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ASSENG/2015/64205

Page 12

Vol. 1

Issue 290

Dibrugarh, Monday, March 28, 2016

Price -

5.00

Pages- 12

Page 6

gets poor Gogoi counters Modi's PM Modi taunts his predecessor, Modiresponse, promises development in Assam thin presence comment on his age

“

Highlighting his agenda of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday came down heavily on the Congress regime in Assam and alleged that the ruling party in the state has betrayed the people and their aspirations in the last 15 years.

Prime Minister Modi, who was addressing a rally at Rangapara in Sonitpur district, said that there is a strong wind of change in Assam which will uproot the Congress and its 15 years of misrule.

"Why has this place not received the development it deserves? Who has made Assam poor? For 15 years, the people reposed faith in them but they betrayed the people and their aspirations," he said.

Prime Minister Modi assured the voters that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would repay their love with development in Assam.

He also used the occasion to take a jibe at former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who represents the state in Rajya Sabha.

"Fifteen years in Assam, 60

ET CAPSULES

Fire devours entire Payum village Itanagar, Mar 28: The remote Payum village under Payum circle of Siang district has been completely gutted in a devastating fire mishap that took place in the intervening night of March 26 and 27.

The entire village consisting of 42 households has been completely gutted in the mishap and all residents have been rendered homeless.

Many valuable items like traditional local ornaments and other precious items have been lost in the fire mishap.

The helpless villagers are left on the mercy of God as the village does not have any motorable road. The survivors are also facing acute shortage of food items and other basic requirements as the village is located 30 kms away from the nearest motorable road and takes an entire day of foot march to reach the nearest motorable road. A resident of the area, Tashor Pali has requested to extend immediate relief to the fire victims. (Staff Reporter

PM Narendra Modi interacts with Himanta Biswa Sarma and AGP candidate Brindaban Goswami and other leaders during election campaign for upcoming assembly election at Rangapara.

Pic - UB Photos

years at the Centre and a PM from here for a decade... But please tell us what you (Congress) did for Assam? Lack of good governance in Assam for 15 years will end and there'll be a new dawn of progress in Assam," he said.

The Prime Minister further said that he was in Assam to fight corruption and poverty and not Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Reaching out to the voters

of Assam, the Prime Minister said it is his dream that all citizens have a house of their own by 2022.

"Why the poor did not have access to banks?...The Centre gave money to the Assam Government to build houses for poor but only one-third of that money was used," he said.

The Prime Minister will later in the day address a rally in Barak Valley, which is extremely crucial for the

A meeting of All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) office bearers was convened at its office under the chair of its president Kamta Lapung.

Taking serious note of reports that rapid land encroachment by

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In yet another jail escaping case, a prisoner undergoing rigorous punishment of 10 (ten) years escaped from the District Jail, Tezu in Lohit District at around 8.30 this morning.

Convict Sophio Mepo alias Kaliso Mepo (24) of Mepo village Tezu convicted under PS Case No 97/2003 under section 376 (2) (I) IPC R/W sec-

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) because it is contesting alone on all the 15 seats of valley going to polls in the first phase on April 4.

Adequate security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident.

The Election Commission has announced two-phase polling for the 14th Assam assembly elections on April 4 and 11. The votes will be counted on May 19.

PTI Guwahati, Mar 27

Stating that BJP has no credible leader in Assam, Congress General Secretary C P Joshi today claimed that poor response of people and thin presence in rallies of the Prime Minister in the state indicated that teh party was losing the Assembly elections.

"I am happy to see the poor response the Prime Minister is getting in Assam. I have watched his speeches in the rallies with thin audience. The body language of Modi and content of his speech indicate that BJP is losing badly in Assam," Joshi said at a press conference here.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's rallies and 'padyatra' earlier this month at many places in Upper Assam had attracted a huge number of people and the response was overwhelming, he said.

"Our preparedness and public participation indicate that there is a Congress wave in the state.

Contd. on Page 4

Unidentified miscreants vandalized the Government Higher Secondary School Chongkham in Namsai District and tried to set ablaze the school building in wee hours of Saturday. This was their third failed attempt to damage the school earlier being tried on March 20 and March 23 last.

The miscreants damaged the white black board of many classrooms as well as the UPS system of the school computer and ransacked the vice principal’s room along with the teachers room. There is no report of any theft of computer set or any other school property.

“Early this morning, some unknown miscreants demolished our school, tried to set the school in fire, destroyed many important school files, and stole away the sports kit meant for the school children. We have not yet been able to ascertain the exact reason behind the act,” informed Principal of

Chakma and Hajongs is underway in Khatan area under Lohit district, the house said that it would visit the area in order to get the precise ground realities.

The AAPSU also urged the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to immediately file a Curative petition at the earliest through the best and prominent lawyer(s) of the country

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi addresses the gathering during his election campaign in Titabar on 27-03-16. Pix by UB Photos ET Correspondent Titabor, Mar 27

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today countered Prime Minister's comment on his advancing age, saying he was as enthusiastic as a youth.

"I may be old, but my enthusiasm is not less than any young person. I need the blessings of the people. The more blessings we get, the more energy we will receive to continue working for people," Gogoi told a poll rally at his constituency Titabor.

He was responding to Modi, who, in response to Gogoi's call for a direct fight, had brought up the issue of his age yesterday, saying, "Gogoiji, in a few years you will be 90 years. You are my elder. I come to Assam to pranam (respect) you and not fight with you."

ET Correspondent Namsai, Mar 27

In his tirade against BJP, Gogoi said it claimed to be for

Miscreants damage govt School in Chongkham School Ganpang Megu. We are working tirelessly to improve the education scenario of our place but such acts by the miscreants, how one can be able to improve the school service, he added.

The Chairman of School Management and Develop-

in the vexed Chakma and Hajong imbroglio.

Further, the AAPSU vociferously opposed the granting of Scheduled Tribe status to the Mishing community residing under the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and said that it would take up the issue with the office bearers of Adi Bane Kebang.

tion 6 of POCSO Act 2012 to undergo rigorous imprisonment of 10 years with effect from 18th January 2006. He is also undergoing through pending Tezu PS Case No 106/2014 under section 307 IPC. As soon as the Jail break out case exposed, VP Surya SP (IPS) in charge Jail, G Pertin ASP and Magistrate rushed to the Jail to ascertain the facts.

Contd. on Page 3

ment Committee (SMDC), Chow Patan Namchoom on being informed of the incident visited the school and took stock of the situation. He urged the EAC to take stringent punishment against those involved in the cowardice act. He even directed the principal of school to rusticate those students whoever are found involved in the

incident.

Meanwhile, the school authority has lodged a complaint with the Chongkham Police, alleging that the miscreants tried to set the school on fire and damaged many classrooms and ransacked the godrej almirah kept in the computer room.

the poor but was still to implement the National Food Security Act. Prices of essential commodities are rising during its rule at the Centre.

He accused BJP of betraying six tribes of Assam, saying BJP got votes during the last general election by promising ST status to the tribes but did not give it. "Now it has made a U-turn saying it will look into it," he said.

"We will show that you (BJP) cannot discriminate against Assam and do injustice... BJP is sweet in talk but bitter in work as it has discriminated Assam in the last two years," he said.

ernment had joined BJP in August last year after a 23year-long association with Congress.

The Assam Chief Minister also accused BJP president Amit Shah of distorting state's history at a rally in the state last week.

He said the focus of Congress is rural areas and it is committed to the development of the downtrodden. "We have launched many schemes for the poor."

He said he will continue to distribute clothes and blankets to the poor.

Continuing his attack, Gogoi said "They (BJP) also say that I am corrupt. Then what is Himanta? His name is entangled in so many corruption charges. Why is he with you now?"

"I will give more. How will the poor sustain if we do not give them ways to earn their livelihood?" he said, adding the government will support the needy by giving them other means of livelihood like poultry and farming products.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, a former minister in Gogoi gov-

Assam goes to the hustings on April 4 and 11.

Modi ‘bulldozed’ rights of tea garden workers: Brinda PTI Guwahati, Mar 27

1 convict escape from District Jail Tezu Bishnu Rana Tezu, Mar 27

Narendra Modi PM

in rallies: Joshi

Miscreants damage govt School in Chongkham

AAPSU takes serious note over reports of encroachment by Chakma-Hajongs in Lohit area A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 27

Fifteen years in Assam, 60 years at the Centre and a PM from here for a decade... But please tell us what you (Congress) did for Assam? Lack of good governance in Assam for 15 years will end and there'll be a new dawn of progress in Assam.

Ridiculing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "chaiwala" tag, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat today said he had "bulldozed" the rights of tea garden labourers in Assam.

"Modiji, you said in a rally in Assam that you sold Assam tea and are so indebted to the

state. But answer the people what you have done for tea garden workers. You and your policies have bulldozed them," Karat said at an election rally here.

The central government has stopped the ration for tea garden workers after the BJP-led NDA came to power, she said.

status to six tribes, among which one is tea tribe. And you talk about being a chaiwala!

You are far away from the problems of tea garden workers," Karat said.

The senior CPI(M) leader charged Modi with violating the Model Code of Conduct by announcing to offer various packages to different areas.

"You have not given the ST

Contd. on Page 3

Poster war escalates between UP govt transfers Congress and BJP in Tinsukia 67 IAS officers PTI Lucknow, Mar 27

Rishu Kalantri Tinsukia, Mar 27

With barely a week left for the largest festival of democracy, poster war between the ruling Congress and the saffron party, aiming to come to power, has only escalated here.

This upper Assam district, Tinsukia, has 5 LAC's and all are going to poll in the first phase on April 4.

Hence, both the two major political parties put their vast energy to ensure that no stone is left unturned to make themselves visible in the eyes of the voters.

In last 48 hours, most of the streets of Tinsukia town, in particular, are filled with flags of congress and BJP. Not just that, the political parties have pasted paper - made posters on boundary walls, both, the

Poster war escalates between Congress and BJP in Tinsukia decorated and colourful ones and the ones not well maintained, most of which are violating the model code of conduct. Without much concern, the party workers from most political parties have gone forward and have not even spared boundary walls of public places. The model conduct of conduct requires all political parties to take NOC from all private property owners and submit the same before the

election branch of the district administration before putting any flags and posters, while their is no provision of such flags and posters on any public place.

Interestingly, while walking across the streets, voters will get to see posters one after the other in a row.

Contd. on Page 4

In a major administrative reshuffle, Uttar Pradesh government today transferred 67 IAS officers, including Director Information and several district magistrates.

Director Information, Additional CEO UP Expressway Authority, Ashutosh Niranjan will be new District Magistrate of Gonda replacing Ajay Kumar Upadhyay, who has been made Secretary Rural Development, Chief Development Officer (CDO) Rampur, Amit Kishore will be new Director Information, an official release issued here said.

Prominent officials among those transferred were DM Sitapur Indraveer Singh Yadav, who has been put on wait list while Director, Non Conventional Energy Development Authority (NEDA) Amrit Tripathi has been transferred as DM Sitapur.

Similarly, CDO Saharanpur Monika Rani will be new DM

of Chitrakoot replacing Neelam Ahlawat, who has been posted as Secretary Agirculture Production Commissioner.

DM Shahjanapur Shubhra Saxena will be new DM of Bulandshahr replacing B Chandrakala, who has been made the new DM of Bijnor, it said.

Vice Chairman, Varanasi Development Authority Dinesh Kumar Singh has been posted as the new DM Muzaffarnagar.

DM Lakhimpur Kheri KInjal Singh will be the new DM of Faizabad.

DM Amethi Jagatraj will be new Special Secretary, Energy while Special Secretary, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Chandra Kant Pandey will replace Jagatraj as DM Amethi. DM Mainpuri Chandrapal Singh has been transferred to Agriculture department as Special Secretary while MD UP SC/ST Finance Development Corporation Rajendra Pratap Singh will be new DM of Mainpuri.

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Shambhu Boro Rangapara, Mar 27

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You will be in an extremely emotional and romantic mood today. You may be worried about your personal relations, health, diet, career etc. You need to guard against giving into excessive stress and worry and look after your health.

Taurus Problems may come knocking but you, along with support from your loved ones, will handle them with brilliant tact. Enjoy the company of near and dear ones and let your presence be felt in social outings.

Gemini You are very sensitive, and some people will disturb your peace of mind today. However, getting irritated will only make matters worse. Reflect in isolation what may be at the root of the problem.

Cancer You will be busy on the work front today. It is a good day for those who are selfemployed. Housewives will remain extremely busy with household matters. You will be able to work according to your desire though.

525 candidates in fray in Assam second phase poll A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 27 : 525 candidates are in the fray for 61 Assembly seats in Assam which will go to the polls in the second phase on April 11, an official release said today.

Leo You will feel a sense of joy and happiness with your valuable possessions. You may fall into love or have a strong romantic ties with someone. A great time for lovers.

Altogether 593 persons had filed their nominations out of which the papers of 33 candidates were rejected while 35 candidates withdrew from the race, the release said.

Virgo Close members of your family and friends will take up most of your time today. Students will have to pay more attention to studies as exams are upcoming, and they will have to learn to balance study and free time. Today is a good time to buy property. All in all, it is a day when you can afford to relax and let your mind pursue its interests.

Among the 525 candidates in the fray, 481 are men and 44 women with the ruling Congress having the highest number of

Libra You are ready to take up the challenges that life has to throw at you. Thanks to the confidence within you, which gives you power to fight it out against all odds. Even if you take up a mammoth task, you are bound to succeed today.

Scorpio This seems to be true for you today. Your natural talents will be acknowledged and documented at work. This might prompt your equals to hold you up above the rest, and for your seniors to positively encourage you to scale greater heights. But as always, be careful to make sure that success does not make you heady with arrogance.

Sagittarius Your business is likely to grow with leaps and bounds. Increase in financial returns will keep you happy for the entire day. Work in progress gives out positive signals.

Your expert advice will be valued at work. In short, a day full of activities.

Capricorn You'll look into heart of the matter and find the answers you have been searching for.

As the day progresses, your creativity will come to the fore, impressing the people around. You can ask for the support of your peers to move ahead.

Aquarius You are fond of traveling and are always looking for an excuse to set off. Hence it comes as no surprise if you pack your bags and decide to embark upon a journey on a whim today. It is a much needed break too, from the daily stresses of earning a livelihood. While you are seeking solitude, you will take your friends and relatives along with you on the trip.

Pisces The cupid may strike you today! The singles may feel the energy and excitement of budding romance. Equally blissful day for the married couples, too, as they will spend quality time with each other. Go down the memory lane, go through some photo albums and cherish those long lost moments.

57 candidates, followed

by AIUDF with 47, BJP with 35 and its alliance partner-the AGP with 19.

BJP's other alliance partner - Bodo Peoples' Front is contesting in ten seats, while CPI is contesting in five, CPI-ML(L) in one, CPI-M in nine, SUCI in 11, independents in 217 and others in 114, it said.

Among the prominent candidates in the fray are Congress Ministers Rakibul Hussain, Sukur Ali Ahmed, Dr Nazrul Islam, former Congress Minister Himanta Biswa

Sarma, who joined the BJP last year, AIUDF Chief and Dhubri Lok Sabha MP Badruddin Ajmal, former AGP chief minister Prafulla Mahanta, former AGP ministers Atul Bora and Chandramohan Patowary (both in BJP now).

There are altogether 566 candidates -- 522 men and 44 women-- vying in first phase on April 4 with the prominent candidates being Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi from Titabor and BJP's chief ministerial candidate and union minister Sarbananda Sonowal from Majuli.

27 candidates in fray at Nalbari ET Correspondent Nalbari, Mar 27: Altogether 27 candidates are in fray in three Assembly constituencies of Nalbari district including Nalbari, Dharmapur and Barkshetri LACs where poll is scheduled to be on April 11 in the second phase. For the three constituencies all total 29 candidates filed nominations where nominations of two candidates were cancelled.

Official sources said that, in Barkshetri LAC total 12 candidates are in fray while in other hand four

candidates are in Dharmapur LAC. In Barkshetri LAC the contesting candidates are Diganta Barman (INC), Narayan Deka (BJP), Akram Hussain Talukdar (AIUDF), Kamalesh Deka (Ind), Mantu Baruah (Ind), Dipak Kalita (Ind), Manomati Das (Ind), Bhupen Talukdar (Ind), Bipul Goswami (Ind), Raju Barman (Ind), Bhumidhar Barman (Ind) and Raju Deka (Ind).

Whereas in Nalbari LAC the contesting candidates are Ashok Sarma (BJP),

Pradyut Kumar Bhuyan (Congress), Jyotirmoy Goswami (Ind), Shristi Sarma (Ind), Maheswar Dutta (CPI-M), Khurshid Alam (Ind), Harinarayan Das (Ind), Maharishi Parasar Chakravarty (Ind) Munindra Doley (SUCI), Gopal Baruah (Ind) and Jiten Kalita (Ind).

The candidates who are in fray at Dharmapur LAC are Chandra Mohan Patowary (BJP), Nilamani Sen Deka (Congress), Dipak Barman (Ind) and Sankar Talukdar (Ind).

Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 28-3-16 (MONDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Songs) 8-30 A.M-North East News Bulletin in English 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M- Live Phone in Surar Satsori 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 (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Chah Sramikar Asor (Tea Garden Programme Programme) 8-00 P.M-Sponsored Programme-Brahmaputra Swasthya Sewa (Sponsored

by BDHL) 9-16 P.M-Barerahaniya-"Good Friday Songs" Sd-/H.O.P

ET Correspondent Nalbari,Mar. 27 : The Nalbari district administration has decided to set up six model polling stations two in each constituency of the district. Besides the administration will set up three polling stations would be completely operated by woman folks. Addressing a press conference at Nalbari Deputy Commissioner's conference hall the district election officer Dr Om Prakash who is also the deputy commissioner of Nalbari said that the administration Will provide the facility of electronic rickshaws to bring the aged and physically challenged voters to cast their votes. They will also provide the facilities

of drinking water,waiting shed and toilets to the voters in the model polling stations.He further said that all total 30 polling stations Will be web casted.

