DIMAPUR, JAN 22 (NPN): Gauhati High Court (GHC) Kohima Bench has suspended the eviction order, dated 16/12/2022 and issued by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Lumding Division estate officer, against an individual pertaining to a land located at Block-3, Dimapur.
Hearing a petitioned filed by one Kevihulie Zakiesato, a single-bench judge of Justice Songkhupchung Serto also ordered listing the matter after five weeks.
DIMAPUR, JAN 22
(NPN): With some sitting NDPP legislators and former candidates of various parties making beeline for the BJP, the party finds itself on a sticky wicket as ticket aspirants are hell bent on getting into the fray and which has meant that accommodating most would result in crossing the seat sharing number of 20(BJP) as against 40(NDPP) based on 2018 formula.
The BJP national high command and NDPP have finalised seat sharing wth 20 (BJP) and 40 (NDPP) for the 2023 election. The BJP high command has not accepted demand by some state BJP leaders for either 25(BJP):35(NDPP)
or 30:30 basis for the 2023 polls.
The situation within BJP has become problematic as the party faces hordes of angry supporters of unsuccessful ticket aspirants and also those who fought under BJP ticket being denied the seat.
On Sunday, supporters of one BJP intending candidate thronged the Dimapur resident of BJP legislature party leader and deputy chief minister Y. Patton and staged a protest. They were demanding ticket for their candidate. It was reported that at that time, state BJP president Imna Along was holding a meeting with Patton when the angry supporters of the aspirant barged into the compound.
(Cont’d on p-8)
DIMAPUR, JAN 22 (NPN): Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) and Phom People’s Council (PPC) on January 22, issued stern warning against anyone from their respective tribe, who file nomination for the forthcoming election.
It may be recalled that Konyak Union on January 18, issued a stern warning against filing nominations, followed on January 21 by United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji and Chang Khulei Setshang.
All these apex tribe bodies have resolved against participation in the forthcoming election on the basis of the August 26, 2022 ENPO resolution to not take part in the election, “until government of India grant the demand ENPO for a separate statehood befittingly”.
KTC: President Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) M. Thangou, president Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam (KMH) Newkhai and president Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU) Shangchiu in a joint statement informed that the decision was made at a joint consultative meeting held on January 13 with all frontal organisations and village councils at Noklak.
Besides reaffirmation on supporting the August 26 resolution, the signatories disclosed that the house directed that no individual should file nomination under Khiamniungan jurisdiction. They also warned that KTC should not be held responsible for any circumstances if any individual failed to abide by the directive. KTC further endorsed and empowered
KSU, KMH, village councils, Noklak Town Sectors’ Union and village public organisations to fully implement and act upon the directives.
PPC: Phom People’s Council (PPC) at its emergency meeting held on Saturday at the Council hall, also reaffirmed to implement the August 26 resolution and resolved to “permanently expel” anyone who file nomination papers for the assembly polls from Phom land.
It also warned that the respective villages of the persons filing nomination would be solely held responsible.
The house also fully endorsed the respective village councils, Phom Students’ Conference and its federating units and Phomla Hoichem to fully implement and act upon the resolution.
DIMAPUR, JAN 22 (NPN): In view of the forthcoming Assembly election, Chakhesang Clean Election Movement (CCEM), which had been launched by Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) and fully endorsed by Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), was now in effect to check corrupt and unlawful practices during election. Informing this in a press note, CPO president Vezuhu Keyho and general secre-
tary Chepetso Koza appealed to all areas/ ranges, village councils and church bodies within the organisation’s jurisdiction to consider implementing CCEM. They clarified that the movement was not exclusive to any particular denomination and hence urged all the churches irrespective of denominations to help propagate and implement its guidelines in their respective localities.
(Cont’d on p-8)
DIMAPUR, JAN 22 (NPN): Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has appealed to NSCN (I-M) and Working Committee/NNPGs to uphold the sanctity and integrity of joint declaration and resolve the Naga political issue. NCD president Etsungmomo Kikon and general secretary LK Peter Anal said they longed and wished to see that the January 14 joint declaration was translated into reality, which NCD had been craving for.
They lauded NSCN (I-M) and WC leaderships for putting their hearts and minds together to cement their understanding for Naga solution on January 14, and take forward the peace process between the Centre and Nagas for early solution that could be deemed honourable and inclusive. NCD said the dark eclipse of sceptics vis-
à-vis Naga political solution was disappearing and there was a ray of hope when such praiseworthy and mutual understanding was reached between Naga Political groups.
They also lauded FNR, founded on Christian principle for the outstanding mission of spiritual and political groups thus far and resolved to support FNR in the process of Naga reconciliation till the final goal was achieved.
Pointing out that the brunt of evil effects of multiple NPGs were directly faced by the public and business community of Dimapur in the form of multiple taxations and other forceful tax collections. In view of this, NCD said it would cooperate with Naga civil society organisations that initiated people’s pressure for early Naga political solution.
DIMAPUR, JAN 22 (NPN): Janta Dal (United) Nagaland unit has announced that it would not have any seat-sharing alliance with any political party for ensuing Assembly election but was open to post-poll-alliance with any like-minded party in the formation of next government in the State.
Further, JDU also expressed its preparedness to contest in the electioneering process with an open mind so as to ensure free and fair election. The party stressed that the electorate must be given a congenial atmosphere to choose their own representatives without coercion or use of money.
NCD appeals NSCN (I-M) and WC to uphold sanctity of joint
NJCF to hold programme: Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) will be organizing a programme on “Church in the contemporary realities” on January 25 at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur. Resource persons, Rev. Dr. P. Dozo will speak on the topics, “protecting the Christian faith in the current religiopolitico scenario”; Rev. Fr. Chacko Karingthanil on “the church in the persecuted world”; Rev. Kari Longchar on “Church and election” and Loreign Ovung on “constitutional rights and civil code” Key note address will be delivered by NJCF president, Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho.
DC Mkg warns govt employees: Taking serious note of some government servants engaged in political activities and canvassing/campaigning for various political parties/candidates for the upcoming election, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mokokchung, Shashank Pratap Singh has warned of strict action against violation of Rule 24 (1)(2) of the Nagaland Government servants conduct rules. DC said that government employees should maintain absolute political neutrality and not to participate in the activities of or associate themselves with any organizations that has a political aspect.
NNC/FGN meeting: NNC/FGN has convened monthly meeting on January 30 at 10 am in Transit Peace Camp (TPC), Kohima. In this regard, all the members of the council of kilonsers, FGN, all midan peyus, C-in-C, Naga army along with four GOCs of Naga army, NNC office bearers, NNC advisors, Naga Women Federation’s leaders, Naga Youth Federation’s leaders, all regional presidents, NNC and all regional presidents of women organisations and NNC have been requested to attend the meeting positively.
Corrigendum: Apropos the news item published under the caption “Dr. Toshimeren hostel inaugurated in Kiphire” on January 22, should be read as “Dr.Toshimeren hostel inaugurated in Yangli” and not as published. Inadvertent error is regretted.
KOHIMA, JAN 22 (NPN): Western Angami Catholic Youth Association (WACYA) golden jubilee celebration under the theme, “U Ruopfü Pekrulie Khe” concluded on Sunday, following the Holy Eucharist at St John Bosco Campus, Khonoma.
Main celebrant of the jubilee, Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima in his homily congratulated the association for having reached a milestone.
He observed that jubilee was an occasion to rejoice and celebrate with gratitude to the pioneers who took the initiatives to form the association.
Highlighting the significance of the theme, “To preserve our soul”, Bishop urged the youths to live the present with greater commitment and look to the future with hope.
He prayed that the jubilee would be an occasion to allow God to touch the people and enable them to be doing good things for
God and his people, in the church and in the society as well.
Thoppil said, in a society where politicians manipulate facts and misuse public office for their vested interests, the mission of the disciples of Christ was difficult and challenging, but possible with God’s help and grace.
The Bishop also released the jubilee souvenir during the occasion.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by WACYA president, Keneisetuo Anthony, while Jotsoma Catholic Youth Association was the choir during the service.
On the first day the jubilee monolith was unveiled
and blessed by St. John the Evangelist Parish, Khonoma, parish priest-Rev Dr Fr Solomon Vizo.
Later in the evening, there was Talent Night and competition of Solo, Quartet and Choir during which Western Angami Catholic Catechist Union (WACCU) president-Seyielebei Savio, exhorted the gathering.
KOHIMA, JAN 22 (NPN): Kohima Excise manning Khuzama Excise inter-state Check gate while conducting routine checking of vehicles intercepted a vehicle (NL07H 5058) and seized 300gms of suspected heroin on January 21.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Excise Kohima (Zonal), Vithoselie Terhuja, the excise personnel at Khuzama at around 7:35 am intercepted, Maruti SX4 and on searching the vehicle detected two soap cases containing suspected Heroin and on thorough search of the vehicle recovered another 28 cases.
In this connection Rhaphunyi Domeh, a resident of Zhavame Village under Phek district was arrested and a case registered against for violation of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 85.
DIMAPUR: In view of the upcoming state assembly election, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders- Agriculture minister, Sarvjit Paswan and former RJD MLA, Bhola Yadav will be visiting the state on January 25 and 26 to hold discussions with local and party leaders to identify seat.
In a press release, RJD
Nagaland Unit informed that the decision was taken at a meeting with senior party leaders with dy. chief minister Tejaswhi Prasad Yadav on January 20. Meanwhile, in view of the central party leaders’ visit, RJD Nagaland Unit has convened a state executive meeting on January 23 at 3 pm at the party office, Dimapur.
KOHIMA: The two day annual Rüsoma orange festival 2023 will be held on January 24 and 25 with additional director, department of Rural Development, K. Neibu Sekhose as festival Father.
Addressing a press conference, Spokesperson for Orange Festival 2023, Kekhrie Pfukha on Sunday informed that the festival would display the bountiful products of oranges, local handicrafts, orange saplings, blacksmiths, coffee and fermented soybean.
He said that festival will be organised in collaboration with Smart city, Department of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture, Land resources and Horticulture.
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delegates from Assam.
It was discussed at length about the different areas to be covered in the special issue of the Patabhumi about the history and culture of the Nagas.
DIMAPUR: Following are the list of minister/ advisors/MLA who will be unfurling the national flag and take Rashtriya salute on the occasio of Republic Day on January 26 at different districts.
advisor, Prisons, Printing and Stationery, H. Haying at Shamator; advisor Horticulture and Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan at Longleng; advisor Village Guards and Informa-
tion & Public Relations, S. Keoshu Yimchunger at Noklak; deputy speaker Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Yangseo at Tunesang and MLA Yitachu at Kiphire.
DIMAPUR: Under the initiative of the Assamese Megazine “Patabhumi” and in association with Kohima Sahitya Sabha located at P.R. Hill Kohima, Naga –Assamese Literary meet was held under the chairmanship of Chandan Changmai, president of the Kohima Sahitya Sabha on January 21.
A press release by Dr HN Dutta, Vice Chancellor of The Global Open University Nagaland stated that the meet was to discuss
on bringing out a special issue of Patabhumi covering the history, tradition and culture of the people of Nagaland.
The literary meet was attended by Vezuho Keyhho, principal, Capital College of Higher Education of Editor and scholar Dr Vizonovo Elizabeth, eminent archaeologist Professor Tiatoshi Jamir, Nagaland University, the editor of Patabhumi Robin Bhuyan, members of the Kohima Sahitya Sabha and other
In the literary meet convened by Dr. H.N.Dutta, Vice Chancellor, TGOUN, lighted the lamp and discussed at length about the great educator Padmanath Gohain Barua and how as a Head Master of the Kohima English School Padmanath Gohain Barua contributed to the promotion of education among the various sections of Naga, Assamese, Bengali, Manipuri, Nepali students by writing books. He said that that the Patabhumi magazine would continue to uphold the process of good will between the Nagas and the Assamese existed since early historical times.
NLA speaker Sharingain Longkumer in Zunheboto; minister of Agriculture and Cooperation G. Kaito Aye at Tseminyu; minister of Planning and Coordination, Parliamentary Affairs and Land Revenue, Neiba Kronu at Chumoukedima; minister Health and Famly Welafre, S. Pangnyu Phom at Mon; minster of PHE, Jacob Zhimomi at Dimapur; minister of Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir at Wokha; minist er of Housing, Mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum at Peren; minister of Geology and Mining, Soil and Water Conservation, V. Kashiho Sangtam at Niuland; advisor F&CS, LM&CP, Pukhayi Sumi at Mokokchung; advisor, Sericulture, Excise, Minority Affairs, Zhaleo Rio at Phek;
LA, JAN 22 (IANS): Tripura ruling coalition member Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) has been holding seat-sharing talks wit h both current ally BJP and opposition Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) for the February 16 assembly polls.
IPFT President and state minister Prem Kumar Reang on Sunday said that they held a close door meeting with the TIPRA leaders led by party supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman in Guwahati on Saturday.
