February 16, 2017

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 71

DIMAPUR, thursday, february 16, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Over 65 pc turnout in UP phase-II polling

I-League: East Bengal held by Lajong at home

Pope Francis wades into US oil pipeline dispute

national, Page 5

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

42 MLAs back Shürho Indefinite bandh across Nagaland peaceful Public rally in

Emilo K. Konyak

KOHIMA, FEB 15 (NPN): In a major political development, NFP president and DAN chairman, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu was propped up by around 42 legislators to replace chief minister T.R. Zeliang.

This was decided at a meeting of the NPF legislators with some Independent MLAs, at the residence of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Wednesday night. Pushed into a desperate attempt to save the government, it was reported that the alternative to T.R. Zeliang was initiated

by NPF secretary general and Rajya Sabha MP, K.G. Kenye in the interest of the NPF-led DAN government.

It may be recalled that Nagaland Post on February 15 had reported the move by the party to prop up Dr. Shürhozelie, but he had initially declined.

The move to replace T.R. Zeliang also comes at a time when NTAC and JCC had issued an ultimatum to all legislators to withdraw support to the T.R. Zeliang led government within February 17. In the event that Dr. Shürhozelie assumes the office of the chief minister,

NAPO dismisses NPF allegation KOHIMA, FEB 15 (NPN): Northern Angami Public Organization (NAPO) has come out in defence of APO vice president and NTAC convenor K.T Vilie, stating that Vilie was selected by NAPO to represent Angami community in APO for his “capable and efficient leadership” and not as claimed by NPF. NAPO president Neiyalie Pfusenuo and general secretary Helievio Solo said that Vilie was chosen not because he was once PS to Neiphiu Rio, but to lead the Angami community as well as NTAC Kohima for his able leadership.

Therefore, NAPO termed NPF allegation as baseless and direct challenge to the Angami community and Nagas as a whole.

NAPO also asked NPF central to shun its “disdainful habit of frequently jumping in and politicizing” genuine issues and also not to mislead the people with such unfounded allegation, as it only “portrayed the shallowness and immaturity of their politicking”.

Fur ther, Nor ther n Angami Public Organization reaffirmed its stand to support the leadership of K.T Vilie for bringing about better future.

This is it!

“Yes, we’re fighting for our rights against men who deny us equality.”

K Y M C

Dr. Shürhozelie (File)

he would be the second after Dr. S.C. Jamir to seek election after being sworn in.

Dr. Shürhozelie would now have to seek re-election within six months and in all probability, he would have to contest from his old constituency (10 Northern Angami-I A/C) which is currently being held by his son, Khriehu Liezietsu, parliamentary secretary of Youth Resource and Sports, MTF and State Lottery.

Meanwhile, sources informed that the 42 legislators after meeting Dr. Shürhozelie left to meet chief minister, T.R. Zeliang, to ask him to step down.

CMO refutes report

Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) media cell on

Wednesday has refuted the reports that the NPF party had proposed the name of its president and DAN chairman, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to take the chief minister’s chair to bail out the party from the current situation.

Associate Press Secretary to CM, Sebastian Zumvu termed the report as baseless and unfounded as Shurhozelie himself had vowed to stand by chief minister T.R Zeliang during the meeting with NPF secretary general and Rajya Sabha MP, K.G Kenye and Zeliang on February 14 evening at the CM’s residence.

Zumvu said Shurhozelie had on several occasions also made statements that Zeliang would continue as chief minister beyond 2018.

He also said that there was demand for chief minister, home minister, parliamentary secretary municipal affairs and DAN chairman & NPF president’s resignation.

In this regard, he said NPF legislators deliberated on the issue and “unanimously, on their own volition” endorsed their support to let T.R. Zeliang continue as the chief minister.

Staff Reporter/Correspondents Zeliang’s adamant attitude

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA/ MOKOKCHUNG/ TUENSANG, FEB 15 (NPN): Day three of the second phase state-wide bandh called by Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) along with all apex tribe bodies of Nagaland saw more participation of womenfolk.

DIMAPUR: The bandh in Dimapur enforced by the Dimapur Naga Youth Front (DNYF) on Wednesday passed off peacefully with no untoward incidents.

The third day of the bandh also saw more participation of women clad in traditional attires. Most of them were seen holding batons and manning strategic locations.

Meanwhile, thousands of volunteers carried out a vehicle procession and paraded the effigy of chief minister, T.R. Zeliang from Dhobinallah to Chumukedima. The effigy was later set on fire on the highway.

Another effigy was burnt at DC court junction.

A DNYF volunteer said the effigy was burnt to express their anguish against

not to step down from his chair.

Meanwhile, JCC has informed that the indefinite bandh would continue in Dimapur. They also called upon all volunteers to provide safe passage to students appearing the board exams.

KOHIMA: The indefinite bandh enforced by Angmai Youth Organization (AYO) in Kohima on Wednesday ended peacefully. Over 300 womenfolk from the Angami, Ao, Sumi, Lotha and Konyak community were stationed outside the Nagaland Civil Secretariat.

One of the women volunteers said the whole issue started off with the ULB elections and during which three innocent lives were lost. She said the state government under the leadership of chief minister, T.R. Zeliang should own the moral responsibility and step down since people have lost trust and confidence on his leadership.

She said “though people were suffering now, if it is good for the future of Nagas, we must all bear”.

Another woman said “I have no say on the wom-

Kma on Feb 17

Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC), Kohima would be organizing a “public rally” in Kohima on February 17 at Old MLA junction at 11 a.m. after which the committee would hold a “fast unto death” protest. The rally is being organized to express the demand of the people for chief minister, T.R. Zeliang to step down, NTAC media cell stated in a press note. In this regard, NTAC has fervently appealed to all tribe organizations/hohos and public to take part and extend support for the cause of the Nagas.

Volunteers parading the effigy of CM in Dimapur. (NP) en reservation, but if the present agitation is for the good of Nagas, we should support whole heartedly with prayers”.

However, a prominent woman leader, on condition of anonymity, said the whole issue was diverted.

She said “women reservation issue is for the benefit of every woman.”

Changes in bandh timings: NTAC through its media cell has informed that the bandh has been relaxed

in Kohima in the interest of the public. In this regard, NTAC said the bandh would be imposed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

However, NTAC said the agitation would be concentrated specifically on closure of government offices and movement of all government vehicles. It said exemptions would be in place only for fire service, hospitals, SP’s office and police stations, administration, banks, NBSE and any examina-

tion related establishments, NPSC, students appearing examinations, paramilitary, power sub-stations, KMC and colony/ward sanitary vehicles, business establishments and eateries, schools and colleges both private and government, public transportation, central offices (Postal, Accountant general, telecom and BSNL), PHE field staff for water supply, private vehicles, pedestrians and press media.

(Cont’d on p-8)

ISRO sets world record, launches 104 satellites Some govt servants funding & taking Sriharikota, Feb 15 (IANS): India on Wednesday created a world record by successfully putting into orbit 104 satellites, including the country’s own Cartosat-2earth observation satellite, in a single mission. With the launch, ISRO surpassed the 37 satellite launch record set by a Russian rocket on June 19, 2014.

Co-passenger satellites comprised 101 nano satellites, one each from Israel, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UAE and 96 from the US, as well as two nano satellites from India.

The total weight of all the satellites carried onboard is about 1,378 kg.

Multiple satellite launches with a PSLV rocket is not new for ISRO, having launched 20 satellites on June 22, 2016.

“One hundred and four satellites have been put

into orbit,” ISRO chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said soon after the launch.

Exactly at 9.28 a.m. the PSLV-XL variant rocket standing 44.4 metres tall and weighing 320 ton tore into the morning skies with fierce orange flames at its

tail. Gathering speed every second, the rocket raced towards the heavens amidst the cheers of the ISRO officials and the media team assembled at the rocket port here. At the rocket mission control room, ISRO scientists were glued to their

computer screens watching the rocket escaping the earth’s gravitational pull.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi have congratulated ISRO on the success.

In his congratulatory tweet, the PM said: “Congratulations to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) for the successful launch of PSLV-C37 and Cartosat satellite together with 103 nano satellites.”

President, in a message to ISRO chairman, said February 15 would “go down as a landmark” in India’s space programme history.

Congress chief in a statement said: “India has led the world in space and scientific achievements and this momentous feat by our scientists has once again made the entire nation proud.”

part in agitation, claims NPF Central

DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): NPF central on Wednesday accused some government servants of participating in the ongoing agitation posing as volunteers of JCC and NTAC and warned them to immediately desist from “political agitation against the government” or face dire disciplinary repercussions.

NPF central through its media & press bureau claimed that some of the government servants were even funding the agitation, which it said was unbecoming of government employees.

According to M&P bureau, the party was quietly observing and recording the involvement of those government servants participating and contributing money, materials and other logistical support to wage war against the government.

It stated that compiled record would be shortly

Governor tells NTAC to solve issue through dialogue DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Nagaland governor, PB Acharya, on Wednesday urged the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) to resolve the ongoing crisis through dialogue with the chief minister and the ruling DAN chairman.

Governor told this to a 14-member NTAC delegation led by its convenor, KT Vilie, when they called on him at Raj Bhavan to brief him about the situation in the state. According to PRO Raj Bhavan, the governor asserted that dialogue was important and urged them to put forth their demands “logically” to the chief minister and DAN chairman.

The delegation submitted a memorandum to the governor citing the “stubborn and adamant stand” allegedly taken by the chief minister instead of listening to the voice of the people by

stepping down to pave way for normalcy.

Meanwhile, governor has convened a meeting of leaders of all political parties in the state on February 16, 2017 at 4 p.m. at Raj Bhavan to discuss the prevailing serious situation in the State.

Kohima Correspondent adds: NTAC secretary, CT Jamir, said Governor P.B. Acharya, told the 14member NTAC delegation who called on him at Raj Bhavan Wednesday, that he would be meeting the chief minister and NPF senior functionaries on Thursday to discuss the ongoing impasse. Jamir also said the Governor termed the joint NTAC-JCC memorandum as “genuine”.

NTAC secretary said that the team reminded the governor the objective of the movement in detail and what had happened during the past 15 days. Jamir

told Nagaland Post that the governor had taken serious note of the representation and assured to discuss the matter with chief minister and NPF senior functionaries. He said governor appreciated the NTAC-JCC for leading the movement in a democratic manner.

The joint delegation also told the governor that the movement was not against the government and that its only objective was to defend the people’s right.

NTAC war ned the state government not to take advantage of the patience of Nagas and reiterated that their demand was non-negotiable.

Meanwhile, the NTAC in the representation, reminded the Governor of the assurance he gave on February 3 that “wrong doers” would be punished.

NTAC also objected to the purported confinement of the legislators and re-

minded the governor of the “enormity of negligence” of the elected representatives who obstinately and constantly congregated with the chief minister in his official residence all these days. NTAC said by doing so, the elected members failed to discharge their constitutional duties, which was also questionable in the eyes of law.

The delegation demanded a curative measure on this and reminded the Governor that they represented the voice of people and could no longer remain silent spectators to “such grievous human sufferings because of the apathetic legislators and your indecision.”The representation said that instead of listening to the voice of the people, the chief minister remained stubborn and adamant on the basis of numerical support of legislators.

NTAC also reminded the governor of an earlier meeting on February 10, 2017 at Raj Bhavan, wherein he was apprised in detail about the actual breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state.

In the light of the above, NTAC urged the governor to intervene and take appropriate action.

Meanwhile, NTAC stated that demand for resignation of chief minister T.R. Zeliang had nothing to do with the conflicting news

by NPF party functionaries and other vested interest groups and individuals.

According to NTAC, the demand of the people was that T.R. Zeliang should resign on moral ground for the death of three Naga youths and injuring several others. It stated that postponing ULB elections after the loss of precious lives would never solve the ongoing impasse.

submitted to the government and demand that stern action be taken against those involved.

Further, M&P bureau alleged that the agitators led by Thepfuvilie alias KT Vilie, have been sponsored by some few vested politicians to agitate against the government. “It is very likely the ring leaders of the agitation have been handsomely ‘rewarded’ by some few politicians to stir up unrest in the state,” it stated.

However, NPF M&P bureau said since the general public have realized that some have been already convinced by politicians with money, they have now instructed the tribal Hohos to collect money from various individuals from their own respective communities/ tribes. “Anyhow, why should individuals contribute anything to an agitation

which is making the lives of the public miserable?” it said, adding that the initiative was nothing but a cover-up to show that they were clean and not being patronised. “This is how this so-called JCC and NTAC have been fooling the people of Nagaland thus far,” M&P bureau said.

Meanwhile, the NPF central claimed that series of meetings were held and personal contacts were made prior to January 31 Dimapur incident between JCC and few politicians who were out of power now. It stated that those “suspicions” were being proved right ‘day by day’ as the activities and strategies adopted by JCC appeared to be having direct nexus between the agitating group and the “those selfvested politicians who are all out to topple the present ministry.”

Palaniswami, OPS meet Gov with claims of majority Chennai, Feb 15 (PTI): All eyes were tonight on Governor C Vidyasagar Rao over the swearing-in of the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after Edapaddi K Palaniswami and rival O Panneerselvam met him with claims of majority support of AIADMK MLAs. AIADMK legislature party leader Palaniswami, who had yesterday called on the Governor to stake claim for forming the government, met him again this evening, with his camp claiming support of 124 of the party’s 134 MLAs. Tamil Nadu has a 234-member legislative assembly. Panneerselvam gave a representation to the Governor claiming “majority” support and seeking an opportunity to demonstrate it. Panneerselvam camp has alleged AIADMK MLAs were held at a resort on Chennai’s outskirts against

their wish. Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, who was among those accompanied Palaniswami, claimed the group has the support of 124 MLAs. Rao, who was on Monday advised by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly within a week for holding a composite floor test, is yet to take a call.

Governor earlier kept his decision pending as the verdict in the disproportionate assets case against AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala, a claimant for chief ministership, was due to be announced by the Supreme Court, which delivered it yesterday. While Panneerselvam has managed to win over 10 odd MPs and some MLAs, Sasikala has been able to rally the support of an overwhelming majority of AIADMK MLAs. K Y M C

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state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur thursday, February 16, 2017

CRPF conducts various civic action prog

JCC issues list of volunteers and designated bandh area

DIMAPUR:Apex tribal bodies and JCC have designated the following areas taking into consideration the convenience of the volunteers.

Designated Point 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

(L-R): DIGP CRPF Sarbjit Singh along with CRPF officials and villagers after inauguration of water storage tank at Mezo Basa village on Wednesday (NP). 173 Bn CRPF after conducting training on rearing honey bee.

KO H I M A , F E B 1 5 (NPN): With the motive to build better relationship between the public and security forces, 78 Bn CRPF Zubza constructed a water storage tank under Civil Action Programme (CAP) 2016. The same was inaugurated by DIGP CRPF Sarbjit Singh at Mezo Basa village under Kohima district on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said CRPF are helping the public through CAP and assured the villagers that CRPF would extend such help.

He said such scheme and contribution to the society would definitely build better understanding and friendship between the public and the security forces. DIGP also assured

to construct a play ground for Mezo basa village.

Commandant 78 Bn CRPF Neeraj Yadav who chaired the programme said the main motive behind this project was to bring the forces and public closer and build brotherhood between the civic and security forces.

In the programme, Mezo basa women society presented folk song, Mezo Basa Baptist Church Pastor said the invocation while vote of thanks was proposed by assistant commandant Dzuvishil Richa.

It may be mentioned that around 80 households would be benefited from this water tank. (Correspon-

dents and unemployed youths of Dimapur under civic action programme (2016-2017), 173 Bn CRPF, under the aegis of Vikram Sahgal, IGP Manipur and Nagaland and supervision of Sarbjit Singh, DIG(Ops) CRPF, Kohima, conducted various civic action programme in different locations in Dimapur for the welfare and livelihood of local population.

Under Civic Action Programme (2016-2017), 173 Bn, CRPF under command of Joseph Keishing, commandant carried out following works to provide pure and safe drinking water and healthy atmosphere in the form of clean buildings dent) to the students and create al173 Bn CRPF: To reach ternative livelihood training out to the needs of the stu- to the unemployed youths.

They also renovated the school building and Reverse Osmosis (RO) water system for safe drinking water installed in Diphupar Government Middle School (Tangkhul), constructed a class room in Government Primary School, Kirha, Dimapur.

Unemployed youths of 6th mile Model village, Dimapur were trained on rearing honey bee through staff of Nagaland Honey Mission Dimapur and also distributed bee keeping/ growing box to the trainees.

Meanwhile, Sarbjit Singh, DIG(Ops) CRPF, Kohima inaugurated the renovated school building and R/O System at Govt. middle school Diphupar (Tangkhul) and the newly constructed class room at

Art 371(A) is for all: Tsachola

Tsipise Anthony

KIPHIRE, FEB 15 (NPN): “I don’t think there is any clause in the constitution that says Article 371 A is particularly for males only,” said Tsachola Rothrong, former State Commission Member for Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection, in an exclusive interview with this Correspondent on 33% women reservation.

When asked whether 33 % will solve problems in Nagaland, she said that she is neither for 33% nor against it because we have to first see and study the ground reality.

“May be in town like Kohima and Dimapur etc they can have capable candidates but if we look into all the districts, some wards don’t have the candidates who can fulfil the job.

“Politics is a game where the candidates should be committed person, willing to give up their privacy and sacrifice their time for the public. Setting up candidates just to fulfil the 33% will have backlash against women in the future. Moreover, this reservation is only for three terms and after that what?, she asked Tsachola, who is also the daughter of former minister, Rothrong Sangtam, opined that the Assembly should pass a resolution to allow voting rights for women in case they are nominated so that it becomes permanent.

When asked whether all Naga women today were given equal benefits by government and society, if not then how to address the matter?

She said: “job wise everyone was treated equally, depending on their connections and actually it is not the men or women issue but about your equal benefits by the government, there are districts in Nagaland where even men don’t get the equal benefits in reality. I think broad minded people should be made to hold the responsible job of leading the people or publics because, I have noticed in many occasion that some tribal leaders tend to treat the women as second class citizens which is making the educated women folk to come out of that cocoon.”

She further appealed to the Nagas to treat the women as equal partners saying “we are in the century where the brain is mightier than brawn”.

Primary School, Kirha, Dimapur.

Addressing the gathering DIG (Ops), Kohima Sh. Sarbajit Singh, laid emphasised on the importance of education system. Moreover, he exhorted locals on the importance of giving education at the early stage, as they are going to be the pillar of the nation.

At 173 Bn, CRPF head quarter under the skill development programme unemployed youths of 6th Mile Model village, Dimapur were imparted vocational training on bee rearing as a means of livelihood.

DIG (Ops) CRPF, Kohima Sarbjit Singh, also distributed the bee box to the unemployed local youths of 6th mile Model village, Dimapur.

NTC demands unconditional release of 2 GPRN/NSCN members

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) on Wednesday demanded unconditional and immediate release of Merangtoshi and Tongpang both Ao Region GPRN/NSCN, who were allegedly detained by its NSCN (I-M) on February 10. According to NTC media cell, on February 10, GPRN/NSCN Ao region camp was ambushed and the above two mentioned persons were allegedly detained by NSCN (I-M).

In the attack, NTC said three cadres were also injured. The tribe council termed the action of NSCN (I-M) as a serious threat to fragile peace and poise danger to peaceful coexistence.

“The unprovoked intrusion was unwarranted and highly nefarious”, NTC said. As-

serting that NSCN (I-M) has violated the ground rules, the NTC urged the monitoring cell to act upon the “erring party” to prevent them from further indulgence in similar violence.

Meanwhile, NTC reiterated that the common platform “Working Group” was formed under its initiative to bring unity among the Naga national groups.

It recalled how GPRN/ NSCN promptly responded to the clarion call of NTC to most of the NNPGs that led to the formation of Working Group along with other five NNPGs. Therefore, NTC stated that the working group was formed for the unity of all Naga national workers and that no one should construed it as a syndicate.

news in brief AAASHSSP get-together cum felicitation prog ZRUD joint meeting: Zunheboto Range Union Dimapur (ZRUD) has convened a joint meeting of ZRUD office bearers, its constituent’s unit president and unit representative to ZRUD to discuss various important issues on February 19 at 2 p.m. at banker Dr. David Chophy’s residence, Naharbari. All concerned have been requested to attend the meeting.

