26 Feb 2023

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Romans 8:30

And whom he foreordained them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified.

Born on 20.01.1984 – Died on 20.02.2023

We, the family of Late SARANDI, H/o Mrs. AKANGLEMLA would like to express our deep appreciation to every individual, friends, neighbours and churches who supported us physically, financially and spiritually at the demise of SARANDI on 20/02/2023. Your deeds helped us and made our loss more bearable.

We deeply regret our inability to acknowledge each and every one individually, but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Children, Siblings, Parents and Relatives

MISSING

OffIce Of the K. SAchü cOLONy cOuNcIL

Late Tonili N. Awomi

Born on 22 February 1929 – Died on 21 February 2023

We, the family of Lt. Tonili N. Awomi would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who support us at the demise of our loving mother Lt. Tonili N. Awomi on 21 February 2023. Words aren't enough to express our gratitude to everyone who had supported us spiritually, financially and physically but it's our prayer that the Good Lord bless you all.

Our sincere gratitude to :

1. Tovihoto Ayemi, Advisor (Power)

2. Pukhayi Assumi, Advisor (Food & Civil Supplies)

3. Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu, Senior Pastor, DSBC

4. Khetoni Shikhu, Women Pastor, DSBC

5. Hekali Achumi, Music Director, Music Committee Church Choir, DSBC

6. Dimapur Sumi Baptist Church

7. Hozka Awomi, GB Niu Colony

8. Hokuto Zhimo, Veterinary GB

9. Dimapur Lizutomi Kuqhakulu

10. Yekhuvi Achumi, GB Lizuto

11. Tokheho Tissicca

12. Khevishe Chophy, Chekiye Block I

13. Niu Colony Kiphimi Kuqhakulu

14. Gospel Light Prayer Center, Niu Colony

15. Niu Vety Fellowship

16. Niu Vety Chimemiqo

17. Niu Colony Council

18. Hevuto Zhimo, Niu Vety.

19. Pukhashe Aye, Ex-GB, Niu Colony

20. Kato N Tissicca

21. Nikali T. Awomi

Dimapur;

797112 Nagaland ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Through this column, the Fire Relief Committee of K. Sachü Colony Ward – 14 would like to acknowledge all the concerned for coming forward in time of grief moment as well as sharing and contributing in cash and kind for fire victims, a fire incident that broke out on 16th February 2023. Followings are the Materials and Financial Help that was received by the Committee.

1. Dimapur District Disaster Management Authority : Rice – 36 Bags, Potato – 5 Bags, Dal – 5 Bags

2. Mr. Y. Vikheho Awomi, LJP Candidate from 2 Dimapur II : Rice – 41 Bags, Potato – 5 Bags, Salt – 2 Bags, Dal – 3 Bags, M.Oil – 2 Carton, Blanket – 50 Nos.

3. Mr. S. Amento Chishi, Congress Candidate from 2 Dimapur-2 AC: Rice 20 Bags, Dal – 2 Bags, Salt-1 bag

4. Master Colony (Kuda Village) Landowners : Rice 40 Bags

5. Nagamese Baptist Church, Lahorijan : Blanket – 2 nos & Clothes.

6. Mr. Bikram – Relief Banner 2 Nos

7. Seva Bharti Nagaland – Blanket 20 Nos.

8. Neighbourhood Service Society – Clothes

9. Rio Colony –Clothes

10. Mrs. Samila Rongmei : Blankets – 19 Nos, 6 Bedsheets, 11 Pillow Covers

11. Mahila Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Dimapur : Blanket - 40 Nos, Clothes - 20 Packets

12. Anthovlog Youtuber – Eatables & Snacks

13. Emanuel Kamei – Blankets, Bedsheets, Pillow Cover, Shirts, Long Pants, Shawls, Polo T Shirts

14. Koski – Clothes

15. M/s Dorin Fair Price Shop – Rice - 2 Bags

16. Rovi – Old Clothes, Mosquito net

17. Mrs. Meera Gonmei – 6 Plates and 6 Bowls

18. Mr. G. Apan – Clothes & Utensils

19. Mrs. Irangle – Clothes

20. Pastor Safique, United Baptist Church, Signal Angami – 6 Packets Clothes, Blankets 20 Nos

21. Mr. K. Chishi – Mosquito Net, Clothes

22. Naresh Jain, Shyam & Munna Bhai – Rice & Salt

23. Auto Drivers, K. Sachu Colony Parking – 2 Packets Frooti, 1 Packet Biscuits

24. Manipuri Baptist Church, Kuda Village – Rice - 2 Bags

25. Nyamo Lotha Colony – Clothes

26. Shuvam’s Vlog – Clothes

27. Humans for Human, New Market - 2 meal (Lunch & Dinner) for Fire Victims

28. Mr. Nizamuddin – 2 Pants, 2 Shirts, 1 Sweater

29. Mr. Medo Metha, Residency Colony : Rice – 5 Bags

30. Mr. Ramu Sarkar : Clothes

31. Mr. Tali Jamir, Midland : Clothes

32. Nagaland Kalwar Samaj: Blanket – 40 nos, Bedsheet – 40 nos, Mosquito net – 40 nos, Grocery kit – 40 nos

33. Kali Puja Committee, K. Sachü Colony: Breakfast for Fire Victims

34. Mr. Panna Choudhury, Lhomithi Colony : Clothes

35. AIDA Don Bosco Dimapur : Blankets, Frying Pans, Spoons, School Bags, & Pressure Cooker

36. Avi – Clothes

37. Suraj Koirala : Ration & Clothes

38. Anil Kumar Das : Clothes

39. Rakes Sonar : clothes

40. Amenba Imsong : clothes

41. Bulu Roy : clothes

42. Deliezhii Colony, Kuda Village : Bucket 45 nos, Plastic Mug 45 nos

43. Nagesh, Lotha Colony – clothes

44. JCI Dimapur Creators Zone 25 – Potatoes & Onions 1 sack each, Eatables & clothes

45. Gorkha Hindu Milan Sewa Sangh – Mosquito Net 40 nos, Bedsheet 40 nos

46. Resi Kar – clothes

47. Viola Colony Dimapur : Rs. 1000/- and 4 bags of Clothes

48. Mr. Along, Naga Gaon : Rice – 35 kg, Cash – Rs. 500/-

49. Mr. Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA Dimapur-II AC : Rs. 1,85,000/-

50. Lhisemia Kuda Rhuba Dimapur : Rs. 5000/-

51. Dimapur Meitei Council : Rs. 5000/-

52. Achum Jami, Lotha Colony : Rs. 10,000/-

53. Mathew : Rs. 100/-

54. St Francis of Assisi Church, Tangnajeilong (ZLR Village) : Rs. 10,000/-

55. Vikholie Rio, Chairman Rio Colony : Rs. 5000/-

56. Hekuto Zhimomi: Rs. 1000/-

57. Naga Gaon Council : Rs. 5000/-

58. Mrs. Tiajungla: Rs. 500/-

59. Seema Singh : Rs. 500/-

60. Bijonti Nayak : Rs. 1000/-

61. Mrs. Rosemary Yeptho : Rs. 1000/-

62. Staff of Govt. Primary School, K. Sachu Colony : Rs. 1500/-

63. Mr. Damthui Zeliang : Rs. 2000/-

64. Amentoli Achumi, Chumoukedima : Rs. 500/-

65. Zeliangrong Baptist Church Dimapur : Rs. 7000/-

66. Mr. Gaidingrei : Rs. 500/-

67. Er. Peter Kung : Rs. 1000/-

68. Kumzuk, Viola Colony : Rs. 1000/-

69. Mr & Mrs Geoffrey Yaden : Rs. 6000/-

70. Julia Zhimo : Rs. 1000/-

71. Manoj, Nagagaon : Rs. 1000/-

72. Spark Group, Burma Camp : Rs. 8500/-

73. Maram Community, K Sachu Colony & Nagagaon : Rs. 10,000/-

74. Ephraim Baptist Church, K. Sachu Colony : Rs. 3000/-

75. Mrs & Mr. Muhavito, River Belt Colony : Rs. 10,000/-

76. Dimapur Rongmei Baptist Church: Utensils & Rs. 10,000/-

77. Salemyang Gangmei : Rs. 1000/-

78. Rongmei Phuam, K. Sachu Colony : Rs. 5000/-

79. Hindi Baptist Church Dimapur, Haralu Colony – Rs. 5000/-

80. John Lotha & Family – Rs. 5000/- and Clothes

81. Zeliangrongram Colony Council – Rs. 3000/-

82. Kuda Kewhimiapfu Mechu Krotho – Rs. 5000/-

83. Kuda D. Khel Thenupfiibo Krotho – Rs. 10,000/-

84. Kirangzai, Nagagaon – Rs. 500/-

85. Sachu Clan, Kohima village – Rs. 10,000/-

86. Ao Temolungtsur Telongjem Dimapur, Signal Viola –Clothes

87. Fatashil Telugu Tinquater Old Colony, Ganesh Mandir, Guwahati –Cash & Kind

88. Telugu Baptist Church, Fatashil Old Colony, Guwahati – Cash & Kind

89. Nagaland Development Outreach(NDO) NBCC – Quilt 43 nos

90. Signal Rio Colony, Dimapur -Rs. 20,000/-

91. Global Window, Hornbill TV, Nagaland TV and Print Media for coverage.

The Council & Relief Committee Pray that Almighty will bless abundantly each & every individual and groups those who have stood with us through spiritually, financially and physically in time of need. fIRe

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Kevisezo

(Sezo) Whuorie

June 20, 1948 – February 15, 2023

“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

1 Thessalonians 4:14

We, the family of Lt. Kevisezo (Sezo) Whuorie wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gesture of kindness shown to us following our sad loss. We offer our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all our well-wishers, communities, cousins, relatives, neighbours, friends, church members and various prayer groups. Words may fall short and it is impossible to thank everyone individually but please accept this acknowledgment as an expression of our deepest gratitude. We can never repay the innumerable deeds and generosity that surmounted us during his prolonged illness yet it is our humble prayer that God bless each of you in an immeasurable way.

We would like to convey our special thanks to:

1) Khedi Baptist Church, Kohima

2) Peraciezie Baptist Church, Kohima

3) Baptist Mission Church, Kohima

4) Dr. Vikethonyu Kesiezie

5) Oking Hospital (Doctors, Nurses, Dialysis Unit and Staff), Kohima

6) Naga Hospital and Dialysis Unit, Kohima

7) Shija Hospital, Imphal

8) Max Care Diagnostic Centre (Technicians), Kohima

9) Bayavü Area Panchayat

10) Royal Club Kohima

11) Lower Tsiepfütsiephe Union

12) All blood donors

k-384/23

Nagaland Post

ISL: ATK Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 2-0

Staff Reporter

Ukraine seeks more pressure on Russia

BJP spurns LJP(RV)’s offers Cong ready to form secular govt even with NDPP: Therie

DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): BJP national spokesperson and in-charge of Nagaland, Nalin Kohli has outrightly rejected claims made by Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Nagaland that the party will be the “king maker” and play a crucial and vital role in government formation after the 2023 elections.

Talking to Nagaland Post, Kohli said any political party was entitled to claim what they want.

He however, made it clear that the NDPP-BJP alliance, with the people’s mandate, will be forming the next government with absolute majority.

In view of this Kohli said there was no scope for anyone to “dream of becoming a king maker, queen maker, prince maker of any kind of maker” Kohli further main -

All inter-state borders to be sealed till Feb 27

DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): In compliance with the directive from the Police Headquarters and as per Election Commission of India standard operating procedure, Commissioner of Police (CP) Dimapur Kevithuto Sophie has has ordered sealing of all interstate borders for 72 hours with effect from February 25 till February 27 evening.

Informing this in a press statement, the Commissioner of Police said this was necessitated to prevent undesirable elements and materials being transported into assembly constituency from outside and to apprehend them if they attempt to do so.

Nalin Kohli (NP)

tained that as both NDPP and BJP are fighting together under 40:20 seat sharing formula in all 60 seats, voters should not be confused with such statements or claims made by LJP(RV), NCP or any other party that they were “indirectly supporting BJP in Nagaland”. With NDPP-BJP alliance, under 40:20 seat sharing formula respectively, fighting all 60 assembly seats, the BJP spokesperson appealed to the voters not to be confused by the statements and claims made by LJP (RV), NCP or any other party that they were directly

or indirectly supporting the BJP in Nagaland.

He also reminded that the issue was also made clear by union home minister, Amit Shah, BJP national presidentJP Nadda and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on several occasions during their election campaigns.

On reports that the LJP (RV) party had strategically pitted its candidates against most of the NDPP candidates, Kohli said there were similar issues raised by some section that the NCP had also fielded candidates in some constituencies against BJP candidates.

Clearing the air on this, Kohli asserted that “There is no formal, there is no informal, and there is no understanding with either of these parties.”

He further reiterated that such political parties have only come to the state as political tourists and

Prohibitory orders clamped in Zbto

DIMAPUR, FEB 25

that they have no long-term stake in the state “They only came at the time of election, and they will leave after the elections,” he said, while also reminding that these parties were not even fighting 30 seats, which was an “admission of defeat” even from the beginning.

On LJP’s recent statement, requesting its party workers, well-wishers, supporters and sympathizers to pledge their support in constituencies wherever BJP candidates were contesting, Kohli said they were free to issue any statement.

He, however, clarified that BJP had never asked them to issue such statements.

“We don’t want them to make any such statement, but we can’t prevent somebody writing something on their own letterhead”, he stated.

(NPN): District Magistrate Zunheboto Rahul Bhanudas Mali has clamped prohibitory orders in areas under six assembly constituencies of Zunheboto district. DM has prohibited assembly of five or more persons and vehicular movement of nonessential nature till 5 p.m. of February 27 under 31-Akuluto, 32-Atoizu, 33-Suruhoto, 34-Aghunato, 35-Zunheboto and 36-Satakha. The restriction also covers DC office complex and 100 meters in its vicinity and Zunheboto public ground.

Those exempted inlcude officials and staff of district administration, security personnel, magistrate on duty, medical personnel, and persons engaged in election duty/essential services movement of commercial vehicles (goods/passengers) or vehicles carrying essential commodities, press and media, telecom services, and medical emergencies.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president and party candidate for 1-DimapurI constituency, K. Therie exuded confidence that post February 27 elections, secular-minded parties would form the government in Nagaland to salvage Nagaland from disintegration, to salvage the aspiration of the civil societies who have been protesting for early solution and to salvage the aspiration of the Christian society”. Addressing media persons on the concluding day of electioneering here at Congress Bhavan, Therie said, the Congress party, in order to stop BJP from being part of the new government post-elections, will not “hesitate to have a post-poll alliance with the NDPP”. Drawing attention to

CEO directs poll officials to check proxy voting

DIMAPUR, FEB 25

(NPN): Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland has directed all presiding officers, polling officials and district election machinery to ensure free and fair poll and that no proxy voting is done in any polling stations.

In a communiqué the office of CEO Nagaland however mentioned that exception will be made only for those “authorized to vote as proxy for an elector under any law for the time being in force” to vote as a proxy for such elector.

CEO also reminded that as per Article 326 of the Indian Constitution only those Indian citizens

who are not less than 18 years of age are granted adult suffrage and registered as a voter at any such election, and who is not otherwise disqualified under the Constitution or law etc, is entitled to vote in that constituency as per Section 62 of the Representation of People Act, 1951.

The communiqué also cited Sections 171C, 171D and 171F of the Indian Penal Code as offences against whoever voluntarily interferes or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral rights ; commits the offence of undue influence at an election; whoever at an election applies for a

voting paper or votes in the name of any other person, whether living or dead, or in a fictitious name, or who having voted once at such election applies at the same election for a voting paper in his own name, and whoever abets, procures or attempts to procure the voting by any person in any such way, commits the offence of personation at an election.

The CEO cautioned that whoever commits offence of undue influence or personation at an election shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

claims made by the NDPPBJP alliance that they would bag over 45-50 seats, Therie predicted that the fissure within the NDPP-BJP alliance would be out in the open at the time of government formation. He said in order to provide a stable government, the Congress would not hesitate to be part of the government with like-minded parties and exclusion of the BJP. Therie also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not mentioning

about the Naga issue during his address at the Agri Expo ground on February 24. Therie said Modi has not only forgotten to fulfill his promise to solve the Naga issue, but was also completely distant from the interest of Nagas. Therie opined that by ignoring the issue, “He (Modi) wanted to say that Naga Political problem will die a natural death.” He alleged that Modi only made false assurance and false implementation of central schemes. Therie claimed that Congress is the only party committed to implement the agreed political solution, uphold integrity of Nagaland and provide and restore governance in the state. He said other political parties were not interested to resolve the Naga issue and had no concern of the law and order situation.

(Cont’d on p-5) (Cont’d on p-5)

G20 meeting deadlocked over calling out Ukraine war

BENGALURU, FEB

25 (PTI): A meeting of finance leaders of the world’s 20 biggest economies, referred to as the group of 20 or G20, ended on Saturday without a joint communique after Russia and China opposed any reference to the war in Ukraine.

