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ASSENG/2015/64205

Page 12

Page 7

Vol. 1

Issue 297

Dibrugarh, Monday, April 4, 2016

Price -

5.00

Pages- 12

State Election dept all set for first phase of state assembly polls in Assam Factfile Cong, BJP hopeful for a good result

KEY CONTESTANTS

Constituencies - 65

Cong, BJP, AGP, AIUDF Major parties -

No. of contestants - 539 No. of voters - 96,

11, 732

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Apr 3

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Apr 3

With to view to ensure a free and fair election, the state electoral department with instructions from the chief election commissioner, has left no stone unturned in this endeavour.

The election department, apart from deploying security officials in sensitive areas, will also be conducting surprise checks in different sensitive areas.

“The election commission will put in its best and we are confident of a fair

ET CAPSULES Journalist N.M.M. Hussain no more Dibrugarh, Apr 3: Noted journalist, retired teacher, social worker Nawab Mintu Manowar Hussain is no more.

Hussain (65) breathed his last at the private nursing home, here, at around 10 pm after battling from multiple ailments. Hussain had retired from the BNP Higher Secondary School after a successful teaching career. He was also a part time correspondent contributing for various vernacular dailies likeAjir Batori, Amar Asom, Aji, Ajir Asom etc. He was also a functionary of Dibrugarh Press Club and was one of the advisor of the club at the time of his death.

His death is deeply mourned by the media fraternity in Dibrugarh. (Staff Reporter)

New DC in Lohit Tezu, Apr 3: Danish Ashraf, a 2011 batch IAS AGMUT cadre has been appointed as the new deputy commissioner of Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh. He took charge on April 1. He was earlier serving as ADC, Chandigarh (Correspondent)

CLARIFICATION

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This is to clarify certain facts related to the news report published in ‘The Eastern Today’ in its Mar. 30 edition under the captioned ‘Tension grips in Diyun as mob gheraos EAC office over alleged physical assault on a village headman’. According to the report, a mob allegedly led by Thing Nan Nong Innaw had attacked the EAC, his office and his vehicle. The newspaper collected the information from many eye witnesses. However, after publication of the report, Thing Nan Nong Innaw has claimed through a letter written to the editor of the publication that he was not present when the incident started at 2 pm. He reached the spot it only at 4 pm and tried his best to pacify the agitators. The Eastern Today, therefore apologies towards Thing Nan Nong Innaw, who was the ex-ZPM and Anchal Chairperson of Diyun Block for having mentioned his name directly in the report.

election, and we will ensure that there are no malpractices or manipulations in the election,” said Nitin Khade, Additional Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said.

Khade also said that strict vigil and scrutiny will be on to detect any last minute malpractices by any political parties or candidates.

According to data from the election department, in Assam, nearly 94 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the first phase of the election which will take place on April 4.

A total of 539 candidates,

Atul Bora

including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal are in the fray.

Khade also said that all the district administration have been asked to be on high alert to avert any untoward incident.

District administration officials have also said that, officials under whose jurisdiction areas such as slums etc falls, have also been asked to ensure that there is no distribution of money or liquor, to influence the voters for votes.

The first phase of the Assam election which will take place on April 4 is extremely crucial for both the two major parties—the Congress and the BJP, and in this regard both the parties are hoping for a good result in this phase.

In most constituencies in this phase it is a direct battle between the BJP led alliance and the Congress, and even a small swing in the voting percentage could be decisive for these parties.

The BJP, which is buoyant after the recent opinion polls which have been recently, said that these clearly shows that the BJP is in an advantageous position.

The Congress also showed equal confidence, and said that it will get over 70 seats, and said that the surveys for the opinion polls were not spread the state.

Contd. on Page 4

No. of polling stations -

12, 190 Upper Assam, Barak valley and North Bank

Poll areas Women poll officials get ready for poll duty in Jorhat. Pic - Nekib Ahmed

30 candidates with criminal charges in phase-1 of Assam polls PTI Guwahati, Apr 3

going to polls in the first phase in Assam tomorrow.

Thirty candidates have criminal charges against them, including a minister and five sitting MLAs, out of the 539 contestants in 65 consituencies

Altogether 25 candidates have cited serious criminal cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women etc. In their affidavits submitted while

filing their nominations, according to a report of the Association of Democratic Reforms based on the affidavits filed by the candidates.

Contd. on Page 4

Brilliant Brathwaite, Super Samuels Win World T20 for Windies Three killed Kolkota, Apr 3

West Indies tonight created history by becoming the first nation to win the ICC World T20 twice with a dramatic four wicket victory over England riding on Carlos Brathwaite four consecutive lusty sixes in the final over of the innings.

Chasing a tricky target of 156, it was Marlon Samuels, who did an encore of the 2012 final that Darren Sammy's men had won, hitting a magnificent 85 not out off 66 balls with nine boundaries and two huge sixes.

However it was the unheralded giant Brathwaite, who showed why he commanded such a record IPL price from Delhi Daredvils scoring 34 off only 10 balls as he hit the four most important maximums of his short cricketing career.

With 19 runs needed off the final over, Brathwaite hit the first ball behind square for a six and the next was hit over long-on for a six and the third over long-off to basically bring down the equation 1 off 3 balls before finishing off with another hit over deep mid-wicket.

The entire stadium save a few English fans erupted in joy as the West Indies team members rushed to the field to congratulate the heroes.

It was one of the most beautiful sights as the women's team also joined their men as the danced to the now popular Bravo rap of 'Champion' in unison. They took a 'lap of Honour from an Eden Gardens that gave them a standing ovation.

The West Indies despite all their problems are now World Champions in U-19, women's and men's

World T20.

For England's bowling unit, the hero certainly would left-arm seamer David Willey, who had phenomenal figures of 3/20 in 4 overs with an astounding 13 dot balls as he increased pressure on the Caribbean batsmen before Stokes frittered it away.

Eoin Morgan took a calculative risk introducing part-time offspinner Root in the second over and it turned out to be a masterstroke. Root snuffed out Chris Gayle (4) and Johnson Charles (0), both trying to hit a six and caught by Ben Stokes in the deep.

It was Morgan's ability to play on Gayle's mind that proved to be key. Gayle may thought about Moeen Ali and it was Root, who did flight the ball.

From 5/2 it became 11/3 as last game's 'Man of The Match' Lendl Simmons (0) was caught plumb infront as Willey got one to shape back.

In the final over of the Powerplay, Marlon Samuels (27) spanked three boundaries off Chris Jordan to take the score to 37. He had a close shave when he edged one off Liam Plunkett to Jos Buttler which Rod Tucker had given out. But replays showed that the England wicketkeeper did not take the catch cleanly and the batsman got a reprieve.

However England bowlers maintained tight lines West Indies reached 54 for 3 in 10 overs needing 102 from remaining 10 overs.

But Samuels and of course Brathwaite had other ideas.

This was also the first time that a target in excess of 150 was chased in a World T20 final.

The pitch had good pace and bounce but it also had some purchase for the spinners as leg-spinner Adil Rashid (1/23 in 4 overs), who was fantastic as he did not give a single boundary in the first three overs.

While he had a good time with the ball, Dwayne Bravo (25, 27 balls) struggled big time as he could not find the boundary save the six off Rashid before being out playing a horrible shot. The partnership for the 4th wicket was of 75 runs but West Indies were still in trouble at 86/4.

The turning point was the 15th over bowled by the normally disciplined Liam Plunkett which yielded 18 runs as Samuels finally gave the charge hitting him for two sixes of full length deliveries apart from a boundary as West Indies for the first time raised visions of victory.

However he lost the dangerous Andre Russell (1) in the next over when Stokes took his third catch and Willey got his second wicket.

It became 107 for six as Darren Sammy's (2) horrible tournament came to an end with an atrocious shot.

But Brathwaite let Samuels set the stage for him before he fin-

ished the final leg of the chase with utter disdain leaving the Englishmen horrified.

For an England team, even after close to three decades, there was no change in their fortune in a global final. Just like Mike Gatting's reverse sweep, Stokes's over will also come to haunt them big time.

Earlier, West Indies bowlers effected a middle-order collapse to restrict England to a decent 155 for 9 despite Joe Root's attractive half-century after Sammy won the toss.

It was leg-spinner Samuel Badree (2/16 in 4 overs), who inflicted the initial damage in a splendid opening act while Dwayne Bravo (3/37 in 4 overs) and Carlos Brathwaite (3/23 in 4 overs) displayed their variations while triggering a collapse during the back-10. The last five overs produced a meagre 40 runs.

Just when Root (54 in 36 balls) along with Jos Buttler (36), looked set for an imposing total, Bravo and Brathwaite wreaked havoc.

England were cruising 84 for 3 in 11.1 overs with Root and Buttler having added 61 runs already but were soon reduced to 111 for 7, losing four wickets for 27 runs within next three overs.

Before the collapse occured, the boundaries were flowing at that time when Brathwaite dismissed Buttler. The batsman tried to pull the bowler over deep mid-wicket only to be holed out by Bravo.

Ben Stokes (13) and Root, who had hit seven crisp boundaries had added 26 runs together when Bravo bowled a sharp boouncer to get rid of the former.

Moeen Ali (0), who has perennial problem with short ball tried to tuck one fired in his rib cage to Denesh Ramdin. Root, who was

getting edgy then played an uncharacteristic lap shot to be caught at short fine-leg as England never recovered from the blows.

England though benifitted from David Willey's cameo of 14-ball 21 (1x4, 2x6) which helped tjem get past 150-run mark.

Already charged up after their women's team's win, the West Indies set the ball rolling as Badree bowled a perfect top spinner that breached Jason Roy (0)'s defences.

There was more in store for the rampaging Windies when Russell's sloppy bowling waiting to be dispatched by Alex Hales (1) found Badree at short fine leg.

West Indies had their gameplan straight against the spin -wary Englishmen by sticking to Badree up front and the legspinner bowled a rare wicket maiden in his third over by dismissing Eoin Morgan.

Continuing his lean patch with the bat, the English skipper was deceived by a googly and England were staring at doom at 23/3 after 4.4 overs.

Thankfully for England, Root remained a bystander and looked at ease with three fours in the previous over by Benn.

Desperately needing a partnership, England found Butler to repair the damage with Root.

On a track that looked batting friendly with little in it for the spinners, the duo cleverly rotated the strikes with the odd four or six in between to step up their run-rate.

Buttler was not there to be bogged down by the Windies and exploded against Benn in the 11th over with two clean hits soaring into the crowd. But just as England looked to roll on there was another breakthrough for the Windies in the form of the big-hitting Buttler who smacked at midwicket only to be caught by Bravo.

in Golaghat mishap ET Correspondent Golaghat, Apr 3

In a severe road accident at G.F Road in Bengenakhowa under Golaghat Police Station three persons were killed and several others were injured.

According to the report, a Dumper bearing no AS 23AC-3411 coming from Furkating area lost its control and hit a shop near roadside at G F Road in Bengenakhowa where the shop owner Labanlata Singh and her husband Pratap Singh were killed on the spot, on the other hand the customers along with several other pedestrian sustained serious injuries.

The driver of the vehicle fled from the scene after the accident. However the senior police and administrative officials have rushed to the spot and tried to control the angry mob.

The injured persons were taken to the KK Civil Hospital in Golaghat for early recovery.

People tried to burn the Dumper but police denied the same and in order to make the situation under control they had to resort lathi charge. This accident created a wave of mourns in the region.

Centurion bullet ride commemorate 127 years Pynshisha Nylla Naharlagun, Apr 3

The bullet rider of state capital under the aegis of Bucho Motors organised bullet rally on the theme ‘ride for the country with national integration for communal harmony’. The rally which started from Royal Enfield Motor Cycle dealer at C Sector, Naharlagun at around 1 PM this afternoon to Itanagar

via Nirjuli, Doimukh, Yupia which culminated at Pahalwan, covering a distance of 100 KM at around 3 PM. Around 100 bullet motorcycle and 200 youths participated at the rally.

Senior citizen and Former MLA Julley Siji and Arunachal chamber of commerce (ACC) President Techi Lala were seen as guests during the flag off ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion,

Techi Lala said that Royal Enfield have come back and celebrating its 127 years of services. He appealed all the youths to wear helmet, drive safely, obey traffic rules and be good citizens. ''Youths are the future so they have to be conscious during driving for their safety and safety of the others,'' he said.

IMC Dy Chief Councillor Kipa Babu who was also president said that their motto

is to unite all the citizens of the country through such ride and this message should reach that 'we are youths and for the country irrespective of caste, creed and tribe including colour'.

The youths leaders including Former AAPSU President Takam Tatung, Former ZPM Apang Welly, ANSU President Byabang Joram accompanied in the rally.

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Sarbananda Sonowal

Tarun Gogoi

“All the opinion polls are putting up different results in terms of numbers, but all are showing one things common, which is a surge in the vote share of the BJP led alliance and a decline for the Congress.

Now everything else will depend on the voting percent, if it will be more than earlier, it could be a landslide win for the alliance,” said senior BJP leader Siddhartha Bhattacharjee.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, APRIL 4

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries One more hectic day! Today you will be busy trying to figure out solutions to your problems, both at home and office. Your superiors give you some leeway and it will be quite a consolation. Experienced people will give you highly esteemed advise.

Taurus You will manage to achieve all short-term goals that you had set today and your focus will now shift to setting long-term ones. Work pressure will continue but you will make it a point to find some time to renew your leisure activities. Family and friends will also figure in your scheme of things.

Gemini You will spend your time figuring out other people and their motivations today. You will probably spend time discussing issues of security and finance with your family members today. You will gain love and appreciation from people owing to your caring nature.

Cancer Today, you and your soul mate will be rolling in the hay; there will be little time or inclination to do anything else. In fact, you will show such single-minded devotion to the act of rolling as if the future of the world lies in the haystack. Your mind can think of nothing more, and nothing less. The best part is your resilience and your ability to spring back into action when everybody else thinks you are down and out. The best thing for today is to deal with one issue at a time.

Leo Maybe it is the weather, or just one of those days, but today, you are extremely prone to wild mood swings. You must remember that nothing is permanent, except change. So go with the flow and do not get caught in the undercurrent of the changes that are taking place all around you. Take it as a warning that works to your advantage. All the worrying and sorting out done, do not forget to sit back and relax— you deserve it more than anybody.

Virgo Today, your ingenuity will breed ideas like rabbits. You have the healer’s hands, and so shall you make right many a wrong. You shall be most understanding, and reading people’s mind will do wonders for you and your beloved.

Libra Put up that ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door today. That’s because the tingle in your bones to want to stick to your preferred subject matter. This will help you achieve good progress in your research. Also, expect to be hit by a wave of nostalgia, as loving memories from the past sweeten your heart. Keep your eyes open, for, you are likely to find someone special with whom you will share your innermost feelings.

Scorpio You will possibly plan to launch a new product today. But put off the launch if you want to supersede certain unscrupulous elements. But after a waiting game, you may go ahead with your plan with much fanfare.

Sagittarius Dark and gloomy shall be your temperament for most part of the day today. But the afternoon may just see the skies clearing. The apparent mood change; will mainly be because of good news from abroad and business profits from your partner.

Capricorn You will want to expand the horizon of your business. But, you will be confused about the path to take for the expansion. You want to reach to the sky, but such a dilemma will keep you in a double mind. Listen to what your heart says, as it will guide you to the right direction.

Aquarius The monotony of your routine will get little bit of colour with the help of your wit and humour. Your jovial nature will lighten the burden of work from the shoulders of one all.

People love to be in your company and that is the reason why you are on the top of every guest list.

Pisces You are unlikely to be your calm and lucid self today. You will likely catch yourself worrying unnecessarily and putting in more efforts than required at work. However, some leisure time will come your way in the evening wherein you will regain your usual perspective.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 4-4-16 (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) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 2-00 P.M-Sponsored Programme-"Jaagaa Grahak Jaagaa" 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-Party Political Broadcast 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani 7-45 P.M-Aadhunik Geet 8-00 P.M-Drama 9-30 P.M- Mondakini 10-00 P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P

Advt.

LOST I Shri Baginso Tayang son of Sopeng Tayang have lost my original Class XII passed Certificate bearing Roll – No 3612124 somewhere at the township. According an FIR has been lodged at PS Tezu to trace out the missing document under vide Tezu PS but failed.

Polling personnel movement completes in Dima Hasao ET Correspondent Haflong, Apr 3 : All the polling personnel for 203 polling stations in Dima Hasao have left for their respective polling stations at various locations including in interior hill district.

Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer cum Returning officer, Amarendra Baruah, ACS said that altogether 1307 polling personnel including the security personnel will man the 203 polling stations for the one day Assembly election which begin from 7:00 A.M till 5:00 P.M tomorrow. A total of 1, 26, 029 (One lakh twenty six thousand and twenty nine) voters will exercise their franchise to elect representative from 16 Haflong (ST) LAC enlisting four candidates.

670 personnel today including, zonal magistrates, sector magistrates, presiding, polling officials and security personnel.

Dima Hasao was one of the first districts this election where movement of the polling personnel began and 44 numbers of personnel left on April 1 followed by 593 officials on April 2 and

Elated about the joining of two more officers in his team DC Baruah said that Additional Deputy Commissioners viz Gautam Das, ACS and Ananda Das, ACS have joined their respective

Polling personnel movement completes in Dima Hasao duties and have done area dominations already.

Speaking about the preparedness for tomorrow's election, DC Baruah elaborated that the political parties and the contesting candidates, agents and their representatives have already been briefed about the campaign period that ended with the hour fixed for the closure at 5:00 yes-

terday.

He further stated that in order to prevent electioneering at the polling stations and to maintain law and order, the Election Commission of India has prohibited using or carrying of cellular phones, cordless phones, wireless sets etc within 100 meter perimeter of the polling stations and polling

Independent candidates to Stage set for Voting decide fate of Nalbari LAC in Six constituency Ramen Kalita Nalbari,Apr 3 : Though the Congress and BJP is gearing up its electioneering in Nalbari sadar constituency two independent candidates has become a deciding factor in the poll prospect for both the party.The BJP issued party ticket to Ashok Sarma who first contested from the constituency in 2006 Assembly election and managed 17,000 votes in his favour. In that poll AGP candidate Aloka Sarma won the seat.In the last Assembly election Sarma was denied party ticket and BJP's state Secretary Dilip Saikia was the party's candidate in Nalbari LAC.However Saikia failed to capitalize encouraging votes in the party's favour. In this election he was also a ticket as-

pirant from the constituency.On the other hand the former MLA of Nalbari LAC Jayanta Malla Baruah who later joined the BJP was a strong ticket aspirant from the party.However finally he was denied the party ticket.Another ticket aspirant of BJP Shristi Sarma now in the poll battle of Nalbari LAC as independent candidate. A rich young candidate Shristi Sarma intensified the poll campaign in the constituency to woo the confidence of the rural voters.The young girl now become most popular among the voters and she will no doubt affect the poll prospect of BJP candidate Ashok Sarma. Another independent candidate Khurshid

Alam of the constituency who is more popular among the minority voters has posed a serious threat to the Congress candidate Pradyut Kumar Bhuyan.

A labour union leader Khurshid Alam visited the voters in house to house drive in the constituency which is considered an advantage in his poll campaign. As a result the Nalbari sadar constituency is heading towards a four cornered contest among BJP, Congress and two independent candidates Shristi Sharma and Khurshid Alam. However we have to wait to get a clear political picture of the constituency.It may be mentioned here that the constituency has 11 candidates in the fray.

of Sivasagar

Sorif Mohommod Sivasagar, Apr 3: After a high profile campaign, the District Administration of both Sivasagar and Charaideo District of undivided Sivasagar District has completed preparation for the polls to be held on Monday.

