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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Issue 337

Dibrugarh, Monday, May 16, 2016

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IPL betting on full swing in Tinsukia Bookies go hi-tech to evade law enforcing agencies Rishu Kalantri Tinsukia, May 15

As the IPL fever has reached an exciting stage, bookies here in Tinsukia are leaving no stone unturned to cash in on the occasion. According to sources in the town, this year the betting level has gone a step ahead despite the massive crackdown

by Tinsukia police last year, all credit to the betting mafia active in Tinsukia. An investigation carried out by 'The Eastern Today' revealed that the bookies this time are using technology to evade the eye of law enforcing agencies.

acting in the capacity of the main bookies in Tinsukia this year, has changes the faces of all sub-bookies who were identified by police last year.

"The bookies are targeting youths, particularly, school and college students by showing them dream of making rich over night", the sources said.

Once such students get into the betting fever they reach to a stage where they lose everything in the hands of the bookies and even go to the extent of robbing valuables from their own house or take credit from friends under the threat of betting mafia. Sources have also informed this newspaper that the people behind the screen have revolver in their possession which they use to recover their money from loosers.

BIG BREAKING STORY computer showroom robbed rupees 6 lakhs from the store to pay to one of the cricket bookie after he lost betting over a IPL match.

Police crackdown had resulted in around 100 youths attached to betting racket either as bookie or player to leave station and underground themselves for several days, a couple were forced to leave Tinsukia forever. This time, the betting mafia has eyed on a new lot of youths who want to become rich overnight for a leisure life.

ET EXCLUSIVE

The bookies has arranged new numbers on fake name and address and have put their mobile on aero plane mode so that police cannot reach them even if they get the numbers used in betting. However, they are connected to persons linked with this racket through WhatsApp by the use of broadband so that their locations remains concealed.

Another interesting fact has come to light that the persons

ET CAPSULES

Elephant kills one at Pengri

On an estimate the bookies are making somewhere around 30 to 40 lakhs per match and the same money is routed through hawala. It may be mentioned that last year the then superintendent of Tinsukia police Anand Prakash Tiwari had busted IPL betting racket by arresting half a dozen youths from Tinsukia and

According to sources, Kartik was sleeping inside his home when the killer elephant broke into his house and dragged him out and killed him. The incident has created a wave of panic among the locals.

(Correspondent)

One country-made weapon, combat dresses and

Open drain takes a life in Tinsukia

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According to information available, the deceased has been identified as one Mr. Mondal of the same locality.

How he fell in the drain is yet to be known.

(Correspondent )

The last month has witnessed intensive counter insurgency operations against insurgent groups in Changlang after reliable inputs of infiltration was received. Following the busting of the hideout security has been put on high alert across Changlang.

Leader's remark on foreigners issue damaged BJP: Ajmal Committee Convener Himanta Biswa Sarma's statement during the campaign will in "no way affect the minorities but has severely affected BJP's prospects in the second phase polls in Lower and Central Assam", Ajmal told PTI.

PTI Guwahati, May 15

An Assam BJP leader's remark that the party would take 1951 as the base year to detect foreigners if elected will have "no effect" on minorities and has caused "damage" to it in the second phase of Assembly polls in the state, AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal has said.

Assam BJP's Election

Tinsukia, May 15: Just like open manhole, an open drain has taken life of a person here on Sunday. The incident has occurred at a drain beside Parbotia main road in Tinsukia after which question are asked that despite a 13.91 crore master drain project implemented in Tinsukia why more than half of the drains IN Tinsukia are uncovered and who will be held for this negligence.

large quantity of adminstrative stores were recovered from the hideout.

ET Correspondent Changlang,May 15

Assam Rifles achieved a major success in its counter insurgency operations against militants by busting a NSCN (K) camp at Phenbiro village, Changlang yesterday after a 24 hour long operation.

Sonari, May 15: D. Narayana, 40 yrs, a railway gangman died on the spot after being knocked down by the Up Vivek Express at around 1.30 am today at Borahi between Bhojo and Suffry in upper Assam Charaideo district. Narayana hailed from Tamil Nadu.

(Correspondent)

SP has built a tight-noosed case resulting in the cancellation of their bail by courts on several occasions.

But sudden transfer of SP Anand Prakash Tiwari, around 4 months after taking charge of

Tinsukia, not just came as shocker but as a relief to all persons arrested in IPL cricket betting who got bail very soon.

The new SP Arnab Deka changed the investigating officer of the case immediately on taking charge after which the case took a beating and has gone nowhere from where it was. It is and so important to highlight that several youths lost lakhs and lakhs of rupees and in one case a staff of a

Assam Rifles strikes : NSCN (K) camp busted

Tinsukia, May 15. In yet another case of rampant by wild elephant, a wild elephant killed a person at Pengri on Saturday night.

The deceased has been identified as Kartik Nayak (45), a resident of Pengri Tea Estate line no 3.

Railway gangman dead

Doomdooma including Vikash Beria, accused as one of the main bookie along with Gaurav Garg, Buntý Harodia, Bunty Chowdhury and others accused as his accomplish.

It is high time that Tinsukia police should go for a major crackdown on people who are running betting racket in Tinsukia presently, and even not spare the players who form a part of it, and take the last year investigations on speed track to take it to its logical end. Last year police action saved many youths from getting further deep in this one way road and many of such players can be seen concentrating on their business and studies this year.

The two-phased Assembly polls in the state took place on April 4 and April 11.

Badruddin Ajmal

"Sarma made this statement to score politically but it has caused damage to BJP and will

electorally benefit Congress the most. In fact, the BJP highcommand should take Sarma to task and ask for an explanation from him on this issue," the All India United Democratic Front leader said.

The process of updating the National Register of Citizens is currently on in Assam with 1971 as the base year which was agreed upon in the Assam Accord.

Contd. on Page 4

5.00

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PAGE 12

Army denies case of 'mutiny' following agitation by jawans in Arunachal ANI New Delhi, May 15

Following the death of a jawan during a routine training activity in a North East Infantry unit, a few emotional jawans agitated leading to a scuffle, however, the Army has firmly denied any case of a mutiny in the unit.

The jawan had complained of chest pain prior to the route march but when checked by the unit medical officer, was found fit.

The jawan later collapsed during the route march and was brought to the Field Ambulance where he succumbed.

On hearing the news of

the death of their colleague, around four to five jawans got emotional and agitated when consoled by the Adjutant leading to a minor scuffle, in which no one was injured seriously.

The incident is being investigated as is the practice in all cases of death during training.

ACEAF seeks intervention of state govt., chief secretary, Raj Bhawan on violation of Recruitment Rules A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 15

Expressing resentment over the violation of Recruitment Rules (RR) and the Governor’s order on cancelling all functional and out-of-turn promotions of all engineering departments of the state, the Arunachal Civil Engineers Aspirant Forum (ACEAF) today sought the intervention of the state government, chief secretary and the Raj Bhawan.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club today, ACEAF

president Hura Maming divulged that there are violations of the RR in most of the engineering departments, which in turn has deprived deserving graduate civil engineers off of their rights.

concerned departments are continuously promoted from Junior Engineers /Assistant Urban Program Officer (AUPO) to Assistant Engineers /Urban Program Officer (UPO), and also on deputation, flouting the laid down norms.

As per RTI documents, there are at least 36 backlog assistant engineer posts in the Public Works Department, 21 in Public Health Engineering, 15 in Water Resource Department and one in Hydro Power Department.

“Every department should fill their backlogs through Direct Recruitment maintaining the 50:50 ratio of RR through Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission”, asserted Maming.

The ACEAF alleged that despite the backlogs, the

Contd. on Page 4

Bypoll to Kanubari Security stepped up for peaceful Assembly seat deferred counting of votes PTI Itanagar, May 15

The by-election to Kanubari (ST) Assembly Constituency in Arunachal Pradesh, slated for tomorrow, has been deferred by the Election Commission in view of pendency of a review petition listed for hearing in the Supreme Court on July 11.

The EC in its order stated that enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct would remain in abeyance until further direction, state Chief Electoral Officer said in a press release.

Tony Pertin, the advocate for the petitioners, D Wangsu

and Wanglam Sawin, had written to Chief Election Commissioner to withdraw the Kanubari by-election notification in view of pendency of the review petition in the apex court.

Kanubari and Khonsa East Assembly Constituencies fell vacant after MLAs Gabriel Wangsu and Wanglam Sawin had resigned.

Their resignation was accepted by previous Speaker Nabam Rebia in a controversial circumstance.

Both Gabriel and Sawin alleged that they were made to resign under duress and had written to the Governor seeking his intervention. They had taken the matter to court.

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, May 15

Necessary security arrangements are being made for peaceful counting of votes for assembly polls in Assam.

Three tier security measures are being taken as per direction of the Election Commission and central armed police forces will be deployed at counting centres.

Counting will be held at 51 centres on Thursday and the Election Commission has deployed 126 counting observers in Assam and they will reach by Tuesday.

Political parties or candidates have to take prior permission of district administration to hold any victory rallies after counting.

Administration may impose restrictions on holding procession in some areas due to law and order situation.

Assam has a total of 126 assembly seats.

Dibrugarh filmmaker's movie to premiere in Cannes International Film Festival Dream Journey For Assamese Boy From A Small Town of Arunachal Pradesh To Cannes A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, May 15

Bringing glory for the Northeast India, Dibrugarh-based filmmaker Chow Partha Borgohain's feature film '1962: My Country Land' will be showcased at the Cannes International Film Festival on May 18.

The film, shot mostly in Arunachal Pradesh, is the first home production of Living Dreams Productions.

Written, cinematographed and directed by Chow Partha Borgohain, '1962: My Country

Land' is an English language feature film based on the 1962 Indo-China war. The story revolves around Luitya, an Army Lance Naik who is given the responsibility for mapping along the Indo-China border. While carrying on with his work, Luitya along with his porter lost their way in the rough and unwelcoming terrain until they reached a village.

There in the village Luitya met Chan, a Chinese trader with dark secrets and intentions, and the village chief's daughter Yaka. Luitya found out that the village is neither mentioned in the Indian map and nor in the

Chinese map. Fierce conspiracy and conflict started between Luitya and Chan to take over the patch of the land - to include that as an integral part of their nation. What happens next? Can Yaka believe Luitya or she believes Chan?

Talking about the film, Borgohain said, "We shot for 75 days in Tawang and Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh and Sohra in Meghalaya besides a few shots in Guwahati. I want to continue shooting all my life - there was so much drama, stories of love, comedy and ego-clashes. The production of the film taught me how difficult life is, but how ex-

citing it can be at the same time."

Starring Aham Sharma, Lhakpa Lepcha, Daniel Shin Han and Ketholeno Kense in lead roles, the film showcases the struggle and life of the main characters during the approaching war and how they were able to believe - and not believe - each other. Produced by Marbom Mai, the film was shot in parts of picturesque Tawang and Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh.

Guru Rewben Mashangva was the music composer of the film where he collaborated with Shankar Shankini.

Partha, after his schooling in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, did photography and filmmaking

course from Madras Christian College and later joined Mindscreen Film School and studied film and motion photography. He worked as an assistant with renowned cinematographer and director Rajiv Menon where he was engaged in various feature and advertisement films.

Apart from '1962: My Country Land', Partha has been working with various international crew for film projects in Switzerland, France, Turkey.

He is also filming with several corporates in Singapore, Indonesia and Japan as a freelance filmmaker.

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PAGE 6

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries If you’re looking to get married, buy the ring today. But before you take the leap, weigh all the pros and cons carefully. All in all, this may be a day filled with activities related to your relationship and by the time the day ends, you may be on cloud nine!

Taurus You will be feeling listless, lazy and out of sorts today, and will tend to ignore and neglect important tasks scheduled for the day. Guard against this tendency as you could miss out on opportunities that others could then benefit from. That way, you will surely lose out professionally, particularly if you are in business. This aside, the day promises to be an eventful and fruitful one.

Gemini While today will be a day filled with a lot of festivity, you still need to guard against getting carried away. You will spend the day socialising with friends and family. You might end up neglecting your household duties in organizing some function or picnic.

Cancer You are known for your ability to set the ball rolling. Once you set your mind to do something, it is generally considered done by your peers. Today, you are eyeing a few accomplishments on the monetary front. Most part of your day will go in dealing with financial transactions, and importing and exporting goods.

Leo Guides help other people choose the right path in life and to select the correct alternatives.

It is a good day for those who are in the teaching or coaching professions. It is also a progressive day for those working in MNC’s.

Virgo You will start off on a long, arduous path to success. Some tough work will play a vital role in your progress. Don’t cut corners, and your labours will pay rich dividends and you will reap due rewards. Some opportunities are best left alone as they involve too much risk.

Libra Today will be a lucky day for you. You may receive some financial gain. There will be some good news about your children’s progress. This is the right time to invest in business.

For financial investors and share brokers this period is beneficial, so make the most of it.

Scorpio Your energy levels are high as you as you gear up for new events. However, there are chances that these events may not meet your expectations. But, don’t lose hope and get disappointed. Keep your spirits high. Implement the first lesson learnt in school: try & try till you succeed!

Sagittarius Lady luck is all smiles for you today. Suddenly, you feel like multi-tasking and becoming a jack of all. This is likely to keep you busy, almost throughout the day. If need be, your colleagues and peers will lend a helping hand.

Capricorn You are in hot water, but do not lose hope during these turbulent times. Maintain a calm head over your shoulders and deal with the problems. Also, do not jump to conclusions or be argumentative with the people around you, as you may end up being at the losing end.

Aquarius You have already fulfilled your short-term objectives. But you are ambitious, and straightaway begin setting your long-term goals. But all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Leisure time with family will rejuvenate and prepare you for a better stint at work.

Pisces A day of mixed fortunes awaits you, where taking risks could prove to be your undoing, or provide you with handsome returns. This is because you could come out on top by treading cautiously, but uncalculated risks will probably throw your calculations out of gear. Your success rate is unlikely to be too high; hence it may be a tough day for you. However, it will end on a promising note.

Morigaon DLSA organised Essay, Quiz Competitions for Legal literacy ET Correspondent Morigaon, May 15: The District Legal Service Authority (DLSA), Morigaon organised a district level essay competition on May 10 and a Quiz competition on May 14 in collaboration with the Morigaon district unit of AASU. The Essay Competition was held at Muhila Home Model School, Morigaon as a part of legal literacy programme throgh educational institutions. The Essay competition was

smoothly coducted by Ashok Deka, Rector of Muhila Home Model School, Debojani Deka, Principal of the school, Rekib Ahmed, Teacher, Morigaon Jatiya Vidyalaya and Hrishikesh Goswami, Court Manager of Morigaon Court. In the competition of Inter School level ( from classVIII to X) on the topic " Fundamental Duties", Subhash Goswami of Morigaon Sankardev Vidya Niketan declared as first while Kartik Nath of

Moni Kanchan Vidya Mandir, Morigaon got the 2nd position and Tina Rani Devi of Morigaon Jatiya Vidyalaya took the third position. In the Inter College level on the topic " Human Right" Sikha Moni Sarma of Morigaon Sankardev Academy got the first position while Santana Deka of Muhila Home Junior College got the second position and Nikita Devi of Gurukul Junior College, Morigaon took the third position.

The Quiz Competition was held at Morigaon Bihutoli which was inaugurated

by Aminur Rahman, Additinal District Judge, Morigaon. In the inaugural function , Ranjita Agarwalla, S e c r e t a r y, D L S A , Morigaon dwelt at length about the legal literacy programme in Morigaon district.

In the function,Moon Thakuria, President and Ghanendra Nath , Secretary of Morigaon AASU extended their thanks to

Storm destroys hundreds houses in Jorhat ET Correspondent Jorhat, May 15: A cyclone-type storm lashed Assam's Jorhat district, including Majuli island, damaged hundreds of thatched houses, uprooted trees, electric poles since the wee hours on Saturday, officials said.

However, no casualty or injury was reported.

The high speed winds snapped electric wires at several places severing power supply at many places, but efforts were on to restore supply, an officer of the Assam State Electricity Board said.

However, these wires saved a family of eight near Khelmati on Club Road.

Branches of a 100-year-old banyan tree broke by the storm but did not fall on the family's house as the wires blocked the branches, the head of the family said.

But the Jorhat Government

Boys Higher Secondary School was not so lucky. A part of the school building was damaged when a huge trunk of another banyan tree fell on its roof, officials said.

EVM Strong Room for Jorhat district was set up had a close shave, officials said adding that the strong room is safe.

A temporary camp of 15 security personnel posted in the school premises where

ASEB sub-divisional officer ASEB Robert Handique said they were working to restore electric-

ity by repairing the damaged poles and wires in Club Road, Jorhat Medical college Hospital, Rajabari, Kokilamukh, Maloopathar, Kamalabari, Halmora areas, besides in the premises of the Assam Agricultural University and Jorhat Engineering College.

Morigaon DLSA for organising the the legal literacy programme among the school and college students.

Mrinal Hazarika and Mrinal Gohain conducted the Quiz competition where altogether 324 students of different school and colleges of Morigaon district. In the group A, of Quiz Competition--- Jitul Chandra Nath and Atreya Kakoti's group is first, Iswan Goswami and Sourabh Sarkar's group is second , Jyoti Bikash Kalita and Mrinmoy deka"s group is third.

In the Group B, Akhoy Jyoti Nath and Subhankar deka"s group is first, Tonmoy Nath and Debashis Mahanta's group is second and Munmi Devi and Bhagyashri Kakoti's group is third.

