24 Jan 2023

ENLU to participate in Feb 27 Assembly polls

DIMAPUR, JAN 23 (NPN): In a major political development, present elected members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly of eastern Nagaland- the Eastern Nagaland Legislator’s Union (ENLU)- have resolved to participate in the forthcoming election slated for February 27, by defying the diktat issued by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) on August 26, 2022 to not participate in the election vis-à-vis “Frontier Nagaland’ state demand.

ENLU adopted the resolution at its emergency meeting held on January 22,2023 which was attended by the 20 member-legislators of eastern Nagaland.

A joint statement issued by ENLU read: “In an emergency meeting held on January 22, 2023 pertaining to the ENPO Resolution to abstain from the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) election, after a thorough deliberation the house resolved to participate in the upcoming general election 2023 since the election has been notified by the ECI.”

Subsequent to ENPO resolution, all seven apex tribal bodies of Eastern Nagaland also issued strong warning against any person from their respective community, to not file nominations for the forthcoming polls. The seven apex bodies- Konyak Union, United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji, Chang Khulei Setshang, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Phom People’s Council, Tikhir Tribal Council and Yimkhiung Tribal Council had in separate

‘Operation Lotus’ has led Nagas astray: Cong

KOHIMA, JAN 23 (NPN):

All India Congress Committee (AICC) media coordinator Mahima Singh alleged Monday alleged that ‘Operation Lotus’ of BJP has led the people of Nagaland astray as the coalition government in Nagaland has been tainted with “scams after scams” and betrayed the people of Nagaland in the name of development, joining hands with BJP.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan here, Singh said that the party primarily wanted to highlight about the High Court scam under Neiphiu Rio-led

coalition government’s rule in Nagaland. She said that following a PIL filed by Nagaland Tribes Council, the Gauhati High Court took cognizance of the matter and ordered for a CBI probe. Till then BJP was nowhere in the picture, she said.

Following this, Ma -

Staf f Reporter

DIMAPUR, JAN 23 (NPN): A dedicatory programme of two-lane RCC bridge at Governor’s Camp Liphanyan would be held on January 28, 2023. Informing this in a press note Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee asst. general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe stated that the “Naga Historic Project” was initiated with prayer and fasting by Naga CSOs in 2013.

NFHRCC therefore said it was “our moral obligation to dedicate it to the people of Nagaland with thanksgiving to God the Almighty and all the stakeholders...” The committee has invited all the Dimapurbased tribal hohos and apex tribal hohos to send representatives to the dedicatory programme.

DIMAPUR, JAN 23

(NPN): Nagaland governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said that education is the most powerful tool that can be used to change the world.

Addressing the 4th convocation of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Nagaland at Chümoukedima town council hall as chief guest on Monday, the governor congratulated the graduating students and asserted that the academic degrees that they have acquired should serve as a catalyst for pursuits of knowledge.

Prof. Mukhi said that change is constant and in

hima stated that ‘Operation Lotus’ of BJP not only struck its roots in Nagaland, but also expanded so much that the chief minister sits before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the wrongdoing of his own, and the fallouts and shortcomings of his government.

ESHreaffirmstoremainunder Nagaland;totakepartinpolls

California police seek motive behind shooting at Asian dance hal

Dharnas held in Dimapur, Kohima over BJP ticket issue

Sumi community of Eastern Nagaland, under the banner of Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH), has reaffirmed the October 25, 2022 “Nikiye Resolution” that the community “shall continue to exist within the state of present Nagaland in the event of Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) demand is considered by the government of India.”

According to ESH president Vikato Yeptho and general secretary Z. Robet Heeto, the resolution was reaffirmed at its emergency meeting held with all frontal organization on January 22, 2023 at Hotel Millennium, Kohima.

They said that the hoho also called on Nagaland governor and apprised him about the decision of the Sumi tribe of Eastern Nagaland.

Meanwhile, ESH has directed the Sumi tribe of Eastern Nagaland to participate in the forthcoming election and exercise their franchise as provided by Article 326 of the constitution of India.

SC asks Nagaland to appoint Rupin as DGP within one week

NEW DELHI, JAN 23 (PTI): Supreme Court on Monday directed the Nagaland government to pass orders within one week on the appointment of senior IPS officer Rupin Sharma as the DGP Nagaland.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices V Ramasubramanian and J B Pardiwala refused to consider the plea of Nagaland government that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) be asked to relax the 30 years service criteria rule to 25 years for IPS officers for being empanelled in

the UPSC list of three for appointment as the state police chief. It was argued by the state government that it was very difficult to find three senior IPS officers of 30 years of experience in small states like Nagaland who could be considered for empanelment by the UPSC.

“As already noted... Rupin Sharma has already been appointed and this being the position, we are not issuing directions mandating the UPSC to relax the eligibility criteria from 30 years to 25 years,” the bench said.

Staff Reporter/Correspondent

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, JAN 23 (NPN): The resentment within the State BJP has been growing by the day over the seat sharing agreement (NDPP-40:BJP-20) and also with regard to tickets being denied to “winnable candidates” and other hopeful intending candidates.

As a result, BJP party workers/supporters of intending candidates staged protests outside BJP offices in Dimapur and Kohima to express their resentment.

When contacted, a senior BJP leader said that the Central BJP parliamentary board was yet to take a final call on the allotment.

NDPP and BJP, and demanded either equal seat sharing between the two parties (30:30) or that BJP should contest all the 60 Assembly constituencies.

He clarified that they were not against the BJPNDPP alliance, but were only opposing the seat-sharing ratio between the two parties. He remarked that disallowing aspiring and intending candidates party tickets was like suppressing the voice of party workers, claiming that they were only voicing the concerns of BJP karyakartas.

KOHIMA: BJP workers of Kohima district led by its president Khrielie Üsou staged a dharna at the party’s head office in the State Capital on Monday, not only demanding ticket for former legislator Kropol Vitsu from 15 Southern Angami II Assembly Constituency (AC) but also to allot one seat to the party out of six seats under Kohima district.

DIMAPUR, JAN 23 (NPN):

Apex bodies representing various Naga tribes, cultural groups and churches have congratulated Working Committee of the NNPGs and NSCN (I-M) for their historic commitment for forming ‘Council of Naga Relationships’ and Cooperation led by Convenor NNPGs and NSCN (I-M) chairman, for declaring their “unconditional commitment to collaborate on the basis of our respective agreement with immediate effect for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India.”

The support to the joint commitment was declared

order to keep with change, learning should not be seen as an end but as a means to achieve the greater heights in life. Mukhi encouraged the students to continuously update themselves with the latest technologies, innovations and the changes the world around was going through.

Governor also encouraged them to be job creators and not job seekers.

“Go ahead with this degree, explore new fields, engage yourself in scientific and engineering research to serve mankind, to serve for our nation, be a teacher, start industries to provide employment opportunity,” he said.

Acknowledging the contribution of NIT, Mukhi said NIT Nagaland was the first Centrally funded technical institute of Nagaland and among 31 NITs of India. He said NIT Nagaland was a developing institution contributing significantly in various fields of engineering, technology, education and research. Governor also acknowledged the role of the government at the centre

for the foresight and State of Nagaland and the Chumukedima community for their ceaseless support to the growth of NIT Nagaland.

Expressing concern over increase in violence against female in the country, governor, however, said there was no report on violence against female in Nagaland.

Quoting the words of Mahatma Gandhi “We can believe that we got absolute independence if and only if a lady can walk with gold in the streets even in mid night without any fear”, the governor said it was reality only in the state of Nagaland in the entire world.

On Monday, around 10 BJP aspiring candidates along with their followers and party workers staged a dharna at Naga Shopping Arcade area Dimapur against the 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement between NDPP and BJP. The intending candidates under the banner of ‘BJP Forum’ included Tarie Zeliang from 6th Tening Assembly constituency (AC), James Yaden from (21 Tuli AC), Naiba Konyak (55 Tobu), Hukiye N Tissica (34 Aghunato), Supu Jamir (Dimapur II), Hukuto Khulu (Dimapur III), Chuong (Mon Town), Dr Temsuwati (27 Mokokchung Town), Bitong Sangtam (52 LongkhimChare) and former MLA Konngann.

The forum urged the Central leaders to review the seat sharing agreement and reiterated their demand to increase the seat sharing deal to 30:30.

Interacting with the media after the dharna, Hukiye N Tissica said the dharna was held to express resentment against the seat sharing alliance between

Tissica exuded confidence that BJP had the chance to form the next government on its own. He appealed to Assam chief minister and NEDA chairman Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, chief minister Neiphiu Rio, BJP State president Imna Along and BJP Legislature Party leader & deputy CM Y Patton to review their decision.

Meanwhile, Supu Jamir claimed that leaders were confused between reservation and seat sharing, and hence demanded that there should be proper consultations to determine which candidate was strong in which constituency. He alleged that currently tickets were being denied to BJP leaders despite their strong winning factor.

He demanded that since BJP had performed much better then NDPP in the last Assembly election in terms of winning percentage, seats should be shared equally by both the parties.

Supu warned of agitation if their demand was not adhered to. On his part, Naiba Konyak claimed that he was invited to join BJP on the pretext of getting a party ticket, but lamented that the situation had changed.

Addressing media persons outside the head office premises here, Khrielie Üsou appealed to party leaders both at the national and State levels to heed to their request.

“Excluding Tseminyü, we have six seats in Kohima and out of that we should be given at least one by any means. All BJP Kohima district workers endorse the candidature of Kropol Vitsu from 15 Southern Angami II AC,” he said.

Citing the instance of how in 2018 the former party president late Visasolie Lhoungu gave up his seat and sacrificed his candidature for the sake of alliance with NDPP, Üsou insisted that such sacrifices should not go unheeded.

He further pointed out that, respecting the 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement with NDPP, Lhoungu from 11 Northern Angami II AC had pulled out of the race and gave the chance to Neiphiu Rio, who also hailed from the same constituency.

Apart from that, Üsou claimed that BJP had also given all the seven seats in Kohima district, including Tseminyü, to NDPP, thus paving the way towards the formation of the present government.

at a meeting Monday under the aegis of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) besides full support to NNPGs and NSCN (I-M)’s determination.

The meeting also empowered the NPGs for finding realistic ways to move forward in an honourable manner without any interference from

internal and external forces.

The meeting also resolved to call upon Naga people to find deep connection with one another and form a collective speech and function as a whole in strengthening the commitment “to explore, at the earliest, realistic ways to move forward on the basis of

Naga historical and political right,” as reflected in “Nagas are Moving Ahead” on January 14, 2023.

On this note, the organisations assured to work with immediate effect and urge all individuals and organisations to avoid making statements that created further confusion

and division. They also called upon all believers in Christ to support prayer programmes organised by churches and prayer centres for peace and harmony and triumph over the evils of hate, violence and malicious agenda. They also urged upon all followers of Christ to wage the test of antagonism and intercede to God for truth and righteousness to prevail.

The organisations also noted that, lessons from the immediate Naga context of being “managed” by hands from within and without, had taught each other and discovered ways to correct superfluity.

In a notification, principal director Thavaseelan K warned that appropriate disciplinary action

be initiated against

The department informed the schools that if they made available the books, stationery, and uniform items on the school premises then they must not coercion the students/parents to buy the same from these shops.

School should also not coerce parents/students for buying the said books and items from any other specified vendors, the notification stated.

Meanwhile, the department informed that DEOs/Sr. SDEOs/SDEOs have been entrusted to pay surprise visits to schools under their jurisdiction and ensure strict compliance with the directives.

Mary Kom to lead Oversight panel to probe allegations against WFI Prez

DIMAPUR, JAN 23 (NPN): Department of School Education (DoSE) has cautioned the schools selling text books at a price higher than the printed price to refrain from such unethical practices.

would

school heads and school managements violating the directives.

(From top) Supporters of BJP intending candidates during the protest in Dimapur and BJP Kohima district members stage peaceful dharna outside State BJP office in Kohima. (NP)

Correspondent

ESH leaders with Nagaland governor in Kohima.

(R) Mahima Singh with K Theünuo addressing the media. (NP)

Church leaders and representatives of various organizations after the meeting.

Prof. Jagdish Mukhi (NP)

DCs issue notifications, directives for assembly election

and advertisements.

DIMAPUR: In view of the upcoming assembly election 2023 and to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the districts, Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of respective districts have issued notifications and directives to political parties, candidates and public.

DC Kohima: DC and District Magistrate Kohima, Shanavas C has directed all the arms license holders under Kohima District to deposit their firearms along with ammunition and license to their concerned Police Station latest by January 31, 2023.

A DIPR report stated that failure to comply will lead to the cancellation of Arms License (s) and other penal action as per the relevant section of law.

Officer-in-charge of the concerned police station have been entrusted to furnish a daily report.

Meanwhile, DC Kohima has issued an order

of requisition of the MultiLevel Car Parking at Old NST under Kohima Smart City for parking of the requisitioned vehicles in connection with the conduct of the forthcoming assembly election, till the completion of the election process.

DC Chumu holds meeting with political parties: To discuss matters related to expenditure monitoring for the forthcoming general election, a meeting was convened on January 21, at the DC’s Conference Hall, Chumoukedima.

At the meeting, DC & DEO, Abhinav Shivam apprised the political parties of the protocol of the election expenditure and urged them to strictly follow and take measures for free and fair election as per the model code of conduct.

He briefed about the election expenditure process related to campaigning in public meetings, pamphlets/ posters, banners, Vehicles,

Further DC appealed all political parties to immediately remove the pamphlets/ posters, flags, or banners that are seen along the highway.

DC Kma holds meeting: DC Kiphire directs: DC and DEO Kiphire has directed all heads of offices in Kiphire to remain in station. Respective department officers have been directed to sign the staff daily attendance and submit the same to the Sub- Divisional Officer (C) HQ every day by 3 p.m. DC also cautioned that non-compliance to the order will be dealt with seriously, as per appropriate sections of the Representation of people’s Act 1951.

MCMC constituted in Longleng: District level Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for Longleng has been constituted with the following members headed by Deputy Commissioner & DEO,

Longleng as chairman, and ADC & Returning Officer, Assistant Election Officer & ARO and District Public Relations Officer, Longleng as members.

According to DIRP report, the committee shall consider or decide on precertification of advertisement/paid news proposed to be issued in the media by any individual, group, parties or candidate contesting election from the constituency falling within the jurisdiction of the committee.

MCMC will also examine complaints/issues of paid news etc by all members through a monitoring arrangement.

Meanwhile, in connection with enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in Longleng district, District Contact Centre (DCC) with toll free number 1950 at DC & DEO office, Longleng have been operationalized for complaint redressal. 24 X 7 control Room with

Youth trained on poultry rearing

DIMAPUR: ATMA Peren

district conducted Skill Training for Rural Youth (STRY) programme on “Poultry Rearing and Management” from January 16 –21, 2023 at Jalukie B village.

The training programme was organized by ATMA, Peren in association with SAMETI, Nagaland and MANAGE, Hyderabad. Tonikali Achumi, DPD explained that the training was conducted to impart skill -based training to rural youths so as to create skilled manpower to promote employment in rural areas.

The training course consisted of technical sessions where resource person, Dr. Suiyipeube Mpom, Vet-

erinary Assistant Surgeon, Department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Jalukie educated the participants on poultry production for entrepreneurship development and marketing linkages in the district.

