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ASSENG/2015/64205

PAGE 11

Vol. 1

Issue 345

Dibrugarh, Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Price -

5.00

Pages- 12

PAGE 12

“Why is PPA silent while OBs of state BJP Grand preparation by BJP for Sarba’s on many occasions claimed to form full- swearing in ceremony as CM of Assam fledged BJP Government in Arunachal?”

Team A Staff Reporter Guwahati, May 23

“Why is PPA silent while several office Bearers of state BJP on many occasions claimed to form full-fledged BJP Government in Arunachal”, questioned Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). The congress Committee expressed surprised over the silence of People Party of Arunachal (PPA) on the repeated announcements of BJP that they would form the government anytime soon in the state.

APCC has released the

official statement in regards to the announcement made by Tapir Gao, President of State Unit BJP that the Saffron Party would form the Government in Arunachal Pradesh and it is just matter of time before it is going to happen, announced Tapir Gao while addressing party worker at Boleng under Siang district on Saturday last.

With the announcement made at Boleng this is the second time Tapir Gao have claimed to form BJP government in the state. The first time he has stated was just after the appointment as the State Chief.

Even today while speaking

to the media on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new state BJP headquarter office in Vivek Vihar, Itanagar Ajay Jamwal, BJP’s Zonal Organization SecretaryNortheast has claimed that after Assam, the lotus will soon bloom in Arunachal Pradesh and we will have a full-fledged BJP Government in the state before the next elections.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee finds it astonishing that PPA, the lone regional party is actually going to become a transits accommodation of Kalikho Pul led Government. The Congress Party have time and again shouted on many

occasions that BJP was behind the game to topple the Nabam Tuki led INC Govt in the state.

Since very beginning Modi and Rijiju conspired with Kalikho Pul along with the Governor Rajkhowa in the state however BJP have denied their hands in the game, alleged APCC. The state executive members have on many occasions indicated that a fullfledged BJP Government would be formed in the state.

However, the suspense still remains on how and when it will occur. Currently, the BJP is in a coalition government with the Peoples’ Party of Arunachal led by Chief Minister Kalikho Pul.

Arunachal will soon be a top state in Northeast in terms of Development, claims BJP A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 23

“After Assam, the lotus will soon bloom in Arunachal Pradesh and we will have a full-fledged BJP Government in the state before the next elections”, he claimed.

“Under the noble leadership of state BJP president Tapir Gao, Arunachal will soon be the top state in northeast in terms of development”.

Further, addressing the gathering at the inaugural of the new office, state BJP

ET CAPSULES

ULFA cadre apprehended in Pengaree

The ceremony participants coming from Zoo Road side and GS Road side will be routed through Supermarket, Last Gate, and BN Saikia road.

After participants alight at

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Hoardings of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being installed inviting people to swear in ceremony of new Chief Minister and newly elected MLAs to be held on tomorrow at Khanapara Veterinary field in Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos

Basistha Chariali, vehicles will proceed further towards Basistha temple or Patasarkuchi as per parking availability.

All vehicles carrying participants from upper Assam side, after alighting the participants at beneath Khanapara flyover on NH-37, will be guided to the J Marbaniang service station, Greenwood Resort and Young Construction for parking.

Vehicles coming from lower Assam, after alighting the participants at Joyanagar Chariali, the vehicles will be guided to the express highway and Sixmile-Panjabari road for parking.

All the light motor vehicle carrying participants from Guwahati and lower Assam

side will be guided to Beltola Bazaar field, Beltola Bihu field, Tripura goli point to NERIM point, Beltola tiniali to AASC, Dakhin Beltola High School field, Water Resource Office Complex, River Water Research office complex, directorate of Agriculture office complex and Veterinary College campus.

All participants coming through two-wheelers will be guided to park their vehicles at Khanapara Rotary. NH-37 from LGBI Airport to Khanapara, DG road Jalukbari Rotary to Bharalumukh, MG Road from Bharalumukh to Raj Bhawan, KLB Road, GNB Road from RBI to Guwahati Club, B Baruah Road, and GS Road from Volvo Point to Khanapara are declared as no parking zones for the day.

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur; May 23

president Tapir Gao urged the party workers to take responsibility for the development of the party. He also appealed to them to reach out to grass-root people and elucidate them about all the programmes and policy of the central government.

From “Mudra Bank to Jan Dhan Yojana –all such programme should reach to the people living in all corners of the state”, added Gao. Among others, MLAs Tamiyo Taga, Tage Taki, national executive member

Tame Phassang, state general secretary Dominic Tadar, B R Waghe, president Mahila Morcha Kenyir Ringu, along with other ranks and files of state BJP unit participated in the inaugural programme of the new BJP headquarter office at Vivek Vihar.

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul meets relatives of accident victims Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today met the relatives of the Sunday’s Bolero Pickup car accident victims that fell from a cliff more than 300 metres below, near Betchiling village as the death toll from the accident climbed to 15.

Digboi, May 23: The much chased ULFA cadre identified as Akon Moran (28) of Tekeri in Buba village under Pengaree police station has been apprehended by team of security forces here this afternoon from Tekeri. According to sources, a wing Indian Army apprehended Mr. Moran who has been accused of various criminal charges including extortion, kidnapping, and theft and providing arms to his fellow cadres. The sources informed that his anti social activities mostly confined to Tinsukia District and Sadiya in particular.

The security forces recovered a 7.6 MM Pistol and 7 rounds of live ammunition from the possession of the said ULFA cadre. Interrogation with the arrested cadre was being carried out till the filling of this report.

(Correspondent)

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, May 23

The Sarbananda Sonowal cabinet team has been finalized, and the present team which has been decided is not a full cabinet and will have 11 ministerial berths including the post of chief minister.

Out of the 11 berths, 2 each has been given to the AGP and BPF each, and 7 has been kept by the BJP, which also includes the post of the chief minister.

The probable list of ministers which has been drawn up includes Sarbananda Sonowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Prasanta Phukan, Ranjit Dutta, Tapan Gogoi, Parimal Suklapadhya, Ranjit Das and from the BJP, Atul Bora and Keshab Mahanta from the AGP, and Pramila Rani Brahma and Rihon Daimari from the BPF. The list has been sent to the office of the Assam governor.

However the names for the post of Speaker and deputy speaker has not been finalized as yet, and will be finalized soon

Police investigation at snail's Addicted son murders pace in assualt case by air father in Dhakuakhana force personnel in Tinsukia

A Staff Reporter Kalaktang, May 23

Akon Moran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah will attend the swearing-in ceremony, and apart from this all the chief ministers of the eight North eastern states, and the Chief Ministers of all NDA-ruled states and all the senior Ministers of the Modi government will attend the swearing-in. Tarun Gogoi will also attend the swearing in ceremony of the new government. Meanwhile, the Guwahati Traffic Police have made elaborate arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony of the state's new chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal at the city's Khanapara veterinary playground on May 24.

A host of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and Tarun Gogoi are slated to attend it.

Ajay Jamwal, BJP’s Zonal Organization SecretaryNortheast appealed to the party workers today in an inauguration program of the new state BJP headquarter office in Vivek Vihar, Itanagar to maintain their team work to accomplish the mission for a BJP Government in Arunachal Pradesh, he said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP Government will remain in the centre for next 15 to 20 years.

Sarbananda finalized

BJP Sarbananda Sonowal, who led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to an astounding victory in the Assam Assembly polls, will be sworn in as the Assam Chief Minister tomorrow, and for this preparation work is in full swing at the veterinary field in Khanapara.

Rishu Kalantri.

Tinsukia, May 23

Even 24-hours after few drunken personnel of Indian Air Force, Chabua station roughed up a bar waiter here in Tinsukia town and fled away from the restaurant and bar without paying their food and alcohol bill for rupees 4720 bringing disrespect to world's one of the most disciplined defence organisation, police has failed to identify the culprits. This slow pace of investigation has been hailed from all quarters.

According to sources, police investigation is going on at a snail's pace only due to pressure from Indian air force.

Sources questioned what is the reason that despite the complainant having provided motorcycle number in the FIR and having told the police about the CCTV footage, investigators have not sent a team of officers to Chabua air force to find whether the bike belonged to personnel of Indian Air Force stationed at

The Chief Minister expressed “deep shock” at the incident and stressed that the visit to the accident site “is above all else, a sign of respect for the victims, the bereaved families and on humanitarian ground”.

Contd. on Page 4

Chabua in Dibrugarh. It could be easily found out from the register maintained at the main gate of Chabua base of Indian Air Force, added sources hinting towards pressure from senior officers of Indian Air Force.

In the meantime, Superintendent of Tinsukia police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said, that based upon the FIR lodged by the owner of the bar, police have registered a case under some sections of the IPC. He said, investigation is on and police is trying to accumulate evidence to convince senior officers of Indian Air Force in order to receive their cooperation.

However, intellectuals of the society has called on senior officer of Indian Air Force to investigate the matter on the basis of news report and hand over the culprits to the police.

They said this will be an important step by Indian Air Force in maintaining the dignity and image of the disciplined organization in front of the people of this land.

The Arunachal Pradesh Women's Welfare Society (APWWS) today urged the state government to make marriage registration

Police arrests Congress leader Pranjit Choudhury

Congress Leader Pranjit Choudhury is produced at CJM Court in Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos.

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, May 23

APWWS wants Arunachal to make marriage registration compulsory PTI Itanagar, May 23

A brutal act of murdering a father by his son taken place at No.1 Bantow Gaon expanded massive sensation in entire Dhakuakhana SubDivision of Lakhimpur District. As per report found, third son Bichitra Chamua alias Achut stroke his father Jogeswar Chamua(60) with a 'dao' on several part of his body at 11 last night while the former

compulsory in the state.

The appeal came after West Kameng district recently launched an online marriage registration portal in Bomdila in conformation with Supreme Court ruling of

compulsory marriage registration and Arunachal Pradesh Govt Marriage Registration Rules 2007, a press release informed.

personal initiative of West Kameng DC Dr Sonal Swaroop along with the DIO (NIC) Bomdila.

The online marriage registration portal has been a

The APWWS has urged others to start the process of registration of marriage.

APWWS president Gumri Ringu said that state administration must make registration of marriages compulsory in order to ensure sanctity of marriage as well as safeguard the rights of women, the release added.

was in drunken condition.

Then the brute left the father near the Namghar of Srimanta Sankardev Sangha where he committed the crime. Late night the victim was admitted at the Dhakuakhana Civil Hospital and he breathed his last there. Local people informed the matter to the police and handed over the culprit after catching him while he planned to run away. The dead body was sent to North Lakhimpur Civil Hospital for postmortem.

Congress leader Pranjit Choudhury, who was arrested on Saturday night in a case of sexual harassment, was today produced before a court which remanded him to 14 days judicial custody. A woman has lodged an FIR against Pranjit Choudhury accusing him of committing rape and also cheating her. The 23-year old woman had lodged her FIR against Choudhury on April 13, in which she alleged that the latter had physically exploited her with the promise to marry

after the election was over.

Choudhury a former Youth Congress leader, was the Congress candidate for the Kamalpur segment in Kamrup district, but lost.

Earlier, Choudhury's anticipatory bail plea was rejected for the second time by the Gauhati high court. While on the way to the court, Choudhury shouted that this is a major political conspiracy against him, and added that more congressmen will be targeted in the next five years.

Taking a dig at the BJP, he said, “In the next 5 years, many more like me will be targeted and sent to jail,”.

cmyk

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 23

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, MAY 24

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You are to look before you leap. One hasty decision may undo a lot of hard work accomplished over a long period of time. After a tense morning, you may simply want an evening with kids, helping them grow the Dahlias.

Taurus You are likely to get extra passionate and fervent today. If your logic prevails over your heart, things will probably change for better during the course of the day. It is high time that you set into motion the poignant side of your character.

Gemini You will be filled with concern and sensitivity towards others, and will bestow your blessings upon many. However, being too emotional is not advisable. Your emotions could get in the way of your progress at the work-front. You need to listen to your head over your heart when it comes to professional matters.

Cancer You may be in one of your more frivolous moods today. Gossip, fun, laughter and some harmless flirting shall make your day interesting, yet these are not the pastimes you usually enjoy. Hence, as the day rolls on, you shall find yourself to your reserved, reticent self concentrating hard on getting the work done to make way for the early evening gym/ driving class. Good going, after all finding balance is just the right thing to do.

Leo You will give importance to your work and your style of functioning to get a promotion in the office. You will also increase the amount of work you put in. While the fruits of your labour may not be immediately available to you, in a very short time you can expect to make more gains than you expected to. Nothing worthy of note is likely to occur in your personal relationships today.

Virgo You are renowned for your leadership qualities and today they will be much appreciated for the way you manage your team. You will get a long-due promotion, and will come in for some extra cash. You received all this by wisely balancing work and home, so be careful not to slip up on this front.

Libra You never let a favour go unacknowledged or let ridicule pass by unanswered. So, it's time to settle those old accounts that are so important to you.. This will increase chances of interesting developments that will continue to surprise you throughout the day.

Scorpio Socially, you enjoy being in limelight as all the eyes are focused on you. However, beware of evil eyes that may not have good intentions towards you. You are a good soul and never hurt anyone. But, at times, it's important to know your foe's weakness to be on the safer side.

Sagittarius Brace yourselves; the day has a lot of uncertainties today. You may have to shell out money for unexpected expenses. But, this may also teach you to be economically independent.

Always look at the brighter side.

Capricorn The day calls for making amends and undoing the damage done to relationships, so you will most likely focus on improving rapport with relatives and peers. But despite your affable approach, family feud may occur. Keeping obnoxious neighbors at bay will save you some trouble.

Aquarius You are an excellent team player and your performance reaches a new high when you are a part of a group. Be an active member of your group, express your opinions, share your knowledge and see how your team becomes the winning team. Wind up your day by hanging out with friends and family.

Pisces You will be treading new ground at work. Exciting as that sounds, it merely means you will have to do a lot of travelling today. You will also find yourself swamped with drafting new business proposals, holding meetings, or otherwise networking over the phone. On the brighter side, your travels are unlikely to involve the cramps of flying economy class.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 24-5-16 (TUESDAY) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha 6-15 A.M-Classical Music (Flute Recital) 6-50 A.M-Tokari Geet 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M-Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-30 P.M-Geetimanjari 1-10 P.M- Troops Programme 2-00 P.M-Singphow Songs 2-10 P.M-Brindagaan 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 3-45 P.M-Programme in Mizumishimi 4-00 P.M-Live Broadcast of Swearing-In Ceremony of New Ministers of Assam Government 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan 7-15 P.M-Chah Sramikor Aasor 7-45 P.M-Aadhunik Geet 8-00 P.M-Bijnan Jeuti- Talk-"Khorangsadrish Paristhiti:Utpatti Aaru Byawasthapona" by Dr. Jitumoni Bora 9-16 P.M-Barerahaniya 9-30 P.M- Sahitya Kanan 10-00 P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P

Joint Forum of tea bodies welcome the new government: Demands declaration of tea as national drink ET Correspondent Golaghat, May 23: The Joint Forum of three Assam based tea producers associations has welcomed the new government to be formed under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonowal.

Assam Tea Planters Association (ATPA), North Eastern Tea Association

(NETA) and Bharatiya Chah Parishad (BCP) have jointly welcomed the new state government and pledged to work hand in hand with the new government. The joint forum earnestly requests the newly elected government to persuade the central government to declare Tea as Na-

tional Drink of India. The Chairman of ATPA Raj Baruah, the Chairman of NETA Manoj Jallan and the Chairman of BCP Mayank Agarwalla have expressed their views regarding the present scenario of tea industry in the state and requested the newly elected government to help and

Poll debacle of regional force ET Correspondent Diphu, May 23: Outcome of the Assam Assembly election 2016 has produced amazing rise of national political party BJP and demolition of 2 regional political parties of Assam. Although one of them hardly has any background but the other certainly has a glorious history of rising to power through agitation and working class responsive administration. The United Peoples Party constituted under the leadership of Rana Gaura Bramha encompassing 4 districts administered by Bodo Land council which has been sponge down by the united force of BJP, AGP and BPF, certainly has not much to lose, as its very existence is very short.

In Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao HSDC ( Hills State Democratic Council) has a legacy of winning election in all public offices since the birth of ASDC ( Autonomous State Demand Committee). The party founded by renowned public leader Dr. Jayanta Rongpi and Holiram Terang in 1986 captured all the public office of both the autonomous hill district through vigorous agitation. In 1996 due to vertical split within ASDC Dr. Jayanta Rongpi joined CPI (ML) on the same year. During the celebrated days of ASDC, Dr. Rongpi became the Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council in 1990; he also thrice won the MP seat from the hill districts. This is the party

which snatched more power for both the autonomous councils of the Assam hill district and the much needed economic boom.

In the meantime the ASDC went through much transformation; its nomenclature also changed frequently but after rise of Congress in 2002 this party failed to establish itself in any election.

Few months back Dr. Rongpi joined the HSDC by resigning from CPI (ML), the rejuvenated HSDC contested in all 5 MLA seats spread in both the hill districts of Assam but failed despondently. Consecutive poll debacle of HSDC the genesis of ASDC since 2002 till 2016 has practically devastated this party.

Governor, First Lady of the State congratulates the State Karate Team A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 23: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa and the First Lady of the State Smt Rita Rajkhowa have the congratulated the members of State Karate Team for their splendid performance in Kai Sub-Junior, Cadet, Junior, U-21 National Karate Championship-

2016 held at Talkatora sportspersons, particuIndoor Stadium, New larly the young girls, the Delhi recently.

First Lady said that by their outstanding perforThe Governor ex- mance, they will inspire pressed his hope and many more talented confidence that the sports persons of the young sportspersons State to win accolades will continue to bring for Arunachal Pradesh laurels for the State and but will also draw other Nation in future also. girls towards martial arts to protect themConveying her felicita- selves and their fellow tions to the brethren.

facilitate necessary requirements for the survival of the age old industry. On the other hand the Vice Chairman of Tea Board of India Bidyananda Barkakoty has expressed satisfaction that the newly elected leaders are well conversant with the problems of the tea industry and hoped the newly elected

government would take priority on revival of fifteen tea gardens of Assam Tea Corporation, activate Directorate of Tea and establishment of a Tea Auction center at Jorhat and appointment of professional related with the tea sector as CMD or Director in these tea organisations rather than bureaucrats.

Youth sent to jail for disturbing communal harmony through social media ET Correspondent Mangaldai, May 23: The Dalgaon Police in Darrang district has arrested a youth of Dalgaon locality for uploading highly inflammatory writings in the site of popular social media ‘Facebook’ with an evil intention to disturb communal harmony and breach of trust in the society. The youth has been identified as one Mirajul Islam alias Moon Ahmed (31) son of Kadir Mohori of Azad Nagar of Dalgaon. A graduate from Mangaldai College and serving as an agent of an Insurance Company, Mirajul Islam identifying himself as Moon Ahmed few months back had added an update in the social media using communal writings with highly objectionable words. The Dalgaon Police meanwhile has registered a case ( Dalgaon PS case

Number 346/16 under section 153 (A)/295/506 of Indian Penal Code read with section 66 (A) of Information Technology Act. The accused on being interrogated by police reportedly confessed his misdeed. The police on Sunday produced the accused in the Court here and the Court has remanded him to jail custody informed officer in charge of Dalgaon Police Station.

Three teenagers nabbed for molesting a minor girl ET Correspondent Golaghat, May 23: In a sensational incident three teenage boys at Rangajan Tea Estate in Golaghat had been charged with sexual molestation case. The three teenage boys were allegedly molested a minor girl for which the girl became preg-

nant.

The incident took place about six months ago. Later on the basis of a complaint from the victim girl's family Golaghat police today nabbed the three teenage boys and the minor was taken for medical checkup.

ITBP inaugurates its new sector head quarters at Tezpur ET Correspondent Tezpur, May 23: Krishna Chaudhary, IPS DG, ITBP inaugurated New Campus of ITBP on today at Rangamati (Bihaguri) which will accommodate Sector Head Quarters and 55th Battalion of ITBP. The campus with a sprawling area over 89.12 acre of land will have Administrative Block, Jawan Barracks, Motor Transport workshop etc. equipped with modern amenities as well. At the outset, Manoj Singh Rawat, IG, North East Frontier, ITBP welcomed all the guests attending the ceremony. He also appraised notable achievements of ITBP Units deployed in North East. In his address, Krishna Chaudhary, DG ITBP emphasized that priority will be given for acquisition of

ITBP inaugurates its new sector head quarters at Tezpur

land for the Units presently located in temporary camps. He also informed that ITBP is planning to make “Holiday Homes” for its personnel of the Rank of Constable to ASI at 12 different cities in the country where they can spend holidays with their families at reasonable cost. Further, he added that ITBP is the first Paramilitary Force to get SUVs for their personnel deployed in Border areas.

Ashok Kumar, DIG Sector Head Quarter, Tezpur, in his valedictory speech conveyed his gratitude to all the dignitaries for attending the inauguration ceremony. Officers from State administration, SSB, SB, SIB, Central Government offices attended the function. An ITBP, (Bihaguri) release said.

Assam youth shines: Indian team wins Jesco Von Puttkamer Award Children take part during a sit and draw competition which was organised under the banner of Cerekapar Barnali Sangha at Sivasagar. Pic - Firuz Ahmed

ET Bureau Tinsukia, May 23: 22year old Manash Pratim Borah from Assam became the first person from the Northeast region to have led an Indian team to the NASA and win the Best International Team Award Jesco Von Puttkamer Award - at the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge, 2016.

Manash and his team

won the award for creating a human exploration rover for alien surfaces with a non-pneumatic wheel.

Manash also became the first from the entire region to become the Space Ambassador to India on behalf of NASA and the International Space Education Institute (ISEI), Germany. He succeeded aspiring astronaut Jasleen Josan.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, MAY 24

PAGE 3 ADVT.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, MAY 24

PAGE 4 Two sentenced for rigorous imprisonment for life Spl correspondent Tinsukia, May 23: The Session court of Tinsukia sentenced Binu Mahato and Mania Munda for rigorous imprisonment for life and slapped a gone of rupees 1000 each in a murder case.

In this historic judgment, Session judge M. Nandi heard 30 witnesses and found the duo committed the murder.

The judge held duo guilty under section 302/34 IPC. However, the judge acquitted the duo from section 448/34 IPC as the state could not prove the case under this section. The case relates to murder of Dalimi Dutta, a resident of Bordoloi Nagar of Tinsukia town during January 2008.

Husband killed by wife ET Correspondent Golaghat, May 23: The tyranny of husband led to killing of husband by wife. It sounds strange but incident took place in Golaghat district of Khumtai Bottli Khua region. According to information from the tyranny of husband Jeevaniya Panikiya was fed up from her husband.

Yesterday her anger crossed the limit when her husband Dhani Panikiya was about to pour kerosene to burn her.

Outraged by the incident, the wife hit him by a piece of wood and killed. The wife told the police everything that happened and also confessed her crime.

Hundreds turn up to donate for Seppa’s fire victims A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 23: Hundreds of people from all walks of life turned up on first day of donation camp jointly set up by East Kameng Social Welfare and Cultural Organisation (EKSWCO and Nyishi Elite Society (NES) East Kameng district Unit at Akashdeep to raise fund for fire victims of Seppa.

EKSWCO and EK NES Unit in honour to their noble gesture for fire victims.

Meanwhile, joining the funding raising camp, 11th West Seppa MLA, Mama Natung contributed Rs 50000 on spot and announced Rs 3 lakh more for Seppa fire victims. In a separate announcement, he also assured rupees two lakh for Bana fire victims which occurred a week ago.

The fund would be handed over to EKSWCO and NES district unit, Natung informed.

The second day fund raising camp would be set up at Takar Complex Naharlagun on Tuesday and it will wrap up on May 25 at Seppa. The generous contributors were presented a ‘certificate of generosity’ duly signed by both

Expressing solidarity with fire victims, Natung requested the state govern-

Spl Correspondent Pasighat, May 23: While lauding the donation of land for greater Solung/Festival Ground (Giidii Notko) by Bogong Banggo Kebang, Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang, All Bogong Students’ Union, PRI leaders, Gaon Buras, ABK East Siang, Donyi-Polo Yelam Kebang members and others, Kaling Moyong, local MLA cum Chairman, Core-Committee, Central Solung Festival Celebration Committee(CSFCC) has expressed his gratefulness to all the stake holders and opined hope that Golden Jubilee Celebration of Solung this year commemorating the 50th years of CSFCC, Pasighat.

Moyong, in a statement this evening has said that, the donation of land for Soung/ Festival Ground (Giidii Notko)

by Bogong Banggo is very precious and appreciable as the

proposed ground was a long and much awaited asset as the present Solung Ground at market was not sufficient or too congested for any mega festival. “I do hope that, in near future too, the visionaries from Bogong Banggo will come forward for the upliftment, betterment and for shaping Pasighat to be a place to live in with peace and communal harmony”, said Moyong.

After BBK had announced its donation of land to CSFCC for Festival Ground (Giidii Notko) at the backside of AYUSH medical besides Sibo Korong, PRI leaders of Bogong-I & II had raised objection for not having prior consultation with PRI leaders and GBs. However, the disagreement was resolved in a recent meeting which paved ways for greater Solung Ground where other recreational infrastructures will also be developed.

Sadananda Borah, the Head Master of Pachim Kharkati ME School. Then a plantation program was administered in the surrounding area. Rajen Saikia took part in the workshop as master trainer. He was assisted by Mantu Saikia.

Training is given how to ensure sanitation and purity of drinking water besides how to rescue the victims during the flood and any other natural calamities. More than 250 students participated in the workshop. A drawing competition was also held among the stu-

dents in connection with the program.

Twinkle Borah appeared first, Manas Jyoti Saikia second while Jahnabi Borah and Deepali Saikia jointly third in the lower section of the competition. On the other hand, Tutumoni Narah secured first, Madhumita Saikia second and Lukumoni Bhuyan and Jatin Borah third in the upper section. It is to be noted that the NGO organised several such workshops in the remote areas of Telahi and Nowboicha.

ET Correspondent Jorhat, May 23: A college teacher from Department of Political Science of Titabor Junior College Ms. Reena Changmai (46) was killed by unidentified suspected dacoits, took the advantage when found nobody in the house between 7 am to 10 am, at her Titabor Kachojan Amgurikhat residence, which is beside busy Dhudor Ali under Titabor Police Station, informed Police here today.

According to her husband Pitambor Borphukan, a teacher from Mihiram Higher Secondary School said that the incident took place between 7 am to 10am, she was alone, as he went to drop their children at Pragjyotika English Medium School at Titabor Town which is at the distance of 4 km to the north from their house.

He had walked down the hills 200 metres below the road to meet the victim’s family who were preparing for a funeral pyre for the cremation of the dead.

The bodies of the victim had been retrieved from the cliff and were assembled at the funeral site.

“Though a tragedy, the incident should serve as reminder for all of us to be careful with our lives,” said the Chief Minister. “While driving, a second of error can prove costly.”

Also revealing his findings from the accident scene – a spot 11-km from Kalaktang town, the Chief Minister said that whenever roads are cleared for landslides, it should be wide enough for easy manoeuvre.

He pointed out that the

Overwhelmed by numbers of contributors turning up, EKSWCO general secretary Nikam Tallang and NES district Unit GS Mara Kocho appreciated the people for their noble gesture. “It was truly encouraging and inspiring that people made bee line to donate for fire victims cutting across communal and regional line. We hope same response on Tuesday at Takar Complex,” said Suraj Tayem, the event manager.

After dropping both their children at the school, the son studying in class VIII and daughter studies in Class VI, after he went straight to his school which is in the heart of Titabor town and attended a class. After taking his class he left the school premises for his NRC duty at Melamati which is another 6 km to the south from his school which he had to pass his house to the southern side towards Golaghat on the busy dhudor ali, which is another 4km from his residence. As he is on the way for the NRC duty at Melamati instead of passing over his house, something clicked on his mind that he should drop in his house, and had a cup of tea and then go for his NRC duty.

As he entered his resident he pressed the calling bell several times, when found no respond he took the back door and as he went he found his wife lying dead, with polythene capped around her face and head and her neck tightly tied with a gomocha,

with lots of scratches on her mouth and face, said police.

Following injury mark on her neck, face which has suspected to have forced her, while putting clothes inside her mouth so that she could not utter any sound or make noise. When Pitambor found her lying dead, he could do nothing only could make hue and cry, when locals from the area rushed to their house and found their wardrobe opened and certain amount of gold ornament, valuables missing along with little cash that was kept of Rs 2500 was missing.

Though sniffer dog was pressed he sniffed certain areas to the north and south of their resident but could not find any clue or who ever made the movement during the hour when nobody was their except Reena who was also about to lock the house and go for her college at 10am, said her husband Pitambor. The teacher’s body was sent for postmortem to Jorhat Medical College Hospital, as results waited.

For the investigation of the heinous crime that shocked the people of Titabor as its first in the history, but on the other hand Titabor police led by Ms Gayatri Sonowal totally failed to go for the investigation in time which was found to be totally proved her negligence for the investigation the process, once again in the district of Jorhat which is always in the media headlines. It need to be check as Jorhat district has totally failed in the side of Law and Order as two inefficient police officers both lady one with an IPS while other with APS have totally failed in the side of Law and Order which was said by the members of the Titabor Press Club Rituparna Saikia here today.

Kalita Community demand 5 ministerial berths ET Correspondent Rangia, May 23: The new govt. led by Sarbananda Sonowal will take oath tomorrow. All the public of Assam is waiting for that golden moment. The Kalita Jonogosthi, Assam a community based organization extended their best wishes to the new govt. They also demanded at least 5 ministers from their community in Sarba's team. In a press release the President and General Secretary of the association. Dr.

Bhaben Ch Kalita and Dr Ramen Kumar Kakoti respectively mentioned that there are 18 MLA's from the community who won the election so at least five of them must be included in the new ministry.

More over MP Ramen Deka the only MP of Assam from the Kalita community must be included in the central ministry they demanded. They also urged the new Govt. to fulfill the demands of the community at the earliest.

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul meets relatives of accident victims AKRSU urge Sonowal Contd. from Page 1

Parliamentary Secretary WRD Gum Tayeng also joined the donation camp and contributed some amount while expressing solidarity to fire victims.

Koloriang entrepreneur Haa Tatu donated rupees two lakhs in the fund raising event. Many people also contributed relief materials

during the camp. The amount generated from donation camp will be handed over to EKSWCO Chairman.

Moyong lauds BBK and SDPO negligence: Murder of others for land donation college teacher and valuables loots

Training workshop on Sanitation, Drinking Water and Rescue Operation by IGSSS

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, May 23: Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS), an NGO working in Lakhimpur for the betterment and promotion of the backwards, today organised a training workshop on Sanitation, Pure Drinking Water and Rescue Operation in association with Pachim Kharkati ME School and Pachim Ranganadi High School with a day long program. The program which was planned and figured by Rajen Saikia, the Project Director of the NGO, began with a cleaning drive inaugurated by

ment to establish fire station in each circle. He also raised concerns about the increasing rate of fire accidents in several places.

MLA Natung further made fervent appeal to people to come forward irrespective of regions and tribes to contribute on humanitarian ground for fire victims.

accident spot was a narrow stretch recently cleared of a landslide. It is a bad practise to clear roads with such narrow passage that makes the spot accident prone, said the CM and urged the administration to start immediate work for widening of the narrow stretch.

