14th oct 2015

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Dibrugarh, Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Huge gathering pays homage to Prabin Gogoi

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cmyk

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In what can be termed as ground preparation for the upcoming vidhan sabha elections, Bhartiya Janta Party Tinsukia unit today gheraoed and staged a dharna at the ○

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REGION

EDITORIAL

BUSINESS

of removing phumdis (floating biomass) from Loktak Lake. Notably, the project was taken up at the cost of Rs 224 crore (approximately) which was funded by the Planning Commission.

collapse of Japan's militarist regimecapitalized on this phrase by telling the Japanese people that they were being invaded from "eight directions," a rather bitter irony for them.

sembly operations in India, which is one of the world's fastest growing smartphone markets.

The first batch of smartphones produced from Foxconn's Sri City facility in Andhra Pradesh will be commercially available by end of this year.

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cheaper means of connectivity and transport facility provided by such autos and tempos but the authorities concerned need to monitor them.

Contd. on Page 4

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Oct 13

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A tragic accident that took place in Lakhimpur today claimed the life of a newspaper distributor. Khagen Saikia, 30,

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Chinese handset company OnePlus said it has partnered Foxconn to commence local as-

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Dibrugarh are thronging the market places to buy gifts for their near and dear ones. This week, with the advent of Navratra and the beginning of Durga Puja in one form or an-

Six days are left before it is time for the biggest festival of the Hindus. All the people of

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In 1945, American psyops teamsforeshadowing the

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A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Oct 13

Contd. on Page 3

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to investigate the project

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Dibrugarh gears up for Durga Puja festivities

A major fire broke out at a residential area in Tinsukia town turning an entire house into ashes on Tuesday evening.

Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire.

OnePlus partners Foxconn for local assembly in India

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deputy commissioner's office in Tinsukia alleging widespread corruption under Congress rule. The members of BJP, several hundreds in number, shouted slogans naming all Congress MLA's

Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Oct 13

Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Oct 13

Which South China Sea Island Holds the Greatest Military Significance?

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BJP stages dharna at Tinsukia

Tinsukia fire turns house into ashes, no casualties

Phumdi removal project likely to be probed by the CBI

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Significant of a very pitiable situation that could lead to the debacle of students’ entire academic career, the class XII economics students of the town’s oldest school, Independent Golden Jubilee Government Higher Secondary School (IGJGHSS) has not yet covered a single chapter owing to non availability of an

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nor was formally served by Sudip Chakaborty, Deputy Secretary of Assam Governor’s office vide letter number GSA.73/2000/PT-1/ 14/497 Dtd. September 28, 2015.

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economics teacher after the lone lady teacher one Lily Dai took maternity leave.

In a letter to Deputy Commissioner here today, the All Bogong Students’ Union (E) appealed to the district administration to arrange an alternative teacher for the aggrieved students so that students are somehow prepared for the upcoming CBSE board exam.

Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Oct 13

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IGJGHSS Class XII students suffer due to non availability of Economics teacher

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Four persons were arrested by the Meghalaya Police for stolen the ATM machine with money inside. Police managed to arrest the gang of criminals due to timely information from the public.

The four accused who were arrested from the Tata Innova have been identified as Hanis Ali (27), Bipul Pal (21), Mukut Ali (26) and Sareswar

Kakoti (40), SP East Khasi Hills district M Kharkrang said, while informing that the ATM machine was also recovered from the vehicle.

A stolen ATM machine having more than Rs 20 lakh from Upper Shillong on Tuesday. The ATM machine is yet to be opened but SBI officials indicated that there is an amount of more than 20 lakh inside.

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ET Correspondent Shillong, OCT 13

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4 gang of criminals arrested for stolen ATM machine

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charge lodged by two RTI activists of Karbi Anglong district against Irrigation department functioning under the administrative jurisdiction of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Sri PB Acharya, Governor of Assam has ordered an inquiry to be conducted by

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Assam Governor orders probe into Tragic accident alleged graft in irrigation dept claims life of Sushanta Roy Commissioner and Secretary newspaper Diphu, Oct 13 of Finance department of Assam government. The distributor On the basis of a graft sweeping order of the gover-

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It is a common sight when overloaded autos and tempos speeding past in most of the

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streets of Jorhat town as well as in all the towns starting from Nagoan to Sadiya pose threats to the pedestrians and passengers alike. "Common man and the general public may be benefitted by the

Bijoy Shankar Handique Jorhat, Oct 13

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other all over the country, marks the beginning of the religious festivities commemorating the goddess's battle Contd. on Page 4 ○

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Sexual harassment on blind girl in Sonari, people thrash culprit, girl admitted

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ET Correspondent Sonari, Oct 13

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Governor of Assam and Nagaland, PB Acharya has condoled the sudden demise of Prabin Gogoi, former Minister, Sports & Youth Affairs and Food & Civil Supplies, Assam, former Vice-President of In-

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A training on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) and other related issues was imparted by two representatives from Narcotics Control Bureau, Guwahati at Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner, here today. Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak, ASP Guni Pertin, SDO G. Hazarika, ZPMs of Tezu and Wakro, Dis-

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trict Heads of Departments and Offices, Gaon Burahs, PRI members, NGOs, civil societies, students and public attended the training programme. Deputy Commissioner speaking on the significance of NDPS Act and its legal implications said that the main concern of Mishmi society of Lohit District is the menace of opium.

Tezu, Oct 13

Six persons have been arrested in the case involving alleged laundering of black money to the tune of Rs. 6000

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crore at a branch of Bank of Baroda. Four of the arrests were made by the Enforcement Directorate and two

New Delhi, Oct 13

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Six Arrested in Bank of Baroda's Rs. 6000 Crore Money Laundering Case

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Main concern of Mishmi society is the menace of opium: DC

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dian Football Federation, former President of Assam Football Association etc. In a statement he has said that this is an irreparable loss for the state. The Governor has also prayed to the Almighty for peace of the departed soul and has prayed to God to give the strength to his family members to bear this tragic loss.

ET Correspondent Guwahati, Oct 13

Auto-tempos on the roads a burning issue now, says Jorhat denizen

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PB Acharya condoles demise of Prabin Gogoi

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Golaghat, Oct 13: Golaghat Agarwal Sabha and Yuva Sabha jointly observed the 5140th birth anniversary of King Agrasen at Golaghat. On this occasion, a procession was taken out in which men, women and children took part in large numbers. The flag was hoisted by President Rajkumar Agarwal who also delivered the welcome speech. Welcome song was presented by an woman group. Youth wing president Naveen Agarwal said, "We distributed food packets on the occasion among the poor." Vote of thanks was given by Pradeep Agarwal.

(Correspondent )

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pavement road for the sectors would continue while the four lane road from Itanagar to Banderdewa would be proposed for Cement Concrete road to the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways owing to the loose soil condition of the capital city. The PWD was also directed to prepare DPR for CC road for all future roads in the state for durability. Maintenance works on alternate access point to the capital i.e.

Contd. on Page 3

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Agrasen Jayanti observed

Taking serious note of the existing road condition of the twin capital city of Itanagar and Naharlagun, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki convened a high level meeting with PWD Minister Gojen Gadi, Parliamentary Secretary Alo Libang, Chief Secretary, PWD Commissioner, Planning Secretary, Finance Secretary, Chief Engineers, SEs and EEs of PWD

Tuki issued strict directives to the department to complete the work within a span of two months by ensuring top quality. He further directed a strict monitoring mechanism in place to make sure that no substandard work is carried out. The department would identify critical points where urgent maintenance is required in the first phase and then would complete the rest stretch within the stipulated time frame. The ongoing construction of CC

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Guwahati, Oct 13: Award winning author and journalist Homen Borgohain joined the simmering chorus of protests by writers alleging nefarious design to foment communal trouble with the Dadri episode.

The author of a number of epoch-making books is believed to have surrendered his Sahitya Akademi award following the suit of 12 other authors in protest against the orgy of violence in UP. (Correspondent)

today to take stock of the situation. Good news for capital dwellers is that the scruffy road of National Highway 415 - stretching from Banderdewa to Itanagar - is going to get a facelift as works on complete re-carpeting of the capital roads will be starting by October 17 next, as informed by the department. Funds have been made available and the tender for maintenance of NH415 has been awarded to a private firm which has assured to start the work immediately.

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Borgohain returns literature award

ET Correspondent Itanagar, Oct 13

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New Delhi, Oct 13: Renowned Punjabi novelist Dalip Kaur Tiwana announced on Tuesday that she would return her Padma Shri award to protest against what she called attacks on freedom of speech in the country and communal violence. "This is biggest award that was given to me, and by returning this award, I protest ... rising cases of communal attacks, at this rate our country will get destroyed, we are living in the 21st century, this is the time to think and act," she said.

Ms Tiwana, 80, was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2004 for literature and education. She is also a Sahitya Akademi award winner. She is the latest in a string of writers who have returned their award in protest against what they call growing intolerance in India. (Correspondent)

Rs. 3.75 Cr released for immediate maintenance of Potin-Pangin Road (NH 13)

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Novelist Dalip Kaur Tiwana Returns Padma Shri Award Over 'Communal Attacks'

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Dibrugarh, Oct 13: The Ulfa (I) has denied reports published in the media related to the surrender of one of its senior leader self styled Brig. Jiban Moran. In a statement issued to ‘The Eastern Today’, the outfit’s assistant publicity and information secretary Capt.

Arunudoy Dahotia while denying the reports said that Jiban Moran is totally fit and fine and is presently at the Central Head Quarters (CHQ) and performing his assigned duties.

Cement concrete road to be proposed for Itanagar-Banderdewa four lane

Former MLA of Khumtai and former minister of Assam cabinet Prabin Kumar Gogoi who passed at GMCH yesterday was brought to Golaghat.

The people of Khumtai paid homage to the departed soul.

Earlier a ceremony was held at AJYCP office today where the minister was paid respect by hoisting the organisational flag at half mast while they shrouded him with a special flag of the organization. In the AGP office too the same honour was given. After that the District Sports Office paid floral tribute to the minister.

The business premises remained closed for four hours.

In the general field a programme was arranged where thousands of sports loving people gathered to pay homage to the former sports minister.

Several

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Ulfa denial

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ET CAPSULES

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organisations of Golaghat along with thousands of people from Khumtai and Golaghat paid tributes to the departed soul and his last rites were performed near his resident at Chandannagar. Meanwhile many well wishers and intellectuals including AJYCP Rana Pratap Baruah,

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Oct 13

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contended that the hydropower schemes are not strategic and only aimed at tackling energy shortages in the region.

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waters has been discussed by the two countries, with Beijing maintaining that it has no intention of obstructing flows into India.

China has

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China has been providing hydrological data and emergency management to the Indian side, which has played an important role in flood prevention and disaster relief of downstream areas.

The sharing of river

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Yarlung Zangbo is a key river of the Tibet Autonomous Region that flows into India and Bangladesh.

Indian officials monitor and measure the flow of water into India from China to ensure the country is ready for any eventuality, such as the possible holding back and sudden release of water by China.

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India has been worried about China’s hydropower projects in the Tibet Autonomous Region and is apprehensive these projects could be used to regulate and control water downstream, leading to scarcity in the northeastern states.

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The largest hydropower station in Tibet in China located on the Yarlung Zangbo river (Brahmaputra in India) had been fully operationalised.

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The largest hydropower station in Tibet in China located on the Yarlung Zangbo river (Brahmaputra in India) had been fully operationalised, stated Chinese media. According to reports, all six units of the Zam hydropower station on the middle reaches of the river began to churn on Tuesday, state media reported, quoting an official from the China Gezhouba Group based in Wuhan in central China.

“All six of the station’s units were incorporated into the

power grid on Tuesday,” state media reported. The massive project is expected to produce 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. “Located in the Gyaca County, Shannan Prefecture, the Zam hydropower station harnesses the rich water resources of the Yarlung Zangbo River, a major river which flows through Tibet,” said a report from the official Xinhua news agency.

Yarlung Zangbo is a key river of the Tibet Autonomous Region that flows into India and Bangladesh.

DOWNSTREAM CONCERNS

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ET Correspondent & Agencies Guwahati, Oct 13

Pages- 12

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Largest hydropower station in Chinese Tibet operationalised, India wary

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Sensation prevails at Gutighat village under Sonari police station in upper Assam’s Sivasagar district following a case of sexual harassment on a blind girl by a eld-

erly person of the same village on Monday. According to reports, the blind girl who lost her mother in her early days, stays with her father and brother.

Contd. on Page 3

Tejas, once combat-ready, will be able to outgun the Pakistan JF-17 fighters Agencies New Delhi, Oct 13

The indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft will be able to thrash the Pakistani JF-17 'Thunder' fighters in "reach, punch and ability to kill and

survive in an engagement", top Indian defence officials asserted.

But that will be possible only when the Tejas is ready with an AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar, mid-air refuelling, Contd. on Page 3

cmyk

Issue 132

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Vol. 1

08730849369/ 08471896580/ 03736-222269

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

PM Modi wishes nation on Navratri New Delhi, Oct. 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted the nation on the occasion of Navratri.

"My heartfelt wishes to all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Navratri," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet. The Prime Minister also shared a picture of Goddess Durga, in whose name the festival is celebrated. (ANI)

Russian embassy in Syria attacked by insurgents idip Hazarika, General Member of No. 8 Kheremia Constituency of SONOWAL KACHARI AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL handed over the Sports goods of Rs. 15,000/- to Bhadoi Udit Club on November 11.

Pic - Rafique Uddin Ahmed

Security beefed up in Darjeeling ahead of the festive season Darjeeling, Oct 13: With the tourist season drawing near and a festivity mood in the air, Darjeeling police have decided to gear up security in Darjeeling. Superintendent of police (SP), Darjeeling, Amit P Javalgi said the police will intensify patrolling in various places of Darjeeling and also install CCTV cameras at 15 significant points in the town. He added that a 24-hour control room with multiple phone numbers for police assistance will be made effective soon. The announcements were made after the Darjeeling police conducted an interactive meeting with the Hotel Association of Darjeeling.

Sources said that the objective of the meeting was to make Darjeeling 'tourist friendly' and to establish a cordial relation between the Darjeeling hoteliers and the police. "Mall road,which is located near Chowrastha

does not have any lights.

Once it gets dark,the road becomes a hub of drug addicts.I request the police to introduce patrolling there," said one of the Hoteliers in the meeting. The hoteliers also requested the

SP to have arrangements made for electricity supply to some roads in Darjeeling, and to take measures against the increasing number of dogs in some roads near the hotels. Javalgi said he will pursue the matter with the municipality at the earliest. Another hotelier raised concerns regarding the speed of two wheelers in the area that extends from Chowrastha to Governor's Palace and said, "The road is used by several pedestrians, both tourists as well as locals and yet we witness two wheelers being driven in extremely high speeds."

(Agencies)

Cleanliness drive, tea plantation at Doomdooma

ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Oct 13: On the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Maharaja Agrasen, the founding father of the Agrawal community, a cleanliness drive cum tree plantation programme was conducted at Doomdooma cremation ground which is located at Kaliapani on the banks of Dibru river. On

LOST Biraj Konwer resident of Demow Housing coloney Sicasagar lost my the following documents One mark sheet (back) of BCA 3rd sem of 9th Feb 2012.

One admit Card (back) 5th sem of Jan 2013 (BCA) One admit card of 6th sem 2012 (BCA) One clear mark sheet of 6th sem 2012 All documents of KKHSOU (Moran centre) my enrolment number 0900410190

AFFIDAVIT In various important documents my name appears as Manoj Kumar Maheswari and that in Pan Card my name appears as Manoj Kumar Ladhar . By an Affidavit no 44077/15 before Notary Golaghat dated 12/10/2015 I would like to change my name from Manoj Kumar Ladhar to Manoj Kumar Maheswari for all intent and purposes.

Manoj Kumar Maheswari Kushal path Golaghat

the occasion of the 5139th birth anniversary of Maharaja Agrasen, various other programmes are being organised in this tea township. Harsh Perival, the chief convenor of the birth anniversary celebrations told The Eastern Today that a cleanliness drive cum tree plantation programme was conducted in the wee hours today at

Doomdooma cremation ground. The staircases at the cremation ground which lead from the ground up to the river were covered with mud making them slippery were cleaned as it was causing inconvenience for the people. The president of the Samiti Dinesh Goyal, secretary Bhawani Mandhania, assistant sec-

retary Damodar Modi and Ravi Goyal took active participation in the programme by sweeping the cremation ground.

They planted saplings of shady trees also. At the conclusion of the programme, the chief convenor Harsh Periwal thanked everyone and expressed his gratitude towards the Samitis' members for making it a grand success.

New York, Oct 13: Russian embassy in Syria has been attacked on Tuesday by insurgents who fired two shells, as many supporters of the Syrian Government gathered outside the compound to show gratitude to Moscow for its intervention in Syria. Smoke billowed from the embassy after the first shell slammed into the compound. (ANI)

sunrise) to make their day free from all misfortunes and ill health. Just before the day of Sitang MeiPee, the lay practitioners’ in the evening plant small branches of ma-kho (Boguri in Assamese) in their respective homes to avert any misfortune in their homes and also seek blessings from elders by phuk-mai (tying holy threads) in their both hands.

The Theravada Buddhist residing in the capital complex also observed the day with full devotion and

enthusiasm. During the day, the lay practitioners pledged to observe the five precepts and many also vowed to observe the eight precepts. Scholar Kesang Aryadhamma delivering his discourse, explained about the significance of celebration of Sitang Mei-Pee to the devotees. He also read out verses from Sutta Pitaka from the Tipitaka or Pali canon explaining about the importance of discourses delivered by the Buddha Himself on various occasions. The

Mumbai, Oct. 13: The six Shiv Sena workers, who were detained on Monday for smearing ink on Sudheendra Kulkarni, were released on bail here on Tuesday. Kulkarni was attacked for refusing to back down from organizing exPakistani minister

Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch.

Among those arrested were Gajanand Patil, Dinesh Prasad, Ashok Waghmare, Prakash Husbe, Samadhan Jadhav and Venkatesh Nair. Shiv Sena had been vehemently protesting against Kasuri's book

launch saying it would retaliate if the event was not cancelled, and true to their work, the organizer was attacked on the morning of the launch. The event, however, went without a glitch yesterday as the Shiv Sena showed no sign of interrupting the book launch. (ANI)

ASTRO FOR YOU Someone new in your life is going to make you smile; remember, however, that it doesn’t always have to be fur and diamonds. A song sung straight from the heart makes a greater impact. Today’s the right time to go out and do things which will make you proud later.

Today, your feelings and emotions will run high. There is a strong possibility of an emotional encounter with some close to you. You are likely to be swayed and influenced by the other in course of this meeting. Avoid getting into any kind or dispute or controversy. Confrontation is most likely to have adverse consequences. Later, you will become very nostalgic and lovingly recapture the times spent with your sweetheart.

You will be in the mood to pursue your heart’s many desires today. You will want to spend more time with your family and your children. You need to translate desires into action by better balancing your schedule.

RSS holds "pathasanchalan"

You may face unwanted events and circumstances. As a result you will feel sad, yet you will wriggle out of it with your efficiency. Put in efforts in studies. Remember that in success destiny is one per cent and effort 99 per cent.

Agartala, Oct 13 : The state unit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) organised a "pathasanchalan" (march-past) as part of "Mahalaya " celebrations here on Monday.The marchpast attended by 600 volunteers began from palace compound and passed through various area of the capital.

