7 Jan 2022

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 31

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Kazakhstan unrest turns deadly

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Covid: State sees surge with 31 new cases, 1 death DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): After maintaining a low daily case count for several months, Nagaland on Thursday witnessed a surge in Covid-19 infections with 31 fresh cases being reported while one more patient succumbed to the infection during the day.

Of the fresh cases, 30 were from Dimapur and one in Kohima, taking the state’s total caseload to 32247.

Further, one more patient succumbed to the infection in Dimapur, pushing the Covid death toll to 687 (including 16 non-Covid deaths but with positivity).

Vaccination status

Meanwhile, altogether 1143 beneficiaries in the 15-18 age group were inoculated against Covid-19 as on January 6.

According to Health & Family Welfare department, 977 were administered the first dose of Covaxin in Dimapur district, while 166 received their first dose in Kohima.

Further, a total of 13,40,872 doses of both Covidshield and Sputnik V vaccines have been administered in the state.

While 7,57,734 first dose and 5,76,761 second dose of Covidshield were administered; 3,476 individuals received their first dose and 2,901 their second dose of Sputnik V across the State.

Healthcare workers16,005 first dose and 13,543 second dose; frontline workers-- 60,985 first dose and 48,627 second dose; 18-44 years-- 4,69,912 first dose and 3,37,951 second dose and in 45 years and above category-- 2,14,308 first dose and 1,79,541 second dose.

India Covid cases spiral to 90,928 in 24 hours NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (AGENCIES): India on Thursday witnessed an enormous spike in its daily tally of Covid-19 cases after as many as 90,928 new infections were logged in the last 24 hours, according to morning update by the Union ministry of health and family welfare. This is a surge of 56.5 per cent from Wednesday when 58,097 fresh cases were reported.

The cumulative tally of the country has now climbed to 3,51,09,286, the health ministry update showed.

The active case count of the country also saw a severe spike as it neared the 3-lakh mark with 285,401 infections. It accounts for 0.81 per cent of the overall caseload of the country.

Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala, Delhi, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu account for the majority of the active cases in the country.

There are as many as 91,204 active infections in Maharashtra as per the Union health ministry update.

Meanwhile, the single-day deaths witnessed a dip after a total of 325 patients succumbed to the virus as opposed to 534 on the preceding day. With this, India’s death toll due to Covid-19 has reached 482,876, according to the Union health ministry update.

Fresh recoveries continue to show hopes as over 19,000 people recuperated from Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours, taking the total number of recovered cases in the country to 3,43,41,009.

The recovery rate in India stands at 97.81%.

The Omicron count witnessed an upward trend on Thursday after the country saw the biggest singleday jump of 495 Omicron

Omicron Cases cross 2600mark 56% rise in fresh Covid cases Positivity rate at 6.43% cases, taking the total number of infections of the new variant of Covid to 2,630, according to Union health ministry data.

Maharashtra and Delhi, once again, have retained the top spots in the chart with 797 and 465 cases, respectively. Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujaratall of which are among top 10 most-hit states in India by Omicron, have confirmed over 200 infections of the new variant so far.

As far as vaccination coverage is concerned, a total of 91,25,099 doses were administered to eligible beneficiaries in the last 24 hours, including individuals aged between 15 and 18. As many as 40,80,263 teenagers took the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours, according to Health ministry.

Centre flags decline in testing: Centre has flagged the decline in Covid-19 testing amid rising cases in nine states/UTs - Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar.

In a letter to all states/ UTs, Additional Secretary of Union Health Ministry Arti Ahuja directed them to set up Covid-19 control rooms at district and subdistrict levels. These control rooms must collate daily reports of all patients under

home isolation in their respective jurisdictions.

2nd Omicron death: The second Omicron-related death in the country was also confirmed on Thursday. Officials in Odisha's Balangir said a 55-yearold woman who died at a hospital in Sambalpur on December 27 was found to be infected with the "highly transmissible" variant.

‘Dangerous to suggest that Omicron is mild’

As the world reels under a massive Covid surge, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it is dangerous to suggest that Omicron is 'just a mild' disease.

Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and WHO's Covid-19 Technical Lead Maria Van Kerkhove said, “Yes, oversimplified narratives can be dangerous. While we see lower risk of hospitalisation compared to Delta, to suggest that Omicron is “just a mild” disease is dangerous.

Case are astounding even with lower risk, we will see hospitals overwhelmed.

Please be careful.”

WHO has on several occasions warned governments to step up measures against the new surge in Covid cases caused by Omicron variant. It had earlier also warned of a Covid tsunami and asked for events and gatherings to be cancelled.

CPO, JCCV at loggerheads over new district DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) and Joint Coordination Committee of Villages for Dimapur District (JCCV) have issued separate demands on the chief secretary and chief minister respectively in respect of villages that have been placed under the newly created Chümoukedima district.

CPO in a representation addressed to the chief secretary, reiterated its traditional boundary extended beyond present NagalandAssam boundary-west and north west, and south with Zeliang tribe; it also acknowledged that few Kacha-

This is it!

ri, Kuki and Garo villages also were within traditional Chakhroma land.

CPO cited the above in its representation while reacting to an earlier press statement issued by “certain sections of people, purportedly representing 41 different villages/ colonies/organisations within Dhansiripar subdivision” who have opposed creation of Chümoukedima district and deciding that they “shall continue to remain under Dimapur district.”(Full text on p-6) JCCV rejects new dist: Meanwhile Joint Coordination Committee of Villages for Dimapur District

(JCCV) in an open letter addressed to the chief minister Nagaland, by convener Lughozhe K Swu; Co-convener Tsithrongse Sangtam (Hd GB) and secretary Devendra Rana, said they have unequivocally resolved to remain with Dimapur District as resolved by the Aqahuto Tokukujo Kukami Kuqhakulu.

JCCV said creation of the Chümoukedima was done without having formal and broad consultations with stakeholders. They said such “arbitrary decision” at the “behest of certain section of people” in keeping half the people in the dark,

was “not only undemocratic but tantamount to fomenting misunderstanding among Naga family.

JCCV reiterated that Dimapur district is a special place in Nagaland where all tribes of Nagaland and minority and majority communities all live in harmony.

JCCV, therefore, urged the government to reconsider its notification that was unacceptable, and resolve the issue before January 20, 2022. Failing which, JCCV said the people of 41 Villages would be compelled to go on a hunger strike to reclaim its right and aspirations.

(Full text on p-6)

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2nd Test: SA beat India by 7 wkts; level series SPORTS, PAGE 12

GHC starts working in virtual mode amid Covid surge

Will resolve logistics problems in NE to tap Agri export: Tomar

GUWAHATI, JAN 6 (PTI): Gauhati High Court started functioning through the virtual mode with a staggered roster from Thursday in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases in Assam, an official order said. Entry to the court premise was restricted only to the essential persons who are fully vaccinated, it added.

A limited number of cases will be listed and advocates and parties-in-person may mention their matters showing the urgency before the court, the order, issued by the Registrar General of the Court on instructions of the Chief Justice said.

Only the advocates and parties-in-person, whose names appear in the cause list, will be allowed to enter the premises of the high court and any other individual whose presence is required can enter after obtaining prior permission of the registrar, the order stated.

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday said the Centre is working towards resolving the logistics problem faced in the North East in a bid to tap the agri-export potential.

Addressing a virtual meeting with eight North Eastern states, Tomar said that the Centre will do everything in its capacity to ensure that the income of the farmers of the region is doubled. Union minister for DoNER, G Kishan Reddy and minister of state for DoNER BL Verma, besides other officials, were present in the meeting.

“Some horticulture and medicinal crops are only produced in North Eastern states. There is a very big export opportunity for such crops. Agriculture and commerce ministries are working together to tap such opportunities and to solve the logistic problems faced by the NE states,” an

KOHIMA, JAN 6 (NPN): Over 150 bikers from Tizit Area Students’ Union (TASU) on Thursday took a bike rally from Tizit to Mon with the banner “Justice for Oting” and later held a brief meeting with officials of Konyak Union (KU) at its office in Mon. Speaking to Nagaland Post, TASU president Tahkai Konyak said the rally was a continuation of the expression of resentment against the delay in deliver-

TASU with KU officials in Mon on Thursday. (TASU)

ing justice in the December 4 and 5 incidents. He lamented that even after more than a month, there was no report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT)

constituted by the State government and therefore he said such democratic form of agitation would continue till justice was delivered.

He said TASU activists

Narendra Singh Tomar

official statement quoted Tomar having said in the meeting.

“Our door is always open. I request all state governments to come up with a proposal if you find any difficulty in any schemes related to the agriculture sector,” Tomar said.

Speaking on the opportunities in the oil palm sector, he said NER has a major role to play to make India self-reliant in edible oil.

Agri-research body ICAR has suggested that nine lakh hectare land in the North Eastern region is suitable for oil palm production.

Oil palm production

farmers of the NER will be hugely benefited as employment will be generated and import of oil palm can be reduced, he added.

DoNER minister G Kishan Reddy suggested that a task force will be formed with representatives from the agriculture ministry, DoNER and state governments to ensure that the central schemes can be customized to address the unique nature and the nuances encountered in the region.

Stating that there is a huge scope for employment generation in agriculture and tourism industries, Reddy said there is a tremendous potential for the development of horticulture.

At the meeting, Agriculture ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura discussed the issues and challenges they were facing in detail.

Protest demanding Shamator district enters fourth day DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): The ongoing agitation led by Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) demanding immediate declaration of Shamator as a district entered the fourth day on Thursday.

All government offices and shops and business establishments remained shut at Pungro town in Kiphire district and at Shamator and Chessore towns in Tuensang district.

Entry of visitors to Mt Saramati, Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary and stone caves at Mimi and Salomi remained prohibited. Likimro Hydroelectric Power Plant (LHPP) has also been completely shut down by YTC volunteers since January 4

People in traditional attire holding placards during the protest. (YTC)

and volunteers are camping at the site.

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters hit the streets demanding immediate declaration of Shamator district. Clad in traditional

attire, the protesters held placards as they marched around the towns raising slogans.

Brief prog rammes were held at Pungro, Shamator and Chessore where

the speakers reiterated their demand for Shamator district and made a fervent appeal to the State government to fulfil the long-felt aspirations of Yimkhiungs to live under one unified Yimkhiung district, i.e., Shamator.

Meanwhile, Yimkhiung women under the aegis of Yimkhiung Women Organisation (YWO) will spearhead Day-5 of the agitation at Shamator, Pungro and Chessore from 9 am on Friday. All Yimkhiung citizens, both young and old, have been asked to assemble in traditional attire at the respective town centres.

This was stated in a press release by YTC. (Cont’d on p-8)

NFHRCC asks PWD (R&B) to resist Centre hikes expenditure limit ‘external force’ in award of works for candidates contesting polls

DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) Friday has urged upon PWD (R&B) against entertaining any “external force” while selecting contractors for construction of jeep-able foothills road.

NFHRCC convener Supu Jamir, co-convener Hokiye Yepthomi, general secretary W Lemba Chang and assistant general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe in a joint release said they expected the department to award contracts only to competent firms for execut-

ing the works judiciously and in a time-bound manner and on condition that works will not be sub-let to third party firms.

It also insisted on a tripartite agreement-- PWD (R&B), contractors and NFHRCC-- for an effective and transparent implementation of the work along with respective tribal hohos in their respective jurisdictions. They further appealed to bridge contractor M/s L Pukhato Shohe & Sons to complete the work by February 2022 without compromising on the quality.

TASU bike rally to demand justice for Oting victims Correspondent

"Need I remind you that Omicron inhabits malls and market places?"

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expressed full support to KU officials during the meeting in their initiative and urged them to continue exerting pressure on the government seeking justice before the matter got out of their hand.

KU general secretary Wango Konyak said the team of riders from Tizit area led by TASU office bearers reached KU office in the afternoon where a short meeting was held.

He said the event was organised to express TASU’s resentment over the delay in delivering justice and express

pain over the December 4 and 5 incidents. He claimed that the KU officials shared the ongoing initiatives of the union with the riders.

Wango thanked the bikers and informed them that the matter would be vigorously pursued till justice was delivered and sought continued support.

Ko n ya k S t u d e n t s ’ Union president Noklem Konyak, Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong president PonglemKonyak and KU adviser Konngam Konyak also spoke at the meeting.

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (AGENCIES): Centre on Thursday enhanced the existing election expenditure limit for candidates to Rs 95 lakh from Rs 70 lakh for Lok Sabha elections for big states. For the smaller states, where the limit was Rs 54 lakh, it has been hiked to Rs 75 lakh.

For Assembly elections, the revised poll expenditure limit for candidates will now be Rs 40 lakh for the big states, up from Rs 28 lakh, while candidates in smaller states can now spend a maximum of Rs 28 lakh instead of Rs 20 lakh.

The decision was notified by the Union Law Ministry on the recommendation of the Election Commission of India.

The revision has been done given the rise in cost inflation index and the size of the electorate. The new expenditure limits will be applicable to the upcoming elections in five states-- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

According to a statement by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the last major revision in the election expenditure limit for candidates was carried out in 2014, which was

further increased by 10% in 2020.

The poll body has set up a committee to study the cost factors and other related issues, and make suitable recommendations.

“The Committee invited suggestions from political parties, Chief Electoral Officers and Election Observers. Committee found that there has been an increase in the number of electors and Cost Inflation Index since 2014 substantially.

It also factored into the changing modes of campaigning, which is gradually shifting to a virtual campaign,” the statement said.

The committee recommended a 12-42% rise in the limits for Lok Sabha and Assembly polls keeping in mind that the number of electors had gone up from 834 million in 2014 to 936 million in 2021. Also, the cost inflation index had risen from 240 to 317 over the last seven years, the EC statement said.

Meanwhile, ECI is mulling a cap on large gatherings ahead of Assembly polls in five states.

Measures such as increasing the number of polling booths in each constituency are also being considered.

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Ukha Students’ Union celebrates golden anniv

Children cultural troupe along with EE Pangteang, Akum Tzudir and others at Ukha village under Mon district, Thursday. (NP)

Correspondent KOHIMA, JAN 6 (NPN): Ukha Students’ Union (USU) celebrated golden anniversary at its village ground on Thursday under the theme “Knowledge with Excellence”.

MLA E.E. Pangteang who graced the occasion as special invitee congratulated USU for achieving a milestone and expressed positive that the village will prosper even more in the

days to come. He reminded that government job has saturated and therefore he urged the students not to look for political backing in making illegal backdoor appointment but to be a part of the competition in various field and stand on their own feet.

OSD to minister higher education and Tribal affairs TemjenImna Along, Akum Tzudir in the absentia of the minister who was supposed to grace the

occasion as special guest congratulated the USU for attaining 50 years.

In his brief address, the OSD urged the students to place God before them and to strive their mission which will ultimately open their ways. The event was marked with songs, cultural display and presidential address by USU president P. Jelaonangba. Host of guest from neighbouring village also attended the celebration.

JCC on 4th Mile-Niuland road reiterates demand DIMAPUR: Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising of Niuland Area Students’ Union and Ato Area Students’ Union has reiterated demand for “complete black-topping” of 4th Mile Dimapur to Niuland Town road on priority.

In a representation addressed to chief engineer NPWD (R&B), JCC convenor H Hisaka Kibami and secretary Kaka K Holo pointed out that the committee over the past two years has been urging the department and the govern-

ment for “complete blacktopping”. However, JCC regretted that the department turned a deaf ear to the grievances of the public.

In this regard, JCC said an emergency meeting with Ao Area GBs Association (AAGBA), Niuland Area GBs Union (NAGBU) and all frontal organisations of the two areas was held on December 17, 2021.

JCC said the meeting unanimously adopted a resolution to fight “tooth and nail for the complete strengthening and restruc-

turing” of the 4th Mile Dimapur to Niuland Town road.

Therefore, the committee has urged the department to intervene and ensure that “complete strengthening and restructuring” of the road under NPWD (R&B) Dimapur division. JCC further cautioned that it would be constrained to undertake any democratic measurers of resentment as deemed fit if the authority concerned fails to deliver and address the basic amenities of good roads.

STATE

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

Thanamir community forest: Home to elusive clouded leopard G U WA H AT I , JA N 6 (AGENCIES): A team of researchers have recorded photographic evidence of clouded leopards at an elevation of 3,700 metres in a community-owned forest along the Indo-Myanmar border in Nagaland-- arguably one of the highest reported altitudes where the animal has been sighted in the world till date.

According to The Indian Express, the findings have been published in the Winter 2021 issue of the Cat News, the IUCN/Species Survival Commission (SSC) Cat Specialist Group’s biannual newsletter.

The tree-climbing clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a medium-sized felid (wild cat), is the smallest of the large wild cats and is categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Since they are largely known to inhabit low elevation evergreen rainforests, the sighting is significant, experts said.

The researchers, led by the Delhi-based non profit Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), recorded camera trap images of the clouded leopards at an elevation of 3,700m in the community forest of Thanamir village in eastern Nagaland’s Kiphire district. The forest, measuring 65 sq km,

NU infor ms on nonteaching posts exam: Nagaland University has informed all eligible candidates that written examination for various non-teaching posts advertised on August 11, 2021 will be conducted from February 2 to 8, 2022 at Nagaland University, Headquarters: Lumami.

For details, one may refer to Nagaland University website at www.nagaland-

A clouded leopard photographed near the summit of Mt Saramati in Thanamir village. (WPSI/Thanamir Village).

houses Nagaland’s highest peak, Mount Saramati.

The survey was part of a collaborative initiative between the WPSI and Thanamir village to document the area’s bio-cultural diversity.

The team, which includes five resident villagers from Thanamir, placed over 50 camera traps in the village community forest-- first between January and June, 2020, and later between July and September, 2021.

