3 June 2023

Nagaland Post

FOLLOW US ON

Odisha triple train crash: 70 dead, over 350 injured

BALASORE/HOWRAH,

JUN 2 (PTI): At least 70 people were killed and more than 350 injured in a horrific train crash on Friday in Odisha involving the BengaluruHowrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train, officials and hospital doctors said.

Local villagers, however, claimed that the number of dead could be nearer 100.

Officials said several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah train travelling to Howrah derailed at Bahanaga Baazar in Balasore district and fell on adjacent tracks. “These derailed coaches collided with 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too,” a senior official said.

A goods train was also involved in the accident as some of the coaches of the Coromandel Express hit its wagons after getting derailed, the official said. The

accident happened around 7 pm, he said.

Railway spokesman Amitabh Sharma, however, told PTI Video that the Coromandel express derailed first, and its 10-12 coaches fell on the path of the Bengaluru-Howrah express, which then jumped off the tracks. The two dif-

fering versions could not be immediately reconciled.

Over 350 people have been admitted to different hospitals across the district, officials said, adding that all private and government hospitals have been put on alert in the nearby districts, including state capital Bhubaneswar. So far, 50 bod -

ies could be brought out from under the overturned coaches, they said.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said he was rushing to the accident site, while Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik is expected to be also at the site by tomorrow morning. Rescue teams mobilised from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State govt. teams and Airforce also mobilised. Will take all hands required for the rescue ops,” he tweeted.

He also announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those who got minor injuries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his distress. “Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock

98 killed, 310 injured in Manipur violence: Govt

Correspondent/PTI

IMPHAL, JUN 2: At least 98 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence in Manipur that broke out a month ago, the government said in a statement on Friday.

A total of 37,450 people are in 272 relief camps at present, said the statement, issued by the CM’s Office.

In all, 4,014 cases of arson have been reported since the violence broke out in the state on May 3, it said.

“The number of deaths is 98 and the number of injured reported is 310,” it said. Over the last one month, the state police have

Active Covid cases in India dip to 3736

NEW DELHI, JUN 2

(PTI): India has logged 267 new Covid infections while the active cases decreased to 3,736 from 3,925, the health ministry said on Friday.

The death toll has increased to 5,31,874 with two more fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,91,143), it said.

The active cases now comprises 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry website.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,44,55,533, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent.

This is it!

registered 3,734 cases and arrested 65 people for their involvement in the violence, the statement said.

“Sporadic incidents of firing or torching of houses by miscreants are becoming rare now as coordinated effort is made by different security agencies,” it said.

The Army, Assam Rifles, CAPFs and local police have been deployed in vulnerable places, it added.

“More companies are being deployed. Flag march and area domination exercises are being carried out widely. Search operations will be conducted from today to recover snatched arms and ammunition,” it said.

Over140weaponssurrendered

of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” he tweeted.

Four units of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), three units of NDRF and 60 ambulances were working to rescue the injured, officials said.

Odisha government has issued helpline 06782262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 04425330952 (Chennai).

Expressing concern over the accident, in which a large number of people from Bengal were involved, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was monitoring the situation along with the chief secretary and other officials. West Bengal chief secretary HK Dwivedi added that the state was sending a team led by minister Manas Bhunia and MP Dola Sen to the spot.

Minor wrestler sexually harassed multiple times by WFI chief: FIR

Load shedding throughout Nagaland due to lower power generation: DoPN

DIMAPUR, JUN

2

(NPN):

Department of Power Nagaland (DoPN) has informed that due to low generation from the hydro power stations and the resultant reduced power allocation to the State, the department was compelled to impose loadshedding throughout the State.

In a press release, chief engineer (T&G) Er. Penrithung Yanthan informed that presently the State’s power availability was around 147 MW out of a peak demand of 180 MW (60MW during 1990s).

The department also informed that the stateowned Likimro Hydro Electric Project has been generating around 6-12 MW only out of its installed capacity of 24 MW for approximately 12 hours a day due to poor hydrological condition during this season. Due to extreme weath-

er conditions during the last few days, the department said there has been rise in the power demand resulting in burning of distribution transformers due to overloading especially in Dimapur and adjoining areas.

The department stated that the responsible electrical divisions were making every effort to restore/replace the damaged transformers on war footing.

Further, the department expressed regret that one of the units of Palatana Thermal Power stationin Tripura from where Nagaland gets maximum allocation, was under shutdown from June 2, 2023 for annual maintenance aggravating the state’s power shortage situation.

However, in order to tide over the power shortage, the department said it was making an arrangement to purchase additional power

at a higher cost as a shortterm measure during this crisis.

As loadshedding is inevitable, the department said it was regulating the loadshedding on rotational basis among the three load centres of the state—Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung.

“Unfortunately, we anticipate that this power shortage and load shedding crises shall repeat every year,” the department stated.

Pointing out that Nagaland was 90% dependent upon import of power, the department said the only long-term solution was for a concerted and prioritized effort to reduce dependency up to the extent possible by developing State’s own internal Hydro power generation, which the department at present was facing some difficulties to overcome.

NSF units, subordinate bodies hoist black flags

DIM APUR, JUN 2 (NPN): Naga Students’

Federation (NSF) along with all its federating units and subordinate bodies Friday hoisted black flags at their respective offices in protest against the failure of the authorities to arrest those involved in vandalising NSF office even after lapse of six days.

Some of the surrendered weapons at a police station.

More than 140 weapons have been surrendered in different places in Manipur after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s appeal a day ago, sources said on June 2.

Shah on Thursday, appealed to all concerned to surrender their weapons to the security forces and administration.

The NSF hoisted a black flag and also put up a banner outside its vandalized office in Kohima.

The banner put up by the NSF at its makeshift office read as: “Culprits should be booked at the earliest” and “Justice should

be delivered without any further delay.”

NSF had said that despite the perpetrators publicly claiming responsibility

for the crime the authorities concerned were still yet to act.

Meanwhile, the federation said that they have

received positive response from all its federating units and subordinate bodies, both within Nagaland and outside.

STPF reaffirms ultimatum on H&FW Arrest Brij Bhushan by June 9: Haryana ‘mahapanchayat’

CHANDIGARH, JUN 2 (IANS): Farmers and representative of Khap panchayats, expressing solidarity with the protesting wrestlers in Delhi, on Friday gave the BJP government in the Centre an ultimatum to arrest Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexually harassing female grapplers, by June 9 or prepare for a larger protest.

A collective and unanimous decision in this regard was taken at the ‘mahapanchayat’ held in Haryana’s Kurukshetra town on the future strategy

of wrestlers’ protest.

A day earlier a ‘mahapanchayat’ was held in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar where it was decided that a delegation would meet President Droupadi Murmu to seek justice for

the wrestlers. In Kurukshetra, khap panchayats (community courts) of Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi were gathered to seek justice. Addressing a huge gathering, Bhartiya Kisan

Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait warned the Central government that if no action is taken against Brij Bhushan by June 9, they will hold a larger protest along with wrestlers.

“We have taken a decision that the government must address the grievances of wrestlers and he should be arrested otherwise we will go with wrestlers to Jantar Mantar, Delhi, on June 9 and will hold panchayats across the nation,” he said.

At the same time, Tikait warned the Central government that if they aren’t allowed to protest at Jantar Mantar on June

9, “there will be an announcement of agitation”.

Anurag Thakur assures justice: Amid ongoing protests by the country’s top wrestlers, the Union Information and Broadcasting and Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur on Friday said that justice will be done as police will soon file a charge sheet and the governing body now has no authority in managing daily affairs of the sport.

Speaking at an economic conclave here, Thakur said that the case was registered and a committee was formed to investigate the matter.

Airborne gravity gradiometry, magnetics survey by OIL

DIMAPUR, JUN 2 (NPN):

Oil India Limited (OIL) has launched Airborne Gravity Gradiometry& Gravity Magnetics (AGG & GM) data for unapprised areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Dima Hasao, Arunachal Pradesh, Cauvery, Bastar, Satpura, Spiti-Zanskar and Karewa areas, according to a report by Guwahati based news portal (EM).

The reports said the acquisition of the AGG and GM survey started from Jorhat Air Base on May 27.

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas entrusted OIL with the re-

sponsibility of Acquisition Processing and Interpretation (API) of 40,000 flight LKM of AGG and GM data in these unapprised areas. The second aircraft is scheduled to start acquisition from Dibrugarh airport to cover the North East. The survey will also include Nagaland where Oil India Limited has been awarded the oil blocks.

Changpang and Tssori areas, 75 oil wells have been drilled and oil extracted on trial basis till the operations were stopped in 1994. The rest of oil the belt covers areas within Mokokchung has a huge potential of estimated reserves. The other blocks

include Dimapur, Peren and Mon districts where exploration is yet to be conducted.

Centre has awarded an oil exploration block in Nagaland to Oil India Ltd.

OIL is seeking permission for Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) in order to invest in the State and ascertain hydrocarbon prospects and reserves within the awarded block. This would be only to explore and the activities would open up a colossal avenue for generation of employment to hundreds besides related commercial activities which would immensely benefit the local people. In total, Nagaland has potential estimate of

around 600 MT of crude oil. The initial step would be to obtain PEL or License to ‘explore.’ After confirming crude reserves, the next step would be to award Petroleum Mining Licence or license to ‘extract’ to drill oil wells for extraction. PEL and PML are two separate and distinct operations. Applying this distinction in the present context would make public understand the difference between exploration (survey) and extraction (mining). According to a 2022 estimate, Nagaland is losing Rs.1,825 cr annually in oil royalty because of the non-operation of more than 30 oil fields along the disputed border.

DIMAPUR, JUN 2 (NPN):

Even as the state health and family welfare (H&FW) department responded to its ultimatum, the Shamator Town Public Forum (STPF) on Friday reaffirmed its demands that the department inaugurate the Community Health Centre (CHC) building at Shamator, deploy more doctors and adequate number of staff nurses and other required manpower and facilities before the expiry of its deadline served on the department.

STPF president Kiumehean and secretary Yimso asserted that Noklak as a district HQ required district hospital as per the provision, but did not even have proper CHC. STPF said it has, therefore, decided to reaffirm its ultimatum

on the department to fulfil the demands. The forum stated that the lives of the citizens of the district had been threatened as there was only one general duty medical officer and one dental surgeon (without dental equipment). STPF pointed out that citizens despite being economically poor were compelled to travel to other district hospitals for medical assistance. The forum has also requested the department to carry out physical verification and get first-hand account of the grievances.

In this regard, the forum cautioned that in the event of failure to address the demands within the stipulated period, the department would be held solely responsible for any consequences.

‘in principle’ supports repatriation initiative

DIMAPUR, JUN 2 (NPN): K onyak Union (KU), which met a delegation of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and Recover Restore and Decolonise (RRaD) team at the KU headquarters, Mon town, has agreed in principle to support the initiative of repatriation of Naga ancestral remains.

In a press release, KU president Tingthok Konyak and press & media secretary Nokzei P Konyak stated that KU was committed to support the ancestral Naga remains initiative undertaken by FNR with the Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford University and cooperate

in any way possible to repatriate the remains of their respective ancestors.

As the apex Konyak body, the Konyak Union reiterated the importance of the repatriation process.

Speaking at the meeting with FNR and RRaD team, KU president Tingthok noted that KU had earlier sent an official letter to FNR with a desire to learn about the repatriation initiative. He said KU was happy that FNR and RRaD team accepted the queries and decided to visit the union members to initiate a dialogue on decolonization, healing, and repatriation.

Describing as a historic event that requires Naga people to work towards unity, KU president called upon the Naga researchers to focus on the historical relevance and importance of the repatriation process. Also, speaking at the meeting, KU vice president noted that the larger community heard about the Pitt Rivers Museum after the repatriation initiative started. He said KU believes that this was an important process, but it was pertinent that all matters related to artifacts, whether human remains or cultural artifacts, were respectfully handled.

‘Collapse’ of Indian democracy will have an impact on world, says Rahul

Rescue operation underway after the incident at Balasore on Friday. (PTI)

Black flag and banner put up outside NSF makeshift camp (R) students holding placards.

Khap Panchayat members during a ‘mahapanchayat’ organised over the ongoing protest by wrestlers, Thursday. (PTI)

‘Telangana Foundation Day’ observed

DIMAPUR: Nagaland governor, La Ganesan along with the Raj Bhavan officers and staff, and Telugu community, Nagaland observed the “10th Telangana Foundation Day” Friday at Dr. Imkongliba Ao Hall, Raj Bhavan, Kohima.

A press release by PRO Raj Bhavan informed that speaking on the commemoration day, the governor extended greetings to all the people of Telangana and Telugu community.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has regularly stressed on the celebration of every State’s heritage and traditions as part of his “Ek Bharat, Shreshtra Bharat” initiative.

Governor Ganesan hoped that the exposure to cultures, traditions and practices of different states and UTs would lead to an enhanced understanding and bonding between the states, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India through this celebration.

He underscored the importance of enhanc -

ing interactions between people from different states and understanding of diversity of a country such as India.

The governor said the programme was an initiative towards mitigating this lack of awareness of various cultures and also respecting and acknowledging the diversity and plurality of India.

“This aim is to celebrate the people of that particular state wherever they are residing in the country,” he said.

Ganesan also highlighted significant achieve-

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ments on the water, agriculture, power supply fronts, health care and GSDP of state of Telangana, which was officially formed on June 2, 2014. He stated that Nagaland state has so many lessons to learn from Telangana.

He urged the Telugu community to contribute much to the state of Nagaland as they make Nagaland their second home. The governor also appreciated the participants especially who performed a melodious special songs and dance group on the occasion.

NPA, DPC, KPC condole

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Press Association (NPA), Dimapur Press Club (DPC) and Kohima Press Club (KPC) have mourned the passing away of Mrs. Waitola Longkumer, mother of Moa Longkumer, News Editor of Nagaland Page and former president of DPC. NPA in a condolence note prayed that Almighty grant courage and peace to the family members at the time of mourning. The association also prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Secretary to Governor Rajesh Soundarararjan delivered the welcome address while deputy director of agriculture, government of Telangana (Retd.) Rajentra Rao delivered on how the state of Telangana was established.

Telugu cultural song was presented by G.Mohan Rao and M.Hemalath; Telugu Cultural dance was also performed by B Bhoomika and group, and B Akshayand and Group. The programme was conducted by SO, Jochule and vote of thanks was by CH Dharma Rao.

DPC: Dimapur Press Club has mourned the demise of Mrs. Waitola, mother of DPC’s executive member and former president, Moa Longkumer. DPC extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty for strength for the family members to bear the loss.

KPC: Kohima Press Club (KPC) has condoled the demise of Mrs. Waitola, mother of Moa Longkumer, executive member & former president DPC. KPC extended condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Minister for Housing & Mechanical P. Bashangmongba Chang called on Union Minister for Housing & Urban affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri on June 1. At the meeting the Union Minister assured to extend all possible help in the coming days. (PRO Nagaland House, New Delhi)

WENN, SBI launch financial literacy prog

DIMAPUR: Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland (WENN) and knowledge partner, State Bank of India (SBI) launched financial literacy programme by organising a workshop on May 30 at the Conference Hall of SBI Regional Office, Dimapur. A press release by WENN informed that aligning with WENN’s 2023 theme, “financial literacy”, the workshop was the first in a series of workshops which would be held in eight districts of Nagaland in 2023.

WENN said the workshops would focus on empowering women by equipping th em with financial

knowledge and skills essential for success in the rapidly growing entrepreneurial landscape.

WENN chairwoman, Alemjungla Jamir said the WENN was committed to empowering women entrepreneurs in Nagaland with financial literacy skills that could elevate their businesses and contribute to their financial independence. She said WENN, a network of women entrepreneurs from Nagaland, focused on entrepreneurial

information sharing, training support and business solutions. Speaking at the programme, SBI Regional office, AGM Haolen Hangsing encouraged the women entrepreneurs present to be the role models and maintain a good relationship with the banks and pave ways for many more women entrepreneurs. He assured SBI would support the women entrepreneurs provided they show commitment and discipline.

Born on: 07/01/1963

Died on: 28/05/2023

With sincere gratitude, we the bereaved family members of Lt. Viwoto Yepthomi would like to thank each and every individuals, organizations and groups who stood by us during our darkest hour of pain and sorrow.

DP-2555/23

Loving Wife and Children

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3: 14

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born on : 12.03.1963 – Died on : 31.05.2023

We, the bereaved family members would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and empathy to all who stood by us during the time of sickness and demise of our beloved Lt. Y. Among Phom on 31/05/2023.

We would like to convey our special thanks to :

1. Phom Baptist Church Dimapur

2. Nagarjan Phom Baptist Fellowship

3. Shri. A. Pongshi Phom, Hon’ble MLA

4. Shri. S. Pangnyu Phom, Ex. Minister

5. Pongo Baptist Attoi

6. Pongo Village Council

7. Pongo Union Dimapur

8. Pongo Fellowship Dimapur

9. Dimapur Phom Baptist Churches

10. Phom Union Dimapur

11. Different Phom Villages Union under Dimapur

12. Kuda B Mao Colony, Dimapur

13. Zion Hospital & Research Centre Dimapur

14. Shamrock Hospital Dimapur

15. Apollo Hospitals, Guwahati

16. All the kind blood donors

We deeply regret our inability to mention all our relatives, friends and well wishers but it’s our sincere prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

DP-2244/23

Loving Wife, Brothers, Sisters & Relatives

In Loving memory of our Beloved Father

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Late KEHOSEL KIKHI

Born: 30th Oct 1982 – Died: 29th May 2023

We the bereaved family members, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere thanks to all those who stood by us physically, mentally, prayerfully and financially at the demise of our beloved Late Kehosel Kikhi who left for his heavenly abode on 29th May 2023.

We specially convey our sincere gratitude to:-

1. Visewma Baptist Church

2. Viswema Baptist Fellowship Kohima

3. Viswema Baptist Khriesarüü Kehou

4. Viswema Union Kohima

5. Officer’s Hill’s Panchayat

6. Officer’s Hill’s Youth Organisation

7. Kirha Union Kohima

8. Kononia Prayer Centre

9. Faith Harvest Church Kohima

(1943-2018)

Five years have gone since you left us for heavenly abode but your loving words, kindness and fond memories still remain in our hearts. We miss you dearly.

Loving Wife, Children, In-laws and Grandchildren

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Through this column, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals, neighbours, friends, organizations and well wishers who provided us emotional, spiritual, physical and financial support during the prolong illness and till the demise of our beloved Lt. P Muchu Khiamniungan on 9th May 2023 at Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Dimapur.

We express our profound thanks to:

1. Khiamniungan Baptist Church Dimapur.

2. Khiamniungan Union Dimapur.

3. Khiamniungan Baptist Church Tuensang.

4. Khiamniungan Union Tuensang.

5. Pathso Nokeng Village Council.

6. Shri. P. Bashangmongba Chang, Minister of Nagaland.

7. Shri. Benie M Lamthiu, MLA.

8. Shri. S. Heno, Ex. Parliamentary Secreatry.

9. Shri. Ngou, Deputy Commandant 12th NAP (IR).

10. Department of Taxes.

11. Pathso Nokeng Paopong Union Dimapur.

12. Khiamniungan Cultural Club Dimapur.

13. Pathso Nokeng Paopong Union Kohima.

14. Pathso Nokeng Union Tuensang.

15. Post Office Sector-B Tuensang.

16. All Civil Societies and Well Wishers. To those who helped in any way at this difficult time, we are truly grateful. We regret our inability to acknowledge everyone individually but we pray that God bless you all abundantly.

Wife, Children & Family Members

“The Lord watches between me and thee when we are absent one from another” Genesis 31:49 DB-726/23

10. Vipol Kita Whemi

11. Blood Donors

12. Oking Hospital : Doctor & Nurses

We deeply regret our inability to thank each and everyone individually. We pray that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly. Loving Wife and Family Members

K-1278/23

Words are inadequate to express our gratitude to all the Individuals, Organizations, Churches, Village Councils, Societies and Unions who supported us in prayers, physically, financially and materially during the treatment and necessary arrangements for home coming of mortal remains of our beloved Mrs. Jevili Nekha, W/o Nageto from Delhi. We are deeply regretful to all, whom we could not thank personally. Among the host of others we deeply owe our gratitude to the following:

1. Hon'ble MLA, Dr. Sukhato A. Sema, 13 A/C Pughoboto

2. Hon'ble MLA, Shri Manpon Konyak, Aboi A/C

3. L.J.P. 13 A/C Pbto, Pukhaje Kiho and Colleagues

4. Hon'ble Ex-Minister Shri Y. Viqheho Swu

5. Er. Hutovi Yeptho, Delhi

6. Mrs. Rebecca Swu, Delhi

7. Mr. Nagho, G.B & Family

8. Dr. Vikuto A. Wotsa (Nikos Hospital)

Loving Husband, Mother, Brothers & Sisters and Family

-

Lt. R LICHAMO KIKON

Governor La Ganesan and members of Telugu community at Raj Bhavan on Friday. (PRO Raj Bhavan)

Q.: Can the state’s power woes be solved if the power department is thoroughly revamped? A Yes. 75%

NEXT POLL

Q: Is the recent Manipur violence a potentially dangerous trend for the region?

 Yes.

No.  Can’t Say.