Apart from topics on bird rearing management, prevention and management

of poultry diseases, medication, vaccination was also taken up and discussed.

The field visits included tours to nearby poultry farms and KVK, Peren Poultry Farm so as to give participants hands on experience and gave them a clear idea on bird rearing by scientific method as well as

traditional method.

The training programme concluded with a valedictory program, which was chaired by Kumui Nring, DPD ATMA and certificates were awarded to the trainees. Altogether 19 youths benefitted from the training programme.

adequate manpower and logistic facilities had been activated with strict instructions for prompt redressal and disposal of complaint.

DC & DEO Wkha notifies: Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer (DC&DEO), Wokha Ajit Kumar Ranjan, has informed all concerned that, in view of the ensuing 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election 2023 and to facilitate the smooth conduct of the election process, all Heads of Offices under Wokha district have been directed not to release of -

ficers and staff transferred under their establishment, stric t compliance with effect from January 21 until further order.

DC Phek holds meeting: DC & DEO Phek, Kumar Ramnikant, conducted a meeting of the district level standing committee on election on January 21, at DC’s Conference Hall Phek. The meeting deliberated on the issue relating conduct of the forthcoming 14th NLA election, 2023, and discussed ensuring compliance with the Model Code of Conduct in the District.

Free diabetes and dental screening camp: Lions Club of Dimapur (LCD) will be organizing free diabetes and dental screening camp at Lions Club, Midland premises on January 29 from 9am to 2pm. LCD president, Sandeep Bakliwal informed that specialist dental doctors will be available for consultation and screening. At the camp, diabetes screening will be done for the required patients and the registration forms will be available at Lions Club of Dimapur (Midland), Mahavir Printing Press (GS Road), PK Travels (Jain Temple Road), Haffle showroom (Opp. Supermarket), Vitrag Travels (Near City Tower), Computer Villa (Church Road). During the camp, awareness Seminars and talks on diabetes & dental health will be conducted. Further details can be contacted at Ngialungbe Newme 9862264870.

Mass social work in Phek: Deputy Commissioner Phek, Kumar Ramnikant informed that in view of the upcoming Republic Celebration a mass social work will be conducted in Phek town on January 24 starting from 6:30 a.m. Therefore, the DC has requested all Ward Chairmen and GBs to inform all citizens to participate in social work. All heads of offices have been informed to conduct social work in their respective office premises. Excise seize IMFL: Dimapur District Excise personnel during frisking duty in and around Dimapur seized 674 bottles/canned of assorted IMFL and 3000 litres of country liquor. The seized IMFL was deposited in the Malkhana.

Lost and found: NSCN/GPRN has recovered a vehicle Etios Liva (Toyota) and Engine no. M25G160058B2 and chassis no. MBJK30ET908047809. In this regard, the owner of the vehicle has been asked to claim the vehicle within seven days from the date of publication of this notice.

aCKnOWLeDGeMent

“Life is never going to be the same Apfo but we are fortunate to know you’re in a better place. All the memories, love, prayers that you left with us will always be remembered and cherished. We adore and love you mom”

With immense regards and gratitude, the bereaved family of Late Dielieü tsükrü would like to express our deepest appreciation for everyone’s love, sympathy and kind gestures as we mourn over her loss.

Our heartfelt thanks to each and every individual, groups, relatives, neighbours, friends, churches, prayer homes, elders, community and well-wishers who stood by us throughout her prolonged illness and also supporting us physically, mentally, prayerfully, morally, financially and materially.

We regret our inability to acknowledge each and everyone personally but it is our sincere prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving husband, Children, and family Members

k-175/23

Fellowship Kohima

Er. Supongliba & Family

Kohima Molungkimong Senso Telongjem

Kohima Molungkimong Tsur Telongjem

Chandmari Youth Meet V KABA

Upper PWD Youth Organisation Kohima

PWD Prayer Fellowship Kohima

E-in C (Est.Br) NPWD Kohima

Kohima Harvest Church (Mhonkhola)

Loving Children and Grandchildren

The family of Late K.n Pusha, would like to acknowledge the expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our great loss.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to the many friends, neighbours and well-wishers who visited our home, attended the wake, service and burial and who provided emotional and practical support for us at this difficult time. For those who telephoned, travelled long distances, sent floral tributes, cards and messages of condolences, as well as those who made charitable donations, we are truly grateful.

To those who helped in any way, your contribution made our loss more bearable. On our part we are greatly indebted and it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, but it is our prayer and belief that His grace and blessings be with you all. Please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

Loving Wife, Children and Grandchildren

Late K.n Pusha age 100 years (1923-2023)

DC at the meeting with the political parties at Chumoukedima.

Resource persons and participants.

Members of Phek District Level Standing Committee at Phek. Requisition of vehicles at Tseminyu.

DIMAPUR: Chief medical officer (CMO), Dimapur, Dr. I. Moatemjen launched the Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC) at CMO’s Office

At the launching programme, Dr. Ahu, State Programme Officer pointed out that leprosy, being, one of the oldest diseases in the world, a lot of myths and misconceptions about the disease prevalent in the olden days were still present today, which have resulted in stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy in the society.

He said leprosy was

curable in any stage like any other skin diseases; the only difference was that leprosy if not treated can cause deformity.

He also informed that all the leprosy cases treated today were once hidden but were detected during LCD campaigns.

He, therefore, urged the Search Teams and Supervisors to continue working diligently during the campaign and refer any suspected case for confirmation and free treatment.

Dr. Valentina Neikha, District Programme Officer, National Leprosy

231 NCC cadets undergo training

DIMAPUR: A total of 231 NCC cadets of Southern Nagaland were participating in annual training camp at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma which began on January 21.

The cadets were trained under the guidance of 6 Associate NCC Officers and Army personnel of NCC Group HQ, Kohima.

In a press release, PRO (Defence) Kohima said that despite the cold weather spell in the Kohima region, the cadets were taking part in all training activities with

enthusiasm.

The cadets were also taken to trekking to Puleibadze Peak by forest department and were briefed about the environmental concerns of the area and the concept of ecologically sustainable ways of harnessing forest produce.

Besides trekking, the cadets were also trained by the Army personnel in handling Small Arms. Dr Ruyangulie from the medical department also gave a practical advice on health & Hygiene, and staying warm

during winters.

On January 22, Brig PS Sangwan, Group Commander Kohima, interacted with the cadets and a band and weapons displays were also organised for the cadets by 1 Assam Rifles.

Documentaries on military history were also screened for the cadets to expose them to the contribution of the armed forces in nation building. The senior cadets from this camp were also preparing to take part in the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

BJP 38 A/C Longsa condemns alleged threat

KOHIMA: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party functionaries of 38 A/C Longsa unit have condemned the alleged threat by some supporters of NDPP Wokha village unit on BJP supporters of Wokha district.

In a letter addressed to deputy commissioner Wokha, president BJP Longsa village unit Thungchanbemo Ezung, youth president BJP youth wing Longsa village unit Yanpvuo Kikon and secretary BJP Longsa village unit Meribemo Ezung citing reports from “reliable sources” alleged that some supporters of NDPP Wokha village unit

had threatened BJP supporters of Wokha district with dire consequences.

Pointing out that the allotment of BJP party ticket was solely the decision of the BJP central leadership and the parliamentary board committee. Therefore, based on some unfounded assumptions, the BJP supporters of Wokha district cannot be threatened and intimidated, they said.

The BJP unit therefore urged upon the DC to enforce the rule of law in the district to ensure that no individual or family was threatened under any circumstances.

CBSE affiliated schools hold meeting at LFI

DIMAPUR: A one-day meeting of the principals, vice principals, directors and administrators of CBSE affiliated schools of Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Niuland with the Regional officer of CBSE, Guwahati Region, Thongkholet Mate, was held at Livingstone Foundation International on January 21. The meeting was attended by all the CBSE affiliated schools of the three districts.

Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema, chairman of Livingstone Foundation thanked the various heads of schools for attending the meeting despite the short notice.

He exuded optimism that all the CBSE schools in Nagaland remain united as one family and to involve more in mutual interactions for a cumulative growth and progress of CBSE schools.

During his interac -

tion with the heads of schools, the Regional Officer, Thonkholet Mate discussed about the upcoming CBSE Boards examinations to be conducted from February 15, 2023 onwards and requested the schools to cooperate with the Regional Office of CBSE in order to make the Board Examination successful in all perspective.

He also briefed the gathering about the various initiatives undertaken by him as the North East Nodal Officer for Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) programme of the Prime Minister of India and called upon the schools to make this programme a huge success across the state.

During the meeting, the Regional Officer also answered many queries brought forth by the heads of schools on matters concerning examinations, centres, deputation of examiners and observers, etc.

It further reminded that Wokha town was home to the Lothas in general and that everybody had the right to live freely without any fear whatsoever.

The unit cautioned that it would initiate appropriate action if no positive response was received, as deemed fit, by the concerned authority and that the BJP unit should not be held responsible under any circumstances

Eradication Programme (NLEP) who chaired the programme emphasized on intensive Inter-Personal Communication during house to house visits to dispel misconceptions, stigmas and discriminations associated with leprosy.

Other officials who attended the programme were Dr. S.K. Dey, State Consultant for Leprosy, Dr. Tiala, CMO Chumukedima, Dr. Antoly Suu, DyCMO, Dr. Benchilo, DTO, Dr, Kavito, DPO (NVBDCP), Dr. Rebecca, DPO (RCH/ UIP) and staff under CMO establishment.

Coordination meeting for R-Day in Kohima

DIMAPUR: A coordination meeting to discuss the work distribution and other logistic arrangements with regard to the celebration of Republic Day at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima on January 26 was held on January 23 at DC’s Conference Hall, Kohima.

At the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Shanavas C took the status and updates of the departments assigned with various works for the celebration of Republic Day. He also asked the district Heads of Offices to attend the program with their respective employees. The meeting further entrusted various organizations for visitation of Institutions on the occasion.

Meanwhile, DC has informed all the HODs and special invitees to collect the invitation cards/ car passes for the upcoming Republic Day celebration from the establishment branch, office of the DC, Kohima from January 24, during office hours. DC has also informed all the head of offices posted at Kohima headquarters and Gaon Buras under Kohima Sadar (Urban & Rural) to compulsorily attend the Republic Day Celebration on January 26, Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza.

SAMETI organises training for ATMA functioneries

DIMAPUR: State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) organized a two days training programme “Scientific management of pond for effective fish rearing and value addition in fish” for ATMA functionaries at SAMETI, Medziphema from January 18 to 19.

SAMETI director, IETC principal, Medziphema Dr. Watimongla Jamir in a press release stated that during the training, the participants were trained on the topic of pond culture-principles and practices, integrated fish farming, water analysis and feed formulation and value addition in fish.

Resource persons for the training, department of Fishery AFI, Dimapur, Theja – o Rulu deliberated on the status, market size, scope of fish processing in Nagaland and emphasised on the entrepreneurship opportunities of fishery products.

He also educated the participants on the health benefits of fishes, handling and freezing of fishery products, dressing/filleting, mince-based fishery products, and specialty fish products. The trainees were provided hands-on demon on feed and water analysis and various valued added fish products, etc.

ICAR NER (Fisheries Resource Management), Nagaland centre, Jharnapani, scientist, Dr. Jyotish Barman, encouraged the functionaries to motivate the farmers in the state in providing the quality fishes.

The valedictory programme was chaired by SAMETI deputy project director, Yezaho Swu. Certificates were distributed to the trainees by SAMETI director and IETC principal, Dr. Watimongla Jamir, and SAMETI DPD, Janet Chishi, delivered the vote of thanks and concluded the valedictory.

DIMAPUR: The threeday, first Rongmei Catholic Dimphuam Nagaland (RCDN) convention was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Diphupar –A, Chümoukedima from January 19-21 under the theme “Christian chapriak khou lung riak sinsu gutmei” (Inculturation of Faith).

The main celebrant was Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima and Johnny Ruangmei, president of Catholic Association of Nagaland, joint CEO NSDMA GoN, as the special guest.

In the homily, Rev. Dr. Bishop said incultura-

tion was the process of the Church’s effort to make the message of Christ penetrate a given socio-cultural context, calling on the later to grow according to all its particular values, as long as these were compatible with the Gospel.

Johnny Ruangmei in his speech said the Rongmeis should not be afraid to showcase the traditional customs and attires as Mary and Joseph were not afraid to reveal Jesus to people.

Rev. Fr Tinglung Francis SDB, the first Rongmei Catholic priest, in exhortation said, Jesus Christ was the most high and mighty

priest and the sacrifice He offered was once and for all. It may be noted that the Rongmei Catholic Dimphuam was a lay movement with one of the main purposes to strengthen the faith of the Rongmei Catholic community.

Exhortation and valuable talk on Christian values and principles was shared by Rev. Fr Gabriel Gaikhangdim Gonmei, Rev. Fr Liangkamang Innocent Panmei SDB, Rev Fr Gaisinpou Romeo Gangmei SDB, Rev Fr Jangsinlung Joshua Gangmei SDB, Rev. Sr Rose Abilu MSMHC and Rev. Sr Magdalene Dimlu Gonmei FMA.

ZBCC 6th Mipei conference concludes

DIMAPUR: The three-day, 6th Zeme Baptist Church Council (ZBCC) Mipei (fathers) conference concluded on Monday at Tesen Baptist Church, Peren district.

The conference began with the unfurling of the conference flag by executive secretary, ZBCC, Rev. Iziteilung Terieng on January 21. In the evening service, executive secretary Zeme Baptist Church Council Peren, Rev. Ezieteilung Terieng spoke on the topic “Fathers’ stand firm in your religion as a Christian”.

On January 22 morning session, a class was conducted on addiction with a team from Operation Salvage Heningkunglwa, Peren. In the conference, a singing competition was also organised where New Tesen Baptist Church Mipei Kangbau bagged the first position and second and third positions were bagged by Kejanglwa Baptist Church Mipei Kangbau and Lamhai Dungki Baptist Church Mipei Kangbau.

On the concluding day, the closing service sermon was delivered by Irui Kenn Nring on the topic “Fathers’ Stand firm in your mission”. Rev. Dr. Mongzeung Mpom and Rev. Iringtie kauring were the speakers on Sunday

here on Monday.

CMO Dimapur, Dr. I. Moatemjen launching the LCDC on Monday.

Rev. Dr. James Thoppi and others at the convention.

services. Altogether, 529 delegates from 42 churches attended the conference. The conference concluded

with de-hoisting of flag by Youth Secretary Zeme Baptist Church Council Peren Nagaland, Dr. Rampaukupoing Michui.

Executive secretary, ZBCC, Rev. Iziteilung Terieng unfurling the 6th Mipei (Fathers) conference flag.

Cold wave further intensifies in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, JAN 23 (PTI): The minimum temperature dipped further across Kashmir due to clear skies with Gulmarg skiing resort recording a bone-chilling minus 9 degrees Celsius, officials said. The sun has been playing hide and seek in Kashmir since Sunday afternoon following four days of rain and snow. In Srinagar, the minimum temperature settled at a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, down from 1.0 degrees on Saturday night.