“In total, we have evidence of at least two adults and two cubs. Two distinct individuals were photocaptured at a camera placed above the tree line at 3,700 m close to the summit of Mt. Saramati. Another individual was photo captured at 3,436 m,” stated a part of the peer-reviewed publication, authored by Ramya Nair, Alemba Yimkhiung, Hankiumong Yimkhiung, Kiyanmong Yimkhiung,

Yapmuli Yimkhiung, Toshi Wungtung, Avinash Basker and Sahil Nijhawan.

N i j h awa n , a c o n servation anthropologist who works in Arunachal Pradesh, and is advisor to the WPSI initiative, said the capture was especially significant because the population included breeding individuals. “They are residents of the area, and are reproducing there, which indicates that there is enough food and forest cover for them to do so,” he said, adding that little is known about the “stunning and beautiful” clouded leopards, which are usually found in tropical rainforests, “full of trees”.

“But we have found them at heights above where the trees end,” he said.

According to Nijhawan, the fact that the Nagaland sighting is in a community forest, reflects that such areas, even if not protected

university.ac.in KKDA annual meeting: This is informe to all the Kichililimi Kuqhakulu Dimapur Area (KKDA) has convened its annual meet-

ing on January 8, 10 am at the residence of its chairman, Chekiye village AkaSa. All the stakeholders have been asked to attend the meeting without fail.

NEWS IN BRIEF

IN LOVING MEMORY

by law, host a wealth of biodiversity.

“Traditionally, across India, forest and wildlife is protected by law enforcement. While this may work in the rest of the country, in the Northeast, much of the forests are owned by local communities,” he said, adding: “Villagers use these forests, yet they support amazing biodiversity, which are globally threatened.”

In the local Chirr dialect of the indigenous Yimkhiung tribe that resides in Thanamir, the clouded leopard is known as “Khephak”, which means a greyish big cat.

Speaking about the project, Nair, of the WPSI, said that the team has been generating data on wildlife population through camera trap images of mammals in the forest, as well as conducting bird surveys, in collaboration with the local student union and village council. “All this data will help them (local bodies) form their resolution and management plans in the community forests,” she said. Wildlife Conservation Society ecologist Vidya Athreya, who has extensively worked on humanleopard interactions, said “little” was known about the clouded leopard, and such evidence was “fascinating”. Nair added the

sighting would help increase knowledge of the habitat of the species.

“All high elevation records are from summer months suggesting that clouded leopards may seasonally expand their range upwards as snow recedes and higher ridges attract prey,” stated the paper.

It added that as the climate warmed further, species were “likely to experience range shifts, expansions or contractions” and further investigation was needed to “understand which species benefit and which lose out.”

Since majority of the research on clouded leopards is restricted to state-protected areas, the researchers have encouraged more surveys, conducted “ethically, equitably and collaboratively with local people”, within non-state forests, especially in the Northeast.

NPN adds: A report-“The Thanamir community forest host to rare, endangered wildlife” was also published in the Nagaland Post in September 2021 where images of Asiatic black bears, considered vulnerable by IUCN; Endangered Asiatic wild dogs; Clouded leopard, considered vulnerable by IUCN and Red serow, classified as near threatened were captured by camera traps.

Tuensang DPDB meeting: Tuensang District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) monthly meeting has been convened on January 10,

11 a.m. at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Tuensang. All the members have been requested to attend the meeting.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OF OUR BELOVED MOTHER

Born : 17.02.1984 – Died : 12.12.2021 We, the family members of Late AONUKSHI (Mokokchung Village) express our sincere gratitude to all individuals, groups and officials who had supported us physically, spiritually and financially during the prolonged illness and sad demise on 12.12.2021.

We sincerely pray that our Lord Christ shower His abundance blessings upon each and every one of you.

Loving Wife, Children and Family Members. mkc-05/22

Acknowledgement Lt. Chape Heniro It's been a year... you left us on this day 07.01.2021.

Your golden heart stopped beating, Your hard working hands gone to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove that He only takes the best.

Mum... You are loved and missed beyond measure. k-04/22

Loving children, in-laws and grandchildren

k-27/22

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

K Y M C

The family members of Late Limaakum Ao, would like to express our deepest appreciation for everyone's sympathy as we mourned his loss on the 26 th December 2021. The shared memories from all of you at the visitation during his hospitalization and funeral along with material, financial gifts, prayer support and words of condolences meant a great deal to us all.

Special thanks to : 1. The Commandant, 2nd NAP, Alichen 2. Signal officers and all ranks, 2nd NAP, Alichen 3. DIGP NAPTO, Kohima 4. Doctors and nurses of Lemjem Hospital, Mokokchung 5. Doctors and nurses of Referral Hospital, Dimapur 6. Kumlong Baptist Arogo 7. Imkonglenden Fellowship, DABA Dimapur 8. Waromung Senso Telongjem Mokokchung To everyone who reached out to us during our time of mourning, we are grateful for your outpouring of love and support during our time of need. May gracious God bless you all abundantly.

Loving family members mkc-06/22

Born on 26th Jan 1953 – Died on 3rd Jan 2022 We are shattered and heartbroken, but heaven rejoice at the reunion of an Angel The bereaved family members of Lt. Mrs. Kanili Khujumi extend our deepest heartfelt gratitude towards every individual, families, friends and every well-wishers from near and far, who stood by us through prayers, financially, physically and great emotional help during the prolonged illness and the sad demise of our beloved mother.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. Valley View Sumi Bapitist Akukuhou & all Church staff 2. Vekuho New Bapitist Akukuhou 3. Valley View Community 4. Er. Picto Shohe, MLA 5. S. Hukavi Zhimomi, Ex-MLA 6. GBs of Valley View Colony 7. Asukhomi Union Dimapur 8. Asukhomi Azanoqo Kuposhukulu Dimapur 9. Akighini Miqo Valley View 10. NST Drivers Union & staff Welfare Union Zunheboto 11. Ms. Manom, HR Ayursundra Superspeciality Hospital Guwahati 12. Evergreen Escorters, Valley View Colony We regret our inability to mention all the support of every individual and organisations. We hope you accept this acknowledgement as our deepest gratitude . We pray the Good Lord bless you all.

Loving Husband, Sons, Daughter, In-laws and Grandchildren dp-80/22 K Y M C

3

STATE

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

173 Bn CRPF organises Cases under NLTP tops Mokokchung crime list in 2021 civic action programmes Correspondent

MOKOKCHUNG, JAN 6 (NPN): Violation of Nagaland Total Liquor Prohibition (NLTP) Act topped the list of crimes in Mokokchung district in the year 2021 with 50 cases registered.

According to Mokok-

chung Police annual crime report (January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021) under the NLTP Act, 15750 liters were seized at a market value of Rs. 52, 95000.

Speaking to media persons Thursday, Addl. SP and Mokokchung police PRO said a total of 111 cases

were registered with Tuli police station registering the highest number of 36 cases.

PRO said out of these cases there were convictions in four cases while 40 cases are pending investigation and 62 cases have been chargesheeted. Other than NLTP offences, theft was the sec-

ond most prevalent crime in Mokokchung with 26 cases followed by 10 cases registered under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act which includes seizures of 55.5 grams of Brown Sugar and 887 capsules of Spasmo.

The 4th most frequent

crime was extortion with 6 cases followed by 4 cases of vehicular accidents. Murders, outrage against women modesty and cases under IT Act came in 6th list with 2 cases each followed by one case of attempted to murder and one case under POCSO Act and “other petty cases”.

DIG (Ops) CRPF Kohima, Syamchand De, 173 Bn CRPF Dimapur officials with members of Chümoukedima after the inauguration of renovated conference hall of GPS Chümoukedima.

DIMAPUR: 173 Bn CRPF, Dimapur organized a series of civic action programmes at Chümoukedima and Phaipijang village, on January 5.

According to the battalion control room, DIG (Ops) CRPF Kohima, Syamchand De while addressing the gathering elaborated various activities carried out by CRPF under Civic Action to meet immediate necessary requirements of local populace and motivated students present to work hard towards achieving their goals. He also assured the CRPF’s assistance even in the days to come.

Commandant 173 Bn

CRPF, Vishnu Gautam, also pointed out that Civic Action Programme was an initiative of Government of India to act as a bridge between security forces and local people and outline various civic action related programmes that the unit had undertaken both in Dimapur and Mokokchung.

It informed that, under the scheme, the unit had undertaken renovation of Conference Hall at Government Primary School, construction of girls’ toilet at Government High School, Chümoukedima Village and construction of toilet and urinal block (Boys and Girls) at Government

Middle School, Phaipijang village.

The programme was conducted in presence of village council authorities, local prominent people, media fraternity, villagers and school children.

Eviction drive issue: BAVU appeals to KAAC DIMAPUR: Borlingri A r e a v i l l a ge r s u n i o n (BAVU) on behalf of the Nagas residing at Mon Basti, Chotu Lengri, Borlingri block II, Lotha basti, Borlingri Block-I, Rengma Goan, Wophong Taro Basil Lama Basti, Manipuri Basti, Longitea Estate and Balijan, has appealed to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) to exempt Nagas living in border areas of Nagaland form the ongoing eviction, to avoid further conflicts between the two peaceful co-excising communities.

Reacting to the report-- “KAAC to conduct eviction at Khan Basti”, BAVU chairman Meren Ao and secretary Mhao

Odyuo said that the union was aware of the recent eviction drive carried out at Dudu Colony, bordering to Nagaland. It said that the claim of one thousand bighas for establishing commando training centre near the interstate border have confused the Naga residents.

BAVU said that most Nagas residing at the aforementioned villages have not encroached an inch of government land, but have purchased land from the Karbis and other communities.

However, BAVU said that if the authorities (KAAC) had earmarked the mentioned areas, the relationship of Karbis and the Nagas would be adnagalandpost.com Poll versely affected.

Pointing out that Q.:Does the ECI have any Nagas being indigenous intention to ensure a tribe had every right to restriction on poll sops? settle anywhere, BAVU expressed dismay over the 100% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– land policy (of KAAC), 90% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 80% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– as it had deprived Nagas’ 70% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– right and disapproved mu60% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– tation of land pattas for the 50% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– last many years.

40% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– It reminded that 30% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Nagas and Karbis have 20% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– been existing peacefully 10% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– for several years, which 0% was also evident that the A B C Karbi community had 22% A Yes. been living in the lower 78% B No. range of Wokha district, 0% C Can’t Say. of Nagaland— “Manki Rang” under Bhandari NEXT POLL sub-division.

This showed that the Q: Is the state govt doing anything worthwhile to Karbis and Nagas still promote economic growth? coexist as brothers with no  Yes. history of disputes among them, it said. However, on  No. the contrary the Nagas liv Can’t Say. ing in Karbi Anglong are being neglected in various WEATHER ways by the Karbi authoriFORECAST ties, BAVU stated.

JANUARY 7 It further pointed out that Nagas living in Karbi (Temperature in ºC) Max Min Anglong, being law abidAgartala Hazy sunshine 26 13 ing citizens, had been exerAizawl Sunny and pleasant 22 8 cising their adult franchise Guwahati Hazy sunshine 25 10 rights in both Autonomous Imphal Sunny and pleasant 24 6 and state Assembly elecItanagar Sunny and nice 25 12 tions, in Karbi Anglong, Shillong Mostly sunny 19 7 for the past many years.

Kohima Plenty of sunshine 19 7 In this regard the Dimapur Pleasant with plenty of sun 25 11 union appeal to the KAAC Mkg Nice with abundant sunshine 22 8 to exempt the Nagas living Tuensang Mostly sunny and cool 14 5 in border areas of NagaWokha Plenty of sunshine 19 10 land form the ongoing Zunheboto Sunshine 19 7 eviction.

K Y M C

K Y M C

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outfit PREPAK (Pro) claims ‘Bulli Bai’: ‘Mastermind’ arrested from Jorhat Banned responsibility for Thoubal blast NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI, JAN 6 (PTI): An engineering student believed to be the “mastermind” and creator of the “Bulli Bai” app was arrested on Thursday from Jorhat in Assam and brought to the national capital where he confessed his role, Delhi Police officials said.

Niraj Bishnoi, 21, is the fourth person to be arrested for their alleged involvement in the app that has listed hundreds of Muslim women for “auction”. The other three, nabbed by Mumbai Police, include a 19-year-old woman from Uttarakhand, also alleged to be a prime accused in the case.

Bishnoi, a resident of Jorhat who studies in Bhopal, is the creator of the “Bulli Bai” app on the platform GitHub as well as the main Twitter account holder of “Bulli Bai”, police said. He was arrested by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police.

Neeraj Bishnoi arrives at an airport after being arrested

by Delhi Police from Assam, in New Delhi. (PTI) “He is the mastermind and the person who had created this application on Github. He has confessed about the creation of the application… forensic remnants of the creation have been found in his laptop. He has been brought to Delhi and will be produced in court today (Thursday) for police custody and further investigation,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, IFSO, K P S Malhotra.

“He was arrested early Thursday morning from Jorhat,” the DCP said, adding that IFSO worked out the case using technical analysis, IPDR (Internet Protocol Detail Records) and other gateways.

Bishnoi is a second year B Tech student at the Vellore Institute of Technology in the Madhya Pradesh capital, the DCP said.

An Assam Police officer said the operation to

arrest him lasted about 12 hours. The arrest took place within hours of information being shared by Delhi Police, a senior officer said.

“Delhi Police have been coordinating with us over the matter. Their team reached on Wednesday morning and by evening, we had located the accused,” he told PTI. Mumbai Police, which is also probing the case, did not contact the police in Jorhat regarding the accused, he added.

Of the four people arrested, three are 21 years old, two are studying engineering and one is aspiring to, and two are from Uttarakhand.

The three arrests made by the cyber cell of Mumbai Police are Uttarakhand teen Shweta Singh, who has passed her Class 12 exam and is planning to study engineering, 21-year-old Mayank Rawal, also from Uttarakhand, and Bengaluru-based Vishal Kumar Jha,

a second-year engineering student like Bishnoi and aged 21 too.

According to a senior Mumbai Police officer, Singh is a prime accused who had created the Twitter handle of the app.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale told reporters on Wednesday that some more people are likely to be involved in the matter.

Hundreds of Muslim women were listed for “auction” on the “Bulli Bai” mobile application with photographs sourced without permission and doctored. The app appeared to be a clone of “Sulli Deals” which triggered a similar row last year.

On Saturday, Delhi Police registered an FIR against unknown persons for allegedly uploading a doctored picture of a woman journalist on a website.

The journalist had lodged a complaint and shared a copy on Twitter.

IMPHAL, JAN 6 (AGENCIES): Manipur-based banned outfit, the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive) (PREPAK-Pro) claimed responsibility for the IED blast at Lilong Usoipokpi in Thoubal district which killed one Assam Rifles jawan from Arunachal Pradesh and injured another one from Tripura, reports East Mojo.

A press statement issued by Th Eshingchaoba, assistant publicity sec-

retary of the insurgency group stated that the IED blast at Lilong Usoipokpi was the tactical action of the Cobra Task Force-3 of People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak Progressive.

PREPAK (Pro) said in a press note, “In fact, there was a moment of emotional hesitation” considering the unfortunate results that would have resulted from the blast.

“We also felt the sadness and grief of the families

while beholding the lifeless body and injured personals of IOF. Such predictable unfortunate outcomes compelled us to curb our abilities in the past.”

“We have the resources to carry out often similar actions of Usoipokpi.

We don’t like such deadly action but it would happen endlessly and restlessly as long as IOFs are stationed in Kangleipak (Manipur),” warned People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak Progressive .

Hyderabad man drowns in M’laya pool SHILLONG, JAN 6 (PTI): A 23-yearold man from Hyderabad, who was here to tour the scenic hill state, drowned in a pool in Sohra area of East Khasi Hills district, a senior police officer said on Thursday.

Pawan Kumar and his friends were swimming in the popular Blue Lagoon pool, situated close to the double-decker root-bridge at Nongriat, when tragedy

struck, the officer told PTI. His body was retrieved by his friends with the help of locals from Tyrna village.

The natural pool and root-bridges at Nongriat, not particularly accessible by road, are visited by tourists from all over the world. One has to trek at least 4,000 steps from Tyrna to reach the spot.

An inquiry has been initiated into the matter, the officer added.

IED recovered after 2 blasts in Mnp NIA to give Rs 4-8 lakh for COVID-19 cases surge in M’laya info on attack on AR convoy

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JAN 6: Manipur police on Thursday recovered an IED planted at the gate of a house in Imphal East district. This comes barely a day after blasts at two separate places, including the one that killed a security personnel.

The police recovered the IED planted at the gate of Laishram Bobbysana Singh at Etam Nungoi village under Lamlai police station of Imphal East district around 7.30 am on Thursday.

Bomb experts of the state police bomb detection and disposal squad diffused the IED safely.

The police suspect militants’ monetary demand behind the bomb threat.

The owner of the house has however denied receiving such demand.

On Thursday afternoon, suspected rebels triggered an IED at Ushoipokpi under Lilong police station of Imphal East district, killing a personnel of the 16 Assam Rifles.

Rebel group PREPAK (Pro) today owned responsibility for the blast that also critically injured another personnel, in a statement e-mailed to the local media houses. The blast was car-

An IED found planted at the house of an individual at Etam Nungoi village in Imphal East district on Thursday. ried out by cadres of Cobra Task Force of the faction, it added.

Womenfolk of the area today staged a protest registering a strong condemnation of the blast.

Denouncing the blast, the protesters urged rebel groups behind the blast not to carry out such violence that would disturb the peace and security of the area.

Such violent activities should not be carried out in a thickly populated area considering the safety of the people, they said.

Hours after the incident, another IED went off at the gate of the house

of a woman zilla parishad member, Laishram Bobby Devi at Khonghampat under Sekmai police station of Imphal West district around 7.40 pm on Wednesday.

Though there was no casualty, the impact of the blast damaged the RCC fencing of the house.