NCMEI takes up minorities issues

DIMAPUR: National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), Ministry of Education, Government of India held a meeting with the stakeholders of minority educational institutions and other minority communities in Kohima at DPDB hall Kohima on June 2.

A DIPR report informed that at the meeting, NCMEI chairman, Justice Narendra Kumar briefed on the issues faced by minorities in the educational sector and highlighted the policies of the government relating to minorities’ education.

He also stressed on the New Educational Policy 2023, pointing out that it was fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable and just society, and promoting national development.

Justice Kumar also mentioned that the global education development agenda reflected in Goal 4 (SDG4) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by India in 2015 – sought to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030.

Training for young leaders on SDGs

DIMAPUR: National Foundation for India (NFI)

in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals Coordination Centre (SDGCC) of the Planning and Transformation Department of Nagaland government would be organising a two-day in-house training for young leaders on June 27-28 in Kohima.

A press release by NFI informed that the two-day training was an effort to identify and bring together 80 dynamic young leaders from all the 16 districts of Nagaland, who would be trained on the “Role of Young Leaders in Localizing Sustainable Development Goals in Nagaland”.

The training would be organised by NFI under its project, “Leave No One Behind: Building Pathways for Peace in the Northeast via Engagement of CSO/Youth Leaders,” and co-funded by the European Union.

NFI has informed that call for applications for the training would close on midnight of June 5. Interested candidates have been asked to apply for the training through the project’s website. NFI said more information and application form are available on https:// leavingnoonebehind.org.in/ index.php/training/.

NEWS IN BRIEF

NCD informs: In observance of “World Environment Day”, Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has informed that “tree plantation program-cum-cleanliness campaign” would be held on June 5, 7 a.m. at New Naga Cemetery, Zani Village. NCD has informed that the tree saplings would be provided by the Forest Department, Dimapur. Councillors of NCD have been requested to participate in the programme. Mass social work at Longleng: A mass social work will be held on June 3 from 6 am to 9 am at Longleng town. In this regard, all government departments, ward authorities, commercial and business establishments, other non- government organizations, and concerned citizens have been requested to coordinate and participate in cleaning all major roads, drains, and public areas within the urban jurisdiction of Longleng Town Council.

Panel formed to check random checking in Phek: DC Phek Kumar Ramnikant has informed that a committee consisting of government agencies and other stakeholders has been constituted to control the prevailing random checking and harassment of business establishments by unauthorized organizations in and around Phek town. Therefore, DC informed that such illegal activities have been restricted with immediate effect.

He said the National Education Policy 2020 was the first education policy of the 21st century aimed at addressing the growing developmental imperatives in the country. “This Policy proposes the revision and revamping of all aspects of the education structure, including its regulation and governance, to create a new system that is aligned with the aspirational goals of 21st century education, including SDG4 while building upon India’s traditions and value systems”, Justice Kumar said.

He also highlighted Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India stating that it provides for linguistic and religious minorities a fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. He further said that the term “minority” has not been defined in the Indian Constitution. However, the Constitution recognizes religious and linguistic minorities and for which the Central government has notified six religious minority communities viz. Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist,

BBBP scheme launched in Niuland

DIMAPUR: Beti Bachao

Beti Padhao was launched in Niuland district on June 1 at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Niuland office.

A press release by DC Niuland office stated that in a keynote address, DC Niuland Sara S. Jamir said the overall goal of BBBP scheme was to celebrate the girl child, ensure her protection, education and participation in the society. She encouraged the members to plant five trees for the birth of every girl child throughout the district.

Resource speaker, district welfare officer, Sentimenla, stressed on the need to create awareness and

provide support and guidance to the girl child. She also sensitized the members on the services of Sakhi-

One Stop Centre, Women Helpline and Mahila Shakti Kendra.

The function was chaired by SDO (C) Niuland

and attended by the Niuland Town GBs, GB and VCC of villages under Niuland Sadar, local and area Sumi Totimi Hoho and line departments. The programme was followed by plantation in the name of girl child by DC Niuland.

NDPP Tobu region holds coordination meeting

the NDPP party under the abled leadership of the chief minister, Neiphiu Rio and the state NDPP president, Chingwang Konyak, even in the days to come.

Parsi, and Jain. He therefore informed that minority educational institutions can approach NCMEI for obtaining Minority Status Certificate (MSC) to appeal against State authorities on being aggrieved by the order of rejection of NOC application by the State/UT (Section 12A) or refusal to grant a minority status certificate (Section 12 B) and resolving disputes regarding affiliation/deprivation and violation of rights of minorities to establish and administer the institutions of their choice.

IRCS Mokokchung relief: Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) Mokokchung district branch volunteers led by honorary secretary, Dr S.S. Akaba Longchar on June 2 visited Khensa Village and provided relief to three families whose houses were completely burned down in a fire accident.

DC Mkg bids farewell: A farewell programme for the outgoing Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Sashank Pratap Singh was held on June 2 at the Conference Hall of DC Mokokchung. In his speech, the DC thanked the people for their cooperation and support and asked them to extend the same to the new DC. In a speech, the incoming DC Mokokchung, Thsuvisie Phoji said he was determined to give his best in serving the district and the people.

NSCN (K) Isak (Angami Region) informs: NSCN/GPRN K ISAK (Angami Region) has informed that it has recovered a stolen Bike (Thunderbird Bullet) with a fake Registration No. at Kohima Town, with Chassis No. ME3U35C1GD426577 and Engine No. U3S5COGDO53105. Rightful owner has been asked claim by producing the original documents to the office of the Angami region within seven days from the publication of the notice.

WM holds thanksgiving prog: The Watsu Mungdang held a thanksgiving on June 2 at the office Conference Hall, with the construction committee members, for the successful completion of the “Women Development building” at Marepkong ward.

Pochury language news broadcasting launched

DIMAPUR: The launching of Pochury language news broadcasting was celebrated at Meluri Village Council Hall on June 1. Advisor, N&RE and NSDMA, Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe, who was the chief host of the celebration expressed happiness for fulfilling the long-cherished dream and aspiration of the Pochury people. He thanked the government of Nagaland under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio for providing full support and timely intervention by taking up the matter with Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan. He also expressed appreciation for the past and present leaders of Pochury, who have relentlessly strived

Advisor, Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe speaking at the launching programme.

to achieve this goal. A brief report on the journey of Pochury Hoho aspiring for news broadcasting was delivered by Sierhosie Kajiri, general secretary of Pochury Hoho. Highlights of the programme included cultural showcase of folk dances and songs from different areas of Pochury, such as Meluri Area Public Organization, Phokhun gri Area Public

AFFID AVIT

DIMAPUR: Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Tobu region held a prayer cum coordination meeting on May 26 at Monyakshu Village.

A press release by NDPP Tobu region informed that the meeting was attended by hundreds of NDPP leaders led by N. Bongkhao Konyak, exMLA, and all the party of-

fice bearers and party rank and files from NDPP Tobu region, NDPP 55 A/C and from different villages and towns.

During the meeting, NDDP Tobu region president, Nyakho Konyak encouraged the party workers from different NDPP organization and all the electorates to stay undivided and to trust and co-operate with

Bongkhao Konyak exMLA encouraged the party workers and electorates under the constituency to remain strong and devoted towards the NDPP party.

The meeting chaired by NDPP Monyakshu Village president, Peyau Konyak, commenced with a prayer by Monyakshu Village Baptist Church (MVBC) Pastor and ended with a benediction prayer from the Deacon Board of MVBC.

Workshop on ‘media literacy’ for journalists

DIMAPUR: The U.S. Consulate General Kolkata, in partnership with Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) and with the support of the Dimapur Press Club hosted a workshop on media literacy for journalists in Dimapur.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the workshop, director of the American Center, US Consulate General Kolkata Adrian Pratt emphasised that “the digital age has enabled access to diverse sources of knowledge at a mouse click. However, it has also created unprecedented challenges and structural changes in the news industry.”

He also highlighted on the imminent arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential repercussions on newsrooms globally, cautioning against its negative effects in conjunction with the spread of misinformation. He mentioned how AI possesses the ability to generate fabricated content with unwavering certainty,

thereby intensifying the challenges faced by newsrooms. Deputy head of CUTS International-Calcutta Resource Centre, Sucharita Bhattacharjee spoke on the overarching theme of the workshop and mentioned that the workshop aims at providing hands on training to the journalists to fact check. She also underlined the need for creating an informal platform for the me-

dia professionals to identify and combat misinformation, and fake news. She further added that these workshops are being organized as part of the suggestions received from the journalists from the Indo-Pacific countries at the international media workshop hosted in Kolkata during August 11-12, 2022 at the American Center, Kolkata. Recalling her experience and key learnings from the Kolkata workshop

organised by CUTS International with the support of US Consulate Kolkata, and in collaboration with South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) and East West Center (EWC), director news and administration, Morung Express, Akangjungla highlighted how meeting journalists from different parts of the world helped her to adopt a fresh mindset, compelling her to craft stories that resonated with a broader audience. Divya Chandra, producer, workshop and training, Boom Live, was the main resource person for the workshop. She spoke on how to differentiate between misinformation and disinformation; how to debunk online misinformation and disinformation using tools and observation skills; increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in misinformation space; and how to write a fact-check articles.

The workshop was attended by over 30 Dimapur and Kohima based journalists.

I, Prinka, daughter of Mr. Shamsher Chand resident of Gujrera, PO-Manai DistKangra, State-HP have changed my name from Prinka to Priyanka vide Affidavit Regd. No. 873 dated 24 May 2023 before Executive Magistrate Sub Tehsil Harchakian.

DP-2538/23

AFFIDAVIT Regd. No. 760/2023

I, Mr. Qhutoho Sumi, son of Viyishe Sumi, resident of Merhülietsa Colony, Kohima, Nagaland, District- Kohima, Nagaland, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as follows;

1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India.

2. That my official name is Qhutoho Sumi.

3. That however in some of my official documents my name has been recorded as Ghutoho Sumi and Shutoho Sumi.

4. That the names Qhutoho Sumi, Ghutoho Sumi and Shutoho Sumi refers to the same and one person, i.e. myself.

5. That henceforth for all official records, my name shall be referred to and recorded as Qhutoho Sumi.

6. That the statements made at para 1 to 5 are true to my knowledge and nothing is concealed therein.

In witness whereof, I sign this affidavit on this the 2nd day of June 2023 at Kohima, Nagaland. Yanger Wati/Notary Public Deponent K-1281/23

AFFID AVIT Regd. No. 574/2023 Date 18/04/2023

I, Shri. L Merennungba Ao, S/o Shri. P. Lanukaba Ao, aged about 57 years and a resident of H/No-8 D’Khel, Diphupar Village, Dimapur, Nagaland do hereby solemnly state and declare as under:

1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India.

2. That my correct and official name is Shri. L Merennungba Ao.

3. That I have been appointed in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Mokokchung, Nagaland as Sectional Assistant on 1st September 1990 Vide Office Order NO.EE/ RHD/ESTT-1/WC/C/90-91/1439-34 dated Dimapur the 30th August ‘90.

DP -2543/23

4. That however my name has been inadvertently entered as Merennungba Imchen, S/o Lanukaba Imchen in the Marksheet and Admit Card of the High School Leaving Certificate Examination bearing Roll No.3306 in the year 1985 conducted by NBSE, Shri. Merenungba Ao in the appointment Order NO.EE/RH D /ES TT-1/WC/C/9091/1439-34 dated D imapur the 30 th August '90, and Merenungba Ao, Merenungba, Merennungba, Merennungba Ao in the Service Book Card No. 000108/RHD/GIS/WC.

5. That this affidavit is made to affirm and to declare that the Names and Merenungba Ao, Merenungba, Merennungba, Merennungba Ao, Merennungba I mchen and L Merennungba Ao refers to the same person ie. Myself.

6. That this affidavit shall be used as a piece of evidence of the fact and proof as mentioned above and also to be used for any rectification if arise in future.

7. That the statement made from para 1 to 4 are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and nothing material has been concealed thereof. Solemnly declared before me at Diphupar Village, Dimapur, Nagaland, on the 18th day of April 2023.

Organization Meluri Town, Phoyisha Public Organization, and Apoksha Range Public Organization.

Earlier, Khrutachu, a local artist, presented his original song dedicated to

the auspicious day. Earlier, the programme began with an invocation by Rev. Tivisie Pojar, pastor of BCMT, and the program was chaired by Chonpa Jurry, president of Pochury Hoho.

1925. Whereas application under succession act 1925 for grant of succession certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late. Khyoben Kikon has been applied by Smti. Ramongi Kikon, W/o, Lt. Khyoben Kikon, R/o. ……, Wokha, Nagaland for possession of;

1. SBI A/C No. 11766594025.

2. GPF, GIS, Leave encashment, Family Pension and other service claims & benefits. Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/he so desire appear in this court on or before 30-06-2023. Given under the hand and seal of the court on this day the 30-05-2023. Sd/- District & Sessions Judge Wokha : Nagaland WC-133/23

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE

WOKHA : NAGALAND

NO.WDP/RO-35/2023/244

Dt, Wokha the 01st Jun 2023

CALLING NOTICE

Whereas Regt. No. 1606 ABC Rhonchamo Ngullie of DEF Wokha, S/o. Zuchobemo Lotha of Tsungiki Village, permanent resident of Half Nagarjan, Dimapur (Present address Church Colony, Wokha, Nagaland) is found absenting from Government bonafide duty without any leave or prior permission from the competent authority with effect from 27/03/2023 till date.

Accordingly, this Office has issued 3 (three) consecutive Calling notices vide this office order.

1. No.WDP/RO-35/2022-23/1690 Dated 03/04/2023

2. No.WDP/RO-35/2022-23/83 Dated 21/04/2023

3. No.WDP/RO-35/2022-23/210 dated 19/05/2023

Therefore, you are once again directed to report to the undersigned within 7 (seven) days from the date of publication of this Calling Notice, failing which you will be declared as deserter and dismissed from Service with effect from the date of your absent.

NCMEI chairman, Justice Narendra Kumar at the meeting with stakeholders in Kohima.

DC Niuland, Sara S. Jamir and others at Niuland.

Members of NDPP Tobu region at the meeting.

Workshop on ‘Media literacy’ in Dimapur on Friday.

Pharmacies in Phek asked to install CCTVs

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 2 (NPN): Nagaland University Students Union (NUSU) Kohima campus Meriema celebrated the 19th parting social on June 2 at RCEMPA, Jotsoma.

The programme was graced by prof. G.T Thong Pro vice chancellor, Nagaland University as chief guest. Earlier the

Police sensitised on mental health

programme began with an invocation by Moochipen N Chang, presidential address by NUSU president Chingshau.

Speech on behalf of the students was delivered by Shanchoi B Buchem, special performance by Erale Pame Marline Thonger and benediction by Ashom Vetolyn. The programme was chaired by Vinotoli Sumi.

‘Menstrual Hygiene Day’ observed

DIMAPUR: As per the directive of the District Level Committee Narcotic Coordination (NCORD) Phek district, all the pharmacies/ medical stores under Phek district have been asked to compulsorily install CCTV on or before June 2.

The notification regarding this was informed at the sensitisation and awareness programme for pharmacies in Phek district. The programme was organised by

the Drug Control Cell (DCC) under Chief Medical Officer Office (CMO) Phek at the Conference Hall of CMO Phek office on June 2.

A press release by the department informed that while delivering a keynote address, DPO RCH/UIP Phek, Dr.Pewezo Khalo urged the pharmacies to adhere the government notification and not violate the Acts and Rules.

Drugs Control Of -

ficer, Phek, K.Limasenla Longchar highlighted various categories of drugs with special emphasis on schedule H, H1 and X drugs and the maintenance of records and registers as required under Drugs and Cosmetic Acts 1940 and Rules 1945.

The pharmacies were directed to strictly comply on the Notification on the restricted drugs issued by department of Health and Family Welfare.

CHCs nurses trained on NSSK in Phek

DIMAPUR: Longleng observed “Menstrual Hygiene Day” on June 1 at Government High School (GHS) Nyengching, Longleng under the theme, “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030”. The day was also observed across the district in all the Health Units under Longleng. A press release by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Longleng office stated that during the programme, MO RBSK, Dr. Suyimzenla oriented the students about menstrual hygiene and cautioned them against the use of unscientific and unhygienic materials during their menstrual cycle. She said they should have access to everything necessary understand and care for their body and attend schools without stigma or shame. Awareness on the importance of Menstruation, Menstrual hygiene, use and proper disposal of sanitary products were highlighted during the programme, which was followed by the distribution of sanitary pads. The day was also observed across the district in all the Health Units under Longleng.

DIMAPUR: An awareness programme on “mental health” as part of the mental health awareness month was organised by Lapiye Centre for Mental Well-being in collaboration with Chumoukedima Police, Commissioner of Police (CP) Dimapur on May 31 at Sovima Police Station.

A press release by the

centre informed that the programme was held under the theme, “Anxiety” with DCP Chumoukedima, KM Munish as special guest.

At the programme, resource person, director of Shalom Rehabilitation Centre, Rev. Dr. Fr. Joe Mariadhas briefed the gathering on different forms of anxiety. He laid emphasises

on breaking down the barriers and cultivating positive mindset.

An overview of mental health in medical practice was shared by psychiatrist of State Mental Health Institute, Kohima, Dr. Aienyla Longchar, and highlighted the gathering on the difference between mental health and mental illness.

DIMAPUR: A two-day training on Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK), essential new-born care and resuscitative training, for nurses of Community Health Centres (CHCs) Chozuba, Meluri and Pfutsero was conducted on June 1-2 at District Hospital Phek (DHP). A press release by the department informed that the aim of the training was

to impart and re-orient the health care provider the basic skills required to manage common neonatal problems related to birth asphyxia, infections, hypothermia and breastfeeding so that the health provider can provide quality health care to the new-borns. The training was conducted by DHP paediatrician, Dr. Seyiekhrietuo Rutsa as main resource person.

NTPRADAO flags price hike of essential goods in Kiphire

DIMAPUR: Newly formed organization Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy and Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) has expressed its disappointment at the hike in prices of essential commodities due to “artificial shortages” of goods.

In a statement, NTPRADAO president MT Naga and general secretary (enquiry) Zuchamo Patton pointed out that the monsoon season had begun just 15-20 days ago and practically no road leading to Kiphire was blocked by landslides unlike previous years. They wondered how in recent times the most common essential item rice was not supplied to Kiphire for three consecutive days from Dimapur and thereafter it’s price hit record levels. They alleged that even the price of pork had spiked. The duo assumed that perhaps Kiphire deputy commissioner (DC) might not be fully aware of what his immediate subordinate the additional deputy commissioner (KTC i/c) might be up to behind his back. They urged the DC to immediately look into the matter with utmost seriousness to bring normalcy in the prices of essential commodities at the earliest for the benefit of the citizens or else, they cautioned that NTPRADAO would be compelled to stage a sit-in protest as its first phase of democratic stir.

Extracurricular activities organised for students

DIMAPUR: As part of academic and extracurricular activities, educational institutions and other organisations organised various programmes for the students, faculties and staff.

Kiphire: As part of Janbhagidari events across the country in run up to G20 4th Education Working Group (EdWG) meeting on the theme, “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, Kiphire district organised painting competitions on June 1 at Government Middle School (GMS) Longya Ward Kiphire and GMS Medical Ward Kiphire.

A total of 31 students of class 6 to class 8 took part in the competition at GMS Longya Ward Kiphire while 19 students of GMS Medical Ward Kiphire took part in the competition.

NU: Nagaland University (NU) Lumami under “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” conducted “poster making competition- 2023” on the

topic, “Life & Environment” across its four campuses on May 31. NU informed that 60 participants partook in the competition which was co-ordinated by Professor Amod Sharma (Medziphema Campus), Dr. Rashmi (Kohima Campus), Ramesh Singh (Dimapur Campus) and Ashish Kumar (Lumami). NU informed that the winners would be awarded on June 5, “World Environment Day”.

MGM College: Oneday orientation programme on National Education Policy (NEP) 2020-Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) was organised by MGM College, Dimapur on June 1. During the programme, chief speaker, Livingstone Foundation College principal, Dr. Behra briefed the mentors and the administration on the core points of NEP, 2020 and in particular FYUGP, as per the University’s standards.

CBC 19143/11/0013/2324

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

NAGALAND:KOHIMA-797004 NOTIFICATION

NO. DTE/ ESTT-2/3/2016-17/ : The interested Candidates are hereby informed to collect a prescribed application form for Diploma Course outside the State during 2023-24 session from the Directorate of Technical Education, Kohima (Below New Secretariat Complex) on payment of Rs. 200/- (Rupees two hundred, only) with effect from 05-06-2023 to 13-062023 during all working days. The form may also be downloaded from the website www. dtenagaland.org.in and the fee should be paid while submitting the form printed in white paper (A4 size).

The last date for receiving the complete forms by hand is 13th June, 2023 after which no request will be entertained. The selected list of Candidates will be published on the 16th June 2023.

Police personnel and members of Lapiye Centre at the awareness programme.

Phramacies and others at the awareness programme in Phek.

Nurses at the training programme on NSSK in Kohima.