The model polling stations are Mahendra Narayan Choudhury Balika college(MW) and Ghograpar high school (RW) of Nalbari LAC,Raghunath Choudhary HS School (RW) and Bartola high school of Barkshetri LAC, Panigaon Milan high school (RW) and Bihampur Upper Basic School (RW) of Dharmapur LAC.The three woman operated polling stations are Nalbari girls high school ( LW ),Raghunath Choudhary

It may be recalled that the seventh pay commission had earlier recommended to remove the exclusive edge to IAS in the matters of pay, deputations and promotions. Thereafter, government of India had constitued a committee of secretaries to examine the report of 7th central pay

commission. The delegation has alleged that 8 out of 13 members of the committee belongs to a particular service, IAS, and therefore CoCSA is apprehensive that a body with majority of IAS officers may not give a neutral advice to the government, the reason behind submitting a representation. The convenor of Confederation of civil service associations (CoCSA), Jayanta Misra (IRS), in a press statement informed the development.

It may be mentioned that Confederation of civil service associations (CoCSA) collectively represents the service issues of twenty different services.

Rape victim's Mother commits suicide ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 27: Sensations prevailed at Kaborugaon village in Golaghat when the mother of a minor girl committed suicide. According to the report Mina Bhuyan, the wife of Moniram Bhuyan of Kaborugaon village in Golaghat committed suicide by hanging herself last night. Sources said that Moniram and Mina

Bhuyan's fourteen year old daughter was allegedly raped by a local youth when the girl was going for plucking leafs in a tea garden, a few months back. Now that minor girl is pregnant and the young man refused to accept her. Seeking justice for a long time the victim girl’s family give up hope and at last the mother of the victim committed suicide.

HS (MW) and Belsor HS School (MW).The district election officer Dr Om Prakash further said that the district election department for a free and fair poll in the district removed 2646 hording and posters and defacement were done on 790 wall writings. Dr Om Prakash said that in Nalbari district all total 4,75,996 voters including 2,22,958 women will cast their votes in 654 polling stations .He added that the Nalbari LAC has 1,80,991 voters while 1,65,065 votes in Barkshetri and 1,29,940 in Dharmapur LAC.The press conference was addressed among others by Dr Bedanta Madhab Rajkhowa superintendent of police ,Nalbari.

Kokrajhar, Mar 27: Former Rajya Sabha MP and UPP president, Urkhao Gwra Brahma claimed that his party is winning 7-8 seats in the scheduled April 11 election and government would be formed in alliance with Congress at Dispur.

Brahma, who is also UPP candidate for Kokrajhar west, in an exclusively interview today said that his party has been contesting in 14 seats in the BTAD region and supporting the alliance partner, Congress outside of BTAD. He said that common citizens are wanting social change and integration, so they are supporting our party as well Congress to gain more development in the

his party is becoming more popular among common voters and winning in large number of seats is sure. He has predicted that ruling BPF party would face of hard of defeating in the election. Brahma inaugurated an election steering sub-committee office at Bahwraguri and hold campaign meeting at Molandubi in support of his candidature.

BPF candidate for Kokrajhar west Rabiram Narzary hold his election campaign meeting at Binnakhata and Tulsibil where huge supporter and voters thronged. Narzary said that common voters are supporting him that is why his winning from the constituency is sure.

Fishery minister slams BJP MP Ramen Deka for neglecting Mangaldai ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Mar. 27: State Minister for Fishery and Water Resource Basanta Das who has contested for SC reserved 67 Mangaldai LAC on a congress ticket is hopeful of retaining the seat with a bigger margin. Talking to reporters at his residence, he said that all round development and secularism happened to be his main issue to w o o voters and he e x pressed f u l l confidence t h a t people w i l l o n c e again v o t e him for power as he has already managed to draw mass response from the voters wherever he approached

them.

He claimed that development works in various sectors including road communication, health service, education, flood and erosion, fishery, drinking water supply, employment generation have been undertaken in the constituency amounting more than Rs 500 crore during his last five years tenure as the MLA. In such a situat i o n people are convinced on my ability to carry forward t h i s spirit of development for another five years or so, he added.

In reply to the recent allegation leveled by Gurujyoti Das , the contesting BJP

BIG FIGHT

Assamese film actor and BJP activist Jatin Bora interacts with tea workers during election campaign for Lahowal LAC BJP candidate Rituporna Baruah at Romai Tea garden in Dibrugarh. Pic - UB Photos

Spl correspondent.

Tinsukia, Mar 26. A delegation of Confederation of civil service associations (CoCSA) on Sunday met the minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions (MoS (PP)) and submitted a representation to either accept the pay commission findings as such or get them examined by a service neutral body.

UPP will win 7-8 seats in election: UG Brahma District administration gears up ET Correspondent state. He has claimed that for free and fair poll in Nalbari

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz)

Delegation of civil service associations meets MoS (PP) demanding neutral examination of 7th pay commission report

Basanta Das

Gurujyoti Das

candidate of the constituency before media that people are under much resentment over the mass growing of the middlemen culture during the congress rule and a powerful political wave of ‘Poribartan’ in favor of BJP has been blowing all over the area , Minister Das pointed out that congress is a party of big number of workers and as they are associated with selection of beneficiaries for government schemes from

the GP to Zila Parishad level and all could not entitled to benefits then such allegations by deprived people are leveled and it is not possible for an MLA to monitor all such grass root activities . Regarding wave of change in favour of BJP , he recalled some poll statistics from 2011 assembly election to Lok Sabha and Municipal elections in 2014 and reiterated . “In 2011, I recorded more than 65, 000 votes and the vote count of

the Congress candidate in my constituency increased to beyond 78,000 in last Lok Sabha poll when Modi’s wave was at its peak. This followed by our victory in municipal election and forming the Mangaldai Municipal board by congress after more than 20 years.”

He also slammed Ramen Deka , BJP MP from Mangaldai Lok Sabha of neglecting development in Mangaldai area charged the MP of undertaking not a single noticeable project in Mangaldai , the head quarter of his nodal district Darrang . Minister Das told reporters of giving priority to small meetings rather inviting star campaigners and expressed his reluctance to conduct digital campaign in contrary to his rival BJP candidate Gurujyoti Das who is found to be very much active campaigning through digital medium and stated to evoke immense response from users’ especially young voters.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

PAGE 3

EC examines complaints against Good Friday & Easter Sunday observed Mamata Banerjee, two party leaders at Christian Revival Church, Naharlagun Kolkata, Mar 27: The Election Commission is looking into complaints of alleged violation of the model code of conduct by Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and two of her party leaders.

The CPI(M) sent a letter to the Election Commission alleging that two Trinamool leaders Abhisekh Banerjee and Abdur Razzak Mollah have broken the code of conduct while the Congress complained against Mamata Banerjee.

"We are looking into the complaints. Officials are examining them," an EC official said.

To monitor pre-poll pre-

'BJP wants to gain power by hook or crook': Anjan Lucknow, Mar 27 (PTI) Terming the imposition of President's rule in Uttrakhand as "coldblooded" murder of democracy and Parliamentary traditions, senior CPI leader Atul Kumar Anjan today said BJP wants to gain power "by hook or crook".

He alleged that NDA government was holding out threat of President's rule in non-BJP ruled states.

"The manner in which President rule was recommended is highly condemnable. It happened when Congress government was about to prove its majority on the floor of the House tomorrow," the CPI national secretary said.

Anjan said, BJP formed the government in Arunachal Pradesh through floor crossing and had used the same tactic in Uttrakhand.

"BJP wants to gain power by hook or crook," he alleged.

Expenditure examined ET Correspondent Sadiya, Mar 27 : The expenditure observer for 126 Sadiya LAC Deo Kumar examined poll related expenditure of different political parties and independant candidates. However, Lalit Deori, an independant candidate did not submit his expenditure statement. He has been advised to submit the same on Mar. 29, failing which legal action will be initiated against him as per PR Act of 1951 under section.

Mamata Banerjee paredness in the first phase of polling on April 4 and 11, chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi will hold a video conference meeting with district and

other officers.

After withdrawal of candidatures, altogether 163 candidates are contesting in the second part of the first phase.

India's Defence Procurement Policy to be launched online Panaji, Mar 27 (PTI) : India's Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) would be launched online during Defence Expo India-2016, to be held in south Goa from tomorrow, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said.

"We will be launching the Defence Procurement Policy online during DefExpo. It will be put on Ministry's website," Parrikar told PTI ahead of the inauguration of the fourday RPT four-day mega event.

Parrikar said expo's current edition is one of the most important events in the field of production, exports and Indianisation of the sector.

He, however, clarified that 'Make In India' in the defence sector and DefExpo are two different things.

"The basic concept of Defence Expo is a commercial exchange between various companies which will happen here," the former chief minister said.

The website of Defence Expo, monitored by the Defence Ministry, has listed 1,054 companies who will be setting up their stalls for the exhibition to be held at

A Staff Reporter Naharlagun, Mar 27: The central church of Arunachal Pradesh Christian Revival Church Council (APCRCC), CRC Naharlagun has joined the rest of the world in observing and celebrating the Good Friday & Easter Sunday from 25th to 27th March, 2016. The Good Friday & Easter Sunday are two important occasions observed by the Christians across the globe commemorating the supreme sacrifice

by Lord Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection from the death some two thousand years back. Biblical discourses, Prayers and fasting, praise and worship,

BJP, RSS want to impose President's rule across India: Kejriwal

The exhibition will have live demonstration of air display on March 28-29 at the site which is located adjacent to the Arabian Sea. The land that was acquired for setting up an industrial estate has been temporarily allotted to the Defence Ministry for the expo. The exhibition would be spread over six lakh square metres of land.

The event earlier witnessed protest by locals and activists claiming that they were not taken into confidence.

Petitions had also been filed before the Goa bench of Bombay High Court opposing it.

The HC, which would be hearing the matter on Wednesday, refused to stay the event.

Caption: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation service is vital to human health was the theme of observation, the programme started with plantation of trees which was inaugurated by Kamal Dihingia a prominent person of the village inaugurating the programme.

Mr. Dihingia intimated the villagers, student and teachers about necessity of water, he said 10% of the population of the world do not have access to safe drinking water

and putting them at risk of infectious diseases and premature death.

Students, teachers and villagers took active participation and planted saplings of precious plant in the school campus with a theme of “Better water Better Job”.

They took oath for preservation and sanitizing of water for safe drinking water. Many competition was also held like drawing, speech etc. Prize was distributed among students for drawing and speech competition by different dignitaries.

“The day is celebrated to raise awareness of water related issues and make people think twice about how much water they are wasting which is a finite resource and it is fundamental to human wellbeing” said Sushil Gohain, Head master of the school.

Jat agitation violence: 2,035 claimants get compensation

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi, Mar 27: After Uttarakhand was brought under central rule, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday accused the Modi government of being "anti-democratic" and alleged that it wanted to impose President's rule across the country.

"Prez rule imposed one day before trust vote? BJP is anti -democracy. BJP/RSS want dictatorship, want to rule India thro Prez Rule," Kejriwal tweeted.

Prez rule imposed one day before trust vote? BJP is anti-democracy. BJP/RSS want dictatorship, want to rule India thro Prez Rule — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) 1459075915000 Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh also took to Twitter to criticise the Centre's decision, saying it was "murder of democracy".

"Whatever has happened in Uttarakhand, is murder of democracy. A govt has majority or not should be

He also said, "Modi govt does not want opposition govts at all. After Arunachal Pradesh, Dismissal of Uttarakhand govt is dangerous trend.

Experience the New 2016 Chevrolet Cruze.

General Motors Recommended By Colombia "Has BJP/Jaitley forgotten Sher Singh in Delhi who was caught on camera to buy AAP MLA to form BJP govt before assembly election in Delhi?" Ashutosh asked.

President's rule was imposed in Uttarakhand today by the Centre on grounds of "breakdown of governance" in a controversial decision which came in the wake of a political crisis triggered by a rebellion in the ruling Congress.

Earlier in January, Kejriwal had expressed "shock" at Cabinet's recommendation for imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh, terming it as "murder" of the country's Constitution.

"Union Cab recommending Prez rule in Arunachal shocking. Murder of Consti on Rep D eve. BJP lost elections. Now acquiring power thro back door," Kejirwal had tweeted.

World water Day observed in remote village of Dhemaji District Vinod Singh Dhemaji, Mar 27: To create awareness among the growing up youth along with other part of the world, World water Day was observed at Amguri Tribal High School under Sissiborgaon Circle of Dhemaji district, the remote flood affected village Amguri is 30 km away from Dhemaji.

Good Friday & Easter Sunday observed at Christian Revival Church, Naharlagun

proved on the floor of the house," he tweeted.

Naqueri-Betul village in South Goa. "Defexpo India is clearly steering the path of steady growth and has been receiving overwhelming and unprecedented international response with each edition," ministry's website on the mega event said.

healing and deliverance services, water baptismal programme and a community feast marked the three daylong observation and celebration witnessed by hundreds of believers where Bible scholar Evan. Dr. Techi Anand ministered the people as the main speaker, while the services were chaired by Gandhi Dui, Assistant Pastor of the church. Chief patron Tad Akin, Organising Secretary Mingdu Bagang, Assistant Organising Secretary Shulin Rigia and member Bagjam Tama also spoke on the occasion. Songs and dances presented by church’s youth department were some of the attractions of the programme.

Chandigarh, Mar 27: The Haryana government said on Sunday that it has settled claims of 2,035 people who had suffered damage to property and material during last month's violence during the Jat agitation for reservation.

"The state government has paid about Rs 25 crore to 2,035 claimants till March 25. Of these, 1,768 claimants have been paid in full," said an official spokesman.

"The Haryana government has released the final payment for all compensation claims up to Rs.20 lakh in urban areas to those persons whose properties were dam-

aged in the recent agitation.

Payment for the remaining claims would soon be made," he said.

violence during the agitation at around Rs 20,000 crore in the state.

With the efforts of the Haryana government, insurance companies have so far made final settlements of claims amounting to about Rs.6 crore to the people whose insured properties were damaged, he added.

A total of 30 people died and 320 people were injured, including 72 personnel belonging to police and other security forces, during the agitation that affected over 10 districts in south and central Haryana.

"Special teams have been constituted at the district level for the assessment and settlement of the claim cases of Rs 1 crore and above," the spokesman said.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced last week that a judicial enquiry would be got conducted "to completely unearth the entire conspiracy" behind violence during the Jat agitation.

Industry body Assocham had pegged losses due to

Modi ‘bulldozed’ rights of tea garden workers: Brinda Contd. from Page 1 "If Modi comes as a PM, then he cannot do politics. If he comes as a BJP or RSS man, then he can do politics. I want to ask the Election Commission that if he comes as PM and then announces packages, will it not violate the Model Code of Conduct," she asked.

Karat, however, exuded confidence that people of Assam would reject such politics of package as was done by people during Delhi and Bihar polls.

She alleged that BJP was trying to divide people on communal lines and doing politics

of "nationalism" by curbing freedom of expression in universities.

Karat also criticised the "corrupt" Congress government for failing to work for allround development of the state.

She said both BJP and Congress were responsible for rising prices of essential commodities.

Talking about MGNREGA scheme, Karat said "The Act says you should get 100 days work in a rural area. But in Assam, last year on an average 31 days of work were give,

while it was 40 days in Gujarat.

But in Tripura, where there is a Left Front government, 93 days of work were given.

"Only two per cent families in Assam got 100 days of work and it is just three per cent in Gujarat. However, the figure for Tripura is 52 per cent.

Karat alleged that the 15year rule of Congress had witnessed numerous clashes among different communities in Assam.

The Senior CPI(M) leader was in the city to campaign for Sangita Das, the party's candidate in Dispur constituency.

1 convict escape from District Jail Tezu Contd. from Page 1

When interacted with R Olley Deputy SP Jailor said that the prisoner escaped with the support of woodland during collection of firewood for Kitchen. The jailor said the convict Mepo was the cook of the Jail’s Mess due to absence of regular cook. “A massive search operation has been launched and every outlet is sealed to nab the culprit. His poster where circulated and pasted at various pocket of the town to make easy to apprehend the prisoner”, he

informed.

A sprawling Jail compound of approximately 600 meters length and 500 meters wide where there is no watch tower to maintain 24 hours vigil by the sentry in the four corner of the wall. The area is vast and 14 warden deployed to guard the Jail that too some of them are on leaves reflecting skeleton strength and inadequate of the security. “At least 40 to 45 regular wardens are required for the normal function of the Jail including Doctor, Nurse, Cook and Barber which is

yet to be placed”, rues the Jailor.

Some said that the prisoner escaped after a holed beneath the Massive Wall where the hole was repaired later. This is the first Jail escaped case after it got functional in 2015. A detail magistrate inquiry of the Jail break has been recommended to ascertain the fact.

Meanwhile, the District Jail has Fifty Four (54) Prisoners where 12 are convict in various cases and rest are Under Trail Prisoners (UTP), discloses the Jail Authority sources.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

PAGE 4

Congress crisis intensifies in hills Noted Kannada novelist Prof Bhyrappa Sushanta Roy Diphu March 27: With approaching election Congress crisis seems to be deepening in 3 constituencies i.e. Diphu, Bokajan and Howraghat with the exception of Baithalangso in West Karbi Anglong which is comparably less challenging for the ruling party at this moment; credit goes to relentless endeavor of Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.

In Bokajan seating MLA Klengdun Engti who allegedly maintained aloofness with general people of the constituency and party workers so long is paying

dearly right now; the young candidate who is the son of Congress MP Biresing Engti is also facing hostility from within the party for being paid party ticket ignoring hard working senior party leaders on the command of his father.

Community wise polarization of electorate in favor of saffron brigade, split up of 51639 thousand Karbi vote mainly in 3 factions which used to be Congress mainstay, unification of 10, 000 Bengali, 6 thousand Bihari, 20 thousand Adavasi, 9 thousand Nepali, 12 thousand Assamese and 7 thousand Naga votes have clearly deepened Congress dilemma in Bokajan con-

stituency.

