16 Feb 2022

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Vol XXXII No. 71

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 71

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Russia withdraws some troops from Ukrainian border

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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 8

State govt relaxes Covid-19 restrictions

DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): After the highpowered committee on COVID-19 reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the State at its meeting with members of state level war room and health department on February 15, 2022, the state government has relaxed certain activities throughout the State with immediate effect till February 28, 2022.

In an order, the state chief secretary J Alam notified that the night curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the State would stand lifted from February 16, 2022.

The government also directed all to adhere to the restrictions and guidelines aimed for preventing spread of COVID-19 with focus on vaccination, adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour (CAB) and compulsory wearing of face mask in public places.

Offline classes: The government has permitted offline classes for students studying in pre-primary classes from March 1, 2022

Former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar quits Cong

Ashwani Kumar (File)

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): Former Law Mini s t e r A s h wa n i Ku m a r Tuesday resigned from the Congress after a 46-year association, the latest leader to quit due to dissatisfaction with the party leadership.

Kumar sent his resignation to Congress President Sonia Gandhi this morning, saying he can best serve national causes outside the party fold.

Kumar leaves in the midst of assembly polls in five states and ahead of the February 20 election in Punjab, the state he represented in Rajya Sabha twice earlier.

"Having given my thoughtful consideration to the matter, I have concluded that in the present circumstances and consistent with my dignity, I can best subserve larger national causes outside the party fold," Kumar said in his resignation letter.

Kuma told PTI that the Congress party had lost touch with the ground reality and no longer reflected the national mood.

This is it!

“No opposition, no fear.

Now,we're free to do as we please.”

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HIGHLIGHTS

 Night curfew to be lifted from today  Offline classes for pre-primary from March 1, 2022  Public gatherings allowed up to 100% capacity subject to 50% attendance and parental consent of the student concerned and further subject to the fulfilment of all the conditions and SOP to be issued by the home department.

The requirement for carrying a negative COVID-19 test report for persons above 12 years of age, including those fully vaccinated, entering the State stands withdrawn.

Public, social gatherings: The order stated that social, cultural, sports,

political, religious, entertainment, academic functions, and all other kinds of public gatherings outside containment zones beyond 50% and up to 100% capacity, both indoors and outdoors, was allowed subject to all the participants being asymptomatic, and fully vaccinated (taken both the doses), and further subject to observance of CAB and all relevant SOPs. Shopping: Malls/ shopping complexes/restaurants, cinema halls/theatres, parks, places of entertainment and recreation areas has been allowed to open/ operate beyond 50% and up to 100% capacity, subject to all the visitors/staff and all others concerned being asymptomatic, and fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) and further subject to observance of CAB and all relevant SOPs. Transport services: Bus service, inter-district bus service/taxi and other public transportation have been allowed to operate

beyond 50% and up to 100% capacity, subject to drivers, attendants and passengers being asymptomatic and fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

However, if the aforesaid criteria was not fulfilled, then the driver(s)/ attendant(s)/Passenger(s) should carry a COVID-19 negative test report taken through either RT-PCR/ TrueNat or CBNAAT with the swab taken for testing not earlier than 72 hours from the date of travel, and further subject to adherence to CAB and observance of all the relevant SOPs. H&FW advisor y: Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Department has urged the people to continue following Covid-appropriate behaviours like wearing face masks, washing hands, watching distance, avoiding crowded spaces, close contact settings and closed spaces, and getting vaccinated when the turn came.

In an advisory issued in the wake of lifting of

`23,000 cr loan fraud: CBI issues lookout circulars against ABG Shipyard bosses NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): Lookout circulars have been issued against the bosses and senior executives of ABG Shipyard in a Rs.23,000 crore alleged bank fraud case. A lookout circular is used to stop any person wanted by the law enforcement authorities from leaving the country via airports and border crossings.

The Directors of the shipping firm include Rishi Agarwal, Santhanam Muthuswamy and Ashwini Kumar. The case is said to be India's biggest bank loan scam. ABG Shipyard defaulted on Rs.22,842 crore loans that it owed to 28 banks including State Bank of India, the Central Bureau of Investigation, or CBI, says.

ABG Shipyard diverted the funds to at least 98 re-

lated companies, sources have told NDTV. ABG Shipyard is the flagship company of the ABG Group which is engaged in shipbuilding and ship repair. The shipyards are located in Dahej and Surat in Gujarat.

The latest lookout circular in the ABG Shipyard case adds to a long list of similar cases in the country, from the Punjab National Bank fraud involving businessmen Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi to the defunct Kingfisher Airlines' boss Vijay Mallya's bank loan default. All of them are fighting extradition to India.

“In between April 2019 and March 2020, various banks of the consortium declared the account of ABG Shipyard as fraud.

The fraud is primarily on account of huge transfer by

ABG Shipyard to its related parties and subsequently making adjustment entries,” the CBI said in a statement.

“The huge investments were made in its overseas subsidiary by diverting the bank loans. Funds were diverted to purchase huge assets in the name of its related parties. During the perusal of records and initial investigation, it is seen that the critical period was 20052012,” the CBI said.

The CBI said withdrawal of “general consent” by state governments has made filing bank fraud cases more challenging. “There are some 100 high-value bank fraud cases that could not be registered due to nonaccordance of specific consent... by state governments where the general consent has been withdrawn,” the CBI said in the statement.

restrictions in gatherings, public spaces, night curfew, etc, following a fall in positivity rate and hospitalisation currently witnessed, H&FW principal director Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao also stressed on vaccination as there was ample evidence world over that vaccination decreased severity and outcome of Covid-19 infection.

State logs 39 fresh Covid cases, 1 death Nagaland on Tuesday recorded 39 fresh Covid-19 positive cases while one more patient succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours. Of the fresh cases, 14 were from Kohima, 13 in Dimapur, six in Tuensang, two each in Mokokchung and Peren and one each in Mon and Wokha, taking the total caseload to 35274.

With one more patient succumbing to Covid in Dimapur, the death toll rose to 753 (including 4 non-Covid deaths but with positivity).

Active COVID-19 cases in country decline to 4,23,127 NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): New COVID-19 cases in India were recorded below 30,000 after 44 days, taking the virus tally to 4,26,92,943, while the active cases dipped to 4,23,127, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

The death toll climbed to 5,09,358 with 347 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The daily COVID-19 cases have been recorded less than one lakh for nine consecuitive days.

The active cases comprise 0.99 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has further improved to 97.82 per cent, the ministry said. A reduction of 55,755 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

Winter Games: Su wins gold; Boe gets 4th gold SPORTS, PAGE 10

GoI, Army have admitted their mistakes on Oting killing: Rio PHEK, FEB 15 (PTI): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has reiterated that the Oting incident in December last year, where army personnel fired, killing 14 civilians in a case of mistaken identity, was “most unfortunate”.

He said, “For the first time, the Government of India and the Army have admitted their mistakes and there is a public hue and cry, for repeal of AFSPA”.

Addressing a mammoth gathering during the inaugural session of the Platinum Jubilee celebration of Chakhesang Students' Union (CSU), an apex body of Phek district, he said Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which grants extrajudicial powers of arrest to the armed forces, was introduced in the state in 1958, to combat Naga insurgency.

“Even if AFSPA cannot be repealed from the whole country, we are demanding it should be lifted from Nagaland, except the

Neiphiu Rio (Twitter)

international border and interstate boundaries” he said.

The chief minister also said that the Centre is willing to more seats in Parliament and in the State Assembly to resolve the decades-old Naga political issue. Rio said the Central government and the Naga nationalist groups are willing to give more seats to Nagaland in both houses of Parliament.

Rio said “Nagas need to start anew as one family with no hurt burning against one another or deceiving one another to create disharmony in the society,” he said. The four times Chief Minister and one time Lok

Sabha MP added that the Naga negotiation parties and the Government of India are prepared to give more Lok Sabha seats, more Rajya Sabha seats, more MLA seats to Nagaland.

Only when all these political spaces for the people are created to participate, justice and peace can prevail in Nagaland, he said.

“Unless there is a settlement and solution to the Naga issue there is no perfect peace in our land ... in the process we got a statehood and through this statehood we are surviving and somehow have been progressing,” said Rio. Expounding on settlement, Rio said there is so much injustice in Naga society- from the government, to the leaders, to the communities and there is a need to rearrange the whole state and also change the mindset of the people to become a better society and survive as a people.

(Cont’d on p-6)

Make Tiru police station ‘fully operational’ by Mar 15: KU to govt DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Konyak Union (KU), which had served a five-day ultimatum on the state government to immediately activate Tiru police station on December 14, 2021 and subsequent press statement on December 28, 2021 expressing dismay at the state government for being non-responsive to its demand, has set a fresh deadline of March 15, 2022 to start the Tiru police station “fully operational”.

KU through its media cell also stated that the responsible authority must initiate a deal with the concerned landowner with a written assurance in regard to land compensation issues, which should be settled on or before March 15, 2022.

Questioning home minister over “un-engi-

neered” execution of the construction work of the police station at Tiru, noncompletion of the construction works within stipulated time frame and non-payment of land compensation to the landowners till date, the KU said that “such manipulation or negligence” from the authority concerned cannot be tolerated in a civilized society.

In this regard, KU has urged the home minister to immediately set up an enquiry team and immediately bring the defaulters to book and deliver justice to the deprived citizens of the area on or before March 15, 2022.

Expressing its resentment over non-fulfilment of its demand, the KU has, however, expressed hope that the state govern-

ment and the concerned department would deliver justice within the stipulated period. In the event of nonfulfillment of its demand, the KU declared that it would “proceed for any action” for which the concerned authority would be held fully responsible.

Further, KU said it was shocked as to why the state government and home department kept such issues in abeyance when the entire world was crying upon the fatal incident of December 4 & 5, 2021. KU said both the state government and the home department “must retrospect and understand that they are also partially responsible for Oting massacre incident where 14 innocent Konyak youths were murdered mercilessly.”

Victory for student community: Pochury CSOs RPP on appts of NSSB officials reiterate demand DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Rising People’s Party (RPP) has termed the appointment of Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) chairman and secretary on Monday as a victory for the student community.

Narrating the genesis of the issue, the party in a press release recalled that ACAUT had raised the matter with the State government in 2016. Later, PSAN continued the struggle, before NSF had prevailed upon the Neiphiu Rio government in 2020 to set up the body.

Thus, on July 20, 2020 the government issued a notification constituting NSSB for recruitment of Group-C posts in departments, it added.

Unfortunately, even almost after a year of the notification, NSSB remained non-functional. Rather, RPP said the State government had issued a contrary notification on July 16, 2021 stating that 1,576 vacant posts in 76 departments, among other things, should

be filled up through departmental exams.

The party said the July 16 notification violated the letter and spirit of NSSB notification, periling the career of thousands of hardworking and sincere students hoping for an end to the backdoor era.

Since the State government back-tracked on its commitment to operationalise NSSB, RPP mentioned that it had knocked on the doors of Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench and filed a public interest litigation (PIL) through its counsel Neiteo Koza. Thereafter, on September 1, 2021, judges Songkhupchung Serto and S Hukato admitted the PIL and suspended the July 16 notification “till the returnable date.” Later, judge Kakheto Sema dwelt on the case as well, the release added.

Meanwhile, even s pressure was piling on the State government from different quarters, NSF had on September 3, 2021 threat(Cont’d on p-6) ened

for Meluri district

DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Pochury civil society organizations, in continuation of its memorandum submitted on October 21, 2021 for upgradation of Meluri sub-division to a full-fledged district headquarter, have once again appealed to the chief minister to fulfil the desire and aspiration of the Pochury people.

In another memorandum submitted to the chief minister through ADC Meluri-- jointly signed by presidents of Pochury Hoho, Pochury Mothers’ Association, Pochury Gazetted Officers’ Forum, Pochury GB’s union, Pochury Sports Association and Pochury Institute of Literature, they pointed out that Meluri headquarter was one of the oldest sub-division, established as ‘chairman bench court’ in 1958 till it was upgraded as Additional Deputy Commissioner sub-division in 2008.

Till date, the signatories said that Pochury was the only tribe that does not have a district of its own in spite of fulfilling all criteria to become a full-fledged district.

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nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Will a war break out between Russia and Ukraine?

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

A B C

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A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

28% 58% 14%

artificial factors pushing up prices of commodities?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST FEBRUARY 16

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sunshine

27 10

Nice with plenty of sunshine

Guwahati Plenty of sunshine

Nice with plenty of sunshine

23 6 27 11 26 3

Itanagar Sunny and pleasant

23 11

Shillong

Abundant sunshine

18 5

Kohima

Plenty of sunshine

20 6

Dimapur Beautiful with plenty of sun

Sunny and pleasant

Mkg

26 11 23 9

Tuensang Sunny and cooler

14 3

Sunny and cooler

19 11

Wokha

NSDMA informs on statewide mock drill exercise

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NEXT POLL

Imphal

the principal, vice-principal, faculty members, students and NCC wing.

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Q: Is the govt aware of

Aizawl

NSDMA conducts joint mock drill exercise in Dimapur

Zunheboto Plenty of sunshine

19 6

SDRF personnel carrying out a mock rescue drill on Tuesday. (NP) Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): As a preparedness measure to respond to any emergency, the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home department conducted a joint mock drill exercise at Dimapur Government College (DGC) and Pantaloons shopping mall, here on Tuesday.

The mock exercise was conducted simulating an earthquake scenario measuring 8.7 magnitude. During the drill, activities such as drop, cover and hold, execute evacuation plan, no hazardous materials on site, rescuing of injured were carried out by the rescue team. The strike

teams included personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) and health department. The team at DGC was led by NDRF unit commander where the NDRF, F&ES and medical team were involved.

Meanwhile at pantaloons shopping mall, the mock drill exercise was led by unit commander SDRF and medical team. At DGC, deputy commissioner (DC), Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan who is also the chairman of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) was present to oversee the mock drill. The mock drill exercise was saw participation from

Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home department has informed that it would be conducting mock drill exercises in all the districts of the state.

In a press release, NSDMA, Home department, Jt. chief executive officer, Johnny Ruangmei informed that the mock exercises were being conducted simulating an earthquake scenario and was done as a preparedness measure. The mock exercise would be carried out in a phase-wise manner beginning from February 14 in Dimapur district and would culminate on April 20 in Zunheboto district. In this regard, the public has been requested not to panic at the sound of sirens but cooperate for smooth conduct of the exercise. The mock exercise would be conducted by responsible District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) along with all stakeholders including SDRF (HG&CD), NDRF and other line departments of the districts.

WSBAK holds bicycle rally to mark platinum jubilee Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): More than 700 cyclists actively participated in the bicycle rally organised by Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) here, Tuesday.

The rally was organised to commemorate WSBAK platinum jubilee on

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the theme “pedaling miles for peace and back to bicycle”.

While interacting with the media, WSBAK executive secretary, Rev. Dr. Phughoto Sema said that in commemoration of WSBAK platinum jubilee 2022, they would be organising a series of events even in the coming days.

Speaking on the objective of the rally, Rev. Dr. Phughoto said it was organised to promote cycling as an environmental-friendly means of transport as it played a role in protecting the environment while also advocating a healthier lifestyle through cycling.