Later speaking to this correspondent about the march over telephone, state unit secretary of RSS Nripen Ray said that the route march was well organized and was praised by the police officers for discipline. Further he said that society is expecting many things from us. If we have the dedication and sacrificing nature we will be successful in life. He said the root cause for all the misunderstandings, terrorism and communal disharmony is lack of patriotism.

People work for their own benefits and selfishness. We Hindu brethren need to be united to strengthen our country and to save it from the terrorists, naxalites and anti nationals. RSS have taken oath to save the country from terrorism, naxalism and conversion. There are two types of people in our country the one who think positive and the other who think negative about the country. The negative thinking people think that there is no future for the nation and the positive thinking think that no one can defeat our country. RSS think positive about the country, no one can defeat us and we the members work in this direction, Ray stated. (Agencies)

It is a good day to renew old acquaintances and make new relationships. Your friends and relatives will probably visit you today. A jovial feeling will pervade your home. You may throw a grand party for your guests.

Buddhists observe Sitang Mei-Pee across Arunachal Pradesh Chow Bilaseng Namchoom Itanagar, Oct 13: Sitang Mei-Pee, a Buddhist celebration, was observed with great devotion by the Theravada Buddhist across the state today.

Sitang Mei-Pee generally marks the end of rainy season and is celebrated in the mid year as per the Buddhist Lunar Calendar and it is an auspicious occasion for all the Theravada Buddhists. On this day the lay devotees visit their respective Buddha Viharas for offering of Holy Scriptures Suktha Nipan or Sujidhamma-wat Lik popularly known as Lu Lik by the Tai Khamptis for the departed souls of their close and dear ones and to pay homage to triple gems - Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha besides offering food, flowers, candles, incense sticks in the temple.

A lay person on this day cleanses their homes, granaries and has early morning baths (before

Kulkarni ink attack: Six accused Shiv Sainiks released on bail

Sutta Pitaka is one of the many divisions of Tipitaka or Pali Cannon consists chiefly of discourses delivered by the Buddha Himself on various occasions. There are also a few discourses delivered by some of His distinguished disciples, such as the Venerable Sariputta, Ananda, Moggallana, etc., included in it. It is like a book of prescriptions, as the sermons embodied therein were expounded to suit the different occasions and the temperaments of various persons. There may be seemingly contradictory statements, but they should not be misconstrued as they were opportunely uttered by the Buddha to suit a particular purpose, he added.

To mark the day at Itanagar Theravada Buddha Temple a community feast was also arranged for everyone present during the ceremony.

Consummation of work and success will be the high points today. You will gain the much needed appreciation for your dedication to work and your desire to succeed in whatever you do. A long-awaited promotion may materialise today, and there is also the bright prospect of some monetary arrears coming your way.

Today will be a day where you will want to look good and feel good too. You will be able to attract people with your speech and your impressive personality today at social gatherings. Your social stature will also rise today. Romantic liaisons may take a serious turn today.

Today, you must spend most of the time in meditation and introspection. If you do not meditate, you will be surrounded by negative thoughts and bitterness for others. This may hinder your progress and growth in career. Simple living and high thinking may make things easier for you.

Your stars are mighty today and plan a pleasant day for you. You are a thorough professional and garner compliments for this attitude. You also have a knack to sail through all the troubles at work. This approach of yours is sure to win hearts of people and add some names in your friends’ list.

You love the people around you unconditionally and such emotions will be more visible now than ever. Today, you will want to keep yourself surrounded with your loved ones, make them happy and have a good time. Your honesty and sincerity will give depth to your existing relationships.

Today will not be your day. You will find it difficult to create a peaceful environment in your home and adding to the woes will your children who will be making things even more difficult for you to handle. There may be some family disputes also, and green-eyed neighbours will try to add fuel to the fire. Try to be calm and evaluate situation with mind not with heart.

You will come up trumps against your competition today. This will make you enthusiastic about your future prospects. You shy away from the spotlight usually, but today you will find yourself thrust into the role of a leader, as you take on new assignments. A progressive day awaits.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights

14-10-15 (WEDNESDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Hindi Language Lesson 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara(Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 7-15 P.M-Karpumpuli 7-35 P.M-Ujjwal Bhabishyat 8-00 P.M-Parikrama 8-25 P.M-Ghazal,Artist-Ghulam Ali 9-30 P.M-Serial Novel Reading-"Mouno Ooth Mukhor Hriday".

Author-Yese Dorje Thongsi Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

IFCSAP priest convention held at Naharlagun Khonsa RK Sarada Mission School girl Spl Correspondent Itanagar, Oct 13: The first ever priest convention was inaugurated by Prof. Tamo Mibang Vice-Chancellor and Chief Guest of the function by lightning the lamp on October 10, 2015 at Bharat Scout and Guide Centre, Polo Colony, Naharlagun. Dr. Joram Beda, Secretary Tourism, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh graced the function as Guest of Honour. Dr. Joram Begi, member CABE & President Vivekananda Kendra, Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. Tai Nyori founder President of Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) also shared the dais.

The followers of Kargu Gamgi, Naharlagun presented an opening song followed by chanting for universal peace and prosperity.

Shri Bai Taba, Secretary General IFCSAP welcomed all the guests, dignitaries, invitees and delegates in the convention. He appealed all the delegates to be convicted, determined

and dedicated towards the noble cause of protection & promotion of indigenous faith by taking inspiration from the two day programme.

All the guests and Chairman Priest Wing IFCSAP was felicitated by the committee.

Website of IFCSAP named www.ifcsap.com was launched on the occasion

by Chief Guest, Prof. Tamo Mibang.

Shri Gichik Taaza, Vice President (HQ.) IFCSAP briefed about the two day technical session in the house. He sketched a brief history of various priest associations; importance of Indigenous Faith and role of priest; community organization and priest. He also stressed on the need to discuss on modifications and rectification of traditional practices; indigenous prayer halls and role of priest; welfare activities for priest community.

Guest of Honour of the programme Dr. Joram Beda, explained the term “Loss of culture is loss of

identity’ saying that culture has to be considered from the larger aspects, as it is like a big ship and tradition is its’ anchor.

The members of Kargu Gamgi, Naharlagun presented beautiful a devotional song before the house.

While addressing the function as Chief Guest Prof.

Tamo Mibang described the priest convention as milestone in the history of the state. He said that everyman can not be a priest, it is god-gifted and inborn thing, it is not permanent; who will replace or refill the place.

In his presidential speech, Dr. Ligu Tacho addressed the house saying that being the president of IFCSAP, he has had the privilege to visit interior places of the state. While narrating the reasons behind conversion, he said that every human being needs mental peace and spiritual feeding which he/she get in the respective prayer halls.

Shri Tama Mindo, President priest wing IFCSAP

gave vote of thanks and said that the priest community is expert in healing and rituals but weak in organization and unity, while IFCSAP determined to do that with inclusive view.

The inaugural session concluded with prayer song by the devotees of Meder Nello, Naharlagun.

There were technical sessions on the topics “REASON BEHIND CONVERSION; IN RITUALISTIC VIEW”, “THE ROLE OF PRIEST IN PROTECTION, PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION OF INDIGENOUS FAITH”, “PARTICIPATION OF PRIEST IN PROTECTION OF INDIGENOUS PRAYER HALL” and “WELFARE ACTIVITIES FOR PRIEST COMMUNITY”, while the resource persons were Shri Talom Dupak, Shri Techi Gubin, Shri Techi Azad, Dr. Tai Nyori, Dr. Tejum Padu, Er. Tomi Ete, Shri Nabam Tata, Shri Nyami Nyodu, Shri Tabin Karlo, Shri Moji Bagra, Shri Tasso Grayu, Shri Jomro kena, Shri Lod Kojee and Shri Miali Sidisow.

DC takes serious note of low institutional deliveries Roing, Oct 13: Strongly reacting to the zero percentage of institutional delivery at Primary Health Centres at Koronu, Iduli and Hunli for the last couple of years, Ravi Dhawan, Deputy Commissioner cum Chairman of the Governing Body and the Executive Committee of District Health Society said that he will no longer tolerate the home delivery and cautioned the MOs to substantially improve their performance in the current year. He said this in the Governing Body and the Review Meeting of the Executive Committee of District Health Society in

his office chamber here today.

He further asked them to make all the Labour Rooms in the PHCs & CHCs functional and operational by the next review meeting.

DC also said to judiciously utilise the fund under Rogi Kalyan Samiti for betterment of the health delivery facilities in the PHCs and CHCs saying that the fund is not provided to keep it unutilised. He said that it should be properly utilised and also asked them to show the pre and post photographs of the work done.

He also asked all the Admin Officers of the outpost

circles, who are the chairmen of the Governing Body and MOs to conduct quarterly meeting of Governing Body Meeting of Rogi Kalyan Samiti in their respective PHCs & CHCs and also to submit the minutes of the meeting to DC Office.

Responding to the occurrence of thefts in some of the PHCs, he further asked the MOs to engage night chowkidhar in the PHCs. DC took serious note of the MOs of PHC Iduli and PHC Hunli which have reported 0% of Full Immunization (0-1 year) and 0% of Routine Immunization (ORS) up to the end of 2nd quarter

Cleanliness drive at Berung village

this year.

Dr R Mena, DRCHO Roing informed that Institutional Delivery in the district has improved this year with 50% by the end of 2nd quarter against 41% achieved during the year 2014-15.

Improvement has also been made in the immunization drive with 53% up to 2nd quarter against 41% in the last year.

Admin Officers and other members including Roing Anchal Chairperson, DMO, HoDs of work Departments, SMOs and MOs attended the meeting. (DIPRO)

son Mr Nabin Taki said that, once upon a time during 19902000, Berung village was among the most malaria prone village across East Siang. But after the village started doing series of voluntary cleanliness drive by bleaching the stagnant water/ponds, cleaning the drainage etc, the number of malaria cases dropped and we have successfully implemented low cost sanitation scheme given by the state government by 2009-13 due to

which every household has latrine today, added Dai and Taki.

However, the villagers appealed the concern government authority for a certain number of drainage facilities for 3-4 number of hand pumps. Speaking about their more cleanliness drive in other Bogong Banggo villages, Benggo Perme said that, the objective of the drive is to make our Bogong village neat and clean.

More than 60 women participated during the daylong drive.

Tejas, once combat-ready, will be able to outgun the Pakistan JF-17 fighters Contd. from Page 1

long-range BVR (beyond visual range) missiles and advanced electronic warfare capabilities. Moreover, the single-engine fighter has to undergo 43 "improvements" out of the 57 "weaknesses" detected in its maintainability, which will ensure it can land and take off again within an hour, the officials said.

All this will take another three years at the very least, further prolonging the already tortuous development saga of the country's first home fighter that began way back in 1983. Even if defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics manages to ramp up its production rate to 12 jets from the existing eight per year, all the 120 Tejas planned so far for IAF will be inducted only by 2026 or so.

The development of a Tejas Mark-II, with a more powerful engine, in turn, would be possible only by 2024-2025

at the earliest, with the production to follow thereafter.

Consequently, the proposed Tejas Mark-II for the IAF now stands scrapped, though it will continue for the Navy, as was earlier reported by TOI. The plan now is to jump directly onto the development of the indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the twin-engine AMCA (advanced medium combat aircraft), from the single-engine Tejas Mark-I, as part of the overall rejig of fighter induction plans. "DRDO-HAL will now fully focus on producing the improved Tejas as well as designing and developing the AMCA, which should start coming in by 2035 when the upgraded Mirage-2000s and MiG-29s begin retiring," said an official.

Tejas remains crucial to make up the depleting numbers in IAF, which is down to just 35 fighter squadrons and will reach its sanctioned figure of 42 squadrons only by 2027 or so. With a limited

range of just over 400 km, the Tejas will basically be used for "air defence" to take on incoming enemy fighters or "close air-to-ground" operations to support the Army.

The "strike packages" deep into enemy territory will perforce have to be undertaken by fighters like the Russian-origin Sukhoi30MKIs and the Rafales being acquired from France.

"But the Tejas, after the 43 improvements, will be more than able to outgun the similar JF-17, which Pakistan is inducting with China's help," said an official.

"Tejas will help in plugging the gaps that will further arise after all the existing 10 MiG-21 and four MiG-27 squadrons are retired by 2025. It was never meant to replace a MMRCA (medium multirole combat aircraft) like Rafale or a heavyweight Sukhoi-30MKI," he added.

Khonsa, Oct 13: Miss Likha Jiit, a student of Class IX representing the famous Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Girls’ School, Khonsa in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh qualified for the National Level Science Seminar 2015 after topping the State level competition held at Itanagar on 28th August 2015.

Further, she represented the State of Arunachal Pradesh at the National level Science Seminar 2015 held at the National Science Centre, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 8th October 2015. The topic was: Harnessing Light – possibilities and Challenges. About 28 states and 8 Union Territories participated at the national level competition. Miss Likha brought laurels to her school and the state by securing second position at the national level competition, with Tamil Nadu bagging the first position.

Her presentation was highly appreciated by the huge audience. She received a certificate, citation, books and a scholarship of Rs.1000/- pm for 12 months.

On the occasion, as a part of

the cultural function, she also presented a slide show on the culture and traditions of Arunachal Pradesh and spoke about the rich and varied cultural heritage of her state. This was received very well by the gathering at the National Science Centre. It’s needless to mention here that the students of the premier girls’ institution RK Sarada Mission have been performing brilliantly in the Board Examinations over the years. Apart from the academics, the institution is according top priority to overall personality growth of its students by allowing and training them to participate in other co-curricular activities.

Tirap Deputy Commissioner Ravi Jha who is also the Chairman of the School Managing Committee has congratulated Miss Likha on her brilliant performance and lauded the sincere efforts of the Matajis and the Teachers for guiding her efficiently. This news has come like a breath of fresh air for the people of Tirap district who have not had much to write home about in terms of academic achievements. (DIPRO)

Departmental seminar organised by Dept of Economics, WR Govt College Khonsa, Oct 13: A departmental seminar was organised by the Department of Economics, W R Govt College Deomali on 12th October. The theme of the seminar was "Definition of Economics: Continuity and Changes ". The coordinator of the seminar Mr. Chayon Bangyang gave the welcome address, followed by the keynote address given by Dr. Apurva Ranjan, HoD of Economics. The technical session of the seminar was chaired by Dr. AK Mishra, Associate Professor of Political Science.

The principal, vice -prin-

cipal, senior teachers and students from Government Hr. Sec. School, Deomali participated actively in the seminar.

There were eight papers presented by the students and faculty members respectively. Principals of WR Govt College and Govt. Hr. Sec. School Deomali respectively shared their views with the audience. The seminar was concluded on a successful note which witnessed much enthusiasm and active participation of the students. Mrs. Nuri Lego, Asst. Prof. of Economics gave the Vote of Thanks.

Main concern of Mishmi society...

Contd. from Page 1

Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Oct 13A daylong cleanliness drive at the sideline of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan was held at Berung Village by the Bogong Banggo Women Wing led by President Benggo Perme and Berung Village Women Wing. The cleanliness drive was supported by PRI leaders and village men folks.

Speaking about the importance of the clean drive, Berung Village Secretary Mr Olo Dai and GPM Chairper-

shines at National Science Seminar

He said that it is not possible to completely eradicate opium at one go and said that it will have to be a gradual process. In this regard, he encouraged one and all to come forward and take a pledge for its complete eradication and work toward achieving the target. “We will have to share the knowledge that we have attained today in the training and it should reach out to every villager and every individual engaged in opium cultivation or its use in any form. We have the duty and responsibility to inform them that it is harmful to society and future generations,” he said. The DC also appreciated all the anti opium workers and encouraged them to carry on their noble cause. The DC suggested that there should be an alternate livelihood for de-addicted people and a de-addiction centre should be set up in the District to provide rehabilitation to the addicts. DC suggested convergence of schemes of various departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, and Veterinary & Animal Husbandry etc to provide an alternate livelihood. Above all he said that since opium has so many traditional and cultural affiliations in the society and since it has now become commercialized the issue of opium is very sensitive and we will have to deal with this issue without hurting anyone’s senti-

ments. That is only possible by educating the people of the NDPS Act and by organizing awareness programmes with the help of Narcotics Control Bureau and by supporting civil societies and NGOs. All help and assistance will be provided by the District Administration and Police, he said.

Matters will be taken up in higher authorities if need arises, he said.

He sought cooperation and dedication from every responsible citizen to work for an opium free society. Intelligence Officers Pavan Baisane and Ruskin Talukdar educated the gathering on various sections of the NDPS Act where its violations can bring up to 10 to 20 years in jail or can be fined up to two lakhs of rupees. They also talked on the various sections of the Act where a land owner is responsible for opium cultivation under land owned by him and is punishable; and a government servant is also punishable under the law if he/ she did not inform the unlawful cultivation of opium known to them to the authority. They also enlightened the members on the harmful effects of opium in the society. It has social harms, legal harms, psychological harms and health hazards. Gaon Burahs are to report any unlawful activities and cultivation of opium under their area of jurisdiction to the authority, the DC directed. EAC Wakro D. Riba speaking on the occasion asked the members present in the training

programme to spread the knowledge and awareness to their fellow villagers so that maximum number of people for maximum reach out of the training on NDPS Act. He emphasized on working out on a collective mission and that is to work towards a society free from opium addiction and cultivation. Putting their views and concerns forward, various representatives from CALSOM, NGOs, Gaon Burahs, ZPMs, PRI members, students, and Women representatives also spoke on the occasion.

They all demanded for a deaddiction centre for rehabilitation of the addicts and also for an alternate crop as against opium cultivation which is gaining paramount importance mainly because of its quick return. They also supported the idea of awareness prgrammes where villagers will have to be made known of all the NDPS Act and the punishments and legalities involved.

Proper awareness on NDPS Act, its health hazards, and real enforcement of the laws by the concern authorities will only bring down the cultivation and addicts, they observed. Department Heads of Fishery Department, Horticulture, Agriculture, Textiles & Handicrafts, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry etc also talked on the occasion. They highlighted various schemes under their departments where a person can avail benefits which can be opted as an alternate occupation. (DIPRO)

4 gang of criminals arrested for stolen ATM machine Contd. from Page 1 Acting on tip off, Sohra police chased two vehicles – Tata Innova and Tata Indico- carrying the gang, who had stolen an ATM machine from the premises of M/S Morland Sootinck Service Station, Sohra in East Khasi hills.

The incident took place at

around 1 am on Tuesday, when police was immediately informed by the public, East Khasi hills SP M Kharkrang informed.

While the Tata Innova (AS 01 B 0042) was intercepted by police at 7th Mile, Upper Shillong, the Tata Indico managed to flee away and later was left abandoned at Moodymmai, about 20 km

from Jowai, West Jaintia hills district.

Mr. Kharkhrang said that the timely information from public of villagers of Lad Mawphlang, Mawkdok and Mawjrong had helped the police to stem the culprit.

He said these gange of criminals are those who involved in stolen ATM machines from Mawlai sometime back.

Sexual harassment on blind girl in Sonari, people thrash culprit, girl admitted Contd. from Page 1

“As her brother and father went out for their respective work on Monday morning, the culprit Phulen Tamuli, 50 years, and a resident of the same village entered the house and sexually harassed the blind girl”, a villager said.

