Jan 15 2023

Nagaland

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JAN 14 (NPN):

Amidst the chorus for solution not election, visiting officials of Election Commission of India (ECI) reiterated that the commission was determined to conduct polls as mandated by the constitution and also exuded confidence in smooth conduct of the process.

ECI team which visited Kohima said this at a press conference Saturday evening when asked about the call by various civil society organisations (CSOs), including seven NNPGs, to abstain from election if no solution to the Naga political issue was arrived at.

In the briefing, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar reminded that the term of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) ends by March 12,2023 and that the constitution clearly mandated ECI to elect the next house for forming the government before that term expired.

Kumar also explained that ECI was mandated by the constitution to conduct elections and declare results before the term of an Assembly was over. He said the commission therefore, was duty bound to complete the process before the term ended.

On date of election, Kumar said that the ECI team which had toured the states going to election–Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura – will hold consultations and would discuss the feedbacks before making the decision.

8 loaders at IGI held for stealing from passengers’ bags

NEW DELHI, JAN 14 (IANS): In a joint operation, the Delhi Police along with the vigilance department of the airlines at the IGI airport arrested eight loaders working with ground handling agencies for stealing valuable items such as cash, jewellery, and electronics items from the flyers’ baggage.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Deepak Pal, Gautam Kumar, Moshin Khan, Rahul Yadav, Yashwinder, Pappi Kumar, Neeraj Kumar and Kamal Kumar. Police said that they all had formed the gang.

He also assured that adequate security personnel will be deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the polls. Kumar also said the forces would be optimally deployed, based on requirements. Kumar also reiterated that ECI would not allow poll malpractices like proxy voting, booth capturing, use of money and muscle power, etc and for which, authorities have been clearly and strictly instructed not to allow these.

Regarding Ladigarh polling station under Tamlu constituency, Longleng district where voters face situations during election, Kumar said the ECI discussed the matter and directed the chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) of Assam to extend full support. He said they would also ensure smooth movement of all election-related machinery for smooth conduct of the polls.

Female voters outnumber male: The commissioner informed the media that the Nagaland has a total of 13,09,651 voters who would be exercising their franchise in the upcoming election. Of these, 6,56,035 were females and 6,53,616

males. Further, there were 7,981 service voters, 6,970 persons with disability (PwD), 36,403 80-plus citizens, 1,675 centenarians (100+) and 30,049 first-time voters (18-19 years).

He said 2,315 polling stations would be set up across the State, of which 531 would be in urban areas and the remaining 1,784 in rural areas, while there would be an average of 566 voters per polling station.

He disclosed that 10 polling stations would be managed by PwD and 196 by women, including women security personnel.

He said assured minimum facilities (AMF) like ramps with proper gradient, volunteers, drinking water, waiting shed, toilet with water facility and adequate arrangement for lighting in the polling stations.

For senior citizens and centenarians, Kumar said facilities like postal ballot at home (Form 12 D), accessible polling stations, volunteer assistance, priority in voting, etc, would be provided that would inspire younger generation to participate in the festival of democracy. Similarly, facilities like ramps with

proper gradient, priority in voting, postal ballot facility (Form 12 D), sample braille ballot facility, wheelchair, volunteers at polling stations, pick-up and dropping facility and dedicated parking would be provided to PwD along with PwD app Saksham to facilitate voting.

He pointed out that besides voter ID card, one could also vote with approved documents for identification like Aadhar card, PAN card, passport, MGNREGA card, driving licence, pension document, etc.

He declared that the commission would reach out to the last man in queue for an inclusive and participatory election, especially in constituencies like 60 Pungro in Kiphire district and 44 Phomching in Mon district.

cVigil mobile App for complaints: Meanwhile, the commissioner said cVigil mobile app had been launched for vigilant voters and stronger democracy. He maintained that the app was created for alert citizens for recording and reporting any electoral malpractice and that it captured the GIS location of the citizen.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JAN 14 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio reaffirmed again, the commitment made by all 60 legislators that they were ready to pave the way when a final settlement of the Naga political issue was arrived at.

He said this while speaking as special guest at the inauguration of Chiechama dahou (amphitheatre) at Chiechama village.

Rio claimed that with Naga political negotiations at final stage, the State government would also like to appeal to negotiating parties to come to a logical conclusion.

As the chorus “for solution and not election” grew louder as Assembly election was to be held in Februaryend or first week of March, Rio maintained that even if solution is not arrived at before the polls, holding of timely election was a constitutional requirement that could not be avoided. How-

ever, if in the event election was deferred, Rio cautioned that President’s Rule would become inevitable and that there would be no government to stand for the voice of the people.

Rio mentioned that a team of Election Commission of India (ECI) headed by chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar were on a three-day visit to Nagaland to review preparations for the Assembly polls and announce the election schedule after returning to Delhi.

He disclosed that once election was completed,

census would be carried out, followed by the delimitation exercise, admitting that the previous delimitation exercise was not carried out in a proper manner.

Referring to Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation’s (ENPO) Frontier Nagaland demand since 2010, he said a cabinet committee was formed in 2011, after which the Centre was apprised about the findings and recommendation for granting Autonomous Council and financial package.

Even as the State government empathised with

DIMAPUR, JAN 14 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) and the Working Committee (WC) of the NNPGs on Saturday declared its “unconditional commitment to collaborate” on the basis of their respective agreements (Framework Agreement and Agreed Position) with immediate effect, “for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India.”

In a joint declaration titled “Nagas are moving ahead”, signed by NSCN (IM) chairman Q. Tuccu and WC/NNPGs convenor N. Kitovi Zhimomi in the presence of Forum for Naga Reconciliation, the two leaders

State’s first Sewage treatment plant inaugurated

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JAN 14 (NPN): Public Health Engineer (PHE) minister Jacob Zhimomi inaugurated the first ever sewage treatment plant-- “Pollution abatement of rivers Diphu and Dhansiri”, at Shozukhu village on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said it was a-long awaited project to be commissioned and a challenging one, in which PHE department had put up a lot of efforts to make sure that it was completed.

He expressed the hope that the project would be successful and have a positive impact on rest of the State as it was eco and environment

friendly. While congratulating the department for its effort in completing the project, he encouraged everyone to take care of the infrastructure and facilities and make best use of these.

Jacob said that the Central government led by Prime Min-

Jacob also spoke about the various waste management projects carried out under Swachh Bharat Mission like open-defecation free (ODF) and ODF Plus (Grey Water Management, Plastic Waste Management, Faecal Sludge Management, Biodegradable Waste Management and IEC). He stated that Nagaland was declared ODF in 2018.

They maintained that since the “September Joint Accordant” of September 14, 2022, both NNPGs and NSCN (I-M) had agreed to form the “Council of Naga Relationships and Coop -

the issue, he mentioned that the cabinet had urged ENPO to reconsider its demand in the greater interest of Nagas as a whole.

Assembly polls will be held as mandated by Constitution: ECI Ready to pave way for final settlement: Rio

Highlighting the importance of the amphitheatre, Rio said the dahou was a sacred place used by forefathers for village meetings, settling disputes, maintaining peace and for other social gatherings. He therefore urged the village to protect and maintain sanctity of the newly-constructed amphitheatre and called for promotion and preservation of Naga customs and traditions.

He also encouraged the gathering to avail Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative. He thanked the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for sanctioning the amphitheatre project and the village leaders for their cooperation and congratulated them on successful completion of the construction.

eration”, “to explore, at the earliest, realistic ways for Nagas to move forward on the basis of Naga historical and political rights.” In affirmation of this position, they said the NNPGs and NSCN (I-M) on January 14, 2023 declared their unconditional commitment to collaborate and work for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with Government of India. Tuccu and Zhimomi, therefore, appealed Nagas to stand with them “to prevent any further division of our shared belonging.”

“This statement is a political speech of the undeniable Naga soul,” they stated.

Remote Voting Machine: EC calls all-party meeting on January 16

NEW DELHI, JAN 14 (ANI): The Election Commission has called the chairpersons, presidents, and general secretaries of all the national parties for a meeting to be held on January 16. The meeting pertains to the demonstration and discussion of the Remote Voting Machine.

ister Narendra Modi had taken a serious note of the pollution in rivers across the country. He said Dhansiri and Diphu rivers in Nagaland were targeted as these had become highly polluted and the flow of sewage had to be stopped.

Delivering technical report, PHE chief engineer Thsathrichem Sangtam said the project was approved and sanctioned in 2005 by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under National River Conservation Plan.

Notably, to encourage domestic migrants to exercise their franchise, ECI on December 29, informed about a prototype Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM), which would enable migrant voters to vote from remote polling stations.

It said the inability to vote due to internal migration (domestic migrants) is one of the prominent reasons behind low voter turnout.

The migrant voter wouldn’t be required to travel to his/her home district to exercise his/her franchise.

The Commission has also invited all recognised eight national and 57 regional political parties on January 16, 2023, to demonstrate the functioning of the multi-constituency prototype Remote EVM. Members of the EC’s Technical Expert Committee will also be present during the demonstration.

The Commission has also solicited written views of recognised political parties by January 31, 2023, on various related issues including changes required in legislation, changes in administrative procedures, and voting method/RVM/technology, if any other, for the domestic migrants, the release further stated.

Over 3700 landslides in 7 years; experts question impact assessments

NEW DELHI, JAN 14 (IANS): Amid the reports of major land subsidence in Joshimath in Uttarakhand causing massive damage, government data has disclosed that a total 3782 instances of major landslides occurred in various parts of the country between 2015 to 2022 which have impacted lives and infrastructure.

According to the Geological Survey of India, about 0.42 million sq km or 12.6 per cent of the land area, excluding snow covered area, is prone to landslide hazard in India. Out of this, 0.18 million sq km falls in North East Himalaya, including Darjeeling

and Sikkim; 0.14 million sq km falls in North West Himalaya (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir); 0.09 million sq km in Western Ghats and Konkan hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra) and 0.01 million sq km in the Eastern Ghats of Aruku area in Andhra Pradesh.

The landslide-prone Himalayan terrain falls in the maximum earthquakeprone zones and also prone to earthquake-triggered landslides.

While the authorities talk about following proper procedures in setting up a project in vulnerable re-

gions and also in carrying out post-disaster assessment, experts have time and again raised the issues of a lacklustre approach in dealing with such significant

trigger for landslides was unprecedented high rainfall. The other important geo-factors such as terrain character, slope forming material, geomorphology, land use or land cover in different terrain are the preparatory factors for initiation of landslides. Moreover, anthropogenic causes such as unprotected slope cuts, blocking of drainage etc have also been reported in many of the slides.

Assessment (EIA). “There has been no proper assessment of a project’s impact on the environment and vulnerability of the area. Similarly, there is no proper system of assessment that how the project is going to perform in such cases of vulnerabilities. I have written on these issues to the concerned authorities, but, nothing substantial has happened.”

Governor greets on Sökrönye festival

DIMAPUR, JAN 14

(NPN): Nagaland governor Pro. Jagdish Mukhi has extended Sökrönye greetings to the Chakhesang community and the people of Nagaland.

issues of environmental and ecological concern.

As per the government, from the post disaster investigations of the landslides it was revealed that the major

However, environmentalist Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator at South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, pointed to flaws in the process of carrying out an Environment Impact

Similarly, we have failed in technical clearance. There should be cumulative impact assessment. “There is no concrete post disaster assessment even in case of major landslides.

“Sökrönye is a harvest festival and the essence of this beautiful festival is the sanctification of the Chakhesang community,” he said, adding that the rituals involved were meant to purify the souls, and the children also learn the rich spiritual and cultural practices.

On the occasion, Governor wished all a safe and a joyous festival.

Afghan rulers urged to reverse ban on women aid workers

noted that “in times of crises in the Naga movement, Nagas have always survived. Today, the loud chorus of the day from different directions converge us to action for the shared future of the Nagas.”

(5th from L) CEC Rajiv Kumar along with ECI officials addressing the media at Kohima. (NP)

Rio with village elders at the inaugural programme. (NP)

(L-R) Tuccu and Zhimomi after signing the joint declaration.

Jacob Zhimomi with officials after inaugurating the project. (NP)

Chakhesangs celebrate

Sükrünye festival at Phek

DIMAPUR: Chakhesang community celebrated Sükrünye festival at local ground Phek district on January 14.

A report by DIPR stated that the celebration was graced by the inaugural guest, leader of the NPF legislature party, Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu.

Extending Sükrünye greetings, Azo expressed gratitude to Phek Town Youth Society and Nehru Yuva Kendra Phek for organizing the Sükrünye festival in a grand manner.

He shared about the objective of the festival and said that the Sükrünye festival was to renew the body and soul and make oneself holy by cleansing the body and soul of the village as a whole, and bringing forth blessing and unity amongst all communities of Nagaland.

He therefore called upon them to cleanse their bodies and souls in the Christian spirit and forgive

and forget their past deeds and strengthen the Naga brotherhood.

Sükrünye greetings and invocation prayer were delivered and pronounced by Khosapa Venu, president of Phek Town Public Forum, and Dr. Vezhoto Soho, Associate Pastor PTBC, Vepasa Venuh and friends presented a special song.

Traditional fire making and Lighting of Sükrünye Torch, Top Fight, Catapult Shooting, Bamboo Pole Race, Greased Bamboo Pole Climbing, and other games were the highlights of the celebration.

All heads of the offices in the district hq. attended the inaugural function of the Sükrünye festival.

Dr. Dhinakaran to grace prayer

festival

DIMAPUR: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran and family will be arriving Dimapur to share the word of God at the “Jesus calls Nagaland Prayer Festival” to be held at Agri Expo Ground, 4th mile Diphupar from January 28 and 29.

The festival is coorganised by Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) with Jesus Calls, mainly to pray for the blessings of the state of Nagaland and all participants.

The organisers informed that Dr. Paul Dhinakaran and family will also share their divine experience in the “Jesus Calls Prayer” conference to be held in Dimapur from January 26, 9 am to January 28, 1 pm.

The last date of registration for the conference has been fixed on January 20 and accommodation facility will be available at minimal cost. Further details can be contacted at 6380752290.

Orientation workshop on IPHS 2022 in Kohima

sitting with the churches and community to work together and come into partnership in building up a community based health centres in those centres that were non-functional.

The resource persons for the workshop were, PHA, NHSRC, Prasanth K.S; NHSRC, NHSRC, Dr. Musarrat Siddiqui; NERRC, Dr. Surajit Chowdhary; additional commissioner and in-charge, nutrition division, MoHFW, Dr. Sila Deb; advisor, HRH, NHSRC, Mona Gupta; NHSRC, Dr. Poonam and advisor, PHA, NHSRC, Dr. Himanshu Bhushan.

Organisations condemn alleged murders

DIMAPUR : Odyuo Ekhung Wokha Unit (OEWU) has vehemently condemned the gruesome and heinous murder of late Terilo (Lucy) Odyuo daughter of late Nzanbemo Odyuo on January 7 allegedly by her husband, Logvusen Kent son of late Kegloalo Kent at Tseminyu village.

In a condemnation note, OEWU chairman, Er. Limhathung Odyuo and secretary, L. Ezanthung Odyuo have demanded “befitting punishment for life imprisonment to the murderer” as per the law of the land.

While extending solidarity condolences to the bereaved family, the Ekhung has also prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

WCMA: Western Chakhesang Mothers’ Association (WCMA) has vehemently condemned the brutal murder of late Khrutalü allegedly by her husband, Thejakolie Mayase and accomplice on December 24 at New Reserved Colony, Kohima.

In a condemnation

note, WCMA president, S. Nezolu Rhakho and WCMA general secretary, Kevezolu Tetseo said such dastardly act committed to the victim was beyond human comprehension. WCMA said the crime was not only committed against the victim but against all womenfolk and the society, tarnishing the good image of the Naga society.

Stating that it would not tolerate such crimes that endanger safety of women in the society, WCMA appealed the law enforcing agencies to go deep into the vicinity of matter and thoroughly investigate and make sure that perpetrator(s) are severely punished so that such act was not repeated in the future. It has appealed to the law enforcing authorities that the culprit apprehended should not be granted bail under any circumstances. Further, the association has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that God provide them comfort at this hour of sorrow.

NEWS IN BRIEF

RJD Nagaland emergency meeting: In view of the central party leaders visit, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Nagaland has convened an emergency state executive meeting on January 16, 3 p.m. at the residence of the state party president. Further information can be contacted at 8729811688/8974455644/7085544291.

