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Vol. II

Issue 26

BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO WILL COME OUT OF RETIREMENT, CLAIMS PROMOTER

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Supreme Court restores Tuki’s Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh In a landmark judgment on Wednesday, the Supreme Court said that Arunachal Pradesh governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa's decision advancing session of the state assembly by a month is violation of the Constitution and is liable to be quashed.

The Supreme Court said all steps and decisions taken by the legislative assembly pursuant to governor's December 9, 2015 order are unsustainable and liable to be quashed.

The SC judgment means the present Arunachal Pradesh government headed by Kalikho Pul would have to step down now to make way for Congress government headed

by Nabam Tuki.

The SC also struck down

ET CAPSULES Assam Governor appoints Dhonsing Kro as Executive Member of KAAC Guwahati, July 13: The Governor of Assam has appointed Dhonsing Kro, Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) as Executive Member on the advice of Tuliram Ronghan, Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.

AJYCP holds 48-hour protest Tinsukia, July 13: Asom Jatiyatavadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) on Wednesday started 48-hours oil blockade against the centre decision to auction 12 oil fields to private companies. The members of the students union blocked the entrance of various OCS. They have demanded that to scrap the decision to auction oil fields of Assam to private companies. (Correspondent)

Crimes on the rise in assam: person shot at in Jorhat Jorhat, Jul 13 : Triggering panic in the Jorhat town a BJP leader was shot at by unidentified miscreants Tuesday night. The leader identified as Iswar Prasanna Bordoloi was fired at when he was on his way to home from Danish Nagar. However, the victim had a narrow as the bullets hit the car's windshield.

The miscreants fled the spot as locales after hearing gunshots took to the streets.

(Correspondent)

Sub-inspector commits suicide Raha, Jul 13 : In a sensational incident, Subhash Gogoi, a subinspector committed suicide by shooting himself inside the Raha police station. A resident of Kahilipara in Guwahati, Gogoi shot himself with his service revolver. However, what forced the police official to resort to the harsh step is yet to be ascertained.

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MIZORAM GOVT READY FOR TALKS WITH HPC(D)

ARUNACHAL VERDICT: CONG SALUTES SC FOR PROTECTING CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES

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ET Bureau New Delhi, July 13

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removal of speaker Nabam Rebia and said he would be restored back as Speaker of the House.

This is a historic verdict as it is for the first time that the apex court has put back a state government that had been dismissed by the Centre under the President's rule.

"We have got justice from the Supreme Court, it has today saved this country and Constitution. It is a historic and remarkable judgment which was expected by the people of country," Tuki said.

"We will hold discussions with party MLAs and decide further course of action, we'll do whatever is required legally," he added.

The Congress too welcomed the verdict. "I salute the Supreme Court for this verdict," said Congress leader and senior lawyer, Kapil Sibal,

Nabam Tuki. who argued the case in the Supreme Court.

The apex court had said the verdict in this case will not

only have its effect on Arunachal Pradesh, but affect every state.

The SC bench had

segregated two other sets of petitions which were filed against the subsequent promulgation of President's Rule in the state and its revocation thereafter, which had led to the formation of a new government.

Just before the apex court had reserved its verdict on February 20, rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul was sworn in as the ninth chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh with the support of 18 dissident Congress MLAs and two independents and 11 BJP MLAs who gave outside support.

Congress party, which had 47 MLAs seats in the 60member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled. Eleven BJP MLAs backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified.

Arunachal verdict: On day Amit Shah Launches Northeast alliance, BJP left looking undemocratic ET Bureau New Delhi, July 13

There could not have been a worse day for the BJP to face this embarrassment. On the day that party president, Amit Shah, is to launch the Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in Guwahati where he will unveil the “Guwahati Declaration” with a slogan for Congress Mukt Northeast, the Supreme Court ruled to restore the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh.

To rub salt into its wounds, the bench of the apex court termed the decision to dismiss the government and impose Presidential Rule “illegal and unconstitutional”.

The Guwahati meet will be attended by Kalikho Pul who took over as Arunachal Pradesh chief minister in February after high drama in Itanagar. Three other CMs – Sarbananda Sonowal of Assam, T R Zeliang of

Nagaland and Pawan Chamling of Sikkim – alongwith the BJP chiefs of the eight north-eastern states will be present at the event where the BJP will blame the Congress for the underdevelopment of the region. The BJP has proudly highlighted its assembly poll victory in Assam as its entry gate into the Northeast, long a bastion of the Congress and of its split away group regional parties.

The Nabam Tuki government was dismissed after 21 of 47 lawmakers rebelled against the chief minister. Governor J.P. Rajkhowa had advanced the state assembly session in which opposition legislators including the rebels, “removed” Tuki and house speaker Nabam Rebia. The assembly proceedings took place in a community centre with a different speaker so that

Kalikho Pul talks to BJP chief Amit Shah during the inaugural conclave of North East Democratic Alliances (NEDA) in Guwahati on Wednesday (PTI photo) verdict will dishearten the party but it is unlikely to give up attempts to capture power in the Border States which the party feels are strategically important for the party and the BJP-led government at the Centre.

Contd. on Page 3

AAHSU challenges Minsiter Himanta Biswa Sarmah to ban tobacco completely if he has guts Spl Correspondent.

Tinsukia, July 13

Reacting strongly to the comments of health minister Himanta Biswa Sarmah over ban on tobacco, All Assam Hindu Students Union asked him to stop politicising such a serious matter which affects

health of lakhs of people and challenged minister Sarmah to ban tobacco completely if he has the guts.

Organizing secretary of AAHSU Lalan Sahani said, the minister needs to learn from Tinsukia deputy commissioner

Kalikho Pul to seek review of Supreme Court verdict on Arunachal PTI Guwahati, July 13

Putting up a brave front, Kalikho Pul on Wednesday said there was no threat to his government and that he will file a review petition in the Supreme Court on its judgment that ordered the restoration of the previous Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh. The court quashed all the decisions of the Governor that precipitated the Congress government's fall in January, holding them “violative” of the Constitution.

Mr. Pul, who had led the Congress rebels then, said, “[Our] government will remain. That will be decided on the floor of the Assembly.

Government runs only with the numbers. There is no threat to our government,” he told reporters in Guwahati.

who has already banned the sale of tobacco in Tinsukia.

The order of the deputy commissioner has resulted in seizure of huge quantity of tobacco (zarda and gutka) and tobacco leaves, he added.

over the black marketing of tobacco products like zarda, gutka and tobacco leaves despite a ban in place, Sahani said, the police needs to act on the kingpins of the zarda,

However, expressing anger

Contd. on Page 4

Kalikho Pul “Definitely, I will file a review petition. Let me at first go through the detail judgment and then consult legal experts.

We had formed the government as per procedure.

We paraded 32 MLAs in front of the Governor and proved our majority,” he said adding that he formed a new party and followed the legal and constitutional procedures.

Arunachal Legislative Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia welcomes Supreme Court judgement A Staff Reporter Itanagar, July 13

“bias” could be avoided, as per the governor’s direction. On February 19, the leader of the dissident faction, Kalikho Pul, was sworn in as chief minister, supported by 20 Congress rebels and 11 legislators of the BJP. These proceedings, the apex court said, were unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court’s

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Restored Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Nabam Rebia also welcomed the Supreme Court judgment for upholding the democratic values of the country with its landmark judgment.

On being questioned whether the Tuki camp is ready for a floor test, Rebia said that if orders come in for a floor test, they will have to follow the order. However, he maintained that if according to the judgment Tuki’s position is as

it was on 15 December, 2015, the question of a floor test should not even arise as the position of all 47 MLAs remain intact.

“As speaker I am not going to act against the elected leaders,” said Rebia before inviting the MLAs to return and work in unison.

Even as he refrained from making remarks on the BJP’s involvement in the political fiasco, Rebia did state that Governor J P Rajkhowa has set a bad precedent with his unconstitutional actions.

With celebrations high at the Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in

Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Padi Richo said that the verdict was not only a victory of the party, but of the Indian Constitution and the entire country.

Richo also accused the BJP of changing stance according to convenience. ‘The BJP first claimed that it was not involved in creating a rift in the Tuki-led Government, but later went on to claim that it had extended support in destabilizing the Congress Government.

Now it is again claiming that it was not involved in the matter,’ Richo added.

ONGC, OIL hit by 48-hour oil blockade programme A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Jul 13

A 48-hour oil blockade programme called by the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) in protest against the Centre's decision to auction 12 marginal oilfields of the state hampered the day-today operations of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) in upper Assam on Wednesday. Production of crude oil and natural gas were affected as a result of the blockade.

Drilling and excavation activities of ONGC were hard hit in Sivasagar district as

picketers obstructed vehicles carrying workers to the oilfields. The shift crews were prevented from entering their workplaces and operating crews were forced to shut down operation in several oilfields including Geleky, Rudrasagar and Lakwa. At Geleky GGS-III (Group Gathering Station), the agitators were pushed back by security personnel while forcibly trying to enter the outof-bounds area.

On the other hand, around 500 members of the All Assam Students' Union holding banners and placards staged a demonstration in front of the Nazira-based regional office of

the PSU in protest against the Centre's move. Slogans were raised demanding roll back of the Centre's decision.

Production and drilling operations of Oil India Limited was hard hit in Dibrugarh district as a result of the blockade. Employees were prevented from entering the oil field areas bringing ongoing activities to a grinding halt.

The AJYCP activists also held a demonstration at the OIL's industrial area in Duliajan.

Similar protests were also held at the Indian Oil Corporation's Digboi Refinery and the Numaligarh Refinery Limited.

Tyler receives Fifth edition of Assam scholarship in Texas Mayukh Goswami Mangaldai, Jul 13

The fifth edition of the Assam Scholarship, 2016 in the field of Honors Research which carries a amount of 500 USD was awarded to Mr. Tyler Josefsen-Lanham of Sam Houston State University (SHSU), Huntsville, Texas (USA), for his research project: “When Numbers and Words Collide: The Hidden Mathematics In Geoffrey Chaucer’s Book of the Duchess”.

He conducted the study under the supervision of Professor Kimberly Bell who teaches old and medieval English literature at SHSU. He also took help from faculty members at the mathematics department. As

he explains, “I am utilizing a branch of topology known as braid theory to intertwine mathematics and literature.

When math is applied to literature, an entirely new, innovative way of reading reveals itself. The sole intent of my visual is to illustrate for a multidisciplinary audience how a two dimensional text turns into words that can be manipulated three dimensionally.”

The literary text he examines is Geoffrey Chaucer’s Book of the Duchess. Tyler is currently a sophomore undergraduate student with double major in Mass Communications and English Literature.

Aside from mathematics and English, his interests include radio/ television broadcasting, strategy and logic

puzzles, and anything related to baseball. After college, he hopes to be a sports broadcaster for baseball and eventually to travel internationally to experience different cul-

tures and their histories. At the award ceremony held recently Professor Hiranya Kr. Nath, who instituted and funded this scholarship, gave a brief introduction on

Assam. This scholarship was awarded for the first time in 2012. Last year, the recipient of this scholarship was Ms. Lindsay Hixon. Altogether seven students have won this scholarship since its inception.

It may be noted that Professor Nath has been awarding another scholarship at the College of Business Administration, SHSU, since 2009.

Known as the Assam Scholarship in Monetary Economics, this year’s scholarship was given to Ms. Samantha Brite. The award was presented at a separate ceremony held recently. Samantha recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree with major in International Business and minor in Economics. She plans to travel around differ-

ent countries in Latin America with her friend Brant Huch for next one year before she takes up a regular job.

Including Samantha, there have been eleven winners of this scholarship since it was first awarded in 20009. Both scholarships have been named after Assam to increase awareness about the state among the SHSU community. Professor Nath does hope that the students, faculty and staff members will not only be aware of Assam through this initiative but will also be interested in exploring, researching, and investing in his beautiful homeland.

According to Dr. Nath, in order to attract foreign investment in the global economy, it is extremely important that the host region or place (for

foreign capital) is known to the prospective international investors and business communities. He has learnt from his extensive travels across the globe that Assam is relatively unknown to the outside world and that is the first major hurdle as Assam strives to achieve economic growth and development in the current global economic environment. This scholarship is purported to increase awareness about Assam among students, faculty members, and parents in US universities and thereby to introduce Assam to the current and future generations of international investors. The one-time scholarship is awarded every year to a third/ fourth year undergraduate student who demonstrates academic excellence.

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 14

PAGE 2

ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You can make a difference to others' lives. Considerate and thoughtful, today, you will be treasured more than ever as a boss, colleague, parent or beloved. Utilise this exchange of energy to sort out difficult issues.

Taurus Today, your mind shifting from your professional affairs and drifting, time and again, towards your home and family. You are likely to return home early and get happily engrossed in discussing pressing domestic issues with your family members. This will possibly be followed by a festive evening filled with fun and laughter. You're going to devote the whole day to your home and family and will be inclined to do little else.

Gemini You will be lost in the memories of the past today. You will be in a nostalgic frame of mind.

Intellectual pursuits will attract you. Do not let your past lay a shadow upon your present and your future.

Cancer The day shall find you in buoyant spirits.. As you are feeling lively and full of beans, you will not mind slogging it out, even if in some mindless activities or chores. It is a perfect day for activities like gardening, cooking, baking and even for a nice house warming gettogether. Evening stars encourage you to go all out and splurge - emotion-wise, moneywise or time-wise - on your sweetheart!

State BMS workers submit memorandum to CM Sonowal ET Correspondent Duliajan, July 13: State President, Naba kumar Gogoi, General Secretary Likson Rajkonwar and Organizing Secretary, Narendra Raj Bansi of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangha, Assam with a team of 18 members met

CM Sarbananda Sonowal at his office shortly where they submitted a memorandum with some demands.

The demands that the memorandum holds areNational minimum wages to all workers, In-

at Guwahati

Virgo There is a strong indication that you will dabble in writing or performing arts, and emerge with excellent results. Since these are your passions, you may cultivate hobbies in these fields, if they are not already your profession. Enjoy the power you have over people today as you grip them with sweet words, swinging to your whims.

Libra You will spend time with your family members by putting them above other commitments.

There may be plans made to go out for dinner or for a short excursion with them. Health of a close relative may be a cause of concern for you today.

Sagittarius The way you keep your interests alive will keep your mind occupied. Leisure activities and by-lines will by-pass the mundane routine today.. Pamper yourself by doing what you like, be it gardening, cooking or even plain old reading.

Capricorn New projects and partnership will keep you busy today.If a meeting is scheduled, you may be praised vociferously for your ability to make the right decision at the right time. You may also bag rewards for the commendable efforts you'd put in the past.

Aquarius If you are an astrologer, doctor or a spiritual leader, today is a favourable day for you.

Those who may want to challenge you must reconsider the thought of testing your strengths.

Doing charity work, helping the needy, and working for humanitarian causes give you a feeling of contentment. Today, it will be one of those extremely fulfilling days.

Pisces An action-packed day awaits you, busy as you will be corresponding with old contacts, telephonic interviews, organising meetings and scheduling tasks. Do not forget to breathe!

ET Correspondent Jorhat, July 13 : A man was allegedly branded witch and brutally killed in Jorhat district of Assam on Wednesday.

The incident has once again brought into focus the issue of witch hunt-

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Protesters under the banner of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) taking part in a mass demonstration against the Central government decision to auction 12 small oil fields of Assam in front of the ONGC, Nazira office in Sivasagar Assam on July 13.

Pic - Firuz Ahmed

ing in the state.

The victim Lal Bauli was killed and his body was thrown into a river near Chakalating tea estate, police said. The body was recovered by SDRF. Main accused Magesh Uria was arrested by police in this connection

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 13: The muck talked about the North East Democratic Alliance today had its first general meeting at Guwahati, and it was attended by all the anti-Congress political parties in the North East, which was powered by the BJP. Dozens of BJP leaders and their counterparts in the regional parties have rubbed shoulders in Guwahati on Wednesday to ensure a BJP-led government in the entire region.

BJP president Amit Shah along with several other saffron top guns attended the meeting held under the umbrella of North East Democratic Alliance in Panjabari. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was among those who attended the meeting which pledged a nonCongress government in the region.

Top leaders from AGP, BPF, NPF, Arunachal Congress, MPP, NPP and SDF participated in the convention of the

Foundation day of NABARD celebrated at Nalbari ET Correspondent Nalbari, July 13: To mark the occasion of foundation day of National Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (NABARD), the Nalbari branch of the bank organized an awareness meeting on financial literacy at Digheli village of the district on Tuesday.

The awareness meeting was organized under the

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stop sale and privatization of PSUs. The teams of BMS requested CM Sonowal to look in the meter deeply.

CM Sonowal assured the team that he will look in to the problem and find a positive solution on these issues.

Witch Hunting NEDA holds first general meeting in Jorhat

Leo The trader in you comes to the fore today. With an impeccable eye for recognising profitable avenues, you will quickly spot opportunities that arise from buying goods at cheaper prices, and selling them off at a rate that leaves you with a lump sum profit. Start with small transactions, and treat each transaction with care before you plunge into bigger ventures, like the Bull-n-Bear tussle of the stock markets.

Scorpio The target is locked in and the arrow is shot. It is only a matter of time before Cupid celebrates and hits the bull's eye and you find yourself in the mush of things. Sentiments and romance will be the order of the day. There is a good chance that marriage proposals or new relationships will find their footing today.

crease bonus ceiling, to fix time limit for registration trade union, equal service condition for contractual workers with that of permanent workers, regularization of Anganwadi workers and helpers, to stop antilabour law reform and to

aegis of Bishnujyoti Janakalyan Samiti where more than 200 activists from the self-help groups took part.

In the meeting, the Nalbari Gopal Bazar and Morowa branches of Assam Gramin Vikash Bank (AGVB) disbursed an amount of Rs 55 lakhs among 53 self-help groups of the district. The awareness meeting was

addressed among others

by Prasanta Bujarbaruah, regional manager of AGVB, senior manager of AGVB, Gautam Dutta, senior manager of AGVB, Debajyoti Biswas, district development manager of NABARD and Nayanjyoti Phukan, administrative officer of Agricultural insurance office, Guwahati.