At that time a relative of the ill-fated girl came to the house and after witnessing the crime raised an alarm by shouting after which people from the neighbourhood gathered and caught Tamuli redhanded. Accordingly, Tamuli was given a public thrashing; however, in between he managed to escape somehow. The

unconscious girl was then rushed to the Charaideo sub divisional civil hospital by a section of the villagers. The girl’s father has filed an FIR with the Sonari police station based upon which the police has registered a case. However, police is yet to arrested the accused till the filing of this report.

Largest hydropower station in Chinese Tibet operationalised, India wary Contd. from Page 1 India has been worried about China’s hydropower projects in the Tibet Autonomous Region and is apprehensive these projects could be used to regulate and control water downstream, leading to scarcity in the northeastern states. The sharing of river waters has been discussed by the two countries, with Beijing maintaining that it has no intention of obstructing flows into India. Indian officials monitor and measure the flow of water into India from China to ensure the country is ready for any eventuality, such as the possible holding back and sudden release of water by China. The Zam project was partly operationalised last November, when the first generating unit of the 9.6 billion Yuan ($1.5 billion) Zangmu hydropower station – positioned more than 3,300 meters above sea level on the “roof of the world” – started to work.

When the project’s first unit became operational, foreign ministry

spokesperson Hua Chunying told a news briefing: “The cooperation and communication we have (with India on trans-boundary rivers) is sound, and we are bearing in mind the bigger picture of the China-India good relationship. “We have been providing hydrological data and emergency management to the Indian side, which has played an important role in flood prevention and disaster relief of downstream areas.

The facts have shown that our assistance in these areas is effective, and the channels are smooth,” she had said. China has contended that the hydropower schemes are not strategic and only aimed at tackling energy shortages in the region. “It will alleviate the electricity shortage in central Tibet and empower the development of the electricitystrapped region. It is also an important energy base in central Tibet,” the company behind the dam said in a statement. When electricity is ample in summer, part of it will be transferred to neighboring Qinghai province, it said.

Cement concrete road to be proposed for Itanagar-Banderdewa four lane Contd. from Page 1 Doimukh-Gumto road would also be taken up on an urgent basis. While the onus of maintenance of all the National Highways in the state has been entrusted to the executing agencies, the State Government has released Rs. 3.75 Cr for immediate maintenance of Potin-Pangin Road (NH 13). The Chief Minister directed the department of PWD to immediately initiate correspondences for seeking funds from Government of India for maintenance of all National Highways in the state.

Tuki asked the chief secretary to ensure speedy clearances of land and forest issues pertaining to road and other infrastructure. He also issued directives to ensure security in

the work place by deploying police with a magistrate who would look into the security as well as the monitor quality of the works being undertaken. The Chief Minister asked the PWD Minister and Parliamentary Secretary to carry out regular inspections of the projects for quality and timely completion. He agreed for procurement of items for two Bailey bridges for emergency purpose for the capital roads as requested by the department. He however opined for procurement of Patcher machine to mend the potholes for the capita. While winding up the meeting, Tuki directed the department to tighten up their belts and leave no stone unturned to ensure quality and timely completion of the works entrusted to them.

IGJGHSS Class XII students suffer due to non availability of Economics teacher Contd. from Page 1 According to ABSU (E) President Lungkang Ering whose team paid a visit to the school yesterday and interacted with the students and the Principal, the lone economic teacher Lily Dai took maternity leave from the beginning of the session, but no alternative teacher was made available to teach the students.

“When we asked the Principal Tasing Tamuk about his effort in arranging an alternative teacher under such situation, he said that, there was no way out as Director School Education, Itanagar has already posted one here. But when further asked about temporary arrangement of a teacher through DDSE Pasighat, Principal Tamuk said that DDSE has no authority as our status are same”, informed Ering. The ABSU (E) on behalf of the aggrieved student community of IGJGHSS has strongly appealed to the concerned au-

thority to make immediate alternative arrangement of a teacher until concerned teacher Lily Dai resumes her duty on November. While serving a copy each to Minister Education, Director Elementary Education etc for their prompt action toward solving the problem of the students, the ABSU (E) appealed to the concerned authority to make alternative arrangement of teacher availability while granting leave to lone teacher.

The Class XII Humanities stream of IGJGHSS Pasighat has four sections in total out of which three are of Economics and one of Hindi. As per the student sources, the SecA alone has the student capacity of around 70 and the other three sections have high number of students whose parents can’t afford private tuition for their wards. Hence, department of education need to take note of the case seriously keeping in view the future of so many students whose careers are at stake now.

Tinsukia fire turns house into ashes, no casualties Contd. from Page 1 Cylinder blast is being suspected as the reason behind the fire as there was a loud noise after which flames glared through the sky. In the meantime, circle officer of Tinsukia Dhrubajyoti Bora told that they are yet to ascertain the exact cause of

the fire. According to information available, the house situated between bye 6 and 7 of Bordoloi Nagal sector 1, belonged to Tanmoy Borkotoki and was rented to the family of Hemanto Talukdar. As per sources, fire has engulfed the entire house destroying goods worth lakhs of rupees. However, no casualties have been reported.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

AJYCP block NH 38 in protest

ET Correspondent Margherita, Oct 13: Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chaatra Parishad (AJYCP), Margherita Regional Committee activists, irate residents of No. 2 Mulang Gaon and residents of other villages under Margherita constituency today blocked the NH 38 at Margherita for more than 1 hour. More than 200 people were present at today's road blockade programme who shouted various slogans against Narendra Modi-led BJP Government at the Centre and Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government in

Assam. Kanchan Bora, General Secretary of AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee said that under Margherita constituency, Gaon Panchayat villages such as Maithang Pani, Mugong Pather, Ritu Pather, No. 2 Mulang Gaon have been deprived of electricity supply even after 68 years of India's Independence despite several applications submitted to the Margherita constituency MLA Pradyut Bordoloi and the concerned authorities of Assam Power Distribution Company Limited, Margherita but all in vain.

He further added,

"Margherita 124 legislative assembly constituency's incumbent legislator Pradyut Bordoloi who was earlier Power Minister of Assam Government did not give importance to his own constituency in terms of providing electricity to these villages although during the last 17 years this is his 4th term as MLA." Earlier on 10th April 2015, AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee activists along with irate residents of No. 2 Mulang Gaon has staged a protest in front of the office of Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) Margherita

where the concerned authorities of APDCL, Margherita had given assurance in principle that power supply shall be provided soon, said Kanchan Bora. Again on 12th April 2015, a team from APDCL authorities of Margherita along with the local residents visited No. 2 Mulang Gaon and assured that electric poles will be erected and power supply shall be provided very soon although a long 6 months hence nothing has been done and the residents of No. 2 Mulang Gaon are still living in complete darkness, added Kanchan Bora.

If Margherita constituency MLA Pradyut Bordoloi and the concerned authorities of Assam Power Distribution Company Limited, Margherita do not provide electricity to No. 2 Mulang Gaon and other villages of Margherita constituency then AJYCP shall intensify its agitation. A memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister of Assam through the Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) Margherita.

Ulfa linkman arrested with arms

Protest by AASU in Dhemaji ET Correspondent Dhemaji, Oct 13: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) today registered protest against the Centre's decision to confer citizenship on all Hindu Bangladeshis who settled here after 1971 in Dhemaji. The protest was organized by AASU Dhemaji District. Terming the Centre's decision to grant Indian citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis as a "shameful act,’’ Lurinjyoti Gogoi, General Secretary of AASU, Central committee slammed the Centre. He said if the Central government does not take back its decision of granting citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis, then Assam will again face a second Assam Movement.

Riddhiman Sharma adjudged best debater

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Oct 13: Riddhiman Sharma of Class IX, Springdale School, Jorhat has been selected as the best debater (English) in the interschool debate competition held at Hemlata Handique Memorial Institute recently. He is the son of Mr. Surajit Sharma, HoD Department of English, JB College, Jorhat, informed Principal R. Rajesh here.

ET Correspondent Sonari, Oct 13: A Ulfa linkman was arrested with arms from Gormur Bengmoria village under Bihubor police station in upper Assam’s Sivasagar district during a joint search operations by a police-army team on Monday. According to information available, a army team from Maibella army camp on receiving an input related to the presence of ulfa cadres at

i n Ti n s u k i a d i s t r i c t a n d Chabua including Bolin Chetia, Raju Sahu and Pradyut Bordoloi and calling them 'murdabad'.

Later, the members of BJP district unit including district president Bhaben Sarmah, spokesperson Manoj Bora and others handed over a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Tinsukia Puru Gupta in support

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Oct 13: According to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India the draft voter list has been published for 95 Golaghat and 96 Khumtai constituencies of Golaghat Election District. It was stated in a press release by the Golaghat district administration. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Election) David Kumar Timung and District Election Officer Jitu Kumar Das told reporters that the draft voter list was published on 12 October at 10 am. There have been provisions for claims and objections for

ET Correspondent Nagaon, Oct 13: As a part of its ongoing agitation against the NDA government at the centre in connection with its decision to give refugee status to illegal Hindu immigrants from Bangladesh as a prelude to giving them citizenship rights, the Nagaon District unit of AGP gheraoed the house of Sri Rajen Gohain, sitting BJP MP from Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, today. Hundreds of AGP workers coming from different parts of the district assembled at Nagaon AGP office, near Nehrubali and moved in a procession towards the house of Sri Gohain. They shouted slogans like “Save Assam”, “Stop religion based Politics” and warned the BJP government at the centre asking it to desist from such divisive politics.

Samarjyoti Gogoi Sadiya, Oct 13: The district BJP along with Sadiya mondol BJP organised a huge mass rally as a mark of protest against the ruling government. The rally was started from Vir Liachit Stadium marching towards the sub divisional office. The ex secretary of AASU, Tapan Gogoi participated in the rally and said that Sadiya sub division was established in 1969 but still the sub division continues to be neglected. The fourteen years of rule by the Congress government has extracted all the juice out of Sadiya, he further added. The District BJP along with Mondol BJP submitted a memorandum in connection with various burning issues.

Activists of AGP staged protest in front of MP Rajen Gohainâ’s residence following by a rally in Nagaon. Pic - UB Photos

of their 11-point demands. The demands included drinking water to be made available at every villages and tea gardens in the district, deprived persons in the old pension and widow pension scheme should be taken care off immediately, the involvement of party politics in Indira housing scheme and corruption in the scheme thereby depriving deserving people to be stopped immediately.

association along with other members of the association. In this connection, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had earlier made an announcement in his speech during the budget session of the Assembly in 2012 that the state government would extend pension benefits to the employees of Gauhati and Dibrugarh Universities but till now it has not been implemented. LN Kouli, one of the

members of the association told the media that since 2013, Dibrugarh University had been granting the pension from their University fund but now they have stopped it. On March 7, 2015 a resolution was adopted in the general meeting of Dibrugarh University retired teaching and non teaching employees’ association where the association requested the DU au-

thority to implement the pension scheme immediately without any further delay with a view to mitigate the hardship faced by the suffering and indigent pensioners as well as family pensioners of Dibrugarh University and they have submitted a memorandum to the VC in this regard. Kouli said that they urged the DU authority to continue the pension from their DU fund.

Tragic accident claims life of newspaper distributor Contd. from Page 1 lost his life at 6 am today in an accident that took place at NH-15 in North Lakhimpur town near FCI godown. According to reports, a night super bus coming from Nagaland to Chilapothar bearing Registration No-NL-07B-0141 knocked him down while he

was coming to collect newspapers. Khagen who was a permanent resident of Chutiakari, was working as a hawker under Arun Gogoi, the Sub-Agent of Ratan Book Stall of North Lakhimpur town. The bus damaged ended up damaging many trees by the roadside belonging to an individual household after it lost control.

The local people blocked the

road for two hours after the accident. Later the CO of North Lakhimpur RC convinced the protestors to give up their agitation. Khagen is survived by his wife and two sons of five and two and a half year old. The Hawker Association and the newspaper distributors of Lakhimpur expressed grief at his tragic demise.

Dibrugarh gears up for Durga Puja festivities Contd. from Page 1 and eventual triumph over obnoxious buffalo demon Mahishasura and his hordes. The Bengali population of Dibrugarh are awaiting with bated breath the arrival of Maa Durga and now it seems that after six days their dreams will come true. The Dibrugarh market is being flooded with shoppers. “We are very much enthusiastic about Durga Puja because for one year we plan ‘what we will purchase during the Durga Puja’. This time however the prices are much higher compared to the previous year,’’ said Dolly Mukherjee,

a resident of Dibrugarh. As compared to the last few years, the prices of all items including textile, shoes and other accessories have shot up this festival season. Some internet savvy people mostly the younger generation are placing orders online. In the Dibrugarh market people are buying clothes and other items at higher prices compared to last year. In the Tibetan market, people were seen thronging it for fashionable accessories, but the prices have gone up compared to the previous year. “Our business is good now, but we expect it to go up in the coming days,” said Jiten Pal, salesman at New market. He said that during the

Preparation is going on in full swing to make the idol of goddess Durga for the forthcoming Durga Puja, here at Duliajan OIL Township. Pic - Rafique Uddin Ahmed

Huge gathering pays homage to Prabin Gogoi Contd. from Page 1 AGP Atul Bora, Minister Phoni Bhushan Chowdhury

Durga Puja, the demand for traditional wear is very high. With the preference for readymade wear growing amongst the consumers, those in the tailoring business are not happy with the way things are going.

Kripisindhu Deb at Babu Bazar said that till the last couple of years, they were flooded with orders, but this is not the case now. “People now opt for readymade wear. The orders are not to our expectation,” said Deb. However, the artisans are working day and night to make their Durga idol ready before Puja. On the other hand, the workers are seen working 24 hours to make the puja pandal ready in time.

and AASU Manowar Hussain criticised the state government saying, "The Government has not given state honour to the former

cabinet minister." However, the people of Golaghat have given the real honour and tribute to the 'People's leader'.

Auto-tempos on the roads a burning issue now, says Jorhat denizen Contd. from Page 1

Retired DU employees raise voice regarding pension A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Oct 13: Dibrugarh University retired teaching and non-teaching employees’ association today held a meeting at Jeoti Moral Sangha to chalk out an action plan in the wake of suspension of pension which earlier used to be granted by one of DU's own funds. The meeting was attended by the members of retired teaching and non-teaching employees’

the voters of the Golaghat and Khumtai constituencies which will be dealt with till 11 November from the date of publication of the draft list. All claims and objections will be settled within 7 December.

There has been an increase in the number of voting centres also. In 95 Golaghat constituency the total number of voting centres are 221 which earlier was 207 and in 96 Khumtai constituency the total number of voting centres is 158 which earlier was 147. Final voter list will be published on 11 January 2016.

BJP Sadiya rally

AGP lays seige at Nagaon MP’s residence on Hindu migrants issue

BJP stages dharna at Tinsukia Contd. from Page 1

the village conducted a search operation along

with Bihubor police and arrested Tridip Chetia, 33 yrs, son of Jogeswar Chetia from his own residence. The army has claimed that during the search conducted at Tridip’s residence one .22 pistol, 3 live rounds, some amount of RDX, 2 mobile handsets etc were recovered.

Tridip has been handed over to the police who took him to a Sonari court today.

Draft voter list published in Golaghat

But it’s a game of mudslinging between the so-called authorities," a denizen of Jorhat opines.

According to Satyabrat Baruah, a prominent businessman/social worker, in an exclusive interview with The Eastern Today said that young boys (even teenagers) are seen to drive rashly, many without driving licence, while law enforcing agencies watch as mute spectators. Several minor and major mishaps have already occurred in the past 10 months as over 300 accident cases due to rash driving by unauthorised persons have been registered. Often, a few are seen racing with each other in their attempts to secure passengers.

Denizens find it difficult to reason it out as to why the DTO or concerned authorities have been issuing permits to an excess number of autos and tempos overcrowding the streets, which often not only causes traffic jams but also makes it difficult even for pedestrians to safely walk on the

streets. Why are police authorities not able to control the overloaded autos and tempos and ensure that they carry no excess passengers than the permissible limit, as is being done in bigger cities.

On the other hand, few routes should be made mandatory for autos and tempos to ply, as they have no other transport services (e.g.

Lichubari to Rowriah/Jail via AAU, Dhalarsatra to Na Ali/ Rly Station, ISBT to AAU via Sonarigaon, etc.)

Moreover, few like minded denizens led by Satyabrat Baruah feel there is a need to check that autos and tempos avoid certain practices in order to prevent many minor and major accidents like suddenly stopping in the middle of the road to pick up passengers without any prior indication/ signal to prevent other autos/ tempos to go ahead to get passengers due to which other vehicles have to take the wrong lane (on the right) to overtake and cause nuisance or accidents and posing a threat for other citizens and often causing traffic jams; charging excess fare from passengers, as

there is no meter (if bigger cities can have fare meters, why not in smaller towns) or prefixed amounts stated/displayed on the vehicles; making trips only on the permitted routes, as written in the body of the vehicles and not on unauthorised routes; ;letting passengers to get down from the wrong side (right hand side); parking them in crowded intersections for extra time in search of passengers; vehicles emitting excess exhausts and not going through pollution tests and possessing such certificates; rickety vehicles not worthy for the road, causing excessive sound pollution and danger to passengers on highways; etc.

Auto/tempo drivers need to be given a simple uniform as is being done in bigger towns as often few of them are seen misbehaving with general passengers/citizens. Therefore, law enforcing agencies need to control such nuisance and menace of autos and tempos in Jorhat to prevent accidents and inconvenience of the general public, the citizens further suggested.

Assam Governor orders probe into alleged graft in irrigation dept Contd. from Page 1 The two complainants have asserted that since the year 2000 around 1700 crore rupees have been released by central government against various non lapsable central pool of funds for irrigating the agricultural lands of this district round the year but due to

extreme political manipulation, massive financial sleaze has taken place. “Practically nothing physically has been achieved by this department under the schemes which only exist in departmental documents; works worth hundreds of crore rupees have been settled without even advertising any tender notice in national news-

paper or official websites of the department concerned. Maximum fund has been swindled by the political heads of the KAAC and their loyal bureaucrats who are also involved in this financial scam since a long time,” said one of the RTI activists to this correspondent who has petitioned the Assam Governor seeking probe.

Six Arrested in Bank of Baroda's Rs. 6000 Crore Money Laundering Case Contd. from Page 1 by the Central Bureau of Investigation, sources said.

Sources in the two agencies -which have been working on the case -- said money was being transferred through 59 accounts at the bank's Ashok Vihar branch to companies in Hong Kong and Dubai. The money was disguised as payments for imports. A search revealed that addresses given by at least 50 companies for bank records were fake. Inter-

rogation of the bank officials revealed that some of the employees acted as middle-men for these companies. The men arrested by the CBI are branch head Suresh Kumar Garg, the branch head and Jainis Dubey, the foreign exchange head, sources said. The persons arrested by the Enforcement directorate include Kamal Kalra, Chandan Bhatia, Gurucharan Singh and Sanjay Aggarwal, who were allegedly involved in the transaction of 15 accounts. Mr Kalra allegedly handled the business for

a dozen companies. According to officers, during his questioning, he said he worked in the Forex Department of HDFC bank and used to get a commission. According to sources, during his interrogation, Mr Bhatia allegedly said he worked with Gurucharan Singh and both of them exported finished goods. Bank of Baroda executive director BB Joshi had said that the bank had detected the irregularities and alerted the Enforcement Directorate.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

REGION

Phumdi removal project likely to be probed by the CBI Imphal, Oct 13: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to investigate the project of removing phumdis (floating biomass) from Loktak Lake. Notably, the project was taken up at the cost of Rs 224 crore (approximately) which was funded by the Planning Commission. However, BJP MP and Manipur in-charge Prahlad Singh Patel raised a motion in the Parliament apart from filing a written complaint seeking investigation by the Central Vigilance Commission on the charge that several crores were misappropriated out of the project. In response to his written complaint, Central Vigilance Commission Director HK Beniwal sent a letter to Prahlad Singh Patel on September 29 informing that the Department of Personnel, Cabinet Secretary had been intimated to take up necessary action. Notably, the CBI functions under the Cabinet Secretary.