“We are now talking with both the BJP and the TIPRA. Our seat-sharing talks remained inconclusive so far. Once this is finalised we would announce it before the public,” the veteran tribal leader told IANS.
The IPFT, since 2009, has been demanding to make the areas under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) as a fullfledged state while the TIPRA, since 2021, has been demanding elevation of the TTAADC areas by granting of ‘Greater Tipraland State’ under Article 2 and 3 of the Constitution.
After the Saturday’s meeting in Guwahati, Reang said that the Central government and the BJP did not respond to their demand and if the BJP fulfilled its demands, “we would certainly fight the forthcoming polls jointly”.
“Deb Barman has been wholeheartedly fighting for the cause of the indigenous tribals. We are ready to fight the elections together. Talks are going on among us,” he said. On his part, Deb Barman told the media in Guwahati that the leaders of both the parties have started talks for merger or fighting together during which issues on common flag and symbol would be discussed.
About alliances with any other party, he said: “The party or parties which would give written assurance supporting our demand, we would
forge electoral alliance with them. It is completely false propaganda that we would go into alliance with BJP or Congress or CPI-M.”
Deb Barman said that the TIPRA, the IPFT, and all other like-minded parties can fight the upcoming Assembly polls together on a common symbol for the greater cause of the tribals, who constitute one third of Tripura’s little over four million population.
Responding to the influential tribal-based party’s appeal, the IPFT held discussions with them in Guwahati on Saturday.
The BJP, however, is yet to make any comment about the IPFT-TIPRA’s seat sharing talks.
“Officially we have no information about the seat sharing talks between the TIPRA and the IPFT,” BJP spokesman Nabendu Bhattacharjee told IANS.
TEZPUR, JAN 22 (PTI): Four months after signing a peace accord with the government, over 46 leaders and cadres of All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) laid down arms in Assam’s Sonitpur district on Sunday, a police officer said.
The former militants handed over weapons to top district police officers, including the Additional Superintendent of Police (crime) and the Deputy Superintendent of Police (border), at a ceremony in Dhekiajuli.
AANLA was among eight tribal militant organisations based in Assam which had signed peace agreement with the government on September 15, 2022, in New Delhi, in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, among others. Among the weapons deposited were eight pistols, six rifles and ammunition, a police officer said.
“More than 46 AANLA members laid down arms. Their ‘president’ D Nayak, who had already surrendered, was also present on the occasion,” he added. Nayak said the AANLA cadres laid down arms as they believe that the peace accord will be able to protect the rights of the tea tribes and ensure their development.
Meghachandra claimed that he or his team did not organize a press briefing inside that SP office complex on that day.
The media persons who were already there to cover the drug haul incident approached him for a comment on seeing him there, he said.
IMPHAL/KOHIMA,
JAN 22 (IANS): Three years before India’s Independence, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the nationalist iconic leader of the freedom movement against British rule, not only set foot in northeast India but also boosted the struggle against the British Raj.
Manipur’s Moirang, 48 km from capital city Imphal in Bishnupur district, has a special place in the history of India’s freedom struggle only due to Subhas Chandra Bose as the flag of the Indian National Army (INA) was unfurled there on April 14, 1944.
As the local people were celebrating Cheiraoba (Manipuri New Year), a column of the INA’s Bahadur Group (Intelligence wing) led by Col Saukat Ali Malik reached Tringlaobi, a village about 5 km from Moirang.
A few local leaders went to meet them and ushered them in to Moirang, where Col Malik hoisted the Tricolour on April 14, 1944, with a springing tiger on it, at the historic Moirang Kangla (an ancient spot for the ceremonial coronation of the kings).
Thus, Moirang became the second place on Indian soil where the Azad Hind flag was hoisted, the first being in Port Blair in the Andamans where Netaji hoisted it on December 30,
1943. The INA Museum in Moirang, inaugurated on September 23, 1969, has a collection of priceless letters, invaluable photographs, badges of ranks and other war memorabilia that reminds the visitors of the sacrifices made by the INA soldiers under the charismatic leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose.
Not only in Manipur’s Moirang, villagers of different Nagaland villages specially at Ruzazho and Chesezu villages, both in Phek district, kept the legacy of Subhas Chandra Bose alive.
Acco rding to Dr Samudra Gupta Kashyap, a veteran Guwahati-based author and journalist, Ruzazho is a small village, which a section of local people claim, was liberated from the British by the Azad Hind Fauj or INA in April 1944.
The Azad Hind government is said to have ‘administered’ it for a few months thereafter, with local historians claiming that Netaji had himself visited the Naga Hills, had spent a few days at Ruzazho, and had also appointed a local youth Vesuyi Swuro as a dobashi (interpreter).
The INA had apparently also set up a small operational base at Ruzazho for some time in 1944 till the defeat of Japanese forces in the Battle of Ko-
hima. A house, said to be where Netaji had stayed, is preserved as also some artefacts of the Azad Hind Fauj, Kashyap told IANS referring to the villagers and historians.
Kashyap, in his recent book titled ‘Untold Stories of the Freedom Struggle from Northeast India’, said on October 21, 1943, Netaji formed the Provisional Government of Free India in Singapore.
In March 1944, when Japan decided to attack British India, the focus was directly on Manipur, and for that matter the entire north-eastern region.
While the 1,15,000 strong Fifteenth Army of Japan was directed towards India, three Japanese divisions and one division of the INA were the first to make a combined march from Myanmar to Manipur. The book said that on March 18, 1944, the INA moved from Burma (Myanmar) into India through Manipur, targeting Imphal and Kohima.
The objectives of the Japanese and the INA were different. While the Japanese invasion was intended as a ‘pre-emptive strike’ to prevent British attempts to take back Burma, Netaji’s idea was that once Imphal and Kohima were captured, the INA would march into Assam and Bengal, where they would
receive a hero’s welcome, and the Indian national movement to oust the British would receive a massive boost, the author said in his book.
The INA soldiers marching alongside the Japanese troops chanted the mantra “Chalo Dilli” and sang “Kadam kadam barhaye jaa” while crossing the India-Burma border to step onto Indian soil. The goal was to see the Indian flag flutter atop the Red Fort in Delhi by driving out the British, Kashyap said in the book.
There is a list available of prominent Nagas who had rendered valuable assistance to the Azad Hind Fauj during the siege of Imphal and Kohima. They include Hepuni Asikho, Kaikhu Angami, Kevialia, Kapuphizo, Kaikho, Raisung, Nikhino Mao, Saunglou and a young woman called Shiningla.
Each of the three Japanese divisions had a regiment of the INA with it. Netaji’s concept was that once the INA marched onto Indian soil, it would further intensify the freedom movement. Prior to that, Manipur had already had the first experiences of the Second World War when two powerful Japanese bombs were dropped on Imphal on May 10 and 16, 1942, leading to a number of civilian casualties.
SHILLONG, JAN 22 (PTI): Authorities in pollbound Meghalaya have seized unaccounted cash of over Rs 10 lakh in a village in East Jaintia Hills district, officials said on Sunday.
IMPHAL, JAN 22: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra Singh on Sunday strongly reacted to chief minister N Biren Singh’s recent threat to lodge a FIR against him for allegedly hampering the investigation into the arrest of five police commandos with a huge consignment of drugs.
On January 16, five personnel of the state police commando were arrested following recovery
of a large quantity of narcotic drugs – 1.336 kg of heroin (No. 4) powder and 9.151 kg of WY tablets –from the vehicle they were travelling.
Chief minister N Biren Singh, on January 20, said that a FIR would be lodged against the MPCC president alleging that he had hampered the investigation into the drug haul case by threatening the Kakching SP.
Addressing reporters in Imphal’s Congress Bhavan, the MPCC chief said he visited the district
headquarters on hearing the news while on a tour in Thoubal district.
“I along with some Congress members, paid the visit only to extend support to the government’s war on drugs and to appreciate the SP for the successful operation,” he said.
“We did discuss the drug menace and on the need for a thorough investigation into the drug related cases. I suggested the SP for a fair and flawless investigation so as not to let the culprit(s) scot-free,” he added.
“On their (media persons) insistence that I share my comment on the drug haul case,” he added.
“Lodging FIR against an MLA for rendering his service amount to breach of privilege. It is a breach of privilege of a people’s representative in a democratic country like India,” he said.
Not only in democratic India but also in the commonwealth countries, legislators or parliamentarians enjoy the power, privilege and immunities under their respective provision of their respective constitutions to visit any government office, he said.
The unaccounted cash was recovered from vehicles coming from Assam in three separate operations in Umkiang village in the Sutnga-Saipung assembly constituency, they said. “The district authorities have seized Rs 10.72 lakh in cash in Sutnga-Saipung assembly seat. No one was arrested so far in these cash seizures,” Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor told PTI. East Jaintia Hills SP Jagpal Dhanoa said the “cash was seized from vehicles coming from neighbouring Assam on Friday” as the occupants of such cars could not produce any valid document for carrying the liquid asset.
AGARTALA, JAN 22
(PTI): The Trinamool Congress will not join the CPI(M)-Congress alliance in the ensuing Tripura Assembly election, a senior party leader said on Sunday.
Tripura Trinamool Congress president Pijush Kanti Biswas said TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister will arrive
in Tripura on February 6 to campaign for party candidates.
“The TMC is not going to forge any electoral understanding with the CPI(M)-Congress combine in the ensuing Tripura Assembly elections because many Congress leaders and workers who had suffered during Communist regime will not vote for
their own party”, said Biwas. “Our assessment is that the CPI(M)-Congress initiative will face the similar fate what had happened in West Bengal Assembly election in 2021, that’s why we will keep our distance from it”, he said. Biswas said “Trinamool Congress will contest the election in the seats where the party has a chance to win and
TMC’s doors are open for other parties for electoral understanding.”
He said Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee will arrive in Tripura on February 6 on a two-day visit and is scheduled to join a roadshow.
“Party supremo is set to arrive in the poll bound state on February 6 to campaign for the party. She
the progress of work.
An NFR source said Rs 2,353 crore was sanctioned in the Union Budget of 2018 for electrification of entire track length under it. It included 2,536 km of track length in BadarpurLumding, Badarpur-Silchar (including Arunachal-Jiribam, Katakhal-Bairabi) and Badarpur-Sabroom (Badarpur-Karimganj AgartalaKarimganj-Mahishashan).
will join a road show to be organized on the following day”, he said. Biswas said the party’s All India general secretary (Abhishek Banerjee) is scheduled to arrive here on February 2 for the election campaign. “He will address two election rallies at Dharmanagar in North Tripura and Boxanagar in Sepahijala district”, he said.
GUWAHATI, JAN 22 (IANS): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that Shah Rukh Khan called him up late Saturday night. The actor expressed concern over his upcoming film ‘Pathaan’ poster being burnt by some members of Bajrang Dal in Guwahati.
Sarma wrote on Twitter, “Bollywood actor Shri @iamsrk called me and we talked today morning at 2 am. He expressed concern about an incident in Guwahati during screening of his film. I assured him that it’s the duty of the state govt to maintain law & order. We’ll enquire and ensure no such untoward incidents.”
Sources close to the Chief Minister said that Shah Rukh Khan first texted Sarma and then called him. Khan sought Assam CM’s cooperation for the smooth release of his upcoming
movie in the state. Sarma has assured the actor of maintaining law and order.
Notably, several members of the right-wing group created ruckus in the city’s LG Towers on Friday and forcibly pulled down posters promoting Khan’s next release ‘Pathaan’. The Bajrang Dal has already threatened that they will not allow the release of the movie in Assam.
Reacting to this inci -
He also said, “If someone has done anything wrong, let the victims file a case and we shall take action. Also, Shah Rukh Khan did not call me to seek help in this regard.”
GUWAHATI, JAN 22 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that the government wants to reduce the number of Madrassas in the state and start registration of the system.
Addressing a press conference, the Assam Chief Minister said, “We want to reduce the number of Madrasas in the state in the first phase.”
GUWAHATI, JAN 22 (PTI): The first meeting of the Youth20 (Y20) group, being organised on the sidelines of the G20 summit, will be held in Assam’s largest city Guwahati from February 6 to 8, an official statement said on Sunday.
“We want to put general education in Madrasas and start a system of registration in Madrasas,” he added.
He also said that they are working with the minority community and they are also helping in it.
“We are working with the community on this and they are also helping the Assam government,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday,
Assam’s Director General of Police (DGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahant said that discussions were underway for bringing reforms to madrasas in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Monday, the Assam DGP said, “Madrasas are running properly in Assam. Today, we interacted with 68 people running madrasas.”
HAILAKANDI (ASSAM), JAN 22 (AGENCIES):
Trains running on electric traction are expected to reach Barak Valley of southern Assam by the end of this year, a top Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) official said.
Work of track electrification is going on in full swing, especially in the hilly terrain, he said. “Installation of electric lines is going on. We are expecting that trains on electric traction will start coming to Silchar by the end of 2023,” NFR general
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of electric lines has been intensified in the hilly areas, he added. Gupta visited various routes and stations of Barak Valley during the trip and assessed
The work was delayed due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and consequent restrictions. The first passenger train running entirely on electric traction had reached the North East on October 22, 2021, when the Delhi-Kamakhya (Brahmaputra) Mail Special pulled into the Kamakhya Railway Station in Guwahati.
