Jan 8 2023

Nagaland

ENPO deliberates on MHA blueprint

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 7 (NPN):

After a marathon five-hour meeting at DUDA Guest House at Sovima, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) along with representatives of the seven tribal bodies and all frontal organizations, resolved to apprise the Central team of the ‘talking points’ discussed Saturday at the next round of meeting likely to be held next week.

The meeting Saturday was held to deliberate on the ‘blue print’ presented by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) constituted panel headed by advisor (NE) A.K. Mishra.

The five-hour long meeting held at DUDA Guest House Sovima on Saturday was attended by over 100 members including Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union and Rajya Sabha MP.

Meanwhile, speaking to media persons after the meeting, ENPO general

CEO rebuffs fake news on poll schedule

DIMAPUR, JAN 7 (NPN):

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland has rebuffed the fake news circulating on social media regarding announcement of date for the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election, 2023.

In a statement, CEO V. Shashank Shekhar clarified that the CEO’s office has not issued any such news and the messages was fake. He said that date and timing of Nagaland Assembly Election, 2023 will be notified by the Election Commission of India. CEO therefore appealed all public to abstain from creating and circulating such fake news.

Anyone found to be intentionally creating/circulating fake news will be dealt with as per relevant provisions of the law, the CEO said and advised all to rely only on official statement from the CEO’s office.

EC team to visit

IANS: The full Election Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, will undertake a four-day visit to three election-bound North Eastern states-- Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura-from January 11, officials said here on Saturday.

The EC team will arrive Tripura on January 11 and head to Meghalaya on January 12 and then to Nagaland on January 14. The poll scheduled will be announced only after the visit of the EC team.

secretary Manlang Phom said the issue was discussed with open mind and that the talking points will be presented to MHA panel to next week.

He however, did not disclose what were the talking points identified for the MHA Blueprint which was discussed at the meeting.

When asked about the claims made by a member of the talk team that the Government of India had agreed to provide a separate legislature for frontier Nagaland along with access to financial, judicial as well as executive powers, Manlang said he cannot comment on it since it was not yet official.

It may be mentioned that on January 5, the MHA committee during its meeting with the ENPO delegation in Guwahati presented the ‘blueprint’ in a bid to settle their demand for creation of a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland’ state.

ENPO has been tight-

lipped about the contents of the blue print, saying it was immature to speak on the matter when nothing has been finalized.

It may be recalled that NPCC president K. Therie in a statement on December 30, 2022 claimed that the government of India has agreed to a Regional Autonomous Council (RAC) for ENPO areas and which meant that the demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland state was not considered at all.

It was also noted by veteran Naga politician and former chief minister and governor Dr. S.C. Jamir in an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post on December 30, said that the Centre has been placed in a position where it is directly dealing with ENPO over statehood demand.

According to Jamir, such an issue of utmost public importance should have been discussed threadbare in the legislative assembly

with the elected representatives of ENPO and other districts.

He said by not discussing the matter in the assembly, the present UDA government in Nagaland has clearly shown that it has abdicated its constitutional responsibility. Jamir said as per the constitution, the Nagaland assembly will also have to adopt and pass a resolution pertaining to bifurcation of ENPO to form a separate administrative entity.

Jamir also said the elected members of ENPO should answer their people about perpetual economic and infrastructure backwardness of the ENPO areas.

He said entire Nagaland state came into being after much suffering and sacrifice of all Nagas of Nagaland and felt all involved should resolve ENPO demand since there was no problem that eluded solution.

Ban on Mao people to

continue: SAPO

DIMAPUR, JAN 7 (NPN): Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) reaffirmed its decision to restrict movement of the people from Mao community within Southern Angami jurisdiction and also cease all co-operation with the community.

In a statement,SAPO president SAPO Er. Trpul Hopovi and general secretary Swelul Pucho said SAPO was firm with its decision , that Mao Council and Manipur government withdraw armed troops from Kezoltsa and cease all development activities and programmes, to pave way for free and fair democratic dialogue on the issue traditionally.

SAPO also urged upon the Manipur government to stop interfering in the affairs of the traditional rights, adding “the land and its resources belong to the people and not to the government” and warned that it would be compelled respond with drastic measures.

(Full text on p-6)

Imposition of President’s Rule not the solution for Nagas: JDU

DIMAPUR, JAN 7 (NPN): Janata Dal United (JD-U) maintained that imposition of President’s Rule (PR) in Nagaland was not the solution and therefore urged upon the Centre to resolve the Naga issue before the Assembly elections.

JD(U) national general secretary (I/c North East) Afaque Ahmad Khan said the party had been observing in the media where there was a chorus of demand for President’s Rule and also a separate Frontier Nagaland state.

While asserting that elections should be held as per schedule, JD(U) said that solution to the Naga issue should be arrived at before elections.

Addressing the media at Hotel Saramati, Saturday he said that the purpose of the JD(U) visit to Nagaland was to take stock of the cur-

rent situation and the ongoing party organizational work.

Taking note of ENPO’s demand for separate state, the JD(U) leader appealed ENPO to reconsider their demand in the interest of preserving the culture, identity and upliftment of the Naga society.

He was of the opinion that demand for separate state by bifurcating Nagaland would do immense harm for consolidation of unity among Naga tribes.

He also urged ENPO to not resort to any action which would weaken

the unity of the Nagas’, while assuring that his party would stand by them to voice out to Centre to provide more funds for equal development of Eastern Nagaland.

He reminded that JD(U) always stood for uniform development of all regions within the country and removal of regional imbalances.

Rajya Sabha MP Aneel Prasad Hegde said that the party led by Nitish Kumar has been focusing a lot in the North East particularly Nagaland.

Tribal bodies step up demand to ‘free’ Parasnath hills NH questions GoI’s sincerity on Naga issue

RANCHI, JAN 7 (PTI):

Tribal bodies stepped up their demand to “free” the Parasnath hills in Jharkhand’s Giridih district from the “clutches” of the Jain community and said thousands will assemble there on January 10 as a mark of protest.

A day after the Centre stayed all tourism activities at the site, the tribal bodies on Friday warned of a revolt if their demands were not met by the union and the state governments. Jains across the country have been demanding the scrapping of a 2019 Jharkhand government notification designating Parasnath hills

as a tourist place, fearing this would lead to an influx of travellers who may consume non-vegetarian food and liquor at their holy site.

Even as the Centre stayed the Jharkhand government’s move to promote tourism at the Parasnath hills after protests by Jains, tribals jumped into the fray staking a claim to the land and asking for it to be freed.

“There will be a revolt in five states if the government fails to free Marang Buru from the clutches of Jains. “We want the government to take steps based on documentation...The 1956 gazette mentions it as ‘Marang Buru’ (hill deity or

supreme source of power)...

The Jain community had lost a legal battle for Parasnath in the past,” International Santhal Council Working president Naresh Murmu had claimed on Thursday.

The Santhal tribe, one of the largest Scheduled Tribe community in the country, has a sizeable population in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal and are nature worshippers.

“Injustice has been meted out to us... thousands will assemble at Parasnath on January 10. We will under no circumstances allow the Centre to favour Jains.

The site is our ‘Marang Buru’ from time immemo-

Farewell parade held for outgoing DGP

John had resigned on January 2, 2023 while on his second extension of service from August 2022 that was to end in February 2023.

John said his resignation was in keeping up with his tradition of sudden life changing decisions that had dotted his entire career.

rial,” Lobin Hembram, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha legislator from Borio in Sahebganj district, told reporters on Friday.

Former BJP MP Salkhan Murmu blamed Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren for the controversy, alleging that despite being an adivasi CM, he was working against their welfare. Murmu, who is the chief of the Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan (ASA), warned that if the Centre and the state government fail to resolve the issue and restore sanctity of the place in favour of the tribals, they would take to the streets across India.

DIMAPUR, JAN 7 (NPN): Naga Hoho (NH) has questioned the “sincerity and habitual rhetoric” of Government of India with regard to Naga political settlement, accusing the latter of shying away from the “ethos of deceitful marriage at this crucial moment.”

NH said it was constrained to issue this public statement against the backdrop of the Centre under the BJP-led government for failing to address the wishes of the Nagas for a lasting solution and as committed during the run-up of 2018 state assembly polls under the slogan “Election for solution”. It pointed out

that Prime Minister, after assuming office in 2014, had given 18 months to bring a solution to the Naga issue. However, NH said even after more than eight years of BJP government, solution seemed to elude the Nagas without finding out any tangible settlement.

It said the Centre was well aware that more than 25 years had gone, ever since the signing of the cease-fire, with the objective of finding out a settlement. Apparently, NH said ‘Naga peace Accord’ which was believed to be at its final stage and likely to culminate anytime, seemed to be never ending political negotiations. “Very disgust-

ingly, India has employed the colonial policy of further divides and fragmentation of the Naga people despite recognition of Naga political problem as unique situation and history,” the hoho alleged. NH said that the grand signing of ‘Framework Agreement” on August 3, 2015 and the acknowledgement by PM has turned into a dark history.

With Nagas, yet to see the light of the day, NH said the act of Centre was “disgraceful to the peace loving people in different parts of the world as it continues to wield the draconian laws and easing the Naga people with false promises.”

NSCN/GPRN(K) joint council impeaches Khango

DIMAPUR,

JAN 7 (NPN):

NSCN/GPRN (K) on Saturday informed that the joint council meeting of the organization held on January 6 resolved to impeach its president ‘lt. gen.’ (Retd) Khango Konyak.

Konyak under article 27 “for repeated acceptance of bribe and violation of the constitutional norms article 29.”

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 7

(NPN):

In his speech, John said he voluntarily retired after consultations with senior advisors, under two simple reasons-- to resign on his own terms and secondly to avoid certain legal complications that could have impacted many people, including the state government.

He recalled an occasion in 2011, when he was asked to come to Nagaland along with his colleagues on deputation from Chhattisgarh. However, John said he was unable to do so and felt that it was his duty to remain in Chhattisgarh since the government needed him there.

A joint statement issued by NTH speaker Kughakhu Zhimo, kilo kilonser ‘col.’ (Retd)T. Athrong and cabinet secretary Hokashe Muru said that the meeting comprising more than 90% majority led by the entire council of kilonsers (cabinet), tatars, regional authorities, military wings, secretariat staffs and the workers of NSCN/GPRN resolved to impeach Khango

They said that the house also re-reiterated the January 5, 2023 emergency meeting resolution and in consonance with the endorsement of the W/C NNPG.

In this regard, vice president Luyanba Yimkhiung shall take the charge as the acting president until further decisions, the statement read.

The house further informed all the entities, authorities and Naga public that as per the desire and longing of the Nagas the

Former NLA Speaker Dr Imtiwapang Aier passes away

StateFuneralin Kohimatoday

DIMAPUR, JAN 7 (NPN):

Former Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier passed away in Dimapur on Saturday morning after a brief illness. He was 49 and survived by his wife, four daughters and one son.

According to DIPR, a State funeral will be held at The Heritage Kohima on January 8 (Sunday) at 1 p.m. after which the body will be

taken to his native Sungratsu village, where he will be laid to rest on January 9. Earlier during the day host of legislators and well-wishers attended a brief memorial service held at his brother’s residence in Dimapur.

Late Dr. Imtiwapang is also the co-brother in-law of former chief minister and UDA chairman T.R. Zeliang. He was first elected to the State Assembly in 2013 on Congress ticket from 23 Impur Constituency and served as parliamentary secretary geology and mining. He later became the speaker of NLA. He was once again re-elected

in 2018 on NPF ticket and later merged with the NDPP along with 20 other MLAs.

Condolences

Nagaland Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer, chief minister

Neiphiu

Gov: In his condolence, Governor Mukhi expressed pain to learn of the demise of former NLA speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier.

Mukhi said that late Dr. Imtiwapang Aier was an able and dynamic leader committed to the welfare and upliftment of the people. His demise is an irreparable loss to the people of the State, he said and noted that his contribution as a great leader and statesman in the service of the highest ideals

would remain a legacy and inspiration to many. Governor, on behalf of the people of Nagaland and on his own behalf, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that God bestow fortitude to bear this tragic loss and grant solace at this hour of bereavement.

CM: State chief minister Neiphiu Rio expressed pain over the sudden demise of Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, describing him as a young, dynamic and promising public leader. Rio said that during his association with Dr. Imtiwapang, he found

NSCN/GPRN (K) under the leadership of Luyanba Yimkhiung and ato kilonser (col Retd) Isak Sumi shall continue to pursue for an honourable Naga political solution under the banner of NNPGs.

The house also resolved that Isak Sumi shall remain the legitimate representative of NSCN/GPRN as the co-convener of the W/C NNPG. “The incumbent leadership and the Government shall also continue to uphold official ceasefire with the Government of India and its paraphernalia’s,” it added.

Meanwhile, the house expressed regret to inform

the Naga people that they were constrained to initiate this measure in order to restore the sanctity of the NSCN/GPRN and “due to non-compliance callous and belligerent attitude and action of the former president and the conspirators.”

Rejoinder: Meanwhile, in a separate statement issued through its MIP, the NSCN/GPRN (K) said it was constrained to clear the air of fabricated and false statements labelled against its ato kilonser ‘col. (Retd) Isak Sumi and government by “a gang of followers of impeached President (Khango Konyak).”

in-charge

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JAN 7 (NPN):

The Congress has once again called upon all likeminded political parties to join hands in order to form a secular front to fight the upcoming state Assembly elections against NDPP-BJP led alliance in Nagaland.

Addressing media persons here at the Congress Bhavan, All India Congress Committee secretary incharge of Nagaland and Sikkim, Ranajit Mukherjee said the party has resolved

to form a secular alliance to ensure that the Hindutva forces are stopped from entering Nagaland through backdoor. With this in mind, he said the party along with the secular alliance would be

Rio and host of leaders and organizations condoled the demise of Dr. Imtiwapang Aier.

All rank and file of the Nagaland Police bade farewell to Director General of Police (DGP) T John Longkumer at a colourful ‘Farewell Parade’ Saturday held at NAPTC ground, Chümoukedima.

Staff Reporter

Cong open to secular front to fight polls: AICC

Afaque Khan and Aneel Hegde addressing the media, Saturday. (NP)

Longkumer takes the final salute as Mahila personnel march-past. (NP)

Late Dr. Imtiwapang Aier

Ranajit Mukherjee

Churches conference underway; student bodies hold general conference

The three-day 15th annual general conference of the Association of Gorkha Baptist Church Council (AGBCN) commenced on January 6 under the theme “Deeper walk with God” –Deuteronomy 8:6.

AGBCN through its media cell informed that the annual conference was hosted by Nepali Baptist Church (NBC) Kiphire at Hopongkyü Memorial Hall, Kiphire. United Sangtam Baptist Lithroti Ashimükhong (USBLA) executive secretary, Rev Y Imtiba Sangtam,AGBCN

Hekheshe Students’ Union (HSU) celebrated its 35th anniversary on January 7, at Hekheshe village.

executive secretary, Rev Dr. Santabir Rai and AGBCN council chairman Robert Aley are the worship speakers in the conference while Pastor of NBC Pfutsero, Krishna Ramauli as the Bible study speaker.

The inaugural day was marked with the unfurling of the AGBCN flag by AGBCN council chairman and speaker of inaugural service Robert Aley.

Pastor of NBC Kiphire Bhim Sapkota delivered the welcome address while Head GB Kiphire,

Throngseli Sangtam and Thrijungliba Sangtam exhorted the gathering.

Welcome song was presented by NBC Kiphire and special numbers were performed by Gorkha Baptist Church Jessami and Thahekhu.

The Annual conference which would conclude on January 8 saw the participation of around 250 delegates from over 35 affiliated and associated Nepali/Gorkha churches and fellowships under AGBCN from Nagaland, Manipur and Assam.

union bodies and G.Bs from neighboring villages.

Western Angami Students’ Union (WASU) celebrated its 75th anniversary under the theme, “Restrengthening the Foundation” at Western Angami Public Organization ground, Sechü Zubza, hosted by Sechü (Zubza) Students’ Union.

Special guest of the anniversary, MLA, leader of NPF Legislature Party & co-chairman of UDA government, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu in his speech congratulated WASU on reaching the milestone.

Nienu called on the gathered members to remember the pioneers and founding fathers from this union who were torch bearers among the Nagas in fields like education, Naga political issue and politics among other fields.

dents were the backbone of a society, while the good ones are the assets, the others become a liability for the society. He pointed out that a student generally spends around 15 to 16 years of their lives studying till graduation but often they fail to realise what they’re good at. Therefore, he said when a student reaches graduation level, that was the time for them to find out their strengths and pursue in the line.

He exhorted the students to put in their best during their student’s life so that they would reap the benefits of success for their rest of their live and urged them to develop a positive way of life which would bring overall progress and happiness to them and the people as well.

The celebration was chaired by central organising committee convenor, Khrielievi Chüsi while invocation was pronounced by Peducha Baptist Church pastor, Pecüvilie Kruneilie.

7th

In a press release, HSU president, Khevikhu Yepthomi and convener planning committee president, Kakishe Achumi informed that Janata Dal United general secretary, Kitoho S. Rotokha graced the event and hoisted the flag of the Hekheshe Students’ Union.

