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PAGE 12

Vol. II

PERFECT 15MINUTE WORKOUT FOR A SCULPTED ARMS AND ABS!

Lucknow, Nov 2: Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav will flag off the yatra even as the duo is locked in a stand-off over several issues in the party just ahead of the Assembly polls.

According to reports, SP Uttar Pradesh unit and Akhilsh's uncle Shivpal Yadav is likely to be present on the occasion as he wants to send a message of unity in the ruling party.

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Donald Trump 'uniquely unqualified' to be US president: Barack Obama Orlando, Nov 2: US President Barack Obama today assailed Donald Trump for being "uniquely unqualified" and "temperamentally unfit" to be the next commander-in-chief as he asked Americans to recall how Republicans themselves were divided over having a "con man" as their presidential nominee.

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NSCN (I-M) reacts to K. Mulatonu Dimapur, Nov 2: Reacting to the statement made by GPRN/NSCN convenor of National Political Advisory Council and kilonser, Kughalu Mulatonu that talks between Government of India (GoI) and GPRN/ NSCN was on the cards and likely to start by March 2017, NSCN (I-M) said there was nothing new about such repeated empty claims.

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Iraq PM Warns Turkey as Ankara Deploys Troops Baghdad, Nov 2: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi has warned Turkey against provoking a confrontation while saying he does not want war, after Ankara deployed tanks and artillery near the border.

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Dibrugarh, Thursday, November 3, 2016

Top 5 Travel and Tourism Colleges in India

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PAGE 10

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A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Nov 2

Upping the ante against the alleged non-compliance of the application for voluntary retirement by Engineer Lupalum Kri who is the Indian National Congress nominee for Bye-election of 45Hayuliang (ST) Assembly Constituency, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) members today protested outside the gate of the state Civil Secretariat.

The state Congress led by its president Padi Richo alleged that the incumbent PPA-BJP Coalition Government is deliberately holding up the application for voluntary retirement by Kri from the post of Chief Engineer (PHE &WS) to keep him from contesting in the bye-election.

Congress has been at loggerhead with the incumbent state government with regards to the alleged delay in the acceptance of the voluntary resignation application put forward by Congress nominee, Lupalm Kri, who according to the Congress claims, has put forward the application seeking voluntary retirement from the post of CE (PHE & WS) on September 5 last as a pre-requisite norms for contesting in the up-coming bye-election of Hayuliang Assembly Constituency.

Contd. on Page 3

Tezu gears up to host ‘5th State Level Indigenous Youth Festival – 2016’ Bishnu Rana Tezu, 2 Nov

Lohit district gears up to host the ‘5th State Level Indigenous Youth Festival – 2016’ a mega ethnic extravaganza after Naharlagun, Ziro, Pasighat and Daporijo.

Huge makeshift structure has been built, the stage sprawling in an area of 100 Sq meters were built where stalls for respective Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) from various districts, local cuisine, hand-loom & handicraft and other exquisite indigenous items are going to be showcased. All sorts of necessary convenient, accommodation as well as dining facilities are made ready.

About 5000 delegates of youths are expected to visit and participate in Cultural, Games & Sports, Marathon Race, IFCSAP fashion show, Literary and Spiritual demonstration etc scheduled to

NSCN-U linkman arrested 9 mm pistol and 17 live rounds of bullets were found on him.

Army sources said that the operation was launched in the area based on specific information. Semma (56) is a resident of Vikheto village in Dimapur district of Nagaland and was entrusted to collect money on behalf of the outfit.

The agitated villagers of Natun Gaon set ablaze two houses of Biswajit Hazarika and Anjali Hazarika of Kumarnisiga yesterday after the death of Biplob Das at Assam Medical College and Hospital on yesterday evening.

The protestors as a mark of protest, besides setting ablaze two houses, also laid seize on NH37 and blocked the highway disrupting movement of vehicles for many hours.

According to police, Biplob Das and Malen Das, residents of Dibrugarh Natun Gaon area had met with an accident on Monday night while riding motor bike when their bike lost control hitting a tree nearby Biswajit Hazarika’s house at Kumarnisiga area. Dibrugarh SP Gautam Borah said that on Monday night two youths of

High Security at Natun Gaon. Photo by Manoj Pandey Natun Gaon while riding motorcycle met with an accident after their bike swerved hitting a tree nearby Biswajit Hazarika’s house at Kumarnisiga area. Borah said that according to the statement of another witness, Malen Das, they met with an accident near Biswajit Hazarika’s house but instead of helping them they along with two more youths

had beaten them badly with bamboo sticks. Later, Biplob Das succumbed to injuries and declared dead at Assam Medical College and Hospital.

The villagers of Natun Gaon believed that the latter died due to Hazarika’s negligence and apathy.

Contd. on Page 2

Ex-Minister CC Singpho ssures help from all sides to Chakmas “We are with you physically, mentally”: CC Singpho ET Bureau Diyun, 2 Nov

IFCSAP Lohit unit, Organizing Committee, CALSOM, Mishmi Faith Promotion Society, member from IFCSAP state unit are striving hard to make the event a grand success be held on 4th to 6th Nov. IFCSAP Lohit unit, Organizing Committee, CALSOM, Mishmi Faith Promotion Society, member from IFCSAP state unit are striving hard to make the event a grand success, informs A. Gamre, the President of IFCSAP Lohit unit.

Dr Mohesh Chai local MLA, Danish Ashraf DC and Isaac Pertin, SP Lohit have

Running from pillar to post will be a thing of the past for teachers in Jorhat as teachers will soon be able to get their post retirement pension benefits on the same day of retirement.

cmyk

Pages- 12

LEADERSHIP DETERMINED IN VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES: RIO

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A Staff Reporter Itanagar, 2 Nov

ET Correspondent jorhat, 2 nov

A linkman of the NSCNUnification Toiho Semma was arrested by a joint team of Army’s 19 JAT and the police from Nalinibam in Tingkhong area of Dibrugarh district on Wednesday. One China-made

5.00

Arunachal Congress protests against Govt, Dibrugarh on the boil after death of a youth, agitated villagers declares hunger strikes for 3 more days burnt down two houses

been constantly monitoring and supervising the organizing committee for the smooth and safe conduct of the mega ethnic festivity.

Meanwhile, Jual Oram Union Minister for Tribal Affair GoI, His Excellency Governor of Arunachal Pradesh V Shanmuganathan has consented to grace the inaugural function.

Pension on the same NSCN-U linkman arrested in Dibrugarh, day on retirement: pistol seized inspector of schools

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Nov 2

Price -

Thanks to the effort of the newly appointed Inspector of Schools of Jorhat, Dr. Subhalaxmi Rajkumari who took special initiative to roll out teachers' retirement benefits on the same day of their retirement. This initiative will be a welcome relief for the teachers' fraternity as often teachers complain about bureaucratic hassles to avail of their post-retirement benefits.

While interacting with The Eastern Today, Dr. Subhalaxmi Rajkumari opined that "the sole objective is to do away with the alleged corruption while availing pension benefits by a retired person and such a way has been chalked out so that teachers can avail pension benefits on the same day at ease "

She also stressed that the new initiative "will also provide immediate relief to the person after his or her retirement." It may be mentioned that a total of eighteen teachers who have retired after the taking over of Dr. Subhalaxmi Rajkumari have received their pension benefits.Tutumoni Hazarika , Phonidhar Pegu , Prasanta Gogoi and fifteen others have received their pension benefits on the same day of retirement Dr. Subhalaxmi Rajkumari was earlier appointed as the Inspector of Schools in Golaghat where she was successful in bringing about drastic changes in the education system during her tenure. Plantations scheme of trees, installing complaint box, fire dousing equipments, water purifier along with the display of UDISE code was made compulsory in the schools in Golaghat during her tenure.

Her progressive action planning will surely benefit Jorhat education system in the coming days as well.

Arunachal Pradesh ex-minister CC Singpho today while advising the Chakma students to raise their voices against underdevelopment in their area said that they (the Singphos community) is with the Chakmas physically, mentally and from all sides. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the celebration program of the Foundation Day of Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students’ Union (APCSU) in Diyun today. He said students’

Unions in Assam are given much more importance by the people and the government because they fight and protest rightfully. However, in Arunachal Pradesh no one care as most of the Students’ Unions run behind money. He has advised the Chakma students that they should protest rightfully because it is their rights to raise voices.

He said that the Chakma area (Diyun Circle) is reeling under lack of development.

Chakma students performing on a traditional song at the Foundation Day of APCSU in Diyun.

Contd. on Page 3

Chief Minister vows to punish those guilty of siphoning off 150 crores meant social welfare schemes A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 2 Nov

Expressing anguish at the revelation of massive irregularities of over 150 crores per year for the last 15 years, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said that the government would take up stringent actions to reform the social welfare department. Chairing

FAKE ENTRIES FAKE ANGANWADIS 9 lakh fake entries of “ghost children amounting to siphoning of 150 crores from social welfare department noticed 390 fake Anganwadi centers are found to be working fraudulently an important review meeting of the department today at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Chief Minister vowed to punish those guilty of siphoning off

humongous sums of fund meant for the nutrition of poor children of the state.

Following a directive of the Chief Minister two months

ago, social welfare department had undertaken streamlining activities about the functioning of the department and as a result huge irregularities have been identified which have stalled the societal progress of the state. In a startling revelation, Chief Minister was apprised that 9 lakh fake entries of “ghost children” Contd. on Page 2

10 Assam traders abducted by militants in Meghalaya released ET Bureau Guwahati, 2 Nov

Cornered after the arrest of its chief’s wife, a Meghalaya insurgent group on Wednesday freed 10 abducted Assam traders, reported by the Indian Express. The report says they were kidnapped by the Achik Songa Anpachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) on October 28 at gun-point when they were travelling to a weekly market in Meghalaya’s Bilkona near the IndiaBangladesh border from Assam’s Mancachar.

“Due to heavy police pressure mounted on the kidnappers, all the 10 victims were released early today (Wednesday) morning. They

were released unconditionally at a forested area near Gasuapara (in the district),” South Garo Hills superintendent of police Anand Mishra told Express.

“They’re now in Gasuapara outpost. All of them are fine.

They’ll be escorted to their homes after examination.

Meanwhile, an intensified offensive has been launched against the militants,” he added. The outfit was under tremendous pressure following the arrest of Fernia N Sangma, wife of its chief Reding T Sangma. Following her arrest, she was charged with colluding with the insurgent group.

“The insurgents were under

pressure following her arrest.

We had seized Rs.2.3 lakh, which was to be used to lure youths to join the outfit. We cracked down on five bank accounts, which she operated on behalf of the outfit and were going after their overground workers and sympathizers,” Mishra said. He said the outfit was being run with just around a dozen rebels.

“Usually, after an incident of abduction, they contact the family of the abductees for ransom. In this incident, they kept quiet leaving us to worry about the fate of the traders.

They have been released as the outfit is under pressure following Fernia’s arrest,” Mishra added.

This was the second major incident of abduction of traders in the district in recent times. Eight other Assam traders were kidnapped by the militants of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) on September 29.

A week later, all of them were released following payment of ransom.

Extortions, abductions and killings of traders and government officials by the militants are common in the insurgency-infested Garo Hills. After committing a crime, the insurgents would often sneak into Bangladesh, making it very difficult for the police and paramilitary forces to go after them. (With inputs from agencies)

cmyk

Mulayam Singh Yadav set to flag off Akhilesh's 'Vikas Rath Yatra' tomorrow, Shivpal to attend event

Issue 107

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

NEWS

Patanjali Food Park in Assam to get mega industry status ET Bureau Guwahati, November 2: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowalwill lay the foundation stone of the Patanjali Herbal and Mega Food Park, Balipara on November 6 at AIDC Complex, Ghoramari, Tezpur. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Managing Director of Patanjali Ayurved, Acharya Balkrishna will also attend the foundation stone laying ceremony. ?The Patanjali Herbal and Mega Food Park will be set up in an area of 150 acres. The unit will manufacture wide range of products ranging from cosmetics, nutrition and kitchen essentials. The

total project cost will be around 1,000 croreswith an estimated annual production capacity of 6,57,000 MT. The Balipara unit will generate direct employment for over 4,000 people. ?As informed by the organisers, the programme will begin with a Yajna at 10 am followed by the foundation laying ceremony at 11 am. ?The programme will be attended by Minister of State (Independent Charge) Railways, Rajen Gohain; Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Babul Supriyo; State Finance, Health and Education Minister Himanta Biswa

HOROSCOPE Aries

It could be that you feel a bit of pressure today to start or create something that you aren't quite ready for, Aries. There is hesitation on your part that indicates you should take it slowly and learn more of the facts before you jump into the fray. Position yourself in such a way that you take control of the situation rather than become a victim of it.

Taurus

Move forward with your plan of attack today, Taurus. There's an anxious rumble within you that's urging you to get going with a current plan. You have all the facts you need, so don't hesitate any longer.

The power of the word is with you. You will be smooth, collected, and confident even in the most nerve-wracking situations. Words will flow off your tongue with ease.

Gemini

Add spark to your life today, Gemini. It could be that things are getting stale and boring. If so, consider the possibility that you simply aren't challenging yourself enough. Remember that you're responsible for lighting your own fire.

You have the perfect opportunity to get something started today, so go for it. Feel free to get other people to help.

Cancer

Leo

People are apt to try to hit you square on the head with their ideas and thoughts today, Cancer, so be ready for the onslaught of information that may come your way. There's a distinct advantage to listening to the whole spiel before you react with your own facts and emotions. The problem is that you're going to be tempted to argue instead of calmly resolve the matter.

Anchor yourself in practical matters before you try to prove your point to others. There's a great deal of primal energy rising within you today and searching for some sort of outlet. Be aware of overextending yourself when it comes to issues of the mind. You may be so anxious to prove your point that you end up losing sight of the reality of the situation.

Virgo

Don't take no for an answer today, Virgo. Know what you believe in and stick with it. There's a distinct advantage to holding true to your inner nature. Don't let others throw you off course with their views on how things should be done. Be confident and don't worry about taking things over the top. There's no such thing as excess today. "The more the merrier" should be your motto.

Libra

Be a pioneer thinker today, Libra. There's a noble courage in your thoughts, so don't let this quality go to waste. You will be surprised at how cutting edge you can be when you put your mind to it. Take a walk by yourself and contemplate the next major move that you'd like to make in your life. Feel free to brainstorm bold ways to execute this plan.

Scorpio

Be aggressive and forceful when it comes to exerting your will, Scorpio. Let others know that you won't be a pushover. Your opinions are extremely important, and they need to be heard by the people who matter the most. Have faith that whatever you say has the power to come true, especially when you enlist the help of those around you. Opportunity lies in joining hands with others.

Sagittarius

Today may be one of those days in which you come to a four-way stop and no one knows whose turn it is. Don't sit and wait for everyone else to go first, Sagittarius.

If you know it's your turn, be bold and make your move. It wouldn't be a bad idea to signal others that you're going ahead. People might not be used to you taking such an aggressive role.

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

People would be foolish to challenge your thinking now, Capricorn. The power behind your words is volatile, and you may find yourself going to extremes in order to get your point across. Be careful about making promises you can't fulfill. It could be that you're so adamant about your point of view that you make up hyperbolic situations just to get your ideas across.

Your old ways of thinking have carried you quite far, Aquarius, but you may now find that it's time to seek a new platform for your ideas. Look for more adventurous ways to express yourself. Break out of the old mold and try something new. Once you start in a brand new direction, there will be a great deal of support encouraging you to continue along that way.

One quick phone call to a friend may turn into a long discussion about the meaning of life, Pisces.

Be conscious of the fact that there's a great deal of momentum building in your mind now.

Once the dam breaks, you may soon have a giant flood on your hands. Be careful about releasing all this energy at once, even though you may not seem to have a choice.

Espionage racket: Pakistan pulls out six embassy officials from India

Sharma; Industries & C o m m e r c e MinisterChandra Mohan Patowary, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora; Irrigation Minister Ranjit Dutta; Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta; Forest and Environment Minister PramilaRani Brahma; PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya; P&RD Minister Naba Kumar Doley, Power and Revenue Minister Pallav Lochan Das and PHE Minister Rihon Daimari.

Members of Parliament, Ram Prasad Sharma, KamakhyaPrasad Tassa & Biswajit Daimari and BTC’s Chief Executive Member, Hagrama Mohilary will also attend the function.

New Delhi, 2 Nov: Pakistan on Wednesday pulled out six employees posted at its high commission in New Delhi, days after India declared one Pakistani official persona non-grata for espionage activities .

The six high commission officials returned to Pakistan via the Wagah border.

These six officials were reportedly named by expelled Pakistani high commission stafferMehmood Akhtar during his interrogation.

Pakistani high commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar was last week expelled from India after being declared 'persona non-grata'.

Mehmood Akhtar is believed to have revealed that he was part of a bigger espionage ring operating from the mission.

Sources said that ISI officer Mehmood Akhtar had admitted as much during questioning after he was detained by the Delhi Police crime branch. They claimed that apart from the four high commission officials he specifically mentioned, Mehmood said that there were at least

Contd. from Page 1

“Till now no arrest has done so far. Right now we cannot ascertain the real nature of the case because investigation is at preliminary stage,’’ SP said.

“When the villagers of Natun Gaon learned about the death of Biplob Das, they came out from their houses and set fire Biswajit Hazarika and Anjali Hazarika’s house.

The incident has stopped the movement of vehicle at NH 37 as the house of Biswajit is adjacent to NH 37. The agitated villagers of Natun Gaon blocked the NH37 which disrupted the traffic for four hours,’’ a source said.

The local police force

A traffic police official was injured seriously during the incident and admitted at a private nursing home in Dibrugarh. “I rushed to the place after hearing accident news but some agitated youth of Natun Gaon threw stone at me and I got injured,’’ said N. Baruah, a traffic official,

Akhtar, who worked in the visa section of the Pakistan high commission and had diplomatic immunity, was procuring critical details including those about deployment of BSF personnel along the India-Pak border from two other accomplices who were arrested in Delhi.

Akhtar and two others - identified as Subhash Jangir and Maulana Ramzan- were picked up from Delhi Zoo last week. Akhtar was released after around three hours of interrogation as he enjoys diplomatic immunity.

A fourth person Shoaib, who is a Jodhpur-based passport and visa agent , was detained

by Rajasthan police later.

In a tit-for-tat action, Pakistan had also declared an Indian high commission official as persona non-grata after New Delhi's action against Akhtar following Indian police's busting of an ISI-run spy ring.

(With inputs from agencies)

who injured his head.

“The agitated villagers blocked the NH37 and neither gave the fire tender to pass through the Natun Gaon area and told them to go back. Many vehicle have changed their routes because of the volatile situation,’’ said a police official.

“Now the situation is under control and the villagers of Natun Gaon submitted a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner seeking justice.

Sounding optimistic, C.K. Boro, officer in charge of Dibrugarh Police station said, “As of today, normalcy has returned to Dibrugarh. No fresh incidents of violence have been reported”

1st tribal IAF pilot from NE celebrates 50 years of service Aizawl, Nov 2 : Highly decorated airman, Wing Commander Joe Lalhmingliana, the first tribal from the northeast region to be commissioned as an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his commission as an air force pilot in Aizawl recently.

Lalhmingliana received his President's Commission from the then Air

Chief Marshal Arjun Singh on October 29, 1966 when he was barely 21 years old. He, however, could not fulfil his long-cherished dream of becoming a fighter pilot to fly supersonic jets even though he was fully qualified to fly jet fighters. He received a letter from his father Thangkhama, who was then living in Kulikawn locality of southern

BOLLYWOOD MEGASTAR AAMIR KHAN IN DIBRUGARH

10 others tasked with sourcing information from Indians.