Delhi cop stabbed by criminal

NEW DELHI, JAN 23 (PTI): A Delhi Police head constable was stabbed and sent to ICU when he was trying to quell a fight between an auto-rickshaw driver and some men in southwest Delhi’s Chhawla area, police said on Monday. The accused has been arrested, they said. The incident took place on Sunday evening when Assistant Sub-Inspector Sunil and head constable Rinku were on patrolling duty in the Qutub Vihar area, and got a call at 8.35 pm about a fight in the area, a senior police officer said.

Army colonel commits suicide

JABALPUR (MP), JAN 23 (PTI): A 43-year-old Indian Army colonel allegedly committed suicide by hanging at a training centre in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur city, police said on Monday.

The body of Colonel Nishith Khanna, posted as Commanding Officer in the 1-Technical Training Regiment (TTR), was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a room of the officers’ mess in the One Signal Training Centre at around 10.30 pm on Sunday, City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Priyanka Shukla said.

3 cyber fraudsters arrested in Maha

MUMBAI, JAN 23 (PTI): The Mumbai police have arrested three persons allegedly involved duping people through fake insurance schemes, job opportunities and other activities, an official said on Monday. The arrested accused allegedly operated a fake call centre in Noida and contacted the victims over phone and through social media, the official said.

35 booked for blocking road in UP

BHADOHI (UP), JAN 23 (PTI): An FIR has been registered against 35 people for allegedly blocking a road as they took out a candle march to protest the killing of a minor girl in the Suriyawan area of Bhadohi district in Uttar Pradesh, police said on Monday.

Five of the 35 people have been named in the FIR and the remaining will be identified through available video footage and photos, the police said, adding necessary action will be taken against them.

5 killed in Rajasthan road accident

JAIPUR, JAN 23 (PTI): Five people from Haryana died in a road accident in Rajasthan’s Sikar district while returning after offering prayer at Salasar temple near Sujangarh, police said on Monday. The accident occurred late on Sunday night on FatehpurSalasar highway when their car collided with an oncoming truck, DSP Rajesh Vidhyarthi said.

PM unveils model of Netaji memorial

PORT BLAIR, JAN 23

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday virtually unveiled the model of a proposed memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, to be set up in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and said it will infuse feelings of patriotism among people.

Modi, on the occasion of Netaji’s 126th birth anniversary, also named 21 islands of the Union Territory after Param Vir Chakra awardees.

“Today, it is a proud moment for me as I address the people of Andamans because this is the land, where Subhas Chandra Bose unfurled the national flag for the first time in 1943,” the prime minister said.

The freedom fighter had hoisted the Tricolour in the archipelago on December 30, 1943.

PM Modi noted that the islands, named after famous soldiers, including Major Somnath Sharma,

Lt. Colonel (then Major) Dhan Singh Thapa, Subedar Joginder Singh, Major Shaitan Singh, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal and Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, will be a source of inspiration for generations to come.

“It gives me immense pleasure to announce the naming of 21 islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees and to inaugurate the model

of a proposed memorial at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island (previously known as Ross Island).

“One should see the naming of 21 islands as ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and the memorial will infuse feelings of patriotism in the hearts of people,” he said.

PM Modi also mentioned that islands named earlier in the day after Param Vir Chakra awardees “will be the land of inspiration for generations to come”.

The prime minister said that attempts were made to “downplay” Netaji’s contribution to the freedom movement, but the entire country, right from Delhi and Bengal to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is paying tribute to the great hero today, preserving history and heritage associated with him.

“Attempt was made to suppress Netaji’s contribution towards freedom struggle, but the entire nation is remembering him today. Netaji will be remembered for his fierce resistance to the colonial rule. I am deeply influenced by his thoughts,” PM Modi said.

He also pointed out that demands to make Netaji’s files public were made by many for long, and it was his government which eventually declassified the files.

“There were demands to make Netaji’s secret files public and we did so while respecting his sacrifice for the country,” PM Modi said.

Islands renamed in Andamans just to gain popularity: Mamata

KOLKATA, JAN 23 (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday took potshots at the Centre’s attempt to rechristen some islands, stating that such initiatives were made to just to “gain popularity”, given that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had renamed Andaman and Nicobar as Shaheed and Swaraj Islands in 1943.

Banerjee’s reaction came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi named 21 Islands in the archipelago after Param Vir Chakra awardees, on the occasion of Bose’s 126th birth anniversary.

“Today, just to gain popularity, some are claiming to have given names Shaheed and Swaraj to islands, but that is not true. Netaji, during his visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, had already renamed those,” Banerjee said.

Notably, Neil and Havelock islands in An -

CEC flags threat of ‘deep fake narratives’ to polls

NEW DELHI, JAN 23 (PTI): Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Monday flagged the disturbing trend of “deep fake narratives” to elections in India and abroad where “disruptive elements” attempt to alter public perception and mislead people by repetitively presenting fake as fact.

He said social media platforms ought to use their algorithm power and artificial intelligence to detect deep fakes “proactively”, especially in jurisdictions like India where electoral cycles are definite and well announced.

The CEC made these remarks at an international conference organised by the

Election Commission here on the “Use of Technology and Elections Integrity”. Kumar, according to an EC statement, also raised concerns over level-playing

forcement agencies’ analogy to put onus on social media platforms to detect deep fakes proactively.

“He said that it is difficult to imagine if the enforcement agencies say that they would not act unless crime is reported to them; intelligence prevention is not their responsibility,” the statement said.

technology. A fake news on EVM hacking attributed to former CEC T S Krishnamurthy keeps getting circulated over social media before every election, he said.

Krishnamurthy has gone on record recently to deny the news attributed to him.

damans were, in 2018, renamed as ‘Shahid’ Dweep and ‘Swaraj’ Dweep by the Centre. Ross Island was also rechristened as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep to honour the freedom fighter. The TMC supremo also criticised the Centre for scrapping the Planning Commission, envisaged by the legendary freedom fighter.

“Netaji had constituted the Planning Commission to outline the future of the country. But today it’s our ill luck that we have no plan-

ning. The Planning Commission has been scrapped. Can you tell me why? If someone has any idea, I will request him/her to explain the reason to me as I am not that intelligent,” she said. The CM was addressing a programme in the city’s Red Road area, where rich tributes were paid to Bose by his family members and other dignitaries.

Banerjee also slammed the Narendra Modi government for sending teams to Bengal over various reasons, including inspection of central scheme implementation, and claimed that no such step is taken to check the state of affairs in BJPruled Uttar Pradesh.

The CM expressed shock over the Delhi High Court granting bail to expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who was sentenced to life by a trial court for raping a minor girl in 2017 in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao.

UK petition demands probe into BBC series on PM Modi

LONDON, JAN 23 (PTI):

A new online petition has demanded an independent probe into a “serious breach” by the BBC in its duties as a public broadcaster in the UK over the controversial documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

field not being in-built in platforms search results to at least show officially verified versions with the same prominence as fake content.

“The CEC used en -

Judges don’t face public scrutiny as they are not elected: Kiren Rijiju

NEW DELHI, JAN 23 (PTI): As judges are not elected, they do not face public scrutiny but people watch them and make assessment about them from the way they deliver justice, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Monday.

The minister’s remarks at a Republic Day function organised at the Tis Hazari courts complex here came amid a tug of war between the judiciary and the executive.

Rijiju said due to social media, ordinary citizens ask questions from the govern-

ment and they should do so. The government is attacked and questioned “and we face it”, he said.

“If people elect us again, we will return to power. If they don’t, we’ll sit in opposition and question the government,” he said.

He said on the other hand if a person becomes a judge, he does not have to face elections. “There is no public scrutiny of judges,” he said. “...as people don’t elect you, they cannot replace you. But people are watching you -- your judgements, the way you deliver verdict -- people are watching and make assessment and form opinion,” he said.

Nothing is hidden in

the era of social media, he said.

Rijiju said the Chief Justice of India had requested him to do something about the attacks on judges on the social media. He wanted to know how to control the insulting language against judges.

He said the judges cannot argue on a public forum as there are limitations.

“I have thought about what should be done. There is a provision of contempt. But when people comment on a mass scale, then what can be done. While we are facing public scrutiny and criticism on a daily basis, judges too are facing the same now,” he said.

In his keynote address, Kumar raised prominent questions such as whose primary responsibility is it to identify “blatant and system detectable” fake content and prevent them from getting uploaded and circulated on social media platforms.

He also referred to a “trend” to discredit the electronic voting machine

The two-day conference is the second in a series of three conferences to be organised by the EC. It is being hosted under the Cohort on Election Integrity led by the commission. Sixteen countries, including heads and deputy heads of nine election management authorities or election authorities, are participating in the conference.

‘Call for an Independent Investigation into the BBC over Modi documentary’ on Change.Org, which “strongly” condemns the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for failing to meet the “highest standards of editorial impartiality”, has attracted over 2,500 signatures since it went online on Sunday night.

The petition labels ‘India: The Modi Question’, the first part of which aired last week and the second is due to be aired on Tuesday, as a piece of “sinister propaganda journalism that deliberately misinforms its viewers”. “We strongly condemn the BBC for failing to meet the highest standards of editorial impartiality in its two-part documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’,” it reads.

“We call upon the BBC Board to conduct an independent investigation into this serious breach of its duties as a public service broadcaster and publish the findings in full,” it demands.

Traffic jams in Delhi due to R-Day Parade rehearsal

NEW DELHI, NOV 23 (PTI): The national capital saw massive traffic jams and a slowing down of vehicular movement in many areas on Monday owing to restrictions for the Republic Day Parade rehearsal, with commuters stuck for hours on roads.

Major roads in and around Delhi including on the DND flyover and Ghazipur border were affected from the morning rush hours till around 2 pm. Busy stretches including ITO, Sardar Patel Marg, Kashmeri Gate and Chankyapuri were also choked.

The Delhi Traffic Police had issued an advisory on the arrangements and restrictions for the smooth conduct of Monday’s full dress rehearsal for the Re-

public Day parade. Many office goers had come prepared for traffic diversions, but alternative routes also witnessed slow traffic.

“Sri Aurbindo Marg was completely blocked due to traffic. Even as I

Pakistani woman illegally staying in B’luru arrested Govt betraying Ladakh people: Cong chief

BENGALURU, JAN 23

(PTI): Police have arrested a 19-year-old Pakistani woman for allegedly forging her identity and illegally staying in the city.

According to the police, the woman identified as Iqra Jeevani had entered India last year through the porous India-Nepal border.

They said she is married to Mulayam Singh Yadav, a 25-year-old security guard from Uttar Pradesh, whom she met through a gaming app.

They are said to have met on the app and fell in love and later decided to get married, police sources said, following this she came to Nepal a few months ago where they got married. The couple then came to India crossing the India-Nepal border and reached Bihar.

Yadav brought Iqra Jeevani to Bengaluru, where he worked as a security guard, and the couple rented a house in Junnasandra.

He even got an Aad-

haar card done for Iqra Jeevani after changing her name to Rava Yadav, mentioning her as his wife, and later she even applied for an Indian passport.

Her identity came to light when the Intelligence Bureau tracked Iqra Jeevani’s trail, as she was trying to contact her family members back in Pakistan and alerted the state intelligence.

Based on the information, the city police gathered details about the couple, raided their house. They were questioned and have been arrested, police said.

Iqra Jeevani was subsequently handed over to the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) officials, who later remanded her to a state home for women and are further investigating the case, sources said, adding that Singh has also been arrested.

A FIR has been registered in connection with the case.

NEW DELHI, JAN 23 (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused the government of betraying the people of Ladakh by not agreeing to their demand for grant of statehood to the Union territory and protecting the eco-sensitive region. He alleged that by not agreeing to their demand for

statehood and safeguards for the tribal people under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the government is endangering India’s national security in a strategic border region. “Narendra Modi ji, people of Ladakh are unitedly demanding statehood for the UT, and safeguards for the tribal people of the region under the Sixth

Schedule of the Constitution,” Kharge said on Twitter. “But your Government has deceitfully betrayed them, despite making tall promises,” he alleged. He also alleged that the Modi government’s “greed to benefit select crony friends” who want to exploit the ecosensitive Himalayan glaciers of Ladakh is well-known.

took the other route via Malviya Nagar, there was traffic from Hauz Khas onwards. The road leading towards Parliament Street from Chankyapuri was completely blocked due to heavy traffic and caused a delay

of at least an hour,” said Ananya Basu (35). Even those who left early for their destination failed to beat the traffic woes.

Several people also opted for Delhi metro due to the traffic jams. Police said they received several calls from commuters reporting traffic woes.

Several commuters took to Twitter to inform others about the traffic situation in the city, with one of them reporting heavy jams on ITO, Pragati Maidan, and Geeta Colony flyover.

Adding to the woes, a container truck got stuck under a metro track passing over a road in Noida on Monday morning, briefly leading to traffic congestion on the stretch leading to Delhi, officials said.

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Names 21 islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands after decorated soldiers

PM Narendra Modi at the naming ceremony of 21 islands of Andaman & Nicobar in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI)

CEC Rajiv Kumar addresses the inaugural ceremony of the 2nd international conference in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI)

Kiren Rijiju

Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam near Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI)

Mamata Banerjee

Old wine again

As Nagaland goes to the polls on February 27, aspiring candidates are on overdrive to obtain tickets from various political parties and nothing more catches the eye than the seat sharing issue between two pre-poll allies, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party(NDPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP). It may be recalled that newly formed NPF under founder –member Neiphiu Rio and BJP forged an alliance for the 2003 assembly election. In 2018 Neiphiu Rio left NPF due to some differences with Dr.Shürhozelie and T.R.Zeliang. After Neiphiu left NPF, he joined the nascent NDPP which he had patronised. In 2018 both Naga People’s Front(NPF) and BJP severed their 15 –year alliance over some issues. As both Neiphiu Rio was no longer with NPF and also BJP no longer in alliance with the latter; both NDPP and BJP formed a pre-poll alliance known as Progressive Democratic Alliance(PDA). The two parties fought the 2018 election in alliance on a 40(NDPP) and 20(BJP) seat sharing arrangement. After results, NDPP(18/40) and BJP(12/20) were able to bypass the NPF(26/58) by luring two NPP, one JDU and two Independent MLAs to their side to form the PDA coalition government. Outwardly the alliance did not seem to have any problem but it betrayed the underlying friction between the chief minister and the deputy chief minister(from the BJP). Even within the BJP, there was a turf war between the BJP state unit president and a minister of higher and technical education with the legislature party leader and deputy chief minister. The opposition NPF had kept the heat on the PDA coalition by pulling out some uncomfortable facts due to the former’s experience with alleged corruption during 2003-2018. However, as luck would have it, the PDA was saved the embarrassment when the opposition NPF desperate for power sharing , joined the alliance with 26 MLAs on July 21,2021 to form the United Democratic Alliance(UDA) for the second opposition-less government. There was no change in the performance of the regional party-led alliance especially with regard to the promise made by legislators who took it upon themselves the role of self-styled ‘facilitator’ for peaceful solution even though there is nothing to show even after the past two decades since 2003. On the other hand, the anti-incumbency against the regional party-BJP coalition governments have been a factor but people succumbed to rhetoric on the promise of solution as the narrative of Naga unity for peaceful solution served to cover the underlying hunger for power, under the specious alibi. As voters prepare for election, those who are looking at BJP as an alternative is like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea. People ignore the reality that BJP has always been an important ingredient of all coalition governments under DAN-I,DAN-II, DAN-III, then PDA and now UDA from 2003 till 2023. Throughout all these decades, BJP has been an active partner in everything done under the coalition Sun. Another phenomenon, is that after NPF joined the NDPP-BJP government for form UDA, 21 of its MLAs defected to NDPP on April 30,2022. However the remaining four NPF legislators are still clinging on to UDA as if drawn by magnet. As election nears, NPF says it is serious about contesting 30 seats but has not distanced itself from NDPP. This has raised questions about whether remarks of its leaders that they will not form pre-poll but post poll alliance is hardly a choice after all?.