According to official sources more than 7 lakh voters will decide the future of 42 Candidates of the six constituencies of undivided Sivasagar District.

The Sivasagar district administration has arranged near about three thousands Govt officials and policeman, along

Campaign gets momentum in Gossaigaon LAC ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 3: The electioneering to the assembly election scheduled on April 11 has been gaining momentum among citizens and voters in the lower Assam constituencies including 28Gossaigaon LAC in Kokrajhar district.

munities to vote for him in the election.

BTC MCLA and UPP leader Jiran Basumatary campaigned for UPP candidate for Somnath Narzary at Dawaguri in Gossaigaon. He has also claimed that UPP is forming the next government with alliance Congress party.

UPP candidate for 28Gossaigaon Somnath Narzary has made his election campaign stronger with holding meeting at various places in the constituency on Sunday.

Narzary addressed campaign meet in at Dalgaon, Kunguri, Dawaguri, Auxuguri where thousands of citizens and voters thronged to support the candidature. Narzary said that his party has been contesting in 14 constituencies of the BTAD and supporting Congress outside of BTAD

Congress candidate for Gossaigaon LAC Asim Hasda hold his election campaign at Telipara ground where thousands of Congress party and supporters thronged.

Hasda said that Congress was working to the all round development of the all sections of communities. He said that Congress party is winning in large number of seats in the state.

BPF candidate Majendra Narzary also hold his election campaign at Janaligaon area.

area. He said that irrespective of caste, creed and communities are supporting the UPP candidates in the region, so winning of the candidates are sure in the upcoming election. He has alleged that BPF party has failed to fulfill hopes and aspirations of

common citizens in their decade long reign.

He has claimed that the UPP party is forming government with alliance Congress at Dispur with winning in 10 seats in the region. He has appealed to all sections of com-

Congress facing serious challenge Woman polling party for the first in 4 seats of Karbi Anglong Sushanta Roy Diphu, April 3: Scarcely few hours left for the first phase of Assam Legislative election 2016, both voters and government machinery are all set to conduct polling in 4 constituencies of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong district. Probably in the checkered history of last 15 years, polling will take place in this ultra infested hill district without any ultra interference. No outfit has called for poll boycott or strike to disrupt the electioneering since imposition of code of con-

duct. “We are leaving for duty without much wavering, law and order situation is conducive and arrangement is satisfactory” said Bikram Engti one of the polling officer before embarking the bus.

For the first time, Election Commission of India has setup 10 women polling booths, 5 each in Diphu and Howraghat town with state of the art facility. All these booths have been decked up in feminine fashion, clean certain, soft color guarded by smart armed female police

booths.

Probably for the first time in the country, Dima Hasao voters will be greeted by volunteers representing all ethnic tribes of Dima Hasao in its two model polling stations viz Cultural Institute Hall and Ramnanager LP School. These two PS apart from having all the facilities for the comfort of the voters will also see the voters being greeted in ethnic way.

Mentione may be made here that Ten polling stations in Haflong will be webcasted that will be viewable at the website of eci.nic.in. Those polling stations are viz Upper Bagetar LP School, Muolhoi high school, N.K. Daulagupu L P School, Haflong Cultural Institute, Superintendent of sericulture, Hagjer Nagar LP school, Sainza Rajee L P School, Ramnagar L P School, Lower Haflong High School, Longmang High school and only women personnel will be deployed for the first time in Dima Hasao at the G N Bordoloi L P School he added.

officers, even the polling personals, agents will be women. Camera connected with special server has been installed.

On the flip-side, if all goes well, the saffron brigade is all set to turn out astounding outcome in 3 out of the 4 seats. Huge section of Karbi, Dimasa, Bodo, Tiwa, Kuki, Assamese, Bengali, Hindi speaking, Adavasi, Nepali and other community has abridged the chances of ruling Congress. Dynastic politics, zero development of ba-

sic infrastructure in last 15 years rule, corruption and discordant attitude of ruling clique are the issues which the ruling party is finding hard to refute before the electorate.

Under all circumstance amid triangular contest in all the constituencies, the prime race will be between BJP and Congress however 3 times MLA of Bokajan, Jagat Sing Engti who is HSDC (Hills State Democratic Alliance) nominee may surpass Congress for his popularity among all sections of people.

time in Assam Shambhu Boro Tezpur, April 3: For the first time in the history of Assam election a total of 20 polling stations here in Tezpur are going to be run by woman polling party. Retuning officer, Laya Madduri informed that the polling stations coming under the 74-NoTezpur LAC of Tezpur Election district are Tezpu Academy (2),

Tezpur ITI (4), Tezpur Collegiate (2), Agnigarh Vidyapith (4), silver Jubillee School (4), Chanmari LP School (4).

The polling parties who have already rushed to their concerned polling stations with polling materials for taking votes tomorrow comprises lady officers from Presiding officers to the security guard.

with home guards to ensure fair and peaceful polling in the three district assembly constituencies of Sivasagar. On the other hand,about 200 vehicle will be used for the three constituencies namely Sivasagar, Thowra and Amguri, an official from the administration said while appealing to the voters to come out in large numbers to cast their votes without any kind of fear.

"We are maintaining a strict vigil in the vulnerable areas to ensure that anti-socials cannot create any problem", a senior police official said.

Shifting of PS no.131 of 49 Chaygaon ET Correspondent Rangia, Apr 3 Polling Station no.131 of 49 Chaygaon LAC previously located at Ukium Forest IB have been shifted and renamed as No.131 Ukium LP Schools, Ukium for poor structural condition of the existing Polling Station building .Area included in this Polling Station is Dighalbeel and total electors in the said are 1147. The Election Commission of India has approved the shifting of the said Polling Station.

Prohibition in entry in vital installations Under section 144 CrPC District Magistrate of South Kamrup Rajib Prakash Baruah has prohibited entry of any unauthorised person within the radius of 100 meters of any vital installation of OIL, ASEB, BSNL and LPG Bottling plant and 30 meters in both side of railway track throughout the district of South Kamrup. This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force until further order.

Pillion riding banned Under section 144 CrPC District Magistrate of South Kamrup Rajib Prakash Baruah has prohibited pillion riding on two- wheelers- i.e.

Motorcycles, scooters etc in the entire district of South Kamrup. Ailing persons travelling to and from any hospital, police personnel and armed forces in uniform and old persons above 65 years and children bellow 12 years are exempted from the purview of this order.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, APRIL 4

PAGE 3

Thailand Delegates of World Tipitaka TBS & IBCS condemns Foundation on a 3 day visit to State attack on statue of Buddha Chow Bilaseng Namchoom Itanagar, Apr 3: A high level delegates of World Tipitaka Foundation (WTF) from Thailand comprising WTF Vice President Col. Suradhaj Bunnag, Mrs Matavinee Chokwatana, Miss Kwanreun Aliment, Mr Piyaphong Rakphongthai and Mr Sahapon Direkvattanasan will be arriving at Kongmu Kham (Golden Pagoda) of Tengapani at Namsai District on April 12 next for a conference to discuss on the transcription of the Tipitika Tai-Khampti Pali and into Tai Khampti language.

The delegates will also survey for proposed site for establishment of International Tipitika Centre at Kongmu Kham in Namsai District.

many universities etc., globally for 16 years. Recently the foundation has started its work on transcription and translation of the Tipitika into Tai Khampti script & language.

The World Tipitaka Project has published The Tipitaka Sajjha-ya King’s Edition, in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej which is also of a great importance for the entire Tai Khampti Society. As an exemplar of correct recitation sound, this is in accordance with the rules of pronunciation in Kaccayana Sutta Pali Grammar in B.E. 1 which is the ancient Pali philology.

The first ever Tai Khampti Tipitika with King's and Queen's of Thailand Royal emblem on the cover.

Their visit will also coincide with the local grand novice ordination and the Sangken (Water festival) celebration from April 12 to 15 next. A total of 100 novices are going to be ordained this time and will be followed by celebration of Poi Sangken and meditation course by Ven. Sumanavanna Mahathero from Maharastra at Kongmukham. The meditation course will be from April 14 to April 27. The delegates of WTF will be also arranging to telecast and broadcast the all important conference and event of the day of Kongmukham, Namsai Dist directly live on April 13 to 14 in Thailand.

pride for Tai Khampti Society as for the first time ever in the world that the Tai Khampti Tipitika will be using the Royal emblem of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Highness the Queen Sirikit, as never before the Royal Emblem were allowed to be used for any other Tipitikas. The sample of the book with the emblem of the King and the Queen of Thailand will be presented by the visiting delegates to Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein who on behalf of the entire Tai Khampti Society will be receiving it.

It is indeed a matter of great

The Tipitika Tai Khampti Pali version is first one in the world

Mopin with a Difference at Yomcha, Committee to Pay Attending Dignitaries of Festival

Aalo, Apr 3: In a startling revelation made by the Organizing Yomcha Mopin Festival Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri Kego Jilen ADC Yomcha, it has been decided not to accept any cash from the visiting dignitaries and committee in turn will bear the to and fro expenses of the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and Special Guests who are attending the celebration there and the dignitaries will be made part of the celebration from the be-

ginning to up to Riga. This is seen an emerging galvanized thought pattern and perceptible shift from our growing dependence syndrome even going down to the extent of celebrating our own festival and culture with the help of others and this commercialization of festival has been one of the ills that plague our society. The committee is also making an effort to integrate its essence by involving a Christian Catholic Father as Special Guest of the celebration.

Golden Jubilee Marathon Race Conducted

that is using the King’s and the Queen’s Emblem of Thailand in the book covers. It is expected that the final one of the 40 books of the Tai Khampti Tipitika with the King’s and the Queen’s Emblem of Thailand will be officially handed over at government level sometime during the month of October 2016.

The World Tipitaka Foundation (WTF) is famous for its innovative work of the Tipitaka in Tai Siam (Thai) script and Roman script Pali which they have been giving as Dhamma Gift to many institutes and organizations such as World Court, United Nations and

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Apr 3 The Balijan Circle Youth Association (BCYA) today expressed its discontent over reports of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) seeking 525 acres of land free-of-cost for the Greenfield Airport at Hollongi, as published in local dailies of the state on March 18 last.

Saying that the news has sent a wave of chaos and disappointment across the landaffected people of the dream project- Greenfield Airport at Hollongi, the BCYA claimed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India is alleging that Government of Arunachal Pradesh is yet to submit the reports of acquisition cost of 525 acres of land for the said airfield project to the authority concerned for the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR).

The Marathon race for men and women for all categories with attractive cash prizes were participated by hundreds of different genre participants

The Theravada Buddhist Society, Itanagar have also conveyed and extended their best wishes for the royal couple’s good health and continued peace and prosperity of the People of Thailand. The society has thanked the Majesties the King and the Queen of Thailand for giving permission to use the royal emblem in the Tai Khampti Tipitika.

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Apr 3: A joint meeting of the Theravada Buddhist Society Itanagar (TBS) and Itanagar Buddhist Cultural Society (IBCS) was held today at Theravada Buddhist Temple, Itanagar to discuss and express serious concern and displeasure over the unfortunate firing by security personnel at the object of Worship during the Diyun incident of March 29 last.

Members from both the organizations in the strongest term has condemned the attack and demanded for thorough investigation in the case and arrest

of the culprit involved in firing at Buddha Statue in Diyun at the earliest. The statue of Lord Buddha was fired upon allegedly by some IRBn personnel during the recent Diyun incident.

The members of the both religious bodies also chalked out programmes for the celebration of forthcoming 2560th Buddha Jayanti here in Capital Complex. In this regard, the Buddha Jayanti Joint Celebration Committee (BJJCC) 2016 was also formed to prepare for the celebration of the most

scared Buddhist festival in a grand manner. The major highlights for the Buddha Jayanti 2016 celebration will be procession from Siddhartha Gompa to Theravada Buddhist Temple Itanagar, Capital level Quiz competition for various school students besides many other interesting events.

This year the Buddha Jayanti 2016 will be celebrated on May 21 at Theravada Buddhist Temple Itanagar. Arunachal Pradesh is the only state in India where the members of the both the sects come together to observe the auspicious occasion in a festive manner.

GJCMCC Felicitates Retired Senior Officers of Galo Tribe

After more than five years of wait, the association said that the startling revelation by the Government of India has shattered the dreams and hurt the sentiments of innocent landaffected people.

Questioning on whether the state or centre would compensate the land-affected people for the airfield land acquisition, BCYA president Kuru Joram strongly stated that the land-affected people will not part with their land without compensation package.

Joram also placed his concerns and asked “if for some reason, the much hyped Greenfield Airport at Hollongi is scraped and shifted somewhere else then who will compensate and bear the loss incurred by the land affected people who remained aloof from cultivating the assessed land for more than five years,

hoping only to be compensated”.

Vehemently opposing the said reports of acquiring 525 acres of land for the airport at Hollongi free-of-cost, the BCYA urged the present government led by Chief Minister Kalikho Pul to look into the matter with outmost sincerity and seriousness to expedite the process of disbursement of compensation and do away with the present stalemate pertaining to the Greenfield Airport at Hollongi within 30 days time.

The association cautioned that if no action is taken, it would fight tooth and nail by launching and resorting to democratic movements in the form of dharna, procession, blockade of 4-lane highway of Hollongi to Itanagar for an indefinite period.

Aalo, Apr 3: The Day five of the Cultural events for Traditional Group Dance for Men and Women and modern dance for boys and girls was followed by felicitation to senior retired Galo officers who have immensely contributed to the growth of society at Gumin Kiin on 2nd April last. Shri Nyamar Karbak MLA 27Liromoba who graced the occasion as Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of the Committee for all innovative activities

Dipu Bridge to be completed

by December 31 - BRO Bishnu Rana Tezu, Apr 3: Completion of Dipu Bridge is predominant demand of Lohit and Lower Dibang Valley which has been undergoing in full force, The 1446 Bridge Construction Company (BCC) Dimbe under 48 Task Force is leaving no stone unturned to complete its work by December 31 next, commits Shankar Prasad Officer – in - Charge 1446.

HCS urges voters to vote consciously

2nd April last.

Tai Khampti is the first among the many Tai communities around the world that is able

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on behalf of the entire Tai communities and his own behalf has conveyed his appreciation and thanks to His Majesty the King and Queen of Thailand for allowing to use the Royal emblem in Tai Khampti Tipitika and as a Royal Gift to the Tai people and has extended his best wishes to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Highness the Queen Sirikit and prayed for their Longevity, Peace, Happiness and a long and prosperous reign.

“Please accept, Your Majesty, our best wishes for your success and personal well-being, and for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the Thailand,” he said.

BYCA expresses discontent over reports of AAI seeking free-of-cost land for Hollongi airport

The Pre – Stressed Concrete with Well foundation Sub – Structure designed of bridge which has 426.60 meters in length. The bridge also has 8 (ten) Piers with 2 (two) well-built abetments to stand firm against the turbulent and flood havoc creat-

Aalo, Apr 3: A Golden Jubilee Marathon Race with the theme, ╜ Run for Golden Year Mopin, Peace, Prosperity and General Wellbeing,╠was flagged off by Commandant ITBP from Gumin Kiin, Aalo on

The Tai Khampti linguistic team (members of Tai Khampti Heritage and Literature Society) comprising of Abbot of Kongmukham monastery Ven. Vimalatissa Bhikkhu and Chow Kalingna Mannoi under the patronage and guidance of Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and in close co-ordination of WTF’s representative, Mr. Thanapat Choompolsil, has worked tirelessly for several months to make this Tai Khampti Tipitika come into existence and for being able to invite the high level Thai delegation for survey of the site for establishment of the International Tipitika Centre at Namsai dist.

to the transcribed and translates the Tipitika in Tai Khampti language and reason for this that the Kongmukham (Golden Pagoda) of Tengapani will be promoted as the International Tipitika Centre where all global Tai communities will visit Kongmu Kham to request for the Tipitika.

ET Correspondent Doomdooma, April 3: Hindu Chhatra Sanstha (HCS) has appealed the people of Doomdooma to caste their precious vote by using their conscience.

“As a responsible citizen they should not be misguided by any type of greed” said the Vice President of HCS, Manoj Sharma and Secretary in charge, Gopal Deb in a press release.

ing River.

The bridge would have completed earlier unfortunately heavy flash flood during previous year damages the well – built structure of the bridge. It hard to stand and fight against the nature fury, still the BRTF is working under several hurdles to improve the road connectivity in this interior

Third Inspection completed ET Correspondent Sadiya, Apr 3: The Expenditure Observer for 126-Sadiya LAC Deo Kumar, ICAS, examined poll related expenditure of different political parties and Independent candidates on April 2. All candidate have submitted their day expenditure account.

pocket. At present we have one foundation and two slabs are needed to complete the bridge, says the OC. The Bridge is under Trans Arunachal Highway where NH Double Lane Road Specification has brought a ripple of change in road structure bringing decline in

time and expenditure. “If several ongoing bridges completes then this particular region bring a sea change in the socio – economic scenario. The development in true sense would usher the entire growth of this landlocked /backward areas, expresses a citizen which is not necessary to be named.

to make all Galos of the state proud this time. Shri Tabom Bam, first IAS officer to be felicitated, narrated his long yearâ•™s service life as administrator of the state. The other stalwarts who were felicitated included Er. Tumke Bagra, Ganesh Koyu, Morge Ete, Dr. Tajum Basar, Pomar Bagra, Minjom Bagra, Tago Basar, Tomar Ete, Pratik Potom, Dr. Golek Yomcha, Er.Tome Ete, Ponya Ete, Goken Basar, Gejum Ete, Bida

Gadi, Nyodek Yomgam, Col. Rimmo Karbak, Dakter and Lollen. Shri Migo Bagra was also felicitated for his unique social contribution Earlier Shri Tadar Appa Director Sports attended the concluding day of Games and sports events and gave away the prizes. Shri Doi Ado President GJCMCC, Shri Degam Ete President MP &CS, Er. Komba Taso also gave detail highlight on events and expressed their gratitude to all dignitaries.

Parties welcome newly join members ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, April 3: 22 member and supporters from AIUDF and BPF party joined in UPP at a meeting held at Dawaguri ahead few days of the assembly second phase election which is to be held on April 11.

The joining members in UPP included 13 from AIUDF and 9 from BPF party.

BTC, MCLA Jiran Basumatary and UPP candidate Somnath

Narzary welcome the new members and felicitated them with Aronai.

Meanwhile, 43 Congress member and supporters from Titaguri block Congress joined in BPF party at a party meeting at Salakati in Kokrajhar on Sunday.

Former BTC executive member and president of Kokrajhar district BPF Derhasat Basumatary welcome and felicitated the newly joined members.

Young artist Bikram of Kokrajhar bagged “North -East Harmony” award ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, April 3: A Young Artist of Kokrajhar Bikram Narzary was conferred “North -East Harmony award” of 9th North- East state Exhibition of Art (NESEA) 2016 in a function held at Srimanta Santaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on Saturday. The award was given by Additional Chief Secretary of Assam MGVK Bhanu Bikram.