Dibrugarh on the boil after death of a youth, agitated villagers burnt down two houses appears to have been caught off guard by the sudden volatility of the incident.

“I informed the other traffic official and rushed to the spot, while reaching Natun Gaon area I saw that some houses were burning.

Some agitated women and men rushed at me and used slang words at me and chased me. I luckily got out from that area,’’ a police official said.

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Aizawl during April 1966 ordering him not to become a jet fighter pilot.

He then became a pilot for transport planes even as he was fully qualified to become a jet fighter pilot among the very few trainees. In an illustrious 20year career span, working with the ministry of home affairs, he became one of the chosen few in the VIP squadron.

Cinema Galleria Cinema Dibrugarh Junction Mall Screen-1

Bollywood megastar Aamir Khan on Tuesday reached Dibrugarh airport in Assam along with wife Kiran Rao and his son.

From there they proceeded towards Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh in a ferry via Dhemaji.

The small, sleepy town Pasighat was abuzz on Wednesday as news of arrival of superstar Aamir Khan quickly spread across the town.

It is expected that Aamir Khan visit might open up the northeast to other big producers and directors.

Assam teachers demand provincialization of posts Jorhat, Nov 2: The Assam High School Teachers' Association on Tuesday demanded that the government take steps for the provincialization of the posts of thousands of teachers working in venture schools in the state at the earliest.

Venture schools are educational institutions set up by the public with their own effort but later recognized by the state education department.

Teachers of venture

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Hundreds of activists of the organization staged a sit-in demonstration in front of office of the inspectors of schools, Jorhat, raising their demands. They sent a memorandum to the state education minister, seeking his intervention in the matter.

On September 23 last, the Gauhati high court

had passed a landmark judgement declaring that the Assam Venture Educational Institutions (Provincialization of Services) Act, 2011 is constitutionally invalid. A high court division bench passed the judgement after hearing writ petitions challenging the legal validity of the Provincialization Act. Over 57,000 teachers of hundreds of schools became illegal after the high court's judgement.

40 families come forward for identification at Kaskau camp Aizwal, Nov 2: On the first day of the repatriation process today, over 40 Bru families came forward for identification at the Kaskau relief camp in North Tripura before the Mizoram government officials who are there to identify the bona fide residents of the state.

Deputy Commissioner of Mamit district in Mizoram bordering Tripura, Lalbiaksangi, who is heading a team of 30 officials, told PTI over phone from Kaskau camp that the identification process was undertaken peacefully.

Brus, who were enrolled in the 1995 Mizoram voters' lists and their descendants were accepted as bona fide residents of the state, she said.

Around 500 families were lodged in the Kaskau relief

camp and the task became difficult as the Tripura government did not have any proper record of those lodged in the six relief camps and deaths and births were also not registered, she added.

The identification process was the beginning of the proposed eighth phase physical repatriation of 3,445 Bru families lodged in the six relief camps in North Tripura district and is scheduled to continue till November 21.

As per the schedule of the Road Map-V for Bru Repatriation, the physical repatriation was to commence from November 30.

As per the proposal, 2,594 repatriated families would be resettled in Mamit district while Kolasib district bordering Assam and south Mizoram's Lunglei district

would host 628 and 223 Bru families respectively. Thousand of Bru left Mizoram and migrated to Tripura en-masse after Bru militants gunned down a forest guard near Persang hamlet inside the Mizoram-BangladeshTripura border Dampa Tiger Reserve on October 21, 1997.

The Brus were lodged in six relief camps at the Kanchanpur Sub-Division of North Tripura, of which 1,686 families have been repatriated since 2010 till date.

The efforts to repatriate the rest of the community in the relief camps during June one to September four last year was unsuccessful as not a single Bru came forward for identification before the Mizoram officials in the relief camps. ( Agencies)

Chief Minister vows to punish those guilty of siphoning off 150 crores meant social welfare schemes Contd. from Page 1

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schools are demanding that the state government regularize their jobs.

were detected which has brought to light an exaggerated figure of Rs 150 crores per year for 9 lakh non-existent children that have been drained out of the system. The total figure of 44 lakhs children is reduced to 35 lakhs after these detections.

Similarly 390 fake Anganwadi centers have been identified which have been fraudulently entered for siphoning off the money. As a result of these detections, monthly expenditure required for Supplementary Nutrition Programme meant for mothers and children has been brought down

drastically.

Taking strong exception to the revelations, Chief Minister Sonowal asserted that the government would come down heavily on the perpetrators of these irregularities who have taken the people for a ride and pocketed public fund meant for the nutrition of the mothers and children, predominantly from the underprivileged section.

Terming them criminals of highest order, the Chief Minister said that those functionaries of Social Welfare Department involved in these nefarious activities along with the contractors who have cooperated them in the

illegal deals, would be put behind bars and examples would be set so that no one in the future dares to cheat the common people of the state.

Noting that rampant corruption has completely stalled the service delivery of the department, Chief Minister Sonowal said that highest prevalence rates of maternal mortality and infant mortality in the state are the result of these irregularities. The Chief Minister vowed to eliminate corruption completely from the system so that faith of the people on the government remains intact.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

P3

UGC sponsored one day outreach programme Fire leaves 5 families on Women Empowerment held at JN College homeless in Itanagar Empowerment of women needs to start from home: Dr. basar Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Nov 2: The Women Cell of Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC), Pasighat in collaboration with IQAC of the college and Adi Baane Kebang Women Wing, East Siang organized a one day outreached program on “Women Empowerment: Challenges Ahead” with reference to the tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh (Sponsored by the UGC) at the JNC lower campus auditorium.

Where prominent educationist Bormoti Yirang Dai graced the occasion as Chief Guest while ABK (WW) Yalem Taga Burang, Dy. Director (ICDS) Ponung Ering Angu, Dr. Jumyir Basar (RGU), Dr. Putoli Langkam (JNC) participated as resource persons.

Speaking on the occasion, educationist Dai said there is no denying the fact that women in Arunachal Pradesh have made a considerable progress but their true empowerment is still awaited. “There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved in house and workplace and society as a whole. We have to create congenial atmosphere granting women the freedom to make life choices.

A woman is a being with senses, imagination and thoughts; she should be able to express them freely. Individual empowerment means to have the self-confidence to articulate and assert the power to negotiate and decide, added Dai. Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to building stronger economies, achieve internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, and improve the quality of life for women, families, and communities.

The Chief Guest appreciated the members of ABK (WW) and WASE for their ongoing efforts to create more awareness on ill ef-

fects of alcohol, drugs and other social evils. Drugs and alcohol related awareness they spread among the public besides conservation of biodiversity, hass sset example for the state.

She categorically mentioned that public were made aware by ABK (WW) about the strict following of Adi customary law as adopted by ABK. Earlier, East Siang ABK (WW) president YT Burang said that every citizen should know about the POSCO Act and Adi customary law and available in book form, called “Adi Kebang Ayon” (Adi Customary Law) and being implemented in all Banggos in letter and spirit. Quality education should be imparted to the

girl children. They are the future mothers and wives.

An educated mother can nurture her children well and lead family and social life better. Education ensures protection of women from harassment, however, most women are unaware of their rights as enshrined in the Constitution, she asserted.

Resource persons like Ponung Ering Angu, DD (ICDS), made public aware on POSCO Act and ‘Domestic Violence’. While Dr. Jumyir Basar, Asst. Prof. RGU, Doimukh and Dr. Putoli Langkam, Asst. Prof. JN College, Pasighat spoke at length as to how empowerment has not been realized yet despite women playing important role in the society in

Arunachal Pradesh. Dr. Basar said that, women empowerment needs to start from very home where women/girls should be treated equally. When even parents start treating a boy more important than girl the system goes that way and women are always kept or taken for granted, said Dr. Langkam.

While Tongam Rina, Associate Editor, Arunachal Times put light on how the society treats the women far below the standard of men. She took reference of her own parents where her father have not knew cooking as all works are done by mother, and same has to be followed by her to manage home.

PPA should not poke its nose whatever will happen tomorrow: APCC ET Bureau Itanagar, 2 Nov: People’s Party of Arunachal should not poke it nose whatever happens tomorrow, warned APCC today in an official communiqué.

Arunachal Congress Committee advised PPA that the party should

learn lesson from the past. Arunachal Pradesh legislators time and again have shifted their loyalty from one party to another. 5 PPA legislators joined Congress and later 30 Congress legislators joined PPA. After the historic verdict of the Supreme Court, again all

the legislators shifted from PPA to INC. And again 43 Congress MLAs joined the PPA, which means PPA is a transit camp for the legislators, said APCC. APCC have added that PPA could have field its own candidate in the byeelection instead of sup-

porting BJP candidate as PPA is running the Govt in the state. It clearly indicates that their integrity is doubtful, said APCC. It also added that PPA Govt should have equal eyes on fundamental rights of an individual. Accepting resignation of BJP candidate and depriving the INC can-

didate for the govt employee service is really unfortunate. It is a sign of fear and frusturation and intentional tactics of the PPA and BJP alliance Govt.

With a fear of losing the bye-election by their candidate and especially Narendra Modi, accused APCC

Nagaland achieves 87.5% legal literacy under ‘Saakshar Bharat’ (Adult Education)

Legal literacy volunteers (Preraks) along with nodal officer, SLMA Nagaland, R Ekonthung Lotha, and programme coordinator, SRC NEHU, Barikor Syiem, at the refresher training for Preraks of Eastern Nagaland at Hotel Saramati, Wednesday.

Dimapur, Nov 2: Nagaland state has achieved a commendable 87.5% in terms of legal literacy under ‘Saakshar Bharat’ (Adult Education) since the launching of the programme during the 11th Five Year Plan.

Of the targeted 1,14,307 adults to be covered under

the legal literacy programme, more than 1,00,000 adults in Nagaland have received basic legal literacy course.

This was disclosed by nodal officer, Literacy Mission Authority (SLMA) Nagaland, R Ekonthung Lotha, at the 2-day ‘Re-

fresher training of Preraks of Nagaland on legal literacy’, which commenced Tu e s d a y h e r e a t H o t e l Saramati.

Addressing the Preraks (legal literacy trainers and volunteers), Ekonthung said Government of India has extended the programme for

another five years so that each state can achieve 100% target. He exuded confidence that by March 2017, the state would be able to achieve cent percent target.

The nodal officer said the Preraks should act as ‘motivators’ and educate the people, especially rural villagers, on their legal rights and also to inform them about various government welfare schemes.

He also said though the legal literacy programme would wind up by March 2017, the services of dedicated and committed Preraks would be needed in other programmes and projects even in the future.

Ekonthung informed that in some states, Preraks have nominated or elected to village councils (panchayats) and municipal councils.

Earlier, programme coordinator, SRC NEHU, Barikor Syiem, who chaired the in-

augural session of the refresher training also lauded the Preraks for their efforts in spreading legal awareness to the grass root people.

Sixty Preraks from the four eastern districts of Nagaland –Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire – are taking part in the refresher training.

The legal literacy for Nagaland State is under the MoU between National Literacy Mission Authority, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, GoI. The ‘Saakshar Bharat’ training is organized by the State Resource Centre (SRC), NEHU, Shillong, in collaboration with State Literacy Mission Authority (SLMA) Nagaland.

C o o r d i n a t o r, SLMA Nagaland, B Chingloi, delivered the welcome address and coordinator, SLMA, Mongchen Aier, proposed vote of thanks.

Arunachal Congress protests against Govt, declares hunger strikes for 3 more days Contd. from Page 1

“The non-acceptance of the voluntary resignation letter by our nominee is an intentional act by the government to disqualify our nominee during the scrutiny process so as to achieve the purported Congress Mukht agenda of Central government,” Richo alleged.

Further alleging that “the incumbent state government is under pressure from the central government and is

thereby, acting under the fear of the President’s Rule being imposed again,” Richo went on to alleged that “the current state government is desperately trying to prove their loyalty to the Narendra Modi led NDA Government at the centre by attempting to elect the BJP Candidate unopposed.”

The APCC president also lambasted on the Pema Khandu led PPA-BJP Coalition Government for allegedly misusing the power of the office by

allowing a smooth passage of the resignation application of the BJP candidate Dasanglu Pul who herself was a government servant while withholding that of the INC candidate.

government, Richo went on to declare that the state Congress party will organise a ‘hunger strike’ at Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar for three consecutive days starting November 3 next.

Meanwhile, informing that the matter has been brought to the notice of the Election Commission of India and also that a petition has been filed in the Gauhati High Court, Itanagar Bench for passing of necessary directives to the

“If anything happens to our candidate, the responsibility will lie solely with the state government,” an agitated Richo asserted.

It can be mentioned here that the Congress has been at loggerhead with the incumbent state

government with regards to the alleged delay in the acceptance of the voluntary resignation application put forward

by Congress nominee, Lupalm Kri, who according to the Congress claims, has put forward the application seeking voluntary retirement from the post of CE (PHE & WS) on September 5 last as a prerequisite norms for contesting in the upcoming bye-election of Hayuliang Assembly Constituency.

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, 2 Nov: A fire broke out at Chandanagar residential area at around 1.20 pm today leaving five families homeless.

Taking to this daily Itanagar Fire Service OC Koj Taro said that on receiving information about the fire at around 1.20 pm, two fire tenders immediately rushed to the spot but

due to heavy traffic, the fire tenders lost valuable time.

However, they managed to control the fire from engulfing the entire area near Chimi River at Chandanagar.

He informed that an OBT residential complex, which comprised of five families, was completely burnt while another OBT

was partially damaged during the fire accident.

The residential complex of one Y Tali was completely burnt, while the residence of one Haffis Uddin was partially burnt.

OC Taro said there is a need of awareness among the masses and appealed to everyone to cooperate during such emergency situations.

PS for Home, Pani Taram exhorts students to consider Sports as career option A Staff Reporter Doimukh, 2 Nov: Parliamentary Secretary Home Pani Taram today exhorted the student community to consider sports as a career option, along with academic affiliation.

Taram was addressing the students and teaching community of the recently upgraded Mani Secondary School in Doimukh Circle on the inaugural function of its maiden three-day sports meet celebration.

He said that the state government has advertised 106 posts to be filled up from the sport category, adding that

students who are not doing well in studies should not waste away time and instead focus on sports with dedication.

He also urged students to stay away from drugs, alcohol and other anti-social elements.

Passing the message of papum Pare DC, Doimukh CO Marchina Boria said that the DC was grateful to the school managing community for organising the event for the betterment of the students, and also appealed to the student to maintain team spirit.

Among others, School

Headmaster Nabam Reekam, faculty member Nabam Ruja and Tana Jil Tara also spoke on the occasion.

Among others ASM Chiputa Tana Dali, forme r A S M Ta n a Hari, SMC vice chairman Yab Hari Camdir, and o ff i c i a l s of NEEPCO were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, responding to the two-point memorandum submitted by the SMC, chief guest Taram assured to look into the matter of school boundary wall and provided Rs 4 lakhs for maintenance of the four girls’ hostels.

Ex-Minister CC Singpho ssures help from all sides to Chakmas Contd. from Page 1

Blaming apathy to lack of development, the Ex Minister said that only the developmental activities he has done during his tenure exist, nothing new has been added so far. “There is a hospital but there is no homeopathic doctor, and the school has become higher secondary but there is no principal”, he pointed out.

“We have to make the area develop ourselves, he said while adding that no one from outside will come and develop the area. People who come here to contest come only to do business. Many

more will come in the next election”, he added.

“The time to quarrel is gone, we will have to live together (Singphos and Chakmas) peacefully now, we are there to help you for whatever assistance that you require”, he said.

Mayong Mayo, president of Singpho Development Society who was invited as the Guest of Honour, advocated for unity among the Buddhist communities. Both Chakmas and Singphos are Buddhists. He has expressed serious concern about the people from his own community and people from the Chakma community converting into Christianity.

APCSU has turned 25 years today. To commemorate the day the Chakma Students Union has organised the celebration in Jyotsnapur village of Diyun Circle. nPlethora of cultural performances were performed by students. The Union also has conducted wide range of events, such as debate and quiz competitions.

Among others, Subimal Bikash Chakma, the President of Committee for Citizenship Rights of Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh was invited as the Guest of Honour in the program.

ONGC Tripura observes Vigilance Awareness Week with Public Participation in eradicating corruption Agartala, Nov 02: Vigilance Awareness Week began in ONGC Tripura from October 31 – November 5, 2016 with a string of programmes not only in-house but also in educational institutions in the city. The week began with the pledge by the employees to promote integrity, transparency and eradicate corruption at ONGC Base Complex Badarghat and all installations of ONGC located in the state.

A spot quiz on Vigilance and CDA Rules and a Vigilance Sensitization Programme was organized for the employees to encourage awareness among them about the

latest guidelines on Vigilance and CDA Rules. A spirited walkathon from ONGC Base Complex to Drop Gate and back was also organized as part of the Week which saw enthusiastic participation by a large number of employees.

Vigilance is an unknown term among students. As part of the initiative of encouraging the younger generation to build a “fear & favor free” society, quite a number of outreach programs – Essay completion, debate / panel discussion elocution etc., will be being organized in educational institutions such as KV ONGC, Pranavananda School, Ram Thakur

College, Women’s college and NIT Agartala.

A keynote address on Vigilance by Dr. S K Panda, Ex- Chief Secretary, Government of Tripura and a Customer Grievance Redressal Camp has been planned in the later part of the Vigilance Awareness Week.

Every year Vigilance Awareness Week is observed across the country to inculcate awareness about corruption among the common people. This year the week theme has been chosen as “Public Participation in promoting integrity and eradicating corruption”. ( Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

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Don Bosco School Principals National Unity Day celebrated in Hailakandi district meet from 4th November ET Bureau Guwahati, 2 Nov: The 4th National Education Conference of Don Bosco School Principals will be held at Don Bosco School, Panbazar, Guwahati, Assam from November 04 to 06 2016. It is a bi-annual educational Conference attended by about 250 Salesian Principals from across India, providing them with a common platform to discuss and deliberate on issues affecting education today and to find new ways of preparing the young to be future-ready to meet the challenges of 21st century. The theme of the conference will be “Transforming India through Edu-

cation.”

The inauguration of the Conference will be held on Friday, November 04, at 6.00 p.m. with the key note address from Shri Jairam Ramesh M.P. Former Union Minister, Environment and Forests, GOI. On November 05, Dr. (Fr.) Fabio Attard SDB, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, Rome will hoist the flag and address the gathering on “Preparing a Global Citizen in the Don Bosco Way.” A social Entrepreneur, cofounder, MD, B-ABLE Susil Ramola will share on “Leading Change in 21st Century.” Most Rev. Thomas Menamparampil, Archbishop Emeritus, Guwahati

will highlight on “Preparing Young Minds for a Corruption Free Society.” There will be a Panel discussion moderated by Dr. Dhrubajyoti Saikia, Chairman, VC, Cotton College State University, Assam which will be followed by Enchanting North East: A Cultural Razzmatazz Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam will be the Chief Guest at the function.

On November 06 at 9.00 a.m. Rev. Fr. Joseph Manipadam, National Secretary, Education, CBCI, India will enlighten on “Challenges to New Education Policy, Government of India” and Shri. Derek O’Brian, M.P. National

Chief Spokesperson, TMC, West Bengal will deal on “Education - a response to Emerging India and a tool for Creating Socio-Political Leadership.” Professor Emeritus, IIT, Delhi, and Founder: SPICMACAY and a Padmashree Dr. Kiran Seth will be speaking on “Education towards National Integration and Promotion of Cultures.” Dr. Sunita K. Bhuyan, Renowned Violinist and Social Activist will speak on “Leadership, Change and Empowerment.”