Repent at leisure

Society today is suffering the consequences of irrelevant political rhetoric, populist policies, a government that has tossed away the rudder of moral authority, devaluation of vital institutions, families thrown in economic disarray and organisations that champion lofty ideals creating divisions. The cumulative effect of decades has thrown society in disarray and trapped within these environment. The loss of authority means has created a free-for-all where only those who dare get what they want. This situation should not only a concern for everybody but a reminder that the everybody has to shoulder the blame for their sins of omission and commission.

A civilised society bases the rights of individuals on their sense of responsibility towards others and their families. This is the foundation of a civilised society. It is admitted that there are few elements in society who indulge in anti-social activities or behaviour that invites serious consequences later on. The harm that a few anti-social elements inflict on society should never be underestimated. If the behaviour or activities of a few indulging in anti-social activities are left unchallenged; then society will spiral towards a symptom known as asociality or a syndrome where wrongs become accepted and more of a rule than the exception. As a consequence, crimes increases, fear spreads and people become trapped. The law and the social mores need to go hand in hand otherwise, if the law does not match the social mores, it will only be a source of friction. Strikes, ultimatums and challenges on the authority are replete. All point to lack of political will and direction to do what is right and which only provide impetus to such methods. Probably part of the problem arises when tough actions are not taken to discourage anti-social or criminal activities and such weaknesses only serve as license to live above the law. The nexus between politics and unlawful elements is logical as well as paradoxical. It is logical because politics is about power and the pursuit of power in highly competitive electoral contests that requires huge sums of money, which are obtained through corruption or funded by big crime. The game of power is also incomplete without muscle power, which gives the contestant a visible but undefined intimidating edge. The investment of both these ingredients in politics is highly profitable in terms of legitimacy and systemic protection. Irrespective of who seeks the other first, the nexus has a logic howsoever contrived or resented by society. The loss of moral authority reflecting a khushi-khushi society against the backdrop of a growing number of power centres opposed to course correction, is only hastening the process of disintegration of the foundation of society in Nagaland. There are some who take it upon themselves, the role of interpreting what is right and wrong and unfortunately, their subjective interpretations rob society of what is right as many are unwilling to express disagreement. Unless the voice of the people come up without fear or favour, against all kinds of wrong doing and crime ; their silence can only mean assent to whatever wrongs being done on themselves and their generations because a passive, muted and fearful society will have a tragic consequence on the future generation.

DailyDevotion

Are You Obsessed by Something?

Who is the man that fears the Lord? —Psalm 25:12

Are you obsessed by something? You will probably say, “No, by nothing,” but all of us are obsessed by something— usually by ourselves, or, if we are Christians, by our own experience of the Christian life. But the psalmist says that we are to be obsessed by God. The abiding awareness of the Christian life is to be God Himself, not just thoughts about Him. The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God. A child’s awareness is so absorbed in his mother that although he is not consciously thinking of her, when a problem arises, the abiding relationship is that with the mother. In that same way, we are to “live and move and have our being” in God (Acts 17:28), looking at everything in relation to Him, because our abiding awareness of Him continually pushes itself to the forefront of our lives.

If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives— not concerns, nor tribulation, nor worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us? To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.

“He himself shall dwell in prosperity…” (Psalm 25:13). God will cause us to “dwell in prosperity,” keeping us at ease, even in the midst of tribulation, misunderstanding, and slander, if our “life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). We rob ourselves of the miraculous, revealed truth of this abiding companionship with God. “God is our refuge…” (Psalm 46:1). Nothing can break through His shelter of protection.

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

Let’s celebrate the bicycle

June 3 is World Bicycle Day

There are many like me who have been fascinated with bicycles. When we were kids we could see newspaper hawkers and the milkman early in the morning with their bicycles. For a long time I was thinking that newspaper hawkers could be a part time earning activity though I never tried that. In a country like India or any other developing nations bicycle has been part and partial of their life as it was used for livelihood.

In urban areas and rich people the use of bicycles is different and it is different for someone who is using it for their livelihoods.

We are aware that regular physical activity of moderate intensity – such as

walking, cycling, or doing sports – has significant benefits for health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), safe infrastructure for walking and cycling is also a pathway for achieving greater health equity. For the poorest urban sector, who often cannot afford private vehicles, walking and cycling can provide a form of transport while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, diabetes, and even death.

Acknowledging the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable

means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health, the UN General Assembly decided to declare 3 June World Bicycle Day (WBD). The day draws attention to the benefits of using the bicycle — a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation. The bicycle contributes to cleaner air and less congestion and makes education, health care and other social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations. A sustainable transport system that promotes economic growth reduces inequalities while bolstering the fight against climate change is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

On 15 March 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution on integration of mainstream bicycling into public transportation systems for sustainable development. It emphasized that the bicycle is an instrument of sustainable transportation and conveys a positive message to foster sustainable consumption and production, and has a positive impact on climate. According to the WHO Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030, physical activity has multiplicative health, social and economic benefits, and investment in policy actions to increase physical activity can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There are multiple direct and in-

direct pathways, by which policies to promote physical activity through walking, cycling, sport, active recreation and play, support 13 of the SDGs. We are aware that regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and treat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and breast and colon cancer. It also helps to prevent hypertension, overweight and obesity and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being.

Using a bicycle not only helps us to remain fit but also lowers our carbon footprint. There should be provision for cyclists on roads like separate lanes so that more people would use the same. Everyone can help limit climate change. From

the way we travel, to the electricity we use, the food we eat, and the things we buy, we can make a difference. The world’s roadways are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or gasoline. Walking or riding a bike instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions — and help your health and fitness. These ten actions can help tackle the climate crisis. Cycling can be an alternate solution for many in the country. Let us together promote bicycles and contribute towards combating climate change and keeping our health more healthy.

(With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)

Ranjan K Baruah Guwahati,

‘Savarkar was fanatic Hindu’ — Bose’s grandnephew slams biopic’s claims

Reacting to claims made in teaser of Randeep Hooda-starrer biopic, Chandra Kumar Bose says Netaji & Savarkar were ideologically diametrically opposite.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was a ‘Hindu fanatic who was thinking about the two-nation theory even before Jinnah raised it,’ Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose told ThePrint. Bose’s remarks were in response to claims made in the teaser of actor Randeep Hooda-starrer Swatantra Veer Savarkar.

Hooda, who plays the lead role in the biopic which also marks his directorial debut, while unveiling its teaser on 28 May, described Savarkar as the “man who was the inspiration behind revolutionaries like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, and Khudiram Bose”.

Dismissing such claims,

Chandra Bose said Netaji and Savarkar were ideologically diametrically opposite. “Savarkar has his own place in history, he was a Hindu fanatic. While Jinnah raised the two-nation theory at the Lahore Conference, Savarkar was already thinking about it in the 30s. It feels that the film is politically motivated and trying to paint a different picture of Savarkar,” he said.

He also told ThePrint that Netaji was a secular leader who believed in inclusivity. “He (Netaji) wanted a united India including the Hindus, the Muslims, the Sikhs, the Jains and all the communities,” Chandra Bose said, adding that Netaji was inspired by Sarat Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda.

An economics graduate from London’s Hendrix College, Chandra Bose quit the TATA group to set up his own consultancy business in Kolkata.

In 2016, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was seen as a big boost for the party in West Bengal owing to Netaji’s popularity in the state for his role in the freedom struggle.

Chandra Bose was pitted by the BJP against Mamata Banerjee in the 2016 Bengal election from Bhabanipur, but lost to her. He contested again in 2019 from Dakshin Kolkata parliamentary constituency but lost to Mala Roy of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

In the 2021 assembly polls, Chandra Bose was hopeful of getting a ticket from the BJP for Rashbehari constituency, but that did not materialise. He then resigned as state vice- president of the BJP after his demand to set up an Azad Hind Morcha within the party was ignored and his suggestions on modification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules weren’t taken

into consideration. He, however, continues to retain the primary membership of the the BJP.

ThePrint reached actor Randeep Hooda via text for comment, but had not received a response by the time of publication. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.

However, Chandra Bose has now found a supporter in the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

“In his book ‘Indian struggle’, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose put Jinnah and Savarkar in the same bracket. Both were communal and both were asking for the Partition of India along the Hindu-Muslim divide. The British loved them both. Netaji despised them both,” TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar told ThePrint, According to Netaji’s daughter Anita Bose Pfaff, Netaji was a devout Hindu. “Perhaps the only

G20 in Srinagar and Article 370

With the inauguration of the three-day session of G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Srinagar (May 22-24) under the presidency of India has marked a turning point in the 75years history of Jammu and Kashmir.

It would not have been possible without the bold decision taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party to abrogate the articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution that although claimed to give Jammu and Kashmir a ‘special status’ but in reality were the biggest obstacles in the road to economic development and political normalcy.

So let me delve into the article 370 and 35A for my reader to understand why and how did the articles 370 and 35A hampered the progress of the Vale of Kashmir.

August 5, 2019, the day when Article 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution was abrogated, will be remember in the history of the Himalayan region of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh as a day when for the first time in the history of their existence they became equal citizens with the rest of the people living in the Republic of India.

Article 370 came into being in 1954 through a Constitutional amendment and 35A was imposed by a Presidential decree.

Article 370 and 35A were strictly a temporary arrangement related to issues of governance of the former State of Jammu Kashmir that granted the state its ‘Special Status’.

Due to the above-mentioned Articles of the Indian Constitution, legal, political or economic packages that were approved by the Indian parliament for the uplift of marginalised communities in India were not automatically applied to the state of Jammu Kashmir. According to Article 35A, Indian citizens or businesses were not allowed to purchase or own property in the state. This was considered one of the biggest obstacles in attracting Indian as well as foreign investment into the state that are

vital if tourism, agricultural and industrial development were to make qualitative progress.

Lack of economic prosperity in Jammu Kashmir has led to a backward economic infrastructure and rise of political dynasties that have managed to establish their hegemonic monopoly over the economic activity of the state.

These political families were corrupt to the core, however, due to the protection they enjoyed under Article 370 and 35A, anti-corruption agencies were barred from launching any investigation into the mal practices they were involved in to extract mega profits through kickbacks and tax evasions.

Right of Information was inaccessible in the state of Jammu Kashmir. To give you an example, I would like to bring to you attention that during 20172018, India spent Rs 8,227 per person but in Jammu Kashmir it spent Rs 27,258 per person.

With such a huge spent the standard of living of the so called permanent residents of Jammu Kashmir should have been far better than the rest of the country.

So, where has this money been spent?

Due to the obstacle of Article 370, an investigation into corruption could not be launched in Jammu and Kashmir.

Another example is that from 2006 to 2016, 10 per cent of the total Central funds were being spent in Jammu Kashmir even though it only comprised one per cent of the population of the country. Despite these efforts by the Centre, the growth did not match the handouts.

Lack of business opportunities inadvertently led to high unemployment and provided a flourishing ground for Jihadi recruitment and anti India (read Hindu) hate narrative that was spewed through out the state.

Since 1988, 41,000 people have lost their lives due to terrorism. Compulsory education law in India from the age of six to fourteen did not apply to the state

of Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, teaching staff could not be freely hired from out side of the state unless under exceptional conditions. Hence, the literacy rate in Jammu Kashmir was stuck at 67 per cent compared to India where it is 74 per cent.

Inter-state discrimination that the Buddhists of Ladakh suffered for decades due to lesser representation of this thinly populated region in the Jammu and Kashmir state assembly is another disparity that has been done away with after the abrogation of the Article 370 and 35A.

Now Ladakh has become an independent union territory enjoying equal status to that of Jammu Kashmir and the rest of India. Therefore, the abrogation of the Articles 370 and 35A have sanctioned the people of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh to enjoy the same civil rights that are being enjoyed by the rest of the Indian population.

According to the Article 35A, if a male subject of the state would marry a woman who was not a state subject, she will automatically become a state subject through matrimony even if she belonged to Pakistan.

However, if a woman from the state decided to marry an outsider, not only that her husband did not become a state subject but the woman would also lose her right to her ancestral property. A state subject could have dual citizenship. But an Indian citizen could not become a state subject. Thus this gender-biased piece of legislation was also brought to an end with the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A. It took more than 30 years and 41,000 lives before the government of India realised that by granting the state of Jammu Kashmir its ‘Special Status’ it had only let Pakistan to propagate that Muslims in Kashmir were facing a monstrous Indian (read Hindu) occupation that was committing genocide of Muslims in the Valley.

Pakistan also cultivated an army of a well funded Islamic clergy proxy in Kashmir that

was and still is being used to stir hate against a ‘Hindu’ India and demand for merging Jammu Kashmir with the (failed state) of Pakistan. From organisations such as the allegedly ISI funded Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) to the Hurriyat Conference and Jihad Council, the evil legacy of two-nation theory coined by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, was placed at the fore front of the cultural and ideological battle between democracy and theocracy in Jammu Kashmir.

In the name of two-nation theory local cultures and languages were posed as inferior to that of Arab religious and cultural narrative and language.

Article 370 was a divisive provision in the Indian Constitution that would not allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to fully integrate in the bondage of Indian nationhood. It discriminated not only on the basis of gender but also on the basis of place of birth and origin.

Hindus and Sikhs who had been forced to migrate due to the India-Pakistan war in 1947 and 1965 were not given Permanent Resident Status and were still considered refugees with no voting rights.

After the abrogation of Article 370, all refugees have been granted domiciles and are have now become equal citizens.

Hindus, Sikhs and Christians now have a guaranteed 16 per cent share in jobs that are designated for religious and ethnic minorities.

This is a great leap in ensuring that religious discrimination faced by religious minorities in a Muslim majority state can be ended. It is only due to the abrogation of the article 370 and 35A that today Kashmir has been able to host G-20 session that has put Kashmir on the map of 50 top global destinations for tourism.

Amjad Ayub Mirza

(The writer is an author and a human rights activist from Mirpur in PoJK. He currently lives in exile in the UK)

thing in common between Netaji and Savarkar was Hinduism. My father didn’t believe in divide and rule. He always had a vision for a united India,” she said.

The Print also spoke to Subrata Roy, the grandnephew of martyr Khudiram Bose, who said he had never come across archival material to suggest any links between Savarkar’s ideology and that of Khudiram Bose.

According to historian Purabi Roy, there is no published material to suggest a link between Savarkar and Netaji.

“Savarkar, when he left for London, was accompanied by Sarojini Naidu’s elder brother Virendranath Chattopadhyay. Savarkar was very close to Karl Marx’s grandson. To establish a link with Netaji, one must see archival material from the Soviet side and unravel the truth,” she told ThePrint.

Sreyashi Dey, ThePrint.

More minors getting addicted to tobacco: Study

Tobacco consumption remains a major issue as even minors were getting addicted to it. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), nearly one-fifth of children aged 13-15 years are using tobacco products in India. The survey revealed that 38 per cent of cigarettes, 47 per cent of bidi and 52 per cent of smokeless tobacco users have picked up the habit before their 10th birthday.

Bhavna B. Mukhopadhyay, chief executive, Voluntary Health Association of India, said: “The Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2016-2017 says about 27 crore people consume tobacco in our country and about 12 lakh people die every year due to tobacco-related illness. The average age of starting tobacco use in India is 18.7 years. Men start using tobacco at a younger age than women.” She further said that tobacco can cause 25 types of diseases and about 40 types of cancer, in which the major ones are mouth cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer and brain tumour.

Prof Surya Kant, head of the department of respiratory medicine, King George’s Medical University, said: “Tobacco smoke emits harmful gases and chemical substances, in which nicotine and tar are prominent. In all, 70 chemical substances have been found to be carcinogenic but these facts are ignored by those consuming tobacco.”

Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary general, Association of International Doctors, said: “Smoking bidi is more harmful than cigarette. Due to the low amount of nicotine in bidi, nicotine addicts need it again and again. In our country, addiction to smoking is more in men as compared to women.”

Dr Amita Shukla, senior gynaecologist, SC Trivedi Memorial Trust hospital, pointed out: “One reason for infertility among women is smoking which can also cause pre-mature delivery, in case a pregnant woman consumes tobacco during pregnancy.”

When someone smokes, 30 per cent of the smoke of bidi or cigarette goes to the lungs of the smoker and 70 per cent remains in the surrounding environment, which affects passive smokers or those smoking indirectly, according to doctors. IANS feature.

“Impossible is for the unwilling.”

APLA militants surrender in Assam

peace and progress in the society. Assam Rifles in a press release stated that “with an aim to promote peace and harmony in the region, the Security Forces of Spear Corps have always endeavoured to mainstream the misguided youth who have taken up the path of insurgency”.

3 held with Rs 56 L in Rs 2000 notes in Tripura

Meghalaya finally sets up expert panel to study 51-year-old reservation policy

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JUNE 2

(NPN): 39 cadres of Adivasi People’s Liberation Army (APLA) surrendered and laid down arms in a ceremony held at Bokajan police station on Friday.

The arms laying ceremony was held in presence of Assam police IGP central range IPS Devojyoti Mukherjee, DIG 6 sector

AR Brigadier SK Shukla,

SP Karbi Anglong Sanjib

Kumar Saikia and top officials of Assam rifles, Assam police and CRPF.

The surrendered cadres include self-styled commander in chief Sahil Munda, Dy commander in chief Amar Singh Karmakar, Chairman Vijay Sona, vice chairman Pintu Gowala, public secretary Rabindra Satnami and 34 others.

The group deposited a huge cache of arms includ-

ing three AK 56, 19 pistols, five other rifles, 11 kartoos, two grenades and 267 live ammunition in the function.

Speaking on the occasion, IGP Mukherjee while acknowledging the surrendered militants, stated that various needs, demands and misguiding factors led them to join the militant group, but fortunately they made the decision to return to mainstream which was much needed to promote

Tripura BJP to solve internal issues ahead of 2024 LS polls

AGARTALA, JUN 2 (AGENCIES): Tripura

Chief Minister Dr Manik

Saha on Thursday chaired a crucial meeting of the party’s organizational heads of district and state to assess the party’s challenges ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reports The Assam Tribune.

BJP state president

Rajib Bhattacharjee was also present at the meeting where discussions took place to chart out a troubleshooting mechanism in order to get rid of the internal problems.

Party insiders said, “Presidents of all the dis-

tricts and General Secretaries of the party were present at the meeting. All the leaders were asked to speak their heart out in the meeting so that the state leadership can realize the challenges. What kind of obstacles they are confronting and how these issues will be sorted out in the days to come”.

According to senior leaders, several issues have popped up during the discussions and the concerns expressed by the district level leaders seems to be genuine. For the sake of strengthening the party all sorts of efforts would

WANTED U RGENTLY

Position : Lecturer

Department : History of Christianity

Qualification : M.Th with B+ (from ATA/Serampore)

Experience : Minimum of three years of teaching experience

Preference : A Male candidate

Interview shall be held at 10:00 AM on 7th June 2023

Venue : NCRC(SUMI) Purana Bazar, Dimapur

Contact : 7085751843/ 8974466203 DP-2557/23

Vacancy announcement

For a reputed School in Dimapur.

1. School Bus Driver – Experience with HMV Drivers Licence.

Salary – Rs. 8,000/- to Rs. 10,000/-

2. Asst. Cook

Salary – Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 7,000/-

Contact Info : 8787641573

noRtH eaSt cHRIStIan unIVeRSIty FacuLty RecRuItment

North East Christian University invites applications from well experienced and competent candidates for Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor and Guest Faculty teaching positions for the following subjects:

1. International Relations

2. Management Studies

3. Political Science

4. Psychology

5. Nursing

6. Physiotherapy

7. Medical Lab Technology

8. Medical Imaging Technology

For details, look up in official website www.necu.ac.in.

“Towards this aim, Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR (North) and Spear Corps, in conjunction with Assam Police, through their relentless efforts have successfully pursued the homecoming of 39 active cadres of APLA, who have laid down their arms and have chosen a path of peace and prosperity under operation Samarpan”, the release further read.

Further, the Assam Rifles complimented the youth for their decision to return to the mainstream and lead a happy and peaceful life. Families of the surrendered cadres expressed their gratitude to the Security Forces for bringing their loved ones back to the family safely.

AGARTALA, JUN 2(PTI): Three persons were detained carrying Rs 56 lakh, all in Rs 2,000 denomination notes, in Tripura’s Dhalai district, police said on Friday. They were detained as they could not explain why they were transporting such a large number of high denomination notes which are being phased out by the RBI.

“The vehicle was stopped at Bethbagan checkgate on Thursday evening. While searching, police found 2,800 notes packed in six bundles from a secret chamber of the vehicle”, said a police officer.

“The three persons, aged between 27 years and 36 year s, were taken into custody for interrogation. We have told them to produce documents for carrying such a huge amount of unaccounted cash. We will involve the Income Tax department if they fail to provide necessary documents”, the officer said.

DP -2541/23

be undertaken in the days to come, a senior leader requesting anonymity has said. If sources are to be believed, the district level leaders have also underscored some key issues that need immediate attention of the party’s top leadership. The leaders also assured them full support.

For the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Minister and BJP state President instructed the leaders to work in full swing.

“If people could be made aware of what they had received because of the Prime Minister’s farsighted policies they would certainly repose their faith in the BJP”, a leader has said.

SHILLONG, JUN 2 ( PTI):

The Meghalaya High Court has pulled up the state government for allowing export of coal through land customs stations in the state without seeking to ascertain the source or origin of such coal.

A division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice Sanjb Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh said this on Thursday while hearing a PIL filed by Champer M Sangma.