This is the first of the various meetings to be held on the five Y20 themes across India in a run-up to the final Youth20 Summit in August 2023, it said. “More than 250 delegates from across the world are expected to participate in the three-day event in Assam. It will focus on five themes of Future of Work; Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction; Peace Building and Reconciliation; Youth in Democracy and Health, Wellbeing and Sports,” the Press Information Bureau (PIB) release
said. Y20 is one of the eight official engagement groups under the G20 umbrella. The youth summit usually takes place some weeks prior to the traditional forum to know what the youths are thinking and incorporate their suggestions in their own policy proposals. The Y20 India Summit in 2023 would exemplify the country’s youthcentric efforts and provide an opportunity to showcase its values and policy measures to the youth across the globe, the statement said. In order to create a participative and inclusive deliberation process in the run up to the Y20 meeting, over 50 universities and colleges across all districts of the state are organising seminars, workshops, debates and panel discussions in their campuses from January 19 onwards.
I, Mr. Ramu Karmakar declare that in my service joint bank account (SBI Rangapahar Cantt) my name has been entered as “Ramu Doom” and my wife name as “Rupali Devi” where Affidavit bearing Regd. No. 120/2023 dated 20/01/2023, from now my actual name is Ramu Karmakar and my wife name as Rupali Karmakar and shall be used for all purposes. DP-341/23
Affid Avit Regd. No. 1531/2023 Dated 19/01/2023
I, Mrs. Thsapila Sangtam, W/o S. Selongmong Sangtam, R/o H/No 156, Walford Area, Bethesda School, Burma Camp, Dimapur : Nagaland do hereby solemnly declare and affirm as follows :
1. That, I am a bonafide citizen of India and a resident of the above mentioned address.
2. That, my official name is Mrs. Thsapila Sangtam as entered and recorded in my Aadhaar Card bearing No. 4906 1947 2371.
3. That, my name has been inadvertently entered/recorded as Mrs. Thsapilila Sangtam in my husband’s service book.
4. That, the name Mrs. Thsapila Sangtam and Mrs. Thsapilila Sangtam refers to the same and one person.
5. That, this affidavit is made for the purpose of declaring that henceforth my official name Mrs. Thsapila Sangtam shall be used for/in all my future official purposes/correspondence.
6. That, this affidavit is made to aver the above made statements.
I hereby verify that the statements made in Paras 1-6 are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and nothing material is concealed therein.
Over Rs 10 lakh unaccounted cash seized in M’layaMPCC press conference in Imphal on Sunday. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Shah Rukh Khan manager Ansul Gupta said in Silchar on Saturday. The work of the in stallation AT Photo (Representational image)
MUMBAI, JAN 22 (PTI): The Mumbai police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) arrested two persons for alleged possession of mephedrone worth Rs 23 lakh in suburban Shivaji Nagar area, an official said on Sunday. The ANC’s Worli unit nabbed a 27-yearold man with 56 gm of the banned substance at Govandi on Saturday, the official said. On interrogation, the accused provided information about a supplier, who was later arrested from Shivaji Nagar and 60 gm of mephedrone was recovered from him, he said.
UDHAGAMANDALAM (TN), JAN 22 (PTI): A 60-year old man was trampled to death by an elephant while he was collecting firewood near Gudalur in Nilgiris district on Sunday, police said. Hearing him scream for help, people nearby went to the spot, but he had died by then, the police said, adding that the animal was seen moving away. Forest officials arrived and began further investigations, the police said.
SHAHJAHANPUR
(UP), JAN 22 (PTI): A 35-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a two-month-old cow calf, police here said on Sunday. The calf belongs to Dhara Singh, a resident of Chanpur village in Sehramau. It was allegedly raped by Ramprasad (35), a resident of the same village, on Saturday night, Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Sanjay Kumar said. Local residents beat up the accused after catching him in the act and handed him over to the police.
NAGPUR, JAN 22 (PTI): A man was arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old daughter of his live-in partner in Nagpur city of Maharashtra over a period of one year, police said on Sunday. The 37-year-old accused is a resident of Wathoda area of the city, they said.
He indulged in the crime for the past one year and threatened the victim of dire consequences, due to which she did not reveal about it to anyone, he said.
KODERMA, JAN 22 (PTI): A gas tanker driver was charred to death after his vehicle collided with a truck and caught fire in Jharkhand’s Koderma district on Sunday afternoon, police said. The incident occurred in a valley area of the district, some 175 km from the state capital Ranchi, when the empty gas tanker collided headon with the truck and the tanker cabin caught fire, police said.
GHAZIABAD (UP), JAN 22 (PTI): A rickshaw puller was arrested here for allegedly killing a man and chopping his body into pieces over suspicion of him having illicit relations with his wife, police said on Sunday. Severed body parts of the victim, Akshay (24), a native of Rajasthan’s Kotputli town, were recovered from the embankment road of Hindon canal on Saturday, they said.
BHOPAL, JAN 22 (PTI):
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of creating hatred among people in order to regain power, and alleged that he was tarnishing India’s image on international platforms.
Addressing a programme organised by the Madhya Pradesh government to provide land rights of residential plots to the poor in Singrauli district of the state located around 650 kms from here, Singh asked Gandhi not to play with India’s “prestige and pride”.
The minister also said that in the recent clash with the Chinese troops, Indian soldiers did a “charismatic job” and displayed bravery, and slammed the Congress for questioning the valour of the country’s jawans.
“Is India breaking? The country already got divided in 1947. Pakistan was created, though the leaders at that time were not in favour… These days, Rahul Gandhi is going around saying in his Bharat Jodo Yatra that there is hatred everywhere in India,” he said.
“Rahulji, what has happened to you? You want
Rajnath Singhto regain power by creating hatred. Power cannot be achieved by creating hatred, it can be achieved only by earning the public’s trust and love.”
“I want to ask him who is creating hatred in India?
Is Modiji creating hatred in the whole country? Is (MP Chief Minister) Shivraj Singh (Chouhan) doing the work of creating hatred in Madhya Pradesh? Are these leaders creating hatred among people? Where did he see it,” he asked the gathering. The minister also accused the Congress of trying to defame India and tarnish its image by saying that only hatred prevails in India, although the country has earned great respect in the world now.
India is the only country that considers all the people of the world as its family. India is being maligned that there is only hatred in India, he alleged. India has never
discriminated on the basis of caste, creed or religion as those born on Indian soil are brothers as all have sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence, he added.
“I humbly want to say to Rahulji, don’t spoil the image of India in the world by talking about hatred. You are creating hate by talking about it. You create hatred towards Modi and BJP by going to the people. The whole world is getting the image that there is only hatred in India,” he said.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s remark that he is out to sell love in the market of hatred, Singh asked the gathering, “Have you also got some love from him? Now what does he know about love?”
He said that Rahul Gandhi and Congress members should keep in mind that politics should not be done just to form the government and it should be done for the society and the country. “Rahulji, don’t play with India’s prestige and pride.
India is moving forward, if you can cooperate then do it, if you can’t, then sit silently, don’t try to defame India in the international arena,” he said.
Singh also said that Congress leaders can defame the Bharatiya Janata
MANGALURU, JAN 22
(PTI): The ruling BJP is trying to turn coastal Karnataka into a laboratory of Hindutva for their political advantage, Opposition Leader in the state assembly Siddaramaiah said on Sunday.
Addressing reporters in Udupi, Siddaramaiah said BJP leaders are more interested in speaking about ‘love jihad’ than development issues. BJP is spreading lies in the name of Hindutva to cause division in society, the Congress leader alleged. He said Hinduism and Hindutva are entirely different.
The former chief minister, who was in Udupi as part of the ‘Praja Dhwani’
Siddaramaiah
programme of Congress, said people have come to realise the mindset of the BJP. Congress believes in spreading love among the people regardless of their religion, he said.
Siddaramaiah said terrorism of any nature should be condemned by all and those who work behind such activities should be severely
laws belongs to Parliament, he said.
“... Whether you can amend the Constitution?
punished. He claimed that BJP cannot come back to power in Karnataka even if Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah visit the state several times. Siddaramaiah said he has decided to contest from Kolar in the assembly election, but the final decision is up to the party high command. The Congress leader expressed confidence that his party will win 130 seats in the forthcoming polls. There are 224 seats in the Karnataka Assembly.
The party will considerably improve its position in the twin coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, he said.
Party (BJP), but they dared to question the bravery and valour of the country’s army and soldiers who risked their lives to protect the country.
“Being the country’s defence minister, I don’t want to speak openly. But I wanted to make it clear that whatever war has happened this time, be it between India-China, the bravery that our army soldiers have exhibited, if I discuss it in front of anyone, then everyone will boast, they have done a charismatic job,” Singh said.
Last month, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that China was preparing for war and the Indian government was sleeping over it and trying to ignore the threat. He had also alleged that China had taken away 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, killed 20 Indian soldiers and was “thrashing our jawans in Arunachal Pradesh”.
Singh said that India’s economy has made a place among top five economies in the country during the past eight years.
Earlier, Rajnath Singh and MP CM Chouhan distributed free plots under CM Land Rights Scheme to over 25,000 beneficiaries besides disbursing the benefits of Rs 135 crore to 6.78 lakh farmers under the CM Kisan Kalyan Yojana.
CHENNAI, JAN 21 (AGENCIES): Tamil Nadu governor R.N. Ravi said that the wrong narrative created by the British that the people of Nagaland were different and did not belong to India was at the core of the prolonged conflict in the State, The Hindu report stated.
He was responding to a question during an interaction with a group of IAS trainees here about his role as the interlocutor for the Naga peace talks between 2014 and 2021.
Realising that this British-created narrative, followed later even by the Government of India, was wrong, he gave a clear message after taking charge as the interlocutor to the negotiating groups that the narrative of Nagaland not being a part of India was unacceptable. One of the first things he did was to make Delhi the venue for talks, which happened until then in other countries as part of an earlier agreement. He said they were “globetrotting” at the expense of Government of India. Similarly, the government refused to be “blackmailed” that the talks could be held with only one group.
Ravi said he told them
that they had to accept that Nagaland was part of India and a solution should be reached within India’s Constitutional framework while some special [privileges] could be considered by amending the Constitution.
Recalling a public meeting he attended in Nagaland after taking charge as interlocutor, he told the people there two things. One was that the Government of India must accept that Nagas had to be won over by love and not by military action and the second was that the Nagas must accept that they could not drive India out of Nagaland. Stating that the Naga people liked clarity and plain speaking, he said they came around even though they were initially unhappy.
He blamed the Brit -
ish for creating a divide between the plains and the hills in the northeast and between the northeast and the rest of India. Stating that the British control over Bengal disconnected the traditional ties between the northeast and rest of the country, he said it was worsened by the Inner Line Permit (ILP) introduced in 1873. He said the ILP was introduced in the backdrop of an American Baptist writing to the then Bengal Governor about his inability to reach the hills to take the gospel.
Arguing that the British narrative continued even later, he said one would be shocked by the communication between the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Assam in the 1950s in which the former advised the latter to be “slow” and “sensitive” as the people there were “different”. He said this led to the country’s response being one of appeasement.
On his role as Tamil Nadu Governor, he said it had been a wonderful learning experience. Highlighting that he had been learning Tamil, the Governor said he could read newspapers in Tamil and hoped to start speaking Tamil soon.
NEW DELHI, JAN 22 (PTI): Colourful tableaux from Assam, Maharshatra, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gujarat, West Bengal and several other states and Union Territories will roll down the revamped Kartavya Path during the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, with ‘Nari Shakti’ being the theme for majority of the floats.
A total of 23 tableaux -- 17 from states and Union territories, and six from various ministries and departments -- depicting India’s vibrant cultural heritage, economic and social progress will be part of the ceremonial parade, Defence Ministry officials said on Sunday.
Among the Union
ministries and central government agencies, the Ministry of Home Affairs will display two tableaux -- one each by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), while one each will be exhibited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Culture and the Central Public Works Department that falls under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, a senior official told reporter here.
A preview of many of the tableaux, some of which are still being constructed or given finishing touches, was held at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp in the city.
“A total of 23 tableaux -- 17 from states and Union territories and six
from various ministries and departments will be part if the R-Day parade. Besides, there will be floats by the Army, Navy and the Air Force, and a vehicle will be displayed by the DRDO,” the official said.
The theme adopted this year by various states is largely ‘Nari Shakti’, besides cultural heritage and other themes, the official said.
The West Bengal tableau depicts Durga Puja in Kolkata and celebrates its inscription on the UNES-
CO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
This will be the first Republic Day celebrations hosted at the ceremonial boulevard after Rajpath was renamed to ‘Kartavya Path’ last year. A full dress rehearsal for the parade will be held on Monday.