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AASAA observed black day

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 16-5-16 (MONDAY) 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-Vidyarthir 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 Assamese Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori (Request Programme of Assamese Songs) 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music 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 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan 7-15 P.M-Karpumpuli 8-00 P.M-Parikrama 9-30 P.M- Kramasha-"Jangam",Written by Debendra Nath Acharya Sd-/H.O.P

Local villagers repairing a PWD road at Lezai Dewan Bari as govt failure to maintain the road in Dibrugarh district. Pic - UB Photos

ET Correspondent Margherita, May 15: All Adivashi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) today observed black day and wore black badges at Bogapani, Digboi and Margherita also in protest against the brutal killing of more than 10,000 Adivashi people at BTAD areas, Dhubri and Bongaigaon on 15 May 1996.

Ramanus Lakra general secretary of All Adivashi Students Association of Assam Tinsukia district committee said that on 15 May 1996 our Adivashi

people more than 10,000 were brutally killed in ethnic clash where houses and property belong to Adivashi people were also destroyed.

Today we observed as Martyrs Day and on this day All Adivashi Students Association of Assam was formed said Ramanus Lakra. Ashian Mundu former education secretary, Ajit Hemrom former organizing secretary of AASAA Tinsukia District Committee and more than 100 Activists of AASAA were present today.

Noted Director and Producer of Assamese cinema world Bani Das urged the government to boost up the Assamese film industry Shambhu Boro Tezpur, May 15 : Lumber Dai memorial Bhawan here today became a galaxy of artists, actor and actresses and director and producers’ of Assamese cinema world as a handful of artists from the very field, had a get together programme to fulfill a long cherished dream of forming a platform to sustain the dying Assamese film industry with the involvement of all concerned directly or indirectly connected with the Assamese cinema world. In presence of prominent Assamese cine artists like, Bani Das, Arun Nath, Mridul Chutia, Barasha Rani Bisyoya, Purnima Pathok Saikia, Pranjal Saikai, Munin Baruah, among others the much awaited platform formally christened as “Film Fraternity of Assam” was later formed taking noted artist Arun Nath as presi-

dent and Bhawani Bhuyan as secretary. Addressing the august occasion director and producer, Bani Das, gave a detail history of Assamese cinema world saying that the Assamese film industry was born in 1935 when Jyoti Prasad Agarwala released his movie Joymoti. Since then Assamese cinema has developed a slow-paced, sensitive style, especially with the movies of Bhabendra Nath Saikia and Jahnu Barua. “However, despite its long history, and its artistic successes, for a state that has always taken its cinema seriously, Assamese cinema has never really managed to break through on the national scene despite its film industry making a mark in the National Awards over the years. Although the beginning of the 21st century has seen Bolly-

wood-style Assamese movies hitting the screen, the industry has not been able to compete in the market, significantly overshadowed by the larger industries such as Bolly wood.” Bani Said adding the origins of Assamese cinema can be traced back to the dreams and imagination of a revolutionary visionary Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, who was also a distinguished poet, playwright, composer and freedom fighter. He was instrumental in the production of the first Assamese Film Joymati in 1935, under the banner of Chitralekha Movie tone. Due to the lack of trained technicians, Jyotiprasad, while making his maiden film, had to shoulder the added responsibilities as the script writer, producer, director, choreographer, editor, set and costume designer, lyricist and

music director. The film, completed with a budget of 60,000 rupees was released on 10 March 1935.

The picture failed miserably. “Like so many early Indian films, the negatives and complete prints of Joymati are missing. Some effort has been made privately by Altaf Mazid to restore and subtitle whatever is left of the prints. Despite the significant financial loss from Joymati, the second picture Indramalati was filmed between 1937 and 1938 finally released in 1939.” He added.

In his speech he further said that from the angle of population pattern Assam and Kerela are almost same, however, there is only thirty five cinema halls in Assam while in Kerela there are one thousand cinema halls. “Gov-

ernment of states like, Maharastra and kerela are taking initiative to make films on various issues in local languages taking forward the industry thereby paving a way of livelihood of the artists involved in the film industry.” He said and expected that new government would take special measure towards this venture. Munin Baruah said that a concrete film policy should be made in assam to prevent various constraints that the ASaameses film industry has been facing over the years. “due to negligence of government here the industry is going downward and even owing to the over burden of taxes the owner of cinema hall are getting profit but the producers have to face sever crisis, to check theses problems we have to voice unitedly.” He maintained.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

PAGE 3

Nyorak-Nikte Road on Self Restoration Gets Overwhelming Support Aalo, May 15: The important Nyorak-Nikte road passing through new Kodum circle with a stretch of 24 km from Bame to Wak- Yomcha main road has been restored on Self help basis by the people of Nyorak Raakte, Pushi Nyorak, Pidi Rime and UBU bango from 10th to 14th of May facilitating plying of even light vehicles on that road. The massive social service drew overwhelming response of District Administration, local leaders, women wing and volunteers from other areas to participate with men, materials and financial support. The West Siang Deputy Commissioner Shri Pige along with the SP, Chairperson of Zilla Parishad, Commandant ITBP and HODs of the district visited the area to encourage and interacted with workers on 14th of May last.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Shri Ligu lauded the people for such initiative that builds unity, mutual understanding and brotherhood. This road can be an alternative road after Trans Arunachal Highway kicks off shortly and appealed WSTHMC to come up for the cause of this road with the proposed meeting with DCM and PWD Minister to take up enlargement and erect culverts in strategic locations. He also appealed the people to maintain this kind of unity in future and settle petty local disputes at village level without dragging them to Aalo and courts.

Shri Bumgum Nyorak ASM Nyorak expressed his gratitude to all who have been deeply involved this time through contributions. He disclosed that this is the fifth

year that this kind of social service on that road is being conducted. Shri Jarkar Gamlin MLA Aalo East, Shri PW Sona MLA Mechuka, District Administration, Shri Kanya Bagra, son of Deputy Speaker, Er Nyajum Padu EE Retired, Shri Yomgi Ori UBU ZPM contributed immensely through cash and provided JCBs, Road Roller and tippers to carry out the main works. Er. Marconi Potom, the Deputy Director Urban Development& Housing, PWD division Aalo, ITBP and APP Bn Jawans were also involved in the social service. Any financial grant from the Govt. can give a finishing touch to make it more viable to undertake makor works like road enlargement, developing passing places and erecting culverts in few areas.

Arunachal Pradesh media fraternity 110 benefited in Free Health Camp held at condemns scribes' murder

PTI Itanagar, May 15: The media fraternity in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday condemned the killing of two journalists, one in Bihar and the other in Jharkhand.

The scribes in the state under the aegis of Arunachal Press

Club, Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalist and Arunachal Electronic Media Association condemned the killings and urged the authorities to award stringent punishment to the persons involved in the crime, a statement by the organisations said.

A senior reporter of a Hindi daily 'Hindustan', Rajdev Ranjan, was killed in Bihar's Siwan district on Friday evening while another newsman Akhilesh Pratap Singh was shot dead in Chatra district of Jharkhand on Thursday night.

Bhismaknagar

Roing, May 15 : Today a total of 110 farmers from Lower Dibang Valley District becomes members of 22847 farmers' club formed across India under the banner of NABARD. Under the aegis of AMYAA NGO total of 11 Farmers' Club has been formed in 11 villages of the District through the support of NABARD RO, Itanagar.

AMYAA organized Orientation Programme for these newly formed Farmers' Club members. Mr. R. K. Paul Chawang sensitized on the concept, objectives and over

view on Farmers' Club as per the guidelines of NABARD. He further highlighted the five principles viz, Credit from Banks, Application of Modern technologies, Enhancing through skill training & technology for increased productivity, Savings from Credit, respect to the terms & conditions of Banks and timely repayments of installments to the banks. Based on these credit principles farmers' club are promoted across India. He requested every club members to take active roles in every activity & programmes of the

club so that they become progressive farmers and successful entrepreneurs in their respective villages. Representatives from 11 farmers' club participated in the programme.

'One farmer club in one village' as per the guidelines of NABARD, AMYAA has promoted farmers' club in Jia, Parbuk-Bolik, Iduli, Abali, Asali, Intaya, Kebali, Mayu, Meka, Simari & Rukmo Villages of the District.

AMAYAA look forward to exploring the resources both under farm & non farm resources through these clubs.

Bishnu Rana Tezu, May 15: Hundred of villagers get benefited in a Free Medical Camp organized under the ageist of Power Grid Cooperation of India Ltd which was being supported by Hindustan Life care Ltd (HLL) New Delhi and Brahmakumaris Rajyoga Education Centre Tezu/ Namsai which was held here at the Bhismaknagar Sub – Centre today.

In spite of inclement weather condition, Dr Chama Monpong from Namsai district and Dr Adel Modi from PHC Koronu in Lower Dibang Valley who rising above all hardship attended the camp to render their humanitarian services to the villagers of Bhismaknagar. Regardless of rains 110 of patients thronged the Sub –

Centre to avail the benefit of the camp.

Bhismaknagar is one of the interior village of L/Dibang Valley and famous for historical place.

During the camp common ailments were diagnosed and given medicines free of cost.

Diabetics and Hemoglobin test were also done during the daylong camp.

Medicines and testing instrument were facilitated by the HLL and manpower was made possible by Brahmakumaris centre Namsai.

Barili Mimi ASM Bhismaknagar said more pateint would have turned up had it been good weather.

Besides CO Kononu, Power Grid Officials from Tezu and Roing also joined and aided the camp for its success.

Assistive Aids and Appliances to the persons with disabilities under AIDP schemes provided Chow Bilaseng Namchoom Namsai, May 15: A mega camp for free of cost distribution of Assistive Aids and Appliances to the persons with disabilities under Assistance to Disabled Persons Scheme (ADIP scheme) was held at Town Club, Namsai on May 14.

The camp was organized by Socio-Economic Welfare Association (SEWA) Namsai in close association with Mrinal Jyoti Rehabilitation Centre, Duliajan (Assam).

The event with a huge gathering of people was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Chow Zingnu Namchoom Parliamentary Secretary Tax and Excise, Textile & Handicraft and was presided over by Dr. C.M Thamoung Dist.

Programme Officer cum President, SEWA in august presence of R.K Sharma DC Namsai, Nani Rika DMO Namsai and various other dignitaries.

A total of 98 persons out of 126 beneficiaries with different kind of disabilities were provided various types of aids and assistive devices

Tricycle, hearing aid, CP chair, rollators for orthopedically impaired persons, picture tablet, smart phone, short hand kit, brail kit, Smart canes for visually impaired, Elbow Crutches and auxiliary.

The programme was also attended by C.K Mounglag ZPC, Chow Mahajini Choupoo ZPM, members from Women Welfare Association Namsai, Govt. Officers from various departments of Namsai district and others dignitaries. under ADIP scheme in the camp. These beneficiaries were pre-identified during the assessment camps conducted at different locations of Namsai district.

Speaking on the occasion Parliamentary Secretary for Tax & Excise etc Chow Zingnu Namchoom, applauded the commendable work done by the SocioEconomic Welfare Association (SEWA) Namsai and Mrinal Jyoti Rehabilitation Centre, Duliajan in a short tenure particularly for differently abled and thanked them for conducting such a eventful camp and serving

the differently abled of his constituency. He assured to provide assistance and support to any organizations or associations whoever comes up to conduct such noble initiatives and programmes in near future.

He appealed all to not to discriminate pwd persons and said that persons with disabilities are highly talented and are integral part of human resources.

Addressing the gathering at the camp, R.K Sharma D.C Namsai suggested on the importance and need of specialized people in any NGOs or association who

Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, May 15: The Pasighat Bomjir National Highway-52 Bachao Committee (PBNH-52 BC) which has been running pillar to post in appealing both central and state government leadership for retention of Pasighat (in East Siang) to Bomjir (in Lower Dibang Valley) NH-52 to BRO has submitted their final memorandum to CM Kalikho Pul on Saturday seeking his timely interference as the said road is about to be handed over to state PWD this month end.

PBNH-52 BC headed

by President Todol Pertin, Secretary Olen Rome and Treasurer Kokong Ratan met Chief Minister Kalikho Pul who was on a whirlwind visit

to Pasighat to address the fire victims of 11th fire mishap in main market. In their memo to CM, the committee strongly urged him to pursue the matter with utmost seriousness so that the said road can’t be transferred to state PWD as works under BRO would be far better. The committee had already submitted similar appeals to Ministry of MoRTH, MoS Home, Kiran Rijiju, Dy. CM Chouna Mein, former CM Nabam Tuki etc but no concrete steps were taken yet, said Pertin.

The double lane NH-52 which connects East Siang and Lower Dibang Valley via Pasighat-Mebo-Dambuk is a major lifeline to the people of to this land locked region today and handing over of such importance road to state PWD undoubtedly creates

More alertness with precaution can avert a lot of accidents-Ering

AMYAA conducts orientation programs for newly formed farmer's club

110 farmers from Lower Dibang Valley District becomes members of 22847 farmers' club formed across India under the banner of NABARD

PBNH-52 BC urges CM to retain Pasighat-Bomjir NH-52 with BRO

should concentrate and work in a particular subject to benefit the persons with disabilities.

Others who spoke on the occasion included T.Bagra, Rtd commissioner and C.S Jeinow Retd DC. Dr. Thomoung President SEWA and Mr. Borpujari Director Mrinal Jyotii Rehabilitation Centre briefed about the use of the appliances and devices to the gathering.

Modern contemporary Aids and Assistive devices were distributed in the camp which included wheel chair,

Earlier, under the District Vector Borne disease Control Programme (DVBDCP) 5000 Gambusia larvivorous fish was released by Parliamentary Secretary for Tax & Excise Chow Zingnu Namchoom amidst huge gathering at various ponds in different locations of Namsai township to control the breeding of mosquito larvae in the water bodies. Use of biological control agent like Gambusia larvivorous fish against mosquito larvae is the one of the most successful and widely used for vector control.

Pasighat, May 15: "More alertness with precaution can avert a lot of accidents", said Ninong Ering, MP, while interacting with the fire victims and the Bazar members of Pasighat.

enough precautions so that such mishap does not arise. Such disasters not only destroy properties but derail life, said the MP.

He appealed all to install fire extinguishers in the shops and keep He visited the fire acci- enough space for the dent site and took stock fire tenders to operate of the situation. The re- smoothly. cent frequent fire accidents in the township Ering assured the gathhas given scope to raise ering that he will prolot of questions. The vide one fire tender vecommunity as a whole hicle from his MPLAD. has to be alert and take (DIPRO)

apprehension among the people as PWD are believed to be of poorly equipped for such a major task.

On the part of Pul, he assured to look into the appeal while citing similar example at his areas at Anjaw which has been finally retained with BRO. With CM’s assurance, the committee is hoping for a solution this time around as failing at this last moment to retain the portion of NH-52 (Pasighat-Bomjir) within BRO would be a big setback for the people here who has been desirous of good road connectivity. Many stretches of the same road at Assam’s side like HarmutiBanderdewa is an example which has been lying dilapidated and unrepaired for quite sometime now after it was handed over to PWD.

Governor congratulates Smt Namne Mena A staff Reporter Itanagar, May 15: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa has congratulated Auxiliary Nursing Midwife (ANM) Smt Namne Mena on being conferred the Florence Nightingale Award 2016.

An ANM from Arunachal Pradesh, she was one amongst 35 nurses from across the country to be conferred with the coveted Award by the President of India on the occasion of International Nurses Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 12th May 2016.

While conveying his best wishes for her service ahead, the Governor said that nursing is one of the most noble and challenging professions and a trained, dedicated and committed nurse is one of the great blessings for humanity. He expressed confidence that Smt Mena will inspire fellow nurses of the State and elsewhere in their service towards better healthcare, which is the need of the hour. The First Lady of the State Smti Rita Rajkhowa also congratulated ANM Mena, who has been working at the Raj Bhavan State Dispensary.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

PAGE 4

District Children and Women Cell, Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh organizes Con- State Government sanctions Rs. vention on Adolescent Girls in collaboration with Dibrugarh University and supported by UNICEF 67 Crores for revamping water supply of Capital Complex

ET Bureau Dibrugarh, May 15: A Convention on Adolescent Girls was organized

by District Children and Women Cell, Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh in collaboration with Dibrugarh University and supported by UNICEF on May 14 at the Dibrugarh University campus. The main objective of the convention was to provide exposure to the adolescent girls on various topics like higher education, vocational education facilities, various scholarships, nutrition, sanitation, hygiene and knowledge about various child protection agencies in the district.

The convention was conceptualized by Deputy Commissioner of Dibrugarh M.S. Manivannan, which was passionately supported by the Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University, Dr. Alok Kumar Buragohain.

550 adolescent girls from the tea community partici-

pated in the daylong convention from 76 tea gardens of Dibrugarh district.

M.S. Manivanan, IAS, DC, Dibrugarh welcomed the guest and adolescent girls to the convention and said the district administration is committed to the empowerment of girls from the tea community and would take all necessary steps to towards the empowerment of girls. Bir Bikram Gogoi, APS, SP, Dibrugarh said the district police would ensure the protection of girls in the district. Dr. Alok Kr. Borgohain, VC Dibrugarh University said that the University would enable the adolescent girls from the tea community to access higher education.

Mr. Sujoy Mojumdar, WASH Specialist, UNICEF, India Country Office, New Delhi, said the adolescent convention created history, nowhere in India so many stakeholders have come together to work for the empowerment of adolescent

girls from the tea gardens.