He informed that in the month of April, WS-

NEWS IN BRIEF School education informs: Directorate of School Education has notified all private schools of the state under elementary sector that application formats for recognition, upgradation and renewal of recognition have been uploaded on the department’s website at https://education. nagaland.gov.in. The format would be available from the date of issue of this notification till March 15. Any school wishing to apply may download the required format and submit it to the department at the stipulated time.

DC Peren convenes meeting: Deputy commissioner & chairman DDMA Peren, Sentiwapang Aier has informed all concerned heads of offices that there a table top exercise would be held on February 17, 11 am at ADC office, Jalukie, to discuss matters relating to the upcoming mock exercise scheduled to be held on February 18.

DC has requested all concerned to attend the meeting.

Trg of teachers of financial literacy: Nagaland Board of School Education has informed that the board in collaboration with NSE Academy Limited would be conducting training for teachers of financial literacy course on February 23 (class IX) and February 24 (class X).

The training would be held on CISCO Webex platform from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Heads of institutions offering financial literacy course have been asked to depute teacher(s) who would be teaching the subject on respective dates to attend the training. Link and password would be shared in the NBSE financial literacy WhatsApp group later.

One dead in freak accident: In a delayed report, one person was reportedly killed in a freak accident on February 12 at Shothumi village under Seyochung town, Kiphire district. A DIPR report quoting Shothumi village council chairman, Tozuyi Kiba and head GB Khehovi stated that one person identified as Kavito from Shothumi village was killed while cutting a tree. The report stated that the wind knocked off the branch he was cutting and killed him.

Sümi Hoho to conduct fasting prog: Sümi Hoho has informed that a “fasting and prayer programme-cum-executive meeting” would be conducted on February 18, 7 a.m. at Sümi Hoho Ki, Zunheboto. All the presidents of the Sümi frontal organisations and executive members of the Sümi Hoho have been asked to attend the “important” meeting.

Akato-led NSCN greets: Akato-led NSCN has extended warm Milei Ngi festival greetings to the members of Zeliang community. The group through its MIP hoped that with the enthusiasm that the festival brought, it would also bring about strong bond between Nagas and to step together into the future in solidarity and unity.

Distribution of PPE kits in Wokha: To help in the fight of the third wave of COVID-19, Wokha district administration and DLCW-MSK under the aegis of BBBP handed PPE kits to Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha on February 14. The PPE kits were handed over to medical superintendent by SDO (C), Selemla S. Sangtam.

Nagaland BJP legislators Y. Patton, Jacob Zhimomi, Mmhonlumo Kikon and Tovihoto Ayemi along with BJP leaders during the public interaction programme in Ukhrul district, Manipur.

E&S deptt’s 3-day training programme begins DIMAPUR: A three-day training programme on office procedure, civil registration system and accounts matter organised by the directorate of Economics & Statistics (E&S) got underway on February 15.

The training programme was inaugurated by director of Economics & Statistics, Neidilhou Angami A press release from the department informed that in his inaugural address, Neidilhou said that the training was an effective way of learning new things and was a stepping stone to success for any activities.

He encouraged the participants to be attentive

Participants along with resource persons at the training programme on Tuesday. in order to enhance their knowledge and capabilities which would help in their official performance.

During the inaugural programme, the director also handed a certificate of appreciation to the statistics department, Kohima Science Col-

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

lege (Autonomous) Jotsoma, for imparting training to the officers and staff under Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) during 2020-21 and 2021-22. Resource person on office procedure are under secretary to the government of Nagaland, E&S depart-

ment, Rhonthungo Andreas.

The programme was chaired

by E&S officer David Khutso.

Altogether, 88 participants from the directorate and the district E&S offices are attending the training which would culminate on February 17.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We a r e h u m b l e d and eternally grateful to everyone who was a part of her life. She was courageous till the very end because of your prayers, love and support. We know that every act of kindness you showed was etched in her heart forever.

In you, we have gained a bigger family late tokhushumi and this we know, bring wife of late nramo yanthan 7th nov 1947 – 16th Jan 2022 her enormous joy.

Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

Lamentations 3:32

The Lord in my shepherd, I shall not want.

Psalm 23.1

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DIMAPUR: Office of the CEO Nagaland has informed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a national voter awareness contest “my vote is my future- power of one vote” on the occasion of National Voters’ Day 2022.

In a press release, joint chief electoral officer, Ruokuovituo Khezhie informed that the national voter awareness contest by ECI’s Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme taps into the talent and creativity of people while also strengthening democracy through their active involvement. The contest which is schedules from January 25-March 15 would be accessible to all age groups and aims to celebrate ideas and content curated on the theme of the importance of every single vote in democracy through crowdsourcing, the release informed.

The contest would be conducted under the following categories: quiz, slogan, song, video making and poster design on the theme “My Vote is My Future: Power of One Vote” and participant may go through detailed guidelines, terms & conditions on the contest website at https://ecisveep.nic.in/ contest. Participants may email entries along with details to voter- contest@ eci.gov.in. The name of the <contest> and <category> for which the participant would be applying should be clearly mentioned in the subject of the email. To participate in the quiz contest, participants may register on the contest website.

Further, it informed that all entries may be submitted by March 15 to voter- contest@eci.gov.in along with details of the participants.

Cyclists participating at the WSBAK bicycle rally on Tuesday. (NP)

Loving Children, Grandchildren, In-laws and Relatives

In eternAl memory of our most beloved

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CEO Nagaland informs on voter awareness contest

BAK would be organising a bike rally while on November 14, the organisation would be celebrating Ahuna festival for the whole western Sumi in Dimapur.

The culmination programme of the platinum jubilee would be held on December 11, 2022.

Earlier, the rally was flagged off by Sumi Baptist Akukuhou (SBA) Chumukedima pastor, Rev. Kakheto at Sumi Baptist Church, Chümoukedima.

A total of 250 bicycles along with t-shirts were donated by WSBAK to all the participants.

The rally culminated at Purana Bazar Sumi Baptist Akukuhou East Dimapur.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

keneikielie Peseyie 22-11-1965 to 16-02-2021

Acknowledgement

11.02.1995 – 11.02.2022

“Sad are the hearts that loves you, Silent are the tears that fall God broke our heart to proves us He only takes the best.”

We the bereaved family of our beloved Lt. ALEZO KERETSü would like to express our profound gratitude to each individuals and organizations for your love, support and presence during his prolonged illness and sad demise on 10th of February 2022.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. Christian Revival Church Kohima Village 2. Christian Youth Endeavour CRCKV 3. Neighbours 4. Northern Angami Public Organization Loving Family & Relatives K-311/22

On this day, a year ago, God chose to call you home, And your death has left a homesick in us.

Nevertheless, we know this is all a part of Gods plan.

You saw us, your children take our first breathe and we saw you take your last.

Memories of you, we hold as dearly We have not heard your voice in a long while now, But our hearts hold conversations with you each day.

We miss you Continue to Guide us from above K-292/22

Loving wife and children

We the bereaved family members of Lt. SANI MANIHRA express our profound gratitude to each and every individual and well-wisher who stood with us through prayers, physically, materially & financially at the sad demise of our beloved daughter and sister who passed away on the 11th Feb 2022. We would also specially like to acknowledge all those who have accompanied her to civil hospital and also those who have helped in bringing her to Mao. We deeply regret our inability to thank each and every one individually, but it is our ardent prayer to Almighty God that you be richly blessed. db-xxx/22

Loving Family Members K

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Agriculture department holds meeting Trg on artificial insemination KHARIF PREPAREDNESS SHOULD BE WORKED OUT SERIOUSLY TO MITIGATE EVENTUALITIES: YANTHAN

Officers and staff of the department after the coordination meeting on Tuesday.

KOHIMA: A coordination meeting of agriculture department officers was held on Tuesday, in the conference hall of the directorate of Agriculture, Kohima.

Addressing the inaugural session, director of agriculture, M. Ben Yanthan said that the last few seasons had not been easy for the state’s farmers due to the pandemic, drought-like situation and pest and disease incidences, the worst being Fall Armyworm (FAW) in maize since May 2019.

He said that despite the pandemic, the department had been at the forefront in the development of agriculture in the state.

With added challenges of creating employment op-

portunities for post-COVID returnees and urban to rural migration, the department is continuously giving extra effort in effective implementation of various centrally & state sponsored schemes, Yanthan informed. He informed that the state government had declared drought of moderate nature w.e.f., September 15, 2021 which continued for 5/6 months.

Adding that the worst was not over as the Kharif season approaches, the director said that the state was experiencing unprecedented rain, hailstorms and extreme cold all over the state since January which would equally affect crop seasons and its agronomic practices.

He therefore said that

Kharif preparedness had to be worked out seriously by all the stakeholders to mitigate any eventualities.

Yanthan said that while taking advantage of the recently established soil testing laboratories by the Soil & Water Conservation department and the Automatic Weather Forecasting Stations installed, the beneficial usages may be disseminated to the farmers under agriculture advisories to prepare them for various agricultural operations and control measures against pest & diseases anticipated.

He suggested that ATMA personnel be roped in to organise need-based pre-Kharif awareness campaigns at the block or farm

school level with technical trainings on specific crops.

Ben Yanthan also said that today at national level, much emphasis was given on organic agriculture and that Nagaland had this advantage.

In this regard, he said that the wide gap needs to be bridged between FPOs/ FPCS (organic farmers) and farm women, SHGs by encouraging post production and value chain market linkages through direct intervention of NSAMB Agri-Expo, Dimapur.

Stating that small efforts were done with king chili, ginger, turmeric, large cardamom, kiwi and pineapple products being exported, he also said that this should lead to bigger consignments and larger shipment orders from both domestic and foreign buyers. e-Agriculture through application of IT tools can be an added advantage, particularly the mobile apps to disseminate technologies/advisories to users and ICT application to find end to end solution for solving farmer’s problems, he stated.

Further, Yanthan said that one serious challenge

the department was facing, was to make agriculture attractive to rural communities especially rural youths and educated unemployed to gradually halt rural to urban migrations as mechanization coupled with modern farming techniques including value addition with marketing linkages.

He said that this would “surely open up vistas of opportunity towards this challenge”.

At the inaugural session, preparedness for Kharif 2022 and various schemes on RKVY, NFSM, ATMA, PMKSY, etc, were discussed in the meeting.

During the second session, JDA, N. Jacob Yanthan presented PowerPoint on departmental activities, IPM and overview field application and field photos.

Meanwhile, seed testing certification and INM rainfed farming was presented by JDA, Dr. I Amenla, manures and fertilizers and natural and organic production aspect by Dr. James K Chawang DDA and organic section.

Earlier, the meeting was chaired by additional director of Agriculture, C. Peter Yanthan.

in pigs conducted at Jalukie

CVS&AH officials and others releasing the manual on artificial insemination in pigs.

DIMAPUR: A three-day training on “artificial insemination in pigs” for Veterinary Field Assistant (VFA) was inaugurated at College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (CVS&AH), Jalukie, under Peren district on February 14.

In a press release, nodal officer, public relation and media management, CVS&AH, Dr. Imtiwati informed that during the inaugural programme, dean Dr. A.K. Sangwan encour-

aged the participants to put more emphasis on technological intervention in piggery sector to reduce cost of production.

M e a n w h i l e, c h i e f guest, director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Dr. Budhi Lama stressed on artificial insemination in pigs which he said was the need of the hour in order to mitigate acute shortage of quality germplasm in the state.

Later, a training manu-

al on artificial insemination in pigs was also released.

It may be mentioned that the training is coordinated by assistant professor, department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Dr. Tukheswar Chutia and organised by the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, CAU, Jalukie, Nagaland Altogether, nine VFA from various districts in the state participated at the training programme.

Release State Press Accreditation LFIC introduces National Service Scheme pending salary: Committee holds meeting in Kohima ANHTU Mon unit

CS, J Alam addressing the meeting on Tuesday. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: State Press Accreditation Committee held a meeting at chief secretary’s conference hall, Kohima on Tuesday to take up new applicants for press accreditation and other related issues. The meeting was attended by the Committee members and officials from the Department of Information & Public Relations.

Chairing the meeting, chief secretary J Alam ex-

tended greetings to representatives from media houses and press clubs and called on the Department of Information & Public Relations to review the Press Accreditation Rules and amend them, wherever necessary, in a comprehensive manner.

The committee discussed the rules and procedures for accreditation, including eligibility criteria and performance of the

Naga national restoration & renewal summit from Feb 25 KOHIMA: Shisha Hoho Prayer Warriors has informed that it would be organising “Naga national restoration & renewal summit” from February 25-27 at Naga Shisha Hoho Prayer Centre, Prüzie, Kohima.

A press release from organising committee, Rev. Puduhü Khusoh informed that the summit was organised in order to “bring unity among the Nagas and the need for restoration and renewal to bring Nagas as one body.”

The summit on the theme “Turn us back to you, O Lord, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old” (Lamentation 5:21) would be held He said that Nagas had been divided into different parts and unless they were united, Nagas would “face difficulties in the coming months”.

The programme was organised to bring together all the Naga political groups, public leaders and frontal organisations “to ask God for forgiveness and hear the calling of the God’s plan for the Nagas.”

In this regard, the organising committee have invited leaders of Naga national workers, political groups, NGOs, tribal leaders including the Naga Mother Association, Naga Tribe Council, Naga Hoho, ENPO, ENMA, NSF, ENSF, NPMHR, Naga GBs’ Association, UNC, MWUM, FNR etc to attend the summit.

For more information, one could contact the organising committee at 9436071614, 811925318, 6009807340.

applicants, etc. New applications were taken up whereby the concerned department was entrusted to look into certain issues that were found to be wanting in the applications.

The meeting also deliberated on Nagaland Journalists Welfare Fund, reviewing of the accredited journalists’ list, digital and electronic media, etc. This was in a stated press release.

DIMAPUR: All Nagaland Hindi Teachers Union (ANHTU) Mon unit has appealed to the state government and the responsible department to release three-month pending salaries i.e., November, December and January 2022, along with arrear by February 20, 2022.

In a press release, ANHTU Mon unit president S. Topha Konyak and general secretary Nokzei Konyak stated that the unit was dismayed over the state government and the responsible department for the “irregularities of salaries” of Hindi teachers appointed in the year 20122015.

ANHTU Mon unit said that they could not continue their tasks “with empty stomach” and in times like this, their burden had “doubled” as they had to “take care of their children’s admissions.”

Further, it war ned that the aggrieved teachers would not be held responsible if any unwanted situation arose.

Students and faculty members of the college along with state NSS officer, Zeneikho-o Pfukha on Tuesday.

DIMAPUR: Livingstone Foundation International College (LFIC) introduced the National Service Scheme (NSS) on Tuesday through state NSS officer, NSS Cell, department of Youth Resources and Sports, Zeneikho-o Pfukha.

A press release from the college informed that

during his visit, Zeneikho-o informed the students what NSS was, its objectives, aims and benefits.

He said NSS in India began in 1969 and was sponsored by the centre, conducted by department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The NSS officer informed that scheme was a

Musik-A Festival from Feb 18-20 ASSTOAD holds meeting;

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR FEB 15 (NPN): Musik-A team would be organising the Musik-A festival from February 18-20 at Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, 6th mile, Sovima.