Meeting on Traffic and Parking problem held at Golaghat ET Correspondent Golaghat, July 13: The traffic jam and parking problems have been creating trouble for the people in Golaghat. The Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat, Varnali Deka, in a meeting held yesterday had issued orders to the police ad-

ministration to take necessary steps to control the traffic jam and parking problem.

Orders were given to implement eight parking zones and five no parking zones in Golaghat town. The DC had also appealed the authorities of Golaghat Municipal

Board to take steps for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene at Fish market and other markets in the town. Matters related to set up two numbers of public toilet, repairing of digital traffic signals and to regulate E-Rickshaws were also discussed.

ET Correspondent Diphu, July 13: The district administration team led by DIG Akhilesh Kr. Singh, SP Debojit Deori, Addl. Border SP Nanda Singh, and SDPO Kanteswar Gogoi today made spot inspection of the Karbi Anglong border areas, where fresh encroachment and illegal activities were carrying out by the people from Nagaland.

more encroachment and other illegal activities are carried out. One of the most shocking things with regard to the border encroachment from Nagaland is the timing, with which these illegal activities have been carried.

of the encroachers to assists to permanently occupy the Karbi Anglong border areas.

newly floated forum.

The saffron party got a huge boost when it shown a commendable victory in the recently assembly polls in Assam before forming the BJP led government.

Shah said that development of North East is the top priority of the Central Government.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the people of Assam will always support North East Democratic Alliance, and added that the region is lagging lagged behind due to insurgency.

Addressing the inaugural convention, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju has said that the Modi Government is taking a number of steps to remove the feeling of alienation felt by the people of North East India and a booklet enumerating the steps will be released.

Rijiju also said that the Government is taking a number of steps for the development of North East India and bring it at par with the rest of India.

Speaking to the media, Assam finance minister and convener of the NEDA Himanta Biswa Sarma said that in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the NEDA will win over 20 out of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the North East.

Elder brother kills his own sister ET Correspondent Tezpur, July 13: A sensational situation prevails in Panchmile area under Barghat police station in Sonitpur following an alleged murder case of a college going girl by her own brother last night.

According to the information available here Sufia Begum a resident of Panchmile area was allegedly killed by her brother Arshad Ali on suspicion of maintaining an illegal relation with her brother in law. However, though the accused brother tried to make it a suicide incident keeping his sister’s body hanging on the tree behind his house, the real truth came to light this morning due to the initiative of the locals. He was later captured by the local people and handed over to the police.

Poacher held ET Correspondent Mangaldai, July 13: In yet another successful operation launched by Darrang Police against the organized armed gang of poachers, the Dalgaon police on Monday late evening arrested a notorious poacher namely Rasid Ali from village Gorakhat under Dalgaon Police Station. The arrested poacher was involved in the killing of a female adult Rhino on June 27 last in Orang National Park. The arrested accused meanwhile has confessed his involvement in the poaching

Rift in Morigaon BJP, majority members staged sit in strike ET Correspondent Morigaon, July 13: The vertical split in Morigaon district unit of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in formation of several booth committees of the party was in evidence as more than 200 active BJP members today resorted to indefinite sit in strike programme here at Morigaon Bihutoli protesting against the interference and high-handedness of Nagaon MP and Union state Railway Minister Rajen Gohain in forming the several local BJP committees in Morigaon district .

It may be mentioned here that the ruling party has started its organisational works in Morigaon district after the victory of the party in last Assembly election. But, newly inducted BJP members were not getting places in the booth level committees as

desired by MP Rajen Gohain. The conflict between the old and new BJP members started when the meeting was held to form the Bhurbandha Block BJP two days back.

The newly inducted members alleged that Minister Rajen Gohain issued secret directives not to include the new comers in those BJP committees.

As such, a crisis was created.

The dissatisfied BJP members openly started indefinite sit-in-demonstration today at Morigaon Bihutoli and urged the party's National President Amit Shah to intervene the matter. In a memorandum to BJP, President, Amit Shah, the party workers demanded to form all BJP committes in Morigaon district in a democratic way.

Nunisa surrenders stone District administration along with army Mahal agreement to NCHAC personnels inspects Karbi Anglong ET Correspondent nor mineral concession Haflong, July 13: The rule 2013 within a period Environment and Forest of three months. Followborder areas department under the ad- ing which on failing to

The sudden visit of the border areas was made based on information that

Sources said that, several electric posts have been erected, although in parallel lines, extending to all border areas where all eight border pillars are standing which suggests a well-informed preparation

The encroachers appears to know the exact timing and they have always taken advantage of the political instability of Karbi Anglong, which also raise the possibility of the presence of insider who passes information to the encroachers. Meanwhile, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council has not issued any official statement on the issue.

ministrative control of NC Hills Autonomous Council has issued direction to all range forest officers and beat officers to cancel issue of any challan for transportation of any stone Mahal of Abhijit Nunisa until further order.

On April 8 last, the Division Forest Officer (DFO), west, had written to stone Mahaldar Nunisa to produce environment clearance certificate as per Assam mi-

obtain clearance certificate, on July 5 last Nunisa surrendered stone Mahal agreement with the council.

This major step taken by the council is expected to bring relief to the huge revenue crunch that NCHAC has been bearing since long. The letter issued yesterday has been ordered for immediate action and to acquire all the unused and used up stone challan from the Mahaldar.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 14

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YCEF felicitates topper students of X and XII at Yazali ET Bureau Ziro, July 13: The Yachuli Constituency Employee Forum (YCEF) has felicitated the toppers of Class X and XII with cash awards on 9th July 2016 in a grand ceremony held at Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Yazali. The felicitation programme also included selected students in IITs and MBBS course through various JEE. Gemi Taka who is gold medalist of RGU in B.Sc Physics (Hons) has also been felicitated. Besides, Yowa Ania has also been felicitated for her appointment in APCS (Entry Grade) through APCS 2016.

Fr. Cyriac SDB, Director of Don Bosco youth Centre, Itanagar was the resource person for career counseling. Meanwhile,

the teacher orientation programme was also held under the banner “Teachers are the nation Builders’’.

Many seniors’ officers/ officials coming from

different fields of 16th Yachuli Assembly Constituency spoke on the occasion. All together 1000 students of various schools as well as more than 200 no’s of teachers

of the area took part in the orientation programme which also included PRI leaders, School management Committee members.

The programme was or-

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul attends NEDA convention at Guwahati ET Bureau Guwahati, July 13 : Attending the first convention of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) on Wednesday, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul hailed the launch of the NEDA platform as a watershed moment calling it as the beginning of a new era for the people of the region.

He observed that though NEDA has emerged from the necessity of a political mandate, it could also play a much bigger role with a social and developmental mandate.

Pul emphasized that NEDA is not merely a political platform, but is the crystallization of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a new development model for north-eastern states by which the collective strength of the region can be harnessed and its dreams achieved.

“For decades, our region has been a black hole for business and enterprise.

Endemic conflicts, geographical isolation and historical neglect have led to a drying up of investments, and the lack of economic and social development of the region,” he lamented saying that this was despite the rich natural and human resources that the region offers for investment and

This is the second blow in a row by the Supreme Court for the ruling party.

The BJP’s bid to destabilise the Congress government in Uttarakhand by joining hands with its rebels had already been dismissed by the Supreme Court. On May 12, the court had put the Rawat-led Congress government back in the saddle in Uttarakhand, allowing the central government to revoke President’s rule following Rawat’s victory in a floor test minus the

NDFB militant held at Ghograpar ET Correspondent Nalbari, July 13: The Army jawans arrested an NDFB militant from a public bus at Ghograpar in Nalbari district today.

The militant was identified as Rupak Narzari of Beteni village in Chirang district. The Army also recovered a 7.5 pistol with six rounds live ammunition from the militant. According to the police sources, the militant was going to Guwahati in a public bus when he was apprehended.

growth.

But with the NDA government at the Centre with its call of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” and northeast being on the top of its priority, it’s a very positive and favourable sign, asserted the Chief Minister.

Observing that there are lot of issues that overlap between the states in the region -- whether it is the shared borders that need clear boundary demarcation or the idea of sharing water and even road connectivity, Pul hoped that NEDA, as a coalition of strong regional parties will emerge as a major coordination platform to jointly address the issues that confront the region.

Further stressing that the region being largely tribal, he called for a strong sense of ethnic and religious identity to be reassured so it is not under threat at any cost.

“To do this, we will need to accommodate a broader idea of an alliance driven on politics and development as opposed to one driven on religion or community,” said Pul and emphasised on NEDA having the advantage of being regional in character, but national in outlook.

He urged for NEDA to ensure that not only are each of its component parties given a space to reflect their mandate, but within its larger struc-

rebels. For its attempts to topple the government, the BJP had drawn severe criticism.

The impressive win in Assam has bolstered the BJP’s attempts to go for a Congress-Mukt Bharat in the north-east. The party has formed different groups to work on the Congress rebels in the north-eastern states.

Currently, the Congress is in power in Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram while BJP allies rule Nagaland and Sikkim.

Tripura has a Left Front government.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who played a key

role in party’s strategizing and electioneering in Assam has been working closely with Himanta Biswa Sarma who is in touch with the “Congress MLAs who dissatisfied and unhappy over the party high command.”

Dejected over the SC judgment, BJP leaders are on the back foot. While no one wishes to criticize the party’s leadership, one leader said that if party chief Amit Shah gets credit for the BJP’s achievements, he would have to take the blame too.

Some BJP leaders say that Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh have shown the

The Jorhat district administration and ONGCL distributed flood relief among the flood affected people of Jorhat. Pic - Nekib Ahmed

Centre to launch operation 'Sankat Mochan' to evacuate Indians from South Sudan New Delhi, July 13 : The Indian Government will launch the 'Sankat Mochan' operation tomorrow to evacuate Indian nationals from South Sudan, which will be led by Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh.

"We are launching OP #SankatMochan to evacuate Indian nationals from South Sudan. My colleague @Gen_VKSingh is leading this operation.He will be accompanied by Secretary Amar Sinha, JS Satbir Singh and Director Anjani Kumar.

Our Ambassador is South Sudan Srikumar Menon and his team is organising this operation on the ground," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in a series of tweets.

She also thanked Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for the support towards the endeavour and also extended her best wishes to the Indian Air Force who will be carrying out the operation.

The developments were set in motion after Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar ap-

pealed to Swaraj to help the Indian nationals stuck in the war-struck area. ".@SushmaSwaraj Ma'am request for speedy measures and actions to evacuate Indians stranded in Sudan.

Prayers with them. #SaveIndiansInJuba," Kumar said in a tweet.

In response to this, Swaraj said, " Akshay Kumar ji - Pl do not worry. We are evacuating Indian nationals from Juba (South Sudan)."

Swaraj said the evacuation scheme is fully ready and if the situation worsens then the government will not delay and immediately evacuate Indians from there.

"The situation in South Sudan deteriorated suddenly in the past three days. We have constituted a task force to constantly study the emerging situation in South Sudan and to closely tab on the occurrences there. The task force held a meeting in the morning," Swaraj told ANI. "There are around 600 Indians in South Sudan, of

them 450 are in Juba (capital city of South Sudan) and nearly 150 are outside Juba. At present, the fighting is taking place in Juba," she added.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has ordered a ceasefire after days of intense fighting in Juba left more than 150 dead and many more injured since fighting broke out on Thursday.

The ceasefire announcement came as United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called on the Security Council to impose an "immediate arms embargo" and targeted sanctions on leaders and commanders blocking implementation of the peace deal.

There was renewed fighting between the government and former rebel forces since Thursday in Juba. The latest exchanges were apparently sparked by a shootout between President Kiir's and Vice President Riek Machar's bodyguards. (ANI)

TEOK TOWN COMMITTEE (T.T.C)

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul ture, each one of these different aspirations need to be accommodated.

CM Pul also emphasised that a platform like NEDA could be a key to success of the Act East Policy as any initiative that is taken up under the umbrella of this policy will involve each of the north eastern states for its successful implementation.

Besides the regional parties which are constituents of NEDA, and chief ministers of Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, all Ministers and legislators of ruling PPA government of Arunachal attended the convention.

Arunachal verdict: On day Amit Shah Launches Northeast alliance, BJP left looking undemocratic Contd. from Page 1

ganized by YCEF in collaboration with all Yachuli Students Union.

Taba Tussar, (IPS), DIGP, Govt. of A.P also spoke on the occasion and asked the teachers to rededicate themselves for the noble cause.

“Students having no money in their pockets can go much ahead of their counter parts belonging to rich families” added Taba. The YCEF President, TD Neckom also spoke to the occasion and said that the initiatives taken by the forum was commendable.

The overview of education scenario of Yachuli constituency was presented by Er. Byabang Tugu, Taba Tedir, Chief Engineer-cum- Director, Urban Development Govt. of A.P also attended the programme.

party “in poor light” and “diminished” its glorious electoral achievements in the state assembly elections and the party’s successful attempts to expand its base.

With 11 crore members – which includes impressive gains in the north-east too – the party could win the states democratically, said a party leader. “This blemishes the party’s democratic credentials. BJP which always took pride as the most Democratic Party, looks like a party in a hurry.

Such steps will make people think that there is no difference from Congress and the BJP,” said a senior leader.

TEOK- 785112

NOTICE INVITING TENDER NIT NO. TTC 148/2014-15 Sealed tender affixing Court Free Stamp of Rs. 8.25 (Rupees eight and paise twenty five) only with a validity period of 180 (One hundred and eighty) days is invited from the contractors registered under APWD (Bldg) for the following works.

Approx value of work (Rs. In Lakhs)

Earnest Money 2% (Two pc), 1% (One pc) for SC/ ST/OBC/UGE/ UDE (In Rs.)

Construction of Daily Market Complex at Ward No 1. Under infrastructure Development in other town during 2014-15

Rs. 30.00/-

Rs. 60,000/(2%) Rs. 30,000/(1%)

Construction of Teok Town Committee Office Building (1stFloor), Ward 1, under Development of Small Town under Annual Plan during 2014-15

Rs. 15.00/-

Rs. 30,000/(2%) Rs. 15,000/(1%)

Sl No.

Name of the work

1

2

Cost of tender documents (in Rs)

Period of Completion

Eligibility of Contractor

Rs. 1,000/-

12 Months

Class IA,B,C. & II

Rs. 1,000/-

9 Months

Class IA,B,C. & II

Earnest Money may be deposited in the form of NSC/KVP/CDR/FDR duly pledge in favour of the Chairman and Executive Officer, Teok Town Committee, Teok, payable at Teok.

1.

Date of Receipt of application: 18/07/2016 & 19/07/2016 along with up to date VAT/PAN Card Registration Certificate (Attested Copy) 2. The tender papers will be issued on payment of the prescribed cost in the form of Bank Draft/ Banker’s cheque/ Crossed IPO drawn in favour the Chairman and Executive Officer, Teok Town Committee, Teok, payable at Teok on 22/07/2016 on office hours.

3. The tender papers will received up to 2.00 P.M of 28/07/2016 and will be opened at 2.30 P.M. on the same date. If for any reason the last date of receiving/opening of Tender will be declared a holiday, tender will received and opened on the next working day at the same time as above. The tenderer or his authorized agent may remain present at the time of opening of Tender papers.

4.

Rate should be quoted in flat percentage basis, i.e. Above/below/at per schedule rates of Building (Civil works, Sanitary and Water Supply work & Electrical works) for the year 2013-14 of all Division under PWD, Assam.

5. Rates must be quoted both in figures & word legible and clearly.

6. Tenderer should mention their registration No. VAT and PAN card Nos in Tender Paper and attested copies of the registration certificate, VAT and PAN card must be submitted along with the tender.

7. The tenderer must submit license for carrying out ant termite works or undertaking from such license holder agreeing to execute the job on behalf of the tenders.

8. The contractor must be either registered as electrical contractor or holder of valid electric license for carrying our electrical works or having tie up arrangement with valid electrical contractor.

9. The undersigned shall have the right of rejecting all or any of the tenders without assigning any reasons thereof and will also not be bound to accept the lowest tender.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 14

PAGE 4

BSF seizes 4 gold biscuits at Cooch Behar Jenifa Gogoi brings A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 13: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday seized 04 gold biscuits weighing nearly 466.72 gms near the IndoBangladesh border in Sabri, Cooch Behar Dist. West Bengal. It was an unclaimed seizure.

Around afternoon, the intelligence branch of

BSF received an information about the possibility of gold smuggling from the area, by throwing across the border fencing, from Bangladesh to India.

Accordingly a team of BSF intelligence personnel laid a camouflaged ambush in the vicinity of the suspected area.

At about 1750 hrs, they

observed one unidentified person, on the BD side, hurling a packet, across the border fencing and fleeing form the spot. Immediately, the BSF troops ran towards the spot and recovered the packet. On opening the packet, which was wrapped securely in polythene, 04 gold biscuits were recovered from it.

BSF handed over the seized gold biscuits to Customs office at Dinhata, Cooch Behar (West Bengal). The officials of Customs Department Dinhata (WB) has further confirmed that the seized metal is 24 Carat Pure Gold weighing 466.72 gms and having an approx. value of Rs 14,88,137 in the open market.

Gold smuggling is rare in this part of the border, but this incident has been taken seriously and troops have been briefed accordingly to be alert to this crime.

Meanwhile BSF troops in Madhya balabhut, Cooch Behar (WB) on 11 July 2016 seized 43.7Kgs of red sandal wood, as unclaimed seizure, having approx.

value of Rs. 5,68,217 in the open market, from the border road near the IB. This seizure was also made on specific input provided by intelligence branch of BSF. BSF troops are always alert to issue of transborder crimes and illegal infiltration and are making all out efforts to prevent commission of illegal crimes.

pride to DHSK College

Joint team of Army and Assam Police 1 NDFB cadre killed while arrests another suspected Jehadi at Barpeta coming from Guwahati,

AIUDF leader attacked ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, July 13: A NDFB cadre was killed at Choibari area following firing while coming from Guwahati after producing in NIA case.

