14 Feb 2023

JP Nadda to release BJP manifesto today

DIMPAUR, FEB 13

(NPN): BJP national president J.P. Nadda will be arriving Nagaland on February 14 to release the party’s election manifesto in the state capital Kohima.

Nadda is scheduled to attend the BJP-NDPP alliance meeting at capital cultural hall after which he will head to the BJP’s head office and release the party’s manifesto for Nagaland.

Before heading to pollbound Meghalaya the same day, Nadda will also hold meeting with senior BJP functionaries of the State.

This is it!

Nagaland Post

US shoots down fourth airborne

Notify State ULB polls before Mar 14: SC Centre ready to give 20 Assembly

NEW DELHI, FEB 13

(AGENCIES): Supreme Court, on Monday, directed the Nagaland State Election Commission (SEC) to notify local body elections and place before it the official notification by March 14, 2023, LiveLaw report stated.

A Bench comprising Justice S.K. Kaul, Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Aravind Kumar was hearing a petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and women rights activist Rosemary Dvuchu challenging the Nagaland Assembly’s resolution dated September 22, 2021 exempting operation of Part IXA of the Constitution of India, which mandates 33% reservation

for women, in Municipalities and Town Councils of the State.

In April, 2022, the Nagaland government had informed the apex court that the government after holding a consultative meeting attended by all stakeholders had resolved to implement 33% reservation for women in local body elections. Thereafter, on July 29, 2022, the apex court had directed the SEC to complete the election process by January, 2023. However, it appeared that the election process has not been notified yet. As per an affidavit filed by the State Election Commission, in January, 2023, the state government had asked it to provide

an election schedule. In response, two options for notifying the election programme has been provided by the SEC.

On Monday, the Bench was informed by the Advocate General for the State of Nagaland, KN Balgopal that the State has agreed to accept the first option and the SEC can accordingly proceed with notifying the elections. During the course of hearing, it was pointed out by senior advocate, Colin Gonsalves, appearing on behalf of PUCL, that the state government in its latest affidavit filed in February, 2023 has resorted to the ground of violence and future violence to justify the

delay in conducting the local body elections. While reading out the said affidavit, he submitted that “This statement of violence and future violence was used three times since 2009…” The advocate general apprised the Bench that the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation passed a resolution against participating in the legislative assembly elections until their demand for a separate State was considered. He submitted that the Central Government has now made it clear that they will not accede to their demands and ENPO has agreed to participate in the election process.

BJP not anti-Christian but pro-development under Modi

Staf f Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 13 (NPN): BJP national secretary and co-convenor North East, Rituraj Sinha, reiterated that BJP was fully committed to the coalition dharma with NDPP and rejected the tag of being “anti-Christian” or “anti-Church” as under Prime Minister Narendra Modi it believed in true democracy and secularism without any discrimination towards any religion. In an exclusive interview to

seats, 6 Parliamentary seats: CM

DIMAPUR, FEB 13: State chief minister Neiphiu Rio disclosed that the Central government was ready to give additional seats in the Parliament and the State assembly post solution to the decades old Naga political issue.

Addressing a campaign rally for NDPP candidate Y. Vikheho Suw at Pughoboto local ground under Zunheboto district Monday, Rio said the Centre had disclosed that 20 more seats would be given in addition to the existing 60 seats in the legislative assembly, while the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats would be increased to three each.

Nagaland Post Rituraj reaffirmed that party’s genuine concern for eastern Nagaland people to ensure development concerns and also claimed that the NDPP-BJP alliance would win the election with thumping majority.

The following are the excerpts of the interview

On BJP as Anti-Christian/Church?

Rituraj: The perception that BJP is Anti-Chris-

NAGAL AND WELCOMES SHRI JP NADDA JI, BJP NATIONAL PRESIDENT

tian or Church, nothing can be far from truth. Under PM Modi, a lot of people do not know of the Prasad Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive) where Modi is assisting re-development of several religious sites supported by the Church, just like he is helping re-development of Hindu temples. People don’t talk about the fact that

(Cont’d on p-7)

He further maintained that the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly would have a lot of work to do including the unresolved Naga political issue, impending delimitation, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and women reservation among others.

Rio, therefore, urged

upon the people to be united and said that the 14th NLA would have to take crucial decisions for Nagas, referring to the NSCN (I-M) and WC/NNPGs which had come to a common understanding for the resolution of the Naga issue. Rio also pointed out that the impending census and delimitation would take place soon and maintained that “delimitation should be done justly unlike the last time to deliver justice to all.”

On Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation decision to withdraw their call for non-participation in the election, Rio welcomed the move and

(Cont’d on p-8)

Responsibility of Oppn to ask questions: Cong

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 13

(NPN): Reacting to State BJP’s remark that Congress was “focused on allegations, BJP on achievements”, All India Congress Committee (AICC) social media and digital platforms chairperson Supriya Shrinate reiterated that as a responsible opposition, Congress is duty bound to raise questions

Supriya Shrinate (NP)

and hold governments accountable for their action on behalf of the people.

Addressing the media at Shunammite Inn here on Monday, Supriya pointed out that if the State government has not been doing anything meaningful in the past five years, then BJP should be able to respond to the questions raised by Congress. “You (BJP) can only make empty slogans like ‘Election for Solution’ and you come back again five years later and talk

(Cont’d on p-8)

Neiphiu Rio

“Permanent address is meaningless whenever election is held as voters migrate back to villages.”

Rituraj Sinha (NP)

Mon admin, pastors launch ‘Clean election’ campaign

Chumoukedima DPDB holds monthly meeting

DIMAPUR: The monthly meeting of District Planning & Development Boards (DPDB) was held on February 13 at DC Conference Hall, Chumoukedima under the chairmanship of DC & vice chairman DPDB, Abhinav Shivam. According to DIPR report, during the meeting, the board approved the registration of society for Sarvajanik Shiv Mandir, 5th Mile Unity Village (Sugar Mill), Chumoukedima and the renewal of the NEZCC

Society. The board also approved the upgradation of schools of Shemrock

ADC Tizit briefs political parties

DIMAPUR: District administration Mon in collaboration with Baptist Pastor’s Fellowship Mon Town launched a “Clean Election” campaign on February 13 at Helipad Ground Mon Town. According to DIPR report, Deputy Commissioner Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma said the election system is everywhere in the country, but the election situation depends on the inhabitants of the people and societies. “The election is free and fair in some places but in others, there are corruptions because of proxy voting, money, muscle power, etc”, he added. He also reminded that ECI has deputed security

forces from outside where administrations and police forces working just to give free and fair elections to the people. He however, maintained that unless they cooperate, it will not work.

DC urged every individual present there to spread the message of Clean Election. He further encouraged the youngsters to value their vote and urged the people not to misuse their Right to Vote, no matter what background he/she is, saying that the value of vote is the same. He also appreciated the initiative taken by the churches.

KBCM Pastor, Rev. Nahngom, spoke on one man, one vote and fol -

lowing the model code of conduct commissioned by ECI. He also said not to discriminate on caste, religion or custom practices during the election.

The programme and prayers were also conducted in various parts of Mon town by different Churches, private station: Kuki Baptist Church, Phom Baptist Church and Ao Baptist Church. New site junction: Police Church, Sangtam Church, Newsite Fellowship KCM and Papong Fellowship KBCM. NST junction: 6th NAP Fellowship Mon, Tompang Fellowship KBCM, Chingai Fellowship KBCM Sumi Church, Gorkha Church and Lotha Church.

DC Kma appeals general public, churches

DIMAPUR: In view of the preparation of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election and DC Office Complex Kohima being the designated ‘Dispatch’ and ‘Receiving’ centre of polling materials and EVM machines, DC Kohima, Shanavas C has informed the general public and the churches of Kohima that around 800 polling team vehicles would arrive at DC Office Complex on February 26 and 27 and for which the area starting from Razhu Point junction via Old NST and via D Block till TCP gate would be declared as “NO

PARKING ZONE” for smooth passage of vehicles carrying polling teams and security personnel. The DC informed that this measure has been necessitated due to the shifting of the location of election duty vehicles from local ground to IG Stadium and appealed to the general public, especially the churches to cooperate by complying with No Parking Zone directives on February 26 and make necessary arrangements accordingly as the Polling teams will start arriving from IG Stadium to DC Office Complex from 7 a.m. onwards.

DIMAPUR: Returning Officer to the 41-Tizit (ST) A/C and ADC Tizit, Keyirangding Hegui, held a briefing with the party representative and agents of all three candidates under 41-Tizit A/C at his office chamber on February 13.

According to DIPRreport, during the session, the agents were informed about the process and procedures of Absentee Voter, Service Voter and Election Duty Certificate and the number of voters who have applied so far.

Highlighting the importance of the Election Expenditure Account, RO reminded the gathering to be cautious while maintaining the same. While briefing on the election model code of conduct, the agents were reminded to seek all necessary permission on time so that there will be no violation of the model code of conduct and also urged all the representatives for their cooperation for the smooth conduct of the election

NEWS IN BRIEF

All India Bengali Literary Conference, Dimapur elects new office bearers: Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan (All India Bengali Literary Conference), Dimapur branch in its general meeting on February at Pranab Jubilee Auditorium, Dimapur and nominated a new committee after dissolving the previous one w.e.f. February 12 in presence of All India General Secretary, Anil Kumar Dhar, president state committee, Bidhan Debroy, president Bengali Samaj Dimapur, Kamala Kanta Paul and host of dignitaries and members. In the meeting Monoj Bhattacharjee was elected as the president of the newly formed committee along with other office bearers. IT department is AADHAAR AUA of Nagaland: Department of Information Technology & Communication has been mandated to become the Aadhaar Authentication User Agency (AUA) for the State of Nagaland. All other departments using online applications, including DBT schemes, requiring the authentication of Aadhaar for verification and service delivery will be done as a sub-AUA under that of the Department of Information Technology & Communication.

School from primary to elementary level, Diphupar ‘A’, 4th Mile, near Central

Jail and Dove Cot School, Seithekema Basa. In the next meeting, the house has decided to discuss and approve the recognition of Vihoshe Village under the Dhansiripar sub-division of Chumoukedima.

Elder Line Nagaland (National Helpline for Senior Citizens) also presented a slide show where they highlighted their vision, mission, operation, and services. The State helpline operates a call center which is operational from Monday to Sunday (8 am to 8

pm), Elder Line -Toll-Free No.14567.

The elder line Nagaland will further give a presentation on legal issues as informed by the DC in the next DPDB meeting.

Further, DC informed the members to contribute in the next DPDB meeting, as agreed in the last DPDB meeting to support and encourage one TB patient to complete their treatment and for government to achieve the target of TB elimination by the year 2025.

NTCA, SBTA declare support to CEM

DIMAPUR (NPN): Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA) and Sümi Baptist Theological Association (SBTA) have declared its support to Clean Election Movement (CEM) under the aegis of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC).

To increase awareness about the movement, the association said it held a meet on the theme “Christians and Politics” during its 19th Annual Meet at AGC at Zubza on November 5 and 6, 2022 where the theological community and the citizens concerned were made aware of the code of conduct laid by Election Commission of India (ECI). In a statement, NTCA also called upon the theological community and citizens of the land to be a part of CEM. It also appealed to people not to sell their votes for money, do away with dual voter ID cards, avoid proxy voting, not to intimidate or get involved in booth capturing and not to support clan, village or family’s diktat to support a particular candidate, besides stressing on following the code of conduct issued by ECI. During the annual meet, the association said it pointed out that there was nothing wrong or different between politics and Christian values, but the problem lay in electoral roll where even Christian held on to double voter ID cards. According to NTCA, the public needed to be made aware of their voting right and to take the issue in line with Christian values. It pointed out that due to corrupt political system, there was a spiritual bankruptcy, therefore there was a need for another alternative. NTCA mentioned that CEM sought to illuminate the conscience of the faithful, particularly those involved in election, so that their actions could benefit humanity. It appealed to all to promote Christian principles, and the

common good by actively participating in the election. The association said there was a need for a leader who would stand for love and sacrifice and focused on problems and issues, including unequal distribution of wealth. It underlined that the church should initiate theological education that would taught people to say no to corrupt money. The association reiterated its stand that the church and political community should serve the people, though they were independent of each other and self -governing. However, it called for cooperation between the two in the service of humanity. “This common purpose will mean that the church and political community will share a common ground in their pursuit for a more just society. The church has the right and duty to provide opinion on temporal matters,” the statement added.

SBTA: Sümi Baptist Theological Association (SBTA) has encouraged people to avoid buying and selling votes. In a press note, SBTA pastor Tsutokha Swu said that the association also prepared some points for the upcoming Assembly election and urged voters to adhere to these points. Accordingly, SBTA insisted that one must be over the age of 18 years to vote, should have a single voter card and voters not defile themselves by selling their rightful vote. Further, the association called for voting according to one’s conscience rather than on the pressure of others, prioritising future rather than self-interest, not to be swayed by the tide of money, not to vote for backdoor appointments, only vote for uprising Nagaland rather than specific candidate, not to use alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances during the election and not to sell their votes because doing so was equivalent to selling their rights.

Clean Election Campaign launch by District Administration Mon in collaboration with BAptist Pastor’s Fellowship Mon at Helipad Ground, Mon on Feb 13. (DIPR)

DC & Vice Chairmen, DPDB, Abhinav Shivam, addressing the DPDB meeting at DC’s conference hall. (DIPR)

Zeliang, Tovihoto kick off campaign

Zhimo and host of BJP officials of BJP Mandal, 1 Dimapur-I A/C thanked the electorates of the constituency for reposing confidence on him and electing him in the past two terms.

Common platform for 19 Phek, 14 SA-I ACs

Correspondent

H. Tovihoto Ayemi T.R. Zeliang

DIMAPUR: Former chief minister and NDPP candidate of 7 Peren A/C, T.R. Zeliang and BJP candidate of 1 Dimapur-I Assembly Constituency, H. Tovihoto Ayemi kicked started their election campaign on Monday in Jalukie and Dimapur respectively.

T.R. Zeliang: Zeliang asserted that the BJP-NDPP alliance will form the next government under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio and expressed confidence that NDPP will win more than 30 seats and alliance partner BJP will win more than 10 seats. He said this while kicking off his election campaign at GHSS ground, Jalukie town on February 13. He said in 2018 election, the support of Independent and other political parties were needed to form the government but this time the support of smaller parties

in the state including Independent will not be needed as BJP-NDPP alliance will secure the absolute majority. Zeliang also claimed that there was no certainty in NPF. He said the BJP has also agreed to form the next government under Neiphiu Rio for a stable government.

On the seat sharing between BJP and NDPP, Zeliang said the seat sharing was for the benefit of the Nagas as Nagaland depend on Centre. Zeliang, who is also the chairman of UDA claimed that he joined NDPP under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio to pursue the Naga solution and to form a stable and strong government in the event of no solution.

Expressing gratitude to NDPP leadership for issuing him the party ticket, Zeliang said the vision of the NDPP was to form stable government and for

all round development. Delivering short speech, Iherie Ndang, who contested against T.R. Zeliang on NDPP ticket in 2018 said that this time in the greater interest of the district, he joined hands with Zeliang. He therefore reminded the gathering that there was no need to fight among them but should work together for the development of the district. Vice president CEC NDPP, Charles Sekhose in his speech highlighted the vision of the party and asserted that presence of matured and experienced leaders in BJP-NDPP will achieve the vision which has not been accomplished. He said the party will be taken forward by these matured leaders.

Tovihoto: Tovihoto accompanied by his chief agent Zasivikho Zakiesatou, campaign director, Hokuto

He said BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought tremendous change throughout the country including Nagaland and the people of 1 Dimapur-I A/C. He assured that the BJP would continue to do the same, working for the upliftment of the people even in the days.

Asserting that peace is prerequisite for development and progress of any society, the BJP candidate maintained that he has always given special emphasis on peace and development of the society and added that public of the constituency are the witness to the work done for the constituency and the prevalence of peace. He assured to continue to stand for public of the constituency and shall work together for peace, harmony and development of the constituency.

BJP workers of the constituency, leaders of the respective wards and colonies also spoke on the occasion acknowledging the commitment of Tovihoto and the works done by him for the constituency in the past two terms.

DVC adopts resolution for assembly polls

DIMAPUR: Darogapathar Village Council (DVC) at its meeting passed several resolutions for strict compliance in the ensuing assembly election 2023.

In a press release, DVC chairman K. Ado Bizo, Secretary I. Akum Jamir and Head G.B Yashimeren Ao stated that the council has prohibited interference from outsiders in the village political activi-

NEXT POLL

ties within the jurisdiction during the election times and on the polling day.

EVC restricted any contesting political parties from operating political/ youth camps and putting up of political banners and posters within village jurisdiction and political canvassing by any political parties should be conduct in a peaceful manner. In regard, DVC has

entrusted the Darogapathar Youth Organization (DYO) to monitor all the above activities to safeguard and provide a secure environment within the village jurisdiction. Further, DVC made it clear that the resolution has been made to conduct free and fair election and wished all contesting members of Ghaspani 4 A/C the very best of luck.

Declaration of Nuklutoshi’s candidature

agricultural innovations for self-sustenance of the agro-villages. Longkumer also promised to focussed proper communication infrastructure for broader prosperity.