Electoral scenario is more or less identical in Howraghat where community wise divergence of small body of voters and multiple split of majority vote which was so far foundation of the ruling Congress has thrown the ruling party candidate Krorosing Engti in hitch. BJP nominee Joyram Engleng is clearing enjoying the support of large piece of Karbi, Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Garo and other community right now.

Convergence of votes in communal line, split of Karbi vote has certainly boost up the expectation of

BJP but the rise of HSDC (Hills State Democratic Council) after almost 15 years has also thrown the Congress in trouble; formerly leftist HSDC which had deep penetration within all section of the society and a wide spread organizational formation is rapidly eating up the base of ruling Congress and rising BJP capitalizing incumbency of Congress, so call communalism of BJP and positive regionalism of HSDC. Right now no party is expecting victory with huge margin excepting BJP which is benefiting from massive Modi weave which has reached the hills of Assam.

to interact with Guwahati scribes

NJ Thakuria Guwahati, Mar 27: Eminent Kannada author Professor Santeshivara Lingannaiah Bhyrappa, who is widely regarded as one of modern India's foremost novelists, will attend the ‘Guest of the Month’ program of Guwahati Press Club [GPC] on Monday [28 March 2016]. The interactive session with the Saraswati Sanman awardee is scheduled to start at GPC auditorium by 3 pm. Padma Shri Prof Bhyrappa, who is coming to Guwahati to receive the Mamoni Raisom Goswami National Litera-

Bordoloi's political campaign gaining grounds in Margherita, termed BJP as biased and party of the capitalist only ET Correspondent Digboi, Mar 27: Former Minister Pradyut Bordoloi who is also the heavy weight Congress candidate from 126 Margherita LAC has guard up his loin to secure his seats from his eminent BJP counterpart Bhaskar Sharma.

Based on Congress Manifesto released recently and his practical achievement in the area concerning Electrification, road networks, education school building etc. Mr. Bordoloi addressed his electrodes at Pengaree here this afternoon and appealed his people to strengthen the Congress as usual for the

sake of a stable, people friendly and effective Congress government in Assam.

Slamming the BJP as biased and party only for the industrialist and capitalist, he alleged that BJP is simply alluring the common people in the name of opening bank accounts nationwide just to ignite the hope of the poor which never materialized as on date, it dwells on false promises which cannot be permanent.

However, admitting slow progress in some of the pockets of his jurisdiction Mr. Bordoloi told that Congress has become the synonyms of

peace, progress and fraternity with significant development on almost all the socio-economic strata of our society.

Meanwhile, urging the people to vote in favour of Congress on the 4th next in their respective polling station, the heavy weight congress contender categorically told his people not to be tempted or dreaded by any Secret killer (pointing towards his BJP counterpart) and take active part in discharging their Fundamental duties towards the society and help them in forming government.

The response of the significant gathering at

Poster war escalates between Congress and BJP in Tinsukia Contd. from Page 1

A congress poster is followed by a BJP poster and it goes on and on.

Even the back and sides of auto-rickshaw and cycle rickshaw are pasted with political party posters, whether it all has been done after NOC and following model code of conduct is something that election commission needs to enquire.

In the meantime, smaller parties and even independent candidates are trying to make themselves visible before the voters through such fundas. However, their limited money power keeps them at a limit.

Meanwhile, the empty streets, suddenly filled with colourful flags and posters all over, much of which is giving a sense of election fever to many voters who are excited, while some are finding it rubbish with an argument that once the elections are over neither the leaders nor their party workers across political party will come back to clean this mess, leaving their boundary walls with look dirty with torn posters.

It has been learnt that many voters are not aware that election observer, general observer, expenditure observer has arrived and they can make election related

complaints to them. They were of the opinion that, probably, arrival of such officers, their contact details and interation with voters have not been very well circulated among the masses and feels that election commission should do more to create awareness so that more and more voters can reach this specially deputed officers. Although, the district administration had issued press release regarding the arrival of such officers for publication for benefit of the voters. It may be mentioned general observer, expenditure observer are senior puffers deputed by elections to conduct free and fair elections.

CULTURE APART

Pengaree ME School auditorium indicated that the congress still holds well in all the five panchayats of Buri Dihing Mouza under Margherita Lac making Mr. Bordoloi confidence of his victory.

Beating his own political trumpet, Mr. Bordoloi told that he always stood beside his people, was among the first of the people's representatives to visit the terrorist infected belt of the areas when no one dared visiting the poor and victims of ULFAs' atrocities.

He challenged, 'I have been ruling people's heart and mind winning

The anniversary was organized jointly Kokrajhar district unit of BPF and Salakati block BPF committee.Boro,a noted social worker and former president of Salakati block BPF committee died on March 27(2015).

Former BTC executive member and Kokrajhar district unit BPF Derhasat Basumatary

Darrang admn ready for free and fair poll in peaceful atmosphere-Deputy Commissioner

Meanwhile, not sparing even a local journalist terming as biased and puppet at the hands of the BJP, he invited him to represent people's sufferings rather than becoming a vehicles to carry anti-people ideology of the BJP. It may be added here that the BJP may suffer set back in Margherita LAC in view of UlFA's resentment towards the BJP candidate who has not been able to address the voters effectively.

paid floral tribute to late Boro followed by family member, party leader and well wishers at his burial place.

Basumatary, recalling late Boro said that he was a leader of social integration who has been involved with social uplift and dedicated his life towards peoples’ welfare in the region. He also announce to form a trust in memory of late Boro to keep alive his ideology and philosophy among society, besides deciding to constitute an educational award for meritorious students in the district in days to coming.

Bijay Basumatary, president of Salakati block BPF committee was among others present in the observation.

Election Observers Onkar Singh and Bhagawan Das, Police Observer Shambhu Singh IGP of Jharkhand and Darrang Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar is attending a meeting with the candidates of Darrang district and their representatives at DC's conference hall on Sunday

ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Mar 27: “The District administration of Darrang has completed all arrangement to conduct the ensuing general assembly poll in the second phase on April 11 next and is ready to conduct the free and fair election in peaceful atmosphere in all the four legislative assembly constituencies of the district” said Deputy Commissioner of Darrang cum District Election Officer Manoj Kumar while attending a meeting with all the candidates and their representatives at the conference hall of the DC’s office this afternoon in presence of two Election Observer and one Police Observer.

Election Observer for 65 Kalaigaon and 66 Sipajhar LAC Bhagawan Das IAS, Election Observer for 67 Mangaldai (SC) and 68 Dalgaon LAC Onkar Singh IAS and Police Observer for the district and Inspector General of Police of Jharkhand Shambhu Thakur also attended the meeting and appealed all the candidates and their representatives to lodge any complaint regarding the elec-

tion related matters without any hesitation in the greater interest of holding a free and fair election peacefully. Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar in the meeting also explained in details on the randomization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) before the candidates and their representatives. District Development Commissioner Ranjit Kalita, Additional Deputy Commissioners namely Bidyut Bikash Bhagawati, Nara Narayan nath and Dharmananda Barua, Election Officer Rahul Chandra Das and other officials’ also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile Election Officer Rahul Chandra Das informed the media that the interested political parties, candidates or their representatives or other organizations could meet Election Observer for Kalaigaon and Sipajhar LAC Bhagawan Das at Mangaldai Circuit House from 3 pm to 5 pm or contact him on cellular phone number 95312 83549 while Election Observer for Mangaldai and Dalgaon LAC Onkar Singh could be met at

Mangaldai Circuit House from 9 am to 11 am or could be contacted at cellular phone number 95312 83546.

Mention may be made here that in this election a total of 709481 electorates in all the four LACs will exercise their democratic right to elect their representatives. Of these total electorates, 367110 are male and 342371 are female while the total number of the ‘D’ voters is 4921.The 67 Mangaldai LAC (SC) has recorded the maximum number electorates with 2000065 voters of which 103140 are male and 96925 are female while the number of ‘D’ voters is 994. On the other hand 65 Kalaigaon LAC has recorded the lowest electorates with a total of 154193 of which 79542 are male and 74651 are female and 797 are ‘D’ voters. The total electorates in 66 Sipajhar LAC are 158210 of which 82998 are male and 75212 are female and 158 are ‘D’ voters. A total of 197013 electorates of which 101430 are male and 95583 are female will exercise their democratic right in 68 Dalgaon LAC with 2518 ‘D’ voters.

Maha Sati Joymoti Smriti Divas held Modi gets poor response, at Margherita thin presence in rallies: Joshi ET Correspondent Margherita, Mar 27: A Two day programme of Maha Sati Joymoti Smriti Divas was held at Chow Chengryon premises, Margherita organised by Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad and Margherita Tai Ahom Mahila Parishad where many Tai Ahom Community people were present.

A group of foreign tourists try their hands on some traditional Bihu musical instruments at Dwijen Gogoi bihu museum in Sivasagar. Gogoi is also seen in the picture. Pic - Firuz Ahmed

teen.

A doctor of Philosophy, Prof Bhyrappa used to teach at various institutions and retired in 1991 from the Mysore Regional College of Education. He has authored twenty four novels in a career spanning more than five decades. Many of his novels were translated into other Indian languages and English. Prof Bhyrappa has been one of the bestselling authors in Kannada for past twenty five years.

Member journalists of Guwahati Press Club have been requested to participate in the program.

their love, let BJP do this’. 'I am for the poor while BJP is the spokesperson of the rich', he added.

Death anniversary of Sangkarlal Boro observed ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Mar 27: BPF party men and greater Titaguri area recalled contributions of late Sangkarlal Boro,noted social worker and former BPF leader, on his first death anniversary observation today Kashibari in Kokrajhar district.

Santeshivara Lingannaiah Bhyrappa

ture Award 2016, constituted by Asom Sahitya Sabha, will also be felicitated by Guwahati scribes.

Born at Santeshivara village, which is around 162 km away from Bangalore, Prof Bhyrappa had to struggle for his education as his family had little resources. Lost his mother in early days, Prof Bhyrappa completed his primary education in Channarayapatna taluk and then moved to Mysore for higher education. He briefly participated in the Indian freedom struggle when Prof Bhyrappa was around thir-

The programme started on 26 March with Safai Abhiyaan, Quiz Competition and with various sports and games which was held among the women. On 27 March the programme was headed with Lightning of lamps by the Organisers,

Inauguration of Souvenir, Felicitation and Prize Distribution programme.

Many renowned persons of Margherita such as noted writer and literary pensioner, Barun Bora of Margherita, Dr. Ramen Hazarika Head of the Department of Assamese Language Margherita College, noted social worker of Margherita Malina Choudhury, Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad, Assam Central Committee General Secretary, Mintu Deodhai Phukan, social Worker Debojit Baruah and many other resource persons were present.

Contd. from Page 1

We'll form government for the fourth time in Assam under Tarun Gogoi's leadership," he said.

Stating that BJP has no credible leader in Assam, Joshi said "Modi in 2014 Lok Sabha election campaigning had promised many things for Assam, which believed him and gave the party a chance with a minister in his cabinet. That minister is

now BJP's CM candiCriticising Modi for date." mocking Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in "Has Modi fulfilled his speeches at rallies, any promise? Rather we he said "Modi is a Prime have seen many U-turns Minister and head of the in these two years," he government. He is not said.

BJP head. He should speak with dignity The senior Congress while attacking a chief leader said the Centre minister." had failed to deport Bangladeshi infiltrators, did not accord ST status As RSS did not take to six tribes and also did part in the freedom not provide jobs to the struggle, Joshi said, they youths. Modi was also now wanted to own Marenaming old schemes hatma Gandhi, Bhagat and launching those by Singh, Azad, Netaji and taking undue credit. other freedom fighters.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

PAGE 5

Candidate, party leaders CAG blames MUDA for misplanning busy in campaigning in Kokrajhar ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Mar 27: The different parties and organisations became busy in campaigning in support of their candidates in various districts of the BTAD region including Kokrajhar.

BTC executive member Rajib Brahma, BPF leader Narayan Chandra Basumatary hold election campaign at Bheltari village for Kokrajhar east LAC. BPF candidate Pramila Rani Brahma while addressing the well-attended meeting said that BPF party has been contesting in all 13 seats of the BTAD alliance with BJP and this time party candidates are winning in all contesting seats. He said that irrespective of caste, creed, languages are supporting the party that is why party’s winning as well as government formation at Dispur will be clear after the election. He has urged the

citizens to vote for the party candidates to meet speedy of development and social integration. She also said that she was working for the all-round development and welfare of the citizens in the region.

UPP candidate for Kokrajhar east LAC Protibha Brahma hold her election campaign at Jainary, Owabari area where irrespective of caste and communities thronged.

Brahma has alleged that BPF party has totally failed to fulfil hopes and aspirations of the common peoples during their decade long reign in the region. She has promised of doing people's development and social uplift if she voted to power in the election. She appealed to all sections of communities to vote for her candidature to meet healthy integration welfare among society.

Abducted bus driver, helpers released in Garo Hills Shillong, Mar 27: A driver and two of his colleagues were on Friday released unharmed at a place near Garobadha in West Garo Hills more than ten days after they were abducted by suspected ASAK militants.

A group of militants on March 14 stopped a bus (ML 08 0313) which was on its way to Purakhasia from Tura and abducted bus driver Nikhil Talukdar, conductor Gurmit Koch and handyman Hojoi Koch from Boldamgre village near Purakhasia, along the IndiaBangladesh border.

Initially, the abductors had demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh for the trio’s release.

Police said that as per the description of the militants

provided by the abducted victims, the kidnap seemed to be the handiwork of ASAK militants.

Police also failed to confirm if any ransom had been paid for the safe release of the trio. Earlier, the Garo Hills Motor Workers’ Union had served a deadline of three days for the trio’s unconditional release with a threat to halt public transport services in Garo Hills.

The union had also staged a rally at Tura and submitted a memorandum to West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi seeking government support for rescuing the trio. The ultimatum had ended on Friday.

Shillong, Mar 27: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has blamed the delay on part of the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in allowing the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) to operate the STPS buses, leading to loss of potential revenue of Rs 122.49 lakh up to July, 2011.

MUDA had purchased 120 buses under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) at a total cost of Rs 17.06 crore for deployment in Shillong city area after following the tendering process.

Ninety per cent of the cost of buses was met from the Central share while the remaining ten

per cent was to be borne by the State.

The first lot of 50 Ashok Leyland buses was received by MUDA between October, 2010 and July, 2011 while the remaining 70 buses (Tata) were received between October, 2012 and June, 2013.

Initially, 50 Ashok Leyland buses were operated between July, 2011 and January, 2013 by the Corporation.

Since January, 2013, however, all the 120 buses are being operated by private parties under the supervision and control of MUDA. As MUDA did not have adequate infrastructure and expertise to operate the buses procured under the Mission, it de-

party's support.

However, the Congress had fielded non tribal candidates for the GHADC polls.

According to Rupert, the legislative branch of the district council had disallowed the motion.

The GHUA feels that the participation of non-tribals in GHADC election defeats the very purpose and objective for which the district council was created.

Rupert said that his intention of bringing the motion was in the interest of the tribal people. The rejection of the motion is an act of betrayal of the aspirations of the tribal people, he said.

According to Rupert, the continuation of the executive committee is against the interest of the tribals.

The NPP led ruling Garo Hills People's Alliance (GHPA) has the lone non tribal member S.G. Esmatur Mominul from NPP. (Agencies)

Comptroller and Auditor General cided to hand over (October 2010-July 2011) the operation of 50 buses (Ashok Leyland make) procured under JNNURM to the Corporation in five batches.

As per the agreement entered into (September 2011) with the MTC, the net profit earned from the operation of these 50 buses (after adjusting operational expenditure)

Shillong/Aizawl, Mar 27: Candlelight processions, baptism of newborns, and coloured Easter eggs and buns were the hallmark of the day as Christians in Meghalaya on Sunday joined their brethren the world over in celebrating Easter.

Cathedrals and churches in the Christian-majority state were thronged by people for special mass and other celebratory events.

Archbishop of Shillong the Rev. Dominic Jala presided over the Easter mass at the Grotto Chapel in the Mary Help of Christians Cathedral.

Pascal commemoration

in many parishes was marked with candlelight processions and baptism of newborn.

Leaders of various political parties greeted people on the occasion.

Governor V. Shanmuganathan said Easter was a festival of hope and a special day to remember the god's sacrifice for the freedom of mankind.

"Easter brings happiness, Easter brings god's endless blessings, Easter brings fresh love and prosperity. I hope that the blessings of god fill our hearts with peace and joy and make us a better human being," Shanmuganathan said,

Easter celebrated in Meghalaya

Easter celebrated in Mizoram wishing the people of Meghalaya.

Greeting the people, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said: "May this Easter bring bountiful of blessing to one and all."

On the other hand Aizawl too celebrates the festival of Easter with great enthusiasm. Band parties of different corps of the Salvation Army on Sunday woke the Aizawl

taught the stoic people of Shillong to laugh and let their hair down.

The CALM Fest has become an event that not only the people of Shillong look forward to but a festival that is marked out in the calendar of creative writers from Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Dehra Dun et al.

Sambha would share with other CALM enthusiasts about who was coming and who would do what. She involved a cross section of Shillongites in her endeavour to make CALM an inclusive and participative event.

She carefully thought out activities for school and college students even while she crafted out a full schedule for the visitors and eclectic participants.

Owner of one of Shillong's cozy little

populace by playing the hymn He's arisen to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ after being crucified on Easter Sunday.

People across the state celebrated Easter Sunday, signifying Christ's victory over death after his crucifixion to redeem the world.

Sunrise services were organised by the youth wings of both the Pres-

byterian and the Baptist Churches in their respective local churches.

Special prayers and worship were also held the whole day with Catholic Church members breaking their fast since the day of crucifixion on Good Friday.

Preachers of different churches preached sermons on the resurrection of Christ.

(Agencies)

twice, It was also stated that there was further delay because of time taken by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of the State Government and the State Cabinet in approving (January 2011 to July 2011) the proposal for handing over of the buses to the Corporation.

