17 Feb 2023

Nagaland Post

Article 371(A) could end up like Art. 370: Jairam Ramesh

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 16 (NPN): Rajya Sabha member and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh has expressed genuine apprehension about the possibility of Article 371 (A) meeting the same fate as Article 370.

The former union minister and Congress MP said this during the press conference at Congress Bhavan here Thursday evening, where he pointed out that a BJP government that had abolished Article 370 (erstwhile J&K state) could also do the same overnight with regard to Article 371 (A) involving Nagaland.

According to Jairam, BJP abolished Article 370 on August 5, 2019 because it believed in uniformity, while Congress believed in unity and adding, that this was the main difference the two parties.

He said the Congress government at the Centre had inserted Article 371 (A) in the Constitution of India in 1962 to protect, preserve and promote the interests for Nagaland which came

into being in 1963. Jairam reminded that Congress is the only party which respected the culture and religion of Nagaland as it stood for unity through diversity, while “BJP believed in suppressing India’s diversity in the name of uniformity”.

Referring to the upcoming Assembly election, Jairam said it was very important as it provided an opportunity to the people of Nagaland “to reject the forces that made false promises in 2018 and repose trust and confidence in Congress which always respected and celebrated India’s diversity”.

He said the Assembly election was “historic in many ways” and expressed the hope that the youth of Nagaland have realised

who made false promises of “double-engine government when there was no track”.

Jairam said the past five years had been a period of betrayal and failed promises. He said that in 2018 the BJP election slogan was ‘Election for Solution’ but in 2023 it should be ‘election for confusion.”

On Naga political issue, he said the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement(FA) was welcomed by many, including Congress who longed for peace, social harmony and development in Nagaland. However, Jairam lamented that even after eight years, details of FA are still unknown and that BJP did not even mention a word about FA in its poll manifesto.

Tripura records 81 pc polling

On the state of the roads, Jairam said other than the highway linking Dimapur and Kohima , roads leading to district headquarters and across the State were virtually nonexistent. He said even the Dimapur-Kohima road was not of good standard while other roads being dubbed as ‘potholed roads” was indeed a big joke.

On the Jal Jeevan Mission(water), he said there was neither “Jal” nor “Jeevan” but only huge water shortages across the State. Likewise, he said, due to poor electricity supply, periods of darkness in Nagaland was longer than light.

He also accused the State government of failing to properly tap sports potential of Naga youth who have a natural flair for sports activities. In this, cited the Dimapur Stadium whose construction has not been completed even after ten years. Jairam also claimed that development had come to complete halt and corruption had increased astronomically while the people were being led astray by the BJP-NDPP alliance.

Police conduct state-wide checking of own vehicles

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 16 (NPN):

Following cases of misuse of government vehicles surfacing and to prevent such vehicles from violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Nagaland Police carried out a three-hour frisking of its own vehicles and those registered under the department across the State on Thursday at the directive of director general of police (DGP). The drive was carried out mainly to monitor and pre-

Turkey-Syria quake

death toll nears 42k

ISTANBUL, FEB 16

(AGENCIES): The death toll following last week’s deadly 7.8-magnitude quake that devastated Turkey and Syria is nearing 42,000, as survivors take stock of their losses. Hundreds of thousands of others were injured in the series of earthquakes that devastated the region, as rescue and recovery efforts continue to press on. The quake killed at least 36,187 in southern Turkey, while authorities in neighbouring Syria have reported 5,800 deaths - a figure that has changed little in days.

This is it!

BJP challenges Congress to debate on election manifestoes

AGARTALA, FEB 16 (PTI): Tripura recorded over 81 per cent polling till 4 pm in the one-day election to the 60-member Tripura Assembly on Thursday, a senior EC official said.

The voting percentage will increase as around 50,000 voters are still standing in queues at the polling stations to exercise their franchise, the official said.

“Till 4 pm, an average 81.11 per cent polling was recorded in all the 60 Assembly constituencies, while around 50,000 voters are still in queues when the report came in last,” additional chief electoral officer U J Mog told PTI. Voters who are in the queues and took tokens by 4 pm will be allowed to cast their votes even after 6 pm or beyond, he added.

Bru refugees who resettled in the state recently took part in the polling for the first time. Of the total 37,136 Bru population in the state 14,005 are eligible to vote. Voting began at 7 am in all the 3337 polling stations and gained pace as the day progressed.

The election was marred by a few untoward incidents. Police said three CPI(M) activists were injured in two incidents. (Read more on p-4)

Staff Re porter

DIMAPUR, FEB 16

(NPN): After Congress took a dig at the recently released BJP manifesto, the party’s State media cell convener Sapralu Nyekha responded by throwing a challenge on the Congress for a debate on the manifestoes. Addressing the media here at BJP office Thursday, Sapralu claimed Nagaland has witnessed massive development within a short span of time only under BJP rule (with regional party) and that the previous Congress regimes did not bring any development to the State.

“When Congress points its fingers at us and terms our manifesto and vision documents as devoid of any truth, I challenge the party to bring its manifesto for a debate with BJP,” she stated.

Highlighting the focus on welfare of women in BJP’s manifesto, she reiterated that the party would initiate Temsula Ao Empowerment Mission to encourage formation of more women SHGs and provide them with credit linkages, set up online portals and outlets across the State to provide linkages to women SHGs, FPOs and entrepre-

neurs, initiate women-run canteens at all district headquarters and important marketplaces to provide meals at subsidised rates, one-time grant of Rs. 50,000 to all women getting recruited under Agnipath Yojana and increase widow, single mother and old age women pension amount to Rs.1,000 per month, etc.

On safety of women, Sapralu assured that BJP would establish ‘Women Warrior Battalion’, State’s first all-women police battalion, and also a dedicated desk operated by women officials at every police station to tackle crimes against women.

For healthcare, she informed the media that the party would spend Rs 200 crore to establish dedicated department for mother and child care in all District

Hospitals, ensure 100% institutional deliveries for expecting mothers by ensuring maternity wards in all PHCs and CHCs and District Hospitals, provide free sanitary napkins through vending machines installed in public places, government schools and colleges, and modernise all Anganwadis. She said BJP would spend Rs 32 crore to construct Pink Toilets at all public places for ensuring women’s hygiene and convenience. Meanwhile, speaking on youth empowerment, BJYM State president Hosheto Awomi stated that BJP would establish Nagaland Entrepreneurship Development Authority for training and promoting entrepreneurship in every district, expand scope of Nagaland employment portal, provide

vent use of such vehicles to transport cash, liquor, illegal

drugs, weapons and other contraband items under the guise of police vehicles. Additional DG (law & order), Sandeep M Tamgadge, who headed a part of the drive in State Capital, disclosed that the State-wide surprise frisking exercise took place in all districts simultaneously from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. He said the drive was conducted after there were complaints of police vehicles being used for illegal activities.

Ladakhis to intensify stir to press for statehood

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (PTI): A day after they held a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, groups from Ladakh on Thursday reiterated their demands for statehood and 6th schedule status for the Union Territory, threatening to intensify their agitation if the government does not listen to them.

At a press conference here, environmental activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk said democracy has been compromised in Ladakh and the local people have no say in decision-making.

Speaking on behalf of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, an amalgam of social, religious, and political groups from the two districts of Ladakh, Wangchuk stressed on the need to provide safeguards for the environmentally sensitive area, and involve locals in decision-making.

“We wanted to become a UT, but we never imagined it would be without a legislature. There is no participation of people anymore in how the budget allocated to us is spent. The Autono-

mous Hill Council has also been weakened, and the issue of statehood is of utmost importance,” he said.

“Ladakh is going through a crisis... When Article 370 was abrogated, the two districts - Leh and Kargil -- had different aspirations.

While there were protests in Kargil, it was welcomed in Leh …,” Sajjad Hussain, an activist from Kargil said. He said the administration has been left to the Lieut Governor and bureaucrats, who are not accountable to the people of Ladakh.

Govt bans fish products treated with formalin

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN):

State government has prohibited storage, distribution or sale of fresh fish and fish products including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms treated with Formalin or any other forms of chemical preservatives in Nagaland with immediate effect.

In a notification, commissioner of food safety, health department, Y Kikheto Sema, cautioned that noncompliance to the notification would be an offence and would attract penalties up to Rs.10 lakh with imprisonment under section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act’2006.

Further, the designated officer/food safety officer of the districts have been directed to strengthen surveillance activity and carry out inspection, checking, testing and sampling of the fresh fish consignment before distribution for sale under its jurisdiction.

Adulterated, sub-standard food products banned: In another notification, the government has prohibited illegal import of food products, for sale, exhibit for sale, stored for sale or distribution of any form of Adulterated, misbranded, sub-standard food products imported from foreign countries and

states with immediate effect.

It also warned Food Business Operators to desist from such illegal food business. Non-compliance of notification would be an offence punishable with penalty under section 51, 52 and 59 of the said Act.

The consumers have been advised to check the labelling provisions of the food products before purchase and to be aware and remain alert about such food products. The designated officers, food safety officers of the districts have been directed to carry out inspection and sampling for analysis.

Jairam Ramesh with Congress candidates on Thursday. (NP)

(C) Sapralu along with party colleagues addressing the media. (NP)

Manen, Khehovi kick off campaign

Correspondent

MOKOKCHUNG, FEB

16 (NPN): NDPP candidate for 23 Impur (S/T) Assembly Constituency T.N. Mannen and BJP candidate for 33 Suruhuto A/C, H. Khehovi kicked off their campaign for the upcoming assembly polls on Thursday.

T.N. Manen: The campaign for T.N. Manen was held at two places Yisemyong village and Sungratsu village. Speaking at Yisemyong, Mannen shared his vision for the constituency and explained the quote “victory belongs to those who persist and to never give up” referring to his unsuccessful contest in the election from the same constituency for the last three elections. He went on to add that 23 Impur A/C (Asetkong range) has been in the opposition for 20 years and thus has been lacking in the much-needed developmental aspects of the area and remained neglected/isolated. He however expressed hope that this time, the area will be in the ruling dispensation which will ultimately herald in the much needed change the area has been yearning for.

Meanwhile, a number of people spoke at the programme including Yisemyong Adhoc Town Committee chairman and

members, officials from NDPP and BJP. Earlier in the day, a joint declaration programme for the intending candidates of 23 Impur A/C was held at Sungratsu Senden Salang organized by the Sungratsu Village Council. The 23 Impur A/C has two candidates namely Bendangkokba, (Mopungchuket village) of INC and T.N. Mannen (Longjang Village) of NDPP. At the program, both the candidates were allowed to share their visions and dreams for the constituency.

Lat er in the programme, the Sungratsu Village Council Chairman Taka Longchar read out the various resolutions of the council to be adhered to by all the concerned parties which are to be strictly

Four Mobile ICTCs flagged off in Kohima

Correspondent

and development in the constituency.

Highlighting the vision statement of the BJP for Nagaland, Khehovi said that the BJP has promised to continue with these welfare schemes with further enhancements of cash and incentives especially meant for the farmers, women and children.

followed during the entire election process within the village. President of Sungratsu Senso Mungdang, Limasashi Ozukum, exhorted the gathering. H. Khehovi: The kick off campaign for H. Khehovi was held at four locations. Addressing his supporters at Phuye Old, Naltoqa, Vedami and Aichisaghemi villagers, the BJP candidate expressed confidence in the NDPP-BJP alliance adding that the alliance will form the next government with absolute majority. Stating that the BJP at the Centre and in alliance with the NDPP in Nagaland was sincere in delivering progress and development in all sectors and called upon his supporters to join hands with him in delivering peace, progress

Khehovi said that almost half of his last tenure was hampered by COVID pandemic and all development aspects were hindered. However, he said that Suruhuto-Asuto area had witnessed its due share of development despite the pandemic and expressed regret that major projects that were in the pipeline could not be implemented. He assured to continue with the development aspects if given another term and further appealed to the electorate of SuruhutoAsuto area to look at the developmental issues that have been initiated under the BJP Government and choose the right legislator to represent the people.

The BJP candidate was accompanied by Zunheboto district BJP president Shikuto Achumi, BJP Nagaland general secretary Khevishe Achumi, Mandal president Tokhevi Aye, host of GBs, prominent leaders and elders from various villages.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

KOHIMA, FEB 16 (NPN): Four new Mobile Integrated Counselling & Testing Centres (ICTC) were flagged off by commissioner, Food Safety and Department of Health & Family Welfare, Y Kikheto Sema, during a programme at the Directorate, here on Thursday.

In his brief address, Sema said Nagaland was the second highest in AIDS prevalence in the country which was alarming. He said against the national average of 0.21% Nagaland has 1.36% of the total population, second only to Mizoram at 2.70%.

He pointed out that people should know the situation, responsibilities and accordingly create awareness in the minds of the people. Calling for a concerted efforts towards this end, Sema said the department or the government alone cannot do it and needs the support of the people.

Sema informed that according to the latest data available in the state, Dima-

pur with 2.20% prevalence was the highest while Tuensang and Noklak together with 2.14% was second and Kohima was in third with 1.28%. Three of the four new vehicles will be as replacements in Mon, Tuensang and Longleng while the fourth would be for Noklak.

Meanwhile, in two separate notifications, the commissioner has cautioned against sale and supply of unsafe food products in the State under section 25, subsection (I) (i) (ii) (iii) of Food Safety and Standards Act’ 2006. Under the section, no person shall import into India: 1. Any unsafe and misbranded or sub-standard food or food containing extraneous matter. 2. Any

article of food for the import of which a license is required under any Act or any rule or regulations, except in accordance with the condition of the license and or 3. Any article of food in contravention of any other provision of this Act or any rile or regulation made there under or any other Act. The notice said despite of government standing prohibition notification on illegal import of misbranded, sub-standard and expired food item for sale, distribution etc. more and more food products were being smuggled or illegally entering into Nagaland in violation of Food Safety and Standards Act’ 2006 Rules and Regulation 2011 and

had flooded every nook and corner of the state.

Therefore, in exercise of the power conferred under section 30(2) (a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act’ 2006, the commissioner prohibited the illegal import of food products, for sale, exhibit for sale, stored for sale or distribution of any form of Adulterated, misbranded, sub-standard food products imported from foreign countries and states with immediate effect.

It also warned Food Business Operators to desist from such illegal food business. Non-compliance to this notification would be an offence punishable with penalty under section 51, 52 and 59 of the said Act. The notice also advised the general public/consumer to check the labelling provisions of the food products before purchase and to be aware and remain alert about such food products. It further instructed the designated officers, Food Safety Officers of the districts to carry out inspection and sampling for analysis.

Duncan Bosti Council adopts resolutions for NLA elections

DIMAPUR: Duncan Bosti Council (DBC), Duncan Women Union and Duncan Youth have passed various resolutions for the ensuing 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections 2023 on February 16.

In a press release, Duncan Bosti Council chairman, Wojamo Yanthan and secretary, S Bendang Imsong stated that the following resolutions were passed: the council has decided to ban pasting any kind of election posters/ banner within the colony; no political party will be allowed to

1st Death anniversarY of our Beloved mother hensonglo Jamir (17/02/22/ – 17/02/23)

operate any political camp within the colony; no outsiders/ persons will be allowed to enter the colony polling station on polling day.

The council further decided to allow senior citizens and physically handicapped person to caste their respective vote during the first hour on Polling Day. It also warned that every individual or political parties should follow the resolutions implemented by the Council, failing which strict actions will be taken against any defaulters.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We the bereaved family members of Late Mrs Iheli Zhimo would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who stood by us physically, spiritually and financially during our saddest moment on 31-01-2023.

We would like to give special thanks to:

1. Yezami Baptist Church

2. Yezami Union Naltoqa and Zunheboto

3. Friends and Neighbors, Residents of Yezami village in general.

4. Family members and relatives, in-laws, siblings, near and dear ones

Correspondent

MOKOKCHUNG, FEB

16 (NPN): The intending NPP candidate from 24 Angetyongpang Assembly Constituency, S Maongkaba Ozukum, declared his candidature on Thursday at Yaongyimti Old & New, Phangsang and Chakpa villages.

