March 4, 2018

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 86

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Putin tells US to send evidence of vote meddling

Burnley beat 10-man Everton

TN MPs must resign if PM refuses to meet them on Cauvery issue: Stalin

international, Page 9

sports, Page 12

national, Page 3

NDPP-BJP set to form next govt

Alliance has 31 with support from JD-U & Independent Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAR 3 (NPN): In one of the most closely fought elections ever which went down by the wire and during which two persons were killed in election-related violence besides reports of booth capturing in some booths, the voters of Nagaland eventually gave a mixed verdict with no clear winner when results were declared Saturday.

NPF managed to win the highest number of seats at 27 (down from 38) and with a success rate of 42.5% out of 58 seats contested.

NDPP managed 16 seats (excluding on uncontested) in its maiden election with a success rate of 40 % out of 40 seats it contested.

BJP was perhaps the biggest gainer by winning the highest number of seats at 12 in its electoral history in Nagaland. Moreover, BJP’s success rate was the highest at 55% out of the 20 seats it contested. After dec-

6-Tening A/C result to be overturned

Sl. No

NAGALAND ASSEMBLY Election Results 2018 Name of Candidates

Party

1 2 3 4 5 **6 7 8 9 10 11

H. Tovihoto Ayemi Moatoshi Longkumer Azheto Zhimomi N. Jacob Zhimomi Zhaleo Rio Namduadi Rangkau Zeliang Taditui Rangkau Zeliang Keneizhakho Nakhro Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire Khriehu Liezietsu Neiphiu Rio

BJP NPF NPF BJP NDPP NPF NPF NPF NDPP NPF NDPP

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

R. Khing Vikho-o Yhoshü Zale Neikha Y. Vikheho Swu Neiba Kronu Kezhienyi Khalo Chotisuh Sazo Kuzholuzo Nienu Yitachu Amenba Yaden Imnatiba Dr. Imtiwapang Aier Tongpang Ozukum Ngangshi K. Ao Imtikumzuk Metsubo Jamir Imkong L. Imchen Longrineken Temjen Imna Along Kazheto Kinimi

NDPP NDPP NDPP NPF NDPP NPF NPF NPF NPF NPF NPP NPF IND NPF NDPP NDPP NPF BJP BJP BJP

laration of results, the tally is as follows: NPF contested 58, won 27; NDPP, 40 won 17; BJP contested 20 won 12; NPP contested 25 won

A/C

Polled

1 Dimapur-I 2 Dimapur-II 3 Dimapur-III 4 Ghaspani-I 5 Ghaspani-II 6 Tening 7 Peren 8 Western Angami 9 Kohima Town 10 Northern Angami-I 11 Northern Angami-II

11721 21942 13162 23391 10939 7050 14064 6516 12605 7782 Unopposed 12 Tseminyu 7925 14 Southern Angami-I 5821 15 Southern Angami-II 7563 13 Pughoboto 6258 16 Pfutsero 6228 17 Chizami 6563 18 Chazouba 11432 19 Phek 11127 20 Meluri 7928 21 Tuli 3865 22 Arkakong 6307 23 Impur 4852 24 Angetyongpang 4607 25 Mongoya 6883 26 Aonglenden 5206 27 Mokokchung 2964 28 Koridang 7525 29 Jangpetkong 3615 30 Alongtaki 5981 31 Akuluto 4844

2; JD-U 1 and Independent 1. (See Table) The NPF with its prepoll alliance partner NPP and JDU managed to win a

Sl. No

32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Name of Candidates

Party

A/C

Polled

Picto H. Khehovi Pukhayi K. Tokugha Sukhalu G. Kaito Aye Yanthungo Patton Dr. Chumben Murry Mhathung Yanthan Mmhonlumo Kikon P. Paiwang Konyak Y.M. Yollow Konyak Noke Pohwang Konyak C.L. John N. Thongwang Eshak Konyak E.E. Pangteang N. Bongkhao Konyak B.S. Nganlang Phom S. Pangnyu Phom C.M. Chang Muthingnyuba Sangtam Toyang Chang Kejong Chang H. Haiying L. Khumo Khiam Toshi Wungtung V. Kashiho Sangtam T. Torechu

NPF BJP NDPP NDPP JD(U) BJP NPF NDPP BJP BJP NPF NDPP NDPP NPF NPF NPF NPF NDPP NPF BJP NDPP NPF NPF NPF BJP NPP NDPP BJP NPF

32 Atoizu 33 Suruhuto 34 Aghunato 35 Zunheboto 36 Satakha 37 Tyui 38 Wokha 39 Sanis 40 Bhandari 41 Tizit 42 Wakching 43 Tapi 44 Phomching 45 Tehok 46 Mon Town 47 Aboi 48 Moka 55 Tobu 49 Tamlu 50 Longleng 51 Noksen 52 Longkhim-Chare 53 Tuensang Sad-I 54 Tuensang Sad-II 56 Noklak 57 Thonoknyu 58 Shamator-Chessore 59 Seyochung Sitimi 60 Pungro Kiphire

7643 10864 6399 9450 6431 11709 14870 10548 11205 6981 7809 4284 6611 7463 5429 6036 7684 8611 6582 9987 4436 9316 10087 6204 5643 8389 4311 9830 8056

total of 30 seats. However, it was the lone elected JDU member and former NPF cabinet minister G. Kaito Aye along with another lone

Independent MLA Tongpang Ozukum (Angetyongpong) joined the NDPP-BJP camp in Kohima.

(Cont’d on p-7)

This is it!

“ I could save a lot due to clean election. Here’s a token of my gratitude for charity work.”

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Correspondent/Agencies

SHILLONG/AGARTALA, MAR 3: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with its partner— Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) on Saturday scripted history by winning the Tripura Assembly polls, ending 25 years of uninterrupted rule of the CPI(M)led Left Front in the state.

The BJP and IPFT won 43 seats. The CPI(M) won 16 seats and the Congress none.

A virtual political nonentity all these years in the tiny Left’s citadel northeastern state, where BJP had drawn a blank in terms of seats and secured only 1.5 per cent of votes in the assembly polls five years back, the saffron outfit along with tribal party ally comfortably managed a two-thirds majority.

All the seven Congress MLAs who joined the BJP last year won from their respective constituencies.

Polling in Charilam (Reserved-Tribal) was deferred to March 12 after CPI-M candidate Ramendra Narayan Debbarma died a

week before the February 18 polls. Votes for this will be counted on March 15.

Tripura Pradesh BJP President Biplab Kumar Deb, who won from Banamalipur, is tipped to be the Chief Ministerial choice.

Riding on Saturday’s electoral victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party President Amit Shah told BJP workers that their goal now should be to capture power in Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal and Odisha.

In Meghalaya voters returned a hung Assembly on Saturday, with the ruling Congress emerging as the single largest party with 21 seats in the 60-member House, 10 shorts of the 31 seats needed to retain power.

The National People’s Party (NPP) was at the second position with 19 seats.

The BJP, which contested 47 seats, could win only two.

Polling for 59 Assembly seats, out of a total of 60, was held on February 27. A Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate was killed in an IED blast, which resulted in countermanding

of the polls in one seat.

The Congress had no pre-poll arrangement with any party. The BJP, which made a serious bid to dethrone the 10-year-old Mukul Sangma government, also had no seat-sharing arrangement with any party.

However, the NPP is an ally of the saffron party at the Centre and in Manipur.

NPP chief Conrad Sangma said, “We are hopeful that we will be able to form the government.

People are fed up with the corrupt Congress government and are looking for a change.”

Sources informed that NPP and BJP, with a combined tally of 21, along with smaller parties were confident to form the government in Meghalaya.

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has won six seats followed by the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) with four and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) with two.

The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement and the Nationalist Congress Party won one seat each.

(More on p-4)

NDPP-BJP form People’s Democratic Alliance in Nagaland Zeliang hopeful to JD(U), Ind candidates back form govt with BJP

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 3 (NPN): In a rare case, the result of 6- Tening Assembly Constituency (A/C) which was earlier declared as having been won by NPF candidate Namduadi Rangkau Zeliang by a margin of 32 votes was being overturned. In the result declared on March 3, N.R. Zeliang defeated his nearest rival, NDPP candidate and sitting MLA Namri Nchang.

According to chief electoral officer (CEO) Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, the Polling Officer had detected the anomaly in figures tallied but by then the result was declared in favour of N.R. Zeliang, the brother of chief minister T.R. Zeliang.

Sources said the result was rectified in favour of NDPP candidate Namri Nchang. However, Sinha said the rectified result will be officially declared only after getting the nod from the ECI. The win will increase the tally of NDPP to 18 seats and also mean that the PDA alliance will now have a total of 32 members. It was also expected that two NPP legislators will also likely join the PDA.

BJP scripts history in Tripura; hung assembly in Meghalaya

(L-R) Neiphiu Rio with BJP general secretary Ram Madhav. Ind candidate Tongpang Ozukum and G. Kaito Aye with their letter of support.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAR 3 (NPN): Soon after the verdict was clear that the NDPP-BJP alliance had garnered maximum seats to form the new government in Nagaland, national BJP general secretary Ram Madhav landed in Dimapur Saturday evening to take stock of the situation and hold meeting with the alliance (NDPP) leader-

ship led by Neiphiu Rio at hotel Saramati.

The NDPP-BJP alliance along with one independent and one JD(U) MLA have decided to form a new coalition known as the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA).

Talking to Nagaland Post, NDPP secretary general, Abu Metha informed that the NDPP-BJP alliance along with JD (U) and independent MLAs have fi-

nalized the coalition (PDA) and will be staking claim to form the government by Sunday. Metha said they are expecting more to join the alliance.

Meanwhile, NDPPBJP chief ministerial candidate, Neiphiu Rio has thanked the people of Nagaland for reposing their faith in the alliance.

He also thanked Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and BJP national presi-

dent, Amit Shah for having faith in his leadership.

Rio further thanked minister of state for Home, Kiren Rijiju and other BJP leaders for extensively campaigning for the NDPPBJP alliance in the state.

Rio also called upon the people of Nagaland to usher in a new era of peace and unity in the state particularly to find an early and lasting solution to the Naga political issue.

JD (U) candidate G. Kaito Aye from 36-Satakha and independent candidate from 24-Angetyongpang A/C, Tongpang Ozukum, have extended their support to the NDPP-BJP alliance.

In their letter addressed to NDPP president, which was also forwarded to Nagaland Governor, Kaito and Ozukum declared their decision to support the NDPPBJP alliance under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio. In a sudden u-turn, state JD (U) president Senchumo Lotha on Saturday informed that his party has decided to support the BJP to form a stable government in Nagaland. In a press note, Senchumo said “the decision was taken after serious consideration of the current verdict of the just concluded assembly polls and also to safeguard the interest of the NDA allaince in Delhi.”

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 3 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang said that the ruling NPF was ready to form a new government in the state with the BJP if it comes forward for a postpoll alliance.

Speaking to a section of media persons here, Zeliang said BJP had never parted ways with the NPFled DAN partners as both BJP and NPF had been an ally since 2003. “We are continuing with the alliance. We never parted at any point of time. And we hope that they (BJP) will come forward and join our government,” he said.

Zeliang also disclosed that during past two-three days, he had been in touch with BJP’s election in-charge of Nagaland and union min-

BJP to stand by its pre-poll commitment: Madhav Prominent losers of 2018 Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , M ar 3 (NPN) Bharatiya Janata Party has confirmed that it will stand by the pre-poll alliance it had made with the Nationalist Democratic People’s Party (NDPP).

BJP national general secretary, Ram Madhav, who air-dashed to Dimapur Saturday evening by a special chartered flight, said that since the alliance had obtained required numbers for a simple majority to form the government, the party will keep its commitments.

In an interview with Nagaland Post at hotel Saramati, here on Saturday, Madhav said the alliance would be meeting the Governor soon to stake claim to form the government. Assuring of a stable government for a full term, Madhav said, “The alliance together has

30 elected representatives and with the support of the independent, JD (U) and hopefully NPP, we would ensure a stable government for five years.”

To a query whether NPP had joined the alliance, Madhav said the state party leaders were in talks with NPP National leaders in Meghalaya.

He said NPP is part of the BJP government in Manipur, and that the BJP was in a possibility of extending their support to the NPP in Meghalaya, he hoped that NPP would reciprocate in Nagaland as well.

NDPP leader and chief ministerial candidate Neiphiu Rio who was also present at the hotel to meet Madhav, said the alliance was scheduled to meet the Governor on Sunday and apprise him of the current political situation in the state. Regarding the government formation, Rio

said that will be decided after the parliamentary board meeting of both alliance partners to choose their respective representatives in the ministry and which could be done by earlier next week.

On being asked whether the Prime Minister had spoken to him after the results, Rio answered in negative. However he said BJP National President, Amit Shah, had called him up and that the two had some discussions during which the latter informed that PM Narendra Modi had also conveyed his congratulations on the alliance’s victory.

He said the alliance was fully committed to fulfilling the election manifestos which the alliance had been publicising through media houses in the run-up to the elections.

On whether the government would provide a

stable government unlike the last one, Rio said his relation with BJP goes a long way back and that under his leadership, there had been an alliance since 2003. Rio said he would fulfil whatever responsibility given to him by BJP to provide a stable government.

BJP election committee convenor, Dr. M. Chuba Ao, echoed the words of Madhav saying the party was committed and clear on its stance in regard to the pre-poll alliance it had made with NDPP. Answering to a query on the remarks given by Minister of State, Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju ahead of the final result declaration which was circulated in print and electronic media, Dr Chuba said, that could be the former’s personal view in order to ensure that the party do not remain in the opposition.

DIMAPUR, MAR 3 (NPN): At least 18 prominent former members of NLA have lost the electoral battle this time. They included one from NDPP, two from NPP, nine from NPF, three from BJP and one from INC. To k h e h o ( N D P P ) from 3 Dimapur-III A/C, who won last election on INC ticket, polled a total of 11024 this time, but lost to Azheto Zhimomi by a margin 2138.

Er. Levi Rengma (NPP) from 12 Tseminyu lost to R. Khing of NDPP by a margin of 863. He won the last election as Independent candidate by a margin of 768 votes. Er. Kropol Vitsu (NPF) from 15 Southern Angami-II A/C lost to a new entrant Zale Neikha of NDPP by a margin of 771 votes. NPCC president Kewekhape Therie from 16 Pfutsero, who was last elected in 2003 on NPF

ticket, came in third place with 3785 votes polled.

Deo Nukhu, who contested as NPP candidate from 17 Chizami, also lost to a new entrants.

Meanwhile, others who lost the elections included Nuklutoshi (NPF), S. Chuba Longkumer (NPF), C. Apok Jamir (NPF), Dr. Benjongliba Aier (NPF), K. Khekaho Assumi (NPF), KL Chishi (BJP), Hukavi Zhimomi (NPF), Dr. TM Lotha (BJP), Naiba Konyak (NPF), A. Imtilemba Sangtam (BJP), P Longon (NPF), R. Tohanba (NPF) and C Kipili Sangtam (NPF).

VICTORY MARGIN: The election in 2018 also proved to be a record breaker with several candidates winning with very narrow margins. The narrowest victory margin recorded when H. Haiying of the BJP won by 5 votes over P. Longon of the NPF 56 Noklak A/C. (More on p-2)

ister of state for Home Kiren Rijiju, BJP national general secretary, Ram Madhav and Assam’s BJP minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma. When contacted, state BJP president Visasolie Lhoungu said refused to comment, saying “they (state BJP) will follow the directives of the central BJP leadership.”

Zeliang ruled out any alliance with the newly floated NDPP. “We have no tie with the NDPP. There is no discussion with the NDPP at any point of time,” Zeliang said. I am grateful and humbled by the faith and trust reposed on me and my NPF party by the people of Nagaland once again. We managed to be the single largest party with 27 seats secured. Hope to workout the nitty-gritty with our partners and form a stable government.

Women candidates fail to make it Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, MAR 3 (NPN): In a setback for women in the state, none of the five women candidates, who contested the 2018 general elections could make it to the assembly. Two women candidates contested on NPP ticket, one on BJP ticket, one as NDPP candidate and one as independent. Among the five, Awan Konyak of NDPP from 47-Aboi assembly constituency lost to Eshak Konyak of NPF by a margin of 905 votes.

Wedie-u Kronu (NPP) from 1) 3-Dimapur-III A/C polled 483 votes, Rekha Rose Dukru (IND) from 17- Chizami A/C polled 338 votes, Awan Konyak (NDPP) polled 5131 votes, Dr. K. Mangyangpula Chang (NPP) from 51-Noksen polled 725 votes and Rhakila (BJP) from 54-Tuensang Sadar-II polled 2749 votes.

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Counting of votes peaceful in Dimapur

Candidates, agents and others during the counting of votes in Dimapur. (NP) Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , M ar 3 (NPN): Counting of votes began in Dimapur on Saturday morning at the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC’s) office amid tight security and ended with no untoward incidents, in the presence of candidates and their agents under the supervision of the respective district Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers. Thousands of party supporters gathered at the location awaiting the declaration of results.

Ghaspani I A/C candidate Akavi Zhimomi (AAP) and Ghaspani-II A/C candidates-- K.K Sema (INC)

and Zhaleo Rio (NDPP) were present for the counting.

The counting of votes began on Saturday morning in the three North Eastern states– Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura. All the three states had each voted for 59 Assembly seats.

In Dimapur, heavy restrictions were placed on the media in and around the counting room even if they had been issued authority letters by the ECI for the counting room. One reporter from a local daily, on mentioning that she is a media person, was told to take one picture and leave

by ADC Nuiland Athrila who subsequently ordered

DPC resents treatment of scribes

DIMAPUR: Dimapur Press Club (DPC) has expressed “utter disgust” at the unprofessional treatment of media personnel at the vote counting centre in Dimapur on March 3.

A press release from DPC president, Moa Longkumer and general secretary, S. Henlly Phom said that the club had taken note of the “unprofessional and insolent treatment” of media personnel.

It reminded “whomever the powers-may-be” that the journalists assigned to cover the counting process had been authorised entry and re-entry into the counting centres by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

“Yet, the media personnel were restricted entry by those manning the entry points” it said.

According to DPC, after much protest and reasoning the journalists were allowed entry under the watchful eye of a “dobashi” with the added restriction

of entering only once for a “few minutes and to be led out”. Personnel of electronic media were denied entry even though they had authorisation issued by the ECI, DPC added.

It expressed dismay that some of the officials went so far as to caution media persons from entering and exiting repeatedly.

“Indeed, perhaps these days newspapers and television can inform the public simply by journalists standing still”, it said.

DPC added a reminder that media persons had to do this as they had to be in constant communication with their organizations and editorial desks as mobile phones were not allowed inside the counting centres.

DPC added that it had noted the district electoral officer’s establishment and its subordinates for curtailing the rights of the press which translated into denial of information to the public.

security to bar entry for everyone, except on her orders.

The results were declared at around 2:30 in the evening, with the winning crowd cheering aloud and breaking out in loud singing.

When contacted, the winning candidate of Dimapur II, Moatoshi Longkumer (NPF), thanked the people of Dimapur for reposing their faith in him.

He assured the public that he is committed to keeping his election campaign promises to uplift local economy, empower women for self-reliance and all round development to create a new Dimapur.

state

Agri. department Phek bids farewell to DAO DIMAPUR: District Agriculture Office (DAO) Phek organised a farewell programme for its retiring DAO Phek, Z. Kenei, on March 1 at the conference hall of DAO, Phek.

According to a press release by AFA, DAO Phek, the outgoing DAO, Z. Kenei, in her speech, thanked all the staffs for extending full cooperation to the department even during her short stay at Phek and acknowledged their support throughout her tenure in the department.