Bobby is currently upadhyaksha of Imphal West Zilla Parishad.

Residents of Khonghampat who later staged a protest today against the blast at Khonghampat sought the reason behind bomb blast at residential area from the rebel groups behind it.

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday announced rewards ranging from Rs 4 lakh to 8 lakh for “information of importance” on insurgents involved in the attack that killed an Assam Rifles colonel and his family in Manipur last November.

The 10 insurgents allegedly involved in the November 13, 2021 attack belong to the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF).

A spokesperson of the NIA said any person with “information of im-

portance” on the suspects leading to their arrest or apprehension will be rewarded.

On November 13 last year, PLA and MNPF insurgents attacked a convoy with arms and explosives near Sialsih village on the India-Myanmar road under the Singngat Police Station of Manipur’s Churachandpur district.

The attack resulted in death of five Assam Rifles personnel, including its Commanding Officer Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife and son. Those wanted for the incident include self styled Lt Col Chaoyai and Lt Col Sagolsem Inaocha.

NSCN-R militant arrested with arms in Arunachal’s Changlang ITANAGAR, JAN 6 (PTI): A militant of the banned NSCN-R was arrested from Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh with arms and ammunition, police said on Thursday. Self-styled Lieutenant Salhap Jugli alias Salnang (46) was apprehended during a joint operation by Assam Rifles and police from Jongsum village in Kantang circle on Tuesday, Changlang’s Superintendent of Police Mihin Gambo said. An Italy-made pistol along with six rounds of live ammunition was seized from him.

The militant was actively involved in forceful extortion in the district, the officer said. Another member of the militant group, identified as self-styled private Bansam Hangphuk (33), surrendered before the security forces on Wednesday, he said.

Correspondent SHILLONG, JAN 6: COVID-19 cases are on a surge in Meghalaya with 90 new cases of the viral infection detected, pushing the number of active cases up to 212 on Thursday, in the state which has recorded 85,021 confirmed COVID-19 cases so far, health officials said.

On the other hand, 23 more patients have recovered from the viral infection taking the number of recoveries to 83,324, while the number of deaths remained at 1,485 with no deaths reported on Thursday, health officials said.

The positivity rate has climbed up to 0.24 per cent from 0.17 per cent on Wednesday, while the recovery rate and fatality rate stand at 98.00 per cent and 1.74 per cent respectively.

Of the new cases, Director Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War said 70 cases were detected in East Khasi Hills district, nine in West Garo Hills district, five in West Jaintia Hills district and three cases each in Ri-Bhoi district and South West Khasi Hills district.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in the most pandemic-hit East KhasiHills, which includes state capital Shillong has further increased to 176 with the district recording 42,113 total confirmed cases and 1,009 deaths so far, health officials said.

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has appealed to all eligible citizens to get vaccinated, even as he informed that the government is not keen to enforce a total lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We request the parents and children from 15 years and above to get themselves vaccinated at the earliest as the third wave has already started in the State. We will be saved only with vaccination,” Tynsong said.

“The question of lockdown does not arise as of now. The people of the state have suffered greatly over two years due to the lockdowns.

Lockdown would be the last resort,” he said, exhorting citizens to get themselves and to strictly follow the health guidelines to prevent spread of the infection.

Winter vacation for schools extended till January 24

Meghalaya government has extended winter vacation for schools till January 24 following detection of Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the state and to prevent further spread of the viral infection, education officials said on Thursday.

The schools were earlier scheduled to open from January 10.

“We have decided to extend the winter vacation for school till January 24 due to the sudden surge of COVID-19 cases and detection of Omicron variant in the State, and to ensure the safety and security of the students,” Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said.

The State on Thursday recorded 90 new cases of COVID-19 infection, of which 70 are in East khasi hills district, which includes state capital Shillong which has mounted the number of active cases to 212.

Rymbui stressed the need for COVID-19 vaccination to prevent further spread of the viral infection.

“COVID-19 is always one step ahead of whatever is being planned to contain it. Therefore, the best solution is to help ourselves by getting ourselves vaccinated to prevent from being infected,” the Education minister said.

No blockade, shutdown in Manipur in last 5 years: Shah Gauhati HC starts working in

Union home minister attended Emerging Manipur programme held in Imphal through virtual mode on Thursday.

NEW DELHI/ IMPHAL, JAN 6 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said there was not a single blockade or shutdown in Manipur in the last five years and Chief Minister N Biren Singh has achieved great success.

Launching and laying the foundation stones of 29 development projects worth Rs 2,450 crore in the northeastern state through a video-conference, Shah said violence has been controlled to a great extent in Manipur in the last five years and unless there is stability and peace, development is impossible.

“In these five years, there has never been any blockade, nor has there been any shutdown, and violence has also been controlled to a great extent.

Unless there is stability and peace, development is

impossible,” he said.

The home minister said Singh has achieved great success in bringing development everywhere in Manipur under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The biggest achievement of the Biren Singh government is that it has opened the avenues of stability, peace as well as development for Manipur,” he added.

Shah said Manipur has made a successful effort to come out of the tradition of blockade, violence, corruption, bandh and the drugs trade witnessed under the previous governments.

Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 21 projects worth more than Rs 3,000 crore on Tuesday and also laid the foundation stones of five national highway proj-

ects(??).

On Thursday, 15 projects worth over Rs 265 crore were inaugurated and 14 projects worth Rs 2,194 crore launched.

In just two days, projects worth about Rs 5,500 crore were started for the people of Manipur, Shah said, while asking whether this was ever done in two days during the long rule of the previous governments.

The home minister said the Modi government has opened many avenues for the development of the entire northeast and the prime minister has described the eight states in the region as the “Ashtalakshmi” of the country.

There were numerous visits by Union ministers to the northeast in the last seven-and-a-half years and the prime minister himself has visited the region multiple times, he added.

Shah said many problems such as the land boundary disputes with Bangladesh were resolved through agreements while several peace accords, including the Bru-Reang pact and the Bodo pact, were signed.

He said about 3,000 militants in the northeast have laid down their weapons and joined the mainstream of the society, and these youngsters are now engaged in the process of the country’s development.

“The previous govern-

ments had three ‘I’s -- ‘Instability’, ‘Insurgency’ and ‘Inequality’. We changed the three ‘I’s, to ‘Innovation’, ‘Infrastructure’ and ‘Integration’,” the BJP leader said, adding that only by integration can the country become one and the northeast can become one.

He said to promote Manipuri culture, a museum will be constructed on the Queen Mother (of Manipur) and all tribal leaders.

The home minister said 31 tribal museums will be built across the country by the Centre, including one in Manipur. He said Modi has a vision for the development of the northeast.

This vision should become the basis for the development of entire eastern India and when this region is developed, the entire country would be developed, Shah added.

Maharaja Kulchandra of Manipur and his companions fought against the British in Andaman and by naming the place where the battle took place as Mount Manipur, the Modi government has paid tributes to those freedom fighters, he said.

Shah pointed out that Manipur was made the gateway of freedom by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the state also got the first opportunity to hoist the flag of the Indian National Army (INA).

Shah’s two-day Mnp visit cancelled

Union Home Minister Ami Shah, who was scheduled to visit Manipur on Thursday and Friday to inaugurate and lay foundation for 29 projects worth of Rs 2,450 crore, has cancelled his trip, officials said on Thursday.

An official of the Manipur government said that Shah’s office has communicated to the state government that the Home Minister’s two-day tour has cancelled, though no reason was cited.

On November 22, Shah had virtually addressed a public gathering after laying the foundation for setting up the Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum at Luangkao village in Manipur’s Tamenglong district.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur and addressed a public gathering at the Hapta Kangjeibung ground in Imphal after inaugurating 13 projects and laying foundation for nine projects with a total investment of Rs 4,815 crore.

BJP President J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, who is the party’s election in-charge for the northeastern state, and many other Central ministers and leaders have already visited the poll-bound state and addressed gatherings.

virtual mode amid COVID surge

G U WA H AT I , J A N 6 (PTI): The Gauhati High Court started functioning through the virtual mode with a staggered roster from Thursday in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in Assam, an official order said.

Entr y to the cour t premise was restricted only to the essential persons who are fully vaccinated, it added.

The order, issued by the Registrar General of the Court on instructions of the Chief Justice, said, “The courts shall function in virtual mode with staggered roster, so as to avoid footfalls and to maintain social distancing.”

A limited number of cases will be listed and advocates and parties-in-person may mention their matters showing the urgency before

the court, it said.

The court, only on being satisfied that the matter is of urgent nature, shall hear it, it added.

The decision was taken due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Assam, it said.

Only the advocates and parties-in-person, whose names appear in the cause list, will be allowed to enter the premises of the high court and any other individual whose presence is required can enter after obtaining prior permission of the registrar, the order issued on Wednesday said.

The restrictions will remain in force until further notice, it said.

The high court functioned through the virtual mode with similar restrictions during the first two waves of the pandemic.

Arunachal logs 32 new Covid cases

ITANAGAR, JAN 6 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday reported 32 new COVID-19 cases, nine more than the previous day, with the tally rising to 55,407, a health department official said.

Of the fresh cases, 16 were registered in the Capital Complex Region, six in Lohit district, three each in Namsai and West Kameng, two in East Siang and one each in Changlang and West Siang, he said.

At least eight Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel, five National Disaster Response Force officials, two Sashastra Seema Bal jawans and one each from Central Reserve Police Force and Border Roads Organisation are among the new patients, State Surveillance Officer Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

27 new cases push Sikkim’s COVID-19 tally to 32,570 GANGTOK, JAN 6 (PTI): Sikkim’s COVID-19 tally rose to 32,570 on Thursday as 27 more people tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said.

The state’s coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 409 as no fresh fatality was reported.

East Sikkim registered the highest number of new cases at 21, followed by five in South Sikkim and one in West Sikkim.

The Himalayan state now has 86 active cases, while 31,729 people have been cured of the disease, and 346 patients have migrated to other states thus far. The recovery rate stood at 98.5 per cent.

Sikkim has tested over 2.81 lakh samples for COVID-19, including 235 in the last 24 hours, it said, adding that the positivity rate stood at 11.5 per cent.

SSP told us PM would be coming by road PM Modi briefs President Kovind on security breach during Punjab visit but we took it as bluff: farmer leader CHANDIGARH, JAN 6 (PTI): The chief of a farmer outfit, which had blocked the route of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy in Ferozepur forcing it to return, on Thursday said his group was told by the district police chief that the PM would be travelling by this road, but “we thought it was a bluff to get the road vacated”.

It was revealed by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari) chief Surjeet Singh Phul, whose union had blocked the FerozepurMoga road near Piareana village as part of their protest.

The PM’s convoy had got stuck on a flyover on this road for 15-20 minutes when it reached near Piareana village, around 30 km away from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala in Ferozepur.

A decision was then taken to take the PM’s convoy back to Bathinda airport.

After landing in Bathinda on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi had to take the road route to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur because

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

Surjeet Singh Phul of the inclement weather.

Talking to reporters, Phul said, “We initially thought they were bluffing us. The PM will not come.

(If he comes) he will come by air as a helipad was set up there.”

Phul said they thought it was a ploy of the police to get the road vacated to allow buses of BJP workers to pass through for the rally. “We thought that way,” he said.

“We never knew that the PM was coming,” said Phul.

Asked which police officer told them that the PM was coming, Phul said it was the Senior Superintendent of Police (Ferozepur).

The SSP said the prime

minister was coming, said Phul.

“We told him if the PM had to come, will it be known just an hour before his arrival? It was not possible,” Phul said.

He further argued that there was so much traffic on the road and if the PM had to take this road, the traffic on both its up and down lanes would have been stopped in advance.

“You (SSP) are bluffing us. We do not trust you and we will not vacate the road. You are lying about the PM visit,” said Phul.

Some farmer bodies, including the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and Bharatiya Kisan Union

(Krantikari) had earlier announced to oppose Modi’s visit.

They were demanding from the government to fulfil their pending demands, including bringing a law to guarantee the minimum support price for crops and withdrawal of criminal cases against farmers, who had participated in the agitation against the central farm laws.

In a “major security lapse”, Prime Minister Modi’s convoy was left stranded on a flyover in Ferozepur on Wednesday after some protesting farmers blocked the road forcing the PM to return from poll-bound Punjab without attending any event, including a rally.

The Union Home Ministry has sought an immediate explanation from the state government on the PM’s security breach, saying it did not ensure the requisite deployment with Home Minister Amit Shah too warning that such dereliction of the security procedure during the prime minister’s visit is totally unacceptable and the accountability will be fixed.

PM Modi in his meeting with President Kovind.

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday briefed President Ram Nath Kovind on the security breach during his visit to Punjab, drawing his concern over the serious lapse.

In a tweet, the President’s secretariat said, “President Ram Nath Kovind met Prime Minister Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today and received from him a first-hand account of the security breach in his convoy in Punjab yesterday.

The President expressed his concerns about the serious lapse.” Modi said after the

meeting, “Called on Rashtrapati Ji. Thankful to him for his concern. Grateful for his good wishes, which are always a source of strength.”

Earlier, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu spoke to Modi and expressed his deep concern over the incident. Naidu also expressed the hope that stringent steps will be taken to scrupulously adhere to established security protocol and ensure such a situation doesn’t recur in future, the Vice President’s office said on Twitter.

In a “major security lapse”, the prime minister’s convoy was stranded on a

flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Ferozepur on Wednesday. He returned from poll-bound Punjab without attending any event, including a rally.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has denied any security lapse or political motive behind it and said his government is ready for an inquiry.

The Punjab government on Thursday constituted a two-member highlevel committee to conduct a “thorough probe” into lapses during Modi’s visit to Ferozepur, an official spokesperson said.

Guj: 6 factory workers die, 22 hospitalised SURAT, JAN 6 (PTI): Six factory workers died and 22 others were hospitalised after they inhaled toxic fumes leaking from a chemical tanker parked near a factory in Gujarat’s Surat district early Thursday morning, officials said.

The workers were in the dyeing factory, located in Sachin industrial area, when the incident took place, Surat Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) incharge chief fire officer Basant Pareek said.

The fire department received a call around 4.25 am, he said, adding that 25 to 26 workers fell unconscious after inhaling the toxic fumes coming out of the chemical tanker parked on a roadside near the factory and were rushed to the new civil hospital.

“Six people have died, while 22 others are hospitalised and undergoing treatment,” the civil hospital’s resident medical officer, Omkar Chaudhary, said.

The fire department later managed to close the tanker’s valve to stop the leakage, Pareek said.

Hindus expelled from Pakistan, MHA will take tough steps: BJP leaders, CMs hold prayers at temples B’desh given land in UP, says Yogi Thakur on PM security breach across country for well-being of PM Modi

Area under Chinese control: MEA on bridge across Pangong

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): India on Thursday said the bridge being built

by China across eastern Ladakh is in an area that has been under illegal occupation of that country for around 60 years and it has never accepted such action.

At a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also slammed China for renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh and said instead of engaging in such antics, Beijing should work constructively with India to resolve the outstanding friction points in eastern Ladakh.

He described it as a “ridiculous exercise” to support “untenable territorial” claims. On the bridge being built in the Pangong lake area, Bagchi said the government has been monitoring this activity closely.

“As regards reports about a bridge being made by the Chinese side on Pan-

gong lake, the government has been monitoring this activity closely,” he said.

“This bridge is being constructed in areas that have been under illegal occupation by China for around 60 years now. As you are well aware India has never accepted such illegal occupation,” he said.

Bagchi said India has been taking all necessary steps to ensure that its security interests are fully protected.

“As part of these efforts, the government has also, in the last seven years, increased significantly the budget for the development of border infrastructure and completed more roads and bridges than ever before,” he said.

“These have provided much-needed connectivity to the local population as well as logistical support to armed forces. The government remains committed to this objective,” he added.

Anurag Thakur meeting and a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the prime minister also chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security on Thursday.

Modi also met President Ram Nath Kovind, who expressed concern over the security lapse during the prime minister’s visit to Punjab on Wednesday.

In a “major security lapse”, Modi’s convoy was stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Ferozepur on Wednesday. He returned from pollbound Punjab without attending any event, including a rally.

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (IANS): Senior BJP leaders including the chief ministers of party ruled states are holding prayers at temples across the country for the wellbeing and long life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Chief Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Biplab Kumar Deb are participating in prayers in their respective states. Several party office bearers are also taking part in prayers organised in different temples in the national capital.

The prayers are being held a day after Prime Minister Modi’s security was breached in Punjab.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Chouhan chanted the “Mahamrityunjaya” mantra for the Prime Minister’s welfare in Bhopal’s Gufa temple at 1 p.m. Tripura chief minister Deb prayed at Meher Kalibari in Agartala. Mahamrityun-

EC reviews Covid, law and order in poll-bound states NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): The Election Commission on Thursday reviewed the Covid situation with the Union health secretary and health experts, collecting inputs on necessary safety measures to be ensured during the democratic exercise and emphasising the need for vaccination of all eligible people in five poll-bound states, sources said.

In a separate meeting, the poll panel discussed the law and order situation in the five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur -- with Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Elections are due in the five states and the Commission is expected to announce poll dates in the next few days.

Besides Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, the meeting to assess the Covid situation was also attended

by AIIMS director Randeep Guleria and ICMR’s Balram Bhargava, sources aware of the interactions said.

The poll panel carried out a “complete review” of the Covid status and took inputs from medical experts on “safety measures to be ensured” during campaigning and polling.

jaya chants were also raised in all the Shiv temples in Madhya Pradesh including Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar Jyotirlingas.

Bharatiya Janata Party national vice president Baijayant Panda visited the Jhandewalan Temple in Delhi and national general secretary and Punjab incharge Dushyant Gautam participated in a prayer meeting at Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place here. Rajya Sabha member and national general secretary Arun Singh will visit a temple in Preet Vihar in the national capital in the evening.

The Bharatiya Janata

Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the party, will hold marches across the country in the evening.