Dr. Ratan Kumar Katoky, Principal, Assam Medical College and Hospitals, was the Chief Guest of the Adolescent Convention, he highlighted the key health related issues of girls from tea community and how AMCH is playing a role in addressing them.

The convention was made successful by the passionate contribution and ownership of many stakeholders like District Administration and its various departments, Dibrugarh University, Assam Medical College and Hospitals, Tea Garden Associations like ABITA and BCP, Tea Garden Management of 76 Tea Gardens of Dibrugarh District, District Police and UNICEF Assam.

The convention had three different components, 3 parallel sessions, 9 stalls and a felicitation ceremony at 'Ranghar' Dibrugarh University.

During the convention 3 parallel sessions were organized and 9 stalls were

set up. More than 500 adolescent girls were divided in 4 groups. Each group attended all the 3 sessions and visited the stalls in rotation.

A. The 3 sessions were as follows: 1. Education:Higher Education and Vocational Education facilities available in Dibrugarh District including scholarship schemes available.

2. Child protection: Child Protection agencies in the district and their role in protecting children. And how adolescent girls and their parents can access these protection services.

3. Health & Nutrition: Adolescent girls were made aware of the various health, water, sanitation hygiene and nutrition related issues like anemia, worm infection, water borne diseases etc among the adolescent girls of the tea community and how they can be addressed and avoided.

B. The Stalls were on the following topics: 1.

Public Health

EnggDept (PHE): Displayed information and knowledge on how to clean drinking water, maintain Sanitation and Hygiene in their houses and community. Including various services provided by the PHE. 2. National Health Mission (NHM): Set up a camp to check-up all the girls of various commonly found diseases among the adolescent girls from tea community and suggest treatment. From the stall girls were also provided sanitary napkins at a discounted rate.

3. Assam Medical College and Hospitals (AMCH): AMCH set up three stall to demonstrate healthy cooking and balance diet from the locally available and low cost vegetables, which can be grown in the kitchen gardens.

4. SarvashikshaAbhiyan (SSA): Set up a stall to provide information on the SSA schemes and how adolescent girls can benefit from it.

5. Rastriya Madyamik

AKDDSU and APCYGTSU calls 12-hr Kra Daadi bandh on May 24 To launch first phase of democratic movement A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 15: Irked with the unresponsive attitude of the state government on its charter of demands, the All Kra Daadi District Students’ Union (AKDDSU) and All Palin, Chambang, Yangte, Gangte, Tarak Lengdi, Student’s Union (APCYGTSU) in a joint press conference threatened to launch its first phase of democratic movement in the form of a 12hour Kra Daadi district bandh on May 24 next.

The AKKDSU in its charter of demands is pushing

for the posting of an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre deputy commissioner to replace the incumbent DC in the newly created Kra Daadi district for comprehensive development, besides demanding action against illegal appointment in the DRDA, action against encroachment of government land in Government Higher Secondary School, immediate functioning of the 50-bedded hospital in Jorung and proper implementation of Multi-Sectoral Development Programme projects

such as DPR. Speaking to the media here at press club, AKDDSU president Gora Rikam informed that despite its repeated pleas to the state government, no action has been initiated, and has compelled the organization to take democratic means by calling a bandh .

Demanding immediate transfer of the incumbent DC, Rikam alleged that under the present DC functioning of all offices in the district has become weak

and even the district administration has failed to deal with the land encroacher of government quarters.

Moreover, vital centralsponsored projects under MSDP and RMSA are also diluted and work orders have been awarded to few individual without floating any tender and DPR norms.

He further added that the 50-bedded hospital at Jorung is in a defunct state with lack of staffs, and alleged that the DC has taken no initiative despite repeated pleas. “Instead of upgrading the hospital for

the greater interest of the common public, the DC is trying to shift the community health centre in the said 50-bedded district hospital”, he claimed.

“We have held discussions and placed our demands to local representatives (MLAs) but nothing has been initiated as yet”, lamented Rikam, while also informing that a second and third phase of its democratic movement will be followed through on June 7 and 16 next if no action is taken in the first phase.

BBK calls meeting for Solung Ground & New Market on 18th next

A 5-member gamling racket was busted by Hijuguri Police in Tinsukia on Saturday. Pic - Sidharth Singh

Declaration Announcement I,KANNAN-C AN ARMY SERVICE NO GD-2606449H DO HEREBY DECLARE THAT (1) JEYASREE-K (2) SHOBANA-K BOTH ARE MY N A T U R A L DAUGHTERS.

11 Afghan soldiers killed in past 24 hours Kabul, May 15 (ANI): At least 11 soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) forces were killed in the fight against terrorism in the past 24 hours.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) in its statement said that the soldiers were martyred while conducting counter-terrorism operations against the internal and external terrorists.

Apart from the 11 soldiers, at least 65 militants were also killed and 22 others were wounded during the same operations the statement said.

The operations were conducted in Kandahar, Ghor, Baghlan, Helmand, Maidan WArdak, Kunar and Ghazni provinces with the support of Afghan Air Force and artillery units.

"The Afghan National Army (ANA) forces are prepared for all kinds of devotion and with all force to maintain security and comfort for the people of Afghanistan," the Khaama Press quoted the statement by Ministry of Defense as saying.

The Ministry of Defense added that a commander of the Taliban group identified as Mullah Abdul Hadi was also among those killed during the clearance operations.

So far, no anti-government armed militant groups have commented regarding the reports

Spl Correspondent Pasighta, May 15: To sort out the differences between Bogong Banggo Kebang (BBK) and PRI leaders of Bogong I & II in regards to donation of land to Central Solung Festival Celebration Committee 2016 for larger Pasighat Solung Ground and for establishment of a New Market in and around the present Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) medical, BBK has called for a general meeting of all stakeholders on 18th May next.

Informing about the meeting, BBK General Secretary Mongol Gao has said that, the donation of land for larger Pasighat Solung Ground at this new location is for the larger interest of all, as present Solung Ground at the backside of main market are very congested. Gao also said that, as planned the meeting will

also discuss upon the land to be donated for New Market. He appealed each and everyone to turn up in the meeting so that a common consensus could be taken upon the subjects which have no personal benefits.

Earlier, after BBK had declared donation of some portion of land at AYUSH region to CSFCC for larger Solung ground, PRI leaders of Bogong I & II had objected the move of BBK citing the reason as PRI leaders and other stake holders were not consulted. Subsequently, PRI leaders had called a meeting at Balek Community hall on 9th May last where BBK leadership didn’t turned up due to which a 10 days time was given to BBK for fixation of a meeting, following which 18th May 2016 has been fixed as meeting date, informed GS BBK, Mongol Gao in a statement.

Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Set up a stall to provide information on the SSA schemes and how adolescent girls can benefit from it.

6. District Child Protection Unit (DCPU): The newly constituted DCPU, displayed the various protection services available to the adolescent girls and how they can access these services.

7. Bharatiya Cha Parisad (BCP) and Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA): Displayed the handicraft items prepared by adolescent girls as part of their training in the adolescent girls club activity. There are Adolescent girls club in 84 Tea Estates of Dibrugarh supported by UNICEF. C. The felicitation Ceremony: During the felicitation ceremony adolescent girls shared their experience during the convention and what they have learned during the day and the performed Song and Dance.

Adolescent were provided certificate of participation.

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 15: Continuing its people friendly and active welfare interventions, the State government with the initiative of Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, Minister PHE & WS Lombo Tayeng and Parliamentary Secretary PHE & WS Alo Libang, has taken up the issue of the shortage of drinking water supply infrastructure in the Capital Complex area.

Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli, Ganga village, Poma, Lekhi, Damsite, ISBT will benefit from this project, for which the State Government has sanctioned Rs. 67 Crores.

The Department of PHE & WS which will implement the Project, will also take up comprehensive measures for improvement of the distribution network in sectors.

As most of the existing water supply lines in the capital complex area are more than thirty years old, they need urgent repairing, replacement and maintenance. In addition to revamping the water supply network, it will introduce reform initiative of installing meter system for institutions and offices on pilot basis and also takThe project will also in- ing up rooftop rainwaclude extension and re- ter harvesting and overalignment of pipe lines, head water tanks. construction of water filling centres, boring of Considering the fredeep tube wells in vari- quent occurrence of fire ous constrained areas accidents in the twin besides providing water capital, fire hydrants tankers to mitigate the will also be installed in problem of water short- strategic locations age during lean season across the city in popuand system break- lated area and in schools downs. Areas like & colleges.

In view of the hardships faced by the people, the State Government has taken up an ambitious project to revamp and overhaul the water supply network of the entire capital complex region which will include augmentation of water supply by tapping various sources in addition to existing ones.

Leader's remark on foreigners issue damaged BJP: Ajmal Contd. from Page 1

"The demand for 1951 as the base year will in no way affect majority of the Muslims as most can trace their family linkage to 1951 but will actually affect the Hindu Bengalis as most came from Bangladesh after 1971", Ajmal said.

"Our stand is very clear--we stand by the decision of 1971 as the base year which is being followed for updating NRC and we are committed to the Assam Accord," he said.

AIUDF's stand on the issue of foreigners has been clear from the beginning that all foreigners who have come after 1971 must leave but genuine citizens should not be harassed at any cost, Ajmal said.

"Bangladeshis must go. We do not want them to be in Assam but genuine citizens

of the country who have been living in the state for generations should not be harassed. I have stated the same in Parliament," he said.

Asked about allegations that his party was formed after the scrapping of the Illegal Migrants Determination Tribunal (IMDT) Act, to protect the interests of Bangladeshi migrants, he said this was "absolutely false and a propaganda spread by Congress".

"Our party was in existence for six months before the scrapping of the IMDT Act in 2005 and we are not for protecting foreigners," he said.

Asked about his party being viewed primarily as a party for the minorities, the AIUDF chief said this was "not true.

We are a secular party committed to the development of all communities in the

state".

"In this Assembly polls, out of the 73 candidates we have fielded, 33 are from different communities across the state and we want all-round development of all the communities," he said.

On allegations that madarsas in Assam were emerging as hubs for jihadis, Ajmal said these are just "speculation and an example of witch-hunting".

"There is no jihadi activities in madarsas. In most cases, it has been found that people are arrested on suspicion but later released after several years, thereby completely ruining their lives", he said.

Police should arrest only those against whom they have concrete evidence of indulging in such activities and not ruin the lives of people by keeping them in jails, Ajmal said.

ACEAF seeks intervention of state govt., chief secretary, Raj Bhawan on violation of Recruitment Rules Contd. from Page 1

Going on to allege that the Department of Urban Development has violated the Supreme Court judgment by keeping four UPO posts for waiting list candidates out of the total eight UPO posts in its recently announced advertisement, Maming said that the Supreme Court judgment in the 2009 case of Kyoda Sanjay Vs Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the apex court had clearly stated that the authority cannot make any appointments from the waiting list, and that if any vacancies are required to be filled, there should be a fresh recruit-

ment process.

“We have more than 2000 unemployed graduate civil engineers in the state, and the practise of deputation, functional and out-of-turn promotion is immensely affecting deserving candidates” said Maming.

Also expressing concern over the violation of RR, ACEAF vice president M Lollen appealed to the state government to publish the AR-74 Gazette Publication of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, where it is clearly mentioned that Diploma holders could not be promoted to AE/UPO in any case. He also urged for clarification of the term ‘Upgrade’ used by the PWD against junior engineers.

The ACEAF informed that it has submitted its grievances to the chief minister, chief secretary, and governor, and also to all top officers of all concerned departments demanding immediate inclusion of four UPO (waiting list) in the already announced advertisement, along with immediate cancellation of all the functional AEs holding backlogs and yearly conduct of the DPC. “If no action is initiated within the stipulated time we will definitely go for legal means, though Chief Minister Kalikho Pul and Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin have assured to look into the matter”, added the ACEAF members.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

2 missing Indians presumed dead

Representational image (Photo: Getty Images)

Imphal, May 15 : Two Indians said to be missing in Myanmar since May 2 are presumed dead, intelligence sources told IANS. The sources told IANS on Saturday that chances of survival of the two men who had gone for fishing to Myanmar are very slender. The family members are also not so hopeful.

The two Indians, Mohammad Jalanuddin, 30, and Mohammad Kheiruddin, 24, of Muslim Basti at Moreh, the border town in Manipur had left on May 2 morning ostensibly to fish trout in Myanmar.

However, they never returned home.

Police sources said: "A missing report was lodged with the police station at Moreh. We made inquiry and the Myanmarese authority assured us that all available information would be shared."

Till date no such information has come.

Meanwhile, the residents of Moreh got local information that bodies of two

persons were sighted at Wukshu village in Myanmar. A team led by the representatives of the Muslim Council Moreh went there. However no dead body was found.

Suspecting foul play the Hill Tribes Council, the Meitei Council Moreh, the Muslim Council Moreh, Tamil Sangam Moreh, the IndoMyanmar Workers Forum, Gorkha Samiti and others called a 24-hour shutdown at Moreh on May 9 during which the international border was sealed off.

On May 9 night there was stone pelting along the international border during which at least 10 persons who sustained injuries were hospitalised.

Some Muslim organisations came to Moreh to express sympathy with the families.

Police officials said that in the absence of feedback from Myanmar there is nothing that could be done.

This is the first instance of Indians who intruded into Myanmar for fishing going missing.

22 people sick after consuming free medicines

22 people sick after consuming free medicines Kokrajhar, May 15 : Altogether 22 people, including children and women, fell ill in Assam's Kokrajhar district after consuming free medicines from a mobile medical unit (MMU) of NRHM, official sources said on Saturday.

A free medical camp was held at Tetlipara village on Friday and free medicines were distributed by the MMU and 22 patients fell ill after consuming them, they

said.

They were admitted to nearby hospitals where the condition of two of them was stated to be serious. The rest were out of danger, the sources said.

Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner Madhab Prasad Sharma said an investigation was ordered into the incident and samples of the drugs distributed in the camp were being examined. (PTI)

Rongjali Bwisagu fwrbw celebrated at Dimapur Kokrajhar, May 15: The first annual Rongjali Bwisagu Fwrbw, Dimapur was celebrated at Urban Haat, Rajabari, adjacent to the ancient Royal palace of Kachari Kingdom in Dimapur(Nagaland) with day long colourful programme Saturday.

Various traditional dance performances which inter alia includes Boro Bwisagu, Boro Demshi, Dimasa Kachari dance, Mech Kachari dance by various cultural troups and artists were showcase.

A colourful cultural procession was also taken up around the Rajabari complex, the ancient Royal palace of Kachari Kingdom which was flagged of by Orenthang Lotha, ADC of Okha, Nagaland.

Earlier in the morning, flag hoisting of Rongjali Bwisagu was carried out by Naren Chandra Basumatary, presi-

dent of organising committee, followed by lighting of lamp at Bathou by Bijar Mech, an elderly person from Kuchiabil, Dimapur.

Traditional games competition including ‘batha’, ‘tug of war’ etc was held among the children, women and men folks.

An open session was also held which was presided over by president of organising committee Naren Chandra Basumatary and inaugurated

by Berlao K Karjee, adviser of All Assam Tribal Youth League.

Sahitya Academi awardee Dr Mangal Singh Hazowary attended the function as chief guest. Vice president of Bodo Writers Academy Dr Subhangsa Muchahary, former vice president of Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Deputy Commissioner of Nagaland Kesonyu Yhome among others attended the function.

PAGE 5

Campaigning for Tura by-poll ends Tura, May 15 : The dust has settled and the gruelling twenty long days of trudging into villages and localities to seek votes for by-poll to Tura Lok Sabha seat, slated for Monday, has finally ended for the two candidates- Conrad K Sangma of the NPP and Dikkanchi D Shira of the Congress.

Campaigning came to a close at 4pm on Saturday with both candidates winding up their elections rallies in West Garo Hills district where nature too joined the election bandwagon being as erratic as the mood of the fallible mortals, with gutsy showers playing spoilsport dipping the mercury but not the ex-

citement.

The Congress rally of Dikkanchi D Shira at Rajabala to complete their campaign was a total washout due to an intense thunderstorm on Saturday afternoon while the NPP rally of Conrad K Sangma somehow managed to swim against the tide and address the crowd the downpour showing no signs of a respite.

This was an election replete with claims and counter claims, remarks and rhetoric blended with adrenalin and allegations running high. It had both drama and melodrama.

The Congress aggressively pushed through its agenda highlighting its

Poll personnel engaged for Tura by-poll leave for their respective destinations on Saturday. (UB) ‘developmental’ works undertaken by the state government as it sought votes during the campaign trail.

The opposition NPP’s response was to highlight the central funding

for the projects which the ruling state Congress was claiming.

At times subtlety appeared to have taken over substance, at other times wit had outrun itself.

Though Dikkanchi D

Shira is the Congress candidate it was her husband and chief minister Mukul Sangma who went all guns blazing against the opposition candidate.

Heavy rain alert for poll personnel: Meanwhile, in view of the IMD weather forecast that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to take place in certain pockets over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and ) Meghalaya within the next few days from May 14 to May 18, the Deputy Commissioner (Election) South West Garo Hills, Ram Singh on Saturday alerted the polling personnel, most of whom have already departed for their respective polling

Hate pamphlet: FIR lodged Shillong, May 15 : The Returning Officer Pravin Bakshi has lodged an FIR in connection with the circulationof hate pamphlet allegedly by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ahead of by-election to Tura Lok Sabha seat.

Bakshi filed the FIR after the All India Congress Committee (AICC) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission stating that a large number of pamphlets were distributed in the name of RSS targeting Christianity.