Instead, a G20 Chair’s Summary and Outcome Document were released after the two-day meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors here. It carried two paragraphs on the war but added that this was not agreed to by Russia and China.

Coinciding with the first anniversary of Russia’s in-

vasion of Ukraine, leaders from countries such as the US and France wanted a condemnation of Moscow for the invasion while host India initially felt G20 was not the forum to address such an issue and wanted a more neutral term like “crisis” or a “challenge” to describe the “geopolitical

situation”.

But eventually, it did agree to include the impact the war has had on the global economy. Russia and China were upset at the use of the G20 platform for discussing political matters.

India’s Finance Miniter Nirmala Sitharaman is the chair. The Summary stated

that G20 nations “reiterated” their national positions on Ukraine war. Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said it was “absolutely necessary” the communique contains a condemnation of Russia. French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said there was no way G20 could step back from a joint statement agreed at a last summit in Bali, in November 2022, which had stated that “most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine”. At the last G20 Summit, the declaration read: “Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine”.

In this regard, CP has directed DCPs of Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland to ensure that every interstate entry point under respective area of responsibility (AOR) were to be sealed for the mentioned period and disallow any thoroughfare.

Further, CP also directed officials to intensify patrolling along the border areas and apprehend anyone attempting to crossover and to co-ordinate with neighbouring districts authorities of the bordering states to ensure proper sealing of border.

CP, however, said movement of essential commodities/ emergency services into the state should be coordinated with.

KOHIMA, FEB 25 (PTI): Public meetings, roadshows and doorto-door visits formed part of the Nagaland Assembly election campaigning that ended in the state on Saturday evening.

Over 13 lakh people are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the electoral fate of 183 candidates, including four women and 19 independents, in 59 out of a total of 60 seats.

The Akuluto seat in Zunheboto district has been won uncontested by BJP nominee and sitting MLA Kazheto Kinimi.

Polling will be held from 7 am to 4 pm on February 27 while counting of votes will be taken up on March 2. The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and BJP are contesting

the polls on a 40:20 seat-sharing basis. NDPP had allied with the BJP and formed the government in the state in 2018, with backing from the JD(U) and an Independent. In 2021, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) joined the ruling NDPP-led alliance to form an allparty government named United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

NDPP-BJP is seeking a mandate for the second term with Neiphiu Rio of the NDPP as the chief ministerial candidate for the alliance.

The high-voltage campaign by the BJP saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J P Nadda, Union ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, Kiran Rijiju, John Barla, Assam Chief

Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other leaders of the saffron party addressing public rallies. NDPP campaigners, headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, also reached out to almost all the constituencies.

The NPF which won 26 seats in the last Assembly polls has fielded candidates in 22 seats but one of them withdrew on Friday leaving 21 in the fray.

NPF leader Kuzholuzo Nienu has declared he is open to post-poll arrangements with other parties and candidates.

Congress, which ruled the state till 2003 and does not have any member in the current House, has fielded 23 aspirants.

The grand old party asserted it would not align with the BJP

to form the next government but would join any like-minded secular front.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed an election rally in Dimapur while party MP Shashi Tharoor addressed a rally in Kohima.

National People’s Party (NPP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have fielded 12 candidates each.

Newbie in Nagaland politics, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has put up as many as 16 candidates while the Republican Party of India (Athawale) has fielded eight aspirants.

Others include the Janata Dal (United) – 7, Rashtriya Janata Dal – 3, CPI and the Rising People’s Party – 1 each.

Fire destroys over 20 houses in Dimapur

Campaign for Nagaland Assembly election 2023 ends This is it!

pressed into action and it took more than two hours to douse the fire. However, said that no casualties were reported. He said that investigation was on to ascertain the cause of the incident and the property damaged.

At least 10 gas cylinders were recovered from the incident site.

It may be recalled that on July 28, 2022, around 10 thatched houses were burnt and properties worth around Rs.18 lakh were destroyed after a fire broke out at Master Colony. On October 17, 2011, over 150 families were left homeless by a devastating fire that broke out in the same Colony.

NSCN (I-M) warns members against involvement in polls

DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN):

NSCN (I-M) has directed all its members and officials involved in election campaign to refrain from taking part in the election process. In a statement MIP, NSCN (I-M) disclosed that the attention of the collective leadership was drawn to reports that certain NSCN members were reportedly using the name of the collective leadership and authorities of the NSCN in the election campaigning to favour certain party candidates.

NSCN (I-M) said that in keeping with the decision to stay clear of the Indian election, it had directed all members/

officials involved in the election campaign to refrain from taking part in the election campaign/ mobilization. MIP said those NSCN members involved have been warned of appropriate disciplinary action for violating the directive.

“NSCN members in particular and the public in general are hereby madeknown that there is no instruction or directive to the NSCN members to takepart in the Nagaland state election campaign in favour of any individual(s)/candidates (s) and political party (s). If found doing so, they are doing it attheir own individual capacity and risk,” MIP stated.

More election-related violence reported

DIMAPUR, FEB 25

(NPN): With barely two days left to go to polls, sporadic incidents of electionrelated violence were reported in several assembly constituencies.

According to reports, unidentified armed men resorted to blank firing outside the house of Hazadisa village council chairman on Saturday under Dimapur-3 constituency. Sources said that around three persons came in a vehicle and fired shots in the air firing before leaving the area. However, no one was injured in the incident. No further details were known till the time of filing the report.

In Wokha, three persons were reportedly injured during a clash between supporters of rival candidates of 38-Wokha assembly constituency at Saron colony in Wokha around 11.30 p.m. on February 24.

It was reported that some supporters had resorted to firing during the scuffle, leaving three persons injured. The injured were rushed to Wokha Civil hospital.

It was also reported that several houses and properties at the locality were damaged during the incident. As per reports, a case was registered and investigation going on while

police detained two suspects for questioning.

Further, a scuffle broke at a village under 12-Tseminyu constituency on Saturday when some men and womenfolk were reportedly carrying out a rally for clean election. During the scuffle shots were reportedly fired in the air by a security personnel of a candidate to disperse the crowd. No further details were known till the time of filing the report.

21 Tuli NCP files complaint: Election agent of Amenda Yaden, NCP candidate from 21 Tuli assembly constituency, Limatemjen has

K. Therie (NP)

major fire that broke out in a densely populated locality at Master Colony,

Dimapur central fire station duty commander Neiphretuo Angami told Nagaland Post that at least seven fire engines were

People look on as flames rise from houses at Master Colony, Dimapur on Saturday.

Nirmala Sitaraman (C) addresses a press conference after G20 Finance meetings in Bengaluru Saturday. (PTI)

Sekrenyi cum mini Hornbill festival celebrated at Kisama

SVEEP campaign held at 59th A/C SeyochungSitimi under Kiphire

DIMAPUR: Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign was held at Seyochung- Sitimi 59th A/C under Kiphire district on February 23 at EAC office, Sitimi.

According to DIPR report, District SVEEP Icon, Azila V Sangtam, defined election as a process of choosing or electing a leader who can be their voice and represent on their behalf. She also discussed the objective of the SVEEP campaign which was to ensure that people understand their rights as voters and exercise the right to vote with full responsibility and knowledge.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 25(NPN): Sekrenyi cum mini Hornbill festival was celebrated at Kisama Heritage Village on February 25, organised by the Angami Public Organisation (APO).

Former president, APO, Dr Vilhusa Seleyi, graced the event. He talked on the significance of the festival, stating that one should seek the blessings of peace and prosperity for the entire year from

the elders of both maternal and paternal sides of the families.

Seleyi said that Sekrenyi is the main festival of the Angamis and said that its celebration has been practiced since the times of forefathers. It is sacred and through this festival, people are expected to forgive one another and sanctify themselves.

He stated that Sekrenyi has been losing its significance with time, yet it is still celebrated with pomp

and gaiety in many Angami villages. It brings unity and better understanding to the peer groups and the whole village, as Sekrenyi is a time of merrymaking and renewing friendships.

He reminded the gathering not to over-indulge themselves with the beverages and food during the festival as it is believed that if one is “over indulged” “luck” would not favour them the entire year.

Dr. Seleyi also appealed to the crowd to hon-

LFI College organises various activities

our the significant Sekrenyi festival and urged the need to preserve and protect the tribe’s culture and identity.

The ceremony was chaired by APO, president, Razouvotuo Chatsu, a special number was performed by Kohima Village, Lidi Kro-u and vote of thanks by Vice President, APO, Zadeho Rikha.

The ceremony included the mass signing of “Ara Kezivi” and release of the APO 50 years jubilee souvenir by the speaker.

To educate the voters about the importance of vote in a democratic country, she also reminded them that to exercise this right, they first need to enrol in the electoral once they reached 18 years.

“To get enrolled, in a year, there are four windows January 1, April 1, July 1 and August 1, so once a citizen attains the age of 18 years, everyone is free to enrol the names, she informed.

Sangtam also said that everyone is free to exercise his/her vote and if anyone stops them or tries to harm them, then as per the Election Model Code of Conduct, they will be punished. She further encouraged the general public to abstain from corruption and violence.

The programme was led by head DB Sitimi, T. Tsalise and welcome address by EAC Sitimi and AEO Kiphire, Sizin Renttah.

DIMAPUR: A four-day College

Week was organized by the cultural & literary and sports &fitness club of Modern college, Piphema from February21 -24.

In a press release, Modern college, principal, Dr. Vitsou Yano stated that the opening day witnessed various cultural shows showcased by students. Day 2 witnessed the inaugural ceremony of sports held in the indoor stadium hosted by Livitoli Swu of BA 4th Semester. 7 Assam Rifles second in command, Lieutenant Colonel, CH Jacob was the chief

guest of the event. Oath Taking was administered by MCSU, games and sports secretary, Vizosietuo Tepa.

The chief guest not only exhorted the students but also generously donated sports equipment to students. The event included indoor games, track and field events, basketball, volleyball, football, penalty shootout and arm wrestling. Vivohoto Sothu and Phamsa Konyak were awarded MVP in men and women category respectively while House of Hekha was declared group champion.

CEO Nagaland, state officials visit Mokokchung, Wokha

DIMAPU R: Chief Electoral Officer, V. Shashank Shekhar, IAS, Home Commissioner, Abhijit Sinha, IAS, and DGP Rupin Sharma, IPS, had a review meeting with representatives from political parties and civil societies convened by DCs & DEOs of Mokokchung and Wokha on February 25.

State Officials while interacting with the civil society representative from Ao Senden, Watsu Mungdang and AKM called for their joint effort to reach out to the community members to be sensitized inorder avoid any situation that may lead to violence.

DIMAPUR: Livingstone

Foundation International College (LFIC) has organised various activities such as model career service on February 24, held interaction with Royal Classes Dimapur and conducted talks on the importance of research in higher education on February 23 at the college premises.

A press release from LFI principal Dr. R. K. Behera informed that young professional of Model Career Centre under National Career Service, Yapangsangla Longkumer, visited Livingstone Foundation International College and had a direct interaction with all the students of the college.

It may be mentioned that National Career Service is a Five-Year Mission Mode Project launched by the Prime Minister. The project is being implemented by

the Government of India, Ministry of Labour & Employment.

Royal Classes, Dimapur visited the college on February 23. The center manager Sanjay Chakraborty and his team members Simran Thapa and Paban Dey had an interaction with the students related to career guidance for competitive exams like Banking SBI PO/Clerk, IBPS PO/ Clerk, NPSC, SSC CGL, railway, defence and other government jobs, etc.

They gave training to students so that they will be free of any distractions. The programme was attended by all the faculty members including the principal.

Meanwhile, the Journal and Research Committee of Livingstone Foundation International College (LFIC) conducted a talk on the importance of research

in higher education with assistant professor department of History, Dr. Joseph Longkumer as the resource person. Dr. Joseph stressed on the importance to pursue research to cope up with the rising trend in the field of artificial intelligence and various technological tools. He highlighted on the essential requirement of professional development programmes for the faculty. Longkumer also mentioned that insufficient financial support, ill equipped library, lack of interest, etc. are some of the lapses faced by most of the faculty in research domain. He encouraged the faculty to pursue further available online courses to learn/upgrade the skills from the conventional ways of conducting research. The programme was attended by all faculty members.

NCC SW, SJC (A) conducts G-20 presidency activity

DIMAPUR: The NCC (Senior Wing) of St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Jakhama from 1 NL Girls’ BN NCC-Kohima under the aegis of NCC Group-Kohima organized G-20 Presidency Activity on “Environmental Awareness” within the college campus on February 24, with Jakhama town chairman, Kezhodeho Tetso as the special guest and assistant professor, Dept. of Botany, SJC (A), Keviprasa Rolnu as the resource person.

According to a press release by associate NCC officer SJC (A), Capt. Regina Razousinuo the event started with an invocation by JUO Keneitsino Zashumo and introduced by Capt. Regina Razousinuo ANO (SW), SJC (A).

Chairman Kezhodeho spoke on the importance of G-20 Presidency and the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (One earth, one family, one future). Resource person, Keviprasa

delivered a lecture on environmental conservation which he said was the aim of G-20 Presidency i.e. economic change, sustainable development and saving the environment from further harm. Preservation of environment as a collective effort, encouragement of afforestation, use of eco-friendly bags and of own water bottles, proper waste management, and conservation & preservation of biodiversity. He also urged the cadets to create awareness and practice the “3 Rs”-Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. He left the cadets to ponder on the maxim: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”.

The event was chaired by CDT Kriti Parshai and it concluded with NCC song. chairman of Zhodi colony council, Mesuhe Natso, Treasurer of the same Pudeshil Tetso, and 24 cadets attended the programme.

According to DIPR report, CEO while interacting with the political party representatives asked them to report any anomalies about the Modal Code of Conduct by any Candidates/Party, so that action can be taken by the concerned authority. He mentioned that even after the polling is over if the conduct of electoral malpractices has been found against any candidate, action would be taken as per the law. Adding to this, Home Commissioner said webcasting recordings will be reviewed to ascertain anomalies carried out by any candidate.

DGP, Nagaland urged the party representative to create awareness among the electorate to avert creating situation that may lead to violence. He also assured that more security personnel will be stationed in all the sensitive polling stations.

Mokokchung: CEO &

President, Ao Senden, and Watsu Mungdang expressed grief on the poll-related violence in some areas of the district but assured that more concrete effort will be put in from their end with close coordination with the district election machinery so that further poll-related violence can be avoided, the meeting was held at DC Conference Hall.

DC & DEO maintained that necessary and adequate measures are taken to avoid any poll-related violence in the district and with proper coordination with the civil societies and political party functionaries, the polling process can be conducted in a free and fair manner.

Wokha: Chief Election Officer, Nagaland V.Shashank Shekhar (IAS), Home Commissioner Nagaland Abhijit Sinha (IAS) and Nagaland DGP, Rupin Sharma (IPS), visited Wok ha district on February 25 and

held a series of meeting with District Administration, Police, Political Parties and civil societies organisations of Wokha district at the Office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Wokha.

Representatives of BJP, NCP, JDU, NDPP and NPF attended meeting with political parties. Meeting with Civil Society Organisations was attended by representatives of Lotha Hoho, Lotha Eloe Hoho, and Wokha District Village Council Chairman Association. The team was also accompanied by joint secretary & OSD to CEO, Hiazu Meru , joint CEO Sharon Longchari, DC and DEO, Wokha Ajit Ku-

mar Ranjan, IAS and IPS, Superintendent of Police, Wokha Aotula T. Imchen.

The CEO, Nagaland, Home commissioner, Nagaland and DGP, Nagaland reviewed the law and order in the district and the visiting officials appealed to the leaders to sensitize the public to maintain peace and not to indulge in any election related violence. All the stakeholders assured to abide by the guidelines of the Election Commission and to extend support and co-operation to the District Administration and Police for successful conduct of election CEO, Nagaland expressed confidence in the

District Administration and Law enforcing agencies for taking proactive measures to maintain the law and order in the district and exhorted to remain vigilant during the poll and post poll period.

DGP, Nagaland urged the party representative to create awareness among the electorate to avert creating the situation that may lead to violence

Home Commissioner, Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha IAS, informed that voter’s information slip is not allowed as identity proof, as one can vote only on producing EPIC ID or any other 12 identity cards approved by the Election Commission of India.

Assembly election: Orders issued; poll personnel deployed for ensuing polls

DIMAPUR: In a view of the upcoming 14th Nagaland Legislative assembly various DCs and DEOs have issued a number of information while training of the poll personnel was also held in Phek. According to DIPR reports, poll personnel for the various polling stations were deployed on February 25.

Mokokchung: Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung, Shashank Pratap Singh IAS has notified all concerned that various law and order related incidents have been reported regarding the General Election from 28-Koridang A/C. Despite the issuance of the order, only a few Arms have been verified and deposited from the constituency. In this regard, DC has ordered all the License Arm holders in the villages of 28- Koridang A/C to deposit their arms and ammunition at the nearest Police station with immediate effect. It is also been directed that extensive search and seizure for both Licensed and Unlicensed Arms and Ammunition will be carried out and arrest of the individuals involved will be made in all the villages of 28-Koridang A/C.

Mokokchung district has 37 PS, 11 PS under 21-Tuli A/C, 5 PS under 29-Jangpetkong A/C, 21 PS under 30-Alongtaki A/C.