Briefing media persons on the issue of phumdi re-

moval project at their office today, former Minister and BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesman M Hemanta and general secretary (administration) M Ashnikumar said that they were confident of a CBI investigation into the scandal. K-Pro Infra Works Private Limited based at Delhi which was registered only in June 2009 was selected as the work agency for removing phumdis and beautification of Loktak Lake the same year. BJP National leaders have been investigating how Rs 224 crore sanctioned for removal of phumdis from

Loktak Lake was misappropriated. After BJP-led NDA came to power at the Centre, the Planning Commission was disbanded and in its place, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Ayog was set up.

Soon after, BJP Manipur Pradesh submitted a written complaint seeking thorough investigation into the Loktak scam. Even as the Prime Minister's Office demanded a detailed report about the issue from the Governor of Manipur, no satisfactory response was received, said Hemanta and Ashnikumar. They claimed

that the issue was raised in the Parliament after MP Prahlad Singh Patel was given all the details of the issue. As the Central Vigilance Commission has already referred the matter to the Cabinet Secretary, it is most likely that CBI would investigate the issue and come out with all the facts, they asserted. BJP Manipur Pradesh has already urged the authority concerned to book all the culprits at the earliest. The deafening silence maintained by Chief Minister O Ibobi who is also the Chairman of Loktak Development Authority on the

issue of misappropriating a huge amount of public money has only aroused more suspicion. To put to rest all the suspicions, the Chief Minister should come out with a convincing explanation, the BJP leaders demanded. It is rather disappointing that no irrigation projects are able to serve their intended purposes fully although numerous irrigation projects were taken up in the State. Whereas Khuga Project has turned out to be a big flop, Thoubal Multipurpose Project could not be commissioned till date. Relevant agencies/authorities would be asked to investigate properly into all the grievances of people affected by Thoubal Multipurpose Project regarding payment of compensation. Alleging that MPs/MLAs have been misusing 25 per cent of MGNREGS funds, Hemanta and Ashnikumar informed media persons that they have written to the authority concerned to investigate the matter. (Agencies)

'Will form Govt. in RMSA candidates to launch stir from Oct 20 Bihar with two-third majority': Amit Shah Nokha, Oct 13: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Tuesday highlighted the development in the states ruled by his party and said that the NDA would form the next government in Bihar with a two-third majority. Shah, who was addressing a rally at Nokha, Sasaram, said he is confident thatBihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would submit his resignation to the Governor on October 8 when the results are announced. "The nation has changed a lot in the last 25 years. Several villages have been electrified. Do

you get 24 hours power in villages here? Do you have access to hospitals in every village? Do you have access to education? You must go to the BJP ruled states and see these," he added. He further said that BJP is committed towards development. "Wherever there is a BJP government, the development has reached farmers, backwards, Dalits and Mahadalits," he said. Shah also urged the electorate to vote for Rameshwar Chaurasia, the BJP's candidate from the region.

(ANI)

Sanitation campaign concludes at Geyzing Gangtok, Oct 13: The comprehensive cleanliness drive at Geyzing to mark national sanitation campaign concluded today. Initiated under Swachh Bharat Mission on September 25, the 17-day event witnessed a series of cleanliness and sanitation events in and around the district headquarters. Gyalshing Municipal Council today organized a massive cleanliness drive in Geyzing which was participated by people in

numbers. They cleared the drains and debris in the town. The waste collected from around the town was sent to the dumping ground.

Municipal executive officer R.B. Bhandari said Swachh Bharat Mission activities will be given topmost priority and the council will work to complete the mission of clean Geyzing. SI Padam Rai said establishing Sikkim as clean and green State is the responsibility of every person in Sikkim. (Agencies)

PAGE 5

Dimapur, Oct 13: Nagaland RMSA written exam 2014 qualified candidates central forum has decided to launch indefinite agitation starting from October 20. In a press release, forum convenor Kakiki Z. Sumi and Ruvuotuonuo Ruth General Secretary said this decision was taken at a follow up meeting on Monday. At the meeting, they discussed about

repeated appeals to the responsible department and meeting with RMSA director on various occasions for the declaration of vive-voice result and conduct of oral interview for sports instructor.

However, the forum noted that till date there was no positive response from the department. Therefore, RMSA candidates were left with no option but to go for indefinite

agitation "until our demands are fulfilled." The forum cautioned that the responsible department would be held wholly responsible for any eventuality that could arise during the process of agitation. All the RMSA qualified candidates 2014 have been informed to be present at RMSA office premises 9 a.m. failing which "stringent action" would be taken. (Agencies)

Bihar polls: Mob violence at Ajay Devgan's poll meeting Patna, Oct 13: Around 12 people, including some policemen, were injured as police resorted to lathicharge to quell a stone-pelting crowd which grew restive due to late arrival of Bollywood actor star Ajay Devgan at a poll rally here.

Superintendent of Police Vivekanand Kumar said, a big crowd had gathered at the ground which became unmanageable with no sign

of the actor who finally came around 1 PM instead of the scheduled 10:30 AM. As the crowd vented ire by throwing chairs and stones on policemen, police resorted to lathicharge and at least a dozen people, including some policemen, were injured in the ensuing melee, he said. The actor, who was supposed to address the meeting for BJP candidate Sunil Kumar, finally waved

PM Narendra Modi's actions don't match his words, says Nitish Kumar Patna, Oct 13: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said the fear of imminent defeat in Bihar has forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to muster courage and talk of corruption as he had chosen to remain silent on the Lalit Gate and Vyapam scam.

"Rattled by imminent defeat in Bihar Modiji forced to muster courage & talk of corruption that wasn't in his discourse since LalitGate & Vyapam," Nitish tweeted.

"He's preaching about corruption and probity in public life, but as on all other counts here too his actions don't match his words," he said. Nitish further said, "We have all seen what he has done on Lalitgate &Vyapam. But when was the last time Modiji practiced what he preached?"

Prime Minister Modi has time and again blamed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav

and Nitish of destroying Bihar in their 25-year reign in the state. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also thanked the people of Bihar for coming out in large numbers to vote for the grand alliance.

"I thank people for coming out in large numbers and especially the participation of women in the first phase of the polls," he said. Fifty seven percent polling was

ITI, Lilong inaugurated Imphal, Oct 13: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh inaugurated the Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Lilong campus, Lilong Mairenkhun today. The inaugural event was held under the aegis of Labour and Employment Department and Hask Skill Development Centre (HSDC) Pvt Ltd. The Chief Minister during his speech at the occasion expressed hope that the new institution would help provide employment opportunities to some unemployed youths of the State. The Union Minister of State (incharge), Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, Salman Khurshid laid the foundation stone for the building on February 9, 2010. The Union Minister had sanctioned huge sums for the institute keeping in view the welfare of the minority students, the CM stated. The Chief Minister

CM O Ibobi inaugurating Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Lilong campus at Lilong Mairenkhun expressed disappointment with the quality maintained in the construction of the building. He said the condition could have been worse if the project was not handed over to the HSDC in time. The target group of the training institute will be youth who gave up studies at standard VIII or X owing to economic or other rea-

sons. Not all students, at the end of the course, can secure a job with visiting companies in the Centre, the CM said. The students must put in extra effort and invest more work in the course if they hope to secure a position by the end of the training. Discipline and seriousness matter in such field, he added. One of

at the crowd from the helicopter and did not land, the SP said. Earlier, unruly scenes were witnessed at the programme of Ajay Devgn at Lakhisarai and Khagaria as well. Biharsharif is the headquarters of Nalanda district which is the native place of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

BJP has fielded Sunil Kumar from the seat after he quit JD(U) and joined the saffron party. (Agencies)

the major priorities the Government has set is to generate more employment opportunities for its youth.

However, the State cannot provide white collar jobs to each unemployed youth in the State, he added. About 50 percent of NIT Centre Institute graduates have been successfully placed in major companies both in-

side and outside India.

Their achievement is the fruit of their hardwork and seriousness. With a view to encourage more students into the IT sector, the State now has set up an IT park and a IIIT, Mani-pur Centre at Chingmeirong. The State also designs to build another IT park at Senapati soon. Added to these, the proposed IT complex will also be completed by 2016 March, the CM said. The CM announced that not less than 30 security personnel would be stationed at the new institute coupled with 24 hours power supply. This institute will be a feeder for employment in the oil and gas industries in South East Asia.

Besides, the institute will also provide customized training courses to cater to the requirements of the upcoming projects in Manipur like the railways and other major constructions. (Agencies)

recorded in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections yesterday. The first phase is important for the JD (U), as out of the 49 seats, it had won 29 in the 2010 elections, while its then alliance partner the BJP had won 13 and the RJD had got four seats.

The second phase of the assembly polls is on October 16. (ANI)

Non tribals barred from partaking in Council polls Shillong, Oct 13: Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram on Monday said Meghalaya government will have to formulate a law barring non-tribals taking part in district council polls.

Oram, who is on a two-day visit to the state, said nontribals should not be allowed to vote in district council election and added "the State Government will have to take a decision on the matter". The Union minister's statement assumes significance in view of the recent protest against participation of non-tribals in the GHADC polls held on Monday. Oram visited three remote project sites where the Tribal Affairs Ministry is providing funds in East Khasi Hills district. He also visited Ramkrishana Mission, Seng Khasi School. He also visited the Nongkrem youth development centre .

(Agencies)

Mizoram govt mulling over Nagaland's districts observes week long RTI day handing lone airport to IAF

Lengpui Airport, Mizoram

Aizawl, Oct 13: Mizoram government is mulling over handing the lone Lengpui Airport near Aizawl, the only stateowned airport in the country, to Indian Air Force (IAF), state chief secretary Lalmalsawma

said on Monday. Talking to media persons, Lalmalsawma said that the move was initiated by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command. He wrote to the state Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla

on June 24 asking for leasing the Lengpui Airport to the IAF for 45 years. As per the proposal of the IAF authorities, the Air Force would look after the entire operational area of the airport while the state government

would continue to manage the Terminal building and the apron. "The proposal was discussed at a meeting between the state government officials headed by the chief secretary and representatives of the IAF on October six," he said, adding that it was a preliminary discussion and no decision was made at the meeting.

The strategic location of Mizoram, sandwiched between Bangladesh and Myanmar and sharing 722 kilometre-long international border with the two countries, has prompted the IAF to ask for using the Lengpui Airport. The IAF also has been proposing to set up Defense Radar System in southern Mizoram. Meanwhile, the Opposition parties in the state have been strongly objecting to the handing over of the lone airport to the IAF. (Agencies)

Kohima, Oct 13: Right to Information (RTI) week was observed across the districts October 12, on the theme, "RTI and Village Administration". In Dimapur, RTI week was observed in the conference hall of DC office, attended by village council chairmen and village development board secretaries of 12 villages along with women representatives under Dimapur district.

Delivering key note address DC Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome IAS highlighted on the importance of RTI as an important tool for any public seeking information from any government institution. He also educated them on how to implement RTI as per guidelines. Stating that no information was for free,

he appraised the gathering that each page has a prescribed rate as per RTI rules. RTI can also be sought in the form of CD which also has a different prescribed rate, DC informed. In the programme, SDO (C) and APIO P.James Swu gave a power point presentation highlighting on the guidelines of RTI. The program was chaired

by ADC and PIO Elizabeth Ngully. RTI an important tool for citizen empowered by the gov-

ernment for which the act was passed on June 15, 2009, said PIO and ADC Peren, S. Tainiu on the occasion of RTI week at town hall, Peren. She added that good governance will be effective with active participation of the masses. She said RTI came into force for accountability and transparency in the governance and to remove corruption in the society. The event was also observed at Kiphire at DC's Conference Hall with DC, A.

Chumremo Odyuo as special guest. He highlighted on the importance and values of RTI in a democratic country and reminded that RTI was implemented to ensure the transparency and accountability in the department. RTI acts as a tool to check corruption and to solve their problems, he added. Welcome speech was delivered by chairman Dr. Tinojongshi, ADC Hq. Kiphire. Vote of thanks was delivered by EAC Hq. Kiphire, James T. Tikhir. (agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

PAGE 6

Amitabh Thakur accuses Mahesh Sharma cries foul after being 'misquoted' over Sahitya Akademi crisis Akhilesh of personal vendetta New Delhi, Oct. 13: Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma on Tuesday said that he has been misquoted by a leading English daily over his opinion on the ongoing crisis in the Sahitya Akademi and clarified that he was only against the 'platform' which the writers had chosen to show their protest.

"These writers are the pride and glory of our country.

They have made the nation proud with their achievements but I want to appeal to them that the platform that they have chosen to voice their protest is wrong.

Law and order is a matter of the state and should not be

meddled with," Sharma told here. He asserted that the Centre fully supported the writers' cause for protest and condemned the killing of noted author M.M Kalburgi, but said that returning the awards bestowed upon them was not the correct approach. "The very organization that is honoring them with the awards is a non-political one. There is absolutely no politics involved. What they should do is write to me or to the Prime Minister voicing their concerns and we will always back them. I can become their voice and endeavor to ensure their

Karunanidhi questions PM Modi's silence on Dadri case Chennai, Oct. 13: DMK chief M. Karunanidhion Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the Dadri lynching case and attack on writers is sad and condemnable. "The Centre can't be indifferent to threat to freedom of expression and pluralism. Indifference is injustice; would become a black era in history," Karunanidhi said in a statement. Eminent writers across the country have returned their Akademi awards protesting what they called a "vicious assault" on "India's culture of diversity and debate"

questioning the silence of the Prime Minister on "this reign of terror", including the lynching of a man in Dadri over rumours of beef consumption. (ANI)

Malegaon blast: Special court rejects bail application of Lt Col Purohit and three others

demands are fulfilled," Sharma added. He also said that the writers should channel their anger towards a platform where their cause will actually be heard and suggested them to write to the state government or

Chief Minister. "They should continue to do what they are doing but they can try another way of doing so. It is their own organization that they are raising their voice against. If they want to protest they should do it on another platform" Sharma said. The Culture Minister was slammed for saying earlier that 'if they (writers) say they are unable to write, let them first stop writing. We will then see'. Meanwhile, the Akademi has called an emergency meeting of its executive board on October 23 to discuss the situation, (ANI)

Lucknow, Oct. 13: Suspended Uttar Pradesh cadre police officerAmitabh Thakur on Tuesday accused state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of personal vendetta by allowing a vigilance raid at his residence. "This is a brazen attempt by Akhilesh Yadav to insult me, Director (Vigilance) Bhanu Pratap is doing this on his directions.

I have registered an FIR against a person (Mulayam Singh Yadav) who never thought that his wrongdoings would be reported by anyone, but since his son is the chief minister, he is using all his power against me," Thakur told media here.

Questioning the timing of the raid, Thakur said "I was to attend court today along with my wife, and there is a raid on my home." Thakur had earlier filed a complaint at the Vibhuti Khand police station against the Bhanu Pratap

Singh, Superintendent of Police (Vigilance) G.S. Kanaujia and other officers, accusing them of "creating a false document" during a vigilance inquiry to build a disproportionate assets case against him. The Uttar Pradesh government had suspended Thakur in July, claiming that the officer was found prima facie guilty of "indiscipline" - having an antigovernment point of view and other charges. The suspension came days after Thakur made public an audio recording in which, he alleged, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had threatened him. (ANI)

Kashmiri writer Ghulam Nabi Khayal also gives up his Sahitya Akademi award Srinagar, 0ct.13: Prominent Jammu and Kashmir writer and journalist Ghulam Nabi Khayal on Tuesday decided to return his Sahitya Akademi award in protest against the growing intolerance in the country. "I have been watching the situation across the whole of India for the last oneyear since the BJP took over at the Centre. Certain incidents have been taken places which are aimed at spreading communalism and division in the country." he said.

Terming incidents like the Dadri lynching, the ink attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni and Shiv Sena succeed-

ing in cancelling a Ghulam Ali concert in Mumbai as barbaric, Khayal said any conscientious writer who believes in the freedom of writing, speech, expression and thought, would be advised to return the Sahitya Akademi award. "This award was given to scores of writers to recognize intellectual talent and contribution in the field of literature, but when we are being gagged and our expressions are suppressed, so, it is better to return this award and tell them (government) goodbye," he told here.

"The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is a party of illiterate people. Yester-

day, BJP activists said that writers returning awards are being moti-

cover up their own faults, blunders and mistakes. A literary body, Adabi Markaz Kamraz (AMK), on Sunday expressed its anguish over the silence of the Sahitya Akademi over the "communal frenzy" in the country and asked the award winners from the Kashmir valley to stand up and protest against this silence.

"The Sahitya Akademi award winners from Kashmir must stand up against this silence and muster courage to side with right thinking people," said Syed Shujat vated, who will motivate Bukhari, the president us?" he asked, adding of Adabi Markaz that they are trying to Kamraz. (ANI)

Gujarat HC asks EC to probe Shanker Chaudhary's alleged fake degree Ahmedabad, Oct. 13: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday asked the Election Commission (EC) to probe the alleged fake degree of state minister and BJP leaderShanker Chaudhary. The petition in the High Court asks how the minister, who received his Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in March 2011, got the MBA degree in 2012. Governor O P Kohli had earlier written a letter to the Gujarat Administrative Department (GAD) to inquire if the MBA degree of Chaudhary is fake or whether it has been procured unfairly. (ANI)

Gujarat riots: SC dismisses Sanjiv Bhatt's plea New Delhi, Oct. 13: The Supreme Court today dismissed former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's plea seeking an SIT probe into the FIRs registered against him. The apex court also dismissed Bhatt's plea to make BJP president Amit Shah a party in the case.

The former IPS officer had on September 14 filed an application before the Supreme Court, asking it to monitor all the FIRs registered against him.

