain future and must endeavour to make their lives meaningful and respectable to society.

The college annual magazine 2022-2023 was unveiled by principal Dr. M. Libanthung Ngullie, a special performance “College Days” was presented by the outgoing students. A Live Art show was displayed by Tahimu Trakha and the distribution of prizes for the various competitions of the college (2022-2023).

Earlier, an exhortation was delivered by principal, Kohima College, Dr. M. Libanthung Ngullie, invocation prayer was offered by assistant professor, Dr. Ketoukhrieü, welcome address was delivered by general secretary KCSC, Hyulo Tsela and short speeches by Nuvekho Rhakho and

Sachin Sharma on behalf of the junior students and outgoing students respectively while vote of thanks was delivered by assistant general secretary, Lhousazolie Zumu.

SCC: The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and department of history, Sao Chang College jointly organized a seminar on “tribal museum” under the theme, “living traditions” on April 13 at the College Conference Hall. During the programme, Dr. Iris Odyuo, associate professor and former head of department (history), shared her experience while visiting Naga artefact museum, Berlin, Germany. Resource person, Khumong Khiamniungan, an expert local artisan, gave a brief talk on the vanishing traditional crafts and also displayed the making of “eing kaha”, the Conical Ceremonial Hats of the Khiamniungan Nagas.

In a separate event, a workshop on basics photography and videography was organised by Botanical Club under Botany Depart-

ment of SCC on April 15 at the College Conference Hall. SCC informed that the objective was to highlight the participants about the educational power of photo and video production in the current digital age.

C-EC: The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) peer team visited C-Edge College Team on April 12-13 for its 2nd cycle of accreditation. The team comprised of Prof. JP Sharma, former vice chancellor of Mohan Sukhadia University, Rajasthan as Chairman; Professor V. Manickavasagam, former Registrar and dean (management) of Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu as member coordinator; and Professor GL Reddy, Professor of Adult Education and Hrd, Dravidian University, Kuppam Andhra Pradesh as Member. During the visit, a comprehensive overview was presented on the college history, vision and mission, the academic and infrastructural facilities, and the future plans for development which was followed by

a series of verification and interactions with various stakeholders.

PGC: As part of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), an initiative of start-up Nagaland supported by Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and implemented by Educentre School of Business (ESB), a two-day workshop was organised on April 12-13 for the current batch of EDC students at Peren Government College (PGC) Peren.

During the workshop, inspector district industries and commerce, Peren, Imti Jamir highlighted the credit schemes that aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in starting their own businesses. Programs under Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), “Start-Up Nagaland” and Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme where highlighted. On the first day the students were taken on a business field trip to understand the challenges,

opportunities and mindset of an entrepreneur while a session on digital marketing was covered on the second day by Nlumbui.

SC: Research Committee of Sazolie College (SC) released a book “State, Governance and Development in Northeast India” on April 11 at the Auditorium Hall.

The book, an outcome of a two-day national seminar which was jointly organized by the department of sociology and the research committee in 2019, was released by SC principal, Dr. Gopal Basnet. The book was edited by Dr. Thepfusalie Theunuo, Dr. Narola Dangti and Dr. Kangzangding Thou.

KSUK: A three-day holistic camp under the theme “The Future of Work” was organised by Khensa Students Union Kohima (KSUK) on April 7-9 at Jubilee Memorial Centre, Kohima. The camp sponsored by Khensatsur Telongjem Kohima (Khensa Women Union Kohima) was addressed by four guest speakers, Founder & CEO Entrepreneurs Associates

(EA), Neichute Doulo, Pursungit Pongen from Education department, YouthNet, Radiation Oncology, Eden Medical Center, Dr. Aoakhum Kichu and Pastor Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo (KABA), Arep Tzudir. A series of interactive sessions and engaging activities was also undertaken where the students’ explored challenges and opportunities of the ever-evolving job market.

NPC: With an aim to let the students showcase their creativity through costumes, the Art Club of Norman Putsure College (NPC) Chumoukedima organised its first Cosfest Carnival on April 15. In the carnival, four houses namely Aqua, Ventus, Ignis and Terra took part in various competitions where Terra house emerged as the overall champion.

SJU: The first alumni reunion of St. Joseph University (SJU) was held at SJU Auditorium on April 15 with the theme “To build on the rich history of our university and create a vibrant future”, and attended by around 200 alumni.

Alumni of St. Joseph University during its first reunion at the university

during the seminar

Hekani Jakhalu, A.Temjen Jamir and others during the launching of ‘Cohort 2’.

K Konngam Konyak receives a token.

Mhabemo Humtsoe C. Kipili Sangtam

Arunachal Minister takes a stroll with Royal Bengal tiger

MINISTERWANTEDTOCONVEYMESSAGEABOUTWILDLIFECONSERVATION

ITANAGAR, APR 16 (AGENCIES): Forest, Environment and Sports minister Mama Natung, from Arunachal Pradesh, took a stroll with a Royal Bengal tiger to convey an important message about wildlife conservation. The daring stunt was a humble attempt by the minister to urge people to save tigers from extinction.

Arunachal Pradesh is home to the Namdapha Tiger Reserve, which was declared the 15th Tiger Project of the country in 1983.

The Reserve covers a core area of 1808 Sq.Km and a buffer area of 177 Sq.Km, making it a vital area for tiger conservation. Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a significant increase in tiger population over the years. According to the status of tigers in India released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, the state now has 29 tigers. This is a remarkable increase from zero in 2010.

The increase in tiger population is attributed to better protection of the tiger habitats and the use of technology in a scientific manner. The state has four tiger habitats - Pakke Tiger Reserve, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Kamlang Tiger Re-

Areca nut valued at Rs 31.73 cr seized in NE

AIZAWL/AGARTALA,

APRIL 16 (IANS): The Mizoram Police and the Assam Rifles have seized 5.44 lakh kgs of areca nut, also called betel nut or ‘supari’, valued at Rs 31.73 crore in the past 100 days after these contraband were smuggled from Myanmar, officials said on Sunday.

A Mizoram Police official said that following the directives of state government, the police is making all out efforts in the fight against illegal transportation of smuggled dry areca nuts, resulting in significant seizures during the past 100 days (from January 1 to April 10).

Youths throng smart library in Arunachal Pradesh

MIAO (ARUNACHAL PRADESH), APR 16 (PTI): For Kago Pulo, Ansh Jaiswal and their friends, reading has never been more fun, as children and young adults throng a new smart library in Arunachal Pradesh’s Miao, which boasts of a tastefully decorated space with a host of extra-curricular activities.

The New Age Learning Centre (NALC), which started in May last year, is frequented by youths in the age group of 8-22 years, who look forward to getting access to a wide variety of books and fun activities every time they visit the library.

serve, and Debang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mama Natung, the Forest, Environment & Sports Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, believes in the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family). He urged people to treat rivers, forests, birds, and animals as their own family members to protect the environment.

The minister also called for enhanced community partnership and urged people to change the way they think about nature. He even invited people to visit the Northeast, especially Arunachal Pradesh, saying

G20 delegates arrive in M’laya for Space Economy Leaders’ Meet

Correspondent

SHILLONG, APR 16:

Delegates from G20 nations have arrived in this mountainous state capital of Meghalaya on Sunday to participate in the G20 Summit Space Economy Leaders’ Meet (SELM) precursor meeting which began on Monday.

Over 120 delegates from G-20 countries which include diplomats, scientists, businessmen, officials and politicians would be attending the meeting. The inaugural function would be attended by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Union Minister of State (Finance) Pankaj Chaudhury, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, and others.

Apart from the technical session on space economy, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would hold an exhibition

together with exhibits from the start-ups of the space economy sector. ISRO Director N Sudheer Kumar said that the event is a precursor of the main event, which be held in Bengaluru on July 6 and 7. “This event concentrates on how it is going to organise the main event and a precursor event to showcase all the capability in the space economy and space potential capabilities of ISRO,” Kumar said.

“Northeast States play a very important role for us. Because of the hilly areas, the potential is more. In harsh conditions, the space application is the best. The Northeast Space Application Centre is doing great. We want to showcase that these areas have huge potential for the space industries to come and invest,” the ISRO Director said. Officials said the delegates will help “showcase and benchmark Meghalaya” as a prime destination for tourism, investment and development.

that “there are no air purifiers in the Northeast, and we plan to keep it that way.” In 2021, Arunachal Pradesh’s environment, forest & climate change department was felicitated for its ‘Airgun Surrender Abhiyan’ during the 6th edition of the NGS held in Silchar. The initiative was even appreciated by Prime Minister Modi in his radio program Mann ki Baat. The award was presented to Mama Natung in recognition of the state government’s efforts to protect and conserve the rare, unique, and endangered wildlife of the state from being hunted.

Mild earthquake felt in Manipur, no damage reported

IMPHAL, APRIL 16

(IANS): A mild intensity earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter Scale hit parts of Manipur on Sunday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said. The NCS said that the tremor was felt in southern Manipur’s Bishnupur district and adjoining areas in the morning. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km from the surface. There was no immediate report of any casualty or damage to property. The Manipur quake occurred 24 hours after a similar earthquake measuring 3.4 on the Richter Scale was felt in northern Tripura’s Dharmanagar, adjoining Assam. The shake struck at a depth of 10 km from the surface. Successive earthquakes in the mountainous northeastern states, especially Assam, Mizoram and Manipur, have the authorities worried and having to make structure quakes protective.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue our efforts with active support and participation of civil society and all stakeholders for complete stoppage of illegal transportation of smuggled areca nuts,” the official said.

The police have so far registered 19 FIRs and arrested 61 persons in connection with the smuggling and illegal transportation of areca nuts.

Due to large-scale smuggling from Myanmar and Assam government’s transportation restrictions, areca nut farmers in the northeastern states, especially Mizoram and Tripura, are affected a lot and are seeking central intervention.

The NALC is the brainchild of Changlang Deputy Commissioner Sunny K Singh, who feels the whole the idea is to provide an impetus to the dying reading habit among the youths, considering the fact that libraries are getting redundant in the present era of e-books.

“It’s like the essence of a library and cafe, and smart, futuristic and interactive spaces interwoven together,” Singh said.

He has recently bagged an award for NALC from the Union government under the Innovation-District category.

The air-conditioned centre, spread across 2,000 sq ft, has books of varied genres, including study materials for competitive exams. It is designed like a reading cafe with colourful

Civilian hurt in gunfight between cops and militants

Correspondent

IMPHAL, APR 16: One civilian was injured during a gunfight between police and suspected militants of Kuki Independent Army (KIA) in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Sunday.

After the cross firing ceased, the police recovered four arms - one US carbine and three single bore guns – allegedly left behind by the militants who escaped after exchange of fire for some minutes.

The injured civilian was identified as Lutpao of Khojung village who was rushed to a nearby healthcare centre, reports said.

The gunfight erupted at Songpu village under Henglep police station of Churachandpur district on Sunday afternoon when the suspected Kuki Independent Army militants opened fire towards a police team in the village.

The source said that the police were retaliating to firing initiated by the militants who were taking shelter in the village. They escaped into the thick forest taking advantage of the few police personnel.

With additional force from the district headquarters, the district police launched a massive search operation to nab the suspects.

There were no reports of nabbing any suspect in the operation which was reportedly in progress till the time of filing this report.

The gunfight was reported at a time the police and security forces in the district were on the hunt for the suspected Kuki Independent Army militants who recently looted arms and ammunition from a designated camp of Kuki militants under suspension of operation truce in the district.

STtagdemandforMeitei/MeeteireachesonlytribalMP

Correspondent

IMPHAL, APR 16: Sched-

uled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) on Sunday knocked at the door of the only tribal MP from Manipur, seeking his support to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) tag for the Meetei/Meitei.

This is the first time the STDCM met a tribal leader to seek his support to its demand as it the organization resumed its campaign of meeting MPs and MLAs of the state to fulfil its demand.

Members of the STDCM had earlier met almost all MPs and MLAs from the valley districts and pressed them to insist the Manipur government to furnish the specific recommendations along with required ethnography and latest socioeconomic survey reports of the Meitei/Meetei to the Centre for consideration of the demand for ST status for the community.

Almost all MPs and MLAs had extended their support to the demand.

While seeking Dr Lorho S Pfoze support to the demand, the committee also urged outer Manipur MP to convince tribal based CSOs

and student bodies objecting to the demand.

A seven-member delegation of the STDCM met with the MP at his official quarter in Imphal’s Lamphelpat and held talks and submitted a memorandum categorically stating the reasons for inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of the Indian Constitution, the committee said, in a release.

The meeting and submission of the memorandum to the outer MP marked the resumption of the STDCM’s campaign which remained suspended during the recently concluded final exams of the Class-X and Class-XII and

Yaoshang festival. The STDCM delegation led by its convener Dhiraj Yumnam submitted the memorandum to Lorho S Pfoze around 9 am on Sunday.

While submitting the memorandum, the delegation also spoke to the MP to convince him on the demand with reasons for raising the demand.

Meetei/Meitei has no constitutional protection and as such, there were fears of the community becoming a minority and refugees in its own ancestral land.

The community was left behind from enlisting in the ST list of the Indian Constitution despite fulfill-

ing all the criteria of being the ST due to mistakes in the initial stage of the census.

There was the urgent need of inclusion of the community in the ST list of India as the community fulfills all the criteria of being ST, STDCM asserted in the memorandum, the release said.