Addressing the gathering, Maongkaba said his willingness to be the servant of the constituency and shared his vision to improve communication for development of the area economy, better educational sector,

NEWS IN BRIEF

DoSE informs private schools : Directorate of School Education has informed all private schools of the State which have elementary sections that application forms for recognition, up-gradation, renewal of recognition and inspection (i.e. Formats III, IV, V & VI) shall be made available on the department’s website at https// education.nagaland.gov.

in from February 17 till Match 15. Any private school wanting to apply may download the forms during the window.

Seized IMFL destroyed in Kiphire: As per pre-trial destruction order, the seized IMFL were destroyed at the dumping site some kms away from Kiphire on February 16. The seized items that were destroyed included - MC Dowell’s Rum (quarter 180 ml each) - 336 bottles; Royal Stag (quarter 180 ml each) - 144 bottles and Can Beer (Kingfisher500 ml each) - 360 Cans.

The task was carried out in the presence of pre- trial destruction committee members Kiphire.

skilled development for selfsustenance of the youth, introduction of solar energy harvesting, tourism-related infrastructures, to empower women, to create Phangsang as an EAC administrative post, promote more cultural and communal harmony since the constituency comprises of the Aos and Chang tribes and to established a 24 Angetyongpang A/C office in Kohima where the grievances of the constituency people can be addressed.

Earlier, short speeches were delivered by ex-candidate, Sashimar, Ramok and hosts of supporters.

Lt. VISEYIE LUHO (20/06/1979 - 10/02/2023)

We the bereaved family members of Late Viseyie Lüho would like to express our sincere gratitude and acknowledge all the well wishers who stood with us during the trivial time of his sickness and demise by sympathizing and rendering physical, moral, material and prayerful support.

We convey our sincere thanks to :-

1. Soul Harvest for Christ Ministries Kohima

2. Kerüliki Kohima

3. Kerüliki Nagarjan Dimapur

4. Ektinos Group

5. Khuzama Baptist Church

6. Khuzama Christian Revival Church

7. Khuzama Sacred Heart Church

8. Chakhro Khuzama Union

9. Khuzama Krotho Kohima

10. CIHSR Referral Hospital Doctors & Nurses

11. ANTA Kohima HQ

Though words are not enough to express our thanks to each and every individuals, we pray that God favor His Blessings abundantly.

k-333/23

Loving wife, sons and family members

A year has passed since the Lord called you home But our aching hearts are comforted knowing You're at rest.

Your name will be forever etched in our hearts, For even death cannot part the ones who truly love And the love you've given us through your life Will always be with us throughout our lives. Fondly remembered, today and always.

DP-685/23

By Your Loving Family

Obituary and Acknowledgement

We are truly indebted and deeply regret for not mentioning each name individually but may the Almighty God bless you all. Loving, Children and Grandchildren

k-334/23

Imtisangla Jamir

Born on 06-05-1947 Slept in the Lord on 12-02-2023

The family of Late Mrs. Imtisangla Jamir wishes to acknowledge the many expressions and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad loss. We express our heartfelt thanks to the many friends, neighbours, well-wishers who visited us, attended the wake and service, those who travelled long distances, sent floral tributes and messages, offered donations.

As it would be impossible to thank and acknowledge everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude

Loving Family Members

Late Thungbemo Ngullie March 1933 – 08/02/2023

Words are inadequate while expressing our profound gratitude and indebtedness to all who spared your precious time, resources and manpower to support us throughout the prolonged illness and sad demise of our dearly beloved Late Thungbemo Ngullie who left us for his Heavenly journey on 08/02/2023. May our Almighty bless you all continuously and abundantly for providing us the much needed love and comfort in this our hour of grief.

- Loving Wife, Children, In-Laws, Grandchildren & Family

Kikheto Sema flagging off the new mobile ICTCs. (NP)

S.

Maongkaba Ozukum declares his candidature

S Maongkaba Ozukum along with the Yaongyimti old village and party functionaries.

T.N. Manen H. Khehovi

Q.: Do election manifestos mean anything when parties come to

USBLA organises prayer programme for candidates

NEXT POLL

Q: Will the govt be willing to greatly reduce bank charges levied on customers to promote income?

Correspondent

KIPHIRE, FEB 16 (NPN): United Sangtam Baptist Lithroti Ashimükhong (USBLA) organized a special prayer program for the intending of 52 Assembly Constituency Longkhim-Chare for the forthcoming general election on February 15 at United Sangtam Churches Association Mission Centre, Yangli.

Dedicatory prayer and word of God was ministered by Executive Secretary USBLA, Rev. Y. Imtiba. He said that the church is the moral institution and they stand firmly rooted in the clean election movement initiated by Nagaland Baptist Church Council. He thanked all the three candidates for manifesting the virtue of obedience and coming to attend the programme.

United Sangtam Likhum Pümji president, Aliba Sangtam in his short speech advised the candidates, chief agents, party workers and voters to be

JDU Nagaland releases manifesto for NLA elections

DIMAPUR: Janata Dal (JD United) Nagaland state unit released its manifesto 2023 under the theme “Development with Justice” for the ensuing state general election by president, Nagaland JDU, Senchumo (NSN) Lotha on

February 15 at its headquarter, Wokha town. A press release by JDU Nagaland state unit informed that the party manifesto has given priority to education, rural development, youth and employment, influx of foreign-

CRCA appeals for peace during elections

more cautious so as to avoid possible problems and dangers during the fortcoming election.

A time to share the mission and vision from all the three candidates were given where all the candidates participated positively. The candidates for the forthcoming general election from 52 A/C Longkhim-Chare are Muthingnyuba Sangtam, Sethri Sangtam and H. Sethrongkyu Sangtam.

Addressing a welcome speech, Youth Secretary of USBLA, Tsilise highlighted that the intentions of organizing the programme was to invoke God’s abundant blessings for the candidates and help them remain purposefully faithful in the clean election movement. Thanking all who made the program a success, USBLA further urged all the voters to remain steadfast in the clean election movement. The program ended with a ‘kneel-down’ gesture of prayer.

DIMAPUR: The Chukitong Range Chairman’s Association (CRCAQ), Wokha has appealed to all the citizens of Chukitong Range to uphold the peaceful environment within Chukitong Range area during the upcoming 14th NLA election.

In a press release issued by CRCA president Janthungo Kikon and secretary, Khonbensao Lotha has condemned the February 9 incident, where unknown miscreants illegally burned down the private residence of Chiyingo Kikon, PA to Dy. CM Y Patton, which was situated between Chukitong Town to Seluku Village under Koio jurisdiction. The association also reiterated and warned those political parties, groups and individuals not complying with this appeal letter and creating law and order situation such as vandalizing of vehicles, destruction of houses and attacking as well as threatening of any individuals within Chukitong Range area will be viewed seriously. The association warned that it will initiate stern action against those defaulters as deemed appropriate.

15 houses gutted by fire at Sachu Colony, Dimapur

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN):

Fifteen houses were completely devastated in a major fire incident that occurred at Sachu Colony, Dimapur on Thursday morning at around 10 am.

Officials informed that 15 houses were completely destroyed while one house was partially damaged in the incident, however, no casualties were reported.

Officials informed that six fire tenders were pressed into action from the Central, Western and

Chumoukedima fire stations. The fire had rendered around 40 families comprising of around 80 people without shelter. Investigation was on to ascertain the cause of the incident.

Meanwhile, Moatoshi Longkumer MLA of Dimapur-II including Vikheho LJP candidate rushed to the site and also provided cash and rations to the affected victims. Several other organisations have also pledged relief items including food.

ers, road development, health sector, repealing AFSPA and the Indo-Naga political issue in its ‘Focus 2023’.

Lotha said JDU has committed to take up infrastructural development of all government educational institutions

with special scholarships and insurance schemes. The party also committed to work on rural development, youth and employment. It also focussed to suppress the influx of foreigners and improve health care facilities.

USBLA members pray for the intending candidates of 52 Longkhim-Chare AC.

Smoke billows from the structures gutted down by inferno. (NP)

Tripura polls: violence reported at several places

AGARTALA, FEB 16

(IANS): Many incidents of attacks on political workers, intimidation and obstruction of voters were reported from different districts.

At least 60 opposition party workers were injured after the ruling party workers allegedly attacked them in Gomati, Sepahijala, South Tripura and West Tripura districts.

The main opposition CPI-M alleged that the BJP workers evicted their candidates’ polling agents in more than 25 polling stations in four districts.

Tripura Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte

Kirankumar Dinkarrao said that wherever the authority got any information of trouble, security forces were immediately rushed to those areas to resolve the problems. A senior police officer said that a constable

was suspended in Gomati district for his alleged role in urging people to cast their votes in favour of the ruling BJP.

Opposition parties, including the CPI-M and the Congress, complained that at several places, including Santirbazar, Hrishamukh, Dhanpur and Kakraban, the ruling

20-fold increase in seizures in Tripura, Nagaland, M’laya: EC

NEW

DELHI, FEB 16

(IANS): The Election

Commission on Thursday said that seizures of over Rs 147 crore have been recorded so far in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland, marking a 20 times increase as compared to the Assembly Elections in 2018.

“Due to the coordinated efforts of enforcement agencies, extensive monitoring, marking of expenditure sensitive constituencies and adequate deployment of field teams, the three states witnessed seizures of Rs 147.84 crore after the announcement of elections which surpasses the seizures made in the entire duration of enforcement of the model code of conduct in the 2018 Assembly Elections, which was all of Rs 7.24 crore,” the EC said.

“In an operation, 3.53 kg of heroin valued at Rs 10.58 crore was seized by police in Dhalai district of Tripura. The Directorate of

Revenue Intelligence also seized 2.44 kg of heroin in East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya and 2.27 kg in Chumoukedima district in Nagaland.

“In Tripura, seeing the sensitivity of drugs and illegal ganja cultivation, a special team consisting of district police personnel, forest officials, BSF, antinarcotics and other agencies was formed in Sepahijhala and West Tripura districts,” the EC said.

Drugs valued at crores of rupees have been destroyed in Tripura.

During its visit to Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland in January, the Election Commission had reviewed the preparations along with the Central and state enforcement agencies.

While announcing the poll schedule, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stressed increased vigilance and zero tolerance on distribution of inducements during the electoral process.

party workers obstructed the voters supporting the opposition parties.

Earlier, men, women and first-time voters queued up in front of the polling stations well before the voting started at 7 a.m. in eight districts. Reang tribals, who were displaced 26 years ago from Mizoram following

ethnic trouble, and voters residing in the zero line of the India-Bangladesh border (outside the fencing) also exercised their franchise.

The CEO said that a total of 259 candidates, including 31 women, are in the fray for the election to the 60-member House, and of them, the highest number of candidates (55) has been

fielded by the ruling BJP, followed by the CPI-M (43), Tipra Motha Party (42), Trinamool Congress (28), and Congress (13).

A total of 58 Independent candidates and 14 nominees from various smaller parties are also contesting the elections.

Around 31,000 personnel were stationed at 3,327 polling stations to conduct the elections. In all, 28.14 lakh voters, including 13.99 lakh women, were eligible to cast their votes in Thursday’s balloting.

A senior police officer said that the Union Home Ministry has provided 400 companies (30,000 security personnel) of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) while around 9,000 Tripura State Rifles jawans and over 6,000 Tripura Police personnel were deployed to hold fair and violence-free elections.

Tripura Cong, BJP, BJP gen secy get EC notice for poll day tweets

NEW

DELHI,

FEB 16 (PTI): The Chief Electoral Officer of Tripura on Thursday issued notices to the state units of the Congress and the BJP as well as BJP national general secretary Dilip Saikia for seeking votes on Twitter when polling is underway in the northeastern state.

The Election Commission said the tweets are violative of election law as they were made in the 48 hour “silence period” which began on Tuesday evening. Voting for the 60-member Assembly in the state began at 7 am on Thursday. They have been given an an opportunity “to take corrective action at the earliest”. They have also been asked to explain their stands for the violation by 5 pm on Friday.

In its notice to Saikia,

the Tripura CEO said, “ ... an appeal for vote in favour of BJP has been tweeted from your handle at 0950 hours on 16.02.2023. The tweet is in form of a photo containing following message: Unnato Tripura Sreshtho Tripura Vote for BJP.” It said the tweet violates section 126 (l) (b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which prohibits display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus

in polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area. An identical notice to the Tripura BJP said an appeal for vote in favour of BJP was tweeted from BJP handle at 8 am on Thursday. “The tweet followed by a video clip is as under: For a safe and brighter future, vote for BJP”, it said. The notice to the Tripura Congress noted that an appeal for votes in favour of INC (Indian National Congress) was tweeted from Tripura Congress’ handle at 11.42 am on Thursday. “The tweet is as under: People of Tripura spontaneously casting vote for Congress. This time Congress will come,” the notice said.

BJP will emerge as single largest party in Meghalaya: Amit Shah Says,Meghalaya

Correspondent

TURA, FEB 16: Union

Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Thursday exuded confidence that BJP will emerge as the single largest party in the Meghalaya assembly elections scheduled to be held on February 27.

Addressing an election meeting at Tura, headquarters of West Garo Hills district this evening, Shah appealed to the electorate to strengthen his party and the ‘hands’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the coming assembly elections for ensuring a corruption-free and developed state.

Describing Meghalaya as one of the “most corrupt” in the country, the BJP leader said, “There has been only corruption in the

Meghalaya CM didn’t act on Mukroh firing fearing ED, CBI action: Abhishek

TURA, FEB 16 (PTI):

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma will lose his seat as the ruling NPP will draw a blank in the Garo Hills, claimed senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee.

Addressing an election rally in South Tura Wednesday, he dredged up the incident of firing in Mukroh, and stated that West Bengal, too, shares border with Assam, “but no one would dare to shoot five people there” as Mamata Banerjee happens to be the chief minister of the state.

He also alleged that Sangma did not take requisite action to ensure

justice for those killed in the incident fearing action by central agencies on one pretext or another.

“I have categorically said that the NPP will draw a blank in Garo Hills, which has 24 seats. Conrad Sangma is losing his own seat -- South Tura. Six months back, the party said Trinamool Congress has no base here. But now, if you look at their speeches, tweets, and statements, you will see that their day begins and ends with attacks on TMC...,” Banerjee asserted. He claimed to have noticed no streetlight near the district collectorate, treasury office,

the DIG office, and Tura police station. “If the chief minister cannot bring light to his own constituency, how can he bring development to the state?” he asked. He alleged that everything is in a shambles in the state, from hospitals to schools and colleges.

“The Shillong Medical College exists only on paper. Tura Medical College is also in the doldrums. West Bengal has 23 medical colleges, of which 16 are run by the government. But there isn’t even one medical college here. This is the result of the double-engine government,” said Banerjee.

last 50 years of statehood in Meghalaya and it is sad that the Prime Minister’s development schemes did not reach the state. All central schemes get vanished by the time they reach Meghalaya”. “We are determined to make Meghalaya a corruptionfree state through a doubleengineered government of BJP in Meghalaya and Centre,” even as he said that the BJP had come out

of the coalition government in the state ahead of the elections in order to challenge corruption.

“We need a strong BJP here, so we broke the alliance before the polls and decided to contest for all 60 assembly seats. Meghalaya is one of the most corrupt states in the country due to the inefficiency of the state government,” he said. Shah said due to the negligence of the state

government of Meghalaya and their mismanagement, the deficit of the state has increased to about Rs 1849 crore in 2022-23.

“This has happened only because of corruption. The scale of corruption here is not visible anywhere else in the country. Meghalaya Energy Corporation is on the verge of closure,” he said, even as he quoted an RBI report that states: Meghalaya is the slowest

developing state in the country.

Pointing out that there was no medical college in Meghalaya even after 50 years of statehood, Shah promised to set up medical colleges in the Garo Hills and in Shillong, if the BJP was voted to power, adding that nursing schools would also be set up.

Speaking in chaste Hindi, Shah apologized to the tribal people for not being able to speak in Garo, even as he promised that students would be able to study in their own language from primary to secondary level, as per the National Education Policy, which promotes local languages.