JET informs: Jotsoma Eco-Tourism (JET) has informed all visitors/public that the Puliebadze Reserve Jotsoma would remain closed for public on all Sundays from the day of this notice. JET would be opened on weekdays from Monday-Saturday as usual from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. Visitors and the public have been requested to bear with the regulation until further notice.

DIMAPUR: Alumni Association of All Saints Higher Secondary School, Peren (AAASHSSP) held its annual get-together cum felicitation program on February 11 at the School’s multi–utility stadium.

Chief resource speakers, DPO Peren I. Daniel Hemang and SDEO Noklak, Ernest Sephe, exhorted the gathering with wit and wisdom from their experiences and also motivated the class 10 and 12 students in particular to study well for their HSLC and HSSLC examination.

Alumni achievers of 2016 were felicitated with commendation certificate and the toppers of the school were given merit certificate and cash award. Rev. Fr. Kusum Kant Toppo blessed the achievers and the toppers. At the programme the alumni also presented special numbers and benediction was pronounced

by ZBCC youth secretary Iheule Zeliang. Eminent public leaders, officers, bureaucrats, students and alumni from different walks of life attended the program.

6) 7) 8) 9)

10)

11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22)

Designated Colonies/Villages

Sub-Jail Junction

Aoyimkum, Nepali Kashiram, Phevima, Indisen, Mon Bosti, Senjum Village, Rilan Village D.C. Court Point Duncan Bosti, oriental Colony, Lotha Colony, Kyong Colony, Viola Colony.

D.C. Office Lengrijan, Razaphe, Industrial Colony, Hill View Colony, Aokong Colony, Ao Yimsen, Choto Lingri.

P.W.D Junction Landmark colony, Midland, Residency Colony, Forest Colony, Supply Colony, Fellowship Colony.

Dhobinala Junction Thahekhu Village,Kevijau, Lhomithi Village, Signal Angami, Metha Colony, Xuvihe Colony, Y.Zhimo Colony, Sematila, Naga Gaon, K.Sachu Colony, Rio Colony(sewak) Signal Colony, Zeliangrong Village, Forest Plantation colony.

City Tower point Nepali Bosti, Nuton Bosti, River Belt Colony, Churches Colony, Middle Point Colony, Nyamo Lotha Colony, LRC Colony, Boro Lingri, NST Colony, Colliery Colony.

Deluxe Point Netaji Colony, Medical Colony, Chakesang, Colony, Erose Lane, Railway Bazar Colony, Neisatou colony, New Market, Marwari Patti, Police Colony.

Hotel Tragopan Point Khermahal, public Ground Colony, Zakeisatuo Colony, Kulhoupunyu Colony, Island Colony, Lakeview Colony, Overbridge Colony, New Field Check Gate, ToTo Colony, Burma Camp Junction Veterinary Colony, Sunrise Colony, United Naga Colony, Haralu Colony, United North Block-A, United North Block-B, Rainbow Colony, Ni-U Colony, Rangailong Colony, Rengma Colony, Walford Area Colony, Power house Colony, Chukaizu Colony, Namgalung Colony.

Nagarjan Point Circuit House Colony, Imkonglenden, S.M Colony, United Colony, Ura Villa colony, Vilhume, Northern Angami Colony, Valley View Colony, Mishikito, Bank Colony, Toulozouma, Seluophe, Kuda Village.

Purana Bazaar Point Purana Bazar, Naharbari, Kushiabill, Padumphuri, East Dimapur.

Padumpukhri Junction Padumpukhuri, Dobagaon, toluvi T.K. service Junction (2 ½ mile) DEEHA, Doragapathar Village Airport Junction Kirha 3rd mile Junction Thilixu, Chekiye Diphupar Junction Diphuphar, DNYO 4th mile (central jail Junc- Naga United, showba(new & old) Hoyim, and all villages tion) beyond showba and under Nuiland subdiv Green Park Junction (5th mile) Model village, sugar mill, United colony, Ikishe Village, United village.

Tenyiphe (7th mile) Tenyiphe I & II, virozouma, vidima, Urra Vill, Pimla, Razhaphe, Shoxuvi, 7th mile, model village.

Sovima (6th mile) Sovima Khrizephe, Sodzulhou, 6th mile model village, Seithekie B Chumukedima 2nd gate Chumu Town, Chumu Village, Chumukedima A village Patkai Seithikema (A)(B)(C), lotha colony, Seithekie old

In a press release, NCC media cell has apologized if any colony/village has been missed out and also requested all those villages and colonies not mentioned here to please find the designated point closest to your proximity. JCC has also thanked those women organizations and individuals who have supported JCC with their prayers and even financially. Further, JCC has informed all that the bandh has been a success throughout the state as of now and that it was firm in its resolve that it will continue with the bandh till the time T.R. Zeliang resigns.

ABCC calls for prayer

DIMAPUR: Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) while expressing deep pain over the unfortunate development in the state has requested all its churches to pray for God’s intervention and healing to come in our society on February 17 from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.

During its emergency meeting held on February 15 at Mission Centre Kohima ABCC executive director, V. Atsi Dolie said the council also denounced the killings, violence and arson which it said was contrary to Christian values. ABCC also appealed to NTAC, JCC and other frontal organizations to relax the bandh in the interest of the public. It also fervently appealed to the government to be sensitive to the peoples’ voice and take measures to defuse the situation at the earliest. ABCC said it prayer wais that both civil societies and government, while carrying out their responsibilities, should stick to the principle of love and truth.

AR organise medical TLC condemns order to arrest its leaders Tesen Lui Council ased action of the highest concamp at Lamsa village DIMAPUR: (TLC) has strongly condemned stitutional head of the state” for

DIMAPUR: Khonsa battalion of Assam Rifles undertook a Military Civic Action (MCA) project for providing medical aid and relief to Lamsa village one of the remote villages of Tirap District. In a press note by PRO (Defence) Col. C. Konwer, the camp was inaugurated by commandant of Khonsa Battalion in presence of Raja, GB and villagers of Lamsa, Katang, Changthing, Khela, Wathing, Kaimai and Kholagaon. PRO stated that the patients were provided free medicines and medical consultation. It said health awareness education class was conducted by RMO and staff of medical Platoon. A total of 68 people attended the medical camp.

the order initiated by the Governor of Nagaland to arrest the leaders of TLC without any evidential proof of religious discrimination at Tesen village.

TLC chairman Mirut and secretary, Ikengai in a press note claimed that under directive of the Governor, deputy commissioner of Peren along with sub-ordinate officers and police personnel had come to Tesen village on January 22 to execute the order.

TLC questioned the “bi-

initiating such an action without ascertaining the ground realities in connection with the controversial birth centenary monolith of Rani Gaidinliu.

TLC further warned “vested Zeliang leaders not to create any more confusions, disunity and enmity amongst the peace living citizens of Tesen villages for their own selfish interests”.

It also asserted that it would take serious action if anyone initiates such divisive policies in the future.

Student bodies appeal JCC, DNYF NPRAAF asks Governor to end present impasse DIMAPUR: Dimapur-based tribal student bodies have appealed to the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and Dimapur Naga Youth Front (DNYF) to have moral obligations and support towards the students appearing their examinations.

A joint press statement issued by presidents of ten student bodies stated that they have received various complaints such as eve teasing, verbal abuse, thorough interrogation of students in uniform etc.

In this regard, the student bodies have appealed to the volunteers to let the students pass the check points and not to cause them any psychological harassment. The unions said the need of the hour for the students was “peace of mind” so they could sit and write their exams properly.

The student bodies also acknowledged the pains and efforts rendered by the volunteers and public alike towards the people’s movement. However, at the same time, the union requested the JCC and DNYF volunteers and all the K

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right thinking citizens to extend their moral support and solidarity to the students.

Meanwhile, the ten student bodies have urged the state government to immediately restore internet services in the best interest of the student community. They said internet ban was hampering various activities of schools and institutions.

The signatories included Dimapur Rengma Students’ Union president, Tenyebinlo Himb; Dimapur Lotha Students’ Union president, Mhajan Tsopoe; Dimapur Sumi Students’ Union president, Tovika K Chishi; Ao Students’ Union Dimapur president, Lanutoshi Aier; Eastern Naga Students’ Union president, Stephen Chang; Rongmei Students’ Union Dimapur president, Chunthailung Kamei; Zeliang Students’ Union Dimapur president, Paukizonne; Poumai Students’ Union Dimapur president, Paodiikho and Pochury Students’ Union Dimapur vice president, Tasiru Fithu.

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has suggested to the Governor of Nagaland to judiciously end the present impasse as there was total “constitutional breakdown” in the state as a result of massive public agitation across the state.

A press note from NPRAAF Dimapur stated that the situation invites Article 356 of the Indian constitution as the state government machinery has come to a “complete halt” for over 13 days and normal lives including trade and commerce activities adversely affected.

It suggested that options before the Governor was “to put the state assembly under suspended animation and impose president’s rule in accordance to Article 356 of the constitution” or to “initiate process and ask the DAN government to find replacement of the incumbent chief minister T. R Zeliang.” While pointing out that Governor of Nagaland had not done enough to diffuse the current crisis, NPRAAF has also said that Nagaland required “an erudite and competent Governor versed with laws.” It called upon the Governor to act impartially without fear or favour and be sensitive to people’s voice at all times rather than “occupy the chair symbolically and enjoy official perks and hospitality alone.”

Meanwhile, NPRAAF has appealed to JCC & NTAC to rein some “over enthusiastic” volunteers during the time of bandh to safeguard its “good image”. Global Adventure (GAA) team successfully trekked with NAAME to Mt. Temipfu, the NPRAAF said it also firmly back the “legitimate de- peak at Dzükou area on February 11. Altogether 20 members from different walks of mands” of JCC & NTAC. life including Assam Police representatives participated in the trek.

K

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nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Should the present mass agitation continue in Nagaland?

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

A B C

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Exams peaceful in Mokokchung, Kiphire

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A

B

C

Yes so long as the public de- 48% mand is not fulfilled No it should end through a 35% resolution Best option is to for a brief 17% period of President’s Rule

Next poll

be as decisive and stern with corrupt leaders as with Sasikala?  Yes  No  Can’t say

February 16

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Very warm with hazy sunshine 32 14 Aizawl

Sunny and pleasant

Guwahati Hazy sunshine Imphal

Sunny and beautiful

Itanagar Mostly sunny and nice

26 9 31 12 27 10 26 13

Shillong

Hazy with a passing shower

22 4

Kohima

Nice with sunshine

25 10

Dimapur Hazy sunshine Mkg

Sunny and comfortable

Tuensang Sunny and cooler Wokha

Sunny and not as warm

29 13 24 10 16 6 22 14

Zunheboto Abundant sunshine and nice 22 7

Shop vandalised; man beaten up by volunteers

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (NPN): Volunteers enforcing the bandh in Dimapur on Wednesday allegedly vandalised a shop, destroyed a fast-food cart, broke a tailor’s sewing machine and also beat up one old ‘chana’ vendor (non-local) in Dhobinullah area.

According to witnesses, around 40-50 volunteers came in vehicles at noon and vandalised the PCO-cum-recharge shop on suspicion of doing business during the bandh with the shop closed. The vandals also allegedly decamped with some cash and items.

An old man, aged

(L-R): Man who was beaten up by volunteers. The shop which was vandalised. (NP) around 60-65, was brutally was also destroyed and on suspicion that the shop beaten and sustained head dumped into a drain by the was open during the bandh injury. He was reportedly volunteers. hours. selling ‘chana’ by the A tailor whose family Meanwhile, guards at roadside when the volunteers lives in the shop also the adjacent Army Camp came. He was rushed to the informed that his sewing also attested to eyewitness hospital for treatment and machine was also broken by a c c o u n t s a d d i n g t h e later released. the volunteers. According volunteers were wearing Another food car t to him, volunteers acted traditional attire.

4 nabbed for snatching students’ mobile

Q: Can the Supreme Court

WEATHER FORECAST

3

state State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur thursday, February 16, 2017

Correspondent

Students appearing exam in Mokokchung town on Wednesday. (NP) Correspondents MOKOKCHUNG/ KIPHIRE, FEB 15 (NPN): Examinations of class 11, Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) and High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) which commenced on commenced on February 14 and 15 respectively was conducted smoothly

in Mokokchung and Kiphire on Wednesday.

In Mokokchung, safe and peaceful passage was provided by the Joint Coordination Committee of Ao Senden for the 1458 students appearing for the examination in the entire district (1046 candidates in Mokokchung Town, including absentees).

In Kiphire, a total of 370 students successfully

appeared HSLC exam on Wednesday in two centres.

The Loyola Higher Secondary School centre s aw 6 0 m a l e a n d 7 5 female totalling to 135 candidates.

In Gover nment Higher Secondary School Centre there were 104 male and 131 female totalling up to 235 candidates.

KO H I M A , F E B 1 5 (NPN): Taking advantage of the ongoing bandh, four persons posing as bandh volunteers on February 14 snatched three mobile phones of female students near local ground Kohima.

The accused persons identified as Avizo Tetseo, Vepa Rhakho, Ata Venuh a n d Ya l i e we r e t h e n arrested by police and kept under the custody of North Police station.

According to AYO volunteers, the incident came to light after the students lodged a complaint

The four accused. (NP) and AYO volunteers made thorough search in and around the area.

The four culprits were nabbed from a liquor shop at Nagabazaar Kohima

by the volunteers and then taken to the Angami Students’ Union office.

They were later handed over to police.

W h e n t h i s

correspondent called up the police station for the details and inquired about the incident, the police on duty refused to divulge the information.

Snapshots of indefinite bandh in Dimapur, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Kohima

Volunteers including womenfolk at Chekiye Village gate, Dimapur. (NP)

Zunheboto Town wears deserted look during bandh. (Photo by Sumi Hoho)

Volunteers manning ADC Court junction, Dimapur. (NP)

Volunteers stationed at Khermahal junction, Dimapur. (NP)

Volunteers of ENPUD at Clock tower junction, Dimapur. (NP)

United beyond tribal lines: Leaders of different organizations – ENPO (Mokokchung), Mokokchung Town Sumi community (Hoho) & Gorkha Union Mokokchung – standing in unison as a mark of resentment against the present Nagaland state government in Mokokchung. (Photo: Toshi Kichu)

A section of women volunteers outside the main gate of The Secretariat Office Kohima on Wednesday (NP).

Women volunteers at deputy commissioner office Dimapur. (NP) K

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Women volunteers at 5th mile junction, Dimapur. (NP) K

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4

PM Modi to address rally at Kangla Fort

IMPHAL, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): As parties go all out in a bid to woo voters, the BJP campaign in the state will see star campaigners Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Rajnath Singh address rallies. While Modi will address a public meeting at the historic Kangla Fort on February 25, Rajnath Singh will address another rally in Imphal on February 19.

Preparations for their visit have been started by party workers here. “Prime Minister Modiji will land in a special aircraft at the Imphal airport at 11am on February 25. He will go straight to Kangla Fort in Imphal city to address the rally,” general secretary of the state unit of BJP Nongthombam Nimbus Singh told TOI on Tuesday.

Modi was earlier scheduled to visit the state capital on February 28.

“We are expecting a mammoth crowd,” Nimbus said. After the rally, the PM will return to the airport and leave for the national capital, he added.

Speaking about the Union minister’s itinerary, Nimbus said Rajnath Singh

Sikkim Govt launches UJALA scheme and endorses LEDs G angto k , F eb 1 5 (PTI): With an objective to replace inefficient bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs in Sikkim, the Minister for Energy & Power and Labour Department of Sikkim, D.D.Bhutia, officially launched Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDS and Appliances for All (UJALA) scheme here today.

Bhutia expressed gratitude and congratulated the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) & Sikkim State Designated Agency (SSDA) for launching UJALA scheme in the state of Sikkim while speaking on the occasion.

By adopting UJALA Scheme, consumers will see drastic decline in their electricity bills and it will also help the government to meet the demand of electricity druing peak hours also, he said. He also said, since Sikkim is one of the most fastest developing state in the country with an increase

in the number of industries, the demand for power is on the rise. The minister also urged everyone to generate awareness among people and encourage people to use LEDs since conservation of energy does not cost anything.

Officer from Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)Ronak Bandopadya said that the government will distribute 14.5 lakhs of 9W LED bulbs and 8.7 lakhs of 20W LED tube lights in Sikkim.

An estimated 1.45 lakh consumers are expected to be benefitted Under this scheme, he said. He said that this scheme will lead to a daily energy savings of more than 7.04 crore KWH. UJALA domestic appliances can be purchased from the distribution centers listed on www.ujala.gov. in while EESL will replace LED bulbs and LED tube lights free of cost for 3 years, he said.

CBI re-opens infamous July 2009 fake encounter case

215 candidates file nominations for first phase

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): With little headway in efforts to end the economic blockade in Manipur, the upcoming assembly polls in the state may see one of the highest deployment of Central para-military forces in the recent times.

Sources in the home ministry on Tuesday said that around 20,000 troops deployed in parts of UP covered in the first few phases of polling, may be diverted to Manipur over the next 15 days.

According to force deployment details accessed

by TOI, while 16,000 troops are already deployed in Manipur to help the state government clear National Highway-2, along which Naga rebel group United Naga Council has been enforcing a blockade for over past three months.

The Manipur High Court, which is hearing a

plea pertaining to the blockade, has asked the Centre to post an additional 7,500 troops. The Centre, meanwhile, has already asked the 8 battalions of Assam Rifles stationed in Manipur to be utilised for clearing NH-2. However, there is little progress in getting the highway cleared, with the state government reportedly unwilling to use force against women protestors blocking the road.

“Over the next 15 days, the Central paramilitary troops disengaged following end of polling phases in UP will be shifted to Manipur as a preparatory measure ahead of polling on March 4 and 8,” said a home ministry officer.

Incidentally, the home ministry feels the law and order situation in hill areas of Manipur, which are going to polls in on March 8, is not conducive either for campaigning by the

Aimol cultural dance being presented at the Lui-Ngai Ni - Naga Seed Sowing Festival.

DIG of 26 Sector Assam Rifles brig. AS Chauhan and Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO) president Ws Kanral Anal graced the joyous occasion as chief guest and functional president respectively.

Brig AS Chauhan in his address said that invitation of him to this year’s Lui Ngai Ni celebration was an indication that the Naga people of Chandel have acknowledged the fact that Assam Rifles were the ‘Friends of hill people’.

ECI to arrive in Imphal to assess poll preparedness

Manipur polls may see highest Hindu group protests against deployment of forces in recent times book at Agartala book fair

file party leaders are meant for the first phase polls.

Another schedule of their visits for the second phase will also be chalked our by our party leaders very soon,” Nimbus said.

BJP leaders Prakash Javadekar and Ram Madhav have addressed various party rallies in several parts of the valley areas over the last couple of days.

Correspondent adds: Meanwhile, a highly reliable source today said that a team of Special Protection Group (SPG) has arrived in Imphal Wednesday as advance team to take up security arrangement for the visit of the Prime Minister.

IMPHAL, Feb 15: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has re-opened the infamous July 23, 2009 fake encounter case in which a former rebel was killed by police commandos in broad daylight.

The agency had already charge-sheeted nine police personnel after Imphal West district and session judge granted CBI Imphal branch to re-investigate the case.

Former PLA cadre Chungkham Sanjit Singh of Khurai Sajor Leikai, Imphal East was killed by police commandos on July 23, 2009 at crowded BT Road stretch of Khwairamband Keithel in board daylight.

Manipur government entrusted CBI for investigation into the case after a mass uprising following a Delhi base magazine “Tahelka” exposed it as fake encounter with a sequence of photos which Sanjit was accosted by the police commando personnel before shooting him to dead inside a watch repairing centre.

A CBI team from its New Delhi headquarters arrived here on Tuesday and re-opened the investigation Wednesday.