GHC Kohima bench informs: Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, registrar, Neiko Akami has informed that deputy registrar (administration and protocol), K Temsutoshi has been designated as public information officer and assistant registrar (administration and protocol), Dr. N Renthungo as assistant public information officer in the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court under the right to Information Act, 2005, with effect from December 22, 2022. It has informed that the registrar, Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench would remain as the appellate authority.

JVC informs: Jakhama Village Council (JVC) would be celebrating “Jakhama Village Day 33rd session” on January 16 at Campion School Ground, Jakhama village under its motto, “truth and victory”.

NSCN/GPRN (Khango) directs: NSCN/GPRN (Khango) has directed all the members and cadres, who has been “coerced and confined/restrained” by the impeached general secretary Isak Sumi and has been abstaining from duties and responsibilities assigned to them to report to the legitimate authority on or before January 17, 2023. MIP of NSCN/GPRN (Khango) cautioned that officials/cadres failing to comply with the directive of the government, will be terminated from the active members of NSCN/GPRN-K.

DIMAPUR: A two-day orientation workshop on Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022 for the state of Nagaland commenced on January 13 at the Conference Hall, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DoH&FW) Kohima.

A press release by the National Health Mission (NMH) Nagaland stated that delivering a keynote

Assam Rifles conduct various activities

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles under the aegis of Headquarters Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR-North) conducted various activities across Nagaland.

Jalukie Bn: Jalukie battalion of Assam Rifles conducted awareness lecture on women empowerment on January 13 at Athibung and Tening villages of Peren district.

According to PRO defence the lecture aimed to create awareness about women empowerment and about role of women in nation building, career planning and various career choices available.

The participants were also highlighted about various assistance and guidance provided by Assam Rifles in education of students, training and coaching of girls for various recruitment exams and nurturing their talents in various fields. A total 19 villagers including members of women society, students and youths attended the event.

Dimapur Bn: Dimapur battalion on January 13 inaugurated drainage system at Sodzulhou Village under Assam Rifle Civic Action Programme.

Meanwhile, the village council had acknowledged the Assam Rifles for construction the drainage system which was the basic requirement of the village.

address, mission director, NHM Nagaland, Dr. Ritu Thur said the main objective of the workshop was to sensitise and create awareness to improve the areas of concerns in the state health sector as per IPHS norms.

Thur said the orientation workshop would bring lots of benefits in service delivery for the state and also help the department

improve the health indicators.

Addressing the participants, commissioner and secretary, DoHFW, Y.Kikhato Sema highlighted challenges faced by the health sector in Nagaland and requested all the officers present to propose for setting up health units only on need bases.

He also urged the officers to have a consultation

The workshop comprises of offline and online mode covering topics on importance of IPHS 2022, understanding critical areas, support services, planning for IPHS and linkages with DHAP, Anemia Mukt Bharat, human resources for health, public health management cadre, challenges and pssible solutions for IPHS implementation.

1st Death

i n Me M oria M of Lt. yanponi Lotha

Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu at the Sükrünye festival.

The workshop in progress at Conference Hall, Directorate of H&FW, Kohima.

Assistive devices distributed to PwDs

DIMAPUR: A “Samajik Adhikarita Shivir” for distribution of aids and assistive devices to “Divyangjan” under the Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) Scheme of the ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, government of India was organised by Department of Social Welfare, Longleng in association with ALIMCO and District Administration Longleng Saturday at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Longleng office.

According to a DIPR report, in a welcome address SDO (C) Longleng, Trongdiba Tongpi Sangtam lauded the efforts of the social welfare department and ALIMCO for organising the

assessment and distribution camp towards the “unfortunate people” of the district.

Trongdiba also requested beneficiaries to use all the appliances in a sensible and recommended manner as huge public money was involved in the procurement of these aids and appliances.

In a short speech, DWO in-charge Longleng, CDPO Longleng, Longlang Phom appealed to ALIMCO to hold more such assessment camps in different parts of the district in the future to ensure coverage of more beneficiaries.

ALIMCO officer P&O, Supongwati Jamir appreciated district administration Longleng and social welfare department Longleng for their support and enthusiasm shown during the as-

sessment camps held in September 2022. He mentioned that such an immense positive response and feedback was well received by the Ministry and thereby Longleng District was chosen as one of the 67 locations in the country to conduct “Samajik Adhikari Shivir” distribution programme.

Demonstration on the use of devices were performed by Suman KumarProsthetist and orthotist, ALIMCO and Jagganath Sahoo- Audiologist, ALIMCO.

Different type of aids and assistive devices were distributed among identified “Divyangjan” registered. The programme concluded with vote of thanks by EAC Longleng, Dr Samuel Akho Konyak P.

District level audit under MNREGA in Chümou

CAN convention at Jakhama; healing crusade in

KOHIM A/DIMAPUR, JAN 14 (NPN): Thousands of believers from across the state gathered at the St. Joseph’s (Autonomous) college Jakhama on the second day of the trienniel convention of Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) on Saturday,

The convention coincided with the 39th anniversary of the association.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural, advisor to chief minister, KD Vizo, urged the people to keep intact the “non-negotiable Catholic principles”.

Some of these principles, he said, included doing away with the practices of abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality among others.

As the apex religious body celebrates 39 years of existence, Vizo urged the faithfuls of the Church to retrospect on the core values and principles of the Catholic faith.

He observed that the occasion was an opportunity for the people to commit themselves to be good stewards of Christ on earth.

While acknowledging the role of the Catholic Church in the development of education and healthcare sectors, he observed that the Church has to cover more miles by means of establishing medical and engineering colleges and professional

institutions which in turn would provide employment opportunities and train the youth.

Speaking at the occasion, CAN president Johnny Ruangmei said that as the apex lay body of the Catholic church completed its 39th year, believers should be able to identify challenges that the church face and bring about strategic response to it.

He pointed out that Catholics of the state needed to wake up to be able to read the signs of time, particularly on identifying new realities of evangelization.

The inaugural session began with an invocation and Bible reading by Vicar General and CAN ecclesiastical assistant Rev Fr Nei-

salhou Carlos, followed by the lighting of candles while welcome note was delivered by SJC (A) principal, Rev Fr George Keduolhou.

St. Francis De Sales Parish and Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement (NCYM) gave musical performances.

The session concluded with a note of gratitude by CAN general secretary Thomas Magh.

In the first session, Rev. Dr. Dn. Sherman Kuek, OFS was the resource person. He spoke on the theme, “Credible witnesses of Christ”.

Sharing his testimony, Kuek, a former protestant pastor, spoke on how he embraced the Catholic faith and how people he met

along the journey were witnesses of Christ for him. The session was moderated by Pochury Catholic Union, president, Chichutho Jose. (Correspondent) Prayer and healing: A “prayer and healing crusade” was held on January 13 at NCRC prayer centre with director for Europe and Asia centre for Bible exposition language and translation (CBELT), Zutso as the speaker. The service began with the reading of scripture and prayer by Rev. Yanong Konyak while Along Thonger leader, Ruokuolhoulie Solo pronounced the offertory prayer; Michael Suohu and worship team from flames of fire church New Market Kohima lead the congregation in worship.

DIMAPUR: A district-level social audit public hearing under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MNREGA) and District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Dimapur was held at the Conference Hall of DC Chümoukedima, on January 12.

According to a DIPR report, chairperson of the meeting, project officer, DRDA Dimapur, Narola Imkong thanked the social audit team for taking the time to conduct the social audit in the villages for transparency. She also requested the villages to heed the advice and sug -

gestions of the team for development of the villages.

State resource person Social Audit Unit (SAU), Nagaland, Vepo Keyho informed that seven villages under Chümoukedima Block, 17 villages under Kuhuboto Block and six villages under Aghunaqa Blocks were audited during the last phase.

He mentioned that the SAU was established in the year 2014 for accountability and transparency of all the centrally sponsored schemes of all the departments besides MNREGA scheme under rural development department. Keyho said the social audit was being held regularly to review the

process of audit being held in the village level, which was later uploaded in the government website.

Detailed village wise findings, related issues, action taken reports and resolutions were also presented by the VRPs/BRPs/DRPs present during the meeting.

The board also reaffirmed the Gram Sabha resolutions and resolved to maintain detail transparency board for all the executed projects as per the specification of ministry guidelines.

The board resolve to organize Rozgar Diwas on a regular basis; to update job cards with all the necessary details; to maintain three

phases’ photographs for all the executed projects; mismatch amount between MIS and block office sanction was noted and resolved to take necessary action to rectify the error; recovery of Rs. 160,515 for Kuhuboto Block (Pishikhu, Kushoto, Luzheto, Kuhoto, Nishevi, Lukuto) and Chumukedima Block (7 Mile, Khriezephe, Sodzulhou, Diphupar, Kirha, Selouphe and Toluvi) was submitted in cash by the concerned resource person to the chairperson; recovery for other villages are given time till the end of January 2023 to deposit the amount to the concerned official; rectification in regard to mismatch of amount in MIS and Social Audit finding has been submitted by officials of Kuhuboto Block for Pishikhu, Padala, Phuhoto and Lukuto village during the Public Hearing.

Proper Transparency Board for the project work Approach Road (2308006001/RC/25684) under Nizheto village was given 14 days’ time to install a concrete board.

Festival greetings

DIMAPUR: NSCN/ GPRN (Akato Chophi) has extended warm Sükrunyi greetings to the Chakhesang Nagas. NSCN (Akato) MIP said Sükrunyi festival was celebrated during which boys and girls were consecrated though religious ceremonies and rituals.

Like the festival signifies, the group hoped that the Chakhesang brothers and sisters continue to thrive in prosperity in the days to come and also to usher and propagate peace amongst Nagas.

LJP (RV): Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Nagaland Unit has extended warm greetings to the Assamese community and Hindu community of Nagaland and neighbouring states on the occasion of Bhogali Bihu and Makar Sankranti.

The party hoped and prayed that the celebrations would bring a peace, happiness and prosperity to the society.

STRY training on ‘piggery, fish products’ held in Niuland, Peren

Book on T. Sakhrie’s vision released

DIMAPUR: A six-day Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) on “piggery rearing and nutrient management for enhancing productivity” and “value addition of fish products” organised by Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Dimapur ad ATMA Peren, respectively, in association with State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Nagaland and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) Hyderabad culminated on Saturday.

A press release by ATMA Dimapur informed that the training on “piggery rearing and nutrient management for enhancing productivity” organ -

ised at District Agriculture Officer (DAO) Niuland, office aimed offer modular skill training opportunities for rural youths based on local needs and to create a pool of skilled manpower to perform farm and nonfarm operations.

Briefing the trainees during the training, DPD ATMA Dimapur, Avitoli K. Yeptho said STRY programme was aimed to impart skill-based training to rural youths on agri-based vocational areas.

Resource persons of the six days training were ACTO (Animal Sc.) from KVK-ICAR, Medziphema, Dr. Ebibeni Ngullie and VAS, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Dr. T. Vekuto Sema. They spoke on

the importance of selection of breeds, breeding management, care during pregnancy and farrowing, feeding management, housing of pig and disease management.

Resource persons from ATMA, BTM (Kuhuboto Block), Akavi Holo and BTM (Niuland Block), Demalu Hasnusa highlighted the trainees on the success stories of piggery farmers and Self Help Groups (SHGs), piggery farm schools and vaccination drives conducted by ATMA with veterinary department during various activities.

The training also included field visits to piggery farms of progressive farmers for 17 youth participants registered

from nine villages under Niuland.

Peren: The STRY on “value addition of fish products” was held at Mhainamtsi village, Peren district with the objective of impart skillbased training to rural to youths so as to create skilled manpower to promote employment in rural areas and encourage them to take up such ventures for income generation.

A press release by ATMA Peren informed that during the training, resource person, district fishery officer and project director ATMA, Peren district, C. Dory Yanthan deliberated on the status, market size, scope of fish processing in Nagaland and India as a whole, and

encouraged on the entrepreneurship opportunities of fishery products. She also educated the participants on the health benefits of fishes, handling and freezing of fishery products, dressing/ filleting, mince-based fishery products, specialty fish products etc.

The training consisted of practical sessions where the participants were trained on fish handling and making various value added fish products, simultaneously training them on the packaging labeling etc.

Upon the completion of the training course, self-assessment test for the 20 participants was conducted and certificates were awarded.

DIMAPUR: Ahu Sakhrie’s book titled “The Vision of T. Sakhrie for a Naga Nation” was posthumously published by PenThrill Publication House was released on Saturday at The BookHome, Ko -

hima by Meno Sesa, older sister of the author.

A press release by PenThrill Publication House informed that at the launch, Dr. Kepelhusie Terhüja and Labu Sakhrie (son of T. Sakhrie)

gave insights into the book and also spoke about their close association with the author. The launching programme was chaired by the author’s daughter, Ketoriavi Sakhrie Metseio.

District level social audit hearing under MNREGA in progress.

Author of the book and others at the launching of the book.

(L-R) Resources persons and participants of the training programmes in Niuland and Peren.

KD Vizo (R) with Bishop of Kohima and other leaders at the inaugural. (NP)

Officials handing an assistive device to one of the beneficiaries in Longleng.

Extensive poppy cultivation found during aerial survey

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JAN 14: Manipur government will now use drones to destroy poppy plants extensively growing in hill districts of the state.

The state government has procured drones capable of spraying herbicides for use in the destruction of the poppy plants using herbicides, an official source said.

Flight tests and demonstration of drones were successfully carried out on the lawn of the state chief minister’s official residence today.

Informing the successful demonstration of the drones, chief minister N Biren Singh, in his Facebook page, wrote “These drones capable of spraying herbicides have been procured to intensify the state government’s War on Drugs campaign.”

In the post, Singh

reiterated his appeal to the people to extend their support and cooperation in the government’s efforts to completely root out the drug menace from the state.

The government decision to intensify the drive against illegal poppy cultivation practice using drones came up after large scale poppy plantations were found in the interior hill ranges during an aerial survey conducted on the previous day.

State consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister L Susindro

accompanied by some top officials of the state government conducted the aerial survey using a helicopter on Friday.

During the aerial survey poppy plants were found extensively in the interior areas of Chandel, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.

The state government will continue the aerial survey in other hill districts next week, the minister said, during a media briefing late on Friday evening after the survey.

In Manipur, police in collaboratio n with state

forest department and district administration have been conducting poppy plant destruction drives in hill districts in full-swing.

On the other hand, chief minister N Biren Singh, while expressing strong concern over the rampant deforestation for poppy cultivation, on saturday, asked the officials of the state police and forest department not to spare anyone found guilty of destroying the forest for cultivating poppy plants.

Attending a function “Emerging Manipur 2023” in Imphal on January 14, the chief minister highlighted the problems caused by deforestation and asked the forest officials to educate the people on forest related laws and implement the same.

He said that tree saplings will be planted in the deforested hills. Survey of forest areas will be conducted with the help of helicopters and drones and any poppy plantation will be destroyed, he added.

The function was organized to celebrate Mani-

pur winning India Today Group’s the Most Improved Small State Overall award recently.

In the annual state of the States Survey 2022 carried out by India Today Group, Manipur won the Most Improved Small State Overall after its performance in eight out of 12 categories - economy, infrastructure, agriculture, health, governance, entrepreneurship, tourism, and cleanliness. This was the third consecutive year that Manipur ranked the top slot among the small states in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh said that such a feat was the achievement of all the officials who had worked selflessly with dedication and the people of the state who incessantly support the government.

The government was implementing numerous developmental projects for the welfare of the people in various sectors like construction of roads, tourist attractions sites, reforesting of the deforested hills, he said.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JAN 14: Manipur transport minister Khashim Vashum on Saturday emphasised various initiatives initiated by the incumbent government for the safety and welfare of the drivers on the occasion of ‘Drivers’ Day’.

Driver community in the state on January 14 observed the 34th ‘Drivers’ Day’ to remember their colleagues who laid down their lives while discharging their duties.

Attending one of the observances in Imphal organized All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union (AMRTDMWU) jointly with other driver bodies, the transport minister said that the state government acknowledged the dedicated service rendered by the drivers in the land-lock state of Manipur.

“People of this landlock state are living with ease due to the sacrifices made by the drivers,” he said.

The drivers should be proud of their dedicated services as “our lives depend solely on the drivers,” he

said. The transport minister also informed that GPSenabled police jeeps have been deployed along the national highways.

Since the introduction of the dedicated highway patrol with GPS-enable jeeps, the drivers can now move on the highways any time without any fear, he said.

Driver community in Manipur has been observing January 14 as Drivers’ Day every year since 1991 to commemorate the day when thousands of drivers staged a continuous sevenday protest at Koirengei old airfield in Imphal highlighting their grievances in 1990.