Further, the outgoing DAO urged the staff to continue to uphold the good qualities even in the near future so that the department will be a boon to the farming community.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by deputy DAO Phek, Rudupra Keyho, while service profile and speech on behalf of the department was delivered by joint director of agriculture, Sanenpfu Magh.

Meanwhile, shor t farewell speeches were delivered by Sub Divisional Agricultural Officer (SDAO) Chozuba, The pusa Nakro, HA, Nutsulu, Satheri Baptist Church Pastor, Mhasituo and De puty Director of Agriculture, Sanuzo Nienu.

Meanwhile, the programme concluded with a mass prayer.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

‘World wildlife day’ celebrated at NZP

World Wildlife Day participants and chief guest at Nagaland Zoological Park.

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP) Rangapahar celebrated “World Wildlife Day” on Saturday at the director’s office campus with DFO, Doyang plantation division, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, as the chief guest.

A press release by NZP Rangapahar, informed that Dr. Prabhat explained about how this day was chosen by the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution in 2013 to adopt Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s fauna and flora.

Speaking on 2018 theme “big cats – predators under threat”, he pointed out that the balance in nature was so important to

maintain by the action of each and every animals and plants living on earth.

Should this balance be disturbed, Dr. Prabhat cautioned that the particular species would dominate over the other species and thereby suppress the weaker ones leading to the point of weaker species extinction.

He also mentioned about the declining population of many big cats in the world.

Dr. Prabhat said India have the highest number of tiger population out of about 4000 individuals in the world and called for preservation of these “majestic creatures” lest the ecological balance of nature becomes imbalanced.

He also said that there was a greater biological diversity of species in the world and cited examples

of the different varieties of rice plant species in the world.

NZP Rangapahar, director SFS, Obed Bohovi Swu, exhorted the program attendees about the importance of wildlife.

He said there was an urgent need to conserve and protect the degrading wildlife population in Nagaland and these includes all the types of wildlife.

Obed pointed out that the word wildlife includes all those species of animals and plants that are found in the wild.

He divulged that there are two species of big cats in Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar – the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Common Leopard.

The programme was attended by the hostel war-

den students of Logos College from Selouphe Village Dimapur. The day was also marked with the distribution of pamphlet of the different species of big cats of the world.

Students from Logos College, School children residing in the Zoological Park staff Colony and staff of the Zoological Park participated in the celebration.

The celebration programme was chaired by Forester – I, Vinoto Rochill and vote of thanks was delivered by deputy ranger, Nagaland Zoological Park, Tinukaba Ao. Photo frames with the captive Big Cats of Nagaland Zoological Park were presented to the participating college and guests to mark the occasion.

Fractured mandate in Mokokchung; reps retain seats in Longleng Correspondent Mokokchung/ Longleng, 3 MAR (NPN): A fractured mandate was witnessed on Saturday in Mokokchung district as counting for the 10 constituencies was held at town hall Mokokchung. Counting started as scheduled Saturday morning but had to be delayed due to inclement weather as heavy rain along with heavy winds lashed Mokokchung and its adjoining areas.

Counting resumed after about two hours after the rains subsided and carried on till around 5 p.m. as technical glitches like connectivity hampered the smooth counting. In the final list, the NPF secured 4 seats while NDPP and BJP followed with 2 seats each and the lone Independent candidate makes up the tally.

In 21 Tuli AC Amenba Yaden of NPF polled 3865

votes taking the lead by 886 votes while L Temjen Jamir of JD (U) came in second with a total of 2979 votes.

In 22 Arkakong AC, first timer Imnatiba of NPP won with a total vote of 6307 by defeating sitting MLA Nuklotoshi who came second with 5514 with a margin of 793 votes.

In 23 Impur AC sitting MLA and Speaker NLA Dr. Imtiwapang Aier of NPF wrested the seat from T.N. Mannen, IAS retired with just a difference of 62 votes as Dr. Imtiwapang garnered 4852 against his rival’s 4790 votes.

In 24 Angetyongpang AC, Tongpang Ozukum, a young Independent candidate emerged the winner with a total of 4607 votes defeating NDPP working president Alemtemshi Jamir (3657 votes) by a margin of 950 votes. Another setback for NDPP working president Alemtemshi Jami was that he faced

another loss at 25 Mongoya A/C after he was defeated at the hands of former Minister and NPF candidate Dr. Ngangshi K Ao with a margin of 248 votes.

Another sitting MLA Imtikumzuk of NDPP from 26 Aonglenden A/C emerged as the winner by securing 5206 votes against his rival Tohipokba of NPF (5118 votes) with a margin of 88 votes. Meanwhile, in the smallest constituency 27 Mokokchung Town AC, the people elected Metsubo Jamir of NDPP (2964 votes) a new entrant winning by a margin of 1004 votes against sitting MLA and NPF candidate C. Apok Jamir (1960). And in 28 Koridang AC political heavy weight and sitting MLA Imkong L Imchen of NPF (7525 votes) retained his seat with a margin of 128 votes against rival T. Chalukumba of NPP (7397 A s t r u c t u r e b l o w n d o w n b y t h e s t o r m i n votes). In 29 Jangpetkong Chuchuyimpang village.

AC Dr. Longrineken of BJP retained his seat with a margin of 276 votes defeating E.T Sunep (3339 votes) of NPF. And at the 30 Alongtaki AC another BJP candidate and new entrant, Temjen Imna Along Longkumer (5981) won the seat beating sitting MLA Dr. Benjungliba of NPF (5895 votes) with a margin of 86 votes.

Meanwhile in Longleng, both S. Pangnyu Phom (BJP) and B.S. Nganlang Phom (NPF) retained 50 A/C Longleng and 49 A/C Tamlu with margins of 1006 and 958 votes respectively. S. Pangnyu Phom, received 9987 votes beating the next closest candidate, Y.B. Angam (NPP), who followed with 8981votes. B.S. Nganlang Phom (NPF) led with 6582 votes followed by the NDPP candidate, B. Phongshak Phom with 5624 votes.

NPPCD observes ‘world hearing day’ Winning candidates by margins Nt’l seminar at Japfu Christian College

Students being checked on the occasion of World Hearing Day.

DIMAPUR: National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD) under the department of Health and Family Welfare (DH&FW) observed “world hearing day” at Government Middle School, Keyake in Kohima on March 1.

During the programme, ENT Specialist, NHAK, Dr. Zhimatho Nyusou spoke on the sigK

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nificance and importance of ear care and reminded that hearing loss can be prevented through preventive measures and going for regular hearing checkups.

Meanwhile, in an effort to promote ear and hearing care, a total of 83 school children were screened for early identification of ear related problems where free medi-

cines were distributed to those beneficiaries needing medication who were diagnosed with ear infection, discharge, wax and other ear related problems.

Earlier, information materials on ear care were also distributed for awareness. Programme officer, staff of directorate and NHAK, Dr. Obangjungla also attended the programme.

KOHIMA: Following are the list of seven candidates who won the recently concluded assembly elections with very narrow margins.

Top 7 winners by narrow margins: H. Haiying (BJP) won by a margin of 5 votes over P.Longon (NPF) in 56 Noklak A/C. N. Thongwang (NPF) won over Y. Mankhao (NDPP) in 46 Mon town A/C by just by 28 votes. In 23 Impur A/C , Imtiwapang (NPF) won by 62 votes over T.N. Manen (NDPP). Vikheho Swu (NPF) won by 70 votes over Dr. Sukhato (BJP) in 13 Pughuboto A/C. Yitachu (NPF) won by 74 votes over Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe (NDPP) in 20 Meluri A/C. In 30 Alongtaki A/C, Temjen Imna Along

(BJP) won by 86 votes over Dr. Benjongliba (NPF). Imtikumzuk (NDPP) won by 88 votes over Toshipokba (NPF) in 26 Aonglenden.

Winners with highest margins: Ex-minister Dr. Chumben Murry from Wokha Town (NPF) produced the largest difference with 8555 votes followed by the first timer Moatoshi Longkumer (NPF) with 6939, Tovohoto Ayemi with 6600 (BJP) and T.R Zeliang (NPF) with 5432 votes.

Meanwhile, new faces like Kezhienyi Khalo, Toshi Wangtung and the veterans like E.E Pangteang, Torechu, Dr. Longrineken and Mmhonlumo Kikon Scholars, professor and others at the national seminar. won by margins of less than D I M A P U R : T w o - d ay presented their research 500 votes.

ICSSR-NERC sponsored papers on the legendary national seminar on “The story of wild pear tree at Wild Pear Tree: Explor- Shajouba/Makhel in Senaing the Mnemonic aspects pati district, Manipur.

The release informed DIMAPUR: An eye camp for ex-servicemen will be or- of Naga Migration Story” ganised on March 7 and 21 at ECHS polyclinic, Dimapur was held from March 2-3 that the presenters delved at Japfu Christian College, into the different migralocated adjacent to Circuit house, Rajbari, Dimapur. tion stories to arrive at A press release by Zila Sainik welfare, retd colonel Kigwema.

A release by the col- some idea of shared oral TNK Singh has informed that eye specialist along with staff from military hospital, Rangapahar will be perform- lege informed that research history and cultural comscholars and academics monality among the Naga ing the eye camp.

Further, he has requested all ex-servicemen, widows from various Naga tribes tribes tracing their migraand dependents to avail this service, which will commence like the Angami, Chakhe- tion narrative to the wild from 9 a.m to 4 p.m on both days. ECHS card have also sang, Mao, Poumai, Sumi, pear tree. been requested to bring along.

Lotha, Pochury, Rengma It informed that the ob-

Eye camp for ex-servicemen

jective behind the national seminar was not only to look into the Naga past with academic rigour but also to foster the discourse of inclusion, which will facilitate understanding, brotherhood and unity among the Naga tribes.

In the seminar, Professor Xavier P Mao presented the keynote address, Dr. Visakhonu Hibo introduced the seminar and Dr. Kanato Chophy gave the concluding remarks.

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nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Has the conduct of the February 27 election been free and fair?

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

A B C

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Non-bailable warrants TN MPs must resign if PM refuses to meet them on Cauvery issue: Stalin against Nirav, Choksi

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A

B

Yes No Can’t say

C

11% 88% 1%

Next poll

Q: Is US president Donald

Tr ump likely to be impeached?  Yes  No  Can’t say

WEATHER FORECAST March 4

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Very hot with hazy sun

36 21

Sunshine

28 15

Guwahati Hazy sun

29 17

Aizawl Imphal

Nice with plenty of sunshine

28 11

Itanagar Spotty showers in the morning 22 15 Shillong Hazy sun Kohima

Mostly sunny and pleasant

Dimapur Mostly sunny and nice Mkg

Mostly sunny and pleasant

Tuensang Mostly sunny and cooler Wokha

Sunny to partly cloudy

Zunheboto Mostly sunny and pleasant

22 9 23 11 30 14 24 10 16 8 21 13 21 8

Maoists kill 2 in Bihar PA T N A , M A R C H 3 (IANS): Suspected Maoists have killed two brothers and attacked several others in a village in Jamui district of Bihar, police said on Saturday.

“The incident took place after the villagers of Pancheshwari had celebrated Holi. A group of more than two dozen armed Maoists surrounded a school where the villagers were sleeping.

“They shot dead Madan Koda and his brother Pramod late on Friday,” district police officer Nesar Ahmad said. The district authorities have deployed security forces in Pancheshwari and launched combing operations in the area.

Jamui is considered a Maoist stronghold.

Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi

MUMBAI, MARCH 3 (IANS): A PMLA court here on Saturday issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against absconder diamantaires Nirav Modi and his uncle and business partner Mehul Choksi in the Rs 12,600crore (almost $2 billion) Punjab National Bank fraud.

The NBWs, issued by the Prevention of Money Laundering Act court Judge M.S. Azmi, will

facilitate the extradition of Modi and Choksi once their whereabouts are traced, said Special Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar.

T h e d eve l o p m e n t comes after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 27 moved the PMLA court for issuing the NBWs after the duo failed to honour three summonses and appear before the agency for questioning on February

15, 17, and 23.

Simultaneously, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had sent a communication to Nirav Modi, asking him to return to India for the ongoing probe, but the latter spurned the agency by repling in the negative on the ground that he was tied up in his businesses abroad.

The Indian government has already suspended Modi’s and Choksi’s passports, among others, and asked Interpol to issue lookout notices for them as their current whereabouts are a matter of speculation.

Nirav Modi Group’s flagship company Firestar Diamonds, with branches in several countries, has already filed for bankruptcy in a New York court, which has granted an interim stay to prohibit creditors from collecting debts.

C H E N NA I , M A RC H 3 (IANS): DMK leader M.K. Stalin on Saturday upped the ante on the Cauvery water issue, suggesting to Chief Minister K. Palaniswami that the parliamentarians from Tamil Nadu should resign if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not meet the all-party delegation from the state.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Palaniswami at the state secretariat on the Cauvery water issue, Stalin said there was also a suggestion to convene the Assembly and pass a resolution to meet the Prime Minister.

Stalin said the refusal of Modi to meet the all party delegation from the state is an insult to Tamil Nadu as a whole.

On February 22, at a meeting of leaders of all political parties and representatives of farmer associations here, it was decided Palaniswami would

Ready to be CM: Tripura BJP chief AGARTALA, MAR 3 (PTI): After the BJP swept to power in Tripura ending the Left Front’s 25-yearrule, state party chief Biplab Kumar Deb Saturday said he was ready to take on the mantle of chief minister, but a decision on it would be taken by the party’s Parliamentary Board.

The BJP Parliamentary Board, the highest decision-making body of the party, will meet tonight in New Delhi to decide on the future chief minister, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said.

“I am ready to take the responsibility. I will not run away from taking the responsibility,” he told reporters here when asked if he would accept the task of chief ministership.

Deb, a gym instructorturned-politician, thanked the people of Tripura for their overwhelming support and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah

five.

Biplab Kumar Deb

with the party’s showing.

“I have already been given a bigger responsibility, the party’s state presidentship, which I have been fulfilling to the best of my ability,” he said.

The BJP has bagged 32 seats and is leading in three seats in the 60member Tripura Assembly, while its ally the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura has won seven seats and is ahead in one more.

The CPI(M) has won 11 seats and is leading in

Deb assured the people that all promises made in the poll manifesto, which was published as ‘vision document’, would be implemented.

He said the people of Tripura favourably responded to the BJP’s call to root out the CPI(M) government, which has been ruling the state for more than two decades.

“People responded favourably to our call call ‘Chalo Paltai’ (let’s change),” he said.

When the same party forms government in a state and the Centre, it helps in faster development in the state, Deb said.

He alleged that 11 officials of the BJP were murdered allegedly by the goons of the CPI(M).

He also appealed to the people not to resort to post-poll violence.

“We do not believe in the politics of vengeance and hatred, so we appeal

to the people to maintain peace and calm,” he said.

Deb said the next government’s priority would be all-round development of Tripura and the people voted for the BJP as there had been total backwardness in the state under the Manik Sarkar government.

“The word development does not exist in the dictionary of the CPI(M).

Our government will provide good governance and time-bound implementation of all developmental works,” he said.

Manik Sarkar has been chief minister since 1998. He is a politburo member of the CPI(M) and has been ruling the state for the fourth consecutive time.

Polls in 59 seats, out of the total 60, were held on February 18. The election in one seat was countermanded due to the death of the CPI(M) candidate.

M.K. Stalin

lead a delegation to meet Modi and urge him to set up Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee -- as the Supreme Court had mandated.

The PMK had announced a major protest if the apex court order was not followed.

On Saturday Palaniswami met Stalin to discuss the Cauvery issue.

According to Stalin, Chief Minister Palaniswami told him that Modi had suggested the all party del-

egation from Tamil Nadu to meet the Union Minister for Water Resources first.

Stalin said when Modi can meet Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam or the Chief Minister Palaniswami for other reasons it is an insult to Tamil Nadu that the Prime Minister is not willing to meet the all-party delegation from the state.

Stalin said he has told Palaniswami to wait till Monday for a communication from the Prime Minister’s Office. If there is

3

no message from the PMO then the assembly should be convened on March 8 and pass a resolution to meet Modi.

Responding to Stalin’s charge, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister D.Jayakumar said Modi has not refused to meet the all party delegation from Tamil Nadu but had suggested to meet the Union Minister for Water Resource first.

On Stalin’s suggestion to convene the assembly, Jayakumar said the Chief Minister had said a decision would be taken after deliberating on that.

The Supreme Court had on February 16, while ordering the central gover nment to set up the CMB and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee within six weeks, had also reduced Tamil Nadu’s share in the waters to 177.25 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), down from 192 TMC allocated by a tribunal in 2007.

Modi to return to power after 2019 Lok Sabha polls: Sonowal G uwah ati , M ar 3 (PTI): The results of the Assembly elections in the three northeastern states of Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya have given a clear indication that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will return to power after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said Saturday.

Sonowal also said the people of the northeast were taking the lead in making a “Congress-mukt Bharat” (Congress free India) and the results of the three Assembly elections in which Congress has been marginalised were a clear indication of it. “Congress has not won a single seat in Tripura and in Nagaland. In Meghalaya, Congress has been confined to limited seats. It is a clear sweep for the BJP. “It is a clear indication that the people have reposed faith in prime minister’s development agenda and also a clear indication that

Sarbananda Sonowal

the NDA, under Modi’s leadership, will return to power after the 2019 general elections,” he told PTI. The Assam chief minister claimed that the Congress had no agenda for the development of the country and miserably failed in its long rule in the country.

The BJP is set to dethrone the CPI(M) after its more than two decades rule in Tripura.

In Meghalaya, the Assembly election results were likely to throw up a hung verdict, while in Nagaland,

it was a close close contest between the ruling Naga People’s Front and the BJPNationalist Democratic Progressive Party combine.

The Congress is in power only in one state -Mizoram -- out of the eight northeastern states. The BJP is in power in three states -- Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh -- while the Sikkim Democratic Front, an NDA ally, is in power in Sikkim. The BJP first came to power in the northeast by winning in Assam under Sonowal’s leadership.

Landslides hit Jammu-Srinagar Highway Delhi Government employees to JAMMU, MARCH 3 (IANS): Fresh landslides triggered by continuous rains in Ramban district disrupted traffic flow on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Saturday, authorities said.

Authorities allowed one-way traffic on the nearly 300-km highway on Saturday after fresh landslides in Maroog area.

“Efforts to restore normal traffic

flow on the route are on. Till then, traffic has been halted on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway”, officials said here.

Over 50-km stretch of the highway, especially in Ramban district, is highly prone to landslides.

For the landlocked Valley, the strategic Jammu-Srinagar Highway is the lifeline for essential supplies.

Tripura election results ‘blow’ to Left Front, says CPI Hyderabad, Mar 3 (PTI): The Tripura Assembly election results were a “blow” to the Left Front, which was expecting to retain power in the northeastern state, at least with a thin majority, CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said today.

The veteran leader termed the poll outcome in Tripura, a Communist bastion, “bad” for the CPI(M)led Left Front, which had been in power in the state for the last 25 years.

The BJP and its state ally, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), are set to form the next government in Tripura, after securing a majority in the 60-member Assembly in the February 18 election, the results of which were announced today.

“We did not expect this kind of results in Tripura. We were expecting the Left Front to win, at least with a thin majority,” Reddy told PTI. “Ultimately, the BJP K Y M C

Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy

manipulated, it is very unfortunate,” he alleged.

Asked to elaborate on his allegation of manipulation against the BJP, the CPI leader claimed, “Eleven per cent of the EVMs did not work on the polling day, which created doubts.”

R e d d y, h o w e v e r, acknowledged that antiincumbency could have played a role in the northeastern state after the long period of Left rule.