Inclusion of Meitei/ Meetei in the ST list was necessary to bring the community on a comparable level with other communities of the state. Living together as ST will bring an end to the differences among the ethnic communities of the state.

ST tag will also help end enmity among the different communities in future will bringing an end to the multiple divides in the social status among the communities as OBC, ST and SC, the committee asserted.

Asserting that the objections raised by the tribal based CSOs and student bodies were out of misunderstanding, the STDCM requested the outer MP to help in convincing them.

Any misunderstanding was mainly out of fear of losing the facilities and benefits being enjoyed by the ST

cushions, white-coloured bookshelves and well-lit walls. Laptops, tablet computers and Wi-Fi connection are also available, Singh said. The smart library became a reality through crowd and government funding. The state’s Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also sanctioned an amount of Rs 50 lakh for the project, Singh said.

NALC offered free membership to the first 200 children and those from economically weaker sections. For others, the lifetime membership fee is Rs 50 along with a security deposit of Rs 100.

Singh said while conducting a gap analysis in the education sector at Miao, he discovered “disturbing figures”. Not only was the pass percentage poor, there was also a problem of drop-

outs, too, he said.

“Despite having a large population of youths, the sub-division fails to produce doctors, engineers, lawyers and administrators. The main reason is the lack of competitive culture. Besides, competitive books are hard to come by and harder to afford. That is why NALC has kept adequate books for the benefit of the aspirants,” the DC said.

“Our idea was to create a set up where children of all age groups can get a comfortable space to study and enhance their confidence level, which is low in the sub-division due to lack of extra-curricular activities,” he said.

The NALC building has four wings. In the first section, extra-curricular activities including singing, debating, yoga, guitar,

painting and photography take place. Besides career counselling sessions are organised every Saturday and Sunday, Singh said.

“A local NGO invites resource persons to impart training in extra-curricular activities in the evening session. We also teach the children how to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) besides knowledge on life-saving drugs and disaster drills,” he said.

A smart TV has been installed for documentaries and motivational film screenings, and sporting and national events. The third section of the building is for students preparing for competitive exams, with “10 soundproof cabins”, the DC said. The maintenance cost and salary of staff are borne by Oil India Ltd.

AOSW miffed over MLA’s ‘false promises’

WILLIAMNAGAR, APR 16 ( AGENCIES): The Achik Organization for Social Welfare (AOSW) has expressed its anger against Williamnagar MLA and PHE minister, Marcuise Marak after it was discovered that one of the projects that were shown completed in his report card in the runup to the polls, is actually not even half done.

The project in question is the Dobetkolgre to Apotgittim submersible bridge under the Williamnagar constituency and was undertaken under the SRWP 2018-2022 (Convergence).

“We condemn the MLA for fooling the people of Williamnagar prior to voting in the recently concluded elections. He has included Dobetkolgre to Apotgittim submersible bridge among completed projects in serial number 7. The people of the area, after seeing the report card, have now begun to complain as the work is not even half complete,” said AOSW

general secretary, Premier Sangma. Sangma called the act of the MLA a distortion and misrepresentation for the sake of votes at a time when people were busy assessing candidates.

“If our leader is distorting facts and the public for his own political benefits then he is not concerned for voters and the act only shows that we are in the midst of corruption by the MLA,” added Sangma.

AOSW claimed that though it is too late for the

MLA to now redact his statement, the shock that the voters feel after the completion of elections is palpable. “The report card is deceptive and was released late into the election run-up so it could not be countered. We have personally been to the project site and can tell you that it is far from complete as can be seen by the pictures. We stand for the people and their interest and the people needed to see the truth of what the MLA promised and what he delivered,” asserted Premier.

under the reservation policy. This reservation can be resolved through talks at the government’s initiative, it stated.

Even after the Meitei/ Meetei is included in the ST list, a reservation policy which will not infringe existing reservation policy for the communities already in the ST can be put in place.

The reservation policy being applied in the neighbouring states like Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland can be put in place in the state too, the STDC stated.

The STDCM finally appreciated MP Lorho S Pfoze for extending a warm welcome to the visiting committee members.

The STDCM is pressing the state government to furnish the specific recommendations along with required ethnography and latest socio-economic survey reports of the Meitei/ Meetei to the Centre for consideration of the demand for ST status.

It may be mentioned that ministers and MLAs, including from the ruling BJP, have extended their support to the demand of the STDCM asserting that it was a legitimate demand.

Body of rhino poacher on the run found floating in river

GUWAHATI, APR 16

(PTI): The body of the suspected poacher, who escaped from police custody after allegedly cutting away the horn of a rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park, was recovered on Sunday from the Brahmaputra river, a senior official said.

According to Special Task Force (STF) Additional Superintendent of Police Dhruba Jyoti Nath, the body was seen floating in the river, which passes through the Kaziranga National Park (KNP).

“We recovered the body in the afternoon and it was identified as Saidul Islam (45), who had fled from police custody on Friday night. The body has been sent for postmortem examination now,” he told PTI. The STF of Assam Police was posted in the KNP along with regular Forest Guards, mainly to prevent poaching of rhinos and other animals.

Last month, a rhino was killed allegedly by poachers inside the KNP and its horn was taken away. The suspected poaching of the one-horned animal was

the first such incident in the Park in over a year.

On Friday, the STF and Nagaon District Police laid a trap in Batadrava area after the STF had received information regarding a group of poachers trying to sell a rhino horn.

The man whose body was found was caught with a rhino horn by the joint team the same day. Based on the information provided during interrogation, three motor-

cycles, Rs 50,000 in cash and a mobile phone were recovered. Police claimed Islam confessed that a .303 rifle used to kill the rhino was hidden at Saiful Tapu under Bagori range of the Kaziranga National Park. A team of Nagaon Police and STF, along with forest officials, took the person to the location in search of the weapon and to reconstruct the crime on Friday night.

DECLARATION

I Shri. Kanglise L. Sangtam S/o Late. Litsapi Sangtam of Langzanger Village Presently residing at DC Ward Kiphire Town and Permanent resident of Langzanger village under Kiphire District do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as follows:-

1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India.

2. That Mr. Rabukha L. Sangtam son of my brother late. Luho L. Sangtam was adopted by me in the spirit of good faith and good will.

3. That after naturing him to maturity and providing him education, he has become insolent and has become extreme burden to the family by indulging in taking narcotic and criminal activities.

4. That I am not able to handle him in any manner, thus anyone dealing with him in any form or manner or any act that he commit will be brone solely by him and neither me or any of my family members; cousin and relatives will not be responsible whatsoever for which I hereby declare to disown him with immediate effect.

5. That the statements made in the above paragraph from 1 to 4 are true to the best of my knowledge in sound mind and health and nothing has been conceal therein.

In witness whereof, I sign this affidavit in sound mind without any undue influence and coercion on this day dated 13th April 2021 at Kiphire.

A delegation of STDCM handing over a memorandum to Manipur Outer MPLorho S Pfoze on Sunday.

Mama Natung took a stroll with a Royal Bengal Tiger.

The incomplete submersible bridge.

The New Age Learning Centre in Miao

SNIPPETS

Three killed in Hyderabad

house fire

HYDERABAD, APR 16 (PTI): Three members of a family -- a couple and their child -- died and four others were injured in a fire accident in a residential complex here early on Sunday, police said. The fire broke out around 4 am at a timber depot and spread to the adjoining three-storey building in Kushaiguda area, they said. Smoke and the blaze spread to the second-floor of the building, where a couple and their son were sleeping in one of the flats. They died due to asphyxiation and burns, police said.

Two held for trying to sell deer antlers

RAIPUR, APR 16

(PTI): Police arrested two persons on Sunday for allegedly trying to sell swamp deer horns worth Rs 3 lakh in Raipur city of Chhattisgarh, an official said. The two accused, both aged 37, were nabbed in Vinoba Bhave Nagar area of the city. While one of the accused hails from Maharashtra, another is a resident of Raipur, he said. “Acting on a tip-off, the police caught the duo red-handed near Irrigation Colony under the Civil Lines police station limits when they were looking for customers to sell the antlers,” the official said.

Kejriwal questioned for 9 hrs at CBI Hqs

AAPleadersstage protestagainstCBI

NEW DELHI, APR 16

(PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was questioned for nearly nine hours by the CBI on Sunday in the excise policy case, amid protests by his party as the AAP chief claimed that the allegations of scam were false and the agency was acting at the BJP’s behest.

“I was asked around 56 questions. I answered them all ...as I said earlier we have nothing to hide. The alleged liquor scam is false, fabricated and motivated by dirty politics... We will die but not give up honesty,” Kejriwal told reporters after leaving the CBI headquarters at around 8.30 pm.

The agency had summoned Kejriwal on Friday last seeking his appearance as a witness before the investigation team.

In a video message this morning, the Aam Aadmi Party chief, who received solidarity messages from several opposition leaders after being summoned by the agency, claimed that the BJP might have ordered the CBI to arrest him.

The BJP, which has alleged that Kejriwal was the “kingpin”, said it was not the time for rhetoric but accountability and demanded

his resignation.

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said on Sunday that investigation agencies such as CBI and ED work on the basis of facts, not emotions.

Officials said the CBI asked the chief minister about the policy formulation process, especially the “untraceable” file, which was earlier slated to be put before the Council of Ministers.

They said the file containing opinions of the expert committee and public and legal opinions on it was not kept before the council and remains untraceable.

Kejriwal was also asked if he was involved in the formulation of the policy before it was approved, they said.

It is alleged that the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22 to grant

Uddhav calls for Oppn unity to defeat Modi govt

licences to liquor traders favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. The policy was later scrapped.

Kejriwal visited Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat this morning and was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and some cabinet colleagues to the CBI office.

While he was being questioned, several senior AAP leaders were “detained” by the Delhi Police during a sit-in at Archbishop Road against his summoning. The detainees included Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha, Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi and Kailash Gahlot, AAP spokesperson Adil Ahmad Khan, AAP general secre-

tary Pankaj Gupta and some ministers in the Punjab government.

“The Delhi Police has arrested us for sitting peacefully and is taking us to some unknown place... what kind of dictatorship is this?” Chadha tweeted.

“BJP suffers from chronic Kejriwal-phobia,” he alleged.

Mann, who also joined the sit-in, had left the spot before the AAP leaders’ detention.

“Around 1,500 people have been detained or arrested by police across Delhi for staging protests. Thirty-two Delhi MLAs and 70 councillors have been arrested in the city and 20 Punjab AAP MLAs have been arrested at the Delhi border,” AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai claimed at a press conference. Rai also chaired an “emergency meeting” of its office-bearers to decide the party’s next course of action.

The AAP chief was taken to the first-floor office of the Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI, which is probing the matter, after arriving at the heavily fortified agency headquarters at around 11 pm.

Sources said Kejriwal was questioned for nearly nine hours. He was offered a lunch break and he chose not to go outside the CBI

Ex-CM Shettar quits as MLA; jolt to BJP in poll-bound K’taka

office.

Senior officials of the agency remained present in the office on Sunday to keep an eye on the development, a normal course whenever a VIP comes to the agency, the sources said.

The agency also quizzed Kejriwal on the statements of other accused, where they have indicated the manner in which policy was allegedly influenced to favour some liquor businessmen and the South liquor lobby. In addition, the officials said the agency sought to know his role in formulating the excise policy and his knowledge about the alleged influence being cast by the traders and South lobby members.

AAP leader Manish Sisodia was arrested on February 26 after nearly eight hours of questioning in the case with officials saying his answers were not satisfactory. He quit as deputy chief minister of Delhi on February 28.

“I have been summoned by CBI today and I will give all the answers with honesty. These people are very powerful. They can send anyone to jail, it does not matter if that person has committed any crime or not,” Kejriwal said in his five-minute video message on Twitter before heading to the CBI office.

NGO moves SC against appointment of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner

BENGALURU, APR 16

(PTI): Disgruntled former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar resigned as MLA on Sunday after expressing anguish over denial of ticket to contest in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections, and launched an attack on the BJP, saying those who had built the party are being thrown out of their ‘own house’.

Shortly after the 67-year-old six-time MLA, who had also said he would quit the party, tendered his resignation, Karnataka BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa, slammed him for deserting the J P Naddaled outfit, and said people would not pardon him for his move.

Shettar, an influential Lingayat leader from north Karnataka, and sitting MLA from Hubli-Dharwad Central, said some people with their vested interests had hatched a conspiracy to not field him this time.

“Today those who are originally from the BJP are being thrown out from the party. Today I am going out from my own house. I have been driven out of my own house. This has hurt me deeply. Against this background, I have resigned from the legislature assembly,” Shettar told reporters.

Jagadish Shettar

Shettar holds talks with Congress, may join party tomorrow: Sources

Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar is in talks with senior Congress leaders after resigning from the Karnataka Assembly over his candidature not being reconsidered by the BJP for the May 10 election, Congress sources said. The sources told PTI that Shettar flew from Hubballi to Bengaluru on Sunday in a special helicopter and held discussions with Congress general secretary (Karnataka in-charge) Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress state chief D K Shivakumar, former minister M B Patil and veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa. Shettar may join Congress on Monday, the sources added. Shettar alleged that he has been humiliated by denying him a BJP ticket and added that there was a systematic conspiracy against him in the ruling party.