Bhatt had earlier submitted a series of e-mails in the court, claiming that they reveal alleged collusion between the prosecution and defence in several cases related to 2002 Gujarat riots and the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter. Bhatt also claimed that the e-mails reveal state administration's attempt to screen Shah from prosecution in the fake encounter case. Bhatt, who had taken on the Gujarat Government over its handling of the 2002 riots, has been dismissed from service for 'flagrantly" flouting rules' with complete disregard to discipline. (ANI)

Pakistan rakes up Kashmir at any given opportunity, says C. Uday Bhaskar Mumbai, Oct. 13: A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday rejected the bail application of Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit and three others accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case. The three accused are Swami Dayanand Pandey alias Amritananda Dev, Rakesh Dhavade and

Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay. The state ATS had chargesheeted 12 alleged 'Hindu extremists', including Lt. Col. Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, in the case. The new special public prosecutor Avinash Rasal pointed out that the delay in the bail and other pretrial proceedings is the accused's own doing due to their pleas. (ANI)

Punjabi poet Surjit Patar returns Sahitya Akademi Award Ludhiana, Oct. 13: Punjabi poet Surjit Patar returned his Sahitya Akademi Award yesterday to register his protest against the growing incidents of intolerance and communal violence in the country. Recently, poets Jaswinder and Darshan Buttar, and prose writer Baldev Singh Sadaknama also returned their awards, taking the total number of such writers from Punjab to eight. Theatre artist Maya Krishna Rao returned her Sangeet Natak Akademy award on Monday in protest

against the Dadri lynching case and the rising intolerance in the country. Two eminent writers GN Devy and Aman Sethi on Sunday announced that they were returning their Sahitya Akademi awards, joining the growing protest by litterateurs over "rising intolerance" and "communal" atmosphere, and the "silence" of the Sahitya Akademi over the killing of Kannada scholar M. M. Kalburgi. Writer returned their awards after noted Kannada author Aravind Malagatti resigned from the

adventure was concerned, and to that extent, Pakistan will use every opportunity to quote 'internationalise Kashmir'," he said. He said India has consistently maintained that Kashmir and other unresolved issues have to be addressed within the bilateral context, as agreed between the two countries in 1972 when the Shimla Agreement was

New Delhi, 0ct.13: Defence analyst Commodore C. Uday Bhaskar on Tuesday said Pakistan uses every opportunity to rake up the Kashmir issue.

"On July 4, 1999, when Nawaz Sharif met the then U.S. President Bill Clinton, and it was really something to find some kind of a face saving exit as far as the Kargil mis-

Sahitya Akademi's Common Council. On August 30, two unidentified assailants allegedly shot dead Kalburgi (77) at his residence at Dharwad in north Karnataka. On Friday, acclaimed writer Shashi Deshpande had resigned from the Sahitya Akademy, while other six writers returned their Arulu Sahitya awards to the Kannada Sahitya Academy on October 3 over the delay in the arrest of the accused in the murder of eminent Kannada writer, scholar, rationalist and academic, Kalburgi. (ANI)

signed. "Pakistan has tried to project itself as the victim of intimidation by India, and, I think, this is where Indian diplomacy has to be alert to ensure that Pakistan doesn't get a sympathetic response. So, it is very important for India to expose Pakistan's duplicity about terrorism and the support of establishments by Pakistan to

Here's FLOTUS' favorite spotify playlist Washington D.C., Oct.13: In honor of International Day of the Girl, Michelle Obama has released her first

ever spotify playlist of her favorite songs. The First Lady of the United States has shared her playlist which includes

hit tracks of Beyonce, Diana Ross, Alicia Keys, Fergie and Demi Lovato. Michelle's playlist also include May

J. Blige's song 'Doubt', Alicia Keys' song 'Girl on Fire' , Demi Lovato's song 'Confident' among others. (ANI)

A few self- centered people are plundering forest wealth: MLA Arun Dey Balasore, Oct 13: The former MLA Arun Dey on Monday alleged that a few self- centered people are plundering forest wealth at the expense of the tribals. Addressing a media conference here on Monday, Dey said a vast patch of forest, groomed and protected by the local tribals of Sureisahi village under Baradiha gram panchayat, was bearing the brunt of mindless destruction. A local leader of the ruling BJD party has grabbed about 30 acres of forest land, about

30 acres has been given to the soil conservation department for cashew plantation, he said. On Saturday, the soil conservation department felled the trees to clear the patch for cashew plantation, the locals opposed to no avail. The agitated locals who had guarded the forest seized the machineries, tractor and JCB machines that were used for felling trees. The villagers informed the forest department alleging the trees were being felled without any authorization. The villagers also

detained a few forest officers. "The village forest was created and protected by the locals, mainly tribals. They depend on the forest produce. "They are opposed to the leasing of the forest patch for cashew plantation. They seized machineries and detained forest and soil conservation officials," Dey said.

"On the other hand a local leader of the ruling BJD party has captured about 30 acres of land and constructed fence around it. The approach and attitude of the gov-

ernment and administration is squarely responsible for the growing unrest amongst the local people and the tribals, he said. When contacted, the divisional forest officer, H B Udgata said, "the patch of land in Sureisahi is not recorded as reserve forest and hence the forest department has no role to play".

The local tehsildar, Ramchandra Kisku, when asked about the status of the land (forest or revenue), said, "I am not sure; I have to check it up."

terror groups against India," Commodore Bhaskar told here. " India has conveyed in most of the International forums that it will not be possible for her to entire into any positive dialogue if Pakistan continues its violations," he added. Sharif is expected to meet President Obama on October 22 in Washington. (ANI)

Pharrell Williams wants Hillary Clinton to be next president London, Oct 13: Pharrell Williams has admitted that he is supporting Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton in her 2016 presidency run as he wants a woman to be a president this time because women think about things in a holistic way. The 'Happy' hitmaker said on Ellen DeGeneres Show that he's happy to be a man, but loves women and if American will have a woman to look after that thought about things as a whole, would become different, the Guardian reported. The 42year-old singer added that people in the US tend to be so easily sensationalized so, Americans need a president who solve their problems seriously. In addition to this, even DeGeneres agreed with Williams saying that she loves Clinton as she has always raised her voice about gender equality. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Sri Lankan navy arrests China's Tianjin city hit by Landslide kills 17 explosion again, no casualties in Myanmar 24 TN fishermen

Colombo, Oct 13: The Sri Lankan navy today arrested 24 fishermen from here and also chased away at gun point several others for allegedly fishing in Lankan waters near Katchatheevu in the Palk Straits. More than 3,000 fishermen in 600 boats had put out to sea from here on Monday night.

The Lankan navy personnel came in 10 patrol boats and

sea bikes, threatened the fishermen and arrested 24 of them besides chasing away others at gun point, fishermen organisation leaders S Emerite and Sagayaraj said.The fishermen were fishing near Katchatheevu in Palk Straits, they said claiming the fishermen were fishing in traditional waters.On October 10, the navy personnel had ar-

rested 19 fishermen from Nagapattinam district on charges of violating the International Maritime Boundary Line prompting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take up the continued arrests of state's fishermen at a high political level with Sri Lanka. In another instance on October 2, seven fishermen from Rameswaram had been arrested by Sri Lankan naval personnel off Katchatheevu islet for allegedly crossing the IMBL and fishing in their waters.

Emirite said the livelihood of fishermen would be hit hard if the Sri Lankan navy continued the arrests besides threatening them while fishing in traditional waters. He also wanted the Centre and state governments to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents. (Agencies)

Myanmar foes to sign symbolic ceasefire

Yangon, Oct 13: A landslide triggered by torrential rains killed at least 17 people in eastern Myanmar and forced the evacuation of scores more, state media said today.

The landslide hit a village in Hpa-saung township in the remote Kayah state on Monday afternoon, killing 10 men and seven women. More than 360 people have been relocated to temporary relief camps set up at schools and a local hospital, the state media added, with more heavy rain expected.A number of people died in July when the country was hit by the worst flooding in years, affecting 1.6 million people nationwide. Myanmar's annual monsoon rains provide a lifeline to farmers but can also prove deadly, with landslides and flash floods a common occurrence.

The recent floods have devastated vast swathes of land in the country's crucial rice bowl regions and raised concerns about reaching voters ahead of much-anticipated November 8 elections. (Agencies) Seventeen people were killed in a landslide in eastern Myanmar which displaced more than 360.

China-Nepal border port disrupted by quake reopens Beijing, Oct 13: An explosion rocked a warehouse in the Chinese port city of Tianjin, two months after the massive twin blasts thrilled the city killing more than 100 people and injuring hundreds. The explosion occurred late last night at a warehouse storing alcohol at Xiditou township of Beichen district and triggered a fire.No casualties were reported in the blast last night and the fire is under control now, it said in a brief report. The explosion took place exactly two months after the

twin blasts which were stated to be worst industrial disaster in China's modern history in which 173 people were killed.

Yesterday's blast took place even though Tianjin authorities have initiated a number of safety measures to avert such explosions.

The twin blasts also disastrous for the country's fire fighting unit as 104 firemen were killed besides 11 police officers and 55 civilians.

Over 700 people were injured many of them are still undergoing treatment in hospitals. The blasts

ripped through a warehouse on August 12 in Tianjin Port, where large amounts of toxic chemicals were stored, including around 700 tonnes of sodium cyanide.It started with fire in the container terminal prompting a large force of fire fighters rushing to the scene only to be blown off by the blasts, which also destroyed several residential building in the neighbourhood besides about 10,000 imported cars of various companies lined up for delivery. (Agencies)

Kathmandu.Oct 13: A major China-Nepal border port at Jilung, a county in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, reopened today after it was disrupted by the earthquake that hit Nepal in late April.The road leading to the port finally reopened after months of repair, allowing the port to operate once more, Sun Lijun, head of the port's management committee, said. He predicted trade at the port will see explosive growth after a huge fall in border trade following the quake. Nepal has been Tibet's largest trade partner since 2006.The port, about 130 km away from Nepalese capital Kathmandu, used to be the largest port linking the two countries, but it gradually lost its clout due to weak infrastructure. At the end of last year, the port was expanded to boost bilateral economic and tourism development.In 2014, the foreign trade volume of Tibet dropped by nearly 33 percent year-on-year, largely due to a major landslide in Nepal that disrupted road traffic between Tibet and the Tatopani Port in Nepal from August to October. (Agencies)

Expat, blogger murder claims had same source: Expert

Yangon, Oct 13: Myanmar rebels and their government foes are on the verge of a ceasefire deal that supporters hail as historic but critics say falls short of hopes kindled by protracted talks.Political leaders, fighters and diplomats will gather on Thursday in Naypyidaw, the former military junta's purpose-built capital, for what is billed as a "nationwide ceasefire" to which eight of 15 regional movements are expected to sign up.The deal's backers say the agreement can be built on after elections next month into a fully-fledged peace process to end more than 60 years of civil conflict. But sceptics say the signatory groups are already in formal or de facto ceasefire agreements, while

those still fighting in more northern regions near the Chinese border have held back. Thein Sein, the former general who became president in 2011, has said the other groups will be able to sign later - although some fear the government may try to use the emerging split to divide and rule the groups.

Some of the groups involved in the talks have been fighting the military since independence from Britain in 1948.Min Zaw Oo, a top official at the Myanmar Peace Centre, co-ordinator of the ceasefire talks, said China had pressed some groups not to sign, according to media. He said Beijing was also unhappy with proposals the agreement be witnessed by representatives of Japan and

western states, which are vying with China for economic and political sway in a country at the crossroads of south and Southeast Asia.Beijing says it has "consistently supported all sides" in the talks. Min Zaw Oo later said his comments had been misinterpreted, adding that he was not accusing China of interference.China, Japan, the EU and India, Myanmar's other big neighbour, are all scheduled to be witnesses, after intensive diplomatic choreography. These and other public backers of the deal hope the pre-election step is just a start."It's a very weak agreement," said one person who has followed the process. "It's an agreement to keep talking later."

(Agencies)

Dhaka, Oct 13: The group that has claimed responsibility online for the murder of two expatriates recently also claimed responsibility for the slaying of several free-thinking bloggers earlier, an information technology expert who assisted in the investigations yesterday said. The IT expert said there was evidence the tweeters had received funds from the Middle East."Those trying to create anarchy in the country by killing bloggers are the same people as those claiming responsibility for killing foreigners," said Tanvir Hassan Zoha, director of operations at Insight Bangladesh Foundation and focus person of the Cyber Nirapotta Programme under the Information and Communications Technology Division."They can call themselves IS, al-Qaeda, Ansarullah Bangla Team, Jamaat-Shibir or whatever, but they belong to the same group," Tanvir said.He said "electronic evidence" showed that the tweet claiming responsibility for the Tavella murder

was uploaded from Dhaka's Gulshan neighbourhood and that there was evidence that funds had been received from Saudi Arabia.DB Investigators disagree with Tanvir's claims. They said they had not found any evidence linking the blogger murders to the foreigner murders and said the two types of incidents were completely different.Cyber Nirapotta Programme Deputy Programme Director Mohammad Anwar Hossain said: "Tanvir

worked on the programme until June 1, and helped the Detective Branch with their work with special permission."Investigators yesterday said they had put at least four people, including the person who might have tweeted the IS claim link after the Tavella murder, under surveillance.A DB source said 20 people had earlier been put under surveillance and three people, the likely murder suspects in the Tavella murder case, had been tracked down.DB

sources said they had found the person, identified only by the surname "Rakib," who issued the Dhaka tweet. Police have not yet determined whether he is connected to a militant group. DB does not yet have information on the Rangpur tweeter.The DB source said investigators had contacted Rita Katz, director and co-founder of SITE Intelligence Group, about the IS claims the group had publicised.The DB source said Katz did not provide information

about where she had found IS' claims of responsibility.

She told them she received the information through separate tweets issued the day the foreigners were murdered.Katz told the DB that on September 28, a tweet was seen around 1:30pm US Eastern Standard Time and published on the SITE website within half an hour.On October 3, around 11:30pm she saw a similar tweet claiming responsibility for the murder of a Japanese citizen and published it on the SITE website. She, however, declined to provide further information. On October 9, Rita Katz tweeted:"My advice to security agencies in #Bangladesh is not to dismiss these claims or deny the presence of #ISIS followers in their country."What's happening in Bangladesh, like other countries, is the effect of ISIS' highly effective propaganda and outward growth. "These things considered, are #ISIS' claims that surprising? Is #Bangladesh somehow immune to what countries all over the world aren't?"

(Agencies)

China meeting with MR termed a "courtesy call" US navy assists Sri Lanka Beijing, Oct 13: The meeting between China's ViceMinister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo last week was a "courtesy call", a spokesman for Rajapaksa told the media.The South China Morning Post said that adding a fresh twist to what would otherwise be a plain vanilla diplomatic visit by the Chinese special envoy to Sri Lanka last week, former China-friendly president Mahinda Rajapaksa tweeted a picture of himself posing with the Chinese special envoy.An endorsement of sorts of an old friend in trouble, the picture signalled Beijing's willingness to keep its options open in the strategically important Indian Ocean nation.It was also a departure from Beijing's usual outreach as Chinese envoys are known to restrict their interaction to government figures. The current leaders often complain that China had no channels of communication with them when they were in the opposition."This is the first time the Chinese have contacted Rajapaksa since he

lost the election in January," his spokesman Rohan Welivita told the South China Morning Post. "It was a courtesy call."Government officials refused to respond when asked if they were aware of the meeting.Beijing dispatched Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin to Colombo as special envoy to mend relations between the two countries, strained since Rajapaksa's shock defeat in January. The new government has put several Chinese-funded infrastructure projects on

hold, most notably a giant reclamation project called Colombo Port City that was inaugurated by President Xi Jinping in September.At a press conference on Friday before leaving Colombo, Liu said he had a "highly successful" trip, meeting the president, the prime minister and the foreign minister. There was no mention of Rajapaksa. Liu's unannounced meeting with the former leader was in keeping with his low-key trip.Though Liu told reporters that the Sri Lankan government had assured him

they will break the stalemate over Colombo Port City and other projects, he also let known his impatience."I joked with the Sri Lankan leaders that they have taken eight months for government transition, now they must not take eight months to restart the projects," he said.Executives connected to the stalled Chinese projects have expressed similar impatience to the Post over Sri Lanka's protracted electoral process that has seen two elections in eight months, even though there are signs the

government is sincerely trying to put some of the projects back on track.The government has also brought several corruption and criminal charges, including money laundering and the use of death squads, against him and his family.But down as he is, Rajapaksa still enjoys the support of a section of his United Peoples Freedom Alliance, which is split between his and President Maithripala Sirisena's camps. The Sirisena camp has joined Ranil Wickremesinghe's singlelargest United National Party to form the national government. "Without Rajapaksa, there is no opposition," said Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, executive director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, on the curious situation of the county's two main parties being in the same government. "If he gathers support and steam and the government lacks coherence, the opposition can get back on."And as China looks to get back on in Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa is a hedge it can hardly afford to ignore.

(Agencies)

clear underwater mines

Colombo, Oct 13:The US Navy recently concluded a two-week training session in Trincomalee to equip and support Sri Lanka's underwater demining efforts.

Working with scan sonars and robots donated by the U.S. Navy, the Sri Lankan Navy enhanced its ability to search, locate, and provide information on any unknown items underwater, including unexploded ordnance from the conflict in Trincomalee Harbor."The United States is committed to aiding demining efforts across Sri Lanka, whether on land or at sea," said U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap.

"By removing these remnants of war, we are helping ensure Sri Lankans can live and work more safely. This effort also increases the ability for the port of Trincomalee to expand its c o m m e r c i a l operations."This recent exercise is part of continuing U.S. assistance for demining efforts across the country, totaling over $43 million since 1993. In his October 8 meeting with the Honorable D.M. Swaminathan, Minis-

ter of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, Ambassador Keshap announced an additional $1.745 million in support of demining activities in Sri Lanka.U.S. assistance to Sri Lanka's demining efforts have also included the transfer of safety and field equipment, surveys on mine contamination for detection and land release, and mine-clearing operations. The United States is also leading efforts to boost Sri Lanka's own

demining capacity through training for mine disposal units in the Sri Lankan military, including the Mine Detection Dog and underwater demining programs."It was an honor to work with such a dedicated group of guys [in the Sri Lankan Navy]," said Leading Petty Officer Juan Hernandez. "Sharing my knowledge of these systems and seeing how receptive the divers have been has truly been a rewarding experience." (Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

Inking and politics Smearing and throwing ink as a mark of protest Sudheendra Kulkarni, chairman of the Observer Research Foundation in Mumbai, was assaulted and smeared with ink ahead of the Monday launch of Neither a Hawk Nor a Dove: An Insider's Account of Pakistan's Foreign Relations authored by former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. News reports quoted Kulkarni as saying that he was attacked by members of the Shiv Sena, which has opposed the event and has threatened to disrupt it. Impervious to widespread outrage and condemnation that has come its way, the Shiv Sena defended the paint attack and denied reports that it could call off the protest after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP talked to Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

The Sena, which co-governs Maharashtra with the BJP, has said that it will not allow Mr Kasuri's book launch and that any engagement with Pakistan is unacceptable as long as it supports terror. Last week, the party's objections forced the cancellation of legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali's show in Mumbai despite the BJP and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assuring that the event would not be stopped. The Sena's young leader Aditya Thackeray, son of Uddhav Thackeray, described the paint attack on Mr Kulkarni as non-violent. Mr Kasuri's book "Neither a Hawk, Nor a Dove: An Insider Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy" launched in Delhi last week and was to be released in Mumbai in the event organised at Nehru Centre by Mr Kulkarni's Observer Research Foundation, a think tank.

"This is not ink, but the blood of our martyrs on his face. He should feel ashamed for siding with Pakistan's chamchaas. This much reaction just because of a little ink on his face? You cannot stop people as they have pent up hatred against Pakistan in their minds," senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said.

According to him, his party has nothing against him personally, but banning Pakistani artists and diplomats who came to India was the only way of sending a strong message to the hostile neighbour. Also in November 2013, a man, claiming to be a supporter of Anna Hazare and the BJP, had thrown black ink at Arvind Kejriwal during a press conference. Shouting 'Arvind Kejriwal Murdabad', Nachiketa, who claimed to be BJP general secretary of the Ahmednagar unit in Maharashtra, entered the venue and threw a can full of ink at him.

Kejriwal was also attacked with eggs and ink during his Varanasi rally in March 2014. In January 2012, Yoga guru Ramdev had become the target of an ink attack. A man, identified as Kamran Siddiqui, threw black ink on his face at a press conference where he was speaking about a campaign against black money.

