30 March 2023

Nagaland Post

Russia stops sharing missile test info

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SC directs Centre to file report on cases of alleged attacks on Christians

Assam govt announces Rs 50 L reward for Lovlina

Karnataka polls on May 10, results on May 13

CAG report flags anomalies in various state govt departments

NEW DELHI, MAR 29 (PTI/AGENCIES):

Su -

preme Court directed the Centre on Wednesday to file a report on alleged attacks on Christian institutions and priests across the country as well as on the implementation of its earlier guidelines to curb hate crimes.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to collate a report on the states’ compliance with the court’s guidelines and file the same before it.

The court passed the directions after the petitioner’s counsel, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, said nodal officers have been notified in every dis-

NSDMA predicts heavy rainfall across Nagaland

DIMAPUR, MAR 29

(NPN): Nagaland State Di-

saster Management Authority (NSDMA) has predicted light to heavy rainfall in the State over the following week. In a weather update, NSDMA said several other weather conditions would be seen during this time along with heavy showers.

Accordingly, there could be moderate rain from March 30 to April 4 all over the state. Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty wind with wind speed up to 30 to 40 km per hour was also very likely to occur in certain pockets in the districts of Peren, Dimapur, Kohima, Tseminyu, Wokha, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Mon and Longleng during this period. The State’s minimum and maximum temperatures would vary between 8°C and 30°C during this time.

NSDMA has appealed to the public to exercise caution to avoid any eventualities during this period. It also asked all district disaster management authorities and other line departments to be on alert to save lives and properties during this period.

Meanwhile, as per India Meteorological Department report, scattered to fairly widespread light/ moderate rainfall activity with thunderstorm and lightning/gusty winds is expected between March 29 to April 2. Further, isolated heavy rainfall is predicted over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during March 31 to April 2 and over Arunachal Pradesh on April 1 and 2.

trict but they are not registering cases, even though hate speeches have been delivered during rallies in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and such news appear regularly on television and in newspapers.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati opposed the submission made by Gonsalves, saying it is “easy to make sweeping statements”.

The Chief Justice then said, “Let the Ministry of Home Affairs file a reply.... We can keep this after two weeks.”

In 2018, the apex court issued a slew of guidelines for the Centre and states for dealing with hate crimes. These included fast-track trials, compensation to the victims, deterrent punishment and disciplinary action against lax law-en-

forcing officials. The court said offences such as hate crimes, cow vigilantism and lynching should be nipped in the bud.

The states shall designate a senior police officer not below the rank of superintendent of police as the nodal officer for the implementation of the guidelines in each district, the court had said, adding that these officers will set up a task force, to be assisted by a deputy Superintendent of police (DSP)-rank officer, for taking measures to prevent incidents of mob violence and lynching.

The state governments shall immediately identify the districts, sub-divisions and villages where instances of lynching and mob violence have been reported in the recent past, the court had said.

NMDA calls off protest; shops to open

DIMAPUR, MAR 29

(NPN): Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA) has decided to call off their protest and open their shops on humanitarian ground. All medical dealers under NMDA on Tuesday decided to close their shops in protest against the “unlawful arrest” of its member on March 27, 2023 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

NMDA joint secretary

Arijit Sharma informed that the decision to call off protest was made after the association held a joint meeting with the drugs control section of health & family wel-

fare department on Wednesday. NMDA stated that the officials have agreed to take the matter to the higher authority for deliberation and discussions. NMDA maintained that any inspection by any other agencies without the presence of the drug control section would not be accepted.

AIOCD NE flays: All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) Northeast zone took serious note of the arrest of medicine dealer in Dimapur under the NDPS Act. In a press note, AIOCD NE zone joint secretary K Sagar Meitei pointed out that all the chemists

throughout the country were selling narcotics and psychotropic drugs under the Drug Act 1940 and Rules 1945. It, therefore, requested the government authority to stop the harassment of chemist members of Nagaland by settling the issue with NMDA, which was an affiliated body of AIOCD.

AIOCD warned that if harassment of chemist members continued and the issue was not settled, it would be compelled to stop selling all narcotic and psychotropic drugs throughout the Northeast, which would result in shortage of narcotic and psychotropic drugs and lead to agitation in NE states.

Road safety issue: DC Chümou asked to act against contractor of NH-29

DIMAPUR, MAR 29

(NPN): Taking serious note of safety measures for both commuters and pedestrians, the Medziphema Town Public Forum (Medziphema Town Mechü Krotho) and Gaon Bura (GB) Union have urged Chümoukedima deputy commissioner (DC) to take immediate action against contractor of 4-lane vis-a-vis NHIDCL at Chainage 137 km (Medziphema town).

In a representation to the DC, Medziphema Town Mechü Krotho president Akhoto Kuotsu, vice-president Acalie Khate and gen-

eral secretary Thejangukho Yalietsu, and Medziphema town GB Union president Rokovitso Kuotsu alleged that the contractor failed to comply with the design and guidelines.

They cited some of the fatal flaws in the 4-lane road which have been the cause of many accidents.

Vehicles often find the lane closed without any signage and often results in collision.

According to the four organizations of Medziphema, the contractor has made no bus bays on the right hand side (up) of the highway, due to which the lives of both com-

NEW DELHI, MAR 29 (PTI): Assembly elections in Karnataka will be held in a single phase on May 10 setting the stage for yet another showdown between the ruling BJP and the Congress ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Announcing the poll schedule at a news conference in Delhi on Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said votes will be counted on May 13. He said elections for 224-member Assembly have been scheduled on a Wednesday, and not on a Monday or Friday, to encourage greater participation of voters.

CEC said poll notification will be issued on April 13 and last date for filing nomination papers is April 20. Nomination papers will be scrutinised on April 21 and last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 24.

Shitoho elevated as NPGN/NNC ato kilonser

DIMAPUR, MAR, 29 (NPN): Following the demise of ato kilonser Z Hozheto Chophi on March 27, the NPGN/NNC core committee members have “unanimously” declared and elevated kilonser Shitoho Chophi to the post of ato kilonser NPGN/NNC.

The MIP also stated that the core committee members with “conscientious approval” by the joint council of NPGN/NNC have “welcomed and accepted” the proposal and endorsement made by late leader Z Hozheto

DIMAPUR, MAR 29 (NPN): Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which was tabled on the last day of the first session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), detected financial anomalies in various departments.

DBT: The report flagged the poor Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) achievement in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

It stated that the overall achievement of DBT in MGNREGS as of March 2020 was only 11.60%, while the objective of DBT was not achieved in the State as 88.40% of job card holders were paid through an intermediary level Village Development Board mainly due to non-availability of banking facilities.

Further, the mission mode approach of the State Government/implementing department for full implementation of DBT in MGNREGS failed as no timeline was fixed to complete the exercise, while delayed release of funds to the implementing departments and payments to ineligible beneficiaries were noticed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U).

PHED: The report stated that PHED (Urban) Dimapur division executive engineer did not exercise due diligence to check the correctness of quantities executed before passing the bills for payment, which resulted in fraudulent payment of Rs 90.54 lakh without actual execution of 2,338 metres of drainage works in 18 villages.

The PHED made excess payment of Rs 1.23

crore to the contractor by allowing higher rate over the State government-approved rate for construction of community sanitary complex and deviated from the approved action plans and specification during actual implementation.

Municipal Affairs: As per the report, Dimapur Municipal Council administrator did not take any step to monitor and cross verify the actual quantities of railway wagons that transported cement from the goods office, Dimapur railway station, for which Rs 30.07 lakh toll was not collected and resulted in short collection of revenue.

Horticulture Dept: A performance audit on Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture was conducted from September 2019 to April 2021, covering the period from 2014 to 2020. It was found that annual action plans were prepared without conducting base line survey, seed/ planting material sub-plan and district-wise sub-plans, planting materials for Rs 14.72 crore were procured from non-accredited nurseries/local suppliers, 400 out of 841 beneficiaries reported short-receipt of planting materials and inadmissible advance payment of Rs 10.62 crore was made to suppliers. The department also paid Rs 12.14 crore to the contractors without actual execution of works.

Centre of Excellence constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore in Yisemyong, Mokokchung was leased out to a private firm, while Rs 5 crore released for creation of three Centres of Excellence (Phek, Tuensang and Dima-

pur) was diverted without the Central government’s approval. Inadmissible assistance of Rs 11.44 crore was extended to the beneficiaries under Post Harvest Management. Planning & Coordination: The CAG noticed deficiencies in assessment of infrastructural needs and lack of proper planning of projects by the State government. Concept Notes did not contain detailed analysis of existing facilities (gap analysis) in the sector and full justification for retention of the particular project.

Two projects retained at a cost of Rs 48.85 crore were not sanctioned by Ministry of DoNER due to duplication with existing facilities, preparation of unrealistic estimates, delay in submission of revised estimates, etc. There were instances of short release of funds by State government and submission of false utilisation certificates (UCs) to Ministry of DoNER. Irregular diversion/deduction of Rs 1.96 crore towards VAT/WCT, departmental charges, procurement of vehicle, etc, were noticed.

The implementing departments made payment of Rs 2.92 crore to the contractors without actual execution of works and incurred avoidable expenditure of Rs 5.58 crore due to procurement of materials at exorbitant rates.

Monitoring at the State level was inadequate, no evaluation studies were conducted, data relating to progress of projects was not uploaded in MIS portal, etc. Despite being pointed out in the CAG report and the recommendations of Public

Consult tribal hohos before enactment of new NM Act: Senden

Correspondent

muters and pedestrians were put into danger at the junction, as the road leading to Community Health Centre, village and colonies straightaway entered the carriage way and buses had to park on the main carriage way. They mentioned that land compensations were already paid to landowners and row pillars erected for construction of such lane, but the most important lane for safety was not done. They insisted that Medziphema town required proper laning at the main junction for safety of commuters.

MOKOKCHUNG, MAR 29 (NPN): Welcoming the resolution of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to unanimously repeal the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 in toto, the Ao Senden on Wednesday appealed to the State government to include/consult all tribal hohos before enacting the new Nagaland Municipal Act (NMA).

This was among several resolutions adopted at the emergency consultative meeting held here on Wednesday to deliberate on the issue related to municipal and town council

Members of the Ao Senden and others after the meeting on Wednesday.

(ULBs) elections.

It also reminded that the Seden would stand firm against holding of municipal/town council elections in Ao jurisdiction if such Act infringes upon Article

371A of the constitution. The house also resolved that until the new Municipal Act is passed, it would not allow any advisory body to function in the municipal/town councils

under Ao jurisdiction. Meanwhile, the house lauded the members of the NLA for heeding the voice of the people by repealing the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001.

WHO revises Covid-19 vaccine recommendations Kohima to host 4th B20 event from April 4

NEW DELHI, MAR 29 (AGENCIES): The World Health Organization revised its Covid-19 vaccine recommendations to reflect the new phase of the pandemic and the high populationlevel immunity due to infection and vaccination. It said healthy children and adolescents may not necessarily need a shot but older, high-risk groups should get a booster between 6 to 12 months after their last vaccine.

The new recommendations prioritise protecting those who are at the greatest risk of death and severe disease from Covid-19. For the new recommendations,

the WHO divided the priority-use groups for Covid-19 vaccination into three levels - high, medium and low.

The high priority group includes older adults as well as younger people with significant comorbidities and immunocompromising conditions. For this group, the WHO recommended an additional booster shot either 6 or 12 months after the last dose, with the timeframe depending on factors such as age and immunocompromising conditions.

The medium priority group includes healthy adults without comorbidities and children and adolescents with comorbidities.

WHO recommended primary series and first booster doses for the medium priority group. Additional booster shots are safe for this group but not necessarily recommended, given the comparatively low public health returns.

Healthy children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years belong in the low priority group. For this group, the WHO urged countries to consider factors like disease burden before recommending vaccination. It said the Covid-19 vaccines and boosters were safe for all ages, but the recommendations took into account other factors like

cost-effectiveness.

In September 2022, the WHO said the end of the pandemic was “in sight”. The global health agency said its latest recommendations reflect the global immunity levels and current disease picture but should not be seen as long-term guidance over whether annual boosters would be needed.

The WHO’s recommendations come amid Covid cases rising in India.

On Tuesday, India recorded 3,146 new cases. So far, over 200 crore vaccines have been administered in India, as per data by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

DIMAPUR, MAR 29

(NPN): The fourth and final B20 India event in the Northeast is scheduled at Kohima from April 4 to 6.

According to PIB, the event will follow the theme of Opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Agriculture and Food Processing, Tourism and IT. Along with discussions and plenary sessions, there will be B2B and B2G meetings. The State government will showcase key activities and developments in these sectors, while emphasizing investment opportunities in the same.

Following the delegates’ arrival on the first day of the three-day meet-

ing, there will be dinner and a cultural programme at Capital Cultural Hall on April 4. The B20 conference will take place on Day-2, followed by B2B and B2G meetings, a miniHornbill festival, excursion to a WWII museum, visit to a heritage hamlet and a cultural programme.

The third day will bring the event to a close with a trip to Kohima War Cemetery and departure of the participants from Kohima.

The B20 (Business 20) is an official G20 platform for communication with the global business community, is comprised of business associations and leads engagement with G20 governments

on behalf of the international business community. It mobilises perspectives of global business leaders on global economic and trade governance and offers each rotating presidency with actionable policy recommendations to enhance economic growth and development.

The Northeast had been of significant focus for B20 India initiatives, with four conferences planned across the region to showcase the vast potential and opportunities of the region. The first three conferences held at Imphal, Aizawl and Gangtok had been successful in their objective of highlighting the untapped potential of the region.

Samziuram Women Society gets new hall

that ‘Kevizenuo Rangkau is a simple, kind, generous and caring person by nature whose love and affection for the poor and downtrodden is exceptional.’

Referring to Samziuram village as one like a “Mini Town”, Hau said that the village was a fast-growing habitation and had a lot of potential to be at par even with small towns.

New approach road to AR camp, IG Stadium inaugurated

DIMAPUR: The new approach road to Assam Rifles camp at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima was inaugurated by Advisor, Youth Resources & Sports, S. Keoshu Yimkhiung on March 29.

DIMAPUR: The Women Society Hall of Samziuram village constructed through the generous contribution of Kevizenuo Rangkau, lady-wife of Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang was inaugurated by personal secretary to Deputy Chief Minister (Planning & National Highway), Azeu Namcyn Hau, on Wednesday at Samziuram village in the presence of Samziuram Village Council nembers, NDPP Party leaders from 7 Peren and 6 Tening Assembly Constituencies and other dignitaries.

Gracing the programme as special guest, Hau expressed profound contentment on the timely completion of the Community Hall while congratulating the present executive members of Samziuram Women So-

ciety (SWS) for judicious utilisation of the fund that was generously donated by Kevizenuo Rangkau from her own savings. “To give from one’s own pocket to construct a Community Hall explains the level of charitable nature in her when even people in position to render help from Government funds finds it difficult to do so,” Hau said.

While maintaining that ‘Kevizenuo Rangkau since the last several decades has been treating everyone with compassion and supported them morally, physically and financially in every way possible, Hau said that “her good-will efforts have helped many people in our area and in the State in several ways”.

Hau also likened Kevizenuo Rangkau to Mother Theresa and said

Earlier, the inaugural programme commenced with unveiling of plaque by the special guest which was followed by flag hoisting ceremony. While the programme was moderated by Jienmum Malangmei, a dedication prayer was offered by pastor of Seventh Day Adventist Church, Samziuram, James Gonmei.

At the programme, assistant pastor of Liangmai Baptist Pumling, Hudin, invoked God’s blessings while president of Samziuram Women Society (SWS), Leihung delivered the welcome address. A brief history of SWS was presented by general secretary of SWS, Kaduna, while benediction prayer was pronounced by pastor Zeme Baptist Church, Samziuram, Agang. The programme also witnessed ‘March Pass’ by 3 women contingents representing the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei communities while the Pajeimei Team enthralled the gathering with their melodious song.

According to a DIPR report, after the inauguration of the new approach road, the Department of Youth Resources & Sports also held a familiarization programme with the new Advisor of the Department, S. Keoshu Yimkhiung. Advisor Keoshu reminded the gathering that it is the goal of the State government to take Nagaland towards a “state of excellence” and urged the government employees to take their assignments seriously and help their concerned departments and the State to march ahead. Yimkhiung also sought the cooperation of the staff and officers of YR&S department while assuring that he would try his best to work for the betterment of the department. He maintained

Introductoryandfelicitationforadvisors

DIMAPUR: Felicitation programme in honour of advisor, Industries and Commerce Department, Hekani Jakhalu Kense and introductory programme for advisor, Home Guards, Civil Defence & State Disaster Response Force, Kiusumew Yimchunger was held on March 29.