BJYM national president Tejasvi Sur ya tweeted, “Congress deliberately put the life of the PM at risk yesterday. This was an attack not only on the office of PM but on democracy itself. BJYM strongly condemns this criminal act. BJYM will hold large Mashaal Marches at 6 PM today evening at all districts across country.” “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working tirelessly for our safety and security in spite of indomitable challenges from all corners.

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is also given Rs 1.20 lakh under ‘Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana’, Adityanath said at a programme organised to distribute appointment letters to candidates selected for various posts in government services.

The chief minister said all the land freed from “encroachers” was brought under a ‘land bank’ and these pieces of land will be used for setting up schools, industries and other businesses.

“Many facilities of the Defence Industrial Corridor have also been built on these recovered lands,” he said.

According to the chief

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): Union minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is gathering information on the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab and “big and tough decisions” will be taken.

Responding to questions on the issue of security breach during a briefing on a Union Cabinet meeting, Thakur noted that some people have already approached the Supreme Court in this regard.

“The home ministry has also spoken about taking action. After gathering information, whatever steps... big and tough decisions will be taken by it,” he told reporters here. “It is my firm belief that the country’s judicial system does justice to everyone and when such mistakes happen, whatever steps need to be taken will be taken,” the minister added.

Besides the Cabinet

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DP-83/21

Yogi Adityanath

minister, the state government currently has 64,366 hectares of the recovered land and it is being allotted for the poor to build houses.

Adityanath had earlier said in the Legislative Council that the anti-land mafia task force had freed 67,000 acres of land belonging to the revenue department.

Speaking about introducing transparency in recruitment to government services, the chief minister said without taking any names, “Before 2017, whenever vacancies were announced, the uncle and nephews used to carry out extortion up to the village level. While they used to extort, the officials involved in the recruitment process were made the scapegoats.

“But... now whenever there is any irregularity in the selection process, we have not desisted from cancelling it and taking stern action against those involved.”

k-2459/21

LUCKNOW (UP), JAN 6 (PTI): Hindus expelled from Pakistan and Bangladesh, and living in Uttar Pradesh, have been accommodated in the land that the state government freed from encroachers, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Thursday.

He also said his government has introduced transparency in all government exams, thereby marking a paradigm shift in the recruitment process from the previous regime.

“Hindus, who were living in Meerut for decades after facing expulsion from Pakistan and Bangladesh, could not afford to build their own houses or buy lands. We have given 63 such Bengali Hindu families two acres of land and 200 square yards for housing per family in Kanpur Dehat. These lands were freed from ‘bhu mafia’ (land grabbers),” he said.

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6

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post VOL. XXXII NO. 31 DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

People and places

C

ensus operations throughout India are being postponed due to ongoing covid pandemic which is continuing for the second year. Restrictions under the pandemic were expected to have been relaxed to a very large extent but after the resurgent of another covid variant –omicron- all plans to return to normalcy has been shelved. The postponement of census operations was announced last year by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and Census Commissioner. The RGI had written to the states and union territories in December 2021, extending the date for making changes to administrative boundaries till end of June 2022. Originally, the field work of house-listing and housing Census, the first phase of Census 2021, along with the updating of National Population Register (NPR) was to be conducted in a period of 45 days during April 2020 to September 2020 in different states and territories, depending on their local conditions and other priorities. After the house-listing, the population enumeration was to be carried out between February 9 and 28 last year. The world’s decadal population growth shows that there is an increase of around eight crore people annually. For instance, in 2001 the global population was 6,222,626,606 and in 2011 it rose seven billion or 7,041,194,000. By 2021 it is estimated that the global population will increase to 7,874,965,825 billion. India recorded a total of 1,027,015,247 people in 2001 and by 2011 the number shot up to 1,210,854,977. The estimate for 2021 is expected to be 1,400,000,000. With regard to Nagaland, the census in 2001 was recorded at 19,90,036 and in 2011 it was-19,78,502 and as per the 2021 census, it is estimated to be 21,89,297 . The census between 2011 and 2021 shows an increase by 2,10,795 and which indicates that each year there were around 21,000 people added or around 1700 additions every month. It may be recalled that Nagaland’s decadal population growth between 1991 to 2001 was so inflated that it made it to the ignominious record books. As per the controversial census from 1991 and 2001, while the country’s decennial growth rate for 1991-2001 was 21.54%, Nagaland’s growth rate for the same period stood at 64.53 %, which was the highest in the country. The importance of proper census undertaken cannot be under stressed. As the state is passing through a crisis due to clamour for ILP and RIIN, census operations are very crucial indicators of the composition of people belonging to various communities both indigenous and non-indigenous.

Census will also directly impact the process of readjustments of assembly constituencies. Delimitation was to have been effected in 2002 but the Constitution of India specifically amended (84th amendment) in 2002, not to have interstate delimitation of constituencies till 2026.Thus, the present constituencies carved out on the basis of the 2001 census shall continue to be in operation till 2026 and it will be done on the basis of population 2021. Like creation of new districts and demands for more districts or administrative headquarters, population density will be crucial factors to justify decisions. Census would also have impact on number of voters and in turn, also impact on delimitation or adjustments of assembly constituencies.

DailyDevotion Worship

He moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. —Genesis 12:8

Worship is giving God the best that He has given you. Be careful what you do with the best you have. Whenever you get a blessing from God, give it back to Him as a love-gift. Take time to meditate before God and offer the blessing back to Him in a deliberate act of worship. If you hoard it for yourself, it will turn into spiritual dry rot, as the manna did when it was hoarded (see Exodus 16:20). God will never allow you to keep a spiritual blessing completely for yourself. It must be given back to Him so that He can make it a blessing to others.

Bethel is the symbol of fellowship with God; Ai is the symbol of the world. Abram “pitched his tent” between the two. The lasting value of our public service for God is measured by the depth of the intimacy of our private times of fellowship and oneness with Him. Rushing in and out of worship is wrong every time— there is always plenty of time to worship God. Days set apart for quiet can be a trap, detracting from the need to have daily quiet time with God. That is why we must “pitch our tents” where we will always have quiet times with Him, however noisy our times with the world may be. There are not three levels of spiritual life— worship, waiting, and work. Yet some of us seem to jump like spiritual frogs from worship to waiting, and from waiting to work. God’s idea is that the three should go together as one. They were always together in the life of our Lord and in perfect harmony. It is a discipline that must be developed; it will not happen overnight.

Quotes

There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself. ~ Louis XIV

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

Post-mortem

CPO representation to Chief Secretary on district demarcation Respected Sir, propos to the Memorandum dated 22/12/2021 submitted by certain sections of people purportedly representing 41 different villages/colonies/ organizations within Dhansiripar Sub-Division opposing the creation of Chümoukedima District and thereby deciding that they shall continue to remain under Dimapur District, the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) is once again constrained to submit this representation to highlight the various issues and request the State Government not to succumb to any pressure in the interest of j ustice.

1. It is an undeniable fact that the first settlers of the erstwhile Dimapur district (prior to 20 December, 2021) were the Angamis, Kacharis and Mikirs and subsequently, Garos, Kukis and some other people group migrated to the plains of Dimapur since the early part of the 20th Century. As for other Naga villages, especially within the Dhansiripar Sub-Division, most of the villages were established only after formation of Nagaland State except Shukhovi and Pimla which were established before Statehood.

The traditional Chakhroma area extends beyond the present Nagaland-Assam boundary in West and Northwest while on the Southern side it borders with the traditional land of the Zeliang tribe. The CPO acknowledges that few Kachari, Kaki and Garo villages were within the traditional Chakhroma land and the inhabitants of these villages were indigenous inhabitants of the district.

2. It may further be stated that the first administrative headquarter of the Naga Hills was net up by the British India at Chümoukedima in 1866 and subsequently, it was shifted to Kohima in 1878. As a matter of fact, during the early part of the last century, the Naga inhabited arms were administered as a district at Kohima and later on it was carved into 3 districts, then to 7 districts and so on till the last notification issued on 20th December, 2021 wherein Chümoukedima and Niuland districts were created along with Tseminyu.

The CPO is to once again state that Dimapur district was separated from Kohima district in 1997 vide Notification dt.GAB-5/29/78(pt) dt 2/12/1997, however, it may be noted that when the Dimapur dis-

A

trict was created in 1997, it has not touched upon any inter-tribal land holding or affect any traditional boundary of any tribe or tribes and as such, it was harmonious and CPO as well as every tribe living within Dimapur District honoured it without any complaint.

3. When the Notification for the up-gradation of Dimapur SubDivision to that of a district was issued in 1997, it unequivocally states that “The jurisdiction of the new District of Dimapur shall comprise of the existing sub-Divisions of Dimapur and Niuland with Head Quarters at Chümoukedima”. The CPO noted that on completion of all the infrastructures for the office of Deputy Commissioner after a quarter of a century, few individuals and organizations raised objection for shifting the office of the Deputy Commission to the newly constructed site at Chümoukedima citing very unreasonable and flimsy reasons, regrettably, the State Government succumbed to the pressures without consulting the stake holders or without having any broad-based discussion on the merits of shifting to a more spacious and centrally located area of the district. The CPO wonders whether the State administration is being run to suit the interest of a few individuals rather than giving good administration to the people. It may further be noted that the CPO had never demanded the creation of Chümoukedima district but had submitted a proposal dated 30/10/2021 stating in unambiguous terms (quote) “... if the State Government is not in a position to shift the office of the Deputy Commissioner as notified and duly published in the Official Gazzete to the newly constructed site at Chümoukedima, the CPO resolved that a new district be created with the District as Chümoukedima District” (unquote).

The CPO observed that the State Government vide Notification dated 20° December, 2021 created Chümoukedima District with headquarters at Chümoukedima comprising of the following areas : (i) Existing administrative area of Medziphema Sub-Division, (ii) Existing administrative area of Dhansiripar Sub-Division and (iii) Administrative area of Seithekema EAC Circle.

4. The State Government may note that if the administrative area

of Dhansiripar SubDivision is to be bifurcated and he placed under two districts as demanded, vide the Memorandum cited above, it is going to disturb the age old traditional land boundary between the Chakhroma and the Zeliang in its southwestern boundary. The CPO is not against any individual establishing village or villages within its traditional land.

However, by establishing a village or villages does not give any individual’s right to usurp the rights of the traditional land owners. As you are well aware that in Nagaland, the rights over land lays with the traditional land owners and every tribe has its own well demarcated traditional land boundary with its neighbouring tribe/tribes so is also with the Chakhroma people. By placing certain areas of Dhansiripar Sub-Division under Dimapur District will create unnecessary troubles and unrest among the people leading to litigations which will harm the interest of the public in general and the Chakhroma people in particular. Further, a thin strip of land along the inter-state boundary of Nagaland and Assam under Dimapur District may not be in the interest of the state as a whole. Moreover, basing on the Memorandum cited above, whether the areas demanded to be placed under Dimapur District is contiguous with the Dimapur Sadar area is another aspect which the authority may kindly look into.

In the light of the above stated facts, the Chakhroma Public Organisation once again appeal to the State Government not to succumb to unreasonable pressures as it was done in the case of shifting Deputy Commissioner’s Office to Chümoukedima and to strictly adhere to the areas notified vide its Notification dt 20/12/2021.

Further, the State Government may be informed that the Chakhroma people too are not resilience enough to bear unlimited insults and may react if any changes are to be effected in the Notification dated 20/12/2021 without consultation and concurrence of the CPO. Vichütuolie Mere President, Chakhroma Public Organisation.

Mhiesisato Vüprü General Secretary, Chakhroma Public Organisation.

JCCV open letter to Chief Minister on bifurcation of Dimapur district

Most Respected Sir, n reiteration to the representations submitted to the Government of Nagaland by the Aqahuto Tokukujo Kukami Kuqhakulu through the D.C of Dimapur on 22.11.2021, the Sema-Dimasa Union press statement on 16th December 2021 in regard to the bifurcation of Dimapur District, and memorandum to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland on 22.12.2021 by the conglomeration of 41 Villages against the Government notification no. GAB-1/COM/ DIST/ADMIN/2019(PT-1) dated Kohima, the 20th of December 2021 wherein we have unequivocally stated that, we shall remain with the Dimapur District; the Joint Coordination Committee of Villages (JCCV) for Dimapur District is constrained to issue the following statement.

The JCCV would like to point out clearly that, the hasty decision of the Government to create new district without formality for broad consultation among the stakeholders and opportunity to express their mutual interest or iron out their differences, remains questionable. Such arbitrary decision of the Government at the behest of certain section of people while keeping half the population in the dark is not only undemocratic but tantamount to fomenting misunderstanding among Naga family.

Such injustice is divisive and contrary to the message of unity that the Nagaland Government espouses.

The District of Dimapur is one special place in Nagaland where all the tribes of Nagaland have learnt to live together in harmony, the minorities and the major communities alike; each community rightly cherish it as home. Such spirit of bonhomie should be promoted.

Therefore, the Government is requested to protect the rights and aspiration of the minority and avoid arbitrary fragmentation of the minorities against their wishes and welfare. It is this less used threads that adds colour and makes the Naga shawl beautiful. It is per-

I

The Plague in India called AFSPA

(From previous issue...) out any knowledge of any and there is no excuse to However, going down that hen the bandh of these said factors stand not revoke this law, es- line of argument will be was imposed in up against “them”, simply pecially at a time when a long discussion, and so all Naga inhab- because of the belief in there is ceasefire between although I believe that ited areas by major tribal Naga Sovereignty. Now most of the Naga National the imposition of AFSPA bodies - students giving ex- the very concept of Naga Groups and the Indian was never justified in the ams, medical and police of- Sovereignty may not be the Government (excluding first place in any given ficials, etc were exempted telos or the end goal for NSCN-K, at the time of situation, I will leave that from the bandh, however, a majority of the people, writing this article). In re- debate aside and stress on the Army Personnel were but when they proceed lation to this, I would like the point that it is high time not. Any sort of military with acts such as imposing to bring out the argument that this law is revoked. vehicular movement was bandh on the army because that the issue of the Naga The statement from the not allowed to take place of the belief that they Separatism was always a Naga Club could at this in all Naga inhabited areas have the authority because Political one and this is point be highlighted, “A naas per the bandh that was “they” (the army) do not perhaps one of the great tion needs laws to counter imposed. Why is this so? belong here and “this” is blunders on the part of separatist movements but The Army is probably the our land and therefore our the Indian Union in its while deciding on the conmost legitimate institution laws and our decisions in political and administrative tinuance of a certain law, in the country. Regardless our land outweigh any history, that they viewed it must review the situation of this fact, most of us legitimacy held by “them” (and still view) the “Naga in which it is being exerted. came across the news and (the army), because that Problem” and other such The situation in Nagahave probably seen the very legitimacy itself is armed conflicts as a law land has changed from the videos of Armed Person- given to the army by the and order problem rather 1950’s to the 1990’s”. nel who showed complete Indian Union. What is than a political one. PolitiThe goal of National disregard of the imposition “Sovereignty in one’s own cal problems demand po- Integration of the bandh and set out in land” if not this? litical resolutions, and not I think it is imporPast mistakes and the imposition of laws such tant to give credit where their armed trucks and vehicles being confronted by changing times as AFSPA along with the it is due, the reaction and These are all examples act of dispatching armed response shown by the the people from the tribal bodies (some in traditional that I have taken from just personnel to subdue the Naga Community as a attires) and being asked the Oting incident. Every- people who are (and have whole following the Oting to go back to their camps. time any form of injustice been) raising the political incident was altogether What gives these tribal is done to the Nagas, one issue. At the time of Indian commendable. The Nagas bodies and organizations, can see it happen in vari- Independence from colo- showcased great maturity from the president right ous different ways, and this nial powers, there was al- (barring a few incidents) down to the volunteers feeling keeps growing. ways a legitimate claim for and we can proudly say that on the streets the confi- If the government in the Naga Self Determination the situation did not go out dence and belief that they center chooses to not look and their refusal to accept of hand and that the peace have a legitimate right and into this matter as a chain India’s illegal occupation loving Nagas proved that to the authority to impose a of historical oppression of what they thought was engineer a proper solution, bandh upon the Army of and injustice done against their homeland; this is violence and hatred cannot the nation they are a part the Nagas then it is their in- where we see the claws of (and should not) be fought of ? It is the belief in the competence that will surely Indian Imperialism at its with more violence and Sovereignty of Nagas in lead to further unease in zenith, for what is (as many hatred. We must condemn their own land. The Article the region. people have pointed out and criticize what is wrong It is also worth taking before) AFSPA, if not an and call out and rebuke any 371A already provides special provisions to the state into consideration the argu- extension of the infamous form of injustice, but this of Nagaland with respect ment that says that there Rowlatt Act (1919) or the lack of violent retaliation to the practice of Custom- may have been a time when Armed Forces Special Pow- by the Naga community ary Naga laws, as well as the Indian Government’s ers Ordinance (1942, 1948) is ironic in a way and cergiving some autonomy to imposition of AFSPA may promulgated by Governor tainly a testament to how Nagas to some extent. But have been justified given General Linlithgow under the rest of India may view whenever the “fire” burns the situation. However, Section 72 of the Govern- the Nagas as “barbaric” strong, even people with- those times are long gone, ment of India Act, 1935. or “terrorists” (as in the Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this

W

tinent to mention that, to keep away the Dimasas elsewhere from Dimapur District shall be equivalent to deprivation of their identity right and threat to their aspiration for meaningful existence as part and parcel of Naga Community. Likewise, the Gorkhas, who are another prominent minority group within Naga Community and few villages established by fellow Eastern Nagas forms an integral part of Dimapur District and their rights and aspiration must be respected and carefully safeguarded from further marginalization.

Besides, the Dhansiripar Sub-division has long standing unresolved inter district boundary issue of DimapurPeren Districts which cannot be overlooked.