On the other hand, Dahit Chandra Brahma was attacked by unidentified gunmen at Chandamari this evening in Kokrajhar.

According to police, four NDFB cadre were

coming from Guwahati after attending NIA case, the militant outfit cadres sprayed analgesic to escape from the prisoner van, by which police force to fire on them which claimed a death of NDFB cadre on the spot.

He was identified as Swmla Baumatary.

One of them escaped, while two others are with police. Operation is

on to find out the escaped cadre.

“Meanwhile, AIUDF leader, Dahit Chandra Brahma was attacked by unidentified gunmen at Chandamari this evening at 5.10 pm when he was on way to Dotma with his own vehicle. He was safe on the ambush, but the vehicle saw bullet injury. Miscreants attacked him by AK-47,” said Dahit.

Jenifa Gogoi ET Bureau Dibrugarh, July 13: Jenifa Gogoi (19), a B.Sc. student of DHSK College, daughter of Satyajit Gogoi and Punyajyoti Gogoi have been crowned as Miss Brahmaputra NORTHEAST 2016 2nd Runners up, presented by Bibek Biki Borgohain at

Dibrugarh.

She was recently crowned as Miss Peerless Assam, Miss Doi Patkai, Miss Dihing, Best Cat Walk followed by Runner up in Miss Kanoi 2016.

Jenifa is very ambitious and aiming for Miss India and Miss World in future.

Kejriwal files PIL in Jaitley defamation case A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 13: In a major breakthrough for the security forces in Assam, a joint team of Indian Army and Assam Police arrested another suspected jehadi terrorist from Raumari Pathar village in Barpeta district of Assam, officials said on Wednesday. The arrested person was identified as Azahar Ali. Another terror suspect Azaharuddin is absconding, police

sources said.

Earlier, four jehadi terrorists were detained by Army from the same village in Barpeta district on Monday night.

The detained persons were Kasimuddin, Jahuruddin, Akram Ali and Majibur Ali. The four were reportedly linked with Pakistan-based Islamic terrorist group Harkat-ulMujahideen.

They were trying to re-

cruit local youths for the terror group, police said.

Meanwhile, a hardcore NDFB(S) militant was arrested by joint team of Army and police at Ghograpara in Nalbari district on Wednesday.

The arrested militant has been identified as Ripok Narzary.

Police recovered a 7.65 pistol and 4 rounds of live bullets form the arrested militant.

New Delhi, July 13 : Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday filed a Public Interest Litigation ( PIL) in the Delhi High Court seeking stay on one of the two defamation cases filed against him by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

The High Court has in response issued a notice to Jaitley and sought his response on the matter.

The Delhi High Court on July 12 framed issues against Kejriwal and other

KYDO submits memorandum to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu ET Correspondent Diphu, July 13: The Karbi Youth Development organizations (KYDO), a Diphu based NGO submitted a memorandum to Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu with regard to Diphu Railway Station Today.

The organization has demanded renaming of Diphu Railway Station to Semson Sing Engti Railway Station, promotion of all amenities, construction of first class waiting hall, increase the train stoppage time, installation of

enquiry booth, reservation and ticket issue counter, installation of CC camera, Wi-Fi service in the station, electronic display of timing, couch and status in the platforms, waiting room for woman and special recruitment drive for Karbi Youths in the Indian Railway, provide sufficient railway staff and construction of railway school and hospital.

The memorandum was submitted through the Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong, Mukul Gogoi, at his office here on Tuesday.

1 killed for allegedly practicing witch hunting at Jorhat Bijoy Handique Jorhat, July 13: One Lal Bauri (48) was beaten to death by a mob and was thrown into the river Kakodunga, besides NH37, under Pulibor Police Station at Jorhat, for allegedly practicing witch hunting, informed Gunindra Deka, Addl. SP here today.

Due to the technical errors, the traffic control signals were not working here at Duliajan O.I.L. Township since last few months. As a result of this, Assam Police manually control it by raising their hand in day hours.

It may mentioned here that, this was installed by the Oil India Limited authority here at Pipal Tinali, but due to the extreme negligence of the oil industry, these newly installed valuable signal posts are not functioning till today. Pic - Rafique uddin Ahmed.

According to Mr. Deka, the incident took place at Bashbari Tea Division, last night at around 1 am, when a group of angry mob charged Lal Bauri to be actively involved in witch hunting and have

killed 22 year old girl Deepanjali Tanti on Sunday who died at her house which is next to Lal Bauri’s house at Bashbari Tea Estate.

“Police after getting specific information about the incident, with the help of SDRF team managed to recover the dead body of Lal Bauri from Kakodunga River and an extensive search operation is on to trap the culprits, as police managed to pick up one Utpal Oriya (32) while all others are reported to be absconding,” said police.

AAP leaders in a civil defamation suit filed by Jaitley for notwithstanding their claim that they had not made any defamatory statements against him in the the DDCA case.

Jaitley, who has denied all allegations of financial bungling, had filed the suit seeking Rs. 10 crore damages against the backdrop of attacks on him by Kejriwal and other AAP leaders over alleged irregularities and financial bungling in the DDCA of which he was the president for about 13 years till 2013.

The Union Minister has filed a criminal defamation complaint in a Delhi court on the same issue. (ANI)

A view of stranded flood waters in Titabor in Jorhat district.

Pic - Amit Nagori

AAHSU challenges Minsiter Himanta Biswa Sarmah to ban tobacco completely if he has guts Contd. from Page 1

gutka and tobacco leaves seller in Tinsukia town if they want to complete stop sale of such products which causes cancer.

We demand police action on all those involved in the business of zarda, gutka and tobacco leaves and are still bringing these banned products to Tinsukia and black marketing them as they are playing with the health of thousand of people of Tinsukia, particularly, school students, added Sahani and said that they

will stage dharna if their demands are not met.

He also pointed out availability of such products at small pan kiosks just opposite to gates of most of the schools in the town ànd district, near temples and hospitals.

It may be mentioned that as per section 5 and section 6A of COTPA act 2003 all business houses selling tobacco products shall put a board mentioning that sale of tobacco products to minor is strictly prohibited.

On violation of the law, municipal boards need to

cancel their trade license and police and register case against such people. Their is and provision of rs 2000 fine or 2 years jail for first time violators while repeated offenders cam be jailed upto 5 years. Despite this violation no action has taken place.

Moreover, the social organizations that once raised their voices to ban tobacco like gutka few years back have turned a blind eye today when these products are openly black marketed.

Why are they silent is a question which they needs to answer to the people of Tinsukia.

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KHCA opposes WTI’s plan to create elephant corridor Sushanta Roy Diphu July 13: The Koilamati Havar Cheraikom Amei (KHCA) a local social organization of Karbi Anglong has opposed the Wild Life Trust of India’s initiative to create elephant corridor at Tokolangso, Borjan, Nilip and Koilamati.

The KHCA organized a protest rally on last Sunday where president of KHCA Amor Ronghang has informed that his organization represents seven villages, where

more than 300 households exist, since 1976.

“We will never agree to the phase I and phase II agreement for the construction of the corridor, since we have been residing in the region for the past 40 years”, Ronghang said. He mentioned that the villagers does not want to become victims like the people Sotiana, Ram Terang Arong and its adjoining areas who have been forced to leave their homes for the Phase I creations of elephant corridor.

“They were lured by WTI, who promised to build homes for them if they give their land for elephant corridor. They fulfilled their promises but the homes they built for the villagers are awful and the land they get it so little that they didn’t have a place to bury or burn their dead. What kind of facility is this?” one of the villagers said.

“The WTI who brings large amount of funds from foreign countries like Japan, England,

and other developed countries to build luxury homes and buy costly cars are trying to lure or secretly threaten some villagers to shift to new locations for the success of phase II so that they can earn more money”, another angry villagers alleged. The KHCA has mentioned that if any clash occurs between villagers and the pro-corridor group, the WTI should take sole responsibility and bear the necessary chip on their shoulder.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 14

PAGE 5

Six accused in the robbery at Thoubal branch of HDFC bank arrested Imphal, Jul 13: Thoubal district police arrested six out of seven accused in the robbery at Thoubal branch of HDFC bank a few days back apart from recovering most of the looted money and gold.

Police also arrested four employees of HDFC bank and other individuals who allegedly assisted the accused after the robbery.

Briefing media persons tonight at his office, K Radhashyam, SP, Thoubal district said that out of the 7 accused persons involved in the robbery, only the leader, identified as Mutum Gandhi alias Ibochao alias Robin (30) of Charangpat Mayai Leikai is absconding and best efforts are on to nab him.

The SP said that the police investigated the bank robbery case soon after it was registered following a report by Gideon Maram, Branch Manager, HDFC Thoubal branch at around 6.30 pm on July 4.

The looted amount was

Over 30 hotels, Guest houses served closure notice Shillong, July 13: Following closure notices, some of the city hotels have come forward with the required documents to "prove the legality of their functioning" but withdrawal of the notice, if at all that happens, may take some time as it solely depends on the NGT. More than 30 hotels and guest houses in the city were served closure notices following the order from NGT, Eastern Zone Kolkata, to take penal action against erring hotels for failing to install Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and releasing untreated polluted water directly to the rivers thus violating the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Member secretary of Meghalaya Pollution Control Board, JH Nengnong on Tuesday said that under Section 25 of the Act, consent of the State Board is a must for establishment and operation of hotels.

Referring to the present closure notice, Nengnong said, "Some of the hotels facing closure have come forward to furnish the required documents as per the application but withdrawal of the notice depends on the NGT." Stating that no time frame has been set by the Board for withdrawal of notices he said, "Once the people receive the closure notices they have to close down immediately. For any redressal of grievances, those concerned will have to appeal to the NGT." The next hearing on the matter will be on July 14 and 25 respectively.

Commenting on the use of ETPs in hotels and guests houses, Nengnong said, "The ETPs are of different types and modern technology has made it easier to install ETP at the parking lot or basement or any small space." Elaborating on the use of ETPs, which are crucial to wastewater treatment, he said that the technology will reduce the requirement of fresh water as water can be re-used for other purposes in the hotels or guests houses.

"There is not much investment involved and it will be helpful in the long run," he added.

Nengnong stated that around 30-40 per cent of the hotels that are classed as industrial units have come forward to get the consent of the Board.

(Agencies)

reported to be about Rs 87,70,805 and gold worth Rs 1,17,18,100.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case, it was handed over to a SIT consisting of Additional SP (L/O) Rakesh Balwal, SDPO; Hemanta, SDPO; Shankar Deba, SDPO along with SI A Hemjit (IO of the case) assisted

by Th Bidyapati, MPS (Probationary), he said.

The investigation began only in real sense after locating one of the stolen mobile phones of the bank staff. The mobile was located in Charangpat area, the SP said.

Intensive cordon and search operation made the accused nervous and in haste they started moving here and there.

On July 5 morning, police source saw a man handing over a bag to one person identified as Arjun Singh. Arjun was then picked by the police.

The first recovery of gold and cash was made after examining Arjun which he received from one

Thoubal district police arrested six out of seven accused in the robbery at Thoubal branch of HDFC bank a few days back apart from recovering most of the looted money and gold.

Thiyam Suresh, a suspect in the robbery, SP Radhashyam said.

Another man, Dillip Singh-who reportedly transported one of the robbers identified as Suresh to a foothill near Nongpok Sekmai-was also caught. One July 7, Suresh was also caught by a combined team of Nongpok Sekmai PS and 2 AR from Sikhong Sekmai. Police extracted more details of the case after interrogating him, he disclosed.

The involvement of seven persons-Mutum Gandhi, Thiyam Suresh,

Thiyam Munan, Laishram Jayanta, Thiyam Suran, Thiyam James and Nahakpam Ramesh, in the robbery was then established.

Prior to this, the police also found that one relative of the main accused (Mutum Gandhi) was working in the HDFC Bank as housekeeper.

From his examination, the role of one Ningthoujam Gokhale, a teller and cashier of the bank came into picture, the SP said.

During the examination of Gokhale, he admitted that he planned the

whole robbery to hide the wrong doings in the bank, K Radhashyam said.

He inflated the looted amount to include the money they had secretly taken from the bank for their end amounting to about Rs 35 lakh, he said.

Out of the seven accused, six have been arrested while their leader Mutum Gandhi is still at large.

At the same time, four bank employees have also been arrested. The arrested bank employees are N Gokhale, teller/ cashier; Khangembam Birla, Dy Branch Manager; Okram Nando, housekeeper and Laishram Jayanta, a guard.

Mutum (O) Gita w/o Gandhi is also arrested as she has big role in hiding the looted cash and gold, he said.

Saying that housekeeper Nando facilitated meeting between N Gokhale and Mutum Gandhi, Radhashyam said the police did not receive any CCTV footage from the bank yet.

Although the police had instructed the bank officials to make a revised estimate of the looted amount, the same is yet to be given to the police, he added. However, going by Gokhale's statement, the actual looted cash may be somewhere between Rs 50-55 lakh.

So far, the police recovered Rs 17,06,840 and 4.697 kg of gold with market value of about Rs 1.30 crore. Besides, one Pulsar-150 bike and two Dio scooties said to be used in the robbery have also been recovered, he added.

Recovery is becoming very tedious due to noncooperation from the families and relatives of the accused, especially that of Mutum Gandhi, Radhashyam said while adding, "We are giving our best efforts to nab Gandhi and to recover remaining money and gold by repeatedly conducting raids and by sustained examination of all the accused and their family members."

(Agencies)

James ridicules Forging alliance a tough task: Conrad Dikkanchi for poll case Shillong, July 13: NPP legislator James Sangma has asked the Congress legislator Dikkanchi Shira, who unsuccessfully contested against his brother Conrad Sangma in the by-poll to Tura Lok Sabha seat, to accept the defeat gracefully instead of taking legal recourse.

Dikkanchi recently filed a petition in the High Court of Meghalaya citing that the NPP candidate misled the voters in violation of the Representation of People Act while dealing with the release of MGNREGS fund.

"It is unfortunate that Dikkanchi woke up from slumber now

though there was ample time during her campaign to lodge complaint if any," James told reporters on Tuesday.

NPP leader Conrad Sangma against whom Dikkanchi filed the case maintained that he was nobody to stop the disbursement of funds under MGNREGS. "I have no power to stop money sanctioned by the government", Conrad said.

However, Conrad added that his lawyer is working on the details so that he can file the reply. "I received the petition only on Tuesday, my lawyer is examining the matter", Conrad said.

Shillong, July 13: The NPP on Tuesday admitted the difficult task ahead for the party and others to forge a pre-poll alliance in the state to take on Congress considering the past experience of political parties of the state preferring post-poll alliances despite their wishes to forge pre- poll alliance before every election.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting of the state executive committee of NPP on Tuesday, the party's national president Conrad Sangma said, "It needs a lot of sacrifices to go for pre poll alliance, even as he reiterated that the party is in favour of pre polls arrangements.

"The executive committee of NPP discussed the proposed pre-poll alliance since NPP is open to it. We have received positive inputs from the political par-

ties and the negotiation is on", the NPP leader said However, Sangma said that the current focus of NPP is to strengthen the party.

To a question on seat adjustments ahead of the Assembly polls in 2018 in the context of desire of many non-Congress political parties to go for prepoll alliance, Sangma said that the matter would have to be discussed and admitted that it would be a challenge as a lot of sacrifice and patience is required before clinching the prepoll deal with likeminded parties.

The NPP leader said that the party is jubilant after the former legislators FW Momin and Ledishon Nongsaiang joined the party and indicated that more such leaders are inclined to join the party.

NPP has decided to re-

lease its vision document which will guide the party in the 2018 Assembly polls.

NPP will hold the annual convention of the party either in October last or first week of November for the election of the new state president of the party.

The state executive committee meeting has entrusted the GHADC to set up a cultural centre and a museum to promote the culture and traditions of Garos. "We are in the process of identifying the land", the NPP chief said.

Another decision is that the PA Sangma Foundation in association with Tura Government College will help the students to improve in Mathematics , Science and entrepreneurship in Garo Hills aimed at intellectually uplifting the students.(Agencies)

DRDA Spt distributes cardamom saplings Imphal, Jul 13: Putting into motion the new initiative to replace unlawful plantation of ganja and poppy with cardamom cultivation, cardamom saplings were distributed to chiefs of 21 selected villages at the conference hall of DRDA Senapati on Tuesday.

District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) is the implementing agency of the new initiative taken up under the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP).

The new initiative has been taken up with a view to wean away people from unlawful plantation of ganja and poppy which produces negative socioeconomic and health impacts and introduce cardamom cultivation in their place.

It is said that the new initiative would ensure sustai- nable economy to the farmers and it can

bring remarkable socioeconomic changes.

The new initiative is also aimed at addressing such problems like ecological imbalance, destruction of forest catchment areas, water scarcity etc caused by unlawful plantation of ganja and poppy.

DRDA Senapati would organise capacity building as well as training programmes for cardamom farmers. DRDA and Commerce & Industries Department would sign an undertaking so as ensure accessibility of markets to cardamom growers.

Moreover, DRDA Senapati Executive Director and cardamom growers of the 21 selected villages have also signed an agreement in order to implement the new initiative successfully.

As per the agreement, cultivation of cardamom and other similar plant

DRDA Spt distributes cardamom saplings varieties at the 21 villages would be monitored regularly. In case, poppy and ganja are found cultivated at these villages, they must pay back the funds sanctioned to them for cardamom cultivation and no more funds would be invested in the particular villages.

The new initiative was formally launched at the conference hall of DRDA Senapati today.

Speaking at the occasion, Karong AC MLA Dr Alexander Pao said that

introduction of cardamom cultivation can persuade people from cultivating ganja and poppy in remote areas of the State even though they refused to give up the unlawful plantations earlier on account of absence of alternatives.