“It is alarming that despite the state understanding the purport of the request by Central agencies, it was so lax that it allowed tens of thousands of metric tonnes of coal to be cleared for export through land customs stations within the state without, apparently, seek -

ing to ascertain the source or origin of such coal,” the division bench said.

The high court said several letters were issued to the state by central agencies and by the Union Finance Ministry before the suo motu proceedings pertaining to illegal coal-mining and illegal transportation of the illegally-mined coal being instituted in this court.

“The Central agencies suspected such activities and in the letters referred to in the previous order warned the state, including through the Union Minister of Finance. The state, not only did not take any steps, but actively concealed these letters from the court with a glib apology recorded above at paragraph 12 of its recent affidavit,” the bench said.

FREE VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Interested Candidates are hereby invited for undergoing 4 (four) Months Free Training on CUTTING &TAILORING AND HAND EMBROIDERY at M/s Nagaland Women Vocational Training Institute, Kohima-Imphal Road, Near CRPF Camp, Lerie - Kohima. The Training is free of cost which includes raw materials also. Forms to be issued from 2nd June to 15th June 2023 Training will commence from 3rd July,2023 for more details contactMs. Marlyn Z Yanthan-8794835682, Smti. Deepali Mech -7005631106.

K-1280/23

(Temjenlemla Jamir) Managing Director NWVTI

SHILLONG,

JUN

2 (IANS): Amidst the demands and agitations of various parties including the Voice of the People’s Party (VPP), the Meghalaya government on Thursday announced the constitution of an expert committee to review the 1972 reservation policy.

Chief Secretary D. P. Wahlang issued a notification saying that the expert committee would review the state reservation policy by obtaining views from all stakeholders including the political parties, NGOs, and civil society organisations (CSOs). The Chairperson and members of the committee shall consist of experts in constitutional law, economics, sociology, demographic Studies and related fields which shall be notified by the state government. The expert committee shall undertake a review of the State Reservation Policy by obtaining views from all stakeholders and by con -

ducting field visits to all parts of the state, the notification said. An all-party committee on reservation roster system and reservation policy on Wednesday also suggested appointing an expert committee to review the 51-yearold reservation policy.

Headed by state Law, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, the all-party committee had also recommended that all political parties should submit their views and suggestions in writing on the matter within 15 days.

Meanwhile, VPP President Ardent Basaiawmoit on Thursday called off his 10-day-long indefinite hunger strike after the state government constituted the expert committee to review the reservation policy.

According to the 2011 Census, Christians constitute 74.59 per cent of Meghalaya’s 29.67 lakh populations, while Muslims and Hindus constitute 4.4 per cent and 11.53 per cent,

respectively. Meghalaya’s 51-year-old job reservation policy entails 80 per cent quota for three matrilineal communities - Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia. The quota is divided equally between the Garos and the Khasi-Jaintia people together. Another 5 per cent is reserved for ‘other minor tribes’, while 15 per cent is reserved for people in the unreserved categories. The Garo tribals are educationally more backward and numerically lower than the Khasi-Jaintia people, and they have hardly been able to get the full benefit of the reservation of 40 per cent. Z.R. Marak had earlier approached the Meghalaya High Court claiming that other communities were using up the quota meant for the Garo people in violation of the relevant laws. On April 21, the high court had asked the Meghalaya government to introduce a roster system that would be relevant only for entry-level posts.

Meghalaya HC pulls up state for export of coal without seeking origin

The high court said that the “complicity of the state with the mafia and the racket operating in the illegal mining of coal and its illegal transportation is clear and obvious and there can be little doubt that the higher-ups in the administration are the beneficiaries of the illegal gains and responsible for the colossal loss of revenue that has been occasioned to the state.” In its recent affidavit, the state had stated: “The state tenders an unconditional apology for not putting on record these documents in these proceedings on earlier occasion or else the observations made by this Hon’ble Court in order dated 17.05.2023 attributing complicity to the state would never have occasioned…”

The Court said indeed,

the suo motu proceedings pertaining to illegal mining of coal were initiated in or about March of 2022 and matters pertaining to the illegal transportation of such illegally-mined coal were addressed in several orders from or about April, 2022.

“... The State had been warned by the Central agencies to ensure that illegallymined coal in the state was not attempted to be exported on the representation that they were coal mined outside the state, the state ought to have been alive to the issue and checked every truck carrying coal and verified every request for permission to export coal to ascertain the origin of the coal and the veracity of the declarations made by the intending exporters,” it said.

Further, the court has also said that it cannot be faulted if it were to infer that the Jaimaa Coal Private Ltd (which the petitioner complained of) may have been virtually an instrumentality of the state aided and abetted by the state to finance the lucrative business of illegal mining of coal in the state. “It has been repeatedly observed in orders of this court that illegal mining of coal could not have continued unless there was transportation of coal. In entities like the respondent No. 14 (Jaimaa Coal Private Ltd) herein, aided and abetted by the state, finding a way to export the illegally mined coal in the state there was demand for the product that resulted in illegal mining on a larger scale,” it said.

Police and army personnel with the surrendered APLA militants in Bokajan. (NP)

Tripura BJP leaders with CM Manik Saha. (Assam Tribune)

RBI-MPC may not change interest rate: Experts

CHENNAI, JUNE 2

(IANS): The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) may not change the interest rates and would continue with the ‘pause’ mode at their upcoming meeting, said experts.

The MPC met on April 3, 5 and 6 this year and decided to pause on the repo rate at 6.50 per cent after hiking continuously earlier as an inflation control measure.

“The upcoming MPC meeting in early June is expected to focus on two important aspects that have emerged in the last few weeks -- a sustained moderation of the headline retail inflation and a better than expected GDP growth print in Q4FY23,” Suman Chowdhury, Chief Economist and Head - Research, Acuite Ratings and Research told IANS. According to Chowdhury, the consumer price index (CPI) inflation moderated in April-23 to 4.70 per cent year-on-year (YoY), an 18-month low and remained within the RBI’s target range (2-6 per cent) for the second consecutive month.

“The wholesale price index (WPI) inflation moderated to a 34-month low of minus/(-)0.92 per cent YoY in Apr-23, retreating to negative territory after a gap of 33-months,” Chowdhury added. Core retail and wholesale inflation also moderated to an 11-month low of 5.48 per cent YoY and 41-month low of minus/ (-)1.77 per cent YoY in Apr23 respectively.

Chowdhury said the benign trajectory for both WPI and CPI can be attributed to easing food inflation, lower commodity costs, favourable statistical base effects and lagged impact of past monetary tightening.

“Potential risks such as the El Nino notwithstanding, we expect a continuing moderation in headline CPI inflation in FY24 although core inflation can prove somewhat sticky amidst the strong growth momentum in services, especially contact intensive ones. We maintain our FY24 CPI inflation projection at 5.3 per cent as compared to 6.6 per cent in the previous year,” Chowdhury said.

As regards the GDP

numbers, Chowdhury said the provisional estimates for GDP in Q4FY23 and FY23 as a whole, has surpassed the consensus figures in the market.

“As against our estimate of Q4GDP of 5.0 per cent, the actual print has come at 6.1 per cent YoY and significantly higher than the 4.4 per cent YoY in Q3FY23. Overall, the GDP growth for FY23 stands at 7.2 per cent as compared to the 7.0 per cent reported in the advance estimates earlier,” Chowdhury said.

However, the concern remains on the demand side as private consumption has grown by 2.8 per cent YoY only in the fourth quarter, Chowdhury remarked.

For the current year, Acuite Ratings continue to forecast a growth of 6.0 per cent given the expected impact of the global uncertainties and the lagged impact of the interest rate hikes in the domestic economy although RBI has pegged it at a more optimistic 6.5 per cent, Chowdhury said.

“Given such a scenario on the growth-inflation dynamics, we believe RBI MPC will prefer to adopt

Load shedding throughout Nagaland due...

(From p-1)

The department stated that domestic loads were increasing day by day due to rise in installations and usage of high power consuming electrical appliances like Air conditioners, Refrigerators, water boilers and rice cookers etc.

Therefore, the department has appealed to consumers for judicious use of electricity by switching off appliances when not in use. The department ex-

pressed hope that judicious use would help reduce the domestic load consumption to a large extent and would contribute immensely in reducing the duration and quantum of loadshedding.

Meanwhile, the department assured that the power situation would improve with the onset of monsoon and appealed to the general public to bear with the inconveniences caused due to the power instability.

NICSE opens fourth centre in Nagaland

DIMAPUR: Nationale

Institute for Civil Services

Examination (NICSE) has opened its fourth centre in Nagaland, with the inauguration of the centre at Chumoukedima district, Ground floor, Providence Abode building,4th mile on June 2 .

At the inaugural programme, founder-director,

Suman Saha emphasized on his vision for the students of Nagaland and pointed out that the fourth centre has been opened after a keen observation of the difficulties of the students coming all the way from Chumoukedima to the Half-Nagarjan. He appealed to new entrepreneurs to collec -

tively contribute towards improving educational standards in Nagaland and to also collectively fight fraudsters generating fake results to lure students in the coaching industry. He also urged the parents to be vigilant and aware of such organizations newly entering Nagaland.

a “wait and watch” mode before taking any confident action on any rate changes.

The “pause” mode is likely to, therefore, continue for another two quarters,”

Chowdhury concluded.

On his part, Churchil Bhatt, Executive Vice President & Debt Fund Manager, Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Limited said the market is not anticipating an immediate rate cut.

“The best case for the June policy would be a softer ‘stance’ by the MPC. The current policy stance of ‘withdrawal of accommodation’ has already run its course, with pandemic-era policy accommodation behind us. It’s only a matter of time before the MPC moves to a ‘neutral’ stance,” Bhatt said. According to Bhatt, in June, MPC is likely to maintain a status quo on rates.

At the April meeting, the MPC also decided to remain focused on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation progressively aligns with the target, while supporting growth.

Arguing for a pause

Ashima Goyal, Emeritus Professor, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development

Gold jumps Rs 350; silver zooms Rs 650

NEW DELHI, JUN 2

(PTI): Gold price jumped Rs 350 to Rs 60,600 per 10 gram in the national capital on Friday amid a rally in precious metals prices overseas, according to HDFC Securities.

The yellow metal had closed at Rs 60,250 per 10 gram in the previous trade.

Silver also zoomed Rs 650 to Rs 73,550 per kg.

“Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at Rs 60,600/10gram, up Rs 350 per 10 gram,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said. In the international markets, both gold and silver were trading higher at USD 1,976 per ounce and USD 23.84 per ounce, respectively.

Research, Mumbai said as the inflation forecast for FY24 is 5.2 per cent with Q4 at 5.2 per cent, a repo rate at 6.5 per cent implies the real policy rate is greater than one.

“It has already tightened enough to progressively bring inflation towards the target of 4 per cent, with other complementary policies and barring major new shocks. A further rise in real interest rates is best avoided at present since high real rates can trigger a non-linear switch to a low growth path,” Goyal said.

Goyal and Prof. Jayanth R. Varma, Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad were against hiking repo rate at the recent MPC meetings.

Varma said he does not understand the meaning of the term ‘stance’ - withdrawal of accommodation.

“Turning to the stance, I must confess that I fail to comprehend its meaning. My colleagues in the MPC assure me that the language is crystal clear to market participants and others. It may well be that I am the only person who finds it hard to understand,” Varma said.

DIMAPUR, JUN 2 (NPN):

With assistance of NABARD under Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF), Nagaland Rural Bank (NRB) has launched an ATM Mobile van services at Niuland district on June 2. The Mobile van was formally inaugurated and flagged off by general manager of NABARD Regional Office, Dimapur, Tiakala Ao, while the ATM was inaugurated by SDO (Civil) Niuland, Relise Sangtam.

Speaking on the occasion GM, NABARD

encouraged the people to patronize Nagaland Rural Bank. She informed that NRB was a scheduled bank where anyone can safely keep their money and avail all kinds of banking needs. SDO (C) in his speech appealed to the bank to reach out more to the unbanked areas under Niuland district and create banking awareness among the populace. He also expressed appreciation on the venture taken by NRB to provide banking services at the doorstep. General

Manager, NRB, Head Office, Pemmichon Nakhedei stated that Nagaland Rural Bank has, through this ATM Van, shown its commitment to serve the people of Niuland by providing doorstep banking services by visiting villages and promote banking awareness and financial literacy among them. The programme was attended by a host of officials including ADCP, Niuland, Branch Manager SBI Niuland, GBs of Niuland area, Church leaders and well-wishers.

KU ‘in principle’ supports repatriation initiative

(From p-1)

Nokzei Konyak, however, expressed dismay that a Konyak heritage handmade gun he had donated to the Kohima State Museum went missing and could not be traced till date. Calling upon the community and the state organs to respect the process, the KU vice president said that such unfortunate incidents should not happen with any artifacts repatriated to the Naga homeland.

Over 140 weapons surrendered

(From p-1) He had also warned that a search-and-combing operation would be carried out in the State soon and anyone found to possess any weapon would be prosecuted. The surrendered weapons included selfloading rifles, carbine, AK and INSAS rifles, light machine guns, pistols, M16 rifles, smoke gun/tear gas, sten gun and grenade launcher.

Official sources said that the situation in Manipur was by and large peaceful in most districts and sporadic incidents of firing at or torching of empty houses by miscreants were becoming rare now as coordinated effort was made by different security agencies.

Over 4000 weapons looted: Meanwhile, officials fear that over 4000 weapons and several lakhs of ammunitions have been snatched away from Manipur police armouries during the violence since May 3.

The Army on Friday said they are ready for a “large scale combing operation” to recover the weapons, which were snatched from Manipur police armouries. Weapons like INSAS rifle, AK 47 rifles, pistols, grenade launchers including huge cache of

ammunitions were reportedly looted.

Manipur Police, Assam Rifles face off A major fracas broke out between personnel of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles (AR) in front of Sugnu Police Station in Kakching district on Friday morning.

Sources said the incident occurred when troops of 37 AR parked their vehicles right in front of the police station as well as

RestauRant foR sale

A well known Restaurant in DC Court Junction, ample parking space, very good location, only interested persons can contact after 10:00

SDPO office and refused to move the despite repeated warnings. Things took turn for the worse when police personnel were almost about to engage in a gunfight before the AR personnel retreated after highly agitated police officers warned of lodging an FIR against the commanding officer (CO) and troopers, and taking the matter to the higher levels.

For SaLe

Corrigendum Apropos the advertisement "Felicitation" published by Longjang Senso Mungdang in Nagaland Post dated 2nd June 2023 page 9, the name of the school should be read as GHS Longjang and not as published. Error is regretted.

Launching programme of ATM Mobile Van in Niuland on June 2.

Mnp Cong questions Centre’s peace initiative

tioning the position of the popular government.

Arunachal Army officer is now Northeast first female Colonel

violence erupted on May 3.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JUN 2: Manipur Congress on Friday welcomed the peacekeeping initiative of the Centre but questioned the present position of the BJP-led government while referring to some announcement made by Union home minister Amit Shah during his fourday visit in Manipur.

Addressing a news conference at MPCC office in Imphal today, the former three time chief minister O Ibobi Singh questioned Union home minister Amit Shah’s announcement on formation of an inter-agency unified command under

security advisor to Manipur government.

Singh said that his announcement has put the people of the state in confusion on the popular government in the state.

In insurgency affected states like Manipur, the United Command, an apex body of the security forces involv ed in the counter insurgency operation is chaired by the chief minister. But, Amit Shah’s announcement regarding formation of the United Command under the leadership of the security advisor to the Manipur government has confused the people and they have started ques-

Chairmanship of the Unified Command by the security advisor to chief minister amounted to disregarding the government in power formed by people’s mandate. The move has reduced the democratically elected popular government in the state to joker, Singh said. “Is it done under a hidden agenda or is it an indication of putting the popular government in an inactive state. The Centre must make it clear,” he demanded.

On the matter of probing the violence unfolded in the state, the former threetime chief minister said that the people of Manipur would like to know whether it was simply a judicial enquiry or under Commission of Inquiry Act 1952.

He welcomed the visit and initiative of the Union home minister but lamented that it took a month for the Union home minister to take stock of the damages in Manipur caused by the

“Why he (Amit Shah) took nearly a month to visit strife-torn Manipur to take ground stock. The people fail to understand the hidden agenda behind the BJP’s silence on this sensitive matter,” he said.

Centre’s response to violence unfolding in Manipur was too late.

It takes only two hours to reach Imphal from New Delhi by a charter flight but the Union home minister came to Imphal after 26 days since the violence unfolded, he said.

He then asked the reason for delay of his visit to intervene and end the crisis.

Even though his visit was too late, the Congress party welcomed his visit and initiative to bring back normalcy in the state.

He said that the Centre would have the information of every single incident that occurred in the state. If the Centre was actually very serious and acted on time, the violence might have been controlled. It seems that the

Centre treated the citizens of this small state as second class citizens even though they are the bonafide citizens of the country.

The people of Manipur might have been hard to tolerate, he said.

At the same time the senior Congress leader appreciated the Union home minister for his reiteration that Manipur’s integrity will not be compromised at any cost, he added.

MPCC president Keisham Meghachandra also echoed the same on the delay in the intervention by the Centre during the news conference which senior leaders like CWC member Gaikhangam and others also attended.

He said that the Union home minister who came to the state after 26 days was only for the purpose of relief only, not to end the violence.

Even during the Union home minister’s stay in the state, the violence continued unabated and deaths in the violence continued.

PASIGHAT, JUN 2 (AGENCIES):

Arunachal’s Ponung Doming has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first female officer from the Northeast to be promoted to the rank of Colonel in the Indian Army, according to media reports. Hailing from Pasighat in East Siang district, Col. Doming is currently stationed in Leh and holds the distinction of being the first female Army officer from her home state. Her new position entails commanding a Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) unit in the strategically important region of Leh.

Col. Doming’s academic journey began at Government Daying Ering Higher Secondary School and IGJ Government Higher Secondary School in Pasighat. In Class XII, she excelled as the top-ranking student among her tribal peers. Later, she pursued civil engineering at Walchand College of Engineer-

ing in Maharashtra.

Commissioned as a lieutenant in the Indian Army in 2008, Col. Doming’s hard work and dedication led to her promotion to the rank of major after four and a half years of service.

In April 2014, she served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, showcasing her commitment to international peacekeeping efforts.

Col. Doming’s journey in the military was not initially a part of her childhood dreams. However, her

interest in joining the Indian Army grew during her college years. Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, she was unable to pursue this path immediately after completing her engineering degree in 2005. Subsequently, she secured a job at a prominent multinational company in Kolkata, where she worked for approximately two years. Motivated to fulfill her aspirations, Col. Doming appeared for an examination conducted by the Service Selection Board, Allahabad in 2008.

M’laya cab drivers oppose odd-even system

al Secretary, Alkwiz John Khabani said the order by the DC is “unacceptable.”

ernment exempted public transport from the purview of the odd-even system.

NEW DELHI, JUN 2

(PTI): Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily on Thursday termed the situation in violence-hit Manipur “explosive” and held the BJP-led state government as well as the Union home ministry responsible for the “mayhem” there.

The former Union minister attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for being busy campaigning in Karnataka rather than trying to resolve the conflict which was primarily ethnic in nature.

The prime minister was then busy inaugurating the new Parliament building instead of immediately intervening into the crisis, he said in a statement.

“The explosive situation in Manipur is threatening the unity of the state and the country. This also reflects serious trust deficit

not only in the state administration led by BJP but also the laxity on the part of the Union home ministry,” Moily said. The home minister should take a cue from the statement of Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan that the turmoil was due to “ethnic clashes” and not an anti-insurgency issue, and proceed to deal the situation for reconciliation. “The home minister’s visit to Imphal has totally failed to understand the ground realities and reflects

Awaiting response from Assam on our claims on border: Mizoram govt

AIZAWL, JUN 2 (PTI):

The Mizoram government on Thursday claimed that it is awaiting a response from its Assam counterpart on the claims submitted by the former in connection with the interstate boundary dispute.

Mizoram had submitted its claims on the state boundary in February. “As agreed in the parley held in November last year, we conducted a survey along the border and submitted our claims.

It was decided that Assam should send a reply within

Minor girl gangraped in Tripura, 1 arrested

AGARTALA, JUN 2

(PTI): A minor was allegedly gang raped and thrown out of the car used by her abductors in South Tripura, the police said on Friday.

The incident took place at Tepania eco park on Wednesday and the main accused, a 21-year-old man whom the girl befriended on Facebook, was arrested from his house at Purba Gokulpur, the police said.

Two others allegedly involved in the crime are still at large. The “main accused literally forced the girl to meet him at Tepania Eco Park where he clicked some photographs of her despite her objection. When the girl realized she was being blackmailed, she tried to escape from the scene but could not,” the sub-divisional magistrate of Udaipur, Nirupam Dutta told PTI.

April or May. We are yet to receive a reply from them,” a Mizoram home department official said.

The date for the next round of border talks is yet to be decided, he said.

During the border talks held on November 17 last year, both states had decided that “Mizoram will furnish the list of villages, their areas, geospatial extent, ethnicity of the people and other relevant information within three months to support its claims”, the official said.

the failure to understand the situation in a proper perspective. The authorities need to respond to the undeniably complex situation by addressing the concerns of local communities impartially and with maximum restraint from the security forces,” Moily said.

The state government and the Union home ministry are squarely responsible for the present “mayhem” in Manipur, he alleged.