The 74th Republic Day celebrations will take place on the revamped Central Vista avenue, and the government has put 32,000 tickets on sale online for the masses, defence ministry officials had earlier said.
NEW DELHI, JAN 22
(PTI): Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday sought to support the views of a retired high court judge, who said the Supreme Court “hijacked” the Constitution by deciding to appoint judges itself.
The government and the judiciary have been at loggerheads over the process of appointment of judges to the higher judiciary,
Rijiju shared the video of an interview of Justice R S Sodhi (retd), a former judge of the Delhi Court, saying it is “voice of a judge” and that majority of people have similar “sane views”. Justice Sodhi said the right to frame laws lies with Parliament.
The law minister also said that “actually majority of the people have similar sane views. It’s only those people who disregard the provisions of the Constitution and mandate of the people think that they are above the Constitution of India.”
In the interview, Justice Sodhi also said the apex court cannot frame laws as it does not have the right to do so. The right to frame
Only Parliament will amend Constitution. But here I feel the Supreme Court for the first time ‘hijacked’ the Constitution. After ‘hijacking’ they (SC) said that we will appoint (judges) ourselves and the government will have no role in it,” Justice Sodhi said in Hindi.
The appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and the high courts has become a major flashpoint between the Executive and the Judiciary.
While Rijiju has described the collegium system to appoint judges as something “alien” to the Indian Constitution, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has questioned the top court for striking down the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act (NJAC)and a related constitution amendment.
Also the chairman of Rajya Sabha, Dhankar had said a law passed by Parliament, which reflects the will of the people, was “undone” by the Supreme Court and “the world does not know of any such instance”.
By bringing the NJAC law, the government had sought to overturn the collegium system which came into being in 1992.The apex court has questioned the government for delay in clearing the appointments of Supreme Court and High Court judges.
JAMMU, JAN 22 (PTI): A special team of the National Investigation Agency on Sunday inspected the scene of the twin blasts here, officials said.
Back-to-back blasts in Narwal on the outskirts of Jammu City had left nine people injured on Saturday. Police suspect that improvised explosive devices were used to carry out the twin explosions in an SUV parked in a repair shop and in a vehicle at a nearby junkyard at the Transport Nagar area. The explosions occurred at a time when security agencies in the region are on high alert for the Congress’ ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra and the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.
NIA team visited the site of the blasts in the morning and the federal anti-terror agency is likely to take over the case for a thorough probe, the officials said. Officers of the probe agency spent over an hour at the scene of the blasts and collected samples before leaving. The area is still under a security cordon and a massive sanitisation operation is underway, they said.
In a related development, the Army’s White Knight Corps said a joint intelligence and security conference was held in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district to review the prevailing internal situation based on the assessments of participating agencies.
says SC ‘hijacked’ ConstitutionKiren Rijiju
Asks ‘is India broken?’RN Ravi (File)
Creation of more districts was a proposal made during the tenure of the Congress government in 1998-2003 but which were fulfilled only from 2004 when Longleng, Kiphire and Peren were created by the newly elected NPF-led coalition government. Thus the three newly created districts were in addition to eight in existence –Kohima, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Mon, Wokha, Zunheboto, Dimapur and Phek districts. The new districts proposed during 1998-2003 were essentially to bring development closer to people but in another sense, it was also about populism. The NPF-led DAN government did not stop there as it continued on its populist journey in fulfilling its claim of being a ‘people’s government’ when it created five more new districts in 2017(Noklak); 2021 (Chümoukedima, Niuland, Tseminyu) and 2022 (Shamator). Creating districts followed the policy of consideration based on existence of a language spoken by a majority community or communities. Such policies make eople who are the beneficiaries, extremely happy and by doing so, the government also believes it has done an excellent job in fulfilling the promises made either before or during elections. Recently veteran Naga politician and former chief minister (and governor) Dr.S.C.Jamir had called into question the wisdom of creating so many districts, two of which have a population of a maximum of 12,000. The rest of the remaining districts have population of around 60,000 and above and upto around 2 lakh. In his statement, Dr.Jamir had said that before Nagaland became a state prior to 1963, it was a small district under Assam known as Naga Hills Tuensang Area( amalgamation of Naga Hills district and Tuensang Frontier Division) and with a population of around 3,69,000. Perhaps, like Nagaland being created out of political necessity; many more districts of the erstwhile district under Assam, were also created due to political interests of the political parties. Creation of more districts means that a huge chunk of budget would have to be spent for administrative purposes and leave less for development. Taking the example of Nagaland, civil societies have yet to come to grips with how they should devote adequate attention to this pressing need besides raising various socio-political issues. All told, it is pertinent to understand that a civil society is the domain of social organization within which voluntary associative relations are dominant. These societies need to enlighten and educate the common people about individual responsibility towards effecting good governance. If civil societies focus only on raising issues to get the attention of the government or those in authority, they miss out on the need to nurture people’s participation in all spheres. Providing basic administrative infrastructure and not necessarily expanding them, should be a common agenda that should not necessarily become a political gambit; after all, the government of India foots the bills and expects any right thinking government to do just that. Reforms in the administration, police and judiciary are also growing needs of a state that has been imbalanced by too much politics. Democracy means the rule of the people, but at most times, it is also about what belongs to the people.
Look to Me, and be saved… —Isaiah 45:22 Do we expect God to come to us with His blessings and save us? He says, “Look to Me, and be saved….” The greatest difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and His blessings are what make it so difficult. Troubles almost always make us look to God, but His blessings tend to divert our attention elsewhere. The basic lesson of the Sermon on the Mount is to narrow all your interests until your mind, heart, and body are focused on Jesus Christ. “Look to Me….”
Many of us have a mental picture of what a Christian should be, and looking at this image in other Christians’ lives becomes a hindrance to our focusing on God. This is not salvation— it is not simple enough. He says, in effect, “Look to Me and you are saved,” not “You will be saved someday.” We will find what we are looking for if we will concentrate on Him. We get distracted from God and irritable with Him while He continues to say to us, “Look to Me, and be saved….” Our difficulties, our trials, and our worries about tomorrow all vanish when we look to God.
Wake yourself up and look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter how many things seem to be pressing in on you, be determined to push them aside and look to Him. “Look to Me….” Salvation is yours the moment you look.
Nine states, 350 Lok Sabha seats, reach the marginalized communities is the goal 2024 for the BJP. A tall order but the party, RSS cadre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have the capability to do it.
They have created an organizational structure that is on a 24-hour into continuous election campaign mode. The strong cadre of the party and its coordination or the repository of leadership in the RSS is its strength.
It has a thinking set-up that continuously re-strategizes its working mode to capture seats, more seats and change government policies accordingly.
Contrary to the opposition charges of being reckless, the BJP takes every step in a calculated manner even how it has to raise its noise level, a successful tool to drown the voices in the Opposition. It helps it keep the opposition off the public mind and penetration in the people’s perception becomes easier. That makes it a little
callous about its approaches. Rabble rousers do the rest. Deviation from standard protocol is an effective tool to carry forward its vijay yatra even in the portals of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The chairs have moved away from their standard format of being neutral in Parliament to act for the ruling party. Unlike some of the previous Speakers, who even quit their party membership officially to have a semblance of neutrality, there is no pretence. It is not different. Theose who were neutral also had been soft towards the ruling group.
The Opposition has seemingly accepted disciplining by the Speaker Om Birla or Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh. The houses function with the opposition demurring outside.
It serves the ruling party and it does not mind switching off the mikes.
Managing the house has been easy. Digital presentation of replies makes it easier to keep noise against at a low level help-
ing the treasury benches to get its work done smoothly. In the open fields too it tries to get over the voices to carry forward its goal.
The Bharat Jodo yatra of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has shaken but not rattled it. It makes its moves sharper as the January 16 road show of about 700 metres exemplify. In the party’s perception Modi has got the mileage more than the Long Rahul March has achieved. A simple stroke has put the achievements of the government to the fore of everyone. Party men wonder the calculated mechanism that makes it achieve more with less effort.
This is what gives the BJP confidence to win 350 seats, from the present 303 of its own, to form a one-party government with minimal allies. That is why Modi has given the call to penetrate the Muslim minorities. If a small section of the Hindus move away from the party at the hustings, it is keen on making it
up with Muslim and other community votes, who so far have not been its voters.
It is perceived that about 2 percent Muslims even now votes for the BJP. But it wants to multiply that with more pasmanda -backward – Muslim votes numbering about 14 crore as per 2011 census. The new modern mosque at Ayodhya may show its friendly face to the Muslims.
Many smaller tribes, caste groups and farming classes are not its voters. If they join the BJP votes may go up from 22 crore of a total of 91 crore in 2019. About 7 to 10 crore new voters join the electoral list every five years. Even half of it can do wonders to increase its tally in a 100 crore electoral college.
So is it not bothered of the Congress whimper? The BJP and its parent body are careful. They have never ignored the Opposition.
They know how to tackle and splinter it. Its masterstroke of withdraw-
My attention was drawn to the political developments of the last few days wherein the foremost of all, elections have been announced to be conducted in the State of Nagaland on February 27, 2023. One cannot have any serious problem with that as it is understood that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is carrying out its constitutional duty.
What matters before us is the issue which is no other than the political stand taken by the GoI to dump the Nagaland political issue in the backbench.
It is a blatant anti-thesis to what the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi and the key players in the Government have been stating all these while.
During the last 25 years of the political negotiations between the two entities, all the contentious matters were supposed to have been sorted out and the processes of negotiations were officially completed by 31.10.2019. Remarks to that effect were made on the floor of Nagaland State Assembly by the then Governor Shri. R.N. Ravi, the constitutional head of the State.
The WC, 7 NNPGs has been positive, forthcoming and keen to conclude the negotiation into a solution. On the contrary,
ing the three farm bills are testimony how it confused the agitating farmers to act in cross purposes giving the party an edge in the supposed western UP stronghold of the farmers. Already it has announced free food dole to continue till 2024 polls.
In a battered Gujarat, its well-oiled machinery in a fizzy managed to cast 16 lakh votes, two hours after the polling time. A weak Congress could not match the “forward thinking”, as the party men describe, move to match it, in Congress perspective a winning election.
If AAP helped cut Congress votes and help the BJP, that again is a folly of the Congress. To quote RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat “Hindus are at war and aggression natural”. The BJP is aggressive and splintered opposition is yet not match.
Among the nine states going to polls this year, the BJP is in power in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tripura and it’s a part of ruling coalition in Nagaland and Megha-
what we have today was not expected at all.
The GoI has simply sought to ignore its own promise that the issue would be resolved within 18 months time and its “Election for Solution” as was pledged in 2018. The consensus voice of the genuine stakeholders of Nagaland for political solution has been scuttled by the insensitivity of New Delhi. The people of Nagaland have been let down at the behest of those who are hell bent to totally destroy Nagaland.
Let me remind the rulers of the great country, India. All kinds of illegal taxation, kidnapping of harmless citizens for ransom, all kinds of extortion under threats and coercion, peddling of banned drugs and substances, and bootlegging liquor in Nagaland against the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act of 1989 are the regular activities of the people of terror. Anyone who indulges in any of these anti-people activities normally use terror stratagems in pursuit of one’s objective.
A person or a group of persons or an organization might not be necessarily declared as a terrorist, and yet if the activities are of terrorism in nature it becomes the same.
During the last 25 years of political engagement between
the GoI and the Naga negotiating groups under ceasefire, the citizens in Nagaland have remained to be the victim of the aforementioned rampant activities. Whereas, through all these years, the NDPP-BJP alliance Govt. has remained helpless spectator to the plight of the gullible common man. Rather, it remains obvious that there remains the tacit connivance between some of the suppressors and the elected Govt.
Besides, I vividly remember what the Prime Minister gave much emphasis on fighting against corruption and its eradication in the country in his address to the Nation on the last Independence day in Delhi. Whereas, whether Nagaland is within or outside the purview of the speech of the PM?
The GoI is super sensitive to any terrorist activity in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The GoI tends to blame Pakistan always for terror sponsor.
It goes to any extent to contain the terrorist activities so as to give security to its citizens in those two Union territories.
Does the GoI has similar policy to protect the citizens of Nagaland from suppression by anti-people elements? Are the people of Nagaland considered second class citizens by New
Delhi?
The latest evidence of how the rogues do rule the roost in Nagaland is how the Adviser to Chief Minister, Nagaland and General Secretary Abu Metha was reportedly threatened in connection with BDPPBJP seat sharing in Phugoboto A/C. The local papers reported that Abu Metha brought it to the knowledge of the attendees which included the Union Home Minister. In the same breadth, the CM, the NDPP and the NSCN(IM) have refuted the news report. Whatever may be the contention, had there not been spark, there would not have been smoke around.
Abu Metha is neither a kid nor a dumb and he remained silent, whereas, he is supposed to clarify it rather than those busy bodies.
Not in election matters alone, but in every matter of governance, Nagaland has been under the dictate of rogue elements in connivance with the Govt.