Cultural troops from Hekheshe Village, Zhuikhu students’ Union and Old Maova Students’ Union presented various cultural items while Tsuuma village Students’ Union and Lomika K. achumi presented special nurmbers. The jubilee was attended by host of dignitaries’ students’

Earlier, in the morning session the jubilee monolith was unveiled by WSBAK executive secretary, Rev. Dr. Phughoto Sema, Western Sumi Students’ Union acting president, Kabo G Zhimomi also exhorted the gathering at the session.

Speaking at the occasion of the Union, Kitoho S. Rotokha, motivated and inspired the gathering, specially the student community to introspect and start envisioning towards a brighter future. He called upon the youths to take up the entrepreneurship and look beyond government jobs and also suggested the gathering to do away with this chief guest culture.

He expressed his admiration towards the union for having inherited such a “rich legacy” from some of the tallest Naga leaders including the first Naga graduate- A Kevichüsa and A. Z Phizo, the founder of NNC FGN.

Nienu said these leaders could foresee that the Naga political issue would one day fizzle out after Nagas start to get comfortable under the statehood.

He challenged the gathering to restrengthen the education system, the Naga political issue that was about to “die down.”

Nienu stated that stu-

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Late S. Zheheshe Sema

Dy. Director (Retd) (01.05.1945 - 03.01.2023)

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” John 11:25

We, the bereaved family members of Late Mr. S. Zheheshe Sema would like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to those who stood by us during the time of our loss. We would like to especially acknowledge our deepest gratitude to Sümi Baptist Church Kohima, HOP SBCK, Faith Harvest Church Kohima, Prayer Warriors, Usutomi Community, doctors, nurses, friends, neighbors, relatives and every individual who stood by us spiritually, physically and financially during his prolonged illness and sad demise on 03-01-2023. We regret our inability to thank each and every one personally for your act of kindness towards us.

May our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Sons, Daughters, Daughters-in-law, Sons-in-law and Grandchildren.

WASU president, Ketholezo Rino delivered his address while WAPO president, Kepelhoutuo Chüsi and Angami Students’ Union president, Bisevi Nakhro extended greetings.

A short speech was given by honoured guest, MLA & chairman, DPDB Kohima, Keneizhakho Nakhro.

A special number was presented by Sechü (Zubza) Students’ Union, Khonoma Students’ Union presented a traditional item while finance committee co-convenor, Theyievilie Suohumvü delivered the vote of thanks. (Correspondent)

VK Range Students’ Union (VKRSU) organised its 47th general conference on January 6 in Satsami village, Zunheboto.

According to a DIPR report, the programme was attended by advisor of NSDMA and CAWD Kazheto Kinimi.

Addressing the gathering, Kinimi reiterated the importance and value of Sumi culture and tradition. He urged the student community to carry forward the tradition and culture, which is one’s identity and encouraged them to invest their lives through hardships and dedication to have a successful and better future.

The cultural program was also attended by ADC Akuluto, government officials, and a huge delegation from surrounding villages.

Earlier, the inaugural programme

of the 4-day long event was graced by advisor of school education, and SCERT, KT Sukhalu.

The conference would consist of sports events and cultural and literary competitions. Retd. Director, Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Hotokhu Chushi and Asukhuto Prayer Centre, Rev. Vikuti Kinimi would be gracing the conference as the guest speakers.

Acknowledgment

Late Moyithung Odyuo

20th January 1944 - 29th December 2022

We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have shared in our grief at the sudden death of our beloved Lt. Moyithung Odyuo. As we continue our journey of healing, we will remember the overwhelming love and support shown towards us, and the honor given to him as he le us to be with our Lord. We pray that his love for God, people and music will continue to inspire us to deeper faith and service until we meet again in the presence of our Lord. God bless you all.

e LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

Participants performing at the annual general conference.

Azo Nienu (R) with KeneizhakhoNakhro (L) and Khrielievi releasing the WASU souvenir on Saturday. (NP) Delegates at ACRCMK Houzha.

Kazheto Kinimi at the General Conference of VK Range Students’ Union.

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA: The 15th annual general conference of Association of Gorkha Baptist Church Council (AGBCN) and 7th conference of Angami Christian Revival Churches Miapuonuoko Krotho (ACRCMK) commenced on January 6. While, VK Range Students’ Union (VKRSU) held its 47th general conference. Hekheshe Students’ Union (HSU) and Western Angami Students’ Union (WASU) celebrated their 35th anniversary and 75th anniversary respectively.

Angami Christian Revival Churches Miapuonuoko Krotho (ACRCMK) Houzha commenced at Viswema village on January 6, under the theme ‘Nieko A zhapuko zo’- Isaya 43:10.

According to a press release, the first service of the program was chaired by ACRCMK vice president, Arhi Theünuo. Welcome address was delivered by Pastor CRC Viswema, Nosezol Valeo while, Pastor CRC High School Colony Khriezosietuo Kire, was the main Speaker during the evening worship.

Over 500 delegates from across the Angami regions attended on the first day ACRCC chairman, Rev. Dr. Kecha Seyie, and ACRCC Mission Board chairman, Rev. Kikokul Khazo would be the speakers of the three-day long programme.

AGBCN15thgeneralannualconference

HSU celebrates coral Jubilee

ACRCMK ‘7th Houzha’ commences

WASU celebrates 75th anniv

Kitoho S. Rotokha

MHD celebrates 75th anniv-cum-Chithuni festival

Commenting on the land dispute between Maos and SAPO, Dr. Pfoze lamented that there had been many misunderstandings. He said that such misunderstandings should not hamper shared heritage and the oneness in Christ, but continue to have dialogue in order to create a solution to resolve all problems.

He appealed to the southern Angami brothers and the Mao community to reach out to each other and resolve the issue through dialogue. Pfoze also thanked the other communities for extending support to resolve the border issue.

munity members to be productive people and give their best in every field.

Earlier, the chief guest unveiled the 75th anniversary monolith while anniversary souvenir was released by Mao Hoho Nagaland (MHN) president A Daili.

Solidarity messages were delivered by Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) president Estungmomo Kithan, WTH president Vekhosayi Nyekha, SNUNS president S Putukho Batao, MHN president A Daili and NCD former president Savi Liegise.

Highlights of the programme included Chithuni cultural presentations.

Phek district welfare

DIMAPUR: Phek District Welfare Officer, Anyile Khamo, in a circular has informed the beneficiaries (excluding replacement) under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) IGNOAPS, IGNWPS and IGNDPS that the payment for the period of six months will be disbursed to those who have not received the payment through Direct Benefit Transfer(DBT) personal bank account for the year 2021-2022.

According to a DIPR report it was informed that the beneficiaries have been asked to collect the said pension scheme along with

the payment book and also to submit a photocopy of their bank account passbook (front page) during the payment.

The disbursement of payment has been scheduled to January 11 and 12 for the Phek Hq, January 13 in Chizami, January 16-17 in Meluri, January 18 and 19 in Chozuba and January 20 and 21 in Pfutsero.

It has also been informed that no payment would be made without a bank account and failing to comply within the stipulated date would be at own risk and no payment will be entertained.

(NPN): Mao Hoho Dimapur (MHD) on Saturday celebrated its 75th anniversary cum Chithuni festival of the Mao community at Mao community centre, Ashuhe Mao colony, Kuda village ‘B’ khel here on the theme “celebrating community”.

MP Dr.Lorho Pfoze, who graced the occasion as chief guest, described the theme as “such a relevant topic” and stressed on the need to celebrate the community.

Dr. Pfoze lamented that people become selfish as they develop, progress and begin to prosper and see opportunities around. He, therefore, underlined the need to retrospect

BSF bus mishap: DIG inspects site

as Nagas have grown over time and have gone through difficult times.

Further, Manipur Lok Sabha member encouraged the gathering to retrospect and continue to look forward to live together in unity.

Dr.Pfoze also urged the Moa community to give their best and live exemplary life for others to emulate.

Manipur MLA, Losii Dikho, who was the guest of honour, extended greetings on behalf of Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh. Dikhoi extended his gratitude to the Nagaland state for accepting the Mao community to live in peace and harmony. He said it was the spirit of love and unity among the Nagas that has allowed different communities to coexist peacefully, adding that such bond should continue to exist.

On the occasion, he encouraged the Mao com-

Western Sumi Hoho condoles

DIMAPUR: The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has expressed its shock and grief over the demise of Hotolu Swu NCS, addl. secretary, sericulture team leader, NHBM, who passed away on January 6 while on medical treatment in Chennai.

In a press release, WSH president, Shikaho Zhimomi reminisced that Lt. Hotolu Swu was a multitalented young and promising Sumi officer who had the best of his days and years ahead of him in his career in the Nagaland Civil Services.

WSH that, Hotolu Swu was an officer and a gentle-

man who had a God-fearing and humble beginning, ever passionate about his work and in the diligent execution of his assignments.

WSH added that the demise of late Hotolu Swu is a great loss to the NCS community, the whole of the Sumis in general and the Phughoboto people in particular.

The WSH has extended their deepest condolences to the bereaved family members, relatives, friends and colleagues of late Hotolu Swu, and has wished upon the departed soul to rest in peace.

ERO Phek notifies on final publication of e-roll

The ill-fated bus that fell 60 feet below the road.

DIMAPUR: A day after the BSF bus mishap where the bus consisting of 41 BSF personnel fell 60 feet down the gorge due to failure of brake, the incident caused injury to 24 BSF personnel and one civilian (bus handyman).

DIG CI (Ops) Manipur BSF, Dinesh Singh

Rawat, together with DC (G) Ci (Ops) Manipur, Rashid Reza, consulted with the injured personnel and assured them of all possible assistance. He also met with the hospital in-charge, doctor Lotha and his team and appreciated him and his team for their whole

hearted efforts and humanitarian service on behalf of BSF.

DIG BSF also visited the camp of 40 Assam Rifles and conveyed sincere thanks to Maj Ankit Singh and his team for their relentless help and support during the rescue operation.

DIMAPUR: Additional Deputy Commissioner HQ & Electoral Registration Officer, Phek, T. Moa Lemtor, has notified that the list of amendments to the draft electoral roll for the 16- Pfutsero, 17- Chizami, 18- Chozuba, 19Phek and 20- Meluri Assembly Constituencies has been prepared with reference to January1, 2023 as the qualifying date and in accordance with Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

According to a DIPR report, a copy of the said roll together with the said list of amendments has been published and will be available for inspection at ADC HQ, Phek office during office hours.

Earlier, opening prayer was offered by ACI Punanamai principal Rev. Loli Kale, welcome song was presented by Mao Women Hoho Dimapur (MWHD), anniversary and Chithuni blessings was administered by community elder Kapani Ashuli, welcome address was delivered by MHD president M John Kape.

Brief history of MHD and significance of Chithuni festival was shared by L Adani Mao. Exhibition stalls were also set up to mark the celebration.

NSCN (I-M) CR dismayed over poor road condition

DIMAPUR: NSCN (I-M) Chakhesang Region has expressed dismay over the “low grade” road construction within the Chakhesang area.

In a press release, Chakhesang region, advisor CAO, Zhotoyi Therie stated that the 20 km of road stretch undertaken for construction of two lane road, Pfutsero to Phek via Sakraba town by KKB Company has been already damaged within five to six months of construction. CAO claimed that several potholes have emerged due to poor workmanship and lack of components.

The Chakhesang Region has warned the concerned contractor that complaint and FIR would be lodged against them, adding that the contractor’s licenses/ registration would be cancelled/ blacklisted..

HRUD, HGKZ flay ‘inhumane acts’ committed against Isak Sumi

DIMAPUR: Hoshepu

Range Union Dimapur (HRUD) and Hoshepu Ghami Kuqhakulu Zunheboto (HGKZ) has condemned the inhuman acts committed against Isak Sumi, Ato Kilonser of the NSCN (Khango) and his family on January 4.

HRUD: Hoshepu Range Union Dimapur (HRUD) has vehemently condemned what it described as “unjustifiable and inhumane acts” committed against ‘Col (Retd).’ Isak Sumi, Ato Kilonser of the NSCN (Khango) and his family on January 4, 2023.

In a press release, HRUD chairman Vika Zhimo and secretary Shikavi Kinimi said it was “tragic” that an organization, which claims to represent the noble Naga cause, “conducted itself in such a shameful manner.”

The union stated that whatever the internal issue was the matter should have been sorted

Assam Rifles conduct activities for villagers and students

KOHIMA: Chakhesang Christian Revival Churches (CCRC) Golden Jubilee proclamation rally will be held on January 9, from Trinitarian Spot Gariphema the birth place of Nagaland Christian Revival Church (NCRC) in Kohima in consonance with NCRC foundation.

Chakhesang Christian Revival Churches through its media and publicity committee informed that the rally would be flagged off by Pastor NCRC Gariphema, Rev Thekruzhü Khana.

The organisers have informed all participants of the rally to gather on Monday morning at Kohima Bible College (KBC) Gate near hotel Vivor in Kohima at 6 am and to proceed to Gariphema for a service at 8:30 am.

Following which, the rallyist would proceed to Chesezu village in the afternoon via Kohima town for a prayer service and later Chakhesang Christian Revival Churches Mission Centre, Chetheba in Phek district for culmination service later in evening.

Tuensang Battalion of Assam Rifles distributed two solar lights to Ran -

pha

ian gesture.

Mokokchung Battalion provided vehicle for transportation of candi -

dates from Selenghat Assam till Dimapur who will be appearing Sainik school entrance exam scheduled to be held on January 8. Initially Battalion carried out their online registration and conducted

car ried out food and lodging arrangements for these candidates during their stay in Dimapur.

The noble gesture of Assam Rifles has been commended by the public and has assisted in strengthening the bond of bonhomie and trust amongst the force and villagers.

out without resorting to “pedestrian methods.” It expressed sadness that the “illegitimate, and uncivilized actions” of “certain elements within the organization has brought great shame and disrepute to itself.”

HRUD stated that Hoshepu Range was pioneers in the Naga cause and take great pride in the innumerable sacrifices made for the same. “Today, we bristle with indignation at the unchristian and barbaric treatment of our son Isak Sumi, a bona fide member of our union,” HRUD stated.

The union questioned whether the NSCN (Khango) and its leadership by acting in such a short-sighted fashion “abdicated its position at the forefront of the Naga issue.”

Meanwhile, the union has affirmed to “unequivocally stand” with the decision of the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH), the apex Sumi

Hoho, Working Committee of the 7 NNPGs, and “together with all sane people” condemn the “barbarity” committed against Isak Sumi, his family, and concerned civil society leaders.

HGKZ: Hoshepu Ghami Kuqhakulu Zunheboto (HGKZ) has strongly condemned the alleged “physical assault” and “torture” of ‘Col (Retd).’ Isak Sumi, Ato Kilonser of the NSCN (Khango) and his family on January 4, 2023.

In a press release, HGKZ chairman, Mughato Aye and Jt. Secretary Aboto Aye, stated that HGKZ will not condone the assault and torture of Isak Sumi and his family by any individual or groups.

Strongly condemning the assault, the union has demanded to take strict action against the erring personnel who were involved in the incident and requested the justice to be delivered at the earliest.

A total of 11 candidates will be appearing for the exams who hail from remote village of Assam. In addition battalion have

NRP condemns alleged murder of wife by husband

DIMAPUR: New Reserve Panchayat (NRP) along with the Women and Youth organisation has expressed shock and vehemently condemned the incident that took place on December 24, 2022, where in Thejakolie

Angami had allegedly murdered his wife Krutalu.

In a press release, NRP has urged upon the concerned authorities to punish Thejakolie Angami at the highest level as per the law

of the land.

NRP has also stated it would not allow Thejakolie to reside in the colony.

The panchayat has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JAN 7

Manipur Lok Sabha

Dr. Lorho Pfoze and others after unveiling the 75th anniversary monolith od MHD. (NP)

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles conducted various activities across the state under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North).

village, Mon District. Villagers appreciated the efforts by Assam Rifles and thanked for the humanitar-

two months long coaching classes to prepare for entrance examination.

AR distributing the solar lights to the villagers.

AR with the students and the pick-up vehicle.

insurgents surrender in Manipur

Biren reiterates peace talk offer to UG outfits

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JAN 7: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh reiterated his government’s offer to hold peace talks with armed insurgent groups even as 43 cadres of several insurgent groups surrendered with arms and ammunition to the government in Imphal on Saturday.

The 43 cadres from different armed groups, which included a woman cadre, laid down arms before the chief minister in a homecoming ceremony at the Banquet Hall of 1st Manipur Rifles in Imphal today. The cadres laid down 19 arms, 17 hand grenades, five handheld sets, one Kenwood set, nine PEK, 5 IED, and 209 ammunition before the chief minister.

Thirteen of the cadres who surrendered on Saturday were from Kangleipak Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), five from People’s Liberation Army (PLA)/ RPF, 11 from Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s

War Group), five each from United National Liberation Front (UNLF), and KCP (N), two from PREPAK (PRO), one from PREPAK and one from NSCN (U).

Appealing to help make a strong, peaceful and united Manipur and India, Singh said that confidence and trust building were the key recipes for a strong and united Manipur and India.