The 9th North-East States Exhibition of Art (NESEA) 2016 was organized by Srimanta Santaradeva Kalakshetra Society in collaboration with lalit kala akademi, New Delhi at AC Art Gallery at Lalit Kala Bhawan, Guwahati and selected for the award.

The Young Artist Bikram Narzary completed his Master of Fine Arts in Print Making from Indra Kala Sangeet

Bishwa Vidyalaya, Khairagarh Chhattisgarh in 2016 recently. He was recipient of All India Lokmaniya Tilak and Late Barrister V.V. Oak Art Exhibition 2014 in Pune, 29th Lokmaniya Tilak of All India Art Exhibition 2016 Pune, New Delhi Municipal Council India of Art Exhibition in 2014 and 87th Annual All India Art Exhibition 2014. Narzary is the son of Nijay Kumar Nazary and

Sumitra Narzary of Kokrajhar word no10. A certificate with cash and memento was presented in the award.

Among others Surjya Hazarika, Vice Chairman Narayan Konwar Secretary of the Srimanta Santaradeva Kalakshetra, Maneswar Brahma etc attended in the said function. The public of the BTC welcomed his unbridled success on art.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 4

PAGE 4

Lakhimpur sets necessary measures to conducts free and fair election Administration appeals voters to cast their vote ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, April 3: Lakhimpur is all set for the first phase poll of Assam State Assembly Election2016 tomorrow. The District Administration has left no stone unturned in order to conduct a free and fare poll in all the polling station of the district. Administratively engaged presiding

officers, polling officers and other workers along with the security personnel had already arrived at respective polling stations with Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).

This time a total of 6,40,653 voter are to determine the fate of 37 MLA candidates of the four LACs of the district. 1,31,105 voters in

No.109 Bihpuriya LAC, 1,82,185 in No.110 Nowboicha LAC, 1,59,836 in No. 111 Lakhimpur LAC and 1,67,527 in No.112 Dhakuakhona LAC will express their mandate in the Election through EVM. Out of total 180 polling station of Bihpuriya LAC, 46, 29 and 1 polling stations are identified as sensitive, very sensi-

tive and critical polling stations. Similarly, 48 polling stations are sensitive, 5 very sensitive, 2 vulnerable hamlets and 5 critical in Nowboich LAC out of 228 polling stations. In Lakhimpur, 33 polling station are sensitive and 41 found to be very sensitive out of 197 polling stations. According to DC Debeswar Malakar, 9 flying squads and

WE SALUTE As Assam goes to polls, thousands of poll and security personnel embark on a journey to ensure free and fair polls. The Eastern Today salutes each one of them for having contributed in keeping the spirit of democracy high

In Jorhat

5 SST units under 5 Police Stations are working with a view to the election.

"The security system in the district is also tightened for the election. Election Commission has deputed enough companies of security forces here" said SP Bibek Raj Sing. The District Administration appealed the voters to cast their vote.

Margherita to be a major combat Drivers and conductors of poll zone for BJP and Congress duty protested in Golaghat

Mithun Baruah Margherita, Apr 3: The First Phase of Assam Assembly Election on 4th April at 124 No Margherita LAC will be contesting by two heavy weight candidate, former Minister and Congress candidate Pradyut Bordoloi and BJP candidate Bhaskar Sharma while four other independent candidates are Puran Chetry of AGP (Ancholiktabadi Mancha), Nidan Purty of Bharat Bikash Morcha, Umesh Bora and Biswanath Singh Both Independent Candidates.

There are total 1,61,498 voters at 124 No Margherita LAC with male voters 83,351 and

female voters 78,147. First time at Margherita A, R & T Company High School a women polling station has been setup at 124 No Margherita LAC.

Sources said to this Correspondent that BJP Candidate Bhaskar Sharma is contesting first time in this Assembly Election as because Bhaskar Sharma by using money and muscle power got the BJP ticket. Former Minister and Congress Candidate Pradyut Bordoloi can easily win this Assembly Election as Pradyut Bordoloi has much experienced in the field of Politics than Bhaskar Sharma.

EVM successfully prepared for election in Barpeta ET Correspondent Barpeta, Apr 3: The process of Electronic voting machine preparation for the election was completed at 6 LACs of Barpeta Election district at Barleta Madhab Choudhury College strong room.

According to the polling centre of 40-Sarbhog LAC, in 231 polling centers, total 276 EVM were prepared, in 43 Barpeta LAC of 213 polling centers, 254 EVM were prepared, in 44 Jania LAC of 194 polling centers,

254 EVM were prepared, 45 Baghbar LAC of 160 polling centers, 191 EVM were setup, 46-Sarukshetry LAC of 214 polling centers, 256 EVM were setup, 47 Chenga LAC of 152 polling centers, 181 EVM were prepared. For the 2nd phase election the randomization of the candidates was also completed in presence of the candidates' delegates.

All total 1390 EVM prepared of 1164 polling centers of Barpeta election district.

Parties distributing money and wine in order to lure the voters at Dergaon ET Correspondent Dergaon, April 3: Only 12 hours to go for the 2016's assembly election. Parties including contestants are busy on collecting votes that is to be casted next morning. Money and man power playing important role on canvassing votes, a special source speaks.

Election officers including police, continue to have tight checking so that fair election can be accomplished tomorrow. Sources said that, a group of suspected person tired to please to the votes by distributing some money and wine this early night across the Brahmaputra region, belong-

ing to khumtai LAC. However, those persons have flown away as local public charged their movement.

According to another source, public fray has taken place in Garmora area belonging to Dhekorgora development block of Dergaon LAC regarding last night game on money and wine. More than 3 cartoon of wine damaged by public as it is discovered nearby the Gomors Bridge. Posters of AGP candidate Bhoben Bhorali was smashed everywhere at semi-dark in the area by a black cloth masked persons.

Vote against corruption: AACF ET Correspondent Golaghat, April 3: Assam Anti Corruption Forum has appealed the people of Assam to vote against corruption. President Ajit Bora

and Secretary Suvanshu Bora have appealed the voters to vote on 4th and 11th April keeping everything in mind and to make corruption free State.

Voters of Doomdooma all set to cast their votes ET Correspondent Doomdooma, April 3: For the 14th assembly poll, the voters will cast their precious vote tomorrow. In the first phase of election the voters will cast their vote in Doomdooma constituency. Altogether 160 polling stations are in Doomdooma where 66 have been recognized as sensitive and 9 as hypersensitive booths. There are 6 zones. Source said that about 880 personnel have been deployed in the polling area.

Candidates from 125 No Doomdooma constituency which are Dilip Moran (BJP), Durga Bhumij (Congress), Manoj Kumar Sawasi (Jana Congress party), Ishab Hussain (Ind), Rajesh Karmkar (Ind),

Rishikesh Barua (Ind), Sarfaraj Alam (Ind) and Ranjit Singh (Ind). Sources said that, Candidate Safaraj Alam and Ranjit Singh Gor are supporting INC. On the other hand, Dileswar Tanti of Doomdooma won consecutively for six times for Congress. Whereas Harihar Choudhry won in 1951 and in 1957, 62, 67 and 72 Malia Tanti won consecutively for four times and in 1983 to 2001 Dileswar Tanti bagged the seat.

Durga Bhumij too won the seat in the year 2006. They all were from Congress party.

In 2011, for the first time Dilip Moran won the seat form BJP party. The Congress won the seat for 12 times whereas the BJP won only for one time.

ET Correspondent Golaghat, April 3: The first phase of assembly elections will be held tomorrow. Like the other parts of the Golaghat district administration also all set to conduct a smooth and peaceful poll. All arrangements have been made by the administration for the upcoming poll.

Today the presiding and polling officials along with security personnel of 95 Golaghat LAC and 96 Khumtai LAC to start a journey to their respective polling stations.

But suddenly a scene was created by the drivers and conductor of the vehicles which were assigned to carry the officials on election duty.

The drivers and conductors protested at the general field of Golaghat and said that they would be deprived of exercising their democratic right to vote as they will be engaged on election duty. They also alleged that the administration had not made any alternative arrangements to cast their votes.

This protest created a delay in sending poll duty officials and security personnel to their respective polling centers. At last the Superintendent of Police, Prithvi Pal Singh rushed to the spot and assured the protesting drivers and conductors that they would not be deprived of

casting their vote. Only after that the vehicles started to carry the presiding and polling officials and security personnel to their respective destinations.

On the other hand speaking to media DC Varnali Deka said it was just a misunderstanding.

The administration had already arranged system of Postal Ballot for them and had issued forms to the association. She said even tomorrow they will get six hours time and route plan has been prepared such that no one is deprived of voting. Regarding Election she said the team is working hard and the elections will be conducted smoothly and peacefully.

Parties face stiff challenges as campaign concludes ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Apr 3: The election campaign for Assam State Assembly Election-2016 concluded at 5pm today in the six LACs of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji Districts. On the final day, the candidates seemed administering marathon campaign arranging rallies, organising people's meeting etc in order to attract the voter’s attention for their favour of them. In a nut shell, the people of the both districts experienced dazzling campaign programs regarding the election.

Although the political parties of the State along with the independent candidates initiated illustrative campaign program with the high profile star campaigners, most of the voters were seen remaining neutral to lectures of those campaigners and candidates. They considered them with no faithful and even to their commitments.

The voters of the two backward districts were deceived by the political leaders by every government again and again. The burning problems

of the districts have remained the same decade. In such circumstances, the most ruminating big question is "what will be the people's mandate on the poll day?", although it will be clear on May 19 when the result will be announced, perhaps the most complex and unpredictable contest will take place in the headquarter LAC of Lakhimpur district, that is No. 111 Lakhimpur LAC. A total of 14 candidates are in fighting line in the LAC which will certainly divide the voters.

However, the main contest will be confined between Utpal Dutta of AGP-BJP-BPF alliance and Dr Joy Prakash Das. Independent candidates will definitely divide Utpal Dutta's vote while Ghana Burhagohain and Mahim Hazarika of Sanmilita Gana Shakti will do the same of Dr Joy Prakash Das. Ex-MLA of Congress Ghana Burhagohain has a strong base in the constituency.

On the other hand, the contest will be held in No 109 Bihpuriya LAC between Bhupen Borah of Congress

and Debananda Hazarika of BJP-AGP-BPF Alliance. In the LAC, gentleman image is plus point of Debananda Hazarika on the contrary to Bhupen Bora's alleged involvement in corruption and past year's failures as incumbent MLA. Similarly, the contests will held in No. 110 Nowboicha LAC between SR Subba of Congress and Mamun Imdadul Haque Choudhury of AIDUF, in No. 112 Dhakuakhona LAC between Naba Kumar Dopley of AGP-BJP-BPF Alliance and Bhara Narah of Congress. In No.113 Dhemaji LAC Sumitra Patir of Congress gave a good challenge to Pradan Baruah of AGP-BJP-BPF Alliance.

Though there is an anti-incumbency wave against Congress in the LAC, dissident Sailen Sonowal will divide the opposition votes. On the other hand, loser candidate of last election Bhuban Pegu was all set to teach a good lesson to Suchil Pegu of Congress party. A total of eighteen candidates, nine in each, are in fighting line in the both LACs.

Pic - Nekib Ahmed

In Sivasagar

Pic - Firuz Ahmed

In Tinsukia

Pic - Arjun Mishra

In Dibrugarh

Cong, BJP hopeful for a good result Contd. from Page 1

“The Congress is acceptable among all walks of life, and majority will vote for the Congress itself,” said Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Anjan Dutta. However, independent poll analysts believe

that the first phase of polls will be a litmus test for both the Congress and the BJP as the polling percentage will set the trend for the second phase of the polls.

The AIUDF, which is facing internal partly dissi-

dence, is banking on the issue that people from the minority dominated areas will vote for it.

“We will be an important factor, and we will easily get over 35 seats in this election,” said AIUDF spokesperson Haider Hussain Bora.

In Majuli

Pic - UB Photos

30 candidates with criminal charges in phase-1 of Assam polls Contd. from Page 1 Industries and Commerce Minister Siddeque Ahmed contesting to retain his Karimganj (South) seat in Barak Valley has charges of cheating related to property and criminal conspiracy under Sections 120B and 420 of IPC. Congress legislator Rumi Nath from Borkhola along with other sitting party MLAs Debabrata Saikia, son of former Chief Minister late Hiteswar Saikia, from Nazira, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha from Karimganj (North) and Jamaluddin Ahmed from Badarpur have also mentioned cases pending against them.

Eight out of the 65 candidates from Congress, three out of 54 candidates from BJP, three out of 27 candidates from AIUDF, one out of ten candi-

dates fielded by CPI(M), one out of six candidates from CPI(ML)(L) and 14 out of 280 candidates in fray have mentioned criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Three constituencies in Barak Valley - Karimganj (North), Sonai and Hailakandi - have been declared red alert constituencies by the Election Commission with three or more candidates having declared criminal charges against them, according to the report.

Karimganj (North) and Sonai have four candidates with criminal charges against them while Hailakandi has three candidates with cases against them, the report said.

Among serious criminal charges, two candidates have declared cases related to murder and they include former ULFA militant and BJP candi-

date Kushal Dowari from Thowra constituency and independent Janardan Hazarika from Amguri constituency.

Both referred charges related to murder pending against them under section 302 of IPC, the report said.

Duwari, former independent MLA from Thowra, also declared a charge related to attempt to murder under section 307 of IPC. An independent candidate Ibungobi Singha from Sonai constituency in Barak Valley has declared a charge related to assault or criminal force to women with intent to outrage her modesty under section 354 of IPC. An independent Abdul Ahad Choudhury from Karimganj (North) has declared a charge related to kidnapping for ransom under section 364A of IPC.

In Bokajan

Pic - UB Photos

Pic - UB Photos

REGION

PAGE 5

Manipur entrepreneurs launch first plastic industry start-up

Agartala as third internet gateway a major boost for Indo-Bangladesh ties

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, APRIL 4

Imphal, April. 3 (ANI): Two Manipuri engineering graduates, Samson Ningombam and Madonna Akoijam, have joined hands to launch the state's first plastic industry start up.

Called 'PEARLEX' Enterprises, the start-up aims to revolutionize the sector and promote self reliance.

machineries at nominal charges. At present, there are 15 staff members in the industry.

So far, they have produced three products - mug, tub and dustpan. They are now in the process of adding more products and to generate employment opportunities for jobless youngsters in the state.

In 2015, they set up a joint venture at Kwakeithel Nganappi Thong, in Imphal West.

"I wanted to do something different like contribute something to society where I can give employment to others. My ideology was more like rather than become an employee, I thought of becoming more like an employer. So, that way I got into this venture," said Akoijam "Something always moti-

TN Haokip takes charge as president of Manipur Congress

"In Manipur, most of the plastic products come from Myanmar. So, I think, there is a huge scope in this project," said Moiranthem Upendro, a student of CIPET. Manipur entrepreneurs launch states's first plastc industry vates me all the time that I wanted to do something different since childhood. Before, I was working in private company but later I

was not satisfied so, I wanted to go back home and do something different that's how I started this venture," said Ningombam.

Manipur CM to meet Sonia over ministry reshuffle Agencies Imphal, April 3: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is expected to leave for Delhi on Monday morning to hold a crucial meeting with the Congress president Sonia Gandhi on the cabinet reshuffle demand.

TN Haokip Agencies Imphal, April 3: TN Haokip today formally assumed charge as the new president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee succeeding former president and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, a party spokesperson said.

Talking to the media at the Congress Bhavan here, Haokip said he would to strengthen the party and is committed to work for the assembly elections scheduled in 2017.

The assumption of charge by former PHED minister T N Haokip comes in the wake of dissenting voices among Congress legislators pressing for implementation of "one-manone-post policy".

Meanwhile, the Deputy CM said the "internal crisis" in the party was settled and any issue in the future will be sorted out.

He would be accompanied by the new state unit Congress president, T.N. Haokip, and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

Since they are understood to have finalised the list of new ministers to be inducted, all they have to do is to get approval for it from Sonia Gandhi.

Dissidents expect the swear-

legislators have joined them, their camp has 23 Congress legislature party members.

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh ing-in ceremony to be held on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the 10 ministers, expected to be dropped, are fighting a last-ditch battle, saying that as 13 dissident

Agencies Shillong, April 3: With the first phase of Assam polls scheduled for Monday, Meghalaya police have made elaborate arrangements for the force domination on the highways close to the border in the context of close co-ordination existing between ULFA and GNLA militant outfits.

“Elaborate instructions were given to have domina-

tion of security forces on the highways and entry and exit routes on the AssamMeghalaya border,” a senior police official said on Saturday.

According to the official, the attention of the police is focused on ULFA cadres in the Meghalaya border.

“A cadre known as Aprai, an IED expert, is operating in North Garo Hills and there is also presence of other

Guwahati, April. 3: With an aim to exchange ideas on trade, commerce, hydropower and tourism, a delegation from Bhutan's Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies (RIGSS) recently attended an interactive meet in Guwahati.

A presentation was also made on the upcoming connectivity projects under the

"Reshuffle is the prerogative of a chief minister and nobody should question or interfere with it," said Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Haokip. He has been one of the prominent dissidents who have sought cabinet reshuffle.

Dissidents, meanwhile, held a victory dinner on Saturday night to celebrate the appointment of Haokip, the new party president. All the 25 dissidents were present at the dinner.

Some legislators contemptu-

ously brushed aside the ministers' claim that there are 23 members in their camp. "All the MLAs are intact with us.

We know that all of us cannot become ministers. It was agreed that first-timers would be made ministers and those former ministers will make room for them," said one of the legislators on Sunday.

In the 60-member House, the Congress has 48 legislators although it won just 42 seats in the last elections.

Six legislators from other parties joined the party later. Out of the Congress legislature party members, as many as 25 are demanding reshuffle.

Prime Minister of India and Bangladesh- Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina Agartala (Tripura), April.

3 (ANI): Tripura is all set to transmit of 100 megawatts of power to Bangladesh from the Palatana power project, months after the Prime Minister of India and Bangladesh-Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasinainaugurated the supply of power and internet bandwidth between both countries via video conference.

power from India to Bangladesh will further boost development. On the other side we are getting access to a new gateway to enter the digital world, a facility we had in the west and the south but the east was left. Since I want to move ahead with the 'Act East Policy' hence for me this gateway at the east is very important," said Prime Minister Modi.

other milestone. Importing power will help to solve our power crisis and the access to bandwidth will help in improving the digital connectivity to Tripura and the Northeast India besides helping in improving the socio-economic condition of the people of the region.

Our friendship will further strengthen," said Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina.

Bangladesh will also give Tripura access to 10 gbps high-speed data connectivity through the submarine cable internet network.

"Bangladesh opening the eastern gateway of digital world is a vital step and this will create an inspiration for the youths of the eight northeastern states including Assam, Tripura and Sikkim," he added.

The importing of power will help to solve the power crisis and the access to bandwidth will help to improve digital connectivity in north east India.

This is the second such cross border transmission interconnection system between India and Bangladesh.

"The export of 100 MW of

"By this cooperation of exchange of power and bandwidth between Bangladesh and India we have set an-

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has said that the new internet-power bandwith supply will take Indo-Bangladesh ties to new heights.

Meghalaya police Zeliang for early all set for elections solution of Naga issue

India- Bhutan discuss ways to strengthen cross-border ties The 35-member visiting delegation of senior policy makers from Bhutan, led by Chewang Rinzin, Dy Chamberlain to the King of Bhutan and Tashi Wangyal, Member of Parliament from Bhutan, interacted with a select crowd at the Asian Confluence Center, comprising senior policy makers, artists, activists, media and heads of various institutions.