Students’ organisation under JSSU to gherao CM House

Man mauled

to death by stray dogs

ALIGARH (UP), APR

16 (IANS): A 65-year-old man was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in the premises of Aligarh Muslim University on Sunday, police said.Safdar Ali, a resident of a locality adjoining the campus, was out on a morning walk in a garden of the Sir Syed Museum when the dogs attacked him, the police said. SP City Kuldeep Singh Gunawat said that a police team rushed to the spot but by then the victim had died.

Class 1 boy rapes girl from playgroup

MUZAFFARNAGAR

(UP), APR 16 (IANS):

A 10-year-old boy allegedly raped a three-yearold girl at a school in the district, said a police official on Sunday. The girl has been sent for medical examination while the boy has been detained by the police. According to the complaint filed by the victim’s father, the girl was taken to the roof of the school and allegedly raped by the boy on Saturday. The minor boy is a student of Class 1, while the girl is a student of playgroup.

8 die of sunstroke

in Maharashtra

NAVI MUMBAI, APR 16 (IANS): In a tragedy, at least eight persons succumbed to heat stroke and over three dozen have been hospitalised after a mammoth function in which Union Home Minister Amit Shah conferred the ‘Maharashtra Bhushan 2022’ award on reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. On hearing of the disaster, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and others rushed to the MGM Hospital in Navi Mumbai late this evening to enquire after the wellbeing of the devotees admitted there. “There is sad news...

Around 7-8 persons have died due to heat stroke,” a grim Shinde later told media persons. He also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased and said the other patients are being cared for properly.

NAGPUR, APR 16 (PTI)

SHIV SENA (UBT): president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday made a pitch for opposition unity in order to defeat the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said an alternative would emerge on its own.

Addressing the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) joint ‘Vajramuth’ rally here, the former chief minister hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying its “addiction to power” was destroying the country.

“You just need to press the button (of EVM) to create a revolution. Freedom fighters and revolutionaries walked to the gallows to achieve freedom. They did not bother who will be the prime minister or the president. They laid down their lives for the people of the country and not to bring BJP to power,” he said.

“Why should you bother who will be the alternative? Someone will emerge... but we need to pledge that we will not allow a government which is unjust. “ he said, adding that PM Modi

should tell people what he has done for the country during his tenure.

Thackeray said people should be aware of how religious issues are raked up to distract their attention from core issues.

Thackeray’s comments on alternatives to PM Modi and his government assumes significance as efforts for opposition unity are on. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal and Rahul Gandhi are likely to meet him in Mumbai soon.

The former CM also questioned the silence of PM Modi on the Hindenburg report on billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani and also the reported revelations of former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik. US-based Hindenburg Research has alleged stock manipulation and accounting fraud in firms belonging to Adani.

“If the Hindenburg report is not true, why are you shaken? Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified and now (Delhi Chief Minister) Arvind Kejriwal might be arrested,” he said.

NEW DELHI, APR 16 (PTI): NGO Association for Democratic Reforms has moved the Supreme Court against Arun Goel’s appointment as Election Commissioner claiming it is arbitrary, and violative of institutional integrity and independence of the poll body.

The NGO has sought the constitution of a “neutral and independent committee” for the appointment of members of the Election Commission.

The plea alleged that the Union government and the ECI have through their acts of “omissions and commission” participated in a carefully orchestrated “selection procedure” for their own benefits.

“The writ petition is being filed in public interest challenging the appointment of Sh. Arun Goel as Election Commissioner vide notification dated November 19, 2022, on the ground that the appointment is arbitrary and violative of institutional integrity and independence of Election Commission Of India...,” the plea said.

Adani is a symbol of corruption, says Rahul Gandhi targeting PM

KOLAR (K’TAKA), APR 16 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by bringing up the Adani “corruption” issue in this Karnataka district headquarters town and reiterated that he was not scared of the BJP government at the Centre.

It was in Kolar in 2019, during Lok Sabha election campaigning, that he made a remark on the Modi surname for which he was convicted of criminal defamation and stripped of his Parliament membership last month.

In his first visit to Karnataka after Assembly polls were announced on March 29, Gandhi emphasised on the Adani issue to target the Prime Minister and sought to know Modi’s “relation” with businessman Gautam Adani.

“I was disqualified from Parliament. They (central government) think that they will scare me by removing me and threatening me. I am not the one to

get scared,” Gandhi told the crowd at the event called ‘Jai Bharat’.

“Till the time I get the reply, I will keep asking this question. You disqualify me, jail me or do whatever you want, I am not going to get scared,” he added.

Alleging that there was no investigation happening against Adani Group’s firms that operate in the defence infrastructure, Gandhi charged that the chairman of the beleaguered conglomerate has appointed a Chinese man in his “shell company”.

“Adani is a symbol of corruption,” Gandhi said.

“I want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi: what is your relation with Adani who is being given airports in India? Rules are changed for him to award him contract. Why are the rules being changed?” Gandhi wondered.

The former Congress president said Adani Group has no expertise to run airports, which is a prerequisite for operating them but yet they were handed over to the business group.

“Those who owned airports were implicated by the central agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) and then these airports were given to Adani,” the Congress leader said.

In Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen with his counterpart and Gautam Adani and a senior State Bank of India officer were seen next to them, he alleged, adding that the very next day, the SBI granted a loan to Adani.

The top court on March 2 had ruled that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and ECs will be done by the President on the recommendation of a committee, comprising the prime minister, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the CJI, to maintain the “purity of election”.

The apex court had said it was mystified as to how bureaucrat Arun Goel applied for voluntary retirement on November 18 last year if he was not aware about the proposal to appoint him as an Election Commissioner.

The top court noted that a vacancy in the post of Election Commissioner arose upon the appointment of Rajiv Kumar as the

RSS conducts route marches across Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI, APR 16 (PTI): Days after a Supreme Court green flag, the RSS on Sunday took out route marches at 45 locations across Tamil Nadu and the events passed off peacefully amid security, police said. Union Minister of State L Murugan was among those who participated at the meets held in different parts of the state including Chennai, Madurai, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet.

Police security was posted at the routes where the RSS volunteers, dressed in their trademark white rolled up sleeves and khaki trousers, took out the march.

The route marches passed off peacefully, police said. On April 11, the Supreme Court upheld the Madras High Court orders allowing RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) to hold marches in the State and dismissed the appeals of the Tamil Nadu government.

Meanwhile, the RSS said the route march is a part of its regular training.

Chief Election Commissioner with effect from May 15, 2022.

The apex court said the appointment to the post of Election Commissioner was made apparently on the basis that there was no hindrance to the making of the appointment as there was no specific law.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice

K M Joseph took note of the submission by the Centre that approval was sought on November 18, 2022 for the appointment of one Election Commissioner and on the very same day, drawing upon the database of IAS officers, serving and retired, in the position of Secretary to the Government of India, it was accessed.

The apex court said an appointee to the post of Election Commissioner or Chief Election Commissioner should have a period of six years as laid down in law as it would enable the officer to have enough time to gear himself to the needs of the office and assert his independence.

RANCHI, APR 16 (PTI):

The three-day protest of different students’ organisations under the banner of Jharkhand State Students’ Union (JSSU) will kick off with CM House gherao on Monday against 60-40 ratio based employment policy, a JSSU leader said.

The students’ organisations have been demanding the scrapping of 60-40 ratio-based employment policy and introduction of Khatiyan (land settlement) based policy. The state cabinet on March 3 approved amendments to various rules related to Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations.

JSSU leader Devendera Mahto on Sunday said that thousands of job aspirants from five divisions of the state would assemble in Ranchi’s Morabadi ground and then they would march to gherao CM House around 11am on Monday.

“Students from different districts will start coming to Ranchi from Sunday night,” he said.

In view of the CM House gherao, Ranchi dis-

trict administration on Sunday issued a prohibitory order restricting procession, rally, demonstration and gherao within 200 metres radius of the chief minister’s residence and secretariat.

The JSSU leaders said that they will take out a torchlight procession in different district headquarters on April 18 and to seek support from traders, shopkeepers, schools, offices and transporters for Jharkhand bandh call on April 19.

Earlier, the JSSU’s protest plan was scheduled from April 9 but it had been postponed in wake of demise of Jharkhand Education Minister Jagarnath Mahto.

The JSSU leader said the government had promised an employment policy based on the 1932 khatiyan (land settlement). “But, it has introduced pre-2016 employment policy provisioning 60-40 ratio. Under this policy of the government 60 per cent of the seats will be reserved for various categories, while 40 per cent seats will be open for all, which is not acceptable,” he said.

Toll rises to 22 in Bihar hooch tragedy; BJP accuses govt of ‘mass murder’

MOTIHARI/PATNA, APR 16 (PTI): As the death toll in a suspected hooch tragedy in Bihar’s East Champaran district rose to 22 on Sunday, the opposition BJP alleged that the incident was a “mass murder by the Nitish Kumar government”.

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha, accused the state administration of “protecting liquor mafias who are associated with the ruling JD(U) and the RJD”.

The party will approach the National Human Rights Commission and other such central bodies to conduct a “probe into the hooch tragedy”, former state BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal said.

Twenty-two people in Turkauliya, Harsiddhi, Sugauli and Paharpur villages of Motihari have so far died after allegedly consuming illicit liquor, the East Champaran district police said in a statement.

“At least twenty-nine others are battling for their

lives at Sadar and different hospitals in the district. Condition of four patients is reported to be critical,” it said.

A team of BJP leaders visited some of the villages in the district where the suspected hooch tragedy was reported on Saturday.

“I, along with my party leaders, visited Sugauli and Paharpur in Motihari. These are the villages where the maximum deaths took place. We found that the number of persons who died due to consumption of liquor was being suppressed by the district administration.

“At some places, cases were not registered by the police as post-mortem examinations could not be conducted. It’s a statesponsored mass murder by the Nitish Kumar government,” Sinha claimed.

He also alleged that the state government and its officials are “busy in minimising the gravity of the tragedy”.

“What is even more disturbing is that the dis-

trict authorities are not making efforts to properly record and report active incidents of death due to consumption of liquor. The Nitish Kumar government is protecting liquor mafias who are associated with JD(U) and RJD,” Sinha said.

JD(U) and RJD leaders could not be contacted for comments.

The police, however, claimed to have arrested 80 people from East Champaran district of dry Bihar, following the suspected hooch tragedy in Motihari.

The district administration suspended 11 police personnel, including a subinspector and an assistant sub-inspector, who were posted as in-charge of antiliquor task force at Areraj and Sadar sub-divisions of Motihari respectively, on the charge of dereliction of duties, according to the statement.

Nine ‘chowkidars’ posted at different villages of Motihari were among the suspended policemen, it said.

AAP MP Raghav Chadha being detained by police personnel during a protest in New Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

Arun Goel

Rahul Gandhi (PTI)

Running raj in UP

Just 20 days after UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath had boasted at the second anniversary programme of his BJP government on March 25, that people’s perception of the state as a “mafia and goonda raj” has changed in the six-year rule of his BJP government, with the state registering growth in all sectors under the double-engine government, the shocking television clips showing how accused don Atiq and his brother were murdered in presence of police only proved that UP has not changed its spots. Atiq Ahmed (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists with fake identification cards in the middle of a media interaction on April 15 night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college for a checkup. According to media reports quoting unnamed sources, the manner in which the police had allowed media persons so close to the accused at night of incident, suggested nothing short of a carefully planned murder. The three killers who immediately surrendered after the deed, were identified as Lovelesh Tiwari, Sunny and Arun Maurya. Two weeks earlier on March 28 the Supreme Court had dismissed Atiq Ahmed’s plea seeking protection during his custody with the UP Police in the Umesh Pal murder case. In what could be a premonition of impending death, Atiq said he feared he would be killed in a fake encounter. Earlier UP was called a state where “goonda raj” prevailed. At present, it appears, that in the name of ‘wiping out’ or ‘eliminating goons’ the Yogi Adityanath government has established a “police raj”. According to Supreme Court advocate and independent MP of the Rajya Sabha, Kapil , since 2017 there had been over 83 alleged fake encounters in UP especially targeting accused persons of one particular community. The Lok Sabha was also informed in July 2022 that as many as 955 custodial deaths took place in UP during 2020-22. UP also recorded 451 custodial deaths in 2020-21 and the number rose to 501 in 2021-22, as per the government data. Former UP chief minister and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav commenting on the double murder, said that the BJP government did not believe in the courts and was taking the law into its own hands. He said those in power cannot pass judgement on who was right or wrong and to decide who should live or die. Prior to the shooting of Atiq Ahmed , his son 19-year-old

Asad Ahmed and another aide, Ghulam Hussain, 32, were killed on April 13, in an encounter by the UP Police near Parichha embankment in Badagaon police station area of Jhansi district. The duo were wanted for the February shooting of Umesh Pal, the witness in the 2005 murder of Raju Pal and exMLA of the BSP in Prayagraj on February 24,2023. Added to the tag of running a “police raj” in UP, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has also earned for himself the nick name “Bulldozer Baba”, for using the equipment to raze down houses and properties of suspected mafia dons and wanted absconding persons. In this, the Adityanath government has reshaped the meaning of the bulldozer at its tool. Even if there are many who applaud instant justice, it must however be borne in mind that such acts pose grave threats on helpless and innocent victims.

