4 May 2023

Fresh violence erupts in Manipur SC questions extension given to ED Director

Isthereisno otherperson...? SCasksCentre

IMPHAL, MAY 3 (PTI):

Curfew has been imposed in eight districts of Manipur and mobile internet services were suspended over the entire state after violence broke out during a tribal agitation on Wednesday, officials said.

Violence broke out during ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest against the demand by nontribal Meiteis, who dominate the Imphal Valley, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The Meiteis, who make up 53 per cent of the state’s population, inhabit the Valley, which accounts for about a tenth of the former princely state’s land area. They claim they are facing problems in view of “large scale illegal immigration by Myanmarese and Bangladeshis”. The hill districts which account for much of the state’s land mass is inhabited mostly by tribals -- including the Nagas and Kukis – and are protected from encroachment by various laws. Thousands of agitators took part in the rally at Torbung during which violence between tribals and non-tribals was reported, a senior police officer said.

Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to control the mob, the officer said. The situation remained tense while many agitators started returning to their homes in different parts of the hills, he said.

Agitated youths were seen gathering at Canchipur in Imphal West district and

State logs 2 fresh cases of Covid-19

DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (NPN):

Nagaland on Wednesday recorded two fresh cases of Covid-19 pushing the total caseload to 36005. The fresh cases were reported from Kohima. The State currently has five active cases– three in Dimapur and two in Kohima. Meanwhile, the death toll remained unchanged at 782 (including five non-Covid deaths but with positivity).

Wednesdays treasury transaction days

DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (NPN): State government has declared all working Wednesdays as Treasury transaction days with immediate effect.

State finance department stated that this was done to facilitate timely transaction of payments and receipts.

This is it!

“If most of us stop eating meat, then I’m sure there’ll be no cause for ban on transport of meat.”

Soibam Leikai in Imphal

East in the Valley calling in retaliation against tribals but heavy police deployment prevented further violence. Police also asked non-tribal agitators to return to their homes, the official said. In order to the situation from worsening, curfew has been imposed in non-tribal dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam and Bishnupur districts and tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts. Mobile internet services were also suspended across Manipur for five days with immediate effect but broadband services were operational. Separate orders declaring curfew were issued by the administrations of the eight districts. ATSUM had called for the march in all the 10 hill districts in the state to oppose move for inclusion of the majority Meitei community under the ST category.

Lawmakers of the Valley have earlier openly endorsed the demand by some Meitei organisation for ST

status for the majority community in Manipur, which alarmed communities who figure in the Scheduled Tribe list. Tribal villagers from remote areas came in buses and open trucks to nearest hill district headquarters to attend the rallies.

In Naga-dominated Senapati town, the district headquarters with the same name and located about 58 km from Imphal, the local bodies forced total shutdown of markets and suspension of public transport from 10 am to 1 pm to ensure that maximum number of demonstrators participate in the rally.

Thousands of tribals -- who make up about 40 per cent of the state’s population -- joined the processionswaved placards and raised slogans opposing ST status for the Meitei community.

Representatives of the Senapati District Students’ Association also met the deputy commissioner and apprised him of their concerns. At Churachandpur, the second-largest town in

the state, people defied prohibitory orders and gathered at the public ground and took a rally till Tuibong.

Prohibitory orders were issued for an indefinite period in the town last week following violent protests against a drive to evict villagers from reserved forest areas. Security forces were rushed to the town from other parts of Manipur to control the situation after the venue where Chief Minister N Biren Singh was scheduled to address a programme had been vandalised.

Similar rallies were also held at Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kangpokpi, Noney and Ukhrul, where even school students were seen among participants, police said. Meanwhile, counterblockades were put up in the valley districts, including Sugnu in Kakching district, in support of granting ST status to Meiteis. Protesters shouted slogans demanding ST status for the majority community as well as for protection of reserved and protected forests.

Terror funding case: HC dismisses NSCN (I-M) leader Alemla’s statutory bail plea

NEW DELHI, MAY 3

(PTI): Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea by Alemla Jamir, a self-styled “cabinet minister” of NSCN (I-M) arrested in a terror funding case, seeking default bail on the ground that the NIA filed an incomplete charge sheet.

The high court said there was no illegality or infirmity in the orders passed by the trial court from time to time regarding the detention of Jamir.

“Hence in our view, filing of a complete charge sheet within the stipulated period is sufficient compliance and no default bail can

be granted in a case where cognisance was taken later.

“The custody of the accused/appellant (Alemla) cannot be termed illegal only on the ground that a sufficient amount of time was spent by the court clerk to raise objections regarding page numbering and illegible documents and the respondent/NIA had taken some time to respond to the objections and after removal of objections, the cognisance was rightly taken on July 3, 2020,” a bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh said.

The high court dis -

missed Alemla’s appeal challenging an order passed by a special NIA court on July 03, 2020, rejecting her application seeking release on statutory bail, saying the charge sheet was filed within the limitation period and the appeal was devoid of merits.

The case was lodged after Alemla was intercepted at Delhi airport on December 17, 2019, while she was about to travel to Dimapur, and was found carrying Rs 72 lakh. She could not explain the source of the cash. An intimation was sent to the IT department and the investigation was initiated.

NEW DELHI, MAY 3 (PTI): “Can one person be so indispensable?” the Supreme Court asked the government on Wednesday as it questioned it about the third extension of service given to ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra despite its express direction that no further extension shall be granted to him.

The top court said it had categorically held in its 2021 judgement that any extension of tenure granted to officers holding the post of Director of Enforcement after attaining the age of superannuation should be for a short period and clearly mentioned that no further extension will be given to Mishra.

“Is there is no other

person in the organisation who can do his job? Can one person be so indispensable?

“According to you, there is no one else in ED who is competent? What will happen post to the agency post-2023, when he does retire?” a bench of Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre.

The barrage of questions from the bench came after the solicitor general said Mishra’s extension was necessitated because of administrative reasons and was vital for India’s evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

“The next peer review of India’s legislation on money laundering is to take place in 2023 and, with a view to ensuring that India’s rating does not go down, continuity of the leadership in the Enforcement Directorate is crucial,” Mehta

said, adding the person already interacting with the task force is best suited to deal with it and the skills for that is acquired after working in that position for several years.

The solicitor general said though no one is indispensable, in such cases continuity is required.

“We are not dealing with individuals, but with the performance of an entire country,” he contended.

At the start of the arguments, the solicitor general questioned the locus standi of some of the PIL petitioners who have challenged the amended law that allowed extension to the ED boss.

“At the outset, I have serious objection with respect to petitions filed by political persons whose party’s senior functionaries are under investigation by Enforcement Directorate. They have no locus in the matter. Office bearers of the Congress party....

“Their leaders are facing serious ED investigations and it is not just political investigation as alleged. In one of the cases, we had to bring a cash counting machine because there was so much cash recovered from them...Will this court entertain petitions at the behest of persons who are trying to pressurise the agency ED,” Mehta said. The apex court, however, refused to agree with Mehta’s submission.

“Merely because a person is a member of a political party, can that be a ground not to permit him a petition? Can he be stalled from approaching the court?” the bench asked.

Mehta sto od his ground, saying a public interest litigation has to be limited to public interest and not private interest.

The hearing in the matter remained inconclusive and will continue on May 8.

DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) reaffirmed its order on banning exploration and extraction of mineral wealth in Naga areas until political settlement was reached.

NSCN (I-M) through its MIP Wednesday maintained that ever since the creation of Nagaland state in 1963, the Government of India had been “casting covetous eyes on Nagas’ mineral wealth” in Nagaland state, which was endowed with variety of mineral deposits, particularly petroleum.

However, NSCN (I-

India

slips

M) stated that the “sticking point” was the unresolved political issue, which was “still hanging fire in the negotiating table for more than 25 years.”

Recalling that more than two decades back it had issued standing order that no mineral wealth in Naga areas would be allowed for exploration and extraction until political settlement was arrived at, the NSCN (I-M) reaffirmed “This order still stands valid today.” NSCN (I-M) has, asserted that no amount of justification in the name of mobilizing

financial resources for development would “stand to ride roughshod” over the inalienable Naga people’s rights over their land resources.

“Ironically, this oil issue has come at the time when the Government of India is showing no sincerity and commitment to respect the historical and political rights of the Naga people as enshrined in the historic Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, and pulling the Indo-Naga political talks for more than 25 years on flimsy ground of negotiating on the non-negotiable issue

of Naga National Flag and Constitution,” stated NSCN (I-M). NSCN (I-M) maintained that for over 70 years, the Nagas have stood the test of time to “defend the God given rights.” It further pointed out that 600 million tonnes of oil and natural gas reserves was “a blessed wealth of Nagas”. It asserted that no authority would be given the liberty to exploit so long as Government of India continued to handle the Naga political issue “with flattering and betraying fashion.”

11 positions on World Press Freedom Index

NEW DELHI, MAY 3 (PTI): Media associations in the country have voiced concern over India slipping 11 places to 161st rank in the World Press Freedom Index, 2023, published on Wednesday.

Global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which publishes a yearly report on press freedom in countries across the world, had last year ranked India at 150 in a survey of 180 countries.

“The situation has gone from ‘problematic’ to ‘very bad’ in three other countries: Tajikistan (down 1 at 153rd), India (down 11 at 161st) and Turkey (down 16 at 165th),” the RSF report said. “The other phenomenon that dangerously restricts the free flow of information is the acquisition of media outlets by oligarchs who maintain close ties with political leaders,” the report, published on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, added.

ST status: Meeteis in Dimapur, Chümou hold rally

DIMAPUR, MAY 3

(NPN): Even as tribals took out a ‘Solidarity March’ in all ten hill districts of Manipur to oppose inclusion of the majority Meitei community under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category on Wednesday, the Dimapur Meetei Council (DMC) and Chümoukedima Meetei Council (CMC) organised separate rallies in support for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status demand of Meetei community in Manipur.

DMC through its media cell said, the rally was held on the theme “Peace for Manipur should not be at the cost of Meetei’s survival” in collaboration with World

Meetei Council. The council has appealed to the Manipur government to send a recommendation for ST to the Centre at the earliest.

It stated that Manipur High Court last month had already passed an order directing Manipur government to send a recommen-

dation to the Centre within four weeks. However, they said that Manipur government failed to send recommendation till date. The council further said that ST demand was a constitutional right to protect their land and political space. CMC: Chumoukedi -

ma Meetei Council (CMC) through its media cell informed that the Meeteis took out rally in and around Chumoukedima town in solidarity with ST status demand for Meetei community in Manipur.

The council affirmed full support to the demand and the claim that being an indigenous community in Manipur with minimum political space and without constitutional protection of land like other communities could lead to genocide. The council, therefore, appealed to the Manipur government to honour the judgement of the Manipur High Court in the interest of the people.

The Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Club of India, and the Press Association released a joint statement condemning the country’s dip in the index. “The indices of press freedom have worsened in several countries, including India, according to the latest RSF report,” the joint statement said.

“For developing democracies in the Global South where deep pockets of inequities exist, the media’s role cannot be understated. Likewise the constraints on press freedom due to hostile working conditions like contractorization have to also be challenged. Insecure working conditions can never contribute to a free press,” it added.

Norway, Ireland and Denmark occupied the top three positions in press freedom, while Vietnam, China and North Korea constituted the bottom three.

WC’s stand on UNPG/NNC leadership issue

DIMAPUR, MAY 3

(NPN): Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) has declared that it would only recognise president Kiviho Zhimomi and general secretary Toshi Walling, who is also the co-convener of WC,NNPGs, as legitimate leadership of United Naga People’s Government (UNPG), Naga National Council (NNC) if Z Royim chose to go against WC, NNPGs unity, as per the decision of UNPG/NNC emergency declaration.

In a statement, the committee said UNPG/ NNC was represented by senior leader Toshi in the

negotiations between the Centre and WC, NNPGs, adding that he had prominently contributed on and off the table.

On the other hand, Kiviho, as vice-president of UNPG/NNC, had attended all important WC meetings and decisions were taken with him on board in the absence of Royim, who at 80 was limited by age, lack of education and village existence, although a very senior worker.

The committee mentioned that these factors appeared to have played critical role in Royim falling prey to dubious and divisive elements over phone.

WC, NNPGs stated that it was convinced that there were anti-Naga elements and characters using cash and criminal propaganda to destroy the unity and comradeship within the committee members. It alleged that some vulnerable senior members had been bought off already and some were being contacted with the promise of great financial incentives.

Unfortunately, the committee observed that geographical distance between leaders and easy accessibility to their mobile phones had allowed the dejected, discharged and terminated

No exploration, extraction of oil & minerals until settlement of Naga issue: NSCN (I-M)

Houses burnt during the violence in Manipur on Wednesday. (Pics on Twitter)

Members of Dimapur Meetei Council during the rally.

Curfewin8dists, mobileinternet servicessuspended

Water quality lab inaugurated in Phek

District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM), deliberated on the benefits of having an NAB accredited laboratory in the district. Underscoring the health benefits and importance of water testing, Ramnikhant urged the people to come forward and get their water tested before utilisation.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Noklak DPDB: Noklak District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting has been convened on May 13 at 11 a.m. at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Noklak office. All members have been asked to attend the meeting.

AR recover counterfeit currency

DC Phek, Kumar Ramnikhant inaugurating the NABL water quality lab in Phek.

DIMAPUR: District water quality testing laboratory accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Phek,

Kumar Ramnikhant on May 2 at Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) office, Phek. According to a DIPR report, at the inaugural programme, DC Phek, who is also the chairman of

The keynote address was delivered by laboratory head and executive engineer PHED office, Phek, Er. Vikuosa Khape while quality manager and district chemist, PHED Division, Kethonu Theyo briefed the gathering on NABL.

The programme was chaired by sanitation and hygiene consultant, PHED Phek, Abigail Ritse.

DESO Longleng relocated: Office of the District Economics & Statistics Office and District Registrar of Births and Deaths in Longleng has been shifted to the new office complex located at the New Site (Mochu) above the DIET building and EE, PHED office, Longleng. The department has informed that all office correspondence and issuing of birth/death certificates would be done in the new office.

KBCA ordination cum licencing: Kuzhami Baptist Churches Association (KBCA) held an ordination cum licencing service on April 30 at Kuzhami Baptist Church, Chumoukedima, and ordained Alo Medo and Meyie Mero while Wolo Lasuh and Medovi Koza were certified with ministry license.

DMC extends license registration date

DIMAPUR: Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has notified that the last date for renewal of the existing registered trade license has been extended for a period of 15 days i.e., up to May 15, 2023.

In a press release, DMC administrator, W

Manpai Phom has informed that this would be the last and final relaxation to provide fair opportunity and to facilitate all the existing registered trade license defaulters under DMC to renew their license.

DMC said all regis -

tered trade license defaulters who do not turn up for renewal up to May 15 shall be cancelled without further notice and no claim/ relaxation shall be entertained thereafter. It said the list of the defaulting trade license year wise from the year 2006 onwards was

prepared and put up in the DMC notice board.

Further, DMC informed that registration of new/fresh trade license w.e.f. May 16 shall be taken up as per the new terms and conditions provided under the new digital trade license management system.

4 held on charge of vehicle theft

Awomi (35) son of Kashavi Awomi and Kughashe Swu (30) son of Khahexu Swu, all residents of Pimla Village.

PRO said the team recovered three stolen bikes - super splendor, Xpulse 200 (NL07EA 7555) and Xpulse (NL07EB 5953) from their possession. The team also recovered one four-wheeler Alto 800 (AS12P 1424), which was used for the commission of crime.