He said the BJP wants to make Meghalaya the “number one state in the northeast” and set up IT parks and economic zones in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region, besides promoting organic farming.

“In eight years, the Modi government spent

Rs 5000 crore for national highways and rural roads in Meghalaya. There is five times more fibre connectivity in the state since 2014 and 39 Eklavya model residential schools have been set up for poor students,” he said, adding that Modi was the only PM after independence who visited the Northeast for 51 times so far.

“We will make a provision of Rs 100 crore for MSMEs when our government is formed in Meghalaya. For the development of the NorthEast, Prime Minister has started the PM-DevINE scheme. For this, a primary allocation of Rs 6,000 crore has been made in the budget,” Shah said. Stating that insurgency has come down drastically in the region, the Union Home Minister appealed to groups in Meghalaya to come forward for talks with the Centre and “get connected with the Modi government’s development work.

Nepotism and corruption will be wiped out from M’laya : Sonowal

Correspondent

TURA (MEGHALAYA), FEB 16: Continuing his tirade against the National People’s Partyled Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, Union Minister and senior BJP leader, Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday urged electorates to vote for the BJP whose only agenda is “peace and progress of Meghalaya”.

Election to the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly is scheduled to be held on February 27. The counting of votes will be held on March 2.

Drumming up support for his party candidates

Mnp all set to host B20 sessions of G20 dialogue forum

Correspondent

IMPHAL, FEB 16:

Manipur is all set to host the first of the four B20 sessions of the G20 dialogue forum for the global business community to be held across the northeast region of the country.

The three-day B20 sessions will commence tomorrow (February 17) with a conference on the same day.

Apart from Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, the scheduled conference will be attended by Union minister of state for commerce and industries Som Prakash, Union minister of state for external affairs Dr R K Ranjan Singh and senior officials of the Central and state governments. The event will witness the convergence of a host of overseas

delegates from 23 nations, said Manipur education minister Thounaojam Basantakumar who briefed media on the upcoming event at the conference hall of the Old Secretariat, Imphal this evening.

The oversea delegates to be participated in the event included Australia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Chad, Canada, China, France, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Nepal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa,

Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda, United States and United Kingdom, the minister informed.

Dignitaries from 26 overseas business delegates and 24 diplomats including ambassadors from these countries and India and trade and business delegations and representatives from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Japan and Australia will also participate at the programmes of the threeday session, he said.

The education minister said that elaborate arrangements were made on the part of the state government for the three days event to showcase the potential the state can offer to the delegates on aspects like health and family welfare, skill development, sports, urban development, textiles, finance & taxation, tourism, industries & commerce, IT, agriculture and fisheries.

As part of the programme, the state chief minister will also facilitate business to business and business to government meetings. The visiting overseas business delegates would be given the opportunity to interact with the local industry during the B2B and with the government in the B2G session for potential investment, collaboration and tie-ups, he said.

Rahinath Barchung contesting from the Tikrikilla assembly seat LAC; Benedict Marak from Raksamgre, Sukharam K. Sangma from Resubelpara and Sengnab Ch. Momin from Mendipathar, Sonowal said BJP has been working diligently to wipe out corruption and empowering talent to make nepotism irrelevant. “People of Meghalaya were ripped off development and progress by the twin evil of nepotism and rampant corruption. People deserve better as India under the Modi government is working diligently to become an Atmanirbhar Bharat in this Amrit Kaal. Meghalaya,

Sarbananda Sonowal (PTI)

with its rich natural beauty and resources, and diverse talent pool, is poised to unlock a tremendous opportunity to progress and develop,” the former Assam Chief Minister said. Describing the NPP-led government and previous Congress government as “corrupt and nepotistic”, Sonowal

Before the Me MB er Motor Accident c l A i M s t ri B un A l Kohi MA

Execution Case No. 1 of 2022

Arising out of MAC Case No. 52/2016

The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. ………………….Decree Holder.

Versus Shri. Nagen Baruah S/o D. Baruah, R/o T C P Gate, P.O, P.S & Dist. Kohima, Nagaland (Owner of vehicle No. NL-01-L-4072) ……Judgement Debtor.

notice under order V rule 20 of the code of ciVil Procedure, 1908.

Whereas the above Decree Holder has filed the aforesaid Execution Case for recovery of Award money in the MAC Case No. 52/2016 passed by the Member of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Hailakandi wherein you have been impleaded as respondent No. 1 (Judgement Debtor) You are hereby called upon to appear before the Learned member on 13.03.2023, in person or by a pleaser to act on your behalf.

Take Notice that in default the matter will be decided ex-parte.

Singed and sealed by Order of this Court on this the 14th February, 2023.

Member Motor Accident claims tribunal, Kohima, nagaland DC-158/23

said, “We know how these twin evils once dominated the national narrative but due to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his welfare schemes for the betterment of society and empowerment of people, those, who live by these twin evils, have become peripheral.” “You have seen how the Congress and NPP have repeatedly deceived people and deprived them of the fruits of progress and development,” he said.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi , he said more than 80 crore

people are receiving free ration every month under the Antodaya programme.

“Northeast has claimed its long-aspired stand under Modi as it is ready to become the engine of progress for India. Meghalaya is an important state where people deserve to be part of this historic moment and bring progress and prosperity to their state. By voting BJP to the government in Meghalaya, the non-stop development of Modi government will amp up opportunities in the state and serve the aspirations of the people,” he said.

PuBlic notice

This is for the general public notice that I am s mti. h ange u sou , W/o Lt. Kezevi Usou, R/o House No. 430, Zakiesatuo Road Eros Line, Dimapur, Nagaland is the lawfully absolute owner of the land measuring an area of 00B-01K-15Ls, covered by Patta No. : 24, under Dag. No. : 39, Block No. : 06, Mouza : 01, with this regard whosoever indulge in buying/ selling/ mortgage or any kind of loans without my consent will be doing so at their own risk.

DP-690/23

smt. hange usou

i n the c ourt of fAM ily c ourt d i MAP ur : nA g A l A nd guardianship Petition no. 03/2023 n otice

(See 71(1) of Indian Lunacy Act, 1992)

Whereas an application under the Indian Lunacy Act 1912 has been filed by Shri. Bendangniken appointment of Guardian in respect of Lunatic(s) Miss. Imlinola & Temsunungla before this Court and whereas the 4th day of April 2023 has been fixed for the hearing on the matter.

NOTICE is hereby given inviting objection if any from the person having interest in the above named Lunatic(s) to be furnished on or before the fixed date/ or appear in person. Given under my hand seal of the Court on this 14th day of Feb 2023.

Voters show their identification cards as they wait in queues to cast their votes at a polling booth during the Tripura Assembly elections, in Agartala, Thursday. (PTI)

Manipur education minister and officials briefing media on upcoming B20 session in Imphal on Thursday.

one of the ‘most corrupt’State

Amit Shah during his campaign with State BJP leaders

Man held at IGI with gold worth Rs 90 L

NEW

DELHI, FEB 16

(IANS): A man was held at Indira Gandhi International Airport with smuggled gold worth over Rs 90 lakh, customs officials said on Thursday. A senior customs official said that the man was intercepted on the basis of profiling.

“The personal search of the passenger resulted in recovery of two strips wrapped with white adhesive tape containing brown coloured paste in a transparent packing. He was hiding it in his underwear. After the extraction procedure four uneven rectangular shaped gold pieces collectively weighing 1760 grams worth Rs 90,29,680 were recovered,” the official said.

CBI recovers Rs 3

cr in probe against fake call centre

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): The CBI has recovered over Rs 3 crore during searches at four locations in Delhi-NCR in connection with an ongoing probe against a call centre allegedly involved in cheating US-citizens, officials said on Thursday. The agency carried out the searches at the premises of the accused and recovered foreign currencies and around Rs 3,09,64,100, they said.

AJSU Party leader shot dead ahead of Ramgarh bypoll

RAMGARH, FEB16

(PTI): An AJSU Party leader was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in by-poll bound Ramgarh of Jharkhand, police said on Thursday. Manoj Munda (32) was a block vice-president of the party in Patratu block of Ramgarh district, the police said. He was gunned down on Wednesday night at Amjharia village when Munda was watching the traditional cock fight in the village, the police said.The AJSU and opposition BJP have denounced the murder and demanded the arrest of the killer/killers.

Four women workers killed in Telangana road accident

HYDERABAD, FEB 16 (IANS): Four women workers were killed and four others were injured in a collision between an auto-rickshaw and a bus in Telangana’s Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district on Thursday. The accident occurred near Dandumlakpur industrial area at Choutuppal, about 50 km from Hyderabad.

According to police, an auto-rickshaw in which the women workers were travelling collided headon with a private bus. The women from a nearby village were going to the industrial area for daily work. Three of them died on the spot while four others sustained injuries.

Senior J-K AAP leader Harsh Dev Singh quits party

JAMMU, FEB 16 (PTI): Senior AAP leader Harsh Dev Singh on Thursday resigned as the chairman of its Jammu and Kashmir unit and quit the party’s primary membership, citing personal reasons. Singh had joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi on May 7, 2022 in the presence of senior party leaders. He was the chairman of the J-K National Panthers Party before that. Singh joining the AAP last year was seen as a major boost to the Kejriwal-led party’s expansion plans in Jammu and Kashmir.

PM Modi inaugurates ‘Aadi Mahotsav’

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that the country is working for the tribal population with a pride that was not seen earlier, stressing that their welfare is a matter of “personal relations and sentiments” for him.

Modi inaugurated ‘Aadi Mahotsav’, a mega national tribal festival to showcase the tribal culture on a large scale, and listed steps taken by his government since 2014 to boost progress of the community.

For the first time, a tribal in Droupadi Murmu has occupied the top constitutional post in the country, he said, adding the budgetary allocation for the community has risen manifold since 2014.

He called upon the people of Delhi and neighbouring states to visit the festival to witness the rich tribal culture and nutritious food products being showcased from across the country.

Let’s ensure that they sell all their products, the

prime minister said. The government is now going from Delhi to those considered remote and bringing them in the mainstream, he said. Tribals played a big role in India’s freedom movement but attempts were made for decades to ignore these golden chapters and the sacrifices made by men and women from the community, he said, adding his government is now bringing them to light in the “Amrit Kaal”. “For the first time, the country has started celebrating Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Museums on the life and contribution of tribal leaders are coming up in various states. It will provide inspiration and give direction to the

country for many centuries,” he said. Modi said his government has worked to boost the demand for tribal products, noting that over 1.25 crore tribals, especially women, are part of over 80 lakh self help groups across the country. “Aadi Mahotsav celebrates India’s glorious tribal culture and traditions. It is taking our strength of ‘unity in diversity’ to new heights. It makes our idea of ‘vikas and virasat’ livelier,” he said. “Aadi Mahotsav is like an infinite sky where the diversity of India is projected like the colours of a rainbow,” the PM said.

Modi recalled his long association and work among the tribal community as he worked in differ-

Centre misusing governors’ posts by filling them with loyalists: CPI-M

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): The CPI-M on Thursday accused the central government of “misusing” governors’ posts by choosing to fill them with people from a “pool” of loyal party functionaries, RSS swayamsewaks, and pliable retired bureaucrats and generals.

The latest editorial of the CPI-Marxist mouthpiece, People’s Daily, has said that the appointment of Justice S Abdul Nazeer, who had retired from the Supreme Court just two months ago, as the governor of Andhra Pradesh is an “egregious example” of how the Modi government distributes these posts.

“The recent appointment of six new governors by the president of India has revealed a lot about how the post of governor is viewed and cynically misused by the Modi government.

“It may be recalled that Justice Nazeer was part of the five-member bench which gave a unanimous verdict in the Ayodhya dispute case in 2019. As such,

and the RSS,” it said. The party said that how these governors perform their duties is determined by their loyalty to the ruling party.

“This is evident in how one of the appointees has expressed slavish gratitude to the ruling party leaders.

ent capacities, starting as an RSS pracharak to BJP organisation leader and then heading government first in Gujarat and then at the Centre, and said their welfare has been a matter for personal relations and sentiments for him.

“Tribal welfare is also a matter of personal relationships and emotions for me...Tribal life has taught me a great deal about the country and its traditions,” the prime minister said while recalling that he spent important years of his life in the tribal belt of Umargam to Ambaji.

He said he has tried to ensure that gifts given to foreign leaders include the works of tribals. The prime minister has often highlighted the traditional lifestyle of tribals who have traditionally practised sustainable development and which offers solutions to the challenges of climate change and global warming. He said more than 3,000 Van Dhan Kendras have been established in the country under the Van Dhan Mission. About 90 minor forest products have been brought into the ambit of the minimum support price, seven times more than the number in 2014.

No desire to become PM: Nitish Kumar

PATNA, FEB 16 (PTI):

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said that he has no desire to be in the race for prime ministership, voicing disapproval of slogans raised by workers of his JD(U). Kumar, who has become a strong votary of opposition unity since he parted ways with the BJP in August last year, was replying to queries from journalists about chants of ‘Nitish for PM’ from JD(U) workers off and on. “I keep telling them not to do so. I have no such wish,” said the longestserving CM of Bihar, who is being accused by the BJP of having betrayed the mandate of the last assembly polls for pursuing his own national ambitions.

Kumar, who is now with the multi-party Mahagathbadhan, comprising the Congress, RJD and the Left, was also asked about the possibility of expansion of his cabinet in the near future. “That is not a big issue. We have a cabinet that is large enough. But some parties may be wanting a better share and there are some vacancies because of resignations. We will do the needful at an appropriate time,” said the CM.

Centre not giving nod to flood protection plan, says Mamata

Medinipur town.

Mamata Banerjee

MEDINIPUR/PURU

LIA , FEB 15 (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that the BJP-led central government is delaying providing clearances to a flood prevention plan necessary for the people of Ghatal area in Paschim Medinipur district.

She also claimed that the Centre was not releasing funds to the state to construct roads in rural areas and build houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

“We have already processed the Ghatal Master Plan. It will benefit at least 17 lakh people. But the Centre is not giving its clearance, though our ministers had met officials in New Delhi three to four times. Once implemented, this will help us stop flooding of the area,” Banerjee said at an official function in

-

Ghatal is a low-lying riverine area in Paschim Medinipur district that gets affected by floods almost every year. The Rs 1,500-crore ‘Ghatal Master Plan’ is a mega project that entails dredging of riverbeds and strengthening of embankments of 10 major rivers including Rupnarayan, Shilabati and Kansabati, which get swollen during monsoon causing deluges.

Laying foundation stones for a slew of projects, the chief minister also claimed that the Centre is not paying the state its share of the GST collected from West Bengal.

“There are several roads in rural Bengal which need to be reconstructed. We are rebuilding 11,500 km of roads in rural Bengal and allocated Rs 3,000 crore for it. The Centre is not providing funds for it,” she said. She also claimed that the Centre is not allocating funds for the ‘Banglar Bari’ housing project and even Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana (PMGAY).

Alleging that the Centre was not giving funds for the 100-day job scheme, Banerjee said that the state is being deprived.

Cong seeks probe into Israeli firm’s ‘use’ in Indian polls

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): The Congress on Thursday demanded a probe into the the alleged use of an Israeli team of contractors to interfere in Indian elections and asked the government to break its silence on the matter.

The data of Indians is being compromised by handing it over to a foreign firm,” the Congress’s social media department head alleged.

Khera alleged that India’s democracy is being “hijacked” by the country’s ruling party.

Pawan Khera Sitaram Yechury.

this appointment is being widely seen as a quid pro quo,” the editorial stated.

It further said that the BJP-led central government has a “dubious record” of appointing Justice P Sathasivam as governor of Kerala in 2014 – the first instance of a retired chief justice of India becoming a governor.