The CM personally attended to all the relatives of the dead victim who sat next to the bodies that were being prepared for last funeral rites. He spent about 2 minutes with each family member sharing their grief and sadness, and hugged them to console. Overwhelmed, the family members shed their tears.

The Chief Minister handed over cheques of Rs 4 lakhs to each victim’s family and assured additional Rs 2 lakhs from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to be handed over through the district administration.

For the one injured, the CM had earlier announced Rs 2

lakhs. Later, it was revealed that the injured had succumbed to her injury in Guwahati hospital and had died. As ex-gratia relief, the Chief Minister handed over additional Rs 2 lakhs to the next of the kin and assured another Rs 2 lakhs from CM relief fund.

to fulfill commitment

Power Minister TN Thongdok who accompanied the Chief Minister to the funeral site, appreciated the CM’s noble gesture.

ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, May 23: Hiteswar Barman, president of All Koch Rajbongsi Students Union (AKRSU) urged the newly elected BJP led alliance government at Dispur under Chief Ministership of Sarbananda Sonowal to fulfill commitment of the party during their election manifestos in the state, which included accord of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities of Assam and reconstruction Kamatapur state.

RWD Minister Kumar Waii, Mechuka MLA Pasang D Sona, Seppa East MLA Tapuk Taku, Chayang Tajo MLA Karya Bagang, Bomdila MLA Japu Deru and PPA President Kahfa Bengia accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.

In an interview with this correspondent on Monday, expressed his confidence that the newly formed state government will implement all issues and demands of the indigenous peoples for which

Also the CM donated Rs 5 lakhs through his personal source towards the contribution for the last funeral rites.

As mark of respect, a twominute silence was observed in honour for the dead.

why communities are demanding since long years to meet healthy welfare in the state. He has urged the BJP led alliance government at Dispur to take bold step towards protection of onehorned rhino as well preservation natural beauty in the state, restoration of peace and unity among all sections of communities, protection of erosion and control of floods in the state. We have full confidence that Sonowal will step positively on collective attitude towards bringing healthy welfare of common masses by adopting human development agendas in coming days in the state so that unemployment problems could be solved through industrialization policy in the state.

The devotees of Lord Buddha celebrated Buddha Purnima also known as Buddha Jayanti in Bordumsa in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh with much religious fervor at the holy Buddhist shrine at Bordumsa recently. Pic - Laxman Sharma

Explore ways to address perennial landslides: Governor to BRO A Staff Reporter Itanagar, May 23: The Additional Director General, Border Roads (East) Dr. SS Porwal called on the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on 23rd May 2016.

They discussed on BRO roads and its progress in different parts of the State.

The Governor emphasised that in the interest of the people of the Frontier State and Nation, road communication must be maintained at all cost. He suggested that for maintaining the lifeline, the BRO must have pre-deployment of their resources, both men and machines.

Sharing his experience in Lumla, Tawang District, the Governor stressed that BRO must maintain the Border roads on regular basis and must be taken up on top priority. He

said that many organisations have submitted memorandums for maintenance of some strategic roads by the Border Road Organization. The Governor advised the BRO officials to take up at their level also, while the State Government takes up with the concerned ministries.

The Governor pointed that many roads in the State are damaged due to lack or improper construction of drains.

The slopes near the roads are very steep, resulting in landslides, which in turn block the road communication. At times, it is found that retention walls are not constructed in proper and scientific manner.

Pointing at Karsingsa Sinking Zone, the Governor asked Dr. Porwal, who has done PhD in landslides and implemented project in landslide zone of Sonapur village of Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya, to explore ways to address perennial land-

slides. He suggested for sky bridge or tunnelling in the landslide zones areas.

The Governor also enquired about the Siku Bridge near Mebo in East Siang District to which the Additional Director General informed that the job is sanctioned and permanent solution will be there before Monsoon this year.

Briefing the Governor on the progress of BRO road, the Additional Director General, Border Roads informed that 40% of work in the State is completed and all the present projects will be implemented by 2019. Sharing his finding in the State, Addl DG informed that many of the landslides have resulted from blockage of natural drainage.

Additional Secretary to Governor Shri BS Hada and Chief Engineer, Project Arunank were also present in the meeting.

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Civic reception Corcom's clinical ambush claims 6 AR men for PM at Polo Grounds Shillong, May 23: On his maiden visit to Meghalaya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a speech during a civic reception to be organised by the State government at the 3rd Ground, Polo, on May 27 at 3 PM. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister will address the plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at Pinewood Hotel at 11 AM. The general public has been invited to hear the Prime Minister deliver his speech in Shillong which, sources say, will be over at 4:30 PM. From Polo, the prime Minister will proceed to Raj Bhavan where a public audience has been planned at

7:30 PM followed by cultural programme. According to sources, the Prime Minister has confirmed his visit to the hill station and is set to deliver his speech whether rain or shine, as he is determine to complete the scheduled programme here.

It is unclear as to whether the Prime Minister will arrive in Shillong on a helicopter if the weather permits or whether he will take the Guwahati Shillong road in a car.

Sources also indicated that Prime Minister may visit either Mawlynnong or Sohra before his departure, though the same could not be confirmed.(Agencies)

Public meets endroses ST status demand Imphal, May 23: A public meeting held here today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound has endorsed the demand for enlistment of Meitei/Meetei in Scheduled Tribe (ST) category under the Constitution of India.

The meeting organised by the Coordinating Body on Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (CBSTDCM) resolved to urge the State Government to take up all necessary initiatives for inclusion in the ST category ahead of the next State Assembly session which is likely in the month of July.

The meeting was presided

by STDCM president and College Development

CAU former Dean Dr Naorem Iboton remarked that the STDCM's campaign for ST status is rather late. It should have been launched 10/20 years back, he added.

The myriad issues plaguing Manipur at present can be reduced only when Meiteis are enveloped with the protective shield of ST status.

Meiteis originated as highlanders before they migrated to the valley. The demand for ST status for Meiteis is nothing but 'restoration to originality', Dr Iboton asserted. Col (retd) Dr T Hemo maintained that the demand for ST status does not have any inclination to subdue other communities nor does it mean grasping all the opportunities. It is all about

A public meeting held here on Sunday at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen Council former Director Prof Y Mohendro and Manipur State Human Rights Commission former member RK Rajendra moderated the meeting. Speaking at the gathering, retired IPS officer Sarangthem Manaobi dismissed all objections to the demand for ST status as whimsical. Nonetheless, there is a need to bring an understanding with all the antagonists of the ST status.

"We must prostrate before them, if necessary. If they still refuse to support the popular demand or to withdraw their objections, they must be declared as enemies of the people", Manaobi said. Meiteis were once known for their high level of civilization and valour but now they are reduced to the status of slaves.

He went on to ask if there is any Meitei Judge in the Supreme Court, or a General in the Indian Army or an Admiral in the Indian Navy.

"Meiteis have now become a punching bag of every community. We are living in the past legacy. The claim that Meiteis enjoy higher social status defies both logic and reality", he asserted. Meiteis cannot afford complacency just because they are a bigger community in the State and the only way to protect them is through enlistment in ST category under Article 341(2) of the Indian Constitution.

There is no harm in enlisting Meiteis in ST category and there would not be any difficulty in removing the community from ST list. It only needs a recommendation of the State Government, Manaobi continued.

giving some dietary supplements to an ailing community.

The ongoing demand for ILPS and the campaign for ST status are not contradictory. The two movements can be amalgamated together. He also expressed keen desire to debate the issue with all the antagonists in a constructive manner. Dr Khomdon Lisam questioned as to how Meiteis were included in SC and OBC categories when some people have been claiming that the community was quite advanced. The word 'Meitei' is not found anywhere in the Indian Constitution and there is not a single provision to protect their lands and rights.

There is no harm for the Meiteis to take the central role in building a Manipuri Nation but the same task can also be done with the ST tag attached to them. He went on to question how a Manipuri Nation can be built while Meiteis are listed in General category and hill people categorised as ST. Dr Khomdon asserted that only the ST status can protect the identity, culture and language of Meitei community. Manipur State Human Rights Commissioner former Member Yambem Laba, STDCM secretary general Col (retd) Laishram Lokendro and MU CDC Director Dr Th Ratankumar too spoke at the meeting. Notably, Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen was packed to full capacity during the meeting.(Agencies)

Imphal, May 23: At least six personnel of 29 Assam Rifles including one Junior Commissioned Officer died and seven other personnel were injured in an ambush laid by suspected militants at Hengshi village near Joupi under Tengnoupal police station in Chandel district today. The Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate body of several underground outfits has claimed its hand behind the ambush.

CorCom said that the ambush was carried out by a Joint Fighting Force and added that six personnel including one JCO were killed. Meanwhile, a statement issued by PRO Hqs IGAR (S) said that a convoy of Assam Rifles

while returning after assessing a landslide area in Holengjang to the Battalion Headquarters location at Joupi in Chandel district had an encounter with cadrs of a militant group at 1 pm today.

In the ensuing fire fight, one Junior Commissioned Officer and five soldiers were martyred.The troops retaliated the insurgents effectively, however the insurgents managed to get away under thick forest cover and bad weather.

The mortal remains of the martyrs would be sent to their home towns. The area of the encounter has been cordoned off and intensive combing operations have been launched to neutralize the insurgent group and prevent them

at around 12.40 pm.

The militants exploded IEDs before they rained bullets on the AR convoy.

The AR team also retaliated the attack, however, six personnel died at the spot and seven other personnel were injured. Another source said that the suspected militants took take away one Light Machine Gun, four AK Rifles and one Insas Rifle along with ammunition when they escaped inside the thick jungle.

Soon after the incident, a large reinforcement team of paramilitary forces, Assam Rifles and State police personnel of Chandel district rushed to the spot and launched an extensive search operation at the area to nab the attackers.

The search operation was still going at the time of filing this report. The deceased AR personnel have been identified as Subedar Baldev Kumar Sharma (Himachal Pradesh), Rifleman Pawan Kumar (Jammu), Rifleman Mahesh Gurung, Rifleman Bhupendra Kumar (Himachal Pradesh), Rifleman Akhilesh Pandey (Uttar Pradesh) and Havildar Suraj Bariya.

All the bodies and injured personnel were taken to 29 Assam Rifles headquarters, Joupi. The bodies are likely to be brought to RIMS hospital, Imphal for post mortem examination late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

(Agencies)

Naga women conned with i-phone, lottery money lure by Nigerian

Exminister NN Simchang passes away

Kohima, May 23: Police have busted a criminal gang led by a Delhibased Nigerian man which cheated gullible Naga women of over Rs 35 lakh by falsely promising cheap i-phones and prize money for winning lotteries. The racket was recently busted by Nagaland police with the help of their Delhi counterparts after a number of women filed multiple complaints at a police

station in Dimapur about having been defrauded of their hard-earned money by a "foreigner" who contacted them over the internet, willing to sell them high-end electronic gadgets at a cheap rates and promising them prize money for lotteries they were told they had won.

Investigators claim, while probing the case, they came across a smart modus operandi as part of which the gang used

At least six personnel of 29 Assam Rifles including one Junior Commissioned Officer died and seven other personnel were injured from crossing over to Myanmar, the statement said.

Reliable sources said that the AR convoy was led by 29 Assam Rifles CO Ranjit Raj Singh and they were returning to their headquarters located at Joupi after inspecting the landslide which occurred

multiple bank accounts "sold" by locals to the Nigerian. He used to ask his victims to deposit the money in these accounts to claim the prize and later withdrew it from various ATMs. A Nagaland police team, which recently travelled to Delhi to go deeper into the case and arrest the kingpin identified as C Nwaneri (34), has filed at least three FIRs and found so far these women

near the Indo-Myanmar border. The CO miraculously escaped unhurt in the deadly attack, said a source. When the convoy reached Hengshi village, some distance away from Joupi headquarters of 29 Assam Rifles under 28 Sector, they came under attack from the militants

have been duped of over Rs 35 lakh.

Nwaneri was assisted in the crime by three locals, including a chef working at an eatery in a popular Delhi Mall. "We have seized 42 SIM cards, nine ATM cards, six phones, five bank passbooks and a laptop after searches were carried out at the residence of Nwaneri who lives in Bawana area of Delhi. It looks to be gang operating to dupe

people, especially innocent women from Nagaland, with the help of multiple people from places like Delhi and nearby areas," Investigating Officer (IO) of the case and IPS probationer Dinesh Gupta said. Gupta said since the initial part of the case was cracked, more women from Nagaland have come forward to complain about having been cheated the same way. (PTI)

Imphal River Bank breaches, large areas flooded Imphal, May 23: Around a 50 feet long stretch of Imphal River bank (eastern side) breached at the impact of the ever increasing water volume at Kyamgei Muslim Oinam Loukon at around 8 pm on Sunday.

The extent of the area flooded by water flowing through the breached portion of the bank could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

With all major rivers draining Manipur River flowing above warning level, a large section of people have been caught in a panicky situation and many of them have started building dykes and embankments along vulnerable river banks.

Large areas of the valley have been already flooded by overflowing water or water which seeped through river banks.

Dykes and embankments have been built along Imphal river banks at Khurai Nandeibam Leikai, Khurai Heikrumakhong, Khurai Thoudam Leikai, Lairikyengbam Makha Leikai and S i n g j a m e i Leishangthem Leikai.

Many schools, houses, community halls, temples, playgrounds, clubs and crematoriums located on and along Imphal River banks have been flooded.

It is reported that the roads of Thangmeiband Polem Leikai have been inundated by water overflowing from Naga rivulet.

It is reported that the roads and streets of Hodam Leirak, Kwakeithel Thokchom Leikai and Paona Bazar have been flooded. Fear-

ing possible breaching of river banks, a large section of people have vacated their homes. Many of them criticised that the State Government and relevant departments have not so far initiated a single step to tackle the flood situation.

People of Khurai Thoudam Leikai were seen building a dyke on the road which runs along Imphal River using earth-filled cement bags.

Imphal River is overflowing over a length of 50 feet above the retaining wall near Lamlong Higher Secondary School.

Panic-stricken people were seen building embankments using bamboo thatches and bamboo poles near Lamlong bridge, Salanthong and Heikrumakhong. Water are seeping through the banks at many of these points. One P Ranjit of Lairikyengbam Makha Leikai said that the State Government is as good as dead as far as people's woes related to the flood situation are concerned.

He nonetheless acknowledged that some assistance was provided by the Heingang AC MLA in building embankments. Many lanes and streets of Khurai have been flooded while large tracts of paddy fields located within Khundrakpam AC have also been inundated. On account of breaching of river banks at two/three different points, around 200 paris of paddy fields have been flooded at Uyumpok and Nungshum. It is reported that flood water have started inundating many dwelling houses too.

Meanwhile, it is reported that eight houses at TM Dingpi village, Khengjoi

sub-division were destroyed by thunderstorm yesterday. Affected families are now taking refuge at Joupi village.

Onjamang Touthang, chief of TM Dingpi said thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall blew away the roofs of 8 houses in the morning of May 21. Since then, the affected victims have been taking shelter in Joupi village.

Many parts of Bishnupur district have also been affected by flood submerging many households. Moirang Multipurpose Hr Secondary School, Moirang Police Station have been flooded. Many households were inundated by flood water in various parts of Moirang. Many households in Ngangkhalawai have also been flooded.

Vegetable farms and houses at Nambol Kongkham, Nambol Awang, Nambol Mongjing, Nambol Sabal Leikai, Nambol Makha Leikai, Top Khabi, Thanga, Kumbi, Moirang Part I, Moirang Part II, Chengei, Thoya, Kokilbon, Sribon and Phubala have been inundated by flood water.

Due to overflowing of Moirang river water, many houses in Moirang Lamkhai, Khoiru, Okshongbung, Moirang SDO office, Moirang College and Community Health Centre have been flooded. Overflowing river water have also flooded many houses in Kwakta Charangpat, Kwakta Khuman, Kwakta Santhong and Kwakta Sevla. Relief camps have been set up to provide shelter to the affected families.