Apart from being medicinal plant, cardamom can fetch more incomes that cultivation of ganja and poppy, Dr Alexander said.

He then called upon all the selected farmers to ensure that the new initia-

tive proves successful.

Senapati DC Jacintha Lazarus said that vast fields suitable for cardamom cultivation are available in interior areas.

Cultivation of unlawful plants cannot bring about a sustainable economy and such plantations always breeds negative impacts in the society.

Cultivation of cardamom in place of poppy and ganja can create sustainable economy and an environment friendly atmosphere.

Efforts are on to launch similar plantations at Mao and Saikul which can ensure sustainable economy, Jacintha Lazarus informed.

Senapati ADC Deputy Chairman K Holison Raomei, MDC Nd Benjamin Tao and NPO president Moses Kamba were also present at the function.(Agencies)

Cyber assistance cell set for launch Shillong, July 13: Come Thursday, the capital city will have the first cyber assistance cell to handle growing cases criminal activities through mobile phones and internet.

Informing this here on Tuesday, the Director General of Police (DGP) SK Jain said that the cell

would render necessary assistance to people who faces such harassments like obscene call and SMS on mobiles, online pornography, cyber stalking etc and the identity of the complainant will be kept confidential as per law of the land.

Divulging more about the

cell, Jain informed altogether 24 people have been trained up to take up the cases pertaining to cyber crimes.

Stating that ordinary crimes now-a-days have cyber contents, he said people would be assisted if such cases are to be further pursued by way of

formal complaint at the concerned police station or at the cyber crime police stations.

The contact details of the cyber assistance cells are 03642504001, 9615191002 and email is ccw-meg@gov.in and the cell will function from 10am to 6 pm on all work-

ing days.

Stating that lot of people in Meghalaya are receiving nuisance calls, the DGP asserted that criminals have gone to the extent of creating fake Facebook profiles of people.

Reacting to a query regarding militants using social websites to

radicalize youths, he said that police were keeping tab of such pages and profiles.

Meghalaya police had setup a 'Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS)', a first of its kind, to investigate cyber and internet related crimes in April this year.(Agencies)

Mizoram govt ready for talks with HPC(D)

Mizoram govt ready for talks with HPC(D) Aizwal, July 13: The Mizoram government will formally convey to the leadership of Manipur-based Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) its willingness to hold talks.

A senior official in the state home department on Tuesday said the proposal for initiating negotiations with HPC (D) was already approved by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.

The home department has been asked to pursue the matter.

Earlier, Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana announced that the state government was willing to initiate talks with the Hmar outfit after people of the north eastern part

of the state adjoining Manipur, who have been hit by insurgency for years, made a number of appeals to the government to bring peace in the area.

The official, however, did not say whether HPC(D)'s self-styled Army Chief Lalropuia Famhoite, now incarcerated at the Central Jail near here, would be released to participate in the talks.

The HPC (D), formed in 1997, had been demanding a separate autonomous district council in the north eastern part of the state and indulging in violent activities to press their demands from across the Manipur border.(Agencies)

Conrad, Donkupar to share dais with Shah Shillong, July 13: The first political conclave of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), a platform of BJP and nine regional alliance parties of the North East, will be held in Guwahati on Wednesday with BJP national president Amit Shah attending the meet.

The national president of National P eople's Party (NPP), Conrad Sangma and United Democratic Party (UDP) president Donkupar Roy will attend the conclave along with other dignitaries. It may be mentioned here that UDP and NPP had attended the first meeting of the alliance held recently in Guwahati.

Besides Conrad, the NPP delegation will comprise James Sangma and the executive members of the party. The decision to this effect was taken at an executive committee meeting of the party held in Shillong on Tuesday.

The UDP president will attend the conclave as a guest of honour and he will be accompanied by a host of party leaders.

The NEDA has been conceptualized by the BJP president with the objective to strengthen the foothold of the BJP in the entire region where the party hitherto has feeble presence in the Christian states of Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland and in the Left-ruled Tripura.

Besides Shah, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal (BJP), Nagaland chief minister T R Zeliang, Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling (SDF), and Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul will be present at the meet. The BPF will be represented in the conclave by its president Hagrama Mohilary while AGP will be represented by its president Atul Bora. Dr Ronuj Pegu, president of Ganashakti Party will also attend the conclave.

The convenor of NEDA and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sharma said, "This will be the first political conclave of NEDA since its formation in May this year. The conclave will come out with a Guwahati declaration, which will focus on three primary issues ranging from local to national to international."

He said, "The issues include expansion of base of BJP and its NE allies to make a Congress-free region at the local or regional level. At the national level, NEDA will work to put in sync NE's growth with the national growth and how the NE MPs can work together towards that end."

"At the international level, NEDA will focus on NE's role in the Act East Policy," Sharma added.(Agencies)

Tripura Govt official accused of rape arrested Agertala, July 13: A senior Tripura state government official who was absconding following an accusation of rape by a woman, was today arrested from neighbouring Karimganj district of Assam, the police said.

Acting on a tip-off, sleuths of Tripura Police raided a house in Karimganj town and arrested Panna Ahmed (44), Deputy Director of Sports and Youth department of the state, West Tripura district SP Abhijit Saptarshi told reporters. He would be

brought here soon and produced before a court.

An woman filed an FIR on June 26 that Ahmed raped her when she went to his house at Ramnagar for renting the premises.

Tripura Government had suspended Ahmed from his job following accusation of rape.

The opposition Congress, BJP and Trinamool Congress organised several protest demonstrations before the house of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who is also the home minister of the state. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 14

PAGE 6

Arunachal verdict: Cong salutes SC for protecting constitutional values New Delhi, July 13: The Congress Party on Wednesday welcomed the verdict ordering the restoration of Nabam Tuki-led government in Arunachal Pradesh and saluted the Supreme Court for protecting the values enshrined in the Constitution.

Former union minister and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the apex court has upheld constitutional values and the concept of institutional integrity.

"And the Supreme Court has also sent a message that if there is a constitutional wrong committed they will ensure that the

status quo is restored," Sibal told the media here.

"I must salute the Supreme Court because for protecting the values that are in our Constitution, as it has discharged that duty admirably," he added.

In a major setback to the BJP-ruled Centre, the apex court earlier today quashed "message and direction" issued by Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa and restored status quo as on December 15 when Congress' Nabam Tuki was the chief minister.

A five-judge constitution bench pronounced the ver-

NIA likely to contact Islamic preacher Zakir Naik

The Congress Party on Wednesday welcomed the verdict ordering the restoration of Nabam Tukiled government in Arunachal Pradesh dict on a bunch of petitions dealing with discretionary powers of the Governor to summon or advance the assembly session.

ing that he can be interrogated and can be booked under these acts.

Besides, thousands of his emails were also scanned and many of them were found to be suspicious mostly relating to funding, donations, sponsors and foreign tours, they said.

The content of his communication was allegedly found inciting religious intolerance; besides, from 1991, the fund trails to Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) is also leading to misuse and siphoning of funds, said sources, adding that the agencies has gathered his entire property details and source of funding.

The NIA is also exploring his connection with Azgar Sultan, who was an IRF volunteer. (ANI)

Rahul Gandhi thanks SC for explaining democracy to PM New Delhi, July 13 : Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a jibe at Narendra Modi post the Supreme Court's decision to restore the Nabam Tuki-led government in Arunachal Pradesh and thanked the apex court for explaining democracy to the Prime Minister.

"Thank you Supreme Court for explaining to the Prime Ministerwhat democracy is. #ArunachalPradesh," Rahul Gandhi's office tweeted.

In a major setback to the BJPruled Centre, the Supreme Court earlier today quashed "message and direction" issued by Arunachal Pradesh Governor J.P. Rajkhowa and restored status quo as on December 15 when Congress' Nabam Tuki was the chief minister.

Arunachal Pradesh had been under President's Rule since January 26.

Tuki-led Congress government was dismissed following days of turmoil after 21 of its 47 lawmakers rebelled against the chief minister.

The Congress, which had 47 MLAs seats in the 60member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled. Eleven BJP MLAs backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified.

The leader of the dissident faction, Kalikho Pul, was sworn-in as the chief minister on February 19 with the support of the 20 Congress rebels and 11 legislators of the BJP. (ANI)

and two independents, with 11 BJP MLAs giving him outside support.

Arunachal Pradesh had been under President's Rule since January 26.

Tuki-led Congress government was dismissed following days of turmoil after 21 of its 47 lawmakers rebelled against the chief minister.

The Congress, which had 47 MLAs seats in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled. Eleven BJP MLAs backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the Ghulam Nabi Azad government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs New Delhi, July 13 : status quo as on Decemwere disqualified. (ANI) Hailing theSupreme ber 15 when Tuki was the Court's move to restore chief minister. the Congress Govern- "The SC has quashed all ment in Arunachal the notifications issued Pradesh, leader of oppo- by the Governor on Desition in the Rajya Sabha cember 9 and has also Ghulam Nabi Azad on restored status quo as on Wednesday said democ- December 15 when Tuki racy has been restored was the chief minister," despite the Central Gov- Vivek Tankha, the lawyer ernment tried its best to appearing for the Conmurder democracy in the gress Party, told the mestate. dia.

"I would like to congratu- "Pursing which the aslate the SC for this land- sembly was convened on mark judgment. Democ- July 16 to remove racy has been restored Speaker Wangki Lowang despite the Central Gov- and subsequently on July ernment tried its best to 17 to pass a no confidence mull democracy, to kill motion," he added. democracy and to murder The Congress, which had democracy in so far as 47 MLAs seats in the 60Arunachal Pradesh is member assembly, sufconcerned and subse- fered a jolt when 21 of its Congress president Sonia Gandhi quently in Uttarakhand," lawmakers rebelled.

Azad told .

Eleven BJP MLAs backed apex court had said the Rule since January 26. verdict will not only have Tuki-led Congress gov- The Congress general the rebels in the bid to upits effect on Arunachal ernment was dismissed secretary said the entire stage the government.

Pradesh, but affect every following days of turmoil country should be thank- Later, 14 rebel Congress state. after 21 of its 47 lawmak- ful to the apex court for MLAs were disqualified.

Just before the court had ers rebelled against the restoring the government The leader of the dissiand making a landmark dent faction, Kalikho reserved its verdict, rebel chief minister.

Pul, was sworn-in as the Congress leader Kalikho The Congress, which had decision.

Pul was sworn-in as the 47 MLAs seats in the 60- The apex court quashed chief minister on Februninth chief minister of member assembly, suf- "message and direction" ary 19 with the support the state. He got the sup- fered a jolt when 21 of its issued by Arunachal of the 20 Congress port of 18 dissident Con- lawmakers rebelled. Pradesh Governor J.P. rebels and 11 legislators gress MLAs and two in- Eleven BJP MLAs Rajkhowa and restored of the BJP. (ANI) dependents, with 11 BJP backed the rebels in the MLAs giving him out- bid to upstage the govside support. ernment. Later, 14 rebel Arunachal Pradesh had Congress MLAs were been under President's disqualified. (ANI)

Sonia says SC verdict on Arunachal a defeat for those who trampled constitutional propriety

New Delhi, July 13 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said that the Supreme Court's historic verdict on Arunachal Pradesh is a clean message to those who wanted to trample upon constitutional propriety and democratic norms.

"Welcome Supreme Court's historic verdict.

Those who had trampled upon constitutional propriety and democratic norms have been defeated today," Sonia said in a statement.

She hoped that the apex court's judgment would Islamic preacher Zakir Naik firmly establish demoNew Delhi, July 13 : The The NIA is waiting for a for- cratic values enshrined in National Investigation mal request from Dhaka to the Constitution and will Agency (NIA) is likely to take action against him - deter the government contactIslamic preacher may be tomorrow or day from any further misuse Zakir Naik, who is presently after tomorrow - on this of power. in Medina, Saudi Arabia. ground strong case can be Congratulating the According to sources, the made. people of Arunachal NIA, which has reportedly Four teams of NIA officials given some message or sig- have examined more than Pradesh, she added that nal to Naik in this regard, 500 CDs, finding most of the Congress would conhas been waiting for his re- the footages highly objec- tinue its fight to turn, and then it will for- tionable and a cause of se- strengthen democracy mally ask him to present his curity hazard and communal and safeguard the federal points. tension, said sources, add- structure of the country.

Although Naik's office seems to be clueless about his return and there are apprehensions that he may go to other countries, taking cooling up time and exploring all options, including legal.

Sources said the NIA tried to contact him over his cell phone, which was switched off. Following which, the agency officials tried to contact his aides.

The agency is trying to get more proof to make a stronger case against Naik, whose confidential meetings with individuals associated with terror organisations and their subsequent joining ISIS are rife, said sources, adding that videos of a few close door meetings are also among evidences collected by the agency.

Stating the Governor's direction on conducting assembly proceedings is unconstitutional, the apex court set aside all steps and

decision taken by the legislative assembly pursuant to the Governor's December 9th last year order and said they are unsustainable.

The Supreme Court had earlier in February reserved its judgement in the case for today. The apex court had said the verdict will not only have its effect on Arunachal Pradesh, but affect every state.

Just before the court had reserved its verdict, rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul was swornin as the ninth Chief Minister of the state. He got the support of 18 dissident Congress MLAs

SC restores democracy despite Centre's effort to murder it: Azad

In a major setback to the BJP-ruled Centre, the apex court earlier today quashed "message and direction" issued by Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa and restored status quo as on December 15 when Congress' Nabam Tuki was the chief minister.

A five-judge constitution bench pronounced the verdict on a bunch of petitions dealing with discretionary powers of the governor to summon or advance the assembly session.

Stating the governor's direction on conducting assembly proceedings is un constitutional, the apex court set aside all steps and decision taken by the legislative assembly pursuant to the governor's December 9th last year order and said they are unsustainable.

The Supreme Court had earlier in February reserved its judgement in the case for today. The

BJP-PDP Govt. should introspect on state of affairs in Kashmir: JD (U)

Congress escalates attack on BJP, demands Rajkhowa's resignation New Delhi, July 13 : Hailing the Supreme Court's verdict on Arunachal Pradesh as a great day for Indian democracy, Congress leader Kabil Sibal on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa.

"The Supreme Court has upheld constitutional values and the concept of constitutional integrity. I must salute the Supreme Court. It's a great day for Indian democracy," Sibal told a press conference here.

"No Governor can advance any state assembly. We call for the resignation of Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa," he added.

Stating that the day will be "written in golden words in the history of India", Sibal said, "The Supreme Court's decision will result in Nabam Tuki being the CM in Arunachal Pradesh."

Sibal also demanded an apology from the central ministers responsible for the political crisis in the Congressruled state.

Congress leader Kabil Sibal "The Centre ministers, who were involved in this decision, they must clarify and apologise," he said.

Continuing his tirade against the ruling dispensation at the Centre, Sibal said the BJP's modus operandi is to topple the Cong-ruled elected governments.

"The BJP's aim is Congress-mukt Bharat. They operate by enforcing President's Rule and take advantage of it and change the government," he added.

In a major setback to the BJP-ruled Centre, the apex court earlier today quashed "message and direction" issued by the

Arunachal Pradesh Governor and restored status quo as on December 15 when Congress' Nabam Tuki was the chief minister.

A five-judge constitution bench pronounced the verdict on a bunch of petitions dealing with discretionary powers of the governor to summon or advance the assembly session.

Stating the governor's direction on conducting assembly proceedings is unconstitutional, the apex court set aside all steps and decision taken by the legislative assembly pursuant to the governor's December 9th last year order and

said they are unsustainable.

The Supreme Court had earlier in February reserved its judgement in the case for today. The apex court had said the verdict will not only have its effect on Arunachal Pradesh, but affect every state.

Just before the court had reserved its verdict, rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul was swornin as the ninth chief minister of the state. He got the support of 18 dissident Congress MLAs and two independents, with 11 BJP MLAs giving him outside support.

Arunachal Pradesh had been under President's Rule since January 26.

Tuki-led Congress government was dismissed following days of turmoil after 21 of its 47 lawmakers rebelled against the chief minister.

The Congress, which had 47 MLAs seats in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled. Eleven BJP MLAs backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified. (ANI)

New Delhi, July 13 : The Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday advised the BJP-PDP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir to introspect on the reasons for the present state of affairs and called for good governance in the sensitive state.

Responding to a poser on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's assertion that he had voiced his concern to the government about growing unrest in the valley, but they were dismissive about his views, JD (U) leader Pawan Verma stated that this was not the time to indulge in blame game.

"I'm really concerned about the present circumstances in Kashmir as well as the reasons behind these events. The BJP and PDP really need to introspect as to what role they played in the last few months that such an incident took place.

There was no government there and the BJP and PDP were fighting with each other for power," Verma added.

The JD (U) leader also called for good governance in the sensitive state of Jammu and Kashmir.

When asked to comment on United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon remark calling on all parties to exercise "maximum restraint" to avoid further violence following the recent

clashes in Kashmir, Verma said the former must give this piece of advice to Pakistan.

"We really respect the United Nations and Ban Ki- moon. But I think if Mr. Ban Ki- moon is talking about restraint, then he should give this advice to Pakistan. Taking note of the manner in which Pakistan has been supporting terrorism; it has now become a big question not only for South Asia, but the entire world," said Verma.

"Ban Ki- moon can do a lot more being in the United Nations to ensure that Pakistan maintains restraint on this matter," he added.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has sought people's support in pulling the state out of violence and bloodshed.

Expressing sadness on the recent killings in the Kashmir Valley, Mufti appealed to the people not to fall prey to the machinations of those elements, who want to disturb peace in the state.

Meanwhile, curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir Valley, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in the rest of the Valley today as the death toll in clashes between protestors and security forces reached 34. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 14

Maoist Centre to file 'noconfidence motion' if PM Oli refuses to resign

Maoist Centre to file 'no-confidence motion' if PM Oli refuses to resign Kathmandu, July 13 : The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) has decided to file a 'noconfidence motion' against Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli in Parliament if he does not resign at the earliest, as his party is now a minority after withdrawal of the CPN's support.