Earlier, short speeches were delivered by NPP National General Secretary, New Delhi and MLA Manipur & NPP Northeast in-charge, M Rameshwar Singh, NPP National Secretary New Delhi, Sushil Huldrom and a host of NPP State and district NPP frontals.

Correspondent

MOKOKCHUNG, FEB 13 (NPN): The intending candidate from the 22 Arkakong A/C, former minister, Nuklutoshi Longkumer, on Monday declared his candidature to contest with the NPP ticket, at Yaongyimsen Yimchen Mepu.

Declaring his candidature, Nuklutoshi Longkumer stated that he had always stood for wishes of the people (while he represented as an MLA of the constituency). He promised, to do further, if elected, to fulfil his vision of providing more legitimate jobs for the youth and bring about modern

KOHIMA, FEB 13 (NPN): Dzülhami village council under 19th Phek Assembly Constituency on Monday, organized a common platform programme for the intending candidates including Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu from NPF, Zachilhu Vadeo from Congress and Kupota Khesoh from NDPP. While a common platform for the intending candidates of 14 Southern Angami-I A/C was held at Mima village for the two candidates from the constituency including independent candidate Kevipodi Sophie and NDPP candidate Medo Yhokha.

19th Phek Assembly Constituency: Taking the stage, Azo Nienu called for free and fair election to be practiced and let no hatred spread among the candidates and appealed that the Naga people should follow the call for clean election if they want change. He said NPF was contesting the election with the hope that if voted to power, Naga people would have a hope in the face of difficulty, injustice, nepotism, tribalism, favouritism, trust deficit, multiple taxation or extortion and for a better future. He also asserted that if the party was part of the formation of next Government, it would be their priority to address the unemployment problem by encouraging and promoting private sector employment and private entrepreneurship for the youths. He maintained that the NPF top programme for the students was to reward free laptop to all the students from class 12, subsidy for students for all meritorious students for higher education, stream-

line healthcare system and produce effective services for the needy.

He asserted that no political party would secure absolute majority to form the next Government and that NPF had reduce the allotment of tickets distribution to 22 so that it would produce the best result.

NDPP candidate, Kupota Khesoh in his speech said that he represents the party which was to form the next Government and that he stands as candidate to change the constituency to a better one.

He said he was representing for the change in the constituency and if the people elected him, he would emphasize on the improvement of the rural economy. He highlighted that, his main focus would be on development of the rural areas, agri and allied field and asserted for the upliftment of the education system in the area.

Veteran Congress leader and former Minister, Zachilhu in his speech praised the organizers for the common platform where all the candidates could freely express their minds to the public. He said that after the Congress Government for the 15 years, the rest 20 years governance had witnessed a high corruption rate. He also accused the present Government that due to

corruption in all spheres, development in the state were not visible as all the respective schemes and programmes were not been implemented.

He was of the view that God must have heard the cry of the Naga people for a change in Government and the system, so Congress candidature had come in a big number and maintained that, Congress would form a coalition Government with other party and bring a change in the Naga society.

- I

14 Southern Angami

A/C: Taking the stage, Kevipodi Sophie said he joined the poll race solely with visions to help the people and assured the people that given the chance to represent them he would work without discrimination and give power back to the people.

What kind of power you may ask and that would be if the government allocates any fund, it would be distributed proportionately among the villages so that they would be able to utilise it for their own developmental activities, he said.

He stressed on the need to address the unemployment issue since there were a lot of educated unemployed youths and there were not enough government jobs.

This issue, he said

could be resolved by emphasizing on skill development. He pointed out that the region had enough natural resources, flora, fauna and fertile land which should be harnessed by the youths and be able to earn their livelihood subsequently.

And in order to be able to help educated youths who are looking for avenues for self-sustenance, Sophie said he would formulate ways to assist them by providing financial and logistical assistance.

Sophie also highlighted the need to protect and voice out the concerns over Kezoltsa forest.

Sitting MLA and NDPP candidate Medo Yhokha said he realised there was a need to carry out a lot of works for the constituency as his brief tenure of being their representative through a byelection was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. He said he was seeking for re-election to the 14th NLA with the vision to work for the people and requested the people to accept him so that he would be able to fulfil his aspirations for the people.

Seeking the people’s support, Yhokha said he was willing to be the bridge between the people and the government if they would give him the chance.

He said he had visions for the widows, senior citizens, youths and urged the people to work together.

The programme was chaired by Mima village council chairman, Kamo Leno while invocation was pronounced by pastors of CRC, BRC, Baptist and Catholic churches in the village. Vote of thanks was proposed by Mima GB, Kipfhezo Ngukha.

Exhortation was said by Riongsanger Tatar & GB, Takameren and the function was chaired by NPP 22 Arkakong A/C Women President, Temsunaro.

Later, Nuklutoshi Longkumer’s candidature was declared at Nukshiyim and Liro model village.

The three candidates at the common platform. (NP)

Nuklutoshi Longkumer (2nd from right) along with the NPP functionaries at Yaongyimsen village.

PM seeks vote for guaranteed growth in Tripura

AGARTALA, FEB 13

(PTI): Asserting that there is no family in Tripura which has not received the benefits of BJP’s policies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged the people of the state to vote for the saffron party if they wanted “guaranteed growth peace and prosperity”.

Modi, addressing a rally here in the poll-bound state, also said that the BJP, as a “faithful servant” (sevak), has left no stone unturned to develop the place.

Calling upon people to stay united and vote peacefully, the prime minister said the state, which is witnessing rapid development, will suffer if the Left and the Congress return to power.

“Agartala has become the gateway for international trade in the northeast; the state capital will soon become a business hub.

“If the BJP stays in power, money sent from Delhi will reach the grassroots level, unlike what was the cause under the previous dispensation,” he noted.

The BJP believes in politics of change (badlao), not of revenge (badla), he maintained.

The state received a

Cong releases 10-point ‘chargesheet’ against Meghalaya government

hand with enemies,” he said. Under the BJP regime, people got free ration, piped water, healthcare assistance, houses, universities among other facilities, Modi said.

Listing the initiatives taken by his government, the PM said three lakh homes have been sanctioned for Tripura under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’.

The BJP government has spent more than Rs 500 crore for the welfare of the farmers in Tripura, he noted.

modernised airport and several other infrastructure projects in the last five years, Modi pointed out.

“Work to build National highway, road and railway projects are moving at a rapid pace. The IndoBangla railway will soon be commissioned, and the Maitri Setu in Sabroom, which is connected with the international port of Chittagong, will give a major fillip to trade and business once made operational,” he said.

Lashing out at the Left Front and the Congress, the

NPP ‘failed the people’ of Meghalaya: Sonowal

Correspondent

BYRNIHAT (MEGHALAYA), FEB 13: Union Minister and BJP leader, Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday said the National People’s Party has “failed the people” of Meghalaya because of its “corruption, nepotism and inefficiency” during the past five years.

“The central government provided huge aid and support to the NPP led government but due to corruption and nepotism the NPP failed the people of the state,” Sonowal said at the election rally drumming up support for his party candidate, Riya Sangma from Jirang assembly seat.

He said that “the BJP is the only viable option as it can provide a sustainable solution to eliminate these maladies from the politics of the state.” Stating that India’s northeastern states “came out of its dark past due to the persistent effort by PM Narendra Modi,”

Sonowal said the region from its days of violence and economic indifference and misrule of the Congress has now emerged as the new engine of growth of India.

“The non-stop development of the northeast has propelled the region.

Prime Minister Modi has also given due attention and importance to the development of Meghalaya,” the BJP leader said. The Union minister said that the BJP is committed towards building and strengthening the region further to become the corridor of progress and development.

PM said that the two parties just want to fill their coffers without caring for people’s welfare.

“The Left had taken the state on the brink of destruction with cadre raj visible everywhere, from state departments to police stations. People of Tripura can never forget the chaotic days when Left Front cadres had taken hostage of every aspect of life.

“The Left had considered itself as the king and people of Tripura as slaves. Development took centre stage in Tripura only when

Manipur cops arrest man for duping people

Correspondent IMPHAL, FEB 13: Manipur police arrested a man for allegedly cheating and duping people using social media and collecting money from them.

A team of cyber-crime police station of state police arrested Adil Khan (24) son of Md Islaur Rahman, a resident of LilongSambrukhong of Thoubal district from Kilokri, opposite Maharani Bagh, Delhi on February 10, a police source said on Monday. The police alleged him of impersonating Askar, a resident of LilongSambrukhong of Thoubal to cheat and dupe a number of persons by using social media and transacted the duped money in bank account. He had procured over Rs two lakhs from different victims by impersonation. Cyber-crime police station has registered a case against him for further investigation into his activities, the source added.

Manipur CM Biren Singh flags in organic farming tour to Sikkim

people showed red card to the communists,” he stated at Vivekananda Ground here.

The Left and the Congress can do anything to “satiate their hunger for power”, the prime minister claimed.

“They wrestle in Kerala and forge friendly relations in Tripura. Will those Congress leaders and workers who had suffered ‘red terror’ pardon the Left-Congress understanding? It is the evident that a few leaders of the Left and the Congress don’t hesitate to shake

“I want to assure all those who are yet to get pucca houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana that they will get one after the BJP government takes oath in the state,” the PM said.

Modi contended that people have already made up their mind to vote in favour of the double engine government.

“My happiness doubled on seeing the support being pledged for the double engine government,” he added.

Campaigning by the parties will draw to a close on Tuesday. Elections to the 60-member Assembly in Tripura will be held on February 16. Votes are scheduled to be counted on March 2.

SHILLONG, FEB 13:

The Congress on Monday released a ten-point “chargesheet” against the Conrad Sangma-led government, describing the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government’s rule in the past five years as “The Grand Meghalaya Loot”.

“Nothing can better describe the unprecedented, unabated and unabashed corruption and scams during the last five years of the National People’s Party (NPP)-led MDA government in Meghalaya than these four words,” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera told reporters.

Alleging that the corruption was “not only rampant but also systemic”, Khera said, “The scams, financial irregularities and fraudulent practices across various sectors/departments were unprecedented in its scale and shamelessness and couldn’t have taken place without the knowledge, knowhow and blessings of the Chief Minister (Conrad Sangma).”

Listing outs the 10-point “charge sheet” which includes the assembly dome collapse scam, COVID scam, MUDA scam, Coal scam, Saubhagya scam, Rice scam, Excise/Bond Cartelisation

scam, Casino scam, Friends & Family - Government Contracts scam and Police purchase scam.

“We are just listing 10 scams and financial irregularities in our chargesheet out of the hundreds of such scams which has happened under the MDA regime. The list is endless,” Khera said.

“The Congress government, when it comes to power, will ensure that the perpetrators of what we are calling The Grand Meghalaya Loot are brought to book and the embezzled money recovered from the perpetrators of this grand larceny,” the Congress spokesperson assured.

Mizoram CM presents Rs 14,209 cr zero-deficit budget

AIZAWL, FEB 13 (PTI):

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Monday presented in the assembly a zero-deficit and non-surplus annual budget for the financial year 2023-24 with a total outlay of Rs 14,209.95 crore.

There was no proposal for levying new taxes or hiking the existing tax rates. The chief minister also tabled supplementary demands for the current fiscal (2022-2023) amounting to Rs 3,265.69 crore. The total budget outlay was Rs 14,008 crore in the last financial year.

Zoramthanga, who also holds the finance portfolio, said that emphasis was laid on the Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) and Rs 595 crore was allocated to it for the 2023-24 fiscal.

The SEDP is the flagship programme of the Mizo National Front (MNF) government which aims at bringing sustainable development by accelerating progress in key sectors

through exploration and judicious use of resources.

“Out of Rs 595 crore, I commit to allocate Rs 300 crore under family-oriented SEDP for the year 202324,” Zoramthanga, who also holds the finance portfolio, said while presenting the budget.

Under the familyoriented programme, the government has made an arrangement to distribute monetary assistance of Rs 50,000 each to 60,000 families during the current fiscal and the first instalment of the assistance amounting to Rs 25,000 each has been already disbursed to 5,996 beneficiaries, Zoramthanga said.

Nadda to release BJP manifesto for Meghalaya polls on Feb 15

Correspondent

SHILLONG, FEB 13: BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda, who is scheduled to arrive here in poll-bound Meghalaya Today, will release the election manifesto for Meghalaya on February 15, a party official said on Monday.

MANIPUR, FEB 13

(AGENCIES): CM Biren

flags in organic farming tour to Sikkim

CM N Biren Singh attends flag in programme of OP Sadbhavana 2022-23

Imphal: Manipur

Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday flagged in ‘OP Sadbhavana 202223’, a 10-day organic farming education tour from Sajik Tampak to Sikkim, at Mantripukhri in Impha, reports Eastmojo.

OP Sadbhavna, which comprises a team of 20 farmers from Kana Valley in Chandel district, was flagged off from Sajik Tampak to Gangtok on February 4 under the aegis of HQ IGAR(S).

Speaking at the event, CM Biren Singh lauded the efforts of Assam Rifles for

promoting organic farming in border areas. “Organic farming is an important part of ‘War on Drugs’ as it provides a means for alternative farming. The participants will help promote organic farming in the state and also educate the public about its benefits,” the chief minister said.

CM Biren also expressed his gratitude to Sikkim government for providing opportunity to the farmers of Manipur for learning various aspects of organic farming. The chief minister also laid emphasis on generating public awareness about the benifits of organic approach to agriculture. The tour was organised to enlighten and expose the young farmers of the state on organic

farming.

During their maiden visit to Sikkim, the farmers were provided knowldge on various chemical-free organic farming techniques. During the tour programme, a series of presentation and field visits to various organic farms were also organised by the Agriculture and Horticulture Department of Sikkim.

Besides, the farmers also got an oppurtunity to interact with Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad Chaurasia in Gangtok.

The farmers, through OP Sadbhavana, were able to gain practical knowledge on organic ways of soil testing, pests controll and harvesting techniques. They also gained knowlege on the emerging markets for organic products.

Soon after his arrival, Nadda will address public rallies and chair various important organisational meetings with senior party leaders. He will also address an election rally at Jhalupara Taxi Stand ground to drum up support for State party president, Ernest Mawrie who is contesting from West Shillong assembly constitu-

JP Nadda

ency. Nadda will release the Sankalp Patra (manifesto) of the BJP for Meghalaya Assembly elections at Taj Vivanta, Shillong. It was also informed that the BJP president will have lunch with eminent personalities and then interact with the business community.

Another earthquake hits Assam

GU WAHATI, FEB 13 (PTI): An earthquake of 3.2 magnitude hit central Assam on Monday, an official bulletin said.

The quake was recorded at 11.57 am, epicentred at Hojai in Nagaon district on southern bank of Brahmaputra, at a depth of 10 km, the National Center for Seismology said. On Sunday afternoon, an earthquake of 4 magnitude struck the same area in Nagaon district.

The precise epicentre of Monday’s earthquake is around 180 km east from Guwahati, near Hojai town.

People in the neighbouring West Karbi Anglong, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Dima Hasao and Morigaon districts also felt the jolt. Sonitpur on the northern bank of Brahmaputra too felt the tremor. The earthquake could be felt in some areas in south-western part of Nagaland. There was no immediate report of any injury to anyone or damage to any property. The northeastern region is in the high seismic zone, making earthquakes frequently hit the region.

“Money (Rs 25,000 each for beneficiary) has been sanctioned for the second instalment, which will be disbursed during the current fiscal,” the chief minister told a press conference after presenting the annual budget and supplementary demands.

At the press conference, Zoramthanga claimed that the state economy has been paralysed by the nonreceipt of share of Central taxes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the government did not receive its share of taxes amounting to over Rs 3,000 crore in the last two fiscals - 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Of the total Rs

14,209.95 crore budget, 21.90 per cent (Rs 3,141.19 crore) has been earmarked for capital expenditure and 78.10 per cent (Rs 11,068.76 crore) for revenue expenditure, he said.

While capital expenditure is meant for the creation of assets for the public, revenue expenditure covers mainly salaries and wages, pension expenses, interest payments and power purchases, among others.

The chief minister said that the new budget is a zero-deficit as well as a non-surplus budget as the amount estimated for total receipts is exactly equal to the estimated total expenditures.

Rs 60 crore has been allocated to MLA Local Area Development Fund. To continue helping meritorious students prepare for All India Service and other Central Service examinations, the chief minister set aside Rs 50 lakh.

The government also proposed to allocate Rs 1.20

crore for higher and technical education for meeting the management requirements of various colleges in the state.

“The government is currently providing free sponsorship to 35 civil service aspirants,” said Mizoram Youth Commission chairman Vanlaltanpuia.

According to the chief minister, the State’s Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) in the new fiscal is exto increase by 35.32 per cent from the current fiscal and that of the State’s Own Non-tax Revenue (SONTR) by Rs 60.57 crore.

He said that state GST is expected to be the main component of the SOTR.

“The state needs to strive for exploring more space for earning additional revenues as our obligations for revenue expenditure is surging while our much relied upon source - Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grants is about to fade out in the near future,” he said.

Former Mnp minister’s son found dead

Correspondent

IMPHAL, FEB 13: Son of a former Manipur minister who went missing on way back home in Imphal from Senapati district headquarters was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a hilly terrace in Kangpokpi district, the police said on Monday.