The eight-member Delhi-based CBI team led by a senior IG rank officer

Lui Ngai Ni celebrated with cultural fervour in Chandel

CHANDEL, FEB 15 (NPN): Naga community in Chandel district of Manipur celebrated Lui-Ngai Ni - Naga Seed Sowing Festival under the theme “Towards a culture of Peace” at Maha Union Government Higher Secondary School’s Ground, Japhou on Wednesday.

The festival began with unfurling of the Luingaini flag by brig. AS Chauhan which was followed by blowing of the traditional horns.

Garo militants abduct drivers, mechanic in M’laya

IMPHAL, Feb 15 (NPN): With the state gearing up for the two-phase Assembly elections in March, officials of the Election Commission of India (ECI) will arrive in Manipur on February 21 to check on the poll preparedness.

Manipur will go to poll on March 4 and March 8 for which processes for the conduct of the elections are underway amidst the economic blockade and government office picketing stir spearheaded by the United Naga Council (UNC) in hill areas.

Election processes had already started with allowing filing of nomination papers for candidature for the first phase has over and due to end by Thursday (February 16) for the second phase.

An official source said that the eight-member ECI team led by chief election commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi will arrive in Imphal in the afternoon of February 21 and will be camping here till the next day.

Meanwhile, noting the tense situation in the Naga dominated hill districts, state CEO office had made a special arrangement for allowing filing of nomination papers for candidatures

Correspondent

Former CNPO president Ng Gilbert and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (South) convenor Dr. Gina Shangkham also attended the celebration as guests of honour.

Invoking blessings for bountiful harvest, showcasing of cultural dances, folk songs from 9 Naga tribes and presentation of gifts to tribe leaders were the main highlight of the celebration.

Anal remarked that though Chandel was lag-

ging behind others in terms of development, it was one of the richest districts in terms of culture.

He further maintained Nagas had given up violence and were now trying to restore peace through peaceful means only.

Former parliamentarian, legislators, ADC members, several tribes’ leaders, social workers, religious leaders and village chiefs also attended the celebration among many other special invitees.

who arrived at Imphal on Tuesday was camping in Imphal.

The CBI re-opened the case after the Imphal West district and session court issued an order for re-investigation into the BT Road firing incident, which the victim’s family as well as civil society and human right organizations alleged was a stage-managed encounter.

While issuing the order the Judge mentioned about the court having examined application of CBI as well as case dossiers. For the record, the said case is currently at the stage of examining prosecution witnesses numbering about 90.

It is informed that as per guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, a court of law has the power to direct further investigation if the investigating agency moves the court for investigation into a particular case.

The CBI team is also likely to launch fresh investigation into the seizure of large quantity of psychotropic drugs from the same airport.

According to a source, the sleuths might be clustered into two groups to re-probe the drug seize case apart from summoning those accused in the case for appearing before them.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur thursday, February 16, 2017

four hill districts, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and Ukhrul where polls will be conducted on second phase at Imphal.

With regard to logistics and other poll related issues due to the UNC blockade, an official source said that there would be no shortage of fuel for the ensuing 11th State Assembly election in spite of the more than 100 days old UNC’s indefinite economic blockade.

Imphal office of IOC’s State Level Coordinator has informed the election authority that there were 822 Kls of petrol and 1600 Kls of diesel at the government oil depot at Malom, Imphal.

Stock positions of fuel have improved considerably and there would be no shortage of fuels for the state Assembly elections, it informed.

Election authority estimated that political parties, District Election Officers, paramilitary forces and police would require 665 Kls of petrol and 1965 Kls of diesel in order to conduct the State Assembly election.

Deputy general manager of the IOC’s North East Integrated Sales Office, Guwahati who arrived here on Tuesday has also held a meeting with representatives of retail outlets.

Narendra Modi will land at the Imphal airport at 11am in a special flight on February 19 and then address a political meeting at the Nambol area.

After having lunch at a hotel here, he will join a meeting with scholars and intellectuals at the auditorium of the Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) at palace compound in Imphal city.

Later, the home minister will address a huge party rally at THAU ground, a popular sports ground at the Thangmeiband area in Imphal West, before leaving for New Delhi in the same flight. “The proposed visits of the two high-pro-

northeast

candidates and political parties or for safe and secure movement of polling personnel. Sources said around 17-18 assembly constituencies in the hill areas may be affected. “Even if the option of airlifting polling personnel is available, it is not possible to arrange choppers for 1,600 personnel required for polling across 20 constituencies,” said an officer.

However, considering that polls have to be conducted in the state and a new assembly put in place

by March 18, when the term of the existing assembly expires, the solution may lie in concentrating as many Central forces in the state as possible. “With the last phase covering only a few constituencies of UP, it is possible to post a good chunk of the 87,000 troops allotted for polls across five states, in Manipur,” said an officer.

NRL exports wax to Indonesia, Dominican R GUWAHATI, FEB 15 (IANS): The Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Assam is now exporting its high quality wax to Indonesia and Dominican Republic, said a NRL spokesman on Wednesday.

A 40-tonne export consignment of Fully Refined Paraffin Wax (FRPW) was flagged off to the two countries from NRL’s Marketing Terminal on Wednesday, he said. “With this, total exports of Paraffin Wax from NRL’s wax plant stands at 2,172 tonnes,” the spokesman said.

NRL had earlier exported its wax to eight countries -Mexico, Kenya, Nepal, Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Thailand, Hong Kong (China) and Brazil. The company is also exploring opportunities of exporting wax to a few other countries in the near future. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated NRL’s wax plant to the nation on February 5 last year. The 50,000-tonne plant was commissioned in March 2015 at a cost of Rs 676 crore and it is the country’s largest wax producing unit with indigenous technology developed by the Indian Institute of Petroleum-Dehradun, Engineers India Ltd and the NRL.

Correspondent

Tura, Feb 15 (NPN): Tribal Garo militants on Tuesday abducted six drivers and a vehicle mechanic in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills district, bordering Bangladesh, police said.

Fo u r a r m e d m i l i tants suspected to members of the A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) went to the limestone quarry near Sangkinigre area and abducted the drivers and mechanic at gun-point.

The kidnapped persons have been identified as Shyama Rabha, Manoj Das, Dipak Baiswa, Khitish Rabha, Amulya Kalita, Dinobandhu Roy (all drivers) and Kameshwar Pandit (Mechanic).

“We have launched a search and rescue operation in the area to secure the safe release of the victims,” a police official said.

He said the police were yet to know if the militants have made any contacts with the victim’s family members for ransom.

Meanwhile, Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Meghalaya’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos have been pressed into service to rescue the abducted persons.

AGARTALA, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): Tripura’s Information and Cultural Affairs minister Bhanulal Saha on Wednesday said the government will not tolerate protests at a book fair, after a Hindutva group shouted slogans and demonstrated against a book on Jammu and Kashmir at the fair.

Around 20 people belonging to ‘Tripura Vivekananda Juba Sena’ shouted and carried the national flag inside the Agartala Book Fair ground here on Tuesday night, for allegedly portraying the Indian Army in a poor light.

“We will not tolerate such kind of protest inside the book fair ground. Such happenings have never been witnessed in the Agartala book fair for the past 36 years,” the minister told the media.

He said the people of Tripura were not used to such “intolerance”.

Correspondent

The book “Kashmir”, published in 1998 by Kolkata-based Progressive Publishers and written by Sidhartha Guha Roy, narrates the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the role of the Army.

Tripura Sanskriti Samannay Kendra, a sociocultural body, Vice-President Gautam Das condemned the incident and said that since 1981 people of the state have never seen such kind of “fanaticism”.

Local newspapers said the Tripura Vivekananda Juba Sena is close to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Sena spokesman Jaydip Chakraborty said the book’s author “wrote against the Indian Army and Indian government”, the reason why they organised such a protest.

Tripura BJP spokesman Victor Shome denied the party had any links with the right wing group.

Imphal, Feb 15 (PTI): Altogether 215 candidates have filed nomination papers from 38 constituencies which go to polls in the first phase of assembly elections on March 4 to 60 seats in Manipur.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manipur, Vivek Kumar Dewangan in a press release today said 83 candidates had filed their papers yesterday as nominations for the first phase ended.

Scrutiny of papers for the first phase of elections will be held on February 16 and the last date of withdrawal is on February 18, the release added.

It also said that 24 candidates have filed nomination papers so far for the second phase of elections for Manipur on March 8 to elect 22 MLAs. Security arrangement meanwhile has been beefed up in the state.

Only 44 per cent women in Assam have safe-sex awareness GUWAHATI, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): The latest National Family Health Survey-4 reveals only 44.6% of women in Assam are aware that consistent use of condom can reduce the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS. The figure is only slightly better than that of Bihar (33.5%) and Gujarat (43.2%). Neighbouring states like Manipur (79%), Meghalaya (47%), Sikkim (62.7%) and Tripura (57%) have all fared better than Assam. Till December 31, 2014, a total of 9,991 HIVpositive cases were detected in Assam, of which 3,445

were women. Even though Assam is categorised as a low HIV-prevalence state, the number of new HIV infection cases annually has risen at a rate of 2.5% from 1,219 in 2007 to 2,408 in 2011. The estimated adult HIV-prevalence rate in the state is 0.6% against the national prevalence of 0.26%.

The rate is, however, higher than the 0.04% recorded in 2007. AIDS experts attribute this to the society’s gender roles and the taboo surrounding contraceptive methods.

“What is made available is for the males. Gender role has a role to play in As-

sam’s low awareness among women about the use of condoms and its effect on the prevention of HIV. It is important that awareness be made inclusive,” said SI Ahmed, one of the first medical practitioners in the state to do an enhanced study on the AIDS scenario in the region, and the chairman of the Assam Prevention Society.

HIV-positive women continue to face difficulties in terms of property rights, face social stigma from both within their families and outside in the society, and have to encounter discrimination in all walks of life.

IIM in Shillong may lose Rajiv Gandhi tag

KOLKATA, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): A bill tabled in Parliament to give autonomy to India’s premier B-schools, the Indian Institutes of Management, has sparked a controversy because of its political overtones. The proposals in the bill include one to drop the prefix ‘Rajiv Gandhi’ from the name of IIM-Shillong, leading the opposition to question why.

The proposal comes on the heels of the Union Budget dropping the former Prime Minister’s name from four central government schemes — Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship

for Scheduled Caste Students and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan. All the schemes were introduced under the Congress-led UPA. Congress MP Adhir Chowdhury said the moves as a “de-Congressisation” bid of the Modi government. “This is a typical expression of the fascist forces. The first step is to demolish tradition, and erase history and diversity. The next step is to build a personality cult, all in the name of Narendra Modi,” he added. The IIM bill, 2017, also proposes to change the name of IIM-Calcutta to IIM-Kolkata. Experts fear the move would not only erode the IIM-C brand value, but also lead to confusion since IIM-Kozhikode is also known as IIM-K.

Sasikala back in jail as prisoner no 9435 LANDS IN JAIL AFTER SUPREME COURT REJECTS HER PLEA FOR MORE TIME

Bengaluru/Chennai, Feb 15 (IANS): AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala, held guilty for corruption, on Wednesday returned to the Bengaluru jail as the battle for supremacy in the AIADMK continued in Tamil Nadu.

Sasikala, 59, was sent to a women’s cell in the Central Jail soon after she reached Bengaluru in a convoy of cars from Chennai after her plea for more time to surrender was rejected by the Supreme Court.

A prison official told journalists that the long-time confidante of the late J. Jayalalithaa, who was Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu when she passed away on December 5, is expected to make candles in jail.

Sasikala surrendered to the trial court set up in the prison along with her sister-inlaw Elavarasi and nephew V.N. Sudhakaran, all of whom were held guilty along with the late Jayalalithaa by the apex court on Tuesday of having assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

All four were lodged in the same prison for three weeks from September 27, 2014 after the trial court sentenced them. They later got bail from the Karnataka High Court.

Even at the prison, where police and AIADMK activists scuffled, Sasikala sought more time to serve the jail term but the judge rejected her request and told her to undergo a health check-up.

The trial court was set up in the jail complex because the civil court complex in Bengaluru is in a congested area and could have faced law and order issues due to the high-profile nature of the case.

In Chennai, Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao prepared to invite acting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam as well as pro-Sasikala AIADMK leader E. Palanisamy to find out who has majority support among party MLAs. Before leaving Chennai, Sasikala visited the Marina Beach memorial of Jayalalithaa.

Hitting the floor thrice with her right hand, she pledged to return to politics after defeating the “be-

Over 65 pc turnout in UP phase-II polling

Sasikala, Palaniswami booked for ‘detaining MLAs illegally’

The Kancheepuram police has booked AIADMK interim general secretary V.K. Sasikala and newly-elected AIADMK legislature party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami for allegedly detaining party MLAs illegally at Golden Bay resort in Koovathur. They have been booked under various sections of IPC including, Sections 366 (kidnapping) and 506 (1) (criminal intimidation). The AIADMK MLAs have been lodged at the private resort on the Est Coast Road since last Tuesday after Chief Minister Panneerselvam revolted against party’s decision to elect Sasikala as the legislature party leader. The MLAs at the resort, however, are denying that they have been detained and say they are here “on their on will.”

On Wednesday, Kanchipuram SP Mutharasi and a team of police officials visited Golden Bay resort and conducted enquiry after a complaint lodged by Madurai south MLA Saravanan. Saravanan, who joined the OPS camp on Monday, claimed he escaped from the resort as MLAs were not allowed to leave the place. He had filed a complaint that MLAs were kidnapped and threatened at resort. Confirming that the MLAs were questioned by the police, Radhapuram MLA I S. Inbadurai said, “The compliant is false and done with malified intention.” Police are getting independent statements from the MLAs on why they are at the resort. Initially commandos were brought to the resort anticipating trouble. However, they were withdrawn.

Panneerselvam and Palanisamy to meet TN Governor

V.K. Sasikala trayers” in the AIADMK. She later went to AIADMK founder late M.G.Ramachandran’s house at Ramavaram and paid her respects before his picture and also meditated for some time.

At both places, hundreds of supporters gathered, most of them looking grim.

Once the Supreme Court held Sasikala guilty of corruption on Tuesday, the MLAs backing Sasikala and housed in a guest house near here elected Palanisamy as their new legislature party leader.

On Wednesday, Panneerselvam aides claimed he had the support of some 40 of the 135 AIADMK legislators but Palanisamy said he had adequate legislative backing to form a government.

Earlier, police registered a FIR against Sasikala and Palanisamy after AIADMK MLA S.S. Saravanan accused them of abducting him. The party denied the charge.

Saravanan, a legislator from Madurai South constituency, filed the abduction complaint against Sasikala and Public Works Minister Palanisamy.

After his complaint, hundreds of police personnel in riot gear reached the resort on Wednesday. The legislators at the resort have switched off their phone lines and some do not answer the calls or cut the call if it is from the media.

They said they could vacate the resort if Palanisamy told them to do so or if he was called to form a government.

Tamil Nadu acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and the Chief Minister-aspirant, Public Works Minister Edapadi K. Palanisamy, are to call on Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao. According to an official in Raj Bhavan, Rao will meet Palanisamy at 7.30 p.m. The Governor will meet Panneerselvam at 8.30 p.m. Each can take nine other persons along with them, the official added. Palanisamy, who was elected as AIADMK’s leader of legislature party, is expected to stress upon Rao to invite him to form the government.

Sasikala hits Jayalaalithaa’s grave hard three times swearing

AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala stopped at former Tamil Nadu chief minister late J Jayalalithaa’s memorial on her way from Chennai to Bengaluru today for surrendering before court. Sasikala will be jailed in Bengaluru after reaching the magistrate’s court.However, while offering prayers at Jayalalithaa’s memorial at Chennai’s Marina Beach, Sasikala did something which was not the norm. With her eyes flooded with tears and lips muttering something, she hit the memorial three times at short intervals. Sasikala’s supporters claimed that she took an oath by “thumping” at Jayalalithaa’s grave. AIADMK’s tweet said her three thumps were for three vows: “I will overcome hurdle(s), treachery and (the) plotting (against me).”

This thumping by Sasikala was unprecedented. Her expression was a mix of several sentiments - anger, grief, fear, haplessness and frustration. While delivering its judgment on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had ordered that Sasikala be sent to jail “forthwith”. However, she spent the day with her supporters and AIADMK MLAs holed up in Golden Bay Resort near Chennai. She came out of the Resort late at night after installing E Palanisamy as leader of AIADMK’s Legislature Party. Today, she sought more time from the Supreme Court to surrender. However, her plea was rejected. She was directed to surrender in Bengaluru immediately. However, Sasikala’s detractors accused her of expressing anger against the former Tamil Nadu chief minister for landing her in trouble. Sasikala and two of her relatives have been convicted by the Supreme Court for being accomplice in the Rs 65.65 crore disproportionate assets case against Jayalalithaa. Sasikala has twice spent time in jail in the case for 21 days. She will be lodged in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail and will spend the remaining three years, 11 months and nine days in jail to serve the court’s sentence. Whether Sasikala’s thumping at Jayalalithaa’s grave was an oath-taking or an act of frustration and anger, it will certainly remain etched in the memory of her supporters and detractors alike for a long time to come.

From to-be CM to prisoner number 9435

AIADMK chief V K Sasikala was on Wednesday sent to jail after she surrendered before a trial court in Bengaluru, a day after the Supreme Court restored her conviction in the disproportionate assets case. Sasikala will be spending the next four years in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Jail as Prisoner Number 9435. Sasikala will be lodged in barrack number 2. Sasikala will be making candles in jail and will be paid `50 daily. She will not have Sundays off. Sasikala also asked for access to home-cooked food, a demand which yet against was struck down judge, who said that for now, the jail manual will be followed and in course of time she will be allowed to file an application with the requests which could be later considered.

Sasikala was imprisoned after completion of court formalities and medical check up, officials said.

Those displaying Pak, ISIS flags Remove Modi, Naidu pics in JK to face harsh action: Rawat from PMAY website: EC New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI): People creating hurdles during anti-terror operations and displaying flags of Pakistan and ISIS in Jammu and Kashmir will be dealt as anti-nationals and will face “harsh” actions, Army Chief Bipin Rawat said today.

His stern message came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he paid last respects here to the three of the four soldiers including a major who were killed in two separate encounters in Kashmir yesterday.

General Rawat said security forces in J&K are facing higher casualties due to manner in which the local population is preventing them in conducting the operations and “at times even supporting the terrorists to escape”.

“We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as antinational elements and go helter-skelter for them.

“They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue,” said the Army Chief.

General Rawat said those supporting terror activities are being given an opportunity but if they continue with their acts then security forces will come down hard on them.

“We are giving them an opportunity, should they want to continue to then, we will continue with relent-

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national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur thursday, February 16, 2017

Bipin Rawat less operations may be with harsher measures and that is the way to continue,” he told reporters after laying wreath to the martyrs of Handwara and Bandipora operations. The Army Chief further said if “they do not relent and create hurdle in our operations, then we will take tough action.”

Of late, security forces have faced opposition from local population in certain areas of Kashmir during anti-terror operations.

Three security force personnel were killed in an encounter in Parray Mohalla of Hajin area of Bandipora district yesterday while another armymen lost his life in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Four militants were also killed in the operations.

Army chief warns locals against supporting militants in Kashmir

In a stern message, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said the army operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir will continue and warned locals against

supporting militants.

“Our aim is to bring peace and tranquility in the Kashmir Valley. These terrorists have now entered villages and we are conducting operations against them. We find the local population is somehow not supporting security forces’ action,” General Rawat told the media here after paying homage to four Army personnel, including a Major, killed in two gunfights in Kashmir on Tuesday.

Speaking on the high casualties among the security forces in anti-terrorist operations, the Chief of Army Staff said: “Our aim has been to conduct operations in a way that don’t endanger the civilians.

However, sometimes locals prevent us from conducting military operations - at times even supporting terrorists to escape.”

“It leads to higher casualties among the security forces,” he added.

Warning locals against supporting militants, General Rawat said: “We will request locals in Kashmir that people who have picked up arms -- and these are local boys -- and if they want to continue with acts of terrorism by displaying flags of the Islamic State and Pakistan, we will treat them as anti-national elements and go after them.”

“They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. And our relentless operations will continue,” the Army chief added.