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles during a “follow up operatio n” conducted a raid at the resident of NSCN (I-M) “SS major”, Athong Sangtham at Bamunpukhari Village and recovered 87 notes of counterfeit currency in Rs. 500 denominations along with other items. In a press release, PRO (Defence) informed that the operation was a follow up after questioning of five NSCN (I-M) cadres, who were arrested on April 28, 2023.

PRO said the arrested cadres disclosed Athong as the “mastermind”. PRO informed that

Meeting on NIPUN Bharat Mission in Phek

Athong managed to flee from the house but operations to nab the “mastermind” based on leads given during questioning of arrested cadres was under progress.

Further, PRO saidRs. 40,000 cash, 87 notes of counterfeit currency in Rs. 500 denomination,

one radio set with charger, two smart phones, one “basic mobile”, one air gun rifle with scope (without number), two NSCN flags, NSCN (I-M) documents and Maruti Alto 800 (NL 07 CV 9198) were recovered and handed over to police.

Assam Rifles nab NSCN (Niki) cadres

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles (AR) on May 1 apprehended the “town commander of NSCN (Niki Sumi) along with three “military wing cadres” and one “civil wing cadre” at Zunheboto Town. A press release by PRO (Defence) informed that the Assam

Rifles based on specific input apprehended the cadres and seized two 32 pistols, ten live rounds, contraband and extortion receipts. PRO said the apprehended individuals along with weapons and contraband were handed over to Zunheboto police.

DIMAPUR: A discussion meeting on NIPUN Bharat Mission was held at DC’s conference hall, Phek on April 28. At the discussion meeting, DC Phek, Kumar Ramnikhant urged all the officers and teachers in the schools to give their sincere effort for the successful implementation of their Mission Project and work together for the benefit of deserving school children. DEO V. Kavili Sema who was the chairperson of the meeting, delivered the welcome address. It may be noted that National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) was launched by ministry of Education for ensuring that every child in the country necessarily attains foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27.

SOC deliberates on upcoming campaigns

DIMAPUR: State Oversight Committee (SOC) held a meeting on May 2 at Conference Hall, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima, where the members deliberated on the modalities and plan of the upcoming Integrated Sexually transmitted infections (STI), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Tuberculosis (TB), Hepatitis (ISHTH) campaign in Prisons & Other Closed Settings (P&OCS).

DIMAPUR: Dimapur police has informed that four persons were apprehended by a team of Sub-Urban Police Station with the assistance of Pimla Village Council on May 1, for their involvement in vehicular theft.

In a press release, Dimapur police PRO identified the apprehended miscreants as Vito Awomi (37) son of Latovi Awomi, “SS rajupio” of NSCN (I-M), Tokato Awomi (29) son of Vihokhe Awomi, Kitoka

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

With tearful eyes we watched you. We couldn’t make you stay. Your Golden heart stopped beating, your tired hands put to rest. Your sweet memories is our keepsake, Tears of regret still flow. Time flies fast and life goes at its pace. But the memories of you can never be forgotten or erased from our minds, for you were someone special who meant more than words could express. You are deeply missed through each passing day of our life and you will always remain in our thoughts.

Loving Husband, Daughter, Sons, Mum & Families.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Late Mr. SWEYIEYOHO SAVI (AYO)

17-5-1977 to 17-4-2023

Further PRO informed that all apprehended accused persons along with the seized vehicles were brought to the police station and were taken into custody after observing all legal formalities. The case has been booked under relevant section of law and investigation on going, added PRO.

According to a DIPR report, the campaign under aegis of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) would be launched across the country on May 15. Nagaland H&FW department would also carry out the campaign among inmates and clients of prison and other closed settings for screening/testing and

linkages to treatment of STI, HIV, TB and Hepatitis, across the state. At the meeting, the modalities and plan of the upcoming ISHTH campaign were presented by joint director (prevention), Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), Dr. Bernice D Thapru, while an overview of the HIV and AIDS scenario in the state was given by deputy director (SIMU), NSACS, Medo Kire.

A CKNOWLEDGEMENT

The meeting also deliberated on two more upcoming campaigns, namely, the Integrated Health Camp (IHC) and Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV & Syphilis (EVTHS) campaign for which the presentations were given by Dr. M. Nukshisangla Jamir, Deputy Director (BSD), NSACS.

The meeting chaired by commissioner and secretary

and chairman, NSACS, Y. Kikheto Sema was attended by principal director, H&FW, Dr. Vibeituonuo M. Sachu, mission director NHM, Dr. Ritu Thurr, project director NSACS, Dr. Akuo Sorhie, state TB officer, Dr. Tiasunep, senior officials of H&FW, representatives of social welfare department, prison department, development partners, NGO partners and others.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We the family of Late Mr. Sweyieyoho Savi (Ayo), express our profound gratitude to each and every one of you for the love and support shown at his sudden demise on 17th April 2023,for your presence on the day to pay your respect and honour to our beloved son and brother; for your floral tributes, services, deeds, kinds and prayers.

The love, care and prayer support to our family had given us solace and made our loss and pain more bearable. Words are insufficient to express our gratitude and we are unable to thank you all in person individually. It is our earnest prayer that God bless you all abundantly.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Loving Parents and Family Members

14.12.1978 – 23.04.2023

‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You; The Lord make His Face Shine upon You and be gracious to You; The Lord turn His face toward You and give You Peace’ Numbers 6: 24-26

We the family members of Late SENTIRENLA NINGDANGRI would like to express our sincere gratitude to each and every one – for the prayer, love and generosity extended to us during this difficult moment. This is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all from Heaven above.

Loving Husband and Children

mkc-155/23

Acknowledgement

Late Ghokhuvi Kinimi, Ex Hd. GB Awohumi

26th April 1916 – 29th April 2023

“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:16

We the bereaved family members of Lt. Ghokhuvi Kinimi (Awohumi) would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone who sympathised and supported us during our sad loss. Your spiritual, physical, financial and emotional support was a source of enormous comfort and encouragement during our hard time and although we have nothing to give you in return, we pray that the Almighty Lord bless each and everyone of you abundantly.

We would like to specially thank:-

1. Awohumi Baptist Church.

2. Women Department, Awohumi Baptist Church.

3. Youth Department, Awohumi Baptist Church.

4. Awohumi Tughalo Kichemi Kuqhakulu.

5. Dr Sukhato A Sema, Hon’ble MLA,13 A/C Pughoboto.

6. Sumi Hoho.

Lt. LHOUSO PAPHINO 1940 – 24/04/2023

We the family members of Lt. LHOUSO PAPHINO express our profound and heartfelt gratitude to all those who stood by us and shared our grief and emotion physically, spiritually, financially during this time of sadness. We would like to thank:

Pfüchama

Office

11. Southern Angami C.R.C Pastor & Deacon Union 12. Southern Angami C.R.C Miapuonuoko Krotho 13. Southern Angami C.R.C Thenumiapfü Krotho. 14. Union C.R.C Kipfüzha

Complex (Chumukedima)

7. Sumi Kukami Hoho.

8. Sumi Aphuyemi Kukami Hoho

9. SABAK, Pughoboto.

10. Shesulimi Baptist Church.

11. Shesulimi Village Council.

12. NCRC(Sumi), Shesulimi.

13. Kichilimi Baptist Akukuhou.

14. Women Department, Kichilimi Baptist Akukuhou.

15. Ghokimi Baptist Church.

16. Ghokimi Village Council.

Sub-Council

19. Lerie Taxi Union 20. Immanuel Baptist Church

We regret that we could not mention each and every individual. But we pray that the blessings of Almighty God shower upon you all abundantly. Loving wife, children, in-laws, grand children & great grand children

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 k-949/23

17. Chisholimi Baptist Church

dp-1916/23

Loving Wife, Children, Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, In-laws and Relatives.

The seized items and cash by Assam Rifles.

Members of SOC at the meeting in Kohima on May 2.

The arrested persons with the seized motorcycles.

Notun Bosti Ao Khel celebrates Moatsü

NEXT POLL

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (NPN): Notun Bosti Ao Khel celebrated Moatsü festival on Wednesday at Oasis, Nyamo Colony, organised by Notun Bosti Ao Khel Lanur.

Addressing the gathering on the significance of Moatsü festival, Upa-Lokayukta, Mayang Lima said that Moatsü and Tsüremong are the highest celebrated festival amongst the Aos, pointing out that Moatsü was celebrated to invoke God’s blessing for bountiful harvest.

Speaking on the history of celebrating Moatsü and Tsüngremong, he said that

Ao villages celebrated the festivals in different times, and in 1946 Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) met and requested the then SDO (Civil), Adam to come up with a specific date for the two festivals.

It was then, the SDO called upon Dobashis of all Ao villages and after careful assessment, it was thereafter decided to celebrate Moatsü from May 1 to 6 and Tsüngremong from August 1 to 6.

He later added that the Aos now celebrate both festivals preserving the good rituals whilst leaving behind the bad ones.

Temsüpok Jamir, who

NU felicitates advisor Temjenmenba

chaired the programme also expressed gratitude to Mr and Mrs Zuchanthung Ezung for providing the use of the premises free. Invocation was offered by Tialiba Jamir and short speeches delivered by chairman, Notun Bosti Ao Khel Council, Waiba Imchen and O Lima.

Highlights of the programme included Moatsü song by Notun Bosti Ao Khel Lanur and cultural dance by Aohadang Cultural Club Dimapur.

Vote of thanks was addressed by Akumchuba Longchar and benediction offered by Sentinungsang Longkumer.

LM&CP holds meeting with advisor

DIMAPUR: Department of Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection (LM&CP) held a departmental coordination meeting with advisor, Food and Civil Supplies (F&CS) and LM&CP, K.T. Sukhalu at its directorate, Kohima, Wednesday.

A press release by the department informed that at the meeting various departmental activities were discussed and the advisor encouraged the officers of the department to be proactive and work sincerely for the welfare of the people.

Commissioner and secretary, LM&CP, Chubasangla Anar also encouraged the officers to give their best while discharging their duties.

The meeting was chaired by assistant controller (Hq), LM&CP, Limatoshi Jamir and welcome address was delivered by additional controller and head of department, LM&CP, K. Takeeth Imchen.

Tongpang apprise centre on rejuvenation of water bodies

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAY 3(NPN): Advisor of Water Resources, Tongpang Ozukum on Wednesday informed media persons that he had apprised the union minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for rejuvenation of water bodies in the state.

Addressing media persons on the sideline of his thanksgiving programme, Tongpang said that he raised the issue at the High Powered Committee meeting on the Brahmaputra port as representative of state chief minister held in Guwahati on May 1.

The meeting was chaired by Union Minister Gajendra Singh and taking the opportunity, Tongpang shared on the present status of water bodies in the state. He informed the meeting that there were only 1432 water bodies in Nagaland

which were slowly drying up. In this connection, Tongpang had requested the concerned ministry to approve the projects from the state and informed that focus needed to be given on the flood management and erosion of the rivers.

On the progress of Jal Jeevan Mission, under PHED, the advisor said that from the reports cited,

Nagaland was one of the few states where the performances was found to be satisfactory.

Meanwhile, Tongpang Ozukum, held thanksgiving programme at his residence, Officer’s Hill, Kohima on May 3. Addressing the gathering, Tongpang informed that under 24 Angetyongpang A/C, a development board would be constituted to work for the development of the area along with members from all the villages and wards in the area. To help and encourage the civil services aspirant from the area, he announced to open a hostel in Kohima and provide coaching to the students. Further, he also informed that an ambulance service has been started for the people of 24 Angetyongpang A/C where people could avail the service at nominal rate.

IRCSN to observe ‘World Red Cross day’

DIMAPUR: Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland (IRCSN) state branch has informed that it would be observing “World Red Cross Day” on May 8 under the theme, “Everything we do comes #from the Heart”. To commemorate the day, IRCSN said a fund drive in the form of

distributing/ pinning red cross tokens will be undertaken by the junior/youth red cross student at Kohima Town on May 6. All members of red cross patron/ vice- patron/ life members and the general public have been requested to contribute generously for the cause of humanity.

CALT conducts social work at Chümou DC Complex

DIMAPUR: On the occasion of Moatsu, Chümoukedima Ao Lanur Telongjem (CALT) initiated a social work at Chümoukedima Deputy Commissioner (DC) Complex, Wednesday.

A press release by CALT informed that around 150 Ao youths from Chümoukedima Town took part in the social work by clearing vegetation and planting various tree saplings. CALT said “this social

IGNOU SC-2001 induction

DIMAPUR: A felicitation programme for advisor of Transport and Technical Education, Temjenmenba, who was an ex-assistant registrar, Nagaland University (NU), was organised by the faculty and non-teaching staff of NU, Wednesday at the University Auditorium.

A press release by NU stated that vice chancellor of the University, Professor Jagdish Kumar Patnaik,

congratulated Temjenmenba and recollected his works in the university.

He also presented Temjenmenba with a bouquet and memento and wished him best wishes for future works.

In his speech, Temjenmenba, expressed gratitude towards the University family for organising the grand felicitation ceremony. He also promised to “always be ready for the

continuous development of the University and the Naga society.”

The programme was chaired by Angunuo Khieya, special song was presented by university students, welcome Speech was delivered by Dr. Abemo (registrar), speech on behalf of NUNTSA was delivered by Abhijit Sutradhar and vote of thanks by director, CDC, Yanrenthung Ezung.

DIMAPUR: IGNOU SC-2001

Modern College, Kohima induction programme has been convened on May 6, 2 p.m. at the College Auditorium, opposite SBI Lerie branch, Kohima. Fresh learners enrolled for January 2023 sessions have been requested to attend the induction programme. Further information can be contacted at IGNOU SC-2001, Modern College, Kohima at 9856015006.

Leadership training for heads of school in Kohima

note, joint director and cell head, state assessment Cell, SIEMAT and SLA, SCERT Kohima, Achetla Ao said that the nature of the training was to enhance the professional skills of the school heads.

She informed that the concept was formulated in the National Centre of School Leadership Academy (NCSLA) in 2016 and Nagaland SLA was formed on January 10, 2016.

DIMAPUR: A monthlong School Leadership Development Programme (SLDP) for heads of Government High Schools (GHS) and Government Higher Secondary Schools (GHSS) commenced on May 2 at SIEMAT Hall, State Council of Educational Research and Training, Nagaland (SCERT), Kohima, and would conclude on May 31.

A press release by Department of School Education (DoSE) principal director and project director Nagaland Education Project – The Lighthouse (NECTAR), Thavaseelan

K informed that SLDP, organised in collaboration NECTAR, was aimed to enhance capacity of the School Leadership Acad-

emy (SLA) SCERT, Nagaland.

It said the project aims to train three batches and approximately 150 head of schools by June 2023. By the end of the project period in June 2026, DoSE said the project aims to support SLA in training all the government school heads in the state.

Delivering the keynote address, Thavaseelan K, gave a brief overview of the Nagaland Education Project stating that it aimed to enhance the governance of schools across the state and improve teaching practices and learning environments.

He informed that there was a lot of ongoing works within the project including Lighthouse School

Complexes and monitoring the Performance Incentive Grant (PIG) among others.

Thavaseelan said SLDP is a training programme designed by National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) for heads of schools of central government and state/UT government and government-aided schools across the country, as well as aspiring school heads. Underlining the need to transform ordinary schools into “centres of excellence”, he said the role of school heads needs to go beyond administrative and managerial responsibilities to proactively envision and take various initiatives for school transformation. Delivering a welcome

Ao said so far SLA has so far conducted two programmes on 30 days certification course for school heads, one programme on SLDP for 18 days and one 16-day SLDP for 50 school heads and two-day school leadership programme for 25 private school heads.