Later, a case was registered by the State police under Section 153(A) of IPC which prohibits promoting enmity between different groups.

The Returning Officer also asked the investigating officer to conduct an inquiry also under Section 125 of Representation of People’s Act, 1951.

Though the Congress had claimed that RSS was behind the distribution of hate pamphlet, in his FIR, the Returning Officer, however, is silent in this connection.

When contacted, Bakshi said that it was a general FIR against mischief mongers.

According to Congress, the pamphlet terms Christianity as a samasya and the mission and purpose of the distribution of pamphlet is for gharwapsi.

Commenting on the cir-

culation of hate pamphlets, the Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said that the Returning Officer (RO) had asked the flying squad and the surveillance team to ensure the seizure of the pamphlets so that their circulation does not affect the polls. ” It is yet to establish who is distributing the notices and the matter will be investigated as the RO had already held a meeting the police in this regard”, Kharkongor said BJP may lodge complaint against Bakshi: Meanwhile, BJP is planning to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission of India against Returning Officer Pravin Bakshi over recent

events that unfolded during the election campaign, our Tura correspondent adds The BJP had sought permission from the RO to hold a rally at Phulbari on Friday evening where its minority morcha president Abdul Rashid was scheduled to address the gathering. “The permission was rejected by the RO who cited that since we are not contesting the elections we cannot hold a rally. When we informed him that our party is supporting the NPP which is a part of the NDA alliance he sought a declaration on that. Only after we sought a written order from his side was the permission given at the 11th

hour,” informed BJP leaders. They further pointed out that a showcause notice was issued to the party on an allegation levelled by the Congress against the use of the BJP symbols by their own leaders in campaigns by the party.

“Since we are a separate party from the NPP and campaigning for their candidate we had every right to hold rallies to mobilize support for them. There was no violation of the model code of conduct and we replied to the notice,” said Meghalaya BJP spokesperson Biplop Bose expressing his displeasure over the manner in which the RO handled the election campaign.

Bid to carry out subversive activities thwarted Shillong, May 15 : Meghalaya Police have foiled the proscribed HNLC’s bid to carry out subversive activities in the State.

The matter has come to light following the arrest of four militants including three members of HNLC on Friday night.

The militants were arrested while they were trying to sneak into East Khasi Hills district on Friday night .The fourth rebel was a senior cadre of the United Liberation Front of Asom- Independent (ULFA-I).

Police sounded an alert in the district following an intelligence input that HNLC cadres had come from Bangladesh to the district, East Khasi Hills district police chief M Kharkrang said on Saturday.

“Accordingly, police check points were placed all over the city,” he said.

According to Kharkrang, at around 9:40 pm, the SOT personnel intercepted one vehicle (ML05 M 3807) on the ) NH 40 at Mawlieh View Point,

near Langkyrdem. The four were arrested by SOT personnel from the vehicle, Kharkrang said. Two AK 56 rifles, 1 with 105 live Chinese rounds, 9mm Mauser with 24 live 9mm rounds, 2 Improvised Claymore Explosives weighing 15.7Kgs in 2 Claymore Boxes, 2 Timer Devices inside plastic spectacle boxes, 2 battery power sources, 1 Multimeter Voltage Testor were recovered from their possession. It is suspected that because of heavy

police checking, the four militants could not execute their plan to plant a bomb. The Bomb Disposal Squad was immediately called in to de-activate the explosives where 6 pieces of Commercial Electrical Detonators were detonated using Cordex wire at the spot itself. The arrested HNLC cadres were Nobleson Rynjah, Phrankor Rynjah and Kyrseiboklang Lyngdoh.

Kharkrang said the Special Operation Team also nabbed a senior ULFA-I rebel Bikhat Ahom of

Assam’s Bongaigaon area. Ahom is a bomb expert and is wanted by Assam police for several bombings and other criminal activities in Assam. “Ahom’s arrest is a major breakthrough for the Meghalaya Police as we strongly suspected him of being involved in the November 2014 blast at Jhalupara area” another senior police told a news agency. The arrested militants have been forwarded to court with a request for 14 days police custody.

Manipur hospital extends helping hand to destitute Imphal, May 15 : J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences, the only state-run medical college in Manipur, has set a rare example -- tending to poor and needy patients free of cost and even arranging to fetch them from far-flung areas.

The free services rendered by the hospital, set up only a few years ago, are a boon to those who cannot afford the exorbitant hospital bills.

Deven Laishram last week led a hospital team to pick up R.K. Tamphasana, a young housewife who was deserted by her husband when both her legs were paralysed following a botched operation.

She has been bed-ridden for the last five years. To feed and educate her son and invalid parents she had borrowed some money for which the patch of homestead is about to

be taken away by the money lender.

Laishram said, "JNIMS is also the hospital of the poor and Tamphasana will get the best treatment and free medicine."

Specialists are doing their best to restore her health

though amputation seems to be the only way out as all that is left of her thighs are bones.

On Thursday a tribal woman, both legs paralysed, was brought to JNIMS with the help of lawyers and other activists

from Tamenglong district.

The woman, Khalailung, was paralysed after the birth of her third baby. By that time she became a widow and with her village Khamphai having no motorable road the only treatment was herbal

medicine.

While a district legal awareness camp was on in the village, her neighbours brought her in a litter from where lawyers and doctors took her to JNIMS. Aribam Noutuneswori, a district judge, said: "We heard about the plight of this woman one year ago and had approached the JNIMS authority."

Laishram said: "Our medical team started the journey in the bridle path at 3 a.m. to fetch her. All specialists are now attending to her to see whether her health can be restored. She will get free treatment and medicines."

Ramshing, the father of the patient, said, "We are poor people. Since we could not send her to any hospital she remained bed ridden. The Almighty shall bless those who have helped my daughter."

(IANS)

station, to take necessary precautionary measures.

The sector officers have also been directed to alert the polling parties under their respective sectors to ensure that the likely occurrence of heavy rains do not disrupt the polling process in all the polling stations in the district. It may be mentioned that the movement of polling parties for the by-election to the 2-Tura parliamentary constituency had begun Saturday morning and 96 polling parties have already arrived at their respective polling stations in the three Assembly segments of South West Garo Hills, while the remaining 14 polling parties would depart on Sunday morning.

75 yrs of Assam Regimental Centre Shillong, May 15 : The platinum jubilee of the Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) will be celebrated in Shillong, where it was raised in 1941, and in Shimla, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt General Subrata Saha announced here on Saturday.

"The celebrations will be held in midJune in Shimla and in Shillong from November 16 to 19," Lt Gen Saha told the media.

A war memorial and museum will be inaugurated here. A host of activities, including a motorcycle rally, will also be held. The second-incommand of the Indian Army was here to take part in the passing out parade of the 315th batch of the Assam Regimental Centre. Altogether, 295 recruits graduated on Saturday.

HNLC, Ulfa rebels held Shillong, May 15 : Three rebels from Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and one from Ulfa were arrested, and arms and explosives seized in the city on Friday.

Police said the four were planning to trigger an explosion in the city. The state police acted swiftly after receiving intelligence inputs about their entry.

Two AK 56, 1 with 105 live Chinese rounds, 9mm Mauser with 24 live 9mm rounds, 2 Improvised Claymore Explosives weighing 15.7 Kgs in 2 Claymore Boxes, 2 timer devices inside plastic spectacle boxes, 2 battery power sources, 1 Multimeter Voltage Tester were recovered from their possession.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

PAGE 6

Shashi Tharoor should already be in custodial interrogation: Swamy New Delhi, May 15 : A day after he wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding a court-monitored SIT to take forward the probe into the mysterious death of Sunanda Pushkar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Sunday asserted that Congress leader Shashi Tharoor should have been taken into custodial interrogation by now, adding it showed the snail pace of the entire probe.

"I have been in touch with Rajnath ji since July 2014 and whatever forward movement has taken place so far, it's because he has been taking precaution to see that

no political interference takes place. He has told the Police Commissioner not to allow any politician to intervene, as it could block the progress of the investigation," Swamy told ANI. Stressing that there has been no progress in the case since the FBI report in January, Swamy added that the main factor to be noted was that Tharoor, Sunanda's husband, has been giving contradictory statements to the police.

"He is the principal person, who was witness to whether she was dead or alive. He is the husband and there are many such situations that he has to explain. He should have by now been taken into

UP liquor association protests against Bihar CM Nitish

UP liquor association protests against Bihar CM Nitish Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), May 15 : The liquor association in Uttar Pradesh today staged a protest in Lucknow against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's move to ban liquor in the state.

Kanhaiya Kumar, the liquor association's general secretary, said that they would show black flags and raise slogans asking the Bihar Chief Minister to 'go back'. " Uttar Pradesh liquor association is protesting against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. We want to say that it is impossible to ban liquor here. There are around 27,000 shops of liquor in UP and around 20 lakh people are in the business.

A ban on liquor sale will affect the livelihood of all these people," he added.

He further said that the ban would incur loss to the

state revenue.

Following the prohibition on country made liquor in the state, the Bihar Government banned liquor last month, making it the fourth dry state in the country after Gujarat, Kerala and Nagaland.

The Bihar Chief Minister had earlier said that hotels and bars would not serve alcohol anymore and no license will be given, while adding that Army canteens will continue to sell alcohol.

During the assembly elections, Nitish had promised to start a people's movement against liquor in the state and ensure that the ban on liquor is effectively implemented.

In 2014-15, the excise collection from the liquor in the state was Rs. 3,700 crore while the target for 2015-16 was set at Rs. 4,000 crore. (ANI)

Girls outshine boys in UP Secondary Education Board exams

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), May 15 : The Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Board today announced the results of Class 10 and Class 12 examinations.

87.66 percent students passed in Class 10, while 87.99 percent students passed in Class 12.

This year, all the top five candidates in high school and intermediate board exams are girls.

Sakshi Verma from

Barabanki district topped in class 12th board exam, while Saumya Patel from Raibareli district got the first position in High School merit list.

More than 28 lakh students passed class 10 examination and about 25 lakh 66 thousand examinees have been declared successful in class 12 board exam.

About 200 prisoners also successfully cleared their board exams for class 10 and 12. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy custodial interrogation or be made to take a lie detector test or a narco test but nothing has happened," Swamy said.

He further said that there is no accused in the case

even though it was a murder and warned that the evidences would go cold if the police delays the probe into the matter.

Adding that it will be appropriate if the case was

subjected to a court monitored SIT, the BJP leader asserted that he would ensure the investigation is speedily completed.

"The murder happened in January 2014 and we still don't have a clue in 2016...that cannot go on," Swamy said.

The BJP leader, who has been crying foul over Sunanda's death of Pushkar, had earlier alleged that the wife of the Congress leader was killed in a professional way.

Sunanda was found dead inside her suite at a fivestar hotel here in January 2014, a day after she was involved in a spat with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar on Twitter over the

latter's alleged affair with Tharoor, the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram.

Her viscera samples were sent to the FBI lab in Washington DC in February last year to determine the kind of poison that killed her after an AIIMS medical board identified poisoning as the reason behind her death.

The FBI had endorsed the AIIMS report on poisoning and also said that a "dangerous chemical" was present in her body that may have killed her.

Swamy had earlier written two letters - one in July 2014 and another in December 2014 - to the Home Minister in this regard. (ANI)

Madhesis start fresh protests in Nepal against Constitution Kathmandu, May 15 : Hundreds of Madhesi protesters today scuffled with Nepal police as they restarted protests against the new Constitution and press for their demands relating to more rights, adequate representation and re-demarcation of provincial boundary.

Traffic movement was disrupted in the vicinity of Singhdurbar, the main administrative complex of the country, for hours due to the protest.

About 2,000 protesters gathered at Singhdurbar and Nayabaneshwor areas, an hour before the government office open.

They forcefully tried to enter the prohibited areas, triggering a scuffle with riot police who were deployed to guard the important government offices.

The protesters were carrying placards with antigovernment and proMadhesi slogans.

The leaders and cadres of Federal Alliance, the grouping of seven Madhes-based political parties and 22 other ethnic groups, also joined

protesters.

There was heavy presence of security personnel in the area since early morning to prevent any untoward incident.

The major demands of Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, include re-demarcation of the seven province model of federal structure, inclusiveness and proportionate representation of marginalised groups and ethnic minorities including the Madhesis, indigenous groups and dalits in all the state bodies.

"Our other demands include proportionate representation, inclusive representation for the Madhesis and other marginalised groups in various state mechanisms, and rights related to language and citizenship certificate," said Laxman Lal Karna, vice-president of Nepal Sadbhawana party, one of the members of the alliance, told PTI. The alliance started their Kathmandu-centric fresh protests yesterday.

Madhesis earlier had launched six-month-long

Madhesis start fresh protests in Nepal against Constitution agitation from September to February in which more than 50 people were killed. The agitation had also crippled the landlocked country's economy as supplies from India were blocked.

The alliance has this time changed its strategy and focused on capital city in an attempt to draw attention of the government and other stakeholders to their demands.

On Friday, Madhesi parties rejected the government's fresh call for talks and asked the ruling coalition to create

a "conducive atmosphere" for dialogue to end the political crisis.

The United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, accused Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's government of using excessive force to suppress their agitation demanding more constitutional representation.

"Government is not serious enough to address the issues raised by the agitating Madhesi parties through dialogue," the Front had said. (PTI)

Post capture of 'high profile' JeM terrorist, Army warns of more infiltrations Baramulla, May 15 : Asserting that the operation in which a high profile Jaishe-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist was captured alive in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, was a major success, the Indian Army on Sunday warned that several terrorist organisations were putting pressure on their cadres to increase infiltration into India.

Speaking to ANI here, Major General J.S. Nain, General Officer Commanding of Baramulla Division, said that he considered the operation to be highly successful, as the live capture of a senior terrorist was very significant and hoped that they would be able to procure some major information out of him on the basis of which they can plan future operations.

"According to the information we have procured from him so far during the interrogation, he was trained in Balakot camp for around four months under the supervision of ISI, along with four other companions. After the training, he obtained some specialised training from other areas as well and then in January, he infiltrated into India with four companions," he said.

The GOC added that after entering India, the terrorist stayed hidden in the forests with his team for a while and since the past couple of months, he was involved in activities which included re-

Post capture of 'high profile' JeM terrorist, Army warns of more infiltrations cruitment and that he also wanted to form a JeM module, following which he intended to launch fidayeen attacks.

"He has not given us much detail regarding his other companions. They exchanged some telephone numbers with each other before going their separate ways. We checked out those numbers but were not able to establish contact and according to him, he himself has not been in touch with them for a couple of months," he said.

Talking about how the operation was extremely difficult for the Army since they were determined to capture him alive, the Major General said that the troops did everything to ensure that he was alive, including manoeuvres to avoid any gunbattles which could result in his death.

He added that they wanted him alive so that they could

procure some vital information out of him, which is why his capture was vital.

Regarding the Aadhar card that was obtained from the terrorist, the officer said that the matter would take a serious turn only if the document turned out to be original.

"The finding of the Aadhar card can be a serious issue only if it turns out to be original and we have not ascertained its authenticity yet.

But he told us that he obtained the document for him and his four other companions just a day after they infiltrated into India. So, if the card turns out to original, then it is a matter of concern and our civil administration and police and investigating agencies will have to keep this in mind during interrogation and find out how he came by the document," he said.

When asked about the pos-

sibility of the terrorist possibly giving information regarding the deadly Pathankot attack since he was from JeM, the same module that reportedly launched the attack on the Air Base, the officer said that the chances were slim.

"Some information can be procured from him regarding the Pathankot attack. But since he is a high level terrorist, he may not know about the nuances of the entire JeM operation. So it is hard to say how much help he can be in this matter. It is only after during the interrogation we can find out how much he knows," he said.

With the capture of the terrorist, the question that rises now is the possibility of many such cases of successful infiltrations and how the melting snow could be an aiding factor.

"Till now it is hard to say that infiltration is happening under the cover of the melting snow. But it is definite that all organisations are putting pressure on their cadres to increase infiltration and terrorist activities in the valley and other parts of India," Major General Nain said.

Abdul Rehman, the JeM commander, was arrested yesterday after he was captured in a joint operation by the 46 RR and SOG Baramulla. (ANI)

Jaitley blames Rawat despite U'khand floor test debacle

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley New Delhi, May 15 : Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) facing a humiliating defeat in the Uttarakhand floor test, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that it was not a damage, adding the root cause behind the political crisis in the hill state was the March 18 incident.

"I don't consider Uttarakhand as damage.

If you look with honesty, you will find that the root of Uttarakhand crisis lies in the March 18 incident," he said in an exclusive interview to ETV head Jagdish Chandra.

"On March 18, 36 people out of 67 voted against the budget. The budget and the Appropriation Bill were defeated and the state government should have resigned.

Then they say that there should be a floor test.

Was March 18 incident not a floor test? There was a division demanded and the Speaker denied counting the votes," he

added.

He also attacked the Harish Rawat-led state government for blaming the Centre for not allowing the floor test to take place earlier.

"Today, they are praising the floor test and blaming that the Centre had not allowed for it before.

But the fact is that March 18 incident was a floor test. Nine of the MLAs were disqualified because they voted against the budget. And then they are saying that it was the Speaker, who gave a wrong ruling," he said.

The Centre on May 11 revoked President's rule from Uttarakhand after Chief Minister Harish Rawat proved his majority on the floor of the House. The Congress won by a margin of 3328 in the floor test that took place on May 10.