“This step had drawn widespread criticism from retired judges and jurists who saw in this move a threat to judicial independence. Four of the other appointees belong to the RSS-BJP pedigree. They are mostly second-rank leaders of the BJP, whose only qualification presumably is their loyalty to the ruling party

“For Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the choice of governors is from a pool of loyal party functionaries, RSS swayamsewaks and pliable retired bureaucrats and generals. The governors appointed to the non-BJP ruled states in the past few years have shown them to be agents of the ruling party, or, worse political henchmen,” it said. The editorial alleged that these governors have “trampled” upon constitutional norms and arrogated to themselves the task of supervising and interfering in matters which concern the elected state governments. “All the non-BJP-run state governments must come together to demand an end to the unconstitutional acts of the governors which are encouraged and abetted by the central government.

At a press conference here, Congress spokespersons Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate drew similarities between “Team Jorge”, the Israeli team of contractors, and the IT cell of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in spreading misinformation and “fake news” in order to influence the country’s electoral process.

They also alleged that the data of Indians is being compromised.

“Team Jorge”, which is feared to have interfered with more than 30 elections around the world, has been linked with a software to operate fake social media campaigns across countries, including India, a report said

on Wednesday. “We have seen a pattern in India. We want the government to break its silence and say what has been its contribution in saving democracy in the country,” Shrinate said, asserting that it is the Centre’s job to give a reply when an international agency has made out such a serious allegation.

“This impacts India’s electoral process directly and there should be a probe,” she said.

“If the government is not doing anything on this, it means it is seeking help to interfere in the country’s democracy and elections.

Shrinate said this is not the first time that allegations of data theft have been levelled against the Narendra Modi government.

“One of the serious charges that this government faces is data theft and data manipulation to actually tamper with the electoral process. You saw what happened in Karnataka. This government is known to play with big data to its advantage. This is nothing but a murder of democracy,” she alleged.

Shrinate also accused the BJP’s IT cell of often indulging in such activities by “militarising or weaponising” rumours by spreading those further and said this is leading to bad results in the society and hence, questions will be asked.

“An Israeli agency’s help is being taken to influence the country’s democracy. Sitting in India, they are conspiring against India’s democracy along with other countries,” he said.

Khera also wondered if the BJP used a network of foreign hackers to interfere in Indian elections and recalled that there were allegations of using Cambridge Analytica (CA) and then Pegasus by the Modi government to meddle in the country’s political system by spreading misinformation on digital media.

“Is there a link between Post Card News and Team Jorge -- a team of Israeli contractors who claim to have manipulated more than 30 elections around the world using hacking, sabotage and automated disinformation on social media?” he asked.

(Inset): PM Modi. Folk artists perform during the inauguration of ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ in Delhi. (PTI)

Disabling ability

Like other states, Nagaland has its own social and other problems and when these have not been addressed, they seriously complicate the environment to the extent that today, no one in Nagaland really feels confident enough to say that the future is bright; even though there may be optimists who like to see a ray of light at the other end of the tunnel. Indeed, issues that are political in nature have gotten wedged into society’s growing problems and creating a negative synergy. There are many unaddressed issues that have caused the present socio-politicaleconomic morass. However, amidst the uncertainty the only certainty has been the inequitable distribution of wealth to a few but growing tribe of nouveau riche among the politicians and bureaucrats, through “get rich schemes”. Social problems continue to mount as society is plagued by extortion, joblessness, rising lawlessness, poverty and HIV etc. Unemployment and anti-social crimes are ascending while morality is descending. It is true that many thinkers have lamented over the situation by asking ‘how long can this go on?’ or in other words, how long should people live under these circumstances? The answer appears to still be forthcoming even as the state gears up for choosing the people who are supposed to represent them. The time for a free and frank examination has passed decades ago in order to understand the where’s and whys of how an ideal has metamorphosed into something what it is today. Who can deny that corruption whether by politicians or bureaucrats under whatever nexus under the sky, is as rampant as the fact that in the end, silence or inaction is the response ? Who can also deny that despite all such talks, everyone has a vested interest to profit out of crimes?

It would be uncomfortable for all(except perhaps the few insignificant number) if truth were to expose the true colours as light exposes the darkness. For the overwhelming majority of low income groups, prices of essential items continue to rise,making it difficult for them to make both ends meet. The worst lot are those without any regular or stable source of income. This is the ground reality and which has virtually closed all options for economic growth. Even those carrying on business are faced with many problemsno power and no rule of law. Ultimately the cost of the problems are left to be borne by the ignored and ignorant public. To society’s peril are the cacophony of those who seem to reserve the prerogative and space to speak what is scripted and drown the voices of reason. If those in authority claim that peace and development have arrived today, then it is a strange way of explaining various actions that have created deep concern among the ordinary public. Society is suffering in silence and the environment exudes a fissiparous uncertainty that could prove disastrous in the near future. Unity in truth, the first strand of Naga awareness, is being removed and replaced with hegemony. These are just a few of the uncharitable facts that seem to indicate, that society in general and the government in particular, have lost a sense of direction and a responsibility to steer the course towards a vibrant society with a moral authority. The symptoms are deeply concerning and treatment can only happen if people change to bring about the change.

DailyDevotion

The Inspiration of Spiritual Initiative

Arise from the dead… —Ephesians 5:14

Not all initiative, the willingness to take the first step, is inspired by God. Someone may say to you, “Get up and get going! Take your reluctance by the throat and throw it overboard— just do what needs to be done!” That is what we mean by ordinary human initiative. But when the Spirit of God comes to us and says, in effect, “Get up and get going,” suddenly we find that the initiative is inspired.

We all have many dreams and aspirations when we are young, but sooner or later we realize we have no power to accomplish them. We cannot do the things we long to do, so our tendency is to think of our dreams and aspirations as dead. But God comes and says to us, “Arise from the dead….” When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to “arise from the dead” and do the impossible. The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that the life and power comes after we “get up and get going.” God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. When the inspiration of God comes, and He says, “Arise from the dead…,” we have to get ourselves up; God will not lift us up. Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand, “Stretch out your hand” (Matthew 12:13). As soon as the man did so, his hand was healed. But he had to take the initiative. If we will take the initiative to overcome, we will find that we have the inspiration of God, because He immediately gives us the power of life.

Quotes

Naga Fundamental Political Stand

Naga Fundamental Political

Stand:Nagas are not Indians and do not want to become Indians; Naga territory is not and has never been part of Indian Territory. Nagaland was never conquered by the Indians and once the British had left India, Nagaland should have reverted to its original free status. Hence, Simon Commission document confirm 1929. The Nagas are determined to have complete independence. They are determined not to join the Indian union. This is the determination that comes from the depth of the heart of the Naga patriots. It is with this determination that tens of thousands laid down their precious life. Nagas did not participate in the first election of the Indian Republic

in 1952. They sent back an empty ballot box to Shillong. The Naga plebiscite was conducted with 99.9% thump impression wanted independence and witness by Indian representatives.

B.N. Mullik, Chief Intelligent Bureau Advisor Jawaharlal Nehru (my year with Nerhu 1948-64) stated that the Indian war with the Naga people was purely an invasion. Troops moved to Tuensang by October 1955, and then 55 battalions were sent to fight the Naga people.

For the last 75 years, the Naga people have suffered under the Black Law Armed Forces ( Special Act 1980). The AFSPA continues to have peace talks with the Naga Political group (IM). Hence, framed work agreement was signed on 03/08/2015 by Modi Gov-

Abenchmark of governance? Not really, when we look within and try to answer certain questions.

The governance of any head of government, unwilling or unable to take hard decisions, actually, can never qualify to be labelled as a ‘benchmark.’

Why are the Naga people no more clamouring for solution to the Naga political issue and instead, in full steam, involved in the election process? Why is there not even a demand for deferment of polls or imposition of President’s rule in order to pave way for implementation of solution? Why has power been monopolized in Nagaland? Now that Nagaland has an addition of one more ‘Ato Kilonser,’ how many ato kilonsers must we have before we get solution? These are some of the fundamental questions which begs for answers before fingers are pointed.

The total boycott of the 1998 assembly election in Nagaland was seen as a referendum against SC Jamir’s policy of ‘equi-distance’ with all the

Ademocratic state run by an elected political executive provides a government that is ‘for the people’ in the sense that it establishes the right to equality not only of opportunity but of the protection of the law as well and gives a public service orientation to its machinery of administration. Judged on these parameters the governance strives for improvement and this is precisely the hallmark of the Narendra Modi government.

In the regime of Prime Minister Modi, there has been a refreshing emphasis on the elimination of ‘VIP culture’ which is something that only bred corruption, an explicit direction from the top to the bureaucracy to be sensitive to the public good and be prompt in grievance redressal and a drastic ‘correction’ of the notorious delays that held up the formulation of policies and national projects for lack of inter-ministerial coordination.

In academic terms good governance operates at three levels - the decision-making process at the top, the functioning of the administrative machinery of the state particularly its coercive arms such as the body of tax collectors, regulators and the police force, and the state of development of infrastructure and public services such as medical, transport and public distribution. In a country inflicted by disparities, these services acquired special importance and urgency.

ernment and the agreed position was yet again signed on 17/11/2017 by NPG. Yet, nothing has been finalized in the last 25 years, despite pressures from the Nagaland Govt. and civil society. Modi announced to the international community that the “Nagaland Political issue has been settled.” Besides, Narendra Modi PM with sweet sugarcoated words said,“I will walk the extra mile; Naga political settlement was my priority.” “Election is for Solution.” But those promises never worked out. The Naga people were betrayed several times. They lost their properties, houses, and belongings, suffered beyond compare, were tortured to death, women were raped inside the churches, and churches were destroyed. No one has

the right to speak before Indian Army forces. So Naga leaders are whispering words of freedom, but these continue in vain. Most of the jails were filled up by Naga Patriots. I, myself, was imprisoned three times. The Naga people have suffered at the hand of the mighty Indian Army. I was one of the elderly men who bear a weal from 1955 up until today. Delhi has only two choices. First, she can continue to fight against Nagaland, hoping that they will surrender or be wiped out completely. As stated by Chuba Ao BJP National Vice President, “Government of India is waiting for its prodigal son to return home” (Morung Express 17/01/2023). Is this political language for the Naga people? What does he mean

by this biblical message? Is he implying the solution to the Naga political struggle for the last 75 years is that Nagas should return to India? Can he associate the biblical message with Naga’s political issue? Naga people hope that political issue will be amicably settle with honor.

ALEE COMMAND

1964 (East Pakistan Recorded) “Naga people love Peace, but they cannot afford to let their land be occupied by the sheer military forces of aggression. So long as the invasion forces exist. So long Nagas are bound to fight.”

1st Ceasefire was signed on 06/09/1964, and the talk was conducted several times, but Congress Government was not serious about the Naga Peace talk and the power of the

The perils of ‘equi-closeness’ policy

Naga political factions, and was replaced by Rio’s policy of ‘equicloseness’ with all the factions and which led up to the formation of the NPF government in 2003.

Twenty years have already passed under Rio’s policy of ‘equicloseness’. Better late than never.

Today, we get to see, crystal clear, how the ‘equi-closeness’ policy of Rio has proved to be the greatest casuality to ‘good governance’ and which totally compromised the writ of the state.

When both the policies of ‘equi-distance’ and ‘equi-closeness’ has not worked, what then is the solution for the Nagas?

Nagas have, for all these decades, been singularly focussing on ‘political solution’ with the demand and expectation that it will be given to the Nagas. We have failed to realize that solution will come from within and not outside. The ‘equi-closeness’ policy has kept the fire of the demand for political solution burning even as the same fire has almost consumed the whole of the Naga society. It is the society that needs a solution. We have

di’s arrival on the national scene reflected the popular will endorsing a new leader of the ruling party who had the image of personal integrity and a reputation for handling the administration on a tough note- in contrast with the preceding indecisive and not-so-clean UPA government.

The new Prime Minister’s decisiveness and a new level of political will have given a notable upgrade to governance in the areas of economic development, foreign policy and national security. It has eliminated delays caused by sloppy coordination among various wings of the government, brought clarity and firmness in the handling of international relations and put a new focus on economic growth.

Prime Minister Modi himself reviewed the working of the ministries with their top bureaucrats which sent down the message of expectation of efficiency and quick delivery to all concerned in his administration. This had never happened before and the results were unmissable.

Economic development and people-related projects received special attention and specific guidance from the Prime Minister and this all made for a demonstrative assumption of responsibility for good governance at the highest national levels.

The new annual budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has to be appreciated for the collectivity of minds that went into a comprehensive examina -

totally ignored the many problems plaguing the society that needs solution. For much too long, Nagaland has been allowed to be plundered economically, socially and politically. Nagaland today is literally derailed and it is only going to take a long time to get development on the track. The state government which is the custodian of the law and constitution has, in the very true sense, become spineless and impotent. The many self-styled governments which all exists to serve the larger interests of the few have entrenched themselves in power, and has been allowed to operate much, much beyond the bounds of law and constitution, by the state itself. It is this ‘equi-closeness’ policy of Rio for the last 20 years which is the only main reason why Nagaland has not been able to look within and seek a ‘societal solution’ to the chronic problems of the Nagas. The cancer if not treated in time becomes malignant. The slogan of ‘equi-closeness’ with which the NPF under the leadership of Rio faced the

2003 election, actually, failed to get the endorsement of the people by winning only 19 seats. Inspite of the Congress party going against the will of the people for total boycott of election, the people endorsed the ‘equi-distance’ policy of SC Jamir by giving the Congress 21 seats. However, with the NPF forming the DAN government, ‘equi-closeness’ became the state policy. Today, because of the continuation of the same equicloseness policy, the common people suffer due to the complete loss of control and authority of the state government which has allowed the rise of monopoly bosses to function as ‘syndicates’ and parallel authorities. If this is not crime, then what is crime?

Corruption has been institutionalised, and it has become so deep rooted at all levels that people have accepted it as a part of the system. There is no equality and justice. The rich have become ten-fold richer while the poor are becoming poorer with each passing day. Naturally, there is much heartburn and frustration

Of good governance

tion of various facets of India’s socio-economic situation, industrial growth and human development. It emphasised the steady advancement of the country towards its long-term goals and showed the Modi government’s sincerity of purpose and commitment to the nation in this regard.

The people of India attach great value to the initiatives of the government of the day for building our defence capabilities and beefing up our national security set-up.

Prime Minister Modi’s National Security Advisor has been a source of strength for the Prime Minister on one hand and a visible pivot of security and defence upgradation in the eyes of the people, on the other.

Modi regime no doubt has earned the complete trust of citizens as far as the safeguarding of national security was concerned.

They admired the surgical strike against Pakistan carried out by India in retaliation for the terror attack on a CRPF convoy at Pulwama in February 2019 and apparently supported the ‘no talks’ policy towards this hostile neighbour. As regards China, Prime Minister Modi’s decision to order adequate military build-up on LAC in Ladakh and elsewhere to deal with any Chinese aggressiveness on the border, activate India’s role in the Quad and step up diplomatic offensive in the UN and other international forums against the anti-India Sino-Pak axis, has proved to be a comprehensive se-

curity strategy to deal with the hostile adversary to our North. The security set-up needs to further extend its outreach and develop new tradecraft techniques for collecting information of intelligence value because the enemy had taken to newer instruments of ‘proxy war’ such as the use of online channels for funding the low-cost offensive of terrorists and managing the ‘perception battle’. The Modi government is fully aware of the added challenges - beyond the use of terrorism by Pakistan as a weapon of asymmetric warfare against India.

While India is now well prepared to repel an external attack, the capacity to keep the nation secure would be tested by the new reality where external threats to internal security had multiplied because of the strategic alliance between Pakistan and China - mainly in operation against India. The two hostile neighbours had a certain capacity to fish in India’s troubled waters. Their collusion on cross-border terrorism against India, opposition to the abrogation of Art 370 relating to J&K by the Indian Parliament and the meeting of minds on Afghanistan, indicate that India is in for a long-term security situation.

The objectives of governance in India were to establish a more robust internal security system fully utilising the state police -which is primarily responsible for law & order management - towards

Congress party came to an end.

The same will happen to BJP if they do not take Naga political issue seriously now. Nagas are too small to threaten mighty India, the biggest democratic govt in the world, but they cannot challenge the purpose of God.