The programme will be concluded with a Valedictory Function and the presentation of Don Bosco Educationist Awards.

Himanta Biswa Sarma asks people of Assam to choose between Hindu and Muslim migrants A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 2 Nov: Ever since the NDA led government vouched for amendment to the Citizenship Act, there has been lukewarm response to the proposed move; especially the amendment move has been facing stiff resistance in Assam. From the beginning, ethnic and political organisations in the state expressed their fear that the Centre’s decision, which violates the Assam Accord, could result in the marginalisation of its indigenous people. If amended, the Act would enable the over 1.5 lakh undocumented Hindu Bangladeshis residing in the state to get Indian citizenship, which would be contradictory to the Assam Accord that deems any person – whether a Hindu or Muslim – as “illegal” if found entering the state from Bangladesh after

March 24, 1971.

On Tuesday, convenor of the BJP’s North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that it is his party’s policy to differentiate between Hindu and Muslim migrants, reported The Indian Express.

"We clearly do. After all, the country was divided in the name of religion. Thus it is not a new thing," the newspaper quoted the minister as saying who was addressing the media on the sidelines of his book release – Anya Ek Dristikon.

Referring to the Bangladeshi migrants, Sarma said, "We have to decide who our enemy is.

Who is our enemy, the 11.5 lakh people or the 55 lakh people?" While Sarma was referring to the 55 lakh Bangladeshi migrants, it was not clear who was Sarma referring

to when he quoted 1-1.5 people.

Sarma further asked those opposing the Bill to find out which community threatened to reduce the Assamese to a minority.

Stating that the BJP wanted to protect the Bengali-speaking Hindu migrants and segregate them from the Bengalispeaking Muslim migrants, Sarma said, "We want the Bengali-speaking Hindus to remain with the Assamese people. That is the BJP’s viewpoint. It has not changed. It has been the same, both before and after elections."

The proposed 2016 Amendment Bill of the Citizenship Act 1955 – currently under consideration of the Joint Select Committee of the Parliament – will make illegal migrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from

Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, eligible for citizenship.

The All Assam Students' Union has been protesting against the proposed amendment for granting refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan citizenship. They have been taking out marches across the state since 18 October.

The Trinamool Congress termed it as an "attack on secular fabric of the country", had said it would oppose the proposed amendment to the Act tooth and nail in Parliament.

"If you are Hindu, you will be eligible and if you are Muslim, you will be kept out? Our Constitution does not allow this. The West Bengal government will also oppose it," TMC MP Saugato Roy had said. ( Wi t h i n p u t s f r o m agencies)

Skin of tiger killed in Manas Nat'l Park found, three held Guwahati, Nov 2: The authorities of Manas National Park and police on Tuesday found the skin of a tiger that was killed last week and arrested three persons.

The tiger skin was found in Betbari, an encroached area in the Bhuyapara range of the park.

The team of forest officials and police was tipped off about the location of the tiger skin on Sunday by a fourth involved, a surrendered NDFB militant called Bulagra Basumatary.

Park director HK Sarma said Basumatary, during interrogation, revealed

that he and his accomplices had hidden the tiger skin in Betbari. The

tiger, which had been poisoned, had been translocated to Manas from

Sivasagar in 2006. The national park, which is also a tiger reserve, and the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan form a contiguous landscape.

Park sources said encroachment in Manas was a major threat to conservation.

They added that in the past, too, encroachers had been involved in rhino poaching and other wildlife crimes.

The latest monitoring by the Transboundary Manas Conservation Area, a joint initiative of India and Bhutan, found 21 tigers in the landscape.(Agencies)

Assam CM directed Music documentary on a Principal Secretary to high, gets film festival calls order ADGP and IGP to go on leave with immediate effect A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 2 Nov: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today directed Principal Secretary, Home and Political to order two IPS officers namely R. Chandranathan, ADGP Communication and Anurag Agarwal, IGP (Border) to go on leave with immediate effect.

As per Chief Minister’s direction an enquiry has also been ordered by Principal Secretary, Home and Political against these two offi-

cials for alleged violation of the provisions made under the All India Service (Conduct) Rules 1968 by addressing the press on 25th October 2016 and subsequent dates for making allegations against each other.

Sibabrata Kakati IPS (Retd) has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the enquiry and submitting the report to the government within 30 days. Follow up action will be taken basing on the enquiry report.

Guwahati, Nov 2: 'Guns and Guitars: A Musical Travelogue', a documentary which charts the journey of eight rock bands from each of the northeastern states, has relied on a strong Dylan connect to impress spectators across the world.

With the legendary singer getting the Nobel Prize for literature last month, the prospects of the documentary look brighter than ever.

The 94-minute film, which ends by showing a concert organized by the northeast's very own Lou Majaw on May 24, the birth anniversary of Bob Dylan, will now enthral audiences at the 47th International Film Festival of India to be held in Goa at the end of this month.

Director Bidyut Kotoky admits he was apprehensive about the reception his documentary would get. But with the Nobel surprise, he knows his film will hit the right notes in Goa. "I was a bit worried when I made the documentary. I didn't know if people would be able to connect to the northeast and

its music. Thankfully, I am getting invitations to screen the film in different parts of the world now," Kotoky told TOI. Among others, the documentary will be screened at the Pembroke Taparelli Arts and Film Festival (Los Angeles), Sanctuary Film Festival (Gold Coast, Australia) and at Cutting Edge Film Festival (USA, online).

"I will also be interacting with viewers via Skype as I won't be travelling to the countries," Kotoky added.

Earlier, it was selected as one of the top-100 documentaries of this year by Colour Tape International Film Festival and it was screened at the Newark International Film Festival (USA) in September.

"The film tries to show how youngsters in the region rise above the negative energies that pervade their environment.

With guitars in their hands and dreams on their lips, they sing songs of life. Without the songs of Bob Dylan, this would not have been possible," Kotoky signed off. (Agencies)

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 2 Nov: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) coinciding with the birth anniversary of Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was observed today in a befitting manner in Lala town under Hailakandi district.

The programme kicked off early morning with the ‘Run for Unity’ in which over thousand partici-

pants from all walks of life took part in it. The rally traversed through the main thoroughfares of the town.

Officials and employees took the pledge to work conscientiously and assiduously for unity and integrity of the country and to spread the ideals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel among the young generation.

Circle Officer, Lala,

Madhumita Nath Gogoi, in her address, spoke on the importance and significance of observance of the day and underlined the need to espouse the ideals of Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to build the edifice of a strong and powerful India by further strengthening the bond of unity and amity among different communities.

Floral tributes were also

paid at the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by officials, prominent citizens, students, teachers and members of the general public.

The Hailakandi district administration is observing the Rashtriya Ekta Diwasas well as the Vigilance Awareness Week at the sub-divisional, circle and block levels beginning October 31 to November 6.

Villages of lungzubel welcome assam rifles' peace expedition Correspondent, Guwahati, 2 Nov: A Team of Head Quarter Inspector General Assam Rifles (East)-The Friends of the Hill People for Peace Expedition was welcomed at the Lungzubel Stone Jar Park at Kobak by the local Gaon Buras, President of Biate Apex Body, local NGOs and villagers of the area. The team was felicitated by school children and representatives from various tribes with multi tribal scarves and shawls.

The NGOs and villagers organized a colourful exotic cultural programme as a tribute to the Assam

Rifles for all the assistance and everlasting friendship. The team members also participated and tried their skills at tribal dances with the locals. Kobak is popular for the Lunguzubel Stone Jars of the Biate people.

Project Save Our Culture and Heritage (SOCH) Kobak was initiated by local NGOs with the help from local administration and Assam Rifles in May 2015 to revive the neglected cultural site of stone jars. The team leader Major Amit Duggal thanked all the villagers of Kobak for a loving welcome and treatment. He reiterated the

importance of peace and unity amongst tribes for development and progress of the District.

Before reaching Kobak the expedition team had undertaken a foot trek from Old Jatinga Railway Station to Haflong Hill Railway Station of the Heritage Meter Gauge Line. The Meter Guage Line is now a thing of the past, however, holds a high tourism and heritage value for people of Dima Hasao District who are proud of it.

After interaction attending the cultural programme at Kobak, the

team proceeded to Umrangso to watch the migratory Amur Falcons which come all the way from China. Umrangso is one of the most beautiful places in Dima Hasao and North East India with a pristine lake and excellent scenic beauty.

The aim of Friends of the Hill People for Peace Expedition is to spread the message of Unity in Diversity, Peace, Harmony and love for our Country.

Assam Rifles has also taken up this expedition to thank the locals for their support and love throughout the years in past.

Guwahati Municipal Corporation clears pavements, veggie vendors cry foul Guwahati, Nov 2: The battle for the city's pavements continued on Tuesday with the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) carrying out an eviction drive against street vendors in Paltan Bazaar here.

The vendors, on the other hand, protested against what they described as an unfair drive and demanded more vending zones in the city.

"These shops are illegal.

We will continue the drive till the entire area is

cleared," said a government official.

Most of the vendors who were asked to leave on Tuesday were vegetable sellers.

The problem of blocked pavements is especially acute in areas like Paltan Bazaar, Ganeshguri, some parts of Ulubari and Silpukhuri; not only do pedestrians find it hard to walk, the blocked pavements add to traffic snarls.

"The hawkers create trouble for commuters.

Firstly, they block the

paths. Secondly, people throng the shops to buy vegetables. They spill onto the roads and add to traffic woes by parking their two-wheelers and cars on the side. This has been a nuisance for a long time," said Pramod Hazarika, a retired schoolteacher and a resident of Ganeshguri.

A recently conducted survey, which is yet to be completed, found 7,180 street vendors across the city. So far, the GMC has authorized three vending zones for them - at

Panbazar, Gauhati Medical College Hospital and below the Six Mile flyover.

Naren Rajbonshi, chairman of the Street Vendors' Association, said at least 57 vending zones were needed in the city to accommodate more than 35,000 vendors.

"Time and again, the GMC comes and destroys poor street vendors' shops. We have been demanding that the vendors be allotted a place before November 10 to continue their business," complained Rajbonshi.

(Agencies)

8 contestants file nominations for by-poll to Lakhimpur parliamentary and Boithlangso (ST) assembly constituencies A Staff Reporter Guwahati, 2 Nov : Altogether eight contestants have filed their nominations for the November 19 by-poll to Lakhimpur parliamen tary and Boithlangso (ST) assembly constituencies.

Today was the last day for filing nominations.

Five candidates have filed their papers for Lakhimpur parliamentar y seat, while three are contesting for the

Boithlangso (ST) seat in Karbi Anglong district.

Those who have thrown in their hats for the Lakhimpur seat are Pradan Barua (BJP), Hema Hari Pegu (Cong), Amiya Handique (CPIML), Hemkanta Miri (SUCI) and Dilip Moran (Independent).

Moran was the BJP MLA from Doomdooma but had resigned from the party citing differences with the party leadership.

The seat had fallen

vacant following the election of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who had represented the constituency in Parliament, from Majuli assembly seat in May. In Boithlangso (ST) Mansing Rongpi (BJP), Rupamsing Ronghung (Cong) and Raju Rongpi (Ind) are in the fray.

The seat had fallen vacant with the resignation of Mansing Rongpi from Congress

to join the BJP on July 12 this year.

For both the byeelections scrutiny of nominations will be held tomorrow and November 5 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

Polling in the two seats would be held on November 19 from 7 am to 4 pm and the election would be completed before November 24, according to the Election Commission notification.

Guwahati to host international conference on diabetes from Friday Guwahati, Nov 2 : The city will host its first-ever international conference on diabetes from Friday.

The three-day event, organized by the North Eastern Diabetes Society, will see the participation of diabetologists and endocrinologists from five countries - USA, UK, South Africa, UAE and Bangladesh - and focus on the upgrade and modernization of diabetes treatment in the region.

Experts told TOI that cases of diabetes were increasing in both urban and rural areas of the state and the conference would equip doctors here with the latest know-how in the

field.

"The treatment of diabetes has undergone a seachange over the past decade. Gone are the days when we had only one to two molecules for treating diabetes. Today, we have entire sets of new mol-

ecules that target the guts, pancreas and kidneys to control diabetes," said Sanjib Medhi, organizing secretary of the conference.

Close to 11% of the state's population suffered from Type-2 diabetes, an un-

published report of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said.

Type-2 diabetes is preventable and mostly caused by sedentary lifestyle and consumption of high-calorie food.

Diabetologists and endocrinologists further added that the figure could increase as there were many diabetic persons who had not been diagnosed.

"The ICMR study needs to be taken seriously. Assam is in danger. Many people do not even know that they are diabetic. Diabetes is a silent killer. For every person diagnosed, there are three or four persons who are pre-diabetic," he added.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

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accepted to be disciplined under the Indian laws as signed in their ceasefire agreement".

MIP said Naga people know that the GPRN/ NSCN has been telling invented stories in order to collect taxes from the people from time to time, for the sustenance of their campers. The MIP stated that GoI had repeatedly told Kehoi campers that "there will be only one solution for the Indo-Naga political issue".

It pointed out that the ongoing Indo-Naga po-

litical talk with Government of India and NSCN representing Naga people is inclusive and final.

Hundreds of cadres from the GPRN/NSCN have been switching sides and joining NSCN (I-M) to strengthen the ongoing peace talks, after realizing the truth that they have reach a dead end, MIP said.

In this regard, MIP said Mulatonu, in order to further prevent emptying their camps, has come out with a better idea of befooling the Nagas by

NORTHEAST P5 NSCN (I-M) reacts to K. Mulatonu Leadership determined in

Dimapur, Nov 2: Reacting to the statement made by GPRN/NSCN convenor of National Political Advisory Council and kilonser, Kughalu Mulatonu that talks between Government of India (GoI) and GPRN/ NSCN was on the cards and likely to start by March 2017, NSCN (IM) said there was nothing new about such repeated empty claims. In a press note, MIP said all that they discussed "since 2007 was confined to ceasefire extension, whereby they have

Identification of Bru refugees to start today Agartala, Nov 2: As per schedule of the tripartite meeting, Bru refugee identification process would be beginning at Kasko relief camp in Panisagar subdivision from today, said District Magistrate (DM), North district Dr. Sandeep Mahatme.

The identification of Reang refugees which is schooled to be conducted in between November 2 to November 25, would be based on the 1.1. 1995 electoral rolls of Mizoram.

A thirty member team of Mamit district of Mizoram arrived at Panisagar to undertake a marathon process. "All supports including providing security was made available for the team so that no untoward incident takes place dur-

ing identification process", he said over telephone from Dharmanagar tonight.

As per the decision taken in the tripartite meeting in Delhi, final phase of Bru repatriation to Mizoram would be beginning from December itself after finishing identification of genuine Bru refugees.

However, Mizoram government has been trying to delay scheduled repatriation of Bru refugees as it sought time till January, 2017. On this issue, MHA's Internal Security wing will take a final decision.

In the wake of persistent demand, Bru refugee leaders were allowed to visit three districts of Mizoram to assess the ground real-

ity before resumption of refugee repatriation.

Although they visited three distorts of Mizoram where they are supposed to be rehabilitated, it appears that refugee leaders are not happy with the kind of arrangement being made

by Mizoram government.

Over 35,000 Reang refugees have taken shelter in six relief camps of Kanchanpur and Panisagar following ethnic strife in Mizoram's Mamit district in 1997.

Despite a lot of efforts by the Centre, the repatriation of Bru refugees has not made process to the expected level.

Now, it is to be seen if the ongoing process is yielded result or not.

(Agencies)

Pre-poll alliance unlikely Shillong, Nov 2: With the trend of political parties going separately to contest the byelection to seven vacant Council seats, indications are that the same may be the pattern in the 2018 Assembly polls too. All the political parties - Congress, NCP, UDP, HSPDP, KHNAM and BJP - have fielded candidates for the Council by-polls scheduled for December 13.

After the Assembly polls in Assam, which saw the BJP-backed North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) forming the government, there was enthusiasm among the nonCongress political parties to repeat the same coalition in Meghalaya when it goes to polls in 2018.Moreover, many political parties had also stressed the need to have a pre-poll alliance to take on the Congress. However, the emerging situa-

tion is that the parties may fight the Assembly polls separately as no one is prepared for seat-sharing ahead of the polls.

Though UDP leader Bindo Lanong after the recent meeting of the UDP Shillong city said that he was trying to reach out to the regional parties, there is lukewarm response from the parties.

As per the current trend, while the BJP is yet to make clear the number of seats the party will contest, the Congress will put up candidates in all the 60 Assembly constituencies in the State. Earlier, there was an attempt by the state functionaries of BJP to field a candidate for the by-election to Tura seat, but the intervention of the central leadership resulted in the state BJP supporting the candidature of NPP leader Conrad Sangma, who also secured the sup-

port of all the non-Congress parties. However, the situation has changed after the Tura by-poll and sources added that the state BJP leaders may insist for putting up candidates for majority of seats in 2018 and in that context, the scope will be limited for the regional parties to go for seat adjustment. A UDP functionary revealed that it appears that the political parties want to contest the Assembly polls separately leaving the option for only post-poll alliances. However, recently former Congress leader RG Lyngdoh said that sacrifice on the part of non-Congress parties is the need of the hour to ensure their victory in the Assembly polls even as he added that the 'friendly contests' hoping for a post-poll alliance would be only advantageous to the Congress. (Agencies)

American kayaker drowns in Umngi Shillong, Nov 2: A year after British citizen Elizabeth (Beth) Hume went missing while kayaking on the Umngi river, tragedy struck another kayaker, identified as Will Hartman from the US, at the same site. The incident happened on the morning of October 31 when seven highly skilled and experienced adventure sportspersons - Erik Johnson, Patrick Griffin, Sam Freihofer, Will Hartman, William Griffith and Olin Wimberg, all from the US, and UK's Callum Strong - were kayaking the rapid on the Umngi in Mawsynram .

Around 8.45am, Hartman got trapped underneath a tree sub-

merged in the river, according to the statement of his teammates, all of whom were on a whitewater kayaking trip to Meghalaya. The tree prevented him from exiting the wedged kayak.

The other six kayakers immediately got on a rescue mission and tried to extricate him from the entrapment, said the team members. After several attempts, the rescuers managed to pull him up onto the bank.

Hartman was submerged in the rapid for approximately 15 minutes and had drowned. The rescuers attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation for half an hour but with no result. The team

then contacted local rescue services. Villagers and other international kayakers arranged a rescue party. The team successfully extricated all the kayakers and Hartman's body from the river gorge on November 1. "We thank the villagers for their invaluable assistance in rescue efforts," said the six kayakers on Tuesday. On November 5 last year, British kayaker Beth went missing while kayaking on Umngi. She got into trouble at the base of the waterfall, but unable to escape the towback, she exited her kayak and disappeared in the water. Her body could not be traced. (Agencies)

stating that political talks with GoI would begin by March 2017.

MIP noted that much before March 2017, the Indo-Naga political talks would have resulted to a final solution and that "the question of even the existence of the GPRN/ NSCN would not arise by then".

Stating that it was good to dream within the ambit of possibilities, MIP wondered whether any would believe in his sound mind that government of India will have "political talks with non-existence or dis-

solve organization?"

MIP urged upon "Nagas not become easy victims of political gimmicks of some jokers".

"Since the NSCN is in the talks representing the Nagas, we are the one who knows the actual position and therefore urged our people to be patient and supportive to the on-going political talks which will usher in final solution that is inclusive, honorable and acceptable to both the parties that we assured," MIP asserted.