“The reply is not tenable as the MUDA should have taken advance action for floating of tenders for operation of the vehicles. Further, the procedural time of seven months (January – July 2011) taken by State Cabinet for deciding on handing over of buses to the Corporation was excessive and had also contributed towards delay in operations of these buses,” the CAG observed. (Agencies)

Elephant tramped, 1 died another sustained injuries at Kokrajhar ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Mar 27: A 12-years-old youth identified as Som Soren of Santipur Ultapani was died on the spot and another sustained serious injures due to trampled by wild elephant late last night at Ultapani along the Indo-Bhutan border area in Kokrajhar district.

According to villagers, a herd of 4 wild elephants reached the No. 2 Santipur village late last night and attacked the villagers where the youth was died on the spot and another received serious injured. The injured one was immediately taken to Kokrajhar RNB civil hospital. He was identified as Kistu Kisku (18) of Santipur.

Sitting MLA and BPF candidate for Kokrajhar east LAC Pramila Rani Brahma visited the spot.

BJP team from Manipur electioneering in Assam Imphal, Mar 27: The BJP's Manipur unit is helping the party in its election campaign in Assam by canvassing the Manipuri settlers in the neighbouring state.

Several BJP leaders led by the president of the party's Manipur unit Thounaojam Chaoba Singh are touring the Manipuri-inhabited areas of Assam, to help their party wrest power from the Congress in the forthcoming election.

N. Mangi, one such leader from Manipur, told IANS that the Manipuri settlers

welcomed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) team everywhere because they have been neglected by the Congress government for decades.

Jobs and other reservations meant for the Manipuris were usurped by candidates of other communities, he said.

Angry with their deprivation and exploitation, the Manipuris wanted a change in the political climate, said Mangi who was for long with the Communist Party of India (CPI) before joining the BJP.

"We are confident that our party will win the seats in these Manipuridominated constituencies."

Manipuris had settled in many parts in Assam centuries ago.

Legend has it that if a Manipuri princess was married to a prince in Assam, thousands of villagers would be decreed to go and settle near her marital home, so that she did not feel lonely. A.R. Khan is a retired bureaucrat who became a member of the party in Manipur. He is also in the

Doyen of city's creative art & literary festival no more Shillong, Mar 27: Sambha Lamarr, who introduced the Creative Art, Literature and Music (CALM) Festival to the public of Shillong in May 2012, passed away at Bethany Hospital on Good Friday.

Sambha, just 47 years of age, was a much loved person not just in Shillong but across the country where she had friends who contributed to the richness of the CALM Fest.

It was Sambha who invited Chetan Bhagat to Shillong and gave us a taste of what it is like to hear a celebrity author talk of issues closest to his heart. The next year she brought Jerry Pinto, Shobhaa De, and a host of artists, photographers and writers and of course standup comedians who

was to be shared between the Corporation and MUDA in a 70:30 ratio.

The Corporation operated these 50 buses during the period from July 2011 to January 2013 and thereafter the said buses were taken back by MUDA. The CAG observed that even though 40 out of 50 buses (in four out of five

Easter celebrated across Meghalaya and Mizoram

Opp threatens boycott of GHADC session Shillong, Mar 27: The five member Garo Hills United Alliance (GHUA) has threatened to abstain from the Budget session of the GHADC starting from Tuesday next.

The reason for the proposed boycott by the five MDCs who are in the Opposition is that the GHADC Chairman has rejected a motion to discuss the participation of nontribals in GHADC polls.

The GHUA comprises Independent MDCs Levastone T. Sangma (Jengjal), Rupert M. Sangma (Tura), Deviar M. Sangma (Gasuapara) and Kenadik S. Marak (Siju) and the lone NCP member Rightious N. Sangma (Babelapara).

They termed the non-admission of the motion by GHADC Chairman Boston Marak as arbitrary.

The GHUA members have also decided to inform the Congress members about the development and seek the

batches) were handed over (October 26, 2010 to March 15, 2011) to the Corporation, MUDA had accorded permission to operate these buses only on July 27, 2011 as MUDA was also exploring the possibilities of operating these buses through private parties.

Due to the delay on part of MUDA in allowing the Corporation to operate buses, the JNNURM buses were kept idle for considerable period leading to loss of potential revenue of Rs 122.49 lakh up to July, 2011.

In reply, MUDA stated (December, 2015) that national tender was floated on October 19, 2010 for operators, but the response was not forthcoming despite extending the tender

bookshop 'The BookMark' in Nongrim Hills, Sambha has hosted several book release functions and organised inter-community dialogues on contentious issues.

Facebook is replete with tributes paid to this wonderful personality. Everyone who knew her has something special to say about her.

Says Daulat Rahman, correspondent, The Telegraph, "Shocked…one of the most graceful women I have ever met in my life. When I met her a few years back …she gave me an English version of Holy Quran which later helped me in deeper understanding of Islam and Prophet Mohammad. May Allah grant her eternal peace and Jannatul Firdous …Ameen."

There are others too who

were gifted books when they visited 'The BookMark'.

Sambha herself was well read and would recommend books to friends and associates.

On Friday when news of her demise filtered out, people from all walks of life rushed to her residence. She had left her imprint on all those who have come in contact with her. Sambha had taught for a brief while in St. Edmund's School. Her students remember her lovely smile and her soothing presence. "Ma'am Sambha never needed to raise her voice. She was a mentor to many of us," said a former Edmundian, adding that she would involve them later on as compère etc., during the CALM Fest.

Sambha has been battling cancer for the last one year

and spent her last few days at the ICU of Bethany Hospital. In death Sambha retained her peaceful, dignified demeanour. Anyone looking at her lying on her bed cannot but miss the half smile on her face.

It is in such a situation that John Donne's Sonnet X, Death Be Not Proud, resonates. "Death be not proud/ though some have called thee/ Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so…"

From the people of Shillong comes the Last Farewell…Rest in that place of Calm and Peace.

Sambha leaves behind her young sons Chuamiki and Korniaki, her husband Hansel, sisters Rika, Rilana and Dakahiwot and her grieving mother. (Agencies)

BJP team touring Assam.

The Muslim voters in Assam welcomed him and assured him of cooperation, Khan said.

In many constituencies the Muslim voters have considerable influence.

They have relatives and emotional integration with the Muslims in Manipur who have long elected about 5-6 MLAs in the 60-member House.

Thounaojam Chaoba Singh said, "Our team will stay till the last minute of electioneering for the first date of polling".

Assam will see polling on

April 4 and 11, to elect 126 members of its assembly.

Meanwhile, Congress sources in Imphal told IANS that no such team has been sent by their party so far to Assam.

But then the party is faction-ridden.

At least 25 Congress MLAs out of 48 party legislators in the assembly are revolting. They demand dropping of the ministers in the Okram Ibobi Singh government and their induction instead.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi had met the two

sides.

Though one minister announced in a public meeting that there will be no reshuffle the dissidents told IANS that once the Holi festival is over they will make their presence felt.

However, other politicians including the BJP president in Manipur are very sceptical about the effectiveness of the dissidents in the state.

The poll outcome in Assam will have a direct bearing on the elections in Manipur which will be held in February 2017. (Agencies)

Candidates seen with huge gathering at Kokrajhar ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Mar 27: Just few days left for the scheduled assembly elections on April 4 and 11 next and campaigning from different parties for their candidates seen with huge gathering and momentum among common voters in the region.

Former minister, sitting MLA and BPF candidate for 31-Sidli LAC Chandan Brahma campaigned in support of his candidature at Simlaguri, Laltari area on

Saturday along with alliance that the alliance party is winpartner, AGP MLA Pani ning in large number of seats Bhusan Choudhury in across the state.

Kokrajhar district.

While, UPP candidate for Kokrajhar east, Pratibha Brahma has claimed that he Brahma hold her election and his party is winning in campaign here at Duramari all 13 contesting seats in the area. She said that irrespecregion and government tive of caste, creed and lanwould be formed by BPF, guages are supporting the AGP and BJP, with no party, so her winning is clear doubt. He also said that his from the respected party was working for all Kokrajhar east LAC. She round development of the has appealed to all sections common publics. of communities to vote in support of her to meet good Choudhury, in his election governance and healthy socampaign addressed said ciety for coming days.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

PAGE 6

President's rule imposed in Uttarakhand Dehradun, Mar. 27 : After almost seven days of verbal battle between the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the political crisis in Uttarakhand, President's rule was imposed in the hill state on Sunday.

Sources said the move was taken after Governor K.K. Paul submitted his report.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat earlier condemned the threat by the Centre to impose President's rule in the state.

He said the move will be

a murder of democracy, adding it is not acceptable in a parliamentary system.

"The Centre is targeting a small state. The BJP is trying to degrade the established institutions in the states," he added.

Meanwhile, the fate of the nine rebel Congress MLAs would be decided today by Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal.

The reported decision to disqualify the nine legislators from the Congress Party, who have revolted against Rawat and joined hands with

dulging in horse-trading to save his government.

The video purportedly showed him bargaining with rebel party lawmakers to win their support ahead of the floor test on Monday.

President's rule imposed in Uttarakhand the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), would reduce the effective strength of the 70-member assembly to 61.

The rebel Congress legislators yesterday released a sting video of Chief Minister Rawat and alleged that he is in-

Reacting to the video, the BJP demanded President's Rule in the state, saying Chief Minister Rawat has no right to continue.

A BJP delegation met President Pranab Mukherjee yesterday and expressed apprehension that the Congress government may try to

abuse the Speaker's office to disqualify rebel legislators to win the floor test.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya told the media after meeting the President that there was no need for a show of strength in the assembly following the sting and added that a constitutional crisis existed in the state.

This move has come as a major setback to the Congress as Arunachal Pradesh also witnessed a similar situation of President's rule. (ANI)

PM Modi congratulates President, Vice-President, Prime Minister Dhoni's boys greet nation on occasion of Easter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi New Delhi, Mar. 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the M.S. Dhoni-led Indian cricket team for their wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh in the ongoing World T-20 tournament and conveyed his best wishes for today's match against Australia.

Prime Minister Modi, who was addressing the nation in the 18th edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, said Team India has recently registered two brilliant wins in the World T-20.

The Prime Minister began his speech by con-

veying Easter greetings to the nation.

"I extend my heartiest Easter greetings to all.

India has recently registered two brilliant wins in World T-20," he said.

Prime Minister Modi also said that the Indian football team had a good run earlier but that is not the case now, adding that the rankings are very low now.

"I see that our youth is enjoying football like EPL. It's important to take football to every village and FIFA U-17 is a great opportunity," he added. (ANI)

Rift grows in ISIS between foreign, local fighters: report Washington, Mar 27: Rift is growing between Islamic States foreign and local fighters with recent battlefield setbacks in Iraq and Syria exacerbating latent strains within the terror group as it contends with financial hardships and territory loss, according to a media report.

Foreign fighters, long welcomed by Islamic State as essential parts of its global mission, are generating greater internal discord and even violence just as the group pivots outward to target Europe and the US, the Wall Street Journal reported.

"With time, and because of the financial and management differences between them, the locals started to complain" about the foreign fighters, a Mosul resident was quoted as saying.

"We all hope to see the day when this division among the fighters ends them."

"Throughout Islamic State-controlled territory in Iraq and Syria, tempers are flaring, showing how recent battlefield setbacks in Iraq and Syria can exacerbate la-

tent strains within the group as it contends with financial hardships and loss of territory," the report said.

The Mosul resident described a clash he said he witnessed a few weeks ago in a busy market.

In a scene that has become commonplace, a foreign Islamic State fighter angrily denounced an elderly Iraqi man for wearing his beard too short for a properly devout Muslim, the report said.

"Instead of quietly enduring another routine indignity, the old man cursed his detractor, to the surprise of onlookers. But what followed was even more surprising: Six local Iraqi fighters for Islamic State intervened to take the old mans side. The Iraqis beat their foreign comrade, handcuffed him and threw him into a car, then sped away," it said.

At least 38,200 foreign fighters from at least 120 countries have travelled to Syria since the beginning of the fiveyear conflict, according to US intelligence reports.

New Delhi, Mar. 27 : President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted the nation on the occasion of Easter.

In his message, President Mukherjee said, "The sacred day of Easter is a constant reminder of Jesus Christ's endless love for humanity and inspires people to follow his ideals of truth, sacrifice and forgiveness."

Hamid Ansari said, "The occasion reminds everyone that love is stronger than hatred. He hoped that the festival will bring peace, harmony and happiness in people's lives.

Prime Minister Modi recalled Jesus Christ's in-

spiring teachings and called for strengthening bonds of harmony and togetherness.

"Easter greetings to people around the world.

Let us recall Jesus Christ's inspiring teachings & strengthen bonds of harmony & togetherness," he tweeted.

Easter is being celebrating today. It signifies resurrection of Jesus Christ after crucifixion and death at Calvary on Good Friday.

In Tamil Nadu, special mass is being held in churches all over the state.

Easter Sunday is celebrated by pious Christians all over Tamil Nadu.

Easter signifies resurrection of Jesus Christ after crucifixion and death at Calvary on Good Friday.

President, Vice-President, Prime Minister greet nation on occasion of Easter Special prayers and holy masses are being held from midnight at the world famous Annai Velankanni shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health.

Thousands of pilgrims from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra apart from

Tamil Nadu attended the special morning mass.

The shroud was removed from the Holy Cross and special prayers were held with Christians holding paschel candles. Easter also signifies the culmination of 40 day lent period of fasting for Christians. (ANI)

Sanders thwarts Hillary, wins Washington and Alaska London, Mar.27 : Senator Bernie Sanders emerged victorious in Washington state and Alaska by defeating Hillary Clinton, who is still leading in the race for delegates to win the Democratic nomination for president.

Sanders defeated Clinton in Washington's caucuses 75 percent to 25 percent and 79 percent to 21 percent in Alaska, with about 38 percent and 72 percent of the states' precincts reporting, reports Guardian.

Sanders found a welcome tableau in the largely white and liberal electorates of the Pacific Northwest, where just days after routing Clinton in Idaho he repeated the feat in Washington.

Senator Bernie Sanders Washington, with 101 delegates in play, was a vital state for Sanders, whose prospects of capturing the nomination dimmed after doubledigit losses.

Hawaii Democrats also voted on Saturday, awarding 25 delegates through a "presidential

preference poll," a hybrid event in which voters showed up at a scheduled meeting, like a caucus, but voted by secret ballot, like a primary.

The next nominating battle for both parties will be April 5 primaries in Wisconsin, followed by April 9 Democratic cau-

cuses in Wyoming, another contest that plays to Sanders's strengths.

His victory in both Washington and Alaska was unexpected as both states have relatively low percentages of the black and Latino voters who have bolstered Clinton's campaign this year.

Clinton will have a chance to regain momentum and a wash of delegates when the Democratic primary moves to her adoptive home state New York on April 19.

The victories in Washington and Alaska , which awarded 16 delegates on Saturday, slightly narrow the gulf with Clinton in the quest for the 2,382 delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination. (ANI)

N. Korea threatens military attack on Seoul's presidential palace Pyong Yang, (N. Korea) Mar. 27 : Democratic People's Republic of North Korea has warned of military attack on Seoul's presidential palace unless South Korean President Park Geun-hye apologizes for 'treason' and publicly executes officials responsible for what Pyongyang says are plans to attack its leadership.

The warning is the latest in a barrage of

threats against Washington and Seoul over joint military drills now underway that the North sees as a dress rehearsal for invasion, reports Guardian.

It also came shortly after a North Korean propaganda outlet posted a video depicting a nuclear attack on Washington D.C. The joint military exercises are held annually but tensions are particularly high this year

because the drills are bigger than ever and come on the heels of North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch.

The warning said the South Korean presidential palace is within striking range of the North's artillery units and that if an order to attack is made then it is 'just a click away'.

North Korea is believed to have artillery capable of striking Seoul

with little or no warning and causing severe damage and casualties in the city of ten million.

A strike on Seoul, however, is highly unlikely and Pyongyang has previously issued similar threats without following through.

There were few signs on Saturday of the heightened tensions in Pyongyang, where the residents went about their daily routines as usual. (ANI)

We should work to conserve water: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi New Delhi, Mar. 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday raised the issue of water conservation. With many parts of the country already facing water crisis, the Prime Minister asked everyone to conserve water.

Prime Minister Modi, who was addressing the nation in the 18th edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, said that water conservation should be connected to a people's movement.

"This is a very important time for farmers. All of us have to think about one thing and that is water conservation. Water level is going down gradually.

We should work to con-

serve water. Water conservation is something all of us need to work on and everyone should be connected to a people's movement to conserve water," he said.

Addressing farmers, Prime Minister Modi said that a 'Kisan Suvidha App' has also been launched.

"You must have heard about 'Digital India'. You will be happy to know that a 'Kisan Suvidha App' has been launched for you. This is a very important time for farmers. All of us have to think about one thing and that is water conservation," he added. (ANI)

Rajasthan: Five killed in bus-tanker collision

Rajasthan: Five killed in bus-tanker collision Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Mar 27 : At least five people were killed and more than 40 injured when a bus collided with a tanker at a National Highway in Jodhpur last night.

The bus later turtled following the collision. The injured passengers were immediately rushed to hospitals in Phalodi and Pokhran.

Those severely injured were immediately referred to Mathura Das Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur .

An injured passenger, Ashok said, "We all are from the Jain community. Around 60 of us were travelling from Phalodi to Jaisalmer.

Suddenly the collision

happened and I don't remember how. We asked for help and people took us to the hospital."

Constable of Phalodi Police Station, Gopi Kishan confirmed the number of casualties.

"At least 29 have been brought here who are given treatment. Rest will be admitted in a while. These passengers are all from Gujarat and had come to visit Jaisalmer and are from the Jain community.

Five passengers have been killed and around 20 have been referred to Pokhran," said Kishan.

He added that the injured were immediately given medical assistance.(ANI)

PM Modi to address 18th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' today New Delhi, Mar. 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modiwill share his thoughts on a number of themes and issues in the 18th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on All India Radio on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has given nod to the Prime Minister's radio broadcast on Sunday with instructions that it should adhere to the Model Code of Conduct in force due to assembly polls in five states.