The people of Nagaland being tired and weary of living with the alien culture of unabated exploitation, corruption and suppression of the fundamental rights of the people, the political solution was therefore ardently demanded.
The BJP being the ruling
laya. Mizoram is friendly enough. It feels NE is easy to manage except to some extent Tripura. The other five states Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka would see sharp barbs and surprise moves from the BJP.
The Congress is in power in Rajasthan and Chhhattisgarh where it would face tough challenge and not easy to put up a fight in North East, except some feeble attempts in Tripura.
But voting records also show that the BJP strike rate in terms of seats is lower than its Lok Sabha performance. Madhya Pradesh is a post-poll maneuver and Telangana polls are likely to be triangular.
Despite that possibly as BJP president Nadda says it would sail through and capture most of 160 LS seats that are not with it. Intense electioneering has already been started even before the Delhi National Executive Council meeting. The opposition has yet not even strategized.
major partner in Nagaland knows well that Nagaland desperately needs healing and deliverance from the bondage of suppression. Nevertheless, BJP considers the prevalence of chaotic situation in Nagaland to be a political advantage for its party than refurbishing Nagaland.
What has baffled me is the unfolding of the developments and the announcement of elections shows the Union Govt. soft peddles with the anti-people elements and their activities in Nagaland.
The fact is that election without political solution is ensuring the retention of the status quo. The election has made all the 25 years of investments made by both the GoI and the Nagas a mere wastage. Had this been the attitude of the GoI, the process should never had been started at the cost of the people of Nagaland.
The New Delhi knows well what Nagaland is, and who does what in Nagaland. Knowing fully well the causes of ailments and its remedy, the BJP Govt. in Delhi perhaps prefers to keep the state of affairs in Nagaland as a specimen like maintaining National Park. To the bona fide citizens of Nagaland, New Delhi acts like Pakistan to India. Z. Lohe
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In conclusion, learning new skills is essential in today’s era. The world is constantly changing, and in order to be successful, individuals must be able to adapt and evolve.
Learning new skills can help individuals to be more competitive in the job market, start their own businesses, be more productive and efficient, and be more adaptable and resilient in the face of change. Therefore, it is important to continuously seek out new opportunities to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.
Atsung Sangtam, Updatelearning, sangtamtsatsung@ gmail.com, Fellowship Colony, Dimapur
As I stood beneath the tree in a green park filled with children. Suddenly a glimpse of happy memories with mixed feeling ran through me; May be for the things long cherished, and others for the good things that is left unknown and forgotten. There was a time when I played marbles with friends; accompanied by them we ventured the trenches and meadows; nature was closed to us, and picnic were integral part of our gathering. I could not help but thinks of those memories. Parents and children were together most of the time. To lure a child to sleep, mother sang lullabies with child at their back.
Community living in the form of sharing sweets and vegetables were at large. We never talk about God much, but we wander and believe that there is a God behind every marvelous creation.
At present, the discovery of nature as a child grows up has being replaced by electronic gadgets. In bare minimum are they forced
to learn about the nature through Environmental Studies in academic curriculum. The innocence of the childhood is now diluted with wrong longings of salacious imageries. Parental care is much being duplicated by artificial care and materialism. Religion is now dismissed as myth by atheist. Science which attempts to solve the mysteries has brought more destruction. With advent of modernity are we educating ourselves to imbecility? We need to pause, reflect and think. Sustained by our culture and tradition we need to embrace technology with the thought of eternity and accountability. Taking risks we need to inculcate that goodness back to the society again: the goodness of childhood, friendships and parental care. And God need to be reintroduce for the good of humanity otherwise we become man or woman devoid of moral conscience.
Huka V. Awomi, Satoi town (Thsuruhu village)Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.
Content makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.
~ Benjamin FranklinShivaji Sarkar
LUCKNOW, JAN 22 (PTI): A gang of nomads was busted in Mathura with the arrest of five of its members including its leader, who carried a cash reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, the Uttar Pradesh Police STF said here on Sunday.
Police made the arrests acting on a tip off, according to which, some members of the ‘ghumantu’ tribe gang were present in Surir Police Station area near the Yamuna Expressway service road.
CHANDIGARH, JAN 22 (PTI): In a joint operation by Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, a drone carrying drugs was shot down near the India-Pakistan international border in Amritsar on Sunday, officials said.
The unmanned aerial vehicle carrying five kg of heroin was shot down in Kakkar village, Punjab Police said.
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 22 (AGENCIES): Highlighting India’s linguistic diversity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for his remark to make Supreme Court judgments available in regional languages, reports ANI.
PM Modi shared a video of the CJI speaking at an event where he advocated translation of the apex court’s judgments in every Indian language and leveraging technology for the purpose.
Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister said, “At a recent function, the CJI Justice DY Chandrachud spoke of the need to work towards making SC judgments available in regional languages. He also suggested the use of technology for it. This is a laudatory thought, which will help many people, particularly youngsters.”
PM said the govern -
ment is making efforts to make technical education like medicine and engineering also available in regional languages.
“India has several languages, which add to our cultural vibrancy. The Central government is undertaking numerous efforts to encourage Indian languages including giving the option of studying subjects like engineering and medicine in one’s Matru Bhasha,” he added.
Speaking at the Facilitation function by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, CJI Chandrachud said, “The next step
in our mission is to provide translated copies of the judgements of the Supreme Court in every Indian language. What good it is to a rural litigant who does not understand the tenour and language tenacity in English. So unless we reach out to our citizens in a language which they can understand, in a manner which they can comprehend.”
He further said, “The work we do is not reaching out to 99 per cent of our population. Therefore I do believe the technology…
There is always a certain degree of criticism when you adopt the technology. There is a technological divide with people who do not have access to technology, we left out. But my mission for the use of technology is the technology must reach out to those who do not have access and not to therefore create further barriers to access through technology.”
SAMBA (J&K), JAN 22 (PTI): The Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress reached Samba in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday afternoon, after covering 21 kilometres in more than six hours from adjoining Kathua amid heightened security in the wake of twin blasts in Jammu.
The Congress said the foot march, being led by party leader Rahul Gandhi, will proceed according to its schedule and reach Jammu on Monday afternoon.
“This was the 128th day of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. It started from Hiranagar (in Kathua) at 7 am and reached its destination at Chak Nanak (Samba district) at around 1.15 pm,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told reporters at the camp site.
He said the tremendous response the yatra has received from people has unnerved the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is allegedly doing everything possible to harm Gandhi’s image and using diversionary tactics to mislead the public from the real issues
BENGALURU, JAN 22
HAZARIBAG
(JHARKHAND), JAN 22 (PTI): The 23-year-old woman, who was set on fire for allegedly resisting rape attempt, succumbed to her burn injuries in a Ranchi hospital on Sunday morning, police said.
The woman had been doused with petrol and set on fire in her home in Jharkhand’s Hazaribag allegedly by four persons for resisting rape attempt on the night of January 7, with three of her attackers being her relatives.
The woman was under treatment at Ranchi’s Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) with about 70 per cent burn injuries.
Hazaribag Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Ratan Chothe confirmed to PTI that, “The woman died on Sunday morning at RIMS.”
SHIMLA, JAN 22 (PTI): Two people were killed and as many injured when a car they were travelling in fell into a gorge in Kinnaur district on Sunday, police said.
The accident happened near Nichar at around 6 am, killing Amar Singh (47) and Mehbir (58), both residents of Rokcharang village in Kinnaur’s Nathpa, they said.
The injured Jagdev and Chander Bhagat are undergoing treatment at Khaneri hospital in Rampur, police said.
MUZAFFARNAGAR
(UP), JAN 22 (PTI): A man was allegedly shot dead by some unidentified men in a village in Shamli district, police said on Sunday.
The incident happened in Khedi Karmu village on Saturday night, they said, adding the deceased has been identified as Gaurav Upadhyay (25).
According to the victim’s family, Upadhyay received a call at night and went out to some people but he did not return.
NEW DELHI, JAN 22 (PTI): An 18-yearold youth was allegedly stabbed to death in south Delhi’s Maidna Garhi area, police said on Sunday. Two juveniles have been apprehended in connection with the murder.
(AGENCIES): A former minister of the BJP in Karnataka has made an astounding comment that has left his party red faced and triggered huge controversy. Ramesh Jarkiholi, the state’s former water resources minister, has announced that the BJP would pay Rs. 6,000 per vote in the assembly elections due in May. The BJP has promptly distanced itself from the former minister who was forced resign in 2021 for his alleged role in a sex scandal, reports India News.
The rally was organised by his supporters in Sulebavi village in Belagavi. The former minister’s comments came during his attack on Congress MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar. While Congress’ Lakshmi Hebbalkar represents the Belagavi rural constituency from Belagavi district, Ramesh Jarkiholi represents
“I see that she is distributing gifts to her voters in the constituency. Till now, she must have given kitchen appliances such as cooker and mixer, worth around Rs. 1,000. She might give another set of gifts. All that together may cost around Rs. 3,000. I urge you not to vote for our candidate if we don’t give you Rs. 6,000,” Ramesh Jarkiholi said.
“There’s no place for such things in our party. Our party is built on an ideology because of which it has come to power in the
NEW DELHI, JAN 22
(PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Monday will confer the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2023 on 11 children for their exceptional achievements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the awardees on Tuesday.
Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani will also interact with the children and congratulate them in
the presence of Minister of State for Women and Child Development Munjpara Mahendrabhai, according to an official statement.
There are six boys and five girls among the awardees from 11 states and UTs
Each awardee of the PMRBP will be given a medal, a cash prize of Rs 1 Lakh and a certificate.
The Union government the PMRBP award to children for their exceptional achievements.
Congress Committees, District Congress Committees and Block Congress Committees will also hold flag hoisting functions at the same time on January 30 at their respective party offices or important sites, in solidarity with the Bharat Jodo Yatra,” he said.
country and has come to power with clear majority second time with Narendra Modi as leader,” he said. “In 2023 elections also we will come to power with clear majority,” added the minister.
“If some person gives a statement, it is not the statement of the party. It’s his personal matter,” he added.
The Congress demanded that the Election Commission take note of the former minister’s comments.
“This goes to show the level of corruption in the BJP. Why isn’t the Election Commission or IT or ED not taking note of this?” said Congress MLA Priyank Kharge, who is also the statet party’s communications in-charge. “Operation Lotus is a fact.
He’s endorsing it. There are two and a half lakh voters. This isn’t a joke. Isn’t this malpractice
by a BJP leader? Where is BJP getting all this money from?? Why no suo motu (investigation) by Election Commission?” he added. “What Ramesh has said is unconstitutional. The code of conduct hasn’t come in place yet. Once that comes in place, if such statements are repeated, then he or anyone from the BJP should be barred,” said Congress MLC Nagraj Yadav. “All the BJP MLAs are surviving in the party by doing 40 per cent corruption. They have collected enough amount through bribes. The BJP is now planning to do the same during elections. I demand that the Election Commission look into this matter,” he added.
The BJP, which came to power in the 2019 after the HD Kumarswamy-led government crashed over a year after it was elected, is hoping for a second straight term.
they are facing today.
“The response of the people to the yatra in the BJP-ruled states was unprecedented and so has been the case since it arrived in Jammu and Kashmir. We saw people being pushed back at several places, but they did not pay any heed and came out in large numbers to join Gandhi,” Ramesh said.
After a day’s break, the march started on Sunday from Hiranagar, near the International Border along the Jammu-Pathankot highway, which was virtually sealed by police and other security forces, with all traffic diverted to other routes.
Accompanied by Jam-
LUCKNOW, JAN 22 (PTI): Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday lauded Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for initiating the caste survey saying that the British too had thought in 1931 about the move, which alone could ensure the development of all castes.
Talking to reporters at Janeshwar Mishra Park, named after the party member and former MP, Yadav said, “The caste survey is not made today. The British had thought that a caste survey should be done in 1931. The rights of the constitution can be given to different castes and communities only when their count is known.”
“I appreciate and congratulate Bihar Chief Minister for this,” he said, after paying his tributes to Mishra.
This is to inform that the Dimapur District Garage Welfare Trade Union (DDGWTU) has convened its Annual Picnic-cumGeneral Meeting on 24.01.2023 at Zubza River, Niuland District. Therefore, all the registered members are requested to shut their businesses on 24.01.2023 and attend the scheduled programme positively.
mu and Kashmir Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani, working president Raman Bhalla and hundreds of volunteers carrying the tricolour, Gandhi was greeted by people waiting on both sides of the road.
Ramesh said before the yatra started on Friday, Congress leaders, including former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh, paid tributes to party stalwart Girdhari Lal Dogra, a staunch Nehruvian who was the finance minister of Jammu and Kashmir for more than 20 years and a twoterm member of Parliament.
Officials said adequate security arrangements have been
put in place for Gandhi, with police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other security agencies keeping a tight vigil to ensure a peaceful march.
Security has been further beefed up across Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the twin bomb blasts at Narwal, on the outskirts of Jammu city, on Saturday that left nine people injured.