50 paris of fish farms at

Moirang Khunou Hougram-pat, Keibul, Kha Thinungei, Kumbi Laphu-pokpi and Samuputhabi have been affected by flood water.

Relief camps have been set up at various places including Moirang Khiru Mandop, Loktak Fish Market, Moirang High School Panshang Leikai, Turenban Mandop, Kokilbon Mandop, Thana Leikai Mandop, Sribon Mandop and Mayai Leikai Laithangjing Mandop by the district administration.

In Thoubal district, many houses at Tentha, Sangai-yumpham, Kakching, Keirak and Wabagai have been inundated by overflowing river water.

Around 300 houses in Tentha Khunou Maning Leikai have been affected after a breach in nearby river bank. Large tracts of agricultural land in Khundrakpam AC have also been submerged in flood water caused by heavy rainfall that lashed the State on May 20 and 21.

Nongsum and eight other adjoining villages in Imphal East district remained cut off from the rest of the State today as around half-feet deep flood water coming from Khamenlok river was flowing above Uyumpok-Nongshum road for around half a kilometre. No pedestrian and vehicle could cross this portion of the road due to the strong water current.

A 10-metre long portion of Khamenlok river bank sank at Uyumpok Thingel Mapal yesterday evening. Since then flood water has been entering non-stop into

many villages and agricultural lands. Agricultural lands at Chagemlokpa, Khumeipokpi, Humaikok and Uyumpok have been totally submerged with flood water.

And this has wreaked havoc at many watermelon farms at these areas.

SDO Sawombung visited the area today. He assured the affected villagers that the situation will be reported to the authority concerned. On the other hand, flood water cut off KhundrakpamSawombung road at Yumnam Khunou and Sambei.

Many localities of Tangkham and Pukhao villages are also inundated with flood water.

Large tracts of agricultural lands of Yumnam Khunou, Sambei, T a n g k h a m , Khundrakpam, Pangei and other villages located on the western side of Sajiwa Central Jail were seen covered with flood water. On the other hand, due to overflowing of Nambul river various localities of Uripok-Kanchup road are also flooded.

Cheirap Court complex, both sides of BT Flyover on Uripok side, Uripok Panchi Maning, Laikhurembi, Huidrom Leikai, Ahanthem Leikai Ningth oukhongjam Leikai, Polem Leikai, Achom leikai, Naoremthong, Khullem Leikai, Shamusang to Iroisemba were submerged in water due to the overflow of Nambul river. The worst affected area on UripokKangchup road was Shamushang.(Agencies)

Shillong, May 23: Former Minister Nitya Narayan Simchang (56) from the BJP passed away on Sunday at his residence at Dalu, West Garo Hills.

He is survived by his mother, wife and two daughters. His funeral will be held on Monday morning at Dalu.

Simchang, who had contested and won the Assembly polls on a BJP ticket in 1998, was accommodated in the ministry led by the UDP. The other two BJP MLAs who were part of the UDP ministry were T.H. Rangad and A.L. Hek. As a minister of state, Simchang was given independent charge of Forests when B.B. Lyngdoh was the chief minister.

He held the post of chairman of the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation during the tenure of E.K. Mawlong as the chief minister.

The trio - Simchang, Rangad and Hek later withdrew support to the Mawlong ministry following the controversial Meghalaya House deal. Simchang had unsuccessfully contested the 2003 Assembly polls from Dalu.

He was associated with many organizations besides being the president of Meghalaya Koch Association till his death.

Assembly Speaker A.T. Mondal commiserated the death of Simchang and recalled that he was his personal friend.

"We got elected together and were part of the ministry formed by late B.B. Lyngdoh," Mondal said, adding that his demise has created a vacuum. (Agencies)

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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, MAY 24

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Nitish fears Lalu, no match to 'world class leader' PM Modi: Tomar New Delhi, May 23 : Stating that the craze of a 'world class leader' Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visible all over the country, Union Mines and Steel Minister Narendra Singh Tomar took a swipe at Nitish Kumar, saying the Bihar Chief Minister is switching to national politics as he fears Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. "Prime Minister Modi is a world leader. Many countries are making their policies after taking his advice.

Modi ji has made his im-

pact across the world with hard work, better policies," Tomar said in an exclusive interview to ETV News head Jagdeesh Chandra.

"World leaders are desperate to talk to Prime Minister Modi. When these world leaders are preparing any policy, they consult him on those policies," he added. The Union Minister also said Nitish will fail in his desperate attempt to switch to national politics.

Earlier, former union minister and senior RJD Lok Sabha MP

Delhi HC to hear Himachal CM's plea in money laundering case

The Delhi High Court will today hear the petition moved by Himachal PradeshChief Minister Virbhadra Singh New Delhi, May 23 : The Delhi High Court will today hear the petition moved by Himachal PradeshChief Minister Virbhadra Singh, seeking directions to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide him with the reasons on the basis of which, search and seizure was carried out at his premises in a money laundering case. The petition was moved on May 16 before Justice Manmohan who listed the matter for hearing today.

In his petition, Singh has sought quashing of the April 19 order of the adjudicating authority and the May 12 decision of the appellate tribunal,

which dismissed his pleas to provide him with the reasons to believe, which formed the basis for the search and seizure of documents. In his plea, he has contended that reasons for initiating the search are ex-facie illegal, arbitrary and liable to be quashed.

On September 26 last year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had searched the Chief Minister's residence and 10 other places in connection with the case.

Later, the ED conducted raids and summoned Singh for questioning in Delhi after the registration of the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. (ANI)

SC to hear plea seeking water supply ban to Maha breweries New Delhi, May 23: The Supreme Court will today hear a plea seeking a complete ban on water supply to distilleries and breweries indrought-hit regions of Maharashtra. A vacation bench of Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre and Justice Ashok Bhushan on May 16 agreed to hear the plea today after an advocate mentioned the matter before it, seeking this supply be instead made available for drinking purposes.

The petitioner said that instead of curtailed water supply to the liquor industries, there should be no supply of water at all, as the entire region is facing acute

water shortage. The petitioner said that people are being deprived of drinking water, as it is being given to the liquor industries instead.

The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court had recently asked the state government to curtail water supply to the liquor industry by 60 per cent from May 10, which would be operative till June 27. The plea assumes significance as the Supreme Court had earlier upheld the Bombay High Court order banning the hosting of IPL matches, including in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. (ANI)

J-K: Wreath laying ceremony for Kupwara braveheart Naik Gawade Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), May 23: The wreath laying ceremony of Naik Gawade Pandurang Mahadev, who was martyred in a fierce encounter with five heavily armed terrorists on May 21, was today held in Srinagar with full honors.

The brave soldier was part of the column, which initially located and engaged the hiding terrorists leading to successful elimination of all the five terror-

ists.

During the encounter, Mahadev sustained head injuries and was evacuated to 92 base hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries yesterday. Lieutenant General D.S. Hooda, Army Commander, Northern Command, yesterday expressed deep condolences to the family of this brave soldier. Three army jawans were also injured in the encounter. (ANI)

Nitish fears Lalu, no match to 'world class leader' PM Modi M o h a m m a d Taslimuddin launched a tirade against the Bihar

Chief Minister over the deteriorating law and order in the state, saying

that he is not even fit to be a 'mukhiya' and, therefore, should forget about becoming the country's Prime Minister. The RJD, however, yesterday issued a showcause notice to the Araria MP for questioning Nitish's leadership and qualities and praising Prime Minister Modi, asking him to explain his comments in seven days or face action.

In an attempt to create a clean image in Bihar, Nitish Kumar-led government banned liquor last month, making it the

fourth dry state in the country after Gujarat, Kerala and Nagaland.

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

However, what has come as embarrassing for Nitish is that the leaders in his own party have been breaking the law. Janata Dal (United) MLC Manorama Devi was earlier this month booked for keeping alcohol in her house. (ANI)

SC to hear Italian marine's bail plea on May 26 New Delhi, May 23: The Supreme Court will hear on May 26 the plea of Italian marine Salvatore Girone, seeking relaxation of bail conditions to enable him to return to Italy. Earlier on May 2, the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague recommended relaxation of bail conditions of Girone, one of the two marines facing murder charges for killing two Indian fishermen.

Girone and another Italian marine Massimiliano Latorre are facing charges of murdering two fishermen in 2012 off the Kerala coast. The Arbitral Tribunal's order clearly recognises the fact that "Girone is under India's authority alone"

and that the "Supreme Court of India exercises jurisdiction" over him.

The order further asked India and Italy to approach the Supreme Court of India for relaxation of the bail conditions.

The order reportedly stated that Italy must ensure that Girone reports to an authority in Italy designated by the Supreme Court of India. It also recommended that Girone should surrender his passport and should be prohibited from leaving Italy unless the Supreme Court of India grants him permission.

Italy also accepted that if Girone is allowed to return to Italy, he would remain under the jurisdiction of the courts of

SC to hear Italian marine's bail plea on May 26 India.

Italy had earlier in March asked the PCA to order India to release Girone, saying the latter, otherwise, risks four more years in India without any charges being made which would amount to "grave violation of his human rights". The Supreme Court, which was

handling this case, suspended the court proceedings relating to the trial of two marines in August 2015 following an order to this effect by International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) which was approached by Italy for international arbitration.

(ANI)

Gujarat's mosque claims to have world's biggest Quran

The Jama Masjid in Vadodara has added another feather to its cap with the claim of having the biggest Quran in the world.

Vadodara (Gujarat), May 23: The Jama Masjid in Vadodara has added another feather to its cap with the claim of having the biggest Quran in the world. The mosque, which is famous because of its association with cricketers Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan, has now claimed of having the biggest elaboration of the holy text.

The length and breadth of this Quran is 75 inch and 41 inch respectively. The ink used in this Quran is made up of Kohl and peacock's feather. The

border of this Quran is elaborated with a gold coating. It is worthy to be noted that a Quran, kept at Russian city of Kazan's Qolsharif mosque has been awarded a Guinness World Records certificate for being the world's largest. Printed on Scotland paper, this Quran edition is 150x200 cm, has 632 pages and weighs 800 kg. The cover of the religious text was made of malachite and semi-precious stones and is encrusted with phyanite, jade, gold and silver leaf. (ANI)

CBI likely to grill exHaryana CM Hooda in Huda plot scam

President Mukherjee congratulates ISRO on successful test of RLV-TD

President Pranab Mukherjee New Delhi, May 23: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the successful test of the RLVTD, here on Monday.

"Hearty congratulations to our space scientists at ISRO on successful launch of India's first-ever indigenous space shuttle RLV-TD," the President said in a tweet.

Echoing similar sentiments, Vice President Hamid Ansari wished

ISRO all the best for their future endeavours. "I offer my congratulations to the Scientists, Engineers and Technicians of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the successful test of the RLVTD," the Vice President said in a statement. Earlier today, heaping praises on the ISRO scientists for the successful launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the launch was the result of the industrious efforts by them.

"Launch of India's first in-

digenous space shuttle RLV-TD is the result of the industrious efforts of our scientists. Congrats to them," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. He further stated that the dynamism and dedication with which the scientists have worked over the years is exceptional and very inspiring.

India launched its maiden indigenous winged Reusable Launch Vehicle, RLV from Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh today.

The RLV Technology Demonstration (RLVTD), that is ultimately aimed at putting satellites into orbit around earth and then re-enter atmosphere, was carried up on a solid rocket motor. The ninemetre long rocket weighs

11 tonnes. Very similar in its looks to the US space shuttle, the double deltawinged RLV-TD being experimented is a scale model which is almost 6 times smaller than the final version. The 6.5 m long aeroplane like structure weighs 1.75 tonnes and was hoisted into the atmosphere on the special rocket booster.

After launching from the Sriharikota spaceport, it would be glided back onto a virtual runway in the Bay of Bengal. The vehicle would re-enter the atmosphere after reaching a height of over 70 km.

The mission is known as the hypersonic flight experiment and is expected to last about 10 minutes.

(ANI)

"Hearty congratulations to our space scientists at ISRO on successful launch of India's firstever indigenous space shuttle RLV-TD,"- Tweeted Pranab Mukherjee

Jayalalithaa to be sworn in as TN CM for second consecutive term Chennai, May 23: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief J. Jayalalithaa will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Monday.

This is for the first time since the death of former chief minister M.G. Ramachandra Menon, who is popularly known as MGR, in 1987 that a party will return to power for a consecutive second term in Tamil Nadu. The swearing in ceremony will be held at the Centenary Auditorium at the

Madras University at 12 noon. Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah will administer the oath of office to the Chief Minister and 28 members of the cabinet.

AIADMK MLA and former MP Semmalai will be the pro term speaker for the 15th Assembly.

Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu will be attending the ceremony on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Government. Invitations have been sent to various

dignitaries throughout the country. For the first time, the main opposition, DMK Party's treasurer M.K. Stalin will also be attending the ceremony.

Earlier on May 21, Jayalalithaa met state Governor K. Rosaiah on where she staked the claim to form the government. The century old auditorium of the Madras University is all decked up for the swearing in ceremony of the Chief Minister and her cabinet colleagues. Workers of the party have been streaming

in to the city in large numbers to get a glimpse of their favorite leader on Monday.

Security has been tightened in and around the university and large LED TV screens and loud speakers have been placed at Kamarajar salai for the public to witness the function. The ceremony will also be relayed live in all the districts through the mobile vans with digi screens by the Information and Public relation department.

(ANI)

CBI likely to grill ex-Haryana CM Hooda in Huda plot scam New Delhi, May 23: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to call former Haryana chief minister B.S. Hooda for questioning in connection with the HUDA industrial plot scam. The case dates back to 2012 when Hooda was the chief minister of Haryana and chairman of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). Sources said the move comes after the CBI issued a notice to Hooda in this regard.

During the interrogation at the CBI headquarters, a clarification will also be sought from Hooda on the same. Earlier on Saturday, the CBI registered cases against former HUDA officials, 13 beneficiaries and others over alleged irregularities in the allotment of HUDA industrial plots at Panchkula. The former bureaucrats booked by the CBI in this case are D P S Nagal, then Chief Administrator, HUDA; S P Kansal, then

Chief Financier, HUDA; and B B Taneja, then Deputy Superintendent, HUDA. The investigating agency also conducted searches at 16 locations, including Chandigarh, Panchkula, Faridabad, Delhi, Gurgaon, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Rohtak in connection with the ongoing probe in the case.

Sources said some files were during the raids found either to be ''missing'' ? or were put in proper ''sequence''. The industrial plots were allegedly allotted in July 2013 at throwaway prices after changes were made midway in the eligibility criteria on recommendation of a standing committee and approved by Hooda.

Haryana Chief Minster Manohar Lal Khattar had earlier ordered that an FIR be registered by the Vigilance Bureau and then the matter be referred to the CBI for an independent probe. (ANI)

MM Khan murder: AAP delegation to meet Police Commissioner New Delhi, May 23: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Dilip Pandey will meet Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma along with his party legislators here on Monday to demand the arrest and custodial interrogation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Karan Singh Tanwar in connection with murder case of NDMC officer

M.M. Khan. The AAP delegation will meet Verma around 12 p.m.

Mohammed Moin Khan, a lawyer and an assistant legal advisor with NDMC, was shot dead last week.

The AAP has alleged that NDMC vice-chairman Karan Singh Tanwar had threatened the 57-year-old lawyer with dire consequences a few days before his murder. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, MAY 23

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

PM Modi accorded ceremonial welcome in Tehran Tehran, May 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded ceremonial welcomein Tehran on Monday following which he exchanged ideas with President Hassan Rouhani at a restricted tete-a-tete. Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar was also present in the meeting.

Prime Minister Modi, who is presently in Tehran on a two-day state visit to Iran, will have crucial meetings later in the day with leaders of the host country. Several agreements of economic and strategic importance and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a se-

'Unity gatherings' to take place in all districts of Nepal: Prachanda Kathmandu, May 23 :Pushpa Kamal Dahal'Prachanda', Chairman of recently formed Communist Party of Nepal (MaoistCentre), tabling his political document at the party's Central Committee (CC) meeting on Sunday proposed to hold 'unity gatherings' in all the districts across the country in mid June.