Advisor, Hekani: Industries and Commerce Department held felicitation programme for new advisor Hekani Jakhalu Kense at the conference hall of the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Kohima. A press release by

the department stated that Kense in her speech mentioned that it was God’s plan that she was placed in the department, adding that her mission is to work and ensure that all government schemes and programmes reaches the grass-root level.

She noted that as a

development department, officials of the department play vital role to elevate and enhance economic condition of the state and challenged to be prepared to work and to be driving force to take the state forward.

She also emphasised on importance of team

work and even brought team of external experts to give hands on professional skill development training to the officers.

The director, Industries & Commerce, A Temjen Jamir, in his welcome address, expressed eagerness to work under her dy-

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

"In your hands, O' Lord, we humbly entrust Lt. N. Yevuto Achumi In this life, you embraced him with Your tender love; deliver him now from every evil and bid him Eternal Rest".

The old order has passed away. Welcome him into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

that the YR&S department has a huge role to play in “youth empowerment”, which can only be fulfilled if all the officials play their respective roles with full dedication and sincerity.

Delivering the welcome address, Commissioner & Secretary, YR&S, Wezope Kenye, said that the department is fortunate to have a young and dynamic leader as the new advisor of the department and expressed hope that under his leadership, the department will continue to take up many new innovative activities and bridge the gaps in the department.

Highlighting the core

Hekani,Kiusumew

namic leadership, while IPos Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Kekhrievor Kevichusa, expressed that the department was fortunate to have her as advisor and exuded confidence that under her vibrant leadership and guidance coupled with her varied experience as a social entrepreneur, the department would achieve greater heights.

Advisor Kiusumew: Introductory programme of advisor Home Guards, Civil Defence & State Disaster Response Force, Kiusumew Yimchunger, with the department officers and staff was held at the conference hall of the Directorate, New Capital Complex.

Advisor Yimchunger, in his speech appealed to

department officers to give him inputs so that he can take up the matter with the competent authority. He also assured to take up the grievances and pending proposal of the department at the highest level. Staff officer (HQs.), Mulai Lamniah presented slides show on the “brief overview of the department”.

The programme was chaired by chief instructor CTI, Avinuo, welcome address by director general, Renchamo P. Kikon, special number was presented by the ministerial staff of the directorate.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by deputy commandant general (HQs.), Medozhalie Pienyu.

functioning and activities of the department, Director, Youth Resources & Sports, Akumla Chuba informed that talent hunt in various sports disciplines across the districts, free coaching camps in different disciplines, refreshers courses for DSOs/Coaches, etc. are conducted. She also disclosed that at present, 22 associations are being given grant-in-aid accord-

ing to their performance by the department. The State has two Sports Academy at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima and Sports Hostel in Dimapur. Various departmental activities were presented by the department units – National Cadet Corp, Bharat Scouts & Guides, National Social Service, Task Force for Music & Arts, and Engineering Wing.

dp-1340/23

NSCN/GPRN (Niki) discharges one official: The NSCN/GPRN (Niki) has discharged one Unoto Chishi, s/o Y. Atoshe Chishi of Toluvi village from active national service. NSCN/ GPRN through its MIP informed that the order was issued from the office of Ato Kilonser, NSCN/GPRN, wherein the discharge was made basing on the application put forward by the concerned official. “The selfless service rendered by him for the cause of the Nation will be noted and remembered in the annals of the Naga history”, said a statement by Ato Kilonser. The order informed the concerned official to submit his discharge order to the concerned office within seven days from the date of issue of this order.

NPGN/NNC (N/A) appoints: NPGN/NNC (N/A) has appointed Kevuto Sumi as the Dimapur chaplee in-charge.

NPGN/NNC(N/A) through its MIP informed that all orders and informations relating to NPGN/NNC(N/A) served by previous chaplee incharge Dimapur stand cancelled from March 29. It informed all business men, HoDs, etc not to entertain anybody relating to its government official matters other than Kevuto Sumi.

N. YEVUTO ACHUMI

11/07/1936 – 24/03/2023

We the family members of Lt. N. Yevuto Achumi , G.B. Xelhozhe Village, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual, church, organizations, relatives, friends and neighbours who stood and helped us physically, mentally, financially and emotionally during his brief illness till his demise.

We are indebted and overwhelmed by your love and support. We also deeply regret our inability to mention and thank everyone individually but it is our sincere prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife and Family Members

Special guest Azeu Namcyn Hau along with others after the inauguration program.

Hekani Jakhalu Kense speaking at the felicitation program. Kiusumew Yimchunger with HGCD&SDRF officers.

Advisor, S. Keoshu Yimkhiung with the YR&S department officials after the inauguration.

NEXT POLL

Governor Ganesan visits Tseminyu district

DIMAPUR: Governor of Nagaland, La Ganesan, visited Tseminyu district on March 28 and held meetings with department officers and civil societies at DC conference hall, Tseminyu.

According to a DIPR report, the Governor expressed happiness on visiting Tseminyu, one of the newest districts of Nagaland. The Governor stated that as a new district, the people have lots of aspirations and hopes reposed on them as responsible officers heading the various government departments in the district and called upon all to be sincere and dedicated to give the best service to the people.

“We have come a long way since statehood in terms of education, health, road connectivity, telecommunication, standard of living etc but we still have a very long way to go before we catch up with other states of the country”, he added. He also said that people of

NSCN/GPRN (Niki) assigns

DIMAPUR: The Ministry of Kilo Affairs, NSCN/ GPRN (Niki) has assigned additional secretary, Ngukato Yeptho, as secretary to UT-I until further order.

An intimation issued from the office of secretary, Kilo Affairs has directed the concerned official to assume duty with immediate effect from date of issue of this note.

Nagaland should also enjoy the fruit of development like the rest of the people of the country, adding that it is the duty of every government agencies and the departments to work hard and ensure that every citizen of the country enjoy the fruit of development.

The Governor called upon the district administration to ensure that the flagship programmes or the central government are diligently and earnestly implemented for the welfare of

the people. He reminded that centrally sponsored schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Poshan Ahhiyan, Ayushman Bharat, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan & Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna (PMUY), PM Kisan to name a few are all implemented by the Central government for the welfare of the poor and the needy and said that development should not be reflected only on paper. Ganesan also request-

RCH camps held in Peren, Zbto

ed the DC Tseminyu to have periodic reviews of the various schemes and programmes and take necessary action to meet the goals and targets if there are any shortfalls.

The Governor interacted with civil societies, Rengma Hoho, Rengma Women Association Rengma Selo Zi. Memorandums were submitted to the Governor which he assured to look into the issues while requesting the public to co-operate with the government for development.

Governor also visited Chunlikha village where the apex body of Kithagha Public Organization president, Khinyi Woch submitted memorandum to the Governor with a request to intervene in creation of EAC HQ, upgradation of GHS Chunlikha to GHSS, upgradation of health care facility, etc. Another memorandum was also submitted to take up various activities for the development in the area.

Governor expressed happiness on the maintenance of cleanliness, water supply, health care sector etc and said that participation of women is the most important to bring change in the society.

DC Tseminyu, Dr. Zasekuolie Chusi expressed gratitude on the visit of the Governor to see how the village was taking up various activities in Chunlikha.

The Governor later visited health wellness centre at Chunlikha and interacted with doctors and staffs.

Disaster awareness mock drill conducted at NEEPCO, DHPS

partment of Home Guards, Civil Defense and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Wokha, Ngongval E Phom spoke on the advantages of conducting regular mock drill exercise and the various preventive measures to be taken before, during and after the earthquake. The coy. commander, Lanutemjen spoke on the mock drill and evacuation plan. Instructor havildar, Mhonyamo Humtsoe, demonstrated various types and usage of fire extinguisher.

DIMAPUR: District health society (DHS) Peren on Wednesday conducted a reproductive child health (RCH) camp at Lalong village under Peren district.

In a press release, district media officer CMO office Peren, Shekho Sophie, stated that health services and medicines were provided to all patients. The family planning services were also made available for eligible couples.

RCH camp administered 123 OPDs, lab services such as blood sugar, four Malaria test, eight sputum collections and PTK test were also provided. 43 CMHIS card were generated, six Routine Immunization, one dental, 10 NCD, 13 Obs and Gynae (6ANC) and 10 refractive error cases was carried out.

Further, dropped out and left out children were identified and vaccinated, while screening for diabetes, hypertension, syphilis, various ailments such as viral fever, geriatric care and Routine Immunization were also done.

The awareness talk on Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Immunization was also conducted while pamphlets and leaflets were distributed free.

The team members led by CMO Dr. K. Limatula Ao included Dy. CMO Dr. Lanuakum; DPO (RCH & UIP) Dr. Supongmenla Walling; ZLO Dr. G. Viholi Sema; DTO Dr. Keholi Sema; DSO (Opthalmic) Dr. Hedungkiebe; Dr. Denis H. Chingpen, SMO (Obs and Gynae) DH, Peren; Dr. Nuksung, MO, Tening CHC; vertical programme staff, pharmacist, lab. tech, nurses, ASHAs and AWWs. Zunheboto: A two-day RCH camp was conducted at Satakha PHC and Ghathashi PHC under Zunheboto on March 27 and 28 under the aegis of DHS Zunheboto, CMO office Zunheboto.

In a press release, district media officer CMO office Zunheboto, Keneikhrietuo, stated that the medical team included district programme officer (UIP & RCH) Dr. Heto Swu, sr specialist obstetrics & gynae DH, Dr. Kapfo, medical officers of the respective block and health units, dentist, DPMU staff, RBSK & MMU team, BPMs.

During the camp, 487 people availed free medical services such as sterilization-13, IUCD-7, ANC12, NCD screening -139, Dental-55, MTP-4, laboratory test.

DIMAPUR: A one-day disaster awareness and mock drill was conducted on March 28, at NEEPCO, Doyang Hydro Power Station (DHPS) for the employees of NEEPCO, VKV School teachers & students, CISF Jawans, LOU DHEP and for the local populace of DHPS township. The

mock drill was organized by NEEPCO, Doyang in collaboration with department of Home Guards, Civil Defense and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Wokha.

The purpose of the drill was to simulate a real-life emergency situation and test the readiness and response

of the employees, school community and local residents, aimed at improving emergency preparedness and response in the event of an actual emergency.

The drill involved various scenarios, including fire, earthquake etc.

During the programme, the district commandant de-

Altogether 30 personnel of Home Guards, Civil Defense and SDRF Wokha participated in the mock drill.

The head of the plant, DHPS, NEEPCO Ch. R. John Zeliang thanked the district administration Wokha, department of Home Guards, Civil Defense and SDRF Wokha and all the partakers for their active involvement and mentioned that such drills will continue to conduct regular emergency preparedness drills to ensure that everyone is prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the event of any emergency.

Department of Home Guards, Civil Defense Employees & SRDF members with others.

Gov, La. Ganesan visits health wellness centre, Chunlikha.

Ruckus in Assam Assembly over Rahul’s disqualification

GUWAHATI, MAR 29

(PTI): The Assam Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a ruckus after the Congress introduced an Adjournment Motion to discuss the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha following a court verdict.

Following a high drama in the House, Speaker Biswajit Daimary was forced to adjourn the House twice, and suspended two Congress MLAs and an Independent legislator for the entire day. The Congress MLAs attended the House wearing black dresses.

Opposing the Adjournment Motion raised by Leader of the Opposition

Debabrata Saikia, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wondered if the Congress leader is not objecting to Gandhi’s views as he had torn a copy of an ordinance which could have saved him.

The Speaker later rejected the Motion.

As soon as the Ques-

tion Hour was over, Daimary allowed Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia to raise the notice and asked him to speak on the admissibility of the motion.

“We want to send a resolution to the President of India requesting her to uphold the Constitution. The Constitution is same for all and the executive must act fairly to protect it,” the Congress leader said.

Saikia cited various clauses to buttress his point the Constitution was violated by the disqualification of Gandhi.

Replying to the motion, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “It’s unprecedented that we’re expressing opinions on a judicial matter here. I know that a decision was taken at Congress Legislature Party last night to create noise here.”

When Deputy Leader of Congress Legislature Party Rakibul Hussain objected to the statement, Sarma later withdrew the portion of his claim that someone from the opposition party had informed him of their plans on Tuesday night.

Students refutes NRFM’s allegation of deceased student

This led to a noisy scene with Congress MLAs, followed by all other opposition members from AIUDF, CPI(M) and an Independent MLA, moving to the well of the House. They raised slogans in favour of Rahul Gandhi, the Constitution and democracy, and displayed placards. The BJP members too rushed to the well and raised slogans denouncing Gandhi. Daimary then adjourned the House for 15 minutes. As soon as the House reassembled, Sarma stood to give his reply, which was objected to by all opposition members saying “the matter was over”. As the chief minister insisted on giving a reply even if the sitting is extended till midnight, Congress MLAs and Independent member Akhil Gogoi again trooped to the well. Daimary repeatedly asked Gogoi and others to return to their seats but in vain. The

APSC cash-for-jobs scam prime accused Rakesh Paul released

Speaker then suspended Gogoi for the day and ordered Marshals to take him out.

However, Congress MLAs, led by Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Jakir Hussain Sikdar, made a ring to protect Gogoi and the Marshals could take the Independent MLA out of the House after a brief struggle.

Sarma then said, “I propose that Akhil Gogoi and Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha be expelled for this entire session till April 5.”

The budget session of the Assam Assembly is scheduled to end on that day.

Immediately after that, Daimary suspended Purkayastha and Sikdar from the House for the entire day. The House marshals took all three legislators out of the House.

The Speaker then adjourned the House for 20 minutes again. As soon as the House resumed, the chief minister urged the Speaker not to accept the

NIA court keeps in abeyance bail to secessionist

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAR 29: Special Judge (NIA) on Wednesday kept in abeyance an order passed by the same court granting bail to Mark Thangmang Haokip, self-styled president of ‘Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Kukiland’.

The order was kept in abeyance after hearing a prayer from the Manipur government to cancel the bail order and allow custody of the leader of the secessionist outfit for further trial.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAR 29: Students of a college in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday held a protest refuting militants’ allegation that their colleague shot dead by two miscreants a few days ago was a drug peddler. Seventeen-year-old student Seigunlal Misao was shot dead allegedly by two motorcycle-borne unidentified gunmen in front of the Motbung PHC located on the side of NH-2 (Imphal Dimapur road) on Saturday (March 26) night.

Even as a joint action committee (JAC) was formed in connection with the killing of the student pressing the state government to book the culprits and justice, National Revo-

Sohiong assembly bypoll on May 10

SHILLONG, MAR 29

(PTI): The by-election to Sohiong assembly constituency in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district will be held on May 10, Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor said on Wednesday.

The election to the seat, which was scheduled on February 27 along with the rest of the state, was not held due to the demise of former home minister HDR Lyngdoh, who was also a United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate.

The notification with regard to the bypoll will be issued on April 13 and the last date for filing of nominations by a UDP candidate is on April 20, he said.

The counting of votes will take place on May 13.

The UDP is fielding Synshar Lyngdoh Thabah, the nephew of Lyngdoh.

In all, six candidates are in the fray, including sitting MLA Samlin Malngiang who is contesting on a National People’s Party ticket.

Elections to the remaining 59 assembly constituencies in the state were held on February 27, with the National People’s Party winning 26 seats.

lutionary Front Manipur (NRFM), a militant group accused the deceased student to be a ‘drug peddler’ while taking responsibility for the murder.

Earlier, the JAC had refuted the allegation hurled by a militant group on the deceased student.

Infuriated by the baseless allegation, the JAC decided not to accept the dead body of the student which is currently at the RIMS morgue while making an u-turn to its earlier decision to accept the body after a meeting with chief minister N Biren Singh, and perform his last rites.

The JAC had agreed to claim the dead body after the chief minister assured an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh and conducted necessary inqui-

ries into the case. He further assured to consider providing a job to the eligible next of the kin of the deceased.

Following the agreement, the JAC planned to take back the dead body. However, it was stalled infuriated by the allegation hurled by the NRFM.

Today, students of Damdei Christian College where the deceased studied held a protest outside their college campus demanding justice for their colleague.