The nine Congress rebels were barred from voting in the 71-member assembly. (ANI)

"Go home" graffiti scrawled near Canada Sikh temple

"Go home" graffiti scrawled near Canada Sikh temple Toronto, May 15 : A graffiti that read "Go Home" along with what appear to be swastikas has beeen scrawled on the fence near a Sikh temple in the Canadian city of Martindale.

A lawyer came across graffiti scrawled on the fence near the Dashmesh Culture Centre, Sikh temple yesterday, a day after Nagar Kirtan procession was organised by the centre during which they handed out food as they walk through the community.

"For a few seconds, I was in a state of shock, I just couldn't believe what I was seeing," Usman Mahmood was quoted as saying by CBC News.

Someone had written "Go Home" along with

what appear to be swastikas, close to centre.

"I have seen pictures, I have heard about things, I have read about things but seeing this for the first time, it is a little disturbing," he said.

Mahmood said diversity is one of the things he loves about the Martindale community.

"Within a few kilometrerange you have a lot of religions, a lot of faith, a lot of communities that live with a lot of peace and harmony. It is a great community to live in, but it is very sad to see this."

"People from all sorts of faiths. Whoever lives around this area should stand up to it and say, 'this is not going to happen in my neighbourhood. (PTI)

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

India's nuclear build up undermining South Asia's stability: Pak experts Islamabad, May 15 : Warning that India's conventional and nuclear build up is undermining South Asia's strategic stability, the experts in Pakistan said the move set off an arms race in the region.

The experts expressed their views at a round table discussion, 'Growing Challenges to Strategic Stability in South Asia', organised by the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS).

Strategic Plans Division Director Dr. Adil Sultan pointed out that India, besides upgrading its conventional capability, was also developing a complete inventory of nuclear

Recalling, political decision, Nepal-India ties, Deep Kumar Upadhyay Kathmandu, May 15 : Nepal's former Ambassador to India, Deep Kumar Upadhyay, who was recalled by the government from the Nepali diplomatic mission in New Delhi, has said that he had nothing to say about the political decision to recall him.

Upon arrival at his home country with his wife today, Upadhyay maintained that he did his best to strengthen Nepal-India ties while working in New Delhi for the last 13 months, reports the Himalayan Times.

Talking to the media at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival, he said that he also took initiatives to end the obstruction in supply of petroleum products to Nepal after the promulgation of the Constitution in September last year.

He, however, lamented that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not mention any reason behind his recall.

Commenting on President Bidya Devi Bhandari's visit to India that was cancelled at the last moment, he said that it was a sad incident.

Upadhyay, who was a central leader of Nepali Congress before taking up the diplomatic responsibility, maintained such few incidents would not affect the bilateral relations in the longrun.

He hinted that he would become active in politics and said that he would move ahead in consultation with his friends. (ANI)

Federal Alliance begins protest in Nepal's Singha Durbar Kathmandu, May 15(ANI): The federal alliance or the Sanghiya Gathabandhan formed by the Madhesis and Janajati forces began their protests near Nepal's Singha Durbar on Sunday.

The alliance comprising of 27 political parties, including seven Madhesi forces, which have formed the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) had announced protest to exert pressure on the government to address their longstanding demands.

The disgruntled Madhesi parties demand redrawing provincial boundaries and amending some provisions of the Constitution.

The move comes days after the agitating forces' declined the government's offer to resume talks.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli-led government had on Monday written to the agitating parties, inviting them to the negotiating table.

No talks have been held between the two parties since February 18, the day the government formed a political mechanism to address the agitating parties concerns.

The alliance has vowed to continue the protest programmes until their demands are met.

arms ranging from tactical weapons to inter-continental ballistic missiles out of its ambitions to be reckoned as an "undisputed power" at least in the region, reports the Express Tribune.

He said testing of the submarine launched ballistic missile and developing anti-ballistic missile systems meant that India was operationalising its nuclear triad.

Expressing concern, Sultan said that "inconsistencies in India's declaratory policies and evolving strategic thought" and the discord in "India's security enclave" over nuclear drivers affect the regional strategic stability.

NUST, said that military capability acquired by India would hurt Pakistan.

India's nuclear build up undermining South Asia's stability: Pak experts

He pointed out that New Delhi was creating instability at the sub-conventional level by shifting Pakistani military's focus from external threats to

internal security challenges with 'grand strategy' led by its intelligence establishment.

Meanwhile, Dr. Riffat Hussain, a professor at

Expressing India may not be interested in fighting a war with Pakistan at this stage, he, however, said that the country maintained the current growth rate and it may sometime in future impose war on Islamabad.

He said that Pakistan would have to work harder to counter IndiaU.S. alliance.

According to academic Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, the arms race was already taking place in the region, which implies

that there is no strategic stability.

He said that provocative actions by states involved were against the spirit of having nuclear deterrence stability in the region.

Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Executive Director Sarwar Naqvi pointed out that Islamabad must closely watch India - U.S. strategic partnership especially in context of the Logistic Support Agreement (LSA).

He added that prospects of conflict between the arch rivals have only increased due to absence of an institutional dialogue process and deliberate escalation

by India. (ANI)

Man held in connection with Bangladesh LGBT editor's killing Dhaka, May 15 : Dhaka Metropolitan Police has claimed to arrest a man in connection with the murder of LGBT rights activist Xulhaz Mannan and his friend Tonoy Fahim.

Deputy Commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Maruf Hossain Sorder said that Shariful Islam was arrested from Kushtia last night, reports the Daily Star.

Unidentified assailants hacked to death Xulhaz and Tonoy at a flat in the

capital's Kalabagan area on April 25.

Xulhaz was a Political Process Analyst at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and also the editor of "Roopbaan," the country's only known magazine for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

According to the USbased monitoring agency SITE Intelligence Group, Bangladesh branch of al-

Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) or Ansar Al Islam has claimed responsibility for the killings.

The Bangladesh Government has, however, denied the existence of Islamic State or AQIS in the country and claimed that the killings were masterminded by 'homegrown Islamist radicals'.

Xulhaz's death adds to the list of the recent killings of secular writers, online activists and liberal publishers in

Man held in connection with Bangladesh LGBT editor's killing Bangladesh for being vocal about their opinions

in the Muslim- majority country. (ANI)

US report on Chinese military misrepresented: Defense Ministry

Yang Yujun Beijing, May 15 : The Chinese Defense Ministry has expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to a Pentagon report on Beijing's military, saying it has misrep-

resented the country's military development.

Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun asserted that the U.S. Defense Department hyped up China's military threat

and the so-called lack of transparency deliberately distorted China's defense policies and unfairly depicted the country's activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea. "China follows a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. Moves such as deepening military reforms and the military buildup are aimed at maintaining sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and guaranteeing China's peaceful development," Xinhua quoted Yang as saying.

Asserting that the U.S. side has always been suspicious, Yang stressed that China's construction on the Nansha Islands

serves mostly civilian purposes. He said it helps fulfill its international responsibilities and obligations by providing more public goods.

The Defense Ministry spokesman instead said that it was Washington that has been flexing military muscles by frequently sending military aircraft and warships to the region.

He added that despite its call for the freedom of navigation and restraint for peace, the U.S. pushed forward the militarization in the South China Sea with an intention to exert hegemony.

Yang said the U.S. an-

nual report on China's military and security developments has severely damaged mutual trust between the two sides.

He urged the U.S. to take tangible actions to promote the healthy and stable development of relations between both nations and their armed forces The U.S. Defense Department's annual report to Congress on the Chinese military said that Beijing is expected to add substantial military infrastructure, including communications and surveillance systems, to artificial islands in the South China Sea this year.

(ANI)

Three detained in connection with Bangladesh Buddhist monk's killing Dhaka, May 15 : Law Enforcers on Sunday detained three suspects for their involvement in the killing of an elderly Buddhist monk in B a n g l a d e s h ' s Naikkhangchhari upazila of Bandarban district.

The suspects have been identified as Abdur Rahim, 25, Md Zia, 26, and Sa Mong Chak, 35.

Abul Khair, the officerin-charge (OC) of Naikkhangchhari Police Station, confirmed that

they were detained from their houses, reports the Daily Star.

U Damma Oaing Cha Bhikkhu, a 73-year-old Buddhist monk, was found dead, with his throat slit, in his temple Chak Nirvana Bouddha Kyang yesterday.

Khair quoting the locals said that two Rohingya men were seen loitering some place away from the usual walk way near the murder spot.

The elderly monk had on

Three detained in connection with Bangladesh Buddhist monk's killing

Thursday reportedly informed his son that he was feeling unsafe since two unidentified men roamed the temple area.

He had also informed that something unexpected will happen to him and asked his son to stay alert.

Aung Sa Dhoai Chak, the victim's son, said that his father did not have any enmity with anyone in the area.

No group has claimed responsibility for the killing.

(ANI)

Federal alliance to intensify protest, gherao Nepal's Singha Durbar Kathmandu, May 15: The federal alliance or the Sanghiya Gathabandhan formed by the Madhesis and Janajati forces, in order to press the government to address their demands, will on Sunday continue their Kathmandu-centric protests and is scheduled to gherao the Singha Durbar.

The federal alliance had yesterday launched their so called 'intensified' capital centric protests.

Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal, General secretary, Rajendra Shrestha said that the demonstration was aimed at pressuring government to find solution of the Tarai crisis through amendment in

the constitution, reports the Kathmandu Post.

The move comes days after agitating forces' declined government's offer to resume talks.

The Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli-led government had on Monday written to the agitating parties, inviting them to the negotiating table.

The agitating parties demand redrawing provincial boundaries and amending some provisions of the constitution.

No talks have been held between the two parties since February 18, the day the government formed a political mechanism to address the agitating parties con-

cerns.

The federal alliance comprises 27 political parties, including seven Madhesi forces, which have formed the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM).

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said it would be monitoring the protests. (ANI)

Defamation case filed against former B'desh PM Khaleda Zia

National Party chairperson Khaleda Zia Dhaka, May 15 : A defamation case was slapped against Bangladesh National Party chairperson Khaleda Zia on Sunday for her remark that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina son's Sajeeb Wazed Joy has US 300 million dollars in a bank account.

AB Siqqique, the president of Jananetri Parishad, filed the case with the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate Abullah Al Masud, reports the Daily Star.

The court has heard the complaint and will pass an order on the issue later in the day.

With today's case, she has been sued in two cases filed against the former prime minister

on the same issue.

On May 3, a Tk 1 crore defamation case was filed with a Comilla court against her remarks.

Khaleda had at a rally in Dhaka on May 1 alleged that senior journalist Shafik Rehman was arrested for collecting information on Joy's involvement in siphoning off Tk 2,500 crore.

Rehman was arrested on "false charges" of his involvement in a plot to abduct and kill Joy by the government, said Khaleda.

She also said that the government was not implicating Amar Desh [acting] editor Mahmudur Rahman in it. (ANI)

Malware made by Islamabad or Pyongyang hacker used in BB heist: Investigators

Malware made by Islamabad or Pyongyang hacker used in BB heist: Investigators Dhaka, May 15 : The investigators have said that Malware made by either Pakistani or North Korean hackers were used in stealing US 101 million dollars from Bangladesh Bank account with Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

M o h a m m e d Farashuddin, head of the committee probing the Bangladesh Bank heist, said that malware was installed at the server of the central bank, reports the Daily Star.

He said that SWIFT was primarily responsible for the hacking of

the central bank reserve.

On May 9, SWIFT rejected allegations by Bangladesh officials that technicians with the global messaging system made the nation's central bank more vulnerable to hacking before an $81 million cyber heist in February.

The remarks were in response to a Reuters story that cited Bangladeshi police and a central bank official as saying that SWIFT technicians introduced security holes into the bank's network while connecting SWIFT to Bangladesh's first realtime gross settlement (RTGS) system. (ANI)

11 Afghan soldiers killed in past 24 hours Kabul, May 15 : At least 11 soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) forces were killed in the fight against terrorism in the past 24 hours.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) in its statement said that the soldiers were martyred while conducting counter-terrorism operations against the internal and external terrorists.

"The Afghan National Army (ANA) forces are prepared for all kinds of devotion and with all force to maintain security and comfort for the people of Afghanistan," the Khaama Press quoted the statement by Ministry of Defense as saying.

Apart from the 11 soldiers, at least 65 militants were also killed and 22 others were wounded during the same operations the statement said.

The operations were conducted in Kandahar, Ghor, Baghlan, Helmand, Maidan WArdak, Kunar and Ghazni provinces with the support of Afghan Air Force and artillery units.

The Ministry of Defense added that a commander of the Taliban group identified as Mullah Abdul Hadi was also among those killed during the clearance operations.

So far, no anti-government armed militant groups have commented regarding the reports. (ANI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

Study Reveals Plight of Assam's Migrant Workers in Kerala. Part-I

Drugs smuggling Time to act Forget heroin and ganja, pharma drugs are the latest rage among drug addicts in India. The illegal trade has prospered mainly because of a huge profit margin involved in the smuggling of such drugs. Parts of the profit (Photo: money obviously go to amyeisenstein) officials of multiple departments, including drugs control, narcotics, police, customs and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.

Delhi has turned out to be the place where medicines from the main wholesale markets across the country such as Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bangalore, Patna, Lucknow and Indore, are diverted to and stored in godowns. From Delhi and NCR areas, these medicines reach mainly the North-Eastern states, including Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland via Guwahati, in large trucks. Narcotics experts are of the view that many Indian drug users have shifted from narcotics to pharmaceutical use. There have been reports about the increase in smuggling of pharmaceutical drugs.

These medicines are diverted from licit to illicit purpose and the main motive is earning loads of money.

Some wholesale dealers at Bhagirath Place in the Old Delhi area - one of India's largest wholesale medicine market - play a key role in the diversion and smuggling of these medicines. They have their associates and partners in business sitting at wholesale medicine markets at Indore, Patna, Guwahati, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai and other places.

Explaining the profit margin, a wholesale dealer said a bottle of phensedyl costs about Rs 75 and in wholesale markets, it comes at the rate of around Rs 60. In Bangladesh it sells at the rate of Rs 140- Rs 150 according to the supply. Similarly, after the ban on spasmoproxyvon, some dealers suddenly started hoarding the tablets and in the gray market, the price went up to Rs 450 or more per packet. The actual cost for the retailer is anywhere around Rs 270. This painkiller is mainly sent to Mizoram and neighbouring states from Delhi. Deals are fixed mostly over phones and money changes hands through traditional hawala channels. There are some big dealers holed up in Delhi who divert these medicines to Guwahati and other places. Many a time, the police as well as officials of other departments know about the activities and they seize the medicines. But in about 70 per cent cases, they are paid a hefty sum and the business keeps going. Officials from the narcotics department, customs and DRI take the major amount of money.

Suppose they catch a truck carrying material worth Rs 2 crore, they will not be happy with anything less than Rs 25 lakh. In most cases, narcotics officials get a fixed amount from big dealers as the NCB is the nodal agency to deal with such cases. The risk involved is huge and once caught, getting a bail is not easy under the narcotics Act, so dealers need to satisfy these officials and the money always goes to lakhs - at least Rs 10 lakh a month.

Narcotics and contraband firearms are regularly trafficked across the unmanned border as the routes of western Myanmar are controlled by India's northeast insurgents. In recent years, Manipur has witnessed huge quantities of contraband high Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride (PH)-content drugs, manufactured in India, being trafficked into Myanmar for processing narcotics especially heroin. The thriving ethnic insurgencies of Manipur with their own "tax structure" help to exacerbate the problem. The smuggling of medicines in the whole of our country has increased to such a level that if not tackled soon these problem will become an inseparable problem from among the youths of our nation.

Solar-Powered Trains Indian Railways to start trial runs Presenting the Railway Budget for 2016-17, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu announced plans to generate 1000 MW solar power in the next five years.

The Railways have already undertaken steps to install solar panels on rooftops of at railway stations and at level crossings across the country. This is the initiative by the Railways to make use of alternative source of energy. The prototype of the solar powerenabled coach where the entire train will be fitted with solar panels is going to be used for the trial.

In line with the Indian Railways 'Solar Mission', to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, its north western division will soon commence trials of coaches fitted with solar panels which will power all the electrical appliances inside a train. The first trial run will be conducted in the next three to four days in Jodhpur.

The work on one rake of Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU), which has six coaches, has already been completed by Noida-based firm Jakson Engineers Limited (JEL). The firm was awarded a Rs 1.57crore contract last October by the Indian Railways Organisation for Alternate Fuels for fitting solar panels on 50 DEMU coaches. Every coach will be fitted with 12 solar panels on top and each panel is capable of producing 300 watts of power on ideal conditions.

Together, the panels will be able to generate 3.6 kilowatts of electricity. Annually, the Railways are hoping to reduce 239 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by saving approximately 90,800 litres of diesel per rake. Jakson Engineers Limited (JL) has also been tasked with providing solar panels for DEMU coaches set to be used by the Railways for its pilot projects in Chennai and Amritsar. Last year, the Indian Railways conducted trial runs of the Rewari-Sitapur passenger train fitted with solar panels at a cost of Rs 3.90 lakh. Two trains plying on the PathankotJogindernagar route in Kangra Valley section and Kalka-Shimla section were also equipped with solar panels on trial basis.