West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry are going to polls beginning from April 4.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The Prime Minister through 'Mann Ki Baat', has shared his thoughts on a range of issues including drug addiction, farmers problems, menace of corruption, declining sex ratio, promotion of Khadi and high rate of casualties in road accidents. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Rouhani refutes discussing RAW's involvement with Pak leadership Islamabad, Mar. 27: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has discarded claims that the issue of Indian spy agency RAW's involvement in Balochistan was discussed during his meeting with the Pakistani leadership.

Rouhani said this while addressing a press conference in the federal capital before his return

Simple blood test may predict risk of developing TB Washington Mar 26 (PTI): Scientists have identified blood biomarkers in people latently infected with a bacterium linked to tuberculosis, an advance that may lead to a blood test that predicts who is at high risk of developing the disease.

One-third of the world's population is thought to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), but just a small fraction ever develops symptomatic illness, researchers said.

The researchers from the University of Cape Town and the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in US identified the biomarkers in two stages.

First, researchers collected blood samples for two years from more than 6,000 Mtb-infected, but otherwise healthy adolescent volunteers in South Africa.

Analysis of the samples showed patterns of gene expression that differed between volunteers who eventually developed TB and those who remained healthy.

This risk 'signature', confined to a set of 16 genes, could be detected in a blood sample as early as 18 months before the infected person developed active TB. Next, the team confirmed the genetic risk signature's predictive ability in a study of more than 4,500 volunteers in South Africa and The Gambia.

Volunteers in this study were healthy but lived with people who had recently been diagnosed with active TB. The second study group was more varied in age, health status, ethnicity and exposure to locally common strains of Mtb than volunteers in the first study.

Despite the differences, the same risk signature found in the first study was detected in the people who eventually developed active TB during the second trial.

on Saturday, reports Dawn.

sions for cooperation in the areas of trade, economy and energy as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Rouhani denied having such a discussion, saying, "whenever Iran comes closer to Pakistan such rumours are spread."

During the meetings, the Iranian President said the two sides held wide ranging discus-

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

Pakistan's Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa, shared the text of Army Chief General Raheel Sharif's meeting

"There is one concern that RAW is involved in Pak, spec Bln&sometimes also use the soil of our brother country,Iran.I request,they should be told to stop these activities &allow Pakistan to achieve stability," tweeted Bajwa. (ANI)

Pakistan’s MPs put Hindu marriage bill on fast track Karachi, Mar 27: Pakistani parliament's law and justice standing committee approved the muchdelayed Hindu Marriage Bill last month, overcoming years of bureaucratic inertia. The legislation is now expected to sail through with ruling Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz lawmakers Ramesh Kumar Vankwani and Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk being its main protagonists. The bill was virtually gathering dust since it was first proposed with the restoration of democracy in 2008. It picked up steam after Pakistan's top court ordered its approval within two weeks in January for immediate passage.

Afew issues need to be sorted out to make the bill more effective. Vankwani achieved a major success in this regard when he managed to get support of the human rights panel of Pakistani Senate on Feb-

ruary 17 regarding removal of a controversial clause in the bill. The provision says a marriage could be annulled if a spouse converts. Vakwani told the panel the clause could lead to forceful conversion of married women, which remains a major Hindu concern in Pakistan.

Senator Farhatullah Babar of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which rules Sindh where 90% of Pakistani Hindus live, backed Vankwani in annulling the clause, calling it "a grave rights violation''. The panel's chairunderperson, Nasreen Jalil, who belongs to Sindh-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement, called the clause repugnant. The panel's backing is expected to fast-track the legislation that would make it mandatory for Hindu couples to register their marriages.

It would address issues like difficulty in transfer-

ring properties and getting travel as well as identity documents, which require proof of marital status. In the absence of legislation, widows are often deprived of the properties of their husbands. The bill makes opening bank accounts and obtaining visas easier too. It would allow a wife claim alimony and custody of children if her husband leaves her and check child marriages, which are common in Sindh, bordering Rajasthan.

Experts are worried about the Hindu community's opposition to the divorce clause in the bill, saying there is no such concept in Hinduism. They say it could hurt the effectiveness of the legislation and reeks of patriarchy. Sindh, where the Hindu vote is crucial, consequently has done away with the provision of divorce in its law on Hindu marriages. Experts have called for replication of legal provi-

sions in India related to divorce and inheritance of property for daughters that overcame pressures from Hindu conservatives. The urgency related to the bill has coincided with a resolution passed in Pakistani parliament on March 8 to declare Diwali and Holi as public holidays. Vankwani moved the resolution, saying such holidays were essential for Pakistan's "good image".

Earlier in November, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif flew to Karachi to take part in a Diwali function, where Gayatri Mantra was recited along with the Quran. He told Hindus he would support them even if their oppressors are Muslims while under claulining he is their prime minister too.

Sharif 's rival, Imran Khan, promised equal citizenship for minorities at a rally in Hindu-dominated Umerkot amid fire-

works a day after Diwali.

PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari joined the Hindus for Diwali festivities in Hindu-dominated Mithi in Tharparkar. He cut a cake and enjoyed dandia performance.

Many credit steady democratization for the minority outreach besides the importance of Hindu votes in Sindh, where the community is concentrated in Umerkot (49%), Tharparkar (46%) and Mirpurkhas (33%). The Hindu population varies from 8-19% elsewhere in Sindh.

Political expediency aside, many believe the outreach is genuine as part of the anti-extremism efforts. It dovetails with the anti-terror National Action Plan formulated after the Peshawar school massacre in December 2014 that includes a pledge to "stop religious extremism and protect minorities''.

Czech nationals arrested in Lanka for insect sneaking

Colombo, Mar. 27 : TheSri Lankan Police have arrested two people from along with a local for possession of live native insects and plants.

The foreigners were travelling on the Southern Expressway from Matara when the police arrested them on the Outer Circular Highway in Kaduwela on Saturday night, reports Lanka page.

The suspects were in the possession of five caterpillar cocoons and several herbal plants indigenous to Sri Lanka when

they were arrested by police officers together with wildlife officers in Kaduwela.

The officers also found several chemical compounds in the vehicle.

The suspects are to be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrates Court today.

Under the Flora and Fauna Protection Act of Sri Lanka, a person contravening the ordinance is liable to a maximum fine of 500 rupees or to a maximum jail of six months or both. (ANI)

Myanmar's military vows to join hands with civilian leaders

Nepal army chief leaves on China visit Kathmandu, Mar 27: The Nepal army chief, General Rajendra Chhetri left on a weeklong visit of China on Sunday, the day Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli returns from his official tour of the neighbouring country.

This is Chhetri's second foreign visit since September last year when he was appointed the chief of the army staff.

One of his mandates has been to strengthen military ties with Nepal's powerful northern neighbour.

China would increase slots of military training for the Nepal army, said a statement from the Nepal army.

General Chhetri's visit

Nepal army chief, General Rajendra Chhetri to China is taking place exactly two months after his trip to India, where he was conferred with the honorary rank of general of the Indian Army.

According to Nepal army spokesperson Tara Bahadur Karki, the visit is aimed purely at

strengthening the relations between the national defence forces of the two neighbouring countries. No long-term deal is on the cards, he said.

Since the abolition of century-old monarchy in Nepal, China is looking

for political stability in Nepal to anchor its relations with its smaller neighbour.

Pro Shree Dhar Khatrai, an expert in international relations, says that China is still seeking a stable political force in Nepal and in that respect it had tried to establish relations with Maoists in the past and with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified MarxistLeninist) later.

Since the abolition of monarchy in Nepal, China has actively started interacting with thearmy, other security agencies, bureaucracy, media, civil society, political parties and parliamentarians.

Chhetri's predecessor

Nepal PM returns after successful visit to China Kathmandu, Mar. 27 : Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli returned home on Sunday after a weeklong official visit to China.

During his visit to China, both sides sealed ten separate agreements and MoUs on using the northern neighbour's sea port facility, building a regional international airport in Pokhara and exploring the possibilities of signing a bilateral free trade agreement, reports The Himalayan Times.

During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Oli discussed matters relating to mutual interests and bilateral cooperation.

The duo also exchanged views on further consolidation of bilateral relations.

The Prime Minister also held bilateral official talks with his Chinese counter-

with the Iranian President.

Two Czech nationals arrested in Lanka for insect sneaking

Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli

part Li Keqiangduring which the duo discussed matters of mutual interest and common concerns.

He also met Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The Prime Minister addressed scholars, academics, business people and students at Renmin University on the theme of 'NepalChina Relations in the context of Belt and Road Initiatives'.

The head of the government had addressed the Boao Forum for Asia on the theme 'Asia's New Future: New Dynamics, New Vision' at Boao, Hinnan province of China.

Oli also inspected earthquake reconstruction zone and a hydroelectricity project in Sichuan province. (ANI)

General Gaurav Shumsher Rana had in July 2013 signed a deal with his Chinese counterpart Fang Fenghui as part of which the northern neighbour provided military equipment worth around 50 million RMB (Rs.821 million) to the Nepal Army.

Two mobile military hospitals were also provided to the Nepal army.

Karki said the Chinese government has already handed over two hospitals which were used in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in April and May last year.

The Nepal army has already received various military and medical support worth 50 million RMB (Rs 821 million), said Karki.

Myanmar's military Nayapyitaw, Mar 27: Myanmar's military chief has pledged to join hands with a new civilian government that takes over the Southeast Asian country next week, after 54 years of rule by the junta or its proxy.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing says the armed forces will work to bring about prosperity for the nation.

He spoke Sunday during

the annual Armed Forces Day parade in the capital of Naypyitaw.

Myanmar's military ran the country directly or indirectly for five decades before handing over to a quasi-civilian government in 2011. Last year's elections propelled Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy into power, although the military remains a powerful political force.

35 Hindu pilgrims from Pak detained in India

Four Bangladeshis killed in Benghazi gunfight Dhaka, Mar.27 : Four Bangladeshis were killed in a gunfight between two rival groups in Benghazi of Libya, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam.

ASM Ashraful Islam, the councillor of Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, informed that three Bangladeshi nationals -Hasan of Jessore, Rahim of Rajbari and Humayun of Jhenidah were killed during the clash between two groups, reports the Daily Star.

Ashraful said the identity of another deceased could not be known yet but he is believed to be a Pakistani national. (ANI)

Karachi, Mar. 27 : A group of 35 Hindu pilgrims from southern Sindh have been detained from southern Sindhstate of Rajasthan in Pakistan over 'incomplete travel documents'.

The group left for a 20day yatra (pilgrimage) to India on March 18 through the Thar Express via the Munabao rail link, the Express Tribune quoted Laxman, the family member of one of the arrested individuals as saying.

The Indian media said the Rajasthan Police arrested the Pakistani Hindus for allegedly violating their visa restric-

tions.

The pilgrims had visas for Mathura and Haridwar cities but they instead visited Ramdevra.

Laxman's wife Saroopi, 12-year-old daughter Savita, seven-year-old son Sahil, five-year-old daughter Shardha and brother-in-law Vinod Goswami are among those detained in India.

The arrests came a day after Pakistan protested with India after capturing a man suspected of being an Indian spy, sparking a new diplomatic tiff between the two Asian neighbours.

(ANI)

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

Poppy Production: The Taliban's Cash Cow Reservation for Women Its all about politics The Women's Reservation Bill was first introduced in the Parliament in 1996 by the H.D. Deve Gowda government, but no government has successfully passed it yet. The current version of the bill, the 108th Amendment, seeks to reserve 33% of all seats in governing bodies at the Center, State and Local level.

For reservation in the Lok Sabha, one-third of all constituencies will be reserved for women on a rotation basis, such that a constituency will be reserved for one general election and not reserved for the following 2 elections. That the bill is indispensable cannot be denied. In the present Lok Sabha, out of 545 members, only 60 are women- a shameful 1.1%. Out of these, 69.7% have relatives who are already in politics. Thus, it would a gross understatement to say that the average woman is not duly represented in the Parliament. We also have an example of extremely

Photo: newslaundry successful women's reservation in the Panchayat. The 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts reserved 33% seats in all Panchayats for women and as a result, nearly a million women are elected to Panchayats each year, a feat that cannot be matched by any other country.

According to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women should empower themselves technologically and become effective as people's representatives as mere changes in the system would not suffice. Before the Bill on 33 per cent reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha was introduced in December 1998; it had been prevented from being introduced on three different occasions: once, during Prime Minister Deve Gowda's time (1996), again during Prime Minister Gujral's time (1997), and once again, during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's time (1998). At one stage (during I.K. Gujral's regime), the Bill was submitted to Gita Mukherjee Committee which in its report, submitted in November 1996, recommended onethird reservation for women.

The question to be discussed today, therefore, is: Is reservation policy or protective discrimination for women a logical and a useful strategy for ensuring justice and equal opportunity to women? The argument in favour of the Bill is that Women's representation in politics will be a first step towards women empowerment. About two years ago, a leading national daily published an urban opinion poll which showed wide support for the women's reservation bill. But then a number of articles were published against the Bill in a 10:1 ratio. Whatever may be the theoretical arguments against the reservation policy, in practice this policy will continue to be supported by all political parties because of the electoral advantage the political parties derive from this issue. As such, the people, instead of raising the issue of reserva-tion, should raise the issue of vested interests of the political parties and political leaders versus the logical interests of the common people in society. Secondly, there should be no compromise on quality and efficiency. The eligibility conditions should be such that women may think of political participation not for gaining status but for serving the community at large.

Internet Gateway Agartala becomes India's third connectivity Agartala became India's third internet gateway after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Premier Sheikh Hasina inaugurated an internet connectivity project between the two South Asian neighbours. This is the country's third international internet gateway after the ones in Mumbai and Chennai. The two leaders also opened a power transmission project between their countries in which Tripura's Palatana plant will supply 100 MW power to Bangladesh. But the leasing of the Internet bandwidth from Akhaura in Bangladesh to Agartala, apart from helping the people of Tripura to avail more reliable Internet connectivity, will also improve Internet speed in the entire northeastern region. This will also enable Bangladesh telecom operators to effectively monetise their already existing infrastructure. Currently Tripura is connected solely through the Siliguri corridor. The internet gateway was jointly built by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) and connected to the 10-GB bandwidth at Akhaura checkpost in Agartala in January. The opening of the country's third internet gateway was a milestone of the Centre's Act East Policy and Digital India programme. This will boost digital connectivity between the two countries; in an increasingly interdependent world, regional cooperation is needed for all-round development. It will also extend cooperation to the exalted sphere of space science and a satellite named Bangabandu will be launched in space through joint cooperation in the near future. Also a mega 1,320 MW power plant was being built in Bangladesh with Indian cooperation and many more projects were coming up between the two countries. Modi government's efforts can be appreciated to implement initiatives to improve bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh. It will set another milestone in relations with each other and greater prospect of South Asian integration. Now India and Bangladesh is connected through water, surface communication and air.

Kabul can win battles, but it will never win the war unless it disrupts the Taliban's major funding source: poppies.

The month of April is when poppy will be harvested in Afghanistan. In 2014, the poppy plant in 2014 was Afghanistan's biggest export, valued at $2.8 billion or 13 percent of the country's GDP. The Taliban has in recent months upped their offensive in the southern provinces, such as Helmand, where poppy is grown in order to secure the harvest for Kriti themselves.

Subsequently they will smuggle the poppy out of the country and use the money to fund their insurgency.

The Afghan government, along with the United States, needs a serious rethink of its counternarcotics program, including it as a part of its larger counterterrorism strategy. Failure to do so for so long has resulted in the resurgence of the Taliban, making 2015 "bloodiest" year of fighting since 2001, with the highest number of Afghan security force and Taliban casualties.

The Taliban have mastered smuggling poppy through Afghanistan and into Iran and Pakistan, supplying 90 percent of the world's illicit opiates. The pods on the poppy plant produce opium in its purest form, which is later refined into heroin and sold across the world. In 2014, an average poppy farm in the southern province of Helmand yielded 19 kilograms of opium per hectare, according to the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with a selling price of $200/kg.

There is no clear estimate as to how much of the

Taliban's income comes from opium. However, one estimate is that the group receives more than onethird of its income from direct taxes it levies on poppy farmers, tolls at checkpoints, and shipment protection fees from truckers, making anywhere from between $100 million to $300 million in a single year.

Kabul has been the war Shah losing against the Taliban in the southern, poppy-rich part of the country. In Helmand, which yielded almost half of Afghanistan's entire opium harvest in 2014, the Taliban currently control five out of the 14 districts.

In two other districts, they control most of the territory except the government centers and they are active in at least four other districts, thereby giving them a foothold in more than half of the province.

Helmand has seen some of the fiercest battles between the Taliban and foreign and government forces since 2001; it is the province which has recorded the highest number of coalition troop deaths since 2001. As the Taliban wrestles control away from the government in parts of the province, they have also steadily gained greater access to the poppy fields.

The national unity government in Afghanistan has been failing at controlling the Taliban upsurge. With the Taliban temporarily getting hold of major cities like Kunduz, in the north of the country, the government has focused its operations solely on military engagement with

the group. According to a report from IRIN, fighting against the Taliban has led Kabul to transfer 32 helicopters from the counternarcotics police to the military. In addition, the military disbanded a battalion of 850 soldiers who had been assigned to poppy eradication after the United States stopped its funding.

This highlights a serious flaw in the government's counter-narcotics policy.

The government cannot afford to prioritize one war with the Taliban over the other. The fight against narcotics is extremely vital to win, provided the Afghan government is serious about restricting the Taliban's funding network.

They must also look inward and eradicate corruption within the government as some parliamentarians, provincial officers, middlemen, and policemen also reap their own benefit from the opium trade by turning a blind eye to what is happening in their province or receiving payoffs in return for lax controls on flow of Taliban money. The inability or lack of political will to address these issues will only result in the government winning battles, but losing the greater war.

Poppy harvest and smuggling will provide the Taliban will the millions of dollars it requires to fund its campaign to destabilize the state.

The United States on the other hand, must include counter-narcotics as part of its broader counterterrorism strategy.

The 'narco-economy' in Afghanistan has funded the Taliban insurgency for

Afghan farmers collect raw opium as they work in a poppy field in Khogyani district of Jalalabad (Photo: rawa.org)

decades, and will continue to fund it unless there is joint cooperation between Washington and Kabul in dealing with the issue.