The students chanted various slogans demanding immediate booking of the culprits and punishing them as per law during the protest.

The students also refuted an allegation hurled by a militant group that the deceased student was a drug peddler.

The Special Judge (NIA), Imphal on Tuesday ordered release of Mark Haokip on bail upon furnishing a PR bond of Rs two lakh with two sureties (gazetted officer) of the like amount.

The Manipur government, represented by its joint secretary (home) filed the application praying for the cancellation of the bail on Wednesday, an official source said.

In the application, the state government prayed the court to set aside or modify the order granting bail while seeking permission to take custody of Mark Haokip for further trial.

In the application, the counsel of the state government submitted that the order of granting bail overruled the judgment passed

Mizoram CM reiterates his party will retain power

AIZAWL, MAR 29 (PTI):

Mizoram Chief Minister and ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga reiterated that his party will retain power in the next assembly polls. Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are due later this year. “Our arch-rival Congress has declined (in strength) and the number of constituencies it can win are fewer. Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), on the other hand, can no longer use its previous planks. So, there is no doubt that MNF will retain power in the next assembly polls,” Zoramthanga said while addressing the party block conference at Kolasib town, on the border with Assam.

In the present assembly, the MNF has 28 members, while the main opposition party ZPM has six MLAs, Congress has five and the BJP has just one. Last month, Zoramthanga had said that his party will win the next assembly polls as they have efficient MLAs who are constantly monitoring and taking care of their respective constituencies.

Zoramthanga

He also claimed that the MNF will win the first Lunglei Municipal Council (LMC) polls to be held on Wednesday. The three-term chief minister said that his government has been constantly making efforts to usher in developments despite many hurdles.

He said that the MNF during its previous rule (1998-2008) had experienced famine triggered by bamboo flowering and the present government has also been plagued by COVID-19 pandemic and other problems.

“Despite all these hurdles, the government has been making efforts for the welfare of the people and was able to distribute financial assistance under

Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP),” Zoramthanga said, adding that the assistance will continue to be distributed. The SEDP is the state government’s flagship programme, which aims at bringing sustainable development by accelerating progress in key sectors through judicious use of resources and maintaining equality and equity among the citizens.During fiscal 2022-23, the government provided financial assistance of Rs 25,000 each to 60,000 beneficiaries.

Out of Rs 595 crore allocated for the implementation of SEDP in 2023-24 fiscal, Rs 300 crore was earmarked for family-oriented programmes or financial assistance. Zoramthanga also claimed that his government has been taking “sincere measures to protect the territorial integrity of the state and extend help to Mizo communities living even outside the country”.

Speaking of the border clashes with Assam, he said that Mizoram did not lose even a single policeman during the border dispute with neighbouring Assam.

Adjournment Motion, asserting that a judicial verdict cannot be criticised and the court is not in Assam.

Sarma said Gandhi is a victim of his own act of tearing the ordinance brought to give relief to elected representatives, who would be convicted of two or more years of imprisonment.

Gandhi had opposed the ordinance at that time and tore the ordinance in a press conference as a token of protest.

Sarma said, “I believe he (Gandhi) is the supreme leader of Debabrata Saikia. Rahul Gandhi himself wanted that disqualification should be instant if an MP or MLA is sentenced to two or more years in prison. Are you (Congress MLAs) opposing Rahul Gandhi then?”

“If tomorrow I am convicted, will BJP members wear black dresses? No, they will move a higher court,” the chief minister said.

GUWAHATI, MAR 29

(PTI): Former Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) chairman Rakesh Paul, the prime accused in the cash-for-jobs scam, was released from jail after he was granted bail by the Gauhati High Court last week. Paul was granted bail on March 24 in connection with a case related to taking bribes for giving jobs for the post of agricultural development officer. His release was delayed by three days due to certain formalities, officials said. After his release on Tuesday, Paul told reporters that he will not comment on the case as it was a subjudice matter. He said in the prison, he was involved in several activities like building a ‘namghar’, a satsang centre and a music school.

The single bench of Justice Devashish Barua granted him bail on the ground that he has already served one-half of the maxi-

Rakesh Paul

mum period of imprisonment for the offence. Justice Barua directed Paul’s release, imposing certain conditions such as the surrender of passport and not leaving Guwahati without the permission of the court. He has also been directed not to contact the witnesses named in the charge-sheet, and not to directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any of the witnesses. Paul was booked under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC, including criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery for cheating, among others.

DC’s administrative powers entrusted to ADCs of four merged districts in Assam

Mark T Haokip

by the Manipur High Court on November 2, 2022.

While accepting the application, the court fixed April 3 for hearing to the prayer and objection as Mark Haokip was yet to furnish the PR bond amount to secure his release on bail.

The court also issued notice to superintendent of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, returnable on or before April 3 while keeping the operation of the order granting bail in abeyance until further order.

Mark Thangmang Haokip was arrested by Manipur Police from Kishangarh, New Delhi on May 24, 2022 before he was brought to Imphal on May 27.

GUWAHATI, MAR 29 (PTI): The Assam government on Wednesday said it has issued a notification entrusting all administrative and statutory powers of a deputy commissioner to the additional deputy commissioners in-charge of four districts which were merged with others on the day before the delimitation exercise began in the state on January 1.

The Assam cabinet had, in December last year, decided to merge four districts with the ones from which these were carved out and made separate districts.

The cabinet decision reduced the number of districts from 35 to 31 with Biswanath merged with Sonitpur, Hojai with Nagaon, Tamulpur with Baksa and Bajali with Barpeta.

An official release on Wednesday said that the notification, issued by the General Administration Department recently, stated that the deputy commissioners of these districts under which these sub-divisions

AFFIDAVIT

I, Ms. A Lipen Phom, D/o Late Amung Phom Residing at East Block Colony, Burma Camp, Dimapur, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as follows :-

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

2. That in my Appointment Order No - ED/EL/C/4/86-87 my name has been wrongly entered as "A. LIPEM" whereas in my PIMS (Personal information Management System) bearing Employment Code NoEDN/09810 and in all of my official documents it has been entered/ recorded as "A LIPEN PHOM" which is my full and official name as per my official documents.

3. That my correct and official name is "A LIPEN PHOM" as per my all official documents.

4. That the names "A LIPEN PHOM" and " A. LIPEM" refers to one and same person i.e. me.

5. That the purpose of this Affidavit is to declare before the competent authority that from now onwards my name shall be appeared in all of my official documents as "A LIPEN PHOM", as per my all official documents for all official purposes and to use this affidavit as a piece of evidence and for further correspondence. That the statement made herein above in Para 1 to 4 are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

OFFICE OF THE EX-SERVICEMEN LEAGUE (DIMAPUR CHÜMOUKEDIMA AND NUILAND)

HQ: Dimapur, Nagaland, House No 472, Naharbari Regd No :- Home/SRC-7668

Ex-Servicemen League (Dimapur, Chümoukedima & Niuland) in its 2nd Annual General Meeting held on 8th Dec 2022 has nominated following office bearers for tenure 2023-25.

1. President :- Maj Boktiba Jamir (Retd)

2. Vice President :- Hony Capt Imliakum, MVC (Retd)

3. General Secretary :- Ex-Hav S Nokranger

4. Asst GS :- Mrs Kaholi Sema

5. Info & Publicity Secretary :- Mrs Ovungbeni Ovung

6. Finance Secretary :- Ex Nk Peter

7. Treasurer :- Sub Avito Rochill (Retd)

Executive Members

1. Lt Col SS Naga (Retd) 2. Sub Maj KK Sema (Retd)

3. Ex Hav Nzanbemo Patton 4. Hony Lt L Lotha (Retd)

5. Ex Nk RK Obed 6. Nb Sub KC Lotha (Retd)

7. Ex Nk Daniel Longchar

And 3 Finance Members:-

1. Ex Nk Jaimeren Meitei

2. Ex Nk Bendang Ao

3. Ex Nk Thinuosetuo Dima SD/- SD/Ex-Hav S Nokranger Maj Boktiba Jamir (Retd) General Secretary President

(Biswanath, Hojai, Tamulpur and Bajali) fall will have the powers of overall supervision of government programmes, projects and schemes. The deputy commissioners, however, will not interfere in the day-today functioning and work of these sub-divisions, the release said.

The delimitation exercise to redraw the boundaries of 14 parliamentary and 126 assembly constituencies is being conducted by the Election Commission of India. Notably, the Congress

had alleged that the state cabinet had a “mala fide intention” in merging the four districts with others.

“Almost all the opposition parties condemned the move and accused the ruling party of attempting to redraw Muslim majority seats in Assam to benefit itself and also to spark religious polarisation. In many localities, affected by this cabinet decision, widespread protests were held by blocking the national highway,’ state Congress president Bhupen Bora had said.

Affid A vit

I, S M ti. YHUNCHi LE t HONG resident of H/No. 1251, Block-5 Padumpukhuri, Dimapur, Nagaland declare through an Affidavit No. 456(P)2022 dated 20.05.2022 that my name inadvertently appeared in service and PIMS record as ‘YHUNCHULE t HONG’ and my father’s name as ‘Lt . KWENi t HONG'. My correct name is ‘YHUNCHi LE t HONG’ and my father’s correct name is ‘JWENi t HONG’ d p-1347/23

Affid A vit

I, Smti ECCLLECE ZHi MOMi @ ECCLEECE

ZH i MOM i , D/o Shri. Shikaho Zhimomi, declare that my name has been inadvertently written/recorded as Smti. ECCLEECE ZH i MOM i Vide affidavit no. 238/2023, dated 23.02.2023. I declare that I shall be known as Smti. “ECCLLECE ZHi MOMi ” for all intents and purpose for all future correspondence. d p-1337/23

Affid A vit

Regd. No. 681/2023

Date 29/03/2023

I, Smti Ngukatoli G. Jimo, D/o Ghovito Zhimomi, resident of Razo Khel, Naga United Village, H/No. 332 in the District of Dimapur : Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and state on oath as follows:-

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

2. That the name Ngukatoli G. Zhimomi has been inadvertently entered in my registry on PIMS with the employment Code EDN07941. Whereas, the name Ngukatoli G. Jimo is officially entered and recorded in all the other official documents.

3. That the name Ngukatoli G. Zhimomi and Ngukatoli G. Jimo belongs to the same and one person.

4. That this affidavit is made for the purpose to declare the abovementioned statement. v ER ifi CA ti ON

That the statements made in paragraphs 1 to 4 on this affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and nothing has been concealed thereof. (d EPONENt )

Solemnly declared before me.

NOt ARY PUBLi C diMAPUR : NAGALANd d p-1345/23

AFFIDAVIT

(Declaration for Correction of Name)

REGD. NO :- 276/2023 Date :- 29/03/2023

I, Smti. T AKUMLA AO alias T AKUMLA, Wife of N. SADEMKABA JAMIR, Resident of H.NO-142 MODEL VILLAGE 5 TH MILE District-CHUMOUKEDIMA, NAGALAND. Do hereby solemnly affirm and declare on oath as under:-

1. That, I am a bonafide and LAW abiding citizen of India.

2. That, in some of my document my name have recorded as only “T AKUMLA” in my SERVICE ORDER & SERVICE BOOK. Whereas, in my GOVT. ID CARD, BANK ACCOUNT, AADHAAR CARD, PAN CARD etc., my name has been recorded as ”T AKUMLA AO”.

3. This AFFIDAVIT is made to declare that, both the name “T AKUMLA” and "T AKUMLA AO” refers to the name of one and same person i.e., My self.

4. That, I have sworn this affidavit to declare my true and correct name as “T AKUMLA AO”. Henceforth, I shall use the same aforesaid name in all my future correspondence and records.

5. That the statements made in Para 1 to 5 are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and my consent thereto. (DEPONENT)

Solemnly sworn before me by the Deponent, which is also being

Cong MLAs wear black clothes to protest Rahul’s LS disqualification.

Students of Damdei Christian College Kanglatongbi staged a sit-in-protest against the killing of their colleague Seigunlal Misao by miscreants.

SNiPPEtS

Rajasthan doctors

begin one-day strike

JAIPUR, MAR 29

(PTI): Medical services remained crippled in Rajasthan on Wednesday after government doctors and faculty members in medical colleges went on a one-day strike in solidarity with private doctors agitating against the Right to Health Bill. Emergency services have been exempted from the strike. General patients faced trouble in getting treatment in government as well as private institutes.

UP man murders wife over her thrashing child

MUZAFFARNAGAR

(UP), MAR 29 (PTI):

A man was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife following a dispute over her beating their child, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place in the Ratanpuri village of this Uttar Pradesh district.

Police said Nargis was allegedly strangled to death by her husband Naeem Ali in a fit of rage following a dispute over her thrashing their child on Tuesday. A case was registered against Naeem and he has been arrested, Rai said.

2 NIT students drown in Haryana’s canal

KURUKSHETRA, MAR 29 (PTI): Two students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) drowned in the Bhakra canal in this Haryana city, police said on Wednesday. Both were third-year students of Civil Engineering.

Station House Officer (SHO) at Adarsh Police station Devinder Kumar said on Tuesday evening six students of NIT Kurukshetra had gone for a picnic and a bath at the Narwana Branch of the Bhakra canal at Jyotisar, near here.

15-year-old boy rapes

minor in Odisha

JAJPUR, MAR 29 (PTI): A 15-year-old boy allegedly raped a minor girl in Odisha’s Jajpur district, police said on Wednesday. The incident which occurred on Sunday, came to light after the mother of the 11-year-old girl filed a complaint with Balichandrapur police station on Monday night, an officer said. According to the complainant, her daughter was playing with the boy of her neighbour in front of the house on Sunday evening. The boy then called her and took her to the roof and forced himself upon her.

SC takes exception to hate speeches

NEW DELHI, MAR 29 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday took serious exception to hate speeches saying these will end the moment politics and religions are separated and politicians stop using religion in politics.

Terming hate speeches a “vicious circle”, the top court said these utterings are being made by fringe elements and people should restrain themselves from doing so.

A bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna referred to speeches of former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying people from remote areas and every nook and corner used to gather to hear them.

“Major problem arises when politicians are mixing politics with religion. The moment politics and religion are segregated, this will end. When politicians stop using religion, all this will stop. We have said in our recent verdict also that mixing politics with religion is

dangerous for democracy,”

NEW

DELHI, MAR 29

(PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was not the only politician who has lost membership of the legislature after being convicted by a court and there was nothing to create a hue and cry about it.

Speaking at the ‘News 18 Rising India’ programme here, Shah said Gandhi should go to a higher court to fight his case. Instead, Shah added, he has been trying to put blame on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“He has not appealed

Justice Joseph said. Wondering as to how

made in Kerala by a man against a particular community and questioned that

Says‘Momentpoliticiansstopusing religioninpolitics,hatespeecheswillend’

many people can courts initiate contempt action, the bench said why cannot the people of India take a pledge to not vilify other citizens or communities.

“Everyday fringe elements are making speeches to vilify others including on TV and public forums,” the bench said while hearing a contempt petition against various state authorities including Maharashtra for failing to register FIRs against those making such speeches.

When Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out a derogatory speech

petitioner Shaheen Abdullah has selectively pointed out the incidents of hate speeches in the country, this triggered sharp exchanges between the court and Mehta.

He also pointed out a statement made by a DMK party leader and said why has the petitioner’s counsel not made him and those states party in the contempt petition.

The bench referred to those speeches and said “every action has equal reaction” and emphasised, “We are following the Constitution and orders in ev-

ery case are bricks in the structure of rule of law. We are hearing the contempt petition because states are not taking action in time. This is because the state has become impotent, powerless and does not act in time. Why should we have a state at all if it is silent?”

Mehta then said, “Can’t say that about any state but Centre is not. Centre has banned PFI. Please issue notice to state of Kerala so that they can respond to this.”

As the court asked Mehta to continue with his submissions, he said, “Please do not do this. This will have wider ramification. Why are we shying away from looking at the clip? Why can’t the court allow me to play the video clip of the speeches? Why Kerala can’t be issued notice and made a party to the petition. Let us not be selective. I am trying to show the clip which is in public domain. This court could have taken suo motu cognisance of these speeches.”

Correct information oxygen of healthy democracy: Prez Murmu to IIS officers

NEW DELHI, MAR 29 (PTI): Asserting that correct information is the “oxygen” of a healthy democracy, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday asked Indian Information Service (IIS) officers to be well-equipped to counter disinformation and act promptly against fake information.