“The government keeps its doors wide open at all times for anyone willing to give up arms and join the mainstream,” he said.

The chief minister fur-

ther emphasized that unity and cooperation among all sections of the people was the need of the hour.

Singh assured that his government will implement rehabilitation benefits under the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) scheme for surrender-cumrehabilitation of militants in the northeast states, 2018 for youths to return to the mainstream.

The chief minister also reiterated his government’s war on drugs campaign was launched to save the people of the state from the on -

Assam inks MoU with Gujarat trust for free treatment of cardiac patients

(GMCH).

“The doctors operate the patients for a fixed duration of time and after that the patients spend more time with the nurses and other support staff. Better training of these staff will ensure better care for the patients,” he said.

slaught of the drug menace which has plagued the state.

“We are fully committed to the campaign, considering the future of the youths and the lives of many that are at stake due to illegal poppy cultivation and drug abuse,” he said.

He lamented that despite the collective and painstaking efforts of the security forces and government on “War Against Drugs” for total eradication of illegal drugs in the state, a few sections of the people resorted to immature acts of mockery of the govern-

ment’s initiatives.

“It is very unfortunate. We take the matter with utmost seriousness,” he said.

Manipur police DGP P Doungel, speaking on the occasion, said that the government was keen to have talks and bring home all the misguided youths of the state adding that the many counter-insurgency operations conducted were not enough.

He informed that till today, 644 surrendered cadres have come back home to start a new life out of the 749. They were screened and accepted by the surrendering committee.

Altogether, 108 surrendered cadres of different underground groups are now in camps under the surrender scheme of the MHA”, the DGP added.

The DGP further stated that the government will continue to bring in all those who have strayed from normal lives to the national mainstream to ensure peace in the state with cooperation from security agencies.

The homecoming ceremony was attended by ministers, MLAs and various high ranking state officials and central security forces.

Former Assam minister Nazrul Islam dies at 73

his son Dr Asif Mohammed Nazar won the seat on the Congress ticket in 2021.

He was a physician before joining politics and had completed his MBBS from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.

Law and order situation in Tripura is ‘quite good’: Saha

suggested the situation in Tripura is good compared to other states,” Saha said.

Leader of Opposition in Tripura Assembly Manik Sarkar on Friday had alleged deterioration in the law and order situation in the state.

AG ARTALA, JAN 7 (PTI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday claimed that a ‘feel good’ situation is prevailing in poll bound Tripura and the law and order situation in the state is “quite good”. The CM claimed that there has been steep fall in rape, arson, murder cases and no political violence in Tripura ever since the BJP came to power in 2018.

“A feel good situation is prevailing all around and the law and order situation is good as per the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) report. The law

and order situation here is quite good compared to other states”, he said while flagging off ‘Jan Viswas rally’ (rath yatra) at Kumarghat in Unakoti district.

The ‘Jan Viswas’ rally which was flagged off by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Dharmanagar in North Tripura, reached Kumarghat on Saturday.

“The opposition parties are creating trouble... but the law and order situation is quite good in the state with police showing zero tolerance to any sort of crime. The NCRB data

Asserting that the BJP is a must for making the county stronger, the Chief Minister said the people of the country should be proud to have a leader like Narendra Modi, who is leading the country from the front on the development path.

“Without any demand or agitation, Modi ji has given broad gauge rail facility from Dharmanagar to Sabroom via Agartala. As many as 11 express trains are connected to Agartala railway station. Besides, Indo-Bangla railway link is also making progress,” he said.

Saha appealed to the people who are still supporting opposition parties - CPI(M), Congress and Trinamool Congress - to join the saffron party to make the state ‘atmanirbor’ and strong enough.

Police confront college students blocking NH-2 in Manipur

Correspondent

GU WAHATI, JAN 7

(PTI): The Assam government on Saturday entered into an agreement with a Gujarat-based charitable healthcare trust for free-ofcost treatment of cardiac ailments for patients from economically weaker sections of the North Eastern state.

The Health and Family Welfare department signed the MoU with Gujarat’s Prashanti Medical Services and Research Foundation (PMSRF), under which 1,000 patients from Assam will be able to avail this facility over a period of two years.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said this

initiative will be available for both adults and children suffering from heart problems and will also cover expenses for surgical procedures.

“Patients from the state will be able to avail the treatment at the Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospitals at Ahmadabad and Rajkot, run by the PMSRF. While the trust will take care of the medical expenses, the state government will provide the travel allowance and other related expenses for the patients and attendants,” he said.

The chief minister also requested the hospital authorities to provide training facilities for nurses and other support staff of cardiac department of Gauhati Medical College and Hospit al

The chief minister mentioned that the state government has been providing free-of-cost treatment for children with coronary heart disease since 2009 through a tie up with Narayana Hrudayalaya, which has now been extended to other private hospitals in Guwahati too.

The number of minors to have benefitted through it will touch 10,000 by next month, he added.

“The existing initiative was only for children and the state government had to reimburse to the hospital the expenses of the medical procedures. But through this latest MoU, adult patients will also be covered and the government does not have to pay anything for the treatment,” Sarma said.

GUWAHATI, JAN 7 (PTI):

Former Assam minister and senior Congress leader Nazrul Islam died at a hospital here on Saturday following a prolonged illness.

He was 73, and is survived by his wife, son and daughter. The three-time minister and five-term legislator was admitted to the hospital on Friday after his oxygen level dropped alarmingly and he breathed his last in the afternoon, sources at the medical establishment said. He was a minister for three terms from 2002 to 2016 in the cabinet of former chief minister, late Tarun Gogoi.

Islam represented Laharighat assembly constituency in Morigaon district for five terms from 1996, while

Islam held the food and civil supplies, minority affairs and health portfolios in the Gogoi cabinet.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, condoling the death of the former minister, said the experienced politician had for long extended valuable services to the social and political field in the state. “I pray for the departed soul and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members,” Sarma added.

State Congress chief Bhupen Bora, in his condolence message, said the grand old party has lost a dedicated and sincere leader.

“Islam began his professional life as a doctor but went on to serve the society as a politician and we are deeply pained at his death. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” Bora added.

IMPHAL, JAN 7: Normal vehicular movement along the busy Imphal-Churachandpur section of NH-2 was on Saturday disturbed for some hours owing to a snap blockade by students of a government-run college in Bishnupur district.

The police took around two hours to reopen the highway for resumption of normal traffic as the agitating students supported by a large number of womenfolk of the area confronted the police. No injury on either side was reported in the melee.

Students of CI College, Bishnupur came onto the street and imposed snap blockade to protest nonposting of replacement teachers after teachers from the college were transferred to other colleges recently.

The students alleged that the principal and a lecturer of the college were recently transferred to other colleges. However, no replacement tea chers were

posted till date. They were told that a principal from another college was posted to the college. However, he was yet to join duty.

The college has only two lecturers to teach geography. Also, even as students have been pressing the concerned authorities to post adequate teachers to teach the subject, one was recently transferred to another college and the replacement teacher has not been posted till date.

“How can a single teacher take classes of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th semester,” one of the agitating students asked.

He said the teacher was transferred while exams

were knocking at the door and for the 1st semester students, not a single class for geography subject was conducted till date, he lamented.

“We will boycott the upcoming exams for 3rd and 5th semesters to commence from January 9 if our demands are not met,” he declared.

Extending support to the students’ demand, a large number of womenfolk, including vendors of Bishnupur Bazar also joined the agitation.

The market and shops in the Bishnupur Bazar, the largest market in the district, remained closed in support of the students’ demand.

BSF seizes human hair worth Rs. 30 lakh Ex-Assam MLA arrested; tried to form terror group: Police

Jamador village and were further being smuggled to Bangladesh from riverine area South West Khasi Hills district on Friday.

“Bangladesh has emerged as a new transit hub for human hairs smuggling for further shipping to China and Taiwan,” a BSF statement said, adding that earlier Myanmar was used as a transit country.

KOKRAJHAR, JAN 7 (PTI): Former Assam MLA Hitesh Basumatary was arrested along with two other persons for allegedly being involved in efforts to form a terror group, police said on Saturday.

SHILLONG, JAN 7: The Border Security Force (BSF) in Meghalaya has seized 300 kilos of human hair worth Rs. 30 lakh

ITANAGAR, JAN 7 (PTI):

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed another FIR in the cash-forjob scam of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and will formally take over the case, a senior police officer said here on Saturday.

The CBI filed the FIR on Friday against a case pertaining to all irregularities committed in the examinations conducted by the APPSC since 2014, Special Investigation Cell (SIC) SP Anant Mittal said.

The SIC has been in-

meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh, an official said on Saturday.

A BSF official said the human hair was transported from Meghalaya’s state capital Shillong to

“These human hairs are used in making wigs which have huge international demand and the BSF were able to seized 225 kg from the international bord er of Bangladesh last year,” the state-

“Sophisticated weapons” along with ammunition were recovered from his house, Kokrajhar’s Additional Superintendent of Police Nabaneeta Sharma said.

Basumatary was arrested on Friday night from his residence in Baksa district, she said.

The two other persons arrested were Bodoland

sociation

While Narzary was arrested from Kokrajhar,

CBI files another FIR in APPSC cash-for-job scam

vestigating the case and arrested 46 persons so far including 39 government officials.

“The SIC had received 36 complaints regarding various examinations conducted by the APPSC since 2014. The investigation was started after clubbing all the cases into a single case and 46 people were accordingly arrested,” Mittal said.

Among those arrested, 39 are government servants. The respective departments have been served with the information of the arrest for necessary departmental

proceedings, the SP added.

The state government had recently recommended for CBI enquiry into the case in addition to the paper leak case being investigated by the premier investigating agency.

The SIC had also arrested six sub-inspectors (civil) and an assistant engineer (AE) in connection with the APPSC cash-forjob scam on January 5 and 6.

Mittal informed that six sub-inspectors (SIs) of police were arrested on Thursday from North

Eastern Police Academy (NEPA) near Shillong in Meghalaya, where they were undergoing training.

A woman working as an assistant engineer of PWD was arrested from Pasighat in East Siang district on Friday evening, the SP said.

Mittal said the SIC feels that the prime accused, Taket Jerang is not revealing the entire truth of the scam.

It thus sought a narcoanalysis test from the court, which gave the permission to go ahead.

He said that all efforts

are being made to gather evidence from Taket Jerang on the alleged involvement of former APPSC Chairman Nipo Nabam and other officials of the commission.

The former APPSC chairman was interrogated, but no solid evidence has yet been received by the SIC to confirm his involvement.

“However, the SIC believes that Jerang is hiding important evidence. This can be revealed only after the narcoanalysis test,” he added.

Mittal said the SIC has

already submitted all the relevant documents of the case to CBI.

“We will not investigate the case anymore. However, when the CBI requires inputs from SIC, we will cooperate,” he added.

The question paper leak incident of assistant engineer (civil) exam, conducted by the APPSC came to light when one Gyamar Padung a candidate, filed a police complaint before the Itanagar police station on August 29 last year claiming that he suspected that the AE (civil) examination

Daimary was arrested from Udalguri.

“We had received information that some

paper had been leaked.

More than 400 candidates appeared in the examination held on August 26 and 27.

In October last year, the state government handed over the case to the CBI.

The CBI filed charge sheet against 11 accused persons at the District and Sessions Court in Yupia near here, on December 8.

The premier investigating agency had taken over the investigation on October 27 after the state government recommended for a probe by the CBI.

people were trying to form a new terrorist outfit and in this connection, we have arrested these persons,” Sharma said.

When produced at the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Kokrajhar, Basumatary and Daimary were sent to five days in police custody.

Narzary was sent to 14 days in judicial custody, she said.

“Further details will be known after the investigation,” the officer said.

Basumatary was elected MLA from Chapaguri in 2011 on a Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) ticket.

Correspondent

Jatiya Suraksha Manch working president Daorao Dekhrab Narzary and Bodoland Contractor As-

president Bikram Daimary, she said.

Forty-three cadres of different UG groups including a woman cadre laid down arms before Manipur CM N Biren Singh in Imphal on Saturday.

Manik Saha

Agitating students of CI College confronting police at Bishnupur Bazar in Bishnupur district on Saturday.

H&FW department signed the MoU with PMSRF.

Arms and ammunition seized from Hitesh Basumatary.

Hitesh Basumatary

Nazrul Islam

AI episode: Accused arrested; crew, pilot de-rostered

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, JAN 7 (PTI): The man who allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger on an Air India flight was arrested Saturday while the carrier’s CEO issued an apology over handling of the incident and said four cabin crew and a pilot have been de-rostered and the policy of serving alcohol on flights is being reviewed.

Delhi Police arrested Shankar Mishra, 34, from Bengaluru after he was traced to that city through technical surveillance, officials said. A Delhi court later sent Mishra to judicial remand for 14 days while rejecting a plea by police for his custody.

Police had sought his three-day remand, saying he was required to be identified by three cabin crew members and two captains and other co-passengers were also to be examined.

Passing the order, Metropolitan Magistrate Anamika noted that Mishra’s custody was not required by police for re -

cording statements of other witnesses, including cabin crew and co-passengers.

“Just because there’s public pressure, don’t do this. Go by the law,” the judge said.

Delhi Police had registered an FIR against him on January 4 on a complaint given by the woman to Air India.

Mishra, who was working with US multinational firm Wells Fargo in India, was sacked on Friday. He allegedly urinated on the woman, a senior citizen, in

Delhi hit-and-run case: man shielding accused granted bail

accused Ashutosh had assisted the co-accused in hiding them at Deepak’s residence.

“...Offences alleged are bailable in nature. Hence accused is granted bail on furnishing personal bond of Rs 20,000 along with one surety of like amount,” the judge said.

an inebriated condition in the business class of the Air India flight from New York to Delhi on November 26 last year.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport) Ravi Kumar Singh said, “Accused Shankar Mishra in IGIA case has been arrested from Bengaluru by a Delhi Police team. He has been brought to Delhi and further investigation into the case is in progress.”

Tata Group-owned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson issued a statement

saying the airline could have handled the issue better and promised a robust reporting system of unruly behaviour and a system of reporting such incidents.

“Air India is deeply concerned about the inflight instances where customers have suffered due to the condemnable acts of their co-passengers on our aircraft. We regret and are pained about these experiences,” he said.

“Air India acknowledges that it could have handled these matters better, both in the air and on the ground and is committed to taking action.”

With questions being raised about the airline not immediately reporting the unruly passenger to law enforcement authorities, he advised staff to report all incidents irrespective of a settlement being reached.

“In the instance of the incident onboard AI-102 operating between New York and Delhi on November 26, 2022, four cabin crew and one pilot have been issued

show cause notices and de-rostered pending investigation,” he said, adding internal investigations into whether there were lapses by other staff are ongoing.

The airline is investigating aspects including the service of alcohol on flight, incident handling, complaint registration on board and grievance handling.

As a responsible airline brand, Air India has commenced a comprehensive educat ion programme to strengthen crews’ awareness of and compliance with policies on the handling of incidents and unruly passengers with a view to materially strengthen and improve how such incidents would be addressed in future.

The airline is reviewing “policy on service of alcohol in flight,” he said without elaborating.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday stated that Air India at first glance appeared to have not complied with provisions

related to the handling of an unruly passenger onboard.

The DGCA notices came after the airline told the regulator that its staff had not complained about the Mumbai businessman to law enforcement, as the aggrieved lady had “rescinded” an initial request for action after the two “appeared” to have sorted out the issue.

A Bengaluru police official said Mishra was staying at his sister’s house in Sanjay Nagar, Bengaluru. He had switched off his mobile phone on January 3 and his last location was traced to Bengaluru.

The case against him was filed under sections 294 (obscene act in public place), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as under Aircraft Rules.

At 2.2oC, Delhi logs season’s lowest minimum temperature

NEW DELHI, JAN 7 (PTI): Delhi on Saturday recorded a minimum temperature of 2.2 degrees Celsius, five notches below the average and the season’s lowest so far, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Very dense fog reduced visibility at Palam to around 50 metres, affecting road and rail traffic. The visibility at the Palam observatory near the Indira Gandhi International Airport was 25 metres at 5:30 am.

A Railways spokesperson said 36 trains were delayed by one to seven hours

due to the foggy weather. According to the weather office, ‘very dense’ fog is when visibility is between 0 and 50 metres, 51 and 200 metres is ‘dense’, 201 and 500 metres ‘moderate’, and 501 and 1,000 metres ‘shallow’.

The Safdarjung observatory, Delhi’s primary weather station, logged a minimum temperature of 2.2 degrees Celsius.

Lodhi Road, Ayanagar and Ridge weather stations recorded minimum temperatures of 2 degrees Celsius, 3.4 degrees and 1.5 degrees, respectively.

Uttrakhand CM Pushkar Dhami visits Joshimath to assess situation

He met the affected people and assured them of all help, officials said. The CM also met the team of officials and experts who have been camping in the town since Thursday and took their feedback on the evacuation exercise, they said.

and ceilings.

“Evacuating affected families in the danger zone to safe locations is the government’s priority for now,” Dhami told reporters.

“We are also working on a long term rehabilitation strategy,” he said.