Washington needs to recalibrate its counternarcotics initiatives and funding to control opportunities and incentives for production inside Afghanistan and disrupt the networks of smuggling and free cash flow that have made opium trafficking so lucrative. While the Obama administration has rightfully defunded central-led eradication schemes, it must also investigate problems with the alternative livelihood assistance programs that have failed in southwest Afghanistan. In redrafting a counternarcotics policy with the Afghan government, the United States must provide adequate funding for long term pro-

grams in alternative livelihood programs and microfinance assistance to opium farmers. It must also further mobilize the private sector to work with the government to provide help to the farmers in Helmand and other provinces. It must not forget, and must continue to remind the Afghan government, that fighting the Taliban also means disrupting their financial architecture, of which opium contributes the largest chunk.

The cartel-like actions of the Taliban have contributed to a severe destabilizing of the Afghan economy and rule of law. In the same light, the economic failings of the Afghan state have contributed to the flourishing of the drug industry, and the political failings of Kabul have resulted in strengthening the Taliban insurgency. Countering

opium production should therefore be viewed as a long term endeavor; one that requires the Afghan government to work toward eradicating poverty, tackling corruption, and providing adequate security across the country.

With the help of U.S. funding and assistance, it must train and equip Afghan forces to run counternarcotics operations and coordinate efforts to receive and share intelligence information across poppy rich provinces. By not underestimating the threat that poppy cultivation poses, the Afghan government must stifle Taliban's finance networks in order to gain the upper hand in their seemingly neverending war. Otherwise, they are in for bloody spring. Courtesy: The Diplomat

Can Washington and New Delhi Find Common Ground on Intellectual Property?

Intellectual property represents a big asymmetric advantage for U.S. economic competitiveness.

Intellectual property (IP) protection remains a sticking point in the budding bromance between Washington and Delhi. Reports have emerged over the last month that the Indian Robert government has given informal assurances on IP protection to a U.S. business lobbying organization. Such assurances would violate at least the spirit of Delhi's commitment to viewing IP regulation within the framework of broader humanitarian goals, and as such have generated considerable controversy.

It's not surprising that India and the United States feel differently about IP protection. Vast social and economic differences often

lead to different regulatory approaches; the U.S. favors strong protection for its corporate interests, while especially in pharmaceuticals, India reserves the right to compel firms license Farley to their IP in service of broader health care goals. In the past, these practices have made Western firms reluctant to invest in Indian industry and infrastructure (see the Novartis case from 2013).

In this case, U.S. business interests seem to be taking precedence ahead of Indian law. A U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) report suggested that the organization had received assurances that U.S. companies would not be subjected to compulsory licensing. The

U.S President Barack Obama with Narendra Modi, PM of India (Photo: Thediplomat) Indian government has denied this report, insisting that its IP practice comports with the requirements of the TRIPS (Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) regime,

and that it retained the sovereign right to apply its regulatory scheme as the government saw fit.

There's little question that the United States has pressured India to toughen its

IP protections. This pressure has happened at both the commercial and the political levels. Then again, Washington pressures everyone on IP. IP protection has become a centerpiece of every trade agreement the United States has pursued over the past two decades. The Obama administration, and the Bush administration before it, have committed to the idea that IP represents the asymmetric advantage of the U.S. economy, and that the protection of IP can ensure the U.S. position at the top of the world economic food chain. In return for stronger IP protection, the United States has dangled foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade access to the U.S. market, as well as

Gap Between The Words And Action

Symbol of Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao (Photo: u4uvoice.com)

Sir, Most of our Politicians are long in words and short in action. Our Primeminister is no exception. On one hand, Narendra Modi, always upholds the cause of women, his famous slogan, 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao' becomes popular and some misogynists too are contemplating to execute the slogan in letter and spirit. The otherwise skewed sex ratio (for every 1200 male, female population is 1000) has started showing a better signs particularly in the north-Indian states-thanks to the exertion of the respective state governments bolstered by our Prime-minister's slogan. But the list of BJP candidates for the assembly polls in Assam was disappointing as far as fielding of women candidates are concerned. In contrast,

the congress deserves kudos for fielding candidates discreetly. It is heartening to note that as many as 16 women candidates, so far, have been there in the fray from the congress. Worse still, in the list of the candidates fielded by BJP there are few whose past-life is full of ignominy and viciousness, prompting some to comment that like Bihar assembly election in Assam also there prevailed the game of money and that BJP President Amit Shah had played a pivotal role in the game

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

atmospheric security commitments.

While sales of military hardware and know-how (such as with the EMALS carrier launching system) have avoided some of these problems, regulations on the Indian defense industry have led to other issues, including a reluctance on the part of U.S. firms to commit to investment and technology transfer. As intellectual property issues become more salient in the defense sector, the U.S. and India may run into more problems, even on hard security questions. Then again, the U.S. has plenty of carrots to offer, and may succeed in bringing Indian IP practice into greater accord with its own. 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

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From Bullets To Bats: How Cricket Is Changing The Lives Of Afghanistan's Youth Why do most Indians get its feathers and the Afhorrified when someone ghanistan Cricket Fedtalks about Afghanistan? eration was elected as Like other countries, Af- an affiliate member of ghanistan also has a to- the ICC in 1996. Allah pological existence on Dad Noori, a former Earth's surface. Then refugee who helped form why does everyone avoid the Afghanistan Cricket thinking about it?

Federation, must now be Is it because of the in- elated due to the fact ability t h a t of its Tanmay Kishore Panda A f govghaniernment in curbing the stan cricket has now menace of gunshots and won the love of the blasts everywhere or is world audience. There just because it's a Mus- are a lot of people in Aflim nation? ghanistan who don't It's not that only bullets know how to hold a gun play with the lives of the but have proficiency in citizens of Afghanistan. holding a bat!

The game of cricket has So, the time has come to now climbed in impor- accept the dictum, "Like tance in Afghanistan. your fingers, not all are Cricket became very the same." popular among Afghan It is a fact that bullets flit refugees in Pakistan dur- even faster than a ing the 1990s. It was in rumour in Afghanistan, 1995 that the Afghani- but people in the rest of stan Cricket Federation the world should, at least, was formed there. The understand the plight of Taliban had initially the Afghan commoners. banned cricket. But the In the bustling streets of game started to open up its cities, there is also a

serene milieu free from all worries. Along the cool sequestered vale of life, the citizens keep the tone of their day noiseless. They have chosen an ideal pursuit to free themselves from being prisoners to the ravages that surround them. And the pursuit is a sport which the world calls the gentlemen's game cricket. Not only the commoners,the soldiers serving in their army have now taken to cricket as well.

The country is in the middle of a cricket revolution and the Afghan youngsters are willing to swap rifles for bats and grenades for balls. It was a clear victory for Noori and his band of cricketers, as this game is beginning to become a culture!

The national team was formed in 2001, which played in the 2009 World Cup Qualifier after giving a good performance

Reuters/Adnan Abidi in the World Cricket League. In February 2010, the Afghan Cricket team qualified for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 which was indeed the team's first major tournament. In 2010, they also won their first Intercontinental Cup af-

ter defeating Scotland in the final match.

Afghanistan also got selected for 2012 ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka as the runner up of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. On February 25, 2015, Afghanistan's victory

against Scotland was it's first triumph in a Cricket World Cup match.

Thanks to the stubborn enthusiasm of their former coach, Taj Malik, the national team scaled many new heights.

Afghanistan cricket boomed thanks to the

performances by former skipper Mohammad Nabi, Dawlat Zadran and Shapoor Zadran among others.

Although until now the country's achievement in cricket globally is nascent, but one must salute the sportsman's spirit of the Afghans.

The national team has also qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 2016 in group B being coached by the legendary former skipper of Pakistan, Inzamam-ul-Haq. The game of cricket sprawled as a drug and proliferated in the nation and made its people imperturbable to the menace of terrorism. Playing this sport and harnessing their abilities for it created adhesive like bonds between the commoners.

Imagine coming from a country that was only known for war, terrorism and Taliban. How awesome it must be to be an Afghan and to be proud of your countrymen who are breaking stereotypes about their country on the international stage.

It is unlikely that anyone would plan a honeymoon trip to Afghanistan. But sitting thousands of miles away from Afghanistan, we can't just imagine the whole of Afghanistan to be just a war zone. No, it has become a cricket zone now.

The question is not about the victory of any one country over another.

It's the victory of a sport that can unite countries.

Instead of playing with the blood of someone by shooting or blasting him, it's always better to play cricket with him. It feels good!

From AK-47 to Kookaburra, one thing was surely set up: some semblance of peace.

Courtesy:youthkiawaaz

Transgender band's next with Where did 1.55 lakh Maharsahtra school kids disappear?

Bhonsle's granddaughter After its debut single, 'Hum Hain Happy' a cover of Pharrell William's 2013 hit number and a second, 'Sab Rab De Bande - The Chai Song' featuring Sonu Nigam, the transgender band '6 Pack Band' is now working on its third song with Zanai Bhonsle, granddaughter of legendary singer Asha Bhonsle.

The band formed last year claims to be the country's first transgender band, and had two back-to-back releases this January with its first music video "clocking over a million views in just 24 hours."

It is now gearing up for a release of their next single a Hindi-Marathi-English mash up of a popular song 'Hil Pori Hila' created sans any musical instrument and utilising a special format called 'Stomp'.

"Up next is a fun song that is unique as we have used using tools including plates, cups, saucers, trash cans, spoons, bottles, straws, pipes to name a few.

Additionally, it is a collaboration with the legend Asha Bhosle's granddaughter Zanai Bhosle who is just 14year-old," says Komal Jagtap, one of the band members.

The six-member band has

been put together by YFilms and Shameer Tandon.

The members aged between 21 years to 35 years have diverse tastes and have either left their jobs or have been ousted out of their homes because of their sexual orientation.

The band comprises of Sara (Fida) who worked with the Humsafar Trust and fronted the song 'Sab Rab De Bande' with singer Sonu Nigam.

Jagtap, who comes from a

to the world that everybody is the same irrespective of their gender.

"We hope that we are able to show the world that we are also the same as everyone even if we belong to the transgender community. Also we should be accepted for what and who we are.

"The initiative will also show other members from our community that we can showcase our talents given the right platform and make

The 6 Pack Band, touted as India's first transgender band. (Photo: images.mid-day) well to do family says was thrown out of her house after which she had to take to the streets to earn a living.

The band aims to make a mark for itself by proving

a living in a dignified, respected manner," says Fida Khan, another band member.

The 'guru' of the band, Raveena Jagtap, despite not being the oldest leads the

pack when visiting houses for ceremonies, weddings, etc. to raise money for them.

Raveena with her powerful voice belts out a range of music- ghazals, qawwalis, and lavnis.

Other members include Asha, who can belly dance, Bhavika and Chandni, the eldest in the group.

Singer Sonu Nigam who has featured in the second song of the band says he always wanted to do something for the transgender community.

"I have always wanted to do something for this community. And so when it was pitched to me by Y-Films and Shameer Tandon I jumped at the opportunity given what a noble cause it was and one that's often been sidelined.

"It was also a chance to get this important message out using a medium that knows no boundaries and barriers and one that I am somewhat best at - music," says Nigam.

The singer says it was "amazing" to work with the band. "It has been wonderful to perform with them.

The energy of the band has is childlike and positive and makes me wonder why we often simply roll up our windows at traffic signals where we usually interact

with them.

"They are wonderful, committed and hardworking people and inspite of all hardships and biases they have faced, they arejust so positive and constantly smiling," says Nigam.

The music has been scored

by Shameer Tandon who is also the curator the project.

"The lyricists vary from song to song. Nishant has given the lyrics for 'Sab Rab De Bande' besides Varun who did the rap lyrics. Also Shameer and Ashish had contributed to the lyrics besides Pharrell's original lyrics," says Komal.

Besides the 'Hil Pori Hila' single, there are two more songs and videos in the pipeline and interestingly the band has been inundated by requests to perform live including queries from UK as well," says Fida Khan.

"We want to encourage people to overcome prejudices, break barriers and bond over a cup of tea. We are happy that the 6-Pack Band sponsored by Brooke Bond Red Label has received such an overwhelming response and has been loved by everybody," says Brooke Bond Red Label spokesperson, Shiva Krishnamurthy.

Courtesy: PTI

Brussels Attacks: Why Do Family Members Commit Terrorism Together?

It appears to be increasingly bated. common that terrorist at- It can be expected, theretacks not of the lone-wolf fore, that genes contribute variety involve members of to terrorist behaviour. But it the same family. is wrong to conclude that Some of them, like the San just because two individuBernardino attack last De- als have a common genetic cember, are committed by make-up, one will follow the married couples or roman- other if the other becomes a tic partners. terrorist. Instances of only But quite a few recent ter- one family member displayrorist atrocities - the Charlie ing criminal behaviour are Hebdo atvery comtack, the mon.

Lazar Stankov B o s t o n NevertheMarathon bombings and less, there may be environnow Tuesday's Brussels at- mental factors that contribtacks - have been perpe- ute to and interact with getrated by siblings. So is netics to cause terrorist there a link between within- behaviour. If so, one would family radicalisation and expect to find more terrorist acts of terrorism? And is ter- acts than other kinds of rorism different from any criminal acts committed by other crime in this respect? members of the same famFamily Ties and The Mili- ily. Family members share tant Extremist Mindset both genetics and environBoth genetics and environ- ment to a greater extent than ment are known to influence people in general. criminal behaviour. But the Studies of the militant exexact nature of these influ- tremist mindset provide ences and their relative im- clues to why we can expect portance are still being de- to find more siblings among

terrorist cells. From the three components of this mindset, only one - 'nastiness' - is directly linked to other varieties of criminal behaviour.

Violent criminals of any kind tend to strongly advocate harsh punishment of their enemies. For example, they are more likely than most people to approve of physical punishment for insulting one's honour.

While both genetics and environment may be implicated in 'nastiness', the other two components of the militant mindset 'grudge' and 'excuse' - represent environmental influences to a greater extent.

These are usually the focus of recruiters.

An important component of radicalisation is a strong feeling that the group one belongs to is under threat from some other group that is, the person feels a 'grudge' of some kind. A common example is the feel-

ing that the West has exploited and hurt 'my' people, and this needs to be avenged.

Sometimes grudge is more general and not oriented towards a particular group.

The person simply feels that this world is unfair and full of injustices.

'Excuse' is a dressing-up part of extremism. It relies on religious and ideological 'higher moral principles' to justify the feelings of nastiness and grudge.

It follows from the nature of the militant extremist mindset that we can expect to find more siblings among terrorists. This is because such attacks tend to be carried out by people who are more ready for action and are prepared to be vicious in dealing with their enemies.

This tends to be a shared characteristic of criminal family members.

Being raised together - and therefore being exposed to the same set of stories about

the enemies and the same set of moral, ideological and religious reasons justifying their feeling of hate - is likely to contribute significantly to the same tendency.

And then there is a feeling of trust, due to a common upbringing and feelings stronger than typical camaraderie when you are doing something together with somebody who is close to you. Overall, it is likely that there will be more instances of siblings committing terrorist attacks.

From a security point of view, it may be reasonable to ask whether this tendency calls for a different approach to detection. There is currently an emphasis on internetbased radicalisation, rather than on person-to-person contacts. Family interactions diminish the role of the former and point to the need to maintain traditional policing methods.

Courtesy:youthkiawaaz

As many as 1.55 lakh kids presumably dropped out of elementary school (Std I-VIII), that too within just a year, according to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra, tabled in the legislature last week.

According to the survey, 1,60,16,754 children currently study in elementary schools across the state, as compared to 1,61,72,420 children a year ago. This covers over 1.05 lakh schools and includes both the government-run and private

nant in the last four years, barring a little decline in 2012-13. Such a sharp decline, however, has been registered for the first time. The education department, meanwhile, maintains a mysterious silence over the issue. Education minister Vinod Tawde didn't answer the query posed by this paper.

This led to speculations ranging from authenticity of the data to the alarming increase in dropout rate in schools.

"The sudden decline

decline to declining birthrate in the state and the no-fail policy introduced by the Centre a few years ago. An official added that the government introduced a mandatory "saral form" last year, which aimed at tracking down every student. That rationalised the class strength in the government schools.

Incidentally, over 81,000 kids in the state are still "out of schools", as per the government's own survey conducted for the

Image for representational purpose (Photo: static.dnaindia) institutions.

This means that over 1.55 lakh kids disappeared from the school system within a year, which is quite surprising. The survey report was based on the statistics of the Maharashtra Prathmik Shikshan Parishad, a part of the school education department. There was not much difference between the enrolment of male and female students.

The survey neither gave region-wise data nor any explanation about the whopping number of "missing kids".

Nevertheless, enrolment in the secondary and higher secondary schools (Std IX-XII) has gone up from 61.81 lakh to 64.14 lakh in the same period, stated the survey.

The elementary school enrolment saw an upward trend till a few years ago, due to a rise in population and literacy level. It gradually became stag-

raises doubts over veracity of the data. Separate figures for public and private schools would have thrown some light, but since they are not available, we can't really conclude anything. The drop is expected only in the government schools due to various reasons," said a principal of the government school.

Some experts also pointed to a scam of bogus students exposed four years ago. "Many schools were found to have inflated enrolment to siphon off government grants.

Since then, the government is trying to curb bogus enrolment. That might have started showing its impact now," said educationist Dr Milind Wagh.

While school education officials refused to comment on the issue citing the ongoing legislative session, off-record, they attributed the enrolment

first time last year. The school education department faces a big challenge to bring all of them on roll, in order to comply with the norms of the Right to Education Act, which came into effect six years ago.

School infra development hits roadblock??

The Economic Survey also paints a grim picture about the school infrastructure development.

While more schools now have drinking water facilities, separate toilets for girls, and so on, over 17% schools are still without a boundary wall and 45% don't have computers. The classroom construction in the state has declined by 50% within two years.

Setting up of computer labs in schools hit a dead end in 2014-15.