Party spokesperson Pampha Bhusal said a meeting of the Maoist party held on Wednesday has decided to block the fiscal budget in Parliament and challenge Prime Minister Oli through no-confidence motion if he did not yield to the Maoist pressure and step down, reports.

The Maoists party withdrew its support from Prime Minister Oli-led coalition government

yesterday, charging the ruling party with failure to implement the past agreements, including gentlemen's agreement to hand over the leadership to them, made with them in the past.

As per the constitutional provisions, the Prime Minister would be relieved from his post if he resigned or if no-confidence motion was passed by a majority of the total existing members of the Parliament.

The Maoist centre also bagged support of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament which holds 207 seats, in its bid to form a majority government under Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. (ANI)

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

NC extends support to Dahal-led majority govt, asks PM Oli to resign Kathmandu, July 13 :Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament which holds 207 seats, has decided to support Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal in his bid to form a majority government after the Maoist centre withdrew its support from Prime MinisterK.P. Sharma Oli led coalition government.

The Nepali Congress Central Committee meeting on Wednesday has endorsed a 7-pointdeal made with the CPN (Maoist Centre) and has decided to send the support letter

to the CPN today itself.

The meeting also concluded that Prime Minister Oli should resign on moral grounds as his party now has a minority in the Parliament, reports the Kathmandu Post.

Congress party leaders had earlier said that it was but natural for parties that have a similar take on the below par performance of the government to join hands in the changing political scenario.

"The key ally itself was not satisfied with the performance of the government. We have also been saying that this government has failed to address Madhesi grievances, ex-

the Maoist Centre on Monday, following which Deuba had given a verbal assurance to Dahal that the NC would assist the Maoist Centre in forming a majority government if the party withdrew from the Oli government.

As per the verbal agreement, the Maoist Centre Prime MinisterK.P. Sharma Oli pedite post-quake reconstruction and make serious efforts to implement the constitution," said NC leader Ramesh Lekhak.

Maoist Centre leader Krishna Bahadur

Mahara said that an agreement "has already been reached with the NC" to form a government under Dahal.

Reportedly, the deal was forged by second rung leaders of the NC and

"The key ally itself was not satisfied with the performance of the government. We have also been saying that this government has failed to address Madhesi grievances, expedite postquake reconstruction and make serious efforts to implement the constitution,"

Solar plane lands in Egypt in penultimate stop of world tour Cairo, Jul 13 : The Solar Impulse 2 landed in Cairo today for its penultimate stop as the solar-powered plane nears the end of its marathon tour around the world.

After the two-day flight from Spain, just one final leg lies between it and its final destination, Abu Dhabi, where it started its odyssey in March last year.

The aircraft landed in Spain last month, after completing the first solo transatlantic flight powered only by sunlight.

After setting off from Seville on Monday

morning, the plane passed through Algerian, Tunisian, Italian and Greek airspace, and flew over the Giza Pyramids before touching down at Cairo airport at around 7:10 am (local time).

Its support crew cheered as the plane, no heavier than a car but with the wingspan of a Boeing 747, landed, and trailed after it on bicycles.

It had finished the 3,745 kilometer journey with an average speed of 76.7 kilometers an hour, the flight organiser said in a press release.

"It was fantastic, everything worked well," pilot

Andre Borschberg told the control tower, as a live stream from the cockpit was broadcast on Solar Impulse 2's Facebook page.

He emerged from the cockpit and hugged Bertrand Piccard, with whom he has taken turns flying the plane around the world.

Solar Impulse is being flown on its 35,400-kilometer trip in stages, with Piccard and his Swiss compatriot Borschberg alternating at the controls of the single-seat plane.

Picard, who had arrived early to greet the aircraft, told reporters that flying

Solar Impulse 2 showed what new technologies can do.

The 58-year-old had flown the plane across the Atlantic in a 6,765 kilometer journey.

It had completed its flight from New York to Seville in 71 hours, flying through the night with the energy stored in its 17,000 photovoltaic cells.

"It's a new era for energy," he said.

"I love to fly this plane because when you are in the air for several days you have the impression to be in a film of science fiction," he said.

"You look at the sun, you look at your motors, they turn for days and for days, no fuel. And you think that's a miracle.

That's magic. It is actually the reality of today.

This is what we can do with these new technologies."

He said the pilot takes 20 minute naps during the long flights, as the plane inches across the sky.

Borschberg had piloted the plane in its 8,924 kilometer flight from Japan to Hawaii in 118 hours, breaking the previous record for the longest uninterrupted journey in aviation history.(PTI)

US vows to assist Sri Special court to address "proclaimed offender" Lanka in addressing Musharraf's representation in high treason case development challenges

US vows to assist Sri Lanka in addressing development challenges Colombo, July 13 : Commending Sri Lanka for taking measures in compliance with the UN resolution to address the human rights issues, the United States has vowed that it will continue to support the government in all the challenges towards development.

The United States Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal said that Lanka has been on a remarkable trajectory of addressing not only the internal issues, but also engaging in with the broader international community in a spirit of partnership and dialogue.

"As the Government of Sri Lanka moves ahead with its plans for constitutional reform, for justice and reconciliation, the United States will continue to partner with the government to foster economic development and encourage foreign investment, to work to advance opportunities for all Sri Lankans," she said.

Briefing media in Colombo after a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday,

she said that Washington welcomes the deepening of ties between both two countries "We are partners, and today our relations are at an all-time high," she added.

Recalling that Washington has been partner with Colombo over the past 60 years, she assured that her country will continue to make substantial investments in multiple sectors including agriculture, education, health care, energy and natural resources.

She also said that the U.S. will continue to support Sri Lankan government in its "meaningful and concrete" steps in response to concerns of its people related to democratic governance and advancing respect for human rights, for reconciliation, for justice and accountability.

"We can envision a future which brings benefits to both countries, and to peace and prosperity and security across the Indian Ocean as Sri Lanka assumes a greater role as a key partner in this region," she said. (ANI)

Islamabad, July 13 : A special court is likely to decide if former military dictator and president General Pervez Musharraf (Retired) can be represented by his defence counsel in a high treason case after being declared a 'proclaimed offender'.

The hearing is to take place on July 19.

Adjourning the proceedings of the high treason case, a three judge bench of the special court headed by Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC)Mazhar Alam Miankhel observed that: "Since the accused (Musharraf) has become a fugitive from the law, and all the legal formalities as required un-

A special court is likely to decide if former military dictator and president General Pervez Musharraf (Retired) can be represented by his defence counsel in a high treason case der sections 204, 514 and 87 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been completed against him, (his) defence team is directed to assist the court (on) whether it can represent the accused anymore, " reports

On May 11, the bench declared Musharraf a 'proclaimed offender' in a high treason case, and directed the prosecution to publically advertise the proclamation.

On March 8, the special court had summoned

Musharraf to record his statement under section 342 of the CrPC but days before he was required to testify, Musharraf left the country.

He is yet to attend the proceedings, even though the special court has issued a number of summons.

During Tuesday's hearing, when the court noted that Musharraf's defence counsel could not represent him in the treason case after he was absconding, his lawyer Ahmed Raza Qasuri, asked the bench to issue written directions in this regard.

The court, however, then asked the defence to explain whether they could represent the accused despite the fact that he is

a fugitive.

In this regard, snior prosecution lawyer Sardar Asmatullah said that technically Musharraf cannot be represented by his attorney saying that a proclaimed offender is an "outlaw" and the accused is a fugitive, and has therefore lost the right to be represented by an attorney unless he surrenders before the court.

However, Musharraf's counsel, Faisal Hussain, said that there is no law in place that can prevent a lawyer from defending an accused despite his absence.

Another experienced lawyer Syed Mohammad Tayyab also said the accused could be represented by counsel despite being a fugitive. (ANI)

Obama pays tribute to Dallas officers shot in racial attack Dallas, Jul 13: President Barack Obama urged Americans rattled by a week of violence and protests to find "open hearts" and new empathy in a speech that seesawed between honoring police officers for their bravery and decrying racial prejudice that can affect their work.

Obama yesterday spoke near five empty chairs for the police officers killed last week by a black man seeking vengeance for police killings. Behind him, underscoring his message of unity: Dallas police officers, a racially diverse church choir and local officials who ranged from black Police Chief David Brown to former President George W Bush, a Dallas resident.

Obama sought to reas-

sure the nation that he understands the impact of the unsettling events of the past week - including the killing of two black men by police officers as well as the Dallas attacks.

Disturbing videos of the events have "left us wounded and angry and hurt," he said.

"It is as if the deepest fault lines of our democracy have suddenly been exposed, perhaps even widened."

Undaunted, the president urged Americans to cast aside such doubt and replace it with faith in the nation's institutions and progress.

"Dallas, I'm here to say we must reject such despair. I'm here to insist that we are not as divided as we seem. And I know that because I know America. I know how far we've come against impossible odds," he said.

President Barack Obama The president spoke steps away from the chairs left empty for the five men killed last Thursday while protecting hundreds of people protesting the killings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota. The Army veteran killed by police after the Dallas attack said he was moti-

vated by revenge.

"The soul of our city was pierced," Mayor Mike Rawlings said, as he welcomed the president and a line of public officials, including Bush, who attended with his wife, Laura, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, and Brown.

will lead the government for nine months and hold local elections, while the NC-led government will hold both provincial and federal polls.

The new constitution states that all three rounds of elections should be held within the next 18 months.

(ANI)

The group on stage capped the ceremony by holding hands and swaying to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" - a symbol in sight and song of the service's unity theme.

"Too often we judge other groups by their worst examples, while judging ourselves by our best intentions," Bush said.

"And this has strained our bonds of understanding and common purpose."

Bush and other speakers paid tribute to the fallen officers - Brent Thompson, a 43-yearold newlywed; Patrick Zamarripa, 32, a Navy veteran who served in Iraq; Michael Krol, 40, an athlete and basketball lover; Michael Smith, 55, a former Army Ranger and father of two; and Lorne Ahrens, whose wife is a police detective.

(PTI)

Pakistan briefs P5 envoys about Kashmir situation Islamabad, July 13 : Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has briefed ambassadors of the five permanent members of theUnited Nations Security Council that include China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the US over the tense situation on the Indian side Jammu and Kashmir.

The press release issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the subject alleged that Chaudhry "expressed serious concern over the brutal killings of civilians and violation of human rights by the Indian security forces".

Chaudhry informed the ambassadors that due to the excessive use of force against civilians protesting the killing of Burhan Wani, the 22year-old Kashmir leader, more than 30 innocent people have lost their lives and more than 350 have been injured so far.

During the briefing he emphasized that India should conduct a fair and transparent inquiry against the individuals responsible for these killings.

The release stated that he urged the international community and the Security Council in particular to take notice of the gravity of the situation in and call on India to respect the human rights of the people of Kashmir and implement UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

The Foreign Secretary also rejected Indian claims that Kashmir is an internal affair of India and emphasized the disputed nature of the territory.

He said that deaths of 'innocent Kashmiri people could not be condoned under the pretext of terrorism' and added that the just struggle for their right to self-determination cannot be equated with terrorism. (ANI)

Rakhain temple monk attacked in Bangladesh Dhaka, July 13: A monk of a Rakhain temple was attacked by unknown miscreants in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar town on Wednesday.

The monk identified as 75year-old Open Bita, hailed from Arakan state of Myanmar.

Bakhtiar Uddin Chowdhury, officer-incharge (Investigation) of Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Police Station confirmed that a gang of unidentified miscreants stormed into the temple at Maillapar around 5:30 a.m. local time and attacked the monk indiscriminately, leaving him injured.

Bita was immediately rushed to Cox Bazar's Sadar Hospital.

Meanwhile, the police said that additional police force have been deployed in and around the temple to ward off any further trouble.

(ANI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 14

Health care A lack in rural India Healthcare is the right of every individual but lack of quality infrastructure, dearth of qualified medical functionaries, and non- access to basic medicines and medical facilities thwarts its reach to 60% of population in India.

A majority of 700 million people lives in rural areas where the condition of medical facilities is deplorable.

(Photo: Considering the picture of orig01.deviantart) grim facts there is a dire need of new practices and procedures to ensure that quality and timely healthcare reaches the deprived corners of the Indian villages. Though a lot of policies and programs are being run by the Government but the success and effectiveness of these programs is questionable due to gaps in the implementation. In rural India, where the number of Primary health care centers (PHCs) is limited, 8% of the centers do not have doctors or medical staff, 39% do not have lab technicians and 18% PHCs do not even have a pharmacist. India also accounts for the largest number of maternity deaths. A majority of these are in rural areas where maternal health care is poor. Even in private sector, health care is often confined to family planning and antenatal care and do not extend to more critical services like labor and delivery, where proper medical care can save life in the case of complications. Due to non accessibility to public health care and low quality of health care services, a majority of people in India turn to the local private health sector as their first choice of care. If we look at the health landscape of India 92 percent of health care visits are to private providers of which 70 percent is urban population. However, private health care is expensive, often unregulated and variable in quality. Besides being unreliable for the illiterate, it is also unaffordable by low income rural folks. To control the spread of diseases and reduce the growing rates of mortality due to lack of adequate health facilities, special attention needs to be given to the health care in rural areas. The key challenges in the healthcare sector are low quality of care, poor accountability, lack of awareness, and limited access to facilities. Various organizations are coming together for improvements in health care and technology plays a crucial role to facilitate this. Information and communications Technology provides hosts of solutions for successful implementation of these changes. Also only 0.5% of the rural enjoy basic sanitation facilities with a major population affected by the various health ailments owing to lack of sanitation coupled with polluted waters. Felling seriously ill they either head toward the urban setup or the backward communities look for the witchcraft and hermits, placing them in the grip of lechers (money lenders), creating a physical. Ineffectiveness of the primary health care created a breach in referral system which should serve as an entry point for the individual and continuous comprehensive coordination at all level of health care. The only way which could lead to the goal of health inclusion is by incorporating impoverish needy rural population through community participation. It is a common complaint of people that government health functionaries are struck with non-availability of medical staff.

Combating Diarrhoea Lets join hands for a diarrhoea free India According to the Health Ministry of India over 300 kids under the age of 5 die of diarrhoea everyday. This has prompted the ministry to intensify its diarrhoea control programme to reach out to over 10 crore children with ORS solution this year from 6.3 crore last year. Estimates show that over 1.2 lakh children less than five years of age succumb to diarrhoea every year. The primary reasons for diarrhoeal attacks among children are contaminated water and food, malnutrition, inadequate sanitation and lack of immunization. Diarrhoeal deaths are usually clustered in summer and monsoon months. Diarrhea is the third leading cause of childhood mortality in India, and is responsible for 13% of all deaths/year in children under 5 years of age. Information on diarrheal diseases, its determinants and preventive and control strategies need to be reviewed for better planning and organization of health services. India has made steady progress in reducing deaths in children younger than 5 years, with total deaths declining from 2.5 million in 2001 to 1.5 million in 2012. This remarkable reduction was possible due to the inception and success of many universal programs like expanded program on immunization, program for the control of diarrheal diseases and acute respiratory infection. Even though the deaths among children under-5 years have declined, the proportional mortality accounted by diarrheal diseases still remains high.

Overall, the steady decline in under-five mortality in a large country like India is laudable; however, acceleration through greater investment, focus, and innovation is needed in regions and districts that are doing less well. Despite gains in controlling mortality relating to diarrheal disease, the burden of the disease remains unacceptably high. Reviewing current scenario presents an unprecedented opportunity to save many more children. Focus on comprehensive diarrheal disease control strategy through improved case management, addressing social determinants of health like environmental sanitation and clean drinking water, health promotion regarding preventive practices like breastfeeding and research in the field of cost-effective interventions is crucial to reduce the burden of diarrhea among children in India. In India, only 54.4% children suffering from diarrhea receive ORS, whereas 30% of children are malnourished and are therefore, at an increased risk of getting the infection. The combination of ORS and Zinc has been found to be the most cost-effective intervention to prevent deaths due to diarrhoea and has been recognised as one of the best practices globally. Programmes should aim to make all communities free of open defecation by focusing on social and behavior change and the use of affordable, appropriate technologies. Emphasis should be laid on the sustainable use of sanitation facilities rather than the construction of infrastructure, through involvement of a variety of stakeholders. As per the total sanitation campaign program in India, communities take a central role in planning and implementing improved sanitation with assistance from the Government.

There is a need for prioritisation of certain interventional strategies with respect to environmental sanitation in India.

Oil and 'Outsiders': Outrage in Assam Over the BJP's Decision to Privatise Oil Fields Part I Ever since the 1980s, keeping "outsiders" out of the oil industry has been a deep sub-nationalist issue in Assam.

"Tez dim, tel nidiu." edly in the last two 200 potential private Back in 1980, Dulal weeks - in local newspa- bidders. One of the banSarma, a leader of the per headlines, heated de- ners said, "Tez dim, tel All Assam Students bates on Guwahati- nidiu".

Union (AASU), slashed based TV channels, pro- The same day, in the upopen his chest with a tests by students' per Assam town of blade to write these organisations like Duliajan, which has the Assamese words with AASU, AJYCP and the headquarters of the pubblood on a road in Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad lic sector unit Oil India Guwahati - thus creating (TAYP) and various Limited (OIL), AASU one of the most endur- trade unions, and also in members burnt effigies ing images of the six- conversations on social of Prime Minister year-long stuNarendra dents' agitation Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty Modi, Pradhan Assam saw and Sonowal, media and elsewhere. against "outsiders". demanding the Centre The words, which meant Doubts and protests roll back its decision. It "We shall give our Since Union petroleum also called for a 12-hour blood, not oil", became minister Dharmendra Assam bandh. On July one of the most popular Pradhan said at a press 13, it plans a protest slogans of the agitation meet in Guwahati on march in Nazira, an oilwhich helped fuel a June 25 that 12 small oil rich district of the state. widespread assertion of fields of the state are TAYP also called for a Jatiotabadi or a sense of among the 67 fields bandh on July 3. From strong sub-nationalism across the country which July 4 to 8, the AJYCP in the state. When the the Centre would let joined the agitation with leaders raised that slo- open for international a series of protests gan in protest marches, bidders on July 15, all across the state includmasses responded with the political parties, in- ing yet another Assam approval, "We shall spill cluding coalition part- bandh and blocking our blood but shall never ners of the Sonowal gov- tNational Highway 31 part with the oil which ernment - the Bodo and train services. It we own."