DailyDevotion

Transformed by Beholding

We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image… —2 Corinthians 3:18

The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you. It is almost always something good that will stain it— something good, but not what is best.

The most important rule for us is to concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including work, clothes, and food be set aside. The busyness of things obscures our concentration on God. We must maintain a position of beholding Him, keeping our lives completely spiritual through and through. Let other things come and go as they will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to obscure the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Never let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him. This is an easy thing to allow, but we must guard against it. The most difficult lesson of the Christian life is learning how to continue “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord….”

CEO reminder on MCC & EEM guidelines

Consequent upon the announcement of the schedule for the General Election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly — 2023 by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on 18th of January 2023, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force in the entire State of Nagaland.

Attention of all citizens is drawn towards some important guidelines of the ECI pertaining to MCC and Election Expenditure Monitoring (EEM) for information and compliance.

1. Defacement of property :  There should not be any defacement of government property, offices and premises and all wall writing, posters/ papers or defacement in any form, cutout/ hoardings, banners, flags etc. on Government property should be immediately removed.

 All unauthorized political advertisement in the form of wall writing/ posters/papers banners cut out, flag at public spaces like Railway Station, Bus

Stand, Airport, Roadways, Government Buses Electric/ Telephone Post, Municipal/ Local Bodies Building should be removed.

 All unauthorized political advertisements at private property should also be removed.

2. Misuse of official vehicles : There is a total ban on use of official vehicles by any political party, candidate or agent for campaigning, electioneering or election related travel during elections.

 The expression official vehicles include truck, lorries, tempos, jeeps, cars, auto rickshaws, e-rickshaws, buses belonging to central govt., state govt. public undertakings, local bodies, municipal corporations marketing ports cooperative societies or any other body in which public funds are invested.

3. Misuse of Government Dak Bungalows/ Rest Houses:  Rest Houses, Dak Bungalows or other Guest Houses of the Government should not be used for carrying out any political activity,

meetings etc.

4. Regarding Schemes/ Projects:

 No new government Scheme/ Project should be announced and those already approved also should not be started if work on it has not commenced yet.

5. Electoral offences and corrupt practices:  The offering and accepting/receiving of bribe/ gratification by any person is both an electoral offence and corrupt practice.

 Whoever voluntarily interferes or attempt to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right commits the offence of undue at an election.

 Whoever votes at an election in the name of any other person commits the offence of personation at an election.

 Booth capturing and preventing others from free exercise of their right to vote by any person is an electoral offence.

 Any promotion or attempt to promote feelings of enmity or hatred on the ground of religion, race,

caste, community, or language by any candidate or his election agent is an electoral offence and corrupt practice under the law.

6. Types of expenditure:  Allowed under the law of electioneering, subject within the permissible limit — public meetings, public rallies, posters, banners, vehicles, advertisements in print and electronic media.

 Not permitted under law — distribution of money, liquor or any items to the electors with intent to influence.

 Another form of expenditure in recent times is on Surrogate Advertisements, Paid News etc.

7. Pre-Certification of Political Advertisements:  Media Certification and Monitoring Committee at State level and District levels have been formed and all the political parties/candidates should approach these committees, as the case may be, for pre certification of all type of political advertisements proposed to be issued in electronic or print media.

8. Mechanism for

monitoring Election Expenditure:  Video Surveillance Team, Video Viewing Team, Accounting Team, Flying Squad & Static Surveillance Team to be supervised by the Expenditure Observer.

9. Restrictions on the printing of pamphlets, posters etc: 

As per Section 127 A of the RP Act, 1951, no person shall print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, any election pamphlet or poster which does not bear on its face the names and addresses of the printer and the publisher thereof.

 Printing other documents for the purpose of section 127A includes any advertisement inserted in the news paper and “Paid News” published in any news paper.

10. Restriction on carrying cash:  During checking, if any cash exceeding Rs. 50,000/- is found in a vehicle carrying a candidate, his agent, or party worker or carrying posters or election materials or any drugs, liquor, arms or gifts items which

are valued at more than Rs. 10,000/- likely to be used for inducement of electors or any other illicit articles are found in a vehicle, shall be subject to seizure.

Citizens carrying cash more than Rs. 50,000/- are advised to carry relevant documents to substantiate the source and purpose of the money.

11. Monitoring by Banks and Income Tax Department: Banks are to report daily to the DEO on suspicious withdrawal of cash from bank account of any individuals.

12. Complaint Monitoring System: Toll free number 1950 in the CEO office is available for any complaint by calling or by SMS or may be email to ceo_nagaland@eci.gov.in. The districts control room is also available for any complaint or grievances 24x7 at the given number.

For further query, please visit eci.nic.in/ ceonagaland.nic.in (V Shashank Shekhar), IAS, Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland

If powerful branches act in a constitutionally shameless manner, citizens must step up

Under the collegium system we currently have in place for appointment of judges to constitutional courts (i.e. the Supreme Court and the high courts), the power of appointment rests with the senior judges of the Supreme Court (the ‘collegium’); the government of the day has the right to request a reconsideration of any recommendations once but is bound to accept a reiterated recommendation. The system was put in place to preserve judicial independence after Indira Gandhi sought a ‘committed judiciary’ – committed obviously to the Executive – and remains the law of the land.

Parliament sought to replace the collegium system of judicial appointments with a National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) by amending the Constitution soon after the Narendra Modi government took office in 2014. The amendment was struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court under its power to review amendments that seek to alter the Constitution’s basic structure (which includes judicial independence). Incidentally, the basic structure doctrine is yet another judicial power developed as a response to Indira Gandhi government’s rising authoritarianism, and one that may well have prevented her from cementing her stranglehold over the state. The fact that both the collegium system and the basic structure doctrine emerged as judicial responses to a former autocratic premier, and are simultaneously under severe attack from latter day autocrats is no coincidence.

It is hardly anyone’s case that the collegium system is perfect. But the NJAC would have given the government of the day – and through it the ruling party or alliance – a decisive say in the appointment of constitutional judges. This, as the court explained when striking down the amendment creating the NJAC,

would have weaved a ‘web of indebtedness’ that the judges appointed by the government would feel they owe to it, thereby compromising judicial independence. The main role of constitutional courts, after all, is to check the government of the day; they cannot be expected to discharge this duty if their judges feel beholden to the government. Under our current system, it is bad enough that post-retirement appointments of judges to public offices tend to be within the gift of the government of the day; the NJAC would have made judicial indebtedness to the executive far worse.

The judges in the NJAC judgment therefore held that the weight of political voice in judicial appointments cannot exceed the weight of judicial voice. This demand of ‘judicial primacy’ was motivated by the need to ensure that constitutional courts remain independent of the government of the day. Our democracy depends on a system of checks and balance between a multipartisan legislature, a uni-partisan/ bloc-partisan higher executive, and a host of non-partisan institutions (that include the civil service, courts, and guarantor institutions like election commission, human rights commission, auditor general, information commission, reserve bank, attorney general etc). Executive primacy in judiciary appointments endangers this constitutional scheme of separation of powers.

The NJAC judgment has its critics. For one thing, judicial primacy is not essential to avoid the ‘web of indebtedness’. The Court could have approached the question differently, by focussing not on the relative weight of the political and the judicial voice in appointments, but instead focussing on the relative balance between political voices from the ruling and opposition parties. One of the key issues of contention has been the government’s demand that it should be

able to veto a judicial recommendation, rather than merely request a reconsideration. A political veto obviously breaches judicial primacy. But it can still be compatible with judicial independence if the veto is exercised not by the government of the day acting alone, but jointly with the leader of the largest party in the opposition in the Lok Sabha. In other words, neither the government, not the largest opposition party, can veto a candidate on its own, but if they agree to simultaneously oppose a reiterated recommendation, that should count as a joint political veto.

As far as the question of selecting candidates for consideration is concerned, that is best done by an open application process against clearly specified criteria—a process that most major democracies today follow. But in relation to the current system in place, there is no reason why politicians should be completely barred from recommending names to be added to the pool of candidates for the collegium’s consideration—as long as these political nominees are proposed jointly by the largest ruling party and the largest opposition party simultaneously. This kind of balanced political input into judicial appointments would be an improvement on our current system and preserve judicial independence from partisan capture (I have proposed a similar balanced partisanship appointment model as a constitutional requirement for all appointed constitutional offices, including election commissioners and state governors). Such a balanced appointment mechanism would secure broad democratic input in appointments, without allowing the government to dominate.

So, while the NJAC judgments outcome was constitutionally correct, its reasoning was overbroad: the constitution’s basic structure of judicial independence can be preserved alongside a larger (bal-

anced) political say in the appointments process.

The NJAC judgment, mindful that the collegium system was not perfect, left the door open for a different model of appointments, in which elected politicians could have a say without compromising judicial independence by making judges beholden to it. No clear proposal that address the Court’s very legitimate concerns about judicial independence have been forthcoming from the government.

A constitutionally minded government would have consulted widely after the NJAC ruling, including with opposition parties, the legal profession, the academy and the senior judiciary, and generated a consensus on a broadly acceptable model compatible with judicial independence which could then have been enacted as a constitutional amendment.

Parliament, however, has chosen not to act, even though seven years have elapsed since the NJAC judgment was delivered in 2015. What has happened instead is that the government has declared open hostilities towards the Supreme Court over the collegium system and the basic structure doctrine itself (which may well have been pivotal in preserving whatever democracy we have today). The political attacks on the Court in recent weeks have been unrelenting, and set a very dangerous precedent for our democracy.

The government has chosen to play constitutional hardball with the court, rather than using the constitutionally legitimate mode of enacting a new amendment after proper consultations. This is a strong indication that the recent political attacks are motivated not by high constitutional principle but by petty partisan motives, geared towards securing an executive capture of our constitutional courts. This suspicion is further strengthened by

the curious timing of the government’s move: why has the government become so vociferous about the 2015 judgment’s shortcomings now, in 2023? What has changed since the appointment of the new Chief Justice in November last year that has led to this new sense of urgency on the government’s part?

Our public institutions, including the judiciary, are admittedly flawed, and need multiple reforms. But institutions – even flawed ones – take decades to build, and can be destroyed overnight. The only alternative to institutional authority is personal and partisan power, the very definition of autocracy. This does not mean institutions get a free pass – honest criticism of one’s institutions and constant efforts to improve them are required of a citizen not despite her duty to support and defend them but because she has such a duty.

The manner as well as the timing of the government’s response should worry us a lot. A judiciary can only wield the power of the pen, and ultimately cannot defend itself against an overweening executive that has the power of the sword, or a churlish legislature that holds the power of the purse. The only thing that makes a democracy functional is a sense of shame that keeps these partisan – and more powerful – branches from crossing the constitutional Lakshman Rekha around institutions expected to act in a non-partisan manner. When these powerful branches start acting in a constitutionally shameless and blatantly partisan manner, it remains up to the citizens of the country to defend their constitution. The Poles and the Israelis took to the streets in recent times when their courts were threatened by autocratic governments. The Constitution of India may, yet again, be looking to its people to stand up for it.

Tarunabh Khaitan (The Wire)

Ardern’s resignation: gender and the toll of leadership

“Uneasy is the head that wears the crown”, wrote Shakespeare, way back in the 1500s. It’s not a new idea that top-level leadership jobs are intensely stressful and pose a heavy toll. Extended periods of stress are known to put people at risk of burnout.

Yet probably few of us can ever grasp just how unrelentingly demanding and difficult leading a country actually is. Especially in times of crisis and with our modern media and online environment, every statement and every move a leader makes is subject to extensive scrutiny and commentary.

Increasingly, a troubling feature of the commentary about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been its abusive, violent, sexist and misogynistic tenor.

While she has not focused on this as a reason for her decision to resign yesterday, being targeted in this way, and knowing her

partner and even her child were also targeted, must surely have made an already difficult job so much more challenging.

Crises, kindness and courageous decisions Crises have long been understood as the most intensive tests of a leader’s skill and character. They involve making weighty decisions, at times about matters that quite literally have life and death implications. Decisions have to be made at speed, but often with insufficient information to confidently predict the consequences of the choices made.

Ardern’s premiership has thrown crisis after crisis her way. And time and time again, she has displayed a strength of character and considerable leadership skills in responding to them.

Her handling of the Christchurch terror attacks won global admiration for her composure, compassion and decisive resolve to ensure

such heinous acts could not be repeated here.

Her response to the Whakaari White Island eruption garnered similar praise, showing yet again her intuitive grasp that a leader offering support to those caught up in such a distressing event actually makes a difference. That Ardern has sought to combine compassion and kindness with the courage to make tough decisions is a key feature of her style.

Unrealistic expectations of a leader

Throughout the pandemic, Arden has repeatedly proved her willingness to make courageous decisions. Combined with her prowess at mobilising the public’s understanding and support for the government’s COVID response, this was critical to the success of the elimination strategy. Many lives and livelihoods have been saved due to her leadership.

When Delta and then Omicron emerged, Ardern

sought to continually adapt the government’s policies to a changing context. While tenacity and resilience may number among her many strengths, dogmatism is not one of her weaknesses.

Of course not all decisions proved to be optimal – expecting them to be so would be wildly unrealistic. Some of her decisions have sparked a strong negative response. But it’s foolish to expect perfection from leaders, and the job unavoidably means making tough calls not everyone will agree with.

Rise in sexist and mysogynistic abuse

No leader is omnipotent, especially in a democracy and in a globally interconnected world.

The latest crisis Ardern has been grappling with – the cost of living – is in large measure driven by global forces far beyond the control of any New Zealand prime minister. New Zealand’s situation is better than many

other countries, but unfortunately for Ardern this holds little sway for some people.

The reality, then, is that her growing unpopularity has in part been rooted in people having unrealistic expectations of what leaders can and can’t actually do, and needing someone to blame. But there’s also no getting away from the fact that far too much of the criticism directed at her has been coloured by sexist and misogynistic attitudes.

There’s a continuum in how this is expressed. It starts with one C word – Cindy – which is a sexist attempt to belittle her authority and status as an adult woman who is the elected leader of our country.

It ends with the other C word. Research by the Disinformation Project shows its usage is enmeshed within a wider discourse that denigrates other aspects of her identity as a woman and extends to fantasising about

her rape and death. This kind of behaviour is simply inexcusable. It should be to New Zealand’s eternal shame that Ardern has been subjected to this. It cannot be justified by arguing her policies have been controversial and she “deserves” this abuse: that line of reasoning simply replicates the defence long used by rapists and domestic abusers.

Ardern is New Zealand’s third woman prime minister. The glass ceiling for that role is well and truly broken. We now also have equal representation of women within parliament. But the sexist and misogynistic nature of so much of the criticism and abuse directed at Ardern also shows we are a very long way from having equal treatment of women in leadership.

Suze Wilson, Senior Lecturer, Massey University (The Conversation)

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.

All things may corrupt when minds are prone to evil.