Ten Maoist parties had on Thursday joined hands to form a new force called CPN (Maoist Centre) with Dahal as its chief. During the meeting, Dahal stated that the 699 central members of the party would be tasked with the responsibility to conduct unity assembly in their respective provinces, reports the Kathmandu Post.

According to proposed work division among party office bearers, , the party will have five deputy chairmen, one general secretary, two deputy general secretaries, three secretaries and a treasurer. Meanwhile, Central Committee leader Dinanath Sharma said the meeting will continue deliberations on Dahal's proposal on Monday as well. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded ceremonial welcomein Tehran on Monday ries of projects are expected to be signed between both sides.

Prime Minister Modi and President Rouhani will later jointly address the

Ideas exchanged between Prime Minister Narendra Modi President Hassan Rouhani at a restricted tete-a-tete.

Several agreements of economic and strategic importance and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a series of projects are expected to be signed between both sides.

The trilateral agreement on connectivity of India with landlocked Afghanistan through the Iranian port of Chabahar will also be signed in the presence of Prime Minister Modi, President Rouhani and Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

The prestigious Chabahar Port project was visualized during the NDA regime, though it hibernated for quite long, mainly due to the slapping of international sanctions against Iran.

similar other projects come handy to bring the agreements to fruition now.

They are expected to have

rich dividends for the economies of both nations apart from having positive strategic and diplomatic impacts. (ANI)

Seoul calls for Pyongyang's denuclearisation stance Seoul, May 23: South Korea on Monday called for North Korea to show its stance on denuclearisation, in response to Pyongyang's dialogue overtures on military matters over the weekend. Seoul's defence ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun said the ministry sent a reply through a western military hotline to the notice sent on Saturday

by North Korea's Ministry of the People's Armed Forces.

The Seoul ministry said via the reply that the escalated tensions on the Korean peninsula were caused by North Korea's provocative acts, expressing regrets over Pyongyang's military dialogue proposal without any mentioning of its nuclear programme. Seoul called for North Korea's showing of its stance on denuclearisation before making any dialogue overtures, making it clear that Pyongyang should show its will on denuclearisation through actions if the country really wants peace and

stability on the peninsula.

Moon said the South Korean government will hold fast to a basic position that North Korea's denuclearisation measures will be a top priority in any inter-Korean dialogue.

North Korea sent the notice on Saturday to propose a working-level contact for inter-governmental military talks at a convenient venue and date for both sides between late May and early June to defuse military tensions on the peninsula. Tensions have been running high on the peninsula after North Korea's fourth nuclear test in January, followed by the launch in February of a long-range rocket, which outside world condemned as a disguised test of ballistic missile technology.

UN Security Council adopted tougher-than-ever sanctions on Pyongyang over its nuclear detonation and long-range rocket launch. Seoul closed down the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the last remaining

inter-Korean economic project in North Korea's border town of Kaesong, as part of independent sanctions against Pyongyang.

North Korea said military authorities of the two Koreas should make straightforward discussions on current issues relevant to possible military conflicts as well as need to agree upon and enforce institutional and legal measures mandatory to taking realistic actions for securing military trust between the two sides. The notice came a day after North Korea's National Defence Commission said in an open letter on Friday that South Korea should immediately respond to top North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's proposal for interKorean military talks.

Kim mentioned the need for inter-Korean military talks during his speech at North Korea's seventh congress of its ruling Workers' Party of Korea (DPRK) that lasted for four days

South Korea on Monday called for North Korea to show its stance on denuclearization through May 9.

Calling the dialogue offer as a "camouflaged" charm offensive, the Seoul ministry spokesman said the proposal failed to include a nuclear issue, the most essential part of inter-Korean relations and peace on the peninsula.

The spokesman said Pyongyang's dialogue proposal was aimed at weakening the international community's efforts to tackle its nuclear programme, adding that

Seoul's hasty acceptance of Pyongyang's dialogue offer may delay North Korea's denuclearisation process.

Pyongyang's dialogue overtures were widely expected here in Seoul as North Korea needs to take its "charm offensive" strategy as part of efforts to escape from the sanctions from the international community over its nuclear and rocket provocations for the first two months of this year.(Agencies)

PM Modi to meet top Iranian leaders in Tehran Tehran (Iran), May 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Tehran on a two-day state visit to Iran, will have crucial meetings today with the leaders of the host country and witness signing of various agreements having economic and strategic importance.

After the ceremonial reception, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a re-

Iraq urges civilians to flee as op to retake key city begins Baghdad, May 23: An offensive to retake the besieged city of Fallujah from Islamic State has begun, Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi announced on Sunday. Local residents have been told to evacuate via secured routes."Zero hour for the liberation of Falluja has arrived. The moment of great victory has drawn near and IS has no choice but to flee," Abadi posted on his Twitter account, the RT online reported.

The Iraqi offensive will see the army, police counterterrorism units, local tribal fighters, and a coalition of Shiite Muslim militias join forces.

Meanwhile, air support will most likely be provided by the US-led coalition.

Local residents were given the heads up by the Iraqi army earlier. "The citizens who are still in

press, highlighting the developments. The trilateral agreement on connectivity of India with landlocked Afghanistan through the Iranian port of Chabahar will also be

signed in the presence of Prime Minister Modi, President Rouhani and Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

The prestigious Chabahar Port project was visualized during the NDA regime, though it hibernated for quite long, mainly due to the slapping of international sanctions against Iran. However, post-sanctions Iran is now ready for welcoming global role in its economy.

India's age-old civilizational ties with the Persian Gulf nation and the solid foundation already put in place for the port connectivity and

Fallujah (should) be prepared to leave the city through secured routes that will be announced later," the army said in a statement released on Facebook. Those families who cannot leave the besieged city are to raise white flags to mark their location in the city, the army added.

There will be three corridors opened for civilians and camps set up the west, southwest, and southeast of the city, Deputy District Council Chairman Falih alEssawi said. "Our goal is to liberate civilians from IS's repression and terrorism," Abadi stated in a televised address.

Falluja is an Islamic State stronghold located 50 km west of Baghdad.

It was the first city captured by the extremist group back in January 2014. (Agencies)

stricted meeting followed by delegation level talks.

The two leaders are expected to discuss issues of mutual interest like improving connectivity, regional and international issues including the menace of terror and extremism and the ways and means of carrying forward bilateral relations to a higher level.

After the talks, signing of agreements and Memo-

randum of Understanding (MoU) on a series of projects including Chabahar port is expected to be signed.

Both the leaders will later jointly address the press, highlighting the developments. In the afternoon, the trilateral agreement on connectivity of India with landlocked Afghanistan through the Iranian port of Chabahar will be signed. It will be witnessed by Prime Min-

ister Modi and President Rouhani and Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

The prestigious Chabahar Port project was visualized during the earlier NDA regime, though it hibernated for quite long, mainly due to the slapping of international sanctions against Iran. However, postsanctions Iran is now ready for welcoming global role in its economy.

India's ages old civilizational ties with the Persian Gulf nation and the solid foundation already put in place for the port connectivity and similar other projects come handy to bring the agreements to fruition now. They are expected to have rich dividends for the economies of both the nations apart from having positive strategic and diplomatic impacts.

(ANI)

Pakistan confirms US drone strike Wali Muhammad were killed in the strike, said the statement, adding that the identity of the driver has been confirmed and his body has been collected by his relatives while the identity of the second body was still being verified.

Pakistan late on Sunday confirmed that two people were killed in a US drone strike Islamabad, May 23: Pakistan late on Sunday confirmed that two people were killed in a US drone strike on Saturday in its remote area along the Pakistan-Afghan border, but remained vague about the Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansoors death in the strike. A statement issued by Pakistan's Foreign Office said that the US informed the Pakistani Prime Minister and the Pakistani Army Chief about the drone strike late Saturday after the strike

was carried out.

It confirmed two people were killed in the strike.

However, the statement did not confirm Mullah Mansoor's death. "Late Saturday May 21, 2016, the US shared information that a drone strike was carried out in Pakistan near the PakistanAfghanistan border area, in which reportedly the Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor was targeted," said . A driver named Muhammad Azam and a man named

NSU activists protest outside Nepal PM's residence

According to the statement, the man named Wali Muhammad carried a Pakistani passport and an ID card showing he was a resident of Qilla Abdullah, a district in Balochistan province where the US launched in the strike. He entered Pakistan from Iran through the border city of Taftan on Saturday with a valid Iranian visa on his passport. He was travelling on a vehicle hired from a transport company in Taftan. This vehicle was found destroyed at Kochaki along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, said the statement.

Shortly after the statement was issued by Pakistan Foreign Office, local media quoted Paksitan Interior Minis-

try as saying that the passport carried by Wali Muhammad was fake and the ministry had formed a five-member team to investigate into the issue as from where he got the fake passport.

Local media reported that the picture of the man carrying the fake passport had a great resemblance with Mullah Mansoor. According to local media's reports, the Pakistani government was facing problem to get DNA samples from someone of Mullah Mansoor's family to identify the body of Wali Muhammad and once the DNA samples of Mullah Mansoor's relatives are obtained, the test will be conducted either in Islamabad or in Karachi. The Pakistan Foreign Office also protested against the US drone strike on its territory as it violated its sovereignty. It also called on the Taliban to give up violence and join the peace talks.(Agencies)

NSU activists protest outside Nepal PM's residence Kathmandu, May 23: The Nepal Students Union (NSU) activists on Monday staged a demonstration in front of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's official residence in Baluwatar and accused the government of protecting educational mafias and promoting black marketing. The demonstrators chanted slogans such as 'Proverb cannot ignite fire to cook' and 'People are finding it hard to live' among others, reports The Himalayan Times.

The NSU activists carried empty gas cylinders,

jars and cooking utensils during their protest. NSU Kathmandu president Manoj Vaidya warned of launching a nationwide agitation if the government did not heed to their demands.

NSU leader Deepak Bhattarai said that the government was not concerned towards controlling black marketing, inflation and activities of the education mafia. Another student leader accused the government of failing to address the woes of earthquake survivors.(ANI)

US drone attack violation of Pakistan's sovereignty: Nawaz Sharif

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Lahore, May 23: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif slammed the drone strike carried out by the United States in Balochistan a day earlier, saying that a strong protest had been lodged with the U.S. over the attack. Sharif described the air strike in the Dalbandin area of Balochistan as a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty.

Talking to reporters after his arrival in London for a medical check-up, Sharif said that it was not clear that Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour was among the two people reportedly killed in the air strike, adding that details of the incident were still being collected. A statement by the Foreign Office in Islamabad said that the US had shared the information that a drone strike had been carried out in Pakistan near the PakAfghan border in which Mansour was targeted.

The information was shared with Prime Minis-

ter Sharif and Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif after the strike. The statement said that while investigations were being carried out, "Pakistan wishes to once again state that the drone attack was a violation of its sovereignty, an issue which has been raised with the United States in the past as well".

The FO said that the fifth meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group held on May 18 had reiterated that a politically negotiated settlement was the only viable option for a lasting peace in Afghanistan and called upon the Taliban to give up violence and join peace talks.

People close to the Taliban said the strike took place as senior 'commanders' were travelling to attend a wedding in a Pakistani village. The Taliban's chief justice official, Mullah Shaikh Abdul Hakim, could have been among those killed in the strike, they said. (ANI)

Any reason possible behind plane crash: Egypt Prez Cairo,May 23: Egyptian President AbdelFattah al-Sisi on Sunday said there was immediately no firm assumption as to why the Egyptain plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea last week. "All assumptions are possible," Xinhua news agency quoted Sisi as saying. "Reaching the reasons behind the plane crash takes long time ... we will announce the results once we finish investigating," Sisi said.

On Thursday, EgyptAir said its flight MS804,

operated by an Airbus A320, disappeared from radar screens en route from Paris to Cairo at 2.45 a.m. (local time).

Also on Thursday, Egypt's Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy said a terrorist attack was more likely than a technical failure as the cause of the crash.

The plane had 66 people aboard, including 56 passengers -- 30 Egyptians, 15 French, two Iraqis and nine others each from Algeria, Belgium, Portugal, Britain, Canada, Chad, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. (Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, MAY 24

The Indian Ocean Won't Be a 'Nuclear Free Zone' Anytime Soon

Disposing garbage Needs everyone attention Disposing garbage in a proper way has always been a matter of concern for people all over. And we as Indians know it very well that even we have a serious garbage problem.

But the problem is not about finding the right technology for waste disposal. The problem is how to integrate the technol(Photo: clker.com) ogy with a system of household-level segregation so that waste does not end up in landfills, but is processed and reused. It is clear that there will be no value from waste, as energy or material, if it is not segregated. But this is where our waste management system stops short. It is the responsibility of the urban local body to ensure segregation of waste at source as per the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules, 2015. This means the body must get citizens to segregate waste at the household level and then ensure that this segregated waste-wet and dry, compostable and recyclable-is collected separately and transported separately for processing. The easier solution is to collect and dump. Or to believe that unsegregated waste can be sorted out mechanically at the processing plant itself and burnt. Officials of urban local bodies have been given to believe this is the magic bullet: collect, sort and burn. But as experience across India-and from the rest of the worldshows, if waste is not segregated then it will make poor quality fuel. This will not work. Segregation at source should therefore be at the heart of municipalities' solid waste management system. It goes on to state that every effort will be made to recycle or reuse the rejects to achieve the desired objective of zero waste to landfill. This is an important departure from previous policies, which ended up emphasising the need for sanitary landfills. The question is how to enforce this policy. City municipalities also find that the collection, transport and dumping of waste is an easier proposition than processing it for reuse. To change this, it is necessary to impose a landfill tax.

We need to turn the system of garbage management on its head. Only then will we really clean our citiesnot just sweep the dirt under the carpet.

Assam Politics End of an era The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is looking for better days to come especially in the northeastern region. People in Assam will now be watching the change that the saffron party has promised to win the hearts of the majority of the people in the state. As in the last few years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been trying hard for the last few years to make inroads into India's northeast, has not only assured to end the existing corruption in Assam under the Congress rule but also to bring change and development and give employment to the youth of the region and end infiltration from Bangladesh by sealing the Indo-Bangladesh border.

For the last 15 years Tarun Gogoi was at the helm of affairs in Assam. But finally he lose in the 2016 assembly elections. Despite his efforts, the 81-yearold Congressman could not buck the trend as he presided over his party's decimation. But as results suggested it will be Sarbananda Sonowal of the Bharatiya Janata Party who will take up the reins of this northeastern state for the next five years. But even as Gogoi fades out, his name will remain etched in the state's history. It was Gogoi who single-handedly brought the Congress to power in Assam in 2001. He also ensured the party's victory in Assam in 2006 and 2011 assembly elections. And that's how he became the state's chief minister thrice. Born to Kamaleswar Gogoi and Usha Gogoi on October 11, 1934 at Rangajan Tea Estate in Jorhat district, Gogoi started his political career as a Congress volunteer and was elected to the Jorhat Municipal Board in 1968. In his early years, Gogoi studied Law and earned the LL.B. degree from Gauhati University. He began his career as a lawyer and simultaneously engaged himself in socio-political activities. Gogoi was first elected to the fifth Lok Sabha in 1971 from Jorhat constituency in Assam and became the joint secretary of the AllIndia Congress Committee (AICC) in 1976. Later, he was re-elected to the sixth and the seventh Lok Sabha as well. He also became the AICC general secretary in 1985. Between 1986 and 1990 and served as the president of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). He became the state unit's president again in 1996, a position he has been holding since then. Gogoi was elected to the 10th Lok Sabha again in 1991 from Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. Between 1991 and 1993, he was the Union minister of food (independent charge) and held the portfolio of food processing ministry in the central government between 1993 to 1995. During 1997-98, he was also elected to the Assam assembly from Margherita constituency. He was too elected to the 12th Lok Sabha for the fifth time in 1998. In 1999, he was re-elected to the 13th Lok Sabha. He assumed the office of Assam chief minister in May, 2001. In September that year he was elected to the assembly from Titabar constituency. This year Gogoi contested the 2016 assembly elections in Assam from Titabar constituency which went to polls in the first phase on April 4 but won comfortably from Titabar constituency by defeating strong contender, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa of BJP. Interestingly, over two thousand people from this constituency showed a renewed interest in Communist Party of India which led to Kula Das being placed at the third place from this constituency.