The day became more meaningful when around 200 transport vehicles took

out a rally in Imphal city in June 1994 in protest against the brutal killing of one handyman named NoaremTarun Singh of Kakching by unknown armed miscreants at Jubja in Nagaland.

Following the incident, around 1000 transport vehicles gathered at Koirengei airfield and staged a protest for nine days which strengthened the unity of the drivers of the state.

On the other hand, commuters were hit-hard as almost all the commercial vehicles including passenger ones stayed off the road to join the observance.

Various unions of the commercial vehicle drivers observed the day at different places to pay homage to the colleagues who lost their lives while performing their duties.

Like in the previous years, drivers of the commercial vehicles including passenger service vehicles suspended their service for the day and took part in the observation of the day.

As a result of it, a marked reduction in the traffic volume was witnessed on the streets in Imphal today.

said.

ITANAGAR, JAN 14

(PTI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said smart cities should capture the imagination of people and focus on ‘feel-goodinducing’ interventions.

The Union Law and Justice Minister said this while reviewing the progress of Smart City Projects in Itanagar and Pasighat in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh through a virtual meeting.

“A smart city must be smart in all sense. Having smart infrastructure is not enough, we need to onboard people to make them think and behave smartly,” he said.

“We should sensitize citizen to become responsible to their city,” Rijiju said, adding that impetus should be given to smart policing, tourist-centric projects and aesthetics of the city.

While expressing his satisfaction over the progress of the projects in both the cities of the northeastern state on war-footing in the mission’s penultimate year, the Union minister called for completion of the projects as per the stipulated timeline.

“The Smart City Mission was launched with great fanfare in 2015. People

had high expectations about the outcome. Therefore, it is necessary that the projects are evaluated and completed as per the stipulated timeline,” he said.

Rijiju suggested that Smart City Mission could be converged with other government resources, architects, city planners and designers to make Itanagar and Pasighat dream tourist destinations while offering any kind of his intervention at the Centre’s level for smooth implementation and timely delivery of the projects.

Earlier, during his opening remark, state Urban Development, Town Planning and Urban Local Bodies Commissioner Neeraj Semwal highlighted the smart city projects being undertaken in two cities.

He informed that Pasighat Smart City is imple-

menting 43 projects for Rs 511.5 crore, of which 12 projects have been completed and rest progressing at various stages.

He added that in Itanagar, some 32 projects are being implemented worth Rs 559.15 crore, of which 6 are completed and rest in various stages of completion.

The chief executive officers of Smart City Pasighat and Itanagar made detail presentation on the physical and financial progress of their respective city.

Some of the major ongoing projects of Pasighat Smart City are market area up-gradation, smart roads, storm water drains, sewage treatment plant, solid waste management, river front development, and heritage redevelopment.

For Itanagar, multipurpose vendor market, automated car parking facilities, eco-tourism park, Yagamso River cleaning, bioremediation of legacy waste, redevelopment of Ganga Market, pedestrian sidewalks, CC roads, stormwater drains, artisan-cumhandicraft exhibition centre and redevelopment of IG Park are some of the notable projects under the Smart City Mission.

GOLAGHAT (ASSAM), JAN 14 (PTI): Disregarding prohibitory orders and a specific ban on fishing, people attempted to catch fish in ‘beels’ (natural waterbodies) inside Kaziranga National Park on Saturday to celebrate Bhogali Bihu festivities, police said. Police and forest authorities reached the spot and dispersed the crowd that also tried to block NH 715 that runs through the park, a police officer said. Golaghat District Magistrate P Uday Praveen had on Tuesday promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in the park, under which “…illegal entry and community fishing in beels, rivers and wetlands in the Kaziranga National Park under Golaghat district is prohibited with immediate effect.” People living in the adjoining areas demanded that they be allowed to fish as it is a tradition to catch fish from Kaziranga beels for Magh Bihu ‘Uruka’ feast.

“Hundreds of people gathered near Deusor forest camp under Burapahar range since early during the day for community fishing. They were allowed to fish in the beels outside the park, but soon they tried to enter the core area,” the officer

Forest personnel prevented the locals from entering the core area and there was some scuffle. The people then tried to block the national highway. But senior officials of forest and police arrived and brought the situation under control, with the people dispersing peacefully, he added.

The 430 sq km Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, is known globally for its one-horned rhinoceros. It is also home to tigers, elephants, deer, wild boars and several bird species.

Illegal entry into the park and destruction of wildlife is a cognisable and non-bailable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Praveen said in his order.

Besides, the congregation of a huge number of people during the community fishing may lead to traffic congestion on National Highway 715, he added.

Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu, is a festival marking the end of the harvesting season. With full granaries bringing joy to the people, feasting lasts for almost a week, beginning on Uruka, which is observed one day before Sankranti.

Chain of cylinder blasts in Kahilipara area

GUWAHATI, JAN 14 (AGENCIES): The Guwahati municipal police

a lodge in Dispur on Saturday and found a significant amount of illegal heroin. In response to specific information, a group of police officers under the command of JCP Pathra Sarathi Mahanta and ADCP Kalyan Pathak raided the Barak lodge and found 22 packets of heroin, reports the Sentinel.

The estimated value of the confiscated heroin is about Rs 2.4 crores, according to the police. For possessing the heroin shipment, one guy, identified as Mohammad Noor, was detained. According to information obtained, the heroin was being smuggled into the state from Manipur in an effort to sell it in various locations.

AGARTALA, JAN 14 (PTI): A day after the CPI(M) and the Congress announced that they would fight the upcoming Tripura assembly elections together, BJP leader and Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday termed the alliance as “unholy” and said people will give a befitting reply to the two-party coalition.

He also alleged that they allied with each other “for survival” in the northeastern state, where the two parties were considered arch-rivals.

“It was strange to see the last night’s development between the CPI(M) and the Congress, and leaders of the two parties were seen embracing each other.

CPI(M) had tortured hundreds of Congress workers, and now leaders of the two parties are holding each other’s hands for survival,” Saha told reporters on the sidelines of a government programme.

In a major shake-up in the political arena of the northeastern state, the alliance between the two parties was announced after AICC general secretary Ajoy Kumar held a meeting with CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Choudhury on Friday evening. Left

Front convener Narayan Kar was also present at the

The announcement marks a tectonic shift in the state’s political landscape, as the Congress was the main opposition to the CPI(M)led Left Front, which ruled Tripura for 25 years before being routed by the BJP in 2018.

Saha also said, “This is an unholy alliance… the people knew the tacit understanding between the CPI (M) and the Congress. They will give them a befitting reply in the election.”

The polls to the 60-member assembly in Tripura are due this year. He also rejected the allegations of shortage of food, shelter and livelihood in Tripura and said the opposition parties don’t see the all-around development, which is taking place in the northeastern state.

AGARTALA, JAN 14

(PTI): More than 250 lawyers of Tripura have urged CJI D Y Chandrachud to appoint a full-fledged chief justice for the High Court of Tripura in the interest of the people. The high court has a strength of five judges but it now has only two, including an acting chief justice, following the retirement of others.

The high court chief justice’s post fell vacant after Justice Indrajit Mohanty retired in November last year.

“We have submitted a memorandum to CJI D Y Chandrachud to appoint a full-fledged chief justice for the High Court of Tripura explaining the hardships faced by lawyers,” senior advocate Purushottam Roy Barman told PTI on Saturday. In the memorandum, members of several bar associations of the northeastern state also appealed to the CJI to fill up the vacancies in the high court in the interest of litigants and advocates.

Barman said that the scope for making appeals challenging a verdict of a single bench to a division bench has also been reduced due to a shortage of judges.

KAZIRANGA, JAN 14

(AGENCIES): Three people died and two more were injured when they were run over in the early morning hours of Saturday near the Kaziranga National Park. According to reports, a total of five people were run over by a speeding truck during the dawn hours of the day, reports the Sentinel.

Three of them succumbed to injuries, while two are under medical treatment. The speeding truck apparently broke the barricade on the shoulder of the road and fall into a ditch after running over the people.

The incident took place near the Hatikuli area of Kaziranga. Initial reports from the police suggested that a search was

underway for more people who might be buried under the coal, which the ill-fated truck was carrying.

“The truck was coming at high speed on the NH 37 at Hathikuli, Kaziranga at around 5-5:30 AM. The vehicle hit the people, killing three and injuring two,” mentioned a police official. The dead had been identified as Sikander Karmakar, Jagannath Karmakar and Agnesh Karmakar, and they are believed to belong to the same family.

A strict speed limit law is in place near the Kaziranga National Park to avoid injuries and death of wild animals that might come on the road. The speeding of a truck on that stretch of road proves that not all vehicles follow the speed regulation in the area.

GUWAHATI, JAN 14 (AGENCIES): After a home fire broke out early on Saturday in the Kahilipara neighborhood of Guwahati, tensions persisted. The incident was reported from a residence in Jotia that was close to a gas station. The problem was made worse, according to sources, when at least three cylinders also exploded as a result of the fire, reports the Sentinel.

According to sources, the fire completely destroyed a portion of the house, and the origin of the fire has not yet been determined.

Firefighters arrived on the site shortly after and, after battling for an hour, were able to put out the extraordinary fire. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported, according to reports.

Earlier, a terribly enormous fire tragically completely destroyed one house in Juria, Assam’s Nagaon district. The fire that started on Thursday night entirely damaged the house that Fakaruddin Ahmed owned in Poromaibheti. Ahmed’s house and many other priceless possessions were burnt to ashes in the roaring fire. The fire is said to have started because of a lit candle. Despite this, no injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of the occurrence.

meeting.

raided

Drones capable of spraying herbicides will be used in destruction of poppy fields in Manipur. (NP)

Khashim Vashum

Manik Saha

Kiren Rijiju

Apprehend with the seized drugs.

Security beefed up at Gadkari’s house

NAGPUR, JAN 14 (PTI): Security was beefed up at Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s residence and office here after an unidentified person made threat calls, police said. Three threat calls were received at Gadkari’s public relations office in Khamla area between 11.25 am to 12.30 pm, an official said.

“We are working to identify the caller,” the senior police official added.

Avalanche hits

J-K’s Gurez

SRINAGAR, JAN 14 (PTI): An avalanche hit a village in Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Saturday, but there was no loss of life or damage to property, officials said, An avalanche warning has been issued for 12 districts including Bandipora after moderate to heavy snowfall a day before, they said. The avalanche hit Jurniyal village of Gurez this afternoon but there was no damage, the officials said.

Car carries man on bonnet

NEW DELHI, JAN 14 (PTI): The police have registered a case against the driver of a vehicle after a video of a man clinging to the bonnet of the moving car was widely circulated on social media, officials said on Saturday. In the video, a person is seen on the bonnet of the white coloured car, they said. It is a case of road rage, said a senior police officer.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Ghanshyam Bansal said that accused has been identified and is being interrogated.

White crocs resighted

in Odisha

KENDRAPARA (ODISHA), JAN 14 (PTI): Bhitarkanika national park in Odisha has reestablished itself as the country’s most preferred habitation corridor for albino estuarine crocodiles with wildlife enumerators re-sighting 20 rare white crocodiles in the brackish water bodies and water-inlets along the wetlands of the park. The population of salt-water crocodiles has marginally increased in 2023 as per the annual reptile census with the counting of 1,793 crocodiles including 20 whitish estuarine crocodiles whereas, in 2022, their number was 1,784.

Indian armed forces counted among best in world: Army chief

NEW DELHI, JAN 14 (PTI): Indian armed forces is highly professional and counted among the best in the world which is a result of the indomitable courage of the veterans and their sacrifices, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said Saturday.

Addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen on the occasion of the seventh Armed Forces Veterans Day celebrations here, he asserted that inspired by the contributions of veterans, all the three services of the armed forces are “ready to face any challenge” in a formidable manner.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar shared the dais with the Army chief during the celebrations held at the Manekshaw Centre here. A large number of veterans drawn from the three wings of the armed forces had also gathered at the venue.

“Today, our armed

forces is counted among the best and highly professional forces in the world. This identity (of the forces) is a result of your sacrifices, indomitable courage and hard labour. Inspired by it, all the three services of the armed forces, as a formidable instrument, is ready to face any challenge,” Gen Pande said.

The Navy chief, in his address, said the armed forces of today is a product of the efforts, visionary lead-

JD(S) will get majority in K’taka polls: Kumaraswamy

BENGALURU, JAN 14 (PTI): Ruling out the possibility of a hung verdict, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday exuded confidence that his party will grow beyond its traditional old Mysuru region in the upcoming assembly polls and form a government on its own strength in Karnataka.

The former Chief Minister also claimed that there is a strong undercurrent in his favour, especially in rural areas, and people are saying “this time it is Kumaranna” (as Kumaraswamy is popularly known

among his supporters).

He said his party has already announced a list of 93 candidates for the assembly polls, which is likely by May, and will announce the second list of 50-60 candidates in about 10 days.

“In my opinion there will be a government with a clear majority this time, I have belief in it, I’m saying this as I’m able to gauge the pulse of the people. All these days it was said that JD(S) was limited to certain constituencies of the old Mysuru region.

ership, aspirations and selfless efforts put in by “each one of our veterans”.

“It is an honour for me to be present here and interact with you all. Today is also an occasion to remember and pay homage to our valiant warriors who dedicated their lives to the nation,” Admiral Kumar said. He said the Navy would like to assure everybody that it will leave no stone unturned in carrying forward the legacy of the

veterans. Commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, stealth destroyer INS Mormugao, and a host of other advanced platforms are just a small step in that direction, the Navy chief said.

“We have also inducted the first batch of Agniveers, which also includes women, and that is a bold, transformative step and which will contribute to making the Navy future-proof,” he added.

The IAF chief also extended greetings to the veterans on the occasion.

“From its humble origins, the IAF has carved out a reputation of being a formidable aerospace in the region today. This has been made possible only through the vision, hard work, and selfless service rendered by our veterans over the years,” he said, adding, the “sterling contributions” made by the veterans have always been a guiding force.

CHENNAI, JAN 14

(PTI): The Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan and BJP have approached police with separate complaints, seeking action against a ruling DMK man for his ‘abusive and intimidatory’ speech, targeting Governor R N Ravi.

In its complaint to Chennai Police Commissioner, Shankar Jiwal, Raj Bhavan said a video of a person, Sivaji Krishnamurthy using most abusive, defamatory and derogatory language and intimidation against Governor Ravi has been uploaded on various social media platforms, which is ‘going viral.’

Sivaji Krishnamurthy is a DMK orator. The Governor’s office, providing a copy of the video clip to police, said Krishnamurthy has, in the video footage, used ‘foul, abusive, defamatory and intimidatory language’ against Ravi.

The abusive and intimidatory speech attracts Section 124 of the IPC (assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power) besides other relevant provisions of law, De puty Secretary to Governor, S Prasanna Ramasamy said in a complaint.

The official requested appropriate action. Raj Bhavan officials were unavailable to get an official comment.

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, writing to the Director General of Police said Sivaji Krishnamurthy, ‘a renowned DMK abuser’ known for derogatory public speeches has abused Ravi and made unpardonable remarks in

his speeches.

“We hope the police do not turn a blind eye again and request that you kindly reprimand Sivaji Krishnamurthy for abusing the Constitutional head of the State. His remarks must not be construed as freedom of expression as we are sure the police would not deem it that way if the same derogatory language were directed towards the Chief Minister of the State.”

Further, the BJP leader said: “We look forward to some stern action to ensure the public stage is not used to spread filth, like how DMK men continue to use it for long. We also wish to convey that police inaction on such public slander would mean endorsement of the view.”

Ex-Union minister Sharad Yadav cremated in MP village

BHOPAL, JAN 14 (PTI):

Veteran socialist leader and former Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav was cremated with full state honours on Saturday at his ancestral village in Madhya Pradesh’s Narmadapuram district.

The mortal remains of the former Union minister were consigned to flames by his son Shantanu Bundela and daughter Subhasini in his ancestral village Ankhmau at around 5 pm amidst the slogans of “Sharad Yadav Zindabad”.

Yadav died on Thursday at a private hospital in Gurugram at the age of 75.

A large number of people from the surrounding areas reached the vil-

lage to pay tribute to the departed leader.

Earlier in the day, Yadav’s body reached Bhopal from

some 100 km away from Bhopal, by road.

Digvijaya Singh accompanied the mortal remains to the village from the Bhopal airport.

Talking to reporters at the airport, chief minister Chouhan said Yadav used to be his neighbour as their villages are located on either side of the Narmada River.