Ethnic clashes, which have claimed over 75 lives, first broke out in Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.

Correspondent

SHILLONG, JUN 2: Cab drivers in Meghalaya on Friday decided to approach the high court against the state government’s notification imposing the odd-even system to reduce the traffic congestion in the state capital from June 5.

The East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA) and the Synjuk Ki Nongniah Taxi Sor bad Khapsor (SNTSK) on Friday met district mag-

istrate of East Khasi Hills, Rosetta Mary Kurbah urging her to review its decision as this, they claimed, would affect the livelihood of the taxi drivers adversely.

However, Kurbah told the cab drivers that the order cannot be revoked and it was in pursuance of the Court’s orders of PIL No.17 of 2021, order dated 16 December, 2021 to adopt immediate measures to ease the traffic in Shillong, particularly around the central business district and

the entry and exit points, and another order dated 11 May, 2023 to adopt other forms of regulation to ease congestion on the roads, henceforth, all public transport vehicles (SPTS buses, SSPTS - maxi cabs and black and yellow local taxis) plying from Kachari Point towards Police Bazaar and Motphran are to operate on an odd-even basis.

EKHLTWA Gener -

“The order dated June 1 is unacceptable in nature because taxis not only generate employment but contribute as well towards the revenue of the state,” he said.

Acknowledging the traffic congestion problem in the state capital, Kharbani said that in a democratic set up nothing is impossible.

“Nothing is impossible if we work together and try finding a solution to the problem,” Khabani said.

He said the unilateral decision of the office of the Deputy Commissioner without mutual consultation with the association has given rise to objections.

Citing the example of New Delhi in which a similar experiment was undertaken to reduce pollution, Kharbani pointed out that even in New Delhi the gov-

Justifying the association’s objection to the order passed by the Deputy Commissioner, he said, not being able to ply on the Police Bazaar-Motphran (Bara Bazaar) route daily would affect the drivers financially.

“Motphran-Police Bazaar is the end point…. and therefore is like the oxygen for the drivers,” Kharbani said while urging the Kurbah to immediately review its order. As per the order, vehicles having registration numbers ending with odd digits (1,3,5,7,9) are to p ly only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and vehicles having registration numbers ending in even digits (0,2,4,6,8) are to ply only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, even as such restriction will not apply on Sundays.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER

PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

NAGALAND : KOHIMA

Dated Kohima, the 2nd June, 2023.

NO.CE/PHE/EST-ADVRT/DRB/2022-2023

NOTIFICATION

Notice on conduct of Driving Test for recruitment of Driver Grade-II in the Directorate and Districts under PHE Department In continuation to this Department advertisement NO. CE/PHE/EST-ADVRT/ DRB/2022-2023, dated the 15th May, 2023 for the recruitment of the above mentioned post of Driver Grade-II the Driving Test will be conducted on the 8th & 9th of June, 2023 from 10.00 AM onwards at the Directorate ,PHED, Kohima. The list of the applicants selected for the test and other details will be posted on the Notice Board.

Regulations for the conduct of test.

1. All candidates should produce the Admit Cards in original.

2. All candidates should furnish their Driving License in original during the test.

3. Candidates found indulging in unfair means or showing unruly behaviour will be disqualified.

4. Driving Test of the applicants Sl.No.1 to 35 will be held on 8th June, 2023 and Sl. No. 36 to 70 on 9th June, 2023 respectively.

5. Candidates who qualify the driving test will be called for Oral Interview through Phone SMS/ Office notice board.

Ponung Doming

M Veerappa Moily

File photo of taxis in Shillong.

O Ibobi Singh

Manipur situation ‘explosive’; govt responsible for ‘mayhem’: Moily

SNIPPETS

Woman attacked with axe for dowry

GHAZIABAD, JUN 2

(IANS): A woman was brutally attacked by her family members allegedly due to a dispute over dowry. The assault, captured on a mobile camera by an onlooker, reveals the horrifying atrocities inflicted upon the woman by her in-laws. In the viral video, the woman is seen being forcefully dragged out of her house by her in-laws and repeatedly attacked with an axe. Initiating an investigation, the police have apprehended the woman’s father-in-law.

NEW DELHI, JUN 2 (PTI): With great power comes great responsibility, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday quoting a famous dialogue from Hollywood blockbuster “Spiderman” to emphasise that India’s responsibility will increase in sync with its rising global stature.

where every Indian has access to human rights and has commitment towards their duties,” he said.

“Let us dream of an India which is strong enough to defend itself and be ready to stand against any injustice anywhere in the world,” Singh added.

while efforts are also being made to get rid of the colonial mindset.

RANCHI, JUN 2 (PTI):

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha formally announced on Friday that it will support the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in opposing the Centre’s ordinance on control of administrative services in Delhi after a meeting between Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren in Ranchi.

Minor gang

raped by 5 men in Bihar

PATNA, JUN 2 (IANS):

A 15-year-old girl was gang raped by five men in Bihar’s Vaishali district, police said on Friday. According to the police, the incident took place late Thursday night when the victim, who lives with her grandmother, stepped out of the house to go to the toilet. She was kidnapped by the accused and took her some 500 metres away from her house and took turns at raping her. After committing the crime, they forced pesticide into her mouth. Upon returning home, the girl narrated the ordeal to her grandmother.

Man kills new-born girl by flinging her on floor

PILIBHIT (UP), JUN

2 (IANS): A 37-year-old man allegedly hurled his two-day-old girl child on the floor at a private maternity clinic. The baby died instantly. The man was reportedly upset as he wanted a son after two daughters. His wife, Shabbo Begum, filed an oral police complaint, in which she claimed that her husband used to curse her for giving birth to two daughters earlier and subjected her to cruelty. “After I gave birth to another girl child on Monday, my husband took the infant on his lap and then hurled her on the floor on Wednesday. The baby died,” the wife said in her complaint.

Parents kill daughter for refusing to return to her husband

BARABANKI, JUN 2 (IANS): In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district, a 20-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her parents after she refused to return to her in-laws’ house and live with her husband. The two have confessed to their crime. The parents had earlier claimed that the girl had gone missing. They have now confessed that the girl’s body was dumped in Sharda canal. The police are yet to trace the body but the parents have been arrested.

One held with drugs worth Rs 6 lakh

THANE, JUN 2 (PTI):

A 27-year-old man has been arrested for alleged possession of drugs worth Rs 6 lakh in Navi Mumbai, police said on Friday.

Based on a tip-off, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Navi Mumbai police apprehended the man at Palm Beach service road on Wednesday, assistant commissioner of police (crime) Vinayak Vast said. The accused came from a well-to-do family and was pursuing higher education, he said.

18 Bangladeshi held for illegal stay

AHMEDABAD, JUN 2

(PTI): The Ahmedabad police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) has detained 18 Bangladeshi nationals who were staying and working in different parts of the Gujarat city without any valid documents, police said on Friday.

In an address at an event, Singh said he envisioned a developed India that ensures that universal values like democracy, religious freedom, dignity and world peace are established across the globe.

The defence minister said the government is working to build a developed India by 2047, focusing on almost all sectors of the country.

“India is not an emerging but a resurgent power which is regaining its place on the global economic map under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Singh said, speaking at the Times

Network’s India Economic Conclave. The defence minister also underlined the need for building a welfare state with high standard of living, social harmony and equal participation of women in the development process.

“Together, let us dream of an India where people have the same feeling of nation building; where all Indians work together without any discrimination,” he said.

“Let us dream of an India where people are judged not by their caste and religion, but by their knowledge and character;

He began his address by stating that until the 17th century, India had a remarkably strong economy, constituting over a quarter of the world’s GDP, but it lost its glory due to a weak military and political slavery.

The defence minister asserted that the government is working on both these fronts to ensure that India regains its old glorious status. He stated that no stone is being left unturned to create a strong, young and tech-savvy armed force on the back of robust defence industry which indigenously manufactures state-of-the-art weapons and equipment,

Ashoka’s Empire: India on row over mural in new Parliament

NEW DELHI, JUN 2

(AGENCIES): The government today dismissed a brewing controversy around a mural in the newly inaugurated Parliament building that has drawn some angry reactions from Nepal’s political leaders. The ‘Akhand Bharat’ mural marks important kingdoms and cities of the past, including Takshashila (presently in Pakistan) and Lumbini (in Nepal), reports Ndtv news.

Two formers Prime Ministers of Nepal - Baburam Bhattarai and KP

Sharma Oli - who spotted Kapilvatsu and Lumbini on the mural, warned that it may cause “unnecessary and harmful diplomatic disputes”. “The mural in question depicts the spread of the Ashokan empire. It’s people-centric,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Mr Bhattarai, in a tweet, said, “It has the potential of further aggravating the trust deficit already vitiating the bilateral relations between most of the immediate neighbours of India”. Mr Oli was quoted by The Kathmandu Post as

NEW DELHI, JUN 2

(PTI): The estimated costs and benefits of climate transition in India are very unevenly distributed across regions, according to a study which calls for urgent policy instruments to compensate for this disparity.

The researchers noted that India is taking the first steps towards a climate transition with volume targets for the upscaling of renewable energies, a modest turnaround in coal-fired power generation, and plans for carbon pricing in the form of emissions trading. “This huge country with its 29 federal states and seven union territories already has large regional wealth disparities,” said Jose Ordonez, who led the study as part of his doctoral thesis at Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) in Germany.

“We determine the scenario of an ambitious climate transition for the individual geographical units, and examine the combined effect on income distribution, employment and industrial competitiveness,” said Ordonez, who is currently working at the EU Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Spain. This yields an important finding for central

stating that the installation of the ‘Akhand Bharat’ mural in the Indian Parliament “was not fair”.

The controversy erupted amid the ongoing visit of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal “Prachanda”. He arrived in India on Wednesday afternoon on a four-day official visit. On Thursday, the Nepal PM met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi who said India will continue to strive to take the relationship with Nepal to Himalayan heights. The Foreign Ministry said the “issue was not raised by the Nepalese side”.

government: without compensatory measures, the gap between poor and wealthy regions threatens to widen significantly, the researchers said. The study, published in the journal Energy Policy, used an input-output model fed with empirical data to map the direct distributional effects of policy measures.

The researchers assume there will be an extensive effort towards climate protection, including a complete coal phase-out, the massive expansion of power generation from solar and wind, a national carbon price of USD 40 per tonne for private households and companies, and the abolition of energy subsidies. The overall effect of this package on the individual regions, on a qualitative scale from “very disadvantageous” to “very favourable,” is key, according to the researchers.

The study shows that the negative effects are heavily concentrated in already poorer states in eastern India that are highly involved in coal-mining, most notably Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar. Jobs would be lost, the burden on poorer households would increase, and energy-intensive industries would come under pressure in this region, the researchers said.

“A strong military not only secures the borders, but also protects the culture and economy of a country. The goal is to build a strong, self-reliant and prosperous nation, which caters to its own needs as well as the requirements of friendly countries,” he said.

“This is an era of renaissance. It is time to reestablish India as a global superpower,” he added, according to the defence ministry.

Talking about the political landscape in the country, Singh said political parties are integral to a democracy and it cannot survive without them. At the same time, he rued that many political parties in India do not operate based on any ideology and their politics revolve around a person or a family or a caste.

Announcing this at a press conference here, Kejriwal said the ordinance must be defeated collectively in Parliament where it is likely to come up for voting as a law in the forthcoming session.

Soren, who accompanied him at the press meet after their meeting where Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann was also present, said, “The Centre’s attack on democracy is a matter of serious concern.”

Keriwal and Mann arrived here on a special flight from Chennai around 9 pm on Thursday accompanied by AAP MPs

Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh besides AAP MLA Atishi.

“JMM will support AAP in opposing the Central ordinance on control of administrative services in Delhi.

“The Centre is creating a crisis for the AAP and is preventing a duly elected government from functioning independently,” the Delhi CM said.

“Despite the Supreme Court verdict in favour of the AAP government (the apex court had ruled that the control over transfer

and posting of top bureaucrats in Delhi would vest with the state government), the Centre brought the ordinance,” Kejriwal stressed. He described the movement against the ordinance “like a fight for independence”

Kejriwal said, “This ordinance should be collectively defeated in Parliament as it is undemocratic, against the federal structure and unconstitutional.”

He added, “We will not allow the Central government to suppress democratic rights of people.”

26/11 attack accused challenges extradition to India

WASHINGTON, JUN

2 (PTI): Pakistani-origin

Canadian businessman

The mural apparently shows the empire of Ashoka, the third emperor of the Mauryan dynasty, at its peak. At its zenith, Ashoka’s empire stretched from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east. It covered almost the whole Indian subcontinent except present Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and modernday Sri Lanka.

‘Akhand Bharat’, described as a “cultural concept” by the RSS, refers to undivided India whose geographical expanse was very wide in ancient times - present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand.

However, the RSS now maintains that the ‘Akhand Bharat’ concept, in the present times, should be seen in the cultural context and not political given the partition of India on religious lines at the time of Independence.

The new Parliament building was inaugurated by PM Modi last week (May 28) and said it represents the idea of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”.

NFF demands action against illegal fishing

PANAJI, JUN 2 (IANS):

The National Fish workers’ Forum (NFF) has alleged that despite the annual 61-day fishing ban being in force off Goa, some trawlers are still catching fish in the sea and the state Fisheries Department has failed to act against them.

NFF General Secretary Olencio Simoes said that fish is being caught illegally in the sea. “Fishing ban was announced by the government, however we have seen some trawlers still catching the fish. Fisheries Department should take action against them,” he said.

The annual 61-day fishing ban in Goa has come into effect from Wednesday midnight. During this period, mechanised fishing is prohibited along the coast and territorial waters of Goa. Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar has said that action would be taken on those who get involved in illegal fishing during the banned season. The ban is imposed annually in the coastal state to facilitate sufficient time for fish breeding.

Meanwhile, the National Fish workers’ Forum has demanded that the ban be increased to 90 days in the next monsoon season.

Tahawwur Rana has filed a writ of habeas corpus challenging a recent US court order that paved the way for his extradition to India where he is facing trial for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

Last month, the US District Court Central District of California approved the extradition of the 26/11 attack accused Rana to India. Filing the Writ of habeas corpus through his attorney, Rana, 62, challenged his extradition by the Government of India. Rana’s extradition

would violate the United States-India extradition treaty in two respects, his attorney argued.

The writ of habeas corpus primarily acts as a writ of inquiry, issued to test the reasons or grounds for restraint and detention.

First, Rana has been tried and acquitted in the

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for charges based on the identical conduct for which India seeks to prosecute him.

It argued that extradition is therefore barred under Article 6(1) of the Treaty, which declares that “Extradition shall not be granted when the person sought has been convicted or acquitted in the Requested State for the offence for which extradition is requested.” Second, the materials submitted by the Indian government -- consisting principally of transcripts and exhibits from Rana’s trial in the Northern

District of Illinois -- fail to establish probable cause that he committed the offences for which India has charged him.

The Indian government’s extradition request thus fails to satisfy Article 9.3(c) of the Treaty, it said adding that the Court should grant the writ of habeas corpus, deny extradition, and order Rana released, the writ says. On June 10, 2020, India filed a complaint seeking the provisional arrest of Rana with a view towards extradition. The Biden administration had supported and approved the extradition of Rana to India.

K -1283/23

O FFICE OF THE BHUMNYU STUDENTS’ UNION

L ONGLENG ; N AGALAND F ELICITATION

With immense pride and gratitude we the Bhumnyu Students’ Union would like to convey our heartiest congratulations to the following individuals;

1. Shri. Y. Shingli Phom for promotion from District Head Dobashi to PA to DC Longleng.

2. Miss K. Moishing Phom, D/o Mr L. Konnyei Phom & Mrs. N. Kaplen Phom Subject Topper in Social Science from Ministers’ Hill Baptist Hr. Sec. School Kohima in the recently declared HSLC Examination 2023 under NBSE. The Union also conveys our heartiest congratulations to all the successful candidates of HSLC & HSSLC Examination 2023. The union further wishes them success in their future endeavours.

K. BAUTOK PHOM N. WANGKHAU PHOM President Joint Secy Bhumnyu Students’ Union Bhumnyu Students’ Union

Felicitation

The Watsu Mungdang would like to convey heartfelt congratulations to Mr Yimkum I Ozukum, Ms Vevotolu K ezo , Ms I mkongnukla and W. Aotula Ozukum for cracking the UPSC 2022. The Watsu Mungdang takes immense pride in their outstanding achievement and wishing them God's guidance in all their future endeavours and successful career ahead.

The Watsu Mungdang also takes immense pleasure in congratulating all the toppers in the recent HSLC and HSSLC exam achieved through pure hard work and merit. We wish you all God's blessings and continued success in all your future ventures.

S Arenla Longkumer Sungtiriben President, WM Gen/Secy, WM MKC -227/23

K-1236/23

I, Mr. GAIROTUI RANGKAU, the father of MR. JOHNA RANGKAU the person in picture, do hereby declare for public awareness that, my son is mentally retarded and out of control. He ran away from home in 2022. He claimed himself to be guided by the spirit and the messenger of God. He has a YouTube channel and followers too. Therefore, whatever ways & means, that he had uploaded or may upload are purely due to his deranged mental attitudes. I humbly seek apology from all concerned.

OFFICE O F THE NuNgyiNg Village StudeNtS' uNioN W O KHA DISTRICT; NAGALA ND

Felicitation

The Nungying Village Students' Union (NVSU) conveys our heartiest congratulations to Ms. Erenbeni Ngullie, D/o R. Mhathung Ngullie, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Kohima, Nagaland and Mrs. Areni Ngullie for bringing laurels to the village by securing top 11 Rank in the recently declared HSLC Examination 2023 from Mezhur Higher Secondary School, Kohima and Dr. Chanbemo Ngullie, S/o Rev. Nyimsao Ngullie and Wonimi Ngullie for completing Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min) in the Deptt. of Missiology from Beautiful Feed Ministry Institute, Alabama, USA on April 11, 2023.

The union further congratulates all the successful candidates of HSLC and HSSLC (CBSE) Examination 2023 from the Village and wish them success in their future endeavour.

Y. Woremo Ngullie, President, NVSU C Renjathung Ngullie, General Secretary, NVSU DB -728/23

OFFICE OF THE LITSAMI STUDENTS’ UNION

Dist. Zunheboto – 798620

Motto: Education is “Dynamism” FELICITATION

We the Litsami Students' Union with enormous pride and joy would like to extend our Heartiest congratulations to:

1) Mr. Mughakato Chishi, S/o Mr Hosheto Chishi Top 20 (95.83%) HSLC

2) Mr. Tonoka K Khala, S/o Mr Kughaho Khala

Subject Topper – Social Science (HSLC)

3) Miss. Hotoli A Assumi, D/o Mr Anito Assumi

Subject Topper – Sumi (HSLC)

The union also likes to congratulate all the students who have qualified in the recently declared HSLC and HSSLC result and wishes them best in their future endeavours.

Pitoholi H Khala Zhimokali K Zhimo

Sd/(GAIROTUI RANGKAU) F/O Johna Rangkau Peren Town: Nagaland

NOTICE DB-725/23

Costs, benefits of climate transition in India very unevenly distributed

India must ensure universal values like democracy, secularism: Rajnath

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren presents a memento to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during their meeting, in Ranchi. (PTI)

The mural apparently shows the empire of Ashoka at its peak.

Rajnath Singh

Tahawwur Rana

SNIPPETS

BJP leader shot dead in Bengal

KOLKATA, JUN 2

(IANS): Prashanta Roy

Basunia, a local BJP leader at Dinhata in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district, was killed in broad daylight on Friday. The victim was at his residence with his mother when some miscreants barged in and started threatening him.

After some heated exchange of words, suddenly one of the miscreants took out a pistol and shot Basunia from point-blank range. A profusely-bleeding Basunia was rushed to a local hospital where he died soon after admission.

Various courses introduced in Haryana govt colleges

CHANDIGARH, JUN 2 (PTI): Various new courses, including postgraduate diploma in national and cyber security, have been introduced from this year in Haryana government colleges, Higher Education Minister Mool Chand Sharma said on Friday.

Besides, PG diploma in defence journalism has also been introduced in some government colleges, he said. Sharma said the government has started PG diploma in national and cyber security at Government College, Shahzadpur in Ambala and Government College, Kharkhoda in Sonipat for the academic session 2023-24, as per an official statement.

Youth stabbed multiple times

NEW DELHI, JUN 2

(PTI): An 18-year-old youth was stabbed multiple times by two persons on Friday in southeast Delhi’s Badarpur area, police said. The motive behind the act is not immediately known, they said. On Friday around 2 pm, a call regarding the stabbing incident at Gali No. 9, Mohan Baba Nagar was received at Badarpur Police Station, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast) Rajesh Deo said. Police reached the spot to find one Sumit Gautam with multiple stab wounds.

Student drugged, raped in Kerala

KOZHIKODE (KERALA), JUN 2 (PTI): A female college student was allegedly drugged and raped before being abandoned in a mountain pass in Kozhikode district of Kerala, police said on Friday. The incident was reported from Thamarassery in the northern district of the state on May 30, and an accused in the case has been identified, they added. Police said a detailed investigation has been launched after recording the victim’s statement.