The Nagas are the longest freedom fighter in the world yet still surviving. BJP said the election is a solution for the Naga political issue, but five years passed and nothing happened, and after five years, another election is imposed. Naga people had been betrayed yet again, one after another, for the last 75 years.

Rev.Dr. V.K.Nuh Chairman, Naga Archives and Reseach Centre Toulazouma, Dimapur, Nagaland.

among the youths. The iron-grip of the monopoly bosses on every avenue of economic generation has already shunted out meaningful investment possibilities in the state which could have otherwise been a boon for the unemployed youths. It is as if the ordinary Naga public have already come to believe that those in power have the divine right to rule, take what they like and want, and favour their own. Nagaland will be voting on the 27 of February, 2023. It does not matter who wins or which party or combinations come to power. What matters is that, the same policy of ‘equi-closeness’ of the last 20 years which has already destroyed the Naga society will now eat away the soul of Nagaland if continued by the incoming government. Defending our right as a Christian state is a moral obligation. And our moral obligation is to first seek a ‘societal solution’ to the chronic problems that has infected our society and which is crying out to be treated and resolved.

Benito Z Swu

this objective, to take the central and state administration in the direction of ‘digitisation’ to minimise corruption and optimise the efficiency of delivery and to maximise the state’s outreach to the people at the lowest rungs of the socio-economic pyramid. That things are moving the right way in the perception of the people at large is something that directly goes to the credit of Prime Minister Modi who set the paradigms of progress for his team and effectively monitored it - a lesser political leader ruling a large aspirational country like India would not have been able to handle this.

Governance, however, is a work in progress and whereas the policy framework in the broad spheres of national security and economic development of the country had been put in place the ultimate test of success was the implementation down to the ground level where the people lived. The Centrestate division of powers and responsibilities has to rise above the political vested interests attributable to party politics so that progress towards the much desired ‘Cooperative Federalism’, was not impeded.

There is no doubt that the governance model of Prime Minister Modi, helped the rapid rise of India in the international community as a sane voice in these crucial times when there was a military conflict between Russia and West-supported Ukraine and a growing polarisa -

tion between the US and China suggestive of a new Cold War.

India’s declared preference for a multipolar order in which major powers including India would have a role in building a world consensus in favour of global peace and economic advancement for all is creating an impact.

All of this represents the quintessential foreign policy of India that will be pushed forth during its Presidency of G20 - the motto ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ appropriately presenting this ethos.

The wide range of national initiatives from ‘Swachh Bharat’ and ‘ease of doing business’ to encouraging re-skilling and ‘Start Ups’, add to good governance and show how the democratic state felt sufficiently concerned with youth, women and the ‘have-nots’.

Without being an economist Prime Minister Modi has a firm grip on the problems of economic growth and though in politics he knows the importance of pursuing a moral streak in public life. He also realises that preserving internal peace and cohesion was as important as protecting India from an external attack. India needs continuity of these policies on various fronts as they gelled into a comprehensive framework for achieving national resilience and strategic autonomy.

D.C. Pathak

(The writer is a former Director of Intelligence Bureau. Views expressed are personal)

“Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind.”

Dodinsky

SNIPPETS

Woman drug peddler

arrested in north Delhi

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(IANS): A 27-year-old woman drug peddler was arrested in north Delhi with 540 grams of heroin, valued at more than Rs 2 crore in the international market, police said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Aarti, a resident of Majnu Ka Tilla, used to bring the stock of the contraband from UP’s Bareilly. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police, North, Sagar Singh Kalsi, inputs were received that one woman, who is involved in supplying contraband drugs, would come to Lancer Road near B.D. Estate, Timarpur, and a police team reached the spot and laid a trap.

3 trampled to death by elephant in Gorakhpur

GORAKHPUR , FEB 16

(IANS): Three persons, including a child, were trampled to death by an elephant who went berserk in a ‘yagya’ pandal in a village in UP’s Gorakhpur district on Thursday, officials said. The incident occured in Mohammadpur Mafi village, located in Jagatbela of Chiluatal police station area and the deceased include a man, a woman and a child.

According to reports, the elephant was a part of the rituals being held in the pandal and it appears that the noise was a major irritant for the tusker.

PM Modi to address global business summit today

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a global business summit on Friday, his office said. The summit, Economic Times Global Business Summit 2023, is hosted annually by The Times Group, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement on Thursday. The theme of the summit is “Resilience. Influence. Dominance”.

The two-day summit will be held on February 17-18, it said.

India, Japan to kickstart 2-week wargame today

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): The armies of India and Japan will kickstart a two-week mega military wargame from Friday in the Japanese province of Shiga to share best practices and develop interoperability. Indian Army officials said the exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ is “crucial and significant” in terms of security challenges faced by both nations in the backdrop of the current global situation. The fourth edition of the exercise will take place from February 17 to March 2 at Camp Imazu in Shiga province, they said.

India on mission to expand global engagement: Prez

by CII, she said there are many critical areas where international collaboration in engineering and technology will bring about changes to make the world a prosperous and safer place for the posterity.

2023 significant for Delhi Police in view of G20 summit: Amit Shah

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): The Congress on Thursday said a thorough investigation into the Adani issue is necessary, holding that any committee other than a JPC will be nothing but an “exercise in legitimisation and exoneration”.

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam

Ramesh said the proposal before the Supreme Court for setting up of a committee by the government can hardly ensure transparency.

The party also asked a set of three questions to the government as part of the ‘Hum Adani Ke Hain Kaun’ series, questioning why it was not initiating investigation into the alleged shell companies linked to the group. As part of the series against the Adani group, the Congress would be hold -

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said India is on a mission to expand its global engagement taking advantage of its excellent manufacturing capabilities, high-quality talent and cutting-edge advanced technology attainments.

She observed that India is emerging as the most favoured manufacturing destination for sophisticated industries.

“From highly sophis-

ticated areas like defence, aerospace to manufacturing of mobile phones, India has been emerging as the most favoured destination,” said the president. She asserted that the policies adopted in the recent past have given fillip to an unprecedented inclusive growth and noted that the nation has significant potential to engage with the international market.

Addressing the International Engineering and Technology Fair organised

“India is on a mission to expand its global engagement taking advantage of its excellent manufacturing experience, high-quality talent and cutting-edge advanced technology attainments,” Murmu said. She said artificial intelligence is going to revolutionise healthcare beyond recognition in times to come.

Similarly, industrial automation and robotics would dramatically transform manufacturing in a way that was inconceivable a decade back, Murmu noted. About the importance of technology in healthcare, Murmu said this area will continue to be a priority in the coming years.

(PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted on Thursday that 2023 will be a significant year for the Delhi Police as it will have to stay alert for the upcoming G20 summit, which will be attended by dignitaries from across the world.

Speaking at the 76th Raising Day parade of the Delhi Police, Shah also paid tributes to Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Shambhu Dayal, who was stabbed to death by a snatcher in west Delhi’s Mayapuri last month.

“I pay tribute to ASI Shambhu Dayal, whose supreme sacrifice brought tears to everyone’s eyes,” he said. Dayal (57) was stabbed multiple times by a man he had nabbed for allegedly snatching a mobile phone at Mayapuri. The ASI fought for his life for four days, but succumbed to the injuries on January 8. Shah inaugurated an

MGNREGA workers launch protest in Delhi

Demand rollback of mandatory appbased attendance

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): Over a month after digital attendance was made mandatory for MGNREGA workers, a group of them have launched a protest at the Jantar Mantar here, saying they are being marked absent due to technical glitches and their wages are being deducted.

They have gathered under the banner of ‘NREGA Sangharsh Morcha’, and are demanding the National Mobile Monitoring Software (NMMS) application be taken back.

They said they started the protest on Tuesday and

it will continue for 100 days, with MNREGA workers from different states joining in.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, better known as MGNREGA or NREGA, is a flagship scheme aimed at enhancing livelihood secu-

rity of rural households by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed employment.

Those protesting at the Jantar Mantar say their demands are basic -- guaranteed work and guaranteed payments.

“I am here to ask for work,” said Rekha Devi, who has come to Delhi from

Income Tax ‘surveys’ at BBC offices end after over 58 hours

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): The Income Tax department’s marathon “surveys” at BBC’s offices ended on Thursday, after clocking over 58 hours in total, as officials prepared an inventory of financial data from select staffers and collected digital and paper data.

The operation that began at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) offices in Delhi and Mumbai around 11:30 am on Tuesday has ended in Mumbai and will be wound up at Delhi by tonight, sources said late on Thursday.

Tax authorities have made an inventory of the available stock, recorded the statement of some staffers and have impounded

some documents as part of the survey action that continued for three days clocking about 57-58 hours, officials told PTI.

The survey was carried out to investigate issues related to international taxation and transfer pricing of BBC subsidiary companies, they had said.

The I-T teams, it is understood, sought answers on financial transactions, the company structure and other details about the news company, and copied data from electronic gadgets as part of their task of collecting the evidence.

Opposition parties have denounced the I-T department action against the London-headquartered public broadcaster, terming

it “political vendetta”.

On Tuesday, the ruling BJP had accused the BBC of “venomous reporting” while the Opposition had questioned the timing of the action that came weeks after the broadcaster aired a two-part documentary “India: The Modi Question” on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots.

While there has been no official statement from the Income Tax department on the action, the BBC has said it was cooperating with the authorities.

A BBC staffer in Delhi said they were broadcasting their news like usual and the company has informed them that it is cooperating with the authorities.

Bihar’s Muzaffarpur. “Give us NREGA work, or we will not leave.”

Asked as to why she is not getting work, she said, “... because of the app, our attendance is not getting marked.” Maheshwari Devi, another MGNREGA worker from Bihar, said they are uncertain whether they would get their wages or not.

“We go to work early in the morning, if the mobile works, the attendance is marked. Many a times after working for the whole day, the attendance does not get marked in the evening, and we do not get paid,” she said.

“We just want 100 days of work, and weekly payments,” she said.

online facility for passport verification -- mPassport Seva -- and dedicated the mobile forensic vehicles inducted into the Delhi Police to people.

He also inaugurated the academic complex of the National Forensic Science University’s (NFSU) Delhi campus.

“People living in Delhi will no longer have to worry about their passports as they will now get the police clearance within five days as against the earlier 15 days. A facility for passport

verification through mobile phones and tablet computers has been launched. On an average, 2,000 applications for passports are received on a daily basis and their online processing will reduce the problems faced by people,” he said.

The home minister said with India assuming the presidency of Group of 20 (G20), the year 2023 assumes significance.

“The year 2023 is very important for the Delhi Police. From the point of view of security and the traffic

system during the G20 summit, the city police will have to stay alert since the heads of several countries will be here,” he said.

Pointing out that the city police has received mobile forensic vans now, Shah said, “In the coming days, the Delhi Police will become the first police force in the country to investigate every crime punishable with six years in jail and more by the visit of a forensic team.

“There is a great need to strengthen the country’s judicial system on the basis of forensic science evidence. When this vehicle, equipped with state-ofthe-art facilities and 14 different types of forensic kits, would visit the crime scene, the conviction rate will significantly increase.”

The home minister pointed out that a modern building built at a cost of Rs 34 crore for educational facilities on the NFSU’s Delhi campus has also been inaugurated.

Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar to be new Vice Chief of Army

NEW DELHI, FEB 16

(PTI): Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff, official sources said on Thursday. He is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) in the Army Headquarters. Lt Gen Kumar will succeed Lt Gen B S Raju who has been appointed as the Jaipur- headquartered South Western Army Commander, the sources said. Lt Gen NSR Subramani, at present serving as the Chief of Staff at the headquarters of the Northern Command in Udhampur, has been appointed as the next Central Army Commander in Lucknow,

Cong accuses AAP of creating ‘constitutional crisis’ in Punjab

CHAN DIGARH, FEB 16 (PTI): Amid the row between chief minister and the governor, Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Thursday accused the Bhagwant Mann’s Aam Aadmi Party of trying to create a “constructional crisis” in Punjab by questioning the governor’s authority. He also criticised Mann and reminded him that it was the same governor who had administered him the oath when he became the chief minister last year.

Earlier, a row erupted between governor Banwari Lal Purohit and Mann after the former asked Mann about the process of selecting 36 government school principal s for a training

ing press conferences in 23 major cities across the country on Friday to highlight the alleged scam involving the group in the wake of a meltdown in the stocks of its group companies on stock markets in the country following the Hindenburg report charges.

In a statement, Ramesh said a Supreme Court bench on February 13, while hearing petitions on the Adani-Hindenburg matter, discussed the setting up of a committee of experts to examine the regulatory regime post the allegations made by the US-based short-seller.

He said it had directed the government to give its submissions in this regard by February 17. “Where the allegations are of close, intertwined proximity between the ruling dispensation, the

government of India and the Adani Group, the setting up of a committee with terms of reference proposed by the Government of India can hardly carry any insignia or reassurance of independence or transparency,” he said.

“It is an exercise initiated by the two principal actors - the government and the Adani Group - to cover up, avoid, evade and bury all genuine scrutiny. It is becoming clear that the proposed Committee is part of a carefully orchestrated exercise by these vested interests to prevent any real investigation into the Adani Group’s relationship with the ruling regime,” the Congress leader alleged. “If the prime minister and his government are to be held accountable, any com-

mittee other than a JPC will be nothing but an exercise in legitimisation and exoneration,” he claimed.Ramesh said given the nature of the allegations, it is imperative that the “link” between Adani and the ruling regime is examined in the full light of day by elected officials accountable to the public.

“An evaluation of the regulatory and statutory regime by experts is in no manner equivalent to an investigation by a JPC. Such a committee, however competently staffed, cannot be a substitute for a thorough investigation into the political-corporate nexus that has come to light in the last two weeks. It simply does not have the authority, resources, or jurisdiction to examine the issues that the Opposition has raised,” he said.

seminar held recently in Singapore.

Mann said he was not answerable to a Centreappointed governor and went on to question Centre’s criteria for appointing governors.

AAP also accused Purohit of interfering in the state government’s affairs. Addressing the media here on Thursday, Bajwa said Punjab is heading for “anarchy” with the state CM and governor at loggerheads.

Acknowledgement

The Nagaland Masters Games Association had participated in the 5 th National Masters Games 2023 held in IIT BHU. Varanasi from 11th -14th February 2023 and won Silver medal in Men’s 50+ Football and a Bronze medal in the Track event. The NMGA would like to place in record and extend heartfelt gratitude to the people of Varanasi, particularly to the respected Shri Sunil Ojha Ji, Ex MLA Gujarat presently working as co-incharge of BJP Uttar Pradesh and also the incharge for PM’s Work in Varanasi for extending wonderful hospitality arranged at Apex Institute of Ayurvedic and Medicine, Chunar. The Team members were amazed to see that Varanasi is one of the fastest growing cities today and appreciated the work done by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji.

The NMGA also would like to extend our sincere gratitude to various organisations and individuals who had supported financially and materially during our participation in the games.

they said. All the new appointments will come into effect on March 1.

Lt Gen Kumar, is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. He was commissioned into 1 Assam Regiment in June 1985.

He has commanded 59 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, an Infantry Brigade and an Infantry Division along

the Line of Control. Lt Gen Kumar has also commanded the highly active White Knight Corps. He has held the posts of Additional Director General Military Intelligence and Director General Military Intelligence at the Army headquarters. Lt Gen BS Raju was commissioned into the 11th battalion of the Jat Regiment in December 1984. He later commanded his battalion during ‘Operation Parakram’ in Jammu and Kashmir. He also holds the distinction of commanding the Uri brigade along the Line of Control, the Counter Insurgency Force and Chinar Corps in Kashmir Valley.

(P Yanbemo Humtsoe) (A toshi Jamir) General Secretary President

Any committee other than JPC will be exercise in ‘exoneration’: Congress on Adani issue

President Murmu with Mahendra Nath Pandey during the inauguration of the IETF 2023, in New Delhi. (PTI)

Representational image

Partap Singh Bajwa

Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar

Amit Shah inspects the parade during the 76th Raising Day parade of the Delhi Police on Thursday. (PTI)

Focus on growth in budget: FM YouthNet hosts NEEDP in Dimapur

HYDERABAD, FEB 16 (PTI): The Union Budget 2023-’24 has been prepared keeping growth in focus and also external economic challenges such as fuel prices, Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman said on Thursday. In an interactive session on the Budget, she said the focus was on the common man and weaker sections and to ensure that their businesses are supported, their education is supported, the opportunities which are available for them to skill themselves are also given enough provision.