“It is a blow to the Left Front. We will analyse the reasons for the defeat thoroughly,” he added.

Claiming that the BJP

spent money “like anything”, the CPI leader said, “In a small state, (they) carried out a big campaign.

The entire Congress shifted to the BJP. The BJP does not have a base of its own (in Tripura).

“Actually, almost all the BJP candidates are Congress people. The Congress had got more than 30 per cent of the votes earlier (in the previous election).”

Asked about the Left parties steadily losing electoral ground in different parts of the country, Reddy admitted that it was a “big challenge” for the Left.

“But we do think that this is a not going to be a permanent thing. It is a temporary phase (of electoral setbacks to the Left parties). More than politics, manipulation is working (in elections).

“At the same time, the economy is bad, misery and poverty are increasing.

So, people are unhappy and angry with the government,” he said.

Smriti Irani’s whims making continue not meeting ministers DD/AIR staff suffer: Congress

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3 (IANS): Delhi government employees would continue to not meet ministers till Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal apologises for an alleged attack on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash by two AAP MLAs, the employees’ association said on Saturday, countering the government’s claim that the association has “assured full cooperation”.

O n Fr i d ay, D e l h i government spokesperson Nagendar Sharma tweeted that an employees’ delegation had met the Chief Minister and “assured full cooperation” to the Delhi government.

Deepak Bharadwaj, a member of Government Employees Joint Forum, said that the government’s

claim was “wrong” and they would continue to communicate with ministers only through written channel till Kejriwal apologises.

D.N. Singh, another member of the forum and one of the members who visited the Chief Minister on Friday, said that he met Kejriwal as the latter’s mother was ill and termed it as a “personal visit”.

Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash on February 20 alleged that he was assaulted by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators -- Prakash Jarwal and Amanatullah Khan -- at Kejriwal’s residence in his presence, where the top bureaucrat had been called for an emergency meeting.

Vietjet Air to start Ho Chi Minh city-Delhi flight services

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3 (IANS): Vietnam-based lowcost airline Vietjet Air on Saturday said it will commence direct flight service between Ho Chi Minh city and New Delhi four days a week to cater to the fast-growing air traffic between the two cities.

The company declined to divulged the commencement date of the flight, however, a company official said that services will be started “very soon”.

At present, there are no direct flights between the two countries.

The announcement was made at the India-Vietnam Business Forum organised here to mark the visit of Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang.

Currently, the airline has a fleet of 55 aircraft and operates 385 flights daily on its 82 routes spanning Vietnam and across to international destinations.

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3 (IANS): Following media reports that the Centre is withholding funds to Prasar Bharti since December, the Congress on Saturday attacked Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani, saying “her unbridled whims and anger” was making “employees of DD/AIR suffer”.

The party also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue.

The party also questioned whey her ministry had chosen a private firm over Doordarshan (DD) for the International Film Festival of India in Goa. It also asked why a private firm should be paid Rs 2.92 crore by Prasar Bharti.

“Unbridled, unchecked and uncontrolled whims and anger of Information and Broadcasting Minister Ms Smriti Irani is making DD/ AIR employees suffer,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, tagging a story by the news site ‘The Wire’ headlines “Exclusive: Angered by Prasar Bharati’s Defiance, Smriti Irani Blocks Salary Funds for DD, AIR”.

Surjewala also questioned the minister on the transfer of 140 Group A IIS officers (out of a cadre of 500) in two months.

“Is this a punishment tool? Why did the Minister whimsically transfer IIS Association President Anindya

The Ministry termed the reports as “sinister, motivated campaign” and said that the “misinformation” was based on “half-baked facts”.

The Prasar Bharti is an autonomous body that functions under the aegis of I&B Ministry.

Randeep Singh Surjewala

Sengupta? Why is PM Modi mum?”

Responding to reports that the Centre is withholding funds to Prasar Bharti for its alleged defiance to some Ministry directives, the government on Friday said the funds were being withheld as the public broadcaster was not abiding by the rules.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

Cong emerges single largest party in M’laya Verdict in Meghalaya is

S hi l lo n g, M a r 3 (PTI): Meghalaya threw up a hung Assembly Saturday with the ruling Congress emerging as the single largest party after winning 21 seats out the 59 that went to polls last month.

The National People’s Party (NPP) was at the second position with 19 seats.

The BJP, which contested 47 seats, could win only two.

Polling for 59 Assembly seats, out of a total of 60, was held on February 27. A Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate was killed in an IED blast, which resulted in countermanding of the polls in one seat.

To form government in Meghalaya at the present juncture, a party or coalition requires a minimum of 30 seats.

The Congress had no pre-poll arrangement with any party.

The BJP, which made a serious bid to dethrone the 10-year-old Mukul Sangma government, also had no seat-sharing arrangement with any party.

Mukul Sangma waves at his supporters after winning in his constituency in the Meghalaya Assembly elections on Saturday. (PTI) However, the NPP is an ally of the saffron party at the Centre and in Manipur.

NPP chief Conrad Sangma said, “We are hopeful that we will be able to form the government.

People are fed up with the

corrupt Congress government and are looking for a change.” All eyes are now on the regional parties and independent candidates.

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has won six seats followed by the People’s Democratic Front

(PDF) with four and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP)with two.

The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement and the Nationalist Congress Party won one seat each.

The UDF and the HSPDP have a pre-polls alliance. Independent candidates won three seats.

The Cong ress has rushed two senior leaders Ahmed Patel and Kamal Nath to the state to explore the possibility of forming the government.

The Congress’ move comes in the wake of criticism in the past that the party was caught ‘napping’ in Goa and Manipur, where despite emerging as the single largest party it failed to form governments there.

After the Assembly elections last year threw hung verdicts in Manipur and Goa, the BJP formed governments there with the help of smaller parties and independent candidates.

Patel said there would no repetition of Manipur and Goa. Nath said, “It is clear that we will form the

government. The will of the people of Meghalaya will be reflected in our Congress government.”

“We are in touch with everybody. Everybody is in touch with us,” he said, adding that “we will stake claim tonight”.

Nath alleged the BJP is trying to use “money power to cause as much disturbance as possible”.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who won from the two seats he contested, said the results were not on expected lines and he would keep his cards close to his chest with regard to the Congress forming the government.

For the first time, Sangma contested in two seats.

“We are in touch with like-minded regional parties and independents to form the government,” state Congress working president Vincent H Pala told PTI. Meghalaya is one of the five states where the Congress has been ruling.

The other states where the party is in power, are Punjab, Karnataka, Mizoram and Puducherry.

for change, says Amit Shah

New Delhi, Mar 3 (IANS): BJP chief Amit Shah on Saturday said the results of Meghalaya Assembly elections appeared to be for a change and the Congress has not got the public’s mandate.

He said the National Democratic Alliance partners have got “big success” in the state.

“It appears to be a verdict for change. Our allies have done well. We have done well. The Congress has not got majority,” Shah told reporters here.

Answering a query, he said the people had returned a hung assembly.

“The government will be formed by the party that gets the support of (majority of) MLAs,” he said.

He questioned the Congress for sending two of its senior leaders Ahmed Patel and Kamal Nath to the northeastern state. “Why have they gone there,” he asked.

The Congress has ruled the state for a decade.

Of the 59 of the 60 seats for which elections

BJP President Amit Shah flashes victory sign as he is accorded welcome by party workers outside party headquarters in New Delhi. (PTI) were held, the Congress BJP 2. The remaining seats bagged 21, the National have gone to Independents People’s Party 19 and the and other parties.

BJP-IPFT ends Left Front rule in Tripura Two youths gunned down in Manipur

BJP supporters wave party flag to celebrate BJP’s win, which brought down 25 years of CPI-M government rule, after Tripura Assembly election results were announced in Agartala on Saturday. (PTI) Agartala, Mar 3 (IANS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with its partner IPFT on Saturday pulled off a historic victory to storm to power in Tripura, sweeping 43 of the 59 seats and ousting the Left Front government had had ruled for 25 years.

The BJP on its own comfortably managed an absolute majority with its candidates won in 33 constituencies and leading in two more seats in the 60member assembly while its ally, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), has wrested eight seats.

A vir tual political non-entity all these years in the tiny Left’s citadel northeastern state, where BJP had drawn a blank in terms of seats and secured only 1.5 per cent of votes in the assembly polls five

years back, the saffron outfit along with tribal party ally comfortably managed a two-thirds majority.

Elections were held for 59 seats and countermanded in one (tribal reserve Charilam seat) following the death of a ruling Left Front major Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) candidate a week before the February 18 polls.

The Left Front, which has ruled the state uninterrupted for the past quarter of a century, was far behind, with the CPI-M candidates winning 11 seats and leading in five seats while its junior partners Communist Party of India (CPI), Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party drew a blank after contesting one seat each.

In the last elections in 2013, the LF had secured 50 seats while remaining the

10 seats went to the Congress, which this time could not open its account.

For the BJP, apart from its likely first-time victory in Tripura, it was a cause for big celebration, as along with its partner IPFT, it has captured another northeastern state after Assam, Manipur, Nagaland (where also votes cast were being counted during the day) and Arunachal Pradesh.

Tripura Pradesh BJP President Biplab Kumar Deb (Banamalipur), BJP nominees Sudip Roy Barman (Agartala), Ratanlal Nath (Mohanpur), Rampada Jamatia (Bagma), Dilip Kumar Das (Barjala), Diba Chandra Hrangkhawl (Karamchara), Ashish Kumar Saha (Bordowali) are the saffron party’s notable winners.

All the seven Congress MLAs who joined the BJP

BJP used money, muscle power to win Tripura: Yechury New Delhi, Mar 3 (IANS): Accepting the Tripura mandate, Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Saturday charged the BJP with using money and muscle power to win the state assembly elections.

“This has happened because the BJP has unscrupulously utilised huge amounts of money power and muscle power and managed to successfully bring together all anti-Left elements and parties including, the erstwhile opposition parties together into one anti-Left platform. They succeeded as a result of that,” he said as

the election results came in.

Yechury warned the people of Tripura that there would be unfavourable ramifications due to the use of money in elections. “BJP brought together all kinds of forces using money power without attaching any morality to it.

There will be results due to this for which people need to be alert,” he said.

In a series of tweets, Yechury said: “We will continue to oppose BJP and its divisive agenda not only in Tripura but all over India. It is imperative for those who believe in India’s Constitutional ideals to defeat the nefarious designs of the BJPRSS. The battle is on.”

Earlier, Yechury said the CPM accepts the people’s mandate in Tripura which is for the formation of BJP-IPTF alliance government. This has come after the Left Front being in power for 25 years, winning five consecutive elections in the state, he said.

“Forty-five per cent of the people...have voted for the Left Front. We assure the people of Tripura that the CPM will continue to work for their interest, their welfare and most importantly for the unity of the tribal and non-tribal sections in the state, which we believe is very important for this north eastern state,” he said.

last year won from their respective constituencies.

IPFT candidates, including party President Narendra Chandra Debbarma (Takarjala), General Secretary Mevar Kumar Jamatia (Asharambari) and Prashanta Debbarma (Ramchandraghat) have been elected to the state assembly for the first time.

Five Left Front ministers lost the elections this time.

CPI-M legislator and Tribal Welfare Minister Aghore Debbarma (Asharambari constituency), Transport and Power Minister Manik Dey (Majlispur), Forest and Rural Development Minister Narensh Chandra Jamatia (Bagma), Fisheries and Cooperatives Minister Khagendra Jamatia (who, however, died on Friday due to cancer), Deputy Speaker Pabitra Kar (Khayerpur) and the Left Front’s Chief Whip, Basudeb Majumder (Belonia), are among the important losers.

A total of 290 candidates, including 23 women, of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist, Communist Party of India, Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress and many independents, were in the fray.

Balloting in Charilam (reserved for the tribals) has been deferred to March 12 after CPI-M candidate Ramendra Narayan Debbarma died a week before the polls.

Over 92 per cent (excluding 50,700 postal ballots) of Tripura’s 2,536,589 voters cast their votes on February 18 in a peaceful election, setting a new record in India’s electoral history.

KAFFSA demands action against EM Correspondent

Diphu, Mar 3: The Karbi Anglong Frontline Forest Staff Association (KAFFSA) has condemned the physical attack on forest beat officer, DN Harijan by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Executive Member Pradip Diphusa on February 25. The association has also demanded stern action against the accused.

The association stated that assaulting of a responsible government official on duty was “not a minor case but can be considered as attempt to murder.” While describing the assault by an elected representative as shocking and shameful, the KAFFSA demanded stern action against Pradip Diphusa.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Mar 3: Two youths were gunned down in two separate incidents in Manipur.

One of the youths, suspected to be a militant, was killed in an alleged encounter with troops of 38 Assam Rifles in Kangpokpi district late Friday night.

The alleged encounter that killed a militant took place on the river bank at Keithelmanbi Sayang village, about six kilometers south of Kangpokpi police station Friday night around 8.30 pm.

Police said that the gunfight which took place between troops of 38 Assam Rifles at Kangpokpi post and suspected cadres of Thadou People Liberation Army (TPLA) lasted from

around 8.30 pm till 9 pm.

The bullet-riddled dead body of the militant was recovered during a search operation conducted by the troopers after the firing ceased.

The troopers also recovered one HK33-5.56x45 rifle along with a sling, one magazine, two FCC including 66 live rounds of ammunition, one each of green ammunition pouch, Aadhaar card, MC Dowell rum bottle, energy drink bottle, face mask, balkalawa cap, lighter, plastic, cotton piece etc.

Police today identified the slain militant as Lalkhosem Lhouvum (20) son of Kailam of Motbung Lhujang Veng. In a separate incident, a youth died after being hit by bullet fired by some unknown persons

nearby his house at Nagamapal under Imphal police station around 1.30 am.

In the follow up action, Imphal West district police have rounded up seven persons suspected to be involved in the firing incident, the police said.

Police sources said that Thokchom Tony Singh alias Jagat (25) son of Suresh Singh of Nagamapal Phougeisangbam Leikai was shot at with a double barrel gun by some miscreants while he was on his way back from Yaoshang Thabal Chongba.

Tony who was rushed to Raj Medicity hospital died at the hospital after a brief struggle for life, around 2 am. After registering a case, police transferred the dead body at RIMS morgue.

Army chief on a two-day visit to Shillong D imap u r , M a r 3 (NPN): Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC arrived at Laitkor, Shillong on Saturday for a two-day visit to Headquarters Directorate General Assam Rifles. He was received by Director General of Assam Rifles, Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM along with Army Commander Eastern Command Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM. During the visit, Chief of Army Staff laid wreath at Assam Rifles War Memorial to pay homage to the gallant Assam Rifles martyrs. The wreath laying ceremony was followed by

Bipin Rawat being received by Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan.

officers’ conference where the DG AR briefed Rawat on the security situation in the Northeast.

Later, the Rawat addressed all ranks of Assam Rifles wherein he applauded the efforts of Assam Rifles and exhorted the soldiers to continue the good work.

He also awarded Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards to four Assam Rifles jawans - warrant officer Dhan Singh Samant, rifleman Pradeep Kumar, rifleman Nadeem Sheikh and rifleman M Somorjit Singh for their outstanding performance.

AFSPA extended by 6 months in Assam Guwahati, Mar 3 (PTI): The Assam government Saturday announced extension of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) by another six months in the state.

According to a statement, the Home and Political Department of Assam, through a notification issued on February 28, declared the entire state a “disturbed area” under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. The Act, which gives special rights and immunity to security forces in carrying out various operations in “disturbed” areas, has been extended by up to six months unless withdrawn earlier.

NERIST students continue agitation Itanagar, Mar 3 (PTI): Amid agitation by students, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar has assured to issue appointment order of NERIST permanent director, Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister Honchung Ngandam said.

Ngandam said Javadekar informed him over telephone last evening.

The president of the agitating students of the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST), Banta Natung said their stir would continue till they were given proof of the appointment order.

The students have launched an agitation from February 27 at the NERIST entrance gate with eight on hunger strike since March one.

FIR against cops for ‘atrocity’ on students GUWA H AT I , M a r 3 (Agencies): The All Assam Homoeopathic Medical College Students’ Union filed an FIR on Friday against a few Assam Police personnel for having allegedly lathicharged and manhandled them while they were staging a demonstration at Last Gate in the city on Wednesday.

The union has also threatened to forcibly close down three homoeopathic colleges and hospitals in the state for an indefinite period from March 3.

Over 250 homoeopathic doctors, junior doctors and students from the three homoeopathic colleges and hospitals of the state had been participating in the demonstration at Last Gate from February 26 to 28 to highlight their griev-

ances and long standing demands when police allegedly lathicharged to disperse them. President of the union, Eyasin Ikram Farazi sustained a head injury while female doctors and students alleged of being manhandled and lathicharged by male policemen during the incident.

Farazi said, “We were demonstrating in a peaceful manner at Last Gate to highlight the pathetic condition of the homoeopathic colleges and hospitals in the state. Many of doctors passing out from these hospitals are still unemployed.

But a few policemen started lathicharging on us illegally.

A policeman dragged me by my hand while another hit me on the head with his stick. I have suffered

from a skull bone fracture and had to be admitted in the hospital. Moreover, male policemen also beat up and manhandled our female doctors and students who had participated in the demonstration.”

“We have filed an FIR at the Dispur Police Station today against these policemen. We strongly condemn

their inhuman action. We want strict action to be taken against the guilty. Since our long standing demands have not been met by the government, we will close down the three homoeopathic colleges and hospitals in the state for an indefinite period from March 3,” Farazi, who has been released from the hospital now, added.

Hello... Ishou.. (Jaci) One tree can start a forest, One smile can make a friend, One tough can show us love and care And you make my life worth living, Ishou, have an amazing birthday May God bless you abountantly...

Alys urs Ishou..

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

India, Vietnam to work for open, prosperous Indo-Pacific NEW DELHI, MAR 3 (IANS): In what can be seen as a strong signal to China, India and Vietnam on Saturday agreed to work for an independent, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region as the two sides signed three agreements, including one on enhancing bilateral economy and trade.

“We will work together for an independent, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region where sovereignty and international laws are respected and disputes are resolved through dialogue,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a joint address to the media with visiting Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang following delegation-level bilateral discussions here.

“Both of us are committed to expanding our maritime ties and ensure an open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture,” Modi said.

On his part, Quang said that both countries will work together for regional security, including maritime and cyber security.

The remarks assume significance given China’s increasing influence in the Indian Ocean region and

Gadchiroli sets new Guinness world record GADCHIROLI, MAR 3 (PTI): As many as 7,000 people today participated in a book reading event here and managed to break a Guinness world record set in Turkey in May last year, district officials said.

The event was organised by police authorities here and had representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records in attendance, officials added.

The event in Turkey on May 18, 2017 had seen the participation of 5,754 people as audience for a book reading event.

“Gadchiroli is mostly known for Naxal violence but this event will create a positive image for the district across the world.

We wanted to propagate the message of nonviolence and ensured maximum participation of school students. We are proud that we managed to set this world record,” said Maheshwar Reddy, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Tran Dai Quang, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)

aggressive attitude in the South China Sea. In his remarks, Modi said that Vietnam has played a significant role within the framework of New Delhi’s Act East Policy and India’s ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) regional bloc.

Vietnam is the country coordinator for India with the Asean, a role that will be passed on to Thailand later this year.

The Prime Minister recalled that during his visit to Vietnam in 2016, the bilateral relationship was elevated from a Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“Last year, we celebrated 45 years of our diplomatic relationship and the 10th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership,” he said.

“Our ties are not just limited to our two governments. Our civlisational ties are 2,000 years old.”

Stating that all aspects of the bilateral relationship were discussed in detail in Saturday’s talks, Modi said that both nations, being developing nations, gain from the experiences of each other.