NEW DELHI, DEC 7 (PTI): A court here on Saturday granted bail to Ankush Khanna who allegedly shielded the accused involved in the Kanjhawala accident case.

Metropolitan Magistrate Sanya Dalal granted the relief to Khanna, who had surrendered on Friday, after observing that the charges against him were bailable.

The judge noted that according to the Investigating Officer (IO), Khanna had in his statement to the police said that accused Deepak was driving the vehicle. However, according to the investigation conducted so far, it has been found that accused Amit was driving.

The court also noted the investigation officer’s submission that Ankush Khanna along with another

The court asked the accused to join the investigation as and when required by the IO, attend the trial and not tamper with evidence.

During the proceedings, the prosecution sought 14 days of judicial custody of the accused.

Police had booked Ankush Khanna for the offences under sections 201(causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender), 212 (harbouring offender), 182 (false information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Police had earlier arrested Deepak Khanna (26), Amit Khanna (25), Krishan (27), Mithun (26), and Manoj Mittal in the case.

He walked through the narrow streets in the affected areas and also went inside houses in which huge cracks have appeared on the walls

After visiting the affected areas in the Himalayan town, Dhami said that suitable places for relocation of residents near Pipalkoti and Gauchar are also being

identified.

Officials have been asked not to get entangled in long procedural complexities and take direct clearance from him for projects related to treatment of drainage and sewage systems in Joshimath, he said.

Dhami said that Joshimath is an important place from the cultural, religious and tourism point of view and all efforts will be made to save it.

People warm themselves near a small fire during a cold and foggy winter morning, in New Delhi.

Shankar Mishra away by the police from the DCP office at IGI Airport in New Delhi, Saturday. (PTI)

Ankush Khanna

DEHRADUN, JAN 7 (PTI): Uttrakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited sinking Joshi-

math on Saturday to assess the situation on the ground.

A collapsed part of a house due to landslides at Joshimath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Saturday, Jan. 7 , 2023. (PTI)

Now urine gate

It has now come to be known as the infamous urine gate, India’s most globally shameful episode when an inebriated male passenger flying on business class, by Air India flight from New York to New Delhi on November 26,2022, unzipped and urinated on another female co-passenger. The man who urinated on a septuagenarian woman in a business class Air India flight from New York to Delhi has been identified as Shankar Mishra, the Vice President of the India Chapter of the USbased financial services company Wells Fargo. He later begged the woman not to report him to the police, saying it would impact his wife and child. Most regretfully, this episode was not reported to the airlines regulator or police as should have been but instead, Air India took upon itself the business of playing mediator. The victim unwillingly compromised due to intervention of the airlines. It was reported that the Air crew even brokered ‘compensation’ when the shameless accused promised. The episode exploded when television channels stumbled on the case and Air India hesitatingly issued a clarification when an enraged nation demanded action. Shankar Mishra was arrested on after evading arrest and has been held under judicial custody for 14 days and has also been sacked from his job as vice president of the US-based Wells Fargo. A case has been registered against Mishra under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)) as well as section 23 of the Aircraft Rules. The 71-year-old woman complainant had expressed shock and displeasure at the airline’s handling of the incident. In a damage control, Air India filed a police complaint only this week and said as there was “no further flare-up or confrontation”, and “respecting the perceived wishes of the female passenger”, the crew elected not to summon law enforcement upon landing. It banned Mishra from flying for 30 days, triggering outrage by social media users who said it was not enough. Regretfully, Air India did not seem to have learnt any lesson from the November 26,2022 urine-gate incident. DGCA has sought a report from Tata Group-owned Air India on an incident when a drunk passenger allegedly urinated on the blanket of a female passenger on the airline’s Paris-New Delhi flight on December 6,2022. Air India did not report it to the regulator. Top officials of India’s aviation regulatory body DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) are fuming that Air India did not report these two shocking incidents of passenger urinating on a copassenger within a span of 11 days. Both incidents were sought to be covered up by the airline. It is very strange that the Tatas who have again retained ownership of Air India, had very impeccable records till 1977 when JRD Tata was chairman of Air India. After Tatas regained control of Air India on January 27,2022 much was expected of Air India under the new management. However, the two urine-gate incidents have attracted some negative comments and also exposed the poor handling of such cases by Air India crew and management. Air India could have immediately responded by filing complaints with appropriate authorities and hold the cabin crew and pilots accountable for the missteps.

Naga Club Foundation Day, Jan 7, 2023 at Tseminyu

The Contribution of the Rengmas to the Naga Movement

DailyDevotion Intimate With Jesus

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?” —John 14:9

These words were not spoken as a rebuke, nor even with surprise; Jesus was encouraging Philip to draw closer. Yet the last person we get intimate with is Jesus. Before Pentecost the disciples knew Jesus as the One who gave them power to conquer demons and to bring about a revival (see Luke 10:18-20). It was a wonderful intimacy, but there was a much closer intimacy to come: “…I have called you friends…” (John 15:15). True friendship is rare on earth. It means identifying with someone in thought, heart, and spirit. The whole experience of life is designed to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. We receive His blessings and know His Word, but do we really know Him?

Jesus said, “It is to your advantage that I go away…” (John 16:7). He left that relationship to lead them even closer. It is a joy to Jesus when a disciple takes time to walk more intimately with Him. The bearing of fruit is always shown in Scripture to be the visible result of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ (see John 15:1-4).

Once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we never lack for understanding or compassion. We can continually pour out our hearts to Him without being perceived as overly emotional or pitiful. The Christian who is truly intimate with Jesus will never draw attention to himself but will only show the evidence of a life where Jesus is completely in control. This is the outcome of allowing Jesus to satisfy every area of life to its depth. The picture resulting from such a life is that of the strong, calm balance that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him.

The Rengmas were some of the earliest Nagas the British had encountered in their forays into the North-Eastern region. The first encounter of the British with the Rengmas took place when Mr. E.W. Grange, SubAssistant Commissioner, Nowgong met Mr. Keyhan Phukan, the ‘Rengma Warrior’ at Mohang-Dehooa in 1839.

The British officer desired a meeting with the Ahom King, but the latter was reluctant to meet the official in person, so he sent Keyhan, his emissary.

The Rengma Chieftain, dressed in his full traditional attire, complete with spear and dao, met the dumbfounded British officer who asked, through an interpreter, “What do you call a nightmare or ghost in your dialect?”. Keyhan simply said, “Rüme”. The officer recorded this as Rengma in his diary; ‘Nzonyu’ thus, officially became ‘Rengma’.

The Rengmas were once a major tribe occupying a vast tract of land in the present Tseminyu region of Nagaland and the Rengma Hills of Assam.

The Rengma country was however, arbitrarily divided; one portion is now part of Assam. On his visit in 1870, Captain John Butler was warmly welcomed by the Western Rengmas. The Tesophenyu villagers, on the other hand, confronted the British troops led by Dr Brown on 4th Jan. 1874, which led to heavy losses; their warrior Chieftain Mr. Mithang Kath was also grievously wounded and later succumbed to his injuries in the Pansüka Tiger Cave. On 22nd Jan. 1874, the Kithagha villagers welcomed Captain Butler who was on his way to Wokha. As a goodwill gesture, Mr. Wanchung Magh, GB, presented him with 2 baskets of rice, 1 basket of eggs, 3 goats, 3 fowls, 5 jars of rice beer, 9 shawls and 9 spears. Captain Butler reciprocated by declaring Kithagha as ‘Loyal Village’ and exempted the village from House Tax.

During the 1st World War, the Naga contingent of the Labour Corps to France in 1917 included 200 Rengmas. The Naga contingent probably returned in two batches, dur-

ing July-August and October 1918. The Naga Club was formed during this period (7th Jan. 1918) by some employees of the then DC’s office at Kohima. Some of the members of the Labour Corps joined the Naga Club on their return. One of the founding members of the Naga Club was Mr. Nrilo Kent, Interpreter (DB). Feeling the need to reactivate the Naga Club, a meeting was held at the Kohima Village Panchayat Hall on 7th Jan. 1982. During this meeting the 4th team of the Naga Club was elected, with Mr. Azüto Keppen as its President.

In 1928, the Deputy Commissioner of the Naga Hills, Mr. J H Hutton informed Mr. Rheichalie Pienyü, Peshkar, and Mr. Lhoutsüzo Senotsu, Writer, of the imminent visit of the British Statutory Commission led by Mr. John Simon. The Naga Club, thus, submitted the famous ‘Naga Memorandum’ to the Simon Commission on 10th Jan. 1929; one of the signatories was Mr. Rüsilo Kent, DB. With the formation

of the Naga Hills District Tribal Council (NHDTC) in 1945, Mr. P. Sentsi Kent was appointed Joint Secretary. The NHDTC evolved into the Naga National Council in 1946, where he was retained in the same position. On 19th July 1947, under the leadership of Mr. A Z Phizo and Mr. Aliba, Sentsi and others met Mahatma Gandhi to apprise him of the aspirations of the Nagas. Shortly thereafter, on 14th Aug. 1947, the leaders declared Naga Independence at Kohima. The Rengmas were represented by Sentsi, Rüsilo, Azüto and Mr. Kamvürhi at this event. In due course Phizo married a Rengma lady, Jwenle Kent. He also met and developed a strong bond with Mr. Whenha Rengma, a prominent citizen. On February 1956, at a meeting in Thürütsüsü, Chakhesang Region, a reluctant Whenha was unanimously selected as the Federal President of Nagaland to enable hoisting of the National Flag. It was in the Rengma Region that the first Naga National Flag was designed by A Z

Phizo, President, NNC. It was woven under his directive by four Rengma ladies - Keshenle Thong, Lathon Kemp, Khongale Kent and Rüso-ü Semp. The Flag was hoisted at Parashen, in the Rengma Region on 22nd Mar. 1956 by Mr. C. Thungti Chang, C-in-C, Naga Home Guard. Thereafter, at the Sanis meeting in the Lotha Region on 13th July 1956, Whenha was made the first Ato Kilonser of the Federal Government of Nagaland. On 28th July 1956, a send-off service at the Phenshunyu Village Church in the Rengma Region was held for Mr Phizo, who was leaving on a mission to represent the Naga cause internationally.

In February 1961, Mr. Riga Thong and Mr. Lothi Semy were inducted as members to the Interim Body, the de facto Legislative Assembly of Nagaland. The Rengmas have come a long way since then. With the support and blessings of various Naga leaders, and in particular the Kezekevi Thehouba and the Angami Public Organisation, the Rengmas could get the long-cherished dream,

‘Tseminyu

Through this long journey we have seen so much of division and destruction. The Nagas have suffered tremendously, both from external forces and from within. Thus, the Rengmas too have continuously advocated for peace in the land, an elusive element in our voyage. We have too much of hatred in us, most from our past mistakes; we forget we are only human. We have stubbornly refused to forget and forgive. If we are to move forward as one people, with our heads held high, we have to acknowledge our mistakes, we have to forgive our human failings and most of all, we must stop dwelling in the past. Psalms 133:1 beautifully states, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity”. God Bless the Nagas!!! Prof.

SAPO committed to its decision in restricting the movement of

Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) would like to reiterate, that till date, it had stood committed and honoured Tenyimia Public Organization (TPO’s) directives and undertakings with regard to Kezoltsa issue. However, we would like to put the facts on paper, not necessarily responding to paper wars, that the Mao Council and the Manipur State Government has been non-committal and repeatedly violated the TPO’s directives, for which SAPO had often raised serious objections for the violated activities.

Through this notice, we would also like to clarify to every concerned public, that the TPO (then under the Presidentship of Z.M. Sekhose) and its Board of Arbitrators (BOA) has taken up the traditional boundary issue of Kezoltsa between the SAPO and Mao, and resolute an ‘arbitration agreement’ as early as 2015. However, on March 19, 2010, an incident where some illegal timber loggers belonging to the Mao tribe were caught, whereby TPO constituent units including Angami Public Organization (APO) and Memai (MAO) Council), again, agreed with signatures on the following points in the presence of TPO officials:

1. That those detainees should be released safely, unharmed, but respect and maintain the traditional boundaries of our forefathers.

2. No one (both parties) is allowed to develop or harvest, (such as logging, firewood, etc.) until the dispute-case is settled.

3. TPO shall initiate the dispute case and settle it within 4 months.

Accordingly, SAPO volunteers accorded ‘safe passage’ of the detainees to Memai Council, as spelt out by TPO.

SAPO would like to put on record some facts that, during the pendency of the case and agreement undertaking (Dated 19th March 2010 before the TPO court), some acts, though not exhaustive, that had been violated by the Mao people:

1. Random logging by some Mao citizens and even detained by Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) volunteers on 20th March 2010 (Moropfumai and others while illegally timber logging inside the Kezoltsa).

2. During this imbroglio, Mao Council submitted a memorandum to Shri Okram Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur on 23rdApril 2015, with the caption ‘Massive Encroachment by Southern Angami

People’s Organization (SAPO) taking place, deep into Manipur State’s Political Boundary in the Dzüko- Kozürü Area’.

3. Due to this memorandum, the membership of the Mao Council was disassociated /suspended by the Naga Hoho till such time the memorandum was withdrawn.

4. The infamous Memorandum submitted by Mao Council to the Government of Manipur on 23rd April 2015 was supposedly withdrawn with effect from 25th October 2015, but surprisingly, even on 1st July 2017, the President of Mao Council stated at Senapati, that they were unable to withdraw the memorandum because “it will sever ties with the Government”.

5. Maos burnt down SAPO Rest House on 27th January, 2016.

6. TPO issued a letter to the Mao Council to discontinue the on-going road construction under PMGSY 2012 towards Kezoltsa 9th January, 2016, but it went unheeded.

Further, an ‘arbitration undertaking’ was signed on 28th November, 2017, by the then President of SAPO (Dr. Neiketu Kiso), the Chief of Maram Khullen (Shri. K. Namba), and the President of Mao Council (Shri. Dili), in the presence of TPO President (Shri Timikha Koza), BOA Convener (Shri Sovenyi) initiated by TPO. These authorized delegates from their concerned Organization/Party solemnly signed that:

Whereas, the present forest land dispute between the Southern Angami, the Mao Council and the Maram Khullen village authority over ‘Kezoltsa / Kozürü/ Kazing/ Karyi / Dzükou Area’ has been taken up by the Board of Arbitrators (BOA) constituted by the Tenyimi People Organization (TPO).

Whereas, all the parties, fully concurring that the land belong to the people and not to any state or government, agreed to resolve the dispute based on Naga Customary Laws and its Usages (Tenyimia) and not to resort to or approach any other court(s) and also do hereby commit to abide by the decision of the BOA and co-operate with the TPO for implementation of the decision given by the Arbitral Tribunal.

Further, in view of the aforesaid undertaking, we also agreed not to:

a. Destroy the forest – flora and fauna

b. Collect forest produce c. Permit hunting d. Allow any road connectivity to the above mentioned

forest. To this effect the existing road(s) shall also be cut-off.

To this pledge we commit that in the event of any violation or failure to abide by the abovementioned points, the BOA/TPO may invite a penalty of minimum ₹20 (twenty) lakhs fine or even to the extent of ‘Excommunication’ depending on the degree of default.

It is clearly understood that with this ‘arbitration undertaking’ between the parties, all the rights over the land and its resources has been kept in custody, from the SAPO, Maram and Mao, by the BOA. And, thereby, the land and its resources absolutely fell under the protection, control and custody of the BOA /TPO. Subsequently, SAPO truly honoured and stood committed to every TPO/BOA directives and undertakings. But on the contrary, the Mao Council and the Manipur Government had records of repeated violation. SAPO had also raised serious objections with TPO to the developmental activities being carried out by the Mao Council and the Manipur Government on several occasions. Further, we would like to put on record, other violated activities (by the Mao Council/ Manipur Government) for all right thinking citizens to decide who actually the violator of agreed terms is:

1. MMTA Manipuri Mountaineering Trekking Association trekked Dzükou valley on 4th and 6th June 2017, without permission from SAYO and were detained and released by SAYO.

2. The MMTA illegally trespass the age old standing rules of the valley custodian SAPO/ SAYO and also in violation to the agreement executed between Government of Nagaland and Manipur defining the entry point into the valley from Viswema and Jakhama. MMTA members also admitted that they, the illegal trekkers, have started the fire inferno.

3. Agreement had been arrived on 26th November 2018 with regard to Dzükou Valley fire between representative from the Government of Nagaland, represented by Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nagaland, DGP Nagaland, the legal custodian of the Dzükou Valley Southern Angami Public Organization and Southern Angami Youth Organization and Government of Manipur, represented by the Hon’ble Minister PHED, Shri. L. Dikho and other officials from the Manipur Mountaineering Trekkers Association (MMTA).

4. On 29th December, 2020, the fire inferno had started at Dzükou before the maiden visit

Angami jurisdiction

of the Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland, Shri. R.N. Ravi, to Dzükou on 30th December 2020. On the pretext of dousing off the fire inferno then, the Mao Council, together with the Government of Manipur, took advantaged and constructed roads, installed solar lights, and used heavy machineries, built up huge structure for Manipur Armed personnels within the zone under TPO custody. Despite SAPO raising objections before the TPO Court for such illegal encroachments and anti-environment developments, the Manipur Government has forcibly stationed the IRB personnel within Kezoltsa.