Police suspect that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were used to carry out the twin explosions in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) parked in front of a repair shop and in another vehicle at a nearby junkyard in Narwal’s Transport Nagar area.
NEW DELHI, JAN 22 (IANS): The Election Commission of India will host the second International Conference on the theme ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’ here from Monday.
The two-day conference will be inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and the concluding session will be chaired by Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey. Election Commissioner Arun Goel will chair the first technical session.
The EC, as the lead for the Cohort on ‘Election Integrity’, took a collaborative approach and invited Greece, Mauritius, and the IFES to be co-leads for the cohort.
It has invited International Foundation for Electoral Systems and International IDEA, apart from Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and
government counterparts dealing with the conduct of elections worldwide.
Around 43 participants from 17 countries/EMBs including Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Chile, Croatia, Dominica, Fiji, Georgia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Mauritius, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines and Suriname and six participants from international organisations namely, IFES, International IDEA are expected to join.
Representatives from a number of foreign missions located at New Delhi are also expected to attend the conference.
NEW DELHI, JAN 22
(IANS): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday asked all the district and state Congress offices to hoist the National Flag on January 30 -- the day party leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to end his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar.
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said: “To mark the culmination of Yatra, Rahul Gandhi will hoist the National Flag at Pradesh Congress Committee Headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar at 10 a.m. on January 30.”
“As desired by the Congress president, all Pradesh
The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started in Kanyakumari on September 7,2022, will conclude on January 30 in Srinagar after having covered 3,970 km and 12 states.
The party claimed that the Bharat Jodo Yatra has received an overwhelming response from millions of people and has spread Rahul Gandhi’s message of love and unity among the citizens of the country.
“The tremendous support from all sections of society and heartful involvement of the people has made this a historic Yatra and a game changer in Indian politics,” the Congress said.
Woman set on fire for resisting ‘rape’ attempt, dies
NEW DELHI, JAN 22 (IANS): The forthcoming Union budget is expected to focus on boosting capital expenditure in 2023-24 too, as has been the case for the past several years.
With the Centre bullish on economic growth and buoyed by favourable comments by several global agencies like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, calling it a resilient economy, it is betting big on public capital expenditure to push the investment cycle and spur India’s economic recovery in the post-pandemic period.
The previous budget for 2022-23 had allotted Rs 7.50 lakh crore as capital expenditure, which was a 35.4 per cent jump over 2021-22.
Capital expenditure relates to funds that are spent on building assets like roads, ports, buildings etc. The economic survey
for 2021-22 had noted that capital expenditure had earlier been impacted due to restrictions related to the pandemic, which were in place in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
However in the second half of 2020-21, when the pandemic related restrictions had been eased, the momentum had risen, which continued in 202122 also.
“The capital expenditure shows an increasing trend over the first three quarters of 2021-22. During April-November 2021, the capital expenditure has grown by 13.5 per cent (YoY), with focus on infra-
structure-intensive sectors like roads and highways, railways, and housing and urban affairs. “This increase is particularly substantial given the high YoY growth in capital expenditure registered during the corresponding period of the previous year as well,” the 2021-22 Economic Survey had said, noting that states had been incentivised to increase capital expenditure.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in her budget speech last year that the effective capital expenditure of the central government is estimated at Rs 10.68 lakh crore in 2022-23, which is about 4.1 per cent of the GDP.
The Rs 10.68 lakh crore allocated for 202223 was 27 per cent higher than the revised estimate of Rs 8.4 lakh crore spent in 2021-22.
(From p-1)
When contacted a senior BJP party functionary explained that tickets will be issued and finalised likely within this week. The state BJP functionary also admitted that there has been resentment within the party but as a national party all party members have to listen to the national BJP high command.
What has added to the problems within BJP is that of a disconnect between the two top leaders- the state unit president and the legislature party leader over various issues.
The speculation that several ‘winnable BJP candidates’ who are being denied either party ticket or contesting their seat has created a serious problem.
The pressure from ticket aspirants is not only the problem that the state BJP is confronted with but also the possibility that some seats which the BJP was likely to win, could be given to the ally, NDPP and some seats currently held by sit-
(From p-1)
They requested all the village councils to spread and propagate the message of “Clean Election” and to let the CCEM guidelines reach all sections of people irrespective of party affiliations and religious denominations. They urged the village councils to enforce the principles and guidelines in letter and in spirit.
They urged all the areas/ranges to provide necessary assistance in the dissemination and implementation of the CCEM guidelines, besides requesting all the candidates to honour and adhere to the guidelines.
The CPO leaders hoped that the respective church bodies and village councils would positively respond to the appeal and prayerfully plan and work for success of CCEM because it was imperative that the movement was made a
collective responsibility in order to get rid of unlawful and ungodly practices during election that had eaten into the very fabric of the society.
They asked all CPO frontal organizations, viz, CYF, CSU and CMA, to give full cooperation and assistance wherever necessary.
As per the CCEM guidelines, party flags, posters, banners and billboards cannot be displayed on church buildings and premises, institutions and public buildings, while use of intoxicants like alcohol would be restricted and inflow of liquor would be prohibited.
The guidelines have barred political parties from organising feasts or create nuisance in their respective offices in towns and villages, besides organising mass procession in support of their candidates. The movement also declared that no one
would be allowed to sell or buy votes and only eligible voters attaining 18 years of age would be allowed to vote as per the election rules.
Further, one person, one vote would be enforced and proxy vote would not be allowed.
Church workers would not be allowed to engage in canvassing and even their residence would not be used for election purposes. But, if any church worker wished to involve in the election campaign, he/she should resign first and be relieved from church ministry for a period of 5 years, the guidelines pointed out.
No political parties should conduct election campaign on Sundays and national political groups or any other group would not be allowed to use arms or force and engaging in booth capturing during election.
Use of force or booth capturing too would not be
allowed during election.
Village councils would organise common platform for all political parties to share their respective manifestos, but no village authority would be allowed to declare solid/majority in favour of a particular candidate for the sake of village peace and harmony.
Candidates have been barred from engaging in hate campaign, false propaganda and character assassination. All the believers have been requested to pray and elect capable and Godfearing leaders and to ensure free and fair election.
CCEM would work to ensure clean electoral roll in all Chakhesang villages and extend all possible cooperation and support the government and the election machineries. It would also work with village authorities and church workers to implement the guidelines, stated the CPO leaders.
ting NDPP could be given to BJP.
Problem mounted for BJP when it was largely speculated on social media on January 20 that as per seat sharing arrangement in Delhi, NDPP and state BJP delegations in presence of union home minister Amit Shah and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, had more or less allotted the 13 Pughoboto assembly constituency to sitting NDPP legislator (who won as NPF and then joined NDPP) Y. Vikheho Swu.
Supporters of BJP candidate in 2018 Dr. Sukhato A. Sema, who lost by 70 votes, have refused to budge since the seat was allotted to BJP in 2018 and with the wind blowing in favour of their candidate, the BJP under Pughoboto is determined to fight it out.
There are also speculations that several aspirants who are denied tickets by several parties could come together strategically and forge a unity under one banner.
NEW DELHI, JAN 22 (IANS): The people have high expectations from the Rail Budget as the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her fifth Budget on February 1.
In its first term, the Modi government at the Centre had linked the Rail Budget with the General Budget, under which the money for the Railways is now provided. According to the information, the Centre is going to increase the Railway Budget this time by up to 20 per cent.
Earlier, in the pre-Budget meeting, the Railway Board demanded 25-30 per cent more funds in the allocation of the Finance Ministry. In such a situation, the government can give a fund of about Rs 2 trillion to the Ministry of Railways in the Budget leading to an atmosphere of enthusiasm in sectors related to the Railways. There have also been various demands from the passengers.
This is the last full Budget of the Modi government before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Along with this, before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, elections will be held in 10 states of the country in this year, including big states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram in the Northeast. Elections can be held in Jammu and Kashmir this year. In this Railway Budget, the Central government can announce many new railway facilities for the passengers. It is believed that this time, the Rail Budget can prove to be an election budget, especially in those states where elections are to be held. This may result in some special announcements from the Centre for these states.
However, the Union Ministry of Railways, so far has achieved Rs 42,370 crore more revenue as compared to the previous fi -
nancial year. The Railways income has increased by 71 per cent, whereas earlier in 2021, there was a loss of Rs 26,338 crore, which led to the government decreasing the concessions provided to the common people.
In view of the strong figures of Railways earnings, people from all sections have raised demands to again implement the subsidies, including the one where senior citizens above 60 years of age used to get up to 50 per cent discount before the Covid-19 pandemic, which has now been discontinued. According to the Railways, there is no plan in this Budget to give concession in rail tickets to senior citizens. The Central government will invest mostly in the modernisation of the Railways. Railways has also been focusing on building better domestic infrastructure for manufacturing trains. In this, plans are also being made to reduce foreign dependence.
NEW DELHI, JAN 22 (IANS): India’s smartphone shipments fell to 151.6 million units in 2022, declining by 6 per cent compared with 2021, a report has shown.
According to a Canalys report, Xiaomi was still the number one vendor for the full year.
Samsung took the number one spot in the fourth quarter (Q4) for the first time since Q3 2017, shipping 6.7 million units for a market share of 21 per cent. The second place went to vivo, which shipped 6.4 million units, mainly via offline channels.
“India was better positioned to weather the global downturn than other markets. But domestic consumer spending cooled in the last few months of 2022,” said Sanyam Chaurasia, an analyst at Canalys.
DIMAPUR, JAN 22
(NPN): Veteran politician and four-time legislator from 28 Koridang assembly constituency, Imkong L Imchen, who resigned from the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on January 21, said that the decision to resign from the NLA was “to uphold the mandate of the people.”
Talking to Nagaland Post on Sunday here at his residence, Imchen said he decided to resign due to some compelling factors under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution of India and in order to display his morality of public mandate while occupying public office. On the merger of 21 NPF legislators with NDPP, where Imchen was also among them, he said there were certain political compulsions and also the legislators had come together to form an opposition-less government to pursue solution to the vexed Naga political issue as facilitators.
While wondering how forming an opposition-less government could have had any impact, Imchen said they (MLAs) were neither a party to the negotiations nor involved in the Naga political talks. However, since majority of the legislators were of the opinion that a merger would be better suited, Imchen said he went along with the decision.
When asked why he decided to resign from the NDPP, Imchen said he was concerned as NDPP was not a functioning party. He also mentioned that he was not impressed by the functioning of NDPP as it was the same as NPF. Imchen said he chose to join BJP after observing the initiatives being taken up by BJP both at the Centre and State level, under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pointing out that there was clear direction and dynamism in the functioning of BJP, Imchen said he was ready render his services to the party.
When asked about his views on whether election should have been deferred, he said holding elections was a constitutional obligation and once elections are announced there was no room for deferring it.
While admitting that he was in favour of deferring the polls vis-à-vis settlement of the Naga issue, Imchen however said: “Election process is a constitutional mandate, and once it is done, we are there for five years.” When asked whether, if elected, he would be willing to step down in the event a solution is arrived at after polls, Imchen said such a decision has to be taken collectively by all 60 legislators.
Further, Imchen lamented that despite the Centre willing to resolve the Naga issue, the division within the society including the negotiating groups were a concern. He noted that some groups were in favor of the 1951 plebiscite, while some were in favor of the Framework Agreement. Imchen pointed that the “loophole” in the Framework Agreement was two different interpretations by both Government of India and the NSCN (I-M). Instead of trying to accommodate each other’s view point, he noted that both parties were rigid in their stand. “We are very sorry about it, but we have to speak the truth. The bitter truth. The mistake lies with us,” he stated. He also opined that “if government of India was refusing to concede to our demands, we should be willing to look for other options so as to make the negotiations open.”
DAMASCUS, JAN 22
(IANS): Eleven people were killed on Sunday when a residential building collapsed in the Aleppo province in Syria, state news agency SANA reported. The five-storey building housing about 30 people collapsed due to a water leakage affecting its basis. Rescuers are still working on finding survivors, Xinhua News Agency reported quoting SANA.
TOKYO, JAN 22 (IANS): Four people were killed while as many feared dead after a fire broke out early Sunday at an apartment in Japan’s Kobe city, local media said. Firefighters received a call around 1.35 a.m. local time saying that black smoke was coming out of a window on the first floor of a three-story housing complex in Hyogo Ward of Kobe, Kyodo News reported. Four men were confirmed dead at the scene, the report said, citing police and other sources, adding that four other men who were taken to a hospital were all unconscious, Xinhua News Agency reported quoting Kyodo News.
BAGHDAD, JAN 22 (IANS): The Iraqi military said that it killed two IS militants in an airstrike in Salahudin province, north of Baghdad. According to a statement from the Joint Operations Command’s media office on Saturday, the militants were spotted by Iraqi forces in a rocky area near the town of Tuz Khurmato, which is located in eastern Salahudin. They were killed when Iraqi airplanes attacked their position with an airstrike. Meanwhile, a roadside bomb explosion wounded two soldiers of the government forces in the eastern Diyala province on Saturday, Colonel Alaa al-Saadi from the Diyala police said, adding the soldiers were hunting down IS militants in orchards near the provincial capital Baquba, Xinhua news agency reported.