“We are fortunate that thousands of Vietnamese people have received education and training in technical and other areas in

C’garh encounter: Bodies of Naxals flown to hospital HYDERABAD, MAR 3 (PTI): The bodies of eight Maoists, who were among the 10 ultras killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, were flown to a Telangana hospital and their identification was likely to be completed today, an official said.

The Greyhounds, an anti-Naxal force, had yesterday swooped on the camp of Maoists near Pujari Kanker in Bijapur district, as part of a joint operation with the Chhattisgarh Police. Ten Maoists, including six women, were killed in the early morning operation in which a personnel of the elite force also lost his life.

“Bodies of two Naxals and the junior commando of Greyhounds were airlifted yesterday.

Due to the inaccessibility of the location, the rest of the bodies were flown in a chopper this morning to the hospital,” Superintendent of Police of Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem district Ambar Kishor Jha told PTI. “We have received

all the ten bodies from the encounter site. Post mortem will be conducted today. We will follow all the Supreme Court directions related to encounter cases,” he said.

According to the SP, the post-mortem examination will be conducted at the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital.

The identification process is also underway. “By (this) afternoon we hope to complete the process and get a clear picture,” the SP said.

Security forces from Telangana and Chhattisgarh had launched the counter-insurgency operation in the forest on the inter-state border based on inputs about a gathering of a large group of ultras, officials had said.

“Susheel Kumar, a junior commando of the Greyhounds, lost his life,” officials had said.

Six women were among the ultras killed in the operation which took place around 6.30 AM, the SP said.

India,” he said.

He also pointed out that bilateral trade continued to grow even in the current global economic scenario and said trade between the two countries rose from $6 billion to $10 billion in the last five years, He said that, in the discussions, both sides agreed to further strengthen trade and investment ties, including in sectors like renewable energy, agriculture and agro-products, textiles and oil and gas.

“We will not only strengthen our longstanding bilateral partnership in oil and gas, but also explore possibilities of working with other countries for trilateral partnership,” Modi said.

Stating that defence and security is an important pillar of the strong bilateral ties, he said that the all defence services of the two nations enjoy close cooperation and it was decided in the talks to increase cooperation in defence production.

“We will also explore possibilities in co-production and transfer of technology in the defence sector,” he stated.

`50 lakh in scrapped currency seized, 5 held GURUGRAM, MAR 3 (IANS): The Crime Branch has arrested five persons in Gurugram after the seizure of Rs 49.9 lakh in scrapped currency in the Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination, police said on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off, a Crime Branch team seized the currency from a Honda City car near the Himgiri Chowk in Sector 10 here.

Four passengers hailing from Delhi -- Sanjay Kumar, Bitthal Kesar, Lucky Sharma, and Satyanarayan Mandal -- were arrested.

Kumar told police that the notes were supplied to them by Rajesh Kumar of Sector 20 in Noida in Uttar Pradesh who exchanged the scrapped money for new currency on commission basis.

“We are grilling Rajesh and Sanjay, who have been taken on police remand till March 5. Three accused have since been sent in judicial custody,” police official Ravinder Kumar said in a statement here.

Himachal to promote ‘nohonking’ drive SHIMLA, MAR 3 (IANS): The government will launch a ‘no-honking’ campaign in Himachal Pradesh to spread awareness regarding the health hazards from honking by motorists, it was announced on Saturday.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Nanda in Shimla.

She said it had been felt that unnecessary honking was not only a public nuisance causing inconvenience to the people, but also reflects how sensitive “we are towards our environment and the other living beings”.

Nanda said that noise was not merely a nuisance, but also a serious environmental problem and a health hazard.

A lack of awareness about noise pollution caused by honking and its detrimental impact on human health and behaviour was a major concern which needs to be redressed at the earliest, she said.

According to Nanda, a massive information campaign for sensitising drivers, taxi unions, bus and truck drivers, and school students would also be carried effectively.

he said.

Modi said about two dozen BJP workers have been killed in Kerala, West Bengal and Karnataka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah wave as they arrive to address BJP party workers after their victory in North-East Assembly election at party headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)

degrees is followed. It is considered to be the perfect approach for bringing good results. It has its own importance,” Modi said remembering slain party workers killed in political violence in Tripura, Karnataka, West Bengal and other parts of the country.

“Can we take a pledge to move towards 360 degrees. I believe that the party President will decide at a proper time as to which way we should move forward.

As a party worker, we will do whatever the party asks us to do to bring victory

results.”

Earlier in his victory speech and at a press conference, Shah also spoke of the party forming governments in Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal and Odisha and returning to power at the Centre in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

“Till the (BJP) governments are formed in Odisha, West Bengal and Kerala, till the time we win Karanataka, the golden period is yet to come. We will form governments in Odisha, West Bengal and Kerala and surely win Karanataka,”

“Still we maintained silence. When we take action they cry ‘vendetta’. This isn’t vendetta but a mandate, a step for the betterment of nation.”

Targeting the Left and the Congress, Modi said the election results in the northeast have proved that the best reply to those spreading rumours and lies was given by people in democracy through their votes.

Referring to the spectacular win, ousting the Left from 25 years of power and the BJP surge in the northeast, Modi said: “When the sun sets its colour turns red, when it rises it is absolute saffron. Yesterday (Holi) the nation was smeared in all the colours but today all those colours have merged into saffron.”

He said the “Congress stature has never been so low as it is today. Our President (Amit Shah) is winning us elections after elections

David vs Goliath: Tenacious sloth bear sow fends off tiger in Maharashtra forest NAGPUR (MAHARASHTRA), MAR 3 (IANS): A gripping nail-biting fight for survival between a sloth bear sow and a tiger was witnessed in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), in which the female bear fended off the attack and emerged the unlikely winner. The 15-minute jungle fight between seven-year-old tiger Matkasur and his probable prey -- the female sloth bear who was protecting her young cub -- was captured on videotape by Akshay Kumar, Chief Naturalist with the Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge here.

Kumar’s video has gone viral on social media, drawing reactions from thousands of viewers and nature lovers alike.

“I was on a regular safari on February 28 afternoon with a Canadian woman tourist who wanted to see a wild tiger. We were tracking Matkasur, who we found cooling himself in a small waterhole ‘Jamunbodi’ in the deep forest,” Kumar told IANS. Just then, a thirsty bear sow and her hub arrived at the water body, which was apparently resented to by the resting tiger. “The irritated tiger let out a warning roar, jumped out of the pond and attacked the ‘trespasser’ duo. Taken aback for a few

Fight for survival between a sloth bear sow and a tiger in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.

seconds, the sloth bear -- in order to protect her cub -valiantly took on the tiger and viciously fought back,” Kumar said. While an average female sloth bear weighs between 80-95 kg, an adult tiger can weight upwards of 200 kg, up to 220 kg.

Almost double the size of his likely prey, Matkasur pinned down the female bear. At one point, it appeared the game was over for the female bear, who was struggling to get herself freed from the tiger’s jaws. In a sudden twist, the tenacious bear turned the tables on the tiger and prised herself free from his deathly grip.

For the next few minutes, it was a chilling scene of fierce roars, growls and

clawing from two adversaries, with both bloodied and tired by a gruelling encounter. “Towards the end, the sloth bear remarkably regained her strength and gave it back to the tiger, growling menacingly, lunging at him and trying to push him back, warding off his attack,” Kumar said.

Surprisingly, the cub disappeared into the jungle for safety all this while as his mother waged the battle against the king of the jungle. Finally, the weary tiger gave up the fight, casting wary glances at the bear, who ran back and forth to chase him off, and finally went back -- panting and obviously hungry -- to the safety of the waterhole.

7 ways to save money while spending online NEW DELHI, MAR 3 (IANS): While visiting an offline store still has its charm, there is something to be said about the ease and convenience of using your phone or computer to search for and buy something online, pay for it with a few clicks and have it delivered to you.

Each shopping website, bank and wallet provider is trying to offer the best possible deal.

Patanjali Somayaji, co-founder of the Walnut App, lists seven ways to save money when shopping online.

Compare prices and set alerts: First decide what you want to buy and then compare prices across shopping sites.

Set price alerts for products you’re interested in, so you can be notified when available at your desired price.

There are several dedicated price comparison websites and browser extensions which show prices of items across major shopping portals and let you set alerts for product price.

Maximise cashback

After NE, goal is K’taka, Kerala, Odisha, Bengal: Modi, Shah NEW DELHI, MAR 3 (IANS): Riding on the BJP’s poll victory in the northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party President Amit Shah on Saturday set the party on the goal of securing power in Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha and West Bengal, saying the golden period is yet to come until and unless they have won these states.

Addressing party workers at the newly inaugurated BJP Headquarters here, Modi mocked at the Congress saying its stature had never become so small as it is now and recalled his speech on last Sunday in Puducherry where he told the Chief Minister V. Narayansamy that he would be lucky to be the sole Congress Chief Minister in the country soon.

He exhor ted par ty workers to work for establishing BJP governments in Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal and Odisha, saying the BJP was spread across the nation like a Banyan tree on the efforts of its workers.

“For all round development a popular approach of 360

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and the Congress President (Rahul Gandhi) was thrust on the party and his stature is getting smaller by the day due to losses in elections in one after the other,” Modi said.

He warned BJP workers, asking them to remain vigilant against Congress culture seeping into the party ranks.

Talking about the electoral victories in the northeast, Modi said the region was the most important part of the country as per the “vastu shastra”.

“In vastu also, the northeast in a house is very important. According to vastu shastra, northeast is the most auspicious side.

I am happy that northeast is now a part of the BJP’s development path. With the northeast now taken care of, the foundation for the rest of the country has automatically become solid.”

He said people from the region used to feel that Delhi was too far from them but now the situation is such that New Delhi (the Central government) has itself at the doorstep of the northeast.

and discount offers: Every shopping site has partnerships for cashbacks and discounts with one or more banks, either on an ongoing basis or during special sales. Before going ahead, always check the terms and conditions -- such as minimum eligible purchase or maximum discount or cashback on offer.

In case of cashback, in how much time will it be credited, and will it be to a wallet or your credit/ debit card.

Some sites offer an additional discount or cashback on purchases from their mobile app. If there are several offers on a product, check how best they can be combined to get the best deal possible.

Maximise offers on bank cards/wallets: All banks and wallet apps now flood us with dozens of emails, SMSes and notifications about special deals and offers.

These could be for product discounts and cashbacks, for purchase via their app, or even use of their credit/debit card/ wallet during a certain pe-

riod or beyond a specific amount -- irrespective of which site you buy from.

They may offer bonus reward points too. Set filters or labels to track such mails and ensure you don’t miss out on offers.

Check for free delivery: Check if delivery is free or if there is a cost.

Some sites have free and priority delivery for premium members. Most online shopping sites are now a marketplace, so there is a lot of competition among sellers too.

For all products, sites display a list of offers from other sellers. From there you can check which seller is offering the best price, free or paid shipping, and also their seller rating to indicate how reliable they are.

Track online shopping spends: It is easy to get carried away with all the deals and offers and overspend without realising it. Use an app to track such spends based on merchant and category. You can also add tags like #Online to view all your online shopping spends at a glance and if

you’re going beyond your budget.

Check product reviews: If an offer price seems too good to be true, check reviews for that product. Reviews on the shopping site could be biased or fake, although there are genuine ones as well.

There are other websites that publish product reviews too. Keep your budget and requirement in mind -- what works for someone else may not work for you.

Check if friends or colleagues have bought that product, and their experience. Reviews may also indicate if the product shown is a previous version, hence priced lower -- but if it suits your need, go for it and save money.

Use your social network: There are dedicated Facebook pages and Twitter accounts that share deals.

You can also ask for opinions and recommendations on social media and others will be happy to share their experience or suggest lower priced alternatives for a product.

Seven killed in accidents, 16 hurt in clashes on Holi in UP LUCKNOW, MAR 3 (PTI): At least seven people were killed in separate road accidents in Uttar Pradesh on Holi, police said today.

In Barabanki, five people were killed in three road accidents. According to Circle Officer (Sadar) Sushil Kumar, all three accidents involved motorcyclists, including one in which two people were visiting the district for a ‘Holi Milan’ programme. Two people died in Banda after their motorcycle collided with the official car of the city magistrate, police said.

Additional Superintendent of Police Lal Bharat Kumar Pal said Magistrate Ramesh Chandra Tiwari was going to Tindwari to greet people on Holi, whe his official car collided with a motorbike.

Two people injured in the accident later succumbed at a hospital, Pal said, adding that Tiwari and two other occupants of the car were also injured. The driver has been detained.

Meanwhile in Bareilly, at least 16 people were injured in violent clashes and stone-pelting incidents

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yesterday. Senior Superintendent of Police Joginder Kumar said stones were hurled on people participating in a Holi procession in Rampura-Kamanpur village. A police official and 10 others participating in the procession were injured.

Senior district administration and police officials have reached the spot and the situation has normalised, Kumar said.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXVIII NO. 86 Dimapur, SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

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All about change

or over two decades, this column had commented on the way elections in Nagaland are conducted and how these pose a serious threat on the polity which needed to be addressed with seriousness and conviction. While it may have been mildly satisfying to have read of the various reminders issued by the Election Commission and also the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) for free and fair polls; it is disheartening that the efforts eventually again are provided “too little, too late”. The Election Commission has its set of electoral code of conduct for the candidates and a general guideline in the form of appeal to voters. Both the codes and appeal are interwoven by the consequences of violation of under the Indian Penal Code. In Nagaland in particular, the church (NBCC) had belatedly made its voice heard but has not taken its concern beyond the actionable aspect. That the NBCC as the organisational head of associations that comprise of lakhs of members, make up the ‘church’ who are involved in aspects of government and society. Electoral malpractices, are recognised with deep concern and offshoots of absence of authority in the church (spiritual-ethical and moral) and government (rule of law), both of which are manifest in society at large. There is no use of debating whether the church has any role in politics since the scripture and history clearly support the role of the church in as far as producing men and women of character to shoulder the responsibilities of statecraft. According to biblical accounts, Daniel becomes a leader in Babylon, Amos and other prophets speak into political and social matters in Israel, Judah and the surrounding nations. Both John the Baptist and Jesus refer to the political concerns of their day. In both the Old and New Testament God’s representatives spoke out against abuse of political power and sought just use of power. The message is what being “salt and light” means- men or women of faith impacting their nations. Hence participation in politics does not detract from spirituality; in fact a spirituality that is unrelated to politics is questionable. In modern day context, Anglican bishops David Russell and Desmond Tutu are classic examples of the prophetic patterns in the Old Testament. NBCC/Associations/people know that clean election is part of the agenda of social transformation. It is not about the ‘church’ (generally understood as those holding positions in various local churches or associations or council), but about people who should question and ensure that their government conduct matters well on matters of public interest. The church has the unfinished business of reform of society and it has to review its plan of action by encouraging active participation of NGOs with its purposes for reform beyond the church’s walls. Laws, codes of conduct, constitutions including the Bible, cannot guarantee transformation or even minimal change.

There has to be a will to want to act. If the church is disinclined to involve society to confront those in authority but only pass resolutions for public consumption, then it would be losing battle. There is no hope without reforms in Nagaland and this has to begin from the heart and mind and for which the church has to spearhead, encourage and inspire.

DailyDevotion His Commission to Us Feed My sheep. —John 21:17 This is love in the making. The love of God is not created— it is His nature. When we receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, He unites us with God so that His love is demonstrated in us. The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was. And what kind of oneness did Jesus Christ have with the Father? He had such a oneness with the Father that He was obedient when His Father sent Him down here to be poured out for us. And He says to us, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).

Peter now realizes that he does love Him, due to the revelation that came with the Lord’s piercing question. The Lord’s next point is— “Pour yourself out. Don’t testify about how much you love Me and don’t talk about the wonderful revelation you have had, just ‘Feed My sheep.’ ” Jesus has some extraordinarily peculiar sheep: some that are unkempt and dirty, some that are awkward or pushy, and some that have gone astray! But it is impossible to exhaust God’s love, and it is impossible to exhaust my love if it flows from the Spirit of God within me. The love of God pays no attention to my prejudices caused by my natural individuality. If I love my Lord, I have no business being guided by natural emotions— I have to feed His sheep. We will not be delivered or released from His commission to us. Beware of counterfeiting the love of God by following your own natural human emotions, sympathies, or understandings. That will only serve to revile and abuse the true love of God.

Quotes

The jealous are possessed by a mad devil and a dull spirit at the same time. ~ Johann Kaspar Lavater

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

Post-mortem NPA Resolution Timeline Career in Financial Securities

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anks played a significant role in the financial system of a country. The menaces of mounting NPA have accumulated catastrophic affect to our GDP resulting less credit flow. Besides capital adequacy for piling bad loans must be conserved and utilized efficiently. Our country needs stable banking system for a healthy growth of economy. A loan account becomes sub-standard and called NPA, if a borrower does not pay three instalments continuously. The big corporate defaulters often escaped easily from regulator’s scanner despite clarion call by lenders. Owing to regulatory backlash, they diverted loans taken for specific purposes. But the plight of small farmers is India’s bitter seeds. The massive crop failure afflict in the low rainfall region. India’s agriculture sector contributes 16% of GDP but it is a pity that its produces are even sold below minimum support price (MSP).

The biggest hindrance of effective operation of Indian lenders’ got choked by ballooning of NPA from large corporate. The wilful defaulters have taken the banking system for a ride.

Vijay Mallya owes Rs 9,000 crore to 17 banks but suddenly he packed his bags, purchased a flight ticket and fled to London. This would have been difficult in China.

That country has toughened restrictions on 60 lakh bank defaulters, barring them from travelling by flights to high speed trains, getting loans and credit cards or even promotions. Can India think about rule changes and strict regulations?

After Nirav ModiMehul Choksi PNB fraud, Nationalised Banks got exposed by poor risk control and management supervision that contributed towards rising NPA. But there are unanswered questions how Bank Auditors failed to detect biggest Bank Scam in six years that continue issuing LoUs (Letters of Understanding) of vast amounts without any checks and balances. RBI has finally woken up for overhauling the mechanism to deal with NPA resolution. The gross non-performing assets of

Public Sector Banks’ is already swelling up 3,80,000 crore. Strong regulatory efforts are being planned to clean up NPL (non-performance-loan) that piled up heavily to the nation’s exchequer.

India’s stress assets swell nearing 10 lakh crore that challenges has grown past net worth. RBI has directed provisioning of all assets restructured at par with NPA (Non Performing Assets). All scheduled commercial banks did corporate write off over the rural distress more than two lakh crore during last five-years.

A scheme like interest free credit to pay off bank dues is the need of the hour. Banks have argued that write off is a regular exercise to clean up the balance sheet and continue to retain the right to recovery. But they could recover only a tiny fraction due to long protracted process. It is unlikely to overcome the situation shortly.

The asset growths of Banks remain low and the earning will stay under pressure for this FY’s balance sheet.

The leading corporate houses accounted for approximately 77 per cent of the total gross NPA from domestic operations for banks in India. There are 9,000 cases of wilful defaults in PSU banks for recovery of Rs 95,000 crore of NPAs. Now banks have initiated proceedings to attach and sell assets under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act. The traditional tools of recovery like Debt Recovery Tribunals and SARFAESI Act, 2002, have become blunt in the face of such huge corporate accounts. Newer mechanisms are needed to deal with on a going-concern basis.

Amendment of banking regulation act will empower RBI to take action against defaulter under bankruptcy code.

So far we have no regulations to report defaults by large borrowers. Now RBI overhauls new resolution plan over early identification of stressed assets that is to be reported weekly for resolving loans within 180 days at insolvency court.