Phek: The third phase of training for Polling officials posted under 16th Pfutsero, 17th Chizami, and 18th Chozuba

ACs which was conducted in two shifts, morning and afternoon at GHSS Phek on February 24 concluded successfully.

The polling personnel casted their postal ballot votes after the training sessions at the GHSS building Phek.

Dispatch of Polling materials began in the early hours at Phek on February 25, where twenty-five polling personnel teams posted in the interior places under the 20th Meluri Assembly Constituency of Phek have been released from the Office of District Election Office Phek for polling on February 27. Phek district has 25 PS under 20-meluri A/C

Kiphire: Polling personnel from Kiphire District were deployed to 20 polling stations on February 25.

Deputy Commissioner & DEO Kiphire, T Wati Aier encouraged all the personnel to be very careful and sincere and reminded them that, unlike the previous elections, Electors will not be allowed to use the voter slip for identification.

General Observer Dr. Sridhar Babu Addanki, IAS also lauded the team for enthusiastically preparing for the Poll. He reiterated that on the polling day if any doubt or problems arise they should consult the Sector Magistrate and right after the voting process is over they should not be in a hurry and all the required formats must

be completed before moving out. He also appealed to them to follow the ECI norms to have a peaceful and successful Election. Kiphire district- 20 PS, 3 PS under 59-Seyochung Sitimi A/C and 17 PS under 60-Pungro- Kiphire A/C.

Peren: Polling personnel for 6-Tening A/C were dispatched to their respective polling stations along with EVMs and other poll-related materials from the Office of ADC Peren on February 25.

Earlier, a strong room which is under tight security was unsealed and unlocked in the presence of District Administration, representatives of various political parties, and security personnel. Peren district has 22 polling stations under 6-tening A/C Shamator: A coordination meeting with the RO, Sector Officer, and Sector Commander of 58 Shamator-Chessore A/C to discuss matters about the election process on the poll day was held at DC’s Conference Hall on February 24. Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer Shamator, Thsuvisie Phoji appealed to them to be sincere and effective in their roles and responsibilities to conduct a free and fair election.

Longleng: Deputy Commissioner and DEO, Longleng, Dharam Raj, IAS in the exercise of the powers under RPA, 1951 and all other powers enabling it

in this behalf, has directed that no political party or candidate or any other organization or any person on their behalf who is contesting/representing any assembly constituency in the Longleng district shall publish any advertisement in the print media on February 26 and 27, in connection with the General Election to Nagaland Assembly, 2023, unless the contents of the Advertisement proposed to be from Media published are Pre-certified by political parties, candidates, etc. from Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC) at the district level.

Person(s) violating this order would be liable for legal action under various RPA, 1951, and IPC sections.

DC & DEO Longleng has also notified all concerned that as per Section 126 of the Representation of People Act 1961, the campaigning period for General Election to the 14 Nagaland legislative Assembly shall come to an end with effect from 4:00 P.M, February 25 and that there is a prohibition of public meeting during 48 hours ending with hour fixed for conclusion of poll.

Tseminyu: DC & District Magistrate Tseminyu, Dr. Zasekuolie Chusi IAS has notified for the general information of all concerned that as per section 126 of the Representation of the People Act 1951 that

the campaigning period for the general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023 shall come to an end w.e.f 4:00 pm on February 25and that there is a prohibition of public meetings during forty-eight (48) hours ending with hour fixed for conclusion of poll. In consultation with the district Executive Force that urgent preventive measures are necessitated for compliance with the above and peaceful conduct of the election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023 from 12 AC, Tseminyu.

Zunheboto: The first batch of polling officials for General Elections to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023 were dispatched on February 25 at Zunheboto, polling officials of three polling stations of Satakha 36 AC Thakiye, Tsutoho, and Khuvuxu were dispatched. The 3 polling stations are the remotest among the polling stations in Zunheboto and they were dispatched two days ahead for polling duty. Zunheboto district has 3 PS under 36-satakha A/C. Wokha district- 62 PS under 40-Bhandari A/C, Mon district- 91 PS; 8 PS under 41 Tizit A/C, 7 PS under 42 - Wakching A/C, 2 PS under 43-Tapi A/C, 4 PS under 44- Phomching A/C , 10 PS under 45-Tehok A/C , 26 PS under 48-Moka A/C, 34 PS under 55-Tobu A/C, Noklak district- 8 PS under 57-Thonokyu A/C.

Release of the Angami Public Organisation 50 years jubilee by Dr Vilhusa Seleyi. (NP)

Lidi Kro-u, Kohima village performing at the Angami Morung at Kisama.

CEO, Home Commissioner, DGP, and other officials in Mokokchung on Feb 25. (DIPR)

Resource person Keviprasa Rolnu speaking at the event.

C.H. Jacob exhorting the students during the event.

NPP, BJP are acids for M’laya: Mohua Moitra

SHILLONG, FEB 25

(IANS): Both the National People’s Party (NPP) and BJP are acids for Meghalaya as they have caused nothing but harm to the state, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said on Saturday while campaigning for her party. Addressing a public gathering at Tikrikilla in West Garo Hills, she took a swipe at NPP and BJP.

Moitra said, “NPP is also BJP, and it is the other petal of BJP’s lotus. The “unholy” nexus between both the parties has resulted in the state being looted over the past five years. NPP and BJP are acids for Meghalaya.”

The Lok Sabha MP tore into Union Home Minister Amit Shah for labelling Meghalaya as a corrupt state while condemning the BJP for its anti-minority stance.

“Amit Shah declared Meghalaya as the most corrupt state. But, how can he

say that after being in the government for the past five years? BJP wants one nation that is Hindu Rashtra. BJP is anti-minority and they are responsible for weakening the secular fabric of our country,” the Lok Sabha MP added.

Taking a jibe at the Conrad Sangma-led MDA government, Mahua Moitra commented, “There is only one college in Tikrikilla but sadly, it does not have any infrastructure to offer Sci-

Trinamoolwilldeliverpollpromiseswithin 100daysofgovtformationinMeghalaya

SHILLONG, FEB 25

Campaigning for Meghalaya polls concludes

Correspondent SHILLONG, FEB 25:

ence or Commerce degrees. Further, the condition of roads is extremely deplorable in Meghalaya.”

“What development did the NPP bring then,” she questioned.

Moitra further said, “In a democracy, it is the duty of the elected government to provide drinking water, educational infrastructure, roads, and health facilities. These are the basic amenities that the people of Meghalaya deserve.”

Biogas plants important alternative energy source: Himanta Biswa Sarma

GUWAHATI, FEB 25

(PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday described compressed biogas (CBG) plants as an important alternative energy source, as such units have a cascading impact on the local economy with the raw materials procured from nearby areas. He stressed on the need to focus on renewable and alternative energy sources to overcome the challenges of global warming and environmental pollution.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a CBG unit at Domora Pather in Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, Sarma said, “In view of the threats posed by global warming, people should use less of fossil fuel and concentrate more on deriving power and fuel from other

ITANAGAR, FEB 25

(PTI): In a joint operation, the police of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam arrested three leaders of the banned Eastern Naga National Government (ENGG) on Saturday, a senior officer said here. The arrests were made from Tinsukia district in Assam, he said.

A follow-up operation was conducted after a camp of the outlawed outfit was busted in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district and arms and ammunition were recovered from there, the official said.

“In Saturday’s joint operation, the police team apprehended three hardcore operatives of the rebel out-

sources.” He pointed out that solar plants are increasingly coming up for meeting power requirements, use of hydrogen-derived fuel for vehicles is being explored and small CBG plants can also go a long way in meeting fuel demand for vehicles and industries.

The biogas units also have “a cascading impact on the local economy as the raw materials, like municipal solid waste, cow dung, hay, etc. are sourced from the nearby areas,” he said.

fit from Tinsukia district,” Arunachal Pradesh State Task Force Superintendent of Police Rohit Rajbir Singh said. The arrested rebels were identified as Chailai Ngodam, Shewang Hodong and Hongam Ngodam, the SP said.

The joint team of police also recovered a pistol, two magazines and 25 rounds of live ammunition from their possession, he said. “Interrogation is on and legal action is being taken,” Singh said.

Due to consistent pressure created by the state police, Wanong Sumta, an ENNG cadre, also surrendered before security forces, he said.

Mentioning that such a plant in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh uses dung as the raw material, Sarma said, “At one time, people thought rearing cows was no longer a profitable venture. But the age-old adage that cows are always the most profitable has been proved once again.

“Instead of killing the animal for the meat, people are now trying to keep them alive and use the dung as a source of fuel,” Sarma said.

The biogas unit in Sonapur, being set up under the Centre’s SATAK scheme, will be operational by November this year and will have an installed capacity of five tonnes CBG daily. Guwahati-based Redlemon Technologies Pvt Ltd, which is setting up the plant, has proposed two more such units in the state, he added.

(IANS): Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien has claimed that the people of Meghalaya welcomed his party in the state and the poll result will bring excitement to its fold. Addressing reporters in Umroi, he said: “We came here and the people of Meghalaya welcomed us with open arms. We are confident that people will continue to bless Meghalaya Trinamool.” The MP added that if the party comes to power, it will deliver the poll promises within 100 days of forming the government.

Trinamool Congress has promised to give financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month to the women and unemployed youth of the state if voted to power.

“Moreover, our party will work on war footing to provide financial assis -

tance of Rs 10,000 per year to the farmers, double the social welfare pensions to Rs 1,000 per month, and ensure 1 lakh laptops for higher secondary students and facilitate DBT transfer of Rs 1,200 to families of school-going children every year,” O’Brien added.

He also promised to fight for the inclusion of the Garo and Khasi languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Meanwhile, the Trinamool leader also said that the National People’s Party (NPP) and BJP have been trying to befool the voters. “They are the same. Vote for the NPP is a vote for BJP. They are one and the same. For four years NPP-BJP were in the same room and now that the elections are here, they have started shadowboxing,” O’Brien added.

Arunachal Dy CM lauds NEC’s contribution to state’s dev

ITANAGAR, FEB 24

(PTI): Arunachal Pradesh

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Friday appreciated the significant contributions made by North East Council (NEC) to the socio-economic development of northeastern states in the past five decades.

Attending the Golden Jubilee celebration of NEC here, Mein said, “Despite a 25-year gap at the beginning of development processes in the North East compared to other parts of the country, the NEC’s Golden Jubilee, coinciding with the Azadi Ka Amrit-Mahotsav, is symbolic.” “As we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of NEC, we would also like to take firm steps to achieve our centenary goal and work on NER Vision 2047,” the deputy chief minister added.

He said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with

the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah, who is also the chairman of the Council, the developmental gaps in the North Eastern have been reduced significantly in the past couple of years.

Mein appreciated the council for significantly helping Arunachal Pradesh in its infrastructure development and sanctioning a total of 221 projects in the state, out of which 154 projects have been completed and a total of 33 projects are ongoing. He said that the NEC has contributed to developing critical infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh, such as the iconic civil secretariat building and the state Legislative Assembly.

To mark the occasion, a marathon race with the theme ‘Drugs Choro, Khel Mein Joro’ was also organised by the Planning & Investment department with the support of NEC.

Campaigning for the Meghalaya assembly polls came to a close on Saturday evening with 21.4 lakh voters casting their ballot to elect 59 members of the 11th assembly. Voting to the 59 of 60 assembly constituencies will take place on Monday morning (February 27). The counting of votes will take place on March 2. Election in Sohiong Assembly constituency seat has been adjourned following the death of former Home Minister and United Democratic Party candidate, Horju Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh due to massive cardiac arrest on February 21.

Meanwhile, polling parties have been dispatched today to the 3419 polling stations across 59 assembly constituencies in the state. Orders under section 144 Cr.P.C. have been promulgated in all the districts prohibiting campaign and publication or broadcast of exit polls till the end of the election process.

In the run-up to the elections, the state was marred by en-masse defections from the opposition Congress party. Veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma led a pack of 11 legislators merged with

the Trinamool Congress and was recognised as the main opposition party in the Meghalaya Assembly.

The TMC is hopeful to unseat the National People’s Party (NPP) after a fierce electoral battle.

The Congress which ruled Meghalaya since the inception of the state in 1972 is facing an uphill task especially after five of its legislators parted ways and joined the NPP and the state’s main regional political party, the United Democratic Party (UDP) Nonetheless, the Congress party has fielded its candidates in all 60 assembly seats with 47 of them are fresh blood and below the age of 45 and 10 of them are women candidates. Unlike in the previous assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded its candidates in all the 60 assembly seats and hopeful of a double-digit and to lead a BJP-led government.

Altogether 369 candidates, including 36 women candidates are in the fray, including Chief Minister Conrad Sangma seeking relection from South Tura assembly seat, while Leader of Opposition and TMC leader Dr. Mukul Sangma is contesting from two assembly seats - Songsak and Tikrikilla - in Garo Hills region in western Meghalaya.

Mohua Moitra at Tikrikilla in West Garo Hills.

Three cadres of banned ENGG held from Assam

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Proxy electoral fights

Both ruling coalition partners Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are going to the assembly election with the same seat sharing formula of 40 (NDPP) and 20 (BJP) adopted in 2018. In that year the strike rate of the NDPP was 45 (contested 40 and won 18) while the BJP fared better with a strike rate of 60 (contested 20 and won 12). In 2023 both parties are continuing with the pre-poll alliance and with the same number of seats but much has changed since 2018. There was some conflict within the BJP about reviewing the seat sharing formula since the party organisation in the state had spread across all districts. Some within such as leader of the BJP Legislature Party and deputy chief minister Y.Patton wanted something more such as a 30:30 equal seat sharing or if not slightly less at 25:35. However the BJP’s high command decided to go for the 2018 seat sharing despite howls of protest from a segment of the state unit. Despite all the muted protests the decision made by national party leaders held. The seat sharing formula may have been resolved but it has not gone down well. According to insiders, the BJP and NDPP are fighting a huge anti-incumbency but fortunately for them, there is / are no political challenger(s). Even within the NDPP which had many more aspirants than seats, it was also not practically possible to distribute tickets to 42 sitting NDPP legislators (after merger by 21 NPF legislators). When tickets were distributed 15 sitting NDPP legislators found themselves out of contention and had to seek refuge under other parties. It was reported that due to various factors, many could not be given tickets even if some were winnable. Some of those denied tickets joined NCP, LJP(RV) or JD(U) etc. This was also the case with several BJP ticket aspirants. In fact BJP was flooded with a large number of aspirants and the party could have well fielded even as many as 60 candidates even if most were not winnable. Those NDPP ticket aspirants were dubbed as ‘pro Rio’ candidates while those who contested with tickets of other parties were dubbed as ‘pro-BJP’. It was assumed that when the time came if the NDPP-BJP alliance does not win enough seats to form the next government, then those from pro-Rio and pro-BJP candidates, who win elections would play a major role in deciding which party they would prefer to align with and which would eventually decide who would be the next chief minister. The statements made by those candidates especially from the LJP had only raised the pitch for those who wanted to bring a change in leadership in the state in the event the help of non-alliance parties was needed to form the next government. The ‘proxy-war’ within the alliance became very serious that at one time , it threatened its very fate even before the polls. According to insiders, the Assam chief minister and NEDA convenor and trouble shooter Himanta Biswa Sarma was rushed to Dimapur to meet with the top leaders of the state BJP and chief minister Neiphiu Rio to fire fight the issue. Eventually it was agreed to honour the alliance and ensure its return to power. This was reflected through several statements made by state NDPP and BJP leaders, national BJP functionaries and Himanta himself at subsequent public rallies. However, the die has been cast and what happens after results are declared will prove which way the wind blows.

DailyDevotion

The Destitution of Service

…though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. —2 Corinthians 12:15

Natural human love expects something in return. But Paul is saying, “It doesn’t really matter to me whether you love me or not. I am willing to be completely destitute anyway; willing to be poverty-stricken, not just for your sakes, but also that I may be able to get you to God.” “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor…” (2 Corinthians 8:9). And Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s. He did not care how high the cost was to himself— he would gladly pay it. It was a joyful thing to Paul.

The institutional church’s idea of a servant of God is not at all like Jesus Christ’s idea. His idea is that we serve Him by being the servants of others. Jesus Christ actually “out-socialized” the socialists. He said that in His kingdom the greatest one would be the servant of all (see Matthew 23:11). The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do something like washing the disciples’ feet— that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns— “What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things.” All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God. But the apostle Paul had no conditions or reservations. Paul focused his life on Jesus Christ’s idea of a New Testament saint; that is, not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.

Quotes

“You define your own life. Don’t let other people write your script.” ~ xOprah Winfrey

Time has come as the election commission announced the date of our Armageddon. All the middlemen or should I say muscleman are on the prowl to look out for their victims. In a state where celebrity status is enjoyed by the politicians who once comes to power, lives a princely lifestyle. And at the time when there is a constraint on resources, we may have to witness several crores of rupees being bet on the people to be in power. As Michael Phelps said,” Money is a dream, a fantasy as alluring as the Pied Piper.” It is the universal desire to stick to the comfort zones, as it means avoiding all challenges and difficulties and continuing with status quo. No doubt, temptations are at the door. The days are drawing out and the clock is ticking every citizen to demonstrate their mandate for change. Thus, to fact the matter, let us not become victims of corruptions and slave to money. We have seen Election as a game of pride, played between candidates over money for far too long.