“Today with wide and instant spread of information, a challenge of fake information travelling equally fast has also emerged. You have to take the responsibility of combating fake news,” she said, addressing a group of IIS officers/officer trainees, who had called on the president.

She urged them to harness technology and work with dedication to combat this alarming trend of misusing media, especially social media, to build false narratives.

“Another challenge before you is that latest technology will also be used by those who trade in disin-

formation or fake information. You have to be wellequipped to counter such disinformation and should act promptly against fake information,” Murmu said.

She said certain basic protocols have been developed to identify fake news and educate the public about it.

The president said that latest tools and technologies such as artificial intelligence should be leveraged for dealing with emerging

challenges.

“As we all know, communication is a crucial factor in making citizens aware about government policies, programmes and its functioning. Through effective communication and with correct information, you can be instrumental in making citizens informed partners in the progress of the country. I believe that correct information is the oxygen of a healthy democracy,” she said.

to take stay on his conviction. What kind of arrogance is this? You want favour. You want to continue as an MP and will also not go before the court,” he said, adding from where such arrogance comes from.

“This gentleman is not the first one. Politicians who held much bigger posi-

LS passed Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022

NEW DELHI, MAR 29 (PTI): Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022, more than seven months after it was introduced in the Lower House in August last year.

The bill provides for the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to impose penalties on entities based on their global turnover instead of the current practice of considering only relevant market turnover.

Amid din in the Lower House, Corporate Affairs and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the bill for consideration and passage. The bill was passed without a debate.

The corporate affairs ministry has made certain amendments to the original bill.

One of the changes is with respect to the turnover that will be considered for the imposition of penalty in case of competition law violations.

“... turnover means global turnover derived from all products and services by a person or an enterprise,” as per the amendments that were approved by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Another amendment is that the CCI has to form a prima-facie opinion about a filing related to a combination within 30 days of receiving the filing.

tions and with much more experience have lost their membership because of this provision,” the home minister said.

He said as many as 17 politicians, including former Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad (Bihar) and J Jayalalithaa (Tamil Nadu), were convicted by the courts when they were either member of an assembly or the Parliament and they had much more experience than Gandhi.

The home minister said it was Gandhi who tore an ordinance during the previous UPA government which could have helped him now.

GOvERNMENt Of NAGALANd NAGALANd StAff SELECtiON BOARd NAGALANd : KOHiMA

No. NSSB/EXAM-4/14/2023

Dated Kohima, the 29th March 2023 NOtifiCAtiON

In pursuance of the Board’s Advertisement NO.NSSB-1/2022 dated 9th September 2022 and with reference to Notification NO.NSSB/EXAM4/14/2023 dated 7th March 2023, the Nagaland Staff Selection Board is pleased to allow the candidates bearing the following Roll Numbers (in ascending order) to appear for viva voce for the posts under Combined Staff Recruitment Examination 2022 (Group I, II, III & IV) as shown in Annexure V-1.

Details of the selected list maybe accessed from the Board’s website at http://nssb.nagaland.gov.in.

Selected candidates are directed to strictly follow the “Instructions for Viva Voce under CSRE 2022” available in the website.

Sd/-(B. HENOK BUCHEM) NCS Secretary-cum-Controller of Exams Nagaland Staff Selection Board

To,

Rahul visits Cong’s office in Parliament House complex EC‘notinhurry’for Wayanadbypoll

NEW DELHI, MAR 29 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday visited the party’s office in the Parliament House complex and met some members there.

Gandhi spent around 20 minutes at the party office and met Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and others. He later left along with his mother and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi for lunch. He did not talk to media.

Congress leaders K C Venugopal and Adhir Ranjan Chowdury were also present at the party’s parliamentary office. The Gandhi scion has

been disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha after his conviction and two-year sentence by a Surat court in a defamation case pertaining to his comments on Modi surname.

IN THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT

THE HIGH COURT OF ASSAM,NAGALAND,MIZORAM & ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

KOHIMA BENCH (CIVIL WRIT JURISDICTION)

W.P.(C) No. 38/2021 Smti. Dzuvi-u ...Petitioner – versus –The State of Nagaland & 24 Ors. .... Respondents

1. The State of Nagaland , Through the Chief Secretary, To the Government of Nagaland, Nagaland, Kohima.

2. The Commissioner & Secretary, To the Government of Nagaland, Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department, Nagaland, Kohima.

3. The Agriculture Production Commissioner and Commissioner & Secretary to The Government of Nagaland, Department of Agriculture, Nagaland, Kohima.

4. The Director, Directorate of Agriculture, Nagaland, Kohima.

5. The Principal, Integrated Extention Training Institute/Center(IETC) Medziphema, Nagaland.

6. Smti. N Kewisi Chawang, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Peren, Nagaland.

7. Smti. Kerinino Nakhro, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Kohima, Nagaland.

8. Shri Sowalemba Longkumer, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Office, Mokokchung, Nagaland.

9. Shri Yanrenthung T. Erui, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Wokha, Nagaland.

10. Smti. Atolimi Zhimomi, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Agri Expo, Dimapur, Nagaland.

11. Shri C. Nyeiang Konyak LDA-cum-Computer Assistant Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Naginimora, Nagaland.

12. Shri C. Isaac, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Tening, Nagaland.

13. Smti. Mennyu W LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Mokokchung, Nagaland.

14. Shri Yanbothung Mozhui, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Medziphema, Nagaland.

15. Shri P. Dominic, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Noklak, Nagaland.

16. Smti. Inali, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Sathaka, Nagaland.

17. Shri Welhi Kapfo, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Pungro, Nagaland.

18. Smti Kehuselu, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Pfutsero, Nagaland.

19. Shri Michael Yanthan, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Dimapur, Nagaland.

20. Shri Merennukshi, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Mokokchung, Nagaland.

21. Shri Odirenba Jamir, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Mon, Nagaland.

22. Shri Bokuto K. Tuccu, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Tuensang, Nagaland.

23. Smti. Ilika G., LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Dimapur, Nagaland.

24. Smti Lovikali H. Chikhe, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Tobu, Nagaland.

25. Smti. Sorila Yimchunger, LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, Office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Chiephobozou, Nagaland.

to appear on the next listed date i.e., 27-04-2023 either personally or through pleader to act on your behalf and show cause, if any. If you fail to appear on the date so referred, the matter shall be heard and decided ex-parte in your absence. Given under my hand and seal of this court on this day the 29th day of March, 2023.

The Election Commission on Wednesday said there was no hurry to declare byelection to the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat as the trial court has given Rahul Gandhi, who was disqualified as member, one month to file an appeal.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said the poll panel has taken decisions on vacancies that have occurred till February.

Addressing a press conference here, the CEC said the trial court in Surat has given Rahul Gandhi

30 days too seek a judicial remedy the matter.

“There is no hurry, we will wait. There is not hurry to do it before exhausting that particular remedy which the trial court had accorded. We will take a call after that,” Kumar said.

He said the vacancy in the Wayanad parliamentary party was notified on March 23 this year and as per the law, a bypoll has to be conducted within six months.

Kumar said the law also states that if the remainder of the term was less than one year, then the election will not be held.

SESSION

President addressing a group of IIS officers/officer trainees at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday.

Rahul arrives at Parliament House complex. (PTI)

‘This gentleman is not the first one’: Shah on Rahul’s disqualification

Amit Shah

A test for lawmakers

After the Supreme Court issued a directive on the government of Nagaland on February 13, 2023 to issue notification by March 14,2023 for holding election to ULBs, the state did so on March 4,2023 after results of the assembly elections were declared on March 2. However, despite the acceptance among a cross section of society that implementing 33% women reservation in ULBs there were still voices among some prominent organizations who still opposed the move. However, the main focus of objection to the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 was against clauses pertaining to tax on land and building. Some of the CSOs maintained that ceding to 33% women reservation was tantamount to compromising with Article 371A which safeguards customary laws and practices of the tribes of Nagaland from any Act or Law of parliament. The other strong plea against the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 came from the Nagaland GBs Federation (NGBF) which argued that when Nagaland was created it came with safeguards under Article 371A and statehood did not come with creation of ULBs or panchayats as the Article ensured that no act of parliament could not override Naga customary laws and practiced unless the state assembly resolves to accept such laws passed by parliament. In view of the Supreme Court’s ultimatum, the state government seemed consistent with conducting ULB polls. It may be recalled that fallout of the trying to hold the second ULB polls in 2017 is all too tragic to be forgotten so easily. These happened because of the mishandling by the then government, which rushed to hold ULB polls with the intention of getting blocked funds for ULBs released since civic bodies were not functioning because no polls had been held. On this, much of the blame can be attributed to the law makers for not applying their minds to the insistence of those opposed to 33% women reservation as well as the women litigants, supported by the people’s Union for Civil Liberties (pUCL) in fighting the case in the Supreme Court under a Special Leave petition. While projecting that it was committed to hold ULB polls, wisdom seemed to have dawned upon the state government when it began to develop a second thought about the entire controversy. parliamentary affairs minister K.G. Kenye spun the wheel of the opposition-less government by deeming the NM Act 2001 as a bad law. Taking a similar stand as the NGBF, that Nagaland was created with protective safeguards under Article 371A, the government said the NM Act 2001 had been enacted without realizing the far-reaching consequences it would have in inheriting constitutional provisions and the amendment – the 74th Amendment Act- in toto and worse, the state assembly does not have any power to amend the amended Act nor can it segregate any Act of the parliament by taking what suits the state and reject the rest. Leader of the house and chief minister Neiphiu Rio supplemented Kenye’s introductory remarks and cited recent statements by all apex tribe hohos, CSOs and in particular ENpO (having at least 30% of state’s population) who opposed ULB election and even threatening to prevent it from being held unless clauses in the NM Act 2001 were omitted. To cut a long story short- the 14th NLA resolved to repeal the NM Act 2001 and bring another Act to replace it; while the long story is how will the Supreme Court react and the constitutional argument that will fly through thick and thin.

DailyDevotion

Our Lord’s Surprise Visits

You also be ready… —Luke 12:40

A Christian worker’s greatest need is a readiness to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience has been. This battle is not against sin, difficulties, or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in our service to Jesus Christ that we are not ready to face Jesus Himself at every turn. The greatest need is not facing our beliefs or doctrines, or even facing the question of whether or not we are of any use to Him, but the need is to face Him.

Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical situations. The only way a servant can remain true to God is to be ready for the Lord’s surprise visits. This readiness will not be brought about by service, but through intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This sense of expectation will give our life the attitude of childlike wonder He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious. In other words, we must stop using religion as if it were some kind of a lofty lifestyle— we must be spiritually real.

If you are avoiding the call of the religious thinking of today’s world, and instead are “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), setting your heart on what He wants, and thinking His thoughts, you will be considered impractical and a daydreamer. But when He suddenly appears in the work of the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready. You should trust no one, and even ignore the finest saint on earth if he blocks your sight of Jesus Christ.

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

Ever wondered why there are so many organisations in Nagaland? We know that these unions and associations are nothing inherent to the Nagas, as there were no tribal Hohos or panNaga unions in the days of our ancestors. We are able to form an association, asks questions, criticise the government, undertake peaceful agitations, participate in politics and much more; because the modern law permits it. However, there are some unions in the Naga society who, oblivious to the fact that they are able to form a union only because the constitution permits so, attempts to flex their muscle and impose their will on the society on the ground of tradition and customary practices, whenever they come across a policy that is not to their liking.

Sixty years into the statehood, but the state is slowly losing its grip, wings and power, while the civil organisations are becoming more powerful and arrogant, often dictating what the mandated government should or should not do. It is good for democracy that we have robust ecosystem that promotes free exchange of ideas and opinions, and the interventions from the civil societies with good intentions are always

The State versus Others

welcome. But at times, we also came across situations where the civil societies try to abuse their rights and privileges, makes unreasonable demands and become an impediment towards progress. Worst, when these organisation acts with malice and vested interest. Many at times, we are made to wonder who is in charge, the state or the civil organisations?

Government properties are vanishing due to encroachment from private individuals. Many government quarters are being occupied by private landowners. The roads in our towns are becoming narrower because of ‘my land, my wish’ attitudes. The outcome is a congested space, an inconvenience of many sorts and a wastage of time and money being stranded in the traffic. Water was a common good in the olden days; any citizen could drink from any well or spring. What has become of us? Almost every water source in the urban and surrounding areas have become private property. Even springs and rivers are not allowed to flow freely but are commoditized and marketed to benefit the individual. If such practices are not anti-customary, what is? But the question is, how many civil organisations has championed

such cause that could benefit the masses? Are we united only at pointing fingers?

Urban local bodies are an important institution that enjoys political, fiscal and administrative autonomy within the limits set by laws of the county, to promote development and provide economic necessities of the region. This is perhaps the first step for self-governance. The absence of such bodies in our state perfectly aligns with the mess and lack of basic facilities in our towns and cities. For instance, it is very difficult to locate a clean and hygiene public toilets in our towns. Only few percentages of our population have access to potable tap water. Many of our marketplaces, eateries, slaughterhouses etc. runs in unhealthy conditions.

The recent order from the National Green Tribunal directing the state government and Dimapur Municipal Council to adopt certain urgent measures with regard to urban waste management is an eye opener for all and reinforces the need to treat our waste scientifically as envisaged in the waste management rules.

So much needs to be done to enforce methods of best practices, to provide clean and hygiene environment in our

marketplaces, to enforce stringent regulation of price and quality; and the need for provision of basic amenities and sanitation. But both government and citizens alike are blind to our shortcomings and excesses, corruptions, lack of quality monitoring mechanisms and enforcement of appropriate rules. We have the Nagaland Building Byelaws (2012), but that is rarely implemented. People construct house and building without any regard to public roads, pedestrian pathways or parking spaces. Obviously, our towns and cities aren’t shrinking anytime soon but are expanding at an accelerating rate. There will be more people and cars that would necessitate bigger roads, marketplace, health care facilities, schools, community playgrounds, parks, eateries and many other essential amenities. In this era of artificial intelligence, Nagas needs to think on the way forward and not remain shackled to some narrow and conservative mindset of the past. We also need to examine how article 371(A) does not remain as a stumbling block towards development and progress of our state. Eventually, times are changing and we need new perspectives, ideas and responsibilities

A Realistic Budget by Team Rio

In the last six decades since statehood in 1963, Nagaland’s march has been spectacular in industrialising a primordial economy. In education, in power sector and in trade and commerce too, Nagaland has taken a quantum jump. Dimapur, our commercial capital, is one of the fastest growing hubs in eastern India.

The Budget 2023-24 has its own significance as it came immediately after the recently held assembly elections. The government headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio needs to be complimented as the polls returned the NDPP-BJP alliance to power. The Budget presented by CM Rio, who holds the Finance portfolio, says there was a gradual increase in revenues in areas like State GST, which had increased from Rs 788.37 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 1,092.21 crore in 202122. The revenue from the coal sector increased from Rs 53 lakh in 2019-20 to Rs 2.03 crore in 2021-22 and it has touched Rs 5 crore in the current financial year already.

The Chief Minister has mentioned that the forest sector too witnessed a jump in revenue collection from Rs 13.72 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 19.06 crore in 202122. These figures make one happy as the NDPP-BJP is able to streamline the state economy especially because all these have happened after Covid19 crisis. I agree with the chief minister that

Corruptio n, elucidated as the abuse of public power for personal benefit has become an entrenched problem in Naga society. It’s devastating effects are evident in the demoralization and degradation of institutions, the undermining of faith, and the erosion of the sense of modesty and honesty that was once a source of pride. Corruption prevents deserving individuals from accessing opportunities while enabling the undeserving

the State’s own revenue collection needs improvement.

At present it is accounted for only 12.36% of total revenue receipts and this was barely sufficient to meet the salary expenditure for two-and-a-half months. A foremost lesson in ensuring economic governance in today’s world is adequate resource mobilisation. At the national level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat --a selfreliant India. This is crucial even for a small state like Nagaland and other northeastern states.

I am of firm conviction that depending a lot on the central funding all the time is not advisable and for that there has to be right balancing in maintenance of salary and pension components. In Nagaland, today we have about 1.3 lakh state government employees and due to this about 65 percent of total money of the state goes into salaries and pensions. The number of government employees is one of the highest in the country and the government will do well to rationalise the expenditures on this sector.