Announcing this to the media at a press conference here, Tuesday at Nagaland coffee, Dimapur, Alobo Naga informed that the festival was scheduled to be held in the month of December 2021, however due to the Oting incident, the festival was postponed expressing solidarity to the innocent civilians. He said that with the COVID situation, they could not organise the event in the month of January but with reopening of schools, the organizer decided to hold the event this month following mandatory SOPs. On the change of the sequence of the festival, Alobo informed that the first day would feature state’s first Comedy Festival with Hopong Naga, Aseno Ayemi, Hobi Tsang, Sunep Lemtur, Mr Smile and Inglish Maker.

Alobo informed that advisor, Ur-

ban Development & Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie ‘Nicky’ Kire would grace the inaugural programme.

The second day would feature dance battles, beatbox battles, “battle of the bands”, performances from a number of artistes and “showdown” between G’Nei and Moko Koza where Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) advisor Theja Meru would grace the occasion as special guest.

On the culmination night, the festival would host “girl power night, presenting various female artist presenting International EDM Nite with DJ Ankita Arya as headlining act. The event would be graced by Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) women organisation president, Vikali Zhimomi. During the festival, various food stalls would also be set up along with gift hampers.

In this regard, the organisers have invited all to be part of the event and to support the artists and entrepreneurs.

Entry fee for the event would be Rs. 250 per person and the gate would open 3:30 p.m. onwards.

adopts resolutions

DIMAPUR: Assam Sand Suppliers and Truck Owners Association Dimapur (ASSTOAD) held a meeting at its office, 5th mile Dimapur on February 13 and adopted a three-point resolution.

In a press release, ASSTOAD public grievances cell informed that the house resolved to “expel” its vice president Nito Nandan Sema from the association and from the post of vice president for “unconstitutional, unethical and unwarranted practice for self-gain” on February 6, 2022.

The house unanimously accepted the resignation handed over by its finance secretary Deon Swu with immediate effect.

The association has informed the general public in Nagaland and Assam not to entertain the said persons in the name of the association.

It also warned that anyone dealing with the said persons would be doing so at their own risk and liability.

Further, ASSTOAD Faculty members of Nito Theological college (NTC), Nito Mount, Zunheboto, with Dr. H.S Rotokha on Tuesday, after the inaugural programme of “Dr. informed that if the said persons were found conH.S Rotokha room” donated by Dr. H.S Rotokha to the college.

ducting acts in the name of the association or if any individual or organisation was found carrying out malpractices or mixing of sand, such may be brought to the notice of the association.

voluntary program where young people from colleges, universities and also +2 level worked towards creating a campus-community linkage.

The aim behind the programme is to provide help to everyone, enhance and bring a better change in the standard of living and

the way they lead their life with dignity, he stated.

He encouraged the students to take NSS as it helped students develop leadership skills and gain knowledge about different people from different walks of life.

The programme was attended by all the students.

Wanted

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well versed with MS-Word, Excel, InDesign, Photoshop, PageMaker and Corel Draw For a reputed organization in Dimapur.

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4

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post VOL. XXXII NO. 71 DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Offenders and vote banks

W

hen courts granted bails to convicted rape and murder accused and self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Haryana on February 7 and Lakhimpur Kheri-accused Ashish Mishra, son of union minister Ajay Mishra Teni on February 10, these high-profile cases only served to heighten speculations that the BJP was leaving nothing to chance in order to woo votes in Punjab and UP. Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the self-styled godman was convicted on September 2,2017 for the murder of his manager in 2002 and for the death of a journalist including a 20-year sentence on two counts of rape in a 2002 case. On February 10, the Allahabad High Court had granted bail to Ashish Mishra, son of union minister Ajay Mishra Teni who has been in jail since October 10, 2021. Eight people, including four farmers protesting against the Centre’s contentious agricultural laws, were killed in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri in October 2021, after being run over by a convoy of cars. Ashish Mishra, whose SUV car was part of the convoy, had been arrested on murder charges. Even as both accused persons (Gurmeet and Mishra) were being the benefits from the courts, agitated farmers have called the bail to Lakhimpur Kheriaccused Ashish Mishra “lamentable”. Protests sprung up in Punjab and parts of Uttar Pradesh on February 12, 2022 following bail and furlough orders to Lakhimpur Kheri massacre accused Ashish Mishra and Dera Saccha Sauda’s (DSS) Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Farmers condemned the 21-day furlough of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh convicted for the sexual assault of Sadhvis and the murder of a local journalist and Dera follower. Leaders and experts claimed that Singh got his temporary release due to election season. The Dera community often gives space for political events to parties and expressed anger at Singh’s continued imprisonment. A large chunk of Ram Rahim’s followers are Dalit, and the Dera has a significant presence in Malwa, which has 69 of the 117 seats in the Assembly. The DSS supported the Congress in 2007 and then the Akali Dal in 2012. In the Haryana Assembly polls of 2014, the DSS’ political wing Saadh Sangat Rajnitik rallied behind the BJP. The self-styled godman’s influence in various districts of the state helped the BJP gain power in a number of constituencies. In another order, the Allahabad High Court granted bail to the main accused Ashish Mishra to the surprise of farmer unions’ umbrella body Samyukta Kisan Morcha. Leaders questioned the bail order that was passed on the first day of UP assembly elections. They claim there was no clear evidence absolving Mishra, and thus he did not deserve bail. Farmers went on massive protests across UP, Punjab and Haryana since the bail to Ashish Mishra came at a time when seven farmers are still under arrest on charges of murder in the Lakhimpur Kheri case.

Ashish Mishra, is the son of Ajay Mishra teni, a Brahmin, an influential community in UP politics.

That is why in election year, even Ajay Mishra was not dropped despite his son facing murder case. The bails granted may be contestable and rightly so. However, their release from prison is for a greater purpose than serving justice. They have vote value and all’s fair in politics.

DailyDevotion

“Am I My Brother’s Keeper?”

None of us lives to himself… —Romans 14:7

Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible spiritually to God for other people? For instance, if I allow any turning away from God in my private life, everyone around me suffers. We “sit together in the heavenly places…” (Ephesians 2:6). “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it…” (1 Corinthians 12:26). If you allow physical selfishness, mental carelessness, moral insensitivity, or spiritual weakness, everyone in contact with you will suffer.

But you ask, “Who is sufficient to be able to live up to such a lofty standard?” “Our sufficiency is from God…” and God alone (2 Corinthians 3:5).

“You shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8).

How many of us are willing to spend every bit of our nervous, mental, moral, and spiritual energy for Jesus Christ? That is what God means when He uses the word witness. But it takes time, so be patient with yourself. Why has God left us on the earth? Is it simply to be saved and sanctified? No, it is to be at work in service to Him. Am I willing to be broken bread and poured-out wine for Him? Am I willing to be of no value to this age or this life except for one purpose and one alone— to be used to disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life of service to God is the way I say “thank you” to Him for His inexpressibly wonderful salvation. Remember, it is quite possible for God to set any of us aside if we refuse to be of service to Him— “…lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Quotes

Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. ~ John F. Kennedy

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Post-mortem

Media Accreditation Rules: When Press is at State’s mercy T here has been a glowing filter through which Indian democracy has been viewed ever since it recovered from the setback to its democratic record in 1975. Indian journalism, too, has benefited from the global hype about Indian media and its 400-plus news channels and over 1,00,000 publications registered by the Registrar of Newspapers for India. The media scene has been characterised as diverse, irreverent and reflective of a rainbow nation. The word “vibrant” has been done to death.

But in this happy story of “vibrancy”, the latest Central Media Accreditation Guidelines 2022 are a signature moment. The ten disqualification clauses leave the status of journalists’ Press Information Bureau accreditation vulnerable to extremely subjective interpretation.

Who is a ‘journalist’?

Accreditation is a process that allows journalists access to government offices and official dos. It has always meant a cacophonous and diverse set of creatures, not of scribes aligned to the governmental worldview alone.

Anyone who has attended

gatherings where ‘accredited’ journalists have gathered over the years would bear testimony to how diverse their views have been.

The new definition, in effect, tries to alter the fundamental definition of who is a journalist and turns a question of what should be a routine and wide list of access to be able to evaluate government functioning, to a list of government-approved journalists. Anyone not aligned to the ruling party’s worldview can be taken to not be one.

Now, government-nominated officials will take a call on the conduct of journalists, on whether what they say is ‘defamatory’ or prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of India. This would mean that a journalist’s writings would be judged on parameters that are open to interpretation.

Discrediting those who ask questions India’s history of fighting back attempts at suppressing the press and writing critical of the government of the day, starting with the repressive Vernacular Press Act of 1878, is deeply tied in with India’s larger struggle to be free. These new guidelines destroy the belief that the In-

dian state would never again impose restrictions on the press, being wiser after Indira Gandhi’s experience of introducing official censorship.

Why does access to government matter for journalists? Over all other things, it is a signal for how accountable the government thinks it is.

Like the Right to Information lifted democracy, introducing a sense of the bureaucracy being accountable, journalists having legitimate access to the corridors of power makes it clear that those holding executive power (elected representatives and officers) will be held to account and must be ready to face somewhat uncomfortable questions from journalists not aligned with their worldview.

Why access to govt is critical Jour nalists here are meant to serve as proxies of the people at large, in the hope that they will be able to ask questions that would ensure that those who claim to represent them and have been vested with so much power will always be alert and anxious about being answerable. Unfortunately, over the years, access is not something political representatives

have wanted to provide. For instance, the number of blackclad ‘commandos’ a politician has, which puts them totally out of bounds, has become a status symbol. This has nurtured the illusion that ruling politicians are above the fray and far too important to be reached directly, let alone be questioned.

This is critical if a democracy must remain one and not allow anyone with a mandate of five years to amass so much power that the very system is subverted.

For the executive to be made to feel uncomfortable is the essence of democracy. This is why it’s important for accredited journalists to not be at the mercy of a nominated official or a chosen committee of journalists subject to arbitrary rules interpreting journalistic ‘conduct’.

India’s crumbling press freedom Of course, these rules must be seen in the context of other steps. This government has already taken away the unfettered right of PIB journalists to enter government offices. The access of pass-holding journalists to enter and cover Parliament has been cut back sharply,

citing the pandemic, and several journalist bodies have protested and written letters, but to no avail. Kashmir provides an uncomfortably clear crystal ball of the control that is sought to be exercised.

Reporting on events has been cited to be worthy of police attention, and several journalists have been put behind bars for the act of reporting.

The World Press Freedom Index, where India has already recorded a dramatic fall, standing at 142 of 180, risks deteriorating further. Reporters Sans Frontier said in 2020, “With four journalists killed in connection with their work in 2020, India is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists trying to do their job properly.”

This is not just about lives of journalists, but of them being canaries in the coalmine of democracy. New, controversial and extremely restrictive digital media rules, though stayed by two High Courts, are further indicators of the noose being tightened around the act of reporting.

Will we jump the red line?

It must be said that while governments, especially those with a track record of want-

ing total control, will always want more of it, India’s mainstream media has done little to resist. Technological change and dependence on government advertising has left many beholden to government largesse. This has damaged the functioning of media in its role as an enhancer of the democratic spirit.

The new ‘guidelines’ are not about ‘accrediting’ journalists but about how democracy is treated by those elected to office. It is a measure of how this government sees the role of questions, access and transparency. The poor health that India’s mainstream media finds itself in will only enable further ‘Godi-fication’, as an audacious government draws a line. Redemption is only to be found in jumping the thick red line. Will we jump the red line or will we meekly accept that we have a Prime Minister who has not faced the press in open fora in the last eight years?

Seema Chishti is a writer and journalist based in Delhi.

Over her decades-long career, she’s been associated with organisations like BBC and The Indian Express.

(As published in The Quint)

Putin’s impending ‘march of folly’ in Ukraine

T

he world will be watching in horror if Russia invades Ukraine this week — but just watching. Ukraine will fight alone, as Russian tanks roll across the flat, frozen terrain; precision bombs destroy key targets near Kyiv and other cities; and the country becomes a killing field unlike anything Europe has seen since 1945.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will quickly win the initial, tactical phase of this war, if it comes. The vast army that Russia has arrayed along Ukraine’s borders could probably seize the capital of Kyiv in several days and control the country in little more than a week, U.S. officials believe.

But then Putin’s real battle would begin — as Russia and its Ukrainian proxies try to stabilize a country whose people largely detest them. If just 10 percent of Ukraine’s 40 million people decided to actively resist occupation, they would mount a powerful insurgency. Small bands of motivated fighters subverted America’s overwhelming military power in Iraq and Afghanistan..

Russia’s problems wouldn’t just be inside the borders of Ukraine.

As Putin tried to digest what U.S. officials hope will be a Ukrainian “porcupine,” Russia’s economy would be squeezed tight by sanctions; its business and political leaders would become international pariahs; and much of the wealth Putin and his chums have accumulated would be frozen. Ukraine might seem a triumphal victory for

Putin at first, but it’s unlikely to have a happy ending. When leaders fight unnecessary “wars of choice” without a clear endgame, they often confront catastrophic unintended consequences. Think of Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982, which helped create Hezbollah, or President George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq in 2003, which destabilized the Middle East and made Iran a regional superpower. Putin would be the latest leader to join what historian Barbara Tuchman described as “The March of Folly.”

President Biden’s response has rested on three pillars, according to senior officials. First, he believes the rules-based global order would be threatened by an unprovoked Russian invasion, and that Putin must pay a severe cost if he takes this lawless action. Second, Biden is determined to avoid any direct military contact between Russian and U.S. forces, which would risk nuclear war. Third, he is convinced that, as in the Cold War, the security of the United States and its European friends depends on the unity and strength of the NATO alliance.

Russia has assembled the forces for a pulverizing offensive.

U.S. and European officials describe the order of battle: About 130,000 combat troops encircle Ukraine on three sides, with many more providing support. When the United States invaded Iraq, with a population and land area similar to Ukraine’s, it had a smaller combat force.

Russia’s ground forces are just the beginning. Scores of Russian bombers are being loaded with precision-guided munitions, and dozens of artillery batteries are ready, along with nearly a dozen missile batteries. Eleven amphibious ships ring the Black Sea coast, ready to disgorge marines onto Ukraine’s southern underbelly; airborne forces are prepared to land behind the lines, near Kyiv, Odessa, Lviv and other targets; and engineer battalions are preparing to build bridges across Ukraine’s crosshatch of rivers.

Meantime, to check any NATO thoughts of intervention, Russian nuclear bombers, missile forces and submarines will be on alert this month in a hastily scheduled “exercise.”

The dirty part of this war would be fought by special forces: In the hours before an invasion, the “Spetsnaz” units of the GRU and the intelligence teams of the FSB might seize key targets in Kyiv and other cities, such as radio and television stations, power facilities and government installations.

Assassination teams might target senior officials; Russian “false flag” operations that appeared to be Ukrainian would confound and confuse. Russia would seize control of the electronic-warfare space, so that it could jam communications by the Ukrainian government or military commanders. Ukrainian troops might want to fight, but they would have difficulty coordinating their actions with commanders.