Stating that SLA has trained 112 school leaders in the state, Ao said there was a need to train more. She further informed that school leadership has gained a lot of importance in recent years as it was the second most important factor affecting students learning.

Pointing out that it was a big responsibility being a school head, Ao urged the heads of schools to learn and enhance their professional skills during the training.

Earlier, reader, SCERT, Kohima, Benjung Yaden, gave the introduction and an overview of the training programme, which was followed by a self-introduction of the attendees.

welfare project must be first of its kind because we mostly hear and see different tribes celebrating their tribal festivals by merry making. But here we see the Chumoukedima Ao youths celebrating their festival by conducting a social welfare project.”

The union hoped that other tribal groups would also take up this “trend” in future.

Temjenmenba with the faculty members of Nagaland University, Lumami.

Heads of government schools at the leadership programme in Kohima.

Members of CALT cleaning the DC complex, Chumoukedima on Wednesday.

Tongpang Ozukum. (NP)

Mayang Lima (inset). Cultural dance presentation at Moatsu festival at Notun Bosti.

SNIPPETS

Woman dies after falling from fifth floor

THANE, MAY 3 (PTI):

A 65-year-old woman died after falling from the balcony of her fifth floor flat in Thane city on Wednesday afternoon, an official said. The incident took place in Kasarvadavli area, said Avinash Sawant, chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation.

Rohini Mulki, a resident of flat number 503 in the 22-storey building, fell and landed in the balcony of a flat on the second floor around 4 pm, he said. Police have registered a case of accidental death for now and are conducting further probe, he added.

Elderly couple beaten to death

LATEHAR, MAY 3

(PTI): An elderly couple was beaten to death allegedly for practising black magic in Jharkhand’s

Latehar district, a senior police officer said on Wednesday. The couple Sibal Ganju (70) and his wife Bavni Devi (65) were forcibly dragged away by some people to a panchayat in Hesla village and beaten to death with lathis allegedly for practising witchcraft on Tuesday night, police said. After the couple died, their bodies were dumped in their house and the daughter-in-law and grandchildren were beaten up, they said.The family members informed the police on Wednesday morning. Latehar Superintendent of Police, Anjani Anjan said all the accused involved in the incident have been arrested. “We are investigating the incident from all possible angles and launched a massive hunt to apprehend the other accused reported at large,” the SP added.

Man shot at in WB KOLKATA, MAY 3 (PTI): Two unidentified miscreants on Wednesday shot at a man in Budge Budge in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, a police officer said. The man was injured on his head but is now “out of danger” and is undergoing treatment at the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, the officer said. “The man was returning home after appearing as a witness in a case in Alipore court in the city. He took a train to Budge Budge and then was riding his motorcycle from there to his home. Two unidentified persons on a bike came near him and shot at him from close range,” he said. The miscreants fled from the spot after firing at the man, the officer said. Police are checking CCTV footage from roadside shops to identify the culprits, he added.

Dog attacks woman, owner booked FARIDABAD, MAY 3 (PTI): The police here have registered an FIR against a man whose dog, a Pitbull, attacked a 55-year-old woman, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident took place in Anangpur village on Monday. The woman, Sumarti, is undergoing treatment at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, the police officials said. According to a complaint filed by Sumarti’s son Pravesh, around 11 am on Monday, his mother was bitten badly on her right leg by Sonu alias Jojo’s dog and dragged for a few metres by the animal after she fell down.

The dog was provoked by Sonu, he alleged. After hearing the woman’s cries for help, the neighbours saved her. When her son reached the spot and confronted Sonu, the accused started abusing him, the complaint stated.

Cong is enemy of peace & dev: PM

MULKI/ANKOLA/BAILHONGAL (K’TAKA), MAY 3

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday mounted a frontal attack on the Congress, alleging its entire politics was based on “divide and rule” , charged it with defaming the country globally and dubbed the opposition party an “enemy of peace and development.”

Modi, who addressed three rallies ahead of the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka, accused the Congress of “abuse culture” and urged people to punish those indulging in abuse while casting their vote, chanting “Jai Bajrangbali”. He also hit out at the grand old party along with JD(S) for “shortcut” governance.

Incidentally, the PM chanted “Jai Bajrang Bali”, hailing Lord Hanuman, during all the three public meetings he addressed in the pollbound state on Wednesday, in what is seen as a counter to the Congress. In its election manifesto, Congress party has promised to ban right-wing outfit Bajrang

Narendra Modi (PTI)

Dal, besides the Popular Front of India (PFI).

Along with ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ slogan, made in praise of Mother India’, Modi also made a point at the beginning as well as at the end of his speech to raise

“Jai Bajrang Bali” in Mulki in Dakshina Kannada, Ankola in Uttara Kannada distinct and Bailhongal in Belagavi district.

At a public meeting at Mulki in the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada, a BJP stronghold, Modi called Congress the “enemy of peace and development” and accused it of insulting

No proposal before Cong to ban Bajrang Dal: Veerappa Moily

MANGALURU, MAY 3

(PTI): Amid strong protest from the Sangh Parivar against the Congress manifesto mentioning a ban on Bajrang Dal, senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerappa Moily on Wednesday said there was no suggestion before the party to ban Bajrang Dal if elected to power.

Addressing reporters in Udupi, he said the Congress had mentioned action against organisations like the Bajrang Dal in the manifesto in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s stringent observations against hate politics.

Moily said state governments did not have the right to ban such organisations. “The BJP, which now adores Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, forgets that Patel had banned the RSS at one juncture,” he said, adding that Jawaharlal Nehru later revoked the decision.

“The Supreme Court’s stand over hate politics is very clear. We had made the statement in our manifesto as a part of it. But we have no intention of banning Bajrang Dal. KPCC president D K Shivakumar has made it clear today,” Moily said.

Veerappa Moily

Meanwhile, addressing reporters in Mangaluru, AICC spokesperson Gourav Vallabh alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hurt the sentiments of the devotees of Lord Hanuman by equating Lord Hanuman with an organisation.

He demanded an apology from the Prime Minister for his offensive remark on Lord Hanuman. “No one has given the Prime Minister the right to offend Bajrang Bali. He should apologise to Kannadigas for equating between an individual or organisation and Lord Hanuman,” he said.

The Congress is committed to taking action against individuals and organisations that sow the seeds of division and spread hatred in the society, Vallabh said.

and abusing India’s defence forces.

“Congress is an enemy of peace and development. When Congress is there, investors will flee. Congress protects ‘aakas’ (boss) of terror, they encourage appeasement,” he said.

The Congress’s only identity was ‘appeasement politics’. “Will you (people) allow such a Congress to come to power, will you allow Karnataka to get ruined,” he asked.

“Across the country whichever state wants peace and development, the first thing people there do is oust Congress from there. If there is peace in society and the country is progressing, Congress cannot sit peacefully or will not be able to digest it. Congress’ entire politics is based on divide and rule policy,” he charged.

Alleging that the Congress tried to save those who were arrested for conspiring to spread terror, Modi claimed that it not only withdrew cases against such anti-social elements, but also released them.

Modi, who has been

leading the BJP’s spirited election campaign in a bid for a successive term in the southern state, alleged the “reverse-gear” Congress also took electoral help from anti-national forces.

Noting the whole country respected and honoured the defence forces, Modi said the Congress insulted and abused the military brass and soldiers.

The whole world appreciates and respects India’s democracy and development, “but the Congress is going across the world defaming the country.”

“America, Australia, Japan, UK...in every corner of the world is India being appreciated or not? Why?...

It is not because of Modi, it is happening because of your (people’s) votes. It is the strength of your votes which formed a strong and stable government in Delhi (Centre),” he added. Talking about development, the Prime Minister said BJP wants Karnataka to become number one in industrial and agriculture development, fisheries and port sectors.

Cong slams BJP’s ‘double-engine’ pitch, says May 10 poll to propel ‘derailed’ K’taka

NEW DELHI, MAY 3

(PTI): The Congress Wednesday slammed the BJP over its “double-engine” pitch in the Karnataka polls, saying the May 10 election is to propel the Karnataka engine which got “derailed” by the BJP in the last four years.

The Opposition party also alleged that the people of Karnataka are “fed up with the BJP ‘jhoot’ (lies) engine in Delhi and loot engine in Bengaluru”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have been batting for the continuation of BJP rule at the Centre and in Karnataka and have been highlighting the benefits of “double-engine” governments.

Double engine is a term often used by BJP leaders to refer to the party ruling both at the Centre and in a state.

Slamming the BJP’s pitch, Congress’ general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter, “What Double Engine?! Ninety-four per cent of the

Jairam Ramesh

revenue of Karnataka state government comes from the state’s own revenue plus its own share of taxes from the Centre, determined not by ‘Modi Aashirwaad’ but by the Finance Commission formula.”

The May 10 election is to propel the Karnataka engine which got “derailed” by BJP in the last four years, Ramesh said, adding, “It has to be an engine of growth combined with social harmony, not a 40 per cent commission engine running on hot air.”

In another tweet, Ramesh shared an answer from Minister of Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia to a question in the Rajya Sabha on the closure of the Visveswa -

raya Iron and Steel Plant of SAIL.

Tagging the screenshot of the question and answer, Ramesh said, “What Double Engine? Here’s how the Modi govt is working against the interests of Karnataka. Visveswaraya Iron and Steel Plant of SAIL at Bhadravati in Karnataka is being shut down. The Modi government gave the excuse in Parliament that the plant doesn’t have a captive iron ore source in Karnataka. Jhoot!”

“Bhadravati is less than 250 km from Ballari. In fact, the mining lease was allocated to SAIL in October 2011. The reality is BJP’s loot engine favours private steel companies who have mines in the state but not SAIL,” he alleged.

“The people of Karnataka are fed up with the BJP jhoot engine in Delhi and loot engine in Bengaluru!” Ramesh said.

Voting will take place in the state on May 10 and the results will be out on May 13.

Manish Sisodia moves HC seeking bail in money laundering case

NEW DELHI, MAY 3

(PTI): Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia Wednesday approached the Delhi High Court seeking bail in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

The plea was mentioned before Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma for an urgent listing and was allowed to be listed for hearing on Thursday, when it will be heard before Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma.

Sisodia has filed a regular bail plea as well as an interim bail application on the ground of illness of his wife.

In his regular bail plea filed in the CBI case, Sisodia had earlier argued that his wife has been suffering from multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease, for 20 years and it was likely to worsen.

He has challenged a trial court’s April 28 order by which his bail plea was dismissed in the money laundering case on the ground that the evidence prima facie “speaks volumes of his involvement in commission of the offence.”

Sisodia’s regular and interim bail pleas in the case lodged by CBI are also listed for hearing on Thursday before Justice Sharma.

He was arrested by the

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DIRECTORATE OF SOCIAL WELFARE

NAGALAND :: KOHIMA

NO.SW/PwD/VTC/2016/

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Manish Sisodia

CBI and ED in the corruption and money laundering cases on February 26 and March 9 respectively.

The trial court, while denying him relief in the ED’s case, had said that the prosecution was able to show a genuine and prima facie case for Sisodia’s involvement in money laundering.

It listed such reasons as the “serious nature of allegations made and role played

by Sisodia in the criminal conspiracy, his connection with the activities relating to generation or acquisition and use etc of the proceeds of crime … and the oral and documentary evidence collected in support of the same” for the denial of bail. The trial court had said that the medical illness of Sisodia’s wife was also not a ground to release him on bail, also that it cannot rule that he may try to influence

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances

National Awards for e-Governance 2023

NOTICE INVITING NOMINATIONS

With a view to recognize and promote excellence in implementation of e-Governance initiatives, the Government of India presents National Awards for e-Governance every year.

Nominations are invited online w.e.f. 4th May, 2023 on www.nceg. gov.in from Central Ministries/Departments, State/UT Governments, Districts, Local Bodies, Academic/Research Institutions (whether government or non-government) and Startups under 5 categories as per eligibility criteria detailed in the National Awards for e-Governance Scheme 2023.

Modalities for sending nomination along with Guidelines and other details of the Award Scheme are available on the Department's website www.darpg.gov.in/www.nceg.gov.in. All nominations are to be submitted online as per details given in the National Awards for e-Governance Scheme 2023. Nominations sent by email/ hand/post/ courier/fax or in any other form as hard copy shall not be accepted.

Last date for submission of Nominations: 25th May, 2023

Contact Details: Under Secretary (e-Gov-I), Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, 5th Floor, Sardar Patel Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi - 110001. email: vibhuti. panjivar@nic.in; Tel. +91-11-23367966.

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prime witnesses in the case.

The trial court in its order had noted that Sisodia has not been accused of laundering money in his individual capacity, but in his capacity as a public servant holding the charge or portfolio of Excise Ministry as well as being the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi.

The allegations made in the case are found to be serious since proceeds of

crime in crores of rupees are alleged to have been generated or processed through different activities, it had said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had opposed the bail application before the trial court, asserting that the investigation was at a “crucial” stage and claiming that the senior AAP leader had planted fabricated emails to show there was public approval for the policy.

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Hate speech cycle

It is raining poison in karnataka as both congress and ruling BJp in karnataka spew hate speeches at each other in a mad slugfest for power. As the campaign gets hotter and louder, speeches become shriller and bitter.Both parties have crossed the boundary as they react to each other’s speech with more venom as reactions leave none in doubt that the worst losers will be the people of karnataka who have the reputation of being cosmopolitan. The other party, the Janta dal United, a family party of the Gowdas and currently led by H.d. kumarswamy, son of former prime minister H.d. deve Gowda is ploughing the field between the two arch enemies who are the main contenders for power. The BJp makes no bones about its majoritarian politics and has never shied away from using communally inflammable speeches. In response, the congress attempts to tell people they deserve a government that works for the unity and welfare of all people of the state and in the process, its leaders have often crossed the line in attacking modi and other BJp leaders. despite being in power, ruling party BJp leaders still speak as if they are in the opposition. The political narrative in karnataka has degenerated into communal diatribe that offends the people of the state belonging to various castes and communities. Whether it is the BJp scrapping the four percent reservation for muslims and transferring it to Vokkaligas and Lingayats or the congress which promised to to hike the reservation ceiling from 50% to 75%, including the restoration of a 4% quota for muslims; the fact is that both parties are playing vote bank politics. The BJp has promised imposition of Uniform civil code(Ucc) and National Register of citizens (NRc) followed up with action to deport all “illegal immigrants”. There is little left to explain what this promise mean for the minority community in the state. On its part, the congress has promised to return to the Old pension Scheme (OpS), repeal all “unjust laws and anti-people laws passed by the BJp government” within a year of assuming power besides a ban on the Bajrang dal which the party likened to the banned popular Front of India (pFI), an Islamic political organisation in India, that engages in a radical and exclusivist style of muslim minority politics. By promising to ban the Bajrang dal if it comes to power, the congress has only invited flak various parts of the state and may have played into the hands of the BJp by being seen as a pro-muslim party. All these hate filled campaign speeches need to be put down without any hesitation no matter who indulges in it. It is the duty of the Election commission of India (EcI) to ensure that elections do not degenerate into a free for all for everyone to speak as they please and incite communal hatred and violence. Unfortunately, the EcI appears helpless in taking to task the central leaders of the BJp and that has created a serious crisis of confidence. The opposition criticism of the EcI is not baseless especially during the tenure of Sunil Arora whose handling of hate speeches during the 2019 parliamentary election became hugely controversial. The Supreme court has directed all states to register FIR against hate speeches and that should remind the EcI on what it has to do.