SNIPPETS

UP ‘encounter’: 12 policemen booked

SAHARANPUR (UP), JAN 23 (PTI): A case has been registered against 12 policemen on the orders of the court over the death of a man in an alleged encounter with police in the Deoband area here, police said on Monday. According to the police, on September 5, 2021, an encounter took place between a police team and alleged cattle smugglers in Thithki village under the Deoband police station area. A “cattle smuggler” was seriously injured in police firing and he died during treatment at the district hospital later. The death of Zeeshan Haider created anger among his family members and villagers who claimed that he belonged to a well-off family and was falsely implicated in a cow slaughter case by the police.

Spurious liquor: 3 dead, 7 ill in Bihar

SIWAN (BIHAR), JAN 23 (PTI): At least three people died and seven others were taken ill after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Bhopatpur subdivision of Siwan district of “dry” Bihar, officials said on Monday. According to a statement issued by the district administration, 10 people were admitted to the district hospital in Siwan at around 7 pm on Sunday after they complained of stomach pain, nausea and dizziness.

3 of lift-and-loot gang held in Noida NOIDA, JAN 23 (PTI): Three persons allegedly involved in looting commuters on pretext of giving them lift in their car were arrested after a gunfight with the police here while the trio was carrying an abducted hostage with them, officials said on Monday.

The gang has been active in Gurugram and Noida and is suspected of involvement in over a dozen cases in the national capital region (NCR). The gang was allegedly involved in abducting a software engineer and looting money from him recently, a senior police officer said.

4 killed as crane collapses in TN

CHENNAI, JAN 23 (PTI): Four people died and at least six were injured when a crane suddenly collapsed during a temple festival in Arakkonam in Ranipet district, late on Sunday night, police said.

The crane was used by the devotees to perambulate around the temple and a few devotees were accepting flower garlands from those who had gathered to fulfill a vow when the incident occurred, police said on Monday. In the video of the mishap, which went viral, people were seen screaming and running helter-skelter, as the crane hit the ground.

Indian Navy’s Submarine INS Vagir commissioned

Navy chief calls it lethal platform with formidable weapons, stealth tech

‘Vagir’ means sand shark, which represents stealth and fearlessness, two qualities synonymous with the ethos of a submariner, it said.

JAMMU, JAN 23 (PTI):

Bharat Jodo Yatra

Naval officers onboard the fifth Kalvari-class submarine ‘INS Vagir’ at the Naval dockyard in Mumbai, Monday. (PTI)

MUMBAI, JAN 23 (PTI):

INS Vagir, the fifth submarine of the Kalvari Class submarines, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Monday, giving a boost to the force’s prowess.

INS Vagir, which has been built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited here with technology transfer from France, was commissioned in a ceremony

attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.

“The submarine will boost the Indian Navy’s capability to further India’s maritime interests in deterring the enemy, and conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to provide decisive blow in the times of crisis,” the Navy said.

Vagir will be the third submarine inducted into the Navy in a short span of 24 months, Kumar said.

“This is no small achievement, and underscores the coming of age of India’s shipbuilding industry, and the maturing of our defence ecosystem. It is also a shining testimony to the expertise and experience of our shipyards to construct complex and complicated platf orms,” the Admiral added.

The former Uttarakhand chief minister said he would like to spend the remainder of his life in reading, writing and other activities.

“During the recent visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to Mumbai, I have conveyed to him my desire to be discharged of all political responsibilities and to spend the remainder of my life in reading, writing and other activities.

“I have always received the love and affection from the Hon’ble Prime Minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard,” a statement from the Raj Bhavan said.

Shiv Sena (UBT), VBA announce alliance

Inheritors of two legacies uniting to save democracy, says Uddhav Thackeray

Addressing a joint press conference, Uddhav Thackeray said his grandfather Keshav Thackeray, also known as Prabodhankar Thackeray, and Prakash Ambedkar’s grandfather, legendary social icon and jurist B R Ambedkar, were contemporaries who admired each other and worked to eradicate social evils and bad practices.

We are coming together to ensure democracy is alive,” Thackeray said.

Without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is ruling in Maharashtra as well as at the Centre, Thackeray said the country is heading towards autocracy.

Defending Congress’ decision to start Bharat Jodo Yatra to “unite” the country, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the opposition party was forced to undertake the 3500-km foot march after it was not allowed to speak on the pressing public issues in Parliament. He slammed the BJP government at the Centre for demonetisation, “hasty implementation” of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the recently launched Agniveer scheme.

Gandhi alleged that the government is “facilitating” flight of money into the coffers of a few corporators and ruining the small businesses across the country.

“The democracy in the country is under attack which is a major challenge for the nation. Before the commencement of the Yatra, we tried to raise the issues like demonetisation, GST, farmers’ bill and Chi-

Rahul Gandhi at a public meeting during party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ at Satwari Chowk, in Jammu, Monday. (PTI)

Yatra, we could see lakhs and crores of people have opened their shops of love, braving rains, cold and hot weather.”

He said the people from all walks of life including farmers, small traders, women and children shared their pain with him across different states during the Yatra and they all live together with love in this country.

Rajnath Singh on Sunday had accused Gandhi of spreading hatred among people in order to gain power, and alleged that he was tarnishing India’s image on international platforms by conducting the Yatra.

YAONGYIMSEN VILLAGE

& PRESENT OFFICE BEARERS OF NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023 NATIONAL/STATE 7 Says Cong not allowed to raise public issues in Parl

NDPP 22 ARKAKONG

AC EXTENDING SUPPORT TO SHRI. NUKLUTOSHI.

1. Imyangluba Lkr : Former Political Advisor to MLA 22 Arkakong AC.

Marchiten : Former Treasurer NDPP Yaongyimsen Unit.

2.

Uddhav Thackeray with VBA leader Prakash Ambedkar and others during a press conference in Mumbai. (PTI)

MUMBAI, JAN 23 (PTI): The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi on Monday announced an

(From p-1)

alliance ahead of civic polls in several cities in Maharashtra, the move coinciding with the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder late Bal

“Now there are some bad practices in politics and to eradicate them, the inheritors of these two leaders, and people around them, have come together to protect the country’s interest.

The terms of several municipal corporations, including those of Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and municipal councils ended last year but polls could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thackeray also dared the powers-that-be to hold Assembly polls in Maharashtra at the earliest.

BJP demands one seat for Kohima dist

“In politics, often sacrifice is not counted, rather it is viewed as a weakness and not acceptable. Forget about a legislator, we don’t even have a candidate from the district. In spite of all that, the karyakartas of Kohima district have worked selflessly and whole-heartedly for the party in the State Capital,” he stated.

He pointed out that the position of BJP was such that if given a ticket, the party would be able to win at least from three ACs, which was an indication of

the party’s popularity in Kohima. However, he clarified that since the seat-sharing arrangement was in place, it would not be proper for the mandal to seek hopeful candidates.

He maintained that unlike other districts where BJP was asking for three or four tickets, Kohima District Committee was only asking for one that it rightly deserved.

Üsou asserted: “In spite of many hardships at the grassroots, the workers have brought the party to this level. Hence, it will be very

They said the moral centre of Naga people and fellow humanity were being discovered and the people were finding a communal and spiritual ecology to remake their world to generate change.

The organisations also stressed that in present global politics, all stakeholders must avoid unsolved conflict, noting that all powers were tested and their legitimacy and power

were in question.

unfortunate if their humble request and appeal were ignored or if the party leaders succumbed to the pressure of the alliance partners and try to sacrifice the party’s interest by fielding candidates from some other constituency that would not be accepted at any cost by Kohima district party workers.”

Among the mandals under Kohima, he declared that the 15 Southern Angami II AC was the best performing in terms of party workers, activities and directives.

The party workers later

submitted a representation to State BJP president Temjen Imna Along through vice-president Kavili Achumi.

A copy of the representation was also marked to BJP national president JP Nadda, national general secretary BI Santosh, BJP Legislature Party leader Y Patton, national spokesperson and Nagaland incharge Nalin Kohli, Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra, Northeast co-in-charge Rituraj Sinha and secretary In-charge of Nagaland and Manipur Abhay Giri.

Imtiwati : Former President NDPP Yaongyimsen Unit.

Imlikumzük : Former Executive Convenor NDPP Yaongyimsen Unit.

Lanuwati : Former Youth President NDPP Yaongyimsen Unit.

Imrongtuba : Former Executive Member NDPP Yaongyimsen Unit

Imsunukshi : Former Executive Member NDPP Yaongyimsen Unit 8. Kilangnukshi : G.S. Youth Wing, 22 Arkakong AC NDPP (Present)

Sentitoshi : AGS NDPP Yaongyimsen Unit (Present)

Onenkaba : GS Youth Wing, NDPP Yaongyimsen Unit (Present) 11. Imlimoa : V.P. Youth Wing, NDPP Yaongyimsen Unit (Present) 12. Litemsangba : President, NDPP Liro Unit (Present) 13. Imtimar Imsong : General Secretary Liro Unit NDPP (Present) 14. Longertemjen : President, Youth Wing, NDPP Liro Unit (Present) 15. Takusunep : Executive Member, NDPP Liro Unit (Present) Mentioned below are names of the people from Yaongyimsen Village, which falls under the 22nd Arkakong constituency. The mentioned people had worked for NDPP candidate Imnatiba in the 2018 state legislative eletions. However going forward they are pledging their allegiance / support to Shri. Nuklutoshi for the current 2023 elections under the same constituency.

Akangla

Chubatula

Moasangla

Satemnungla

Kumsangtozung

Imlitongzuk

Imtisangla

Wangshila

Imnatila

Bendangnungsang

Imkongnungla

Imtientet

Chubalemla

Talimeren

Mongtilepzuk

Imkongsanen

Imnasenla

Tsuknungmenla

Lulenyangba 52. Sentitoshi

PATNA, JAN 23 (PTI):

“Not worth taking note” was Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s reply on queries about “disgruntled” key aide Upendra Kushwaha’s claim of “big leaders” in the JD(U) maintaining “deep” contacts with those in the BJP. Kushwaha, the parliamentary board chief of the JD(U), had made the claim on Sunday, exasperated by the controversy surrounding his meeting with BJP leaders last week in Delhi.

Dismissing Kushwaha’s loquacity as “not worth taking note”, Kumar, who attended a function on the occasion of birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, flashed a wide grin and rushed to his vehicle. “Aap unse hi poochhiye.....unhi ka chhapiye” (you better ask him and publish whatever he says) was the curt reply of Kumar, the JD(U)’s de facto supreme leader, when he was approached by journalists with queries about Kushwaha’s remark.

SC asks Nagaland to appoint Rupin...

(From p-1)

“The court cannot be unmindful of the fact that any mandate for relaxation of eligibility would result in a situation” where an officer, who is junior by five years, can become the DGP, it said. It then directed the Nagaland government to pass consequential orders within one week to appoint Sharma, a 1992-batch officer, as the DGP.

The meeting noted that the history of Naga political movement demonstrated that all lives converged.

“Today our past is offering us the gift to change. To this, we have resolved to work with immediate effect,” it concluded.

The meeting was attended by Vezalhu from Naga Sisha Hoho, Timikha Koza from Tenyimi People’s Organisation, Rev Tusaya Kath from

Assembly of God, T. Lanu Imchen from Central Nagaland Tribes Council, Rev Visor H Zeliang from Fellowship of Naga Baptist Association, Shikuto Zalipu from Nagaland GB Federation, Toniho Yeptho from Nagaland Tribes Council, K Elu Ndang from Naga Hoho, Prof Rosemary Dzuvichu from Global Naga Forum and Sarah Nuh from Naga Mothers’ Association, all of whom attested their signatures on the resolution.

CONSULTANTS

Tongpangwati

Watimenla

Imkongtemjen

Bendangsunep

Sosangba

Lanuwati

Opangkokla

Sopongla

Imtichiba

Nungsangtula

Limameren

Akangienla

Ojenlepzuk

Imkongtula

Rongsennungba

Chubaienla

Toshimongba

Moazungba

Takulila

Chubawati

Jepdakyangla

Imnakumla

Temjensowa

Imsu

Mayangtetla

Tianungsang 54. Sentirenla 55. Imenukshi 56. Takanungsang 57. Nukshimenla 58. Moamenla 59. Limasanen 60. Aoyanger 61. Shiluyanger 62. Lemjenchila 63. Sowamongba 64. Kikatemjen 65. Lipokyangla 66. Imkongwati 67. Merentoshi 68. Limakum 69. Takusunep 70. Imtiwapang 71. Limameren 72. Imtimar 73. O. Matsung 74. Takaienba 75. Imola 76. Imtisunep 77. Imlinungsang 78. Yashila 79. Imliakum 80. Ayangla 81. Imnatemjen 82. Purnungla 83. Aosenla 84. Moatemjen 85. Mayangtoshi 86. Yangerjungla 87. Imnamalung 88. Talimenla 89. Walunir 90. Tsungrosongba 91. Talisowa 92. Marshiba 93. Senmoala 94. Purtogzung 95. Punarepla 96. Aolepten

Malemtetba

49.

Talikangzuk

Temsukala

Pangerla 99. Lanuienba 100. Tajunchila

Maha governor expresses desire to step down

MUMBAI, JAN 23 (PTI): Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday said he has expressed desire before Prime minister Narendra Modi to quit the post.

Describing Vagir as a “lethal platform” with a formidable weapons package and state-of-the-art stealth technology, Admiral Kumar said its capabilities and firepower will not only enhance the Navy’s combat potential but also “add teeth” to the country’s deterrence.

B.S. Koshyari

na’s aggression in Parliament, both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but we were not allowed and the mikes were being switched off,” the former Congress president told a gathering at Satwari chowk here. Gandhi reached Jammu on the 129th day of the Yatra after resuming from Vijaypur in Samba district in the morning, covering over 20 kilometres in six-and-a-half hours. After a night stay in Sidhra, the Yatra is scheduled to leave for Kashmir and it will enter there after Republic Day.

Thackeray.

‘Not worth taking note’: Nitish on ‘disgruntled’ Kushwaha

Support to NSCN (I-M) & WC/NNPGs commitment for...

India increasing domestic oil and gas exploration: Puri

VARANASI, JAN 23 (PTI):

India, the world’s third largest energy consumer, is increasing domestic oil and gas exploration, diversifying import basket, switching to alternate sources and using gas and green hydrogen as a pathway to energy transition and security, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Sunday.

Puri, who was here for an event showcasing ageold boats on the ‘ghats’ of the holy city switching to CNG instead of polluting diesel, said India is projected to contribute fourth of the world’s energy demand growth in next couple of decades. While the nation is dependent on imports to meet 85 per cent of its oil needs and 50 per cent of its natural gas requirements, India is mixing ethanol extracted from sugarcane and other agri produce in petrol to cut overseas reliance.

It will achieve 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol by 2025, Puri said.

“Our energy security strategy is based on four

(From p-1)

She pointed out that in 2007, Congress-led UPA government had made necessary amendments to the Constitution effected in 2012 wherein arrangements were made for independent High Courts for Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur. She said that while High Court buildings in Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura were completed in 2013, Nagaland was still awaiting its own, despite sanctions to the tune of Rs. 70 crore made for construction of High Court. However, the building was nowhere to be seen, she said.