Looking at the map, U.S. officials can see how the Russian invasion might proceed. From the north, many thousands of Russian troops are gathered at the western edge of Russia, ready to cross the border and surge toward Kyiv, overwhelming Ukrainian forces a fraction of that size. Farther west, a similar number of Russian troops are in southern Belarus, ready for a second thrust at Kyiv, again facing a minimal Ukrainian force.

The bloodiest fighting could come in eastern Ukraine, where nearly half of its army of about 250,000 is based. Russian forces could simultaneously attack from the southeast, across the separatistcontrolled Donbass region, and from the east, near Kharkiv. This pincer movement might try to envelop the Ukrainian army and destroy it over several weeks. An entrapped army, facing shattering defeat, would bring desperate international calls for a cease-fire — which Putin would likely grant only on his terms.

Putin probably won’t decide until the last moment precisely what he will select from this meat grinder of options. Political leaders often wait until the last minute to make such decisions, to retain maximum flexibility. But U.S. military officials say Putin has sent orders to his commanders to prepare for possible battle by the middle of this week, when the ground in central Ukraine will have frozen more than a foot deep, allowing rapid tank advance.

Putin’s ruthless determination

against Ukraine, which has been unfolding for a decade, is a product of his convictions and life experience. He truly seems to believe that Russia is threatened from the West; that it needs buffer zones to protect against foreign aggression like those it maintained for centuries. His own family suffered bitterly in the siege of Leningrad by the Nazis in World War II. His father was wounded in battle and limped the rest of his life; his mother was left for dead in a pile of corpses and survived only because someone heard her moan. When Putin talks about the weight of Russian history, he feels it viscerally.

In the days ahead, we’ll see a frantic, last-ditch effort to find what diplomats like to call an “offramp.” That seems unlikely, given all the military hardware in place and NATO’s refusal to make the concessions Putin is demanding.

The world will shudder if the tank and missile assault begins, as we witness a weak country confronting a blitzkrieg, alone. The cries for a negotiated settlement will increase, with some proposing new concessions to placate Putin. But after that global shock will come a wave of rage and a demand that Russia pay a price for its aggression. Then this war will enter the porcupine phase, in which Putin, too, will feel the pain.

David Ignatius writes a twice-aweek foreign affairs column for The Washington Post. His latest novel is “The Paladin.”

Meluri district demand: Pochury organisations submit memorandum to CM

O

n the subject cited above and in continuation to our earlier Memorandum Dated 21.10.2021 (Copy enclosed as Annexure-1), we the Pochury Apex Bodies would like to once again appeal for your favorable dispensation on the matter. It is the utmost desire and aspiration of the Pochury people as a tribe to have a full-fledged district headquarter for administrative convenience and socioeconomic upliftment of the Sub-division.

1. Meluri Headquarter is one of the oldest SubDivision which was established as `Chairman Bench Court’ in 1958 and upgraded to Circle Officer in the year 1959. Thereafter in the year 1962, it was upgraded to Assistant CommissionerII, then as Extra Assistant Commissioner in 1969, as Sub-divisional Office in 1981 and as Additional Deputy Commissioner Sub-Division in 2008.

2. The attainment of Nagaland Statehood in 1963 was by and large a political dispensation and every tribe was given due recognition as recognized tribes, except for Pochury people. Whereas, history bears witness that our land was the hot bed of

political conflict where our people were in the forefront and many lives were lost.

The famous Thuda war and Matilchrii massacre are just some few instances. However, unfortunately it was only after 27 years of Statehood Pochury was given due recognition in 1990 as a separate tribe. Even today, Pochury is the only tribe that does not have a district of its own in spite of fulfilling all criteria to become a fullfledged district.

3. It is also pertinent to highlight the following facts pertaining to Meluri Sub-Division in support of our legitimate demand: a. Requisite Administrative circles The Meluri Sub-division has the requisite Administrative Circles that is required of a District Headquarter. Presently there are four Administrative circles under Meluri sub-Division: i. Meluri ADC Hq. ii. Phokhungri EAC Hq iii. Phor EAC Hq. iv. Lephori EAC Hq. b. Adequate Demography and Population The Sub-division is inhabited by a distinct homogenous tribe and as per the 2011Census, the total Population was 22,618 persons

and by now it is expected to be about 30,000 living across 30 recognized villages with one Town Council (Meluri Town Council). However, it may be noted that Administrative Circles including Districts are not necessarily demarcated on the size of the population but primarily on the basis of its social, political, Geographical and strategic considerations. i. Meluri Circle and ii.

Lephori Circle-- 13,890 Persons iii. Phor Circle 5,11/ persons iv. Phokhungri Circle 3,611 persons Total: 22,618 persons c. Large Geographical area Meluri Sub-division covers almost half of Phek District and its geographical area is 1,011 Sq. Km which is the largest sub-division and by far larger than most of the Districts in the State.

It is a strategic sub-division due to interstate border with Manipur State and international border with Myanmar where insurgency related incidents take place very often. d. Long Distance: The Administrative Circles under Meluri SubDivision are very far from Phek, the present District Headquarter which creates

extreme administrative challenges. The distance from Phek to Meluri is 64 Km, to Phokhungri Administrative circle is 185 KM and to the last village Avakhung bordering Myanmaris 192 Km. Due to remoteness, long distance and poor transport & communication facilities, the people of the area are deprived of access to even basic facilities such as healthcare, higher education, essential commodities, etc.

4. Further, it is pertinent to highlight herewith the many potentials, prospects and advantages of the sub-division that can be explored for the benefit of the whole State, once it is upgraded into a fully fledged District.

It is a fact that in terms of mineral deposits, Meluri sub-division has the highest deposit of minerals in the State. Such resources if judiciously explored can sustain the State economy even for centuries. The only Cement Plant and Decorative & Dimensional Stone Plant at Wezihu are expected to become fully functional once the two-lane connectivity and waterways gets materialized. The sub-division is blessed with unique, beau-

tiful and attractive topography having many tourist attractions such as Shilloi lake, Naziipfii Peak, Longchamtsem Peak, prospect for Tizu River rafting, etc.

Having fully understood the paramount importance of strengthening national security in its eastern corridor and the vast economic opportunity to do trade and commerce with the South-East Asian Countries, India has initiated its “Act East Policy”. TizuZunki. River National Waterway-101 connecting with Chindwin River in Myanmar and the proposed economic corridor two-lane road connecting Avakhung BTC with NH-202 at Akhegwo has the potential to unlock the full economic prospect of the Sub-division. As such, the Meluri Sub-division, by virtue of its strategic location has the prospect to become the gateway to South-East Asian countries for the State of Nagaland. In this context, a full-fledged district level administration is required.

That Sir, in view of the above stated facts, we appeal to the Government of Nagaland under your dynamic leadership to upgrade the Meluri Sub-division into a fully fledged District which

is a long cherished dream of the Pochury People. We would also like to place on record our appreciation to the government for its policy of “ONE TRIBE, ONE DISTRICT” on the basis of which some districts were recently created. We further put our hope and confidence in your political leadership that the same yardstick will be applied while considering our case for which your visionary leadership will be permanently edged in the history of the Pochury people for generations to come.

Pochury Hoho President Chonpa Jurry, Pochury Mothers’ Association President Sürhotshü, Pochury Gazetted Officers’ Forum President Tarachu Fithu, Pochury GBs Union President Nyupuchu, Pochury Sports Association President Teisovi, Pochury Institute of Literature President Akho Leyri, Pochury Youth Organisation President William Thupitor, Pochury Students’ Union President Muphatho Nyuthe.

(Memorandum submitted to chief minister Nagaland through ADC Meluri on February 15, 2022) Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

5

NORTHEAST

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

DGCA & AAI to file affidavits Priyanka holds virtual poll campaign in Mnp HContells expansion of Shillong Airport BJP DOES NOT GIVE MANIPUR DUE RESPECT IT DESERVES, SAYS PRIYANKA

Correspondent

IMPHAL, FEB 15: BJP government at the Centre is not giving Manipur the due respect it deserves even though its leaders always praise the state as “Jewel of India”, said AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a virtual address on Tuesday.

The general secretary addressed a virtual meeting of the Congress as a part of upcoming elections to the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

During the vir tual meeting, Vadra interacted with the state Congress leaders, party candidates in the fray , workers and supporters from across the 60 Assembly segments.

BJP leaders used to call Manipur as the “Jewel of India” but the party was not sincere enough to serve its people.

“The party does not give the respect Manipur deserved as a state of the nation. If the BJP wants to develop the state, it should take care of the people sincerely and its culture and tradition should be treated with respect,” she said.

“I must say that Manipur will move forward only

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressing party leader on workers virtually. when due respect is given,” she added.

Vadra alleged that the BJP had abused the mandate given by the people of the state in 2017 elections to the state Assembly.

It was the Congress the people had given the mandate. The BJP and its allies formed the government by going beyond the fundamental right.

The BJP that formed the government from the backdoor hardly fulfilled the promises it had made during the election time, she added.

The AICC leader expressed concern about the effect on the unity in diversity of the country since the BJP came to power as the saffron party focused on its particular agenda (one na-

tion, one religion and one language).

The rising discrimination, racial crimes, crimes against particular people was because of BJP’s politics to carry further its agenda, she alleged.

The AICC general secretary claimed that the Congress always respected not only Manipur and other northeast states but every single state of the country.

Priyanka said, “The politics of the Congress party is different. We always respect your culture, your different ways of living and want it to flourish . We don’t want to impose an outside way on you.”

“And this is the fundamental root where discrimination comes from. So, I hope that with the Congress

government, of course in the state, hopefully after some years in the Centre, a lot of these things will change,” she added.

Vadra alleged the BJP of lacking political will to solve the unemployment problem in the state.

She said, “Manipur has enough potential to solve the problem of unemployment. But the problem is that the BJP does not have the will to do it.”

At the same time, Vadra said that the Congress is a party which respects civil liberties and democratic rights of the people and was always ready to fix all the devastation done by the BJP in its five-year rule in the state.

The non-holding of elections to the local selfgovernment like the Autonomous District Council (ADC) was an act of not only suppressing the democratic rights but the voices of the people.

She assured that if the Congress came to power again, the ADCs and other elected bodies will be strengthened by devolving more powers.

“The Congress always stands to hold elections to these local bodies on time,”

she said.

Speaking on the occasion, former state chief minister O Ibobi Singh claimed that the BJP itself saw a humiliating defeat in the elections.

“BJP national leaders including Union ministers are rushing here. Why are they afraid so much? Because they know that people of the state do not like them and they want an alternative government in the state,” he claimed.

However, despite their best efforts, BJP will not come to power again in the state.

He said that the Congress will definitely secure an absolute majority in the ensuing elections and form a new government.

The new government to be formed by the Congress will remove the darkness brought about by the BJP in its five years rule in the state, he added.

Other leaders like CWC member Gaikhngam, MPCC president N Loken also spoke on the occasion.

The elections to the 60-seat Manipur Assembly will be held in two-phases, on February 28 and March 5. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

File photo of Shillong Airport in Umroi.

S H I L LO N G, F E B 1 5 (PTI): The Meghalaya High Court has asked the Airports Authority of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to file affidavits and indicate the feasibility of expansion of the Shillong Airport to accommodate long-haul flights and larger aircraft to reduce time for visitors to reach the hill state.

“Both the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) were required to file affidavits indicating the feasibility of expanding the Umroi airport to accommodate long-haul flights including Boeing and like aircraft,” A division bench headed

by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said in an order for a hearing conducted on Mon-

day. The Bench also pulled the authorities concerned saying that there was no feasibility report on expansion the airport to handle long-haul flights and larger aircraft during the hearing despite the state authorities incurring a huge amount on cutting obstructing hills at a distance away from the airport.

“It is submitted on behalf of the state that substantial expenses have been incurred for expanding the flat land beyond the runway on either side by cutting down the hills. However, it is possible that further hills have to be cut before a safe runway can be put in place to be able to handle Boeing and bigger aircraft,” the order noted. The High Court Bench also noted that Meghalaya has rich pros-

pects in developing tourism.

“If a plan of sustained development of the tourism industry is chalked out, upon monitoring and regulating the critical parameters, the local economy may get the necessary fillip, particularly since there is no big industry in the state. The boost of tourism in the state will also result in substantial benefit to the national economy,” it added.

As tourism is likely to gain momentum here, the court said that the two authorities to necessarily indicate the feasibility of expansion of the Umroi airport to accommodate larger aircraft than ATRs and the cost benefit analysis in respect thereof.

At present, only shorthaul ATR aircraft land at Umroi airport while bigger aircraft cannot land because of a short existing runway. Regular flights operating from Kolkata, Imphal, Agartala, Dibrugarh, Lengpui, Dimapur, Silchar and Guwahati lands at the airport here.

Since Guwahati is the nearest big airport, the court said if a visitor directly lands at Umroi, the travel time would be reduced to only about 40 minutes instead of three hours.

Many CPI(M) leaders & workers killed M’laya CM announces slew of welfare measures for ex-servicemen in Tripura in last 4 years: Manik Sarkar Correspondent

GUWAHATI, FEBRUARY 15 (PTI): Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Tuesday launched the ‘Bodoland Super 50 Mission’, an initiative of BTR chief Pramod Boro to prepare Bodo youths for competitive examinations.

An official statement said the project of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) administration aims at transforming the lives of engineering aspirants coming from economically weaker sections of five Bodo dominated districts of Assam. Addressing the function, the governor expressed happiness on the launch of the “much-needed” programme. Boro thanked the governor for visiting the

BTR and launching the programme. The Bodoland Super 50 Mission also plans to provide 11 months of high-quality free residential coaching and mentorship programme to students from BTR who aspired for admissions into IITs, NITs and top engineering institutes.

Fifty candidates (10 from each district of Baksa, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Tamulpur and Udalguri) would be shortlisted through an entrance examination to participate in the programme each year, the statement said. The BTR is an elected autonomous body created under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for the Bodo dominated areas of Assam.

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DMC condemns killings in Mizoram DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN):The Dimapur Meetei Council (DMC) has condemned the killings of two Meeteis- Keisham Prabin Singha (Driver) and and Nipen Singha ( helper/ brother-in-law of the first victim) belonging to Cachar District on January 30 and February 8 in Mizoram.

A press release by DMC president Sarat Thangjam stated that the DMC has urged the Mizoram Government to deliver justice at the earliest for such incidence which can poison harmonious atmosphere. The Council further conveyed its condolences to the two bereaved families and prayed for spiritual strength at this hour, the release stated.

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Assam lifts all COVID restrictions from Tuesday officials said.

Wearing masks, maintaining social distance, regular hand washing and use of hand sanitisers at places of public gathering are mandatory and will remain in force until further orders, according to a notification issued by Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah.

Any person not wearing a face mask and spitting in public places shall be fined Rs 1000 and all district magistrates and superintendents of police must ensure utmost vigil at public places for enforc-

ing COVID-appropriate behaviour and to prevent increase of positive cases in the state, the order stated.

The officials said that the education department will issue fresh guidelines for offline teaching in schools and colleges.

Mandatory testing for the virus at airports, railway stations, road border points and hospitals were also discontinued from Tuesday though symptomatic people have been asked to test on a voluntary basis at any recognised COVID testing facility.