Four soldiers and as many militants were killed in two gunfights in the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI): The pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Cabinet colleague M Venkaiah Naidu on the website of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) are violative of the model code and should be removed immediately, the Election Commission has ruled.

Acting on a complaint that the pictures on the website are promoting BJP in Uttar Pradesh, where assembly polls are on, the Commission said that “depiction of photographs of Prime Minister and ministers...is in violation of model code of conduct and hence such photographs shall have to be immediately removed from the official website (pmaymis.gov.in) ... the Commission desires to know the reason as to why this was not done before, when the model code was in force (since January 4),” the Commission told Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha.

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi L u c k n ow, F e b 1 5 (PTI):: An impressive turnout of over 65 per cent was recorded in 67 Assembly constituencies across 11 districts of western Uttar Pradesh, figuring in the second phase of the crucial state polls today.

The districts where polling were held included Bijnor, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Sambhal, Rampur, Bareilly, Amroha, Pilibhit, Kheri, Shahjahanpur and Badaun.

A total of 2.28 crore voters, including over 1.04 crore women, are eligible to cast their ballots in 14,771 polling centres and 23,693 polling stations in the second of the seven-phase polling. “ Po l l i n g wa s h e l d peacefully amid tight security,” UP Chief Electoral Officer T Venkatesh said.

The CEO office said the average turnout was over 65 per cent in these seats.

The voter turnout in the first phase was recorded at 64.2 per cent - an increase of nearly three per cent from the first phase turnout in the 2012 state ssembly polls.

At Bareilly, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s 115-year-old grandfather Z H Kazmi cast his ballot assisted by his family members.

At certain places, long queues were seen outside polling stations. First time voters were seen enthusiastic, taking selfies and proudly showing off the indelible ink imprint on their fingers.

Muslim women clad in burqas were seen outside several booths, while

the photograph of a newly married couple going to cast vote in Bareilly went viral on social media.

Of the 67 seats at stake, the ruling Samajwadi Party had won 34 seats in the 2012 polls, followed by BSP 18, BJP 10, Congress three and others two.

In the present phase, 721 candidates, including 62 women are in the fray. The maximum candidates (22) are from Barhapur (Bijnor) and a minimum of four nominees from Dhanaura (Amroha).

The prominent contestants include controversial SP minister Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam, who are contesting from Rampur and Swar seats respectively, Saif Ali Naqvi, son of former Congress MP Zafar Ali Naqvi, former central minister Jitin Prasada from Tilhar (Shahjahanpur), BJP Legislature Party leader Suresh Kumar Khanna from Shahjahanpur city and state minister Mehboob Ali from Amroha.

Elaborate arrangements were made for free and fair polling with deployment of 51,771 police constables, 52,598 homeguards, 5,397 sub-inspectors and 3,666 head constables to maintain law and order.

The Election Commission has barred political parties and candidates from publishing advertisements in newspapers today and tomorrow without its approval. The poll body has asked them to get the advertisements pre-certified from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee at the state and district levels before their publication.

The Commission said the decision was taken in view of past instances of advertisements of “offending and misleading nature” in print media on such occasions, which vitiate the elections.

The upcoming five phases of polling will be held on February 19, 23, 27 and on March 4 and 8.

Counting of votes will be taken up on March 11.

Govt. of India Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Central Govt. Health Scheme O/o the Addl. Director A.K. Azad Road, Gopinath Nagar, Guwahati-781016 Ph : 0361-2492697, Fax : 0361-2492698 Tender No. D-11031/2/2015(KOHIMA)/I

NOTICE INVITING TENDER

Narendra Modi It also asked the top bureaucrat to “ensure” that websites of other ministries and departments do not contain such photographs.

It recalled its earlier directions that references of ministers and politicians be removed from central government websites to ensure that the party in power does not get advantage of any kind in the assembly elections.

While polls are over in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa, they are on in Uttar Pradesh and are to be held in Manipur.

Delhi’s illegal arms syndicate busted; 1 held

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS): The Delhi Police busted a syndicate of illegal arms suppliers and manufacturers and arrested the brother of syndicate kingpin, a police officer said on Wednesday.

According to the police, Mani Singh was working for his brother Richpal, who was manufacturing illegal arms and supplying these to criminals in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana. TMhe police recovered 20 sophisticated pistols with five live cartridges from his possession. “Police teams arrested Mani Singh after intercepting his car following a tip-off on Tuesday night, while he was coming to deliver a huge consignment of weapons to buyers of western Uttar Pradesh at Azadpur in North Delhi,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.

Engagement of Agency for providing Watch & Ward Duty (Chowkidar) & Safaiwala at CGHS, KOHIMA O/o the Addl. Director, CGHS, Guwahati, invites qualified, reputed and experienced agencies for engagement of Watch & ward Duty (Chowkidar) & Safaiwala at CGHS, Kohima. The tender documents available at the Central Public Procurement Portal (ePublishing) (www.eprocure.gov.in/epublish/app) & CGHS Website (www.cghs.gov.in). Interested bidders who qualify as per the criteria mentioned in the tender document, may submit their tender at the above mentioned address latest by 10th March 2017 till 6.00 PM. Addl. Director CGHS, Guwahati davp 17139/11/0015/1617

Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs Sashastra Seema Bal Office of the Commandant rd 43 Bn. SSB, Siddharthnagar (UP) (Telephone No. 05544-222832 of Control Room) No. SRC/PF/CT(GD)/S.K/43rdBN/SSB/S.NAGAR/13/1643-48 Dated : 31/1/17 SUBJECT :- SHOW CAUSE NOTICE-II Whereas, Shingwang Konyak (No. 9285232/CT/GD) S/O Sh. Wangjen Konyak, Vill: Chui, PO : Chui, P.S : Mon, District : Mon, State : Nagaland is overstaying after expiry of sanctioned leave w.e.f.

17/08/2016(AN) without prior permission of competent authority.

And whereas, communications directing you to assume your duties were issued at your home address vide No. 12638-40 dated 03/09/16 and No. 12866-68 dated 07/09/16 but you failed to assume your duties.

And whereas, a Court of Inquiry was ordered vide order No. 14155-58 dated 05/10/16 after expiry of 30 days of your absence without leave as per provisions contained under section 74(1) of SSB Act. 2007.

And whereas, on receipt of COI report I undersigned after having satisfied with the opinion of the COI, made a record there under justifying your absence without leave and inventory of Govt.

Property in your possession Govt. I/Card, Copy of Court of Inquiry is enclosed.

And whereas, Apprehension Roll was issued to concerned police authority to apprehend you vide letter No. 14935 dated 19/10/16 and No. 15678 dated 02/11/16.

And whereas, when neither you have surrendered yourself either before the police Authority or the unit, nor you were apprehended by the concerned Police, you were declared as "Deserter" vide order No. 1636166 dt. 11/11/2016 as per provisions contained under section 74 (2) of SSB. Act. 2007, Copy of order declaring you as deserter is enclosed.

And whereas, a Show Cause Notice was served upon you vide letter No. 50815 dated 12.01.2017 for assumption of your duties within a period of 15 days after receiving the Show Cause Notice, but you failed to assume your duties.

Now, therefore, once again this notice is served upon you with the direction to resume your duties within 15 days of this notice at rd 43 Bn. SSB, Vil-Semarnar, PO- Bhimapar, Dist- Siddharthnagar(UP) 272207, failing which you shall be "Dismissed from service" without any prior intimation.

COMMANDANT Tele No. 05544-222834 43rd BN SSB, S/NAGAR (UP) DP-1407

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opinion/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXVII NO. 71 Dimapur, thursday, February 16, 2017

Parlour, to Poes to pen

W

hat the Supreme Court had done by giving a clear and decisive judgment against Sasikala Natarajan on February 14 was a landmark one which has been lauded by all those who have had enough of inordinate court delays and questionable acquittals of corrupt VVIPs in the country. The Supreme Court two-bench judge had delivered the judgment convicting AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala Natarajan in a 21-year-old illegal assets case. The court was hearing an appeal from the Karnataka government to overturn a lower court’s order convicting her and her mentor, the late chief minister (CM) of the state, J Jayalalithaa. The SC concurred with the lower court’s verdict and sentenced Natarajan to four years in prison. The judgment was a culmination of a long legal process that began in 1996. Natarajan was a co-accused alongside the late Jayalalitha in the disproportionate assets case. The duo was believed to have amassed a massive illegal fortune of around Rs 66 crore during Amma’s first term as CM between 1991 and 1996. The case against Jayalalithaa stands abated with her demise in December 2016. Sasikala and the others will also have to pay a fine of Rs 10 crore each. Sasikala now stands disqualified from contesting polls for 10 years, minus prison term already served. There is a huge sense of relief in Tamil Nadu with the conviction of AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, who was described as “female don” by a senior Congress leader EVKS Elangovan. Over the years, the Mannargudi Mafia, as Sasikala and her immediate and extended family members are referred to, penetrated almost every layer of government and police. Even senior police officials are wary of dealing with them. When Sasikala was ousted from Poes Garden in 2011, the ‘Mafia’ lost its clout, but bounced back immediately after her return to the CM’s home. With Jayalalithaa gone, the family appeared at the forefront during her funeral and since then, has entered Poes Garden and become well entrenched. The ‘herd mentality’ had led to Sasikala being made the general secretary of the party even though the late Jayalalitha never allowed her close aide to enter politics. The next plan to be the chief minister would have succeeded had certain factors not come into play, such as the unexpected rebellion of the otherwise docile and Jaya loyalist Paneerselvam and a Governor who acted as if he had been given the directive not to swear-in Sasikala.

Anyway, Sasikala was tripped from becoming the chief minister by the Supreme Court judgment.

The Disproportionate assets case between 1991 and 1996 amounted to Rs.66 crore, which is not much today. To say even by Nagaland standards, a few hundred crore rupees worth of properties is nothing. Nagaland’s infamously corrupt and extremely rich bureaucrats and looting politicians have amassed wealth beyond imagination. In a year, around several thousands crore rupees are pumped into Nagaland under plan outlays and from various central funded projects. What the Supreme Court has done is to complete the journey of Sasikala from parlour (she owned a video parlour), to Poes (the house of Jayalalitha) and to the pen (jail).

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 “sittogether 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

The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves. ~ William Penn

Nagaland Post, Dimapur

thursday, February 16, 2017

Post-mortem Political viruses in Nagaland The issue is FOR Art 371A, NOT against women’s election D

I

f you see thing as it actually is, you will see it that way and if you want to see the way you want it, you will also see it that way. What 9 or 8 or 7 actually is, you from opposite side can see it as 6 or B or L and draw your conclusion from that angle. In this manner Art 371A is being viewed by people from different perspective, that within legal fraternity, within successive government and unavoidably so within laypersons. Art 371A is no less a mini-constitution of Nagaland, therefore this article essentially should be viewed from Naga perspective rather than from un-Naga or non-Naga perspective. Why, because in prevailing situation what may be legally right may turn to be socially, politically wrong for us.

One does not need to be a legal man/woman to understand the content and spirit of Article 371A, for the fact that this very article is the upshot of a political agreement and therefore it cannot and should not be interpreted strictly in legal term without also equally considering the historical and political connection, then and now. Art 371A, particularly (I) (a) (i) to (iv) is one amongst what Naga leaders wanted from day one of negotiation and accordingly inserted and protected by the Constitution; neither is it gifted to us nor is it general provision for all. After 50 years of adoption and successful implementation, it will be very stupid and suicidal for present or future generation to doubt the intent of the article or the author. The other way round, this article is a constitutional restriction put against potential constitutional or Parliament’s infringement on the given supremacy of Art 371A. And until and unless Nagaland Assembly opens its door, no constitutional provision in the like of Art 243T or act of Parliament or court can forcibly come inside. But problem of current nature started when successive Assembly oft and on opened the sealed door without visualizing or least consideration of dangerous intrusive forces. Still bigger problem is false assumption and submission that there is a higher authority above State Assembly to decide or act on the special provisions otherwise guaranteed by Art 371A. For quite some time women activists & supporters are questioning their counterparts how and in what manner 33% reservation for women is infringing Art 371A and alongwith state government they are claiming that Art 243T is a constitutional provision, for that matter a constitutional right guaranteed to

all women. Fine. Indeed whether or not women participation in elective bodies violates customary law needs debate but I do not believe in such violation. Nonetheless, whether or not 33% reservation of Art 243T infringes the special provision of Art 371A is highly questionable and I, on the contrary believe there is such infringement for reasons mentioned below. My argument is based on the contention made by JACWR/NMA and confusion created by successive Assembly and state government.

1. NMA’s contention that “reservation for women in local and urban decision making bodies of the Panchayati Raj and Municipalities has been guaranteed through the 73rd and 74th Amendment of the Indian Constitution which supersedes Article 371(a)” (Ref: Memorandum submitted to CM on 19/3/12) also became JACWR’s main contention in their Special Leave Petition. Until and unless JACWR/NMA justify how exactly 73rd and 74th Amendment... supersede or override Art 371A, how can they possibly refute the charge that 33% reservation of Art 243T is infringing Art 371A? 2. Successive State Assembly adopted resolution and again revoked same resolution, respectively on 22 Sept. 2012 and on 24 Nov 2016 on conflicting ground. Yet state government is not in a position to clarify, apart from explaining the sequence, how exactly 33% reservation of Art 243T infringed Art 371A by 2012 and then how exactly the former no longer infringes the latter by 2016. Until and unless state government logically and independently resolves this position of infringement or not-infringement, how can state government in the midst of this confusion, decide to seek extra constitutional ordinance at the risk of endangering Art 371A? Any educated person should be able to understand the meaning of ‘Notwithstanding’, the first word used in Art 371A; else synonymous words are nevertheless, however, even so, still etc. A Dictionary defines the word “The particular thing mentioned has no effect on the situation that you are describing although people might expect it to”. Rephrasing it to our context, ‘the particular thing mentioned (Art 243T) has no effect on the situation that you are describing (special provision of Art 371A) although people might expect it to’ (I repeat, although people might expect it to).

(To be concluded) Vaprumu Demo, Kohima

ishonest unethical Practices in man and woman in the Politicians particularly and in the Government are Political Viruses that cause very difficult-to-cure political Diseases in the Society.

Ill-advised Road-Shows, irrelevant Projects, unpopular Acts touching on Land Resources of the people, overnight emergences of Lakh- and Crore-pati Politicians and their connections, in the Government Servants, backing the wrong Horse of the Hohos, purchasing consent from NGO and influence of Organizations of extra constitutional Forces are some of the political Viruses that caused deep resentments and dissentions in the State.

A highly unexpected favorable Court Decisions on Case involving the highest Profiles in the State, added to the disenchantment of the People on the Government.

The State’s recent use of Water Canon and Lathis on legitimate Teachers demanding their unpaid Salaries for many months, the Tear Gas, Water Canon and Lathis on peaceful democratic Meeting of highly popular ACAUT demonstrated a high handedness of the Government.

Political Viruses in the State would not end by Water Canons, Tear Gas, and Burning of Effigies, destroying Public Properties, and preventing governance indefinitely. Political pathogens are eliminated not by the barrel of the Gun or by Violence either.

The 50 years of Armed FARC Revolution in Peru did not generate the political Peace in the State. FARC had to finally approach Peace through democratic Negotiation. Their first attempt was rejected by the people and it was only in the Second Attempt that Peace finally brought normalcy to the Country.

In the Naga, the NSCN Revolution by “political Power through the Barrel of the Gun” had exhausted much of its steam.

The Organization had to disengage its Kalashnikovs and engaged in a time consuming 20 years’ negotiations now for Peace with the GoI. Recently Brazil and South Korea are in deep trouble. The Public in millions took to the Streets and public Squares demanding the impeachment of Dilma of Brazil and Park Geun-hye, Presidents of the two Nations, for alleged financial impropriates.

The Public has every democratic right to demand the removal of their President, of their Prime Ministers or their Ministers, yet Presidents; Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers are

removed only from the Floor of the Parliament and the floor of the Assembly, not from Public Squares or Street Junctions.

I know some in the present dispensation in Nagaland, may not feel comfortable to hear this, but we must preserve the primacy of Democratic processes in our Land.

The Public protest was for the removal of the 33% Woman Reservation Act in the ULB Nagaland Assembly passed.

However, it is not for nothing that the Assembly passed the Act. They Passed the Act because of the Sins of Commission and of Omission of the Naga Governments past and present. The Government of Nagaland has landed itself thoughtlessly into the present dispensation. Now, if the Government stands up, their Heads would get hit on the Ceiling; if they sit down, Spikes would pierce their Bumps. That is the situation of the Government today is in.

On the other hand, the Protesters have tasted blood and want the Pound of Flesh from the Government, nothing more nothing less. They changed the Goal Posts, and now demand nothing less that the dismantling of the Government! Government may come, Government may go, but the political reservation may practically last for a long time, though in paper it is said to be Temporary. But the Women winning the Supreme Court Case may affect Naga life impertinently irreversibly.

Competent Naga Legal Minds feel the 33% Reservation Case in the Supreme Court may ultimately, in the long run, injure the wider Interests of Nagaland today and tomorrow.

Therefore, when everything said and done, it would be best to evolve a Solution ourselves in our own State than go to Delhi for solution.

Qualified legal Opinions of Nagaland say that the Women withdraw their Case in the SC ‘unconditionally’; and then the State Assembly, in a one-day Emergency Session repeal the concerned Act completely to replaced it with a New One ‘in consultation with all the Stake holders in Nagaland’.

Or replace the operational phrase of “with immediate effect” of the ACT in existence by “with effect from a date notified by the State”.

The State of Nagaland has amended the Act several times earlier and perhaps it can amended the ACT again.

Let us give hid to the Opinion of the concerned legal Minds in the State more than the Advice from others, for the simple reason that blood is thicker than water.

In defence of Patriarchy

(From previous issue) The ULB issue is not about gender war. The government failed to address the genuine apprehension of the Nagas in general- that the Nagaland Municipal (Third Amendment) Act 2006 could infringe Art 371 A. Thus, it was the ineptitude of the state government in gauging the mood and resolve of the tribal hohos and the JCC which led to the situation. They were contemptuously labeled as having a political agenda- as is the usual defence when faced with critical situations- so much so that the government began to see the imprints of Rio everywhere. Rio in the process acquired an almost embarrassing larger – than- life image (though the ‘Rio is the answer’ slogan remains unfulfilled). The cursory manner in which a ONE day consultative meet with civil society organizations was organized by the government on the ULB elections and women reservation didn’t help matters since the reality is that even most educated Nagas would be hard pressed to explain the full form of FIR. Under the circumstances, the learned Addl. Advocate General Kakheto Sema defending the government and the ULB elections came across as coloured and not the Whole Truth.

One understood from the write-ups of Kakheto Sema (and later A. Zhimomi) that Article 243T under Part IX-A is a constitutional mandate which cannot be AVOIDED by the state government. In layman’s term, ULB elections SHOULD be held with the 33% reservation for women clause, and indeed polling was conducted on 1st Feb (But this ‘SHOULD be held’ contention already stands

contradicted in the light of the State Election Commission declaring the ULB polls ‘null and void’). Whereas, the Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) represented by V Hukavi Zhimomi and Imkong Jamir, has asserted that the state legislature has full powers to legislate on the ULBs (according to 7th Schedule); and whereas the NM Act 2001 was enacted by the Nagaland legislature WITHOUT any reference to Part IX – A of the Constitution with its contentious Article 243T mandating 1/3rd seats in the ULBs. In other words, they’ve asserted that the ULB elections CAN be held without 33% reservation! Likewise, while A Zhimomi asserts that the ‘ordinance’ route (to be passed) by the PM and his cabinet is the only option to exempt the imposition of Part IX- A upon the state, the NBA alludes that the STATE LEGISLATURE IS FULLY COMPETENT enough to carry out the same. The two totally divergent and contradictory stands have confused everybody. Perhaps, in the scheme of things related to the interpretation of the Indian constitution, there can be no consensus, only majority opinions. Interpretation seems to be the key here which again may be the reason why the learned counsels have NOT opined on whether Part –IX A of the constitution violates the SPIRIT of Article 371A. This is important because judging from their wariness, it can be inferred that the constitution cannot be rigidly compartmentalized as there’re always rooms for connecting dots between the Articles or Clauses.