Chief Minister Mr Rio is right when he said the unusually huge amount of resources the state spends on payment of salaries had been viewed critically by almost all the finance commissions. Over the fiveyear period from 2020-21 to 2025-26, the Revenue Deficit Grant would reduce by Rs 910 crore, adding that

to occupy white-collar positions. It has become an accepted part of life and has blinded society, eroding the Christian spirit that once prevailed. The dignity of labor has been disregarded from individual life, as everyone seeks to earn easy money with less work. Corruption has permeated all levels of society, with individuals seeking positions of power. One should know and understand that trust, moral values, Christian ethics, and ethos are the essence of

it appeared that the Finance Commission had taken this stand to pressurise the states to cut down revenue expenditure, especially on salaries.

The state government can think of a temporary ban in fresh appointments except for departments and services that is required urgently. The number of police force in the state is also huge and may be some rationalisation will be done on this front too.

For crucial appointments, the government should leave it to State Selection Board and UPSC routes. This will help bring down revenue expenditures. Moreover, this is an era of technology, knowledge and computers. So when a computer can do 10 people’s job, it is always wise to embrace technology so that wasteful expenditures can be curtailed.

The Finance Ministry of the Government of India gave standing directives to all states to release all CSS in their accounts by July 20, 2022, on condition that the Centre would withdraw all the unutilised funds.

At that point of time, the Nagaland government held a total of Rs 728 crore in CSS funds, an amount so high that forced the state to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Sinking Fund to manage these releases. Of course, this had a salutary effect and one key positive outcome of this incident was that the Nagaland state Govern -

to create a future that is good and liveable for all of us. Few years ago, Kohima city was adjudged as the second most unliveable city in India and was ranked 110 out of 111 cities on the Ease of Living Index released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. If our state capital can be that bad, we can only imagine the living conditions in the rest of our towns and cities.

The question is who will develop our towns and cities? For long we have lived in the imagination that development is the responsibility of the government alone. That must change. Citizens and civil organisations need to assume greater responsibilities beyond the role of a watchdog and participate more in the affairs of governance and development of our land. We also need to be mindful of our civic duties and responsibilities including our duties to pay reasonable taxes to the government for our development. The outlook that Naga people are not supposed to pay tax may also have to change. Nations that have reached an advanced stage of development have not come to this level through external funding but through their own money and resources. It won’t be, therefore,

ment was able to discharge almost all the backlog of CSS. The Chief Minister and his team in Finance ministry ought to be congratulated for this.

However, at this moment I feel the urgency to request the government to plan some alternative and innovative ways to boost employment. One methodology is to encourage entrepreneurship. If we do so, we can invest hardly Rs 3 lakh for a person and he can generate jobs for ten others. I say this because if a new appointment is made for a salary of Rs 30,000 per month, he gets Rs 3.6 lakh in 12 months and proportionally it increases every year.

In modern day governance, the government and policy makes should focus on framing policies and for encouraging entrepreneurship, we need to encourage potential talents. There are multiple sectors which can be tapped to push SMEs and small scale industries at various levels. On this issue, I also believe that the role of agriculture, animal farming and horticulture should be encouraged and made use of adequately in generating income.

As a senior leader of the BJP, I therefore take this opportunity to compliment Chief Minister Rio for presenting a tax free as well as a realistic budget. In terms of economic governance, it is time to think fresh.

M Chuba Ao, National Vice President, BJP

Detach Corruption

a healthy society. However, many undeserving personnel have been placed in the wrong chair in every sector, resulting in the deterioration of society rather than building an advance and developed society. Despite the desire among the Nagas to bring about positive social change, Nagas are enslaved to corruption. Unfortunately, honest individuals are often marginalized in society.

Many have called for social transformation, but there are an insufficient

inspiration, determination, and preparation among the people. They do not act on their desire to liberate themselves from the slavery of corruption. Sometimes, at one point voices of people are felt very strong against an issue of misconduct or corruption but it does not sustain long to fight till the end. The beginning starts with wild fire but ends with splash of water. It is disheartening to see that corruption remains rampant, having adverse effects on development,

wrong to imagine that we can also develop our economy with our own resources. Few years back, a parking tax of rupees 10 was imposed in a certain location in Dimapur but there was a huge uproar against the decision. If we are reluctant to pay even 10-rupee tax, how are we going to generate the much-needed resources to finance our development programmes. Apart from the central and state government funds, our civic bodies should be able to tap internal revenue through reasonable means and use it judiciously for socio-economic development: or else, at this rate of development it will take centuries for citizens of our state to have access to basic amenities of life. Afterall, the success of the society cannot be measured by the wealth and possessions of the few, but by creating conditions that lead to better opportunities, health and well-being for all individuals and communities. Towards that end, we do need a forward-thinking citizens; a strong pressure groups with a progressive mindset; and a firm, diligent and performing government.

Dr. N Janbemo Humtsoe, Wokha, (janbemolotha@ gmail.com)

Article 371(a) of the constitution of India vs Central Govt.’s order/ Supreme Court order

The State of Nagaland has a special constitutional provision under the Article 371(A) to safeguard its rights which was borne out of political struggled for self determination . This has made Nagas different from other Indian states. The Constitution says - 1) Land and its resources belongs to Nagas 2) Nagas can practice their own customary laws and procedures 3) Nagas have the freedom for religious and Social practices etc. and further it says - Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, no Act of Parliament in respect of the above provisions shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides. Constitution is supreme . It is above the Supreme Court. Therefore, any orders issued by Supreme Court or by the Central Govt. that has infringed upon the Article 371(A) of the constitution can not be directly implemented by the State Govt. It has to be examined and if necessary change it to fit the provisions given to the Nagas whether it be land, customary laws, religious or Social practices etc. Every now and then the Govt. of India issue orders to the State of Nagaland pertaining to land resources and any other matters to follow its direction and it appears Govt. of Nagaland like to implement it directly without considering the constitutional provision given to Nagas. Subject matters falling under the constitutional provisions given to Nagas should be decided in the Assembly and can be made suitable to the Nagas context. In the same manner , ULB election matter, uniform code of conduct , infringing religious practices (Eg. disturbing religious festival/ important religious events) etc. and any rules that has been framed by the central Govt . to distract the constitutional provisions should be thoroughly examined and if necessary ammend it to suit the Naga context/ under the special constitutional provision. If we go on implementing directly the orders received from the Central Govt. ignoring the special provision given to Nagas , a day is not far the constitutional provision given to Nagas will disappear from the Constitution. Therefore, every right thinking Nagas should safeguard our rights enshrined in Article 371(A) of the Constitution or else it will be purchased by economic package/fund allocation etc. Wanthang Rengma, Retd. Director (G&M), Nagaland

leading to improper infrastructure and ineffective implementation of projects and schemes. Unless anti-corruption laws are enforced, the state will continue to suffer with development.

Fortunately, the central government is trying to take a strong stance against corruption. With political will and people’s determination, better social change is possible. It is the best time for Nagas to take affirmative action and support in cleans ing

corruption materially and morally, not just sweep dirt with a broom.

The practice of corruption has multiplied more in Naga society. Nagas can liberate themselves from the slavery of corruption and deception in public life by changing their mindset, practicing to be good citizenship, and embracing true development in the State.

Mukam Jankhiunger, BA 2nd Semester, Economics Department, Immanuel College

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.”

~ Will Rogers

SNiPPEtS

Man shot at over minor dispute in Gurugram

GURUGRAM, MAR

29 (IANS): A 23-yearold man was allegedly shot at by his colleague over a minor dispute on Wednesday afternoon in Sector 44 here, the police said. The victim, who has been identified as Vishal, a resident of Firoz Gandhi Colony in Sector 9, sustained a bullet injury on his chest and is presently undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The victim works with PaisaBazaar in Sector 44, the police said. DCP (East) Virender Vij said that Vishal was shot at by his colleague over a minor dispute related to sitting arrangement.

Malegaon blast trial: Witness turns hostile

MUMBAI, MAR 29 (PTI): A witness who is related to an absconding accused turned hostile in the 2008 Malegaon blast trial here on Wednesday.

He became the 31st prosecution witness to be declared hostile in the case in which BJP MP from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur, is one of the key accused. The witness, in his statement to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), had allegedly said that this absconding accused had met Pragya Thakur on multiple occasions.

Korean man held for flouting Excise rules

NOIDA, MAR 29 (PTI):

A South Korean national, working as a manager at a restaurant in Greater Noida, has been arrested for allegedly serving liquor to customers without excise license, officials said on Wednesday. Accused Heo Seong Jin worked at the ‘Mio’ restaurant, which is located on the second floor of a shopping mall, under Beta 2 police station limits, in Greater Noida, the officials said.

During the inspection, the Excise officials seized around two dozen beer bottles which included some Korean brands also, the officer said. An FIR has been lodged and the accused was produced before a judicial magistrate who has remanded him in jail.

India mother of democracy: PM

SAYS INDIA IS HOME TO IDEA OF ELECTED LEADERS MUCH BEFORE REST OF WORLD

NEW DELHI, MAR 29

(PTI): Describing India as the mother of democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the country has become the fastest-growing major economy despite many global challenges and this proves that the democracy can deliver. In a virtual address to the Summit for Democracy, 2023, Modi also said that every initiative of his government is powered by collective efforts of the citizens of India.

“India, despite the many global challenges, is the fastest growing major economy today. This itself is the best advertisement for the democracy and the world. This itself says that democracy can deliver,” he said. Modi was speaking at the second Summit for Democracy, co-hosted by US President Joe Biden, Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema, the Netherlands Prime

Kharge

hits back at PM over his corruption jibe at Opposition

NEW DELHI, MAR 29

many historical evidences of republic states in ancient India where rulers were not hereditary,” Modi said.

“India indeed is the mother of democracy. Democracy is not just a structure, it is also a spirit. It is based on the belief that the needs and aspirations of every human being are equally important. That is why in India, our guiding philosophy is ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas’, meaning striving together for inclusive growth,” he said.

(PTI): Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his corruption jibe at the Opposition, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday accused him of running a “bhrashtachari bhagao abhiyan” (make the corrupt flee campaign), and said that he must stop his image makeover by posing as an anti-corruption crusader.

companies?”

M inister Mark Rutte and South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Speaking during the ‘Leader-level Plenary on Democracy Delivering Economic Growth and Shared Prosperity’ session hosted by President Yoon, he said the idea of elected leaders

ED, CBI brought all corrupt people in one party: Kejriwal

become corruption free,” he asserted.

Kejriwal claimed his MLAs have been threatened with CBI and ED raids and offered Rs 25 crore bribe but nothing could break them.

“Each one of you is a gem. Don’t be afraid. Even if you go to jail, I will take care of your family,” he said.

NEW

DELHI, MAR 29

(PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Wednesday that the raids by CBI and ED have brought all the corrupt people in “one party” and when the BJP’s rule ends the country will become corruption-free.

Speaking on the confidence motion tabled by him in the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal alleged that the BJP has not missed any chance to trample democracy in the country.

He said the ED and the CBI have brought all the corrupt people in one party.

“All the thieves, loots and corrupt are in one party.

Once BJP people are in jail after their government’s rule ends, the country will

“Happenings inside the Delhi Assembly send out a positive message for democracy today,” he added.

The BJP-ruled Centre does not allow opposition party governments to work, Kejriwal alleged.

“We believe in democracy, so we offered BJP MLAs to speak though they could not bring a no-confidence motion against our government. We allowed them to speak. We welcome criticism. But these people only know how to fight and abuse. Leave alone 2025 assembly polls, BJP can not win even in 2050 in Delhi,” he said.

Later, speaking to reporters after the assembly session, Kejriwal said BJP had announced it will being a no-confidence motion.

IMMANUEL COLLEGE

Dimapur : Nagaland.

EXAM FORM FILL-UP

Backlog / Failed students in B.A. & B.Sc. 2nd, 4th, 5th & 6th Semester Examinations from Immanuel College, Dimapur are directed to fillup their application forms for NU Examinations between 30th March to 5th April 2023 with the original Mark sheet & Admit card of the concerned Semester Examination to be appeared. No application shall be entertained after the last date under any circumstances. For any queries one may contact # 9856668992

Sd/Principal dp -1362/23

was a common feature in ancient India long before the rest of the world. “Our epic Mahabharata describes the first duty of citizens as choosing their own leader.

Our sacred vedas speak of political power being exercised by broad-based consultative bodies. There are also

“Whether it is our effort to fight climate change through lifestyle changes, to conserve water through distributed storage or provide clean cooking fuel to everyone, every initiative is powered by collective efforts of citizens of India. During Covid-19, India’s response was people-driven,” the PM added. Modi said the country’s ‘vaccine maitri’ initative was also guided by the mantra’ of ‘vasudeva kutumbakam’, meaning ‘one earth, one family and one future’.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating an extension of the BJP headquarters here on Tuesday, Modi linked the coming together of opposition parties against the BJP to his government’s campaign against corruption and said “anti-India” forces are attacking constitutional institutions -- the strong foundation of a rising India -- to stall the country’s growth.

Reacting to the remarks, Kharge in a tweet in Hindi said, “Narendra Modi ji, whose Rs 20,000 crore is invested i n Adani shell

Mamata urges all parties to fight BJP unitedly in 2024 LS elections

nator y attitude against the state was on behalf of her party, Trinamool Congress, and not on part of the state government.

Stating that she is doing a “double duty” (as West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo), Banerjee showed a copy of the Constitution at the protest site and said that the demonstration is also to “save India, save democracy”.

KOLKATA, MAR 2 9

(PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged all political parties in the country to unitedly fight the BJP in next year’s Lok Sabha election.

Stating that the 2024 Parliamentary polls will be a fight between the citizens of the country and the BJP, Banerjee said people from all religions — Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Parsi — must unite to defeat the saffron party to save Indian democracy. The Trinamool Congress supremo, who started

a two-day sit-in here to protest the Union government’s alleged discriminatory attitude towards the state, called the BJP party ‘Dushasana’ which has “devastated the country by selling the LIC and SBI”.

“Every political party in India must unite to oust this BJP government. Remove ‘Dushasana’ BJP and save the common man of the country and Indian democracy,” she said.

Banerjee said the twoday sit-in that she started here on Wednesday to protest the BJP-led Union government’s alleged discrimi-

viSitiNG CONSULtANtS

“People were asking me whether I am demonstrating on behalf of the state government or the Trinamool Congress. I would like to tell them that I have two responsibilities. I am the CM of West Bengal and also the TMC chairperson. So, as a chief minister when I see the people of my state suffer, it’s my responsibility to look into that.

“Since this is the government of the TMC, I will say that I am conducting this demonstration on behalf of my party and not for the state government. You can see my party’s symbol,” Banerjee said from the dais.

“Are Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya, Jatin Mehta etc. members of your ‘bhrashtachari bhagao abhiyan’? Are you the convenor of this alliance? Stop your image makeover by calling yourself an anti-corruption crusader!” the Congress chief said, hitting out at the prime minister.

Kharge said Modi must look within, and asked why the BJP government in Karnataka was accused of taking 40 per cent commission.

“Why are you part of the no. 1 corrupt govern -

ment in Meghalaya? Are BJP leaders not involved in Sanjivani Cooperative scam in Rajasthan, Poshan scam in Madhya Pradesh or NAN scam in Chhattisgarh?” he asked.

Kharge said the Enforcement Directorate is put after 95 per cent of opposition leaders while those joining the BJP are cleaned up in a “washing machine”.

“If you have a 56 inch chest, set up a JPC (joint parliamentary committee into Adani issue) and hold an open press conference for the first time in nine years,” the Congress chief said.

NCP’s Mohammad Faizal reinstated as LS member

NEW DELHI, MAR 29 (PTI):

NCP leader Mohammad Faizal P P was back in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as his disqualification from the lower house was revoked after over 10 weeks and hours ahead of the hearing in the Supreme Court on his petition in the matter.

Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh issued a notification restoring the membership of Faizal, who represents Lakshadweep in the lower house, citing the suspension of his conviction and 10year jail term by the Kerala High Court in an attempt to murder case. The decision came against the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a criminal defamation case with a two-year jail term by a trial court in Gujarat. Gandhi is yet to appeal to a higher court against the

verdict. The NCP welcomed the revocation of Faizal’s suspension but expressed strong displeasure over the delay by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Faizal was disqualified from Lok Sabha on January 13, after he and three others were sentenced to 10-year rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs one lakh each by a sessions court in Kavaratti for attempting to murder Mohammed Salih, son-inlaw of the late Union Minister P M Sayeed, during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

“It was not expected from the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The Election Commission had put the notification on the bypolls on hold after the high court suspended my conviction but the other constitutional body was sitting on the files. This was not fair on behalf of the Lok Sabha Secretariat,” Faizal told reporters here.