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GUWAHATI, FEB 15 (PTI): Assam withdrew all COVID-related restrictions on Tuesday reverting to the situation that existed before the nation-wide lockdown on March 25, 2020 following the outbreak of the disease, officials said.

They claimed that Assam is the first state in the country to withdraw all COVID restrictions. All restrictions were lifted from 6 am on Tuesday with night curfew and curbs on socio-religious gatherings, educational institutions and others withdrawn, the

address, the Chief Minister said that the Ex-Servicemen Rally was an important platform that focuses on renewing the bond between serving and retired personnel, for addressing grievances for the welfare of ex-servicemen and for the felicitation of ‘Veer Naris’.

He also lauded the contribution of the veterans and the serving soldiers of Meghalaya and the NorthEast, towards the security and prosperity of the country.

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murder took place after 2018 Assembly elections.

Earlier, we used to witness heavy post poll violence”, said BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee.

Sharply criticizing the BJP-IPFT government, the former chief minister said an-one sided rule is installed in the state. “People voices are being throttled.

Elections are not taking place in a free and fair

cient space will be provided for the ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) Polyclinic in Tura, West Garo Hills.

“The Government has also sanctioned Rs 4 crores for the construction of the Sainik Rest House in Shillong, the work for which will start at the earliest,” Sangma informed. The Sainik Rest House will also accommodate the office of the Director of Sainik Welfare.

In the course of his

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Manik Sarkar

manner...,” he said.

Sarkar said the people, who had been befooled prior to 2018 Assembly elections have started realizing that they have made a big mistake.

“The BJP MLAs, who had deserted the party and joined the Congress have been openly criticizing the BJP led government.

Now, they are repenting for joining the saffron party with folding hands”, he said in an indirect reference to Sudip Roy Barman and Asish Saha quitting the saffron party and joining the Congress.

“A new storm is hovering in the state. Now, the time has come for an eyeball to eyeball protest to the wrongdoings of the government”, he said.

ex-gratia payment of Rs 15 lakh has been sanctioned by the Meghalaya Government to the next of kin of (L) Havildar Hampiar R Marak of the 59 Medium Regiment, a resident of Mendipathar, North Garo Hills District, who died while on duty in operational area in Naugam Sector along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

In addition to the various initiatives announced on Tuesday, the chief minister informed that suffi-

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AGARTALA, FEB 15 (PTI): Leader of Opposition in Tripura Assembly Manik Sarkar has alleged that many CPI(M) leaders and workers have been murdered in the state in the past four years of the BJPIPFT rule.

“A s m a n y a s 2 4 CPI(M) leaders and workers were murdered in the past four years and justice has not been done to none.

The things will not move on in the way they (BJPIPFT) think”, Sarkar said while speaking to reporters at Kamalpur in South Tripura district on Monday.

However, the ruling dispensation strongly denied the allegations of political murders in Tripura after 2018 Assembly elections. “ T h i s wa s f o r the first time, no political

SHILLONG, FEB 15: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday and announced several welfare measures for retired defence personnel and their families residing in the State.

“The Meghalaya Government has decided to enhance the cash award for Param Vir Chakra awardee from the existing Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and also enhance the annuity to award winner (PVC) from Rs 1000 per month to Rs 10000 per month,” Sangma said, ad-

dressing the Meghalaya State Ex Servicemen Rally held at Assam Regimental Centre (ARC), Happy Valley here.

The Chief Minister further announced that the ex-gratia to the next of kin of martyrs and disabled soldiers will be enhanced from the existing amount of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

Moreover, he said the NPP-led government has decided to exempt exservicemen and widows residing in Meghalaya from paying house tax.

Sangma informed that

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Net tax receipts may exceed revised estimate Exports jump 25.28 pc to

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No. 4806

Yesterday’s solution No. 4805

No. 3830 Yesterday’s solution No. 3829

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Imports during the April-January period expanded by 62.65 per cent to USD 495.75 billion.

Trade deficit stood at USD 159.87 billion during the ten-month period as against USD 75.87 billion in the same period a year earlier.

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coming together is for the cause of Naga political solution to the vexed problem.

The chief minister also pointed out that in the name of the Naga struggle, extortion, illegal taxations, threat and intimidations have been existing sapping away the morale of the people and hoped that with a lasting peace, all this would end.

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No. 10184 Yesterday’s solution No. 10183

(From p-1) “I want a solution because that will bring a new hope for the youth, the students and for the future,” he said.

Towards this he said the 60 members of the State Assembly have come together and formed the opposition-less United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as the government wants the Nagas to be united and while the

ago.

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NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): India’s exports in January rose 25.28 per cent to USD 34.50 billion on account of healthy performance by sectors such as engineering, petroleum and gems and jewellery, according to data released by the commerce ministry on Tuesday.

However, the trade deficit during the month too widened to 17.42 billion.

Imports grew by 23.54 per cent to USD 51.93 billion during the month under review.

Cumulatively, exports increased by 46.73 per cent to USD 335.88 billion during April 2021-January 2022, from USD USD 228.92 billion in the corresponding period a year

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Su doku

Corporate firms pay their final advance tax of 25% of full-year tax liability

by March 15.

The Centre’s tax revenues have been buoyant in the current fiscal with all major tax heads — corporation tax, goods and service tax, customs duty and personal income tax — contributing to it. A booming capital market is seen to allow the Centre to collect Rs 60,000-80,000 crore as capital gains tax in 202122 compared with just Rs 6,000-8,000 crore in FY21.

“On every count — corporate tax, income tax, TDS, self-assessment, regular tax, securities transaction tax and equalisation levy — this year is better than 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21,” Cental Board of Direct Taxes chairman JB Mohapatra said recently.

GoI, Army have admitted their...

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Crossword

states, grew faster than the receipts from taxes in divisible pool.

It may be noted at Rs 25.2 lakh crore, the RE of GTR is higher than the Budget estimate (BE) by Rs 3 lakh crore or 13.5%. At Rs 17.65 lakh crore, the RE of net tax receipts is higher than the BE by Rs 2.2 lakh crore or 14%.

In the last financial year, too, the Centre’s actual tax collections were higher than the REs According to Icra’s chief economist Aditi Nayar, the Centre’s GTR may see an upside of Rs 50,000-1,00,000 crore over the FY22RE while the net tax revenues could be higher than the RE by Rs 35,00070,000 crore. She noted that the dent to corporate profitability due to high commodity prices could dampen tax collections in Q4FY22.

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2 of the current financial year, according to an official source.

The February-March collections would be impacted by a slowing of growth in excise duty collections due to the rate cuts in November and the moderation in corporate margins due to the rising input costs. Still, GTR for the current financial year could be around Rs 26.5 lakh crore, up Rs 1.3 lakh crore from the RE. Therefore, net tax receipts could be around Rs 18.5 lakh crore, compared with the RE of Rs 17.65 lakh crore.

As per the Finance Commission formula, 42% of the divisible pool of taxes requires to go to the states and UT of Jammu & Kashmir. However, only 36% of GTR went to states in FY21, as the cess collections which are not to be shared with

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NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): The Centre’s tax revenue — net of mandatory transfers to states — in 2021-22 could exceed the revised estimate (RE) in the recent Budget by up to Rs 80,000 crore or 4.5% or 0.3% of GDP, given the collections till Januaryend and the historical trend of a quarter of the revenues being collected in the last two months of a fiscal.

This means the Centre’s fiscal deficit could be 6.6% of the GDP, lower than the RE of 6.9%. Of course, the estimate is based on the assumption that the REs of other inflows and outflows hold true, Financial Express reported.

The gross tax revenue (GTR) — receipts postrefunds but before transfers to states — stood at Rs 20.5 lakh crore till February

court would be compelled to issue the necessary order or direction for constituting the board within a specific period of time.”

Left with no option, the party said the government issued a notification appointing the chairman and secretary of NSSB on Monday.

Nevertheless, thanking the chief minister for the appointments, RPP said the public in general and the student community in particular should be grateful that there were publiclyspirited judges who stood for young people from day one and for the “dreams and aspirations of the people of Nagaland, especially the young people who are still unemployed”, as observed in their latest February 2, 2022 order.

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NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): Gold in the national capital on Tuesday gained marginally by Rs 32 to Rs 49,619 per 10 grams, capping gains with correction in global gold prices and rupee appreciation, according to HDFC Securities.

In the previous trade, the precious metal settled at Rs 49,587 per 10 grams.

Silver, in contrast, declined Rs 440 to Rs 63,474 per kg from Rs 63,914 per kg in the previous trade.

The Indian r upee closed 29 paise higher at 75.31 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday.

In the international market, gold was trading 0.5 per cent down at USD 1,861 per ounce. Silver was trading marginally lower at USD 23.65 per ounce.

“Spot gold prices for 24 carat gold at Delhi held up by Rs 32 capping gains with correction in global gold prices and rupee appreciation,” Tapan Patel, senior analyst (commodities) of HDFC Securities, said.

(From p-1) democratic agitation against the government. Responding to the NSF ultimatum, the government issued a notification on October 4, 2021 advertising posts of chairperson and secretary of NSSB. And on September 21, 2021, an RPP team met Rio and apprised him of the issue. Yet, the party noted, nothing happened for more than four months.

Though the high court was in favour of settling the case without delay, the government’s counsel kept appealing against this on one pretext or the other. Finally, the judges issued an ultimatum to the government “to come with instruction on the next date, that is, 16th February 2022, as to when the board would be constituted” else, the court warned “this

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line for compliance is less than two months away, Sebi said that on a review it is seen that the compliance level, which stood at 50.4 per cent amongst the top 500 listed companies as on September 2019 has progressed to only 54 per cent as on December 31, 2021.

Thus, there has been barely a 4 per cent incremental improvement in compliance by the top 500 listed companies over the last two years.

Hence, expecting the remaining about 46 per cent of the top 500 listed companies to comply with these norms by the target date would be a tall order, it added.

Sebi also noted that it continues to receive representations from industry bodies and corporates expressing various compelling reasons, difficulties and challenges for not being able to comply with this regulatory mandate.

DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), secretary, Lok Ranjan virtually launched Startup Investment Fest 2022 here on Tuesday.

The Startup Investment was a venture of North East Venture Fund (NEVF) promoted by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi), ministry of DoNER and SIDBI. The main objective was to reach out to start-ups and first generation entrepreneurs of the region.

Briefing about the fest, Ranjan mentioned that the event was opened for startup from all sectors working on innovative solutions and ideas that aim to disrupt the way consumers, industries and business operate. He mentioned through this event, NEVF plans to invest a minimum amount of Rs 25 lakhs each in selected start up based out of the region.

At the launching programme, NEDFi members highlighted that the event in particular will be to reach out to the start-ups from all the Northeastern states with more publicity in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizorma and Tripura through targeted media campaigns to increase the participation from these states.

They also invited and requested start-ups from NER to participate in the event. For online registration can be done at https:// registration.nedfiventure. com/ Registration commenced from February 15 and will continue till March 15.

Shortlisted startups will get an opportunity to pitch their business ideas for securing investment into their business idea and selected candidates will get an opportunity to pitch physically or virtually in front of the investment committee comprising of veteran investment managers, industry experts.

Victory for student community...

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after its board meeting on Tuesday.

Initially, the listed entities were required to separate the roles of Chairperson and MD/CEO from April 1, 2020 onwards.

However, based on industry representations, an additional time period of two years was given for compliance.

“Considering rather unsatisfactory level of compliance achieved so far, with respect to this corporate governance reform, various representations received, constraints posed by the prevailing pandemic situation and with a view to enabling the companies to plan for a smoother transition, as a way forward, Sebi board at this juncture, decided that this provision may not be retained as a mandatory requirement and instead be made applicable to the listed entities on a voluntary basis,” it added As the revised dead-

Staff Reporter

Gold gains marginally; silver slumps Rs 440

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NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): In a significant move, markets watchdog Sebi on Tuesday decided to implement the requirement to separate the positions of Chairperson and Managing Director at listed companies on a voluntary basis and not make it mandatory for now.

The development also comes against the backdrop of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently saying the regulator should hear if Indian companies have a view on the matter even as she made it clear that she was not “giving a diktat”.

The top 500 listed entities were required to split the roles of Chairperson and Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer before the April 2022 deadline.

Sebi cited “rather unsatisfactory level of compliance achieved so far” as among the reasons for the latest decision, which came

Startup investment fest 2022 launched virtually

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Sebi makes separation of Chairperson, MD voluntary

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

BUSINESS/STATE

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6

NATIONAL

Lakhimpur case: Ashish Mishra walks free after 4 months LU C K N OW, F E B 1 5 (IANS): Ashish Mishra, son of union minister Ajay Mishra Teni, who was accused of mowing down four farmers in Lakhimpur on October 3 last year, following a protest by farmers, was released from Lakhimpur jail on Tuesday evening, after the Allahabad High Court corrected its order.

Ashish Mishra had moved the Lucknow bench of the High Court seeking insertion of sections 302 (murder) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC that were ‘inadvertently’ not mentioned in the high court order as the jail authorities would not release him due to the omission.

“It is a mere typographical error, while the court already considered the bail under these sections too and, as such, the same may be allowed making the addition of these sections in the order,” said the application.

Ashish Mishra was arrested on October 9 last

Ashish Mishra was arrested on October 9 last year by the Special Investigation Team ( PTI)

year by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was probing the incident.

“Ashish Mishra has been arrested as he was not cooperating during the interrogation and did not answer a few questions,” DIG Upendra Agarwal had told reporters at the time of his arrest.

An FIR was registered against him and a few others over the incident, but the UP police did not move against him until the Supreme Court decided to

Cabinet approves setting up of G20 Secretariat NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved setting up of a G20 Secretariat and its reporting structures, which will be responsible for implementation of overall policy decisions and arrangements needed for steering India’s forthcoming G20 Presidency.

India will hold the Presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023, culminating with the G20 Summit in India in 2023.

“As per practice, a G20 Secretariat is being established to handle work relating to substantive/ knowledge/ content, technical, media, security and logistical aspects of India’s G20 Presidency,” the government said in a release.

The Secretariat will be manned by officers and staff from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and other relevant line ministries and departments and domain knowledge experts.

The Secretariat will be functional till February 2024, it added.

“The Secretariat will be guided by an apex committee headed by Prime Minister, and comprising Finance Minister, Home Minister, External Affairs Minister, and G20 Sherpa (Commerce & Industry, Textiles, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister), to provide overall guidance to India’s G20 Presidency,” the government said.

Further, a coordination committee will also be set up to oversee all G20 preparations and report to the apex committee.

The G20 Secretariat will enable long term capacity building, including knowledge and expertise, for India’s leadership on global issues in multilateral fora, it said.

G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation that plays an important role in global economic governance.

take up the matter.

His arrest came a day after the apex court expressed its dissatisfaction with the UP government over the action taken in the case.

Ashish turned up for questioning the second time he was summoned, and after 12 hours the ninemember SIT headed by DIG Agarwal, arrested him.