In which case, violation of Art 371 A is all too probable. This is precisely the fear which the JCC and the Hohos had aired; with the

government unable to convince the masses. Therefore, shifting the goal post from women reservation apprehension to property tax doesn’t arise. Both are equally relevant.

Perhaps liberal minds would do well not to rush to conclusions that the Hohos’ fear of 33% reservation infringing on Article 371A stands on wrong footing. The government, instead of tinkering with possible dilution of Art 371A, should explore the NBA argument that the state legislature is within its powers to enact a municipal law befitting to the social and economic conditions of the state. The violability of Article 371A through future Constitutional amendments is a clear danger. A day may come when the total sum of all these Constitutional amendments may make the Article totally redundant notwithstanding the words… “Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution….”

Therefore, a concerted effort has to be made to convince the PMO and the Indian Parliament that (a) all constitutional amendments incorporated post 1963 – that is, the year Art 371 A was inserted into the constitution- be reviewed keeping in mind the possibility of violability of Article 371 A. Imagine a hypothetical situation- would the authors of the 16-Point Agreement have said YES to Part-IX A if they were somehow told that it was going to be introduced in the future, 1992? (b) Any future amendments should be subject to automatic review if later found violative of Art 371A, notwithstanding the assent of 2/3rd of the states. Meanwhile, Patriarchy cannot be the Last Word on the issue.

(Concluded) Joel Naga

The Women who went to the Supreme Court are not necessarily more far-sighted or more progressive and better educated than the others. The Case in question is on Legal Issue in the context of perceptions and of discernments for the State stake Holder today and for tomorrow.

Let the Woman be given Front Seat everywhere, let them have Special Wash Rooms everywhere, let them have Special Compartment in every kind of conveyances, give them Specially facilitated Education, let there be Special Scholarship for all girls, Special consideration of Employment in the Government, give them 33% legal Seats even in Private Corporations. Let the Government make Laws to this effect.

M a n a n d Wo m a n a r e EQUAL before God, before the Law of the Land and before Democracy. But in Politics, no Reserved Seats special for any section Woman or Man, please; not even for 1% because that would be the tip of an Iceberg as big as Nagaland, floating trouble to the Naga Life in Future.

I n Po l i t i c s A L L A R E EQUAL –Male or Female, Unisex or Bi-sex, Hermaphrodite or Neutered.

If a Government is to resign untimely, it is done only from the floor of the Assembly.

The Electors could demand it democratically by recalling their Representatives.

The APO has suggested the Representatives may ethically and morally listen to their Represented Elector’s desire. This is the correct steps in the Path to terminate the Government democratically.

Political Parties, -when they fail to democratically remove their opponents, often demand their opponents to step down on Moral Grounds. But Politicians, both in search of Power or in Power do not seem to know where Moral Grounds are!

Lalu Prasad, the innate Chief Minister of Bihar, at the height of an alleged Veterinary Feed Scam in his State was asked by his Enemies to resign on Moral Grounds. He characteristically replied: “I know Football Ground, I know Cricket Ground, but I do not know Moral Ground!”

In Nagaland too, there may be honorable Politicians and others who may not know where Moral Grounds are located.

Please bear with me if this is not true?!

Thepfulhouvi Solo IFS Retd (RR -68), Retd Principal Secretary, Nagaland, (ANGAMI_T@ YAHOO.CO.IN)

Reader’s Post

Sir,

An appeal to lift internet ban

We’re living in an era where internet keep us connected with people from across the globe. Likewise, Nagaland is a State where majority of internet users feed on mobile data owing to geographical remoteness as compared with mainland cities. The recent move that extensively banned mobile data has negatively affected the entire populace particularly students and individuals who are preparing for exams. Such hasty illogical measure taken under an excuse of controlling mob has pushed the situation from bad to worse. People felt disconnected at home and thus forced themselves into streets or crowded places which aggravated the violence.

As a result, internet ban holds no effect in lessening violent behavior. Of late, we’ve witnessed incidents like burning down of government offices, burning of vehicles, shootings, vandalizing properties and frequent protests across the streets of Nagaland amid ongoing cellular data ban. These are indisputable signs that people can overpower the power of internet ban imposed by government.

In broader sense, such desperate attempt to cut off normal communication was clear symptom of juvenile behavior.

It is too early to deny the fact on the situation that remains tense. However, there are people willing to console others in distress via social blogs. Oppositely, the freedom of communication was hijacked whilst right to access information was completely confiscated. That was how the situation took a U-turn from out of the pan into the fire. In some instance, competent government authority has the right to block peril websites that potentially trigger violent but not the entire service on which optimistic users feed on for positive purpose.

Straight to the point, there are vital online activities which we cannot escape from. While the candidates of NPSC combined technical exam counter difficulties in online procedures, the students of CBSE and NBSE deprived from accessing study materials and conducting online test. Besides, a group of talented Nagas currently participating in National event (Rising stars) were deprived of online votes. There are also other activities which have been adversely hit by data ban. Has the government consulted TRAI prior to ban and thereof, notify consumers as to why data ban came into effect and under what Act? When it comes to price value, 3G/4G datas are considered expensive. In this case, who will compensate customers if unused prepaid data expires?

I fervently appeal the government to lift prolong internet ban without delay.

Vezo Luruo, Kohima

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.

7

national

Journalist’s murder: SC directs Shahabuddin be shifted to Tihar

PIL challenges mobile phone ban in Bombay HC

Modi, Rawat pay homage to soldiers slain by militants

M U M BAI , F EB 1 5 (AGENCIES): A city advocate has filed a public interest litigation before the Bombay high court to challenge its ban on cell phones inside court rooms. The challenge is to a circular signed by the HC registrar general on February 13 which has barred “litigants and public at large” from carrying mobile phones and any other audio-visual recording devices into court halls. The penalty for violating the order would be confiscation, fines and contempt of court actions.

The PIL filed by Advocate Vinod Gangwal says that order would inconvenience honest people. “A mobile phone is necessity of the day. All the responsible persons who come to the court in want of Justice, are aware or they are made aware that in the court premises mobiles should not be used,” he says. It adds that in other high courts such a ban does not exist.

The petition says, “innocent people can not be deprived their fundamental rights as per article 21 of constitution of India.” The Petitioner says that “there are people who come to the court and at the same time they have to communicate with their wards and family, their office, or with their ailing parents,” and asked how can “in such situation” people communicate.

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid homage to four army men, including a Major, who died fighting militants in two encounters in Kashmir and said the country will always remember their valour and sacrifice.

He laid wreaths on the bodies of the soldiers at the Palam Airport here where the mortal remains were brought today from Srinagar.

On the occasion, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat briefed the Prime Minister on the encounters in which the casualties took place.

“Paid tributes to the brave men who lost their lives fighting terrorists in J&K. India will always remember their valour & sacrifice,” Modi tweeted later.

The Prime Minister was returning from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh after addressing an election rally there when he paid his last respects to the bravehearts.

Major S Dahiya and three other soldiers were killed yesterday in two encounters in Kashmir.

Dahiya was killed in an encounter in Kralgund area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district where security forces gunned down three militants hiding in a residential house.

Maneka writes to HRD Taiwan parliamentary delegation on corporal punishments visits India; China lodges complaint

HC issues notices to Mayawati on land manipulation

Mohammad Shahabuddin

New Delhi/Patna, Feb 15 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin be shifted from Bihar’s Siwan jail to Tihar jail here on the plea of the widow of slain Siwan journalist Rajdeo Ranjan.

Asha Ranjan has termed the apex court order a victory for her. Her husband was allegedly ordered killed by Shahabuddin last year. Asha Ranjan had urged that Shahabuddin be shifted to Tihar to ensure a free and fair trial in the case.

Directing the Bihar government to transfer Shahabuddin to Tihar Jail, the bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy said it should be done in a

Maneka Gandhi

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI): Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has written to HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on the need to curb corporal punishments in schools, urging him to direct them to follow

SC gets five more judges

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): Five new judges were on Wednesday appointed to the Supreme Court, taking it working strength to 28. President Pranab Mukherjee has signed their Warrants of Appointment and the notifications will be issued shortly, sources in the government said here.

Those elevated to the apex court are five high court judges, including four chief justices of state high courts.

They are: Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Rajasthan HC Chief Justice Naveen Sinha, Kerala HC Chief Justice Mohan M Shantanagouder, Chhattisgarh HC Chief Justice Dipak Gupta and Karnataka HC judge S Abdul Nazeer.

week’s time.

Shahabuddin is facing trial in 45 cases. The top court had sent him back to jail on September 30, 2016, as it reversed a September 7, 2016, Patna High court order granting him bail.

The bench said the authorities escorting Shahabuddin to Tihar should “strictly follow the rules applicable to the transit prisoners and no special privilege shall be extended” to him.

The bench also said that the trial in pending cases should be “conducted by video conferencing by the concerned trial court”.

The bench in its order noted that in certain cases the Patna High Court had granted stay, and requested the High Court to dispose of the said matters within four

the national guidelines on the issue. This comes in the wake of media reports last week about a principal of a government school in eastern Uttar Pradesh forcing a group of girl students to run on the playground without their skirts for failing to memorise Sanskrit shlokas.

“The WCD Ministry has asked the Ministry of Human Resource Development for widespread circulation and implementation of the Guidelines for Elimination of Corporal Punishment prepared by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights,” according to an official statement.

months.

The court’s order came on a plea by Asha Ranjan whose journalist husband Rajdeo Ranjan, - the Siwan bureau chief of Hindi daily Hindustan - was shot dead in May last year allegedly at the instance of Shahabuddin for exposing his activities in Siwan jail, and another plea

by Chandrakeshwar Prasad whose three sons were killed in two separate incidents by the henchmen of the RJD strongman.

The plea for shifting Shahabuddin to Delhi was backed by the Bihar government which had on November 29 last year told the top court that it was not averse to it, including transfer of trial in 45 cases.

The court rejected as “unacceptable” the argument advanced on his behalf that the top court in exercise of its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution cannot transfer Shahabuddin to any other jail in another state.

The court said it is the “obligation and duty of this Court to ensure free and fair trial”. The court also said the matter relating to the plea for registration of FIR against RJD president Lalu Prasad’s son Tej Pratap Yadav, who is Health Minster in Bihar, and Siwan Superintendent of Police would be

NEW DELHI, Feb 15 (Agencies): Two days after a parliamentary delegation from Taiwan visited India, China lodged a diplomatic protest with New Delhi asking it to deal “prudently” with Taipeirelated issues so as to maintain sound Sino-Indian ties.

That this might happen was indicated by the fact that China used its state media earlier today to warn New Delhi that “playing the Taiwan card” is akin to “playing with fire.”

“We hope that India would understand and respect China’s core concerns and stick to the ‘One-Chi-

na’ principle and prudently deal with Taiwan-related issues and maintain sound and steady development of India-China relations,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told the media, PTI reported.

Of course, China is still smarting from brand new US President Donald Trump’s pro-Taiwan and anti-China statements+ . And it’s afraid its other traditional rivals will borrow a page from Trump’s diplomatic playbook.

China, which considers Taiwan as part of its mainland, opposes any

diplomatic relations as well as political contacts with Taipei by countries which has diplomatic relations with it. “...some Indian strategists have advised the Modi government to play the Taiwan card, using the commitment of the ‘OneChina’ policy as leverage in exchange for China’s endorsement of ‘One India.

By challenging China over the Taiwan question, India is playing with fire,” said a column in Global Times, a media outlet affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party newspaper, People’s Daily.

BSF jawan in viral video meets wife, HC told

Tej Bahadur Yadav

New Delhi, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): The wife of BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, whose video on poor ration went viral, told the Delhi

High Court on Wednesday that her meeting with him in Jammu was satisfactory. The Centre also told the court that Yadav has now been given an independent mobile phone and new number from which he can contact his family freely.

“We have been informed by the petitioner (Yadav’s wife Sharmila) that she has been able to meet her husband and the meeting was satisfactory,” noted a Bench headed by Justice G.S. Sistani.

The court also noted that Yadav can now speak with his family without the presence of any third person.

“With this, no further order requires to be passed,” said the Bench while disposing of the petition.

The court had on Friday ordered that Sharmila be allowed to meet Yadav after which the government arranged their meeting at Ya-

Cabinet approves new bill to cover J&K under Statistics Act

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS): The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposed amendment to the Statistics Act that will enable the central government to collect data, including demographics, in Jammu and Kashmir as the existing law didn’t apply to the state that has its own Constitution.

The proposed bill was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and would now be introduced in Parliament, according to an official statement.

heard on April 21, 2017.

Police have already arrested Upender Singh, an aide of Shahabuddin, in connection with Rajdeo Ranjan’s killing. Singh is known as a sharpshooter of Shahabuddin.

Police in Siwan have said that Ranjan’s killing was part of a pre-planned conspiracy.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the murder.

Chandrakeshwar Prasad, father of three brothers allegedly killed at the instance of Shahabuddin, voiced his happiness at the development.

“Now, we will live here without any fear and hope to get justice,” Prasad, who along with his wife Kalavati Devi has been living at their house in Siwan town despite threats, told IANS over telephone.

He also said that at last Siwan will be “free from Shahabuddin’s terror”.

“Shahabuddin’s presence in Siwan jail for years was enough to create terror among people. We have been demanding for long to shift him from Siwan jail to Tihar jail in Delhi for free trial to ensure justice to us.”

Both Prasad and his wife said they had faith in the justice of the Supreme Court.

It extends the jurisdiction of the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, to Jammu and Kashmir on statistics on economics, demographic, social, scientific and environmental aspects.

The state has its own Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010, which is almost a replica of the central legislation.

But the state act did not allow jurisdiction to be exercised by the central government in Jammu and Kashmir and did not extend to statistical subjects

falling in the Union List of the Consitution. Data from the state was currently being captured through the National Statistical Survey Organisation.

This, the statement said, had created a “legislative vacuum”. “The amendment is intended to address this vacuum,” it said.

The Jammu and Kashmir legislature has powers to enact laws on statistics that falls under the Concurrent List and residuary powers reserved for the state under the Constitution.

dav’s batallion at Samba in Jammu.

Sharmila had come to court by way of a habeas corpus petition seeking production of Yadav as she said the family has not been able to contact him.

She said over the last call, Yadav had hinted at him being taken to an undisclosed location and that he is always in presence of a third person while making phone calls, that too from some other number.

The Centre had, however, told the court that the allegations were baseless as Yadav has merely been moved from his 29th batallion to 80th batallion within Jammu.

It also said his phone has been seized as part of probe as the vital videos were filmed with it.

The court has then ordered that “the wife should meet her husband”.

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad high court on Thursday issued notices to BSP supremo Mayawati and two of her close relatives on a PIL alleging “manipulation” of land records in their native village while she was the UP chief minister.

A d iv i s i o n b e n c h comprising Chief Justice D B Bhosle and Justice Yashant Verma passed the order on the PIL of social worker Sandeep Bhati, who had alleged that in Badalpur village of Gautam Buddh Nagar district, a large tract of agricultural land, spread over an area of 47,433 square metres, had been declared as “abadi”(residential/ non-agricultural).

The petitioner has alleged that this was done with a view to changing the land use so that sale of the plot, in part or whole, could fetch a huge sum to the owners.

The village falls in the vicinity of Greater Noida and the petitioner has impleaded Mayawati, her father Prabhu Dayal and brother Anand Kumar as parties in the PIL. The court, while issuing notices to the respondents, directed the registry to club the PIL with another pending petition, wherein similar allegations have been made, and list the matter for further hearing.

KASHIRAM ROAD (NEAR SUB-JAIL). DIMAPUR-797112, NAGALAND P 03862 248722 / 248288 E emcdimapur@gmail.com W www.edenmedicalcentre.org

PM Narendra Modi and Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat during the ceremony for pays tribute to security personnel killed in encounters with terrorists in J&K in New Delhi. (PTI)

Three other army men were killed in an encounter in Hajin area of Bandipora district after secu-

rity forces cordoned off the area following information about presence of militants there.

Delhi-Centre battle over jurisdiction NEW DELHI, Feb 15 (Agencies): The legal battle between Centre and NCT government led by Aam Aadmi Party on jurisdiction over Delhi will be adjudicated by a constitution bench as the Supreme Court on Wednesday said that important question of law and constitution are involved and it should be adjudicated by a larger bench.

A division bench of justice A K Sikri and R K Agrawal agreed with the plea of Centre which contended that the case should be referred to a constitution bench.

The court asked Centre and AAP government to mention before Chief Justice of India for early hearing of the case after NCT govt contended that the governance in Delhi had come to standstill after Delhi High Court order holding that LG was bound by aid and advice of elected government.

Challenging the order of Delhi high court which had held that primacy in administering the affairs rests with the LG and by extension, the Centre, senior advocate Gopal Subrama-

niam had earlier told the bench that the order was a complete “mutilation” of Article 239 AA of the constitution granting special status to NCT. It had alleged that a situation of anarchy had arisen in the National Capital Territory with lieutenant governor overruling all its decision in violation of constitutional norms and pleaded the court to restore the supremacy of executive government in decision making process for Delhi.

Expounding constitutional provisions and law which regulate Delhi, Subramaniam had contended that the controversy was not about individuals who were holding posts but about supremacy of constitution. He said that an elected government should always have a primacy over a titular head of a state. “The Government of National Capital Territory Of Delhi(GNCTD) Act explicitly limits the discretion of LG and any delegation of power given to him by the President can be used only to matters falling outside the purview of Delhi’s legislature.

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This is for your kind information that in view of the Indefinite Bandh, Consultants will be available in the OPD from today (16/02/2017) between 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur thursday, february 16, 2017

business/state

KAKURO

hicles entering and exiting Tuensang town during the bandh hours would not be allowed except for serious cases.

PHEK: Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) has partially lifted the bandh on public movement and its related daily activities due to ongoing NBSE examination.

However, according to CYF president Welete Kapfo and press secretar y Vipa Domeh, bandh on government offices and movement of government vehicles within Phek district would continue. In the event, any department failing to comply with the order, CYF said it will not hesitate to take any course of action against the defaulters.

KIPHIRE: The partial bandh in Kiphire district on Wednesday concluded peacefully, with no untoward incidents reported.

N C RC a p p e a l s : T h e Nagaland Christian Revival Church (NCRC) officials had a meeting with Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Wednesday at his official residence, and requested him to take appropriate action at the earliest to ease the present situation. The church leaders also expressed appreciation to all concern for maintaining peace and calm during the ongoing state-wide indefinite bandh.

No. 8426 Yesterday’s solution No. 8425

No. 3046 Yesterday’s solution No. 3045

No. 1872 Yesterday’s solution No. 1871

Mumbai, Feb 15 (PTI): Disappointing corporate earnings weighed on equities for the second straight session today, sending benchmark Sensex tumbling 184 points to a two-week closing low of 28,155, while hawkish comments from US Fed chair Janet Yellen heightened capital outflow fears.

Auto, realty and pharma counters took a big hit. Profit- booking by retail investors dragged small-cap and mid-cap indices lower by 1.52 per cent and 1.16 per cent, respectively.

On the global front, concerns of capital outflows from emerging economies, including India, intensified after Yellen said the Fed will probably need to raise interest rates at its upcoming meet in March.

After opening lower, the BSE Sensex bounced back briefly to hit a high of 28,382.32 on rebound in select stocks.

The gauge finally settled 183.75 points or 0.65 per cent lower at 28,155.56, its lowest closing since February 1 when it had ended at 28,141.64.

It had shed 12.31 points in the previous session.

The NSE Nifty ended 67.60 points or 0.77 per cent down at 8,724.70. Intra-day, it moved between 8,712.85 and 8,807.90.

“Markets traded with losses

Across 1 Principal nut (4) 3 New chap sure to buy something (8) 9 Judges playing conkers?