DailyDevotion

Can You Come Down From the Mountain?

While you have the light, believe in the light…

—John 12:36

We all have moments when we feel better than ever before, and we say, “I feel fit for anything; if only I could always be like this!” We are not meant to be. Those moments are moments of insight which we have to live up to even when we do not feel like it. Many of us are no good for the everyday world when we are not on the mountaintop. Yet we must bring our everyday life up to the standard revealed to us on the mountaintop when we were there.

Never allow a feeling that was awakened in you on the mountaintop to evaporate. Don’t place yourself on the shelf by thinking, “How great to be in such a wonderful state of mind!” Act immediately— do something, even if your only reason to act is that you would rather not. If, during a prayer meeting, God shows you something to do, don’t say, “I’ll do it”— just do it! Pick yourself up by the back of the neck and shake off your fleshly laziness. Laziness can always be seen in our cravings for a mountaintop experience; all we talk about is our planning for our time on the mountain. We must learn to live in the ordinary “gray” day according to what we saw on the mountain.

Don’t give up because you have been blocked and confused once— go after it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will. Never change your decisions, but be sure to make your decisions in the light of what you saw and learned on the mountain.

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

The only time you fail is when you fall down and stay down.

~ Stephen Richards.

Exports surpass target, imports from China surge

Even as US economy is predicted to slip into recession, world debt crisis intensify, India’s exports touch $ 770.18 billion largely with strong services exports of 27 percent. It’s significant in the post pandemic situation indicating not an unlikely rebound.

India exceeds the target by $ 20 billion.

But one of the aspects of diplomatic and political concern is that imports from China have not come down. It touches $ 98.51 billion against $ 94.57 billion in the previous year. On the contrary, India’s exports to China fell to $ 15.32 billion from $ 21.26 billion a year ago. It is a negative growth of nearly 28 percent. In reality, it has not helped the country much. This dependence on China is not easy to reduce. Its impact on international politics and India in particularly in terms of border disputes is not reflected in actual trade relationship.

The oft political statement is that India’s purchases helps China spend it on the borders against India. Trade figures do not seem to be concerned about it whether China renames a plethora of names of places

in Arunachal or not. Those nationalist views and actual trading definitely are not on the same page.

Possibly at political and diplomatic level the discussions are not easy to deal at the actual matters of exports and imports. So whatever may happen at the borders is treated differently when it comes to merchandise in the international market. These will remain good election issues so far imports from China are concerned. But the fall in sales or exports to China by a 28 percent could be interpreted as a careful action taken by China.

One of the aspects is mobile phone. Apple now triples its production from India to $ 7 billion. It makes almost 7 percent of its phones in through expanding its partners in India. As tension between Washington and Beijing escalate, Apple is shifting its bases from China fast. The company exported $ 5 billion worth products made in India as per the support to all manufacturers assured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apple might be making one-fourth of its global production in India by 2025. Imports of electronic goods from China have seen

a year-on-year decline of around $2 billion in 202223 (April-February). Import share from China in electronic goods has also declined from 48.1 per cent in 2021-22 (Apr-Feb) to 41.9 per cent in 2022-23 (AprFeb). Imports have been shifted towards Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam.

A significant fall in share from China was seen in imports of fertilizers -- from 21.9 per cent in 2021-22 (Apr-Feb) to 13.9 per cent in 2022-23 (AprFeb) and this accounts for around half a billion fall in imports from China. A major chunk of the demand for fertilizers has shifted toward Russia where import share has increased from 5.21 per cent to 17.2 per cent in 2022-23 (Apr-Feb).

The rising trade figures have helped India surge its foreign exchange reserves to $ 600 billion after a gap of several months. But global slowdown affected merchandise trade. It has grown just over 6 percent. This is reflected also in the domestic manufacturing. It is on a see-saw mode going up marginally with a subsequent fall. Global demand is low

and Indian exports do not have a wide range to offer.

In 2021, India was the number six economy in the world in terms of GDP, the number 14 in total exports, the number 11 in total imports, the number 137 economy in terms of GDP per capita and the number 41 most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity Index (ECI).

The top exports from India are refined petroleum $ 49 billion, diamonds $26.3B, packaged medicaments $19.2B, jewellery $10.7B, and Rice $10B, exports to US $ 71.2 B, UAE $25.4B, China $23.1B, Bangladesh $14.1B, and Hong Kong $11.2B.

The present trade deficit is $ 122 billion. The country’s trade deficit in 2021-22 was $ 83.53 billion. It is being defended by the commerce ministry as it reflects the country’s growing demand despite the global slump.

Officially it is also stated that India’s import dependence on China has reduced from 15.43 percent of the total merchandise to 13.79 percent. Electronic goods im -

port shares in India’s total merchandise imports have declined to 10.82 per cent in 2022-23 from 12.02 per cent in 2021-22. Machinery, electrical and non-electrical, gold, organic and inorganic chemicals, pearls, and precious and semi-precious stones are among the other items whose share has seen a decline.

“Based on services exports estimates and actual numbers of goods exports, we have surpassed our target of $750 billion to hit $770.18 billion. Growth is significant as there were recessionary conditions elsewhere, despite global headwinds, we have not only achieved the target, but also surpassed it,” Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal says.

.India’s exports have increased substantially from countries like Russia (369.44%), Indonesia (62.8%), Saudi Arabia (23.31%), Singapore (24.43%) and Korea (21.46%).

Petroleum products export share in India’s total merchandise exports has increased from 15.99 per cent in 2021-22 to 21.12 per cent in 2022-23. Electronic goods export share in India’s total merchandise exports has

increased from 3.71 per cent in 2021-22 to 5.27 per cent in 2022-23. Smartphones export stood at $9.31 billion during April-Feb 2022-23.

“The impact of economic slowdown in major advanced economies has been visible in global trade. However, India has still managed to minimise the impact by taking several policy measures such as expanding the rupee trade, roll-back of export duty on specified steel products, and easing procedures,” EEPC India Chairman Arun Kumar Garodia said. The rupee trade with 18 countries is stated to be positive though now the logistics are being put in place. According the government, there are many issues that are being addressed. The rupee has one advantage that it could be exchanged with other currencies. But the countries also want to observe the level of exposure to each other. Russia is one of the oldest partners in rupee trade. But it had earlier faced problems with excess rupee reserves. In the course of time, India hopes to manage its merchandise and other trades more strategically to take a leap in world affairs.

The Chinese challenge and India’s growing global clout

China will be an ongoing challenge for the Indian foreign and security policy establishment. Its hegemonistic ambitions are clearly evident from the fact that its territorial ingress and disputes are with more countries than it shares a border with.

After the perfidious war of 1962, India became wiser and focussed on creating stronger defences against Chinese designs which have become far more robust during the past few years as greater focus on creating state of the art border infrastructure and quick response mechanisms have been created.

The unwritten peace for decades broke down when Galwan happened in 2020. But India’s firm and determined counter-action and eyeball-to-eyeball response made Beijing pause and think if it could push its luck further.

Despite India and China cooperating in multilateral and regional formats like G20, SCO, BRICS and RIC and even 18-19 meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi

Finland formally became a member of NATO on April 4 during a scheduled summit, finalising the fastest accession process in the treaty’s history.

Last week, the blueand-white flag of Finland was raised alongside those of its western partners outside NATO’s headquarters in Brussels after the Nordic country formally became the 31st member of the transatlantic defensive alliance.

Guests at the ceremony, including the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the Finnish President, Foreign and Defence Ministers applauded and shouted “bravo” at the ceremony, which marked a historic realignment of Europe’s security landscape.

US President Joe Biden warmly welcomed the completion of Finland’s accelerated accession process, saying NATO had shown itself more united than ever after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The two Nordic countries, Finland and Sweden’s inclusion in NATO was being watched as the war of nerves between the West, represented by the US and its allies and the CommunistSocialist bloc led by Russia.

Though initially Russia showed less apprehension about the inclusion of these two Scandinavian countries in NATO, however, after Finland becoming the latest member to join the alliance, Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said that NATO’s embrace of Finland was an “encroachment on

Jinping, the loud and clear message was conveyed that border incursions and nefarious designs on India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will not be tolerated at any cost.

As India prefers dialogue and Diplomacy and perhaps China would also not like to indulge in foolhardy and MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) syndrome, painfully slow border talks and discussions in the WMCC have continued to contain the situation from further escalation. Even then repeat incursions in Tawang and psy-ops in Arunachal and elsewhere have continued unabated but have met with firm response.

India has followed a policy of Competition with Cooperation but China has added another C of Containment of India through its ‘String of Pearls’ strategy, Belt and Road Initiative and pivoting an unstable Pakistan and its terrorist designs against India.

The iron-clad Sino-Pakistan nexus will be a profound challenge that would have to be understood and factored in India’s proactive

our security and on Russia’s national interests”, adding that Moscow would watch closely for any NATO military deployments there.

The Ministry added that the development marked “a fundamental change in the situation in northern Europe, which had previously been one of the most stable regions in the world”. Russia said on Monday it would bolster its military capacity in its western and north-western regions in response to Finland’s accession.

Sweden and Finland together share a 1,340 kmlong border with Russia, and both submitted simultaneous membership applications last May, abandoning decades of military non-alignment to seek security as NATO members after the Russian invasion.

The Guardian has commented that joining NATO means Finland falls under the alliance’s Article 5, a collective defence pledge that stipulates that an attack on one NATO member “shall be considered an attack against them all”.

Finland is one of the few European countries to have retained a conscription army through decades of peace, wary of its eastern neighbour Russia after the former Soviet Union tried to invade the country during WW II. Finland’s ground, naval and air forces are all trained and equipped with one primary aim - to repel any Russian invasion.

Finland has what it calls “Western Europe’s strongest

comprehensive response and including a readiness to confront a two front war, if imposed. With Indo-Pacific emerging as a new theatre of Sino-US competition, India’s maritime power and prowess especially in the Indian Ocean will come under stress.

It is imperative that the SAGAR doctrine and Indian Ocean initiatives will need to be further accentuated as the relationships with other major powers in QUAD and other formats provide greater heft to Indian response potential in the event of her interests are challenged by the Chinese hegemonistic ambitions.

Like rest of the world, India’s trade and economic engagement has moved apace crossing over $125 bn with huge trade deficit in China’s favour with critical dependencies still inherent which would need to be addressed both through futuristic policy refinements in a dynamic manner and alternate credible partnerships to enable India to be a trusted part of the global and regional value and supply chains.

India has taken some actions like banning apps and calibrating the FDI and FII policies with regard to China. Beijing, despite having a five times larger economy, considers India a credible competitor of consequence and hence wishes to undermine and contain it within the neighbourhood and its Asian periphery.

But India does not seem to mind this challenge and is ready to accept it head-on since the world is its oyster. The G20 Summit expanse, Vaccine Maitri, growing soft power, increasing hard power, top performing fifth largest economy and functional largest democracy or even mother of democracy and becoming a Voice of the Global South as well as her strategic autonomy and leadership in fighting injustice, climate change and terrorism have added up to make India a global power to be reckoned with in every major strategic calculation and announcements and explicit recognition of this fact by major global powers.

One area in which China has

NATO’s expansion

artillery” that includes some 1,500 weapons: about 700 howitzers and cannon, 700 mortars and about 100 heavy and light rocket launchers.

By joining the NATO now it can purchase more arms from diverse sources such as Israel.

NATO has an opendoor policy, meaning that any country can be invited to join if it expresses an interest, as long as it is able and willing to uphold the principles of the bloc’s founding treaty. However, under the accession rules, any member state can veto a new country from joining.

Turkey and Hungary, presumably at the behest of Russia tried to stall this process for the last one year.

Turkish President Recep TayyipErdogan accuses Finland and Sweden of housing Kurdish “terrorist organisations”, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed they were spreading “outright lies” about his country’s rule of law record.

However, there was a limit to which both could stall the process and with many behind the scenes manipulations at last they bowed down to the NATO’s pressure.

Turkey and Hungary later softened their stance on Finland’s accession, opening the door to its membership earlier this month. However, they remain opposed to Sweden joining -- at least for now. Ankara accuses Stockholm of sheltering Kurdish militants, while Budapest has “grievances” about Swedish

criticism of the rule of law in Hungary.

Finland joining NATO marks one of the most significant geopolitical consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to date and represents a dramatic realignment of Europe’s security framework. The Nordic country moved to join NATO alongside Sweden as a direct response to Russia’s assault on Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia has repeatedly blamed NATO expansion, among other grievances, for what in reality was an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Despite Russia’s complaints, Ukraine was not on the formal path to join NATO at the time, and there wasn’t a big push among the alliance’s members to expand. But now, as a result of invading Ukraine, Russia has seen its land border with NATO double in size.

Last week, ministers formally convened in a NATO-Ukraine Commission format - a symbolic move acknowledging Kiev’s aspirations for a closer relationship. Hungary, which has long blocked the body from meeting, grudgingly attended the session but vowed to continue opposing Ukrainian integration.