During this few years, Nagaland had seen rampant corruption in almost all areas and departments over every projects and schemes. Besides, where are the answers about those developments that they speak of

Clean Election: A Call For Me

before us? Many come for job interviews and exams but little did they know that the vacant jobs are already filled, in the form of nepotism and corruption. The colossal amount of funds from the Centre are lost with little or no clue or should we say, to satiate the lust for power of our so called leaders who are always on the prowl to grab loaves and fishes of office at the cost of poor people they claim to represent. In reality, there is a politician – bureaucrat nexus to create new ‘green pastures’ behind the façade of bringing different schemes and projects for the enhancement of their official, political and material status. It is not a secret that the virus of corruption had reached every nook and corner of the state not just in government system but in many sectors of institutions, NGO’s, organizations etc. And over the years, many have become professionals and make masterpieces of their work as never had been caught before the eye of the people and public.

And as it looks today, our democracy had become merely a written word in our books. In what is perhaps one of India’s most communal, polarizing, divisive and personalized election campaigns, we are told far too often that this election is really about

development, yet, none of our political parties clearly defines development either in their speeches or manifestos. So what do they mean by development and who is it intended for? The right to speak out, do our choice, go where we want etc... are all been denied in one or the other way. Political parties would put restrictions on their members to speak or go where they want.

Our village, community, tribe etc would summoned us and not allow our democratic rights. We talk of peace but sadly we don’t have it. All this happen before us for we failed to elect the right leaders. Lately, we have elected a leader who thinks they can do anything with their power. It is a wake up call that our leader doesn’t come from the background of goon’s, traitors or liars. But above all, what can be happier than to have a leader following the footsteps of Jesus. Serving all kinds, moulding and guiding the weak, the poor, cleaning the mess of others, helping and aiding the sick and needy. Such is the condition we needed at the moment of our state to bring evolution and revolution.

Politics in the last few years has become the cesspool of corruption, criminalization and total opportunism. It has be -

come a thriving business to become rich; bureaucracy has become lethargic, corrupt and unaccountable. And moreover the picture always turn otherwise and fake, where a clean and transparent public figures never flourished instead who after getting elected started leading extravagant life-styles over a night and indulged in various excesses.

While many citizens across the state continue to suffer from an insecurity of divisions, social exclusion and the stigma of backwardness because of deep-seated symbols of domination and cultural stereotypes. Factors like regional and local interests, tribes and language, khels, nepotism and immediate gains are dominating our thoughts and actions. Economic mobility, political leverage and legal provisions are therefore necessary but not sufficient conditions for a fuller realization of social justice. Looking around, we will discover perhaps to our amazement demands unity and unifications. After all, every people should keep in mind that they are not represented by a person whose morals and ethics are questionable.

I’m not a fan of NPG’s neither an enemy of any but I’m a Naga, in blood and heart yet it does not changes anything if my

character and personality speaks otherwise. Our present generation has everything we wanted but at the same time, we have everything that we do not want to. Greed, pride, corruption, killing, rape, extortion, bribery, nepotism etc, all happening day in and day out everywhere in our small state, so called ‘Christian State’. And we with so many organizations, NGO’s come so many leaders which give birth to divisions. So let us think where or what actually went wrong? Is it the government system? Is it the politicians? Is it the church? In case you still think government and the leaders, the next time when you pressed that ‘Button’, don’t go over money, don’t go over greed, don’t go over pride but go over ‘Change’, change that bring smile, happiness and a new life around us.

Our educated youth’s, expert in fields, specialist in subjects, merits etc have fled away from home for jobs in metro’s to make their living as there is no competition or room in our state. Thus, the state loses this source of people who can make difference and bring change, had there been fair trail of selections and competitions. And thus perhaps, the mistakes of our past should haunt us not to repeat again. And

perhaps by now we should re-think NBCC Clean Election.

To all my fellow young and old of our state, we have studied; learn what is good and bad. We have the POWER! The Power to say ‘NO’, the Power to determine the dawning of a new day. The power to herald a clarion call to move forward, onward, upward, together and claim it. YES WE CAN! Come this election, whatever background you are from, whatever tribe, whatever village, let us put that aside for once and without looking our left and right, stands firm in our right decision. Remember, our education cannot be cost at the price of a few thousands for a vote. Don’t we have enough? Let us see to the day for good educational institutions, better roads, better connectivity, good hospitals, and fair exams….so on and so forth.

Let us be reminded of the People’s movement in Bahamas,” No longer will our birthrights and those of our unborn grandchildren be for sale as we will develop our talents, godly gifts and inheritance, as wise and faithful servants of God and the people of the Bahamas who we pledge to serve.” Sounds familiar? Think about it.

Kotso Medo Dimapur, Nagaland

The Good the Bad and the Ugly: Nagaland’s 2023 Trailer Money, Development and Corruption

The month of February seems distinctively mythical for a couple of reasons. On the one hand, the age-old superstition summons that weddings be avoided as the month falls short of thirty days. On the other hand, the Naga Polis reassembles itself to wage another epic clash of the titans. Will it be typically melo-dramatic?

Will the old fort get reestablished? Will the Great Wall of Money be broken? Will there be a Wonder Woman to occupy the seat of the throne? Will there be Bravehearts to storm the opposition-less floor? More importantly, will the people get to see the light at the end of the tunnel? Whether win or lose, a march into March and beyond is inevitable.

With the above sets of questions in mind, one begins to examine the possibilities of the state of affairs. We are a complex society in the making. Likewise there are layers of social cleavages that determine our politics. The various campaigns carried out through the common platforms, rallies, and social media give the impression of a missionary arriving in glory. Yet the dejavu factor constantly reminds you to stay awake, lest it steals our dignity and integrity and escape uncaught like a thief.

On an everyday basis, we are being fed with multiple languages and narratives. Firstly, we have an array of political groups or the elites whose discourse is to embark on hard politics such as ‘Naga Solution’, ‘Nagaland for Christ’ and ‘Dry state’. Secondly, there is none who is as fluent and adaptable as the political parties who speak the language of ‘development’, ‘empowerment’ and ‘change’. Thirdly, we have the common public who is highly educated on the language of ‘corruption’, ‘unemployment’ and ‘poor infrastructure’. Last but not the least; we have the churches who preach the language of ‘clean election’ and ‘clean governance’. To

this end, it is important that we make sense of those narratives and participate equally as right bearing citizens of the state.

The polling day is approaching fast and furious. Yet at this crucial juncture, it is important to relocate, evaluate and validate our politics through the philosophical prism. Our approach towards politics needs to be crystallized and seasoned with grounded moral philosophy. In doing so, it would give shape and character to the society. Hence there is a need to revisit the ethical dimension to realign our politics vis-a-vis the contestations, standpoints and new alternatives.

There are at least three moral dimensions. The first being the utilitarian or consequentialist school which is result-oriented. The second is Kantian or deontological school which is process-oriented. The third dimension is virtue ethics that focuses on the virtuous agent which is character-oriented. For the purpose of dissemination, it is important to highlight each of them and see where we stand.

In the first place, the utilitarian moral principle emphasizes on the end result. It justifies pleasure over pain. It would uphold any action as long as the final outcome is favourable. For instance, a politician, party or a voter would resort to money and petty politics as long as they win the election. It would use religious propaganda or identity card for its political gain. It goes to the extent of instigating violence and divisive tactics in order to come to power.

Such moral principle has the tendency to appeal to the vast majority. No wonder, we are witnessing many of such turn of events related to the election across the state.

Next we have the deontological school or process-based moral principle which rivals the utilitarian moral principle. It upholds the universal moral sanc-

tity which is free, fair and peaceful. There is a logical interpretation of rules and legality. For example, the ECI issues general directives and guidelines as to how free and fair election should be conducted. Similarly, the initiative of the churches to observe clean election resonates to this moral principle. In the current scenario, however, this moral principle finds itself awkwardly as though a camel is passing through the eye of the needle.

Far from over, we have the virtue ethicist or the moral agent who relies on the intrinsic nature of a person. Whereas utilitarian and deontological moral principle rely on external rules and practices, virtue ethics places its emphasis on the role of character which is internal. In simple words, a person who is honest, just and courage does not require external moral laws. He or she is not subjected to sanctions, pressures and legality. Given the moral principles, the onus is on the people to critically examine and apply it. Ultimately, we are moral beings with the obligation and the responsibility to curve out a common destiny. For now, the stage is wide-opened. The candidates, the parties, and the voters curiously wait for the final show. Will the bromance of NDPP-BJP alliance led by Rio, Patton and Along retain the title? Will there be all or none for Hekani, Salhoutuonuo and Kahuli to occupy the seat of the throne? Will there be germination of new seats in the Assembly by figures such as Meshenlo, GB Kahuto, and Thomas? All we know is but one; we stand beside each other and stare into the eyes of the others like the Good the Bad and the Ugly.

Thepfulhoukho Kuotsu Former Faculty, Department of Political Science ICFAI University, Nagaland

The introduction of money to the traditional economic transaction has affected and shattered the identity of our community. Our traditional economy was value-centered. Market is not a new thing. It was there even in the ancient society. But in the olden days not all exchange of goods was for the purpose of profit making and accumulation of wealth. There was no room to regard the way as corrupted. While we know that money permeates all of life’s personal, social, even spiritual life, yet money and its uses may be the least understood dynamic of our lives. Many of us are affected negatively because we have less of it.

Money has become the most powerful deciding factor in election today. The people’s right is silenced in the face of money. The practice of spending money in terms of crores has become the accepted social norm during election. We see that with the 14th General election in Nagaland around the corner, the voters forcefully demand a huge amount of money and the candidates lure the voters with money. In one of the recent election campaigns, an elderly party worker stated ‘take money from one candidate and vote for another, the money is your share.’ Almost everybody takes money during election from the candidates. What a sad reality! What happens after the election? The elected representatives will try to make up the money spent during election, which leaves less money for development. The due share which is supposed to be granted to particular area and districts are not properly utilized. The result at the end is everybody suffers. We don’t see quality work in any project.

How can we check this problem?

The Naga tribal ethics will serve some ways to combat the corruption because

of money. Mores can be regarded as the doctrine of social welfare. It emphasizes protecting children and orphans, caring for aged old parents and helping poor people. Tribals practiced different types of occupations and ethical norms regulate patterns of labor, values, wealth and consumption. Their survival depends on economic wealth. The economic life is organized in accordance with the availability of the resources. Sharing of wealth is a way of life in Naga society. The best way to define the goal of the Naga community could be, for the community, by the community and of the community. This understanding can serve as one of the best means to overcome the individualistic aspect of corruption. The tribal ideology of ‘needs’ not ‘wants’ should serve as a shield in defense of materialism and the ideology of ‘to share’ and ‘to be shared’ should be implemented as a principle against consumerism.

It is not the money that is the root of all evil but it is the love of money which is the root of all evil. It is a form of the sin of idolatry. And what is idolatry? It means trying to get ultimate meaning out of that which cannot provide ultimate meaning. Ultimate meaning can only come from God, from the spiritual force within us. So the sin of money and loving money lies in trying to get from that which is not the highest, only what the highest can give. Money cannot buy the meaning of life. Money in itself does nothing to solve the problems that we face today. Whom do you expect to be the Sacrificial Lamb? If we can point fingers at others, we should also know to point fingers at ourselves. The change of mentality is the need of the hour. We should start another revolution.

Chumpongse Anar OTC, Yangli

WAYF appeals to voters

Another constitutional exercise is knocking at our door and every eligible citizens will have an opportunity to elect our representative to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for the next five years. Voting is not only our constitutional right but it is also one of the highest duty for a citizen in avny democratic society and we urge every eligible voters to perform this duty.

As Nagaland gears up for this democratic exercise, the Western Ao Youth Federation (WAYF) would like to appeal to all like minded citizens to exercise their franchise in electing the right representative who will be the voice of the people. Every eligible voters should perform their bounden duty to prevent proxy voting and ensure clean election. Any members of the community facing any act

of coercion or intimidation should report to the Helpline, 8974851911. We appeal to all citizens to ensure free and fair election and that no law and order situation is created. Based on the principles of Clean Election Movement as envisioned by our apex Church body NBCC, we remind every voters to vote by their freewill and their conscience. Media Cell,

SNIPPETS

Bird flu: J’hand to nearly 4,000 chickens, ducks

RANCHI, FEB 25 (PTI):

Nearly 4,000 birds, including chickens and ducks, will be culled in Jharkhand’s Bokaro district after a bird flu outbreak was reported at a state-run poultry farm, an official said on Saturday.

H5N1, a type of avian influenza virus, was confirmed among a proteinrich breed of chicken, ‘Kadaknath’, at the farm in the Lohanchal where 800 birds died and 103 had to be culled, he said. A process has been started to determine the compensation for the people whose chicken and ducks will be culled, official said.

Woman dies after being forced to drink acid in UP

BAREILLY (UP), FEB 25 (PTI): A 25-year-old woman died after her inlaws allegedly forced her to drink acid for not meeting their demand for dowry in Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh, a police officer said on Saturday. Anjum, a resident of Udala Jagir village in the Bithri Chainpur police station area, died Thursday night. Hours before, she recorded her dying declaration before a magistrate, alleging that her in-laws forced her to drink acid as her parents failed to meet their demand for Rs 2.50 lakh in cash and a car in dowry.

116 persons held in Maha combing ops

THANE, FEB 25 (PTI): A total of 116 persons were arrested and 129 cases were registered in Maharashtra’s Thane city after an “all out” anti-crime combing operation was carried out, an official said on Saturday. The drive, which started late Friday night, saw the deployment of 223 officials and 1,054 constables, ACP (Crime) Ashok Morale said.

Raj school teacher booked for molesting

KOTA (RAJASTHAN), FEB 25 (PTI): A 45-yearold government school teacher has been booked for allegedly molesting a Class 7 girl of his school in Bundi district in Rajasthan, a police officer said on Saturday. The accused teacher allegedly took the minor student to an isolated spot in the school building during school hours Friday and touched her inappropriately. On returning home, the girl narrated the incident to her parents who, in turn, lodged a complaint with the police.

3 persons arrested for duping people in Gurugram

GURUGRAM, FEB 25 (IANS): Gurugram Po -

lice arrested three people, including a woman, on Friday for cheating several youths on pretext of providing escort services online. The accused were identified as Pradeep alias Prince (22), Neeraj (21) and 21-year-old Isha alias Chinki, police said on Friday. According to the police, they received a complaint on February 22 that two men had entered a house in Kakru Colony located on Darbaripur Road and looted the complainant, who was residing in rented accommodation. Man held for hoax call to police

in Maharashtra

MUMBAI, FEB 25 (PTI):

A man was arrested for allegedly making a hoax call to the police control room about 90 kilograms of “MD”, apparently a reference to mephedrone drug, and explosives landing at a port to carry out blasts in JJ Hospital, Bhendi Bazar and Nal Bazar areas of south Mumbai, an official said on Saturday.

The call was received at the South Region police control room on Friday afternoon.

PM Modi, German Chancellor Scholz hold talks

NEW DELHI, FEB 25

(PTI): India has been pressing for resolving the Ukraine “dispute” through dialogue and diplomacy and it stands ready to contribute to any peace process, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday after holding talks with visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who stressed the need for a “clear stand” by countries in the UN on the crisis.

The one-year-old conflict and its consequences including on food and energy security figured during the talks between the leaders besides ways to ramp up overall bilateral engagement, including in areas of trade and co-development of defence platforms, with Scholz assuring his “personal” involvement in the finalisation of India-EU free trade pact.

In his statement at a joint media event with Modi, the German Chancellor described the Rus-

sian “aggression” against Ukraine as a “major catastrophe” that has negatively impacted the globe and said it is important for the countries to state “very clearly where we stand” on the war at the UN as international law governs international relations.

On his part, Modi said, “since the beginning of the developments in Ukraine, India has insisted on resolving this dispute through dialogue and di-

Arrested DRDO official sent to police custody for 4 days

BALASORE (ODISHA)

FEB 25 (PTI): A senior DRDO official, accused of sharing sensitive information with a Pakistani spy, was sent to four days in police custody on Saturday by a court in Odisha’s Balasore district.

Senior technical officer Baburam Dey, 57, who was posted at the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore, was arrested on Friday.

Dey was sent to four days in police custody by Judicial Magistrate First Class (City) Sabitri Das. He was allegedly sharing sensitive defence-related information with a

Pakistani agent for “sexual as well as monetary gratification”, police said.

His assets will be thoroughly investigated, Superintendent of Police (SP) Sagarika Nath said.

WhatsApp chats, sexually explicit photos and videos were found in his phone, which was seized, police said. Dey allegedly shared sensitive information regarding missile tests with a Pakistani spy, they said.

Chandipur has two DRDO test ranges -- PXE (Proof and Experimental Establishment) and ITR. India evaluates the performances of its missiles, rockets and air-borne weapons systems at these two ranges.

plomacy. India is ready to contribute to any peace process.”

