Clay Khongsai

Vaccine for 60-plus and above 45 with comorbidity from Mar 1 Over 1000 militants of 5

promoted to ADGP
IMPHAL, Feb 24: Senior
IPS officer Clay Khongsai
has been promoted to the rank
of Additional Director Gen-
eral of Police with immeidate
effect. The State Government
has issued an order to this ef-
fect today.
Clay Khongsai is from
the 1996 batch of IPS offic-
ers.
Suo moto case
IMPHAL, Feb 24: Taking se-
rious note of normal classes
being disrupted following the
class boycott agitation
launched by teachers, the
Manipur Human Rights
Commission (MHRC) has
taken up a suo moto case.
After registering the suo
moto case, the MHRC has
asked the State Government
NEW DELHI, Feb 24
People aged more than 60
years and those who are 45
plus and have comorbidities
will be able to get a vaccine
against COVID-19 at a
Government centre or a
private hospital from March
1.
Announcing this, the
Central Government on
Wednesday said people
above 45 years of age will
have to show a certificate
stating they have
comorbidities.
Addressing a press brief-
ing on Cabinet decisions,
Union Minister Prakash
Javadekar said the vaccina-
tion will be carried out at
more than 10,000 Govern-
ment centres and over
20,000 private vaccination
centres across the country.
"From March 1, people
above 60 years of age and
those above 45 years of age
with comorbidities will be
vaccinated at 10,000 Gov-
ernment and over 20,000
private vaccination centres,"
Prakash Javadekar said.
Free COVID-19 vaccine
at Govt centres
The Minister said
COVID-19 vaccine will be
provided free-of-cost at
Government centres.
outfits lay down arms
However, people will
have to pay for the vaccine
if they get it from a private
centre.
"Those who want to get
vaccinated from private hos-
pitals will have to pay. The
amount they would need to
pay will be decided by the
Union Health Ministry
within three-four days as
they are in discussion with
vaccine manufacturers and
hospitals," Prakash
Javadekar said.
This is part of the next
phase of India's Nationwide
COVID-19 vaccination that
started on January 16. In the
first phase of the vaccination
drive, healthcare workers on
COVID-19 duty were vacci-
nated. The second phase
covered other frontline
workers and people engaged
in essential services.
Age limit increased
from 50 to 60 years
Government sources
privy to the development
said earlier all people aged
more than 50 years were to
be covered in this phase of
vaccination, but the Govern-
ment later decided to fix the
eligibility age limit at 60
years. The number of people
aged more than 60 years in
India is less than those who
fall in the age group of 45 to
50 plus.
Sources say, during
COVID-19 vaccination, data
of only those who are more
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................
GUWAHATI, Feb 24
Over 1,000 insurgents of five
different militant groups of
Assam laid down their arms
before Assam Chief Minister
Sarbananda Sonowal on
Tuesday.
The arms-laying cer-
emony was held at Srimanta
Sankardev Kalakshetra in
Guwahati.
A total of 1,040 insur-
gents laid down their arms
than 60 years will be re- before Assam Chief Minis-
corded in the Co-Win app ter Sarbananda Sonowal,
for free vaccines at Govern- Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti including AK series rifles, a Union Government for the
ment hospitals. Mahanta, Karbi Anglong large number of ammuni- rehabilitation of North East
So far, India has ap- Autonomous Council tion, grenades, explosives, militants.
proved only two vaccines (KAAC) chief Tuliram guns and pistols. Under this scheme, each
for its COVID-19 vaccina- Ronghang and other senior Over 1,000 insurgents cadre is getting a stipend of
tion drive. The first one is officials of the Assam Gov- laid down their arms. Rs 6,000 per month and af-
ernment, police and the On December 21 last ter completion of three
Covishield which has been
developed by the Oxford Indian Army. year, 63 insurgents of four years, each of them will re-
University and AstraZeneca Huge number of arms different militant groups had ceive Rs 4 lakh as one time
and ammunition were laid laid down their arms in grant money -- subject to
and is being manufactured
by the Serum Institute of down. Guwahati. good behaviour.
These insurgents be- On January 23 last year, Meanwhile, in the last
India.
The second vaccine is longed to five organisations a total of 644 insurgents of five years, security forces
-- the People's Democratic eight militant groups had have arrested 1,914 insur-
Covaxin, developed and
manufactured by Bharat Council of Karbi Longri surrendered in Guwahati and gents and 70 extremists were
(PDCK), the Karbi Longri deposited a huge cache of killed during anti-insurgency
Biotech. It is unclear at
present if people will have a NC Hills Liberation arms, ammunition and ex- operations in different parts
(KLNLF), the Karbi Peo- plosives. Since 2016, a large of Assam.
choice to select which vac-
cine they would like to take. ple's Liberation Tiger number of militants from According to the Assam
(KPLT), the Kuki Liberation different banned outfit Police, security forces ar-
India Today