"Given the close ties of friendship between the Bhutan and India, we thought it is important to get to know the northeast India state better to look forward for better collaboration, interaction. So, that the basic objective of this tour," said Rinzin.

The Central Institute of Plastics engineering and Technology (CIPET) assists the duo and provides

Young entrepreneurs like Ningombam and Akoijam will inspire the educated unemployed youth in the region to explore innovative ideas and become self-reliant.

India- Bhutan discuss ways to strengthen cross-border ties

auspices of Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal to forge institutional linkages to forge a "Third Space" that can lead to increased peopleto-people contacts.

A pan Northeast India delegation will visit Bhutan next month to discuss tourism development with stakeholders and policy makers in Bhutan.

"Entrepreneur should go to Bhutan and explore it.

Bhutan is now more develop in per capita terms in India much more than Assam.

There is lot of opportunity, they have a good system. It's a democratic monarchy and corruption free. There is lots

of opportunity entrepreneurship even they should come here and explore it," said Manoj Das, Director, IIE, Indian institute of Entrepreneur.

India shares a 699-km-long border with Bhutan especially through the northeast region, and both governments have been working consistently to develop better infrastructure and connectivity so as to facilitate trade and development.

The two sides are keen to further strengthen trade relations and explore the maximum potential to expand bilateral trade.

ULFA cadres in Meghalaya border,” the official added.

Meghalaya police with the assistance of its counterpart in Assam had recovered IEDs not only in the North Garo Hills border but also in Goalpara, Assam recently.

Meghalaya police are also in the offensive to keep the GNLA at bay by intensifying operations in the border areas.

Top KCP rebel leader held at Imphal airport Agencies Imphal, April 3: A top rebel leader of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) was arrested by Manipur police from the entry gate of Imphal Tulihal airport, the police said.

Nongdrenkhomba, who is the Chairman of Politburo Standing Committee and also the top leader of the banned group, was arrested on Saturday.

He had earlier been arrested in Delhi, way back in November 2012.

One 9 mm pistol, 10 mobile handsets, 10 letterheads, foreign currencies, a PAN card, stamp seal of his outfit and other articles were seized from his possession, police said.

The 32-year-old militant has been remanded to police custody till April 11 by the Judicial Magistrate Imphal.

On March 31, a woman cadre of KCP (Mangal), Yumnam Ibeyaima (40), was arrested from Kodompokpi area in Imphal West district, a police press release said.

She was arrested by a team of 12th Bihar Regiment and Manipur police.

Based on her disclosure, another woman activist of the same group was also arrested by the police from the outskirts of the state capital. She has been identified as Laishram Manileima (45), the release said.

Agencies Kohima, April 3: Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today appealed to the people to come together and work out an early solution to the protracted Naga political problem, which he said had been a stumbling block for the development of the state for many decades.

The need of the hour was to solve the political problem so as to ensure that the people reaped the fruits of good governance and allround development, Zeliang said at Meluri in Phek district.

"As of now, we have nine factions of the Naga Political Groups (NPGs), and if we do not find a solution fast, in a few years, more factions may crop up which will only compound the problem," he said.

Zeliang said his government

Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang has worked out an opposition-less regime format where all agree on various issues, including early solution to Naga political problem.

"My government had formed a Parliamentary Working Committee which

has legislators from all Naga tribes. This PWC had met the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, the interlocutor and leaders of the NPGs," he said.

"We have also been assured on many occasions that all the stakeholders would be

taken aboard while finalising the Naga Framework Agreement signed on 3 August 2015, between the NSCN (IM) and the interlocutor at New Delhi in the presence of the Prime Minister," he said "As recent as 9 March last, we had met leaders of six NPGs at Chumukedima in a Consultative Meet, and different views and opinions were recorded," Zeliang added. He also appealed to the public to come forward and air their opinions and participate in the peace process.

"We actively participate and support any move that will bring permanent peace in our land," he said, addressing a gathering at Meluri on the occasion of upgradation of the ad hoc Meluri Town Committee to a full-fledged Town Council.

Closure of liquor stores in State: Govt in dilemma Shillong, April 3: The State government is in a dilemma over to how to address the issues arising out of closure of liquor stores as on one hand, the government will be losing revenue and on the other, illegal sale of liquor will be on the rise.

Out of as many as 538 liquor stores set up in the State, half of the stores will be affected by the order of the Commissioner and Secretary, Excise, J. Lyngdoh even as the revenue loss will be in terms of Rs 80 crore per year.

An Excise official said on Saturday that considering the loss of revenue in the wake of closure of liquor stores,

the State government is exploring ways and means to address the issue.

After the ban on rat-hole coal mining which affected the revenue of the State at the rate of Rs 600 crore per year, closure of liquor stores, the major revenue earner for the State government after Taxation, will put the government in further financial constraints.

Zoning of the liquor stores is one idea which the government is contemplating to address the concerns of liquor stores owners.

When asked about the probability of rise in illegal sale of liquor due to the closure

of liquor shops, the official with the Excise department said that police are keeping vigil to check such a trend.

The government order makes it mandatory to close down all liquor stores which are within 200 metres of educational institutions, religious places and hospitals.

Another restriction is on setting up of liquor shops within a distance of 50 metres from the mid-point of national/state highways within the city/town limits, and 100 metres from midpoint of national and state highways on the outskirts.

The order will also be applicable to all licensed bars cum

restaurants in the State.

However, the owners can relocate their stores and the Excise department is ready to facilitate this transition.

The High Court of Meghalaya on March 31 had upheld the Septembers 23, 2015 notification of the State government regarding the restriction imposed on liquor shops.

However, the order allows the relocation of shops and if the licensee submits a proposal for relocation, “the same may be considered by the department in accordance with law and expeditiously, preferably within 15 days of making the proposal.”

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, APRIL 4

PAGE 6

BJP fabricating 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' row for political gains: Congress New Delhi, April 3 (ANI): Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his remark that those having reservations to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' shouldn't live in the country, the Congress on Sunday said that the saffron party is fabricating the slogan for political gains.

"This is a completely irrelevant thing. It's a nonissue. The BJP is trying to make this into a controversial issue to try and show themselves to be great nationalists or patriots. The BJP and its predecessors had no role in the independence

J-K: Policeman injured in terrorist attack in Pulwama Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir), April 3 (ANI):A policeman was injured afterterrorist attacked a police party at Muran Chowk in Jammu and Kashmir'sPulwama District on Sunday.

According to reports, the policeman was inspecting a crime scene at Muran chowk when unidentified gunmen started firing.

Further details are awaited.

Paris attacks suspect chose not to blow himself up, says his brother London, Apr. 3 (ANI):Mohamed Abdeslam, the brother of Paris attacks prime suspect Salah Abdeslam, said that the latter voluntarily chose not to blow himself up along with the other ISIS jihadists.

Salah Abdeslam was arrested last month by the Brussels Police in connection with theParis attacks in November last year in which at least 130 people were killed.

Salah Abdeslam was captured on March 18 by Belgian authorities after a shootout in Molenbeek, an impoverished suburb of Brussels that has also been home to several other terror suspects.

After his arrest, he told the investigators that he was meant to carry out a suicide bombing at the Stade de France stadium, but backed out at the last minute.

Four days after his arrest, the Belgian capital was struck by ISIS bombings at the airport and a metro station which killed 32 lives and injured over 300.

A Belgian court has ruled that he can be extradited to France.

The 26-year-old suspect, who is one of the 10 men accused of carrying out the deadly attacks in the French capital last year, is being held in Belgium under a European arrest warrant at the demand of French authorities.

struggle. Its leaders once jailed actually wrote apology to the government," Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told ANI.

which is being linked to chanting of certain slogans in recent times, Fadnavis reportedly said that every Indian will have to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', adding that those who can't say this shouldn't live in the country.

He also said that it is only by constructing a false sense of national identity and issues like 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', the BJP is trying to project itself as a patriotic party.

Dikshit further stated that the Maharashtra Government has been facing problems and the Chief Minister is not able to perform there.

"The BJP came fourth in the local elections. So, quite clearly they are about to lose that state. If

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit elections are held today, the Maharashtra Government will be wiped out.

So how else do you comeback in popular support if you can't

govern.is by creating all these controversies," he said.

Joining the ongoing debate on nationalism,

Jamat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) yesterday came out to back the fatwa issued by leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom in Deoband against chanting of "Bharat Mata ki jai". JIH said that the attempts being made to use the slogan as a symbol of patriotism are wrong.

Darul Uloom Deoband on Friday issued a fatwa against chanting of

Congress criticises Jamate-Islami Hind for backing Darul Uloom fatwa

'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', saying that the slogan goes against the tenets of Islam.

"Bharat Mata, according to some Hindu sects, is a goddess and they worship her. For Muslims participating in worshiping a goddess would be un-Islamic, the fatwa said.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi had stirred a hornet's nest by rejecting RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's suggestion that the young generation be taught patriotic slogans like 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' stating that he won't chant the slogan "even if a knife is put to his throat".

Congress leader P.C. Chacko

New Delhi, April. 3 (ANI): The Congress Party on Sunday criticised the Jamaat-eIslami Hind (JIH) for backing the fatwa issued by leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom in Deoband against chanting of 'Bharat Mata ki jai', saying that passing judgement on such matters is not the prerogaSome engineering stu- tive of religious institudents from outside the tions. state claimed Kashmiri students had chanted "It is not their prerogaanti-India slogans and tive to decide it. It can burst firecrackers after only be decided by the India lost.

Constitution of India and the law of the land.

To control the situation, No religious institution officials closed the can issue any fatwa and institute's entrance and declare its interpretadid not allow anyone to tion. This fatwa was unenter. timely and wrong, and anyone who supports it The police had to be called in after efforts by is also doing a wrong," the NIT officials to con- Congress leader P.C. trol the situation and dis- Chacko told ANI. perse the crowd failed.

The police baton charged Jamat-e-Islami Hind the protestors and fired (JIH) yesterday backed teargas to bring the situ- the fatwa issued by Darul Uloom, and said ation under control.

attempts being made to use the slogan as a symbol of patriotism is wrong.

Rajnath assures safety, security of NIT Srinagar students

Darul Uloom Deoband on Friday issued a fatwa against the chanting of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', saying that the slogan goes against the tenets of Islam.

New Delhi, April 3 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singhon Sunday assured that students of Srinagar's National Institute of Technology would be protected.

"Bharat Mata, according to some Hindu sects, is a goddess and they worship her. For Muslims participating in the worshiping of a goddess would be un-Islamic, the fatwa said.

their safety and security.

Dr. Rajat Gupta, the director of NIT, yesterday assured the students, faculty and parents that the present situation arising out of tensions has been overcome.

"Spoke to Governor J&K & DGP regarding situation in NIT Srinagar. I assure students that they should not worry about their security," Singh said in a tweet.

The situation in the campus and at the hostels was restored to normal and academic activities would resume on Monday.

He further said that he has instructed Deputy General of Police K. Rajendra to send a team of officers to the institute to assure the students of

The district administration and local authorities had extended their cooperation to bring the situation under control.

All programmes in the

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh institution will take place as scheduled, including the 'National Research Scholar Conclave' to be held on April 2 and 3 respectively.

Earlier, tension was simmering in the NIT after India lost the World T20 semi-final to the West Indies on Thursday night.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi had stirred a hornet's nest by rejecting RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's suggestion that the young generation be taught patriotic slogans like 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' stating that he won't chant the slogan "even if a knife is put to his throat".

PM Modi describes ladies at TCS centre NIA IG dubs attack on in Riyadh as 'glory of Saudi Arabia' officer as intentional Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), April. 3 (ANI): Employees at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) all women IT & ITES Centre in Riyadh were buoyed by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described them as the 'glory of Saudi Arabia'.

Such was the enthusiasm among the black burqa-clad women at the TCScentre that they gathered around the Prime Minister to take selfie with him, ignoring the security protocol in place.

"I am meeting those professionals who are now the glory of Saudi Arabia. This atmosphere I am witnessing

meeting Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's son, Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who many feel could be the future monarch, later today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

here today has the potential to give a strong reply to the world. All of you must come to India, I assure you a very warm reception," Modi said.

The Prime Minster is on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia. He will be

On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi visited the Larsen &Toubro workers residential complex at Dahiat Namar and also the historical Masmak Fortress. He also addressed the Indian diaspora, during which he said that political stability was the reason for India's growth in recent times.

"World's attention is towards India due to the economic progress in India. India can contribute a lot to

New Delhi, April 3 (ANI): National Investigation Agency (NIA) Inspector General Sanjeev Kumar Singh on Sunday termed the attack on one of its officer, Modi is the fourth Indian Mohammad Tanzil, as a Prime Minister to visit 'planned' one.

Saudi Arabia after Manmohan Singh in 2010, "One of our very brave Indira Gandhi in 1982 and officers,Mohammad Tanzil, Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956. had gone to his home to attend a function. Last night when he was coming out During his meetings with from that function, a the Saudi leadership, Prime planned attack took place on Minister Modi is expected him. He was fired upon and to focus on counter-terror- in the firing, he was killed. ism initiatives and ways to His wife also got injured. ensure the greater involve- She is getting treatment in ment of Indian companies the hospital," Singh told the in upstream and down- media here. stream oil, gas and hydrocarbon sector projects.

Singh said Tanzil was an assistant commandant with

team, a team from Delhi are there on the spot and they are doing the enquiry," he added.

the world," he said, adding that India was making strides in agriculture, industry and services sector.

the Border Security Force and was currently on deputation with the NIA. "He was with us since last six and a half years. Right now, the investigation is on.

The Uttar Pradesh police, Uttar Pradesh STF, ATS, the teams of NIA, the DIG of NIA from Lucknow and his

Tanzil, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, was returning home with his wife after attending a wedding function late Saturday night when assailants on motor bikes shot the couple from close range near Sahaspur town.

Tanzil was pronounced dead on arrival at a medical facility in Moradabad, while his wife Farzana is battling for her life at Fortis Hospital in Noida.

A medical report from the hospital said that doctors are providing the best medical treatment to Farzana.

Women's protest at Shani Mandela's fellow ANC activist asks Temple 'disgraceful': Swamy South African Prez to step down

New Delhi, April 3 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Sunday lashed out at the 'disgraceful' storming of the inner sanctum of the Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra by women activists, saying there was nothing democratic about it.

"This is an old custom and we all support that women should be allowed, like men, in all religious places, but the behaviour of trying to provoke an incident, shows that

these people ( women activists) are not democratic agitators. They seem to have an agenda," Swamy told ANI. "The proper thing would have been that if these people were objected, they should have quietly gone back, take an appointment with the Chief Minister, say this is what the court has passed, and then, if you (Chief Minister) don't take an action, we would file a contempt petition. This is the orderly way of doing things. But the behavior of those activists yes-

terday was disgraceful," he added.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said yesterday that no one must disturb law and order for mere publicity but added that there was no place for discrimination in Hindu culture.

Bhumata Brigade leader Trupti Desai, who was on her way for a medical check-up, criticised Fadnavis for saying that the purpose of their movement was to gain attention.

Nearly 100 volunteers of Bhumata Brigade marched towards Shani Shinganapur temple, a day after the Bombay High Court said that prohibiting women from entering places of worship is against fundamental rights bestowed upon them by the Constitution.

The temple attracted attention in November 2015 after a lady offered prayers in "breach" of an age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women.

London, Apr.3 (ANI): South African President Jacob Zuma has been asked by an anti-apartheid activist to step down after the country's highest court ruled that the leader had acted dishonestly over state spending on his private mansion.

Ahmed Kathrada, who was jailed alongside Nelson Mandela in 1964, said the scandal that has engulfed

Zuma's seven-year presidency had reached the point where only his resignation would allow the government to recover from "a crisis of confidence".

This condemnation echoed calls for Zuma's resignation from the Opposition parties led by the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters which stressed on his failure to even apologise

unreservedly to South Africans.

The Opposition has launched impeachment proceedings against Zuma but these are unlikely to prove fruitful given the large majority the African National Congress (ANC) has in Parliament, where it holds 249 out of 400 seats in the national assembly.

ANC secretary-general

Gwede Mantashe said the President had 'humbled' himself, adding we are comfortable with the fact he has apologised.

Mandela and Kathrada were among the eight ANC activists sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of trying to overthrow the apartheid government during the 1963-1964 Rivonia trial.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, APRIL 4

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Spotlight: All-win nuclear security architecture needed Beijing, April 3: At the fourth and final nuclear security summit in Washington, world leaders have reached consensus on pushing ahead with a more robust global nuclear security architecture, vowing to make continued endeavors to tackle the threat of nuclear terrorism.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that new threats and challenges keep emerging in the security field, that the root causes of terrorism are far from being removed, and that nuclear terrorism remains a grave threat to international security.

He said that a more robust global nuclear security architecture featuring fairness and win-win cooperation is the prerequisite for the sound development of nuclear energy.

Experts believed that the world has long recognized the need to stem nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism through international coordination, especially cooperation between nuclear powers.

Global nuclear security has

Vuvuzela banned at Mongol Shovajatra

or theft of fissile materials have been reported to the UN nuclear watchdog by the end of 2014.

Moreover, the IAEA said recently that nearly 2,800 incidents involving radioactive materials out of regulatory control have been reported to the IAEA by member states since 1995.

Chinese President Xi Jinping become more challenging than ever as brutal attacks by the Islamic State and other organizations are on the rise, raising the specter of catastrophic nuclear terrorism if violent extremists get control of dangerous nuclear or radiological materials, said Sam Nunn, CEO of Nuclear Threat Initiative, an anti-proliferation watchdog.

vember. It was thought to be part of a plot to capture nuclear materials from the center.

Belgian police found a surveillance recording of a researcher at a Belgian nuclear center, when they searched the home of a suspected IS member after the Paris terror attacks in No-

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 442 incidents involving unauthorized acquisition of nuclear materials and related illegal acts and 714 cases of loss

"The threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism remains one of the greatest challenges to international security, and the threat is constantly evolving," reads a communique released at the end of the summit.

The summit communique pointed out that countering nuclear and radiological terrorism demands international cooperation and that international cooperation can contribute to a more inclusive, coordinated, sustainable, and robust global nuclear security architecture for the common benefit and security of all.

To promote international cooperation in nuclear security, Xi put forward a fivepoint proposal at the summit, including the building of a network for capacity building on nuclear security and supporting all countries in minimizing the use of highly enriched uranium according to their needs.

Jin Canrong, vice president of the School of International Studies at China's

Dhaka, April 3: Vuvuzela, matches and lighters have been banned at Mongol Shovajatra brought out from the Institute of Fine Arts in Dhaka every year to celebrate the Bangla new year, the home minister said today.

Besides, all outdoor programmes organised to celebrate Pahela Baishakh across the country must end by 5:00pm, Asaduzzaman Khan told journalists at the Secretariat this afternoon.

Outsiders will have to leave the Dhaka University campus by 6:00pm, the minister also said at the briefing.

The decision was made at a meeting earlier in the day between the home minister and law enforcers.

Different social and cultural organisations including Udichi have been demanding the ban on the loud Vuvuzala at public gatherings, especially in the celebrations.

Each year, students of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University bring out Mongol Shovajatra where thousands of people take part spontaneously.

Inspector general of police (IGP), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner, director general (DG) of Rab, BGB chief, DU proctor and top officials of the detective branch were present at the meeting, chaired by home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, on maintaining the law and order situation during the new year celebration programmes.