It may be recalled that eight people were killed on October 3, 2021, after

violence erupted during a farmers’ protest, claiming the lives of farmers and BJP workers ahead of a visit to Lakhimpur by UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

Four of the dead were farmers who were mowed down by a speeding SUV, belonging to Ashish Mishra. One journalist covering the incident was also killed in the incident.

Three BJP workers were killed in retaliatory violence.

The Special Investigation Team probing the Lakhimpur Kheri violence incident has said that there was a planned conspiracy to murder protesting farmers.

Meanwhile, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesman, Rakesh Tikait, has said the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) will approach the Supreme Court over the Lakhimpur Kheri violence episode in which eight people, including four farmers, were killed.

Will approach SC for physical hearing: Rakesh Tikait on Lakhimpur Kheri case LAKHIMPUR KHERI, FEB 15 (PTI): Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait on Tuesday said the Samyukta Kisan Morcha will approach the Supreme Court in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case in which eight people, including four farmers, were killed and a Union minister’s son is among the accused.

The SKM would appeal to the apex court to consider re-hearing in the case as the prosecution could not put forth its submission during the online hearing due to a power outage, an office-bearer of Tikait’s Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) said.

Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra, is a key accused in the case and the Allahabad High Court granted him bail on February 10. Ashish was released from the jail here on Tuesday evening.

After the October 3, 2021 violence, the SC had formed a special investigation team (SIT) which had probed the case and filed a charge sheet in the matter, holding Ashish as an accused along with 13 others.

“The whole country and whole world watched the most infamous Lakhimpur Kheri episode of Ajay and Ashish Mishra, who despite having committed a heinous crime gets bail within three months. Everybody is seeing that and he will walk out of jail today,” Tikait told reporters, adding the SKM would approach the Supreme Court.

“So is such dictatorial government needed, or this type of system needed in which someone who mows down people under a vehicle walks out of jail within three months. How will they behave with the public in times to come? These are our issues that people need to understand,” the BKU spokesperson said.

CBI court convicts Lalu in Rs 139 cr Doranda treasury case

RANCHI, FEB 15 (PTI): A special CBI court on Tuesday convicted RJD supremo and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad in the Rs 139.5 crore Doranda treasury embezzlement case, the fifth and final case against him in the fodder scam.

The ailing 73-year-old politician will be lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi after his plea to be admitted to the state-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) on medical grounds was rejected by the court of CBI Judge Sudhanshu Kumar Shashi.

Prasad, who was present in the court, was taken into custody and arguments on the quantum of his sentence will be heard on February 21. The CBI counsel had earlier said the court will hear the arguments on sentence on February 18.

Welcoming the court’s decision, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, one of the petitioners in the fodder scam matter in the Patna High Court, said justice has finally been served to those who “pushed the state into darkness” for 15 years.

Prasad had earlier been sentenced to 14 years in jail

RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav leaves the special CBI court in Ranchi, Tuesday. (PTI)

in four other fodder scam cases. The final case was related to withdrawals of Rs 139.35 crore from Doranda treasury during his tenure as the chief minister of undivided Bihar. “Of the 99 accused in the case, 24 were acquitted, while three-year jail terms have been pronounced for 34 accused. A total of 41 convicts have been sent to prison,” CBI counsel BMP Singh told PTI. On Prasad’s plea, directions were given to the jail superintendent and RIMS director to take necessary action keeping in mind his health, he said. The ebullient leader suffers from multiple ailments, including renal

problems. The CBI had examined 575 witnesses in the case, and filed charge sheet against 170 people. However, only 99 accused including Prasad faced trial which had commenced in 1996.

In the course of the 22-year-long trial, 55 accused died, while eight turned government approvers. As many as six accused are still absconding.

Prasad was accompanied to the court by his daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti. Many RJD leaders and workers also thronged the court premises.

Special CBI Judge Sudhanshu Kumar Shashi had on January 29 completed the

hearing. All the accused were ordered to be physically present in the court on the day of the verdict.

Apart from Prasad, former MP Jagdish Sharma, the then Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Dhruv Bhagat, Animal Husbandry Secretary Beck Julius and Animal Husbandry Assistant Director Dr K M Prasad were the main accused.

Reacting to the development, Sushil Kumar Modi said no accused can be saved if there is solid evidence against them.

“The Doranda case was the biggest among the fodder scam cases. We had filed a PIL in Patna High Court demanding a CBI inquiry into it. However, Prasad had opposed it saying he had constituted an SIT which comprised people who later went to prison.

“The Patna HC ordered a CBI probe. Prasad opposed it tooth and nail and even knocked the Supreme Court’s door. However, the apex court ordered that the probe should continue and asked Patna HC to monitor it. Had the high court not monitored the probe, Prasad would have got the cases dismissed long back,” he said.

Karnataka HC urged to allow hijab as more students skip school 15 minutes.

Senior advocates Devdatt Kamat, Mohammad Tahir, and Ravi Varma Kumar presented their arguments in favor of girls demanding to wear hijab, while Advocate General Prabhuling Navadagi represented the government.

The petitioners submitted that since the colleges are being started from

Wednesday, the bench must pass an order allowing Muslim students to wear hijab while attending classes. They also quoted a judgment of the South African court, where a Tamil girl was not allowed to attend classes for wearing a nose ring. When it was questioned in the court, the student was allowed to attend classes, counsel

Saudi land forces commander pays first visit to India

Commander, Royal Saudi Armed Forces, Lt Gen Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair inspects the guard of honour at South Block, in New Delhi, Tuesday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): Saudi Arabia’s land forces commander Lt Gen Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair on Tuesday held extensive talks with Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on the second day of his “historic” visit to India.

The defence ministry K Y M C

said it is the first ever visit by a serving Royal Saudi land forces commander to India and marks a deepening of bilateral defence cooperation. In reflection of the importance India attached to the three-day trip, the ministry also described it as a “historic” and “landmark” visit from Saudi Arabia.

It said Gen Naravane and Lt Gen Al-Mutair met for “significant bilateral discussions” and that the visiting commander was briefed on “security aspects”.

“In a historic and landmark visit, the Commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Lieutenant General Fahd Bin Abdullah Moham-

med Al-Mutair, arrived in India on February 14,” the defence ministry said in a statement. Without sharing further details of the talks, it said the relationship between India and Saudi Arabia has grown owing to common interests in economic prosperity, eliminating the scourge of terrorism and mitigating the effects of climate change.

“Lieutenant General Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair, Commander, Royal Saudi Land Forces, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia called on General MM Naravane #COAS & discussed ways to further enhance the bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries,” the Army tweeted.

Lt Gen Al-Mutair was accorded a guard of honour at the South Block lawns before the talks.

submitted.

The petitioners also submitted that the Karnataka government is yet to make guidelines on uniform, and without this, it is improper to make the uniform compulsory for students.

When one of the petitioners submitted that students with hijab are not allowed in Urdu schools

in the state, the Advocate General objected to lacing arguments without submitting an application before the court.

The bench asked counsel to submit an application in this regard.

The petitioners also argued that the government does not have supreme power of prohibition in the name of public order.

Akuk Ekhung DimApur FElicitAtion

(N. Benthungo Odyuo) General Secretary, AED

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (IANS): Despite expressing confidence of forming the next government in Uttarakhand with a huge majority, the BJP is now assessing the damage caused by party rebel candidates.

Voting for the 70 member Uttarakhand Assembly elections was held on Monday and BJP is now calculating actual damage caused by these rebels.

A senior Uttarakhand BJP leader said that as the polling has ended now the party is calculating the damage caused by the rebels. “We are collecting the feedback from cadres to find out damage caused to our official candidates by the rebels. Actual damage can be known to everyone after declaration of election result on March 10 but before that through various means we are trying to get the sense,” he said.

Another party functionary mentioned that there are two categories of rebels, one are real strongmen in the constituencies and the second those aspirants who are contesting the polls after being denied ticket. “Rebels like Rajku-

mar Thukral, sitting MLA from Rudrapur, are a major concern for the party as they have real capacity to damage chances of our official candidates. It might be possible in some seats, they will be the reason for the defeat of BJP candidates,” he said.

BJP rebels are contesting against party’s official candidates in Kotdwar, Dhanaulti, Rudrapur, Doiwala, Bhimtal, Lalkua, Ghansali and Dharampur.

Even before the polls, rebels were a major concern for the BJP. On Monday, BJP national general secretary and Uttarakhand incharge, Dushyant Gautam had told IANS that the way people voluntarily came out to vote clearly shows that their blessing is with the BJP. “The trend and feedback received till late afternoon clearly shows that the BJP will form the next government in Uttarakhand with a huge majority,” Gautam had said. Polling for the 70 member Uttarakhand assembly was held on February 14 and counting of votes will be held on March 10.

The Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) would like to express it’s heartfelt gratitude to our honourable CM Shri. Neiphiu Rio and his government for appointing Shri. Sedevikho former Excise Commissioner as the Chairman, Nagaland Staff Selection Board.

Shri. Sedevikho Khro who hails from Seithekema village is an asset and patron to CPO. The CPO believed that in his new avatar as the chairman of the said Board will sincerely do the justice to the responsibility reposed on him. The CPO further wishes him all the best in his new endeavor Sd/Mhiesisatuo Vüprü Gen. Secretary, CPO

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The Khulazu Basa Students' Union congratulates Miss Vezokholü Kezo, D/o Chepfürayi Kezo and Akala Kezo on her certification as Chartered Accountant (CA). She has cleared all the stages of examination conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountant of India, bringing laurels to our people.

The Union wishes her great success in her future endeavour.

Meyohü Chüzho Nehüto Rhakho President, KBSU General Secy., KBSU

Dimapur : NagalaND

(chenisao patton) Chairman, AED

BJP assessing damage caused by rebels in U’khand

FELICITATION

Office Of the

The Akuk Ekhung Dimapur and Akuk Eloe Okho Dimapur conveys heartiest Congratulations to the following.

1. Shri. peter lichamo humtsoe, S/o Lt. Azamo Humtsoe Deputy Commissioner Zunheboto on being inducted to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

2. Shri. Yanthithung patton, S/o Shri. Phyochamo Patton on being promoted to Asst. Director Department of IPR, Govt. of Nagaland.

3. Shi. Y. John patton, S/o Lt. Rhanchumo Patton on being promoted from ACIO Senior Officer Grade-II to Grade-I. 4. Shri. mhonsao Kithan, S/o Lt. Evonthung Kithan on being Promoted to Inspector Police Deptt. Govt. of Nagaland.

5. Shri. Nyanbemo patton, S/o Lt. Sacheo Patton on being Promoted to the Rank of Inspector (SSB) Under Ministry of Home Affairs (GOI).

6. Shri. Kiremo patton, S/o Yanbemo C. Patton being selected to represent Nagaland Men’s Cricket Senior Team (Ranji Trophy) Season 2021-22.

The Ekhung wishes all the very best in their endeavours towards a bright purposeful and illustrious career ahead.

Ukraine had a small but vibrant Indian community and there were about 18,000 Indian students studying in that country.

The data is likely to vary in view of the pandemic.

In the advisory, the Indian embassy in Ukraine also asked Indian nationals to keep it informed about “Indian nationals are requested to keep the Embassy informed about the status of their presence in Ukraine to enable the Embassy to reach them where required,” the embassy said.

It said the mission continues to function normally to provide all services to Indian nationals in Ukraine.

The US and its Western allies have been severely critical of Russia over its continuing build-up of forces near the Ukraine border.

The US has already sent extra troops to Europe to support its allies in the backdrop of fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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skull caps. Many students chose to be absent as hijabwearing students were not allowed into schools.

A bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, and Justices Krishna S. Dixit and Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin adjourned the hearing of petitions to Wednesday after hearing arguments and counter arguments for 2 hours and

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): India on Tuesday advised its citizens in Ukraine to temporarily leave that country amid escalating tension between Moscow and the NATO countries over Russia’s increasing military buildup close to the Ukrainian border.

In an advisory, the Indian embassy in Kyiv asked Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine.

“In view of the uncertainties of the current situation in Ukraine, Indian nationals in Ukraine, particularly students whose stay is not essential, may consider leaving temporarily,” it said.

“Indian nationals are also advised to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine,” the embassy said.

The number of Indians residing in Ukraine at present is not immediately know.

According to an official document in 2020,

APPRECIATION

Souda Felicitate

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B E N G A L U RU, F E B 15 (IANS): The Karnataka High Court was on Wednesday urged to direct the government to allow students wearing the hijab in classes as more students remained out in schools across the state, refusing to shun the head covering.

Teachers have also turned out students who came to attend classes with

7 Indian embassy in Ukraine advises Indians to leave

The Shena Old union Dimapur area (SOuDa) would like to convey our heartiest Congratulations to Shri Vishika achumi, aBSi, SOt in-charge Dimapur, on being awarded the governor’s gold medal on the Occasion of Republic Day 2022.

We thank God for you achievement and pray that Almighty God grant wisdom and guide you as you shoulder higher responsibility ahead.

(S. hosheto achumi) Chairman, SOUDA

(Vito Swu) Secretary, SOUDA

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

K Y M C

INTERNATIONAL

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Russia withdraws some troops from Ukrainian border

LO N D O N, F E B 1 5 (AGENCIES): Russia says it is pulling back some of its troops from near Ukraine after a build-up raised fears of an invasion.

The defence ministry said that large-scale drills continued but that some units were returning to their bases.

Ukraine warned to wait to see proof of the pull-out, saying “when we see the withdrawal, then we’ll believe the deescalation”.

More than 100,000 Russian troops have massed at Ukraine’s border. Russia has always denied it is planning an attack.

The build-up has brought increasingly grave warnings, with the US saying an invasion could come at anytime.

Russia has been seeking guarantees that Ukraine will not be allowed to join Nato, something the security bloc has rejected.

In its statement, Russia’s defence ministry said it was withdrawing some of the troops conducting exercises in military districts

NATO says, No sign of Russian ‘de-escalation on the ground’

Russian servicemen drive tanks during military exercises in the Leningrad Region of Russia on Feb 14, 2022. (File)

bordering Ukraine.

“A number of combat training exercises, including drills, have been conducted as planned,” Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

Some exercises are continuing, such as a large joint Russia-Belarus drill, due to end on 20 February.

A British government source said it was waiting to see the scale of the withdrawal, saying it would

have to make a difference to the ability to invade to be meaningful.

But the announcement was enough for both Ukraine and Russia to claim victory in the standoff.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dymytro Kuleba said “we have managed together with our partners to deter Russia from any further escalation”.

A Russian foreign

WHO warns of fresh wave of Omicron in eastern Europe

WASHINGTON/LONDON, FEB 15 (IANS): A new wave of infections from the Omicron variant of coronavirus is moving towards the east of Europe, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday, urging authorities to improve vaccination and other measures.

WHO’s Europe regional director Hans Kluge, in a statement, said that the past two weeks, cases of Covid have more than doubled in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, and Ukraine, reports said.

The comments come at a time when several European countries including Sweden, Denmark, and Norway have all lifted Covid restrictions, while the Czech Republic and Poland have hinted at easing of Covid-19 restrictions next month, if daily infection numbers kept falling.

The global health body stressed the continued need for measures such as rapid testing and masking, as well as avoiding crowded locations, and improving ventilation.