(7) 10 Bar returns from riotous feast (5) 11 Smooth learner enters the ring (5) 12 Silent characters sign up (6) 14 Money we got back for nut (6) 16 Tools needed for a quarter of the deck (6) 19 Capital city taking back a famous inventor with love (6) 21 Majestic and terribly large (5) 24 Wild dog kept in a building overseas (5) 25 A sign that visitors aren’t welcome (4,3) 26 Ship’s officer with many sailors (8) 27 Feat unaffected by revolution (4) Down 1 Book that’s difficult to endorse? (8) 2 Capital invested in Joan of Arc casually returned? (5) 4 Invisible nun wandering around diocese (6) 5 Song arranged by Carlo (5) 6 Did save, somehow, as recommended (7) 7 They wriggle in a creel sometimes (4) 8 Pet for Dorset leader in Dorset resort (6) 13 Ladies to gather round, being cut off (8) 15 Showing taste in unusual material (7) 17 Someone who carries drink? (6) 18 Jill’s partner gets alien garment (6) 20 A payment for a coral island (5) 22 Geoff’s beginning to wander in a small wood (5) 23 The first man a woman married (4)

as worries heightened over capital outflows from emerging economies, including India, after Yellen spoke in support of an interest rate hike next month,” said Karthikraj Lakshmanan, Senior Fund Manager – Equities, BNP Paribas Mutual Fund.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 6.45 crore yesterday, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges.

Tata Motors was the worst performer on the Sensex, plummeting 10.32 per cent to Rs 436.55 after the company yesterday reported a steep 96.22 per cent decline in consolidated net profit for the December quarter.

Sun Pharma too lost 4.25 per cent to Rs 622.50 on sustained selling after the company posted a 4.72 per cent decline in consolidated net profit for the third quarter of 2016-17.

Other Asian markets ended higher, tracking another record closing at the US stock markets.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng led the pack by rising 1.23 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 1 per cent. Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.15 per cent.

Europe too was higher in early trading, with London’s FTSE climbing 0.4 per cent and Paris 0.3 per cent and Frankfurt gaining.

Ambani’s 5-point advice for new enterpreneurs Mumbai, Feb 15 (IANS): Counselling a five-point tip-sheet for budding entrepreneurs and potential start-up founders, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday said it is essential to find a passion for solving a problem without focusing primarily on financial returns.

“First, you have to figure out what you want to do. As an entrepreneur, it is important to find a passion... a problem to solve... it is not finding the solution that is so important as finding a problem to solve,” Ambani said at an interactive session at the Nasscom India Leadership Forum 2017 here.

“If you focus on financial results the chances are you would not become great and solve a problem,” he said.

Exhorting enterpreneurs never to get disheartened by failure, he said they should regard themselves as custodians of investors’ money.

“Treat investor money even more carefully than your own,” he said.

Smooth passage for CAN members

D I M A P U R , F EB 1 5 (NPN): Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) has asked volunteers from various organizations enforcing bandh in their respective jurisdiction to give smooth passage to members of Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN), who would be taking up various activities from February 17 to 19, 2017.

CAN members would

be travelling from February 17 to various destinations in various groups to attend priestly ordination (February 18) and thanksgiving holy mass on February 19 at St. Paul’s parish campers and St. Alphonsa’s Church Vongwa, Kiphire respectively. Therefore, all volunteers on duty under the guidance of NTAC, JCC as well as tribal organizations in their respective

districts or at any location have been asked to ensure that no inconvenience was caused on the above mentioned party/parties.

Meanwhile, NTAC also advised CAN members to keep a copy of the programme with them or any documents to substantiate the purpose of undertaking the journey to avoid inconvenience and misunderstanding.

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with Lotha Hoho officials in traditional attires enforced the bandh.

Ao Union Wokha also extended support to Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee (LHJAC) in today’s bandh.

LHJAC has appealed to every concerned citizen not to become a hindrance during this cross road of our society towards growth and development for peace.

Meanwhile, LHJAC has acknowledged upper Zuvotong colony council for donating refreshments to volunteers.

TUENSANG: Total indefinite bandh at Tuensang town called jointly by Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) and Tuensang Village Citizen Union (TVCU) passed off peacefully on Wednesday.

CKS and TVCU, which has been imposing bandh on government offices and movement of government vehicles since February 6 from 9am to 3pm, on Tuesday decided to impose total indefinite bandh at Tuensang town starting February 15 in response to the state wide bandh called by JCC and NTAC. In a press release, CKS president, MP Nokshang, and TVCU president, H Wongto, stated that the bandh would continue till further notice.

They also informed that ve-

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was brought to their notice that some government offices were being opened after the expiry of the bandh timing. In this regard, JCC warned of strong action against those departments. JCC has also asked all off duty police personnel not to move around in private vehicles wearing uniforms. It also warned that those individuals spreading any information of the various deliberations of the Senden would be doing so at his/her own risk.

Z U N HEB O T O : T h e bandh in Zunheboto Town on Wednesday ended peacefully, informed Sumi Hoho general secretary Vihuto Asumi and vice president Khehoshe Yepthomi.

Sumi Hoho said the officials assured full cooperation to the examination centres and safety of students appearing the board exams.

They further informed that the bandh would continue indefinitely, for which Sumi Hoho and the ZTYO have sought cooperation of public and all concerned.

WOKHA: Day three of the phase –II bandh at Wokha and Bhandari towns passed off with no untoward incidents on Wednesday. Volunteers of Lotha Eloe Hoho, Saron Colony Youth Organization, all frontal organizations along

DP-963

(From p-1) MOKOKCHUNG: The third day of the second phase indefinite bandh passed off peacefully in Mokokchung on Wednesday. However, one of the bandh volunteers said their patience was running out and demanded that the government listen to the voice of the people.

Volunteers representing various tribal bodies like the ENPO Mokokchung unit, Sumi community Mokokchung besides representatives from six Ao ranges including students’ body, landowners, All Ward Union Mokokchung town, AKM, OKM and MTLT joined the bandh.

Meanwhile, the JCC Ao Senden on Wednesday declared that the bandh would continue in the same manner.

However, some changes were made to the exemptions-- private vehicles on exam duty have been asked to remain near the exam centres after dropping students and return only after picking up the students. JCC has informed that ‘Car Pass’ issued to private vehicles by the Ao Senden have become invalid.

Further, JCC said people in emergency cases could avail ‘Movement Permit’ from the Ao Senden office.

Meanwhile, JCC said it

research firm Gartner.

“It has taken eight quarters for Apple to regain the top spot in global smartphone vendor ranking but the positions of the two leaders have never been so close, with only 256,000 units difference,” said Anshul Gupta, Research Director, Gartner, in a statement.

Samsung`s smartphone sales declined eight percent

Sensex retreats for 2nd day; tanks 184 points

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Indefinite bandh across Nagaland peaceful

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ing non-performing loans (NPLs). “These banks will find it increasingly difficult to grow given increasing capital requirements and large funding gaps impeding their ability to compete on spreads,” said Ind-Ra. According to Ind-Ra’s sector-wise stress analysis, sectors such as iron and steel and textiles have seen a fair bit of recognition but provisioning might still not be adequate to protect against eventual loss given defaults. On the other hand, significant proportion of unrecognised stress pertains to sectors such as infrastructure, realty and capital goods which potentially have longterm viable assets but would increasingly need cash flow restructuring to avoid slippages.

Mumbai, Feb 15 (IANS): As global smartphone sales to end-users hit 432 million units in the fourth quarter of 2016 -- a seven percent increase over the like period in 2015 -- Apple finally leapfrogged past Samsung after eight sluggish quarters to secure the top spot, a report said on Wednesday.

Riding on the success of iPhone 7 and Apple Watch, the Cupertino-based company recently announced an all-time record revenue of USD 78.4 billion for the first quarter of 2017 that ended on December 31. International sales accounted for 64 percent of the quarter`s revenue. Overall, smartphone sales to end-users totalled nearly 1.5 billion units in 2016, an increase of five percent from 2015, said the report from the market

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if required. It further said the “long tail of credit costs” is expected to subdue profitability of domestic banks despite plateauing their stressed assets.

Ind-Ra has maintained a stable rating and sector outlook on private sector banks and large PSBs while it has retained the negative sector outlook for small and mid-sized state-owned banks for 2017-18.

It expects large PSBs with better access to capital and private sector banks with their robust capitalisation to navigate another year of low growth and high credit costs with a stable outlook. The agency had retained its negative outlook on mid-sized and smaller PSBs with weak capitalisation and large stock of ag-

of e-KYC authentication using Aadhaar, a move that will help bring more people under the tax net by making it easier for people to get Permanent Account Numbers.

Aa dha a r-ba sed eKYC facility would allow individuals or entities wanting to apply for PAN to verify details such as date of birth or address by way of biometric identification using thumb impressions.

So far, more than 111 crore Aadhar numbers have been issued.

The unique identification number is being used for getting a new SIM card, for opening bank accounts, transfer of subsidies and also for biometric based digital payments under Aadhaar Enabled Payment System.

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New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI): Indian banks will require Rs 91,000 crore in tier-1 capital till March 2019 to sustain a minimum annual growth rate of 8-9 percent, according to a report by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra).

This includes Rs 20,000 crore of residual tranches from the government’s capital infusion in public sector banks under the under ‘Indradhanush’ programme.

The domestic rating agency said it “believes” there is an increasing divide between the large and smaller PSBs, with the former having some access to growth capital, better market valuation, and also some non-core assets to divest while the latter would only receive bailout capital

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI): People will soon be able to pay taxes and track their returns through a smartphone app and get a new PAN within minutes using Aadhaar verification.

The Income Tax department is developing an app that will also allow assessees to apply for PAN using smartphones.

“The app concept is at a preliminary stage.

The app will enable assessees to pay taxes online, apply for PAN or track tax returns.

Pilot project will be undertaken after getting approval from the Finance Ministry,” an official said.

The department is also working on a project to issue PAN to assessees within minutes by way

Apple topples Samsung as No 1 in smartphone market

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NATO ‘a fundamental bedrock’: Mattis

A US ‘Chinook’’ helicopter takes off over a parked ‘Black Hawk” helicopter for operation ‘Atlantic Resolve’ from a harbor pier in Bremerhaven, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. The helicopters are among the military equipment that is to help strengthen the NATO eastern flank during the operation. (AP/PTI)

B RU S S E L S, F E B 1 5 (AGENCIES): President Donald Trump’s defense secretary James Mattis sought to reassure NATO of steadfast U.S. support at talks in Brussels on Wednesday, as nervous European allies tried to look past Trump’s rhetoric and the turmoil within his administration.

Jim Mattis, on his debut trip to Europe as Pentagon chief, said the president firmly backed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. As a candidate, Trump fiercely criticized NATO and appeared to question its value. “The alliance remains a fundamental bed-

rock for the United States,” Mattis said in brief remarks to reporters before talks got fully under way.

Back in Washington, Trump’s administration has been jolted by the resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn over his contacts with Russia’s ambassador. U.S. intelligence agencies have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Mattis signaled that Russia was fir mly on NATO’s agenda. “The events of 2014 were sobering,” he said, referring to Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean penin-

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur thursday, february 16, 2017

sula. “And we must continue to adapt to what’s being revealed to us in terms of our security challenges.” Flynn had been seen in Moscow as a leading advocate of warmer ties with Russia and his departure has dented hopes of a thaw in relations with the West. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg dismissed concerns about the turmoil or U.S. backing for NATO. “I’m absolutely certain that the message of this meeting will be a message of transatlantic unity, of the importance of that we stand together and protect each other, and a very strong commitment of the

United States to NATO,” he told reporters.

Britain’s defense secretary echoed that sentiment.

“There is no uncertainty about America’s commitment to NATO,” Michael Fallon told reporters when asked about Flynn’s resignation. Denmark’s Claus Hjort Frederiksen said everything he had heard was “calming and reassuring.”

But in private...

Despite the public posturing, European allies are expected to privately seek details from Mattis about Trump’s attitude toward NATO, which has guaranteed Europe’s security for almost 70 years.

Trump has deeply unsettled allies with his contradictor y remarks on NATO - calling it “obsolete” - and with his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Moscow’s annexation of Crimea, and its direct support for rebels in eastern Ukraine have prompted NATO to begin sending troops to Russia’s borders to deter the Kremlin from any other moves. The White House said on Tuesday that Trump expected Russia to hand back Crimea to Ukraine. One senior European NATO diplomat said allies were under no illusion that Trump could yet undo careful diplomatic work with a single message on Twitter. But they would still look for his support as they try to manage tensions with Russia. “We need to bring the family together,” the diplomat said. “Things have been made to feel fragile.” Mattis is set to echo longstanding U.S. calls that European allies invest more on defense, something his predecessors under Republican and Democratic administrations have done for years.

But experts say that message will have to be calibrated. NATO Europe argues it is increasing defense spending, upping outlays by $10 billion last year.

Six killed in suicide attack in Pakistan PESHAWAR, FEB 15 (PTI): Four security personnel were among at least six persons killed when two Taliban suicide bombers today attacked a government compound in northwestern Pakistan’s restive tribal region. The explosion took place at the headquarters in Ghalanai in the Mohmand tribal region when two suicide bombers tried to enter the colony and when signaled to stop - one blew himself up while the other was killed by firing of security forces, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

“Security agencies had the intelligence about intrusion of suicide bombers from Afghanistan inside Mohmand agency,” the ISPR said. The Pakistani Taliban faction Jamaat-ulAhrar has claimed the attack, media reports said.

The security personnel and two civilians including a school teacher were killed in the blast. At least eight others were wounded in the attack and three critically injured were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Dawn reported. Soon after the blast the areas was sealed and a thorough search operation was started, political administration sources said.

Pope Francis wades into US oil pipeline dispute VATICAN CITY, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): Pope Francis insisted Wednesday that indigenous peoples must give prior consent for any economic activity on their ancestral lands — an indirect critique as the Donald Trump administration seeks to advance construction on a $3.8 billion oil pipeline over opposition from American Indians. Francis met with representatives of indigenous peoples attending a U.N. agricultural meeting and said the key issue facing them is how to reconcile the right to development with protection of their cultures and territories. “In this regard, the right to prior and informed consent should always prevail,” he said. “Only then is it possible to guarantee peaceful cooperation between governing authorities and indigenous peoples, overcoming confrontation and conflict.”

The Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux tribes are suing to stop construction on the final stretch of the Dakota Access pipeline, which would bring oil from North Dakota’s rich Bakken fields across four states to a shipping point in Illinois. The tribes say the pipeline, being built by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, threatens their drinking water, cultural sites and ability to practice their

Pope Francis

religion, which depends on pure water. The last piece of the pipeline is to pass under a reservoir on the Missouri River, which marks the eastern border of both tribes’ reservations. The company has insisted the water supply will be safe.

In the waning days of the Obama administration, federal agencies that have authority over the reservoir said they would not give permission for pipe to be laid until an environmental study was done. U.S. President Donald Trump, who had long signaled his support for the pipeline, last month instructed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with construction.

Francis, history’s first Latin American pope, has been a keen backer of indigenous rights and has frequently spoken out about their plight.

visit to 8 killed in ‘terror attack’ in China’s Xinjiang Malaysia police hunt assassins Trump’s the UK ‘will be of Kim Jong-Un’s half-brother rescheduled’

(L) Kim Jong-Nam (R) Kim Jong-Un

KUALA LUMPUR, FEB 15 (AFP): Malaysian police hunted the killers of the halfbrother of North Korea’s leader today as they tried to unravel the Cold War-style assassination which the South said was carried out by two female agents.

Pathologists in Kuala Lumpur were examining the body of Kim Jong-Nam for clues to how he died, as South Korea’s spy chief told lawmakers he “strongly suspected” he had been poi-

soned. CCTV images from the airport that emerged in Malaysian media of one of the suspects showed an Asian woman wearing a white top with the letters “LOL” emblazoned on the front.

The assassination, which analysts said could have been ordered over reports the dead man was readying to defect, illustrates the “brutal and inhumane” nature of the isolated regime, South Korea said.

South Korea’s spy chief Lee Byung-Ho said the two women struck on Monday morning as Kim was readying to board a flight to Macau where he has spent many years in exile.

Malaysian police said Kim, a portly 45-year-old, was walking through the departure hall at Kuala Lumpur International Airport when he was attacked.

“He told the receptionist... someone had grabbed his face from behind and splashed some liquid on him,” Selangor state’s criminal investigation chief Fadzil Ahmat was reported as saying by Malaysia’s The Star newspaper.

“He asked for help and was immediately sent to the airport’s clinic. At this point, he was experiencing headache and was on the verge of passing out,” said Fadzil.

“At the clinic, the victim experienced a mild seizure. He was put into an ambulance and was being taken to the Putrajaya Hospital when he was pronounced dead,” he said.

LO N D O N, F E B 1 5 (AGENCIES): Donald Trump’s trip to the UK will be delayed to avoid embarrassing him, according to reports. The visit will be postponed until sometime between late August and the end of September, according to a report from The Guardian. That will mean that it can be held while Parliament is in recess – and MPs are not around to embarrass the President by objecting to him. Trump will head to the UK on a short visit between a Sunday and a Thursday, according to the report. It’s unlikely that he’ll spend much time in London.

Westminster has already been filled with numerous protests against Trump’s Muslim ban as well as his Presidency in general. The change was announced soon after House of Commons speaker John Bercow said that he would veto any attempt to have Trump address Parliament.

Will not return Crimea to Ukraine: Russia

FILE -- Armed servicemen wait near Russian army vehicles outside a Ukrainian border guard post in the Crimean town of Balaclava, March 1, 2014.

M O S C O W, F E B 1 5 (AGENCIES): Russia said on Wednesday it would not hand back Crimea to Ukraine or discuss the matter with foreign partners after the White House said U.S. President Donald Trump expected the annexed Black Sea peninsula to be returned.

Moscow says an overwhelming majority of Crimeans voted to become part of Russia in a 2014

referendum wanting protection from what the Kremlin cast as an illegal coup in Kiev.

Ukraine says the referendum was a sham held at gunpoint after Russian troops illegally annexed the peninsula, that Russiafriendly president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by people power, and that Moscow should return Crimea.

“We don’t give back our own territory. Crimea is

territory belonging to the Russian Federation,” Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, told a news briefing on Wednesday.

The 2014 annexation prompted the United States and the European Union to impose sanctions on Russia, plunging Western relations with the Kremlin to their worst level since the Cold War. White House spokes-

man Sean Spicer said on Tuesday that Trump expected and wanted to get along with Russia, but was expecting Moscow to hand Crimea back.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, when asked about Spicer’s comments, said President Vladimir Putin had already explained why Crimeans had turned to Russia.

“The theme of returning Crimea will not be discussed ... Russia does not discuss its territorial integrity with foreign partners,” Peskov told a conference call with reporters.

Trump had not raised the Crimean issue in a Jan. 28 phone call with Putin, Peskov noted, saying the Kremlin would try to make contacts with the Trump administration to try to improve ties which he said were in “a lamentable state.”

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, told MPs any talk of Crimea’s status amounted to a challenge to Russia’s territorial integrity.

victims, but some residents said the attackers were Uygurs, the main Muslim ethnic group in Xinjiang, the Post said.

Armed police in bullet proof vests were on patrol every 10 to 20 metres on the streets of the county.

Xinjiang, bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Afghanistan, has been on the boil for several years over Uyghur protests against the large-scale settlements of Han Chinese from different parts of the country. China blames Uyghur separatists from the East Turkistan Islamic Movement for the attacks in the region, which has over 10 million Uyghur population of Turkik-origin Muslims.

BEIJING, FEB 15 (PTI): Three knife-wielding suspected Uyghur militants killed five persons before being shot dead by police in China’s western Xinjiang province, the latest “terror attack” in the restive Muslim-majority region.

The attackers killed five persons and wounded five others in a residential compound in Pishan county last

evening, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post said today.

The attackers were shot dead by police, it said, quoting residents in the area.

The county has issued the highest level of security alert after the authorities described it as a “terror attack”.

The government did not identify the suspects and

UN concerned over conditions in west Mosul

HASANSHAM CAMP (IRAQ), FEB 15 (AGENCIES): Living conditions in west Mosul, where jihadists are hunkering down among 750,000 Iraqi civilians, are deteriorating fast and a source of great concern, the UN’s top aid official said Wednesday.

“We are extremely concerned about the rapid deterioration of the conditions in west Mosul,” United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Iraq Lise Grande told reporters.

“Families are in big trouble, half of the shops have been closed,” she said while visiting Hasansham, a displacement camp between Mosul and Arbil, the nearby capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region.