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PM Modi remarks at the 2nd Summit for Democracy via video conferencing on Wednesday.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at Parliament House complex. (PTI)

Mohammad Faizal

Arvind Kejriwal

Mamata Banerjee during a sit-in demonstration near BR Ambedkar statue at Red Road in Kolkata, Wednesday (PTI)

Govt launches 7th round of coal mine auctions

Offers106mines for commercial sale

NEW DELHI, MAR 29

(PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday launched the seventh round of auctions for commercial mining of coal blocks, putting 106 mines under the hammer.

Of the total mines offered under the seventh round, 61 blocks are partially explored and 45 mines are fully explored.

As many as 95 noncoking coal mines, 10 lignite mines and one coking coal mine are being offered in the latest round of auction.

In his address, Singh said coal is considered black gold which plays an important role in strengthening the economy of the country.

“Our energy consumption has grown in the last few years and will continue to grow. And to meet this need we will have to start taking efforts from today,”

he said. The ongoing auctions of coal blocks are a step towards energy security, Singh said.

Details of the mines, auction terms, timelines etc. can be accessed on the MSTC auction platform.

The auction shall be held online through a transparent two-stage process, on the basis of percentage revenue share, as per the coal ministry.

Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government will provide incentives to players who will start early production from the mines while inviting the players to participate in the latest round.

Rose Valley: ED attaches assets worth Rs 159 cr

NEW DELHI, MAR 29

(PTI): Assets worth around Rs 150 crore have been attached under the antimoney laundering law as part of an ongoing investigation against the Rose Valley Group, the Enforcement Directorate said on Wednesday.

SC clears Rs.5,000 cr from SEBISahara fund to repay depositors

NEW DELHI, MAR 29

Pay Rs 1,337 crore fine: NCLAT tells Google

NEW DELHI, MAR 29

He also noted that coal will be in use for the next 40-50 years.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Coal signed agreements for 28 coal mines auctioned under the sixth round of auction.

The cumulative PRC (peak rated capacity) of the 28 coal mines auctioned under the previous round is 74 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and these mines are expected to generate annual revenue of Rs 14,497 crore calculated at PRC of these coal mines.

Upon operationalisation, these mines are expected to generate employment for 1 lakh people.

A provisional order for attachment of assets has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and as many as 139 immovable properties consisting land, flats, commercial and office space, shops etc. registered in the name of various companies of Rose Valley Group and its directors in Tripura, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, have been frozen, the agency said in a statement. The money laundering case stems from a CBI FIR and charge sheets.

Probe found, the ED said, that funds were collected by selling “fake and fabricated” schemes through a chain of agents located in Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha, Jharkhand and several other states.

(PTI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a plea by the Centre seeking allocation of Rs 5,000 crore out of Rs 24,000 crore deposited by the Sahara group with market regulator Sebi to repay dues of the depositors of the Sahara Group of Cooperative Societies. The direction came on an application filed by the Centre in a PIL by a person named Pinak Pani Mohanty, who sought a direction to pay the amount to the depositors who invested in several chit fund companies and Sahara credit firms.

A bench of justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar noted that the amount was lying in the “Sahara-SEBI Refund Account” unutilised. The apex court said the prayer sought in the present application seems to be reasonable and which shall be in the larger public interest and interest of the genuine depositors of the Sahara Group of Cooperative Societies.

“Out of the total

amount of Rs. 24,979.67

crore lying in the ‘SaharaSEBI Refund Account’, Rs. 5000 crore be transferred to the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies, who, in turn, shall disburse the same against the legitimate dues of the depositors of the Sahara Group of Cooperative Societies, which shall be paid to the genuine depositors in the most transparent manner and on proper identification,” the bench said.

The top court also directed that entire disbursement process will be monitored by former apex court judge R Subhash Reddy with the assistance of advocate Gaurav Agarwal, who has been appointed as amicus curiae to assist Justice Reddy as well as the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies.

“The manner and modalities for making the payment is to be worked out by the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies in consultation with Justice Reddy and Agarwal.

“Rs. 15 lakhs per month be paid to Justice R Subhash Reddy,Former Judge of this Court and Rs. five lakhs per month be paid to Gaurav Agarwal, learned Amicus Curiae towards their honorarium,” the bench said.

The apex court further directed that the amount be paid to the respective genuine depositors of the Sahara Group of Cooperative Societies not later than nine months from today.

The balance amount thereafter will be again transferred to the SaharaSEBI refund account, it said.

(IANS): The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Wednesday said that Google will have to pay the fine of Rs 1,337.76 crore, imposed on it by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

A two-member bench of the NCLAT directed Google to follow the CCI’s order and deposit the amount in 30 days.

The CCI had, on October 30, 2022, imposed a fine of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices.

The competition watchdog had also asked the Internet giant to refrain from indulging in various unfair business practices.

Google had however challenged this ruling before the NCLAT, which is an appellate authority over the orders passed by the CCI. But the NCLAT rejected Google’s plea on Wednesday and stated that there was no violation of natural justice in the probe conducted by the CCI.

Rupee falls 15 paise to 82.31 against USD

(From p-1)

CAG report flags anomalies in various... Road safety issue: DC Chümou asked to act against contractor of NH-29

Accounts Committee of the State Legislature, the nodal as well as implementing departments did not take necessary corrective measures.

Finance (Taxation): On the issue of processing of refund claims under Goods and Services Tax, the report stated that the department did not adhere to the prescribed timelines leading to instances of delay in issuing of refund orders and communicating refund orders to counterpart tax authority. Further, lack of proper scrutiny of refund claims by the jurisdictional officers led to irregular allowance of refund in certain cases. Systematic issues such as deficiency in record keeping at the level of proper officers/divisions to capture the full details of refund claims were noticed. Periodic reports were not forwarded to the commissioner by the POs resulting in lack of

effective monitoring. Finance (Treasuries & Accounts): Lack of planning and proper monitoring mechanism with regard to procurement and supply of stamp duty materials resulted in accumulation of Rs 20.77 crore stamp duty material. No stock verification was conducted to confirm the actual physical availability of these materials. Investments in PSUs: As on September 30, 2020, five working PSUs had 21 years’ arrears of accounts ranging from one to 10 years. During 2019-20, two PSUs finalised two accounts, while one PSU had not finalised any annual accounts after 2013-14.

The losses of working PSUs increased by 130% in 2019-20 as compared to 2018-19 mainly due to deterioration in the operational results of the PSUs. The overall losses of working PSUs were basically due to less turnover from their operations.

(From p-1)

The petitioners further alleged that there was no drainage at the main junction on the right hand side (up) of the highway, due to which storm water flooded the base of SBI building and spread to the adjoining road during rainy days.

There was no pavement for the pedestrians on both sides of the highway at the main town, due to which there was no pedestrians’ safety, while

there was no waiting shed on the right hand side (up)of the highway. They said no foot bridge had been constructed till date although the contractor assured to construct one for the welfare of pedestrians. They therefore requested the DC to look into the matter and take necessary action at the earliest for the welfare and safety of the public and commuters at Medziphema town main junction of NH-29.

Shitoho elevated as NPGN/NNC ato kilonser

(From p-1)

Chophi, that kilonser Shitoho Chophi be co-convenor WC representing NPGN/NNC. Meanwhile, NPGN/NNC president along with group’s rank and file (both civil and army wing) have expressed deep grief over the demise of ato kilonser late Z Hozheto Chophi.

In his demise, MIP said the NPGN/NNC in particular and Nagas in general have “lost a great dynamic leader” who led the Naga revolutionary moment positively with full of visions.

The group has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that Almighty God grant them solace in this hour of grief.

MUMBAI, MAR 29 (PTI):

The rupee declined 15 paise to close at 82.31 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday amid a rise in crude prices and a firm greenback in the overseas market.

However, a strong sentiment in domestic equities and fresh foreign fund inflows restricted a sharp fall of the local currency, according to forex traders.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the domestic unit opened

sharply lower at 82.26 and touched an intra-day high of 82.23 and a low of 82.37 against the greenback.

It finally ended at 82.31 (provisional), registering a fall of 15 paise over its previous close of 82.16.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, gained 0.02 per cent to 102.13.

On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose 346.37 points or 0.60 per cent to

e nd at 57,960.09 points while the broader NSE Nifty advanced 129 points or 0.76 per cent to 17,080.70 points. Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.94 per cent to USD 79.39 per barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned net buyers in the capital market on Tuesday as they bought shares worth Rs 1,531.13 crore, as per exchange data.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi and MoS Raosaheb Patil Danve. (PTI)

SNiPPEtS

Paris sanitation workers end strike

PARIS, MAR 29 (AP): Striking sanitation workers in Paris are set to return to work Wednesday — potentially ending one of the most enduring symbols of resistance to French President Emmanuel Marcon’s controversial pension bill, as nationwide protests also appeared to be winding down. Clean-up crews were set Wednesday to start picking up heaps of trash that had piled up over their weekslong strike beginning March 6 — as well as debris from the streets following the tenth nationwide anti-pension reform protest a day earlier. Trash mounds of up to 10,000 tons along the French capital’s streets have become a striking visual and olfactory symbol of opposition to Marcon’s bill raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.

South Africa manhunt for convicted killer

JOHANNESBURG, MAR 29 (AP): South African police have launched a manhunt for convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester who escaped from a privately-run maximum security prison in the Free State province under bizarre circumstances.

Bester, known as the “Facebook rapist,” was found guilty in 2012 of raping two women and killing one after luring them with the social media platform. In March last year officials reported that he had died in a fire in his cell at the Mangaung Correctional Center, near Bloemfontein. But now it appears Bester escaped from his cell amid the fire and has been living lavishly in Johannesburg’s posh Hyde Park suburb.

Militants kill 9 soldiers in Colombia

BOGOTA, MAR 29

(AP): Militants in Colombia killed at least nine soldiers and injured another nine in an attack early Wednesday on a military post in a troubled region near the country’s border with Venezuela, authorities said. The military gave no details of the assault in El Carmen in the state of Norte de Santander, but said a preliminary assessment indicated it was carried out by the National Liberation Army, or ELN, the country’s last active guerrilla group.

SL to reduce fuel prices as eco improves

COLOMBO, MAR 29

(IANS): Sri Lanka’s Power and Energy Minister

Kanchana Wijesekera said on Wednesday that fuel prices will be reduced in the country from Friday midnight. The price of 92 Octane petrol will be reduced by 60 LKR ($0.18) to 340 LKR per liter, and that of 95 Octane petrol will fall by 135 LKR to 375 LKR per liter, reports Xinhua news agency. The price of diesel will be reduced by 80 LKR to 325 LKR per liter and that of super diesel will be reduced by 4 LKR to 465 LKR.

Stampedes across Pakistan for free flour

ISLAMABAD, MAR 29

(IANS): A woman and a man died and several others were injured in stampedes at flour distribution points in different cities of Pakistan. People staged protests against the government for badly handling flour distribution, The News reported. The first stampede took place in Sahiwal when a large number of people showed up to get free flour with women also standing in long queues. As the time passed on, the crowd became impatient that caused a stampede with everyone trying to get flour bag, The News reported.

Russia stops sharing missile test info

MOSCOW, MAR 29 (AP):

A senior Russian diplomat said Wednesday that Moscow will no longer inform the U.S. about its missile tests, an announcement that came as the Russian military deployed mobile launchers in Siberia in a show of the country’s massive nuclear capability amid the fighting in Ukraine.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies that Moscow has halted all information exchanges with Washington after previously suspending its participation in the last remaining nuclear arms pact with the U.S.

Along with the data about the current state of the countries’ nuclear forces, the parties also have exchanged advance warnings about test launches. Such notices have been an essential element of strategic stability for decades, allowing Russia and the United States to correctly interpret each other’s moves and make sure that neither country mistakes a test launch for a missile attack.

The termination of missile test warnings appears to mark yet another

attempt by Moscow to discourage the West from ramping up its support for Ukraine by pointing out at Russia’s massive nuclear arsenals. It comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to Moscow’s ally Belarus.

Last month, Putin suspended the New START treaty, charging that Russia can’t accept U.S. inspections of its nuclear sites under the agreement at a time when Washington and its NATO allies have openly

Israeli PM, Biden exchange frosty words over legal overhaul

JERUSALEM, MAR 29

(AP): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rebuffed President Joe Biden’s suggestion that the premier “walks away” from a contentious plan to overhaul the legal system, saying the country makes its own decisions.

The exchange was a rare bout of public disagreement between the two close allies and signals building friction between Israel and the US over Netanyahu’s judicial changes, which he postponed after massive protests.

declared Russia’s defeat in Ukraine as their goal.

Moscow emphasized that it wasn’t withdrawing from the pact altogether and would continue to respect the caps on nuclear weapons the treaty set.

The Russian Foreign Ministry initially said Moscow would keep notifying the U.S. about planned test launches of its ballistic missiles, but Ryabkov’s statement reflected an abrupt change of course.

“There will be no notifications at all,” Ryabkov said in remarks carried by

Any Russian victory could be perilous: Zelenskyy

KYIV, MAR 29 (AP):

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Tuesday that unless his nation wins a drawn-out battle in a key eastern city, Russia could begin building international support for a deal that could require Ukraine to make unacceptable compromises.

He also invited the leader of China, long aligned with Russia, to visit.

If Bakhmut fell to Russian forces, their president,

Vladimir Putin, would “sell this victory to the West, to his society, to China, to Iran,” Zelenskyy said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press.

“If he will feel some blood — smell that we are weak — he will push, push, push,” Zelenskyy said in English, which he used for virtually all of the interview.

The leader spoke to the AP aboard a train shuttling him across Ukraine, to cities near some of the fiercest

Russian news agencies when asked if Moscow would also stop issuing notices about planned missile tests. “All notifications, all kinds of notifications, all activities under the treaty. will be suspended and will not be conducted regardless of what position the U.S. may take.”

Ryabkov’s announcement followed U.S. officials’ statement that Moscow and Washington have stopped sharing biannual nuclear weapons data that were envisaged by the New START treaty.

Pak’s

fighting and others where his country’s forces have successfully repelled Russia’s invasion.

The AP is the first news organisation to travel extensively with Zelenskyy since the war began just over a year ago.

Since then, Ukraine — backed by much of the West — has surprised the world with the strength of its resistance against the larger, better-equipped Russian military.

Asked by reporters late Tuesday what he hopes the premier does with the legislation, Biden replied, “I hope he walks away from it.” The president added that Netanyahu’s government “cannot continue down this road” and urged compromise on the plan roiling Israel.

The president also stepped around US Ambassador Thomas Nides’ suggestion that Netanyahu would soon be invited to the White House, saying, “No, not in the near term.”

Netanyahu replied that Israel is sovereign and

“makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressures from abroad, including from the best of friends.”

Later on Wednesday, Netanyahu struck a more conciliatory tone, saying that while “Israel and the United States have had their occasional differences,” the alliance between them was “unshakable.”

“Nothing can change that,” he said in remarks to the State Department’s Summit for Democracy.

The frosty exchange came a day after Netanyahu called for a halt to his government’s contentious legislation “to avoid civil war” in the wake of two consecutive days of mass protests that

drew tens of thousands of people to Israel’s streets.

“Hopefully the prime minister will act in a way that he can try to work out some genuine compromise. But that remains to be seen,” Biden said to reporters as he left North Carolina to return to Washington.

Israeli protest organisers called for a demonstration in support of Biden outside the US embassy building in Tel Aviv on Thursday, while Netanyahu’s allies doubled down on their criticism.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, a close Netanyahu ally and minister in charge of police, told Israel’s Army Radio that Israel “is not another star in the American flag.”

NA adopts bill to curtail powers of Chief Justice

ISLAMABAD, MAR 29

(PTI): In a bid to rein in the top judiciary, Pakistan’s parliament on Wednesday passed a bill to curtail the powers of the chief justice regarding suo motu cases and the constitution of benches.

The development comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told lawmakers that “history would not forgive us” if parliament did not enact laws to curtail the powers of

the country’s top judge. Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled ‘The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023’ on Tuesday in the wake of the latest controversy over the powers of the top judge of the Supreme Court. The bill was earlier approved by the Cabinet.