It is lamentable that, the Dimapur-Peren Districts boundary issue has intermittently resulted to ugly showdown and bloodshed among our fellow Naga brethren.

Therefore, without solving the problem at hand, formation of new District and amalgamation of Dhansiripar Sub-Division to it would be premature and opening another Pandora’s box is to be best avoided.

Thus, the Joint Coordination Committee of Villages (JCCV) for Dimapur District expresses strong displeasure against the autocratic reorganizing of villages into new district without their consent and once again urges the Government to safeguard the rights and aspiration of the people of 41 Villages to remain with Dimapur District. In this regard, the JCCV would like to implore upon the Government to reconsider its notification which is unacceptable and resolve the issue before 20th of January 2022 failing which, the people of 41 Villages would be constrained to go to extend of hunger strike to reclaim its right and aspirations.

Lughozhe K Swu, convenor Joint Coordination Committee of Villages (JCCV) for Dimapur district.

Tsithrongse Sangtam (Hd G.B), co-convenor JCCV. Devendra Rana, secretary JCCV.

case of Kashmir). In the aftermath of this recent incident, we see who the “barbarians’’ truly were all along. With the Naga Peace talks with the Indian Government ongoing, we are currently in a very crucial and important juncture in the history of Nagas, and the Indian Government must make the right decision and revoke the law of AFSPA which has no place in a democratic nation. Like I have stressed several times in this piece of writing, many Nagas still first identify themselves as Nagas, then as Indians, and with draconian laws and tools of oppression such as AFSPA still imposed in Naga lands, the emotional integration of Nagas into India will only be made more complicated.

At this point, I would like to quote Naushir Bharucha speaking on AFSPA in the Lok Sabha on August 11, 1958, “I also want to know whether the policy of shoot to kill underlying this Bill will not have a psychological effect, first on the Nagas and secondly on the Army personnel, shoot to kill instills in the people in whose hands power is placed a sense of carelessness and callousness. There is a feeling: we are protected, we can shoot to kill. I am not for a moment alleging that our defense forces are so callous as that. But human nature being what it is, having regard to the fact that our Army may have to work in very difficult and trying circumstances wherever they are, troops may be overworked and they may newspaper nor that of the

resort to these because a psychological impression is created in the minds of the troops: we can shoot to kill, nobody can question us. I ask: what type of policy is this to win the hearts of the people whom you are trying to incorporate and integrate as part of India. Shoot to kill” I would also like to quote Charles Chasie, who asks, “What kind of justice can be delivered to someone who has already been killed? The only thing that can now possibly be done to give meaning to their deaths is to make sure that no such incident ever happens again. This means to remove the things that make it possible for such incidents to happen in the first place”. This is the direction toward which we need to take our battle for justice. Not just Nagas, but anyone and everyone who believes in the value of Human Life and even to an extent, the National Integrity of India. Would the government of India agree to make AFSPA an all India legislation and apply it to the rest of India as well? It does not require a super human brain to figure out that the obvious answer is NO. Why is it then, that the life of a person from the so called “disturbed area” in Nagaland weighs any less as compared to someone from New Delhi or Mumbai? If it truly is national integration that the Indian Union desires, AFSPA is not the way forward, it never was.

(Concluded) Vinolen John

Editor in any manner.

Indians still careless despite Omicron

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (IANS): As the third wave of Covid grips India, the IANS-CVoter Omicron Snap Poll reveals shocking levels of carelessness and nonchalance by Indians.

The snap poll had a sample size of 1,942. To a question if people were generally wearing masks and taking precautions, only 21.8 per cent of the respondents agreed that people were indeed wearing masks and taking precautions.

In sharp contrast, 41.5 per cent said wearing of masks and other precautions were being followed “only sometimes” while another 33.8 per cent said they were mostly not being followed.

In effect, 3 out of every four Indian are still not taking the basic preventive steps against Corona despite repeated warnings, exhortations and threats by the government, scientists and doctors.

This is happening at a time when there is virtual unanimity that the third wave of Covid led this

7

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

fort zone of thinking that the Omicron variant is very mild. It could mutate into something far more deadly

Omicron surge: Centre asks 9 states, union territories to step up testing

without any warning, as it happened with the Delta NEW DELHI, JAN 6 variant during the second (PTI): Underlining the wave. highly transmissible nature of Omicron and the preponNo lessons learnt from second wave derance of asymptomatic In a display of somewhat depressing respondents, cases, the Centre has urged Indians seem to feel that most of them don’t seem to nine states and union terrihave learnt proper lessons from the deadly and devastat- tories to ramp up COVID-19 ing second wave of the pandemic, as per IANS - C Voter testing to ensure that infected people do not spread Omicron Snap Poll.

The snap poll had a sample size of 1,942. When the virus to others.

In a letter to Tamil asked if Indians were repeating exactly the same misNadu, Punjab, Odisha, Uttakes made before the second wave 52.2 per cent of the respondents were of the opinion that Indians were indeed tar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, making the same mistakes by holidaying, attending and Mizoram, Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar, A health worker checks temperature of a Covid patient inside throwing parties, going to weddings and other functions Additional Secretary of and participating in political rallies. a Covid care centre of the CWG village, in New Delhi. (PTI) Union Health Ministry Arti Another 24.1 per cent felt that at least some of the time by the super spreadThere has been a mas- mistakes were being repeated. Only 13.4 per cent felt that Ahuja pointed out a considing Omicron variant has sive increase in the number Indians were not repeating the same mistakes. In effect, already arrived in India and of infections in major met- more than three in four Indians are admitting that they is heading rapidly towards ro cities, particularly Mum- are repeating the pre second wave mistakes. a peak. bai and Delhi. In Delhi, the This could have serious repercussions as a massive A recent study by IIT positivity rate shot up to an third wave could once again overwhelm the precarious Kanpur suggests that the alarming 11.6 per cent by health infrastructure of the country. peak of the third wave January, 2022 and more At the moment, perhaps swayed by scientific opinwould be reached any- than 150 patients are on ions widely reported ST. by JOHN Hr Sec School the media, mostRes Indians think time between the first and oxygen support with about that the new Omicron variant Indisen, Dimapur, Nagaland. is comparatively mild and second week of February 22 on ventilator support. benign in nature as it doesn’t the lungs. But scienEmail:attack info@stjohndimapur.in this year. It has also been Authorities, hospitals tists and epidemiologists themselves admit that there is website: https://stjohndimapur.in/ established unequivocally and doctors will find it no way of knowing how and when the virus variant could The school invitesyetapplicants forinto multiple jobsfar(a) Mathematics Teacher that the Omicron variant difficult to manage an- mutate something more deadly. th (b) Librarian Please apply by January 16 , 2022 with bioindata/CV, breaches through the de- other surge unless ordinary As the number of cases surge India, thepassport scientific fences of people who have Indian citizens realise the via photo and contact number email. and medical community is keeping its fingers crossed and already taken two doses of true gravity of the: situation prayingPost that Indians do not repeat in theScience same mistakes.

Qualification (a) A minimum Graduate degree (M.Sc). the vaccine. and come out of the com-

erable decline in COVID-19 testing amid rising cases and positivity rate and said it is a “cause of concern”.

In the absence of sufficient testing, it is rather impossible to determine the true level of infection spread in the community, Ahuja said in her letter dated January 5. “With the increased detection of the Variant of Concern (VOC), Omicron, and a majority of countries seeing multiple surges in cases despite high levels of vaccination, there is a need for continued vigil and efforts to prevent any deterioration

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NEW JAN 6 cases the past several 1,116 out of 12,104 DELHI, JAN 6 (IANS): “Our ulemas have (PTI): In a massive surge, contacted when vacancy arises. days here is being recorded db-08/22

Support for Muslim cleric’s Delhi witnesses massive coronavirus call against hate speeches surge: 15097 new cases, 6 deaths

Pune court orders probe against Ramdev’s ‘Coronil’ PUNE, JAN 6 (IANS): In a New Year jolt to Baba Ramdev, a Pune court has ordered the police to investigate a criminal complaint against the yoga guru and his business associate Acharya Balkrishna, who is Chairman of the consumer giant, Patanjali Ayurved, for their claims on their Covid-19 cure medicine ‘Coronil’.

Junnar Court’s Judicial Magistrate First Class P. V. Sapakal’s order came in a private criminal plea lodged by a student-activist Madan Kurhe way back in June 2020, after the company had announced the purported cure to the deadly virus raging across the globe.

He directed the Junnar Police Station to conduct a probe under the CrPC’s Section 202 and submit its report to the court by February 7, said Kurhe’s lawyer Asim Sarode.

In the complaint, Kurhe had questioned Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved’s allegedly “illegal and false claims” in public about the purported medicine, ‘Coronil’ and trumpeting it as a cure for coronavirus.

This was the first case filed during the height of the Covid pandemic lockdown period against Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna and their company in Maharashtra.

Delhi Thursday recorded 15,097 fresh Covid cases, the highest single-day rise since May 8, and six deaths while the positivity rate mounted to 15.34 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.

The number of new cases recorded on Thursday is 41 per cent more than the figure the day before.

On Wednesday and Tuesday, 10,665 and 5,481 cases were recorded with a positivity rate of 11.88 per cent and 8.37 per cent respectively, according to official figures.

The daily cases count on Thursday was 15,097 at a positivity rate of 15.34 per cent, the latest health bulletin showed.

This rise is the highest since May 8, 2021 when 17,364 cases were reported with a positivity rate of 23.34 per cent. As many as 332 deaths were also recorded on that day.

The huge spike in fresh

amid a significant jump in cases of the new Omicron variant of the virus.

The death toll due to the coronavirus infection in Delhi has now risen to 25,127. The number of cumulative cases on Thursday stood at 14,89,463. Over 14.32 lakh patients have recovered from the infection.

During the height of the second wave of the pandemic, 28,395 cases, the highest-ever single-day tally here, and 277 deaths were recorded in Delhi on April 20 last year, according to official figures.

N i n e C OV I D - 1 9 deaths were reported here in December last year, and seven in November, according to official data. Delhi had recorded four Covid deaths in October and five in September.

A total of 98,434 tests -- 80,051 RT-PCR tests and 18,383 rapid antigen tests -- were conducted a day ago, the bulletin said.

db-07/22

oxygen beds in Delhi hospitals occupied

A total of 1,116 COVID-19 oxygen beds out of 12,104 are occupied in the Delhi hospitals, while 72 ICU beds with ventilators have patients, with city Health Minister Satyendar Jain saying the numbers do not mean that the patients require oxygen or ventilator support.

L o k N aya k Ja i Prakash Narayan (LNJP) hospital’s medical director Dr Suresh Kumar said only four coronavirus patients are on ventilator support at the facility and they have comorbid conditions.

“One of the ventilator patients has brain tuberculosis, one has cancer and both are aged. Bed occupancy is more due to people who have comorbid conditions along with Covid,” he said.

k-17/22

conducted three meetings but we never called it Dharam Sansad, but the language used in Haridwar can never be used by our ulemas and the ulemas show the path of peace, patriotism and love to disciples,” he added.

The cleric said that the hate mongers want to kill 20 lakh Muslims. “We have decided that we are ready for it. I urge the government that they can send their people to kill us and on Friday at least 20,000 Muslims will surrender before them. The best way is that Muslims sacrifice their lives to ensure peace in the country.”

Khan has got support of Tanzeem which recently advocated united India as it was in medieval period.

Mujahid Hussain Qadri of Tanzeem said that people want to create disharmony between Hindus and Muslims but they will not succeed.

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Founder of Ittehad-e-Millat Council Tauqeer Raza Khan’s call for a ‘Dharam Sansad’ on Friday has got support from All India Tanzeem ul Islam, which on Thursday asked the community members to gather in large numbers.

The protest has been called to offer mass sacrifice in protest against hate speeches delivered in Haridwar.

Raza Khan appealed t o mu s l i m s o f U t t a r Pradesh to gather in large numbers at the Islamia School in Bareilly on Friday for “mass sacrifice” in protest against recent hate speeches made in Haridwar.

The announcement was made on Saturday where he said, “the recent Dharam Sansad against which objections were raised by our community was not the first one but it has been happening for many months, but the present government was never

of the COVID-19 scenario.

“Keeping in mind the unpredictable and highly transmissible behaviour of Omicron and the larger preponderance of asymptomatic cases, ramping up testing in the initial days itself will help to ensure that the infected individual does not spread the virus to others,” she said. It has been observed that there has been a considerable decline in COVID-19 testing in these states and union territories amid rising cases and positivity, which is a cause of concern, Ahuja said.

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8

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

BUSINESS/STATE

against firm for ‘damage Cabinet nod for 2nd phase of Green Centre may cut fiscal deficit ofFIRpvtfiled land, encroachment’ in Wka Energy Corridor with Rs 12,000 cr outlay target amid omicron surge: report

Su doku

KAKURO

uity market front, the BSE Sensex ended 621.31 points or 1.03 per cent lower at 59,601.84, while the broader NSE Nifty tanked 179.55 points or 1 per cent to 17,745.90. Foreign institutional investors remained net buyers in the capital market on Wednesday, as they purchased shares worth Rs 336.83 crore, as per exchange data.

“Rupee quoted weak near 74.50 as COVID cases rise majorly in India’s capital and financial capital...

Fed minutes update helped dollar climb, pressuring rupee to fall,” said Jateen Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at LKP Securities.

Trivedi added that the “Rupee can be seen in the range of 74.35-74.75”.

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): Gold price in the national capital on Thursday tumbled Rs 284 to Rs 46,700 per 10 grams in tandem with a decline in international precious metal prices, according to HDFC Securities.

In the previous trade, the precious metal had settled at Rs 46,984 per 10 grams.

Silver also dipped by Rs 1,292 to Rs 59,590 per kilogram from Rs 60,882 per kilogram in the previous trade.

In the international market, gold was trading lower at USD 1,800 per ounce and silver was flat at USD 22.34 per ounce.

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MUMBAI, JAN 6 (PTI): Equity benchmarks lurched lower on Thursday after a four-session winning run, in lockstep with a sharp sell-off in world stocks after minutes of Federal Reserve’s recent meeting indicated faster-than-expected rate hikes.

The 30-share BSE Sensex slumped 621.31 points or 1.03 per cent to finish at 59,601.84. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty plunged 179.35 points or 1 per cent to 17,745.90.

Tech Mahindra was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, shedding 2.56 per cent, followed by UltraTech Cement, Reliance Industries, HCL Tech, HDFC twins, Kotak Bank and Infosys.

In value terms, RIL, HDFC twins and Infosys accounted for over half of the benchmark’s losses.

In contrast, IndusInd Bank, Bharti Airtel, Maruti, Bajaj Finance and Titan were among the gainers, rising up to 1.74 per cent.

Only seven of the 30 Sensex counters managed to close in the green.

“Following a sharp fall in western markets, the domestic market witnessed a gap-down opening and extended its losses led by selling in IT, realty and oil & gas shares. Global markets were wounded by heavy selling as Fed meeting

minutes pointed to a faster than expected policy rate hike considering elevated US inflation levels.

“Investors are also watching the fast spread of COVID cases and stricter restrictions being imposed as it would keep the market highly volatile in the coming days,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.

Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, Religare Broking, said markets may witness further consolidation in the near-term.

“Apart from the global cues and COVID news, the earnings-related updates would keep the volatility high. Traders should continue with a positive yet

cautious approach and focus more on sectors/stocks selection,” he added.

Sector-wise, BSE realty, IT, energy, teck, finance and healthcare tumbled as much as 1.48 per cent, while telecom, auto, consumer durables and utilities logged gains.

In the broader markets, the BSE midcap index dipped 0.05 per cent, while the smallcap gauge inched up 0.01 per cent.

Wall Street led global markets lower after Fed minutes from its December 14-15 policy meeting showed that policymakers believe the US job market is healthy enough and ultralow interest rates are no longer needed.

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DP-23/22

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dollar bonds,” said Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities.

Reliance Industries Ltd, the nation’s most valuable company, on Thursday said it has raised USD 4 billion (around Rs 30,000 crore) in debt through the largest-ever foreign currency bond issuance by an Indian entity.

Moreover, growing concerns over the Omicron variant of coronavirus and its impact on economic recovery and firm crude oil prices weighed on the local unit.

M e a n w h i l e, B r e n t crude futures, the global oil benchmark, advanced 0.39 per cent to USD 79.29 per barrel.

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DP-24/22

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened weak at 74.44 and witnessed an intra-day high of 74.32 and a low of 74.51 against the US dollar.

The domestic unit finally settled at 74.42, down 4 paise over its previous close of 74.38. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.05 per cent up at 96.22.

“Dollar gained against most Asian currencies as the market assessed the US Fed’s hawkish views. Rupee also felt the heat along with other Asian currencies and depreciated, but the pace was relatively lower as Reliance Industries received good response for their

Sensex, Nifty snap four-day rally as hawkish Fed roils global equities

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MUMBAI, JAN 6 (PTI): The rupee on Thursday dipped 4 paise to close at 74.42 against the US dollar, tracking the strength of the greenback in the overseas market after hawkish US Fed minutes.

Investors saw minutes from the Federal Reserve meeting as a sign that the US central bank might hike interest rates faster than anticipated to cool inflation, and this could lead to outflows from the domestic markets, forex traders said.

According to minutes from the Fed’s December 14-15 policy meeting, policymakers believe the US job market is nearly healthy enough and ultra-low interest rates are no longer needed.

Gold tumbles Rs 284; silver plunges Rs 1,292

The scheme will help in achieving the target of 450 GW installed RE capacity by 2030.

It will also contribute to long-term energy security of the country and promote ecologically sustainable growth by reducing the carbon footprint, as per the statement.

Besides, the project will generate large direct and indirect employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled personnel in power and other related sectors, it said.

This scheme is in addition to GEC PhaseI which is already under implementation in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu for grid integration and power evacuation of about 24 GW of RE. It is expected to be completed this year.