Undersea nuclear deterrence in the Indian Ocean is here to stay.

Sartaj Aziz, adviser to tests of nuclear capable, Pakistan's prime minister submarine based K4 balon foreign affairs, pre- listic missiles. Simultasented an interesting pro- neously large nuclear posal to the Pakistani powered submarines are Senate on Thursday. He being built to carry these said that he would con- nuclear armed missile as sider having Pakistan in- a part of its second strike troduce a resolution at nuclear capability," he the United Nations that told the Senate, accordwould urge the body to ing to a report in Dawn. declare the UnfortuIndian Ocean Ankit Panda nately, for Pakistan, the a "nuclear free zone." Leaving aside United Nations won't be the fact that the United able to solve this problem Nations isn't in the busi- anytime soon. Moreover, ness of declaring nuclear India won't be the only weapon free zones, country looking to operAziz's comments reflect ate nuclear-armed ballisincreasing anxieties in tic missile submarines Pakistan about India's (SSBNs) in the waters of burgeoning sea-based the Indian Ocean. China nuclear deterrent. started operating SongWith the first of Arihant- and Shang-class submaclass of domestically de- rines in the Indian Ocean signed ballistic missile in 2014, according to the submarines rolling out U.S. Department of DeOstensibly, and testing underway of fense.

Delhi's K-4 submarine- Beijing's upcoming first launched ballistic mis- overseas military facilsiles ongoing, Delhi is ity-in Djibouti-will play coming closer to a role in support submaoperationalizing its sea- rine logistics. based deterrent. (The K- According to the U.S. 4 has been test launched Defense Department's from the Arihant's on- most recent report on board silos, as I discussed China's military, four last month.)

Chinese Jin-class Aziz is well aware of SSBNs-China's first seathese developments. based deterrent as well"Apart from this air de- are operational. These fence system, India has submarines currently opalso recently conducted erate out off the People's

Liberation Army-Navy's submarine base at Hainan Island, in the South China Sea, but Beijing may look to have its SSBNs patrolling the Indian Ocean soon enough.

As Bonnie Glaser and Matthew Funaiole highlight in a recent post, China's Jin-class SSBNs, while giving Beijing its first credible sea-based second strike ability, are far from perfect. (Admittedly, neither is the Arihant.) In particular, the Jin-class, according to the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence, has been found to be noisier than some 1970s-era Soviet SSBNs. Given that China's chosen to arm these with the relatively range-constrained JL-2 SLBM (with a 7,500 km range), the SSBNs would have to "travel undetected through several crucial chokepoints into the Pacific Ocean in order to strike the continental United States," write Glaser and Funaiole.

(India's K-4 is more constrained by range yet, featuring an operational range of 3,500 km.)

The Pacific route might not be the best way for China to put its JL-2

Image for representational purpose (Photo: melodi.ee.washington) within striking range of U.S. targets. The far reaches of the Indian Ocean, into the Gulf of Aden, offer another appealing region for Chinese SSBN patrols. The JL-2?s range just about brings the United States' eastern coast into range.

With the potential for submarine logistics support at Djibouti and perhaps even Gwadar in the Pakistan down the line, the Indian Navy might not be the only one in the region looking at the In-

dian Ocean for its SSBNs. Unsurprisingly, amid increased Chinese sub-surface activity in the Indian Ocean, we've seen the United States and India deepen their anti-submarine warfare cooperation.

Moreover, Delhi has started extending its maritime patrol and surveillance capabilities further southward; it sent a P-8I Neptune aircraft to the Seychelles earlier this year.

With India's Arihant-

class on the verge of commissioning and Chinese SSBNs possibly on the way to supplement the PLAN's existing hunter-killer and nuclear attack submarines, the Indian Ocean won't become a "nuclear free zone" anytime soon. Islamabad could look to build up its own undersea nuclear capabilities, but, as I've discussed before, that'll be limited by a range of factors. Courtesy: The Diplomat

After Poor State Election Results, Decline Continues for Indian Congress Party The party's political relevance continues to shrink across India.

India's grand old party, the islations across the country.

Indian National Congress, Karnataka now remains the is in serious trouble. This sole state under Congress isn't a particularly new ob- control that's an economic servation-indeed, the heavyweight on the Indian party has been in decline political map. since its walloping in the The 2014 Lok Sabha result, 2014 Lok which saw the Sabha elec- Ankit Panda Congress' seats tions-but this in the lower week's state election re- house of India's bicameral sults hit home the party's parliament shrink to the striking decline all over size of an average charter India. bus, marked an important In the states of Assam, turning point.

Kerala, West Bengal, and The party was out of power Tamil Nadu, the Congress on the national stage after saw poor results. Indeed, 10 years of rule as the only the tiny Indian Union leader of the United ProTerritory of Puducherry gressive Alliance (UPA). turned out positively for Its time in power was the INC (that too, as a re- marked by a range of corsult of its alliance with the ruption scandals and, while Dravida Munnetra economic growth continKazhagam [DMK]). ued, its pace slowed in the The Congress' slow disap- UPA government's final pearance from power years. across India is perhaps While assessments of best seen on a map. For India's nationally dominant instance, since 2012, the Bharatiya Janata Party party has consistently de- (BJP) government remain clined in holding state leg- mixed, among supporters

and critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi alike, it's clear that the Congress has been unable to pull itself out of a slow drift into political irrelevance.

states, the Congress-led UPA coalition does hold a majority in the upper house of India's parliament, the Rajya Sabha. While this has granted the party some

agenda, it's far from the kind of bulwark that'll allow a nationwide resurgence.

The core of the party's problem remains its in-

India's grand old party, the Indian National Congress (Photo: .wikimedia) With the exception of Karnataka and a few other

veto power over the BJP government's reform

ability to cast off its identity as a dynastic enter-

Sordid Tale of Home Ministry

Image for representational purpose (Photo: sarkarilife)

Sir, A near anarchism exists in the state if one goes by the number of unsettled cases in almost all the Police stations of Assam. That apart, most of the Police stations are bereft of land-linephones, not to speak of the man-power.

The chief-minister holding 'Home' portfolio is obsessed with the calculation of number of seats his party will garner and is all set to make it for the fourth time in a row. The octogenarian Chiefminister, well past his prime is reluctant to relinquish his chair to pave the way for the young blood. Why this state of affairs in Home ministry is allowed to go hay wire? It is reported in a section of the Press that 58,000 unsettled cases are there in almost all the Police stations of Assam. The Home minister cannot escape avoiding the accountability. What did he do in his entire term? It is a pity that on several occa-

prise, lead by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi, the party's vice president and the supposed inheritor, is seen as lacking in charisma and political acumen.

(For more on the dynastic decline of the Congress, see my contribution to The Diplomat magazine's December 2015 issue on Asian political dynasties.)

If the 2014 Lok Sabha result wasn't enough of a wake-up call, this week's state election results should be. If the Congress is to offer an alternative center-left vision for India, compatible with the secularist instincts of many of the party's forebears, including Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, it may have to cast off its reputation as a family enterprise. Courtesy: The Diplomat

Best Letter The best letter of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200.

So please keep writing.

sions constable recruitment test was held, subsequently nullified by the Hon'ble Guwahati High court due to favoritism, nepotism and corruption. Taking advantage of the slackness of their leader, many ministers and bureaucrats had been busy siphoning out money from the state exchequer and emptied Letters to the it. The employees despite their poor editor and articles 'Work - culture' very often resort to tough tactics to compel the authority should be sent to : The Eastern Toto concede to their demands. Who cares for the tax-payers hard earned money? day

Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh786001 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Yours etc.

Email : Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

p O

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, MAY 24

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Why India Needs To Realise It Can't Put All Waste In One Basket We know that we have a and dry, compostable serious garbage problem. and recyclable-is colBut the problem is not lected separately and about finding the right transported separately technology for waste dis- for processing. posal. The problem is how The easier solution is to to integrate collect and the technoldump. Or to ogy with a Sunita Narain believe that system of unsegrehousehold-level segrega- gated waste can be tion so that waste does not sorted out mechanically end up in landfills, but is at the processing plant processed and reused. It itself and burnt. Officials is clear that there will be of urban local bodies no value from waste, as have been given to beenergy or material, if it is lieve this is the magic not segregated. But this is bullet: collect, sort and where our waste manage- burn. But as experience ment system stops short. across India-and from It is the responsibility of the rest of the worldthe urban local body to shows, if waste is not ensure segregation of segregated then it will waste at source as per the make poor quality fuel.

Municipal Solid Waste This will not work.

(MSW) Rules, 2015. This Segregation at source means the body must get should therefore be at citizens to segregate the heart of municipaliwaste at the household ties' solid waste manlevel and then ensure that agement system. The this segregated waste-wet only city that has truly

adopted segregation is Panaji. Municipal officials have ensured a citywide system that is designed to collect household waste on different days for different waste streams. This ensures separation. It is combined with penalties for nonsegregated waste and has promoted colonylevel processing as well.

Most importantly, for the bulk of commercial establishments such as hotels it has a bag-marking system so that any noncompliance can be caught and fined.

In Kerala's Alappuzha segregation happens differently. Here the municipality does not collect waste because it has no place to take it to for disposal. The city's only landfill has been sealed by villagers who live in its vicinity. This withdrawal of the municipality from

waste management has meant that the people have to manage their waste, or be drowned in it. They segregate and compost what they can.

The compost is used for growing vegetables and plants in their homesteads. The problem is how to handle all the nonbiodegradable waste-paper, plastic, aluminum tins, etc. This is where the government has stepped in. It promotes collection through the already wellorganised informal waste-recycling sector.

The municipality has ended up saving a huge capital cost it would have otherwise incurred for collection and transportation.

But this is one part of the waste solution. The other is to make sure there is no place for the unsegregated waste to go. This means taking tough steps

to manage landfills in cities. In fact, the MSW (draft) Rules, 2015, accept that landfills should only be used for residual waste that is "non-usable, non-recyclable, non-biodegradable, non-combustible and non-reactive". It goes on to state that every effort will be made to recycle or reuse the rejects to achieve the desired objective of zero waste to landfill. This is an important departure from previous policies, which ended up emphasising the need for sanitary landfills.

The question is how to enforce this policy. Currently, all contracts for waste management awarded by city governments to private concessionaires have a perverse incentive to bring larger quantities of waste to the dumpsite. Under these contracts the contractor

Why Both Trump And Hillary Are Bad News For The Middle East Following Donald to have spoken pasTrump's emergence as sionately about "fighting the lead GOP candidate in the Islamic State", but the run up to the 2016 that has also been one American elections, and of Obama's priorities in given Hillary Clinton's the past, and Trump has popularity against fellow yet to state a concrete Democrat Bernie Sand- plan except heavyers, it appears most likely handed rhetoric amidst that Donald Trump and nativist frenzy.

Hillary Clinton will Sabah Kochhar On April 27, the be the two frontrunners for next US projected Republican President. While much nominee for President has been said about spoke at the Center for Trump's "building a wall the National Interest, against Mexico", "ban- where he did state that ning Muslims" and America had been Clintons' past on prison overburdened in paying

mendous success from a military standpoint"."

Most importantly, though, while Trump hasn't officially stated them as policy missions, he has indulged the thought of using a nuclear bomb even in Europe, as well bragging about doing away with the entire families of terrorists, if his past is something to go by.

But while Trump seems more about all-talk, double standards and no action, opponent Clinton's approach to war is only marginally better.

track record regarding the accountability of Israeli and American violations in Palestine makes her 'liberal' stamp even more dubious. In one of her recent speeches, given at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, some onlookers went so far as to say that her diehard, pro-Israel belligerence "sounded like Netanyahu"!

have proven the Democrats' hypocrisy.

But then again, for all the talk of framing Republicans and Democrats as two sides, it's crucial to

When it comes to drones, the seeming invisibility of an attack makes it virtually harmless. And unlike a fullscale war that the Bush era bought, the imminence of drones is yet to be registered in the minds of the American public which remains far removed and disaffected from its lived realities; unlike a Pakistani or Yemeni victim killed by a drone in a remote region.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton (Photo: cdn.youthkiawaaz) justice reform and allegations of corruption: few have looked at both candidates' foreign policy proposals with equal thoroughness.

What is evident is that regardless of whoever the winner is, both Trump and Clinton fail to offer much promise in the foreign policy department, particularly in respect to the vast inconsistencies visĂ -vis the Middle East.

Trump, who has pushed forth his rhetoric of "America First", has been quite vague on issues of how he plans to engage (or not) with Iran, post the historical ObamaRouhani talks marking the end of the sanction era.

Moreover, Trump is said

the NATO's dues and that its allies such as South Korea or Japan were not doing enough.

This has, so far, been one of the only concretely laid out measures Trump has proposed. What's also interesting is that Trump seems to be in denial about BuzzFeed's Editor-in-Chief, Ben Smith, calling out his lie: that of his opposition to the war in Iraq. Which is at a direct clash with what Trump said to reporter Anderson Cooper in an interview in March - "I was against the war in Iraq. OK?" However, as Ben Smith pointed out, "On the war's first day, he called it a "tre-

Many have pointed out how Hillary has advocated for a more hawkish foreign policy than both Democrats and Republicans, her past actions being cited as militaristic than anyone else in the race. Her legacy includes her support for the Iraq war, the 2011 Libyan war and the siege in Afghanistan. Her friendship with Henry Kissinger is also a matter of notoriety, given Kissinger's role in 1971 Bangladeshi war crimes (he continues to remain non-indicted; a parallel to Bush and Blair's roles in Iraq).

Hillary's firm stance in favour of sidling up with ally Israel and the murky

note that the American approach to foreign policy in the Middle East has long been pursuing the same underlying theme: that of global superpower as well as super-policeman. Even as many of us, my own self included, hails Obama's relatively socialist policies, and a progressive, charismatic attitude, the reality remains that he too has failed to live up to many of our expectations. Noted journalist Glenn Greenwald writes in a scathing account of Obama's drone policies that despite Obama's Democrat and socialist labels, his foreign policy and failure to live unto the promises of shutting down Guantanamo,

"Somehow," says Greenwald,"it was hideously wrong for George W. Bush to eavesdrop on and imprison suspected terrorists without judicial approval, yet it was perfectly permissible for Obama to assassinate them without due process of any kind."

Even though we talk about "likely foreign policy" that the incoming President would bring, the chances of any radical change are slim. American support for Israel will not wane.

Neither does there seem to be a near-end to the crisis in Syria with Clinton herself proposing a "no-fly zone" (a probable war with the Assad regime and bombing down ISIS at the same time?) albeit with the risk that the US will be drawn into further military involvement without any long-term and sustainable solution to this vicious cycle.

What's clear from all this is that most Americans have no choice.

It's not "progressive" Democrat Hillary versus "bad for the Middle East" Republican Trump so much as it is a choice between a slightly lesser evil. But all through this heavy-handed talk, it only seems that the very people living in these regions - the non-American civilians at risk - are the only ones entirely left out of the debate.

Courtesy:Youthkiawaaz

A garbage carrying truck (Photo: l7.alamy) is paid against the volume of waste deposited on the site. This "tipping fee" as it is known means that the higher the volume brought the greater the financial reward. City municipalities also find that the collection, transport and dumping of waste is an easier proposition than processing it for reuse.