Not a single lab was setup, compared to 743 two years ago. Courtesy: dnaindia

BUSINESS

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

Williamson Magor to join engineering operations Kolkata, Mar 27: B.M. Khaitan Group-controlled Williamson Magor Group announced a major recast of engineering companies in its fold to consolidate its operations. The plan is to merge three engineering companies with a group entity, bringing all the engineering companies under one corporate entity.

Under the proposal, Mcnally Bharat Engineering Co Ltd (MBEL), its subsidiary Mcnally Sayaji Engineering Limited and EMC Limited would be merged with Kilburn Engineering Limited (KEL).

The Boards of MBEL and KEL have approved the merger proposal in-principle. The Boards agreed

India to have 100 percent electric vehicles by 2030: Piyush Goyal ANI New Delhi, Mar 27: Will vehicles no longer need petroleum products to run? The government plans to make India a nation with 100 percent electric vehicles and is already considering making electric cars available for zero down payment. At a programme organised by CII Young India, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said India can become the first nation where 100 percent vehicles will be run on electricity, adding the government is trying to arrange funds for such an initiative. Goyal said that a group has been formed under Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar would also be a part of this group. He said that discussions would be held in the first week of April on whether India can become a nation with 100 percent electricity run vehicles by 2030.

Would it be possible to effectively utilize the savings accumulated by the consumers by switching to a less expensive alternative - electricity? The government says that people would be able to buy an electric car from the money that they would save by not having to buy petrol and diesel. He said that the government is considering whether electric cars can be made available at a zero down payment. Citing the example of LED lights, Goyal said that because of the huge requirement for LED lights, the government has been able to bring down the purchase price to Rs. 64.41, which in February 2014 used to be Rs. 310. Mentioning electricity bills, he said there is no need to increase the fee, adding one just needs to be smart and effectively utilize the electricity. He further called for an open minded approach and an honest thinking.

Power Grid issues contract worth Rs. 154cr to IL&FS Eng ANI New Delhi, Mar 27: Infrastructure firm IL&FS Engineering and Construction Company reported a contract deal of Rs. 153.99-crore with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) for transmission line works in Gujarat. In a BSE filling report, the company mentioned that IL&FS Engineering and Construction Company Ltd and Unitech Power Transmission Ltd JV have received letter of award for Rs. 153.99 crore turnkey works of 765 kV transmission line in Gujarat from PGCIL. The report further added that the total value of this contract is Rs. 153.99 crore, and the project completion period is 24 months from the date of issue of the letter of award (LoA).

to form a committee with a representative from each company to supervise the

and appoint professionals to determine the share exchange ratio. It was learnt

A MAJOR RECAST B.M. Khaitan Groupcontrolled Williamson Magor Group announced a major recast of engineering companies in its fold to consolidate its operations.

The plan is to merge three engineering companies with a group entity, bringing all the engineering companies under one corporate entity. preparation of a draft Scheme of Amalgamation

Mcnally Bharat Engineering Co Ltd (MBEL), its subsidiary Mcnally Sayaji Engineering Limited and EMC Limited would be merged with Kilburn Engineering Limited (KEL).

The Boards of MBEL and KEL have approved the merger proposal in-principle. that the aim of the exercise was to consolidate

the group's engineering operations. If the merger went through, KEL would be the biggest company in the B.M. Khaitan Group with revenue of about Rs. 7,000 crore. Though MBEL was bigger than Kilburn it had cross holdings with group companies which would make a merger cumbersome.

"Kilburn was considered clean," a source said.

While MBEL and Kilburn are listed, none of the other companies involved in this exercise are listed entities.

The major companies in the Williamson Magor Group are dry-cell battery maker Eveready Industries India Ltd., bulk tea producer Mcleod Russel

India Ltd. and the engineering companies. Although MBEL was leading the engineering business, operating mainly in the infrastructure space, it fell into bad days owing to the slowdown in the economy and the less-than anticipated government spends on infrastructure. Recently, the Khaitans had roped in transmission tower-maker EMC as a strategic partner, which bought a 29.6 per cent stake in MBEL. Indications are the Khaitans and the EMC promoters would jointly run the engineering business once the merger got the necessary approvals.

(Agencies)

OBC cuts interest rates across maturities ANI New Delhi, Mar 27: Public sector lender Oriental Bank of Commerce is set to cut interest rates for deposits less than Rs. one crore across maturities in a range of 0.25 to 0.5 percent with effect from March 28. In a BSE filling, the bank has revised interest rate on term deposits across various maturities with effect from March 28, 2016. It reported that for maturities from 31 days to 45 days, the bank has cut interest rate from six percent to 5.5 percent for deposits less than Rs. one crore. Similarly,

Adani offers 49% stake in Rs 5,000-crore Dhamra LNG project New Delhi, Mar 27: Adani Group has offered 49% stake in its Rs 5,000crore Dhamra LNG project in Odisha to state-run gas utility GAIL India and refiner Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

Adani has formally written to the two stateowned firms offering them 49% stake in the 5 million tonnes a year liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal planned at Dhamra by 2018-19, sources privy to the development said. IOC had last year signed up to use 60% of the terminal capacity for importing gas for its refineries at Haldia in West Bengal and Paradip in Odisha. GAIL too had signed up for 1.5 million tonnes of the terminal's regassification capacity. The two firms have agreed to take equity in the project but they are yet to decide on the

Gautam Adani, Adani Group (Photo: static.dnaindia)

proportion in which the 49% stake would be split, sources said. GAIL and IOC were initially bargaining for 50% stake in the project but Adani wanted to retain the controlling 51% interest. Equity in Adani terminal follows GAIL in March last year dropping plans to set up a floating LNG import terminal at Paradip. IOC

too had in 2012 signed an MoU with Dhamra LNG Port Corp Ltd (DPCL) to develop an LNG terminal at the port. After shelving their respective plans, the firms in May last year signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dhamra LNG Terminal Pvt Ltd, a firm owned by Adani Enterprises, for a 5 million

tonnes a year LNG import terminal. Dhamra will be the sixth LNG project announced on the east coast. While GAIL has dropped plans of a four million tonnes project at Paradip, Petronet LNG Ltd -- a firm in which GAIL and IOC are promoters -- has cold-storage plans to set up a five million tonnes a year LNG import facility at Gangavaram in Andhra Pradesh. GAIL, along with GdF and Shell, has proposed a 3.5 million tonnes floating LNG terminal at Kakinada while IOC is building a five million tonnes facility at Ennore in Tamil Nadu.

Real estate player Hiranandani Group plans to set up a Rs 2,400 crore, 4 million tonnes floating LNG import terminal off Haldia in West Bengal. With GAIL, which owns and

operates bulk of the nation's cross country pipelines, and IOC, whose refineries are a big user of gas, joining Dhamra, the fate of LNG terminals in Andhra Pradesh is uncertain. Dhamra can meet all of the demand in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Dhamra port in Bhadrak district of Odisha is an all-weather deep water port, sources said. GAIL had in October 2013 signed an MoU with the Paradip Port Trust for setting up of the LNG import terminal.

While the port was to invest Rs 650 crore on breakwater and dredging, GAIL was to invest Rs 2,458 crore for the 4 million tonnes terminal which can be expanded to 10 million tonnes. The plan was, however, dropped in March last year. (Agencies)

Starboard's proposal to eliminate Yahoo board Mumbai, Mar 27: Activist hedge fund Starboard Value LP moved to overthrow the entire board of Yahoo Inc including Chief Executive Marissa Mayer, who has struggled to turn around the company in her nearly four years at the helm. Starboard, which has been pushing for changes at Yahoo since 2014 and owns about 1.7 percent of the company, said it would nominate nine candidates for the board. The proxy fight comes as Yahoo is pressing ahead with an auction of its core Internet business, which includes search, mail and news sites. The faded Internet pioneer has been struggling to keep up with Alphabet Inc's Google and Facebook Inc in the battle for online advertisers. Yahoo said in a statement it

will review Starboard's nominees and respond in due course. Yahoo and Starboard could still come to an agreement before the company's annual meeting, expected to be in late June. If they cannot avoid a proxy fight and the Yahoo board election is taken to a shareholder vote, attention will swing to the large mutual and index funds that own the stock and will carry heavy weight in the final tally.

"We think everyone getting into the stock over the past six months, and most of those easing their way out, will all side with Starboard," said Don Bilson, head of event-driven research at Gordon Haskett, an independent research firm. BlackRock Inc, Vanguard Group, State Street Corp and Fidelity Investments own a combined

talks broke down, in part because Starboard was upset by Yahoo's announcement that same day that it appointed two new board directors, these people say. "We have been extremely disappointed with Yahoo's dismal financial performance," Starboard said in its latest letter to Yahoo, adding that its need to officially launch a proxy fight was "unfortunate."

Starboard said it reopen to discusImage for representational purpose only (Photo: mained sions with Yahoo and was si.ws) hopeful of reaching an agreement to get involved 16.2 per cent of Yahoo company's largest share- with the company. Given shares, according to holder with a 7.5-percent that Starboard is proposThomson Reuters data, stake. Yahoo and Star- ing nine new directors, a with Goldman Sachs board representatives met settlement prior to the owning another 4.2 per- on March 10 to discuss annual meeting would cent. Yahoo co-founder ways the two sides could focus on whether or not David Filo - one of the avoid a proxy fight, ac- Yahoo is willing to give board members Starboard cording to people familiar up control of the board. wants to remove - is the with the matter. But those (Agencies)

CIL to conduct two-day e-auction of coal Mumbai, Mar 27: Staterun Coal India will conduct a two-day special e-auction beginning March 30 to offer the fossil fuel to distressed power plants as part of government's efforts to ensure 24x7 affordable electricity to all.

"The special forward eauction Phase V will be conducted as per the terms and conditions followed for special forward e-auction Phase IV," Coal India Ltd (CIL) said in a recent notice.

The auction for around three million tonnes (MT) of coal will be held on March 30 and 31, the notice said. "The reserve

Image for representational purpose only (Photo: dnaindia)

price for power sector consumers will remain at 10% over the notified price of coal for power sector... This is, however, applicable for G6 and below grades of

coal," the company said.

The notice further said that biomass-based power plants already commissioned shall be eligible to participate in the auction. According to

an official, CIL which accounts for over 80% of domestic coal production will put on offer the fossil fuel for those distressed power plants which have neither linkages nor power purchase agreements. Earlier this month, Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal had informed Parliament that Coal India has offered 14 million tonnes (MT) of fossil fuel under special e-auction to both power and nonpower sectors in order to facilitate a liquidation of pit-head stock. Supply of thermal coal to power sector by Coal India was

PAGE 10

385.61 MT against a target of 405 MT in the last fiscal, he had said. During April-January 201516, the coal supply to power plants by CIL was 337.01 MT (provisional) against the target of 352.29 MT. The government has set a target to provide round the clock affordable power to all by 2019. CIL, a major supplier of coal to the power sector, is also eyeing production of 1 billion tonne by 2020. The government has set 550 million tonnes of output target for the public sector unit (PSU) in the current fiscal. (Agencies)

Image for representational purpose only (Photo: i2.wp) for 46 days to 90 days maturity, interest rate is cut by 0.5 percent to 6 percent; 91 days to 179 days by 0.5 percent to 6.25 percent. And for maturities of three years

to less than five years to 7.25 percent; for maturities ranging from five years to 10 years the interest rate is to be cut by 0.25 percent to 7.25 percent.

Shoppers Stop to review its joint venture

Image for representational purpose only (Photo: static.dnaindia) Bengaluru, Mar 27: Fashion retailer Shoppers Stop has said it is reviewing the joint venture with Nuance Group, under which it had forayed into duty-free airport retailing, as there is not much scope for "cash flow and profitability". "We are always reviewing all formats, all businesses based on their profitability on long-term basis. Hence, we are also reviewing our airport business," Shoppers Stop Managing Director Govind Shrikhande said.

Shoppers Stop's Zurichbased JV partner Nuance Group was awarded the duty-free contract for Bengaluru International Airport and Mumbai Inter-

national Airport (fashion, luxury and lifestyle).

"We believe it is a tough business... We are not completely equipped to handle in full sense because we have been a domestic player, and our domestic operations we understand well... there is not much scope for cash flow and profitability," he said. To a query on the losses faced by the company in duty-free airport retail venture so far, Shrikhande said: "Can't really quantify, but not that large that you have to look at only as an exit path. If you look at our domestic airport operations, they are doing pretty well." (Agencies)

Sharp, Foxconn to ink pact next week New Delhi, Mar 27: Sharp Corp and Taiwan's Foxconn are set to sign a takeover deal next week after repeated delays, with the two sides set to agree on a smaller bailout than originally planned for the troubled Japanese electronics maker, two sources familiar with the talks said. The two companies will hold board meetings to approve the deal and officially sign a deal, said the two sources with direct knowledge of the talks. Both of the sources declined to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media. A Sharp spokesman declined to comment, while Foxconn officials were not immediately available for comment. Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co , is set to cut its earlier 489 billion yen ($4.3 billion) of-

fer for newly issued Sharp shares by about 100 billion yen, the sources said.

The companies had come close to signing a deal last month but Foxconn hit the pause button following revelations of previously undisclosed liabilities at the Japanese company.

The deal would be the largest acquisition by a foreign company in Japan's insular technology sector. In choosing to negotiate with Foxconn, Sharp turned down a rival offer by a statebacked fund. It would also boost Foxconn's position as Apple's main contract manufacturer and provide Sharp with funds to start mass-producing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens by 2018, around the time Apple is expected to adopt the next-generation displays for its iPhones. (Agencies)

A BIG DEAL Sharp Corp and Taiwan's Foxconn are set to sign a takeover deal next week after repeated delays.

The two sides set to agree on a smaller bailout than originally planned for the troubled Japanese electronics maker.

The companies had come close to signing a deal last month but Foxconn hit the pause button following revelations of previously undisclosed liabilities at the Japanese company.

The deal would be the largest acquisition by a foreign company in Japan's insular technology sector.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

Features

PAGE 11

ENVIRONMENT Endangered Species of Manas National Park There are several national parks and sanctuaries in the hilly north eastern state Assam. The forests and hilly terrains in the state are home to plenty of wildlife spe- Arnab cies including some endangered and rare variants. TheManas Wildlife Sanctuary, adjacent to Bhutan's Royal Manas National Park is home to several such species. It is more than just a sanctuary-as it is. Manas has been chosen as a Natural World Heritage site

by UNESCO. Besides, it is also an Elephant Reserve and Project Tiger Reserve.

Nuances of Manas national Park The National Park has been named after the

Manas River. This river is actually a main tributary of Brahmaputra River and it passes through the sanctuary. A number of villages are located at adareas of Ghosh jacent the park. It is about 200 km from Guwahati. There are about 380 species of birds, 55 species of mammals, 50 reptile variants in the park. The major animals include wild water buffalo, Indian elephants, clouded leopard, hoolock gibbons. Major birds found here include pelicans, fishing eagles, jungle fowls, magpie robins, grey hornbills etc.

The rare and endangered animals of Manas national Park Along with large mam-

mals, birds and reptiles Manas National Park is also home to a few animals that are on the verge of extinction and have been labeled endangered. Examples are Golden Langur, Assam Roofed Turtle, Pygmy Hog and Hispid Hare.

The last two species deserve special mention as these are not found in other parts of the country naturally. As per the avilable information, Manas is the existing largest natural habitat for both the animal species.

Pygmy Hog This small animal is just about 70 cm long. An adult Pygmy hog weighs around 11 kg and the height is up to 30 cm.

The hog has dark brownish skin and a small tail.

Pygmy hogs tend to live in small families. They live in nests built by both male and female hogs in grasslands.

Earlier, it was spotted along the Himalaya foothill plains in Bhutan, Nepal and India. Its natural habitat declined rapidly and by 1980s the hog was seen only in Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Manas National Park in Assam.

The hog population in Barnadi was supposedly lost by 1994. Its disappearance is closely linked with loss of grasslands in Assam. The immigration issues and hunting by tribal villagers in the last decades also led to a steady decline in its population, say the experts.

The endangered pygmy

hog is now found in the Manas National Park and it was last confirmed by a study carried out in 2014. The exact number of the wild pig species is uncertain but it is thought that the number is close to 150. In fact, Manas is possibly the last wild habitat of the rare animal. These hogs prefer living in wet alluvial grasslands. As of now, pygmy hogs found in Manas have been captured and released in some sanctuaries for captive breeding programs.

Hispid Hare In Manas National Park, you can spot another critically endangered animal - namely Hispid Hare. It is actually a rabbit and not a hare-in biological term. These

Migratory birds scatter seeds long distances Some species of plants are capable of colonising new habitats thanks to birds that transport their seeds in their plumage or digestive tract. Until recently it was known that birds could do this over short distances, but a new study shows that they are also capable of dispersing them over more than 300 kilometres. For researchers, this function could be key in the face of climate change, allowing the survival of many species.

Birds can act as dispersers of seeds and other propagules -buds, bulbs, tubers or spores- over short distances which, in many cases, do not exceed a kilometre and a half.

However, it had not been demonstrated whether or not they were capable of doing so over longer distances.

A team led by scientists at the Do単ana Biological Station-CSIC (Spanish Council for Scientific Research) in Seville (Spain) confirmed this hypothesis due to the seeds found in the digestive tract of various species of birds hunted in the Canaries by Eleonora's falcons (Falco eleonorae) during their migration towards Africa.

"This mechanism of long-

distance dispersion had not been confirmed until now, mainly due to the difficulty involved in sampling propagules transported by birds during their migratory flight. We were able to analyse it thanks to the hunting behaviour of Eleonora's falcons," Duarte Viana, researcher in the Do単ana Biological Station and co-

area located between the Canaries and Africa, and scientists found in them seeds that belonged to a plant that was not native to the Canary Islands, which demonstrates that they are capable of promoting colonisation of distant and remote areas.

In total, researchers sampled 408 specimens of

Migratory bird (Photo: sciencedaily) author of the study, explained.

The data, published in the journal 'Proceedings of the Royal Society B', reveal for the first time that there are species that may be excellent dispersers of propagules over long distances of more than 300km. These birds were flying over the sea in an

21 species. Five birds from three different species stored 45 seeds inside them: the European pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), the common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and the common quail (Coturnix coturnix). The first two transported seeds of fleshy fruits (two species

of the Rhamnus genus), while the common quail transported up to three different species (Rubus, Genisteae and Persicaria)..