(Agencies)

Tripura CM to tour four subdivisions for holding review meeting

Tripura CM Manik Sarkar Agartala, Nov 2: In order to ensure delivery of administrative service to the people at their doorstep the chief minister Manik Sarkar has been touring different subdivisional headquarters for holding review meetings to monitor the functioning of the administration in all sectors.

Sarkar left for Karbook subdivision of Gomati district today and is busy holding a meeting there to

monitor state of government services including law and order . Official sources said that tomorrow he will visit Gandacherra and then move ahead next day to Longtarai Valley. On the final lap of his visit Sarkar will reach Kanchanpur on November 5. Sources said that the chief minister is being accompanied by a group of seniormost officials of the administration. (Agencies)

various circumstances: Rio

Neiphu Rio addressing the conference. EAC Chumukedima, Thungbemo Patton at the conference

Dimapur, Nov 2: First conference of the Chumukedima Area GBs Association (CAGBA) was held on Tuesday at local ground Diphupar with Lok Sabha MP, Neiphu Rio as chief guest and Chumukedima EAC, Thungbemo Patton as guest of honour.

Speaking at the occasion Rio said everyone could be a leader but the quality of a leader was determined by how one used his power under different circumstances. "Civilisation takes thousand years to develop, but it just takes a few minutes to detach from us," Rio remarked.

While lamenting the fragmentation of Naga society,

Shillong, Nov 2: Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V. Lyngdoh has blamed former principal secretary of the department P. Naik for the current mess in the functioning of SPTS buses, many of which are in a decrepit condition.

The minister also said the vehicles, if need be, could be auctioned before their value depreciates. Speaking to media persons here ers in different parts of the on Tuesday, Lyngdoh restate.The delegation al- called that in a meeting leged that despite specific convened by late urban complaints being filed the affairs minister FS Cajee police is not taking any to discuss the operation of the buses, he had an arguaction. ment with Naik. "The then Later the delegation said principal secretary had althe Governor has assured ready taken a decision to them of take up the mat- hand over the buses even ter with the state govern- before the meeting could ment. Other members of take place," he said, addthe delegation were party ing that he was taken vice-president Ram Prasad aback by Naik's move, but Pal, Secretary Prtima Bhowmik and state committee member Kalyani Roy. (Agencies)

Acting DGP talks tough on Garo militancy Shillong, Nov 2: The State police will use the enthusiasm of young recruits in the Special Force-10 and the experience of senior SWAT officers to wipe out militancy from Garo Hills. Acting DGP Swaraj Bir Singh while speaking to The Shillong Times on Tuesday, a day after he took charge from SK Jain, said the State police force "will take militancy head on" in Garo Hills, which has been witnessing deteriorating law and order, and also strengthen itself simultaneously. Singh said the Meghalaya police team is working hard and that it expects good results in the future. Though he asserted that the situation in the Garo Hills districts "has improved a lot", he said some pockets in South

Garo Hills still remain a concern and the police will concentrate on the district to flush out militants. Last week, a group of ASAK rebels had kidnapped nine Assam traders from near a village in South Garo Hills. Police are still searching for the abductees.

"We will optimise the young enthusiasm of SF-10 jawans and the experience of old SWAT boys and carry our fight against militancy," Singh said.

Besides flushing out rebel groups, tackling crime against women and children and curbing drug abuse and sale will also be on the police's priority list.

"We will concentrate on all aspects of crime against women and we are also working hard on social media policing," Singh said. (Agencies)

ment has bestowed great trust upon them and they should, therefore, understand their duties and work hard. He called upon the gathering to be positive in everything they do and to encourage each other.

Earlier the program was chaired by CAGBA president Tokishe Achumi, invocation by Ao Baptist Church Diphupar, pastor N.Lipok Jamir, special number was presented by Vibika Yeptho, vote of thanks by CAGBA vice president Yashimeren Lkr and benediction by Chrisian Revival Church Diphupar, pastor Kruzie-o Khro. (Agencies)

Worn out SPTS buses may be auctioned: Minister

Attack on party workers, BJP wants Governor's intervention Agartala, Nov 2: Bharatiya Janata Party expressing grave concern over repeated attack on their leaders and workers by the ruling party supporters and demanded immediate intervention of the Governor.

A delegation led by party spokesman Arun Kanti Bhowmik met the Governor Tathagata Roy on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum highlighting the incidents of attack on their party president, vicepresident and other work-

he stated the existence of jealousy and enmity in our society indicated that we still not civilised.

Reminding the GBs that they were the custodian of the Naga Customary Law, Rio encouraged them to strengthen this collective association, never to misuse the power vested in them, to work together for good, and to safeguard our customary laws.

Also speaking at the function, EAC Thungbemo Patton said GBs were an indispensible entity in the administrative institution.

He was however critical of GBs straying away from their duties and responsibilities. He reminded the GBs that the govern-

the decision prevailed as the late minister did not questioned the official.

The STPS bus service was run by MTC for a year after which it was handed over to self-help groups.

Lyngdoh questioned the decision to cancel the agreement with Meghalaya Transport Corporation, which was operating the buses, even as the State PSU had not violated the terms of the agreement.

"MTC was keeping 70 per cent revenue and MUDA 30 per cent and there was no violation of the agreement. Then why was it terminated," he said. The minister wondered why a senior bureaucrat did not favour a state PSU like MTC that was financially weak and could have gained from the bus service. Lyngdoh said he

would soon hold a review meeting with the additional chief secretary in charge Transport to look into the issues. He also assured action against all those who are responsible for "the present mess" after going through the agreement signed with the self-help groups. "If they (private operators) have violated any terms of the agreement, action will be taken". The minister further said the department would take a final decision on the fate of the irreparable buses after the review meeting. "If need be, we will auction these buses as delaying it will further bring down its value," he added.

Many STPS buses, which were sanctioned by the Centre, are in poor condition owing to lack of maintenance. (Agencies)

Body recovered, panic among city dwellers

Agartala, Nov 2: Panic continued to strike the city dwellers as another man was found dead here on Tuesday morning.

Body of Pradip Acharjee, 48, resident of Ramnagar road no-8, was recovered from a drain adjacent to the residence, police said.

He was an employee of Drinking Water and Sanitation department.

The deceased's daughter alleged that her father was killed by her husband Binoy Das, a resident of Bishalgarh, following a family dispute. "Tippler Binoy, who is facing a divorce case, used to torture my father following vari-

ous issues", she said.

After conducting the preliminary investigation, police said the man used to consume alcohol on regular basis. He did the same last night as well and met with the misfortune.

He fell in the drain near his residence and could not stand up due to heavy intoxication, police said.

According to police, an external injury mark was spotted on the head of the deceased. The body was sent for autopsy and a case of unnatural death was registered by police.

When contacted, Inspector Ganesh Das of Ramnagar Outpost said a

bottle of liquor was recovered from the place of occurrence.

"The deceased's daughter made a verbal complaint saying that her father was killed. The post-mortem report, however, will unearth the actual reason behind the death", said Das adding that police started investigation into the case.

Notably, the capital town registered several mysterious deaths within last few days although police remained active round the clock. As a result, naturally, the city dwellers are going through a panics t r i c k e n situation.(Agencies)

DHM doctors, staffs Pala, Conrad to attend intl energy meet suspend agitation Dimapur, Nov 2: District Hospital Mon (DHM) doctors and staffs have temporarily suspended their agitation on the request of the DC Mon and superintendent of police (SP) Mon. DC and SP, who had visited the District Hospital Mon on Monday afternoon, had reportedly requested the doctors and staffs to call off their agitation while assuring that legal action has been initiated. The doctors

told this correspondent that in response to the plea of the DC and SP and in view of the welfare of the general public, the doctors and staffs have temporarily suspended their phase-II and phase-III agitation. Doctors and staffs of DHM on Monday lunched agitation over October 27, 2016 incident, wherein the doctors and staffs on duty were allegedly abused and threatened by a group of youth. (Agencies)

New Delhi, Nov 2: Members of Parliament Vincent H. Pala and Conrad Sangma will attend an international conference on alternate sources of power in Germany. Pala and Conrad are part of the Climate Parliament, a network of multi-party parliamentarians working for the development of renewable energy. Besides, Minister for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, top bureaucrats and experts from India and other countries are likely to be part of the fourday conference beginning on November 7. The event will focus on the opportunities

presented by large-scale renewable energy for powering the global economy, fighting energy poverty and achieving steep de-carbonisation. It will also discuss the roadblocks in developing grids, interconnectors and international energy trading. The participation of the two MPs from the State in the conference holds significance at a time when Meghalaya is reeling from acute shortage of hydro power owing to deficient rainfall and is looking to renewable energy to tide over the crisis. The State government is also ensuring that villages

located far away from power generation centres are supported by renewable energy leading to the withdrawal of conventional resources. The National Renewable Energy Act aims at promoting and producing energy through the use of renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, ensure security of supply and reduce emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. Mainstreaming renewable energy in government schemes and programmes and mobilisation of funds for states have also been proposed. (Agencies)

EDITORIAL

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Today's quote The only tyrant I accept in this world is the 'still small voice' within me. And even though I have to face the prospect of being a minority of one, I humbly believe I have the courage to be in such a hopeless minority.

“

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Questions about an 'encounter'

T

he killing of eight prisoners belonging to an outlawed group hours after their escape from the highsecurity Central Prison in Bhopal has set off a controversy that is unlikely to die down soon. The eight under trials, belonging to the Students' Islamic Movement of India, had been charged with serious offences and were alleged to have been involved in the murder of policemen and in armed robberies. While escaping, they killed a police guard who had tried to stop them. The murder of their colleague may have goaded the police to pursue the suspects and zero in on them within hours on the city's outskirts with the help of the public. However, the dramatic events that took place subsequently are clouded in doubt as the official narrative does not quite hang together. The State government and the police have failed to provide a cogent explanation for the events of the day.

The circulation of footage purportedly recording some moments before and after the encounter has invited charges that the encounter was 'fake'. Doubts have been raised whether the eight men were carrying any weapons or posed an imminent danger to the police party that closed in on them. Were they about to surrender, having run out of options, when they were killed? One police officer's claim that they had firearms and had attacked the police contradicts another officer's version that they had no weapons.

The Madhya Pradesh government is understandably keen on an inquiry into the jailbreak to find out crucial details - such as who masterminded the escape, and whether there was any support from others in the prison or outside. Further, it should be investigated how CCTV cameras, watchtowers and searchlights all mysteriously failed while the under trials were scaling two high walls one after another. There can be no justification, however, for the government's stand that the encounter itself does not require an investigation any deeper than a routine magisterial inquiry. The Supreme Court has laid down that every police encounter has to be probed by the Criminal Investigation Department or any other independent police team. In this context, the condemnation by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of all those who doubt the official version is troubling. Such doubt cannot be interpreted as support for either the ideology or the violence perpetrated by those who escaped from prison. Instead of expecting unquestioning acceptance from all quarters when issues of human rights and the rule of law are involved, the State government would do well to institute a thorough probe into the episode to quell all doubts and suspicions.

School's out in Kashmir It is almost four months since the unrest in Kashmir began following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen 'commander' Burhan Wani. Protests, intermittent violence and long stretches of curfew have continued to put normal life on hold. Delegations of civil society representatives as well as politicians have attempted to reach out to separatists and find a way to bring calm to the streets, but to little avail. In fact, the opposite is happening with increasing mindless arson attacks on schools over the past two months. By one count, 27 schools, most of them government-run, have been set afire so far in the Valley over this period. No one has yet claimed responsibility for these attacks.

The government has blamed the separatists for encouraging the arson. In turn, the separatists charge the administration of failing to protect the schools.

Amidst all this blame-shifting, it is disturbing that separatist leaders such as Syed Ali Shah Geelani have not condemned the acts of violence outright. Their equivocation must be called out, even as the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the government to reopen all the schools despite the separatists' shutdown call.

It is against this backdrop, of life thrown out of gear and specific targeting of school buildings, that students have been rattled by the government's plan to conduct State Board examinations in the second half of November. The government needs to assure them of adequate security to address their anxieties.

The situation is reminiscent of the early 1990s. Hundreds of schools had been targeted then. Disrupting the school calendar is one of the oldest tricks in the insurgents' playbook. It sends out the signal that the administration is not in full control. And it heightens anxiety among the local population that their children's life chances are doubtful, thereby reinforcing popular disaffection and alienation. However, the occasional occupation of school buildings by the security forces also makes them a symbol of the state, and a soft target for militants. The government must abandon the practice of using schools to solve logistical problems. Moreover, while the State government focusses on getting students back to school, to be successful this effort must be embedded in a purposeful, urgent plan to return normalcy to the State, especially south Kashmir that has been the epicentre of the protests and violence. The disruption in the academic calendar in the Valley is an outcome of the prevailing unrest. Resumption of the rhythms of normal life is essential to end this disruption. Something has to give. The people of Kashmir need a break from this long and tragic season of protests, shutdowns and curfew.

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Winking at the States The Central government's attempt to dilute the land acquisition law by encouraging States to enact their own versions is a pernicious misuse of a constitutional provision Jairam Ramesh Last year, faced with its inability to amend the historic Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre devised a constitutionally pernicious alternative. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, speaking after the second meeting of the governing council of NITI Aayog on July 15, 2015, encouraged States to draft and pass their own laws for land acquisition and get them approved by the Centre.

Following this unambiguous official sanction, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have moved ahead with their amendments, Rajasthan has a Bill ready and Telangana is working on its version. These laws allow for the acquisition of land in the States without having to satisfy any of the crucial safeguards built into the 2013 Central law, such as the right to consent, social impact assessment and, in the case of Tamil Nadu, even rehabilitation and resettlement.

Spirit behind the exceptions As per the doctrine of "occupied field" enshrined in Article 254(1) of the Constitution, if there exists a Central law on a concurrent subject, then a State law cannot override it.

However, Article 254(2) provides that if a State law receives presidential assent after due consideration, then it can apply in contravention to the Central law

in that particular State. This use of this provision to permit States to pass land acquisition laws in conflict with the 2013 Act gives rise to three grave jurisprudential concerns.

First, Article 254(2) was never intended, even in its broadest interpretation, to weaken Central laws merely because they were found to be inconvenient.

It was intended to bring in changes to Central laws if there was a genuine hurdle in implementing them in a particular State due to challenges peculiar to that region.

Consider this. The 2013 law was sought to be amended by the BJP-led government as it felt that the Centre's power of eminent domain had been curtailed. It argued that the 2013 law was making the acquisition of land harder by empowering those whose land was previously forcibly acquired. This move was followed by a massive nationwide backlash which unified opposition parties across the ideological spectrum. In 2014, the Supreme Court refused to entertain challenges to various provisions of the 2013 law. Thus, two things became clear: the law was constitutionally sound and the public mandate was overwhelmingly against such amendments.

It is a settled proposition that what the government cannot do directly, it cannot do indirectly. This oftreiterated maxim has been used by the Supreme Court of India to strike down the attempts of the government to pass off what is known as "colourable legislation" (laws the government is

not qualified to pass, disguised as other laws). A creative attempt to weaken a state law against the larger public interest is nothing short of such an abuse.

Presidential assent not a formality Second, it is pertinent to examine the nature of the presidential power envisaged under this Article. Is the President required to act mechanically on the advice of the Council of Ministers or is he to apply his own mind? The Supreme Court in a landmark Constitution Bench decision in Kaiser-I-Hind Pvt. Ltd. v. National Textile Corporation (2002) held, in relation to Article 254(2), that the words "reserved for consideration" would "definitely indicate that there should be active application of mind by the President to the repug-

nancy‌ and the necessity of having such a law, in facts and circumstances of the matter‌ The word assent is used purposefully indicating affirmative action of the proposal made by the State for having law repugnant to the earlier law made by the Parliament.

This cannot be done without consideration of the relevant material."

Constitutional scholar Durga Das Basu in his seminal commentary on Constitutional Law reaffirms this interpretation.

He further argues that the words "reserved for consideration" used in Article 254(2) "cannot be an idle formality but would require serious consideration on the material placed before the President". Therefore it is clear that the President must act deliberately and consciously and not merely on the advice of

the Council of Ministers.

The newly enacted State laws on acquisition curtail and suspend the statutory right to give consent to acquisition and the need to carry out a social impact assessment. The President is required to examine if compelling reasons to sanction such a significant deviation exist.

But can the President's exercise of his power under Article 254(2) be subject to judicial review?

The Supreme Court in the Kaiser-i-Hind case, while relying on several precedents, held, "We further make it clear that granting of assent under Article 254(2) is not exercise of legislative power of President such as contemplated under Article 123 but is part of legislative procedure. Whether procedure prescribed by the Constitution before enacting the law is followed or not can always be looked into by the Court." In other words, the court may review whether the procedure which requires thorough reflection and conscious application of mind by the President was observed.

Undermining Parliament Third, in an alternative scenario, if one were to argue that presidential approval is merely a formality which can only be delayed, not denied, then it leads to the worrying conclusion that Central laws on any subject contained in List III of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution ("Concurrent List") like forests, electricity, family planning and education are, in effect,

pointless. Wherever a Central government lacks the numbers to pass a law (on a concurrent subject) in Parliament or is faced with public opposition, it will concede the authority to States to pass the laws as they see fit and get the President to approve them.

This is happening not just for land acquisition but also for labour laws, with Rajasthan having shown the way.

Here we must also make a distinction between Parliament and the Central government. The 2013 law is an Act of Parliament that occupies the field but the Centre wishes to dilute it.

Instead of upholding its sanctity (as required by the Constitution) the government wishes to undermine the role of Parliament by actively encouraging States to bypass the law.

Therefore it is breaching the provisions of Article 254(1) which give supremacy to laws made by Parliament unless States have a genuine necessity to deviate.

Such pernicious misuse of a constitutional provision cannot and should not go unchecked. Parliament passed a law in the exercise of its sovereign power bestowed on it by the Constitution. A hard-fought consensus was achieved that was widely held to be in the larger public interest.

It cannot be diluted by creating half-smart loopholes and too-clever-by-half shortcuts which make a complete mockery of the very idea of a Concurrent List in the Constitution, which must be considered as an integral part of its basic structure.

Why diversity needs secularism The non-inclusion of the word 'secular' in the original Constitution cannot be a reason to recommend its removal now The expansion and consolidation of the Hindu Right's political power has raised legitimate concerns about the future of India's secularism. While criticism of secularism could be found in the public debate during the anti-colonial struggle, the sustained assault on it became particularly apparent during the Ayodhya movement. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the public campaign led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) advocated that the practice of secularism has led to the appeasement of Muslims. The BJP further argued that it has been quite harmful to India's democratic polity because it has been institutionalising vote-bank politics, and that what is needed is in fact an attempt for a 'positive' secularism as opposed to 'negative' secularism. While these distinctions were widely used during those days, surprisingly it has vanished from the political lexicon of the Hindu Right in recent years.

Secularism, unity and diversity The most significant moment of this departure in the politics of the Hindu Right was during the 2014 election

campaign. For the first time has been misused and how though he firmly opposed in Indian history, Narendra the word is the most abused the entry of the word 'socialModi, as a prime ministerial one. According to the Hindu ism' on the ground that fucandidate, unleashed the Right, there are perhaps ture generations should have most sustained attack on the some benefits of secularism, the freedom to choose their idea of secularism in meet- but they are trivial and could economic path. Ambedkar ing after meeting. At a meet- be easily found in the ideol- was not a convinced socialing in Bulandshahr, Uttar ogy of Hindutva, apparently ist at all. But analysis of his Pradesh, on March 26, 2014, noble, kind, and all-embrac- writings on minority rights, he reminded people how the ing. It seems to suggest Muslims, Pakistan etc. when idea of secularism has kept thereby that the problem is seen in the context of his proMuslims poor. On this issue, not with the idea of nouncements like "I was he has remained rather con- Hindutva, but with the mis- born Hindu, but won't die as sistent even after becoming conceptions of secularists one" or "Hinduism is not a Prime Minister, although he about this otherwise noble religion" echoes a particular has vacillated on many other idea. brand of secularism, very issues. At a party in Berlin The Hindu Right is seem- distinct from the Nehruvian on April 14, 2015, Shaikh Mujibur Rehman or the Gandhian one. hosted by the Indian His secularism is Ambassador, he spoke of ingly keen on reminding ev- about human dignity, and his how Sanskrit has suffered eryone that India's founding idea of secular political culowing to India's so-called fathers including B.R. ture is to contribute to the "secular fever".