Banks are pushed to follow

80s 90s Musicians of Nagaland

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here were musicians and bands in the 80s and 90s who practised on the cheapest instruments and electrical amplifiers. Even ‘concerts’ were organized with the most basic sound equipment and instruments. There is probably no one who grew up in the 90s with even a passing interest in rock music and didn’t know who Danny Boy was.

These were local legends we used to hear about. They could play this song and that “exactly” if rumours were to be believed.

Stories circulated that one bassist could strum with his fingers so fast that it sounded like a “helicopter”. There were even stories of a drummer who belted out the beat so fast with a single pedal that the claps of the listeners could not keep up with the speed of his bass drum.

These were just hearsay stories of course, but they hold a certain level of nostalgia to those who are too old to make time to appreciate the new artists, and still hold dearly to these memories. But yes, there were really good musicians before the internet and YouTube of today where everyone is hand held through the learning process (this does not mean it is easy though).

Magazines with musical transcriptions were gold and were photocopied multiple times and jealously hidden from other players.

The audio from musical instrument’s instructional tapes were shamelessly and jealously recorded, sold and traded. Even with these limited resources, we saw many great guitarists roaming the musical corridors with their ‘Givson’ ‘Gibtone’ and later ‘Yahuya’ guitars.

Drummers had less options; one brand I recall is the “Baby” brand drumset. But the shortage was what made these things so precious and serious musicians greedily devoured whatever instructional material they could find. It would be interesting to read sketches of the people who have so heavily contributed to the Rock scene of those years.

Ago, Dimapur

either invasive approach for liquidation and timely plans for resolution or to face penalty for failing to adhere to the prescribed timelines. RBI identified 50 big corporate defaulters like Essar, Bhushan Steel, Lanco Infra amounting 25% of gross NPA and issued directions banks to file insolvency proceedings and bankruptcy Code (IBC) resolution mechanism.

SARFAESI is amended in 2016. RBI also opened loan restructuring scheme to check the menace of NPAs. And Telecom Company Aircel indicated to go its move to file for bankruptcy protection under RBI’s new norms. Govt moves to attach all assets of PNB fraud and others. At the same time the Government is planning recapitalisation Rs 2.11 lakh crore of fresh capital for PSU Banks within the next FY to support the recovery process. But India’s PSUs will have to look beyond the capital infusion. After provisioning, it still need 70% amount into banking system. And Public Sector Banks are the worst hit.

They reported sharp fall on denting profits. High provisioning figures further eat away from their profits.

The gravity of the problem is so worst that finance ministry and RBI considered setting up a ‘bad bank’ to deal with. There may be one time settlement for big defaulters leading to write off for NPAs. The priority sector lending to most needy and alienated borrowers is another area of concern. Bank has a dual role of earning a profit and expanding banking services to the population throughout India. SBI recently hiked interest rate to increase profitability against provisioning of bad loans and other banks are likely to follow suit. The Bank is a corporate citizen, where resources and benefits derive from operating in a society and therefore owe a solemn duty to the less fortunate and under-privileged members of the same society. Besides this, banks have to nurture a healthier balance sheet to carry out the responsibility of supporting economic growth of India.

Kamal Baruah, Guwahati

W

e are aware of the recent advertisements which are related to mutual funds. In today’s edition I am trying to write something related to making money and a career option related to financial market. Before writing about the career option let us understand about the field which is yet to be explored by people in the state or in NE region.

Securities market is a component of the wider financial market where securities can be bought and sold between subjects of the economy, on the basis of demand and supply. Securities markets encompasses equity markets, bond markets and derivatives markets where prices can be determined and participants both professional and non professionals can meet.

Securities markets can be split into below two levels. Primary markets, where new securities are issued and secondary markets where existing securities can be bought and sold.

Secondary markets can further be split into organised exchanges, such stock exchanges and over-the-counter where individual parties come together and buy or sell securities directly. For securities, a holder knowing that a secondary market exists in which their securities may be sold and converted into cash increases the willingness of people to hold stocks and bonds and thus increases the ability of firms to issue securities.

There are a number of professional participants of a securities market and these include; brokerages, brokerdealers, market makers, investment managers, speculators as well as those providing the infrastructure, such as clearing houses and securities depositories. A securities market is used in an economy to attract new capital, transfer real assets in financial assets, determine price which will balance demand and supply and provide a means to invest money both short and long term.

We keep money in banks or invest in many other areas. We also keep money in insurance companies. When we look at the interest then we could see that interests are different in different companies or financial institutions.

Have you wondered who manages the funds or capitals that we invest? As an individual any one may invest in mutual fund or by buy stocks or shares of different companies.

The Indian Securities Market is one of the leading markets in the emerging world. Over the past few years, the financial markets have become increasingly global.

Some of the career options that come to our mind straight include Broker / Dealer, Merchant Banker, Mutual Fund Distributor, Research Analyst, Wealth Manager. This financial services sector looks for graduates with commerce, economics, finance, mathematics, management background, etc. There are many mutual funds companies or trade brokerage agencies

which hire aspirants. Leading brokers in India includes Angel broking, ICICI Direct, Motilal Oswal , ShareKhan, HDFC Securities , Kotak Securities , Axis Direct , etc . Stock broker work with institutional investors as securities traders, securities analysts, advisors or dealers. Brokers also work with banks, MF, pension funds, insurance companies and other FIs or work with individual clients. All companies require efficient researchers and hence this brings opportunity for people who are efficient in market research.

Like working for other companies one may also become good advisor and earn good amount. Like advisor smart young people may invest in share market and earn good amount of money.

We need to study the market properly and now days there are many options to learn about the share market. There is website like www.moneycontrol.com which helps individuals to learn more about the recent trends in the share market. Presently, only two exchanges in India—the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)—provide trading in Futures and Options. There are post graduation management courses related to securities analysts. Securities analysts’ job involves a lot of reading, research, meeting people, writing etc.

With ideas all of us may earn extra income or full time income through trading or through share market.

Update: Civil Services Examination 2018: Union Public Service Commission will hold Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination on 3rd June. This preliminary examination will be common for the candidates applying for Civil Services Examination and Indian Forest Service Examination and will be screening mechanisms for selection of candidates for the Civil Services (Main) Examination and Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination. Candidates are required to apply online on or before 6th March.

NEET 2018 : As per regulations framed under the Indian Medical Council Act-1956 as amended in 2018 and the Dentists Act-1948 as amended in 2018, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG), 2018 (NEET-UG-2018) will be conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education , for admission to MBBS/BDS Courses in India in Medical/Dental Colleges run with the approval of Medical Council of India/ Dental Council of India under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India except for the institutions established through an Act of Parliament i.e. AIIMS and JIPMER . The NEET (UG), 2018 will be conducted on Sunday, the 6th May, 2018. Last date for applying for the entrance is 9th March.

(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com or 8473943734 for any career related queries)

I am still for clean election!

(From previous issue) This appointment never happened. I praise God for rescuing me from it before I totally fall. If ever I was appointed, then there are going to be four people who will be known as a corrupted people- me, my dad, that church worker, and the officer. Thank God we are all safe.

I am sure there are lots of cases in your own kitchen, how your brother or your sister gets a job.

No doubt, you will be a slave to that person who appointed you no matter what. I am not telling you to quit that job, I am just telling you that you are forgiven and now it’s your duty to give your best to the society.

Whenever I do anything mischievous my dad used to always catch me. I just hate him sometimes because he was always after me and he still do, but I don’t hate him anymore.

I love him more because he teaches me with an iron rod when I was young, that’s why I am bold enough to write this. God never allows me to fall totally; He’ll always come and rescued me before I fall completely. I remember one day in my work place where I was caught for slinking a tip that was mean for the whole team.

My boss summoned me to his office and asks me if I took the money. I could have said that I didn’t, I could have told him I kept it in the tip box, and I could have walked out from his office as a guilty free man. But my conscience would not agree with me. I said I did it. My boss thanked me for my honesty and

closed the case or else I would be fired that day. See, this is how God rescue His people.

I think we are all like Peter in the bible who was with Jesus and have seen everything from healing the sick to raising the death; from calming the sea to walking on the water; from turning the water into wine to multiplying the young boy’s meal, etc. He has seen it all but when the last hour comes he changed his mind set and denied Jesus. I think Nagas are like Peter; we all know that things are not right but like Peter we are afraid to stand for the truth and just ignored or denied it. The Peter story goes on; he repented and become the foundation of the church.

Dear beloveds, let us learn from him, yes we had failed to do our parts, but all hope is not lost; it is never too late to start again. For one moment let us forget the ACAUT, NSF, and NTC, Students ’ unions, Hohos and even NBCC and look at our own family. Let us all look back where our parents, our brothers and sisters have gone wrong, let us look at ourselves in the mirror and think what we have done or failed to do in this corrupted system. Let us all unite our hearts and minds and ask where corruption, unclean election, illegal things, war and bloodshed, etc are coming from, it all start from the individuals and from family. Let us all question ourselves and repent like Peter. We all failed but not fully fallen.

The reason I am writing

this is because I have been through all; I have been in corruption; I cheated people in my work place; I lied to people; I broke the promises; I failed to be honest in simple things, etc. I have seen it all and experienced it all. This is the reason I am writing to all of us, let us all contribute a small thing for the change. Maybe, just one step to do good and one step back to do bad. Let us stop blaming the authority for corruption.

Let us stop pointing fingers on Churches or NGOs. Let us change our mindset and start from our own kitchen. Let us be honest with our family. Let us say black is black and white

is white. Let us not allow our conscience to blame us. Let us be honest with ourselves.

CHANGE IS COMING! YES IT WILL, BUT NOT FROM THE CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE. CHANCE WILL COME FROM US AND FROM OUR FAMILY ONLY IF WE ALLOW JESUS TO TRANSFORM OUR HEARTS! CHRIST IS STILL FOR NAGALAND AND NAGALAND IS STILL FOR CHRIST! AMEN! VO T E F O R C L E A N ELECTION! (Concluded) Wedekhro Naro, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Reader’s Post Sir,

Black Money

Apropos your revealing editorial ‘Mirage’ on March 3, I would like to add that an united forum of all media houses, both print and electronic, would have been the right platform to pressurize the Central government of India and the Swiss government to expedite the process of information sharing between India and Switzerland under the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) signed by the two countries. Switzerland is under tremendous pressure of international community to amend its secrecy policy and hence has offered to share information with India from September next. It is also a diplomatic success of the NDA government and it is expected that in the future there will be some transparency over the foreign account holder Indian citizens. We are sure the government, as promised earlier, will continue to keep a strict vigil and take appropriate measure to minimize the role of the black money which according to some media report is about $ 15 000 billion.

Manoj Borthakur, AT Rd, Sivasagar, Assam

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.

national

People have no respect for negative Romanian in Kerala Police custody for 2016 ATM heist politics, reposing faith in NDA: Modi

KOLKATA, MARCH 3 (IANS): Accusing the Congress of total negligence in contesting the Tripura Assembly elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said she had approached Congress President Rahul Gandhi for alliance but was not listened to.

“I requested the Congress for a coalition (in Tripura). I told Rahul Gandhi that we are new as a party in Tripura. So let’s unite Congress and Trinamool Congress and the hill parties there to fight the election together. But they did not listen to me,” Banerjee said in the wake of Bharatiya Janata Party’s thumping victory in Tripura.

“The Congress showed total negligence in Tripura and did not accept my proposal. As a result they are languishing with 1.8 per cent votes. It is a matter of shame for them,” the Trinamool Congress supremo said.

Banerjee clarified she had proposed seat-sharing agreement with the Congress and other hill parties in Tripura to keep the BJP at bay.

“I also proposed seat adjustment there. I told the

Mamata Banerjee

Congress that my party is ready to fight 14 seats, let the local hill parties contest 16 seats and you (Congress) fight the rest 30 seats. If such a platform could be formed, getting 15-20 per cent vote share would have been easy. But the Congress did nothing. They supplied oxygen to the BJP,” she revealed.

“If the coalition had happened, I would have held six or seven public meetings there. Maybe, the whole complexion of the election would have changed. But I did not get that chance,” she said.

Terming BJP’s victory in Tripura as “insignificant” vis-a-vis the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Banerjee said the inactivity by the Congress and total surrender by the ruling Communist Party of

India-Marxist has led the BJP to the victory.

She also accused the BJP of tampering with electronic voting machines and expressed surprise on CPIM’s silence on the issue.

“I do not know why they did not protest EVM tampering. Why did they not lodge a single complaint to the Election Commission? Is it because they were threatened to be heckled by central agencies? The whole thing is a mystery,” she said.

Earlier, she refused to give any credit to the BJP for its historic victory in Tripura, and termed Saturday’s result as “CPI-M’s loss”.

Banerjee also accusing the ruling party at the Centre of showering money in Tripura and misusing central forces in its favour during the elections.

Taking a swipe at BJP leaders and activists, the Bengal Chief Minister said: “Some are trying to highlight BJP’s victory in Tripura but it is not a big thing. Tripura is a small place with 25 lakh people. A small district like Howrah in West Bengal has more than 38 lakh voters. So there is no point getting overenthusiastic about this victory.”

T H I RU VA NA N THAPURAM, MARCH 3 (IANS): The international cell of the Kerala Crime Branch has brought a Romanian to Thiruvananthapuram from Nicaragua in connection with a 2016 ATM heist, State Police Chief Loknath Behra said.

He said the Romanian was picked up by the Nicaraguan authorities following alerts by the Interpol.

Behra told reporters on Saturday that a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM heist was done in Thiruvananthapuram on August 8, 2016, by a gang of five Romanian nationals.

Pvt schools in UP to boycott RTE Act, refuse admissions LUCKNOW, MARCH 3 (IANS): Unhappy with the Uttar Pradesh government for non-reimbursement to private schools in last two years for providing education to children under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, schools registered with the Independent Schools’ Federation of India across the state on Saturday announced that they will boycott RTE admissions for the coming session.

There are over 2,000 CBSE and ICSE schools affiliated to the federation.

Madhu Sudan Dikshit, state president the federation, in a statement, said: The government has “arbitrarily set a reimbursement rate of Rs 450 per month per child rather than fixing it as per the formula stipulated in section 12 (2) o the RTE Act”. Therefore, the private schools have decided that they will not admit any children under RTE in the coming academic session of 2018-19.

Dixit also said that according to the relevant clauses in the RTE Act, the state shall reimburse private schools either the fee amount actually charged by the private school from children or the per-pupil expenditure in the government school system, whichever is the lower.

The Romanian nationals tampered with the SBI ATM using duplicate ATM cards and withdrew Rs 2.50 lakh.

“While one Romanian national was arrested then, the others managed to escape. We took the help of the Interpol and we had shared the information of the four other Romanian nationals. Our officers went to Nicaragua and have brought Alexandro. We have now managed to track out the two others who were part of the gang out of which one of them is based now in Germany and the other in the UK. We have shared all

“Our interlocutor is briefing us closely on the progress of the talks. Everything is moving very, very smoothly,” he said.

Rijiju said the Naga issue is not a recent one and has existed even before independence.

“It is a serious issue to which we must give serious thought to before we can just spell out anything. There are certain things, for example, sovereignty. Sovereignty cannot be something we can compromise on,” he said.

Answering a query, he said there is no question of divulging the Framework Agreement “because it is just a step which has given us a direction on the basis of which talks should progress.” “The details will come out when the accord is finally signed,” he said.

APO lauds DIMAPUR, MAR 3 (NPN): Angami public organisation (APO) has lauded the people of Nagaland in general and the citizens of Kohima district in particular for maintaining peace and tranquillity during the recently concluded state assembly polls.

In a press note, APO president Dr. Kepelhusie Terhüja and info & publicity secretary, Neithono Sothu assured the citizens that APO will continue to support peaceful coexistence of all sections of the society at all times.

NDPP-BJP set to form next govt

(From p-1) The NDPP with 17 and BJP with 12 MLAs have a total of 29 and with support of one JDU and Independent MLAs the alliance will have simple majority of 31 in a house of 60.

In a vain attempt at wooing BJP, chief minister T. R. Zeliang said NPF will welcome a tie up with the saffron party if the latter desired it. He also made it clear that both parties had not severed ties though they fought separately.

Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya will go by the book before inviting the largest single party of pre-poll alliance partners to form the next government.

Interestingly, thirty eight sitting MLAs of the 12th NLA successfully returned to the 13th NLA though unlike the last elections they witnessed tough battle as most of them won with few margins. Indian National Congress (INC) drew a blank this time. It had won eight in 2013.

Speaking to Nagaland Post, general secretar y NPCC, Captain G. K Zhimomi lamented that despite 15 years of rampant misgovernance and corruption that was visible everywhere, majority of the voters have chosen to re-elect the same set of people who have cleverly rebranded themselves with different party colours.

Amidst bursting of firecrackers and victory slogans, hundreds of Nagaland BJP party members on Saturday

Framework Agreement (I-M) confidence-building step: Rijiju NEW DELHI, MAR 3 (IANS): Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju has said that the Framework Agreement signed between the government and the NSCN (I-M) in August 2015 is a “confidence- building step” that has helped take the talks forward and expressed hope of reaching a settlement soon to the Naga issue.

“The Framework Agreement with the NSCN (I-M) is a kind of confidence-building step on the basis of which talk will progress. So the final talks, which are going on, will conclude once all issues are hammered out. I think it shouldn’t take much time,” Rijiju told India Today news channel.

He said all issues were being monitored closely.

the information with these countries and are expecting that once they are arrested there, by the local authorities, they will be tried there using our case history or if they can be brought here, we will bring them down.

We are confident of tracking the fifth accused also,” said Behra.

Soon after the fraud was detected, the police got into action and arrested one of them and since then was on the lookout for the rest of the gang who were all identified from their passports, which they had submitted while checking into a hotel.

celebrated its historic win-12 out of 20 seats, along with the candidates and national BJP general secretary Ram Madhav in Dimapur.

State BJP general secretary Jaangsillung Gonmei, said that Ram Madhav, was greeted by party workers and candidates led by its president Visasolie Lhoungu.

Addressing the party workers, Lhoungu ac-

knowledged the hard work of the party workers and candidates, for ensuring a resounding victory. BJP also thanked the people of the state and every individual who had supported the party. Lhoungu also assured that a “suitable arrangement in the next 24 hours” would be made that would bring huge relief to all the party workers and the people at large.

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DP-1736

‘Cong refused coalition, seat sharing with us in Tripura’

Romanian and police personnel in Thiruvananthapuram.

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DP-1735

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3 (IANS): At least five people were injured when an elevator at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here malfunctioned and crashed to the ground from the second floor on Saturday morning.

The AIIMS Director has constituted a committee under the Medical Superintendent to look into the lift failure and recommend appropriate measures.

“There were 20 persons in the lift, including operator and a hospital staff, when the accident occurred around 9.30 a.m. The main Emergency and Trauma Centre were informed and five injured persons shifted to Emergency for treatment.

All five are now stable,” AIIMS Media and Protocol Division Chairperson Dr Aarti Vij said.

The official said the lift Number 17 at the Medical Support Office failed to stop on way to the ground floor from the second floor and went straight into the lift pit, which has buffer springs.

There was no official word on the probable reason for the lift malfunctioning.

All lifts at the AIIMS are under a comprehensive maintenance contract. This particular lift was last serviced on February 27, Dr Vij said.

of the people,” the Prime Minister said.

He also said that the party’s victory in Tripura was not an ordinary victory but a win for democracy over brute force and intimidation.

“The victory of BJP is not an ordinary electoral victory. This journey from ‘Shunya’ (zero) to ‘Shikhar’ (top) has been made possible due to a solid development agenda and the strength of our organisation. I bow to every BJP Karyakarta (worker) for working assiduously on the ground for years,” Modi said.

