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Phone: 8486034464/65 website:www.bhogalijalpan.com Facebook.com/bhogalijalpan www.thehillstimes.in Voice of the hills people Vol .No. XIX Issue No. 079 Regd. NGG-709 RNI-ASSENG/2000/12862T HE DIPHU, KARBI ANGLONG,HILLS SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2018T PAGESIMES 8 PRICE ` 5 Decision on re-exam of class 10 maths for NCR and Haryana will be taken in next 15 days Rhino population in Kaziranga increases to 2,413 HT Bureau NEW DELHI, March 30 (PTI): more people and "interacted" with GUWAHATI, March 30: The TheCBSE re-examination re-exam: of CBSE's Class 12 eco onthe CBSE Apr controller of 25 examina- world famous Kaziranga National Class 12 economics paper will be tions over the leak. Park has seen a steady rise in the held on April 25, while the Class HRD Minister Prakash number of one-horned rhinos with 10 mathematics re-test, if required, Javadekar, in a series of tweets, the total number standing at an im- would be conducted only for said, "In the larger interest of aca- pressive 2,413, which is an increase Delhi-NCR and Haryana in July, demics & students the sensitive of 12 more from the last rhino cen- the government said on Friday govt has taken a decision not to sus conducted in 2015. amid widespread outrage over the have nationwide retest in Maths for The number stood at 366 in the paper leak issue. class 10th". late sixties, which is a far cry from Ruling out a nationwide re-tests "The test will be held in Delhi, the present number. Kaziranga is for Class 10 mathematics, the Haryana after final inputs from po- home to about 70 percent of the HRD Ministry said that a final de- lice and that too if needed it will be one-horned rhino population in the cision on the re-examination for held in July. In the interest of stu- world. Delhi-NCR and Haryana would be dents of 12th class, so that they Enumerators involved in the 40 elephants and 17 SUVs to work sightings this time as tall and thick taken in the next 15 days following will not be hampered in their future rhino census suggest a repeat of the out the total number of rhinos in the grasslands with high-moisture con- a detailed inquiry. career, their economic retest will census next year after proper eval- park. A total area of 882 sqkm, in- tent affected visibility. Kaushik The details of the re-test were spread across the country. In Delhi, hand in connection with the leak, happen on 25th April. So now no uation of the field conditions essen- cluding the Brahmaputra river zone Barua, wildlife conservationist from announced by the HRD Ministry students and Congress youth lead- while in the national capital, the confusion .All the best," he said. tial for counting. The rhino count which makes for the 6th addition to Assam who was also part of the amid continuing widespread out- ers held protests on the issue, ac- Delhi police wrote to Google for The opposition stepped up its at- was conducted in Kaziranga over Kaziranga, was divided into 74 census count, told News18 that rage over the paper leak issue, with cusing the CBSE of negligence and details of the e-mail address from tack on the government over the two days on March 26-27. The best compartments for the census count, grassland burning this season was the opposition blaming the govern- demanding immediate action where the CBSE chairperson was issue, with Congress president of experts in wildlife research and of which 36 blocks were covered not upto the desired level. ment for causing agony to the stu- against the guilty. sent an email on the Class 10 math- Rahul Gandhi taking a swipe at census-taking got together after the first day. Enumerators, who did “Due to untimely rains, the park dents and their parents. Meanwhile, six students were ematics paper being leaked. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, three years for the exercise. the actual physical counting, were authorities couldn't burn the grass in The outrage over the paper leaks detained in Chatra district of Jhark- The police also questioned 10 saying he would (Contd on pg-2) Park authorities used more than not completely satisfied with the most areas. (Contd on pg-2)

HT BRIEFS AKRSU stages Aminul joins BJP BJP will do what Cong ‘India seeks details from China rail blockade for GUWAHATI: Former cabinet minister of AGP government and after citizen goes missing’ ST, Kamatapur twice winning MLA Aminul couldn’t in 15 yrs: Bey BEIJING, March 30 (PTI): Fearing abduction of an ago to complain about threats by the businessmen and Islam, from Mancachar joined Indian national in central China's Zhejiang province, In- has been reported missing since. Indian officials fear he 10 local trains BJP on Friday in an organisa- dian authorities in Shanghai have sought details of his may have been abducted by the traders, who aggres- tional meeting held in Dakshin whereabouts from the Chinese government, diplomatic sively pursue foreign businessmen who owe them were cancelled due Salmara in presence of President sources said on Friday. The Indian Consulate in Shang- money. Family sources say Bana may have been picked of BJP Assam Pradesh Ranjit hai filed a "note verbale", a diplomatic communication, up by the traders because of a mistaken identity. to the blockade Kumar Dass. Aminul Islam is an with the local office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Hundreds of Indian traders visit Yiwu, the world's HT Correspondent All India United Democratic Tuesday, seeking details of Tabrez Akbarali Bana, a res- biggest commodity market, to purchase goods and sell KOKRAJHAR, March 30: Rail Front politician from Assam. He ident of Mumbai, the sources said. Bana has been re- them via retail outlets in India. Similar cases involving services have been disrupted for was elected in Assam Legislative ported missing from the Chinese commodity market trade disputes have been reported in the past in China. seven hours on Friday following a Assembly election in 2011 and Yiwu for the past a few days, amid concerns that he may Two Indian traders - Sunder Agrawal and Deepak Ra- 12-hour railway blockade at Kokra- 2016 from Dhing constituency. have been abducted by local businessmen over a trade heja - had to face cases for allegedly cheating Chinese jhar called by All Koch Rajbongshi On 6 February 2017, Islam was dispute. He visited the police station in Yiwu a few days suppliers in 2012. Students Union (AKRSU) in de- suspended for three days for live mand of Scheduled Tribe (ST) sta- telecasting his speech on Face- tus to the Koch Rajbongshi book in the Assembly. HT Correspondent LAPMS build with ` 20 lakh, un- community and reconstruction of HOWRAGHAT, March 30: veiled a commemoration stone of RE-ENACTMENT Kamatapur state within Indian con- Karbi Anglong Autonomous Coun- Belaguri Golden Jubilee stone, sur- stitution. Village headman cil (KAAC) chairman Horen Sing veyed a potential site for building Several trains have been can- BOKAJAN: Long Enghi (55) was Bey said the BJP will do what the sub-divisional headquarter for celled and detained at various sta- chosen the head man of Rintithe Congress has not done in 15 years Howraghat Sub-Division at Be- tions due to rail blockade at Rongmarjong village. The villagers of power in KAAC. laguri, inaugurated Kokrajhar which began from 5 am. chose Enghi and ordained him the He said this at a pub- Earlier the KAAC Karbi Cultural Soci- The trains that were cancelled are headman. Enghi is a teacher at lic meeting held at chairman Horen ety office build with Dhubri-Kamakhya passenger, Bon- Sarumanthi LP School in Bokajan. Sankar Temple Sing Bey has Rs. 35 lakhs at Sang- gaigaon-Alipur Duar passenger, A public meeting was held at the premises after a se- inaugurated a timili village, laid Demo Passenger, NJP-Lamding in- residence of Enghi where the vil- ries of inaugurating godown of Kangki foundation stone for tercity. Trivandrum express (12507) lagers expressed their decision. On development works Belaguri LAPMS and Dadar express (15645) are con- ` building Dhoujukha the occasion, seh karkli-ceremonial in Howraghat MAC build with 20 lakh, road stone and laid trolled at Fakiragram station of blood sacrifice was done at 3 pm constituency on unveiled a com- three foundation Kokrajhar district and Ka- for the blessings of the almighty. Thursday. memoration stone stones for building makhyaguri station of West Bengal Sarkari Goanbura Borsing Bey, “Karbi Anglong of Belaguri Golden 19 roads worth ` respectively. Khorsing Terang, Philip Teron, Hu- will take its place as Jubilee stone, sur- 2.95 crore in Thousands of agitators with ban- naram Singnar and villagers at- the most developed veyed a potential Howraghat town. ner, placards sat along the tracks tended the ceremony. district in the state of site for building The meeting was from 5am in the morning demand- Assam. We will sub-divisional head- attended by ing solution to the granting of ST Last date make Karbi Anglong quarter for Howraghat Town status and a separate Kamatapur GUWAHATI: The Finance De- corruption free. BJP Howraghat Sub- Mandal, BJP presi- state. “Due to the protest, we had to partment, Govt. of Assam, has by will do what the Division at dent Pranab Kr. Das, cancel 10 local trains during morn- an order fixed the last date for Congress has not Belaguri... general secretary ing hours. However, no long-dis- submission of Bills, GIA and done in its 15 years of power in Biswa Boro, Ananta Rajbongshi, tance trains were cancelled and they Cheques of Works Departments KAAC,” he said. local Member of Autonomous were only stopped at various sta- at 2-00 pm on Saturday against Earlier the KAAC chairman Council (MAC) and Executive tions in Assam and West Bengal," a FOC issued from Friday on- Horen Sing Bey has inaugurated a Member (EM) Khan Sing Rongpi, A devotee dressed as Jesus Christ re enacts The Crucifixion in Guwahati on Good Friday. HT photo NFR spokesperson said. The block- wards. godown of Kangki Belaguri EMs Jagat Sing (Contd on pg-2) ade was later (Contd on pg-2) Wild elephant kills one in Arunachal Himanta, his colleagues should HT Correspondent while he was dining along with his The wild pachyderms frequently Christians observe Good DHEMAJI, March 30: A wild family. Family head Durga tried to move to and fro in the area as there learn parl etiquette, says Cong tusker from Daying Ering Wildlife escape the attack, but the elephant is an elephant corridor linking Day- HT Bureau Konwar said the way the education sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh caught him and crushed to death at ing Ering Wildlife Sanctuary, Dibru GUWAHATI, March 30: A day minister and a section of junior Friday in Karbi Anglong killed a farmer besides damaging the courtyard. Saikhuwa National Park across the after the stormy debate on the floor members of the House behaved HT Bureau Likewise, at Rongchingdon Bap- many farmhouses at Upper Jampani The wild tusker also vandalised Brahmaputra River and Poba Re- of the Assam Assembly over the with former chief minister and sen- DIPHU, March 30: Good Fri- tist Church Good Friday service in East Siang district of Arunachal eight farm houses with three cattle serve Forest in Assam. downsizing of Assam Women’s ior Congress leader Tarun Gogoi in day was observed by the Chris- started from 2 pm and ended at on Thursday midnight. shed at the same location and dam- The forest officials here said that University (AWU), Assam Pradesh the House is against the demo- tians in Karbi Anglong district 3:30 pm. Pastor Harun Rongpi, Jampani, a rich cropping and an- aged many household properties. a herd of elephants came from Congress Committee (APCC) on cratic tradition and values of the commemorating the death of speaker Herolus Millik and oth- imal farming site near Assam- The elephant isolated from the ele- Dibru Saikhuwa National Park Thursday said the education min- House. Jesus Christ. In Diphu town, ers were present. Arunachal boundary is located at 25 phant herd is roaming at fringe area across the Brahmaputra River ister Himanta Biswa Sarma along “We have condemned the mis- Good Friday was observed at Earlier, from morning 6 am to km south from Pasighat, headquar- of the wildlife sanctuary creating through lower (Assam) portion of with other MLAs, who raised an behavior of education minister and various churches by arranging 2 pm fasting and prayer was ter of East Siang district. havoc in human habitations. Poba RF and enter into human habi- outcry in the House should learn his colleagues with a senior con- Good Friday service. Among taken up which was participated According to eye witnesses, a The tusker also killed a house- tation in search of food every year. parliamentary etiquette, while rais- gress leader, which is unfortunate,” them was the Catholic Church in by a large number of the Church lonely moving tusker suddenly wife along with a young boy last The wild pachyderms damage ing voice in the House. Konwar said in the statement. Diphu. members. In Diphu other broke wooden wall of farmhouse of year and damaged several dwelling standing crops every year and create In a press release here on Friday, “Actually speaking, the state On the occasion, a procession churches also observed Good one Durga Bahadur Chetry (55), houses at the same location. havoc in the (Contd on pg-2) APCC spokesperson Rhituporna government (Contd on pg-2) was taken out by the Catholic Friday. Christians here from Rongjang- Our correspondent at Bokajan phong via Valley View and cul- adds: Lakhijan Baptist Church minated at the Cathedral of the also observed the day by holding Risen Lord. The cross was car- Good Friday service. Deacon Arunachal govt scholarships uploaded on NSP ried by Fr. John Timung and the Anand Terang was the chairper- faithfuls along the way. Ser- son of the service. longbi, who participated in the Pastor Aaron Teron gave his The portal is first of its kind in the country customised exclusively for Arunachal Good Friday service, said the Good Friday message on the im- HT Correspondent Major benefit of the NSP organisations to adopt IT for transparency, ac- church was packed as large num- portance of observing Good Fri- ITANAGAR, March 30: There is a good exercise has been de-du- countability and efficiency. ber of faithfuls participated. day. news for hundreds of students of Arunachal plication and elimination He appreciated the achievements of IT de- Pradesh studying outside as Arunachal of multiple scholarships partment in processing more than 45000 ap- Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Fri- by an individual saving plications and disbursing an amount of Rs day launched a National Scholarship Portal Govt.’s fund to the tune of 16.13 crore under the Directorate of Higher (NSP) integrating all scholarship schemes of ` 3 Crores of 1500 applica- and Technical Education (DHTE) and Rs 26 the state government. crore under SJETA department through NSP. tion forms, the Chief Min- The portal is first of its kind in the country Chief Secretary Satya Gopal applauded the ister said and requested customizing exclusively for Arunachal. hard work put in by all the stakeholders to all the departments and The chief minister congratulated the IT de- achieve the milestone on time with the limited government organisations partment for the initiative, which will benefit manpower and for aligning with the vision of to adopt IT for trans- thousands of Arunachali students studying all Digital Arunachal. parency, accountability over India by e-enabling the scholarship Special Secretary, IT, Prince Dhawan pre- and efficiency process. sented the brief on the NSP to all and ex- “It is another step forward of the IT depart- state government have been on-boarded onto scholarships by an individual saving Govt.’s plained the process, features and benefits of ment towards achieving excellence in digital the NSP and been made accessible to all. fund to the tune of Rs. 3 Crores of 1500 ap- the NSP. He also requested the government to governance,” Khandu said. Major benefit of the NSP exercise has been plication forms, the Chief Minister said and mandate the on-boarding of all/future schol- All the scholarship/stipend schemes of the de-duplication and elimination of multiple requested all the departments and government arship schemes onto NSP (Contd on pg-2) page 2, MAR-31_Normal Pages 3/30/2018 10:26 PM Page 1

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2 THE HILLS TIMES BUSINESS SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2018 Till earlier this week, 11 lakh entities had registered on e-way bill portal India gets first US Determined to improve ease of LNG shipment NdEWo DEiLnHI,g Ma rbch 3u0 (PsTI)i: ness in Keranleacess:ar y Vdelaiyj ain ygettaing nap - at Dabhol Aiming to improve the ease of doing provals," he said in an exclusive in - E-way bill mandatory for inter-state business in Kerala, chief minister terview to PTI in New Delhi. NEW DELHI, March 30 (PTI): India today received its first LNG Pinarayi Vijayan has said the long- "If a decision has not been taken cargo from the US under a long- standing perception that the state on an application within the time- term supply deal when a ship car - was not very investor-friendly was frame allotted for it, the application movement of goods from Sunday rying super-cooled natural gas slowly changing with a slew of will be considered as approved," he Touted as an anti-eva - arrived at Dabhol in Maharashtra. measures being undertaken by the said. Vijayan said his government sion measure that would A charter ship, MV Meridian Spirit Left government. had held discussions with major help boost tax collec - arrived at Dabhol after 25 days Vijayan, 74, who completes two companies such as Nissan, Intel and tions by clamping down voyage from Louisiana, state- years in office on May 25, said the Tech Mahindra for investments in on trade that currently owned gas utility GAIL India Lt - Kerala government is making ef - though the state lacked sufficient the state, days after the first-ever dBSE 2.37 % said in a press forts for eliminating the unnecessary land for attracting investments and Global Digital Summit in Kerala, happens on cash basis, delay in granting approvals for var - setting up infrastructure, the govern - #FUTURE conclave that was held the e-way bill provision statement. GAIL India has con - tracted 3.5 million tonnes per ious investment proposals. ment is trying to provide an appro - in Kochi. Nissan, a Japanese auto - of the goods and serv - annum of liquefied natural gas Seeking to rebrand "God's own priate working environment for motive major, is mulling setting up ices tax (GST) was first (LNG) from US energy firm Che - Country" as a preferred investment various companies in the state. "As a digital hub in Kerala. Acknowl - introduced on Feb 1 niere Energy's Sabine Pass lique - destination, the CPI-M strongman part of Ease of Doing Business, we edging that there was always a per - said the top priority was to create an ception of Kerala not being NEW DELHI, March 30 (PTI): faction facility in Louisiana. The are rectifying certain complaints enabling ecosystem to provide 'business-friendly" which made in - Businesses and transporters moving first cargo from the project arrived which came up. We want to create timely clearances in an effective and vestors wary of making huge invest - goods worth over ` 50,000 from one at Dabhol, the cite of India's an investment friendly environment transparent manner and to ensure ments in the state, Vijayan said this state to another will have to carry an biggest gas-fired power plant. It in the state. that it is maintained. He said even was "slowly changing". electronic or e-way bill from April cility on its portal where e-way bill veloped by National Informatics has also contracted long-term vol - We are trying to eliminate the un - 1. Touted as an anti-evasion meas - can be generated when goods are Centre (NIC). "The NIC has as - umes for another 2.3 million tonnes ure that would help boost tax collec - transported from one state to an - sured us that the system should at Dominion Energy's Cove Point Contd. from Page 1...... tions by clamping down on trade other by either road, railways, air - work fine on April 1. NIC has con - liquefaction plant. "GAIL is one of that currently happens on cash basis, ways or vessels. "We will block ducted extensive tests so that it the early movers to contract US the e-way bill provision of the goods any attempt to generate e-way bill doesn't develop snag at the last mo - LNG and has 5.8 million tonnes and services tax (GST) was first in - for intra-state movement of goods," ment," an official said. per annum of US LNG in its port - folio. GAIL shall be receiving Rhino population in Kaziranga troduced on February 1. an official said. The GST Council, He said that GST Network had Almost 70 percent of the grassland remained intact. This obstructed line of sight for the enumerators and made However, its implementation earlier this month, decided on a advised all transporters and busi - around 90 cargoes per annum from Sabine Pass and Cove Point LNG it difficult for them to locate rhinos. We experienced it mainly in Agoratoli Range,” said Barua. was put on hold after the system de - staggered rollout of the e-way bill nesses to enrol on the portal for trial Besides low visibility, the exact number of rhinos could not be worked out because of several other reasons. veloped glitches in generating per - starting with inter-state from April 1 on how to generate e-way bills. terminals," the statement said. The LNG, he said, is indexed to US “In many areas heavy machinery was being engaged to construct highlands. This had disturbed the usual distri - mits. With several states also and intra-state from April 15. Till earlier this week, 11 lakh en - bution of rhinos in that area. On the second day, the sun came out around 10.30-11.00 am. It was a while before starting to generate intra-state e-way The platform has been made tities had registered on e-way bill Henry Hub gas index as well as crude oil. "GAIL will have an op - the rhinos came out of cover to wallow. Enumerators who had visited water bodies in search of rhinos before the bills on the portal, the system devel - more robust and as many as 75 lakh portal. This compares to 1.05 crore sun had come out are bound to have seen low numbers or no rhinos at all,” remarked Barua. oped a snag. inter-state e-way bills could be gen - registered businesses under the GST timum portfolio mix of LNG in - dexed to Henry Hub and crude oil The results and feedback by enumerators is fed to the technical committee constituted under the Principal Chief To ensure a fool proof system, erated daily without any glitch. The and about 70 lakh filing monthly re - Conservator of Forests (PCCF), and all factors are examined once the compilation is over. the GSTN has activated only that fa - system has been designed and de - turns. and the customers will benefit from such a unique price blend," it said. NK Vasu, the state principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) told News 18 that on technical committee The arrival of 'Meridian Spirit' at recommendation, the census-count will be repeated next year as all compartments could not be covered this time. Dabhol marks beginning of LNG “A good number of private elephants and their mahouts whose services were requisitioned for the census were Tesla recalls supplies under the Henry Hub-in - not well acquainted with the dense grasslands in which they were operating. This made it difficult for the enumer - UIDAI restores Airtel’s dexed contracts, it said. The vessel ators to cover the entire area of certain compartments,” observed Kaushik Barua. The rhino population in Assam arrived close on the heels of Dab - saw a boom of 2,048 rhinos in 2009, an unimaginable increase of 193 rhinos in three years’ time. From 1,855 123,000 Model hol power plant and the adjoining rhinos in 2006, the population had been briskly swelling up. An exponential rise in rhino poaching was observed authorisation for LNG receipt terminal being split between 2001 and 2016, with poachers killing 239 rhinos. Three rhinos were killed by poachers in Kaziranga in into two separate companies. the first three months of this year, while six were poached last year. A total of 342 rhinos have died between March S sedans 2015 and March 2018. Considering this, the current population figure in Kaziranga seems to hold good. There are 793 breeding females of the 2,413 rhinos in Kaziranga counted this year. In 1905, Laokhowa in the south bank of Aadhaar-based eKYC Brahmaputra, Manas, and Kaziranga were declared as the rhino bearing areas in Assam. Over a period of more NEW DELHI, March 30 (PTI): India’s forex reserves rise by than 100 years, the population of rhinos in Kaziranga has grown phenomenally. Experts, however, are of the The UIDAI has restored Bharti opinion that the park is way beyond the carrying capacity for rhinos. An IUCN population module had recently Airtel’s authorisation to conduct USD 1.19 bn to USD 422.53 stated that the rhino population in Kaziranga had reached its saturation, which would slow down the growth rate Aadhaar-based verification of its unless new areas are added or at least 50 rhinos are harvested every year. “A number of river islands with a lot of mobile subscribers subject to rid - bn as on Mar 23: RBI good grass have already been added to the park area. A large number of cattle had moved out of those areas leaving ers, sources said. The Unique MUMBAI, March 30 (AGEN - the place suitable for rhinos,” said NK Vasu. The Indian Rhino Vision 2020, an ambitious plan launched in 2005 Identification Authority of India CIES): India's foreign exchange to attain a wild population of at least 3,000 greater one-horned rhinos in Assam by the year 2020, has yielded good has not lifted the ongoing suspen - (Forex) reserves increased by results. International Rhino Foundation (IRF) has partnered with the Assam Forest Department, the Bodoland sion on Airtel Payments Bank’s USD 1.19 billion as on March 23, Territorial Council, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to address the eKYC licence, sources privy to the official data showed on threats facing Indian rhinos. The rhino translocation began in April 2008. So far, rhinos have been moved from SAN FRANCISCO, March 30 development told PTI in New Friday.According to the Reserve Kaziranga National Park and Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary to other protected areas where they can breed. (AGENCIES): Tesla’s che - Delhi. Bank of India's (RBI) weekly sta - quered reputation for quality took The company will have to sub - Both telco Airtel and Airtel tistical supplement, the overall another dent on Thursday as the mit quarterly reports on compli - Payments bank came under Forex reserves rose to USD US electric carmaker embarked ance with Aadhaar Act and adhere fire late last year after the 422.53 billion from USD 421.33 CBSE re-exam: Class 12 eco on Apr on its largest-ever vehicle recall to direction issued by the UIDAI billion reported for the week now write a sequel to his book "Exam Warriors" to "teach students and parents stress relief, once their lives over a potential steering fault. Sunil Mittal-led firm allegedly are destroyed due to leaked exam papers". The Congress has already demanded the sacking of Javadekar, who time to time, they said. The deci - opened payments bank ac - ended March 16. The company has issued a recall sion was taken after the Aadhaar- India's Forex reserves comprise today turned to students for finding a solution to the "challenge" of tackling paper leaks. notice to owners of all the Model issuing body noted that the counts of its mobile sub - of foreign currency assets (FCAs), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray too attacked the government and asked students S sedans it made before April company had complied with “crit - scribers without seeking their gold reserves, special drawing and parents to boycott re-examinations for the CBSE exam papers that got leaked. 2016, or some 123,000 cars. It ical issues” and had offered regu - “informed consent”, and LPG rights (SDRs) and the RBI's posi - Education Secretary Anil Swarup, while answering a barrage of questions from reporters on the leaks issue, said the recall was voluntary, lar status updates to the authority. subsidyworth crores was tion with the International Mone - said a preliminary enquiry has revealed that the leak of the Class 10 mathematics paper was restricted only to meaning that it had not been or - Both telco Airtel and Airtel Pay - deposited into these accounts tary Fund (IMF). Segment-wise, Delhi and Haryana. He asserted that there has been no leak outside India, and therefore no re-examination will dered by a regulator, and that it ments bank came under fire late FCAs - the largest component of be held abroad. The question papers are different for students appearing for the CBSE examinations outside was “proactively pursuing this last year after the Sunil Mittal-led of its mobile customers for a fixed the Forex reserves - increased by India. Swarup said the class 12 examinations are very important in the context of the future of the student and upgrade out of an abundance of firm allegedly opened payments USD 1.13 billion to USD 397.29 the date for the economics re-examination has been fixed for April 25 . "As far as class 10 examination is con - caution”. It also said it had “not period, with conditions attached. bank accounts of its mobile sub - billion during the week under re - cerned, the preliminary enquiry (shows) that the leak was restricted to Delhi and Haryana and further details received any reports of accidents With this latest move, the UIDAI scribers without seeking their “in - view. Besides the US dollar, are being found out. Hence, a decision has been taken that if at all a re-examination has to happen, it will happen or injuries relating to the issue”. has conditionally restored the formed consent”, and LPG FCAs consist of nearly 20-30 per only in Delhi-NCR and Haryana. "A decision to this effect, will be taken in next 15 days when more details be - In an email to Model S owners, eKYC licence of Bharti Airtel. subsidyworth crores was de - The development comes at a cent of major global currencies. It come available and if at all this examination (Class 10 mathematics) has to be held consequently to the detailed Tesla said it had become aware of also includes investments in US inquiry, it shall be held in month of July, so their schedules are not upset," he said. Meanwhile, Delhi Deputy “excessive corrosion in the power posited into these accounts. time when the deadline for linking Treasury bonds, bonds of other se - Chief Minister Manish Sisodia shot off a letter to Javadekar, asking him to convene a meeting of all state edu - steering bolts, though only in In a strong action in December, bank accounts and mobile num - lected governments and deposits cation ministers to discuss ways to stop recurrence of such serious incidents. The CPI(M) also expressed concern very cold climates”. That could the government and the UIDAI bers with Aadhaar has already with foreign central and commer - over the CBSE leak and said the entire institutional mechanism in the country dealing with education was under lead the power steering to fail, it temporarily barred the company been extended indefinitely, till the cial banks. In addition, the coun - threat.Protests continued in Delhi as some students gathered on Parliament Street in the heart of the city, while said, requiring drivers to use from conducting Aadhaar-based five-judge constitution bench de - try's gold reserves value rose by members of the Congress' National Students Union of India (NSUI) marched towards Javadekar's residence more force to turn the wheel, SIM verification of mobile cus - livers its judgement on petitions tomers and e-KYC of payments challenging the validity of the bio - USD 52.7 million to USD 21.61 but were stopped. Student groups and the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) also demonstrated though this would mainly be no - outside the CBSE headquarters in east Delhi's Preet Vihar, raising various demands, including an independent ticeable at low speeds or while bank clients. It later allowed Airtel metric scheme and its enabling billion. Similarly, the SDRs value to use Aadhaar for re-verification law. increased. investigation. A delegation of the RSS-backed ABVP also met the Union minister raising similar demands, in - parking. cluding necessary procedural changes to ensure "leak-proof" exams. A Tesla spokesperson con - Earlier in the day, scores of students also demonstrated outside the CBSE headquarters, asking for an early firmed that the fault was the result resolution to their problems. The Delhi Police had registered separate cases on March 27 and March 28, re - of a design issue in a power steer - spectively, to probe the leak of the Class 12 economics paper and Class 10 mathematics paper, following a ing component provided to the Vedanta hit by up to USD 600 mn complaint by the regional director of the CBSE. The police since yesterday have questioned 35 people, in - company by a supplier. The recall cluding a coaching centre's owner, 18 students and some tutors, in connection with the case, an official privy comes in the same week that to the investigations said. Tesla was thrown on to the defen - charge for Goa iron ore unit closure sive by the announcement of a NEW DELHI, March 30 (AGEN - tonnes a year. The Supreme Court National Transportation Safety CIES): London-listed Vedanta Re - later limited production in the state to Board investigation into a fatal sources said on Thursday it would 20 million tonnes a year. accident involving one of its likely record an impairment charge of The latest ban would affect not only BJP will do what Cong couldn ’t Model X SUVs. up to USD 600 million following the Vedanta but also several small un - Engti and Amar Sing Tisso and MACs Pawan Kumar, Longki Timung, Lunsing Teron, Prabhat Ch. Taro, Tesla has not said whether the closure of its iron ore business in Goa. listed companies run by local families. Ramsing Timung, Pabitra Rongpi, Mangal Sing Timung and Dorsing Ronghang and VDC chairman Jisu vehicle was under the control of In February, the Supreme Court Vedanta Ltd is expected to produce Kemprai. its Autopilot software at the time quashed all iron ore mining permits around 5.5 million tonnes of Goa ore of the crash, but has been quick to and mining was ordered stopped from in the fiscal year ending March 31. defend the autonomous driving March 16 in Goa, one of the country’s India’s ore production was 192 mil - technology. Cars with Autopilot top producing states for the material lion tonnes last fiscal year. AKRSU stages rail blockade turned on have passed the same used in steel. The parent company said its Goa lifted at 12.15 pm considering the plight of the passengers stranded in the stations. section of highway in the San Billionaire Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta lion gross of taxes, on this account. ore business would not have “any ma - The AKRSU leaders slammed the government for not initiating measures to solve the demand and issues of the Francisco bay area 85,000 times Resources, the state’s biggest ore Court action against illegal mining terial impact” on the profitability of Koch Rajbonhshi communities in the state. without incident since the tech - miner, said there could be a likely im - shut the Goa industry for more than the group. Shares of Vedanta Re - nology was launched in 2015, it pairment of USD 500-600 million net two years from 2012, prior to which sources were up 1.7 per cent at 1524 said earlier this week. of taxes, or USD 700-USD 800 mil - Goa had exported about 50 million GMT. Himanta, his colleagues should learn was compelled to change its attitude towards the Assam Women’s University due to large scale protests by student’s organisations of the state. We welcomed the stand taken by Assembly Speaker in this regard,” Konwar also said. Private entry into coal mining an opportunity: CIL “However, the statement of the education minister on the floor of the house is not acceptable to us. Instead KOLKATA, March 30 (PTI): The various labour of giving a statement with reliable information, the minister was seen attacking the former chief minister owing Coal India Limited (CIL), the single unions opposed the to his personal ground. The education minister along with his colleagues should learn parliamentary etiquette largest producer in the world enjoy - while functioning in the house,” he added. ing a monopolistic status, on Friday government decision said the recent government an - saying the move would nouncement of opening up of the gradually ruin Coal coal mining sector to private play - India as private players Arunachal govt scholarships uploaded ers was an opportunity and not a would not do mining for the benefit of APST students. threat. ethically At present three schemes of government of Arunachal Pradesh are covered under NSP - stipend of DHTE, Um - This was not the first time that brella scheme for education of pre-metric scholarship for ST children of SJETA and Umbrella Scheme for Educa - the coal sector was being thrown Coal India as private players would tion of Post-Metric Scholarship for ST Children of SJETA. open to the private sector, as 200 not do mining ethically. Also present were PHED & Water Supply Minister Bamang Felix, Parliamentary secretary UD Techi Kaso, captive blocks were offered earlier In the first quarter of next fiscal, chief secretary Satya Gopal and other government officers and students. to them but the exercise had been a the CIL had estimated a despatch failure, the PSU said. "We see the the cheapest coal in the world if the private players which could be plan of 155.36 million tonnes in the opening up of the coal mining sec - prices of ex-mine (for the PSU) and only attained by increasing produc - first quarter, a growth of 22.13 per tor as a challenge and an opportu - ex-port (for imports) were com - tivity and efficiency which would cent. Coal production in 2017-18 Wild elephant kills one in Arunachal nity for CIL which had been always pared. "The prices are 42 per cent lead to falling cost of production, he would be 567.02 million tonnes, fringe villages of Poba RF at Assam-Arunachal border area. sneered at for being a monopoly. It to 64 per cent lower for various said. Also there was ample scope while offtake was 580.5 million “The man-elephant conflict is ever increasing due to gradual destruction of elephant habitat and food crisis in is not a threat for CIL", its CMD grades of coal for CIL," Singh said. for controlling expenditure, he said. tonnes, the excess met from inven - the natural forests”, said forest officials. Gopal Singh said in Kolkata on Fri - To retain its market leadership The various labour unions op - tory. Singh said the CIL's effort Meanwhile, team of Arunachal Police and foresters have visited the incident spot and taken stock of the de - day. status, the priority of the CIL would posed the government decision say - would be not to maintain high in - struction caused by the wild elephants. The body of deceased Durga Bd Chetry has been sent to Pasighat hospital He said the CIL had been selling be to sell coal at a lower price than ing the move would gradually ruin ventory which had an implied cost. for post mortem. Page 3 March-31_Normal Pages 3/30/2018 10:14 PM Page 1

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2018 REGION THE HILLS TIMES 3