To change this, it is nec-

essary to impose a landfill tax. The contracts need to be redesigned so that instead of the municipality paying for the waste brought to the landfill, the contractor should be made to pay a "tipping fee" for the waste. In this way, instead of being paid to bring waste to the landfill, the contractor or city municipality would have to pay a fee to dispose of the

waste. This will provide financial viability to the waste-processing industry and also ensure that as little as possible waste reaches the landfill.

We need to turn the system of garbage management on its head. Only then will we really clean our cities-not just sweep the dirt under the carpet.

Courtesy: Down To Earth.

Why I Think Dibakar Banerjee Is One Of Bollywood's Best Directors Dibakar Banerjee took the a three-dimensional realHindi Film industry by ity for his stories to exist storm with his debut direc- in. tion Khosla Ka Ghosla in Lucky is not merely a 2006. It was one of those thief who wants to be films that just clicked. cool. It's about all that Scene after scene from lucky sees as he is growthe very beginning where ing up. It's about those Khosla's worst fears come private school girls alive as he dreams himself emerging from that to be a swanky corpse lying Neetole Mitra bottle green in his front sedan in yard while his slow motion family goes on about mis- with that folk rendition of calculated bills, cooking Tu raja ki raaj dulari comrajma with soda and buy- plete with every screen ing imported watches movement that transpires worth Rs. 3,700; till the during that shot. The end where the camera pans camera moves slowly down to reveal a newly from the boys driving the installed nameplate on a car (their attention comnewly constructed build- pletely on the girls), foling standing out like a sore lowed by the girls gigthumb in the middle of gling, followed by Lucky nowhere. The nameplate a and group staring as resolution to all that Khosla though time has stopped.

comments on the moral degeneration of a state.

But it is not just the themes and the metaphors or the script and the camera. It is the logic behind everything that he puts on the screen.

The very experimental Love Sex Aur Dhoka is decidedly uncouth and garish. The violence is too real and so is the voyeurism. This one disgusts you completely.

While his last directorial attempt, the Sushant Singh Rajput starrer Detective Byomkesh Bakshy received abundant criticism for being a little too over-ambition (which it totally was), I felt it was somewhat unfair to flack an auteur simply because he tried to achieve something big.

The sets and scenes of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy transposes the au-

Dibakar Banerjee's debut direction was Khosla Ka Ghosla in 2006 and Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! in2008 (Photo: cdn.youthkiawaaz) was worried about in the opening shot - the ultimate middle-class dream of being settled in your own home.

There was no doubt Dibakar Banerjee was as talented as they come and maybe a little more. Because someone who can narrate a simple story beautifully, sticking to the basic rules of filmmaking with such clarity, clearly knows what he's doing.

Then, of course, he proved it a second time around with Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! in 2008 winning the National Film award a second time.

What sets Dibakar Banerjee a league apart as a filmmaker is his in-depth understanding of his subjects. He doesn't isolate his characters and stories to function only in the cinematic space. Instead, he creates an elaborate map,

While it would have been very easy to portray a young sardar living in West Delhi who stands by the road letching at girls wearing short skirts, Dibakar Banerjee seizes that moment and leaves it open for his audience to feel what Lucky feels.

That longing. That jealousy. And that immense class divide.

Banerjee's scripts keep in mind everything. They are politically poignant and emotionally ripe. Such as in Shanghai where the auteur uses the death of Dr Ahmedi to create a Roshomon effect where he doesn't die just once but repeatedly - in memory, in lies, and ideologically a thousand times over at the end of the film. The death metaphor used to sinister effects by Banerjee is a much effective trope in a film like Shanghai, which

dience to another era altogether. It's a visual and emotional treat simply by making you feel that you belong to the 50s! The dampness of Kolkata, the oomph and noir of Swastika Mukherjee and the silly intelligence of our protagonist all work for this film and shows the confident execution of a practised director.

Instead of passing a moral judgment and creating cinema that condemns, Banerjee as a filmmaker simply shows. And it is this showing that becomes his voice, his decision as a director. For, someone, who surrenders to his stories so completely, using contradiction and a fine understanding of people to create such hard-hitting humour and tragedy, must be celebrated more often.

Courtesy:Youthkiawaaz

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, MAY 24

BUSINESS

New strategy for growth in India launched by Audi ITS ALL ABOUT BUSINESS

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: audi) Mumbai, May 23: Luxury car maker Audi is embarking on a fourpronged strategy to maintain 'profitable' growth in India in the long term, according to a top company

CAB sets up Cotton panel for production push Hyderabad, May 23: The Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) has set up a sub-committee that will work on ensuring sustainability of cotton production, according to a senior official in the Ministry of Textiles. This follows concerns that actual cotton production could turn out to be lesser than estimates.

Industry sources here said that in its previous meeting, the CAB had estimated that the cotton production this season (October 2015-September 2016) would touch 352 lakh bales. However, the actual production could be lower than the estimated level, with the average yield now being 500 kg per hectare as against 570 kg a hectare a few years ago. The ministry official also said that since both the Agriculture and Textile ministries have an interest in the crop, another such sub-committee, or more, may be formed to jointly lay out a roadmap for sustainable production.

(Agencies)

executive. The strategy includes replacement of the existing portfolio with new cars in three years, expansion of services network in line with its Service First approach, growing

The strategy includes replacement of the existing portfolio with new cars in three years, expansion of services network in line with its Service First approach, growing with existing dealers rather than roping in new ones and expansion of its used car business to bring in most customers under its fold.

Luxury car maker Audi is embarking on a fourpronged strategy to maintain 'profitable' growth in India in the long term.

Audi have probably the oldest product portfolio in the market. The core of our products will be totally refreshed in the next 2-3 years. This has started with the new Audi Q7, which is doing phenomenally well.

with existing dealers rather than roping in new ones and expansion of its

used car business to bring in most customers under its fold. "We have probably

stantaneous profits for investors (people who own the service stations) so that they remain loyal to the company. A dealership with swanky showrooms needs years to break even while a service station earns from day one. "We are going with the service first approach when we expand our network.

Where we have customers, instead of just going and putting a showroom there, we're going with our service concept. As the market progresses, we will expand that with a showroom and used car facilities," Mr. King said. For Audi India, which has sold over 55,000 cars in India in 9 years and controls 30 per cent market share in the segment, focus has been on network.

(Agencies)

Reebok India, Jabong engage consumers at power-packed fitness master class ANI New Delhi, May 23: Fitness enthusiasts in the city got an unforgettable treat as Reebok India and Jabong organised an exclusive fitness masterclass with celebrated fitness icon John Abraham.

Reebok brand ambassador, John Abraham pledged to make Gurgaon fitter. The excitement was palpable at the most prime location in Gurgaon-DLF Cyber Hub as Reebok trainers began taking CrossFit sessions, thereby engaging consumers and influencers with high intensity and fun workouts.

Participants were drenched in sweat at the end of a 20 minute power packed workout session that was aimed at helping them unlock their true potential. This was in sync with Reebok's 'Be More

Human' campaign, inspiring people to fitter physically, mentally and socially. John Abraham made a grand entry amid resounding cheers and enthralled the audience with a truly holistic experience. Apart from getting an opportunity to work out with John, the participants also got a chance to battle it out and take home some cool Reebok merchandise and gift vouchers from Jabong. Speaking on the occasion, Abraham, said, "Fitness has always been one of my top priorities which resonates perfectly with Reebok's 'fitness is life' philosophy. I am extremely happy to be here and help Reebok and Jabong promote fitness in the city. I had a great time working out with the enthusiastic audience and

Reebok brand ambassador, John Abraham. (Photo: bollywood.celebden) sharing my fitness mantra for a healthier body and mind. I congratulate Reebok and Jabong on this amazing initiative and look forward to more such initiatives in the future." Commenting on the special session and her

experience at the event, Silvia Tallon, Senior Marketing Director, Reebok India, said, "It has been a fulfilling association with Jabong wherein we have succeeded in making people aware about fitness. Not only was this

event a great way for us to engage with so many new people - be it consumers or influencers, but it was also the perfect platform for us to drive home our 'fitness is life philosophy." "We are very excited to do this event with Reebok. Fitness as a category has been a major focus for us over the years and it's been our constant endeavour to offer the best products to fitness enthusiasts in the country. We definitely plan to engage more with our shoppers with exciting campaigns in the future.

Our aim has always been to make shopping an experience for our customers and I am happy that this will be a memorable one for some of them," said Sanjeev Mohanty, CEO and MD, Jabong.

MobiKwik registers 5000 percent growth on Big Basket

Upasana Taku, Co-founder, MobiKwik. (Photo: pehlakadam) ANI Gurgaon (Haryana), May 23: MobiKwik, India's largest independent mobile payments' network today announced that it has registered 5000 percent growth on Big Basket, India's largest online supermarket Bigbasket offers over 20,000 products from over 1,000 brands and is present in 25 cities across the country including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Delhi-NCR. Upasana Taku, Co-founder, MobiKwik said, "Grocery is an everyday purchase and MobiKwik's phenomenal growth on Big Basket suggests how entrenched MobiKwik is in our users every day transactions. If there is an online commercial transaction, MobiKwik's vision is to facilitate it. The e grocery market is a key vertical for us therefore, and is experiencing tremendous growth". Research firm IGD predicts that India's online grocery

market is estimated to be less than $100 million at present and will cross $25 billion by 2020. MobiKwik is powering payments for IRCTC, Uber, Meru Cabs, Big Bazaar, OYO Rooms, Zomato, PVR, Archies, WHSmith India, BookMyShow, Grofers, Big Basket, Domino's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, eBay, ShopClues, Myntra, Jabong, Pepperfry, Barista, Food Panda, nearbuy, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Louis Phillips, GoDaddy, MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, and Yatra. "A significant number of our customers are paying online now, using wallets. They are finding it more and more convenient to use. The growth of wallets on our site is reflected in our association with partners such as MobiKwik. These partnerships have been extremely rewarding and have also helped us deliver greater value to our customers."

Vipul Parekh, Cofounder and CMO, Big Basket added.

Fall in gold prices, hits nearly one-month low on global cues

Discussion period between Reliance Communications, Aircel extended again by 30 days

Q4 profit of Ramco Cements rises Coimbatore, May 23: Ramco Cements' consolidated net profit more than doubled to Rs.203.20 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 due to better price realisation and paring of debts. The company reported a net profit of Rs.93.4 crore in the year-earlier period, according to a company statement. It posted a total revenue of Rs.1,018.17 crore during the quarter compared with Rs.999.57 crore in the year-earlier period. On a standalone basis, it had reported a net profit of Rs.204.32 crore (Rs.93.42 crore) and revenue of Rs.1,017.68 crore (Rs.999.19 crore) for the quarter under review. Ramco Cements reduced its borrowings by about Rs.500 crore.

In the current year thus far, the borrowings have been reduced by a further Rs.150 crore. Besides repaying borrowings, the company also engaged in replacing bank borrowings by debentures. (Agencies)

From a network point of view Audi have 90 touch points (service stations and dealerships) around the country which we are growing. It will add used cars business which is extremely important to us. It will add three new centres in used cars, including one in Chennai. It's a very strategically important area for Audi to allow people to own luxury.

the oldest product portfolio in the market. The core of our products will be totally refreshed in the next 2-3 years. This has started with the new Audi Q7, which is doing phenomenally well," said Joe King, Head, Audi India.

"From a network point of view, we have 90 touch points (service stations and dealerships) around the country which we are growing. We will add used cars business which is extremely important to us.

We will add three new centres in used cars, including one in Chennai.

It's a very strategically important area for us to allow people to own luxury," he said. The emphasis on growing the service network rather than dealerships has become imperative to ensure in-

PAGE 10

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: images.clipartpanda) Mumbai, May 23: Reliance Communications (RCom) said the company and Aircel has decided to extend by 30 days the discussion pe-

riod for the possible merger of the two telecom operators. This is for the second time the companies have extended the discussion period for

the merger. The telcos previously on March 22 had extended the merger talks by 60 days. "Based on the substantial further progress made, RCom, Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB) and Sindya have mutually extended the exclusivity period between RCom and MCB and Sindya Securities and Investments Private Limited (Sindya), the shareholders of Aircel Limited, by 30 days to June 22, 2016," RCom said in a statement. The discussion has been extended to consider the potential combination of the Indian wireless business of RCom and Aircel and mutually derive the expected substantial benefits of in-country con-

solidation, including operational and capital expenditure synergies and revenue enhancement, the statement said.

Sources said that financial arrangements and due diligence of the deal have been completed.

"RCom is looking for a slightly higher share in the new entity and the discussions are going on around actual shareholding," the source said. The companies on December 22 announced that they have entered 90--day 'exclusivity period' for the deal that will exclude RCom's tower and optical fibre assets for which a separate sale process is ongoing, the company said in a statement. On

March 22, both the companies again extended the discussion period by another 60 days. RCom and Aircel talks, if successful, would lead to a combined entity holding 19.3 per cent of the total spectrum allocated to the industry - the highest in the country by an entity. The new entity, which is in the works, will hold spectrum across all allocated bands - 800 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz, 2100 Mhz and 2300 MHz - for 2G, 3G and 4G services.

On the other hand, RCom and Sistema (MTS) are in process of merger.

Sistema will hold 10 per cent stake in the new entity that will formed post its merger with RCom. (Agencies)

To boost mobile phone sales Flipkart rearranges top deck Bengaluru, May 23: In a bid to improve its seller ecosystem, the country's largest online retailer Flipkart has rejigged toplevel roles in its core marketplace business.

Samardeep Subandh, who joined the Bengaluru-based e-tailer as its marketing head in December last year, has taken over as head of categories. Subandh, who boasts of over a decade of experience in marketing and sales with FMCG giants such as HUL and Marico, will be reporting to Flipkart's CEO Binny Bansal. He is expected to help drive up sales for multiple categories, especially mobiles and appliances - a major growth area for the e-tailer which is now be-

ing challenged by rival Amazon. Amit Bansal, head of large appliances; Rishi Vasudev, head of fashion retail; and Adarsh Menon, who leads electronics and automobiles, will now report to Subandh as part of the latest internal restructuring. Besides, former MobileStore COO Ajay Veer Yadav has joined Flipkart as VP of mobiles category in order to counter aggressive moves from Amazon India. Recently, Motorola's Moto G series, which is one of the most popular handsets in the country, joined hands with Amazon for an exclusive sales deal, after having been on the Flipkart platform till recently.

Yadav's mandate would be

to boost mobile sales with the help of his multi-category and cross-functional knowledge in retail and marketing. Flipkart is believed to have closed December 2015 with an annualized GMV of $4.5-5 billion with sales slowing down in key categories, especially in mobiles which were the mainstay for the online retailer. GMV is the overall sales done on an ecommerce platform without factoring in discounts and returns via sellers.

Flipkart doesn't officially comment on its GMV. Anil Goteti, a company veteran who was heading the mobiles category at the etailer, will now head the marketplace platform to focus on improving seller

experience, enhancing sellers' reach and strengthening the overall merchant ecosystem. Another area where Amazon has been making speedy progress with a 250% jump in sellers' base in 2015 over the previous year. Flipkart has about 85,000 sellers on its platform now. Goteti is replacing Manish Maheshwari, who left the online commerce major to join Web 18 as CEO in April this year. Goteti has played several roles in Flipkart, steering categories like books, home, furniture and business analytics for the during his tenure. As the head of marketplace, he will report to Binny. The latest set of developments come after a few months of a

major management reshuffle at Flipkart which saw Sachin Bansal moving to the role of chairman, making way for Binny to take over as CEO. The toplevel changes have come in the backdrop of Amazon gaining market share from domestic rivals like Snapdeal and Flipkart.

Mukesh Bansal, Myntra's co-founder and former commerce platform head at Flipkart, left the Bengalurubased company after the reshuffle along with Ankit Nagori, who was chief business officer at Flipkart.