Referring to the destruction in Ukraine including to its energy grids and infrastructures as well as the overall consequences of the Russian invasion and stressed that developing countries were being negatively impacted by energy and food shortages resulting from the war.

“But above all, it is a disaster, a catastrophe

Karnataka govt employees to go on strike from Mar 1

SHIVAMOGGA, FEB 25

(IANS): In a setback to the ruling BJP, Karnataka Government Employees Union has announced that the government employees will go on an indefinite strike from March 1 in the state if their demand of implementation of the seventh pay commission is not met.

C. S. Shadakshari, the President of the Union, stated that all government employees have decided to not to attend duty and launch the protest across the state.

Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, Shadakshari said, “Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has turned a blind eye towards the government employees.

Owaisi slams Modi govt over activities of ‘gau rakshaks’

THANE, FEB 25 (PTI):

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul

Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday attacked the Narendra Modi government for going soft on ‘gau rakshak’ vigilante groups claiming these serve the purpose of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Speaking to reporters in Navi Mumbai, where the national executive meeting of his party is being held, the Lok Sabha MP from Telangana also said alliances for the upcoming civic polls, as well as Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Maharashtra next year will be decided in due course.

Referring to the killings of two men from Rajasthan in Haryana on February 16, Owaisi said the Modi government had given a long rope to such

‘gau rakshaks’ (cow protectors).

Nasir and Junaid, both residents of Ghatmeeka village in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, were allegedly abducted by cow vigilantes on February 15 and their bodies were found in a charred car in Loharu in Haryana’s Bhiwani the next day.

An FIR was registered on February 16 at Gopalgarh police station against

because we know this war violates a fundamental principle to which we had all agreed for such a long time, and that is that you do not change borders through the use of violence,” he said.

“Thus, it is important that in the United Nations too, we time and again state very clearly where we stand on this subject matter,”he said.

Asked whether the comments by the German Chancellor were a message to India and whether there were divergent views between the two countries on the conflict, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said he only saw “understanding and appreciation” of each other’s perspective on the matter.

“It was the Indian Prime Minister who openly stated in Samarkand that this is not the era for war. In the discussion, I would say, I only saw understanding and appreciation of

Not

UDAIPUR (RAJ), FEB 25 (PTI): Voicing concern over the rising pendency of cases, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said it is “not the fault of the judge but of the system”, and the government is taking more steps to address the issue.

“We are moving towards the kind of system that should be there in the country,” he said while highlighting efforts to repeal redundant and obsolete laws, improve the infrastructure of courts and equip them with technology.

The minister was speaking at a conference on ‘Sustainable Development in India: Evolution and Legal Perspective’ organised by the Law Commission of India at Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur. The minister said the

HC

five people under Indian Penal Code sections 302 (murder) 143 (unlawful assembly), 365 (kidnapping), 367 (grievously hurt after kidnapping) and 368 (wrongfully keeping in confinement) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence).

“This is nothing but state sponsored violence against Muslims. The activities of such groups further the purpose of the BJP. They (BJP) want to create hatred against Muslims,” Owaisi said.

The Modi government can take action against the BBC for an adverse documentary, an apparent reference to Income Tax department searches against the new agency, while such “terror groups” go untouched, Owaisi alleged.

each other’s perspective,” the foreign secretary told reporters at a briefing.

The two sides also unveiled an ‘India-Germany Vision to Enhance Cooperation in Innovation and Technology’ and finalised a letter of intent between the Department of Science & Technology and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems for Cooperation in green hydrogen and clean energy technologies.

The two sides also took stock of the situation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of increasing Chinese assertiveness.

Scholz arrived here this morning on a twoday India visit, a day after the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that saw the US and its European allies renewing their resolve to strongly back Kyiv and mount pressure on Moscow including through fresh economic sanctions.

NEW DELHI, FEB 25 (IANS): Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud

on Saturday said incidents of suicides of students from marginalised communities are becoming common and research shows that most such students are from Dalit and Adivasi communities.

The Chief Justice stressed that judges in India have a crucial role in making a dialogue with the society inside and outside the courtrooms to push for social change.

The CJI was delivering the keynote address at the 19th Annual Convocation of National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR).

The Chief Justice said educational curriculum must inculcate a sense of compassion amongst students and academic leaders must also be sensitive to the concerns of students.

“When students leave their homes, it becomes the responsibility of educational

people how much a judge works. It is not the fault of the judge, but of the system,” Rijiju said.

He said that a major solution for reducing pendency is “technology” and the courts are being equipped with technologies across the country in order to make them paperless.

institutio ns to establish a bond of institutional friendship with students. We must also realise that different students face different challenges. Only recently, I read about the suicide of a Dalit student at IIT Bombay, it reminded of the suicide of an Adivasi studying in a national level university.... last year,” he said.

The Chief Justice added that my heart goes out to family members of these students, but I also have been wondering where our institutions are going wrong, that students are forced to give up their precious lives. “In these instance, incidents of suicides of students from marginalised communities are becoming common.

ferencing.

There are several ways to reduce the pendency. The biggest one is technology. The ministry is doing several things and “in the days to come, we are going to take a few other steps,” he said.

NEW DELHI, FEB 25 (PTI): In a relief to the BJP, the Delhi High Court Saturday stayed re-election for six members of the standing committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) scheduled for February 27, saying the mayor prima facie acted beyond her powers in ordering a fresh poll.

Justice Gaurang Kanth, in a special hearing held on a court holiday on two petitions by BJP councillors against the re-election, said the governing norms do not reflect the Delhi mayor has the authority to declare the earlier election null and void and conduct the re-election without announcing the results of the previous poll held on February 24.

The court said prima facie the mayor’s action was in violation of the applicable

BJP spurns LJP(RV)’s... Cong ready to form secular govt even with...

(From p-1)

Meanwhile, Kohli was confident that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s joint campaign for the BJP-NDPP alliance was the high point and the impact would spread across the State.

On the issue between Kohima Press Club and the BJP media convenor, Kohli said that though he was busy with the campaigns, he had responded to the media at a rally in Wokha and was informed that the issue was resolved after his colleague had spoken to KPC.

He also said that an apology message was sent to KPC by his colleague. Kohli also said that a formal letter would be sent to KPC president. “We stand for freedom of press and we deeply respect media in Nagaland and it is not our intention in any way to condone any such kind of issue between a media person and my colleague in the party,” he stated.

He further said that it was not for him to negotiate or interfere in the personal relationship between two people and said that any institution, be it the BJP or any other, should not intervene and try to negotiate a personal relationship between two people.

(From p-1)

Therie also also pointed that gap between the have and have nots have only widened, which was a dangerous trend in the society.

Citing the example of Dimapur-I constituency, Therie said the area lacked basic infrastructures like proper roads, water supply, proper drainage, waste management etc. He therefore, said it was not late for the people to realize and vote for Congress to take them to the right path.

Therie said that the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in his speech at a rally in Dimapur, had made it clear that Congress and secularminded parties would be forming the government at the Centre in 2024.

While pointing out that 12 out of 28 states in India were currently under BJP rule, Therie was confident that the Congress would return to power in Karnataka and this would impact the 2024 Lok Sabha polls across the country.

More election-related violence reported

(From p-1) lodged a complaint with the chief electoral officer Nagaland claiming that a team of “heavily armed” NSNC (I-M) functionaries had allegedly gone to Anaki village during the wee hours of February 24 and harassed the village council chairman and other citizens “intimidating them to coerce the entire electors of the village” in support of the rival candidate.

Futher, the party also claimed that the authorities of a particular village had issued diktat to all its citizens to support the rival candidate, which was in gross violation of election guidelines. Therefore, NCP has sought immediate intervention of the CEO to ensure free and fair polling in the best interest of the festival of democracy.

number of pending cases has crossed 4.90 crore.

“It is not a good thing to have so many cases pending in any country or society. It has several reasons... the condition of judges is also bad. One judge handles 50-60 cases in a single day. They dispose of so many cases but the number which comes daily is double.

“The common man asks why the pendency is so high, but it is not known to

re-election

regulations.

“This court prima facie finds that the elections have been conducted and the results have not been declared yet and no purpose would be served by conducting fresh election on February 27. In view of the same, notice for holding re-election on February 27 shall be stayed till the next date of hearing,” said the court while listing the petitions by Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Shikha Roy for hearing in March end. The counsel for the mayor told the court that she had no other alternative but to declare the earlier poll as null and void as the process was vitiated due to the unruly behaviour of the members. The lawyer also alleged the mayor did not get adequate cooperation from the member secretary and technical experts.

“We are halfway there. Now we are giving the final shape to it. High courts, lower courts, and tribunals are being well-equipped with technologies.

“It was just because of the success of e-courts phase-II that hearings were conducted through video conference during the Covid pandemic,” the minister said. He said that several high courts have done a good job of conducting hearings through video con-

He said that work is going on to make the judiciary paperless, which is also important from an environmental point of view. “Everything has to be digital,” he added. Talking about sustainable development, he stressed the need for balance in economic growth and the environment. “The way we are living our lives has become a threat to our existence. The quest of achieving economic growth and the haphazard things that are happening around us is threatening...” he said.

PM Modi with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during their joint press statement at the Hyderabad House, Saturday. (PTI)

Judges have a crucial role to push for social change: CJI

judges but system at fault: Rijiju on pendency

stays holding

of 6 members of MCD committee

Kiren Rijiju

Asaduddin Owaisi

SNIPPETS

Husband, in-laws booked for dowry death

KOTA (RAJASTHAN),

FEB 25 (PTI): Two days after a 21-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide in Jhalawar district in Rajasthan, police registered a dowry death case against her husband and in-laws on Saturday. According to the police, Muskan, hailing from Munger district in Bihar, allegedly hanged herself using a sari at her house in Nasirabad village in the Bakani police station area of the Rajasthan district Thursday afternoon.

Her parents who reached Bakani Saturday alleged that their daughter used to be harassed and tortured by her husband and in-laws for not fulfilling their demand for dowry.

Speeding truck kills boy, 3 others in Delhi

NEW DELHI, FEB 25 (PTI): Four people, including a four-year-old boy, were killed after a truck overturned and fell on them in central Delhi’s Anand Parbat area in the early hours of Saturday, police said. Police received information at around 1.30 am that a truck had overturned in street number 10, Anand Parbat and some people, including labourers, were stuck under it, a senior officer said..

Army jawan killed by suspected Naxalites

KANKER, FEB 25 (PTI): An army jawan visiting his native place was shot dead by suspected Naxalites in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district on Saturday evening, police said. The killing took place hours after three police personnel were killed in an encounter with the Naxalites in Sukma district of the state. The incident in Kanker took place at a market in Useli village under Amabeda police station limits, an official said here.

Willing to make sacrifices for 2024: Cong chief

Saysreadytoalign withlike-minded partiestodefeat BJPin2024LSpolls

NAVA RAIPUR (CHHATTISGARH), FEB 25 (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said his party is willing to forge a viable alternative by aligning with like-minded parties in order to get rid of the “anti-people” BJP government in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and is ready to make any sacrifice required to achieve the goal.

In his address at the Congress’ 85th plenary session, Kharge also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the “pradhan sevak of Delhi, who gets advertisements printed every day, is serving his own friend”.

The Congress chief launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, alleging that “the DNA of those sitting in

Congress leaders during the 85th plenary session, in Raipur on Saturday. (PTI)

Delhi is anti-poor” and they are attempting to “destroy” democracy. He also called for a people’s movement against the prevailing situation in the country.

Hailing party leader Rahul Gandhi for the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Kharge said the Kanyakumari-toKashmir march united the

Will wipe out BJP in 2024 LS, 2025 Assembly Polls: Lalu

PURNEA, FEB 25

(PTI): In his first major speech after recovering from a kidney transplant operation, RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Saturday launched a frontal attack on his old rival the BJP, alleging the right-wing party was trying to divide the country on caste and religious lines.

The BJP and RSS are against the country’s minorities, the former chief minister of Bihar claimed in a virtual speech relayed from his Delhi residence to the rally of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ or Grand Alliance of which RJD in a constituent .

“The BJP and RSS are against minorities and weaker sections of the soci-

ety ... We (the Grand alliance) will wipe out BJP in 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 assembly polls,” a fraillooking Prasad, who recently returned to the country earlier this month after a successful kidney transplant surgery in Singapore, said.

Both BJP and RSS are “against reservation” and are trying to change the Constitution and end reservation, Prasad alleged.

“Our fight is with the ideology of RSS. BJP is following the instructions of RSS,” he claimed. Prasad said Bihar has taken the initiative and the BJP-led central government “will be wiped out from the entire country in the coming polls.”

country with people from all walks of life coming together.

The yatra emerged as a strong voice against the unprecedented challenges that people face today, Kharge said.

“Such challenges include continuing assault on the constitutional values,

democracy and social fabric of our country, issues of national security at the border with China, the prevailing atmosphere of hatred and fear, all-time high inflation, record unemployment and the increasing economic inequality,” he said.

In the prevailing difficult circumstances, the Congress is the only party that can provide capable and decisive leadership to the country, Kharge asserted.

From 2004 to 2014, the Congress-led alliance with like-minded parties effectively served the people of the country, he noted.

“We once again look forward to forging a viable alternative by aligning with like-minded parties to defeat the anti-people and undemocratic BJP government.

“We are ready to strive for the welfare of the people of our country and (will make) whatever sacrifices that are required,” Kharge said. Kharge also said the goal for the upcoming state elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls is clear.

The Congress presi -

Killing of murder case witness rock Uttar Pradesh Assembly

dent’s remarks assume significance as they come amid talk of forging Opposition unity. The Congress’ vehement criticism of the TMC has drawn a sharp response from the party, signalling cracks in the Opposition ranks.

In his address, Kharge also alleged that the people in power were attacking people’s rights and there is a need for a movement against such attempts. He also raised the slogan of “Seva, sangharsh aur balidan, sabse pehle Hindustan (Service, struggle, sacrifice. The country comes first)”.

Kharge also claimed that the BJP is breaking parliamentary and constitutional traditions and “misusing” agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for toppling governments. He also launched an attack on the government over the border issue with China, claiming that the Chinese intruded but the “PM said no one has come in”.

LUCKNOW, FEB 25 (PTI):

Uttar Pradesh Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on Saturday as Leader of Opposition Akhilesh Yadav sought to corner the state government over the killing of a prime witness in the 2005 BSP MLA murder case, drawing a sharp retort from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Adityanath alleged that Samajwadi Party not only nurtured criminals, but also made them MLAs and MPs, and said his government will “decimate” (mitti me mila denge) the mafia.

Umesh Pal, the prime witness in the 2005 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal, was shot dead outisde his residence here, the police said.

Police on Saturday registered an FIR against several people, including former MP Atiq Ahmed. The mafia-turned-politician is currently lodged in a Gujarat jail. Atiq was a SP MP from Phulpur parliamentary constituency (in Prayagraj).

When the House as -

sembled for the chief minister’s speech on the Governor’s address at 11 am, the SP and Yadav tried to corner the government over Pal’s killing.

After the house proceedings began, Chief Whip of the Samajwadi Party Manoj Kumar Pandey demanded a discussion on the Prayagraj incident. Yadav said, “The way in which a witness and a security personnel have been shot dead in Prayagraj, what is the double engine government doing?”

He added if they (the injured) had got some treatment, their lives would have been saved. Speaker of UP Legislative Assembly Satish Mahana said no notice has been received for discussion, and it was decided in advance that the Leader of the House (the CM) will speak on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address.

The chief minister termed the Prayagraj incident “sad” and said the government has taken cognizance of it.

United oppn can restrict BJP to below 100 in 2024: Nitish

PURNEA, FEB 25 (PTI):

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday asserted that the BJP will be restricted to under 100 seats if all the opposition parties, including the Congress, fight the 2024 Lok Sabha polls unitedly.

Addressing a Mahagathbandhan rally in Purnea, the JD(U) chief said the Congress will have to take a quick decision in this regard.

“If all the opposition parties, including the Congress, come together and fight the 2024 Lok Sabha polls unitedly, the BJP will be restricted to under 100 seats,” he said.

“But the Congress will have to take a quick decision in this regard. If you (Congress) accept my suggestion, we can restrict the BJP to under 100 seats. If you don’t, you know what

will happen,” Kumar said. The chief minister claimed his only goal was to work for unifying the opposition to unseat the BJP from power.

“I will keep trying to make it a reality. The BJP needs to be wiped out from the entire country,” he added.

Accusing the BJP of conspiring to “break the country” by dividing people on religious lines, Kumar said, “They are desperate to rewrite history. People

know what they did during the freedom struggle. None of us should forget.”

In an apparent dig at the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, he claimed it was an agent of the BJP that was trying to divide the minority votes in the Seemanchal region. “All of you should remain alert about such forces,” he said.

The chief minister alleged the BJP-led government at the Centre has done nothing for the country or Bihar, other than propaganda.

“What happened to the special status for Bihar? The Center is against the economically weaker sections of the society and that is the reason they were not in favour of the caste-based Census,” he alleged. “They (BJP) will get to know the reality when

elections are held for Lok Sabha in 2024, and in Bihar in 2025,” he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav alleged that through communal hatred

the BJP was trying to divert people’s attention from issues such as price rises. He also thanked Kumar for breaking the alliance with the BJP.