FEGOCTA pooh-poohs verbal assurance

to take up all necessary Front (KLF) and the United groups have surrendered and rested 570 extremists in
measures so that normal People's Liberation Army deposited 1,034 arms, 2016, 514 in 2017, 373 in
............................................................................................................................................................................

classes can be resumed at
the earliest.
A notice served on the
State Government through
the Education Commissioner
and the Director directed
that the Commission should
be informed about the meas-
ures taken up by the
(UPLA). They were prima- 17,728 rounds of ammuni- 2018, 282 in 2019, 146 in
rily operating in Assam's tion, 513 grenades, 77 IEDs, 2020 and 29 this year so far.
hills districts- Karbi 5,373 detonators, 111 kg of During anti-insurgency
Anglong and West Karbi explosives and Rs 74.53 operations, 31 extremists
By Our Staff Reporter and Regulations, 2018,
FEGOCTA asked what Anglong. lakh in cash. were killed in 2016, while
The insurgents, led by All these cadres, who security forces gunned down
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : Teachers would be the Government’s
respect the Education justification if there were no PDCK chief Ingti Kathar have joined the mainstream, 19 insurgents in 2017, 11 in
Songbijit (IK Songbijit), de- are being rehabilitated under 2018, 2 in 2019, 7 in 2020.
Minister, but they cannot trust pandemic. The teachers have
his assurance, said the been demanding the Gov- posited 338 weapons the revised scheme of the India Today

Eco-Tourism Project opened at Cheirao Ching

Government on or before
March 5. Federation of Government ernment to implement the
................................................................................................................................

The Commission further College Teachers’ UGC policy since 2018,

pointed out that right to edu-
cation is a fundamental right
of all students and it should
not be curtailed under any
circumstances.
WMC session
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : The
Guwahati Plenary Session
2021 of the World Meetei
Convention (WMC) will be
held at Shilpgram, Panjabari
on February 28.
Assam Health Minister
Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma,
Manipur Deputy Chief Min-
ister Yumnam Joykumar
Singh and Deputy Chairman
State Planning Board,
Manipur, L Rameshwor
Associations (FEGOCTA)
which has been spearheading
the demand for
implementation of the 7th
UGC Pay and Regulations,
2018.
In a statement issued to
the press today, FEGOCTA
asserted that the request of
the Education Minister to
wait till the middle of March
is another tactic to delay the
implementation of 7th UGC
Pay.
The college teachers have
been waiting for three years
now since November 2,
2017. Government’s inabil-
ity to issue an order
implementing the 7th UGC
Pay and Regulations, 2018
even after six months and 17
days of Cabinet approval is
really a “shameful act”. It
shows the inefficiency of the
Government and apathy to-
wards the Government
college teachers, said
FEGOCTA.
Even as the 5th series of
agitation entered the 24th
day today, the Government
is “depriving” the teachers
and the students of their
rights by not implementing
the National policy of the
UGC.
The teachers do not want
any more assurances but the
actual order implementing
the 7th UGC Pay.
FEGOCTA trusts only the
order not assurances, it said.
Accusing the Govern-
ment of using COVID-19 as
an excuse for its failure to
implement the 7th UGC Pay
well before Covid. The Gov-
ernment has failed to
implement the policy for
over three years. If it (Gov- IMPHAL, Feb 24 (DIPR)
ernment) is really sincere
about the students and teach- Chief Minister N Biren Singh
ing-learning, the order to
implement it should be is-
inaugurated Eco Tourism
Project at Thangmeiband
sued immediately, Cheirao Ching in Imphal
FEGOCTA said. West district today. The
Meanwhile, the teaching project was developed under
communities of Non Lapsable Central Pool of
Churachandpur College and Resources (NLCPR)
Lamka College took out a Scheme, DoNER Ministry.
protest rally today demand- Speaking at the occasion,
ing implementation of the N Biren Singh said that peo-
7th UGC Pay and regula- ple in Manipur used to live
tions, 2018. They also amidst tensions within the at an estimated cost of the tourist site, the Chief
submitted a memorandum to confines of their homes and around Rs 15 crore was laid Minister said that a modality
Chief Minister N Biren there was limited leisure in by Prime Minister Narendra would be formulated soon in
Singh (Contd P 9) life. However, with im- Modi during his visit in consultation with the local