Family as well as locals suspected involvement of his girlfriend. They formed a joint action committee (JAC) against the brutal murder and set a 24-hour deadline to the government to book the culprit(s).

Police recovered the dead body of 41 year-old AkoijamNongamba, son of late Pilot AK Langam, a former minister from a place in the hilly terrace at Changaoubung village, 3 kilometer from Kangpokpi police station of Kangpokpi district on Sunday, around 2.30 pm.

Both father and mother of the deceased were former ministers of the state.

As per a police report, he went to Senapati district headquarters along with his co-worker for a project work there in a car on February 11. Leaving behind his co-worker, Akoijam Nongamba left the district headquarters in the afternoon of the same day and went missing on the way.

A team of Kangpokpi district police who rushed to

the spot after being informed about a dead body lying in the hilly terrace near Changaoubung village recovered the dead body later identified as that of the former minister’s son.

The police transferred the dead body to RIMS morgue, Imphal for necessary legal procedure before handing it over to the family.

There were various bruise marks of hitting from something like blunt weapons all over the body of the deceased, the police said, suspecting he was murdered.

The police also registered a case and initiated an investigation. As a part of investigation, the police recorded the statement of his girlfriend and some villagers of the village where the dead body was found.

A family source said that on that fateful day, Nongamba was picked up by his girlfriend in her car from his home at Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai of Imphal West district. When he failed to come back home till late (on February 11), the family members informed the police.

Meanwhile, locals of KwakeithelKonjengLeikai area where the deceased hailed from today formed a joint action committee and set a 24-hour deadline to the government to book the culprit(s) involved in the alleged murder case. The JAC claimed that

it was a murder case and the police should interrogate his co-worker and also girlfriend to find the clue leading to the murder of Nongamba. They identified his girlfriend as Thokchom Sonia.

The dead body will not be accepted until and unless the culprit(s) is booked, the JAC warned.

While taking the decision, at a public meeting held today, the JAC also warned of launching various forms of agitation if the state government failed to address the demands.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, JAC convener ThounaojamAshalata said that there were full of suspects to the circumstances of the death of Nongamba. She asked under what circumstance the deceased Nongamba left his co-worker behind at Senapati alone and returned to Imphal alone.

By saying she knew nothing about the death of Nongamba, Sonia (his girlfriend) should not be set free. Besides, why did she not inform Nongamba’s family even though she has the information regarding the lying dead of Nongamba at a place in Kangpokpi district?

She should be arrested and interrogated to know the truth behind the murder Nongamba, the convener demanded.

PM Narendra Modi with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and others during an election campaign rally ahead of the Tripura Assembly elections, in Agartala. (PTI)

Congress Spokesperson Pawan Khera with others during the press conference.

CM Zoramthanga addressing a press conference after presenting the annual budget.

Sarbananda Sonowal

CM N Biren Singh attends flag in programme of OP Sadbhavana 2022-23

SNIPPETS

Teen boy held for rape, murder of 6-yr-old girl

SHIVPURI, FEB 13

(PTI): A 15-year-old boy who “frequently watched porn movies on his mobile phone” has been held for allegedly raping and murdering a 6-year-old girl in Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh, a police official said on Monday. “She was last seen with the 15-yearboy, after which he was apprehended and interrogated. He confessed to having lured her to a desolate place and raping her. He killed her when she started raising an alarm,” the SP said.

Rajnath praises defence prowess

neurial spirit and capability of the private sector partners in the area of defence.

Singh voiced the government’s resolve of nurturing a vibrant and worldclass defence manufacturing industry, terming it the key driver of the Indian economy.

BENGALURU, FEB 13

Student dies in IIT Bombay; Suicide, caste discrimination alleged

in the day.

Man robs bank of Rs 5.23

lakh at gunpoint

JAIPUR, FEB 13 (PTI):

An masked man on Monday robbed Rs 5.23 lakh at gunpoint from a bank in Kishangarh town of Ajmer district, police said. The incident happened at Adarsh Cooperative Bank in the afternoon, when a man with his face covered barged into the bank and forced the cashier to give him the cash he had on him at gunpoint, they said.

Woman and foetus die due to negligence

PALGHAR, FEB 13

(PTI): A woman from Palghar in Maharashtra died with her foetus in an ambulance on way to Silvassa allegedly after she failed to get timely treatment at a state-run hospital in the tribal-dominated district, about 115 km away from Mumbai, prompting authorities to order a probe, an official said on Monday.

Body of Indian man killed in Turkey brought home, cremated

KOTDWAR, FEB 13

(PTI): The body of 36-year-old Vijay Kumar Gaud, who died in last week’s devastating earthquake in Turkiye, was flown to Delhi on Monday morning and cremated in Kotdwar. Gaud’s body was handed over to his family members in Delhi who then brought it to Muktidham here for the last rites, Devendra Nawani, a relative, told PTI. Gaud is survived by his wife and a six-year-old son.

Woman harassed,

beaten for dowry ends life

MUMBAI, FEB 13 (PTI):

A 34-year--old woman allegedly committed suicide in her home in Bandra in Mumbai over dowry harassment, following which her husband and his father were arrested, a police official said on Monday. Pinky Chawla ended her life in her Khatik Wadi locality last week by consuming poison, after which her father filed a complaint alleging his daughter was being harassed for dowry at her marital home, the Nirmal Nagar police station official said.

12 South African Cheetahs To Land In India On Saturday

BHOPAL, FEB 13 (PTI):

After months of delay, a dozen wild cheetahs from South Africa will finally arrive around 12 noon on Saturday in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park (KNP), where eight such felines were brought from Namibia last year, a wildlife expert associated with India’s cheetah revival project said on Monday. These big cats - seven males and five femaleswill embark on journey to their new home thousands of miles away aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft from the OR Tambo International Airport, Gauteng, South Africa on Friday evening, the project participant and expert told PTI.

(PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday conveyed to the top honchos of Indian and global aerospace majors that India does not want to remain an “assembly workshop” for military platforms and asserted that it now aims to produce cutting-edge defence hardware.

Singh made the remarks while addressing a “CEOs’ Roundtable” at the 14th edition of Aero India at the Yelahanka Air Force station complex on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

In his address, the defence minister called upon the industry leaders to support India’s aspirations to become a leading manufacturer of key military platforms and equipment using critical technologies, in sync

with the country’s policy of attaining self-reliance in defence production.

Around 70 top executives of various companies attended the roundtable.

Assuring the industry leaders of all necessary support for doing business in India, Singh said the government-industry partnership is based on equality and mutual trust.

He stressed that indigenisation is the mantra for today’s India, unlike in the past when import was the default option. He also extended the government’s full support towards removing “obstacles” and facilitating businesses.

The five-day Aero India, considered Asia’s biggest aerospace event, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier

In his address, Modi said India has rejuvenated its defence production in the last eight-nine years and it will now move fast to join the world’s largest defencemanufacturing countries, riding on favourable economic policies.

At the roundtable, Singh said India does not want to remain just an “assembly workshop” and is looking to engage with friendly countries in defence and security, based on sharing expertise and capabilities, in accordance with the prime minister’s “Make in India, Make for the World” vision.

He told the industry leaders that the government is open to new ideas and committed to fully harnessing the energy, entrepre -

Stock manipulation in past probed by JPCs, why is govt refusing now? Cong

NEW DELHI, FEB 13

(PTI): The Congress on Monday asked the government why it was “stubbornly refusing” to order a joint parliamentary committee probe into the Hindenburg report on the Adani group when earlier too stock market manipulations had been probed by JPCs.

Congress general secretary communications Jairam Ramesh asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi feared being “personally implicated” by a truly independent investigation.

Posing a set of three questions to the prime minister as part of the “Hum Adani ke Hain Kaun” series, he tweeted, “Does he think we had run out of questions for him, on this ‘maha mega scam’ he facilitated and that took place under his nose with his eyes wide open”.

The Congress leader said both Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party-led governments have in the past agreed to set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate largescale cases of stock market

Rahulattacks Modioverhisalleged linkwithAdani

He enumerated a number of far-reaching reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence to create a business-friendly climate in the country.

These include setting up defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, simplification of industrial-licensing processes, a hike in the cap on foreign direct investment in defence, opening government trial-and-testing facilities for the private sector and an increase in the capital outlay for defence in the Union Budget 2023-24.

Singh also referred to the launch of the “Technology Development Fund” and “Innovations for Defence Excellence” to promote research and development. He said these reforms will enable Indian defence products to compete with the established global defence and aerospace companies.

MUMBAI, FEB 13 (AGENCIES): An 18-yearold student of IIT Bombay died apparently after he jumped from the seventh floor of his hostel building at the institute’s campus in Powai on Sunday afternoon. There was no suicide note and the police have registered a case of accidental death. Investigations, though are on, with a student group alleging that he was driven to suicide due to discrimination against Scheduled Caste students on the campus, reports India News.

The police said Darshan Solanki, a BTech student, was from Ahmedabad. He had enrolled for the course three months ago and his first semester exams concluded on Saturday. The Powai police are trying to find out if pressure of studies drove the student to take the extreme step.

In a note to students, Institute Director Subhasis Chaudhuri said: “We regret to inform the loss of a firstyear student in a tragic incident this afternoon. Powai police is investigating the case. The parents of the student have been informed and they are on their way. We deeply mourn the death

Students hold candle light vigil in memory of the deceased student.

of the student and pray that the family gets the strength to bear this loss. May his soul rest in peace.”

The APPSC (Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle) IIT Bombay, tweeted:

“We mourn the loss of an 18 year old dalit student, Darshan Solanki, who joined @iitbombay 3 months back for his BTech. We must understand that this is not a personal/individualised issue, but an institutional murder”.

IIT-Bcondolesdeath ofDalitstudent, ordersprobe

The IIT-Bombay on Monday condoled the death by suicide of B.Tech. First Year Dalit student, Darshan Solanki, terming it as “a

great loss to the family and to the IITB community.

In its first reaction, the IIT-B said: “It is unfortunate that such a loss could not be prevented despite the efforts of the Institute and Student Mentors to support our students. A committee has been constituted to investigate the incident.”

The IIT-B held a condolence meeting and observed two minutes of silence in memory of the departed soul, said a spokesperson. In a shocking incident, Solanki, 18, jumped to his death from the 7th floor of his hostel building in the Powai Campus on Sunday afternoon, after his first semester exams for the Chemical Engineering course a day earlier.

Govt defends ex-SC judge’s appointment as governor

NEW DELHI, FEB 13

manipulation.

In 1992, he said, a JPC was set up to look into the Harshad Mehta case while in 2001 a JPC investigated the Ketan Parekh case. Both Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee as prime ministers had the confidence and trust in elected representatives to investigate scams that affected crores of Indian investors.

“What are you afraid of? Do you fear that a truly independent investigation might implicate you personally in the Adani Group’s wrongdoings,” Ramesh asked. He also alleged that “the government is turning a blind eye to fresh collusion between (stockbroker Ketan) Parekh and the Adani Group”.

Delhi mayoral poll: Nominated members can’t vote, observes SC

NEW DELHI, FEB 13 (PTI): Nominated members of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) cannot vote in the mayoral election and the constitutional provision is “very clear” on that, the Supreme Court observed on Monday.

As a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud posted for Friday the hearing on a plea filed by AAP mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi seeking early holding of the mayoral poll, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for the office of Delhi lieutenant governor, said the February 16 poll would be postponed to a date after February 17.

“Nominated members cannot go for election. The constitutional provision is very clear,” the bench, also comprising Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, orally observed.

“Nominated members should not vote. That is very well settled. It is very clear Mr Jain,” the CJI told the ASG.

However, Jain said he would argue on this aspect. Advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for Oberoi,

told the bench that the petitioner is seeking two directions -- nominated members should not be permitted to vote and the elections of mayor, deputy mayor and standing committee be separated.

The apex court had on February 8 sought responses of the LG office, pro tem presiding officer Satya Sharma of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and others on Oberoi’s plea.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, had pointed out that the MCD House was convened three times but the election of the mayor was not held.

“We have several objections including that the pro tem presiding officer of the MCD is insisting on holding elections for mayor, deputy mayor and members of standing committee all at once. This is contrary to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act,” he had said.

Singhvi had said the other issue is the voting rights of nominated members of the House and it needs to be adjudicated.

Launching a scathing attack on the Prime Minister over his alleged link with business tycoon Gautam Adani, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the PM “thinks that he is very powerful, but he doesn’t realise that the absolute last thing that I am scared of is Narendra Modi.” Recalling the speech he had made in Parliament recently in which he had raised certain matters pertaining to the Hindenburg report on the Adani Group of companies, Gandhi, while addressing Congress workers in his constituency, said he was asked to show proof with regard to what he had said.

“...and I have written to the Speaker with every single point they have removed and supporting proof,” Gandhi said. A major part of Gandhi’s address during a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks on the President’s address was removed.

(AGENCIES): In an apparent swipe at the Congress after it questioned the appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge as a governor, the government defended the appointment retired Supreme Court judge S Abdul Nazeer as the governor of Andhra Pradesh.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said the “whole ecosystem” is once again in “full swing” over the issue. They should better understand that they can no longer treat India as their “personal fiefdom”, the minister said on Sunday, without naming anyone.

The government on Sunday appointed six new faces as governors, including Justice S Abdul Nazeer (retd), who was part of the historic 2019 Ayodhya verdict, and four BJP leaders, besides carrying out a rejig of the gubernatorial posts in seven states.

Nazeer has been appointed as the governor of Andhra Pradesh.

The Congress attacked the government over Nazeer’s appointment and called the move a “great threat” to the independence

of the judiciary.

Taking to Twitter, Rijiju said India will be guided by the provisions of the Constitution.

“The Whole Eco-system is once again in full swing on the appointment of a Governor. They should better understand that, they can no more treat India as their personal fiefdom. Now, India will be guided by the people of India as per the provisions of the Constitution of India,” the minister tweeted.

Nazeer, who retired on January 4, was part of several path-breaking verdicts, including those on the politically sensitive Ayodhya land dispute, instant ‘triple talaq’ and the one that held the right to privacy to be a fundamental right.

Qualified person can be given any post: Anurag

Soren slams BJP over rise of inflation

RANCHI, FEB 13 (PTI): Launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre over price rise and unemployment, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday said that the saffron party had once termed inflation as ‘dayan’ (witch) but it appears to have become the party’s ‘bhaujai’ (sisterin-law).

Addressing a public rally as part of ‘Khatiyani Johar Yatra’ in Chatra district, Soren alleged that the BJP ruled Jharkhand for 20 years but did not let any tribal CM complete his term, and when another tribal is now at the helm of the state, the saffron party is trying to topple his government.

“The party, which made a hue and cry over the slightest rise in prices (during UPA rule), is now silent when an LPG cylinder costs over Rs 1,000 and a litre of petrol more than Rs 100. At that time, they saw inflation as ‘dayan’ (witch). Now, it appears that inflation has become their ‘bhaujai’ (sister-inlaw),” Soren said. The CM alleged that the Opposition in the state

is hatching a conspiracy to topple his government as it does not want Jharkhand to progress.

“They (BJP) ruled Jharkhand for 20 years but the state remained one of the most backward in the country. They also ruled Gujarat and Maharashtra but those states went ahead while Jharkhand was pushed back as no tribal was allowed to complete his term as the CM.

“The first chief minister of Jharkhand was a tribal but he was removed from the post before completing three years. Later, another tribal was made the CM but he too was not allowed to remain in the post for more than three years.

Now, another tribal is at the helm of the state and they are conspiring to topple the government,” he said.

Lashing out at the BJP over “rising unemploy -

ment”, he claimed that job opportunities in defence forces, banks and railways have shrunk.

“Earlier, sons of farmers and labourers used to join defence forces but now, Agniveer scheme has been introduced which guarantees employment for only four years.

“Educated children of farmers and labourers used to join banks and railways but now the number of banks has been reduced and railways are being privatised,” he said.

Soren said that when his government had framed the ‘Khatiyan’ or land records-based legislation to provide employment to locals, it was termed unconstitutional, while the Centre also “remains silent” on the Sarna code issue.

Responding to the allegations, BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo claimed that the CM made “hollow remarks” over price rise and unemployment.

“When the Centre reduced the cost of petrol by Rs 10 per litre, and asked the states to reduce VAT to provide more relief to the people, Jharkhand refused to do so.

Thakur on retired SC judge Nazeer’s appointment as AP governor Lauding the decision of naming retired Supreme Court judge S Abdul Nazeer as the governor of Andhra Pradesh, Union minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur said that any qualified person can be given any post and his ability should not be questioned.

Responding to a query on the appointment of Nazeer, Thakur, who holds Sports, and Information & Broadcasting portfolios, said, “Any ‘kabil’ (qualified) person can be given any post. That person’s ability should not be questioned”.

Thakur didn’t respond to queries on the Hindenburg Research report which had alleged stock manipulation by Adani Group, a charge denied by the Gautam Adani-led conglomerate.

Nazeer, who retired on January 4, was part of several path-breaking verdicts, including those on the politically sensitive Ayodhya land dispute, instant ‘triple talaq’ and the one that held the right to privacy to be a fundamental right.

The government on

Sunday appointed six new faces as governors and four BJP leaders, besides carrying out a rejig of the gubernatorial posts in seven states.