BJP has closed its door for Nitish: Shah

PATNA, FEB 25 (IANS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that BJP has shut its door forever for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

“Kumar is a person who dreams about the prime minister’s chair every three years and resorts to ‘paltimar’ tactics. He did the same in August last year and went to those whom our NDA was opposed to right from the start. We have now decided never to open our doors for Nitish Kumar

in BJP,” Shah said while addressing the media persons in Loharia village of West Champaran district.

“During the 2020 Assembly elections, the people of the state had made BJP a single largest party in the state. But we honoured our promise and gave the chief minister’s chair to Nitish Kumar but he has the habit of changing the goal post,” Shah said. Nitish Kumar, always vocal against Jungle Raj, is now sitting in the lap of its progenitor.

RAIPUR, FEB 25 (PTI):

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag

Thakur on Saturday said that “mentality of western countries” was imposed on India for 70 years but the way of thinking is changing now. He also cautioned the youth to remain alert against the forces trying to break up the country using “a report, billionaire and other means.”

Thakur was speaking at Yuva Samvaad India @2047 organized by the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan Chhattisgarh unit at Rawatpura Sarkar University in Dhaneli village.

“We should be proud of our heritage, history,

art, culture and tradition. The mentality of western countries was imposed on our country for 70 years. The work of changing this thinking has been done in the last eight years,” the BJP leader said.

“Today, we can say with pride that the magnificent Somnath Dham, Kashi Dham, Kedarnath

Three police personnel killed in encounter with Naxalites

RAIPUR, FEB 25 (PTI):

Three personnel of the state police’s District Reserve Guard (DRG) were killed in an encounter with Naxalites in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Saturday, a senior official said.

The gunfight took place around 9 am between Jagargunda and Kunded villages when a DRG team was out on patrolling to provide security to road construction in the area, Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P told PTI. The road is being built on a stretch between Jagargunda (Sukma) and Basaguda (Bijapur district).

On February 20, two police personnel had been killed in a Naxalite attack in Rajnandgaon district of the state.

Recently, DRG camps were set up in Kunded village (Sukma) and Bedre (Bijapur) to provide security to the construction work.

A contingent of around 150 DRG personnel had set out for patrolling on Saturday morning from Jagargunda towards Kunded when Naxalites, belonging to the ultras’ `military battalion number 1’, ambushed it, leading to a heavy exchange of fire, the IG said.

The military battalion no 1 of the Naxalites, headed by Hidma, is considered as their strongest formation in the Bastar region, officials said.

The gunfight lasted for about one hour following which the Naxalites escaped, the IG said.

Dham and Mahakal Dham were built, and next year the construction of Ayodhya Dham will be completed,” he added.

The development of these religious places has increased tourist footfall, generating employment for the locals, the minister said.

Thakur warned the youth to remain alert against “forces trying to break up the country using a report, billionaire and other means.”

He, however, did not elaborate which “report” or “billionaire” he was referring to. The BJP had recently slammed billionaire investor George Soros for his comments on democracy in India.

Amit Shah

Lalu Prasad

Nitish Kumar

Anurag Thakur

Mentality of western countries was imposed on India for 70 years: Anurag

SNIPPETS

Turkey, Syria quake death toll surpasses 50k

ANKARA, FEB 24

(AGENCIES): The death toll in the devastating earthquake that struck southern Turkey and neighbouring Syria on February 6 has surpassed the 50,000 mark, reports Reuters. While Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority reported 44,218 deaths on Friday night, Syria announced death toll of 5,914, taking the combined toll in the two countries to above 50,000.

Meanwhile, Ankara has expedited the construction work, with President Tayyip Erdogan pledging to rebuild homes within a year.

Over 70 soldiers killed in Burkina Faso: IS group

OUAGADOUGOU,

FEB 25 (AP): The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for killing more than 70 soldiers, wounding dozens and taking five hostage, in an ambush on a military convoy in northern Burkina Faso.

The statement, posted Friday by Amaq, the group’s news agency, said it attacked a convoy trying to advance to areas under its control near Deou, in the Sahel’s Oudalan province.

It said it seized weapons and chased retreating soldiers for miles into the desert. Images released by the group show 54 slain bodies in military uniform lying in the bloodstained dirt, as well as more than 50 seized assault rifles and images of the five soldiers it said were taken prisoner.

Crucial polls: Vote starts late in parts of Nigeria

ABUJA (NIGERIA), FEB 25 (AP): Polling stations opened late across parts of Nigeria on Saturday as Africa’s most populous country held presidential and parliamentary elections amid a nationwide bank note shortage that left many without transport to their voting centres. The elections come amid fears of violence, from Islamic militants in the north to separatists in the south, though officials did not postpone the vote as the last two presidential elections were.

Brazil landslides

death toll rises to 54

BRASILIA, FEB 25 (IANS): The death toll from landslides caused by heavy rains on the coast of Brazil’s Sao Paulo state has increased to 54, as rescuers continue to search for dozens of missing people under mountains of mud, officials confirmed. Rescue teams have identified 13 minors among the dead, Xinhua news agency quoted the Sao Paulo state government as saying in a statement. The municipalities of Sao Sebastiao, Ubatuba, Caraguatuatuba, Ilhabela and Bertioga were the most severely affected by the rainfall last weekend.

Nepal: 4 ministers resign from govt en masse

KATHMANDU, FEB 25 (PTI): Four ministers from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), including the party’s Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Rajendra Lingden who was part of the coalition government, on Saturday submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”. RPP decided to quit the government after a new alliance of eight parties was formed to back the candidacy of Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudyal for the post of the president. The RPP has however not officially withdrawn its support to the government.

Ukraine seeks more pressure on Russia

KYIV,

FEB 25 (AP):

Fighting is grinding on in Ukraine after the country marked the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, with Ukrainian authorities on Saturday reporting dozens of new Russian strikes and attacks on cities in the east and south.

After a somber and defiant day of commemorations on Friday and a marathon news conference, Ukraine’s seemingly indefatigable president followed up with new video posts a day later in which he declared that “Russia must lose in Ukraine” and argued that its forces can be defeated this year.

In a separate tweet, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also pushed for more sanctions pressure on Russia after the U.K., U.S. and the European Union all announced new measures aimed at further choking off funding and support for Moscow.

“The pressure on Russian aggressor must increase,” Zelenskyy tweeted in English.

He said that Ukraine wants to see “decisive steps” against Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom,

and the Russian nuclear industry as well as “more pressure on military and banking.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week that Rosatom and his Defense Ministry need to work on ensuring that Russia is ready to resume nuclear weapons tests if needs be. He alleged that the U.S. is working on nuclear weapons and that some in the U.S. are pondering plans to carry out nuclear tests banned under the global test ban that took effect after the end of the Cold War.

“If the U.S. conducts tests, we will also do it,” Putin said.

Russia has already become the most sanctioned

Schools reopen as Syrians live with quake’s devastation

IDLIB (SYRIA), FEB 25

(AP): Schools resumed classes in Syria’s rebelheld northwest Saturday after closing for nearly three weeks following an earthquake that devastated the region, local officials said, even as many schoolchildren suffer from shock.

Many schools were turned into temporary shelters following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and neighboring parts of Syria on Feb. 6 and killed tens of thousands of people. The quake left homeless hundreds of thousands of people in the area, many of whom had already

been displaced by Syria’s 12-year-long war. Because of that conflict, the rebelheld area has also struggled to receive urgently needed humanitarian aid.

Many students were absent from their classes Saturday as their homes were damaged by the quake and their families now reside far away from the schools, said Abdulkafi Al-Hamdou a citizen journalist in the rebel-held region. “Some students were worried about being inside the building and were on edge whenever they heard a sound such as a desk being moved,” Al-Hamdou said by telephone.

nation in the world over the past year, targeted with sanctions by more than 30 countries representing more than half of the world’s economy. But the squeeze on its economy, trade and firms has yet to deliver a knockout blow.

Russia’s ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, called the latest U.S. sanctions “thoughtless.”

“We have learned to live under economic and political pressure,” Antonov said. “The experience of previous sanctions has shown that they harm the world market to a greater extent, worsen the situation of ordinary citizens in states that initiate or support reckless sanctions.”

The Feb. 24 anniversary of last year’s invasion brought no respite in Russian attacks. Still, in one of his video posts on Saturday, Zelenskyy asked: “Is it possible for us to win?”

“Yes,” he said. “We are capable of this in unity, resolutely and unyieldingly, to put an end to Russian aggression this year.”

Ukraine’s military on Saturday reported 27 Russian airstrikes and 75 attacks from multiple rocket launchers in the most recent 24-hour spell. It said Russian offensive efforts continue to be concentrated in Ukraine’s industrial east and northeast. Five wounded civilians were reported in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk province, where territory is roughly split between Russian and Ukrainian control. In the southern Kherson region, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin also reported 83 Russian shelling attacks, with the regional capital, also called Kherson, hit nine times, and residential buildings, a preschool and a medical institution struck. The head of Ukraine’s presidential office reported three civilian wounded in the region.

Turkey launches

ISTANBUL, FEB 25 (AP): Investigations have been launched against more than 600 people in relation to buildings that collapsed in Turkey’s catastrophic earthquake earlier this month, a government official said Saturday.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said 184 of the 612 suspects had been jailed pending trial. Those in custody include construction contractors and building owners or managers, he said in televised comments from a coordination center in Diyarbakir in southeast Turkey.

“The detection of evidence in the buildings continues as a basis for crimi-

Pope reaffirms need for financial trials

ROME, FEB 25 (AP): Pope Francis said Saturday that financial misconduct by Vatican personnel harms the church’s mission and scandalises the faithful, doubling down on the need for trials in the tiny city state to find justice. Francis made the comments during an address to prosecutors, judges and employees of the Vatican City State’s civil and criminal tribunal at the start of the judicial year.

The tribunal has seen its caseload grow significantly in recent years as

Christians being sent to labour camps and executed in North Korea

SEOUL, FEB 25 (AGENCIES): North Korea has intensified its hounding of Christians, hunting for underground churches, executing believers and incarcerating their families in labour camps, aid groups have reported, according to The Telegraph.

As Kim Jong-un seeks to tighten his grip on power through ideological indoctrination, Open Doors, a global mission organisation that supports persecuted Christians, said it had documented a “rise in reported incidents of violence” last year. “In one horrifying incident that Open Doors heard about from reliable sources, several dozen North Korean believers from different underground churches were discovered and executed.

More than 100 members of their families were said to have been rounded up and sent to labour camps,” it said in its latest “World Watch List,” which tracks crackdowns on religious freedom.

Thomas Müller, the group’s Asia researcher, told the Telegraph there were

nine known incidents where Christians had been sent to labour camps or executed between October 1 2021 and September 30 2022.

The information came from trusted North Korean sources, but exact numbers were difficult to ascertain as entire families were often carted away in the middle of the night, he said. The reports are impossible to independently verify due to North Korea’s information blackout.

There are estimated to be between 200,000 and 400,000 clandestine Christians in the country, mainly in the west where many are believed to have settled after an “explosion” of the religion in 1907.

The parents of Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, are said to have been devout Christians, though their son developed his own cult of personality. Müller said Christians were now being caught in a wider push to flood the country with Kim family ideology, which has been reinforced by an “anti-reactionary thought law”, introduced in 2020 to punish behaviour such as possessing Bibles. In recent weeks, Kim has promoted his own dynastic legacy by elevating his daughter Ju-ae’s status at high-profile state events, while ensuring other parents teach their children devotion to his rule.

investigation on 612 people after quake

collapsed or were seriously damaged.

Experts have said many toppled structures were built with inferior materials and methods and often did not comply with government standards. Opposition parties have accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration of failing to enforce building regulations.

is a member of Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), is said to have failed to ensure construction inspections were carried out. AFAD, Turkey’s disaster management agency, said that 9,470 aftershocks had hit the region affected by the quake.

Pope Francis

the Vatican enforces new financial standards and accountability, most recently with an ongoing trial into the Holy See’s investment in a London property.

Defence lawyers for some of the 10 defendants have flagged shortcomings in the Vatican’s unique legal

nal investigation,” Bozdag added.

The aftermath of the 7.8-magnitude quake on Feb. 6, which led to nearly

system over the course of the trial, arguing that the rights of the defense haven’t been respected. Francis didn’t refer to the London case specifically, but he warned against focusing on the nitty-gritty of the Vatican’s legal system given the “seriousness of the conduct at issue.”

“Here we must be clear and avoid the risk of confusing the finger with the moon,’” Francis said, using an analogy to insist that the focus must remain on the big picture of the alleged crimes.

El Salvador begins transfers to ‘mega prison’ amid gang crackdown

l ast year, which has since been extended several times, that suspends some constitutional rights after a dramatic spike in murders attributed to violent gangs.

48,000 deaths in southern Turkey and northern Syria, has seen Turks question the structural integrity of many of the 173,000 buildings that

The mayor of a town close to the epicenter of the earthquake was detained as part of an investigation into collapsed buildings, the Cumhuriyet newspaper and other outlets reported Saturday.

Okkes Kavak, who heads the district of Nurdagi in Gaziantep province and

“This will continue for a long time… we expect these aftershocks to last for at least two years,” AFAD General Manager Orhan Tatar said in a media briefing in Ankara. He said a 5.3-magnitude quake that hit Bor, a town around 150 miles (about 245 kilometers) west of the Feb. 6 epicenter, was considered “independent” of earlier temblors.

Ecuador’s indigenous group asks Lasso to resign

QUITO, FEB 25 (AGENCIES): A major Ecuadorean Indigenous organization said on Friday it will not continue talks with the government of President Guillermo Lasso, saying the government has not complied with accords, and called for Lasso’s resignation over alleged corruption, reports Reuters. The government has said it reached dozens of accords with the CONAIE indigenous organization, including a temporary moratorium on oil blocks

in the Amazon and suspension of new mining concessions in ancestral territory until community consultation laws can be passed.

CONAIE agreed last year agreed to end weeks of protests in exchange for negotiations on the deals, but said on Friday Lasso has not kept his word.

“CONAIE breaks this process of dialogue and retires from monitoring efforts,” its president Leonidas Iza told journalists after meeting with other

N. Korea food shortage worsens amid COVID, but no famine yet

Indigenous groups. “It is evident there does not exist the political will from the government to comply.”

Iza said the organizations are calling for Lasso to leave office and asking lawmakers to hold impeachment proceedings, but stopped short of calling for national protests.

“Mr. Guillermo Lasso for the dignity of our country, for your inability to govern and resolve the most important problems of Ecuadoreans, present your resignation,” Iza said.

It was not immediately possible to reach the government for comment. Lasso has clashed repeatedly with the opposition-controlled national assembly, where some lawmakers tried to oust him during the 2022 demonstrations. He has promised to improve the economy and fight rising crime, but though his government has renegotiated oil deals and some debt, efforts to make security reforms failed to get voter backing in a recent referendum.

SAN SALVADOR, FEB 25 (AGENCIES): El Salvador’s government moved thousands of suspected gang members to a newly opened “mega prison” on Friday, the latest step in a controversial crackdown on crime that has caused the Central American nation’s prison population to soar, reports Reuters.

“This will be their new home, where they won’t be able to do any more harm to the population,” President Nayib Bukele wrote on

Twitter.

Around 2,000 accused gang members were moved to the 40,000-person-capacity prison, considered to be the largest in the Americas, early Friday morning.

In a video posted by Bukele, prisoners stripped down to white shorts, with their heads shaved, are seen running through the new prison into cells. Many bear gang tattoos. Bukele asked his allies in El Salvador’s Congress to pass a state of exception

Since then, more than 64,000 suspects have been arrested in the anti-crime dragnet. Arrests can be made without a warrant, private communications are accessible by the government, and detainees no longer have the right to a lawyer. Human rights organizations argue that innocent people have been caught up in the policy, including at least dozens who have died in police custody. Rights groups have raised questions about alleged abuses during the state of emergency, including possible arrests of innocent people and cover-ups of deaths of detainees in state custody. But Bukele’s antigang push remains widely popular with Salvadorans, and the country’s security minister told Reuters it would continue until all criminals are captured.

SEOUL, FEB 5 (AP):

There’s little doubt that North Korea’s chronic food shortages worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and speculation about the country’s food insecurity has flared as its top leaders prepare to discuss the “very important and urgent task” of formulating a correct agricultural policy.

Unconfirmed reports say an unspecified number of North Koreans have been dying of hunger. But experts say there is no sign of mass deaths or famine. They say the upcoming ruling Workers’ Party meeting is likely intended to shore

up support for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he pushes ahead with his nuclear weapons program in defiance of intense U.S.led pressure and sanctions.

“Kim Jong Un can’t advance his nuclear program stably if he fails to resolve the food problem fundamentally because public support would be shaken,” said Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies in Seoul.

“The meeting is being convened to solidify internal unity while pulling together ideas to address the food shortage.”