“The National Assembly passes ‘The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023’,” the lower house announced in a tweet.

Taiwan leader’s US meeting plans draw Chinese threat

BEIJING, MAR 29 (AP): China threatened “resolute countermeasures” over a planned meeting between Taiwan’s president and the United States House speaker during an upcoming trip through Los Angeles.

Diplomatic pressure against Taiwan has ramped up recently, with Beijing poaching Taipei’s dwindling number of diplomatic allies while also sending military fighter jets flying toward the island on a near daily basis.

Earlier this month, Honduras established diplomatic relations with China, leaving Taiwan with only 13 countries that recognise it as a sovereign state.

President Tsai Ing-wen framed the trip as a chance to show Taiwan’s commitment to democratic values on the world stage, as she

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (C) before her departure at Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei, on Wednesday. (AP/PTI) left Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon to begin her 10day tour of the Americas.

“I want to tell the whole world democratic Taiwan will resolutely safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and will continue to be a force for

good in the world, continuing a cycle of goodness, strengthening the resilience of democracy in the world,” she told reporters before she boarded the plane.

“External pressure will not obstruct our resolution to engage with the world.”

Calls mount for Taliban to free girls’ education activist

to have the right to go to school and learn, and has repeatedly called on the Taliban-led government to reverse its bans. His most recent tweets coincided with the start of the new academic year in Afghanistan, with girls remaining shut out of classrooms and campuses.

Tsai is scheduled to transit through New York on March 30 before heading to Guatemala and Belize.

On April 5, she’s expected to stop in Los Angeles on her way back to Taiwan, at which time the meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is tentatively scheduled.

The US stops are the most closely watched of her trip.

Spokesperson for the Cabinet’s Taiwan Affairs Office Zhu Fenglian at a news conference Wednesday denounced Tsai’s stopover on her way to diplomatic allies in Central America and demanded that no US officials meet with her.

“We firmly oppose this and will take resolute countermeasures,” Zhu said.

The US should “refrain from arranging Tsai Ingwen’s transit visits and even contact with American officials, and take concrete actions to fulfill its solemn commitment not to support Taiwan independence,” she said.

Speaking later on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China would “closely follow the development of the situation and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“The United States should stop claiming to set up guardrails for China-US relations while conducting dangerous activities that undermine the political foundation of bilateral ties,” Mao told reporters at a daily briefing.

King Charles heads to Germany on first overseas trip as monarch

The bill was passed hours after the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice gave its consent. The committee headed by lawmaker Bashir Virk approved the proposed amendments.

The development comes two days after two Supreme Court judges questioned the suo motu (on its own) powers of the country’s top judge.

“It is being said that a constitutional amendment

should be made,” Tarar said. “I want them to know there is no need for a constitutional amendment.”

North Waziristan lawmaker Mohsin Dawar introduced amendments which were accepted. Additional amendments included the right to appeal against the suo motu verdicts taken up to 30 days before the passing of the Lawyers’ Protection Act was included in the bill, Dawn newspaper reported.

Commandant 5th NAP Battalion, Phek, Nagaland. K-671/23

PUBLiC NOtiCE

I am writing to request information about my mother pension after her passing. My mother (Hokheli Sema) was receiving a pension until her death on (8-Dec -2022). As per her wishes and in accordance with her pension plan, I would like to inform that the pension benefits will now be transferred to the nominated beneficiary (Viboto Achumi). As her child and next of kin. Therefore, if anybody is having any objection, claim, or concern regarding the pension benefits may contact the undersigned within 30 days from the date of this publication.

Sincerely

v i BOtO ACHUMi Contact No / 9366907734 dp -1346/23

SUIKETBAU AGEOFED PRODUCER COMPANY PRIVATE LIMITED

Farmers training under CIH from 25 to 28 March 2023 organised by SUIKETBAU AGRO FED PRODUCER COMPANY PVT LTD at Beisumpuikam, PEREN.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 29

(AP): Calls mounted Wednesday for the Taliban to free a girls’ education activist arrested earlier this week in Kabul, as a government minister defended the detention. Matiullah Wesa, founder and president of Pen Path — a local nongovernmental group that travels across Afghanistan with a mobile school and library

— was arrested in the Afghan capital on Monday. Since their takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed restrictions on women’s and minority rights. Girls are barred from school beyond the sixth grade and last year, the Taliban banned women from going to universities. Wesa has been outspoken in his demands for girls

Late Tuesday, the US charge d’affaires for Afghanistan, Karen Decker, said she was disturbed by “multiple, disturbing reports” of Afghans being detained while peacefully protesting in support of their aspirations.

Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai said he was saddened to hear of Wesa’s arrest. Local reports said Taliban security forces detained Wesa after his return from a trip to Europe. Taliban authorities have not confirmed his detention, whereabouts or reasons for the arrest.

LONDON/BERLIN, MAR 29 (REUTERS):

King Charles set off to Germany on Wednesday in his first state visit abroad since becoming British monarch, as part of efforts to turn the page on years of rocky relations between Britain and the European Union after its exit from the bloc.

Charles, who succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth as the British monarch in September, had been due to travel first to France, but cancelled that part of the tour due to violent social unrest over President Em-

manuel Macron’s new pension law.

During his three-day visit to Germany’s capital Berlin, the eastern state of Brandenburg and the northern port city of Hamburg, Charles will address issues facing both countries such as sustainability and the Ukraine crisis, as well as commemorate the past, according to Buckingham Palace. His plane will be escorted into Berlin by fighter jets as a mark of respect, the pilot said ahead of the takeoff on Wednesday.

fELiCitAtiON

With immense pride and honour, we the Alaphumi Union Dimapur (ADU) conveys our heartiest congratulations to SHRI SHIKATO N. KINIMI for being promoted to the post of Additional Director Horticulture, Govt. of Nagaland.

The Union wishes you the best and prays for God’s continued providence in your future endeavours.

Shinito Kinimi Ghokato Awomi President (ADU) General Secretary (AUD)

Joe Biden Benjamin Netanyahu

A Yars missile launcher of the Russian armed forces being driven in an undisclosed location in Russia.

Girls attend class on the first day of the new school year, in Kabul, on Saturday. (AP)

King Charles III and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier review an honor guard in Berlin, on Wednesday.

Kohima DPDB meeting deliberates on schools

DIMAPUR: The monthly Kohima District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) meeting was held at DPDB conference hall, Kohima on March 29 under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima Shanavas C.

According to DIPR report, the house deliberated on the agenda of Cimorb Public School, Kezo town, Chakhabama, seeking permission of opening new private school. The officer in-charge highlighted that the school was established in the year 2010 where it

NSCN/GPRN (Niki) Angami region warns drugs peddlers & users

DIMAPUR: NSCN/ GPRN (Niki) Angami region has in a notice warned all the drugs peddlers and users to immediately stop selling and using drugs stating that it has come to its knowledge that almost 80% of youngster and even elderly people are using.

In a press release, NSCN/GPRN (Niki) Angami region CAO, V. Angami informed that the directive

Dimapur-Kohima railway line project making steady progress

was issued from its Central Office of NSCN GPRN K (NIK). It has warned any violators of the rules and orders of its government and warned anyone caught will be punished according to its government Azha. It appealed all the colony chairman, GBS and youths for co-operation to save their generation and make Kohima city, drugs free.

DIMAPUR, MAR 29

has enough classrooms, furniture and TLM for the children. The officer in-charge also stated that the overall academic performance of the teachers was good and the students for the last three years were found to be satisfactory. It was also informed that the management of the school was well planned which fulfilled all the necessary criteria laid down by the department.

The meeting also deliberated on the agenda of change of nomenclature from Charity School, Ko-

IT&C holds introductory meeting with advisor, Sethrongkyu

hima to Charity Higher Secondary School, Kohima for upgradation till class 11 which the house decided to take it up to the higher authorities for consideration.

Later, the DC also highlighted on the draft prepared for the new members for 2023-2024 of Village Adoption Committee and Verification Committee for LADP.

District Sericulture officer, Kohima highlighted the departmental activities which included of silkworm rearing and schemes available.

NPGN/NNC N/A (MK) condoles demise of Hozheto

DIMAPUR: The NPGN NNC/NA (MK) has expressed deep shock and sadness at the demise of Ato Kilonser, NPGN/NNC (N/A), Hozheto Choph.

In a condolence message, NPGN NNC/NA (MK) through its MIP stated that Lt. Hozheto Chophy dedicated his life serving Naga societies and the nation in his different capacities. “His contribution towards the Naga National movement will always be cherished and remembered”, it said in a statement. It also stated that his demise was a great loss not only to his family and his tribe but to the Naga nation as a whole. It further extended heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and relatives and prayed that almighty God grant them solace at this hour of grief.

ARSU reiterates its

DIMAPUR: Akuluto Range Students’ Union (ARSU) has expressed disappointment over the Department of School Education (DoSE), Government of Nagaland’s failure to provide teaching staffs in the government schools under Akuluto sub-division.

A press release is -

BirtHdAy

DIMAPUR: The department of Information Technology & Communication (IT&C) held an introductory meeting with advisor, Information Technology & Communication, Economics & Statistics and Evaluation, Sethrongkyu at the conference hall of Directorate of Information Technology & Community, Kohima on March 29.

According to DIPR report, advisor, Sethrongkyu while encouraging the officers and staff, said that it is not the numbers but it will be the competency of the officers and staff that will take the department forward to reach greater heights. Seeking the co -

MHSU convenes mid-term meeting

DIMAPUR: Mopong

Hongkong Students Union (MHSU) has convened its mid-term meeting on April 11, 9 am, at host village Yei for ensuing 38th sports session-cum-general conference. All federating members were informed to attend the meeting. All its federating unit president and secretary, village council and sister organisations are requested to impart awareness on wild-life conservation policy and prohibition on menacing aquatic life by using of chemical substances and electro fishing in the river under MHSU jurisdiction and warned of stern action if any defaulters were caught.

CSUD 1st union assembly meeting

DIMAPUR: Chakhesang Students’ Union, Dimapur (CSUD) has convened its first union assembly meeting for the tenure on April 1, 3:30 pm at Western Chakhesang Hoho building, Chakhesang colony, Dimapur. All executives have been asked to attend the meeting. The union advisors, senior leaders and well-wishers are also requested to attend the meeting.

operation and support of the officers and staff, he assured his full support for all round progress and solve any departmental issues.

The programme was chaired by principal secretary to chief minister, IT&C and Power, Dr. K.D. Vizo; welcome address by director IT&C, Er. Tongtiliba Longkumer and presentation on various activities of the department was highlighted by program officer, Er. Akumla Aier.

The introductory meeting was attended by the officers and staff of the Directorate of Information Technology & Communication.

(NPN): The 82.50-km Dimapur-Kohima new railway line from Dhansiri station in Assam to Zubza adjacent to Kohima is making steady progress. According to Sabyasachi De, chief public relations officer of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) that is undertaking the project, the next phase from Shokhuvi to Pherima is likely to be completed very soon and the entire project up to Zubza is targeted to be completed by 2026. Executed at an estimated cost of Rs 6,663 crore, the new railway line will have eight stations – Dhansiri, Dhansiripar, Shokhuvi, Molvom, Pherima, Piphema, Menguzuma and Zubza. It includes 24 major bridges, 156 minor bridges, six road overbridges, 15 road under bridges and 21 tunnels of 31 km length. The tunnel no. 7 between Pherima to Piphema is the longest tun-

demand to provide teachers

sued by ARSU president, L. Hotoyi Sumi and vice president, Tokheto Chophy stated that despite several appeals to the DoSE on several occasions on the issue, the DoSE had failed to comply with its demand and the government schools have been operating with shortage of teaching staff in almost all

the schools. Akuluto Range Students’ Union also expressed dismay to learn that the DoSE has transferred four teaching staff, two in GPS Alaphumi and two in GMS Lumami under Akuluto sub-division, without considering the shortage of teaching staff stating that it was a great

loss for the students; community. Akuluto Range Students’ Union has reiterated its appeal to DoSE, Government of Nagaland to look into the matter and act at the earliest, failing to comply with its demand, it warned that ARSU will be compelled to take further course of action.

nel of this project which is of 6520 metre length. The project has been divided into three phases for ease of commissioning. The first phase of 16.5 km from Dhansiri to Shokhuvi had already been completed in October 2021 and passenger train services from Shokhuvi to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh and Mendipathar in Meghalaya had been

introduced recently to enhance intra-regional rail connectivity.

De claimed that the new rail connectivity would help in transportation of food grains and other infrastructural items to Nagaland at a much cheaper cost from other parts of the country, benefitting the local people. He said the State’s economy would receive a boost.

Farmers trg held at Beisumpuikam

DIMAPUR: Farmers training under Human Resource Development, Central Institute of Horticulture Nagaland organised by Suiketbau Agro Fed Producer Company Ltd, Salt Range Foods Pvt Ltd CBBO, NAFED was held from March 25 to 28, at Beisupuikam village, Peren district.

Resource persons were assistant specialist Horticulture, Medziphema, Dr. Mousosang and Kotuing Daime (experienced scientific beekeeper). A total of five sessions were conducted where each session have 100 farmers. Topics on scientific bee keeping and horticulture farming were discussed.

FELICITATION

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FELICITATION

All Glory and Honour belongs to God We the children, grandchildren and in-laws give thanks to God for His faithfulness as Rev. Thilihe Yeptho steps into his 94th Birthday. It is our prayer that God will grant you more years of strength and health And you will continue to be a father of prayer many more years. Happy Birthday!

With immense joy and happiness, we the PATHWAYS CHURCH Darogajan Village would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Rev. Dr. OLEM JAMIR, Sr. Pastor son of Mr. Imlionen Jamir of Anakiyimsen Village for Ordained as Reverend by NBCA on 26th March 2023. As you become ordained servant of God, the church leaders and believers wish you a long life, good health and pray the favour of God be upon you.

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Khetoshe Yeptho Asst. Pastor Pathways Church, Darogajan

FELICITATION

The Office of the Officers Hill (Thegabakha) Colony Council and its citizens are pleased to extend our heartiest congratulations to Shri. C.L John , 45 th Tehok A/C, Mon and dr. Neisatuo Mero from 16th Pfütsero A/C, Phek for being elected to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the esteemed leaders are residents of our Colony and has been a constant support at all times.

The Officers Hill (Thegabakha) Colony Council wishes them Good Health, Happiness, May God bless them in all their future endeavours.

Khrielakuo Sekhose Alemwapang

Chairman General Secretary

The Ongpang Waipong Zunga would like to congratulate our Zungar Dr. Watizulu Jamir for being appointed as Chairman, Development Authority of Nagaland (DAN). We pray for his good health, wisdom and long life as he takes the responsibility as Chairman in his new undertaking.

I. Suwa Lkr Sangto Longchar Chairman Secretary Ongpang Waipong Zunga Ongpang Waipong Zunga

OFFICE OF THE THILIXU VILLAGE COUNCIL 3RD MILE, CHüMOUKEDIMA-797115, NAGALAND FELICITATION

With immense pleasure and happiness we the Village Council, GB's heartily congratulate four candidates from Thilixu Village for their exceptional performance and emerging victorious. The result truly showed and the margin by which you all won shows the effect of your hard work. We also pray that you all will fullfil the faith of your people during your governance.

1. JACOb ZHIMOMI Hon'ble Minister PHED & Cooperation

2. KT. SUKHALU Hon'ble Advisor Food & Civil Supply and Legal Metrology 3. Er. PICTO Hon'ble MLA

4. IKUTO ZHIMOMI Hon'ble Advisor Land Resources

DC Kohima Shanavas C addressing the DPDB meeting.

Advisor Sethrongkyu with officials of IT&C during the introductory meeting on March 29 in Kohima.

Works underway in one of the tunnels.

1st NECDC tourney: Nagaland beat Mizoram

hammered a massive 6 to win by 9 wickets. The other match at Sovima Cricket Ground between Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh got delayed because of soggy outfield was limited to 40 overs per side.

Meghalaya defeated Arunachal Pradesh in a one sided match with a convincing 8 wickets victory.

Tottenham managing director banned by Fifa

Mandeep Jangra signed up by boxing legend Roy Jones Jr, first Indian

NEW DELHI, MAR 29 (PTI): Indian pugilist

Mandeep Jangra has been signed up by Roy Jones Jr to fight in the professional circuit for the next three years, becoming the first from the country to associate with the American boxing legend.