Ambedkar did not consider emancipation of human beThere are also occasions it necessary to introduce the ings from all kinds of manwhen Mr. Modi has made word 'secular' in the Pre- made suffering inflicted in statements on diversity be- amble of the Constitution. It the name of religion. Had he ing India's strength without was inserted as part of the been alive today, he would recognising that diversity as 42nd amendment during have been, no doubt, the a political project can only Indira Gandhi's most fierce and erudite critic be effective with secularism Emergencyrule. In his of Hindutva politics. as a working foundational speech, Mr. Singh specifi- An omission yet unexvalue. This is a tragic flaw cally mentioned Ambedkar's plained in the Hindu Right's under- reluctance to introduce the These two words - secular standing of the notion of di- word. The fact is that and socialist - entered the versity. Inaugurating the de- Ambedkar made two inter- Constitution when most bate on intolerance in Parlia- ventions in the debate on leaders of the Opposition ment on November 26, Professor K.T. Shah's reso- were under arrest for their 2015, Home Minister lution on this issue, and resistance to the Emergency.

Rajnath Singh explained chose to remain silent on the Since these words were rehow this idea of secularism secularism question al- tained during the 44nd

A Priest and Nun in Winter A priest and a nun were lost in a snowstorm. After a while, they came upon a small cabin. Being exhausted, they prepared to go to sleep. There was a stack of blankets in the corner and a sleeping bag on the floor but only one bed.

Being a gentleman, the priest said, "Sister, you sleep on the bed.

I'll sleep on the floor in the sleeping bag."

Just as he got zipped up in the bag and was beginning to fall asleep, the nun said, "Father, I'm cold." He unzipped the sleeping bag, got up, got a blanket and put it on her.

Once again, he got into the sleeping bag, zipped it up and started to drift off

to sleep when the nun once again said, "Father, I'm still very cold." He unzipped the bag, got up again, put another blanket on her and got into his sleeping bag once again.

Just as his eyes closed, she said, "Father, I'm sooooo cold." This time, he remained there and said, "Sister, I have an idea.

We're out here in the wilderness where no one will ever know what happened. Let's pretend we're married." The nun purred, "That's fine by me."

To which the priest yelled back, "Get up and get your own stupid blanket!"

amendment under the Janata Party regime, it is suggestive of a broad consensus among India's political leadership for their insertion in the Constitution.

Why did our founding fathers not include them in the Constitution in the first place? Scholars have tried to explain this. In his presidential address to the Indian History Congress, Malda, in 2015, historian Sabyasachi Bhattacharya argued that it was Jawaharlal Nehru's and Ambedkar's larger belief in the values of equality and justice that encouraged them not to introduce these words.

One wonders how one could speak of equality and justice in a multi-religious society without secularism.

Moreover, it would be almost impossible to argue that Indira Gandhi was the greater defender of Indian minorities or a bigger patriot compared to Nehru or Ambedkar. There is little knowledge about the circumstances in which she chose to introduce these words. Did she do it on her own or was she advised by somebody? In a recent memoir, President Pranab Mukherjee tells us that it was on the advice of

Siddhartha Sankar Ray that she introduced the Emergency. Moreover, Indira Gandhi was not just one of the past Prime Ministers of India like, say, H.D. Deve Gowda; she was also Nehru's daughter. Was she privy to any particular discussion with Nehru about the reason why he was not keen on pressing for the insertion of these words? We do not have definite answers to these questions as yet.

Others like diplomat-turnedpolitician Pavan K. Varma argue that the threat to India's secular fabric from the Hindu Right was far greater during the 1970s, which is why Indira Gandhi considered it necessary to introduce these words. Even socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan was concerned with the growing influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on the Morarji Desai government, for which he wrote a specific letter expressing his concerns about its Hindutva project. As things stand now, there is no convincing answer as to why the word "secular" was left out in the first place, and that gives the Hindu Right a convenient handle to twist the debate in its favour in their advocacy for its removal.

Bhopal 'encounter' The Madhya Pradesh government's version of the incident where eight alleged members of the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India were shot dead by police in the State under suspicious circumstances on Monday after they escaped from Bhopal's central jail raises several doubts. How did the men escape despite high security arrangements in the prison and systems and gadgets installed? Was it negligence on the part of the prison authorities or a case of connivance? Why was it necessary to shoot the men when some of them were injured? There are many loose ends. Were Supreme Court guidelines in such cases followed by the police?

Reshmi Mallick Jagun, Assam

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

P7

10 Things You Should Never Do Perfect 15-minute workout After a Fight with Your Husband for a sculpted arms and abs!

It's completely normal-and healthy-for couples to argue. You're two separate people, and you're going to have different opinions sometimes. But what you might not realize is that how you act post-spat can be as important to your relationship as what you say in the heat of the moment. Here are 10 reactions to avoid, whether you're totally over it or still working on that whole forgive-and-forget thing.

1. DON'T GIVE HIM THE COLD SHOULDER. If you need some space after a fight, that's OK-as long as you tell him. "One of the biggest mistakes people make after an argument is stonewalling," says Rachel A. Sussman, a licensed psychotherapist and relationship expert in New York City. If you brush him off or ignore him, he may think you're punishing him, which may make him hold back on telling you how he feels in the future. Instead, say, "My emotions don't recede as quickly as yours, but give me 24 hours and I'm sure things will be fine. If not, we can discuss more."

2. DON'T KEEP HIS WORDS IN YOUR ARSENAL. You know "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"?

Whatever your partner says during a fight should stay there. "List-makers never tell their partners what bothers them in the moment," says Michelle Golland, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who works with couples. So if he says something during the fight that bugs you, tell him his words are frustrating you. If his fighting words

annoy you the next day, give yourself some breathing room instead of approaching him again so soon.

Bringing up an argument too often can lead to talking in circles, not a resolution.

3. DON'T JUST SAY, "I'M SORRY" IF HE'S STILL HURT. That says, "I'm sick of this.

Leave me alone. I want to do something else," says Laurie Puhn, a couples mediator and creator of the Fight Less, Love More program based on her bestselling book. "What you want to say is, 'I'm sorry for…' and explain what you're talking about. The second part of the apology is, 'In the future, I will…' and fill in the blank with how you won't make the mistake again."

4. DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR WHY YOU FOUGHT. There are a million things on which you could blame an argument: a bad day at work, a headache, a restless night. In fact, a University of California, Berkeley, study says that couples who don't get enough sleep are more likely to fight. Still,

passing the blame isn't fair to your or your partner.

"Fights are about information," says Dr. Golland. "If you're angry, sad or hurt, that's information your husband needs to know." The next time you have a bad day at work, "warn your husband before you get home," suggests Dr. Golland. That way, he knows that you may be more irritable.

5. DON'T WALK AWAY IF HE RE-APPROACHES THE ARGUMENT. If it's been only a few minutes since your fight, tell your husband you're open to any questions or hearing about lingering frustrations after he's had time to think.

If he wants to revisit the issue after a few days, though, don't turn your back on him.

"Non-verbal communication is as loud as yelling," says Dr. Golland. If you find yourself walking away, apologize, return and hear him out. "Reflect back what he's telling you: 'So you're saying [fill in the blank].

Correct?' Check in to make sure you're getting it right."

6. DON'T KEEP GETTING IN JABS.

Still reeling from a fight?

That doesn't give you the right to mutter not-so-sweet nothings. "Never call a person a name. It's hard to recover from that," says Sussman. So if you fought about your vacation budget, don't say he's cheap when you're looking at your friend's photos from her trip to Greece. Name-calling only "makes him come back swinging with insults," says Sussman. Instead, ask him to talk through what's still bothering you once you've calmed down. Say something like, "I know you're concerned we don't have the money, but here's a budget I made," suggests Sussman.

7.

DON'T HAVE MAKEUP SEX IF YOU'RE NOT FEELING IT. You both said "I'm sorry" and meant it-but now he's trying to get some, and all you can think is, Seriously?

"It's not that they don't realize you had a fight," says Sussman. "Many men want to have sex to feel close." If going at it is the last thing on your mind, let him down gently. "Say, 'Thank you for feeling like you want to be close to me, but I'm not in the moodright now," she suggests. "Hug him, and tell him that maybe you can have sex tomorrow." Don't just roll over and refuse him without an explanation.

"That will hurt his feelings," says Sussman.

8. DON'T FOCUS ON WHAT CAUSED THE FIGHT. Your energy is better spent on the solutions for the problem. Puhn uses this example: Say your husband forgot to bring cash to a cash-only event. You had a tiff about it, but then you

went to an ATM and the issue was resolved. Enjoy the night instead of replaying your partner's screw-up in your head. "The difference between a bad fight and a good fight is whether or not you reached a solution," says Puhn. On the other hand, if his forgetfulness is consistent, try saying, "I'm noticing that you aren't carrying cash much these days.

What's going on there?" It's a less judgmental way to get at the issue than, "Ugh! Not again!"

9. DON'T SAY, "I DIDN'T MEAN IT." "Saying this is like trying to use an eraser on permanent marker," says Puhn. "It inflames the situation because your husband will say: 'Yes you did!'" Going back and forth on what you said or didn't say, meant or didn't mean, keeps you focused on the past instead of working toward a solution for the future, which is the goal of any disagreement. If he says, "I didn't mean it," say, "You didn't mean it, but the result was that I felt this way. So in the future, please do XYZ." 10. DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP THAT YOU HAD A FIGHT. Everyone wants a partner who's invested-and fighting can be a sign that you're both still working at the relationship (a positive thing!). Puhn says she knows a couple is doomed when they say, "We used to fight a lot, but now we raise our hands and walk out." It's not that they don't disagree on things. "It means they're letting the relationship go, which is what happens before they leave or find an affair," says Puhn. So feel good that you both still care enough to get to the bottom of your issues.

5 Foods That Boost Sex Drive

Avocados

Avocados have long been considered sexual enhancers; the Aztecs used them as sexual stimulants and forbade virgin women from leaving their houses during the avocado harvest in fear that they might become sexually overwhelmed by the powers of the avocado.

This fruit is high in folic acid, which breaks down protein and boosts energy. Avocados contain a good amount of monounsaturated fat - the healthy fat - that is necessary for hormone production.

In addition, they're rich in vitamin B6 and potassium, both of which boost male hormone production and give you enough energy to last in the bedroom.

Hot Peppers

Oysters They're the classic aphrodisiac: oysters have been consumed by individuals for years to boost libido. Casanova himself is rumored to have eaten dozens of raw oysters each day, and for good reason, too.

Oysters increase dopamine, a hormone that boosts libido, and zinc, which proliferates testosterone and sperm production. Not to mention, some people find the act of eating oysters quite erotic. Others are bothered by the texture, so maybe the next food is a better choice…

These hot and fiery vegetables are a great way to spice up your sex life. They've got the right amount of kick to increase blood flow and circulation, and the side effects of consumption are pretty similar to those associated with sex; sweating, increased heart rate, and a tingling sensation.

Cayenne and chili peppers are also good sources of capsaicin - the molecule that gives peppers their hotness - and help your body release endorphins to get you feeling frisky. Whip up some guacamole (avocado!) and add a few peppers for the ultimate prebedroom party.

A toned body seldom goes out of fashion or good health.

Given the present day times, when our lives have become much too hectic, it is a task in itself to take time out to focus on fitness, proper diet and nutrition.

With an intention to help everyone get the maximum benefits and make time for fitness amongst their busy routines, I am sharing a special workout for arms and abs, which can be done under 15 minutes. In addition to toning arms, shoulders and abs, the workoutprimarily trains the core strength of the body! Hence, follow this regimen, not only to tone up your abs and arms, but to gain a stronger, healthier and fitter body!

Following are few tips by Kiran Krishnakumar, Delhi based fitness trainer: Warm up with plank to dolphin Plank to Dolphin movement warms up the core of the body, along with arms and abs, hence setting the right tone for the rest of the workout.

Warmed up shoulders are able to better endure the push-ups, which is the next exercise in the regimen that we are getting at.

The method is fairly simple, begin with a forearm plank, make sure that the arms are parallel to each other, with palms flat on the floor. Now, by raising the hips and back, try and form an inverted V with your body. Pause; breathe normally, slowly lowering your bank, resuming the first position

of the forearm plank.

Repeat for a minute for the best results.

Push-ups never go out of fashion There's only one exercise that works amazingly on shoulders, arms and abs!

So Push-ups are a complete win for any fitness enthusiast. However, since we were doing planks before, we can change the traditional push-ups slightly.

Begin with the high plank position as stated in the previous exercise, keeping your spine long and shoulders above the wrists. Lower the body by bending your elbows, getting your body closer to the ground. If need be, drop to your knees. Pushing your way back up through the palms, try and straighten your arms.

Continue the same for a minute at least for best results.

Include shoulder taps to planking This one change tests the core strengths of the body and helps in strengthening the same.

Start with the high plank position, with your feet placed hip-distance apart. Now, tap each shoulder with the opposite hand. Channelize your glutes and core strength to maintain stability, while keeping hips still. Continue the same exercise for a minute, to enjoy the best results.

Work the sides with forearm side plank You cannot really have a complete core workout without training the sides. The side plank is not only challenging, but gives your body the extra amount of oomph it

deserves. Start the forearm side plank on your left side and make sure your left elbow is resting comfortably on the floor below your shoulder.

Raise your right arm to put it behind your head.

Rotate your torso in a way that you right elbow comes close to the left hand. For best results, don?t let your hips fall, utilizing all your gluten and core strength to maintain the posture.

Revive your abs with bicycle crunches This is quite a simple exercise and yet works wonderfully in toning the mid-rib section of the body. Emphasize on making the opposite knee and arm meet, or come the closest possible.

While going through multiple repetitions in quick succession, ensure that your back is kept straight. To support the torso, you may put your hands behind your head or under your hips and continue with the same movement.

Hold the boat pose The quintessential boat pose works on the abs and is perhaps the best test of endurance and fitness. With your chest lifted and belly drawn in, feet lifted up legs facing the ceiling, forming a complete V in the process, hold the position.

Ideally, you should be able to hold the position for a minute at least.

However, need not push yourself too much in the beginning; try and achieve the hold of over a minute within the first few weeks of getting started!

Roast Pork Belly

Bananas Ingredients For Roast Pork Belly:

Method For Roast Pork Belly: Take the pork belly, and add olive oil, shahi jeera, salt, pepper Layer the baking tray with chunks of apples and onions.

1 kg pork belly 2 tsp shaahi jeera (Cumin seeds) 3 Tbsp olive oil

Chocolate Bananas contains bromelain, an enzyme that may increase sex drive and reverse impotence in men (bromelain is also found in pineapple). Bananas are high in potassium and riboflavin, which increase the body's energy levels, so that makes them a great snack to eat before a "workout."

In addition, bananas are great for anyone who gets pre-date butterflies because they help relax the nervous system. With all of these great benefits, it's no wonder monkeys are so obsessed with them.

While this may seem too good to be true, there's truth behind the libido boosting effect of our fifth food. Chocolate contains a compound called phenyl-ethylamine, which is produced in the brains of people who are in love. When it's consumed, the body releases serotonin (the same hormone released during sex) and an array of endorphins.

Now, this doesn't mean that you should go eat a few candy bars before sex; only choose chocolate that contains at least 60% cacao. Better yet, try dipping strawberries (or any other fruit that's high in vitamin C) in melted dark chocolate to add even more oomph to your bedroom festivities.

1 1/2 apples (roughly sliced)

1 onion (roughly sliced) Fennel seeds

Place the pork on top of the apple and onion layer.

Sprinkle fennel seeds and salt on top of the pork belly.

Carefully pour hot water into the baking dish, avoiding any contact with the top skin of pork belly.

Place the pork into the oven which has been preheated at 250°C. When the pork is done, take it out of the oven and drain the remaining pork fat in a separate bowl.

Place the meat on a plate.

Transfer the left over apples, onions, water and fat into a pan and place it on heat.

Add water, butter and bring the sauce to boil.

Cinnamon Salt and pepper

Add salt, pepper and cinnamon.

Sieve the sauce in a bowl.

To Serve: Serve the pork belly, roast vegetables with honey and sesame seeds along with some apple sauce.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

P8

INTERNATIONAL

Donald Trump 'uniquely unqualified' Iraq PM Warns Turkey as to be US president: Barack Obama Ankara Deploys Troops Orlando, Nov 2: US President Barack Obama today assailed Donald Trump for being "uniquely unqualified" and "temperamentally unfit" to be the next commander-in-chief as he asked Americans to recall how Republicans themselves were divided over having a "con man" as their presidential nominee. "Donald Trump is uniquely unqualified to be President. He is temperamentally unfit to be commander-in-chief," Obama said at a well-attended Democratic rally in Columbus, Ohio.

"Don't take my word for it.

Take the word of a lot of the Republicans who were saying this before they decided, politically, that it was convenient to support him.

Then some of them decided, politically, it was inconvenient to support him again.

They keep on doing backflips," he said.

"But think about what they said at the outset. That he was a con man. That he didn't have the temperament to do the job. That he didn't have the knowledge to do the job. Didn't have the experience to do the job.

Somebody who claims to be a great businessman, but who repeatedly stiffs small businesses and workers out

Barack Obama (L) and Donald Trump. of what he owed them,"he added.

Obama said it would be a mistake to believe that Trump would champion the cause of the Americans as the 70-year-old real estate tycoon "did not have time his entire life for any one who was not rich".

"Because I was talking to some folks here on the way over, and I said to them, if you're a working person, if you are out there every day working hard, punching a clock, the notion that this guy is going to fight for working people, when his entire life he did not have time for anybody who wasn't rich or a celebrity; who wouldn't let you into one of his hotels unless you were cleaning the room; wouldn't let you onto one of his golf courses unless you

were mowing the fairway come on! This guy is going to be your champion?" he asked as the audience roared back with a big 'no'.

"Come on! Because there are a lot of working folks in Ohio, proud people who make an honest living. And I hear them saying, well, I don't know, Trump, maybe he's not so bad. Come on!

This guy? He says he'll be his own foreign policy advisor, because he says he's got a "good brain". Who talks like that?" Obama said amidst laughter.

He said Americans cannot afford a President who suggests we should torture people again, or ban entire religions from the country, "who insults POWs (Prisoners Of War) or attacks Gold Star mothers, or talks down to our troops and our veter-

ans. Even a Republican senator said we can't afford to give the nuclear codes to somebody so erratic".

Trump does not represent the country, Obama said, adding the controversial billionaire's remarks against women were "habitual" and "a part of who he is".

"Somebody who spent 70 years on this Earth showing no regard for working people, open disdain not just for immigrants or Muslims, but Americans with disabilities. And we know what he said about women.

This is the guy that you want to be representing the entire country all around the world?"

"By the way, this is not just one tape where he's bragging about how being famous allows him to get away with actions that qualify as sexual assault.