DailyDevotion

Vital Intercession

…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… —Ephesians 6:18

As we continue on in our intercession for others, we may find that our obedience to God in interceding is going to cost those for whom we intercede more than we ever thought. The danger in this is that we begin to intercede in sympathy with those whom God was gradually lifting up to a totally different level in direct answer to our prayers. Whenever we step back from our close identification with God’s interest and concern for others and step into having emotional sympathy with them, the vital connection with God is gone. We have then put our sympathy and concern for them in the way, and this is a deliberate rebuke to God.

It is impossible for us to have living and vital intercession unless we are perfectly and completely sure of God. And the greatest destroyer of that confident relationship to God, so necessary for intercession, is our own personal sympathy and preconceived bias. Identification with God is the key to intercession, and whenever we stop being identified with Him it is because of our sympathy with others, not because of sin. It is not likely that sin will interfere with our intercessory relationship with God, but sympathy will. It is sympathy with ourselves or with others that makes us say, “I will not allow that thing to happen.” And instantly we are out of that vital connection with God.

Vital intercession leaves you with neither the time nor the inclination to pray for your own “sad and pitiful self.” You do not have to struggle to keep thoughts of yourself out, because they are not even there to be kept out of your thinking. You are completely and entirely identified with God’s interests and concerns in other lives. God gives us discernment in the lives of others to call us to intercession for them, never so that we may find fault with them.

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

Article 371 A and Social Change in Nagaland

Article 371A (to Article 371 J were) was incorporated subsequently into the constitution of India through 13th amendment of the Constitution of India which led to the creation of Nagaland state in 1963. The population of Nagaland was only 369,200 with literacy rate stood at 17.90% as per 1961 census. Only a handful of government middle and high schools were available during those days so Naga youths had to go to Gauhati and Shilong for further studies. The literacy rate of Nagaland climbed up to 79.55% and the literacy rate of females and males are 76.11% and 82.75% respectively as per Census 2011.

Social and customary practices in Nagaland cover various aspects of our lives and have significantly contributed towards better social transformation. They are canon of unwritten rules, procedures and the will of people which form sanction behind that has safeguarded our rights and freedoms and on which Nagaland state stands today.

The Christianity, education and Naga social practices have brought about better social change. The state government, educated lots, intellectuals and civil societies have been catalysts of social change and playing significant role in educating masses, promoting and protecting their rights, freedoms and social and moral values. They have also helped reducing and

preventing anti social elements and crimes to bring peace and harmony to our state.

As far as religious practice in Nagaland is concerned, every citizen can practice and propagate a religion of his or her choice. Nearly almost all Nagas are Christians and have been maintaining good relationship with the Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Buddhist and other communities. The total population of Nagaland is 1,978,502, as per 2011 out of which the population of Christians is 87.9%, Hindus 8.7%, Muslims 2.5%, Buddhists 0.3%, others 0.6%. Various religious communities enjoy freedom to practice and propagate their faith. Naga tribes have learnt to have adaptability to live amongst themselves and with other communities over the decades. I can confidently say that other communities are much safer here than at other places of India. No law or no communal force has ever persecuted any religious group practicing and propagating their faith. We have plenty of educational institutions; schools, colleges and IT institutes and skill training centers both govt. and privately run where admission is open to all communities regardless of sex, tribes, castes and religion. So it is obvious that Nagaland is very much a secular state where the existence of other religions is respected.

India is a vibrant and progressive country which

According to media reports, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has reiterated his country’s support for Bangladesh’s efforts to repatriate the Rohingya to Myanmar. He said Bangladesh and Japan have upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership. Bangladesh has sheltered nearly one million displaced persons from Myanmar and we will continue to support its efforts.

The continued presence of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh poses a threat to regional security as extremism and cross-border crime could worsen. Bangladesh spends $3.6 billion a year, or $300 million a month, to help the persecuted Rohingya. This is putting great pressure on the country’s economy. Despite diplomatic efforts by Bangladesh, UN General Assembly sanctions and approved resolutions, the United States’ drafting of the Burma Law, and the adoption of ASEAN’s fivepoint consensus in April 2021, the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar has not yet been resolved.

Bangladesh’s three close allies China, Russia and India have been asked to help the Rohingya crisis. They have promised to do so but have failed to do so, or are unwilling due to their own geopolitical agendas.

Japan, a close ally of both Bangladesh and Myanmar, should take a leadership role in dealing with the Rohingya issue. The Japanese government has always stood by Bangladesh in resolving the crisis and Japan believes that the resolution of the crisis can only be achieved through a swift, safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas to Rakhine.

It is essential for Myanmar to create favorable conditions in Rakhine State for the repatriation of Rohingyas. Japan urges the Myanmar government to take stronger measures to repatriate the Rohingya and will continue to communicate this request to Myanmar until the issue is resolved.

In 2019, Japan offered to mediate between Bangladesh and Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya issue and said that dialogue between the two countries would continue. Japan wants a speedy solution to the Rohingya issue, finding their long-standing position worrisome. Japan is keen to

is pushing up development very swiftly to higher levels.

The parliament of India and the state legislative assemblies have to legislate and enact laws to move ahead with time.

The constitution of India is the supreme law of the land through which the parliament and the legislative assemblies derive their power to make laws.

So the legislative power is vested with them. The government executes the law. It is the responsibility of the Supreme Court and high courts to interpret laws passed by legislative organ and protect the constitution of India.

The objection raised in connection with ULBs elections is inclusion of house tax, land tax, 33% seats reservation for women and reservation of chairmen for women that it infringe on Articles 371A. It is a new parliamentary law that has given a big jolt to an old machinery part. As the said article states that no parliament act in respect of social and customary practices and ownership and transfer of land and its resources, shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides. We are already paying house tax through GBs and land revenues to the state government for owning land with Jamabandis and Pattas. In case of any possibility the ongoing system may be extended.

Tribal land is constitutionally protected so land own-

assist the ongoing talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar to speed up the repatriation of the Rohingya.

Sheikh Hasina’s government has developed an outlook for peace in the Indo-Pacific region through dialogue and understanding.

Areas of engagement are also important. Most documents emphasize securing global trade, exploring economic opportunities, developing connectivity, supporting technological development and combating climate change. Japan has the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt Initiative (BIG-B).

Bangladesh and Japan have already decided to work together. Bangladesh’s Matarbari deep sea port has become a strategic issue for Japan and India for several reasons. Because the Quad partners aim to counter Chinese influence.

The geopolitical importance of Bangladesh’s first deep-sea port, Matarbari, was evident during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to India in March 2023. The port has emerged as an important area for the free and open Indo-Pacific agenda.

In the same month, the Japan International Cooperation Agency agreed to give a new loan of 165 billion yen (1.2 billion) to Bangladesh in the infrastructure construction sector. During his visit to New Delhi, Kishida said that Tokyo wants the development of states in South Asia from the Bay of Bengal to Northeast India in cooperation with both Bangladesh and India. Due to this, a discussion meeting was held in Agartala a few days ago.

Hence Matarbari would not only be the most convenient port but also the most prudent choice for Indo-Japan, as Dhaka has much more cordial relations than New Delhi’s other neighbours.

Bangladesh-India-MyanmarJapan will benefit from this opportunity. In this case Japan can work together with Myanmar and Bangladesh. But before that, Japan must play a role in improving relations between Myanmar and Bangladesh by solving the ongoing Rohingya issue.

Bangladesh is now close to adopting the Indo-Pacific strategy. If Japan plays its role before China plays its role, Japan’s acceptance in the region will increase. There-

ership cannot be transferred from tribal to non tribal.

People are apprehensive of losing their rights and land. No new law should make our people landless for the sake of development. Nor customary practices should act to be stumbling block for development. However, a well balanced and suitable law may be adopted to push up further development and urbanization to benefit the people. The right kind of law is essential for proper growth and progress of a country. This is the crucial time when the intellectuals, thinkers and civil societies should come forward and cooperate with the state government enabling it to take people oriented and the most fruitful decision for the days to come. Women are equally provided opportunities in every field in Nagaland to have empowerment. We have big number of govt. officers, police officers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, govt. servants, teachers and entrepreneurs of whom many are women. I think Nagas are a Christian society that does not deny opportunities to women. Nagas began to see light of the day when they leaped from animism to Christianity. We see various prominent women in the Bible whom Jesus had empowered to spread good news and heal this troubled torn world. Today we find that majority of Church goers are women and many of them are Church leaders. However, it does not

fore, Japan has a strategic advantage in developing MyanmarBangladesh relations and solving the Rohingya problem.

Both Bangladesh and Myanmar have economic relations with Japan. Japan attaches importance to relations with these two countries. As a development partner, Japan is interested in helping Bangladesh and Myanmar solve this problem. Japan has extensive investments in both countries.

310 Japanese companies are supporting the development of Bangladesh. Out of a sense of responsibility and morality, Japan has been working silently since the beginning of the Rohingya problem and has been active in solving it. Japanese ambassador’s working in Bangladesh have visited Rohingya camps many times at different times.

The Japanese continue to strive to find a permanent and sustainable solution to problems at individual, organizational and governmental levels. The people of Japan, various organizations and the Japanese government continue to support the Rohingya camps by providing daily necessities and services.

The Japanese government is continuing to communicate with various international organizations such as the Myanmar government, ASEAN and G-7 to resolve Rohingya’s citizenship, repatriation and environmental issues diplomatically. Japan wants a durable solution to the ongoing Rohingya issue and is ready to provide any kind of assistance to Bangladesh in this regard.

Several human rights groups have so far condemned Japan’s position. A 2019 Human Rights Watch report questioned the Japanese government’s response to the situation. Amnesty International’s deputy East Asia director Lisa Tassey told diplomats that Japan was on the wrong side of history when it came to Myanmar’s atrocities against the Rohingya.

The Rohingya crisis has received little attention from Japan, the leader of Asia’s liberal democracies and a long-time strategic, economic and humanitarian supporter of Bangladesh. It has not voted on any UN resolution on Myanmar. Although the Burmese government regularly mistreats the Rohingya and other minorities, Japan has provided the

mean that men or women are grabbing the opportunities but are accepting and shouldering responsibilities together to fulfill obligations as members of the Christian society as per own capability. Christianity has refined the vengeful Naga culture to be more considerate, tolerant, generous and forgiving. If we consider historically, women in Hindu society were badly discriminated for centuries in all aspects of life. They were not allowed to participate in the process of decision making. They were burnt a life with corpses of dead husbands on funeral pyres called sati system. They were compelled to pay dowries and ill-treated if failed to pay. They were forced to marry in their childhood. They were not allowed to attend schools and colleges. They were confined under the four walls of rooms and had to face untold sufferings. Consequently, they remained backward till recently. Similarly Muslim women had to face discrimination in the society. They were not allowed to attend schools and colleges. They were forced to marry at a very young age. They were forced to confine within four walls of rooms. They faced untold sufferings. This is the reason why the parliament of India has enacted laws and provided women 33% reservation of seats under local bodies as a means to compensate their prolong victimization and what they deserve to get

country with financial and other aid for 70 years.

Myanmar has long been a reliable friend of Japan and now Japan wants to do good business in Myanmar. Japan has made significant progress considering Myanmar’s strategic location and China’s growing economic influence. Government development investment and foreign direct investment have made Myanmar a playground for investors. Both the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) have government development projects in Myanmar.

Myanmar has become important in Japan’s geopolitical game. Japan is increasing its financial commitment to the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt, which includes the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), energy sector and communications sector.

A significant amount of money was invested in the Thilwa Special Economic Zone and Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Project. Myanmar and Japan organized the Rakhine State Investment Fair in 2019 to boost investment.

Beyond military-to-military cooperation, Japan plays a very important role in Myanmar politics. According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government has given more than $20 million in aid and development funds to Myanmar.

Bangladesh will have to put pressure on Myanmar to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar, which will not happen relatively soon. Japan, while an economic powerhouse in Asia and a strategic friend of Myanmar, can also portray itself as a friend of Bangladesh by encouraging the Tatmadaw to repatriate the Rohingya.

The protracted Rohingya crisis is a threat to Japan and Japan should take initiatives to strengthen cooperation in areas such as preferential trade agreements, blue economy, power generation, maritime trade and regional connectivity.

In line with its pacifist constitution, Japan must abandon its cold-blooded policy and take a strong stand for human rights and equality in all multilateral forums related to the Rohingya tragedy.

There had always been tension along the border between

from the society. I am not in support or against any one or group. However, my personal opinion is that the demand of NMA for 33% seats reservation for women in ULBs is under constitutional provision. But, the state government had to repeal the act due to opposition of various Naga tribal bodies and civil societies. It proves that the state legislative assembly is the competent authority to legislate. Naga women should be encouraged to contest elections if capable in constituencies they want. So I would like to suggest that 33% nominated seats may be created for them to ensure sufficient representation. In this arrangement we will be able to see both the elected and nominated members represent women in local bodies. I think our system that takes everyone on board for progress will gradually emerge the best in the long run. We should trust and give time to our system to get fully ripened and developed. It is seen that women are still lagging behind and there is a need to alleviate them to progress along with men. We have witnessed immense progress during the last 60 years of Nagaland statehood and we can say that the next 60 years will be much better with better mindset, better living and more advanced technology if we all move together in the right direction.

Kvuchilo Thong

Bangladesh and Myanmar. Along the 271-kilometer sea and land boundary between the two nations, two have a history of conflict. For instance, a border battle with the Myanmar military in 1978 necessitated the deployment of Bangladeshi troops along the border. When Myanmar sent out its naval ships to place a Korean drilling rig in our exclusive economic zone close to St. Martin’s Island in 2008, Bangladesh too came dangerously close to having a maritime conflict. But the current issue really began in 2017 with the exodus of Rohingyas from Myanmar.

The entire world is aware that in 2017, more than a million Rohingya refugees sought safety in Bangladesh. These refugees have been hosted by Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds. To maintain regional stability, the Rohingya refugee situation must be solved.

Bangladesh is under great pressure due to the current Rohingya crisis. In dealing with this crisis, the country has had to face, and continues to face, some new diplomatic realities. It suddenly discovered that some of Bangladesh’s long-time friends were no longer with it. It has largely failed to a chieve the expected results by applying traditional diplomatic methods to resolve the crisis. Therefore, there is a need for new thinking in the successful application of the various methods of modern diplomacy. Such as economic diplomacy, military diplomacy, cultural diplomacy etc. Military diplomacy is a special strategy among the strategies used by various countries to protect the country’s interests and strengthen the state’s diplomatic position in the international arena, and both its influence and application in the current world are increasing.

What did Bangladesh at that time? First and foremost, Bangladesh found a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the tension it currently experienced at the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar. There had never be any notion that it can resolve the issue through violence or armed war. But diplomatic action alone is insufficient.

Dr Arpita Hazarika.

The author is a Gauhati University, Assam, India-based researcher. (To be concluded)

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”

~ Albert Einstein

Myanmar military’s engagement with Bangladesh-Japan-India’s strategic troika

PM to hold roadshow in Bengaluru

BENGALURU, MAY 3

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi would hold a 36.6 kilometre roadshow here on May 6, Bengaluru

Central Lok Sabha member P C Mohan said on Wednesday.

The roadshow, as part of the BJP’s campaigning for the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka, would pass through the city’s 17 Assembly constituencies, Mohan said.

The Prime Minister would cover a distance of 10.1 kilometres from 11 am to 1 pm, and 26.5 km from 4 pm to 10 pm, Mohan said.