“Yadav was the main pillar of the JP movement. He kept fighting against injustice since childhood and became involved in the national movement in his student life. He changed the direction of national politics,” Chouhan said.

ers Yadav has not only seen the splendour of student politics but has also raised the prestige of Jabalpur in party politics.

Yadav had won the Jabalpur Lok Sabha bypoll in 1974 by defeating his Congress rival.

The

Union Minister Prahlad Patel told report-

“There might be ideological differences between us but our personal relationship was never affected,” Patel said. Besides Digvijaya Singh and Patel, veteran Congress leader and former MP Rameshwar Neekhra, ex-Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, Narmadapuram MP Rao Uday Pratap Singh and several other leaders were present at Ankhmau.

NDMA bars sharing details on Joshimath CBI ‘searches’ office of Delhi Dy CM

NEW DELHI, JAN 14 (IANS): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a letter to the government authorities and scientific departments not to share details regarding ground subsidence in Joshimath with the media till a conclusion is drawn.

The office memorandum came following widespread media coverage on the ISRO data on the ground subsidence at Joshimath in Uttarakhand.

The memorandum released by the NDMA

pointed out that the data released by government institutions are creating confusion among residents.

“It is observed that var-

Tourist increases in snow-clad Shimla

January 14 to 17. We were delighted to see snow in the morning and are heading to Kufri to enjoy it, a tourist from Delhi Shekhar said

About 250 roads including 177 in Lahaul and Spiti, 21 in Shimla, 14 in Chamba, 11 in Kinnaur, 10 each in Mandi and Kullu, two in Kangra districts and four national highways are closed for vehicular traffic while 623 transformers are disrupted in the state.

ious government institutions are releasing data related to the subject matter on social media platforms and they are also interacting with the media with their own interpretation of the situation. It is creating confusion not only among affected residents but also among citizens of the country,” said NDMA.

The letter, issued on January 13, further said that the issue was highlighted during a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 12. An expert group has been formed

for the assessment of ground subsidence at Joshimath, it added. “You are requested to sensitise your organisation about this matter and refrain from posting anything on media platforms until the final report of the expert group is released by NDMA,” it noted.

Reacting on this, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh commented on Twitter: “They make one Constitutional institution attack another. Now, the National Disaster Management Authority tells ISRO to shut up.”

NEW DELHI, JAN 14 (PTI): The CBI on Saturday conducted “searches” at the office of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with alleged irregularities in excise policy, Delhi government sources said.

Taking to Twitter, Sisodia claimed the agency did not find anything against him during previous raids and this time too it will be the same as he has done nothing wrong.

Delhi government sources said that the CBI team was conducting searches at Sisodia’s office

at Delhi Secretariat.

“The CBI has again reached my office today. They are welcome. They conducted raids at my house, searched the locker, made enquiries against me at my village. Nothing was found then and nothing will

be found now because I have done nothing wrong. Have worked honestly for the education of Delhi’s children,” Sisodia tweeted.

The CBI probe into the alleged excise scam was recommended last year by

SHIMLA, JAN 14 (PTI):

Tourists made a beeline to resorts in Shimla, Manali and Kufri after a fresh snowfall, increasing the occupancy in hotels to almost 70%.

As many as 7,164 vehicles had entered Shimla through Shoghi border in 12 hours till 8 pm on Friday.

The occupancy in hotels is expected to further rise by 10% by the evening, vice president of Shimla Hotel and Restaurant Association Prince Kukreja said.

The police have advised the tourists to keep in mind the heavy inflow of traffic to Shimla before planning their trip, drive safely at slippery points and call 0177-

2812344 or 112 in case of emergency. Slippery road conditions after rain and sleet caused great inconvenience for pedestrians and people came out only after the snow was cleared.

Manali received 23 cm of snow followed by 16 cm in Khadrala, 16 cm in Shillaro, 12 cm in Kufri, 10 cm in Bharmour, 6 cm each in Shimla and Gondla, 4 cm each in Dalhousie and Kalpa and 3 cm each in Hansa and Keylong.

The meteorological station here has predicted dry weather in the region for the next four days and cautioned of dense fog and cold waves in low hills from

Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti was coldest at night with a low of minus 7.9 degrees Celsius followed by minus 2.6 degrees in Kalpa Meanwhile, tourist destinations of Narkanda recorded a low of minus 2.5 degrees, while it was minus 0.8 degrees in Kufri, minus 0.2 degrees in Manali, 0.5 degrees in Dalhousie, 0.6 degrees in Shimla, 5.7 degrees in Kasauli and 6.4 degrees in Dharamshala.

The agriculture department official said snowfall and rains have ended the dry spell. With this, the rain deficit in January has reduced to 68%, continuous rains could reduce the loss of wheat and vegetables in the rainfed area from 20-25% to 10- 15%.

Kumaraswamy

Delhi LG VK Saxena.

Gen Anil Chauhan, Gen Manoj Pande, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Admiral R. Hari Kumar pay homage.

Delhi in a chartered plane and was received by Madhya Pradesh Chief

Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, state BJP president VD Sharma, and others.

mortal remains were taken to Ankhmau,

Shantanu Yadav carries mortal remains of his father after they are brought to airport, in Bhopal, Saturday. (PTI)

An earthmover is used to clear snow from the road following heavy snowfall in Shimla on Saturday. (PTI)

Seekactionagainst DMKmanfor vitrioliconGovRavi

People shift with their belongings from an unsafe building at Joshimath. (PTI)

Sivaji Krishnamurthy R N Ravi

Under the guise of unity

There are some who take it upon themselves, the role of interpreting what is unity but unfortunately their versions differ and so has variance over interpretation come to highlight why has pursuit of unity become a favourite emotional but a vain appeal. Unity can be understood in its entirety if those who speak the word truly accept what is the truth and not necessarily what they feel is right. Elected, selected and imposed leaders from both sides of the political spectrum use unity to camouflage their divisive agendas which are later exposed as in several instances. The people of Nagaland and also the motivated term called Naga Land are divergent in their view of unity as the difference in geo-political terminology. The word ‘unity’ may be used by those who have some vested interest for power politics under the garb of historical rights and ‘God given rights’ or even the ‘uniqueness ‘ of Naga history. Unless the people come up without fear or favour, to accept even uncomfortable truth; their silence can only mean assent to whatever misinterpretation and half truths which are being perpetrated. This is why even the future of the upcoming generations have been hijacked as a passive and rudderless society is muted and fearful. People in Nagaland and those beyond in lands in India and especially, Myanmar, described as ‘Naga Land’ or greater Nagaland have a stake if at all the political issue is to mean what is supposed to be. Unfortunately, the political issue is more about the people in Nagaland state and ‘Naga Land’(meaning those outside present Nagaland state in north east India). The way in which some leaders appear to claim wholesale rights over the political issue has made it like a Frankenstein. The lexicon being much touted in the political landscape is about Naga ‘rights’ have become synonymous with ‘assertive power’. In some societies- rights can mean a privilege; though it is sometimes difficult to determine how much is right and who is right. A plethora of rights which project agendas today are translated as Human rights, citizen’s rights, women’s rights, youth rights and the list goes on. In the past decades, political ideology was entrenched as inalienable and therefore un-debatable; there was no second opinion. It was either one either agreed with the common belief and if not, then a disagreement with the concept can only mean opposition. The recent development in Nagaland has again laid bare the fact that politicians try to sound politically correct by parroting ‘unity’ in the greater interest of Naga society but in reality practising just the opposite. Just like in social media where those who hide behind smokescreens troll and hound others, any dissenting voice about Naga politics is damned. The issue of solution could be better understood from the fact that even the use of the word ‘mandate’ trace the source to 1951 and for which there would be no compromises. The reality is being shut by the overuse of political jargons that continue to hold people to ransom. Unity is homogeneity and not a pre-requisite but free expressions by an informed opinion based on logic and reason.

DailyDevotion

Called By God

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” —Isaiah 6:8

God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, “…who will go for Us?” The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude. “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). That is, few prove that they are the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have had their spiritual condition changed and their ears opened. Then they hear “the voice of the Lord” continually asking, “…who will go for Us?” However, God doesn’t single out someone and say, “Now, you go.” He did not force His will on Isaiah. Isaiah was in the presence of God, and he overheard the call. His response, performed in complete freedom, could only be to say, “Here am I! Send me.”

Remove the thought from your mind of expecting God to come to force you or to plead with you. When our Lord called His disciples, He did it without irresistible pressure from the outside. The quiet, yet passionate, insistence of His “Follow Me” was spoken to men whose every sense was receptive (Matthew 4:19). If we will allow the Holy Spirit to bring us face to face with God, we too will hear what Isaiah heard— “the voice of the Lord.” In perfect freedom we too will say, “Here am I! Send me.”

(From previous issue)

Part – IV.

IV. Sema settlements in the Angami areas.

During the colonial days in the Naga Hills, some Sema areas of higher elevations, because of cold and steep terrain, produced mostly Job’s Tear, Corn and Millets, but only little Rice, the major cereal crop of the Naga. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr JH Hutton, in one of his tours, was told that the cold and difficult Terrain do not allow to produce rice and hence the people subsist only on Corn and job’s tear and millets etc. The DC suggested they go to terrace cultivating areas and request the people to allow settlement in their lands.

Since that time, Semas in groups once in a while began to migrate to the Angami areas for settlement.

Incidentally, Hutton introduced Terraced Paddy cultivation to the Sema area in 1908 for the first time. He also encouraged the people to grow Potato.

A. Sema settlement at Piphema.

Piphema is an Angami Village, and when Nichasier was Gambura of the Village, prior to 1921, some Semas went and settled in Piphema [“Chotobosti”] Village.

Latter, on a day of ‘Tsiekrapenyie’ [strict none working day of the Pagans Angami], the Semas busied themselves

‘What will unite the Naga?’

at building a house and violated the Work Taboo and therefore were asked by the Villagers to get out of the Village.

They went to the DC in their predicament.

The DC questioned them why they worked on the Gena day; the Semas replied they have become Christians and hence did not observe the pagan Taboo.

The DC asked them: “did you settle in the village, to live the way the Angmis lived or to become Christian?”

They said: “They agreed to follow the life of the Angamis.”

The DC said: “You violated their Regulation, so follow what they said” B. Sema settlement of Pherima.

Pherima is an Angami Village established by the Nagis of Jotsoma and the DC JH Hutton told the exiled Semas of Piphema that if they abide by the following:

Have the hair-cut in the style of the Tenyimia, Wear the Tenyimia ‘Kilt’,

Follow all the religious practices of the Tenyimia, Follow all the customary practices of the Tenyimia, They may go to Vichasier, GB of Pherima Village and live there. This was during 1921.

The Semas: “Khuzuche, Hovishe, Khayikhe

and Thaishe,” [names follow the spelling of the Original Records available with Mr. Zasilhuto, Retd Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, the only surviving today (2022) son of Late NikhalhuHd DB of Tsiepama.] all of them said they would follow all the conditions of:

1. The Traditional Hair-cut of the Angami, wear the Kilt of the Angami, follow all the religious rites of the Angami, follow all the practices of the Angami.

The Boundaries of the village was fixed in between Tsepama and Medziphema after having discussed the matter with the two Villages.

Mr. JH HUTTON, the DC gave them permission verbally then and there that day in the presence of:

LenjangHd DB, Nisor DB, Nikhalhou, later Hd DB;

And the DC’s Official Order was distributed to all concerned villages by Nikhalhu, later become the Hd DB of Chakhro Area, a recipient of British Empire Medal for excellence in Service together with Lenjang Kuki; who was also a signatory of the Naga Memorandum of 1929 to the Majesty’s Government of India.

C. Settlement at Kiyevi: In 1931, some of Khu-

kiye Village, in Satakha Area became Christians and the non-Christians of Khukiye Village expelled them from the Village.

On 1st January 1941 the Christians came to Kohima on their way to the Deputy Commissioner Naga Hills to plead for a boundary demarcation of the Land between the Christians and the nonChristians of the Village.

The Christians of Kohima, Rüzükhrie, Niser and some 6 others hosted the Khukiye Christians and gave them whatever bare necessities of the Stay, ₹40/- and 2 Hurricane Lanterns.

The DC told them to go to what was Kiyevi and to settle there; but they latter abandoned Kiyevi and went to Kiyeto and settled there.

D. Sema settlement at Siduma: Siduma was an originally AngamiVillege established by Sopunyü but due to Epidemics, the villagers abandoned it.

At that time about 1918, Nilhekhu and Nihokhu went and asked DC at Kohima to allow them to settle in the abandoned Village of Siduma but JH Hutton directed them to go to Tsepama and settle it with them.

Pfüsalie and Virhitsü were the Gamburas of Tsepama Village and on enquiry Nilhekhu&Nihokhu replied they would follow all the Traditional Cus -

tomary Practices of Tsepama Village: when they fish or hunt the biggest ones and portions will be given to Tsepama Village.

The boundary of the Village was the boundary of the old SidumaAngami village.

E. Sema settlement of Bagwema.

Bagwema was also Angami Village but abandoned because of Epidemics; under the instructions of JH Hutton, the DC Naga Hills, Khehoi&Shiato came to Pfüsalie and Virhitsü GBs of Tsepama. On agreeing to follow all the usual standing Angami Customs and Tradition, Khehoi&Shiato were allowed to settle in Bagema.

The boundary of the Village was given the boundary of old Bagwema Village. Accordingly DC Hutton made the Order and copies were given to all concerned and also kept in the Office of the DC at Kohima.

F. Sema settlement of Tsüüma.

People of Mezoma while hunting use to see ‘Tsüü’ Eagle birds resting on a tall Tree in the jungle and afterwards they established a Village in the area and called it ‘Tsüü’ma after the name of the bird. But the Village had severe Epidemic, many died leaving only 3 or 4 people and so the villagers abandoned the Village and went to Socünoma. At

that time Zhüikhu Sema, was working as the DB of the Deputy Commissioner Naga Hills and requested the DC to allow him to settle in abandoned village.

“JP Mills asked me to go and see the Area and to give a Report of my findings. I went to the area and found the Village abandoned, Züikhu also followed me. I gave my Report to the DC that the place is empty and the villagers have moved to other villages to live,” said NeikhalhuHd DB to the DC.

Latter, the DC gave permission to Zhüikhu to settle in the abandoned village under the usual Conditions. Zhüikhu DB told Neikhalhu Hd. DB that ‘Tsüüma’ is a bad Word in Sema tongue and therefore requested Nikhalhu, then the most honoured Hd DB of Chakhroma Area, to call it in his own name ‘Zhüikhu’. Nikhalhou said that they being friends live in peace and goodwill and so it is alright as long as we live in peace, but that is between us only.

JH Hutton, the DC had great concern for the difficulties of the Semas in their old hilly Terrain of their old places, and at his suggestion the Semas first started settling in the Angami Area in the abandoned epidemic frequented hot foothills Villages of the Angamis in consent.

(to be continued)

Thepfulhouvi Solo

Why white elephant democracy will fuel civil war in Myanmar, instability in India’s NE

Ensconced in ceremonial red-andgold brocade, Rattha Nandaka unsteadily marched toward General Min Aung Hlaing to be sprinkled with holy water as a traditional anthem played: “White elephants emerge during the reigns of great and mighty kings.” The General’s baby elephant, State media reported, bore seven of the eight marks of an especially-auspicious albino, including a “plantain branch-shaped back” and “pearl-coloured eyes.” “The precious white elephant beloved by the country will bring prosperity and happiness.”

Local social media sceptics seemed unimpressed. “It seems like they forgot to put suncream on,” someone posted, “Now it’s black.” Black or white, responded another user, the baby elephant was “now a prisoner”.

This summer, the military junta ruling Myanmar is expected to hold elections to legitimise the coup it staged two years ago. The rules, international studies professor Mary Callahan writes, are likely to be rewritten to ensure no single party can dominate parliament, as former State Counsellor and foreign minister Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) did in 2015 and 2020. Even that, though, might not be enough: Ferocious fighting is underway in much of the country, with assassinations of local government functionaries and regime supporters being reported regularly.

The white elephant is just part of an image-building exercise for General Min, casting him in the tradition of Burma’s great kings. To earn merit, the junta leader donated giant rubies, believed to possess mystical powers, and consecrated new pagodas. The General has also granted himself titles such as ‘The Most Glorious Order of Truth,’ which comes with

a ruby-studded gold sash.

Elections, though, will be needed if the rising emperor is to have real legitimacy. To do that, he needs to buy support from the powerful ethnic armies which rule large swathes of Myanmar—and stamp out those who won’t fall in line.