Law enforcers will monitor all fairs through CCTV cameras and special security measure will be taken at diplomatic zones in Dhaka on that day, Kamal said.

Traffic movement will be restricted at Ramna, Bangla Academy, TSC, Shahbagh, Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi, the minister said.

Special food will be served at all jails in the country, he added.

He commended China-U.S. cooperation as a good example, referring to the Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security in Beijing, the largest of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, which will provide a forum for bilateral and regional bestpractice exchanges, and serve as a venue for demonstrating advanced technologies related to nuclear security.

world." Therefore, he said that increased cooperation is beneficial to all nations.

Jin warned that double standards should be avoided in the cooperation of peaceful use of nuclear energy between developed and developing countries, adding that political fairness is important.

Participants from 52 countries and four international organizations support the essential responsibility and the central role of the IAEA in strengthening the global nuclear security architecture and in developing international guidance.

Ruan Zongze, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies, holds similar views, saying the most important thing is international cooperation and coordination, as one country alone could not block theft and trafficking of nuclear materials.

The leaders also promised to implement the five action plans attached to the communique in support of the IAEA, the United Nations and other three international organizations and initiatives that reflect the political will of participating states.

Back in 2014, Xi pointed out that "the amount of water a bucket can hold is determined by its shortest plank. The loss of nuclear material in one country can be a threat to the whole

The consensus among world leaders on the role of the IAEA and other international organizations will help build an enhanced global nuclear security architecture, Ruan said.

Colombo, April 3: An Indian was among 14 foreigners detained by Sri Lankan police in connection with the country's biggest drug bust in nearly three years, after 110 kilograms of heroin worth USD 7.5 million was seized from the sea.

The police has detained 14 foreigners - 10 Iranians, two Pakistanis, an Indian and a Singaporean in connection with the incident.

Police Narcotics Bureau along with the Lanka Navy in a combined operation seized 101 kilograms of heroin worth USD 7.5 mil-

lion on March 30. Later the police arrested three more local suspects in Negombo.

A multi-day trawler owned by the smugglers was seized during the operation.

The consignment was said to be the largest haul ever apprehended out at sea in three years.

While the Pakistani and the Iranians were arrested on board, the rest were arrested later in their lodgings, police said.

The police said this was part of a joint operation by Pakistani and Afghan drug dealers. Police are on the look out for local agents now.

Man sentenced to death for killing 9 in China nursing home Beijing, April 3: A man who killed nine people and injured nine others in a Chinese nursing home has been sentenced to death.

The official Xinhua News Agency said Saturday that Luo Renchu had gathered bricks and pummeled residents at the home in the central city of Loudi following a dispute with the owners over allegedly unpaid wages.

Citing the Intermediate

People's Court, Xinhua said the attack occurred on Feb 19, 2015, after the owners failed to pay 40,000 yuan owed to Luo and his wife.

Calls to the court and local government offices rang unanswered Saturday.

Retirement homes in China are drawing new attention as the country's overall population rapidly ages, mainly as a result of a shrinking fertility rate exacerbated by rules limiting most couples to just one child.

trial over alleged Khaleda to ‘decide tonight’ 28 stand Arakan Army links on boycotting UP polls So far, at least 20 people have been killed in the elections, held in two phases, to 1,354 unions. BNP could manage to secure chairman posts to only 108 unions among them.

Dhaka, April 3: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will sit with top policymakers tonight to decide whether her party will remain contesting at the grass roots union parishad elections.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan

Renmin University, said international cooperation is needed to address nuclear security issues, and the key lies in cooperation between major countries.

Indian among 14 foreigners arrested in drug bust in Lanka

Her meeting comes amid completion of elections to over 1,300 union parishads, in two phases, where ruling Awami League-backed candidates had a majority haul.

BNP, the party that boycotted the last general elections, actively participated in the municipality elections and latestly the union parishad polls, where they fared poorly.

The meeting will be held at Khaleda’s Gulshan office at 9:00pm, her media wing staff Shamimur Rahman Shamim, also an assistant office secretary, told The Daily Star.

It was understood that the pressure to participate in the grass roots polls came favouring the desire of the grass roots leaders after the party boycotted the last general elections.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia He added, discussion will be held on organisational issues, derived from the latest union parishad polls, and

the crucial decision of whether to remain in the race for union parishad polls.

Naypyidaw, April 3: The trial of 28 Arakanese men accused of having association with the Arakan Army (AA) began at Kyauktaw Township Court on 25 March.

A court prosecuting officer said: “Of those people who have been arrested for associating with the AA 28 men are on trial. The trial started today. As they weren’t arrested at the same time, they are facing different charges. I cannot give details about each man’s

name and what they are being charged with.

But, she did say that all the men are being charged under the Unlawful Association Act, Sections 17 (1) and 17 (2), as well as facing other charges.

Of the 28 men standing trial 16 were arrested last year and the other 12 were arrested this year. A total of 36 people have been detained at Kyauktaw Police Station on suspicion of being associated with the AA.

Previously, on 16 March, Kyauktaw Township Court sentenced two men to three years in prison for being associated with the AA. Their defence lawyer Ko Tun Hla told Narinjara News that the men are planning to file an appeal at Mrauk U District Court.

Fighting between the AA and the Myanmar Army began in April 2015 and since then many people have been arrested in Arakan State on suspicion of being associated with the AA.

Facebook poster Patrick Kum Ja Lee freed after serving sentence

Iran not hand in glove with RAW: Pakistan Islamabad, April 3: A day after Iranian ambassador in Islamabad called on the interior minister to assure his country’s full support in stemming incursion of Indian spies into Pakistani territory using Iranian soil, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan maintained that Iran was not working hand in glove with Indian intelligence agency RAW to stoke instability in Pakistan.

“Iran has nothing to do with the activities of Indian intelligence network. Kite flying regarding arrest of Indian spy and his links with Iran must stop now,” he told reporters at a press conference here.

The minister said that an impression was being given in a section of media that Iran was involved in certain negative activities against Pakistan. He said some elements wanted to damage positive and historic brotherly relations and

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan

create misunderstandings between the two countries. Nisar said the matter of relations between the two countries must not be linked with arrest of the Indian spy. “I appeal to media not to create an impression as if Iran is facilitating RAW’s activities in Pakistan.

Pakistan and Iran are tied in decades-long religious, social, cultural and political bonds and nothing can come in way of our relations,” he said.

The minister mentioned his meeting with Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost, wherein, according to Nisar, the latter had complained about

news proliferating in section of media portraying Iran in a very negative manner with reference to Indian spy’s arrest from Balochistan. “The ambassador showed me newspaper clippings of caricatures of Iranian supreme leader that poked fun at him as well as his country. He lamented that all this didn’t reflect that Pakistan and Iran were brotherly nations,” the minister said, quoting the Iranian ambassador.

“Iran was insulted. The good feel factor between Iran and Pakistan after President Rouhani’s visit was damaged immensely.”

Nisar said Ambassador Honardoost had assured that his country will extend full cooperation on all issues concerning security and development in two countries. He urged the media to be very cautious while reporting on Pak-Iran brotherly relations.

The issue of arrest of

RAW agent was taken up

by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. “There is one concern that RAW is involved in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan, and sometimes also uses the soil of our brother country, Iran,” the army chief had told the visiting dignitary.

“I request, they should be told to stop these activities and allow Pakistan to achieve stability,” the COAS had said, according to a release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) after their meeting.

However, President Hassan Rouhani at a press conference held later in the day had denied that the issue of Indian spy agency’s involvement in Pakistan was discussed during his meeting with the chief of army staff. “Whenever Iran comes closer to Pakistan, such rumours are spread,” he had said, in response to a question.

Patrick Kum Ja Lee Naypyidaw, April 3: Patrick Kum Ja Lee, jailed for six months for putting a post on Facebook said to be offensive to the military chief, was released yesterday after serving his sentence.

According to agency reports, Patrick Kum Ja Lee's release happened on schedule and he was not ordered

freed by the new government.

His release, which coincidentally happened on the day the new government began work, is said to be a reminder to the new administration that there are scores of other political prisoners still in jail. Many are supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi, the force behind

the new government.

"I've seen many political activists who are imprisoned by the oppressive laws of the previous government," said Patrick Kum Ja Lee as he walked out of the prison gates, according to Associated Press. "I want the new government to be able to release all the political prisoners."

BNP demands re-election in all unions Dhaka, April 3: BNP today claimed the public boycotted the “farcical” union parishad elections and demanded a re-election in all those unions.

Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan echoed Rizvi at a separate programme and opined that it is meaningless for BNP to participate in the rest phases of UP polls.

tion auditorium.

A total of 20 people were killed in UP polls violence during the first and second phase of polls, that was held in partisan manner for the very first time.

“There were widespread irregularities. People boycotted the polls. We demand re-election,” said Rizvi Ahmed, senior joint secretary general of BNP, at a press conference in Nayapaltan.

The BNP senior leader made the observation at the National Council of Bangladesh Kolyan Party, a component in the BNP-led 20-party alliance at city’s Photo Journalists’ Associa-

Elections to 621 unions are slated for April 23 in the third phase. A total of 743 unions will go to polls on May 7 in the fourth phase and around 1,400 more in two other phases till June.

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, APRIL 4

Assam Poll - high stakes for Congress and BJP

A challenge to face 90% of diabetics are unaware of their condition Diabetes might be one of the most talked about diseases across the world and especially in India, but awareness about the same can well be estimated by the fact that India today has more people with type-2 diabetes. India has a challenge to face. However, medical experts feel that timely detection and right (Photo: management can go a blog.madhursugar) long way in helping patients lead a normal life. Diabetes might be one of the most talked about diseases across the world and especially in India, but awareness about the same can well be estimated by the fact that India today has more people with type-2 diabetes (more than 50 million) than any other nation.

With the country having the highest number of diabetic patients in the world, the sugar disease is posing an enormous health problem to our country today. Often known as the diabetes capital of the world, India has been witnessing an alarming rise in incidence of diabetes according to the International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on diabetes, an estimated 3.4 million deaths are caused due to high blood sugar. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition, that is, it can be curbed at the initial level by introducing lifestyle changes and controlled after its incidence through medicines in early stages and administration of external insulin in advanced stages. But it would not be wrong to say that it cannot be cured completely and lasts a lifetime.

People with diabetes in India doubled from 32 million in 2000 to 63 million in 2013 and is projected to increase to 101.2 million in next 15 years, says the assessment by the World Health Organisation, raising an alarm over the need to treat and contain the condition. Public health agencies worldwide are concerned as diabetes is linked to ailments ranging from strokes to cardiovascular disease with implications in terms of a disability adjusted life. Though mortality due to diabetes is relatively less as compared to cancer and cardiac disorders, the disease imposes costs by way of medication and productivity of individuals, particularly in later years. Experts also pointed towards the escalating socio-economic costs due to the disease. The annual spend on diabetes treatment in India is pegged at Rs 1.5 lakh crore, 4.7 times the Centre's allocation of Rs 32,000 crore on health and three-fourth of the budgeted service tax collections this fiscal. This cost is projected to rise by 2030% every year.

Develop Technology To Fight Nuclear Terrorism Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to develop and deploy technology to defend against nuclear terrorism as President Barack Obama called on global leaders to jointly confront the growing threat of the Islamic State. He made the pledge at the conclusion of a two-day Nuclear Security Summit that brought 50 world leaders to Washington to discuss how to prevent terrorists and other non state actors from gaining access to nuclear materials. He highlighted the global nature of terrorism and how state actors working with nuclear traffickers and terrorists presented the greatest risk.

According to him India, will continue to accord a high national priority to nuclear security through strong institutional framework, independent regulatory agency and trained and specialised manpower.

He also asserted that India will counter nuclear smuggling and strengthen the national detection architecture for nuclear and radioactive material with a dedicated counter-nuclear smuggling team. India will also host a meeting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism in 2017.

In a session on counter terrorism at the summit held under the shadow of Brussels and Lahore terror attacks, world leaders discussed ways to prevent militant groups from obtaining nuclear materials that could be used to make a "dirty bomb". In a CommuniquĂŠ issued after the summit said "the threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism remains one of the greatest challenges to international security, and the threat is constantly evolving."

The communiquĂŠ reaffirmed "that measures to strengthen nuclear security will not hamper the rights of States to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes." Also More work remains to be done to prevent non-state actors from obtaining nuclear and other radioactive materials, which could be used for malicious purposes. The summit also resolved to implement several action plans in our continued collective determination to ensure political momentum and to continuously strengthen nuclear security at national, regional, and global levels. A joint statement on strengthening global nuclear security said sustained action and ambition on nuclear security was needed to address continuing and evolving nuclear security challenges. To this end the summit resolved to establish a Nuclear Security Contact Group tasked with discussing a broad range of nuclear securityrelated issues, including identifying emerging trends that may require more focused attention.It is also tasked with promoting and assessing implementation of nuclear security commitments, developing and maintaining linkages to nongovernmental experts and nuclear industry and determining any additional steps in support of these goals.

Assam is poised for a other dissident Congress fierce electoral battle legislators is said to have with the two major play- played the key role in ers-- the Congress and the shaping the alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party BPF. (BJP) holding high stakes In 2011 assembly polls, in the the party posit w o - Sushanta Talukdar tions phase election to the state as- were as follows: Consembly. The two-phase gress- 78, All India polls are scheduled for United Democratic Front April 4 and 11.

- 18, Bodoland People's The BJP is looking at the Front- 12, Asom Gana Assam assembly polls as Parishad-10 and BJP- 5, an opportunity to shake Trinamool Congress- 1, off the party's image that independents- 2. was battered by two suc- Congress hopes that there cessive losses in Delhi has been perceptible and Bihar polls. For the change in the situation Congress too, the stakes over the past two years are very high as Assam is since 2014 Lok Sabha one of the seven states polls. The ruling party where the party is cur- was grappling with dissirently in power. dence during the Lok Led by the incumbent Sabha polls and it went to Chief Minister Tarun the people as a divided Gogoi, the ruling Con- house. This time it has gress has been trying to been able to present a pull out all the stops to united house with the retain power for the party throwing its weight fourth consecutive term behind the incumbent prevent the BJP and its chief minister Tarun allies from capturing Gogoi and his governpower at Dispur. ment after ten dissident The BJP's hope to wrest legislators led by Sarma power from Dispur stems joined the BJP. from the party's spectacu- On the other hand, ever lar performance in 2014 since the BJP projected Lok Sabha polls. Riding its state president and a popular Modi- wave the Union minister of state saffron party won seven (Independent) for Sport of the total 14 Lok Sabha and Youth Affairs seats and its candidates Sarbananda Sonowal as polled the highest votes the chief ministerial canin 69 of the total 126 as- didate, Sarma has been sembly seats in the state. seen going overdrive However, absence of a right from ironing out strong organisational net- teething problems of seat work to consolidate the sharing with AGP and the gains forced the BJP to BJP to addressing rallies enter into pre-poll alli- across the state which has ance with the Asom Gana helped him a build the Parishad (AGP) and the image of a star camBodoland People's Front paigner for the BJP. How(BPF) for the ensuing as- ever, this has also triggered speculations that sembly polls.

The three-party coalition the BJP has been divided is hopeful of avoiding a into two camps of Sarma split of the non-Congress and Sonowal that may put votes. However, there is spanner in the wheels of always a resistance BJP's chariot which the among the rank and file party dreams to ride to of the constituencts of capture Dispur. any political alliance to The Congress is pinning transfer of votes to the hopes on regaining its common candidate as lost support base among they are apprehensive of the tea tribe voters who permanent a shift in loy- play deciding role in alty. Revolt against the about 35 seats and among alliance and rebel candi- the Muslim voters of erstdates jumping into the while East Bengal origin fray triggered specula- who speak Assamese and tions that the rebels may a Bengali dialect who spoil the game for the decide about 30 seats. In three-party alliance in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, some constituencies to the BJP caused severe the advantage of the rul- erosion in the traditional ing party. The BJP is con- stronghold of the Contesting 89 seats and left gress among the tea tribes 24 seats to AGP and 12 and its candidates polled to the BPF. The AGP con- highest votes in 26 of testing in 30 seats and about 35 seats decided by will be locked in a them. In 2011, the Confriendly contest with the gress won 26 of these BJP in six seats. After seats and the BJP won sharing power for eight only one seat. During years BPF snapped its 2014 Lok Sabha polls, ties with the Congress in most of the Congress leg2014 when dissidence islators elected from against the Gogoi govern- these constituencies were ment was at the peak. seen engaged in dissiFormer Health and Edu- dence against Gogoi that cation minister Himanta was led by Sarma. After Biswa Sarma who led the Sarma and his loyalist dissidence and later quit quit the Congress to join the Congress in 2015 to the BJP, Gogoi loyalists join the BJP with nine managed to patch up with

the party leaders representing the tea tribes and used the electioneering to showcase the unity in a desperate bid to turn the tide. The ruling party is banking on its campaign that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government headed by Narendra Modi had stopped the monthly allocation of additional quota of 7600 MT of rice and 5000 MT of wheat to the tea gardens which is required for providing subsidised ration to garden workers at 50 to 55 paise a kilogram but the Congress-controlled Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha moved the court to get the Modigovernment's order suspended. Besides, the Congress is also counting on a slew of welfare schemes initiated by the Gogoi government targeting the tea tribes such as the chief minister's Bagan Ghar Scheme for providing every tea garden worker family land and financial assistance for construction of dwelling the chief minister's Bagan Jal scheme for providing drinking water, and the chief minister's Bagan Bus Scheme for providing public bus service facilities for the students of the tea garden workers.

The BJP, apart from banking on its campaign that the tea tribes remained the most backward community under the Congress rule, has fielded veteran tea tribe leader and the sitting Lok Sabha MP from Jorhat Kamakhya Prasad Tasa against Gogoi in Titabor constituency in a bid to send a message that the saffron party is ready to strike the most lethal blow on the Congress bastion in this election.

The BJP and its allies have been running the campaign that the Congress and the AIUDF have reached secret electoral understanding, a charge which the Congress and the AIUDF have denied and the ruling party has been running a counter campaign that BJP and AIUDF have reached a secret pact to capture power by polarizing the votes on communal lines. To buttress its claim, the Congress alleged that the despite having no chance of winning the AIUDF has fielded candidates in several upper Assam constituencies only to help the BJP and its allies.

While AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal has been claiming that his party would be the kingmaker, the Congress hopes that the AIUDF support base has declined which will help the ruling party to regain its support base among the Muslim voters of erstwhile East Bengal origin that

Sarbananda Sonowal as the chief ministerial candidate with PM Narendra Modi/UB Photo. was lost to Ajmal's party after the latter's formation in 2005 in the wake of scrapping of the erstwhile Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act 1983. The Supreme Court struck down the controversial legislation on a petition filed by Sonowal when he was in AGP. The AIUDF is grappling with dissidence and rebellion over distribution of party tickets and seven of its sitting legislators quit the party after being denied tickets this time and four of them joined the Congress which has emboldened the ruling party.

Six left parties- the CPI(M), CPI, CPI (ML), Forward Block, RSP and RCPI- have put up joint candidates 44 seats and these candidates expected to play key role in some of the constituencies. Left parties strived for a non-BJP, non-Congress alternative of left and secular parties and made best efforts to rope in AGP in it. For the left parties too, this election has come as opportunity to stregnthen their organisational bases in the state towards mobilising more public support for the political alternative which these parties are clamouring for.

