February 17, 2017

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 72

NTAC postpones Kma public rally DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) has postponed the proposed ‘public rally’ and ‘fast unto death’ stir in Kohima scheduled to be held on February 17. The decision was made in view of the assurance given by chief minister, T.R. Zeliang that he was ready to step down, but appealed for two-three more days in order to ensure smooth transition of office and in the larger interest of the state, stated NTAC media cell. Based on Zeliang’s letter, dated February 16, NTAC decided to suspended the rally until further notice.

CNTC defends Supu

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Refuting allegation levelled against JCC convener Supu Jamir of having a political agenda, the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) through its media cell has said that the convener of JCC did not represent only some agitating groups but the collective voice of all tribal hohos. In this regard, CNTC appealed everyone not to spread any false propaganda so that people of Nagaland were not misled during these critical times.

Further, media cell said that JCC was endorsed by CNTC and augmented by Chakhro Angami and Chakehesang, which was further joined by the ENPO under the umbrella of Naga Council Dimapur. Therefore, CNTC said any misgiving or misconception on this issue was totally unfounded and baseless.

No wage issue in merger of associate banks: SBI chief

Trump moving away from twostate Israeli-Palestinian solution

BJP has violated human rights: Chidambaram

business, Page 8

international, Page 9

national, Page 5

CM, Governor rush to Delhi NPF DOES NOT NEED DIRECTIVE or decision OF CENTRE: KENYE

Staff Reporter/Correspondent

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, FEB 16 (NPN): In the aftermath of the political development on February 15 when some 42 NPF and independent legislators (ministers, advisors, parliamentary secretaries) decided to prop up NPF president and DAN chairman Dr. Shühozelie Liezietsü to replace T.R. Zeliang as chief minister; the Governor P.B. Acharya air dashed to Delhi along with the beleaguered chief minister.

The sudden departure had surprised many since it was largely expected that the Governor would ensure that constitutional process of restoring the normal functioning of the government would be set in motion after swearing in of the next chief minister. The state has been on the boil since January 28 through indefinite state wide bandh called by NTAC and JCC to demand the resignation of T.R. Zeliang on moral ground for the police firings and deaths of two youths.

Perhaps quite aware of public murmur about

T.R. Zeliang air dashing to Delhi for consultations with central leaders, Rajya Sabha MP and NPF secretary general K.G. Kenye reiterated to media persons that NPF being a regional party did not need to take any directive or decisions from the Centre of any outsider. Addressing media at the residence of PHE minister Tohkeho Yepthomi where the NPF legislators held a meeting, Kenye revealed that T.R. Zeliang reportedly agreed to step down.

However, it may be pointed out that before air dashing to Delhi T.R. Zeliang had prepared a letter

addressed to NTAC convenor K.T. Vilie regarding demands for his stepping down. In his letter, Zeliang sought “two to three days” time to ensure “smooth transition of office and in the larger interest of the state”.

T.R. Zeliang’s sudden departure to Delhi had also taken most legislators by surprise and raised murmurs. According to Kenye, the meeting at Tokheho’s residence was mainly to inform the members about it. There were a total of 41 legislators -34 NPF and 7 Independent- at the meeting while two ministers were absent. Kenye told media

persons that Zeliang had gone to Delhi to pay courtesy call on the Home minister and that it was by sheer coincidence that Governor Acharya was also bound for the same destination.

On being asked why the sudden U-turn by the legislators who had been backing Zeliang despite mass public demands for his immediate resignation since January 31; Kenye said it was due to the thinking that public demand had to be addressed. He also disclosed that the legislators would meet tomorrow to formalize the change after the return of T.R. Zeliang.

Raj Bhavan, CMO version on mission Delhi

Nagaland Governor P.B.Acharya and Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang, who air dashed to Delhi have come out with separate statements about their mission Delhi.

PRO Raj Bhavan said Acharya had gone to seek union home minster Rajnath Singh’s help to solve the current political crisis. The crisis mentioned included- political situation caused by the deaths of three youths, loss of public properties, indefinite bandh during HSLC and HSSLC exams, closure of government offices paralysing government machinery etc. The Governor

had also assured NTAC and JCC on their February 17 deadline, that “proper and timely action would be taken.”

In another communiqué, CMO claimed both Governor and CM rushed to Delhi rather than remain in the state, as they were “alarmed” about likelihood of imposition of President’s Rule. CMO claimed that Zeliang believed that PR would not solve the “social unrest” in the state. It may be recalled that NTAC and JCC had reminded Governor on February 10 about his assurances to intervene and take action.

Bandh to continue in Dmu; relaxed in other parts of state

Women volunteers from various community with placards near Dimapur airport Jn. (NP) Staff Reporter/Correspondents

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA/ MOKOKCHUNG, FEB 16 (NPN): The second wave of the indefinite state-wide bandh entered its fourth consecutive day on Thursday.

The bandh across the state was by and large peaceful.

However, in districts like Kohima, Wokha and Tuensang the bandh was relaxed as only government offices and government vehicles were barred from functioning.

DIMAPUR: The bandh enforced by Dimapur Naga Youth Front (DNYF) in Dimapur was normal and peaceful. The fourth day saw more enthusiastic

women from all walks of life out on the streets to enforce the bandh. In most of the areas, the women also took the initiative provide refreshments/lunch. Another effigy of chief minister T.R. Zeliang was burnt by volunteers near at Supply/PWD junction.

Meanwhile, JCC convenor, Supu Jamir informed that there would be no relaxation in Dimapur and the bandh would continue as usual from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

While brushing aside the assurance made by chief minister T.R. Zeliang that he would step down, Supu said: “Zeliang cannot be trusted, and he has lost the

confidence of the people.”

Some students, who were returning home on foot, after the exams told this reporter that the bandh was causing them inconvenience to commute.

KOHIMA: The partial bandh called by Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC), Kohima and enforced by the Angami Youth Organization (AYO) in the state capital passed off peacefully with no untoward incident on Thursday.

All business establishments and banks chose to remain closed even though they were exempted for the purview of the bandh.

(Cont’d on p-8)

Palani takes over as Tamil Nadu CM NTAC, JCC question Gov, CM’s trip to Delhi

NBCC women for prayer

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) women department has requested all women secretaries of church associations, women fellowships towns, villages, institutions, local churches and women prayer groups to initiate a time of prayer on February 18 and 19, 2017. According to women secretary Visasieü Dolie, prayer could be held according to convenient time of each area and if permissible, advised the group leaders to conduct the prayer during the morning hours in the presence of the ongoing bandh volunteers.

DIMAPUR, friday, february 17, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

K. Palaniswami

C hennai , F eb 1 6 (IANS): K. Palaniswami, a loyalist of the jailed AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala, on Thursday took oath as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, ending for now an ugly war within the ruling party.

Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao administered the oath of office and secrecy to Palaniswami, 63, and his team at the Raj Bhavan, only hours after inviting him to form a government.

Palaniswami took oath in Tamil, followed by 30 DSSU free bus service ministers in batches. He has D I M A P U R , F E B 1 6 to prove his majority in the (NPN): Dimapur Sumi Students Union (DSSU) on Thursday informed that it would be providing free bus service to students appearDIMAPUR, FEB 16 ing exams till the indefinite (NPN): Ao Senden’s JCC, bandh was lifted. In a press Angami Youth Organization release, DDSU president, (AYO) and Dimapur Naga Tovika K Chishi, and genYouth Front (DNYF) have eral secretary, Steve Chophy, come out sharply against said the union initiated the the warning by NPF Central move in view of untold on some government emhardship faced by the stuployees, alleging that some dents. (Details on p-2) of them were funding and taking part in the ongoing agitation as volunteers.

Ao Senden: JCC Ao Senden said it took serious note of the warning issued by NPF Central and instead cautioned NPF that “in the event any misfortune happens to any Ao citizens through the threat, the Aos will not remain silent and will initiate appropriate steps.” In a press note, JCC convenor A. Bendangnukshi Jamir and co-convenor N. Bendang Jamir reminded NPF that the present move“Not surprising. We women ment was a people’s movehave to enforcce the bandh ment to protect the rights of Nagas. that you men started”.

Even after three in-

assembly within 15 days.

The assembly has, however, been convened on Saturday and the Sasikala faction said it was confident of proving its majority of at least 117 legislators in the house of 234.

“We have the support of 125 legislators and we will prove our majority,” V.N.Virugai Ravi, a legislator, told IANS. Palaniswami has retained the crucial Finance Ministry he had in the outgoing government of O. Panneerselvam, whose attempt to foil Sasikala’s bid to be the Chief Minister led to bitter fighting in the AIADMK. Palaniswami also retained the portfolios of Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports he held in the earlier government.

Hailing from Nedungulam village in Salem district, Palaniswami belongs to Gounder community.

He joined the AIADMK in the 1980s and entered the Tamil Nadu assembly for the first time in 1989 from Edapadi constituency.

After the Supreme Court upheld the earlier conviction of Sasikala, she chose Palaniswami as her successor as the leader of party legislature wing.

Meanwhile, Panneerselvam, who took charge of the government after the December 5 death of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, vowed to pursue his fight against “one family” controlling the AIADMK -- a reference to Sasikala.

Sasikala was elected to the top post and then chosen as AIADMK legislature party leader by MLAs to enable her to replace Panneerselvam as Chief Minister. That’s when Panneerselvam revolted, leading to the worst faction fighting in the AIADMK.

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) have expressed surprise and questioned the sudden departure of Nagaland governor, P.B. Acharya and chief minister, T.R. Zeliang to Delhi together on Thursday.

NTAC & JCC said both the heads of the state left for Delhi at such a critical juncture instead of taking preventive measures for any untoward adverse situation.

NTAC & JCC also advised Governor, that he being the Constitutional head of the state, was expected to use his August office in the interest of the people instead, of “involving in solving political crisis”. In this regard, JCC and NTAC warned that chief minister T.R. Zeliang and Governor would be solely responsible for any untoward eventual-

ity detrimental to the interest of the people.

Meanwhile, Angami Youth Organization (AYO) said chief minister, T.R. Zeliang was able to pass through the bandh volunteers thinking that it was only the Governor travelling. However, AYO expressed surprise that Zeliang was in the same car with Governor. Further, NTAC and JCC also questioned T.R. Zeliang for being adamant not to step down as chief minister even as bandh on government offices paralyzed government machinery and has caused hardship to the people for the last 15 days.

In a press note NTAC media cell said JCC and NTAC on several occasions appraised the Governor to intervene with appropriate action as deemed fit, besides submitting several representations with copies to President of India, Prime

Minister and Home Minister. However, they said, till date they were yet to see the light of the day, as chief minister and Governor remained a mute spectators.

JCC rejects appeal

Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on Thursday affirmed that it has resolved not to honour chief minister, T.R. Zeliang’s appeal letter dated February 16, 2017 to NTAC and JCC to relax the agitation and bandh for two-three days till the time he returned from Delhi.

JCC through its media cell asserted that it would not allow itself to be tricked “once again by such treacherous and coward leader, who has failed to show any iota true leadership character.”

Further, JCC said it was disappointed at the manner in which the state governor has conducted and

handled this current issue. It said that the governor’s neutrality on this matter was “doubtful.”

JCC maintained that despite the complete breakdown of constitutional machinery, the governor has been “reluctant to discharge his duties and shows his partiality toward TR Zeliang.”

It stated that such display of “biasness” was unbecoming to the post of the constitutional head. In this regard, JCC requested the governor to clarify his position to the Naga people whether he was “the actual head of state or an agent of TR Zeliang.”

Also, JCC said it was “shocked and disgusted” by the “threat” meted out

by NPF party to the government employees accusing them of “conspiracy to sabotage TR Zeliang’s government by supporting the people’s movement.”

(Cont’d on p-8)

Ao Senden JCC, AYO, DNYF caution NPF Central NTAC, JCC react to NPF

This is it!

K Y M C

nocent lives were lost and many injured, JCC alleged that NPF was “still in their thirst for more blood and goes on to issue warnings to bonafide Nagas citizens for helping and joining in this movement.”

JCC said it considered this threat as an enemy of the Nagas and also pointed out that the battle today was not a political battle but a battle for the rights of every Naga citizen. JCC further advised those writers, “who have written such blasphemous words, to think about their own roots and origins first before writing such irresponsible statements”.

AYO: Angami Youth Organisation has also hit out at the NPF Central for threatening government servants of dire disciplinary action, on the claims that some of them were involved in the agitation. AYO president Neinguvotuo Krose and general secretary Kekh-

rie Pfukha in a press note said that the dubious stand was highly comical and ridiculous, assuming that they (NPF Central) are the government. Asserting that they were part of the people’s movement under the umbrella of the NTAC and JCC, AYO clarified that no government funds or contribution from any politician were made/utilized for the movement.

Asking NPF to able to differentiate between government funds and personal contribution, AYO said NPF should not to confuse a people’s movement with agitation of a few people.

Failure on the part of the persons in the NPF Central to participate in the people’s movement only shows that they were anti-Naga and anti-democracy, it added.

Reacting to the accusation that NTAC and JCC were making the lives of the people miserable, AYO said

it was very clear to the public who had been making the lives of the people miserable.

“The people of Nagaland know who is responsible for non-payment of salaries, the PDS scam, the fuel adulteration scam, attempts to steal crude oil in Wokha, etc.,” AYO stated.

It further warned NPF Central office bearers and its other agencies, that if the party continues their personal attack any of its members and victimise any AYO member(s) or benefactors, AYO would “seek them out any day and retaliate to protect its members even after a solution is found to this social impasse.”

Meanwhile, AYO expressed gratitude to all organisations/individuals for steadfastly supporting the peoples’ movement morally, physically, materially, financially and most significantly through the Christian principle of prayer and fasting.

DNYF: Dimapur Naga Youth Front (DNYF) criticized NPF Central for trying to suppress government servants and allegedly locking up its legislators.

In a press note issued through its media cell, DNYF said since the government is “of the people, by the people and for the people”, it has asked NPF “to let the people decided for themselves rather than threatening.”

Accusing NPF central of being “fake and baseless”, DNYF asked the party to come out in the open during the bandh if they actually wanted to show their strength. It further said that DNYF would carry out “inspection” and initiate strong action against those bandh violators.

DNYF also acknowledged the sacrifices made by the Nagas and thanked all for their contribution towards the movement.

media & press bureau

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): JCC and NTAC, Kohima have issued rejoinder in reiteration of the previous clarification as apparently being still required by the Media & Press Bureau, NPF in their way of continuing to “harping the same tune when it is about time they already sing the swan song for TR Zeliang.”

NTAC through its media cell said that under the prevailing circumstance it was irrefutable that the media & press bureau, NPF had no more technique or weapon left to defend the mainstay of TR Zeliang clinging on to his position but “cook up and resort” as to blame “some few individuals posing as volunteers of JCC and NTAC” or that “government servants are funding the agitation.”

The manner of mudslinging the employees only

symbolized “disproportionate underdone of intimidation, bereft of sensibility and out of shape for a civilised society.”

Media cell also reiterated that JCC was formed to pursue the possibility of postponement of ULB elections since the tribal bodies were opposed to go ahead with the existing Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, which it found to be detrimental to social and customary practice of the Nagas. Further, the NTAC said it was formed by the tribal bodies to respond to the imminent impending danger of more bloodshed emerging out of the killing and bringing the two dead bodies to Kohima.

It said that the Nagas as much as they valued human lives came out strongly against the armed personnel gunning down of two (Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C

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state/northeast

15 AR free medical camp at Noklak

Assam Rifles medical team along with the villagers.

DIMAPUR: 15 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ (IGAR (North) conducted free medical camp for the villagers of Noklak village of Tuensang District on

February 15 and 16.

According to PRO IGAR (N) Kohima, a total of 592 patients which included 165 males, 255 females and 172 children

UCEAN appeals NPSC on CTE

DIMAPUR: Unemployed Civil Engineers’ Association of Nagaland (UCEAN) the associations of civil, electrical, mechanical Engg. and forestry has appealed NPSC to update on the steps taken for the timely and smooth conduct of the forthcoming Common Technical Examination (CTE) scheduled on February 25.

The association stated that candidates spread all over the state were unable to access all means of social media communication at this time.

UCEAN also appealed NPSC to provide information through the local dailies about when and how to avail the admit cards, exam routines at the earliest.

NNC/GDRN (NA) condemns NSCN (I-M) ambush

DIMAPUR: NNC/GDRN (NA) has condemned the February 10 incident where GPRN/NSCN Ao region camp was allegedly ambushed and two cadres detained

by NSCN (IM).

In a condemnation note, MIP NNC/GDRN (NA) said it was “shell shocked” and such “misrepresented atmosphere” was unexpected from any NPGs especially at a juncture where Nagas were yearning for peace and unity.

It therefore appealed NSCN (I-M) to release the detainees unconditionally at the earliest.

“Why choose to fight the wrong war with the wrong weapons against the wrong enemy on the wrong battlefield,” MIP stated while appealing for unity.

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were treated by the medical team of 15 Assam Rifles and free medicines were also distributed.

In addition to the medical aid locals were

also educated upon the need for important vaccinations, health and hygiene and preventive mechanism to guard against illness, PRO added.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur friday, February 17, 2017

DSSU to provide free news in brief bus service for students DIMAPUR: Dimapur Sumi Students Union (DSSU) would be providing free bus services at various designated points till the indefinite bandh is lifted.

In a press statement by its president Tovika K Chishi and general secretary, Steve Chophy, pointed out that due to the total bandh the students’ community had been facing untold hardship and problems to reach their exam centres.

DSSU also stated that under such prevailing situation the students were under fear psychosis and has therefore appealed the volunteers and all right thinking citizens to let the students pass without causing any psychological harassment.

Fur ther DSSU appealed all schools and institution to inform the students of the bus service provided by the union. DSSU call upon all the students irrespective of tribes and communities to avail the bus services at its various designated places and pick-up points. One may contact president at 9089285588 and general secretary at 7085613161.