Generals and warlords

Everything is for sale to the tycoons who roll up at the casinos in Myanmar’s Little Mong La in their BMWs: Teenage sex workers trafficked from Thailand, pangolin foetuses in wine, white rhino horn, and drugs. Lin Mingxian, a one-time Red Guard in Mao Zedong’s China, had arrived in the country’s Shan region to fight alongside communist insurgents. Lin later established his own armed group, emerged as a major figure in opium trafficking—and then signed a ceasefire brokered by intelligence chief LieutenantGeneral Khin Nyunt in 1989.

Lin received something resembling independence in return for ending attacks on the Myanmar military—and proceeded to launder his drug money by investing it in casinos. The warlord even declared his territories opium free, though experts believe he continued to earn revenues from cross-border trafficking through his territories

Through marriage alliances with other powerful warlords—key among them the legendary Kokang-Chinese druglord Peng Jiasheng—Lin steadily expanded his empire. The enterprise, scholar Bertil Lintner records, received support from China, which saw the little empires of the warlords as a tool to expand their influence.

Even though the China-warlord relationship has not always been smooth—Beijing was irked by the explosion of cybercrime operations out of the region after the casino business was hit

during the pandemic—the relationship has strategic value for both sides.

This month, General Min is reportedly negotiating with Lin’s National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), the Peng-founded United Wa State Party (UWSP), and the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) to allow elections in the territories they control. Deng Xijun, China’s special representative for Myanmar, is also reportedly in talks with these insurgent groups. The ethnic militia that has grievances with the NLD, like the Mon Unity Party (MUP), the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), and the powerful Arakan National Party (ANP), might also choose to participate in elections.

An army among Warlords

Even though the Myanmar armed forces legitimise themselves as the custodians of Burmese nationalism, their actual role has been as the country’s largest warlord—not a professional military.

From the 1930s, as Burmese nationalist politicians recognised the need to back up their anti-colonial movement with armed struggle, they formed Tat or popular militia. Aung San, the founding patriarch of modern Burma, himself led a Tat called the Pyit Yebaw Aphwe, or People’s Volunteer Organization (PVO), in 1945.

Following independence, armed Tat, linked to various individuals and parties, continued to operate with loose control by the government. These militias were driven by ideological commitments—not loyalty to the norms and constitutions of a nation-state. Electoral violence was common. In the 1950s, candidates of the ruling Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL) campaigned with so-called pocket armies— resulting in fighting so intense that elections had to be held unconstitution-

ally in three phases. Following the coup d’etat of 1962, international relations professor Maung Aung Myoe observes, the military began to systematically indoctrinate its personnel in Left-wing political ideals. The collapse of the so-called ‘Burmese Way’ to Socialism in 1988 led to these beliefs being abandoned. The military, however, continued ideological indoctrination, focusing instead on the ‘three national causes’: the unity of the Union, the maintenance of national solidarity, and the preservation of national sovereignty.

The mass of ethnic insurgencies that challenged the military led to its adopting what became known as the ‘Four Cuts strategy’. Academic Lionel Beehner writes: “Cut off ethnic militias’ access to food, cut off funds, cut contacts and intelligence, and ‘cut off the insurgents’ head” by ending recruitment. These ends were often pursued with extraordinary savagery, including the use of air power against civilian populations.

Without the resources to effectively control the ground, the Myanmar military increasingly depended on alliances with local actors, like rival ethnic militias and narcotics traffickers. These alliances, academic John Buchanan notes, were inevitably fluid and contingent. Even militia closely allied with the government relied heavily on criminal activities to fund themselves. This meant ceasefires and alliances with the government did not push forward State-building and the rule of law.

An endless war?

Like it has so often in the past, the military has responded to challenges to its rule with barbarism.

Faced with mounting casualties, the International Crisis Group has reported, the military is using “longrange artillery, airstrikes

and airborne assaults on populated areas, such as the towns of Mindat (in Chin State) and Demoso (in Kayah State). The rebel village of Khin-U, in Sagaing province, is reported to have suffered the loss of almost 2,500 homes. Large-scale massacres of civilians have taken place.

Though it stops short of authorising lethal assistance, the Burma Act, signed into law by US President Joe Biden in December 2022, shows patience with the Myanmar military running out in Western capitals. Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, too, are increasingly frustrated with the military’s conduct.

General Min, however, will be counting on support from China to sustain the regime. China sees Myanmar as a strategically critical back door for access to the Indian ocean. The gargantuan Mong Tong dam on the Salween River in Shan, as well as road and rail links from Kunming in southern China to the Kyaukphyu deep seaport in Rakhine, show China’s continued willingness to sink cash into the regime. The mili-

tary, moreover, has access to funding through the criminal networks it presides over and extracts revenues from. For now, India has sought to maintain its ties to Myanmar’s military—knowing it holds the key to peace in the Northeast. Following the failed pro-democracy protests of 1988, New Delhi paid a heavy price for severing links with the Generals. From 2010, however, efforts to rebuild the relationship paid off, and the Myanmar armed forces shut down Naga and Manipuri insurgent bases across the border. That, in turn, put pressure on insurgents to agree on ceasefires with the government.

The intensified insurgency in Myanmar, though, could leave the military in no position to keep delivering on its commitments to India. Should China gain greater influence, the Generals might also have little incentive to do so. New Delhi needs to start preparing for bad outcomes in the Northeast by racing to turn ceasefires with insurgent groups into durable political agreements.

Praveen Swami

Appeal to CSOs and administration

Sir, Common Public Platform raises concern and asks of various Civil Society Organizations and concerned Administrations to come forward and look into the matter of Piggery farms supplying dead pigs to farms and butcher shops within the state of Nagaland. It is saddening that such degenerating practices are left unchallenged and it is Common Public who is being exploited at large. It will be for common good if such illicit practices are stopped and be reformed lawfully.

Pukhai Chishi

Common Public Platform 4th mile, Chekiye Village

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.

Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish. ~ Albert Einstein

SNIPPETS

Tiger captured

from Kerala’s Wayand

WAYANAD, JAN 14 (PTI): The Forest Department officials on Saturday captured a tiger which was suspected to have attacked and killed a farmer at Mananthavady near here two days ago. The team found the big cat in a plantain farm based on information provided by the locals and tranquilized the animal after hours long effort, a senior forest official said. “The animal was tranquilized from a place near Kalpetta. It has been shifted to Bathery government animal care hospital to monitor its health,” the official told PTI. He said the tiger is around 10-years-old.

Three drown after car falls into canal

HISAR (HARYANA), JAN 14 (PTI): Three persons drowned when their car fell into a canal near the Pipla bridge, about 40 km from here, police said on Saturday. The accident occurred around 11 pm on Friday, they said. The victims were all residents of Garhi Ujla Khan village in Sonipat district, Bass police station SHO Pavitar Kumar said. They were returning to their village from Punjab, he said. The bodies have been taken to Civil Hospital - Hansi for post mortem, Kumar said.

Farmers in wedding attire hold protest

LATUR, JAN 14 (PTI): Several farmers in attire normally worn during weddings held a protest march against the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) in Latur in Maharashtra, an official said on Saturday. The protesters, some on horseback, told reporters outside the Nilanga office of MSEDCL on Friday that they had paid for distribution transformers (called DP in local parlance) in 2018 but were yet to get electricity connections. The protest was led by local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Limban Reshme, who said the state authorities must look into the problems of farmers and come up with a solution.

SC concerned over media trial

NEW DELHI, JAN 14 (PTI): Hate speeches are a “complete menace”, the Supreme Court observed on Friday and rued the lack of regulatory control on TV news content, saying it wants “free and balanced press in India”.

The top court said nowadays everything is driven by TRP (television rating point) and channels are competing with each other and creating a division in society. It wondered why can’t a TV news anchor, if they become a part of the problem of propagating hate speech, be taken off air.

It said unlike for print media, there is no Press Council of India for news channels, and observed “We want free speech, but at what cost”.

A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna, which was hearing a batch of petitions seeking a curb on hate speech incidents across the country and

action against the culprits, said, “Hate speech has become a complete menace. It has to stop.”

Expressing concern over media trial, the bench pointed to the recent incident of a man allegedly urinating on an Air India flight, saying, “He was called names. Media people should understand he is still under trial and he should not be denigrated. Everyone has dignity.” Justice Joseph said TV channels are competing with each other as news coverage is TRP-driven.

“They sensationalise everything and create divisions in society because of

Man appearing for interview with fake call letter detained

KOLKATA, JAN 14

(IANS): A new dimension in the multi-crore teacher’s recruitment scam in West Bengal came to light when a youth appeared for a primary teacher’s interview with a forged call letter. He has been detained.

The incident took place on Saturday afternoon. The man has been identified as Pritam Ghosh. Questions are being raised on Ghosh’s forged call letter that looks identical to the original call letters issued by WBBPE.

Ghosh’s movements appeared suspicious to Sourav Ghosh, an official of WBBPE.

Sourav Ghosh, while talking to the media, said: “After he handed over the interview-call letter, I became suspicious since it did not carry the signature of the candidate. Then I cross checked the list of candidates who were supposed to appear for the interview on Saturday. The name of the youth, Pritam Ghosh was not there in the list.”

the visual element. Unlike the newspaper, the visual medium can influence you much more and unfortunately, the audience is not mature enough to see these kind of content,” he said.

He said many a time during live debates the anchors became part of the problem as they either mute the voice of the person sitting in a panel or don’t allow them to present a counter view.

Justice Nagarathna said if TV channels are found to be violating the programme code by indulging in propagation of hate speech, action can be taken against their management.

“We want free and balanced press in India,” she said.

The counsel representing the News Broadcasters Association claimed that thousands of complaints have been received in the past year and action taken against the channels.

Jammu-Srinagar National Highway opens for traffic

JAMMU, JAN 14 (IANS):

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which was blocked for the second day due to snow accumulation at Banihal, and shooting stones and mudslides at Ramban and Panthiyal, has been opened for traffic, officials said on Saturday.

Many vehicles, mostly trucks were stranded on the Highway after it was closed due to rains and snow on Friday. “After clearance of snow and debris on Jammu-Srinagar Highway, passenger vehicles have been released from both sides,” J&K traffic police said.

The Highway is the lifeline of the Valley and the main road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of India. Trucks to and from Kashmir laden with essential supplies along with fruit carrying trucks, among other vehicles, use this road.

DEHRADUN, JAN 14 (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday inaugurated the Shaurya Sthal, a war memorial dedicated to martyred soldiers from Uttarakhand at Cheer Bagh here.

Accompanied by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, the defence minister laid a wreath at the war memorial to pay

tribute to the brave soldiers of the state martyred in the service of the nation.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay, who was instrumental in the launch of the project, Tehri MP Rajya Lakshmi Shah and Cabinet minister Ganesh Joshi were also present on the occasion.

The war memorial consists of seven pillars on which the names of 1,400

martyrs from Uttarakhand have been carved.

Addressing the armed forces, veterans and war widows on the occasion of Veterans Day, Singh said the country’s borders are safe and it can stand with pride today because of them.

“Your contribution to the country’s socio-economic development is very big. We can stand with pride today because of you. Words are not enough to praise your valour,” Singh said.

The defence minister said he does not want to talk about the steps taken by the government for their welfare because it is the government’s foremost duty.

“It is just a small bit that we can do to reciprocate the great sacrifices you make for the country,” he said. The entire country owes a debt of gratitude to the war veterans,” he said.

Congress MP dies during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jalandhar

NEW DELHI, JAN 14 (PTI): Congress leaders expressed shock and sadness over the sudden demise of the party’s Jalandhar MP, Santokh Singh Chaudhary, during the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Saturday.

Chaudhary (76) died in the morning after suffering a cardiac arrest during the foot march at Phillaur in Jalandhar. The Congress suspended the yatra for 24 hours as a mark of respect for the departed leader.

In a letter to Chaudhary’s wife Kamaljeet Kaur,

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi said she was saddened to learn of Chaudhary’s demise and could understand her and her family’s pain. “His demise is an irreparable loss for the party,” she said, describing Chaudhary as one who stood by the Congress ideology and remained a dedicated worker all his life while serving the society.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Chaudhary’s demise is a great blow to the organisa-

tion. “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the untimely passing away of our MP, Shri Santokh Singh Chaudhary. His loss is a great blow to the party

AAP workers protest outside Delhi BJP office over demolition drive

NEW DELHI, JAN 14

(PTI): Aam Aadmi

The

Body chopped into three parts found

in Delhi

(IANS): The Delhi Police’s Special Cell has recovered a body chopped into three pieces from the Bhalswa Dairy area based on the disclosures made by two men, who were arrested for their suspected links with terror organisations, sources said on Saturday.

Jagjit Singh (29) alias Jagga alias Yaqub, a resident of Uttarakhand, and Naushad (56), a resident of Jahangirpuri, were arrested by the police on Thursday for their alleged links with anti-national elements. More details are awaited.

On Friday, the Special Cell had recovered two hand grenades from their rented accommodation in the Bhalswa Dairy area.

“The disclosures made by the accused led the police to their rented accommodation at Shradha Nand Colony under the Bhalswa Dairy police station area. Two hand grenades were recovered from their room,” said a senior police officer.

“Traces of human blood were also found by the forensic team,” the officer said. The police said they have also recovered three pistols along with 22

bullets. The duo was been sent to 14-day police custody on Friday.

According to the police, Naushad is associated with Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Harkat-ulAnsar, operating primarily in Kashmir. He has been a life convict in two cases of murder and was also sentenced to 10 years in prison in a case under the Explosives Act. Jagjit Singh is a member of the notorious Bambiha gang, the police said.

won’t let anybody’s house get demolished. “What is wrong with BJP? Why are they acting against the people of Delhi?”

Party leader Aadil Ahmad Khan said the party’s agitation against the demolition order will be taken to the streets near Parliament as well. “It was in the BJP’s manifesto that all slum dwellers will be given a house at the same place where slums are. But now, they are sending notices to demolish slums,” he said.

The Delhi government, in its notice directing the PWD to withdraw the demolition order, said it was “inhuman” to do so at the peak of winter and without making an alternate arrangement for the residents.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the PWD portfolio, had earlier this week tweeted, “PWD officials have been ordered to immediately withdraw the order to demolish slums located near Dhaula Kuan.”

and organisation. In this hour of grief, my heart goes out to his family, friends and followers. May his soul rest in peace,” Kharge wrote on Twitter.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted pictures of Chaudhary walking with him during the yatra.

“Shocked by the sudden demise of Santokh Singh Chaudhary. He was a hard working and down to earth gentleman. A strong pillar of the Congress family, he dedicated his life to public service from the

Youth Congress to a member of Parliament,” Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. In a Facebook post, the former Congress chief said he offered his respects to Chaudhary at the latter’s Jalandhar residence.

“He was a strong pillar of the Congress party who spent his life in public service, and stood for justice and welfare for all, until his last breath. Met and expressed my condolences to his family. He shall be dearly missed,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on Facebook.

Party workers on Saturday staged a protest outside the Delhi BJP office, days after the city government directed its Public Works Department to immediately withdraw an order to demolish slums located near Dhaula Kuan.

PWD had on December 29 issued a notice asking slum dwellers in the Dhaula Kuan area to vacate the land within 15 days.

AAP MLA Somnath Bharti asserted that his party

NEW DEL HI, JAN 14

Rajnath Singh with Pushkar Singh Dhami, Gen Anil Chauhan and others during a function in Dehradun. (PTI)

Santokh Singh Chaudhary

Police use water cannons to disperse AAP activists during their demonstration in New Delhi, Saturday. (PTI)

Delhi Police recovered chopped body from Bhalswa drain.

RBI Das seeks ban on crypto; calls it gambling

(AGENCIES): Reserve

Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday said that cryptocurrency should be completely banned from the country and it can just be called ‘gambling.

On being asked about his stance on crypto at the BT’s Banking & Economy Summit in Mumbai, “RBI’s position is very clear, all cryptos should be banned. However, the technology of blockchain needs to be supported as it has so many other applications.”

Explaining further about the reason behind the crypto ban, Das said that besides the commonly known danger of terror funding, the definition of cryptocurrency is very unclear. “Some people call it as an asset, while others call it as a financial product and if that be the case, it has to have some underline. In the case of crypto, there is no

Ready to pave way for final...

(From p-1)

Earlier, in his welcome address, Chiechama Village Council chairman Mhalezolie Metha thanked the chief minister for his support to the project and appealed to continue to lead the people towards development and progress.

Amphitheatre Building Committee convener Kezhazelhou Theünuo gave a report on the project.