NM - a resident of a vil- Labour and Rehabilitalage in central Assam's tion Department of GovMorigoan district, now ernment of Kerala. NM is works in a packaged one of lakhs of migrant drinking water bottling workers who migrated unit located in from Assam to Kerela in Perumbavur in Aluva dis- search of greener pastrict of Kerela. Father of tures. The 60-page report an eight-year old boy, his has been compiled by D parents are marginal Narayana and C.S. farmers who occasionally Venkiteswaran of Gulati have to work as agricul- Institute of Finance and tural labourer. He mi- Taxation, an autonomous grated to Secunderabad in institution of Government Andhra o f Pradesh Ratna Bharali Talukdar Kerala, i n jointly 2009, with when his small textile M.P. Joseph, adviser to shop failed to give him the Minister of Labour any return and agriculture and Rehabilitation on became non-remunera- Labour reforms. tive. He shifted to In absence of locally Chennai a year later available data and any where he stayed and comprehensive study in worked for two years and Assam about the condifinally reached Kerala in tion of migrant labours 2013. moving out of the state in NM stays in a cottage of search of better life, the 200 square feet along report highlighting findwith 11 other migrant ings of the study conworkers like him, all hail- ducted by government of ing from Assam. They Kerala in 2013 is seen as have a small hall, a important source to askitchen and an attached sess wide ranging issues bathroom. Each of the in- of the migrant labourers mates pays Rs. 400 per in Kerala including their head as monthly rent. socio-economic condiThey cook in the small tions, social security, life kitchen using Kerosene and work environment as stove and each of the a migrant labourer, housthem takes turn to prepare ing and accommodation, food. Consumption of al- employment pattern, cohol and playing cards is wages, demographic and not permitted. gender dimensions of the After long hours of hard host state, issues of locals work each day, NM can and migrants and emergsend Rs. 5000/ per month ing challenges, among to his family. others. Migrant labourers The case study of NM, a of Assam account for migrant worker from 17.8 per cent of around Assam working in Kerala 2.35 lakh DML received figures in a study by Kerala each year. titled"Domestic Migrant Apart from migrant Labour (DML) in labourers from Assam, Kerala", conducted by the study has also covered

issues of migrant labourers from West Bengal(20%), Uttar Predesh (14.83%), Bihar (18.10%), and Orissa(6.67%) . Kerala receives migrant labourers from almost all the states of India and also from Nepal. The objective of the study was to estimate stock of DMLs in the state, their annual flow, map the distribution and skill of DMLs, channels of migration, assess age-sex composition, nature of employment, and accommodation, assess wages and benefits and finally to understand social and cultural issues faced by these huge number of DMLs. A review of age-groups of these DMLs reveals that most of them migrate in early stage of life. Over 50 per cent of them belong to the age group of 18-23, while over 34 per cent belong to age-group of 24-29. This suggests that over 84 per cent of the DMLs are below the age of 29. Only 10.24 per cent belong to the age group of 30-36, and a meagre 2.36 per cent of them are above 36. A tiny 1.57 per cent are under 18. Most of these DMLs reveal that they do not have plan to settle in Kerala.

The study reveals that 40.16 per cent of migrant workers of Assam are Hindu, 45.67 per cent are Muslims and 12.60 per cent are Christians.

"In the case of Assamese workers, the first batches came to Kerala in the late 80's and early 90's in the aftermath of a legal ban

Migrant labourers from Assam (Photo - Dasarath Deka) on wood felling and the consequent closure of wood/plywood industries in their state. It was also a time when wood industrial units were being set up in Perumbavur; they came in groups to work here, and were much preferred due to their experience and expertise in it.

Later, when the construction boom started in the mid-90's many of them moved to construction,"the report says.

Of this huge workforce of migrant labourers from Assam, 65.35 percent work with contractors, while 28.35 per cent work with casual employer.

They work in different occupation such as carpenter, electrician, tailor, sales person, masonry and flooring, agriculture, hotel and restaurants etc.

Over 85 per cent of them get employment six or seven days a week, and nearly 11 percent get em-

ployment 5 days a week which indicate that those who get work less than five days a week account for only about four per cent.

Wages of the migrant workers ranges between Rs 200-500 per day, depending on their skills, which they can earn after working for 12-14 hours at a stretch. Only 9.80 per cent earn daily wage of Rs.500 and above, 23.13 per cent earn between Rs. 400-499, 31.51 per cent earn between Rs.300399, and rest of the DMLs earn below Rs.300 a day.

Most of these migrant labourers carry identity cards with them like voters' ID card, driving license, PAN cards etc. to avoid any controversy of their citizenship. They mostly live in unhygienic conditions in congested rooms. A huge 42 per cent have reported to the study team that they stay in

single-room accommodation shared by more than eight persons, while 13 per cent had reported that they stay in single-room accommodation shared by six persons. Only five per cent of these migrant labourers have the capacity to reside either in a single room, or share the room with another migrant labour. Most of the migrant labourers congregate among their own linguistic groups, have access to a common toilet and a common cooking, the report adds.

The living conditions of DMLs vary in different sectors of work. In manufacturing sector, for instance, temporary sheds are provided to accommodate 30-40 labourers in a row of 6-7 rooms. They have common kitchen, toilet, bathing facility. A few of them also possess small television sets or radios.

Courtesy: Nezine

Bangladesh Hangs Another Islamist Leader Motiur Rahman Nizami is the fourth Islamist official to be hanged for war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War Another top Islamist leader, Motiur Rahman Nizami, was sentenced to death by Bangladesh's Supreme Court (SC) after losing his final appeal to review his death sentence.

He was executed shortly af- Roshni ter midnight on May 11, sparking protests from the opposition and criticism from human rights groups.

Nizami, formerly the head of Jammat-eIslami, the country's largest Islamist party, was convicted of war crimes committed during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War after a 2014 trial.

He was hanged at a Dhaka prison after he refused to seek clemency from President Abdul Hamid against his death sentence.

Just before the execu-

tion, Nizami's final appeal was denied. The four-member Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, read out the final verdict on the second day after the bench finhearKapur ished i n g Nizami's petition.

"Dismissed," said the judge of the apex court upon reading out the verdict. Unlike in trial courts, the SC procedures did not require Nizami's presence during the delivery of the judgment.

Immediately after the verdict was read, Jamaate-Islami issued a statement saying that Nizami was a "victim of statesponsored conspiracy."

"The government has taken a plan to kill Maulana Nizami in the name of trial of crimes against humanity as part of its political ven-

geance," the statement said.

Nizami is the fourth Jamaat leader and fifth opposition leader

The country's supreme court is convicting Jamaat-e-Islami and opposition politicians for war crimes one by one.

Student protesters urge the execution of convicted war criminals in 2013. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/ Mehdi Hasan Khan)

hanged in recent years. In his trial, he was found guilty on 16 charges, including genocide, rape, and torture during the independence war.

Salauddin Quader Chowdhury of Bangladesh's main opposition BNP and Jamaat's secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad

Mujahid were also executed last year for crimes against humanity.

Their requests for clemency were rejected by President Abdul Hamid.

The spate of execution cases are a response to the 2010 war crimes tribunal set up by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to investigate the abuses during the 1971 Liberation War. Jamaat-eIslami was opposed to Bangladesh's secession from Pakistan and sided with the Pakistani military to orchestrate atrocities during the Liberation War. During that time, Nizami was the chief of the party's student wing as well as the leader of the al-Badr militia force, manned by Jamaat activists. He was also a minister in the past BNP-led four-party alliance government, with his party being its crucial ally.

The ruling party, the

New government: New promises ment must not backtrack on promises made and must not indulge in corruption or let anyone indulge in it. If the reports are anything to go by, there is more than 20 lakh unemployed youths in our State. We therefore expect that the government will give utmost emphasis in solving this problem by creating new employment avenues. Also the problems of illegal migration, flood and erosion and scarcity of electricity should be solved within a specific time frame.

Yours etc Gwshad Basumatary, Diajhijari, Haltugaon, Kokrajhar.

Bachchan-Family And Income - Tax Image for representational purpose (Photo: economydecoded) Sir, As Assam will get a new government after May 19, no matter which party comes to power, we expect that the new dispensation will fulfill all election promises keeping uppermost the interests of common people. The new govern-

Sir, In his pinnacle of success, he is an international figure. His acting talent, undoubtedly is one of the best in India and in the international level, too, he earns myriad of accolades. Number of times, he received the best actor award that includes this year too. He is the apple of the eye for many cine goers. His actions, words are worth emulating. He is a perfect role- model

for many of us. From our adolescent stage, we got mesmerized by his superb acting. Particularly, in the advertisements, be it Social consciousness, in the upholding of patriotic views, there is none next to him. Unambiguously, one can accept him as one, who not only excels in acting but also in running show like 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. He is no other than our dear Amitabh Bachchan. But it pains us to note that such an otherwise immaculate person, too, is not above controversy. We know that the amount collected by way of income - tax is used in nation building and for benevolent works of the poor. We fail to understand why an actor like him should evade tax involving litigation with the Income Tax authority on the amount he earned on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. Another disturbing point, relates to figuring his name in Panama-paper-leaks, Amitabh Bachchan and his daughter-in-law, Aaicharyya Rai Bachchan's names too are in the Panama-papers. It is a shame that the Bachchan family are stooping to low in evading tax if the news of involvement of their names in Panama papers prove true.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

Awami League, has said that the executions are necessary to heal the wounds of the ninemonth war.

But critics think that the government is merely using the tribunal to target political opponents.

Human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) previously said the court's procedures fall short of international standards and lack global oversight.

After Nizami's execution, the government is now turning its attention to Jamaat-eIslami's key financier: Mir Quasem Ali. Mir Quasem has already lost an appeal against his death sentence; his only option is to seek presidential clemency.

If his request is denied, he will follow Nizami to the gallows. Courtesy: The diplomat

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, Dibrugarh786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

p O

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

Page 9

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In Tamil Nadu, The Govt. Is Trading People's Needs For Their Own Interests In a democratic country, by the Association for what is a government Democratic Reforms expected to do? Serve while sand and stone the people right? But that mining that doesn't even hardly happens these appear as the top 10 pridays. Latest reports orities of the masses, show that the priorities of ranked 9th. The survey the people of Tamil Nadu that was conducted bediffer from fore May 16, those of the C. G. Akhila the day government scheduled for that is supposedly in Legislative Assembly place to cater to those elections in Tamil Nadu. very needs of the It interprets that sand and masses that it seems to stone quarrying and minso flippantly ignore. Ac- ing is an environmental cording to the report, the hazard, but people may government performed have supported it due to worst in areas that were the employment genertop priorities for the ated. Sand mining, acpeople. Instead, what cording to an estimate, the government seems to directly provides jobs to be interested in genu- around two lakh people inely (despite what the in the state. public wanted) is not just Actively practised since an environmental hazard the last two decades in but has also led to vari- Tamil Nadu, sand and ous forms of social haz- stone mining has been ards as well. supported by the State Agricultural loan avail- government despite beability, an issue that the ing an environmental and general public of Tamil social hazard. The boom Nadu voted as their pri- in the construction indusmary concern has try and significant contriranked 27th in the per- bution to the formance index compiled government's revenue

led to the growth of the mining sector. The cover story of Frontline magazine (July 2015 edition) titled Mother of ALL LOOT stated that mining in all forms, involving 36 lakh hectares of land, contributes to 4 percent of the nation's GDP and provides employment to 1.1 million people. But the loss in terms of asset destruction is higher along with an increase in social tension due to it.

Government's focus on sand and stone mining sector despite various implications associated with it is quite perplexing. According to an article published in 'Frontline' magazine named 'Mining Dangers' on May 2002, Palar basin which is the most exploited of the river basins in the state comes up as the biggest example.

Because of its proximity to Chennai, it caters to the ever increasing sand needs of builders in and around the city. Mining

Ms Jayalalitha (Photo:bbc.pic) has made irrigation practices and availability of drinking water most difficult. In some places, houses are found to have developed cracks and people in the region are exposed to lung-related diseases because of the dust emanating from the sand-laden lorries.

Another worst hit area is the Thamiparani river,

with its banks eroded as a result of illegal sand mining. A state level 'public hearing' was arranged in Chennai on 19th and 20th February 2002 by Tamil Nadu on the impact of sand mining. A deposition made by one of the 28 victims across the state was the destruction of 1 lakh coconut trees along the

Thamiparani river basin that could have brought a regular income to the growers for about 100 years. It resulted in the loss of livelihood to 50,000 people leading to the migration of agricultural labor in certain areas for about 3-4 months. This was followed by the increase in school dropout rates, rise

in the number of child workers and human rights violations against agitators.

Various courts have issued notice to the state government seeing the hazards related to it.

The Division Bench of the High Court, in its order of July 14, 1999, had directed the state government to take certain measures to preserve the river systems while granting licences for sand quarrying. The government was directed to ban the removal or extraction of sand from such rivers where its level was below the required level fixed by the government. But still it goes unhindered and illegally because the miners have generated support by a percentage of local people by doing certain favours to them. They lure the locals into their web by offering money to poor in their marriages, temple festivals and whenever needed.

The goons, in turn, take care of silencing any voice of dissent against the mining activities.

The irony is the Government's reluctance to shift its focus from stone and sand mining to voter preferred areas of development. It shows government's apathy towards the people's preferences which is unfortunate. The government does not have the conviction and courage to face this challenge. Putting an end to the madness of construction and exposing and punishing those who patronise the mafias only can solve the issue. The government needs to be strictest to these mafias and they need to take care of the employment demands of the local people so that they are not lured by the mafia's job offers.

Political parties have to realise that they not only have to make government but also do governance 'for the people'.

C o u r t e s y : youthkiawaaz

Income Tax Data Shows Shocking Levels Is The World Built Only For Young, Of Tax Evasion And Fraud In India Non-Disabled, Privileged Men? Thrasymachus: When lieve it or not, three indithere is an income tax, the viduals who paid a tax of just man will pay more Rs. 100 crore or more? and the unjust less on the In the same year, there same amount of in- were 46 dollar billionaires come‌ I tell you, in India who were collecSocrates, injusticetively worth $ 176 billionwhen practised on a large Rs. 11.61 lakh crores; enough scale-has more that is ten times more strength, freedom and than the Rs. 1.14 lakh mas- Nissim Mannathukkaren crores tery colthan justice. - Plato, The lected from all the individual income tax payers Republic.

When the government in the country! How is it released income tax data that there were only for the first time a few 18,358 individuals who days ago, it gave us an had an income over Rs. opportunity to study one 1 crore, and only 10 lakh of the vital areas of our persons with incomes economic life, hitherto hid- over Rs. 10 lakhs? This den from public scrutiny. is when, as a report put It expectedly generated it, in 2011-12, four luxury commentary on the impli- carmakers alone sold cations of the data for the 25,645 vehicles with an economy and so on. But average price of Rs. 40 what it has not generated lakhs, and in Mumbai

tacular growth and wealth creation in which the GDP increased 4.5 times (the recent social media buzz was that India is now the fastest growing economy in the world, overtaking even China). In the mid-1990s, there were only 2 dollar billionaires with a combined worth of $ 3.2 billion. But in 2016, there were 111 billionaires with a net worth of $ 308 billion-Rs. 20.48 lakh crores.

The staggering statistics are evidence of shocking levels of tax evasion, fraud and also legally sanctioned tax breaks on income and wealth favouring the richest classes. What does this mean for the discourse of nation and nationalism?

Image for representational purpose (Photo: i.ndtvimg.) is a moral and political reflection on the data.

If we consider the data from the latter point of view, two things emerge.

One: the data cannot be termed anything but shocking (the fact that it has not occasioned any moral revulsion or critical political questions is precisely part of a larger problem). And two: more, importantly, the data gives the lie, in a searing fashion, to the recent discourse of nationalism, sponsored by the ruling party and the government, and amplified by the elite classes.

How is it that in the year 2012-13, there were, be-

alone some 1880 luxury apartments worth Rs. 10-100 crore were in the market for sale.

In total, there were 2.87 crore individual income tax returns in 2012-13 (out of a population of 125 crores). 1.6 crores of this did not actually pay any tax, so, effectively, income taxpayers amounted to 1 percent!

To give a comparative sense, Canada (of course, a G8 country), had the same-2.88 crore returns, out of a population of 3.5 crores!

Amazingly, the tax-GDP ratio has remained almost constant even after two and half decades of spec-

What kind of a nation are we talking about when vast numbers of its middle and upper classes, the socalled wealth creators, are the very sections that eviscerate the economic vitals of the nation by not contributing to the national cause?

The "drain of wealth" theory was one of the greatest economic and moral weapons of the Indian nationalists against the colonial rule. Ironically, the nation is subject to the same drain of wealth now.

Around $450 billion has gone out of India, illegally, from 2002. In the same period, the FDI inflows into India were around $

150 billion. As Frantz Fanon, the philosopher and anti-colonial revolutionary, noted many decades ago, in the wake of the independence from colonial rule, the colonial exploiter is replaced by the native exploiter. Nationalism thus becomes an "empty shell, a crude and fragile travesty of what it might have been."

The current nationalist/ anti-nationalist binary is the most potent example of this travesty. An antinational is one who refuses to chant "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," not the one who refuses to pay tax.

One can indulge in the grossest forms of economic corruption and participate in shoring up an exploitative economic order, but that does not make one an anti-nationalist. As economists have shown, India is an extreme case when it comes to relying overwhelmingly on indirect taxes, with its catastrophic consequences for the poor, unlike the developed countries, which rely overwhelmingly on direct taxes on income and wealth.

Why any of this does not cause any moral outrage is because nationalism has been reduced to a symbolic/cultural entity unyoked from its material underpinnings. That is why we see the exaggerated and virulent battles around the emotive idea of the nation, rather than its material organisation.