The designated bus stops: Green Park Junction towards Burma camp junction and city tower; Thilixu Junction towards Half-nagarjan , Dimapur Railway Station, Notun Bosti Junction; Sub-Jail (TinAli) Junction towards Dhobinulla and Nyamo Lotha Road; Sub-Jail (Tin-Ali) Junction towards Notun Bosti Junction and City Tower; Signal-Lomthi colony Junction towards Dhobinulla and DC Court.

DSSU has informed all students, teachers and invigilators to take the buses to exam centres which fall in the particular route. It also advised them to be at the designated place and pick-up points latest by 7.30 a.m for morning session and 11.30 a.m for the evening session.

DSSU further informed that buses were only for the purpose of dropping the students, teachers and invigilators to the exam centres. All students, teachers and invigilators have to produce admit cards and identity cards to the DSSU official in-charge.

Vilie peli silver anniversary: Vilie Peli of Kohima village would be celebrating its silver anniversary on February 28 at 11 a.m at Dzücha Mechüpru D. Khel Kohima village with parliamentary secretary of YRS, State Lotteries, MTF, chairman DPDB Kohima Khriehu Liezietsu as the chief guest and chairman D. Khel council Kelhouphilie Kire as the guest of honour.

WDCCI informs: As per the Lotha Hoho JAC relaxation of its second phase bandh the Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WDCCI) informed all business establishments to open from tomorrow till further order.

ZBN appeals for peaceful dialogue DIMAPUR: Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland (ZBN) has appealed to different tribal hohos of Nagaland to come to the negotiating table and sort out the current imbroglio in true democratic sense. ZBN also appealed the stakeholders to respond to peaceful dialogue with due respect for each other.

ZBN in a press note by president Rangsam N. Hau and Meijiang Gonmei stated that initially “the JCC had demanded the government not to go ahead with ULB elections with 33 percent women reservation” but now the main issue “seemed to have got diverted with political overtones.” While stating that as Nagas, “we need to adopt the rich traditional practice of resolving any conflict without resorting to violence”, ZBN pointed out that the two sides should sit for dialogue and resolve the difference and bring back normalcy and peace in the state. ZBN also appreciated the government of Nagaland for conceding to the “probable demand of the people” keeping in mind the welfare and unity of the Naga family as utmost priority in such a crucial juncture. It also asked that that any decisions they took were in the best interests for the present and future generations of the Naga people.

Speedy disposal of fake encounter case demanded Mahatma Gandhi University

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 16: A group of people Thursday stormed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Imphal demanding fair and speedy disposal of the infamous Khwairamband Keithel ‘fake’ encounter case of July 23, 2009.

The demonstrators also demanded justice to the multi-crore Imphal Airport drug seizure case in which trial is currently underway in the court after CBI submitted its chargesheet against incumbent chief minister O Ibobi’s nephew O Henry and three others.

CBI had re-opened the infamous 2009 broad daylight fake encounter case for a fresh investigation following an order of the Imphal West district and session judge on Wednesday.

The group of people displayed various slogans like “Justice delay is justice denied”, , “drug dealers and killers cannot govern the state”, “produce the killers of Sanjit and Rabina, and record the judicial confession of Herojit”, “end the indigenous bloodshed”,” justice for fake encounter victims”, etc while demonstrating in front of the CBI Anti-Corruption branch office in Imphal’s Lamphelpat.

Four leaders of the demonstrators later met the additional SP L Hangsing before dispersing.

Dr Y Dhakeshor, who led the four representatives, said that they have pressed the additional SP to deliver justice to the infamous July 23, 2009 fake encounter victims.

The additional SP informed them that the agency has initiated a fresh investigation into the case,

Dhakeshor claimed.

Meanwhile, Manipur BJP has also demanded speedy disposal of fake encounter cases to deliver justice to the people of the state while welcoming the recent move of the CBI to reopen Khwairamband Bazaar fake encounter and airport drug seizure cases.

Hinting political involvement in the cases, state BJP spokesperson and former minister Nongthongbam Biren told the media in a news conference that delay in the trials of the long pending cases has violated the rights of the people.

“BJP welcomes the reopening of the Sanjeet and Rabina fake encounter case by the CBI after an appeal made by the mother of Sanjeet,” said Biren while reminding that the Supreme Court has declared 1528 fake encounter cases which occurred behind the

armed forces special powers act.

Biren while comparing the rising number of drug abuse in Manipur with Punjab alleged that “it has now an open secret that many high profile individuals and politicians are involved in importing drugs into the north eastern state”.

He demanded that the culprits involved in importing drugs should be booked in order to save the young generation while seeking an independent inquiry into those involved in such cases.

The BJP leader further demanded the state government to make public the progress of judicial enquiry on the dead of student Robinhood in police action against students carrying out rally demanding implementation of ILPS (Inner Line Permit System) in 2015.

M’laya convocation ceremony

D imapur , F e b 1 6 (NPN): The convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Meghalaya was held on February 16 at the University Seminar Hall at 13th Mile, Byrnihat, Meghalaya amidst a huge gathering of scholars, academicians, government officials, students and guests.

Gover nor of West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi graced the occasion as the chief guest. Petko Doykov, Ambassador of Bulgaria, Prof. Wolfgang C. Amann, academic programme director, HEC, Paris at Doha (Qatar) and K. Janardhanan, a distinguished management scholar from Bengaluru graced the occasion as the guests of honour.

Graduation, post graduation degrees were ceremoniously conferred upon

the students and scholars by governor of West Bengal in the presence the members of the governing body, academic council members, chancellor, Dr.Rajan Chopra, vice chancellor, Prof.

Shiv K. Tripathi, Phd, registrar Kumar Abhishek, dean (Academics), Dr. Mohan Bhattacharya.

In his convocation address, the chief guest lauded the performance of the emerging institution of excellence and blessed the student and scholars. He mentioned that the very name Mahatma Gandhi University suggests the ideology that the institution of excellence follows, he said. The Ambassador of Bulgaria, Petko Doykov also greeted the students and scholar and mentioned about the long standing relationship of India and Bulgaria.

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Life under bandh in Dimapur

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Can the Supreme Court be as decisive and stern with corrupt leaders as with Sasikala?

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

A B C

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state State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Friday, February 17, 2017

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A

B

Yes No Can’t say

C

82% 18% 0%

Next poll

Q: Are anti-pollution laws

in Nagaland effective?

 Yes  No  Can’t say

Effigy of T.R.Zeliang burnt at Supply, PWD junction. (NP)

Lotha Hoho and Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee officials with volunteers at Police Point Wokha Town on Thursday.

Burma camp junction, Dimapur. (NP)

NH 2 that passes Tuli under Mokokchung district being cut off by bandh volunteers near Loyung junction today. (Courtesy Ao Senden)

Aoyimti junction. (NP)

DC Office, Dimapur. (NP)

Zion Hospital Junction, Purana Bazaar. (NP)

Nagarjan police point, Dimapur. (NP)

Imlibenla Wati offering tea to womenfolk during Mokokchung bandh. (NP)

WEATHER FORECAST February 17

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sunshine

32 14

Aizawl

Warm with plenty of sunshine 25 9

Guwahati Hazy sunshine Imphal

Pleasant with sunshine

31 12 28 10

Itanagar Hazy sunshine

27 13

Shillong

Hazy sunshine

23 5

Kohima

Sunshine with a shower

26 11

Dimapur Plenty of sun Mkg

30 14

Nice with plenty of sunshine 25 9

Tuensang Sunny and cooler

17 8

Wokha

23 14

Sunny and not as warm

Zunheboto Sunny and pleasant

22 7

KTC applauds solution to DAN ITC Pangsha

DIMAPUR: Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) and Khiamniungans as a whole have appreciated all the tribal bodies of Nagas for strongly supporting against the boundary demarcation at Dan ITC Pangsha under Noklak sub-division at Tuensang district.

A press note by KTC president, P. Mongchua stated that this was possible due to the wise decision and timely intervention of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. It also extended its appreciation to Neiphiu Rio MP (LS) and Major General Girish Kumar, advisor Bangladesh & Myanmar Division Ministry of External affairs and his companions, DIG 7th sector AR Tuensang & his staff, DGP Nagaland & his staff, DC Tuensang for availing their presence in spot verification of the boundary demarcation at Dan ITC Pangsha and taking the matter to the Govt. of India for amicable solution.

It further stated that this unified action has ensured a sound solution to the problem and Khiamniungans would continue to work hand in hand with rest of the Nagas for greater glory and unity.

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): As the second phase of indefinite total bandh called by the Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) entered day 4, denizens of Dimapur anticipate an early solution to the current impasse between tribal hohos and the state government for normalcy to return in the city.

Life in the city has come to a standstill except for few hours of respite in the morning and evening during which the city emerges jostling with hurried activities. During bandh hours, families

spend the languorous days indoors while the children engage themselves with games and other forms of entertainment. However, beneath the uneasy calm that had engulfed the city, Dimapurians seem to be running out of patience as uncertainty looms large over the outcome of the present imbroglio.

The constant shifting of political undercurrents in the government has also added more confusion among the public.

Popular opinion among Dimapurians meanwhile continues to change each passing day and many have started questioning the ‘purpose’ of the bandh.

As normalcy become more and more elusive due to the bandh and essential commodities become scarce despite several relaxations in the bandh, the initial resentment towards the government seem to be slowly fading and a new ‘anti-bandh’ voice seem to be gaining currency in the city.

“My daughter who is appearing HSSLC exams is having a harrowing time due to the bandh.

This is definitely not a conducive environment for examinations. Harassment and eve teasing by volunteers while appearing exams is also another grave concern,” said a worried

mother.

“The leaders behind t h e b a n d h mu s t n ow explore other options for the movement. We cannot continue to suffer like this,” she added.

Government offices have been rendered nonfunctional since the bandh commenced and as a consequence, many haven’t received their salaries. The circulation of money in the city’s economy has also decreased substantially as banks remain closed.

Public anger that was ab initio directed towards the government now seems to have become multi directional. Though wary to point finger at the

bandh enforcers, a resident of Duncan Basti said, “Zeliang is to be blamed for his adamant stand. Having said that, it is important to understand that the bandh has gone on for quite some time now and our plight keeps increasing.”

A government servant who was yet to receive his salar y opined that the leaders behind the bandh should now adopt ‘fast unto death’ protest Mahatma Gandhi or Anna Hazare.

With reports of volunteers’ highhandedness surfacing in the media and some videos of volunteers’ beating up a pedestrian

doing rounds on social m e d i a , c i t i z e n s h ave expressed fear that the city was plunging into lawlessness. With movement of state security forces being restricted during bandh hours, safety and security has become an issue of grave concern among the Dimapurians.

Also, collection of money by bandh enforcers through respective tribes to augment the movement has received mixed response from the public.

Many maintained it was necessary and for a greater cause while some expressed that it will just add more woes to their sufferings.

“I haven’t received

my salary. I am yet to pay my bills and my ration has exhausted. Though the markets open for some hours, with no cash I cannot even buy essentials for my family leave alone donate for the bandh!” informed one distressed father adding that he even had to cut down the supplement food of his infant due to the financial crisis.

As uncertainty looms large over the current impasse, the plight of the public continue to increase and Dimapurians wait with the hope that a logical conclusion will be arrived at and normalcy will once again return in the city.

25th anniversary and church dedication of Nizheto village

Inauguration of the church at Nizheto village.

DIMAPUR: Nizheto Baptist Church celebrated its 25th anniversary and dedication of its church at Nizheto village, wherein release and dedication of the anniversary souvenir was done by Rev. Ikuto.

The programme began with Bible reading and invocation by Avito pastor K

Y M C

NBC, hymn, followed by welcome greeting from GB Kughato. Special numbers were presented

by Hukhai Baptist Church and Nizheto Baptist Churh.

Rev. Kiheto Awomi pronounced the offertory prayer and gave blessing over the generation. Vote

of thanks was given by GB, Lhovishe Achumi.

Word of God and benediction was delivered

by WSBAK executive s e c r e t a r y, R e v. D r.

Hevukhu Achumi.

Earlier the programme was chaired by Inalika Achumi and recorded by Tovi Yeptho.

K

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Ibobi, Sharmila file nomination papers

Six UGs including four NSCN (I-M) Congress will retain power by winning 2/3 of 60 seats: Ibobi held in Manipur

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 16: Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh Thursday filed his nomination from Thoubal Assembly constituency where human right activist turned politician Irom Sharmila and four others including BJP nominee also filed their nomination.

After filing his nomination paper, three time chief minister O Ibobi Singh said that Congress will retain power again by winning over 2/3 of the 60-seat Manipur Assembly which goes on poll in two phases on March 4 and March 8.

He claimed that Congress will win at least 10 out of the 20 ST reserved seats in hill districts and his party will get 50% of the Naga voters in Naga dominated districts.

United Naga Council (UNC) has been agitating against Ibobi led Congress government for creating seven new districts in the

O Ibobi Singh

Irom Sharmila

run up to the state Assembly despite strong opposition from the Naga body.

Besides cutting the lifelines of the people of the state by imposing an indefinite economic blockade on the national highways, UNC is also picketing government offices in the Naga dominated hill districts like Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and Ukhrul hampering processes for the conduct of elections.

Despite all these, the chief minister said the party is expected to win in Ukhrul A/C, Tengnoupal A/C of Chandel and some seats from Senapati and Tamenglong.

Singh, however, said that there may be some ups and down in the seven assembly segments of greater Imphal area but the party position will be improved in other constituencies outside the greater Imphal areas.

To a query on whether Irom Chanu Sharmila is a threat to him, the incumbent chief minister said that “threat” has no room in democracy and everybody can contest election.

Meanwhile, anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Sharmila, who is challenging the chief minister, too filed her nomination as nominee of her recently floated party

48-hour shut-down cripples life in Tripura Ag a r t a l a , F e b 1 6 (IANS): Normal life was severely affected in the tensionridden Gandacherra sub-division in Tripura on Thursday, as a local tribal party called for a48-hour shut-down to protest “police high-handedness”.

The state police said that the government, semi-government as well as private offices, educational institutions, banks, shops and business establishments were closed.

According to the police, heavy tension has been prevailing in the tribal dominated areas.

The Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), a tribal-based party, called the 48-hour strike in Gandacherra in tribals-dominated Dhalai district to protest the alleged police “high-handedness” on February 8 when three tribal parties had called a 12-hour bandh to oppose the Centre’s citizenship bill.

Around 50 persons were injured, four of them critically, when bandh (shut-down) supporters and ruling Left Front members clashed in six places in Tripura on February 8.

On Wednesday night, five Tripura State Rifles (TSR) troopers were injured when several hundred IPFT members attacked them.

“Huge contingents of TSR, BSF (Border Security Force), CRPF (Central Re-

serve Police Force) and Assam Rifles led by Inspector General of Police (law and order) K.V. Sreejesh are overseeing the situation in and around the Gandacherra sub-division,” a police official said here.

Three opposition tribal parties -- Indigenous National Party of Triupura (INPT), IPFT and the National Conference of Tripura (NCT) -- jointly called a dawn-to-dusk general strike in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas on February 8 to oppose the central government’s Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha last year and now under the scrutiny of a parliamentary committee, seeks to enable Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who have fled to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh without valid travel documents or those whose valid documents have expired in recent years, to acquire Indian citizenship through the process of naturalisation.

Tribals, who constitute a third of Tripura’s 3.7 million population, play a crucial role in the state politics as a third of the 60 assembly seats in the state are reserved for them and one out of two Lok Sabha seats from Tripura is reserved for the tribals.

Assam CM inaugurates 43rd Karbi Youth Festival Correspondent

Diphu, Feb 16: The 43rd Karbi Youth Festival was formally declared open by Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Karbi Peoples Hall, Thursday amid rattle of Karbi traditional drum and loud cheers. Sonowal light the oil lamp to mark the beginning of the weeklong festival of youth in presence of chief executive member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Ronghang and MLAs. The chief minister also declared that Assam government will extend all help and cooperation to build the infra-

structure of the Karbi Peoples Hall.

Altogether ten ethnic communities are participating in the 43rd edition of the Karbi Youth Festival. They are Garo, Bodo, Mam Tai, Speaking, Kuki, Tiwa, Rengma Naga, Tai Ahom, Dimasa, Rabha and Paite.

Ethnic pergolas of various tribes and community have opened its door to showcase their rich diversity, traditional food, conventional sports, dress and musical instrument.

Literary colloquiums and dramas based on epics and heroic acts of Karbi society will be staged tomorrow.

Dear Zitiba Sangtam, You have brought so much joy and happiness into our lives.As you attain four years today, We will continue to love you little one.

Happy Birthday!

From, Dad,Mum and sis Lina

Peoples’ Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRAJA).

Shamila is likely to be the principal opponent against the three-time chief minister even though BJP has also fielded Leitanthem Bashanta as party nominee in the constituency.

Others who filed their nomination from Singh’s constituency are Leishanthem Suresh of Trinamool Congress and independent candidate AK Manglemjao. The human right activist turned politician cycled from Imphal to Thoubal which is around 20 kilometer while filing her nomination. She was accompanied by PRAJA convener Erendro Leichombam and some of her followers and supporters.

Sharmila’s PRAJA, making its electoral debut in these ensuing polls, is hoping to make an impact using alternative political practices. The party is depending on crowd funding from supporters and activists to pull off its election expenses.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 16: Security force in Manipur has apprehended six underground cadres including four NSCN (I-M) in separate counter-insurgency operations in the last three days.

Four NSCN (I-M) cadres were nabbed by a team of police commandos on frisking and checking duty along Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37 at Nungba in Tamenglong district on February 13, around noon, said PRO of Manipur police in a press statement.

Incriminating documents were seized from the possessions of the four alleged NSCN (I-M) cadres.

Investigation revealed that they were involved in extortion from loaded trucks, tankers, bullets, government offices by stationing at Nunga Bazar, the police statement alleged.

Police also arrested a PLA and one UNLF cadre in separate places, the statement added.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur friday, February 17, 2017

Assam to set up three medical colleges for Rs 570 crore Guwahati, Feb 16 (PTI): Assam Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said three medical colleges and hospitals will be constructed across the state over the next three years at an investment of Rs 570 crore. “In construction of the three medical colleges and hospitals in Dhubri, Nagaon and Lakhimpur, we will spend Rs 570 crore.