Mahima alleged that while even the basic structure of the high court building had not been completed, the Rio-led coalition government had withdrawn around

pillars of diversification of energy supplies, increasing exploration and production footprint, using alternate energy sources, and meeting energy transition through the gas-based economy, green hydrogen and EVs,” he said.

India increased the number of its crude oil suppliers from 27 countries in 2006-07 to 39 in 2021-22, adding new suppliers like Columbia, Russia, Libya, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea etc.

Crude oil extracted from below the earth’s surface is refined to produce fuels like petrol and diesel. Natural gas too is found below the surface and is used to generate electricity, make

fertilizer and convert into CNG to run automobiles and piped to homes for cooking purposes.

Energy prices globally shot up following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but consumers in India were largely insulated as stateowned retailers did not raise prices commensurate with the spurt. Prices of diesel -- the most used fuel in the country -- rose by only 3 per cent between December 2021 and December 2022 while they went up by 34 per cent in the US, 36 per cent in Canada, 25 per cent in Spain and 10 per cent in the UK, Puri said.

Diesel price increased from Rs 86.67 per litre in December 2021 to Rs 89.62 a year later. Rate of petrol rose from Rs 95.41 per litre to Rs 96.72.

The increase was tempered by a cut in excise duty. The government had raised the excise duty on petrol by Rs 13 a litre and that on diesel by Rs 15 per litre in 2020 when the pandemic had battered global energy prices.

Rupee falls 21 paise to 81.38 against US dollar

MUMBAI, JAN 23 (PTI):

The rupee fell 21 paise to close as 81.38 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday amid rise in crude prices. However, strong sentiment at domestic equities market and a weak dollar restricted the fall of the local currency, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened stronger at 80.92 to a dollar against the previous close of 81.17. The local unit moved in a range of 81.47 to 80.93 during the day. On Friday, the rupee had appreciated by 19 paise to close at 81.17 against the US dollar.

Meanwhile, the US dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, declined 0.35 per cent to 101.66 amid concerns over US economic growth. The Brent crude rose 0.26 per cent to USD 87.86 per barrel. On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose by 319.90 points or 0.53 per cent to 60,941.67, while the broader NSE Nifty gained 90.90 points or 0.5 per cent to settle at 18,118.55.

Lotus’ has led Nagas astray: Cong

Rs 44.24 crore in the name of electrification and water supply. She further claimed that Rs 22.42 crore was sanctioned for construction of bungalows for judges even though no area was earmarked for the same.

“What a farce the Rio government in collusion with BJP tried to play on the people of Nagaland, on the learned advocates of Nagaland and the whole the justice system of Nagaland,” she said. She mentioned that the chief minister should have resigned on moral grounds, but instead his government continued to siphon public money even though Rio was facing probe by ED. AICC media coordinator said that the Rs.70-crore High Court scam has actually turned into the gateway for ‘Operation Lotus’. She

alleged that BJP had sabotaged the people’s interest all over the country in the name of development.

“On the brink of ensuing election, Rio and his partners land before the ED being probed for severe corruption in the High Court scam, but allowing the Centre to remote control Nagaland by misappropriating agencies so that draconian laws like CAA and UCC may be imposed upon the innocent people of Nagaland, that are bound to trample their fundamental rights,” Mahima stated. She stressed that Nagaland must defeat the politics of corruption, deceit and opportunism in the ensuing Assembly election by voting out BJPNDPP combine to save Nagaland from becoming Assam, Manipur, Goa,

Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. On the NDPP (40):BJP(20) seat sharing issue, Singh said the BJP was now fighting for 30:30. She cautioned that if BJP was allowed to expand, it would open a gateway for sabotaging of the fundamental rights of the people of the state.

“If 30:30 happens, it is going to be the end of the fundamental rights as it’s going to be the onset of Citizenship Amendment Act and Uniform Civil Code,” she said. Meanwhile, when asked about the preparation for the Assembly polls, NPCC working president Khriedi Theünuo disclosed that there were 37 serious ticket aspirants, including women, and that the party had still kept its door open for like-minded people to join.

New Grand i10 NIOS launched in

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JAN 23 (NPN): The new Grand i10 NIOS of Hyundai was launched at Floyd Hyundai, here at Purana Bazar, Dimapur.

The car was launched by branch manager, ICICI Bank Ltd., Purana Bazar, Nungsangmongba Jamir

Introducing the newly launched vehicle, sales manager, Floyd Hyundai, Santosh Das said that the new Grand i10 NIOS comprised of 10 variants, eight of petrol and two of CNG.

He noted that only Petrol variants were available, namely, Era, Magna, Magna Amt, Sportz, Sportz DT, Aportz AMT, Asta, and Asta AMT, ranging from Rs. 6,61,433 to Rs 9,62,134 (On road price).

ENLU to participate in Feb 27 Assembly polls

(From p-1)

statements, resolved to not participate in the forthcoming election on the basis of the August 26, 2022 ENPO resolution , “until government of India grant the demand ENPO for a separate statehood befittingly”. The tribal hohos have also issued a stern warning that anyone filing nomination from their respective tribe, would be expelled/ ex-communicated while the village(s) of those filing nominations would also be held responsible.

Demand for proposed Frontier Nagaland State spearheaded by ENPO including the Talk Team is being handled by the union home ministry and its minister Amit Shah.

It was also reported that the union home minister was expected to visit eastern Nagaland sometime in the later part of January after polls were announced. Sources said the union home minister is also likely to make some announcement in relation to ENPO demand.

He added that the vehicle comprised of eight tonnes of colours, Fiery Red, Spark Green (new), Typhoon Silver, Teal Blue, Polar White, Titan Grey, Spark Green with phantom black roof (New), and Polar

white with phantom black roof.

He

Dharnas held in Dimapur... Education most...

(From p-1)

He said there was a 100% chance of him wining from his constituency and said that denying ticket would be like depriving him of his fundamental right. He condemned the 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement and demanded that either this should be 30:30 or BJP should field candidates in all 60 constituencies.

He also alleged that certain leaders were given party tickets even though they were not primary party workers or members.

Hukuto Khulu also claimed that there was no transparency in the selection and distribution of party tickets. He requested BJP high command to make selection process of candidates transparent.

Meanwhile, when asked about their next course of action if the party’s central leaders refused to pay heed and continued with the 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement, the forum said that they were “mentally prepared for next course of action”, without disclosing much on the matter.

Some senior BJP lead-

ers who later reached the dharna site indicated the possibility of reworking the seat sharing on 30:30 basis between BJP and NDPP

They also informed the media that Along and Patton were in Guwahati to hold talks with central BJP leaders and Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to seek 30:30 seatsharing arrangement.

MOKOKCHUNG: Similarly, in Mokokchung, the district president Imolemba Jamir along with other office bearers have shot a missive to BJP national president JP Nadda demanding to know why a veteran and loyal leader and ex-minister Nuklutoshi Longkumer, who is also the in-charge of BJP Mokokchung, could be denied the party ticket.

Rather, they said Nuklutoshi’s name should have been the first on the list. The party leaders said the matter was discussed and the Mokokchung district BJP had unanimously decided to demand that Nuklutoshi be issued the BJP ticket.

(From p-1)

He asked the students from other states to learn the philosophy of commitment to the wellbeing of the society and spread “these admirable qualities” of Nagaland to other parts of India. Then only the one of the prime objectives of creating NITs to promote cultural exchange will be fulfilled, Prof. Mukhi said.

Altogether, 44 were awarded PhD degreed, 76 postgraduate degrees and 102 graduate degrees among which, 20 PhD, 31 postgraduates and 102 graduates were awarded in person.

The convocation proceeding was chaired by Board of Governors (BoG) chairperson and director Dr. S. Venugopal.

NIT Nagaland currently offers six B.Tech., four M.Tech., M.Sc. in Physics and PhD programmes. The event was attended by senate members, BoG members, parents and wellwishers. Special traditional song was performed by students of NIT Nagaland.

Hardeep Singh

also informed that the newly launched vehicle comprised of added features such as six airbags (four in standard model), tyre pressure monitoring system,

LED tail lamps, 20.25 cm touch screen display audio with smart phone navigation, electronic stability control (ESC), Vehicle stability management (VSM) m hail start assist control (HAC), etc.

(Left) Branch manager, ICICI Bank Ltd., Purana Bazar, Nungsangmongba Jamir along with proprietor, Flyod Hyundai, (Right) Shikato Sema, after launching the new Grand i10 NIOS.

‘Operation

SNIPPETS

Ukraine storing weapons at nuclear plants: Russia

MOSCOW, JAN 23 (IANS): Ukrainian forces are storing Western-supplied missiles and artillery shells in nuclear power plants, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin said on Monday, reports said. He claimed that Kiev has been using the plants as cover for ammunition stockpiles, RT reported.

“There is credible information that Ukrainian troops are stockpiling the Western-supplied weapons and ammunition on the territory of nuclear power plants,” Naryshkin said, according to a statement on the intelligence service’s website. He added that the armaments include rockets for USmade HIMARS launchers and missiles used by foreign air defence systems, as well as “largecaliber artillery shells”.

Nepali Congress to field candidate for the post of President

KATHMANDU, JAN 23 (PTI): Nepali Congress Party has said that it will field its candidate for the upcoming election for the post of president, a senior party leader said on Monday. The election for the post of president is likely to be held around mid-February, though the Election Commission has not yet fixed the date. As President Bidya Bhandari is retiring from the top post around mid-March there is a practice of holding the presidential election one month prior to the termination of her term. Nepali Congress leader Prakash Man Singh talking to PTI said the party had decided to run for the presidential election to be held soon and that NC would now focus its attention there.

Nepali Congress being the largest party in the House of Representatives is qualified enough to field its candidate for the post, he pointed out.

Erdogan announces Turkish elections to be held on May 14

ISTANBUL, JAN 22 (AP): Turkey’s president has announced May 14 as the date for the country’s next parliamentary and presidential elections.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who plans to seek re-election, made the announcement during a Saturday youth conference in northwestern Bursa province. A video of the event was released Sunday. “I thank God that we are destined to share our path with you, our valued youth, who will vote for the first time in the elections that will be held on May 14,” said Erdogan, who had hinted at the date last week. He said in Bursa he would make the formal call on March 10, after which Turkey’s Supreme Election Council would prepare for the elections.

Honour killing: Woman shot dead by father in court in Karachi

KARACHI, JAN 23 (PTI): A newly-wed woman was shot dead on Monday by her father in a court here in Pakistan’s port city, police said, in the latest apparent honour killing in the country.

The incident happened when the woman, a resident of Pirabad in Karachi, came to the Karachi City Court to record her statement to confirm she had entered into a freewill marriage, police said.

A senior police official said that the woman belonged to Waziristan in the tribal area and had recently married a doctor in her neighbourhood.

California police seek motive behind shooting at Asian dance hall

MONTEREY PARK, CALIF., JAN 23 (AGENCIES): California investigators scrambled on Monday to discover why a 72-yearold gunman killed 10 people in Los Angeles-area dance hall popular with older patrons of Asian descent before fatally shooting himself hours later.

The massacre, which took place on the Lunar New Year, one of the most festive events on the calendar for many Asians, was carried out on Saturday night by a man identified by police as Huu Can Tran, 72.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said on Sunday that “everything is on the table” in terms of motive for the shooting, which also wounded 10 others.

“We don’t know if this is specifically a hate crime defined by law, but who walks into a dance hall and guns down 20 people,” Luna said. Officials worked into Monday trying to identify the 10 people Tran allegedly killed at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, about 7 miles (11 km) east of downtown Los Angeles. Another 10 people were wounded and seven

remained hospitalized late Sunday.

Tran’s rampage could have been far worse. About 20 minutes after the shooting in Monterey Park, the suspect entered the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio dance club in the neighboring city of Alhambra. There, Brandon Tsay, who operates the family-run dance hall, wrestled a weapon away from the shooter before he could get a shot off.

“That moment, it was primal instinct,” Tsay told the newspaper, saying that the gunman fled the scene after a 90-second struggle. “Something happened there.

I don’t know what came over me.”

About 12 hours later, police officers in the city of Torrance, 20 miles southwest of Monterey Park, approached a white cargo van Tran was driving. As officers neared the van, they heard a single gun shot from inside as Tran killed himself.

Luna did not identify any of the victims but said the five men and five women appeared to be in their 50s, 60s and beyond. The sheriff said the pistol Tran used was likely illegal in California, where state laws ban any magazine holding more than 10 rounds.

Lavrov says West prevented negotiations to end Ukraine war

PRETORIA, JAN 23 (AP):

Moscow was willing to negotiate with Ukraine in the early months of the war but the US and other Western nations advised Kyiv against it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday.

Lavrov’s remarks on a visit to South Africa were similar to those made last year by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country was for talks but Ukraine’s Western allies prevented that from happening.

The U.S. and other Western nations have said that Russia is not serious about negotiations to end the war, set to mark its oneyear anniversary next month.

“It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation and by the end of March, the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict,” Lavrov said.

“It is well known and was published openly that our American, British, and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the ar -

r angement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime.”

Russia has repeatedly rejected Ukrainian and Western demands that it withdraw completely from Ukraine as a condition for any negotiations. President Joe Biden has indicated he would be willing to talk with Putin if the Russian leader demonstrated that he seriously wanted to end the invasion.

Lavrov is in Pretoria for talks with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor as Russia pushes to strengthen ties with Africa’s most developed country and an historical ally amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

South Africa was seen as the most significant of

several African nations to take a neutral stance on the war and refuse to condemn Russia’s invasion - to the disappointment of the U.S. and other Western partners who also view South Africa as pivotal to their plans to build relationships in Africa.

Lavrov met with Pandor in the South African capital and is expected to visit other African countries on his trip. It’s Lavrov’s second visit to Africa in the space of six months as Russia seeks to rally support.

The war in Ukraine and its impact on Africa’s 1.3 billion people, which includes rising global oil and food prices, is expected to take center stage during Lavrov’s talks with Pandor.

“We are fully alert that conflict, wherever it exists in the world, impacts negatively on all of us, and as the developing world it impacts on us particularly as the African continent,” Pandor said. “This is why as South Africa we consistently articulate that we will always stand ready to support the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the continent and throughout the globe.”

“We want to know, we want to know how something this awful can happen,” Luna told reporters.

Local police have obtained a warrant to search Tran’s home in Hemet, California, about 80 miles east of Monterey Park, CNN reported.

The shooting took place during a two-day Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, when many streets in downtown Monterey Park were closed for festivities that draw thousands of people from across Southern California.

As news about the shooting spread, some in the tight-knit community of Monterey Park initially feared it was a hate crime targeting Asians. The city has for decades been a destination for immigrants from China. Around 65% of its residents are Asian, according to U.S. Census data.

Chester Chong, chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, described the city of about 60,000 people as a quiet, peaceful, beautiful place where everybody knows each other and helps each other.

MELBOURNE, JAN 23 (PTI): A third Hindu temple has been vandalised within a fortnight in Australia’s Victoria state allegedly by “Khalistani supporters” with anti-India graffiti, according to a media report on Monday. The management of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple also known as the Hare Krishna Temple in Melbourne’s Albert Park on Monday morning found the walls of the revered temple vandalised with graffiti “Hindustan Murdabad”, The Australia Today website reported. “We are shocked and outraged with this blatant disregard for respect for the place of worship,” Bhakta Das, Director of Communication for ISKCON Temple, said. “A complaint has been filed with Victoria Police and CCTV footage is being provided to assist them in their pursuit of culprits.”