This is a lifetime of calling women "pigs," and "dogs," and "slobs" and grading women on a 10-point scale," he said. PTI LKJ "What I'm concerned about is we start acting like this is normal. And I hear people saying, well, this is just locker room talk. I've been in a lot of locker rooms.

Look, I'll admit you wouldn't want to publish everything said in a locker

room, but that wasn't said.

This is habitual. And it is a part of who he is," Obama said.

He criticised Trump over apparently avoiding tax which merely showed that he is not willing to give anything back to the country that gave him everything.

"I mean, it would be one thing if you were thinking about voting for somebody who had been in the trenches, who knew what it was like to maybe not have enough money at the end of the month, who maybe had seen their parents working in a coal mine or on an assembly line, and knew what it was like to not be able to afford college.

"Now, maybe it's because he's not as rich as he says he is. But maybe he admits he hasn't paid his federal income taxes in years which he says makes him smart. But, actually, what it means is, after this country has given everything to you, you're not going to give a single dime back to our troops, or our veterans, or building roads, or building bridges - or to our universities so that young people can get an education," Obama said.

(Agencies)

Suu Kyi in Japan as FBI release of Bill Clinton archive raises timing questions Myanmar faces pressure on Rohingya

Washington, Nov 2: Only days before the presidential election, the FBI released an archive of documents from a long-closed investigation into Bill Clinton's 2001 presidential pardon of a fugitive financier, prompting questions from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign about its timing.

The release comes amid the bureau's controversially timed review of emails from a Hillary Clinton aide.

The 129 pages of heavily censored material about Bill Clinton's presidential pardon of Marc Rich were published Monday on the FBI's Freedom of Information Act webpage and noted by one of the bureau's Twitter accounts Tuesday. Earlier in October, the FBI unit published historical files as far back as 1966 about Donald Trump's father, Fred Trump.

The Clinton campaign questioned the bureau's decision to make the file public so close to Tuesday's election.

"Absent a (Freedom of Information Act) deadline, this is odd," Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon tweeted. "Will FBI be posting docs on Trumps' housing discrimination in '70s?" Fallon's reference was to news accounts of a 1973 federal housing discrimination lawsuit, later settled, against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

In response to questions Tuesday from The Associ-

ated Press, the FBI said that the Marc Rich documents "became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures." The bureau said that under law, documents requested three or more three times are made public "shortly after they are processed." That processing, the bureau said, is on a "first in, first out basis."

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he saw the FBI tweet shortly before he boarded Air Force One with President Barack Obama for a trip to Columbus, Ohio, to campaign for Hillary Clinton, but was unaware that anyone at the White House was consulted about the material before it was released.

"I've not spoke to anybody who has any awareness of being consulted about that material before it was released," Earnest told reporters traveling with the president.

The newly released FBI documents are from a 2001 federal investigation into Bill Clinton's pardon at the end of his administration of Marc Rich, who was indicted in 1983 and evaded prosecution in Switzerland.

Rich died in 2013.

The files briefly cited the Clinton Foundation in connection with a large donation in support of Clinton's

presidential library. The FBI documents cited public records showing that an unidentified person donated to "the William J. Clinton Foundation, a foundation that supports the Clinton presidential library."

Rich's ex-wife, Denise Rich, pledged a $450,000 donation to the Clinton Foundation's project to develop and build the presidential facility. The new FBI archive does not name Denise Rich, but FBI agents sought to talk to her as part of the probe into her former husband's pardon.

Despite the extensive redactions, the FBI archive cites evidence being prepared for a federal grand jury, agents' reports and internal memos.

Agents appeared to be interested in a New York dinner in which the Rich pardon may have been discussed.

The federal probe started under then-U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White, who now heads the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Obama administration.

When White left office in 2003, she was replaced by James Comey, the FBI director now under fire for notifying Congress last week about his agency's decision to review emails to and from Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

The Rich investigation did not lead to federal charges under Comey and the case was closed in 2005.

(Agencies)

Pakistan may ask two Indian diplomats to leave

Image for representation purpose.

Islamabad, Nov 2: Pakistan may ask at least two officials of the Indian High Commission to leave the country for their alleged involvement in subversive activities, a local media report said today. The two officials were identified and their photographs were being flashed by different TV

news channels. Geo TV reported that commercial counsellor Rajesh Agnihotri and press counsellor Balbir Singh may be expelled.

Citing sources, the channel claimed that Agnihotri was directly linked with RAW while Singh was working for Intelligence Bureau (IB) and

they were allegedly using their positions in Pakistan as cover to hide their real identities. It claimed Singh was also running a network of militants in Pakistan and expelled High Commission official Surgeet Singh was also part of his network.

The development came after reports that Pakistan may call back at least four officials at its High Commission in India after they were named in a recorded statement of Mehmood Akhtar who was briefly detained and then expelled by India.

They include commercial counsellor Syed Furrukh Habib and first secretaries Khadim Hussain, Mudassir Cheema and Shahid Iqbal.

There were no immediate comments from the Indian High Commission about the reports. (PTI)

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi Tokyo, Nov 2: Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has received a passionate welcome by hundreds of her countrymen in Japan, where she sought their support to promoting development of their country.

Suu Kyi told the audience at Wednesday's packed meeting that hardworking people could help improve Myanmar's image and encourage foreign investment.

Suu Kyi arrived Monday for a five-day visit amid

growing international pressure on her government to get a grip on violence against the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority following reports of army attacks on the civilian population.

She didn't mention the issue at the meeting.

Suu Kyi will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later Wednesday and sign Japan's economic and humanitarian assistance agreements.

South Korea coastguard fires machine guns at Chinese trawlers Seoul, Nov 2:South Korean coastguard vessels have, for the first time, fired machine guns against Chinese boats illegally fishing in Korean waters, an official said Wednesday.

There were no casualties reported from the incident on Tuesday, which was the first of its kind since the coastguard announced last month that it would pursue a "more aggressive" firearms policy with Chinese trawlers.

Disputes over illegal fishing have dogged relations between South Korea and China for years, and there have been numerous clashes between the coastguard and Chinese crew members.

Senior coastguard official Kim Jung-Shik said the order to fire came during a stand-off with some 30 Chinese fishing boats illegally operating near the South's Yellow Sea border with North Korea.

"They tried to ram our ships although we repeatedly warned them," Kim told the Yonhap news agency.

"I thought our officers would be in danger if I allowed any more resistance so we ended up using the crew service weapon," he was quoted as saying.

Initial machine gun bursts were fired into the air, but the crew were later ordered to fire on the bows of the Chinese boats that were sailing directly at the coastguard vessels.

Two Chinese trawlers were seized in the clash.

Seoul has been asking Beijing to take a tougher stand on its vessels that have entered the South's waters in increasing numbers to satisfy growing demand at home for fresh seafood.

Small wooden Chinese ships were once tolerated in an area where the top priority has always been guarding against potential incursions from North Korea.

But in recent years, the small boats have given way to larger steel trawlers which engage in bottom trawling - dragging a large weighted net across the seabed that sweeps up everything in its path.

(Agencies)

Iraqi security forces members sit in a military vehicle near Falluja, Iraq Baghdad, Nov 2: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi has warned Turkey against provoking a confrontation while saying he does not want war, after Ankara deployed tanks and artillery near the border.

Turkey on Tuesday insisted that it will play a role in the battle to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group, but Baghdad has rejected this assertion and repeatedly called on Ankara to withdraw troops it has deployed near the jihadist-held city.

"The invasion of Iraq will lead to Turkey being dismantled," Abadi said at a televised news conference.

"We do not want war with Turkey, and we do not want a confrontation with Turkey," he said.

"But if a confrontation happens, we are ready for it. We will consider (Turkey) an enemy and we will deal with it as an enemy," Abadi said.

Turkish military sources said Tuesday that it had deployed tanks and artillery to southeastern districts near the

Iraqi border.

The 30-vehicle convoy left Ankara for Silopi, the sources told AFP, adding that it was now close to Adana province in southern Turkey.

Turkey's Defence Minister Fikri Isik said the deployment was part of Ankara's preparation for "important developments in the region", referring to Kurdish rebels inside the country and events in Iraq.

"Turkey is preparing in advance for whatever happens (and) this is one element of that," he said, quoted by the official news agency Anadolu.

It is the latest escalation in a protracted dispute between Baghdad and Ankara that has seen repeated calls from Baghdad for Turkish troops to be withdrawn, and increasingly belligerent and dismissive remarks from top Turkish officials.

A military confrontation between the two countries would be a disaster for Iraq, whose forces are tied down in the battle for Mosul that it launched on October 17. (Agencies)

Death toll of Pakistan's ship-breaking yard explosion rises to 18 Islamabad, Nov 2: Rescue workers on Wednesday recovered four more bodies from the ship breaking yard in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, bringing the death toll of Tuesday's explosion to 18, officials said.

Akbar Harifal, home secretary of Balochistan, said that over 50 people were injured and several others went missing in the explosion, which happened when laborers were trying to dismantle a ship by using gas welding at the Gadani shipbreaking yard of Hub, a district located in Balochistan.

Local Urdu TV channel Samaa reported that oil from the ship's tank was not fully drained and the explosion happened when the laborers tried to dismantle the ship near the tank with a fuel capacity of 2,200 ton, causing huge fire which engulfed the whole ship.

Officials said that over 100 people were working on the

ship when the explosion happened, and some of them managed to survive by jumping in the sea and swimming to the shore while several others are still missing whose search is underway.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the National Disaster Management Authority along with rescue teams of Navy, fire brigade department and other welfare organizations participated in the rescue operation.

Faisal Edhi, the head of Edhi workers, taking part in the rescue work at the ship, said that one part of the ship is still engulfed by fire, and the death toll is feared to rise as more bodies can be recovered from the ship or the sea, after the complete extinguishing of the fire.

Quoting officials, Express News reported that the fire broke out at 9:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, but firefighters had to wait for

the fire to die out as they lacked the foam required to douse it.

Police said that eight explosions took place at the yard.

The injured people had been shifted to a nearby hospital, and several of them are said to be in critical condition.

The Gadani ship breaking yard workers called a threeday strike in protest against the deadly conflagration.

The country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the incident and directed hospital authorities to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured people.

Located some 45 km northwest of Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, the Gadani ship-breaking yard is the world's third largest ship breaking yard. The yard consists of 132 shipbreaking plots located across a 10 km-long beachfront at Gadani.

(Agencies)

Pak court denies bail to Nat Geo's famed 'Afghan girl' Peshawar, Nov 2: A Pakistani court today denied bail to an Afghanwoman who was immortalised on the cover of National Geographic magazine in the 1980s and arrested last week on fraud charges, days after the Interior Minister indicated she may soon be released on humanitarian grounds.

Sharbat Gula, who attained fame on the cover of an issue of the National Geographic magazine, has been in police custody since October 26 for allegedly having obtained fake identity papers to stay in Pakistan as a refugee.

The special court in Peshawar had reserved its verdict a day earlier and today rejected her bail application citing a lack of evidence to prove her Pakistani citizenship.

The green-eyed Gula was arrested from her Peshawar residence for alleged forgery of a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).

During the bail hearing yesterday, Gula's lawyer had told the court that his client is the sole bread earner of her family and is suffering from Hepatitis C. Earlier in the week, Gula was sent to prison on judicial remand by a local court.

She faces up to 14 years in jail.

Her arrest highlighted the plight of millions of Afghan refugees staying in Pakistan.

For decades, Pakistan has provided safe haven for millions of Afghan refugees who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979. It hosts more than 1 million registered

Afghanrefugees, according to United Nations Refugee Agency.

The agency also estimates a further one million unregistered refugees staying in the country.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had on Sunday indicated that Gula may be released on humanitarian grounds.

Khan had said Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should arrange bail for her as soon as possible.

Gula's haunting photo, taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984 by Steve McCurry, was one of Nat Geo's most famous covers.

She surfaced in Pakistan in 2014, but had gone into hiding after authorities accused her of buying a fake Pakistani identity card.

(Agencies)

At least 20 dead, 39 rescued in Indonesian boat capsizing Jakarta, Nov 2: A boat carrying Indonesian workers home from Malaysia capsized on Wednesday in stormy weather, and Indonesian police said at least 20 people have died.

About 90 people were on the vessel that capsized off the island of Batam about 5 AM, the island's police chief Sambudi Gusdian said.

A search effort underway for hours has rescued 39 people so far.

Haryanto, a 51-year-old survivor, said the speedboat capsized amid heavy rains and high waves about two hours after it left Johor Bahru in Malaysia.

He said the boat was overcrowded with standing room only.

A police helicopter and more than a dozen boats

are involved in the search and rescue effort.

Speedboats and ferries are a common form of transport in Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago.

Sinkings are common due to poorly enforced safety regulations.

One of the worst ferry sinkings in recent years occurred off Sulawesi in 2009, killing more than 330 people. (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Top 5 Travel and Tourism Colleges in India

EDUCATION

P9

Adventure Tourism Education & Career

London College of Business and Finance (LCBF), Ernakulam (Kerala) 3rd Floor, Josh Towers, Civil Line Road, Colony Junction, Padamughal (Opp. Reliance Super), Kakkanad West P.O., Kochi, Ernakulam (Ernakulam Dist.) - 682030

Remo International College, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

Ac-9, 2nd Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai (Chennai Dist) - 600040

Job prospects in Adventure Tourism

Eligibility Requirements Adventure Tourism is one among the various fields in the travel and tourism industry. In a country like India, where travel and tourism industry plays an important role in earning revenue, Adventure Tourism has great significance.

Adventure Tourism is a leisure activity that takes place in an unusual, exotic, remote destination, or in the wilderness where the traveler should expect the unexpected. The main facets of adventure tourism usually include traveling to a distant location, interacting with different cultures and undertaking a physical activity of some kind.

Adventure tourism includes wildlife tourism, trekking, mountain climbing, paragliding, angling, biking, scuba-diving, kayaking, rafting, parasailing, bungee jumping etc in rural or remote areas.

India, being a place of diverse terrain with mountains, rocks, forests, beaches, desert and rivers, offers much scope for adventure tourism, making it more exciting for an adventure seeker. With increased number of global and Indian travellers seeking adventure, today adventure tourism in India offers many challenging career opportunities. We all like a bit of adventure in our lives.

That's why many tourists are no longer satisfied with holidays just chilling on the beach and watching the clouds float by, they prefer doing something more adventurous than that. The involvement of the media (television channels such as National Geographic, Discovery, AXN, Animal Planet etc.) has given additional inducement to people to plan an adventure holiday rather than a routine vacation. Adventure travel/tourism is typically grouped into two categories - 'hard' and 'soft' adventures. Hard adventures involve some kind of extreme and often dangerous sporting activity. Paragliding, rock climbing, surfing, and scuba diving in remote and exotic locations are some examples of hard adventure. Soft adventures are leisurely, often educational and don't involve hazardous or strenuous activities. Bird watching, architectural tours and religious pilgrimages to remote destinations are some examples of soft adventure.

Most people working in the adventure tourism sector have some kind of qualification in tourism, outdoor sports, or management. By taking courses in adventure sports, one can become instructors or tour operators in specific adventure sports. A career in adventure tourism usually stems from building on your own interests in adventure sports. This means a certification in the field alone is not considered as qualification you must really have an interest in a particular outdoor sport such as mountaineering, diving, rafting and paragliding. Getting a certification or degree or diploma in the subject field, can sharpen this interest/skill. Ministry of Tourism has formulated a set of guidelines on Safety and Quality Norms for Adventure Tourism. Adventure Tour Operator (ATO) has to be approved

by Ministry of Tourism. Financial assistance is also provided by several state governments in the adventure tourism sector for the development of tourism infrastructure in Adventure Tourism destinations and for purchase of water sports equipments.

To be in the field of Adventure tourism you must be adventurous, confident and passionate. Not only do you have to be confident in your own ability, you need to have the expert ability to teach others as well as to deal with emergency situations. As this tourism sector involves dangerous activities you are all the more responsible for the safety of the tourists. Other attributes include physical fitness, coordination skills, critical thinking skills, good communication skills, planning and organizational skills. An ability to get along and work well with others is also necessary. They must also have expert knowledge of safety and emergency procedures. Proficiency in at least one foreign language is necessary as the candidate might have to deal with tourists from across the world.

As people get more adventurous to try out new destinations and recreation, there is a growing need for qualified adventure instructors. Opportunities in Adventure Tourism can be as a Tour Guide, Adventure Tour operator, Outdoor Education Officer, Safari Guide, Adventure Sports Trainer, Travel and Information Consultant, Diver, Adventure Sports Photographer, Wildlife Photographer and so on.

They can find employment with tour companies, excursion agencies, holiday resorts, leisure camps, commercial recreation centres, sports centres and athletic clubs. One can even set up their own adventure sports centre where they can offer services and impart training in their area of specialization.

Remuneration Job in adventure tourism sector does not have structured salaries. Salary varies depending on the location, career opportunity, responsibilities and whether the position is seasonal or full time. In most cases adventure tourism jobs are seasonal. Hence one cannot expect fixed income throughout the year. However in the beginning of this career, you can get salary ranges from Rs. 7,000 - 12,000 per month. Income in self-employment venture depends upon the nature and size of the operations; it can be more than those who work under someone.

Top 3 Adventure Tourism Instructor

Asian Institute of Hospitality & Tourism (AIHT), Noida(Uttar Prdesh) Marwah Studios Complex, FC - 14/15, Film City, Sector -16A, Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar Dist.) - 201301

Shivam College of Tourism Management (Rajasthan)

Gabriel Soares Adventure Tourism Instructor / Language Expert Location: Aveiro Area, Portugal Industry: Translation and Localization

Craig Campbell

Ted Toussaint

Lecturer Adventure Recreation and Education at Adventure Studies Faculty, Thompson Rivers Fontys University of Applied Sciences - School of University Sport Studies Location: British Columbia, Canada Location: Eindhoven Area, Netherlands Industry: Leisure, Travel & Tourism Industry: Higher Education

3 top adventure tour operators in India Uttara Gangopadhyay

Adventure Nation This Gurgaon-based Company is a travel portal, part of a joint venture between Yatra.com and Snow Leopard Adventures. It offers activities like camping, skiing, rafting, scuba diving, off road motor biking, etc. across India. You can become part of activity-based groups (Tribes), learn from experts (Gurus), and join trips organized in association with alliance partners.

Behind Bochiwal Bhavan , Post Office Road, Fatehpur , Sikar (Sikar Dist.) - 332301

Himalayan Adventure Institute

Countryside

Kempty - Thatyur Rd, Kempty, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand 248179

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced adventurer, our list of adventure tour operators will help you find a niche activity suitable for your level of skills

This Mumbai-based company conducts offbeat and adventure tours. Trekking, walking, cycling, rafting and camping are a few of the activities they organise on a regular basis. They operate tours in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Kenya and Tanzania.

NATION

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

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Rahul, Sisodia detained Mulayam Singh Yadav set to flag off Akhilesh's 'Vikas amid high drama at RML Rath Yatra' tomorrow, Shivpal to attend event New Delhi, Nov 2: Amid high drama, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia were today detained at the RML Hospital here after they tried to meet the family of an ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.

The Congress Vice President was not allowed to enter the premises of the Centre-run hospital. His repeated attempts were stonewalled by the heavy posse of security personnel, drawing angry reaction from the leader who lashed out at the Modi government.

Speaking to reporters, Rahul wondered whether democracy works in this fashion.

Senior police official MK Meena said they will not allow obstruction of health services.

"We will not allow any kind of politics inside hospitals in Delhi. Democracy does not mean obstruction of health services. Rahul Gandhi has been detained at the

The Congress Vice President was not allowed to enter the premises of the Centre-run hospital.