The chairman of Sahara India Pariwar Subrato Roy's face was blackened outside the Supreme Court a day before he was sent to jail in connection with a financial scam. Roy has been in jail since March 2014.

Turkey twin blasts Deadliest terror attack in Turkey's history The recent blasts in Turkey have shaken the entire nation and its neighbouring countries as well. At least 95 people have been killed and around 250 wounded in the deadliest terror attack in Turkey's history after two explosions targeted a peace rally in the centre of the capital. Twin explosions outside Ankara's main train station on a lazy Saturday morning targeted hundreds of people who had gathered to protest against violence between authorities and the Kurdish militant group, the PKK. Turkish government officials said the explosions were a terrorist attack carried out by suicide bombers but no group immediately claimed responsibility. However, early statements put the death toll at 86, but on Saturday evening both the pro-Kurdish HDP party and the Turkish Medical Association revised the estimate to at least 97, while the wounded numbered 245 or more. Immediately after the attack at least 20 bodies could be seen covered by bloodstained flags on the road. Witnesses said the blasts were seconds apart shortly after 10 am and were so powerful they rocked nearby high-rise buildings.

Few hours after the incident, one of the bombers was identified as a male aged between 25-30 after analysing bodies at the scene and taking fingerprints.

After the frightening incident, Turkey awoke in grief on Sunday and each and every citizen was in mourning. After the blasts, one thing became clear that there was no distinction between the terrorist attack in Ankara, which came just three weeks ahead of parliamentary elections, and the ones targeting Turkish soldiers and police. Like other acts of terror, the attack at the Ankara train station is taking aim at the unity, brotherhood and future of the Turkish nation.

The solidarity and determination that Turkey is going to display in the face of this attack will be the biggest and the most meaningful response to the terror. The prime minister's office banned media coverage of the attack, citing "security reasons", though several local media groups said they would ignore the ministry's orders. Access to social media services, such as Twitter, was temporarily only possible through VPN in Turkey.

The bomb blasts triggered many incidents of protest in and around Turkey. In Istanbul an estimated 10,000 people marched down the main central avenue to denounce the attacks. Thousands also took to the streets in solidarity in Paris, Strasbourg and Marseille in France, as well as in Zurich in Switzerland. It seems that the explosion will spark significant security concerns ahead of the parliamentary elections and fuel fear over violent outbreaks in the region. A rally for the pro-Kurdish HDP party was bombed in June, ahead of last year's general election, but this is the deadliest single attack on the country's soil. Turkey has been in a heightened state of alert since starting a "synchronised war on terror" in July, including airstrikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria and PKK bases in northern Iraq. It has also rounded up hundreds of suspected militants at home.

Which South China Sea Island Holds the Greatest Military Significance?

Hainan and China's unfinished frontier wars.

Greg Austin

We in East Asia are indeed living in peaceful times. That is the inevitable conclusion one draws in reflecting on the archives of U.S. military intelligence files from the 1930s and 1940s. In one document, Japan's ambition, declared in January 1941 by its foreign minister, was frightening. Fresh from negotiations with the Dutch for an oil concession in the Netherlands East Indies, and mediation between Thailand French Indo-China, he told the Diet that the whole world should accept Japan's racial idea of "hakko ichiu" (eight directions of the world under one roof), a nationalist slogan interpreted variously as a call to "universal brotherhood" (the soft version) or Japanese military domination of East Asia, and then the world, through a sacred or holy war (the main meaning as events came to show).

In 1945, American psyops teams-foreshadowing the collapse of Japan's militarist regime-capitalized on this phrase by telling the Japanese people that they were being invaded from "eight directions," a rather bitter irony for them.

At a more granular level, another lesson leaps off the pages of the U.S. archives, at least for me. This is a reminder of the role of Hainan in the geopolitics of the South China Sea compared with the much less significant, at least in military terms, Spratly Islands.

The history of Hainan and its strategic significance both during the long SinoJapanese war (1931-1945), and after, is not often canvassed in current discussions of the shifting geopolitical realities.

A U.S. diplomatic cable from February 10, 1939 reports the Japanese invasion and capture of Hainan. It notes that control of the island "would have a great effect on the matter of control of the South China Sea between the mainland and the island of Luzon as well as limiting the sphere dominated by [British] Singapore."

While represented at the time by Japan's foreign minister as intended to help "suppress the Chiang Kaishek regime," some in China correctly interpreted it as part of Japan's plan for territorial expansion towards the East Indies.

This action by Japan was met with far greater concern, as reflected in the archive documents, than its

annexation seven weeks later of the Spratly Islands on March 30, 1939, followed by its occupation of the Paracel Islands. Japan claimed the Spratly Islands were terra nullius prior to their being occupied by Japanese nationals in 1921, but at least two of the islands had been annexed by Britain decades earlier. These documents from 1939 cast some light on how the U.S. government viewed the sovereignty of the Spratly Islands at the time, since the Japanese annexation was protested by it. The scope of the protest however was not that Japan had no claim but that it could not annex the entire Spratly group, spread out over a vast territory and comprising quite distant groupings of reefs and islets, on the basis of prior administrative action in respect of a couple of small islands.

Of greater interest today in respect of the Spratly islands, is a discussion of the French annexation of several of the islands in 1933. Reference is made in one U.S. intelligence report from 1933 to

China's sending a warship to the region as part of its protest against the French annexation. The report notes that these were tiny coral reefs or desert islands, "a few are frequented by Chinese fishermen," but hitherto they "have been unclaimed by any nation and apparently mostly uncharted." The same report mistakenly says that China calls these islands the "Sisha," almost certainly an erroneous rendering of the Xisha (or Parcel Islands), which the U.S. document reports were claimed by China at that time. In 1933, even with Japan in military occupation of China and the U.S, Britain and France pursuing colonial control of diverse territories, the islands were judged to be insignificant.

Later U.S. official documents from 1943 concerning the post-war disposition of the Spratly Islands, once Japan was defeated, are a rich source of understanding how the islands were viewed strategically by the United States. But the overriding U.S. concern in the post-

war disposition was with strategically important territories. According to the excellent analysis by Kimie Hara, a 2006 book, The Cold War Frontiers in the Asia Pacific, several U.S. official reports looking at the disposition of the Paracel and Spratly islands judged them not to be of vital concern to any country, though of interest to coastal countries such as China, the Philippines and Indo-China, and to the safety of commercial shipping.

The first years of communist rule after 1949 were marked by campaigns to defeat Republic of China forces on the many islands along the coast of China from south to north.

In the first month after the declaration on October 1, 1949 of the founding of the People's Republic of China, it attempted to take Kinmen Island with a force of 30,000 soldiers but failed. In March 1950, People's Liberation Army forces began a campaign to take Hainan Island and after victory there in May, began preparations in June for an invasion of Taiwan, involving 4,000 motorised

junks and 200,000 troops.

The U.S. diplomatic position on the ending of the Chinese Civil War had been to remain neutral, a position which altered three days after the North Korean invasion of South Korea on June 24, 1950.

The Korean War and the accompanying change of U.S. position on the defense of non-communist ROC forces on Taiwan brought U.S. naval forces to China's borders in great numbers in 1950.

China cancelled its planned invasion of Taiwan. The decision has been described in a 1996 commentary as follows: "Taiwan was not attacked for the time being. The Navy command of New China had no choice but to swallow the first bitter pill of losing the opportunity for combat owing to lack of strength." The author observed that with the decision, the offensive phase of the War of Liberation ended, and the Navy's primary tasks became defense "against possible imperialist aggression and guarding the safety of the republic's coast."

For China, and for all mainland Chinese with any knowledge of this history, the claim for the Spratly Islands, like the claim for Taiwan, is seen (regardless of how we see it) as a the final stages of the war of liberation and national unification. The "island campaign" launched by Mao in 1949 continues. China only regained its islands of Hong Kong in 1997 and those in Macau in 1999 from two former colonial powers. For China, that war with Japan which began in 1931, and its own civil war which began in 1927, are not finished yet. China's ocean frontier is yet to be stabilized after almost five hundred years of foreign interference.

For China, and for all mainland Chinese with any knowledge of this history, the claim for the Spratly Islands, like the claim for Taiwan, is seen (regardless of how we see it) as a the final stages of the war of liberation and national unification. The "island campaign" launched by Mao in 1949 continues. China only regained its islands of Hong Kong in 1997 and those in Macau in 1999 from two former colonial powers. For China, that war with Japan which began in 1931, and its own civil war which began in 1927, are not finished yet.

China's ocean frontier is yet to be stabilized after almost five hundred years of foreign interference.

China will continue to pursue its claim to the Spratly Islands, but we must not lose sight of the fact that for China, the two great pearls of its maritime frontier in military strategic terms are still, as they were at the historic turning points in 1945 and 1949, the islands of Taiwan (36,000 sq km) and Hainan (33,000 sq km).

It was former leader Ye Jianying who was in political command from the Guangdong Military Region of Chinese forces that recaptured Hainan in 1950 and it was he who made the first peace opening to Taiwan in 1979.

As China navigates its understandable historical revanchism, declaring peaceful resolution of the outstanding territorial disputes to be its aim, it must be careful to avoid historical mistakes of others. Xi Jinping in Washington D.C. last month said that his dream for the rejuvenation of the great Chinese nation was all about the human potential of Chinese. This was a new twist. Most people in China see the China dream as more chauvinist, more nationalistic.

There are a number of Chinese commentators who link the rejuvenation ambition to the old Chinese doctrine of "tianxia" ("all under heaven"), characterized by "harmonious development" and unified under a Sino-centric view of world order. For me, "tianxia" sounds too much like "hakko ichiu."

I think we can be comfortable with the idea Xi Jinping rejects it, but his "human development" twist to the Chinese dream idea seemed a little too artificial, and too simply concocted for an American audience for my liking.

An Exemplary Tale Sir, It is an irony of fate that some government service holders of high ranking sometime have to swallow the bitter pill of humiliation, when they get posting at such a place where their boss is not at all competent, obviously the civil servants with their brilliant academic background find it tough going when they have to work under someone with his/her poor academic background. Again, with a poor academic background, too, one can make oneself acceptable. But the case we are referring to does not relate to the latter group. Normally, high officers with self-respect and dignity find it hard to accept anything which is beneath their dignity.

Kudos to Ms. T.Y. Das, Additional Chief-Secretary, an IAS officer of 1982 batch who could show her mettle by writing to the Chief-Secretary expressing her reluctance in working under the state Cabinet minister for Irrigation (Irritation?), owing to his 'bullying' tactic, requesting the Chief-Secretary to post her elsewhere. Of course, there may be some such officers who despite the humiliation are seen to work

under such incompetent minister only with a view to earning extra money.

The exemplary instance shown by Ms. T.Y. Das will remain an act of bravery. We hope others too will emulate her example rather than dancing to the tune of some incompetent ministers.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

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, Dibrugarh-786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

Op

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

158 Years Ago, The British Alienated The Muslims, Tragedy Is That This Still Continues Harshit Jain A lot of noise and media hype was created recently about the speech of Vice President, Hamid Ansari.

He spoke at the inauguration of the All India Majlise-Mushawarat Golden Jubilee in Delhi. At the inauguration, he talked about the problems of exclusion and discrimination minorities face. He said these issues have to be corrected by the State and reminded the Government the promise of "Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas" it had made. Opposition and media cursed the Government again, but nobody was interested in the big picture, and the issues raised by Mr. Vice President. Nobody thought about the identity, security, education and empowerment of not only Muslims but of the complete nation.

I think to solve any prob-

lem you need to look back into history and analyse how and why it originated.

Only then we will be able to look for solutions that would ensure that history is not repeated. So, the question here is how did the community, which ruled the Indian sub-continent for than 600 years, become so impoverished. According to Sachar Committee, the status of Indian Muslims is below the conditions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The Nawabs were known globally for their luxurious lives. But the scenario changed after the revolt of 1857. The last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Jafar was made the titular head behind which the forces rallied. The aftermath of this revolt was disastrous, especially for the Muslim community. The British felt that Muslims

were responsible for the uprising and for vengeance, plundered the community areas, seized their properties and wealth, and also hanged many. Those who favored the Britishers were rewarded, especially those who did not want Muslims to rule once again over the country. Many Muslim soldiers and officials were removed from the army and other government services.

Thereafter through a series of new policies, the British tried to weaken further the community by discouraging modern education for Muslims. This led to the alienation of Muslims from the mainstream and left only a minuscule representation of them in various fields at the national level.

After independence, not much has changed. In fact, the radical elements have only become stronger. Most of the policies are not

implemented effectively, and common people do not get real benefits. We need to look for new policies and reforms for the betterment of the community. All political parties need to work with true commitment instead of playing 'secular' card politics for increasing their vote bank. We have to build confidence in the community so that fear can be eliminated. Events like Dadri do no good for the majority or any other group but only harm the country as a whole. The solution is we need to fill the gap created by British and bring the community closer to the mainstream. Also, Muslim leaders and representatives need to work honestly for the upliftment and education of the community. And if we all work together we can progress unitedly and achieve "Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas".

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A Year Ago, The Govt. Promised A Mental Healthcare Bill, What Happened To It? Kundan Pandey A year after it promised to do several things to improve mental health in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre seems to have hardly made any progress on the issue Last year, on the occasion of World Mental Health Day (October 10), the then Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan, had assured that the government was very serious on the subject. He had unveiled "Mental Health Action Plan 365? to speed up government efforts on mental health over the next year. However, nothing has happened on the ground.

"A year later, the government does not even remember its promise on the subject," says Abdul Mabood, rector of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Behavioural Science and director of SNEHI, a group working for children.

The Mental Health Care Bill which was in the Rajya Sabha, was sent to the department-related standing committee. Since then, there has been no update on the subject, Mabood added.

For decades, India has largely ignored mental illness. The government spends 0.06 percent of its health budget on mental health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Mental Health

Atlas of 2011. WHO has predicted that about 20 percent of India's population would suffer from some form of mental illness by 2020.

Not only this, the country has only about 3,500 psychiatrists. Therefore, the government is confronted with the problem of lowering this gap significantly over the next decade, Harsh Vardhan had noted in his speech.

He had also said that the poor were more affected by mental ill-health than the rich. "The bi-directional relationship of mental illhealth and poverty is evident in many reports, including the World Disability Report, 2010, that places persons with mental disabilities at the bottom of the pyramid. This alerts us to what could become a health crisis with damaging con-

sequences for society."

A research published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in February 2015, found a strong association between poverty and stigma for those suffering from serious mental illness.

Researchers from, India, the UK and the US had selected case studies from India's National Capital Region (NCR) during November 2011 to June 2012.

As many as 647 individuals (subjects) were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

These were termed as persons suffering from severe mental illness (PSMI).

The researchers found that poverty was strongly associated with stigma. The study suggested that a significant interaction between stigma, mental illness and gender or caste indicated that female PSMI

or PSMI from 'lower castes' were more likely to be poor due to stigma.

The BJP-led government had set certain targets for itself: enacting the Mental Health Care Bill and implementing the national and district mental health programmes. Other important tasks included the integration of mental health education and services in general health programmes, setting up a mechanism for periodic and regular review of mental health action points and also to increase resource allocation for mental health programmes, plans and action. But, all these were planned either during the UPA government or the first few months of the BJPled government. In the last one year, the issue has been put on the back-burner.

Over 150K Families In Assam Displaced, But The State Doesn't See That As A Problem Amarjyoti Borah For seven years, Abdur Khan has been calling the makeshift camp, a thatched one room on an embankment, his home. A resident of Assam's Balimukh village in Morigaon district, he moved out of his village along with his wife and two children. "We were a prosperous farming family with 9.6 hectares (ha) of cultivable land, a power tiller and a house. Today, I work as a daily labourer," says Khan. The land that Khan owned started to degrade during the floods in 1998.

"We never thought that the entire land will be degraded.

But the Brahmaputra completely engulfed our land during the 2007 floods," he says, his voice choked with emotion.

Khan is not alone. State government data shows over 150,000 families have been displaced in the past decade due to soil erosion in the state, and 37,000 of the families have been rendered homeless in the past five years. About 100 families live along with Khan.

With each flood and with every bit of land eroded, new camps are fast cropping up. The state government doesn't keep record of them as these are not official camps. These people don't even have basic amenities."You can call it a life sans any recognition," says Khan. There are hundreds of such camps across the mighty Brahmaputra and several other rivers in the state.

Currently, the state is facing one of its worst floods in recent decades. Some three million people have been affected in 80 percent of the state by floods in the last six months. Floods are not new, and land erosion is a recognised problem in the state. Assam loses 8,000 ha of land to rivers like the Brahmaputra and the Barak and their tributaries every year (see 'Eroded').

The width of river Brahmaputra has increased by up to 15 km at some places due to bank erosion.

According to experts, though Assam has always been vulnerable to floods, the Great Earthquake of 1950 led to massive changes fostering erosion.

"The river became more unstable after the earthquake and the shifting of channels and erosion became more severe and frequent,"says Parthajyoti Das of Aaranyak, a Guwahati-based organisation working on environment.

Chronic Erosion However, in a criminal interpretation of government provisions, the state government refuses to take up rehabilitation of erosioninduced displaced people.

By law, flood is recognised as a natural calamity, thus qualifying for relief and rehabilitation. But, the resulting soil erosion is not treated as a calamity.

The government has not set up even a single relief camp till date for the erosion-affected families. The displaced people set up their own camps. A 2014 study, Disaster recovery and resilience: Case study of Assam

floods, by Sneha Krishnan, a PhD candidate at University College, London, says government assistance is only limited to immediate relief as long as families are living in state-run flood camps. Such camps are temporary and for those who can come back to homes after the flood recedes. "It is not only the state, even humanitarian agencies were not forthcoming to support or assistas many considered erosion to be a chronic problem," says the report.

However, the state government is aware of the everexpanding unofficial camps. Assam Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman told Down To Earth that there should be around 30,000 makeshift camps in the state where erosion-affected people are staying.

"We do not have comprehensive data because the camps have been set up by the people and not by the state government," he adds.

The actual figure could be much higher, say experts.

"There are close to 100,000 erosion-affected people in Dhemaji, Morigaon, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts alone," says Sosi Bordoloi of Women Devel-

opment Centre, a nonprofit based in Guwahati.

More Bad News This year, the population of the unofficial camps is set to swell due to the current floods. "The flood has been very severe, and several new areas have been flooded," says Basanta Das, Assam's water resource minister."Over 1.6 million people residing in 2,000 villages have been affected this year. More than 226,000 people displaced by floods have been shifted to relief camps across Assam," says Das. But, will these people come back to their homes? State officials say several villages have been completely swallowed by the Brahmaputra this year. For example, nothing remains of Mikirgaon and Jotiapur villages in Morigaon district. This means that these people will scavenge every possible vacant land and settle in makeshift shelters. Soon nobody will recognise them.

The 230-odd families who were residing in these two villages have now set up camps on embankments nearby. Mikirgaon resident Purnakanta Basumatary says he has lost everything to the floods. The 56-year-

old farmer says he had a big house and a comfortable living. All that remains of his belongings is a car that is parked outside the camp.

"I do not know what the future holds for us. All that I had earned in my lifetime has been reduced to nothing," he says. "We have no other option but to wait here, as we have lost all our land with no government help in sight. The best option for us is to make the embankment our new home," says 45-year-old Jishu Hazarika, who recently shifted along with his wife and two children.