“The priority is to keep the growth momentum as it is and also to make sure that the further support measures for sustaining growth…And be conscious of the fact that challenges which are extraneous to India. External challenges will have to be kept in mind. We should be ready for any unpredictable events from outside of our border,” she

said when asked what the priorities were when the budget was given a final shape.

“Economic challenges which are even today prevalent in terms of fuel and fertilisers. Fertilisers are coming down a bit, but even then it is a factor beyond us. These are the primary concerns,” she further said.

Sitharaman said the budget was prepared keeping in view every section of the society including SC, ST, OBC and other backward classes.

Replying to a query on the allegation that the Centre is curbing states finances by limiting their

Police conduct state-wide...

(From p-1)

He mentioned that in order to rule out any violation of MCC, all police vehicles, including those belonging to officials of the department, buses, trucks, mini trucks belonging to the police department were frisked. During the drive, auctioned police vehicles that were plying without new registrations were also thoroughly checked. Tamgadge stressed that public servants have to follow MCC once it came into effect and that they came under the supervision of Election Commission of India. He cautioned that police vehicles or, for that matter, no government vehicle should be misused.

He clarified that the drive was carried out not to harass any individual, pointing out that as the polling date drew close, there could be some black sheep wanting to use such vehicles to carry out illegal activities under the guise of law enforcers.

He informed the media that all vehicles belonging to the government, CAPF and vehicles requisitioned for election, would continue to be frisked and monitored on a timely manner.

The ADGP said any government vehicle caught transporting illegal items or violating MCC would be an offence under Representation of People’s Act, IPC and cautioned that it would attract criminal and disciplinary action, beginning with suspension, followed by legal proceedings against the accused. He disclosed that since the election process had begun in the State, overall seizures had crossed the levels of previous election by several folds. He said the drive would be intensified in the coming days to ensure a free and fair election and prevent any form of inducement.

borrowings, Sitharaman said as per Article 293 of the Constitution Centre is authorised to look at States’ borrowings.

She further said it is the practice over several years that the Centre monitors State borrowings. “There is a well established, over the last 70 years practice of the Constitution that the Centre looks at the borrowing limits of the states. It is not new. It has not come in 2014.

It is not something which we have changed to the disadvantage of the states,” she said.

To another query on the Centre levying cess and not sharing the same with the states, she said during several discussions in Parliament it was informed that much more than what was collected has been dispatched to the states. According to her, there is greater appetite in the states as far as the 50year interest free loans was

concerned, particularly in North-Eastern states.

On the Income Tax slabs in the new regime, she said it is the individual who should decide where to invest and the government has nothing to do with it.

The FM said the employment guarantee scheme (MNREGA) is a demand driven scheme and accordingly funds are allotted. However, since 2016, the Centre has always spent more than the budgetary estimates.

With regard to Telangana Chief Minister

K Chandrasekhar Rao’s criticism that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious target of India becoming a USD five trillion economy was “a joke and silly,” Sitharaman said “CM garu don’t joke and let’s all speak about it with responsibility.”

She alleged that Telangana’s debt burden has increased from Rs 60,000 crore in 2014 to over Rs three lakh crore now.

Gold falls Rs 50; Silver advances Rs 140

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (PTI): Gold price fell by Rs 50 to Rs 56,270 per 10 gram in the national capital on Thursday, according to HDFC Securities.

In the previous trade, the precious metal had touched Rs 56,320 per 10 gram. Silver, however, jumped Rs 140 to Rs 65,720 per kilogram.

“Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at Rs 56,270 per 10 gram, down Rs 50 per 10 gram,” said Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities.

In the overseas market, both gold and silver were trading higher at USD 1,840 per ounce and USD 21.69 per ounce. COMEX gold was trading higher in Asian trading hours on Thursday amid a slight pullback in the dollar index, said Sriram Iyer, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities.

DIMAPUR: YouthNet hosted business pitching session for North East Entrepreneurship Development Program (NEEDP) which provides a platform for entrepreneurs and startups to showcase their innovative ideas and potentially secure funding for their ventures. In a press release, YouthNet informed that the judging panel included personalities such as; Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Senior Mentor of IIM

Calcutta, Debapratim Das, Assistant Director (Tech) and Team Leader Startup India, Department of Industries & Commerce Keneirienuo K Theunuo, YouthNet director, Nuneseno Chase, assistant professor, department of management from Nagaland University Dr. Ditalak Mpanme, program head, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park Rajarshi Sarma. Altogether around forty startups and entrepreneurs from Nagaland pitch for

their business witnessing strong presentation skills, a compelling value proposition, and an in-depth understanding of the target market and competition presented at YouthNet Incubation Centre.

It may be noted that NEEDP is an initiative of NEC (North Eastern Council) implemented in association with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, aimed at creating an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that can help foster, SocioEconomic Development and Employment Generation in the North East region. As a part of this initiative, North East Entrepreneurship Challenge (Hunt) is being organized for existing and aspiring entrepreneurs across all the eight states of North East to identify a target group of 270 entrepreneurs through a systematic, transparent selection process ensuring representation from each state.

BJP challenges Congress to debate on election... Article 371(A) could end up like Art. 370...

(From p-1) free coaching to government, banking and Central job aspirants, spend Rs 500 crore to launch Nagaland Skill Development University to train youth and make them job-ready in the field of new-age technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Drones, Robotics, etc.

He mentioned that BJP would also spend Rs 10 crore to promote indigenous sports and organise Statewide competitions, introduce Dr Talimeren Ao Sports Scholarship and provide sportspersons with need-based financial assistance up to Rs 5 lakh. He further assured that the party would fast-track the ongoing construction of multipurpose stadiums in seven districts and invest Rs 111 crore to set up ministadiums with gyms in all blocks of the State and Rs 50 crore to provide state-ofthe-art sports facilities across government schools and colleges.

Awomi stated that BJP would launch Nagaland Student Credit Scheme with a corpus of Rs 500 crore to provide zero interest education loans of up to Rs,10 lakh to all needy students, besides spending Rs 70 crore to set up Naga men and women students’ hostels for those pursuing higher education in all metro cities of the country.

He also spoke on the expansion of scope of MidDay Meal Scheme till class 12, provide digital tablets to all meritorious students of classes 10th and 12, spending Rs 200 crore for promoting STEM education, etc.

He said the party would spend Rs 100 crore to improve physical infrastructure like availability of electricity, drinking water, proper sanitation, etc, facilities in all government schools, expedite “The Light House Project” to enhance systemic transformation in Nagaland’s teaching cadre, enhance governance and

management of its schools, open new senior secondary schools as per requirement, renovate 100 government schools under PM SHRI, fast track construction and operationalisation of Eklavya Model Schools in the State, etc.

On the other hand, State BJP spokesperson Kashito Kiba spoke on the achievements of BJP-NDPP government in the State under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio.

BJP star campaigners: Meanwhile, Sapralu informed that senior BJP leaders including BJP general secretary BL Santosh and union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Sarbananda Sonowal will campaign for the party.

Rijiju will address rallies at Longwa, Phomching and Tizit. Sonowal along with deputy chief minister Y Patton will address public rallies at Wokha and Mon town while BL Santhosh will visit Tuensang, Mokokchung and Zunheboto.

(From p-1)

BJP copy pasted Congress manifesto:

Jairam Ramesh further accused BJP of reproducing a “copy paste” of Congress manifesto which was released ten days before BJP’s manifesto. He said the BJP manifesto contained the same commitments already made by Congress in its manifesto.

He alleged that BJP had repeated the promises made by Congress of giving special emphasis to eastern region of Nagaland. Jairam also said BJP was reacting to Congress manifesto that had five specific promises for Eastern Nagaland, including mini-secretariat in Tuensang, separate directorate of school education, relocation of DUDA at Tuensang, 33% reservation on the basis of annual vacancies and to take up with the Central government to promote economic relations with Nagas of Myanmar.

He acknowledged that there was a demand for decentralisation of administration in every State, as many areas were deprived of benefits of economic development. He said the case of Nagaland was not unique in the sense that there are areas where development did not reach the ground and hence the demand for greater economic, political and administrative power was legitimate.

To a query on how Congress could justify its current stand on Naga political issue and ENPO demand since both were not recent issues but dated several decades when Congress was in power at the Centre?

Jairam said ENPO demand should have

been implemented by the “double engine government” which it promised in 2018 instead of putting it up again in the manifesto.

Asked on the silence of Congress on ENPO issue which began when the party was in power at the Centre in 2010 ; also on Naga public calling for abstention in election in 1998 for solution and not election but Congress candidates filed nomination and ultimately secured 59 out of 60 seats as most were elected unopposed , Jairam responded that the priority then was to restore peace back in Nagaland for development.

On the charge that Naga political issue was not taken with all seriousness by Congress, Jairam claimed that efforts for negotiation had started in the mid 1990s and after which successive Prime Ministers continued the process that led to signing of Framework Agreement in 2015 based on the negotiations held all those years.

Northern Anagami II Congress candidate Seyievilie Sachu, said he decided to contest because of the deprivation in education and health, rise in unemployment and rampant corruption.

Meshenlo Kath, Congress candidate for Kohima Town, said he had decided to contest and give the youth a chance to experience change since Kohima was the State’s epicentre. Other senior central and State Congress leaders were also present at the press conference.

Niramala Sitharaman

YouthNet team along with others during the NEEDP event.

SNIPPETS

Websites of German airports not reachable

BERLIN, FEB 16 (AP):

The internet sites of several German airports were disrupted on Thursday after what may have been a hacker attack, German news agency dpa reported.

The disruptions did not appear to have an immediate impact on the country’s air traffic, the agency said. Nuremberg Airport in southern Germany reported that its online site was receiving so many requests that it collapsed.

The homepages of Duesseldorf and Dortmund airports in the west of the country were also unreachable, dpa reported.

Two killed, six injured in Pakistan train blast

LAHORE, FEB 16 (PTI):

At least two people were killed and nine injured in a blast inside a passenger train in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Thursday, according to media reports.

The explosion occurred inside the Jaffar Express when it was on its way to Rawalpindi from Quetta, officials said. According to The Express Tribune newspaper, police sources said the blast happened inside the washroom of the passenger train when it reached Chichawatni, a district in the province.

Avian flu: Japan culls

nearly 15 million birds

TOKYO, FEB 16 (IANS):

Nearly 15 million birds have been culled in Japan, a record high for a single season, amid an unprecedented spread of bird flu across the country, the farm ministry said Thursday. Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the number of culled birds now stands at 14.78 million, about 50 per cent more than the record 9.87 million logged during the 2020-2021 season, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Chinese retirees protest cut in health benefits

BEIJING, FEB 16 (IANS): Crowds of retirees in China have again taken to the streets to protest against cuts to their medical benefits, the media reported. They gathered on Wednesday for a second time in Wuhan, where Covid was first detected, and also in the north-eastern city of Dalian, BBC reported. The second round of protests in seven days puts pressure on President Xi Jinping’s administration just weeks before the annual National People’s Congress, which will usher in a new leadership team, BBC reported.

3 dead, 43 injured in Brazil’s prison fire

BRASILIA, FEB 16 (IANS): At least three prisoners were killed and another 43 injured in a southern Brazil prison fire, local authorities said.

The fire that broke out on Wednesday at the Penitentiary of Florianopolis, in Santa Catarina state, was traced to a mattress in one of the cells, said William Shinzato, head of the Penitentiary Affairs Commission. All three fatal victims died of smoke inhalation, according to Brazil’s Order of Lawyers, the country’s top bar association, Xinhua News Agency reported. The fire was brought under control and did not spread to other parts of the prison, Brazilian news network GloboNews said.

China, Iran call for lifting sanctions

Call on Afghanistan to end restrictions on women

China and Iran have urged mutual neighbor Afghanistan to end restrictions on women’s work and education.

Quake survivors wait amid rubble, to search or say goodbye

BEIJING, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): China’s President Xi Jinping and his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, called on Thursday for the lifting of sanctions on Iran as an integral part of a stalled international agreement on its nuclear programme.

Xi also accepted an invitation from Raisi to visit Iran and would do so at his convenience, the two leaders said in a joint statement on the last day of a three-day state visit to China by Raisi.

The leaders called for the implementation of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, under which Iran

agreed with several countries, including the United States, to curb its nuclear programme in return for economic sanctions relief.

But in 2018, the then U.S. president, Donald Trump, withdrew the United States from the deal and ordered the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran.

President Joe Biden said in 2021 that the United States would return to the deal if Iran moved back into compliance but talks have stalled.

“All relevant sanctions should be fully lifted in a verifiable manner to promote the full and effective implementation,” Xi and Raisi said.

The call came in a joint statement Thursday issued at the close of a visit to Beijing by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during which the two sides affirmed close economic and political ties and their rejection of Western standards of human rights and democracy. Since taking over Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has banned women and girls from universities and schools after the sixth grade and forced out those in elected offices and other prominent positions. “The two sides ... called on the Afghan rulers to form an inclusive government in which all ethnic groups and political groups actually participate, and cancel all discriminatory measures against women, ethnic minorities and other religions,” the statement said, adding that the U.S. and its NATO allies “should be responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan.”

The U.S. had backed Afghanistan’s elected government against the Taliban, but withdrew amid the rising costs and dwindling domestic support for a government that was unable to counter a Taliban revival.

The call for women’s rights is notable coming from Iran’s hardline Shiite Muslim regime, which has been challenged by months of protests sparked by the death of a young woman in police custody for allegedly violating clothing requirements. The country’s theocracy has executed at least four men since the demonstrations began in September over the death of Mahsa Amini. All have faced internationally criticized, rapid, closed-door trials. The bulk of the China-Iran joint statement emphasized strong political and economic ties, the quest for peace and justice in the Middle East and denuclearization in spite of Tehran’s alleged drive to produce atomic weapons.

Trump election probe grand jury believes some witnesses lied

ATLANTA, FEB 16 (AP): A special grand jury that investigated efforts by thenPresident Donald Trump and his allies to overturn his election loss in Georgia says it believes some witnesses committed perjury, and it recommends that prosecutors seek charges.

The panel recommended that the district attorney “seek appropriate indictments for such crimes where the evidence is compelling.” In addition to the section on perjury, the report’s introduction and conclusion were released Thursday. But any recommendations on potential criminal charges for specific people will remain under wraps for now.

While the report is silent on key details, including who the panel believes committed perjury and whether other indictments should be pursued, it marks the first time the grand jurors’ recommendations for criminal charges tied to the case have been made public. The investigation is one of several that could have serious legal consequences for the former president as he ramps up his third bid for the presidency.

Despite Trump’s persistent conten-

tions, the grand jurors found “by a unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning the election.”

The partial release was ordered Monday by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who oversaw the special grand jury. During a hearing last month, prosecutors urged him not to release the report until they decide on charges, while a coalition of media organizations, including The Associated Press, pushed for the entire report to be made public immediately.

China sanctions Lockheed Martin, Raytheon for Taiwan sales

BEIJING, FEB 16 (AP):

China on Thursday imposed trade and investment sanctions on Lockheed Martin and a unit of Raytheon for supplying weapons to Taiwan, stepping up efforts to isolate the island democracy claimed by the ruling Communist Party as part of its territory.

Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Technologies Corp.’s Raytheon Missiles and Defense are barred from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country, the Ministry of Commerce announced.

It said they were added to the “unreliable entity” list of companies whose activities are restricted because they might endanger national sovereignty, security or development interests.

It wasn’t clear what impact the penalties might have. The United States bars most sales of weapons-related technology to China, but some military contractors also have civilian businesses in aerospace and other markets.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war.

The island of 22 million people never has been part of the People’s Republic

1 killed, 3 hurt in Texas shooting

EL PASO, FEB 16 (AP):

One person was killed and three more were wounded Wednesday in a shooting at a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, adding to the dozens of people already killed this year in mass shootings across the United States.