5. On 11thFebruary, 2021, in the court of the District Magistrate of Senapati, Manipur, CrPC 144 was imposed within the custodian zone of the TPO, prohibiting and restricting the Southern Angamis to enter their own traditional land. At this juncture, Maos conniving with Government of Manipur, deployed heavy armed personnels to safeguard workers and carry out developments, such as construction of roads, security barrack, an alternative route to Dzükou and electrification of their illegal camps.

6. On 13th March, 2021, the TPO & BOA delegates met the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur and apprised him of the prevailing dismal situation at Kezoltsa. They requested the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Nongthombam Biren Singh to address the issue. The Chief Minister there and then immediately directed his council of Minister, Shri. L. Dikho, to immediately cease work and withdraw all security personnel so that TPO and BOA can adjudicate the matter basing on customary law and practice. However, the commitment and assurance given by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur to TPO turned out to be just eyewash as it has not withdrawn its security forces till date under the patronage of the Mao Council and Manipur Government.

7. On 15th October, 2021, SAPO Rest House, which was reconstructed under the directive of the TPO in the year 2001, was again demolished by the Mao Council under the secure presence of Manipur Government Security Personnels.

8. On 20th November, 2021, a memorandum was submitted to the Government of Manipur by the contesting parties - SAPO, Maram, Mao, TPO and BOA for immediate withdrawal of Manipur Security Personnel’s from Kezoltsa/Kozürü/Kazing. However, till date under the pa-

tronage of the Mao Council they continue to occupy and enforce CrPC 144 at the disputed site, allowing developments to the favoured and restricting other disputing parties.

9. On 19th April, 2022, TPO along 9 Frontal Units of TPO went to Kezoltsa for reconstruction of SAPO Rest House, but they were denied entry to Kezoltsa by the Manipur security personnels on the ground that of CrPC 144 was enforced. Moreover, the Mao Council very cleverly abstained from participating.

10. During 15th to 30th November, 2022, Mao Council had organized a trekking route to Tempü and Dzükou (under TPO custodian zone) though severe objections were raised by SAYO. It appealed to the Mao Council to take designated routes, as per the agreement terms executed between Government of Manipur and Government of Nagaland, dated the 26th November, 2018 but they did not pay heed, instead, the intruders, including 65 trekkers, Manipur Police, IRB and Mao Youths forcibly and illegally opened an alternative route to Dzükou.

In the light of the above illegal and untoward incidents propagated by the Mao Council and Manipur Government which has directly threatened the fabric of peaceful co-existence, Southern Angami Community were compelled to take strict security measure against the Mao Council and its citizens from entering the Southern Angami jurisdiction (so as to protect the life and security of the Mao citizens in Southern jurisdiction) as the patience of the SAPO Volunteers were running thin.

The judgement (verdict) of the BOA in the TPO Court declaring Kezoltsa- Dzükou as ‘Common Property’, dated 19th December, 2022, is perceived as arbitrary, highly factitious and biased as it abstained from the principle of natural justice and Tenyimia traditional laws, practice, custom and usages of the land are totally disregarded.

SAPO wish to restate that the BOA had failed to identify the genuine land owner, despite taking seven years, about 2190 days approximately, even after physically examining the traditional boundaries. For that matter BOA has totally ignored the merits of the statements of the contesting parties.

(To be continued)

Er. Tepul Hopovi, President, SAPO & Mr. Swelul Pucho, General Secretary, SAPO.

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.

“Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny.”

~ Stephen Hawking

District’, fulfilled on 20th Dec. 2021. It was inaugurated on February 2022 as the 13th district of Nagaland by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Mr. Neiphiu Rio, who dubbed it the ‘Historical District’.

Dr Glen Thomas Thong

Mao people within the Southern

Govt to rid country of Naxalism before 2024: Shah

KORBA (C’GARH), JAN 7 (PTI): Naxalite violence has declined over the last decade and efforts are on to rid the country of the Naxal menace before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday.

Shah was speaking at a rally at Indira Stadium in Korba city of Chhattisgarh, a state affected by Maoist violence.

Sounding the poll bugle, the BJP leader also urged people to vote out the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in the state in the Assembly elections this year.

People should vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party if they wanted to see Narendra Modi as Prime Minister once again in 2024, he said, while blaming the Baghel government for a `rise’ in crime and corruption.

“Naxalite incidents declined to 509 in 2021, from 2,258 in 2009 when the Congress was in power at

the Centre,” Shah said.

The Narendra Modi government not only ensured that the youth (in Naxalite-affected areas) who used to pick up weapons got access to education and employment, but also worked to eliminate those who wielded weapons, he said.

“Our government’s effort is to make the country free of Naxalism before the

2024 parliamentary polls,” he added.

Taking a swipe at the Congress government, he said, “I want to ask Bhupesh Baghel what he will tell people if they ask him what he has done in his five years’ rule….not that he has done nothing. He has worked to increase corruption, incidents of rape and crimes, and the cutting of forests of tribals.”

Shah also alleged corruption in the management of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds under the Baghel government.

“The Modi government started DMF for the development and welfare of people (in mineral-rich areas)…Chhattisgarh received Rs 9,243 crore by way of DMF, but what has this government done with that money? I can tell you where it has gone. See the houses of Congressmen in your area. Those who used to move around on scooter now have an Audi car. Their houses have turned into three-storey buildings ...Congress committed corruption in DMF funds,” the union minister alleged.

Shah urged people to teach a lesson to the Congress by voting it out of power and said a BJP government will seek account of every single rupee from Bhupesh Baghel.

“If you want to add

momentum to the vehicle of development then you have to put a double engine in it. There is already one engine (referring to the Modi government) and you need to put another by electing the BJP in this year’s Assembly elections. Whatever that has not been done, will be completed in five years,” he said.

Seeking to woo the Other Backward Classes (OBC) which account for 52 per cent of the state’s population, Shah said the Congress did nothing for them but the Modi government constituted the OBC commission and ensured that they get constitutional rights.

“The Modi government provided reservation to OBCs in NEET examination. It provided 27 per cent quota to OBCs in admissions in Central schools, Sainik schools and Navodaya Vidyalayas. A venture capital fund was created for OBC business persons,” he said.

‘Bade log hain’: Prashant Kishor on Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’

MOTIHARI (BIHAR), JAN 7 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ on Saturday won grudging praise, couched in sarcasm, from political strategist-turnedactivist Prashant Kishor.

The IPAC founder, who is on a padayatra in his home state Bihar, was asked by journalists in Motihari about parallels, if any, he saw between his own effort and the marathon march of Gandhi.

“Bade log hain (they are big people). Compared with them, I am a nobody,” said Kishor whose ‘Jan Suraaj’ campaign in Bihar came after a lengthy round of failed negotiations with the top leadership of the Congress, which he had wanted to join and was confident of reviving using his professional skills.

“Rahul Gandhi is on a 3,500 km-long march. For me, kilometers do not matter. I have been walk-

ing non-stop since October. But I do not want to show it off as evidence of my physical fitness,” Kishor remarked, with thinly veiled sarcasm.

Dubbed an “opportunist” by the political mainstream in Bihar, the former strategist insisted that he had infused his campaign with a “purity of intent”.

“It is like the austerities of Chhath. One can have a sip of water. But true devotees do not make such a compromise and complete a gruelling 36

hour-long fast,” he said, with a rhetorical flourish.

“Not for me breaks during the New Year or visits to my home. Nor do I agree to hitch short rides on my way to the next destination,” said Kishor in an obvious dig at the Congress leader.

Notably, Kishor first came in limelight after handling Narendra Modi’s spectacularly successful campaign in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He called it a day as a professional strategist after the 2021 assembly polls in West Bengal where his client, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, registered her biggest-ever victory.

In the meantime, the IPAC founder had done business with political leaders as diverse as Nitish Kumar, Uddhav Thackeray, M K Stalin, Arvind Kejriwal, Amarinder Singh, Jagan Mohan Reddy and K Chandrashekar Rao.

MCD House ruckus: AAP protests outside LG’s house Union ministers annoyed over exclusion of PM’s photo

that all the nominated members were BJP workers and the civic body sent their names directly to Saxena without keeping the city government in the loop.

On Saturday, AAP leaders and workers gathered outside Raj Niwas in Civil Lines carrying banners and raised slogans against Saxena.

LG needs to answer these questions as he is destroying the Constitution,” she told reporters.

Aldermen refers to people who are experts in their fields. However, they do not have voting rights in the mayoral election.

NEW DELHI, JAN 7 (PTI): The AAP staged a protest outside the Lt Governor’s house here on Saturday over 10 aldermen nominated by him to the MCD House being administered oath before the elected representatives, alleging that he is “destroying” the Constitution.

The ruling party

claimed this was part of an “underhanded ploy” to get the aldermen to vote in the mayor and deputy mayor elections.

Lt Governor V K Saxena on Tuesday nominated the 10 aldermen to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), days before the January 6 mayoral elections.

The AAP had alleged

Senior AAP leader Atishi, who was a part of the protest, alleged the LG is “destroying” the Constitution and going against the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act.

“Why were the 10 aldermen nominated bypassing the Delhi government? Why wasn’t the seniormost person nominated as the presiding officer? Why were they trying to give voting rights to the aldermen? The

Security outside the LG’s residence was beefed up, with a large number of police personnel deployed at the spot and barricades put up around the area.

On Friday, the maiden meeting of the MCD House was adjourned without electing mayor and deputy mayor as the BJP and the AAP councillors exchanged heated words and came to blows over presiding officer Satya Sharma administering of oath to the alderman first and not the elected representatives.

BHUBANESWAR, JAN 7 (IANS): Ahead of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup starting here on January 13, flight operation from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela was launched on Saturday.

However, a controversy erupted at the launch event as two Union ministers expressed their displeasure over the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s picture in the advertisement issued by the Odisha government for the flight operation.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, along with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, flagged off the maiden Bhubaneswar-Rourkela flight at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here, while Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia

also joined the inaugural function virtually from Delhi. This route, being launched under the UDAN scheme, is important from the perspective of development of the mineral industry as well as the Hockey World Cup, Scindia said.

Pradhan said, “Aspirations of the people of Rourkela and Odisha take yet another flight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi yet again delivers his promise made to the people of Odisha.”

However, during their address, both the Union ministers expressed displeasure over the absence of the Prime Minister’s picture in the hoardings and advertisement issued by the Odisha government to kick-off the flight operation. “The UDAN scheme

is being implemented under the vision of Prime Minister Modi. Absence of PM’s picture in the advertisement issued by the Odisha government is a matter of regret,” Scindia

said. “We believe in working together. We are committed to render better services to the people. I hope this matter will reach the Chief Minister,” he said.

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Amit Shah during ‘Vijay Sankalp’ rally at Tata College ground, in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, Saturday. (PTI)

Prashant Kishor

AAP members protest against Delhi Lt. Governor Vinai Saxena near his residence at Civil Lines in New Delhi. (PTI)

Strive to become hub of software products: Prez

ernance, especially during the pandemic, which has benefitted the rest of the world as well.

“Digital India is also playing an important role in enhancing the country’s profile on the world stage. This becomes all the more relevant as India takes over the presidency of G20 which is a milestone event,” Murmu said. India formally assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022.

(From p-1)

MIP said that the government was socialist democratic with a written constitution and functions within the ambit of the constitution where everyone discharges their duties as assigned and not a one man show.

It therefore said that the entire party workers and regions with the exception of some few misguided and money mongers, stood firm with the ato kilonser and said that the statement of ‘kitchen cabinet’ does not hold any water but a cheap propaganda to mislead the Nagas for their personal agendas.

It said that every Naga was a stake holders be it national workers or a common Naga citizens.

MIP said WC/NNPGs under the leadership of convener Kitovi Zhimomi was the leading force negotiating with the Government of India for the early Naga solution.

NSCN/GPRN (K) cautioned that it would not remain a silent spectator against those trying to disruptor attempting to sabotage and derail it (peace process) at this crucial hour, when all the Naga people were waiting for early solution.

were living witnesses, MIP said.

MIP further said that the claims by the impeached president’s gang that the they did not forcefully occupy the ceasefire office but with the ‘Ceasefire Group’ was a blatant lie. It claimed that when the ceasefire supervisor, secretary and members along with the civil societies had gone to the office to reason out, they were chased out with loaded weapons pointing towards them.

Term deposit interest rates for senior citizens climbing up

CHENNAI, JAN 7 (IANS): With credit disbursals picking up and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increasing its lending rates to the banks (repo rate) banks and others are now offering higher interest rates on fixed deposits.

In the case of senior citizens, the fixed deposit rates touch 8 per cent in certain cases.

NEW DELHI, JAN 7

(PTI): After proving its poweress in the field of software, India should strive to become a hub for software products, President Droupadi Murmu said on Saturday. While speaking at the 7th edition of Digital India Awards, Murmu said that there should focus on democratising government data to help technology enthusiasts in the country

develop localised digital solutions.

“We should leverage the prevailing policies and avail the ecosystem to position the country as a global powerhouse of software and hardware products by building made in India technology,” Murmu said.

She said India has emerged as an important country for use of technology for people-centric gov-

She said India has unveiled indigenously developed 5G technology and the roll out of the 5G services will transform governance as well.

“We should focus on democratising government data so that young technology enthusiasts can use it to build localised digital solutions,” Murmu said.

At the event, the President conferred awards to 22 government entities in the field of digital governance.

Farewell parade held for...

(From p-1)

When both he and his wife accepted that he would be retiring in Chhattisgarh, John said the government of Nagaland in 2018 sought his services and which he readily accepted.

John said his tenure as Nagaland DGP brought him closer to the legendary Nagaland Police and he was proud to witness the professionalism, grit and resilience of the police force.

John also said his association with the men and women of Nagaland Police had made him bolder and fiercer and also brought out the true warrior in him. He described Nagaland Police as “The band of warriors”.

John also said he had earlier been associated with Nagaland Police, during his youthful days, when he was trained at NAPTC ground as the youngest member of the state football team to represent Nagaland at the prestigious Santosh Trophy.

He pointed out that it was also a moment of joy for him to be attending his own farewell at the same ground where he used to be trained.

John also lauded the 9 IRB personnel for their fearlessness while tackling the deadly Naxalites in Chhattisgarh. He paid tributes to the officers and men who died in the service of the nation and who never made it back home alive.

He said the exploits of the fearless men of 9 IRB (Daring Ninth) is considered as a legend in the Chhattisgarh and which made them famous as “The Naga Force”.

John said he considered himself as the happiest man, as he was blessed and also sincerely thanked and acknowledged the Nagaland Police fraternity for the heart-warming farewell accorded to him.

Host of senior police officials, family members of TJ Longkumer and well-wishers attended the farewell parade.

MIP said the government was still strong as ever under the leadership acting president Luyangba Yimkhiung and ato kilonser including home kilonser, NTH speaker and chief secretary, ceasefire supervisor and its members, Naga Army officers and cadres, regions and the entire party and government workers.

MIP said to state that Naga people and NNPGs had no say in the unconstitutional action and life attempt on ato kilonser by a gang of impeached president, showed the immaturity and ignorance, as NSCN/GPRN was not a personal property of a president or a gang.

Cong open to secular front...

(From p-1)

able to jointly fight the 2023 elections in all 60 assembly seats.

He said, Congress was only opposition party in Nagaland, ready to expose the UDA government’s lack of interest and hollowness in implementation of a solution to the Naga political issue.

Hitting out at the BJP, he said Congress does not make false promises like the BJP. Although, Congress was all out for Naga solution, he said the party at the same time was prepared to face the polls.

He informed that host of Central Congress leaders would be arriving Nagaland on January 10 to review the poll preparedness of the party. Accordingly, Mukherjee said the electoral roadmap would be charted out.

Several bids received for IDBI Bank stake

CHENNAI, JAN 7 (IANS): Several bids have been received for acquiring controlling stake in the IDBI Bank, said a top official in the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).

“Multiple Expressions of Interest received for the Strategic Disinvestment of Govt and LIC Stake in IDBI Bank. The transaction will now move to the second stage,” tweeted Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Secretary, DIPAM.

MIP said the statement of W/C NNPG convener, that the impeached president was “back sliding from the peace process and attempting to join hands with NSCN (YA)”, was justified. MIP claimed that Khango during his visit to CFSB office in 2022 for cabinet meeting stated that “now and again that since the Indian Government is not sincerely taking up the negotiation we should go back and join hand with NSCN (YA) to reignite the movement.” This, MIP can be testified by the members present at that meeting.

Therefore, the issue Kitovi fabricating the letter to CFSB/CFMG chairman does not arise as there

Subsequently, the incident which was condemned by various civil societies and Sumi and Western Sumi frontal organizations issued non-cooperation (on Khango-led group).

Therefore, MIP said when the incident was condemned in black and white through print media, the claim that they were approved by ‘Ceasefire Group’ was new height of white lie and cannot take all the Nagas for a ride.

Meanwhile, MIP said it was amused to watch the immature act of the “viral press conference” by some gang members accusing Isak Sumi of substance abuse. MIP said it was not worth clarifying and urged the Nagas to watch it again and judge who those cases belonged to, the accused or accusers.