Relief Tremors The unofficial camps may also soon crumble. Most of these camps are located on embankments constructed to hold back water from rivers. Experts warn that most of these embankments are old and now highly prone to breaches. "There are a total of 449 embankments in Assam covering an area of about 4,350 km. The state water resource department has identified 950 km of these embankments as extremely vulnerable and about 2,390 km embankments as vulnerable to flood and erosion," says Luit Goswami of Rural Volunteer Centre, a non-profit based in the flood-ravaged district of Dhemaji Former Assam Water Resource Minister Bharat Chandra Narah says most embankments and other flood protection measures had overshot their effectiveness period. "Most of the embankments along the Brahmaputra and its tributaries were constructed between 1965 and 1995, and they have already crossed their period of effectiveness," Narah adds.

Goswami says the life span of an embankment is not more than 20 years, but most of the embankments in the state are over 45 years old. "The embankments have weakened and are not able to withstand the high thrust of floods,"

he says.

Families living in the camps know about the threat, but they say they have nowhere else to go.

"In their local history, many embankments have been washed away in the past 2030 years. In recent years, the embankments could hold for only one or two years. In Morigaon in 2013, the newly-built embankment was breached and villages were inundated. The communities were concerned that the delineation of embankment layout happened without relocation and resettlement plans of the government in place," says the 2014 report.

Living On Hope This March, the state government took the first step towards recognising these camps. It declared a special scheme in the chief minister's name to rehabilitate erosion affected families. "The government has allocated Rs.5 crore in the current year's budget for the scheme," says Bhumidhar Barman, Assam's revenue and disaster management minister. The implementation of the scheme will take time as the first big challenge for the government is to identify the camps. "As per the information re-

ceived from 15 districts, some landless people affected by erosion are now living in other parts. Some are living on embankments and onroadside, while others are living on leased land," he says. In these 15 districts, 880 villages eroded completely and 67 villages were eroded partially. The state has to search for these people.

Acknowledging the problem of erosion is the first logical step, say experts.

This will enable the state government to start investing for the rehabilitation of the families. The state government has so far failed to utilise its disaster fund.

"The Assam government has Rs.1,425.45 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund, which is yet to be utilised," says Sarbananada Sonowal, Union sports minister and MP from Assam.

The next step, say experts, has to be towards mitigation to reduce erosion. The 2011 Committee for Developing Mitigation Strategies for Brahmaputra River Basin Flood and Erosion Problem, which had experts from Assam and the US, found the key reasons for erosion were "aggradation" (raising of the river bed due

to sediment deposition), intense "braiding" and large water discharge. The committee suggested a combination of measures including strategic dredging, protection of erodible bank materials with anchored bulkhead or tie-back sheet piles, spurs, toe and bank revetments.

It also suggested improvement of data quality and quantity by extending rain, flow and sediment monitoring network using state-ofthe-art equipment and considering physical modelling to study severe and potential scour sites.

Meanwhile, the displaced families continue to live under the fear of eviction.

They also live in the hope that their leaders will soon provide them with land for rehabilitation. "Leaders from all political parties visit us before each elections, be it the Lok Sabha, the state Assembly or the Panchayat elections. They pay us Rs.100-500 and assure us that we will get land soon. Most of us are hoping that the leaders will deliver on their promises," says Rahim Ali, who lives next to Khan in the camp at Balimukh village.

"Till that time, we are on our own."

BUSINESS

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

Imported tur dal to hit markets from October 15, fresh tender floated Mumbai, Oct 13: Even as the Centre floated a fresh tender for import of 2,000 tonnes of tur dal to augment supplies, the Staterun Kendriya Bhandars and Safal outlets will start selling earlier stocks of imported arhar from October 15. The fresh imports will be delivered by next month to ease the situation during the festival season. The price of tur dal has multiplied several-fold on account of shortfall in production taking the price of the pulse to about Rs.150 per kg in Delhi markets.

The government is still working out its pricing for the imported dal but Kendriya Bhandar and Safal will lift their supplies before milling at Rs.69 per kg. However, what will come to the market will include cost of processing, packaging as well as transportation. Sources said the price would be lower than the retail market price.

These decisions were taken at a meeting of an inter-

ministerial committee, headed by Consumer Affairs Secretary C. Vishwanath. The panel reviewed the pulses price situation. To control pulses prices in other states, imported dal has been allocated to states as per their request. Allocations to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have been made, the statement said. MTC has contracted to import 5,000

tonnes of tur dal, out of which 3,250 tonnes have landed at Chennai and Mumbai ports. The public sector firm has separately contracted to import 5,000 tonnes of urad. The panel agreed to appoint an independent agency of experts for prior forecast of availability for effective and timely market intervention, an official press note said.

(Agencies)

Pet food brand 'Eukanuba' launched in India

Mumbai, Oct 13: Mars International India, the wholly-owned arm of USbased chocolate maker

Mars Inc, has launched its international pet food brand 'Eukanuba' in the domestic market. Mars had

acquired Eukanuba from The Procter & Gamble.

"Eukanuba is a well established brand and is trusted by pet owners' across the world. It has a wider portfolio in terms of variants, textures and flavours for special needs of the pets," Mars India Corporate Affairs Director Nitin Kulkarni said in a statement. "With Eukanuba coming on board, we hope to satisfy the needs of our customers and pets around the world by offering them high quality products," he added.

Eukanuba will be available 1kg, 3kg and 15kg packs in specialist channels, in all metros and across major cities. The brands from Mars International stable includes chocolates like M&M's, Snickers, Dove, Galaxy, Mars, Bounty, Milky Way and Twix, while the pet care brands are Pedigree, Whiskas, Sheba, Cesar and Royal Canin. (Agencies)

OnePlus partners Foxconn for local assembly in India Mumbai, Oct 13: Chinese handset company OnePlus said it has partnered Foxconn to commence local assembly operations in India, which is one of the world's fastest growing smartphone markets. The first batch of smartphones produced from Foxconn's Sri City facility in Andhra Pradesh will be commercially available by end of this year. "Producing smartphones in India is one of the most important decisions that we have made so far at OnePlus, and we are thankful to the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Foxconn for helping us make this happen," OnePlus founder and CEO Pete Lau said in a statement. "India being one of our biggest markets worldwide, we are committed to

should help sustain the momentum in the months ahead. Data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Monday showed growth in industrial output was 6.4% in August, higher than previous month's downwardly revised 4.1% and 0.5% in August 2014.

Industrial output grew 8.4% in October 2012. The robust performance of the capital goods, consumer durables and consumer goods sectors added to the strength of the August numbers, which reinforced the view that the economy was showing signs of a turnaround. Sectors like gems and jewellery, cable, rubber insulated, electricity, mining and apparels

contributed positively to the August data. Separate data showed retail inflation rose marginally in September to 4.41% from the previous month's 3.74% on the back of some rise in food inflation but still remained below the RBI's comfort level. Economists said they expect industrial growth to sustain momentum as signs of a turnaround were visible. They said higher level of demand in the upcoming festival season is expected to lend weight to the turnaround of the sector.

"Industrial production jumped in the month of August on the back of impressive performance in the manufacturing side, while a positive base effect also

A THREE-YEAR HIGH Ø Overall economic growth is expected to be in the 7.5-8% range in the current financial year. Ø Data released by the CSO showed growth in industrial output was 6.4% in August, higher than previous month's downwardly revised 4.1% and 0.5% in August 2014. Ø Industrial output grew 8.4% in October 2012. Ø Separate data showed retail inflation rose marginally in September to 4.41% from the previous month's 3.74% on the back of some rise in food inflation but still remained be-

low the RBI's comfort level. Ø The manufacturing sector rose 6.9% in August compared with a decline of 1.1% in the same month a year earlier, while mining grew 3.8% year-onyear compared to a 1.2% expansion in August 2014.

Ø The consumer durables sector shot up 17% compared to a decline of 15% in the year earlier month, while the consumer goods sector rose 6.8% in August compared to a contraction of 6.2% in August 2014.

a long-term sustainable growth path. This move will strengthen our presence and help us step up momentum in India," he added. Mr. Lau said local production will make the company's operations more efficient in terms of cost and working capital requirements and also help in making its products available for sale faster than before. Welcoming OnePlus to the state, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the aim is to "catapult Andhra Pradesh to become one of the hottest destinations for local manufacturing in India." "The Andhra Pradesh government assures all cooperation and support to OnePlus to help them cater to the growing demands in the Indian mar-

ket," he added. Though the company did not disclose the investments made, OnePlus India general manager Vikas Agarwal said the facility at Foxconn's Rising Stars factory will have a cumulative peak capacity of producing

up to 5 lakh units per month. The facility will also generate direct employment of over 1,000 full time workers, he added.

The move will help the Chinese firm bolster its presence in the burgeoning Indian handset market,

Gold surges on US rate hike delay, at 45-day high Chennai, Oct 13: Hardening further, gold prices surged Rs. 170 to trade at a 1-1/2 month high of Rs. 26,870 per 10 grams at the bullion market, driven by

a firming global trend and increased buying by jewellers to meet wedding season demand. Silver also gained Rs. 275 to Rs. 37,000 per kg following

higher off-take by industrial units and coin makers.

Bullion traders said that besides a firming trend overseas where gold climbed to its seven-week

GAINING BACK Ø Hardening further, gold prices surged Rs. 170 to trade at a 1-1/2 month high of Rs. 26,870 per 10 grams at the bullion market, driven by a firming global trend and increased buying by jewellers to meet wedding season demand. Ø Silver also gained Rs. 275 to Rs. 37,000 per kg following higher off-take by industrial units and coin makers. Ø Globally, gold in Singapore, which normally sets the price trend on the domestic front, gained 0.2 per cent to $1,158.20 an ounce amid speculation that the U.S. Fed may refrain from tightening until the next year. Ø Silver also

India's August factory output growth highest in 3 years New Delhi, Oct 13: The country's factory output growth accelerated to a near three-year high in August, led by a rebound in manufacturing and mining sectors, while retail inflation inched up in September but remained within the comfort level of the policy makers. The strong data adds to the optimism in Asia's third largest economy, which is seen as a bright spot against the slowing global economy.

Overall economic growth is expected to be in the 7.58% range in the current financial year and experts say the reform measures unveiled by the government to step up approvals and the RBI's rate cut

PAGE 10

added impetus. Capital goods jumped up by 21.8%, its tenth increase in the last eleven months, showing that the push by the government to infrastructure was beginning to have an effect," said Rishi Shah, economist at Deloitte, a consultancy firm. "The latest numbers show that growth in industry is showing nascent signs of a pickup and, notwithstanding the base effects, we could see some good numbers in the months ahead," Shah added. The manufacturing sector rose 6.9% in August compared with a decline of 1.1% in the same month a year earlier, while mining grew 3.8% year-onyear compared to a 1.2% expansion in August 2014.

The consumer durables sector shot up 17% compared to a decline of 15% in the year earlier month, while the consumer goods sector rose 6.8% in August compared to a contraction of 6.2% in August 2014.

Growth in consumer nondurables remained flat during the month. Economists expect the RBI to continue with its policy of easing interest rates given the fact that inflation continues to be benign. "RBI would continue to be accommodative given that they have targeted 6% inflation for Jan 2016 and CPI inflation is likely to hover in the 5-5.5% range," said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at CARE Ratings. (Agencies)

climbed 0.88 per cent to $15.96 an ounce. Ø In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent purity and 99.5 per cent purity surged Rs. 170 each to Rs. 26,870 and Rs. 26,720 per 10 grams, respectively, a level last seen on August 26. Ø The sovereign also traded Rs. 200 higher

at Rs. 22,400 per piece of eight grams. Ø Silver ready rose further by Rs. 275 to Rs. 37,000 per kg and weeklybased delivery by Rs. 330 to Rs. 37,160 per kg. Ø Price of silver coins for 100 pieces was up by Rs. 1,000 at Rs. 52,000 for buying and Rs. 53,000 for selling.

high, brisk buying by jewellers to meet rising seasonal demand mainly took gold prices to a 1-1/2 month high. Globally, gold in Singapore, which normally sets the price trend on the domestic front, gained 0.2 per cent to $1,158.20 an ounce amid speculation that the U.S. Fed may refrain from tightening until the next year.

Silver also climbed 0.88 per cent to $15.96 an ounce. In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent purity and 99.5 per cent purity surged Rs. 170 each to Rs. 26,870 and Rs. 26,720 per 10 grams, respectively, a level last seen on August 26. The precious metal had gained Rs. 100 in the previous session on Saturday. The sovereign also traded Rs. 200 higher at Rs. 22,400 per piece of eight grams. Silver ready rose further by Rs. 275 to Rs. 37,000 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs. 330 to Rs. 37,160 per kg. Price of silver coins for 100 pieces was up by Rs. 1,000 at Rs. 52,000 for buying and Rs. 53,000 for selling. (Agencies)

Social payments service soon to be introduced by TranServ Mumbai, Oct 13: TranServ, a payments company that provides solutions for bank prepaid cards, is launching a social payments service that is similar to Venmo in the US. To fund its expansion into the consumer segment, the company is looking at a third round of funding after having raised capital from the Patni family's Nirvana Venture and Faering Capital. TranServ CEO Anish Williams said, "We have been inspired a lot by Venmo. We think Venmo has done a stellar job in bringing a certain group of people together and creating a platform for smallvalue exchanges."

TranServ's strength is that it has the technology backbone for prepaid instruments and payments as it has been managing prepaid systems for several private banks. Now it is making a transition from being a service provider to banks to having a consumer play on its own. Besides allowing

friends to make payments to each other and split expenses, Venmo also converts transactions into status updates in social media.

The application integrates with Facebook and encourages participation in activities. "Payments is going to be an invisible experience happening over time. It is not a conscious activity that anyone wants to do and we have built a fairly strong tech platform to enable this," said Williams. In addition to enabling peer-topeer (P2P) payments, the application will enable customers to complete purchases seamlessly without any major intervention.

"We are about to announce a very strategic partner in 10 to 15 days that will be like the Apple ID in US. Such a partnership has not been done in India but has been very successful in other markets," said Williams. He said that the company is not targeting merely those who are already engaged in digital banking. "The need for

P2P payments is fairly common across social economic groups. For those who are not equipped in funding the wallet digitally through card payments, we have a network of places where he can deposit cash," said Williams. While he did not disclose the amount of funds raised so far through Nirvana and Faering, Williams said that the funds consumed by the company was small as their partnership with banks as service providers had been very remunerative. "The money that we raised was being used to deploy stronger technology and adding more people to the company.

Now that we are getting into the consumer space, we are in the process of closing another round through both existing and new investors coming in as we will begin consuming more capital". He added that the company would not go down the path of burning money like e-commerce companies. (Agencies)

which is among the fastest growing globally. India is poised to overtake the U.S. as the second-largest market in the next few years.

Shipments to India grew 44 per cent to 26.5 million units in April-June, as per research firm IDC. Over the past few months, global smartphone makers like Oppo and HTC have stated that they are considering manufacturing in India, under the government's 'Make in India' initiative. Recently, Chinese firm Xiaomi opened its manufacturing facility in partnership with Foxconn in Vishakhapatnam. Last month, Lenovo and Motorola had announced that they will start manufacturing smartphones at their factory in Sriperumbudur, Chennai. (Agencies)

Oberio Group to manage two new luxury properties in Qatar Kolkata, Oct 13: The Oberoi Group has entered into management contracts for two new luxury properties in Qatar. This includes a 250-room luxury hotel and a 148-room serviced-apartment. Planning of these projects is under way and construction will commence early 2016 and get completed by around mid2018. While the hotel is located in the West Bay area, the apartment is in Lusail, on Doha's outskirts. The projects are being sponsored by Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Company (SAQ). P.R.S. Oberoi, Executive Chairman, the Oberoi Group, said that it had been chosen by SAQ to assist in the design and management of these two projects. (Agencies)

20,000 freshers to be hired by Infosys

Bengaluru, Oct 13: Infosys recently said it was planning to hire around 20,000 from various campuses in the country. The company's fresh campus hire plan for the year is in line with what it had done last year. Detailing the campus recruitment plans, U. B. Pravin Rao, COO, Infosys said: "This number would be similar number what we have done last year." Further the company said, it would increase the number of interns it hires every year and also has increased the stipend for interns from Rs.4,000 to Rs.10,000. "We want to hire more people as interns and want them to continue to be part of us. We believe that the increase in stipend will also help them to have a long term career with us," added Mr. Rao. For the fresh campus hires, the company provides a training of 5-6 months and gives an annual salary package of Rs.3.25 lakh.

(Agencies)

"Time will tell us what will be the ideal batting line up.

Number three, four and five are a very crucial positions in any format. . So, I feel, that it completely and entirely depends upon what things we are in the midst of Ravi Shastri, Bharat Arun and Bangar get that thought process going, they will come out with the best solution."

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

PAGE 11

Rohit Sharma

Rohit says Indian bowlers need to be proactive against Proteas ANI Indore: Indian opener Rohit Sharma on Tuesday said the bowlers needed to be proactive against batsman like AB de Villiers if they want to win matches against the Proteas. Speaking to media ahead of their second ODI against South Africa to be played here tomorrow, Rohit revealed that his bowlers are consistently working to resolve their minor mistakes.

"When you are bowling to someone like de Villiers, you have to be extra smart and be more proactive as to what they do and what kind of shots they play. It is a concern, all the bowlers, all the fast bowlers are working on it. They know how they can get away from that. But, I feel, they just

Vettori to mentor England spinners in series against Pak

ANI London: England have sought the services of former New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori to help their spinners during their matches against Pakistan in the UAE, as well as to groom young spinners for the future. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the news.

It said Vettori would join the coaching staff in the UAE under the EPP programme. England Performance Programme (EPP) coach Peter Such welcomed the move, saying his team is delighted to acquire the experience of one of the most respected spinners in world cricket. According to reports, Vettori would join England for 10 days in November in Dubai. Vettori had previously made a successful move into coaching in India and Australia in the Twenty20 leagues.

need to be a little bit proactive so that it can help us plan them better" the 28year-old said. "So, in the last few games that we have played with South Africa, Bangladesh or Australia, we were making small mistakes in the last 10 overs.

We have one more extra fielder to work with. So, we can plan accordingly and get the best result in our favour," he said. Meanwhile, expressing his views on the batting line-up, the opener admitted that number three, four and five are the most important slots, and added that the management is working to get the right batting order. "Time will tell us what will be the ideal batting line up. Number three, four and five are a very crucial positions in

Great Britain thrash India 4-3 in fifth Sultan of Johor Cup ANI Johor Bahru: The India Men Junior Hockey team suffered a shocking 4-3 defeat at the hands of Great Britain in their second match of the 5th Sultan of Johor Cup campaign in Malaysia. It was Great Britain who in the 6th minute saw James Simpson score through a field effort, giving Great Britain the lead of 1-0. India maintained their attack over Great Britain and in the 17th minute witnessed Varun Kumar from the right flank trying to enter the D and seeing Sumit Kumar standing right in front of goal box passed the ball to him. But Great Britain Captain Luke Taylor intervened the pass but unfortunately he could not stop it cleanly and Sumit Kumar immediately pounced on the miss and flicked the ball into the

nets. The goal allowed India to equalise the game at 1-1. This got the Indians to increase their tempo of the game and Sumit Kumar scored yet another superb field goal in the 26th minute to take the lead .