Earlier on April 29, Modi had conducted a 5.3-kilometre long roadshow in Bengaluru that passed through various locations in the city including Magadi Road, Nice Road Junction and Sumanahalli.

Voting will take place on May 10 and the results are out on May 13.

Father-son duo drown in sea

PURI (ODISHA), MAY

3 (PTI): A father-son duo from West Bengal drowned while bathing in the sea in Odisha’s Puri on Wednesday, police said.

The deceased tourists have been identified as 50-year-old Ranjan Das and his 16-year-old son Reshuv Das, Puri Superintendent of Police Kanwar Vishal Singh said, adding they hailed from West Bengal’s Howrah district.

They had ventured into the deep sea and were swept by strong currents, he said.

They were brought out of the waters and taken to a hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

One person, who was with them, was rescued and admitted to a hospital, he added.

Maoist couple surrenders

HYDERABAD, MAY 3

(PTI): Two maoists surrendered before the police in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana on Wednesday, police said.

M Sona (27), a native of Sukma district of neighbouring Chattisgarh had joined the banned CPI(Maoist) party in 2015 and worked in the 9th platoon for three years. Later, he worked as a bodyguard for Telangana State Committee Secretary of the CPI(Maoist), a release said.

Won’t go by popular morality: SC on same-sex marriage

NEW DELHI, MAY 3 (PTI): The Supreme Court Wednesday made it clear that it has to go by the constitutional mandate while deciding pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriage as, if it goes by popular or segmental morality based on the wishes of young LGBTQIA++ persons to get married, those opposed will thrust “volumes of data” in support of their claims.

At the start of the seventh-day hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the apex court a committee headed by the cabinet secretary will be constituted to consider and examine the administrative steps which could be taken for addressing “genuine humane concerns” of same-sex couples without going into the issue of legalising their marriage.

LGBTQIA++ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, and ally persons. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said the great salutary safeguard of constitutional adjudication is that the court has to go by what the Con-

stitution mandates.

Senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, who is appearing for the petitioners, said they have spoken to such people at various seminars and 99 per cent of them came up and said the only thing they want is to get married. Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, who is also representing the petitioners’ side, said she has spoken at different events and found that young LGBTQIA++ couples wanted to get married.

“I don’t say this as an elite lawyer. I say this having met these young people. Do not let them experience what we have experienced,” she told the bench, which also comprised justices S K Kaul, S R Bhat, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha.

Responding to her, the

CJI observed, “Dr Guruswamy, there is a problem with this line of argument. I will tell you why. We understand the feelings out of which this argument comes. At the constitutional level, there is a serious problem.”

Justice Chandrachud said if, as a constitutional court, the apex court goes by what such young couples feel, then it will be subjected to volumes of data on what other people feel.

“Now, therefore, the great salutary safeguard of constitutional adjudication is that the court has to go by what the constitution mandates,” he said, adding, “and therefore, we don’t go by either popular morality or a segmental morality. We decide what the Constitution says.” “Let us not get into that at all,” the CJI said. During the hearing, the CJI said the petitioners are seeking the right to marry and the court is also conscious of the fact that a mere declaration of a right to marry is not adequate in itself unless it is implemented by a statutory provision which recognises, regulates and confers entitlement to those married. He said the implementation of the right,

IT conducts search operations at TMC leader’s premises in multiple locations

the real achievement of the progress on the ground depends on whether there is a statutory framework for implementing that right.

Justice Chandrachud said the court can ensure by acting as a facilitator that real progress is achieved today in terms of a wider societal acceptance of the right to cohabit together.

“Whether we go as far as to recognise the right to marry for couples who are not heterosexual couples is a separate matter. We are dealing with that. We are not shutting that argument. That is why we are hearing this side,” the CJI said.

The bench also observed if the petitioners get something out of this exercise, that will be a big positive for them.

Mehta argued the petitioners, while making suggestions, should not give jurisprudential ideas and only refer to the factual problems that can be addressed administratively.

“There is no delegation of the judicial power of the court,” the bench observed, apparently referring to the proposed committee that would consider the grievances of gay couples.

Sharad Pawar hasn’t relented: Praful Patel

MUMBAI, MAY 3 (PTI):

There is no question of picking Sharad Pawar’s successor as NCP chief until there is a final decision on his announcement to quit the post, senior party leader Praful Patel said on Wednesday.

Pawar has not relented despite repeated appeals from NCP leaders and supporters that he withdraw his decision to step down, Patel said.

“None of us knew about this (resignation announcement) beforehand,” he told reporters.

“Pawar yesterday said there should be a generational change. May be he wanted a new generation to step forward. None of us knew about it beforehand. He has asked for some time and we should grant him that,” Patel said.

Patel, who is the NCP’s national vice president, also said he himself was not in the running for the top post. “I am not a contender,” he said. The party committee, which Pawar himself set up on Tuesday to decide on his successor, did not meet on Wednesday, he said.

“If the situation arises, the committee will decide

on Pawar’s successor and the decision will be unanimous. He sought time to think over his decision after the party asked him to reconsider it, and till the final decision is arrived at, there is no question of deliberating on his successor,” Patel said.

“There is no vacancy,” he said, adding, “whether Pawar remains president or not, he is the party’s identity and soul.”

The NCP leader was reacting to speculation about Supriya Sule emerging as the choice for national president and Ajit Pawar as the Maharashtra unit chief. Some reports also suggested that Patel could succeed Pawar.

The party was trying to persuade Pawar to reconsider his decision, Patel said.

Left MP seeks probe into ‘fallacious claims’ made by ‘The Kerala Story’

THIRUVANANTHA -

PURAM, MAY 3 (PTI):

Senior CPI leader and Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam has urged the Centre to initiate an enquiry into the “fallacious claims” being made in the controversial Hindi movie ‘The Kerala story’, and said the upcoming film intends to malign the image of the southern state and its people.

In a letter sent to Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, he alleged that the film was based on baseless claims, fake news and Islamophobic propaganda.

“The Kerala Story is based on baseless claims, fake news and Islamophobic propaganda and intends to malign the image of the state of Kerala and its people,” Viswam said in the letter.

The official trailer of the film is nothing but a “politically-motivated hatred campaign” against Kerala and the Muslim community, he charged.

The film claims to “unearth” the story of 32,000 women who allegedly went missing in Kerala and this is

based on lies and extrapolations, he pointed out in the letter.

The Left leader also said the film deliberately misquoted and misinterpreted statements made by former chief ministers of the state V S Achuthanandan and Oommen Chandy. The statement made by Achuthanandan had been translated incorrectly to malign the Muslim community and Chandy never mentioned any annual figure of conversions nor did he mention women joining ISIS or forced conversions, Viswam said.

It was evident that the film was misrepresenting statements by both the CMs

to mislead the people, he charged.

Taking a cue, several media and YouTube channels have also started a tirade against Kerala, he said, adding that people of the state in general have opposed in a united voice this politically motivated attempt to slander the state.

“The so-called ‘love jihad’ is a baseless Islamophobic conspiracy theory aimed at polarisation. The Union Home Ministry, through MoS G Kishan Reddy, on 05 February 2020, has informed Parliament that no cases of ‘love jihad’ had been reported,” the MP said.

Stating that the I&B Ministry had a crucial role to play in educating and sensitising people on the secular ethos of our Constitution, he said the ministry was also responsible to ensure, by creating awareness, that fake news and hateful propaganda should not be taken as the truth.

“Therefore, I urge you to initiate an enquiry into the fallacious claims being made through the movie,” he said.

“Party workers should have patience and stop resigning from their posts en masse (in protest against Pawar’s decision),” he said.

As he was the convenor of the committee, he would inform when its meeting is scheduled, Patel told the reporters. He also denied that state NCP chief Jayant Patil was upset with the party.

Patil was in Pune to attend a meeting of his sugar cooperative factory, Patel said. The `Vajramooth’ rallies of the Maha Vikas Aghadi -- the alliance of the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) -- were postponed due to the hot summer conditions and it was decided on Sunday when a rally was held in Mumbai, Patel said.

“It has nothing to do with Pawar stepping down as NCP chief,” he said.

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad and Pune NCP office bearers resign

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad said he has resigned from the post of party’s National General Secretary and sent his resignation to Sharad Pawar.

“All office bearers of Thane NCP have also resigned after Pawar Saheb’s announcement to resign from the post of party chief,” he said.

Jayant Patil said he was among several people who had joined the Nationalist Congress Party after being inspired by “Pawar saheb’s” leadership.

Asked if he would work under Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule as the national president as her name is doing the rounds for the top post, Patil said whatever decision the party takes, everyone has to accept it.

Asked if he had prior knowledge of Pawar’s decision, Patil said he did not have any idea. To a query on if he felt sidelined in the party, he said, “This is a big question. I don’t think there is any need to answer it today.”

There were reports that Patil was not invited to a meeting of top NCP leaders in Mumbai. Patil said he had a word with NCP MP Supriya Sule, who said there was no such meeting.

KOLKATA, MAY 3 (PTI):

Officials of the Income Tax (IT) department on Wednesday conducted simultaneous day-long search operations in the premises of Trinamool Congress leader Krishna Kalyani at Raiganj, Malda and in the metropolis in connection with alleged disproportionate assets (DA) possessed by him.

Though Kalyani won the Raiganj assembly constituency in 2021 on a BJP ticket, he subsequently shifted his allegiance to TMC in the same year but officially remained a saffron party legislator.

He did not resign as a legislator despite being asked by the BJP.

An official of the IT department said that search operations were conducted at multiple locations of the legislator and his business partner in Raiganj, Malda and Kolkata against com -

plaints of alleged disproportionate assets. Searches were conducted at Kalyani’s residence in Raiganj in West Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district and premises linked to his business partner in Malda district.

“Our teams are conducting searches at multiple locations connected to Kalyani and the premises of one of his business partners in Malda”, the official said.

Search operations were also undertaken at the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road office of Kalyani in the city.

Kalyani was appointed as the chairperson of the state assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last year. The IT raid started a political war of words between the ruling TMC and the BJP.

“It seems the state BJP and its leaders are deciding whose house to be raided by central agencies. The BJP is

misusing central agencies to serve its political interests,” senior TMC leader and West Bengal Finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said.

Incidentally, in March last year, Krishna Kalyani (Raiganj), along with three other BJP MLAs Tanmoy Ghosh (Bishnupur), Soumen Roy (Kaliaganj) and Biswajit Das (Bagda), who had switched over to the TMC, had accused Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of threatening them with tax raids for disrupting his speech in the assembly. Adhikari had then denied the allegations. The BJP, however, was quick to mock the TMC by asking them to come out clean whether Krishna Kalyani is a BJP MLA or a TMC leader.

“The TMC always complains that central agencies don’t raid houses of BJP leaders and MLAs. So Krishna Kalyani is still a BJP MLA, they must now come out clean whether he has joined the TMC or not. And it is natural that IT conducts raids regularly whenever they have any information,” BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

Priyank Kharge, Yatnal get EC notices over ‘nalayak’, ‘vishkanya’ remarks

sion is prima facie of the opinion that you have violated the aforesaid provision of MCC by making the said statement.”

NEW

DELHI,

MAY 3 (PTI): The Election Commission on Wednesday issued notices to Congress

MLA Priyank Kharge for his “nalayak beta” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to BJP legislator Basangouda Patil Yatnal for his “vishkanya” jibe at former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

The separate EC notices said the two have prima facie violated provisions of the model code in Karnataka.

The notices came a day after a strong advisory was issued by the poll panel asking parties and their leaders to exercise restraint in their utterances during electioneering in Karnataka.

EDEN HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL, DIMAPUR CIRCULAR ROAD (NEAR CITY TOWER)

DIMAPUR - 797112, NAGALAND Email : edenhrsecschooldmp83@gmail.com

ADMISSION NOTICE

Admission Form for class XI (Arts Stream) for the session 2023-24 is made available in the School Office during school hours between 9:00 Am – 1:00 pm on all working days.

* Free Admission for students securing distinction in the HSLc Examination '23, in both English and Social Sciences.

dp -1898/23

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO. DTE/ ESTT-2/02/2023-24/ Dt. Kohima, the th May, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

It is hereby informed to all the intending candidates that the last date for submission of NSEE-2023 forms has been extended to 6th May 2023 till 4:30 pm, after which no forms will be accepted.

Further, the Department would like to clarify that the information uploaded in the Department website is official and valid. Hence, any intending candidate submitting forms for NSEE/NEET/JEE/DEE etc. based on the information obtained from other sources than the department official website will not be entertained whatsoever.

Any information relating to the Directorate to Technical Education, Nagaland, Kohima can be viewed from www.dtenagaland. org.in which is the only official website of the Department.

(Er. VIPULHOU LHOUNGU) Director dc -535/23

Both Kharge and Yatnal have been asked to explain by 5 PM Thursday as to why action should not be taken against them.

While Kharge is Congress’ candidate from Chittapur, Yatnal is BJP’s star campaigner and a candidate from Bijapur City.

In its notice to Kharge, the EC referred to a clause in the poll code which states that “Political parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders and workers of the other parties...”

It said “the Commis-

d B-537/23

In its notice to Yatnal, District Election Officer Koppal cited same clauses of the model code and said “a personal attack remark against a rival party leader is found to be made by you ...which is in violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct...”

The BJP had moved the Commission on Tuesday against Kharge for his remark while the EC had taken cognisance of Yaatnal’s statement through media reports. Taking serious note of the “plummeting level of campaign discourse” during electioneering in Karnataka, the Election Commission on Tuesday asked political parties and their star campaigners to exercise caution and restraint in their utterances and not to vitiate the election atmosphere.

We are hiring…

– Swimming pool caretaker cum Trainer – male

– Swimming Trainer – Female

Qualification:- 12 passed

– Should know how to swim or acquire basic knowledge of swimming.

– Good communication skills.

Location: The Fitness House Nagaland

Email: thefitnesshouse18@gmail.com

3rd mile dimapur

Contact: 7085099052/53

d B-573/23

Binoy Viswam

Priyank Kharge Basangouda Patil Yatnal

Praful Patel

Security personnel stand guard during a raid at the premises of TMC leader and MLA Krishna Kalyani. (PTI)

Need to focus on 4 Is: Sitharaman

INCHEON, MAY 3 (PTI):

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday underlined the need for focussing on four Is -- infrastructure, investment, innovation and inclusivity -- to achieve sustainable growth in the long-term.

The global economy in the past few years has faced trials and tribulations, she said, adding countries have made efforts to protect the vulnerable section of the society at the cost of higher government borrowing.

Speaking at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Governor’s seminar on ‘Policies to Support Asia’s Rebound’, Sitharaman stressed that there is also a need to involve the private sector to step up investment and innovation.

Elaborating on the four Is, the Minister said investment is essential to spur infrastructure devel-

Nirmala Sitharaman

opment, which has a potential to generate jobs.

The third I is for innovation, she said adding innovative solutions from startups are required to deal with issues facing the countries.

Unless you have innovative thoughts to address your local problems, and encourage your local youth to come up with solutions, you would end up spending more for solutions which may not be right, she said.

“The fourth I is for Inclusivity,” she said, add-

WC’s stand on UNPG/NNC...

(From p-1)

members to easily contact, mislead and brainwash semi-illiterate senior leaders with false information about senior colleagues.

WC, NNPGs assured it would welcome reconciliation within UNPG/NNC leadership as the matter was within the leadership created by terminated ele-

ments. The committee said it would encourage Royim to respect his own age, respect the Naga issue and remain its part by maintaining the status quo.

“Only through this he will be regarded as a Naga leader. Without WC, NNPGs, he will live an isolated existence in his village,” read the statement.