HT Correspondent for all mankind. Jesus Christ. Christians in Meghalaya ing of bills at the fag end of the 2017-18 DHIMAPyUR/SmHILLONnG/IMsPHAL,/ AI prayers mark GoodIn hiFs Gorod Firidady mesasage pyosted onoobbserveds the deay witrh fasvts anda daylotng ifoinancinal year . in NE ZAWL, March 30: Good Friday was social media on Friday, the former chief prayer services in churches. A new modified order was issued yes - observed with prayers and hymns across minister said, “Our Lord Jesus Christ Thousands of people congregated in terday by the Joint Secretary of General the Christian dominated Northeastern died on the cross for our sins so that we different churches and offered prayers. Administrative Department on Thursday states on Friday. The day marks the cru - can be saved. Let us all worship and ho - Special mass prayers were also held at evening to state that "Good Friday will cifixion of Jesus Christ on Calvary Hill nour Him with good deeds and being the Laitumukhrah Cathedral. Most be full working day for financial institu - in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago. good Christians. Let us seek forgiveness Shops remained closed while streets tions and banks" linked to state treasur - Special sermons on salvation and from God and also from our fellow men were mostly empty. Other church de - ies. prayers for repentance were held in and at the same time forgive others who nominations like the Presbyterian Senior Congress leader and former churches across the states. might have wronged us.” Church and the Baptist Church held their deputy chief minister Gaikhangam Christians in Nagaland observed He wished that this Good Friday bring own services. Gangmei told reporters this morning that Good Friday under the theme ‘Christ- about better change in our Naga society The Manipur government has rolled Good Friday is universally accepted as a the atoning sacrifice’ with hundreds of in particular and the world in general. back its order to make Good Friday a full holiday and to change it is a "breach of believers attending services in their re - “Let us pray for each other and strive working day for all government offices, the secular feature of the Constitution". spective churches in the state. to live according to His will so that we following protests by various civil bod - In Mizoram, special services were Parishioners from St. Francis-de-Sales can earn His mercy and forgiveness,” ies in the state, which has significant held in the local churches with the (SFS) Parish, Kohima held a procession “Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Leader of Opposition in Nagaland Zeliang added. Christian population. Catholic Church organising a mass last in the morning, remembering the hours On the occasion of Good Friday let us House TR Zeliang appealed to learn to A day of mourning and silent prayer Earlier, the government had said Good night. when Jesus hung on the cross. For spread love and forgiveness. Have a live our lives in the best way that our marked Good Friday observation in Friday would be a working day for all Members of the Catholic Church took Catholics, Good Friday is also a day of Blessed #GoodFriday,” Nagaland chief Almighty God wants of us while reflect - Meghalaya, commemorating the suffer - government offices and financial institu - out a procession in Aizawl and other fast and abstinence. minister Neiphiu Rio tweeted. ing and remembering the love of Christ ing, penance and the final crucifixion of tions to avoid anticipated rush for pass - places of the state. Tripura to set up crime Manipur CM’s Krishna quip Two drug smugglers wing of state police attempt to distort history: Cong IMPHAL, March 30 (PTI): The apprehended AGARTALA, March 30 (PTI): The Tripura government has decided to set HT Bureau up a ‘well-equipped’ crime branch under the state police to deal with unlawful Congress in Manipur on Friday took exception to chief minister N Biren GUWAHATI, March 30: Troops of activities such as drug and narcotics peddling. Guwahati Frontier Border Security The new wing will be modeled after Delhi Police’s crime branch, Law Singh's recent comment on "the state's integration with India" and al - Force apprehended two drug smug - Minister Ratan Lal Nath told reporters here on Friday. “The state cabinet has glers from the Indo-Bangladesh Bor - cleared a proposal to form a well-equipped police wing to arrest crime in the leged that it was an "attempt to dis - tort history". During his recent visit der of Mankachar, South Salmara, state and restore the rule of land, as was promised in the BJP's election man - Assam. Based on specific informa - ifesto,” he said. Anybody found having links with drug peddlers or mafia to the Madhavpura Fair in Gujarat, the chief minister had said the north- tion of BSF Intelligence branch, gangs will be punished, Nath said. “We will seek expert opinion from Delhi troops 06 BN BSF and Mankachar and Mumbai to build the unit,” he said. east had been a part of India since the Dwapar Yug and "Manipur was Police, (Assam) launched an opera - The two-hour-long cabinet meeting yesterday also sought a crackdown on tion in Mankachar area and arrested illegal constructions across Tripura. The ruling dispensation has sought a re - made a part of India by Lord Krishna in the mythical times". Singh had two drug smugglers namely, Samsul port on government land allotment to political party offices in the state, Nath Alam (30) S/o Abdul Laziz and Noor said. “All district magistrates and superintendents of police have been asked also invoked the mythological tale of the rise especially among the youths. Lord's Krishna's marriage and said, Ibobi Singh, said the chief minister mittee president TN Haokip alleged Mohd (48) S/o, Late Nasar Ahmed The apprehended smugglers were to submit details within 15 days for necessary action,” he explained, adding both R/o Sonapara PS Mankachar that a separate report on land allotment to different NGOs or institutions dur - "By marrying Rukmini, Krishna had should apologise for his "irresponsi - that Singh's comment was an attempt further handed over to Mankachar bound the north-east with India." ble claims" in Gujarat. "to promote the Hindutva ideology" Dist South Salamara Assam along police for legal action. ing the Left rule will be sought for examination. with 4,566 Yaba tablets. These drug The cabinet also agreed to extend the tenure of teachers engaged under the "The north-eastern states were ig - At a press conference at the Con - in a secular India. "Biren has become Besides, BSF troops of Guwahati nored politically and socially in the gress Bhavan here, Ibobi said the a historian overnight and has failed smugglers were active for last two Frontier have also seized 273 cattle Sarva Siksha Abhiyan after March 31, when their current engagement is years in the Mankachar, Distt- S/ slated to end. “We shall retain them in service till the Centre agrees to provide past, despite being part of a united Congress did not want to gain "po - to take into account the feelings of heads having on approximate value Salamara, Assam and its adjoining ` funds,” Nath added. India," the chief minister had said at litical mileage" from the issue and the masses," he said. Senior Con - of . 29,73,229 /-, 70.6 Kg Ganja & the event, where a number of BJP that it just wanted to clarify the facts. gress leader and former Dy CM areas. 1833 bottles Phensidyl value of ` leaders, including Union ministers "The state was politically merged Gaikhangam Gangmei said the state - This drug is prohibited under the 2,33,710/- during this months while Kiren Rijiju and Mahesh Sharma, with India in 1949 and Biren should ment was against "the spirit of secu - Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic being smuggled into Bangladesh. Arunachal Cong extends talked about the mythological refer - clarify and apologize for his irre - larism enshrined in the country's Substances Act, 1985. According to BSF troops always remain vigi - ences on Rukmini hailing from the sponsible claims, which go against constitution". A senior BJP leader re - sources, these tablets are primarily lant towards the issues of trans-bor - north-east. Taking a serious note of the interest of the public, historians fused to comment on the matter and being manufactured in Myanmar and der crimes and illegal infiltration and Singh's statement, opposition lead - and intellectual circles," he said. said his party would come up with a then sold in India and Bangladesh as making all endeavors to contain such solidarity with CBSE students the demand for Yaba tablets are on trans-border crimes. ITANAGAR, March 30 (PTI): The ment by the NDA government.” The ers, led by former chief minister O Manipur Pradesh Congress Com - reply later in the evening. Arunachal Pradesh Congress on Fri - APCC went on to add saying “BJP is day extended solidarity with the af - not only damaging the school educa - GOVT. OF ASSAM fected CBSE students who have to tion system but also politically shel - Itanagar people in Naga political group members OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL reappear for class 12th Economics tering criminals in the highest DISTRICT INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION AND and 10th Mathematics examination educational institution like JNU.” darkness for 24 hours warned against defection TRAINING KARBI ANGLONG, DIPHU: 782460 following papers leak and blamed Claiming that Modi-led BJP gov - HT Correspondent Email ID:[email protected] the BJP-led Central government for ernment has failed to work effec - ITANAGAR, March 30 (PTI): Deputy Commissioner Prince People of Itanagar and its adjoining Dhawan said. The cyclone blew DIMAPUR, March 30: At a time when it is poor administration and manage - tively in the field of education, it areas have been in darkness for away CGI (corrugated galvanised holding talks with the Centre to find a solution No. DIET/KAAC/Diphu/66/2016/1474 Dated Diphu the ment. said: “With the gigantic political in - around 24 hours, after power supply iron) sheets from several houses, he to the decades-old Naga problem, the Working 29/03/ 2018 The APCC demanded for initiat - terference, BJP has distorted the was snapped during a cyclone ac - said adding that trees were uprooted Committee (WC) of six Naga national political ing an investigation into the CBSE value and essence of Indian educa - companied by rain, a senior official blocking roads in and around the groups (NNPGs) took serious note of defection ADVERTISEMENT examination papers leak issue. Ex - tion system which once was praise - said on Friday. The power supply state capital and damaging a few of members of various Naga groups. It warned pressing its unhappiness on “how worthy.” “Increasing taxes on higher was disconnected at around 6 pm on cars, the DC said. No casualty has that civil and military authorities of respective It is general information to all the interested youth of Karbi BJP is not only looting the country education when a large number of Thursday due to uprooting of electric been reported. As the monsoon sea - political groups would be empowered to iden - Anglong District that the 2(Two) Year B.Ed Course is going to but also tampering with the future of children are outside school, increase poles and damage to electric cables son is approaching, Dhawan warned tify and deal with “unprincipled” members be - start at DIET, Karbi Anglong, Diphu for the session 2018-2020. the students who are torch bearers of in dropout rate and poor perform - by fallen trees. It was restored the people to refrain from illegal fore they disturb, destabilise and destroy the The Candidate those who are seeking for admission have to the country”, the APCC said in a ance of teachers and students lead to shortly after 4 pm on Friday. Several earth-cutting and urged those living unity and integrity of Naga political groups and be appeared for Entrance Examination which is fixed on 22nd press statement here “There is rot in increase in suicidal attempt of stu - public and private properties were near rivers and landslide prone areas derail the ongoing political dialogue with the April, 2018 by the concern Assam University, Silchar. The Ex - education system due to mismanage - dents,” the party alleged. also damaged by the storm, Capital to move to safer places. Government of India. amination form will be provided from DIET, Karbi The committee also asked the defectors Anglong,Diphu as per guidance of concerned Affiliated Body. within the six NNPGs to rejoin the parent or - For details Information regarding the examination and Admis - Mizoram govt to sign LAW & ORDER MEETING ganisations at the earliest. sion in the Course the candidate may collect from the Office of Holding an emergency meeting in Delhi to DIET, Karbi Anglong, Diphu. peace accord with Hmar discuss the issue on Friday, the working com - The last date of issue and receive of application form is 03.00 mittee appealed to these “restless and unsettled” PM of 10th April, 2018. militant on April 2 national workers to recommit and rededicate Any Information may contact Mobile No. +917002782526. AIZAWL, March 30 (Newmai): themselves to whichever Naga political groups The Government of Mizoram and they were affiliated and owe allegiance to, ac - the Hmar People’s Convention cording to a release issued by working commit - Sd/- (Democratic) will sign a peace ac - tee convener N Kitovi Zhimom, and four Principal cord on April 2, chief minister Lal co-convener, Wangtin Naga, Zhopra Vero, Ki - DIET, Karbi Anglong, Diphu. Thanhawla told the state assembly umukum and Z Hozheto Chophy. The six on Thursday. The HPC-D which NNPGs comprising GPRN/NSCN, FGN, NNC has been pressing for an au - (Parent Body), NPGN/NNC (NA), NSCN (R) SPECIAL TRAIN BETWEEN KAMAKHYA & KOCHUVELI tonomous district council in Mizo - and NNC/GDRN (NA) came together by form - A Special Train No. 06335/06336 will run between ram decided to end over two ing an interim platform christened ‘Working Kamakhya and Kochuveli via. Perambur, to clear extra decades of hostilities with the gov - Group” on December 13, 2016 and agreed to ernment by agreeing to settle for a work together in the interest of the Naga people rush during summer, 2018 as per details given below : as a whole. The NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) are watered-down version of local Train No. 06335 Train No. not part of the group. 06336 self-governance in the form of Sin - From Kamakhya on The NSCN (IM) and NNPGs are holding From Kochuveli on lung Hills Council. The chief min - 11-04-18, 18-04-18, 25-04-18, separate talks with the Government of India to 08-04-18, 15-04-18, 22-04-18, ister said that the rebels had earlier hammer out a solution to the Indo-Naga politi - 02-05-18, 09-05-18, 16-05- 29-04-18, 06-05-18, 13-05-18, laid down some arms at Sesawng. cal problem. The NSCN (IM) had signed 18, 23-05-18 & 30-05-18 20-05-18 & 27-05-18 “However, in that event, not a sin - “framework agreement” with the Centre on Au - (Wednesday) = 08 Trips (Sunday) = 08 Trips gle sophisticated weapons were in - gust 3, 2015. Both the Centre and NSCN (IM) s y e ARR. DEP. STATIONS ARR. DEP. a cluded. Some were as rudimentary n d y d claim they are inching towards a final solution e a s d as pipe guns. This time both sides W --- 23.05 Kamakhya 08.10 --- e to the Naga issue. The working committee of n d seriously worked for peace and 00.45 00.47 Goalpara Town 05.20 05.22 e NNPGs said it signed joint declarations on May y W everything has been worked out. a 13, 2017, September 19, 2017, October 6, 2017 d 08.25 08.40 New Jalpaiguri 23.55 00.10 s We'll sign a peace accord next week y and reaffirmed the same in January this year up - r u 12.45 12.58 Malda Town 20.00 20.15 a on Easter Monday,” he said. Mizo - h d holding the principal of reconciliation and unity s Kuladhar Saikia, Special DGP Law and Order addressing a meeting with Citizens and Media regarding the increasing Rape, T ram government will be represented 19.40 19.50 Asansol 13.00 13.10 e in letter and spirit so as not to entertain any de - u Murder, Law and Order situation at Kanaklal Barua auditorium in Guwahati on Friday. HT photo T by the chief secretary, he added. 05.30 05.40 Bhubaneswar 03.20 03.25 fection among the NNPGs. y a d 13.20 13.40 Vishakapatnam i 20.35 20.55 r y F 19.50 20.05 Vijayawada 14.15 14.35 a LNC-M, RNC-M hold d n 04.20 04.30 Perambur 06.40 06.45 o M joint meeting in Imphal y 06.50 06.55 Katpadi 05.02 05.04 Appoint local IAS cadre as next a d IMPHAL, March 30 (Newmai): Following r 11.00 11.20 Erode 01.05 01.10 y u a t d the ‘decision’ taken by the Tatar Hoho (Parlia - a 17.45 17.50 Ernakulam Town 18.20 18.25 n S ment of the NSCN-IM) ‘rectifying’ the names u CS: ATSUM tells Manipur govt 22.30 --- Kochuveli S of the tribes of Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei --- 14.00 IMPHAL, March 30 (Newmai): tired Chief Secretaries of the State”. Hmar said that “we do not question in the ‘list of the Naga tribes,’ a joint meeting Other Commercial Stoppages : New Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, The All Tribal Student Union, Ma - Instead of appointing such IAS or doubt the caliber, intellectual and of the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC- nipur (ATSUM) appealed the gov - cadres as the chief secretary, the personalities of non-local officers, New Alipurduar, New Coochbehar, Kishanganj, Barsoi, M) and the Rongmei Naga Council, Manipur Rampurhat, Durgapur, Adra, Bankura, Midnapore, Hijli, Balasore, ernment to appoint a "deserving Government often transfers deserv - but there are qualified and well de - (RNC-M) ‘welcome and uphold the decision of senior most local IAS officer" as ing IAS cadres to other states and ap - served local IAS officers among the the Tatar Hoho’. Both the councils held the joint B h a d r a k , C u t t a c k , K h u r d a R o a d , B r a h m a p u r , P a l a s a , S r i k a k u l a m next chief secretary of Manipur, say - points "non-local IAS cadres" as tribal IAS officers”. meeting in Imphal on Thursday. “It is done in Road, Vizianagaram, Duvvada, Rajamundry, Eluru, Tenali, ing it will bring peace and develop - chief secretaries. According to ATSUM leaders, the true spirit and in the best interest of all the Ongole, Nellore, Gudur, Arakkonam, Jolarpettai, Salem, ment in the State. “If such trend is continues in the they said they learned that the gov - Nagas,” LNC-M and RNC-M said in a joint Tiruppur, Palakkad, Thrisur, Aluva, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, ATSUM General Secretary, Seiboi State, it would be very discouraging ernment will be appointing a non- statement on Friday. According to the two coun - Chengannur, Kayankulam, Kollam. Haokip said that the incumbent chief to the young IAS officers who are local IAS officer as the next chief cils, the impending decision was historic and, Composition : AC -2-Tier : (One), AC-3-Tier : (Two), Sleeper secretary, RR Rashmi will be retiring dreaming of becoming as chief sec - secretary. "Why the government at the same time, a fulfillment of peoples' aspi - within this month. He appealed the retary someday,” said Seiboi. The continues to appoint the non-local rations. “We look forward to continue our sup - Class : (Seven), General Second Class : (Three) & SLR : (Two) government to appoint chief secre - ATSUM leader then questioned that IAS oficers as chief secretary", port to the Naga national movement with our = 15 Coaches. tary from the "local senior-most IAS “If the tribal IAS officers' rights are Joseph Hmar questioned. He then boosted energy,” they added. The LNC-M and Rail Badhe desh Badhe cadre" without any favour or bias. denied then the government's 'Go to stated that ATSUM has been de - the RNC-M then reaffirmed their decisions to General Manager (O), Maligaon The ATSUM leader pointed that Hill' slogan holds no meaning. manding the government to give ‘disassociate from any Zeliangrong organiza - “there is a local senior most IAS of - Also speaking on the occasion, more preference to the local IAS of - tion, and that, there is no question of participat - NORTHEAST FRONTIER RAILWAY ficer, even more senior than many re - ATSUM tribunal secretary, Joseph R ficers for the post of chief secretary. ing in any of their activities’. Serving Customers With A Smile Page 4 March-31_Normal Pages 3/30/2018 10:17 PM Page 1 Editor s pick

4 THE HILLS TIMES VOL. XIX, ISSUE 79, DIPHU, SATUR DAY, MARCH 31, 2018

QUOTE OF THE DAY Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by Can the Forest Rights Act protect tribal mankind. - Rudyard Kipling

ammu and Kashmir Chief Minister since colonial times. Under this law, tradi - cMeohboobma Mufti’ms recent ourder tnhat no ities in Jammu from etionval foirestc dweltlersi aroe protnected ?against Q-paper leak: Embarrassment member of the Gujjar-Bakarwal com - forced displacements. They also have graz - munity should be dislocated till the state ing rights, access to water resources and are for AHSEC, CBSE pJuts a tribal policy in place has given rise to entitled to minor forest produce except tim - he crucial executive committee meeting of the Assam fresh political wrangling. The order, issued ber. Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) has de - in February, stipulated that if the eviction of Khalid Bhatti, a lawyer in Jammu, said cided against holding any fresh examination in the members of this community from forest the implementation of the central law in the Twake of the ‘leak’ of three question papers in the higher sec - land was “absolutely necessary” it should be state would help the impoverished tribal ondary examinations. The Council faces a serious erosion of done only after consulting the state’s Tribal community as, under the Forest Rights Act, credibility with the leak of question papers of physics, chem - Affairs Department. Mufti also directed that schools, hospitals, and other public facilities istry and mathematics. The culprits of this leak Bhalukdubi no police protection should be provided to could be built on forest lands for the use of Science Academy in Goalpara district hit the headlines amid eviction drives that take place without the the community. suspicion that question papers were made available to the acad - approval of the Tribal Affairs Department. Forest rights and Article 370 emy. Interestingly, the four-member committee, which was The Gujjar-Bakarwal community is a While tribal activists push for the imple - constituted to probe the reported question paper leak had rec - largely Muslim nomadic group. Classified mentation of the Forest Rights Act in the ommended holding of fresh examination. However, the Coun - as a Scheduled Tribe, it has been margin - state, members of the BJP have resisted it. alised for decades. Though the abrogation of Article 370 has cil has turned down this recommendation. The council had also The Bharatiya Janata Party, a partner of been one of the main points on the BJP’s cancelled recognition of the academy following the probe the ruling coalition led by Mufti’s People’s geted by other government-sanctioned he was the forest minister. His successor, agenda, party legislators from Jammu in - committee report. Earlier, in February, there were allegations Democratic Party, has reportedly objected to moves to evict them from land they tradi - Forest Minister Lal Singh, took the matter voke the special status this Article confers that the English question paper of the High School Leaving the chief minister’s order. tionally use. In Vijaypur village, also in forward, restricting access to forests. In Feb - on the state when arguing against the Forest Certificate (Class 10) exams had been leaked on the examina - Referring to the order, Ankur Sharma, a Samba district, the ruary, Singh said Rights Act. “Special status has saved our tion day. The question paper did rounds on WhatsApp as the Jammu-based lawyer who, on March 8, re - threat of eviction more than a thou - forests, otherwise they would have been fin - students were writing the examination. The Board of Second - leased its details to the public, alleged that looms over 204 DEGREE OF THOUGHT sand forest closures ished long ago,” Forest Minister Lal Singh, ary Education, Assam, later claimed that question paper ap - there was an “Islamic expansion” in the Gujjar families as – sections of the for - told NDTV last month. peared on WhatsApp only when the students were writing the state that was “sanctioned by the state gov - the land their set - By: Rayan Naqash est that had been Tribal activists, meanwhile, chafe against examination. Carrying on with their tradition, both the educa - ernment”, and that the government of India tlement stands on closed to the public the restrictions of Article 370. They believe tion boards in Assam this year too have failed to conduct leak- was “either ignorant [about it] or a collabo - has been chosen as the site for a new All – had taken place in the state in the last three that the state’s special status is merely a proof examinations despite big talk from the powers that be rator”. India Institute of Medical Sciences despite years. He also claimed that 1,48,339.4 shield for the “communal agenda” of evict - about revolutionising the examination system. Sadly, even Academic and tribal activist Javed Rahi warnings by survey officials that it was kanals – approximately 7,369 hectares – of ing nomadic tribal communities, primarily after a series of meetings, the AHSEC could not identify any said Mufti’s directive was “misinterpreted prone to flooding. In December, the Jammu forest land in Jammu division had been re - from the Hindu-dominated districts of major loopholes in the way the exam is conducted by it. There as allowing tribals to stay anywhere, [but] it Development Authority demolished an Is - trieved from encroachers. Jammu, Kathua, Samba, and Udhampur. “It lamic seminary in the city’s Gole Gujral Lal Singh was among the two ministers is no denying that some board insiders are responsible for leak - merely stops dislocation till they think is a big hurdle in tribal development,” said area. who participated in the events organised by ing out the questions for the physics, chemistry and mathemat - where to relocate them”. He said that the Rahi. “It should either be abolished or the only way to secure the rights of the state’s Kathua incident the Hindu Ekta Manch in support of the ac - state should make its own laws. The chief ics papers. landless tribal community was to implement The communally charged frictions over cused in the Kathua murder case. Earlier, minister has to have a will but that is not Similar leak of question paper affecting over 28 lakh stu - the Forest Rights Act, 2006, in Jammu and land became more intense after the rape and Singh had allegedly asked a Gujjar delega - happening.” dents has cast shadow over the examination process of the Kashmir. This Central Act has not been ex - murder of an eight-year-old girl from the tion to recall 1947, referring to the massacre The toll of conflict Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The joy of tended to the state yet as under the special Gujjar-Bakarwal community in Jammu’s of Muslims in Jammu that year. He has also Under Dogra rule (1846-1947), the Guj - having completed the board exam was short-lived for those status accorded to it by Article 370 of the In - Kathua district in January. The accused ar - pushed for the emptying of Gujjar settle - jar-Bakarwal tribal community were given students and their parents, for the Central Board of Secondary dian Constitution, Central laws have to be rested so far are all Hindu. In February, the ments and cutting their access to forests by access to forests with proper registration, Education (CBSE) ordered re-examination for Class X Math - ratified by the state Assembly first. Hindu Ekta Manch, a newly-formed Hin - half. He did not respond to repeated requests and families were allotted patches of land, ematics and Class XII Economics subjects on Wednesday after Winter woes dutva group, organised a march in support for comments for this report. Gujjars in Jammu recall. Over time, these it found that their question papers had been leaked right before Most members of the Gujjar-Bakarwal of those accused of the crime. Prominent The eviction of nomads by the govern - rights were eroded. the examinations. It is shocking that when handwritten answers community spend the summer in the high al - Hindu politicians from the district joined in. ment from forest lands is based on flimsy The early evictions happened when pas - of the Economics paper were circulated on Whatsapp groups titude pastures of the Kashmir and Ladakh Local police officials say there has been grounds, said Yaseen Poswal, a tribal leader. tures in places like Gulmarg in Kashmir — indicating that the question paper has been leaked — CBSE regions. In the winter, they and their live - a systematic attempt to drive out the Gujjar- “One argument is that tribals harm the were turned into tourist resorts, Bhatti said. took no serious measure to stem the leak. Caught off guard the stock move to the Shivaliks and the plains Bakarwal community from Jammu’s vil - forests,” he said. “On the contrary, jungles After militancy spread in the 1990s, more CBSE had no option but to cancel both the examinations. Be - of Jammu province. Very few own land and lages. It has been alleged that the child’s are safe wherever Gujjars stay. They trim pastures were made out of bounds. From the cause of leaked question papers, CBSE has declared that stu - the majority have no option but to settle on murder was another attempt to intimidate the leaves from the upper portion of a tree, early 2000s, Rahi said, the main entries to the community and force them to move out. helping in its rejuvenation.” Gujjar nomads dents will have to write the examinations again, a decision forest lands near greenery and water re - jungles started being sealed by the Forest “It is all about the land,” a resident of need leaves to feed their livestock. taken for the “good of students” as claimed by the Board chief sources. This is where the tensions over land Department. begin, with the nomads seen as encroachers. Kathua said in February. “They want to ha - Rahi regretted that the state did not have While some pastures have been reopened, Anita Karwal. And the new dates will be announced shortly. Attempts to push the nomadic community rass us so we leave this place.” Local Hin - a law to protect the rights of tribals. “The many still remain out of bounds. A 2012 sur - The students of other zones are questioning why they have to leave the Jammu region began months dus also prevented the girl’s burial in a plot law is not at par with the countrywide law vey of tribal pastoralists by the Tribal Re - to take the re-test, when it could have been limited to Delhi after the BJP forged an alliance with Mufti’s of land owned by her family. that gives tribals their rights,” he said. search and Cultural Foundation, of which alone. Since papers leaked mostly on WhatsApp, it must have party in the state in March 2015. In June that Role of Forest Department The countrywide law – The Scheduled Rahi is general secretary, found 39% re - been seen across the entire country, so the re-test is unavoid - year, several official eviction drives were Several of the eviction drives have been Tribes and Other Traditional Forest spondents had given up on migratory tradi - able. Now, both the boards – AHSEC and CBSE - have uphill carried out in Muslim-dominated areas of carried out under the Forest Department. Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) tions due to the restrictions imposed after task of regaining its lost glory. The final examinations con - Jammu city. In February 2016, a young Gu - Since 2015, the state’s forest ministry has Act, 2006, popularly known as the Forest militancy. Scheduled Tribes form 11.9% of ducted by these boards may determine the future of students, jjar man was shot dead as residents of a Gu - been under BJP ministers. “We are working Rights Act – is a historic Act that gave back the state’s population, according to the 2011 but it failed to rise to the challenge. So, the need of the hour is jjar settlement in Sarore, in Samba district, against all odds and pressures and will con - to traditional forest dwellers their rights to Census. The majority (88.6%) are Muslim, conviction of guilty, greater accountability of boards and of resisted Hindu mobs attempting to drive tinue the anti-encroachment drive and re - access, manage and govern forest lands and followed by Buddhists (6.7%) and Hindus course a foolproof examination system. them out of their homes. trieve all forest land during our tenure,” said resources within village boundaries, which (4.5%). The tribal community has also felt tar - the BJP’s Bali Bhagat in June 2015, when had been controlled by the forest department (Source: Scroll.in) BJP and Cong gear up for Karnataka with What several South Asian religious traditions the JD(S) prepared to play kingmaker By: Varun Sukumar daramaiah’s recent lobbying for the a more localized Congress and if he granting of minority status for the doesn’t, Delhi may have the last say By: Hharoaon vKhealid in cdevooteems of Smhri Choandn late r wcame itahctivi tyZ ofo ther deorvisahes saroutndr iti. arelnigioiuss ascmeticism? , so is the tong ay 12 and May 15 are the Lingayat community, which is a tra - again”. In the 2013 assembly elec - to be known, also borrowed heav - Devotion towards fire or chimta, which is used to main - dates to watch out for as ditional BJP voting bloc, they could tions, the JD(S) secured a little over have been to Sargodha city in ily from the Shaivite sadhus, just Fire has long been held sacred tain the fire. The chimta is an es - the Karnataka goes to the be the key. “Hopefully, both sides 20% of the vote, the BJP 19%, while Pakistan’s Punjab province as the Sufi ascetics or dervishes in the indigenous religious tradi - sential possession of a Sufi pMolls in just over a month. The stage can move the debate beyond slicing the Congress secured 36%. In the many times. In fact multiple did. Perhaps Naghyana was one tions of South Asia. The Zoroas - dervish. It is used to announce the is set for a heated electoral battle. As and dicing up the electorate in vari - 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP times in a year, throughout my such Sufi ascetic. trians are popularly and falsely arrival of a dervish into a village. customary, the ruling government ous ways and focus on economic is - won 17 of the 25 seats in the state I childhood. This is where my fam - There is another legend at the referred to as fire worshippers. It is used by him for rhythm when led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, sues that affect everybody”. The with 43% of the vote. What’s at ily comes from – both maternal Naghyana shrine about the fire Their religious shrines are known he sings Sufi songs. Often, it was is forced to follow the model code elections in Karnataka may be a stake for the Congress is that if it and paternal. Despite all my trips, that the saint lit. Fire acquires a as fire temples with fire forming a the only instrument a Sufi dervish of conduct – no announcements of bellwether for assembly elections doesn’t win in the state, the notion however, I have never visited the particular symbolic and religious central feature in their religious possessed. The chimta is also kept programmes or schemes, no transfer scheduled for Rajasthan, Madhya of it not being the unanimous face shrine of Naghyana in a village significance in ascetic Sufi tradi - rituals. At a fire temple the fire by sadhus who not only use it to of officials among other rules set by Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram of the opposition to the BJP only in - called Dharema, about 10-odd km tion. Many popular Sufis are be - never dies. The original fire (other maintain fire but as a percussion the Election Commission. Former later this year. It could also have an creases? This is where someone like from the city. lieved to have their dhuan traditions assert it was ash from instrument when need be. It is Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid was impact on potential alliances going a Siddaramaiah could be important. Composed of two graves, it is (smoke), which, in this case, the fire) that was brought from also part of the Sikh tradition named the brand ambassador of the forward. With regards to alliances, The Hindu editorial states the signif - an extraordinary shrine, dating specifically refers to the place Persia by the fleeing Zoroastrians where it is used as an instrument Karnataka elections. The Congress the third party in play is the JD(S). icance of him in this race and the back to the 17th century. The first where they lit their fire and sat. was set up in a temple off the to perform religious music, fol - President Rahul Gandhi will release Rahul Gandhi during a public meet - challenges for the BJP – “His gov - grave is said to belong to Prince For many such Sufis their dhuan coast of Mumbai, the oldest fire lowing a trajectory that has its ori - the state Congress election mani - ing asked the JD(S) to clarify if it’s ernment aided demands for reli - Murad Baksh, the youngest son of became a place of veneration after temple in the world. gin in the Shaivite Sadhu tradition festo in April. The manifesto com - supporting the BJP. If apart from gious minority status for Lingayats; Emperor Shah Jahan, who had their death. The situation at the There is a deeper connection and their fire-tending necessities. mittee is headed by Veerappa Moliy, outright wins by either party; the re - he indulged regional sentiments by joined hands with his older shrine is quite similar. between the Zoroastrians and the Scratching beneath the surface, who stated that programmes will be sult is a hung assembly, then all eyes unveiling a Karnataka State flag. brother Aurangzeb to take on their At the shrine, it is narrated that Sufi ascetic tradition of South one would find similar traditions announced which are in line with turn to the JD(S). They have entered Agitations against the use of Hindi brother, Prince Dara Shikoh. the fire has remained alive ever Asia. The term dervish, popularly of fire veneration in Buddhist and the party’s ‘Nava Karnataka’ slogan. into a pre-poll alliance with the BSP. in Metro stations are also being However, after Aurangzeb de - since the death of the saint in the used to describe ascetic Sufis, is Jain traditions. Moving beyond If the Congress wins in Karnataka, This alliance alone likely will not turned to the disadvantage of the feated Dara Shikoh, he put Murad 17th century. His devotees have derived from the Persian word the demarcations that divide these it will be first time since 1985 that get the required number of votes on BJP, which is trying to refurbish its Baksh to death, clearing the way made sure that his dhuan survives. “daryosh”, which is derived from religions, it becomes impossible an incumbent government would be its own; hence they could very well image as a Hindu-Hindi party by for him to become the emperor. I am told the fire simmers – emit - the word “drigu”, for devotees of to maintain these boundaries in retaining power. decide who forms the government stressing solely on the Hindu as - The story of his grave being at ting more smoke than fire – at the Zarathustra. While there is an et - the ascetic realm. Where does the The BJP wasted no time in going in the state. Nistula Hebbar, in a col - pect”. The election could well be, this site, however, is unlikely as centre of a room that is blackened ymological connection between Shaivite Sadhu tradition end and on the offensive. Party president umn for The Hindu, states the fac - like most elections are, about the Prince Murad Baksh was put to by this centuries’ old smoke. Per - the drigu and dervish, there also Sufi dervish tradition begin? How Amit Shah accused the Congress led tors that will play a role in an personalities involved. The National death in Gwalior. haps the fire comes to life during seems to be a religious continuity does one begin to differentiate be - government in the state of divisive election that’s not easy to read let figures from both parties and those The second grave is said to be - the annual urs celebration, the between the two, with fire joining tween the dervish and the Udasi politics and rhetoric by pitting com - alone predict – “Karnataka’s record in the state, particularly Siddarama - long to the saint Naghyana, who death anniversary of the saint, the the knot of these two traditions. devotees of Shri Chand? While munities against each other for of voting against the national trend iah and Deve Gowda of the JD(S); is believed to have given refuge to day he is believed to have become For many dervishes, it is not there are several traditions that votes. At a rally, he criticized the has always made elections here spe - there are two main issues that seem Murad Baksh. The progeny of the One with the Divine. just fire; the ash from the fire of a join together the threads of these Chief Minister of ignoring the plight cial. The set pieces of caste equa - to be at play, the rural distress and saint eventually came to be I saw another similar situation Sufi saint is also significant. Just indigenous religious practices, of farmers. tions, Hindutva plank, and alliances religious identity. Both parties have known as Naghyana. at the shrine of Shah Hussain, the like the Shaivite sadhus, they be - one of those traditions is their Prior to the announcement of the are being rearranged everyday in played to these issues quite clearly The word Naghyana is believed 16th century mystic poet, who is lieve ash from this sacred fire has communal devotion towards fire, poll dates, he already hit the ground one of the most electorally contrar - in the run up to the polls. The party to have been derived from Naghe, believed to have fallen in love magical properties and use it fre - perhaps a tradition all of them running in the state. ian States in the country”. For the which get this combination right; an epithet used for Naga Sadhus, with the Hindu boy, Madhu Lal. quently for healing purposes. It is borrow from Zoroastrianism. The implications and stakes for BJP, the recent bypoll results did not personalities, development and the naked ascetic devotees of the They are buried in Lahore to - around these fires that different (Source: Scroll.in) the elections are high. The Congress make for good reading. There is identity will be in good shape to se - Hindu deity Shiva. Covered in ash gether, in a union that signifies the dervishes gather and engage in over the past two years has lost a lot pressure to show that the Modi- cure a win. (Source: sify.com) dust, sporting long untrimmed Oneness of the world – Monism. hashish consumption, another The word Naghyana is be - of ground to the BJP. South India Shah duo still has impact. A win in hair, and known to consume There is a fire just outside the connection that binds them with lieved to have been derived however, remains a tough but to Karnataka could help them in the The elections in Karnataka from Naghe, an epithet used may be a bellwether for as - hashish incessantly, these sadhus shrine to Madho Lal Hussain in the Shaivite sadhus. In both of crack for the BJP. The Times of other state elections this year. Given defy all societal norms and prefer Lahore, which is lit throughout these traditions, the consumption for Naga Sadhus, the naked sembly elections scheduled ascetic devotees of the India editorial lays it out in terms of the TDP’s decision to remove itself for Rajasthan, Madhya to live in seclusion. There is also the year by the lamps of his devo - of hashish or other forms of what’s at stake for the two parties – from any alliances, the BJP will Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and a long established tradition of tees. Much like the fire at the cannabis enjoys religious ap - Hindu deity Shiva. Covered “It is a matter of do-or-die for Con - need strong results this year to set Mizoram later this year. It naked Sufi ascetics, connecting Naghyana shrine, this one too was proval. Sometimes Sufi ascetics in ash dust, sporting long gress, which has not won a major up a 2019 sweep. The Congress has could also have an impact on all the way back to Udasi sadhus, simmering when I visited a few perform dhikr around the fire – untrimmed hair, and known state election except Punjab since in Siddaramaiah, someone who potential alliances going for - followers of Shri Chand, and the months ago. The situation at the this involves the invocation of to consume hashish inces - 2014. Similarly, BJP is hoping the seems to have placed a lot of faith ward. With regards to al - eldest son of Guru Nanak. shrine this past week, however, God in a liturgical manner, using santly, these sadhus defy all Modi-Shah juggernaut will reclaim in his support for the minority reli - liances, the third party in play In devotional art, Shri Chand is was different as thousands of a breathing technique in a partic - societal norms and prefer to its gateway to the south and quell gion status for the Lingayat commu - is the JD(S). Rahul Gandhi usually depicted almost naked sit - devotees of the saint converged ular rhythm. Jurgen Wasim Frem - live in seclusion. There is doubts about its flagging potency”. nity, which makes up a significant during a public meeting ting in a yogic position next to a there to celebrate his urs, also bgen, a German anthropologist also a long established tra - General consensus would be to portion of the state population. “Mr. asked the JD(S) to clarify if fire. He has long, ragged hair, just known as Mela Chiraghan or the who has worked extensively on dition of naked Sufi asce - think that the Hindutva message and Siddaramaiah, unlike other Con - it’s supporting the BJP. If like a Naga sadhu. Like these sad - festival of lamps, one of the great - the Sufi culture of Islam, finds the tics, connecting all the way wave which hasn’t necessarily gress members, is following his apart from outright wins by hus, the Sufi dervishes too let est festivals of the city of Lahore. origin of this form of dhikr – a back to Udasi sadhus, fol - worked down south might break own playbook with little reference either party; the result is a their hair grow long, and believe The fire must have been alive, particular feature of South Asian lowers of Shri Chand, and through this time; appeal to the to the high command in Delhi. If he hung assembly, then all eyes that hair is the source of life-en - thriving, whirling and swinging, Sufism – in the yogic tradition. the eldest son of Guru Hindu masses. However, given Sid - succeeds, he may pave the way for turn to the JD(S) ergy. It seemed that the Udasi, as imitating the dhamaal or hectic While fire is important in their Nanak Page 5 March-31_Normal Pages 3/30/2018 4:59 PM Page 1

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2018 ENVIRONMENT THE HILLS TIMES 5

By: Ajay Kumar Saxena government—collected from user (village council). Activists allege committee to review its provisions. Afforaegencies tos take upt compaensatory tion: money on thtat stahtes are useing jfm to entable rIt remeains to bee seen hosw far this everal landmark develop - afforestation. But these funds were the forest department (FD) to gain committee, which is ironically ments marked 2016, which being managed in an ad hoc man - access and manage forest, whereas filled with bureaucrats, will be able could change the fabric of ner. Following a direction from the the FRA makes it clear that the FD to meet the expectations of the for - Sforest governance in the country. Supreme Court (SC), the Compen - has no role in managing forests est-dependent people of the coun - While on one hand, Parliament satory Afforestation Management where rights have been recognised. try. passed the Compensatory Af - and Planning Authority (campa) Today, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha There were also moves in 2016 forestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016, was created in 2006 to manage and Maharashtra have framed their to revisit the National Forest Pol - which will unlock ` 42,000 crore these funds. But given the SC’s di - own versions of jfm, which are icy, 1988, which sets the frame - for afforestation programmes, and rection of using only ` 1,000 crore weakening the provisions under work and philosophy of forestry in on the other, there are numerous each year by states as well as huge FRA and diluting the Community India. The government felt a need reports on how provisions of the capacity gaps in state machineries Forest Resource (CFR) rights. For to revise this guiding document Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, are to optimally utilise the afforesta - instance, Maharashtra framed the due to the changing forestry imper - being diluted taking away the tion fund, Rs 42,000 crore had ac - Village Forest Rules in 2014, atives. However, this move was rights of forest dwellers. A shoddy cumulated with the government till which ensure the transfer of deci - riddled in a controversy. The In - implementation of CAF Act can 2015, rising further by Rs 6,000 sion-making powers from the dian Institute of Forest Manage - affect millions of indigenous peo - crore per year. Gram Sabha to the forest officials. ment (IIFM), Bhopal, which was ple who depend on the forests for The enactment of the caf act will Madhya Pradesh and Odisha too tasked by the MOEFCC to prepare their livelihood. enable the Union government to framed similar rules, where com - a policy revision document, sub - It is also significant that the release this fund to the states and munity rights under FRA were mitted its Draft National Forest Union Ministry of Environment, Union territories. However, vital compromised. These rules are a Policy 2016 in May, 2016. MOE - Forest and Climate Change (MOE - components—such as ensuring the clear subversion of the FRA. For FCC first asked for public com - FCC) granted forest clearances to survival of planted stock and instance, in Ghatbarra village in ments on the draft policy through 249 projects spreading over an defining the role of grass root for - Sarguja district, Chhattisgarh, for - an office memorandum on June area of about 10,000 hectares (ha) est institutions like the Joint Forest est rights of local people have been 16, 2016, but later withdrew it, between January and September Management Committees, Village than 24 times the annual budget al - Emissions from Deforestation and When the United Progressive cancelled by the state government saying that it was only a “study” 2016 (including in-principle and Forest Protection and Management location for the MOEFCC in 2016- Forest Degradation (REDD+), a Alliance (UPA) government en - in complete violation of FRA. and the ministry had not evaluated final clearances). With India Committees and Community For - 17. mechanism under the international acted the FRA in 2006, it appeared Winds of change the draft. emerging as a fast developing est Resource Management Com - Moreover, the Green India Mis - climate change framework in that the historic injustice meted out While massive amounts of funds IIFM’s draft policy emphasises global economy, competitive de - mittees- have not been included in sion is another untapped opportu - which developing countries would to indigenous and other traditional are going to be invested in the good governance, restricting forest mand for land and natural re - the Act. These imperatives have nity. The Mission has been be funded. But this fiscal regime is forest communities would be un - forestry sector, there are growing diversion, restoring degraded sources is putting immense now been left for the upcoming promised ` 46,000 crore for in - still in its nascent stage in India. done. However, till September demands to make adequate forests, promoting agro-forestry pressure on forests. Simultane - CAF Rules, which will be formu - creased forest/tree cover on 5 mil - The country is still debating a na - 2016, rights of forest dwelling in - changes in India’s archaic forest and farm-forestry, valuation of ously, there are growing demands lated in 2017, as stated by the gov - lion hectares (ha) of tional policy on REDD+ as there dividuals and communities were laws. For long, the Indian Forest ecosystem services, integration of from forest dependent communi - ernment. These rules will set the forest/non-forest lands and im - are reports of local communities recognised on only 4 million ha of Act, 1927, has been criticised for climate change concerns, commu - ties for increased autonomy in for - principles of utilising this massive proved quality of forest cover on raising concerns over REDD+ that forestlands, while the potential is prolonging the colonial British nity empowerment, ecosystem ap - est management. In such situation, fund. another 5 million ha. This is ex - need to be addressed. It is essential estimated to be at least 40 million forestry management paradigm. proach, while highlighting the there are huge expectations from Not just the CAF Act, the pected to increase forest-based that India adopts a precautionary ha, which would benefit over 150 There has been a long-standing de - importance of harmonising with both the Union and state govern - forestry sector will now have addi - livelihood incomes of about 3 mil - approach as many REDD+ proj - million forest dwellers. This is dis - mand from civil society and the other laws and policies. ments to ensure that we see more tional funds through other chan - lion households. It will also en - ects in Africa and Latin America mal progress, considering that a public at large to bring accounta - These are promising departures greenery and lesser conflicts on nels. The 14th Finance hance annual carbon dioxide have drawn criticism due to allega - decade has passed since the enact - bility and shifting the responsibil - from past policy. In stark contrast forestlands. Commission has recommended 7.5 (CO2) sequestration by 50-60 mil - tions of land grabbing and other ment of the landmark Act. ity of forest management from the to the existing policy, the draft Flush with funds per cent weight age to be given to lion tonnes by 2020. Operational problems. What’s more worrying is that hands of the forest bureaucracy to marks a deviation from “substitu - For the first time, a number of forest cover while deciding central since 2014, the Mission has al - Thus money is no longer a bot - many states are diluting various forest dwellers. tion of wood and liberalisation of new monetary avenues have tax share to states. This will mean ready released about Rs 126 crore tleneck to improve the state of provisions of the FRA to facilitate The top-heavy forest bureau - wood imports” to “promotion of opened up for India’s forestry sec - that states with more forest cover to seven states. Needless to say, if India’s forests. What is required is industrial activity in forestlands. cracy, who took birth due to this wood use and indigenous manu - tor. Since the enactment of the For - will get more funds as an incentive the Mission’s full fiscal potential is a judicious and accountable utili - Forest dwellers are already feeling colonial Act, is reluctant to even facturing”. It may not have been est (Conservation) Act, 1980, to protect their forests as well as tapped; the forestry sector will not sation of these funds to regenerate this undercurrent across the coun - think about reviewing this 90-year- the perfect policy, but its with - which mandated compensatory af - for giving up economic and devel - be cash-strapped in the coming forests as well as to protect the in - try. Under FRA, forests cannot be old law. However, as 2016 ended, drawal underscores the fact that forestation in lieu of diversions of opment opportunities for conserv - years. terests of forest-dependent com - diverted for any purpose without there was an indication from the the government is reluctant to any forest areas for non-forestry pur - ing them. An estimated ` 55,000 India is also sitting on a huge munities whose livelihoods depend settling the rights of forest MOEFCC that the government change in the governance para - poses, a huge amount of money crore forest-based fiscal transfer is opportunity to raise finance for on it. dwellers and the MOEFCC has to could revisit this act. digm, even when the fund chan - has been accumulating with the being envisaged, which is more forests through the UN’s Reducing Dilution of FRA get the consent of the Gram Sabha The MOEFCC constituted a nels are overflowing for forests. Forest productivity - Lumber slumber Climate change is altering air travel By: Soujanya Shrivastava consumption of wood in three their possession, which have produces around 50 per cent of By: Fred Pearce which occurs away from storm clouds and is hard sectors—house construction, fur - been utilised for raising industrial the plywood in the country for pilots to spot and fly round. “The increase in he gap between consump - niture and agricultural imple - as well as cash crop plantations. through over 5,000 small, hoenix gets hot. But not usually as hot as last clean-air turbulence has the potential to be quite tion and production of tim - ments—is 33.61 million cum, the An area of 1 million ha has been medium and large wood based June, when the mercury at the airport one day disruptive,” says Williams. In other words, get used ber and wood based Round Wood Equivalent (RWE) approximately brought under units set up in the region. How - soared above 118 °F (48 °C). That exceeded to keeping your seatbelts fastened. products in India is rapidly in - of which is 48 million cum. After plantations by FDCS, which ever, the prices of poplar trees Pthe maximum operating temperature for several air - Climate change will also increase the number and T craft ready for take-off. They didn’t fly. More than intensity of thunderstorms, and push them upward creasing. However, it is difficult this, two biennial reports have comprises mainly teak and euca - declined by at least 60 per cent in to estimate the quantum of this been published, but these don’t lyptus plantations. As per a Cen - the last three years in the Yamuna 50 flights were cancelled or rerouted. Thanks to cli - into cruising altitudes. That will make flying trick - gap due to the lack of reliable mention anything about the con - tre for Science and Environment Nagar Timber Market. The situ - mate change, soon 118 °F may not seem so unusual. ier and could dramatically increase the risk of one data on the consumption of tim - sumption of wood. According to (CSE) analysis, the average an - ation is so bad that farmers, who Welcome to the precarious future of aviation in a of the most worrying upper-air phenomena for pi - ber and wood products since it is a study by the South Carolina nual production of wood by were earlier earning Rs 15,000 changing climate. As the world warms and weather lots: high-altitude icing. High-altitude ice is a fea - a highly unregulated market. De - Forestry Commission, the con - FDCS is 1.97 million cum. De - per tonne in 2012 from the sale becomes more extreme, aircraft designers, airport ture of thunderstorms, and it is dangerous. The spite having 21.34 per cent of the sumption of wood in India in spite FDCS’ original objective of of poplar trees, are unable to earn planners and pilots must all respond, both in the air infiltration of tiny particles of ice into turbofan en - country’s total geographic area 2014 was estimated to be 50.1 raising productivity of forests, even Rs 5,000 per tonne in 2016 and on the ground. With around 100,000 flights gines has been blamed for more than 100 engine under natural forests, it has a lim - million cum of industrial round the per hectare production from (see ‘Poplar: not popular any - worldwide carrying some 8 million passengers failures in recent years. ited role in meeting this growing wood, 23.2 million tonnes of their lands is as low as 0.77 cum more’). every day, this is a big deal. In 2009 an Air France flight was downed after ice demand. It contributes just 6.4 paper, paperboard and other fibre per ha per year, while TOFs are Sustainable pathways Lift is the upward force created by diverting air crystals disabled its speed sensors. In the most no - per cent—about 3.17 million and 11.16 million cum of sawn producing nearly 3.06 cum per It is time the problems associ - around wings as an aircraft moves down the run - torious high-altitude icing accident, an Air France cubic metres (cum) of the de - wood and panel wood. ha per year. Therefore, FDCS ated with the wood production in way. It is harder to achieve when the air is scorch - flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris in 2009 crashed, mand, according to the State of FDCs: how they are failing have fallen far short of their ob - the country are recognised and ing hot, because hot air is thinner than cold air. The killing all aboard, when it stalled after the autopilot Forest Report 2011 (this is the Forest Development Corpora - jectives, and are nowhere close to swift steps taken to keep up with International Civil Aviation Organization warned in disconnected when ice crystals disabled its speed latest estimate available) pub - tions (FDCS), the production and becoming a major player in the the rising wood demands. The 2016that as a result, higher temperatures “could sensors. lished by the Forest Survey of commercial wings of forest de - wood market of the country. agro-forestry sector must be have severe consequences for aircraft take-off per - Officials of the European Aviation Safety Agency India. Trees outside Forests partments, were established in Resurgent farm forestry given a boost. For this, some formance.” Aircraft will need to jettison passengers, have blamed climate change — along with the fail - (TOF), including the agro- the 1970s based on the recom - The agro-forestry and farm- concrete planning over the opti - cargo or fuel to get the same lift on a hot day, rais - ure of aircraft designers to reassess the risks — for forestry, is meeting timber de - mendation of the National Com - forestry sectors remain the main - mum and sustainable utilisation ing costs and requiring more flights. the growing frequency of engine failures and other mand much more than natural mission of Agriculture in 1970. stay for wood production in of land resources is required. “Weight restrictions are likely to have the most faults due to high-latitude icing. Worryingly, mod - forests. Currently, 44.34 million The primary objective of FDCS India. The State of Forest Report More wood markets need to be effect on long-haul flights, which often take off near ern energy-efficient lean-burn engines may be more cum of timber is harvested from was to launch an aggressive 2013 estimates that nearly 11.15 established in close proximity to the airplane’s maximum weight,” says Columbia susceptible, Herbert Puempel, an aviation expert at this source annually. The grow - forestry production programme million ha is under agro-forestry. the agro-forestry regions. The University atmospheric scientist Ethan Coffel. the World Meteorological Organization, warned in ing stock (GS) of trees under which could meet the growing Data from the Indian Council for forestry policies need to be “Possible adaptations include rescheduling flights the organization’s journal. agro-forestry is approximately 70 demand of wood based indus - Agricultural Research and the farmer-friendly to enable them to to cooler times of the day or lengthening runways.” Some of the most expensive climate-change per cent of the total GS of the tries. While FDCS lease large Central Agroforestry Research produce hassle-free wood by Daytime heat is why long-distance flights out of problems for the aviation industry will be on the TOF. tracts of forestlands to convert Institute, Jhansi, suggests that doing away with the archaic tax - the Middle East already regularly take off in the ground. That’s because many runways are in places Timber and pulpwood are natural forests into plantations in agro-forestry and farm forestry ation systems and wood transit cool of the night. But the same will soon apply in they really shouldn’t be. Take Iqaluit airport in mainly used by the construction, some states, in others, FDCS har - meet almost half of the demand rules, as well as by introducing the U.S. and southern Europe. That will create northern Canada. The permafrost on which it was furniture, wood panels and paper vest and market timber from ear - for fuelwood, two-thirds of small an effective Minimum Support problems where night and early-morning flights are built is melting. The runway and taxiway have had sectors. While the demand for marked forestlands. timber, 70-80 per cent for ply - Price regime. More government restricted to help people on the ground get a night’s to be resurfaced as a result. And the melting is deep - furniture has been rising between Still, FDCS produce less than wood, 60 per cent of raw material owned wood-processing mills sleep. Future lighter and more fuel-efficient planes ening. There will be other such cases. But a more 12 and 15 per cent annually, the 5 per cent of total timber produc - for paper pulp and between 9 and need to be established to end the will help, says Coffel. But it means the anticipated frequent problem is likely to be flooding. Many air - demand for paper has been rising tion of India (1.97 million cum of 11 per cent of the green fodder monopoly of private players in economic and environmental gains from such ad - ports are built on flat, low-lying land, by the ocean steadily at about 8 per cent annu - timber annually). As a result, the requirement of livestock, besides the wood markets. vances may be largely offset by coping with or in drained swamps. ally. In fact, India is considered country is meeting its shortage meeting the subsistence needs of Moreover, the government warmer air. Once in the air, flying will feel different Such places can be hard to drain and vulnerable the fastest growing paper market for wood increasingly through households for fruits, fibre, med - must realise that abundant lands too, especially in and around the jet stream, for in - to rising sea levels and more intense storms. When in the world. According to ex - imports. In 2015 alone, imports icine and fuelwood. Agro- exist to produce wood. The land stance crossing the Atlantic. “At cruising altitudes, Super storm Sandy hit New York City in 2012, a perts, the annual demand for of timber and allied products forestry practices have use figures suggest there is an the north-south temperature difference that drives storm surge 3.7 meters (12 feet) high inundated the wood-based panel products such contributed a very significant demonstrated that this could be availability of 12.6 million ha of the jet stream is increasing,” says Paul Williams, a runways of LaGuardia, closing the airport for three as plywood, particle board and part of the demand—an esti - safely enhanced to more than 30 cultivable wasteland and 24.58 professor of atmospheric science at the University days. When Superstorm Sandy hit New York City fibre board is 8 million cubic me - mated 18.01 million cum. Thus, cum per ha per year by carefully million ha of fallow land which of Reading in the UK. Flying east is becoming in 2012, a storm surge 3.7 meters (12 feet) high in - tres against the production of 3.4 there is a significant gap between selecting tree-crop combinations. can be utilised to enhance pro - quicker in the stronger winds that result, but flying undated the runways of LaGuardia, closing the air - million cubic metres. It is, how - demand and supply of wood in But there are unique problems. ductive in agro forestry or farm- west will be slower. Airlines schedulers will need port for three days. A tropical storm hitting so far ever, difficult to calculate the India, and imports are only Take, for instance, Yamuna forestry sectors. Other than to take the altered flight times into consideration in north is widely regarded as an effect of climate consumption figures within the bound to increase in the coming Nagar in Haryana, which is a agro-forestry systems in India, a the future — and flyers may need to be prepared change. So expect more such extreme weather. Indian wood based products in - years. well known region among farm - serious review of the FDC model for more frustrating airport announcements of de - Sandy was a wake-up call. A federal climate as - dustry as its market is highly un - As of March 2016, there are 19 ers, timber traders, merchants, in - is required. The productivity of layed incoming flights. sessment subsequently found 13 major U.S. airports organised and unregulated. FDCS engaged in timber-related dustries as well as scientists and forestland under the control of Flights will also be bumpier, says Williams. at similar risk, from Honolulu to Miami. Included The Forest Survey of India, in operations across the country. Of researchers. The district accounts FDCS must improve to make “Stronger winds will increase the amount of shear in the list are San Francisco and Oakland airports, its State of Forest Report 2011, these, 11 FDCS have nearly 1.28 for 80 per cent of the soft timber them key players in the wood in the jet stream,” he says. Shear creates turbulence both built on low-lying reclaimed land along the has estimated that the annual million hectares (ha) of forests in production in the country, and market of the country. — particularly what is called “clear-air turbulence,” shore of San Francisco Bay. Civilian airport author - ities have been slow to address the issue, but the U.S. military is more pro-active. A Pentagon analy - sis of climate-related risk to military infrastructure, published in January this year, gave pride of place Areas selected for smart city development are heat islands: study to threats to airfields from sea-level rise, storms and By: Dinesh C Sharma areas can influence UHI. fect during day time is mainly tural operations. Moreover, amount tific Reports on Wednesday. high temperatures. Internationally, there is also ris - Moisture from irrigation canals driven by agriculture and irrigation. of moisture and vegetation in non- The development of smart cities ing concern. he phenomenon of urban heat and agriculture fields plays a key However, in the night-time, cities urban areas are also limited as crops will result in rapid growth in urban The scientific consensus is that sea-level rise islands, in which concrete role in keeping rural areas sur - are significantly warmer than sur - are largely harvested by the end of infrastructure and population, lead - probably won’t be more than 1 meter (3 feet) this and built areas in cities expe - rounding cities much cooler than roundings in both winter and sum - March and soil moisture is depleted ing to increases in UHI intensity. century. But airport authorities believe that they Trience higher temperatures than sur - urban areas, thus, cities becoming mer seasons. Night-time urban heat due to high atmospheric water de - “Our results can provide policy in - must adapt too much higher waters during storm rounding rural areas, may get heat islands. In a heat island, tem - is mainly driven by the amount of mands, the study said. sights for development of smart surges such as that experienced at LaGuardia. Hong accentuated with rapid urbanisation. perature could be 1 to 6 degree Cel - heat stored in buildings and other “While urban areas have experi - cities,” Mishra said. “Considering Kong International Airport is adding a wall along a This is the conclusion of a new sius higher than surrounding areas. impervious surfaces. enced increased number of heat night-time heating, which could be new runway to help withstand rising seas. study of urban areas selected for de - Remote sensing data and climate Urban areas located in highly ir - waves and temperature extremes in significant during heat waves, Singapore’s Changi airport, one of the world’s velopment of smart cities. The modelling were used to evaluate rigated regions—Indo-Gangetic recent past, urban heat island effect measures such as passive cooling busiest, is raising its new passenger terminal 5.5 study, which covered 89 of 100 UHI all over the country. Plain and north-west India driven by rapid urbanisation can should be used. Building materials meters (18 feet) above sea level as a precaution areas selected for development of When the surrounding non-urban (Haryana and Punjab)—show UHI further worsen extreme hot condi - that absorb less heat and are sus - against future storm tides. Hong Kong is construct - smart cities, has found that agricul - areas have no agriculture during intensity of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. tions in cities,” pointed out Dr tainable can reduce the amount of ing a wall 13 kilometers (8 miles) long around a ture and irrigation are two dominant summer, cities are relatively cooler During summer (April and May), Vimal Mishra, a scientist at the heating caused by stored heat.” The new runway. By those standards, dozens of the drivers of urban heat islands (UHIs) during daytime. However, if the when air temperature is at the peak, Water and Climate Lab of Indian In - presence of water bodies and vege - world’s great airports should be thinking about run - in India. In addition, significant non-urban areas are under irrigated land surface temperature becomes stitute of Technology, Gandhinagar, tation in cities can also help reduce way protection. Bangkok, Schiphol in the Nether - presence of atmospheric aerosols— agriculture, cities are warmer than higher than that of the post-mon - which did the study. The results of additional night-time heating in lands, Sydney, both airports in Shanghai, London mainly pollutants—over urban surroundings. This means UHI ef - soon season in absence of agricul - the study appeared in journal Scien - urban heat islands. City airport and Kansai near Osaka all fall short. page 6 MAR-31_Normal Pages 3/30/2018 9:58 PM Page 1

6 THE HILLS TIMES WORLD SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2018 Minibus carrying US military: Syria bomb kills two migrants crashes in

coalition troopsu,a tewd foor ufunrthder sm efdicval e treat - US withdrawing from ment. The statement said details eastern Turkey, killing 17 were being withheld pending fur - ISTANBUL, March 30 (AGEN - ther investigation. It did not iden - CIES): A minibus packed with tify the casualties as US soldiers, migrants from Afghanistan, Pak - only coalition personnel members. STrumyp, inr hisi reamark s‘, lvameented rthaty US hass waosted oUSDn 7 tril’lio:n iTn warrs inu the mMiddle pEast istan and Iran crashed and burst US military spokesman Col. into flames in eastern Turkey, Ryan Dillon couldn't immediately WASHINGTON, March 30 (PTI): liver the biggest and boldest infra - killing 17 people, state-run say who was behind the attack. President Donald Trump on Friday structure plan in the last half cen - Anadolu news agency said on Fri - "There is an investigation under said the US troops would withdraw tury. I don’t think you're going to day. way to identify who they could from Syria "very soon" as he get Democrat support very much. The bus, designed to carry 14 possibly be. We have our initial as - lamented that America has wasted And you’ll probably have to wait people, was carrying more than KOBANI (SYRIA), March 30 sessment and thoughts on that but USD 7 trillion in wars in the Middle until after the election, which isn't 50 foreign nationals when it hit a (AP): The US military said on Fri - we won't provide until the investi - East. At the same time, he said the so long down the road," he said. lamp post and caught fire after the day that two coalition personnel gation is complete," he said. US was using all its resources to de - Earlier in the day, Defence De - driver lost control in the eastern were killed and five others Dillon refused to give the na - feat ISIS and drive them out of the partment spokesperson Dana White province of Igdir, Anadolu was wounded by a roadside bomb in tionalities of the dead and captured territory. “We're knock - said while the coalition has signifi - quoted as saying by a news Syria in a rare such attack since the wounded as well as the location of ing the hell out of ISIS. We'll be cantly degraded ISIS, the important agency. US-led coalition sent troops into the attack until next of kin notifi - coming out of Syria, like, very work remains to guarantee the last - A second truck, also carrying the war-torn country. cation. soon. Let the other people take of it ing defeat of the extremists. "Our migrants, was following close be - The military did not say where Dillon said the coalition has had now,” Trump said in Ohio where he commitment to win must outlast the hind and hit some of those that the incident occurred or the nation - fatalities in Syria before. "Perhaps had gone to deliver a speech on in - so-called physical caliphate, and the fell out of the first bus, Anadolu alities of the casualties but it came by different means but there have frastructure. warped ideas that guide the calcu - said. Authorities detained the 13 hours after a local Syrian official been coalition deaths in Syria over "Very soon we're coming out. blow it up. We'd build it again, would have been OK. If we kept the lated cruelty of ISIS," she said. people in the second truck along said that a roadside bomb exploded the course of three years." We're going to have 100 per cent of they'd blow it up. We'd build it oil, we wouldn't have ISIS. Because This is a group that plots and with its driver, it said. in the tense, mixed Arab-Kurdish Mohammed Abu Adel, head of the caliphate, as they call it - some - again - hasn't been blown up yet, you know who kept a lot of the oil? launches terror attacks globally, “It saddened us that migrant town of Manbij that is not far from the Manbij Military Council, an times referred to as "land" - taking but it will be. But, if we want a ISIS. That's how they funded them - White said, adding that they have smuggling, which occurs fre - the border with Turkey. Arab-Kurdish group in the town it all back quickly, quickly. But school in Ohio to fix the windows, selves. They kept the oil. We didn't no regard for anything decent or quently in our province, ended Manbij is under threat of a Turk - backed by the US, said the bomb were going to be coming out of you can't get the money. If you want keep the oil. Stupid, stupid,” he valuable in life. with a traffic accident,” Igdir gov - ish military operation. Ankara says went off hundreds of meters there real soon. Going to get back a school in Pennsylvania or Iowa to said. As a result, Trump said, the "As long as they exist and bring ernor Enver Unlu was quoted by Syrian Kurdish militiamen it views (yards) from a security headquar - to our country, where we belong, get federal money, you can't get the US has little money for its infra - death and destruction around the Anadolu as saying. as "terrorists" and an extension of ters that houses the council just be - where we want to be," he said. money," he said. structure. "We have to fight for our world, we will continue to degrade, Hundreds of thousands of Kurdish insurgents inside Turkey fore midnight on Thursday. Trump, in his remarks, lamented “We spent USD 7 trillion in the military. But we're becoming so destroy and ultimately defeat ISIS," refugees from Syria and other is in control of the town. The US Earlier on Friday, Dillon said an that US has wasted USD 7 trillion Middle East. What we have for it? strong again. And you watch - not she said. “We cannot allow our countries have crossed to Greece military statement said the attack incident involving coalition forces in wars in the Middle East. "We Nothing. Remember I used to say going to take very long. I've asked focus to deviate from the most im - and further into Europe via happened on Thursday night and was reported in Manbij but said no spent USD 7 trillion in the Middle 'keep the oil' as a civilian. We never Republicans and Democrats in portant task of eliminating ISIS Turkey in recent years. Hundreds that the wounded were being evac - more information was available. East. We'd build a school, they'd kept the oil. If we kept the oil, we Congress to come together and de - from the region. have died in the attempt.

BSENuGHiAcZIi, dMaerch 3a0 (tAtFPa): ck in eastern Libya kills 8 Russia hits back against EU countries in spy row At least eight people, including A suicide attacker ex - MOSCOW, March 30 (AFP): Russia on Fri - tory measures," the foreign ministry said in a civilians, were killed on Friday in ploded his vehicle at a day expelled Dutch diplomats and told Britain terse statement. The ministry did not say what a suicide car bombing of a secu - barricade manned by it had one month to reduce its diplomatic pres - those steps would be, but Russian foreign min - rity barricade in the east of Libya, forces loyal to Libyan ence in the country, hitting back at EU countries ister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that Moscow the second such attack in less than strongman Khalifa Haftar after a coordinated campaign by the UK and its would respond with "tit-for-tat" measures, but a month, local security and hospi - near the city of Ajdabiya allies over a nerve agent attack on a former spy. they might "not only" be symmetrical. tal sources said. some 840 kilometres Earlier in the day Russia had summoned the The Kremlin said Friday it was not Russia A suicide attacker exploded his ambassadors of a number of nations including that had unleashed a diplomatic war with the vehicle at a barricade manned by from Tripoli, general Britain, France, Germany and Canada to inform West. "Russia did not unleash any diplomatic forces loyal to Libyan strongman Fawzi al-Mansouri, a top them of retaliatory measures. war," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Khalifa Haftar near the city of officer in the local secu - Dutch ambassador Renee Jones-Bos said she Dmitry Peskov said. "Russia never initiated any Ajdabiya some 840 kilometres the dead and injured,” Mansouri rity forces, told AFP had been told two diplomats would be expelled. exchange of sanctions." "Russia has been from Tripoli, general Fawzi al- said, adding that no one has yet "Two of my colleagues are leaving Moscow. forced to take retaliatory steps in response to Mansouri, a top officer in the local claimed responsibility. toppled and killed long-time dic - But we (the embassy) are staying here," state been ordered out of the US, EU members, hostile, illegal actions" by Washington, he said, security forces, told AFP. A suicide attack, which injured tator Muammar Gaddafi. news agency TASS quoted her as saying. NATO countries and other nations in a coordi - adding that Moscow wanted "good relations" Eight other people were in - three people on March 9 south of Two authorities — the Tripoli- The Russian foreign ministry also gave nated action against Moscow, which they accuse and remained open for dialogue. Some people jured. Ajdabiya, was claimed by the Is - based unity government and a Britain a month to cut its number of diplomatic of being involved in the poisoning of ex-spy in Saint Petersburg said they welcomed the “Five people died on arriving at lamic State (IS) group. rival administration in the east — staff in Russia to the same as Russia has in Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in a nerve move. "This is great news," said Viktor the hospital shortly after the at - Despite the loss of its Sirte bas - are vying for control of Libya. Britain. Moscow has already announced that it agent attack in the English city of Salisbury on Glushko, 60. "It is about time. Relations will tack,” a source at the city’s public tion in northern Libya in Decem - Haftar, who opposes a UN- would expel 60 US diplomats and close Wash - March 4. The ambassadors had earlier been not get worse because they were never good and hospital told AFP. The three other ber 2016, IS remains active in the backed unity government based in ington's consulate in Saint Petersburg after the seen arriving at the Russian foreign ministry, an we will get by without them." In Washington, victims died later of their injuries, center and south of the country. Tripoli, announced the “libera - expulsion of its own diplomats and the closure AFP journalist reported. the State Department said Thursday there was the source who requested The oil-rich North African tion” of the eastern city of Beng - of one of its US consulates. "The ambassadors will be handed protest no justification for the Russian move and that anonymity said. country has been wracked by hazi last July after a three-year In all, more than 150 Russian diplomats have notes and told about the Russian side's retalia - the United States "reserves the right to respond". “There were civilians among chaos since a 2011 uprising that campaign.

Swaraj meets Japanese Indian-origin teenager TRAIN TIMINGS 20 Myanmar migrant workers Up & Down trains at Diphu Railway Station found hanged in UK Up train Arri Dep PM Abe, conveys PM 15603-Kamakhya Ledo school grounds I/City Express 01.06 01.08 Modi’s greetings killed in Thailand bus fire LONDON, March 30 (PTI): An 15605-Kamakhya Mariani I/Ciy BANGKOK, March 30 (AGEN - The authorities were planning to Indian-origin teenager was found Express Via Jorhat Town 01.06 01.08 CIES): Twenty migrant workers interview the driver, who survived hanged in the grounds of a top UK 15941-Jha Jha Dibrugarh Exp (Sunday) 04.16 04.18 from Myanmar were killed when the fire. grammar school after feeling ex - 15669-Kamakhya Dimapur Nagaland Exp 03.59. 04.01 their bus caught fire in northwest - "We are trying to identify the cluded by her classmates for not in - 55901-Lumding Tinisukia Pass 07.25 07.30 ern Thailand on Friday, the police bodies and also trying to contact cluding her in a WhatsApp group, 12067-Janasatabdi Exp (Ghy-JTTN) said. the Myanmar Consulate in order to an inquest into her death was told Except (Sun) 10.01 10.03 The workers were travelling to a identify the bodies," Colonel Kris - this week. Elena Mondal, 14, was 15910-Lalgarh New Tinsukia Avadh factory district near Bangkok when sana said. "They are Buddhists, so found unresponsive by her teachers Assam Exp 08.17 08.19 their chartered bus was engulfed in we've got to send them back to in a wooded area at Hampstead's ex - 15929-Chennai Egmore Dirugarh flames around 1.30 am in Tak their hometown for religious cere - clusive Henrietta Barnett School in Exp (Sun) 09.56 09.58 15927-Rangiya Dibrugarh I/City Province, the Bangkok Post re - monies there." north London last year. Psychiatrist (W.F. Sun) 12.01 12.03 ported. The workers who were killed on Emily Hallgarten told Barnet Coro - 05967-Rangia Dibrugarh Spl (M,Tu, The double-decker bus was car - Friday had passed the lengthy new ner's Court that she may have felt TOKYO, March 30 (PTI): Exter - rying 47 Myanmar workers, out of fire which spread quickly through registration process to work in the Thu,Sat) 12.01 12.03 excluded by her friends after not 13282-Rajendra Nagar nal affairs minister Sushma Swaraj which 27 managed to escape the the vehicle. country, reports said. being included in a WhatsApp New Tinsukia Exp (Sun) 15.41 15.43 on Friday met Japanese Prime inferno, said Col. Krissana Pat - Police said the fire was so in - Thailand has the world's highest group, the Sun reported. The in - tanacharoen, a Royal Thai Police tense that identifying the dead rate of road traffic deaths, accord - 15901-Banglore City Dibrugarh Exp(Thu) 13.11 13.13 Minister Shinzo Abe and the two quest heard how her parents, Shya - 15717-Guwahati Mariani Interciy Exp 17.16 17.18 leaders discussed ways to spokesman. would require experts. One officer ing to World Health Organisation mal and Moushumi Mondal, feared The cause of the fire was not yet at the scene told the daily that he data from 2013. In 2015, it was 15665-Kamakhya Dimapur B.G. Exp 18.51 18.53 strengthen the bilateral ties. that their daughter was being bullied 14056-Delhi Dibrugarh Brahmaputra Mail 19.56 19.58 Swaraj, who was in Tokyo on a known, he said. Initial reports said could not distinguish between male found to have the second highest at the girls' school, which was that the engine of the bus caught and female corpses. road fatality rate behind Libya. 12525-Kolkata Dibrugarh Exp (Thu) 20.12 20.14 three-day visit, also conveyed the ranked the top performing state- 15934-Amritsar Dibrugarh Exp (Sun) 20.12 20.14 greetings of Prime Minister Naren - funded school in the UK in 2016 15959-Howrah Dibrugarh Kamrup Exp 20.46 20.48 dra Modi to Abe. and 2017. 12424-Rajdhani Exp NDLS-DBRT 00.04 00.06 "EAM @SushmaSwaraj called 12436- Rajdhani Exp NDLS-DBRT(Mon,Fri) 23.06 23.08 on Japanese Prime Minister 12236-Rajdhani Exp NDLS-DBRT (Wed) 23.06 23.08 @AbeShinzo today morning in US wants visa applicants H1B visa holders’ spouses make US 15905-Kanyakumari Dibrugarh Tokyo. EAM conveyed the greet - Vivek Exp(Sun) 23.06 23.08 ings of PM @narendramodi to PM to submit phone, email, 15904-Chandigarh Dibrugarh Exp Abe," Ministry of External Affairs (Wed, Set) 00.30 00.32 spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said more attractive for foreign talent: Report social media details 05943- Agarlata Dibrugarh Spl( Tue) 11.48 11.50 in a tweet. During the meeting, WASHINGTON, March 30 (PTI): The Trump ad - WASHINGTON, March 30 (PTI) : Down trains Abe told Swaraj that the traditional ministration's proposal to withdraw the provision of The Trump administration wants all 15604-Kamakhya Ledo I/City Exp 00.04 00.06 friendship between the India and giving work permits to the spouses of the H-1B visa US visa applicants to submit details 15606-Kamakhya Mariani I/Ciy Japan was characterised by "heart- workers, most of them Indians, will make America of their previous phone numbers, Express Via Jorhat Town 00.04 00.06 to-heart" bonds and blessed with a less attractive for foreign talent, according to an in - email addresses and social media 15942-Jha Jha Dibrugarh Exp (Thu) 12.12 12.14 huge potential for growth. "PM fluential US immigration advocacy body. histories as part of its "vetting" prac - 15670-Kamakhya Dimapur Nagaland Exp 06.37 06.39 Abe said that India-Japan tradi - Since 2015, the spouses of H-1B workers, who tice and to prevent entry of individ - 55902-Lumding Tinisukia Pass 19.40 19.45 tional friendship is characterised are in the process for becoming permanent residents, uals who might pose a threat to the 12068-Janasatabdi Exp (Ghy-JTTN) by heart-to-heart bonds and have been allowed to work. However, the Trump country. In a document posted on Except Sun 17.33 17.35 blessed with a huge potential for administration is considering rescinding this policy the Federal Register on Thursday, 15909-Lalgarh New Tinsukia Avadh growth," Kumar tweeted. of the previous Obama administration, the American anyone who wants to come to the Assam Exp 16.46 16.48 Swaraj, who was on her first Immigration Council said on Thursday. US on a non-immigrant visa will 15930-Chennai Egmore Dirugarh visit to Japan in the capacity of the "This policy makes the United States a more ap - have to answer a list of questions Exp (Mon) 07.22 07.24 external affairs minister, had pealing place for foreign professionals considering under new rules. The State Depart - 15928-Rangiya Dibrugarh I/City reached Tokyo on Wednesday to H-1Bs because their spouses — who come on H-4 ment estimates that the new visa (Sun, Wed, Sat) 13.03 13.05 attend the ninth India-Japan Strate - visas — can continue their careers and contribute to provided work authorisation to 105,000 H-4 appli - forms would affect 710,000 immi - 15968-Rangia Dibrugarh Spl (M, T, F, ) 13.03 13.05 gic Dialogue. She met her coun - the family income," it said in a new report. Arguing cants since 2015. Unlike H-1B visa holders, work grant and 14 million non-immigrant 13281-Rajendra Nagar New terpart Taro Kano on Thursday and against Trump administration's reported move to re - authorisation for eligible H-4 spouses is unre - visa applicants. It said that in addi - Tinsukia Exp (Mon) 12.12 12.14 the two leaders reviewed the entire scind its policy on H-4 visas, which is issued to the stricted, meaning that the H-4 dependents can work tion to asking the visa applicants to 15902-Banglore City Dibrugarh Exp (Sat) 00.35 00.37 gamut of bilateral ties. Describing dependents of H-1B visa holders, the council said for any employer. provide their identifications or han - 15718-Guwahati Mariani Interciy Exp 09.50 09.52 15666-Kamakhya Dimapur B.G. Exp 22.22 22.24 the meeting as "very productive", authorising H-4 spouses to work is advantageous as Yet their work authorisation, like their immigra - dles of their social media platform, 14055-Delhi Dibrugarh Brahmaputra Mail 06.53 06.55 Swaraj said her trip had laid a it allows them to work and brings the US in line with tion status, is dependent on the H-1B worker main - they would also be asked to give de - sound foundation for Modi's visit other countries competing to attract talented foreign 12526-Kolkata Dibrugarh Express (Tue) 16.22 17.24 taining a valid immigration status. tails of their phone and mobile num - 15933-Amritsar Dibrugarh Express (Tue) 14.12 14.14 to Japan for the next bilateral An - nationals. The H1-B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows bers used in the last five years. 15960-Howrah Dibrugarh Kamrup Exp 02.30 02.32 nual Summit later this year. The highly-skilled individuals US employers hope US companies to employ foreign workers in special - Other questions seek five years of Hours after meeting Abe, 12423-Rajdhani Express NDLS-DBRT 02.50 02.52 to attract and employ on a H-1B non immigrant visa ity occupations that require theoretical or technical previously used telephone numbers, 12335-Rajdhani Express Swaraj departed from Tokyo, con - often have a spouse or family to consider. expertise. US President Donald Trump issued an ex - email addresses and international cluding her first official trip to NDLS-DBRT (Tue, Sat) 01.10 01.12 The potential worker may have a spouse with an ecutive order last year that outlined changes to the travel whether the visa applicant has 12235-Rajdhani Express NDLS-DBRT (Fri) 01.10 01.12 Japan. "Sayonara! EAM @Sush - established career or a family needing the support employment eligibility for H-4 spouses. been deported or removed from any maSwaraj departs from Tokyo 15906-Kanyakumari Dibrugarh of two working parents, it said. "If a spouse retains It announced the administration's intent to revoke country and whether specified fam - Vivek Exp (Sun) 05.55 06.57 after her first official visit to Japan the option of being employed, the US employer can the regulation permitting certain H-4 spouses to ily members have been involved in 15903-Chandigarh Dibrugarh for the 9th #IndiaJapan Strategic provide a more appealing and competitive job offer," apply for work authorisation. The regulatory agenda terrorist activities, said the document Express (Mon) 14.12 14.14 Dialogue," Indian Embassy in it said. published in Fall 2017 reaffirmed this intention, which would be formally published 05944- Agarlata Dibrugarh Spl( Mon) 05.13 05.15 Tokyo tweeted. According to the council, the US government has though few details have been made available. on Friday.