RSS chief on 5-day visit to Rajasthan for training camp

JAIPUR, JUN 2 (PTI):

Rashtriya Swayamsevak

Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will be on a fiveday visit to Rajasthan from June 4. Kshetra Sanghcha-

lak Dr Ramesh Agrawal said Bhagwat will reach Hindaun in Karauli on the night of June 4 and will stay at a training camp of RSS volunteers till June 7.

2 killed after being run over by tanker truck

BULANDSHAHR (UP), JUN 2 (PTI): Two men were killed after being hit by a tanker truck here on Friday, police said. The accident happened in Sikandrabad police station area, killing Omveer (35) and Chatar Singh (40) on the spot, they said. The two men, both flower sellers, were waiting near a brick kiln when a speeding truck ran over them, they said.

K’taka Cabinet to implement all 5 poll guarantees of Cong

BENGALURU, JUN 2 (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet on Friday decided to implement the ruling Congress’s five poll guarantees, without any discrimination of caste or religion, and has fixed a timeline to operationalise the schemes within this financial year, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

The Cabinet held a detailed discussion regarding the five guarantees and their implementation, and has arrived at some decisions, Siddaramaiah, who headed the meeting told reporters at a media conference.

He, however, did not answer how much the five guarantees will cost the exchequer, and said, “I will share it later.”

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar described it as a “historic day” as the Congress government has walked the talk on fulfilling the poll guarantees, and has fixed a timeline for their implementation.

Ahead of the Assembly polls, the Congress had promised to implement the guarantees - 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-

25) (YuvaNidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti), on coming to power.

The ‘Gruha Jyothi’ scheme to provide up to 200 units free electricity per month to every household will be implemented from July 1, Siddaramaiah said. However, the arrears have to be paid by the customers.

Under this scheme, the government will take into account the one-year average of power consumption and will give free electricity up to 10 per cent more than the average usage, he said, “This is in order to avoid misuse. Someone who has not crossed 70 units per month in 12 months, can he suddenly use 150 or 200 units. Can it happen? So we are taking the average.”

Shivakumar said 200 units is the cap.

Speaking about the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme that provides Rs 2,000 per

month to women heads of the family -- the ‘kartha’, the CM said it will be implemented from August 15.

He said the application can be submitted for this, even online, from June 15 to July 15, and the applicants who want to be beneficiaries under the scheme will have to submit their Aadhaar and bank account details along with their applications, which will be processed before the launch in August.

The scheme will be applicable to both BPL and APL card holders, he said, adding that the beneficiaries of social security schemes will also get the benefit.

Siddaramaiah also announced that under ‘Anna Bhagya’, 10 kg of food grains will be given to every member of a BPL household and Antyodaya card holders from July 1.

“This scheme will be launched from July 1 as the food grains for the month of

has no right on river water from Himachal, says Sukhbir Badal

CHANDIGARH, JUN

2 (IANS): Ahead of the meeting of the Haryana and Himachal Pradesh Chief Ministers on the issue of water sharing next week, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Friday said Haryana did not have any right on water from the Ravi-Beas river basin in Himachal Pradesh, being a non-riparian state. He said Himachal should not part with river waters to a non-riparian state without the consent of the downstream state.

Terming news reports of negotiations having started between Himachal and Haryana to construct

Law Commission backs sedition law, suggests increased jail term

June have already been dispatched and additional food grains have to be procured,” he said.

The chief minister also said that under ‘Shakti’ scheme, from June 1, women can travel for free in public transport buses other than AC, luxury buses in Karnataka.

“All women from all classes, including students, can travel free of cost within the state in BMTC (Bengaluru) and KSRTC buses... Under this scheme, women can avail services of 94 per cent of the buses.”

He also said that the KSRTC will reserve 50 per cent seats for men and keep the remaining for women.

“Bus travel is free for my wife too...,” was the witty reply of Siddaramaiah to a reporter’s question about free bus travel for women.

Further, under the ‘YuvaNidhi’ scheme, unemployed youngsters who graduated in 2022-23 will be provided an unemployment dole of Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for 24 months from the date of registration, the CM said, adding that if they find a job in the meantime, then the dole would be stopped.

“One needs to apply under this scheme. We will call for applications soon,” he said, adding that this scheme will be applicable to gender minorities too.

NEW DELHI, JUN 2 (PTI): The Law Commission has proposed retaining the penal provision for the offence of sedition, saying repealing it altogether can have serious adverse ramifications for the security and integrity of the country, prompting a push back by the Congress amid government assertion that the recommendations were “persuasive” and “not binding”.

The Commission, chaired by Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi (retd), also suggested increase in the minimum jail term for sedition offences from the present three years to seven years, seeking to bring it in consonance with the scheme of punishment provided for other offences under Chapter VI of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with offences against the state.

Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code dealing with sedition is at present under abeyance following directions of the Supreme Court issued in May, 2022.

Amid allegations of misuse, there have been demands for repeal of the provision.

The Congress accused the BJP government of planning to make the sedition law more “draconian” and giving a message ahead of the general elections that it will be used against opposition leaders.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Law Commission rec-

ommendations made in its report ‘Usage of the Law of Sedition’ were “persuasive and not binding” and an “informed and reasoned” decision would be taken after consultation with all stakeholders.

The Commission also said that sedition being a “colonial legacy” is not a valid ground for its repeal.

It said repealing the provision on the mere basis that certain countries have done so is essentially turning a blind eye to the glaring ground realities existing in India and that it can be retained with certain safeguards to prevent its misuse.

The Commission argued that the existence of anti-terror legislation such as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) does not obviate the need for the law of sedition.

In its report submitted to the government recently, the panel said cognizant of the views on the misuse of Section 124A, it recommends that model guidelines curbing them be issued by the Centre.

“In this context, it is also alternatively suggested that a provision analogous to Section 196(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) may be incorporated as a proviso to Section 154 of CrPC,

which would provide the requisite procedural safeguard before filing of a FIR with respect to an offence under Section 124A of IPC,” the Commission chairman said in his covering letter to Meghwal.

The Commission also suggested changes to the phrasing of Section 124A and added words “a tendency to incite violence or cause public disorder”.

It said the qualifying words “tendency to incite violenc e” would mean “mere inclination to incite violence or cause public disorder rather than proof of actual violence or imminent threat to violence”.

The law commission has now recommended to alter the Section as: “Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in lndia, with a tendency to incite violence or cause public disorder shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.”

a canal to take river waters directly from Himachal to Haryana and a likely meeting to finalise this arrangement on June 5, the SAD President said: “Another conspiracy has been initiated to rob Punjab of its river waters. We will not let it succeed at any cost.”

Explaining the entire issue, Badal said: “Himachal and Punjab are joint owners of the river waters being upstream and downstream states. The upstream state cannot transfer water out of the watershed without due consideration of the rights of the downstream state.” Considering these facts, he requested Him -

achal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu not to enter into any negotiation on transfer of river waters from Himachal to Haryana. He said Himachal could not part with any water to a non-riparian state without Punjab’s consent.

“Re-opening this issue after the closure of the SYL canal in Punjab by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal who returned the land acquired for the canal from farmers will amount to reopening old wounds. These could lead to intense inter-state and interpeople strife which would be detrimental to peace in the region.”

F.No. NSU/ADMISSIONS/2023-24

Date: 19th May 2023 ADMISSION NOTICE 2023-24

The National Sports University invites applications for admission to the following programmes for the Academic Session 2023-24.

PROGRAMMES OFFERED

*Framed in accordance with the National Education Policy, 2020. Admission to the programmes will be based on the National Sports University Entrance Examination (NSUEE), apart from programme specific assessments (Physical Fitness Test/Game Proficiency/ Viva Voce and Sports Achievement(s)) of the candidates. The Entrance Examination, Physical Fitness Test etc. will be conducted offline at selected centres.

For more details on admission such as eligibility criteria, prospectus, how to apply, fee, payment details, examination centre, admission schedule etc. please visit the University’s website: www.nsu.ac.in

Those candidates whose examination results are awaited can apply. However, such candidates will be admitted provisionally subject to their examination results and submission of relevant documents.

Registration and filling of online application form is open from 25th May 2023 to 25th June 2023 through www.nsu.ac.in

Candidates are requested to regularly check the University website for the latest updated information and further announcements and changes.

CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar and cabinet colleagues during a cabinet meeting, Friday. (PTI)

Haryana

SNIPPETS

Drug worth Rs 4,860 crore destroyed

in Navi Mumbai

MUMBAI, JUN 2 (PTI):

Police on Friday destroyed more than 2,400 kg of seized party drug mephedrone valued in excess of Rs 4,860 crore at a facility in the adjoining Navi Mumbai, an official said. The huge stock of the synthetic stimulant and psychotropic substance was destroyed by the Mumbai police at an incineration facility of Mumbai Waste Management Ltd at Taloja in the presence of members of high-level drugs disposal committee, he said.

Swimming

pool

supervisor’s throat slit during brawl

GURUGRAM, JUN

2 (IANS): A man who works as a supervisor of a swimming pool at HUDA Gymkhana Club here in Sector 4 has been admitted to hospital in a critical condition after his throat was allegedly slit by some people during a brawl, an official said on Friday.

It has been alleged that around 12-14 people attacked the supervisor and also thrashed the manager of the swimming pool after a fight broke out when the money of some people who had come for a swim went missing. According to the police, the supervisor has been identified as Sajid, while the manager is Washir (45), a resident of Tripura.

Fake international call centre busted in Gurugram

GURUGRAM, JUN 2

(IANS): A cyber crime team of the Gurugram Police has busted a fake international call centre, which was operating from the Sector 67 area, and arrested seven persons who used to dupe foreign nationals in the name of technical support, an official said on Friday.

Cong, BJP trade barbs over Rahul’s ‘IUML completely secular’ remark

NEW DELHI, JUN 2 (PTI): Rahul Gandhi’s remark that IUML is a “completely secular party” triggered a political slugfest on Friday with the BJP alleging that the Keralabased party is guided by the same mindset which was behind the Muslim League and the Congress reminding the saf-fron party about its veteran leader L K Advani’s praise for Mohammad Ali Jinnah during his 2005 Pakistan visit.

Gandhi, during a media interaction at the National Press Club in Washington, US, was asked about his party being in alliance with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in Kerala while talking about secularism, to which he answered “Muslim League is a completely secular party. There is nothing non-secular about the Muslim League.”

Gandhi’s remark drew a sharp response from the

BJP as its leaders alleged that the IUML is guided by the same mindset which was behind Jinnah’s All India Muslim League. Launching a scathing attack against Gandhi, Union minister Anurag Thakur said, “these are the same people who had stayed back after partition. They formed the Muslim League hereafter partition and became MPs. They advocated for Sharia law and wanted separate seats reserved for Muslims. They are the same people who are part of the same Muslim League. “It is Rahul

Gandhi and the Congress that sees Hindu terrorism but feels Muslim League is secu-lar.”

In a counter-attack, the Congress said the party Gandhi referred to was different from the Mus-lim League, for which the BJP has “more love” and whose leader Jinnah was hailed by Advani.

In a tweet, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said,”Syama Prasad Mookerjee was in league with the Muslim League in the government in Bengal when (Mahatma) Gandhiji launched Quit

Excise department seizes 43k bulk litre of illicit liquor SHIMLA, JUN 2 (PTI):

India movement. SPM was singularly responsible for the partition of Bengal.” He also tagged a tweet by Congress leader Amitabh Dubey who had slammed BJP IT department head Amit Malviya for his criticism of Gandhi, saying “You’re confusing the Kerala-based IUML he is talking about with Jinnah’s Muslim League that took Savarkar’s two-nation theory to its logical conclusion.” “The same Muslim League with whom BJP founder SP Mookerjee and Hindu Mahasabha formed coalition governments in Bengal, Sind, NWFP (North-West Frontier Province),” Dubey said.

Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera hit out at the BJP over its criticism and said the BJP-RSS have more knowledge of Pakistan’s politics and Jinnah’s Muslim League as they share a historical ‘jugalbandi’.

Law Commission considering to work on UCC: Justice Desai

NEW DEL HI, JUN 2 (PTI): The Law Commission is considering to work on the issue of Uni-form Civil Code (UCC), Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai said after a meeting with its chairperson and members here on Friday.

Desai heads a committee preparing a draft of the code for Uttarakhand.

Desai and members of the Uttarakhand panel met the Law Commission chairman, Justice (re-tired) Ritu Raj Awasthi, and members K T Sankaran, Anand Paliwal and D P Verma. “It was a courtesy call. Because we are working on it (UCC) and they are also perhaps consider-ing it,” she told reporters after the meeting at Uttarakhand Sadan.

“They were asking what work we have done.

OFFICE OF THE PHESAMA VILLAGE STUDENTS' UNION FELICITATION

The Phesama Students' Union takes immense pride and joy in congratulating Mr. Kelhousanyü Kuotsu S/o Mr. Neiphrehu Kuotsu for securing the top 9th position in the Higher Secondary School Leaving Examination (Arts Stream) 2023 under the Meghalaya Board of School Education. The Union wishes him the very best in his future academics.

The Union also congratulates all the successful candidates of the HSLC and HSSLC examinations and wishes them the best in their future academic endeavours.

Sd/- Sd/Mhasikhoto Chuse Rokotono Chütso (President) (General Secretary)

OFFICE OF THE LONGJANG KAKETSHIR TELONGJEM

Mokokchung : Nagaland

Felicitation

It is with immense pride and joy that we, Longjang Kaketshir Telongjem, would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to HSLC candidates of G.H.S Longjang for crossing the HSLCE milestone and for enabling the school to maintain the cent percent pass record for the 6th consecutive year. Our appreciation and gratitude also goes to all the teachers of G.H.S Longjang, especially the "RMSA subject teachers," and the village council and all the well-wishers who have extended their support towards the success of the coaching programme initiated by the school.

L.K.T also conveys its heartiest congratulations to all the Longjang students who have cleared the HSLCE and HSSLCE, 2023. May His benevolence continue to bless you all abundantly.

Sd- SdMoarenba Sungjemkala President, L.K.T General Secretary, L.K.T MKC -228/23

FELICITATION

With immense pride and honour, the Ungma Senso Telongjem Kohima (USTK) extends our heartiest congratulations to Mr. A otushi I msong, S/o Mr & Mrs Taliwapang Imsong for securing the top 5th position with a remarkable score of 94.20% in the Science Stream. We are also delighted to announce that he has emerged as the state Subject Topper in Physics in the recently declared HSSLC Examination 2023 representing Model Higher Secondary School Kohima under NBSE.

The union extends its best wishes and encourages to continue shining brighter and strive for more success in his future endeavors.

Imlikumzuk Lkr Repameren Lkr President, USTK General Secretary, USTK K-1277/23

K-1286/23

So we gave them some ideas. That’s all,” she added. Asked if the work done by the Uttarakhand UCC committee can be replicated at the national level, she said, “It is our wish that we come up with such good work which can be followed by other states.”

About the draft of the UCC for Uttarakhand, Desai said the committee of experts has completed public consultations and is in the process of studying the public representations and other mate-rials received so far.

“...public representations and all...we are studying them and formulating

a consultation paper. We have drafts of our individual ideas and that is almost ready, and we are collating it. Proba-bly, we will do it soon,” she said.

“But, I can’t promise that the draft will be ready by June 30,” she said, adding, “We have re-ceived a lot of suggestions from the stakeholders.”

Desai said that the committee is working day and night to complete the task as soon as possible.

On May 15, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the UCC committee had completed 90 per cent of the work and would submit

its proposals by June 30. Desai said, “We have done a lot of work. Our sub-committees travelled across Uttarakhand and met people, different community members and religious groups. We met all political parties and sought their views.... We are giving shape to the draft. Hopefully you will get it soon.”

Asked about the response of the minority community members on the issue during the consulta-tion exercise, Desai said, “We got support from the minority community and some opposition was also there. We will look into that.”

DBS TSEMINYU ALUMNI MEETING CALL

In view of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of DON BOSCO SCHOOL TSEMINYU, to be held in the year 2024, the School wishes to organize a meeting of the Past Students on Saturday 10th June 2023 at 11.00 am in the School campus. I request all the Alumni to consider this as an invitation to attend the same. Kindly keep in touch with the school in the school WhatsApp No. 8837204042 or email:donboscoschooltseminyu@gmail.com

Sd/Rev. Fr. Jose Lukose HM/ Principal

DP-2520/23

Excise Department has seized 43,000 bulk litres of illicit liquor during a raid in Nurpur Revenue district, officials said on Friday.

About 13,000 bulk litres of ‘Lahan’ were seized in raids at Ulehriya-Khanpur, Gangwal, Bhogra and Milwan on Thursday and 30,000 bulk litres of the same raw liquor were recovered and destroyed in similar raids on Friday, said Excise and Taxation Commissioner Yunus. An FIR has been registered in the police station against those accused. In another incident in Kullu, suspicious premises located at Banogi-KulluBeasar Road was inspected based on specific information wherein 588 bottles of English liquor and 369 bottles of beer were seized. Yunus said similar drives are being conducted in other districts as well and excise teams of Bilaspur, BBN Nurpur, Sirmaur and Mandi raided various places on Wednesday and Thursday and seized 170 bottles of English and country liquor. Several boxes of country liquor (VRV Santra) were seized by the police in the Una district and after an investigation of the holograms affixed on the bottles, they were found to be illegal.

HYD ERABAD, JUE 2

(PTI): The 21-day long celebration of the 10th formation day of Tel-angana kicked off with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting the people on the occasion while state Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao separately hoisted the national flag here on Friday.

Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh following a decade-long agitation and accorded statehood on this day in 2014. Murmu took to twitter to greet the people of Telangana on its statehood day and said the beauti-ful state is emerging as a hub of innovation.

PM Modi also extended greetings to the people of the state on its formation day.

“On the Formation Day of Telangana, my greetings to the people of this wonderful state. The skills of its people and the

richness of its culture are greatly admired. I pray for the well-being and prosperity of Telangana,” he tweeted.

Governor Soundararajan hoisted the tricolour at Raj Bhavan and CM Rao did the honours at the Secretariat.

When reporters asked whether she was invited by the state government for the celebrations, the Governor declined to comment.

“I am not going to comment whether any invitation came, invitation (was) extended or not. I am totally with the people of Telangana and people of Telangana are with me,” she said here.

Telangana’s per capita income grew to Rs 3.17 lakh from Rs 1.24 lakh, even as the Gross State Domestic Product went up to Rs 13 lakh crore from a little over Rs 5 lakh crore in the past nine years, the CM said in his speech after hoisting the national flag.

He said the state’s installed power generation capacity increased to 18,453 MW from 7,778 MW nine years ago.

“In 2014, the per capita income of Telangana was only Rs 1,24,104. With the progress achieved by the Telangana government, today the per capita income of our state has increased to Rs 3,17,115.

FELICITATION

The Lochomi Community Dimapur (LCD) congratulates ER. Mughato Z Achumi, son of Mr. Zuhoi Achumi, on being promoted to Executive Engineer PWD, Government of Nagaland. With immense pride the LCD commends your achievement. We pray and wish that our Almighty God bestow on you wisdom, diligence and good health as you take on the new responsibility. We are confident that you will deliver the best of services wherever you will be posted.

(Tohuka Jakha)

(Puloto Achumi) Secretary, LCD Chairman LCD

OFFICE OF THE DIBUIA STUDENTS’ UNION

P. O Mangkolemba, Dist.Mokokchung-798601

FELICITATION

The Dibuia Students’ Union with immense pride and profound gratitude extends our heartfelt congratulations to:

1. Mr. Imtitongzuk S/o Mr. & Mrs. Ungerchang, for achieving Top-15 position and also Subject Topper in Social Sciences in the HSLC examination, 2023 of Nagaland Board of School Education from Christina Memorial Hr. Sec. School, Aoyimti, Dimapur.

2. Ms. Akumnaro Walling D/o Mr. & Mrs. Lanuteka Walling, for achieving Subject Topper in Environmental Studies in the HSLC examination, 2023 of Nagaland Board of School Education from Queen Mary Hr. Sec. School, Mokokchung.

3. Ms. Sunjemmongla Pongen D/o Mrs. & Rev. Ayu Pongen Pastor for completing M. Div course in first Division with awards, from Discipleship Bible College, Dimapur.

4. Dr. Tinurenla Jongkor, D/o Mr. & Mrs. Limatoshi, for being conferred Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) on “Urbanisation and Development: Case Study of Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung Towns” under the department of Geography, Nagaland University.

5. Dr. S. Limakumba Walling, S/o Mr. & Mrs. T. Satemkaba for being conferred Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) on “Competition and Equilibrium in Classical Political Economy and Post Keynesian Economics” under the Department of Economics, University of Hyderabad.

The Union also warmly congratulates all the successful candidates who have cleared the HSLC and HSSLC examination, 2023 and wishes the best and success in all their future endeavors.

Jairam Ramesh

K Chandrasekhar Rao Anurag Thakur

SNIPPETS

RCEP agreement in effect for all 15 members

BEIJING, JUN 2 (IANS):

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement took effect on Friday for the Philippines, confirming that the deal is now in effect for all 15 members.

The full RCEP implementation reflects the determination and actions of its 15 members -- 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand -in supporting an open, free, fair, inclusive and rules-based multilateral trading system, China’s commerce ministry commented, reports Xinhua news agency.