No exploration, extraction of...

(From p-1)

According to NSCN (I-M), the Government of India should demonstrate the same degree of political commitment in a meaningful and credible manner as demanded by the ongoing “Indo-Naga political talks” as much as it attached “huge economic significance” to the mineral wealth, particularly oil and natural gas of Nagaland.

NSCN(I-M) reiterated that Nagas would not like to “stand out as a laughing stock” before the world when the Naga political issue, after signing the Framework Agreement

in 2015, was still made to look like a “strange shambling figure.”

NSCN(I-M) has therefore, affirmed that what belong to the Naga people would “not be allowed to be subjugated like we find during the era of colonialism.”

Asserting that priority has to be set in correct perspective, the NSCN (I-M) affirmed that until honourable political settlement between the Nagas and Government of India was reached, no exploration of oil and natural gas in Naga territories in any form would be allowed.

“This is the resolute stand of NSCN,” it affirmed.

ing unless all the people are included in the development process, there could be conflict in the society.

“So 4Is for the longterm and in which private sector involvement, not just public sector investment, (is essential). India in the last 3-4 years has spent trillions on infrastructure development,” she said.

The Minister further said that there was a need to focus on labour intensive industries and provide skill development.

“Industries are re-

Gold rallies Rs 670; silver zooms Rs 1,150

NEW DELHI, MAY 3

(PTI): Gold prices rallied Rs 670 to Rs 60,750 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday amid strong global cues, according to HDFC Securities. The precious metal had finished at Rs 60,080 per 10 grams in the previous trade. Silver also zoomed Rs 1,150 to Rs 76,100 per kg.

“Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at Rs 60,750 per 10 grams, up Rs 670 per 10 grams,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said. In the international markets, both gold and silver were trading higher at USD 2,015 per ounce and USD 25.34 per ounce, respectively. “Comex gold held steady above the key USD 2,000-level in Asian trading hours on Wednesday as investors turned their attention to the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision due later in the day,” Sriram Iyer, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities, said.

Possible El Nino impact: Centre asks states

setting themselves in the Web 3.0 era. Governments, together with industry, will have to bring in the skill sets required for a technology-driven society,” she said.

Sitharaman said there should be a conscious effort to move to capital expenditure from revenue expenditure. Capital expenditure helps to create assets and creates a multiplier effect in the economy. It benefits the labour & semi-skilled workers.

Pitching for global coordination, Sithraman said, the world is not decoupled so anything happening anywhere does have an impact on every country. She further said that under the G20 Presidency, India is trying to talk to every country so that nations come together to give solutions to the problems facing the world.

ensure enough seeds for kharif sowing

NEW DELHI, MAY 3

(PTI): Amid concerns over possible impact of evolving El Nino conditions on monsoon rains, the Centre on Wednesday advised states to be prepared for “worst situation” and ensure adequate availability of seeds for kharif sowing season in case of less rainfall.

India is expected to get normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season despite the evolving El Nino conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast in April.

A National Conference on Agriculture-Kharif Campaign-2023 was organised here to prepare the strategy for upcoming kharif sowing season. Inaugurating the kharif campaign, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar asked states to promote technology in the farm sector to cut input

Markets take a breather; all eyes on US Fed interest rate

MUMBAI, MAY 3 (PTI):

Benchmark indices ended lower on Wednesday, halting their eight days of rally, ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and mixed global market trends.

Also, fall in index majors Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Larsen & Toubro added to the weak trend in equities.

The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 161.41 points or 0.26 per cent to settle at 61,193.30. During the day, it tumbled 330.27 points or 0.53 per cent to 61,024.44.

The broader NSE Nifty fell 57.80 points or 0.32 per cent to end at 18,089.85.

From the Sensex firms, Bharti Airtel, Tech Mahindra, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Consultancy Services, State Bank of India, Reliance Industries, Wipro, Infosys, HCL Technologies, IndusInd Bank and Tata

Steel were the major laggards. Hindustan Unilever, Asian Paints, Tata Motors, UltraTech Cement, ITC and Nestle were among the gainers.

In Asian markets, Seoul and Hong Kong ended lower, while Shanghai settled in the green.

European equity markets were trading mostly with gains. The US markets had ended lower on Tuesday.

Rallying for the eighth straight day, the BSE benchmark had climbed 242.27 points or 0.40 per cent to settle at 61,354.71 on Tuesday. The Nifty went up 82.65 points or 0.46 per cent to finish at 18,147.65.

Meanwhile, global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 2.08 per cent to USD 73.75 per barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers on Tuesday as they bought equities worth Rs 1,997.35 crore, according to exchange data.

cost, boost production and farmers’ income. Asserting that “profit guarantee” is the need of the hour in the farm sector, he said the use of technology can help in making farming profitable by reducing input cost and increasing production.

If agriculture does not become profitable, Tomar feared that young generation will not do farming activities in the coming years.

With agriculture being a state subject, Tomar said it is important that state governments implement the central programmes and funds effectively for better results. The Union minister also stressed on the need to increase productivity and production of major crops as demand will increase with rise in population. “We not only need to meet demand of domestic market, but we have to fulfil

India’s coal production rises 15% in 2022-23

the expectations of foreign countries for supply of agriculture items,” Tomar said.

He also asked states to promote nano (liquid) fertilisers, which has already been launched in the market and being used by farmers.

The minister expressed concern that consumption of conventional urea has not reduced despite rising demand of nano urea and adoption of natural and organic farming practices.

Speaking at the event, Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said that the weather department has made a forecast of normal monsoon and there could be El Nino conditions during the monsoon season.

“We should be prepared for the worst situation. There are chances of less rains and there are chances that El Nino conditions might not occur.

NEW DELHI, MAY 3 (IANS): India’s overall coal production stood at 893.08 million tonnes in 2022-23 as compared to 778.19 in 2021-22, showing a growth of 14.78 per cent. Government aims to enhance production to 1,012 million tonnes in the current fiscal. In the last five years, the output of Coal India Limited (CIL) has increased by 703.21 million tonnes as compared to 606.89 million tonnes in 2018-2019 with a growth of 15.9 per cent, official data said. Singareni Collieries Conpany Limited (SCCL) has shown a growth at 67.14 million tonnes in 2022-23 from 64.40 million tonnes in 2018-19 with a growth of 4.3 per cent. Captive and other mines have also taken a lead in coal production by 122.

Rupee gains 6 paise to close at 81.81 against US dollar

MUMBAI, MAY 3 (PTI):

The rupee consolidated in a narrow range and settled for the day higher by 6 paise at 81.81 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday, tracking the weakness of the American currency in the overseas market.

Forex traders said significant foreign fund inflows and crude oil prices below USD 75 a barrel also supported the local unit.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 81.80 against the US currency and finally closed at 81.81 (provisional), registering a gain of 6 paise over its previous close.

During the session, the rupee touched a high of 81.75 and a low of 81.86 against the dollar. On Tuesday, the rupee closed at 81.87 against the US cur -

rency.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.41 per cent to 101.54. Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures fell 2.04 per cent to USD 73.78 per barrel.

The Indian rupee appreciated on a weak US dollar and sharp decline in crude oil prices. However, weak domestic equities capped sharp gains, said Anuj Choudhary - Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

“We expect the rupee to trade with a slight negative bias on risk aversion in global markets amid renewed fears over the banking crisis in the US and worries over global economic recovery. “However, a weak dollar and extended fall in

crude oil prices may prevent a sharp fall in rupee,” Choudhary said. Sustained FII inflows may also support rupee at lower levels. Investors may remain cautious ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting outcome and ISM services PMI.

“The Fed is expected to hike interest rates by 25 basis points. Traders may also remain cautious ahead of non-farm payrolls data later this week. We expect USDINR spot to trade in between 81.30 to 82.30 in the near-term,” Choudhary said. On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE Sensex declined 161.41 points or 0.26 per cent to end at 61,193.30 points, and the broader NSE Nifty fell 57.80 points or 0.32 per cent to 18,089.85 points.

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1 dead, 3 hurt in shooting inside Atlanta building

ATLANTA, MAY 3

(AP): One person was fatally shot and at least three others injured Wednesday in a shooting in a Midtown Atlanta building, police said. Atlanta police said there had been no additional shots fired since the initial shooting unfolded inside a building on West Peachtree Street, between 12th and 13th Streets, a commercial area with many office buildings and high-rise apartments. No suspect was in custody and police said in an email just after 1 p.m. that it was an “active, fluid situation.”

Police said in an email that they were actively searching for the suspect and any additional victims. The three injured people were taken to a hos pital for treatment and the fourth person was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting comes as cities around the U.S. have been wracked by gun violence and mass shootings in 2023.

Brazil police search Bolsonaro’s home, seize his phone

BRASILIA, MAY 3

(AP): Brazil’s Federal Police searched former President Jair Bolsonaro’s home on Wednesday and seized his phone, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official, who wasn’t authorised to speak publicly, said that Bolsonaro will be deposed at Federal Police headquarters and also confirmed that one of his closest allies, Mauro Cid, was arrested.

Asked about the search of Bolsonaro’s home, the Federal Police’s press office provided a statement saying officers were carrying out 16 searches and six arrests in Rio de Janeiro related to the introduction of fraudulent data related to the COVID-19 vaccine into the nation’s health system. The statement didn’t name Bolsonaro or Cid.

Israeli Foreign Minister to visit India next week

JERUSALEM, MAY 3

(PTI): Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen will be visiting India next week in what is being seen as the build-up to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to New Delhi later this year.

Cohen will be on a three-day visit to India from May 9 to 11 during which he will hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He will visit Mumbai for a day.

It is the third highlevel visit by senior Israeli officials in less than three months, coming in quick succession after Knesset (Israeli parliament) speaker Amir Ohana’s trip at the end of Marchearly April and also Economy Minister Nir Barkat’s visit to India last month.

Death toll in chemical plant explosion in China reaches 9

BEIJING, MAY 3

(IANS): Death toll in an explosion in a chemical plant in Liaocheng city in China’s Shandong province reached nine, local authorities said on Wednesday. The incident occurred on Monday morning at the hydrogen peroxide production area of Luxi Chemical Group under Sinochem Holdings Corporation Ltd, Xinhua news agency reported. The injured person was rushed to the hospital for treatment after the explosion occurred.

Kyiv denies assassination bid on Putin

KYIV, MAY 3 (AP): Russia claimed it foiled an attack by Ukrainian drones on the Kremlin early Wednesday, calling it an unsuccessful assassination attempt against President Vladimir Putin and promising retaliation for what it termed a “terrorist” act. The Ukrainian president denied it, saying “We don’t attack Putin or Moscow.”

Putin wasn’t in the Kremlin at the time and was at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti.

There was no independent verification of the reported attack on the Kremlin, which Russia authorities said occurred overnight but presented no evidence to support it. Questions also arose as to why it took the Kremlin hours to report the incident and why videos of it also surfaced that late in the day.

A video posted overnight on a local Moscow news Telegram channel, shot from across the river from the Kremlin, appeared to show smoke rising over the buildings. It wasn’t possible to ascertain its veracity.

According to text accompanying the footage, residents of a nearby apartment building reported hearing bangs and seeing smoke around 2:30 a.m.

The Kremlin said Russian military and security forces stopped the drones before they could strike. Nobody was hurt, it added.

The Kremlin’s website said debris from the drones fell on the grounds of the Moscow landmark without damage.

Zelenskyy, on an unannounced visit to Helsinki for talks with the leaders of five Nordic countries, denied any role in the attack.

“We don’t attack Putin

or Moscow. We fight on our territory. We’re defending our villages and cities,” he said at a news conference.

Ukraine presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said the claims would provide a pretext for Russia “to justify massive strikes on Ukrainian cities, on the civilian population, on infrastructure facilities” in coming days.

The Pentagon is looking into the alleged attacks, according to a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

American intelligence officials also were were looking into the Russian claims

but had not yet made a determination, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing assessment.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Washington at a World Press Freedom Day event, said he had seen the reports but “I can’t in any way validate them. We simply don’t know.”

He added: “I would take anything coming out of the Kremlin with a very large shaker of salt. So let’s see. We’ll see what the facts are and it’s really hard to comment or speculate on this without really knowing what the facts are.”

The purported drone attack would be a significant escalation in the 14-month conflict, with Ukraine taking the war to the heart of Russian power.

Phillips O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews, said, “It certainly wasn’t an attempt to assassinate Putin, because he doesn’t sleep in the roof and he probably never sleeps in the Kremlin.”

9 killed, 7 injured in Serbian school shooting

He added it was too soon to prove or disprove whether it was a Russian attempt “either to make Ukraine look reckless or to buck up Russian public opinion” or if it was a Ukrainian operation to embarrass Russia.

The alleged attack immediately prompted calls in Russia from pro-Kremlin figures in Russia to carry out assassinations on senior leadership in Ukraine.

The Kremlin claimed the attack was planned to disrupt Victory Day, which Russia celebrates in Red Square on May 9 to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Peskov said the parade would take place as scheduled.

Shortly before the news about the alleged attack broke, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin issued a ban on using drones in the Russian capital, with an exception for drones launched by authorities.

Sobyanin didn’t offer any reason for the ban, saying only that it would prevent the “illegal use of drones that can hinder the work of law enforcement.”

NAIROBI, MAY 3 (IANS):

BELGRADE, MAY 3

(IANS): Nine people were killed and seven others injured on Wednesday after a 14-year-old boy allegedly opened fire in an elementary school in Serbia, according to the interior ministry and local media. According to the press release of the interior ministry, the police were “informed that this morning at 8:40 a.m., a shooting occurred at the Vladislav Ribnikar” elementary school in the Municipality of Vracar, Xinhua news agency reported. “The police dispatched all available patrols, immediately went to the field, and arrested the suspected minor, a student of the seventh grade, who, as is

suspected, fired several shots from his father’s gun in the direction of the students and security of this school,” the press release said. The interior ministry said that six severely injured people are being treated at hospital. According to RTS, Serbia’s public broadcaster, a security guard and eight kids lost their lives; one teacher and three children are at the Emergency Medical Centre in Belgrade, while three more children are at the children’s hospital. “The school is closed. Something like this has never been recorded in the history of Belgrade schools,” Milan Nedeljkovic, president of the Municipality of Vracar, told RTS.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 3

(PTI): Pakistan’s coalition government and former prime minister Imran Khan’s party have made “big progress” after they agreed to hold simultaneous elections under caretaker governments across the country but failed to reach a consensus on the date of the polls. The decision was announced by a senior minister after overnight parleys between the government and the main opposition party to end a deadlock over the timing of provincial and federal elections, an issue that has rocked the cashstarved country’s politics for months. The talks were held in the backdrop of the con-

troversy with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party seeking early pollsparticularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces where assemblies were dissolved in January - and the government led by the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) maintaining that provincial and federal elections across the country be held on the same day in October.

The third and key round of talks between the coalition government and PTI began on Tuesday night to discuss proposals for holding elections on the same day in the country.

Talking to the media after the talks, the Leader of

the House in the Senate and Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Ishaq Dar termed the consensus on two points as a great positive achievement. Dar said that there was consensus between both parties on holding simultaneous elections across the country to be held under caretaker governments and there was no confusion among anyone. He added that there were many things in the backdrop that played a key role including the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the concept of caretaker governments and simultaneous polls for free, fair and transparent elections without any controversy.

United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called upon Sudan’s warring parties to pursue the path of peace and reconciliation in order to avert a humanitarian crisis that could engulf the greater Horn of Africa region.