Andhra Pradesh’s ruling party YSR Congress on Monday dismissed as “illfounded” the objections of the opposition parties over appointment of retired Supreme Court judge Justice S. Abdul Nazeer as the state’s Governor.

YSRCP Parliamentary Party leader V. Vijayasai Reddy said that all eminent citizens have equal right to become Governor.

“Objections of the opposition on Justice Abdul Nazeer’s appointment as the Governor of AP are illfounded. Article 157 is clear on the qualifications for the appointment of Governor. All eminent citizens have an equal right to become a Governor of a State,” tweeted the Rajya Sabha member.

The Congress had on Sunday criticised the appointment of Justice Nazeer as the Governor. Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi alleged that this is being made a tradition which is wrong.

Will send PM a copy: Rajasthan CM Gehlot hits back at Modi

Sayshisstatebudget ‘model’forcountry

JAIPUR, FEB 13 (PTI):

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday called his state budget a “model” for others to follow and offered to send a copy to the Centre, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi poked fun over a goof-up during his Budget presentation.

At a rally in Rajasthan’s Dausa on Sunday, Modi had picked on a blunder at the Rajasthan Budget presentation Friday, when Gehlot mistakenly read portions of the last year’s budget in the assembly. The PM taunted that the Congress lacks vision and its announcements remain just on paper. Gehlot said he rectified his mistake within “34 seconds”, and claimed that the BJP is rattled by his government’s performance in the Congress-run state that goes to the polls this year-end. “I can send the copy of the Budget to the prime minister and he can send it to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They will realise that our budget

is a model budget,” the Rajasthan CM told PTI. “The budget we presented in Rajasthan can become a model budget for the country. We have taken care of all sections, all families. I can claim that such a budget is rare,” he added. During the interview, the chief minister also played down divisions within the Congress in Rajasthan, where he and his former deputy Sachin Pilot have been at loggerheads. Pilot had led a rebellion in 2020 for change of leadership in the state. Reacting to Modi’s charge at the Dausa rally that the Congress did not carry out infrastructure development in border areas fearing that the enemy might use the new roads to advance into Indian territory, the CM accused the prime minister of ignoring the work done in the past.

Rajnath Singh in a group photo during CEOs Round Table at the Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. (PTI)

Ashok Gehlot

Hemant Soren

Jairam Ramesh

Kiren Rijiju

Cow Hug Day

Over the past decade, as India’s economy has opened up, Valentine’s Day – which originated as a Christian feast day - has become an increasingly popular occasion among young people, boosted by vigorous mass marketing campaigns featuring bouquets of flowers, teddy bears, heart-shaped gifts and flamboyant romantic gestures. However, after 2014 there has been a more vigorous and muscular form of nationalist politics that has taken hold in India, where westernised holidays and traditions such as Valentine’s Day have increasingly drawn a backlash for promoting “corrupt” values. Decisions with regard to deifying the religious practices of the majority community and which have often caused serious concerns of law and order as these only give a handle to fringe elements to “impose” a Taliban like code. In India, February 14 has been declared as “Cow Hug Day,” as announced bythe Animal Welfare Board of India. The AWB called cows the “backbone of Indian culture and rural economy” and also “the giver of all, providing riches to humanity” due to its “nourishing nature.,” The AWB, a statutory body that advises India’s Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has said the push to hug cows was part of an effort to promote “Vedic” or sacred Hindu traditions, which it claimed have been eroded by Western influence. Someone sitting in the AWB had perhaps dreamt that the new Valentine’s Day involving cow would spur a new India. Indeed, so revered are the cows that the Board had planned to rebrand this Valentine’s Day as “Cow Hug Day”, hoping the move would both boost citizens’ “emotional richness” and strike a blow for local heritage over what is seen as a western cultural import. According to the Board, hugging a cow “will bring emotional richness” and “will increase our individual and collective happiness”. The newly declared Cow Hug Day is intended to offset the “dazzle of western civilisation”, which the government said had come at the cost of the older traditions of India. However, better sense perhaps prevailed and thankfully so, when the move appeared to have backfired and abandoned after it prompted a flood of internet memes, cartoons and jokes by TV hosts about the importance of consent. This is not the first time the government has caused a stir with its policies towards cows - the killing or eating of which is considered a sin by many Hindus, who account for about 80% of India’s 1.3 billion people and considered a serious crime inviting imprisonment which may extend to a term of 7 years or with a fine which may extend to Rs. 50,000 OR with both. In practice it has also provided some legitimacy for self-acclaimed cow protectors to assault or even lynch even any person suspected of eating beef or transporting cows.The sale and slaughter of the animal is banned in much of the country and the animals are often left to roam free in the streets and roads looking emaciated, where motorists must take care to avoid hitting them. There have been many laws and schemes made in favour of cows and as years pass, it is hoped better sense will prevail and that logic and respect for human values and rule of law will remain uppermost.

DailyDevotion The Devotion of Hearing

Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” —1 Samuel 3:10

Just because I have listened carefully and intently to one thing from God does not mean that I will listen to everything He says. I show God my lack of love and respect for Him by the insensitivity of my heart and mind toward what He says. If I love my friend, I will instinctively understand what he wants. And Jesus said, “You are My friends…” (John 15:14). Have I disobeyed some command of my Lord’s this week? If I had realized that it was a command of Jesus, I would not have deliberately disobeyed it. But most of us show incredible disrespect to God because we don’t even hear Him. He might as well never have spoken to us.

The goal of my spiritual life is such close identification with Jesus Christ that I will always hear God and know that God always hears me (see John 11:41). If I am united with Jesus Christ, I hear God all the time through the devotion of hearing. A flower, a tree, or a servant of God may convey God’s message to me. What hinders me from hearing is my attention to other things. It is not that I don’t want to hear God, but I am not devoted in the right areas of my life. I am devoted to things and even to service and my own convictions. God may say whatever He wants, but I just don’t hear Him. The attitude of a child of God should always be, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” If I have not developed and nurtured this devotion of hearing, I can only hear God’s voice at certain times. At other times I become deaf to Him because my attention is to other things— things which I think I must do. This is not living the life of a child of God. Have you heard God’s voice today?

Quotes

We, as the people, elect the candidates who will make our life better, happier, richer and easier. Given human nature, we all want comfort, peace, ownership and stability. As citizens of Nagaland, both young and old, we need to choose the candidates who have the strength and courage to fight against corruption, the integrity to fight for the welfare of their constituency, the empathy for the needy and poor, the humility and patience to tackle the challenges of this generation, and the knowledge and global vision to lead a region that is changing and upgrading every second. As a democratic country, we have been given the privilege to vote for any candidate we choose. Let us use this privilege and cast our vote responsibly for candidates with character, integrity, education, visionary and humility. I speak for myself as one born and brought up in Tuensang, belonging to the Eastern Naga tribes. The stakes for us are

Your Election Your Future

so much higher than at any other time. As we fight for the equality in development and progress, the Central government and the rest of Nagas will be watching our choice of candidates that will represent our region. We cannot be irresponsible and let all the development and progress pass in front of our eyes by electing weak, dishonest and corrupt candidates. We eastern Nagas have a huge responsibility to elect candidates that have a deep understanding of the needs of the people and the region. These five years are so crucial for our region in terms of development and progress. We need to prove to the outside spectators that we are capable of our own destiny for a better tomorrow. We will have no other excuses for our failures and we cannot blame others, when we are given the opportunities for development and progress.

As Nagas, we have been known all over the world as a Christian state. A tiny state with around a two million population, is well

known all over the world because of our commitment to follow Jesus Christ. God is still blessing Nagaland because our God is a God who forgives. We often become worse than a beast and a devil during election times. Our Christianity is lip service only, which is very sad. If we want a better, richer, peaceful and Christ-centered state, I beg both the young and the old not to sell your votes. Vote honestly for the candidate for whom God is leading you to vote. I want to share one example with the readers. My late father, being a prominent person in Tuensang, was often sought out by many candidates for his support. They would come with a bag full of cash to seek his support. If he did not have the fear of God, he could have accepted the bag full of cash. Being from a large family, at any given year, two or three of his children were in college: Delhi University, Bangalore and Shillong. He would tell them, “How am I going to pray to my Heavenly Father to bless my children if I take

this cash?” He raised and educated all his children by honest living and hard work, often giving up their own well-being and needs. All of his eight children graduated from universities. Today even his grandsons have achieved well in their careers and education in the United States of America. A good tree bears good fruit. Our parent’s remained faithful to God’s commandment, “Thou Shall Not Steal”. Look for candidates with a global vision:

1. Who focus on much needed necessary investment in under-developed areas.

2. Who focus on the working class people as they are the backbone of the state. When working class people suffer, there will be instability in the region or state.

3. Who focus on regional equality. The grievances of the eastern Nagas have to do with regional inequality. Only certain parts of the state are benefiting and enjoying the prosperity of the state. A healthy re-

gional prosperity will bring peace and harmony. When the eastern region becomes a healthy and prosperous region, it benefits all the inhabitants of Nagaland.

4. Who focus on good policies for development, with accountability. Even if it is a good policy, without accountability, the policy cannot survive corruption. The Bible says, “The Love of Money” is the root of evil. Money is not evil. It is our love for money that destroys the very purpose and policies we plan to implement.

5. Who focus on sustainable investment, particularly local infrastructure like good reliable roads and bridges. Without good and reliable roads and bridges, we cannot transport goods. The local economy and region cannot sustain if we cannot sell or exchange goods.

6. Who focus on long term investment goals on education, hospital, roads and energy. In the eastern Naga region, long term investment goals like education, hospitals, roads and

energ y are very crucial. There is a huge gap in the wealth, education and distribution of power between the eastern Naga region and the rest of the Nagas. The education system in the eastern region has to be re-thought and re-invented from preschool to higher secondary. Proficiency in reading and writing is very low in schools and colleges in the eastern region. None of the schools has any classes that give priorities on STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

7. Who focus on attracting skilled and talented young people especially the STEM majors. STEM graduates are very much needed to help the region and the state grow and develop.

8. Who focus on bold new ideas for the betterment of the young people. A strong and global visionary leader will not be afraid of bold new ideas to rebrand and retool the region and the state.

Ason Ongbou Chang

Matrilineal but still patriarchal: Meghalaya women yearn for control in politics

Children get their mother’s last name, husbands move into their wives homes and youngest daughters inherit family property. But with only four women legislators in a house of 60, the empowerment promised by Meghalaya’s matrilineal society is only half done.

It’s empowering but only up to a point, say women across the societal and political spectrum ahead of the February 27 assembly elections. Though millions of women in Khasi-dominated Meghalaya enjoy several rights and privileges, the political odds in the patriarchal power circuit are loaded against them.

As campaigning gains momentum, it’s an oft-debated subject, from political party offices to the streets of this picturesque state capital.

“In matters of politics and governance, women are still kept in their little closets here. They are restricted to their four walls,” Ampareen Lyngdoh, National People’s Party candidate from East Shillong seat, told PTI.

The NPP, which leads the current Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government of the state, has fielded six women in the upcoming elections.

“There have been a few wom-

en who have come up but it’s not been anything substantial. Behind every successful male politician, there is a battalion of women. Somehow, women have not managed the courage to contest. This time we are aiming for some change,” Ampareen Lyngdoh added. Her younger sister Jasmine Lyngdoh is contesting on an NPP ticket from the nearby Nongthymmai Constituency.

Other parties are also aware of the changing discourse in a state where Khasis account for the largest ethnic community.

According to Election Commission data, 36 women candidates are in the fray for Meghalaya’s 60 member assembly – up from the 32 candidates in 2018 and 24 in 2013.

The skewed equation is reflected in the number of women elected. In the 2018 and 2013 assemblies, there were four women legislators. And in 2008, the figure was one. Women -- who comprise about half the state’s projected population of 38 lakh -- are hoping this will change.

Trying to recapture its lost glory, the Congress has taken the lead and fielded 10 women.

“Our party gives due representation to women and this has also stirred other parties. In

Meghalaya, more than half the population comprises women. This is the time we should come out. As a matrilineal society, our ancestors have empowered us and it is for us to use that empowerment,” Dr Benida Shisa Kharkongor, Congress candidate for Nongthomal constituency, told PTI. The Trinamool Congress, another formidable contender, has also made clear its women focussed agenda.

Party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already visited Meghalaya twice and launched a financial assistance scheme called Meghalaya Financial Inclusion for Women Empowerment (MFI-WE).

Party insiders said more than 3.14 lakh people have registered for the MFI-WE or WE Card so far.

Elgiva Gwyneth Rynjah, 32, is one of the youngest female candidates contesting the polls on a TMC ticket. She claims to have made history by releasing her own “manifesto” for North Shillong constituency. Her poll promises include education and healthcare and food.

“It depends upon us... we should have the courage to come on the streets. If you have the vision, you can lead the state. In our state women tend to shy away, we

need to educate them and encourage them to come out,” Elgiva when asked about the lack of women participation in elections.

Not everyone agrees with Elgiva’s assertions. It may not be that simple with elections requiring both money and muscle power. Most women legislators have come from affluent families with political connections.

“The participation of women is important but at the same time it is crucial to see which section of society they are from. Not everyone has money and a powerful background,” said Angela Rangad, an independent candidate and a social activist with organisation KAM Meghalaya.

The group has fielded three candidates, including Wanpynhun Kharsyntiew, a domestic worker before she became part of the national domestic workers’ movement. All of them are crowdfunding their campaigns.

Political under-representation for women in Meghalaya is not just about the assembly. It goes right down the grassroots.

Traditional village-level institutions of the Khasis, the Dorbar Shnongs, have not allowed women to contest elections. Earlier, they were barred from even attending its meetings and would be represented

by an adult male member. Given the powerful status these Dorbars enjoy, most women shy away from speaking openly against them.

From poverty to being abandoned by their male partners, many women are faced with a multitude of problems and are looking for political representation to help solve them.

“There are so many single mothers here. It is a major issue and they don’t have many avenues. Girls also drop out of schools. It is like an epidemic. We need leaders among us who can voice these concerns,” said Dhani, a schoolteacher.

Rangli, a hawker at Shillong’s famous Police Bazaar, echoes her.

“You can see all around there are women, we are working hard but nobody in the government wants to see what our problems are. They don’t know,” Rangli, who sells traditional handicrafts, said when asked about women representation in politics.

Clearly, however, political representation and control is imperative for autonomy, empowerment and agency over their lives.

The women of Meghalaya, one of the few matrilineal societies in the world, wait for the day they will have it all -- societal power and also political control. (PTI)

Can clouds of Moon dust combat climate change?

Ag roup of US scientists this week proposed an unorthodox scheme to combat global warming: creating large clouds of Moon dust in space to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth.

In their plan, we would mine dust on the Moon and shoot it out towards the Sun.

The dust would stay between the Sun and Earth for around a week, making sunlight around 2 per cent dimmer at Earth’s surface, after which it would disperse and we would shoot out more dust.

The proposal, which involves launching some 10 million tonnes of Moon dust into space each year, is in some ways ingenious – and if it works as advertised from a technical perspective, it might buy the world some vital time to rein in carbon emissions.

Unfortunately, but also unsurprisingly, the story of Moon dust reflection isn’t as simple as it seems.

Why Moon dust?

Proposed measures to cool Earth by reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the surface are often called “solar geoengineering” or “solar radiation management”.

The most-discussed method involves injecting a thin layer of aerosol particles into Earth’s upper atmosphere.

However, tinkering with the atmosphere in this way is likely to affect rainfall and drought patterns, and may have other unintended consequences such as damage to the ozone layer.

Moon dust in space should avoid these pitfalls, as it would leave our atmosphere untouched.

Others have suggested deflecting sunlight with gigantic filters or mirrors in space, or swarms of artificial satellites.

Moon dust looks pretty good compared with these ideas: Moon dust is plentiful, and launching dust clouds from the Moon’s lower gravity would require substantially less energy than similar launches from Earth.

So, what’s the problem?

Too slow, too clumsy

One of solar geoengineering’s core selling points is supposed to be speed. Reflecting sunlight is at best a way to rapidly stave off short-term catastrophic warming impacts, buying time for renewable energy transitions and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Global injection of aerosols into the atmosphere, for instance, may require development of special aircraft. This is certainly no trivial task, but definitely doable in the next decade or so. Moon dust ambitions

would be much slower. There are several major engineering and logistical hurdles to overcome.

At minimum, we would need Moon bases, lunar mining infrastructure, large-scale storage, and a way to launch the dust into space.

No human has even set foot on the Moon in more than 50 years. While China is looking to establish a Moon base by 2028, followed by the US in 2034, a well-functioning mining and dust launching system is likely many decades away.

Another advantage of solar geoengineering is meant to be fine tuning.

Injecting aerosols into the atmosphere can in theory be fine-tuned to reduce negative side effects. Changing where aerosol injections take place, for instance, can drastically change potential side effects and its risk profile.

A giant space cloud offers no such precision.

A law and policy vacuum

To make matters worse, the world currently has little in the way of coherent policy or governance for space and the Moon. Many fundamental questions about human activity in space, such as how to manage the growing layer of bullet-speed space junk orbiting the Earth, are unanswered.

Also unanswered is another fundamental question:

is Moonmining even legal?

Who “owns” space, and the resources in it?

At present, we have a patchwork of contradictory policies.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits “appropriation” of space resources (implying a ban on mining), and Article 11.3 of the 1979 Moon Treaty states that the Moon’s resources cannot become property of a country, group or person.