The amount will be divided equally among the three hospitals,” Sarma said at a press conference at Guwahati.

He said 90 per cent of the amount would be funded by the Centre and the rest would be borne by the state. “ Fo r t h e M e d i c a l Council of India inspection, we will have to upgrade the hospitals in the second phase. For that, we will require another Rs 40-45 crore in each hospital. This amount will be financed entirely by the state government,” Sarma said.

Land in all the three places has been acquired and the institutions would be ready in the next three

years, he said. Union Health Minister J P Nadda would launch the construction work for the hospitals in Dhubri and Nagaon during his two-day tour to the state from Friday, Sarma said adding, “all three hospitals will be 500-bedded”.

The minister said an additional Rs 25 crore have been spent for acquiring 60 bighas of land for Dhubri Medical College and Hospital.

Likewise, around Rs ten crore has been invested for purchasing 50 bighas of land in Lakhimpur.

“In Nagaon, we did not purchase any land. Government already has enough land and the hospital will be constructed on a 100 bigha plot,” Sarma said.

He said work for three more medical colleges at Nalbari, Tinsukia and Kokrajhar would begin by the end of this year.

“The ongoing construction for the Diphu Medical College and Hospital will be over by this year and we will inaugurate it in 2017,” Sarma said. Regarding set-

ting up of the AIIMS at Changsari in Assam, he said the state government has submitted an affidavit in the National Green Tribunal after a complaint was filed opposing the construction work on the allotted land.

The Union Health Minister would also inaugurate the new 200-bedded super speciality cancer hospital under Gauhati Medical College and Hospital tomorrow, he said.

“The cancer hospital is the first one under the state government and Rs 85.78 crore was spent in establishing it. Academically it will be under the GMCH, but it will function as an autonomous institute administratively,” he said. The government had started setting up the cancer hospital in 2009, but it missed several deadlines of inauguration.

Sarma said the state was trying to get it recognised as a State Cancer Hospital, which would pave way for getting a Rs 120 crore grant from the Centre for upgrading it further in the second phase.

BJP has violated human rights: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): In a direct attack on the ruling establishment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has accused it of violating individual and human rights, intimidating independent think tanks and mixing up history with mythology.

“This government has grossly violated individual and human rights. Some of the supporters of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) tell us what to wear, what to eat, whom to love and whom to marry. Yet there is not a word from the Prime Minister condemning these extreme elements.” Chidambaram told IANS in an interview here on Thursday.

“Even in the current Uttar Pradesh elections, we have seen extreme statements made by star campaigners of the BJP. These trends do not auger well for an open democracy and thriving society,” Chidambaram said, adding that he was hoping for maximum opposition unity to counter the ruling dispensation.

His book, “Fearless in Opposition: Power and Accountability” (Rupa/Rs 500), was jointly launched here last week by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury and Congress leader Kapil Sibal.

In the book, Chidam-

P. Chidambaram baram has accused the government of motivating ultra-right elements to brand as anti-nationals those who disagree with its policies.

“According to this government, anyone who questions its policies is antinational -- anyone who asks why Rohit Vemula was forced to commit suicide, why a mob lynched Akhlaq in Dadri, why Kanhaiya Kumar was thrown into jail.

Any thinking human being can but ask questions while anyone who asks questions is dubbed anti-national. As far as we in opposition are concerned, it is our duty to ask questions,” he said.

The 72-year-old Congress leader also expressed his disappointment over constant attempts to rewrite history and give a new interpretation to India’s cultural heritage.

Dubbing the BJP as an “ahistorical party”, he said it had no sense of history at all. “History is an accurate

2005 Delhi serial blasts: One convicted, two let off

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): The court on Thursday pronounced its verdict in the 2005 Delhi serial blasts case, which left more than 60 people dead on February 16, 2005.

The Delhi court has held Tariq Ahmed Dar guilty, while acquitted accused Mohammed Rafiq Shah and Mohammed Hussain Fazili of all charges.

Dar was arrested in Dhaka by a special police branch and deported in 2007 in connection with the 2005 Delhi bomb blasts and for his alleged links with the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). He was released three months later by the Tis Hazari Court after the Delhi Police failed to file a chargesheet against him due to lack of evidence.

Later, on the basis of his call details that allegedly proved he was in touch with LeT operatives, the Delhi Police chargesheeted him.

Besides facing the charge in Sarojini Nagar Market blast in which 50 people were killed and over 200 injured, Dar is also a prime accused

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur friday, February 17, 2017

in Paharganj and Kalkaji blast which took place the same day.

The court had framed charges against Dar, and the other two for waging war against the state, conspiring, collecting arms, murder and attempt to murder. According to the reports, the court had earlier clubbed the three blasts cases for the recording of evidence but it framed the charges separately against the accused.

Three days before Diwali, on October 29, 2005, a young, bearded man in a blue baseball cap, boarded DTC’s Outer Mudrika service and placed his satchel under the seat. Around 5:25 pm in Delhi’s Paharganj area, the first bag exploded and killed 18.The second blast took place near a bus in Govindpuri area at 6:00 pm.

After 5 minutes the third blast took place in Delhi’s busy market Sarojini Nagar.

The Pakistan-based Islamist terrorist organisation, the Islamic Revolutionary Front or Islamic Inquilab Mahaz, claimed responsibility for the Delhi terrorist attacks

record of what happened. It must be distinguished from mythology. Unfortunately, the BJP mixes up history and mythology and when people write history, each one will interpret history in the manner he or she thinks is right. There can be no one interpretation of historical events,” he said.

“The BJP wants one single interpretation, which is completely anti-intellectual. That is why they meddle with the curriculum, meddle with history text books, remove books written by certain historians, introduce chapters by known anti-historians and try to push their agenda,” he contended.

Chidambaram also stressed the need for the opposition to be fearless and said that the government intimidates civil servants, academics, independent think tanks and the media.

Dalits, minorities, and students, Chidambaram said, currently live in fear.

The Congress leader, who also served as the Home Minister between November 2008 and July 2012 in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, further criticised the government for its faulty approach in dealing with Jammu and Kashmir.

“I think the approach of the Central BJP government as well as the BJPPDP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir is

wrong. What Jammu and Kashmir needs is a political solution but there has been no political outreach to different sections of the people of the state.

“The present approach should be abandoned and a new approach should be adopted. I am afraid that if the government persists in its present approach it will lead only to more conflict and more violence. As it is, in 2016, the number of casualties, both among the civilians and the jawans, have reached a very high point, reversing the decline in the previous years,” he lamented. Blaming the Modi government for repeatedly flip-flopping in its approach towards Pakistan, Chidambaram said sub-continental ties were at their lowest point. He cited several examples of the government’s changing approach towards Pakistan -- from inviting Nawaz Sharif to Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in May 2004 to the January 2016 terrorist attack on Pathankot -- and said that the government lacks “a coherent policy” on its neighbour. How does he evaluate the three years of the Modi government?

“Firstly they have not been able to stop the divisive agenda, polarisation in the name of religion and caste and pushing the Hindutva agenda. Secondly, during 2016, the economy

became weaker and economic growth slowed down.

Thirdly, demonetisation delivered a terrible blow to the economy,” Chidambaram said.

He also regretted that there was “not enough debate in parliament” and even when debate took place, the government “does not listen to the opposition” nor take corrective measures. Most debates, he said, take place outside parliament, which is not a “satisfactory substitute” to parliamentary debates.

On the possibility of an unified opposition before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leader said he was still analysing the growing warmth among various opposition parties.

“It is difficult to say. At the moment opposition parties are forging unity at the state level. We had unity in the Bihar elections, we have a considerable amount of unity in the Uttar Pradesh elections. And this could expand to other states. This can perhaps transpire to maximum opposition unity.

One has to wait and see how things develop,” he added.

Written in inimitable style and characteristic wit, “Fearless in Opposition” brings together a selection of his most incisive essays

by Chidambaram, originally published as a weekly column in The Indian Express.

Sasikala in jail but ‘mafia from Mannargudi’ is here to stay

Sasikala shown with ‘V’sign behind bars in a computer created imagery.

BENGALURU, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): With Sasikala Natarajan surrendering before the trial court in Bengaluru following her conviction in the disproportionate assets case, it is her family-(in)famously known as Mannargudi Mafia--that is believed to be now running the show in Tamil Nadu.

Before leaving for the court, Sasikala brought her nephews TTV Dinakaran and S Venkatesh back into the AIADMK fold. The party, without wasting any time, named Dinakaran its deputy general secretary-a position that virtually makes him the de-facto leader in aunt Sasikala’s absence.

Dinakaran and Venkatesh, along with Sasikala, her husband M Natarajan and other members of her family, were expelled from the party by Jayalalithaa in December 2011 on the

charges of interfering in the government’s functioning.

While Sasikala’s expulsion was revoked by Jayalalithaa within 100 days after the former tendered a public apology, the other members of the Sasikala family, or the Mannargudi gang, were kept at an arm’s length by Amma. Sasikala had then said in her letter that she was not aware of her relatives misusing her proximity to Jayalalithaa and bringing “disrepute” to the party and her ‘Akka’ According to some reports, the Sasikala family was not allowed to enter Poes Garden till the time Jayalalithaa was alive.

The scenario changed completely following Jayalalithaa’s death on December 5. Hours after her death, the Mannargudi gang was back in action. Sasikala and her family were seen next to Jayalalithaa’s casket all through

the funeral ceremony-- a gesture that riled many, including Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar.

In no time, the Mannargudi gang swooped down on Poes Garden. Sasikala’s sister-in-law Ilavarasi, nephews Vivek Jayaraman, S Venkatesh, TV Mahadevan, and her niece’s husband Sivakumar were back at Amma’s residence.

What is the Mannargudi Mafia?

AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala Natarajan belongs to Mannargudi, a town in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. Sasikala was running a video-rental and video-recording shop in the early 1980s when she met Jayalalithaa. Her proximity to Jayalalithaa increased over time, and by the time the latter became the chief minister in 1991, Sasikala was running the Jaya household in Poes Garden.

resources via industry Kejriwal a dream merchant: Ajay Maken toTap make it rich, says Gadkari

Ajay Maken NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Congress leader Ajay Maken has said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is a “dream merchant” who is still in “opposition mode” and that the AAP government has failed to meet expectations of the people in several areas, including infrastructure, health and education.

In an interview to IANS, Ajay Maken, 53, who is Delhi Congress chief, said that the Con-

gress was on a revival path in the city and would perform well in the municipal polls later this year.

Maken said Kejriwal shoots questions at others but rarely answers queries posed to him.

“Kejriwal must understand that he is no more in the opposition. Gone are the days when he can run away after asking questions. He should answer questions of the opposition and of the people,” Maken said.

He said Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had won a huge mandate in the 2015 assembly elections by making tall promises and by negating the work of the Congress government in Delhi in 15 years.

“Kejriwal came to power by weaving dreams. I call him a dream merchant.

He made false criticism of the work of Congress governments led by Sheila Dikshit,” Maken said.

“Whether it is infrastructure, roads, health or education, the AAP government has failed. You

won’t find a single new flyover project initiated in the last two years. No new hospital has been started,” Maken added.

He said the number of buses run by the city’s bus service DTC has come down in the last two years.

The AAP government has blamed the central government for delaying clearances for many of its projects, including allotment of land for hospitals by the Delhi Development Authority.

Maken also alleged that the Kejriwal government had not responded adequately when the city faced problems related to dengue and chikungunya.

Referring to the third phase of the Metro Rail project, Maken said it was the first time that the corporation had missed its completion deadline.

The Congress leader alleged that the Jan Lokpal Bill brought by the AAP government was “weak”.

“They said that they would end corruption,

but has the promise been met? Many of their own MLAs and ministers have been booked by police (on various charges),” Maken said.

Maken, who has been a minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, alleged that the tussle witnessed between the central government and the Delhi government was “stage managed”.

“Much of the faceoff is stage managed. It suits Kejriwal and (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi, because both of them have come to power by making tall promises. They have not been able to deliver on them,” Maken said.

He said the Congress was being strengthened “in a way that suits modernday politics”.

The AAP had won 67 of 70 seats in the 2015 assembly elections while the Congress could not open its account.

Maken said the Congress had suffered electoral defeats earlier too and will bounce back to power.

Nitin Gadkari RANCHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Harnessing of its natural resources through industrial development will make Jharkhand a rich state with rich population, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said.

He also said that over the next couple of years the state will see investments of Rs 55,000 crore in the highways sector.

“Our country imports natural resources worth USD 800 billion while Jharkhand is endowed with rich natural resources. If we harness these setting up Industries, Jharkhand is set to become a rich state with rich people,” said the Road Transport, Highways

and Shipping Minister. Addressing the Momentum Jharkhand Global Investors’ Summit here, he said the Centre is committed to the development of the state and it has already increased the length of National Highways from 2,402 Km to 5,400 km. “In the next twoand-a-half years Jharkhand will see investment of Rs 55,000 crore in the highways sector that includes work worth Rs 5,000 crore being undertaken to construct 600 km of highways,” he said.

Given the problems faced on Ranchi-Jamshedpur road, NHAI will ensure its completion by way of works worth Rs 1,000 crore, he added. Mr. Gadkari said equal stress will also be given to augmenting waterways infrastructure in the state and the government is already working on National Waterway No 1. Fifty km of the river length of the 1,620 km Ganga- Bhagirathi-Hoogly stretch falls under Sahebganj in Jharkhand where a multimodal hub is being built at a cost of Rs 290 crore, he said.

Summit to give ISRO’s world record should make Constitution Bench to decide petitions wings to people’s on triple talaq, says Supreme Court aspirations: Modi Indians proud, says Chinese daily

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (PTI): A five-judge constitution bench would be set up by the Supreme Court to hear and decide on a batch of petitions relating to the practice of triple talaq, ’nikah halala’ and polygamy among Muslims.

A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar took on record three sets of issues framed by parties with regard to the cases and said the questions for consideration of the constitution bench would be decided on March 30.

The bench, also comprising Justices N V Ramana and D V Chandrachud, said “the issues are very important. These issues cannot be scuttled”.

Referring to the legal issues framed by the Centre, it said all of them relate to the constitutional issues and needed to be dealt by a larger bench.

The bench asked the parties concerned to file their respective written sub-

missions, running not beyond 15 pages, by the next date of hearing, besides the common paper book of case laws to be relied upon by them during the hearing to avoid duplicity.

When a woman lawyer referred to the fate of the apex court judgement in the famous Shah Bano case, the bench said “there are always two sides in a case. We have been deciding cases for last 40 years. We have to go by the law and we would not go beyond the law.”

During the last hearing, the apex court had said it would decide the issues pertaining to ‘legal’ aspects of the practices of triple talaq, ‘nikah halala’ and polygamy among Muslims but not deal with the question whether divorce under Muslim law needs to be supervised by courts as it fell under the legislative domain.

‘Nikah halala’ means a man cannot remarry a woman after triple talaq unless she has already con-

summated her marriage with another man and then her new husband dies or divorces her.

The bench headed by the CJI had said “You (lawyers for parties) sit together and finalise the issues to be deliberated upon by us.”

The bench had made it clear to the parties concerned that it would not deal with the factual aspects of the particular case and would rather decide the legal issue.

The apex court had said that the question whether divorce under Muslim Personal Law needed to be supervised by either courts or by a court-supervised institutional arbitration fell under the legislative domain.

It, however, allowed lawyers to file small synopsis of cases pertaining to alleged victims of triple talaq.

The Centre had earlier opposed the practice of triple talaq, ‘nikah halala’ and

polygamy among Muslims and favoured a relook on grounds like gender equality and secularism.

Ministry of Law and Justice had referred to constitutional principles like gender equality, secularism, international covenants, religious practices and marital law prevalent in various Islamic countries.

Responding to a batch of petitions including the one filed by Shayaro Bano challenging the validity of such practices among Muslims, the Centre had first dealt with the right of gender equality under the Constitution.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board, however, had rubbished the stand taken by the Narendra Modi government that the apex court should re-look these practices as they are violative of fundamental rights like gender equality and the ethos of secularism, a key part of the basic structure of the Constitution.

RANCHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday exuded confidence that ‘Momentum Jharkhand Global Investors’ Summit 2017’ will create several opportunities for people of the state and “give wings to their aspirations“.

“Best wishes for @ InvestJharkhand. May the deliberations in this Summit lead to fruitful outcomes that contribute to Jharkhand’s growth,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

In another tweet, Mr. Modi said that skills and determination of people of Jharkhand and proactive efforts of the state government are bringing record development in the state.

“Investment generated from @InvestJharkhand will create several opportunities for people of the state and give wings to their aspirations,” the Prime Minister added. The two-day summit, which started today, is being attended by about 6,200 delegates.

BEIJING, FEB 16 (PTI): Grudgingly acknowledging the Indian Space Research Organisation’s world record feat of successfully launching 104 satellites on a single rocket would make “Indians proud,” China’s official media said on Thursday that India’s space programme offered “food for thought” for other countries on how to achieve space success with small budgets.

“This is perhaps the first widely followed world record India has made in the field of space technology.

The Indians have reason to be proud,” state-run Global Times said in its editorial today.

‘Significance is limited’ However the tabloid daily, which criticised India in 2013 for sending Mangalyaan to Mars overtaking China, despite “millions of poor and illiterate people” said the significance of the ISRO’s new feat is “limited.”

“However, the space

technology race is not mainly about the number of satellites at one go. It’s fair to say the significance of this achievement is limited,” it said.

Acknowledging that the new record is a “hardwon achievement for India to reach current space technology level with a rela-

tively small investment,” the daily said “it offers food for thought for other countries.”