The Bodo heartland-BTAD comprising of four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalgur iaccounting for 12 seats and the Barak valley and comprising of three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi with 15 seats are two regions which are poised for tough contests and results in these constituencies are sure to have critical impact on the numbers game that will follow. The BPF, which rules the Bodoland Territorial Council that governs the administration in BTAD, is well aware of the decline in its support base

as indicated by the results of 2014 Lok Sabha and 2015 BTC polls and chose to side with the BJP to trigger fresh hopes among the voters that the BPF's alliance with the party in power at the Centre would be beneficial for the autonomous council.

BPF Chief Hagrama Mahilary who is also the Chief Executive Member of BTC, however, kept his options open by going on record that his party will support whichever party comes to power at Dispur. The Congress, on the other hand has picked alliance with BPF's rival party United People's Party and left four seats to the Bodo political party to shatter Hagrama's dream to become the Kingmaker. In 2014 the BPF candidate for Kokrajhar constituency Chandan Brahma finished a poor third and in BTC polls in 2015 it managed to win only 20 of the 40 elected seats.

(BTC has total 46 members- 40 elected, 6 nominated). Backed by Congress support, the UPP, led by veteran Bodo leader and former Rajya Sabha member Urkhao Gwra Brahma, is pining hopes on voters in BTAD, who it claims are disillusioned with BPF, to put a formidable challenge and change the power equation in the Bodo heartland.

In the Barak valley the BJP failed to win a single seat in 2011. Of the 15 assembly seats in the Bengali-dominated valley the Congress won 13 and one seat each was won by the AIUDF and the AGP. The party failed to win either of the two Lok Sabha seats-Silchar and Karimganj in 2014.

The Congress won the Silchar seat and the AIUDF won the Karimganj seat. The BJP hopes that the two notifications issued by the Modi government exempting Bangladeshi Hindus, who have en-

Irrational Politicians

All-India Majlis-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi (Photo: images.mid-day)

Sir, What happens to our Politicians? Some of them are crossing the ethical limit by their irrational behaviour. The AllIndia Majlis-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi's comment on 'Bharat Mata' smacks of unpatriotism. The preposterous way he reacted as we viewed in the national electronic channels, it seemed he had much pent up anger against India ('Bharat Mata') which he had manifested without mincing matters. We fail to understand, why a leader of a political party of India should behave in a childish way. In another instances, two JD(U) M.L.As had to be suspended from the party for six years. Two

M.L.As namely Gopal Mondal and Rana Gangeshwar, the former for commenting that he would again keep on murdering, the latter who described the National anthem as a symbol of slavery.

Such persons with a criminal and antinational mindset have forfeited their rights to sit in a legislative assembly masquerading as law-makers. All such persons should be meted out exemplary punishment as per provision of law debarring them in political activities for life.

tered into India on or before 31st December, 2014, from the relevant provisions of rules and order made under the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and the Foreigners Act, 1946, in respect of their entry and stay in India without such documents or after the expiry of those documents and its promise to grant such refugees Indian citizens would help the party to make a comeback in the valley. The Congress, on the other hand, hopes that the decline in AIUDF support base will help the ruling party to hold on to sizable seats in the valley. The Congress too has been trying to woo the Bengali Hindu voters by claiming that the party had raised the demand for providing shelter to Bangladeshi Hindus fleeing alleged persecution in the neighbouring country.

However, the parties and their candidates, the ruling as well as opposition, have not been able to move beyond the same old issues of illegal migrations, secret killing, National Register of Citizens, government schemes and projects, flood and erosion, corruption and reduced the electoral battle to mere poll rhetoric, accusation and counter-accusation which have not brought any new hope for the electorates.

They lacked any innovative idea to face the challenges of governance and giving a fresh look at existing legislations or proposing some set of legislations to address the larger issues of land and land rights, resources and their equitable distribution and identity and political rights. Nevertheless, the political spin doctors in the two major players - the Congress and the BJP as well as their allies hope to set the agenda for the voters. Courtesy:nezine.

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) Yours etc.

Ph: 0373-2328944 Ashok Bordoloi Web : Dibrugarh editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

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Assam poll: women are still struggling to find space Women in Assam are al- bly polls. Only 14 of the ways at the forefront total 85 female candidates when it comes to their who contested in 2011 asparticipation in election sembly polls were elected. rallies and public meetings Of them 11 were from organised by political par- Congress, two from ties, various pressures Bodoland People's Front groups, identity move- and one from All India ments spearheaded by United Democratic Front organisations of different (AIUDF). The number of tribes male a n d Ratna Bharali Talukdar c a n comdidate muniwas ties, celebration of com- 896 in 2011. munity festivals and vari- In this election, the ruling ous socio-cultural events. Congress party, which is However, when it comes contesting in 122 seats, to their representation in have fielded only 16 elected bodies like the state women candidates. The assembly, the parliament Bharatiya Janata Party or various autonomous (BJP), which is contestcouncils, women in this ing in 89 seats, has given north-eastern are still party tickets to only six struggling to find their female candidates. Among rightful space. the political parties - Asom The two-phase elections to Gana Parishad, Liberal the Assam Assembly slated Democratic Party, and for April 4 and 11, too is Bodoland Peoples Front no different with women have given party tickets to comprising only 7.98 per- two female candidates cent of the total 1064 can- each. The AIUDF, the didates left in the fray. principal opposition party Only 85 women candi- in the state assembly dates have thrown their which is contesting in 74 hats into the male-domi- assembly seats, has given nated ring as they dream party tickets to only five to get elected to the 126- female candidates. There member Assam Assembly. is one female candidate Of them, two candidates each from CPI-M, have filed nominations in CPIM(L), Samajwadi two constituencies each, Party, All India Trinamool making the number of Congress and the United seats contested by women Peoples Party. The SUCI candidates 87. Of these 85 has fielded three women female candidates 12 are candidates. This suggests sitting members of legis- that only 39 women canlative assembly. didates have got the opThere has been no in- portunity to file their crease in the number of nominations as party canwomen candidates as didates. compared to 2011 assem- The apathy and reluc-

tance of the major political parties to create space for women candidates have resulted in a number of women aspirants to file their nominations as independent candidates. Number of elected women representatives would be definitely less with four women contestants fighting in Kokrajhar West constituency, three women contestants fighting in Dispur, Hajo and Goalpara West and Duliyajan constituencies and at two women contestants fighting in a number of constituencies including Sarbhog, Jalukbari, Batadraba, Nowgong, Jamunamukh, Dergaon, Amguri, Mahmara and Marigaon However, every cloud has a silver lining and the affidavits of the women candidates, their poor numerical strength notwithstanding, indicate that their diverse socio-economic backgrounds, would make the male- dominated contest interesting one and the rival male candidates should be ready to face tough challenge.

For example, 9 of these 85 female candidates contesting from different assembly seats are either a Law Graduate or Masters of Law. Ajanta Neog (52), the Public Works Department minister is a Masters in Law. Similarly, Mehnaj Sahid Choudhury (26), daughter of late AGP leader of Barak Valley Shahidul Alam Choudhury too, is a Master of Law

Actress Aimee Baruah taking part in an election campaigning rally for BJP at Raha /UB Photos from Symbiosis. Angkita Dutta (28), daughter of APCC president Anjan Dutta, a graduate of Delhi University, also completed her Bachelors in Law from Faculty of Law of Delhi University. She has also completed her Post Graduation Diploma in Human Rights from Indian Institute of Human Rights.

Another candidate Makoni Barman who is contesting from Jalukbari and Hajo is an MSc, LLB. The BJP candidate Suman Haripriya, who is contesting from Hajo has a Masters degree from Jamiya Milliya University and a diploma in Film and television from AAFI Noida.

A film maker of repute, her film Kadam Tale Krishna Nache won the Rajat Kamal award during 2007. Another BJP candidate who is contesting from Janiya, Benajir Arfan holds a Civil Engineering Diploma.

Bodo writer and political activist Anjali Prabha Daimary (51)who is contesting from Udalguri won prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for translation Adra Lirnai Sanreb, The Bodo translation of Adha Lekha Dastabage of Mamoni Raisam Goswami, during 2007. Another candidate Pratibha Brahma(48), the lone UPP candidate, who is contest-

ing from Kokrajhar West against BPF heavyweight and former Agriculture Minister Pramila Rani Brahma(65), is a columnist, who edits the quarterly mouthpiece "Bibunthi-the opinion" is also a successful woman entrepreneur.

Altogether 12 Bodo women candidates have filed their nominations from different constituencies. Of the 12 Bodo women candidates four have completed their Masters Degree, two graduates and another one is a BSc Nursing.

Of the 16 female candidates of Indian National Congress, seven are new faces. Dr. Juri Sharma

Bordoloi (39), who is contesting from Guwahari West, is a Doctorate of Philosophy from Jodhpur National University.

Bobeeta Sharma (48), who is contesting from Guwahati East, is a television producer, director and actor, and served as the chairperson of the Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation. Her book 'The Moving Image and Assamese Culture: Joymoti, Jyotiprasad Agarwala has been published by Oxford University Press. Another candidate of the party Sumitra Doley Patir (59), completed her M Phil from North East Hills University, in Meghalaya.

Dr. Rumi Nath (36), who is contesting from Barkhola from Indian National Congress, is the only female candidate with a MBBS degree. The BJP candidate Benazir Aktar(30) who is contesting from Janiya has a diploma in Civil Engineering.

The lone candidate of CPI(M) Sangeeta Das(26) is a Master of Science(Zoology) from Gauhat University.

Roselina Tirky(34), who is the official candidate of Indian National Congress in Sarupathar constituency completed her Masters of Business Administration from Indian Institute of Planning and Development .

The oldest candidate is Bithika Dev (80) from Indian National Congress, is contesting from Silchar.

The youngest candidate is Azmira Aktar, who is contesting as an Independent candidate from Bilasipara west, is 25.

The affidavits has shown that there are six female candidates in the age group 25-30, 20 in the age group 30-40 and 30 candidates in the age group 40-50.

Jyoti Subba, wife of for Congress MP Mani Kumar Subba, who is contesting from Sootea is the wealthiest female candidate with a recorded movable asset worth 26 Crore and immovable asset worth 27 Crore. She also has a loan amounting 9 Crore. Meera Tanti (34) The only CPIM (L) candidate who is contesting from Tingkahng constituency has no formal education and her husband is a daily wage earner. She does not have a bank account or any movable or immovable asset in her name.

Poor women representative in Assam legislative assembly has been a common trend with winning of only 10 women MLAs during 2001 Assam legislative elections which rose to 13 during 2006 legislative assembly elections.

Till ninety's decade women representatives in Assam assembly hardly touched double digit. Only five women MLAs elected during both 1985 and 1991 assembly elections.

The number was six during 1996 assembly elections. Courtesy:nezine.

Why I Will Not Stand For The Use Of Can You Ever Remove Nasty Internet Content 'Bharat Mata' As A Political Tool About Yourself?

Our 'Bharat Mata' is one as citizens (though the Apart from paintings, such mother who always concept of citizenship Bharat Mata also features seeks the blood of her came much later) of In- in the song 'Vande sons so that she could be dia. Remember, this Mataram' written by protected. Take the case Bharat Mata didn't have Bankim Chandra of army personnel. They any map in the back- Chatterjee. It was a tribfight and get killed to save ground; no doubt this lady ute to Goddess Durga and t h e i r was made got famous as it was m o t h e r - Sparsh Upadhyay just to de- hugely popularised during l a n d . pict what the Indian National MoveThere is we must ment and was sung nothing wrong if a mother become in near the future widely.

However, needs her sons (and as people of the country Rabindranath Tagore had daughters) when she is in that is Bharat. a sceptical view of the danger but is it justified Amongst the various ver- song and his letter conthat the same mother de- sions of the Mother India, taining objections to BM mands that her children which came out in the (Bande Mataram) being glorify her by chanting slo- form of paintings, I adopted as National Song gans such as 'Bharat Mata choose the one which was became widely popular. ki Jai'? Why would a painted in 1940's.

He wrote to Subhas mother want her children This has Bharat Mata like Chandra Bose, "The core to call her great? Is this the Hobbesian Leviathan of BM is a hymn to godmother so weak that she and is shown holding the dess Durga: this is so plain needs to be constantly re- flag, quite similar to that there can be no deminded that she is great? Gandhian flag and the bate about it‌ no And who is this Bharat Mata? Where does she come from?

I believe that to give a face to a voice or to imagine a collective voice as Bharat Mata is not wrong. One may very well have faith in Bharat Mata as the human form of the country.

But, could this faith or, for that matter, any faith be imposed in any way, or could chanting a particular slogan be the test of my patriotism?

Image for representational purpose (Photo: The image that Tagore cdn.youthkiawaaz) painted didn't make this Mother India look like a war figure but a social fig- Swaraj flag which be- Mussulman can be exure. She doesn't possess came very famous during pected patriotically to worany weapons as we find the time when this paint- ship the ten-handed deity as with Maa Kali or Maa ing was made. This clearly 'Swadesh'‌ The novel Durga, but has things in depicts that the idea of Anandamath is a work of her hands that are needed Bharat Mata doesn't just literature, and so the song for a decent civic life. change but she trans- is appropriate in it. But, Ananya Vajpeyi in her forms herself from time Parliament is a place of book 'Righteous Republic' to time in accordance union for all religious made it quite clear that with the political atmo- groups, and there the song Tagore's Bharat Mata was sphere of the country. cannot be appropriate‌" It neither a political figure And more recently, the thus becomes quite clear nor a Rashtra in herself but Bharat Mata has taken up that imposing faith upon the a social figure and he, the weapons in her hands people is not a clever decithrough this painting, (she still needs protection, sion and to do that might wanted to convey what a though), like Maa Durga break the harmony which good civic life for the and, thus, has fully the nation aims at achievpeople of India should be. changed herself into the ing.

In my opinion, she was perfect Indian Leviathan - The Present Context made with a vision that larger than the nation A lot has been said about people could relate to her (however, not democrati- Indian Constitution's Arvoluntarily due to the aura cally elected) and the ticle 25, which protects she carries in the painting single most important fig- 'Freedom of Conscience'.

But, in practice does it reand that she would inspire ure. others to be simplistic in Bharat Mata And Vande ally complete the task? I their living - civic and ideal Mataram: Parallel Watch clearly remember the fa-

mous scene in the movie 'Gadar', where Sunny Deol after being asked by Amrish Puri to chant 'Hindustan Murdabad' exclaims with anger, "Aapka Pakistan Zindabad hai isse hume koi aitraaz nahin lekin humara Hindustan Zindabad tha Zindabad hai aur Zindabad rahega (we do not object to 'Long Live Pakistan', but India was, is and will be great)."

And remember, he doesn't start all the violence; it is the people (the fundamentalist believers) who start the massacre as their faith was 'hurt'. It is easily deducible that Amrish Puri is the intolerant person who cannot bear to hear the chants praising 'Hindustan' and it is our hero who gives space for other faiths to exist while at the same time maintaining the dignity of his faith as well.

While we are allowed to cherish our faiths, we cannot impose them on someone else. The branding of 'Others' is the job of nobody; we are no one to decide who must believe what. Even the democratic and constitutional institutions haven't been given the task of branding someone antipatriotic. Who then are we to take on the responsibility for something that clearly is a futile exercise?

The 'Rebound Effect' theory, which appears in the Book One of 'Republic' written by Plato explains a simple idea (the interviewer in the book has problems with it too), whereby the rulers must behave justly and in a resilient manner while ruling so that in turn the citizens don't dethrone them. At first look, it may seem as if running a government is a game of 'give and take', but a close examination tells us that a democratic form of government, in fact, runs on the 'give and take' rule. You are put in a position of power because you are seen as having the potential to rule, and when you don't deliver (rule

democratically and justly), the people have the power to remove you from power. The underlining problem is that regimes haven't yet learned this simple rule of the game.

The reason why the governments, too, must learn the lesson in the on-going debate over chanting of slogans is because, I believe that, the Governments must not have any ideology which is too stringent to be changed and which has affiliation with fundamentalism of any kind. The whole system of governance would collapse in terms of principles. The hype that has been created around chanting 'Bharat Mata', expelling the AIMIM MLA in Maharashtra Assembly for refusing to do so, and the government's silence does raise the question as to which way we are headed.

The question that the people, including the ones who rule, should ask themselves is what victory are we celebrating by chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. Is the task over to mould this nation in accordance with the Preamble of our Constitution?

All of us will celebrate the victory of India collectively when there are no boundaries between religions, sects and regions and when there is no fight over language, caste and other pitiful reasons.

My Bharat Mata, 'Pitra Bhumi', 'Maati', or any other name I choose to use for it, will always be close to my heart, even if I refuse to chant these names time and again.

And I expect my government to clear the waves that force me to speak something when I don't want to. Also, the true test of tolerance is when we welcome the truth that hurts us. The job is simple. Lend your ears to others' voice and, in turn, your voice shall be heard with the same enthusiasm. Courtesy: youthkiawaaz

For the last couple of years, tracted criticism from those right. journalist Dune Lawrence who see it as an unneces- Legal removal, however, tarhas been subject to con- sary infringement of freedom gets links to potentially illestant harassment. She wrote of speech. It also poses a risk gal content, including defaseveral articles about an in- to mainstream search sites matory statements, malware, vestment firm, and the owner such as Google. Google cur- sexually explicit content upinitiated an online defama- rently maintains overwhelm- loaded without consent, tion campaign against her ing control over the search and other similar infringing and other targets. He posted engine market, but web us- materials. After you submit images of ers could your request, Google's emher to his start to ployees will analyse the conAndres Guadamuz website a b a n d o n tent to see if it is potentially and called her a racist, a the site if they felt that they illegal and violates their fraud, incompetent and are not getting a full set of terms of service. The link dumb, among many other results. It is also undoubt- might also be removed durinsults. edly expensive to answer all ing the investigation.

Remarkably, these images of the requests.

However, this comes at a quickly rose to the top of Nevertheless, it may some- cost. After a successful leGoogle's image search re- times be useful for citizens gal removal request, Google sults for her name, and are to be able to try to remove will display a notice in the still there at the time of writ- content from search results. search results detailing that ing, making it easy for any- Victims of harmful content content or a link has been one to find the defamatory comments about her. In fact, these results still display highly even though the creator of the site has already lost a defamation case, has been charged with fraud, and is in the process of defending yet another defamation case.

One of the great advantages - and disadvantages - of the Image for representational purpose (Photo: internet is that it lets anycloudfront) one easily publish anything they want. If someone publishes defamatory comments can apply to search engines removed. This will include a about you, or personal in- to explain why they should link to the request in formation or explicit photos have links removed. At the adatabase called Lumen (forof you, what can you do? time of writing, just under 1.5 merly known as Chilling EfSuing the host of the poten- million links have been ex- fects). The database records tially illegal content is diffi- amined by Google since a URL of the removed link, cult, expensive, and it may 2014 and 43% of requests which is often redacted in even be impossible if they have led to link removal. By instances of defamation or are in another country or are any standard, this is a con- explicit images, for the purprotected by strong free siderable amount of informa- poses of transparency and tion that is no longer listed. to shine a light on removal speech laws.

If your RTBF petition is de- requests. Victims of illegal Right To Be Forgotten If you live in the European nied, you can appeal to your activity have to decide if Union, you can activate national data protection au- having such a notice at the something called the 'right thority, and maybe eventu- bottom of a search is worth to be forgotten' (RTBF). This ally go to court to try to get it. allows European citizens to a link removed.