However, the US, Russia and China have not signed the Moon Treaty. In fact, the US has Obama-era legislation, a Trump-era executive order, and a non-binding international agreement –the Artemis Accords – that all emphasise commercial resource extraction.

With such contradictory policy in place, lunar mining is a fundamental legal grey area. Shooting Moon dust off into space is another legal dilemma several steps down the line.

As above, so below

Such a legal patchwork exists because of broader political firewalls.

Similarly to how the 20th-century space race reflected Cold War geopolitics, contemporary space governance is shaped by today’s political rifts.

Russia and China have not joined the Artemis Accords, deciding (ironically together) to go it alone. But

disagreements over a nonbinding agreement are just the tip of the iceberg.

Political disagreements over Moon dust deployment could prove far more dangerous. Different countries could prefer different extents of cooling, or whether Moon dust cooling should be used at all.

Even the proposed “launch system” for dust, essentially a giant electromagnetic railgun (of the kind currently used to launch fighter jets), could spark security and weaponisation concerns. These disagreements could leak into terrestrial politics, further exacerbating political divisions. At worst, these disagreements may cascade into armed conflict or sabotage of lunar infrastructure.

Space is another frontier for political conflict, and one that Moon dust reflection schemes could worsen. Such conflict also compromises a cooperative and altruistic Moon dust deployment.

Prime space real estate

Even if the implementation and political issues were resolved, there are plenty more.

For example, the Moon dust would linger around the “Lagrange point” between Earth and the Sun, where the gravitational forces of the planet and the star balance out.

Unfortunately, this valuable piece of space real estate is already occupied by satellites including the Solar & Heliospheric Observatory and the Deep Space Climate Observatory. These could perhaps be moved or decommissioned, but that would be expensive and create new risks.

In sum, the Moon dust proposal does address some of the problems with Earthbased solar geoengineering. But it would likely be too slow to dampen the shortterm impacts of climate change, and would in any case face diplomatic obstacles that may well be insurmountable.

To their credit, the authors do acknowledge their work has limitations, saying in a press release: We aren’t experts in climate change, or the rocket science needed to move mass from one place to the other. We’re just exploring different kinds of dust on a variety of orbits to see how effective this approach might be.

So instead of worrying about displacing satellites, we are better off focusing on replacing fossil fuels. The solutions to climate change are right in front of us, not in the stars.

Aaron Tang, PhD Scholar in Climate Governance, Australian National University (The Conversation)

It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required.

~ Sir Winston Churchill

SNIPPETS

2 injured as bridge collapses in J&K

JAMMU, FEB 13

(IANS): Two persons were injured on Monday when a bridge collapsed in J&K’s Reasi district.

Police sources said that a bridge over a rivulet in Mahore area of Reasi district collapsed when two trucks were passing over it. “Both dumpers (Heavy trucks) fell into the rivulet injuring two persons when the bridge collapsed.

Visually impaired girl stabbed to death

AMARAVATI, FEB 13 (IANS): In a shocking incident, a visually impaired 17-year-old girl was brutally stabbed to death by a rowdy-sheeter in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district on Monday.

The incident occurred at Tadepalli, in a locality near the official residence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. The accused, identified as Raju, had misbehaved with the girl on Sunday and when the girl complained about this to her parents, they along with some locals had pulled him up. Angry over this, Raju stabbed the girl in her home.

Farmer ends life after cattle destroy crop

BADAUN, FEB 13

(IANS): A 30-year-old farmer allegedly ended his life by hanging after his crop was damaged by stray cattle. The incident took place at Madarpur under Zarifnagar police circle. The deceased farmer, Shri Krishna’s brother, Kishan Kumar, said, “My brother was upset and worried when his crop was completely ruined. He killed himself due to heavy losses because he had taken a loan for farming.”

Man loses Rs 10.55 lakh in cyber fraud

THANE, FEB 13 (PTI):

A 28-year-old resident of Thane city in Maharashtra lost Rs 10.55 lakh to a cyber conman who lured him to invest money in bitcoins on the false promise of earning huge returns, an official said on Monday. The victim had received a call from an unknown number on his mobile application last month and the caller convinced him to open an account under the pretext of offering a plum job, according to the official.

The fraudster then made the complainant invest Rs 10,55,000 in bitcoin transactions from January 14 to January 18, 2023.

7-month pregnant woman killed for dowry

MUMBAI, FEB 13

(PTI): A 24-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly killed by her husband and his parents in Dharavi area of Mumbai after a scuffle over dowry, a police official said on Monday. While her husband and her in-laws claimed she died by suicide, a murder case was registered on the complaint of her father, who arrived in the metropolis from Uttar Pradesh after learning about the death, he said.

PM to inaugurate

tribal fest in Delhi

NEW DELHI, FEB 13

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a 15-day “Aadi Mahotsav” at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on February 16, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said on Monday. Tribal artisans from across the country have been invited to display millet recipes and sell millet products at the festival, Munda said.

India rejuvenated defence production: PM

BENGALURU, FEB 13 (PTI): India rejuvenated its defence production in the last eight-nine years and will now move fast to join the world’s largest defence manufacturing nations riding on favorable economic policies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. After inaugurating Asia’s largest air show ‘Aero India 2023’ at the Yelahanka Air Force station complex on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Modi said the event, which was earlier considered just a window to “sell to India”, is showcasing the nation’s strength as a potential defence partner and noted that India is now exporting defence equipment to 75 countries.

Listing various reforms and achievements in the sector, Modi sought to project India as an attractive investment destination to produce military hardware and said it is looking at increasing defence exports from USD 1.5 billion to USD five billion by 2024-25.

Two F-35A supersonic multirole aircraft of the US Air Force were among the major attractions at the event.

In the presence of top executives of several Indian and leading foreign defence majors, the prime minister said made-in-India platforms like Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and INS Vikrant are shining examples of India’s true potential in the defence manufacturing sector.

Modi said that Bengaluru’s sky is “bearing testimony to the capabilities of New India”. “This new height is the reality of New India, today India is touching new heights and transcending them too,” he said.

Highlighting the Indian Air Force’s commitment to self-reliance in defence,

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari flew the indigenously-built Tejas light combat aircraft during an air show.

The aircraft was one of the 10 Tejas that participated in the flypast witnessed by the prime minister Army chief General Manoj Pande flew in a Light Combat Helicopter.

“The New India of the 21st century will neither miss any opportunity nor will it lack any effort. We are geared up. We are bringing a revolution in every sector on the path of reforms.

The country, which was the biggest defence importer for decades, is now exporting

Cong accuses PM of taking credit for event started in 1996

Ta king a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Monday said “the man in fancy dress” has claimed credit for Aero India when the truth is that it started in 1996 and is held in Bengaluru because of the presence of organisations there tracing their origins to the Nehruvian era.

defence equipment to 75 countries of the world,” he said.

The prime minister said the country’s defence exports have increased six times in the last five years and India exported more than 1.5 billion dollars worth of defence equipment in 2021-22.

“You are also aware that defence is an area where technology, market and business are considered very complicated.

“Despite this, India has transformed its defence sector within the last 8-9 years. However, we consider this to be just the beginning. We are aiming to increase this

BJP not anti-Christian but pro-development under Modi

(From p-1)

PM Modi was the first global leader to reach Colombo to show solidarity when Church in Colombo was bombed few years back. The amount of work done under Minority ministry under minister of State John Barla is commendable. Unfortunately, just before elections people start putting up propaganda to misguide and confuse workers. Under PM Modi, there is no discrimination. His mission is that the less privileged must receive their right of basic development and support. Anybody spreading false propaganda must refrain from doing so. Even in our upcoming campaigns, our leaders will be engaging in trying to ensure that no scope is given to rumour mongers to confuse and misguide the public. We respect all religion, care for all people and we believe in “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”

On the ENPO issue

Rituraj: On the ENPO issue, we believe that development must be equitable. Every Indian citizen has equal right on resources, to better roads and infrastructure, to better health care facilities, to better education systems, to more opportunities to make a living. We believe that ENPO has brought the light the lack of development or development deficit, in the districts of Eastern Nagaland and BJP is committed to addressing the plight of the people of Eastern Nagaland and ensuring that they get suitable solution and a substantial development funding package that can change the future of the generations of Eastern Nagaland. We stand by it and we assure to bring this to a conclusion in the coming months.

Performances of 20 MLAs

Rituraj: We can do two things, either play blame game or we can find solutions. In constructive politics, our focus must be on finding solutions, and that is what the Home Ministry under Amit Shahji has been working very closely with ENPO officials. They have tabled their expectations and hopefully we will see conclusion of this to every

Moral police wants Valentine’s Day celebrations curbed

The opposition party’s attack came after Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Aero India at the Yelahanka Air Force station complex on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter, “The man in fancy dress claims credit for Aero India, the show held in Bengaluru. The truth is it started way back in 1996 and gained in strength over the years.”

“It’s held in Bengaluru simply because of the presence of organisations there tracing their origins to the Nehruv ian era,” Ramesh said.

MANGALURU, FEB 13 (PTI): Ahead of Valentine’s Day, some rightwing organisations in the city here have come out against the celebrations which they say are not in tune with India’s culture and traditions.

The city’s restaurants, gift stores and flower vendors have made arrangements for February 14 hoping to do some brisk business. Many of them have made special offers on the day for couples.

The Bajrang Dal has asked the gift centres not to sell any items that entices the youth to celebrate the day.

In a statement, Bajrang Dal district convenor Naveen Moodushedde

stakeholder’s satisfaction very soon.

On BJP ticket aspirants contesting against alliance

Rituraj: The BJP has brought a sense of sincerity and dignity to Indian polity. Once we sign a coalition arrangement by our topmost leaders, that arrangement is full and final. In the state 40 seats to NDPP and 20 seats to BJP is the current reality. Yes, it is true that under PM Modi’s tenure of past nine years in the Centre, his schemes have reached the last village because of which people have great trust in Modi.

They know that Modi is the person that can bring peace and fast track development to Nagaland. Looking at the public sentiments, there was so many people who were interested to contest from BJP tickets. All of them could not be accommodated within the 20 seats.

Those who did not get accommodated have chosen their own course of action.

They are free to determine their actions, but our candidates are only those candidates who are contesting on official BJP tickets.

On readmission of BJP rebels

Rituraj: We are in completely in the midst of campaign, and had constructive meeting with our coalition partner NDPP. If you see, Chief Minister Rio himself has said that the rebel candidates from ex NDPP and BJP members maybe misguiding the people. People must vote for only those standing on NDPP and BJP tickets as official candidates. We are fighting this election under the leadership of our alliance leader, CM Rio. We will obviously discuss these matters with him. He is a thorough gentlemen and capable leader and we completely have trust and faith that he will be fair and generous with his alliance partner.

Is Himanta Sarma ‘kingmaker’?

Rituraj: The only person who is a kingmaker in any election is the people. People of Nagaland are the true and only kingmaker. We believe that in a democracy it is no longer about king making because we consider that democracy or politics is for service, so

People’s govt in 2024: Mamata in Bengal Assembly

The CM slammed the Centre for “maintaining silence over the killing of innocent villagers by BSF” in the bordering areas of West Bengal.

whoever the public decides to be the key people who will serve the public, that the public will take a call.

On 2018 slogan “Election for Solution”

Rituraj: Our campaign slogan is “Modi for peace and development”. It has been well received and accepted by majority of the people in Nagaland. As regards to the Naga Political issue, under PM Modi since 2015, more rounds of constructive conversation and discussion have happened between all stakeholders than ever in the history of the Naga political problem. Government of India, particular the Home Ministry has tried its best through consultation to recommend solutions. Now, other stakeholders have to make up their mind about the solution proposal we have tabled and I am sure that under PM Modi, sooner than later this peace process will also find its conclusion.

Why BJP is not going solo?

Rituraj: BJP respects the alliance arrangements and the seat sharing plans that has been agreed between NDPP and leaders of BJP, and we honour that commitment.

Number of seats BJP will win

Rituraj: BJP contested 20 seats in the 2018 election and won 12 seats, with a strike rate of 60%. This election, looking at the mood of the people and the confidence of our party workers and the candidates, I can say with confidence that our result in the forthcoming election will be substantially better than 2018. We are definitely winning more seats this time.

Star campaigners for Polls

Rituraj: CM Neiphiu Rio, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarmaji, Union ministers-- John Barlaji, Rajiv Chandrasekharji, Kiren Rijiju-ji, BJP national president JP Naddaji, Union Home Minister Amit Shahji, and even Prime Minister Modiji will be campaigning here. Our complete energy at this time is focused on running a campaign which is strong and powerful, which reaches every corner of Nagaland.

Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA, FEB 13

(PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday reiterated her call to defeat the BJP in 2024, and said the country should strive for installing “people’s government to end anarchy”.

Speaking in the Assembly, Banerjee, in an apparent reference to BJP president J P Nadda’s recent remark on violence and corruption in Bengal, asserted that her state happens to have a better law and order situation than other parts of the country.

“The BSF has unleashed terror in the border areas of West Bengal. Innocent people are being killed in these areas. The Centre never bothers to send a fact-finding team to look into these killings,” she said.

Hitting out at the BJP for “letting loose a malicious campaign” against the TMC by trying to project the entire party and the government as “corrupt”, Banerjee said people will teach the party a lesson.

“The BJP is behaving as if it is the only party of honest leaders and ours is a party of thieves. The saffron party is like a washing machine. A tainted person becomes a saint after joining the BJP,” she said.

said western culture is challenging Indian customs and trying to attract the young generation towards them. He alleged that unethical activities are taking place in the name of Valentine’s Day and urged the city police to take action against those who indulge in “inappropriate behaviour” in public spaces. The Hindu Jana Jagruthi Samiti has also demanded that Valentine’s Day celebrations should not be allowed in the city. In a memorandum submitted to the city police commissioner, Samiti leader Bhavya Gowda said young women are being harassed under the guise of Valentine’s Day.

Adani row: Centre agrees to set up a panel

NEW DELHI, FEB 13

(PTI): The Centre on Monday agreed to the Supreme Court’s proposal to set up a panel of experts to look into strengthening the regulatory mechanisms for the stock market in the wake of the recent Adani group shares crash triggered by Hindenburg Research’s fraud allegations.

Saying it has no objection to constituting the panel, the Centre, at the same time, stressed that market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and other statutory bodies are “fully equipped”, not only regime wise, but otherwise also to deal with the situation. It also wanted to be allowed to provide details such as names and the scope of the panel’s mandate in a “sealed cover”.

The top court on Friday said the interests of Indian investors need to be protected against market volatility in the backdrop of the Adani stocks rout and asked the Centre to consider setting up a panel of domain experts headed by a former judge to look into strengthening the regulatory mechanisms.

The court, which was hearing two PILs alleging exploitation of innocent investors and “artificial crashing” of the Adani Group’s stock value, was

told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the Centre was agreeable to the proposal as it came from the court.

Mehta, however, told the bench also comprising Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala, that the “remit” of the proposed committee would be relevant because any “unintentional” message to the investors that regulatory bodies here needed a monitoring by a panel may have some adverse impact on flow of money into the country.

“I have instructions that the SEBI and other agencies are fully equipped, not only regime wise, but otherwise also to take care of the situation. However, responding to the suggestion which fell from the court, the government has no objection to constituting a committee.”

“But the remit of the committee would be very relevant because any unintentional message to international investors or domestic investors that the regulatory authorities need a monitoring by the committee may have some adverse impact on the flow of money,” the top law officer said at the outset of the hearing.

He said the Centre may be allowed to suggest names, who are people of

“some calibre” and scope of the proposed committee in a sealed cover because it may not be appropriate to discuss these in open court hearings.

The bench then asked the law officer to give the note by Wednesday and listed the two PILs for further hearing on February 17.

The top court had also sought the views of the SEBI and the Centre as to how to ensure putting a robust mechanism in place since the capital movement now is “seamless” in the country.

The stock market is not the place where only high value investors invest, it had said, adding that with the changing financial and tax regime investments are being made by “the wide spectrum of middle class.”

It had noted that as per some reports the total loss suffered by Indian investors due to the recent Adani stocks rout was in the range of several lakh crores of rupees.

On the issue of strengthening the existing regulatory regime, the bench had mooted a committee which can comprise experts from the securities areas, the international banking sector and a “wise guiding figure in the form of a former judge”.

(R-L) PM Modi. Suryakiran aerobatics team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) performs during the inauguration of Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru. (PTI)

Illegal subsidies by other countries hurt business: Centre

Notify State ULB polls before Mar 14: SC

(From p-1) Justice Kaul told the advocate general, “The problem is of faith..Look at the order sheets, it is replete with some excuse or the other…”

Accordingly, the Bench recorded in the order that it does not appreciate the State delaying the election process, especially the one with reservation for women, on the ground of anticipation of violence.

NEW DELHI, FEB 13

(AGENCIES): The government on Monday said illegal subsidies by trade partners and other countries hurt Indian trade and business, and that corrective actions are taken in the form of invoking dispute settlement mechanisms.

The Department of Commerce on February 9, 2023 had stated that illegal subsidies by trade partners

and other countries hurt Indian trade and business, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh told the Lok Sabha.