DIMAPUR, MAR 29 (AGENCIES):

The 1st

NECDC Interstate Friendship Senior Men’s Tournament (limited overs match) hosted by the Nagaland Cricket Association kicked off on Wednesday. The tournament is being held at two different venues: Nagaland Cricket Stadium and Sovima Cricket Ground.

According to a press release of media and commuinication cell of Nagaland Cricket Association, in the inaugural match at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Nagaland edged past Mizoram with a convincing win after man of the match

LSA convenes executive meet

DIMAPUR, MAR 29 (

NPN): Liangmai Sports Association ( LSA) has convened its first executive meeting on April 3 at its head office, Tamei Headquarter for the newly elected office bearers(for the tenure 2023-2029).

A press release by LSA president Kadilinbo has informed all executives to attend the meeting. Further, all Liangmai CSOs and church leaders are informed that a plenary session will be held at 6 April 2, 6 pm at LSA head office, Tamei Headquarter.

Khrievitso Kense scalped 3 wickets, giving away only 3 runs in 4.2 overs (3 maiden Overs)

Mizoram team only notable scores came from Joseph Lalthankhuma (12 runs) and Vikash Kumar (17 runs) the only two batsmen to reach a double figure. The rest of the Mizoram batsmen had a bad field day as the Nagaland bowlers took wickets at regular intervals and did not allow the Mizoram batsman to settle. Tahmeed Rahman and Nagaho Chishi took two wickets each, while Hoponkyu Sangtam, Imliwati and Moakumzuk

bagged one wicket each. In reply, Nagaland team got off to a comfortable run chase as the opening duo of Hem Bahadur Chettri and Yugandhar Singh provided a solid start with both finding the fence at will and scoring 28 runs each.

Mizoram bowlers did not have much to defend on the board and it was only Rinsangzela who managed to take the big scalp wicket of Hem Bahadur but the damage had already been done.

Nagaland Captain Jonathan Rongsen who walked the party and he

Batting first Arunachal Pradesh could manage to put up only 49 runs on the board with Techi Neri top scoring with 11 runs as none of the Arunachal batter could find the rhythm to tackle Abhishek Kumar who picked up 5 wickets in 6 over with 2 maidens and by conceding only 16 runs.

Abhishek took the prized wickets of the top four batsmen and bagged the man of the match award.

Arien Bonchang top scored with 19 runs to give Meghalaya a comfortable start to the tournament with a win.

MATCHES ON MARCH 30

Mizoram vs Sikkim.

Venue- Sovima Cricket Ground.

Time- 08:45 AM Manipur vs Arunachal Pradesh.

Venue- Nagaland Cricket Stadium.

Time- 08:45 A

TOTTENHAM, MAR 29 (AGENCIES): Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici may have to step away from his role after Fifa extended his ban in Italy worldwide. Paratici was given a 30-month ban in January after his former club Juventus were found guilty of false accounting, reports BBC Sports . The 50-year-old was sporting director and managing director at Juventus before joining Tottenham in June 2021. Paratici and Juventus have both appealed against the decision.

Paratici’s initial ban only applied to Italian football, meaning he was able to continue working at Tottenham. The extension of the ban coincides with Tottenham’s search for a new manager following the departure of Antonio Conte.

Conte left Spurs on Sunday with the club fourth in the Premier League but having been knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup in recent weeks.

Paratici told the club website on Tuesday he and the club were “focused” on moving forward and finding a replacement.

The 29-year-old Commonwealth Games silver medallist had turned pro in 2020 and holds a 3-0 record, same as his opponents in the upcoming April 1 fight in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ryan Rebar of USA.

Being signed up by Jones is a huge fillip for Jangra, an Arjuna awardee, who beat USA’s Brandon Sandoval in the lightweight category in his third professional bout in Plant City, Florida last March. The one against Rebar will be Jangra’s fight number four in the pro boxing.

Speaking to PTI from Florida, Jangra expressed his excitement at being associated with the 54-yearold, who is considered as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

“I have been signed up by the great Roy Jones Jr, and this is huge for me.

No formal discussions on Pak playing WC games in B’desh: ICC

NEW DELHI, MAR 29

(PTI): ICC sources on Wednesday dismissed speculations about Pakistan playing their World Cup matches in Bangladesh instead of India due to the political tension between the two countries, terming it a “figment of imagination”.

The rebuttal came after reports that discussions were held during the recent ICC board meeting in Dubai about Pakistan possibly playing their league games in Bangladesh.

“No one knows if PCB chief Mr Najam Sethi has had any informal discussion with his Bangladeshi counterpart Najmul Hasan Papon but this can be said with

a degree of certainty that no such discussions happened officially that Pakistan will play in Bangladesh,” an ICC board source privy to the developments told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

The source did point out that procurement of visas was an issue that was discussed and, contrary to conjectures made from the PCB’s part, the Indian cricket board has assured of all assistance.

“The BCCI has categorically said that there will be no problems with procurement of visas. One of the main points for a host country is that all participating nations will be given visas on time. From ICC’s

part, Bangladesh is not even in its scheme of things as a co-host as of now,” the source said.

“Suppose Pakistan reach the semi-finals or win to play the finals, do they expect the matches to be played in Bangladesh. This is not a theatre of absurd happening,” the board member added.

The top brass in BCCI circles understands that this is a pressure put by the PCB to host the entire Asia Cup in Pakistan, which isn’t being looked upon as a feasible solution.

“We understand that this is a kind of pressure tactic applied by PCB because of the Asia Cup issue. But

let me tell you, ultimately, Asia Cup will also be played in UAE or Qatar and probably Pakistan will also have to play its matches in one of these countries,” a BCCI source said.

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman and BCCI secretary Jay Shah

has already made it clear that India is not travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and that it will be held at a neutral venue. “As far as Pakistan playing its Asia Cup games in Pakistan is concerned, the budget for the tournament is passed by the Asian Cricket Council.”

1st dEAtH ANNivERSARY

I mean there can be no one better than him for me as far as my professional boxing career is concerned. This adds a new dimension to my journey in the procircuit,” Jangra said.

As he spoke, the fact that he is the first Indian boxer to come under the wings of the American great was not lost on Jangra, who hails from Kharian in Haryana’s Sirsa district.

Jangra, who is a silver medallist from the 2013 Asian Championship, dominated his last bout with poise and effective punching, and he is looking to do an encore against

his next opponent, who is promoted as ‘Square Ring’ in the pro boxing circles.

“Like me, he also holds a 3-0 record, but I quite confident of overcoming the challenges posed by him without much ado,” Jangra said.

Jones was present with Jangra as the Indian completed the paper work and welcomed him with a hug.

Jones Jr ended his career with a record of 66-9. His record as an amateur was also very impressive as he notched 121 wins as against just 13 reverses. A silver medallist at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Jones appeared to be winning his final bout before one of the most controversial decision in boxing history robbed him of the gold medal. The judges’ decision to award the victory to Park Si-Hun, the home fighter, was even investigated by the IOC, who however saw no wrongdoing.

In an utter mismatch, Jones landed 86 punches to Park’s 32, while the Korean also received two standing eight-counts and two warnings from the referee.

ACKNOWLEdGEMENt

We, the bereaved family of Late S. Pitoshe Chophy would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to various churches, friends, family and individuals who stood by us in our grief as we laid him to rest on the 18/03/2023.

We are unable to thank each of you individually but we pray that God bless you manifold.

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Loving wife, daughters and family

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LAtE K. viKHUtO SWU

Retd.2/iC BSf

“A righteous man will be remembered forever” Psalm 112:6

Grief is not what human wants but God always has his own Plan. God took you home, it was His will. You still live in our Hearts. Deeply Missed and Fondly Remembered.

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JAIPUR, MAR 29 (PTI):

Ahead of his maiden IPL stint, Rajasthan Royals’ star English recruit Joe Root says he will try to “get the best out of myself” and “be unpredictable for bowlers” in the tournament beginning March 31.

“I’ll try and be me as much as I can and try to be unpredictable for bowlers.

I am sure I will smile and enjoy it, and will try to get the best out of myself,” Root said in a team release.

Ahead of a practice session here, the 32-yearold spoke about his new team.

“Everyone seems to want to create that feel around things that it’s more than just performances on the field. They said they were delighted to get me in the auction...”

England’s ex-Test cricket captain is looking forward to the season.

“It’s an experience that you can’t replicate anywhere else in the world. I’ve never experienced it before so it’s all going to be very new to me, which, for an experienced player that’s played a lot of international cricket, is really exciting.”

“I’ve heard a lot of things. And I’m really looking forward to living it now.”

Loving Wife and family Members.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Psalms 49:15- "But God will redeem my life from the grave, he will surely take me to himself".

26th June 1952 – 19th March 2023

We the family of Late SHANGLOW BANGLOI who passed away on the 19th of March 2023 after a prolonged illness, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support and kindness that you have shown to our family during this difficult time. Your love and care have been a source of comfort and strength to us in our time of grief.

We also want to acknowledge and thank all those who supported us financially, materially, physically, and emotionally. Your generous contributions, prayers, and words of comfort have been a tremendous help to us in dealing with this loss.

We cannot thank you enough for the outpouring of love and support that we have received. It has made a world of difference to our family during this difficult time and we will forever be grateful for your kindness.

We would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to the Doctors and Staff of Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research 4th Mile, and Zion Hospital & Research Centre Dimapur, who provided exceptional care during his illness. Your tireless efforts, professionalism, and compassion have not gone unnoticed and we are grateful for everything you did to make his last days as comfortable as possible.

We the bereaved family of Late Lhosheli Yepthomi would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who stood by us through prayers and comforted us physically, emotionally and financially during the prolonged illness and demise of our beloved Mother. Words are insufficient to repay, yet it’s our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

We regret our inability to acknowledge each and every individual but would like to express our special thanks to :-

1. Doctors and Nurses of Faith Hospital, Dimapur

2. Doctors and Nurses of Eden Hospital Dimapur

3. Dr. Beto Yeptho

4. Dr. Akumnaro

5. Thahekhu Village Baptist Church

6. Thahekhu Village Council

7. Sahevi Ssa

8. Sumi Student’s Union Guwahati

9. Blood Donors * Jerina Yeptho * Gwanyenlo

*

Though we may not be able to thank each one personally we extend our special thanks to:

1. Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research 4th Mile, Dimapur

2. Zion Hospital & Research Centre, Dimapur

3. Apollo Hospital Guwahati

4. St. Stephen Hospital Delhi

5. Mr. K. Therie & Team, President, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC)

6. Wakching Union Dimapur

7. Wakching Union Kohima

8. Wakching Union Naginimora

9. Mr. & Mrs. Y.M Yollow, Ex-Minister

10. Mr. Methlow, Contractor Naginimora

11. Mr. Yewang Contractor Naginimora

12. Mr. & Mrs. Chingang, Advisor, Geology and Mining, DUDA GoN

13. Mr. & Mrs. Savi Angami, Jakhama

14. Mr. & Mrs. Samuel, SDO

15. Konyak Baptist Church Naginimora

16. Konyak Baptist Church Wakching Town

17. Wakching Chingla Bumeinok

18. Konyak Bumeinok Dimapur

19. IEF Naginimora Unit

Loving Wife, Sons, Daughter, In-laws & Grand

Mughashe Yepthomi * Imtisunep Imchen

* Ashito Yepthomi * Bishal Rai * Lovitoli * Vitoka Chishi * Vito Assumi * Kivinoto Assumi * Tonibo Assumi * Mikato Sema * Niuto T Muru

Husband, Children and Family Members

Joe Root

Mandeep Jangra

A match in progress at the inaugural NECDC tournament.

Assam govt announces Rs 50 L reward for Lovlina

GUWAHATI, MAR 29

(PTI): The Assam Assembly on Wednesday congratulated World Boxing Champion Lovlina Borgohain, while the state government announced a Rs 50 lakh reward for her.

Speaker Biswajit Daimary read out a congratulatory message on behalf of all the members of the House and said Assam Assembly Principal Secretary will convey it to the pugilist.

Commenting on the development, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: “At first, Lovlina won an Olympic medal for Assam. Then she became the first woman player from the state to win a world championship”.

Based on the Sports Policy of the state, a Rs 50 lakh reward will be offered to Lovlina for winning

gold in the 75 kg category of the Women’s Boxing World Championships, the chief minister said.

“We need to create new Lovlina and Hima Das (sprinter). They have already contributed enough to bring glory to

the state. “Let us not scrutinise what will be her result in the next game. She has done so much that none of us could even think of doing it in our lifetime,” Sarma said.

Lamenting the reac -

tions on social media over Borgohain’s performances after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she had won the bronze medal, he said winning and losing are part of any game.

“Criticising someone for not winning a medal in every game will create obstacles in nurturing new talents. If Sachin Tendulkar scored a double century in one match, he ducked in the other,” the chief minister said.

After the Olympic medal, the boxer admitted that she had lost focus due to the endless felicitations and other commitments outside the boxing ring, which affected her performance.

She made an early exit from the last edition of the Women’s Boxing World Championships in 2022.

Borgohain was at the

centre of controversy at the 2022 Commonwealth Games as she had alleged that her preparations were getting affected due to the “continuous harassment” of her coaches.

Her personal coach Sandhya Gurung, whom she credits for pulling her out of a difficult mental situation before the Tokyo Olympics, was not allowed to enter the Games Village since she did not have accreditation.

Gurung was then given accreditation and also allotted a room in the Games Village. But the result was the same as the World Championship of 2022 -- an early exit. She then bulked herself up from 69kg to 75kg, which became an Olympic category, and became the World Champion this time.

Lionel Messi passes 100 goals for Argentina with hat-trick

SANTIAGO DEL ES -

TERO, MAR 29 (AGENCIES): Argentina captain Lionel Messi passed 100 international goals as he scored his seventh international hat-trick in a friendly win at home to Curacao, reports BBC Sports. The 35-year-old forward reached the landmark when he opened the scoring on 20 minutes in Santiago del Estero. He added two more before the break to complete a quickfire treble.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez also scored, before Argentina paraded the World Cup trophy in front of more than 42,000 supporters. It was Argentina’s second match on home soil since beating France in Qatar on penalties in December to win the World Cup. Messi scored

his 800th career goal - and 99th for Argentina - in a 2-0 win over Panama in Buenos Aires last week as part of the team’s World Cup homecoming tour.

The Paris St-Germain striker reached three figures for his country when he took a pass from Villarreal’s on-loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani lo Celso

and fired a low shot into the bottom corner. Three minutes later Nicolas Gonzalez outjumped goalkeeper Eloy Room to head home from four yards before the Fiorentina winger set up Messi for his second of the night.

Fernandez made it 4-0 with a shot from distance before Lo Celso released Messi to notch his third in just the 37th minute.

Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Montiel rounded off the scoring in the second half but the night belonged to Messi, who extended his record as Argentina’s all-time record scorer - Gabriel Batistuta is a distant second on 56. He remains third on the men’s all-time international scoring list behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (122) and Iran’s Ali Daei (109).

Coach Dennerby names India squad for Olympic Qualifier Round 1

NEW DELHI, MARCH

29 (IANS): Senior women’s national football team head coach Thomas Dennerby on Wednesday named the India squad for the Women’s Olympic Qualifier Round 1 to be played in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic from April 4.

Besides India, the hosts Kyrgyz Republic are the only other team in Group G after Turkmenistan pulled out of the tournament. The two teams will play each other twice on April 4 and April 7.

India will reach the Kyrgyz Republic from Uzbekistan, where they played a friendly match against Uzbekistan as part of the preparations for the Olympic qualifier. The Indian women also played

two friendly games in Jordan. The senior Indian women’s national team also played two friendly games in Jordan.

India squad:

Goalkeepers: Sowmiya Narayansamy, Shreya Hooda and Elangbam Panthoi

Defenders: Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ranjana Chanu, Michel Castanha, Dalima Chhibber, Manisa Panna and Juli Kishan

Midfielders: Shilky Devi Hemam, Anju Tamang, Indumathi Kathiresan, Sangita Basfore and Karthika Angamuthu

Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Soumya Guguloth, Renu, Karishma Shirvoikar, Sandhiya Ranganathan and Apurna Narzary.

Indian Women’s football team (Source: AIFF)

Felicitation of Merang Jamir of Nagaland who was one of the technical official for the conduct of ISSF World Cup in Rifle/Pistol events from March 20 to 27.

Lovlina Borgohain

Lionel Messi