During the Covid-19 period, the interest on fixed deposits were in the 5% band and one year deposit and now it has climbed up to 7 per cent band.

The State Bank of India (SBI) offers 7.25 per cent for senior citizens on fixed deposits for a period 1 year to less than 2 years and also for 5-10 years tenure. The interest rates go down to 6.75 per cent for senior citizens on fixed deposits for three years to less than five years.

On its part, the HDFC Bank offers senior citizesn 7% on deposits for 1 year to 15 months and 7.75 per cent on term deposits for five years one day to 10 years.

“I am planning to foreclose my existing deposit and go for a new deposits provided it works out beneficial,” said Nitya V, a housewife.

Goyal addresses 27th edition of Wharton India Economic Forum

Govt’s structural

reformswillhelp

Indiagrow

NEW DELHI, JAN 7 (IANS): Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday expressed confidence that the structural reforms taken by the government in the last 8 years will help India emerge among the top three developed economies in the world.

In his address at the 27th edition of Wharton India Economic Forum, held virtually, with the theme of India leading innovation in the age of uncertainty, Goyal, citing the most impactful economic reforms

that will pave the way for India’s growth story in coming years, said a lot of structural changes that have taken place in the last eight years have had a significant impact on the way the Indian economy is poised to take off.

Terming GST as one of the important reforms, he highlighted that despite the challenging global scenario, recent GST collections have been very robust. He also noted that India is now a more honest, transparent economy and people are

now getting used to paying their taxes.

He said Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) is also an important reform measure that has resulted in robust banking systems in India.

These banks have been able to provide the resources for industry to grow. He also mentioned reforms such as privatisation, digitisation of the economy, particularly the financial sector, decriminalisation of laws, and simplification of compliances to enable ease of doing business.

Responding to a question of which sectors are strategic priorities for the government, Goyal said that infrastructure, semiconductor, and domestic manufacturing are some of the priority sectors. He also pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus is on building a robust infrastructure in India.

Imposition of ...

(From p-1)

He was also of the same view that the Centre should announce Naga solution before elections, which it (BJP) failed to deliver as promised in 2018 under the slogan ‘Election for solution’. Hegde said failure to resolve the Naga political issue was the root of political instability in Nagaland and noted that resolving the issue was imperative for lasting peace and prosperity of the Nagas. Hegdealso said that JDU was a democratic socialist party and has always been concerned about the lack of progress and development in North Eastern states, particularly Nagaland. Hegde also said that the party was open to alliance with likeminded political parties and individuals.

The press conference was also attended by State JD(U) general secretaries-Kitoho S Rotokha and Imsumongba Pongen, and chairman election committee Yanthungo Kikon.

Piyush Goyal

President Droupadi Murmu addressing the 7th edition of Digital India Awards ceremony.

SNIPPETS

Iran executes 2 more men

DUBAI, JAN 7 (AP): Iran said it executed two men Saturday convicted of allegedly killing a paramilitary volunteer during a demonstration, the latest executions aimed at halting the nationwide protests now challenging the country’s theocracy. Iran’s judiciary identified those executed as Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini, making it four men known to have been executed since the demonstrations began in September over the death of Mahsa Amini.

Protest in Pak over rising terrorism

PESHAWAR, JAN 7 (PTI): Thousands of tribesmen in Pakistan’s northwest took to the streets to protest against rising incidents of terrorism and kidnapping in the country’s tribal districts bordering Afghanistan while demanding immediate restoration of peace in the region. Over 5,000 tribesmen took out a rally on Friday in Wana, the headquarters of the South Waziristan tribal district, against the growing unrest, terrorism, and kidnappings in their areas.

The protesters demanded the restoration of peace and harmony in the tribal districts.

Japan reports 463

Covid deaths in a day

TOKYO, JAN 7 (IANS): The number of coronavirus-related deaths reported nationwide in Japan reached a record high 463 for a single day, health officials said on Saturday.

The country reported 238,654 new coronavirus cases, down 6,888 from Friday, reports Japan Today. Tokyo reported 19,630 new cases, down 1,090 from Friday.

Indonesia’s Mt. Marapi erupts

JAKARTA, JAN 7 (IANS): The Marapi volcano in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province erupted for about 45 seconds on Saturday, throwing ash up to 300 meters above its peak, according to the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation. “The eruption happened at 6.11 a.m. The ejection of ash accompanied by sand has the potential to hit the surrounding area,” Xinhua news agency quoted the centre as saying. As high as 2,891 meters above sea level, this mountain has been active since December 25, 2022.

Heavy rain, flooding in

Philippines

MANILA, JAN 7

(IANS): Residents in central and southern Philippines are bracing for heavy rain that can trigger flooding and landslides in these areas this weekend, the state weather bureau warned on Saturday. It said a low-pressure area is now located some 735 km east of Mindanao, adding the brewing storm will bring “moderate to heavy rain showers” in the southern and central regions in the next 24 hours, reports Xinhua news agency.

Canada’s employment rose in Dec 2022

OTTAWA, JAN 7 (IANS): Canada’s employment rose by 104,000 in December 2022 and the unemployment rate declined to 5 per cent, the national statistical agency said. Statistics Canada said the number of employees increased in the private sector, while it held steady in the public sector, reports Xinhua news. There were broadbased employment gains across several industries, including construction, as well as transportation and warehousing.

McCarthy elected as US House Speaker

WASHINGTON, JAN 7

(PTI): Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected as the new speaker of the US House of Representatives in a dramatic post-midnight ballot on Saturday, after days of intense negotiations and a series of humiliating defeats to finally capture the gavel on a historic 15th attempt.

McCarthy, 57, needed a simple majority to be elected as the speaker, who presides over the business and is second in line to the presidency. He defeated 52-year-old Hakeem Sekou Jeffries by 216 to 212 votes, in the 15th round of votes that went past midnight.

McCarthy replaces 82-year-old Nancy Pelosi of the Democratic Party, which lost the majority in the House after the November 8 midterm elections. The Republicans won 222 seats in the 435-member House against 212 seats secured by the Democrats.

President Joe Biden congratulated McCarthy on his election as the Speaker

and said that this was a time to govern responsibly.

“This is a time to govern responsibly and to ensure that we’re putting the interests of American families first,” he said.

“(First Lady Dr) Jill (Biden) and I congratulate Kevin McCarthy on his election as Speaker of the House. The American people expect their leaders to govern in a way that puts their needs above all else, and that is what we need to do now,” he said.

Somalia claims al-Shabab extremists seek talks for 1st time

MOGADISHU, JAN 7

(AP): Somalia’s government claimed Saturday that the al-Shabab extremist group has for the first time asked to open negotiations, amid a military offensive the government has described as “total war.”

There was no immediate statement by al-Shabab, an al-Qaida-affiliate that for well over a decade has carried out high-profile bombings in Somalia’s capital and controlled parts of the country’s central and southern regions, complicating efforts to rebuild the oncefailed state after decades of conflict.

“Al-Shabab requested to open negotiations with the Somali government, but there are two groups within al-Shabab,” Deputy Defense Minister Abdifatah

Kasim told journalists in Mogadishu. “The first part is foreigners, and the second part is local Somalis. Those locals have a chance to open up negotiations, but those foreigners who invaded our country have no right for talks. The only option is to return to where they are from.”

The deputy defense minister added that “for the Somalis, we are ready to receive them, for they are willing to surrender to the Somali government. They must follow the government’s instructions, reintegrate with their society, or face the Somali National Army in the front lines.”

This is the first time Somalia’s federal government has said that the extremist group has requested talks.

Biden faces Israel quandary with new Netanyahu government

Biden said he was prepared to work with Republicans, adding that voters made clear that they expect Republicans to be prepared to work with him as well.

“Now that the leadership of the House of Representatives has been decided, it is time for that process to begin,” he said. In his maiden speech as Speaker, McCarthy said he will look into the issue of public debt and pledged that the House will address the “rise of the Chinese Communist party.”

“We will address America’s long-term challenges: the debt and the rise of the Chinese Communist Party. The Congress must speak in one voice on these issues,” he said.

“As for the Chinese Communist Party, we will create a bipartisan Select Committee on China to investigate how to bring back the hundreds of thousands of jobs that went to China. Then we will win this economic competition,” he said, evoking applause from the lawmakers. McCarthy said this moment calls for restoring trust within the country, with each other.

“In that spirit, I will work with anyone, everyone who shares our passion to deliver a better future for the nation. I hope you’ll join me as a Congress can only operate if we cooperate,” he said.

McCarthy opened his first speech with a nod to the many rounds of voting to secure the victory. “That was easy, huh?” he joked, adding, “I never thought we’d get up here”.

Former PM of Nepal KPS Oli again vents his ire against India

KATHMANDU, JAN 7 (IANS): Chairman of Nepal’s ruling party UML and former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli once again vented his ire against India on Saturday, saying that the neighbouring countries are taking unnecessary interest in the formation of the government in the Himalayan country.

At a programme organised here, Oli said that external forces have developed an unnecessary interest in the formation of the government in Nepal.

With the support of UML and Oli, the Chairman of CPN (Maoist Center), Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, has become the Prime Minister of Nepal after the single largest party in the Parliament, Nepali Congress, refused to hand over the PM’s post to Prachanda.

Before the November 20 elections, Nepali Congress and Maoist Center had an electoral alliance where they fought the elec-

KP Sharma Oli

tions together under the democratic-left alliance.

But after the elections, Nepali Congress refused to give the post of Prime Minister to Prachanda at the last minute. UML’s Oli then took a chance and extended support to Prachanda in a dramatic move.

On Saturday, Oli said that some neighbours are still trying to cross the wall and interfere with the internal affairs of the country.

“This is a government formed by Nepalis. There were some attempts not to allow Nepalis to form the government,” Oli said, without naming India.

“I urged our neighbours not to innerve in our

government formation process. Some forces were trying to destabilise Nepal’s politics, but we gave it stability,” said Oli.

The former Prime Minister is known as a nationalist leader who had won the elections in 2017 under the nationalist plank.

He had again raised the anti-India sentiment and the issue of boundaries during the November 20 elections.

With the support of UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party, and others, Prachanda was sworn-in as the Prime Minister on December 26 last year.

“Some of our friends, not through the door but by jumping over the the wall, are entering our house and trying to change the government, which is not possible. This kind of activity is not accepted,” said Oli. “I urge our neighbors not to intervene in the internal matters of Nepal,” he added. This is not the first time that Oli had vented his ire against India.

China suspends social media accounts of COVID policy critics

BEIJING, JAN 7 (AP):

China has suspended or closed the social media accounts of more than 1,000 critics of the government’s policies on the COVID-19 outbreak, as the country moves to further open up.

The popular Sina Weibo social media platform said it had addressed 12,854 violations including attacks on experts, scholars and medical workers and issued temporary or permanent bans on 1,120 accounts.

The ruling Communist Party had largely relied on the medical community to justify its harsh lockdowns, quarantine measures and mass testing, almost all of which it abruptly abandoned last month, leading to a surge in new cases that have stretched medical resources to their limits.

The party allows no

direct criticism and imposes strict limits on free speech.

The company “will continue to increase the investigation and cleanup of all kinds of illegal content, and create a harmonious and friendly community environment for the majority of users,” Sina Weibo said in a statement dated Thursday.

Criticism has largely focused on heavy-handed enforcement of regulations, including open-ended travel restrictions that saw people confined to their homes for weeks, sometimes sealed inside without adequate food or medical care.

Anger was also vented over the requirement that anyone who potentially

tested positive or had been in contact with such a person be confined for observation in a field hospital, where overcrowding, poor food and hygiene were commonly cited.

The social and economic costs eventually prompted rare street protests in Beijing and other cities, possibly influencing the party’s decision to swiftly ease the strictest measures.

As part of the latest changes, China will also no longer bring criminal charges against people accused of violating border quarantine regulations, according to a notice issued by five government departments on Saturday.

Individuals currently in custody will be released and seized assets returned, the notice said.

The adjustments “were

made after comprehensively considering the harm of the behaviours to the society, and aim to adapt to the new situations of the epidemic prevention and control,” the official China Daily newspaper website said in a report on the notice.

China is now facing a surge in cases and hospitalisations in major cities and is bracing for a further spread into less developed areas with the start of the Lunar New Year travel rush, set to get underway in coming days.

While international flights are still reduced, authorities say they expect domestic rail and air journeys will double over the same period last year, bringing overall numbers close to those of the 2019 holiday period before the pandemic hit.

Former NLA Speaker Dr Imtiwapang Aier passes away

see a better tomorrow.

(From p-1)

WASHINGTON, JAN 7

(AP): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government is little more than a week old but it’s already giving the Biden administration headaches.

Just days into its mandate, a controversial member of Netanyahu’s rightwing Cabinet riled U.S. diplomats with a visit to a Jerusalem holy site that some believe may be harbinger of other contentious moves, including vast expansions of Jewish settlement construction on land claimed by the Palestinians. And, Netanyahu’s government adopted punitive measures against the Palestinians that run in direct opposition to several recent Biden moves to boost U.S.-Palestinian relations, including restoring assistance to the Palestinian Authority that had been cut during the Trump administration and allowing Palestinian officials to visit the United States.

The new government is an unwelcome complication for a Biden national security team seeking to shift attention away from the Middle East and toward rivals like China and Russia. It also comes as Republicans take control of the House of Representatives and are eager to cast Biden as unfriendly to Israel ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Bracing for more tur-

moil, Biden is dispatching his national security adviser to Israel in mid-January in a bid to forestall potentially deepening rifts between his administration and its top Mideast partner. That visit by Jake Sullivan may be followed by other high-level trips to Israel, including one by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to administration officials. Their message goes beyond warnings about inflaming tensions with Palestinians: It’s also about not cozying up with Russia, particularly now that Moscow is relying on Israel’s main enemy, Iran, in its war on Ukraine; and not upsetting the delicate Middle East security balance.

Since Netanyahu won hotly contested elections last year with huge support from the Israeli right, U.S. officials have sought to tamp down predictions of a collision course, saying they will judge his government on actions rather than personalities. Biden himself spoke of his years-long relationship with Netanyahu.

“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been my friend for decades, to jointly address the many challenges and opportunities facing Israel and the Middle East region, including threats from Iran,” Biden said when Netanyahu took office Dec. 29.

him to be someone who was always passionate about his work and executed his assignments diligently and was a sincere and hardworking person. With an excellent academic record, Rio said he also obtained a Ph.D in Geology. Besides being a jovial and a humble gentleman with a big heart, Rio said Dr. Imtiwapang cared much for society’s welfare and was an inspiration to many youngsters.

Rio said that his demise was a great loss for the State in general and Impur constituency in particular, and his absence would be deeply felt by all. “Though he is no longer in our midst, his good deeds will always shine and his memories will forever be inscribed in our hearts,’ Rio said.

In his condolence message to Mrs. Kehungyile, Rio, on behalf of the State government and on behalf of his family, extended deepest condolences to the bereaved family and relatives and prayed that family find comfort and strength in the Word of God and also for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

Speaker: NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer has also expressed pain to hear about the untimely and sudden demise of Dr. Imtiwapang Aier. Longkumer said late Dr. Imtiwapang was a distinguished writer and a man of vision who was sincere to the core. He was looked upon as a leader with a devoted sense of service to the State and its people, he said.

Longkumer recalled that during his time as the Speaker, late Dr. Imtiwapang had done many things for the welfare of the officers and staff of the Assem -

bly Secretariat. His passing away has caused a loss not only to the family, but a great loss for the Nagas and the Ao Community as a whole and the void created shall forever stay unfilled, the speaker said.

Longkumer, on behalf of the members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly and on his own behalf, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that Almighty God grant them strength to cope with such a loss and the departed soul to rest in peace.

DyCM: Deputy chief minister Y. Patton said that the untimely demise of Dr. Imtiwapang Aier has left all heartbroken. He was a deeply passionate leader who touched the lives of so many, Patton said and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for his soul to rest in peace.

NPF: NPF Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu expressed grief and shock to learn about the untimely demise of Dr. Imtiwapang Aier.

Azo said it was never expected that Dr. Imtiwapang would leave too soon. Being a young and energetic leader, Azo said late Dr. Imtiwapang was always considered a true statesman and a humble leader.

Describing him as a fine gentleman, who always showed concern for the upliftment of the society, Azo said his good deeds and the inspiration he left behind would always be remembered and cherished by the future generation.

In the passing away of Dr. Imtiwapang, he said not only the Ao people but the entire people of Nagaland have lost a young upcoming leader whose vision was to

Azo conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant them solace and for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

Kronu: Planning & Coordination and Land Revenue minister, Neiba Kronu said he was pained to learn about the sudden demise of Dr. Imtiwapang Aier. Kronu said he was a young and dynamic leader who always worked for the welfare of the society passionately and executed his assignments diligently. In his demise, the State has lost a good leader, Kronu said and express deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

Tovihoto: Advisor Power H. Tovihoto Ayemi said he was pained to learn about the passing away of Dr. Imtiwapang.

He said Dr. Imtiwapang, a well-educated and promising Naga public leader, served the people with commitment and enthusiasm and his contribution towards the well being of the people of his constituency and the state at large is notable.