“India launched a lunar probe in 2008 and ranked first among Asian countries by having an unmanned rocket orbit Mars in 2013,” it said. India ‘has done a good job’

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Nagaland Post Vol. XXVII NO. 72 Dimapur, Friday, February 17, 2017

S

Half service

ince the past 20 days mobile subscribers in Nagaland are without internet and SMS services affecting transactions and messages. For mobile and internet subscribers in the north east the BSNL has not lived up to expectations but instead, its services have gone down very badly. After the cellular revolution that has swept Nagaland there is still much expected of the services from the towering giant BSNL and recent private entrants to the field. No doubt the microwave traversing across the region get impeded by geographical bearers and get weakened. Call drops are a familiar part of mobile services in the region while the widely used internet still functions at snail’s pace despite lofty promises and colourful hoardings about speedy internet connectivity. It is a feature of mobile and internet services in the north east, especially the hilly states, that connectivity gradually diminishes in some areas till it is non existent. Otherwise, at best the internet services is very slow and belies the expectation of having graduated from 2G to 3G and to 4G. Though having more than sufficient manpower across the region and also the equipments such as mobile towers and backed with generators, BSNL services appears to be like a signboard of a 5-Star Hotel without services. So much had been made about north east and the Act East policy and the prime minister’s focus on Digital India connectivity and communication but the reality does not match. The BSNL being the giant among all other service providers in the north east and almost every party of the country and having the largest network, has to vastly improve its broadband and FTTH Services. These services in the north east practically do not exist even if fibres are laid or broadband spectrum may have increased. The main link to the north east comes from Kolkata to Guwahati and that is where the problem arises. The problems faced by hilly states in the north east are due to the repeated failure of 2.5 GE ETR Guwahati- Kolkata data link from NIB Guwahati. The 2.5 GE ETR data links between Kolkata-Guwahati from the National Internet Backbone(NIB) nodes of Shillong, Silchar, Dimapur, Jorhat and Tezpur are more often than not, down. Also all the PGCIL links in the north east are highly choked due to capacity overload which has added to the problems. The BSNL services in the region excluding Guwahati and Jorhat etc are practically oscillating between dead and dying stages. A major contributor for the malaise is a total disconnect between the lower ranking engineering and technical wings with the upper ranking senior officials from the ranks of DGM upwards. This wedge appears to be due to a lack of commitment by the top officials to serve the region. No senior official from mainland India likes to be posted to the region and they pass away their two-year stint by touring the region and having a series of meetings and then taking leave to be at their home states.

By the time they realise it, their tenure gets over and they don’t waste a moment to leave. The state government ought to take this matter up with the centre and ensure that those paid to do their jobs are made accountable.

DailyDevotion Spiritual Initiative Arise from the dead… —Ephesians 5:14 Not all initiative, the willingness to take the first step, is inspired by God. Someone may say to you, “Get up and get going! Take your reluctance by the throat and throw it overboard— just do what needs to be done!” That is what we mean by ordinary human initiative. But when the Spirit of God comes to us and says, in effect, “Get up and get going,” suddenly we find that the initiative is inspired.

We all have many dreams and aspirations when we are young, but sooner or later we realize we have no power to accomplish them. We cannot do the things we long to do, so our tendency is to think of our dreams and aspirations as dead. But God comes and says to us, “Arise from the dead….” When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to “arise from the dead” and do the impossible.

The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that the life and power comes after we “get up and get going.” God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. When the inspiration of God comes, and He says, “Arise from the dead…,” we have to get ourselves up; God will not lift us up. Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand, “Stretch out your hand” (Matthew 12:13). As soon as the man did so, his hand was healed. But he had to take the initiative. If we will take the initiative to overcome, we will find that we have the inspiration of God, because He immediately gives us the power of life.

Quotes

I believe if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, if you’re grateful, you’ll see God open up new doors.

~ Joel Osteen

Nagaland Post, Dimapur

Friday, February 17, 2017

Post-mortem

The Road further ahead for Nagaland

A

proposal to establish a Legislative Council to check on the dictatorial tendencies of the Legislative Assembly.

When any problem arises, it is important to carry out a root cause analysis of the problem. This will not only help us in self-introspection but also give us a deeper understanding as to why such a major conflict exploded. If we analyse our political structure like how we software engineers identify a problem in our software application by using a technique called ‘debugging’, we use a very practical method of running through the entire software code line by line, identity the bugs in the code and then rectify the code to create a stable software application.

Using this same technique in the context of social and political science, if we try to debug the root cause of the current political imbroglio in Nagaland we can identify a number of bugs in our political structure which needs to be rectified in order to create a stable political system for our State. The problem which has been identified in our problem system is debugged as below: There are two major power pillars in Naga society, namely the Legislators and the Tribal Leaders.

At present, the power of legislation lies only with the legislators in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha/Lower House).

Only the Nagaland Legislative Assembly has the power to create laws for the State as prescribed in the State List and also the power to use Article 371A through a resolution in the NLA to shield us from any Act of Parliament in the Union List/Concurrent List.

In the recent imbroglio which started off with the Tribal Representatives opposing Women Reservation and then the Land Tax and the ULB Act itself because of the apprehension with the legalities and conflicts of interest between Schedule IX, Article 243T and Naga Customary Laws protected

by Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.

The major conflict of interest arose mainly due to differences between the two power pillars – NLA (Nagaland Legislative Assembly) and Tribal Leaders wherein the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) led by the Chief Minister drifted towards a more dictatorial position this time by claiming to be vested with the full power by the Constitution to make and execute laws in the interest of the people without heeding to the wisdom of the elder ones. On the other hand, the Tribal Leaders resorted to crippling the Government machinery and complete shutdown of the State for more than 10 days now because of the simple fact that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly led by the

Chief Minister did not include their demands in finalizing the Municipal Act and went ahead forcefully to conduct the elections.

Analysing the above tussle of power and conflicts of interest between the two entities, we can easily identify the bug in our existing political structure which gives full legislative powers only to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and completely leaves out the Tribal Leaders from this legislation process. Consultations were held but are meaningless if the official act of drafting the legislation is devoid of the aspirations of the Tribal representatives. The existing system will continue to be flawed and such conflicts will keep arising in the future unless the bug is fixed and the system is rectified.

As highlighted by Wapong Longkumer during our many online brain storming sessions in The Naga Blog, this debugging process has led to a problem within our political structure which could be rectified through a very special provision in our Constitution – Article 169 which states that the State Assembly simply needs to pass a resolution demanding the creation of a Legislative Council (Upper House) in addition to our existing unicameral system of having only a Legislative Assembly which has the tendency to become dictatorial as witnessed recently.

The demand needs to highlight the special case in tribal states like Nagaland where the wisdom of Tribal leaders should be included in the legislative process.

The stability of a bicameral legislative system comes from the ability of the two houses to check each other’s power. This prevents a dictatorship of the majority and avoids the passing of legislation based merely on popularity in the lower house but allows passing of quality legislation and ultimately avoid conflicts in the streets.

As of 2016, 7 out of 29 states in India have a bicameral system with a legislative council in addition to a legislative assembly. Members of Legislative Councils (MLC) are chosen from members of local bodies, wherein for Nagaland each Tribal Hoho can have at least one MNC at the Legislative Council.

One-sixth of the members are nominated by the Governor from among those having substantial knowledge or practical experience in the field of arts, literature, science, social service, etc. Rest of the upper house members are chosen from graduates and teachers associated with academic institutions. For Nagaland, we can also include capable and eminent women leaders as MNC’s. The size of the Legislative Council cannot be more than one-third the membership of the Legislative Assembly. However, its size cannot be less than 40 members

(except in Jammu and Kashmir, where there are 36 by an Act of Parliament).

All the civil unrest, burning of buildings and even the death of two young future leaders could have been averted if we had a political system which allowed the legislation passed in the Assembly to have official concurrence from an Upper House comprising of our Tribal Leaders and other wise leaders.

Calling on Article 169 will in no way infringe upon Article 371A because, we already have the lower house in existence for over 50 years which has not infringed upon our Article 371A till date. The power of this Article has remained intact till today and will continue to protect our customary practices even in the future.

The political turmoil which we have witnessed today can also be resolved if the power of legislation is shared and checked legally between the elected legislators and the upper house, the tribal council.

The real purpose of a Council as the name itself suggests that it is the elder one who through their experience can act as the friend, philosopher and guide of the Legislative Assembly to bring in the element of WISDOM while drafting the most inclusive and effective legislations for the people. This will also avert conflicts to be witnessed in the streets and newspapers by converting them into civilized and productive arguments and debates in the legislative process.

Most of the problems in our society arose because we installed an incompatible political system in our unique Naga society. Unlike other States, Nagaland has a unique history and culture and we require a political system which can allow a harmonious compatibility between our traditional system and the modern democracy to complement one another and allow progress by being strongly rooted in our Naga heritage.

Establishing the Legislative Assembly at the earliest in the honour of our three brothers who lost their lives will be the most sensible step to take in the road further ahead for Nagaland which will enable a civilized form of making laws in harmony and synthesis in the interest of the people.

Only trying to blame one another, finding fault and trying to prove ourselves right will lead us nowhere. What Naga people need right now is hope to pick up these pieces of broken dreams and work together to build ourselves a better tomorrow. We may have apprehensions but at this very moment each one of us need to look at the glass half full and try to take even one step forward towards building our dream Nagaland.

Yanpvuo Kikon (Yan)

People’s movement needs legal clarity, unbiased issue-based and unity

W

e’ve seen many views, observations and suggestions from different writers. We’ve also observed both practical and impractical opinions expressed through social media and print media. If at all tribal bodies and citizens mean serious business, the debate and fight on quota in Nagaland isn’t limited to ULB election issue alone. Also for the ongoing talk of civic polls, many Nagas opine that we still lack legal clarity.

The technical aspect of Article 371A bears different version and interpretation amongst the professionals in Nagaland. As the days turn to weeks, many Nagas are confused as to which group’s interpretation is precisely constitutional. Let’s keep in mind those in support of Women Reservation (WR) don’t necessarily mean they support the idea of paying tax.

Clarity on the said Article is still needed for common man so long as the difference of opinion and interpretation live on amongst the professionals.

When it comes to quota issue, we see Nagaland in turmoil for the very first time. Ours is a protected state under Indian union, the special reason being indigenous inhibited state. Earlier public reaction against Rongmei indigenous recognition issue was far below the expected line. Tribal bodies and citizens of state were never as hot as ongoing ULB election though it was seriously a state subject.

Present day talk of democracy is becoming a bazaar-like affair but allow me to say Rongmei indigenous recognition is no exception, in a way this issue is opposed by larger crowd in the society.

Dimapur was earlier called mini India but now a paradise for illegal immigrants. We continue to sleep knowing fully the issue is a serious threat to society. It will be a big lie to say Nagas can organize movement against women quota, but not against illegal immigrants.

Change has to come and we need people’s movement. Either adapt Mokokchung blueprint or follow Tripura version. As responsible Nagas, it will be a dream come true if tribal bodies mobilize sea of people another time. Why not congregate for a purpose if we consider illegal immigrants issue no less than election or taxation matters? Will our tribal bodies initiate to pressurize the government to bring in Dimapur under ILP zone? To safeguard Nagaland, we need hands and legs and not just nodding head in IBI talk.

Naga society witnessed a never before shocking situation in the month of September 2015 when Muhammad Inzamul Hoque

The issue is FOR Art 371A, NOT against women’s election

(From previous issue) Hence, “Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution” implies “Notwithstanding Art 243T in this Constitution”. Also it does not say, Notwithstanding anything IN THIS ARTICLE; it says, Notwithstanding anything IN THIS CONSTITUTION (the constitution in entirety, including Art 243T). Special Provision of Art 371A cannot be interpreted in the context of general provision of Art 243T or the like; rather the latter has to be interpreted in the context of the former. Where there is clash of provision, definitely special provision will prevail over common provision, guaranteed provision over general provision. That is a common sense Assembly, state government and we, the people should be able to apply in mind and in act.

No act of Parliament in respect of- (i) (ii), (iii) (iv) “shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides” need no further explanation. UNLESS Assembly adopt or pass a resolution, no act/law of Parliament relating to or infringing special provisions mentioned under Art 371A will be effective in the State. And UNLESS Assembly adopt or pass such resolution, court cannot interpret WHAT IS NOT THERE. Court comes into picture once a resolution or act is challenged. In present circumstances whether resolution was adopted earlier, revoked later or revived in future, Assembly has opened Pandora box for the court to decide the merit or demerit of the case. Maybe the worst is yet to come; maybe

JACWR/NMA can save it in time. As for Assembly so long as resolution is not adopted or resolution is passed against, we are safe but when resolution is adopted in favour or protective resolution like that of 22 Sept 2012 is revoked, we are unsafe.

As for ULB, Seventh Scheduled List II – State List, No. 5 is very clear. Local government is a subject matter of state government whereby the constitution and powers of municipal corporations/bodies and other local authorities for the purpose of local self-government or village administration are left to the state government. Given this fact state government is also empowered over ULB election process, thus last date of nomination for the election was extended for another two days and eventually the whole election process was also declared null and void on polling day itself.

To this extend the competency and authority of state government is not questioned but the decision to approach central government for exemption from Part IXA is a dangerous venture from our side and also a golden opportunity for adversaries far and near, to demand repeal of provision like 370 or 371A. We also have understanding problem. Everybody talks of Art 371A but very few know about it and many feel that others know much better about the special provision than we do.

Apparently with this assumption some people including elected members, influential members and interest groups ventured elsewhere seeking reverse opinion, support and even verdict precisely to rationalize or

legitimize the interest of smaller section over the interest of larger Naga. In other words, how Art 371A should not become an obstruction to sectional interest. So JACWR/NMA remains stuck to their guns that Art 243 & 243T supersede/override Art 371A and state government continues to claim that Art 243T is mandatory and therefore revocation of 2012 Assembly Resolution was the best thing done to protect Art 371A. People at large certainly do not know much but at least they do understand that Art 371A cannot be superseded by 33% reservation of Art 243T. The people are also not so naive to believe that 2012 protective resolution was removed in order to protect Art 371A. In disregard of strong constitutional provision Assembly has succumbed to interpretation of its own power by other authority and in disregard of clear provision in Seventh Scheduled state government has readied to accept extra constitutional ordinance from above.

Therefore, state tribal hohos are out in the street to secure Art 371A from being challenged by JACWR/NMA in court and bartered left and right by state government. If government can be so adamant and arrogant as it is today, it should similarly be courageous enough to confront any court to defend our guaranteed rights. Jallikattu uprising in Tamil Nadu should be eye opener to everyone; Tamilian say, ‘tradition supreme over court interpretation’. And they did won. Theirs is a game, ours is everything. So what problem is there for Naga people?

Finally, it is most unfor-

tunate that NPF is desperately trying to politicise the people’s protest as driven by some vested interest. Actually what can be more ridiculous than this suspicion and allegation, or are they trying to insinuate that all state tribal hoho leaders and members are compromised and have abandoned NPF for good?

Their respective tribal body is on protest and some NPF leaders and workers are openly questioning and challenging their Hoho’s decision every day, as if they are aliens living outside their tribal community. The way we see thing now, tribal hohos are representing the whole- Art 371A while NPF, in support of government is representing the part- Art 243T and exactly like present constitutional clash NPF is trying to supersede tribal hohos. It is interesting, rather hilarious that NPF which used to cockcrow Naga nationalism and regionalism in the past is openly cockcrowing nationalism in Indian context and constitutionalism today, actually every morning.

Somebody sarcastically mentioned ‘never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups’. If so, it is better to be stupid and save your birthright than be smart and sell your birthright. And if not today, tomorrow government will certainly witness that the power of the people is stronger than the people in power. So it may be best to accept reality before committing further futile sacrifice than after committing futile sacrifice.

(Concluded) Vaprumu Demo, Kohima

Talukdar son of Muhammad Faizul Hoque Talukdar, a resident of Haralu colony Burma camp filed a case against our very own 44 Naga indigenous candidates at Kohima Bench of Guwahati High Court. Following state level joint entrance exam, the Naga students were selected by Directorate of Technical Education Nagaland to undergo MBBS, BDS etc. . Shockingly the verdict passed in favour of petitioner Muhammad and we lost precious MBBS seat to a nonNaga. There was a frequent news report carried out by media about Naga indigenous quota drama and Survival Nagaland (SN) was all out for the fight. CNTC was the only tribal body that came up with press statement once in support of SN and that boosted our morale.

As a responsible Naga and one of the members in the said pressure group, I along with team members played our part to the best of our ability in this episode. Don’t we feel guilty to remain silent spectator like nobody’s business when our own brothers and sisters were dragged to High Court by Muhammad to fight Naga MBBS quota? To this day, we wonder what could be the reason of absolute silence on the part of tribal bodies when an outsider forcefully intruded into the affairs of Naga quota. Isn’t this a mockery to Nagas’ rights? Or do we consider Naga indigenous quota less important and our loyalty shifted more towards gender-based quota? Remember we are talking about Naga indigenous quota meant for Nagas of Nagaland. May be we need to prioritize issue-based in an unbiased manner.

Article 371A is like John 3:16 for Nagas. Therefore compromising one side of a coin and fighting the other side of a coin doesn’t look practical should we consider ourselves as indigenous Nagas.

We may talk about Naga customs and traditions in a big way but what gain is there if we lose our birth right in our own land to nonNagas? Nagas fight neck to neck amongst ourselves but never unite to fight for common goal. This is one sad reality.

Half or above population grew up witnessing division and tribalism in the society. After decades of confinement, it’s encouraging to finally see Naga tribes united and the streets filled with one voice this time. However, unity is not yet realistic should we only unite to fight against women quota. We look forward that our leaders would raise unity to next level and continue the spirit of oneness from now on. Time to walk the talk; we can move the highest mountains.

Vikali Shikhu, Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Do Nagas still hold to their faith?

Sir,

Since 1988 Nagas has committed as a Christian race, reasoning so as a committed Naga Christian the surrounding people came to understand Christ. While analyzing, numerical Nagas follow the sacred of the Holy Scripture but most seems mere Christian. As the Scripture clearly states that God shall not forgive those who do not forgive others who does wrong to them. As a consequent, Dear Nagas are we hang on for a doomed conclusion?