“At a multilateral forum, the disciplines regulating the provision of subsidies and the use of countervailing measures to offset injury caused by subsidized imports are addressed in the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures,”

India’s seafood exports likely to reach all-time high

KOCHI, FEB 13 (IANS):

Country’s seafood exports are likely to reach an all-time high of US$ 8 billion in FY 2022-23 despite three years of a sluggish global market caused by the pandemic, logistical hurdles and strict inspections of shrimp consignments.

During 2021-22, India exported 13,69,264 tonnes of marine products worth US$ 7.76 billion (Rs 575.86 billion), registering an alltime high export by value, while shrimp production crossed one million MT. Frozen shrimp remained the major export item in quantity and value, accounting for a share of 53 per cent in quantity and 75 per cent of the total revenue. D.V. Swamy, chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) said they are optimistic

about achieving new heights through a multipronged strategy hinging on sustainable fishing methods, value addition, increased aquaculture production through diversification, and aggressively tapping into new markets.

As part of the strategy to boost exports in FY 2022-23, MPEDA has organised around 40 Virtual Buyer Seller Meets (VBSMs) with Japan, China, Russia, the UK, Vietnam, Germany, Malaysia, South Korea, Oman, Singapore, and Spain.

MPEDA researched the seafood market in China, the second largest importer of Indian seafood, while similar studies for countries in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), the Middle East and South East Asia have been planned.

Centre ready to give 20 Assembly seats, 6 Parliamentary seats: CM

(From p-1) highlighted the steps taken by the state government by forming a committee and subsequently, recommending an autonomous council for the region realising the deficiency of development in the region.

Rio asserted that the state government was against division of the state, re-dividing, disintegrating the state, and accordingly the 60 elected members had adopted a resolution, the sixth such resolution, on the integration of the contiguous Naga-inhabited areas.

he said in a written reply. According to Rao Inderjit Singh, the subsidies whether they are prohibited (illegal) or actionable are determined by three major steps within the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures agreement. Based on them, corrective actions are taken in the form of invoking dispute settlement mechanism, Rao Inderjit Singh said.

Gold jumps Rs 114; Silver declines Rs 319

NEW DELHI, FEB 13

(PTI): Gold price jumped Rs 114 to Rs 56,982 per 10 gram in the national capital on Monday, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the precious metal had settled at Rs 56,868 per 10 gram. Silver, however, declined Rs 319 to Rs 66,802 per kilogram.

“Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at Rs 56,982 per 10 gram, up Rs 114 per 10 gram,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior AnalystCommodities at HDFC Securities, said. In the overseas market, gold was trading flat at USD 1,863.10 per ounce and silver quoted lower at USD 21.97 per ounce.

Comex gold prices traded flat in Asian trading hours on Monday. Gold prices should consolidate in limited range of USD 1,8501,875 per ounce before US CPI data, Gandhi said.

“We have perused the affidavit filed by the State of Nagaland pointing out some resistance to the legislative Assembly elections …which issue has been sorted out.

We, however, do not appreciate the stand sought to be taken in para 5 where a picture is sought to be painted of threat of violence.

Local elections with reservations of women cannot be postponed under such threats. The elections have to be held,” the court ruled.

He further said that the BJPNDPP alliance, since 2018, was going strong and exuded confidence that the alliance will form the next government and told the gathering not to have any confusions about forming the government, the alliance and leadership.

NDPP is a new party which is regional in character, national in outlook and with global prospect to pursue and uphold regional aspirations and Naga identity, Rio stated.

Pughoboto a regional stronghold: Stating that Pughoboto was a regional stronghold and a regional constituency, Rio exuded hope that the electorates would elect the sitting MLA, Y Vikheho Swu to be in the ruling government.

He urged the people to seize the opportunity, while maintaining that the ticket was given to the NDPP with the hope that the people would not

fail him. Rio also expressed concern about the LJP (RV) party candidate supporters taking the name of the BJP party to confuse the electorates in Pughoboto and assured that he will take up the matter with the high command of the BJP.

Informing that a stable government and strong regional partnership was needed with the BJP, he said BJP had high regard for the Nagas, their sentiments and their uniqueness.

The chief minister also said that NDPP had coined the slogan ‘Change is coming’ during the last election and had worked towards the development, especially in road sector, even though not up to the desired level. He said that the government was also working towards e-governance and computerisation, while the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) was created to advocate meritocracy and transparency towards excellence.

Meanwhile, also speaking during the rally, incumbent MLA Y Vikheho Swu stated that the road used by the Pughoboto people was built by Rio’s father and expressed gratitude to him for giving Sub-Divisional Planning and Development Board (SDPDB) and electoral district to Pughoboto.

“Our only regret is that since 2003, the Pughoboto AC has been in the opposition due to circumstances which is a loss for the sub-division,” he stated.

He, therefore, said that the NDPP ticket was not for him, but for Pughoboto people to be in the ruling.

Swu also highlighted various programmes initiated by him-- under construction sub-divisional complex, road construction from Kijemetouma to Kheloshe Polytechinc, Atoizu via Ghathashi and road from Showuba, to Pangsha in Noklak which will cross Pughoboto.

Further, he also highlighted the various programmes, initiated under him such as Back to Village, Beyond Books, Aphuyemi Achievers Award, Clean Village competition, Jhum Plus etc.

Alliance only with NDPP: BJP

Meanwhile, state BJP chief spokesperson, Kuputo Shohe once again urged the people not to be confused with other parties as there was no other pre-poll or post-poll alliance except with the NDPP.

He also highlighted the various initiatives and development undertaken in the country and the state under the Central leadership.

Meanwhile, Rio was accompanied by minister Neiba Kronu, who is also a star campaigner of the NDPP party, and host of NDPP central leaders also attended the rally.

Popular artiste NK Naga also released and sang the NDPP Pughoboto Region theme song ‘Jukucho Huthuvae’.

Responsibility of Oppn to ask questions: Cong

(From p-1) about ‘Election for solution’ again. Is that your big achievement?” she asked, terming BJP’s claim of achievements as a “colossal jumla”.

She also asked if BJP’s achievement also included corruption, poor roads, lack of clean drinking water supply, etc. Shrinate alleged that BJP had brought developments only for itself, its areas and its supporters, but neglected common people of the State.

“Maybe BJP wrongly believes that building of resorts for its party leaders is development,” she remarked, adding that all claims of double-engine government fell flat if one saw the erratic power supply in the State. She also asked about the efforts made to ensure 24x7 power supply in the State.

Pointing out the long travel time between Mariani and Mokokchung, She said a journey that should normally take two-and-ahalf-hours, took six hours, while the time taken to travel from State BJP president Temjen Imna Along’s area of Longnak to Mangkolemba, 9-km road, took two hours due to the pathetic condition of roads. She mentioned that Eastern Nagaland was languishing in under-development due to the continued betrayal of people. She promised that Congress would build a mini secretariat at Tuensang to ensure development and would also meet other long-standing demands.

Further, lashing out the BJP’s claim of achievements, Shrinate pointed out that the tagline of Nagaland as “Worst perform-

ing State in NE” in poverty alleviation, healthcare and infrastructure was given by NITI Aayog. She pointed out that data was collected by NITI Aayog and not by the opposition.

She alleged that rampant corruption and lack of development in the State had made youth suffer the most. “In a state where every house has a sportsman, there is no access to world class sporting facilities. No effort has been made by this government to improve the job sector either,” she added.

Also hitting out at BJP for frequent use of Enforcement Directorate (ED), she mentioned that ED had also registered case against the associates of chief minister Neiphiu Rio, but it was ultimately given a quiet burial. “A lid may have been put on the case against Rio filed by ED, but that conspicuous silence also proves the unholy nexus in the heart of decision-making in Nagaland,” she said.

Shrinate also countered the statements made by Union minister John Barla by questioning why he and his party (BJP) were silent when statues of Lord Jesus Christ were broken and smashed on Christmas Day, priests and nuns attacked in Karnataka, etc.

She lamented that minorities, including Christians, were being attacked all over the country, and the BJP continued to remain silent.

On the statement that many BJP leaders received their education from Christian institutions, she lamented that these leaders did not learn about peace and brotherhood. For, she reasoned that had they, then they would have striven for peace, harmony and brotherhood.

“It is very hypocritical of Barla to come here and make those claims. But, why Christians suffer in States where your party is in power?” she questioned. She asserted that one could not say something in Nagaland but do the complete opposite where they were in power. “At least, practise what you preach,” she quipped.

She also reiterated the unconditional support of Rahul Gandhi to Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre on the issue of 33% reservation for women, but lamented that even after nine years since it had been in the power, BJP had totally

ignored it. Priorities of Congress: Shrinate assured that Congress would focus primarily on hiking monthly oldage pension to Rs 3,000, building mini secretariat in Tuensang, full and timely payment of MGNREGA dues, interest-free loans for higher education, clean drinking water to every household, compulsory vocational training for youth after HSLC and also a review of old-age pension Scheme.

She noted that time had come for Nagaland to seek answers and make those in power accountable. She also appealed to people to give Congress a chance so that the party could lay the foundation for development, growth, etc, while also lay preserve and promote local culture and tradition. She said it was for the people to decide, but noted that it was the people who were suffering. “Let us not belittle the intelligence of people or their ability to judge who would be their best representatives and what they done for them,” she underlined.

SNIPPETS

Iranian President

Raisi to visit China

BEIJING, FEB13 (AP):

Iranian President Ebrahim

Raisi will meet with his counterpart Xi Jinping during his three-day trip in China starting Tuesday, as the two U.S. rivals seek further cooperation. China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the announcement Sunday, saying Raisi’s visit was at Xi’s invitation. Raisi will meet with Xi and their delegations will sign cooperation documents, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

Pak, US to hold defence talks

ISLAMABAD, FEB 13 (PTI): Pakistan and the US are set to hold defence talks in Washington on Monday to enhance coordination on strategic issues and explore various options for ramping up bilateral military and security ties, the foreign office here has announced. The talks, that will last from Monday to Thursday, would be the second round of the Pakistan-US Mid-Level Defence Dialogue after the first round was held in Pakistan in January 2021, it said in a statement on Sunday.

6.1-magnitude

earthquake hits NZ

HONG KONG, FEB 13 (IANS): An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 jolted Kermadec Islands in New Zealand at 09:18:07 GMT on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The epicentre, with a depth of 374.033 km, was initially determined to be at 29.5218 degrees south latitude and 177.9727 degrees west longitude.

Milk price in Karachi reaches Rs 210 per litre

KARACHI, FEB 13 (IANS): In uncertain economic conditions, consumers in Karachi continue to receive severe price shocks following an unchecked hike in the prices of daily use items. Loose milk, which has been increased to Pak Rs 210 from Pak Rs 190 per litre by some shopkeepers and live broiler chicken which has seen an increase of Rs 3040 per kg in the last two days, taking the cost to Rs 480-500 per kilogram, Dawn reported.

Ex-PM Abe’s murder: police file new charges

TOKYO, FEB 13 (IANS): Japanese police on Monday referred Tetsuya Yamagami, who has been indicted for the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to prosecutors for allegedly making a gun and damaging a building by test-firing it. Yamagami, 42, is believed to have test-fired a weapon at a facility linked to the religious group Unification Church in the western city of Nara on July 7 last year, a day before the fatal shooting, in addition to making handguns and gunpowder without authorization.

US shoots down fourth airborne object

Could mysterious ‘objects’ be aliens?

Haven’t ‘ruled out anything,’ NORAD chief

NORAD’s chief refused to rule out the possibility of an extraterrestrial origin for the unknown “objects” shot down across the U.S. and Canada in recent days.

China says more than 10 US balloons flew in its airspace

BEIJING, FEB 13 (AP):

WASHINGTON/LONDON, FEB 13 (PTI/AP):

The United States on Sunday shot down another unidentified airborne object in its airspace, a day after it brought down a similar “cylindrical” object over Canada. An F-16 fighter jet, at the direction of President Joe Biden, fired an AIM9x to successfully shoot down the airborne object flying at approximately 20,000 feet altitude in US airspace over Lake Huron in the State of Michigan, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig Gen Pat Ryder said. After the shooting down of a Chinese surveillance balloon in the Atlantic

Ocean, off the coast of South Carolina last Saturday, this is the third such shooting down of an unidentified airborne object in a week. The previous two were shot down by US fighter jets in Alaska on Friday and one over Canadian airspace on Saturday.

Unlike the first balloon, which the US says is from China, the origin of the rest of the three has not been disclosed yet by US and Canadian authorities.

Biden ordered the shooting down of the airborne object on Sunday at the recommendation of Defense Secretary Lloyd

Austin. Its path and altitude raised concerns, including that it could be a hazard to civil aviation. The location chosen for this shootdown afforded the opportunity to avoid impact on people on the ground while improving chances for debris recovery, the Pentagon official said. The latest brought down was first detected on Saturday evening over Montana, but it was initially thought to be an anomaly. Radar picked it up again Sunday hovering over the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and it was going over Lake Huron, Pentagon officials said.

Turkiye earthquake survivors face despair, as rescues wane

The quake and hundreds of aftershocks, some nearly as powerful as the first, struck southeastern Turkiye and northern Syria on February 6, killing more than 35,000 and reducing whole swaths of towns and cities inhabited by millions to fragments of concrete and twisted metal.

General Glen VanHerck, who leads NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command, said he would leave the possibility of aliens up to the intelligence community. U.S. fighter jets have shot down three unidentified “objects” in as many days this week, but

the military has yet to confirm what they are.

“I’ll let the intel community and the counterintelligence community figure that out. I haven’t ruled out anything,” VanHerck told reporters Sunday when asked about the possibility of the objects being extra-terrestrial. “At this point we continue to assess every threat or potential threat, unknown, that approaches North America with an attempt to identify it,” he added

UK announces security review

Britain has announced a security review after several unidentified objects were shot down in the skies over North America. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said “the UK and her allies will review what these airspace intrusions mean for our security”. He said “this development is another sign of how the global threat picture is changing for the worse”. Transport

Leave Russia immediately: US tells citizens

MOSCOW, FEB 13

(AGENCIES): The United States has told its citizens to leave Russia immediately, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine and a risk of arbitrary arrest or harassment by Russian law enforcement agencies. The Kremlin said it was not the first time U.S. citizens had been asked to leave Russia.

ADIYAMAN (TURKIYE), FEB 13 (AP): Thousands left homeless by a massive earthquake that struck Turkiye and Syria a week ago packed into crowded tents or lined up in the streets for hot meals on Monday, while the desperate search for anyone still alive likely entered its last hours.

A crew wrested a fouryear-old girl from rubble in hard-hit Adiyaman, 177 hours after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck. The rescuers were among thousands of local and overseas teams, including Turkish coal miners and

experts aided by sniffer dogs and thermal cameras, who scoured pulverized apartment blocks for signs of life.

While stories of nearmiraculous rescues have flooded the airwaves in recent days — many broadcast live on Turkish television and beamed around the world — tens of thousands of dead have been found during the same period.

Experts say given the freezing temperatures — and the total collapse of so many buildings — the window for such rescues is nearly shut.

Some 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the epicentre, almost no houses were left standing in the village of Polat, where residents salvaged refrigerators, washing machines and other goods from wrecked homes.

Not enough tents have arrived for the homeless, said survivor Zehra Kurukafa, forcing families to share the tents that are available.

“We sleep in the mud, all together with two, three, even four families,” said Kurukafa.

In the city of Adiyaman, 25-year-old Musa Bozkurt waited for a vehicle to bring him and others to the city of Afyon, in western Turkiye.

The last such public warning was in September after President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization.

The U.S. embassy in Moscow said in a statement, quote, “Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, singled out U.S. citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence.” The Federal Security Service (FSB) said in January that prosecutors had opened a criminal case against a United States citizen on suspicion of espionage.

Russian forces bombard Ukraine’s Bakhmut

KYIV, FEB 13 (AGEN -

CIES): The city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine was coming heavy Russian artillery fire on Monday as Ukrainian forces there braced for possible ground attacks, Ukrainian military officials said. Positions in Bakhmut have been fortified and only people with a military role were being allowed in, a deputy battalion commander said. Any civilians who still wanted to leave the city would have to brave the incoming fire, he said.

Bakhmut, in the Do -

Meteoroid lights up sky above English Channel

star effect, reports the BBC. The 1m (3ft) meteoroid was seen shortly before 03:00 GMT on Monday morning.

Social media users, some based in the south of England, shared footage of the rock which has been dubbed Sar2667.

It is just the seventh time an asteroid impact has been predicted in advance.

China on Monday said more than 10 US high-altitude balloons have flown in its airspace during the past year without its permission, following Washington’s accusation that Beijing operates a fleet of surveillance balloons around the world.

LONDON, FEB 13 (AGENCIES): A small meteoroid has entered the Earth’s atmosphere and was seen lighting up the sky above the English Channel, creating a stunning shooting

Minister Richard Holden said on Monday that Britain would deal “robustly” with China, which he called “a hostile state”. He said it was “possible” China had flown spy balloons over the UK. Wallace’s announcement late on Sunday came after US fighter jets shot down an object over Lake Huron on Sunday – the fourth such downing over the US or Canada this month.