The programme was chaired by vice-president Chiechama Officers Krotho Shyien Vihienuo and dedicatory prayer was offered by CRC Chiechama pastor Rev Levi Rio. Head GB Pukuolie Chadi invoked elderly blessing, songs were presented by Chiechamiapfü Mechü Krotho, CBKK and the vote of thanks was delivered by Neitso Sogotsu (VCM).

underline.”

Das also highlighted the volatility in prices of cryptocurrency, which makes it unreliable. “The volatility in prices is based on the make-believe concept where a particular crypto’s price can go up or down. So, anything that comes without any underline whose valuations is entirely dependent on make-believe is just 100 per cent speculation or it can be bluntly termed as gambling.” India doesn’t allow gambling and if cryptocurrency should be treated as gambling, then there

should be specific rules for that. “Crypto is not a financial product then, therefore crypto masquerading as a financial product or asset is completely a misplaced argument.”

On the macro-level, he said, “Cryptocurrencies have the potential to become a means of exchange for doing a transaction. Most of it is dollar denominated and if one allows it to grow, which means 20 percent of the transactions is happening through crypto, that means it is not happening by the central bank and it is issued by private companies all over the world.”

If the transactions start happening via crypto, then RBI will lose control over the money supply in the economy. “RBI’s authority to decide on monetary policy and the level of liquidity that needs to be maintained will be undermined. It will lead to the dollarisation of the economy.”

Over 3700 landslides in 7 years; experts question impact assessments

(From p-1)

That, how it happened, how agencies performed and how it could be improved, such crucial exercises are not carried in proper manner, this did not happen properly even in major landslides of Kedarnath and Chamoli,” he added.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), landslides and avalanches are among the major hydro-geological hazards that affect large parts of India besides the Himalayas, the Northeastern hill ranges, the Western Ghats, the Nilgiris, the Eastern Ghats and the Vindhyas, in that order, covering about 15 % of the landmass.

Officials said that the Northeastern region is badly affected by landslide problems of a bewildering variety. Landslides in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal as also those in Sikkim, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh pose chronic problems, causing recurring economic losses worth billions of rupees. A different variety of landslides, characterized by a lateritic cap, pose a constant threat to the Western Ghats in the South, along the steep slopes overlooking the Konkan coast besides the Nilgiris, which is highly landslide prone.

According to government information, the Geological Survey of India in collaboration with the British Geological Survey (BGS) under the National Environmental Research Council (NERC), UK funded, multi-consortium LANDSLIP project has developed a prototype regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) for India, and the same is currently being evaluated and tested by the GSI in two pilot areas in India at Darjeeling district, West Bengal and the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu. A similar testing procedure has also been extended to Kalimpong district in West Bengal.

Assembly polls will be held as mandated...

(From p-1)

He said the response time was 100 minutes and a citizen could remain anonymous if he or she wished so without mentioning his or her name.

Candidates to publish criminal records: To learn about their background, the commissioner said affidavits filed by the candidates would be made available online on https:// affidavit.eci.gov.in/ and KYC App, enabling the voters to make the right choice. He said it was mandatory for candidates with criminal antecedents to publish information during the campaign period on three different occasions in local newspapers and television channels.

He mentioned that it was also mandatory for political parties to upload detailed information on their websites and social media platforms and in one national and one regional newspaper.

Robust mechanism for conduct of election: For proper conduct of the election, Kumar emphasised that agencies should work in a coordinated

approach rather than working in silos, especially in mapping of expendituresensitive constituencies.

The agencies involved included police, excise department, Centre/ State GST, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, income tax, Enforcement Directorate, Indian Railways, Narcotics Control Bureau, Airport Authority of India, Postal Department, Reserve Bank of India, Sashastra Seema Bal, State Level Bankers’ Committee, Assam Rifles, Forest Department and CISF/CRPF.

Banks asked to remain vigilant: Kumar further stated that ECI had directed the banks to keep a close watch on monitory transactions, especially involving cash deposits. He said the banks had also been asked to stop movement of mobile vans to refill cash at ATMs after 5 pm and that if they had to, they should have proper verification documents.

He appealed to the citizens to come out in large numbers and participate in the election. Other members of ECI team were also present at the press conference.

HDFC Bank Q3 net at Rs 12,259 crore

State’s first Sewage treatment plant...

(From p-1)

He mentioned that currently the project was being monitored by National River Conservation Directorate under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.

He disclosed the total cost of project was Rs 78.65 crore and the funding ratio was 70:30 – Centre share 70% and State share 30%. After its sanction on August 30, 2005, work had started on December 5, 2005 and it was scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2022, but was commissioned earlier, he pointed out.

Sangtam explained that the objective of the project was interception, diversion and treatment of waste water flowing into the rivers so as to prevent and control pollution on Dhansiri and Diphu rivers.

He mentioned that the main works of the project included interception and collection of waste water point sources from three drains –Lengrinullah, Hospital drain and Sugar Mill drain – emptying into Dhansiri river, besides diversion of the drains from collection point to sewage

treatment plant located at Shozukhu village.

DMC to take over project: He said the area comprised of 13.8 hectares (25 puras and three bighas) and that, as per the DPR, PHE had to hand over the project officially to Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) upon its completion for operation and maintenance works.

However, during the initial phase of its functioning, the department would operate and maintain it, after which it will be officially handed over to DMC, he mentioned.

Speaking on the occasion, PHE secretary Mhathung Tungoe observed that one result of urbanisation was unwanted accumulation of garbage and pollution of rivers.

However, with the execution and operationalisation of the project, he hoped that the waste in the rivers would be alleviated and abated.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dimapur Mhalo Humtsoe congratulated PHE and the village for the milestone achievement and coming up with the vision of treatment plant. She stressed that the project was the need

of the hour when the people were facing so much problem with sewage management.

With the initiative, she hoped that more awareness would be created among the citizen to safeguard, protect and keep the environment clean and beautiful.

She also appealed to general public to be responsible citizens and learn to take care of public property as assets as these belonged to us all. In his short speech, Shozukhu village head GB S Ghozheto Aye assured cooperation from the villagers to any developmental activity.

The programme was chaired by Bendangtola Walling from PHE Dimapur urban division, invocation prayer was proposed by Shozukhu village Baptist Church pastor Khetoli Yepthomi and welcome address was delivered by PHE chief engineer and head of department Repangyangba Longkumer.

Later, vote of thanks was delivered by PHE Dimapur circle superintendent engineer Gwatilo Tep and benediction was proposed by L Hotovi Baptist Church pastor Rev Lujeto Yepthom.

Eight loaders at IGI held for stealing from passengers’ bags

CHENNAI, JAN 14 (IANS): The HDFC Bank closed the third quarter of FY23 with a net profit of about Rs 12,259 crore, the bank said in a regulatory filing.

According to the HDFC Bank, it has posted a net profit of about Rs 12,259 crore for the quarter ended 31.12.2022 up from Rs 10,342 crore logged in the previous year corresponding quarter.

The bank had earned a total income of about Rs 51,207 crore for the period under review up from about Rs 40,651 crore earned during Q3FY22.

The bank’s net non-performing assets (NPA) as on 31.12.2022 was Rs 5,024 crore up from Rs 4,676 crore for the corresponding period previous year. The provisions stood at about Rs 2,806 crore for the quarter ended 31.12.2022 down from about Rs 2,993 crore for the quarter ended 31.12.2021.

(From p-1)

According to Ravi Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI airport), on January 11, the joint teams apprehended Deepak Pal, who attempted to pilfer from a registered check-in baggage of a passenger who was to board the flight.

“On questioning, he disclosed that he was working as a loader in a ground handling assistance providing company since 2018. He started committing petty thefts from the baggage of the passengers whenever he got an opportunity,” said the DCP.

Slowly and gradually, he came in contact with seven other loaders and ground handling staff of other airlines and agencies.

“As they all were living in close vicinity and were working in almost the same timing shifts, they all in active connivance and with ulterior motives formed a gang and started committing baggage theft at a large scale,” said the official.

“A huge quantity of stolen articles was recovered from their possession including gold and silver jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh, 6 branded watches, Apple Iphone, cash of Rs 1,15,000 and other articles,” said the official.

Explaining the modus operandi of the gang, the DCP said that all the accused used to work in active connivance with each other.

“The accused used to commit theft of items from the bags of the flyers and used to hide the stolen articles inside the lockers and other places within the airport. Later, whenever they got an opportunity, they used to hide the stolen

articles inside their undergarments and slip outside from the airport,” the official said, adding that efforts are being made to trace the other beneficiaries and purchasers of the stolen goods.

The DCP further advised frequent flyers and air passengers to keep their valuable items such as cash, jewellery, and electronics items inside the checked-in baggage. “Valuable items should always be carried in hand held luggage to ensure its proper care,” the police officer said.

AFFIDAVIT

Shaktikanta Das

China reports almost 60,000 COVID deaths

BEIJING, JAN 14 (AP):

China on Saturday reported nearly 60,000 deaths in people who had COVID-19 since early December following complaints the government was failing to release data about the status of the pandemic. The death toll included 5,503 deaths due to respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 and 54,435 fatalities from other ailments combined with COVID-19. The National Health Commission said those deaths occurred in hospitals, which left open the possibility more people also might have died at home. The report would more than double China’s official COVID-19 death toll to 10,775. The official toll stood at 5,272 on Jan. 8.

42 killed in Peru’s political protests

LIMA, JAN 14 (IANS): A total of 41 civilians and one police officer have died during the ongoing nationwide protests in Peru between supporters of former President Pedro Castillo and security forces that have lasted more than a month, the Attorney General’s Office said in a statement. In the wave of protests, especially in the southern region, 531 people were injured, including 355 civilians and 176 National Police agents, while 329 people have been arrested, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement issued late Friday as saying.

3 Pak cops dead in crossfiring in TTP attack

PESHAWAR, JAN 14 (PTI): A group of heavily-armed terrorists from the Pakistani Taliban attacked a police station in the suburbs of the restive northwestern city of Peshawar on Saturday and killed three policemen, including a senior police officer, authorities said. Some six to seven terrorists attacked Sarband police station bordering Khyber tribal district with hand grenades, automatic weapons and sniper shots and three policemen were killed in the cross-firing, SSP Operation Peshawar Kashif Abbasi said. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Annual Muslim mass begins in B’desh

DHAKA, JAN 14 (IANS): The annual Muslim congregation Bishwa Ijtema has started in Tongi on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka with religious sermons for hundreds of thousands of devotees from home and abroad after a two-year Covid-19 hiatus. This year’s edition of the Bishwa Ijtema, or the World Congregation, began on Friday with the general sermons of Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Ziaul Haque after the morning prayers, reports Xinhua news agency.

‘Inflation hits 40-yr high in Finland in

2022’

HELSINKI, JAN 14 (IANS): Consumer prices rose by an average of 7.1 per cent in Finland in 2022, the highest increase in 40 years, Statistics Finland said. “Inflation in 2022 was exceptional compared to ... past decades. Similar figures were last seen in the early 1980s,” said Kristiina Nieminen, chief actuary at Statistics Finland. The previous inflation record for the 21st century was set during the global financial crisis in 2008, when consumer prices rose by an average of 4.1 per cent, Xinhua news agency reported.

Afghan rulers urged to reverse ban on women aid workers

UNITED NATIONS, JAN 14 (AP): A strong majority of the U.N. Security Council urged Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers Friday to immediately reverse all “oppressive” restrictions on girls and women including the latest ban on women working for aid organizations which is exacerbating the already critical humanitarian crisis in the country.

The joint statement from 11 of the 15 council members said female aid workers are crucial to addressing Afghanistan’s “dire humanitarian situation” because they provide “critical life-saving support to women and girls” that men can’t reach. It reiterated the council’s demand for “unhindered access for humanitarian actors regardless of gender.”

Japanese Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane, the current council president, delivered the statement to reporters before a closed council meeting, surrounded by diplomats

from the 10 other countries -- Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Malta, Switzerland, Britain, United States and United Arab Emirates. The four council nations that didn’t support the statement were Russia, China, Ghana and Mozambique.

United Arab Emirates Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, who called for the meeting with Japan, told reporters afterward that “the key takeaways” from the closed discussion were the unity from humanitarian actors that the work they are doing is essential -- and the unity in the Security Council to remain engaged, not only to express solidarity but practically “to try and help

move the situation on the ground towards a better trajectory.”

Nusseibeh said another takeaway is that engagement with the Taliban has to continue, that there are different ministries mandated to regulate different sectors of humanitarian work. Diplomats said that some countries are pushing for a Security Council resolution demanding the Taliban reverse all its edicts on women and girls, but it was too early to say if that would happen. Nusseibeh said council members are discussing next steps.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. special envoy for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, told the council

in a video briefing that the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls violate fundamental human rights and “contradict assurances that the Taliban gave prior to taking power about the role of women in their country.” She outlined the potential negative impact of such decisions, including immediately on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, Dujarric said. The 11 council members also urged the immediate reversal of the Taliban’s ban on girls attending secondary school and girls and women attending university as well as restrictions on women’s human rights and freedoms.

Britain’s U.N. ambassador, Barbara Woodward, tweeted that as a result of the ban on women working for humanitarian groups, as of Thursday, “15% of NGOs had paused all work in Afghanistan, 68% had significantly reduced operations.” She added: “Humanitarian aid can’t happen without women.”

Iran hangs former defence ministry official over spy claim

DUBAI, JAN 14 (AP): Iran said on Saturday it had executed a dual Iranian-British national who once worked for its defence ministry, despite an international outcry over his death sentence and those of others held amid nationwide protests.

Iran’s Mizan news agency, associated with the country’s judiciary, announced Ali Reza Akbari’s hanging. It did not say when it happened. However, there were rumours he had been executed days ago.

Iran had accused Akbari, without offering evidence, of being a spy for Britain’s MI-6 intelligence agency.

It aired a highly edited video of Akbari discussing the allegations resembling others that activists have described as coerced confessions.

On Friday, State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel criticised Akbari’s pending execution.

“The charges against Ali Reza Akbari and his sentencing to execution were politically motivated. His execution would be unconscionable,” he said.

China, Bhutan negotiates to resolve border dispute Brazil’s Supreme Court agrees to probe Bolsonaro for riot

BEIJING, JAN 14 (PTI):

China and Bhutan have reached a “positive consensus” to push forward the implementation of the agreement to expedite negotiations to settle their border dispute through a three-step roadmap.

The 11th Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on the China-Bhutan Boundary Issues was held in China’s Kunming city from January 10 to 13, according to a joint statement issued by both countries.

Bhutan shares a 477 km-long border with China and the two countries held 24 rounds of boundary talks in a bid to resolve the border dispute.

China and Bhutan don’t have diplomatic relations but maintain contact through periodic visits by officials.

India and Bhutan are the two countries with whom China is yet to finalise the border agreements, while Beijing resolved the boundary disputes with 12 other neighbours.

At the 11th EGM, the two sides, “in a frank, cordial and constructive atmosphere, had an in-depth exchange of views on implementing the MOU on the Three-Step Roadmap for Expediting the China-Bhu-

tan Boundary Negotiations, and reached a positive consensus,” the joint statement issued on Friday said.

Both countries signed an MOU for Expediting the China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiation in 2021 firming up a three-step roadmap to speed up border talks and establishment of diplomatic ties.

The Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao, who signed the agreement, said he “believes that the MoU signed today will make a meaningful contribution to speeding up the negotiation on demarcation and promoting the process of establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries”.

China’s attempt to build a road in the Doklam plateau in 2017 resulted in a major India-China standoff, triggering tensions between the two neighbours.

India had strongly opposed the construction of the road by the Chinese military at the Doklam trijunction as it would have impacted its overall security interests since it runs close to the narrow Siliguri Corridor also known as the Chicken Neck connecting India with its north-east. The standoff ended after Beijing dropped its plan to build the road.

RIO DE JANEIRO, JAN 14 (AP): Brazil’s Supreme Court has agreed to investigate whether former president Jair Bolsonaro incited the far-right mob that ransacked the country’s Congress, top court and presidential offices, a swift escalation in the probe that shows the ex-leader could face legal consequences for an extremist movement he helped build.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes granted a request from the prosecutor general’s office to include Bolsonaro in the wider investigation, citing a video the former president posted on Facebook two days after the riot. It claimed Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wasn’t voted into office, but rather

was chosen by the Supreme Court and Brazil’s electoral authority.

Although Bolsonaro posted the video after the riot and deleted it in the morning, prosecutors argued its content was sufficient to justify investigating his conduct beforehand.

Otherwise, Bolsonaro has refrained from commenting on the election since his Oct. 30 defeat. He repeatedly stoked doubt about the reliability of the electronic voting system in the run-up to the vote, filed a request afterward to annul millions of ballots cast using the machines and never conceded.