Not wanting to lose the

hold in the match, India were seen attacking the opponents D and in the 29th minute saw India increase the score difference further, as this time it was Manpreet who beat the Great Britain goalkeeper to put the ball into the goal

box. Trailing the game 13, the very next minute Great Britain had a chance on a penalty corner and this time Luke Taylor was on target and the scorecard read 2-3 in favour of India. Two minutes left for the first half to end, Great

Britain looking at the equaliser had another go through a penalty corner but a vigilant Indian defence yet again thwarted the opponents attempt to score. With this the first half ended in India's favour at 3-2. Jack Clee helped his team to equalise the game at 3-3 in the 47th minute. Half way into the session India had an opportunity to go one up through a penalty corner but the ball was hit wide of the goal box. When the match looked like getting drawn, Great Britain in the 68th minute scored through a penalty corner and went on to win the game 4-3. India had started off their campaign on a winning note as they secured an easy 5-1 win against Pakistan. They will next face Argentina on October 14.

ANI Zurich: FIFA's ethics committee has declined the argument by Michel Platini's lawyer that his client was not allowed to defend himself in the adjudicatory chamber of committee before his suspension, saying that the remark is 'not valid'. According to reports, the UEFA president was heard for more than five hours by the committee and, subsequently, didn't find a need for a second hearing. The statement on behalf of FIFA's ethics judge HansJoachim Eckert further insisted that the proceeding of Platini was in line with the FIFA's code of ethics.

Earlier, FIFA president Sepp Blatter was handed a 90-day ban by the FIFA's Ethics Committee due to Swiss proceedings against them. Platini also saw his ambitions of succeeding Blatter ending after receiving an identical sanction.

FIFA was plunged into an unprecedented crisis when

Swiss prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter last month over allegations that he sold World Cup TV rights to disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for 20 times below their true value. Meanwhile, Platini was also questioned over claims that he received a 'disloyal payment' of 1.35 million pounds from the controversial president in 2011, though both of them have denied charges. FIFA , which also suspended its Secretary General Jerome Valcke, said that the duration of the bans might be extended for an additional period not exceeding 45 days.

Zen Ruffinen likely to stand for FIFA presidency

ANI Zurich: Former FIFA secretary-general Michel Zen Ruffinen revealed that he had been asked to stand for the presidency to succeed under-fire Sepp Blatter. Reacting on the

matter, Zen Ruffinen affirmed that he would decide to run in the election after monitoring the situation. Zen Ruffinen had served as the secretary general of the football governing body from 1998 to 2002. He had also blamed Blatter for mismanaging FIFA's finances before the presidential election in May 2002. The election for the appointment of new FIFA president will take place next year on February 26.

Vincent says got `direct order` KU-AITA Talent Series Tennis Championship, Day 2 for spot-fixing from Cairns ANI London: Former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent has admitted before a court in London that he was involved in spotfixing under 'direct orders' from then skipper Chris Cairns, who is facing a perjury charge over fixing matches. According to reports, Cairns induced Vincent to take part in spot

fixing while they were playing for the Chandigarh Lions in the Indian Cricket League (ICL). The 36-year-old revealed that Cairns had paid him 50,000 dollars per game to under perform, and added that he deliberately performed badly during four matches in 2008. All-rounder Cairns, who represented

New Zealand in 62 Tests and 215 ODIs, saw his

reputation take a beating when the former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi accused him of match-fixing. Meanwhile, Andrew Fitch-Holland, the lawyer who represented Cairns, is also in legal trouble for asking Vincent to provide a false witness statement in connection with a defamation action between Cairns and Modi.

2nd Mile, Namsai edge past Gunanagar SC 3-2; enter quarter final 9th Chongkham Champions Running Trophy ET Correspondent Chongkham, Oct 13: 2nd Mile, Namsai defeated Gunanager Sports Club 3 - 2 to become the first team to enter the quarter final of the 9th Chongkham Champions Running Trophy being played at the Chongkham mini stadium, here. The tournament is organized by the Chongkham Youth Welfare Association. The Chongkham camp of the army is helping the organizers in publicity of the event which has become a popular event of the locality. In the first second round match played today, 2nd Mile Namsai’s

any format. . So, I feel, that it completely and entirely depends upon what things we are in the midst of. Ravi Shastri, Bharat Arun and Bangar get that thought process going, they will come out with the best solution," Rohit said. Rohit, who scored a brilliant 150 against South Africa in the opening ODI, said that he was not worried about his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan. "As far as Shikhar is concerned, he was highest run getter for us in the World Cup, scored two beautiful hundreds, was the highest run getter in Bangladesh. Couple of games shouldn't be a worry, according to me. You can see the amount of runs he has scored over the past few years. This is simply not a joke."

FIFA says Platini arguments ‘not valid’

Ngeeta Chowlong scored the first goal in the 10th min. Then Ottomso Tayeng scored the second goal in the 28th min of the

match taking advantage of a goal mouth melee. Lukbi Lowri scored the third goal in the 32nd min. Ratul Mech of the opponent

team scored the first goal for his team in the 57th min as the Gunanagar boys came up with some good football. Trailing 3-

1, the Gunanagar team tried their best by making some good moves, however, they could not convert due to a strong Namsai defence. Babu Hazarika scored the second goal in the final moments, however, it was not enough as 2nd Namsai won the match by a 3 – 2 margin. “Overall, it was treat to watch the match. Anybody could have won. I thank the organizers for organizing such a wonderful tournament here”, a spectator said. The players also played in a disciplined way and the referee did not have to use his cards. Ashique Mehu was adjudged as the ‘Player of the match’.

Tomorrow’s match will be played between Tezu Higher Secondary School and Kholoriang Football Club.

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Oct 13: In an upset, unseeded Areena Phukan of Guwahati beat 4th seeded Syeda Nihad Omar also of Guwahati to reach the Quarter Finals of Girls U-12 years singles event of KU-AITA Talent Series Tennis Championship which is being held here at Jorhat Tennis Club. The rest of the seeded players won their matches to enter the next round. Matches are still going on under lights at the time of filing this report.

The results for the Girls Under 12 Years Singles 1st Round are: Inshika Chakma Bt. Ishita Dahotia (6-0, 6-1); Sakshi Baruah Bt. Muskan

Swave (6-2, 6-2); Harsita Bora Bt. Pratiksha Saikia (6-1, 6-0); Kalpita Rajkhewa Bt. Tanisqa Pater (7-5, 6-2); Areena Phukan Bt. Nihad Omar (6-2, 6-2); Nistha Borphukan Bt. Sinung Langkam (6-1, 6-4); Meghna Bhardwaj Bt. Priyanka Bora (6-1, 7-5); Kristi Boro Bt. Janasheen Jumana (61, 6-0). The results for the Girls Under 14 Years Singles 1st Round are: Harshita Bora Bt. Tanisqua Patar (6-0, 6-0); Meghna Bhardwaj Bt. Janasheen Jumana (2-6, 6-2, 62); Janashree Saikia Bt. Kalpita Rajkhewa (6-1, 6-0); Baishali Bora Bt. Kristi Boro (6-2, 2-6, 6-3); Debangana Borkotoky Bt. Areena Phukan

(6-0, 6-1).

The results for the Boys Under 12 Years Doubles 1st Round are: Raktim Gogoi & Priam P Bora Bt. Bitupan Hazarika & Tushar Paul (6-3, 2-6, 10-4); Debanga P Hazarika & Abhishek Baruah Bt. Danis Daas & Aditya Ray Baruah (60, 6-0); Ubhas Kr. Gogoi & Ayan borthakur & Shahir Farhazd Anurag Konwar (6-4, 6-3).

The results for the Boys Under 14 Years Doubles 1st Round are: Andy Thousen & Raktabh Dutta Bt. Tanmoy Das & Pratyush Acharya (6-2, 6-2); Ayush J Sarmah & Anish P Phukan & Prabhat Sensuwa & Sandhan Neog (6-1, 6-1).

Moulhoi Youth Club win via penalties

ET Correspondent Haflong, Oct 12: Moulhoi Youth Club beat Heaven Blue A Club via penalties in the 11th CEM’s Cup Carnival Invitational Football tournament 2015 Organized by Dima Hasao Sports Association here today at N.L. Daulagupu Sports Complex in

Haflong. At the end of stipulated time both teams were locked at 1-1.

Immanuel Khawbung scored for Heaven Blue A Club in the 24th minute to give them the lead when he scored from the left plank.

Zautthang equalized for Moulhoi youth club in the 40th minute on the coun-

terattack. Thereafter, both the teams found it hard to break the deadlock. The match saw two players being yellow carded, namely Thangdao Langthasa and Jerry by Joyputro Hagjer who was in charge of the match. Tomorrow, Shan FC will take on Evergreen club.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

Features

Page 12

FLORICULTURE Siroy Lily, the State Flower of Manipur Manipur, which literally means "A jewelled land", is a State nestled deep within a lush green corner of North East India. Mrs. St. Clair Grimwood once described Manipur as "A pretty place more beautiful than many show places of the world" and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru once termed Manipur as "Jewel of India".

Manipur is an oval shaped valley at the centre surrounded by hills, rich in art and tradition with nature's beauty landscapes. The Manipur River flows across the valley and joins in Chindwin River on its head.

Rajashree Bhagyachandra made the famous classical dance of Manipur, Ras Lila out of his enchanting dream by the grace of Lord Krishna.

Having a varied and proud history, after the defeat in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, Manipur came under British rule as a Princely State. Manipur merged with the Indian Union on October 15,1949. After India's independence, Manipur became a fullfledged State on January 21, 1972. While talking about Manipur, nobody can forget our lovely dancing deer Sangai, Manipuri dance, polo, Emma Keithel, Loktak Lake and sports and ultimately the dearest Siroy Lily.

Shirui Lily or Siroi lily and Botanical name Lilium Mackliniae Sealy, is known worldwide for its rare and modest beauty. It is found in the upper reaches on the third peak of Siroi hill ranges in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, India, at an elevation of 1730m2590m above mean sea level. It is the State flower of Manipur since 21-31989 but has unfortunately become a rare and endangered species in India. A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this flower.

Ukhrul: - The district headquarters of Ukhrul district is situated 83 Kms away from Imphal in the

east. Undoubtedly, one of the highest hill stations of the State inhabited mostly

by Tangkhul tribes. Ukhrul is famous not only for the peculiar type of terrestrial lily, the Siroy Lily, it is also famous for the Khangkhui lime caves. Known for the natural hospitality of its people, it is the place where pioneer missionary, William Pettigrew was first offered a foothold.

Siroy Lily:- In 1946, Dr. Frank Ward, a botanist and his wife Jean Macklin, a daughter of a Bombay High Court Judge came to Manipur hills to collect botanical specimens on behalf of the New York Botanical Society. They set up base at Ukhrul in a building which they called "Cobweb Cottage or Bug Bungalow" and discovered Siroy Lily. The lily gets its name from Macklin, the second wife of plant-hunter Frank Kingdon-Ward. This shade-loving lily has pale bluish-pink petals. In the wild it flowers in the monsoon months of June and July. They are seasonal flowering plants and at their best in May and June when it blooms and is a local tourist attraction. The peak season of its bloom is May 15 to June 5. The height of the plant is 1-3ft. and has 1-7 flowers per plant.

The maximum plant den-

sity is 7-8 plants per sq.m.

The associated species are Anemon Rivularis (Summer flower), Iris Wattii (Kombirei) etc. The leaves are longish and narrow like most lilies. The flowers are pinkish white, delicately flushed pink at the base, and hang looking down. In fact, in Manipur the flower is compared to a beautiful and modest girl. The lily bagged the prestigious merit prize from the Royal Horticultural Society's Flower Show in London in 1948 but no longer holds an Award of Garden Merit.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is a prestigious Society in the world and was founded in 1804 in London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert. The Society is one of the world's leading horticultural organisations and the UK's leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting gardening.

The Present Destination of Siroy A conservation programme to protect Manipur's State flower is limiting the loss of its habitat, but community-wide efforts are needed to sustain the efforts in the long run. Found in a small area of about 3-4 hectares only on third peak of the 1730-2570-metre-high

Shirui Hill of Shirui village in Ukhrul District of Manipur is an endemic and much endangered floral species. Shirui peak are known by different names, each slightly different from the others: Siroy, Shiroi, Sirohee, and Shirui, the last one being the local pronunciation.

It is part of the ShiruiKashong range which is proposed to be a National Park under the Wild Life Protection Act 1972. It is the only place in Manipur that the Siroy Lily is found, and even here, only for a couple of days following mid-May every year the beauties of the flower persist. The area is also known to be inhabited by endangered bird species like the Blyth's Tragopan and Mrs. Hume's Bar-backed Pheasant or Nongyin, Manipur's State Bird.

Habitat of Lilium mackliniae Manipur is one of the States of North East India which is gifted with serene beauty together with magnificent diversity of flora and fauna and lofty mountains. It is in the five hotspots of the world in terms of biodiversity in the eastern Himalayas. The Shirui Hill in Ukhrul district is blessed with the rare and endangered species of Shirui Lily (Siroy Lily) which is locally called Shirui Kashung

Timrawon in Tangkhul. It grows best in partial shade with abundant humus. The Lily grows well in open gritty soil rich with chromium, sunny slopes, and adequate wind speed throughout the year. Eastern Himalayan Temperate Forest with sometime frost is the favourable natural adaptation. This Himalayan type of lily is found in association with many rhododendron species.

The Challenges to Manipur Siroy The habitat of the Siroy lily is threatened with the intensive tourist activities which are especially organised during the blossoming period of the lily.

The dumping of waste, plastic, plucking of flowers and uprooting has threatened the sustenance of the species. The species is also endangered by the invasion of Machun which is kind of miniature bamboo species growing profusely in Siroy's habitat.

The State Forest department as well as NonG o v e r m e n t a l Organisations is working hard to save and conserve the habitat of this treasure of the State. At the most, with some financial assistance from the Central Government, the State Forest Department; Manipur has been taking up some local support measures

through providing awareness programmes and employing five local volunteers to look after and protect Siroy Lily.

The Mungleng Vathei Hill Development Society (MVHDS) has volunteered checking people's belongings all throughout the trekking route. Nobody is allowed to even carry a blade of grass or leaf out of the area. Within the flower's habitat itself, there were volunteers imposing a straight fine on anyone who plucked a lily. The unfortunate part here is that those lilies already pulled out from the earth cannot be returned for survival to their original places. So, while the fine is harsh, it is mostly a deterrent to the next misdemeanor. It might have been helpful, also, for the volunteers to caution all visitors about the fines at the beginning of the trek, where the entry fee is collected.

Throughout the trek to Siroy landscape, pits are dug alongside the path to dump the garbage. Typically, these contained empty plastic bottles, wrappers from packets of chips, etc. This is an interesting change from the usual bright jarring dustbins that would just not blend in with the place. All the rubbish is later collected by MVHDS volunteers and

disposed off elsewhere. The Society has also launched Project Farm, with some important objectives to conserve the Siroy habitat. Using all the available resources at its disposal for the better growth of this magnificent flower, the Society has put up fencing around the main park and restriction imposed on burning the mountain sides which is one of the main factors for degrading the natural environs of Siroy Lily and hampering its full growth.

Another approach is an attempt to plant the Siroy Lily on the first hill along the trek route, to reduce pressure on the flower's main pocketed habitat.

This would also enable many tourists to experience it much earlier in the trek, potentially turning back those who had come only to see it briefly. While appreciating the efforts of the MVHDS, one could not help comparing it to an earlier system. It had laid down a code of conduct for the visitors, including the fines for uprooting of plants, grazing, and so on. And the environment here was recognised as a community conserved area as well.

The need is to promote Eco-excursions Jeco-tourism which should aim at sensitising people towards Environment and

Biodiversity. The habitat of the lily that is Shirui hills should be declared as World heritage site. The visitors must be given some pamphlets about the hill to reconcile humans with nature. The present status of the Shirui hill ie proposed National park should be implemented as soon as possible in order to safeguard the natural habitat and to promote in-situ conservation of this endemic species. The above goal should be achieved only through the local people involvement by linking the needs of people with Biodiversity imperatives.

For conservation of Siroy lily, how the changes to the new conservation effort happened is not clear, but it is surely unfortunate. In a successful communitybased tourism all over the world, the most critical element in such tourism is that the controls and benefits reside with the community should be on sharing basis. When the whole community feels connected to the flora and fauna it is trying to preserve, there is greater purpose in its effort, and often a higher chance of success too.

On the other hand, communities are often not homogeneous, and bring their diverse elements together in such common cause itself can be a difficult task.

The Siroy Lily's survival too depends on meeting of these challenges. The sense of pride in this flower among the people here is obvious, but a return to community-wide interest in this habitat will be critical to keep the conservation attempts strong. The current efforts for conservation have clearly helped, but they are only a beginning; more is needed to manage the mass tourism that is expected in the years ahead.

Therefore it is the duty of all of us to protect the Manipur Lily, the Shirui Lily from its endemic peak of the Shirui Hill in Ukhrul District of Manipur for the sake of the future generations to come. (Agencies)

HORTICULTURE The story of a Vegetable Village Tucked away about 80 kilometers from the state capital, Zhavame village shares boundary with Manipur state and is guarded by the majestic Kapamodz端 peak. It is naturally blessed with scenic beauty as several other Naga villages are, and also serves as home to a few dying pagans, who decided to hold on their

ritualistic beliefs, as opposed to the majority who became Christians.

But apart from these interesting facts, Zhavame village has emerged as a role model, especially as far as it is concerned with cultivation of cabbage and potatoes. Having been declared a vegetable village in 2010 by the Nagaland Horticulture department,

Zhavame village has lived up to its name by not only cultivating vegetables which are purely organic, but also producing them on a large scale.

It is recorded during 201213 that there are 52 active vegetable villages in Nagaland but the success story of Zhavame village has been overwhelming for more reasons than one. Not

only did the cultivation provide fresh vegetables to accompany a meal, but also generate extra income for the community of farmers, who, otherwise, did not have any other means of income.

Secondly, a good number of school dropouts have benefited from the cultivation by way of being hired, for packaging, loading and other tasks. It can be said that engaging themselves in this very activity has helped them find a new purpose in life.

Thirdly, it works brilliantly for the farmer parents, who were earlier struggling to send their children to school. Now, they can afford to keep them in better schools as well as construct better houses and definitely lead more comfortable lives.

And if anything, the village has only grown from strength to strength as far

as cultivation of cabbage and potato is concerned.

The revenue generated from the sale of these vegetables have well, crossed Rs. 50 lakhs during 200910. In the following year (2010-11), the annual income was Rs. 99.5 lakhs while the year 2011-12 saw an annual income of Rs. 1.5 crores and subsequently Rs. 1.7 crores in 2012-13.

Out of 1036 households, a total of 550 households are said to be engaged in vegetable cultivation. With a gross population of 5628, the average income generated by the households involved in this cultivation is over Rs.30,000. This amount, however varies from household to household and also from one year to the other.

The farming community of Zhavame village has skillfully mastered the art of vegetable cultivation, which involves several pro-

cesses. Many people would also testify as to how well they enjoy the healthy and organic vegetables that come from this village and the neighbouring areas. It may be noted that the pro-

duce from this area reach several places across the state as well as the neighbouring places outside Nagaland.

While the village is a sheer example of a community of

people, whose very way of life is defined by agriculture, the cultivation of these organic vegetables is also a sight to see, especially during the harvesting period. (Agencies)