The Chinese allegation comes after the US shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon that had crossed from Alaska to South Carolina, sparking a new crisis in bilateral relations that have spiralled to their lowest level in decades. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave no details about the alleged US balloons, how they had been dealt with or whether they had government or military links. “It is also common for US balloons to illegally enter the airspace of other countries,” Wang said at a daily briefing. “Since last year, US high-altitude balloons have illegally flown over China’s airspace more than 10 times without the approval of Chinese authorities.” Wang said the US should “first reflect

on itself and change course, rather than smear and instigate a confrontation”. China says the balloon shot down by the US was an unmanned airship made for meteorological research that had been blown off course. It has accused the US of overreacting by shooting it down and threatened to take unspecified action in response. Following the incident, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cancelled a visit to Beijing that many had hoped would put the brakes on the sharp decline in relations over Taiwan, trade, human rights and threatening Chinese actions in the disputed South China Sea.

Thousands march in Israel as Netanyahu allies push overhaul

JERUSALEM, FEB 13

(AP): Tens of thousands of Israelis — hoisting flags, blowing on horns and chanting “democracy” and “no to dictatorship”— protested outside the parliament building on Monday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government formally launched a contentious plan to overhaul the country’s legal system.

It was the largest protest outside the Knesset in years and reflected the deep divisions over the plan. The proposed changes have triggered weeks of mass demonstrations, drawn cries of protests from influential business leaders and former military men and even prompted a statement of concern from President Joe Biden.

Despite a plea from the nation’s figurehead president to put the legislation on hold, Netanyahu’s allies approved a series of legislative changes during a stormy committee meeting Tuesday. The vote now sends the legislation to the full parliament for a series

Israelis wave national flags during protest outside the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem, Monday. of votes — an opening salvo in a battle expected to stretch on for weeks.

“They hear our cry. They hear the strong voice of truth,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said from the stage outside parliament. “They hear it and they’re afraid.”

Netanyahu and his supporters say the proposed changes are needed to rein in a judiciary that wields too much power. But his critics say the judicial overhaul is tantamount to a coup and will destroy Israeli democracy. They also

say that Netanyahu, who is on trial for a series of corruption charges, has a conflict of interest. The protesters came from across the country. Trainloads of people arrived in Jerusalem on packed trains, streaming up escalators in the city’s main train station chanting, “democracy,” cheering and whistling, and waving the national flag. A few hundred others gathered in protest at Jerusalem’s Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, before marching toward the Knesset.

Vladimir Putin and months of Russian shelling have already left much of it in ruins. With the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaching and a big new Kremlin offensive anticipated, the situation there has become even more acute.

“The city, the city’s suburbs, the entire perimeter, and essentially the entire Bakhmut direction and Kostyantynivka are under crazy, chaotic shelling,” said Volodymyr Nazarenko, deputy commander of Ukraine’s Soboda battalion.

d eclarati O n

The 9th Kohima Town A/C BJP Mandal had declared to support the NDPP candidate Dr. Nicky Kire with all its rank and file in the ensuing State General Election 2023 as per the 20:40 seat sharing agreement made between the NDPP and BJP party.

S/d S/d

Office O f the 28 K O ridang a/c nd PP Press r elease

The European Space Agency tweeted that it was “a sign of the rapid advancements in global asteroid detection capabilities!”

A person who says they witnessed the event wrote on Twitter that the asteroid “lit up the sky with a pink flash which was spectacular.”

to

As per the Directive of the NDPP Central Office, Nagaland and adhering to the true spirit of the pre-poll alliance, the 28 Koridang A/C convened a meeting on 13 th Feb 2023 unanimously and whole heartedly decided to support Shri. Imkong L Imchen BJP candidate of 28 Koridang A/C in this coming 14 NLA election.

Wang Wenbin

The supporters of Late Phukavi Yeptho, former candidate, 1 Dimapur-I A/C, consisting of 106 households from Niu Colony have unanimously resolved

support Shri H. Tovihoto Ayemi BJP candidate, 1 Dimapur-I A/C in the ensuing 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election.

Cracks along the road near Koseli village in Pazarcik, Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey on Feb. 12, 2023 (AP/PTI)

Ukrainian servicemen fire a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system towards Russian troops on Feb 11. netsk region, is a major ob- jective for Russian President

(L) F-16 fighter fired an AIM9x to shoot down the object. (R) Gen. Glen VanHerck.

Asteroid hits earth and explodes after rocketing through planet’s atmosphere.

Rush at flower stalls on V-Day eve in Dimapur

Liam Neeson’s ‘Marlowe’ to release in India on Feb 24

Irish actor Liam Neeson’s 100th film ‘Marlowe’ will be released theatrically in India on February 24. The film, based on the bestselling novel by John Banville, is a gripping period thriller that promises to keep the viewers guessing right till the end. Set in the late thirties, the film tells the story of Philip Marlowe, a sharp and sublime but down on the luck private detective who is tasked with the mission to find the ex-lover of a ravishing heiress. As he delves deeper into the hunt, Marlowe realises

that there is much more to the case than what meets the eye. The film, directed by Academy award winning filmmaker Neil Jordan, also features Diane Kruger, Alan Cumming and Danny Huston among others. Liam, who began his film career back in 1978, is renowned for his powerful performances in films such as ‘Schindler’s List’, ‘Gangs of New York’ and ‘Love Actually’ among many other classics. The film is being distributed in India by PVR Pictures. (IANS)

Aday ahead of Valentine’s Day, markets and streets in Dimapur have been filled with sales of Valentine’s roses and gifts involving local entrepreneurs.

It may be mentioned that popular items like soft toys and chocolates are still getting added, Valentine’s Day gifting this year was about practical choices.

Stalls are set up on the stretch of the market, some

for fund raise and some by entrepreneurs selling homemade items.

Speaking to some of the sellers here Monday, at Nyamo Lotha Road Dimapur, one lady rose vendor said that this year people are not showing much enthusiasm on buying roses rather they are opting for gifts. “People are more inclined for online purchase, after lockdown”, she added. However, she was also hope-

ful that the number of roses that they have ordered could be sold off by evening. Roses are mostly preordered export from Bangalore, after receiving the parcel, it was packed and sold at a price ranging from Rs. 50 – Rs. 70 (single) to Rs. 350- 500 (bouquet budget wise), the young lady said. Varieties of gift hampers, kits filled with scented candles, coffee, nuts, love

‘BB16’ Finale: Pune rapper MC Stan takes home trophy, Rs 31L cheque

Rapper MC Stan was declared winner of ‘Bigg Boss’ season 16, in a star-studded grand finale that started on Sunday night and went into the early hours of Monday. MC Stan, whose real name is Altaf Shaikh, came into the reality show with a huge fan base, and he took home the Bigg Boss trophy along with a whopping over Rs 31 lakh. Over 130 days of battle inside the house, Stan to maintain his position all along as a strong contender for the trophy. He defeated Shiv Thakare, Archana Gautam and Shalin Bhanot in the grand finale.

Stan is an Indian rapper, lyricist, music producer and composer. He became popular after the release of his song ‘Khuja Mat’ in 2019. He hails from Pune, Maharashtra. He was just

12 when he began singing qawwali. He was introduced to rap music by his brother. Before getting into rapping, Stan was into B-boying and beatboxing. His one liners such as ‘Shemdi’, ‘appreciate you’, ‘Haq se’, ‘feel you bro’ and ‘Hindi matra bhasha’ and ‘Raavas’ have caught attention of all across the country. Stan, who proudly calls himself as ‘Basti Ka Hasthi’, is one of the most popular faces in ‘Bigg Boss 16’ as he enjoys a fan following of 7.7 million on Instagram. In the Top 3 segment, Priyanka

Choudhary was competing against Shiv Thakare and MC Stan. However, she was shown the exit door after making it in the final three.

Salman praised Priyanka by the way she took the news. She competed with 14 people and came out with a smile and did not break down even though she came so close to the trophy.

The top five contestants were also seen performing before the winner was feted with the trophy. The Bigg Boss 16 grand finale also saw a motley of personalities such as Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, Junooniyat cast, including Gautam Vig, Ankit Gupta and Neha Rana, Karan Kundra, Gashmeer Mahajani and Reem Sameer Shaikh from ‘Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal’. (IANS)

Valentine pop up outside World of Titan, Church Road

Gift hamper, fresh roses, metallic roses, handmade roses

n many more

Contact : +91 7628-883873

ClarifiCation

I am saddened to see that an individual person impersonating me hacked my instagram account and posted “It’s about time we have women representation in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. I appeal to the constituents to support Mrs.@k.salhoutuonuo and cast your precious vote for her”. Whoever has posted this has done it with the intention to deceive and mislead the voters of 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency in particular and the Naga public in general. I see this as a very cheap and disgusting way of electioneering and hereby clarify that I have no connection whatsoever with this post.

I, as the Independent Candidate for the 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency fully endorsed gender equality and I am proud to say that my Constituency never discriminate any individual on the basis of gender. As a matter of fact, the first woman in Nagaland to contest election was in 1969 when Mrs. Rano Shaiza contested from Western Angami Constituency in the 2nd General Election in Nagaland. Again in 1982 she contested in the 5th General Election from the same Constituency. While maintaining gender equality, the voters of 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency always voted as per the merit of the individual candidates in the past and I am sure they will do the same in this election too.

pillows etc. were also seen sold in the market. Love balloons were seen hanging, sales on various items were also an option for buyers for their love ones.

An elderly man who was seen buying rose, spoke to this reporter mentioned that he has been married for the last 38 years and such a day to express love should be celebrated for it, once in a year.

(Staff Reporter)

10 YEARS OF NICS

SINCE 2013

A DECADE AGO, NICSE REDEFINED THE COACHING INDUSTRY OF NAGALAND IN A DECADE, NICSE CREATED HUNDREDS OF CHAMPIONS IN NPSC TRUST IS NOT BUILT IN A DAY OR IN A YEAR IT’S BUILT OVER MANY YEARS OF CONSISTENT & INCOMPARABLE WORK

A VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT TO NPSC ASPIRANTS OF DIMAPUR WHO STAY BETWEEN 2 ½ MILE TO CHUMUKEDIMA THE BEST GETS BIGGER

ANNOUNCING 5TH MILE CENTRE (NEAR GREEN PARK JUNCTION) OPENING ON 8TH MARCH (INTERNATIONALWOMEN’S DAY) (ADMISSIONS FOR 5TH MILE CENTRE BEGIN AT NAGARJAN POINT CENTRE) ALL CENTRES: SPECIAL FEE WAIVERS TILL 28TH FEB AT NICSE

IT’S NOT JUST COACHING IT’S MUCH BEYOND IT’S THE TRUST OF 10 YEARS FOR PARENTS & ASPIRANTS FOR CHOOSING THE BEST IT’S THE CONFIDENCE OF CLEARING A CIVIL SERVICE EXAM IN THE FIRST ATTEMPT

A SIMPLE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTION

WHICH INSTITUTE WILL YOU LOGICALLY JOIN FOR NPSC 2023 OUT OF THE 30+, EVERY DAY GROWING CROWD OF AMATEUR COACHING CENTRES?

A) NICSE, WITH HIGHEST SELECTIONS EVER BY ANY COACHING INSTITUTE (HUNDREDS OF SELECTIONS IN NPSC IN 10 YEARS), WITH 50+ SELECTIONS IN MAINS 2022,19 GENUINE SELECTIONS IN NPSC MERIT LIST 2022.

B) INSTITUTES RUNNING FOR FEW YEARS & CLAIMING BIG ON QUALITY, STRUCTURE AND BRAND, BUT WITH ZERO, SINGLE DIGIT OR NEGLIGIBLE RESULTS

C) NEW FRANCHISE INSTITUTES WITH FAKE RESULTS WITHOUT COACHING ANYONE AND FALSE CLAIMS OF HIGHEST (80%) ACCURACY, WHILE INAUGURATING AFTER MAINS 2022 & CLAIMING NICSE STUDENTS AS THEIR OWN. 80%? IS 4 OUT OF 5, EVEN A VALID SAMPLE SIZE?

D) INSTITUTES CLAIMING TO HAVE HIGH RESULTS FOR JUST 1 OR 2 YEARS BUT STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO

NEW BATCHES FOR ALL PROGRAMS TO BEGIN ON 23RD FEBRUARY

I am looking forward to a free and fair election.

k-311/23

AT NICSE FOR A DECADE DIFFERENCE IS THE CONSTANT

k-314/23

Vendors seen selling roses and gifts for Valentine’s Day along the side walks in Dimapur. (NP)

Serie A: Juventus beat Fiorentina 1-0 Carlos Alcaraz motivated by ‘Big Three’

ROME, FEB 13 (AGENCIES): First-half goal by midfielder Adrien Rabiot earned Juventus a 1-0 home win over Fiorentina in Serie A on Sunday, stretching the visitors’ winless run to five games.

Juventus, which has now kept one more clean sheet this season (14) than it did in the entire 2021-22 campaign, moved up three places to ninth on 29 points from 22 games. It sits one point behind eight-placed Udinese and Torino in seventh.

Juve had a good chance to take the lead in the 12th minute when Angel Di Maria’s cross bounced off a Fiorentina defender to reach Filip Kostic inside the box, but he shot narrowly wide of the far post from a tight angle. The Serbia defender could have given Juventus the lead once more when he connected with a lofted pass but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano.

Rabiot put the host in front in the 34th minute

with a close-range header from a delightful cross by Di Maria. Terracciano initially parried the ball away but goalline technology proved it had crossed the line.

Fiorentina barely troubled the Juventus defence in the opening 45

NRAI conducts workshop on sexual harassment

NEW DELHI, FEB 13

(IANS): The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) conducted an awareness and sensitisation workshop on prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace.

The workshop was conducted under the aegis of the High-Performance Director (HPD) of the NRAI, Pierre Beauchamp. Held at the Karni Singh Shooting Range here, the workshop besides, Beauchamp, was ad-

Golf: Scheffler wins Phoenix Open

SCOTTSDALE (USA),

FEB 13

(IANS):

Scottie

Scheffler successfully defended his WM Phoenix Open title at TPC Scottsdale to regain the No. 1 spot in the world. It was his first win since the 2022 Masters that set him on the road to becoming World No. 1. Scheffler closed with a 6-under 65 to beat Nick Taylor by two strokes on the Stadium Course Sunday. The 26-year-old Texan took the No. 1 ranking from Rory McIlroy with his fifth PGA TOUR victory. Scheffler moved to fifth in the FedExCup standings.

Though there have been 16 starts since his last win, Scheffler has finished no worse than Tied-11 (at American Express) in his last six starts indicating that he is getting back to his best as the Majors are around the corner.

Last year, Scheffler beat Patrick Cantlay in a playoff for his first TOUR title. Scheffler added victories in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the WGCDell Technologies Match Play and the Masters Tournament and was the PGA TOUR’s player of the year.

minutes and continued to offer little threat after the break.

Juve striker Dusan Vlahovic thought he had made it 2-0 in the 59th minute when he lobbed the goalkeeper, but what would have been his first goal against his former

1st

club was ruled out by VAR due to an offside in the build-up.

Substitute Moise Kean had two good chances for Juventus after coming on for Vlahovic but his first effort was saved by the alert Terracciano and the other was off target.

Substitute Gaetano Castrovilli filled Fiorentina with hope in the closing stages when his powerful low shot sped past keeper Wojciech Szczesny, but VAR ruled out the effort for offside.

Juventus, which hosts Nantes in the Europa League on Thursday, travels to Spezia on Feb. 19 in Serie A. Fiorentina, which dropped to 14th on 24 points, hosts 12th-placed Empoli the same day

Elsewhere, Napoli took revenge on Cremonese for their Coppa Italia exit with a 3-0 drubbing thanks to goals from birthday boy Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen and Eljif Elmas.

With the sixth consecutive win, Napoli lead the table with a commanding 16-point advantage over second-placed Inter Milan who visit Sampdoria on Monday.

Also on Sunday, Monza beat Bologna 1-0 on Giulio Donati’s solo effort, while Udinese shared the spoils with Sassuolo at 2-2.

BUENOS AIRES, FEB 13 (IANS): Former world no 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who will mark his 2023 season debut in Argentina Open after an injury setback, is aiming to learn from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to elevate his game to new heights.

The 19-year-old had a breakthrough season in 2022, as he won his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open and rose to world No.1.

However, he missed the 2023 season’s first major, Australian Open, due to a muscle injury in his right leg, which he picked up last November at the Paris Masters.

“I think I can improve everything in terms of my game, fitness and mentality. Little by little, my team will take those small steps to get even better,” Alcaraz was quoted by Eurosport.

“Rafa, Roger and Djokovic, when they were young, they were so good, but as time has gone by, they’ve improved. I’m certain that I need to continue to improve. Achieving my dream very quickly caught

IN GRATITUDE

UBC Late Huka Aye, DEF Zunheboto

me by surprise, so to speak. Now I’m used to it, I have a goal, I know where I want to get to, what I want to be, and that is the most important thing,” he said.

The Spaniard is now looking to shake off his injury issues and looking to replicate his performance from 2022, which saw him win his first Grand Slam.

“I’ve come a few days early, to train with really good players, gradually improve and to be able to start the tournament as well as possible,” he said.

He has his friends and

family with him in Argentina and said: “They’re here and I also count my team as a family: Juanjo Moreno, my physio, Albert Molina and Toni (Antonio Cascales).