Parents and leaders should be responsible to appropriately guide their children at this hour. If your quest for power and intelligent could not be at an understanding level, your sibling may be more worst than you. But if your wisdoms are in the realms of God and the Scripture in exhorting your children, your race, land and Nagas shall prosper. But applying your worldly wisdoms and leaderships upon Nagas shall be doomsday in your lifetime and denial in the heavenly abode. So it is the calling of lawmakers and leaders for honest leaving have fruitful visions and aims for goodwill to prevail among each other.

When we look at today’s Naga imbroglio, the stubbornness, lack of proper reasoning and absence of Christian ethics among us are escalating the situation. Dear Nagas, let us understand that to overcome from the imbroglio may sense of forgiveness and love prevail while projecting God’s unflinching love in our midst.

To conclude, let church leaders and believers come out of the premises (confinement) and rejuvenate Nagas of God’s love. Believers, may your faith and action prevail in our land for the glory of our Heavenly Father.

“Faith without action is death” Razou Angami, Chairman, The river of Soul Saving Ministry

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.

Modi invokes Lord Krishna, says UP has ‘adopted’ him

HARDOI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Calling himself as the “adopted son” of UP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the future of the state cannot be ensured without ridding it of SP, BSP, and Congress.

Invoking Lord Krishna at an election meeting here to suggest a strong connect between Gujarat and UP, Modi, who represents Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, said the state was his ‘mai-baap’ (parents) and he will not desert it.

“Lord Krishna was born in UP and made Gujarat his ‘karam bhoomi’ (land of work). I was born in Gujarat and UP has adopted me...Uttar Pradesh is my ‘mai-baap’. I am not the son who would betray his ‘mai-baap’. You have adopted me and it is my duty to work for you,” he said in an emotional speech at a poll rally here.

“Vote for a full majority to BJP government. I promise to show you the ways of all the problems you are facing within five years,” he said, telling the impressive crowd that all pollsters have predicted BJP getting massive support in the first two phases

AAP demands probe into BJP’s ‘links with ISI’ NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): AAP on Thursday demanded a Supreme Court monitored probe into the alleged links of the BJP with ISI agents arrested in Bhopal last week.

Madhya Pradesh government’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday busted an espionage ring in Bhopal and arrested 11 persons allegedly working for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Speaking to the media, Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Ashutosh alleged that some of the arrested men were active workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“One of the arrested men, Dhruv Saxena, was the media cell in-charge of the BJP and has been spotted in several pictures with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya,” he said.

He alleged that many others among the 11 arrested, including Balram Singh, Manish Gandhi and Mohit Agrawal, were active workers of the BJP. “They leaked strategic information about Pathankot (Punjab) and Uri (J&K) - which saw brutal terrorist attacks - to the ISI,” Ashutosh said.

“What does it mean? Is the BJP under control of the ISI or is it (BJP) becoming ISI?” he asked.

Narendra Modi

of polling.

Highlighting the problems faced by the state and its national importance, Modi said poverty will be removed from the country only when it is eradicated from UP. “This is the land of Ganga and Yamuna where the land is most fertile with crores of labourers but poverty still exists here...why is this so? There is nothing wrong with the people here or their capabilities or shortage of resources,” he said.

“It is the problem of the government’s lack of intention (which is responsible for it). SP, BSP and Congress have not thought as to how the state should be developed...all those

who had been at the helm have only worked to safeguard their vote bank, help them in whichever way possible...the future of UP cannot be changed till it is freed of SP, BSP and Congress,” he said.

Continuing his attack on Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘kaam bolta hai’ (work speaks) slogan, the Prime Minister spoke about some central schemes, which he said, were not implemented in Uttar Pradesh by the Samajwadi Party government.

“The Centre brought a scheme for providing free power connections to 1.25 lakh poor families but funds are lying here and UP has extended it only 13,000 households...will it harm Akhilesh if the poor families get it?... Who is responsible? ...Is this how your work is speaking? “...Your government is a failure. It is not working... Those who have run their government in this way do not have the right to survive for even a minute more,” he said.

Modi said only 14 per cent farmers got the benefit of the Crop Insurance Scheme for farmers in UP “because Akhilesh does not

EC caution Parrikar to be more careful in making statements

Manohar Parrikar

N ew D elhi , F eb 16 (Agencies) : The Election Commission on Thursday asked Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to be more circumspect and careful in future in making any statement when the model code of conduct is in place. The advisory pertains to allegations that he abetted the offence of bribery during a speech ahead of the Goa Assembly polls.

“All leaders, especially those who occupy high constitutional positions, are expected to ensure and promote the sanctity of electoral process. Public utterances by such persons which even remotely give the indication of condoning the act of accepting bribe in connection with the election are not acceptable as it could amount to encouraging bribery in election,” said the Commission, adding that apart

from being an electoral offence, it was also a corrupt practice.

The Commission said it found that Parrikar’s utterances at Chimbel in Goa on January 29 violated the norms.

Taking cognisance of the complaints lodged by the Goa Forward Party and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, the EC had on February 1 issued notice to Parrikar seeking his response on his speech in which he purportedly said he had no problem with people accepting money from other parties to attend their rallies, but they should vote for “lotus”.

The Goa Forward Party’s complaint alleged that Parrikar said while someone would give Rs.1,000 or Rs.3,000, “we will give Rs.1,500 every month”.

In his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Kejriwal sought FIR against Parrikar for allegedly abetting bribery. He appealed to the Commission to display the same level of urgency and promptness that it showed in getting an FIR registered against him.

Citing repeated violations, the EC had directed registration of FIR against Kejriwal for asking the voters in Goa to accept money from other parties, but vote for AAP.

Will use weapons on locals interfering in anti-terror ops: Army chief Rawat NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): People interfering with anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir will be considered anti-nationals and will face action, army chief Bipin Rawat said on Wednesday, acknowledging adding that the hostile conduct of locals was causing higher casualties in the Valley.

General Rawat’s message came a day after three soldiers faced heavy stonepelting at Parray Mohalla of Bandipore in northern Kashmir when they were about to launch an operation against militants holed up there.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rawat paid their last

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur friday, february 17, 2017

respects to three of four soldiers, including a major, who were killed in two separate encounters in Kashmir on Tuesday.

“If they become a problem in our operation and if that causes losses to our soldiers, we will not hesitate to use weapons,” Rawat said in no uncertain terms.

Alerted by stonepelters, militants got an opportunity to lob hand grenades and empty a few magazines from rifles into advancing troopers, leaving three soldiers dead and some others, including a commanding officer of the CRPF, injured.

General Rawat said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were facing

higher casualties due to the manner in which locals were preventing them from 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 these acts of terrorism, displaying flags of ISIS (Islamic State) and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them,” he told reporters in New Delhi.

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

feel it is any work....Jinka kaam bolta hai, unka kisan nahi bolta ki bima mila hai (Those whose work speaks, their farmer does not say that they got insurance),” he said.

“The police stations here have turned into the offices of Samajwadi Party.

It is the SP worker who decides which case has to be filed and which not,” he said.

Alleging that maximum political killings and gangrape take place in UP, Modi said, “I want to ask the family-led government, are the mothers and sisters here not members of your family.”

He said 3,000 people die due to firing using illegal arms termed ‘kattas’ and asked as to who made these kattas.

“Almost 50 per cent cases of those registered in the country under the Arms Act are in UP,” he rued.

“Over 20 per cent atrocities against Dalits in India take place in UP and no one gets punished...Isn’t illegal mining prevalent in Hardoi?...Who patronises illegal miners? Who is responsible for this?” he asked.

India, China to hold first Strategic Dialogue NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar will attend the first India-China Strategic Dialogue to be held in Beijing on February 22, a senior official said on Thursday.

“China and India will hold the first meeting of the India China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired

by Foreign Secretary and the Executive Vice Foreign Minister of China on February 22 in Beijing,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said at his weekly media briefing here.

Three arrested for violence in city hospital Kolkata , F eb 1 6 (PTI): Three persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence at a private hospital in southern part of the city following the death of a patient there.

Rakesh Dhanuk (25), Jiauddin and Sk Sony (22) were arrested from their respective residences in Khidirpore area of the city late last night during raids, a senior official of Kolkata Police said this morning.

“The three persons have been arrested after going through CCTV footages we got from the hospital authorities.

India hopes for Bhutan’s ratification of BBIN soon KO L K ATA , F E B 1 6 (IANS): Ahead of the implementation of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA), India remains hopeful that Bhutan would ratify the accord soon, top officials said on Thursday.

The four South Asian nations had already signed the BBIN Agreement in June 2016 in Thimphu and the accord was seen as a significant symbol of sub-regional unity.

Despite ratifications by three partner countries, Bhutan’s Upper House has not yet ratified the deal, citing environmental as well as livelihood concerns.

However, according to an official from the Royal Government of Bhutan, the country “could ratify in May-June”.

“We are hopeful Bhutan will ratify it soon and are eagerly waiting for it. Four countries have been negotiating the protocols and standard operating procedures for the implementation. We made some headway,” said Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Deputy Secretary A.D. James here.

already ratified it, operational issues still exist,” Penjor added.

The ratification was expected from the National Council, when the Upper House of Bhutan Parliament meets in MayJune, he told IANS. The Lower House has already ratified it.

Meanwhile, the Narendra Modi government has been undertaking cargo trial runs in order to seek solution to challenges that may arise after the implementations, the official said. “We undertook a trial run with cargo consignment from Dhaka to Delhi in August 2016. Usually, it takes 10-15 days to reach such consignment.

During the trial run it reached in five days, reducing two-third of associated logistic cost,” James told IANS. The implementation of the agreement is expected to improve the value chain in sub-regional trade.

Bhalla said the BBIN subgrouping was expected to be the gateway to southeast and east Asia. India is working for development of interconnectivity infrastructure for Myanmar and Thailand.

BJP MP accuses Thackeray of money-laundering

MUMBAI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Intensifying the ongoing war between the two ruling allies, a Bharatiya Janata Party MP on Thursday accused Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray of moneylaundering.

Mumbai Lok Sabha member Kirit Somaiya, a chartered accountant by profession, made the allegation against Thackeray after he declared his assets following the charges levelled against him by the Shiv Sena.

“Now Uddhav Thackeray should also do it,” Somaiya said in a statement.

He said he had declared all his accounts and financial transactions for the past 20 years.

“I myself declare and confirm that I have never (been) involved in any nontransparent transaction shell/bogus/khokha company. Let Uddhav Thackeray declare all his financial transactions before the

public,” Somaiya said.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, h e named seven companies, which he claimed indulged in money-laundering, and asked the Shiv Sena to clarify if they had entered into any financial transactions with these firms.

“Why Uddhav Thackeray is not disclosing his assets? Is he afraid of connection with the 7 shell companies involved in money-laundering,” Somaiya asked. The companies he named are: Jagmandri Finvest Pvt Ltd, Kim Electronic Industries Ltd., JPK Trading India Pvt Ltd., Lexus Infotech Ltd., Regalgold Trading Company Pvt. Ltd., Vanguard Jewels Ltd., and Yash-V-Jewels Ltd. Somaiya claimed that while the SEBI had issued prohibitory orders on Lexus Infotech Ltd. and Yash-V-Jewels Ltd., Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal had allegedly used two

other companies “Regalgold Trading and Vanguard Jewels - for money-laundering purposes”.

Arrested nearly a year ago, Bhujbal is currently under the custody of the Enforcement Directorate on charges of alleged money-laundering.

Reacting to the allegations, Shiv Sena Sena MP Rahul Shewale dismissed the charges and said the BJP MP (Somaiya) “is a blackmailer known to make baseless allegations”.

Poi nti ng out tha t Somaiya had in the past levelled allegations even against his party colleague and Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, Shewale said even BJP President Amit Shah should declare his assets.

He asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order a probe by any agency on the allegations leveled by Somaiya.

Swarup appointed India’s next envoy to Canada NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Vikas Swarup, has been appointed as India’s next High Commissioner to Canada.

Swarup has been serving as the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs since April 2015.

Prior to that, he was Joint Secretary incharge of the

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The investments were being made in roads infrastructure linking the four countries, he said at an event ‘Facilitating implementation and stakeholder buy-in in the BBIN subregion’ organised by Cuts International here.

“The agreement is still to be ratified by Bhutan and they have some concerns, though we are very hopeful.

In fact, we appreciate the steps being taken by the Bhutanese government for explaining the benefits of the integration,” said Joint Secretary of Commerce Ministry (SAARC/ South Asia) Bhupinder Singh Bhalla.

Although the Bhutanese government was committed to the agreement, the people in the country raised some issues. “... In regards to BBIN, lot of issues were expressed on the possible negative impacts pertaining to the environment protection and local livelihood. The issue of culture was also raised,” Bhutan’s Ministry of Information and Communications Secretary Dasho Karma W. Penjor said. “Even with the countries which

United Nation’s Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.

An officer of the 1986 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Swarup has previously served in Turkey, the United States, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Japan.

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (IANS): Four persons have been arrested on charge of preparing and selling fake educational certificates and degrees of various courses and classes, the Delhi Police said on Thursday. According to police, Rupesh, Ritesh, Someer and Mukesh Thakur prepared certificates of MBBS, B.Tech, Ph.D and other professional degrees and diplomas, and sold these at prices ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 55,000.

“They were arrested on Wednesday evening from a consultancy office in Janakpuri area on a complaint by local resident Shahbazul Haque at the Tilak Nagar police station about a fake Class 10 certificate provided

by Rupesh,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Vijay Kumar said.

“The complinant told police that Rupesh forwarded fake Class 10 certificates and other documents through Whatsapp and they operated a website to get in touch with prospective customers,” the officer said.

Ritesh, Mukesh and Someer also searched for those needing educational certificates.

The police seized a printer, scanner, three mobile phones, 250 fake marksheets and six hard copies of genuine marksheets from the accused.

Amazon’s Rs 15 lakh looted from courier

GHAZIABAD, FEB 16 (IANS): Online shopping giant Amazon’s Rs 15 lakh in cash were allegedly looted here from a courier handler while he was on his way, the city police said on Thursday.

The police said they found contradictions in the courier handler’s account of the heist, and suspect foul play in the loot.

Sumit Singh, a courier handler of Radiant Private Service Solutions, was assigned to deliver Amazon’s cash in Shipra Sun city area in Indirapuram.

The incident occurred near Diamond flyover in Kavi Nagar Industrial area, according to Sumit Singh.

After taking Rs 15 lakh in cash at 7.35 p.m. on Wednesday from the office of Amazon, he called the police at 7:36 p.m, informing them that he was robbed.

He told the police that as he stepped out of the Amazon office and turned to Diamond flyover two persons in a car came to him and snatched the bag containing cash and sped away. During the loot, one of their accomplices remained seated on the driver’s seat of the car, he said. “On his complaint, the FIR has been registered under Section 392 of the Indian Penal Code.

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bandh is being observed in all administrative headquarters including Changtongya, Tuli, Tzudikong (Paper Mill), Mangkolemba and at Tsutapela gate (Tzurangkong range). JCC further informed that the bandh would continue with exemptions as before.

TUENSANG: Second phase of the indefinite bandh was partially lifted in Tuensang. However, government offices would remain closed and movement of government vehicles restricted till further notice, said CKS vice president T. Mongko and TVCU president H. Wongto in a joint press statement.

The decision was made to maintain uniformity with the ongoing protest in the state after JCC and NTAC decided to relax the bandh.

All educational institutions, schools and colleges both private and government, administration, police, para military force, government vehicle on exam duty, fire and emergency service,

No. 8427 Yesterday’s solution No. 8426

No. 3047 Yesterday’s solution No. 3046

No. 1873 Yesterday’s solution No. 1872

medical, sanitary vehicle, press and media have been exempted. CKS and TVCU also informed that all business activities and movement of private vehicles would function as usual.

WOKHA: In Wokha town the bandh imposed by Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee (LHJAC) passed off smoothly. Volunteers from Humtso and Elumyo Youth Organizations, GHSS Youth League and all frontal organizations took part in the bandh. In a press note, LHJAC press secretary, Thungdemo Kyong has informed that the bandh has been relaxed in Wokha.

However, functioning of government office and vehicles would be barred and monitored strictly, JAC stated. JAC also thanked the Wokha District Auto Union (WDAU) for providing free services to the students appearing exam. Meanwhile, students of Faith Church provided refreshment to the bandh volunteers on Thursday.

Across 1 Principal notice inserted in border in front of flower (10) 7 Poor diet Tom has skipped (7) 8 One member’s naughty children (4) 10 It may be taken in court and in boathouse (4) 11 RN choose new vessel (8) 13 Spot, so we hear, for fish (6) 15 Split up northern river (6) 17 Contest for gun-runners?

(4,4) 18 Delight in good shelter (4) 21 A member of the opposition in Victorian times?

(4) 22 Warned bad lad about damaged tree (7) 23 Locate nuns settled in Cornish town (10) Down 1 Entertainer taking one in lift (5) 2 Little workers getting article about saint (4) 3 I’d come to be cured by doctor (6) 4 Mistake about a garment (8) 5 Stretch vessels in river (7) 6 Soak poets at sea, as it were (2,2,5) 9 Making a grade one drink (9) 12 No crop is damaged by this insect (8) 14 Country song about people (7) 16 Injury resulting from fight with sweetheart (6) 19 Language that comes in for some slating (5) 20 Mr Livingstone has little time for this county (4)

New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS): Union Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal on Thursday said the transition towards digital and cashless economy will boost India’s GDP numbers and also help prevent tax evasion and move towards compliance.

“Digital and cashless transactions will boost Gross Domestic Product growth in a meaningful transition for the Indian economy,” Meghwal said here while addressing a conference on ‘Digital and Cashless Economy: A New Paradigm for NextGen Businesses’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

“We have to change to a tax-compliant society if India needs to grow and move forward,” he said.

He said India is on the verge of a transition from a largely cash economy to a less cash and a more digital economy, and added that the November 8 demonetisation was in accordance with the general public’s will to move towards a corruption-free society.

“Promotion of a digital economy has had a transformative impact and the people of India have supported the initiative.