The People's Front (BPF) threatened to intensify Numaligarh and and the AGP - have been its agitation if the CenGuwahati oil refineries raising questions. Those tre didn't withdraw its are the products of the opposed to the move are decision. sentiments this slogan accusing the govern- The petroleum minister ment of "selling the said, "These 12 oilfields, evoked in the 1980s.

Assam's newly elected state's resources to out- which have a resource chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal The 12 oil fields to be auctioned on also shouted this slogan July 15 are Sapekhati, Jeraipathar, at the time. It defined the Sarojini, Duwarmora, Dipling, then conspicuous 'us versus them' battle line. Kherem, Lakhmijan, Bihbor, Uttar 'Them' meant the central Pothoria, Pothoria, Charaideu and government, widely looked at in the state as Borsila. While the first six are with a colonial force akin to OIL, the rest are presently under the British, interested ONGC. On June 25, Pradhan exonly in plundering its plained why public sector undernatural resources.

Sonowal in those days takings have been kept out of it, was a leader of AASU, "Many of the big oil sector compawhich spearheaded the agitation against un- nies do not have the technology or d o c u m e n t e d managerial skills to exploit small Bangladeshi immigrants oilfields and so we are allowing along with the All Assam Jatiotabadi Yuva firms that have the technology and Satra Parishad skill to bid for them".

(AJYCP). Much has changed since. He is siders" in the name of potential worth Rs now the face of the bringing poriborton 17,000 crore, would not Bharatiya Janata Party (change), a term the BJP only help roll about Rs (BJP) in the state, a and its coalition partners 4,000 crore in Assam's party whose government extensively used to de- economy, but will also at the Centre has re- feat the 15-year-old Con- create jobs and add to cently taken the decision gress government in the the state's revenue from to auction 12 of Assam's April assembly elec- oil royalty".

Not only that, the Cenoil fields to private play- tions. ers - in other words, to Firebrand RTI activist tre also has the plan to and farmers' leader Akhil turn "Assam into the oil "outsiders".

Over the years, Sonowal Gogoi was the first to hub of southeast Asia". may have shifted his protest the move. On The Centre, the minister base from AASU to the June 25, the general sec- said, in its Hydrocrabon Asom Gana Parishad retary of Krishak Mukti Vision 2030 for the northSamiti east, has envisaged in(AGP) and then to the Sangram BJP, but it turns out that (KMSS), with more than vesting Rs 1.30 lakh crore the traces of the strong 400 supporters in tow, in the petroleum sector in sub-nationalism seen in flashed banners and the region in the next 14 the 1980s around tel raised slogans outside a years, of which Rs 80,000 (oil) has remained in- five-star hotel in crore will be invested in where Assam alone. "In the curtact. Indications of this Guwahati have appeared repeat- Pradhan was meeting rent financial year, we are

A protest against the privatisation of oil fields in Assam, led by Akhil Gogoi.

(Photo: PTI) investing about Rs 6,000 crore in Assam," he said. .

The numbers quoted are impressive. So is the hope for job opportunities for local youth and a potential jump in the state's earnings from oil royalty, both crucial for the betterment of the state. Yet, not too many seem to accept Pradhan's argument.

"This is nothing but an attempt to sell our natural resources to multinationals," Akhil Gogoi told local media. He said, "The BJP had promised to protect jati, mati, bheti (ethnicity, land and resources) of the people of Assam in its campaign for the assembly elections based on which people voted for it. But within just one month of coming to power in the state, it has put up 12 oilfields for sale to private companies."

In a letter addressed to the prime minister, KMSS said, "Assam's petroleum resources have served little the interests of the region earlier and this must change. Earnings from these resources must be carefully invested in Assam to allow her to prosper economically.

The decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment and thus handing over these oilfields to the private economic concerns will further ensure that Assam will again be deprived of her rightful claim to petroleum."

It is a sentiment shared by many in the state. Speaking to The Wire, AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath said, "Privatisation of oil fields would take away the people's right over the state's resources.

In Gujarat, the Centre handed over the oil fields to the state-run Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation through a notifica-

tion. But in Assam, it is giving the oil fields to private parties though like Gujarat, the Assam government also has a company, Assam Hydro Carbon Corporation Limited (AHCCL), since in 2006."

Though AHCCL was formed in September 2006 to explore hydrocarbons and other energy sources, the state has not been able to do much without the Centre's help.

Nath said, "ONGC, OIL or the state-owned oil corporations (there are two more besides AHCCL) could have entered into joint ventures with private parties for these fields. If they are involved, the people of the state will reap the benefit through jobs and other services but an international company doesn't have any such obligation to the people."

The 12 oil fields to be auctioned on July 15 are Sapekhati, Jeraipathar, Sarojini, Duwarmora, Dipling, Kherem, Lakhmijan, Bihbor, Uttar Pothoria, Pothoria, Charaideu and Borsila.

While the first six are with OIL, the rest are presently under ONGC. On June 25, Pradhan explained why public sector undertakings have been kept out of it, "Many of the big oil sector companies do not have the technology or managerial skills to exploit small oilfields and so we are allowing firms that have the technology and skill to bid for them".

Guwahati-based political commentator and economic analyst Adip Kumar Phukan did not agree with his explanation. "That argument is wrong. OIL couldn't work in the Jeraipathar field because of local resistance. The government failed to assure people about the safety

Irresponsible Comment, Responsible Leader

BPF's supremo Hagrama Mohilary (Photo: assamtimes)

Sir, There are some irresponsible leader amongst our Political heavy weights who make people laugh by their irresponsible and light comments. Interesting point to note is the political leader who made a preposterous comment but serious enough to blacken the image of the BJP led state government. The party's leader who made the comment is a constituent of the BJP led alliance in Assam. The political leader is BPF's supremo Hagrama Mohilary, who recently commented that 'If someone offers Mal (money), accept it. But donot ask for it'. Needless to mention, this irresponsible comment by a responsible political leader puts the BJP in an embarrassing situation. Meanwhile, we have noticed certain vulnerable points that include among others are the Check gates. It is only due to corruption congress was shown the door by

the people of Assam. if one of the leaders of the BJP's alliance makes such a serious comment asking the ministers of his party to accept bribe when offered, it conveys a wrong message. We appeal, to Sarbananda Sonowal, the Chief-minister to arrange for nipping such bad elements in the bud else BJP too like congress will have to face the unpleasant music.

of the Rohmoria embankment near the field.

However, OIL is still extracting oil from Sarojini," he said.

Phukan, also a former AJYCP vice president, told The Wire, "The aim is to systematically weaken the oil PSUs operating in the state and allow private operators to move in. Even though the prime minister commissioned the Assam Gas Cracker Project last year with fanfare, its proposed plastic park failed to take off. GAIL, the main promoter of the project, is now said to have decided to transfer the polymer generated from the project to Kanpur. Plastic industries there will generate employment from our raw material. The same will happen with the oil fields." He asked, "In the Naga Accord, the Centre apparently has allowed the Nagas to have the sole right over their natural resources. Why can't it be given to the people of Assam?"

Phukan felt the state government should instead "think up an education policy linked to the three important resources of the state - tea, oil and coal - to ready the local youth for the specialised posts."

Yet another sore point finding resonance amongst people is the reported Rs 10,000 crore that the Centre owes to the state as oil royalty.

Though the Modi government is paying oil royalty to Gujarat on pre-discounted rates as per a Supreme Court order, it refused to honour that term for Assam last year, leading the Tarun Gogoi government to go to the Supreme Court.

To be contd Courtesy: The Wire

Best Letter The best letter of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200. So please keep writing.

Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh786001 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Yours etc.

Email : Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

JOBS & career

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JUNE 14

Mizoram University recruits Technical Assistant/ JRF in Aizawl July 2016 Eligibility : B.Sc, M.Sc Location : Aizawl Last Date : 20 Jul 2016 Hiring Process : Face to Face Interview Job Details Technical Assistant/ JRF in Mizoram University on a purely temporary basis Project : "Online monitoring of radon exhalation and modeling in fault regions of Champhai and Serchhip districts of northern Mizoram" Junior Research Fellow (JRF) No. of Post : 01 Qualification : The candidates having at least 55% marks in M.Sc. in Physics or Geophysics.

Candidates with working experience in the similar/related area will be given preference.

Pay : Rs. 25000/- per month Technical Assistant (TA) No. of Post : 01 Qualification : The candidates having at least 50% marks in B.Sc. with Physics. Candidates with working experience in the similar/related area will be given preference.

Pay : Rs. 12000/- per month How to apply The candidates may submit their applications along with complete bio-data, self attested copies of mark sheets, certificates and other relevant documents to Prof. R. C. Tiwari, Principal Investigator, Department of Physics, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004 (Mizoram), e-mail id: rctiwari@mzu.edu.in latest by 20th July 2016.

Page 9

North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST) recruits Professors, Associate Professors and Assistant Professors July 2016 North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST) (Deemed University) (Under Ministry of HRD, Government of India) Nirjuli (Itanagar) : Arunachal Pradesh : 791109 The Director, NERIST hereby invites applications from the citizens of India and from such other persons declared eligible by MHA, Govt. of India, for the following Teaching posts: 1.

Professor : 24 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.37400-67000/- AGP Rs. 10000/2.

Associate Professor : 29 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.37400-67000/- AGP Rs. 9000/3.

Assistant Professor : 13 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.15600-39100/- AGP Rs. 6000/How to Apply : The completed application in the prescribed format should be send by e-mail to recruitment2016@nerist.ac.in on or before 02/08/2016 only.

For more information and application format, kindly visit https://nerist.ac.in/ link/jobs/

K.K. Handiqui State Open University recruits Assistant Professor History/ Assistant Librarian / Junior Accounts Assistant (10 posts) in Guwahati July 2016 Eligibility : Any Graduate, 10th Std. (HSLC), M Phil / PhD Location : Guwahati Last Date : 22 Jul 2016 Hiring Process : Written-test Job Details Assistant Professor History/ Assistant Librarian /Junior Accounts Assistant recruitment in Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University Assistant Professor in History Qualification: (i) Good academic record with at least 55% marks (or equivalent grade in a point scale whenever grading system is followed), at the Master's Degree in the relevant subject from a recognized University. (ii) Qualifying in the National/State Level Eligibility Test (NET/SLET) conducted for the purpose by UGC or any other agency approved by UGC. However, candidates, who are awarded Ph.D. degree in accordance with the "University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. degree) Regulations, 2009", shall be exempted from requirement of the minimum eligibility condition of NET/SLET. Desirable qualification: (i) A degree/diploma in distance education or working experience in distance education institution (ii) Adequate knowledge of Computer (iii) Proficiency in both English and Assamese languages No. of Post : 01 Scale of pay: Rs. 15,600/- to Rs. 39,100/- with grade pay of Rs. 6,000/Maximum age: 43 years on the last date of receipt of the application.

Non Academic Assistant Librarian Essential Qualification : (i) Good academic record with at least 55% marks (or equivalent grade in a point scale whenever grading system is followed), at the Master's Degree in Library Science/Information Science from a recognized University. (ii) Qualifying in the National/State Level Eligibility Test (NET/SLET) conducted for the purpose by UGC or any other agency approved by UGC. However, candidates, who are awarded Ph.D. degree in accordance with the "University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. degree) Regulations, 2009", shall be exempted from requirement of the minimum eligibility condition

Grade-IV positions recruitment in Gauhati High Court (24 vacancies) July 2016 Eligibility : 10th Std. (HSLC) Location : Guwahati Last Date : 22 Jul 2016 Hiring Process : Written-test Job Details Grade-IV job positions in Gauhati High Court Court Attendant Lawn Attendant Darwan Farash Qualification : (a)Candidate must possess the minimum educational qualification of Class-VIII standard.

Those who have passed HSSLC or above shall be ineligible to apply for the said posts. Candidates possessing special skills may be given preference on need basis. (b) Candidate must be a permanent resident of the state of Assam and has to submit document in proof, in the event of selection.

No. of Vacancy : 24 Pay Scale : Rs.4560-15000 Age : 18-38 Yrs Fee : Candidates Can Pay The Fee of Rs. 360 For General/OBC Candidates and Rs. 180 For SC/ST/ PWD. Important Dates : Starting Date For Apply Online : 12/07/2016.

Closing Date For Apply Online : 22/07/2016 up to 05.00 P.M. Closing Date for Payment of : 26/07/2016.

of NET/SLET. Desirable qualification: (i) A degree/diploma in distance education or working experience in distance education institution (ii) Experience in computerization of library (iii) Proficiency in both English and Assamese languages No. of Post : 01 Scale of pay : Rs. 15,600/- to Rs. 39,100/- with grade pay of Rs. 6,000/Junior Assistant Qualification : (i) A bachelor degree in any discipline (ii) Adequate knowledge of computer Desirable qualifications: (i) Working experience in ODL system

North Eastern Hill University recruits Guest Lecturer (Architecture) in Shillong July 2016

No. of Post : 04 Scale of pay : Rs. 5,200/- to Rs. 20,200/- with grade pay of Rs. 2,300/Junior Accounts Assistant Qualification: (i) A bachelor degree in any discipline (ii) Adequate knowledge of computer Desirable qualifications: (i) Working experience in ODL system (ii) 5 years working experience in Accounts Branch of any educational institutions in case of Arts/Science Graduate (iii) 3 years working experience in educational institution in case of Commerce Graduate No. of Post : 02 Scale of pay: Rs. 5,200/- to Rs. 20,200/- with grade pay of Rs. 2,300/Grade IV Qualifications: i) HSLC passed or equivalent Desirable qualifications: i) Working experience in ODL system No. of Post : 02 Scale of pay : Rs. 4,560/- to Rs. 15,000/- with grade pay of Rs. 1,700/Age Limit for Non Teaching : 43 years How to apply The application should be accompanied by a bank draft of Rs. 1000/- for serial No. 1 to 7 andRs. 500/-for serial No. 8 to 11 in favour of KKHSOU to be drawn at Guwahati. The last date for submission of application is 22nd July 2016. Application should be sent to the Registrar , K.K. Handiqui State Open University, Housefed Complex, Guwahati - 6 in an envelope superscribed "Application for the post of ……….. ".

Eligibility : M.Arch, B.Arch Location : Shillong Last Date : 25 Jul 2016 Hiring Process : Face to Face Interview Job Details Guest Lecturer in North Eastern Hill University Qualification : Candidates should posses Master Degree in Architecture/ Master Degree in Planning or equivalent from a recognized University (having passed B.Arch in the U.G Level) and 55% marks in the Master level.

Department : Architecture How to apply Eligible candidates may send their applications along with relevant documents to the Office of Head of Department ,Department of Architecture, School Of Technology, North-Eastern Hill University, Mawlai Umshing, Shillong 793 022 or email their applications to barchnehu@gmail.com on or before25-07-2016 till 04:00 PM. The candidates are requested to bring their original documents during the time of the interview at the stipulated date which will be notified accordingly.

‘The Eastern Today’ has taken an initiative to present Questions & Answers to help the aspirants in their competitive exams (SSC, Banks, Insurance, etc.).