Tovihoto said his demise has left a huge void in Naga society which would be difficult to fill.

He conveyed sincere condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the soul to rest in eternal peace.

CNTC, CNWA, CNSA: Central Nagaland Tribes Council president, Lanu Imchen; Central Nagaland Women Association president, K. Atoli Sema and Central Nagaland Student Association president R. Sunep Pongen have expressed deep pain over the sudden and untimely demise of Dr. Imtiwapang Aier.

They said late Aier was

a dynamic and energetic leader who always dedicated his life for the common cause of the people and upliftment of the Naga people.

He was a visionary leader who with his vast experience had yet much to contribute to the Naga society under his able leadership, they said. His passing away has created a vacuum in the Naga politics and was a great loss not only to the Ao community but also to the entire Naga people, the organizations added. The signatories conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that Almighty God grant comfort to the family and also for the departed soul to rest in peace.

NDPP: NDPP president Chingwang Konyak said that the sudden and untimely demise of Dr. Imtiwapng Aier came as a rude shock to all.

He said late Dr. Imtiwapang was an efficient legislator who dedicated himself to the welfare of his constituency in particular and Nagaland in general.

His sincerity and devotion has led him to hold many key positions within the State Assembly (NLA) and outside and had also served as the Speaker of NLA.

Chingwang said his demise was a loss, not just to the people of his constituency and the NLA but the Nagas in general. In his demise, Nagas as a whole have lost a dynamic and young leader, he added.

Chingwang along with the NDPP rank and file conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that almighty God grant solace and comfort to all and for the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

NPCC: In his condolence message to Mrs. Kehungyile, wife of late Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K. Therie expressed deep pain on learning about the demise of Dr. Imtiwapang Aier. Therie recalled that late Dr. Imtiwapang entered the Nagaland Legislative Assembly as a Congress member. As speaker of the Assembly, Theire said the members witnessed his patience and tolerance in the house. Describing him as dynamic leader, who yet had much to contribute to Naga society through his able leadership, Therie said his passing away was an irreparable loss not only to the family and community in particular but to the state in general.

Therie along with the rank and file of NPCC conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that the Almighty God comfort them and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

Ao Senden: Ao Senden said it was shocked to learn about the sudden demise of Dr. Imtiwapang Aier. In a condolence message Senden president Chubawati Longchar and asst. general secretary Arentemjen Jamir said late Dr. Imtiwapang was a young, dynamic and visionary leader who always envisioned and worked for the common Naga cause and upliftment of the people.

His demise has left a huge vacuum in the Naga political arena which would be difficult to fill, they said.

The Senden conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to God to grant them comfort and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Kevin McCarthy of Calif., picks up the gavel as he begins to speak in the House chamber on January 7. (AP/PTI)

Benjamin Netanyahu Joe Biden

A man wearing a face mask shops for Chinese Lunar New Year decorations at a pavement store in Beijin Jan. 7, 2023.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s family home burglarized in L.A.

authorities said further details were not immediately available.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Eilish and O’Connell do not live at the home, but property records show it is still owned by their parents. It’s not clear what, if anything, was stolen from the home, or if the suspect was inside when police arrived.

Representatives for Eilish and O’Connell didn’t immediately respond to EW’s request for comment Friday.

The L.A. abode is famous for being the place where a large chunk of Eilish’s first album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, was recorded.

The seven-time Grammy winner previously spoke about the house in a 2019 Rolling Stone interview, in which she revealed that she had to hire security to stay in the home after the address leaked online.

Citizen’s new watch uses NASA tech, AI to measure fatigue

Los Angeles police have arrested a man after he allegedly tried to burgle the childhood home of pop singer Billie Eilish and her music producer brother, Finneas O’Connell.

An LAPD spokesperson confirmed to EW that officers responded to

reports Thursday evening of a person hopping over a fence and entering the yard of a home on the 900 block of Avenue 57 in the Highland Park neighborhood. A suspect — who was reportedly wearing allblack clothing and a black mask — was arrested on suspicion of burglary, but

“It was really traumatizing,” she said. “I completely don’t feel safe in my house anymore, which sucks. I love my house.”

The dwelling also got the star treatment when Eilish toured it and the surrounding neighborhood in a 2019 episode of The Late Late Show.

(Yahoo Entertainment)

Citizen has launched new CZ Smartwatch which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and space agency NASA research to measure wearers’ fatigue and alertness at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023.

The power of the new watch resides in the CZ Smart YouQ application, which allows users to understand and predict their own fatigue patterns as well as receive recommendations on how to improve them for a healthier, more alert and rested lifestyle, reports ZDNET.

The application also allows users to take a customised ‘Alert Monitor’ test daily to determine their awareness.

The test itself is a consumer version of NASA’s

Psychomotor Vigilance Task Test (PVT+), which gauges astronauts’ mental acuity.

“The latest CZ Smartwatch is a game-changing product that brings Citizen’s legacy of watchmaking together with best-in-class research and technology of NASA and IBM, directly to wearers’ wrists,” said Jeffrey Cohen, president, Citizen Watch America.

The more wearers use the watch, the more CZ Smart YouQ will learn about them and will give more accurate predictions and tips.

“The CZ Smart PQ watch will be available in the US, beginning March 2023 and starting at $350,” the report said.

(IANS)

Numbers that matter as much as your weight

BMI Body mass index uses your height to gauge if your weight is healthy, but even that’s not foolproof. Your body type, ethnic group, and muscle mass can change the meaning of the number. For example, if you start exercising regularly, you may gain weight as you build muscles. When you’re trying to lose weight to be healthier, there are other numbers you should pay attention to, too, instead of focusing only on the scale.

Waist Size

Breathe out, and wrap a tape measure around yourself midway between your hip bone and ribs. No matter your height or build, if your waist measures more than 40 inches (35 inches for women who aren’t pregnant), you probably have extra fat around your heart, liver, kidneys, and other organs. Besides needing a larger pants size, you’re more likely to have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and colorectal cancer.

Blood Pressure

Ideally, you want your upper, or “systolic,” number to be below 120, and your lower “diastolic” number to be below 80. Once the numbers are 130 and 80, or higher, you have high blood pressure. You may not have any symptoms, yet it can damage your heart and blood vessels. Eventually, it can also cause problems with your kidneys, eyes, and sex life.

Blood Sugar

When you’re healthy, it should be under 100 mg/ dL before you eat and less than 140 mg/dL a couple of hours later. (Your doctor will set your targets, which may be a bit higher, when you have diabetes.) Higher glucose levels can lead to long-term damage of your heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. Daily exercise and healthy eating can help bring your blood sugar down.

Lipid Profile This set of tests measures different kinds of fats in your blood: “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, “good” (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. The general rule of thumb is that your total cholesterol score should be less than 200 mg/dL. You want your HDL to be 60 mg/dL or more and your

triglycerides below 150 mg/ dL. Unhealthy levels could lead to narrow or blocked arteries, heart attack, and stroke.

Exercise

You should get at least 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, of moderate exercise (heart is pumping, lungs are working) like walking or gardening. It’s best to spread the activity out, over the week and even the day, as long as you’re doing it for at least 10 minutes. Make sure that twice a week you’re using all your major muscles to keep them strong. Muscles will burn more calories than fat, too, even at rest.

Seat Time

Even working out an hour a day, 7 days a week, won’t undo the unhealthy effects of sitting all day. When you stay seated, your body metabolism slows, so you burn fewer calories. Your muscles and joints stiffen up, and your back may hurt. Get up every 30 minutes or so. Stretch or take a short walk. That’s a good way to help you hold onto those hard-earned gains from the gym and possibly live longer.

Steps

To improve your health and your mood, 10,000 every day is the number you’ll hear a lot. But there’s nothing magical about it. Anywhere between 4,000 and 18,000 may be good for you. The types of steps you take are important, too. The point is to make sure you’re getting enough moderate activity every day. Talk to your doctor about what number makes sense for you. A smartphone app or fitness tracker may help you meet your goal.

Sleep

Adults usually need 7 to 9 hours a night. Our bodies use that time to fix tissue, make hormones, and grow muscle. Our brains use it to process the information and learning of the day into memories. Not enough sleep can make you hungrier -and make junk food more appealing. Though it helps to get a bit of extra shut-eye if you haven’t had enough, you can’t really make up what you’ve missed in a night’s sleep.

Screen Time

Limit yourself to 2 hours a day that’s not workor school-related. And yes, that includes your smartphone. Too much time glued to that device has led to a new condition called “text neck” that can cause back, neck, and shoulder pain.

Screens in the bedroom can mess with your sleep.

Screens during the day can make you less active and more distracted. There’s even research being done on whether screen time causes brain damage.

Water

Most people can stay hydrated by drinking water when they’re thirsty. To set a baseline, drink at least one glass of water with and between each meal. You may need more if it’s hot or dry outside, or when you’re pregnant. Drink before you work out, every 1020 minutes during exercise (depending on the weather and how much you sweat), and within 30 minutes afterward. A glass of water might do the trick instead when you want a snack.

Fruit per Day Men and all adults 30 and under should shoot for

2 cups a day. Women over 30 should stick with 1 1/2 cups. What’s a “cup”? A small apple, a large banana, a medium pear, 8 big strawberries, or 1/2 cup of dried fruit. If you’re more active, you may be able to eat more since you’re burning the extra calories. Fruits have lots of nutrients that many people don’t get enough of, like vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and folic acid.

Vegetables per Day

You need more veggies than fruit: 2-3 cups a day, depending on your age and sex. Mix it up throughout the week with dark green (broccoli, spinach, kale), red and orange (tomatoes, red peppers, carrots, sweet

potatoes), and starchy veggies (corn, potatoes, green peas), as well as beans, peas, and other vegetables (cabbage, onions, zucchini, cauliflower, mushrooms). Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried -- raw or cooked -- it all counts.

Alcohol

Moderation is key: a drink a day for women, two for men. (A drink can be 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.) More than that, and any potential benefits start to fade. And the calories add up. Alcohol can be bad for your liver, kidneys, and heart, and could hurt your baby if you’re pregnant. More than four drinks a day or 14 in a week for men, three in a day or seven in a week for women, could signal a problem.

Cigarettes

Literally, zero. They cause more deaths than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol, car accidents, and gun incidents combined. Being a “light” or “social” smoker still isn’t OK. Even if you smoke less than five cigarettes a day, you may have early signs of heart disease and other health problems. Ask your doctor about using nicotine gum to help control your appetite while you quit.

Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD

SpaceX’s first launch of the year takes 114 satellites into orbit

SpaceX is gearing up to launch the Transporter-6 mission today, January 3rd, and is hoping that the Falcon 9 rocket taking it to space will begin making its way to lowEarth orbit by 9:56 AM ET.

The Transporter-6 mission will take off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral in Florida using a first stage booster responsible for taking over a dozen other previous missions to orbit, including 10 Starlink launches. It’s the company’s first launch of the year and the latest in SpaceX’s series of dedicated rideshare Transporter missions.

Transporter-6 will take 114 payload to space. As NASA Spaceflight notes, those include tiny picosatellites only a few

centimeters in size to microsatellites that weight around 200 pounds for both scientific institutions and commercial entities.

One customer is EOS

Data Analytics, which will launch the first satellite for its agriculture-focused constellation on this mission.

A couple of companies is also launching space tugs,

or spacecraft that can transfer cargo from one orbit to another, that will deploy payload for customers of their own at a later date.

SpaceX will livestream the Transporter-6 launch on YouTube, with coverage starting 10 minutes before liftoff is expected to happen.

(Yahoo Entertainment)

Cornwall space launch viewing information released

Information about how people can watch the first orbital space launch from the UK has been released.

The Start Me Up mission will be livestreamed on Virgin Orbit’s YouTube channel from 21:00 GMT on Monday.

All tickets for the viewing area at Cornwall Airport Newquay were snapped up shortly after becoming available.

The launch window opens at 22:16 and Spaceport Cornwall said “we are making history, and we want to make sure you can witness it happen”.

Virgin Orbit targets Monday for UK mission

The viewing area is located across the runway from the Spaceport hangar and there will also be a big screen, refreshments, toilets and a silent disco on site.

The Spaceport said: “Although it will be dark, you’ll still be able to witness some aspects of the launch and experience the sounds and smells that come with it.”

Cosmic Girl will carry the rocket out over the ocean, attached to the underside of the left wing

There will not be parking on site and the viewing area will only accessible via a park and ride system.

The two park and ride sites are at Tregunnel Hill in Newquay, and Watergate Bay, and will be operating from 18:00.

A number of road closures will also be in place throughout the evening.

People who have secured tickets are advised to bring warm clothes and seating but umbrellas are not permitted next to the active airfield.

Cosmic Girl, the repurposed 747 which will carry the rocket containing the satellites, is expected to take off between 21:45 and 22:45.

The rocket, LauncherOne, will then be released off the coast of Ireland between 22:54 and 23:54.

Cosmic Girl will return to the spaceport between midnight and 01:00 on Tuesday. However, those hoping to travel to watch the event in person have been warned “there is no guarantee the launch will take place on the first attempt”. (BBC News)

FA Cup: Southampton beat Palace 2-1

LONDON, JAN 7 (AGENCIES): Southampton booked their trip to the FA Cup fourth round with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The hosts were hoping to kick-start another run to Wembley after losing to Chelsea in the semi-finals last season and opened the scoring through Odsonne Edouard.

But it began to unravel for the Eagles when James Ward-Prowse scored directly from a free-kick late in the first half.

Nathan Jones’ Saints – struggling in the league – sealed victory after the break through Adam Armstrong, who took advantage of Vicente Guaita’s error to send his side through.

Will Hughes, making his first start of the season, tried to get Palace started when he squared a pass to

He

Lyanco, who did well to halt the Eagles talisman again soon after has he drove down the left channel before the Ivory Coast international sent a shot clear of the crossbar.

Palace were up 1-0 after 14 minutes when Zaha flicked a pass to the onrushing Edouard, who beat Duje Caleta-Car to the ball and finished with a low strike beneath Gavin Bazunu into the bottom left.

The hosts came within inches of doubling their lead when Michael Olise cut back to Jordan Ayew, whose toed effort from six yards out somehow pinged off the crossbar. It proved costly when Saints levelled in the 37th minute after some poor defending from the hosts. Ward-Prowse sent what looked to be an innocuous free-kick into the area but Joel Ward mistimed his effort to head

Tata Open: Griekspoor clinch maiden ATP Tour title

PUNE, JAN 7 (IANS): Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands came back from a set deficit to overcome World No, 60 Benjamin Bonzi of France in three hard-fought sets in the men’s singles final of the Tata Open Maharashtra, becoming the first player since Marc Andrea Huesler at Sofia in 2022 to win his first tour-level title in his maiden appearance in the final, here on Saturday, This was the first ATP Tour final featuring both first-time finalists since 2022 Munich and both Griekspoor and Bonzi gave it their all to treat the capacity crowd at the Centre Court in the Balewadi Stadium to a thrilling encounter.

After losing the first set, Griekspoor came back strongly to win the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours

and exhibited a world-class level of energy and athleticism. Bonzi on the other hand made unforced errors at a crucial juncture and allowed his Dutch opponent to take control of the match after losing a hard-fought second set.

clear.

The ball took a bounce inside the box before evading Guaita, who scrambled in the right direction but could not stop it from going past the right post and in.

Zaha attempted to break the deadlock early in the second half, aggressively driving into the area only to see his shot blocked by Lyanco at the edge of the six-yard box.

The ball pinged around the area before a deflection landed at the feet of Olise, who drilled an effort straight at Bazunu, then sent a free-kick straight at the Saints keeper who leapt up to make the straightforward stop.

Southampton took the lead for the first time after 68 minutes.

Guaita had just done well to block Samuel Edozie then stop Armstrong’s header, but he soon made

Pant undergoes knee surgery for ligament tear

a mistake as he attempted to make a routine clearance from outside the area when Armstrong rushed in, stole the ball from the Spaniard and had plenty of time to compose his low strike into the empty net. As the rain began to drive down in sheets, Zaha twirled around Kyle Walker-Peters before he was brought down near the goal line. But Palace were not able to capitalise on the two set pieces that followed, nor five minutes of added time as any chance of an equaliser slipped away.

Real Madrid loses to Villarreal in Spanish league

BARCELONA, JAN 7 (AP): Villarreal beat Real Madrid 2-1 in a vibrant Spanish league match on Saturday before Carlo Ancelotti’s side heads to Saudi Arabia to play in the Spanish Super Cup.

Yeremy Pino put Villarreal deservedly ahead in the 47th minute after a first half they dominated.

A handball by Villarreal’s Juan Foyth allowed Karim Benzema to momentarily level from the penalty spot in the 60th.

But another handball, this time by Madrid defender David Alaba, sent Gerard Moreno to take the winner for Villarreal in the 63rd.

The loss by the defending champion gave Barcelona the opportunity to regain sole lead of the competition on Sunday when it visits Atlético Madrid.

Villarreal moved into fifth place as it hunts for a

top-four finish and a Champions League berth. The victory was a huge boost for Quique Setién, the former Barcelona coach who replaced Unai Emery as coach in October.