ADEN (YEMEN), JAN 22 (IANS): Two soldiers of Yemen’s government forces were killed and four others injured in an explosion in the country’s southeastern oil-rich province of Shabwa, a military official said. A local military officer told Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity on Saturday that an improvised explosive device on the roadside exploded when a motorcade of military vehicles that escorted trucks carrying diesel passed by in the Ar Rawdah district of Shabwa. The IED, which was planted and remotely detonated by terrorists, also destroyed a military vehicle, the source said.
MONTEREY PARK (US), JAN 22 (AP): Nine people were killed in a mass shooting late Saturday in a city east of Los Angeles following a Lunar New Year celebration that attracted thousands, police said. Sgt. Bob Boese of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the shooting was reported at 10:22 p.m. and occurred at a business on Garvey Ave. in Monterey Park. The shooter is a male, Boese said early Sunday.
ATLANTA, JAN 22 (AP):
A protest turned violent in downtown Atlanta on Saturday night in the wake of the death of an environmental activist who was killed by authorities this week after officials said the 26-year-old shot a state trooper.
Masked activists dressed in all black threw rocks and lit fireworks in front of a skyscraper that houses the Atlanta Police Foundation, shattering large glass windows. They then lit a police cruiser on fire, smashed more windows and vandalized walls with antipolice graffiti as stunned tourists scattered.
The violent protesters were a subsection of hundreds of demonstrators who had gathered and marched up Atlanta’s famed Peachtree Street to mourn the death of the protester, a nonbinary person who went by the name Tortuguita and used they/it pronouns.
Tortuguita was killed Wednesday as authorities cleared a small group of protesters from the site of a planned Atlanta-area public safety training center that activists have dubbed “Cop City.” The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has said Tortuguita was killed by of-
ficers after shooting and wounding a state trooper, but activists have questioned officials’ version of events, calling it a “murder” and demanding an independent investigation. According to the GBI, the incident was not recorded on body cameras. The bureau said Friday that it determined the trooper was shot in the abdomen by a bullet from a handgun that was in Tortuguita’s possession.
Word of Saturday’s protest had been widely circulated ahead of time on social media and among leftist activists, with some passing out flyers that read, “Police killed a protester. Stand up. Fight back.”
Atlanta Police Chief
(AP)
Darin Schierbaum said during a news conference that authorities made six arrests Saturday and recovered explosive devices after the protesters damaged property along Peachtree Street, a corridor of hotels and restaurants. He said authorities halted the violence within two blocks and no citizens or law enforcement officers were injured. “We can tell now, early in this investigation, this was not the focus tonight just to damage the windows of three buildings and set a police car on fire,” Schierbaum said. “The intent was to continue to do harm, and that did not happen.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp decried the violence
ernment buildings and destroyed public property in an attempt to keep Bolsonaro in office. The uprising underlined the polarization in Brazil between the left and the right.
Lula said several times in public that there were definitely people in the army who allowed the rioting to occur, though he never cited Arruda.
and thanked responding officers. “Violence and unlawful destruction of property are not acts of protest,” the Republican governor tweeted. “They are crimes that will not be tolerated in Georgia and will be prosecuted fully.”
The initial hour of the demonstration had been peaceful as a few activists shared their memories of Tortuguita, describing them as an extremely loving, caring member of the “Stop Cop City” community. The speakers said Tortuguita had undergone a 20-hour medic course in order to serve as a medic for fellow “forest defenders” who had found their home in the DeKalb County woods just outside Atlanta city limits.
Opponents of the training center have been protesting for over a year by building platforms in surrounding trees and camping out at the site. They say the $90 million project, which would be built by the Atlanta Police Foundation, involves cutting down so many trees that it would be environmentally damaging. They also oppose spending so much money on a facility they say will be used to practice “urban warfare.”
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND JAN 22 (AP): Chris Hipkins was confirmed Sunday as New Zealand’s next prime minister and he chose Carmel Sepuloni as his deputy, marking the first time a person with Pacific Island heritage has risen to that rank.
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL, JAN 22 (AP): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired a key Cabinet ally on Sunday, heeding a Supreme Court ruling commanding him to do so and deepening a rift over the power of the courts.
Netanyahu announced he was firing Aryeh Deri, who serves as Interior and Health Minister, at a meeting of his Cabinet. Israel’s Supreme Court decided last week Deri could not serve as a Cabinet minister because of a conviction last year over tax offenses.
The court ruling came as Israel is mired in a dispute over the power of the judiciary. Netanyahu’s farright government wants to weaken the Supreme Court, limit judicial oversight and grant more power to politicians. Critics say the move upends the country’s system of checks and balances and imperils Israel’s democratic fundamentals. According to his office, Netanyahu told Deri he was removing him from his post with “a heavy heart and great sorrow.”
“This unfortunate decision ignores the people’s will,” Netanyahu told Deri. “I intend to find any legal way for you to con-
tinue to contribute to the state of Israel.”
Deri said he would continue to lead his party and assist the government in advancing its agenda, including the legal overhaul.
Deri’s firing is also expected to shake Netanyahu’s governing coalition, a union buoyed by ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties, including Deri’s Shas, which is the third largest in the government. While some Shas lawmakers threatened to bolt the fledgling coalition in the aftermath of the court ruling, it is expected to survive Deri’s absence and to attempt to craft legislation that would pave the way for his swift return. Netanyahu is now expected to appoint other Shas members to re-
place Deri, at least temporarily.Netanyahu’s government, the most right-wing in Israeli history, has made overhauling the country’s judiciary a centerpiece of its agenda.
It says a power imbalance has given judges and government legal advisers too much sway over lawmaking and governance.
The plan has drawn fierce criticism from top legal officials, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, former lawmakers and tens of thousands of Israelis who have come out repeatedly to protest the overhaul.
Deri has faced legal problems in the past. He was sentenced to three years in prison for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in 2000 during a stint as interior minister in the 1990s.
BRASILIA, BRAZIL, JAN 22 (AP): President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva fired Brazil’s army chief Saturday just days after the leftist leader openly said that some military members allowed the Jan. 8 uprising in the capital by far-right protesters.
The official website of the Brazilian armed forces said Gen. Julio Cesar de Arruda had been removed as head of the army. He was replaced by Gen. Tomás Miguel Ribeiro Paiva, who was head of the Southeast Military Command.
Lula, who did not comment publicly on the firing, met with Defense Minister Jose Mucio, chief of staff Rui Costa and the new army commander in Brasilia at the end of the day. Speaking to journalists afterward, Mucio said the Jan. 8 riots had caused “a fracture in the level of trust” in the army’s top levels and the government decided a change was needed.
In recent weeks, Lula targeted the military with criticism after supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed through gov-
During a breakfast with the press, Lula said earlier this week that “a lot of people from the military police and the armed forces were complicit” and had allowed protesters to enter the buildings with open doors. In another interview, the president said that “all the military involved in the coup attempt will be punished, no matter the rank.” The comments were followed by Lula scheduling several meetings with the defense minister and the armed forces’ commanders. Mucio denied they had mentioned the Jan. 8 rioting, but he said relations between the military and the government needed adjustment.
Hipkins got the unanimous support of lawmakers from his Labour Party after he was the only candidate to enter the contest to replace Jacinda Ardern, who shocked the nation Thursday when she announced she was resigning after more than five years as leader.
Hipkins will be officially sworn in to his new role on Wednesday. He will have less than nine months before contesting a tough general election, with opinion polls indicating his party is trailing its conservative opposition.
The lack of other candidates for leader indicated that party lawmakers had rallied behind Hipkins to avoid a drawn-out contest and any sign of disunity following Ardern’s departure.
LIMA, PERU, JAN 22 (AP): Peru indefinitely shut the famed ancient ruins of Machu Picchu on Saturday in the latest sign that anti-government protests that began last month are increasingly engulfing the South American country. The Culture Ministry said it had closed the country’s most famous tourist attraction as well as the Inca Trail leading up to the site “to protect the safety of tourists and the population in general.”
There were 417 visitors stuck at Machu Picchu and unable to get out, more than 300 of them foreigners, Tourism Minister Luis Fernando Helguero said at a news conference.
The closure of the Incan citadel that dates to the 15th century and is often referred to as one of the
Also
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WASHINGTON, JAN 22 (PTI): FBI investigators have found additional classified documents from US President Joe Biden’s residence in Wilmington after conducting a 13-hour search of the home, intensifying the probe into discoveries that could become a political and possible legal liability for him as he prepares to launch a reelection bid in 2024.
Bob Bauer, the President’s personal attorney, said in a statement that during the search on Friday, “Department of Justice took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry, including six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials, some of which were from the President’s service in the Senate and some of which were from his tenure as vice president. “DOJ also took for further review personally handwritten notes from the vice-presidential years,” he said.
The total number of
classified documents found in the residences and private offices of Biden has now increased to nearly a dozen and a half. All documents, including from his term as vice president from 2009 to 2016, have now been taken into possession of federal agents.
“DOJ requested that the search not be made public in advance, in accordance with its standard procedures, and we agreed to cooperate,” Bauer said.
Biden is spending time at his Wilmington, Delaware residence this weekend.
“DOJ had full access to the President’s home, including personally handwritten notes, files, papers, binders, memorabilia, todo lists, schedules, and reminders going back decades,” Bauer said.
Last week, US Attorney General Merrick B Garland appointed a special counsel Robert Hur to investigate the discovery of the classified documents at the private offices and residence of the President.
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FBI searches Biden’s Wilmington home, more classified docs found
Distractions are many and attention is low
among children of today, writer Sudha Murty said here on Sunday, adding that the parents should keep them away from gadgets and motivate them to read books till they are at least 14.
The chairperson of Infosys Foundation was talking to the media on the sidelines of the 16th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival.
Murty noted that it was not easy to bring up children in today’s environment, especially after Covid when schools made it mandatory for them to attend online classes. “It will affect their eyes in the long run, attention span has come down too. It’s a worldwide thing, it’s not just in India or Jaipur, everywhere it is happening,” the 72-year-old said.
However, she also said that even though there has been a decline in the reading habits, there was still hope for the young generation as the habit of gathering knowledge is still continuing.
“But I prefer our children should not use elec-
tronic gadgets, as it affects their eyes, they will not enjoy the simple things like holding a book, and gadgets will distract you a lot more. So at least up to 10-14 years they should read, later leave it to them after 16 years whether they want to continue their reading habits,” the Padma Shri awardee said.
The author is known for her children’s books, and books on her own lived experiences in Kannada and English.
Talking about her writing process, she confessed that people, phone calls and food distract her while she writes in the early morning.
“I write from five to eight in the morning, because I don’t get any calls in the morning. I want to be alone when I am writing, I don’t like disturbances because the thought process will be affected.
“I don’t eat something, I don’t talk to people at that time. Because it is such an intense process. I like to drink water or coconut water, not more than that,” the writer added.
While the writing part of a book takes her around 15 days, the research and
Female and male hearts respond differently to the stress hormone called noradrenaline, a study in mice has revealed.
The findings may have implications for human heart disorders like arrhythmias and heart failure and how different sexes respond to medications, according to the study published in Science Advances.
The team built a new type of fluorescence imaging system that allowed them to use light to see how a mouse heart responds to hormones and neurotransmitters in real time.
The mice were exposed to noradrenaline, also known as norepinephrine.
Noradrenaline is both a neurotransmitter and hormone associated with the body’s “fight or flight” response.
The study also noted that however, some areas
of the female heart return to normal more quickly than the male heart, which produces differences in the heart’s electrical activity.
“The differences in electrical activity that we observed are called repolarisation in the female hearts. Repolarisation refers to how the heart resets between each heartbeat and is closely linked to some types of arrhythmias,” said Jessica L Caldwell, first author of the study.
“The study reveals a new factor that may contribute to different arrhythmia susceptibility between men and women,” Caldwell added. In this study, the researchers were interested in looking at factors that may contribute to arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are a type of heart disorder where the electrical impulses that control heartbeats don’t function properly. (IANS)
NASA and SpaceX have set February 26 as the launch date for the Crew-6 mission, which will send four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for a six-month stay.
The mission is NASA’s sixth crew rotation flight.
Crew-6 will send the SpaceX Dragon capsule Endeavour aloft atop a Falcon 9 rocket, which will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in the US, according to a NASA blogpost.
The mission will carry NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren Hoburg, as well as UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
The launch will air live
on NASA Television, its app, and the agency’s website, mentioned the blogpost.
In December last year, NASA launched the firstever global satellite mission that will observe nearly all water on Earth’s surface, measuring the height of
water in the planet’s lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and the ocean.
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) spacecraft atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Cali-
fornia.
“Warming seas, extreme weather, more severe wildfires -- these are only some of the consequences humanity is facing due to climate change,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. (IANS)
LONDON, JAN 22
(AGENCIES): Erling Haaland scored his fourth Premier League hat-trick of the season as Manchester City beat relegation-threatened Wolves 3-0.