1). World Population Day is being observed on July 11th annually. The theme this year is a) Investing in teenage Girls b) Raise awareness of the needs of vulnerable women and girls c) Investing in teenagers d) Population and Control e) None of these

launched by which among the following states of India for strengthening the public security system? a) Maharashtra b) Madhya Pradesh c) Mizoram d) Meghalaya e) None of these

Answer: a)

5). Meghalaya Governor launched the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA). Who is the Governor of Meghalaya? a) ESL Narasimham b) Ram Nath Kovind c) Kaptan Singh Solanki d) Narendra Nath Vohra e) None of these

2). Recently India had signed number of MoU's with Kenya. Among them one is India agreed provide concessional credit of how much amount for power transmission project to Kenya? a) 60 million dollar b) 60 billion dollar c) 60 trillion dollar d) 6 billion dollar e) None of these Answer: a) 3). Recently India has signed an agreement of Cooperation in the field of water resource management and development with which among the following countries? a) Comoros b) Seychelles c) Tanzania d) Kenya e) None of these Answer: c) 4). Vahanchoritakrar is a mobile application

Answer: a)

Answer: e) 6). Which manufacturing company of automatic sensor doors has set up its first assembly unit at Chennai (Maraimalai Nagar) with an investment of about Rs 12 crore? a) Lokpal Industries b) Sio Vasundhara International c) Photoplay Systems d) Auto Ingress e) None of these Answer: d)

b) London c) Netherlands d) USA e) None of these Answer: b) 8). Who among the following women confirmed as first woman Chief Justice of Nepal? a) Sunitha Karki b) Suchitra Karki c) Sushila Karki d) Sunanda Karki e) None of these Answer: c) 9). Ramesh Negi appointed as acting Chief Secretary of Delhi in the absence of a) K. K. Sharma b) Vineet Chadra c) Akilesh Mohanthi d) K. K. Subramaniam e) None of these Answer: a) 10). Who has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL)? a) Ashok Gupta b) Dinesh Gupta c) Sanjay Gupta d) Anand Gupta e) None of these Answer: c)

7). Which among the following countries to host Farnborough Airshow from July 11? a) France

11). Antoine Griezmann won the Golden Boot at EURO 2016 after scoring six goals in the tour-

nament. He belongs to which country? a) Germany b) Poland c) UK d) France e) None of these

cently concluded Wimbledon 2016? a) Raonic b) Murray c) Djokavic d) Federer e) None of these

Answer: d)

Answer: b)

12). The Telecom Ministry has reportedly cleared the Rs3,500-crore 4G spectrum trading deal between Bharti Airtel and a) Aircel b) Vodafone c) Tata Docomo d) Reliance e) None of these

16). India signed an agreement for providing a Line of Credit of $92 million in the water resources sector with which among the following countries during the recent visit of PM N Modi to the country? a) Ghana b) Tanzania c) Mozambique d) Algeria e) None of these

Answer: c) 13). Who won the British Grand Prix title of Formula One at the Silverstone Circuit in Silverstone, United Kingdom? a) Nico Rosberg b) Sebastian Vettel c) Kimi Räikkönen d) Lewis Hamilton e) None of these Answer: d) 14). Who won the Euro football championship league 2016? a) Germany b) Portugal c) France d) Spain e) None of these Answer: b) 15). Who won the re-

Answer: b) 17). Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh announced that a National Research Centre for Banana will be set up in a) Bihar b) West Bengal c) Tripura d) Nagaland e) None of these Answer: a) 18). The government has decided to award a compensation of _____ lakh rupees to civilian victims of cross-border firing. a) 3 lakh b) 4 lakh c) 5 lakh d) 6 lakh e) None of these

Answer: c) 19). Name the initiative taken by Government of Bihar for Poverty Alleviation with the objective of social & economic empowerment of the rural poor. a) HAMSAFAR b) GRAMEE VIKAS c) DIHATI VIKAS d) JEEViKA e) None of these Answer: d) 20). Kerala Government announced a ______ crore rescue package for the state in view of the Gulf crisis and recessionary trends in the state. a) Rs. 15000 b) Rs. 17000 c) Rs. 12000 d) Rs. 16000 e) None of these Answer: c) 21). The 2-day long NATO Summit concluded in Warsaw, Poland. It was the _____ summit biannual summit of NATO since its inception in 1949. a) 25th b) 26th c) 24th d) 30th e) 27th Answer: e) 22). Most worst performing currency in the year 2016 is a) Pound

Image for representational purpose (Photo: flckr)

b) Peso c) Riyal d) Yuan e) None of these Answer: a) 23). Mr Tathagata Roy was sworn-in as the Governor of a) Tripura b) Assam c) Arunachal Pradesh d) Bihar e) None of these Answer: c) 24). Name the the 13year-old flute player from Amritsar who won the seventh season of the reality television show 'India's Got Talent'. a) Sundar Mohanti b) Suleiman c) Satish Choudary d) Sudarshan e) None of these Answer: b) 25). SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank

of India) entered into a partnership with which among the following private sector bank to guarantee 75% of loans of up to Rs 15 crore extended to energy efficiency projects under the WORLD BANK initiative. a) Yes Bank b) Axis Bank c) ICICI Bank d) HDFC Bank e) None of these Answer: a) 26). IMF cuts Eurozone growth forecast post 'Brexit'. According to IMF, what is the GDP in the Eurozone is expected to grow how much percent in 2016 earlier to 'Brexit'? a) 1.7% b) 1.6% c) 1.5% d) 1.4% e) None of these Answer: a)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JULY 14

BUSINESS

Karbonn enlarges 4G assortment with Rs 5,990 Aura Power MAKING THE EMPIRE LARGER

processor. It provides an internal storage of up to 8GB, expandable to 64 GB. The smartphone sports an 8MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash along with 5MP front camera.

Domestic smartphone maker Karbonn launched Karbonn Aura Power -- its latest addition to 4G-enabled smartphones at an affordable price of Rs 5,990.

The smartphone runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop, features a 5-inch capacitive screen (touch-sensitive control display) and is powered by 1.0GHz Quad Core processor.

It provides an internal storage of up to 8GB, expandable to 64 GB.

The device is available across all e-tailer websites and offline channels.

Powered by 4,000mAh battery, Dual-SIM Karbonn Aura Power is available in two colours -champagne and darkblue-champagne.

Mumbai, Jul 13: Domestic smartphone maker Karbonn

launched Karbonn Aura smartphones at an afPower -- its latest addi- fordable price of Rs tion to 4G-enabled 5,990. The smartphone

runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop, features a 5-inch capacitive screen

(touch-sensitive control display) and is powered by 1.0GHz Quad Core

Jugnoo unveils in-house route optimization software 'Flight Map'

back2basics launches 'Experiential Farm' for organic products

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: vishvatimes)

ANI New Delhi, Jul 13: Leading auto-rickshaw aggregator Jugnoo unveiled its in-house route optimization software 'Flight Map' to offer comprehensive routing solutions designed to solve travel salesman and vehicle routing problem. Thriving on the solution for the past one year, Jugnoo now summons businesses to reap the benefits of its product, for an all-inclusive operating experience, free of cost.

Touted to be a boon for businesses that involves traveling and field work, the software was fundamentally designed for Jugnoo and its two other ventures viz. Dodo and Fatafat service, operating in intra-city travel, delivery and logistics ecology. "Having ventured into intra-city travel with Jugnoo and then expanding to delivery and logistics with Dodo and Fatafat; minimizing the travel time and identifying efficient routes have always been our primary concern. The challenge was to find the shortest or the best route to visit a given number of places, with a certain number of resources available at our disposal," said Founder and CEO Jugnoo, Samar Singla. He added that the company is looking for a solution that could assist us to efficiently service orders to 1000 different destinations within a city. A solution that could tell us the appropriate order in which the products should be delivered, factoring in aspects like time, maximum carrying capacity of the vehicle and the total cost involved.

"Profoundly amalgamating proficiencies of navigation; time and distance calculation; computing expenses involved with resources utilized and much more; after weeks of hard work ' Flight Map' was innovated. Operations at Jugnoo and all our ventures have become more efficient and lucrative with the integration of this software. After understanding the evolution it could introduce to a business, we decided to release it to the world to use" he added.

Moreover, Jugnoo is releasing the API for two types of services viz. 'The simple vehicle routing problem' and 'pickup and delivery problem'.

ANI New Delhi, Jul 13: back2basics, a Bangalore based organic farming startup, has introduced a unique experience in the field of organic farming, called an "Experiential Farm visit". This farm visit is the first of its kind in India, which allows an individual or a group of people to visit the farm, experience, pluck, eat and enjoy organic produce with absolutely no commercials involved.

The experiential farm, a mere 20-minute drive from ITPL, Whitefield, houses varieties of both exotic and local produce.

Now, consumers can visit their experiential farm and see high-quality organic production, right from seed to harvest.

The farm is spread across 3.5 acres, where consumers can learn about their chemical-free pro-

duction techniques and pick the products on their own. Free farm visits are facilitated once a month for a group of 30 people registered online. back2basics was founded by S Madhusudhan, who is a veteran in the marketing and advertising industry.

After working in leadership roles in many multinational corporations across the globe, Madhu stopped to re-evaluate his own fast-paced lifestyle and food habits after a health scare.

Madhu does not have any agricultural background - he last studied Botany in Class 10 - and started from humble beginnings by growing produce on a 30 ft x 40 ft plot. He spent a lot of time understanding both the challenges faced by the Indian farmer and those faced by the dis-

The smartphone sports an 8MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash along with 5MP front camera.

Founder and Chief Farmer back2basics, Bhairavi Madhusudhan. (Photo:) cerning Indian consumer with an appetite for fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. By applying several management techniques to improve current agricultural practices, back2basics is a unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern science. back2basics currently produces 90+ varieties

of fruits, vegetables, greens and cold-pressed oils in the farms spread across close to two hundred acres around Bangalore. "The reason we decided to launch an experiential farm is because 99.9 percent of consumers don't know the source of the organic Fruits and Vegetables that they buy and con-

VP - Categories Shopclues, Nitin Kochhar.

(Photo: pbs.twimg) chisee himself who, then, hands over the product to the end customer. The StoreKing agents ensure that customers get maximum assistance in their order placement as well as in cases of return, replacement, or refund requests. At present, 50 million users are transacting

in the e-commerce space. The partnership aims to target underserved areas in India with low internet penetration.

Due to unavailability of digital modes of access, offline consumer touch points, payment options, banking services, delivery, and lack of trust in these

geographies, the consumer interaction is significantly low as compared to urban areas. The tie-up aims to target the untouched high-potential tier III cities and rural areas, while also increasing ShopClues' presence in tier II geographies. "The strategic alliance with StoreKing will help us expand our consumer base further to the deeper pockets of India that have a huge number of active franchisees of StoreKing.

The walk-in customers will be able to experience a wide range of products with unmatched quality offered by ShopClues at a distinct price point that the brand is famous for," said VP - Categories Shopclues, Nitin Kochhar.

"We are happy to enter into this association with ShopClues which will give a significant boost to the

sume. People buy their footwear from air-conditioned showrooms but don't hesitate to buy their Fruits and Vegetables from the footpaths," said Founder and Chief Farmer back2basics, Madhusudhan. "Our goal is to make buying organic vegetables a norm in our segment of households.

More importantly, we want to make "going organic" a way of life. Our experiential farm was introduced to add a layer of credibility and honesty to all what we do today at back2basics. Promoting a healthy lifestyle by educating the consumer and their families, through experience, on the benefits of organic farm fresh produce, is the sole objective of our experiential farm visits," said Idea Cultivator back2basics, Bhairavi Madhusudhan.

business of our franchisees. ShopClues and StoreKing together envision a future wherein every Indian, regardless of location or other constraints has access to top quality products at competitive prices," said Founder and CEO StoreKing, Sridhar Gundaiah. ShopClues and StoreKing have ironed out several issues with the help of their pilot project and are now rolling-out their services completely in the target areas. The Rural affiliate program which seeks to find ways to reach out to and bring a larger number of consumers to transact online is a high priority area for ShopClues as well as StoreKing. The association also ties in with the financial inclusion initiative being driven by the Government of India.

Cairn slaps $5.6bn claim on govt. for 'loss of value' Pune, Jul 13: British oil and gas explorer Cairn Energy has raised a $5.6 billion compensation demand from the Indian government for a breach in an investment treaty arising out of the retrospective tax demand of Rs. 29,047 crore on an internal reorganisation of Cairn's India unit. Cairn Energy wanted the I-T Department's demand raised in January 2014 withdrawn, and it be paid $1.05 billion for the loss of value in its 9.8 per cent shareholding in its erstwhile subsidiary,

Cairn India, following the tax demand and the subsequent freezing of the shares.

In a 160-page Statement of Claim, filed with an international arbitrator, Cairn Energy said the Indian government has "failed to uphold its obligations" under the UK-India Investment Treaty by not giving its investments in the country "fair and equitable treatment".

In the event that the arbitrator does not order India to retract its tax demand, Cairn has de-

manded compensated for the breach in the investment treaty by being paid for the loss of the value in its holdings in Cairn India along with interest and penalties; the total coming to Rs 37,400 crore.

The compensation demand, according to experts, will hurt India's international business reputation at a time when it was doing very well in this regard. "India has got bilateral investment promotion agreements with several countries," said

Dinesh Kanabar, CEO of Dhruva Advisors.

"And this is a claim under that. There were previous incidences like this as well. All such high-profile claims makes foreign investors sit up and take notice.

When India's current international reputation is so good, such incidents can certainly be avoided."

The I-T Department had in January 2014 sent a draft tax assessment of Rs 10,247 crore to Cairn Energy on alleged capital gains it made on its

Infogain hires Sunil Bhatia as Chief Executive Officer

Powered by 4,000mAh battery, Dual-SIM Karbonn Aura Power is available in two colours -- champagne and darkblue-champagne. The device is available across all e-tailer websites and offline channels. (Agencies)

ShopClues ties up with StoreKing, targets penetration in rural areas ANI New Delhi, Jul 13: India's first and largest managed marketplace ShopClues announced its strategic partnership with StoreKing, a leading assisted e-commerce player with a rural focus to enable customers to avail benefits of ShopClues through 16,000 StoreKing franchises which include mobile recharge points, kirana shops, and small shop owners located in good consumer catchment areas. ShopClues' products will be shown in the digital catalogue on the StoreKing app. Customers can browse through the catalogue at franchisees' outlets and can make purchases with the help of an agent i.e. the local shop owners.

The delivery of the product is made to the fran-

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2006 transfer of Indian assets to a new subsidiary, Cairn India, and subsequent listing of the firm. Cairn Energy sold its majority stake in Cairn India to Vedanta Resources in 2011 but held on to 9.8 per cent of the company, which was later attached by the I-T Department following deal. This year, the Department sent the company a final assessment order comprising Rs. 18,800 crore of interest on the Rs 10,247 crore principal tax amount, taking the total dues to Rs 29,047 crore. (Agencies)

Infogain announces Sunil Bhatia as new CEO. ANI New Delhi, Jul 13: Leading business and IT consulting firm Infogain announced Sunil Bhatia as Chief Executive Officer effective from July 1st, 2016. Bhatia has held the position of CEO Designate at Infogain since the completion of Infogain's acquisition of the IT assets of Blue Star Infotech Ltd. (BSIL) in January 2016. Founder and former CEO Kapil Nanda will remain an active part of the company as full-time Executive Chairman of Infogain's board of directors. "It's been a great honor to serve as the founder and leader of Infogain since 1990. During my tenure, I have had the privilege to see the company achieve significant milestones and chart impressive growth," said Kapil Nanda. "We accomplished this through strong relationships, and by providing strategic services and support to many of the world's largest enterprises and leading technology companies. Sunil's transition to CEO represents the next step in Infogain's evolution. His track record of successfully managing and growing global teams,

both as CEO of Blue Star Infotech and as CEO Designate at Infogain, will help him propel Infogain to further growth and profitability as a recognized IT leader in the Digital Transformation space," added Nanda.

With 25 years of experience, Bhatia's work history includes senior executive positions with IBM, Accenture and Tech Mahindra in the US and Asia. Prior to Infogain's acquisition of BSIL, he led the company as CEO and Managing Director. Bhatia holds an MBA from Mumbai University, in addition to completion of executive programs from Wharton and Insead. "As the new CEO, I am honored to lead and position Infogain as the next IT leader in Digital Transformation. With the successful integration of our companies and continued strong investments in solutions, leadership, and employee engagement, we are confident that our clients will benefit from our expanding expertise in IT solutions and services that align with the digital transformation era," added Infogain CEO, Sunil Bhatia.

Style icon Ford Mustang launched in India

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: pbs.twimg) Bengaluru, Jul 13: The American carmaker launched its iconic car Ford Mustang in India.

The Ford has brought the 6th generation of the muscle car or a pony car to India. which made its debuted in India in February and was displayed

at the Auto Expo 2016.

The car had made its international debut in December 2014. The Mustang first went on sale in late 1964. Since then, the company has rolled out more than 9 million cars across the world.

(Agencies)

STYLISH AND ELEGANT The model on offer in India have 5.0-litre TiVCT V8 engine which churns out power of 401PS. It also features a 4.2-inch, multi-information display, Ford's Sync 2 infotainment system, automatic wipers, adaptive cruise control and start/ stop button to give the occupants the feeling of owning luxury.

The Mustang has 8 airbags, which include knee airbags, crash sensors, safety belt pre-tensioners and Ford My Key. The muscle car launched in India has 19-inch wheels and performance brakes along with the SYNC 2 voice control paired to an 8-inch touchscreen.

In India the top speed of the car has been electronically limited at 250 kmph

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India's chance for finishing touches in final warm-up Tengakhat beat their pace battery struggled with their inconsistent show and it will be the last chance for Kumble's boys to make an impression.

The Indian seamers, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, who is returning to competitive cricket after a long injury lay-off, began well but lost the plot after sometime as they struggled with their line and length.

They could not push the batsmen to play their deliveries and bowled too wide outside the off stump, something which the pacers will have to sort out in the three-day warm-up game at Warner Park.

Ishant Sharma, who also

India Cricket team has had a long lay-off, and Umesh Yadav will also look to grind it out as the duo is expected to be key members of Kohli's gameplans. It will be interesting to see if

Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur gets a chance to roll his arms over in this game.

While the seamers were inconsistent, leg-spinner Amit Mishra was impres-

sive and made life difficult for the West Indies Presidents' XI batsmen and was on a hattrict after he dismissed Rajendra Chandrika and Jermaine Blackwood in successive balls.

Mishra ended with a four-wicket haul and will look to continue his good run.

Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will also like to test their skills in the warm-up game, specially since the pitches in West Indies also assist slow bowlers.

In batting, India's top-order looked solid as they spent enough time in the middle with openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan scoring fifties.

Tennis legend King Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao believes Serena could will come out of retirement, be `greatest of all time` claims promoter

Serena Williams ANI Johannesburg, July 13 : Tennis legend Billie Jean King believes that current world number one Serena Williams can etch her name into history books as 'the greatest of all time' if she can add a couple of major titles in her kitty.

Williams equalled Steffi Graf's 22 Grand Slam titles after defeating Angelique Kerber in straight sets in the Wimbledon women's singles final on Saturday.

The American now remains two short of Margaret Court's all-time record of 24.

King, who has won 12 grand slam singles titles, opined that Williams could be the greatest of

all-time if she remains fit and motivated in the coming few years, Sport24 reported.

King observed that Williams was emotionally and mentally strong, referring to her compatriot's tremendous ability to bounce back from adversaries.

Last year, Williams' hopes of completing a calendar Grand Slam were shattered when she suffered a shocking defeat in the semifinals against Italy's Roberta Vinci at the US Open.

The 34-year-old was unable to win any major title since then, losing two successive Grand Slam titles at Australian Open and French Open before winning her seventh Wimbledon title.

Pakistan can exploit England's batting weakness, says Misbah

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ANI Melbourne, July 13 : Pakistan Test captain Misbahul-Haq has declared that his side will look to exploit the weakness of England batting line-up when both sides will clash against each other in the first of the four-match series at Lord's on Thursday.

"England's batting is a worrying sign for them. Of their six batsmen, three have been struggling to score runs and they have changed the No.3 position as well.

That is their one weakness that we can look to exploit," Misbah wrote in his latest column for cricket.com.au.