In an Emergency Meeting held on 22.02. 2023, in order to create Clean and Fair Election and to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the Village, the Office of the PadumPukhuri Village Youth Front (PPVYF) has resolved that :

1. No Political Party would be allowed to paste posters, write on walls, erect cutouts and banners within the vicinity of the Village.

2. With the exception of those permitted by the Election Commission of India no outsiders shall be allowed to enter the Village on polling day.

3. No individual or any person found creating havoc or disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of the Village in an inebriated state during or in the polling day will be dealt with strict disciplinary action.

4. Non-adherence to the orders of the PadumPukhuri Village Youth Front (PPVYF) by any Political Party, Group or individual’s will invite a strict and prompt response compelling the PadumPukhuri Village Youth Front (PPVYF) to take its own course of action.

president general Secretary lanusubo imchen Viboto

Ukrainian troops and UK military instructors in South of England to mark 1 year anniversary of conflict, Friday. (AP/PTI)

FILE—The Chilgol protestant church choir in Pyongyang practise their hymns.

A destroyed building following the earthquake in Samandag, southern Turkey, Feb. 22, 2023.

FILE—Farmers plant rice at the Namsa Co-op Farm of Rangnang District in Pyongyang on May 25, 2021.

Gang members wait to be taken to their cells in Tecoluca, El Salvador on February 24, 2023.

‘RRR’ bags 4 big honours at HCA Awards

VH1 Supersonic kickstarts with performances by Prateek Kuhad, OAFF

their fans.

Abiogenesis performs at Aadi Mohatsov Festival

Thousands of music lovers thronged Pune’s Mahalaxmi

Lawns as the 2023 edition of VH1 Supersonic Music Festival commenced with performances by artists such as Prateek Kuhad, OAFF and Savera.

The three-day music extravaganza returns after a gap of three years with the line-up including some of the biggest names from the scene -- Annie Marie, CKay, Divine, Tyga and Farhan Akhtar -- to name a few.

As the Oscar race gets intense, filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli’s magnum opus continues to make waves on the global canvas as ‘RRR’ bagged 4 awards at the Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) Awards.

The film won Best International Film, Best Action Film, Best Stunts, and Best Original Song for the Oscar-nominated track ‘Naatu Naatu’. The film

Is This Normal?

The way you grow older is specific to you. Lifestyle, among other things, can play a role in the process. But some changes in your 70s are universal, because they’re the result of the way your body works. Experts sometimes call this “pure aging.” These shifts happen in everyone who lives long enough. You can’t avoid them, but you can prepare if you know what to expect.

Your Mind

Parts of your brain shrink as you get older, and signaling between different areas can slow. That means you may have trouble remembering names or coming up with a specific word. It may be harder for you to multitask and pay attention.

If that makes you concerned about Alzheimer’s disease, don’t worry -- these are normal changes. Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia cause much more severe trouble with memory and everyday tasks.

Your Heart

As you age, your heart can’t beat as fast during exercise or when you’re stressed. As its walls get thicker and its valves get stiffer, blood may not flow through as efficiently. The heart’s electrical system may start to glitch, which can cause an irregular heartbeat.

managed to beat the Tom Cruise-starrer ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.

As Rajamouli took to the stage, he was joined by actor, Ram Charan to accept the Best International Film award.

The actor said: “I didn’t expect to come up on stage. I was just told by my director to accompany him. Thank you so much for giving us all this love.

It’s a great response, so

we are going to come back with better films and entertain you all. Thank you so much.”

With the current momentum and having bagged honours at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles this year, all eyes are now set on the film’s run at the Oscars which are set to be held on March 12 the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (IANS)

The opening act of day one was by Mozez X PlanB, followed by numerous artists such as Harshal, Ankan, Sunflower Tape machine and Earl Gateshead among others.

Headliner Prateek Kuhad performed his hit songs including “Tune Kaha”, “The Last Time”, “Dil Beparwah”, “Kasoor”, and “Cold/Mess”, among others.

As OAFF and Savera performed their superhit songs “Doobey” and “Gehraiyaan” from 2022 movie “Gehraiyaan”, the duo present a surprise to

“We have a surprise for you and you’re not ready for this,” the duo said as actor Siddhant Chaturvedi made an appearance and rapped on stage. Indian independent artist Kavya gave a stellar performance on some of her hit songs such as “Bleeding out” and “Affection”.

“I love making music and performing my own songs,” said Kavya, thanking the audience after her performance.

The venue was a colourful space with installations all around, a circusthemed stage, a Nexa stage and several painted neon and graffiti walls.

The organiser also had a ‘super flea’ market with various stalls inside, selling everything from handmade products to artisan pottery and block print clothes. There were various food stalls over the venue serving a vast array of cuisines.

The festival went on till 11 pm with the last performance by electronic musician and DJ Fracture. (PTI)

What to Expect in Your 70s

lighter phases. You might wake up more and have trouble going back to sleep. Insomnia can be an issue in your 70s, especially for women. You might also find yourself falling asleep and waking earlier. Despite the changes to your sleep patterns, you still need 7-8 hours a night. Do what you can to keep good sleep habits, and talk to your doctor about any troubles.

Abiogenesis performed at the Aadi Mahotsav, the Mega National Tribal Festival at New Delhi on February 23 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. In a press release, Nungsang Ozukum, stated that the Naga Howey music enthralled the gathering. The festival was inau-

gurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 16 and the event would conclude on 27th February. This National Tribal Festival of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been organized by the North Central Zone Cultural Centre and it celebrates the tribal spirit including its culture, crafts, cuisine, commerce

and traditional art. Around 1000 tribal artisans are participating in the Mahotsav. In line with the International Year of Millets celebration, a special focus in the Mahotsav is being showcased by Shree Anna grown by the tribals. Around 17 States/UTs are participating in this Mahotsav.

may also play a role.

Your Urinary Tract

The most common problem is artery plaque buildup. But you can lower your risk of trouble with healthy habits, such as exercise, a heart-healthy diet, and not smoking.

Your Skin

Age spots and wrinkles are no surprise, but you may also find that you bruise more and sweat less. Your skin may be drier and more paperlike. It might be itchy and more easily irritated, too. It can help to switch to gentler soap and use moisturizer and sunscreen regularly. You might also try a humidifier.

Nutrition

Your metabolism slows as you age. You may need to cut calories to prevent weight gain. On the other hand, some people find that they don’t get as hungry or thirsty as they used to. As you eat less, choose foods that pack more nutrients

into fewer calories, such as fruits and veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Changes in your body could leave you short of vitamins D and B12, so you might need supplements, too.

Your Bones, Joints, and Muscles

About 1 in 4 women -- and some men, too -over 65 have osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease. Your muscles get weaker, and the tendons -- which connect muscles to your skeleton -get stiffer. This will decrease your strength and flexibility. In your 70s, you might lose an inch or two off your height as disks in your back flatten. Exercise, especially the weight-bearing kind, can help prevent these changes and may even reverse them.

Your Sleep

When you’re older, you spend less time each night in deep sleep and more in

Iconic boy band Backstreet Boys returns to India after 13 years

The Backstreet Boys, one of the all-time best-selling acts, revealed that India will be a stop on their massive DNA World Tour in May 2023.

The internationally famous Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour is coming to India in a two-city tour, with stops in the entertainment capital of Mumbai and the country’s capital of New Delhi, on May 4 and 5, 2023, respectively, at Jio World Gardens in Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.

After 13 years, the renowned boy band that has won the hearts of billions over three decades returns to India, granting the wishes

of its rabid fan following there, with BookMyShow, and Live Nation. Celebrating 30 glorious years of a band that has continued to stay relevant in the music industry with a growing fanbase and an evergreen legacy that never goes out style, the DNA World Tour forays into the country after five years of travelling across the world to houseful shows and ecstatic audiences.

AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson have been enthralling fans across the globe for over three decades and are expanding their massive world tour to India on popular demand. The DNA

World Tour celebrates their rich history of flawless choreography, harmony-laden vocal prowess and an arsenal of mega-watt hits such as ‘I Want It That Way’, ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)’and ‘As Long As You Love Me’, along with the latest hits from their recent album ‘DNA’ including ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’, ‘Chances’ and ‘No Place’, amongst others.

In a marvellous performance in sync with pitch-perfect harmonies, matching outfits and killer dance moves, Backstreet Boys ensure that the crowd is always on their feet dancing like there’s no tomorrow, with hands up in the air swaying to their musical beats. Get ready for the male pop vocalists taking over the country with their dreamy personas, for when they set foot in the arena, the Backstreet Boys are in their absolute element, belting out a massive catalog of original hits to an outsized audience that screams back every word. (IANSlife)

Your Immune System

Your body’s defenses lose a step in your 70s, which leaves you more vulnerable to illness. Vaccines don’t work as well as they once did for you, but because you’re susceptible to infection and viruses, it’s still important to get shots for flu, pneumonia, and shingles. On the plus side, allergies are less severe and autoimmune disorders are rare at this age.

Your Digestive System

Your stomach lining is more fragile, which raises your odds of having ulcers. That’s especially true if you take a lot of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Perhaps the most common problem at this age is constipation. Part of the reason is that your digestive system doesn’t move food through quite as well as before. Medications and lack of exercise

Your bladder can’t hold as much as it once did, and your muscles that support it have lost some strength. They might also squeeze when you don’t really need to go, which leads to an overactive bladder. All these things can send you to the bathroom more often. Many women in their 70s have trouble with urine leaking. Prostate trouble, which affects many men this age, can cause trouble going, too.

Your Sexuality Research suggests that more people in their 70s today are sexually active than in previous eras. But there may be more challenges. You and your partner might have vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction, as well as other health problems. Body image and stress can play a role, too. But you don’t have to give up on sex. Talk with your partner about what’s enjoyable, and ask your doctor for help with any medical issues that affect sex.

Your Vision

Your pupils react more slowly to changes in light, because your eye muscles are a bit weaker. You’ll need more time to adjust when you move between the indoors and bright sunlight. Some fine details are hard pick out, because there are

fewer cells to send messages about what you see back to your brain. The lens gets thicker and more yellow, which makes it hard to see in dim lighting and makes colors less vibrant.

Your Ears

About one-third of people ages 65-74 have hearing loss, and about half of those over 75 do. High-pitched sounds are especially hard to make out, and that makes it hard to understand what others are saying. You may be able to figure out the vowels but not the consonants. Background noise also can interfere more with your conversations. If you find it harder to hear everyday sounds, talk to your doctor about things that can help.

Steps You Can Take

You can’t turn back the clock, but there are a lot of ways to stay healthy in your 70s. Diet and exercise are important. Monitor your health, especially when it comes to watching for problems like cancer and heart disease. Stay active socially, and challenge yourself mentally -- they will help fight mental decline. And talk to your doctor about changes in vision, hearing, digestion, and other issues so you can keep thriving with age.

Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, MS, DO

Renounced Naga Hindi singer and first Naga Bollywood playback singer NK Naga received the National Music Awards from Sangeet Natak Organization, a Government organization based in Delhi, on February 15. The award was presented to him by Union Minister for Culture Kishan Reddy.

EPL: Super Solomon strike earns Fulham draw with Wolves

FULHAM, FEB 25

(AGENCIES): Substitute Manor Solomon’s stunning second-half strike earned Fulham a 1-1 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in a tight affair at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Friday, reports espn.in.

Wolves, who are edging away from the relegation zone, were much the better side in the first half and deservedly went in front after 23 minutes through Pablo Sarabia’s fine finish, the Spain international’s first goal in English football.

Sixth-placed Fulham rarely threatened without injured top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic but Solomon stepped up with a superb leveller in the 64th minute, curling the ball into the net from distance and scoring for the third successive league match.

Solomon became the first Israeli player to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances since Ronny Rosenthal for Liverpool in November 1992, with all three of the Fulham attacker’s g oals

coming from the bench.

Wolves threw striker Diego Costa on late in the game as they searched for a winner but had to settle for a draw that pulled them four points clear of the relegation zone, having played one more game than West Ham United in 18th.

“We came here to win the match,” Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui told the

WTT Star Contender Goa: Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan, Manika Batra to lead strong Indian challenge

PANJIM (GOA), FEB

25 (IANS): Multiple-time Commonwealth Games medallist Achanta Sharath Kamal, G Sathiyan and top woman player Manika Batra will lead India’s challenge in World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender Goa 2023 to be held here from February 27 to March 5.

BBC. “We played a good match with big commitment and hard work.

“In the first half I think we overcame them. It was a pity with the problems we had in the second half and we had to change. After their goal it was a more balanced match.”

The hosts missed the chance to move level on points with Newcastle United in fifth although

Messi considering move to boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys: Aguero

made. Let’s wait and see what happens. We will not get ahead of the facts.”

Former Manchester City star Aguero retired from football due to a cardiac arrhythmia in 2021.

Earlier this week, Messi’s father, Jorge, discussed with PSG management his contract extension, reported L’Equipe.

The report in the French daily added that Messi could join David Beckham’s Inter Miami, too.

their tally of 39 points from their first 25 games of the season is Fulham’s secondbest return at this stage of a top-flight campaign.

“Many things were different in the second half, the dynamic of the team and the way we pressed the ball,” Fulham coach Marco Silva told Sky Sports. “We didn’t do that well enough from the start.

The WTT Star Contender is the biggest-ever table tennis tournament to be held in India and will see top international stars in action at in Panjim’s Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor stadium. Indian TT legend Sharath Kamal along with Sathiyan Gnansekaran, Payas Jain and Wesley Do Rosario will lead the charge in the Men’s Singles draw for India. The women’s singles will see Manika Batra spearhead the Indian challenge with Sreeja Akula and Suhana Saini. The main draw of the event will start on March 1, post the two days of qualifications scheduled for February 27 and 28.

“The WTT Star Contender Goa marks a special moment for table tennis in India and I am thrilled to

be a part of this landmark event. I strongly believe that this event will offer a unique platform for India to demonstrate its ability to host more world-class table tennis events and drive growth and development of the sport within the country while inspiring younger athletes and fans who will get a chance to witness world class table tennis competition for the first time in India,” said Achanta Sharath Kamal.

Leading the international challenge at the WTT Star Contender Goa will be legendary paddler and reigning Olympic Champion from China, Ma Long, World No.1 Fan Zhendong, Wang Chuqin and Tomokazu Harimoto

of Japan and Truls Moregardh in the men’s singles draw.

The women’s singles will see four of the top five women paddlers in action including World No. 1 Sun Yingsha and reigning Olympic Champion Chen Meng.

The men’s doubles main draw will see the Indian duo of Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan leading the Indian challenge along with Harmeet Desai and Manav Vikash Thakkar, while Manika Batra along with Archana Girish Kamath will be seen in action along with the duo of Sreeja Akula and Diya Parag Chitale.

In the mixed doubles main draw, three Indian

pair will be seen in action that includes Manika Batra pairing up with G Sathiyan while Manav Thakkar will team up with Archana Kamath and Suhana Saini will pair up with Wesley Do Rosario.

The qualification round of the event that will start the official proceeding for the WTT Star Contender Goa on February 27 will see a total of 13 Indians in action in the men’s singles section that would include Manush Utpalbhai Shah, Sanil Shetty and Harmeet Desai. In all 15 Indians including Archana Girish Kamath and Reeth Tennison will fight for a spot in the main draw of the women’s singles category.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter reveals death threats from supporters

CHELSEA, FEB 25 (AGENCIES): Graham Potter has revealed both he and his family have received death threats from Chelsea supporters frustrated at the team’s disappointing form, reports Sportsstar.

The Blues have won just two of their last 14 matches across all competitions and were booed off after last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat to managerless Southampton, a result which prompted some fans to call for Potter to be sacked.

SANTA FE, FEB 25 (AGENCIES): Lionel

Messi is considering a move to his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, claimed Sergio Aguero, Messi’s close friend and long-time teammate at Argentina, reports sportsstar.

“He is seriously considering the possibility

of playing for Newell’s,” Aguero recently said, as quoted by UOL.

However, another former Argentina teammate, Maxi Rodriguez, laughed off Aguero’s claim: “Kun is Kun. He can’t keep quiet. We will see. It is hard to talk about this because then a giant ball of rumours is

The 35-year-old striker has also been linked to Barcelona. But he has reportedly rejected phone calls from the Barcelona negotiator.

Messi is currently on a two-year contract with PSG, expiring in June 2023. As the uncertainty grows about his future at PSG, the Argentine World Cupwinning star could be seen playing at a different club at the end of this summer.

Kashmir-based bat manufacturing company signs MoUs with int’l boards

make it big in the world of cricket.

“Our aim is to give raw talent to the world and provide cricketers with opportunities in the international teams and leagues, rather than sponsorship,” he said.

Kabiir said the company wants to make a database of cricketers from across the country and provide them opportunities.

“Till now, the players did not have the framework to move forward in the career and the talent was being wasted. Now, they have the opportunity,” he said.

“We have opened a talent management company ‘Mobika Sports’. The budding cricketers below the age of 36 will create a profile on our website.

ANANTNAG (J-K), FEB

25 (PTI): A Kashmir-based cricket bat manufacturing company has signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with various international boards and leagues, in order to help them to scout young talent in the valley.