Kluge stressed that in the face of an “Omicron tidal wave”, and “with Delta

Ambulances are seen on a road outside on the outskirts of Moscow February 1, 2022. (Reuters)

still circulating widely in the east”, now was “not the moment to lift measures that we know work in reducing the spread of Covid-19”.

Global Covid caseload tops 413.3 mn

The global coronavirus caseload has topped 413.3 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 5.82 million and vaccinations to over 10.22 billion, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Tuesday, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering revealed

that the current global caseload and the death toll stood at 413,307,484 and 5,825,680, respectively, while the total number of vaccine doses administered has increased to 10,222,672,400.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 77,919,113 and 922,474, according to the CSSE. The second worst hit country in terms of cases is India (42,665,534 infections and 509,011 deaths), followed by Brazil (27,552,774 infections and 639,151 deaths).

ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said the day “will go into history as the day western war propaganda failed. They have been disgraced and destroyed without a single shot being fired.”

Diplomatic efforts aimed at warding off a potential crisis continue on Tuesday, with Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz due to meet Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

NATO said Tuesday it has not seen “any deescalation on the ground” from Russian forces near Ukraine, despite earlier claims from Moscow that some troops taking part in military exercises were pulling back.

“So far we have not seen any de-escalation on the ground, not any signs of reduced Russian military presence on the borders of Ukraine,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference at alliance headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday. “We will continue to monitor and follow closely what Russia is doing,” he added.

M o s c ow s i g n a l e d Monday that some military exercises were coming to an end. And on Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said some units had “already begun loading onto rail and road transport and will begin moving to their military garrisons

Will weed out extremist elements from Pak: Army chief ISLAMABAD, FEB 15 (PTI): Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met President Dr Arif Alvi and has reiterated the armed forces’ resolve to weed out extremist elements from the country, according to a statement released by the President’s House on Tuesday.

Bajwa met President Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday, where he briefed the head of state on the operation against terrorists and the security forces’ professional readiness.

The Army chief also reiterated his forces’ resolve “to eliminate militants and miscreants from the country,” the release said.

Two weeks ago, the security forces flushed out 20 militants from Naushki and Panjgur areas in the restive Balochistan province.

“The nation is proud of the armed forces’ sacrifices [...] despite all the troubles, the security forces have defended the country’s borders,” President Alvi said after the meeting.

Bajwa also met Prime Minister Khan on Monday, a rare engagement that took place on the sidelines of the apex committee on Afghanistan’s session.

This high-profile meeting has elicited considerable interest, especially after Khan and Bajwa were at odds over the appointment of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt. Gen Nadeem Anjum.

“Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Prime Minister Imran Khan today.

Professional matters pertaining to the Pakistan Army were discussed during the meeting,” Pakistan’s PMO said in a tweet.

today.”

But Stoltenberg cautioned that even if Russia withdrew troops, it would also have to pull back heavy equipment in order to amount to a real de-escalation.

“What we have seen on the ground, since last spring, is that they are moving forces around,” Stoltenberg said, noting that such movements had not been accompanied by the withdrawal of equipment.

“The movement of forces does not represent real de-escalation,” Stoltenberg said.

However, he also said he saw some grounds for “cautious optimism” in signals from Moscow that it was willing to pursue diplomacy.

His comments came as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the latest diplomatic effort to defuse the crisis.

UK intel on Russia-Ukraine border crisis ‘not encouraging’ LONDON, FEB 15 (AFP): There are “signs of a diplomatic opening” with Russia over the Ukraine border crisis, but intelligence on a possible invasion was “still not encouraging,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday.

Moscow said Tuesday it was pulling back some of its forces near the Ukrainian border to their bases, but Johnson warned that Russian forces were still “ready to go at virtually any time.”

“We are seeing Russian openness to conversations. On the other hand, the intelligence that we’re seeing today is still not encouraging,” Johnson told Sky News.

“We’ve got Russian field hospitals being constructed near the border with Ukraine in Belarus, for what only can be construed as a preparation for an invasion.”

“You’ve got more battalion tactical groups actually being brought closer to the border with Ukraine... we’re seeing mixed signals,” he added.

Boris Johnson

Moscow released few details and there was no immediate outside confirmation of the withdrawal, which the Kremlin said had always been planned despite Western “hysteria” over a feared invasion of Ukraine.

It would be the first major step towards deescalation in weeks of crisis with the West, but Johnson said Russia needed to do more to convince the world that it was not about to invade.

“We need to see a program of de-escalation, withdrawing battalion tactical groups away from potential theatres of conflict.”

“A sense that things are being scaled back and the threat is over,” he said.

Canadian PM vows to freeze antimandate protesters’ bank accounts

LONDON, FEB 5 (AGENCIES): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken the unprecedented step of invoking the Emergencies Act to crack down on anti-vaccine mandate protests.

Trudeau said the scope of the measures would be “time-limited”, “reasonable and proportionate” and would not see the military deployed.

With no need for court orders, banks can freeze personal accounts of anyone linked with the protests.

Hundreds of demonstrators remain in Canada’s capital city. On Sunday, law enforcement cleared anti-mandate protesters at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor - a critical pathway for Canada-US trade - after a week-long stalemate.

Justin Trudeau

What began as a rally against a new rule that all truckers must be vaccinated to cross the US-Canada border, or quarantine upon return, has grown into a broader challenge to all Covid health restrictions.

“This is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people’s jobs,” Trudeau told a news conference on Monday. He said the police would be given “more tools” to imprison or fine protesters

and protect critical infrastructure.

Trudeau told reporters the legislation would be applied temporarily and in a highly specific manner.

Critics have noted that the prime minister voiced support for farmers in India who blocked major highways to New Delhi for a year in 2021, saying at the time: “Canada will always be there to defend the right of peaceful protest.”

Trudeau’s invoking of the Emergencies Act comes as demonstrations across Canada enter their third week. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said at Monday’s news conference that banks would be able freeze personal accounts of anyone linked with the protests without any need for a court order.

APPRECIATION

Yonglong Konyak (President, Wanching Student’s Union)

Mathwang Konyak (General Secretary, W.S.U)

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We, the Wanching Students’ Union would like to extend our profound gratitude to Hon’ble Minister, Shri. Y.M. Yollow, for constructing the Union’s Office-cum-Community Hall. We also extend our sincere gratitude to all the groups and individuals who have extended help in cash, kind and deeds towards the building construction.

Further, we convey our heartiest congratulations to Shri. Y.M. Yollow on being sworn into the State Cabinet as Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of Nagaland. It is our humble and sincere prayer that our Almighty God bestow his abundant blessings upon you.

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(Vinika Swu) President, UAQK

(Dr. Tito Hesso) Secretary, UAQK

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Usutomi Alhou Qemi Kuposhukulu with Honor and much gratefulness to our Sovereign Living God conveys our heartiest congratulations to Mr N. Suhuto Chishi on being enacted to Youth Secretary, NBCC at the recent 85th Annual Meet of NBCC held at Ghathashi Town BC, SABAK. We shower our earnest Prayers and Wishes that through your esteem Leadership may our Naga Youths be blessed in ample ways!

May the God Almighty we serve be Gracious unto you and your family!

K Y M C

Aus win 3rd T20; clinch series vs SL

SYDNEY, FEB 15 (AP): Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch shared a 50-run thirdwicket stand to guide Australia toward a six-wicket win in the third Twenty20 international on Tuesday, clinching the five-match series against Sri Lanka with two games to spare.

The T20 World Cup champion Australians won the toss, decided to bowl and restricted Sri Lanka to 121-6. Fast bowler Kane Richardson returned 3-21, including two wickets in his first over. In reply, the Australians reached 124-4 in 16.5 overs, with Marcus Stoinis (12 not out) hitting the winning runs for the second consecutive game to give Australia a 3-0 series lead.

Maxwell led the scoring with 39 from 26 deliveries, surviving dropped catches on 0, 9 and 22, and captain Finch scored 35.

In the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, the No. 1-ranked bowler in T20 international cricket, Maheesh Theekshana led the Sri Lankan attack with three wickets for 24 runs. He took a wicket with the first ball of Australia’s innings, getting Ben McDermott to edge to

Glenn Maxwell of Australia, left, bats against Sri Lanka, during their T20 cricket match in Canberra, Tuesday. (AP/PTI)

slip after a deflection from the wicketkeeper’s glove.

He had makeshift opener Ashton Agar out lbw for a run-a-ball 13 in the fifth over to make the total 26-2 and then had Maxwell caught in the outfield to break up Australia’s halfcentury partnership for the third wicket.

Australia won the first game by 20 runs and the second in a Super Over in Sydney on Sunday after the scores were level at the end of the regulation overs. Sri Lanka scored 18 in the last over of that game to gain

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

some confidence but, after scoring 17 in the first two overs at Canberra’s Manuka Oval, struggled against the Australian bowling attack.

“No positives today.

Yet again, poor start,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said, lamenting his team’s top-order batting woes. “Throughout the series, it’s been a major concern. We were 20 runs, 30 runs short in this game.”

The Australians made three changes for the match, with batting veteran Steve Smith sidelined because of the concussion he sus-

tained in a fielding mishap late Sunday and bowlers Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa rested. Agar came in for Zampa and Mitch Starc returned in place of Cummins. Allrounder Daniel Sams replaced Smith, taking a stunning catch inches inside the boundary rope to complete the dismissal of dangerous opener Pathum Nissanka off Maxwell’s bowling as Sri Lanka slipped to 40-4 in the eighth over.

The fourth and fifth games will be played in Melbourne on Friday and Sunday.

T-20: Youngstar CC, Silver, Hurricane win DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Youngstar Cricket Club, Silver Machete CC and Hurricane won their respective matches in the 2nd edition of the 2nd Champions T-20 Cricket tournament at Chumoukedima ground on Monday.

Organized by Nagamese Baptist Fellow Chumoukedima, Youngstar CC defeated United XI CC by 5 wickets.

Put into bat, United XI CC were bowled out for 124 runs. In reply, Youngstar chased down the target in 13 overs. Mukdul of Youngstar was awarded man of the match for scoring 33 run and taking two wickets. In the second match, Silver Machete CC beat Panther CC by 86 runs. Put into bat, Silver Machete scored a huge 209 runs in the allotted overs.

In the run chase, Panther CC were bowled out for 124 runs. Shanben, captain of Silver Machete won the man of the match award for scoring 71 runs and taking two wickets.

Hurricane CC thrashed Bashers by 7 wickets in the third match of the day.

Djokovic breaks silence on vaccine refusal LO N D O N, F E B 1 5 ( AG E N C I E S ) : N ova k Djokovic has said he would rather miss out on future tennis trophies than be forced to get a Covid vaccine.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, he said he should not be associated with the anti-vax movement, but supported an individual’s right to choose.

Djokovic was asked if he would sacrifice taking part in competitions such as Wimbledon and the French Open over his stance on the vaccine.

“Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” he said. The 20-time Grand Slam winner was deported from Australia last month after the government cancelled his visa in a row over his vaccine status.

Djokovic, who is the world’s number one men’s tennis player, said he had obtained a medical exemption to enter the country to play in the Australian Open as he had recently recovered from Covid-19.

However, the country’s immigration minister, Alex Hawke, personally cancelled the 34-year-old’s visa, on the grounds that his presence could incite “civil unrest” and encourage anti-vaccine

Novak Djokovic

sentiment. “I was never against vaccination,” he told the BBC, confirming that he’d had vaccines as a child, “but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”

In a wide-ranging interview, his first since he was detained in Melbourne in January, Djokovic addressed speculation about the timing of his positive Covid case in December and discussed his own attitude towards the vaccine.

Djokovic said he hoped vaccination requirements in certain tournaments would change, adding that he was hoping that he “can play for many more years”.

But he also confirmed he was willing to forego the chance to become statisti-

cally the greatest male tennis player of all time because he felt so strongly. Djokovic’s rival, Rafael Nadal, has won 21 Grand Slam singles titles - the most of any male competitor.

Asked why, he replied: “Because the principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. I’m trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can.”

Djokovic said he had “always been a great student of wellness, wellbeing, health, nutrition,” and that his decision had been partly influenced by the positive impact that factors such as changing his diet and his sleeping patterns, had had on his abilities as an athlete.

Indian men lose 0-5 to Korea in Sports Ministry to fund Kohli set for 100th Test in Mohali Badminton Asia Team C’ships exposure trips for 3 events

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): The young Indian men’s team, led by world championship bronze medallist Lakshya Sen, suffered an embarrassing 0-5 defeat against Korea in the opening group A match of the Badminton Asia Team Championships here on Tuesday.

A lot was expected from India Open winner Lakshya, but the world number 13 Indian went down 11-21 19-21 to Jeon Hyeok Jin in 42 minutes.

The pairing of Ravikrishna PS and Sankar Prasad Udayakumar, who had reached the finals of the Odisha Open, then slumped to an 8-21, 10-21 defeat against Hwi Tae Kim and Kim Jaehwan as India lagged 0-2.

World number 75 Kiran George, who had won his maiden super 100 crown in Odisha, then failed to get across Joo Wan Kim, losing 18-21 1421 to Joo Wan Kim in 42

Lakshya Sen in action. (PTI)

minutes as Korea grabbed an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Nothing changed in the second doubles with Manjit Singh Khwairakpam and Dingku Singh Konthoujam losing 7-21 15-21 to Yong Jin and Na Sung Seung.

Mithun Manjunath then put up a brave effort

before going down 16-21 27-25 14-21 against Min Sun Jeong in the fifth and final match.

The men’s team will next face Hong Kong on Thursday. The Indian women’s team will start their campaign against hosts Malaysia in group Y on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): The Sports Ministry on Tuesday announced that it will fund foreign exposure trips and upcoming international competitions for wrestlers, shooters and weightlifters.

The wrestlers are set to compete in two competitions in the new season -- Bulgaria (Feb 17-20) and Turkey (Ranking Series, Feb 24-27). 10 wrestlers in each of three categories -men’s freestyle, women and Greco Roman -- compete in international events.

“A total of 20 men’s wrestlers across the Freestyle and Greco-Roman categories will be taking part while 10 coaching staff will accompany them.

The women’s wrestling contingent, meanwhile, consists of 10 wrestlers and five support staff,” the ministry said in a release.

Tokyo Olympics medallists Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia will compete in the Turkey event.

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): The BCCI on Tuesday announced a revised itinerary for the home series against Sri Lanka, beginning February 25, confirming that the Twenty20 series will be played before the two Tests.

Originally, the twoTest series was planned before the T20s but the BCCI has made the change following a request from Sri Lanka Cricket. “Sri Lanka will first play the

T20I series comprising three matches followed by a two-match Test series, which will be a part of the ICC World Test Championship, 2021-23,” said the BCCI in a statement.

It was widely reported that the T20s against the Lankan side will take place before Test matches in Mohali and Bengaluru and the cricket body has now confirmed it. Virat Kohli is expected to play his 100th game in Mohali

from March 4-8. The second Test will be played in Bengaluru from February 12-16 and will be a daynight affair. The last pink ball Test played in India, in Ahmedabad last, ended inside two days with England crumbling on a rank turner.

The first T20 will be played in Lucknow on February 25 before the teams travel up the hills to Dharamsala for second and third game on February 26 and 27.