CM inaugurates buyer-seller meet

Meetei will grace the session provement in the law and March 2018. The project MLA and local clubs for the
as chief guest, distinguished order situation in the past was completed within three operation and maintenance
............................................................................................................................................................................

guest and guest of honour
respectively. Delegates from
different parts of India and
abroad will also take part in
the session, said WMC Cen-
tral Executive Committee in
a statement today.
Minor held with drugs
IMPHAL, Feb 24 (DIPR)
Chief Minister N Biren Singh
inaugurated a Conference
cum Buyer Seller Meet at
few years, the Government
had been trying to give lei-
sure spaces to the people by
developing such sites which
State under Prime Minister could also attract tourists.
Narendra Modi’s vision of The Chief Minister in-
an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self formed that the foundation
reliant India).
Stressing that the fruits
stone for Cheirao Ching Eco
Tourism Project developed
years though it was hindered
for quite a long time due to
delay in getting Forest/Envi-
ronment clearance and
COVID-19 pandemic.
Stating that it is hearten-
ing to learn that local clubs
of Thangmeiband are ready
to get involved in running
of the site. He further said
that the Government is plan-
ning to install electric cars
for old-aged and differently
abled people, who wish to
reach the towers located in
the hilltop.
He also said that solar
lamps (Contd P 9)

Active cases rise to 41 from 36 in 24 hrs

IMPHAL, Feb 24: Imphal Hotel Imphal, North AOC and vegetables produced in
today. The meet was the State are ‘more nutri-
................................................................................................................................

West district commandos ar-

rested two alleged drug
smugglers including a minor
along with 2 lakh WY tablets
at Khumbong bazar at around
8.30 pm yesterday.
While one is a minor, the
other arrested individual has
been identified as
Langpoklakpam Amarjit
Meitei (42) of Keirak
Yawabung, Kakching dis-
trict.
organized by Manipur Food
Industries Corporation
Limited, Department of
Textiles, Commerce and
Industry, Government of
Manipur.
Speaking on the occasion
as chief guest, N Biren
Singh said that the State
Government had been
putting in tireless efforts to
make Manipur a self reliant
tious’ and are of different
taste, he stated that the State
Government had started ex-
porting black rice and other
horticulture products in re-
cent years.
He added that an outlet
for organic products has
been opened at Pune and the
Central Government is plan-
ning to open such outlets in
other metropolitan cities too.
This would not only provide
better returns to farmers and
entrepreneurs but also pro-
vide employment
opportunities. He also stated
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 24: After the
total number of COVID-19
that the Government is try- active cases in the State
ing to make Manipur an dropped to 36 yesterday, the
organic State by avoiding figure climbed to 41 today as
usage of chemical fertilizers seven people were found
and (Contd P 9) infected by the virus during
Hospital and Hillside Hospi-
tal. They are residents of
Imphal East (2), Imphal
West (3) and Bishnupur (2).
With no report of Covid
related death during the last
24 hours, the death toll
stands at 373.
On the other hand, two
(general population 25,419
and Central security person-
nel 3,417).
It has been already noti-
fied that all air passengers
coming to the State from the
five States of Maharashtra,
Kerala, Chattisgarh, Madhya
Pradesh and Gujarat would