El Paso police said hours after the gunfire that two people had been taken into custody, though details of what led the shooting

remained unclear. Interim police chief Peter Pacillas said that Cielo Vista Mall was still considered a crime scene, and that it would remain locked down until authorities had completed their investigation.

Pacillas stressed that the danger had passed.

“There is no more danger. I want to repeat that: There is no more danger to the public,” Pacillas said.

of China, but the Communist Party says it is obliged to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary. President Xi Jinping’s government has stepped up efforts to intimidate Taiwan by flying fighter jets and bombers near the island and firing missiles into the sea.

The United States has no official relations with Taiwan but maintains extensive commercial and informal contacts. Washington is obligated by federal law to make sure the island’s government has the means to defend itself.

The United States is Taiwan’s main supplier of military equipment.

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, part of Raytheon Technologies Corp., was awarded a USD 412 million contract in September to upgrade Taiwanese military radar as part of a USD 1.1 billion package of US arms sales to the island. Boeing Defense received a USD 355 million contract to supply Harpoon missiles.

Beijing responded to that sale by announcing sanctions against the CEOs of Raytheon and of Boeing Defense but gave no details of what they were.

ANTAKYA, FEB 16 (AP): Hamid Yakisikli has waited outside the pile of concrete that used to be his house since an earthquake devastated his home in the ancient city of Antakya. He and his two brothers have endured freezing conditions, in big jackets and wool hats, waiting for rescuers to retrieve the body of their mother, Fatma, from under the rubble.

Ever since the Feb. 6 earthquake decimated swaths of Turkey and Syria, survivors have gathered outside destroyed houses and apartments, refusing to leave.

Hundreds of buildings were reduced to rubble; ancient buildings lie in ruins; and the streets of Antakya’s historic center were blocked by mounds of debris and furniture, dividing the city into small blocks of apocalyptic destruction. It was the most deadly quake in Turkey’s modern history.

Over 2 million people

have left the disaster zone in Turkey, according to the government. But here in the worst-hit city, hundreds are still waiting. At every corner, a few people look at a pile of rubble, praying for a wife, a sister, a son or a friend.

Yakisikli, a retired cook, was closest to his mother. She lived right below him. He was home when the quake struck. “We were on the third floor, and we just found ourselves on the ground,” he said. His moth-

er’s second-floor apartment was deep underground.

Yakisikli and his brothers initially tried to climb the rubble in search of their mother. One caught a glimpse of her head through the debris — she was lifeless, lying on her back.

Unable to free her body, they began a long wait.

“I can’t have peace of mind without burying her,” said Yakisikli, as he watched an excavator claw at the remains of the building behind his home.

Ruling Taliban display rare division in public over bans

ISLAMABAD, FEB 16 (AP): A rare public show of division within the ranks of Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban emerged in recent days when Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, a powerful government figure, gave a speech seen as implicit criticism of the movement’s reclusive supreme leader.

The Taliban leadership has been opaque since the former insurgents’ takeover of the country in August 2021, with almost no indication of how decisions are made.

In recent months, the group’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has appeared to take a stronger hand in directing policy. In particular, it was on his orders that the Taliban government banned women and girls from universities and schools after the sixth grade.

The bans raised a fierce international uproar,

increasing Afghanistan’s isolation at a time when its economy has collapsed — and worsening a humanitarian crisis. The bans also appeared to contradict previous policies by the Taliban government. Between the Taliban takeover until the December ban on attending universities, women had been allowed to continue their studies. Taliban officials repeatedly promised

Red Cross warns of crisis in quake-hit Syria

BEIRUT, FEB 16 (AP):

Syria could face dangerous outbreaks of disease in the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake if hundreds of thousands of displaced people do not get permanent housing soon, the Red Cross’ global chief said Thursday, as Syrians struggle to receive humanitarian aid amid the mounting crisis.

Jagan Chapagain, who is Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said families staying in makeshift shelters without adequate heating

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urgently need permanent housing.

“They are still living in very basic conditions in very, very cold school rooms,” he told The Associated Press in an interview. “If this continues for a long period of time, then there will be health consequences.” He spoke

after returning from Aleppo, Syria’s largest city that for years witnessed some of the worst fighting of the country’s ongoing civil war. Aleppo was hit with a cholera outbreak in late 2022. The earthquake’s impact on access to housing, water, fuel, and other infrastructure could make another outbreak “possible,” he said, adding that the disaster also has been ruinous for Syrians’ mental health. “If the conflict had broken their backs, I think this earthquake is breaking their spirit now,” Chapagain said.

that girls would be allowed to attend secondary school, but a decision to allow them back last year was suddenly reversed.

Haqqani made his comments in a speech over the weekend to a graduation ceremony at an Islamic religious school in the eastern province of Khost.

“Monopolizing power and hurting the reputation of the entire system are not

to our benefit,” Haqqani said, according to video clips of the speech released on social media by his supporters. “The situation cannot be tolerated,” he added. Haqqani said now that the Taliban have taken power, “more responsibility has been placed on our shoulders and it requires patience and good behavior and engagement with the people.” He said the Taliban must “soothe the wounds of the people” and act in a way that the people do not come to hate them and religion. Haqqani did not refer to Akhundzada, but the remarks were seen by many commenting on social media as directed at him. Haqqani also did not mention the issue of women’s education, but he has said publicly in the past that women and girls should be allowed to go to school and universities.

Pakistan govt hikes fuel prices

ISLAMABAD, FEB 16 (PTI): People in Pakistan woke up on Thursday to the shock of a historic price hike in the prices of petrol and gas as the government tried to appease the IMF for unlocking the critical loan tranche for the cashstrapped country.

The “petrol bomb” as the price hike is termed these days, was dropped around Wednesday midnight, hours after the government unveiled a tax-loaded ‘minibudget’ in the Parliament to extract Rs 170 billion from the people through new taxes and increase in electricity

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and gas prices. The price of petrol was hiked to Rs 272 per litre after an increase of Rs 22.20, a press release from the Finance Division read Wednesday night, noting that the surge has taken place due to the rupee’s devaluation against the dollar. The price of the highspeed diesel (HSD) hiked by Rs 17.20, kerosene by Rs 12.90 and light diesel oil (LDO) by Rs 9.68. The new price of HSD will cost Rs 280 per litre. Kerosene will be available at Rs 202.73 whereas LDO will be sold at Rs 196.68 per litre.

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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (R) walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Feb. 14, 2023.

People gather as rescue workers continue to clear rubble from collapsed building in Antakya, Turkey Feb. 12, 2023.

FILE—Taliban acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani at the police academy in Kabul on March 5, 2022.

Donald Trump

The official trailer of the upcoming musical-drama series titled ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ was unveiled recently. It serves a delectable treat of the 1970s aesthetics in terms of costumes, colour palette, styling, themes and of course the music which is the fulcrum of the series.

Although the story is presented in a documentary style, including background interviews with the band, ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ is a fictional story that captures the essence of creativity in the erratic, wild world of the 1970s and the band’s journey from its rise to the fall.

The series, which is based on the eponymous novel, features Riley Keough as Daisy Jones, Sam Claflin as Billy Dunne, Camila Morrone as Camila Dunne, Will Harrison as Graham Dunne, Suki Waterhouse as Karen Sirko, Josh Whitehouse as Eddie Roundtree, Sebastian Chacon as Warren Rojas, Nabiyah Be as Simone Jackson, and Tom Wright as Teddy Price, with a special guest appearance by Timothy Olyphant as Rod Reyes. The story follows the 1970s

band, fronted by two feuding yet charismatic lead singers, Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne. Drawn together by personal and artistic chemistry, their complicated musical partnership catapulted the band from obscurity to unbelievable fame. And then, after a sold-out show at Chicago’s Soldier Field, they suddenly called it quits.

Decades later, the band members finally agree to reveal the truth. Set to the soundtrack of original music from Daisy Jones & the Six’, - this is the story of how an iconic band imploded at the height of its powers.

The series features ‘Look At Us Now (Honeycomb)’, one of 24 original

songs written exclusively for the series and recorded by the cast.

The original music will be released by Atlantic Records during the rollout of the series, which premieres on March 3, with new episodes being released every Friday through March 24, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

From Amazon Studios and Hello Sunshine, ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ is executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine and Brad Mendelsohn for Circle of Confusion, Scott Neustadter and Michael H. (IANS)

Berlin Film Festival jury President Kristen Stewart doesn’t buy the talk that movies are dead. At a press conference in Germany on Thursday afternoon to commemorate the launch of the 73rd annual Berlinale, she declared that cinema will live forever, reports ‘Variety’.

“Take a quick glance at your rear view mirror,” said Stewart, taking questions from reporters, according to ‘Variety’. “We have never stopped telling each other stories.” She then nodded to headlines about weakened international box office receipts as a result of the pandemic. “How much it costs, obviously like we’re headed towards oblivion on that one. I also think that there’s a sort of, like, vital, desperate need in all of us to create something. And yeah, I think when you start really fixating on, like, the industry, it’s easy to be like, ‘Oh, God, it’s all falling apart!’ But I just think that there’s something vital, that’s undeniable, will never go away,” ‘Variety’ quotes Stewart as saying.

Stewart first attended the Berlinale in 2010 with

the independent production, “Welcome to the Rileys”, alongside director Jake Scott.

“I guess in full transparency, I’m kind of shaking,” she said about her role as the festival’s President, according to ‘Variety’. “It’s not a weight that I don’t fully understand. I’m just ready, ready to be changed by all the films and changed by the people around us. I think that’s what we’re here for.”

Stewart recently finished directing her first feature, “The Chronology of Water”, and she’s currently working on a paranormal reality series, for which she recently issued an open casting call. She is exec producing the project, which focuses on LGBTQ+ ghost hunters. (IANS)

Raquel Welch, the actor who became an icon and sex symbol thanks to films such as ‘One Million Years B.C.’ and ‘Three Musketeers’, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles after a brief illness, her manager confirmed to ‘Variety’. She was 82 and is survived by son Damon and daughter Tahnee. She came onto the movie scene in 1966 with the sci-fi film ‘Fantastic Voyage’ and the prehistoric adventure ‘One Million Years B.C.’, the latter of which established Welch as a sex symbol.

The actor, notes ‘Variety’, went on to appear in the controversial adaptation of Gore Vidal’s ‘Myra Beckrinridge’, ‘Kansas City Bomber’ and Richard Lester’s delightful romps ‘The Three Musketeers’ (1973), for which she won a Golden Globe, and ‘The Four Musketeers: Milady’s Revenge’ (1974).

She was one of the first women to play the lead role -- not the romantic interest -- in a Western, 1971 revenge tale ‘Hannie Caulder’ -- an inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Kill Bill’ (2003),

Fitness mistakes that can sabotage your workout

Just Do It … Right

Exercise can help your physical, mental, and emotional health, give you more energy, and even be a boost for your social and sex lives. Experts recommend 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. But watch out for a few pitfalls that can make you do more harm than good.

You Bail Out Skipping workouts

“just because” can set you back, especially if you’re on an exercise program. Not only does it make it harder for you to reach your goals, but you also can lose some of the progress you’ve made.

You Have a Meal Right

Before

If you eat a meal within 2 hours before working out, your body will be digesting that food, and blood won’t flow as well to your muscles. That can affect your post-workout recovery and lead to cramps and nausea. Instead, try a light snack like peanut butter and a banana, Greek yogurt and berries, oatmeal, or a handful of nuts or raisins.

You Don’t Warm Up

Starting your workout without warming up may save a few minutes, but it isn’t a good idea. Your body needs the warmup to raise your body temperature and get your blood flowing, to help loosen up your muscles and give you more range of motion. It can be something as simple as light walking, jogging, or biking for 5 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to stretch before warming up.

You Bounce When You Stretch

You’re more likely to hurt your muscles or make them tighter if you move around when you stretch. Hold each one steady for 20 to 30 seconds. There is a type called ballistic stretching that calls for bouncing, but you shouldn’t try it without working with a professional trainer or coach first.

You Don’t Have Good Posture

This can limit your progress and could lead to a fall or an injury. For example, be careful not to lean on equipment, like a treadmill, while you’re using it. And if you’re lifting weights, try to keep your back straight and your shoulders back and relaxed. Don’t lock your

knees, either. You Hold Your Breath

You might do this without even knowing it. But it’s important to pay attention to your breathing. Holding your breath limits the amount of oxygen coming into your body. If you hold it too long, you might pass out. When you’re lifting heavy weights, take a deep breath before you start a set, then gradually let it out as you go.

You Slack On Your Form

This can keep you from targeting the right areas and limit your range of motion. It can actually make you weaker and damage your muscles. Use lighter weights and perfect your form before moving on to the heavier stuff.

You Stray From Your Plan

If you’re just starting out, you may be tempted to try too many things too quickly. You can get

overwhelmed and do too much. Set goals and know which muscle groups you want to target before you start your workout.

You Ignore Your Limitations

Don’t try to lift more weight than you can handle. You can get hurt, and it can mess up your technique. When you do go for more weight, add only a little at a time and get comfortable with it before going further.

You’re Too Competitive

It’s natural to want to compare yourself with others, but don’t change your workout, or try to lift too much to keep up with someone else. You don’t know their experience or skill level, so it’s best to stay within your limits and focus on your goals.

You Socialize Too Much

While the gym is a good place to meet people, talking while you work out may not be a good idea. It’s best to concentrate on what you’re doing and keep chats between sets or between exercises short. There’s plenty of time for

that before or after the session. On the other hand, if you can hold a normal conversation while working out, you’re probably not overdoing it.

You Go Heavy All the Time

Even if you’ve set a goal of getting stronger, you should mix things up -- do more reps with lighter weight and fewer reps with moderate or heavy weight. Training with heavy weights every time you work out can actually keep you from adding muscle and raise your chance of injury. You might vary your workouts with moderate-, heavy-, and light-weight days.

You Only Do What You Like

You may like some exercises better than others -- probably the ones you’re best at -- but you need to work all muscle groups. Targeting the same ones all the time can make it hard for them to recover. Try to focus on different spots and develop each of them.

You Don’t Take Water Breaks

Staying hydrated is

important for cooling off your body and keeping your blood flowing. Drink water before your workout, then 6 to 8 ounces for every 15 minutes you’re active, then some more once you’re done.

You Don’t Know When to Stop

You may have heard the saying “No pain, no gain,” but serious pain can mean you’re using too much weight or it’s time to stop. Pushing through can lead to injury. If you’re starting out, it’s normal to have some soreness for a day or so after working out. If it lasts longer, it probably means you should cut back.

You Don’t Cool Down

Once you finish, you should ease out with some mild stretching. This can help get your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing back to normal levels. Stretching your muscles while they’re warm and blood is flowing to them may also help them lengthen and stretch more easily.

Medically Reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD

according to the director.

Welch also showed some grit in the 1972 roller derby movie ‘Kansas City Bomber’. ‘Variety’ had then said the film “provides a gutsy, sensitive and comprehensive look at the barbaric world of roller derby. ...

Raquel Welch, who did a lot of her own skating, is most credible as the beauteous but tough star for whom team owner Kevin McCarthy has big plans. At the same time, Welch is torn between her professional life and her two fatherless children.” Besides film and television

dramas, Welch appeared on Broadway twice, replacing Lauren Bacall in the starring role of Tess Harding in the hit musical ‘Woman of the Year’ in the early 1980s and replacing Julie Andrews in ‘Victor/Victoria’ in 1997.

Welch was last seen on the big screen in 2001 -- in ‘Legally Blonde’, starring Reese Witherspoon, and in Maria Rispoll’s comedy drama ‘Tortilla Soup’, a remake of Ang Lee’s ‘Eat Drink Man Woman’, where she played the romantic interest for Hector Elizondo. (IANS)

OFFICE OF THE IKISHE VILLAGE BAPTIST CHURCH Chumoukidema,

Dr. Hovika Swu

Dr. Otto S. Awomi

With immense joy and honour the IVBC would like to convey our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Hovika Swu, S/o Mr. Tohovi Swu & Mrs. Xuqheli for completing his Ph.D in Christian Counseling on the Dissertation “Socio-Cultural Consequences and Psychosomatic Problems of Childless Couples: A Pastoral Counseling Approach for Meaningful Childless Life” from Seoul Christian University, Seoul City, South Korea.