While the Prime Minister of Iceland resigns over his name figuring in the Panama Papers, there is hardly a ripple in India regarding the Indian names in them. While the "nationalist" government is proactive in jailing "seditious" students, it is hardly serious about investigating the 1200 powerful Indians in the Swiss Leaks. As Fanon would have put it, it "provides nationalism alone as food for the masses."

The scholar Benedict Anderson had shown that the nation is conceived as a community; that is, despite the huge disparities between people within

the nation, it is imagined as a comradeship. As he puts it, "ultimately it is this fraternity that makes it possible, over the past two centuries, for so many millions of people, not so much to kill, as willingly to die for such limited imaginings."

In the India of the present, the burden of such sacrifices is exclusively placed on the marginalised and the oppressed castes and classes, while the powerful and the wealthy, leave alone sacrificing for the nation, do not even pay what is simply due from them.

This is the conceit of nationalism that no one who profits from it wants to address. By joining the circus supposedly exposing corruption perpetrated by politicians, the privileged conveniently ignore their own participation in the economic fraud perpetrated on the nation. Their rapturous singing of the national anthem, wittingly or unwittingly, becomes a mask. Evading taxes is not an aberration; it is a mundane activity. If "no taxation without representation," was the rallying crying of the American Revolution, in India there is representation without taxation.

Thrasymachus, in his dialogue with Socrates, asserts that "justice really serves the interest of the ruler, the one who is stronger, at the expense of the weaker." What is astonishing is that his cynical view of Athens 2500 years ago is equally valid for the India of the present. While releasing the tax data, Prime Minister Modi said that it should "lead to enhanced insights for policy making on taxation." What did he not say was that it was a scathing commentary on the nation.

Unless the cultural idea of the nation as comradeship and fraternity is complemented by material and economic arrangements that realise this, the nation will remain only in name.

It will be Frantz Fanon's empty shell.

Courtesy:youthkiawaaz

According to a recent young, literate, non-disarticle by the BBC, KM abled, privileged males.

Yadav, a tea seller in Throw in EnglishUttar Pradesh has speaking, and you have achieved a minor feat by an additional layer of helping hundreds of In- accessibility. Where dian villagers get access does that leave the rest to critical government of our population? The information. In turn, this statistics speak for info enabled them to themselves. claim their benefits and Merril Diniz India has over 100 milrights. lion senior citizens, This Yadav did, using the many of whom never RTI (Right To Informa- make it to a polling tion) Act, which has booth during an eleccome to be known as the tion, due to lack of "weapon of the weak". transportation. If that is As brilliant as it is, the case, how are they

dinner in a loo? I doubt it!

We live in a diverse world. Yet, the vast majority of our populations cannot access basic facilities and services because our transportation systems, our education systems, our workplaces, even the way we design something as basic as a toilet, barely reflect the diversity of humankind. Let's accept thatinaccessibility in all its myriad forms is deeply rooted in our systems and our psyche, and if we want to make

Image for representational purpose (Photo: cdn.youthkiawaaz) though, the RTI is mostly inaccessible to those who cannot read and write. In fact, according to a UNESCO report released in 2014, India's illiterate population constitutes 287 million people i.e. 37% of the world's population, and the largest number of illiterate people residing in one nation. So, unless adequate helplines and support centres are put in place, this demographic has very little hope of using the RTI to their advantage.

When you really think about it, though our Constitution states that we are all equal in the eyes of the law, in reality, our public spaces, facilities and services are most suitable for a very specific demographic -

expected to exercise their franchise during an election?

If a young girl cannot attend school because she cannot walk, how can she ever expect to get an education? Well, the number of people with disabilities between age 15 to 59 years, according to the National Census 2011, was 1.34 crore. Of these, 9.9 million are 'non-workers' or 'marginal workers' because they are excluded by our education systems.

And here's a real kicker. If a new mom is expected to nurse her baby in a restroom, how can she ever expect to visit any public space? After all, would you eat your lunch or

a change, we have to start seeing accessibility as a human right, not as a favour we must do to make life "inclusive" for a specific demographic.

Which is why, Youth Ki Awaaz and CBM India, a leading disability and d e v e l o p m e n t organisation, have joined hands to kick off an informed dialogue around the many dimensions of accessibility. Over the next two months, we will also talk about legislations and the economic costs of exclusion, and most importantly, how we can work towards a more accessible world, one that can bring us closer to our goal of #Access4All. After all, there can be no equality without accessibility.

Courtesy:youthkiawaaz

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

BUSINESS

Net profit of United India Insurance declines DECLINING PROFIT United India Insurance (UII) Company Ltd., has witnessed a drop in its profit after taxes (PAT) by Rs.79 crore to Rs.221 crore due to claims outgo on Chennai floods and wage revision.

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: dhakatribune)

Hyderabad, May 15: United India Insurance (UII) Company Ltd., has witnessed a drop in

Paytm enables cashless payments at 'Mother Dairy' booths ANI New Delhi, May 15: Paytm, India's leading payments company, has partnered with Mother Dairy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to enable customers to make cashless payments through their Paytm wallets across 100+ Mother Dairy Milk Booths.

Paytm wallet has become a default mode of payment for customers for a wide variety of services in the country including taxi rides, food ordering and money transfers etc. The association with Mother Dairy will further help the digital wallet to cement its position as the preferred way to transact across offline and online platforms. "Paytm is focused on creating solutions for everyday payment use cases for Indians. Starting from the morning milk supply to all other everyday necessities, it is our mission to make everyday payments extremely simple. Working with mother dairy we would be able to bring a seamless payment experience to millions. We are very proud that mother dairy has taken a step towards consumer experience and we will be creating an incredible payment solution for their consumers," said Founder and CEO - Paytm, Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

Speaking on the association, Managing Director, Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable Pvt. Ltd., S. Nagarajan said, "Being a consumer centric organization, Mother Dairy has always been in tune with the evolving lifestyle of our consumers and has strived to offer solutions accordingly. In line with the same strategy, we are now partnering with Paytm to offer modern payment solutions at our retail network." "This is in addition to our SmartChange Cards, which exist today. We believe with more and more smartphones being used, such initiatives will help the consumers greatly. This will also help our booth concessionaires in bringing down the physical cash handling," added S. Nagarajan. In the first month itself, this service will be made available at 100 Mother Dairy milk booths inDelhi NCR and will be extended to all 750+ milk booths in another month. In subsequent phases, 350+ Safal outlets will also be able to accept payment through Paytm.

its profit after taxes (PAT) by Rs.79 crore to Rs.221 crore due to claims outgo on Chennai

The company expects a PAT of over Rs. 300 crore.

During the year under review, the company reported a profit before tax of Rs.256 crore and profit after tax of Rs.221 crore.

The investment income stood at Rs.2,472 crore against Rs.2,126 crore.

For the year ended March 2016, UII collected premium to the tune of Rs.12,250 crore, which represented a growth of over 14.58 per cent.

floods and wage revision. The company ex-

pects a PAT of over Rs. 300 crore. During the

year under review, the company reported a profit before tax of Rs.256 crore and profit after tax of Rs.221 crore. The investment income stood at Rs.2,472 crore against Rs.2,126 crore, said Milind Kharat, UII Chairman-cum-Managing Director. For the year ended March 2016, UII collected premium to the tune of Rs.12,250 crore, which represented a growth of over 14.58 per cent. This positive outcome was fuelled by

growth in health and motor insurance premiums.

The company's growth trajectory was fuelled by health insurance posting 30 per cent growth, followed by motor 13.42 per cent and fire insurance at over 5 per cent. Personal accident portfolio and liability portfolio posted growth of 10 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, he said. Enthused by the result, UII has set a premium collection target of Rs.14,444 crore for the current fiscal.

(Agencies)

Aditya Birla Fashion, Retail signs deal with 'Simon Carter' ANI Pune, May 15: India's largest apparel and retail company 'Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited' (formerly known as Pantaloons Fashion and Retail Limited) (ABFRL) has signed an exclusive deal to bring the Simon Carter designer wear brand into the country. Simon Carter is a London-based designer brand with a quirky English touch, soon to make its debut in the country in collaboration with ABFRL. Simon Carter began his career in 1985 with a wholesale business, going on to open his first store in London's famous Regents St. The visionary man with a penchant for revolutionizing the men's fashion industry and with an acute business sense was recently

named the 'Most stylish Man of the Year 2015', while the brand was named the 'Menswear Brand of the Year 2013', among other accolades.

Simon Carter holds the distinction of being the most successful international designer with seven standalone designer brand stores in some of the most posh locales in the UK. His much sought-after collections are retailed in some of the most exclusive department stores and independent retail outlets in 40 countries around the world including Liberty, Bloomingdales USA, SeibuJapan, Brown Thomas Ireland, and David Jones Australia. In the 30th anniversary of its business, Simon Carter will now be available to consumers in India as well, in

Business Head Apparel and Retail Business, Aditya BirlaGroup, Pranab Barua. (Photo: estrade) an exclusive partnership with ABFRL. "We are delighted to join hands with Simon Carter. This deal was part of our strategic intent to grow our international portfolio and this new relationship with Simon Carter will bring

London's high fashion to the Indian market," said Business Head Apparel and Retail Business, Aditya BirlaGroup, Pranab Barua.

"We plan to launch Simon Carter exclusive stores across the three top metros of Mumbai, Delhi

and Bangalore. The brand will offer complete ensemble solutions ranging from formal wear to casual wear that will excite the most discerning Indian consumers," Pranab added. Carter's products are known for their British wit, which incorporate a light-hearted side to every facet of the brands offerings, ranging from merchandise to store design and store staff; everything sports a personalized touch. ABFRL's portfolio of brands spans from luxury to super premium, premium, sub-premium to fast fashion segments. The addition of Simon Carter's new international designer brand will add richness to ABFRL's super premium brand collection giving its discerning customers a true taste of high fashion.

PAGE 10

VERO MODA launches new 'Renaissance Fun Collection'

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: estrade) ANI Bengaluru, May 15: This summer, VERO MODA's #TRENDYVEROMODA campaign has pledged to bring you fast fashion, week on week, straight from the international runways. And this week, it brings to you, the Renaissance Fun Collection, which has been making a royal foray into the world of fashion, the world over.

Inspired by the culture and style of art and architecture developed during the Renaissance. The collection is a reinterpretation of the celebrated revival era and has a young and contemporary take on the

fashion and trends seen amongst the royals of the 14th century. While colours such as pink and black dominate this trend, other colors such as lilac, dust, purple, forest green, mauve and blue lend a beautiful contrast to the stark prints and innovative cuts seen here. Key clothing features typical of this era such as Victorian collars, billowing sleeves, pronounced 'V' bodices, lace and heavy embellishments have been adapted into the Renaissance Fun collection, making it one of the most interesting and on trend collections this season.

TECHNOLOGY First update for FUEL OS unveiled by MARK 1 maker CREO

Intel India expands education solutions ecosystem to boost use of technology

Debjani Ghosh - Vice President, Sales and Marketing Group and Managing Director, Intel South Asia. (Photo: timesofindia.indiatimes) ANI New Delhi, May 15: Intel India announced its latest initiative to strengthen the use of technology in the education ecosystem. In its continued effort to contribute to the Government's Digital India vision, the company is aiming to accelerate the penetration of technology in the country's education sector. At an event, 'Education Solutions Technology Framework' Conclave, jointly organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Intel highlighted that it is collaborating with leading device manufacturers,

education digital content and publishers, as well as education solution providers, to build end-to-end solutions that promote the use of technology in India's education sector.

As part of this collaboration, Intel has made available the Intel® Pentium® Processor A1020 to leading device manufacturer partners. This processor delivers power savings and is optimal for devices designed for running education applications in semi-urban and rural India. The initiative taps on the comprehensive ecosystem of vendors to deliver one-stop solutions.

Intel is enabling the standard availability of devices, as well as education content and solutions on the Intel® Pentium® Processor A1020. Going forward, any educational institute looking to implement technology solutions will be able deploy technology-based solutions in a faster and more efficient manner. Intel's backend infrastructure will enable devices and solutions to connect and provide a seamless education experience to the student and teacher community, as well as to the school managements. Addressing the need to strengthen the education solutions ecosystem, Debjani Ghosh Vice President, Sales and Marketing Group and Managing Director, Intel South Asia, said, "Education is one of the most powerful tools we have for unlocking economic opportunity, and for building a strong foundation for a Digital India. Technology is also playing an increasingly critical role in enabling anytime, anywhere learning, without compromising on data privacy and security. Over the past decade, Intel and Intel® Foundation have invested more than USD

one billion in over 100 countries, towards universal education programs."

"This initiative to create a comprehensive ecosystem is another such endeavor to establish an accessible digital infrastructure that enables affordable solutions," added Debjani Ghosh. Dr. Jatinder Singh, Sr. Secretary, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commented, "Chamber is happy to partner with Intel for promoting technology in education. Technology will be the center stage in every part of the curriculum and this will exponentially enhance the digitally literacy rate in our country. PHD Chamber believes that ICTs can empower teachers and learners and can transform teaching and learning processes to student-centered from teacher-centered." In this education solutions ecosystem, device manufacturers such as Acer, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Lenovo, Micromax, Datamini, and iBall, will continue to provide a spectrum of Intel® Architecture based devices, which includes devices powered by the Intel® Pentium® Processor A1020, which can meet

the price performance expectations of a wide range of customers. The Education Solution Providers will help deploy management solutions for schools, classrooms, content and learning, and also manage student information systems. In addition, Education Application Providers will enable software apps that help foster skills in the communication, collaboration, MDM (mobile device management), and virtual collaboration tools space. Finally, digital content publishers will focus on delivering locally relevant curriculum and content. Building on half a century of technology leadership, and more than a decade of experience in creating education solutions worldwide, Intel is aware of the need for a comprehensive approach towards building a 21st century learning environment in India. Through various digital literacy initiatives, including co-founding the National Digital Literacy Mission with NASSCOM in 2012, the company has continuously collaborated with the Government to drive macro-level change, by bringing the power of technology to an untapped generation of users.

Roposo targets eight million active users by end of current fiscal ANI Mumbai, May 15: Roposo, the country's favorite fashion social network, has announced its target of achieving eight million active users by the end of this fiscal from the current two million users.

Since its launch in April 2015, Roposo has come a long way in cementing its position as the favorite social destination of fashion lovers by introducing innovative features periodically and coming up with new ways of engaging users.

Roposo already garners

over one million screen views and posts a month and has clocked 2.5 million app installations so far.

The platform had cinched one million downloads within four months of its app launch. It has raised a total funding of USD 21 million till date. It has recently raised USD five million from Bertelsmann India Investments recently to fuel its growth trajectory.

With more than 200 celebrities, designers and stylists on its platform further enhancing engagement, the fashion social network is

well on its way to achieving its target of an amplified user base. Roposo's many addictive features include the style check-in option that allows users to update their location along with their fashion posts.

Geo-tagging enables other users to see what's trending in which part of the country and helps them make their fashion choices in tune with all that's in vogue. Users also love updating their style pictures on Roposo besides sharing photo reviews of various products for the benefit of

the community. It allows users, both men and women, to search for and discover their unique sense of style through trend stories, reviews, DIYs, and style inspirations. Users can shop for new products and trends that are curated, personalized and updated every day. Roposo's content creation has increased four-fold from new users, further demonstrating its steadily rising popularity in the country. "Roposo has had an extremely successful one year since launch.

We have crossed the mile-

stone of over 2.5 million active users. The platform is fast turning out to be a hotspot for fashion lovers who like to discover the latest trends and flaunt their own personal style. We aim to reach out to more and more users and take the total figure to eight million by the end of this fiscal.

With the response that we have received from the market as well as investors, we are confident of our growth and of amplifying our user base significantly," said Roposo Cofounder, Avinash Saxena.

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: cdn.nirmaltv) Bengaluru- based consumer technology company CREO rolled out its first software update for its indigenous Android-based Operating System "FUEL OS" which powers its flagship smartphone Mark 1.

The software update that introduces five new features comes after a month of the smartphone launch.

"Data Manager", a new feature embedded into Android`s settings, allows users to regulate data access to the apps installed on the smartphone. This feature can help save data charges up to 25-30 percent, varying on usage.

"Enhance", a photo editor feature, allows for easy crop, transform and adjust images in addition to setting vignettes and applying various filters. The "Selfie Flash" feature lights up the phone display for a splitsecond, allowing more light to come in for clicking better selfies under low-

light conditions. You can now make calculations on the go or WhatsApp any contact directly with a simple "Double Tap" on the home button. "Echo" is a built-in answering machine in "FUEL OS". It now welcomes callers in six Indian languages -- Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. This feature also comes with smart triggers such as automatically turning on when the phone is on silent mode or when an upcoming meeting is detected on the user`s calendar. The Rs.19,999 4Genabled device is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on both sides with 2.5D curves. It is powered by 1.95 GHz True Quad Core Helio X10 processor with 3GB RAM and 3100mAh battery.

"Mark 1" has a 32GB onboard memory which can be expanded upto 128GB and supports duel SIM. (Agencies)

REVEALED FINALLY Bengaluru- based consumer technology company CREO rolled out its first software update for its indigenous Android-based Operating System "FUEL OS" which powers its flagship smartphone Mark 1.

The software update that introduces five new features comes after a month of the smartphone launch. "Data Manager", a new feature embedded into Android`s settings, allows users to regulate data access to the apps installed on the smartphone.

This feature can help save data charges up to 25-30 percent, varying on usage. "Enhance", a photo editor feature, allows for easy crop, transform and adjust images in addition to setting vignettes and applying various filters.