Autonomy cannot determine Manipur’s future: RPF-I

They were travelling
from Imphal towards
Khumbong in a Tata truck
when they were arrested at
Khumbong bazar.
On preliminary investiga-
tion, the driver of the
vehicle, Amarjit disclosed
that he was hired by the fa-
ther of the juvenile who
owns the truck while the mi-
nor revealed he was sent by
his father to accompany the
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : The
proscribed Revolutionary
People’s Front (RPF) has
categorically stated
autonomy given within the
to all the martyrs who
had laid down their lives
for the cause of the
revolutionary movement,
Chaoren conveyed respect
to all the compatriots and
shared the grief and
Constitution of India will
only become a cause of
assimilation with India
and obliteration of the
glorious history of
independence which
spanned over 2000 years,
the last 24 hours while two
Covid patients were
discharged following
recovery during the last
period.
fragmented Nation and According to a press re-
they have been challeng- lease issued by COVID-19
ing the integrity of Common Control Room
Manipur. But it’s time spokesman and Additional
for all the people to shed Director (Health) Dr Khoi-
communal politics and rom Sasheekumar Mangang,
join the common move- seven persons were tested
positive at JNIMS, Shija
Covid infected people have
been discharged from home
isolation following recovery.
The cumulative number
of positive cases is 29,250
(general population 25,818
and Central security person-
nel 3,432).
This figure includes 41
actives cases (general popu-
lation 30 and Central
security personnel 11) and
28,836 discharged cases
be tested for COVID-19 on
their arrival at Imphal air-
port with effect from today.
Meanwhile, 1708 people
were vaccinated against
COVID-19 today. So far,
43,414 people have been
vaccinated against the con-
tagion in the State.
Of all the people who
have been vaccinated so far,
29,666 are healthcare work-
ers, it said.

11 more absent teachers suspended

Constitution of India can misery brought about the reads the statement. ment for independence.
driver for loading cement never determine the future COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, such Other than the common
from Silchar, Assam, said a
................................................................................................................................

police source. (Contd P 9)
PR in Puducherry
NEW DELHI, Feb 24 : The
Union Cabinet on Wednes-
day approved a proposal to
impose President’s Rule in
Puducherry, days after a Con-
gress-led Government in the
Union Territory lost power
during a vote of confidence.
Announcing the Cabinet
decision, Union Minister
Prakash Javadekar told re-
porters that the decision was
taken as (Contd P 9)
of Manipur.
“Other than complete
independence, we don’t
see any movement which
seeks autonomy or special
rights within the Consti-
tution of India as capable
of determining the future
of Manipur”, asserted
RPF president Irengbam
Chaoren in a statement
delivered to media on the
occasion of the outfit’s
42nd foundation day
(February 25, Independ-
ence Demand Day).
While paying obeisance
The rebel leader also
conveyed gratitude to all
sections of people who
have been fighting
relentlessly against the
deadly pandemic to save
fellow human beings.
Any arrangement
within the Constitution of
India, special or other-
wise will never be able to
take Manipur on the
path of development
comparable to interna-
tional standard. On the
contrary, any such
arrangement within the
arrangements would
create situations of
conflict with the ongoing
liberation movement and
it may lead to all sorts of
confusion among the
masses. In order to avert
any situation of confusion
and conflicts, every one
must understand the
history of Manipur and
respect the ongoing
liberation movement, it
asserted.
Groups of communal-
minded people have been
projecting Manipur as a
movement for independ-
ence, there is no choice
for any community
settled in Manipur,
Chaoren asserted. IMPHAL, Feb 24 (DIPR) School. cation Minister S Rajen
Chaoren said that The 9 teachers of Singh paid visits to
protecting the integrity of Eleven more Government Lamlong Higher Secondary Khonghampat Government
Manipur is indispensable school teachers have been School were found absent High School, Heibongpokpi
to the liberation move- placed under suspension for when a surprise visit was Government High School
ment which implies that not attending school. Orders conducted at the school by and Khurkhul High School.
no revolutionary group in this regard were issued by the Ministerial team yester- While checking the at-
can afford laxity when it the Directorate of day while the other 2 tendance register of the
comes to integrity of Education(S) today. The teachers were found absent teachers at Khonghampat
Manipur. suspended teachers include today at Khonghampat Gov- Government High School
Comrade Irabot’s nine from Lamlong Higher ernment High School. today, the two teachers were
steadfast objection to the Secondary School and two Continuing the surprise found absent. Rajen also in-
initiative (Contd P 9) from Khonghampat High visits to schools today, Edu- spected (Contd P 9)
 "US will seek election to UN human rights Myanmar's military must relinquish power, restore
IMPHAL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

council for 2022-24 term": Antony Blinken democratically elected Government: US

GENEVA , Feb 24
The United States is seeking
election to the UN Human
Rights Council, three years
after former president Donald
Trump's administration
withdrew, the US top diplomat
told the rights body
Wednesday.
"I'm pleased to announce
the United States will seek
election to the Human Rights
Council for the 2022-24
term," US Secretary of State
Antony Blinken told the
council in a video message.
"We humbly ask for the
support of all UN member
states in our bid to return to
a seat in this body."
The United States an-
nounced earlier this month
that it would re-engage with
the 47-member council after
Trump's administration pulled
the country out in June 2018.
He complained about its
"unrelenting bias" against Is-
rael and the "hypocrisy" of
allowing rights-abusing na-
tions a seat at the table.
The US departure left a
void that China and others
have been eager to fill at the
council.
While Washington has
vowed to begin active partici-
pation in the council's
activities immediately, it could
not automatically regain the
membership it walked away
from three years ago.
Elections for the next term
will be held towards the end
of this year.
"The United States is plac-
ing democracy and human
rights at the centre of our
foreign policy, because they
are essential for peace and
stability," Blinken told the
council's main annual session,
which this year is being held
mainly virtually due to the
pandemic.
- 'High standards' -
"This commitment is firm
and grounded in our own
experience as a democracy,
imperfect and often falling
short of our own ideals, but
striving always for a more
inclusive, respectful, and free
country," he said.
But while the US under
new President Joe Biden is
eager to return to the fold of
the council, Blinken stressed
that the country still agrees
with some of the criticisms
lobbed by the previous ad-
ministration.
"Institutions are not per-
fect," he said.
"As the United States
reengages, we urge the Hu-
man Rights Council to look at
how it conducts its business.
That includes its dispropor-
tionate focus on Israel," he
said.
"In addition, we will focus
on ensuring that the council
membership reflects high
standards for upholding hu-
man rights," he added.
The United States has long
complained that prominent
rights abusers are given seats
on the council.
Currently the membership
includes China, Russia, and
Venezuela, along with Cuba,
Cameroon, Eritrea and the
Philippines.
"Those with the worst
human rights records should
not be members of this coun-
cil," Blinken said.
"We must work together
to improve the work and
membership of the council so
it can do even more to ad-
vance the rights of people
around the world." AFP
WASHINGTON , Feb 24
Myanmar's military junta must
relinquish power and restore
the democratically-elected
government, the US has said,
asserting that it stands with the
people and supports their
aspirations in reinstating a
civilian-led government in the
country.
Myanmar's military early
this month toppled the gov-
ernment and seized power
for one year, detaining top
political figures, including de
facto leader Aung San Suu
Kyi and President U Win
Myint in the bloodless coup.
"Our message to the junta
has not changed. They must
relinquish power, they must
restore the democratically
elected government, and our
message to the people of
Burma has not changed,"
State Department spokesper-
son Ned Price told reporters
on Tuesday.
Price's remarks come a
day after the United States
announced an additional set
of sanctions against the mili-
tary leaders of Myanmar,
which America and several
western powers continue to
call with its previous name
of Burma.
"We stand with the people
of Burma. We will continue,
Nepal PM Oli will not step down
despite Court defeat, aide says
again, in concert with our
like-minded allies and part-
ners around the world to
support their aspirations for
the restoration of a civilian-
led government in Burma,"
he said.
Burma's military leaders
must see that their attempts
to replace the democratically-
elected government and its
violent actions will have con-
sequences, Price said.
The United States is not
the only country taking ac-
tion to promote
accountability for the military
leaders behind this coup, he
said.
"In fact, we applauded the
recent sanctions, the sanc-
tions announcements that
were made by the UK and
Canada, as well as the an-
nouncement that the EU will
look into its own measures,"
Price said.
The world is speaking
with just about one voice
when it comes to opposing
the military coup in Burma
and supporting the aspira-
tions of the people of Burma
to restore their civilian demo-
cratically-elected
government. The US will
continue to offer that rhetori-
cal support but also to take
action in furtherance of those
goals, he added.
"We will continue to pur-
sue means on a policy basis
to fulfill our goal to support
the Burmese people and to
restore democratic and civil-
ian rule in Burma," Price
said.
On Monday, the US des-
ignating two additional State
Administrative Council
(SAC) members, Maung
Maung Kyaw and Moe
Myint Tun.
"We call on the military
and police to cease all attacks
on peaceful protesters, im-
mediately release all those
unjustly detained, stop at-
tacks on and intimidation of
journalists and activists, and
restore the democratically
German Court issues guilty verdict
in first Syria torture trial
elected government," Secre-
tary of State Tony Blinken
said on Monday.
The US will continue to
work with a broad coalition
of international partners to
promote accountability for
coup leaders and those re-
sponsible for this violence,
he said.
"We will not hesitate to
take further action against
those who perpetrate violence
and suppress the will of the
people. We will not waver in
our support for the people of
Burma," he said.
Earlier in a statement, G7
Foreign Ministers of Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Ja-
pan, the United Kingdom
attempts to establish an inter-
and the United States of
America and the High Rep-
resentative of the European
Union "firmly" condemned
violence committed by
Myanmar''s security forces
against peaceful protests.
"We offer condolences for
the loss of life. The military
and the police must exercise
utmost restraint and respect
human rights and interna-
tional law. The use of live
ammunition against unarmed
people is unacceptable. Any-
one responding to peaceful
protests with violence must
be held to account," they
said.
Condemning the intimida-
tion and oppression of those
opposing the coup, the G7
countries said the systematic
targeting of protesters, doc-
tors, civil society and
journalists must stop, and the
state of emergency must be
revoked.
"We continue to call for
full humanitarian access to
support the most vulnerable,"
they said.
G7 foreign ministers
called for the immediate and
unconditional release of
those detained arbitrarily, in-
cluding State Counsellor Suu
Kyi and President Win
Myint.
PTI
second suspect identified as

62 inmates dead in Ecuador prison riots

GUAYAQUIL , Feb 24
At least 62 inmates died
Tuesday and several were
injured in riots blamed on
gang rivalry at three jails in
Ecuador's overcrowded
prison system, authorities
said.
As security forces battled
to regain control, distraught
family members waited des-
perately for news outside the
prison in Ecuador's western
port city of Guayaquil,
where officials said 21 died.
Another 33 died at the
prison in Cuenca in the
south and eight in Latacunga
in the centre of the South
American country, accord-
ing to Edmundo Moncayo,
organizations" engaged in
"simultaneous acts of vio-
lence in several prisons."
The authorities, he said,
"are acting to retake con-
trol."
The military was de-
ployed to help police quell
the uprising.
'Like a market'
The prosecuting authority
said several inmates were
left injured in fighting be-
tween "criminal gangs",
including two at Guayaquil
in serious condition.
Several police were also
injured, said Moncayo, but
no deaths have been reported
among security personnel.
Police commander
Patricio Carrillo described
ket. There is everything:
drugs, arms, even puppies.
Everything is sold," said
Soria, the wife of prisoner
Ricardo.
In order to reduce pris-
oner numbers amid the
coronavirus epidemic, the
government commuted the
sentences of people con-
victed of minor offences,
reducing overcrowding from
42 percent to 30 percent.
This still leaves Ecuador's
prison system, with a capac-
ity to house 29,000 inmates
in 60-odd facilities, with a
prisoner population of
38,000.
There are 1,500 guards to
oversee them.
Dearth of guards
KOBLENZ , Feb 24
A German court sentenced a
former member of President
Bashar al-Assad’s security
services to 4-1/2 years in
prison on Wednesday for
facilitating the torture of
civilians, the first such verdict
for crimes against humanity in
the 10-year-old Syrian civil
war.
The higher regional court
in the western city of
Koblenz said Eyad A. had
arrested at least 30 anti-gov-
KATHMANDU , Feb 24 ernment protesters at the start
of the conflict in 2011 and
Nepal’s embattled Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli will not sent them to an intelligence
resign but face a floor test in parliament instead, an aide said on facility where he knew de-
Wednesday, a day after the Supreme Court rejected his decision tainees were tortured.
to dissolve the legislature and call early elections. The verdict gives hope
Political turmoil has rocked the Himalayan nation since to the 800,000 Syrians
last December, when Oli suddenly dissolved parliament and in Germany who say
announced the elections, blaming ruling party leaders for a they were tortured in gov-
lack of co-operation on key matters of policy. ernment facilities after
national tribunal for Syria
failed.
“This is an important step
forward in the process of se-
curing accountability for the
Syrian government’s system-
atic use of torture against
civilians,” said Steve Kostas,
a lawyer with the Open Soci-
ety Foundation’s Justice
Initiative, which is represent-
ing Syrian plaintiffs.
The Assad government
denies it tortures prisoners.
Eyad A.’s lawyers had
asked for an acquittal, saying
he had carried out the arrests
in and around Damascus un-
der duress by his superiors.
He had asked the court to
consider him a witness in
broader legal efforts against
the Syrian government.
The same court will con-
tinue hearings in the case of a
Anwar R., a former intelli-
gence officer charged with
58 murders in a Damascus
prison where prosecutors
say at least 4,000 opposition
activists were tortured in
2011 and 2012.
Syrian human rights law-
yer Anwar al-Bunni said the
unprecedented verdict would
speed up efforts to bring
charges against former mem-
bers of the Syrian
government suspected of war
crimes who have fled to
Europe.
“History has been made,”
said al-Bunni. “The first ver-
dict against a member of the
Syrian regime’s torture and
murder machine is a verdict
against the whole regime, not
just against one individual. It
gives hope that justice is pos-
sible.” Reuters