“At the end of the day, the time on the court is two or three hours a day. The rest of the time you have to do things you enjoy, that make you feel good so that you can do as well as possible in the tournament. They come to support me, but also to bring that part of ‘home’, which is also very important,” the Spaniard added.

dressed by K Sultan Singh, secretary general, NRAI, Putul Kumari, ex-Member of Parliament and senior vice-president, NRAI and Urmila Lanba, advocate and external member of the committee.

Around 200 attendees included athletes and coaches of the ongoing national camp, officials and support staff. The NRAI will probably be the first national federation to conduct such a workshop.

Remembrance

Today marks one year of your passing away and that was the last time, we could hold you and say our goodbye, it was the saddest day of our lives, it has not been easy without you and not a single moment goes by without remembering you. We miss your warm personality as you are the cornerstone of our lives which no earthly being can replace you. Today we remember you with deep respect and silent tears in our hearts and one day we hope to see you again at the feet of Jesus.

WC-24/23

Loving wife & children

Born : 29th October, 1987 – Died : 5th February, 2023

Through this column, we the bereaved family of Late Huka Aye, DEF Zunheboto , express our heartfelt gratitude and remember the kindness shown towards us during our darkest hour of grief and distress spiritually, emotionally, financially, morally & physically at his sudden demise.

Our sincere appreciation and thanks to: Atoizu PS, Rank & File, DEF Zunheboto, Rank & File, SDPO Akuluto, Rank & File, Shri Kazheto Kinimi (Hon’ble MLA, 31 Akuluto A/C) & Family, Friends from Akuluto, Atoizu and nearby Areas, Sutemi Baptist Church (Aizuto & Nito Mount), Village Council, Sutemi Village, All Residents of Sutemi Village, Relatives from far & near . We accept our inability to personally thank each and every one, however, we are indebted forever for your kindness and generosity. May our Almighty God shower His unending blessings to all.

Loving Wife, Children, Parents, Siblings, In-laws & Relatives.

dp-651/23

FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY

14.02.2022

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born : 21.04.1949 – Died : 08.02.2023

Through this column, we the family members of LT. SANTSUO OVUNG would like to express our profound gratitude to all those who stood by us physically, financially, mentally and spiritually during the prolonged illness till the time of his demise.

We convey our special gratitude to :

1. Lotha Baptist Church Diphupar

2. Women Department Lotha Baptist Church Diphupar

3. Phiro Baptist Church

4. Sumi Baptist Church Diphupar

5. Sangtam Baptist Church Diphupar

6. Believers Eastern Church Model Village 5th Mile

7. Infant Jesus Catholic Church Model Village 5th Mile

8. Wokha Section Women Department AG

9. Lotha Community Diphupar

10. Phiro Union Dimapur

11. Phiro Pongdenro Senjum Dimapur

12. Phiro Students Union

13. Dimapur Nkonjan Ovung Ekhung

14. Model Village Lotha Community

15. Dimapur Wozhuro Range Union

16. Diphupar Nkonjan Donphyaktsüre Ekhung

17. Model Village Council 5th Mile

18. DIC Officers & Staff

19. Puda Memorial School Staff

LATE MRS. MHONBENI MURRY

“Loss of a mother can never be replaced but the love of a mother can never be lost.”

One year has passed since you left us and the fact that you are no longer here with us will always cause us pain but you are forever in our hearts until we meet again. We will love you and miss you.

Fondly Remembered HUSBAND, DAUGHTERS, IN-LAWS & GRANDCHILDREN

20. Green Park Staff

21. Teacher & Staff GMS Showuba Old

22. Teacher & Staff GMS Model Village 5th Mile

23. Doctors, Nurses & Staff, Olive Hospital Research Centre

We apologize for being unable to mention everyone individually but, we hope and pray, that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Children, Grandchildren & Family Members.

DEATH ANNIVERSARY of Late Nribemo Kikon (14/02/2023)

Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot heads the ball to score a goal against Fiorentina.

Carlos Alcaraz

Nagaland players with team officials at 5th National Masters Games 2023 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Nagaland beat West Bengal by 4- 1. Nagaland will meet Maharashtra in final at BHU Stadium Varanasi at 9am on Tuesday.

Scottie Scheffler

I-League: RGPFC beat AFC; secure all 3 points

attacks were thwarted by the RGPFC defense who stood firm. Kiran Kumar Limbu, who was adjudged as the Hero of the Match, made some crucial saves to help his team secure all three points and keep the pressure on table-toppers Sreenidi Deccan.

RGPFC have 37 points from seventeen matches while Aizawl FC have 23 points from sixteen games.

RGPFC will face NEROCA FC on February 20 at the Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal.

AIZAWL/MUMBAI, FEB

13 (AGENCIES): A superb solo run and finish by Bhutanese forwards Chencho Gylteshen helped RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) beat Aizawl FC 1-0 and secure all three points in an I-League 2022-23 match at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl on Monday.

RGPFC remains in second place with this win on the head-to-head record along with Sreenidi Deccan.

RGPFC coach Staikos Vergetis made three changes to the starting lineup bringing in Chencho Gyeltshen, Freddy Lallawmawma, and Abhishek Singh instead of

Juan Carlos Nellar, Khaimingthang Lhungdim and Brandon Vanlalremdika. Aizawl FC coach, Caetano Pinho fielded his strong side in their home ground looking to create an upset in the match.

Aizawl FC started the first half by attacking the RGPFC box with a couple of good crosses. RGPFC quickly started to take control of the possession and played better football in half but could not convert the possession into clearcut chances. Both teams struggled to find openings in the final third as they could not register even one shot on

target in the first half.

RGPFC started the second half with more vigor by pressing the Aizawl midfield and showing intensity going forward. They were rewarded in the 53rd minute for the pressure. Chencho Gylteshen finished a superb solo run through the left wing, dropping three defenders and beating the Aizawl keeper Vikram Singh which proved to be the match-winner.

RGPFC could have doubled the lead soon but Luka Majcen’s right footer came back off the post.

Aizawl tried hard to find the equalizer but all their

Services stun Bengal 2-1; M’laya beat Manipur 1-0 in Santosh Trophy

BHUBANESWAR, FEB

13 (PTI): Services made a strong comeback after trailing by one goal to stun Bengal 2-1 in the 76th National Football Championships for the Santosh Trophy here on Monday.

Naro Hari Shreshta put multiple-time champions Bengal ahead in the 14th minute but Services struck back through goals from P Christopher Kamei (41st) and Bikash Thapa (82nd) to run away with all the three points.

Bengal are without a win after two matches. They just have one point from the draw with Delhi in their opening match.

Bengal head coach Bishwajit Bhattacharya had hoped that a day’s rest, some contemplation and as many as five changes to his starting eleven would galvanise his side that looked lacklustre in their opening match, which they drew with Delhi. But it wasn’t to be.

Despite a bright start, where they pressed high and harried Services off the ball, Bengal were, for the most part, out-thought if not outplayed by a Services team that is proving to be as clinical as they are classy.

Naro Hari Shreshta’s third goal of the final round, scored in the 14th minute, looked to have set up a Bengal resurgence. Trailing by a goal, Services pressed forward constantly, hurrying the Bengal midfield.

But, Bengal held out, ensuring that Services never really had a clear chance at goal, making them shoot from distance.

With barely five minutes to go for the break, a foul conceded by Bengal at the top of the box gifted Services a free kick from 25 yards, and in perfect position for Christopher Kamei to have a pop at the target. He did it perfectly, slotting his shot into the far corner to draw his team level.

Bengal pressed for the lead in the second half but Services goalkeeper and captain Bhabindra Malla Thakuri, a giant of a man anyway, pulled a few brilliant saves to keep his side in the game.

Thakuri’s saves recharged Services, who went on to score the winner in the 82nd minute, with Bikash Thapa slotting home from close range after exchanging passes with Ronaldo Singh in the box. It was enough for Services to wrap up the three points.

In other matches, Meghalaya beat Manipur 1-0 with Brolington Warlarpih scoring the lone goal in the 62nd minute.

Manipur goalkeeper Ngamsanglena Haokip’s horrible error caused his team dearly as he failed to hold Brolington’s free-kick and the ball rolled into the goal.

Railways were also 1-0 winners against Delhi in the third match of the day.

Sudeva Delhi beat Mumbai Kenkre: A match between the bottom-placed teams of the Hero I-League provided some of the best football this season, and several moments of individual brilliance, as Sudeva Delhi FC earned their second win, beating Mumbai Kenkre FC 3-1 at the Cooperage Stadium on Monday.

The first half was rather lacklustre, with the two teams creating one real chance each. First, Mumbai Kenkre’s Cameroonian forward Auguste Somlaga wasted a perfect cross from the right by Kynsailang Khongsit in the 27th minute.

The second chance came to eventual Hero of the Match Seilenthang Lotjem of Sudeva Delhi,

Canelo to face Ryder on May 6

LAS VEGAS, FEB 13 (AGENCIES): Canelo Alvarez is expected to defend his undisputed super middleweight championship on May 6 against interim WBO champion John Ryder in Jalisco, Mexico, on May 6, his first bout in his homeland since he stopped Kermit Cintrón on Nov. 26, 2011, in Mexico City. ESPN first reported Saturday that the bout was headed to Jalisco, though it reported the venue has not been finalized.

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel told Yahoo Sports on Saturday that Alvarez would fight Ryder next, but said he was uncertain of the date or the venue.

“I can tell you they are going to fight, but they haven’t sent us the letter requesting sanction yet and so I don’t know where,” Valcarcel told Yahoo Sports. On Feb. 3, promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom told BoxingScene the bout likely would be in Mexico.

at the stroke of half-time. Nitesh Darjee centred from the left to find the 18-yearold in the middle of the box unmarked. He had only Kenkre goalkeeper Padam Chettri to beat from handshaking distance, but his tap was too weak to beat the custodian. Lalbiakliana made a similar mistake in the 55th minute. This time the cross was from Lotjem.

However, Sankarlal Chakraborty’s team got the lead in the next minute itself.

The second goal, however, was a piece of sublime skill by Lotjem.

Samandar Ochilov’s 74th minute free-kick was too good for the Sudeva goalkeeper. It flew over the wall as well as over a flying Priyant to make it 1-2.

But Kenkre’s hopes of at least salvaging a point evaporated three minutes later. This time Lotjem got the ball on the right inside the box from Gomez, deceived Suraj Negi with a mesmerising body feint and found the net with his left foot. The win took Sudeva Delhi to nine points from 16 matches, while Mumbai Kenkre’s hopes of moving out of the relegation zone took a big hit as they remained on 14 points after 17 games in the Hero I-League.

Wu becomes first Chinese man to win ATP title with Dallas triumph

DALLAS, FEB 13 (AP):

Wu Yibing became the first Chinese player to win an ATP Tour title, rallying in a three-set, all-tiebreaker thriller to beat John Isner in the Dallas Open on Sunday.

Wu overcame 44 aces from the big-serving Isner — one shy of tying a three-set record — and four match points in the 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (12) victory. The 2 3-year-old was the first Chinese player in an ATP final. Wu also came back from a set down to beat top-seeded American Taylor Fritz in the semifinals. There were no service breaks in Wu’s victory over the fifth-seeded Isner, who was playing in his hometown tournament.

“It’s not only about winning the title, I think it’s more about me personally making history and also for the country,” said Wu, who was the first Chinese man to reach the third round of the U.S. Open when he did it as a qualifier last year.

“That’s huge for the next generation,” Wu said. “For me, I need to keep going, keep my body healthy. I’m sure there’s more to come.”

Leading 8-7 in the third-set tiebreaker, Isner came to the net for an easy volley that hit the top of the net and stayed on Isner’s side. The 6-foot-10 American sensed the opportunity lost, sitting for a few moments and fiddling with the strings on his racket.

Wu saved another match point at 10-9 and had four match points of his own in the final tiebreaker before finally converting on Isner’s serve when Isner sent a forehand long off Wu’s return.

Wu fell on his back in disbelief, staying down long enough for Isner to come across the net to congratulate him.

It was the first tiebreaker in a decisive set in Wu’s career, who climbed into the top 60 of the rank-

ings for the first time.

Battling injuries that kept him out for most of 2019-20 before the pandemic sidelined him even longer, Wu was No. 1,121 a year ago.

“I’ve been through a lot of things,” Wu said. “I think the reason now I’m relaxed on tennis courts is I trust myself. If you want to beat me, you have to work hard.”

Since his return, Wu has a 50-10 match record and had won three ATP Challenger titles before his Dallas breakthrough. Isner was trying for his 17th career title in his 31st final. He made the semifinals in the inaugural Dallas Open last year before losing to eventual champion Reilly Opelka in the semifinals.

Barcelona extend LaLiga lead to 11 points

MADRID, FEB 13 (AP): Barcelona keeps on winning at the top of the Spanish league and moving further away from Real Madrid.

Barcelona beat Villarreal 1-0 on the road on Sunday to extend its winning streak to 11 matches in all competitions and its lead over second-place Madrid to 11 points.

Madrid, which won the Club World Cup on Saturday, has played a game less than Barcelona.

“There is nothing decided yet, there is still a lot of league left,” Barcelona coach Xavi said. “But we are happy because we are on a great run, doing things well.”

It was the 16th clean sheet for Barcelona in 21 league matches this season.

Pedri scored in the 18th minute for Barcelona, whose 1-1 draw against Espanyol in the league on Dec. 31 was the last time it failed to win. The 11-game streak has included beating Real Betis on penalties in the Spanish Super Cup and an extra-time victory

in the Copa del Rey against Intercity.

It was the third straight loss for eighth-place Villarreal, which has only one win in its last six matches in all competitions. Its previous defeat was at last-place Elche, which had been win-

Women’s Premier League auction: 9 Indian women get crore-plus deals

MUMBAI, FEB 13 (PTI):

Smriti Mandhana stole the thunder in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) auctions as Royal Challengers Bangalore pipped Mumbai Indians in a bidding war to buy the India vice-captain for Rs 3.40 crore (USD 410,000) here on Monday.

India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur came much cheaper for Mumbai Indians at nearly half the price of Mandhana at Rs 1.80 crore.

Harman is also not the highest paid in her team where England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt got way more at Rs 3.20 crore. In fact, Harmanpreet was not even among the topsix Indian buys as the second costliest player from the country so far is all-rounder

Deepti Sharma, who was bought by UP Warriorz for Rs 2.6 crore.

The hard-hitting Shafali Verma and star of the T20 World Cup game against Pakistan on Sunday, Jemimah Rodrigues were picked by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore and Rs 2.20 crore respectively. All-rounders Pooja Vastrakar and Richa Ghosh laughed their way to the bank with Rs 1.90 crore deals offered by MI and RCB respectively.

Jemimah and Richa’s deals were also a case of recency bias as the Pakistan match on Sunday did play a big role. However, Delhi Capitals pulled off a coup

by roping in one of contemporary women’s cricket’s best leaders Meg Lanning of Australia for Rs 1.10 crore.

The RCB, which teed off the buying spree, also

explained their choices and the price attached to it.

“Everyone knows Mandhana and (Australia’s Elysse) Perry -- Rs 1.7 crore); we were pretty committed to

the couple of people we wanted to get. We’re very happy to get such quality players. It’s a dream result for us to get Mandhana, Perry and (Sophie) Devine (Rs 50 lakh),” RCB Director of Cricket Mike Hesson said during a media interaction.

“Smriti has got plenty of captaincy experience and is familiar with the Indian conditions, so highly likely (she’ll be the captain).”

Mandhana, who watched the auction with her team cheering each bid, was ecstatic.

“We have been watching auction of men’s (players). It is such a big moment for women to have an auction of this sort. The whole thing is exacting. RCB’s legacy is big, they have built a big fan-base. Hope we both can together build a big team,” Mandhana said.

Deepti on her part said, “We waited for this opportunity and since I am from UP, it is a great feeling. I want to contribute as much as possible for UP Warriorz.”

One of the prominent picks during the first round of auction was Australia’s off-spin all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who was bought by Gautam Adani-owned Gujarat Gi -

ants for Rs 3.20 crore (USD 386,000). Gardner and Nat Sciver are the two highestpaid overseas players. Gujarat primarily bought foreign players and are yet to buy prominent India players save Harleen Deol for Rs 40 lakh.

Star Australian allrounder Perry received a cool Rs 1.70 crore (USD 205,000) winning bid from RCB, who also got New Zealand skipper Devine dirt cheap at a base price of Rs 50 lakh. RCB has already exhausted Rs 7.10 crore out of Rs 12-crore purse on four players and they need to get another 11 players with the rest of the Rs 4.90 crore to have a mandatory squad size of 15 players. The maximum squad strength will be 18 players. UP Warriorz also got England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone on board for Rs 1.80 crore.

The five potential captains are Mandhana (RCB), Harmanpreet (MI), Lanning (DC), Beth Mooney (Gujarat Giants) and Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz).

Some of the big names to miss out are Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Atapatthu, English captain Heather Knight and South African batter Laura Wolvaardt.

less in the league.

Villarreal started the game without injured striker Gerard Moreno, and it lost midfielder Francis Coquelin with a knee injury in the first half. The Frenchman had to be carried off the field on a stretcher.

Defender Marcos Alonso started on the bench a few days after the death of his father, former Barcelona player Marcos Alonso. Barcelona next hosts Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday.

Players of RGPFC and AFC in action during I-League at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl.

Wu Yibing

Barcelona’s Pedri celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal