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5 Assam CM lays foundation stone of ` N

O 3 crore agri ecotourism project at AAU I G E Subungthini Thandwi Bineswar R Brahma remembered in Kokrajhar 7 Calcutta HC orders CBI, SIT probes N

O in post-poll violence cases in Bengal I T A Army JCO, terrorist killed in N encounter in J-K’s Rajouri www.thehillstimes.in Voice of the hills people HE ILLS IME` S Vol .No. XXII Issue No. 213 Regd. NGG-709 RNI-ASSENG/2000/128T62 DIPHU, KARBI AHNGLONG, FRI DAY, AUGUST 20, 2021T PAGES 8 PRICE 5 Himanta visits historic Jorhat Central Jail, pays homage to martyr Kushal Konwar AHSEC to continue A reflection to the ALTE ‘in lieu of MIL’ in HS as earlier Journey of 100 days HT Bureau GUWAHATI, Aug 19: Reversing Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma JoHTr Cohrrespaondtent jail to become heritage site its own order of withdrawing ‘Al - Chief Minister, Assam JORHAT, Aug 19: The historic ternative English’ (ALTE) from the Jorhat Central Jail, where martyr Govt to restructure MIL from the 2021-22 academic iding on the good wishes and blessings of the people of Assam, Kushal Konwar was executed session, the Assam Higher Second - our government assumed the reins of power exactly before 100 would be made into a heritage site functioning of medical ary Education Council (AHSEC) days. We embarked into a journey to bring about a substantive and as it was inextricably linked with has decided to continue ALTE as a meaningful transformation. While 100 days may be too short a period to colleges: CM part of the core subject ‘in lieu of R the country’s Freedom Movement, HT Correspondent bring about transformative changes, especially in the area of governance, MIL’ as earlier . chief minister Himanta Biswa JORHAT, Aug 19: The Assam nevertheless the seeds have already been sown Sarma said here on Thursday. Now, students were supposed to and there are enough indications that these government is planning to re - have any of the MIL subjects as a Sarma said that the state govern - structure the functioning of the will bear fruits in the coming days. ment would develop a heritage site core subject. Based on our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri medical colleges in the state, The decision to reverse the pre - in 100 bighas out of the 307 bighas chief minister Himanta Biswa Narendra Modi ji’s philosophy of “Sabka of jail land. vious order came after the Karbi Saath, Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Prayas”, we Sarma said here on Thursday. Lammet Amei (KLA), the princi - “It will be done as a mark of Addressing a gathering at the have already built the tempo for a citizen- tribute to our great freedom fight - pals of different senior secondary friendly governance movement in the State. Jorhat Medical College and Hos - schools, higher secondary schools ers during the celebration of 75th pital (JMCH) here, Sarma said Continuous engagement with citizens is an es - year of Independence Ajadi ka of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi An - sential ingredient of participatory governance, 1911. During the freedom struggle, side this jail. that the state government would glong have submitted representa - Amrit Mahotsav,” he said. hold a meeting with the princi - a strong point in case, is the heartening re - It was in this jail that Swaheed prominent freedom fighters like Sarma interacted with the jail tions regarding the problems being sponse to our Government’s call to affluent social reformer Pitambar Dev authority as well as a few of the jail pals of the medical colleges in faced by them with regard to ad - Kushal Konwar was hanged by the September to finalise the people to surrender their ration cards. British on June 15, 1943. Goswami, former president inmates and took stock of their var - mission (CONTD. ON PAGE-2) Our government took over the reins of gov - Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed, former ious grievances. roadmap in this regard. Sarma paid homage to the por - Stressing on the need for en - ernance when the devastating second wave of trait of Konwar kept inside the cell chief minister Gopinath Bordoloi Later, while talking with media Covid-19 was ravaging the State. Hence, our priority was to tackle the and Bimala Prasad Chaliha, Amiyo persons, the chief minister said that suring better services to the peo - in which he had been kept and ple, the chief minister called for Meghalaya allows mounting challenge of Covid-19 and, to achieve this, ‘Team Assam’ ded - which has been preserved. Kumar Das, Bijoy Bhagawati, Ka - as per his announcement in this icated its entire effort under the overall guidance of Hon’ble Prime Min - makhya Tripathi etc. were impris - year's Independence Day speech, upholding best practices by the The Jorhat Central Jail, formerly medical staff. He also directed to reopening of more ister. We adopted the strategy of test, treat, trace and vaccinate. We have known as Jorhat District Jail was oned in this jail. the state government will preserve also made adequate preparations to minimise the impact of a third wave, Freedom fighters Beja Bauri and the Jorhat Central Jail as a heritage take strict action against those constructed during the British rule (CONTD. ON PAGE-2) which many health experts are predicting. (CONTD. ON PAGE-2) Kamala Miri breathed their last in - site after bifurcating the jail land. who activities in India in 1909 and was opened in HT Bureau SHILLONG, Aug 19: Meghalaya government has decided to allow reopening of sports activities, pub - Maiden Tezu-Guwahati flight takes off Himanta goes down memory lic parks and plying of public HT Bureau International Airport took off for RED Ravi Kant extended his sin - transport from August 23. GUWAHATI, Aug 19: The much Tezu Airport, an airport developed, cere gratitude towards the state This was informed by the deputy awaited direct air connectivity to managed and operated by Airports government for the continuous lane at Jorhat alma mater chief minister Prestone Tynsong one of the easternmost locations of Authority of India (AAI) in support even during the odd hours HT Correspondent Sarma recalled that his elder brothers too studied in after a meeting to review the the country, Tezu in Arunachal Arunachal Pradesh. and to the airline for starting the JORHAT, Aug 19: In a whirlwind tour of Jorhat on the same school, and that he had memories of eating Covid-19 situation in the state. Pradesh started on Thursday with The flagging off function was at - flight services under RCS-UDAN Thursday, chief minister Himanta BIswa Sarma first tiffin provided by the school. Tynsong told reporters that the the maiden flight of Flybig Airlines tended by Arunachal Pradesh chief programme where seats are avail - stepped into Balya Bhavan High School, the school Sarma was shown the Montessori class register government has decided that all from Guwahati that landed on minister Pema Khandu (through able on affordable rates for shorter where he had first learnt the three Rs - Reading, Writ - book in which his name featured at number 21. sports activities will start reopen - Thursday. video link), Aviation and Tourism distance. ing and Arithmetic. Sarma later told reporters with a smile that while ing from Monday next week. He Under the ambitious Regional minister Nakap Nalo, MP Tapir Kant mentioned that AAI has al - An emotional CM went down memory lane and the first two pages showed his name as 21 in the reg - said cinema halls will also reopen Connectivity Scheme UDAN- Gao, regional executive director ways been pivotal in connecting spoke about how he and his siblings had first entered ister, on the third page he was at the top. with one-third capacity adding the ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik’ of the (RED), AAI, NER, Ravi Kant and remote and small places through the pre primary section (Montessori) of this hallowed Sarma said that he would aid in renovating the in - other activities which are allowed Union government, the first flight other dignitaries at Tezu Airport. air transportation in the country institute, famed as the first Montessori Assamese frastructure, science laboratory and quality develop - to reopen also include jackpot par - from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Addressing the function, AAI and said (CONTD. ON PAGE-2) medium school at the time. ment of the institute. (CONTD. ON PAGE-2) lours and (CONTD. ON PAGE-2)

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2 THE HILLS TIMES BUSINESS FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021 ‘Drones would also be registered and their flyers would be issued licenses,’ says Union Civil Aviation minister MG introduces Astor SUV with

India’sH Tf Buirreaust persoannd subascrilpt ioAns ofI C AaAP wsill sresidie.s It wtilla allonw cut s - AINDiORrE (IMnP), dAugi 1a9 (P TdI): isinvestment is on tracakirwa:y s Sand c100i ainrportds byi 2a025, GUWAHATI, Aug 19: MG Motor India, unveiled the tomers to personalise their set of services. Speaking Union Civil Aviation minister Jyoti - Scindia said. industry-first personal AI assistant and first-in-segment about India’s first personal AI assistant and the first-in- raditya Scindia on Thursday said the The air traffic to and from Indore, Autonomous Level 2 technology, to be segment Autonomous Level 2 car Astor, Ra - disinvestment process of national Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Kha - featured in their upcoming mid-size SUV jeev Chaba, president and MD, MG Motor carrier Air India was on the ‘right juraho in Madhya Pradesh, his home – Astor on Thursday. MG aims to further India, said, "As an auto-tech brand, we’ve al - track’. state, was increasing, he said. The its auto-tech focus by building on the ways introduced breakthrough technologies “The disinvestment process of Air number of flights from these places concept of car-as-a-platform (CAAP) of and now, we are moving forward with Artifi - India is on the right track. For this the would go up to 738 from 424 from possibilities and services. The personal cial Intelligence. Astor is a step further and a financial bids should come in by Sep - September 1, the minister added. AI assistant is designed by the acclaimed catalyst for disruption with first-in-the-indus - tember 15 and after that the next An expansion plan of Indore's American firm ‘Star Design’. It depicts try and best-in-class features which customers move would be initiated,” he told re - Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International human-like emotions & voices and can give detailed in - only get in premium/luxury segments. With a relentless porters here. Airport to enable operations of big formation on every topic through Wikipedia. It will en - pursuit of innovation and software at the heart of the pro - Scindia, who was recently in - aircraft from there has been drawn gage with people in the car and is powered by i-Smart duction, our vehicles will continue to provide a smarter ducted in the Union cabinet, also said up, under which 2,300 acres of land Hub. It is a platform on which the partnerships, services, and safer driving experience by leveraging AI." a ‘blueprint’ of rules for operating has been sought from the state gov - drones had been prepared after dis - ernment, Scindia said. Contd. from Page 1... cussions with the Defense and Home To a question, he said the Indore- Ministries. Dubai flight service, grounded due to As in the case of bigger aircraft, help of software, the minister said. Air services in the country are the Covid-19 outbreak, would re - flying paths for drones would be set Drones would also be registered being democratised under the UDAN sume after getting a go-ahead from A reflection to the Journey up and people would be allowed to and their flyers would be issued li - project, and efforts are on to achieve Indian and United Arab Emirates Our Covid warriors led from the front and helped Assam emerge victorious in its war against the pandemic. fly drones in specified areas with the censes, he added. the target of putting in place 1,000 (UAE) authorities. With the tireless efforts of our health workers, we have been able to bring down the positivity rate from 9.13 % to 0.73 %, installed oxygen generation plants with a total capacity of 13.56 MT, nearly doubled the number of ICU beds in State medical college hospitals from 793 to 1,308 and administered over 1.48 crore doses of vaccine. We recognise the long-term loss caused by Covid-19, particularly to children who lost their parents in the pandemic. NDEW iDeELHsI, eAugl 19p (PTrI)i: cDieesel prcice uon t UbS Feydera l 2Res0erve spignaalledi it swase set, to sptart tea - tirn roatesl to cuonsunmecrs. hanged We announced the Chief Minster’s Shishu Seva Scheme under which the State will provide them monthly support Thursday was cut by 20 paise per litre - the second pering asset purchases within months, hurting Incidentally, this status quo coincided with the until they reach 24 years of age. Besides our focus to overcome Covid, in these 100 days, we have taken firms steps straight day of reduction, but petrol rates remained commodities and lifting the dollar. Parliament session where the opposition parties to defeat several other ills that confront our society, threaten our civilisational heritage and undermine our future. unchanged. Diesel price in Delhi was reduced to While Brent declined USD 2.13 to USD 66.10 tried to corner the government on various issues I have always believed a drug-free society is essential for a prosperous Assam. In 100 days, our police made great ` 89.47 per litre from ` 89.67 a litre, according to a barrel, West Texas Intermediate fell USD 2.39 including the hike in fuel prices. strides in demolishing the infrastructure that facilitated supply of drugs and narcotics. Drugs worth Rs 183 crore a price notification by state-run oil companies. to USD 63.07 a barrel. Petrol and diesel price was last hiked on July were seized and more than 1,760 people were arrested. I wish to place our sincere gratitude to Adarniya Griha Mantri The reduction comes on the back of a similar India is near 85 per cent dependent on imports 17. Prior to that, the petrol price was increased by Shri Amit Shah ji for handholding and guiding us in this endeavour. We will continue to deal with the drug menace cut on Wednesday. to meet its oil needs and so benchmarks local fuel ` 11.44 a litre between May 4 and July 17. Diesel with an iron hand and achieve our mission of drug-free Assam. Just like on Wednesday, the petrol price wasn't rates to international oil prices. rates had gone up by ` 9.14 during this period. Cattle have been revered in our culture for ages and their protection has been always our top priority, which was revised on Thursday. In Delhi, petrol continued to Wednesday's reduction in diesel rates came The price hike during this period pushed petrol mentioned in our election manifesto. Delivering on our poll promise, we passed the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, be priced at ` 101.84 a litre. after 33 days of status quo in rates as oil compa - prices above ` 100-a-litre-mark in more than half 2021. With this, we intend to stop the flourishing illegal cattle trade and transit through Assam, which was rampant The price cut follows international oil prices nies followed what is known as moderation policy of the country while diesel crossed that levels in over the years. Further, we led encroachment drives to clear illegal settlements built around our temples and namghars. tumbling to their lowest level since May after the which calls for not passing on extreme volatility at least three states. Our Sankalp Patra is a sacred document for us. In the past 100 days, we either delivered on these promises or are working hard towards realising them. As promised, we have already increased the assistance under Orunodoi from Rs 830 to Rs 1,000 per month and added 6.38 lakh new beneficiaries. As per our poll promise, we notified the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme (AMFIRS), 2021 to provide relief to loanees of microfinance institutions. Nykaa launches We fulfilled our assurance made to our brothers and sisters in tea gardens by increasing their wages from Rs 167 to HDFC Securities, first Indian SKINRX Rs 205 in the Brahmaputra Valley and from Rs 145 to Rs 183 in the Barak Valley with retrospective effect from Feb - HT Bureau ruary 2021. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya’s clarion call of ‘Antodaya’ is the foundation premise of our policies and GUWAHATI, Aug 19: Nykaa added we will continue to focus on the last person in the queue. Nykaa SKINRX in its portfolio of Assam’s ace pugilist Lovlina Borgohain’s historic feat at the Tokyo Olympics is the proudest moment for every BrokerHTa Bgureaeu House cotuontry tod gloebal bstocku matrk eto parnticip atKion leovelso . Our Assamese and we celebrated the occasion with great fervour and by taking steps to ensure that there will be many consumer beauty brands that was GUWAHATI, Aug 19: HDFC Securities, one of India's main aim is to keep our content jargon free, relatable launched with a range of gender-neu - more Lovlinas going to 2024 Olympics. leading broking houses made its debut on the micro- and actionable for our customers - helping them lever - tral serums. The launch range of four To make the upcoming five years a glorious era in Assam’s history, we used our 100 days to lay foundation of blogging platform Koo to reach age our great research and in- high performing serums by Nykaa some transformative changes. Under the maxim “minimum government and maximum governance”, we delegated out to its customers and enable depth market understanding.” SKINRX comes with multi-faceted more powers to district deputy commissioners to fast track Jal Jeevan Mission targets, allot land for industries and the widespread creation of finan - Speaking on the Securities’ formulas especially suited to target expedite flood relief work. cial literacy. Using the handle debut on Koo, Aprameya skin concerns for both men and During this short span of time, Assam became the first State in India to pass the Model Tenancy Act to provide a @hdfcsec, they will leverage Radhakrishna, co-founder women. framework for resolving disputes between tenants and landlords. Assam has also become the second State of India India’s new social media plat - and CEO, Koo, said, “HDFC Reena Chhabra, CEO, Nykaa to have an Ethanol Policy. For the first time, we created a consolidated database of all government-owned land within form to interact with customers Securiti es’ onboarding on Brands said, “With Nykaa SKINRX, 100 days. in both English and Hindi. the Koo platform, which we now introduce another portfolio This is a momentous occasion for the people of Assam. With a supportive BJP government at the Centre and the Gagan Singla, CMO and CDO at supports eight Indian lan - of powerful, high-performing prod - party in power in Assam, the double engine of growth is gaining new momentum in the State. In these three months, HDFC Securities said of the as - guages, including English, ucts for all those who seek sophisti - along with our colleagues in the Central government, we are speeding up the implementation of key Central schemes sociation, “We are super excited is taking place at an oppor - cated skin solutions and are acutely such as Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and PM Kisan. to create our presence on Koo. tune moment. As the com - aware of the needs of their skin. The In the past, governments at the Centre and North East had intentionally left inter-State borders un-demarcated and Through the multi-lingual offer - pany intensifies its focus on gender-neutral serums from ambiguous. Over the past 100 days, we made sufficient progress to put an end to these decades-old legacy disputes, ings from Koo, we want to cut digital trading and makes SKINRX infuse advanced scientific particularly with Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram. down the learning curve of capi - further inroads into India’s formulations into everyday skin care Assam kicked off Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on a historic note – for the first time since 1979, this year’s Inde - tal markets by producing content hinterland, Koo is a natural to boost the beauty regimens of our pendence Day was celebrated without any call for bandh by any extremist organisation. This milestone in our 100- in regional languages. I believe partner to facilitate the con - consumers. Marking our entry into day journey is reflective of the progress we are making under the leadership of Adarniya Pradhan Mantri Shri ‘language’ will play a huge role nection with Indians who the arena of clinical actives like Sal - Narendra Modi ji in bringing Assam from the periphery to the core of India’s progress and development. in connecting Indians to equity speak and think in their na - icylic Acid, Niacinamide, Advanced We started our journey with the love and blessings of our people. We sincerely request for your participation to investing, steadily matching our tive languages.” Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid etc Nykaa transform this journey into a mass movement. In the coming days also, we reiterate our commitment to continue our SKINRX is a fruit of several years of work for the development of Assam with the support of all sections of the people. We took it as an opportunity for planning and research and we hope it us to change our fate and our state. will delight the user with its perform - Amazon, Invest India announce winners of GSPSA ance.” Nykaa SKINRX Collection team credentials and more. will be available on the Nykaa web - Meghalaya allows reopening of more “The Indian startup ecosystem has site/ app and in-stores across India public parks. “However, these activities will be strictly subjected to the SOPs to be issued by the government transformed India into a hub of in - and is priced between ` 799 to 899. through the respective deputy commissioners,” he added. According to him, one of the important SOPs will be novation and entrepreneurship. only people who are above 18 years and are vaccinated. The deputy chief minister further informed that private Digitisation has propelled the de - transport will also be allowed to ply with one-third capacity throughout the state. He said a notification in this mocratisation of access and oppor - Reliance Jewels regard will be issued by the respective deputy commissioners. tunity for Indian businesses. th Through this accelerator pro - gramme, we will tap the vast poten - celebrates 14 tial of emerging businesses and Maiden Tezu-Guwahati flight MSMEs to make an indelible mark anniversary with that the connectivity to this location will boost tourism and trade in the Northeast. This is one of the most in global markets “, said Deepak beautiful places in India and with regular flights connecting Guwahati and then to Kolkata, will attract tourists Bagla, MD & CEO, Invest India. ‘Aabhar’ collection from other parts of the country. Some historical and religious places are also centres of interest for many people Amit Agarwal, global senior VP which will definitely appeal to travellers to come to Tezu, he added. The ATR-72 type aircraft by Flybig Airline and country head, Amazon India was greeted with the traditional water cannon salute by the Tezu Airport fire team. This flight will operate on HT Bureau create global brands from India. said, “We created the Amazon the Guwahati- Tezu- Guwahati route on every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. This is another success GUWAHATI, Aug 19: Amazon The top 10 finalists presented their Global Selling Startup Accelerator story of RCS-UDAN route in Northeast after the airline won bids to operate flights on several routes in the re - and Invest India announced the business proposition to a distin - with a vision to help take local ex - gion including Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Dibrugarh, Agartala, Rupsi and Guwahati. It is aimed to boost con - winners of the Amazon Global Sell - guished jury including Kanwaljit pertise and innovation globally. We nectivity in the region. Tezu airport is being redeveloped by AAI which includes construction of terminal ing Propel Startup Accelerator (the Singh, founder and managing part - are truly excited about the innova - building and associated work. The terminal building will be spread across 4200 sq m, the apron and runway Accelerator) on Thursday. Slurrp ner from Fireside Ventures, Sakshi tion and passion we have seen and extension is also in the plan with terminal building and new Air Traffic Control Tower, all at an estimated cost Farm, Sirona Hygiene and Wellbe - Chopra, managing director from would like to congratulate all the of `140 crore. During the peak hour, about 200 passengers can be handled in the new building. Parking of ing Nutrition were named the top 3 Sequoia India, Abhijeet Muzumdar, winners. He added, “We worked ATR-72 type aircrafts is also provisioned in the project. Extension work is in progress at Tezu airport which is winners of the program winning a head of Amazon Smbhav Venture with partners like Invest India, Se - scheduled to be completed by next year in different phases. combined total of USD 50,000 Fund and Corporate Development quoia Capital India, Fireside Ven - HT Bureau from Amazon in an equity free at Amazon and Aastha Grover, tures and others to attract some of GUWAHATI, Aug 19: Reliance grant. The Accelerator was head, Startup India Hub, Invest the best minds in the country and Jewels has launched an extension to AHSEC to continue ALTE ‘in lieu launched on Startup India Hub ear - India. The panel evaluated the en - provide them a springboard to cre - its already ongoing exclusive jew - of students into the Higher Secondary 1st year class without the subject, namely Alternative English, as MIL lier in the year with the aim of help - tries on a variety of parameters in - ate global consumer brands from ellery collection, ‘Aabhar’, to cele - in the curriculum. In a notification issued on Wednesday, vide no. AHSEC/IT/OAS/222020/82 dated 02/08/2021 ing emerging Indian businesses and cluding business idea, scalability India. We will continue to work brate its 14th anniversary. With the & AHSEC/P&A/ADMN2020036563 dated 10082021, the AHSEC said that the subject ‘Alternative English’ startups to get access to customers and strength of the business with businesses of all sizes, helping launch of this collection, Reliance (ALTE) will be continued as a part of core subject ‘In lieu of MIL’ as earlier. “Subsequently, the concerned in - across the world through Amazon’s plan/model, business metrics in them grow by reaching customers Jewels extends its gratitude with the stitutions will now be able to add Alternative English as a core subject by updating their profile in ‘DARPAN’ ecommerce exports program and launched markets and founding across India and the world.” theme ‘Rishton Ka Dhaga’ that binds admission portal (www.darpan.ahseconline.in). In the greater interest of the students, institutions are requested them to their customers, employees to update their profiles by August 20, 2021,” the notification said. Further, the students who have already and artisans. This year’s new collec - applied for admission may now update their applications if they desire to opt ALTE as core subject by logging tion is inspired by the Tarkashi, into their respective profiles, it said. In its representations, the KLA has stated that the students of Karbi Ang - Over 70% of alco-bev consumers in Ghy look forward Macrame and Crochet which sym - long, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao generally opted for Alternative English as MIL, since Karbi and bolises the thread of love, trust and Dimasa languages have not yet been recognised as MIL by the AHSEC. togetherness. The collection features to using home delivery services: ISWAI survey unique handcrafted gold and dia - HT Bureau mond earring designs. It includes a GUWAHATI, Aug 19: As part of its consumer survey traditional and contemporary mix of Govt to restructure functioning titled, ‘Consumer pulse on home delivery of liquor’, the Danglers, Fringes, Top and Drops, remain absent from duty without authority. The chief minister further said that construction of the cancer International Spirits and Wines Association of India Chandeliers, Jhumkis, Studs and hospital at the medical college premise would be ready by November this year. He also informed that a super- (ISWAI), a representative body promoted by interna - Chandbalis. Besides introducing a specialty hospital would also be set up at JMCH campus besides introducing a paying cabin facility soon. tional spirits and wine companies such as Diageo-United new collection of earrings, Reliance Ministers Ranoj Pegu, Atul Bora, Jogen Mohan, Sanjay Kishan, MPs Topon Kumar Gogoi, Kamakhya Prasad Spirits, Pernod Ricard, Beam Suntory, Bacardi, Brown Jewels also announced a special an - Tasa, MLAs Hitendra Nath Goswami, Renupama Rajkhowa, Bhabendranath Bharali, Bhaskarjyoti Baruah ac - Forman, Moet Hennessy, Campari and William Grant & niversary offer from July 30 to Sep - companied the chief minister. Sons, revealed that over 70% of alco-bev consumers in tember 1 which includes a flat 20% Assam are keen on using home delivery services for the off on gold jewellery making purchase of alco-bev in the state. charges and diamond jewellery On July 20 last, the Assam government permitted value. Himanta goes down memory home delivery of alcohol in Guwahati, in view of the Commenting about the collection He promised to give the school ` 1 crore for developmental purposes. Covid-19 pandemic, to prevent overcrowding outside al - also provides an opportunity to reassess, reinvent and ex - and #RishtonKaDhaga, Sunil Nayak, He suggested that the school start imparting higher secondary education and also suggested that the school cohol shops and consumption of illicit liquor. Given this plore new ways benefitting stakeholders. Our survey CEO of Reliance Jewels said, should try to bring both the sections, primary and secondary under one administrative umbrella. background, ISWAI revealed the findings of their study aims to understand consumer attitudes and preferences “Through this collection and cam - His next visit was to the 138 year old Jorhat Government Boys' Higher Secondary and Multi-Purpose School which aims to understand the voice of consumers and with respect to home delivery of alco-bev and work with paign we want to thank everyone which had a glorious past. their preferences around home delivery of alco-bev, in various state governments, including that of Assam, to who has supported and shown trust He asked the school authorities to develop the historic institute into a model Assamese medium school and collaboration with India’s leading citizen engagement bridge the gaps to meet consumer demands. We compli - in us all these years. We aim to also allot more powers to the governing body. Sarma announced that the government will sanction ` 3 crore and consumer pulse platform Local Circles. The survey ment the government of Assam on the introduction of strengthen our bonds with more trust for the development of the school, which will be in addition to ` 2 crore earlier announced under the Untied reaffirmed the growing demand for alternate channels of home delivery in Guwahati and urge them to continue and love through the launch of ‘Aab - Fund head for carrying out renovation and repair works of the school. home delivery, as the country continues to battle the such progressive regulations, providing consumers with har’ collection inspired by Tarkashi, The chief minister expressed his satisfaction over the ongoing renovation works underway in the institute. Covid-19 pandemic. a safe and convenient alternative. In the long term, such Macrame and Crochet. Hope our The chief minister was accompanied by Revenue and Disaster Management minister Jogen Mohan, Education Speaking about the survey, Nita Kapoor, CEO, ISWAI policies will also enhance livelihood opportunities and customers will love experiencing minister Ranoj Pegu, Agriculture minister Atul Bora, Rajya Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Jorhat Lok said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted all sectors, unlock the potential of an alternative channel to con - this beautiful collection weaved with Sabha MP Topon Kumar Gogoi and MLAs of Jorhat, Teok and Dergaon, Hitendra Nath Goswami, Renupoma including the alco-bev industry. However, every crisis tribute towards state revenues.” love, affection and gratitude.” Rajkhowa and Bhaben Bharali respectively. Page 4 August 20_Normal Pages 8/19/2021 9:52 PM Page 1

4 THE HILLS TIMES VOL. XXII, ISSUE 213, DIPHU, FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021 QUOTE OF THE DAY Legal status of Taliban regime in ‘I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.’ - Emma Goldman

Apofn thge withdrawaal of Anmerician stan is yet to be dthe ewithdrcawal iof dtheir meilitaryd forces military forces from the territory of (9,592 troops in February 2021) by the USA Afghanistan, Kabul has been over - and its allies from May 2021 onwards, end - Afghanistan: rUun by Taliban, an insurgent militant Is - ing its military program under the banner of lamist outfit that was biding its time in the ‘Operation Freedom’s Sentinel’, as well as mountains of Afghanistan for the last two the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s Future tense decades. ‘Resolute Support Mission’, the gun-toting housands of Afghan citizens have been flocking the air - The defenceless Afghanis are seen rush - Taliban insurgents rapidly came on the ports and the borders in a desperate attempt to flee the ing to the international airport in Kabul, scene from their hiding, and took over country. The moment the Taliban stormed into the Presi - which is the last post held by the departing major Afghan cities one by one, often with - Tdential Palace; Afghanistan was lost! The highways jammed Americans. Many who didn’t get the chance out any resistance. and runways were run over by men, women and children alike to board are seen helplessly trying to cling As per the Doha deal, the Taliban had as the Taliban forces snatched the seat of power to itself. Tal - on to the gearbox of the aircraft in heart- agreed to eschew violence. But, do these iban forces took to the streets, ransacked government estab - breaking viral videos. It is an indicator of words have any meaning to the gun-toting lishments, in jubilation over their triumph. Meanwhile, the the unprecedented fear which is brewing Talibanese? erstwhile Afghanistan President fled the country as Kabul got among the moderates in Afghanistan, who Under Article 1 of the Montevideo Con - run over by Taliban forces. The United States of America who have lived under American protection for vention on the Rights and Duties of States, had claimed that the Afghanistan national army was capable last two decades. in order to acquire recognition, a state must enough of handling the Taliban now, was left red faced when The fall of Kabul is more or less com - have a permanent population, a defined ter - the Taliban forced through the Afghan cities claiming power over plete, but what may unfold in the coming ritory under its control, which is governed the country. The country’s fragile, US-made democracy crum - days or weeks is generally projected as un - by a particular government, and must have bled like a sand-castle, once the US troops were gone. certain. However, if one carefully looks into the capacity to enter into relations with The desperation in evacuating to US personnel, citizens and the past, the international community can - tention of European imperialists in the 19th PDPA government against public rebellion. other states. allies from Kabul as the Taliban took the capital is being com - not be said to be in the dark! century, which continues till date. The In retaliation, the United States of America However, even if the state meets these es - pared to the chaotic US withdrawal from Vietnam in 1975, which According to the book, ‘The Creation of British suspected the imperial interest of and its allies supported the Afghani tribal sential criteria, it does not automatically get saw the US and South Vietnamese officials scramble into heli - States in International Law’, governments Russian Tzars in their colony of India. A rebel groups, collectively known as the recognised as a state. copters on the US embassy roof as the Vietcong pummelled may change or the internal legal regime long political and diplomatic confrontation Afghan Mujahideen, with arms and money Under international law, there exist two Saigon. That was another conflict where the US military, after maybe get replaced, but the State as an en - between the Russian and British empires to rise up and wage a holy war. The Great modes of state recognition that confer legit - eleven years of open warfare was forced to withdraw against tity continues. The author, international law ensued, known as “The Great Game”, a Game, which was forgotten after the second imacy upon the said state, namely, de facto an opponent whom it vastly outmatched, militarily. Some ob - professor James R. phrase that caught pop - Anglo-Afghan war in 1878, was reincar - recognition and de jure recognition. servers say that Afghanistan is way worse in many ways, as the Crawford, writes that DEGREE OF THOUGHT ularity due to Rudyard nated, as Afghanistan became the theatre for De Facto recognition of the state takes Taliban are neither as large or well-equipped as the Vietcong “the rule that the over - Kipling’s novel ‘Kim’. the Cold War between the USA and the So - place when there is a temporary and factual were, nor are backed by a superpower. Having said this, how throw of a government By: Mohan V Katarki The suspicion and viet Union. recognition of the State. It refers to the can one forget about the USA’s ill-fated adventure in Iraq. system does not affect the continuity of the distrust forced the British to adopt a precau - The contested Soviet-backed regime in recognition of newly formed states through Launched shortly after Afghanistan, contrary to the drunken op - State in which it occurs has been consis - tionary step to control Afghanistan by wag - Afghanistan didn’t find fuller recognition of non-committal acts by certain states. States timism of the Bush administration and its media toadies, the war tently applied to the innumerable revolu - ing the first Anglo-Afghan war in 1838-42. the international community. which have de facto recognition are neither wasn’t quick, easy, or successful. The US had to learn the tions, coups d'état and the likes in the Though the British annexed Kabul, it was a Soon after the collapse of the Soviet universally acknowledged as states, even painful way that simply removing Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein nineteenth and twentieth centuries”. Craw - short-lived victory. The Afghans gave a Union, the Soviet-backed regime in though they might possess the essentials for from power wouldn’t automatically lead to democracy, peace, ford refers to the acceptance of continuity bloody nose to the British, who were even - Afghanistan tattered. The Mujahideens being recognised as one, nor are they mem - or stability. To some, the Taliban’s rapid takeover of Afghanistan of State in the case of the establishment of tually forced to withdraw from Afghanistan. forged an accord known as the ‘Peshawar bers of multilateral or international organi - even looks familiar to when the Iraqi forces collapsed like a the Soviet Union after the ‘October Revo - Even then, the British launched the sec - Accord’ on 26th April 1992, which led to sations, since the global community as a house of cards against ISIS in 2014. lution’ in 1917, and in Iran after the Islamic ond Anglo-Afghan war in 1878, which bore the establishment of the ‘Islamic State of whole refuses to recognise them. Many today argue how far US policymakers actually buy into revolution in 1978. fruits to its long-standing plans. Afghanistan Afghanistan’. However, due to the inability Such recognition can be revoked at any the ‘indispensable nation’ notion they sell to the world. But The extinction of a State may occur in the became a protectorate of Britain in 1880. of the different Mujahideen factions to ar - given point in time. what’s not debatable is that it’s something they want other peo - eyes of international law when the territory With this political development and consol - rive at a power-sharing arrangement, there On the other hand, de jure recognition is ple to believe. Otherwise, why would they repeat the same thing or population undergoes changes, and/or the idation of the British in India, Russian Tzars was no stable government, and the country legal recognition of states granted when the over and over again proving that in fact the mighty US is not legal order changes, Crawford posits in an - lost further interest in Afghanistan. descended into lawlessness and civil war. said state satisfies the essentials of a state as that mighty after all. But what the world forgets to see or hear other book, ‘Brownlie’s Principles of Public However, decades later, the secured At this stage, the Taliban, founded in provided for under Article 1 of the Montev - are the tears and cries of a common Afghan. An Afghan today International Law’. However, despite its British Empire relinquished its sovereignty 1994 as a militia group, and supported by ideo Convention, along with stability, suffi - has lost or should we say robbed of his identity as tries to hold history of tumultuous political changes, over Afghanistan at the conclusion of the Pakistan and the al-Qaeda, seized Kabul in cient control and permanency. While de on to that plane’s wheels but, alas! in vain. Many others who Afghanistan has continued as a State for third Anglo-Afghan war under the Anglo- 1996, and established the ‘Islamic Emirate facto recognition is conditional, de jure could not muster courage to flee, are now left to be dictated by several centuries without losing its identity, Afghan treaty of August 1919 (amended in of Afghanistan’. This Taliban regime failed recognition is non-conditional, final and ir - the Taliban. A mother who made it out of the country on a US though it has frequently changed its consti - 1921). This is when Afghanistan was also to muster any acceptability in the interna - revocable. Once recognised de jure, a state plane with her child recalls, “It was unreal, like a cinema. Where tution and even its appellation from Emirate recognized as a sovereign state by the inter - tional community or in international law. has absolute rights and obligations against the bad guys are after you and all you can do is run!” A few oth - to Kingdom to Republic to Islamic State. national community. August 19 is cele - Except for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the other states. ers died trying! It is high time that we humans, as a species, Hopefully, the identity of Afghanistan will brated in Afghanistan as its Independence United Arab Emirates, who had propped up In the context of the Islamic Emirate of must introspect or the future may be even darker. continue to endure in the coming decades. Day. the Taliban, no country formally recognised Afghanistan, in addition to possessing the Afghanistan was founded much before After witnessing a civil war in 1928 and the creation of a new regime under the ban - essential criteria mentioned in Article 1 of the advent of the modern world. Since then, 1929 that led to the deposition of the first ner of the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’. the Montevideo Convention, the takeover it has survived in Kabul even though it has King of Afghanistan, Amanullah Khan, In fact, most of the regimes post that of by the Taliban must be accepted as lawful witnessed a succession of regime changes, Afghanistan witnessed a period of relative King Mohammad Zahir Shah did not muster by the member states of the global commu - some of them raising challenges to interna - political stability, especially under the four- much acceptability in international law. nity in order to acquire legitimate de jure India should revisit its existing tional law. decade rule of King Mohammed Zahir The Taliban, which grabbed power during recognition. History has recorded that the Safavid dy - Shah. His regime heralded modernisation, the political vacuum in 1996 and ran its writ In the final analysis, though the Islamic nasty of Persian Shia Muslims ruled central and brought peace and progress to over 90% of Afghan territory, is imbued Emirate of Afghanistan has acquired de Asia, including Afghanistan, throughout the Afghanistan. with fundamentalist Islamic ideas. It oper - facto recognition from the USA by virtue of trade policy to boost exports 16th and 17th centuries. The Pashtun Ghilji But as an old adage goes: in politics, ated an illiberal, totalitarian and theocratic the Doha Agreement, its de jure recognition By: Subrata Majumder tribe, whose members are Sunni Muslims, nothing is permanent. In 1973, Zahir Shah state based on a strict interpretation of will depend on recognition by the family of revolted against the Safavid’s brutal Gover - was deposed by his cousin Mohammad sharia law as per the Hanafi school of Is - nations as a State as such in International rime Minister Narendra Modi was euphoric in declaring that India nor Gurgin Khan, a Georgian monarch, and Daud Khan, establishing the Republic of lamic jurisprudence. law. On August 12, representatives from was a major exporter of mobile phones in the world in his 75th Inde - established their own empire under the Afghanistan and bringing an end to over Meanwhile, the September 11, 2001 at - China, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Tajik - pendence speech on 15th August, exhibiting India’s advancement in Hotak dynasty in 1709. two centuries of monarchy in a bloodless tack on the USA marked a major interna - istan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Qatar, USA, Ptechnology. India exported mobile phones, worth US $ 3 billion. Seven The Hotaks ruled over portions of coup. tional event that nearly paralysed UK, Germany, the European Union, Nor - years ago, India was a major importer of mobile phones, worth US $ 8 bil - Afghanistan and Iran, before being stormed But, the cousin’s dream was short-lived. international security. The USA declared the way, and UN met at a regional conclave in lion. Advocating a new look to export basket, from conventional export to by the Persian emperor Nadir Shah, with The geopolitical importance of Afghanistan War on Terror and invaded Afghanistan in Qatar, where they decided that they will not technology-oriented, he asserted that India was at the turning point to set Afghanistan falling under the control of in Central Asia couldn’t have left the Soviet order to drive out the Taliban, which had al - recognise any government in Afghanistan up a global hub for manufacturing. Shah’s Turkoman Afshar tribe. However, Union to ignore its vital interests in the legedly been providing a safe haven to al- that is imposed through military force. Thirty-year ago in July 1991, India launched great economic reforms, following Shah’s assassination in 1747, and country. The Saur Revolution of 1978 by Qaeda, the mastermind of the September 11 Since the Talibani takeover, however, including trade and foreign investment. License Raj was abrogated. Trade capitalising on the disunity among the nu - the People’s Democratic Party of attacks. Pakistan has referred to the Islamic Repub - and investment were opened almost free, except critical items and areas merous Afghan tribes, Ahmad Shah Abdali, Afghanistan (PDPA), a Marxist-Leninist The Afghanistan Constitution Commis - lic of Afghanistan as a “defunct regime”, for a greater role to be played by private and foreign sectors. The second a commander of Shah and a member of the political party, overthrew and killed Daud sion constituted pursuant to the Bonn Ac - and its Prime Minister Imran Khan de - part of the reform was made in pursuance of WTO obligations to dismantle Pashtun Durrani tribe, firmly established the Khan. PDPA established the ‘Democratic cord of 2001 framed the Afghan scribed the Taliban’s conquest of Kabul as remaining quantitative restrictions on imports. All the trade reforms were Durrani dynasty. As the Durrani dynasty Republic of Afghanistan’, with the Soviet- Constitution, which was adopted in 2004, “Afghans hav[ing] broken the shackles of focused on growth in export for conventional items. Notwithstanding, im - weakened towards the end of the 18th cen - aligned Nur Muhammad Taraki as Presi - establishing a new regime under the name slavery”. Meanwhile, Bangladesh and port-intensive exports grew faster than exports of conventional items. Pol - tury and the beginning of the 19th century, dent. However, the communist regime faced of ‘Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’. China have also expressed the intent to icy perspective focused on the export of textiles, garments, leather products the Afghan Emirate under the Barakzai tribe bitter opposition from the deeply religious Karzai was elected as the first President by eventually recognize the Taliban govern - and handicrafts. But, they rallied behind the expectation. emerged in 1829. Afghan tribes. popular vote in 2004. He was succeeded by ment. In 2020-21, petroleum, electronics and engineering goods accounted for The geopolitical importance of The very next year, the Soviet Army Ashraf Ghani in 2014. It remains to be seen what the rest of the nearly 40 per cent of India’s export, compared to 14 percent in 1999-2000. Afghanistan in Central Asia invited the at - moved into Afghanistan to support the However, consequent to the beginning of global community will do. (IPA Service) Primarily crude oil is the base for petroleum products, which is imported largely, nearly 90 percent. Similarly, given the dynamic transformation in the economy towards automation and modernization, imports of electronics and telecom equipments became the backbone for a surge in the growth of exports of electronic and engineering items. Pegasus-State surveillance or breach of privacy In 2020-21, petroleum products alone accounted for about 9 percent and By: Prem Vishal The Washington Post (United dependent on user action to some detection by antivirus software, the interest of public safety is at electronic and engineering goods accounted for over 29 percent of total ex - States), Haaretz/The Marker (Is - extent. In this, an attacker would and can be deactivated and re - risk. Safeguards under this act ports, compared to negligible share and 14 percent respectively in 1999- fter so much of brouhaha rael), The Wire (India), etc. send some fraudulent messages, moved by attackers whenever it is provide protection to journalists. 2000. Together, they accounted for 38 percent of total exports in 2020-21, in the ongoing monsoon Through the investigation, the use emails, or links. once you click on necessary. Though this software is Despite that in 1996, an NGO compared to 14 percent in 1999-2000. Mobile phones alone accounted for session of the parliament, of Israeli spyware Pegasus to tar - the link, the spyware would install not designed for mass surveil - PUCL (People's Union for Civil one-fifth of total exports of electronic items. Over 60 percent of mobile opposition parties unitedly de - get thousands of people across the in the phone unknowingly and the lance it can target any phone if re - Liberty) approached the Supreme phone manufactured in India is import based component, intermediates. A manded discussion over Pegasus world was discovered. attacker would get control over quired compromising ones’ Court challenging some of the Exports of textiles, readymade garments, leather were left in slumber, spyware – the outraged contro - Pegasus, a highly sophisticated your phone. However, it was pos - privacy-violating the right and lib - provisions of the Indian Telegraph despite various incentives were provided. These products, which accounted versy all over the world. Mean - military-grade spyware developed sible to prevent targeted attacks in erties guaranteed under the consti - Act 1886. In the landmark judg - for one-third of India’s exports in 1999-2000, slipped to one-tenth in 2020- while, the Indian Government by Israeli cyber arms firm NSO this version of the spyware tution of India. ment Supreme Court recognized 21. Sarcastically, Bangladesh – a much later developed garment industry - outrightly rejected the proposal group. This spyware infects de - through cyber safety measures, It violates Article 21- which the importance of individual pri - excelled India in exports of garments. citing the controversy "non-issue" vices and spies on victims by awareness about social engineer - states that no person shall be de - vacy and stated - government sur - Exports of conventional products are subject to frequent protectionism and stated - they have many issues transferring data to the master ing techniques. Because if a user prived of his life or personal lib - veillance can threaten the privacy measures by importing countries. Abrogation of GSP scheme by USA hurt directly related to the people of server in an unauthorized manner. is aware, he/she can differentiate erty except according to a of an individual. This later be - India’s export of readymade garments to USA. In 2020-21, it declined by India. The Indian government is The company claims that it pro - between genuine and fraudulent procedure established by law. It came the basis to declare the right over 22 percent. USA is the biggest importer of the readymade garments allegedly accused of using Pega - vides "authorized governments messages, emails, etc. also violates Article 19 -the right to privacy as a fundamental right from India. It accounts for more than one-fourth of India’s total export of sus, Israel-based spyware against with technology that helps them But the latest version of the to freedom of speech and expres - in the famous case of justice KS readymade garments. In the contrary, the export of drugs and pharmaceu - opposition leaders, journalists, sit - combat terror and crime." And its spyware is very difficult to pre - sion which is the right to express Puttaswamy versus Union of tical products to USA increased by 14.4 percent in 2020-21. ting judges, business persons, and sections of contracts cite the use vent explicitly impossible to do one's opinion freely without any India. But the right to privacy is India should give Vietnam support for value chain supply to bolster elec - activists compromising their right of its products only for criminal so. It has a feature of Zero-Click fear. It breaches the right to pri - not absolute, it is subject to the tronic, telecommunication and engineering industries, after China’s value to privacy. This was revealed by a and national security investiga - installation which provides the at - vacy of victims as in the case of limitation of the procedure estab - chain industry is in a tailspin in the recent period. India is over-dependent global collaborative investigation tions and have stated that it has an tacker remote access to the de - KS Puttaswamy in 2017 Supreme lished by law. on China to make a stronger base for the electronic industry. Nearly, 38-39 project, 'Project Pegasus', carried industry-leading approach to vice. It is capable of exploiting Court recognized the right to pri - Then, we have information on percent of total imports of electronic and telecommunication equipments out by several media outlets of the human rights. any vulnerability in the software vacy is integral to the right to life the technology act, 2000. Its Sec - come from China. Vietnam can be a challenge to be an alternative to China. world namely - The Guardian This spyware can target both or any security weaknesses in the which is guaranteed under article tion 69 issues direction for inter - Ever since the US-China trade war skyrocketed, many importers in Amer - (UK), Radio France and Le ISO and Android phones. The ini - operating system. It is more likely 21 of the constitution. Interest - ception or monitoring or ica and elsewhere were revisiting their supply chain from China and moved Monde (France), Die Zeit and tial version of the spyware used to exploit any vulnerability in ingly, whenever the government decryption of any information to other countries. Among them, Vietnam is noteworthy. Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany), 'Click-Bait-Attack. Which was popular apps like WhatsApp, is questioned about surveillance, through any computer resource, According to the US Census Bureau, imports from Vietnam into the USA Facebook, etc. Once it gets access it equivocates - citing national se - side-stepping the conditions of jumped by 33 percent in the first half of 2019. Low labour cost is one of to the device, it can receive and curity. But does the government cases where an individual's right the main attractions for investment in Vietnam. It is almost 50 percent lower execute instructions from the at - possess the right to surveillance to privacy could be suspended. than in China. Vietnam’s biggest specializations are in the production of tacker, send back the target's pri - over its people without permis - Though lawful interception is es - electronics, textiles, and furniture. Eventually, electrical machinery, includ - vate data. It can harvest sion? Yes, the government can do sential for national security but ing electronics, are the biggest items of Vietnam’s exports. This translates keystrokes, passwords, contact so if it is absolutely essential for citing national security breach of to Vietnam as an appropriate alternative to China. Even though Vietnam lists, calendar events, text mes - state security but it should be lim - the right to privacy of peoples cannot catch up with China in terms of large volume and better logistics, sages, and live voice calls. It can ited and targeted surveillance. We which is provided by the constitu - one can likely meet a subset of their requirement. Exports of NP under control the phone's camera and have the Indian Telegraph Act tion as a fundamental right is not GVC will boost India’s export, according to Economic Survey. Despite microphones and GPS function to 1885, which allows lawful inter - just. As William J Brennan said, making a big success in automobile and mobile phones, India is at track the target. ception of communication. Its “If the right to privacy means any - abysmally low in exporting NP. NP accounted for 10 percent in India’s ex - This spyware can not only plant section 5 states-Central and state thing, it is the right of the individ - port as compared to 52 percent in China and 47 percent in Vietnam in 2018. any dubious document to the vic - government can intercept calls ual, married or single, to be free Therefore, GVC led export, which includes both world-class imports and tims’ phone but it is also designed only in certain situations. when it from unwarranted governmental export, should be the new engine for export growth. (IPA Service) to evade forensic analysis, avoid constitutes a public emergency or intrusion." Page 5 August 20_Normal Pages 8/19/2021 10:00 PM Page 1

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021 REGION THE HILLS TIMES 5 Two dacoits Alt Eng to stay; KAAC Assam CM lays foundation stone of ` 3 held at Nagaon, applauds decision HT Bureau DIPHU Aug 19: Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief ex - cash seized ecutive member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang thanked Assam chief minister HT Correspondent Himanta Biswa Sarma and education minister Ranoj Pegu for continuing HTc Corrresopondrenet agri ecotourism projecis mtov inag att a veAry faAst pUace and NAGAON, Aug 19: A police team the option of choosing Alternative English as MIL subject under Assam JORHAT, Aug 19: Assam chief looking for new things, new prod - led by additional superintendent of Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC). The CEM of KAAC minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on ucts and packaging. We must forget police (Headquarters) Dhruba also thanked the chief minister for considering Karbi as MIL in Class IX Thursday laid the foundation stone of what we did in the past and move Bora arrested two dreaded dacoits and X from the academic session of 2020-2022. Expressing his gratitude an ambitious Rs 3 crore Agri Eco - ahead with innovation and re - from a bike showroom at Nagaon to education minister Ranoj Pegu in his social media tweet, the CEM tourism Through Green Initiative search,” Sarma said. Haiborgaon area on Thursday. Po - said, “My appreciation to Ranoj Pegu, education minister, govt. of Assam Project at the Assam Agricultural He cited the example of how tea lice subsequently seized Rs 38,300 for retaining Alternative English as a core subject ‘in lieu of MIL’ under University (AAU) campus here. was being blended with aromatic in cash from them, sources added. AHSEC in the interest of students.” The first of its kind project in the flowers to create a new market. The dacoits have been identified The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) in its ear - region will be funded by Indian He praised the role played by Kr - as Ashadul Islam alias Jahangir lier notification has decided to discontinue Alternative English in lieu of Council of Agricultural Research ishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of the and Abdul Shahid. Modern Indian Languages (MIL) from the academic session 2021-22 and (ICAR), New Delhi under its Devel - AAU in helping the farmers. Sources claimed that Ashadul students were asked to opt any of the MIL subjects as a core subject along opment Grant 2020-21. Sarma also asked the scientists to along with other four-five mem - with the English subject. It has asked all heads of the institutions under The project will be developed on a find ways to lower moisture content bers of his gang snatched Rs 5 lakh AHSEC to communicate the same to the students of higher secondary. 1.5 kms channel flowing through the in the rice varieties of Assam so that at gunpoint from a Tata magic pick Following this notification, Karbi Lammet Amei (KLA), a Karbi literary campus of the varsity and its banks. FCI could procure rice from the up van of a mustard oil distribution body submitted a memorandum to CEM Ronghang urging him to discuss The integrated project will include boat-rides fishery and poultry farming. state. Later he told reporters that vice chancellor company on Wednesday when the with the education department of govt. of Assam. The KLA has urged the on the channel with a boathouse and a quaint There would also be a pond for angling and Dr Bidyut Chandan Deka had proposed a Rs money was being carried after col - AHSEC to continue Alternative English as MIL subject considering the bridge. tree lined avenues. 200 crore infrastructure development plan, the lection from Laokhuwa to Rupahi - difficulty of the hill tribe students as many can’t opt for MIL subjects. Con - The banks on both sides will be lined with Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister funding of which he would look into. hat. Rupahihat police registered a veying their gratitude to AHSEC, general secretary of KLA, Liladhar Teron paver blocks and boulders and will be dotted stressed upon not only making the state self-suf - He was accompanied by his cabinet col - case in this regard and following said, “We are thankful to AHSEC for considering our plea and allowing us with a mini tea plantation, indigenous fruit ficient, but also emphasised on finding innova - leagues Ranoj Pegu, Atul Bora, Jogen Mohan, the investigation, Nagaon police fi - to continue Alternative English in lieu of MIL. Many of our hill tribe stu - trees, indigenous aromatic plants, indigenous tive ways of marketing agri products. Lok Sabha MP Topon Kumar Gogoi, Rajya nally got the breakthrough on dents find it difficult with MIL subjects. By allowing to continue Alterna - spice trees, landscaped gardens, integrated with “Innovation is the need of the hour as society Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa. Thursday, sources added further. tive English in lieu of the MIL subject is a relief to the students.” Small tea growers neck deep in One arrested with suspected heroin, cash Subungthini Thandwi Bineswar HT Correspondent problems, demand rise in green leaf prices BOKAJAN, Aug 19: Khatkhati police seized suspected heroin and BHrT Caorrehsponmdent a remembered in KoTkaren Broroa recajllehd thea contr ribu - arrested a woman in the matter. On KOKRAJHAR, Aug 19: Irre - tions of Bineswar Brahma towards the information provided by the spective of organisation leaders welfare and development of the Village Defence Party (VDP), po - from Bodo community including Bodo community through his bold lice raided the residence of Ashma Bodo Sahitya Sabha, All Bodo leadership. He always thought for Begum around 4:00 pm at Lahori - Students Union has offered floral peace and harmony among the jan Natun Basti. tributes to Subungthini Thandwi communities in the state. In the raid, the police recovered Bineswar Brahma, former presi - “We must keep alive the ideol - heroin packed in two soap cases dent of Bodo Sahitya Sabha on his ogy and philosophy of late Brahma weighing 25.5 gms and cash 21st death anniversary on Thurs - and work for the greater good of amount of Rs. 35,500 in presence day at Chandamari in Kokrajhar. the Bodo community,” Taren Boro of local witnesses. In this connec - Subungthini Thandwi Bineswar Pramod Boro, Assam cabinet min - Thandwi Bineswar Brahma, who said. tion, Ashma Begum has been ar - Brahma was former president of ister UG Brahma, Kokrajhar East dedicated his life for the welfare of BTC CEM Boro said that the rested. The police raid was led by Bodo Sahitya Sabha and former LAC MLA Lawrence Islary, Bodo literature, language and cul - contribution of Subungthini OC of Khatkhati police station SI HT Correspondent deputy general manager of Food ABSU general secretary Khanin - ture. He condemned the assassina - Thandwi Bineswar Brahma was Charan Mohan Singha Chetia ac - Corporation of India (FCI) for dra Basumatary, BTC executive tion of Brahma, who had endless and his ideology and phi - BISWANATH CHARIALI, Aug 19: The small tea growers of companied by SI Mridul Rudra Biswanath and Behali under the umbrella effort of both Behali and northeastern region, who was shot members Dr Nilut Swargiary, contributed a lot for the Bodo so - losophy must be kept alive among Paul, WPC Purnima Basumatary dead by armed miscreants on Au - Daobaisa Boro, noted educationist ciety by holding presidentship in the future generations. Biswanath association of small tea growers staged a demonstration by and others. blocking the NH-15 at Bedeti under Behali LAC of Biswanath district gust 19, 2000, at his Bhetapara res - Surath Narzary attended the event. his life. He always wished for a Boro while paying homage to on Thursday. Notably, the price of green leaf has been declining in idence in Guwahati. A lecture on the contribution of peaceful society in the region. the late Brahma said that he was an Biswanath district with each passing day. In this regard, the small tea UG declares subsidy on Bodo Sahitya Sabha president Bineswar Brahma towards the de - Brahma termed that late Brahma extraordinary leader of the sabha growers association had submitted a memorandum seeking intervention Taren Boro hoisted the sabha flag velopment of Bodo community was a harbinger of peace among as well of the Bodo community. of the deputy commissioner of Biswanath months back. The association mulberry and cotton half on the occasion, besides ob - was also organised to mark the oc - the Bodo people and devoted his Despite a high official responsibil - had submitted a memorandum to the Tea Board and to the owners of the yarn for weavers serving a 2 minute silence fol - casion. life towards the upliftment of the ity in FCI, Brahma dedicated his bought leaf factories located in Biswanath demanding justifiable value lowed by floral tributes to Brahma. Minister Brahma while recalling common masses. life for the good of the greater HT Correspondent BTC chief executive member contributions of Subungthini Bodo Sahitya Sabha president Bodo community. to their products. However, the small tea growers received no positive KOKRAJHAR, Aug 19: Assam answer in this regard. The demonstrators threw green leaves in the middle cabinet minister for Handloom and of NH-15 and blocked the communication of the highway for nearly one Textile department Urkhao Gwra Cannabis seized from hour. The demonstration was attended by Tikaram Sarma, vice president Brahma has announced huge subsi - of Biswanath district small tea growers association, Dr. Ranjan Gogoi dies on purchasing of yarn for UG Brahma visits flood Avadh Assam Express, along with other office bearers including Ratul Das, Khagen Upadhayay. weavers across the state to extend Vice president Tikaram Sarma said, “We will continue to stage demon - little financial support in the state. three women arrested strations in the days to come if we are deprived of our due. We will never Addressing a press conference on HT Correspondent Thursday at Bodofa Cultural com - affected citizens in Chirang tolerate exploitation by the company and bought leaf factories.” The as - HT Correspondent HOJAI, Aug 19: Acting on a tip sociation will stage a demonstration in front of the office of the Tea plex in Kokrajhar, Assam cabinet off, Hojai police seized 18.8 kgs of minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma said KOKRAJHAR, Aug 19: As many Board, Biswanath Chariali on Monday. as 113 families consisting of 538 suspected Cannabis from Avadh that the Handloom and Textile de - Assam Express coach no. S4 (bound partment has decided to extend sup - members have been pushed to take shelter in makeshift camps due to to Lalgarh) on Wednesday evening. port to the weavers affected by the As per information, three women Covid situation in the state. He in - heavy floods in Sisubari village and AJYCP burns effigies formed that the government has de - Udalguri LP school relief camp in namely Sakuntala Rajbongshi (40 cided to extend the increase of Chirang district. Flood waters from yrs), Rubi Baby (40 yrs) and Ranu of Suklabaidya subsidy rate up to 30 % from 20% Aie and Kanamakra r ivers have Das (60 yrs) have been apprehended while purchasing the mulberry yarn been causing problems for the res - along with the illicit substance. Re - for weavers. He mentioned that on idents. The flood affected people portedly, the trio boarded the train cotton yarn, the state government have been evacuated to safer from Sarupathar and were headed to has decided to make a 50% subsidy places. On Thursday, Assam cabi - lems and promised immediate so - security and dignity of women and New Jalpaiguri. Sources said that for the weavers. He said that there lutions for the affected people. children. “We have instructed the the market worth of the seized net minister Urkhao Gwra ` are 33 yarn banks across the state Brahma, Sidli MLA Jayanta Ba - Interacting with the media per - District Disaster Management Au - Cannabis will be more than 2 lakh. and the present Covid-19 pandemic sumatary and UPPL working pres - sons, cabinet minister Brahma who thority to take special care in main - Police are interrogating the ladies has hit them hard. ident Rwngwra Narzary visited the is also the guardian minister of Chi - taining the security and dignity of and further investigation is on. relief camps along the flood af - rang district said that the state gov - women and children, to provide fected areas in Chirang ernment has given all the required medicines for sick and elderly, milk Fish carrying district.Minister Brahma and MLA instructions to the District Disaster for children, adequate food, potable 200 people fall sick Basumatary interacted with the af - Management Authority to take spe - drinking water and sanitation facil - vans distributed fected and took stock of their prob - cial attention to maintain the safety, ities,” Brahma said. after consuming in Kokrajhar prasad in Lanka HT Correspondent HT Correspondent KOKRAJHAR, Aug 19: Four self TET qualified candidates stage NAGAON, Aug 19: Around 200 HT Correspondent help groups (SHG) were ceremoni - people suffered from food poisoning MARGHERITA, Aug 19: AJYCP’s Margherita Regional Committee ally given away fish carrying vans after taking ‘prasad’ of Manasha on Thursday burnt the effigy of forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya at under SOPD 2020-21 in Bodoland indefinite hunger strike in Kokrajhar Puja organised at ward no 7 in NH-38 Ledo College road under Margherita Constituency. Kanchan Territorial Council (BTC) districts Over 1,200 Assam TET candi - Lanka town of Hojai district on Borah general secretary of AJYCP Tinsukia district committee said that on Thursday at a programme held at dates across the BTC districts had Wednesday night. The people who 124 Number Margherita Constituency is rich in flora and fauna but due the office of the joint director of qualified in the Assam TET 2019 suffered from food poisoning were to some unscrupulous and vested interests of the forest department offi - fishery department in Kokrajhar. test examination. The TET qualified immediately admitted to local cials and employees, illegal timber and stone trade has been rampantly BTC executive members Rakesh candidates urged the BTC adminis - Lanka FRU for treatment. Many of going on for which Assam government is losing a huge revenue. Kanchan Brahma and Dr Nilut Swargiary cer - tration and state government for them, who were seriously ill, have Borah said that notorious timber and stone mafias namely Bhaikon Dutta, emonially distributed four numbers early recruitment as they feel use - been already shifted to Nagaon Ranjan Gogoi, Khan, Gunin, Prabhu Sah and Jaiswal have kept forest of fish carrying vans to SHGs under less because even after clearing the based government as well as private department officials in their own hands because of which regularly 50 to SOPD 2020-21 in BTC districts TET, they are not getting a proper sector hospitals after preliminary 60 trucks illegally loaded with timber and stone ply from Margherita to which was distributed by the fishery recruitment. President of the Assam treatment at Lanka FRU, sources department of BTC administration. other parts of Assam. Kanchan Borah accused the Digboi forest depart - HT Correspondent TET teachers in LP/UP schools TET qualified candidates associa - added further. Sources claimed that BTC executive member Rakesh tion Sudan Barman has urged the ment DFO for giving a free hand to all these illegal timber and stone trad - Brahma also informed that the fish - KOKRAJHAR, Aug 19: Assam across the BTR districts. The in - one Bakul Ch Das organised Man - ing. Kanchan Borah alleged that by showing Fake Transit Permit (TP) ery department has been planning to Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) definite strike is an attempt to put BTC administration and state gov - asha Puja at his residence last night trucks carry illegal timber and stone from Margherita to other parts of distribute 100 bikes with boxes at - 2019 qualified candidates staged pressure on the BTC administra - ernment to take up necessary strate - and all those devotees who took the Assam, and he demanded Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tached at the back to carry fish to the an indefinite hunger strike at Chil - tion and state government for pro - gies for appointment of the Assam ‘prasad’ complained of feeling sick to take lawful action against Digboi Forest Division DFO, Jagun and people in the district by Oct-Nov dren's Park in Kokrajhar in support viding appointment to TET TET qualified candidates as teach - following which they were rushed Lekhapani range forest office employees. this year. of demanding early appointment of qualified candidates in schools. ers across the schools of BTC. to Lanka FRU. Suklabaidya launches online Wommaniaas organise ‘SSAWANN’ Fashion & LifeStyle exhibition admission portal of Assam University HT Bureau HT Correspondent brella. “This system will be handy self/herself under the Assam Uni - or her applications in other colleges GUWAHATI, Aug 19: On the oc - SILCHAR, Aug 19: An Online and useful to those willing to enrol versity, starting from admission to and departments will be automati - casion of Sawan month, an exhibi - Admission Management System themselves,” he added. Vice chan - migration. The admission system is cally nullified. This will benefit the tion cum sale named SAWAAN - (OAMS) and Online Examination cellor Nath said the university is integrated with the existing exami - colleges and departments not by The Exhibition was organised by Management System (OEMS) of planning to take all the admissions nation system.” wasting their seats like in earlier Wommaniaas, where women from Assam University, Silchar was on online mode under an integrated The admission portal is capable years,” said a university official. various trades participated enthusi - launched by minister for environ - system. “Since last year, admission of checking the eligibility of a stu - Due to paucity of time and con - astically. The exhibition, organised ment and forest, fisheries and ex - procedures have been either offline, dent at the time of application for sidering the pandemic situation at a restaurant called Attic located cise, Parimal Suklabaidya at manual or partially online in most of admission; merit list can be gener - this year, the university is taking on GS Road in Guwahati, was inau - Dargakona here on Wednesday. the colleges and departments. Keep - ated using departments' own com - this as a pilot project by bringing gurated by the famous Assamese Launching the online system in ing this in view, the university has posite formula; if a college or 34 affiliated TDC colleges, all in- film actress Priyam Pallabi on the presence of vice chancellor, Prof developed a comprehensive com - department wants to take admission house departments and B.Ed col - Wednesday. Appreciating the col - ellery, bed sheets, bed covers, wal, founder of Womaniaas said that Dilip Chandra Nath, MLA, Dipayan mon admission portal for all its af - test, admit card will be automati - leges under the system. Rest of the lections present in the exhibition, footwear, slippers, fancy rakhis and in this program called Saawan, girls Chakraborty, registrar, Pradosh filiated colleges and also for cally forwarded to the selected can - colleges will come under the com - the chief guest said that this effort of Raksha bandhan gifts were some of and women took part enthusiasti - Kiran Nath and other dignitaries at in-house departments named Online didates; students can apply in more mon portal in 2022. The inaugural Wommaniaas will prove to be a the wares on display. Founder Neeta cally. It is noteworthy that this exhi - Raja Ram Mohan Roy Administra - Admission Management System,” than one colleges and in more than ceremony was attended by minis - milestone in the coming times to - Sharma said that the business stalled bition was organised by tive Building, minister Suklabaidya said vice chancellor Nath, adding, one courses at a time; no separate ter for education and welfare of wards making women self-reliant. amid the corona pandemic and Wommaniaas, a private organisation said the university authorities have “This is not only a standalone ad - data is required to be uploaded. All Plain Tribe & Backward Classes, Divya Siotia, founder of Wommani - aimed to infuse a new energy of women, which is doing com - taken a good initiative by bringing mission portal, it will take care of payments can be made through the Ranoj Pegu and minister for hous - aas said that all covid protocols among women. It was organised mendable work on women empow - the admissions to different courses entire life cycle of a student who payment gateway. “If a student ing & urban affairs and irrigation, were followed in the exhibition. taking a cue from the Sinjra festival erment in the business world and on online mode under a single um - will be interested in admitting him - takes admission in one college, his Ashok Singhal. Boutique-made clothes, fancy jew - of the Sawan month. Nupur Aggar - helping them get self-reliant. Page 7 August 20_Normal Pages 8/19/2021 8:39 PM Page 1

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021 NATION THE HILLS TIMES 7 India should be ‘open-minded’ about Calcutta HC orders CBI, SIT probes in dealing with the Taliban: Sinha NEW DELHI, Aug 19 (PTI): Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Former External Affairs minister left the country for an unknown Yashwant Sinha on Thursday said destination. post-poll violence cases in Bengal India should be ‘open-minded’ "It appears on the face of it that A five-judge bench indicts police for inaction about dealing with the Taliban and the Taliban of 2021 is not the same KOLKATA, Aug 19 (PTI): Ob - and justices I P Mukerji, Harish vestigation by independent agency suggested that it should open its Taliban of 2001. There appears to serving that there are ‘definite and Tandon, Soumen Sen and Subrata will inspire confidence to all con - embassy in Kabul and send back be some difference. They are mak - proved’ allegations that complaints Talukdar, ordered. cerned," it noted. It said allegations the ambassador. ing mature statements. That is of the victims of violence in the af - It directed the NHRC commit - that the police had not registered a Noting that the people of something we have to take note termath of the West Bengal assem - tee, constituted by its chairman on number of cases initially and that Afghanistan have great love for of," Sinha said. bly polls were not even registered, a direction by the five-judge bench, some were registered only after the India while Pakistan is not popular "I am not saying that take their the Calcutta High Court on Thurs - and any other commission or au - court had intervened or the com - among them, Sinha told PTI in an statements at face value but I will day ordered a CBI investigation in thority and the state to immediately mittee was constituted were found interview that the Indian govern - also suggest that they should not be all alleged cases of heinous crimes hand over the records of the cases to be true. It observed that the facts ment should not conclude that the dismissed off-hand because of like rape and murder, while accept - to the CBI to carry forward the in relation to the allegations made Taliban will place itself "in Pak - their past behaviour. We have to ing the recommendations of an probe. The bench will monitor the in the PILs are "even more glaring" istan's lap" as every country fur - look at present and future," he NHRC panel. investigations by both the CBI and as the incidents are not isolated to thers its own interests. added. A five-judge bench, passing a the SIT and asked the two agencies one place in the state. As a big country, India should Sinha was the Foreign minister unanimous judgement on a batch to submit status reports to the court "Rather the violence which "There are definite and proved record thousands of papers." approach the issues of the Taliban in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee govern - of PILs seeking an independent within six weeks. It said that the erupted after polls and declaration allegations that complaints filed by The bench ordered the West with a degree of confidence and ment but became a critic of the probe into incidents of alleged vi - working of the SIT will be over - of results was state-wide. Number the victims of post-poll violence Bengal government to pay com - should not indulge in a "widow's Modi government and quit the olence after the polls which the rul - seen by a retired Judge of the of persons had died. The women were not registered. Such types of pensation to the victims of crimes wail" as if Pakistan has taken over BJP. He is currently vice president ing TMC won by an overwhelming Supreme Court for which a sepa - were raped. The house of certain incidents, even if isolated, are not in accordance with the policy of Afghanistan or has an advantage in the Trinamool Congress. majority, also ordered constitution rate order will be passed after ob - persons who had not supported the good for healthy democracy," the the State, after due verification. over it, he added. He said India should have of an SIT to probe all other cases. taining his/her consent. party in power were demolished. bench observed. The compensation amount will be That the Taliban now controls waited instead of immediately The SIT will include Suman In its ruling, the bench said Their other properties were dam - Noting that the West Bengal po - directly transferred to their bank most of Afghanistan is a reality, closing its embassy and evacuating Bala Sahoo, Soumen Mitra and heinous crimes such as murder and aged. Their belongings were looted lice have not properly responded to accounts. The NHRC committee Sinha said, adding that India its people after the extremist Is - Ranveer Kumar, all IPS officers of rape "deserve to be investigated by including the chattels," the court allegations of inaction and tried to had on July 13 submitted its final should adopt "wait and watch" lamist organisation captured the West Bengal cadre. an independent agency which in observed in its order. The bench downplay them, the bench said, "It report to the court. mode and be in no hurry either to Kabul. India on Tuesday rushed "All the cases where, as per the the circumstances can only be Cen - said there are allegations that the certainly needs investigation by an The court said that a notice is - recognise or to dismiss its regime. back home its ambassador Rudren - report of the Committee, the alle - tral Bureau of Investigation." complainants are being threatened independent agency." sued to Rashid Munir Khan, The Taliban swept across dra Tandon and staff from the em - gations are about murder of a per - The bench said the state failed to to withdraw the cases and a num - It said three months have lapsed deputy commissioner of police Afghanistan this month, seizing bassy in Kabul in a military son and crime against women register FIRs even in some cases of ber of cases of murder being since the matter was taken up by (DCP), South Suburban Division, control of almost all key Afghan transport aircraft following escalat - regarding rape/attempt to rape, alleged murder. "This shows pre- claimed as natural death without the court, but "no concrete action of Kolkata Police to show-cause as towns and cities in the country fol - ing tension, fear and uncertainty shall be referred to CBI for inves - determined mind to take investiga - recording FIRs and conducting in - has been taken by the State, which to why proceedings for contempt lowing the withdrawal of the US gripping the Afghan capital after tigation," the bench, comprising tion into a particular direction." vestigation according to the proce - could inspire confidence except fil - be not initiated against him will be forces from the country. Kabul also the Taliban insurgents seized the Acting chief justice Rajesh Bindal "Under such circumstances in - dure established by law. ing affidavits and placing on dealt with later. fell to the Taliban on Sunday after Afghan capital on Sunday. Army JCO, terrorist killed in Over 3.86 cr people didn’t get 2 nd dose of encounter in J-K’s Rajouri Covid vaccines within stipulated time: Govt JAMMU, Aug 19 (PTI): A junior commissioned of - NEW DELHI, Aug 19 (PTI): Over take the second within the stipulated said the total number of beneficiar - ficer of the Army died in a fierce gun fight with mili - 3.86 crore people did not get their time period. In response to the ies who got their first dose of Cov - tants in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on second dose of anti-Covid vaccines query, the Covid-19 Vaccine Admin - axin but did not get their second Thursday in which a terrorist was also killed, Army - Covishield and Covaxin within the istration Cell of the Union Health within the stipulated period of time officials said. stipulated period of time, the gov - Ministry said it is recommended the as prescribed by the government as Security forces had launched a search operation in ernment has said in response to an second dose of Covishield be taken per the due report of in Co-WIN Thanamandi belt following inputs about the presence RTI query. According to information within 84-112 days after the first, portal is 46,78,406 (data as on 17th of terrorists there, a police official said. on the CoWIN portal, as of Thurs - while in case of Covaxin the gap August 2021). "It is recommended The search operation turned into an encounter after day afternoon 44,22,85,854 people should between 28-42 days. that vaccinees who got their first the terrorists opened fire on the forces who retaliated, have received their first dose, while "The total number of vaccinees dose of vaccine get their second he said. 12,59,07,443 have also taken their (beneficiaries) who got their first dose in the stipulated period. There “A junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the second. Activist Raman Sharma had dose of Covishield Vaccine but did is no recommendation for such vac - Rashtriya Rifles had suffered bullet injuries in the en - the encounter. SP Rajouri Sheema Nabi Qasba said the filed a query under the Right to In - not get their second dose within stip - cinees who got their first dose of counter. He was immediately evacuated to the nearest encounter is going on. formation (RTI) Act, seeking to ulated period of time as prescribed Covid Vaccine but did not get the medical facility, but succumbed to the injuries," De - This is the second encounter between terrorists and know from the government the by the Govt of India as per the Due second dose within the stipulated fence public relations officer (PRO), Jammu, Lt Col security personnel in August this year. number of people who had received Report of Co-WIN portal is period as prescribed by Government Devender Anand said. One August 6, two LeT terrorists were killed in an the first dose of vaccines - Cov - 3,40,72,993 (data as on 17th August of India to get their first dose again," The officials also said that a terrorist was killed in encounter with security forces in the Thanamandi belt. ishield and Covaxin – but did not 2021)," the response said. It further it said. MHA recommends CBI probe into procurement of 1,000 buses by Delhi govt NEW DELHI, Aug 19 (PTI): The Min - "I am writing this in connection with thoroughly, which gave a "clean chit" to istry of Home Affairs (MHA) has rec - the purchase of 1,000 low-floor buses by the government. ommended a preliminary enquiry by the the Delhi government and the report "It is a politically motivated conspir - CBI into procurement of 1,000 low-floor submitted by the three-member commit - acy against the Aam Aadmi Party. The buses by the Delhi government, officials tee constituted by the Government of BJP wants to prevent the people of Delhi said on Thursday. NCT Delhi for a detailed enquiry into from getting new buses. In the past as Responding to the development, the the matter. well the central government has tried to Delhi government refuted "allegations" "The matter has been examined in this harass the Delhi government using the of corruption in bus procurement and ac - ministry and with the approval of com - CBI, but not even once has their attempt cused the BJP-led central government of petent authority, the DoPT has been re - been successful because there has never "harassing" it by using the CBI. quested to take necessary action for been any truth to any of their allega - The matter of "corruption" in annual undertaking Preliminary Enquiry in the tions," it said. maintenance contract (AMC) of the bus matter by the Central Bureau of Investi - The Delhi government does not be - procurement by the Delhi Transport Cor - gation," said the MHA letter. lieve in the politics of slander, it only be - poration (DTC) was raised by the BJP in Delhi BJP MLA Vijender Gupta, who lieves in good governance and is Delhi Assembly in March this year. had raised the matter in the Assembly, committed to delivering upon its prom - A three-member committee formed by alleged there was a "scam" of thousands ise of good governance, added the state - Lt Governor Anil Baijal in June had of crores of rupees in the bus procure - ment. found procedural "flaws" in the AMC ment. The DTC had last year floated two and recommended scrapping it. "The CBI enquiry has begun in the separate tenders for procurement of The LG had referred the matter to the DTC bus procurement scam. The Delhi 1,000 low floor buses, and their AMC. MHA in July for its consideration, the transport minister should be immedi - The procurement contract was for Rs officials said. ately removed and arrested," Gupta said 850 crore, while the AMC for 12 year The Delhi government was informed in a video message. was worth Rs 3,412 crore. about the CBI probe in a letter written to There is "absolutely no truth" to these The bus procurement contract was chief secretary Vijay Dev by MHA ad - allegations, said a Delhi government awarded to JBM Auto and Tata Motors ditional secretary (Union Territory) statement, adding a committee was al - on a 70:30 ratio. The former was L 1 bid - Govind Mohan on August 16. ready set up to investigate the matter der in the AMC tender, officials said. India’s national security challenges becoming complex: Rajnath NEW DELHI, Aug 19 defence sector," he said. (PTI): Noting that India's na - "There is neither a shortage tional security challenges are of talents in our country, nor increasing and becoming is there a lack of demand for ‘complex’ in view of the talents. But in the absence of changing geopolitical situa - a common platform, the two tion globally, Defence minis - could not match. 'iDEX' plat - ter Rajnath Singh on form has been successful to a Thursday strongly pitched for large extent in bridging this a strong, capable and com - gap," he said . In th e last cou - pletely 'self-reliant' defence ple of years, the government industry in the country. has unveiled a series of re - Singh's comments came form measures and initiatives amid growing concerns in to make India a hub of de - India and elsewhere over the launching the 'Defence India and well-equipped forces, but fence manufacturing. Last Taliban sweeping across Startup Challenge 5.0, an ini - also develop our defence in - August, Singh announced that Afghanistan this month, seiz - tiative under the Innovations dustry, which is equally India will stop the import of ing control of Afghanistan for Defence Excellence strong, capable, and most im - 101 weapons and military following the collapse of the (iDEX) that acts as an um - portantly, completely 'self-re - platforms like transport air - US-backed government. brella organisation to promote liant'," the Defence minister craft, light combat helicop - "Today, the security sce - technology development for said. The defence minister ters, conventional nario in the whole world is the defence sector. called upon the private sector submarines, cruise missiles changing very fast. Because Singh said considering the to contribute in strengthening and sonar systems by 2024. of this, the challenges to our fast-changing security chal - the defence manufacturing A second negative list, put - national security are increas - lenges, India must focus on sector. ting import restrictions on 108 ing and becoming complex. having strong, capable, and "While assuring all possi - military weapons and systems There are constant changes in 'self-reliant' defence industry ble cooperation from the gov - such as next-generation the global geopolitical situa - to cater to the needs of the ernment, I call upon the corvettes, airborne early tion," Singh said, without armed forces. private sector to come for - warning systems, tank en - making specific references. "It is necessary that we not ward and contribute in build - gines and radars, was issued He was speaking after only create strong, modern ing a strong and self-reliant recently.

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