Mandir Marg police station," he said.

Earlier, Sisodia managed to enter the hospital premises and meet the family members of the deceased, before being detained by police.

Eyewitnesses said Sisodia could enter the premises as he came in a civilian car, which went undetected by the security.

A senior official of the hos-

pital said the deceased, Ram Kishan Grewal, was "brought dead to the hospital at 1.45 AM last night".

"His body was sent for post-mortem to Lady Hardinge at 7.30 AM in the morning today," the official said.

Vehicular movement ouitside the hospital was thrown out of gear as Rahul's presence led to chaos. (PTI)

Cong raises eyebrows over CM gifting sarees ahead of Goa polls Panaji, Nov 2: The Congress today criticised Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar for distributing sarees to women in his constituency ahead of the state polls due in March next year.

However, the CM said the saree distribution had nothing to do with elections, and that it was an "age-old tradition".

Addressing a press conference here, Goa Congressunit spokesman Ramakant Khalap alleged that Parsekar distributed 15,000 sarees to women in his Mandrem constituency.

"The sarees were distributed in each and ev-

ery household in the constituency which has 50 per cent female voters," Khalap said.

He claimed that "many women rejected the gift while few burnt it (saree) along with the effigy of demon Narakasur (which is burnt on the eve of Diwali)".

The Congress demanded an inquiry by Enforcement Directorate or Anti-Corruption Bureau into the distribution of these doles ahead of the elections.

When asked for his reaction on the allegations, Parsekar said it is an age old tradition he has been following to distribute sarees to his sisters in the constituency.

"I have distributed sarees in my personal capacity. It's an age-old tradition that I distribute sarees during Diwali," the chief minister said.

Parsekar said the saree packet did not have any party symbol nor they were distributed in his capacity as the chief minister.

"I don't know from where this figure of 15,000 sarees has come from. I can't tell the exact figure as I have given gift to my sisters," he said.

Responding to the demand for an inquiry, the CM said he did not distribute the sarees in dark, or hiding from the agencies. (Agencies)

Lucknow, Nov 2: Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav will flag off the yatra even as the duo is locked in a stand-off over several issues in the party just ahead of the Assembly polls.

According to reports, SP Uttar Pradesh unit and Akhilsh's uncle Shivpal Yadav is likely to be present on the occasion as he wants to send a message of unity in the ruling party.

"All arrangements have been made. The yatra will be flagged off by 'Netaji' (Mulayam) and senior party leaders, party state president Shivpal Yadav will also remain present," MLC Sunil Yadav Sajan, who is close to Akhilesh, said.

Sajan, who is also in charge of first leg of the yatra, said at every second kilometre, the CM will be welcomed and he will also address gatherings at various locations. Last month, Shivpal had expelled Sajan, considered close o Akhilesh, from the party.

A luxury bus has been customized as a 'Rath' equipped with a hydraulic platform, which could be launched aloft to enable the Chief Minister address public meetings.

The hi-tech bus is predominantly hued in red colour of SP. It comprises

a mini CM office, kitchen and a lavatory to allow the occupant officiate from it comfortably.

A life size image of Akhilesh riding a bicycle also adorns its exterior.

The bus is equipped with Wi-Fi connection, while Akhilesh would also be able to keep track of the latest news on a large TV screen.

The supporters of both Akhilesh and Shivpal factions are keeping an eye on the development and the entire route of yatra is dotted with hoardings, banners and colourful arches to welcome the 'Vikas Sey Vijay Tak' rath yatra starting from here.

A hoarding put up by a youth leader close to Shivpal says "Shivpal kahey dil se, Akhilesh ka abhishek phir se" (Shivpal says from his heart to make Akhilesh CM again), while some others only highlight Akhilesh's achievements.

"The hoardings put up by the leaders show the state of confusion in the party.

It's visible on roads. We wish this confusion to end with the start of this yatra," a senior SP leader said.

A cavalcade of over 5,000 SUVs and trucks will seek to send a message to the party leadership that 43year-old Akhilesh is the "most acceptable" face of

Police investigate the encounter site at the hillocks of Acharpura village after the STF killed 8 Students of Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists who escaped Central Jail killing a security guard in Bhopal on Monday.

Bhopal, Nov 2: Bodies of seven of the eight SIMI activists, who were killed in an alleged police encounter following a daring prison break in Bhopal, were on Tuesday laid to rest in different parts of Madhya Pradesh amid tight security.

Bodies of five deceased - Amjad Khan, Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Salik, Sheikh Mehboob and Aqueel Khilji - were buried in their home district - Khandwa.

The five bodies were kept at Khilji's residence at Gulmohar locality before being laid to rest at Bada Cemetery close to Abana river around 11 PM.

Over 2,000 people took part in the funeral procession. At some places, to avoid any stampede-like situation, police had to drive people away, who had come to take a glimpse of the deceased.

Around 700 police personnel, some of them in plain clothes, kept a watch on the funeral procession, sources said.

Meanwhile, one slain SIMI operative, Mohammad Khalid, who hailed from Maharashtra, was laid to rest in Bhopal.

"Khalid was from Solapur, but his parents are no more and his brother, who was also a SIMI operative, is lodged in Bhopal Central Jail.

SP. The pro-CM camp, which has expelled SP leaders, is working overtime to make it one of the biggest political shows of recent times, coming close on the heels of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's month-long Deoria-toDelhi 'kisan yatra'.

Another gala event is scheduled for Saturday to mark SP's silver jubilee.

Seeking to cobble together a 'mahagathbandhan', Mulayam has sent out invitations to all "secular and like-minded" leaders of various parties like RJD and JD-U. But, chances of these leaders making it to the event appeared remote since the date clashes with 'Chhath Puja', a major festival in Bihar.

Last week, Mulayam's younger brother and state SP chief Shivpal had met JD(U) leader K C Tyagi and RLD chief Ajit Singh to invite them to the anniversary bash in Lucknow.

Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihar's grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA. Shivpal had recently blamed his estranged

Woman gangraped inside Kejriwal attacks Modi govt over moving car in Haryana OROP after suicide by army veteran

Fatehabad ,Nov 2: A Dalit woman was allegedly raped inside a moving car by three men after offering her a ride on NarwanaTohana road here, police said today.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, while a complaint in this regard was lodged at Tohana police station today, they said.

The woman has alleged that while she was waiting for a conveyance to reach the railway station, a car stopped in front of her and the three accused offered her a ride, police said.

On the way, she was molested and raped by the trio, she has alleged in her complaint, police said.

The woman said that she was abandoned at Dahman village at about 8 PM, after three hours of confinement in the car, according to police.

Police team has so far not got any clue of the car as well as the accused, said Sandeep Kumar, SHO Tohana police station, adding that investigation was underway.

On victim's complaint, the police have registered case under relevant sections of the IPC, he said. (PTI)

Patna, Nov 2 :Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today favoured an independent probe into the Bhopal jail break by SIMI activists and their subsequent killing by the police for "clarity" on what had happened.

"Some striking pictures have emerged on the event and hence there is a need for clarity on the event," Kumar told reporters here.

He said he knew his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Singh Chouhan and expressed confidence that his government would explain "the entire event with clarity."

"All (8 SIMI inmates) fled together and joined later on

and the video shot on encounter also creates doubt in the minds of people," he said and advised the MP government to go for an independent probe into the episode.

He said he was not in favour of a probe conducted by a central agency which was under control of the ruling party at the Centre and suggested one by an independent agency.

RJD President Lalu Prasad has also demanded a high level probe into the incident.

"Why BJP is not getting the event probed?...BJP is known for 'dhong' (pretence) in the name of nationalism," the RJD chief said. (PTI)

Bhopal encounter: Seven SIMI members buried in MP, Nitish, Lalu seek probe one body taken to Gujarat into Bhopal jailbreak Since nobody came to claim his body, he was laid to rest here by police," a police officer said.

Another deceased, Abdul Majid, was buried at his hometown at Mahidpur in Ujjain district.

Meanwhile, the body of Sheikh Mujeeb was taken to Ahmedabad by his family members, his lawyer Parvez Alam said.

The bodies were handed over to the family members after the postmortem in Bhopal. While taking custody of the bodies, the relatives questioned the genuineness of the police encounter.

The kin of Abdul Majid argued with police officials outside the morgue of Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal and alleged foul play in the way he was killed. Zakir Hussain's mother Salma Bi and brother Azaz said the "conspiracy" needs to be probed thoroughly.

"Zakir had told me that he did not feel safe and feared for his life," Salma Bi said adding, "My son has attained martyrdom."

The eight SIMI activists were killed in the alleged police encounter on the outskirts of Bhopal hours after they escaped from the high security Central jail, killing a security guard there on Monday.

(Agencies)

The stage is set for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's 'Vikas Rath Yatra' to be flagged off tomorrow.

cousin Ram Gopal Yadav for Samajwadi Party's decision to walk out of the alliance in Bihar.

Ram Gopal, a Rajya Sabha member, has been backing Akhilesh in his fight against Shivpal. Ram Gopal was recently sacked from the party amid escalating tension between the rival camps.

Given the unusual belligerence shown by Akhilesh, the party apparently wants to fortify its position by bringing in new friends.

SP's main aim in the polls is to prevent split of Muslim votes for which it is looking for an alliance with "secular" parties.

Congress' poll strategist Prashant Kishor yesterday held a two-hour meeting with Mulayam, who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties.

Kishor, along with SP leader Amar Singh, met Yadav at his Delhi residence, apparently to discuss the possibility of an alliance before the poll dates are announced.

Akhilesh, who ruled out parting ways with Samajwadi Party in the wake of the unprecedented family feud, has said he will participate in the silver jubilee event, though a large number of his loyalists are likely to boycott the show in view of the strife in the party. (PTI)

Goa minister escapes unhurt as bus hits his official vehicle Pnajai, Nov 2: Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar today escaped unhurt even as a tourist bus hit his official vehicle, police said.

"The mishap occurred in the afternoon at Agassaim village on the national highway. We have registered a case against the driver of the bus with a Maharashtraregistration number as he banged his vehicle into the official car of the minister from behind," Agassaim police inspector Uday Parab told media.

The accident occurred at a place around 10 km from here as Parulekar was on his way back from his official visit to south Goa. The minister was seating on the front seat, Parab said.

He said traffic was affected for a few minutes due to the accident but the police rushed to the spot and managed the situation well.

"Later, the minister left for his office in the same official vehicle," the inspector added. (PTI)

New Delhi, Nov 2: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today tore into the Centre over the alleged suicide by an ex-serviceman here, holding it guilty of "deceit" and indulging in "lies" over the OROP issue.

Kejriwal asserted that Ram Kishan Grewal's "martyrdom will not go in vain" and emphasised on the need to take his struggle forward, saying a country where soldiers and farmers commit suicide have no future.

"The Prime Minister is lying to the entire country claiming that OROP has been implemented. If it was implemneted then why Ram Kishan had to commit suicide? The extent of the deceit of the BJPgovernment over the issue is unprecedented," Kejriwal said in a video message.

Kejriwal also used the occasion to take swipe at the BJP over the issue of surgical strikes and the recent controversies on 'downgrading' of military ranks and the 'cuts' in disability pension of defence per-

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. sonnel.

"The day after the surgical strikes, government brought huge cuts to army's disability pensions.

Then, ranks of the military officers were lowered.

These are big deceits. And they go about town tomtomming the surgical strikes. The army is being deceived and misused for political gains," the AAP chief said.

He demanded that the Centre implement the Delhi government's compensation policy of Rs 1 crore to the families of martyrs across the country and that OROP be

Pak resorts to fresh shelling along LoC in Rajouri Jammu, Nov 2: Violating the ceasefire, Pakistani troops today shelled areas along the LoC in Bhimber Gali sector of Rajouri district.

The latest ceasefire violation comes a day after eight civilians including two children were killed and 22 others injured in heavy shelling by Pakistani troops.

The Defence PRO said, "There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in BG sector from 1230 hours today."

They fired from automatic weapons and lobbed 82 mm mortar bombs, he said, adding that the Indian troops gave a befitting reply.

Along the International Border (IB), there were no reports of firing and shelling during the night.

"No firing incident was re-

ported on IB of Jammu since night," PRO BSF said.

In view of the relentless shelling, the Jammu and Kashmir government has closed over 400 schools along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region.

A total of 18 people, including 12 civilians, have been killed and more than 80 suffered injuries in Pakistani shelling and firing along IB and LoC in Jammu since surgical strikes against terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

BSF had yesterday said that 14 Pakistani Posts were destroyed in retaliatory action by its troops along International Border (IB) in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Jammu frontier.

(Agencies)

implemented in toto.

"Disability pension should also be increased and their (military officers') ranks should be taken to the previous status. And there should be an end to the politicization of the surgical strikes. Stop putting up hoardings everywhere," he said, referring to the banners put up by BJP hailing the cross-border assault by the army.

The AAP leader also rued that it was "very sad" to see that soldiers have to fight against external enemy along the border and "within" for their rights.

(Agencies)

Former independent candidate shot dead Sambhal, Nov 2: A 30-yearold man, who had contested the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections as an independent, was shot dead by two persons here, police said Wednesday.

The incident took place Tuesday when Hemendra Kumar was returning home after closing his shop. Two bike-borne assailants shot him dead, they said.

Kumar had unsuccessfully contested the 2012 Assembly polls as an independent candidate.

An FIR has been registered in this regard against Virendra Kumar, Bhanu Pratap and an unidentified person on the complaint of the victim's father, police said.

They added that an old enmity with relatives might be the motive behind the killing. (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Rating firms need to introspect; disconnected with investors New Delhi, Nov 2: The government today slammed global rating agencies for not upgrading India's sovereign rating despite a slew of reforms, saying they need to do some "introspection" as investors globally feel the country is "under-rated".

Talking to reporters after S&P Global Ratings ruled out an upgrade for India for next 2 years, while retaining rating at lowest investment grade BBB-, Economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das said the government will continue to adhere to the path of economic reforms and policies. "If the rating has not been improved, its a matter which doesn't bother us so much. It's a question which calls for an introspection among those who do the rating," Das said. He said global investors feel India is highly "under- rated". "There is a disconnect, therefore, between what the investors are thinking of, what they have in their mind, and (what) the rating agencies

Image for representation purpose. are concluding. I think somewhere there is a disconnect," he said. Das cited various steps taken by the government in the last two years, including controlling inflation and structural reforms like GST and bankruptcy. "If you compare the various factors which the report itself talks about, is there any other economy that equals this? So with all this, if there is no improvement, I think it's a matter for the rating agency itself to put a question to itself and perhaps undertake a kind of

introspection," Das said.

The government will continue to adhere to the path of economic reforms as well as various policy initiatives and it's for the rating agencies to take their own view, he added. "I am not questioning anybody's methodology now. It's a detailed report we have to go through.

They are independent rating agencies. And we value their comments...and attach a lot of importance to the comments and observations of all the rating agencies," he said. (PTI)

AI mulls leasing Dorniers to boost regional services New Delhi, Nov 2: Flag carrier Air India is mulling leasing ten Dornier aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to boost its regional operations as the government looks to make flying more affordable under the ambitious UDAN scheme.

State-owned HAL is already making the Dornier 228 planes under licence from Swiss technology company RUAG for the defence forces and European markets.

To evaluate the feasibility of inducting a new type of jetliner into its fleet, Air India has set up three committees and a final decision on the matter would be taken after receiving reports from the panels, the airline's Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani said.

Currently, the government-owned carrier operates aircraft manufactured

by Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and ATR. "We have set up three committees, one each from finance, operations and engineering. These

committees will study all aspects of the proposal and any decision (whether to lease or not to lease) will be based on the outcome of their reports," Lohani told PTI here.

However, he did not divulge further details.

Air India, which has turned operationally profitable last fiscal after nearly a decade, would operate more regional flights through Alliance Air. Alliance Air, which mostly connects Tier II and III cities to metro hubs, currently flies to 34 destinations and has 39 daily departures.

Under the ambitious regional air connectivity scheme named UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) launched last month, Civil Aviation Ministry has listed three categories of aircraft -those having less than 20 seats, 21-80-seaters, and 80 seats or more.

HAL's 19-seater Dornier 228 could be useful for civil operations with certain modifications, an of-

ficial said.

According to the official, both Air India and HAL are currently in discussions for a possible leasing of 10 such planes for operating flights under UDAN. "At least 10 Dornier 228 are expected to be inducted on lease," the official said, adding a final decision on the issue would be taken before the end of this fiscal.

UDAN seeks to provide air connectivity to unserved and under-served airports, especially in small cities, as well as make flying more affordable for the masses.

Fares of half of the seats operated in a particular flight of one-hour duration under UDAN would be capped at Rs 2,500. The cap would be applicable for distance of 476-500 kilometres.

Government expects the first flight under the regional connectivity scheme by early next year and is pinning hopes on Air India for the successful take off of UDAN. (PTI)

RBI norms on one-time settlement for debt ridden sectors soon

The detailed guidelines should be out within next 8-10 days.

New Delhi, Nov 2: In order to provide breather to construction sector, the Reserve Bank is likely to come out soon with detailed norms for one-time settlement of loans in line with the Cabinet decision.

"The guidelines for onetime settlement scheme for stressed sectors are almost ready barring some fine-tuning. They should be out any moment," sources said. The detailed guidelines should be out within next 8-10 days sources said, adding that it could have benefits in terms of relaxation in debt payment timelines or lowering of provisioning requirement.

They will be anchor guidelines for all debt ridden sectors including construction and real estate, sources added.

Banks' exposure to the

construction sector stands at over Rs 3 lakh crore, and 45 percent or Rs 1.35 lakh crore of the loans are under stress. Overall, gross NPAs of the public sector banks have surged from 5.43 percent (Rs 2.67 lakh crore) in 201415 to 9.32 percent (Rs 4.76 lakh crore) in 201516. There could be separate norms which could be with regard to relaxation of margin money requirement for bank guarantees for the construction sector, among other things, sources said. Earlier this year, the Cabinet had approved an array of measures including easing of rules for quicker settlement of disputes, pump in liquidity and reinvigorate stalled projects with the objective to revive construction and real es-

tate sectors. It was also decided that Department of Financial Services in the Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will consider giving one-time scheme for stressed bank loans in the sector. The government had also proposed to form a conciliation board in all new construction projects. The construction sector contributes 8 percent of the GDP and provides employment to some 40 million people in the country. The cabinet had also approved a NITI Aayog proposal related to the construction sector that seeks to eliminate bottlenecks for projects where contractors are fighting a legal battle with government agencies. Under the proposal put forward by NITI Aayog and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the government agencies would pay 75 percent of the arbitral award amount to an escrow account against margin free bank guarantee, in those cases where the award is challenged.

(Agencies)

BUSSINESS P11 SBI cuts home loan rate; ICICI offers overdraft To cash in on the festive fervour, banks have unveiled a host of benefits.

New Delhi, Nov 2: To cash in on the festive fervour, banks including SBI and ICICI have unveiled a host of benefits such as reduction in rates, waiver of processing fee and overdraft facility.

SBI has further slashed interest rates by 0.15 per cent for its home loans up to Rs 75 lakh, while ICICI Bank is offering overdraft facility along with home loan.

SBI Home Loans are cheapest in the market and provide an opportunity for both new home buyers as well as those who wish to switch over their home loan to SBI to save on EMI, the bank said in a statement.

SBI home loan would be available at 9.15 per cent while women borrower

will get at 9.10 per cent.

Another market major ICICI Bank is offering the salaried having an account with it, credit from Rs 5 lakh going up to Rs 1 crore against property owned by them.

The product, 'ICICI Bank Home Overdraft', will offer dual advantage of a term loan as well as an overdraft facility, the bank said in a statement.