"The best dispersers would be frugivorous birds, which eat fruit; granivorous birds, which eat seeds, such as the quail; and water birds, many of which eat the sediment of ponds. We could be talking about thousands of species of birds around the world, many of which are migratory," said Viana.

According to researchers, faced with a situation of global change, long-distance dispersers will allow many species of plants and organisms to reach new habitats that offer them optimal conditions for their survival.

New territories for plants The seeds transported by migratory birds are defecated and deposited in the place where the birds arrive. If the new habitat is favourable to germination and the subsequent establishment of a viable population, the species of plant dispersed may successfully colonise this area, grow and reproduce.

The study was focussed

on three islands to the northeast of the archipelago of the Canaries: Alegranza -from which a large part of the samples were obtained-, Montana Clara and Roque del Este, places where Eleonora's falcon nests and towards which the trade winds usually drag the migratory birds that go from Europe to Africa. Here they are hunted, particularly in October, when there is large-scale migration.

After examining the stomach and intestine contents of the prey stored in the falcon nests, the experts demonstrate that most of the species to which the seeds belong grow more than 100 or 200km from the islands studies, and one of them, Persicaria, is not even a Canary Island.

"In the particular case of Alegranza, the likelihood of colonisation is slim since this islet has an extremely arid climate, which is unsuitable for the life of most plant species.

However, other islands of the Canary archipelago may have been colonised through seeds that come from further afield, continental Africa or, more likely, the Iberian Peninsula," concluded Viana.

Courtesy: Sciencedaily.

Pandas have more distinctive hearing quality A study published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation may help field conservationists better understand the potential for human activities to disturb endangered giant pandas in native habitats. Using pandas located at the San Diego Zoo, conservation scientists worked with animal care specialists to determine pandas' range of hearing sensitivity, discovering that they can detect sound into the ultrasonic range. Because giant pandas depend in large part on information transmitted through vocalizations for reproductive success, noise from human activities in or near forest areas could be disruptive.

"An understanding of a species' hearing provides a foundation for develop-

ing estimates of noise disturbance," said Megan Owen, associate director of giant panda conservation, San Diego Zoo Global. "For the giant panda, vocalizations are typically emitted in proximity to conspecifics (members of the same species), however the ability to discriminate between fine-scale differences in vocalizations is important for successful reproduction; and so, a thorough understanding of acoustic ecology is merited in order to estimate the potential for disturbance.

"In order to learn about panda hearing, researchers at the San Diego Zoo worked with giant pandas to teach them to respond, if they could hear sounds at a particular pitch and loudness, thus communi-

Giant Panda (Photo: iflscience) cating their ability to hear across the acoustic spectrum," Owen said.

"Through this study, the pandas at the San Diego Zoo have made a significant contribution to our

understanding of what may be affecting panda reproduction in habitats in China," said Ron Swaisgood, director of applied animal ecology, San Diego Zoo Global. "It

is only because of the strong relationship that animal care staff have with the bears at the Zoo that we have been able to gather this information."

Courtesy: Sciencedaily.

Species of Manas National Park under threat (Photo: nelive) hares are found isolated in places like Bangladesh, Nepal and Assam. It was thought to be extinct in the 1960s but later the species was found in parts of the Himalayas in 1971. Now found in Manas in the highest density, this hare species is facing habitat loss threat from in-

stances of grass land erosion, burning of thatch, predation by dog and human settlement.

Yearly grassland burning incidents lead to loss of its survival and breeding options.

Also called Assam rabbit, this hare is recognized by its coarse, dark brown hair. Another dis-

tinguishable feature of the Hispid hare is its shorter ear. The rear legs are not big as well. It has blackish-brown fur on upper part of the body while the belly is white. The hare prefers gorging on foods like roots of grasses, bark and shoots. They have short lifespan in captivity.

Courtesy: Nelive.

Sophisticated 'alarm' signals in honey bees discovered by Biologists Bees can use sophisticated signals to warn their nestmates about the level of danger from predators attacking foragers or the nest, according to a new study.

Biologists at UC San Diego and in China found that an Asian species of honey bee can produce different types of vibrational "stop signals" when attacked by giant Asian hornets.

These signals have different effects depending upon type of danger and the context. A bee delivers a stop signal by giving another bee a brief, vibrational pulse, usually through a head-butt.

"Surprisingly, this signal encodes the level of danger in its vibrational frequency, its pitch, and the danger context through the duration of each pulse," said James Nieh, a professor of biology at UC San Diego who headed the research team., which was also led

by Ken Tan, a professor at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science.

The scientists report their discovery, which they say is the most sophisticated form of alarm signaling found in a social insect, in a paper published this week in the open-access journal PLOS Biology.

Six years ago, Nieh discovered that foragers of the European honey bee, Apis mellifera, when attacked at a food source, will return to the nest and deliver stop signals to nestmates recruiting for the dangerous food source. These signals were known to inhibit recruitment, the famous waggle dance of the honey bee, but researchers did not know what triggered stop signals.

"Stop signals are usually delivered by a sender butting her head into a recipient. Understanding that these signals can be triggered by danger and reduce recruitment for dangerous food therefore

made sense," explained Nieh.

Nieh next wanted to find out if other honey bee species also used stop signals. He and his collaborators at the Chinese Academy of Science and Eastern Bee Research Institute in Yunnan Province conducted their experiments at Yunnan Agricultural University using the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana, which occurs throughout southern and eastern Asia, from India to China and Japan.

The scientists said this

also produced different kinds of stop signals."

Attacked foragers reduced their waggle dancing and produced stop signals that increased in pitch according to predator size. The larger and more dangerous predator triggered higher pitched stop signals that were more effective at stopping waggle dancing than the lower pitched stop signals triggered by the smaller and less dangerous predator.

In addition, guard bees

Honey bee (Photo: i0.wp) honey bee species is an excellent model for studying the effects of predator threats because A. cerana is attacked by multiple species of giant hornets, which pose a threat according to hornet body size. They studied the world's largest hornet, the "yak-killer" Vespa mandarinia and a smaller, but still formidable hornet, Vespa velutina. Both hornet species are natural enemies of A. cerana.

These hornets attack foraging bees and bee nests, and the scientists therefore set up their experiments to see if bees would produce stop signals in both situations.

"We hypothesized that bigger predators would pose a bigger threat and would change stop signaling, perhaps by producing more signals when attacked by a large predator," Nieh said. "However, we were very surprised to find that these Asian bees not only produced more stop signals, they

and returning foragers attacked at the nest entrance produced longer duration stop signals to warn nestmates about the imminent danger outside.

"Our experiments showed that these different types of stop signals elicited different and appropriate responses. Bees attacked at food sources by bigger hornets produced a kind of stop signal that more effectively inhibited recruitment," said Nieh. "Bees attacked at the nest entrance produced another kind of stop signal that inhibited foragers from exiting the nest and being exposed to the danger outside."

According to Nieh, "this is the first demonstration of such sophisticated inhibitory signaling or alarm signaling in an insect." Previously, such referential alarm signals had only been reported in vertebrates like birds and primates.

Courtesy: Sciencedaily.

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MARCH 28

PAGE 12

Afghanistan skipper hails State government announces slew of players for historic win measures to strengthen sports in state PTI Nagpur, Mar 27 : Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai today hailed his team members for defending a modest total of 123 to script a historic win against the 2012 champions West Indies in the World T20 cricket tournament here today.

Minnows Afghanistan beat the Windies by six runs to post a consolation win in their final group league encounter to sign off the tournament on a memorable note.

"We were 15 runs short, we knew the conditions but the bowlers and fielders played very well," said Stanikzai at the post match presentation ceremony.

Asghar Stanikzai Stanikzai said it was an important victory for his team, considering that they had missed out narrowly on two previous occasions during the Super 10s.

"The win was very important as we missed out on

two other chances to win," said the captain.

He said playing in World T20 enabled the Afghanistan team gain valuable experience.

"We know about our team's strong points, we have experienced so much

at this World T20."

West Indies captain Darren Sammy said his team needed to find a way to chase down small totals.

"We just need to find a way to chase down those small totals. This was the only game we could afford to lose in terms of winning the cup," said Sammy.

With the West Indies having already qualified for the semifinals, this defeat does not change anything in final equations and Sammy insisted that they would not let this loss dampen their spirits.

"Obviously very disappointed. But there's no doubt we're not going to let this dampen ours spirits. We have to regroup and come back strongly," he said.

ICC penalises England's Roy and Willey for misconduct ANI New Delhi, Mar 27 : England opener Jason Royand fast bowler David Willey have been fined for breachingthe ICC Code of Conduct during their side's ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 match against Sri Lanka in Delhi on Saturday.

Roy, who scored a 39-ball 42, was found to have breached Article 2.1.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "showing dissent at an umpire's decision during an international match".

Roy displayed dissent on two accounts after he was given out leg before in the 13th over (obscene language on being given out and then throwing his bat and helmet as he left the field) for which he has been fined 30

ICC World Twenty20 per cent of his match fee.

Willey, who took two for 26, was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.7 of the Code, which

relates to: "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a bats-

man upon his/her dismissal during an international match".

Willey, after dismissing Milinda Siriwardana in the third over, used obscene language and pointed to the pavilion in giving the batsman a send-off. For this offence, Willey has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee.

Following the match, both the players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for formal hearings.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker, third umpire Chris Gaffaney and fourth official S Ravi, all from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires.

A Sport Reporter Itanagar, Mar 27: Announcing a slew of athlete-friendly measures including strategies to develop and encourage sports activities in the state, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today made a substantial increase in allocation to the "sports incentive cash award" for regional to international champions.

Pul made this announcement during the "incentive award ceremony for meritorious sportsperson" organised by sports & youth affairs department here, where 174 athletes from the state were handed over with cash incentives award amounting to Rs 1 crore .

According to the revised rate, the cash award for gold, silver and bronze medallist in the Olympic event has been enhanced to Rs 3 crore, Rs 2 crore and Rs 1 crore respectively. For the youth Olympic Games, the enhanced rate is Rs 30, Rs 20 and Rs 10 lakhs.

For Asian Games, the chief minister enhanced the cash incentive to Rs 1 crore, Rs 75 lakhs and Rs 50 lakhs. For the Commonwealth games, the enhanced rate is fixed at Rs 75 lakhs, Rs 50 lakhs and Rs 30 lakhs.

And for the Youth Commonwealth Games, the enhanced cash incentive is fixed at Rs 15 lakhs, Rs 10 lakhs and Rs 5 lakhs for the gold, silver and

bronze medal winner respectively.

Also the chief minister announced to enhance the cash award for athletes qualifying for Olympic and Asian Games to Rs 40 lakhs and Rs 20 lakhs respectively.

As first step towards development of sports infrastructures and facilities, Pul exhorted towards judicious use of funds in planned manner.

Accordingly, he requested the department to come up with yearly comprehensive proposal, instead of piecemeal ones to be submitted as per the calendar year.

To make best use of sports talents in the state, the chief minister assured to provide full manpower and technical support to the department with all required facilities to groom the athletes.

"The state has huge sporting talents but lack required platform and facilities. Our government will assure that such talents are not wasted. We will identify them and provide all facilities to nurture them," said Pul. He also suggested development of a wide-ranging sports complex and facilities in various district headquarters in the state with indoor/outdoor stadiums that will have 24hours water and power supply, proper washrooms and with all required facilities.

He disclosed that the 10% job quota for sports

in various government departments was his earlier initiative. Now under the present initiative, Pul informed that the government has allocated considerable amount of funds towards development of sports in the current state budget.

"The budget is like our bible. All our commitments are inscribed there. So if people find that none of these commitments are fulfilled later, then they should prod the government to commit," he said assuring that none of the announcements were hollow promises but committed in written.

Underlying the importance of sports in daily life, the chief minister asserted that "playing sports and games inculcates in us the sense of discipline, a focused and creative mind, which contributes to the posi-

tive growth of our society. So the importance of sports cannot be overlooked."

Pul said he was encouraged by enthusiasm shown by Parliament Secretary for Sports & Youth Affairs, Mutchu Mithi, when he was allotted the post. "While sports department generally do not evince interest, Mr Mithi not only readily agreed to take it but thanked me for offering the post."

In his vote of thanks, Secretary of sports department Dani Salu called chief minister as sports lover by nature who has been always been supportive towards development of sports in the state.

"In his budget speech, he has accommodated all that we had put in a file as special programme.

Perhaps, we should have asked for more," he said.

Dier seals England's superb fightback win over Germany Berlin, Mar 27: Eric Dier's superb injury-time header sealed England's stunning fightback victory from two goals down to claim a 3-2 win over world champions Germany in Berlin on Saturday.

A fierce Toni Kroos strike had given Germany the lead just before the break while a pin-point Mario Gomez header put the hosts 2-0 up on 57 minutes.

But the tide turned

England's way midway through the second-half which led to three unanswered goals.

A Harry Kane strike gave England hope before Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy grabbed the equaliser just three minutes after coming on.

But it was Dier's winning header just before the final whistle from a Jordan Henderson corner which stunned the World Cup hold-

ers at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

This was an impressive display from Roy Hodgson's England to give them plenty of hope ahead of the summer's European championships in France and they will be looking to keep up their impressive form on Tuesday when they take on the Netherlands at Wembley.

In contrast, Joachim Loew's Germany have plenty to work on after a poor display

ahead of Tuesday's clash with Italy in Munich.

Both sides were missing their first-choice captains with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Wayne Rooney out with knee injuries.

Loew started just five of the team which won the 2014 World Cup final, but still fielded 472 caps worth of experience which dwarfed inexperienced England's tally of 161.

Hodgson opted for the

Tottenham Hotspur quartet of Kane, Danny Rose, Dier and 19-year-old Dele Alli.

Gomez looked to have given Germany the lead when he fired across Jack Butland into the England net with 27 minutes gone, but the linesman flagged for offside.

Replays, however, showed the Besiktas striker, on loan from Roma, was onside.

Nevertheless, Germany took the lead on 43 minutes.

Real Madrid's Kroos tried

his luck from the edge of the area and beat Butland at the near post.

England were forced into the first change just before the half-time whistle as the injured Butland was replaced

by Southampton's Fraser Forster.

Germany doubled their lead on 57 minutes when captain Sami Khedira's long-range pass found Gomez and the burly striker headed home.

But momentum started to

Give Sri Lanka time, we will Rajah come back strong: Vandersay Ali won PTI New Delhi, Mar 27 : The present may not be perfect for Sri Lanka owing to the exit of stalwarts like Kumar Sangakkara but the team will come back stronger in a few years' time, young leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay said today.

Sri lanka, missing big players like Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, have been knocked out the World Twenty20 in the preliminary stage itself, a rather disappointing result given that the team was the defending champion.

They have managed just one win so far and that too against minnows Afghanistan. The islanders will play an inconse-

quential match against South Africa here tomorrow.

"We have a young team.

We lost a couple of big names in the last three years. We are in the process of rebuilding.

Give us time. We will do well in future," Vandersay said on the eve of the dead rubber.

"Our batting is quite good. We have potential.

From 15 for four we came back fighting and lost by just 10 runs (against England on Saturday). It shows the character and potential of the team."

The team has been struggling but the 26-year-old Vandersay has left an impression in the two matches he has played in

demic interest, his side will not be short of intensity.

"We are out but we keep fighting. We will not take it easy, we will play to win."

Sri Lanka cricket team this tournament. In yesterday's defeat, he took two England wickets while against the West Indies, he scalped one batsman.

"In India this year, it's more helpful specially the leg -spinners. Personally, I am happy to contribute in some way.

It's always a privilege to play for the nation. Every opportunity that has come my way, I have tried to grab it with both hands," he said.

Talking about tomorrow's match against Proteas, Vandersay said even though it is only of aca-

Vandersay said, given an opportunity, he will try to shoulder the burden of leading the spin attack now that senior spinner Rangana Herath is in the twilight of his career.

"Rangana is legend. He has done so much for Sri Lanka cricket. It will take time to fill the gap but if given an opportunity, I will try to do my best."

He also said lack of hard work is not an issue in the team as it trains hard "whether batting, bowling or fielding.

by 1-0.

ET Correspndent Duluajan, Mar 27: The Tea Sports Academy of Raja Ali defeated Tinsukia Football Coaching Center by 10 in the ongoing 1st Greater DibrugarhTinsukia Dist. InterAcademy Football Tournament, held here at Nehru Maidan on March 26. For the winning team, Dipankar Das netted the goal in the 19 minutes of first half. Referee: Naresh Goala. Tomorrow's Match: Kakopathar Football Coaching Center VS Naharkatia Football Coaching Center.

Time: 2:00 pm onwards.

swing England's way with Kane's neat turn on 61 minutes giving him the space to drill his shot into the bottom corner.

Hodgson brought on Everton's Ross Barkley and Vardy for the final 19 minutes.

Vardy produced the desired effect with a superb flick with his instep from Nathaniel Clyne's low cross from the right to beat

Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Alli could have got on the scoresheet when the Tottenham midfielder fired over the bar unmarked in the area six minutes from time.

But England were not to be denied as Dier headed home to the delight of the travelling fans as the visitors maintained their record of never having lost to Germany in Berlin in nine meetings.

Roy, Willey fined for breaching code of conduct New Delhi, Mar 27: England's Jason Roy and David Willey have been fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during England's ICC World Twenty20 2016 match against Sri Lanka in Delhi on Saturday (March 26).

Roy, who scored a 39-ball 42, was found to have breached Article 2.1.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "showing dissent at an umpires decision during an international match". The opener displayed dissent on two accounts after he was given out leg before in the 13th over (obscene language on being given out and then throwing his bat and helmet as he left the field) for which he has been fined 30 per cent of his match fee.

Willey, who took two for 26, was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.7 of the Code, which relates to: "using language, actions

David Willey or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an international match". The pacer, after dismissing Milinda Siriwardana in the third over, used obscene language and pointed to the pavilion in giving the batsman a send-off. For this offence, Willey has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee.

Both the players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee, Jeff Crowe.

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