Lethal striker Haaland opened the scoring with a header from close range in a one-sided first half at the Etihad Stadium, Sportsmax reported. He was on target again from the penalty spot early after the restart and completed his hat-trick four minutes later following a terrible mistake from Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa, taking his goal tally for the season to a staggering 31.
City boss Pep Guardiola had demanded more hunger from his side in their quest for more trophies and they responded, moving two points behind the Gunners ahe ad of their huge clash with Manchester United later on Sunday.
Wolves defended reso-
lutely in the first half, but it seemed only a matter of time before they went behind and Haaland got the breakthrough by rising above Nathan Collins to head Kevin De Bruyne’s cross beyond Sa in the 40th minute. Collins was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a challenge on Jack Grealish, before the centre-back showed great anticipation to head away a rasping drive from the England midfielder that looked destined for the back of
the net. Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui made a triple substitution at half-time, bringing Pablo Sarabia on for his debut along with Matheus Cunha and Joao Moutinho.
Haaland gave City breathing space five minutes into the second half, sending Sa the wrong way from the spot after Ruben Neves upended Ilkay Gundogan. The Norway goal machine had his treble soon after, Sa inexplicably passing straight to the excellent Riyad Mahrez, who unselfishly present -
ed Haaland with a tap-in. Haaland was then replaced by Julian Alvarez before Mahrez had a goal ruled out
due to being marginally offside and Gundogan headed over from close range as City cruised to victory.
Arsenal retained control of the Premier League title race after Eddie Nketiah’s 90th-minute winner gave them a dramatic victory over Manchester United in a thriller at Emirates Stadium.
Manchester City’s earlier win over Wolverhampton Wanderers applied pressure on the Gunners but they responded with character and quality, even after going behind, to secure a five-point advantage at the top with a game in hand.
United’s man of the moment Marcus Rashford fired home a superb rightfoot strike from 25 yards to give them a 17th-minute lead. Arsenal responded fiercely and were level seven minutes later when Granit Xhaka’s cross created a heading opportunity for
DIMAPUR, JAN 22
(NPN): The two-day sports evangelism organised by Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur (LBCD) under the theme “Mission Possible” at the Dimapur Government College Ground concluded on January 21.
The main objective of the Sports Evangelism was to give ample opportunities to all the youths and to bring unity through fellowship and sports.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Youth Evangelist, Nsungbeni Ezung, and exhortation was by Youth Director, Longshithung Patton.
The oath taking was administered by the sports secretary, Achum Ovung.
The events included-
men’s Football, Volleyball (men & women), Penalty shootout (women), and Tug of war (men & women). Six sectors participated in the event. The
overall champion of the event was bagged by Central Sector, Burma Camp Sector won the best disciplined award and also the highest participants award.
Nketiah, who got in ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the far post. Bukayo Saka’s angled drive put Arsenal ahead eight minutes after the break but their advantage lasted only six minutes, with Lisandro Martinez heading his first goal for the club after keeper Aaron Ramsdale dropped a corner.
Arsenal looked the more likely winners in the closing stages, with Saka hitting the post and Nketiah denied by David de Gea’s outstanding save.
The pressure paid off in the closing moments when Nketiah - a striker who is doing an outstanding job filling in for injured Gabriel Jesus - turned in from close range to spark wild scenes of celebration at Emirates Stadium.
NEW DELHI, JAN 22 (IANS): Indian Super League (ISL) Odisha FC have acquired the services of Odia talent Tankadhar Bag on a two-and-a-halfyear deal, with an option of extension.
The club announced the signing via its social media handles. “Made in Odisha...Welcome Tankadhar to #TheEasternDragons,” wrote Odisha FC on Twitter.
The closing ceremony was chaired by Youth Evangelist, Therali Kithan, while pastor Lanlongo Yanthan (Assc. pastor, LBCD) exhorted the youths.
The
And
(NLA)
Sadhu struck with a firstball wickets wile Mannat Kashyap doubled it up in the second over. Kashyap trapped Dewmi Vihanga lbw to lead to a top-order collapse.
And then came Parshavi, who tore into Sri Lanka’s batting line up and annihilated. Her intense four overs put Sri Lankan batters in all sorts of bother as she left no chance for the opposition to revive. The spinner first bowled the Sri Lankan captain Vishmi Gunaratne, who was trying to stand at one end while wickets fell on the other end. Vishmi managed 25 off 28, which were nearly half of her team’s total.
Chopra ended up with stunning figures of 4-1-5-4.
Shafali Verma began the chase in style with her 15 off 10 but fell lbw by Dewmi Vihanga, who also dismissed Richa Ghosh in the same over.
AYODHYA, JAN 22 (PTI): The Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) emergency general council meeting, scheduled here for Sunday, was called off after the Sports Ministry directed it to suspend all ongoing activities owing to the various allegations against the sports body and its president.
JAN 22 (AGENCIES):
After suffering jolt from Australia, India women rode on Parshavi Chopra’s incredible spell to bulldoze Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the Under-19
T20 World Cup match on Sunday. With this victory, Shafali Verma-led India are still alive in the race to semifinal.
Parshavi with a sensational spell of 4/5 bamboozled Sri Lankan batters as
the Islanders were bowled out after posting a lowly total of 59/9 in 20 overs. In reply, India made the light work of the paltry target with seven wickets to spare.
India couldn’t have got a better start as Titas
Shweta Sehrawat and Soumya Tiwari anchored the chase with boundaries to score a win in the eight over.
Brief scores: India 60/3 in 7. 2 overs (Soumya Tiwari 28 not out) beat Sri Lanka 59/9 (Vishmi Gunaratne 25; Parshavi Chopra 4/5) by seven wickets.
The ministry Saturday said it has asked the WFI to suspend “all ongoing activities with immediate effect”, including the Ranking Tournament in Gonda, UP, the federation president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s stronghold. Sharan has been accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers and working like a dictatory by some of the country’s top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya. The ministry also suspended WFI’s assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, a fallout of the grapplers’ allegations of sexual harassment and corruption against the sports body’s chief. It had decided to suspend Tomar, “with immediate effect, to ensure proper functioning of WFI”. On Friday, Sharan’s son Prateek had said that his father would issue a statement on the allegations against him after the sports body’s meeting.
KOLKATA, JAN 22
(PTI): Juan Mera and Luka
Majcen scored a brace each as RoundGlass Punjab FC thrashed Mohammedan Sporting 4-0 in an I-League match here on Sunday.
Mera scored in the 17th and 75th minutes, while Majcen found the back of the net in the 41st
and 52nd minutes.
The difference though was Majcen. With his physical presence inside the rival box, the Slovenian was the creator of the opening two goals for the Punjab side.
The goal first came off an innocuous-looking attack. Chencho Gyeltshen
played Brandon Vanlalremdika on the left wing into space and the latter cut back and lifted a hopeful cross into the box towards the far post, with Majcen waiting.
Rather than taking a header on goal, Majcen cushioned it back into the path of an onrushing
Mera, who swept in a firsttime volley.
Mohammedan had a chance of their own soon after, and it took some Kiran Limbu acrobatics to ensure Punjab held the lead.
Punjab’s second goal was a pure individual genius with Majcen picking up the ball on the left of
the box, cutting it to his right foot before curling it into the far corner and over Sankar Roy’s diving palms.
Majcen increased the lead for Punjab in the 52nd minute.
With 15 minutes remaining in the match, Punjab scored a fourth goal through Mera.
Hockey Men’s World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium, here on Sunday. India failed to capitalise on a 3-1 lead in the third quarter and allowed New Zealand to score twice to end the match 3-3 in regulation time.
Lalit Upadhyay (17th min), Sukhjeet Singh (24th min) and Varun Kumar (40th min) scored for India in regulation time while Sam Lane (28th min), Kane Russell (43rd min) and Sean Findlay (49th min) scored for the Black Sticks.
With seasoned goalkeeper PR Sreejesh pulling off a couple of brilliant saves, India fought back to 3-3 in the shootout and had two chances in the sudden death as Shamsher Singh missed the final shootout effort to lose 4-5 in front of a jam-packed stadium.
New Zealand thus set up a quarterfinal clash with Belgium while India will now move to Rourkela for the playoff matches for the 9-16 spots.
NEW DELHI, JAN 22
(IANS): Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn and South Korea’s An Se Young wore out their more fancied opponents -- Viktor Axelsen and Akane Yamaguchi -- to clinch the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at India Open 2023, here on Sunday.
Vitidsarn, who had lost all six men’s singles matches against top seed Axelsen before Sunday, engaged the tall Dane in long rallies in the decider before prevailing 22-20, 10-21, 21-12 in an hour and four minutes before Young got the better of Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 15-21, 21-16, 21-12 in just over an hour at the BWF World Tour Super 750 event organised by the Badminton Association of India.
The Thai shuttler was the underdog going into the summit clash against Axelsen, who had last lost a final in May 2021 and had been unbeaten in 13
thereafter, but showed little nerves as he stuck to the game plan of controlling the pace of the rallies and push the Olympic and world champion into longer rallies.
The game plan allowed Vitidsarn to open up a 16-13 lead before Axelsen clinched five straight points to take the lead and soon earned a game point. But a lucky net chord allowed the former junior world champion to draw level and he then clinched two straight points to win his first game
against the Dane on the 13th attempt.
Axelsen roared back in the second, racing through the game. But Vitidsarn managed to regroup himself and engage his opponent in long rallies. The top seed clearly looked more tired than his opponent during the business end of the match and handed the Thai his first Super 750 crown with an unforced error while returning a short serve.
“From my earlier loss-
es against Viktor, I had learnt that if I could engage him in long rallies and take the match to the decider then I have a chance to win. I managed to do that today and even after losing the second game, I believed that I could win,” Vitidsarn said.
Earlier, Young avenged her last week’s Malaysian Open final loss against Yamaguchi, with yet another clinical performance in her maiden India Open appearance.
Yamaguchi was in complete control in the opening game but Young managed to turn the tables in the second to force the decider. The Japanese had the upper hand in the initial exchanges of the third and final game before the Koreans managed to win 8 of the nine points from 4-7 down.
The two players then engaged i n a couple of 30-plus stroke rallies and one 51-stroke rally and though Young lost those, Yamaguchi was the one who looked more tired after that and the Korean’s superior stroke play helped her seal victory.
MELBOURNE, JAN 22
IANS): World No.1 Iga Swiatek’s hopes of a second straight hard-court major are over following a crushing defeat to Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open fourth round while third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas edged out Italian Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set match Round of 16 showdowns did not come any bigger than two reigning Grand Slam champions at this stage, reports AusOpen.
After the Pole’s benchmark-setting feats of 2022, the 23-year-old Rybakina served a reminder she is in the box seat to further shake up the top order this season with her 6-4 6-4 triumph.
A runaway world No.1 last season, thanks largely to her Roland Garros and US Open successes, Swiatek had barely raised a sweat against qualifier Cristina Bucsa in the previous round, but she was yet to really hit her straps as she bid to better her semifinal run at Melbourne Park last year.
That campaign ended to the heavy-hitting Danielle Collins, incidentally the player Rybakina had outlasted in three sets to reach the fourth round here for the
first time on Friday.
It was an inauspicious beginning before the first ball was even struck on Rod Laver Arena when Swiatek was handed a code violation warning for taking too long.
Rybakina is among a select group who possess the sheer force capable of pushing the Pole around the court and she found tremendous success clobbering hard and flat into her opponent’s forehand.
Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas edged out Italian Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set match on Rod Laver Arena to reach the Australian Open last eight.
The Greek won the first two sets and then wrestled back the momentum to beat the 15th seed 6-4 6-4 3-6
4-6 6-4 in three hours and 59 minutes.
Tsitsipas, one of the favourites to win this year’s Australian Open men’s singles title, came into this match having not dropped a set all tournament.
And when he went 2-0 up against his Sinner he looked to be storming towards another straight-set win.
But his 21-year-old opponent, who has played in four Grand Slam quarterfinals, stemmed the tide, breaking early in the next two sets.
Tsitsipas though, backed by plenty of Greek flags on Rod Laver Arena, broke in the final set to go 4-2 up as Sinner hit a forehand long, and he held his next two service games to wrap up the win.
India’s Sania Mirza and her Kazakh partner Anna Danilina ended their Australian Open campaign after suffering a 4-6, 6-4, 2-6 loss at the hands of the Ukrainian-Belgian duo of Alison Van Uytvanck and Anhelina Kalinina in the women’s doubles secondround match on Sunday.
Earlier, the Indo-Kazakh pair defeated the HungarianAmerican duo of Dalma Galfi and Bernarda Pera in the first round. The Indian ace, who is playing her last Grand Slam, is alive in the mixed doubles event, where she is partnering with countryman Rohan Bopanna. The six-time Grand Slam champion, Sania, had earlier this month announced that she will retire from professional tennis at Dubai Tennis Championships, a WTA 1000 event, which begins on February 19.