Guterres, who spoke at a media briefing in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, said the conflict that broke out in Sudan in mid-April remains of grave concern, adding that laying down of arms among combatants is urgent, Xinhua news agency reported. “The fighting needs to stop now before more people die and this conflict explodes into an allout war that could affect the

OFFICE O F THE I ML O MI UNI O N DIMAP U R F ELICITATI O N

Imlomi Union Dimapur extends heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed members.

1. Shri. Hetoho Y Swu – Promotion to the post of Joint Director, Soil and Water conservation Department, Nagaland.

2. Er. Vikishe Chishi – Promotion to the post of Sub-Division Officer (E), Power Department, Nagaland. The union takes immense pride and joy in their achievement and prays that God continue to bless them in all their endeavours.

Vihuto Khala Hokugha Chishi Treasurer Secretary dp-1924/23

BANGKOK, MAY 3

(AP): Myanmar’s ruling military council on Wednesday said it was releasing more than 2,100 political prisoners as a humanitarian gesture. Thousands more remain imprisoned on charges generally involving nonviolent protests or criticism of military rule, which began when the army seized power in February 2021 from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

State-run MRTV television reported that the head of Myanmar’s military council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, had pardoned 2,153 prisoners on the most important Buddhist holy day of the year, marking the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

The releases began on Wednesday, but may take a few days to be completed. The identities of those released were not immediately available, but would not include Suu Kyi, who is serving a prison term of 33 years on more than a dozen charges her supporters say were trumped up by the military.

According to an offi-

cial announcement on state media, all of the prisoners granted pardon on Wednesday had been convicted under a section of Myanmar’s penal code that makes it a crime to spread comments that create public unrest or fear, or spread false news, and carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.

The terms of the pardon warn that if the freed detainees violate the law again, they will have to serve the remainder of their original sentences in addition to whatever term they are given for their new offense.

Mass prisoner releases are common on major holidays in Myanmar. The last release of so many political prisoners at one time occurred in July 2021, when 2,296 prisoners were freed. In November last year, several high profile political prisoners, including an Australian academic, a Japanese filmmaker, an ex-British diplomat and an American, were released as part of a broad prisoner amnesty that also freed many local citizens held for protesting the army takeover.

The Jungi Motsurüi Ekhung with immense pride and honor conveys heartfelt congratulations to Dr, N Renthungo Jungio son of Mr. Nzanbemo Jungio and Mrs. Mhonbeni Jungi on being promoted to Assistant Registrar, Guwahati High Court. Kohima Bench. The Ekhung appreciates your achievement and further wishes you good health, wisdom and success in your future endeavors.

Sd/- Sd/Nchumbemo Jungio Pichamo Jungio Chairman Secretary Jungi Motsurüi Ekhung Jungi Motsurüi Ekhung

OFFICE OF THE NEMCHABA KIDONG KHAR

MOKOKCHUNG : NAGALAND FELICITATION

With unceasing gratitude to our Almighty God, the Nemchaba Kidong Khar, heartily congratulates Shri Talimongba on being promoted to joint Director Under Department of Horticulture, Government of Nagaland, Kohima .

We wish him good health, success and prosperity in his future endeavors.

Moayongdang Talitemjen

President General Secretary

region for years to come,”

Guterres said, adding, “All parties must put the interests of the Sudanese people first -- that means peace, prosperity, and a return to civilian rule.” Guterres is expected to discuss the situation in Sudan with Kenyan officials during his official trip to the East African nation besides chairing this year’s first ses-

sion of the UN System Chief Executive Board for Coordination.

The board, which meets twice every year, brings together the leaders of the UN agencies, funds, and programs, and happens to be the highest-level coordination forum of the UN system.

While acknowledging that Sudan’s crisis is taking a toll on civilians amid a lack of access to food, clean drinking water, and essential medicine, Guterres urged fighters loyal to Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the paramilitary

Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to adhere to the latest seven-day ceasefire and commence peace talks. The fighting between the SAF and the RSF that broke on April 15 in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has so far claimed the lives of more than 500 people and left over 4,000 more injured, according to Sudan’s Ministry of Health.

Now in its third week, the fighting, which has disrupted a transition to civilian rule in Sudan, has displaced civilians with an estimated 100,000 people having fled to neighboring countries, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

F ELICITATI O N

The Sumi Officers’ Union, Zunheboto (SOUZ), heartily congratulates Dr. K. Kalito Chishi, Advisor, SOUZ on her promotion to the post of Principal, Zunheboto Govt. College, Zunheboto.

The Union prays that Almighty God constantly guide her in her new role and responsibility and also in all her future endeavours and aspirations.

Sd/President, SOUZ Zunheboto, Nagaland

dp-1907/23

Office Of the OLD chANGSU ViLLAGe cOUNciL

NeW chANGSU ViLLAGe cOUNciL AND OLD chANGSU StUDeNtS’ UNiON DiStRict, WOKhA – 797111 : NAGALAND AN APPeAL tO the PRiNciPAL DiRectOR, DoSe

The OCVC, NCVC and OCSU demands the Principal Director, Department of School Education, Nagaland to take stern action against those found defaulting from their bonafide duty.

1. Joana Tsanglao, (Lotha Teacher) (Appointed on 11-11-2016)

2. Mhalo Kithan, (English Teacher) (Appointed on 17-02-2016)

Expressing displeasure over the callous attitude of the absenting RMSA teachers of Govt. High School, Changsu Village as their names mentioned above, who despite given repeated appeals could not turn up even once to take a single class till date since the time of their appointment to discharge their bonafide duty. Thereby their willful dereliction of duty has not only defied the right of education Act 2009 but also badly hampered the future of the career of students.

Therefore, we the joint Village Councils of Old Changsu and New Changsu and Old Changsu Students’ Union, after a threadbare discussion demands the Principal Director to take stern action against those truant teachers and immediately send a sincere teacher in lieu of their replacement so as to function the school smoothly.

tacholow Kithan Abemo tungoe eyingbemo Shitiri Chairman, OCVC Chairman, NCVC President, OCSU

Antonio Guterres

A view of the empty Red Square closed for Victory Parade preparation with the Spasskaya Tower and the Kremlin Wall.

A suspect is escorted by police outside the Vladislav Ribnikar school in Belgrade, Serbia, May 3.(AP/PTI)

UN chief urges Sudan’s warring parties to pursue peace

Pak govt, Oppn agree to hold same-day polls across country, date yet to be decided

Over 2,100 freed as Myanmar pardons political prisoners

Released prisoners get off from a bus after they release from Insein prison in Yangon. (AP)

SC refuses to entertain plea by Muslim body against ‘The Kerala Story’

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind seeking a direction to the Centre and others not to allow the screening or release of the movie entitled ‘The Kerala Story’ at theatres, OTT platforms and other such avenues, and also that the trailer should be removed from the Internet.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said it cannot allow the Supreme Court to become a “super Article 226 court” (a super high court) and entertain everything raised using Article 32. Article 226 provides for high courts to issue instructions or writs to government authorities.

Advocate Vrinda Grover mentioned the Muslim body’s plea before the court and submitted that the Kerala High Court was not hearing the matter before the film’s release on May 5. Grover argued that they are vilifying the community and marketing it as the truth and also, they do not have a disclaimer also that this is a work of fiction.

Senior advocate Harish Salve pointed out that the Kerala High Court is already seized of the matter. The Chief Justice asked petitioners to move the Kerala High Court which is hearing similar matters and said the high courts are manned by seasoned judges and Kerala High Court judges are aware of local situations.

The counsel, representing the Muslim body, said the apex court can ask the high court to hear the cases relating to the release of the film on May 4. The film is slated for release on May 5.

After hearing submissions, the top court said the relief sought under Article 32 can be pursued before the high court and “we do not entertain it on this ground

and we grant liberty to the petitioners to move the high court. The high court can take this up for early hearing...”

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined to immediately hear a plea seeking a stay on the release of the controversial movie ‘The Kerala Story’.

A bench comprising Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna observed that the censor board has already cleared the movie and the petitioners should rather challenge the film’s certification before an appropriate authority. This bench is currently hearing matters in connection with hate speeches. The bench said that the exhibition of films entails a different

Cannes to bestow Honorary Palme d’Or upon Michael Douglas

Backstreet Boys land in Mumbai, paparazzi does a repeat of NMACC

process, therefore the plea seeking a stay on the release of the movie cannot be clubbed with the hate speech matters.

The fresh plea filed by Muslim body said: “The movie is clearly aimed at spreading hatred and enmity between different sections of society in India. The message the movie imparts is that non-Muslim young women are being lured into converting to Islam by their classmates and subsequently, trafficked to West Asia where they are forced to join terrorist organisations.”

The plea said, “The movie demeans the entire Muslim community and it will result in endangering the life and livelihood of the petitioners and the entire Muslim community in our country and this is a direct infringement under Articles 14 & 21 of the Constitution.”

The plea, filed through advocate Ejaz Maqbool, alternatively sought a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification to further identify incendiary scenes and dialogues for removal or show a disclaimer. (IANS)

Multiple award-winning actor Michael Douglas will receive the Honorary Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, reports ‘Variety’. Cannes revealed that the ‘Basic Instinct’ star will return to the Croisette this month for the festival -- and will be honoured as part of the May 16 opening ceremony.

Douglas’s first time in Cannes was the 32nd edition of the festival in 1979, with James Bridges’ disaster thriller movie ‘The China Syndrome’, adds ‘Variety’.

He returned for ‘Basic Instinct’ in 1992 and again in 1993 for ‘Falling Down’. He was most recently in Cannes for Steven Soderbergh’s 2013 movie, ‘Behind the Candelabra’, where he played the pianist-singer Liberace.(IANS)

How science and doctors have transformed ankylosing spondylitis

Better Diagnosis

We can now diagnose

As earlier because of improved technologies.

Sixty years ago, we diagnosed people based on their symptoms. They were considered to have AS based on a doctor’s exam of their spine and what they told their doctors.

Over the years, we began to consider the role of genes, inflammation in organs other than the spine, and MRI changes not seen on X-rays. For example, we now know that people with inflammatory back pain who don’t have X-ray changes but do have MRI changes have non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. This is an early stage or less aggressive form of AS that should be treated similarly to AS.

There’s also more awareness about women with AS. Women may have different symptoms and their symptoms might mimic fibromyalgia.

Better Drug Treatments

In the past, the mainstay of treatment was high, long-term doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or aspirin along with physical therapy. This had limited success in preventing AS from progressing or controlling symptoms.

Now better and more effective therapeutic options are available. With the introduction of biologics and small molecule inhibitors, patients have less pain, improved function, improved quality of life, and a chance for disease remission.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitors were the first biologics approved by the FDA for AS. We’ve used them for 20 years, but some patients don’t respond, have contraindications, or have side effects from this drug.

Recently, interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitors and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors were added to the list of medications that are proven effective and safe. The IL-17 inhibitors secukinumab and ixekizumab were approved by the FDA 5 years ago. The JAK inhibitors tofacitinib and upadacitinib were approved in the last few months.

These drugs work differently to target inflammation, and they can change how your immune system works. They’re proven to be safe, effective, and good

options for people who otherwise couldn’t take TNF inhibitors.

While there have been successes, there have also been failures. Researchers ran studies on IL12 and IL23 inhibitors, as these drugs are effective for psoriatic arthritis and psoriatic spondylitis. But when evaluated for patients with AS, they didn’t work.

There are more IL-17 inhibitors and JAK inhibitors in development.

Better Guidelines

We now have newly updated guidelines that help us choose the best treatment strategy for people living with AS.

In 2019, the American College of Rheumatology, the Spondylitis Association of America, and the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network published guidelines on how to treat and manage AS and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nraxSpA).

In 2022, the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (ASAS-EULAR) updated their guidelines.

These guidelines are based on studies that looked at different treatment strategies, like which medicines to start first and which ones may be best if patients have other medical conditions. They also address non-drug management, like educating patients about AS and exercise.

These guidelines have been helpful for doctors and for those living with AS in deciding their care.

An Emphasis on Exercise

While medications help with inflammation, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are important to

maintain mobility, flexibility, and quality of life.

Recently, there’s been a greater emphasis on the role of exercise in managing AS. Many studies have shown that when people with AS exercise regularly, they see improvement in pain, function, and quality of life.

In 2021, the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology issued recommendations on selfcare strategies. It includes things like goal setting, cognitive behavioral therapy, and problem-solving. These strategies empower patients to take a more proactive role in their health.

Doctors now talk to people with AS about physical activity, diet, and mental health to help them stay productive at work and at home.

Advancements in Daily Living With AS

There have been several advances that allow people with AS to maintain their quality of life and be gainfully employed.

• The medications we have now are better at controlling the inflammatory disease and keeping patients functional.

• Policy changes have made the workplace friendlier to people who have disabilities and arthritis.

• Since the start of the pandemic, the option to work from home has really helped patients, as some no longer have to take long commutes to get to their jobs.

New Focus on Drug Timing for Surgery

Experts have also recently evaluated the safety and role of surgery for patients with AS.

Surgery is reserved for those with spinal fractures, spinal infection, or those with severe spinal deformi-

ties at risk for neurologic deterioration. Recent recommendations focus on optimizing the timing of when to stop taking biologics or JAK inhibitors for surgery and when to start them again. That’s because they may increase the risk for infection and delay wound healing, but if they’re stopped prematurely, the disease will flare and inflammation may complicate surgery results.

Ideally, you should discuss with your rheumatologist medication management before you schedule an elective surgery.

What May Happen

Next I believe the most notable change in the care

and management of people with AS has been understanding the disease pathology and having the therapeutics needed to address the underlying cause of inflammation rather than just masking inflammation. This is an exciting time for rheumatologists and people we serve. We have more options available to control the disease and allow people to get back to living. I’m looking forward to the additional therapeutics and novel research on ankylosing spondylitis that will come in the next decade.

Medically Reviewed by Tyler

Wheeler, MD

By Kathryn Dao, MD as told to Kara Mayer Robinson

The clocks got wind back to the 1990s in Mumbai when the American boy band Backstreet Boys landed in the city recently. The band, which has given chartbusters like ‘Show Me The Meaning’, ‘I Want It That Way’, ‘Shape of My Heart’, is every 1990s kid favourite and opens the floodgates of nostalgia everytime any of their tracks plays. They were greeted by the paparazzi on their ar-

rival, and the Indian paparazzi again came up with ‘Ikade Ikade (here here)’, ‘Mumbai Mein Swagat Hai’ much like when they did the same at the opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in the city. It has left everyone asking “Tell me why” would Indian paparazzi do that.

The music artists, who returned to India after 13 years, posed for the cameras and selfies with fans before making their way

to the car. The band is in India as part of their Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour. They will be performing in the financial capital of the country - Mumbai and the national capital - New Delhi. For the Indian leg, Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour will play at Jio World Gardens, Mumbai on May 4 and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on May 5. (IANS)

With immense pride and joy the Chungtia Senso Mungdang extends our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Moanaro Longchar D/o Lt. Imkongniken Longchar and Mrs. Takoinla Jamir (Chuchuyimlang) on being selected to the post of Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at interview conducted by the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR).

The CSM lauds her great achievement and prays that our Almighty God guide and bless her abundantly and further wishes her success in all her endeavours.

Sd/- Sd/(M. TEMJEN LONGCHAR) (Y. AKUM IMCHEN) President, CSM Gen. Secretary, CSM

We, Chichamo Odyuo Tssoerui would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Hav. R. Bithungo Lotha on being awarded Sena Medal (Gallantry) on 15th August 2022. He led the search and rescue team from February 7-9, 2022 to retrieve seven casualties hit by avalanche at point 4646 and completed the task in very inhospitable terrain and weather conditions. We are immensely proud of your achievement and pray for success in your future endeavors.