"While the term loan provides customers with quick funds for immediate needs, the overdraft facility offers them the flexibility to access funds instantly for expenses, as and when required," it said.

Those buying the overdraft loan from the bank would be able to utilise the

SBI home loan would be available at 9.15 per cent while women borrower will get at 9.10 per cent. funds for their personal needs such as for education, medical treatment, home renovation, marriage and overseas travel among others.

Beginning from a minimum of Rs 5 lakh to a maximum of Rs 1 crore, customers will have the facility to avail a minimum 10 per cent of the

total amount as term loan and maximum 90 per cent as overdraft.

ICICI Bank said the interest on term loan would be charged as per the equated monthly instalment, while on the overdraft the charges will be only on the utilised amount for the period the funds are used.

On a Home Loan of Rs 50 lakh, reduction in interest rate by 0.15 per cent by SBI will help a home buyer to save Rs 542 per month and approximately Rs 2 lakh during the loan tenure of 30 years, SBI said.

According to SBI, value of the savings on EMI of Rs 542 per month, if invested in a recurring deposit, will be approximately Rs 6 lakh at the end of the loan tenure. (PTI)

Rupee extends losses, Gold price spikes to Rs 30,950; down 14 paise in late at 1-month high on buying morning deals New Delhi, Nov 2: Gold Mumbai, Nov 2: The rupee extended its initial losses and was quoting lower by 14 paise to Rs 66.85 against the US currency in late morning deals on sustained bouts of dollar demand by importers and banks amid lower local equities.

The domestic currency opened lower by 66.80 as against yesterday's closing level of 66.71 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market.

It hovered in a range of 66.86 and 66.78 before quoting at 66.85 at 1030 hrs.

Meanwhile, the dollar In-

dex was trading down by 0.11 per cent at 97.63 against a basket of six currencies in the early trade.

In overseas market, the US dollar slumped against its major rivals in early Asian trade as the US presidential election increasingly looked too close to call, jangling investors' nerves and fuelling demand for perceived havens such as the Japanese yen.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex was trading down by 279.36 points, or 1 per cent, to 27,597.25, at 1045 hrs.

(PTI)

Australia announces 19 grants for projects with India Sports programme will also be undertaken jointly in India by Hockey Australia and Dabang Mumbai Hockey Club to share expertise in hockey training, she said.

Melbourne, Nov 2: In a bid to boost ties with India, the Australian government on Wednesday announced 19 grants worth 630,000 dollars for several projects in the field of education, science, sports, arts and culture. "I announce the recipients of grants funded

by Australia-India Council," foreign minister Julie Bishop said. "The successful grants include an exchange between TAFENSW and India's Centurion University to share expertise for training indigenous learners, collaboration between University of New South Wales and Indian scientists to develop effective new water purification systems for the country's water supply," she said.

It also includes development of a website by Women's Legal Service

Tasmania and TRS Law Offices in India to provide young Indian women with information about their rights. Sports programme will also be undertaken jointly in India by Hockey Australia and Dabang Mumbai Hockey Club to share expertise in hockey training, she said.

The grant has also been assigned to a project by Soft Tread Enterprises to tell the story of historical links between Australia and India through theatrical and literary performances and for a collaboration between Queensland University of Technology and KM Music Conservatory Chennai to develop new approaches to music curriculum and facilitate ongoing exchanges with New Colombo Plan students. (Agencies)

price on Wednesday zoomed to one-month high of Rs 30,950 per 10 grams, up Rs 250, tracking a solid trend overseas amid increased buying by domestic jewellers on wedding season demand.

Silver ready went past the Rs 44,000-mark by jumping Rs 900 to Rs 44,100 per kg on speculative buying, while silver weekly-based delivery rallied by Rs 1,015 to Rs 43,725 per kg.

Traders said buying sentiment became strong after gold rose for the fifth day to the highest level in almost a month overseas as the dollar weakened ahead of US Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision.

Globally, gold rose 0.35 per cent to $1,292.30 an ounce in Singapore on Wednesday.

Besides, persistent buying by jewellers following pick-up in demand for ornaments, at the domestic spot market, driven by

Image for representation purpose. ongoing wedding season propped up the upside, they said.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity climbed Rs 250 each to Rs 30,950 and Rs 30,800 per 10 grams - a level last seen on October 3, when it had stood at Rs 31,200.

It had gained Rs 50 yesterday.

Sovereign, however, fell

by Rs 120 to Rs 24,400

per piece of eight grams.

Silver ready soared Rs 900 to Rs 44,100 per kg on higher demand from coin makers and other consuming industries, while silver weekly-based delivery spurted by Rs 1,015 to Rs 43,725 per kg on speculative activity.

Silver coins, in line with silver, also traded higher by Rs 1,000 at Rs 75,000 for buying and Rs 76,000 for selling of 100 pieces. (PTI)

India pitches for Chinese investment under 'Make in India' Beijing, Nov 2: India has made a strong pitch for Chinese investments under the Make in India initiative in a range of sectors like infrastructure development and solar energy at two events in the booming eastern Zhejiang province.

Nagaraj Naidu, DirectorGeneral of Investment Trade and Promotion Division of Ministry of External Affairs, introduced the overall investment environment and guidelines for benefit of companies from Huzhou city at the India-China Business and Investment Forum and India Week celebrations.

A 60-member Indian business delegation headed by Prakash Gupta, Consul-General of Indian Consulate in Shanghai, took part in the events from October 31.

The events were jointly organised by the consulate and the local Huzhou government.

The cooperation with Huzhou was a unique initiative bringing together economic, commercial and cultural aspects and

intends to transport a truly Indian experience, said a statement from the consulate today.

India's strong pitch for Chinese investments at the two events was mainly directed towards infrastructure development, solar panels, roads, smart cities, urban transportation and power sectors.

Huzhou located at an hour's drive from Shanghai - has been a key business partner for India in the Eastern China Region, and the city firms have shown a keen interest in investing in India under Make in India initiative, it said.

There was also considerable interest amongst the Huzhou people to know about the Indian culture, films and art forms and given this context, Huzhou was chosen as the second city in Zhejiang Province after Wenzhou to launch the India Week celebrations, it said.

Huzhou Communist Party of China Secretary Qiu Dongyao assured

them of Huzhou companies' strong interest in investing in Make in India projects pertaining to infrastructure and smart cities.

The India Week Celebrations commenced with a cultural dance performance 'Rhythms of Rajasthan' by the Kalbelia dance troupe.

Additional presentations covered possible collaboration in banking, IT, ecommerce and medical tourism into India. A series of B2B meetings were also organised for participating Indian companies with their Huzhou counterparts.

An MoU was signed between Indian Confederation of Indian Industry Shanghai Rep Office and China Council for Promotion of International Trade Huzhou for future collaboration in promoting bilateral commercial exchanges between India and Huzhou, the statement said.

An Indian food festival was also organised showcasing the best Indian culinary experience, it added. (Agencies)

RBI sets rupee reference rate at 66.8294 against US dollar

Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop

Mumbai, Nov 2: The Reserve Bank of India today fixed the reference rate of the rupee at 66.8294 against the US dollar and 73.9534 for the euro.

The corresponding rates

were 66.7140 and 73.1786, respectively, yesterday.

According to an RBI statement, the exchange rates for the pound and the yen against the rupee were 81.8861 and 64.37

per 100 yens, respectively, based on reference rates for the dollar and cross-currency quotes at noon.

The SDR-rupee figure will be based on this rate, the statement added. (PTI)

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

P12 Injury woes rule Rohit out of entire England series Mumbai, Nov 2: Injury woes continued to dog Rohit Sharma, who was ruled out today from the entire fiveTest series against England, which commences on November 9 at Rajkot, because of a thigh injury which may need even a surgery.

Rohit, who played in the preceding three-Test rubber versus New Zealand, sustained an injury to his right thigh during the fifth and final ODI against the same opposition on October 29 at Visakhapatnam.

The Mumbai stroke player has been ruled out of the entire Test series as he will need at least 6-8 weeks to recover and may even need surgery after assessment, according to chief selector M S K Prasad.

"Yes, unfortunately we have all seen on TV that Rohit Sharma is badly injured. And there is scope of surgical intervention, there is a chance (that) he is going to be assessed in England. In case it is required he might have to undergo a surgery," Prasad told a media conference after the selection committee meeting today to pick the Test squad. "(We are) definitely not (considering) him for the Test series. In case he does not require a surgical intervention, then 6-8 weeks (for recovery) and if it (surgery) is required then it could be more," Prasad said.

"It was somewhere close to the hip (or) leg. It's on the upper thigh region (of the right leg)," the chief selector added.

"The thigh muscle tendon has been injured for which he will be assessed by the specialists (in England)," intervened Dr M V Sridhar, BCCI's general manager, cricket operations.

Injuries have upset Sharma's Test career in the past too.

In 2010, the Mumbaikar was all set to make his Test debut against Australia at Nagpur when he twisted his ankle while playing football with other team members just half an hour before the toss. Wriddhiman Saha made his Test debut as a pure batsman.

He missed the distinction and had to wait for three years before making his Test debut at Kolkata against West Indies in November 2013.

Till date, the Nagpur-born batsman has played in 21 Tests and amassed 1,184 runs. The 29-year-old right-handed batsman, who has played in 153 ODIs, holds the record for the highest score by any batsman in ODIs, when he stroked his way to an amazing 264 versus Sri Lanka at Kolkata in November 2014. (Agencies)

Costa’s stunner earns Mumbai a Hardik Pandya gets maiden calllate point against Chennaiyin up, Ishant makes comeback

Costa’s stunner earns Mumbai a late point against Chennaiyin Chennai, Nov 2: Chennaiyin FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Mumbai City FC in their Hero Indian Super League 2016 encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday evening. Jeje Lalpekhlua put the defending champions ahead six minutes into the second period before Leo Costa produced a sublime finish from about 30 yards in the 88th minute to silence more than 22,000 passionate home fans.

Jerry Lalrinzuala registered the hosts’ first shot on target with an effort from distance in the fifth minute that was straight at Albino Gomes in Mumbai’s goal.

Chennai’s Maurizio Peluso was next to test Gomes 17

minutes later courtesy of a well-executed free-kick from a dangerous area that forced Mumbai’s shotstopper into a save.

Peluso had another shot on goal in the 31st minute after picking up the ball on Chennai’s left flank before cutting infield and shooting at goal. This time, however, the Italian’s attempt was wide of the target and failed to test Gomes in goal.

Mumbai’s first attempt came nine minutes before half-time after Diego Forlan found the ball at his feet with time and space to run into. The Uruguayan’s attempted shot from range sailed fractions over the crossbar to the relief of

Chennai’s custodian Duwayne Kerr as the sides went in for the half-time interval having failed to break the deadlock.

The first chance of the second period also went Chennai’s way when a deflected Raphael Augusto shot from range went behind for a corner. Jeje rose highest at the near post in the 51st minute from the resulting corner to head Peluso’s corner between Gomes’ legs and give his side a 1-0 lead.

Jeje could have made it 2-0 five minutes later as he tried to guide a Lalrinzuala cross beyond Gomes in goal. The 25-year-old though couldn’t keep his shot on target as the ball went behind for a goal-kick. A well-timed tackle by Lucian Goian denied Chennaiyin from doubling their lead again in the 64th minute after another Lalrinzuala cross was almost met cleanly by Jeje on the cusp of the six-yard box.

Cafu registered the visitors’ first attempt of the second half in the 67th minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box that flew into Kerr’s grateful arms. The hosts should have put the result beyond dispute in the 71st minute when Dudu found himself in on goal with just the keeper to beat.

Gomes was quick off his line though to deny the Nigerian and keep his side in the game.

Augusto had another de-

Match Awards: Club award:

Shared

by both clubs

Fittest Player of the Match: Lucian Goian Winning Pass of the Match: Maurizio Peluso

Moment of the Match: Leo Costa ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Sena Ralte

Hero of the Match: flected shot from far out six minutes before full-time, which nearly dipped into Mumbai’s goal. The equaliser came four minutes later thanks to a sensational left-footed strike

by Costa from distance that hit inside of the post before rippling the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Mumbai pushed forward in search of a winner in the closing stages of the match with momentum on their side. The Super Machans kept shape, however, and even tried to get forward themselves. But at the final whistle it ended all square as Mumbai picked up their first ever point against Chennai. (Agencies)

Sports Ministry tells federations to identify Tokyo 2020 prospects Sports Ministry has also advised NSFs to prepare the programme of training and exposures of the medal prospects for 2017.

New Delhi, Nov 2: In a bid to ensure that medal prospects for the 2020 Olympics get sustained help in the next four years, the Sports Ministry has directed the National Sports Federations (NSFs) to identify potential medallists by the end of this month. "Department of Sports has advised NSFs to identify medal prospects and their support staff for the 2020 Olympic Games by 30th November 2016. This is to ensure that the core probables get support of dedicated world class support staff on a continuing basis to be able to work as a coherent team and deliver," the Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry said the move, approved by the

Sports Ministry has vowed to keep the entire process of selection and training of athletes as transparent.

Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel, is intended to give a head-start to the country's preparations for the Olympics. The Department has further advised NSFs to prepare the programme of training and exposures of the

medal prospects for the year 2017.

"The NSFs should approach the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for any financial assistance required under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme," the Ministry

stated.

There will be a six monthly review of the performance of the athletes and support staff for inclusion/exclusion in the list of core probable and their support staff.

"The department has advised the NSFs to carry out the exercise of selection and review with total transparency and put up details of the same on their website as a part of suo moto disclosure.

"In respect of the sports discipline(s) in which NSFs are suspended/not recognised by MYAS, this exercise is to be undertaken by Sports Authority of India (SAI) namely Archery, Gymnastics, Judo, Tennis," the Ministry said. (Agencies)

We won't be completely dependent on Sunil: Bengaluru FC coach Bengaluru, Nov 2: India captain Chhetri led Bengaluru FC to a historic AFC Cup final berth by scripting an inspiring 3-1 win over defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim with his stunning double strike in Bengaluru last month. This is the first instance of an Indian club playing in the final of AFC Cup. "We play as a team and Sunil is the captain of that team. It's going to take everyone to chip in with their best performances if we are to give ourselves a chance in the final. Whether Sunil scores or not, he's always working hard," he said.

"He didn't score in the quarterfinal and the first leg of the semis but Vineeth and Eugene came up with goals. We won't be depending on Sunil but I know he will lead the team just as he has been all

Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca today sought to remove the perception that the team is over-reliant on talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri but made it clear that his wards will have to play out of their skins in the final of AFC Cup if they are to win the title.

these years," Roca added.

Roca is at the helm of affairs as the club chases history again.

"It sure feels nice to be part of Indian football history despite having very little time with the team. It's also a testament to how hard the boys and the staff have worked to bring the

club to this moment. But there is so much more to achieve and we cannot afford to be satisfied with this. We have one more chance to do something special and that's what we have been focusing on."

Bengaluru FC's opponents in the summit showdown, Iraq's Air Force FC,

have scored 26 goals so far in the campaign.

"I've said more than a few times that we play to our strengths. We have got to be brave and I don't see how going defensive translates to being brave. Yes, they are a good side that loves scoring but we back ourselves."

Asked if has any particular plan for Hammadi Ahmed who has run riot in the AFC Cup 2016 so far, having scored 15 goals, Roca said, "I spend time with the technical staff on the opponents and we're doing as much homework as we can.

"We're definitely going into this game with a plan and can only hope that it unfolds the way we want it to.

Of course, that will mean the boys do everything that is asked of them and maybe more."

When asked how telling a blow could be first goal-

All-rounder Hardik Pandya

Jeje Lalpekhlua

keeper Amrinder Singh's absence in the final, he said, "It's a shame that he's missing out but we back (Lalthuammawia) Ralte equally.

"He's been really professional at training and has done enough for us to believe that he will turn up with the goods on the day.

All the boys are working hard at training, knocking on the door to earn a place in the starting XI and that helps."

A handful of fans are likely to travel to Doha to cheer for the Blues.

"Our fans were amazing on the 19th against Johor and it made me really happy when I heard a few of them would be coming. It tells you a lot about the club and the love that the fans feel towards it. We hope we can make their trip a memorable one."

(Agencies)

K.L. Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rohit Sharma have been left out due to fitness-related issues.

New Delhi, Nov 2: Allrounder Hardik Pandya was the lone new face in the 15member Test squad announced on Wednesday for the first two matches against England, starting November 9 in Rajkot. Senior pacer Ishant Sharma also made a comeback into the squad, after recovering from Chikungunya.K.L. Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rohit Sharma were left out due to fitness related issues.

Veteran opener Gautam Gambhir was retained in the squad after scoring a half century in the Indore Test against New Zealand.

Karun Nair is the reserve

batsman and Jayant Yadav is the fourth spinner in the squad after Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra.

Pacers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav retained their places in the side.

Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay, on the other hand, were automatic inclusions.

"If you look at Hardik Pandya, his pace has increased. His overall personality has mellowed down. He did extremely well in the ODI series and also during the A tour Down Under," M.S.K. Prasad told mediapersons.

Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Gautam Gambhir, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Karun Nair, Hardik Pandya, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jayant Yadav.

"We all have been trying to find an all-rounder after Kapil Dev. In case we play three spinners, he can be the second seamer and also can bat, "he reasoned. (Agencies)

Centurion Zinedine Zidane Seeks More From Unbeaten Real Madrid HIGHLIGHTS Zinedine Zidane is the manager of Real Madrid They will play Legia Warsaw in the Champions League Real Madrid are the current Champions League title holders

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane being welcomed by fans in Warsaw.

Warsaw, Nov 2: Zinedine Zidane takes charge of his 100th match as a coach when Real Madrid face Legia Warsaw behind closed doors in Poland on Wednesday seeking to seal their place in the Champions League last 16.

The holders haven't tasted defeat in any competition in 26 games since April as Zidane's first season as a senior coach ended in glorious fashion by winning Real's 11th European Cup. However, the Frenchman insisted he still has much to learn after just 10 months in the job following a season and a half in charge of Real's reserve team Castilla.

"Everything can be improved. I am happy for the 100 games, but I need to continue in the same fashion. There is always a lot to learn," Zidane said on Tuesday.

"I like what I do and hopefully I can continue

for a long time at this club."

Zidane has won 33 of his 42 matches since replacing the sacked Rafael Benitez in January with seven draws and just two defeats.

However, despite an unbeaten start to this season, Real have rarely hit top form with a leaky defence Zidane's biggest concern.

Madrid haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 games and will be without first choice defensive pairing of captain Sergio Ramos and Pepe for at least their next two matches against Legia and Leganes on Sunday.

"That doesn't worry me," claimed Zidane. "It is true that in every game we are conceding a goal, but in football you can't control everything."

Victory over the Polish champions will secure Madrid's place in the knockout phase for the 20th consecutive season

as long as Sporting Lisbon don't win away at Borussia Dortmund.

However, Real face the unusual surroundings of an empty stadium as Legia were sanctioned by UEFA for violence and racist chanting during their 6-0 thrashing by Dortmund in September.

"We have to play without fans, but we are going to prepare for the game in the same way because the important thing is the three points," added Zidane.

Marcelo and James Rodriguez have been left back in Madrid as youngsters Alvaro Tejero and Mariano make up Zidane's 19-man squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to form in style with his first hat-trick of the season in a 4-1 win at Alaves on Sunday and will lead the line along with Gareth Bale, fresh from signing one of the most lucrative deals in the history of the game to tie his future to Madrid until 2022.

Ronaldo will have his eye on edging towards another incredible career milestone as he is just five off 100 goals in the Champions League.

(Agencies)

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