Madrid will pause league play to compete in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia along with Barcelona, Real Betis and Valencia.

Once back in Spain, Madrid will face another trip to Estadio de la Cerámica to play Villarreal in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Madrid’s starting 11 included no Spanish players. According to Opta statistics, this was the first time Madrid did not have a Spaniard on the field at kickoff in a Spanish league game in this century.

Other local media said it was the first time this occurred in the history of the club.

and 16 minutes at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex here. The World No. 95 fought hard for each point

The 26-year-old Griekspoor had made it to the final by beating Aslan Karatsev in straight sets in the semifinal while Bonzi got the better of another Dutch player, Botic van de Zandschulp. He broke Bonzi in the third game, warding off the French player’s attempts to gain back the break before breaking him again in the ninth game to seal a memorable maiden ATP Tour title.

Balaji, Jeevan fall short as Belgian pair wins doubles title

India’s N. Sriram Balaji and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan failed to cap off their brilliant run in the Tata Open Maharashtra ATP Tour tennis event here, losing to the all-Belgian pair of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in straight sets in the men’s doubles final at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex here.

Balaji and Jeevan, who had come into the main draw as alternates after the late withdrawa l of Laslo Djere and Alex Molcan of

Slovakia, played superbly throughout the week as they stormed into the men’s doubles final without drop-

Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from 2023 Australian Open

ping a set. But on Saturday, their magical run came to an end when they lost to the

Belgians 6-4, 6-4 at the Centre Court at the Balewadi Stadium here. The Belgians earned an early break in both sets which was enough for them to seal their sixth ATP Tour title as a team.

The Belgian duo seeded fourth here, had stormed into the final by beating top seeds and reigning U.S Open champions Rajeev Ram of the United States and Joe Salisbury of Great Britain in the semifinals on Friday night.

NEW DELHI, JAN 7 (PTI): Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who miraculously survived a horrific car accident last week, has successfully undergone a knee surgery at a Mumbai hospital, BCCI sources said on Saturday.

“Rishabh Pant has successfully undergone a knee ligament surgery on Friday. He will be under observation. Further course of action and rehabilitation will be advised by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala and followed by the BCCI sports science and medicine team,” a BCCI source told PTI.

It is learnt that Pant has undergone a Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery and will be out of action for close to a year.

The surgery took place at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital in Andheri West under the supervision of Dr Pardiwala, the head of the Centre for Sports Medicine and director of Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service.

ils

The 19-year-old Spaniard, who last year became the youngest player to finish year-end No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, would have held the top seed at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career.

Alcaraz tweeted: “When I was at my best in preseason, I picked up an injury through a chance, unnatural movement in training. This time it’s the semimembranosus muscle in my right leg.” “I’d worked so hard to get to my best level for Australia but unfortunately I won’t be able to play the Care A2+ Kooyong or the Australian Open. It’s tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in 2024 @ AustralianOpen.”

The withdrawal imper-

Despite his breakout season, Alcaraz had a frustrating end to 2022, being forced to withdraw from the quarter-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters with an internal oblique muscle tear that also sidelined him at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

On September 12, Alcaraz became the youngest World No. 1 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. He finished 2022 with a 57-13 record and five tour-level titles, including his first two ATP Masters 1000 victories (Miami and Madrid) and his first Grand Slam trophy at the US Open.

Last year Alcaraz lost 7-6 in the fifth set to Matteo Berrettini in the third round of the Open.

Late YekUto AYeMI

Born on : 17.08.1946 died on : 02.01.2023

The family of Late Yekuto Ayemi wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad loss.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to the many Friends, Neighbours, Churches, Relatives, and Well-Wishers who visited our home, service and burial and who provided emotional and practical support for us at this difficult time. We are truly grateful.

To those who helped in any way, your contribution made our loss more bearable. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually. Please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

“The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hands to.”

Loving wife, children, grandchildren, In-laws & Relatives

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”. Psalm 91:1 Words cannot express how deeply we appreciate everything you have done to help us get through this difficult time. Our gratitude goes to all our loved ones, neighbours, friends and well-wishers for your enduring love and support. May the good Lord bestow His choicest blessings to all.

We also convey our sincere thanks to:

• Christian Revival Mission Church, High School Area Kohima

• Koinonia Prayer Centre, Tsiese Basa

• Union Christian Revival Church, New Market Kohima

• Central Baptist Church, Bayavü

• Zienuobadze Colony, High School

Loving wife, daughter, son & family members

Wilfried Zaha inside the area.

was stopped by a good sliding tackle from

MADRID, JAN 7 (IANS): World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to a right leg injury.

Alcaraz’s hold on World No. 1, with Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic all having an opportunity to rise to top spot the Monday after the Australian Open.

Tallon Griekspoor lifts his trophy.

Balaji and Jeevan lost to Belgian pair Gille and Vliegen in the Tata Open Maharashtra ATP Tour tennis.

Carlos Alcaraz

Southampton’s Adam Armstrong (R) celebrates with team mates at Selhurst Park in London, Saturda. ( AP/PTI)

India crush SL to win T20I series 2-1

RAJKOT, JAN 7 (IANS):

Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering unbeaten century (112 not out off 51 balls) powered India to a mammoth total of 228/5 against Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I of the series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, here on Saturday.

With his beautiful wristy shots, Suryakumar made the opponent team feel like he isn’t from the same planet, treating every bowler with disdain. Apart from him, Shubman Gill played a decent knock (46 off 36) while Rahul Tripathi gave India some quickfire runs in the Power-play with his 35 off 16.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, India lost the first wicket early as Ishan Kishan poked outside off and edged behind a swinging bouncing delivery from Madushanka in the very first over of the innings.

Kishan’s opening partner Shubman Gill also struggled to open his account for the first nine balls before he smashed Madushanka for six and four in back-toback deliveries to get things going.

Rahul Tripathi, who walked in to bat at No 3 again, showed his attacking intent by hitting Theekshana for three fours in an over. He smashed five fours and two sixes in his blistering innings

of 35 off 16 balls to give the much-needed impetus to Indian innings. He got out, cutely steer the ball to third man and found the fielder in the 6th over.

Nonetheless, Tripathi’s innings meant that India finished the Power-play at 53/2, which was good after they lost Ishan in the first over as Shubman Gill was batting steadily at the other.

But, it was Suryakumar Yadav, who wasted little time to get off the block and toyed with Sri Lankan

Deschamps extends as France coach to next WC

PARIS, JAN 7

(AP): After leading France to another World Cup final, coach Didier Deschamps is signing up for another shot at the title, prolonging his contract to June 2026.

The French Football Federation announced the contract extension on Saturday.

Deschamps, a World Cup winner as a player, took over as coach of Les Bleus in July 2012 and led France to the World Cup title in 2018, beating Croatia in the final.

Under Deschamps,

France then came within a whisker of successfully defending its title at the World Cup in Qatar, losing an epic final to Argentina. Argentina won its third World Cup title by beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw featuring two goals from the 35-year-old Lionel Messi and a hat trick by his heir apparent, France forward Kylian Mbappé.

Deschamps has close working relationship with FFF president Noël Le Graët.

bowlers by hitting them all around the park. The stylish batter got going with a four and a six off Karunaratne, driving over mid-off and executing the whip-pull. He also cracks a short ball from Hasaranga past point for a four. Theekshana sneaked in a quiet over but the visitors couldn’t keep Surya quiet for too long. A four coming down the track to Karunaratne followed by a typical scoop over fine leg for a six for Suryakumar helped India past 100 in the

11th over, and also brought up his half-century stand of 29 deliveries with Gill, who was watching the ball sail over the boundary line from the other end.

A boundary over extra cover brought the 14th T20I half-century for Suryakumar in just 26-balls. It was also Surya’s ninth fifty-plus score (including a century) in his last 15 innings as India were 131/2 after 13 overs. After watching the Suryakumar carnage from the other end, Shubman Gill too decided

to free his arms and hit Hasaranga for an 84m six over mid-wicket. However, the spinner had the last laugh as he deceived Gill by the length and bowled him, leaving India at 163-3 after 14.4 overs.

Once Gill got out, the stage was set for finisher Hardik Pandya but the skipper couldn’t capitalise on it and got out for just 4 runs. The next batter Deepak Hooda started his innings with a four but got out soon on a cutter from Madushanka.

But, there was no stopping Suryakumar, who slammed his third T20I century in 45 balls, which was the second fastest halfcentury by an Indian in the shortest format of the game after Rohit Sharma, who got the milestone in just 35 deliveries against Sri Lanka as well in 2017.

On the other hand, Axar Patel (21 not out off 9) continued from where he left in the previous game and played a little cameo towards the end. With both Suryakumar and Axar hitting, India scored 28 runs in the last two overs and posted a total of 228/5 in 20 overs.

Brief scores: India 228/5 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 112 not out, Shubman Gill 46, Rahul Tripathi 35; Dilshan Madushanka 2-55) vs Sri Lanka

Arsene Wenger to help with Indian’s football’s grassroots programmes

NEW DELHI, JAN 7 (PTI): Former Arsenal manager and world governing body FIFA’s current chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger will play a role in Indian football’s grassroots programmes and talent development.

During the World Cup in Doha, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey had held deliberations with Wenger and other senior officials of the FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regarding youth development projects in India.

“We have had extensive discussions with FIFA development team. Arsene Wenger is head of FIFA Task Force and they will help us in grassroots programme. Coaches from Wenger’s team would come,” Chaubey said after unveiling its ‘Vision 2047’ roadmap.

“About football budget cut, we have got lot of help from government and ministry and we have never been turned down when we requested for something. In future too, we will expect whatever we deserve in terms of help, government will give us,” he added.

The roadmap hopes that in the country’s centenary year of independence,

Arsene Wenger

India will also emerge as a new powerhouse of Asian football. Developed in conjunction with all stakeholders of Indian football, the roadmap has also sought and incorporated inputs from the AFC and FIFA. The salient ambitions of the roadmap are to see India among the top four footballing nations in Asia, host one of the top leagues in the continent, and create a vibrant footballing ecosystem.

“’Vision 2047’ has been broken down, for diligent implementation, into six four-year strategic plans. The first of these will look to cover the period till 2026.

“With a shared vision and by sharing responsibility, we can implement targeted programmes to address key areas identified in this roadmap and help build capacity for the football ecosystem,” Chaubey said.

He said the aim is to revive “the glory days of Indian football as it was in the 1950s and 60s and becoming

a powerhouse of Asian football once again”.

One of the key aspects of the roadmap is to ensure increased access to competition and games for players plying their trade in the country. By 2047, the federation wants to ensure players will be able to play at least 55 matches across different competitions every season.

“Transformation will begin at home through a reform of the organisational culture,” secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran said, referring to a need for better governance of the game across the country.

“A restructuring exercise will be carried out to streamline current operations and develop a team which adopts the industry’s best practices and is transparent in its dealings.”

“By 2036, the centenary of the federation,” Prabhakaran said, “India will be among the top seven countries in Asia, and a strong contender to qualify for the World Cup on merit.”

The federation recognises that growth in modern sport requires a business outlook. The federation will dedicate an entire division — business and marketing — to develop, cultivate and invite investment and partnerships in Indian football.

ISL: Chennaiyin FC fight back to pick up a point against Jamshedpur FC

JAMSHEDPUR,

JAN 7

(AGENCIES): Chennaiyin FC went 2-0 down before staging a second-half comeback against Jamshedpur FC to seal a 2-2 draw at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday.

In a game where a win would have put them one point off the final playoff spot, Chennaiyin FC were kept at bay by the home side despite dominating possession and creating more chances, and had to ultimately settle for a point.

Jamshedpur FC took the lead in the 17th minute thanks to a finely worked team goal. Rafael Crivellaro played a give-and-go

Hope to breach 90m mark this year: Neeraj Chopra

NEW DELHI, JAN 7 (PTI): His “amazing athleticism” has left even the iconic Michael Johnson in awe recently and India’s Neeraj Chopra has now set himself a target in the new year: breach the 90-metre mark with his javelin.

After the historic gold in Tokyo, the 24-year-old Olympic champion javelin thrower has continued to raise expectations with a silver at the World Championships, before adding another feather in his cap by winning the Diamond League Finals gold.

However, despite his superlative shows, the magical 90m mark continues to elude him.

“In this new year, I hope I will put an end to this question,” Chopra told reporters in a video interaction from England where he’s

Neeraj Chopra

doing off-season training.

He came agonisingly close with his 89.94m throw when he finished second in the Stockholm leg of the prestigious Diamond League.

In hindsight, Chopra thinks he could have achieved the mark in Stockholm.

“I could have done that if I landed my foot a few centimetres ahead.”

“Yes, it’s just a matter of six centimeters -- but a magical mark for an athlete.

Whenever you talk about a top athlete we all say like this he’s done 90m.

“But I’m not bothered about the pressure of expectations. It will happen when it has to. It could have happened last year or the year before, but maybe God has kept a perfect time and place for that.”

He’s not bogged down by the pressure of expectations and said he always took them positively.

“I don’t think much about the expectations. Yes, you have to handle both your own and others’ expectations. But when I’m competing, my mind goes blank.

“It’s about giving it your all, your 100 percent thinking that you have prepared for just this day. And somewhere these expectations from the people who love me play a positive part.”

with Daniel Chukwu before threading a fine through ball onto the path of Ritwik Das, whose shot crawled past Samik Mitra.

Chennaiyin FC had 59% possession in the firsthalf, and were a bit unfortunate not to get a goal, with two shots hitting the woodwork.

The first of these efforts came in the 9th minute when Aakash Sangwan found Vincy Barretto with a cross from the left-wing –Barretto’s header rattled the crossbar.

The second came right at the stroke of the halftime whistle. This time, Sangwan was at the end of

the corner. He couldn’t get the proper connection, and his glancing header hit the post. Edwin Vanspaul also had a busy half. He worked with Vishal Yadav twice,

Indian Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu fails dope test

NEW DELHI, JAN 7 (PTI): Indian weightlifter Sanjita Chanu once again finds herself embroiled in a dope controversy and while the two-time Commonwealth Games champion claims innocence, she is faced with the dilemma of whether to appeal and relive the similar trauma she faced years ago.

Sanjita has been handed a provisional suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after she tested positive for an anabolic steroid -- Drostanolone Metabolite -- that features in the World Anti-doping Agency’s (WADA) prohibited list, during the in-competition test at the National Games in September-October last year.

The 2011 Asian Championship bronze medallist had been banned by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) in 2018 after she tested positive for

Sanjita Chanu

anabolic steroid testosterone carried out by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) prior to the World Championships in America in November 2017.

In 2020, the world body had, however, dropped the doping charge against Chanu due to “non-conformities” in the handling of her sample.

“I have been in this situation before. But I am not able to understand how this has happened. Since that incident, I have been very careful about my diet and everything,” she said.

Australia’s hopes raised of series sweep over South Africa

SYDNEY, JAN 7 (AP):

Australia had a glimpse of what appeared an unlikely victory and a series clean sweep as it took six of the 20 South African wickets it needs after captain Pat Cummins declared the host’s first innings at 475-4 on the fourth day of the rainaffected third test.

Cummins took three wickets in a fearsome display of pace bowling under grey skies at the Sydney Crcket Ground, while Josh

Hazlewood picked up two and Nathan Lyon claimed another, amongst a clutch of several near misses, as the Proteas finished Saturday at 149-6, trailing Australia by 327 runs.

To win, Australia needs to capture the four remaining South African first-innings wickets and then enforce the follow-on in a bid to bowl the Proteas out a second time — all within three sessions on Sunday’s final day. A win for

would confirm its place in the world test championship final to be played at Lord’s in England in June. After no play on Friday, further rain on Saturday morning meant play could not resume before lunch, effectively forcing Cummins’ hand into declaring. The forecast appears more favorable for the final day Sunday. Australia has already won the series after two crushing defeats in the first two tests at Brisbane and Melbourne.

which included an excellent volleyed effort in the 26th minute. Yadav was alert to both efforts and positioned himself well to deny the Chennaiyin FC midfielder.

Das got his second of the night in the 57th minute with a brilliant individual effort. Once again, the goal came against the run of play.

Das received the ball on the left wing, went on the outside before cutting back in, and curled the ball into the top corner. There was a clinical edge to Jamshedpur FC’s performance.

Vincy Barretto got one back for Chennaiyin FC in the 60th minute with a calmly placed bottom-corner finish. Chennaiyin FC levelled the scores in the 68th minute. Aakash Sangwan played a great cross from the left wing once again, and Petar Sliskovic got ahead of his man to slot the ball home with a deflected effort.

Odisha FC beat East Bengal 3-1: Odisha FC have strengthened their ISL 202223 knockout spot with a 3-1 victory over East Bengal FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. After a goal early on, the Juggernauts, led by a firebreathing Diego Mauricio, secured a comeback victory.

Indian player Suryakumar Yadav celebrates his century during the 3rd T20 cricket match between India and Sri Lanka at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in

Players of Chennaiyin FC and Jamshedpur FC in action at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday.

Didier Deschamps

Australia in this third test

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood (C) appeal for a LBW decision at the Sydney Cricket Ground Saturday. (AP /PTI)