Page 7 March-31_Normal Pages 3/30/2018 9:05 PM Page 1

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2017 NATION THE HILLS TIMES 7 Army chief visits forward areas in Ladakh CBSE leak: Police writes to bordering China SRINAGAR, March 30 (PTI): Chief of Army Staff General Google, seeks details of ID used to Govt treading upon judicial Bipin Rawat on Friday visited forward areas bordering China in eastern Ladakh region of Jammu send e-mail to board’s chairperson NEW DELHI, March 30 (PTI): about the leak, the officials said. and Kashmir. The Delhi Crime Branch has written In the mail the sender had stated Gen Rawat arrived at Leh and to Google for details of the e-mail that the mathematics paper was independence, alleges Congress visited forward posts in Eastern address from where the CBSE leaked on WhatsApp and that it Surjewala blamed the government for Parliament logjam Ladakh, a defence spokesman chairperson was sent a mail on the should be cancelled, they said. The BENGALURU, March 30 (PTI): various issues, including the no- said in Srinagar. He said the Class 10 mathematics paper being mail also contained attachments of The Congress on Friday accused confidence motion against it, were army chief interacted with troops leaked, police officials said. The the handwritten mathematics paper the Modi government of playing not discussed. serving in sub-zero temperatures. board's chairperson Anita Karwal leaked on instant messaging appli - an "extremely dangerous game" of He said the Prime Minister and "The Chief of Army Staff was had received the e-mail a day before cation, according to the complaint. "treading upon" judicial independ - his government were "insulting" briefed on the operational pre - the mathematics exam, which was The mathematics and economics ence, following the letter by the great institution of Parliament paredness in Eastern Ladakh sec - held on March 28, they said. The exams were held on March 28 and Supreme Court judge Justice J by not permitting it to function. tor. He appreciated the efforts of Delhi Police has written to Google March 26 respectively. "The papers Chelameswar cautioning on the ju - "This may be first instance in troops deployed in harsh weather to share details of the ID from which (economics and mathematics) were diciary-government bonhomie. India's history in the last 70 years conditions," the spokesman said. the CBSE chairperson was sent the shared on over 10 WhatsApp "Independence of India's judici - where a ruling government is not He said Gen Rawat's visit has e-mail about the paper being leaked, groups, comprising 50-60 members. ary has been under attack on the allowing Parliament to function," boosted the morale of soldiers the police officials said. The e-mail These groups have been identified. part of Prime Minister Narendra he said. deployed in difficult locations in contains images of 12 pages of Four numbers that the CBSE men - Modi and his government since Flaying the government on the Ladakh. handwritten question papers, which tioned in their complaints were used they have taken over, and I'm say - issue of the CBSE question paper were posted on WhatsApp groups, to circulate the Class 12 economics ing this with the sense of responsi - leak, he alleged 'exam mafia' is 5 Bangladeshi nationals they said. The Delhi Police had reg - paper. The numbers were of tutors," bility," AICC in-charge flourishing under Union HRD istered separate cases on March 27 an official privy to the probe said. communications Randeep Singh which were also sent to 22 other wala hit out at the government for minister Prakash Javadekar. Hit - arrested for armed and March 28, respectively, to probe The police have questioned 45 peo - Surjewala said. apex court judges on March 21, refusing to answer the issues raised ting out at Javadekar, the AICC robbery in Thane the leak of the Class 12 economics ple since yesterday, including the "Subjugation of the judiciary, Justice Chelameswar had said that by one of the senior-most judges of communications in-charge accused THANE, March 30 (PTI): Five paper and Class 10 mathematics administrators of the 10 WhatsApp suppression of their independence any "bonhomie" between the judi - the Supreme Court. him of shying away from an inde - persons were arrested for an paper, following a complaint by the groups, a coaching centre's owner, and decimation of their constitu - ciary and the government would "..Modi government is playing pendent judicial investigation. armed robbery in a house in regional director of the CBSE. 18 students and some tutors, in con - tional right of selecting and ap - sound the "death knell" for the extremely dangerous game of "Do you have something to Kashimira locality in Bhayander The cases were registered on nection with the CBSE paper leak pointing judges by colourable democracy. treading upon judicial independ - hide? Are you shielding or protect - in Thane in which cash and jew - charges of criminal breach of trust, case, he said. The questioning in the exercise of power by Prime Min - He had also urged him to con - ence. May God almighty give them ing somebody?" he asked, and ellery amounting to ` 9.98 lakh cheating and criminal conspiracy. case is taking place at two Crime ister Modi has been the DNA of the vene a full court to deal with the al - some sense of propriety, of justice sought to know "how an independ - was looted, police said on Friday. In the complaint pertaining to the Branch offices. There has been no Modi government," he told re - leged executive interference in and of constitutional division of ent investigation can take place un - Police said that preliminary in - mathematics paper, the board has breakthrough in determining the porters in Bengaluru in response to judiciary. labour," he added. less Javadekar, who is busy with vestigations have revealed that said that a day before the exam, an point of origin of the alleged leak of a question. Quoting various instances, in - Surjewala blamed the govern - Karnataka election and playing the five persons are Bangladeshi e-mail was received on the CBSE Class 10 mathematics and Class 12 In an unprecedented letter to the cluding the Supreme Court judges ment for Parliament logjam, saying partisan politics and the CBSE nationals, with three of them ar - chairperson's official ID informing economics papers. Chief Justice of India, copies of holding a press conference, Surje - it was an attempt to ensure that chairperson are sacked". riving in the country a few days ago by air and the other two by train. In the early hours of March SP-BSP alliance may 22, a group of armed robbers cut LIGHTING THE LAMP the grills of a house near Chena TN Govt will move cost BJP 25-30 LS creek here and, after tying up the residents, looted ` 9.98 lakh in seats in UP: Athawale cash and valuables from them, SC on Cauvery issue LUCKNOW, March 30 (PTI): MADURAI/CHENNAI, March tory Committee (CWRC) within said police. Following the inci - 30 (PTI): The Tamil Nadu gov - six weeks from the day the apex Union minister and chief of NDA dent, special police teams were ernment will move the Supreme court gave its verdict, which ally RPI (A) Ramdas Athawale on formed and they had fanned out Court on the issue of constituting would be March 29. The Friday said the SP-BSP tie-up in in different areas of the district to the Cauvery Management Board Supreme Court had on February Uttar Pradesh might cost the BJP apprehend the criminals, police (CMB), chief minister K 16 pronounced its verdict on the and its partners 25 to 30 Lok Sabha informed. "Acting on a tip-off, a Palaniswami said on Friday. vexed dispute between Tamil seats in next year's general elections, team led by senior inspector Asked what kind of petition the Nadu and Karnataka. Underlin - but asserted that "no one can chal - Venkat Andale and assistant in - state intended to file in the apex ing his government's commitment lenge Prime Minister Narendra spector Pramod Badak of the court, he told reporters in Madu - towards setting up of CMB and Modi". UP has 80 Lok Sabha seats, Crime Branch yesterday kept rai, "All that is still being dis - the CWRC, Palaniswami pointed of which the BJP and its allies had vigil at a bridge between Vasai cussed with legal experts." out that his party MPs had vocif - won 73 in the 2014 parliamentary and Versova here and stopped a Palaniswami had on Thursday erously taken up the matter in Par - elections. The Congress had won Chevrolet car. The tip-off was chaired a meeting here with his liament leading to the proceedings Amethi and Rae Bareli, while the correct and police managed to ar - senior cabinet colleagues, includ - being stalled for over two weeks. Samajwadi Party (SP) bagged five rest five persons from the car in ing deputy chief minister O Pa - "They (MPs) have been doing seats. After the recent bypolls, SP's connection with the March 22 in - neerselvam, and officials, to so to reflect the aspirations of the tally in the Lok Sabha went up to cident," a senior official said on discuss legal steps to be taken in people of the state and armers," he seven. "The SP-BSP may damage Friday. The five have been iden - this regard. Thursday's meeting added. Fisheries minister D the BJP and its allies by winning tified by the police as Moham - was held following the end of a Jayakumar said in Chennai that some 25-30 (Lok Sabha) seats. But, mad Palsha Mohammad Ismail six-week deadline given by the the government has decided to ap - the BJP will get more than 50 seats. Hawaldar (32), Bappi Akbar Supreme Court to the Centre to proach the apex court on the mat - However, this will not prevent the Sheikh (27), Mohammad Latif formulate a scheme on the Cau - ter. "We are going to approach the BJP-led NDA from returning to Sheikh (31), Mohammad Akram very dispute. Tamil Nadu's stand is Supreme Court... the government power at the Centre after the 2019 Irfan Ali (28), all from Khulna in The Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu lighting the lamp at the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of that the Centre must constitute the is holding discussions," he told re - Lok Sabha polls," he told a press the neighbouring country. Mahila Dakshata Samiti, in Hyderabad on Friday.PIB CMB and Cauvery Water Regula - porters here. conference in Lucknow. In the same breath, the Republi - can Party of India (A) leader said, "No one can challenge Prime Min - ister Narendra Modi -- neither Con - Apprehend limited confrontation Life limping back to normal in gress president Rahul Gandhi, nor SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, nor BSP supremo Mayawati." The SP wrested the prestigious Gorakhpur with Pak in April: BSF on ceasefire Asansol, prohibitory orders in force and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats from JAMMU, March 30 (PTI): The doing extremely well, he added. ASANSOL (WB), March 30 (PTI): Prohibitory or - national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, party the BJP in the recent bye-elections BSF on Friday said it apprehends Replying to a question on terror ders remained in force and internet services sus - MPs Roopa Ganguly and O P Mathur and senior after reaching an understanding with a "limited confrontation" with Pak - launch pads across the border, the pended for the third day on Friday even as life was leader V D Ram, Basu said. the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). A istan on the International Border BSF DG said, "We have been get - limping back to normal in this industrial town of West "The dates are yet to be finalised, but they will visit consolidation of OBC, Dalit and (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir in ting information regularly that Bengal, official sources said. Raniganj either tomorrow or the day after," he added. Muslim votes powered the Sama - April, soon after the harvest season there are training camps and There was no fresh incident of violence but the pro - Reacting to the proposed visit of the BJP delega - jwadi Party candidates to victory in is over. The BSF also said multiple launch pads across the border." hibitory orders were in force in Asansol as tension tion, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Asansol Gorakhpur, a seat represented by infiltration bids by Pakistan along "Keeping that in mind, the BSF prevailed in the northern parts of the town, Sub-Di - Municipal Corporation mayor Jitendra Tiwari alleged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the International Border (IB) have is taking measures so that any in - visional Officer (SDO) P Roychowdhury said. that the leaders of the saffron party wanted to visit the five successive terms, and Phulpur, been foiled in recent past. filtration bid does not succeed," the Internet services would remain suspended till April area to incite violence in order to divide the people from where his deputy Keshav Pakistan violated the ceasefire BSF chief said, adding it is open 4, he added. on religious lines. Prasad Maurya was elected in the agreement along the LoC and the secret that Pakistani Rangers and Prohibitory orders under section 144, CrPC were Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had held a high- 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Amid International Border in Jammu and its army are helping them. clamped in the Asansol-Raniganj area and internet level meeting at the secretariat in Kolkata on Thurs - Mayawati's ongoing efforts to cob - Kashmir 633 times in the first two "They deny it at international services were suspended on Wednesday. day, after returning from New Delhi, to review the ble together non-BJP parties for the months of this year in which 10 se - are cut (harvesting) we may have a fora. Such activity (infiltration) Roychowdhury said the police staged a route situation in the Asansol-Raniganj area. The chief sec - 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the RPI (A) curity personnel and 12 civilians limited confrontation with Pak - cannot take place without as active march in the town to instill a sense of security among retary, the home secretary, the director general of po - president asked the BSP supremo to were killed, the Lok Sabha was in - istan," BSF Director-General K K support of Pak Rangers and the the people. lice (DGP) and the ADGP (law and order) were join the NDA if her concern for Dal - formed recently. Sharma told reporters in Jammu on Pak army," Sharma said. Shops and markets, however, opened and vehicles present at the meeting. its was genuine. Seeking to drive a Union minister of state for home Friday. He said every year there He said there have been a num - plied in the southern parts of the town, he added. One person was killed and two police officers were wedge into the new-found bon - Hansraj Gangaram Ahir had said has been limited engagement with ber of infiltration attempts along State BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said a injured in the violence that had erupted in the area on homie between the SP and the BSP, 432 incidents of ceasefire violation Pakistan in April after crops are the IB during the past three delegation of party leaders would visit Raniganj and Sunday and Monday. Athawale claimed that the BSP can - have taken place along the Line of harvested. "We wish that this months. "We have spotted a num - Asansol, which had recently witnessed clashes be - The Imam of Noorani Masjid, Imdatullah Rashid, didate lost the Rajya Sabha election Control in Jammu and Kashmir should not happen (confrontation), ber of (militant) groups coming tween two groups over Ram Navami processions. had yesterday said his younger son was killed in the in Uttar Pradesh as the Akhilesh and 201 such incidents along the but we have to be prepared," he closer to the IB. We have always The BJP delegation would visit the troubled areas violence and that his body was found on Wednesday Yadav-led party had "betrayed" International Border this year till said. Sharma said the Jammu fron - been alert and therefore, they have to assess the situation and submit its report to party night, but he had not filed any police complaint in this Mayawati's nominee by not backing February. "As I said, we anticipate tier and the western command are not succeeded and have gone president Amit Shah, he added. regard. He had also appealed to the people to restore him in return for her support during that immediately after the crops well prepared. The frontier is back." The four-member delegation would comprise BJP peace in the area. the Lok Sabha bypolls. Postcard News co-founder held It had earlier taken note of the ‘pathetic’ condition of widows after a plea was filed in 2007 for posting ‘fake news’: Police BENGALURU, March 30 (PTI): "Not only thousands of people Online portal 'Postcard News' co- saw that news, it was also shared on Unfortunate that some states have not given info on widows’ welfare: SC founder Mahesh Vikram Hegde has Twitter and Facebook. In this con - NEW DELHI, March 30 (PTI): tion and analysis of the informa - welfare of widows and stressed the been arrested on the charge of post - nection, the Cyber Crime police reg - The Supreme Court has chastised tion," it said and posted the matter need for combined effort to improve ing "fake news" aimed at creating istered a case against the owner of several states for not giving infor - for hearing on May 2. their condition. communal conflict and bringing a the portal and arrested him," it said. mation to the Centre on the action During the hearing, the lawyer The court had earlier asked the bad name to the state government, BJP Lok Sabha MP Prathap plan for the uplift and welfare of representing NCW suggested that ministry to respond to the report of the police said on Friday. Simha on Thursday hit out at the widows and destitute women, there were large number of schemes a six-member panel set up by it to Hegde, who was arrested on Thurs - Congress government for the police terming it as "extremely unfortu - for destitute women and widows study the reports furnished before day, had allegedly posted that a Jain action against Hegde. nate". The apex court, after perusing and it would be appropriate if its the court about the condition of wid - monk was attacked by a Muslim "Today morning Coward Con - the compliance affidavit filed by the compilation and analysis was made ows and come up with a common youth, they said. gress Govt (Karnataka) arrested Ministry of Women and Child De - available. working plan. However, the case pertains to the @mvmeet Mahesh Vikram Hegde velopment, also observed that the "In view of the submission made, It had earlier taken note of the monk, Munisri Upadyaya Mayank, under unconnected IT act 66, that information given by certain states we direct all the state governments "pathetic" condition of widows after and his associates getting hit by a too by using CCB! Shame on you were incomplete. and union territories administrations a plea was filed in 2007 highlighting two-wheeler near Kavalande village @INCKarnataka (sic)," he tweeted. A bench of Justices M B Lokur to supply through e-mail to the Min - how they lived in welfare homes in on March 11. while they were re - However, AICC in-charge com - and Deepak Gupta directed all states istry of Women and Child Develop - Vrindavan. It had referred to vari - turning from the pilgrimage centre munications Randeep Singh Surje - and union territories to provide "full ment and to the NCW all the ous reports filed by the National of Shravanabelagola in Hassan dis - wala defended the police for the and complete information" to the schemes that are in force for desti - Legal Services Authority (NALSA), trict. The two-wheeler rider was al - action, saying, "What happened ministry within two weeks. tute women," the bench said. District Legal Services Authority legedly in an inebriated state, they here, a particular website accused a "A perusal of the affidavit (filed tremely unfortunate," the bench about the steps they propose to take It asked the NCW to analyse all and NCW on the condition of shel - said. A release by the police said, seer of a minority community being by the ministry) indicates that there noted in its order. so that there was a combined effort the schemes and come out with "one ter homes for widows in Vrindavan. "The fake news was aimed at creat - attacked by member of another mi - are some states that have not sub - The top court had earlier asked and monitoring to improve the con - suitable, implementable and model One of the reports had said that ing conflict between two communi - nority community....they are trying mitted the necessary information to the states and union territories to in - ditions of widows. scheme". there was lack of proper toilets and ties and bringing a bad name to the to spread hatred among communi - the Ministry ... and there are some form the state commissions for "We expect the NCW to assist the On February 7, the apex court had bathrooms in the shelter homes, be - state government that nobody is safe ties by perpetuating and peddling states where the information given women, National Commission for Ministry of Women and Child De - observed that state authorities did sides poor water and electricity fa - in this state." fake news." is incomplete. We find this ex - Women (NCW) and the ministry velopment in collection of informa - not appear to be interested in the cilities. page 8- MAR-31_Normal Pages 3/30/2018 10:15 PM Page 1

8 THE HILLS TIMES SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2018

All Assam Archery ChaArmcherpy Aiossonciastiohn giopt u nkderiwcayk hsere aot Hfaf z - arapar Stadium on Friday. Around 187 players from different districts CWG 2018 : India men’s hockey along with Assam Police and NERSA are taking part in the two-day championship. The tournament was formally inaugurated by Rajen Barthakur, Chairman, Assam Text Book Publication in presence of Ritubaran Sarma, team out to break Australia jinx Chairman, Amtron along with DC, Sonitpur Twice India have reached the summit clash - once at home, once in Glasgow Monoj Kumar Deka and Jayant Boro, President, NEW DELHI, March 30 (AGEN - Ramandeep Singh, SK Uthappa] in All Assam Archery Association. CIES): The winds of change are favour of fresh legs [Vivek Prasad, Attending the gathering Monoj Kumar Deka blowing thick and fast in the heavily Dilpreet Singh] but at the same time said sports play a vital role in building character scrutinised world of Indian hockey. allowing his players enough freedom HT Correspondent and career. Archery is a great sport for building Under the tutelage of Dutch coach Sjo - to express themselves on the field. TEZPUR, March 30: All Assam Inter District confidence quickly. He also urged the young - erd Marijne, the men's team is on a That reflected on the 18 members (Man and Woman) Senior Archery Champi - sters to take the game seriously so that they can mission to reclaim its lost glory and Marijne picked for his first major as - onship, organised by the Sonitpur District improve their game and become honest citizen. the early few signs have put them on a signment of a year which is packed solid footing that they are treading the with high-profile events including the right path. Asian Games, Champions Trophy and Their first major test awaits them in the World Cup. At the CWG, India Gold Coast [Australia] which will play have been placed in Pool B alongside Indo-NHeT pCoarrels pYondoenut ng Moohdar, oTri bcikr’asm hGoispwa mfi,rTroidemep P hAukpan,Kru n5 al host to the 2018 Commonwealth Pakistan, England Malaysia and GOHPUR, March 30: The first Indo-Nepal Munda, Piyangshu Kashyap, Uttam Kr. Upadhaya, Games from April 4-15. In its past two Wales. Defending champions Aus - Young Moodo championship to be held in Kath - Raktim Boro, Kailash Borah, Sourabh Jyoti Sarma, iterations, India have made it to the fi - tralia are in Pool A with New Zealand, mandu, Nepal from April 5 to April 7. For partici - Purnima Borah,Geetanjali Muchahary, Dipali nals only to fall at the final hurdle South Africa, Canada and Scotland. pating the international martial art's championship, Doley. On behalf of All Assam Young Moodo As - against the same adversary, Australia. India face Pakistan in their opening thirteen players from Assam have been selected by sociation coachPinku Baruah and coach Rakesh But expect no warmth from the current clash and if their recent clashes are any All Assam Young Moodo Association. The se - Sharma Bordoloi have supervised and trained the world champions who are playing the aburras who have an added motivation cessful defence of their bronze medal indication, this shouldn't be a tough lected players are Bichitra Lahon, Biplab Sutrad - players. hosts this time around provided India this time around to give their leg - at the Hockey World League in De - nut for the two-time silver medallists. manage to make it to the summit clash. endary captain Mark Knowles a per - cember. They bossed over Pakistan in 2017, They have a mission of their own to fect send-off now that he has Marijne is already leaving his im - winning by big margins in all their continue their CWG domination, hav - announced he will retire following the print on this team having given four clashes. Northeast Kickboxing c’ship from July 12 ing pocketed gold medals on all five conclusion of the games. After the un - chances to a host of youngsters, tinker - Apart from their traditional rivalry, HT Correspondent man and Lakhindra Roy as convenor along with occasions since hockey became a part ceremonious sacking of Roelant Olt - ing with the team combination across the fact that Oltmans is coaching Pak - KOKRAJHAR, March 30: Preparations are 21 executive members. An executive meeting of of the games in 1998. mans last year, the reins of the team three tournaments [Asia Cup, Hockey istan adds more spice to the contest. going on to hold the 3rd Northeast Kickboxing the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) of Kick - Twice India have reached the sum - were handed over to Marijne. In his World League and Sultan Azlan Shah Against Malaysia, India have a domi - championship 2018 scheduled to be held from boxing Association was held at Bodoland Guest mit clash – once at home, once in first two assignments in charge of the Cup]. Innovative and fun training ses - nating record, having beaten them 80 July 12 next at SAI centre ground in Kokrajhar. House, Bodofa Nwgwr in Kokrajhar with Indra - Glasgow – and on both occasions they men's team, he delivered gold at the sions and not shying away from drop - times in 115 matches while losing 17 The sports event has been organised by BTC jit Basumatary in the chair. The meeting dis - suffered heavy defeats to the Kook - Asia Cup last year and then led a suc - ping ageing stars [Sardar Singh, with 18 of them ending in draws. Kickboxing Association. A total 400 participants cussed on the preparation and programme are participating in the championship from eight arrangement to host the kickboxing champi - northeastern states. A reception committee has onship in Kokrajhar with four-day programme been formed with Simson Mushahary as chair - scheduled. All Assam ID Chess concludes Silchar grab three points against Nagaon HT Bureau HT Bureau for just 10 runs. Later following on Nagaon GUWAHATI, March 30: Top seed Shahil Dey of Guwahati clinched the GUWAHATI, March 30: Silchar earned were 160/7 in their second innings when the title in U-11 category of 41st All Assam Inter District Chess Championship three points by virtue of the first innings match came to an end. which concluded at South Point School on Friday. Shahil scored perfect 7 lead against Nagaon after the quarter final In another game of the competition, points from 7 rounds. In the final round Shahil beat Ariz Zaman of Tinsukia. tie of the Nuruddin Senior Inter District which kicked off at the Barsapara stadium Mrinmoy Rajkhowa of Guwahati got second position by scoring 6 points Cricket tournament between the two sides here today, Jorhat couldn’t do well against from same number of rounds. Mayank Chakraborty of Guwahati scored 5.5 ended as a draw at the NFRSA stadium, Guwahati. Two good spells from Chan - points and got third position. In U-11 Girls category Aslesha Talukdar of Maligaon here on Friday. dradeep Das (5/21) and Riyan Parag (5/28) Guwahati scored 5.5 points and bagged the first position. She remained un - In reply to Silchar’s first innings total 269 forced Jorhat to bowl out paltry 81 runs in beaten throughout the tournament. Ikshita Barman, also from Guwahati, fin - Nagaon on Friday bowled out paltry 46 runs the first innings. Later rode on a half cen - ished second with five points. Unmilita Pathak of Guwahati scored 4.5 in their first innings. Rahul Singh came out tury from Riyan Parag (55no) Guwahati points and got third position. with a nice spell and picked up 5 wickets scored 133-4 at stumps on day I. In under-7 (Boys) category Swaraj Jyoti Neog of North Lakhimpur won the title scoring 5.5 points. Abhishek Bordoloi of Jorhat scored 5 points and got second position. Keertan Kalita (4.5 points) of Guwahati finished third. GSA Inter Club TT from April 7 In U-7 (Girls) category Hridika Das of Guwahati clinched the title by HT Bureau scoring 4 points from 4 rounds. Nibhriti Goswami also from Guwahati GUWAHATI, March 30: Mohan Chandra Das and Sarala Bala Das memorial All Guwa - scored 3 points and got second position. In woman category Junmoni Gogoi hati Inter club and Guwahati Open Table Tennis Championship will be held at the ABITA of Jorhat clinched the title with 5 points. Anchita Sharma of Guwahati also Stadium from April 7. The two-day meet will be organised by the Gauhati Sports Associ - scored 5 points but had to satisfy with the second position on the basis of ation (GSA). GSA has also announced the date of the Rayesh Naweed Memorial Inter tie-break score. Tanisha A R Shome of Jorhat got third place with 4.5 points. School Championship which will be held on April 6 at the same venue.

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