Pakistan’s inflation touches record high amid turmoil

ISLAMABAD, JUN 2

(IANS): Consumer inflation in Pakistan raced to 38 per cent in May, the highest annual rise in prices on record, driven mainly by skyrocketing costs of food, house rents, electricity and gas bills, and transport, official data revealed. Non-perishable foods and transport costs climbed more than 50 per cent over May 2022, while average inflation for this fiscal year has reached 29.2 per cent, Dawn news reported citing the data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Central bank warns of risks

to Sweden’s financial stability

STOCKHOLM, JUN 2

(IANS): Due to high inflation and increasing interest rates, Sweden’s financial stability is strained and the risks are increasing, the country’s central bank (Riksbank) said in a report. “We have had many years of low inflation and low interest rates. This has increased risk-taking in the financial system and the economy in general,”

Riksbank Governor Erik

Thedeen said at a press conference held in connection with the release of the bank’s latest Financial Stability Report. Since 2021, global inflation has been high and tightened monetary policy with rate hikes has followed in its wake, reports Xinhua news agency.

Area of over 5 mn football fields burnt in

Canada

OTTAWA, JUN 2

(IANS): An area equal to over 5 million football fields has been burned by wildfires in Canada so far this year, Minister of Emergency Preparedness

Bill Blair said. Wildfires have devoured about 27,000 square kilometres of land this year, and the national 10-year average is about 500 square kilometres, Blair told reporters at a press conference, updating the current situation of the wildfire season which has seen tens of thousands of people flee their homes, reports Xinhua news agency.

Pakistan releases

198 Indian fishermen

KARACHI, JUN 2

(IANS): Pakistani authorities have released 198 Indian fishermen who had been detained in the countrys territorial waters in the Arabian Sea. On Thursday, the fishermen, who were imprisoned in Karachi’s Malir Jail, boarded a train destined for Lahore, from where they will make their final journey to India, The News reported. Pakistan decided to release the Indian fishermen as a gesture of goodwill. According to the authorities at the Malir Jail, the initial group of released Indian fishermen comprised 200 individuals.

‘Collapse’ of Indian democracy will have an impact on world, says Rahul

WASHINGTON, JUN 2

(PTI): Asserting that Indian democracy is a “global public good”, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that its “collapse” will have an impact on the world.

At the same time, Gandhi, who is currently on a six-day tour of the United States, said in multiple settings that the issue of democracy is an internal matter of the country.

“It’s our job, it’s our business, and it’s our work to fight the battle for democracy in India. “And it’s something that we understand, we accept, and we do,” he told reporters at a news conference here at the National Press Club on Thursday.

“But the thing to remember is that Indian democracy is a global public good. Because India is large enough that a collapse in democracy in India will affect...will have an impact on the world. So that is for you to think about how much you have to value Indian democracy. But for us, it’s an internal matter, and it’s a fight that we are committed

BJPwillbe‘decimated’inthenext three-fourassemblyelections

to, and we are going to, we are going to win,” Gandhi said. He gave a similar answer to questions on democracy at a reception hosted for him by eminent Indian American Frank Islam.

Responding to a question, Gandhi said that there is a need to broaden the India-US relationship and it should not be restricted to just defence relationships alone. “India has to do what’s in its interest. And that’s what will guide us...

So, I am not entirely convinced about the sort of autocratic vision that is being promoted. I think that it’s very important that democracy is protected on the planet. So, India has a role there” he said.

Rahul Gandhi has said that the BJP will be “decimated” in the next three-four assembly elections by the Congress, emphasising that they have the basic requirements that are needed to defeat the ruling party which do not have the support of the vast majority of the Indian population.

These remarks were made by Gandhi, who is in the US for a three-city US tour, on Thursday at a reception hosted for him by eminent Indian American Frank Islam.

“There is a tendency of people to believe that this sort of juggernaut of the RSS and the BJP is unstoppable. This is not the case. I’ll make a little prediction here. You will see that the next three or four elections that we fight directly with the BJP will be decimated,” Gandhi said in response to a question at the reception.

BRICS vow to combat terrorism financing

demic environment.

The ministers said that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and rejected double standards in countering terrorism and extremism conducive to terrorism, the statement said.

No cease-fire without a peace deal that

includes Russia’s withdrawal: Blinken

KYIV, JUN 2 (AP): U.S.

Secretary of State Antony

torial integrity and independence.

“I can give it to you right now, that they’re gonna have a really tough time in these assembly elections. We’ll do to them the very similar stuff that we’ve done in Karnataka. But if you ask the Indian media that’s not going to happen,” he said.

The visiting leader told the invited group of Indian Americans, members of the think-tank community and lawmakers that the Indian press is currently giving a highly favourable version of the BJP.

“Please realise that 60 per cent of India does not vote for the BJP, does not vote for Narendra Modi. BJP has the instruments of noise in their hand, so they can shout, they can scream, they can distort, they can yell, and they are much better at doing that. But they do not have the vast majority of the Indian population (supporting them),” he said.

Blinken said Friday that a cease-fire in the war in Ukraine could not be declared unless it was part of a “just and lasting” peace deal that included Russia’s military withdrawal.

Blinken said that “a cease-fire that simply freezes current lines in place” and allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin “to consolidate control over the territory he has seized, and rest, rearm, and reattack — that is not a just and lasting peace.”

Russia must also pay a share of Ukraine’s reconstruction and be held accountable for launching its full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022, Blinken said in a speech during a visit to Finland, which recently joined NATO and shares a long border with Russia.

Allowing Moscow to keep the one-fifth of Ukrainian territory it had occupied would send the wrong message to Russia and to “other would-be aggressors around the world,” according to Blinken.

Russia, however, wants any talks to address Ukraine’s request to join NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pushed for the country’s membership in the Western military alliance that the Kremlin sees as a threat.

“Naturally, this (issue) will be one of the main irritants and potential problems for many, many years to come,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

Blinken said Washington was ready to support peace efforts by other countries, including recent overtures from China and Brazil. But any peace agreement must uphold the principles of sovereignty, terri-

The United States is a leading Western ally and supplier of arms to Kyiv to help it push back against the Kremlin’s forces.

China, which says it is neutral and wants to serve as a mediator but has supported Moscow politically, on Friday urged countries to stop sending weapons to Ukraine.

In Kyiv, air defenses shot down more than 30 Russian cruise missiles and drones Friday in Moscow’s sixth air attack in six days, local officials said.

The Ukrainian capital was simultaneously attacked from different directions by Iranian-made Shahed drones and cruise missiles from the Caspian region, senior Kyiv official Serhii Popko wrote on Telegram.

A 68-year-old man and an 11-year-old child were wounded in the attack, with private houses, outbuildings and cars sustaining damage from falling debris, according to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office.

Stop sending weapons: China’s Ukraine envoy

BEIJING, JUN 2 (AP):

CAPE TOWN, JUN 2 (PTI): The five-nation BRICS grouping on Friday vowed to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the crossborder movement of terrorists, and terror financing networks and safe havens, a veiled reference to Pakistan.

In a joint statement titled ‘The Cape of Good Hope’, the Foreign Ministers of BRICS comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa expressed strong condemnation of terrorism “whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed”.

“They (ministers) are committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border move-

ment of terrorists, and terrorism financing networks and safe havens,” the joint statement said.

While the joint statement did not name any country, India in the past has described Pakistan as the “epicentre of terrorism” where terrorists like Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Sajid Mir and Dawoo d Ibrahim are sheltered.

Recognising the threat emanating from terrorism, extremism conducive to terrorism and radicalisation, the ministers stressed the need for a comprehensive approach of the whole international community to effectively curb the terrorist activities, which pose a serious threat, including in the present-day pan -

They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to contribute further to the global efforts of preventing and countering the threat of terrorism on the basis of respect for international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, and human rights, emphasising that States have the primary responsibility in combating terrorism with the United Nations continuing to play central and coordinating role in this area.

The ministers also called for expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework and for launching multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism, at the Conference of Disarmament.

China’s Ukraine envoy called on other governments Friday to “stop sending weapons to the battlefield” and appealed for peace talks at a time when Washington and its European allies are ramping up supplies of missiles and tanks to Ukrainian forces trying to recapture Russian-occupied territory.

Li Hui said Russian and Ukrainian officials were open to peace negotiations, but he gave no indication they were any closer to happening.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government says it is neutral and wants to serve as a mediator but has supported Moscow politically. Foreign analysts saw little chance of progress from Li’s visits to the countries because neither side is ready to stop fighting, but sending an envoy gave Beijing a opportunity to expand its global diplomatic role.

“China believes that if we really want to put an end to war, to save lives and realize peace, it is important for us to stop sending weapons to the battlefield, or else the tensions will only spiral up,” Li told reporters.

Clashes in Senegal kill at least 9

Saliou Bewe said.

China is the only major government that has good relations with both

Russia and Ukraine and has leverage as one of the biggest export markets for both. Xi’s decision to send an envoy was welcomed by the Ukrainian government but prompted questions about China’s motives after Beijing declared it had a “no limits’ friendship with the Kremlin ahead of the February 2022 invasion.

Beijing released a proposed peace plan in February, but Ukraine’s allies in-

sisted President Vladimir Putin must first withdraw Russian forces. “China’s goal is promoting peace talks and a cessation of hostilities,” said Li, a former ambassador to Moscow. European governments promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy missiles, tanks and drones when he visited Britain, France and Germany in mid-May.

Dated: 2nd June 2023

No.NU/ADM/C-31/22-1032

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Nagaland University desires to install “Biometric Attendance System” in its campuses at Lumami, Meriema, Medziphema and Dimapur. Interested firms can download the tender details in the University website: www.nagalanduniversity.a.c.in.

(Dr. Abemo) Registrar

DB-686/23

DAKAR, JUN 2 (AP):

Clashes between police and supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko left nine people dead, the government said Friday, with authorities issuing a blanket ban on the use of several social media platforms in the aftermath of the violence. The deaths occurred mainly in the capital, Dakar, and Ziguinchor in the south, where Sonko is mayor, Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome said in a statement. Some social media sites used by demonstrators to incite violence, such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter have been suspended, he said.

“The state of Senegal has taken every measure to guarantee the safety of people and property. We are going to reinforce security everywhere in the country,” Diome said. Sonko was convicted Thursday of corrupting youth but acquitted on charges of raping a woman who worked at a massage

Burned cars are seen at the entrance of the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal, Friday. (AP) parlor and making death threats against her. The court sentenced Sonko to two years in prison. He didn’t attend his trial in Dakar, and was judged in absentia. His lawyer said a warrant hadn’t been issued yet for the politician’s arrest.

Sonko came in third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and is popular with the country’s youth. His supporters maintain his legal troubles are part of a government effort to derail his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.

Sonko is considered President Macky Sall’s main competition and has urged Sall to state publicly that he won’t seek a third term in office. Since the verdict was

announced, clashes have erupted throughout the country, with protesters throwing rocks, burning vehicles and in some places erecting barricades while police fired tear gas. Plumes of black smoke and the sound of tear gas being fired were seen and heard throughout the city. The clashes forced the closure of the main university in Dakar. On Friday, Associated Press reporters saw students streaming out carrying luggage on their heads, walking past the shells of burnt out cars in the university compound.

“I blame the students for the vandalism — as for the situation in the country, I blame the government,”

The 25-year-old master’s student said that it’s the second time that the university has been closed because of protests related to Sonko — in 2021 at least 14 people were killed during clashes when authorities arrested Sonko for disturbing public order on the way to his court hearing — but said that this time it’s much worse.

“Buses have been damaged, the administration, too. The classrooms have been damaged. There was a lot of vandalism and that’s deplorable,” he said. Bewe said he’s supposed to have exams in 10 days but doubts he’ll be able to sit them.

Security forces patrolled the streets Friday and stood guard outside some supermarkets and shops anticipating more unrest.

Rights groups have condemned the government crackdown, which has included arbitrary arrests and restrictions on social media.

“These restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and information constitute arbitrary measures contrary to international law, and cannot be justified by security reasons,” Amnesty International said in a statement.

NO. DTE/Estt/PLD-1/2023-24/4581 Dt. Kohima, the 1st June, 2023. NOTIFICATION

This is to inform that the Department of Technical Education will be organizing ‘Placement Drive’ for all the passed out students of Polytechnics within Nagaland on 13th June, 2023 at Government Polytechnic, Kohima from 10:00 A.M. onwards. Private Companies/ Firms like:- Tata Motors, Jio Company, Impact, Seyie Motors, Nissan Motors, Symbiosis, M/S Pele Khezhie Enterprise and Eastern Computers Agencies will be participating in the placement drive for job placement in their respective Firm/ Company.

Interested students irrespective of branches are informed to register online from the website www.dtenagaland.org.in under placement drive link on or before 10th June 2023, 4:00 P.M.

Sd/(ER. VIPULHOU LHOUNGU) Director DC-881/23

NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA CHUKITONG, DIST. WOKHA NAGALAND

JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA CHUKITONG, DISTRICT WOKHA, NAGALAND

Dated: 02.06.2023

NOTICE INVITING TENDER

Sealed tenders are invited from the authorized registered Dealer/ Manufacturer/Supplier/Company for supply of various Stores Items like Grocery items, Vegetable, Non. Veg. items, M & R items, Daily Use Items Uniform Stitching and hiring of Vehicle etc for the session 2023-2024 to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Wokha Nagaland.

The Tender papers can be purchased on payment of Rs. 500/- for each set of tender forms from the Office of the Principal, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Wokha Nagaland w.e.f 02.06.2023 upto 17.06.2023 during office hours. Further, the same can also be downloaded from the official website of the Vidyalaya. However, during submission of tender forms an amount of Rs.500/- per set in the form of draft should be deposited in favour of Principal JNV, Wokha as cost of tender form.

The last date of submission of completed sealed tenders along with the EMD in the form of Demand Draft in favour of the Principal in the office of the Principal is 18.06.2023 upto 4:00 pm

The Tenders will be opened on 20.06.2023 at 10 AM in the office chamber of the Principal by the Vidyalaya Purchase Advisory Committee.

Rahul Gandhi

Li Hui

EAMS Jaishankar poses for a group photo at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting, in Cape Town, Friday. (PTI)

Govt bans social mediaplatforms, closesuniversity

Antony Blinken

Kanye West ‘sued for assault, battery, negligence’ after row with paparazzi

Rapper Kanye West is said to have been sued by a photographer for assault, battery and negligence following a heated confrontation earlier this year. The 45-year-old rapper was driving away from his daughter North West’s basketball game in January with his new wife Bianca

Papon collaborates with Grammynominated Heelis for 2 new albums

Censori when he stopped to confront several paparazzi who he noticed were on his tail, reports Mirror.co.uk.

Footage showed the star angrily going through a fellow photographer’s pockets, and photographer Nichol Lechmanik claims the father-of-four came after her next.

In video footage,

OTT release of romance drama ‘Jee Karda’ starring Tamannaah on June 15

Kanye - who is now legally known as Ye - was being filmed by Nichol as he approached her in the driver’s seat of her car while telling her, “You all ain’t gonna run up on me like that! If I say stop, stop with your cameras,” before taking her phone from her hands and throwing it out into the middle of the street.

Mirror.co.uk further states that the rest of the incident was captured on camera by Nichol’s business partner, who was recording from her passenger seat. Nichol made her way to the Sheriff’s Department the same day to file a report about the incident. While Kanye was initially named as a suspect in a battery investigation, he was not charged.

However, in the lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Nichol reportedly said that she was traumatised and humiliated following the incident and is suing due to a loss of earnings as she couldn’t return to her job as a paparazzi.

She is also said to want an injunction blocking Kanye from touching or harassing all photographers. (IANS)

Singer-composer Papon, who is known for hit chartbusters like ‘Moh Moh Ke Dhaage’, ‘Sun Le Re’ and others, has embarked on a new musical journey and is currently preparing for his upcoming songs in London. The singer recently shared a candid picture alongside Grammy-nominated audio engineer Darren Heelis. The photo captured the two talented artists sitting in the Pierce Room Studio. He wrote in the caption, “Back in London to mix with my friend Darren Heelis after a very long time! Lots of surprises coming your way! Stay tuned!!”

Talking about the collaboration, the singer said, “I’m really excited to be working with the talented Darren Heelis on the two new albums. It has been an amazing experience collaborating with him, and we have created something truly special. These songs hold a special meaning for me, and I can’t wait to share them with all my fans”. He added, “Each track is a blend of emotions and beautiful melodies that will take listeners on a wonderful musical journey. Stay tuned!” The singer recently made a remarkable recovery after a health setback, and is now back in full swing. (IANS)

OFFICE OF THE KIGWEMA STUDENTS’ UNION

Motto:- “ Hard Labour Conquers All”

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia’s upcoming contemporary romance drama series ‘Jee Karda’ is all set to stream on a digital platform from June 15.

‘Jee Karda’, which will stream on Prime Video, is an immersive story of seven childhood friends, who thought that by the time they were 30 that their lives will be sorted.

However, upon turning 30, they eventually find out that it’s a grand hot mess instead. They live, love, laugh, make mistakes together, get their hearts broken, and grow up a little, but through it all, discover that the best of friendships and relationships are imperfect and life is a luminous shade of gray.

Produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, Jee Karda is written and directed by Arunima Sharma and co-written by Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal. The eight episodic show

also stars Aashim Gulati, Suhail Nayyar, Anya Singh, Hussain Dalal, Sayan Banerjee, Samvedna Suwalka, Simone Singh, and Malhar Thakar. “Jee Karda is a heartwarming story about love, heartbreak, dating, family dynamics, and above all, the unbreakable bond of friendship that often carries us through the vicissitudes

Purohit, head of India Originals, Prime Video. Dinesh Vijan, Maddock Films added: “This story takes a heartfelt and relatable look at relationships. The plot and characters are crafted to have a wide appeal across all kinds of viewers. I am looking forward to unveiling our show to audiences on 15

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is returning for an as yet untitled “Fast & Furious” movie as Luke Hobbs, the actor announced on Twitter on Thursday, after bowing out of the successful franchise in 2021 due to differences with star Vin Diesel.

“Hobbs is back in the Fast and Furious franchise,” Johnson said in a video message from Hawaii, wearing a lei.

“The next Fast & Furious film you’ll see the legendary lawman in will be the HOBBS movie that will serve as a fresh, new chapter & set up for FASTX:

Part II,” he added.

The “Fast & Furious” franchise has collected more than $7 billion at global box offices, making

it the fifth-highest-grossing franchise of all time.

The latest movie, “Fast X” starring Diesel and Jason Momoa, debuted last month and lan ded the second largest global opening weekend of the year, only surpassed by another Universal title, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” It has earned more than $500 million at global

OFFICE OF THE YINGPHIRE VILLAGE STUDENTS’ UNION

B.P.O.Seyochung P.O Kiphire - 798611, Nagaland FELICITATION

box offices. Johnson said he and Diesel have made amends.

“Last summer Vin and I put all the past behind us. We’ll lead with brotherhood and resolve - and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love,” he said in his post.

The “Moana” actor went on to explain that he has an “audience first mentality” when it comes to his career and sends love to the entire “Fast” family.

Franchise veteran writer Chris Morgan will return to oversee the script for the upcoming project and develop Johnson’s portrayal of the daring diplomatic security service agent he has played in previous films. (Reuters)

Ms. AKHRIETOUNUO CHALE Ms. KENEINO THORIE (TOP 13, HSLC) TOP 6, HSSLC (Arts) Kigwema Students’ Union extends its heartiest congratulations to Ms. AKHRIETOUNUO CHALE, D/o Mr. VICHIESA CHALE and Mrs. KHRIEZOSIEÜ CHALE for securing the top 13 position in HSLC exam 2023.

The Union also congratulates Ms. KENEINO THORIE, D/o Mr. KUOLHOULIE THORIE and Mrs. KHRIENO THORIE for securing the top 6 position in the HSSLC exam (Arts) exam, 2023.

Your success has brought laurels to the Union. May the Almighty God continue to bless you and guide you in your future endeavours.

Kigwema Students’ Union also congratulates all the successful candidates in the recently concluded HSLC and HSSLC exam, 2023 conducted by NBSE.

Sd/- Sd/Metsivile Yhokha Thejasieto Neihu Info. & Publicity Secy. Joint Secretary

The YVSU with immense pride & honour would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Shri. A. Sedangcho Assistant Superintendent on being promoted to Superintendent (Class – I Gazetted) Under Labour and Employement , Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department Nagaland, Kohima.

The Union further wishes him good health & God’s abundant blessings in his future endeavours.

(Lumzi Sangtam) (Ritsala Sangtam) President, YVSU General Secy. YVSU

OFFICE OF THE NAGALAND HOME GUARDS SERVICE ASSOCIATION

HQS : Kohima : Nagaland Regd. No. POL-1/HG/48/92

Felicitation

All members of the Nagaland Home Guards Service Association (NHGSA) takes pride in felicitating Miss Thronglila Rengma, Daughter of Home Guard Senjungla Rengma for securing 5 th Rank in the HSSLC (Science Stream) Exam 2023. The Association while heartily congratulating her for successfully making it to the Top 10, further wishes her a bright future and more success in the days to come.