The phase-I is for addition of 9,700 ckm of transmission lines and 22,600 MVA capacity of substations having estimated cost of transmission projects of Rs 10,141.68 crore, with CFA of Rs 4,056.67 crore.

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DP-73/22

Rupee dips 4 paise to 74.42 against USD

DP-35/22

(From p-1) On the other hand, Western Yimkhiung Hoho (WYH) has appealed to the State government to respect the aspiration of Yimkhiung community to live under one compact administrative headquarter. In a statement, the hoho said the demand for Shamator district initiated by Yimkhiung Tribal Council was inclusive of all villages under its banner for the administrative convenience based on “tribal line”.

WYH urged the government to allow Yimkhiung community the freedom to determine and choose their own administrative headquarters and deliver justice to the citizens.

cilitate grid integration and power evacuation of about 20 GW of renewable energy (RE) projects in seven states -- Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

Thakur said the transmission systems will be created over 5 years during 2021-22 to 2025-26 fiscal years.

The minister added that 80 per cent of the phase one work has been completed. The outlay of the first phase was Rs 10,142 crore.

The statement further said the CFA will help in offsetting the intra-state transmission charges and keep the power costs down.

Thus, the government support will ultimately benefit the end users, it added.

DP-44/22

Protest demanding Shamator district...

Anurag Thakur

DP-77/22

they were not authorised to speak to media.

Policymakers were hoping to bring down the fiscal deficit by a wider margin, after cutting the deficit by 240 basis points to 6.8 per cent in the current fiscal year ending in March.

Some private economists and brokerages said the fiscal deficit could be brought down to around 5% of GDP from 9.4% in 2020-21, after the winding down of pandemic stimulus and surge in revenue receipts.

Rising coronavirus cases have forced many states to impose restrictions, raising concerns among policymakers that falling consumer sentiment

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): The Union Cabinet on Thursday gave its nod to investing Rs 12,031 crore for laying transmission lines to evacuate electricity generated from renewable power projects in seven states.

The project, called Green Energy Corridor Phase-II, would involve laying 10,750 circuit kilometers of transmission lines by 2026, Union minister Anurag Thakur told reporters.

The scheme’s total estimated cost is Rs 12,031.33 crore, including Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of 33 per cent of the project cost (about Rs 3970.34 crore).

“The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today approved the scheme on Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II for IntraState Transmission System (InSTS) for addition of approximately 10,750 circuit kilometres (ckm) of transmission lines and approx.

27,500 Mega Volt-Amperes (MVA) transformation capacity of substations,” an official statement said.

The scheme will fa-

DP-74/22

Nirmala Sitharaman

could affect the pace of the economic recovery and all budget calculations.

Asia’s third-largest economy could miss the 10% growth target for the current 2021-22 fiscal year as the new Omicron variant is seen disrupting economic activity through January-March and may also dampen sentiment in the next financial year, officials said.

And, the economic growth target would not be more than 7% for the next financial year beginning April, two officials said.

The finance minister is set to unveil new targets for government spending, tax receipts and economic growth while presenting her third annual budget in parliament.

“The (budget) discussions are on,” one of the officials said, adding the government aimed to bring down the deficit and increase capital spending while keeping revenue spending flat.

A finance ministry spokesman declined to comment for the story.

that the company besides damaging their land/area also “excavated area/land” and took away all the “huge stones and boulders nearly for four (4) months without payment.”

In this regard, he said the family members of late Renthungo Kithan and Sons have laid down several demands and notice.

“Under any circumstances or conditions they must not be released or bailed out from jail until an amount of payment is cleared for the stones and damaged land area is compensated adequately to our family,” he said. He further said that during this period they will not allow the company to function any kind of activities in their land/area until the issue was settled.

dp-86/22

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (AGENCIES): Centre is aiming for a fiscal deficit of 6.3 per cent to 6.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) for the next financial year, a less ambitious target than previously planned as COVID-19 infections threaten the economic recovery, three government officials said, NDTV report stated.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is due to unveil the 2022-23 union budget on February 1 and officials said the thinking was that sharp cuts in government expenditure could hurt growth prospects.

India’s case load of coronavirus infections is surging, fuelled by the Omicron variant and the worry is that consumer and business spending will be hit, leaving the government with little choice but to step in.

The plan now is to target a 30-50 basis point cut in the fiscal deficit for the next financial year, the officials involved in the discussions said. They declined to be named as

DIMAPUR: Former Wokha Village Council chairman Zuchanbemo Lotha has filed police complaint (FIR) against general manager and project manager of Anusha Project Pvt. Ltd. New Village, Wokha for allegedly “stealing property and damaging land areas”.

In the FIR filed at Wokha police station, which was also made available to the media, Zuchanbemo demanded immediate arrest of the two within two days.

He said that despite several information for an amicable solution, the firm failed to respond. He also said that a letter for settlement before legal action was also dispatched on October 28, 2021 through the office of DC Wokha.

Zuchanbemo claimed

Kazakhstan unrest turns deadly

Russia sends troops to put down uprising ALMATY, JAN 6 (AGENCIES): Russia sent paratroopers into Kazakhstan on Thursday to help put down a countrywide uprising after deadly violence spread across the tightly controlled former Soviet state.

Police said they had killed dozens of rioters in the Central Asian country’s main city Almaty. State television said 13 members of the security forces had died, including two found decapitated. A presidential residence and the mayor’s office in the city were both ablaze, Reuters journalists said. By Thursday afternoon, the city’s airport, seized earlier by protesters, was under firm control of military personnel. Burnt out cars littered the streets.

Earlier on Thursday, several armoured personnel carriers and scores of troops had entered the main square of Almaty, and gunshots could be heard as troops approached the crowd, Reuters

Troops are seen at the main square in Almaty, Kazakhstan January 6, 2022.

correspondents reported from the scene. Later, the square appeared peaceful, with 200-300 protesters still gathered and no troops around. Unverified video on social media showed troops patrolling Almaty’s foggy streets overnight, firing weapons, as well as widespread looting in the city.

Masked protesters, some carrying shields and batons apparently seized from police, marched through billowing tear gas along a treelined avenue, to the sound of detonations.

The internet had been shut down across the country and the full extent of

In South Korea, hair loss emerges as new election issue SEOUL, JAN 6 (AGENCIES): South Korean presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung isn’t bald. But he is enjoying the support of many bald voters over his push for government payments for hair loss treatments.

Since his proposal was disclosed earlier this week, hair loss has emerged as a hot-button topic ahead of March’s presidential vote in South Korea, where previous elections have focused on North Korea’s nuclear program, relations with the U.S., scandals and economic problems. Online communities for bald people are flooded with messages supporting his proposal. There is also strong criticism that it’s just a populism-driven campaign pledge by Lee, the governing party candi-

date, to win votes.

Messages on social media include, “Jae-myung bro. I love you. I’ll implant you in the Blue House” and “Your Excellency, Mr. President! You’re giving new hope to bald people for the fist time in Korea.”

Lee told repor ters Wednesday that he thinks hair regrowth treatments should be covered by the national health insurance program. “Please, let us know what has been inconvenient for you over hair-loss treatments and what must be reflected in policies,” Lee wrote on Facebook. “I’ll present a perfect policy on hair-loss treatment.”

Lee, an outspoken liberal, is leading public opinion surveys. Some critics have called him a dangerous populist.

9

INTERNATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

the violence was impossible to confirm. But the unrest was unprecedented for Kazakhstan, ruled firmly since Soviet times by leader Nursultan Nazarbayev, 81, who had held on to the reins despite stepping down three years ago as president.

Nazarbayev’s handpicked successor, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, called in forces from ally Russia overnight as part of a Moscow-led military alliance of ex-Soviet states. He blamed the unrest on foreign-trained terrorists who he said had seized buildings and weapons.

“It is an undermining

of the integrity of the state and most importantly it is an attack on our citizens who are asking me... to help them urgently,” he said.

Moscow said it would consult with Kazakhstan and allies on further measures to support the Kazakh authorities’ “counter-terrorist operation” and called the uprising a foreign-inspired attempt to undermine the country’s security by force.

Neither Kazakhstan nor Russia provided evidence to support the claim of foreign involvement.

The secretariat of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation said advanced units of Russian paratroopers were in the country and had “already begun to fulfil their assigned tasks.”

Troops being sent included units from Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan as well as Russia, the secretariat said. It did not disclose the overall size of the force.

The uprising, which began as protests in the west of the country against a New Year’s Day fuel price hike,

had swelled dramatically on Wednesday, when protesters stormed and torched public buildings in Almaty and other cities. They chanted slogans against Nazarbayev, and in at least one case looped ropes around a bronze statue of him, trying to pull it down.

Tokayev initially responded by dismissing his cabinet, reversing the fuel price rise and distancing himself from his predecessor, including by taking over a powerful security post Nazarbayev had retained.

But the actions failed to mollify crowds who accuse Nazarbayev’s family and allies of amassing vast wealth from oil and minerals while the nation of 19 million remained poor.

Nazarbayev stepped down in 2019 as the last Soviet-era Communist Party boss still ruling a former Soviet state. But he and his family kept posts overseeing security forces and the political apparatus in Nur-Sultan, the purpose-built capital bearing his name. He has not been seen or heard from since the unrest began.

North Korea claims successful test of second hypersonic missile SEOUL, JAN 6 (AGENCIES): Nor th Korea claimed Thursday to have conducted the second successful test flight of a hypersonic missile, days after leader Kim Jong Un vowed to bolster his military forces despite pandemic-related difficulties.

Wednesday’s launch, the North’s first known weapons test in about two months, indicates the country will press ahead with plans to modernize its nuclear and missile arsenals rather than return to disarmament talks anytime soon.

The official Korean Central News Agency said the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party expressed “great satisfaction” at the results of the missile test, which was observed by leading weapons officials.

Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, could pose crucial challenges to missile defense systems because of their speed and maneuverability. It’s unclear whether

This photo provided by North Korean government, shows what it says a test launch of a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5, 2022.

and how soon North Korea could manufacture such a high-tech missile, but it was among a wish-list of sophisticated military assets that Kim disclosed early last year, along with a multiwarhead missile, spy satellites, solid-fueled long-range missiles and underwaterlaunched nuclear missiles.

Wednesday’s test was the second of its kind since North Korea first launched a hypersonic missile last September.

“The successive successes in the test launches in the hypersonic missile sector

have strategic significance in that they hasten a task for modernizing strategic armed force of the state,” a KCNA dispatch said.

The word “strategic” implies the missile is being developed to deliver nuclear weapons.

KCNA said the missile made a 120-kilometer-long (75 mile) lateral movement before hitting a target 700 kilometers (435 miles) away.

It said the test reconfirmed the flight control and stability of the missile and verified its fuel capsule under the winter weather conditions.

Ukraine’s law on Nawaz Sharif slams Imran Khan on PTI’s foreign funding fraud national resistance get his treatment abroad. aur Ameen (honesty)’ has He was serving a seven-year been shredded into pieces”.

Says Khan has been takes effect term at Lahore’s Kot LakhSharif ’s daughter and KIEV, JAN 6 (IANS): The exposed as ‘corrupt, pat jail in a corruption case. PML-N vice president law on national resistance, Sharif said that the Maryam Nawaz said, “If envisaging the increase in dishonest con man’ ECP’s report now only has you (Imran Khan) welcome the number of troops by 11,000, came into force in Ukraine, the country’s parliament announced.

The legislation also allows, if necessary, to involve the entire population of Ukraine in the protection of their homeland, reports xinhua news agency.

The law was adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament and signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July 2021 amid the armed conflict in the eastern Donbas region. “The creation of a system of national resistance in Ukraine is a powerful signal to everyone that our country will defend itself,” Zelensky was quoted as saying.

LAHORE, JAN 6 (PTI): Pakistan’s deposed premier Nawaz Sharif has slammed Prime Minister Imran Khan for the “fraud” detected in the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf party’s foreign funding, saying that he has been exposed as a “corrupt and dishonest political con man.” According to a damning report by the Election Commission recently, Prime Minister Khan’s ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party grossly under-reported funds received from foreign nationals, firms, and also concealed its bank accounts.

The ruling party has under-reported an amount of PKR 312 million over a

Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan

four-year period, between FY 2009-10 and FY 201213. The year-wise details reveal that an amount in excess of PKR 145 million was under-reported in FY 2012-13 alone. “Finally, ‘Mr Clean’ has been exposed as a corrupt and dishonest political con-man. And the other dishonourable man (former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar) who declared him ‘Sadiq & Amin (honest)’ to engineer

my ouster has already been heard admitting his crime.

Divine justice is done, only the legal one remains to be seen & done,” Sharif, who is also the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader, said in a tweet on Tuesday.

Sharif has been living in the UK in self-exile since November 2019. He had gone to London after the Lahore High Court granted him bail for four-weeks to

exposed Prime Minister Khan and PTI but what would happen when they would have to tell the names from whom they had taken money and where they spent it. “You (Imran) have not only committed financial fraud but also insulted the title of Sadiq aur Ameen,” he said. His younger brother and Opposition leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said, “It has been clear now as to why the PTI was running away from the foreign funding case for the last seven years. Truth has a strange way of exposing people. The Scrutiny Committee’s report is a damning indictment of IK (Imran Khan). The facade of ‘Sadiq

the ECP’s report, then why didn’t you let this case proceed for the last seven years through force. Why did you keep running away (from the ECP’s scrutiny of PTI foreign funding) for so many years and pleading not to make the scrutiny committee’s report public? Do you think the people are fools who believe whatever you say… be ready as the time of your accountability is near.”

Opposition Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari too reacted to the report. “ECP report proving PTI foreign funding is a damning indictment not only of the party’s corruption but exposes their hypocrisy.

Israeli committee OKs 3,500 settlement homes in Jerusalem UN official reiterates support for Libya’s elections commission

committee on Jan. 17. It would likely be years before any construction takes place, but Peace Now says once the approval process is underway, it becomes increasingly difficult to

Scientists explore Antarctica’s ‘doomsday’ glacier

A

team of scientists are sailing to “the place in the world that’s the hardest to get to” so they can better figure out how much and how fast seas will rise because of global warming eating away at Antarctica’s ice.

Thirty-two scientists on Thursday are starting a more than two-month mission aboard an American research ship to investigate the crucial area where the massive but melting Thwaites glacier faces the Amundsen Sea and may eventually lose large amounts of ice because of warm water. The Floridasized glacier has gotten the nickname the “doomsday glacier” because of how much ice it has and how much seas could rise if it all melts — more than two feet (65 centimeters) over hundreds of years.

Because of its importance, the United States and

This 2020 photo provided by the British Antarctic Survey shows the Thwaites glacier in Antarctica.

the United Kingdom are in the midst of a joint $50 million mission to study Thwaites, the widest glacier in the world by land and sea.

Not near any of the continent’s research stations, Thwaites is on Antarctica’s western half, east of the jutting Antarctic Peninsula, which used to be the area scientists worried most about.

“Thwaites is the main reason I would say that we

have so large an uncertainty in the projections of future sea level rise and that is because it’s a very remote area, difficult to reach,” Anna Wahlin, an oceanographer from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, said Wednesday in an interview from the Research Vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer, which was scheduled to leave its port in Chile hours later.

Thwaites is putting about 50 billion tons of ice

into the water a year. The British Antarctic Survey says the glacier is responsible for 4% of global sea rise, and the conditions leading to it to lose more ice are accelerating, University of Colorado ice scientist Ted Scambos said from the McMurdo land station last month.

Oregon State University ice scientist Erin Pettit said Thwaites appears to be collapsing in three ways: melting from below by ocean water; the land part of the glacier “is losing its grip” to the place it attaches to the seabed, so a large chunk can come off into the ocean and later melt; the glacier’s ice shelf is breaking into hundreds of fractures like a damaged car windshield. This is what Pettit said she fears will be the most troublesome with six-mile (10-kilometer) long cracks forming in just a year.

TRIPOLI, JAN 6 (IANS): A senior UN official has reiterated support for Libya’s elections commission following an indefinite postponement of the country’s presidential polls.

During a meeting with High National Elections Commission Chairman Emad Al-Sayeh, the officials “discussed ways to consolidate and strengthen efforts to keep the electoral process moving forward”, said Stephanie Williams, the special adviser to the UN

APPRECIATION The office of the Naga United Village Council do hereby express our heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Nagaland for creation of Chumukedima District and also acknowledged for inclusion of our village under it. The Village Council assures in giving full co-operation and support to the Administration.

Reyopoyi Nyekha Chairman Naga United Village Council

K. Lucas Lokho Secretary Naga United Village Council

The Nihokhu Village Council during its meeting held on 20/12/2021 resolved to excommunicate Shri inoka Zhimomi, S/o Late N. Yekuto Zhimomi from the village membership w.e.f 20.12.2021 as he was found guilty of fraudulently withdrawing and misappropriating the VDB fixed deposit and has also failed/refused to comply with the repeated directives of the Village Council to refund the misused fund.

Sd/hotoshe Jimo Secretary Nihokhu Village Council

path to peace and stability in Libya”. Libya was expected to hold presidential elections on December 24, 2021.

However, the elections were postponed indefinitely due to technical and legal issues. The elections are part of a roadmap adopted by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, with the aim of ensuring stability in the country following years of political division and insecurity.

Government of naGaland State CounCil of eduCational reSearCh and traininG naGaland : Kohima NO. SCERT/NTSE/3/2016 Dated: the 06th January, 2022

pOStpONemeNt Of NtSe - 2022 It is for the information of all concerned that the State Level, Stage-I National Talent Search Examination -2022 scheduled to be held on 15th January, 2022 is postponed due to certain administrative reasons. Fresh schedule date will be intimated by NCERT, New Delhi in due course of time.

(N. Chumchanbeni Kikon) Director SCERT, Nagaland : Kohima DC-10/22

OffiCe Of the

EXCOMMUNICATION

Sd/Kakheho Zhimo Chairman Nihokhu Village Council

Secretary-General on Libya.