Sd/- Sd/Yansarhomo Odyuo K. Zachamo Odyuo Chairman Secretary

Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson, members of the American vocal group Backstreet Boys, upon their arrival ahead of the DNA World Tour, in Mumbai. (PTI)

IPL: MI chase down 215, beat PBKS by 6 wickets

MOHALI, MAY 3 (PTI):

Ishan Kishan’s stylish 75 off 41 balls was complemented by Suryakumar Yadav’s 360 degree effort that fetched 66 off 31 balls as Mumbai Indians powered to a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in an IPL match, here on Wednesday.

Uncapped Jitesh Sharma (49; 27b) matched T20 specialist Liam Livingstone (82 not out; 42b) in flair and flamboyance as the duo stepped up in style in the back end to propel Punjab Kings to a fighting 214/3 after Mumbai Indians opted to bowl.

But Ishan was at his furious best in a 41-ball 75 (7x4, 4x6), while Suryakumar Yadav batted with his usual flair in a 31-ball 66 (8x4, 2x6) to make a mockery of 200-plus chase, winning with seven balls to spare.

The duo added 116 runs from just 55 balls as MI raced to the target with seven balls to spare to secure their fifth win from nine matches.

Arshdeep Singh took a stunning catch to dismiss Suryakumar off Aussie seamer Nathan Ellis (2/34) and then he came to bowl the next over and accounted for Ishan with a knuckle ball. The duo were dismissed in eight runs to

open up the match with 37 runs needed off 22 balls but Tim David (19 not out) and Tilak Verma (26 not out) sealed the chase.

Tilak Verma (26 not out off 10 balls) launched mercilessly into Arshdeep Singh, who went for 66 in 3.5 overs as it finished in a jiffy in the end.

The win pushed MI (10 points from nine matches) to top-six, ahead of Punjab (10 from 10 matches) on net run-rate. From being 0/1, it was only a one-way traffic for Mumbai Indians with

Ishan forging a counterattacking fifty-plus partnership with Cameron Green (23; 18b) to set the tempo.

The duo got it going against Punjab’s ace pacer Arshdeep Singh, hitting him for 16 runs.

Earlier, Livingstone raced to season’s first fifty in 32 balls and ended up being the top-scorer with 82 not out (42b), studded with seven boundaries and four sixes. Giving Livingstone a perfect support, PBKS glovesman Sharma continued to impress as he

World Boxing: Nishant sails into prequarters with a win in 71kg category

petition in the last edition as well, the Indian will be aiming to go all the way this time round.

remained unbeaten on 49 (27b) in a 119-run fourth wicket partnership that came off just 53 balls.

Livingstone was at his furious best when he smacked his English teammate Jofra Archer for three sixes in a row in the 19th over.

The duo of Livingstone and Sharma upped the ante in the next over when they took Archer to cleaners in an over that yielded 21 runs.

On batting-belter, Chawla smartly varied his pace and quietly did his job,

dismissing a dangerouslooking Shikhar Dhawan (30; 20b) and Matthew Short (27; 26b) in the middle overs.

Having got a reprieve on 23, Dhawan started to break the shackles and stepped out Chawla for a boundary over the bowler’s head. Dhawan tried to repeat the same in the next delivery but this time the veteran legspinner had the last laugh when he outfoxed the lefthander, altering his length.

Fresh from their humdinger of a win against Chennai, PBKS could not find their mojo up front after Rohit Sharma opted to bowl.

Returning to the same venue where their bowlers were hammered by Lucknow Super Giants to post a mammoth 257/5, PBKS started on a jittery note.

Prabhsimran Singh got out in the second over, while Dhawan as always was a slow-starter.

Brief Scores: Punjab Kings 214/3 in 20 overs (Liam Livingstone 82 not out, Jitesh Sharma 49 not out; Piyush Chawla 2/29, Arshad Khan 1/48) lost to Mumbai Indians 216/4 in 18.5 overs (Ishan Kishan 75, Suryakumar Yadav 66; Nathan Ellis 2/34, Rishi Dhawan 1/20) by six wickets

CSK, LSG split points after Badoni’s classic knock in rain-marred IPL game

LUCKNOW, MAY 3

(PTI): Ayush Badoni stood tall amidst the ruins with a classy half-century on a poor surface before a sharp downpour forced Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings to split points as their IPL match was called off on Wednesday.

This is the first game in the 16th edition of IPL that had to be called off midway due to rain.

Rain stopped play in the 20th over but by then Badoni, who came in at 44 for 5 had put his team in a position of respectability on a very difficult surface. Badoni, smashed two fours and four sixes in his 33-ball-59 and his temperament on a surface conducive for slow bowlers was worth its weight in gold as it didn’t seem at one point that LSG could cross 125run mark.

With 11 points from 10 games, LSG and CSK are placed second and third on points table respectively. LSG (+0.639) have a better net runrate compared to CSK (+0.329).

It was a good toss to win for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the CSK skipper’s decision to bowl first was vindicated by his bowlers on a surface that is cer-

tainly not good enough for an absorbing T20 contest.

Most of the balls were gripping off the surface and the batters found it extremely difficult to hit through the line unlike in other surfaces as Moeen Ali 2/13 in 4 overs), Ravindra Jadeja (1/11 in 3 overs) and Maheesh Theekshana (2/37 in 4 overs) kept them under tight leash and also got wickets at regular intervals.

Such was their dominance that the first six of the innings came in the 15th over when Badoni, coming

in at No.7, slog swept Sri Lankan spinner Theekshana over mid-wicket and got another maximum in the next over to get some momentum going for his team.

Dhoni, who rightly assessed the track as “tacky”, got Moeen into the attack in the fourth over and a flighted delivery inviting Kyle Mayers (14) to break the shackles did the trick as he could only mistime a skier to Ruturaj Gaikwad in the deep.

Manan Vohra (10) tried a non-existent lap-shot and Krunal Pandya was snapped at slip by Ajinkya Rahane.

The ball of the innings was certainly bowled by Jadeja, who got one to turn sharply as Marcus Stoinis drew forward only to find the ball turn sharply past his outside edge and peg the off-stump. Karan Sharma’s 16-ball stay for a painstaking 9 was indeed a struggle before he offered a return catch to Moeen Ali.

Badoni and Nicholas Pooran (20) then added 59 for the sixth wicket.

Brief scores: Lucknow Super Giants 125/7 in 19.2 overs (Ayush Badoni 59 off 33; Moeen Ali 2/13, Ravindra Jadeja 1/11) against Chennai Super Kings

Madrid Open: Kudermetova stuns Pegula to make first WTA 1000 SF

TASHKENT, MAY 3

(IANS): Young Indian pugilist Nishant Dev produced a power-packed performance and recorded a scintillating victory to advance to the pre-quarterfinals of the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships, here on Wednesday.

Facing the 2021 bronze medallist Sarkhan Aliyev of Azerbaijan in the 71kg, Nishant was presented with a tough challenge initially but the exuberant pugilist put up a world-class display of strength and supreme technique to secure a 5-0 victory.

The 22-year-old from

Karnal utilised his strategy of attacking from a distance and landed a swift combination of punches to begin the bout on the front foot.

After judging his opponent’s attacks well and defending sternly, Nishant gave the Azerbaijani no chance to execute his attacks. The southpaw, who hardly put a foot wrong throughout the bout, proved to be too quick for Aliyev.

Nishant will now face Lee Sangmin of South Korea for a place in the quarterfinals.

Having reached the quarter-finals of the com -

On Thursday, four Indian pugilists will take the ring for their respective tournament openers. The 2022 Thailand Open champion Govind Sahani (48kg) will square off against Mehron Shafiev of Tajikistan while the 2019 Asian silver medallist Deepak Kumar (51kg) will take on Luis Delgado of Ecuador.

Record six-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (63.5kg), who received a bye in the first round, will begin his campaign from the Round of 16 stage as he aims to add another World Championships medal to his kitty, bagging a bronze in the 2015 edition in Doha.

The bronze medallists of the 2022 Asian Championships, Narender Berwal (+92kg) and Muhammad Abroridinov of Tajikistan, who also received byes in the first round, will go headto-head against each other.

MADRID, MAY 3 (IANS): Veronika

Kudermetova took out No.3 seed Jessica Pegula in a rollercoaster three-setter in the Madrid Open to reach the biggest semifinal of her career with a 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 win over the American in the quarterfinal on Wednesday.

Kudermetova had previously reached three quarterfinals at WTA 1000 level or above, all in 2022 at Indian Wells, Roland Garros and Guadalajara, and Wednesday’s result moved her into the last four at this level for the first time.

In a first-time encounter with 2022 finalist Pegula, Kudermetova also notched her seventh career Top-5 win, and first since defeating Tunisian Ons Jabeur in the San Jose quarterfinals last August. She had entered Madrid on a four-match losing streak. The 12th seed will face world number one Iga Swiatek or Croatia’s Petra Martic in Thursday’s semifinal.

Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open after beating Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the early hours of Wednesday morning, here.

The Greek conceded three service breaks to World No. 42 Zapata Miralles but remained in charge throughout thanks to seven service breaks of his own in a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

German Struff continued his hot clay-court, charging into his second consecutive ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final after a tight 7-6(7), 6-7(7), 6-3 win over Argentine Pedro Cachin.

After rallying from 1-4 in the

No.9 seed Maria Sakkari advanced to the semifinals at the Madrid Open after she outlasted No.31 seed Irina-Camelia Begu 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 in the quarterfinals, here on Tuesday night.

Sakkari had to come from behind to win against the Romanian. After losing a marathon opening set that lasted well over an hour, Sakkari bounced back to wrap up victory in 2 hours and 52 minutes.

Already a first-time quar-

PTUshameetsprotestingwrestlers,assuressupport

NEW DELHI, MAY 3

(PTI): Facing criticism from all quarters for being insensitive towards the protesting wrestlers, IOA President PT Usha on Wednesday met them at Jantar Mantar here and assured the grapplers of her support, saying she was first an athlete and then an administrator.

Former sprinter Usha had come down heavily on the wrestlers for resuming their protest instead of approaching the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for their issues.

She had said that the wrestlers should have shown some discipline and that they had tarnished the country’s image by hitting the streets, a comment that brought criticism for her and the IOA.

Usha left without speaking with the media but Bajrang Punia said she has assured them help.

“Initially when she said that, we had felt very bad but then she said that her comments were misinterpreted. She said that she is first an athlete and then an administrator,” said Bajrang, the Tokyo Games bronze medallist.

“We told her that we want justice. We don’t have a fight with the government or opposition or anyone else. We are sitting here for the betterment of wrestling. If this issue is resolved and if the allegations (against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) are proved then there should be legal action,” he added.

When asked if Usha had come with a solution from the government or from the IOA, Punia said, “Nothing of that sort”. Sakshi said, “She (Usha) said it pains her to see us on the streets and not in the stadium. She said she feels for us, wants us to win more medals for the

country.”

“We respect her. She is a great athlete. Der Aaye Durust Aaye (Better late than never),” said Bajrang.

“If someone has come here and says she supports us, that’s all we need,” added Sakshi.

Vinesh said she did not ask Usha when will the IOA complete its probe but suggested something.

“I told her, now that wrestling is under her, she should take everything under her control and start organising competitions.

I also told her that she is a Rajya Sabha MP... if she can raise this issue in Parliament, that will be enough,” she said.

India’s ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who has been protesting at the Jantar Mantar here with other top grapplers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has alleged that Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur tried to suppress the matter by forming an oversight panel instead of taking concrete action.

During their second phase of their protest, wrestlers are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, who is also a BJP MP.

“We ended our protest after talking to Union Sports Minister (Anurag Thakur), and all the athletes had told him about the sexual harassment. By forming a committee, he tried to suppress the matter there; no action was taken that time,” Vinesh told reporters.

The ace wrestler also said that it is tough to stand against a powerful person who is misusing his power and position for a very long time. “It is very difficult to stand against a person who

Tsitsipasreachesquarter-finalswithwinoverZapataMiralles SakkarihaltsBegutoadvancetosemis,facesSabalenka

is misusing his power and position for so long,” she said.

The Olympian further revealed that the wrestlers had met an official before they started their protest in Jantar Mantar, for the first time. But, no action was taken.

“Three-four months before we sat at Jantar Mantar, we had met an official, we had told him everything about how women athletes are sexually harassed and mentally tortured when no action was taken, then we sat on dharna,” Vinesh said.

Meanwhile, Brij Bhushan has refused to resign from the wrestling body, saying it would then mean he has accepted the allegations.

second set to force a tie-break, Struff missed the opportunity to close out the match in straight sets when he held match point at 6/7 in the ‘breaker. But he carried the momentum of his comeback into the third set to twice break Cachin to close out the match in two hours and 28 minutes. Struff lost to Aslan Karatsev in qualifying but came into the main draw as a lucky loser. He has surged 24 places this week to No. 41 in the ATP Live Rankings. Should he reach the semi-finals he is projected to be within a couple of spots of his career-high mark of No. 29.

terfinalist in Madrid, Sakkari is now through to her eighth career WTA 1000 semifinal. She’ll seek a berth in her third final at this level against No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, who also came from a set down in her own quarterfinal victory over Mayar Sherif. Sakkari and Sabalenka will meet for the ninth time. They’ve already played once this year, with Sabalenka winning 6-2, 6-3 last month in the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters.

Arsenal return to top of the league with 3-1 win over sorry Chelsea in EPL

LONDON, MAY 3 (AGENCIES): Arsenal

returned to the top of the Premier League on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over a woeful Chelsea, set on their way by two goals from Martin Odegaard, but the title is still Manchester City’s to lose having played two games less than the leaders.

Arsenal raced into a 3-0 halftime lead when captain Odegaard was given acres of space - twice - by Chelsea’s flimsy defence to score in the 18th and 31st minutes, and Gabriel Jesus converted from closerange 11 minutes before the break.

Arsenal’s first win in five games took them to 78 points, two more than second-placed City - the reigning champions - who have the chance to reclaim top spot when they host West Ham United on Wednesday. After losing to City 4-1 last week, Mikel Arteta made three changes, including giving striker Leandro Trossard a start in the place of Gabriel Martinelli and

handing Jakub Kiwior his first league start in midfield. His side dominated their slumping London rivals straight from the kickoff as they sought to shake off last week’s potentially title-deciding setback.

Granit Xhaka, who provided assists for both Odegaard’s strikes, almost opened the scoring himself in the opening minutes but he was thwarted by Kepa Arrizabalaga who went on to make saves in the second half that prevented an Arsenal rout.

Chelsea lost for the sixth time in six games in all competitions since interim coach Frank Lampard replaced Graham Potter

last month, a dismal run for a club who were crowned European champions as recently as two years ago.

But they at least managed to score only their second goal in eight games when Noni Madueke squeezed the ball past Aaron Ramsdale in the 65th minute for his first strike since signing from PSV Eindhoven in January.

Chelsea’s U.S. owners, who have lavished over 500 million pounds ($623 million) on players since buying the club almost a year ago, are expected to name former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino as their new permanent coach for next season.

matter’,allegesPhogatamidprotest

Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus scores their third goal. (Reuters)

Nishant Dev (Right) after winning against Sarkhan Aliyev.

IOA President P.T. Usha with wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat during their protest. (PTI)

Ayush Badoni

Veronika Kudermetova

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Vinesh Phogat

Maria Sakkari

Mumbai Indians batter Ishan Kishan plays a shot during the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians in Mohali, Wednesday. (PTI)