Recently, Flipkart's chief product officer Punit Soni also resigned after having been given no clear role in the company post the restructuring. (Agencies)

Image for representational purpose. (Photo: thumbs.dreamstime) Chennai, May 23: Gold prices slipped further by Rs 100 to trade at nearly one-month low of Rs 29,650 per ten grams at the bullion market largely in line with a weakening global trend amid sluggish demand from jewellers and retailers at domestic spot market. Silver also remained under selling pressure and shed Rs 50 at Rs 39,900 per kg. Bullion traders said sentiment remained weak on the back of subdued global trend amid speculation that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates as soon as next month, curbing the appeal of the precious metals. They said

falling demand from jewellers as well as retailers at domestic spot market too dampened the sentiment. In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity declined by Rs 100 each to Rs 29,650 and Rs 29,500 per ten grams, respectively, a level last seen on April 23. Sovereign also lost Rs 100 at Rs 23,100 per piece of eight grams. Following gold, silver ready traded lower by Rs 50 to Rs 39,900 per kg and weekly-based delivery

by Rs 30 to Rs 39,840 per kg. Silver coins, however, held steady at Rs 67,000 for buying and Rs 68,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

(Agencies)

A MUCH AWAITED DOWNFALL Gold prices slipped further by Rs 100 to trade at nearly one-month low of Rs 29,650 per ten grams.

Silver also remained under selling pressure and shed Rs 50 at Rs 39,900 per kg.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity declined by Rs 100 each to Rs 29,650 and Rs 29,500 per ten grams, respectively, a level last seen on April 23. Sovereign also lost Rs 100 at Rs 23,100 per piece of eight grams.

Following gold, silver ready traded lower by Rs 50 to Rs 39,900 per kg and weekly-based delivery

by Rs 30 to Rs 39,840 per kg.

Silver coins, however, held steady at Rs 67,000 for buying and Rs 68,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, MAY 24

Features

PAGE 11

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE Kangana Ranaut launches Vero Moda's new stand-alone store in DLF Mall of India, Noida European high-street fashion brand Vero Moda opened its doors at the much talked about DLF Mall of India in Sector-18 in Noida, Uttar Pradsesh.

Bollywood siren turned designer Kangana Ranaut, attended the launch sporting a stylish skirt and peplum top from the brand's soon to launch French Rivera collection.

The actress who has designed two limited edition collections for the brand, looked glamorous, effortless and oh-so-VERO MODA! The Vero Moda store located on the 'International Boulevard' on the ground

level of the mall, is spread across an impressive4000 Sq. ft. and houses the latest trends from the brands SS'16 campaign. The new store has mannequins, store fixtures and flooring which are true to the style of the brand, offering an international shopping experience to all their customers. The innovative layout, visual merchandizing and decor of the store put the fashionable collection and the b r a n d ' s #TRENDYVEROMODA campaign at center stage.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vineet Gautam, Country Head

BESTSELLER India says, "At Vero Moda, we are constantly expanding to newer markets and we take pride in the launch of our sprawling new store at the DLF Mall of India.

Noida is a pivotal market for us, and Vero Moda has always received a tremendous response from this retail hub of the North.

This being one of our largest stores in the country is another feather in our cap aimed at the fashion conscious women of Noida. From the great response we have received for our launch event, we are confident that our latest TRENDY

VEROMODA campaign which features contemporary international styles and brings new trends week on week, will be a great addition to the fashionable wardrobe of the women in here."

Ranaut added, "I have been associated with this fast-fashion brand for over a year and have created two collections exclusively for them.

VERO MODA is a brand that represents my personal sense of style very closely. I am confident that this VERO MODA store in DLF Mall of India, will give the women of Noida the opportunity

to buy trendy clothes and follow fashion on their own terms too."

Pushpa Bector, Executive Vice President and Head DLF Mall of India says, "We are delighted to welcome VERO MODA at DLF Mall of India. It represents our International Boulevard zone perfectly by offering a flawless blend of trendy & fashionable merchandise in Apparels & accessories. With their latest collection, TRENDY VERO MODA, they promise to upgrade the customer experience with their enriched ward-

Bollywood siren turned designer Kangana Ranaut, attends the launch sporting a stylish skirt and peplum top from the brand's soon to launch French Rivera collection. (Photo: tellmeboss.com) robe. We congratulate them for this success

and look forward to delight our customers to-

gether."

Courtesy: ANI

Now, a device for early detection of Why is Mall Culture Still cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's a Foreign Thing in NE? A team of researchers has come up with a biosensor that is capable of detecting molecules associated with neurodegenerative diseases and some types of cancer.

Developed by researchers at the National Nanotechnology Laboratory (LNNano), the device is basically a singlelayer organic nanometerscale transistor on a glass slide. It contains the reduced form of the peptide glutathione (GSH), which reacts in a specific way when it comes into contact with the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), linked to Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and breast cancer, among other diseases.

The GSH-GST reaction is detected by the transistor, which can be used for diagnostic purposes.

The project focuses on the development of

sistor technology has been used in detecting the pair GSH-GST, which is important in diagnosing degenerative diseases, for example, adding that it can detect such molecules even when they're present at very low levels in the examined material, thanks to its nanometric sensitivity.

The system can be adapted to detect other substances, such as molecules linked to different diseases and elements present in contaminated material, among other applications. This requires rePhoto for representational purpose (Photo: medicalnewstoday.com) placing the molecules in point-of-care devices by platforms like this one In addition to portabil- the sensor with others researchers in a range of can be deployed to diag- ity and low cost, the ad- that react with the knowledge areas, using nose complex diseases vantages of the chemicals targeted by functional materials to quickly, safely and rela- nanometric biosensor the test, which are produce simple sensors tively cheaply, using na- include its sensitivity in known as analytes. and micro fluidic sys- nometer-scale systems detecting molecules, ac- The study appears in the tems for rapid diagnosis. to identify molecules of cording to Bufon. journal Organic ElecResearcher Carlos Cesar interest in the material He noted that this is the tronics.

Bof Bufon explained that analyzed. first time organic tran- Courtesy: ANI

Mall Culture is sweeping all plex transforms into a multi- tailers across different parts major cities in India. The last brand, multi-product shop- of the region are required decade has seen hundreds of ping space and this finally to fill in the coffers of the malls mushrooming all over gives way to hyper market militant outfits and also few the country. Once a big city chains and then large malls. other organizations to run phenomenon this is spread- Most malls in India have their businesses. With most ing its wings into the hinter- come up in places that al- businesses being run by land. A young nation with ready attracted shoppers syndicates, there is lack of higher disposable income is with something more than a competition which is one of welcoming it in every part of street side market. We are the geneses of mall culture. the country and realtors and seeing such kinds of shop- Discounts are far and few big brands see the and most people growth coming from Subhadeep Bhattacharjee are forced to buy at B and C category the 'MRP' and even towns in the next few years ping arcades come up in pay more in some parts of as the existing malls fight it towns such as Shillong, the region. All this as a fracout in large Indian metros. Silchar, Johrat and this may tion of the sale profit has The fact that malls have give way to malls in the fu- to support the criminal merged entertainment, so- ture. However for this to world. The large trading cializing and rejuvenation happen a lot of other things community in Assam and with shopping is what acts have to fall in place. elsewhere who aren't native as their biggest pull factor. Lower Disposable Income to this region thus fear inWith big fashion and tech- Mall culture thrives in vesting large sums of nology brands from around booming economies and it is money in creating modern the globe entering India, no wonder that cities like shopping spaces. Thouthese serve as the ideal Bangalore, Mumbai, sands of Crores have flown

Heat wave: How your body reacts to it, what you can do!

While everyone has an increased risk for a heat-related illness during a heat wave, some people are at higher risk - infants and young children, the elderly, obese people, people who take certain medications, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.

Safety guidelines Here are some safety tips to keep you happy during extreme heat wave:

Photo for representational purpose (Photo: livescience.com) With temperature predicted to reach 47 degree Celsius in large parts of north and northwest India in the coming days, it can be uncomfortable and dangerous for you.

In such situations, it is important to know how

to stay safe and healthy as heat waves can cause serious health problems such as sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke.

How your body reacts Extreme temperatures beyond the body's ability to cope - and heat

wave can kill by pushing the body beyond its limits. When the body's temperature control system is overloaded for hours, it can lead to other malfunctions kidney failure, heart failure, brain damage, etc,.

Who is at risk?

" Drink plenty of fluids and water throughout the day even if you don't feel thirsty to keep your body cool. " Avoid drinks with alcohol and caffeine in them. " Eat smaller meals and eat often. " Limit salt intake as it causes the body to retain fluids,

resulting in swelling. " Eat more fruits and vegetables that have high water content. " Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes. " Always wear a good sunscreen with SPF 30+ when outdoors. " Avoid strenuous outdoor activities or try to reschedule to coolest part of part of the day. " Take a shower or bath just below body temperatures before bedtime (cold showers can make body to generate heat). " Never leave children, elderly or animals in parked vehicles (even for a short period of time). " Keep a track on weather forecast to know about the heat wave or heat-related event.

Courtesy: Agency's new

A woman at the Ima Keithal, Manipur. (Photo: nelive.in) ground to make inroads into Indian homes.

There is a great demand for realty space in most Indian cities. Small retailers who were once happy trading from weekly markets and busy commercial streets are leaving no stone unturned to find space in the swanky malls. It is where the young hang out and it is where shopping defines 21st century lifestyle. Shopping under a single roof and the option to enjoy good food and entertainment along with it is what is driving thousands of people to these malls. But like many other trends, mall culture still remains alien to the North East. Apart from a few malls in Guwahati and large sized shopping complexes in other towns, for most people shopping still means hopping from one store to another walking along the footpath.

The Evolution Is Yet To Start Malls are a part of evolutionary process, a small retail market gives way to modern shopping complex, the com-

Gurgaon, Hyderabad and Pune account for the highest per capita malls in the country. Malls aren't a place to shop for necessity, they attract people who want to flaunt their style and make the most out of their money.

For many these act as places to rejuvenate and escape from their tiring professional lives. Barring Guwahati there isn't much of economic activity in other major towns and cities in the region. The per capita income among young professionals in the region is only a fraction compared to those in the metros. With lower disposable income, there are few takers for malls in these cities. Few can afford a designer outfit or enjoy finest coffee on a regular basis. Also there has been constant 'brain drain' out of the region and the young professionals with money to spend, the biggest chunk of mall goers are nowhere to be found in the region.

Crime & Extortions It is an open secret that re-

out of the region and are being invested elsewhere.

For realty developers from elsewhere in India, North East attracts minimum attention as a place to invest their money and get a healthy return out of it.

Other Problems There are many other problems that have prevented mushrooming of malls in the North East. Many states in the region have special land laws to protect community land and this often makes land acquisition a big challenge. The cost of construction being extremely high in remote parts of the regionand lack of demand for high-end floor space among local retailers also makes such projects economically unviable.

Good or bad, Mall Culture has given the region a miss as of now but with increased demand for branded products in the region, we may see sprouting up of malls or luxurious shopping arcades in the near future.

Courtesy: Nelive

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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, MAY 24

PAGE 12

Dhoni to lead 16-member Indian 'Big-hearted' Beckham squad for Zimbabwe tour buys lunch to homeless ANI Mumbai, May 23 : Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead a young 16-man squad announced for next month's limited-overs series against Zimbabwe, which includes three ODIs and as many T20s.

Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who is currently the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Indian Premier League, has earned his maiden national callup for the series.

Meanwhile, star players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been rested for the short tour of Zimbabwe, which starts from June 11 at Harare Sports Club.

Besides Zimbabwe tour, the All India Senior Selection Committee of the BCCI on Monday announced a 17-man squad for the four-Test tour of West Indies in July-August.

Uncapped Mumbai-based pacer Shardul Thakur has been named in the national squad to face the Caribbean side.

Mohammad Sami, who has not featured in international cricket since the 2015 World Cup, has also been recalled in the squad.

The meeting headed by Chairman of Selectors Sandeep Patil and convened by BCCI Hony.

Secretary Ajay Shirke announced the following

Mahendra Singh Dhoni names.

The 17-member squad for the Test series against West Indies is as follows: Virat Kohli (captain),

Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vicecaptain), Rohit Sharma,

Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Stuart Binny.

Meanwhile, the squad for the limited-overs series against Zimbabwe is as follows: MS Dhoni (Captain), Lokesh Rahul, Faiz Fasal, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Ambati Rayudu, Rishi Dhawan, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaspreet Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal.

ANI London, May23 : David Beckham is indeed a bighearted person, proved his recent gesture.

One of the most famous and richest sports personalities in the world, Bechkam, was seen buying a homeless man a burger and a beer from a local eatery in West London's Chelsea, reports the Daily Mail.

According to an onlooker, the 41-year-old footballer came out with the burger in his hand and the bottle of beer with his pocket.

"When he handed the burger to the homeless

David Beckham man, the guy's face just lit up. It was such a lovely gesture. The pair had a

laugh and a joke and then David went back to his family," he added.

Smith backs returning Starc to be at his menacing best Magnificent Kohli reflects on his road to success

Steve Smith ANI Melbourne, May.23 : Australia captain Steve Smith believes that pace spearhead Mitchell Starc will be at his imposing

best on his return in next month's triangular series against West Indies and South Africa in the Caribbean.

The 26-year-old left-

hander has not played since suffering a stress fracture in his foot during the inaugural day-night Test against New Zealand in Adelaide last Novem-

ber. He missed Australia's tour of New Zealand before the World Twenty20 in India in March.

Reflecting on Starc's impending return, Smith said the left-hander was looking fresh and bowling at good pace while expressing hope that he would have an intimidating effect on the South African and West Indies batsmen in the upcoming series, news.com.au reported.

Smith, who was forced to cut short his Indian Premier League campaign with a wrist injury, also admitted that he had fully recovered from his injury.

Australia will their first match of the tri-series against the West Indies in Guyana on June 5.

ANI Raipur, May.23 : While attributing his phenomenal rise to the top of the limited-overs cricket to rigorous training, Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli has stressed that it is pertinent to stay grounded and remain calm despite adulation and fame.

Kohli continued his redhot form as he smashed an unbeaten 54 off 45 balls to secure his side a spot in the Indian Premier League play-offs, following a six-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils in a winner-takes-all contest in Raipur last evening.

"It is very important not to get very arrogant or rude about your form or the way you are striking

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli the ball. You will have a few incidents on the field where people will have a go at you, but after that sort of chat, you are back to basics, you are back to being normal and humble about what you want to do on the pitch.

It is all about keeping

that thin line between over-confidence and being confident and calm about your skill," Manof-the-Match Kohli said in a post-match presentation.

The right-handed batsman, who breached the 900-run landmark in the

process, also believes sticking to basics and working hard on the nets on a consistent basis have contributed significantly towards his success.

"It's not easy but you have to start afresh every day. I know it sounds boring and traditional but that's the way it is. You need to do boring things and built your innings the same way to improve as a cricketer. Every day has to be made use of. I am extra motivated when I come on to the field and make sure I work hard," he added.

As the victory took them to the second spot in the points table, Royal Challengers will now have two shots at reaching the IPL final.

Chabua beat Borbarua Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, May 23: Chabua Football Coaching centre defeated Borbarua Football Coaching centre by 2-1 in the ongoing Jadhu Sharma memorial football tournament

organised by Dibrugarh District sports Association here today at Chowkidinghee playground. The tournament was kick started from yesterday after the hoisting of the DDSA flag.

McIlroy ends title drought with Irish Open triumph

Rory McIlroy ANI Johannesburg, May.23 : World number three golfer Rory McIlroy produced a sensational finish to end a six-month winless drought by lifting the Irish Open at the K Club.

The 27-year-old Northern Irishman birdied the par-five 16th before he eagled 18th hole to win

the tournament by three strokes with a 12-under par total, Sport24 reported.

This was McIlroy's first win as a professional in his homeland and was also the first victory since capturing last November's European Tour season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai.

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