Iraqi federal forces have almost completely encircled Mosul, whose east side they retook from the Islamic State group last month. Four months into a huge offensive to reconquer the jihadists’ last major stronghold in Iraq, they are now poised to launch an

assault on the city’s west bank.

Slightly smaller than the east side but densely populated, the west bank is thought to shelter around three quarters of a million people who have been living in siege-like conditions for weeks.

A smaller than expected number of people fled their homes when elite Iraqi forces punched into east Mosul three months ago but Grande said the aid community was planning for larger displacement from the west.

According to the UN, nearly 200,000 people have been displaced since the October 17 start of the operation to retake Iraq’s second largest city.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that 46,000 of them have since returned to their homes.

“We expect as many as 250,000 civilians may leave western Mosul,” Grande said Wednesday during her visit to Hasansham camp.

In December, four knife-wielding men attacked a Communist Party office in Xinjiang’s Hotan region and set off an explosive device, killing one person. Four assailants were also shot dead.

A hotel manager said she was still in shock after the recent violence. “It is the worst attack in Pishan in recent years. We hope the victims find rest in heaven,” she said. The attack took place at the entrance to a residential compound, which is in the west of the city, not far from the county government headquarters. A restaurant owner told the Post that most businesses and shops were open despite the huge security presence.

Applications are invited from the Artists, ArtCritics and Art Historians below 35 years of age as on 1st January 2017 for the grant of Lalit Kala Akademi Scholarship 2017-18 of Rs. 10,000/- per month for a period of twelve months in the field of visual arts.

Applications forms can be obtained from: Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan 35, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi-110001 Ph: 011-23009200 Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre III/4, Kharvela Nagar, Bhubaneshwar-751001 Ph: 0674-2391884 Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre 361, Keyatala Lane, Kolkata-700029 Ph: 033-24641719 Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre 4, Greams Road, Chennai-600006 Ph: 044-28291692, 28290804 Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre 1, Ekta Vihar, Aliganj, Luckhow-226024 Ph: 0522-2324067, 2329183 Lalit Kala Akademi's Studios/Workshops (Regional Centre, Garhi), Artist's Corner Near East of Kailash, Kalka Devi Marg New Delhi-110065 Ph: 011-26431849 Application forms can be downloaded from Akademi's website: www.lalitkala.gov.in The filled in applications must reach in the office of the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, within one month of the advertisement. For further information, please contact "Scholarship Section: on Phone: 011-23009232, 23009235.

Siddhartha Ghosh Secretary davp 09105/11/0013/1617

10

Infotainment

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Thursday, February 16, 2017

World’s largest Eurovision 2017: Organising Grammys boss denies racism handicrafts and gifts team quits en masse was a problem for the awards fair opens tomorrow

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ore than 3,000 exhibitors, including 900 permanent marts from all over the country, will be showcasing products in 14 different categories at the 43rd edition of world’s largest handicrafts and gifts fair that opens here on Thursday.

Recognised by the Limca Book of World Records as “the world’s largest congregation of handicrafts exhibitors under one roof,” Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF)- Delhi Fair Spring 2017 will be held at at India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida Expressway.

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is the organiser of the fair and a nodal agency for promotion and development of handicraft exports from the country.

The fair will be held from February 16 - 20, spread over an area of 1,97,000 sq. metres, informed Executive Director, EPCH, Rakesh Kumar.

Over 6,500 foreign buyers from more than 80 countries, buying agents based in India and domestic retail volume buyers are expected to visit the mega fair to source their requirements.

he Eurovision Song Contest has hit a major road bump, after 21 top level staff organising the event resigned.

The Ukrainian Eurovision team say they were stripped of major responsibilities in December, when a new boss was appointed to the organising committee.

According to their resignation letter, they were “completely blocked” from making decisions about the show.

T h e E B U, w h i c h founded Eurovision, told Ukraine’s public broadcaster to “stick to the timeline” despite the upheaval. It insisted the event would go ahead as planned in Kiev this May. Among the team members who resigned were two executive producers of this year’s show.

All the staff were appointed by the Ukraine Public Broadcaster (UA:PBC), which is organising the contest after Ukrainian singer Jamala won last year’s event

‘Dangal’ girl Zaira gets trolled Linkin Park single for mom’s old pro-Pak posts ‘Heavy’ to arrive today

Tom Hardy reading a CBeebies bedtime story

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ven Adele was shocked when she beat Beyonce in the best album category at the Grammys.

“I can’t possibly accept this award,” she said as she (accidentally) broke it in two.

Of course, she did accept it in the end; despite protesting that Beyonce was the more deserving winner.

But the issue reignited claims the Grammys are racist - consistently overlooking black artists in favour of the white singers they inspire.

In the last 10 years, only one black musician has won the coveted album of the year award: Herbie Hancock, whose 2008 album, River, was a collection of covers of songs by the white folk singer, Joni Mitchell.

Things looked better the decade before that, when Outkast, Lauryn Hill and Indian-American artist Norah Jones all took home the trophy.

So does the Grammys have an issue with race? Not according to their president, Neil Portnow.

“I don’t think there’s a race problem at all,” he told Pitchfork, following Sunday’s ceremony.

“Remember, this is a

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a i r a Wa s i m , t h e young actress from ‘Dangal’ is being trolled on the social networking site Twitter, second time in a row, in the last one month.

This time around, it’s her mother’s posts on Facebook from 2014 that have caused the storm. Zaira’s mother, Zarqa Wasim had posted two updates supporting Pakistan in a cricket match against India. One of the two updates read, “Keep Calm and Defeat

peer-voted award. So when we say the Grammys, it’s not a corporate entity - it’s the 14,000 members of the Academy.

“We stand 100% behind the process: It’s a democratic vote by majority.

So somebody could either receive or not receive a Grammy based on one vote.

It could be that tight.”

Nontheless, critics are unimpressed.

“Well-meaning people often have a hard time understanding what systemic racism looks like,” music scholar John Vilanova wrote last year, after Taylor Swift beat Kendrick Lamar to the best album title.

“This is what systemic racism looks like.”

He says black artists are sidelined into categories that are “coded black”, like best urban contemporary album (which Beyonce won) and best R&B performance

India” with “Dil Dil Pakistan” as a caption.

Although, Zaqra Wasim deleted her Facebook account after the posts spread like fire on Twitter, the mother-daughter duo received brickbats from trolls on social media.

ShankhNaad @ ShankhNaad FB post by Zarqa Wasim, mother of Aamir Khan’s #Dangal girl #ZairaWasim. Why Aamir, Zaira & Zarqa hate India even though they feed on India?

Anchit Pandey @anchitpandey @ShankhNaad these anti national folks #ZairaWasim #zarqawasim @ aamir_khan should be deported to their beloved Pakistan @ZeeNews aakash pingle @ aakashpingle Bollywood has always extra space for anti indians

(awarded to her younger sister, Solange).

Solange herself spoke out about Beyonce’s loss on Sunday. In a since-deleted tweet, she wrote: “Create your own committees, build your own institutions, give your friends awards, award yourself, and be the gold you wanna hold, my Gs”.

Meanwhile, music writer Kevin Powell suggested Beyonce’s Lemonade - which tackles racial politics, police shootings and female empowerment - made voters “uncomfortable” because it is “unapologetically black”.

“We are still a nation that does not want to deal so directly with truth,” he told CNN. “Adele’s album is strong, but it is just songs about love. It is safe and uncontroversial; it breaks no new ground. And nei-

#Zarqawasim Nidin Jacob @ImNidin If you feel so much for Pakistan then why don’t you go there.Keep calm and get lost from our nation #Traitor #ZarqaWasim #Shame Gø Gऋn _ $@v€ W@ t€® @Patawari # z a rq awa s i m i s #mother of #ZairaWasim of #Dangal. What she did recently on her #twitter account! #Pakistan ki Aulad #HappyValentinesDay. Some of the Tweets are also directed against Aamir Khan for casting Zaira in the film: Jitendra Raghav @ jitendra_raghav @aamir_khan Finally U earned well wd Entertainment at cost of Defaming Nation’s pride? #Dangal #Bollywood #ZairaWasim #ZarqaWasim #India.

ther do Grammy voters, generally speaking, when it comes to picking winners of this particular award.”

At the same time, the Grammys have no duty to reward the cultural impact of Beyonce’s album - undeniable though it was.

And in purely commercial terms, Adele’s 25 was the most successful record on the shortlist - selling 9.2 million copies in the US, compared to Beyonce’s 1.6 million.

What matters more is the perception that black artists’ contributions are undervalued. Frank Ocean, Kanye West and even Justin Bieber gave the Grammys a wide berth this year for that very reason.

If the organisers don’t do something to redress that balance, the event could slide into irrelevance.

But then - has the ceremony ever truly been about the awards? Beyonce’s epic, gravity-defying performance did more to raise the profile of her album than adding another trophy to her collection (she has 22 Grammys so far).

In the wake of Sunday’s ceremony, sales of Lemonade increased fourfold.

Sales of Adele’s album merely doubled.

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inkin Park has confirmed that its new single “Heavy” will debut online this Thursday (February 16). The band confirmed the premiere in a new video filmed in the studio, the seventh of eight clips the group has released showing them at work on their seventh album. The new video shows singer Chester Bennington laying down lead vocals for the track. It is speculated that the eighth and final clip will arrive at the same time as the song.

Although the band

has remained vague about the direction of the new album, guitarist Brad Delson told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago that Linkin Park has always followed its own creative impulses. “We have to do artistically and creatively what we’re driven to do, irrespective of, like, the advice everyone’s giving us or the commercial ramifications of it, and ultimately I think if you chase what you love and you chase great art, then everything else follows,” he said. “I think where people get into trouble is when they’re chasing what they think people want to hear and it becomes flat and derivative and disingenuous, and that’s the last thing we wanted to do.”

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ast night saw Tom Hardy read another bedtime stories on CBeebies, especially for Valentine’s Day. Hardy, accompanied by his dog Woodstock, previously appeared on CBeebies Bedtime Stories on New Year’s Eve. Now the Taboo star has returned, once again with Woodstock in tow, to read The Cloudspotter

by Tom McLaughlin. His episode aired on CBeebies at 6.40pm. Actor Damian Lewis and astronaut Tim Peake have also appeared on CBeebies Bedtime Stories in the past.

with the song 1944.

In an open letter published by Strana, the team said: “Hereby we, the Eurovision team, for whom this contest has become not only part of our work but also part of our life, officially inform that we are resigning and stopping work on preparations for the organisation of the contest.”

Putting on the Eurovision Song Contest is a huge undertaking. In 2010, Norwegian broadcaster NRK had to ditch the World Cup because it couldn’t afford to pay Fifa and foot the bill for Eurovision at the same time.

In Ukraine, the task has proved even more problematic. The decision over which city would host the show was delayed three times and there were even rumours the contest would be moved to Russia.

Now, with just three months to go, the core team has quit. They’ve been at loggerheads with their boss,

who they claim has been blocking all of their decisions. They also say there have been problems finalising contracts with subcontractors. At worst, that could include the teams who build the stage.

The show must go on - and the EBU, which has organised the contest since 1956, has the financial and political muscle to make sure it does. But it will be interesting to see how close to the wire it gets.

There has already been controversy over the decision to hold the Eurovision opening ceremony in the Saint Sophia complex, a well-known religious landmark which dates back to the 17th Century.

The use of the venue was called “blasphemy” by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy.

“From all viewpoints, this is a very bad decision,” Andrei Kurayev, a prominent deacon of the Russian Orthodox Church, was quoted as saying by Mosokovski Komsomolets. “Now, on the tombstone of [Mstislav I of Kiev], there will be dances.”

Later, Zurab Alasania, head of Ukraine’s national TV and radio company, resigned amidst reports that the country was having troubles financing the song contest.

Nickleback takes on Arnie in Twitter

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ormer Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has become the latest person to jump aboard the Nickleback bashing bandwagon.

Noting the deep unpopularity of members of Congress as he pushed for redistricting reform across the nation, Schwarzenegger said in a video posted on attn:, a video sharing site aimed at millennials: “Here are some of the things that are more popular than Congress: hemorrhoids, Nickleback, traffic jams, root canals, colonoscopies, herpes.

Even herpes, they couldn’t beat herpes in the polls.”

The former governor, who championed redistricting reform in California, also tweeted: “When Congress is less popular than herpes & Nickelback, how do 97% of them get re-elected? Gerrymandering.” Unsurprisingly, the band everyone loves to crap on noticed and

fired back with chilly precision, citing the critically savaged 1997 superhero movie “Batman & Robin”, which features Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze.

The movie has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 11 percent, and a 3.7 out of 10 on IMDB. The band tweeted: “Approval rate this: Batman & Robin. Please leave us out of your future wisdom drops. Danke Shön Herr Governator.” Conceding that he had been trumped by the Canadian rockers, Schwarzenegger retorted: “That’s... ice cold. I hope we can agree that we need a freeze on gerrymandering, guys. Thanks for the reply.”

Nickleback recently announced that its new single and album are both called “Feed The Machine”, with the band gearing up for a lengthy North American tour this summer to support them.

Kid Rock named as potential Republican Sheeran was denied Metallica, John Legend star in access to his own candidate for US senate seat new Carpool Karaoke video Grammys party

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id Rock is being eyed as a potential Republican candidate for a US senate seat. The musician, who is a vocal Republican supporter, was floated as a possible contender for next year’s Michigan senate race at a local Republican party convention last weekend.

The seat has been held by Democrat Debbie Stabenow since 2000 but the state went to Trump at last year’s election.

According to Detroit Free Press, a member of the Michigan Republican party’s central committee, suggested that Rock would be an ideal candidate because he “has name I.D., is an out-of-the-box idea, and would kind of get rid of that stodgy Republican image.”

He added: “I’ll bet you he would generate as much K

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excitement as Trump did.”

Rock has yet to respond to the endorsement. He was a staunch supporter of Donald Trump during the 2016 election campaign.

In an interview with Rolling Stone last year, he said: “I’m digging Trump.

I feel like a lot of people, whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, feel like if you get Hillary [Clinton] or Bernie [Sanders], or you get [Marco] Rubio or [Ted] Cruz or whoever, there’s going to be the same shit.”

Rock went on to perform at the Republican National Convention, as he did for Mitt Romney in 2012. He also sold Trump merchandise in his online store, including shirts that read “God, Guns & Trump” and “Make America Badass Again” hats.

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s Carpool Karaoke gears up for a spinoff show on Apple Music, a trailer featuring John Legend and Metallica has been released online.

The Late Late Show segment, which sees host James Corden sing-a-long to hits with celebrities in a car, will be Apple’s first foray into TV content.

A preview of the 16episode series features John Legend and Alicia Keys singing her hit ‘Fallin”, with Legend donning Pharrell’s “Grammy hat” and quipping “Old white women think I’m Pharrell sometimes”.

Metal veterans Metallica also appear, covering Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’ and stopping off at a supermarket for a rendition of ‘Enter Sandman’.

Will Smith also stars,

paired with James Corden, rapping ‘The Fresh of BelAir’ theme and singing R Kelly’s ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ in a helicopter.

The teaser suggests that the show will also make a few pitstops, with Blake Shelton and Chelsea Handler singing while drinking in a bar, presumably with a designated driver.

The Apple series will feature 16 different celebrity pairings in total, with Corden taking a backseat.

A release date has not been announced yet.

Meanwhile, Prince’s back catalogue has made available on major streaming music services including Apple Music and Spotify bringing an almost two-year long exclusivity deal on rival Tidal to an end.

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d Sheeran has revealed that he was refused entry to his own Grammys party – for the fourth year in a row.

After performing ‘The Shape Of You’ at the US ceremony at the weekend, he then had to opt for another after-party after not being allowed in to his own.

“That’s actually happened four years in a row, and that’s not just my label’s after-party, that’s just afterparties in general,” he told On Air. “It’s just – do you know what I don’t get… it’s like you walk into those parties and there’s four musicians there and everyone else there are people from LA who didn’t even go to the Grammys and just want a party to go to.

“So I went to Benny Blanco and Diplo’s party and arrived there superearly, and suddenly 2,000 people turned up and I was like, ‘I’m going’.”

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Football Soccer - Paris St Germain v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg - Parc Des Princes, Paris, France - 14/2/17 Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrate after the game.

Griezmann happy in Madrid despite ManU link

M A D R I D, F E B 1 5 (AGENCIES): Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann insists he feels “great” in the Spanish capital and hailed the impact Atletico boss Diego Simeonehas had on his career despite being consistently linked with a big money move to the Premier League.

Manchester United lead the chase for Griezmann, who has a 100 million euro ($106 million) buyout clause inserted into a new contract he signed with Atletico in June last year. “I feel great at the club and in Madrid,” Griezmann told FIFA.com.

Any move for the Frenchman would be complicated by Atletico’s reluctance to sell as they face a transfer ban on registering new players this summer and move to a new 67,000seater stadium.

“On a personal level I’m very happy, and in football terms we’re about to move to a new stadium, which is very important,” added Griezmann.

“We’ll just have to see what the future brings, but for now I’m very happy here and I hope to win trophies with this club.”

lead was then extended when Julian Draxler got in behind the Barcelona defence and scored his first European goal in PSG colours. But for Barcelona, the night was only going to get worse.

In the second half, PSG came out with all guns blazing and were soon rewarded with a third goal.

It was Di Maria yet again and this time, he managed to find the back of the net from outside the box. The Barcelona shoulders started drooping at that point and the Parc des Princes crowd roared in ecstasy. Angel Di Maria was taken off soon enough and the home

fans gave the Argentine, who was celebrating his 29th birthday a standing ovation. Barcelona tried to take some measure of control back after that point but were put down once again when the other birthday boy, Edinson Cavani, scored the fourth for PSG. If there is any team in the world that can come down from a four-goal-deficit, it is Barcelona and Unai Emery will be weary of that when they travel to Nou Camp for the second leg next month. If they do hold out, they would have exacted revenge on Barcelona who had knocked them out of the Champions League

Warner says game plan ready to tackle Ravichandran Ashwin

David Warner

NEW DELHI, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): Australia have a history of playing with the ‘war of words’ before the start of a big series and they have started it yet again. The explosive opener David Warner says that he is ready to face India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and prepared with a game plan to tackle India’s tweaker. “I have to respect a player like Ashwin.

He thinks like a batsman and I have to be disciplined against him. I have a game plan for him - I have to bat against his strength. He is going to be ready for me and we both have to adopt to the situation. It’s going to be a great battle for the both of us. I have to bide my time,” Warner said.

Talk about the India

series and there would be obvious reference about captain Virat Kohli. Warner was effusive in his praise for the Indian batting mainstay.

“Virat Kohli is in the form of the decade. He is a fantastic player and a great sport. He is exceptional in all formats and he is taking the entire country on a journey. He wants the country to ride with him. Virat is frank and he calls spade a spade.

Joe Root, Steve Smith, Faf du Plessis and Kohli thrive on responsibility. These young players are unstoppable. Virat is a great example of scoring big tons,” Warner said.

Warner said that the famous Aussie sledging can work both ways for Virat as he knows how to deal with such situations.

at the quarter final stage in 2013 and 2015. It would also be the first time since 2006/07 season that Barcelona would be knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16.

In other round of 16 match, Borussia Dortmund squandered chance after chance, including a secondhalf penalty, before slumping to a 1-0 defeat at Benfica in their first leg match of the Champions League’s Round of 16 on Tuesday.

Ko s t a s M i t r o g l o u scored shortly after halftime and goalkeeper Ederson made some key saves afterward to help Benfica hold on for victory at the Stadium on Light.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the penalty in the 58th minute, when his shot was stopped

by Ederson.

Benfica will be looking to reach the quarterfinals for the second straight season in the second leg on March 8 in Germany.

Mitroglou broke the deadlock following a corner early in the second half after a header by defender Luisao, who was making his 500th appearance for Benfica. Mitroglou’s initial effort was parried by goalkeeper Roman Burki but the striker was able to bundle home the loose ball.

Turkey says will bid to host Euro 2024 ANKARA, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): Turkey will bid to host the Euro 2024 soccer tournament after three previous unsuccessful attempts, Turkish Football Federation head Yildirim Demiroren said on Wednesday.