The company, ‘Gr8 Sports’, is the first bat manufacturing company to introduce the Kashmir willow bats in international

cricket. Bats manufactured by the company were used during the T20 World Cup by cricketers from Oman.

“We have signed MoUs with different nations to give opportunities and exposure to the budding cricketers,” Fawzul Kabiir, managing director of the company, told reporters here.

He said the company is providing local players a “huge opportunity” to

“They (players) will make the clips of their batting, bowling or wicketkeeping, then upload them on their profile on the website. They can also tag them to our social media accounts.

“This process will go on round the year and each player will have to upload at least 20 videos each of his batting or bowling at different times which we will assess and then select the potential candidates,” he added.

Sources have told ESPN that the Chelsea hierarchy remain supportive of Potter, who was appointed in September, but are mindful of growing fan unrest with his team lying tenth in the Premier League.

Ahead of a tricky run of games beginning with Sunday’s trip to Tottenham, Potter opened up on the mental health challenges managers face amid wider societal problems

in the United Kingdom including high energy prices and frequent workers’ strikes.

“I spoke with [West Ham boss] David Moyes about it,” said Potter. “There’s a point to it to be considered but I think you need to be very careful.

“The world is tough for everybody. We’re going through an energy crisis, a cost of living crisis. People are striking every other week.

“Things are difficult so nobody wants to hear about the poor old Premier league manager. Nevertheless if you ask me a question about ‘is it hard, is it tough, is it nice to hear,’ as much as I’ve had support, I’ve had some not particularly nice emails come through that want me to die and want my kids to die.

“So that’s obviously not pleasant to receive. But if you’ve asked about it for four months, if you’re under pressure, for four months ‘I’m under pressure, I’m under pressure’,

Deepti Sharma named UP Warriorz vice-captain in WPL

I’m under pressure because you guys [the media] need to sell stuff, what do you expect in the end?

“And if we don’t get the results then obviously that’s what happens. That’s football. That’s how it is. And the challenge for me is ‘OK, how do I conduct myself’? That’s what I always turn round to. The higher you go, the more pressure you have on how you are as pre-season.”

Pushed on how he copes with the criticism, Potter said: “It’s a chal -

lenge and if you go to work and somebody is swearing abuse at you it’s not going to be pleasant. If you’re referred to as the worst person in the history of the club.

“You can answer the question two ways and say ‘oh I don’t care’ but you know I’m lying but everyone does care what people think because we are hard wired to be socially connected.

“Rightly so. So there is an element of that and I want to succeed here so

it’s nonsense this notion that I don’t care so it’s ‘OK where does that come from?’ Where is your evidence on that?’

“Ask my family. Because people have a perception that you don’t care and my response is ‘what is that based on? How do you know?’

“And I would ask you to ask my family -- not that I’ll let you do it -- how life has been for me and for them. It has not been pleasant at all.

“I understand that supporters go home and they are really annoyed because their team is not winning. But I assure you my life for the past three or four months has been fairly average apart from the fact that I am really grateful for this experience. I can see it in a way that I see [the criticism] but also say what a great challenge this is.”

A club spokesman confirmed Chelsea will be following up with the relevant authorities on the abuse Potter has received.

Australia punched themselves in mouth long before first ball was bowled: Greg

SYDNEY, FEB 25 (PTI):

Citing Mike Tyson, Australian great Greg Chappell has slammed the team’s forgettable performance in the first two Tests against India, saying the visitors “punched themselves in the mouth long before the first ball was even bowled”.

LUCKNOW, FEB 25

(PTI): Ace Indian allrounder Deepti Sharma was on Saturday announced as the vice-captain of UP Warriorz in the upcoming Women’s Premier League.

The 25-year-old, who was bought by the franchise for Rs 2.6 crore, is a key member of the Indian women’s team set-up and is one of the few players from the country to have turned out in franchise tournaments outside the country.

“Along with captain Alyssa Healy, and the other senior players, we hope we can make the team function well and play some fantastic cricket,” Deepti

said in a statement.

“We hope our performances in the WPL can become a source of inspiration for the young women athletes in UP and we are keenly awaiting the start of the tournament,” Deepti added.

The UP Warriorz side is coached by England’s Jon Lewis and has Anju Jain as the assistant coach, while former Australian cricketers Ashley Noffke is the bowling coach and four-time world champion Lisa Sthalekar is the team’s mentor.

The Women’s Premier League is slated from March 4-26 in Mumbai’s Brabourne and DY Patil Stadium.

Australia have already conceded the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after being hammered in the first two Tests of the four-match series, both games ending under three days and prompting sharp reactions from the country’s former cricketers.

“It was Mike Tyson who said in the lead-up to a fight with Evander Holyfield: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.

“My concern after watching the first two Tests is that the Australian team punched themselves in the mouth long before the first ball was even bowled,”

Chappell wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald. He has also questioned Australia’s planning for the ongoing tour of the country.

“It is one thing to plan, but to base that plan on a flawed premise is an exercise in futility,” he added.

Beaten by an innings and 132 runs in Nagpur,

Australia opted to go in with only one pacer in Delhi -skipper Pat Cummins. They dropped Scott Boland and handed debut to left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann.

“Australia needed to play to their strengths to have a chance of winning this series. Spin bowling is not our strength. Picking spinners for the sake of it is not the way to success in India. “We had to pick our best bowlers and trust them to do the job and back that with sensible batting, based on sound principles.”

He said leaving out Boland for an extra spinner was a mistake.

“That Cummins underbowled himself and failed to use the short ball on a wicket of variable bounce was another mistake. To complete the trifecta, it seems that no one saw fit to tell Cummins that he was under-bowling

and that he should use the short ball.”

Chappell also gave his views on the Australian batters’ overreliance on the sweep shots -- which led to their downfall -- in the second innings of the Delhi Test.

“Adding it to your repertoire in spinning conditions can be sensible, but not if it is the only option. There are other shots that are less risky and likely to be more profitable but, because the sweep for most batsmen has to be pre-meditated, the other options invariably fall by the wayside.

“One of the first things to learn about batting in Indian conditions is that you have more time than you realise. The main goal should be to survive the first couple of overs and rotate the strike. If you can survive that, then batting no longer seems as challenging as Fermat’s Last Theorem.”

India won the second Test in Delhi by six wickets despite Australia having their nose ahead at one stage of the game. The visitors reduced India to 139 for seven in their first innings but a 114-run partnership between Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel rescued the hosts.

Fulham’s Manor Solomon in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ruben Neves at Craven Cottage in London February 25, 2023. (Reuters)

Graham Potter

Greg Chappell

G Sathiyan Manika Batra Sharath Kamal

Lionel Messi

Deepti Sharma

ISL: ATK Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 2-0

dian Super League (ISL).

The second and final Kolkata Derby of the season will see East Bengal FC and ATK Mohun Bagan collide at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday.

Mindset needs to change in governance of sports: Nachappa

MUMBAI, FEB 25

(IANS): The issues and problems affecting women in sports in the country came up for discussion with Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat focussing on sexual harassment faced by women sportspersons and badminton star Jwala Gutta pointing at the lack of a proper attitude towards female athletes.

ner, Vineesh Phogat opened up about her own struggles of sexual misconduct that goes unnoticed in the field of sports.

“Every day was an internal battle to not let powerful people break you with their antics and torture,” she said.

of a complete overhaul of the sports federation has begun as we see a lot more women across the sports board,” she said.

In 2010, she started the ‘Clean Sports India Movement’ with 8-9 other sportspersons to speak about the issues in the federation.

under an umbrella that is autonomous, which actually manages and holds federations accountable.”

KOLKATA, FEB 25

(AGENCIES): ATK Mohun Bagan defeated archrivals East Bengal 2-0 in the Kolkata Derby on Saturday. Slavko Damjanovic

and Dimitri Petratos were the scorers for the winners, reports NDTV Sports.

Incidentally, East Bengal have never beaten ATK Mohun Bagan in the In-

The Mariners will have a chance to confirm a top-four finish with a win. That is vital because it will hand ATK Mohun Bagan a home advantage in the initial playoff knockout round. On the other hand, the Torch Bearers can reclaim ninth place from Jamshedpur FC with a win. As their season inches closer to its end, East Bengal FC will be looking to finish on a high.

Former sprinter and Olympian Ashwini

Nachappa pointed at the need for change in the mindset of administrators and in the governance of sports. All these issues were raised during the ‘Fight like a Woman - Guts, Grit and Glory’ session during the second edition of ABP’s ‘Ideas of India’ summit here.

Speaking on the occasion, Arjuna Awardee and Commonwealth gold win-

After playing at a senior position for several years, she added “I felt in a secure position to be able to speak about the issues so girls at the start of their career don’t face what I had to go through.”

Vinesh believed that “A clean-up of society is essential for women to flourish in sports and speak about sexual misconduct.”

Jwala Gutta, also spoke about her struggles in the #MeToo movement.

“I was threatened where ultimately I had to knock on the doors of the High Court,” she said.

David Rudisha open to coaching Indian athletes

NEW DELHI, FEB 25

(PTI): Two-time Olympic Games gold medallist in 800m, Kenya’s David Rudisha, is keen to train Indian sprinters and middle-distance runners when he calls time on his illustrious career.

The 34-year-old twotime world champion in 800m, who defended his 2012 London Olympics gold in Rio four years later, also said winning back-to-back gold medals at the quadrennial games is not easy but India’s ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra can achieve the feat if he continues to train the way he was before the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Rudisha, who is reaching the “end of my pro -

JOHANNESBURG, FEB 25 (IANS): The Indian junior women’s hockey team remained undefeated on their South Africa tour thus far, recording a 4-4 draw against South Africa team in their first match of the tour against the A team on Friday night. Prior to this, the Indian team defeated South Africa’s U-21 team in all three matches. The ongoing South Africa tour is part of the team’s preparations for the crucial Asia Cup U21, which serves as a qualifier for the upcoming FIH Women’s Hockey Junior World Cup. The match began with Quanita Bobbs (1’, 31’) and Biamca Wood (6’) giving hosts South Africa an early lead. But quick responses from Neelam (7’) and Deepika Sr. (8’, 30+’) restored parity before Taranpreet Kaur (25’) and Deepika scored to put the Indian junior women’s hockey team in a commanding position.

fessional career”, added his retirement could open up opportunities for him to coach aspiring runners. Asked if he would be keen to train Indian sprinters and

middle-distance runners after calling time on his professional career, Rudisha, 34, said, “Well, after I am done with some level 1 and 2 coaching programmes, yes

I can have a fresh start and that (coaching) could be an option. There are no boundaries for coaches. You are like a teacher and whoever wants to learn is most welcome.” Rudisha, who is here as the brand ambassador of Sunday’s Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon, is one of the few track athletes to have won back-to-back Olympic gold and says that contrary to belief, it’s not an easy task to retain the crown. On whether Chopra will be able to defend his Tokyo crown, Rudisha said, “It’s a tough eight-year journey performing in consecutive Olympics. So many new athletes are coming in. “My experience says

it’s not easy to defend (gold) and there are no guarantees, given that so many other things like physical fitness, preparation etc too play a major role. But, yes, it’s still achievable.”

The celebrated athlete also indicated he is not happy with the way Kenya’s reputation has been tarnished by runners taking the easy route of doping to achieve success. Three top Kenyan athletes were banned for a collective period of eight years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for breaking anti-doping rules in December last year, thus adding to the growing list of runners bringing shame to the country.

“Sports in our country is considered as a good hobby or habit for girls until you win a medal, and then suddenly you become ‘Bharat ki Beti’,” added Jwala, Arjuna Awardee and Commonwealth Games gold medal winner. The panel was further enlightened by Nachappa, former international athlete and Arjuna Awardee, who spoke about the evolution in sports over the past few decades.

“I think the process

The Indian hockey player, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and the Pro Squash player and Arjuna Awardee and Commonwealth gold Winner, Joshna Chinappa also highlighted the positive change they witnessed.

“We have come a long way from when we started out,” they said.

Further commenting on the changes required in the sports administration in India, Nachappa said, “It’s important that more professionals come into the management of sports,

Adding to this, Vinesh said, “If a sportsperson or professional leads the federation, it can create a positive impact on the industry as they understand the needs of an athlete and can even support them emotionally.”

A need for better coaches and support staff in the industry was also highlighted by the panel. “We need a good programme for coaches to overcome the lack of the same, only then we will be able make good athletes.”

The summit had an invigora ting line-up of speakers with prominent figures from the world of business, politics, and artists from the Hindi film industry, authors and other eminent sectors.

Lewandowski slams ‘painful’ defeat against Manchester United

WARSAW, FEB 25 (IANS): “We were close to beating Manchester United and that’s why the defeat in the Europa League is so painful,” FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski claimed on Friday.

On Thursday evening, Lewandowski converted a penalty to put FC Barcelona ahead, but in the second half, United scored twice to win 4-3 on aggregate in the UEFA Europa League Round of 32, reports Xinhua.

“In the first half we had the game under control, we scored and tried to attack. We still had a

chance to score a second goal. The first half looked very good. In the second, Manchester United pressed us, scoring two goals. It was a hard time for us. We fought to the end,” the Pole told Viaplay on Friday.

“We are aware that this Barcelona project is in process and it’s not like in a week or a month everything will change. It was Champions League level, a quarterfinal and even a semifinal. Both Manchester United and us are in good shape and it showed. We were missing something and we need to focus on what needs to be improved now. We need to create more chances,” the forward added.

In La Liga, the team coached by Xavi Hernandez sits top with an eightpoint advantage over second-placed Real Madrid.

India

NEW DELHI, FEB 25 (IANS): Talismanic

batter Virat Kohli has said that he was considered a ‘failed captain’ for India due to not winning any ICC trophy during his leadership tenure. But at the same time, he stated that he will not judge himself from that point of view.

Kohli is India’s most successful Test captain, leading the side to 40 victories, including holding on to the top-ranked spot in the rankings for 42 months. Apart from winning 65 ODIs and 30 T20Is as captain, what has been absent from Kohli’s achievement as an Indian skipper has been a global trophy.

Under his leadership, India became runnersup in the 2017 Champions Trophy, and the 2021 World Test Championship final, apart from reaching the semifinals of the

2019 ODI World Cup, and not reaching the last four stages in the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup.

“You play to win tournaments, but a lot was made of it, to be honest. I captained in the Champions Trophy 2017, I captained the 2019 World Cup, I captained Test Championship 2021, so after three ICC tournaments already I was..”

“I mean we lost the last T20 World Cup (2021), we didn’t qualify (for the semi-finals). We

reached the finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy, semis of (the 2019) World Cup and final of the (2021) World Test Championship and I was considered a failed captain.”

“Look, I never judged myself from that point of view. What we ended up achieving as a team and as a cultural change for me will always be a matter of pride. A tournament happens for a certain period of time, but a culture happens over a long period of time. For that, you need consistency, for that you need more character than just winning tournaments,” said Kohli in the latest episode of the RCB Podcast.

Kohli then mentioned that he was grateful to have won numerous accomplishments as a player, and insists on looking at what went right, instead of what went wrong in his playing career.

Indian Open: Ahlawat, Cheema, Baisoya in top-10

GURUGRAM, FEB 25

(IANS): Home golfers have been working as a relay unit to keep their challenge going at the US 2 million dollar Indian Open 2023.

On Saturday, the moving day, it was Veer Ahlawats turn to pick up the baton at the DLF Golf and Country Club. The lanky golfer for whom this is his home venue brought in a solid four under par 68 to share fourth place, six shots behind Germany’s Yannik Paul (71) and five behind another German Marcel Siem (67). Paul (11-under) and Siem (10-under) were separated by just one shot.

Overall though, it was a strong display by Indian golfers with three of them in the Top-10. Ahlawat was tied fourth while Angad Cheema (4-under 212) was tied seventh and Honey

Baisoya (3-under 213) was tied 10th.

At various points during the day, Indians made a move on the leaderboard, including Angad Cheema, Honey Baisoya and most particularly Yashas Chandra, only to fall away. Mysore-based Chandra in particular was most impressive on the front nine where

he picked up five shots to move within four of the top despite a late bogey.

The back nine though was a disaster as he drove into the bushes on 10 for a triple bogey and then into the hazard on 17 to drop a further two shots, playing near-faultless golf otherwise, especially on the greens, where he turned in a

putting master-class.

Ahlawat (73-70-68) was the steadiest of the lot, his third-day card marred by just one blemish even as others around him dropped shots in a bunch. Ahlawat had five birdies in his first 10 holes and then had just one bogey and no birdies in the remaining eight.

Ahlawat was tied fourth with last week’s winner in Thailand, Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen (six-under 66) and Jorge Campillo (67). “It’s important to play it shot by shot over here and that’s what I did well today,” the long-hitting Ahlawat said. “The fact that I’m playing at my home course obviously adds to my confidence. A decent run of form on the Asian Tour and PGTI last year have also contributed to the good mental space that I’m in at the moment.

Ashwini Nachappa

David Rudisha

Robert Lewandowski

Virat Kohli

I was considered a failed captain, but I never judged myself: Kohli on not winning ICC trophies

Ahlawat, Cheema, Baisoya

Slavko Damjanovic and Dimitri Petratos were the scorers for ATK Mohun Bagan.