NATO pledged in 2008 that Ukraine would eventually join the alliance, but the process stalled. In the current situation, numerous Western capitals argue that the priority now is helping Ukraine win the war -- and that discussion of NATO’s political

mastered is the art of deception and ‘Grey Zone’ and disinformation campaigns and warfare which would pose India a major challenge going forward especially as it enters the election year. Hence it is essential to have a proactive, dynamic and comprehensive communication strategy with sharpened toolkits. Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar has often reiterated that while border tensions continue, “business as usual” can’t be the model for interaction with Beijing. His 3Ms prescription of Mutual Respect, Mutual Interest, and Mutual Sensitivity could provide the matrix going forward provided Beijing is on board - which is unlikely as the global order remains in transition. Caution is the buzzword and capacity to inflict costs is a way out.

Anil Trigunayat (The writer is India’s former Ambassador to Jordan, Libya, and Malta and a Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation).

relationship with Kiev should wait. But we cannot discount Ukraine too joining NATO sooner or later.

If and when that happens, that would strategically translate into Russia spreading thin its military resources, which have already taken a strong beating in the ongoing Ukraine war. This may add to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s headaches, but we also cannot discount its close ties with China and say that Russia has been pushed into a corner.

In case of any direct confrontation with NATO, Russia can always be sure

of support from China, and if it really happens that it may not augur well for the global peace.

However, in the whole membership fracas, Russia seems to be the ultimate loser, as now it borders shared with NATO member or aspiring member countries have doubled in two different directions.

Finland’s inclusion in NATO indeed means a historic realignment of Europe’s security landscape.

Asad Mirza The writer is a senior political commentator based in New Delhi

Reader’s Post Thefts of AC wires, pipes and outdoor units

Sir, It is to state that an outdoor unit of an air conditioner installed at one Zaria Fashion, the pipes and wires were stolen from Westyard Kalibari road and came to the owner’s knowledge when it started AC and getting AC not cooling.

This has become a daily routine it seems as sometimes the Cut-outs were theft and sometime outdoor units of ACs being theft and sometimes the wires and AC pipes.

It is humble request to the administrative authority to look into the matter as one AC pipes and Wires costs 5000 to 10000 rupees in repairing.

The people hardly complaint to police but it has become a daily routine that it happens everywhere specially in Westyard, Kalibari Road, Old Daily Market, Jain Temple Road, GS Road etc. This is important to highlight these issues as administration need to check and nab the culprit so that people in Dimapur sleep in good atmosphere.

Rajesh Kumar Sethi, Gen Secretary, NPCC.

Shivaji Sarkar

Atiq Ahmad, brother Ashraf buried in UP ‘s Prayagraj

BJP faces heat from opposition

BJP will form govt in K’taka again: Amit Shah

LUCKNOW, APRIL 16 (AGENCIES):

Gangster-

politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf were buried in their ancestral village in this Uttar Pradesh district on Sunday amid tight security.

The bodies of the brothers were taken to the Kasari Masari graveyard in ambulances at around 6:30 pm.

Ahmad’s son Asad, an accused in the Umesh Pal murder case who fell to police bullets, was buried at the same graveyard here on Saturday. Ahmad was laid to rest right next to his son’s grave. The graveyard is located in Ahmad’s ancestral village and his parents were also buried there.

There was heavy police presence at the graveyard and only a few distant relatives of the deceased brothers and locals were present inside the burial ground.

Asad, the third of the five sons of Ahmad, was killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13. He was on the run since Umesh Pal’s killing on February 24.

Hours after Asad was interred, Ahm ad (60) and

AIADMK not to contest K’taka polls, will back BJP

CHENNAI, APRIL 16

(IANS): The AIADMK Executive, in its meeting held here on Sunday, decided not to contest the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections, and support the BJP instead.

The first executive meeting, since K. Palaniswami was elected as the party’s General Secretary, was chaired by party Presidium Chairman Thamizhmagan Hussain.

The AIADMK’s decision to support the BJP in Karnataka comes at a time when the BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai had engaged in confrontation with the party. However, sources in AIADMK told IANS that the BJP national leadership has requested the party to extend its support in the Karnataka elections.

The party has decided to convene a public meeting in Madurai on April 20.

A total of 15 resolutions were passed in the executive meeting of which 10 were against the ruling DMK, including one condemning it for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. One resolution was passed to authorise Palaniswami to lead the party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The AIADMK, after election of Palaniswami, is trying to win at least a few Lok Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu in 2024.

The party is trying to conduct several programmes in the run-up to the elections and the decision to support the BJP in the Karnataka elections is a political move.

Relatives carry mortal remains of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, during their funeral in Prayagraj, Sunday. (PTI)

Ashraf, who were in handcuffs, were shot dead by three men posing as journalists when they were answering reporters’ queries while being escorted by police personnel to a medical college here for a checkup.

In a heated debate in the Assembly in February, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had accused the SP of sheltering gangsters like Ahmad and said the government will ground the mafia to dust (“mitti me mila denge”).

According to the FIR, the three shooters told police that they killed the Ahmad brothers to make a name for themselves in the world of crime. The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing

of the brothers.

The commission will be headed by retired high court judge Arvind Kumar Tripathi. Retired judge Brijesh Kumar Soni and former Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Subesh Kumar Singh will be the two other members of the panel, officials said.

The sensational killings of the Ahmad brothers drew sharp reactions from the opposition parties that lashed out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that “jungle raj” and “mafia raj” are prevalent in Uttar Pradesh under its rule. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said there are courts to ensure that criminals get the harshest punishment, but “playing with law and order only gives birth to an-

Keralite man dies in cross fire in Sudan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, APRIL 16 (IANS/PTI): In the shootout between the paramilitary forces and the armed forces in Sudan, a man from Kerala died. The deceased is Albert Augustine of Alakkode in Kannur district of Kerala. He was an ex-serviceman and was working in Khartoum in Sudan for the past few years as a supervisor in Dal group, a private company.

Albert Augustine’s father Augustine told IANS that his son died in cross fire between the paramilitary forces of Sudan and the armed forces. He said that Albert was killed while he was on a telephone call.

The relatives of Albert Augustine said that they have petitioned the Government of India to bring his mortal remains back to his home town.

All help will be provided to family of Kerala man: Centre

The Union government on Sunday said that all help will be provided to the family of the Indian national who died of bullet

injuries in the violence-hit Sudanese capital city of Khartoum.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs

V Muraleedharan said the family of Albert Augestine, who hailed from Kannur district of Kerala, will be provided all necessary help and that steps are on to bring his body back to the country.

The Minister also spoke to the victim’s father, a government statement said.

Augestine’s wife and daughter who were with him in Sudan are safe, the Minister said and added that the Indian Embassy in Sudan has been instructed to coordinate on further steps.

Augestine, suffered bullet injuries while speaking to his son who is in Canada, his relatives here in Kerala told TV channels. He was inside his house when the tragic incident occurred.

Augestine was working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan. Meanwhile, KPCC chief K Sudhakaran wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking his urgent intervention to expedite the repatriation of Augestine’s remains to India.

archy”. In a series of tweets in Hindi, Kharge said the Constitution was framed by those who fought for independence and the Constitution and the laws of the land are paramount.

“Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi govt in UP. Its USP: Encounter killings, bulldozer politics and patronising criminals. Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators and punish them stringently,” Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said in a tweet.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, also tweeted her party’s views on the matter. Without naming anyone, she tweeted what was effectively the Hindi version of a statement issued by the Congress on the matter.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said the state is in the grip of “jungle raj”.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said the killings of the Ahmad brothers in the presence of police personnel raised serious questions over the style of functioning of the state government, adding that it would be better if the Supreme Court takes cognisance of this “extremely

serious and worrisome” incident.

‘Will die in encounter’,

Atiq Ahmad had said

Atiq Ahmad’s words finally proved prophetic after 19 years on April 15 when he was shot dead in Prayagraj. “Encounter hoga. Ya police maari, ya koi apni baradari ka sirfira. Sadak ke kinare pade milab” (I will be killed in an encounter by either police or someone from the criminals’ tribe)he had told reporters way back in 2004. During his trip from Sabarmati jail to Prayagraj earlier this month, Atiq Ahmad had told media persons that he was ‘safe’ only because they were accompanying his convoy.

When he was shot dead on Saturday, it was, ironically, by assailants posing as journalists. Atiq was always aware of the fact that he would meet a bloody end one day.

“Sab ko pata hota hai anjaam kya hona hai. Kab tak taala ja sakta hai, yeh sab (contesting election) iski hi jaddojahad hai (We all know, as criminals, what will be our fate. Every day is a struggle to escape this ordeal, and delay the inevitable),” he had said. Once, when reminded that he was contesting election from a

Phulpur parliamentary seat, which was once represented by India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, Atiq had replied, “Pandit ji ki tarah hum Naini jail me bhi rahe hain. Woh kitab likhe wahan, hume apni history sheet ki wajah se jana pada tha (Like Nehru, I have also been to Naini jail. He wrote books there; I went because of my history-sheet).” He also admitted that he had a strong premonition about death.

All 3 shooters sent to 14-day

judicial custody

The three assailants of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were sent to 14-days’ judicial custody on Sunday.

The shooters, identified as Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lavlesh Tiwari, killed Atiq and his brother last night when they were being taken for a medical test. The assailants used Zigana pistols (a semi-automatic pistol produced by a Turkish firm) to eliminate both the deceased. The shooters fired over a dozen rounds in just 22 seconds in the presence of a police team. After shooting dead Atiq and Ashraf, the three accused were nabbed by the police and taken into custody.

Explosive interview with Satya Pal Malik leaves BJP shell shocked

New Delhi, April 16(AGENCIES): In an interview by Karan Thapar for the Wire, that could cause political earthquakes in the Modi government, the BJP and in Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, the last governor of J&K before it was divided and reduced to Union territory status, says “Mein safely keh sakta hoon Prime Minister ko corruption se bahut nafrat nahin hain” (‘I can safely say the PM has no real problem with corruption’).

The interview has given the Congress the ammunition it needed and also buttressing the party’s earlier allegation about Pulwama.

Malik, who was governor during the Pulwama terrorist attack of February 2019 and the scrapping of Article 370 in August that year, also says the prime minister is “ill-informed” and “ignorant” about Kashmir and told him not

Satya Pal Malik

to speak about the Union home ministry’s lapses which led to the devastating terrorist attack on soldiers in Pulwama in February 2019.

In a wide-ranging interview, Malik revealed that the attack on the Central Reserve Police Force convoy in Pulwama was a result of “incompetence” and “laparvahi” by the Indian system and specifically the CRPF and the home ministry.

At the time, Rajnath Singh was home minister. Malik gave extensive details of how the CRPF had asked for aircraft to transport its jawans but was refused by the Union home ministry. He also spoke of how

sanitisation of the route was not done effectively.

More importantly, he said all of these lapses were raised by him directly when Modi called him from outside Corbett Park shortly after the Pulwama attack.

He said the prime minister told him to keep quiet about this and not tell anyone. Separately, Malik said that NSA Ajit Doval also told him to keep quiet and not talk about it.

Malik said he immediately realised that the intention was to put the blame on Pakistan and derive electoral benefit for the government and the BJP.

Malik also said that there was grave intelligence failure in the Pulwama incident because the car carrying 300 kilograms of RDX explosives had come from Pakistan but was travelling around the roads and villages of Jammu and Kashmir for 10-15 days without being detected and without anyone knowing.

PANAJI, APR 16 (PTI):

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the BJP will form a government again in Karnataka, where Assembly elections are scheduled next month.

Addressing a public meeting in south Goa where he kicked off the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign for 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Shah said the mood of people is in favour of BJP in Odisha and Telangana.

He referred to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks on BJP’s victory in “small states” of Goa and Uttarakhand earlier and said Kharge shouldn’t insult small states.

Shah also said Congress was wiped out in recent polls in the Northeast after Rahul Gandhi campaigned for the party. He said the Congress always considered Northeastern states as their stronghold due to a sizeable minority population in these states, but the outcome of recent polls favoured BJP.

“I saw the mood of people in favour of BJP in Odisha and Telangana. I want to tell Kharge ji and Rahul baba that the BJP will form a government in Karnataka again,” he added.

Shah said when BJP won elections in small states like Goa, Uttarakhand, and

Amit Shah

in the Northeast, Kharge said these are small states.

“They are small states but they are important states of the country. Khargeji should not insult small states,” Shah added.

He said small states are important parts of the country and it is the policy of the Modi government to have a “bigger responsibility towards small states”.

“Small states are the ‘dharohar’ of our country and they are as much important as big states. The smaller the state, the bigger the responsibility of the Centre to work for its development. This is the policy of the Modi government,” Shah said. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Shah said after ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Rahul Gandhi undertook a full-fledged campaign in the Northeast elections, but the Congress party was wiped out from these states and people gave their mandate in favour of the BJP.

Ajay Maken launch scathing attack on AAP

NEW DELHI, APR 16

(PTI): Former Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken on Sunday launched a scathing attack on AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, saying that individuals like him and his associates who face “serious corruption charges” should not be shown any sympathy or support.

The stance by Maken, a former Union minister during the UPA government, is at variance with his party’s central leadership as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had telephoned Kejriwal on Saturday, a day after the AAP convenor was summoned by the CBI, and expressed solidarity with the AAP leader.

The statement comes at a time when efforts are being made to unite opposition parties and bring them together on a common platform. In his call to Kejriwal, Kharge had stressed the need for opposition parties to unite against the BJP ahead of the 2024 general elections, according to sources.

In a long Twitter post

Ajay Maken

that came on the day of Kejriwal’s questioning by the CBI, Maken said, “I believe that individuals like Kejriwal and his associates who face serious corruption charges should not be shown any sympathy or support.”