None of the ex-president’s claims were proved, and the results of the elec-

tion were recognized as legal by different politicians, including some Bolsonaro allies, and Following the justice’s decision late Friday, Bolsonaro’s lawyer Frederick Wassef said in a statement that the former president “vehemently repudiates the acts of vandalism and destruction” from Jan. 8, but blamed supposed “infiltrators” of the protest — something his far-right backers have also claimed. The statement also said Bolsonaro “never had any relationship or participation with these spontaneous social movements.”

Brazilian authorities are investigating who enabled Bolsonaro’s radical supporters to storm the seats of power in an attempt to overturn results of the October election. Targets include those who summoned rioters to the capital or paid to transport them, and local security personnel who may have stood aside to let the mayhem occur.

Much of the attention thus far has focused on Anderson Torres, Bolsonaro’s former justice minister, who became the federal district’s security chief on Jan. 2, and was in the U.S. on the day of the riot.

UK promises to supply tanks to Ukraine

LONDON, JAN 14 (AP): British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday promised to provide tanks and artillery systems to Ukraine, amid renewed missile attacks by Moscow targeting the Ukrainian capital and other cities.

Sunak’s Downing Street office said in a statement that he made the pledge to provide Challenger 2 tanks and other artillery systems after speaking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday.

It did not say when the tanks were to be delivered or how many. British media has reported that four British Army Challenger 2 main battle tanks will be sent to eastern Europe immediately, with eight more to follow shortly after, without citing sources.

Zelenskyy in a tweet Saturday thanked Sunak “for the decisions that will not only strengthen us on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners.”

Ukraine has for months sought to be supplied with heavier tanks, including the

U.S. Abrams and the German Leopard 2 tanks, but Western leaders have been treading carefully.

The Czech Republic and Poland have provided Soviet-era T-72 tanks to Ukrainian forces. Poland has also expressed readiness to provide a company of Leopard tanks, but President Andrzej Duda stressed during his recent visit to the Ukrainian city of Lviv that the move would be possible only as an element in a larger international coalition of tank aid to Kyiv.

Earlier this month, France pledged to supply its AMX-10 RC armored combat vehicles — designated as

“light tanks” in French — to Ukraine as well.

Sunak’s announcement came several hours after a series of explosions rocked Kyiv on Saturday morning. An infrastructure target was hit in what Ukrainian officials said was a missile attack.

Explosions were heard in the Dniprovskyi district, a residential area on the left bank of the Dnieper River, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Klitschko also said that fragments of a missile fell on a non-residential area in the Holosiivskyi district on the right bank, and a fire briefly broke out in a building there. No casualties have been re-

ported so far.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether several facilities in Kyiv were targeted or just the one that was reported hit. The Ukrainian capital hasn’t been attacked by missiles since New Year’s night, Jan. 1.

In the outlying Kyiv region, a residential building in the village of Kopyliv was hit, and windows of the

houses nearby were blown out, Tymoshenko said.

A total of 18 private houses were damaged in the region, according to regional Gov. Oleksii Kuleba. “There are damaged roofs and windows,” but no casualties, Kuleba said in a Telegram post. He added that a fire has been contained at a “critical infrastructure facility” in the region.

He added: “More broadly, Iran’s practices of arbitrary and unjust detentions, forced confessions, and politically motivated executions are completely unacceptable and must end.”

Britain’s Foreign Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had earlier called on Iran to stop the execution.

“The Iranian regime should be in no doubt,” he wrote on Friday online. “We are watching the case of Ali Reza Akbari closely.”

Iran’s government for months has been trying to allege — without offering evidence — that foreign countries have fomented the unrest gripping the Islamic Republic since the death of a woman in September detained by the morality police.

‘SL ends debt restructuring talks with Japan’

COLOMBO, JAN 14 (PTI): Sri Lanka has concluded debt restructuring talks with Japan and will continue to hold such meetings with India this month, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced on Saturday, as the cash-strapped country looks to carve a path out of its worst financial crisis.

The crisis-hit island nation, which is trying to secure a USD 2.9 billion bridge loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has been trying to get financial assurances from its major creditors — China, Japan and India — which is the requisite for Colombo to get the bailout package.

The IMF bailout has been put on a halt as Sri Lanka pursues talks with creditors to meet the global lender’s condition for the facility.

Addressing trade unionists here, the president said that the debt restructuring talks with China’s Exim bank were held this week and further dialogue is in progress.

‘Will ensure Quad continues to be force for good’: US, Japan

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES, JAN 14 (PTI): The US and Japan have said that in association with India and Australia, they will ensure that the Quad continues to be a force for good or the benefit of the Indo-Pacific, amid China’s growing military muscleflexing in the strategically vital region.

The two countries said this in a joint statement after the meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan at the White House on Friday.

“With an unbreakable bilateral relationship as our foundation, we will also collaborate with others, in the region and beyond, for the benefit of the Indo-Pacific and the world,” the joint statement said.

“Together with Australia and India, we will ensure the Quad continues to be a

force for good, committed to bringing tangible benefits to the region, including by delivering results on global health, cybersecurity, climate, critical and emerging technologies, and maritime domain awareness,” it said.

In November 2017, the US, Australia, India and Japan gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence, amidst China’s muscle flexing in the region.

China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. Beijing is also involved in a maritime dispute with Japan over the East China Sea.

Pub LIC N OTICE

It is to notify to all general public that the building and plot of land situated at Landmark Colony, Dimapur block/Ward-9, Patta No. 807, Dag. No./ Plot No. 914, Mouza No. 2 is a joint owned property of Mr. Thungbemo Shitiri and Mrs. Mhonsali Shitiri. Hence, if any party intend to purchase or already purchased without the consent of both the parties of the said property will be doing so at their own risk.

The said property in question is not for sale.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to inform that a fake account of Shri. Moatoshi Longkumer, Hon'ble MLA, 2 Dimapur-II A/C has been created by unknown person(s) with an intent to malign and tarnish his image and to create confusion amongst the good citizens.

FELICITATION

Govt. of Nagaland. Further the Association conveys its best wishes and success in all their future endeavors.

The Association also expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Govt. of Nagaland under the dynamic leadership of Shri. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland for the honour bestowed upon its members. (Cadet C Lima Imsong) (Cadet Leyant. N) President General Secretary DP-213/23

We state that the Hon'ble MLA nor his office or any associate has created this page on Facebook nor have they posted or created any of the content shared.

An FIR has been lodged with the concerned authority to book the culprit and to take appropriate action as per the law. (13/01/2023) Sd/(Hito Aye)

P.S. to Shri. Moatoshi Longkumer 2 Dimapur II A/C

Fog covers Kyiv city center, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 14. (AP)

Supporters of former Prez Jair Bolsonaro, clash with police during a protest outside the Planalto Palace, Brazil.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) comprises India, Australia, Japan, and US. (File)

Ali Reza Akbari

2022 was 5th warmest year on record, situation alarming: NASA R

Earth’s average surface temperature in 2022 tied with 2015 as the fifth warmest year on record, according to an analysis by US space agency NASA, which termed the situation as “alarming”.

The global temperatures in 2022 were 1.6-degree Fahrenheit (0.89-degree Celsius) above the average for NASA’s baseline period (1951-1980), scientists from NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York reported.

“This warming trend is alarming. Our warming climate is already making a mark: Forest fires are intensifying; hurricanes are getting stronger; droughts are wreaking havoc and sea levels are rising,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

The past nine years have been the warmest since modern record-keeping began in 1880.

This means that Earth in 2022 was about 2-degree Fahrenheit (or about 1.11-degree Celsius) warmer than the late 19th century average.

“NASA is deepening our comm itment to

do our part in addressing climate change. Our Earth System Observatory will provide state-of-the-art data to support our climate modelling, analysis and predictions to help humanity confront our planet’s changing climate,” Nelson added.

Human-driven greenhouse gas emissions have rebounded following a short-lived dip in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recently, NASA scientists, as well as international scientists, determined that carbon dioxide emissions were the highest on record in 2022.

NASA also identified some super-emitters of methane - another powerful greenhouse gas - using the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Inves -

Egypt says ancient royal tomb unearthed in Luxor

tigation instrument that was launched to the International Space Station last year.

“The reason for the warming trend is that human activities continue to pump enormous amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and the long-term planetary impacts will also continue,” said Gavin Schmidt, Director of GISS, NASA’s leading centre for climate modelling.

The Arctic region continues to experience the strongest warming trends - close to four times the global average - according to a GISS research presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, as well as a separate study. Several factors can

affect the average temperature in any given year. For example, 2022 was one of the warmest on record despite a third consecutive year of La Nina conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

NASA scientists estimate that La Nina’s cooling influence may have lowered global temperatures slightly (about 0.11-degree Fahrenheit or 0.06-degree Celsius) from what the average would have been under more typical ocean conditions.

A separate, independent analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concluded that the global surface temperature for 2022 was the sixth highest since 1880.

(IANS)

Experimental Vaccine Turns Cancer Cells Against Themselves

esearchers are working on an experimental cancer vaccine that turns cancer against cancer.

“Our team has pursued a simple idea: to take cancer cells and transform them into cancer killers and vaccines,” said Khalid Shah, MD, who leads the team at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in a statement to Gizmodo.

“Their experimental vaccine candidate uses tumor cells modified to deliver a toxic payload to the rest of the cancer, while also making it easier for the immune system to target and remember the cancer

AFI Awards holds moment of silence for Lisa Marie Presley

In a ballroom filled with stars like Viola Davis, Ben Stiller and Sigourney Weaver, the American Film Institute Awards on Friday paid tribute to Lisa Marie Presley.

AFI president Bob Gazzale began the ceremony with a moment of silence for Presley, who died a day earlier after a medical emergency. The invite-only luncheon honored the Elvis Presley biopic “Elvis” among its 10 film honorees. (AP)

HAPPY 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

in the future,” Gizmodo wrote.

Initial results, against brain cancer in mice, have been promising.

The study was published this week in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Most cancer vaccines typically treat existing can-

cers or prevent their return, Gizmodo wrote.

But in the new research, scientists keep the cancer cells alive and modify them. The cells are meant to produce agents that kill tumors and to form other proteins that help the body develop immunity against the cancer.

“We are developing the next generation of autologous and allogeneic engineered tumor cell based vaccines and are hopeful that our therapeutic strategy will have the potential to impact patients by preventing tumor progression, recurrence, and metastasis,” Shah said.

The scientists hope their results, while just a start, could lead to treatment and prevention of many tumors throughout the body. Clinical trials of their vaccine could come in three to five years. Other vaccines are being developed, including some similar to COVID-19 vaccines.

Written by Jay Croft

AGEI holds 27th Triennial General Conference

Archaeologists unearthed an ancient tomb in the southern Egyptian city of Luxor, known for its treasures dating back to the pharaohs, authorities said Saturday.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said an EgyptianBritish mission found the royal tomb in an ancient site on the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor, 650 kilometers (400 miles) south of the capital of Cairo.

He said initial ex -

aminations show that the tomb apparently belongs to the 18th Dynasty of Pharaonic Egypt, which spanned from 1550 B.C. to 1292 B.C.

The tomb is the latest in a series of ancient discoveries Egypt has touted in recent years in hopes of attracting more tourists. Egypt has been trying to revive its tourism sector, a major source of foreign currency. The sector is heavily reliant on the country’s ancient treasures.

(AP)

L.

With immense pride and joy, we convey our heartiest congratulations to Er. huskha Yeptho, S/o Lt. Kughai Yeptho of Khetoi Village on being promoted to the post of Superintending Engineer, Department of Water Resource, Nagaland.

May the Almighty God bless you immensely and we wish you great success in your future endeavors.

The Assemblies of God of East India (AGEI) held its 27th Triennial General Conference at Bethesda Celebration Centre, Central Colony, Walford, Dimapur under the theme “Prayer Revival and mission” from January 11 to 13, 2023.

The Conference speakers were Rev. Paul Thangiah, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God India and Rev. Moses Murry, General Superintendent, AGEI.

Speaking to the gathering, the main speakers spoke on the need to live a life modelled by prayer and to carry the passion for revival and missions. The speakers emphasized on having a passion for the lost souls and equipping ourselves with the fire of the Holy Spirit for greater impact as work for the extension of His kingdom. We live in a time where our city, churches and nations desperately need God and for a genuine revival and mission to come in our churches and across our nation, we need to come together and seek Him earnestly.

Around 500 delegates attended the conference representing all the Assemblies of God Churches of seven states of East India. During the conference ordination service was also conducted. Ordination was given to Rev. Lama Lorah and Rev. Kijen Phecha from Arunachal District. Rev. Om Tamang and Rev. Manoranjan Dutta from Assam. Rev. Soiliankhup from Manipur. Rev. Nehmang Haokip and Rev. L. Somendro from Manipur Hill. Rev. Aiborbansuk Thabah from Meghalaya. Rev. Paul Lalchungnunga from Mizoram. Rev. Kevihulie Pienyu and Rev. Nikhilson Momin from Nagaland The following new office bearers for AGEI 2023-25 were also elected, led by General Superintendent - Rev. Moses Murry; Assistant General Superintendent - Rev. Dr. M. S. Nongrem; General Secretary - Rev. R. Sanga Keivom; Treasurer - Rev. Th. Kuala and Executive members - Rev. Dr. Jacky Simte, Rev. Z.S Lala and Rev. Krishna Debbarma. Rev. R. Sanga Keivom, General Secretary delivered the vote of thanks. In his speech, he

thanked the speakers and delegates for their presence and also Bethesda AG Church and all the concerned people for their service towards the successful conclusion of the AGEI 27th Triennial Conference.

The New Changsu Union Dimapur with immense pride and honour would like to extends our heartiest congratulations to Shri.

Zubenthung Ezung, S/o Shri. Lichumthung Ezung of New Changsu Village for being promoted to the post of Dy. SP under the establishment of Nagaland Police. The union further extends best wishes in his future endeavours.

Zuthungbemo Yanthan Chairman, NCUD

Offic E O f th E New Cha N gsu uN io N Dimapur fEL icitati O n

On this Milestone Anniversary, you’re celebrating what many have dreamed of but few have shared... the beauty of God’s gift of Enduring Love God bless you both richly on your Anniversary.

Loving Children, In-laws & Grandchildren

Mrs. & Mr. K. Ghovito Zhimo GB, Nihoshe Village

A locator map for Egypt with its capital, Cairo. (AP)

I-League: RGPFC hammer Kenkre FC 3-0

PANCHKULA, JAN 14 (PTI): RoundGlass Punjab dominated Kenkre FC for a 3-0 win with twin strikes from Juan Mera and a late goal from Luka Majcen in the I-League here on Saturday.

The win took the Punjab outfit to the top of the table and maintain its unbeaten run at home.

RoundGlass Punjab have claimed the top spot in the table in spite of playing a game less than Sreenidi Deccan who are second in the table.

RGPFC coach Staikos Vergetis made three changes to the starting lineup with Hmingthanmawia, Ashis Pradhan and Krishnananda Singh starting

RGPFC started to attack from the start and put

the Kenkre defence under pressure. Juan Mera gave the hosts the lead in the third minute after dodging two defenders and finish-

5th KCKNS Gospel Olympic ends

ing expertly past the Kenkre goalkeeper. RGPFC continued to pile on the pressure on the Kenkre defence and created some

good chances but failed to convert. They doubled their lead through Juan Mera who finished beautifully from outside the box in the 27th minute. RGPFC continued to dominate the rest of the half by maintaining 80 percent of possession.

The second half also started in the same fashion though Kenkre FC showed some intent to put pressure on the RGPFC defence.

RGPFC keeper was alert to chances created by the opposition and made a couple of good saves. RGPFC finished the game by scoring their third goal in the 84th minute through Luka Majcen who headed in a pin point cross from right back Khaiminthang Lhungdim.

DIMAPUR, JAN 14

(NPN): 5th Gospel Olympic of the Kuki Christian Khangthah (KCK) Nagaland Synod, organised by Gospel Olympic Committee, was held at Mongjang (Bongkolong) village, Ahthibung sub-division under Peren district from December 9-3, 2022.

During the five-day

event, the main events included football, volleyball, Saipi Khupsuh, Choreography, Solo Competition, Bible quiz, Track Events. Morning Devotion, Motivational Talks, Live Praise & Worship etc.

KCK Phanjang village, KCK Medziphema town and KCK Mongjang (Mongjang) village were

adjudged the overall champion, first runner-up and second runner-up respectively. KCK Kuki Christian Church Jalukie town was declared the best discipline unit. Altogether 17 units participated and around 1000 youth attended the 5th Gospel Olympic, informed program coordinator Seiminngam Chongloi.