Sd/- Sd/Avinuo Sinlo President, NHGSA General Secretary, NHGSA

OFFICE OF THE NONGNANGPONG SEMCHIR MANGMETONG VILLAGE

Felicitation

The Nongnangpong Semchir Mangmetong Village takes immense pride and joy to congratulate Mr. TALINUNGSANG IMCHEN S/o Mr. Moameren Imchen and Mrs. Sentirenla for securing top 6 th (Arts) and for topping in Alternative English from MBOSE HSSLC 2023. Further, we congratulate all the successful candidates of HSLC and HSSLC Examinations 2023 from Nongnangpong Semchir and wishes them success in their future endeavors.

Sd/- Sd/-

L. Toshi Imchen

T. Mendang Imchen President Secretary

K-1233/23

‘The Rock’ will return as Luke Hobbs in new ‘Fast & Furious’ film

India clinch Jr Men’s Asia Cup Hockey

dian hockey’s Gen-Next, increased the lead to 2-0 as he received a delivery at the centre of the striking circle. He controlled and took a turn and smashed the ball home. India made repeated raids into the Pakistan defensive third but the finish was lacking on most occasions even as they took a healthy 2-0 lead at half-time.

1st Unisex Marathon Race at Gariphema

SALALAH (OMAN), JUN

1 (PTI): India’s junior men’s hockey team maintained its continental supremacy as it beat arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 to emerge Asia Cup champions for the fourth time here on Thursday.

Angad Bir Singh (13th minute) and Araijeet Singh Hundal (20th) scored for India while Pakistan managed to pull one back through Abdul Basharat (37th).

This was India’s fourth title, having earlier won the tournament in 2004, 2008 and 2015. Pakistan have won the tournament in

1987, 1992 and 1996. Recognizing the team’s effort and the unbeaten record in the prestigious tournament which saw the country qualify for the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup in Malaysia, the Hockey India Executive Board announced a cash award of Rs 2 lakh each for the players and Rs 1 lakh each for support staff. India went on the offensive from the first minute as they quickly earned a penalty corner through their first move. It was Sudeep Chirmako, who entered from the left wing and found

FELICITATION

the feet of a Pakistani defender but the subsequent chance went abegging.

India’s failure to convert penalty corner again came to light in the sixth minute when Sunit Lakra’s drag-flick was saved by the Pakistani goalkeeper. However in the 12th minute of the opening quarter, India drew first blood when Angad Bir Singh tapped one home from close range after Araijeet Singh Hundal’s shot was deflected off the goalmouth melee.

Hundal, one of the brightest talents among In-

However, Pakistan pressed hard after the breather and it was Abdul Basharat, who pulled one back in the 37th minute when Abdul Shahid set the former up with a perfect assist. The final quarter saw Pakistan make a flurry of attacks with as they got at least three penalty corners in quick succession.

In the 50th minute, Indian custodian Mohith Shashikumar made a diving save when Arbaz Ayaz tried to deflect a penalty corner from the left side of the Indian goal. They got another penalty corner but Nadeem Khan’s attempt was off-target. The Indians managed to stave off the waves of attack and then did well enough in the final moments to keep their slender one-goal lead intact.

DIMAPUR, JUN 2 (NPN):

The first Unisex Marathon Race (12 kms walk and run) to spread awareness on the use of tobacco was conducted from Botsa to Gariphema on May 31 under the theme, “Commit to quit. Yes to life. No to tobacco! Pledge to quit it”.

The event was organized by Gariphema Village Student’s Union (GVSU) as part of the observation of “World No Tobacco Day” and 9th anniversary of the declaration of Gariphema as “Tobacco Free Village.” It was sponsored by Gariphema Village Council,

NCRC, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland.

Wede T. Mero (42 min, 38 sec) from Chizami village under Phek district bagged the first position. Taliyanger Ozukum (46 min, 58 sec) from Mokokchung district, Lhouvisalie Mere (48 min, 30 sec) from Kohima village and Atseibou Rüpreo (1 hr, 6 min) from Tsiemekhuma village of Kohima district stood 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions respectively. 30 youth from different parts of the state joined the Marathon Race.

KDFA to organise license course

DIMAPUR, JUN 2 (NPN): Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) will be organizing AIFF ‘D’ License Course from June 8 to 13 in Kohima. Interested candidates have been informed to contact at 7005717748.

FELICITATION

With great delight and honour, THE OFFICE OF THE SUNGRATSU SENSO TELONGJEM KOHIMA is overwhelmed with joy and extends our heartiest congratulations to the following individuals for bringing laurels through their outstanding academic achievements.

FELICITATION

The Unity Village Sumi Students’ Union with immense pride and honour congratulates all the Students who have successfully cleared their HSLC & HSSLC, 2022- 23 with flying colors.

Er. Yimkum I Ozukum Ms. Temjensola Aier Ms. Imtijungla T.Ozukum

1. Er. YIMKUM I OZUKUM S/o Mr. Imtilepzuk Ozukum & Mrs. Merainla Aier, for successful clearing UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022. AIR 203.

2. Ms. TEMJENSOLA AIER D/o Mr. Opanglemba Aier & Mrs. Aonaro Longchar for securing subject topper in Social Sciences, HSLC Examination 2023.

3. Ms. IMTIJUNGLA T. OZUKUM D/o Dr. Rev. Temjen Ozukum & Mrs. Bendangla Longkumer, for securing top 13 MSC Gynaecology (KNRUHS) Warangal Telangana India. The Office further congratulates all the successful candidates of HSLC and HSSLC Examination 2023. The SSTK wishes them success and prays that our almighty God continue to bless them in all their future endeavours.

Mr. Bendangwati Longchar

Mr. Longka Ozukum President, SSTK Secretary, SSTK

JJ Arena Launch

Mr. Yanthungo E Jami

10th Rank Science HSSLC 92.40%

With immense pride and joy, we the Changsu Yanhen Tsolo Yanpoi Yanpiden would like to express our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Yanthungo E Jami S/o. Mr. Ezanthung Jami and Mrs. Yanaponi Jami for securing 10th Rank (Science) in the recently declared result of HSSLC Exam 2023 under NBSE from Pranab Vidyapith Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur.

Your hard work, determination and success has made us proud. We pray that our Almighty God continue to bless you with great success in your future endeavours.

Further, we congratulate all the successful students and wish them all great success in their future endeavours. Sd/Changsu Yanhen Tsolo Yanpoi Yanpiden.

WC-134/23

Chumoukedima, Nagaland 2nd of June 2023:

JJ Arena, a state - of - the art football turf with new age design to enhance the play & flow of football mundial launched at Seruzha Colony, Ward-08, Chumoukedima, Nagaland.

The multi-layered construction of football cleats ensures optimal foot feel and precise foot placement. It includes a natural shock pad for enhanced player comfort. The use of circular Silica white marble sand eliminates cemented flooring and reduces the risk of sharp cuts. High-grade rubber pellets provide excellent grip, replicating the feel of playing on real grass. The 55mm grass astro turf surface with Dynamic Finish prioritises player safety and maximises game performance.With extended research and development we are proud to present a FIFA grade football turf in Nagaland. To insure safety and comfort it was constructed with expert’s advise and further inspected by professionals. JJ Arena promises superior performance and unmatched durability.

The Man behind the Arena is sports – entrepreneur Jungshi Jamir, CEO of JJGROUP. JJGROUP the powerhouse behind JJ Arena is focusing on economic development & infrastructure in the field of sports, entertainment & retail industries. It fosters trustworthy transactions and delivers top-notch services, advancing the state's holistic economic development.

The JJ Arena launch will be graced by Dr. S C Jamir, Former CM & Governor as Chief Guest, Renedy Singh; President Football Players Association as Guest of Honour and Apok Jamir Former MP as special guest.

JJGROUP's website, www.jjarena.in, revolutionises the athlete experience and shape the future of football in Nagaland. It offers convenient online booking, schedules, and slot reservations via telephone and social media platforms. The turf is open for collaborative use, tournaments, events, and external organisations. For further information and inquiries, please contact: Jennifer Wangkhem Director – Corporate Communications

India’s junior men’s hockey team players pose for photos with the trophy after winning the Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2023, in Salalah, Oman, Thursday, June 1. (PTI)

Winners of with dignitaries on May 31.

Minor wrestler sexually harassed multiple times by WFI chief: FIR

NEW DELHI, JUN 2

(IANS): A minor wrestler was sexually harassed by WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh multiple times, claims the FIR registered by the Delhi Police.

The FIR gives the details of the harassment allegations. “Sir, mein apne bal-boote par yaha tak aayi hu, aage bhi mehnat karke aage tak jaugi (I have come this far with my hard work and determination, and I will continue to strive forward),” said the 17-yearold wrestler in her complaint against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who she said was holding her tightly while pretending to get a picture clicked.

The girl said, as per the FIR, that “he squeezed her towards himself and pressed really hard on her shoulder and then deliberately slid his hand down her shoulder and brushed his hands against her breasts, saying ‘Tu mere ko support kar, mei tere ko support karuga, mere saath touch mein rahna (you support me, I will support you, you remain in touch with me)”. As per the FIR filed by the minor’s father, the episode occurred in 2022, when she was 16 years old, she participated in the Sub Junior Wrestling Championship in the National Games. The FIR further

mentioned that after the minor strongly opposed Singh, he told her that the trials for the Asian Championship were soon to be held and since she was not cooperating with him, she will have to bear the repercussions in the upcoming trials.

“The accused also called my daughter to his room. My daughter was under pressure of getting her career ruined at the behest of the accused, and visited him in the room. The accused pulled my daughter towards himself and tried making forceful physical contact with her. My daughter being stunned and shellshocked immediately freed herself from the clutches of the accused and ran outside the room,” said the FIR.

Proving their point against Singh, the complainant further stated that in May 2022, trials for the Asian Championship were being held where Singh dis-

criminated with the minor wrestler. “It is general practice in the trials that whichever athlete wins a gold medal in the previous bout or national championship held earlier, the said athlete is given a preference in the trials, however, let alone giving my daughter preference, all strong contenders/athletes in her weight category were made part of the same group in which she was also a member. “The said trial was totally contrary to the prevailing practice wherein the strong athletes are always put in different groups so that they have a better chance of securing a place in the trial so that India can then be represented by the strongest athletes of the lot,” the FIR said.

“Furthermore, during my daughter’s trial, a violation of the established norms occurred. It was stated that the referee or the Mat Chairman should not

Thailand Open: Lakshya Sen in semis; Kiran loses to France’s Popov in quarters

belong to the same state as the participating athlete. However, in her case, she was pitted against an athlete from Delhi, and both the referees presiding over the bout and the Mat Chairman were from Delhi, which contradicted the prescribed guidelines,” said the FIR.

“Upon noticing this discriminatory practice, my daughter immediately raised objections. However, she was given an ultimatum that she either had to proceed with the match or the opposing athlete would be granted a walkover victory,” according to the FIR.

During her trial, she was subjected to deliberate point deductions by the referee and the Mat Chairman. Whenever she scored a point, they would assert that the clock had already stopped, denying her the entitlement to the point, even though this was not the case, the FIR stated.

“The matches conducted during the trials were supposed to be recorded, yet during her trial, the recording was manipulated by repeatedly switching it on and off. These actions were carried out under the direction and instruction of the accused, as my daughter had rejected his unwelcome sexual advances,” the complainant claimed in the FIR.

French Open: Djokovic reaches 4th round

PARIS, JUN 2 (AGENCIES): Two-times champion Novak Djokovic huffed and puffed but forced his way into the fourth round of the French Open following a 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 6-2 win over Spanish 29th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Friday.

Djokovic, who is aiming to leapfrog injured champion Rafa Nadal and win a 23rd Grand Slam title, came into the match at Court Philippe Chatrier having lost to Davidovich Fokina the last time they met in Monte Carlo.

The 36-year-old Serbian was given an early reminder of his struggles in that 2022 match by the man-bun sporting Davidovich Fokina, who had

the world number three tied up in knots with some heavy hitting and breath-

taking drop shots. Djokovic creaked on serve but hit back when it

mattered to level at 3-3 and edged the 83-minute first set with a blistering crosscourt winner that drew huge roars.

A charged-up Djokovic responded to an early break with two of his own but dropped serve again in the wildly swinging second set, before shrugging off three double faults at 5-5 and a time violation to double his advantage in another tiebreak.

He called the trainer onto the court for an apparent left leg issue, sparking fears the injury that accompanied his run to the Australian Open title in January had returned, but pulled away in the third set and crossed the finish line in style.

Sabalenka powers into fourth round, Khachanov survives Svitolina beats Blinkova to stay on track

Kokkinakis on Friday.

Aryna Sabalenka swatted aside Kamilla Rakhimova to remind her rivals of her French Open title credentials while Russian 11th seed Karen Khachanov also moved into the fourth round by stopping wildcard Thanasi

Sabalenka, the bigserving world number two, beat Russian Rakhimova 6-2 6-2 on a sunbathed Court Philippe Chatrier to set up a clash with American Sloane Stephens or Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in her quest for a second Grand Slam title. Khachanov looked to be in trouble midway through his match against Kokkinakis but stepped up his game in the crunch moments to get past his Australian opponent 6-4 6-1 3-6 7-6(5).

Former French Open quarter-finalist Elina Svitolina moved into the Roland Garros fourth round with a determined performance to stave off giant-killing Russian Anna Blinkova and claim a 2-6 6-2 7-5 victory on Friday. Svitolina returned to the WTA Tour at the Charleston Open in April following the birth of her daughter Skai with husband and fellow tennis player Gael Monfils and bagged her first title in two years by beating Blinkova in last week’s Strasbourg final.

Zverev makes winning return, in 3rd round

Former World no. 2 Alexander Zverev of Germany made a winning return to the Roland Garros after suffering an ankle injury last year as he cruised past Slovakian Alex Molcan 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 to reach the third round of the clay court major. Zverev is a two-time semifinalist in Paris, having suffered a right ankle injury against Rafael Nadal in the last four last year. Twelve months on and the 26-year-old is fully fit and firing again at Roland Garros. In other second-round action, Taylor Fritz of the USA defeated Arthur Rinderknech, the last remaining Frenchman in the singles draw, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to equal his best result at Roland Garros.

MANCHESTER, JUN

BANGKOK, JUN 2

(IANS): India’s Lakshya

Sen continued his run of good performances as he got the better of Leong

Jun Hao of Malaysia in straight games to storm into the semifinals while compatriot Kiran George was ousted from the ongoing Thailand Open 2023 badminton championships here on Friday.

Lakshya, who won a bronze medal in the 2021 World Championship, defeated his Malaysian opponent 21-19, 21-11 in the quarterfinals played at Court

No.2 at Indoor Stadium

Huamark in the Thai capital. Lakshya entered the semifinals where he will face the winner between Lu Guang Zu of China and Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the semis on Saturday.

On the other hand, Kiran George’s magical run came to an end with a defeat to Toma Junior Popov of France in the quarterfinals here on Friday. The 23-year-old Kiran George, who had caused a couple of upsets to reach the last-eight stage of the

Thailand Open, went down 16-21, 17-21 in a 41-minute encounter against the 28thranked French player at the Playing against Leong Jun Hao, Lakshya conceded the lead as the players went neck-and-neck till 10-10 before the Malaysian jumped to a 16-10 lead. The 21-yearold Lakshya, a top-10 player who has now slipped to 23rd in the BWF Rankings, fought back to level scores at 17-17 before the Indian eventually won the first game, 21-19. Things were a bit different in the second game as Lakshya took the early lead and though his Malaysian opponent remained on his heels, Lakshya won eight points in a row from 13-11 to win the game 21-11 and sealed a place in the last four. Kiran George had defeated third seed Shi Yu Qi of China in the first round and then got the better of another Chinese shuttler, Weng Hong Yang in the pre-quarters.

Nagaland muaythai team wins 5 medals

2 (AGENCIES): Erik ten Hag wants to bring the glory days back to Manchester United but the Premier League club have a long way to go, the Dutch coach said ahead of their FA Cup final clash against local rivals Manchester City.

United, 12-time FA Cup winners, defeated Brighton & Hove Albion in the semi-finals on penalties and will be looking to lift their second trophy of the season after winning the League Cup in February.

The former Ajax Amsterdam manager took charge last year and overcame a wobbly start to end their six-year trophy drought.

An FA Cup victory would complete an impressive debut season at Old Trafford for the Dutchman after guiding his side, who finished third, to Champions League qualification for next season.

Three-time European champions United failed to

qualify for the Champions League last season.

“I look at our opponents, but we look to ourselves, and you have to see where you are as a club, and from there, you have to make progress, and I think we did over the last season,” Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Saturday’s clash against City.

“We are in a good direction, and we have our opportunity in the summer to make new targets, new goals over the short term.

“In the longer term they will stay the same. I said last year, we want to restore United but we have a way to go.”

City wrapped up their fifth league title in six seasons and will be driven by the chance of achieving sporting immortality as they chase a treble.

But Ten Hag said they are focused on winning the trophy rather than preventing City from emulating United’s historic 1999 feat of doing the treble.

RIYADH, JUN 2 (AGENCIES): Cristiano Ronaldo concedes he did not expect to finish the season emptyhanded at Al Nassr but the Portuguese forward says he is happy in Saudi Arabia and hopes other big-name players will follow him to the league for the next campaign.

Ronaldo signed a 2-1/2 year contract estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($220.16 million) with Al Nassr, making his debut in January. He scored 14 goals in 16 games but it was not enough to help his side win the Saudi Pro League (SPL) title, with Al Nassr finishing second behind Al Ittihad. The 38-year-old, who missed the final matchday due to injury, said the league was very competitive but that there were many opportunities to grow.

“We have very good teams, very good Arab players, but the infrastructure -

they need to improve a little bit more. Even the referees, the VAR system, should be a little quicker,” he said in an SPL interview. “But I’m happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here.”

Ronaldo said he had adapted to life at the club, though there were many differences from his time at Europe where he played for elite teams such as Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid.

“In Europe we train more in the morning and

here we train in the afternoon, or night. When you start Ramadan, we train at 10 o’clock in the night. It was so strange,” he added. Since Ronaldo’s arrival, several other top players have been linked with a move to the Saudi league, with Lionel Messi receiving a formal offer to join AlHilal next season. Ronaldo’s former team mate and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has reportedly received an offer worth more than 100 million euros from Al Ittihad.

FIFA U20 WC: Uruguay edge Gambia; Korea seal quarter spots

MENDOZA (ARGEN -

TINA), JUN 2 (IANS): Anderson Duarte’s decisive goal helped Uruguay edge Gambia 1-0 to enter the FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinals.

In a match that saw both sides reduced to ten men, a low and driven rocket from Uruguay midfielder Duarte midway through the second half proved to be the difference as they edged past Gambia to set up an intriguing quarterfinal against the USA.

Gambia were up against it early on as Mansour Mbye was sent off in the 17th minute for a challenge on Juan de los Santos following an on-field VAR review by referee Francois Letexier.

Uruguay failed to take full advantage of having an extra man for the remainder of the first half, as Luciano Rodriguez’s yellow card was upgraded to a red following another on-field VAR call right before the break for an elbow thrown at Sainey Sanyang’s face.

It was to be ten-on-ten for the second half. After the break, Gambia were more measured and patient in possession, but Uruguay were more direct in attack and created more dangerous opportunities. Uruguay were eventually rewarded for their endeavour when Duarte’s fierce shot from 25 yards out found the bottom corner.

Uruguay will get two full days’ rest before facing an in-form USA side with a spot in the semifinals on the line. Uruguay have shown remarkable consistency through the years at the U-20 World Cup, qualifying for at least the quarterfinals ten of the 16 times they have participated in the tournament.

In other action, Bae Junho scored one and set another up as Korea Republic upset Ecuador 3-2 in the last 16 to set up a Sunday’s quarterfinal clash with Nigeria.

Taegeuk Warriors struck first for Korea. Junho played a delightful ball

over the back of the Ecuador defence. Lee Youngjun controlled it immaculately on his chest and buried a volley into the bottom corner. Junho then employed two exceptional touches to befuddle Daniel de la Cruz, before firing home to double the advantage. A penalty got Ecuador back into the game. Park Changwoo was adjudged to have pulled back Kendry Paez, and Justin Cuero dispatched his fourth goal of Argentina 2023, but Korea Republic restored their two-goal cushion at the start of the second half.

Choi Seokhyun forcibly headed home Lee Seungwon’s corner, and despite a late Sebastian Gonzalez effort from close range, three-two was enough to get the Koreans to seal the deal.

Korea Republic have now won four successive FIFA U-20 World Cup matches against nations from South America, the competition’s dominant continent.

Aryna Sabalenka

Novak Djokovic

Cristiano Ronaldo Lakshya Sen

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

DIMAPUR, JUN 2 (NPN): Team Nagaland bagged five medals in the recently concluded Muaythai National Championship 2023 held at EVP Film City Chennai, Tamil Nadu from May 26

to 31. According to All Nagaland Amateur Muaythai Association (ANAMA), the team won four silver and a bronze medal. The team was led by Hemavi Ayemi as coach.

The silver medals were won by Kambo Yeptho in 54kg, Imtiramok Amri 60 kg, Aboto Ayemi 57 kg) (Pro) and Yoto Chizo 67 (Pro) and bronze medal by Sentizungla Ozukum 48 kg.

Ronaldo ‘happy’ in Saudi Arabia, wants other top players to join him

The medal winners with the coach.

Korea U-20 football players celebrate after scoring against Ecuador during the FIFA U20 World Cup.

Man Utd still have progress to make in bid to restore former glory: Hag