This is the third such incident in the country within a fortnight. On January 16, the historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs, Victoria, was vandalised in a similar manner.

On January 12, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne was defaced by ‘anti-social elements’ with

anti-India graffiti.

Acting Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan told The Australia Today, “All Victorians deserve to practice their faith free from racism, vilification and hatred.”

“This behaviour is not reflective of the majority of Victorians. The diversity of Victoria is one of our strongest assets, and we condemn these attacks,” Allan added.

This attack on ISKCON Temple came just two days after Victorian multifaith leaders had an emergency meeting with the Victorian Multicultural Commission after which a statement of condemnation was issued against the spread of Hindu hate allegedly by Khalistani supporters.

“This is disgusting. We must not allow this to happen,” Victorian Liberal Party MP Brad Battin has told The Australia Today.

Federal Member of Parliament Josh Burns also issued a statement saying, “I was shocked today to learn of the hateful attack on the Hare Krishna temple in Albert Park.”

This is the third incident of vandalism against Hindu places of worship in Melbourne in recent weeks.

Shivesh Pandey, an IT consultant and devotee of ISKCON temple said: “In the last two weeks, Victoria Police has failed to take any decisive action against the people who are running their hate-filled agenda against the peaceful Hindu community.” India last week condemned the vandalisation of Hindu temples in Australia and said that the matter has been raised with the Australian government in Canberra and asked for an expeditious investigation against the perpetrators.

‘Will challenge Punjab caretaker CM’s appointment’

LAHORE, JAN 23 (PTI):

Pakistan’s ex-premier Imran Khan has said he will challenge in the Supreme Court the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab, describing him an “enemy” of his party and slamming the election commission for reducing the country to a “Banana Republic”.

Naqvi was sworn in as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab on Sunday night, hours after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) unanimously decided to appoint him to the post. His appointment came after the ruling party

and the opposition in the province failed to reach consensus on a name for the post.

Naqvi, who was one of the two candidates suggested by ex-Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, is the owner of a media house and said to be very close to

PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari.

Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) calls Naqvi “Zardari’s front man in his corruption.”

“PML-N has history of selecting their own umpires but it’s incredible how ECP has selected a sworn enemy of PTI as caretaker CM Punjab — a post meant for a non-partisan person,” Khan said in a tweet.

The PTI chief posted a picture of Naqvi’s plea bargain to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) requesting that he be allowed to pay Rs 3.5 million as plea bargain in the Haris Steels Mills corruption

case.

“Naqvi made a voluntary return deal with the anti-graft watchdog and the Supreme Court had declared in a suo motu case no. 17/2016 that a person responsible for voluntary return could not hold any public office at federal or provincial level nor in any state organisation,” he said. “ECP has helped reduce Pak to a Banana Republic making our democracy a joke. I will be holding a presser tomorrow to expose this entire farce,” he said on Sunday. Khan said Naqvi has been tasked with delaying the elections in Punjab and to sabotage the PTI.

RESIGNATION

KATHMANDU, JAN 23 (PTI): The bodies of all five Indians, who were killed in the Yeti Airlines plane crash in Nepal’s resort city of Pokhara, have been identified and handed over to their respective family members, hospital sources said on Monday. The five Indians - identified as Abhisekh Kushwaha (25), Bishal Sharma (22), Anil Kumar Rajbhar (27), Sonu Jaiswal (35) and Sanjaya Jaiswal (26) - were among 72 people on board when the Yeti Airlines plane crashed on the bank of the Seti River between the old airport and the new airport in Pokhara, minutes before landing on January 15. On Monday, the body belonging to Sonu Jaiswal was identified. The doctors on Sunday identified the bodies of Anil Kumar Rajbhar and Abhisekh Kushwaha on the basis of evidence provided by the families of the victims.

The Bharatiya Janata Party of 8th Western Angami Constituency led by its Mandal President and General Secretary along with Mandal Office Bearers, Morchas, Unit Office Bearers hereby tender our mass resignation from both active and primary membership of Baratiya Janata Party on 20/01/2023.

(Rokosetuo Sevie) (Aselie Meyase) President General Secretary K-182/23

FELICITATION

The Dibuia Education Committee with immense pride & thanksgiving to God Almighty congratulates our two esteemed citizens for their achievements. We commend their dedication & celebrate their success and continue to pray that God will bless them with many more laurels in the future.

1. Dr. Tinurenla Jongkor, D/o Limatoshi and Merensola Ozukum for being conferred Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) on “URBANISATION AND DEVELOPMENT:CASE STUDY OF KOHIMA,DIMAPUR AND MOKOKCHUNG TOWNS” under the Department of Geography, Nagaland University.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 23

(PTI): Pakistan faced a major power breakdown on Monday due to a “frequency variation” in the national grid, leaving millions of people in large parts of the country, including capital Islamabad and financial hub Karachi, without electricity.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the system of frequency of the national grid went down at 7:34 am local time, resulting in the breakdown. “System maintenance work is progressing rapidly,” it tweeted.

Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir said the restoration work was going on. “I can assure you that power will be fully restored across the country within the next 12 hours,” he was quoted as saying by Geo News.

Explaining the failure, he said the authorities shut down the power generation system at night due to lower demand in winter to save fuel costs.

But when the systems were turned on in the morning, “frequency variation and voltage fluctuation were

observed in the south of the country… somewhere between Dadu and Jamshoro” resulting in shutting down of power generating units one by one, he said.

People in Pakistan’s financial capital Karachi woke up on Monday with no electricity available anywhere in the metropolis.

According to details, the major power breakdown also hit other cities across Pakistan but Karachi was the worst affected.

In Peshawar, a city of over 2.3 million people, some people were reportedly unable to get drinking water as the pumps were powered by electricity.

It is not the first time that the country has faced such a crisis.

Last year in October, Pakistan witnessed a 12hour power outage due to technical glitches in the electricity distribution system.

Pakistan is grappling with one of the country’s worst economic crises in recent years amid dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

support T.N. Mannen in whatever decision he takes with regard to choosing a party.

2. Dr. S. Limakumba Walling , S/o T. Satemkaba and Bendangyangla for being conferred Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) on ”COMPETITION AND EQUILIBRIUM IN CLASSICAL POLITICAL ECONOMY AND POST KEYNESIAN ECONOMICS” under the Department of Economics, University of Hyderabad.

Sd/- Sd/(IMSUMEREN) (BENDANGLILA) CONVENOR SECRETARY K-177/23

The Wokha Town Yanthamo Ekhung (WTYE) vehemently condemns the mindless, inhuman and barbarous act of violence that occurred at the residence of Mr. Zubemo Ngullie, Blue Hill Colony, Wokha Town on 22nd January 2023, at around 8:30 PM, where a group of unidentified miscreants randomly entered his residence, seized mobile phones of all the family members, manhandled and assaulted Mr. Zubemo Ngullie and his lady wife, and looted an amount of more than 3 Lakhs (Three Lakhs). In the same incident, Mr. Ntsemo Ngullie was also manhandled by the same group.

Therefore, the WTYE strongly urges the enforcing agency to thoroughly investigate the aforementioned incident and deliver justice to the victim’s family. Sd/Phanchamo Ngullie Rabenthung N Lotha Chairman, WTYE Secretary, WTYE WC-14/23

Imran Khan

Sergey Lavrov

(Inset) Huu Can Tran. Police work Sunday near the scene of a mass shooting the night before in Monterey Park. (AFP)

Pak suffers major power outage after grid failure

Nepal plane crash: All five bodies of Indians identified, taken back to India

The space between Earth and the moon is about to get a little more crowded

By some estimates, as many as 100 lunar missions could launch into space over the next decade — a level of interest in the moon that far surpasses the Cold Warera space race that saw the first humans set foot on the lunar surface.

With multiple nations and private companies now setting their sights on missions to the moon, experts say cislunar space — the area between Earth and the moon — could become strategically important, potentially opening up competition over resources and positioning, and even sparking geopolitical conflicts.

“We’re already seeing this competing rhetoric between the U.S. government and the Chinese government,” said Laura Forczyk, executive director of Astralytical, a space consulting firm based in Atlanta. “The U.S. is pointing to China and saying, ‘We need to fund our space initiatives

to the moon and cislunar space because China is trying to get there and claim territory.’ And then Chinese politicians are saying the same thing about the United States.”

Both the U.S. and China have robust lunar exploration programs in the works, with plans to not only land astronauts on the moon but also build habitats on the surface and infrastructure in orbit. They are also not the only nations interested in the moon: South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, India and Russia are among the other countries with planned robotic missions.

Even commercial

companies have lunar ambitions, with SpaceX preparing to launch a private crew this year on a tourism flight in lunar orbit, and other private companies in the U.S., Japan and Israel racing to the moon.

Increased access to space — and the moon — comes with many benefits for humanity, but it also raises the potential for tensions over competing interests, which experts say could have far-reaching economic and political consequences.

“During the Cold War, the space race was for national prestige and power,” said Kaitlyn Johnson, deputy director and fellow

of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Now, we have a better understanding of the kind of benefits that operating in cislunar space can bring countries back home.” Though definitions sometimes differ, cislunar space generally refers to the space between Earth and the moon, including the moon’s surface and orbit. Any nation or entity that aims to establish a presence on the moon, or has ambitions to explore deeper into the solar system, has a vested interest in operating in cislunar space, either with communication and navigation satellites or outposts that serve as way stations between Earth and the moon.

With so many lunar missions planned over the next decade, space agencies and commercial companies will likely be angling for strategic orbits and trajectories, Forczyk said.

“It might seem like

space is big, but the specific orbits that we are most interested in get filled up fast,” she added.

Much of the increased activity in cislunar space owes to substantial decreases in launch costs over the past decade, with advancements in technology and increased competition both driving down the price of sending objects into orbit.

At the same time, planetary science missions offered humanity a glimpse of the resources available in space, ranging from ice deposits on the moon to precious metals in asteroids, said Marcus Holzinger, an associate professor of aerospace engineering sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

“Once people started really thinking through that, they realized that that water-ice can provide substantial resources or enable the gathering or collection of resources elsewhere in the solar system,” he said.

(NBCNEWS)

Warner Bros announces 2023 India theatrical line-up including four DC films, ‘Dune

Warner Bros. Pictures on Monday announced its 2023 India theatrical lineup which features muchanticipated titles such as “Dune 2”, “Barbie”, “Creed III” and four DC superhero movies. The four DC titles to release in 2023 are “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”, starring Zachary Levi, on March 17, “The Flash” led by Ezra Miller on June 16, Xolo Mariduenafronted “Blue Beetle” on August 18 and Jason Momoa’s “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” on December 21. Michael B. Jordanfronted “Creed III ‘’ will release on March 3, while “Evil Dead Rise”, the fifth installment in the blockbuster horror franchise, will arrive on April 21.

Another horror film “The Nun 2”, the latest offering from “The Conjuring” Universe, is scheduled for a September 8 premiere in India. The second installment of Academy Award winner “Dune”, starring Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya amon g others, will hit the cinema halls on

November 3. Chalamet’s “Wonka” will also be released this year on December 15. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s ‘Barbie”, directed by Greta Gerwig, will hit the theatres on July 21 and Jason Sthatham-led “Meg 2: The Trench” will release on August 4. “We are extremely excited to bring in a huge number of films in 2023 that will delight fans of all ages. These are films that span across various genres and will showcase films from incredible filmmakers and talent.“We are sure that fans across India will swarm cinemas to be entertained by these fantastic films, which include mov-

What happens to your body when you relax ?

What is the relaxation response?

It’s one name for what happens when your parasympathetic nervous system is in charge of your body functions. This part of your nervous system regulates the work of your organs and glands while you’re at rest. Your relaxation response kicks in when you feel safe. It can actually block effects from your body’s response to stress. These changes are good for your mental and physical health.

Your Heart Rate Slows

Stress triggers activity in your sympathetic nervous system, which is in charge of your body functions in dangerous situations. This

“fight or flight” response sends out hormones called catecholamines to speed up your heart. But relaxation lets your body know it’s OK to save energy. Your parasympathetic system takes over and releases a hormone called acetylcholine. That slows your heart rate down.

Your Blood Pressure Goes Down

Stress hormones can speed up your heart rate and tighten your blood vessels. That temporarily raises your blood pressure. The opposite happens when you relax. If you have high blood pressure, relaxation methods like meditation may help you manage stress and lower your chances of heart disease. (But don’t stop

taking your medicine unless your doctor says it’s OK.)

Your Digestion Gets Better When stress causes the “fight or flight” reaction, your digestion gets put on hold as blood moves toward your larger muscles. Relaxation reverses this process. It also lowers inflammation that can hurt your gut. Stress plays a role in many digestive problems, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Calming techniques like deep breathing or meditation might help with your symptoms

Your Breathing Slows Down

“Take a deep breath,” you might tell someone who’s in a panic. There’s a

good reason for that. When you’re stressed, breathing speeds up. Breathing too fast may lead to low levels of carbon dioxide in your blood, which could make you dizzy and weak. But relaxation slows your breathing rate. You can also help yourself relax with slow, controlled breathing, around 6 breaths a minute.

Your Muscles Relax Your body stiffens when you feel threatened, whether from a bear in the woods or a deadline at work. Usually, muscle tension eases when you calm down. But long-lasting stress can lead to tense muscles nearly all the time. If you have a hard time relaxing, ask your doctor about biofeedback. It uses sensors to give you feedback about your body’s functions. That helps you learn how to release muscle tension.

You Hurt Less

Relaxation doesn’t get rid of your aches, but it can turn down the volume a little. Relaxed muscles hurt less. And relaxation prompts your brain to release endorphins, chemicals that act as natural painkillers. Studies show relaxation techniques like meditation can lessen pain from conditions like fibromyalgia, migraine, chronic pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

You Have Better Blood Sugar Control Stress hormones can

make your blood sugar rise. And if you have diabetes, the effort it takes to manage your condition may amp up your stress. Relaxation can help you get a handle on your blood sugar (though it can’t take the place of medicine). To get there, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Try relaxation practices like meditation or yoga to help you mellow out further.

Your Immune System Works Better

Long-lasting stress makes it harder for your body to fight off infections. But deep relaxation can help your immune system recover. You can get there with the help of techniques like progressive muscle relaxation. That’s where you tense, then relax, each muscle group one by one. It’s even more important to manage your worries as you age. Your immune function naturally declines over time.

You Sleep Better Sometimes, you might be unable to doze off even when you’re worn out. This “tired but wired” state is a sign you’re still in “fight or flight” mode. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing can help switch on your relaxation response. They’re sometimes used as a treatment for insomnia.

How Can You Relax?

Some people unwind while they garden, cook, or read. Others pray or meditate. Or you can explore

techniques like:

• Visual imagery

• Progressive muscle relaxation

• Massage

• Deep breathing

• Biofeedback

If you’re not sure how to get started, ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist who teaches relaxation training.

Try the Benson Method

This technique was created by Herbert Benson, MD, the heart doctor who first described the relaxation response. Here’s what you do:

ies from the DC Universe, Fast & Furious Franchise, the Conjuring Universe and many more,” Denzil Dias, VP and Managing Director – India Theatrical, said in statement. Warner Bros. will also be releasing titles from Universal Pictures in Indian cinemas this year.