“The historic victory in Tripura is as much an ideological one. It is a win for democracy over brute force and intimidation. Today peace and non-violence has prevailed over fear. We will provide Tripura the

tireless work of the local BJP unit,” he said.

The BJP contested the polls in Nagaland in alliance with the newly-floated NDPP. They contested in 20 and 40 seats.

The voting was held in 59 of the total 60 constituencies of Nagaland as three-time Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of the NDPP was declared elected unopposed from Northern Angami-II constituency.

Modi also thanked the people of Meghalaya, saying that welfare of the state is of utmost importance.

“I express my gratitude to the people of Meghalaya for supporting BJP in Meghalaya. The welfare of Meghalaya is of utmost importance for us. I appreciate the BJP Karyakartas for their continued efforts in the state to serve the people,” Modi said.

Polling for 59 out of the Meghalaya’s 60 assembly seats was held on February 27. The election to one seat was countermanded following the killing of a candidate.

In Meghalaya the ruling Congress is set to remain as the single largest party but way behind the halfmark of 31 seats.

JAMMU, MARCH 3 (IANS): Four Pakistani soldiers were killed and as many Indians were injured, including two army men and two civilians, in border hostilities in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 48 hours.

Informed sources said that the four Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliation on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and Rajouri districts since Thursday.

“The Pakistani Army has been using 120mm and 82mm mortars to target defence and civilians facilities.

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DP-1734

Elevator at Delhi AIIMS crashes, injuring five

Narendra Modi

good government that the state deserves,” he said.

He described the Tripura election as an “epoch-making one”. “What my sisters and brothers of Tripura have done is extraordinary. No words will be enough to thank them for the phenomenal support towards the BJP in Tripura. We will leave no stone unturned in transforming Tripura,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was set to form a government for the first time in Tripura by defeating the ruling CPI-M. The elections in Tripura were held on February 18.

The Prime Minister also thanked the people of Nagaland for showing support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in the state elections that were held on February 27.

“Thank you Nagaland for supporting BJP and our valued ally. I assure my sisters and brothers of Nagaland that we will continue to work for the progress and prosperity of Nagaland. I applaud the

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DP-1740

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3 (IANS): Hailing the election mandate in the northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the people of the country have “no respect for negative and disruptive politics” and have reposed their faith in the NDA’s positive and developmentoriented agenda.

“Time and again, election after election, the people of India are reposing their faith in the positive and development oriented agenda of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance). People do not have the time or respect for negative, disruptive and disconnected politics of any kind,” Modi said in a series of tweets referring to the BJP’s performance in three northeastern states of Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya.

He also said that the “people of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura have spoken!”

“I thank the people of these states for supporting the good governance agenda and ‘Act East Policy’ of BJP and our valued allies.

We remain committed to working towards fulfilling the dreams and aspirations

7

DP-1714

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

8

business

Auto components industry to Bank union against register 13-15% growth in FY18 privatisation of PSU banks

last fiscal, where overall performance was impacted by demonetisation.

Overall, during nine months of FY2018, the sample space grew by 12.3 percent which was better than the earlier 9-11 percent growth estimate for FY2018. Given strong revenue growth the growth estimates have been revised upward for FY2018 to 13-15 percent,” the agency said in a statement.

“During third quarter FY2018, auto component vendors dependent on CV (commercial vehicle) and two-wheeler segment witnessed double-digit growth in volume, which along with improved realisation due to increase in commodity prices resulted in strong revenue growth,” agency’s Senior Group Vice President (Corporate Sector ratings) Subrata Ray said. According to him, while domestic PV (passenger vehicle) demand remained strong, muted PV exports has dragged overall PV production volume growth during the last two quarters.

MFIs back in hiring mode after demonetisation lull C h e nn a i , M a r 3 (Agencies): With small and micro lenders — microfinance institutions and small finance banks, getting their growth engines firing at 15% , expansion and recruitment is on a high after it hit a lull during demonetisation.

Non-banking finance company-microfinance institutions (NBFC-MFIs) and Small Finance Banks (SFBs), which have an employee base of 78,573, have increased their employee strength by 21% q-o-q and loan officers by 25% q-o-q.

With 9,000 plus branches, office expansion has also grown 21% quarterover-quarter with MFIs expanding their reach in each state.

“Demonetisation effects have faded and we are looking at good growth in this coming year,” said Devesh Sachdev, CEO, Fusion Microfinance.

Players like Suryodhay Small Finance Bank, Fusion Microfinance, Utkarsh have been on an acquisition drive to tap into new opportunities outside of their home state.

Even post-merger, institu-

tions such as IndusInd Bank and Centrum Group are not looking at scaling back employee strength at target companies such as Bharat Financial and MFI business of FirstRand Bank.

IndusInd Bank said it looks to retain all of Bharat Financial’s 15,300 employees even post-merger because of the business potential in the industry.

With ICRA expecting the industry portfolio to increase to Rs 2-2.1 lakh crore by end of FY2018 (from Rs 1.9 lakh crore now) and maintain an growth of 20-22%, MFIs feel justified in their expansion mode.

To ensure quality in the industry’s desire for quantity, self-regulatory body Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) and Equifax last December set up a common employee bureau for tracking.

The bureau hopes to ensure that high standards are maintained at the time of recruitment and it is possible to cross-verify the background and credential of loan officers and other recruits. Fusion Microfinance,

which has got Rs 400 crore in debt funding, plans to use that to hire 1,000 staff members. “From our current strength of 3,000, we want to increase to 4,000, ramp up infrastructure capacity and expand our network.

This will help us increase our loan book by 60% to Rs 2,400 crore from current loan book of Rs 1,400 crore,” said Sachdev of Fusion Microfinance, which current had 358 branches and operates in 14 states.

And the recruitment is happening not just in loan disbursal and collection.

MFIs are now looking at professionals in risk management ,tech, customer service and hospitality.

“We currently have a staff strength of 2,300 and we intend to hire 700 more in the coming year in areas like legal, IT, risk management and compliance, hospitality and marketing. Our focus earlier was just on loan disbursal and collection - now we want to offer a more meaningful and broader customer experience,” said Baskar Babu, CEO, Suryoday SFB.

New Delhi, Mar 3 (IANS): Criticising the demand for privatising staterun banks in the wake of the Rs. 12,600 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, a bank employees’ body has written to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that such a move would be “counterproductive”.

The Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF), the banking wing of Congress-affiliated Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), has said in the letter that privatisation public sector banks (PSU banks) would result in destroying their huge branch network across the country.

“Should the PSBs (PSU banks) be handed over to private corporates, it will not only be counterproductive, but also lead to self-destruction of a well-knit huge branch network across the length and breadth of the country that services crores of people,” the INBEF said in the letter.

The union pointed to some gaps in the regulatory mechanism in regard to fraud played on the country’s banking system.

“Besides supervision, the Department of Banking Operations in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) responsible for controlling the unwarranted risk in high-ticket advances is without a head ever since the then Deputy Governor SS Mundra retired in July 2017,” the union said.

“While there is a need to look into the performance of the Bank Boards Bureau, the transparency about the RBI policies during the tenure of then Governor Raghuram Rajan is being widely and openly compared with that of yesmen working presently,” it added. Last week, the finance minister had criticised regulators, as well as bank managements and auditors, for their failure to detect bank frauds and said that “politicians are accountable but regulators are not”.

Gold regains sheen on firm global cues, buying

Market struggles on uncertainty; ‘Change rules of origin to check B’desh imports’ slips 95 points for the week

KAKURO

No. 8798 Yesterday’s solution No. 8797

No. 3417 Yesterday’s solution No. 3416

No. 2443 Yesterday’s solution No. 2442

Across 1 Models talk with Poles (8) 6 Have food in the attic (3) 9 Dance playfully with something for Batman and Robin initially (5) 10 City sound for Wodehouse character (7) 11 Continue to cause a fuss (5,2) 12 Fireplace that’s tremendous, so we hear (5) 13 English woman almost makes cake (6) 15 Heartless Italian certain to take cover (6) 19 Swear nothing is taken from path (5) 21 Used teeth on lightlycooked snack (7) 23 Melissa is resolved to be irresolute (7) 24 A large branch providing wakeup call (5) 25 Part of the next layer? (3) 26 Awful grime around WC getting darker (8) Down 2 Dismay about right eastern costume (7) 3 Linger with sailor on railway (5) 4 Atkinson’s trees? (6) 5 Nought’s amiss with weapon (7) 6 Spare one of the crowd (5) 7 Pithy part for Peter Sellers (5) 8 Frozen dripping? (6) 14 I caught a bird that’s pulled up the lettuce (7) 16 Missing leader speechless with anger and resentment (7) 17 Unruly mob — ten put in grave situation (6) 18 Quickly taking break in river (6) 19 Train — or part of one (5) 20 Computer memory found by an Italian (5) 22 Kingdom not fancied by leader of monarchists (5)

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momentum in mid-2017.

In the pre-GST era, import of garments from Bangladesh was attracting Rs 77 per piece (where MRP is Rs 999 per piece) in duties and Rs 116/pc (where MRP is Rs 1,500/pc) in the shape of CVD (countervailing duty) plus education cess and thereon.

However, in the postGST scenario, there is no cost for import of garments from Bangladesh.

LEARN TO DRIVE K-551

he said.

“India will not be the first country to impose such sourcing restrictions for allowing duty-free import of apparel. The US has imposed sourcing restriction under NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) for accepting duty-free import of garments from Mexico and other NAFTA members,” Dhamodharan pointed out. India allowed duty free import of readymade garments from Bangladesh under SAFTA in 2006.

Earlier, this facility was limited to 8 million pieces per annum. This restriction was removed in 2010. Imports from Bangladesh has been growing at a steady pace ever since and gained

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AFFIDAVIT (For Correction Name)

I, Smt. Mrinali Mech, W/o Mr. Ajay Das, permanent resident of Padumpukhuri, P.O. Puranabazar, Dimapur and presently residing at P & T. Colony Quarter No. 162, Dimapur, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare that my actual name is Mrinali Mech as per my service records, Aadhaar Card, PAN Card and my short name is Meena.

Inadvertently my short name Meena Das has entered into the School records of my Daughter Miss Stuti Das (Class-III) of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sewak Dimapur.

Through an Affidavit Regd. No. 60 in the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Dimapur dated 14/2/2018. I wish to correct/rectify my name into the school record as Mrinali Mech instead of Meena Das. DP-1745(B)

AFFIDAVIT (For Correction Name)

I, Smt. Mrinali Mech, W/o Mr. Ajay Das, permanent resident of Padumpukhuri, P.O. Puranabazar, Dimapur and presently residing at P & T. Colony Quarter No. 162, Dimapur, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare that my actual name is Mrinali Mech as per my service records, Aadhaar Card, PAN Card and my short name is Meena.

Inadvertently my Short name Meena Das has entered into the School records of my Son Abhinav Das (Class-VII) of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sewak Dimapur.

Through an Affidavit Regd. No. 61 in the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Dimapur dated 14/2/2018. I wish to correct/rectify my name into the school record as Mrinali Mech instead of Meena Das. DP-1745(A)

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agriculture, construction and manufacturing.

The market got of on strong start lifted by positive global market only to turn volatile for rest all other three sessions with PSU Bank continued to bore brunt on fresh disclo-

sures by scam-hit Punjab National Bank (PNB) along with HealthCare and Metal indices buckling under selling pressure.

The market remained closed on Friday on account of ‘Holi’.

The Sensex star ted the week higher at 34,225.72 and hovered between 34,610.79 and 34,015.79, it closed the week at 34,046.94, showing a modest loss of 95.21 or 0.28 per cent. The Sensex ended gained 131.39 points last week.

The Nifty also resumed the week up at 10,526.55 and traded between 10,631.65 and 10,447.15 before ending the week at 10,458.35, showing a loss of 32.70 points, or 0.31 per cent. Selling was led by Metal, Banks, HealthCare, PSUs, IT, Teck, FMCG and Power sectors.

o-y to $36.5 million between July and December 2017, woven apparel imports grew 62% y-o-y to $74.8 million.

“Tweaking SAFTA rules of origin to make the use of yarn and fabrics of Indian origin mandatory for allowing duty-free, quota-free market access will prevent China from taking undue advantage of a facility that is meant for poor LDCs (least developed countries),” said Prabhu Dhamodharan, convenor, Indian Texpreneurs’ Federation (ITF).

“At the same time, it will give a boost to India’s export of yarn and fabrics to Bangladesh and other LDCs, which at present are being supplied by China,”

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DP-1470

Crossword

Mumbai, Mar 3 (PTI): Equities struggled on uncertainty in a largely lacklustre volatile trading week, the BSE Sensex declined 95.21 points to close at 34,046.94 and the broader Nifty slipped 32.70 points to finish at 10,458.35.

The truncated week saw the selling pressure loomed the key indices despite robust quarterly GDP data, which was duly sidelined.

Investors were looking for clear direction as the trading momentum marred by worries on overshooting of fiscal deficit target, hawkish US Fed rate hike views in the midst of revelation of more publicsector bank frauds. The country’s GDP recorded a five-quarter high growth of 7.2 per cent in the October-December on good showing by key sectors like

Coimbatore, Mar 3 (Agencies): With apparel from Bangladesh made from fabric sourced out of China flooding the Indian market, the textile industry wants the union commerce ministry to tweak SAFTA’s (South Asia Free Trade Area) rules of origin to make it mandatory for the neighbour to use yarn and fabric produced in India in its garments to claim duty and quota-free exports.

Even as textile exports from India continue to decline, there has been a continuous rise in imports of textile products, especially after the implementation of GST. India’s imports of garments from Bangladesh increased 66% year-on-year (y-o-y) to $111.3 million during July-December 2017, according to data released

by Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh. While knitted apparel imports from Bangladesh soared 77% y-

K-548

New Delhi, Mar 3 (PTI): Gold prices recovered by Rs 140 to Rs 31,500 per 10 grams at the bullion market Saturday, largely driven by a firm trend overseas amid pick-up in buying by local jewellers at the domestic spot market.

Silver also rebounded

by Rs 320 to Rs 39,530 per kg on increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers. Bullion traders attributed the recovery in gold prices to a firm trend overseas as the weakness in dollar boosted demand for the precious metal as a safe-haven. Globally, gold rose by 0.43 per cent to USD 1,322.60 an ounce and silver by 0.27 per cent to USD 16.51 an ounce in New York yesterday. In addition, increased buying by local jewellers to meet wedding season demand fuelled the uptrend, they said.

“What are our auditors doing? Both internal and external auditors really have looked the other way or failed to detect,” Mr Jaitley said at an event here, without mentioning the Punjab National Bank scam.

Besides PNB, several other government-owned banks, including Bank of Baroda, Oriental Bank of Commerce and Corporation Bank, have reported frauds.

According to the bank union representatives, the current argument that over 20 PSU banks is a large number runs contrary to the existence of 21 private sector banks, many of which are still on the fringes of the Indian finance even after remaining in operation for a considerable number of years.

In support of the argument against privatisation, analysts point to the worldwide experience of PSU banks repeatedly becoming effective instruments to battle financial crises.

KOL K ATA , M a r 3 (IANS): The auto components industry is expected to register a higher growth of 13-15 percent in the current fiscal on the back of robust demand from domestic original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), rating agency Icra said.

The demand for auto components from domestic OEMs, especially high-volume two-wheeler (2W) and passenger-vehicle (PV) industry which together constitute about two third of overall ancillary industry size, has remained strong in the third quarter of the current fiscal, it said.

The rating agency said given the indicative trends, the growth momentum is expected to sustain in the fourth quarter of FY 2018 as well.

“The rating agency’s sample of 48 auto ancillaries, comprising around 26 percent of the industry’s turnover, grew 18.5 percent revenue-wise during third quarter FY2018”.

“The same appeared stronger on a low base of

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AFFIDAVIT

I, Ngasomi Khamrang, S/o Vareiyo Khamrang residing in CIHSR Hospital Campus 4th Mile, Dimapur shall henceforth be known as K.R. Ngasomi vide Affidavit No. 8200 sworn before Notary, A.N. Pande on 5.6.2015.

DP-1733

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

Rev. Billy Graham laid to rest in North Carolina

The casket is carried during the funeral service for U.S. evangelist Billy Graham at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

7 killed, 1mn without power as massive storm pounds US

Cristina Kirchner

BUENOS AIRES, MAR 3 (AGENCIES): An Argentine judge Friday said that ex-president Cristina Kirchner must face trial over alleged corruption related to the awarding of public contracts in her southern political stronghold of Patagonia.

According to AFP report, the federal judge Julian Ercolini also ordered trials of ex-minister Julio de Vido and construction magnate Lazaro Baez -- figures close to Cristina Kirchner and her husband, former president Nestor Kirchner.

The two were in power between 2003 and 2015.

Cristina Kirchner, De Vido, and Baez are suspected of “illicit association,” “irregularities in the awarding of public contracts in the province of Santa Cruz,” and having benefited from contracts awarded to Baez’s Austral construction group to the tune of $2.4 billion, according to the Judicial Information Center (CIJ).

A tree being uprooted during a massive storm in the US East Coast on Saturday.

WASHINGTON, MAR 3 (IANS): At least seven people were killed and over one million left without power as a massive storm continued to pummel the US East Coast on Saturday with drenching rain, howling winds and surging waves. The nor’easter also brought travel services to a halt.

The fatalities included a six-year-old boy in Virginia who died after a tree fell on his family’s home.

Others were an 11-year-old boy in New York state; a 57-year-old man in Upper Merion, Pennsylvania; a 77-year-old woman in Baltimore; a 72-year-old man in Newport, Rhode Island and a 44-year-old man in James City County, Virginia, ABC News reported.

All were hit by falling trees. There was one more

storm-related death, according to officials.

The storm that morphed into a “bomb cyclone” knocked out power to more than one million customers -- with more than 440,000 of them in Massachusetts. Virginia had at least 301,671 customers without power, and the Washington area counted over 154,000 people without power.

Over 4,000 flights were cancelled in the US on Friday, according to FlightAware. Nearly half of all scheduled flights at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport were cancelled on Saturday, the airport said.

Rail operator Amtrak temporarily halted service between New York, Boston and Washington. It tweeted on Friday that its Northeast

Corridor service was “temporarily suspended due to multiple weather related issues”.

Airlines, including Delta, United and Southwest, were offering fee waivers for flight cancellations or changes involving affected airports. Airports on the East Coast had been experiencing delays and ground stops, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Massachusetts was hit hard by the storm. High tides powered coastal flooding in Boston and other towns, leaving city streets awash for the second time since a massive nor’easter in early January, CNN reported.

A foot (30 cm) of snow fell on northern and western areas of New York state.

CHARLOTTE, MAR 3 (AGENCIES): The late Reverend Billy Graham, spearhead of an evangelical Christian movement that touched millions worldwide and who provided spiritual counsel to several US presidents, returned for good to his North Carolina home Friday. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence attended the 90minute funeral along with some 2,000 mourners who

gathered to say goodbye to the man who became known as “America’s pastor.”

The ceremony took place at the Billy Graham Library on the family’s property in Charlotte, under a broad white tent that harkens back to the “canvas cathedral” in 1949 that helped propel Graham to prominence.

“My father’s greatest longing has been granted.

He’s in the presence of

Police, protesters clash in Kiev; 50 detained

World bracing for risk of Trump’s trade war China begins parl season, set to ratify term limit for Xi

M O S C O W, M A R 3 (AGENCIES): Ukrainian police and demonstrators at a tent camp have clashed outside the parliament building in the capital, Kiev. Police say 50 people were detained.

The Interfax news agency quoted a top police official, Andrey Kryshchenko, saying six protesters sought medical help after the Saturday morning clash and four officers were injured The tent camp was set up in October by supporters of Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president who became a prominent opposition figure in Ukraine. Saakashvili was deported from Ukraine on Feb. 12.

The protesters are demanding the establishment of a national an anti-corruption court.

Kryshchenko says the clash occurred when police arrived for an investigation related to a conflict Tuesday in which 15 police were hurt.

WASHINGTON, MAR 3 (AGENCIES): President Donald Trump’s plan to slap taxes on steel and aluminum imports was branded Friday as “absolutely unacceptable” by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, the United States’ biggest foreign source of both metals, reports AP. Trump hasn’t sparked a trade war — yet. But his provocative action has raised the risk of an all-out conflict that could pit the United States against its friends and the entire global financial system that it helped create after World War II. When Trump announced Thursday he was imposing a 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent tariff on aluminum on national security grounds, he set into motion the possibility that trading partners would fight back with tariffs of their own.

The rebukes delivered on Friday suggested that some countries were prepared to retaliate if necessary. Trudeau stressed in his comments he was prepared to “defend Canadian industry” and that the tariffs would also hurt U.S.

Putin tells US to send evidence of vote meddling

Vladimir Putin

M O S C O W, M A R 3 (AGENCIES): Russian President Vladimir Putin told Washington to send him hard evidence that his citizens meddled in U.S. elections, mocking accusations to date as “yelling and hollering in the United States Congress”.

The office of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller charged 13 Russians and three firms last month with interfering in the 2016 presidential vote as part of what it called a conspiracy to support Donald Trump and disparage Hillary Clinton.

“I have to see first what they’ve done. Give us materials, give us information,” Putin said in an interview with NBC TV aired late on Friday, according to an English voice-over of his words.

“We can not respond to that if they do not violate Russian laws,” Putin told NBC’s Megyn Kelly, when asked whether Moscow would take action against the named individuals.

Kelly listed some of the accusations of Russian interference made by Mueller’s office and other U.S. officials, including the spreading of false information online.

“With all due respect for you personally, with all due respect for Congress, you must have people with legal degrees, 100 percent you do,” Putin said smiling.

He said U.S. authorities should send Russia’s general prosecutor an official request.

God,” said son Franklin Graham, one of several relatives to speak.

Trump, who attended with First Lady Melania Trump, did not address the gathering, but he sang along to hymns including “To God Be The Glory.” He was the only one of six living presidents to attend the ceremony, although all of them issued statements honouring the late reverend.

As the funeral began,

Graham’s casket — a simple but elegant plywood pine coffin crafted by inmates at a Louisiana prison — was carried by pallbearers through the library’s cross-shaped glass entryway and out to the tent, which was buffeted by strong winds.

Graham, who preached in person to more than 200 million people in 85 countries over a decades-long career, and millions more through the power of television, died last week at age 99, leaving a Christian evangelist movement without its best known champion of modern times.

Graham was bestowed the rare tribute of laying in honour for two days this week in the US Capitol’s Rotunda, where Trump praised him as “an ambassador for Christ who reminded the world of the power of prayer and the gift of God’s grace.”

The onetime backwoods minister was buried at the foot of a cross-shaped brick walkway in the library’s prayer garden, next to his late wife Ruth, who died in 2007.

More than 100 international dignitaries paid tribute to Graham in Charlotte, including Billy Kim, a Korean pastor and friend who served as Graham’s translator in South Korea.

Argentine expresident to face corruption trial

9

consumers and businesses because prices could rise.

The 28 countries in the European Union could respond by taxing goods that are core to the American identity such as Bourbon whiskey, blue jeans and Harley Davidson motorcycles, said Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission.

“I don’t like using the word trade war, but I can’t see how this isn’t part of warlike behavior,” Juncker told German media.

Ro b e r t o A z eve d o, the director-general of the World Trade Organization, warned that a “trade war is in no one’s interests.”

China — the world’s largest steel producer and Trump’s primary target — stayed quiet about how it would respond.

Trump’s fellow Republicans urged caution. Doug Andres, an aide for House Speaker Paul Ryan, said that Ryan “is hoping the president will consider the unintended consequences of this idea.” But the U.S. president appears to be in battle mode.

He views the tariffs as a

way to pressure trading partners into submission and wipe away the long-standing trade deficit.

“Trade wars are good, and easy to win,” he said on Twitter.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross downplayed the risk of rising prices from the steel and aluminum tariffs. He held up cans of Campbell’s soup and CocaCola during a CNBC interview, noting that each would go up by less than a penny under the new taxes.

Even if Trump is itching for a trade war, it’s not clear if one will materialize.

“It’s too soon to tell for a whole host of reasons,” said Scott Lincicome, a trade lawyer and adjunct scholar at the libertarian Cato Institute.

Because there are no formal declarations, Lincicome said the “imaginary threshold” for this kind of showdown would involve countries imposing a broad set of tariffs that choked off trade, rather than taxes on the two basic categories of steel and aluminum being proposed by Trump.

BEIJING, MAR 3 (PTI): China today formally began its well-choreographed annual Parliament season during which a constitutional amendment removing the two-term limit for President Xi Jinping is expected to be ratified, paving the way for his continuation in power, possibly for life.

The annual Parliament season, during which about 5000 delegates of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the legislature the National People’s Congress (NPC) would hold full sessions to deliberate on a vast agenda for the year prepared by the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

This year’s sessions assumed significance and attracted considerable attention as days ago, the CPC has proposed constitutional amendment to

FELICITATION

With immense joy and pride, we the Phiro Baptist Church, Phiro Village Council, and the Phiro Village Students' Union extends our heartiest congratulations to the following members: 1. Shri. Y. Vandansha Lotha on being promoted to the post of Director, Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship to the Govt. of Nagaland.

2. Shri. R. Thungdemo Tungoe promoted to the post of Head Master, Wozhuro Govt. High School.

The above mentioned organisations wishes all the best in their future endeavours.

Yanbemo Tungu Chairman, Phiro Village Council K-546

SUMI BAPTIST CHURCH Niuland Town, Nagaland

FELICITATION

The Sumi Baptist Church Niuland Town would like to express our joy and sincere gratitude to Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (WSBAK) for the conferment of License Pastor to Mr. Tokivi Yeptho and Mrs. Hetoli Aye. It is indeed a great honor and immense inspiration for the younger generation.

The Church also conveys its heartiest congratulations to both the Licensed Pastors and wishes them the very best in their future endeavour for God's glory.

DP-1743

DC-487

Xi Jinping is seen on a large screen at the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, March 3, 2018.

remove the two-term limit for the president and vice president, setting aside decades old principle of collective leadership.

The proposal sparked off concern and speculation at home and abroad that Xi, heading the CPC and military besides the presidency, who recently began his second five-year term would continue for

an unprecedented third term and beyond, wielding unquestionable power exercised by the party founder, Mao Zedong in the heydays of China’s revolution.

The Parliament season formally commenced with the opening of the CPPCC at the Great Hall of People.

It was attended by Xi, now a designated “core leader” by the party.

The opening of the session was telecast live all over the country.

Also, other party leaders, including Premier Li Keqiang, members of the Standing Committee of the CPC, who virtually rule the country attended the session.

This Parliament season this year is also significant as top officials on almost all posts except the ones held by Xi and perhaps by Li might change.

It includes a new State Councillor replacing the incumbent Yang Jiechi who for the past five years was the Special Representative of India-China Border talks. Yang has been elevated to CPC’s politburo.

The present Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, might take over as the State Councillor, which also means that China will have a new foreign minister.

Infotainment

10

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

Bullock Mark Hamill talks about Oscars 2018 Sandra not married to Bollywood needs to take

H

e’s going to the Oscars for the first time in four decades - but Star Wars’ Mark Hamill says he’d rather be watching the ceremony in his pyjamas.

Hamill - Luke Skywalker in the films - last attended in 1978 when Star Wars: A New Hope was up for best picture.

Speaking at the Oscar Wilde Awards, where he was being honoured, he said it was “much more fun” to watch from home.

Hamill, presenting an Oscar on Sunday, said he hopes the ceremony is “fun and light-hearted”.

He was speaking at the so-called Irish Oscars, where he was one of the honorees, along with Dunkirk actor Barry Keoghan, Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek star Catherine O’Hara and Ray Donovan actress Paula Malcomson.

On the green grass carpet (instead of a red

Jessica Alba to star in ‘Bad Boys’ spinoff

one), he said he’d enjoyed all those years of “watching it in my pyjamas, saying ‘look at her hair!’.”

“Now I have to put on a tuxedo and be part of it because I’m presenting,” he told the BBC. “Believe me, as big an honour as it is, to be part of it, it’s much more fun to be watching it at home.”

In what could be a politically-charged year for the Oscars, Hamill hopes the ceremony gives people a chance to have fun.

“I hope it’s fun and light-hearted, you know?,” he said. “Sometimes it’s shaded by causes and politics but I think it’s a good

time for everyone to just relax and enjoy themselves.

I know that’s what I’ll do.

“What happens when you present is you go backstage early - and I don’t come back to my seat. I just hang out backstage, eat all the free food and just stay away from my seat - there’s always the seat-filler. Usually they’re much more handsome than I am, so it’s a win-win.”

Hamill will be presenting best animated short at the Hollywood ceremony.

He joked: “They didn’t pick animated short because I’m too short to be a Stormtrooper did they?

Oh, they’re so cruel.”

Hamill said of the nominations: “It’s nice but that’s not why you do it - you do it for the passion and that’s why you should do it, not because you think it’s going to win lots of awards.”

As for saying goodbye to the character of Luke Skywalker, he said:

Bryan Randall

A

ctress Sandra Bullock is not married to her boyfriend and photographer Bryan Randall, according to her representative.

“They are not married,” Bullock’s representative told people.com.

The denial follows a flurry of rumours claiming the two secretly exchanged vows. Bullock started dating Randall in 2015.

“They started dating after Bryan photographed (Bullock’s son) Louis for his graduation,” a source said.

When Bullock, 53, adopted daughter Laila in 2015, Randall stood by her side. They have kept their romance low-key over the years, stepping out for occasional date nights in Los Angeles and New York together. Randall also accompanied Bullock at the October 2015 premiere of “Our Brand Is Crisis”.

(IANS)

stands: Neha Dhupia

A

ctress Neha Dhupia feels people associated with Hindi filmdom should speak up more often on issues of concern and take stands.

The actress spoke about this during an appearance on the “Vh1 Inside Access” show , a statement from the channel said.

“We need to take sides, we need to take stands, we need to talk about how far we can push the cinema, what happens behind closed doors, how professional it is,” Neha said.

“We need to come out and talk about things; whether there is an ecosystem in the industry or not,” she added.

Neha also said people in Bollywood are very protective of each other, which according to her is not a great thing all the time.

On the work front, the actress is also seen judging

“Roadies Xtreme”, which is aired on MTV. During the audition round in Chandigarh, Neha felt unsafe because of a contestant Harpaveet. In his form, he suggested that he will flirt with Neha, and bragged about his sexual strength.

Dismissing him, she said: “You know what your problem is your perception about woman. You have no respect for any woman.

You think your masculinity is going to come through when you brag about your

sexual strength. When you spoke about other gang leaders, you referred to their personality traits like confidence, dressing sense and fitness but not for me.

“So, according to you, I have no personality traits just because I am a woman and that gives to the right to flirt with me.

I know exactly what men like you think. We have many female contestants who come on ‘Roadies’ journey. Neither you have any respect for girls nor do you have anything good to say about them so it’s our responsibility to make sure that people like you don’t come on the journey.

“You know why? I wouldn’t have said this but I am not feeling safe! This is my area, my territory so if I am not feeling safe you don’t get to go ahead in this show.”

(IANS)

Trump slams Alec Baldwin over impersonation act

A

ctress Jessica Alba will be returning to the small screen as Gabrielle Union’s partner in a “Bad Boys” spinoff.

Alba will also executive produce the show, reports variety.com. Union will star in the untitled drama as Syd Burnett, her character from “Bad Boys 2”.

In the show, she has left the DEA and now has a fresh start in her new job as an LAPD detective.

Alba will play Nancy McKenna, Burnett’s partner.

McKenna joined the Army out of high school and spent most of the 2000s in Iraq and Afghanistan. Women weren’t allowed in combat, so she joined the military police to get closer to the action. McKenna is now a detective raising two preteen stepkids with her husband.

(IANS)

“I refuse to believe that he’s gone. My theory is he just teleported to somewhere else and left his robe behind. He teleported to a nudist colony, that’s what I’m hoping.”

The Oscar Wildes are hosted by JJ Abrams, who produced The Force Awakens and is writing, producing and directing the as-year-unnamed Star Wars: Episode IX. The awards are organised by the US-Ireland alliance to celebrate Irish contributions to the industry.

Abrams introduced Hamill at the ceremony, held at his Bad Robot production company in Santa Monica, saying he was “a joy to work with”. They filmed Hamill’s scenes for the film in Ireland, with the actor saying it had been a multimillion pound boost for Irish tourism and that he liked the fact people made pilgrimages to see where it was shot.

(BBC)

D

onald Trump has slammed Alec Baldwin, the actor who has famously played the US President on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) since 2016, saying that watching his impersonation acts were an “agony” for audiences, the media reported.

“Alec Baldwin, whose dying mediocre career was saved by his terrible impersonation of me on SNL, now says playing me was agony. Alec, it was agony for those who were forced to watch,” Trump tweeted

on Friday, at first misspelling Baldwin’s name as “Alex” before fixing it.

“Alex, it was also agony for those who were forced to watch. You were terrible. Bring back Darrell Hammond, much funnier and a far greater talent!”

Baldwin quickly shot back, CNN reported.

“Agony though it may be, I’d like to hang in there for the impeachment hearings, the resignation speech, the farewell helicopter ride to MarA-Lago. You know. The Good Stuff. That we’ve

all been waiting for,” the actor tweeted.

Next, he tweeted: “Looking forward to the Trump Presidential Library. A putting green.

Recipes for chocolate cake.

A live Twitter feed for visitors to post on. A little black book with the phone numbers of porn stars.

You’re in and out in five minutes. Just like...

“And Mr President... please ask your wife to stop calling me for SNL tickets. (Hey, Melania...

We’ve got Charles Barkley this Saturday!”

Trump’s Friday tweet came after Baldwin, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter said that portraying the President has become an “agony” and that he plans to dedicate himself to opposing him in the upcoming elections, Politico news reported.

(IANS)

I would like to acknowledge and thank all who stood by me throughout the election campaign: the NPF party, family members, well wishers and especially the people who voted for me. Your tireless efforts, contributions and prayers are deeply appreciated.

K-552

Thank You Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso (Dr. Ato)

NPF Candidate 9th Kohima A/C

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Azlan Shah Cup: India lose 2-3 to Argentina

Indian hockey team lost the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup opener against Argentina.

Ipoh, Mar 3 (PTI): India found themselves at the receiving end of star penalty corner specialist Gonzalo Peillat’s hat-trick as they lost 2-3 against Olympic champions Argentina in their opening match of the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here Saturday.

All the goals of the rain-affected match came off penalty corners with Peillat sounding the board in the 13th, 24th and 33rd minutes while Amit Rohidas (26th, 31st) scored for India.

Play was stopped for nearly an hour in the fourth quarter due to heavy rain and thunderstorm.

India dominated the first quarter as their young forwards pushed the Argentine defenders to create

space in the striking circle.

Talwinder Singh and debut player Sumit Kumar were impressive as they attempted to beat Argentina’s experienced goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi early in the match.

India made as many as four circle entries against Argentina’s two and it was Sumit Kumar’s burst into the baseline that gave India hopes of a first goal within the first ten minutes of the match, but Argentine defenders were defiant.

Minutes later, a long ball assist to Talwinder was picked up well but he could not quite make an effective connect to put it past Vivaldi.

Though India did well to limit Argentina’s shots on goal, an infringement in the Indian circle helped Isidoro

Ibarra earn Argentina the first penalty corner of the match. With world-class drag-flicker Peillat in their ranks, giving away PCs meant trouble for India.

Peillat’s first attempt was blocked by first runner Amit Rohidas. But the second PC was superbly converted by Peillat in the 13th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. It was the PCs that Argentina rallied on and it did not help India’s cause when they conceded another penalty corner in the 24th minute. The mistake was punished by Peillat yet again as he broke no sweat to convert. A diving Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak could do little to save the powerful dragflick.

Two minutes later, India won three back-to-back

‘Ibrahimovic set to leave United’

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Jose Mourinho

a fantastic couple of seasons he could and should have (had) with us.”

Ibrahimovic has not featured for United since a 45-minute cameo versus Burnley in the Premier League last December following a serious knee injury.

He was United’s top scorer last season with 28 goals in 46 appearances, helping them win the League Cup and Europa League.

“This season has been really difficult for him,” Mourinho said. “He’s not injured. Does he feel totally happy, ready and convinced that he’s in condition to help the team in this moment?

No, but he’s such an honest guy and such a champion he only wants to be back with that feeling of ‘I’m totally ready for it’. So he’s working hard and hopefully his evolution brings him to that level he wants to have a positive answer.”

PCs. After the first two attempts had to be re-taken due to infringement, India were third-time lucky as Amit Rohidas improvised on Ramandeep Singh’s injection, keeping low, finding the left pocket of the net.

The 26th minute goal narrowed the deficit to 1-2 and India did well in the following minutes to keep Argentine forwards in the hunt.

Though they forced India to make an error in the circle, winning yet another PC in the 27th minute, the attempt was brilliantly blocked by India’s first runner.

Coming into the third quarter, India struck early as forward Sumit Kumar was aggressive in the baseline to fetch India their fourth PC of the match. Previous goal scorer Amit Rohidas made no mistake as he converted in similar fashion giving India the much needed 2-2 equaliser in the 31st minute.

It was all about PCs for Argentina as Peillat struck his third goal in the 34th minute, taking Argentina’s lead to 3-2.

With rain trickling down in the fourth quarter, the match was stopped for nearly an hour. After resumption, India fought till the final hooter but their desperate attempts to score went in vain with Argentina keeping the lead.

Former Pakistan pacer Asif to play in 10PL DUBAI, Mar 3 (PTI): Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif will be one of the key players in the upcoming tennis ball cricket tournament, 10PL scheduled to be held in Dubai from March 19-23.

The second edition of the tournament will be staged at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Asif will turn out for Shehenshah Warriors, Pakistan. In all 16 teams will be participating in the tournament.

Asif played 23 Tests, 38 ODIs and 11 Twenty20s for Pakistan before his international career came to a halt after he was arrested in the United Kingdom on charges of spot-fixing during a Test series against England, back in 2010. Other international players like Sri Lanka’s Thilan Thushara and Chamara Silva are also likely to play in the tournament.

Lo n d o n, M a r 3 (Agencies): Manchester United’s Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to leave the club at the end of the season, manager Jose Mourinho told a news conference on Friday.

The 36-year-old Ibrahimovic, who joined United in 2016 and is out of contract after this campaign, has been linked by the British media with a move to Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy.

Mourinho said Ibra-

himovic could leave Old Trafford in May but did not know whether the Swede would call time on his career or look for a new challenge in a different league.

“For Zlatan, we all think it’s his last season at Manchester United and it will be a very personal decision for him to play or to stop,” Mourinho said.

“I think he has won the right of choosing his life, his future, such an amazing player and amazing career that only that awful injury in the wrong moment broke

Flame for Winter Paralympics lit in 5 S. Korean cities

Anderson enters Acapulco final

S e o u l , M a rc h 3 (IANS): Lighting ceremonies for the Paralympic flame were held in five local cities on Friday as South Korea began its eight-day torch relay for the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province.

Five Korean cities and counties - Jeju, Anyang, Nonsan, Gochang and Cheongdo - each ignited a flame on the day of the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. These five cities were selected because they provide convenient access to tourism facilities and services for people with disabilities, according to the organisers, who added that they are also certified as “barrier free” cities by the Korean Disabled People’s Institute. With the lighting of the flames, the torch relay for the Paralympics began its journey with 50 torchbearers carrying the flames throughout the five cities.

The Paralympic flame will travel a total of 2,018 kilometers, a figure that includes the distance between Seoul and the five cities and counties where the flames were ignited.

K Y M C

Kevin Anderson returns a shot to Jared Donaldson.

ACAPULCO, Mar 3 (Agencies): South Africa’s Kevin Anderson moved one step closer to capturing his second consecutive title with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory over American qualifier Jared Donaldson at the ATP Mexican Open.

Anderson, of Johannesburg, won the New York Open crown two weeks ago.

The world No. 8 Anderson has plenty of confidence heading into Saturday’s final where he will face Argentina’s Juan Martin

11

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

Del Potro.

“It just feels great to win tonight’s match,” Anderson said. “When you’re out there, you’re not really thinking about finals and what happened before.

In the heat of the battle, I thought it was a really tough match.”

Since last January, when he plunged to 80th in the world, Anderson has made five finals comprising Washington D.C., the US Open, Pune, New York and now Acapulco.

He was runner-up at the

2017 US Open.

Anderson saw his ranking fall of as a result of a variety of injuries and health issues. In the other semifinal, Del Potro blasted six aces and broke Alexander Zverev’s serve three times en route to a 6-4, 6-2 win on Friday night.

Del Potro, who is seeded sixth, won 78 percent of his first-serve points and 55 percent of his second serves in the one hour, 31-minute match. Zverev, of Germany, hammered 10 aces but had two double faults.

On the women’s side of the draw, defending champion Lesia Tsurenko earned a ninth straight victory at this event as she held off a late charge from Daria Gavrilova to return to the WTA final with a 6-2, 6-4 win.

Tsurenko will have the opportunity to play for her fourth career WTA title against Swiss Stefanie Voegele who cruised past Swedish qualifier Rebecca Peterson 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).

“I just really like it here.

I think all the conditions for the tournament are just great and I know that all the players enjoy to play here,” the Ukrainian Tsurenko said.

Mendy targets return for Manchester derby LON D ON , M a r 3 ( Ag e n c i e s ) : M a n chester City defender Benjamin Mendy has set his sights on returning from his lengthy injury lay-off in next month’s derby against Manchester United.

Mendy has been sidelined since sustaining knee ligament damage in the Premier League leaders’ win over Crystal Palace in September.

The 23-year-old had hoped to be fit for a possible Champions League semi-final in late April, but his recovery from surgery is now ahead of schedule.

City face fierce rivals United at Eastlands on April 7 and France leftback Mendy plans to take part in the grudge match.

“The Manchester derby is a realistic aim. That’s half-clear in my mind. I really want to play that game,” he told City’s website. “When I started my recovery, I had in mind the semi-finals of the Champions League. That was my goal, but I am coming back a bit quicker than expected originally so maybe it will be possible for me to return sooner than that. I believe in this.”

“I think it’s possible for me to come back within four weeks. It’s not a good thing to come back too soon and you have to take your time. We will see how things go but I am working hard and optimistic.”

Nice edge past lowly Lille

Former Liverpool striker Balotelli put Nice ahead after five minutes at Allianz Riviera Stadium.

Milan, Mar 3 (Agencies): Mario Balotelli was on target as Nice beat struggling Lille 2-1 thanks to midfielder Wylan Cyprien’s late winner, while Monaco saw off Bordeaux.

Balotelli’s header put Nice ahead in the fifth minute - his 14th Ligue 1 goal of the season - but he missed two good chances in the second half.

Cyprien timed his run perfectly to the back post to thump home tricky winger Allan Saint-Maximin’s cross from the right in the 80th minute, after Luiz Araujo had drawn Lille

level six minutes after the break.

Nice moved up to seventh place while Lille languish in 19th.

Rony Lopes scored the winner midway through the second half as secondplace Monaco beat Bordeaux 2-1.

The attacking midfielder is emerging as a replacement for Bernardo Silva, who was arguably Monaco’s best player when they won the league and reached the UEFA Champions League semifinals last season. Silva’s scintillating form earned

him a big-money move to runaway English Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Lopes was on City’s books in 2014 but made only a handful of appearances. He was loaned to Monaco and then to Lille, before joining Monaco on a permanent basis. He confidently swept the ball home from right of the penalty area in the 69th minute for his eighth league goal.

“I’m happy to have helped the team,” Lopes said. “We keep fighting until the end.”

The fleet-footed and skillful Lopes has an extra incentive to keep his form going, as he is eyeing a place in Portugal’s 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.

He has one international cap.

“That’s a dream for me, but I know it’s difficult,” he said. “I can do it and if I get there I’ll be very proud.”

Midfielder Valentin Vada’s powerful shot from near the penalty spot put Bordeaux ahead in the 32nd minute.

Forward Stevan Jovetic equalised on the stroke of half-time, slotting into the bottom corner after running onto midfielder Thomas Lemar’s pass for his sixth goal in 12 league games.

Monaco are 11 points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, and five points ahead of third-place Marseille.

Shakib ruled out of Sri Lanka tri-series

DHAKA, Mar 3 (Agencies): Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has been ruled out of the upcoming tri-nation Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka as he is still nursing a finger injury, Bangladesh Cricket Board said Saturday.

The Nidahas Trophy, which also includes hosts Sri Lanka and India, will start in Colombo on Tuesday.

Shakib picked up the injury during the final of a tri-nation one-day international competition against Sri Lanka in Dhaka in January.

He missed the twomatch Test series and both Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka last month due to the injury.

Bangladesh included Shakib in the squad for the Nidahas Trophy in the hope that he would recover at some stage of the tournament. The BCB last week

stand and work around that.

When you have a worldclass player like Shakib, you give him every opportunity to get fit. He is a hard player to replace overnight. He does everything -- bat, bowl, field and captain. As soon as he is well enough to play, we

Shakib Al Hasan

sent Shakib to Thailand for an expert opinion on his injured finger, where doctors said it would need more time to heal.

Interim Bangladesh coach Courtney Walsh said Shakib should not be rushed back to play cricket.

“We will give him the time, as long as he takes to get ready,” Walsh said at a press conference in Dhaka on Saturday ahead of the team’s departure for Sri Lanka.

“Guys have to under-

will have to get him there,” he said.

Vice-captain Mahmudullah Riyad will lead the side in the T20 tournament in Shakib’s absence.

Shakib has been replaced in the squad by batsman Liton Das.

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved

Anpau Nolito (Nolly) Today's the anniversary of the day we lost you. It broke our hearts to see you go but God only takes the best. The memories you shared with us will be treasured with us forever. The love we have for you will never fade until we meet again.

04/03/2017 – 04/03/2018

Loving parents, brothers-in-law, sis-in-law, sisters, bro, nieces, nephews & loved ones.

DP-1738

2nd DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved

LATE TSENRO NGULLIE Dearest Apo, It's still hard for us to comprehend the fact that you are no more; yet you will forever remain in our hearts and memories, and though we are learning to live without you, we still miss you so much.

Loving wife, children & family members

DP-1732

Born on : 05/05/1968 Died on : 04/03/2016

2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved FATHER Late RAVOLIE RUPREO

DC-485

2nd DEATH ANNIVERSARY Lt. S. Dipak

4th March 2016 It's been two years now since you left us, and for a time it felt as though our life has also ended.

But loss has taught us many things. And now we face each day, with hope and happy memories to help us on our way. And though you're no longer here, your influence still guides us. What we shared will never die. It'll live within our hearts, bringing strength and comfort while we are apart until time we meet again.

DP-1725

From, Loving wife, children, in-laws & grandchildren

Died on 04-03-2016 Two years have passed since you left us for your heavenly abode. You will forever remain alive in our hearts with silent tears and memories but this loss has taught us many things.

We still miss you presence.

K-547

Loving wife, children & family members K Y M C

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Burnley beat 10-man Everton

Ashley Barnes celebrates with his Burnley team-mates after scoring a goal against Everton during an EPL match on Saturday.

L ondon , M a r 3 (Agencies): Burnley ended a 12-game winless streak with a 2-1 comeback victory over 10-man Everton at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Second-half goals from Ashley Barnes (56) and substitute Chris Wood (80) brought the alarming run to an end in Sean Dyche’s 250th game in charge, as the Clarets reached the coveted 40-point mark, five adrift of sixth-placed Arsenal.

Cenk Tosun had headed Everton in front with his

first goal for the club on 20 minutes, but Sam Allardyce’s men were made to pay for a poor defensive performance, compounded

by Ashley Williams’ late red card, as they slipped to a fifth-consecutive away defeat.

Allardyce stressed the importance of scoring first and Everton nearly delivered on 15 minutes, despite Bur nley’s encouraging start, as Gylfi Sigurdsson squared for Theo Walcott at the end of a slaloming run, but the forward, distracted by team-mate Tom

Davies, fired over.

But Allardyce’s wish was soon fulfilled as Walcott’s cross from the right was flicked into the path of Tosun by Seamus Coleman, and the January signing powered a header beyond Nick Pope.

Everton, buoyed by going in front, tried to double their lead but Pope denied Tosun a quick-fire double and Walcott from converting the Turk’s cross on 28 minutes.

Burnley rallied, though, and thought they had drawn themselves

Nadal withdraws from Indian Wells time Grand Slam winner had been left distraught on Tuesday after suddenly pulling out of Acapulco just hours before his opening match.

It marked the sixth tournament in a row that Nadal has pulled out of or retired from -- Basel, Paris, the London ATP Tour Finals, Brisbane, Australian Open and Acapulco.

Nadal’s withdrawal was greeted with dismay by Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas.

“We are disappointed that Rafa will not be able to compete for the third title at this year’s BNP Paribas Open,” Haas said. “We wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.”

Nadal, who turns 32 in June, ended 2017 as the oldest year-end world number one in the 45-year history of the ATP rankings.

However, he lost the top ranking to old rival Roger Federer last month.

level when a whipped Matt Lowton cross found Barnes on the half-hour, but a stunning point-blank save from Jordan Pickford preserved the Toffees’ lead until the interval.

The Clarets, bolstered by the addition of Chris Wood, continued to lay siege to the Everton goal after the break.

Another fine Pickford save prevented Aaron Lennon from scoring against his old club on 50 minutes, moments before the England goalkeeper tipped a Ben Mee header onto the bar.

But the pressure finally told as Lowton’s long ball released Barnes in behind the doing Everton defence, and the striker finally broke Pickford’s resolve with a fierce, nearpost drive.

Oumar Niasse blazed an acrobatic volley over eight minutes after coming off the bench before Sigurdsson fired a great chance wide two minutes later, but Burnley had the final word as Wood rose high to head Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s corner home with 10 minutes remaining.

Bur nley travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham and Everton host Brighton at Goodison Park on Saturday, March 10.

VAR approved by football lawmakers

Bajrang wins bronze in Asian Wrestling C’ships NEW DELHI, Mar 3 (Agencies): Indian wrstler Bajrang Punia defeated Yones Aliakbar Emamichoghaei of Iran to win bronze in 65kg freestyle event of the Asian Wrestling Championships at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan on Saturday.

Punia beat Emamichoghaei 10-4 in the bronze-medal match.

Scoreline did not give justice to the close bout as Punia trailed his Iranian opponent in four of the six-minute contest.

The Iranian took 2-0 lead early inside 30 seconds and Punia had to produce his best to level the tie 2-2 just before the break.

Similar to the first half, Emamichoghaei started the second half aggressively and regained the two-point lead.

But Punia countered back with some clever moves to level the contest again with less than two minutes left. After that it was all Punia as he scored three two-pointers in quick succession to win the match.

Earlier, Punia defeated Abdulqosim Fayziev of Tajikistan to enter bronzemedal match.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

India beat Pak to win Snooker Team WC

Manan Chandra and Pankaj Advani helped India beat Pakistan in final of the IBSF Snooker Team World Cup.

DOHA, Mar 3 (PTI): The Indian combine of Pankaj Advani and Manan Chandra staged a remarkable recovery to beat Pakistan in the final of the inaugural IBSF Snooker Team World Cup. Mahindra Scor pio TOISA: Pankaj Advani wins third successive Billiards Player of the Year award After being 0-2 down in the best-of-five final played last night, India found themselves in a deeper hole at 0-30 down in the third frame.

Thanks to a well-crafted 39 break from Chandra and a classy clearance of the final colours by Advani, the Indian hopes were kept

The Asiad organisers, however, have included double trap, which was removed from the Olympics cycle recently.

The Asiad has included rifle 300m 3 position, which is big bore event and is generally practised

by Army’s Marksmen Unit shooters.

India had won one gold, one silver and seven bronze medals in the last edition of the Asiad.

Out of these nine medals, seven were won from the event that are now being dropped.

3rd ODI: England hold nerve to beat New Zealand

Rodgers plays down Arsenal link

Rafael Nadal

LOS ANGELES, Mar 3 (Agencies): World number two Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from this month’s ATP Masters events in Miami and Indian Wells on Friday, citing a leg injury that forced him to pull out the Mexican Open.

Nadal said in a statement on Facebook the injury, which flared in Acapulco this week, was in the same area as the hip

WELLINGTON, Mar 3 (Agencies): Ben Stokes’ brilliant diving catch proved the catalyst for a spectacular middleorder collapse, while Chris Woakes bowled a superb final over as England beat New Zealand by four runs in their third one-day international on Saturday.

The hosts had looked comfor tably placed to chase down England’s 234 when Stokes turned the game as spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid took five wickets for 23 runs between them in the space of 41 balls.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who scored his 11th one-day century, however, combined with Mitchell Santner to halt the slide and then gave the hosts hopes of achieving a remarkable win with a 96-run partnership.

Santner was then unluckily run out for 41 when Woakes got his hand to a straight drive from Williamson and deflected the ball back onto the stumps, leaving the all-rounder stranded and New Zealand

problem that led to his exit from the Australian Open in January.

“I won’t be able to play in Miami or Indian Wells as I need to recover,” Nadal said.

“It was very painful to retire from Acapulco and it’s very hard as well to not play in the USA. I will miss you and I will do everything that’s possible to be back there in 2019.”

The 31-year-old 16-

Team-mates rush to congratulate Chris Woakes after his final delivery seals victory for England.

199 for seven with 4.4 overs remaining.

To m C u r r a n a n d Woakes then bowled brilliantly at the death, with the latter restricting Williamson from scoring the 15 runs needed to win in the last over.

Wi l l i a m s o n , w h o needed a six off the final ball to win the game, or a

four to secure a tie, failed to make contact and finished 112 not out with his side on 230-8 to leave England with a 2-1 lead in the fivematch series.

“Brilliant game of cricket,” England captain Eoin Morgan said. “Our spin twins did a fantastic job.

“The pressure shifted

a little bit with the Williamson-Santner partnership and it was a tight game that could have gone either way.”

All of England’s batsmen had got starts but only Morgan looked comfortable on the drop-in pitch that appeared to be two-paced and providing inconsistent bounce as he

green to be in the safe zone leaving his opponent requiring snookers. But with a long pot on the brown, the humbled Pakistani conceded the frame and match.

The Indians made a shaky start in the final with Masih scoring a convincing 73-24 win over Chandra in the opener. Asif then went on to steal the second frame from Advani and won it on the black ball 61-56.

With the Indian team 0-2 down, it had to dig deep and win every frame thereafter.

The third frame was a doubles match in which both Indians played out of their skin to stay alive in the final, winning it 72-47.

Asian Games organisers drop shooting events PUNE, Mar 3 (Agencies): After the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games organisers reduced the number of quota for shooters and their Birmingham counterparts showing uncertainty over the sport’s inclusion in the 2022 edition, Indian shooting got another blow as Jakarta Asian Games organisers have decided to trim shooting events from their schedule.

The Asian Games organisers have removed all team events from their schedule along with dropping traditional Asiad events like rifle 50m prone (men and women), 50m pistol, 25m centre fire pistol and 25m standard pistol.

Although all the dropped events are nonOlympic events, their exclusion has hit India hard.

Indian shooters have won medals in these events, especially the team events.

Zurich, Mar 3 (Agencies): Football lawmakers have approved the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) on a permanent basis, following a two-year trial period.

The International Football Association Board, IFAB, reached a unanimous agreement at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Saturday morning.

VAR has been trialled in some FA Cup and Carabao Cup games this season, but following Saturday’s ruling all competitions in world football can now use VAR without permission.

Following the announcement, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the decision on whether to use VAR in this summer’s World Cup will be made when the council meets in Bogota, Colombia on March 16.

alive.

In the fourth frame, even though Advani found himself in a spot of bother when trailing 1-20 against Babar Masih, he took charge of the proceedings and displayed his mastery once again by clearing the table with a 69 break.

This made India draw parity with Pakistan and it all boiled down to the final frame to determine the first winners of the inaugural event.

Chandra and Muhammad Asif found themselves in a seesaw frame but it was the Indian who changed gears and did most of the scoring with every given opportunity. Eventually, Chandra only needed the

top-scored with 48 and shared a 71-run partnership with Stokes.

England’s lower order, however, accelerated with Jos Buttler smashing 29 from 23 balls before he became leg-spinner Ish Sodhi’s third wicket in the 43rd over and the bowlers then added another 50 runs in the final seven overs.

New Zealand had been comfortable at 80-1 in the 18th over with Colin Munro on 49 and Williamson on 28 before Stokes then produced his catch at cover to dismiss the opener off Rashid.

Moeen, who took wickets on successive deliveries, and Rashid then took three wickets for one run between them to leave New Zealand floundering at 98-5.

“We were in a position of strength at one stage but lost a lot of wickets that hurt us and we had to take the game even deeper,” Williamson said.

“Our plans kept changing as we lost wickets. They deserved to win, just a shame we got so close.”

Calling the decision non-transparent and unfair, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Raninder Singh said it will hit the majority of countries hard.

“There is no logic to this decision. It isn’t just bad for us, but also bad for many countries. We had information of them dropping the double trap event.

We spoke to people in the Asian Shooting Confederation and the event was restored, but we had no clue of them dropping so many events, without con-

sulting any other country or the Olympic Council of Asia,” said Raninder.

He discarded any possibility of a conspiracy and said, “They may have included the 300m event and the running target event because Indonesia has a strong military base and they have the infrastructure ready.”

When asked if it is wrong for a host country to pick and drop events according to their advantages, he said, “Of course it is unfair. You can’t drop traditional events without any discussion. It is unprofessional.”

At the same time, Raninder said NRAI have no authority to interfere in such decisions and the Sports Ministry and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) should take up such issues.

The Asian Games will start in Indonesia on August 18.

L ondon , M a r 3 (Agencies): Brendan Rodgers has played down speculation linking him to the Arsenal job, and says he is “living in a dream” as manager of Celtic. The 45-year-old has been mentioned as a possible successor to Arsene Wenger.

Rodgers believes his achievements as Liverpool manager when he took them back into the Champions League Rodgers said, “I’m loving my life up here. I’m not going to be here forever but I’m living in a dream.”

“Arsenal are a great club, they have a great manager and they are going through a tough time of course. People will look at it and see that I went to Liverpool, they were struggling for five seasons for Champions League football and I was able to get them back.”

“And when I came to Celtic, they hadn’t been in the Champions League for two seasons. So maybe people are thinking okay, Arsenal have been out of the Champions League and is that maybe the equation for someone like myself. The other stuff you can’t control so I can’t worry about it.”

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