DIMAPUR, JAN 14 (NPN): Azailong emerged as the champion of the Old Jalukie Village Shifting Day Memorial Volleyball Tournament 2023 by defeating Deukwaram at Old Jalukie Village Sector-C on January 13.

The tournament, which began on January 10, saw 13 teams competing for the coveted title. Peren District Chairman Union (PDCU) advisor Namgong graced the closing ceremony as guest of honour.

In the final match, Azailong defeated Deukwaram in four sets (best of five) where runner-up Deukwaram could win only one set.

The winner Azailong was awarded cash prize of Rs. 30,000 with trophy and certificates while the runnerup Deukwaram received a cash amount of Rs. 20,000 with trophy and certificates.

The losing semi-finalists Tampung and Ndunglwa also received Rs. 3000

Women’s U-19

India crush SA to begin campaign on positive note

BENONI, JAN 14 (PTI):

Opener Shweta Sehrawat smashed an unbeaten 92 after skipper Shafali Verma blazed away to a 16-ball 45 as India crushed South Africa by seven wickets to begin their campaign in the inaugural Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup on a rousing note here on Saturday.

Set a challenging target of 167 after South Africa opted to bat first, India were off to a blazing start with the opening duo of Shafali and Sehrawat adding 77 runs in just seven overs at Willowmoore Park.

Shafali, who has already played 51 T20Is, 21 ODIs and two Test matches for the senior team at the

Azailong lifts open volleyball trophy

international level, looked in excellent touch as she toyed with the South African bowlers and put her side on course for a big win.

While Shafali went after the bowlers from the word go, Sehrawat too maintained a very good strike rate throughout her innings, which came off 57 balls and included as many as 20 boundaries.

However, having smashed nine fours and a six in an entertaining stay, Shafali was dismissed by offspinner Miane Smit at the start of the eighth over. Her

strike rate was an incredible 281.25 when she got out. This was after the Indian captain also shone with the ball, picking up two wickets to put the brakes on the South African scoring rate. Shafali bowled her full quota of four overs and returned with impressive figures of 2/31.

Unperturbed by the departure of Shafali, Sehrawat carried on in same vein and helped her team cross the line with 21 balls to spare. Sehrawat’s previous best was 40 against the same opponents.

each.

In the individual award, Pauleuhingbe of Deukwaram was awarded the ‘Player of the Tournament’, Idalia Samding of Azailong bagged the best setter award and Namdorai

of Azailong was adjudged as the best spiker. All the individual award winners also received Rs. 1000 each.

The special guest Namgong handed over the prizes to the winners and dehoisted the tournament flag.

ANKA finishes third in 8th ISKF National Karate championship

tion (ISKF) National Karate Championship held in Siliguri, West Bengal from January 6-8, 2023.

In a press release, ANKA general secretary Temsu Sangtam informed that the Nagaland Karate Team bagged nine gold medals, six silver medals and seven bronze medals.

Nagaland team officials included Thsathriba Sangtam and Sitender, Yatatla (team manager) and Thsadang Sangtam (boys coach) and Akumienla (girls coach) In the championship, Manipur team emerged as overall champion while West Bengal as first runner-up.

MEDAL LIST

Name Kumite (Sparring) Kata category

Limitangla Gold Gold -20kg

Amecali Assumi Gold Silver -30kg

Ilonica Assumi Gold -42kg

Zepila Sangtam Silver Bronze -40kg

Loling Phom Bronze +40kg

Mungulila Sangtam Silver Bronze -45kg

Huto K Yeptho Silver Bronze +55kg

Atito Sumi Bronze Bronze -55kg

Tiakumba Silver Gold -50kg

Kivinoli S Aye Silver Bronze +50kg

Thsadang Gold Gold -55kg

Akumienla L Imchen Gold Gold -61kg

NEW DELHI, JAN 14

(IANS): Punjab lad Arjun Singh Cheema and Haryana’s Palak were the top winners on the final day of the National Shooting Trials for Group A shooters at the Karni Singh Shooting Range, here. In the junior event, Abhinav Choudhary of Rajasthan and Saina Bharwani of Delhi emerged champions.

DDCA informs on U-19 trials

DIMAPUR, JAN 1

4 (NPN): Dimapur District Cricket Association (DDCA) informed that it would be conducting trails for the 3rd Edition of Late G Rio Memorial U-19 Cricket Tournament 2023. DDCA has, therefore, informed that those born on or after September 1, 2004 to attend the rails with proper documents.

Interested players have been requested to appear for registration on January 16, 2023. One could contact 8415869357 or 8730867448 for more details.

Organisers and others at the 5th Gospel Olympic of KCK Nagaland Synod.

Azailong team members with the trophy after the prize distribution at Old Jalukie village Sector C on January 13.

DIMAPUR, JAN 14

(NPN): All Nagaland Karate-Do Association (ANKA) finished third in the 8th International Shotokan Karate Federa-

Medal winners along with Nagaland Karate officials.

instead of Deepak Devrani, Freddy Lallawmawma and Pranjal Bhumij.

RoundGlass Punjab FC teammates celebrate after defeating Kenkre FC on Saturday.

Shooting: Arjun, Palak win on last day of Group A

Hockey WC: Belgium thrash Korea 5-0

BHUBANESWAR/

ROURKELA, JAN 14

(PTI): Holders Belgium thrashed a plucky Korea 5-0 to begin the defence of their World Cup title in style while two-time champions Germany beat reigning Asian Games champions Japan 3-0, here on Saturday.

The Koreans did not allow Belgium to open the scoring till the half time but the World and Olympic champion European side struck two and three goals in the third and fourth quarters respectively to eventually notch up a convincing win in a Pool B match at the Kalinga stadium.

Five different players scored for world number two Belgium with three strikes from open play. Hendrickx Alexander opened account for Belgium in the first minute of the third quarter before Cosyns Tanguy struck a field goal in the 42nd minute.

The Korean resistance broke down after that and Belgium were rampaging in the final quarter with goals from Van Aubel Florent (49th, penalty corner), Dockier Sebastien (51st,

field goal) and De Sloover Arthur (57th, field goal).

In the second Pool B match played at Kalinga stadium, no goal was scored till the half time. Grambusch Mats gave the lead to world number four Germans in the 35th minute through a penalty corner conversion before Ruhr Christopher struck a field goal five minutes later.

Prinz Thies (48th minute) then sealed the issue with a field effort in the final quarter as world number 16 Japan failed to score a goal.

Netherlands, New Zealand make winning start in Pool C: Three-time champions Netherlands began their campaign in style, outplaying Malaysia 4-0 while New Zealand defeated Chile 3-1 in Pool C

matches of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup here on Saturday.

In the opening match of the day, Sam Hiha (11th, 18th minutes) scored two field goals in the opening two quarters, while Sam Lane opened the account for the Black Sticks with another field strike in the ninth minute. Chile’s lone goal came from the stick

Rashford helps Man Utd beat Man City 2-1

LONDON, JAN 14

(AGENCIES): Manchester United fans can “dream” of a Premier League title challenge said Erik ten Hag after a stunning late fightback to beat Manchester City 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Two goals in the final 12 minutes from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford moved United up to third and within one point of their local rivals.

City looked to be heading to victory when Jack Grealish came off the bench to head the visitors into the lead.

But the momentum swung on Fernandes’ controversial equaliser before Rashford continued his stunning return to form by scoring for the ninth consecutive game at Old Trafford.

City could now fall eight points off the top of the table should Arsenal beat Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday.

Victory was sweet revenge for United after being destroyed 6-3 when the sides met in October.

However, Ten Hag’s men have now lost just once in 19 games since in a stunning turnaround in the Dutch coach’s first

season in charge. United’s turnaround is reflected in Rashford’s revival. The England international has now scored 16 times this season.

Rashford’s pace in behind was the biggest threat posed by either side in the first half and he should have done better after rounding Ederson than allowing Kyle Walker to comfortably clear off the line.

Another Rashford burst then took him beyond Rodri, but again the finish

was lacking as Ederson hurried off his line to smother.

United’s new loan signing Wout Weghorst was watching on from the stands and Martial’s lacklustre performance before being replaced at half-time by Antony underlined Ten Hag’s need for more forward options.

By contrast, City are blessed with an abundance of talent in the final third and Guardiola’s ability to make game-changing substitutions looked to have

Mumbai City FC beat ATKMB 1-0

ten shots away in the opening half, didn’t manage to test Phurba Lachenpa in the league leaders’ goal.

MCFC’s determined attack was bound to cost ATKMB, and ultimately it was a mistake by Kaith that led to the goal. Kaith had Chhangte’s long-range shot from a central area covered but couldn’t muster adequate power with his left arm to tip the ball wide, as the visitors went 1-0 up at half-time.

swung the game in their favour.

Grealish had only been on the field three minutes before netting the biggest goal of his City career to date as he nodded in Kevin De Bruyne’s cross on the hour mark.

But City have struggled this season to match the consistency that has won them four Premier League titles in the past five years and were undone by a hugely controversial equaliser.

Rashford was clearly offside as he raced towards Casemiro’s pass, but crucially did not touch the ball and left it for Fernandes to sweep home.

The assistant referee initially flagged for offside and City were livid at the decision to allow the goal to stand. But the champions now have a huge job on their hands if they are to maintain their dominance of English football in the Guardiola era.

of Ignacio Contardo in the 49th minute.

In the other match of Pool C, Thijs van Dam scored a field goal in the 19th minute to hand world no.3 Netherlands, who won the title in 1973, 1990 and 1998, the lead before Jip Janssen converted a penalty stroke four minutes later.

Teun Beins (46th) made it 3-0 for the Netherlands by converting a penalty corner a minute into the fourth and final quarter, while Jorrit Croon scored the final goal a minute before the final hooter.

The Dutchman are atop Pool C on account of better goal difference than New Zealand, who also have three points from the win.

While Netherlands and New Zealand will lock horns in their next pool match on Monday, Malaysia will take on Chile on the same day.

Later in the day, reigning world champions Belgium will be up against Korea, while world no.4 Germany will take on Japan in Pool B matches in Bhubaneswar.

Karna Kadur, Nikhil Pal win INRC 2022-Round of Nagaland

DIMAPUR, JAN 14 (NPN): Driver Karna Kadur with co-driver Nikhil Pal of Arka Motorsports have won the Round-4 of Indian National Rally Championship 2022 – Rally of Nagaland organised by Federation of Motor Sports Council of India (FMSCI) with Blueband Sports as the promoter.

It was hosted by Nagaland Adventure Club (NAC) in partnership with the Government of Nagaland in Kohima.

Chetan Shivram and Dilip Sharan of Snap Racing were first runners-up while Aditya Thakur and Virendra Kashyap of Chettinad Sporting came second runners-up in the INRC class.

Results of other categories and classes are as follows:

INRC 2: Winner –Chetan Shivram and Dilip Sharan of Snap Racing, 1st runner-up - Aditya Thakur and Virendra Kashyap of Chettinad Sporting and 2nd runner-up – Fabid Ahmer & Sanath G of Privateer.

INRC 3: Winner –Phillippos Matthai & Mur-

thy P.V.S. of Arka Motorsports, 1st runner-up – Arnav Pratap Singh & Arjun SSB of Snap Racing and 2nd runner-up – Maninder Singh Prince & Vinay Padmashali of JK Rally.

INRC 4: Winner – Ruthuparna Vivek & Santosh Thomas of Snap Racing, 1st runner-up – P. Ananth Kumar & Sagar Mallappa.

JINRC: Winner – Arnav Pratap Singh & Arjun SSB of Snap Racing, 1st runner-up – Arjun Rajiv & Pramod Raman of Snap Racing and 2nd runner-up

–

Gypsy Challenge: Sanjay Agarwal & Shiv Prakash. Earlier, in the morning the day of the rally was held at Kohima Bye-pass twolane road covering a distance of about 30 Kms along the T Khel Model route.

In the podium ceremony, NAC President Burakum Ao and Chief Promoter Blueband Sports Premnath Kashinath gave away the prizes to then winners marking teh conclusion of the two-day rally whichg started on January 13.

FIFA to probe Argentina over WC final behaviour

GENEVA, JAN 14 (AGENCIES):

FIFA announced it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina for “offensive behaviour” during the team’s World Cup final triumph in Qatar last month.

Argentina beat 2018 winners France on penalties to lift the trophy for a third time.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture with his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy after the match, before being filmed in the dressing room mocking French star Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe won the FIFA Golden Boot trophy after scoring the most

goals in the tournament.

Football’s world governing body said Argentina had potentially breached rules regarding “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct of players and officials”.

FIFA is also investigating the Argentinian FA over breaching media and marketing regulations.

Martinez has also come under criticism from pundits and social media for mocking Mbappe during Argentina’s victory parade in Buenos Aires – where he held a baby doll with the French player’s face plastered on it.

The Croatian team is also being investigated for potential violations of “discrimination” and “order and security at matches” rules.

Players appeared to sing a song with fascist connotations following their third-place playoff victory over Morocco.

Nadal says Djokovic clear favourite at Aus Open

MELBOURNE, JAN 14 (AGENCIES): Defending champion Rafael Nadal admitted Saturday he felt vulnerable heading into the Australian Open after two straight defeats in the buildup and said that Novak Djokovic was clear favourite.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner crashed in his season-opening match at the mixed teams United Cup in Sydney to 12th-ranked Cameron Norrie and then again to Australia’s Alex de Minaur.

Against the Australian, the Spaniard dropped six consecutive games after

leading by a set and 1-0. The 36-year-old top seed faces a testing first-round clash at Melbourne Park on Monday against emerging 21-year-old Briton Jack Draper, who reached the Adelaide semifinals this week. “Probably one of the toughest first rounds possible... young, powerful, growing very, very

fast in the rankings, playing well,” he said. “A big challenge for me at the beginning to start the tournament. Let’s see. I’m here to just give myself a chance. I know he’s playing well.” Nadal has lost six of his last seven matches stretching back to defeat to Frances Tiafoe in the last 16 at the US Open.

Asked if he felt vulnerable, the defending champion admitted: “Of course, without a doubt. “I have been losing more than usual, that’s part of the business. Just accept the situation. I think I am humble enough to accept that situation and just

work with what I have today.

“I need to build again all this momentum. I need to build again this confidence with myself with victories. But it’s true that I have been losing more than usual.” Nadal, who recently became a father, swept past Russian Daniil Medvedev to win the Australian Open and a 21st Grand Slam title last year in an epic five-setter. That victory came after arch-rival and nine-time Australian Open winner Djokovic was detained and deported ahead of the tournament after refusing to get vaccinated for Covid-19.

KOLKATA, JAN 14

(AGENCIES): Mumbai City (MCFC) was forced to show a different side to its game, resisting a constant threat on its goal by ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB), as it sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.

It was the league leaders’ maiden 1-0 win in a season where it had raised the bar for attacking football, and it helped it become the first team to confirm a playoff spot this season. MCFC picked up from where it had left off last week, becoming an instant menace at the start with its speedy and unpretentious play.

Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith faced a barrage of shots and singlehandedly kept the home team from falling behind the way Kerala Blasters (KBFC) had last week. Chhangte was through on goal twice after unsafe defending from ATKMB, and in almost both cases, was point-blank range from Kaith. In both instances, the goalkeeper came out on top.

In Diaz’s absence, Greg Stewart pulled the strings from the centre-forward area, and soon enough, both he and Bipin Singh were setting themselves on the game as well. The home side, even though it matched MCFC for possession and got nearly

The win keeps MCFC in first place, and with defending champion Hyderabad FC (HFC) dropping a couple of points earlier in the week, it stretches its lead to four points. It faces NorthEast United (NEUFC) at home on Thursday. ATKMB stays in fourth place, only a point ahead of Odisha FC (OFC) in the fifth. It travels to play record former two-time champion Chennaiyin FC (CFC) next Saturday.

Bengaluru FC beat Odisha FC: Bengaluru FC notched up a comfortable 3-1 win over Odisha FC to spice up the playoffs battle in the Indian Super League in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Belgium and Korean players in action during the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Pool B match at Kalinga Hockey stadium in Bhubaneswar, Saturday. (PTI)

Nikeeta Takkale & Angela James of Snap Racing.

Winners of Round-4 of Indian National Rally Championship 2022 – Rally of Nagaland

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in action with Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji on Saturday.

Emiliano Martinez gestures after receiving the Golden Glove trophy

Rafael Nadal

Mumbai City FC team celebrates after scoring a goal at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Saturday. (PTI)