“A total of 11 Women’s Wrestlers and a total of 23 Men’s Wrestlers will be participating,” the ministry said.

“While the women’s contingent will have 5 coaching and support staff, the men’s contingent will comprise of 11 coaching and support staff.”

The Indian Weightlifting team will participate in Singapore from February 23 to 28. Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu will be a part of the 24-member contingent.

The government has also approved the participation of a 33-member Indian Shooting team in the ISSF World Cup Cairo, Egypt, from February 25 to March 8. The members include 25 shooters, six coaches and two physiotherapists. Tokyo Olympians Divyansh, Apurvi Chandela, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Sanjeev Rajput, Saurabh Chaudhary and Rahi Sar- Indian cricketers during a training session ahead of the first T20 cricket match nobat will compete. between India and West Indies, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Tuesday. (PTI)

ICC Women’s WC 2022 sees NBA: DeRozan scores 40 points; massive jump in prize money beats Jordan scoring record

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of USD 700,000.

This marks an increase in the prize money during the Women’s Cricket World Cup for consecutive editions.

The prize money between the 2013 and the 2017 edition witnessed a 10-fold rise, going up from USD 200,000 to USD 2 million.

England, who emerged champions on their home turf, took home USD 660,000 after beating India by nine runs to claim their fourth title.

In the 2022 edition, a total of 28 group stages matches will be played in a round-robin format, with each team playing each other once. The four sides with the most points will then advance to the semifinals.

A victory will earn each other two points while a draw, a tie or a noresult will see them walk away with a single point.

The matches will be played across six venues with the tournament opener taking place between hosts New Zealand and West Indies at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

The final will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on April 3.

DeRozan leads the league with 431 fourth-quarter points.

LO N D O N, F E B 1 5 (AGENCIES): DeMar DeRozan beat a Michael Jordan scoring record for the Chicago Bulls, scoring at least 35 points for the sixth game in a row.

The 32-year-old hit 40 points as the Bulls defeated the San Antonio Spurs 120-109 in Chicago to go past the mark set by Jordan in the 1996-97 campaign.

The forward has now scored 30 or more points in seven consecutive games.

The Bulls trailed by six entering the fourth quar ter, but DeRozan scored 13 of his side’s

next 15 points. They never trailed again, as DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic dominated down the stretch to help the Bulls to a fourth win in a row.

“Come the four th quarter, my main priority is to win at any cost,” said DeRozan.

“You have to understand the whole game. It is tough to go out there from the jump ball and just be aggressive and try to score.

“You got to dissect the game. I collect data throughout the game and come the fourth quarter I got it all figured out and

the ball is going in the hoop.” Vucevic added 25 points and 16 rebounds, with Coby White scoring 24 points.

Elsewhere, Seth Curry scored 23 points on his debut as the Brooklyn Nets ended an 11-game losing streak with a 109-85 win over the Sacramento Kings.

The younger brother of Stephen Curry added seven rebounds and five assists while LaMarcus Aldridge returned from missing seven games with a sprained left ankle with 19 points and eight rebounds.

dc-126/22

DUBAI, FEB 15 (IANS): The winner of the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held across six venues in New Zealand from March 4 onwards, will be richer by USD 1.32 million -- double the amount that was awarded to the victors of the 2017 edition in England.

The overall prize money has also seen an increase of 75 per cent, with the eight teams taking home a share of USD 3.5 million, which is USD 1.5 million more than the previous edition, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday.

The runners-up will now be awarded USD 600,000, which will be USD 270,000 more than what India were rewarded in 2017 for finishing as runners-up to England in 2017 at Lord’s.

The two losing semifinalists will earn USD 300,000 each while the four teams who exit at the group stages will be awarded USD 70,000 -- up from the USD 30,000 prize from the previous edition.

Every group stage win will also earn the teams a reward of USD 25,000 per victory from a total purse

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10

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

blames grandad’s medicine Winter Games: Su wins gold; Boe gets 4th gold Valieva for positive drugs test, says IOC

BEIJING, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): China’s Su Yiming claimed a second snowboard medal at the Winter Olympics as the teenager won a stunning gold in the men’s big air event in Beijing.

Slopestyle silver medallist Su, 17, scored 182.50 to beat Norway’s Mons Roisland and Canada’s Max Parrot.

Parrot beat Su to slopestyle gold last week but there was controversy over the judging of one of the Canadian’s runs.

China also won silver in the women’s freestyle skiing slopestyle, as Eileen Gu added her second medal of the Games. The 18-year-old, known as the host nation’s ‘Snow Princess’, followed up her big air triumph as she finished behind Switzerland’s 2018 silver medallist Mathilde Gremaud.

Big air bronze medallist Gremaud was the 12th and final qualifier but clinched the title by 0.33 points from Gu, with Estonia’s Kelly Sildaru taking the bronze.

Great Britain’s Kirsty Muir and Katie Summerhayes placed eighth and ninth respectively.

“I go into every contest aiming to win but never

Su Yiming

expecting to, so every time I compete, I’m here to win and I’m here to do my best.

But more than anything I’m here to have fun,” said Gu, who will also contest the halfpipe from Thursday.

Gremaud’s success was the first of two golds for Switzerland on day 11 in Beijing, as alpine skier Corinne Suter produced a blistering run to win the women’s downhill.

World downhill champion Suter denied Italy a one-two on the final podium as she completed the course in one minute 31.87 seconds - 16 seconds faster than defending Olympic champion Sofia Goggia.

It was a remarkable achievement for Goggia given she suffered a serious knee injury in a crash at a World Cup race on 23

January, which left her with a partial cruciate ligament injury and a small fracture of the fibula. At one point Italy were on for a clean sweep of the medals, but Nadia Delgado finished with the bronze and compatriot Elena Curtoni was pushed down to fifth by Germany’s Kira Weidle.

Elsewhere, Austria snowboarder Anna Gasser successfully defended her big air title in the women’s event. The 30-yearold trailed New Zealand’s slopestyle champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott by 0.25 going into the third and final run. However, competing at her third Games, Gasser delivered a stunning final jump to score 95.50 and take her combined total to 185.50 at Shougang Park.

Sadowski-Synnott, 20,

Johannes Thingnes Boe

could not respond with her final attempt and had to settle for the silver - 8.5 points behind - with Japan’s 17-year-old Kokomo Murase in bronze.

Boe goes gold again

In the men’s biathlon 4x7.5km relay, Johannes Thingnes Boe won his third gold - and fourth medal - of the 2022 Games as reigning world champions Norway rallied from sixth position after two legs to improve on their 2018 silver.

Boe, who has also won gold in the mixed relay and sprint in Beijing, came in third on the penultimate leg before Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen capitalised on a disastrous final leg for leaders the Russian Olympic Committee. The ROC ended up in bronze position, as

France finished second, 27.4 seconds behind Norway’s winning time of one hour 19 minutes 50.2 seconds.

That silver for France saw Quentin Fillon Maillet win his fifth medal in Beijing - becoming the first biathlete to win five medals in a single Games and the first male winter athlete to win five medals at a single Olympics for 42 years.

There was another gold for Norway in speed skating’s men’s team pursuit - with Canada winning the women’s competition.

Hallgeir Engebraaten, Peder Kongshaug and Sverre Lunde Pedersen retained Norway’s title, beating Olympic record holders ROC by 2.38 seconds in the A final, while the United States took bronze against the Netherlands.

LO N D O N, F E B 1 5 (AGENCIES): Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has argued her positive drugs test was due to contamination with her grandad’s medicine, an Olympic official says.The 15-year-old failed a test but is being allowed to compete at Beijing 2022 after a court ruled on Monday ruled that a provisional suspension should not be re-imposed, BBC reported.

“Her argument was this contamination happened with a product her grandfather was taking,” the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Denis Oswald told reporters.

Valieva discovered a week ago that she had failed a drugs test but then successfully appealed against a Russian Anti-Doping Agency decision to impose a provisional suspension.

That decision was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday after appeals by the IOC and others.

It cleared the way for Valieva to continue participating at the Games and she will launch her bid for gold in the women’s figure skating competition on Tuesday.

She says she is “happy” but “emotionally tired” after

Kamila Valieva

the past week. The preGames favourite, who had already wowed judges to help the Russian Olympic Committee to victory in the team event, continued training - in front of the cameras - amid uncertainty over whether she would be able to carry on competing.

Russia, which is banned from competing at the Games under its own flag because of its doping history, has come under the spotlight once again because of this case. But Oswald, who chaired the IOC commission that looked into doping violations by Russian athletes at the 2014 Sochi Games, said that at this stage it looked like there was “no connection with the institutionalised doping we had in Sochi” but that it was difficult to have an opinion

yet without all the details.

Meanwhile, an emotional Kamila Valieva launched her bid for Olympic figure skating gold after a court cleared her to compete despite a positive drugs test.

All eyes were on the Russian 15-year-old as she stepped on to the ice for a two-minute 40-second routine where the focus was briefly on her skating and not the doping scandal around her. She stumbled on a jump, had tears at the end but went top with 82.16.

She then left the ice to face the inevitable cameras and questions. Valieva, whose continued presence at the Games was proving divisive among her fellow competitors and beyond on Tuesday, will return on Thursday for the free skate that will decide the medals.

Weightlifter Chanu to compete ASA meet: NASA wins PVL: Hawks secure win against Thunderbolts in new weight category in CWG 11 more gold on day 2 Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (PTI): Olympic silver medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu will compete in a new weight class — 55kg — at the Commonwealth Games later this year to help maximise India’s chances of winning more gold medals in the multisport event in Birmingham.

Chanu has achieved a lot of success competing in the 49kg weight division, including winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year. She also holds the clean and jerk world record in this weight class.

Before that, she used to compete in the 48kg class, winning the world championship gold in 2017.

She also won 48kg silver and gold in the 2014 and 2018 CWG respectively.

However, head coach Vijay Sharma and the Indian Weightlifting Federation feel the 27-year-old has a better chance of winning the gold medal in the 55kg category at the 2022 CWG than compatriot Sorokhaib-

Mirabai Chanu

am Bindyarani Devi, who won a silver at the Commonwealth Championships in December last.

“We (coach and federation) had a meeting and discussed that India should bring back medals on all the women’s weight categories in the 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Chanu told PTI. “There is a chance of getting 4-5 gold medals and that’s why we decided that I’ll move up to 55kg. So, we can win one there,” Chanu, who is already a two-time CWG medallist, added.

India still have a gold

medal contender in the 49kg in Jhilli Dalabehera who won a silver in the Commonwealth Championships.

Chanu should be a sure-shot gold medal winner in 49kg but now she will have to work hard to win a gold in 55kg.

“I’ll have to work really hard, I’ll have to increase the weight (I lift) because it will be competitive (in 55kg). I won’t increase my weight, I’ll keep it as 50kg51kg which is my natural weight,” said Chanu, who has a personal best of 207kg (88kg+119kg).

KOHIMA, FEB 15 (NPN): With the addition of 11 more gold medals to their tally on Tuesday, Northern Angami Sports Association (NASA) is leading in the medal tally of the ongoing 50th Angami Sports Association (ASA) meet 2022.

So far NASA has won 46 medals17gold, 18 silver and 11 bronze.

Followed by Southern Angami Sports Association (SASA) with 27 medals (9 gold, 8 silver and 10 bronze).

Chakhroma Youth Organization with one each of gold, silver and bronze is in the third position while Western Angami Youth Organization with two bronze remained in fourth positions.

All the medal winners will recieve cash rewards along with certificates and citations.

Till Tuesday, Neiketoulie Belho has won gold in 100m, 200m, long jump and high jump in the men’s category and in the women’s category Abeino Neihu from SASA won gold in 100m, 200m, long jump and silver medal in 400m and triple jump.

With only 16 more gold medals remaining including games and wrestling it remains to be seen as to which of the four units would take home the overall champions trophy which also carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. The meet will culminate on February 19 with juniors’ category wrestling as the final event.

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): Hyderabad Black Hawks scored its third win in five games defeating Kolkata Thunderbolts 15-8, 13-15, 15-9, 15-12, 8-15 in the Rupay Prime Volleyball League at GMC Balayogi Stadium on Tuesday.

Thunderbolts, without its captain and star player, Ashwal Rai (injured), looked out of sorts in the first set.

The home team won the set quite easily thanks to Vipul Kumar, S. Praful and the spiking prowess of S.V. Guru Prasanth, who was the stand-out performer of the evening and also ‘player of the match’.

It was a much better coordination between defence and attack, which saw Thunderbolts put up a better show as S. Aravindhan and Mohammad Riyazudeen combined well with Mathew August showing his class to win the second set, Sportstar reported.

But, Hawks was in no mood to give up as Vipul, Praful and Amit Gulia thwarted most of the attempts by the rivals to get back into the match.

Though southpaw Anu James, who came in as a

Hyderabad Black Hawks (black) and Kolkata Thunderbolts (white) in action on Tuesday.

substitute, got the angle and power in his spiking for Thunderbolts, the solid defence of Hawks made a huge difference as it won the third set to take a 2-1 lead in the contest.

In the fourth set, Thunderbolts came back when James’ spike got them the super point at 6-9.

But, again, as had been the feature, with Vipul’s assured presence, Hawks defence was equal to the task when

tested. Vinit and Guru came up with some stunning spikes which split the rival defence repeatedly.

Guru served into the net to concede the second super point to let Thunderbolts come back at 12-14 but soon made amends with a thunderous spike to trigger celebrations in his team as Hawks won the fourth set and the match.

For the Thunderbolts, this was the first loss in four games.

SAAF Cross Country & 56th National Cross Country C’ships on Mar 26 DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): South Asian Cross Country Championships and the 56th National Cross Country Championships, which was scheduled to be held in Nagaland on January 15, 2022 but postponed due to spread of Omicron variant of coronavirus, has been rescheduled to March 26, 2022.

Nagaland Athletics through its media & communications team informed that the rescheduled date was decided by the South Asian Athletic Association (SAAF) and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in consultation with the Government of Nagaland.

The event would be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima. South Asian countries under the banner of SAAF have confirmed participation of their respective athletes and officials.

All affiliated units and associations of the AFI have confirmed participation in the event. Nagaland Athletics informed that it would conduct State Trials for selection of the athletes for the State Level Coaching Camp after which the Nagaland team would be selected. It informed that technical of-

ficials from the AFI and the SAAF in collaboration with the technical officials from Nagaland would conduct the event under the aegis of the AFI and the SAFF. Nagaland Athletics has extended appreciation to the state chief minister Neiphiu Rio and the state government for extending all possible support for conduct of the upcoming international event in Nagaland. Nagaland Athletics also extended appreciation to AFI and the SAFF, particularly SAAF president Dr. Lalit. K. Bhanot for extending support to the athletics fraternity of Nagaland and the North East and for allocation of “this important event to Nagaland as the host state.”

Nagaland Athletics has appealed to all sections of the people to not only extend support and solidarity to the event but also participate and encourage the sports fraternity. “We believe that with the support and cooperation of all sections, Nagaland is prepared to host the championships in an exemplary manner and do the nation proud and make contributions towards the nation building process,” Nagaland Athletics stated.

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