The "Selfie Flash" feature lights up the phone display for a split-second, allowing more light to come in for clicking better selfies under low-light conditions.

The Rs.19,999 4G-enabled device is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on both sides with 2.5D curves.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

Features

PAGE 11

ENVIRONMENT Common Property Resources - The Neglected Natural Assets Common property re- tion, displacement of sources (CPR) are the people by flood and erocritical natural assets for sion, expansion of develthe rural masses for its opmental infrastructure ecological services, eco- like roads, railways, etc nomic and social support increases pressure on systems. In Assam, CPR CPR. As a result, either plays significant role for such types of land and the people living in the natural assets are conflood affected areas, river verted to settlement area/ islet of agriflood- Jayanta Kumar Sarma c u l plains, tural in rain shadow zones and area or used up by road hills.CPR provides minor and railway developmenfood products, firewood, tal project leading to wanbuilding material, medi- ing of the CPR. cine, fodder etc in critical According to the Report situation to sustain life of of National Sample Surthe poor. Some traditions vey Organization of 1999, seemed to exist among in Eastern Himalaya certain ethnic groups of agro-climatic region of the state regarding the India around 51% houseusage of such CPR. How- hold collected CPR Prodever, with times these tra- uct; its contribution to ditions have faded out, fuelwood was 53%, fodonly some sporadic prac- der 8% and others 39% in tices are now in vogue al- the region. Household though isolation. In fact, dependence on CPR for over the period of time other categories of prodpressure on CPR amal- uct in case of Eastern gamated through multiple Himalaya indicates over factors, viz. natural and 1.5% depends for maman-made drivers. nure, 8.5% for fruits, The natural processes of roots, tubers, 1.0% for fluvio-geomorpholoical gums and resins , 1.2% characters of river sys- for honey,1.2% for metems from long historic dicinal plants, 16.2% for period play a critical role fish, 7.9% for leaves and in creation and demoli- 12.0% for weeds, grass, tion of many CPR like bamboos etc . Moreover, river islands, seasonal around 77.8% of housemarshy land in the flood holds in Eastern plain area. On the other Himalaya use fuel wood, hand, increase of popula- out of which 70.7%

household collect fuel wood from CPR. In case of Assam the average value of collection per household is Rs. 519/and the ratio value of collection to consumption expenditure is 4.89%.

A secondary data base study carried out by M Mahanta et al in 2012 (Journal of Human Ecology, 38-3, p. 223-230) , where data of 1991 and 2001 was considered for factor analysis on degradation of CPR and migration of rural poor to urban area in the context of Assam. It indicates that there are linkages between environmental degradation and rural people's migration which underline the fact that people's decision to migrate may be influenced by rights of common property resources. Welldefined common property resource rights through better management of common property resources can check migration of rural people into urban spaces. Better management of common property resources will enhance the stock of natural resources as well as the income of rural people and thereby enhance the possibility of involvement of rural people in different activi-

ties for livelihood.

Greater degree of certainty of income through the common property resources will be significant from the point of view of survival strategy for the rural poor. Another study conducted in 2001 by Late MC Borah of Tezpur University in 2001 (EERC working paper series: CPR-3, MoEF, IGIDR, World Bank) covering Lakhimpur, Sonitpur district it was found that out of total 600 villagers (respondent), over 36.67% completely depend on common land particularly on forest product mainly for fuel wood (67.27%) and timber (non Sal) (32.73%).

However, they barely have any clear idea about CPR based management within the community.

This type of common land provides non timber forest product (NTFP) to local villagers, which are used as food, medicine, fodder, fuel and some parts are even sold in the local market. For example, a total of 88 different NTFP collected by local people belong to Bengali Hindu, Hmar, Kuki, Reyang, Dimasa from the Inner Line Reserve Forest of Cachar district, out of which 67 are plant origin and 21

animal origin and in this way livelihood support is availed from collector to processor and then to seller (Dattagupta Shovan, Gupta Abhik, IJTK,Vol. 13(2),p.427433 ,2014). In another study carried out in Majuli on NTFP, it was identified that people in Majuli using around 75 different medicinal plants and 38 varieties of wild edible which are collected from grass land and river bank areas belong to village common land (Sarmah R and Saikia A, RRJBS,vol.3,Issue3, July-Sept,2014,p.41-47).

Similarly in Patkai and Borail hill ranges located in Assam part also provide important NTFP to local people, for example in Patkai part of Tinsukia district Singpho community collected around 38 verities of wild edible for daily uses which is 24 for Taiphake community, 28 for Tangsa community along with more than 50 medicinal plants for traditional medicine; a major proportion of such collection were from foot hills, forest and river bank area, to the local community these are village common land ( JK Sarma, Unpublished study r e p o r t , F S T, p - 1 3 57,2010).

Community fishing (Photo: Jayanta Kumar Sarma) Moreover, CPRs are crucial to support rural livelihoods (livestock and land-based) and ecology.

In Assam an area of 159968 hectares in 200304 is recorded as permanent pastures and other grazing lands.

Apart from its ecological services wetlands play another significant role as common property resources in the state. Wetlands not only provide fishes but also water for agriculture, rituals, daily usage, drinking water for domesticated animals, edible floral and faunal resources including medicines. But, there is no specific institutional mechanism to manage the wetland resources. The wetlands seem to be merely confined to fishery, revenue,

forest department mainly and there is a lack of integrated approaches.

Likewise different sand bar deposit area, River Island - locally called as 'Char or Chapori' and 'Tapo' (by the Nepali communities in the North Bank of Brahmaputra) plays an important role as CPR. From time immemorial, people use these areas as temporary agricultural land (which is called 'pam kheti' in upper Assam), in the dry winter season. In many such areas people not only practice crop farming but also rear cattle and buffalo locally called Khuti. These areas are also important grounds for many herbivorous wildlife which

support many carnivores including tigers (Aaranayak-2009).

Due to the lack of any policy framework these potential natural assets are unable to achieve desired yield. Quite contrary to that, the potential assets for the marginalized are gradually being monopolised by those with economic and muscle power. Not surprisingly though in places conflict does arise around CPR. Hence, the urgent need is of policy interventions for CPR in the state to crate inclusive approach for the marginalized who are dependent on it and to protect biodiversity so as to maintain the ecological services of these potential assets. (Courtesy: Nezine)

The only living Hornbill in Nagaland Potable Water a Daily Problem in Manipur has watched her species extinct!

While everybody is talking and chattering about one of the biggest festivals to ever come out from the Northeast but what do they really know about it? The festival was named after the Indian Horbill, the large and colourful forest bird which is displayed in folklore in most of the state's tribes.

The bird has been a cul-

and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions but perhaps the State government should also lay concern over the preservation of the bird. It has been reported that there is now only one Great Hornbill said to be alive in Nagaland.

The bird is given the name Julie and she is the only Hornbill left in

official statement on the matter is yet to be confirm but the extinction of these majestic bird in the State is not a huge surprise anymore, given the fact that this issue was never a problem among the people of the State since they keep on feasting the birds even when warnings of extinction was thoroughly specified.

Students in Peren dis-

Great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill (Photo: aboutpetlife) tural icon of the Naga people. It has been depicted in many Naga myths, fables, folklore, songs and dances.

The main objective of the festival is to revive

the State. She is housed in Nagaland State Zoological Park.

All of this came about after a recent survey by a group of conservation campaigners. However

trict were recently told by conversation campaigners the story of the bird and how the species face annihilation from the hilly forests of the state.

For a people that only recently woke to the realities of environmental concerns and the importance of conservation, telling apart conservation from destruction remains a challenge. A case in point is the condition of the Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), also known as the great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill.

The bird is believed to have been a common sight in Nagaland even half a century ago.

However, thanks to hunting, the Great Hornbill is slowly being 'eaten into extinction.'

One of the campaigners, a local business group, Fingerprint-Design & Events are currently in Peren district creating awareness for conservation of wildlife and environment. As well as educating the people about climate change.

The group have made plans of visiting more than 170 educational institution to spread the awareness in the State.

It is to be the noted that the group visited Jalukie government higher secondary school, St. Xavier School, Christian School, LM School and Barail Valley School.

The group while addressing the students said, "The Great Pied Hornbill known for its beauty, grandeur and alertness is the only bird

to have had profound significance in traditions of indigenous people of Nagaland, from age-old days. History has it that the Great Pied Hornbill, considered to be the king of birds, was revered d as a symbol of courage, its feathers could only be worn by a warrior and its image used by chiefs." Added that at present "The hornbill is pushed to the brink of extinction in Nagaland and the only known Great Hornbill alive today in Nagaland is named 'Julie' which is kept at the State's Zoo, Nagaland Zoological Park."

The campaigners ended this awareness at the school on a very melancholic note saying that, "If this is the fate of the most important bird in our state, imagine the fate of the other species, this is the irony of our conservation. Some years from now when this Hornbill is no more we better name our state festival as in memory of Hornbill festival."

This is a calling to all people of Nagaland that it is high time everyone grow some sense and start preserving and conserving wildlife and the environment as a whole to ensure that pristine beauty of the State in its natural habitat will remain intact.

(Courtesy:northeasttoday)

The Manipur government has promised potable water for all its people by 2022. But till it does so, most people are having to subsist on water purchased from private suppliers or the "mineral water" sold in markets.

Several persons that IANS contacted said that the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has "failed" to supply potable water. Almost all families are dependant on private water suppliers who deliver "potable water" at the doorstep at Rs.200 per 1,000 litres.

They buy the same from private water tank owners at Rs.40 per 1,000 litres.

The tankers avoid the government water points since water is impure and muddy there. PHED makes special deliveries of treated water to the residences of the elected members, high officials and prominent people every morning free of charge.

Official sources said the PHED is to be allotted Rs.180.61 crore to improve and sustain water supply structures in the state capital areas. Earlier, Rs.98.54 crore had been sanctioned in February 2014 for Phase I. Under this scheme water pipes had been laid in some areas and five water reservoirs constructed.

The officials said: "At least 47 water supply schemes were constructed in the hill areas." The of-

ficials are hopeful that the revised funds for Phase II and III, involving Rs.200 crore and Rs.153.82 crore, respectively, would soon be sanctioned.

In absence of tap water, all houses and offices are buying "treated water" from the water tankers or

vate suppliers.

The special water pipe leading to this institute of the union health ministry has been dry for years.

Shops and kiosks selling "mineral water bottles" have mushroomed doing brisk business for supplying to homes and other

Image for representational purpose (Photo: abc.net.au) "mineral water" bottles.

Sometime back, there were media exposes showing some water tankers drawing water from marshy lands which are the dumping ground of garbage from hotels, school hostels and private homes.

The water thus collected is sold as treated water to gullible consumers. Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, the medical college and hospital for the seven north eastern states, has been buying dozens of water tankers everyday from pri-

social and religious functions. Recently experts found that marketed brands were sub-standard and injurious to health. In absence of booking the dealers the business is thriving.

Doctors say that many people have become susceptible to water-borne diseases. Meanwhile, more and more new products of "mineral water" bottles are arriving in the market. There is no system to establish the purity and worthiness for human consumption. (Courtesy: IANS)

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 16

PAGE 12

Test for bowlers as KKR face might of RCB batting PTI Kolkata, May 15 : A rampaging Royal Challengers Bangalore will stand in the way of two-time former champions Kolkata Knight Riders' bid to make it to the playoffs in a mouthwatering Indian Premier League T20 cricket tournament encounter, here tomorrow.

With three matches remaining, both the teams are in the mix of things in a tight top-of the-table melee after their respective victories yesterday.

But it's the second-placed KKR, who are ahead requiring just another win to get to the magic figure of 16 points which will take them in the last four of the cash-rich league.

Lying sixth with 10 points, the Royal Challengers on the other hand are left with the arduous task to win all their remainder matches of the league stage so as

to keep play-off aspirations alive and also hope that some of the other results go their way.

Embracing to the challenge, RCB in their quest for a maiden silverware from nine seasons, posted a record 144-run win over Gujarat Lions at home yesterday in the biggest entertaining display of the ninth season.

When Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers bat are in full flow, it's for the world to sit back and enjoy the their masterclass, something that summed up the plight of a shell-shocked Gujarat Lions attack.

Records tumbled as Kohli (109 from 55 balls) and De Villiers (129 not out from 52) plundered the bowlers in a 229-run partnership of 96 balls to post the tournament's second highest total of 248/3, behind their own 263/5 against Pune Warriors in

RCB Vs KKR 2013.

'Orange Cap' holder Kohli scored his third century in the ongoing IPL to take his tally to 677 runs at 75.22 in 11 outings, while De Villiers sat second behind him in this year's tally with 538 at a strike rate of 171.88.

Their brutal batting will certainly threaten Gautam Gambhir's spin ploy and the KKR skipper will especially look to target the South African on a turn-

ing wicket.

Considered the most versatile batsman of the world cricket, De Villiers was in a league of his own his batting prowess was unmatched.

If ABD's shot selection was audacious, Kohli's was pure class as he matched the celebrated South African stroke-forstroke, especially when he hit top gear in going from 50 to 100 in just 14 balls.

De Villiers is at his furi-

ous best when he gets going, but in skipper Kohli RCB has got a master finisher and someone who hates to get out even in most pressure-cooked situation.

Possessing a solid technique that fetches him effortless runs without relying on slugfest, Kohli also relishes the spin challenge as he threatens to derail Gambhir's plans.

The X-factor in the match will be KKR's bowling versus RCB's batting batting which can seal the issue.

KKR's spin troika of Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan and Piyush Chawla revelled in the conditions yesterday restricting Pune Supergiants to 103/6 in 17.4 overs when rain halted play that set up their eight-wicket win via Duckworth-Lewis method.

Atletico, Madrid eye CL glory after losing La Liga title to Barca ANI Madrid, May 15 : Fernando Torres and Antoine Griezmann scored a goal each to ensure Atletico Madrid conclude their La Liga campaign with a third spot finish following a victory against Celta Vigo at the Manzanares Stadium.

Last week's defeat against Levanta had dented Atletico's title hopes, but the Champions League finalists managed to round off their La Liga season on a high with a 2-0 home win, goal.com reported.

After a goalless first half, striker Torres netted his 11th goal of the season in the 51st minute to put his side ahead before midfielder Griezmann scored a header just three minutes later to win the

Atletico Madrid match.

Celta Vigo have managed to qualify for the Europa League after finishing the La Liga tournament at the sixth spot.

Meanwhile, defending champions Barcelona have clinched this year's title after star striker Luis Saurez smashed a hat-

trick during the side's 30 rout of Granada. They finished with a one-point lead over fierce rivals Real Madrid and three points clear of Atletico.

Atletico will now aim to clinch Champions League glory when they will take on Real Madrid on May 29.

Pak's Sadaf Hussain desires to settle Hamilton pips Rosberg to secure down in England for better future pole position for Spanish GP ANI Karachi, May 15 : Outof-favour Pakistan fast bowler Sadaf Hussain has expressed his desire to move out of the country and settle in England for better future as his selection plight in the national squad continues.

Hussain has been knocking on the doors of Pakistan selectors from a long time, but has never got a chance to prove himself.

The 26-year-old's complaint is not just confined to his breakthrough in the national squad but also for being ignored from the high-profile do-

PSL) and the Pakistan Cup despite being one of the most consistent performers at the domestic level , Pakpassion.net reported.

Hussain, who bagged 283 First-Class and 77 List A wickets, failed to understand as to why he is being repeatedly sidelined for the major domestic tournaments.

Pakistan Cricket term mestic tournaments that took place in the recent times.

He said that it was ex-

tremely frustrating to miss out major domestic competitions like the Pakistan Super League (

Insisting that he has been appreciated more outside Pakistan than within his homeland, Hussain informed that he would be heading England to play for club cricket and would look to settle there if things don't improve for him.

ANI Johannesburg, May.15 : Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton on Saturday secured the pole position for this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

The Briton was nearly threetenths of a second faster than his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who topped both the second and third practice sessions.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo finished third ahead of new teammate Max Verstappen, who is set to make his debut for the team on Sunday after a controversial driver switch relegated Daniil Kvyat back to Toro Rosso, Sport24 reported.

Meanwhile, Ferrari failed to

Lewis Hamilton keep the momentum as Kimi Raikkonen will start fifth, and team mate Sebastian Vettel sixth.

Rosberg currently holds a 43-point lead over Hamilton in the championship after winning his

fourth successive race of the season at the Russian Grand Prix earlier this month.

Marathon girl Sudha Singh sets national record at IAAF Diamond League

Sudha Singh

ANI Shanghai, May 15 : Sudha Singh, the 2010 Asian Games gold medallist in 3000m steeplechase, created a new national record as she finished 8th in her pet event at the prestigious IAAF Diamond League race here on Saturday.

Sudha clocked 9:26.55 to surpass the existing national record of 9:27.09 which was set

by Lalita Shivaji Babar at the 2016 Federation Cup. Babar, who is world number one in the women's 3000m steeplechase, clocked 9:43.30 to finish at the 13th spot.

Both Sudha and Lalita have already qualified

for both 3000m steeplechase and Marathon for the upcoming Rio Olympics Games.

Meanwhile, Hyvin Kiyeng from Kenya created the new meet record and world leading timing of 9:07.42 to finish first in the event.

She bettered the previous meet record of 9:15.81 set by Milcah Chemos from her own country in 2012.

Bahrain's Ruth Jebet clinched the silver medal by clocking 9:15.98, creating the new Asian record followed by the Sofia Assefa from Ethiopia who clocked 9:21.07 for the bronze medal in the event.

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