“Knock at the Cabin”, a new thriller directed by Indian-American filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan will be released on February 3. “Cocaine Bear”, a wild dark comedy inspired by the true story of a drug runner’s plane crash, missing cocaine, and the black bear that ate it, releases on February 23. (PTI)

• Sit down, making sure you’re comfortable.

• Close your eyes.

• Gradually relax all of your muscles, starting at your feet and working your way up.

• Breathe through your nose.

• Pay attention to your breath.

Do this for about 20 minutes. Then sit with your eyes closed for a few minutes.

Medically Reviewed by Hansa D. Bhargava, MD.

DECLARATION OF SUPPORT

(Dr. AMOS LONGKUMER)

The Kivikhu Union Dimapur with immense pride and honour would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. YETOVI TUCCU of Kivikhu Village for being promoted to the post of Joint Director under Department of Health and Family Welfare Nagaland. The union further extends its best wishes in his future endeavors.

(Kiyeshe Zhimo) (Bokai Chophy) President Gen./Secy. K U D K U D

F E l ICITaTIO n dp-345/23

Dr. Amos Longkumer Ex- Candidate 2 Dimapur II AC along with his supporters have declared their unconditional support to Shri. Y Vikheho Awomi, intending Candidate for 2 Dimapur II AC in the forthcoming General Election.

Dr. Amos also declared that, he along with his supporters had unanimously decided to support and work wholeheartedly for Shri. Y Vikheho Awomi in the forthcoming General Assembly Election to ensure his victory inorder to help fulfill the aspirations of the people, for an inclusive and progressive society.

Representational image

Representational image

Germany, who had finished second behind Belgium in Pool B on goal difference after both teams had finished with seven points from two wins and a draw, scored just before the end of the first quarter and then added three goals in the second period as they led 4-0 at half-time. The first two goals came off two faulty defensive traps by the French.

After a goalless third quarter, Germany scored one more goal before absorbing some strong pressure from France during which they earned seven penalty corners and also scored a consolation goal.

Marco Miltkau (14th min), Niklas Wellen (18th min), Mats Grambusch (23rd min), Moritz Trompertz (24th in) and Gonzalo Pellliat (59th min) scored for Germany in the match while Francois Goyat scored the lone consolation goal for France in the 57th minute.

Germany will now take

German players celebrate after scoring the 5th goal during the 2023 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup match against France ,in Bhubaneswar, Monday. (PTI)

on European rivals England in the last-eight stage en

Germany had a brilliant first half as they controlled the game, attacked in numbers and defended superbly to overwhelm France.

With France coming into the Crossovers after holding Argentina 5-5 in their last league match and spearheaded by the everdangerous Victor Charlet, the top scorer with six goals,

Germany had to be on their toes and not allow the French any opportunities and they did just that.

They earned penalty corners in the first two minutes but could not convert both chances. France responded well and earned a PC in the 6th minute but the German defence thwarted them. However, a green card to Xavier Gaspard in the 14th minute opened the door for Germany and the

AR organises mini marathon at Chizami

World No. 4 scored via a field goal by Mitkau.

The Germans got into their own in the second quarter and despite Timur Oruz getting a green card in the 16th minute, they scored their second goal through the experienced Wellen. They earned two penalty corners in quick succession but could not score. However, skipper Mats Grambusch made it 3-0 for them with a field goal.

Mats Grambusch could have got his second goal within a minute as he powered in a powerful drag flick but Trompertz deflected the ball over the goalkeeper’s leg with a quick deflection as Germany led 4-0 at half-time.

Germany earned three penalty corners in the third quarter but were not successful. Coach Andre Henning’s side seems to have taken the foot off the pedal, which allowed the French to creep into the game.

France held the upper hand in the fourth and final quarter as they launched waves of attacks at the German goal, creating tremendous pressure. But with defender Teo Hinrichs, Tom Grambusch and goalkeeper Alexander Stadler looked unbeatable as they thwarted the French attacks.

They reduced the margin in the 57th minute when Goyet converted a penalty corner to make it 4-1. They could have scored a couple of more goals in this period but for some great work by the German defense.

Substitute Gonzalo Pelliat converted a penalty corner in the 59th minute to restore Germany’s four-goal advantage and sealed a place in the quarterfinal.

LFC: Stallion FC, Arsenic FC Tsungiki register wins

DIMAPUR, JAN 23 (NPN): Stallion FC and Arsenic FC Tsungiki registered wins while ERSA and Friends Club played out a 2-2 draw in the ongoing 12th edition of Lotha Football Championship (LFC) on Monday in Wokha.

highly contested match played between ERSA and Friends Club that ended in a 2-2 draw.

Arsenic FC defeated Tsumang FC 2-0.

TUESDAY’S MATCHES

MELBOURNE, JAN 23 (IANS): Putting his fitness fears to bed, Novak Djokovic breezed past home favourite Alex De Minaur in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open here on Monday.

In a dominant display, former world No 1 moved freely to dispatch the Australian 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena. The Serb will next play Andrey Rublev after the fifth seed saved two match points en route to edging Holger Rune in a five-set thriller.

In their first ATP headto-head meeting, Djokovic was locked in from the first ball. He struck his groundstrokes with effortless power and depth to force the home favourite into errors, surging to the first set in just 36 minutes.

Djokovic has now won 25 consecutive matches at the Australian Open, equalling his longest streak of victories at the hard-court major. His last defeat at the event came against Hyeon Chung in 2018.

After winning the opener, the fourth seed continued to time the ball well. Djokovic hammered his backhand down the line to

Novak Djokovic

great effect and consistently found a range of angles to push De Minaur wide as he produced his best performance of the fortnight to triumph after two hours and seven minutes.

Djokovic is chasing a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam trophy and will reclaim the No. 1 spot in the ATP Rankings if he wins the title. The 35-year-old has produced his best tennis at Melbourne Park throughout his career, lifting the Australian Open trophy a record nine times.

World No. 24 De Minaur was aiming to reach the quarterfinals in Melbourne for the first time, having dropped just one set en route to the fourth round.

The 23-year-old defeated Rafael Nadal at the United Cup earlier this month.

Sania Mirza-Rohan

Ace Indian tennis players Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna sailed into the mixed doubles quarterfinals of the Australian Open here on Monday. The Indian pair defeated Japan’s Makoto Ninomiya and Uruguay’s Ariel Behar 6-4, 7-6(11-9) in their second-round match to set up a quarterfinal clash with Latvian-Spanish duo Jelena Ostapenko and David Vega Hernandez.

Sania and Bopanna, the Rio Olympic semifinalists, had earlier beaten Australia’s Jaimee Fourlis and Luke Saville in the first round. The Indian pair drew first blood and broke the Uruguay-Latvian pair in the third game but the Ninomiya-Behar responded immediately to level the score. But the Indians then make it 4-3 and quickly raced to a set lead.

Both the pairs went toeto-toe in the second as the hard-fought set ended with the Indian pair triumphing 11-9 in the tie-breaker, keeping the Indian challenge alive at the year’s first Grand Slam.

Serie A: Juve fight back to hold Atalanta

ROME, JAN 23 (IANS): Juventus showed their tenacity as they trailed behind twice but eventually registered a 3-3 tie against Atalanta in Serie A.

Participants with their certificates after the mini marathon at Chizami.

DIMAPUR, JAN 23 (NPN): Chizami COB of Chieswema Battalion Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N) organised “Mini Marathon” at Chizami, Phek district on January 23 as part of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.

The event was organised to celebrate “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” and to promote physical fitness and motivate locals to lead a healthy life. Two towns and 10 villages of Secheku Range participated in the event. The Mini Marathon of 11 km was flagged off

by company commander, Chizami Maj Arpit Gupta.

The event witnessed overwhelming participation from all the villages of Sechkeu Range. Altogether, 95 people participated in the event where cash prizes were given to first three runners.

Stallion FC beat Phiro FC 3-1 in the first match. The second match was a

XI Brothers vs Hayi Yankho Ordovician FC vs Avenger FC NRSA vs Y Generation

8th Frolic Cup postponed

DIMAPUR, JAN 23 (NPN): The 8th edition of Frolic Cup 2023 which was scheduled for January 30 has been postponed to February 1, 2023 due to unavoidable circumstances.

India writes to BWF to host Sudirman Cup, Junior Worlds

NEW DELHI, JAN 23

(PTI): The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has written to the sport’s world body (BWF), expressing its interest to host the Sudirman Cup Finals this year.

India was scheduled to host the mixed team championship in 2023, but the Badminton World Federation awarded the rights to Suzhou, China, while giving the 2026 World Championships to India.

Suzhou was due to host the championships in 2021 but, due to the COVID-19 situation in China, the BWF was not able to stage any tournaments in the country and the event was shifted to

The family of Late Khrüküso Swüro of Ruzazho Village, who went to eternal home on January 11, 2023, would like to convey our sincere appreciation and thank all those who sympathized with us during this time of bereavement.

Vantaa in Finland.

Owing to the current COVID situation in China, there is again uncertainty regarding the Sudirman Cup, scheduled to be held there from May 14 to 21.

“India is keen to host Sudirman Cup this year. We have written to BWF expressing our interest, we are expecting a positive response in a fortnight,” BAI general secretary Sanjay Mishra told PTI.

The season-ending Badminton World Tour Finals tournament was shifted out of Guangzhou to Bangkok due to the COVID-19 situation in the Chinese city last December.

All eyes are now on

the China Masters Super 100 scheduled to be held at Ruichang, China from March 14-19. Mishra said that India has also expressed its eagerness to host the Junior World Championships.

“We have also expressed our interest for the Junior world championship, which was allotted to the USA but they have

now backed out. India has expressed interest but we are yet to hear back from BWF.

“However, if we get Sudirman Cup then we may have to wait for another cycle for the world junior championship.”

Honolulu was awarded the rights to host the World Junior Championships in November 2018.

ACKnoWLedGemenT “Now if we have died with Christ, We

believe that we will also live with him.” Romans 6:8

The Bianconeri were dealt a huge blow off the pitch as they were docked 15 points for financial issues and plummeted to the 10th place with just 22 points before Sunday’s game, reports Xinhua news agency.

In the highly-anticipated game, Atalanta went ahead minutes into the game when Ademola Lookman unleashed a missile that squirmed past Wojciech Szczesny’s gloves.

The home side leveled the game in the 25th minute as the referee awarded them a penalty, Angel Di Maria kept his cool to convert it, before Arkadiusz Milik turned around the game with a first-time strike.

The Dea scored the equalizer at the dawn of the second half, as Lookman’s smart pass found Joakim Maehle to beat Szczesny one-on-one.

Atalanta restored the lead six minutes later, this time Lookman was involved again, as his twisting header left Szczesny rooted to the ground.

But it was not finished yet, Juve got back on level

terms on 65 minutes when Di Maria’s dummy allowed Danilo to hit in a free kick with pure power.

Juve had the chance to seal the win but Fabio Miretti’s attempt was too weak to surprise the goalkeeper.

With the tie, Juve currently sit on the ninth place, 14 points off the Champions League zone. Elsewhere, Paulo Dybala’ two assists for both Stephan El Shaarawy and Tammy Abraham saw Roma sailed away with a 2-0 victory over Spezia.

Also on Sunday, Udinese won 1-0 at Sampdoria, Monza shared spoils with Sassuolo at 1-1.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to the many friends, neighbours, relatives, and well wishers who visited our home, attended the wake, service, and burial, and who provided emotional and practical support at this difficult time, we are truly grateful.

A special word of gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and administrators at CIHSR for the love, care, and compassion given throughout his illness. His final days would not have been as peaceful without their sincere dedication and the best medical care given. Similarly, the outpouring of love and support that we have received from the Ruzazho Baptist Church and the Chakhesang Baptist Church Toulazou has truly blessed our family. Your generosity, kindness, and prayers have been a comfort to us throughout his difficult journey and until his final hour.

We are truly grateful to everyone who has walked alongside us during this challenging journey. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

May our Almighty God bless each one abundantly.

Wife, Children & Family members

Secy Union Bhandari Block.

The Khenchung’s Brothers and Sisters.

Bhandari Town Trader’s Union. We deeply regret our inability to mention and thank each of you individually, but we pray that our Almighty bless all of you with a happy heart with more love, joy, peace, happiness and laughter and keep you safe each and every day.

family is so touched and comforted through your prayers, your physical presence and help extended financially, materially and the love showered upon our Late father Tekanungsang (Khar) during his brief illness and going away to be with the Lord on 19th Jan, 2023 at Zion Hospital Dimapur and his final journey to his native village.

We sincerely thank all the individuals, families, neighbours, churches, fellowships, organisations and the doctors, nurses and staff of the Zion Hospital Dimapur. It is our sincere prayer that our Almighty God shower His abundant blessings upon you and your family.

Our

BHUBANESWAR, JAN 23 (IANS): Germany qualified for the quarterfinals of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Hockey World Cup beating World No. 121 France 5-1 in a Crossover Stage match at the Kalinga Stadium here on Monday.

counter.

Hockey WC: Germany beat France 5-1; reach QFs

Bopannaadvances tomixeddoublesQFs

Aus Open: Djokovic trounces Alex De to set up quarter clash with Rublev

Mary Kom to lead Oversight panel to probe allegations against WFI Prez

WFI will be looked after by the Oversight Committee till their mandated duration and it will also probe the serious allegations against WFI and its chief,” Thakur said.

“The Oversight Committee will be under the chairmanship of world champion Mary Kom.

gations and other charges after talking to all parties and submit its report. Till then all the day-to-day decisions and workings of WFI will be taken care of by this committee,” he added.

and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav.

NEW DELHI, JAN 23

(PTI): Boxing great M C Mary Kom will lead a fivemember Oversight Committee that will probe the sexual harassment charges against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The government-appointed committee will also run the day-to-day

affairs of WFI for the next one month.

The other members of the panel are Olympic medallist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, former badminton player and Mission Olympic Cell member Trupti Murgunde, exTOPS CEO Rajagopalan and former SAI executive director - teams - Radhica Sreeman.

The announcement of the panel was made by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday.

Thakur had decided to form the committee on Saturday following a three-day sit-in protest by some of

the country’s top wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya against the WFI and its chief.

The wrestlers ended their protest after a breakthrough was achieved dur-

ing a marathon second round of talks with Thakur late on Friday night.

“The WFI president will not discharge his duties and stay away from day-to-day affairs of WFI. The day-to-day working of

Along with her, Yogeshwar Dutt, MOC member and Dronacharya awardee Trupti Murgunde, fomer TOPS CEO Rajagopalan and former ED Teams, SAI Radica Sreeman will be part of the committee.

“In the next one month, this committee will probe into the sexual alle-

Both May Kom and Yogeshwar are also part of the the seven-member committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to probe the allegations of sexual harassment and corruption against the WFI chief.

Besides legendary boxer Mary Kom and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, the IOA panel includes archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) president

The other members of the IOA committee are two advocates -- Talish Ray and Shlok Chandra -- besides former shuttler and IOA joint secretary Alaknanda Ashok, who is its vice chairperson. The agitating wrestlers, including young Anshu Malik, Sangeeta Phogat and Sonam Malik among others, started the sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar here on Wednesday and demanded the sacking of the WFI chief.

The wrestlers also demanded that the WFI be disbanded immediately and a new panel is formed, including grapplers in it.

Mary Kom

Anurag Thakur

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh