Tuesday, october 18, 2016

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ASSENG/2015/64205

P4

Vol. II

Issue 92

Dibrugarh, Tuesday, October 18, 2016

GM NABARD interacts with SHGs and Farmer’s Clubs of Lower Dibang Valley

P6

ET Bureau Lucknow, Oct 17 : The Samajwadi Party on Monday named Akhilesh Yadav its chief ministerial face in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, quieting talks of whether the young leader would get another shot at the state’s top job.

In a press briefing, party vicepresident Kironmoy Nanda said the announcement had the approval of party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The announcement comes more than a month after a family feud between Mulayam Singh and his brother Shivpal Yadav on the one hand and Akhilesh Yadav on the other threatened to tear the party apart.

The quarrel — which had at its centre differences between Akhilesh Yadav and uncle Shivpal, a minister in his cabinet, over some decisions the former made — lasted a few days until Mulayam Singh prevailed upon them.

With the general election of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) just round the corner, the apex students’ body finds itself under a controversy with one of its district federal unit-West Siang District Students’ Union (WSDSU) alleging the AAPSU president (Caretaker), Kamta Lapung of indulging in ‘favouritism’ and ‘brazenly violating the provisions of the

ET Bureau Itanagar, Oct 17

Owing to demise of Late Kalikho Pul, an elected candidate from 45-Hayuliang (ST) Assembly Constituency and the subsequent vacancy of his seat, the Election Commission of India has decided to hold the byeelection to fill the casual vacancy vide its Press No. ECl/ PN/58/2016 dated l7 October,

Tapang Taloh appointed as Advisor to CM A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Oct 17

cmyk

The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh appointed Tapang Taloh, MLA as advisor to Chief Minister. He will be in the status of Cabinet Minister with all perks and facilities entitled thereto. Tapang Taloh, who was earlier the Minister for industries voluntarily resigned to pave way for the BJP leader, Tamyo Taga in the Pema Khandu cabinet.

HOW TO STUDY FOR AN APPROACHING EXAM

P9 FOR A RICH HARVEST

WAY TO DIGITALISED SYSTEM

In a major step towards modernization drive, Chief Minister Pema Khandu today launched the new electronic ticketing (e-ticket) system for state run buses under Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) brining in the world best practice in transportation to the state.

The Chief Minister who launched the e-ticket system (http:// apstsonline.com/), which is first of its kind in the state at the Chief Minister’s conference, said with the digitalised system, it will be easier for passengers to able to travel at ease making use of this system.

Through this facility, passengers can book their tickets online using internet banking services and using credit card or debit card, much ahead of their journey date. They can book the ticket using any internet services from any part of the globe, with information on seat number, departure time and fare. On booking the tickets online, the user will receive message of confirmation through SMS and email.

The first online booking was made by the Chief Minister himself with

On booking the tickets online, the user will receive message of confirmation through SMS and email Itanagar bus station will be digitized in first phase, while rest in the state will be covered on phase wise soon Chief Minister flagged CM launched the e-ticket system http:/ off a new fleet of 16 buses /apstsonline.com/ and 20 Tata Sumos One can book the ticket using any internet services from any part of the globe, with information on seat number, departure time and fare

receipt of an SMS and email confirmation message over his phone device. A print out of the confirmation ticket was taken out and displayed completing the launch of the eticketing system.

Besides proving advantage for passengers, the e-ticketing system will also check revenue pilferage. The department officials informed that the department will be launching a mobile

Constitution of AAPSU.’ In a press conference held at Arunachal Press Club today, the WSDSU President Bommar Riba divulged that the entire controversy started during a meeting on July 17 to select the official candidates to represent WSDSU and subsequently, contest in the forthcoming AAPSU election in the capacity of General Secretary.

As per Riba, who had also chaired the meeting of the

official candidate selection process, the names of Ritum Tali and Pakmik Taipodia had been proposed for selection as the official candidature for the post of GS while Marli Kamki and Kapil Kamsi were proposed as the representatives of WSDSU to fight election in the forthcoming AAPSU election in the capacity of Assistant General Secretary (Administration) and Coconvenor (Western Zone), respectively.

Contd. on Page 4

Bye-election for 45-Hayuliang Assembly Constituency on Nov 19 A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Oct 17

PAGE 12

Pages- 12

The Chief Minister flags off new fleet of APSTS buses and Tata Sumos

app for e-ticketing within 45 days. As step towards digitization, the Itanagar bus station will be digitized in first phase, while rest in the state will be covered on phase wise soon.

Earlier, the Chief Minister flagged off a new fleet of 16 buses and 20 Tata Sumos in presence of Urban Development Minister Nabam Rebia, Contd. on Page 4

AAPSU federal unit-West Siang Two NSCN(R) District Students’ Union blames Cadres apprehended Kamta Lapung of favoritism in Jairampur A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Oct 17

5.00

KAIRANA AND THE POLITICS OF EXCLUSION

Arunachal Pradesh State Transport goes online, e-ticketing launches Akhilesh named Samajwadi Party’s CM candidate

Price -

2016.

The issue of notification has been set for October 26, with November 2 marked as the last date of making nominations.

The nominations will be then scrutinized on the next day, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is November 5.

The polling date has been fixed for November 19, which will be followed by counting of votes on November 22 next,

and the Election Commission has ordered that all elections procedure be completed by November 24.

With the announcement of election, the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of political parties and candidates; announcement of any financial grants in any form or making promises thereof; Contd. on Page 3

Jamoh convenes 1st interaction programme of official & staff of GTC A Staff Reporter Pasighat, Oct 17

departmental staffs and officials today.

In an attempt to know the ground situation of Gramsevak Training Centre (GTC) and to improve the various departments under it to cater the need of the farmers in the region, Parliamentary Secretary, Agriculture Er. Tatung Jamoh held its 1st interaction programme with

The departmental officials and staffs cited the various problems and requirements of their respective departments before the visiting parliamentary secretary who was closely listening to each and every needs of the centre.

Contd. on Page 3

Women offering prayers in a paddy field for good harvest on the occasion of "Kati Bihu or Kangali Bihu" in Sivasagar today. Pic.- Neelam Kakoty Mazumdar

Indo-Korean Tea Meet at Namsai from Tomorrow Bijoy Shankar Handique Jorhat, Oct 17

A team of 24 members from Korean International Tea Research Institute and Federation of Korean Tea Masters including five guides will visit Arunachal Pradesh tea garden at Namsai and will stay at the golden Pagoda resort to exchange their views about the taste of Korean and Arunachal tea from Wednesday.

The 24 members Korean tea

Pranjal Pratim Bhuyan Jairampur, 17 Oct

Jairampur Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of Headquarters 25 Sector under 2 Mountain Division apprehended two active cadres of NSCN(R) namely SS Sgt Roman Jugli, s/o Late Hangjong Jugli, Vill Longlum, Dist-Changlang and SS Pvt Chonlu Hachaing, s/o Late

Chomlang Hachaing, vill Phinbiro I, Dist Changlang.

On 16 Oct 2016, on specific input of presence of two UG cadres in general area Kheti, Jairampur, a sustained operation was launched by the troops of Jairampur Battalion Assam Rifles during which the two cadres of NSCN(R) were apprehended.

Contd. on Page 3

1950s.

Tocklai Tea Research Institute tea expert Dr. Pradip Baruah who was in Jorhat today said that some tea gardens in Namsai dominated

by Singphos and Khamtis are prospering with good production rate and with quality leaves.

“Tea gardens located at foothills and valleys are known for its high production and for quality tea as pest hardly create problems in the areas between plain and hill”, said Dr Pradip Baruah.

169 crores ADB funded work on ‘Dibrugarh Town Protection drain’ commences today A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Oct 17

The two apprehended NSCN(R) cadre.

expert will visit Sati Tea Company gardens and will visit Singhpho village in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, said Dr. Baruah. Along with the 24 member Korean team for the “Indo-Korean Tea Interaction” at Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh, experts from Tocklai and delegates from Assam Small Tea growers will be present whereas Dr. Pradip Baruakh will attend as the guest of honour along with the Chief of the Singpho Community, Bisa gam who was the first indigenous tea makers in Assam in early

Construction of Dibrugarh Town Protection (DTP) drain with box culvert and allied works started in Dibrugarh today. The 169 crore Asain Development Bank (ADB) funded work of 9.5 km long drain was start today from Zero point at Paltan bazaar.

“Services like traffic, electricity, pipe gas, telephone will be temporarily affected in the working areas. We request people of Dibrugarh to cooperate us so that people can get rid of long pending problem of artificial flood’’, said Bhim Chetri, project co-

coordinator.

The Seujpur -Paltan bazaar road will be closed for all types of vehicle with immediate effect till the completion of the culvert near Archana Hospital.

Light Vehicles can use the Sub-ways connecting the nearby areas.

Last year the people of Dibrugarh had a harrowing experience due to flood which created havoc for the citizens.

This year 21, 253 people were affected in Dibrugarh during flood. Haripada Dutta, a resident of Dibrugarh town said that if the DTP will have box culvert then it would solve the problem of flood in Dibrugarh to some extent.

“Every year we have to face the flood problems in Dibrugarh but I’m sure that after completion of the project the flood problem will solve to some extent,’’ an octogenarian expressed.

Water logging during monsoon has been a perennial problem of Dibrugarh town.

The Dibrugarh town protection drain maintained by the embankment and drainage (E&D) department has lost the capacity to flush out rainwater from the town. Built in 1954, the 22-km long drain, which starts in Dibrujan and ends in Jamira Bogibeel, empties rainwater from the town to Sessa River.

Asian tennis for U-14 boys and girls from Oct 24th Bijoy Shankar Handique Jorhat, Oct 17

ONGC Asian juniors ranking tournament of Asian Tennis Federation for boys and girls under 14 age group matches will begin from Oct 24th to 29th at the Jorhat Tennis Club premises, Jorhat, informed Raktim Saikia, president, All Assam Tennis Association here today.

Raktim Saikia the president of AATA said that over 70 ranking under-14 players likely to participate in the first ever ONGC-Asian junior ranking tournament under the aegis of Asian Tennis Federation organized

by Jorhat Tennis Club.

Moreover 14 noted players from the state have confirmed their participation. While Udit Gogoi, Kristi Boro, Kalpita Rajkhowa, Harshita Borah, Ishika Changmai have received direct entry for the final round as they have already entered into National Ranking berth in such type of ranking tournament held at Mumbai-2016. Names for overseas participants are with the Indian Tennis association and with the chief referee, who has been dealing for them to give clean sheet for their selection into the first ever ranking matches of Asian Tennis Federation, said Raktim Saikia, who is also the president of organizing committee today.

Asian tennis for U-14 boys and girls from Oct 24th

cmyk

PAGE 6

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

CITY

Tinsukia, Dibrugarh AJYCP Margherita burns Food and Civil Sup- Bogi Aai Satra of Titabor abandons Kati Bihu plies Minister's effigy as a mark of protest ET Correspondent Margherita, Sep 21: Assam Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chaatra Parishad, Margherita Regional Committee today burnt the effigy of Rihon Daimary, Food and Civil Supplies Minister of Assam at NH 38 Margherita and blocked the NH 38 road for two hours.

Kanchan Bora, General Secretary of AJYCP, Margherita Regional Committee alleged that in Margherita Sub Division many shops has stocks of contaminated items such as edible oils, baby food products and many other household items but Margherita Administration and Margherita Food and Civil Supply Department turn into mute spectators which has brought danger to the health of Margherita Sub Division people.

“Margherita sub-division has got many black

Activists of AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee burnt the effigy of Rihon Daimary State Food and Civil Supply Minister and than staged road Blocked at NH 38 Margherita for two hours marketers and hoarders who have unholy nexus with Margherita Administration and Margherita Food and Civil Supply Department”, Bora added “There are many fake fair price ration card holders deriving undeserved benefits from using these fake cards with the Margherita Food and Civil Supplies Depart-

HOROSCOPE Aries

Information you receive today may get you stirred up, Aries. Remember that it takes two to start an argument. You play an equal part in any disagreement.

If you want to promote peace and harmony, your words and body language must show this.

If peace and harmony aren't your ultimate goal, you may need to look inside yourself to explore the reasons why.

Taurus

There's a great deal of power to your words today, Taurus, so be careful how you use them.

You may end up manipulating another's choices if you aren't careful with your conduct. Make sure you give others the freedom and empowerment to decide things for themselves. Be open and honest about all the facts that might influence their decisions in any way.

Gemini

Answers may not be crystal clear today, Gemini.

They probably won't be laid out in a neat and organized manner. Get out in the open air and join friends for a long bike ride. Fly a kite or feel the wind blow through your hair on top of a mountain peak. The answer is flowing through the air around you. Stop looking down at the ground for the information you seek.

Cancer

Your head should be quite clear today, Cancer, and your witty comments will be met with appreciation and laughter. Your smile will delight everyone you encounter. Don't be afraid to let your feelings out to those who need to hear them. Focus your energy on the ones you love. Your heart is warm and generous, so share it with other people today.

Leo

Virgo

Scorpio

Communication is flowing smoothly today, Scorpio, so take advantage of this and get the word out. It's important for you to make connections with other people now.

Run with your instincts and feel free to enter into debates. Your words and tone of voice are very convincing. You could sell anything to anyone today.

Aquarius

Pisces

The Satra possesses of around forty five bighas of agricultural land, which always submerged under water in the cultivating time. The people of the area blame the Govt. for their present situation.

"We are always facing a huge problem in the time of flood. Till now the govt. didn't take any steps for improvement. The

The Bogi Aai Satra and its neighboring villages are facing the flood from river Kakadunga years after years.

"We are not going to celebrate Kati Bihu this year.” Said Ritu Pallav Goshwami.

On the other hand, the state is celebrating the Kati Bihu in its own way.

The farmers go to their respective fields and light "Akash-Banti" or 'sky-lamp' hanging from a tall bamboo, to ward off pests and other insects on the occasion of Kati Bihu.

Kati Bihu, also known as Kangali Bihu, the preharvest festival marked by austerity, is being observed across Assam on Monday.

KATI BIHU CELEBRATE

Don't let fear of failure or fear of success hold you back, Sagittarius. Even though you may feel a natural tendency to want to shrink into the background and take the easiest route, you might be sacrificing your true purpose when you do. Become the leader instead of following the leader. Rid yourself of all fear and take control of your destiny.

Powerful thoughts are running through your brain. You will find that this information can be transforming, Capricorn. The key is to learn from others and incorporate opposing viewpoints into your state of mind. Don't automatically disregard the opinion of another just because it contradicts your own beliefs. Teamwork is the name of the game on a day like today.

Information coming your way today might be unreliable, Aquarius. It could be hard for you to take a solid hold on the messages you get. Keep in mind that there are important answers waiting to be heard.

These answers will come to you when you least expect them. Keep your mind open to new possibilities and the path will open up and become clear.

Be careful about being manipulated by another person today, Pisces. It's possible that someone is putting words in your mouth in order to get you to act a certain way. Don't fall into this trap. Be your own person and think for yourself. Your mind is susceptible and vulnerable now.

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17: Kati Bihu, also known as Kongali Bihu was observed with much devotion across the state on Monday.

Kati bihu has got more importance to religious values than other two Bihu.Kati Bihu is celebrated in the evening, by planting a Tulsi sapling, lighting earthen lamps in front of it and paying obeisance the Goddess Tulsi.

Women and children hold naam-prasanga in front of the Tulasi plant and offers prasad.

While in the paddy fields, a special kind of lamp is lit up on bam-

boo poles, which is known as 'Akaax Bonti'.

It is believed that lighting of lamps in the fields is an auspicious omen that keeps off pests and anything that could be potentially damaging for a good harvest. In many places across the state, cultural programs are also organized on the occasion of Kati Bihu.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has declared a government holiday on Monday on the occasion of ‘Kati Bihu’so that everyone can take part in the rituals of Kati Bihu.

(With inputs from agencies)

A group of women performing naam-kirtan on the occasion of Kati Bihu in Dibrugarh today. Pic. Manoj Pandey

Women seen at her crop field on occasion of Kati Bihu at Teok. Pic - Nirmalendu Pathok

Unidentified dead body recovered

You might consider taking a short trip today, Virgo.

Perhaps you need to get out of the house and go across town. Whatever it is, introduce your brain to a new reality. It's time to expand and explore. You itch to see new places and experience new things, either physically or mentally. Perhaps a religious sanctuary or quiet place in grove of trees is what you need in order to quench this inner thirst.

Your mind might be stimulated today, Libra, so stay alert and open to new information. If you feel tired, take a short nap. It's better to operate at top speed and full capacity than go through your day only half present. Don't rely on external stimulants like caffeine to pick you up. These things will deceive your body and do damage to your nervous system.

Capricorn

Margherita Region, alleged Kanchan Bora. If Margherita Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) does not conduct proper enquiry into these then AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee shall intensify its agitation against Margherita Administration and Margherita Food and Civil Supplies Department, warned Neog.

Kati Bihu celebrated across the State

Congress, was in the driver seat for fifteen years and BJP is also in the same seat right now, but neither of them has done anything for us" Said Ripul Bora, a villager.

Don't worry about probing too deeply today, Leo. Trust people more than you normally would. You will find that things go much more smoothly if you approach them from a neutral or positive and not accusatory position. Listen to the people you care about the most. They're trying to convey important information. You might not want to hear it now, but in the long run, it's in everyone's best interests that you do.

Libra

Sagittarius

ment and Margherita Department”, AJYCP president Salil Neog, said. .

There are many corrupt officials at Margherita Sub Divisional Office and at Margherita Food and Civil Supplies Department and that is why the Public Distribution System items are directly ending up in the black-markets at the

ET Correspondent Jorhat, 17 Oct: while all over the state celebrating Kati Bihu with pompt and gaity, the flood ravaged Bogi Aai Satra of Titabor decided not to celebrate Kati Bihu this year. Due to massive flood the satra is facing severe lost of land and paddies year after year from Kakadunga River.

“The flood waterlogged our paddy fields year after year, as this bihu is related to agriculture, and this year we are unable to even plough the field.

“Said Ritu Pallav Goshwami of Buri Aai Satra.

PAGE 2

Despite time to time eviction, illegal huts mushrooming along the railway track near overbridge in Dibrugarh.

Pic .- Manoj Pandey

40s, was found in its early stages of decomposition and the death is suspected to have occurred few days back. It has been shifted to the mortuary of the Tinsukia Civil Hospital. Police has suspected that the body might be of a person belonging Arunachal Pradesh.

Sports

Cinema Galleria Cinema Dibrugarh Junction Mall Screen-1

Pranjal Pratim Bhuyan Jairampur, Oct 17: An unidentified dead body was found to be floating in the Tirap River near Phulbari Ghat on Monday. The body was found near the Phulbari Ghat of Jagun by local residents. The body of a man, believed to be aged in the

Assam posts 191 in first innings

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Sports Correspondent Tinsukia, Oct 17: Assam scored 191 runs losing all wickets in 59.4 overs against Himachal Pradesh in the first innings of the second round of Plate B Colonel C.K. Nayudu U-23 Cricket Tournament at Tinsukia District Sports Association stadium here today.

Opting to bat, Assam boys piled up 191 all out in 59.4 over’s.

Opener Hrishikesh Tamuli

played a steady knock of 32 off 86 balls with four boundaries to the fence. Sunzow Brahma retired out at 63 off 111 balls hitting seven boundaries and one maximum. Sajid Khan scored 26 off 40 balls with the help of three boundaries and one six.

Sidharth Sharma, Abhishek M Kumar, AP Vashist and DG Kumar bagged two wickets each conceding 27, 53, 31 and 51 runs respectively.

In reply, Himachal Pradesh scored 100 for four at stumps.

PS Khanduri scored 26 off 43 balls with three boundaries and AR Kalsi scored 25 off 47 balls with two boundaries. EC Sen contributed 22 off 35 balls with two boundaries.

Rajjakuddin Ahmed took three for 28 in nine overs and Raj Agarwal took one for six in four overs. Himachal Pradesh trailing by 91 runs.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

AROUND THE

PAGE 3 STATE Girl rescued We are confident of putting Five held for from trafficker theft in Majuli up a tough fight: APCC at Chaparmukh

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17: The Government Railway Police Force personnel (GRPF) at Chaparmukh on Saturday night rescued a 10-year-old girl from Kolongpar passenger train heading towards Nagaon from Guwahati.

The police also arrested a man identified as Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Sonari village, Dhing on charges of kidnapping the girl. Ac-

cording to the girl, she had been taken away by Kapili intercity train to Guwahati by the accused while she was playing at the Nagaon railway station with her friends at noon unnoticed by her mother and friends.

According to the police, the girl hails from Naramari village, Nagaon and was kidnapped by the accused to hand over her to a trafficking racket in Guwahati.

Doctors Retrieve Safety pin from 6 Month-Old Baby's Oesophagus at GMCH

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17: After the massive defeat suffered by it during the last Assembly polls in the State, the Congress party is now aiming to bounce back by putting up a good show in the forthcoming by-elections to the Lakhimpur Lok Sabha and Baithalangso Assembly seats.

ET Bureau Majuli, Oct 17: Five persons were arrested for theft in a joint operation of police and CRPF personnel on Friday here.

Senior Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) leaders told media that the party is expected to name its candidates for both the polls by end of October.

The accused have been identified as Papoli Das and Ram Das of Rangoli Bahar Gaon, Manas Rajput of Chataikur Gaon, Nabin Saikia of No-1 Fuloni Gaon, and Deben Hazarika of Fuloni Chariali.

According to reports, the

A total of nine party leaders have applied for ticket to contest from the Lakhimpur parliamentary constituency, while two party members, both former State ministers hailing from Karbi Anglong, have filed their applications seeking ticket for the Baithalangso Assembly seat.

“For the party, the bypolls are an opportunity to revive the party and spirit of our members after the drubbing we received during the 2014 General Elections and 2016 Assembly polls. We are confident of putting up a tough fight, maybe even win from both places,” said a Congress leader.

The Lakhimpur Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Sarbananda Sonowal resigned as an MP in May and took over as Chief Minister, following the BJP’s win in the Assembly elections. On

The police team, which was led by the SP of Majuli district, arrested the thieves from their residences.

the other hand, by-election to the Baithalangso constituency has become necessary after Dr Mansing Rongpi, who had won from the constituency as a Congress candidate in the last Assembly elections, resigned from his seat in July after he left the Congress and joined BJP. As per rules, elections have to be conducted within six months of any seat becoming vacant. Congress leaders claimed that the BJP’s stock is down since AprilMay when the saffron party put up an astonishing performance in the Assembly polls.

“People of the State have become disenchanted with the performance of both the Central and the State governments. The BJP has bitten more than it can chew and it has failed to fulfil any

of its promises. In many cases, the State government headed by the BJP has taken decisions against the interest of the people of Assam, as seen in the case of granting citizenship to Bangladeshi Hindus and with regard to auction of small oilfields,” said a Congress leader.

He added, “Had the BJP really been confident, it would have announced its candidates for the by-elections by now. In fact, what we are hearing is that the ruling party is sure that none of its present leaders will be able to win from Lakhimpur and so it is planning to put up as candidate a senior academic who teaches at one of the most renowned universities of the State.”

Baithalangso. “Voters of Baithalangso are itching to teach Mansing Rongpi a lesson for his betrayal. Rongpi cannot win as a BJP candidate,” said a Congress leader, adding that in Lakhimpur the fight will be tough.

“But Lakhimpur is a tricky constituency spread over many districts and with a number of castes, communities and ethnic groups, each with their own aspirations. It will not be easy for the BJP as well,” he added.

The respective district committees of the Congress will soon forward the names of the ticket aspirants to the APCC, which in turn will prepare a shortlist, which will be sent to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) for final selection of the candidates. (With inputs from agencies)

The bizarre incident incident came to light when 6-month-old Priyangshi suffered severe chest pain and was rushed to GMCH at Guwahati on Sunday by her parents, after a detailed x-ray, reports revealed that a safety pin was stuck in her oesophagus.

her.The baby who hails from Nalbari was admitted to the 'cardio-throatsurgery' ward at Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) on Sunday.

Baby Priyanshi was operated upon by a team of doctors on Monday who successfully removed the safety pin from her oesophagus.

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) will launch a movement from October 18 in protest against the Central Government’s move to provide citizenship to foreigners, who came to India due to ‘religious persecution’ in their own countries.

APCC sources said they are confident of winning from

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his Nagaland counterpart T R Zeliang held a meeting at Kaziranga on Monday. Several ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Chief Secretary and officials from both the states participated in the crucial meeting.

Cachar admin to free encroached Govt land

The meeting is a part of initiative to bolster friendship between the two states, government sources said.

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17: Following the orders of the Gauhati High Court, the Cachar district administration together with Silchar Municipality Board and Cachar police is all set for eviction of the land surrounding the canals of the city, major chunks of which have been encroached by dwellers.

NN Tagore, chairperson of the local civic board, said that beside the three government wings, other departments, including Water Resources, PHE, BSNL, APDCL and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Cachar, are also involved in the eviction which will begin from October 18 from 11 am onwards.

“We are following the orders of the Gauhati High Court and the eviction process to clear the encroached land on both sides of Rangirkhal, Longaikhal and

Shingirkhal will start from the IndusInd Bank point at Rangirkhari and proceed towards the western parts till College Road. The drive shall be conducted in phases,” Tagore said.

He added that already notices have been served on behalf of the civic board through newspapers to the people who have illegally encroached portions of the land alongside the canals to vacate the Government land. “As chairperson of the Silchar Municipal Board, it is my duty to give the people an opportunity to clear the encroached area beforehand,” Tagore said.

In reply to a question on the allotment of land to traders, particularly at College Road, Tagore said that the civic board had allotted six feet land but some traders have extended the area up to 10 feet. The 10 feet area shall be freed, Tagore added.

In a release, the AASU said that in the first phase of the movement, members of the student body would bring out torchlight processions in all the district and subdivisional headquarters of the State in the evening of October 18, which will be followed by public meetings on October 22.

The AASU pointed out that as per the provisions of the Assam Accord, the foreigners, who entered Assam after the midnight of March 24, 1971, should be detected and deported and the fresh move by the Centre would violate the Accord. The student body said that Assam has already taken the burden of

foreigners who came to the State up to the midnight of March 24, 1971.

“The State will not take any more burden of foreigners,” asserted the AASU, making it clear that Assam would not be allowed to be used as a dumping ground of Bangladeshi nationals.

(With inputs from agencies)

Assam, Nagaland CMs hold meeting in Kaziranga

Doctors said the condition of Priyangshi, who was shifted to ICU after the surgery this morning, was "critical" and she would require to be kept under constant supervision. Doctors at the GMCH had earlier recovered a blade stuck inside a 4-year-old child's oesophagus. (With inputs from agencies)

Baffled at the convoluted incident, doctors stated that a complex surgery is required to remove the safety pin from within

The police said that another member of the gang, Amio Pegu of Muamari Gaon, is still on the run, adding that some of the stolen properties were recovered from their possession.

Mother throws daughter into river ET Bureau Sivasagar, Oct 17: In a macabre incident at No-2 Gopalpur Gaon under Desangmukh Outpost, a woman of two children allegedly threw her 38-dayold baby girl into the overflowing Dikhow River on Friday night.

The woman, identified as Sikhamoni Dutta, con-

fessed to her crime during the police interrogation.

According to the police, she threw the baby girl when her carpenter husband Nironjan was not at home. She reportedly told the police that she did the act as she could not look after two children. The police arrested the woman.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two NSCN(R) Cadres apprehended in Jairampur AASU to hold protest over Central Government’s move to provide citizenship to foreigners

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17: Doctors at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) today retrieved a safety pinlodged inside the oesophagus of a six month-old baby.

gang has stolen Rs 1.5 lakh case and gold ornaments from the house of retired teacher Bipin Hazarika at Silikhaguri on August 19. Besides, the gang also allegedly stole cash and ornaments from the house of one Jiten Bora at Rangachahi area and from the house of one Arun Gayan at Perabhari on October 3.

“Assam and Nagaland share a history of brotherhood and have age-old and deep rooted ties of friendship,” Sonowal said addressing a joint press meet.

“The states should develop cooperation in areas of

ruled Assam, the first state to ratify the GST Amendment Bill, has started the process for providing registration to taxpayers in the new indirect tax regime that is slated to kick in from April next year.

The state tax department has started collecting mobile numbers and e-mail IDs of registered dealers or taxpayers under VAT, CST, entry tax, luxury tax and entertainment tax to provide Goods and Services Taxpayers Identification Number (GSTIN) on a provisional basis.

After the arrest of SS Corporal Lungphang Jugli alias Babu on 01 October 2016, these two cadres became highly active and were trying to rejuvenate the foothold of NSCN(R) amongst the locals by getting extensively involved in extortion activities. One of the apprehendees SS Sgt Roman Jugli was the area commander and another cadre SS Pvt Chonlu Hachaing, hardcore NSCN(R) cadres who underwent training in

ban on transfer of officers/officials connected with conduct of election, etc, have come into force with immediate effect.

The Model Code Conduct will apply to the entire district of Anjaw and shall be effective till the completion of election.

All the Departments have also been directed to take note of this for compliance.

mutual interest such as intelligence sharing, crime control, action against rhino poaching and updation of

NRC,” he added.

Sonowal said that to fostering friendly and harmonious relationship

amongst the people living in border areas, Border Outreach programmes will be taken up.

In order to facilitate communication of GST registration number to the existing registered entities, the Assam tax department has asked them to furnish the mobile number and email ID on or before November 5, 2016.

"If such mobile numbers and e-mails IDs are not furnished on or before November 5, 2016, GST registration number will not be generated.

Moreover, such dealers will be disabled to upload their tax returns and apply for statutory forms under the existing Acts," it said.

It has asked the taxpayers to

log into the tax department website of the Assam government and after feeding the mobile number, PAN and e-mail ID, the provisional GSTIN will be sent.

The government plans to roll out GST, which will subsume excise, service tax and other local levies, from April 2017.

In the run-up to the biggest indirect tax reform, the states have to get their taxpayers registered with the pan-India GST Network, which will help in seamless movement of goods and services throughout the country.

After the GST Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed

by Parliament on August 8, Assam was the first state to ratify it on August 12.

A constitution Amendment requires ratification by 50 per cent of state Assemblies before presidential assent.

With the President approving it last month, GST is now a law and the GST Council, chaired

by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, will decide on the crucial tax rate in its three-day meeting beginning from Tuesday.

Myanmar in 2008 and were active in India side since 2012.

Nabbing of these two hardcore cadres has brought a sigh of relief for the locals who were constantly succumbed to the extortion demands by them. One 9mm Pistol with magazine and four 9mm live rounds and one point 22 pistol and two point 22 live rounds were recovered from the cadres.

Apprehension of the cadres has dealt a major blow to extortion activities of UG organization. Apprehended UG cadres were booked in Jairampur Police Station.

Bye-election for 45Hayuliang Assembly Constituency on Nov 19 Contd. from Page 1

Assam starts GST registration ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17 : The BJP-

Contd. from Page 1

Also, the Commission has made it absolutely clear that any violation of instruction regarding ban on transfer of officers/officials connected with conduct of election, payment out of discretionary fund and guidelines on Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates will be viewed very seriously and necessary action as deemed appropriate would be taken on each case of violation.

Jamoh convenes 1st interaction programme of official & staff of GTC Contd. from Page 1

Right from installment of a new transformer to enhance voltage for soil testing laboratory, shortages of infrastructural building, shortages of staffs and replacement of old vehicles etc, the department urged Jamoh to look into the matter urgently.

On the part of Jamoh, he urged the officials to submit the detail requirements in writing to him for onward submission to the state government for approval.

While laying strong emphasis on revamping of the old techniques being still used in the labs or in agricultural method, Jamoh

said that, agriculture being the core economic source of the rural populace need an extra attention from the government too. He also spoke about Soil health Card under which there has some schemes for farmers having sound soil, but for that, the soil testing department of GTC has to work well to enable many farmers to get their soil tested. He also said that, nearly 35,000 nos of Soil Health Card has to be issued by the government of Arunachal Pradesh this financial year. Speaking on the procurement of new vehicles, he directed the department to initiate a survey of the old one and float tender for auction after which new vehicle could be procured under 3:1 ratio, auction 3 and buy 1.

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

REST OF

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ARUNACHAL

GM NABARD interacts with SHGs and Consignment of Foreign Goods Worth more than Rs 1 Crore Seized at LGBI Airport Farmer’s Clubs of Lower Dibang Valley He also said that grants projects such as Rural Mart and Rural Haat can help the grassroots community in facilitating sale of their local products. He was impressed by the discipline and regularity in functioning of the SHGs and Farmer’s Clubs in the District.

ET Bureau Roing, 17 Oct: Under the aegis of AMYAA NGO based at Roing an interaction programme of S. Sankaranarayanan, General Manager, NABARD RO, Itanagar with Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer’s Clubs was organized at the office of AMYAA NGO, Mayu-II and Parbuk Village of Lower Dibang Valley District. The General Manager

of NABARD was accompanied by L. Arulraj, Manager, NABARD, Nitya Mili, DDM, Vijay Krishna Pandy, SMS (Horti.) KVK, Roing, G.K Deori, BM APRB, R. K. Paul Chawang, Secretary of AMYAA and Staffs of AMYAA. The programme was organized to enable the SHGs members and Farmer’s Clubs members promoted

by AMYAA NGO through

the support of NABARD to have direct interaction with GM NABARD during his maiden visit to the District.

S. Sankaranarayanan during his message to the participants highlighted on various loan schemes and projects that NABARD give to the State Government and Banks. He also spoke on numerous loancum-grants schemes that can be availed by the SHGs and Farmer’s Clubs.

The SHGs showcased their books of records and local products through exhibition. He encouraged the SHGs to participate in National level Melas and Exhibitions from time to time.

He assured of all possible support to the SHGs and Farmer’s Clubs through partner AMYAA NGO in the District. He also spent good time in interacting and listening experiential sharing of the SHGs and Farmer’s Clubs.

A total of 70 SHGs and Farmer’s Clubs representative members from 7 SHGs and 5 Farmer’s Clubs of the District took active participation in the programme.

Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women spreads legal awareness A Staff Reporter Itanagar, 17 Oct: A two days legal awareness programme was organised by the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW), Itanagar at Pakke Kesang in East Kameng district and Leporiang at Papum Pare district on October 14 and 15 last.

The awareness programme was held on various women and children related issues, which included domestic violence, polygamy, compulsory registration of marriage, POCSO Act, trafficking, free legal aids and child labour.

Conducting the awareness programme at Government Secondary School, Pakke Kesang on October 15, APSCW Chairperson Mitali Tingkhatra highlighted on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and encouraged participants to take help of Childline (Toll-free number 1098), if any child they know is facing any kind of harassment or offence.

She briefly explained about right to education, juvenile justice and child marriage.

APSCW member secretary Yame Higio explained in detail about the powers and functions of the commission and also cases handled by the Commission for the victims.

She also informed that the Commission is not bias to anyone and it always seeks truth and justice, while APSCW Member Oter Ering Tayeng briefly informed about domestic violence and free legal aid. She encouraged participants to inform if they or any other person they know, are facing any kind of domestic violence to the nearest police station or service providers.

CDPO-cum-CO in-charge Gogoi Natung also encouraged all the participants to take advantage of the legal awareness provided by the Commission for their safety and benefit.

School Headmaster Rup Techi Tara informed that the lack of a female teacher makes it difficult to monitor the problems faced by girl students. Earlier one female teacher was posted in the school for a short duration, and since then, no female teacher has been posted in their school.

Further, he highlighted the lack of a police station in the circle.

Pakke Kesang Child Development Project Officer-cumCircle Officer in-charge Gogoi Natung also spoke on the occasion.

At Leporiang, APSCW Member Hage Yassum briefly informed about child labour and trafficking. She elaborately explained on different types of trafficking, which include labour trafficking, sex workers and domestic worker.

She further informed that forced marriage is also a kind of human trafficking, as the girl’s consent is not obtained and she is forcefully married off.

Stressing on educating children, she told the gathering

that free and compulsory education is the right of every child under the age of 14.

APSCW Legal Advisor Kani Nada Malling explained about the POCSO Act, 2012, and spoke on child abuse, sexual abuses of children in houses and schools. She explained ways to differentiate sexual offences faced by children, and said that such offenders are booked under non-bailable offence.

She also warned that if any person hides such offences against children, that person too is liable to be punished under the POCSO Act. She also spoke about free legal aid provided by the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Service Authority for any women and girl child victims who cannot afford to hire an advocate. However, there is the condition that the annual income of the victim should be below rupees one lakh, with special consideration for scheduled tribe women.

Speaking on domestic violence and polygamy, APSCW Member Tayeng informed that concerned people can call on the Women Helpline number 181.

APSCW Chairperson Tingkhatra briefly informed about property rights of women and encouraged the

participants to make marriage registration compulsory. The registration will also control/stabilise the case of polygamy and property rights for women, she added.

Attending the programme at Leporiang, Additional Deputy Commissioner Jalaash Pertin lamented that the lack of female protection officers is making it difficult for the administration to take deposition or enquire on the victims of domestic violence and other offences.

Head Gaon Burrah Nabam Eka informed that they are facing various difficulties such as no circle officer, no regular doctors and no subject teachers, to which the APSCW chairperson assured to take up the matter with the concerned authority.

Leporiang Gram Panchayat Chairperson Nabam Yaluk and Leporiang branch Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society president Nabam Kadu also spoke on the occasion.

APSCW vice chairperson Nabam Yabang encouraged participants to take advantage of the information and share the information to their fellow mates.

Around 150 villagers including government employees and Sagalee APWWS attended the programme.

ET Bureau Guwahati, Oct 17: Sleuths of the customs department have seized a huge consignment of foreign goods at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International airport on Monday.

The consignment contained apparels and electronics goods, footwear manufactured in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.

The value of the total seized goods worths is more than Rs 1 crore.

Special Education Department conducts Society Awareness programme A Staff Reporter Itanagar, 17 Oct: The Department of Special Education of Himalayan University, Itanagar conducted a ‘Society Awareness Programme’ on October 16 at its premises located at Chimpu, Itanagar, for ‘Parents having Special Needs Children (Divyangjan)’.

Course co-ordinator/ Head of Department, In-charge Anuj Srivastava (M Ed Special Education in Intellectual Disability) and faculty members Pushvinder Singh Saini (M Ed Special Education in Intellectual Disability) and Kishan Singh (M Phil Rehabilitation and Clinical Psychologist) and resource person Osunam Pertin (Clinical Psychologist) explained to the visit-

ing parents about types of Divyangjan, associated conditions with intellectual disability, prevention strategies at various levels, various management techniques for intellectual disability, teaching approaches, teaching principles, teaching strategies, functional academic, behaviour modification and counseling.

The 26 parents with children with special needs expressed their gratitude on the initiative taken by the Special Education Department and hoped that faculty members would conduct seminars and practical sessions, wherein parents could enhance skills to deal with the special needs of their differently-able children.

Arunachal Pradesh State Transport goes online, eticketing launches depots. She asked them to take up auction for old vehicles so that new procurement can be made to increase the state transport RD Minister Tanga fleet.

Byaling, Hydropower Minister Phosum Khimhun, Further to improve public Parliamentary Secretary services, the Chief Minister (Transport) Likha Saaya, suggested the department to Parliamentary Secretary hire expert consultants to (WRD) Gum Tayeng, Chief run bus terminals across the Secretary Shakuntala state on PPP mode.

Gamlin, Commissioner finance Ashis Kundra, Transport department Commissioner (Transport) General Manager Abu B Siram, Commissioner Tayeng informed that state (Health) Hage Kojeen, buses will be equipped with Secretary Planning Dr CCTV cameras. Besides Joram Beda and other providing security dignitaries. measures, the CCTV cameras will also check any Chief Secretary Gamlin malpractices by the bus instructed the transport conductors. A separate department to immediately static seat for bus conductor vacate the huge number of with clear view from CCTV unused vehicles that were camera will be in place on parked in its transport every bus, he informed.

Contd. from Page 1

Two-day workshop on Bio-diesel production begins at NERIST ET Bureau Naharlagun, October 17: A two-day Institute-Industry workshop on bio-diesel production with the theme “Energy Independence is the Lifeline of a Nationâl” began today at North-eastern Institute of Engineering and Technology (NERIST) on Monday in which scholars, students, farmers and NGOs participated.

Introducing the theme of the workshop, progrmme co-coordinator Prof Pradip Lingfa, HoD Mechanical engineering of NERSIST, said that India with its 60 million hectares of wasteland has tremendous poten-

tial to produce bio-diesel to meet its energy requirement. He said intensive research is needed to burn bio-fuel in internal combustion engines with high efficiency and this needs to be an urgent R&D programme.

Bio-fuel is an emerging area which offers immense opportunities as existing fossil fuel are likely to diminish within a few years and it is the power behind a green tomorrow, the Prof added.

Professor D.K. Bora, Assistant Professor, from Assam Engineering College, Guwahati, participating in the workshop while giving

a power point presentation of bio-diesel production, said that wind and solar power in the North-East region has lesser scope for development than bio-fuel.

He informed that the region has good scope for producing bio-diesel with plants such as jatropa, karanja, Neem, palash, Kusum, Sal, Nahar, Polonga, Rubberseed, Cottoon Seed, and Seemarubha seeds. Already a lot of research and development in this field have been carried out successfully in various parts of the country, he also informed.

Dr Chandragupta Shridhar

However, Riba added, one of the proposed candidates Pakmik Taipodia had left the meeting without prior intimidation to the WSDSU executive members.

Accordingly, a conclusion was drawn by the WSDSU members that Taipodia has either conceded defeat or withdrawn his candidature and thereafter, Ritum Tali, who also enjoyed the endorsement of several of WSDSU federal units, was officially declared as the GS candidate to represent WSDSU in the AAPSU election.

Divulging on the sequence of events thereafter, WSDSU General Secretary, Jumrik Bagra informed that while there has been no complaint whatsoever by Taipodia himself with regards to the

selection process in the meeting, a faction of WSDSU executive members led by Lukre Likar, AGS (protocol) and Lardo Bagra, Convenor, had opposed the resolution of the July 17 meeting and conveyed the same to AAPSU president Kamta Lapung.

Lapung after taking cognizance of the complaints, passed an order for re-conducting a meeting and the same was complied

by WSDSU executive members by convening a ‘Special Session’ on August 2 at Basar, informed Ritum Tali. Also, adding that the Basar Special Session too had endorsed his (Tali) candidature and also that the complainants had again absented deliberately and yet again complain of the outcome to Lapung, Tali further informed that a Fact Finding Committee (FFC)

was constituted by Lapung to ‘un-earth the truth.’

Interestingly and as per the FFC reports made available

by WSDSU members, the Fact Finding Committee with AAPSU executive members Techi Doni, Tame Tahi Tarh and Ralim Yangfo had endorsed the stand of the WSDSU and termed ‘invalid’ the claims of the complainants Lukre Likar and Lardo Bagra with further recommendations for actions against the duo for “dishonouring the AAPSU President’s order and also for violating the constitution of WSDSU.” However, the findings and suggestions of the FFC was again objected by the complainants Likar and Bagra and the AAPSU president Kamta Lapung yet again summoned for a ‘Special Hearing’ of the matter on October 6.

Following this, an order was issued by the AAPSU president Lapung on October 15 last wherein he approved and recognised Dope Ori and Katu Yomcha as the interim president and interim general secretary of WSDSU citing the controversies.

Meanwhile, citing a counter order by AAPSU General Secretary Biru Nasi wherein, the GS has declared the dissolution and the subsequent formation of WSDSU interim President and GS as ‘null and void’ citing violation of the Part III, Article 16(1) (ix) and Part IV, Article 17(v) of the Constitution of AAPSU by its president Lapung, the WSDSU president Riba asserted that the resolution adopted in the meeting of July 17endorsing Ritum Tali as the official candidate will stand to its original form.

Altogether four NGOs and eleven farmers from the district also attended the workshop.

It may be added that research projects on bio-diesel has already been established at NERIST with the installation of Bio-diesel Laboratory and Integrated Bio-Diesel Reactor System for further research and development of bio-diesel for the benefit of people.

Namsai Zenith Child School in ‘CBSE Cluster u-19 Football championship’ dents to experience football on a level where they practice leadership, commitment, fair play and teamwork. We would like to thank specially to CBSE to give this kind of opportunity to the students of ZCS”

AAPSU federal unit-West Siang District Students’ Union blames Kamta Lapung of favoritism Contd. from Page 1

Warnekar, another resource person from Nagpur while delivered a talk on the importance of Sanskrit constructs in the application of wider fields of computer science.

CM badminton Championship from November 24 The students of Zenith Child School, Namsai marching in the Inauguration ceremony of the CBSE Cluster-I football tournament at Nehru Stadium, Guwahati ET Bureau Namsai, 17 Oct: On the ongoing CBSE Cluster-1 under 19 football championships, Guwahati Region, organized by the South Point School, Barsapara, featuring many teams from different schools has started in Guwahati at Nehru Stadium today.

The inter-school football tournament is aimed to pave the way for youth to promote physical activity, sporting talents and aptitudes, while fostering and

building a healthier lifestyle at a shape-up phase in their lives.

Zenith Child School of Namsai has also participated in the competition.

The Management of Zenith Child School, Namsai shower their heartiest thanks and gratitude to DDSE, Namsai, DRC, Guwahati along with all its officers for the perfect logistic support and guidance they have extended to the players for the stay in Guwahati. ZPC has also

mentioned their deep appreciation to the officials of NEZCC, Silpogram, Guwahati to provide accommodation and cooperation to participate in the game.

Ankush Debbarma, Admistrative Officer, ZCS, Namsai said, “We would like to thank all those persons who stress on the importance of sports and extend constant support to sports enthusiasts. We hope this tournament will create new opportunities for stu-

A Staff Reporter ITANAGAR, 17 OCT : The third edition of the Chief Minister’s Sub-veteran and Veteran Badminton Championship-2016 is scheduled to be held from November 24 to 26 next, here at Raj Bhawan and MLA Cottage badminton stadiums.

The Arunachal State Badminton Association honorary secretary Bamang Tago has informed that all affiliated clubs and district badminton associations across the state are illegible to take part in the proposed tournament.

BSF makes indecent gesture towards minor girl, arrested PTI Aizawl, Oct 17: Two BSF personnel allegedly made indecent gestures at a minor girl when she was bathing in a river at Sairang village in Mizoram following which they were arrested, the police said on Sunday.

The incident took place on Saturday when the girl had gone to bathe in the river near a bridge, where the two BSF personnel, a jawan and a havildar, made objectionable gestures at her.

A BSF camp is located near the bridge.

After the girl narrated the incident to her parents, the village elders registered a complaint at the nearby Sairang polic station.

The two accused were arrested and remanded to judicial custody, Aizawl district SP Lalhuliana Fanai said.

Villagers of Sairang near Aizawl took out a procession today in protest against the incident.

Fanai said that the procession was peaceful and the police stopped the crowd at the Tlawng Bridge near the lone Lengpui airport.

‘I have majority support in House to continue as CEM’ Agencies Shillong, Oct 17: With the two-day autumn session of the KHADC beginning on Tuesday, suspended Congress member and CEM PN Syiem on Sunday asserted that he still enjoys the support of all partners in the KHADC and welcomed his opponents to bring a noconfidence motion against him.

“As leader of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), I have the support of all 16 partners which makes it clear that I can continue as the CEM of the KHADC”, Syiem said.

He also said that if the Congress MDCs were unhappy they could move a no-confidence motion against him.

“But as of now they do not have the required numbers to move such a motion and it is doubtful whether HSPDP members Teilinia Thangkhiew and Pyniaid Syiem will stand by the Congress,” Syiem said.

He also pointed out that in its attempt to suspend him

the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) had lost five MDCs. When asked whether he had received any official communication regarding his suspension, Syiem replied in the negative.

He also reiterated that the dual posts Act was brought in a hurried manner with the intention to remove him, but it resulted in the resignation of Congress MDCs. Syiem was suspended by the party functionaries on Friday which sparked outrage among his loyalists who subsequently tendered their resignation from the party.

The MDCs who resigned were Antonio War, Victor Ranee, Hadrian Lyngdoh, Albinus Lyngdoh and Banteidor Lyngdoh.

The MPCC has accepted the resignation of Antonio War and Banteidor Lyngdoh while the fate of the other three is yet to be decided.

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DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

'Centre, Tripura government silent on chit fund scams' IANS Agartala, Oct 17: Tripura's opposition Congress on Sunday accused the Union and Tripura governments of inaction even as unauthorised Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and chit fund companies siphoned off crores of rupees from gullible depositors.

"According to information provided by the state government, Rs.1,172 crore was taken away by illegal NBFCs and chit fund organisations. However, the actual amount must be several times more," Tripura Congress chief Birajit Sinha told reporters here.

He said that the hardearned money of over 14 lakh depositors in Tripura was looted by these companies but the state's Left

Front government did little to tackle the problem.

"Even the central government led by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is reluctant to ask the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the fraudulent acts."

Sinha, a former minister, said the newly-constituted Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) will meet

soon to chalk out an agitational programme against the "misrule of the Left government".

"Corruption, financial irregularities, unemployment and miss-governance are rampant in Left-ruled Tripura and these are increasing with each passing day," he claimed.

Newly-appointed state

Congress Vice-President Tapas Dey said: "The Tripura High Court earlier asked the CBI to inquire into the activities of illegal NBFCs and chit fund groups, but the central agency, at the instance of the Centre, refused to do so."

Denying the Congress charge, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) State Secretary Bijan Dhar said the state government had taken steps to protect the interests of depositors and investors.

Dhar said the Tripura government is the first among those in the states to have enacted law to deal with illegal chit fund and NBFC companies and had asked the CBI to probe illegal collection of money from thousands of people.

Power remains a concern as MCCL makes progress in cement production Agencies Shillong, Oct 17: The Stateowned Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL) at Sohra is making progress in the commercial production of cement from the modernized plant, though power failure is a cause of concern which disrupts its steady functioning.

Moreover, in the long run, non availability of coal, a major source for production of cement is staring at the cement plant.

During a visit to the site on Saturday, MCCL managing director Sanjay Goyal and other officials informed that 300 to 350 metric tonnes of cement are produced currently though the capacity is 600 metric tonnes. Earlier on Thursday, the production had touched 400 metric tonnes.

However, if tripping of power takes place, it affects the smooth functioning of the plant, thereby causing

undue delay in the cement production as one hour load shedding in Sohra area is still in force, Goyal said.

Though the captive power plant is an option to tide over the load shedding and disruption of power supply at MCCL, non-availability of coal is a hurdle for setting up of thermal captive power plant. While MCCL is marketing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 43 grade, the rivals have Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC).

The MCCL officials said while other companies add 15% fly ashes in one bag of cement, MCCL does not use fly ashes, and hence the state owned cement plant is in an advantageous position.

It was on September 24 this year that the MCCL started commercial production of cement with online monitoring as stipulated by the Central Pollution Control Board.

diture, as many as 126 employees took voluntary retirement, while there are currently over 400 employees.

To further reduce the expenditure, the government has already outsourced limestone mining and packaging of cement.

The MCCL (formerly Assam Cements Limited) which started functioning in 1966 had many break downs.

After Meghalaya was formed in 1972, it was under the sole control of the State government.

Till 2007, the MCCL was making profit, but since 2008 following a major break down, the State government had planned modernization of the plant which took almost eight years.

The cost of modernization of MCCL was a whopping Rs 145 crore including bank loans. The bank interest alone went up to Rs 35 crore.

As part of reducing expen-

The State government in March this year had partially bailed out MCCL by releasing Rs 80 crore.

Though the employees are getting their monthly salaries, the backlog of pending salary is over 10 months.

Earlier in 2014, MCCL had to shut down its operation after the ban on rat hole coal mining in the State.

Subsequently, the State government had written to the Union coal ministry last year for its nod to have coal linkages from Assam, but it is yet to be approved by the Centre.

MCCL can sustain itself for another six months as coal has been stored after the NGT allowed transportation of extracted coal.

Once the coal is exhausted, the only option before the State government will be to buy coal from the open market.

Shillong celebrates Dylan's music, Nobel Prize

IANS Shillong, Oct 17: Shillong, often described as "India's rock capital", is leading the way in honouring the American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan for winning the Nobel Prize in Literature.

On Sunday, the Meghalaya capital reverberated with Dylan numbers -- "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Blowin' in the Wind", "The Times They Are a-Changin" and many more at the downtown Café Shillong and Cloud 9.

It's all thanks to Lou Majaw, the Dylan of the East, for bringing together fans from across India and Europe here to honour the singerwriter "who redefined boundaries of literature".

"Dylan has given so much to the world through his writings. God Bless Bob Dylan and the world for awarding him with the prestigious award," Majaw said.

He celebrates the legendary singer's birthday on May 24 in Shillong every year.

"We are blessed to be in a time and age when Bob Dylan is alive with us. We are all here to honour him for what he has given us," said Majaw, as he started strumming "Mr Tambourine Man".

The 75-year-old American rock legend received the prize "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition".

Dylan is the first songwriter and also the first American,

More arrests over Tura Herbal garden to come teen’s death in group clash up at Lum Sohpetbneng Agencies Shillong, Oct 17: Tura police has arrested five more suspects, raising the number to eight persons in custody, over the alleged group clash at Rishipara locality on Thursday night in which a sixteen-year-old boy died in hospital from wounds sustained in the previous night’s brawl.

Section 144 CrPC which was imposed throughout Tura town on Saturday evening remains in place while a magisterial enquiry to be conducted by Additional District Magistrate DD Shira into the Rishipara incident has begun.

Security has been tight throughout Tura town since Saturday with additional armed police personnel deployed at sensitive and vulnerable areas to prevent anti-social elements from taking advantage of the situation.

The Tura market closed early on Saturday evening and the Sunday crowd was a trickle though many shops had opened up in the morning to do brisk business.

Even as the citizens of the town were taking delight in the just concluded holiday season for the Durga puja celebrations,

the clash at Rishipara locality late on Thursday night brought the town into a tense situation.

The district administration has termed the incident as a clash between two groups of youth late Thursday night in which police were called in around midnight to break up the scene. On arrival three local boys with injuries were found and taken to the police station and the civil hospital for medical checkup, the same night.

The medical report of the three reportedly indicated they were intoxicated, police revealed.

While two of the boys were handed over to their parents the next morning, the third, Sengat N Sangma (16) of Reserve Gittim locality, was admitted to hospital for treatment of his injuries sustained in the attack at Rishipara the previous night.

On Friday night the teenager succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

The mother of the deceased filed an FIR against the attack on her son and Tura police quickly swung into action registering a murder case

and arresting three suspects the same day. The three accused – Dulal Rishi (41), Nipen Rishi (38) and Hemendra Rishi (35) – have been put in police custody.

Late Saturday night another five persons in the age group of 48 and 18 have also been taken into custody by Tura police for their alleged complicity in the clash. They have been identified as Jatn Rishi (31), Charan Nath Rishi (28), Sujit Rishi (18), Rajiv Rishi (26) and Ajay Rishi (28).

Local residents of Rishipara are said to have come forward to help the administration in identifying those behind the group clash.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC that were clamped throughout Tura town by the administration prohibiting the movement with arms, obstruction to traffic, attempt to incite violence, unlawful assembly in place of incident, affected localities and police stations as well as public places will continue to be in force.

West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi has urged the public to be wary about rumour mongers spread-

ing false stories through social media with intent to incite violence.

“The district administration has also received inputs that many people are circulating rumours through messages and social media which is under watch and scrutiny,” warned the deputy commissioner.

“The incident is condemnable and the law is taking its own course. No culprits will be spared.

However, inflammatory messages and their circulation are to be immediately verified and cross checked and brought to the notice of the authorities,” he said.

While making an appeal to maintain peace, urging people to be vigilant and neither believe in rumours nor circulate them, Bakshi warned that circulation of inflammatory and false messages inciting violence and creating tension will be dealt with strictly.

For verification of rumours, public have been asked to inform police control room at phone numbers 8 7 3 0 0 6 5 4 2 9 , 9 8 5 5 1 4 2 4 8 6 , 9436967547, 9089398451 and fax number 0365122400.

Agencies Shillong, Oct 17: In what can be termed as a major boost to the practitioners of traditional medicine in the State under the banner of Synjuk Ki Nongsumar Dawai Khasi Nylla (SNDKN), an Institute (of traditional medicine) and Herbal Garden will be set up at Lum Sohpetbneng soon with an aim to promote traditional medicine practitioners and protect various medicinal plants available in Meghalaya.

Informing this during a function organised by the SNDKN Ri Bhoi unit at Umsning Town Durbar auditorium on Saturday, Banteidor Lyngdoh, EM and Chairman of Khasi Traditional Medicine Commission of KHADC said that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 133 crore for the project.

Lyngdoh also informed that the KHADC will fight for rights of ownership of the medicinal plants available in the State for the benefit of the traditional practitio-

ners. He also stated that the Council is making efforts to certify and issue license to traditional practitioners and expressed hope that the process would be complete within six months.

Earlier in the day, a book on traditional healing and medicines written by Philling Rynjah was released by Lyngdoh.

The function was also attended by Arbinus Lyngdoh, EM KHADC and Dipul Ryntathiang, Chairman Umsning Town Durbar.

KHNAM reiterates opposition to rail projects Shillong, Oct 17: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has reiterated that it would continue to oppose railway projects in the Sate if the state government does not come out with a comprehensive mechanism to tackle influx.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, KHNAM working president Adelbert Nongrum also criticized Shillong MP Vincent Pala for pushing for railway con-

nectivity in the State.

“KHNAM will write to the KHADC urging it not to issue NOC for works related to railway projects,” he said.

“ILP (Inner Line Permit) is the solution to the problem of illegal immigration in the State. The MP should initiate talks with the Centre to introduce ILP in the state and focus on railway projects later,” Nongrum said adding that instead of taking up the issues faced by the State with the Cen-

tre, the MPs are busy pushing for implementation of Central projects in the form of uranium mining and railway in Meghalaya.

He also asserted that the presence of infiltration gate has been ineffective so far and questioned whether the existence of the entry/exit points or the District Task Force will prevent illegal immigration in the State. “Talks on entry/exit points have been going on for four years and it has led the State nowhere,” he said.

since novelist Toni Morrison (1993), to win the prestigious award.

The iconic singersongwriter's soulful, occasionally political and often irreverent songs during his five-decade-long career won him millions of fans worldwide.

"Well there is nothing much to say about Dylan. Everyone in this Café knows him. I personally came here to honour his latest achievement and so did all in here, despite our varied backgrounds," Rahul Guha Roy, who flew from Kolkata to Shillong, said.

Documentary filmmaker Ranjan Palit, who too flew in from the City of Joy to be a part of the memorable event, said: "I am thankful to Lou Majaw and Shillong for honouring Dylan -- the greatest living poet, because none in Kolkata was doing it."

An Australian couple, Digby and Diane Beard, who attended the event, felt that Dylan should visit Shillong to see for himself the love he inspires. "Bob Dylan should come to this little town to see and understand the respect that he has earned here. He (Dylan) needs to come here and honour Lou Majaw for introducing and keeping his songs alive in India," the Beards said.

Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman in 1941 and began his musical career in 1959, playing in coffee houses in Minnesota.

HSPDP yet to decide on KHADC affairs Agencies Shillong, Oct 17: While the HSPDP, which has two members in KHADC, is yet to take a decision on whether to align with the group led by suspended KHADC chief P N Syiem or sit in the Opposition, the UDP has asked its three members to maintain status quo.

HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit said on Sunday that the party will decide the future course of action as far as the new development brewing up in the KHADC is concerned.

“We have two HSPDP members, Teilinia Thangkhiew and Pyniaid Syiem, who are sitting in the Opposition and any decision taken with regard to the political developments in the KHADC will be discussed by the party.”

Meanwhile, UDP vicepresident Allantry Dkhar said, “The party members have been advised to maintain status quo till the party functionaries take the final call on the issue.”

He added that the party might discuss the matter in the coming week.

It may be mentioned that the MPCC has slapped a three-year suspension on the KHADC CEM and Congress legislator for anti-party activities.

EDITORIAL

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

Today's quote

“

In any free society, the conflict between social conformity and individual liberty is permanent, unresolvable, and necessary.

Cool the world Although it took seven years to come to fruition, the Kigali agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol and substantially limit the emission of hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) that contribute to global warming represents major progress. The important role played by this group of chemicals, used in refrigeration and air conditioning, is evident from the scientific estimate that without a mitigation plan, HFCs could warm the world by an additional half a degree Celsius by the end of the century. As with other such global compacts on environmental matters, India pressed for a more lenient deadline at the Rwanda negotiations. Ultimately, it agreed to start freezing HFC use in 2028, four years later than its peer club countries China, Brazil and those in Africa, and achieving maximum reduction by 2047, two years after they do. In welcome contrast, however, India has ordered the manufacturers of HFC 23 - a by-product of another chemical used in refrigerant gas manufacture and with a staggeringly high contribution to global warming - to now capture and dispose of it at their own cost. The decision is of particular significance, considering the expansion of refrigeration and air conditioning in India with a rise in incomes, leading to higher levels of HFC release into the atmosphere.

One of the questions before India in its implementation of Montreal Protocol commitments is the need to align its goals for 'Make in India' with green technologies in order to remain competitive in global markets.

Inducting alternatives to HFCs, such as hydrocarbons, ammonia and carbon dioxide, in the relevant industries should happen sooner than anticipated and possibly become even attractive as the cost of technologies falls.

The changeover is actually an opportunity to achieve a leapfrog effect. The imperative, in any case, should be environmental. It is worth recalling that the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer adopted in 1985 (operationalised later by the Montreal Protocol) followed a phase when major producers of chlorofluorocarbons, the earlier generation of refrigerants, tried to discredit the link between the chemicals and the developing problem of the ozone hole. Persistent and credible science, however, swayed public and political opinion in favour of a phase-out of CFCs. As with the Paris Agreement on climate change, which is strengthened by the Kigali amendments, developing countries will legitimately expect rich countries to aid them as they seek to acquire green technologies for industrial use. Given the impact of global warming, countries and people who have historically never been part of the problem should not have to argue their case for liberal assistance.

Quick exit in Kerala If there is one thing that the ruling Left Democratic Front in Kerala cannot afford, it is tolerance of corruption and nepotism. The resignation of E.P. Jayarajan as Industries Minister, following charges of nepotism, brought to a quick end what could have turned out to be a major political embarrassment for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. After having come to power attacking the Congress-led United Democratic Front over a string of scandals, Mr. Vijayan could not allow himself to be seen as endorsing acts of indiscretion by his Minister - especially since Mr. Jayarajan is from Kannur, the same district as Mr. Vijayan, and is considered a loyalist. Once it became clear that Mr. Jayarajan had favoured his relatives in appointments to State public sector undertakings, he stood politically isolated within the party. Indeed, it was not only the national leadership of the CPI(M), but Mr. Vijayan as well who was keen on containing the controversy in its nascence. Even before the meeting of the State Secretariat of the party discussed the issue, the Chief Minister said, in a post on his Facebook page, that the Chief Secretary had been asked to probe allegations of nepotism. Also, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau decided to initiate a 'quick verification' of the charges. Mr. Jayarajan's defence was more in the nature of an explanation: that he was being targeted for acting against corruption in the industries department. Letting the issue to fester would have resulted in criticism from within the CPI(M) as well as the opposition. The party's decision to ask Mr. Jayarajan to quit eventually seemed no more than a formality.

The CPI (M) would like to contrast the quick, quiet exit of Mr. Jayarajan with the reluctance of UDF ministers to step down in the face of inquiries instituted against them. That it had to deal with one of its own ministers, and not a member of an allied party, helped in the speedy resolution of the issue. In the bar bribery case, in which Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani was involved, the UDF could not act without risking the stability of the coalition. Mr. Jayarajan's exit is no serious loss to the administration. If anything, he had been an embarrassment on at least two previous occasions. First, in a faux pas, when asked to give his comments on the death of Muhammad Ali, he described the boxing icon as a Kerala sportsman. On another occasion, he took on long jumper Anju Bobby George, who was then heading the Kerala Sports Council, questioning the concessions extended to her by the previous government. Ms. George accused him of insulting her, and resigned. In asking Mr. Jayarajan to go, the CPI (M) had nothing to lose, and a lot to hold on to.

PAGE 6

Paresh Baruah Traitor Of Assamese Youth : PART- I P

aresh Baruah led ULFA came in to existence in 1979 with the stated objective of achieving sovereignty Arwind for Assam, throwing out illegal Bangladeshi settlers and perceived neglect of interests of the Assamese people by the Centre. During the 80s, ULFA skillfully exploited the widely prevalent anti- Centre sentiments & consequent resentment against illegal Bangladeshi migrants to catapult itself in to the centre stage of Assamese discourse and promoted itself as a champion of Assamese Peoples Rights.

ULFA under Paresh Baruah's leadership conflated ideology and personal ambitions to expand its operations in diverse sectors with the principle objective of accumulating wealth under the garb of fighting for Assamese people's rights. The only consistent facet of Paresh Baruah's leadership of ULFA is characterized by its willingness to jettison ideology to promote personal ambitions for power & wealth.

ULFA is an extremely wealthy organization whose activities involve the entire spectrum of economic, criminal and quasi-legal business operations. Financial income

of ULFA is accrued from illegal activities like kidnapping, extortions, gun running and drug trafficking, Gogoi which were invested for the creation, conduct and sustenance of a vast crime based business empire straddling across India, Bangladesh and the Persian Gulf. Paresh Baruah alone is worth $110 million and is wealthy enough to have provided $ 6 million to various Bangladeshi political parties in the run up to the 2007-2008 Bangladeshi elections.

Since 1989, ULFA has evolved from its formative years when it desperately foraged the illegal global markets for weapons to its emergence as a well established arms dealer operating in India's north East. Attempts by ULFA to establish links with Pakistan and China for weapons finally bore fruit after agreed to provide arms worth one million USD to ULFA. It also heralded the commencement of ULFA new role as ISI's errand boy for India's North East and as a reliable vector to spread the Pakistani agenda in to the Indian hinterland.

Barring losses and casual-

ties sustained during Operation Golden Bird in 1995, ULFA was largely able to conduct its gun running activities unhampered.

Operation Golden Bird, a cross border operation launched jointly by the Indian Army and Myanmar Army in 1995 was aimed at tracking down and annihilating insurgent columns comprising ULFA, NSCN, NDFB, PLA cadres who were return-

Paresh Baruah ing through Mizoram jungles with a huge consignment of weapons, valued at $ 225,000 collected from Cox Bazaar, Bangladesh.

ULFA's gunrunning activities, supplied by Chinese factories, coordinated by Pakistani ISI and assured strong patronage from hosts (Bangladeshi DGFI), witnessed a strongly upward

curve for over two decades till it finally collapsed when its huge weapons consignment was inadvertently intercepted by the Bangladesh police in Chittagong Port in 2004. Valued at $ 4.5-7 million, the consignment was seized by the Bangladesh police. Paresh Baruah was personally coordinating the offloading while Anthony Shimray of the NSCN (IM) was present in Chittagong at that time. Subsequently, in 2014, a Bangladesh special tribunal judge awarded death sentences to 14 persons including ULFA's Military Chief Paresh Barua.

(2) Sheikh Hasina's re-election as PM of Bangladesh in 2008 effectively eliminated ULFA safe havens and patronage in Bangladesh compelling ULFA leadership and its operational apparatus to shift base to Myanmar. The Chittagong Port seizure reveals the phenomenal political & financial clout that ULFA had developed over the past few decades and the extent to which Pakistan & China are willing to exploit NE India based insurgent groups to promote their subversive, anti-India agenda.

It also demonstrates how easily Paresh Baruah in his mad

rush to accumulate power & wealth has severely compromised the demographic, economic, and political and security interests of the Assamese people.

Paresh Baruah & ULFA have become rich at the expense of the Assamese people.

For all the hype it created against flow of Bangladeshi migrants into Assam, a casual scrutiny of census data reveals that the flow of illegal migrants has continued unabated.

The 2011 census data reveals a 17% rise in Assamese population with nine (Dhubri, Goalpara, Nagaon, Barpeta, Morigan, karimganj, Hailakandi, Bongaigaon & Darrang) out of 35 districts being Muslim majority fuelled by the Bangladeshi demographic invasion. Paresh Baruah not only chose to look the other way, he also abetted the demographic invasion by becoming a reliable facilitator for the ISI in the North East.

Considering the demographic inversion of southern districts of Assam, would Assam be poised for another bout of ISI sponsored violence from these religious militant groups?

What price will Assamese people pay for ULFA's callous disregard to the interests of the Assamese people?

Since the late 80s, ULFA's

bonds with the ISI have impacted Assam so severe that Shri Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, CM Assam gave a statement in the Assam State Assembly(2000); outlining the grave consequences of the unholy alliance that ULFA had entered in to with the ISI including creation of 11 religious based militant outfits like the MULFA, MLTA & UMLA. As ULFA pursued its money making objective, ISI activities picked pace with the spread of the Harkat-ul-Mujaheedin in Assam and the proliferation of arms to India's Maoists & other NE based rebel groups; funded by the ISI, but routed by the ULFA. With the current Indian Government keen on pursuing the NRC process to its logical conclusion, it would be naĂŻve to assume that these religion based militant groups established and nurtured in Assam with ULFA's patronage would allow the process to continue unhindered & in peace.

DISCLAIMER Views expressed above are the author's own.

Kairana and the politics of exclusion T

he National Human Rights Commission's report on the 'Kairana exodus' raises questions about its remit as an unbiased arbiter in conflict situations For over three years now communal politics has been on the upswing in Uttar Pradesh. With Assembly elections due in early 2017, the communal pot has been stirred up again in this crucial State. Ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power at the Centre, polarization on issues such as 'love jihad', 'ghar wapsi' and the beef ban have become a regular feature of political mobilisation in Uttar Pradesh and the country at large. The urge to engage in a politics of polarisation must be understood in the context of the Muzaffarnagar violence of 2013, which worked to the party's benefit in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Its impact can be seen from the fact that BJP leaders who were implicated in the violence were given tickets and they won their seats with large margins. For the first time, not a single Muslim candidate was elected to Parliament from the State even though Muslims constitute over 19 per cent of its population and over 30 per cent of the population in quite a few districts of western Uttar Pradesh.

The claim of an exodus In June, the BJP's Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Hukum Singh released a list of 346 members of MEDIA families that had allegedly fled Kairana town in Shamli district of western Uttar Pradesh due to persecution and pressure fearing atrocities at the hands of Muslim criminals and extortionists.

(The chief complainant is an accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar violence.)

BJP President Amit Shah called the allegations of a MEDIA exodus an 'eye opener' at a public rally in Allahabad, and he later cautioned that "UP should not take Kairana lightly".

Aligarh's BJP MP Satish Gautam declared that there is a need to find out about "other Kairanas". It is clear from these statements that the ruling party is not averse to using the issue as a plank for political mobilization even though it could aggravate social tensions in the region.

However, the forced exodus claim was denied by the State government and the district administration. Several investigative reports by the Zoya media, notably in The MEDIA, The Indian Express, MEDIAstan Times and Quint, also exposed these claims. They found it to be exaggerated and false as many of the people had migrated for various reasons and some had done so in search of better opportunities. In short, the Kairana exodus was dismissed as a non-event until it was revived by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In response to a complaint filed by Monika Arora, a Supreme Court advocate, and a vocal and active member of the BJP, the commission constituted a team from its Investigation Division to look into the complaints of exodus of MEDIA families from Kairana due to fear of criminals.

A 'partisan report' The NHRC report released on September 21 observed that these allegations are 'serious' and that several MEDIA families have migrated because of the worsening law and order situation after victims of the Muzaffarnagar riots settled there. It stated that: "In 2013, the post-rehabilitation scenario resulting in resettlement of about 25/30 thousand members of Muslim community in Kairana Town from district Muzaffarnagar, UP, the demography of Kairana town has changed in favour of the Muslim Community becoming the more dominating and majority community. Most of

The three races In old times, fable retells the story of the young athletic boy hungry for success, for whom winning was everything and success was measured by such a result.

One day, the boy was preparing himself for a running competition in his small native village, himself and two other young boys to compete. A large crowd had congregated to witness the sporting spectacle and a wise old man, upon hearing of the little

boy, had travelled far to bear witness also.

The race commenced, looking like a level heat at the finishing line, but sure enough the boy dug deep and called on his determination, strength and power ... he took the winning line and was first. The crowd was ecstatic and cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man remained still and calm, expressing no sentiment. The little boy, however. Felt proud and important.

A second race was called,

the witnesses examined and victims feel that the rehabilitation in 2013 has permanently changed the social situation in Kairana town and has led to further deterioration of law and order situation."

The report came to this conclusion on the basis of verification of six victims/ persons and telephonic verification of members of four displaced families in three randomly selected residenHasan tial localities, which makes it a total of 10 out of the 346 cases of migration from Kairana for reasons of insecurity.

Overall, the NHRC report provides no substantive authentication of its controversial findings; furthermore, it provides no details of the total number of families who migrated from Kairana, the specific time frame for when these families left and the exact reasons behind their decision to do so. The fivepage report comprises brief statements on the criminal incidents given by select witnesses. There is no evidence in the report that these crimes were committed by displaced people who had settled in Kairana, even though the report asserts that the presence of Muzaffarnagar riot victims has changed the demography of Kairana and this has led to a further deterioration of law and order in the town.

This is a conjecture, not a fact; there is no factual evidence to establish a connection between the presence of internally displaced persons and the increase in incidents of crime mentioned in the report. In any case, there is no corroboration to back the figure of 25-30,000 Muslim victims having settled in the town.

The impression conveyed by the report that only members of the majority community are impacted by the faltering law and order situation in western Uttar Pradesh is deeply flawed. The attempt to

paint a largely criminal phenomenon with a broad communal brush without citing any independent and credible evidence is surprising from an institution mandated to investigate human rights violations. Sure enough, the labeling and stigmatizing of the minority community in this manner has dismayed civil society activists and victims of the Muzaffarnagar violence who have demanded a withdrawal of the 'partisan and prejudiced' report. Social activist Farah Naqvi, who has been working for the rehabilitation of the people displaced by the Muzaffarnagar riots since 2013, called the NHRC report nothing more than "communal rumour-mongering".

It doubles victimisation The 2013 communal violence had initially displaced over 75,000 people. A 2016 report,Living Apart: Communal Violence and Forced Displacement in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli, based on detailed groundlevel research done by the non-governmental organizations Aman Biradari and Afkar India, found 50,000 people still scattered all over Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and other districts, of whom nearly 30,000 victims were in 65 internally displaced people colonies. According to the report, 270 families (approximately 2,000 people) had settled in Kairana. It found that even after three years, riot victims are living in ghetto-like resettlement colonies with little support from the State administration. It further notes that the Uttar Pradesh administration not only failed to rehabilitate riot victims displaced from their homes and villages, it also actively encouraged Muslim refugees, who used to live in MEDIA majority villages, to resettle in Muslim-majority colonies, thus escalating the social divide.

Curiously, the large-scale displacement caused by communal violence in 2013 did

not lead to any investigation or recommendations by the NHRC. But the Commission saw it fit to investigate the exodus of 346 people, and what's more, recommend the formation of a high-level committee of the Government of U.P. "to meet each of the displaced families from Kairana Town now living in districts Dehradun, Panipat, Muzaffarnagar, Roorki, Karnal, etc. of Uttarakhand and Haryana in order to redress their grievances and facilitate their return to Kairana, if so desired‌" It did not make the same proposals for the rehabilitation of over 75,000 people displaced from Muzaffarnagar in 2013.

Even though communal mobilisation and internal displacement is a process that still continues in many parts of western Uttar Pradesh, it finds no mention in the NHRC report. It is mentioned only in relation to the displacement from Kairana for which the NHRC blames those who are themselves displaced by communal violence. In so doing, it displays a complete lack of sympathy for people who have been affected and displaced by violence. Rather than supporting them, what the report has in effect done is to double their victimisation by tagging them as people whose presence "has led to further deterioration of law and order situation".

and two new young, fit, challengers came forward, to run with the little boy.

The race was started and sure enough the little boy came through and finished first once again. The crowd was ecstatic again and cheered and waved at the boy.

The wise man remained still and calm, again expressing no sentiment. The little boy, however, felt proud and important.

"Another race, another race!" pleaded the little boy. The wise old man

stepped forward and presented the little boy with two new challengers, an elderly frail lady and a blind man.

ing no sentiment toward the little boy.

"What has happened? Why not do the people join in my success?" he asked the wise old man. "Race again", replied the wise man, "...this time, finish together, all three of you, finish together" continued the wise man. The little boy thought a little, stood in the middle of the blind man and the frail old lady, and then took the two challengers by the hand. The race began and the little boy walked slowly, ever so slowly, to the finishing line and crossed it. The crowd was ecstatic and

"What is this?", quizzed the little boy. "This is no race" he exclaimed.

"Race!" said the wise man. The race was started and the boy was the only finisher, the other two challengers left standing at the starting line. The little boy was ecstatic; he raised his arms in delight. The crowd, however, was silent show-

Damaging a shining legacy The NHRC has played a critical role in investigating violations of human rights in the country. 'In 2002, the Commission, under former Chief Justice J.S. Verma, was the first public body to visit Gujarat after the riots, and it subsequently moved the Supreme Court to transfer cases outside the State to secure a fair trial'. This legacy creates unparalleled social expectations but it also invites civil society scrutiny from national and international ac-

tors for any potentially detrimental action by the apex body. Its neutrality is critically important because that is what gives its reports and decisions credibility as a record of ground reality, without serving any person or party's interest. Its impartiality has been undermined by the decision to investigate an exodus list supplied by a political party with a clear stake in upping the communal ante ahead of the Uttar Pradesh elections. In the event, the report vindicated the ruling party's claims but it compromised its own autonomy and non-aligned status. This is an inevitable consequence of interpreting broader societal trends like migration and security through a communal prism, which sets a perilous precedent of giving an ethnic colour to law and order problems.

The idea of the NHRC as an unbiased arbiter in conflict situations is widely perceived as essential to the promotion and protection of human rights in our democracy. As an icon of independence, the legitimacy and credibility of the NHRC or of any human rights body rest on its ability to address the problems relating to human rights in a society generally, and not those of a particular community. The public needs to have the confidence that the Commission will investigate cases of rights violation without fear or favor. Hence, the effectiveness of human rights commissions depends on how a particular commission locates itself in a society and is able to confront the issues before it.

Majoritarianism is a real issue in India today. It has led to legitimate fears about this creed dictating policy and compromising the functioning of public institutions; in this scenario, it is the responsibility of rights watchdog institutions to prevent this tendency from dominating institutions. For a democracy to thrive, institutions like the NHRC have to play a countermajoritarian role.

cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man smiled, gently nodding his head. The little boy felt proud and important.

"Old man, I understand not! Who is the crowd cheering for? Which one of us three?" asked the little boy? The wise old man looked into the little boy's eyes, placing his hands on the boy's shoulders, and replied softly..

"Little boy, for this race you have won much more than in any race you have ever ran before, and for this race the crowd cheer not for any winner!"

BUSINESS Japan bans Galaxy Note 7 on airplanes over fire risk

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

Rupee tumbles 12 paise against dollar on US rate hike calls

Pic for representation purpose.

Mumbai, Oct 17: The rupee turned weak by 12 paise to 66.83 against the dollar today at the foreign exchange market after the American currency gained ground following a spurt in demand from importers.

Dealers said strength in the dollar against some other currencies overseas on the prospects of higher US rates also weighed on the rupee, but a higher opening in the domestic equity market meant the losses were limited.

On Friday, the rupee had staged a smart recovery from its three-week low against the US currency to close up by 23 paise at 66.71 on heavy corporate dollar sales as well as easing inflationary pressure.

The benchmark BSE Sensex rose further by 129.61 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 27,803.21 in early trade today. (PTI)

Tokyo, Oct 17: Japan has barred all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smart phones from airplanes, mirroring moves

by US regulators and a string of carriers that banned the recalled devices over fire risk concerns.

The weekend announcement from Japan's transport ministry follows an earlier warning that asked airlines to urge passengers not to turn on or charge the smart phones on aircraft.

But aviation authorities went a step further on Saturday, ordering airlines to ban the devices completely, a transport ministry official said.

The South Korean electronics giant has recalled all Note 7 phones, including replacements, following reports of exploding batteries and fires, which have led to numerous injuries.

Samsung has also stopped producing the flagship handset.

Japan's move came after US transport authorities on Friday issued an emergency order banning the phones and saying anyone attempting to travel with the re-

called handsets may face fines and have the devices confiscated.

It was not immediately clear what sort of penalties passengers on All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines -the country's biggest carriers -- could face if they were found with the phone.

JAL spokesman Takuya

Shimoguchi said customers could choose to board planes without their Note 7 phone or the airline would confiscate it.

But "there have been no clear instructions on punitive measures", he added.

"We'll act on a case-by-case basis."

Korean Air follows govern-

Markets pare gains; Nifty holds 8,500 Mumbai, Oct 17: Markets pared early gains and were trading marginally lower in noon trades with select financials and index heavyweight Reliance Industries leading the decline.

At 12pm, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex was trading at 27,616 levels, down 58 points, while the Nifty50 was down by 36 points, at 8,547 levels. The broader index also pared early gains.

The S&P BSE Midcap and Small cap edged down by 0.14% and 0.57% respectively.

Banking sector has been the major gainer on Sense with ICICI bank, Axis Bank and State Bank of India posted gains between 1%6%. Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints and Mahindra and Mahindra are the top losers, slipping between 1%3%.

ICICI Bank has surged over 6% on the BSE in intra-day trade after the Ruias of the Essar group on Saturday signed a binding agreement with Russia's Rosneft, United Capital Partners and Trafigura Group Pte to sell 98% in its most priced asset, the 20 million tonnes per annum Vadinar refinery and

ment guidelines requiring Note 7s to be turned off inflight and only transported in carry-on luggage. But it operates a total ban on flights to-and-from the US, Canada and Hong Kong.

South Korea's Asiana has banned Note 7s from all flights starting Monday.

Australian and New

Zealand airlines have banned the phone from all planes.

Almost all mainland Chinese airlines have also banned it, while at the weekend Hong Kong's international airport prohibited passengers from carrying the device on any incoming or outgoing flights, either in checked or carry-on baggage.

The southern Chinese city's flagship carrier Cathay Pacific and its lowcost offshoot Dragonair had also said passengers were no longer allowed to carry the devices on any of their flights.

They were joined by Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express -- two of the city's budget carriers.

Singapore Airlines and Taiwan's two biggest airlines China Airlines and EVA Air have also banned the smart phones.

Malaysia-based AirAsia said it would not allow the devices on any of its flights from Monday while Philippines-based Cebu Pacific is planning a total ban from Tuesday. (Agencies)

Gold, silver extend losses on weak global cues, low demand Silver, too, followed suit and lost Rs 150 at Rs 42,200 per kg New Delhi, Oct 17: Gold continued to slide for the second day on Friday, as prices fell

by Rs 50 to Rs 30,250 per 10 gm at the bullion market, tracking a weak global trend amid tepid demand from jewelers.

Silver, too, followed suit and lost Rs 150 at Rs 42,200 per kg.

Traders said sentiment remained bearish, largely in line with a weakening global trend, where gold declined for a third

day, as investors weighed the likelihood of higher US interest rates after a consumer confidence gauge unexpectedly dropped.

Globally, gold fell 0.58 per cent to $1,250.50 an ounce and silver by 0.49 per cent to $17.38 an ounce in New York on Friday's trade. Furthermore, a fading demand from jewelers as well as retailers at the domestic spot market, fuelled the downtrend, they said. (Agencies)

Net interest income (interest earned minus interest expended) grew 27% at Rs 190 crore during the quarter under review, as against Rs 150 crore over the corresponding period of 2015-16.

Net interest margin im-

Sensex shows withdrawal symptoms, slides 122 points

Market frittered away all the early gains as the benchmark Sensex started moving down.

Mumbai, Oct 17 : Caution took over investors as the market frittered away all the early gains as the benchmark Sensex started moving down, showing signs of heavy volatility.

Selling pressure distinctly came to the fore in telecom, auto, capital goods and technology sectors.

What contained the damage was indication that US economy is regaining momentum after upbeat retail sales data. But lingering worries about a US rate hike on horizon made investors skittish, which could affect liquidity flow for emerging markets.

The 30-share index resumed higher at 27,776.14 and hovered between 27,803.21 and 27,663.82 before quoting

at 27,551.59 at 1206 hours, down 122.01 points, or 0.44 per cent, from its last close.

The NSE 50-share Nifty too was trading lower by 57.65 points, or 0.67 per cent, at 8,525.75.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 946.42 crore on yesterday, showed provisional data.

Notable losers were Bharti Airtel 2.08 per cent, M&M 1.49 per cent, Asian Paints 1.18 per cent, HDFC Bank 1.11 per cent and Bajaj Auto 0.80 per cent.

Overseas, Asian markets witnessed a mixed trend.

US stocks registered small gains last Friday as investors digested the commentary from key Federal Reserve officials.

(PTI)

Tyre shares trade weak; Ceat, MRF, Apollo Tyres down over 3% Vadinar port in Gujarat.

According to Business Standard report, the proceeds of the sale will be used to repay loans of both foreign and local lenders, which was around Rs 88,000 crore, Ruia said.

Among other shares, DCM was locked in 20% upper circuit at Rs 117, also its 52week high on BSE, after the

board approved the restructuring of its business including demerger of real estate business.

Global Markets Asian shares fell on Monday while the dollar held firm near seven-month high against a basket of major currencies after comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen boosted long-

dated US bond yields.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS dropped 0.7%, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng .HSI hitting one-and-a-half-month lows.

Japan's Nikkei .N225 pared early gains to stand flat, up by mere 0.4%, while Hang Sheng was down by 0.4%.

(Agencies)

Mumbai, Oct 17: Shares of tyre manufacturers were under pressure, falling by up 6% on the BSE, on profit booking. Ceat, Goodyear India, Apollo Tyres, MRF and TVS Srichakra were down between 3%-6%, as compared to 0.39% decline in the S&P BSE Sensex at 12:21 pm.

In the past two-months, most of the tyre companies had outperformed the market, rallied up to 62% till Friday, due to fall in rubber

prices. The benchmark index fell 1.7% during the same period.

Since rubber is a major raw material in Tyremanufacturing, the earnings of the company will automatically increase by decreasing prices of rubber. So there is an inverse correlation between rubber price and share prices of tyre industry.

After hitting multi-year low

DCB Bank hits Trident gains on 52-week high credit rating upgrade post Q2 results Mumbai, Oct 17: DCB Bank has moved higher to its 52-week high of Rs 131, up 8% on the BSE, after the bank reported 31% year on year (YoY) increase in net profit at Rs 48.9 crore for the quarter ended on September 30, 2016 (Q2FY17). The private lender had recorded a net profit of Rs 36.9 crore in the corresponding quarter of last fiscal.

PAGE 7

Mumbai, Oct 17: Trident has rallied 6% to Rs proved to 3.96% in 61.20 on BSE in intra-day Q2FY17 as against trade, extending its 3.79% on Q2FY16, DCB Friday's 6% gain, after Bank said in a press re- rating agencies Credit lease.

Analysis & Research Ltd (CARE) andCRISIL upThe gross Non-perform- graded the long-term and ing Assets (NPAs) of the short term bank facilities bank decreased to 1.75% of the company. from 1.99% in year ago quarter. Net NPAs de- "The revision in ratings creased to 0.84% from assigned to the bank fa1.16%. Gross NPAs and cilities of Trident factors Net NPAs stood at in the strong business per1.72% and .87% as on formance reflected inJune 30, 2016. creasing profitability, healthy cash flows leadAt 11:46 am, the stock ing to adequate liquidity was up 6% at Rs 130 on and improvement in its the BSE. The trading vol- debts coverage paramumes on the counter eters," CARE said in a more than doubled with a release. combined 5.55 million shares changed hands on The upgrade reflects the counter on the BSE CRISIL's belief that and NSE. (Agencies) Trident's business risk

the medium term. The benefits of increasing scale of operations, highly integrated manufacturing process in both home textiles and paper, and continued access to lowcost raw material for paper division will ensure healthy and sustained operating profitability at 1920% in the medium term.

File photo for representation purpose.

profile in the home textile business will improve over the medium term driven by rampup in utilisation of the towels and newly established bedlinen facility, as the risks associated with project implementation have now subsided.

CRISIL believes that the home textile business growth combined with steady contributions from the paper and yarn segments will lead to a healthy revenue growth of over 20% in fiscal 2017 and at 1015% per annum over

At 10:47 am, the stock was up 3.6% at Rs 59.65 on the BSE, as compared to 0.11% rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. The trading volumes on the counter more than doubled with a combined 4.41 million shares changed hands on the counter on the BSE and NSE.(Agencies)

of Rs 94 per kg in January 2016, domestic rubber rebounded to Rs 140 levels in June 2016, in line with international rubber price trend, on supply side restriction by rubber producing countries like Thailand and Malaysia. After the knee jerk spurt, the natural rubber has dropped to 120/kg in the last one/two months.

Analysts at Anand Rathi believe tyre manufacturers would register 8-10% year on year (yoy) volume

growth in September quarter (Q2) and expect margins to have declined around 100-150 basis points quarter on quarter (qoq).

"Because of the Q1 sharp surge in rubber prices (averaging Rs 118/kg, to Rs 145), we expect the highcost inventory to have slashed margins in Q2 (price changes come with a quarter's lag). Rubber prices have again cooled off to Rs 120/kg," the brokerage firm said in Q2 results preview.

(Agencies)

DCM soars 20% as board approves business restructuring plan Mumbai, Oct 17: DCM was locked in 20% upper circuit at Rs 117, also its 52-week high on BSE, after the board approved the restructuring of its business including demerger of real estate business.

The trading volumes on the counter jumped five-fold with a combined 915,215 shares changed hands.

There were pending buy orders for 175,197 shares on the BSE and NSE at 11:21 am.

The board at its meeting held on October 15, 2016 approved the de-merger of real estate undertaking ofDCM and merging it into DCM Realty and Infrastructure.

The board also approved amalgamation of TIARA Investment Holdings into Purearth Infrastructure. The amalgamation of Purearth Infrastructure into DCMRealty and Infrastructure will after the above mentioned moves are carried out.

The board approved the

demerger of cotton textilesbusiness of DCM to DCM Nouvelle, such that postdemerger shares of DCM Nouvelle will be held by shareholders of DCM in the same proportion as their shareholding in DCM. The shareholders of DCM will get one equity share of Rs 10 each of the DCM Realty and Infrastructure andDCM Nouvelle for every one share held by them.

DCMRealty and Infrastructure and DCM Nouvelle will list on the stock exchanges.

DCM said that the management believes that the nature of offerings and the risk and return profile of the cotton textile business is different from that of other businesses of DCM, which include manufacturing and supply of grey iron castings, cylinder heads, cylinder blocks and housing, etc. for automotive markets, real estate development and IT infrastructure services along with related activities.

(Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

INTERNATIONAL

PAGE 8

China defends Pak after Modi's Anti-nuclear politician's win hurts Japan atomic push 'mothership' remark on terror Fears about the safety of nuclear power and radiation exposure linger in Japan, challenging a push by the Abe government and utility companies to switch the country's stable of reactors back on

Beijing, Oct 17: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Pakistan a "mothership of terrorism", China today strongly defended its all-weather ally, saying it is against linking any country or religion with terror and asked the world community to acknowledge Pakistan's "great sacrifices".

In a sharp reaction to a question about Modi's characterisation of Pakistan at the BRICS Summit in Goa, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hua Chunying said China is opposed to linking any country to terrorism.

Answering a question on Modi's criticism of Islamabad in aiding and abetting terror groups opposed to India, she said "on counter-terrorism, China's position is consistent".

China today strongly defended its all-weather ally, saying the world community should acknowledge Pakistan's "great sacrifices".

"We oppose terrorism in all forms and we believe that international concerted efforts are needed to ensure stability and security of all countries," she said.

Noting that India and Pakistan are "all victims of terrorism", she said Islamabad has made "great sacrifice to combat terrorism and this needs to be recognised by the international community".

port anti-India terrorist groups giving them arms, financial support and helping them to cross the border to carry out attacks in India and whether it is China's view that international community should not take a stand on Islamabad's support to terrorists, Hu said: "I understand your concern."

"We oppose linking terrorism with any specific ethnicity or religion. This is

To another question about Modi's criticism that Pakistan State continues to sup-

"But, as I said on counterterrorism China's position is consistent. It is the same

"It is the same way we oppose linking terrorism with any specific country or religion," she said.

our long-standing position.

China and Pakistan are allweather friends.

Islamist extremist executed in Bangladesh over 2005 blast Dhaka, Oct 17: Asadul Islam alias Arif, a leader of the Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), was executed in Khulna jail last night after the Supreme Court upheld his death sentence in August for the blast.

"He was hanged to death at 10:30 pm," an official at Khulna jail said. Arif and six other top JMB leaders in-

tion with the Supreme Court this year seeking review of its judgement.

way we oppose linking terrorism with specific country or religion," she said.

"As per the problem between India and Pakistan, both the two countries are close neighbours of China.

We truly hope that they can resolve these differences in a peaceful way through dialogue and consultation, so that India and Pakistan relations can develop. This serves the interest of the two countries and the region," she said. (PTI)

Grief after Thai king's death spills into anger

Bangkok, Oct 17: The incident on tourist island of Samui on Sunday was the latest of several incidents of alleged inappropriate behavior since the death of the country's beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej last week after 70 years on the throne.

In August, just weeks after the cafe attack, Bangladesh's highest court led by the chief justice dismissed Arif's final appeal, clearing the way for his execution.

Death sentence of the militants except Arif were executed on March 29, 2007.

Arif, who was absconding was later arrested on July 10, 2007. He filed the peti-

Founded in the late 1990s, the JMB has sought to impose Sharia law in the Muslim majority but secular nation of 160 million people.(Agencies)

Umaporn Sarasat, 43, a small business owner who is accused of making disrespectful comments online, was led to a picture of Bhumibol in front of the police station by two police officers. She knelt and prayed while entering the station and exiting it.

A line of police officers linked arms to stop a jeering crowd, some holding portraits of the king, from

moving forward.

Sarasat is likely to face charges of insulting the monarchy. Thailand's lese majeste laws, which impose prison sentences of up to 15 years for insulting or threatening the king or his family, are among the strictest in the world.

"We are going to proceed with the case as best we can," district police chief Thewes Pleumsud told the crowd, according to the Associated Press. "I understand your feelings. You came here out of loyalty to his Majesty. Don't worry, I give you my word."

A one-year mourning period for the government has been declared, and people have been told to avoid "joyful events" for the next 30 days. (Agencies)

North Korea Missile Exploded Shortly After Lift-Off: Seoul Seoul, Oct 17 : An explosion almost immediately after launch was behind the failure of North Korea's latest testfiring of a powerful medium-range missile, the South Korean military confirmed on Monday.

North Korea tested a Musudan missile -- capable of hitting US bases as far away as Guam -shortly after midday on Saturday near an air base in the northwestern city of Kusong.

Such launches are usually reported within a few

hours or even minutes by South Korean and US military monitors, but the news of Saturday's test only came out around 16 hours after the event.

"North Korea's missile launch failed shortly after lift-off so a considerable amount of time was needed to analyse it," a South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff official told reporters Monday.

A defence ministry spokesman confirmed the missile exploded soon after lift-off, in the very initial stage of the launch.

Colombo, Oct 17: The Director-General of Sri Lanka's bribery commission today resigned from her position, days after President Maithripala Sirisena criticised the government's anti-graft panel for acting on a "political agenda" in probes and warned of action.

Dilrukshi was hand-picked

by Wickremesinghe to be the Bribery Commission's

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej died after 70 years on the throne

First unveiled as an indigenous missile at a military parade in Pyongyang in October 2010, the Musudan has a theoretical range of anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometres (1,500 and 2,500 miles).

The lower estimate covers the whole of South Korea and Japan, while the upper range would include US military bases on Guam.

After a string of five failed launches, North Korea test fired a Musudan in June that

flew 400 kilometres into the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Saturday's test weas the first since then.

The June flight had been hailed by leader Kim Jong-Un as proof of the North's ability to strike US bases across "the Pacific operation theatre".

US weapons analysts say successful Musudan testing could help the nuclear-armed North develop an operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the US mainland by 2020.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa tumbled nearly eight per cent to 385 yen in Tokyo on the election news.

There are seven reactors across the 4.2 million square metre Kashiwazaki-Kariwa site.

"I can't approve (restarting reactors) in the current situation where the lives of residents can't be protected" from an accident, Yoneyama told reporters on Monday.

His victory came after voters in southern Kagoshima prefecture voted in a new anti-nuclear governor in July.

Yoneyama, a doctor and lawyer who ran as an independent but was supported by left-leaning opposition parties, beat a ruling blocsupported candidate with 528,455 votes to his opponent's 465,044.

The unexpected results put Abe in a tricky position.

The central government can overrule a governor's opposition to restarting nuclear reactors. But Abe has promised to win approval from local communities before approving restarts under stricter postFukushima safety rules.

Dozens of reactors across Japan were switched off in the wake of the March 2011 Fukushima accident, the worst nuclear disaster in a generation, and there are just two currently operating.

The catastrophe forced resource-poor Japan to turn to expensive fossil fuels to plug its energy gap.

But fears about the safety of nuclear power and radiation exposure linger, challenging a push by Abe and utility companies to switch the country's stable of reactors back on. (Agencies)

Sri Lanka anti-graft commission's official resigns

Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasingha's resignation is being seen as a direct fallout between between the two partners of the unity government, Sirisena's SLFP and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's UNP.

Bangladesh has blamed the JMB for the July 1 attack on an upmarket Dhaka restaurant in which 22 people, mostly foreign hostages, were killed. Security forces have since launched a deadly crackdown against extremists linked to the attack.

cluding its founder Shayakh Abdur Rahman were sentenced to death on May 29, 2006 for killing judges Jagannath Pare and Sohel Ahmed in a 2005 bomb attack on a minibus.

Tokyo, Oct 17: An antinuclear candidate pulled off a surprise victory in a local Japanese election at the weekend, hurting Tokyo's already struggling bid to restart shuttered reactors more than five years after Fukushima.

First-time politician Ryuichi Yoneyama, 49, had campaigned on a pledge to stop the refiring of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power station, the world's biggest nuclear plant, about 200 kilometres northwest of Tokyo.

Yoneyama won the race late Sunday to become Niigata prefecture's new governor, in the latest challenge for the energy policy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who called the election results "extremely regrettable".

Shares in Fukushima operator Tokyo Electric Power which also runs

Director-General in 2015.

Addressing a gathering here on October 12, Sirisena had accused the police's Financial Crime Division (FCID), Crime Investigation Department (CID) and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption of "acting on a political agenda".

"I spoke very openly against this politically motivated action. I may have to act very openly against these also," Sirisena had warned.

He said he was completely angered by the recent action by the Bribery Commission to summon to

court former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa - brother of expresident Mahinda Rajapaksa - and three former military commanders over bribery allegations.

Meanwhile, another relative of Rajapaksa was arrested by the financial crimes unit this morning.

Thirukumar Nadesan, the husband of Rajapaksa's niece Nirupama was arrested over a property transaction involving Rajapaksas younger brother Basil, the powerful economic development minister under the former strongmans regime.

(Agencies)

Kidnapper of Pakistan Governor's son among 6 killed

Shahbaz Taseer, son of murdered Pakistani governor Salmaan Taseer, was abducted

by Islamist militants in 2011 and rescued during an armyled operation in Quetta in early March, 2016.

Isamabad, Oct 17: Six terrorists, including the alleged kidnapper of the son of assassinated Pakistani Governor Salman Taseer, were killed in an encounter in Punjab province, officials said on Monday.

Militant Haji Mohammad, who was killed on Saturday, was involved in the kidnapping of Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, Geo news reported citing Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials.

A CTD official told Dawn online that they had received information that nine to 10 members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group were present in Sheikhupura town of Punjab province, planning an attack on the offices of law enforcement agencies.

Around 12.30 a.m., the CTD team raided a house near the Sheikhupura Bypass. "Noticing their presence, the terrorists ... tried to flee by a car and two motorcycles," an official said.

Arms and ammunition, including three Kalashnikov rifles, three pistols, two kg of explosives, primer cords and a cache of live ammunition were seized from the militants.

Shahbaz Taseer was kidnapped from Lahore on August 26, 2011, near his company's head office, a few months after the assassination of his father at the hands of his bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri. (Agencies)

25 dead, scores still missing in Myanmar ferry disaster Many corpses likely to be found as boat carrying 240-250 people - 100 more than its capacity - is raised from riverbed.

Yangon, Oct 17: Searchers have recovered 25 bodies from a ferry that sank in central Myanmar and expect to find scores more corpses as workers begin raising the boat from the riverbed, officials said today.

A total of 154 people have been rescued since the boat sank early on Saturday on the Chindwin River about 72 kilometres (45 miles) north of the city of Monywa.

Fears death toll could mount Search teams scouring the river, who are now securing the boat with ropes so it can be hauled out by a crane, fear the death toll could go as high as 100.

"Now we have found 25 dead bodies but we are still trying to lift the boat out," said Sa Willy Frient, the director of the local relief and resettlement department who is overseeing the operation.

University students, teachers on it

Myanmar Fire Services Department on October 17, 2016, government rescue personnel from the Myanmar Fire Services Department transport around 100 more than its capacity - along with heavy cargo, including several motorbikes.

"I think around 70 or 80 university students and about 30 schoolteachers, and also doctors," he added.

Four of the boat's staff have been arrested and will face legal action, said Sa Willy Frient. Authorities are still hunting for one crew member and the ferry's owner.

Tiny-tot killed in disaster Survivor Hnin Lei Yee, a 27year-old schoolteacher, was travelling with her husband and one-year-old daughter to celebrate the Buddhist Thadingyut festival with her family.

The boat was carrying an estimated 240-250 people -

Her baby was killed in the disaster. She still does not

Earlier he told AFP the ferry had been filled with "mainly university students and schoolteachers" when it sank at around 5:00 am on Saturday.

know her husband's fate.

"It happened very fast," she told AFP. "The window was open so I had a chance to get out of the boat."

long coastline and floodprone river systems rely heavily on often overcrowded ferries for transport.

"I cannot swim so I had to hold on to a plastic float and finally the rescue boat came to save my life."

At least 21 people, including nine children, died in April after a boat capsized off the coast of Myanmar's western state of Rakhine.

In March last year 33 people lost their lives off the west coast when an overloaded ferry sank in rough waters.

Sai Khaing Myo Tun, vice president of Myanmar's teachers' federation, said more than 30 school staff were thought to have been aboard the ferry that sank on Saturday. (Agencies)

"In the morning, I heard there was a dead child in the hospital and I went there. I saw my daughter dead," she said, weeping.

Boat accidents common here Boat accidents are common in Myanmar, where people living along the nation's

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

PAGE 9

EDUCATION

How to Study for an Approaching Exam Nothing instills fear and anxiety in the minds of students like a big test. Wanting to study is one thing, but it can be difficult to without the proper guidance. It's important to build good study skills early in your schooling career--skills which will carry you throughout. Fortunately, studying is an issue faced at all levels of school by all students, so you can find help.

Read below the jump to get started.

Calm down Keep in mind that if you have a decent attendance rate, and did a reasonable job doing your assignments, you actually have a lot of knowledge already.

This main knowledge will help you throughout your test.

Be sure you have what you need for the test the night before. If you need a No. 2 pencil, a calculator, a German dictionary, or any other supplies, you must have them. The more put-together you are, the calmer you will be, and the more likely you will do well. Be sure your alarm clock is set, so you won't oversleep. u If you're allowed to take food in, take some jelly babies for a sugary hit, but it's best to stick to healthy fruit and vegetables. Apple or carrots make an easy snack that will help replenish your brain power. u Take a bottle of water with no stickers or labels (these could raise suspicions that you're hiding answers on them).

u Don't panic. Panic will only make your situation worse. You will be focusing on the horror, and not the upcoming test. Many times, panic can even deter your chances of doing well on the exam. If you panic, take deep breaths (try not to hyperventilate), and think that you can do this. uActivities such as yoga and meditation can help decrease your stress levels. A clearer mind and rejuvenated body will be ready to tackle on an exam. uYou're smart enough to realize you need to study days in advance. While some people study the day before, and some people always study this way, realize that last-minute cramming is not the ideal way to study, especially not for the sake of long-term retention of the subject matter. Also make sure not to study too much! Take some breaks for about 5-15 minutes.

study plan, build in the amount of time you have left before the exam date. Is the exam in a month? Did the teacher spring the test on you suddenly? Is it a midyear exam that has been building since the start of the year? Depending on the time frame, make your study plan long or short. m Determine what subjects you don't know as much about and include more study sessions on these topics. The aspects you

flash cards may be boring, but really help memorize important things. If flash cards don't seem to help, typing out an outline of your notes may work. m Tape flash cards in random places to quiz yourself.

This is a good way to sneak in study time, as discussed below. m Remember to study smarter, not harder.

Take notes and ask ques-

is the ability to memorize all relevant materials. There are tricks for helping to memorize, otherwise called mnemonics. These can include, for instance, poetic or rhyming mnemonics for the auditory learner, visual imagery and fantasy for the visual learner, dance or movement for the kinesthetic learner (as muscles have memory), or some combination. Repetition is another form of memorization that is most commonly used. It allows for high recall if practiced in regular intervals.

Practice it even beyond the point at which your memory recall is instantaneous, because this serves as a form of reinforcement. u A common mnemonic is HOMES for the Great Lakes.

Another one is drawing stick figures to represent vocabulary words (like a good reason for drawing cartoons!). Create your own mnemonics that suit your needs. u Try rewriting down your notes to study. This is an effective way to memorize.

Determine what material needs to be covered Most exams cover specific subjects and material, and it's important to know which material or components you need to study. Otherwise, you may be using your precious remaining study time incorrectly. Ask your teacher about the subjects you'll be tested on and which chapters you need to cover. For example: What period in African history?

Are diagrams important?

Ask your teacher if you're unclear, as they want you to succeed. m Study the most important topics first. Exams usually cover a few core ideas, concepts, or skills. When pinched for time, focus your energies on the very important bits you'll be tested on, rather than scattering your studies everywhere. Review sheets, the highlighted topics in textbooks, and the parts your teacher stressed repeatedly are all clues as to what the most important topics or components are. m Find out how the test will be presented. What types of questions will be on it (multiple choice, essay, word problem, etc.)? Find out how much each section is worth. If you do not know, ask the teacher. This will help you know what the most important sections will be, and how the exam will be presented.

Make a study plan It may seem like a basic and simple task, but people who make a detailed study plan often have an easier time with studying and they find they have more time to relax and chill. When making a

know more about still need reviewing, but they will come easier, so try to focus on the more challenging topics. m Plan your time. It's tempting to put everything off until the night before the test. Instead, figure out how much time you will put aside each day for study. Remember to account for breaks. A good rule is: study for a half-hour, have a break for ten minutes.

Figure out your study methods Study methods include using colors, pictures and

tions It's never too late, and the sessions before the exam are usually for review, which is just what you need. If you're studying and happen to come across a part you can't understand, write it down.

Ask your teacher either during class or during office hours. And don't worry – you aren't dumb if you ask questions. Questions mean that you're actively paying attention, and you're learning. Besides, a question ahead of time could mean a better grade on the exam.

Find your resources Your textbook, notes, online

Sneak in study time Short, repeated periods of study are often more effective than long periods of study. Go over your flash cards while waiting for the bus. Look over a diagram of the spleen while waiting for your breakfast. Read an important quote from "Macbeth" while brushing your teeth. Review the information during study halls or extra time at lunch.

Reward yourself It can help to have a reward to strive for in meeting your goal. Have rewards in place for study milestones and for achieved results, in increasing value to you.

Organize yourself for the test

Eat properly Good nutrition is vital for optimal thinking. Try to stay away from high sugar and fatty foods such as icecream and cookies. Replace sweet sugary drinks with a cool glass of water or a fresh juice or milk. u Have a "brain" meal the night before. Fish makes a great meal the night before, as it is nutrition for your brain. Try eating some fresh vegetables and pasta with the fish. u Eat a good breakfast. It will keep your mind alert. An example of a good breakfast is a glass of juice, an egg, toast, and cheese. If you do have to eat a bowl of cold cereal, make sure it's wholesome and whole-grain, not a sugary brand, or you may experience a 'crash' during the test. u Avoid drinking coffee, as this will only keep you up and provide you a sugar rush. Once the caffeine has worn out, you won't be able to keep your eyes open.

Taking a test while you're drowsy is a no-no, so avoid intake of caffeine or any other foods too close to bedtime. All that digesting will keep you awake at night.

m Use tools that will help you to study. Tools like

sources, classmates, teachers, and possibly your family members can all be of use. Old assignments are especially good, as some exams have questions directly off homework.

Ask for help You don't get bonus points for doing it alone. Classmates can be helpful in studying, but choose someone who will really help you, not the friend you tend to goof off with. Ask help from your parents or siblings; they may really appreciate being asked. Younger siblings especially like "quiz-

zing" older brothers or sisters! u Form a study group. Not only do you have additional help, you also have the advantage of studying with people you know well. However, avoid accepting those that will be of no help, and only distract your whole group from studying. Don't be rude and reject everyone whom you don't like, but do be cautious about who you add to your study group!

Memorize as much as possible The key to top performance

What do Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, Barack Obama and Mahatma Gandhi have in common? Interestingly, they are world leaders who studied law.

One of the oldest academic fields in the world, a law degree is a highly regarded qualification and promises great career opportunities. For some, to study law is to uphold justice, a noble call that is most commendable (and the world needs more of them); nevertheless, law is not just for lawyers or in the courtroom as it affects all aspects of society: from the protection of life and liberty to corporate or international relations, law graduates are capable in taking many important roles in various professions. A quick look at the benefits of studying law brings to light why it remains as one of the most wanted education for students from all around the world.

- Other than becoming a lawyer, law graduates are desirable candidates for various fields such as media and law, academia, commerce and industry, social work, politics and more. You will find that studying law can take you just about anywhere.

Financial stability - Obtaining a law degree may not guarantee immediate success or an exceedingly large amount of money but it’s close. This professional qualification allows you to enjoy more job security and higher salary as compared to those without. The rest is up to you.

Master critical thinking, strong reasoning and analytical skills - The knowledge and skills gained from studying law facilitate students to analyse both sides of complex situations or problems and to devise the best solution based on strong reasoning and critical thinking.

The power to make a dif-

responsibilities - Being unaware of rights and responsibilities prohibit you to become the best that you can be as a fellow human. Studying law allows students to understand the reasons behind the regulations.

Development of selfconfidence - Studying law is an empowering experience. Law students often work in groups and actively participate in debates or discussions, such environments nurture good selfesteem and confidence.

Better communication skills and high adaptability towards various career transitions - Law students develop the ability to argue from a basis of evidence in a way which can be hard for others to do; this actively cultivates advanced communication skills, keen problem-solving abilities and the capacity for independent thinking. As a result, law graduates adapt very

u Be careful about making any abrupt eating changes; eat what you would normally eat on a regular school day in order to not disrupt your digestive patterns.

Get enough sleep before the big day This step is extremely important and cannot be skipped. Without sleep, your chances of doing well on the test quickly lower, because your brain can't focus on what it needs to. m If you can't get to sleep, try some warm milk or tea, but be sure there is no caffeine in your drink! m Do not alter your sleeping patterns. Go to sleep at your regular time in order to keep your sleeping patterns regular.

brainstorm or mind map pages. Some people learn and remember things better if they're in certain colors whereas other people may remember diagrams and pictures more easily. Use the method that works for you; as long as it's effective, it doesn't matter what it is. It's no use reading a ton of text if your study method is diagrams. Remember, everyone has different methods to study, what works for your best friend may not work for you.

Why study law: Top 10 benefits of becoming a lawyer

Turn up ready for the test Set your alarm clock in the morning; arrive on time or even a few minutes early. If it's a test that requires registration, fees, identification and the like, schedule extra time for that. mKeep a positive attitude!

Studying lots, but thinking you can't really ace that exam, will reduce your chances of succeeding. See yourself as acing it, relying on all the preparation and attention you've given your studies to this point. Confidence is the key! m Aim high. Don't just aim to pass the test (if passing the test is quite easy), aim to get an A+. This way, you get a better grade. Plus, if you don't do as well on the next test, your A+ will still keep your overall grade high enough.

Top 10 Benefits: Strong foundation for further/combined academic studies - Many courses enable students to combine their legal studies with business or accounting, and by combining law with a range of non-law degrees, the potential of becoming a powerful and wellrounded leader is beyond measure.

Multitudes of career options

ference through law - You may have a strong sense of justice and wish to improve the defects in the system, studying law offers you the legal education and qualification to ultimately make that significant change.

Respect and prestige Many law graduates are successful in various industries and more became world leaders who are highly respected. The job is not easy but those who uphold justice are most deserving of respect.

Awareness of rights and

well in various situations or career transitions.

An intellectual challenge - With such compelling benefits, it comes to reason that obtaining a law degree is not easy. The standards are high and outstanding academic performance is expected.

Studying law is demanding and truly an intellectual challenge. If you enjoy working your little grey cells, this may well be the biggest benefit of studying law.

NATION

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

Protest by KP employees enters 93rd dayin Jammu Jammu, Oct 17: The protest by government employees from the Kashmiri Pandit community, who have refused to join their jobs in the Valley after attack on their transit camps, entered its 93rd day here today with the workers demanding release of their pending salaries in the ongoing festival season.

Over 1,500 people from the community, employed under the Prime Minister's rehabilitation package, escaped to Jammu after their transit camps in Kashmir were allegedly attacked by stonepelting mobs following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

"The festival season is going on and most of us have not received our salaries since July. We appeal to the government to release our salaries at the earliest, so that we too can celebrate the festivals," President of the All Migrant Employees Association Kashmir Ruban

Saproo said.

He claimed that not a single representative from the state or central governments has so far contacted them.

"In the last 93 days, two of our protesting colleagues have lost their lives following cardiac arrest but the state and the central governments have not bothered to listen to our problems," he said.

National spokesman of the All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee King Bharti alleged that government officials were intimidating the protesting employees to return to the Valley and rejoin their duties.

He said some of the protesting employees who have returned to the Valley are feeling insecure.

PAGE 10

Ramayana museum: Tourism Min to inspect site in Ayodhya New Delhi, Oct 17 : Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma will visit Ayodhya tomorrow to inspect the proposed site for setting up a Ramayana museum, a move seen as an attempt to woo pro-Hindutva elements ahead of assembly election in Uttar Pradesh.

Sharma, however, played down the political agenda behind the visit, saying it is part of the tourism development plans of the Modi-government and should not be linked with elections in the politically crucial state, which goes to polls early next year.

"My visit to Ayodhya has nothing to do with UP Assembly elections. I am visiting there as a Tourism Minister. It should not be "There is nobody to look linked to politics but is part after their security. Who will guarantee the security of of governments effort to the others if they decide to improve tourism in return and join their du- Ayodhya and all over the country. The visit is part ties?" he asked. (PTI)

of developmental agenda," he said.

Sharma said the museum will be a part of the Ramayana Circuit for which the Centre has sanctioned Rs 225 crore, with Rs 151 crore exclusively for Ayodhya, which is the hub of the circuit.

"Ram is in the heart of millions of people. As the Tourism Minister, I have to see how Ayodhya can be developed, how Ramayana circuit can be developed from tourism point of view," the minister said.

He said the government has identified three circuits-- Ramayana Circuit, Krishna Circuit and Buddhist Circuit-- to boost religious tourism.

The state government has identified a 25-acre plot for the museum which is some 15 km away from

the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid complex, a source said.

Sharma will also hold a meeting with Ramayana Circuit Advisory Board during the visit. The meeting would discuss routes for connecting Ramayanarelated sites in Nepal and Sri Lanka with the proposed museum.

The Union Minister would also deliberate on plans for an International Ramayana Conclave, which would be held either in Ayodhya or Chitrakoot district. The conference is likely to be attended by delegates from about 12 countries, sources said.

Sharma is likely to hold meetings with religious leaders on building the museum which would portray the epic journey of Lord Rama.

Tourism being a state subject, Sharma also sought help from Uttar Pradesh government for development of the circuits to give boost to tourism which, he said, has great potential to earn foreign exchange, employment generation and women empowernment.

Though the BJP has been insisting that Ram temple will not be an electoral plank in the UP elections to be held early next year, the proposed Ramayana museum and related activities are being seen as an attempt to keep proHindutva elements in good humour.

On Dusshera, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, in a departure from tradition, participated in the festivities in Lucknow where he started and concluded his speech with chants of "Jai Shri Ram, Jai Jai Shri Ram". (PTI)

Woman offered spiked drink by friend, raped

A file photo for representation purpose.

New Delhi, Oct 17 : A woman has accused her friend of raping her in a car after offering her a spiked drink, police said today.

The woman alleged that her friend identified as Robin, first took her out and drove between Vikaspuri and Janakpuri on October 15, police said.

He allegedly offered her a soft drink laced with sedatives after which she started feeling dizzy, following which he offered to take her to Mahipalpur for showing the venue of his birthday party celebration, said a senior police officer.

He stopped his car near an ATM in Mahipalpur and tried to force himself on her after

which she lost consciousness and he allegedly sexually assaulted her, he added.

A case under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence) and 376 (rape) of the IPC has been registered at the Tilak Nagar police station and the accused was arrested from Janakpuri yesterday, he said.

The victim is separated from her husband who lives in Sonipat. Her parents stay in Rohini while she had been living at her friend's place in Tilak Nagar for the last couple of months after she had an argument with her husband. The accused is a resident of Janakpuri. (PTI)

BJP greedy for money India lauds Brazil's support for actions to combat terror: PM Narendra Modi and power, says Kejriwal India today appreciated Brazil's support for its actions to combat terrorism and said the two countries agreed that the world must come together to fight the menace without distinction or discrimination.

Benaulim, Oct 17: India today appreciated Brazil's support for its actions to combat terrorism and said the two countries agreed that the world must come together to fight the menace without distinction or discrimination.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also thanked Brazilian President Michel Temer for "understanding India's aspiration" for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

"My country deeply appreciates Brazil's support for India's actions in combating terrorism," Modi said after a bilateral meeting with

Narendra Modi and the Brazilian leader also witnessed exchange of four cross-sectoral MoUs between the two countries.

Temer, who is here for the 8th BRICS Summit which concluded yesterday.

"We agreed that the world

must come together to fight this menace without distinction or discrimination," the Prime Minister said.

new areas of cooperation in drug regulation, agricultural research and cyber security during Temer's visit.

He said India will continue to work with Brazil as an important partner in early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).

"I am happy to note that India and Brazil are close to finalising the text of a bilateral investment agreement.

President Temer and I have reviewed the full range of bilateral cooperation," he said.

He said that the bilateral relations between India and Brazil have grown for the better and there has been increased interaction at all levels.

"This visit (by Temer) takes place as both countries

"Both bilaterally and multilaterally, the partnership between India and Brazil is filled with possibilities that we are keen to harvest," he said.

Modi said the two countries made progress in opening

mark a decade of our strategic partnership," the Prime Minister said.

Modi and the Brazilian leader also witnessed exchange of four crosssectoral MoUs between the two countries.

The first MoU is on genetic resources, agriculture, animal husbandry, natural resources and fisheries while the second one is on pharma products regulation. The third MoU is on cattle genomics and assisted reproductive technologies and the fourth is on investment cooperation and facilitation treaty. (PTI)

50% teaching vacancy in Pakistan isolated due its policies, India govt schools is startling: HC tohas no role: MEA New Delhi, Oct 17 : This question was today posed by the Delhi High Court to the Delhi government and the municipal corporations in the national capital, as it termed as "startling" the fact that half of the total teaching posts in government and municipal schools here were lying vacant.

"This 50 per cent vacancy is startling. It is too high a figure. Where is the budget going," Justice Manmohan asked the AAP government and the corporations after the court was told that 9,000 new teaching posts were being created even though as many as 26,031 vacancies existed.

"It seems you have not recruited anyone for last so many years. The system is crumbling, no? You are working at 50 per cent ca-

pacity. There would be a huge pressure on the existing teachers," the court said and asked the government to start recruitment through the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB).

It issued notice to the Delhi government and the three municipal corporations seeking their replies by December 8 to a contempt plea

by NGO Social Jurist alleging "wilful disobedience" of a 2001 court order to ensure 'zero vacancy' at the commencement of each academic year in schools here.

Advocate Ashok Aggarwal, appearing for the NGO, told the court that currently there were 26,031 posts of teachers, including special educators for differentlyabled children, lying vacant in municipal and Delhi gov-

ernment run schools.

He said despite the huge number of vacancies, which came to 50 per cent of the total required strength of teachers, Delhi government recently created 9,000 additional teaching posts.

He claimed that many teaching staff, including Principals, have been deployed for court work on the false assurance that their posts would be converted into that of law officers and added that 80 per cent of government schools had no Principals.

Advocate Ayushi Gupta, appearing for Delhi government and DSSSB, refuted the allegations and said the vacancies of special educators were advertised, but only 89 persons were found eligible as per the prescribed qualifications. (PTI)

Benaulim, Oct 17: Pakistan has been isolated because of its own policies and India did not have to play any role in it, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Monday. He said the SAARC countries acted on their own in deciding not to participate in the summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad this year, citing lack of requisite conditions for a constructive dialogue.

"We do not speak about such issues. If someone is isolated, it is because of the policies followed by that country. India did not have to do anything, because the countries in one voice said there cannot be constructive dialogue in the terrortainted atmosphere in the context of SAARC," Swarup said. "‌ the first letter (on nonparticipation in SAARC

summit) came from Afghanistan, followed by Nepal, then by India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Nepal also said it on its own. So when all Saarc countries express the same opinion in one voice that the SAARC summit cannot happen in Islamabad in this atmosphere - you can draw your own conclusions," the MEA spokesman said.

He was responding to a query if India had been successful in isolating Pakistan following the September 18 terror attack on Uri army camp in Jammu andKashmir.

The 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November, was postponed after India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka pulled out, citing terrorism concerns in the region. (PTI)

Centre May Soon Bring New Policy For Senior Citizens Vadodara, Oct 17: Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot has said the government may soon come up with a new national policy for senior citizens, with focus on health care and accommodation for them.

A note (proposal) prepared in this regard has already been put up before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Gehlot told PTI here on Saturday while expressing

hope that a decision on it is taken soon.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister was in town on Saturday for overseeing arrangements for distribution of tri-cycles, wheel chairs, hearing aids and other such implements to more than 14,000 'divyang' (differentlyabled) people at a function to be held on October 22 in presence of the PM.

The proposal has been prepared by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry in consultation with various others ministries and departments of the Central government. It has taken into consideration the changing demographic pattern, socio-economic needs of senior citizens, and the social value system.

Mr Gehlot said the government had been thinking of coming up with a comprehensive national policy for senior citizens to ensure their welfare since October last year.

"Keeping in mind the change in the socio-economic conditions in our society, programmes and policies were being reframed to ensure their (senior citizens) well-being,"

he said, adding that the new policy for senior citizens would replace the existing one.

The new policy would provide better facilities to senior citizens living across the country.

The government has already sought suggestions from NGOs and other stakeholders for this purpose, the minister added. (Agencies)

New Delhi, Oct 17: A day after launching AAP's poll campaign in Gujarat,Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today attacked theBJP government in the state for use of force during the Patel agitation, terming it as a party full of "greedy people" for which it will not spare even its own.

In a scathing Facebook post, Kejriwal said, contrary to its claim, BJP was not a champion of Hindus, referring to the death of Patidar youth during last year's agitation and the recent assault on Dalits in Una. "BJP says it is a party of the Hindus. But it fired on Patel boys last year. Those boys were Hindus. If BJPis a party of the Hindus so why did it kill Hindu boys? Few months ago, in Una district,

Arvind Kejriwal BJP got Dalit youth beaten up.

"The truth is that BJP is not a party of the hindus. BJPis a party full of people greedy of money and power for which it will not spare even its own," Kejriwal said.

Addressing the AAP's first rally in Gujarat yesterday, the AAP chief attacked BJP president Amit Shah, equating him with "General Dyer" and tried wooing the

Patidar community by calling Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel a "patriot".

"I want to ask, what is the fault of Hardik Patel? Why sedition charge was slapped against him? I would like to say that there is no bigger patriot than Hardik Patel and there is no bigger traitor than General Dyer," Kejriwal had said, referring to Shah.

Gujarat goes to polls next year.

Media should develop self-regulatory mechanism: V P Singh Bandore Chandigarh, Oct 17: Punjab Governor V P Singh Bandore on Monday said media should develop a self-regulatory mechanism to bring forth a "true picture" of the issues concerning people before the government.

"The role of media is very important in raising and addressing issues concerning common people," he said at the inauguration of the two day Regional Editor's Conference (REC) here on Monday.

Citing incidents of 'paid news', Badnore, who is also Administrator of Chandigarh Union Territory, said that media should take firm steps to check this "menace".

He also invited public suggestions to improve the infrastructure in Chandigarh and added that media should play its role in getting these suggestion to the administration.

"The government considers media as an important stakeholder in its agenda of development," PIB Director General AP Frank Naronha said.

"The media has an onerous responsibility both as a facilitator and a watchdog to ensure that the fruits of development are distributed to the deserving," he said.

Naronha said the media, es-

V P Singh Bandore. pecially regional media, can play an important role in this venture.

He said the Regional Editors Conference has been organised with an objective to provide an opportunity to the editors of the regional press to interact directly with the ministers on the crucial issues concerning their respective ministries.

While the participants will get to know the relevant context and deeper background behind a particular initiative, programmes and policies, it will also help the policy makers in getting the feedback from the media which could be useful for further improvement, he added.

During the two-day conference, six central Ministries Home affairs, Women & Child Development, Road Transport & Highways, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution, Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Development for North East region are participating.

Editors from north and north-eastern states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram and Chandigarh are participating in the conference.

Home Minister Rajnath Sing was also among those present. (PTI)

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

Facebook adds Apple TV, Chromecast support to stream videos To give users even more ways to watch, Facebook has rolled out the ability to stream videos from the social network to your TV through devices like Apple TV or Google Chromecast.

To watch a video from Facebook using your smartphone, press the TV symbol in the top right corner, then select the device you want to stream and the video will be streamed to your TV. Facebook is starting with Apple TV (and other AirPlay-enabled devices) and Chromecast for now, with the feature live for iOS users and plans to cast from Android devices to Chromecast as well soon.

“Whether you are hanging out with friends or just relaxing on the couch by yourself, we hope you enjoy this new way to watch videos on Facebook,” said Brent Ayrey, Product Director, Facebook, in a blog post.

While users are watching a Facebook video on TV, they can go back and scroll through News Feed on the device they are streaming from and can catch up on other stories while video keeps playing on the TV. Users can also see realtime reactions and comments on the screen, and can join in the conversation by reacting or commenting, the blog post added.

TECHNOLOGY Indians reap Facebook ‘Bug Bounty’

Facebook Inc.’s ‘Bug Bounty’ program has made its highest payout to security researchers in India over the past five years.

The program that rewards researchers for finding bugs, which make the social networking site and other group products including WhatsApp vulnerable to risks, has paid in excess of $5 million to more than 900 researchers worldwide since the start of the program, Facebook said in a blogpost.

popular a website/software becomes, the more vulnerable it becomes,” Under the social networking giant’s Bugs Bounty Program, security researchers receive monetary reward for finding bugs that make Facebook or another member of the Facebook family of companies such as

than 9,000 reports. “We paid a total of USD 6,11,741 to 149 researchers (in the first half of 2016), bringing our cumulative five-year total to more than USD 5 million paid to more than 900 researchers.

"This year, we're celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Facebook Bug Bounty

“The top three countries based on the number of payouts: India, USA and Mexico,” Joey Tyson, a security engineer at Facebook, said in the blogpost.

“This reflects the technical competence in the country,” said Saket Modi, CEO at cybersecurity solutions provider Lucideus. “We have the highest number of computer science engineers.” …They are moving beyond the traditional languages such as C++ and Java to cybersecurity and data sciences. So it is very natural that they test their skills on massively popular websites such as Facebook. The more

Hit by a photo-sharing scandal with reports claiming that Apple staff lifted information from customers’ phones that came for repair, the company on Friday denied that any such episode happened at the Carindale store in Queensland.

Courier Mail reported on Thursday that employees at the store were fired after they were found sharing photos of customers.

pair, was in shock.

The Cupertino, San Francisco-based company, however, said they have not found any such evidence so far.

“If it happened to me I would just be distraught. All my information was on my phone and backed up to my iCloud, and I just left it with them,” she was quoted as saying.

According to Courier Mail, Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim has asked for more information in the incident.

Instagram or Whatsapp vulnerable to risks and reporting them responsibly.

The rewards for reported vulnerabilities are given entirely at Facebook’s discretion, based on various factors.

Twitter is among the more popular platforms if you want to air your current state of mind. This makes it a very lucrative platform, because everyone has a current state of mind, right?

Well, financially speaking, not so much.

to acquire Twitter's considerable social communications assets.

Even Apple is more focussed on its consumer products, and is not likely to make a pitch for a social network.

Twitter, which went public in November 2013 has 313 million average monthly users, has reportedly struggled to generate a net profit for over 11 quarters now. Even advertisers are veering towards Facebook and Snapchat, which have eclipsed Twitter in terms of users. It has therefore lost over $2 mil-

Staff didn’t steal information from customers phones: Apple

“Based on our investigation thus far, we have seen no evidence that customer data or photos were inappropriately transferred or that anyone was photographed by these former employees,” the Apple statement said.

Why are Twitter's shares crashing?

Its shares — or rather, its monetary popularity — has just dropped 5% after its last remaining suitor, Salesforce, categorically affirmed that it does not intend to buy it. Last remaining suitor, because other entities that were lined up to buy it, like Google (parented by Alphabet Inc.), Verizon, Microsoft, and even Disney, who had all hinted at the intention to acquire the 140-character news platform last month.

Even Google, which is now moving into artificial intelligence which is heaviltyinto personal user information, has not come good with predictions that it was among the first in line

“We determine bounty amounts based on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) impact, ease of exploitation, and quality of the report. If we pay a bounty, the minimum reward is USD 500. Note that extremely low-risk issues may not qualify for a bounty at all,” according to Facebook.

PAGE 11

lion in market capitalisation. When it went public in 2013, it was worth $31 billion; now it is under $15 billion. Explains why it is looking to sell.

Why did Salesforce suddenly withdraw its chip?

According to Techcrunch, Salesforce's largest investor Fidelity Investments was against the deal. It reportedly tried to buy LinkedIn, but Microsoft beat it to it.

No wonder salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff told the FT, "In this case, we have walked away.

It [Twitter] wasn't the right fit for us."

India is home to Facebook's second largest user base with 155 million monthly active users and 77 million daily active users.

Mr Tyson said for the first half of the current year i.e January-June, 2016, the company received more

program…We are always looking to improve and expand the program. This year, we added WhatsApp to our program, expanded payment options to include Bitcoin, and switched to an automated payment process so we can pay researchers faster,” Mr Tyson said.

“We are aware of the reports and will be making inquiries with Apple to seek further information.

This is an important reminder that all organisations that collect and manage personal information need to embed a culture of privacy and ensure employees understand their responsibilities,” Pilgrim was quoted as saying.

Steph Doukas, 28, who gave her phone for re-

Queensland Police also visited the Carindale store to seek more information. “Any person who wishes to make a complaint is asked to contact police,” a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the senior staff at various Apple stores warned employees not to take photographs of colleagues or customers, the report added.

“Apple believes in treating everyone equally and with respect, and we do not tolerate behaviour that goes against our values,” the statement further read.

Electric bicycle from Chennai to hit roads The Chennai-based Basil Energetics is ready to launch an electric bicycle, iZip, in Hyderabad by the end of this month.

iZip cycles have disc brake for the rear wheel and electric braking too. “When you pull the brake lever, a controller senses it and runs the motor in a reverse direction so the cycle comes to a stop quickly and steadily as the braking is done in a controlled fashion,” Dr. Ramarathnam says, explaining the concept behind electric braking.

Fitted with a long-lasting and light-weight portable lithium iron phosphate battery (like the ones used in Tesla and Toyota), iZip can travel at a top speed of 20 km per hour. The cycle, which weighs 35 kg, can travel for 25 km per each full charging. The batteries can be charged in 90 minutes using either solar energy or power from the gird.

The non-geared bicycle can also be pedalled like a conventional cycle.

“We have field-tested the cycles in many places. The testing has been going on for the last three years,” says Dr. R. Ramarathnam, Chairman of Basil Energetics. “We will be approaching Pune’s Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in about 15 days for certification. The cycles will be commercially available by November-end.”

The 2.2-kg battery has 24 cells arranged in three rows of eight cells each. The total voltage of the battery is 25.6 volts. “The motor is 24 volts and the overall power stored in the battery is 240 watt-hour,” Dr. Ramarathnam says. The battery can be removed from the cycle and charged

at home. The cells are imported from China and Basil arranges the cells inhouse in Chennai.

“There is an electronic circuitry called battery management system that ensures that current from individual cells is maintained constantand identical cur-

rent flows through each cell.

This ensures that that there is no internal damage to individual cells, so the life of the battery is prolonged,” he says. The battery will last for 2,000 cycles of charging and discharging. Recharging the battery after deep discharge (draining the battery completely) is also possible.

The axel of the cycle is removed and a hub motors is placed in its place. The motor shaft acts like a normal axel. The company uses its proprietary motor and motor controller for the bicycle. The total load carrying capacity of the bicycle is 150 kg, he says.

“The on-road cost of iZip will be Rs. 25,000,” Dr. Ramarathnam says. “The running cost is low. Even if the cycle is used for 25 km a day, only seven units of electricity are needed in a month for charging the battery. The cost is high due to the battery. When the volume picks up, we may be able to reduce the cost.”

Self-powered UV photodetector charges energy storage devices and Applied Physics at IISc and the lead author of the paper.

In a novel approach, researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, have developed a cost-effective, high-performance, self-powered UV photodetector that can use the harvested optical energy for direct self-charging of energy storage devices such as supercapacitor. It can also be used for operating electronic devices in the absence of external power source.

The researchers developed the photodetector by integrating semiconducting vanadium doped zinc oxide (VZnO) nanoflakes with a conducting polymer. The photodetector has superior performance in terms of faster detection of photo signals in the order of milliseconds even when UV light intensity is low.

The results were published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & In-

The UV light that gets into the pores undergoes multiple reflections and finally gets absorbed.

“The vanadium-doped zinc oxide nanoflake structure has 98 per cent light-harvesting efficiency, which is much higher than the 84 per cent seen in zinc oxide nanorods,” said Prof.

Abha Misra from the department who is the corresponding author of the paper. terfaces.

surface area to the volume of the material.

80 per cent more porous than nanorods.

Zinc oxide (ZnO), the base material for UV detection, can be doped with vanadium to produce photodetectors that are self-powered. When doped with vanadium, the microstructure of ZnO changes from nanorods to closelypacked nanoflakes, causing an increase in the

Doping ZnO with vanadium also creates surface defects within the band gap (between the conduction and valence bands) of ZnO, which helps in trapping the UV radiation that falls on the nanoflakes.

The nanorods are onedimensional and so the possibility of light reflection from the top surface is more. But nanoflakes are two-dimensional and the light penetration is more,” says Buddha Deka Boruah from the Department of Instrumentation

“The nanoflakes are

The VZnO nanoflakes were annealed (heated and allowed to cool slowly) in the presence of hydrogen gas at 350 degree C (hydrogenated) to increase the conductivity and reduce the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers.

More photocurrent Compared with ZnO,

which generates only 40 nA photocurrent, the nanoflakes (VZnO) produced five times more photocurrent. Once the nanoflakes were hydrogenated, the current generation capacity further increased to 1,000 nA, said Boruah.

If the increased opti-

cally active surface area of the nanoflakes enhanced the generation of electron-hole pairs (photo response), resulting in increased current generation, hydrogenation brought about a further enhancement in the electron-hole pair generation as well as increased free electron

density, leading to more current generation.

When exposed to UV light, the device, after hydrogenation, was able to detect photo signal within milliseconds, which is nearly 100 times faster than conventional UV photodetectors, said Prof.

Misra.

cmyk

cmyk

DIBRUGARH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

PAGE 12

Pune City draw with Kerala Blasters thanks to Sissoko’s first Hero ISL goal Belewadi, Oct 17:FC Pune City played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters FC in front of nearly 9,000 fans at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Balewadi on Monday. Cedric Hengbart scored the fastest goal of Hero Indian Super League 2016 to give the visitors an early lead. A deflected-shot by Mohamed Sissoko in the 68th minute rescued a point for Pune.

Kerala scored in the third minute when Hengbart reacted quickly to finish with his leftfoot after Pune failed to clear an Azrack Mahamat shot on goal. It was the French centreback’s first goal in the Hero ISL and the fastest of the league this season.

Jesus Tato volleyed wide from the edge of the penalty area 11 minutes later after an attempted clearance by the Blasters fell invitingly for the Span-

aged to apply enough pressure to deny him a clear header on goal.

An action moment of the match iard. Dramane Traore was next to try and restore parity but his header from a corner sailed over the bar.

Pune’s next chance also went to Traore in the 23rd minute.

The Malian found himself with space in the box when Aaron Hughes misjudged the flight of the ball and subsequently

missed his header. Kerala’s skipper was let off the hook, however, after Traore dragged his shot wide of the target.

Mehtab Hossain came close to making it 2-0 for the Blasters in the 36th minute with a shot from range that went inches wide of goal. Tato whipped in a dangerous cross for Traore moments later but Hughes man-

Borussia Dortmund rule out return for Man Utd's Henrikh Mkhitaryan

London, Oct 17: Mkhitaryan signed for United, who face Liverpool on Red Monday live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm, from Dortmund in a £26.3m deal during the summer.

He has started just one Premier League game so far this season - the 2-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City in September - but was replaced at half-time by Jose Mourinho after an ineffective 45 minutes.

Current Dortmund players Shinji Kagawa, Nuri Sahin and Mario Gotze all left the Bundesliga club before later

returning, but Watzke told Kicker he is not interested in re-signing the Armenia international, who scored or assisted 26 goals in 28 league starts last season.

When asked if there would be an opportunity for Mkhitaryan to return, Watzke said: "No. Any intelligent player should consider in advance what kind of environment they are moving to.

"When you are playing in surroundings where things are working for you, like in Dortmund, then it is quite strange to give that away again

once things have finally started to work out for you after a long time settling in."

Mourinho described Mkhitaryan as a "super player" after two substitute appearances against Bournemouth and Southampton at the start of the season.

But the attacker, who is fit to face Liverpool after recovering from a thigh problem, has appeared just twice since August 19, and has not featured in the league since his half-time withdrawal against City.

Watzke played down suggestions the player's agent Mino Raiola encouraged Mhkitaryan to move, insisting the Armenian made up his own mind.

"In Mkhitaryan's case it was the player's decision," he added. "Raiola is intelligent, and he's a brute.

"He has a certain business model, but we knew that already when we sat down because of Mkhitaryan. You know what you have with him. Raiola acted correctly."

(Agencies)

A champion emerges from mud courts of village Madina in Gohana Gohana, Oct 17: Making a mockery of high-class infrastructure and facilities, Ajay Malik has emerged as the new national tennis champion, literally from dirt, by practising on mud courts, developed by his father on agricultural land.

At the just-concluded National Tennis Championship at the DLTA Complex, 13-year-old Ajay relied on his supreme strength and ordinary diet to win the Under-14 boys singles title.

His father, Ajmer Malik, a retired Subdedar from Indian Army, did not have even enough money to offer even bananas and energy drinks to Ajay between the breaks during his matches.

The class IX student though had enough will power and strength in his arms and legs to go full distance as he took only water during the game and set breaks en route to the title.

Ajay started playing tennis at the age of 10 and in three years he has managed to win the biggest title available in country in his age category. He is coached by his cousin Sombir Malik, who himself learnt the game by watching matches on television but quit after encountering tennis elbow issues due to practice with bald balls.

Everything at the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Sansthan, the academy run by Ajmer, has some 'desi jugad' as he decided not to crib about lack of money and facilities but managed to

give enough for practice to the kids.

The net for the mud courts is supported by electricity poles, which were felled due to rain and strong winds. The lines on the courts are not drawn by lime powder but by nylon ropes so that they last long and money is saved.

Tyres of different weights ranging from 5kg to 100kg are are used while running to build strength in legs and wrist strength is developed by climbing on thick ropes, dangling between two huge cement pillars. In fact, Ajmer spent nearly Rs three lakh of his Rs 13 lakh retirment fund to build the tennis courts for his son.

In this age where state-of-theart facilities combined with scientific training is considered a pre-requisite to make a champion, the simple training methods employed by Ajmer are startling.

So how different Ajay finds the mud courts from the hard courts where he competes in tournaments.

"It's just the colour of the court, everything else is same," Ajay, who idolises Roger Federer and has seen only Ramkumar Ramanathan from the Indian tennis stable play, said.

Ajmer, who himself was a national level wrestler, has confidence in his training regimen but DLTA coach Arun Kumar, who has been instrumental in Ajay becoming a tennis player says the training base needs to shift in some time.

It was Arun, who gave tips to Ajay's coach Sombir and also presented them with 50 tennis balls to start the training three years back.

"With this tough training, he definitely has developed endurance but what about speed. He is mentally tough that is why he survived on just water during nationals but he needs tactical exposure. He has right technique but you know top players finish points in 7 to 10 seconds. That's a different training method which he would need in near future," Arun, who has travelled as coach with many junior Indian team players, said.

Arun had also helped Ajay get a deal with Head who have now agreed to give him four racquets in a year. His father Ajmer revealed that before the final, Ajay's racquet gut was broken and he left it to God. "The stringer asked for 800 bucks to repair and I had only 300 rupees in my pocket. How would I have returned from Delhi to my village if I spent that money? He has only two racquets and I just prayed that nothing happens to the second one," Ajmer said.

Ajay has two pairs of shoes and even they are not proper tennis shoes, one is used for daily practice and the other has been kept for tournaments.

The only luxury Ajay has is almond juice, made of 40 almonds, that is prepared everyday for him to be taken after practice. (Agencies)

The first chance of the second half went to Mohammed Rafi thanks to a brilliant lay-off by Michael Chopra. Gouramangi Singh blocked Rafi’s shot on goal though to give his side a fighting chance in the game.

Traore then almost capitalized on a weak back-pass from Josu Currais in the 56th minute. The Blasters’ goalkeeper Sandip Nandy rushed off his line and did just about enough to thwart the danger.

Traore finally put the ball in the back of the net two minutes later courtesy of a powerful header from a Rahul Bheke cross. Joy turned to disappointment within seconds for the Stallions after the lines-man raised his flag for off-side to cancel out the equaliser.

Pune eventually got their equalizer in the 68th minute with their marquee player and skipper Sissoko leading from the front. The 31-year-old’s shot from the edge of the box deflected off Hughes, giving Nandy no chance in goal.

Kerala Blasters raised their game after the leveller. A goalbound header by substitute Faruk Chaudhary forced Edel Bete into a spectacular save in the 72nd minute. Another one of Kerala’s substitutes, Antonio German nearly made immediate impact shortly after with a shot on goal that was deflected behind for a corner.

The last chance of the match belonged to the visitors as well.

Chaudhury found himself with space on the right but Narayan Das put in a perfectly-timed sliding tackle to make sure the game ended at 1-1 as the Stallions’ search for their first win at home continues.(Agencies)

Honda celebrates 50 Years of entering World Grand Prix Racing

Serena withdraws from WTA Finals Los Angeles, Oct 17: US superstar Serena Williams has withdrawn from the elite WTA Finals in Singapore, saying she's still working to recover from the shoulder troubles that hindered her in 2016.

The WTA announced Williams' withdrawal from the event that starts on October 23 on their Twitter feed, posting a video of Williams herself explaining the decision.

"Hey everyone in Singapore," Williams said.

"I'm really, really bummed that I won't be able to come compete this year.

"It's been a really tough year for me just dealing so much with these shoulder injuries.

My doctor insists that I stay home and heal it every single day."

The 22-time Grand Slam

New DelhI, Oct 17: Honda celebrated completing 50 years since it first entered premier class World Grand Prix racing, by photographing its original racing machine, the RC181, alongside its current MotoGP contestant, the RC213V. The photo session was a rare event, bringing MotoGP's current top riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa from Repsol Honda Team face to face with a championship-winning bike from half a century ago. The photo shoot was conducted at Twin Ring Motegi, which will be hosting Round 15 of the FIM MotoGP World Championship, the Grand Prix of Japan, this weekend.

Honda first entered World Grand Prix racing in 1959, in the 125cc class at the Isle of Man TT. Two years later, Honda claimed its first victory, and its first championship title. In 1966, Honda forayed

into the premier class (which was the 500cc class at the time).

The extremely powerful RC181, powered by an air-cooled 4-stroke 4valve straight 4-cylinder DOHC engine, debuted in the opening round of the German Grand Prix, to claim its first victory with a dominating 26second lead.

It went on to win 5 of the 9 grand prix in the season, not only giving Honda the manufacturer's title, but contributing to Honda's clean sweep of all five classes (50cc, 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, and 500cc).

Since then, Honda has won 277 500cc / MotoGP grand prix (at the end of Round 14 this season), and 38 riders and constructors titles.

The RC181 is the machine that marks Honda's first step into successfully competing in the premier class.

(PTI)

Ø "I'm really, really bummed that I won't be able to come compete this year," Serena said Ø Serena pulled out of two tournaments in China after being knocked out of the semi-finals of the US Open Ø Williams claimed just one Grand Slam title in 2016, at Wimbledon

champion pulled out of two tournaments in China after being knocked out of the semi-finals of the US Open.

her in Rio where her hopes of a fifth Olympic gold medal were crushed in the third round.

That defeat saw Williams' 186-week reign atop the world rankings end as Germany'sAngelique Kerber reached the summit and captured the Flushing Meadows title into the bargain.

Though she begins her next year in Auckland, fans were hoping to see her in Singapore but would be really shocked with her withdrawal.

Williams claimed just one Grand Slam title in 2016, at Wimbledon. After that, shoulder troubles hampered

She recently voted for Angelique Kerber as the Player of the Year and was also spotted going to a concert with Taylor Swift in New York. (Agencies)

BCCI needs more clarity before implementing Lodha Panel reforms: Anurag Thakur State One Vote', 'Age Cap of 70 years', 'Three years Cooling off Period', 'One Person One Post'.

According to sources in the state associations, the units want to bide time as BCCIanxiously awaits the revised Sports Bill which could put a spanner on farreaching recommendations of the Supreme Court appointed panel.

Anurag Thakur New Delhi, Oct 17: Drawing continuous flak from the Supreme Court for not implementing the Lodha Committee recommendations, BCCI President Anurag Thakur on Monday said the state units are currently confused about some of the suggestions and need more clarity before complying.

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its order on directions to be passed to BCCI for implementation ofLodha panel's recommendations.

"You need 3/4th majority to adopt these recommenda-

tions. We have done our duty to go back to the state associations and they have to take a call on that. If you don't have 3/4th majority, you cannot adopt these recommendations," Thakur told mediapersons after today's court proceedings.

"Right now, there is more confusion in the state associations on how to implement the recommendations, I think we need more clarity," he added.

The BCCI has held on to its stand about "practical difficulties in implementing some of the recommendations" which include 'One

The BCCI is likely to ask for at least three months time as it is impossible to expect that theSports Bill could be tabled in the Winter Session of Parliament.

At best, one can expect that the Sports Bill will be placed before the House only during the Budget Session next year.

If the recommendations are accepted in their current form, a lot of officials will have to make their way out from the most glamorous sports body in the country.

For BCCI, it's now a battle of attrition as they have to show "enough stamina" to stretch this off the field battle to a conclusion of their liking. (Agencies)

Kyrgios to seek psychologist help after ban threat London, Oct 17: Wayward tennis star Nick Kyrgios will seek psychological help to avoid an eight week ban ordered by the ATP for a tantrum at the Shanghai Masters, Tennis Australia said Monday.

The ATP ordered a $25,000 (22,700 euros) fine and said a three week ban would be increased to eight weeks if the 21-year-old Kyrgios did not seek help for his temper.

The world number 14 gave away points and swore and argued with fans before being booed off court after his 6-3, 6-1 defeat by Mischa Zverev in his second round match last week.

Tennis Australia said in a statement that it would support Kyrgios.

"Nick's health and

wellbeing is a priority and the ATP has offered a reduced penalty on the provision that he seeks appropriate professional advice, which he has agreed to do," said a statement by the Australian body.

Kyrgios apologised again for his behaviour in Shanghai.

"The season has been a long one as I battled several injuries and other challenges towards the end of the summer," he said in a statement.

"My body finally just gave out in Shanghai both physically and mentally.

"This is no excuse, and I know very well that I need to apologise to the fans - in Shanghai and other parts of the world - as well as the tournament organisers in

Shanghai who do an amazing job."

Kyrgios said he "regretted how his year was ending."

"I do understand and respect the decision by the ATP and I will use this time off to improve on and off the court."

The $25,000 ATP fine will be added to a $16,500 penalty ordered last week.

The Shanghai outburst was the latest in a long line of incidents involving the Australian. Last year he was given a suspended one-month ban for making comments to Stan Wawrinka about his wife.

"Nick's conduct in Shanghai was unacceptable, disrespectful to the sport and its fans," said ATP executive chairman Chris Kermode.

"We take these matters very seriously and he has since apologised for his actions.

"Nick is a phenomenal talent and our hope is that he uses this time away from the tour constructively and, with some support, is able to return to competition with an improved mindset and stronger than ever before."

The ATP said that after an investigation into the Australian's second round match in Shanghai, Kyrgios had been found guilty of conduct contrary to the integrity of the game.

This meant an additional fine and an immediate eight week suspension.

"However, the suspension will be reduced to three tour-

nament weeks upon agreement that the player enters a plan of care under the direction of a sports psychologist, or an equivalent plan approved by ATP." If Kyrgios agrees to see a psychologist he could return to the tour on November 7, after the three week ban.

As he would have no more tournaments to play, even the three week ban means that Kyrgios's year is effectively over.

"We have spoken to his management and Nick has agreed to seek the help of a sports psychologist and will now be available to play in the Hopman Cup in early January," a Tennis Australia spokesperson told AFP. (PTI)

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