“The allegations of LiquorGate and GheeGate must be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty should be punished. It is important for all political leaders, including those from Congress, to recognize that the money gained through corrupt means by Kejriwal has been used against the Congress party in several states, including Punjab, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi,” Maken said.

‘Protection of ecosystems can help reduce climate change’

NEW DELHI, APR 16

(IANS): Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday said that protecting and restoring ecosystems can help reduce the extent of climate change and cope with its impacts.

Speaking at the plenary session at the G7 ministers’ meeting on climate, energy and environment in Sapporo in Japan, he said it is important that issues related to climate change in tandem with environmental action are dealt with holistically.

“We do hope that this is at the core of deliberations of this meeting of the climate, energy and environment ministers of the G7 countries,” he added.

The minister further said that climate change, desertification and biodiversity loss are deeply interlinked and pose existential challenges to humanity.

“In response to these challenges, Rio Conventions have made remarkable progress, through a consen-

India, US building foundation for global community: FM

accelerating ecosystem restoration and enriching biodiversity.

Mission Millionaire mega seminar in Dimapur

sus driven approach, based on principles,” he noted.

Yadav informed that recently at the CBD conference in Montreal, the Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted and at CoP27 at Sharm-el- Sheikh, landmark decisions on issues like the loss and damage were taken.

“However, there still is a long way to go,” the minister said.

Yadav informed that India in its G20 presidency has embedded mitigation and adaptation deeply across priority areas of arresting land degradation,

He said the approach promotes a sustainable and climate resilient blue economy, encouraging resource efficiency and circular economy, with Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) as a cross-cutting theme, thus mainstreaming climate change, and addressing the impacts in an ambitious, decisive and action-oriented manner.

Yadav said “India looks forward to the leadership of G7 nations to ensure an effective fight against the triple challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, for unity of purpose and unity of action conscious of the fact that we have one earth, we are one family and have one future.”

The minister said he looked forward to welcoming all at G20 environment and climate sustainability ministerial meeting at Chennai in July this year.

WASHINGTON, APR 16 (AGENCIES): India and the United States are building the foundations for a strong, peaceful, and harmonious global community, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said as she also wished that the relationship between the two countries grows from “strength to strength”, reports ANI.

Speaking at a reception at India House, which was hosted by Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Ms Sitharaman said, “We are together and building strong foundations for a strong, peaceful, and harmonious global community.”

“I wish this relationship between the United States of America and India grows from strength to strength, and all of us will surely contribute towards it,” she added.

At the reception, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Mr Sandhu, and coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs in

Smuggled from Myanmar, areca nut worth `31.73 cr...

(From p-1)

While the Assam government imposed restrictions to curb the entry of areca nuts into the state, law enforcement agencies have not been able to distinguish Burmese areca nuts from those grown in Mizoram and Tripura, leading to severe market-

ing problems for the local farmers.

Arecanut growers of Tripura earlier organised agitations against the transportation restrictions imposed on their produce by the Assam government.

Tripura’s Jampui Hills, adjoining Mizoram, which is famous for or -

anges, is also known for large-scale production of areca nuts.

Tripura chief minister Manik Saha earlier talked with his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma over the issue, and wrote a letter to resolve the problem. During the past several months, the Assam Police

personnel posted across the inter-state border with Tripura have been blocking supply of Tripura’s betel nut consignments ferried by trucks without any reason.

The action of the Assam Police has created a livelihood problem for the betel nut cultivators in Tripura.

Punjab Police busts Dimapur-based drug module

(From p-1)

On Kumar’s disclosure, the Fatehgarh Sahib police conducted raids in Dimapur and arrested Thakur. He hails from Sitamarhi district in Bihar and was now residing at Burma Camp in Dimapur. The police recovered 10 kg opium from him.

The police investigation revealed that Thakur worked as a conduit and was also involved in growing opium illegally in Kang -

pokpi area in Manipur.

Fatehgarh Sahib Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Ravjot Grewal said that it was a big catch and they were working further to unearth the module. She added that the North-Eastern accused were travelling long distances and supplying the opium in Punjab and Haryana and they are probing all the angles.

“We are looking deeply into it. We have caught a module operating from North-East to Punjab,” she

added. An officer privy to the investigation said that the accuse used to smuggle the opium in public transport coming to Punjab and Haryana. The officer added that they got the bank account of Thakur frozen which had Rs 5 lakh in it.

“Both the accused belong to Bihar but were working in Nagaland. These areas are affected by insurgency. The narco-terrorism angle is under the scanner,” the officer added.

the National Security Council, Kurt Campbell, were also present.

In the reception, Union Finance Minister also spoke about the diversity and the celebration of various festivals to mark the new day of the year. She said, “It’s very inspiring to see energetic people before me, each coming to celebrate their own Vishu, Ugadi, Navroz. But all in India House. India houses all of these people. And we’ve always had this diversity. It’s a country which loves celebrations, celebrating and recognising its diversity even as we are doing all this per the auspicious calendar, each one of us follows either based on the sun, moon, or horoscope. So they are all around the same time.” She also talked about Bhimrao Ambedkar, saying that he stood for and worked for India. He came from the oppressed Dalit community but still became part of the new India in the making and wrote the constitution along with experts, she noted.

India-US trade rose by 8% in 2022-23, fell 1.5% with China

NEW DELHI, APR 16 (IANS): Bilateral trade between India and the US rose by almost 8 per cent to $128.55 billion in 2022-23, compared to $119.5 billion in 2021-22.

The growth in bilateral trade between the two countries is significant, considering the fact that in 2020-21, it was only $80.51 billion, according to Commerce Ministry data.

Exports to the US rose by 2.81 per cent to $78.31 billion in 2022-23 as against $76.18 billion in 2021-22, while imports grew by about 16 per cent to $50.24 billion.

At the same time, India’s bilateral trade with China fell by 1.5 per cent in 2022-23 to $114 billion, compared to $115 billion in 2021-22.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 16

(NPN): A Mission Millionaire Mega Seminar was held at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur, organised by Senje Powers (SP) Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Sunday. Addressing media persons after the programme, founder, Senje Powers, Ashish Singh Sisodiya, briefed on the company, stating that Senje Power was the first crypto trading and educa-

tion platform who received licence from the government of India under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and also International Standard Organization (ISO).

He said that the company provided training on crypto currency trading and education, noting that the company started five months back and already has 1.5 lakhs members enrolled to gain knowledge on crypto currency. He also spoke on how after getting

enrolled, people will have the opportunity to earn.

Founder, Senje Powers, Avindra Paswan, stated that this seminar was the first of its kind in the state, and that the same seminar would be held in all districts of the state, so as to connect with more people and help them earn their livelihood.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Pooja Das, while members who attended the programme shared their success stories.

India to chair Commonwealth working group

NEW DELHI, APR 16

(IANS): Finance ministers from various Commonwealth countries have called for a systemic reform of the global financial architecture to enhance access to development financing for vulnerable countries. The ministers agreed for India to be the chair and Nigeria to be the deputy chair of the Finance Ministers Working Group for a Commonwealth Call for Reform of the Global Financial Architecture. Their collective call for reform came at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers High-Level Working Group Meeting in Washington D.C. At the inaugural Commonwealth Finance Ministers High-Level Working Group Meeting held on the margins of the 2023 World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings, finance ministers discussed national fiscal policies, measures for financial sustainability, eligibility criteria for development finance and potential reforms required for a more equitable financial architecture. In their call, the ministers stressed that

any reforms must increase funding and consider the realities of vulnerability when allocating support to help vulnerable countries invest in resilience and achieve sustainable development.

In her opening remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, said:

“Our world faces overlapping, interlinked and accelerating economic, security and environmental challenges.

They entwine and accelerate to amplify existing inequalities, threatening stability, resilience and development prospects.

“The need for ambitious, systemic change has never been greater. As the Commonwealth family, representing one-third of humanity, we are joining forces to call for reform of the global financial system to deliver an architecture that is multi-dimensional, fit-for-purpose and adaptive to emerging and existing challenges, with a view to building long-term resilience and achieving sustainable development.”

She continued: “To create meaningful change, the global financial system must take into account the

realities of vulnerability when allocating support to developing countries.” In this regard, the SecretaryGeneral highlighted that the Commonwealth’s Universal Vulnerability Index provides a solid basis to better target support for those who need it the most. Delivering a keynote address at the working group meeting, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, said: “One sure thing is that the status quo is not working for us. The continued discriminatory treatment between the global north and the global south really cannot continue, especially in a poly-crisis. The time is now for action and to ensure that the global financial system is fit for purpose.”

Bhupender Yadav

(L-R) Pooja Das, Ashish Singh Sisodiya and Avindra Paswan. (NP)

SNIPPETS

4 killed in US, Alabama shooting

DADEVILLE (US), APR 16 (AP): Four people have been killed and multiple people injured during a shooting Saturday night in Dadeville, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. WRBL-TV reported the shooting occurred at a dance studio during a possible birthday party for a teenager. The state Law Enforcement Agency released little information about the shooting. The station showed images of crime scene tape around the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio and neighboring buildings and a heavy police presence. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the shooting happened at about 10:30 p.m. There was no initial confirmation about what led to the shooting, it was not immediately known if a suspect was in custody.

Militants kill 26 people in Syrian countryside

BEIRUT, APR 16 (AP):

Islamic State militants have killed 26 people who were foraging for wild truffles in Syria’s Hama region, opposition and state media reported on Sunday. Amid the economic devastation of Syria’s yearslong war, foraging for truffles can help people earn money, as the seasonal delicacy fetches a high price. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition media group based in Britain, said civilians and military personnel were among the victims of the armed attack in the eastern outskirts of the city of Hama, 115 miles (186 kilometers) north of the capital Damascus. State news agency SANA said that the attack was carried out by members of the Islamic State group.

Narayan Saud Nepal’s new foreign minister

KATHMANDU, APR 16 (PTI): Nepali Congress leader Narayan Prasad Saud was on Sunday sworn in as Nepal’s new foreign minister.

President Ram Chandra Poudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed foreign minister at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

Foreign Minister Saud’s appointment comes ahead of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s proposed visit to India next month and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has started preparation for the entourage to the southern neighbour. The date and itinerary of the visit are yet to be made public. The decision to appoint Saud as the Foreign Minister was taken last week during a meeting of the ruling alliance attended by CPN-Maoist Centre chairperson and Prime Minister Prachanda, Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-Unified Socialist chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal.

6 police killed in cartruck collision in Pak

ISLAMABAD, APR 16

(IANS): Six policemen were killed on Sunday morning in a collision between a car and a truck in the Khuzdar district of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, the authorities told media. According to media reports, the accident took place on the Quetta-Karachi national highway in Wadh area of the district when a truck coming from the opposite direction hit the car, resulting in casualties, Xinhua News Agency reported. Rescue teams reached the site and shifted the victims to the hospital, police told media.

G7 vows to step up moves to renewable energy, zero carbon

SAPPORO, APR 16 (AP): Energy and environment ministers of the Group of Seven wealthy nations vowed Sunday to work to hasten the shift toward cleaner, renewable energy, but set no timetable for phasing out coal-fired power plants as they wrapped up two days of talks in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo.

The officials issued a 36-page communique laying out their commitments ahead of a G-7 summit in Hiroshima in May.

Japan won endorsements from fellow G-7 countries for its own national strategy emphasizing so-called clean coal, hydrogen and nuclear energy to help ensure its energy security. “Recognizing the current global energy crisis and economic disruptions, we reaffirm our commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 at the latest,” the communique says.

“We call on and will

G-7 ministers on climate, energy and environment pose for a photo in Sapporo, northern Japan, Saturday. (AP) work with other countries to end new unabated coal-fired power generation projects globally as soon as possible to accelerate the clean energy transition in a just manner,” the document says.

The leaders reiterated the need to urgently reduce carbon emissions and achieve a “predominantly decarbonized power sector” by 2035. They also stressed the importance of ensuring supplies of critical minerals, used in many high-tech products, are stable and conform to high social and environmental standards.

“I believe that we were

Dozens killed as army, rivals battle for control of Sudan

mechanisms to capture emissions and prevent them from escaping into the atmosphere. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said the meetings were “really constructive.” “I think the unity for the goal that was expressed of phasing out unabated fossil fuels is a very important statement,” Kerry said in an interview with The Associated Press.

able to demonstrate to the international community that our commitment to climate change and environmental issues is unwavering, even in the context of the situation in Ukraine,” Akihiro Nishimura, Japan’s environment minister, said after the talks ended.

The stipulation that countries rely on “predominantly” clean energy by 2035 leaves room for continuation of fossil-fuel fired power. But the ministers agreed to prioritize steps toward phasing out “unabated” coal power generation — plants that do not employ

The call to action comes as China and other developing countries step up demands for more help in phasing out fossil fuels and stabilizing energy prices and supplies amid disruptions from Russia’s war on Ukraine. The issue of setting a timeline for phasing out coal-fired power plants is a longstanding sticking point. Japan relies on coal for nearly one-third of its power generation and is also promoting the use of so-called clean coal, using technology to capture carbon emissions, to produce hydrogen — which produces only water when used as fuel.