She reiterated the full support of the UN and international community for the commission as an independent institution in charge of the electoral process, reports Xinhua news agency.

She said the holding of inclusive, free, fair, and credible national elections is “the only possible response to the overwhelming and consistent demand of the Libyan people and the only

KaNgChiNg ShUtheiVONgaNgLa DimapUR -797112 : NagaLaND

feLiCitatiON With immense pleasure and honour, we the Kangching Shutheivongangla Dimapur Unit extend our heartiest congratulations to ms. Shamyung Ongh on being promoted to Sub-Divisional Fishery Officer, Govt. of Nagaland.

Hope this promotion brings all kinds of new challenges and opportunities for you. Wishing you good luck in your new positions. mrs. Lokshang phom president

mrs. O. tiazungla phom general Secretary

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ed States has repeatedly urged Israel to refrain from settlement construction.

The projects were approved by a municipal committee and will be considered by a district

and views the entire city as its capital. It considers the West Bank to be the biblical and historical heartland of the Jewish people.

Israel’s current government, which includes parties from across the political spectrum, has ruled out any major initiatives to resolve the decades-old conflict but has taken limited steps to improve living conditions in the occupied territories.

The Jerusalem municipality says it is committed to building in all parts of the city for the benefit of Jewish and Arab residents.

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FILE — In this Dec. 5, 2012 file photo, a general view of Givat Hamatos area is seen in east Jerusalem.

stop. One plan would build 1,465 housing units between Givat Hamatos and Har Homa, two especially controversial settlements, further cutting off east Jerusalem from the Palestinian city of Bethlehem and the southern West Bank. Another 2,092 homes would be built elsewhere in east Jerusalem.

Israel captured east Jerusalem and the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.

Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognized internationally

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J E RU S A L E M , JA N 6 (AGENCIES): A local Israeli committee on Wednesday approved plans for the construction of more than 3,500 settler housing units in east Jerusalem, nearly half in a particularly controversial area, according to Peace Now, an anti-settlement monitoring group.

Peace Now said the construction of the homes would largely cut off the city from the southern part of the occupied West Bank, further complicating any efforts to create a functioning Palestinian state. The Unit-

INFOTAINMENT

10

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

Grammy Awards indefinitely Ed Sheeran could form a boy band: Shane Filan postponed as Omicron spreads W

T

his year’s Grammy Awards ceremony honoring top performances in music has been postponed indefinitely because of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, organizers said on Wednesday.

The show had been scheduled to take place at an arena in downtown Los Angeles and broadcast live on the CBS network on Jan. 31. “Given the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, holding the show on January 31 simply contains too many risks,” CBS and the Recording Academy said in a joint statement, adding that a new date would be announced soon.

Nominations for the awards were announced in November. Pianist and bandleader Jon Batiste led a field that spanned rap to jazz music and embraced newcomers from teen pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo to veteran crooner Tony Bennett, 95, who won his first Grammy in 1963.

The 2021 Grammy

awards also were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony was staged in March instead of January and included a mix of pre-recorded and live segments in front of a small, socially distanced crowd.

Organizers had hoped to return this year to something closer to the traditional celebration with a large audience inside the former Staples Center, now called Crypto.com Arena. Latenight television host Trevor Noah had been tapped to host the event.

CBS and the Recording Academy said they consulted local officials, health experts and artists before deciding to scrap the Janu-

estlife’s Shane Shane told the Daily Filan says he can Star newspaper’s Wired see Ed Sheeran column: “Ed is a huge fan of forming a boy band one day. pop music, particularly boy The ‘Shape of You’ bands, he would probably hitmaker is a huge fan of boy love to be in one. bands and has penned tracks “When Ed was growfor the likes of Westlife, One ing up he told me he learned Direction and Boyzone. how to play guitar to ‘Flying And the ‘You Raise Me Without Wings’ and that Up’ singer says the 30-year- was one of his party pieces old Grammy-winner has when he was busking. what it takes to put together “He had the ‘Westlife’s Shane Filan a boy band and mentor them Greatest Hits’ on repeat.” to success.

He continued: “He was The 42-year-old vocal- growing up listening to us cause Ed Sheeran the solo were gone after that.”

Shane hailed Ed as ist also believes the flame- and other bands and would artist may not have worked ary date. “one of the best songwriters “The health and safety haired pop star could have probably not have been a so well.

“But all the boy bands in the world” and a “true fan of those in our music com- been in a boy band himself. solo artist 15 years ago bemunity, the live audience and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly to produce our show remains our top priority,” they said. fter testing positive tested positive for Covid-19 midway through the show.

Other entertainment for Covid-19, John and will be unable to perform “The weekend will now industry events have been Mayer will not be at the upcoming Playing in feature Dos Hermanos con delayed or scaled back. performing as a frontman for the Sand event in Riviera Amigos,” the Instagram post Organizers of this Dead and Company at the Cancun January 7-10.” continued, referring to origimonth’s Sundance Film Playing in the Sand festival, Mayer is the second nal Grateful Dead members Festival in Park City, Utah, reports ‘Variety’.

Dead and Company member Bob Weir and Mickey Hart said on Tuesday they had The event is opening to have to bow out. Earlier, and naming Jeff Chimenti, canceled in-person events on Friday, January 7, at the drummer Bill Kreutztmann Oteil Burbridge, Jay Lane and would move them on- Cancun riviera in Mexico. had announced that he and Tom Hamilton Jr as the line.

An Instagram statement from would not be making it to the other musicians who would The Critics Choice the band, an offshoot of the festival either, citing a doc- constitute the lineup, along Awards, which had been rock icons Grateful Dead, tor’s advice. Kreutztmann with alt-country favorite set for this Sunday, have began: “Today, just prior had recently acknowledged Margo Price and unnamed been postponed with no new to leaving for Mexico, per health issues after exiting a “special guests and sit-ins”. date scheduled. (Reuters) his physician, @JohnMayer fall Hollywood Bowl concert (IANS)

of pop music”.

He added: “Now he’s working with a lot of these people and knows how to get the best out of vocal groups because he’s a true fan of pop music and one of the best songwriters in the world.

“He’s such a good storyteller.”

The ‘Bad Habits’ hitmaker co-wrote a number of tracks for their 2019 album ‘Spectrum’, and the group insisted he was the “only” man who “could get Westlife out of bed”.

(Contactmusic)

Dead and Company’s John Mayer tests Covid-positive

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John Mayer

Dog custody: Spain to consider pets’ welfare in divorce battles Instagram starts testing chronological feed lawyer Lola Garcia, 42.

In October, a Madrid judge gave joint custody of a dog to an unmarried couple who sought a court ruling on whom the pet should stay

Raquel holds her relative dog Nala, four month old, after she jumps the wooden fence to the playground, at Joan Miro park in Barcelona, January 5. (Reuters)

Billie, Kanye to headline muchpostponed Coachella in April

K Y M C

create immeasurable possibilities for disease transmission, according to ‘Variety’.

The original headliners of this 21st instalment of the festival -- first announced in January 2020 -- were Travis Scott, Frank Ocean and Rage Against the Machine, the festival has been postponed due to the pandemic four times. Last year, Ocean moved his appearance to 2023, and Scott was dropped from the bill in the wake of the Astroworld tragedy in November.

(IANS)

dled the case, considers the reform a major first step in a series of forthcoming legal changes governing people’s relationship with animals.

Pet ownership is high in Spain among European countries and the leftwing coalition government plans further legislation to strengthen animal rights, including a ban on wild animals in circuses and stopping the sale of pets in shops.

However, the nation remains polarised around the tradition of bullfighting, a hotly contested animal rights issue that is unlikely to be resolved in the near future.

Previously, a lawyer seeking joint custody of a

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Proverbs 17:6 -

Children’s children are the crown of old men.

And the glory of children is their father.

HOLUVI ACHUMI A milestone you have reached on this day of your 80th life. In this amazing journey of your life we are blessed to have you around. Our prayer continues to remain that you further enjoy good health and live for many more years to come so that your presence inspire and strengthens the family of yours.

pet had to prove both members of a couple owned the animal as an object, giving whoever had registered the pet an advantage.

Now a judge has to determine where the animal will fare better and that determination is based on the animal’s wellbeing Garcia explained.

A partner that can demonstrate financial solvency or who has been granted custody of their children has a better chance of securing custody of any pets too, as there is a special affective link between children and animals, she added. Rodrigo Costavilas, 31, a psychologist out walking his dog in the Madrid Rio park praised the new law.

(Reuters)

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eta-owned photosharing platform Instagram has started testing the chronological feed as it promised last month.

According to Instagram Head Adam Mosseri, the firm wants to make it easier for people to view content how they want to see it. The feature is already in testing for some accounts or is going out over the next couple of weeks.

He also noted that Instagram will soon allow users to toggle between three different feeds: home, favorites and following.

“We are starting to test the ability to switch between three different views on your home screen (two of which

would give you the option to see posts in chronological order): Home, Favorites, Following,” Mosseri said in a tweet. Home will be similar to Instagram’s cur-

rent feed, which ranks posts based on what you are likely to be interested in, while “favorites” will be a dedicated feed for the friends you care most about.

(IANS)

80TH BIrTH ANNIVErSAry 07/01/1942

inoli. Ghozheli Kibami (asuKhomi) new Colony, zunheboto 80 is one of the greatest milestone ages in a person’s life.

Congratulations on achieving this exceptional milestone. Our family is so blessed to have such a remarkable person like you in it.

Your Birthday deserves all the amazing colours of celebration.

No one can even take your place in our heart. Thanking you for all the sacrifices. May the infinite Love of God grant you a healthy and a long life.

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From husband, Children, in-laws and Grandchildren

Celebration of Centenarian Milestone

With love and prayer, Wife, Sons, Daughter, Daughters-In-Law & Grandchildren

KITHAGHA SEBTHONG FAMILY

The Kithagha SebThong Family with immense happiness, congratulate Dr. George Seb, S/o Peter K. Rengma of Nsunyu Village for remarkable achievement for being conferred the Doctor of Theology in OLD TESTAMENT under the Senate of Serampore College (University) on 04.12.2021.

The Kithagha SebThong Family wishes him success for future endeavours in the God's Ministry.

Sd/Sd/ALESH THONG KHILLO SEB Secretary, Kithagha SebThong Family Chairman, Kithagha SebThong Family

KhaKhu Kiho

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FELICITATION

k-23/22

B

illie Eilish and Kanye West are slated to headline the 2022 edition of North America’s biggest (and four-time postponed) music festival - Coachella.

Reporting this, ‘Variety’ noted that Swedish House Mafia (SHM) is also on the bill, although it is unclear whether the group is the already-sold-out festival’s third headliner -- the traditional “throwback” slot for the reunion of a more veteran artiste.

West headlined the festival in 2011 and Eilish had a breakthrough performance in 2019 (she would be the youngest artiste to top the Coachella bill); SHM previously performed at Coachella in 2012.

The festival is scheduled to take place over the weekends of April 15-17 and April 22-24, 2022, at its usual location: Empire Polo Ground in Indio, California.

The alarming Omicron surge and the postponement of the Grammy Awards, however, has left many wondering whether the festival will take place in April, or be moved -- for a fifth time -- to a later date.

Coachella has already sold out its 125,000 per-day tickets, and the sheer logistics of more than 100,000 people travelling to and gathering at a single location

with after they separated.

The dog spends a month with each of them and both are legally responsible.

Garcia, whose Rights&Animals firm han-

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S

pain will consider a pet’s welfare when couples divorce or break-up from Wednesday in a legal shift that strengthens the case for couples obtaining shared custody of their animals.

The decision follows similar moves in France and Portugal and obliges judges to consider pets as sentient beings rather than objects owned by one or the other partner, a trend that was already underway before the law was passed.

“Animals are part of the family and when a family decides to separate, the fate of the animal must be regulated with the same importance as the fate of other family members,” said

07-01-1922 There is a reason why gandpas are called GRAND. Thank you for all of the fun times, all of the wisdom and love.

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY ASHU From loving Children, Grandchildren and Relatives

k-29/22

K Y M C

11

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

Sania Mirza and Nadiia Kichenok Ashes, 4th test: Khawaja ton keeps Aus on top enter semis of Adelaide International

fore the tea break.

His celebration was anything but elegant, however, as he treated the applauding 24,855 crowd to a rendition of the “Silencer” moves made famous by NBA star Lebron James.

“The SCG, honestly, it was probably the most touching, humbling, amazing feeling out there today getting that hundred, I never expected it ... the love I’ve got out there to-

day, I’ll never forget,” said Khawaja.

Webster native Brock Lesnar claims WWE championship for sixth time

Lionel Messi tests negative for Covid

LOS ANGELES, JAN 6 (AGENCIES): Brock Lesnar is back on top of the professional wrestling world.

For the sixth time in his career, the Webster native has won the WWE championship.

While he’s long been popular with fans, he is now a good guy or “face” in pro wrestling parlance after his character was refreshed. More often in recent years, he’s been a “heel” or bad guy with a sour demeanor. But after his Saturday victory, Lesnar was all smiles and seemed happy to interact with fans.

He won the title at the WWE Day 1 event in a five-way match against Big E, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and Bobby Lashley.

Lesnar pinned Big E for the victory. Plans called for Lesnar, 44, to wrestle

He survived a scare on 28 when he got an edge on a delivery from England spinner Jack Leach but the ball evaded wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and Joe Root was unable to hold the catch at first slip.

The lefthander made the most of his reprieve, picking the moments to deploy his elegant strokes and bringing up his ninth test century with three runs through square leg just be-

Brock Lesnar captured the WWE Championship for the sixth time in his storied professional wrestling career.

Roman Reigns for the universal championship. But after Reigns tested positive for COVID-19, Lesnar was added to the WWE championship match.

Lesnar debuted in the WWE in 2002. In the years since, he has gone back and forth between pro wrestling and mixed martial arts, at which he’s also won world titles. He won the WWE world championship for the first time at

SummerSlam 2002. But he would eventually leave WWE to pursue his NFL dreams and sign with the Minnesota Vikings during the preseason in 2004. He was cut before the season began.

In 2008, he signed with UCF where he became champion and had two successful defenses.

He then wrestled in Japan before returning to the WWE in 2012.

Five-Wicket Haul

Four years to the day since he hit 171 in the last Ashes test at the SCG, Khawaja looked to be heading for a similar score when he played on to give Broad England’s first fivewicket haul of the series.

Khawaja, who hit 13 fours in his 260 ball innings, had combined with

PARIS, JAN 6 (IANS): Lionel Messi has tested negative for Covid-19 and will be back in training with the team in the coming days, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed on Wednesday.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was contaminated by the virus last week in Argentina, which forced him to have missed PSG’s 4-0 French Cup win over Vannes on January 4.

“Messi has tested negative for COVID-19. He has arrived in Paris and will rejoin the squad in the next few days,” PSG said in a statement on Wednesday.

But the club didn’t give details when will the Argentine striker back to games as the Ligue 1 frontrunners will travel to Lyon on Sunday to play their first league match after the winter break, Xinhua reports. Former Barcelona superstar has not delivered a convincing performance at the Parc des Princes, with only one goal in 11 league appearances.

Copa del Rey: Barcelona reach Round of 16 LINARES (SPAIN), JAN 6 (IANS): Barcelona began their Copa del Rey title defence with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Linares Deportivo on the road to advance to the Round of 16, here on Thursday.

Second-half goals from Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Jutgla in the 63rd and 69th minutes respectively, spared Barca’s blushes after they had struggled to create a clear chance against Linares, a rival that plays in the Primera Division (third tier of the Spanish game.)

Linares had already knocked Alaves out of the competition and looked to pressure Barca high up the field and they took the lead in the 19th minute when veteran striker Hugo Daiz headed home a cross from the right.

Barca coach Xavi Hernandez brought Dembele into the game for the start of the second half and the winger, who has yet to sign a new contract, was their best player.

He leveled the score with a left-foot shot in the 63rd minute, which Linares keeper, Brimah Razak could maybe have done better with, and helped stretch the Linares defense.

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A D E L A I D E , JA N 6 (IANS): Ace Indian tennis player Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok entered the women’s doubles semifinals of the Adelaide International tournament after beating American Shelby Rogers and Heather Watson of Great Britain, here on Thursday.

The pair of Sania and Nadiia beat their opponents 6-0, 1-6, 10-5 in a quarterfinal clash that lasted for 55 minutes. The Indo-Ukranian duo will now face Australia combination of Ashleigh Barty and Storm Sanders in the last-four round of the event.

Sania and Nadiia had earlier defeated second seeds Gabriella Dabrowski and Giuliana Olmos 1-6,

ner of the net.

Marco Asensio put Madrid back in front when his shot took a big deflection past home keeper Jorge Juan in the 76th minute and Isco took advantage of another rebound to add a third two minutes later.

Betis had few problems getting past Valladolid with a 3-0 win with goals from William Carballo, Nabil Fekir and Borja Iglesias, while Andres Martin saw Rayo Vallecano win 1-0 away to Mirandes.

Real Sociedad made hard work of their 3-2 win away to Leganes, with the

game only resolved by Mikel Oyarzabal’s secondhalf penalty, while goals in the 68th and 82nd minute from Josep Gaya and Angel Rodriguez saw Mallorca come back from a goal down to win 2-1 in Eibar.

Atletico Baleares produced the upset of the day as they beat Celta Vigo 2-1 to claim their second topflight scalp of the tournament after knocking out Getafe 5-0 in the previous round.

Manuel Mar tinez scored both goals for the home side, while Brais Mendez hit the target for Celta.

6-3, 10-8 in the first round. before the start of the AusThe Adelaide Inter- tralian Open on January 17 national is being played in Melbourne.