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conduct of ULB election in Nagaland.

NTAC said the demand made by the people now was that TR Zeliang should own moral responsibility and must step down from the chair of the chief minister of Nagaland, which it added was in no manner neither his private property nor of the NPF. NTAC said media & press bureau of NPF as political as it may be, could do better to realise its political stand point and refrain to brickbat the strength and intellect of the mass-based people’s movement in which the whole great lot of the people of Nagaland were partakers irrespective of age, status, profession and tribe.

RBI to reimburse banks MDR charges effective January 1 New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): The Reserve Bank will start reimbursing MDR charges to banks for payments made since January 1 through debit cards by citizens, in line with the government’s move to further digital solutions. In December 2016, the government had decided to absorb the merchant discount rate (MDR) charges in respect of debit card transactions for making payments to it. The move was aimed to encourage people to use digital payments post

demonetisation. “In order to operationalise the (government’s direction), the Reserve Bank will reimburse banks MDR on debit cards used for payment of tax and non-tax dues to the government of India with effect from January 1, 2017,” the central bank said in a notification. Also, the banks will have to certify that MDR charges for transaction amounts up to Rs 1 lakh have not been collected from the payer. The banks have been asked to file claim by April 30.

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ed for spreading rumours/ panic to neighbouring shops, but was later released from North police station.

M O KO KCHU N G : Day four of the bandh in Mokokchung started off with a mass prayer service at 6 a.m., organized by the Mokokchung Pastors Fellowship. Around 500 people from 21 churches along with Ao Senden office bearers, JCC members and public attended the service.

The bandh which began from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. saw more participation of womenfolk, volunteers from ENPO Mokokchung unit, Sumi and Lotha community, representatives from six ranges including women from Japukong range. Volunteers from land owners of the three villages, All Ward Union Mokokchung town, students’ and MTLT enforced the bandh.

Meanwhile, Ao Senden JCC on Thursday undertook a tour of the district where bandhs were being enforced to. Senden informed that the

Digital economy NTAC, JCC react to NPF media... p-1) will boost India’s (Fromunarmed innocent Naga youths. It also pointed out that “this grim incident” was followed by the death GDP, says Minister of another youth in Longkhim in connection with the

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(From p-1) In this regard, NTAC has once again reminded that in view of the inconvenience caused to public, the bandh would be in force only against movement of government vehicles and closure of government offices.

However, the following have been relaxed from the purview of the bandh-- fire services, hospitals, SP’s office and police stations, administration, banks, NBSE and any exam related establishments, NPSC, students appearing exams, paramilitary, power sub-stations, KMC and colony /wards sanitary vehicles, business establishments and eateries, schools and colleges both private and government, public transportation, central offices (postal services, accountant general, telecom & BSNL), PHE field staff for water supply, private vehicles, pedestrians and press & media.

Meanwhile, a no-Naga shopkeeper was apprehend-

additional 25 percent in a non-interest bearing deposit for four years.

Sources said as many as 9 lakh accounts of the 18 lakh people who have got SMS are considered “doubtful”.

As many as 5.27 lakh assessees, out of 18 lakh who were sent SMS and e-mails, had submitted their response till February 12.

As many as 99.5 percent of the 5.27 lakh assessees have confirmed the amount which they have deposited as cash during the 50-day demonetisation ended December 30. These deposits were made in 7.41 lakh bank accounts.

The source further said strict enforcement action can only be taken if an assessee does not reply to notices or deliberately try to concoct disclosures in ITR. The tax department has also identified around 4.84 lakh taxpayers not yet registered with the e-filing portal and has sent SMS to them to register.

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Bandh to continue in Dmu; relaxed in other parts of state

the same in income tax returns is not sufficient as any abnormal rise in income for 2016-17 over previous years will be considered as unaccounted wealth or blackmoney and treated as per law.

“However, since the SMS and e-mail correspondence do not have any legal backing, the department will have to send formal notices and then wait till March 31 for the end of (tax amnesty scheme) PMGKY and then take action against doubtful cases,” a source told PTI. Since Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) runs till March 31, action against any depositor can be taken only after the scheme closes as the depositor may choose to disclose the wealth and pay taxes.

U n d e r P M G K Y, those with unaccounted cash have been offered a chance to come clean by paying 50 percent of it as tax, penalty and surcharge while parking an

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Crossword

23,000 branches with 2.71 lakh employees.

“However, the government shareholding will not go down after the merger,” Bhattacharya said.

The merger will see increased synergies in terms of combining of treasuries, head offices, administration staff, auditors, licences and efficiency of costs.

“There will be increased synergies. First thing that will get merged is treasuries. Intead of six, we will have one treasury. Head offices will get merged, though some head offices may work

New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): Nearly half of the 18 lakh people under the I-T scanner for suspicious bank deposits post cash ban have been put in the ‘doubtful’ category, but action against them will follow only after the new tax amnesty scheme ends on March 31.

Under ‘Operation Clean Money’, the I-T department had sent SMS and e-mails to 18 lakh people, who according to its data analysis had made suspicious deposits of over Rs 5 lakh during the 50-day window provided to get rid of old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes following the demonetisation decision announced on November 8. They were asked to clarify on the deposits and their source

by February 15.

Sources in the government said those who did not reply must have “good legal explanation” for their cash deposits and may have chosen to show them in tax returns.

But a mere showing

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NTAC, JCC...

(From p-1) JCC reminded the NPF party workers that their “pay master has been repudiated by the people of Nagaland”, adding that unless one was anti-Naga, every Naga was “morally obligated and duty bound support this peoples movement including NPF party workers if they have any patriot blood left in them.”

JCC has therefore warned the NPF party workers to “toe the line of the people’s movement least branded as traitor of Naga people and face the ire of the public.” Meanwhile, JCC has thanked the Sumi Students’ Union Dimapur for providing free bus services to the students appearing exams. In this regard, JCC has requested volunteers to allow these buses to ply freely. JCC also expressed gratitude to the NBCC for their concern over the current imbroglio and holding prayer and fellowship with JCC and volunteers in Dimapur.

Arundhati Bhattacharya

as regional offices,” she said.

“Administration staff may get deployed in direct operations. Some may look after new businesses. Synergies will be immediately visible in terms of large accounts and efficiency of costs. Instead of six sets of auditors, six sets of licences, six roll-outs of products, there will be a lot of efficiency,” she added.

The process would also not involve great costs, she said. “We will not incur great costs, because there is no consultant for the purpose.

Some costs will be on account of shifting, closures and opening, but not very huge.”

Talking about digital transactions, she said that there was a noticeable drop post-demonetisation as the cash in the economy had substantially increased.

“We have seen a fall-off in digital transaction numbers. What we saw at the height of demonetisation has now come down”.

Cadila Healthcare staged a swift rally (surging 22.23 per cent to hit high of Rs. 438) and came in high demand in afternoon deals after the company informed the stock exchanges that its manufacturing facility in Moraiya, Gujarat was inspected by the USFDA with no form 483 issued against the company.

Following this development, frontline pharma shares like Aurobindo Pharma and Sun Pharma shares also witnessed buying interest as both the shares were among the top gainers in the Nifty.

From the Nifty basket of shares, 37 ended higher while 14 closed lower. ICICI Bank, Larsen & Toubro, ITC, Bharti Infratel and BPCL were among the losers. On the sectoral front, buying was visible across the sectors. Apart from IT, pharma and metal shares.

Auto, oil & gas and realty shares also witnessed buying interest.

The broader markets outperformed the benchmark indices as mid-cap and small-cap indices rose over 1 per cent each.

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Mumbai, Feb 16 (IANS): On the heels of the Cabinet approval for the merger into State Bank of India (SBI) of its five associate banks, the public lender on Thursday said there are no wage-related issues with the employees in the process.

“No wage-related issues right now. They can retain what they receive at this point of time or they will be offered a wage package according to the SBI standards. They will have a choice to retain theirs, or accept the SBI one,” SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya told reporters here in a briefing. Talking about the effective date of merger, the SBI chief said that it was likely to happen in the next fiscal and the exact date would be notified by the government.

“Notification from the government will give the effective date of merger.

Merger may happen in next financial year (2017-18) after closure of books,” she said. The combined entity post-merger will have over

New Delhi, Feb 16 (Agencies): Sensex rose nearly 150 points while the broader Nifty closed above its crucial psychological level of 8,750 on the back of buying in IT, pharmaceutical and metal shares as both the indices ended higher after two days of losses.

The Sensex rose 146 points to settle at 28,301 and Nifty advanced 53 points to shut shop at 8,778.

Shares of TCS, the country’s biggest software services exporter, rose as much as 2.7 percent to their highest since September 7, 2016. Other IT shares like Infosys, Tech Mahindra and HCL Technologies also ended with a positive bias.

“It (the share buyback news) will set a floor for the stock in the near term...

May improve sentiment for other IT stocks but will be a short-term impact,” said Dipen Shah, senior vice president and head of private client group research, Kotak Securities.

Pharma shares witnessed good buying interest after

Trump moving away from twostate Israeli-Palestinian solution

Fresh round of Syria talks begins

ASTANA (KAZAKHSTAN), FEB 16 (IANS): Syrian rebel and government representatives met in Kazakhstan on Thursday for a fresh round of peace talks under the auspices of Russia, Iran and Turkey.

The Astana-2 talks sought the creation of a multi-party taskforce to monitor and further reinforce the fragile ceasefire implemented in Syria at the end of December 2016, Efe news reported.

“Main consideration is given to the issue on the provision to form a taskforce, which will monitor the ceasefire,” said the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s Asia and Africa Department head, Aidarbek Tumatov.

The negotiators were expected to produce a document outlining an agreement upon the conclusion of the closed-door consultations.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday. (AP/PTI) very different, hasn’t been discussed before. It’s actually a much bigger deal – much more important deal in a sense,” Trump said.

“I’m looking at twostate and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I’m very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one,” he said, adding Israelis “also need to show some flexibility”.

“We’ll work something out but, I think a deal will be made... It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand,” he said, without elaborating.

Since 2002, the US has formally backed the twostate solution. But Trump’s remarks were the most striking departure for American efforts - and the central theme of the Oslo accords to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel as part of a permanent Middle East peace deal. Trump said his administration was looking at moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, but he offered no indication it would happen in near future. Relocating the embassy would signal the American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“As far as the embassy

KUALA LUMPUR, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Malaysian police made a third arrest on Thursday in their hunt for the people involved in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The third person, whose nationality was not disclosed, was the friend of an Indonesian woman who was detained earlier in the day in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam at the airport in the Malaysian capital on Monday, police said.

“He was detained to facilitate investigations as he is the boyfriend of the second suspect,” said Abu Samah Mat, the police chief in Selangor state, told Reuters.

The Indonesian woman was remanded in custody for seven days along with another woman, who held a Vietnamese travel document, who was caught trying to leave the country through the budget airline terminal of Kuala Lumpur airport on Wednesday, the Bernama state news agency reported.

Kim Jong Nam, 46, was assaulted at the same airport on Monday with what was believed to be a fast-acting poison as he was about to leave on a flight to Macau. He sought help, collapsed and died on his way to hospital.

Pentagon boss to NATO nations: Increase military spending

NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, February 15. (AP/PTI) B RU S S E L S, F E B 1 6 (AGENCIES): In an ultimatum to America’s allies, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told fellow NATO members Wednesday to increase military spending by year’s end or risk seeing the U.S. curtail its defense support — a stark threat given Europe’s deep unease already over U.S.-Russian relations.

Echoing President Donald Trump’s demands for NATO countries to assume greater self-defense responsibility, Mattis said Washington will “moderate its commitment” to the alliance if countries fail to fall in line. He didn’t offer details, but the pressure is sure to be felt, particularly by governments in Europe’s eastern reaches that feel threatened by Russian expansionism.

Trump’s Russia policy remains a mystery for many of America’s closest interna-

tional partners. As a candidate, the Republican president steered clear of criticizing Moscow for its 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region and repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he wanted a new era of cooperation between the former Cold War foes.

But that possibility grew murkier this week as Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, over the retired Army lieutenant general’s communications with Russia before Trump took office. The departure of Flynn, who also promoted the idea of working with Moscow, has added to speculation about how the U.S.-Russian relationship might evolve.

Amid the uncertainty from Washington, the Kremlin may be testing the West’s resolve. A U.S. defense official said this week that Russia has deployed a cruise

missile in violation of a Cold War-era nuclear arms control treaty. And violence has sporadically re-ignited in eastern Ukraine, where the U.S. and its partners say Moscow continues to back a separatist insurgency.

“No longer can the American taxpayer carry a disproportionate share of the defense of Western values,” Mattis told the alliance’s 27 other defense ministers, according to a text of his remarks. “Americans cannot care more for your children’s future security than you do.”

The entire alliance seemed to hang on Mattis’ every word Wednesday. Officials crowded around televisions at the NATO meeting in Brussels to watch the retired general’s initial appearance with SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg.

Defense ministers clustered around Mattis as he entered the meeting room.

24 civilians killed in bombing in Syria Militants kill Coptic Christian in Egypt’s Sinai

BEIRUT, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Turkish bombardment of an Islamic State group-held town in Syria has killed 24 civilians, a monitor said Thursday, but Turkey’s army said only “terrorists” died in the operation.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead in air strikes and shelling on the town of AlBab in the last 24 hours included 11 children.

Turkey’s army, quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency said it had killed 15 “terrorists” in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes.

Al-Bab is IS’s final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo and has come under fierce attack by Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels in recent months.

The joint force entered Al-Bab over the weekend, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday that the town had “largely been taken under

Al-Bab is IS’s final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo and has come under fierce attack by Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels in recent months control.”

The Observatory however said Turkish forces had made little progress since entering the town from the west.

Turkey began military operations in Syria in August, targeting both IS and Kurdish fighters.

Initially its forces advanced quickly, but they stalled around Al-Bab in December.

The town is also a key target for Syrian government forces, who had been

Angela Merkel testifies on alleged US eavesdropping

BERLIN, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Chancellor Angela Merkel testified Thursday to a parliamentary committee examining alleged U.S. surveillance in Germany and the activities of German intelligence, defending her insistence that “spying among friends” is unacceptable.

The parliamentary panel is investigating alleged eavesdropping in Germany by the U.S. National Security Agency and its relationship with German counterparts. The inquiry was launched a year after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed details of secret U.S. eavesdropping programs in 2013.

Reports later in 2013 that the NSA listened in on G e r m a n g o ve r n m e n t phones, including Merkel’s, prompted a diplomatic spat between Berlin and Washington that for a time soured otherwise good relations with the Obama administration.

Merkel declared at the time that “spying among friends” was unacceptable.

moving to Jerusalem, I’d love to see that happen.

We’re looking at it very, very strongly.”

Netanyahu did not commit to Trump’s request for a hold on settlement construction, and instead set two prerequisites for peace with the Palestinians.

“First, the Palestinians must recognise the Jewish state. They have to stop calling for Israel’s destruction, they have to stop educating their people for Israel’s destruction.

“Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River because if we don’t, we know what will happen.

“We’ll get another radical Islamic terrorist state in the Palestinian areas exploding the peace, exploding the Middle East,” he said.

Netanyahu also made it clear that Palestinians “vehemently reject” both the prerequisites for peace. “The persistent Palestinian refusal to recognise a Jewish state... is the reason we don’t have peace,” he said.

Netanyahu said he believes the opportunity for peace comes from a regional approach, involving Arab partners in the pursuant of a broader peace with the Palestinians.

Third suspect held over murder of North Korean

Angela Merkel

But subsequent reports indicated that Germany’s own BND intelligence agency may have helped the U.S. spy on European companies and officials.

Merkel testified that she first heard about the BND’s alleged activities in March 2015, sticking to a line set out by other officials. And she said that her comments about spying among friends remained valid.

“My standard was that spying among friends is not acceptable, and if it happens we have to intervene,” she told lawmakers.

Asked how she felt when she first heard of Snowden’s revelations, Merkel said: “I have enough experience that it was clear this was a significant matter.”

She also defended G e r m a n y ’s f a i l u r e t o achieve a mutual “no-spy” agreement with the U.S., something that her government held out the prospect of in summer 2013, shortly before a national election.

On the German side, “I am convinced that there was very intensive work on it,” but those efforts eventually came to nothing, she said.

advancing towards from the south.

But they have yet to enter Al-Bab, instead focused on clearing IS-held territory in the surrounding countryside in recent days.

More than 310,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

The war has displaced over half the country’s population and drawn in jihadists and international militaries.

EL-ARISH (EGYPT), FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Suspected Islamic militants gunned down a Coptic Christian teacher on his way to school in northern Sinai on Thursday, the second killing of a Christian in less than a week in the turbulent region, officials said, amid fears of escalating attacks on Christians.

Gamal Tawfiq, 50, was shot in the head by two militants on a motorbike who followed him as he walked from home to work at El-Samran School in the coastal city of el-Arish.

There was no immediate

claim of responsibility for the killing, but a security official said the Islamic State’s affiliate in Sinai was the prime suspect.

A school official confirmed Tawfiq’s death to The Associated Press but declined to give details.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.

On Sunday, suspected militants gunned down a local vet, Bahgat Zakher, in el-Arish, and in late January, Wael Milad, a merchant, was killed by militants who stormed his shop.

Both were Coptic Christians.

Egypt is home to one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, accounting for roughly 10 percent of its 92 million people.

The Copts have long complained of discrimination and have frequently been targeted by Islamic militants. IS claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in a packed Coptic church in Cairo in December that killed nearly 30 worshippers.

Since the 2011 upris-

ing that ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak, northern Sinai has plunged deeper into strife, with Islamic militants gaining a strong foothold. The insurgency in Sinai grew deadlier and, in some cases, spread to the mainland following the military’s 2013 ouster of the country’s Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi.

Most Egyptian Christians, along with many of the country’s Muslim majority, supported Morsi’s ouster, thus inviting retaliation by the militants.