KHARTOUM, APR 16 (AGENCIES): The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaosstricken nation for a second day Sunday, signalling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire. Heavy fighting involving armoured vehicles, truck-mounted machine

guns and war planes raged on Sunday in the capital of Khartoum, the adjoining city of Omdurman and in flashpoints across the country. The rival forces are believed to have tens of thousands of fighters each in the capital alone. At least 56 civilians were reported killed, including three Sudanese employees of the UN food agency.

The Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate said it believed there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces. It said close to 600 people were wounded, including civilians and fighters.

The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces group.

The two generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated an October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudan’s short-lived transition to democracy. In recent months, internationally backed negotiations revived hopes for such a transition, but growing tensions between Burhan and Dagalo eventually delayed a deal with political parties.

Sudanarmy,paramilitaryagreetoopen‘humanitariancorridor’

Sudan’s armed forces announced Sunday they had “agreed to a United Nations proposal to open safe passage for humanitarian cases”, including the evacuation of wounded, for three hours from 1400 GMT, on the second day of fighting with paramilitaries.

The heavily-armed Rapid Support Forces also put out a statement that they had agreed to the measure, though they said it would last four hours, and both sides maintained their right to “respond in the event of transgressions” from the other side.

16 killed in massive Dubai apartment building fire

DUBAI, APR 16 (PTI):

LONDON, APRIL 16

(IANS): China would probably establish air superiority very rapidly in any attack on Taiwan, according to leaked US intelligence assessments that raise disturbing questions about the self-ruled island’s military readiness, media reports said. The documents emerged as G7 foreign ministers met to discuss a common China strategy and Beijing briefly halted flights over part of the East China Sea on Sunday.

The classified documents seen by the Washington Post reveal that Taiwan’s military leaders doubt their air defences can “accurately detect missile launches” and that only about half of the island’s

aircraft are capable of effectively engaging the enemy.

The documents also said Taiwan feared moving its aircraft to shelters could take up to a week, leaving them vulnerable to missile strikes, and that China’s use of civilian ships for military purposes was hampering US intelligence’s ability to predict an invasion, The Guardian reported.

Pentagon analysts concluded China’s air force would find it far easier to establish early air superiority than Russia did in its invasion of Ukraine, it added.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken one day, by force if necessary. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ex -

Pakistan minister dies in car accident, 5 booked

ISLAMABAD, APR 16

(IANS): Pakistan Religious Affairs Minister Mufti Abdul Shakoor was killed in a road accident in Islamabad’s Red Zone area, and five people have been booked in this connection, media reports said on Sunday.

The accident occurred on Saturday when Shakoor was proceeding towards Secretariat Chowk on Constitution Avenue and his car was hit by a passenger vehicle, Dawn quoted police as saying. The minister was rushed to a private hospital where he was declared brought dead. Shakoor was a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam

Fazl (JUI-F) leader. Pakistan President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz

Sharif expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the departed soul. A FIR was lodged in which complainant Haji Qudratullah said the accident occurred due to other driver’s inattentiveness and carelessness.

Qudratullah said that Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader was scheduled to visit his place for Iftar. However, his cook got a call about minister’s death.

panded and modernised the People’s Liberation Army and China’s armed forces are thought to be 14 times the size of Taiwan’s.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said in a statement to the Washington Post that it “respects outside opinions about its military preparedness” but its response to recent Chinese military exercises showed officers were “absolutely capable, determined and confident”.

Taiwan last week staged large-scale emergency response drills enacting scenarios including missile and chemical weapons attacks, after China held its latest military exercises around the island, 100 miles (160km) off the Chinese mainland.

Four Indians, including a couple from Kerala, were among 16 people killed after a massive fire broke out in a residential building in Dubai that also injured nine others, officials said on Sunday. The fire broke out on the fourth floor of the fivestorey apartment building in the Al-Ras area, one of the oldest parts of Dubai, and began spreading to other areas, they said.

Sixteen people died and nine others were seriously injured, officials said.

The Indian Consulate in Dubai confirmed that four Indians were among the dead.

“The Indian victims include Rijesh Kalangadan (38) and his wife Jeshi Kandamangalath (32). The others include Gudu Saliya -

Char marks are seen after an apartment fire in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday. (AP) koondu (49) and Imamkasim Abdul Khader (43),” Bijender Singh, Consul, Consular and Labour, at the Indian Consulate, told PTI.

“We have received their passport copies through (Naseer) Vatanappally (an Indian social worker). We would like to express

Thousands of Israelis take to streets again

TEL AVIV, APR 16

(AGENCIES): Thousands of Israelis again took to the streets of Tel Aviv late Saturday to protest government judicial reforms they view as an attack on democracy.

The 15th consecutive week of protest came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 27 announced a “pause” to allow for dialogue on the reforms which were moving through parliament and split the nation, reports AFP.

“Let’s save democracy” read signs in a sea of Israeli flags waved by demonstrators. AFP journalists also reported smoke bombs and flares being set off.

Smaller protests also took place in the northern

Dozens of POWs freed as Ukraine marks Orthodox Easter

Ukrainian authorities and ordinary people shared messages of hope, linking the story of Jesus’ resurrection to their longing for peace and a Ukrainian victory.

KYIV,

second time since Moscow unleashed its full-scale war more than a year ago.

While celebrations were subdued because of security risks, with a curfew barring the faithful from customary all-night services,

Dozens of families had special reasons to rejoice, as presidential adviser Andriy Yermak announced that 130 soldiers, sailors, border guards and others captured by Moscow were on their way back home following a “big Easter prisoner exchange.” Yermak said in a Telegram post on Sunday that those released included troops who fought near Bakhmut, the eastern mining city which has for months been the focus of Russia’s grinding offensive.

our heartfelt condolences to the families and thank the social workers and others who have reached out with support. We are coordinating with the local authorities for the repatriation procedures,” Singh added.

Quoting Naseer Vatanappally, who was at

the Dubai Police mortuary, the Gulf News earlier reported that four Indians, including a couple from Kerala, have been identified among the victims. Two men from Tamil Nadu who worked at the building, 3 Pakistani cousins and a Nigerian woman have also been identified. Kalangadan worked as a business development manager with a travel and tourism company while Kandamangalath was a school teacher, the paper said. The Dubai Civil Defence Operations Room was notified about the fire at 12.35 pm on Saturday, officials said.

A team from the Dubai Civil Defence headquarters arrived at the site of the blaze and began evacuating residents in the building.

At least 33 people killed by gunmen in northwest Nigeria

ABUJA, APR 16 (AP):

Gunmen have attacked a village in northwest Nigeria and killed at least 33 people, a local official said Sunday.

No group has claimed responsibility for the killings.

However, gangs of bandits have been accused of being responsible for attacks in the region, which includes the kidnapping for ransom and killing of civilians.

Protestors staging a protest in Tel Aviv, Israel on Sunday. port of Haifa and outside the home of Justice Minister Yariv Levin in Modiin.

Israeli media reported tens of thousands had turned out, as occurred in some previous demonstrations.

“We are fighting for our democracy. We have no other country,” one dem-

onstrator, Nadav Tamir, 61, told AFP.

Karen Baron, a 45-year-old Tel Aviv psychiatrist, said: “I didn’t want to come today but my sister told me, ‘We have no choice’, and it’s true. We have no choice -- we can’t lower our guard. We have to defend our country.”

More than 35 houses were destroyed in the violence in Runji, which is in the state of Kaduna, said Francis Zimbo, chairman of the Zangon Kataf area where the massacre took place. Zimbo provided the number of fatalities, but state authorities wouldn’t comment on the number of people killed.

“Troops had a fierce encounter with the attackers and are still in the general area,” said Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner of security.

Earlier this month, gunmen kidnapped 10 students about a half-hour drive by car from where Saturday’s attack occurred.

Nigeria’s government is still struggling to quell the violence in the country’s northwest despite a reduction in attacks last year as security forces ramped up military operations targeting the gunmen’s hideouts.

Thousands turn out for anti-govt protest in Prague

PRAGUE, APR 16 (AP):

Thousands of people rallied again in the Czech capital on Sunday to protest high inflation and demand the government’s resignation.

It was the second such rally at Prague’s Wenceslas Square after one on March 11 that was organised by a new political party known as PRO under an “against the poverty” banner.

The demonstrators, speakers at the protest and the head of the populist group, Jindrich Rajchl, blamed the European Union and the Czech government for soaring inflation and all repeatedly called on the current five-party coalition to resign. “We want the government’s resignation,” Rajchl

but on the decline in recent months, dropping to 15 per cent in March, down from 16.7 per cent in February and 17.5 per cent the month before.

People gather to protest high inflation, demand the government’s resignation in Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday. (AP) told the crowd. Rajchl, a lawyer by profession, is the former deputy head of the Czech soccer association.

“Resign, resign,” the protesters chanted. “We’re here to stand by our country,” Rajchl said.

His group, whose name in English stands for Law, Respect, Expertise has no seats in parliament.

Rajchl claimed his group was ready to further escalate the protests.

Inflation has been high

The protesters also want the Czech government to stop taking actions that are intended to reduce misinformation and fake news. Although Raichl rejected his group is pro-Russia, the protesters condemned the government’s stance in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Czech Republic has staunchly supported the government in Kyiv since Russian troops invaded Ukraine. The country has provided weapons for the Ukrainian military and taken in about 500,000 refugees.

Mufti Abdul Shakoor

APR 16 (AP): More than 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been released as part of a major Easter exchange with Russia, a top official said Sunday, as Orthodox Ukrainians marked the holiday for a

Smoke is seen rising from Khartoum’s skyline, Sudan, Sunday. (AP)

China likely to establish air superiority very rapidly in any attack on Taiwan, US leaks say

People save icons as they clear the rubble after a Russian rocket ruined an Orthodox church in rocket attack, Sunday. (AP)

19-year-old Nandini Gupta crowned Miss India 2023

Paul and Bhumi Pedneker.

The event featured multiple rounds of fashion sequences featuring the 30-state winners dressed in a collection by Namrata Joshipura for Trends, Rocky Star and Robert Naorem showcasing traditional costumes.

The winners were selected by the panel featuring Femina Miss India Universe 2002 and mentor Neha Dhupia, boxing icon Laishram Sarita Devi, ace choreographer Terence Lewis, film director and writer Harshavardhan Kulkarni and fashion designers Rocky Star and Joshipura.

BTS to release soundtrack for animated TV series

K-pop supergroup BTS will release the lead song for the original soundtrack of a Korean TV animation series set to go on air next month.

It will be the first release from BTS as a team since ‘Yet To Come’ in June, reports Yonhap.

‘Bastions’, set to premiere on the SBS channel on May 14, is a 3D animation series that tells the story of a rookie superhero who uncovers the identity of a villain responsible for environmental destruction and grows into a true hero by saving the Earth, according to Timos Media.

Photoshoot held for Face of Nagaland 2023

Finalists of Face of Nagaland with the organizing members of Nova Stellam during the photoshoot session at Lake Shilloi, Dimapur on Saturday.

Nandini Gupta from Rajasthan’s Kota has been crowned Femina Miss India 2023 at a gala event in Manipur’s Imphal. The 19-year-old was bestowed with the coveted title at the grand finale ceremony held on April 15.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s

Breakfast is a perfect time to get ahead on the nutrients you’ll need all day. If you’re tired of the same old bowl of boxed cereal, or if your PB and toast has gone stale, so to speak, it’s time for a morning meal makeover.

These fast, hearthealthy dishes make hitting the snooze button less tempting.

Blueberry Yogurt

Bowl Greek yogurt is packed with protein. That’s a good quality in a breakfast, because it can help curb hunger throughout the morning. And that will make you less likely to visit the vending machine at work.

Nutrients called polyphenols in blueberries can help widen your blood vessels, which is good for your blood pressure. Garnish with walnuts for hearthealthy omega-3 fats.

Make it: Blend 3/4 cup plain, low-fat Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Shreya Poonja was declared Femina Miss India 2023 first runners-up and Manipur’s Thounaojam Strela Luwang emerged as the second runners-up.

The Femina Miss India 2023 was a star-studded evening which saw performances by the former winners of the pageant,

extract, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Place in serving bowl and top with 1/3 cup low-sugar granola and 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts. Serves one.

Salmon Avocado Bites

Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your heart. Top it with creamy avocado -- the unsaturated fat can help shave off some cholesterol numbers when used instead of a saturated fat. Take a cue from the Scandinavians and use rye bread as a base. The highfiber whole grain helps you feel full, which could put the brakes on overeating later in the day.

Make it: Mash 1/2 small avocado with 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Spread avocado on 4 rye crisps, and top with an equal amount of 2 ounces smoked salmon. Serves one.

Nutty Waffles

It’s smart to favor whole-grain waffles over the white-flour version.

Beyonce rents Europe’s largest indoor arena to rehearse

Sini Shetty, Rubal Shekhawat, Shinata Chauhan, Manasa Varanasi, Manika Sheokand, Manya Singh, Suman Rao and Shivani Jadhav. Bollywood actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday also performed at the 59th edition of the event, hosted by Maniesh

Former Manipur state winners, Soibam Kanchan, Urmila Shagolsem, Maria Chanu Pangambam, and Angobi Chanu Loukrakpam were also present at the ceremony.

The grand finale of Femina Miss India 2023 will air on Colors on May 14 at 10 am.