One thing is clear, most of request that search engines Legal Removal Request the above solutions tend to such as Google remove en- But you don't actually need be imperfect, as they do not tries from their search results to use an RTBF request - cover all search engines. It that lead to content that is which deals with content is also important to stress irrelevant, excessive, or un- that may be perfectly legal that legal requests and the but can be deemed irrelevant, right to be forgotten do not necessarily defamatory.

Brought into effect in 2014, outdated or excessive - to remove the actual content. the measure was recently have a link removed from Internet activist John extended to apply to any in- Google. Instead, you could Gilmore is often quoted as ternational version of a use alegal removal request, having said: "The Net treats search engine accessed versions of which have ex- censorship as a defect and from within the EU. The isted for over a decade as a routes around it." A full reproblem is that the harmful way to remove a link on any moval of illegal content may content isn't removed - just Google-owned site, includ- very well be impossible. the search engine link to it. ing YouTube and Blogger, to Courtesy: The ConversaThe RTBF principle has at- content that infringes copy- tion.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, APRIL 4

BUSINESS

Car sales pushed up by 4.5% on introduction of new models and discounts push passenger Mumbai, Apr 3: Sales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market rose 44.5% to 2,50,000 units last month, driven by new models and year-end discounts offered to push sales, initial industry numbers show. In the fiscal year ended on March 31, wholesale volume is estimated to have risen 7-8% to 2.7-2.8 million. Industry growth last month, though, was largely driven by market leader Maruti Suzuki and the local unit of Korean rival Hyundai Motor. While Renault managed to more than double volume to nearly 12,500 units on account of the success of the small car Kwid, for the rest the market proved to be choppy. Sales slid for Honda Cars India by 23%, Tata Motors by 44%, Toyota Kirloskar by 43%, General Motors by 21%,

Diesel car banned by SC has pan India sales impact New Delhi, Apr 3: The Supreme Court order banning registration of diesel engine vehicles displacing 2 litres and more may cover only National Capital region, but its impact on buyer sentiment is countrywide, say industry executives. Sales of petrol cars and SUVs in January-February 2016 grew 7% from a year earlier, whereas those of diesel driven personal vehicles fell 7.3%, industry sources said, citing the ban announced in December and the narrowed gap between the prices of the two fuels as the key reasons. The share of diesel vehicles in overall passenger vehicle sales shrank to 42% in the first two months of this year from 45% in the year-earlier period. "Diesel passenger vehicles have suffered a double-edged attack, first because of the shrinking gap between petrol and diesel prices ... (and) then the SC ruling," said a top executive at a car maker on the condition of anonymity. This has not only hurt sales of big diesel vehicles, but also hit inquiry on smaller diesel cars. About 4 lakh units of diesel vehicles with 2litre or heavier engines are sold in the country annually, industry experts said. The NCR comprising Delhi and its satellite cities is the biggest automobile market, and absorbs 5-8% of this diesel vehicle supply. Across India, Mahindra & Mahindra has a more than 50% share of the market for diesel-run vehicles displacing 2 litres or more, while Toyota has about 20% and Tata Motors less than 5%. Overall, NCR accounts for nearly 12% of passenger vehicle sales in India, with Delhi making up for 7%. The ban was to end on Thursday, but the court extended it until further orders. This and the suggestion of an environmental compensation charge on diesel vehicles have worried auto makers at a time when the market has returned to sluggishness after showing some promise. (Agencies)

Nissan by 7% and Volkswagen by 22%. In the last quarter of fiscal 2016, the passenger vehicle industry could post just growth of 2.2%, as the spurt in demand seen during October-December festival period abated. In the three months through March, sales of passenger vehicles grew just 0.7%.

Volume came largely from demand for utility vehicles such as Hyundai Creta, Maruti Brezza, Mahindra TUV300 and KUV100, as a deficient monsoon hurt demand for entry-level cars such as the Alto, Eon and i10 in rural areas. A 14% infra cess announced in the budget also hit sentiment, said industry sources. "Growth in the Indian automotive sector has not been up to the market potential, especially in the last three months," said Abdul

WELCOMING THE NEW Sales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market rose 4-4.5% to 2,50,000 units last month, driven by new models and year-end discounts offered to push sales, initial industry numbers show.

Industry growth last month, though, was largely driven by market leader Maruti Suzuki and the local unit of Korean rival Hyundai Motor.

Majeed, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

"The reason for low growth is mainly due to the ban of bigger diesel vehicle (over 2000 cc) in NCR. Other areas of concern continue to be lower rural offtake of new ve-

Volume came largely from demand for utility vehicles such as Hyundai Creta, Maruti Brezza, Mahindra TUV300 and KUV100, as a deficient monsoon hurt demand for entrylevel cars such as the Alto, Eon and i10 in rural areas.

In the fiscal year ended on March 31, wholesale volume is estimated to have risen 7-8% to 2.72.8 million.

While Renault managed to more than double volume to nearly 12,500 units on account of the success of the small car Kwid, for the rest the market proved to be choppy. Sales slid for Honda Cars India by 23%, Tata Motors by 44%, Toyota Kirloskar by 43%, General Motors by 21%, Nissan by 7% and Volkswagen by 22%.

hicles, liquidity concerns and continued higher interest rates. Imposition of infrastructure cess in the latest budget added to the woes of the auto makers."

Maruti, which posted record domestic-plus-export sales of 1.43 million

units in the last financial year, managed to beat the blues with volume growing 14.6% in March. Sales grew across segments, except for small cars Alto and WagonR. Executive director (sales, marketing) RS Kalsi said: "We introduced totally dif-

ferent format of products, came out with new technologies like smart hybrid and automatic gear shift, focused on improved distribution, which helped us increase market share to 46.7%. This fiscal, too, we are looking at outpacing industry growth of 7-8%." At Hyundai, sales rose 4.2% in the past month. The fiscal saw the company post highest ever sales of 4,84,324 units. Market conditions, however, remain fractious, said insiders.

"Usually, the industry clocks double-digit growth in March. But given the challenges, consumer interests waned off in spite of high customer offers (discounts) in the fourth quarter," said a company executive who did not wish to be named.

"With price points now up across all models, the next quarter too is likely to be challenging." (Agencies)

Another loss posted by Blackberry as it focuses on business services Waterloo, Apr 3: BlackBerry suffered another loss in its latest fiscal year and now aims to return to profitability by refocusing on business services, away from consumer handsets, the Canadian company said. The Waterloo, Ontario-based firm reported a net loss of $208 million for the year ended on February 29, while revenues fell more than 35% to $2.16 billion.

The company attributed much of its missed revenue estimates to restructuring costs. BlackBerry had hoped that its new Priv

Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: rimblogs.files.wordpress) handset -- its first An- smartphone, which was d r o i d - o p e r a t i n g launched with much fan-

fare in November -- would help restore the company to its former glory, after it once pioneered a culture of mobile users glued to smartphones. But sales have been lackluster. Some analysts had opined that BlackBerry might get out of the phone business altogether if the Priv -- the first not to use Blackberry's own operating system -- failed to take off. They had forecast a loss of 33 cents per share in the last fiscal year, compared to the 40 cents per share the company reported.

However, BlackBerry chief executive

John Chen called the recent performance "solid," citing progress on "key elements of our strategy," which includes growing software sales. "We have clearly gained traction and market share in enterprise software," he said. Software and licensing revenue doubled in the fourth quarter. Looking ahead to fiscal year 2017, Chen added, the company's strategy remains "on track." "Our growth engines are in place to continue to generate above market growth in software and achieve our profitability objectives." (Agencies)

Taxpayers to avail online rectification option by CBDT ANI New Delhi, Apr 3: Taxpayers can now avail the option to seek rectification of mistakes apparent from record under section 154 of the Act. The Incometax Act under this provision will give an option to taxpayers to track and fill rectification requests on the e-filing portal of the Income Tax Department.

Taxpayers who are not satisfied with the outcome of processing of their Income Tax Return by the Centralized Processing Centre, Bengaluru can avail of the facility of online filing and tracking of rectification requests.

In case of any mistake in

data entry of Tax payment or TDS details, taxpayer can select the "Rectification Request Type->Taxpayer is correcting data for Tax Credit mismatch only" and the use the option of pre-filling the correct details for the relevant assessment year while submitting the rectification request. In case of data entry mistake in any other Schedule or omission of any details, taxpayer can select the option " Taxpayer is correcting Data in Rectification" and the reason for seeking rectification. In any other case taxpayer can select the option "No fur-

Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: torrington) ther Data Correction Required, Reprocess

the case" where the mistake in processing

may have occurred due to non-reporting of TDS by deductor etc.

With this utility a taxpayer can also the monitor the status of disposal of rectification request.

CPC, Bengaluru has already processed 6,53,763 online rectification requests in FY 2015-16 till February 29, 2016.

CBDT is committed to ensuring accuracy in processing of returns and determination of refunds and seeks the active cooperation of taxpayers in ensuring correctness of data while submitting the return or rectification request.

3,877 Vento units recalled by Volkswagen, suspends model sales in India

Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: static.carmudi) Mumbai, Apr 3: Volkswagen India said it will recall 3,877 Vento cars with 1.5-litre diesel engine

and manual gearbox due to inconsistent Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions besides halting the sales of the

model with immediate effect. The emissions were observed to be sometimes exceeding the threshold limits during the Conformity of Production tests done by the ARAI, the company said in a statement. "At the same time, Volkswagen India is temporarily holding back sales of the manual gearbox version of the Volkswagen Vento with 1.5-litre diesel engine with immediate effect," it added. The company is analysing the issue and will propose technical measures to ARAI to solve this inconsistency at the ear-

liest, it said. Once approved and confirmed by the competent authorities, Volkswagen India will implement the measures and resume the production and sales of the vehicle, it added. "The same technical measures will also be implemented in the impacted vehicles that are already with customers," it said. Volkswagen India said the problem impacts only the manual gearbox version of Vento with 1.5-litre diesel engine and is not connected to the global NOx emissions topic. "All other

diesel models and variants of Volkswagen India, including Vento 1.5 TDI with automatic transmission (DSG) and all diesel Polo cars, conform to the norms and will continue to be produced and sold in India," it said. Last year, Volkswagen had recalled 3.23 lakh vehicles in India after a government-ordered probe found the company using diesel engines equipped with a defeat device which help cheat emission tests, as it had done in the US and other global markets. (Agencies)

10.25% rise in CCL FY16's production Nagpur, Apr 3: Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) produced 61.35 million tonnes coal in 2015-16, an increase of 10.25% compared to the previous fiscal. Addressing a press conference, CCL Chairman and Managing Di-

rector Gopal Singh said now there was no shortage of coal for power plants. Crediting the feat for a clear policy on coal

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Coal Minister Piyush Goyal and their team,

Singh said the power plants in the country now have a coal reserve for 40 to 70 days. A company release said this was the highest ever production and was against the target of 60.6 MT and the feat of

55.65 MT achieved last year. It was the second successive year for CCL to have achieved double digit growth, it said. The financial year 2015-16 has achieved removal of overburden of 106.9 million cubic metre as

against the target of 100.0 million cubic metre and last year's 97.376 million cubic metre. The coal offtake during 201516 was about 59.6 MT, a growth of about 8% compared to last year, it said.

(Agencies)

PAGE 10

Short-term loans to become cheaper with new lending rate formula

Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: creditsmart) New Delhi, Apr 3: In the latest, short-term loans are bound to get cheaper as banks shift to new lending rated which were effective from Friday. As per the new formula for interest rate calculation, the lenders will fix interest rates on the basis of a calculation called marginal cost of lending rate (MCRL).To put it clearly, banks have to routinely calculate their cost of funds and any change has to be passed on to borrowers by revising their benchmark. This

automatically leads to interest rates on short term loans falling below the base rate of the bank. Based on the quality of borrower a credit risk premium will also be added in fixing final interest rates. State Bank of India, country's largest lender, has cut its home loan rate to 9.4 percent with effect from April 1 from 9.5 percent. Even ICICI Bank has come up with MCLR of 9 percent, but there is no announcement of mark-up at which it will lend home loans. (Agencies)

4G rollout completed

by Idea in 10 circles Pune, Apr 3: Idea Cellular said it has rolled out 4G mobile services in 575 towns across 10 circles comprising 15 states in 100 days. The company, however, did not share the number of 4G customers it acquired but said it has an overall customer base of 125 million in these reported circles. "Idea Cellular accomplished the fastest roll-out of 4G LTE services in 100 days in the country. Currently available in over 575 towns across its 10 leading circles, Idea also becomes the first 4G broadband service provider in 250 towns out of these 575," Idea said in a statement.

Idea said it has 6.1 million

4G devices, nearly 6 per cent of its subscriber base in these 10 telecom service areas, registered on its network. The company said it has deployed over 14,000 sites to provide 4G service across 10 circles. "With this, Idea Cellular is now servicing over 125 million users with its world-class 4G LTE services," the statements said. Idea said it also continues its 3G journey and has built a foundation of 22,000 3G cell sites since the last 2 years, adding 28,500 new sites to create an infrastructure of over 50,000 sites. Idea said it is the fastest growing telecom operator with an overall revenue market share of 18.9 per cent as of Q3 FY16 report of Trai. (Agencies)

52% jump in Royal Enfield sales in March

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: motorivista) Bengaluru, Apr 3: Royal Enfield, which is part of Eicher Motors, has registered 52 per cent growth in its total sales at 5.89 lakh units for the fiscal 2015-16.

The company sold 3.87 lakh units during 2014-15.

Its exports also registered strong growth with 37 per cent increase at 11,705 units (8565 units). So, its total sales for 2015-16 stood at 600,998 units as against 395,437 units in 2014-15. For the month of March, the iconic bullet maker sold 50,059 units in the Indian market as against 32,854 units in March 2015, posting an increase of 52 per cent. Exports grew by 53 per cent at 1261 units as against 825 units. "Reaching sales of over fifty thousand motorcycles in a

single month is a significant milestone for Royal Enfield.

We approximately manufactured a similar number of motorcycles in 2010 that goes on to show our focus and hard work that we have put in all these years," Rudratej Singh, President Royal Enfield said. Royal Enfield also has been expanding its production commensurately to meet its customer's expectations, he added. Last month, the company introduced its 411-cc Himalayan motorcycle, built for adventure and touring in the Himalayas. The new bike, priced atRs.1,84,316 (onroad, Bangalore), Rs. 1,75,840 (on-road, Chennai), Rs.1,76,580 (on-road, Hyderabad), will be available across the country in a phased manner. (Agencies)

A HIGH JUMP Royal Enfield, which is part of Eicher Motors, has registered 52 per cent growth in its total sales at 5.89 lakh units for the fiscal 2015-16.

The company sold 3.87 lakh units during 2014-15. Its exports also registered strong growth with 37 per cent increase at 11,705 units (8565 units). So, its total sales for 2015-16 stood at 600,998 units as against 395,437 units in 2014-15.

Reaching sales of over fifty thousand motorcycles in a single month is a significant milestone for Royal Enfield.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, APRIL 4

Features

PAGE 11

ENVIRONMENT The Amazing Hornbills of North East India In the states located in North East India, tourists just cannot have enough of exploring natural diversity and wildlife.

From the one horned rhino to endangered Pygmy Hogs, the variety Arnab can be absolutely mesmerizing.

However, the majestic hornbills remain a major attraction for wildlife loving tourists exploring the region. These large sized birds are as magnificent as they are peculiar. Their calls resembling cackle and growl can leave the viewers startled at times! Their brightly-colored beaks, unique nesting habits and long eyelashes make them hog attention over other avian species. Most species feature a loose skin pouch at throat which is used for carrying food.

Hornbills found in North East India Among the 9 Hornbill variants found in India, 5 of them are found mostly in the northeastern states.

Owing to hunting by tribals, human Ghosh encroachment in their habitats and reducing forest cover, some of these species are heading towards being listed as endangered.

Below listed are top Hornbill species found in Northeast India: White-throated Brown Hornbill This midsized hornbill species has dark brown head and back. The male hornbills have white neck. Around the eyes, the birds have a blue patch. The tail is usually brownish-black and has broad white tips. They can grow up to 80 cm and weigh around 710 - 900

g. Their call is a mixture of chuckles and repeated screams.

This hornbill is found in the hilly regions of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. They live mostly in evergreen forests. The white-throated brown hornbill eats small vertebrates, mollusks and arthropods. They also like gorging on figs and berries.

Rufous-necked Hornbill In India, this hornbill variant is deemed as endangered. It is a large sized bird with the male ones growing up to 122 cm and weighing 2.5 kg.

The female ones tend to be smaller in size. This species lives in hilly evergreen forest above 500 meters. The females are blackish while male birds have brownish body and dark green wings.

Rufous-necked hornbill is found mostly in parts of Mizoram and Assam.

It is also frequently seen in some protected regions of Arunachal Pradesh like Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary and Namdapha Tiger Reserve. These hornbills are hunted more than others by tribals for their beak and feathers. They feed on fruits and insects.

Great Hornbill Great hornbills are the biggest sized hornbills found in India. The males can weigh as much as 3.9 kg and grow up to 150 cm. This bird has a white tail featuring horizontal black band. The wing edges are also whitish.

They also have red skin around the eyes. There is a large yellow beak and casque too. Great hornbills make reverberating loud calls which can be heard from far away.

The Great hornbills eat mostly fruits but they also feast on insects, small rodents and reptiles. They are especially fond of eating figs. These large birds can be spotted in Manas and Kaziranga and National park. They are also seen in Namdapha Tiger Reserve.

Wreathed Hornbill Found mostly in lowland foothills in North East India, Wreathed Hornbill has a tendency to migrate seasonally to higher elevations. The male birds can be large and weigh up to 3.65 kg with an average length of 117 cm.

They have mostly blackish feather and the tail is fully white. The male ones have bright yellow throat and chestnutbrown head. Female birds have bright blue throat.

They make very loud calls with three notes.

Most endangered sea turtle species under threat Newly examined video of Kemp's ridley sea turtles, which are found primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, shows that the species' recovery from endangerment has stalled at less than one-tenth of historic nesting levels.

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham came to that conclusion after being tasked with identifying the qualifying measure of endangerment for the species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN. Kemp's ridley turtles are currently classified as critically endangered on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. The species was on the brink of extinction in the 1980s, but a MexicoU.S. bi-national conservation program initiated in 1978 was able to reverse its decline.

The decades of intense conservation efforts were evident by 2009, with the Kemp's ridley exhibiting an exponential recovery rate that was expected to continue for many years.

However, an unanticipated downturn occurred in 2010 when the amount of nesting dropped significantly, and since that time, the species has not regained an upward trajectory to recovery.

How many Kemp's ridley turtles should there be in the Gulf? Scientists and conservationists weren't sure; there was a lack of data between 1880, when the species was discovered, and the start of the conservation efforts in 1978.

UAB's study, led by Thane Wibbels, Ph.D., a biology professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, and doctoral student Elizabeth Bevan, set out to answer that question through the evaluation of a historic film recorded in 1947 by Andres Herrera, a Mexican sportsman, on the Kemp's ridley's primary nesting beach in the

western Gulf of Mexico near Rancho Nuevo, Mexico.

The film captured a mass-nesting event known as an arribada, involving tens of thousands of nesting turtles on a single day in 1947.