Root has been promoted to No.3 spot to provide stability in the batting line-up following the failure of Nick Compton, with the next two positions being filled by James Vince and the recalled Gary Balance, who have failed to click with the bat lately.

The 42-year-old batsman also stated that absence of England pace spearhead James Anderson will be an advantage for Pakistan but cautioned his side against any sense of complacency.

"No doubt England will be disadvantaged without him but this will not make us complacent. England have decent bowlers in their squad and they have the ability to cause trouble," Misbah said.

Commenting on his side's preparation, Misbah admitted that the decision to arrive in England early for training camp has yielded results and insisted that players have acclimatized themselves to the conditions well.

The veteran batsman observed that Pakistan's much-vaunted bowling attack was not just about Mohammad Amir and warned the hosts against underestimating them.

"It is not just Amir who has made our attack a force to be reckoned with, the others have been equally important and England would do well not to underestimate them. Rahat Ali was really impressive in the warm-up game and so was Yasir Shah, taking four wickets. Imran Khan and Sohail Khan have done well and Wahab Riaz is as lethal as ever," he added.

ANI Melbourne, July 13 : Filipino senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao wants to come out of his retirement to fight again later this year, according to the boxer's long-time promoter.

Bob Arum, who has promoted Pacquiao since 2005, stated that the 37-year-old boxer-turned- politician has given his nod to look for a venue as well as an opponent to fight in Las Vegas, news.com.au reported.

According to the promoter, they have been trying to find a suitable date that wouldn't interfere with the boxer's senatorial responsibilities and his ability to train.

Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-division titleholder, is likely to fight either Oct. 29 or Nov. 5 in the main event

Manny Pacquiao of an HBO pay-per-view card in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao boasts an enviable record of 58 wins in his 66 professional fights. His last defeat was against Floyd Mayweather during a heavily anticipated bout last

year.

The boxing legend, who called curtains on his illustrious career after beating Timothy Bradley by unanimous decision in April, was elected to the Philippines senate a month later.

Windies rope in uncapped Miguel Cummins for first India Test ANI Barbados, July 13 : West Indies have called up uncapped fast bowler Miguel Cummins as a replacement for Jerome Taylor for the opening Test against India in Antigua, starting from July 21.

The decision comes after Taylor retired from Test cricket at the start of the week, having represented the West Indies in 46 Tests, ESPNcricinfo reported.

25-year-old Cummins has played 41 first-class matches and taken 116 wickets at an average of 22.56.

He was also included in the West Indies squad for the last two Tests against Australia in 2015-16, although he didn't play.

West Indies squad for first

West Indies Cricket team Test Jason Holder (capt), Kraigg Brathwaite (vc), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo,

Rajendra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Leon Johnson, Marlon Samuels.

Dibrugarh FCC Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, July 13: Tengakhat Regional Sports Association defeated Dibrugarh Football Coaching Centre 10 in the league encounter of the first Monuj Patra and Boga Das senior division football tournament organized by Dibrugarh District Sports Association at the DDSA stadium here today. Altogether, 11 teams are taking part in the tournament.

In the first half, both the teams struggle for goal.

Both the teams toiled hard in the field but could not score.

Striker Karan Batra of Tengakhat Regional Sports Association strikes the first salvo for his team in the 69th minute. Karan got a pass from the midfield and found the back of the net.

In the second half, Dibrugarh players got many chances but failed to convert the goals.

Tengakhat players dominated the second half till the last whistle.

Karan Batra was adjudged man of the match.

In earlier match, Dibrugarh Football Coaching centre beat Romai Tea estate Football Club 3-0.

Tomorrow, Singlijan Green Club will play Tengakhat Anchalik Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union Football Club.

Riaz backs Amir to repair tainted image with fiery performance ANI Johannesburg, July 13 : Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has called on Mohammad Amir to answer his detractors with a fiery performance, insisting that his side will rally around their ' young brother' when he will make his Test return at Lord's on Thursday.

Amir, who served a prison sentence in the United Kingdom and a five-year suspension for his role in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, will aim to erase his sordid past when he will resume his Test career at Lord's-- the scene of the infamous case.

The 24-year-old, along with former skipper Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, were then found guilty of various offences of corrupt behaviour relating to the Lord's Test between England and Pakistan in August 2010 by the independent Anti-Corruption Tribu-

Wahab Riaz nal in February 2011.

Having made his comeback in limited-overs format earlier this year, Amir's career will come to full circle when he will play the first of a four-match series.

The left-handed bowler is also expected to receive a hostile reception from local spectators.

Riaz, who also played in that unfortunate Test six years ago, said that Amir

'will deal with all those things' while insisting that his fellow paceman is ready to answer his critics with his performance, Sport24 reported.

The pace spearhead insisted that Amir has become a part of their family and also backed his teammate to take a five-wicket haul in the forthcoming Test match in order to repair his tarnished image.

Defender Pratik Chaudhari to make ISL debut with Kerala Blasters ANI New Delhi, July 13 : Kerala Blasters FC on Wednesday announced that it has signed Pratik Chaudhari for the Indian Super League 2016, which will also mark his debut in the league.

Currently playing as a defender, Pratik Chaudhari's football journey from his student days at St. Sebastian, Chembur in Mumbai to the ISL has seen him working at a call-center in the night shift while playing for Bank of India and Union Bank of India. It was his passion for football that kept him going before he

team probables for friendly matches to be played against Singapore and Vietnam in 2012.

After a stint with Rangdajied United FC, he was signed up by Mohun Bagan in August 2014. He made 13 appearances for Mumbai FC in the ILeague 2015-16.

Kerala Blasters FC logo

joined Air India, representing it in the 2011 ILeague against Prayag United.

An unfortunate knee injury kept him out of action when he was shortlisted for the Indian

Pratik Chaudhari said, "I am thrilled to be making my Indian Super League debut with Kerala Blasters. I look forward to giving my best to the team and the management that has put their faith in me."

Low phase helped me in Oly preparation: Srikanth PTI New Delhi, Jul 13 : He has endured a lacklustre season heading into the Olympics, but ace Indian shuttler K Srikanth today said the low phase has helped him prepare for the Games and he hopes to emerge as the dark horse in Rio next month.

Srikanth had the world at his feet when he became the first Indian to win a Super Series Premier men's title in the 2014 China Open after beating two-time Olympic champion and fivetime world champion Lin Dan in the final.

A win at home in the India Super Series was the icing on the cake and propelled him to World No. 3 in June last year

but then it all fell apart.

On his journey to Olympic qualification, Srikanth struggled to cross the opening round of the tournaments that he played, especially this year after he won the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold in January.

However, Srikanth said he was never worried about his Olympic qualification.

"I was tense but not for my qualification, it was my game that I was worried about since I knew if I can play well, I will automatically qualify," Srikanth, currently ranked World No. 11, told PTI. "I was not worried about my ranking, I was worried because I was not getting time to train. I

Indian shuttler K Srikanth was playing one event after another whether it was PBL, Malaysia, SAF games, or German Open or ABC, there was simply no time.

"But I think it kind of helped me identify the areas where I need to

work on and it helped me in my preparation of Olympics. Every match counts, every tournament counts, whether it is a win or loss, it is all about how you take it. you need to take the positives out of every

match you play. So it kind of helped me," he explained.

It was in May when the 23-year-old from Andra Pradesh became one of the seven shuttlers to qualify for the Rio Games after the rankings were released.

"I was happy to qualify.

It was a big dream. I knew it but in May to actually officially qualify was a big moment. I hope I can make India proud."

At Rio, the world will turn to the rivalry of Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan as they look for ultimate glory in what might turn out to be swansong Olympics for the two old warhorses and Srikanth said he is happy to be the

underdog or a dark horse.

"They are the most experienced players who have played in the last 2-3 Olympics and I think they will have an advantage.

But it doesn't help everyone all the time. It can help to get a few close points but then there are so many players who win a tournament or a medal playing for the first time. So it doesn't help always," said the 2013 Thailand Grand Prix Gold champion.

"It is tough for the top players because there are too many expectations and pressure, so I am happy being a dark horse or an underdog," added Srikanth.

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PTI Basseterre (St Kitts), Jul 13 : India will look to plug the holes and provide the finishing touches to their preparation for the four-Test series when they take on West Indies Cricket Board Presidents' XI in the final warm-up match starting here tomorrow.

The three-day match will more or less decide the final playing XI for India and both the batsmen and bowlers will look to make their performance count and earn a place when Kumble and Kohli sit down to select the team for the first Test at Antigua starting July 21.

India were far from impressive in their last twoday warm-up game as

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FASCINATING FACTS

The Four Treasure-Seekers Four Brahmins lived in a certain town, who shared a good friendship among themselves. However, they were utterly poor.

They discussed their condition and concluded, "Let us leave this place, where we are languishing in poverty. Let us go somewhere else and prosper" After meeting their friends and relatives, they started on their travels. After some time, they reached a town, where they decided to stay for some time.

There was a Shiva's (the God of death) temple nearby on the bank of a river. They worshiped in this temple after bathing in the river. It was there, that they met a Yogi, and accompanied him to his hermitage.

The Yogi enquired, "Who are you? And where do you come from? What did you come in this town for?"

They explained their condition to the Yogi, "We took this journey to earn money. We are in a state of poverty, that we would have died in our town. Since, you are an accomplished Yogi, we believe you must be gifted with wonderful powers. Please guide us to the path of earning money."

They continued, "We dedicate ourselves to you, and ready to undertake whatever path you guide us to. Please help us."

On observing their pitiable condition, the Yogi agreed. He took out four cotton wicks, and gave each of them a wick. He said, "With the wick in your hand, take the path that takes you to the Himalayas. Keep walking till one of you accidentally drops his wick. The location where the wick drops accidentally would be the location you would find hidden treasure. Dig it out, and return home with the collected treasure."

The four Brahmins took his blessings, and started their journey towards the Himalayas.

They travelled for days, when one of them dropped his wick accidentally. He dug the place where the cotton wick had fallen, and uncovered a treasure filled with copper. He asked his friends, "Come on! There is too much treasure for even four of us to carry. Let us collect, and go home. We are now rich! You need not go any further!"

The other three discussed and said, "You were destined to this copper treasure. We may be destined to richer treasure. You may

Greed only brings misery. collect all the copper you can and return home. We will continue with our journey."

Thus, the Brahmin collected his treasure and started travelling homewards, while the rest of the three Brahmins continued their journey with their wicks in their hands.

They travelled for few more days, when one of them dropped his wick accidentally. He dug the place where the cotton wick had fallen, and uncovered a treasure filled with silver. He asked his friends, "Come on! There is too much treasure for even four of us to carry. Let us collect, and go home. We are now rich! You need not go any further!"

The other two discussed and said, "You were destined to this silver treasure. We may be destined to richer treasure. You may collect all the silver you can and return home. We will continue with our journey."

Thus, the Brahmin collected his treasure and started travelling homewards, while the rest of the two Brahmins continued their journey with their wicks in their hands.

After a few more days of travelling, one of them dropped his wick accidentally. He dug the place where the cotton wick had fallen, and uncovered a treasure filled with gold. He asked his friend, "Come on! There is too much treasure for even four of us to carry. Let us collect, and go home. We are now rich! You need not go any further!"

The fourth Brahmin replied, "Stupid! You don't understand

LITTLE SCIENTIST Make a lava lamp What you need " clear plastic bottle with lid " vegetable oil " water " food colouring " Alka-Seltzer tablet Activity " Fill the bottle three quarters of the way with vegetable oil. " Fill the rest of the bottle with water that has been coloured with food colouring. " Close the bottle lid tightly. " Wait for the two layers to settle. " Break the Alka-Seltzer tablet into small pieces. " Drop small pieces of the tablet into the bottle to create a bubbly fizzy lava lamp.

Photo source: KIDSPOTS

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what is happening. First copper, then silver, now it is gold! You all were destined to these treasures.

Next time, I am sure I'll find a richer treasure of diamonds and pearls. You may go home, but I will continue my journey. I am sure I am destined to a richer haul of treasure."

His companion said, "You may continue with your journey, but I will not return homewards. I will stay here and guard this treasure of gold, and we will return home together after you return."

Thus, the fourth Brahmin continued his journey with his wick in his hand. After travelling alone for a few more days, he felt tired.

He was suffering from the tremendous heat and got very thirsty. Soon, he lost his way, and started travelling in circles.

Trying to figure out the right direction, he came across a man with a whirling wheel around his head. His body was smeared with blood.

The fourth Brahmin was so thirsty, that instead of helping the man, he asked, "Please tell me where I can get some water. Whoever you are, with a wheel around your head, Please tell me quickly" No sooner had he uttered these words, the wheel shifted from the other man to this fourth Brahmin. It began whirling around the fourth Brahmin's head; and it pained beyond endurance.

He cried, "What is the meaning of this? Why has the wheel attached itself to my head?

Please tell me how I can get rid of this."

The man relieved from the wheel, replied, "When someone carrying a magical cotton wick is to come here, and speak to you. Only then, will you be freed from this wheel, and attach itself to him."

He explained, "I do not remember how long I have been here.

It was during the reign of king Rama, that I procured a magical wick from a Yogi to rid myself of poverty. Out of greed, I continued my journey even after I got treasure. I met a man here under the same circumstances, and that is how I got this wheel on my head from his.

You shall be free from hunger, thirst, aging or death. But you will have to endure the pain."

He continued, "It was Kuber (God of wealth) who prepared this device so that no one date approach this place and steal his treasure. Only a man with a magical wick can enter this place."

Thus, the other man who was relieved from the wheel, took his leave. The fourth Brahmin was left alone. But his companion was worried, as it was taking so long for his fellow Brahmin to return. He decided to follow and reached the place where his friend was suffering in pain, with blood smeared all over his body and wheel whirling around his head.

The third Brahmin enquired, "What has happened to you?

How can I help you?"

With tears in his eyes, the fourth Brahmin replied, "I was destined for this. This is the result of my fate". And, he told the entire story of the wheel to his friend.

As there was nothing his companion could do, he prepared to leave, "Even being a scholar, you lacked the sense to control your greed. You wanted diamonds and pearls, when you already had gold.

There is no point in giving you company, for no human being can do anything to help you. I should depart from this place."

Thus, his friend started his journey to return home, and the fourth Brahmin was left all alone.

The wise indeed say: Greed only brings misery Photo courtesy: ytimg

" The Eiffel Tower Was the World's Tallest Structure for 41 Years " Gustave Eiffel Did Not Design the Eiffel Tower - Maurice Koechlin Did. Gustave Eiffel didn't design the tower, but he put the passion, capital, and resources behind the project to make it a reality. " It Took 3 Years of Lobbying to Approve the Eiffel Tower in 1887. When it was being constructed, there was a protest from artists that said it elevated engineering above art in architecture. Gustave Eiffel met the criticism by asking: Do not the laws of natural forces always conform to the secret laws of harmony? " Public Funds Only Covered 1/4 of the Cost of the Eiffel Tower. Eiffel Tower facts show that Eiffel setup a separate company to manage the operations and income of the tower. He put up half the capital that was needed to establish the company. For Gustave Eiffel, the tower really did represent amonumental investment. " Eiffel's Firm Produced 5,329 Drawings of the Eiffel Tower. Once the Eiffel Tower

was approved, Eiffel Tower facts show that an intense planning phase began. During the course of the planning, Eiffel's firm produced 1,700 general drawings, and 3,629 detailed drawings. The drawings captured the 18,038 pieces that make up the tower. " Gustave Eiffel Compared His Tower to the Pyramids of Egypt. As the Industrial Age began there was tension between artists and engineers in the field of architecture. Eiffel Tower facts show that a group of artists launched a campaign claiming that the Eiffel Tower was too much engineering and not enough art to be considered good architecture. " As the Eiffel Tower became a great symbol, it was well-known throughout the world. One conman, named Victor Lustig, would use this worldwide recognition to sell the Eiffel Tower, not once, but twice!Only One Person Died in the Construction of the Eiffel Tower. Eiffel Tower facts tell us that Gustave Eiffel was very serious when it came to the safety of the more than 300 people working on-site on the tallest structure man had ever built at the time.

CRAFTY CRAFTS Ghostly finger puppets What you need " craft paddle pop sticks " 2 x googly eyes per finger puppet " white felt for ghost bodies PLUS coloured felt for decorating " pipe cleaners " scraps of wool " white craft glue " scissors Activity " Cut out simple ghost bodies from the white felt and glue them to the craft sticks. " Leave half of the stick poking out the bottom - this is where you'll hold your finished finger puppets. " Use your imagination to decorate your puppets with bow ties, eye brows, buttons and hair bows. Use glue to secure them to your ghost. " Allow everything to lay flat to dry, then your ghosty finger puppets will be ready to play!

Notes: " Encourage the kids to put on a puppet show for the

family! Get them to hide behind the couch, or create a minipuppet theatre using a box - decorate inside to create your scene, and cut doors and windows in the sides for your puppets to make their entrances and exits from the stage. " Create other non-ghostly characters.

Photo source: kidspot

WHAT AM I ???

LAUGH OUT LOUD At a church meeting, a very wealthy man rose to tell the rest of those present about his Christian faith.

"I'm a millionaire," he said, "and I attribute it all to the rich blessings of God in my life.

"I remember that turning point in my faith. I had just earned my first dollar and I went to a church meeting that night. The speaker was a missionary who told about his work. I knew that I only had a dollar bill and I had to either give it all to God's work or give nothing at all. So at that moment, I decided to give my whole dollar to God. "I believe that God blessed that decision, and that is why I am a rich man today."

When he finished and moved toward his seat, there was an awed silence.

As he sat down, a little old lady sitting in the same pew leaned over and said to him, "I dare you to do it again."

Courtesy: santa-bantajokes

FIND YOUR PATH

RIDDLES Q: What has a foot but no legs?

A: A snail Q: Poor people have it.

Rich people need it. If you eat it you die. What is it?

A: Nothing Q: What comes down but never goes up?

A: Rain Q: I'm tall when I'm young and I'm short when I'm old. What am I? A: A candle

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