“BTS is expected to provide an overwhelming sense of immersion to the emotions and action scenes of the series by singing the theme song in perfect harmony,” it added. Also participating in the original soundtrack will be K-pop girl group Le Sserafim and soloists Heize and AleXa. (IANS)

The Nova Stellam in association with Lake Shilloi, the hospitality partner for Season 5 Face of Nagaland 2023 organised a photoshoot session on April 15 at Lake Shilloi, Dimapur with 14 finalists which is to be held later this year in Dimapur.

The wardrobe was

8 Heart-Friendly Breakfast Ideas

milk lends this drink extra nutty flavor and plenty of vitamin E, which may cut blood fat levels and improve brain health. Peaches are rich in vitamin C and reduced-fat ricotta adds creamy richness and hunger-taming protein. Make it: In a blender, whirl together 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup light ricotta cheese, 1 cup unsweetened fresh or frozen peach slices, 2 teaspoons almond butter, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon into a frosty breakfast smoothie. Serves one.

Check that the first ingredient listed on the package includes the word “whole.”

Adding peanut butter gives you a winning mix of protein, good fats, and fiber, so your breakfast can help improve blood cholesterol and tame hunger throughout the day. Look for jars with no added sugar, salt, or hydrogenated fats. Strawberries are also rich in vitamin C.

Make it: Toast 1 whole-grain frozen waffle,

and top with 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter and 1 cup sliced strawberries.

Carrot-Cake Oatmeal

Soaking steel-cut oats overnight is a way to greatly shorten the cooking time and enjoy this chewy whole grain on busy weekday mornings. Oats have fiber that can cut your “bad” LDL cholesterol level. Make it: Place 1 cup steel-cut oats, a pinch of salt, and 3 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring

to a simmer. Immediately turn off heat, and let oats soak overnight, covered. In the morning, stir in 1/2 cup low-fat milk, 1 shredded carrot, 1/3 cup raisins, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Heat over medium-low until warmed through. Top with sliced pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup. Serves four.

Peach (Almond) Milkshake

Low-calorie almond

Maple-Almond-Pear English Muffins Choose a muffin made from whole-grain flour. Pair it with pears, which are among the fruits with the most fiber -- a small pear has 5 grams’ worth. Make it: In a small bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons unsalted almond butter, 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Spread almond mixture on two

sponsored by Beautiology and Hitobo Clothing. The photoshoot session also featured Face of Nagaland official makeup artiste Esther Rongmei, official choreographer Sanjeev Tamang and official photographer Bovi Sumi.

The Nova Stellam is a non-profit organization that works for promoting

halves of toasted whole wheat English muffins.

Top with thinly sliced pear. Serves one.

Cantaloupe Bowls

This melon’s orangetinged flesh is a tip-off that it’s full of beta carotene, a nutrient that may help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol levels and inflammation.

Stirring vanilla extract into plain yogurt is a great way to avoid added sugars in store-bought flavored versions. And despite their extra calories, pistachios aren’t likely to cause weight gain, but they may work to improve blood cholesterol and blood pressure numbers.

Make it: Cut a cantaloupe in half. Slice about 1/2 inch off each bottom so that the halves sit flat, and then scoop out the seeds. In a bowl, stir together 1 cup plain, low-fat yogurt and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Stuff the yogurt into the cantaloupe half, and top each with a tablespoon unsalted, shelled pistachios.

the youth of Nagaland and also involve itself in various community services activities. Face of Nagaland was an annual event but due Covid lockdown and some technical issues, the event could not be staged. However, the organisers have taken initiative to organise the same later this year.

Serves two. Skillet Granola

Toasty granola prepared in a skillet is quick and delicious. It can have less added sugar than many store-bought types. Rolled oats are a reliable source of cholesterol-busting fiber, while pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas) give you a range of nutrients. Make it: Warm 1 tablespoon canola oil and 1 tablespoon honey in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup rolled oats, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/4 cup dried cherries or sliced dried apricots, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, and a pinch of salt to skillet. Heat until oats are toasted, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Spread mixture on a baking sheet or cutting board to cool. Serve with milk or top with Greek yogurt and berries of choice. Serves four.

Rehearsals for singer Beyonce’s upcoming world tour are well under way and she is pulling out all the stops to ensure her performance will be “groundbreaking”.

The Renaissance World Tour will be the 41-year-old’s first solo world tour since her 2016 Formation World Tour and is due to kick off next month in Stockholm, reports mirror.co.uk.

She will take in dates across Europe, the UK, and North America.

And while tickets have controversially cost thousands for fans to snap up, it seems no expense is being spared in preparation for the live dates.

According to The Sun, Beyonce is currently hard at work in France perfecting her dance moves and set

manoeuvres.

The singer has booked out the La Defense Arena in Paris to use as her practice ground - with the stadium twice the size of London’s O2 arena and capable of seating 40,000 fans.

A source told the publication: “The structure for the stage is gigantic and on a totally different scale from any other tour right now - that’s why she needed a huge venue to rehearse in.

“And she can’t run through the show in any of the stadiums she is performing in because they aren’t soundproofed and people would hear what she was preparing.”

“She is on top form and is pulling out all the stops to make this a truly groundbreaking tour.”

(IANS)

Written by Matthew Kadey Medically Reviewed by Mahammad Juber, MD

Femina Miss India 2023 Nandini Gupta flanked by 1st and 2nd runners-up.

‘groundbreaking’ world tour

IPL: MI beat KKR by 5 wickets

MUMBAI, APR 16 (PTI): Ishan Kishan (58) and Suryakumar Yadav (43) led the charge as Mumbai Indians handed Kolkata Knight Riders a five-wicket defeat in their Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.

The fastest century in this year’s IPL for Venkatesh

Iyer — 104 off 51 balls (6x4s, 9x6s) — went in vain for KKR, who suffered their ninth defeat in 10 matches here at the Wankhede Stadium, and an overall 23rd in 32 matches against Mumbai Indians. The highlight of Mumbai Indians’ win was not just their sturdy response with the bat chasing 186, but their key middle-order batter Suryakumar banishing batting woes with a 25-ball 43 laced with four fours and three sixes. Suryakumar also stepped up to lead Mumbai Indians in the game in which regular captain Rohit Sharma played as an impact substitute owing to a stomach bug as MI won with 14 balls to spare, finishing at 186/5 in 17.4 overs. Tim David struck an unbeaten 24 off 13 balls with two sixes and a four as

MI recorded a second successive win while chasing. The platform, however, was laid early by Kishan and Sharma, who went hammer and tongs from the second over onwards to add 65 for the first wicket in 4.5 overs, attacking the KKR pacers Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur in particular. The first-wicket partnership looked ominous for KKR who managed to break through, with Yadav taking a fine diving catch at mid-on off Suyash Sharma in the fifth over.

Sharma fell for a 13ball 20 with two sixes and a four after helping MI past 50-run mark inside four overs. On the other end, Kishan brought up his fifty in 21 balls with five fours and four sixes. His charge was stopped by Varun Chakravarthy, with the KKR mystery spinner cleaning up Kishan after a 25-ball 58 with five sixes and as many fours. The rookie leg-spinner Suyash claimed his second wicket in the form of Tilak Varma, in the 14th over, who played one

Arjun Tendulkar makes IPL debut two years

MUMBAI, APR 16 (PTI):

Arjun Tendulkar’s long wait to play for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) ended on Sunday when he was named in the playing XI for the match against Kolkata Knight Riders here.

The 23-year-old allrounder opened the bowling attack for Mumbai Indians and sent down two impressive overs in which he got the ball to move into the right-handed batters early in the innings.

He gave away 17 runs without taking a wicket. He was hit for a six and a four by KKR batter Venkatesh Iyer, who went on to complete his maiden IPL century later in the innings.

Following his debut, Arjun and his illustrious

Rajasthan beat Gujarat by 3 wickets

onto his wickets after a 25ball 30 (3x4s, 1x6s) having added 60 from 38 balls with Suryakumar for the third wicket.

Earlier in the afternoon, Iyer’s maiden century in IPL powered Kolkata Knight Riders to 185/6.

The 28-year-old India and KKR batting allrounder Iyer waged a lone battle with the bat against Mumbai Indians, recording his highest score in the IPL as well as this season among all batters, hitting an overall six fours and nine sixes to bring up the second century of this IPL edition from only 49 balls. Iyer bettered the record set by Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Harry Brook a couple of nights ago in terms of fastest century this season, who made 100 from 55 balls against KKR.

Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 185/6 in 20 overs (Venkatesh Iyer 104, Andre Russell 21 not out; Hrithik Shokeen 2-34, Piyush Chawla 1-19) lost to Mumbai Indians 186/5 in 17.4 overs (Ishan Kishan 58, Suryakumar Yadav 43, Tilak Varma 30; Sjuyash Sharma 2-27) by 5 wickets.

AHMEDABAD, APRIL 16 (IANS): Rajasthan Royals were literally in a no man’s land at 66/4 in 12 overs in their pursuit of chasing down 178 against a strong Gujarat Titans bowling attack, who bowled 26 dot balls in the first six overs.

From there, captain Sanju Samson took 20 runs off Rashid Khan in the 13th over to eventually make 60 while Shimron Hetmyer smashed a whirlwind unbeaten 56 off just 26 balls to give Rajasthan an improbable three-wicket victory in 23rd match of the IPL 2023, here on Sunday.

The stunning heist also means that Rajasthan retain their top spot on the points table with eight points. Samson and Hetmyer added a crucial stand of 59 runs off 27 balls, followed by the latter adding 47 runs off 20 deliveries with Dhruv Jurel to complete the chase with four balls to spare. Mohammed Shami built pressure from the word go, troubling Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler. Gu jarat got the

reward when Hardik Pandya had Jaiswal nicking to slip in the next over. Shami bowled a wicket maiden third over and took out Buttler, whose attempt to scoop backfired and could only see off-stump being sent on a cartwheel ride. Gujarat could have got their third wicket had Shubman Gill held on to a tough chance at slip to dismiss Devdutt Padikkal off Shami. The left-handed batter then lofted Hardik inside-out over extra cover for six as Rajasthan ended power-play at 26/2. Sam-

son and Padikkal hit a six and four each off Alzarri Joseph, with the Rajasthan captain driving Hardik in the gap between extra cover and mid-off after surviving an lbw appeal. Rashid straightaway made a breakthrough as Padikkal’s heave took an outside edge and was caught by short third man. The legspinner struck again in his next over as Riyan Parag holed out to a forward diving long-off. Samson, though, had other ideas, taking Rashid for a hattrick of sixes -- once over

long-off and twice pulling over deep mid-wicket. Hetmyer took on Joseph by heaving high past leaping deep square leg for six and slogging through the same region for four more, before Samson got his fifty in 29 balls. Samson took on debutant spinner Noor Ahmad, lifting a drive over long-off for six and pulling past short fine leg for four. But the teenager, coming in as an impact player for Gill, had the last laugh as Samson skied to long-off to get his first IPL wicket. Hetmyer turned the tide by smacking two gigantic sixes off Joseph in the 16th over, with Dhruv Jurel dabbing for a four. He then pulled Rashid for four, before slamming a six over long-on to take 13 runs off the 18th over.

Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 177/7 in 20 overs (David Miller 46, Shubman Gill 45; Sandeep Sharma 2/25, Adam Zampa 1/32) lost to Rajasthan Royals 179/7 in 19.2 overs (Sanju Samson 60, Shimron Hetmyer 56 not out; Mohammed Shami 3/25, Rashid Khan 2/46) by three wickets.

Suryakumar, Rana and Shokeen fined for breach of code of conduct

father Sachin -- spotted during the team’s training session on Saturday ahead of the game and also in the team dugout on Sunday -- became the first fatherson pair to feature in the 15-year history of IPL, and that too for the same side. Sachin played for Mumbai Indians for six years, between 2008 and 2013. Arjun was picked by the five-time IPL champions for the first time during the 2021 auction at his base price of Rs 20 lakh.

MUMBAI, APRIL 16

(IANS) : Mumbai Indians captain Suryakumar Yadav, off-spinner Hrithik Shokeen and Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Nitish Rana were fined for various breaches of the code of conduct during an IPL 2023 match between the two teams at the Wankhede Stadium, here on Sunday. Suryakumar, making his IPL captaincy debut through Sunday’s match

and scored a 25-ball 43, was fined after Mumbai maintained a slow overrate. As it was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, he was fined Rs. 12 lakhs. He is also the fourth skipper after Faf du Plessis, Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya to be fined for slowover rate in the ongoing competition. On the other hand, Rana was fined 25

Rana and Shokeen engaged in a heated exchange.

percent of his match fee after admitting to the Level 1 Offence under Article 2.21 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct.

Shokeen was fined 10 percent of his match fee after admitting to the Level 1 Offence under Article 2.5 of the Code of Conduct.

For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding.

Notably, both Rana and Shokeen were involved

in a heated exchange of words during the game. During the ninth over of Kolkata’s innings, Shokeen had a go at Rana after dismissing him. The lefthanded batter was on his way back to the dugout but stopped and turned around to direct some angry words back at the spinner. It needed intervention from Suryakumar and legspinner Piyush Chawla to separate the furious argument between the two.

Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma being bowled out by Kolkata Knight Riders bowler Suyash Sharma. (PTI)

Gujarat Titans players celebrate the wicket of Rajasthan Royals batter Devdutt Padikkal.(PTI)

Arjun Tendulkar