CONGRATULATION Lithsami Union Dimapur express our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Hitoka Achumi for being Selected/ Appointed as Chairman of Sumi Community Purana Bazar, East Dimapur recently on February 2017. The Union also appreciate Sumi Community for selecting Dr. Hitoka Achumi as the Chairman of the Purana Bazar, East Dimapur.

May God grant him wisdom and guide to fulfill his assignment towards the welfare of the society.

Xukishe Sumi President Lithsami Union Dimapur

N. Nikiye Achumi General Secretary Lithsami Union Dimapur

FELICITATION

The faculty, staff and the community of Trinity Theological College, Thahekhu would like to congratulate our Principal, Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo on being nominated as the President of the Senate of Serampore College (University).

Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo is the second person from the region to hold this post since 1919. We are glad that his many years of contributions to the Senate of Serampore College (University) have brought him thus far. Prior to holding the present assignment as the President, Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo served as the Senator Member from 2008-2013, then went on to contribute his service as a member of the Academic Council from 2014 till date and also a member in the Working Committee of the Academic Council from 2014 till date. Today we are glad and grateful that his many contributions are recognized by the Senate of Serampore College (University), and see his present assignment as the President a logical conclusion for his contributions to the Senate of Serampore College (University). We the community of TTC wish you a successful and a productive period under your leadership.

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WASHINGTON, FEB 16 (PTI): US President Donald Trump has signalled debunking America’s long pursuit of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, saying he could endorse a one-nation solution if it led to peace in the Middle East, but asked Israel to temporarily stop Jewish settlements.

Appearing at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister B e n j a m i n N e t a n ya h u , Trump hailed the “unbreakable” bond between the two countries after the bilateral relations nosedived under President Barack Obama.

At their first face-toface meeting since his inauguration on January 20, Trump appeared warm to Netanyahu and shook his hands several times throughout the conference. But he politely asked the Israeli head of the government to “hold back” on settlements in territory claimed by the Palestinians for their future state: “for a little bit”.

Breaking from tradition and international consensus, Trump said he would be open to “alternate solutions” that does not necessarily involve a two-state solution to the six-decadeslong Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“It is something that is

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Friday, february 17, 2017

Ref. Faith/PN-01/2017

PUBLIC NOTICE

In view of the ongoing bandh, OPD timings are revised as follows: 1. Obs & Gynae : 7am - 7pm 2. Surgery : 24 hours 3. Medicine : 4pm - 8pm 4. Pediatrics : 4pm - 8pm 5. Dental : 4pm - 8pm Emergency Medical Services x 24 hours In case of Emergency: Contact +91 9856358983, +91 9436004220 for Ambulance- A/C Tata Winger Sd/(Dr Sukhato A Sema) Managing Director DP-1416

FELICITATION It gives me immense pleasure and pride to convey my Felicitation to Dr. H. Sükhato Rotokha, Administrator Sütsah Academy, who has been awarded and conferred with the degree of Doctorate of Divinity, (Honoris Causa) from the Senate of Serampore College (University) on 4th February 2017. I sincerely thank you for your literary contribution towards the Sümi society and for the younger Sümi generation.

Dr. H.S Rotokha Ikhilu keu Leshe ! Oh ishe Sükhato Rotokha nno no tiyeh shiyee no ti’tiyeh shiye no oküzü ye heo ! Oh ishe otsalaphi oghunophi no o yekhü mphi lono Sümi tsah akikhi shi kikkepe qhitsü lone ! O ishe tishi kivi locho no opoh khapu chelone ! O ishe ow veha ghulhu khache lo khauchi nah kümlü hu no nilo shipivi tsü he ! O ishe Sükhato nno no kumlhuto lo avi,abi kikhhi koghe toi juqhe kulho shi heo ! O ishe Sümi tsaiko mppi ye nno no aghakhu phukumi shi no acheni heo ! O ishe aghü küllami kümtsü no aghü buqhi chemo ye heo ! O ishe o yeh kipe lono Sümi tsaiko mppi ye tüngalumo heo “Hiye lo Sümi ghütomi ipuh Sükhato nno no hiye lo yeghü kusho no noki hinashi” iyeho iyeh tiqhe küghü no noküzüshe he” “Amphi nih no noki shivea iyeho iyeh he”

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HEKHEVI ACHUMI Former SLB. Member Notun Bosti Dimapur, Nagaland.

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Infotainment Ashley Judd to address DU with a celebration at UN students on Feb 17

Smurfs join hands with UN

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he popular Smurf characters have been brought on board by United Nations to encourage children, young people and adults to make the world happier, more peaceful, equitable and healthy, via a campaign.

The ‘Small Smurfs Big Goals’ campaign is designed to encourage everyone to learn about and support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which were agreed on by all 193 member-countries of the United Nations in 2015, read an official statement.

It begins with the launch of a video inspiring viewers to champion

the goals, which include ending extreme poverty, protecting the planet and giving everyone the chance to enjoy peace and prosperity.

Launched on Wednesday by the United Nations, Unicef, and the United Nations Foundation, public can also join Team Smurfs by visiting the Smurfs official website and contribute in different ways.

“The entertainment industry moves the hearts and minds of people of all ages, and the UN thanks our friends at Sony Pictures Animation and the Smurfs for this creative effort to mobilise support for the

Sustainable Development Goals,” said Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division, United Nations Department of Public Information.

“We hope this campaign would motivate millions of young people and their families to do their part to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet - three key aspects that will lead to the wellbeing and happiness of all people,” Nasser added.

Team Smurfs would rally behind the goals through to the International Day of Happiness on March 20, when the campaign would culminate

Hugh Jackman has sixth skin cancer removed from his nose

Quiet Riot Announce New ‘Road Rage’ Album

A

ctor Hugh Jackman has had his sixth skin cancer removed and warned fans of the dangers of unprotected sun exposure.

The Hollywood star posted a photo of himself on Instagram, showing a plaster across his nose.

The photo caption reads: “Another basal cell carcinoma. Thanks to frequent body checks and amazing doctors, all is well.

Looks worse with dressing on than off. I swear!”

The 48-year-old Wolverine actor had his first skin cancer removed from his nose in 2013, when his wife Deborra-Lee Furness told him to go to the doctors to get a mole checked.

He was then diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, an uncontrolled growth which can look like an open sore or a red patch, or appear as a shiny bump or scar.

headquarters in New York to mark the occasion.

This year, the International Day of Happiness would highlight the Sustainable Development Goals as building blocks of happiness.

Voice actors from the upcoming animated movie “Smurfs: The Lost Village” would attend to honour youth and children, who have played a role in raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“We know that children and young people are some of the world’s most passionate advocates on issues that matter to them the most. We must continue to find new ways to empower them to help achieve a world free from inequality and injustice for every child. This campaign would give children and young people the platform they need to have their voices heard,” Paloma Escudero, Unicef Director of Communications, said.

Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, “Smurfs: The Lost Village” would release in India on April 21.

Jacqueline Fernandez: Wish I could be the action icon in Bollywood

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uiet Riot will release their 13th studio album, Road Rage, on April 21.

The follow-up to 2014’s Quiet Riot 10 arrives via Frontiers Music, and features new singer Seann Nicols along with founding drummer Frankie Banali, veteran bassist Chuck Wright and longtime guitarist Alex Grossi.

Calling it “the first official release in 11 years,” Banali said the album “contains all newly written and recorded original songs.

We stayed true to the great

tradition and sound of Quiet Riot – while at the same time always moving musically forward.”

The band also has a run of U.S. tour dates starting later this month, with bookings until October.

Quiet Riot ‘Road Rage’ Track Listing “Nothing but Trouble” - “Let It Go” - “Snake Charmer” - “Hey Lil’ Sister” - “I Don’t Need You Anymore” - “Sledge Hammer” - “Never You Mind” - “Empty Rooms” - “Dirty Money” - “The Seeker” “Road Rage”

ollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez enjoys doing action on-screen and is keen to do more movies in the same genre. Jacqueline tried her hand in action for the first time during ‘A Flying Jatt’ and now in her two upcoming films, ‘Reload’ and ‘Drive,’ she will be seen doing a lot more of it.

“Its an amazing genre and I feel very comfortable about it. If I could be the action icon in Bollywood it would be great. The roles in action genre for females are less as compared to actors.

“If there is something in action I take it up. I am dying to train and work in roles that give me the opportunity to do action,” Jacqueline said. The ‘Kick’ actress feels Bollywood filmmakers can take inspiration from Hollywood when it comes to heroines doing action oriented films.

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ollywood actress Ashley Judd, who is currently touring India to advocate against gender-based violence and discrimination, would be addressing students in DU’s Indraprastha College for Women on February 17.

The actress was in Delhi last month also to speak on the issue. The event has been organized by the Women’s Development Cell of the college, and the session is called ‘A conversation with Ashley Judd: What’s on my Mind and Tell Me What’s on Yours.’

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Friday, February 17, 2017

Robbie Williams reunites with Take That

R

obbie Williams has confirmed that he will be reuniting with his former Take That bandmates – but for one night only. The pop star will appear as a guest judge on the grande finale of Gary Barlow’s show Let It Shine on February 25. Although ex-member Jason Orange will not be taking part, the 43-year-old will hit the stage for a one-off performance with Gary, Mark Owen and Howard Donald. Announcing the exciting news on Wednesday, Robbie said: “I’m looking forward to being back with Gary, Mark and Howard on Let It Shine and am excited to be a guest judge for the very special final.”

This comes three months after Robbie joined forces with his former band members at a special BRIT Awards gig in London.

“Rob, whether you like it or not, you will always be a member of Take That,” said Howard, as the foursome teamed up to sing Back for Good and The Flood. Robbie, who left the band in 1995 to pursue a solo career, was honoured with the BRITs Icon award; he is the third artist to have

ever received it after David Bowie and Elton John.

M e a n w h i l e, Ro b bie recently confessed he would love to rejoin Take That for the upcoming reunion tour, marking their 25th anniversary.

The star admitted he was “really proud” of what his former group have achieved over the years. “I don’t think it’ll be

next year but I think it’ll be at some point... We’ll wait and see when our paths collide,” he told The Sun. When quizzed about Jason - who quit the band in 2014 - would return, Robbie admitted he wasn’t sure. He continued: “This line of work is not for everybody and I don’t think [it’s] for Jay, for whatever reasons.”

Rekha to give 4th Yash Chopra memorial Award to SRK

V

eteran actress Rekha will hand over superstar Shah Rukh Khan the fourth Yash ChopraMemorial Award during a ceremony later this month.

Rekha along with Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao will give the award, instituted in the memory of the late Bollywood legend, to the “Fan” star on February 25 here, a press release

issued by the organisers here said.

Shah Rukh has featured in some of the biggest hits helmed by Chopra like “Darr”, “Dil Toh Pagal Hai”, “VeerZaara” and “Jab Tak Hai Jaan”.

The award commemorates the directorproducer by honouring excellence in various spheres of cinema like acting, music etc, it said.

Ivanka Trump magnetised by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau

Ivanka ‘eyes’ Justin at the press meet.

T

he pictures tell it all. Ivanka Trump occupies no formal office in the White House, and yet for some inexplicable reason, she sat Sunday with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada during his visit to meet with President Donald Trump.

Ivanka has been present at sev-

Ivanka can’t keep her eyes off Justin.

eral White House meetings with her father, but she went for front and center during a meeting where Trudeau and Trump spoke with women in business.

Political views aside, there’s something that people on all sides of the aisle can agree on: Canadian

prime minister Justin Trudeau is an objectively attractive man. And it looks like Trump’s favorite daughter, Ivanka, agrees.

Take a look at the way the First Daughter hungrily eyes Trudeau during his recent visit to the White House.

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Dimitrov racks up 15th win of year in Rotterdam

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov has a 15-1 record in 2017 after beating Mischa Zverev in Rotterdam.

ROTTERDAM, Feb 16 (Agencies): Grigor Dimitrov reached the second round of the Rotterdam World Tennis tournament with a 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4 win over Mischa Zverev on Wednesday as the red-hot Bulgarian racked up his 15th win of 2017.

D i m i t r o v, w h o captured his second title of the season last weekend on home ground in Sofia, had to dig deep, however, to see off Zverev who stunned world number one Andy Murray at the Australian Open last month.

The 25-year-old

Dimitrov improved to 15-1 on the season and will next face Denis Istomin, who beat Novak Djokovic in the second round in Melbourne at the season’s opening Grand Slam.

Dimitrov, the fifth seed, took victory in just under two hours, firing his 11th ace for a match point and breaking on four of nine occasions. “I’m pleased with the win. Mischa did not make it easy for me with his game. I had to fight to win,” said Dimitrov, who was champion in Brisbane and a semi-finalist at the Australian Open in

January. Belgian third seed David Goffin comfortably beat Andrey Kuznetsov 6-3, 6-2 “I am feeling good.

I’m playing really well and pleased with the victory, especially against Andrey -- a good indoor player,” Goffin said. “He can play fast, so it was not an easy first round. I served well when I needed to and I am happy to win my first match in Rotterdam. I had a great week in Sofia (finalist against Dimitrov) and I’ve come here with a lot of confidence.

“I remember the first time I played in Rotterdam and I didn’t win any games against Jarkko Nieminen (in the 2013 first round).

The tournament isn’t far from Belgium and I have support here.” Richard Gasquet put out Viktor Troicki 6-4, 6-2, ending with a pair of pictureperfect backhand passing shots. In the second round, defending champion Martin Klizan battled to a 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-1 defeat of 2016 semi-finalist Philipp Kohlschreiber.

COA pledges to bring Scholes hints at possible Rooney exit ‘undiluted’ cricket to fans

New Delhi, Feb 1 6 ( I A NS ) : Fo r m e r Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai, who heads the Supreme Courtappointed Committee of Administrators (COA) of the BCCI, said on Thursday that the new panel is committed to bring cricket to the doorsteps of the fans in its “undiluted form”.

Rai, who along with former India women’s team captain Diana Edulji, historian Ramchandra Guha, and IDFC Managing Director and CEO Vikram Limaye were named by the apex court to supervise the working of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said the committee will restore the national cricket board back to its democratic set-up.

“The Supreme Court order came on January 30 and on February 4, I went abroad. I have just come back yesterday. So my experience has been very good,” said Rai of his time at the board so far.

“There is absolutely no problem in handling BCCI because I sincerely believe that the number of cricket lovers in this

Mourinho worried by fixture Wenger’s future to be

Jose Mourinho

Lo n d o n, F e b 1 6 (Agencies): Jose M o u r i n h o s ay s h e i s becoming troubled over Manchester United’s battle over four trophies with the season reaching its climax.

United host St Etienne in the first leg of their last-32 Europa League tie at Old Trafford on Thursday night, followed by Blackburn in the FA Cup on Sunday with a trip to Wembley a week later for the EFL Cup final against Southampton.

Russia to punish athletes who don’t return medals M OSCOW, F e b 1 6 (Agencies): Russian athletes who refuse to return Olympic medals following doping cases won’t be selected for the national track and field team. Several Russian athletes have refused to return medals after being disqualified from the 2008 or 2012 Olympics as part of an International Olympic Committee retesting programme. Russian media reported on Monday that only one medal had been returned so far, out of more than 20 total cases.

The Russian track federation said on Thursday athletes who don’t return medals don’t have the right to compete in its sports events and won’t be eligible for national teams or for drug-testing pools which could allow them to compete internationally as neutral athletes. The federation itself has been suspended from international competition since November 2015 over widespread drug use. It said the new insistence on returning medals was part of the process of persuading the IAAF that Russia deserves to be reinstated. The federation said it “is issuing a reminder that during work on reinstatement with the IAAF there are some criteria which have so far been ignored by a number of people.” Giving back prize money won by dopers at non-Olympic events is another priority, the federation said.

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If they make the FA Cup quarter-finals, United’s Premier League clash at Southampton on March 12 will be postponed, causing further headaches over fixture build-up.

“We cannot choose competitions at Manchester United,” said Mourinho.

“We know that our situation is really complicated. We know that the Europa League is also a competition where we play on Thursdays and that makes it even more difficult for us.”

“The accumulation of FA Cup and League Cup and the match postponements makes it really hard for us. If we progress in the competitions we will be in trouble in May. We cannot choose competitions, we play them to win. It’s also a good way to give the team experience - international experience is always a plus.”

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sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur friday, february 17, 2017

decided at season end

London, Feb 16 (Agencies): Arsene Wenger’s future as Arsenal manager will be decided at the end of the season. There was currently no prospect of Wenger leaving before the summer, sources said, hours after Arsenal were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich in Champions League.

Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to accept fresh terms. The decision on his future was expected to be taken mutually by manager and the club.

GOVT. HIGH SCHOOL WAKCHING

CONDOLES

The staff and the students of G.H.S, Wakching express shock at the sudden demise of Late A. Tsuknung Jamir, Headmaster who passed away on 10/2/2017.

In a condolence message, the staff described Late A. Tsuknung Jamir as a "sincere officer" who was always committed towards his duties and responsibilities. His passing away was a great loss to the institution and the department. We convey heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray that Almighty grant comfort and solace and for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

country is humongous.

We need to bring cricket to the doorstep of the cricket lovers in its undiluted form,” Rai told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of Bandhan Bank’s 805th branch, here.

“So BCCI needs good governance, we will provide that and restore it back to the democratic set-up that it should be,” he added.

Commenting on his relation with the Inter national Cricket Council (ICC) especially in the aftermath of the world cricket body’s push to approve in principle t h e n ew c o n s t i t u t i o n and revenue distribution model, Rai said: “There are no road-blocks with the International Cricket Council (ICC), none at all.

I am absolutely confident that we will be able to do exactly the way it was meant to be.”

“These are all formal channels, there is no personality issue involved in any of these. These are all well-structured agencies and we just have to ensure that they actually follow the structure that has been devised,” he added.

Lo n d o n, F e b 1 6 (Agencies): Paul Scholes believes Wayne Rooney could be coming to the end of his Manchester United career due to his lack of game time.

The club captain broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s club goal-scoring record last month but he has not started a Premier League game since December 17 after falling down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.

Despite having two years to run on his current contract at Old Trafford, Scholes cannot see him seeing out the deal if he continues to be used sparingly.