PWA’s 45th Open volleyball tourney at Pughoboto I M A P U R , J A N 6 yeto Wotsa encouraged wrestling meet D(NPN): The 3rd edition the players to maintain

KOHIMA, JAN 6 (NPN): Phek Wrestling Association (PWA) would organise its 45th Wrestling Meet and 2nd under 16 years wrestling meet 2022 cum Sukrenye festival 2022 at Phek village on January 15. Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, MLA, would be the inaugural guest while Heipeiding Ilunglang, BDO Phek would be valedictory guest.

of open volleyball tournament organized by Elixir Sporting Club Pughoboto got underway at Pughoboto local ground on Thursday.

Speaking at the inaugural programme as chief guest, BJYM Dimapur district general secretary & sports promoter Shi-

discipline and said every sportsperson must follow hard work.

NSACS deputy director, health & family welfare, Ainato Yeptho spoke about awareness of HIV and AIDS. Elixir sporting club Pughoboto president Bokavi Achumi gave the presidential address.

In GRatItuDE

Acknowledgement “If we live, we live for the Lord, and If we die, we die for the Lord.

Therefore whether we live or die, we belong to God” Romans 14:8

Born : 28th Oct 1972 – Died : 24th Dec 2021 We, the bereaved family members of Lt. Wabanglemla Jamir would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual who stood by us physically, financially and spiritually at her untimely demise.

Though we are unable to repay each and everyone, our special thanks to all and God bless you all abundantly.

Db-09/22

Loving husband, children & family members

Mrs. Xuheli Shohe Through this column, we would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to one and all who extended their arms of love and assistance in various forms during the illness and demise of our beloved mother Late Xuheli Shohe on 10th December 2021.

Amidst our profound grief and sorrow, you have given us your love and care and have reminded us of God’s unending love and grace.

We pray that God bless you all abundantly for your kind gestures.

DP-82/21

Loving Children, In-laws & Grand Children

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY of

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Lt. Shri T. CHERIMONG

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying.” Revelation 21:4

07-01-1979 to 07-01-2021

LOSHüLE SEMP

The Barcelona players celebrate Ousmane Dembele’s goal against Linares in the Copa del Rey.

Jutgla scored an excellent goal on the break six minutes later to put Barca ahead, but Linares were close to an equalizer when Cristian Carracedo’s curling shot bounced back off the woodwork.

Real Madrid avoided a repeat of last season’s exit to third-tier Alcoyano with a 3-1 win against the same team.

Eder Militao put Madrid ahead in the first half with a header from a corner, but Alcoyano didn’t give up and drew level in the 66th minute with Daniel Vega’s excellent shot into the cor-

Sania Mirza and Nadiia Kichenok beat their opponents 6-0, 1-6, 10-5 in a quarterfinal clash.

On this day, we lit a candle honouring and remembering your life and all the times we had been through. You came into our life as a brother, a friend, a mentor and a blessing yet, you left us too soon. Its been a year since you left us but we deeply miss and remember you every moment and specially when the gentle freezing holiday season come. Our only prayers is, May the good Lord keep You safe in His Arms.

With all our Love, Parents, Brothers, Sisters and Family Members

Died on - 27th DECEMBER 2021 The family of Late Loshüle Semp deeply expresses heartfelt gratitude and humbly acknowledges the showers of kindness and support given to us as we mourned her sad demise.

We are ever grateful to: 1. Tseminyu Village Baptist Church 2. Tseminyu Village Council 3. Semp Khel Tseminyu Village 4. Tseminyu Union Dimapur 5. Tseminyu Fellowship Dimapur 6. Rengma Baptist Church, Chumukedima 7. Rengma Public Union, Chumukedima 8. Rengma Baptist Church, Sovima 9. Blessing Prayer Home Bengwazun 10. Every individual who shared a moment of happiness with her in her life journey.

No words seem to be enough in extending our appreciation towards your unconditional sympathy of love & prayers and contribution in every field. It is our earnest prayer that our Almighty Father bless you all graciously.

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Australia’s Usman Khawaja celebrates making 100 runs against England during the second day of their Ashes cricket test match in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. (AP/PTI )

Steve Smith in a 115-run fourth wicket partnership that frustrated England’s hopes of making early inroads into the Australian batting.

Broad, who was left out of the side for the Brisbane and Melbourne tests, finally separated them when Smith edged the ball behind on 67 after lunch and then quickly dispatched all-rounder Cameron Green for five.

It was not until the hour before tea, however, that Alex Carey departed for 13, holing out in the deep off England captain Root’s spin.

Broad returned after the break to remove Pat Cummins for 24 with a fizzing delivery that the Australia skipper gloved behind.

England’s cause was not helped by an injury to all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was treated for “tightness” in his left side just before lunch with the team confirming that he would be unable to bowl for the remainder of the day. “Pleased to have had an impact, would have preferred it to be five for 30 not five for 100, there’s no doubting it was Australia’s day,” said Broad.

“But when you miss out on test matches, it makes you realize how special it is to play.”

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SYDNEY, JAN 6 (AGENCIES): Usman Khawaja celebrated his recall to the test arena after two years in the wilderness with a stylish 137 to drive Australia to a declaration on 416 for eight shortly before the close of play on the second day of the fourth Ashes test on Thursday.

Seamer Stuart Broad took 5-101 in England’s cause and openers Zak Crawley and Haseeb Hameed, both two not out, survived five torrid overs before stumps to give the tourists a small morale boost after another day of Australian dominance.

England, who will resume with 13 runs on the board, are desperate for a good showing in Sydney after suffering heavy defeats in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne to go 3-0 down in the five-match series.

The main obstruction at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday was Khawaja, who was brought into the Australia side for Travis Head after the middle order batsman tested positive for COVID-19.

Clearly relishing his latest comeback at the ground where his test career began in the 2011 Ashes test, the 35-year-old was stylish and unflappable in equal parts as he put England to the sword.

Loving Children, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren K Y M C

12

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

2nd Test: SA beat India by 7 wkts; level series Djokovic in limbo as he fights

JOHANNESBURG, JAN 6 (IANS): Dean Elgar spearheaded a record chase of 240, helping South Africa clinch a series-levelling win over India in the second Test at the Wanderers here on Thursday.

After rain washed out on-field action of the first two sessions, rain gods relented for 34 overs of play to happen. That was enough for Elgar, unbeaten on 96, to finish off the chase of 240, which is also South Africa’s highest successful chase at this venue.

South Africa’s batters batted fantastically and stitched partnerships on a tricky pitch as India’s bowlers had a rare off-day with the ball. The seven-wicket loss also meant that India’s record of not losing a Test match to South Africa at the ‘Bullring’ came to an end, just a week after the tourists breached Fortress Centurion.

The hosts’ were also helped by the fact that India conceded 11 wides, six leg-byes and one no-ball on day four.

India’s Shardul Thakur reacts to a delivery to South Africa’s Temba Bavuma at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday. (AP/PTI)

Jasprit Bumrah began the proceedings with a jaffa to square up Rassie van der Dussen. But Elgar, who took lots of body blows on day three, continued his gutsy stay at the crease by drilling Ravichandran Ashwin through left of mid-on to raise his half-century.

Bumrah and Shami got some deliveries to kick up and trouble the duo of Elgar and van der Dussen.

After van der Dussen leant into an extra cover drive off Bumrah, the ball was changed. But it did little to give India respite as van der Dussen hit Shami for successive boundaries on both sides of the wicket followed by giving the same treatment to Shardul Thakur.

Eventually, it was Shami who broke the 82run partnership off 160

balls, taking out van der Dussen with the one moving away and the righthanded batter, trying to defend and edged to Cheteshwar Pujara at first slip.

Despite losing van der Dussen, South Africa steadily marched towards the target with Elgar being rock-solid at the crease.

India almost had Temba Bavuma’s wicket if Shardul Thakur hadn’t dropped a

return catch off his own bowling.

After drinks break, Elgar continued to deal in boundaries, hitting Shami for back-to-back fours as the tension started to ease on the hosts. Temba Bavuma joined the run-making spree by driving Bumrah twice through covers.

Elgar then launched a stunning onslaught on Mohammed Siraj, smashing him for three boundaries through mid-on, point and backward point.

Bavuma’s splendid pull off Thakur over backward square leg before Elgar finished off the chase with a whip through midwicket off Ashwin to push the three-match series into a winner-takes-it-all decider at Cape Town from January 11.

Brief scores: India 202 & 266 in 60.1 overs lost to South Africa 229 and 243/3 in 67.4 overs (Dean Elgar 96 not out, Rassie van der Dussen 40; Ravichandran Ashwin 1/26, Shardul Thakur 1/47) by seven wickets.

deportation from Australia

BRISBANE, JAN 6 (AP): Novak Djokovic spent a day confined in an immigration detention hotel waiting for a court ruling and dealing with the prospect of deportation from Australia because of an issue with his visa application relating to COVID-19 vaccination regulations.

The 20-time major champion from Serbia will spend at least another night in immigration detention, probably even the weekend, with his chances of playing in this month’s Australian Open in limbo.

With his visa canceled

by Australian Border Force officials who rejected his evidence to support a medical exemption from the country’s strict COVID-19 vaccination rules, Djokovic had to trade the practice courts for the law courts on Thursday.

Djokovic has not disclosed if he is vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly ad-

Novak Djokovic

journed Djokovic’s case until Monday because of a delay in receiving the application for a review of the visa decisions and the temporary ban on his deportation. A lawyer for the government agreed the 34-year-old tennis player should not be deported before the next hearing.

Djokovic’s trip was contentious before he landed, when it emerged the conservative federal government and the leftleaning state government of Victoria had differing

views about what constituted acceptable grounds for an exemption to Australia’s vaccination policy for visitors.

After announcing on social media Tuesday that he had “exemption permission,” Djokovic landed in Melbourne late Wednesday thinking he had Victoria state approval that would shield him from the regulations requiring all players, fans and staff to be fully vaccinated to attend the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 17.

Santosh Trophy: WB, Kerala and ISL: JFC rise to third with narrow win over NEUFC Punjab drawn in same group NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): Heavyweights West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab were on Thursday drawn in same group for the upcoming 75th Santosh Trophy football tournament.

The official draw for the tournament was held here on Thursday with former India defender Gouramangi Singh assisting in the process.

Ten teams who came through the qualifiers were drawn into two groups of five each for the main event which will be held in Kerala from February 20.

“I was very pleased to know that the Hero Santosh Trophy would be taking place in Kerala as it is a footballing state,” said Gouramangi.

“It is a great initiative by the AIFF and Kerala Government and I wish the players all the best.”

Group A could easily be classified as a ‘Group of

Death’ with the likes of West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab going head-to-head along with Meghalaya and surprise package Rajasthan.

Group B sees defending champions Services paired alongside Manipur, Karnataka, Odisha and Gujarat, the latter qualifying at the expense of powerhouses Goa. The platinum jubilee edition of the tournament will be inaugurated by the competition’s two most suc-

cessful sides – West Bengal (32-time winners) and Punjab (8).

Hosts Kerala open their campaign against Rajasthan who pipped Maharashtra by a point in the west zone qualifiers.

Services begin the defence of their title against a Manipur side which knocked out Mizoram in qualifying.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.

BAMBOLIM (GOA), JAN 6 (AGENCIES): An injury-time winner from Ishan Pandita saw Jamshedpur FC secure a 3-2 win over NorthEast United in the 2021-22 Indian Super League at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim.

The result elevated Owen Coyle’s men to third place in the league table, level on points with second-placed Mumbai City FC and leaders Hyderabad FC. Deshorn Brown (4’) broke the deadlock with an early strike until Jordan Murray (44’) levelled the scores with a header. Boris Singh (56’) then sent JFC into the lead with his firstever goal in the ISL. Brown (90+1’) looked to have secured a draw with a late goal until Ishan Pandita (90+3’) scored the winner deep into injury time.

The match began with the NorthEast grabbing a hold of proceedings.

Deshorn Brown scored his fifth goal of the campaign inside the first five min-

utes. The striker was fed

by Suhair Vadakkepeedika with a penetrating pass and found himself in a one-onone situation with the goalkeeper. He calmly placed his right-footed shot in the bottom left corner for the early breakthrough goal. A few minutes later, Jordan Murray missed an open goal with a diving header, thus wasting a great chance to score the equalizer.

A few moments later, calls for a penalty were denied by the referee when Provat Lakra seemingly tripped Greg Stewart inside the box.

The forward had another chance to score the equalizer but his left-footed shot was parried away by Mirshad Michu. However, the goal finally came from Jordan Murray who leapt the highest to connect with Stewart’s free-kick and head the ball inside the net in the closing stages of the first half.

The Men of Steel carried their momentum from

Jordan Murray of Jamshedpur FC scores a goal during the ISL match at the GMC Stadium Bambolim, Goa, Thursday.

the first half into the second. Within three seconds of the restart, Murray’s shot from the right corner of the box required Michu’s intervention who made a strong save. JFC finally took the lead five minutes before the hour mark following a goal from Boris Singh. The winger latched on to a cut-back from Murray and made no

mistake in placing the ball inside an empty goal with his right foot.

Just as five minutes were added for stoppages, Brown scored his second after weaving past the goalkeeper and scoring with immense composure. A couple of minutes later, Ishan Pandita scored the winner, acting as the supersub yet again. The striker

made no mistake in finishing from close range and secured three vital points for his team.

Jamshedpur FC will now await the challenge of SC East Bengal at the Athletic Stadium on Tuesday while NorthEast United has a week’s gap before their meeting with FC Goa at the same venue on Friday.

ICC Women’s WC 2022: BCCI announces Indian squad; Jemimah Rodrigues, Shikha Pandey Snubbed

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): Star batter Jemimah Rodrigues was on Thursday dropped from the 15-member Indian women’s cricket squad announced for the ICC ODI World Cup to be held in New Zealand from March 4 to April 3.

Veteran Mithali Raj will lead the last edition’s runner-up side with Harmanpreet Kaur as her deputy. The 39-year-old Mithali has announced that she

would chalk out her retirement plans after the megaevent. The squad expectedly includes veterans Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Jhulan Goswami and the young Shafali Verma among others. However, Rodrigues and all-rounder Shikha Pandey have been ignored from due to lack of form.

A BCCI source confirmed to PTI that the two have been “dropped” on account of their form in

the ODI format. Rodrigues failed to hit the double figure mark during the last year in all the international assignments she was a part of but was in good touch during The Hundred tournament in England and the subsequent Big Bash League in Australia. Pandey was similarly off colour during her national duties. In Richa Ghosh and Taniya Bhatia, India have included two wicket-keepers for the tour, while Sabbhine-

ni Meghana, Ekta Bisht and Simran Dil Bahadur have been named as three standby players.

The same 15-member squad will also feature in a five-ODI series against New Zealand from February 11 to 24. India will open their World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Mar 6 at the Bay Oval, Tauranga before facing hosts New Zealand on Mar 10 at Hamilton, followed

by the West Indies (Mar 12, Hamilton), defending champions England (Mar 16, Tauranga), Australia (Mar 19, Auckland), Bangladesh (Mar 22, Hamilton) and South Africa (Mar 27, Christchurch).

In the last edition of the tournament in 2017, India narrowly missed out on creating history as they lost by nine runs to hosts England in the title clash.

In a meeting held on

Wednesday, the All India Women’s Selection Committee also named a 16-member squad to be led

by Harmanpreet Kaur for the lone T20 International against New Zealand to be played on February 9 before the ODIs. The one-off T20 and the first ODI against New Zealand will be hosted

by Napier, followed by remaining 50-over games in Nelson on February 14 and 16, and Queenstown on

February 22 and 24.

The Squads: ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 & New Zealand ODIs: Mithali Raj (C), Harmanpreet Kaur (VC), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sneh Rana, Jhulan Goswami, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh Thakur, Taniya Bhatia (WK), Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav.

Standby Players:

Sabbhineni Meghana, Ekta Bisht, Simran Dil Bahadur.

One-off T20I against New Zealand: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh Thakur, Taniya Bhatia (WK), Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht, Sabbhineni Meghna, Simran Dil Bahadur.

Rafael Nadal wins opening match M E L B O U R N E , JA N 6 (AP): Rafael Nadal began fine-tuning his quest for a 21st Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Ricardas Berankis 6-2, 7-5 on Thursday in a warm-up tournament at Melbourne Park.

Nadal, recovering from the coronavirus, showed no signs of sluggishness on Rod Laver Arena, although he was broken early in the second set and again when he served for the match. “It’s only the first match after a while. Honestly, I have been going through some difficult, challenging moments the past year-and-ahalf,” Nadal said, “but in general terms I am super happy to be back in competition.

“Of course it’s important to start with a victory, (which) gives me the chance to play another time tomorrow, and that’s the main thing at this moment because I didn’t play

Rafael Nadal

for such a long time.”

Earlier, former French Open champion Iga Swiatek advanced to the Adelaide International quarterfinals with a surprisingly easy 6-1, 6-2 win over 2021 U.S. Open runnerup Leylah Fernandez.

The fifth-seeded Swiatek joined top-ranked Ash Barty in the last eight and will play two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka, who beat Priscilla Hon 6-3, 7-5. Barty will play the winner of Thursday night’s match between her fellow Australian Ajla Tomljaovic and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.

Seventh-seeded Elina Rybakina and American Shelby Rogers, who beat No. 3 seed Maria Sakkari, have already set up a quarterfinal match.

The other last-eight matchup will feature Kaja Juvan, who upset No. 2-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the second round, against Misaki Doi or Anastasia Gasanova.

“I felt really confident,” Swiatek said. “And I’m pretty happy that I could finish it really quickly and I didn’t let go of focus.” The Adelaide and Melbourne tournaments are two of six tune-up events being staged in Australia this week ahead of the seasonopening major at Melbourne Park starting Jan. 17.

In the WTA 500 tournament being played at Melbourne, second-seeded and two-time Grand Slam singles champion Simona Halep beat Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals.

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