We also convey our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Otto S. Awomi, S/o Mr. Shetovi Awomi & Mrs. Kheshili S. for completing his Ph.D in the Department of Entomology on the Dissertation “Host Range of Spiraling Whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell and its Bio Rational Management in King Chilli, Capsicum Chinense Jacq” from Nagaland University: SASRD, Medziphema Campus.

The Church sincerely acknowledges their accomplishments and wishes them the very best in all their future endeavours.

dp-687/23

Rev. Ahoto Chophi, Pastor IVBC

dc-161/23

Nagaland F ELICITATION

‘Daisy Jones and The Six’ trailer unravels rise and fall of ’70s band

Movies will never go away, says Stewart as Berlinale takes off Racquel Welch, Hollywood sex symbol, Golden Globe winner, dies at 82

Champions League: Dortmund beat Chelsea 1-0

DORTMUND (GERMANY), FEB 16 (AP): Lots of talent, but not the results to match. It’s becoming a familiar story for Chelsea.

Despite spending record sums on new signings, Chelsea fell short once again in a 1-0 loss at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday and will need to improve in the second leg to avoid elimination in the Champions League round of 16.

Karim Adeyemi sprinted the length of the field to score the only goal on a lightning counterattack after Chelsea created — and missed — many of the best chances.

After Chelsea’s João Félix missed a headed chance on a corner, the German team launched into the counter as Adey-

emi surged down the field, beating Enzo Fernández before rounding goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and scoring into the empty net. Starting from the edge of his own penalty area, Adeyemi picked up the ball from a clearance and needed fewer than nine seconds to score at the other end. He celebrated

with a backflip. Kalidou Koulibaly was at the heart of the Chelsea defense but nearly rescued a draw for his team at the other end. Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel couldn’t hold Koulibaly’s low shot in the 78th minute and the ball rolled onto the goal line before Emre Can hooked it away to keep Dortmund

ahead. Fernández — Chelsea’s expensive signing last month — nearly scored a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time but the World Cup winner from Argentina saw his curling shot saved by Kobel.

It was Dortmund’s seventh win in a row, while Chelsea has one victory from nine games overall in 2023 as manager Graham Potter tries to integrate new faces.

Chelsea was allowed to add only three of its nine January arrivals to its Champions League squad, but Félix, Fernández and Mykhailo Mudryk were all in the starting lineup and all posed a threat.

With Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly watching from the stands, Félix had the two best chances of a first half in which neither

ICC apologises for ranking glitch which showed India as No.1 Test side

team had a shot on target. Thiago Silva put the ball into the net for Chelsea early on but used his hand to do it. Félix hit one chance over the goal and smashed another shot against the bar. Chelsea’s pace and danger on the counter had been clear since the second minute, when only a perfectly timed tackle from Nico Schlotterbeck stopped Mudryk going through on goal. Chelsea piled on more pressure early in the second half before Adeyemi’s goal on the counter changed the game. Dortmund — captained by 19-year-old Jude Bellingham — was busy too, with Julian Brandt and then Adeyemi getting into good positions only to hesitate, allowing Chelsea defenders to block the shots.

Benzema surpasses Raúl as Madrid beats last-place Elche

MADRID, FEB 16 (AP):

Karim Benzema converted two first-half penalty kicks in Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Elche and became the team’s second-highest scorer in the Spanish league with 230 goals.

Marco Asensio and Luka Modric also scored on Wednesday as Madrid won at home to get back within eight points of Barcelona in a game postponed because of the Club World Cup.

Madrid won its eighth world club title last weekend in Morocco. Barcelona had increased its league lead with a 1-0 win at Villarreal on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Benzema entered the match even with Madrid great Raúl with 228 league goals — second to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 311.

“Benzema is much

DUBAI, FEB 16 (PTI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has apologised for the technical glitch, which saw India displace Australia to attain the No.1 spot in the men’s Test team rankings on Wednesday.

Hours after India had ‘topped’ the Test ranking, the ICC issued another updated list that showed Rohit Sharma’s side back at No.2.

It gave the impression that Rohit’s team had briefly claimed the top spot following its innings and 132-run win over the Pat Cumminsled Australia in Nagpur.

On Thursday, the game’s global body admitted the error and said in a statement that the “ICC acknowledges, for a short period of time on February 15, 2023 that, due to a technical error, India were

more than just a striker,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “He is a very complete player. He has a fantastic career and hopefully he will keep adding to it.” It was Benzema’s fifth goal in his last six matches. He had also scored in the Club World Cup final against Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal after being out for a brief period because of an injury. The Club World Cup trophy was displayed to the fans at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium before Wednesday’s match and Elche’s players did the guard of honor for Madrid’s squad.

Madrid had won only one of its last three league matches and was coming off a loss at Mallorca before travelling to Morocco.

“We knew we had to win, it was important

to keep pace with Barcelona,” Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos said. “Eight points in not an insurmountable gap. This team will keep fighting until the last match.” Madrid got the win despite playing without several regular starters. Forward Vinícius Júnior was out because of a suspension on accumulation of yellow cards. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, midfielder Toni Kroos, forward Eden Hazard and defender Ferland Mendy were all out injured.

Asensio opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Benzema got his goals from the penalty spot in the 31st and in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. Modric closed the scoring with a shot into the top corner from inside the area in the 80th.

erroneously displayed as the No.1 Test team on the ICC website. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

“Australia remain on top of the ICC Test Team Rankings after the latest update following the conclusion of Zimbabwe’s two-match series against West Indies.” “Australia will head into the second Test against India in Delhi,

starting on Friday, January 17, as the No.1-ranked team with 126 rating points, 11 above India’s 115,” the ICC statement added. “India are vying for a place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. Australia are also in contention for a place in the final of the marquee event, which will be played at The Oval in London from 7 to 11 June.”

We, the below mentioned 35 NPF Area Office Bearers hereby resolved to resign from the office from this day 16/2/23 with peace and soul mind to support 35 AC constituency, NDPP candidates Shri K. T Sukhalu.

We wish him further success and endeavour.

35th NPF AreA OFFice BeArers

sl No. Name

1. Kasheto Awomi President

2. Areka Zhimo Gen/Secretary

3. Kuhozhe Yeptho Vice/President

4. Puhovi Yeptho Working/President

5. Itokhu Chophy District Advisor MAhilA /WOMeN WiNg

1. Kaholi Zhimo President

2. Liholi Awomi Gen/Secretary

3. Hozuli Zhimo Vice/President

Dortmund’s players celebrate at the end of the Champions League, round of 16. (AP/PTI)

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema celebrates scoring his side’s 3rd goal from the penalty spot. (PTI)

WOMEN T20 WC: Aus beat SL by 10 wkts

GQEBERHA (SOUTH AFRICA), FEB 16 (PTI):

Beth Mooney and Alyssa

Healy struck unbeaten half-centuries as defending champions Australia thrashed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets to virtually qualify for the semifinals of the Women’s T20 World Cup here on Thursday.

Medium pacer Megan Schutt (4/24) returned with a four-wicket haul as Australia dished out a clinical bowling display to restrict Sri Lanka to 112 for 8 after opting to bowl.

It turned out to be a cakewalk for Australia as Healy and and Mooney shared an unbeaten 113run opening stand to chase down the target in 15.5 overs.

While Mooney remained unbeaten on 56 off 53 balls, Healy made 54 not out off 43 deliveries.

Mooney struck seven boundaries during her knock, while Healy decorated her innings with six fours and one hit over the fence as Australia continued their dominance in the tournament.

By virtue of this win, Australia consolidated their position at the top of Group 1 with three wins out of as many games, while Sri Lanka are placed second with two victories from three matches.

Australia will face hosts South Africa in their final game on Saturday, while Sri Lanka will be

up against New Zealand a day later.

The total was too small a target for the formidable Australian batting line-up as Sri Lankan bowlers never looked threatening and struggled to break the dominant opening partnership, enabling the Southern Stars to register a commanding

Cricketer Prithvi Shaw roughed up for refusing repeat selfie with fans

MUMBAI, FEB 16

(IANS): In a shocking incident, India cricketer Prithvi Shaw was attacked and a car in which he was travelling with friends struck with baseball bats by some fans insisting on a repeat selfie with them here late on Wednesday, police said.

Following a complaint lodged by the friends of Shaw, 23, the Oshiwara police on Thursday registered a case against at least eight accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to unlawful assembly, intent to harm with weapons, etc, an official said.

It was on Wednesday night when Shaw and friends, including Ashish Yadav, stepped out after having dinner at a suburban five-star hotel near the Mumbai Airport.

Just then, they were accosted by some purported fans who asked

Indian football legend

Tulsidas Balaram dies aged 87

for selfies with Shaw and he obliged them, but a couple of them insisted on a second selfie which he refused, saying he wanted privacy with his friends.

Enraged at the denial, the so-called fans allegedly pounded and shattered his friend’s car’s windshield with a baseball bat and tried to chase Shaw with the weapon.

In a viral video of the incident posted by some bystanders, the celeb cricketer can be seen wrestling with a young woman fan wielding a baseball bat ostensibly to assault him as he tries to save himself.

As Shaw and his group drove off, the fans followed them in their vehicle and both the cars stopped near a police check-post before the matters seemed to calm down.

win. Sent in to bat, Sri Lanka’s innings never got going as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Harshitha Samarawickrama (34) and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (16) stitched 30 runs off 29 balls for the opening wicket before the latter was caught at mid-on by Grace Harris

off the bowling of Ellyse Perry (1/20).

Samarawickrama, whose runs came off 40 balls with the help of three boundaries, then shared 39 runs with Vishmi Gunaratne (24).

But just when the partnership was looking dangerous, Samarawickrama was stumped by Alyssa Healy off Harris.

Harris struck again four balls later, accounting for Oshadi Ranasinghe for a duck.

Thereafter, Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals to manage a below-par total.

Besides Schutt’s four wickets, Harris (2/7) picked up two wickets while Perry (1/14) and Georgia Wareham (1/20) scalped one each.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka: 112 for 8 in 20 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 34; Megan Schutt 4/24, Grace Harris 2/7).

Australia: 113 for no loss in 15.5 overs (Beth Mooney 56 not out, Alyssa Healy 54 not out).

ASSAM, FEB 16: Rhit -

sho Mero struck twice as Vanguard FC - Tseminyu outclassed Railway FC 5-0 in the 18th Captain Jintu Gogoi Vir Chakra Memorial Football Tournament 2023 at TDSA Stadium, Tinsukia, Assam on Thursday.

Vanguard FC making their debut in the national tournament have made immediate impact scoring five goals on process and will be hoping that that team will carry the same momentum in the next matches.

In the match, Van -

guard FC scored three quick goals early in the first half with Captain Yhunshalo Kemp scoring and a brace by Vice Captain Rhitsho Mero, VFC gained the momentum and dominated the game.

In the second half, Sinlo Kent converted a beautiful free-kick while Hanglen Chang came from the bench to score a stunning goal to make it 5-0 at the end of the final whistle.

The team progress into the next round with this win and play against Assam Rifles Sentinels XI tomorrow in the same

venue at 3:00 PM. The ongoing tournament is an invitational tournament organized by the Indian Army and OIL in honour of Kargil Hero Captain Jintu Gogoi. A total of 24 teams from 8 states are taking part. Ating Tingnyek Konyak making his first assignment as the coach of the team will be very proud of the results today. A comprehensive victory in the game against another state will surely be a moral booster as he continue to honk his skill in the coaching line.

India vs Aus 2nd Test: India concerned with top order batting

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (PTI): KL Rahul’s prolonged run of failures remains a worry but India will still start as overwhelming favourites for another threeday finish when they take on Australia in the second Test here from Friday.

The match will be one of Indian cricket’s understated warrior Cheteshwar Pujara’s 100th Test, a feat achieved after 13 years of sweat and toil.

While Pujara would like to savour the momentous personal milestone with a 20th Test ton, one can’t but paper over the concerns around India’s top-order.

Save skipper Rohit Sharma, who was regal in attack and classical in defence during his hundred on a slow turner in Nagpur, the others failed to get going in the opener. Besides Rahul, the list of strugglers includes the peerless Virat Kohli and,

Rohit Sharma with team head coach Rahul Dravid inspects the pitch ahead of the 2nd test match. (PTI)

to an extent, Pujara. Kohli is leaving no stone unturned to up the ante while facing the spinners. Round two of Kohli versus Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy could be equally enticing.

Rahul and his woes

Time is running out for Rahul as Virat Kohli’s heir apparent, Shubman Gill, is waiting in the wings despite

being in prime form. Having wasted so many opportunities in his 46-Test career with a below par average of 34, it will be interesting to see what call is taken by the Indian team management if the 30-yearold Karnataka man endures another failure before the squad for the last two Tests is announced. With Ravichandran

Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja putting enormous pressure on the Australians during the hosts’ comprehensive innings win in Nagpur, one can confidently say that another slow turner will greet the visitors at the Ferozshah Kotla.

Unless Australia bat out of their skin, they won’t even be able to stretch it to the fifth day.

The Ferozshah Kotla tracks, after the initial moisture dries up, turn as dead as a dodo.

India head coach Rahul Dravid had no hesitation in admitting that in the recent past, it has been the middle-order troika of Ravindra Jadeja, the nowinjured Rishabh Pant and the fit-again Shreyas Iyer that has bailed the team out on most occasions.

Even in the opening Test, it was left to the duo of Axar Patel and Jadeja to out-bat Australia.

The Kotla pitch promises to be a touch slower than Jamtha, and hence, the Indian batters need to follow their skipper’s template and employ a judicious blend of attack with defence.

With shorter boundary on one side, Australia skipper Pat Cummins will be wary of bringing in Nathan Lyon from the Old Pavilion end, as the leg side boundary would be barely 60 metres.

Shreyas Iyer or one more game for SKY Shreyas Iyer has completed his rehab after suffering a lower back injury and as per the current team management’s convention, any player who was performing before getting injured would get his place back in the playing XI. Dravid, in fact, said that “if Iyer is able to take workload of five-day Test, he will walk into the side”.

KOLKATA, FEB 16 (PTI): Asian Games gold medallist and Olympian Tulsidas Balaram, a part of Indian football’s ‘holy trinity’ in the 1950s and 60s, died here on Thursday after a prolonged illness, sources close to his family said.

Balaram belonged to the golden generation of Indian football and teamed up with legends such as Chuni Goswami and PK Banerjee to forge a formidable partnership upfront.

Balaram was 87 and a widower living in a flat on the banks of Hooghly river in Uttarpara. The 1962 Asian Games champion was hospitalised on December 26 last year and was being treated for urinary infection and abdominal distension.

“His condition did not improve and he breathed his last around 2pm today,” a source close to his family told PTI. “We are grateful to the state government and the sports minister Aroop Biswas for taking good care

of him during his last days,” he added. Born on October 4, 1936, to Tamil parents -- Muthamma and Tulsidas Kalidas -- in Ammuguda village in the garrison town of Secunderabad, Balaram scored 131 goals across seven seasons.

An Arjuna awardee, Balaram’s exploits at the 1960 Rome Olympics are well documented.

Placed in the ‘group of death’ with Hungary, France and Peru, India lost the opener to Hungary 1-2 but Balaram covered himself in glory by scoring a 79thminute goal. He also scored against Peru in the Games. India came close to upsetting France a few days later with Balaram again showing his class. The Jakarta Asian Games gold, where India beat South Korea 2-1 in the final, was the country’s second title triumph in football at the multi-discipline continental games, and the achievement hasn’t been repeated since.

Beth Mooney celebrates her fifty. ICC via Getty Images.

Winning team Vanguard FC - Tseminyu.

Prithvi Shaw reacts towards a group of people. (PTI)

Tulsidas Balaram