The country previously made bids to stage the finals in 2008, 2012 and 2016. “On this occasion we believe both as a management board and a country that we deserve to get it,” Demiroren said at a meeting to announce the candidacy with sports minister Akif Cagatay Kilic.

Turkey will make its official application on March 2, Demiroren added. UEFA will announce all 2024 bidders on March 10 and its decision on the winning bid in September 2018.

The Turkish federation chief highlighted the country’s recent investments in stadiums as an asset to their bid.

“Turkey is the only example of a country in Europe or even the world which has made as many as 32 stadium investments in the last few years,” Demiroren said.

India to compete at Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy in Laos Mumbai, Feb 15 (IANS): India will compete in the women’s Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy to be held in Vientiane, Laos, on February 17-18. Apart from India and the hosts, other contenders are South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal and Pakistan.

The winner of this tournament will secure a spot in the Asian Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, which will feature three legs and will be played between September 1 and October 14, 2017.

“It is very encouraging to see Women’s Rugby grow at such a rapid rate across the nation. The past five years has seen a tremendous growth in women’s participation in the sport. The total number of female players K Y M C

has grown from 5,355 in 2012 to 42,032 in 2016. This represents a 600 percent rise,” Rugby India Secretary General Mahesh Mathai said. “Recently, the Indian Under-18 Girls Rugby team secured bronze in the Asian Rugby tournament held in December 2016 at Dubai.

“We are thankful to Societe Generale for contributing immensely to our efforts of developing the sport across all age groups.

We are confident that the team will do their best to bring home accolades yet again,” he added.

The players shortlisted to join the training camp were selected during the Federation Cup Rugby Sevens Championship 2016, held on January 28-19 at the

Biju Patnaik Sports Complex, Utkal University in Bhubaneswar.

After the Federation Cup, the training and selection camp was held at Bombay Gymkhana Grounds in Mumbai from February 4 to 16. The squad features three players from Maharashtra, three from Delhi and six from Odisha.

Nasser Hussain serves as the head coach, while Rehmuddin Shaikh is his assistant.

The squad: Neha Pardeshi (Captain), Vahbiz Bharucha, Ruchi Shetty, Priya Bansal, Namita Bhoj, Neha S., Hupi Majhi, Laxmipriya Sahu, Meerarani Hembram, Sanjukta Munda, Bhagyalaxmi Barik, Subhalaxmi Barik.

Pak Army will help conduct PSL final in Lahore: Bajwa Islamabad, Feb 14 (IANS): Undeterred by the suicide attack in Lahore that claimed at least 16 lives, Army chief Gen Qamar Javaid Bajwa on Tuesday said the Pakistan Army will extend full support in hosting the Pakistan Super League final in the Punjab capital.

General Bajwa, on a visit to Corps Headquarters in Lahore, said that the attack was an attempt to sabotage the PSL final.

“Army will extend full support to all concerned for holding the event as scheduled,” he added.

He went on to say that such incidents could not lower their resolve to fight terrorism.

“Army will extend full support to all concerned for holding the event as scheduled,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the army chief as saying.

“Terrorists of all hue and colour, their masters, financiers, planners and abettors including from outside will be hunted across the country, held accountable and responded to. Our gains over the years cannot be reversed,” the army chief said.

He appreciated efforts of intelligence agencies in tracing culprits of Monday night blast which have resulted in important apprehensions overnight including few Afghans.

Valtteri Bottas believes he can beat team-mate Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

LO N D O N, F E B 1 5 (AGENCIES): New Mercedes Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas has no intention of playing second fiddle to team mate Lewis Hamilton this season and believes he can emulate retired predecessor Nico Rosberg and beat the Briton. “I feel it is possible,” the 27-year-old Finn told Germany’s Sky Sports television. “Nico showed beating Lewis is possible.

“I am not here to be in second place or worse. It is definitely a challenge, and going up against Lewis is always going to be a challenge, but for me a massive opportunity,” added the former Williams driver.

Bottas joined Mercedes

last month as a replacement for Rosberg, who announced his retirement in December only days after winning his first title in Abu Dhabi.

The German had spent years trying to beat Hamilton, a triple world champion who moved to Mercedes from McLaren in 2013, in Formula One after a previous rivalry in karting when they were teenage team mates. Hamilton won more races- 10 in total - in 2016 than Rosberg- nine-

but missed out on a fourth championship due to technical problems and a disastrous power unit failure in Malaysia while leading.

Bottas is yet to stand on top of the podium after four seasons at former champions Williams, who also use Mercedes engines. “I really respect what he (Hamilton) has done with his career, so many poles and wins and three titles. I still don’t have a race win so I have a lot to prove,” he said.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY of

Lt. Nzonthung Humtsoe

FUNERAL SERVICE V. HESSO (Retd. Engineer PWD)

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PSG crushes Barcelona FC 4-0; Benfica wins in champions league

PARIS, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): The players that played for Barcelona would be those of the few who say that they had a Valentine’s night to forget at Paris.

The Catalan giants were shredded apart defensively as they lost 4-0 to Paris St. Germain at the Parc des Princes.

Barcelona did look second best right from the beginning of the game as they were constantly caught out by the devastating pace of Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler on the counter. The Argentine winger started the scoring for the home side with a lovely free kick goal. Their one goal

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur thursday, february 16, 2017

of Nepali Bosti, passed away on 15th Feb at 2:30 PM Funeral Service will be held Today (16th Feb) 9:00 AM at his residence in Nepali Bosti, Dimapur.

Dearest Apo,

1 year has passed since you left us for your heavenly abode.

Your presence is always felt.

Remembering you in silent tears each day.

Loving wife & children

DP-1384

1st Death Anniversary of

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Mr. W. Ntssomo Ovung

02.11.1960 – 10.02.2017 The bereaved family members would like to share our sincere and deepest appreciation to all that stood by us at the sudden demise of our beloved father Lt. A.Tsüknung Jamir on 10th February 2017.

We remain indebted to KABA, Mopunchuket Senso Telongjem Kohima, Ao Temolungtsür Telongjem Kohima, Electrical Colony Council, neighbours, friends and all the well wishers for your valuable support through prayers, physically, morally, materially and financially. Though words are inadequate to express our gratefulness, we pray that the Almighty God will bless you all abundantly.

Loving wife, daughters, son and relatives.

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A year had elapsed still It’s painful to accepted That you are gone from us Your advice & principles of life We cherish & dearly miss it Till we meet again Rest in Peace

13/03/1919 to 16/02/2016

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From Children, Grand children, Great grands & relatives

K-0391 K Y M C

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I-League: East Bengal held by Lajong at home

Sunil Chhetri (blue) in action against Aizwal FC defenders on Wednesday.

SILIGURI/AIZAWAL/ LU D H I A NA , F E B 1 5 (IANS): League leaders East Bengal dropped points at home for the second game in a row as they played out a 1-1 draw against Shillong Lajong in an I-League tie at the Kanchenjunga Stadium here on Wednesday.

Fresh from a dour 0-0 stalemate against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, the red and gold brigade trailed by a Samuel Lalmuanpuia (20th minute) goal for 25 minutes before Willis Plaza (45th) restored parity.

B u t a g o o d s h ow under the bar from Lajong goalkeeper Vishal Kaith

prevented the home team from registering a win.

The result saw East Bengal stay top of the table with 21 points from nine matches while Lajong moved to fourth with 13 points in their kitty from nine games.

It was all East Bengal in the early stages as Plaza but against the r un of play, Lajong took the lead.

Dipanda Dicka passed wide to Bipin Singh inside the box on the left. An unmarked Bipin then crossed for Lalmuanpuia who headed home.

Plaza scored his sixth goal of the season at the

stroke of halftime, turning in Narayan Das’ cross with aplomb.. In the end, both outfits shared the spoils.

Aizawl undefeated

Defending champions Bengaluru FC (BFC) failed to break their winless run in the sixth consecutive game as Aizawl FC kept their slate clean at home with a 1-1 result in their I-League encounter here on Wednesday.

B r a n d o n Vanlalremdika (40th) and Sunil Chhetri (45th) scored first half goals for Aizawl and Bengaluru, respectively, but despite a host of attempts the latter could not grab the

Manny Pacquiao’s Twitter followers pick Amir Khan as next opponent

Manny Pacquiao has had 67 professional bouts, winning 59 of them.

MANILA, FEB 15 (AGENCIES): Manny Pa c q u i a o ’s Tw i t t e r followers have voted for Amir Khan to be the WBO world welterweight champion’s next title challenger.

K h a n b e a t f e l l ow Briton Kell Brook, Australia’s Jeff Hor n and American Terence Crawford, with 48% of

the vote. Pacquaio said his next fight will be in the United Arab Emirates and asked followers to pick his opponent.

The 38-year-old Filipino retired in April, but returned to claim the belt by beating Jessie Vargas in November.

“See you in UAE for my next fight,” wrote t h e s i x - we i g h t wo r l d

champion. In December, Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn told the BBC that he was in talks to fight Khan.

Both men lost their last fights, Brook to Gennady Golovkin and Khan to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

In 2015, Khan claimed he was being lined up as an opponent for Pacquiao, but that the veteran did not want to face him.

all-important winner.

Courtesy the result, Bengaluru moved to the fourth position with 12 points from eight games.

Aizawl, on the other hand, remained third with 17 points from nine outings.

Aizawl, as expected, we r e d o m i n a t i n g p l ay early on and Brandon gave Aizawl a well-deserved lead. Asutosh whipped in a superb cross from the right which Brandon tapped in with ease.

But their joy was shortlived as the visitors drew level at the stroke of halftime.

Bengaluru skipper Chhetri once again underlined why he is still India’s premier striker with a world class strike from outside the box to blast the ball into the top corner.

Chhetri continued to torment the hosts after the restart with Aizawl keeper Albino Gomes producing an excellent save to keep out his header off Harmanjyot Khabra’s cross from the right.

In another match, Minerva Punjab FC played a goalless draw against DSK Shivajians at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Wednesday. Meanwhile, this was Minerva Punjab FC’s fourth draw in the ongoing league.

The fourth match of the day played between Mohun Bagan and Mumbai FC also ended in a goalless draw.

Hyderabad to host 2017 IPL opener, final New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS): The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad will host the opening tie as well as the final of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), it was announced on Wednesday.

Defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will take on runners-up Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL opener on April 5 while the final is scheduled to take place on May 21.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced the fixtures of the upcoming Indian Premier League 2017 season with the opening match scheduled to be held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on April 5,” a BCCI statement read. “The tournament will be spread over 47 days across 10 venues. The schedule has been designed with each team playing 14 matches -- seven of them at home venues,” it added.

India beat SA in Women’s Cricket WC qualifiers

India captain Mithali Raj during the India Women vs South Africa Women match.

Colombo, Feb 15 (IANS): India defeated South Africa by 49 runs in a Super Six game of the Womens Cricket World Cup Qualifier against South Africa at the P. Sara Oval here on Wednesday.

A 96-run second-wicket partnership between Mona Meshram (55) and Mithali Raj (64) helped India register

Nagaland Post, Dimapur thursday, february 16, 2017

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205 in 50 overs. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 156 in 46.4 overs, paving the way for India’s victory that puts them on the verge of qualification to the World Cup in England in June.

South Africa, opted to bowl and their pace trio of Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka

kept a tight line and length.

Khaka removed opner Deepti Sharma (9).

Then, captain Mithali joined Meshram, who opened as M.D. Thirushkamini was unwell, in the middle and they tried to build a partnership.

Meshram first showcased her aggressive intent in the 22nd over, when she stepped out to Yolani Fourie, the offspinner, and struck a big six over midwicket. Having made just 14 runs in the first ten overs, India put on 98 runs in the next 20 as the innings got some much-needed momentum.

Both of them went on to post fifties. The partnership was broken when Meshram stepped out to hit leg-spinner Dane van Niekerk and was bowled.

Harmanpreet Kaur then fell in the first over of the batting Power Play when she played on to a sharp incoming delivery from Kapp.

Mithali, who became

only the second batswoman after Charlotte Edwards to complete 5,000 runs in ODI cricket during the innings, hit Ismail for two straight fours in the 37th over. But she was soon caught at point as India made only 17 for 2 in that block of five overs.

When Veda Krishnamurthy fell against the run of play for 18, India were reduced to 164 for 5 in 43.1 overs, and in need of some inspiration.

Devika Vaidya (19) and Shikha Pandey (21) provided the late flourish for the Indians to take the score past 200.

During the South African chase, Ekta and Shikha struck early to reduce them to 8 for 2 in 4.2. It fell upon the experienced pair of Mignon du Preez (15) and Trisha Chetty (52) to take the team ahead.

Even as it added 33 runs, and Chetty then put on 52 runs for the fourth wicket with Kapp (29), South Africa always needed a blistering performance from somewhere.

Mushtaq Ali T20:Jaggi stars in East’s 6-wkt win M umbai , F eb 1 5 ( I A N S ) : J h a r k h a n d ’s Ishank Jaggi slammed a 51-ball 90 to guide the East zone to a six-wicket win in a high-scoring Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Inter Zonal T20 cricket tie against the South Zone at the Wankhede Stadium here on Wendesday.

Chasing 179, Jaggi raised a 64-run secondwicket stand with opener Shreevats Goswami (25) before adding another 81 runs for the third wicket with his statemate Saurabh Tiwary (33) to help the Eastern side inch closer to a win. Jaggi, who belted 11 fours and four huge sixes in his knock, looked on course for his second T20 century before Kerala medium pacer Basil Thampi ended his resistance with the East zone requiring 20 runs from more than three overs.

Earlier, skipper R. Vinay Kumar (68) and opener Mayank Agarwal (72) forged a 112-r un second-wicket stand to help the South reach a comfortable 122/1 in 12 overs before East skipper Manoj Tiwar y pulled things back with three quick wickets with his parttime leg-spin.

Brief Scores: South Zone 178/6 (Mayank Agarwal 72, R. Vinay Kumar 68, Manoj Tiwary 3/31) lose to East Zone 1 8 1 / 4 ( I s h a n k Ja g g i 90, Saurabh Tiwary 33, Shreevats Goswami 25, Vijay Shankar 1/18) by six wickets.

Bolt, Biles adjudged Sportspeople of the Year at Laureus 2017

Usain Bolt and Simone Biles dominated their sports at the Rio 2016 Games.

Monte Carlo, Feb 15 (IANS): After glittering year for both athletes, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and American gymnast Simone Biles won the Sportsman and the Sportswoman of the Year titles at the 2017 Laureus World Spor ts Awards ceremony here.

Bolt won the 100, 200 and 4x100 metres relay gold medals at the Rio Olympics, which saw him come out on top during Tuesday’s ceremony, beating fellow contenders Lebron James, Andy Murray and Cristiano Ronaldo, reports Xinhua news agency.

This was the fourth time that Bolt has won the award after 2009, 2010 and 2013, levelling Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer’s record. Biles won four gold medals and a bronze at the Rio Olympics, enabling her to top five other candidates, including American track star Allyson Felix and G e r m a n t e n n i s p l aye r

Angelique Kerber in the contest for Sportswoman of the Year. The Team of the Year award went to Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs, who won their first World Series in 108 years, ending one of the longest droughts in the league.

Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany won the Breakthrough of the Year award, after he won the world title for the first time in 2016 before retiring from motor racing.

The Comeback of the Year award was given to swimming legend Michael Phelps, who claimed five gold medals and one silver at the Rio Olympics.

In other awards, the Sportsperson of the Year with a disability award was presented to Italian wheelchair fencing athlete Beatrice Vio, the Action Sportsperson of the Year award went to Rachel Ather ton of Britain in Mountain Biking, and the

Spirit of Sport award was taken by Premier League defending champions Leicester City.

The newly-founded Best Spor ting Moment of the Year, voted on by sports fans worldwide in an online poll, was given to the Barcelona Under-12 team, who consoled their defeated opponents from Japan in the Junior World Soccer Challenge.

The refugee Olympic team at Rio 2016, the first ever in Olympic history, was awarded the Laureus Sports for Good Award for Sporting Inspiration.

The refugee team, made up of 10 athletes from South Sudan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia, captured the hearts of people around the world when they walked into the Maracana Stadium at the Rio 2016 opening ceremony, showing their resilience in the face of tremendous hardship.

Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor: American reignites talk of potential bout

Floyd Mayweather

Conor McGregor,

LAS VEGAS, FEB 15 ( AG E N C I E S ) : F l oyd Mayweather has denied reports he has already agreed a bout with Conor McGregor, but called on the UFC champion to “get the fight done”.

In a Twitter post, Mayweather wrote: “There haven’t been any deals between myself and any other fighters. “If any changes are to come, I will

be the first to let the world know.” In reply, McGregor posted a photo of himself sitting on a throne with the caption: “I am in Las Vegas. Floyd has retired on my arrival.”

And later Mayweather added: “Listen Conor McGregor, if you really want to get this fight done... take care of your business with the UFC and have your people get

Women’s Tour 2017: London to host to final stage

After football, Tata Trusts focus on grassroots hockey

L o nd o n , F E B 1 5 (AGENCIES): London will host the 2017 Women’s Tour final stage, with the race to open on 7 June in Daventry. The five-stage event, won by Britain’s Lizzie Deignan last year, will conclude in the capital on Sunday, 11 June. Its fourth edition will also include stages in Nor thamptonshire, Warwickshire, Stoke-onTrent and Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

All of the world’s top 15 teams will take part in the race, which is a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour.

“This year’s route will combine testing climbs and beautiful scenery in the heart of England with the London finish, which will be an undoubted highlight of the sporting calendar,” race director Mick Bennett said.

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS): After setting up grassroots-level talent-hunt programmes in remote parts of the country for budding footballers, Tata Trusts have set their eyes on unea r thing future hockey stars in Maoist-hit Jharkhand.

Speaking to IANS after felicitating the inaugural Indian Women’s League (IWL) champions Eastern Sporting Union team at the R.K. Khanna Tennis Stadium here on Wednesday, Tata Trusts head of sports Anand Datla said more than 2,300 kids aged between 1 0 a n d 1 4 ye a r s a r e c u r r e n t ly u n d e r g o i n g training at Khunti district in Jharkhand.

With technical aid from the Netherlands-

in touch with my people.”

Mayweather, 39, retired from boxing for a second time in September 2015 after defending his WBC and WBA welterweight titles with a 49th win from his 49th fight, a victory t h a t e q u a l l e d Ro c k y Marciano’s career record of 49-0.

The American, widely considered to be the best fighter of his generation,

also retired in 2008 after 39 fights. In January he told ESPN he had offered McGregor $15m (£12m) to face him in the ring.

McGregor, 28, has never fought a professional boxing match and has said he wants $100m (£80m) to fight Mayweather.

The Irishman became the UFC’s first dual-division champion in November and has previously challenged Mayweather to a fight under mixed martial arts rules.

His boxing licence was granted by the California State Athletic Commission in December, allowing him to box in the US state.

However, he is under contract with the UFC and any potential fight with Mayweather would require approval from the body.

UFC president Dana White has said he would pay each fighter $25m (£20m), but on Tuesday he told the Los Angeles Times: “No deal is even close to being done.”

based Bovelander Hockey Academy, Tata Tr usts will also extend its wings to neighbouring Odisha, which is considered a nursery for hockey talent having given hockey stars like Dilip Tirkey, Ignesh Tirkey and Birendra Lakra, among others, Datla said.

“We are trying to use Khunti as a regional centre for hockey. Numbers are big, 2,300 trainees, 65 schools and 25 school and community grounds for training,” he said. “ Ye s , O d i s h a definitely is in the pipeline considering the huge reservoir of talent the state has in the game. But as of now, we are providing a platform to the kids in Jharkhand and we hope to have many kids shining at the international stage

in the near future,” he added.

The hockey training is conducted in four-month training cycles.

The first with 1,200 children from 32 schools was from July to December last year, delayed by two months due to teething problems, while the second started from December itself with 1,100 children from 33 schools.

The children are trained by master trainers six days a week. The Dutch team trains local trainers under the banner of One Million Hockey Legs, a talent nurturing i n i t i a t ive f o r I n d i a ’s national sport for which the country had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Netherlands.

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