It would help provide a rare benchmark for evaluating the historic population size of a species prior to its becoming endangered, which is usually not available for endangered species.

Uncovering the original riddle of the ridley Prior to the film, the lo-

enon of the mass nesting and that the nests belonged to the Kemp's ridley sea turtles," Wibbels said. "Herrera was a hobby enthusiast who wasn't aware of the pursuit in the scientific world to uncover this location. Meanwhile, Archie Carr, who was considered to be the world's leading sea turtles expert, had been searching for the nesting beaches for this species for decades."

Carr searched for the Kemp's ridley nesting beaches in all of the usual

scientific community for the first time.

Breaking down the nesting numbers It was estimated by some who viewed the original black-and-white footage that there were more than 40,000 nesting Kemp's ridley sea turtles on the beach that day. Wibbels and Bevan's recent study reflects more conservative, but still remarkable, numbers.

Wibbels and Bevan calculate that there were 26,000 sea turtles on a 1to 2-mile stretch of beach on the day the film was

Sea turtle species under threat (Photo: worldwildlife) cation of the Kemp's ridley nesting grounds was a mystery. After hearing about a large mass nesting of sea turtles from locals, Herrera recognized the significance of such a unique biological phenomenon and became committed to documenting this unique event for society.

During a two-year period, Herrera flew his own plane 33 times over the Gulf Coast north of Tampico, Mexico, conducting aerial surveys in search of the mass sea turtle nesting. In 1947, he finally uncovered the event, but his discovery would remain unknown to the scientific community for more than a dozen years.

"At the time of the film's development, no one was able to connect the dots between the phenom-

nesting regions -Florida, the Caribbean and the northern Gulf of Mexico; but after 20 years, he had found nothing.

"He had no logical explanation for the fact that this abundant turtle was seemingly not breeding or nesting," Bevan said.

"Scientists began to wonder whether the Kemp's ridley could actually be a hybrid turtle."

The dots were finally connected, and part of the mystery debunked,

by Henry Hildebrand, Ph.D., from the University of Corpus Christi, who heard about the film and viewed it in 1961.

Later that year, Hildebrand presented that film at the annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, revealing the news to the

taken.

The results from UAB's study published this week indicate that approximately 120,000 to 180,000 nests were laid over the entire 1947 nesting season in contrast to approximately 14,000 nests in the most recent nesting season.

This new information on the historic population size greatly increases the mystery surrounding the abrupt decline in the recovery of this endangered species since 2009. The number of nests laid in the 2015 nesting season represents a 34 percent decline in comparison to 2009, and this occurred during a time when exponential growth of the population back toward historic levels was expected.

What this means for conservation

Intense conservation efforts are continuing, and this critically endangered species is protected throughout its range.

"Because the Kemp's ridley is so protected, scientists believe that potential factors limiting its recovery may be habitat-related," Bevan said. "Another hypothesis among the field is that environmental pollution, in particular the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, may have significantly impacted the population, and many years may be required before the species regains an exponential recovery rate."

An alternative hypothesis is that the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem may have changed over the past seven decades since the Herrera film was recorded, and can no longer support the abundance of Kemp's ridleys documented in the 1947 film. For example, studies have shown that the abundance of blue crabs, a preferred food item for the Kemp's ridley, has significantly declined in the northern Gulf of Mexico in recent decades.

"The Kemp's ridley could be significantly impacted by long-term changes and the overall health of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem because of its near exclusivity to the area and presence as a higher-trophiclevel predator," Bevan said. "That's why it's so important that we continue our research into the mystery of its stalled growth."

"Solving the mystery will require continued monitoring of turtles on the nesting beach, a better understanding of the ecology of the Kemp's ridley in its foraging and developmental habitats, and an evaluation of potential changes in the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem since the 1947 Herrera film," Wibbels added.

Courtesy: Sciencedaily.

Great Hornbill (Photo: wikimedia ) Wreathed Hornbill eats fruits in general. However, in breeding seasons the birds gorge on crabs and insects too. It is seen mostly in Manas National Park, Namdapha and Pakke Tiger Reserve.

Oriental Pied Hornbill The Oriental pied hornbill looks similar to Malabar pied hornbill but there are

subtle differences between the two species. It is relatively smaller than other hornbills spotted in India. An adult bird grows up to 85 cm and weighs close to 1 kg. It is also blackish and makes noisy calls. Both male and female birds have pale blue skin encircling the eye region.

The Oriental pied hornbill likes evergreen and moist deciduous forests and agricultural fields. It is seen mostly in Pakke Tiger Reserve and Nameri national park. This variant does not rely on primary forests for both breeding and food. They eat both fruits and insects. Courtesy: Nelive.

Botulism in waterbirds increases mortality rates Outbreaks of botulism killed large percentages of waterbirds inhabiting a wetland in Spain. During one season, more than 80 percent of gadwalls and black-winged stilts died.

The botulinum toxin's spread may have been abetted by an invasive species of water snail which frequently carries the toxin-producing bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, and which is well adapted to wetlands polluted by sewage. Global warming will likely increase outbreaks, said corresponding author Rafael Mateo, PhD. The research was published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

Botulism is a major killer of waterbirds, including some endangered species.

In earlier studies, some also published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, these investigators had found that eutrophication of some of these wetlands, due to effluent from waste water treatment plants, was encouraging growth of C. botulinum and other bacterial pathogens of birds.

In the current study, the investigators surveyed mortality among the resident waterbirds, and investigated how the bacterium is spread. During two outbreaks, the investigators collected 43 dead whiteheaded ducks, representing seven percent and 17 percent of their maximum population on Navaseca lake during 2011 and 2012, respectively, said Mateo, who is Head of the Group of Wildlife Toxicology, at the Spanish Institute of Game and Wildlife Research, Cuidad Real, Spain. White-headed ducks are highly endangered, with only about ten thousand surviving individuals worldwide.

Additionally, the team found death rates of greater than 80 percent among

gadwalls and blackwinged stilts in 2011. Mortality estimates for whiteheaded ducks are probably low, said Mateo, explaining that scavengers frequently devour dead birds, and that it is difficult to find ailing or expired avians in the dense vegetation along the lake shore.

The team also investigated how the disease spreads.

The main source of spread, previously known, is the "carcass-maggot cycle," said Mateo. "Birds feed on maggots growing in a carcass containing C. botulinum and its neurotoxin," and then die, with the cycle beginning anew as the dead birds become food for more maggots. "The

pathogen.

Mateo warned that outbreaks would likely occur more frequently due to global warming. In earlier research, also published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, his group showed that higher summer temperatures are associated with higher mortality rates among waterbirds during outbreaks. "We have observed that outbreaks occur when the mean temperature in July exceeds 26o C [79o F.]," he said. Additionally, when water is scarce due to drought, wetlands eutrophy more frequently, which favors anaerobic bacteria such as C. botulinum. Finally, birds tend to

Increasing mortality rates in waterbirds (Photo: paperup )

spread of the outbreak is exponential," said Mateo.

Additionally, the investigators found that 30 percent of an invasive species of freshwater snail, collected during outbreaks, carried C. botulinum. These snails, Physa acuta, are an invasive species that is well adapted to wetlands polluted by sewage. They are likely sources of food for a number of different waterbird species, including mallards, gulls, and coots, said Mateo.

Differences in diets result in different levels of vulnerability among bird species. Flamingos and grebes appeared untouched by outbreaks, likely because they appear to feed mainly on prey species that do not carry C. botulinum, such as certain crustaceans, and/or possibly because they are more resistant genetically than other species to this

concentrate in the few wetlands that are maintained with treated sewage, which boosts mortality from botulism and other diseases, he said.

These wetlands, which are located in La Mancha, which was made famous by the novel, Don Quixote, and which are rich in biodiversity, are a UNESCO "biosphere reserve." Their unique habitat is important for many bird species, including migratory birds that breed there, such as the aforementioned white-headed duck. But outbreaks of botulism are common. "We wanted to characterize the ecology of the avian botulism in these wetlands to know to what degree human action--notably poor treatment of sewage--was determining the outbreaks' occurrence," said Mateo.

Courtesy: Sciencedaily.

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, APRIL 4

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Windies thump Australia to lift maiden Women's World T20 title Kolkata, Apr 3: In a historic first, the West Indies women's cricket team ended three-time defending champions Australia's domination by winning the ICC World T20 title with an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the final here today.

everyone in congratulating the girls.

The foundation of the successful chase was laid by a 120run partnership by openers Hayley Matthews (66 off 45) and skipper Stafanie Taylor (59 off 57), who helped the team chase a stiff target of 149.

It was also the West Indies' first win over Australia in nine T20 Internationals.

The moment the West Indies reached the target courtesy an overthrow, the entire dugout jumped in joy as the team joined the two not out batswomen, Britney Cooper and Deandra Dottin, in the middle.

What made the celebrations more special was the men's team, led by captain Darren Sammy, bowling coach Curtley Ambrose and allrounder Andre Russell joined

The girls, as promised to Dwayne Bravo, danced to the beats of the all-rounder's latest rap compilation 'Champion'.

Captain Meg Lanning (52) and opener Elyse Villani (52) scored brisk half-centuries before the West Indies fought back at the end to restrict threetime defending champions Australia to 148 for five.

Villani set up the tempo with her 37-ball innings and shared a 77-run partnership off 60 balls with Lanning, who continued her good run with second successive fifty.

Hayley was the star of their chase with a career-best innings, while Stafanie continued her sublime form with a solid knock.

After Hayley holed out at the midwicket in the 16th over, the West Indies needed 29 from 26 balls and the equation went down to 14 from the last 2 overs but the experienced Dottin made sure the team got home comfortably.

With three needed from the last over, Dottin took a single to give the strike to Cooper who ran a quick single and Aussies

Lahiri misses cut at Houston

nirban Lahiri PTI Houston (USA), Apr 2 : Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri, one of the late starters on the second day, was caught up in the worst of weather conditions as he carded a disappointing sixover 78 to miss the cut at the Shell Houston Open, here.

With rounds of 69 and 78, Lahiri finished at three-over 147 and missed the cut, which fell at one-under. He had a solid first round of 69, but with the weather worsening by the hour in the afternoon, he was left struggling on the second day.

It was the second successive year Lahiri missed the cut at Houston.

Lahiri, whose only top-10 finish this season has been in his home country, where he was tied-second at the Hero Indian Open last month, will now tee up at the Masters for the second year running. In 2015, he made the cut on his Augusta debut and finished tied 49th.

Lahiri had six bogeys yesterday, three on either side of the course and no birdies, though he had more than a few chances.

About 45 minutes after Lahiri finished, there was darkness and play was suspended with 27 players needing to come this morn-

narrowly missed the stump as they complete the winning run from the overthrow.

ing to finish their second round.

First-round leader Charley Hoffman followed an eightunder 64 with a two-under 70 yesterday to move to 10under 134 and a one-stroke lead over Jamie Lovemark.

Hoffman has made the cut in each of his 10 starts at Houston Open.

Lovemark, a former NCAA champion, is seeking his first PGA TOUR title after having his career affected by back surgery. He was one of four players to shoot the day's low score, 68, under conditions that worsened as the afternoon went on.

Dustin Johnson was among those chasing Hoffman, who opened with a 64 on Thursday, but Johnson dropped back to eight-under with a bogey on 17, closing with a 71 after narrowly missing a 10-foot birdie putt on 18.

Jordan Spieth (67-73) was tied 20th, while Rickie Fowler was tied 12th with rounds of 69 and 70.

The second round, which was suspended for 93 minutes in the day and later due to darkness last evening was finished this morning.

As 81 players out of 144 professionals made the 36hole cut at one-under-par 143 or better, there will be a 54-hole cut for 70 players and ties after the third round.

West Indies dethrones Australia to win maiden ICC Women's World Twenty20 title

Ronaldo strikes late as Real end Barcelona's 39-match unbeaten streak ANI London, April.3 : Star striker Cristiano Ronaldo smashed a late winner as Real Madrid ended Barcelona's 39-game unbeaten streak after claiming a 2-1 victory in their La Liga clash at Camp Nou on Sunday.

After a goalless first half, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique put his side in lead first by striking a goal in the 56th minute before Real forward Karim Benzema equalized the score just six minutes later.

It was in the 85th minute of the match when Ronaldo netted a matchwinning goal, which was

Cristiano Ronaldo also his 49th goal of the season, to make it 2-1 against the hosts, the Guardian reported Real are currently third in the standings and have

also reduced the gap to Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table to six points.

They will next lock horns against Eibar on April 9.

Thailand matched Chikka's efforts for the day to sit in third place on his own while compatriot Phachara Khongwatmai (65) and American Johannes Veerman (68) shared fourth spot on 203.

Chikka was delighted to maintain his hot streak where he set a new personal record by not dropping a single shot after 54 holes.

"I am really happy with this new record. It has been going really well for me. I hope I can continue the good run tomorrow. I am hitting it good and putting it good. It's going to be another day for me. Hopefully I can have another big round again," said the 22year-old Indian.

"I really enjoyed playing with Lin. I learnt a lot from him. The weather

was so good and I just had so much fun out there. Lin and I were playing shot by shot and we made birdies after birdies. It was a great experience playing alongside such an accomplished golfer like Lin," added Chikka.

Lin, who opened his campaign with a 63, credited his hot putter for a flawless round which put him back on track for a third victory on the region's burgeoning Tour.

Pavit, a four-time ADT winner but not since 2014, took advantage of his sharp iron-play to stay close to the leaders.

The winner of the Charming Yeangder ADT will take home a prize purse of USD 26,250 and receive six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

Wenger calls on Arsenal to keep PL title hopes alive ANI London, April.3 : After thrashing Watford in their Premier League clash at home, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised his side for maintaining their focus and called on the Emirates Stadium club to keep their title hopes alive.

"We played well. I said we will take it game by game and just focus on our performance. That's what we did today. That's all you can do, in fact. It doesn't matter how real-

istic it is (to win the title), the only chance we have is just to believe in our game," the Frenchman was quoted as saying by goal.com.

Arsenal claimed two back-to-back wins in Premier League, having won against Everton 2-0 before cruising to a 4-0 win against Watford.

Reflecting on his side's performance, Wenger said he hopes that the wins would boost his side's confidence and bring them back on track.

Arsene Wenger also hailed Alex Iwobi and described him as a creative player after

ern Stars bowled too wide and full.

From being nine for no loss in the first three overs, the West Indies were quiet at the start with Hayley looking dormant with two runs from eight balls.

Hayley completed her maiden half-century in 35 balls with a six and boundary against Jess Jonassen.

In the next over, Hayley stepped on the gas taking charge on Rene Farrell with two boundaries and in the next over she smacked Schutt over midwicket for a huge six.

But the massive turnaround came in the last over of Powerplay when Stafanie too joined in the act with two boundaries after Hayely's stepout six as they raced to 45 for no loss.

The duo looked total control in their innings punishing only the loose deliveries as West Indies looked thoroughly professional in their chase.

Stafanie was happy to rotate the strike while Hayely went on the rampage as the South-

Earlier, opting to bat after winning a crucial toss in hot and sultry conditions, Australia were off to a flying start with Villani taking charge after her opening partner Alyssa Healy (4) got out in a soft dismissal.

Villani raced to her second fifty and eighth overall in T20Is in 34 balls while Lanning was sensible at the start.

But after her partner's departure, the skipper broke free with her perfect timing all around the field. Lanning was a joy to watch as she completed her second successive half-century.

West Indies used six bowlers midway into the Australian innings but struggled to break the partnerships.

Afridi resigns as Pakistan T20 skipper post World T20 debacle Karachi, April 3 (ANI): Shahid Afridi on Sunday announced that he is stepping down from his position as Pakistan T20 skipper but expressed his intention to continue representing his country at the international level.

Chikka shares lead at Asian Development event PTI Miaoli (Chinese Taipei), Apr 2 : India's rising star S Chikkarangappa extended his bogey-free streak to 54-holes after signing for a six-under-par 66 to share the penultimate round lead with local hero Lin Wentang at the USD 150,000 Charming Yeangder ADT golf tournament, here today.

Chikka, as he is fondly called, chasing for a third Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory and a first outside of India, fired six birdies to lead by two shots on 17-under-par 199 alongside Lin, who returned with a flawless 65, at the National Golf and Country Club.

2014 ADT Order of Merit champion Pavit Tangkamolprasert of

The West Indies medium pacer Dottin bowled a superb last over with three dot balls and removed Ellyse Perry (28 off 23) and Erin Osborne (0) in successive deliveries to restrict the Southern Stars to an under 150 total.

Ellyse was looking dangerous with two huge sixes but Dottin ensured that the Australia did not do much damage in the last over as they could muster only 36 runs from the last five

overs, which proved to be the difference.

the latter scored goals in both the matches.

"He's a midfielder and a

striker, so he can be creative in his passing. He's very mobile as well - we have a game based on movement and he participates very well," Wenger said about the 19-year-old.

Arsenal are currently third in the standings and are lagging eight points behind surprise leaders Leicester City.

They will aim to continue their momentum when they take on West Ham in next league clash on April 9.

"Today I wish to inform my fans in Pakistan and all over the world that I am relinquishing the captaincy of the T20 Pakistani team of my own volition," said Afridi in a statement posted to his official Twitter account.

"For me, it was a great honour to lead my country in all three formats of the game," he said while call-

Shahid Afridi ing on his fans to continue supporting him during "future performances for Pakistan as a player and in all other arenas of the game the world over."

The decision comes days

after Pakistan were crashed out of the World Tw e n t y 2 0 f o l l o w i n g three successive defeats against arch-rivals India, New Zealand and Australia in the group stages.

In-form Azarenka hammers Kuznetsova to lift third Miami Open title

Victoria Azarenka ANI Miami (USA), April.3 : Former world number one Victoria Azarenka clinched her third Miami Open title after outplaying Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in straight sets.

The Belarusian professional remained dominant through-

out the match as she claimed a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Kuznetsova in a one-sided summit showdown that lasted for one hour and 17 minutes.

Following the win, Azarenka praised her Russian compatriot for producing some great tennis and returning to

her top form.

"I want to congratulate Sveta for the great result. I know you've had a lot of ups and downs in your career and I'm so happy to see you again in top form producing some great tennis," Azarenka said.

It was Azarenka's third victory of the season, having won her first title in in Brisbane followed by a victory at Indian Wells where she dethroned top-seed Serena Williams.

With the win, the two-time Grand Slam champion will make a return to the top five in the world.

The victory also saw Azarenka becoming only the third woman to win both Indian Wells and Miami in the same year after Kim Clijsters in 2005 and Steffi Graf in 1994 and 1996.

`Embattled` Van Gaal doubtful over his Man Utd future ANI London, April.3 : Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has expressed doubt over his future, saying he might not be in charge at the Old Trafford in the upcoming season.

Van Gaal, whose three-year contract with the club expires in 2017, has been under scrutiny due to United's dip in form this season with the club unlikely to improve on their last season's fourth-place finish.

Describing himself as a `balanced` person, the Dutchman said that the management should take the decision whether to sack him only after the results of this season.

Van Gaal, however, admitted he had to display some good results as the United manager.

Louis Van Gaal "I cannot predict that when I do not know the facts. First you have to see the facts, I have always said that.The results and the titles and Champions League positions you can only say at the end," Van Gaal was

quoted as saying by goal.com.

Van Gaal's side are currently sixth in the Premier League table and four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City. They also remain active in the FA Cup.

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