“No one will be more frustrated than Wayne at not playing. Being a sub will be driving him up to wall.

When he gets his chance he has to take it because he has real competition,” Scholes told the Daily Mail.

“It will be killing him Wayne Rooney just coming in for the Europa League or the FA Cup. But “Maybe it will be as a player who will accept it’s up to him to get his head reassessed at the end of the that. He will want to be at down and prove he can play season if he’s in and out of a team where he’s playing in the big games. the team. I don’t see him every week.”

When asked if Rooney would stay at Old Trafford ND for the next two years, Scholes added: “If it carries on going the way it is, I OF OUR BELOVED FATHER LT. SIYEKHA KATH can’t.

2

DEATH ANNIVERSARY

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY of LT. LHOUHELIE SELETSU

17-02-2016 “Those who have died believing in Christ will rise too life.”

1st Thessalonians 4:16 A year has passed since you left us, yet not a single moment has passed without you in our thoughts.

Remembering you in our silent tears each day.

Your loving wife, children and family members.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

With heartfelt gratitude, we the bereaved family members of Lt. Khonpemo Yanthan, S/o Tsenchamo Yanthan, would like to acknowledge our sincere appreciation to each and every individual, families, friends, neighbours, churches and organisations who supported us spiritually, physically and financially during the illness and at the sad demise on 12th Feb. 2017.

Our deepest regret for the 12th Feb. 2017 inability to thank everyone individually for your prayer, love and support. It is our prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

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Loving father, mother, brothers, sisters, in-laws and relatives

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Nothing last forever, Death brings everything to an end, 2 years ago "Dad" you left us for your heavenly abode, But not a single day passes without you being in our thoughts, Now only memories of the sweet moment we shared remains.

It's your memory "Dad" that gives us a reason to hold on, but behind that memory, we always shed silent tears because nothing can fill the gap that you left behind.

We miss you Daddy.

Loving wife and children DP-1417

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Died on 31 January 2017

We the bereaved family of Lt. Petenei-U/Pevolie Rutsa (Patrick) would like to acknowledge with profound appreciation the support that we received from our extended families, churches, friends, neighbours and organisations.

Your many acts of kindness and sympathy continue to be a great comfort to us in our time of sorrow.

May the good Lord bless you all.

Family members

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT "Precious in the right of the Lord in the death of his saint" Psalm 116:15

Born : 17.07.1939 – Died : 15.01.2017 Late Temsula Ao (Chuchuyimlang) 11.07.1976 – 06.02.2017 A wonderful wife and a mother she was with a loving heart. Her life was short but inspired many with her beautiful smile. We are blessed to have found solace in the loving embrace of our family, friends and well wishers during the brief illness and at the sad demise of my beloved wife and our mother. As we are unable to thank you all personally we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone for your condolences, sympathy and support.

We would also like to convey our special thanks to:1. Doctors & nurses Nikos Hospital Dimapur 2. Diphupar Ao Baptist Church 3. Ao Senso Telongjem Diphupar 4. Diphupar Langpangkong Senso Telongjem 5. Dimapur Area Chuchuyimlang Senso Telongjem 6. Imsü Sempo Elangtsür Telongjem Dimapur 7. Tiyong Mepu Dimapur Unit.

8. Vision Home Hr. Sec. School Dimapur 9. Class 11 (A) Delhi Public School Dimapur 10. Kohima Chuchumyimlang Senso Telongjem 11. Kohima Chuchuyimlang Senso Fellowship 12. Kohima Kikümsungba Aso Elangtsür Telongjem 13. Old Ministers’ Hill Youth Kohima 14. PWD (NH) Div-1 Kohima 15. Mongsenyimti Senso Telongjem Kohima 16. Langpangkong Kaketshir Mongdang 17. Langpangkong Senso Telongjem Kohima 18. Kohima Aoer Telongjem (KAT) 19. Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo.

Loving husband, daughters and relatives K-0394

We the bereaved family would like to express our profound gratitude to every individual, friends, relatives, neighbours and churches who stood by us in our time of grief and sorrow.

Thank you for supporting us physically, financially, materially, morally and prayed for our bereaved family as we mourn the sudden demise of our most beloved mother Z. Hoshei Assumi.

Thank you for upholding us in your thoughts and prayers.

We would especially like to thank : 1. SBCZ 2. SBAK Nito Mount 3. Old Town Prayer Fellowship 4. EDSBC Purana Bazaar 5. Shotomi Baptist Church 6. Sheipu Baptist Church 7. Doctors & nurses of Nikos Hospital Dimapur 8. Shotomi Union Dimapur.

9. Old Town Youths 10. Shotomi Youths.

We deeply regret our inability to thank each and everyone of you individually, but it is our sincere prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

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Loving children, in-laws, grand children, great grand children and relatives

We the bereaved family members would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who stood by us and extended physical comfort, prayers and financial support at the sad and sudden demise of our beloved Late T. Asuthong Yimchunger, who passed away on 08-02-2017.

Born on : 27-05-1978 We are also grateful to : Died on : 08-02-2017 1) Mr. & Mrs. Rokimong G/S NPF, Nagaland 2) Mr. & Mrs. Kihomong Yimchunger, EAC 3) P.W.D (H) staff, Tuensang Division 4) Mr. N. Mukam, SDO PWD (H) Tuensang 5) W. T. Phome, Cashier PWD (H) Tuensang 6) Mr. T. Keozhih, PS to Parl. Secy. NRH, F&ES 7) Mr. L. Lulaba Stm DHA, PWD, (H) Tuensang 8) Mr. Y. Kumtsu Yimchunger Dy. S.P 9) ANK JE PWD (H) Tuensang 10) YUTT 11) Yimchunger Union Dimapur 12) Yimchunger B/Church Tuensang 13) Mr. & Mrs. Akhum, President JGU, Nagaland 14) Mr. & Mrs H. Mukam, Ex. Candidate 15) Yimchunger B/Church Dimapur 16) Leangkonger Village Citizen Union 17) Leangkonger Village B/Church Women Department 18) Leangkonger Village Self Help Group 19) Leangkonger Union Dimapur 20) Prayer Committee, YBC Dimapur 21) Neighbours, friends and well wishers.

We deeply regret our inability to thank each and every individual but it is our humble prayer that our good Lord bless you all abundantly.

DP-1413

Loving wife, children, family and relatives.

K Y M C

12

Nagaland Post, Dimapur friday, february 17, 2017

sports

Vijender to face China’s Bayern crush Arsenal 5-1 in ECL Zulpikar for second title momentum and established a t wo - g o a l l e a d a f t e r Lewandowski’s back-heel through ball found Thiago Alcantara, who tapped home into the bottom left corner three minutes later.

The hosts were not done with the scoring as Thiago wrapped up his brace after scoring the 4-1 with a deflected shot from the edge of the box before Thomas Mueller rounded off the 5-1 victory two minutes after his fielding in the 88th minute.

Real bounce back to beat Napoli

Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller celebrates scoring their fifth goal.

Berlin, Feb 16 (IANS): FC Bayer n Munich thrashed Arsenal 5-1 after a dominating performance saw them pump in four second half goals in the fist leg of their UEFA Champions League prequarterfinal tie here.

Arsenal were only able to hold the pace in the first half on Wednesday as Bayern turned up after the restart to extend their Champions League winning record to 16 consecutive victories on home soil, reports Xinhua news agency.

The German giants

had a bright start in front of 70,000 spectators as Arjen Robben broke the deadlock with just 11 minutes into the encounter.

The Dutchman had all the time and space to cut into the Arsenal penalty box from the right before unleashing a curling shot into the top corner at the far post. Bayern controlled the proceedings but were unable to double the lead in the first half whereas Arsenal restored parity out of the blue when Alexis Sanchez tapped home the rebound following a blocked penalty

in the 29th minute.

The visitors had even the opportunity to grab the lead just before the break but Mesut Oezil failed to overcome Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from a promising position.

After the restart, Carlo Ancelotti’s men increased the pressure and pressed Arsenal into the defence.

The hosts’ efforts paid off in the 53rd minute as Robert Lewandowski headed home Philipp Lahm’s pinpoint cross across custodian David Ospina.

Bayern gained

Re a l M a d r i d h ave ended Napoli’s 18-game unbeaten run to take an important step towards the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they look to defend the title they won last season.

Goals from Karim Benzema, Tony Kroos and Casemiro here on Wednesday evening allowed Zinedine Zidane’s side to overturn an early opening goal from the visitors and give Madrid a two-goal cushion ahead of the return leg. The game kicked off with both home and visiting fans making lots of noise in the Ber nabeu and a surprise for Real Madrid with James Rodriguez back in the starting 11 while Dani

Carvajal was back form injury.

Real Madrid looked to take the game to their rivals, but Napoli took the lead in the eighth minute when Lorenzo Insigne saw Keylar Navas off his line and surprised him with a shot from all of 35 yards.

Real Madrid drew level 10 minutes later when the much-criticized Karim Benzema headed the equalized from a magnificent cross from Carvajal.

It was a thrilling first half and Benzema had the best chance to add to Madrid’s lead in the 42nd minute. But after getting onto the end of a move involving Carvajal, Ronaldo his shot hit the outside of the post under pressure from Napoli keeper, Pepe Reina.

Tony Kroos put Madrid ahead shortly after the break with a low shot from outside of the penalty area after Ronaldo cut back from a run to roll a pass into his path.

Casemiro scored a volley to make it 3-1 in the 55th minute with the impression that Reina could have done more to have stopped the ball. Dreis Mertens should have brought Napoli right back into the tie in the 68th minute, only for the Belgian to fire over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

FIFA chief not worried about hooligans Bengaluru to host India, DOHA, Feb 16 ( Ag e n c i e s ) : F I FA president Gianni Infantino said on Thursday he did not fear hooligan troubles at the World Cup in Russia next year and that he has not asked Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko to resign as chief organiser.

“I am not concerned about trouble in 2018, I have full confidence in the Russian authorities,” Infantino told AFP and a small group of reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Doha.

The comments came ahead of the broadcast of a television documentary in Britain on Thursday in which Russian hardline fans are said to threaten trouble against English fans who go to the World Cup. Russian and English fans clashed at the Euro 2016 tournament in France and several Russians were expelled.

WI’s Samuels cleared to bowl

Dubai, Feb 16 (IANS): West Indian all-rounder Marlon Samuels was on Thursday cleared to bowl in international cricket after his action was found to be legal, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced here. The 36-year-old was last reported fo9r bowling action during the Galle Test against Sri Lanka in October 2015 and was subsequently suspended for 12 months in December 2015 after an independent assessment revealed he had employed an illegal bowling action for the second time in 24 months.

“The Inter national Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that following remedial work and reassessment, the bowling action of West Indies Marlon Samuels has been found to be legal, and the player can now resume bowling in international cricket,” the ICC said in a statement. “On January 29, Samuels underwent a reassessment of his bowling action at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough where it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension for all his off-spin deliveries was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions.”

has asked Mutko to resign as head of the Russian World Cup committee, Infantino said: “No”. He made no other comment on the case.

Encourage co-hosting for 2026 WC

Gianni Infantino

Mutko has faced questions about his role as head of the Russian organising committee after being linked to doping by Russian athletes.

Mutko has denied any link to the scandal which a report by a World Anti-Doping Agency investigator said was “state sponsored”.

Mutko is seeking a new place on the FIFA council in a vote in April and must pass an integrity check. Asked whether he

Infantino said he intends to encourage cohosting for the 2026 soccer World Cup that could bring together three or four countries with four or five stadiums each.

Speaking during a visit to Qatar, which will be hosting the 2022 tour nament, Infantino also said he was “not at all concerned” about hooliganism at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“We will encourage co-hosting for the World Cup because we need FIFA to show we are reasonable and we have to think about sustainability long-term,” Infantino said.

Uzbekistan Davis Cup tie New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS): Bengaluru will host the second round of the Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie between India and Uzbekistan which is due to start on April 7, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) announced on Thursday.

The last time Bengaluru hosted a Davis Cup tie was a World Group play-off against Serbia in 2014. “All India Tennis Association (AITA) has decided that Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1-second round tie between India and Uzbekistan to be played at home from April 7-9 will be held at Bengaluru, under the aegis of Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association,” the AITA said in an official statement.

Commenting on the

development, Senior VicePresident of the Karnataka S t a t e L a w n Te n n i s Association (KSLTA) and organising committee chairman R. Ashoka said: “KSLTA has always been in the forefront of promoting the sport of Tennis and has been playing host to some amazing Inter national Tennis events.”

“We are thankful to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka for having extended his support to make this possible. We are confident of making this a successful event and this should be a treat to the sports lover of Bengaluru,” he added. Earlier this month, India defeated New Zealand 4-1 in the first round of the Asian Oceania Group 1 Davis Cup tie to advance to the next stage of the competition.

NEW DELHI, Feb 16 (PTI): After a successful defence of his WBO Asia Pacific title, Indian boxing star Vijender Singh will be in contention for a second belt when he takes on China’s WBO Oriental Super Middleweight champion Zulpikar Maimaitiali on April 1 in Mumbai.

Sources said that the double Asian Title Fight card will also feature former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Akhil Kumar and former Asian Championships bronzemedallist Jitender Kumar.

Their opponents, however, are yet to be finalised.

The 31-year-old Vijender, who overwhelmed Tanzania’s Francis Cheka in his title defence in December last year, is undefeated in the circuit so far and is currently training in Manchester under the tutelage of his British trainer Lee Beard.

The April 1 clash against Maimaitiali will be his third pro fight in the country and should he win the contest, Vijender would become the holder of two titles as both the boxers’ belts would be on the line.

Vijender’s previous two India bouts have been held in Delhi.

Carla Suarez pulls out from Dubai Tennis meet Dubai, Feb 16 (IANS): Spanish tennis player Carla Suarez Navarro on Thursday pulled out from the Dubai Tennis Championships, due to pain in her right shoulder.

The injury has already limited Suarez’s performance and led to her elimination from the second round of the Australian Open,reports Efe. After missing the tournaments in Brisbane and Sydney, Suarez announced that she will not play in the Taiwan Open, the Fed Cup against Czech Republic, or the Qatar Total Open, where she intended to defend her title.

The Spaniard hopes to recover completely from a tendon inflammation in her right shoulder, through physiotherapy and without having to undergo surgery.

Vijender Singh

Maimaitiali, who like Vijender, also made his professional debut in 2015, is eight fights old in the arena, having won seven of them. The Chinese No.1 has five Knockout victories under his belt.

He won the WBO Oriental Title last year in July by defeating Thomas Mashali of Tanzania by a Technical Knockout.

Vijender so far has

eight wins under his belt with seven of them being Knockout triumphs.

“The fight night will also see other top boxers making their pro boxing d e b u t i n M u m b a i ,” sources said. Vijender’s India promoters, IOS Boxing Promotions, are currently working out the modalities of the fight with Maimaitiali’s promoters in China.

Favourable draw for Saina, Sindhu at All England

Saina Nehwal

PV Sindhu

HYDERABAD, Feb 16 (Agencies): If all goes well for them, both PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal have a decent chance of winning the All England title this year. The draw, released on Tuesday, makes their bid a strong one as the shuttlers have an easy path to quarterfinals.

Saina is pitted against defending champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in the first round. Okuhara is not expected to give a tough

fight to Saina. The Japanese youngster is nursing a shoulder injury and had played her last international match in November where she withdrew halfway through the first-round encounter.

Sindhu squares up against Denmark’s Mette Poulsen in the first round and is likely to meet world No.1 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in the quarters. If she beats Tai, Sindhu may face Saina in the semifinals.

AR inter-sector boxing championship held Dimapur, Feb 16 (NPN): Assam Rif les Inter Sector Boxing Championship was conducted at ARTC & S, Shukhovi, from February 6 to 11. A total of 110 pugilists representing the twelve sectors of AR vied for the coveted ‘DGAR Boxing Trophy’ in ten weight categories.

Over the conduct of the preliminary rounds from February 6 to 10, the best boxers fought their way to the finals which was conducted on February 11.

In the finals, each of the boxers gave an account of their skills, courage and sportsmanship in the ring earning laurels for their respective sectors.

The event was witnessed by an enthusiastic crowd of over 356 personnel including families. Col Manu Sharma, Officiating D e puty C o m m a nd a nt ARTC & S graced the closing ceremony as the chief guest.

Rfn N Hayamo Ngullie of HQ 21 Sector was declared the best boxer and Rfn L R Liana of HQ 6 Sector was adjudged the best loser. HQ 9 Sector emerged as the Inter Sector Boxing Champions while HQ 21 Sector bagged the runners up.

Col Manu Sharma, Officiating Deputy Commandant ARTC&S giving away trophy to the winners of AR Inter Sector Boxing Championship.

RESULTS Weight Category Winner Runner up Light Fly (>46-49 Kg) Rfn N Rama Chairy, 23 Sector Rfn Lalmuan Puia, 9 Sector Fly (>49-52 Kg) Rfn S Aboh, 23 Sector Rfn Milan Meitei, 9 Sector Bantam (>52-56 Kg) Rfn Binod Kachhari, 9 Sector Rfn N B Tamang, 22 Sector Light (>56-60 Kg) Rfn Imlen C Ngullie, 5 Sector Rfn L R Liana, 6 Sector Light Welter (>60-64 Kg) Rfn L B Liana, 22 Sector Rfn N Henary, 25 Sector Welter (>64-69 Kg) Rfn N Hayamo Ngullie, 21 Sector Rfn D K Manga, 27 Sector Middle (>69-75 Kg) Rfn Y Rupachandra, 25 Sector Rfn Satendra Kumar, 26 Sector Light Heavy (>75-81 Kg) Rfn J Lotha, 26 Sector Rfn Sonu, 6 Sector Heavy (>81-91 Kg) Rfn Bishan Kumar Hamal, 9 Sector Rfn Basant Kumar, 25 Sector Super Heavy (>91 Kg) Rfn J S Bisht, 9 Sector Rfn Joban Joy, 5 Sector

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