Malaysia urged to explain deportation of

director of the government's the situation as "critical," The SNAI has said a Oli, 69, has started meeting some allies in the ruling
SNAI prisons management while Interior Minister dearth of personnel "hinders Nepal Communist Party (NCP) to review the situation after
body. the court ruled that parliament’s abrupt dissolution was

Myanmar detainees despite Court order

"We want the death list
given to us," said Daniela
Soria, 29, one of about 40
women outside the
Guayaquil prison, many of
them in tears.
"We know that the prob-
lems are not over because
everyone there has a phone
and my husband doesn't call
me," she told AFP.
Earlier, she received a
WhatsApp voice message
from her husband, Ricardo,
which she played back for
AFP. "They are going to kill
me, get me out of here!" he
can be heard exclaiming, the
last she heard from him.
Ecuador's President Lenin
Moreno, on Twitter, attrib-
uted the riots to "criminal
Patricio Pazmino created a
centralised command post to
respond to what he said was
"concerted action by crimi-
nal organizations to generate
violence in penitentiary cen-
tres."
The prison authority de-
scribed fierce fighting
between organized gangs
that go by names such as
Los Pipos, Los Lobos and
Tigrones. They rely on drug
trafficking and operate their
criminal enterprises from
prison.
Moncayo told reporters
that on Monday, guards
seized two firearms that
were to be used to kill the
leader of a group imprisoned
in Guayaquil.
"Inside, it is like a mar-
immediate response" to pris-
oner revolts.
Last year, inmate disputes
left 51 dead, according to
police figures.
A 90-day state of emer-
gency in the country's jails
was ordered by Moreno last
year to try to bring gang ac-
tivity under control and
reduce the violence.
But just in December,
prison unrest left 11 prison-
ers dead and seven injured.
Tuesday's riots coincided
with a march of hundreds of
indigenous people on Quito
to demand a vote recount af-
ter a first round of
presidential elections this
month saw their candidate
left out in the cold.
AFP
unconstitutional and ordered that it be called into session
before March 8.
Thousands of Nepalis opposed to Oli took to the streets
in the capital, Kathmandu, for a public rally on Wednesday KUALA LUMPUR , Feb 24 to suspend the plan amid ported before the next hear-
to celebrate the decision and press fresh demands for the fears over their safety. ing.
prime minister to resign. Several lawmakers and rights But hours after the ruling, In a separate statement,
“The prime minister will not resign now. There is no groups on Wednesday called on Malaysia’s top immigration four opposition lawmakers
question about that,” Surya Thapa, the aide, told Reuters. Malaysia’s government to official said authorities had questioned whether the de-
“He will face parliament,” Thapa added, but did not explain its deportation of more repatriated 1,086 Myanmar portation amounted to
elaborate. than 1,000 Myanmar nationals, citizens on three Myanmar contempt of court and told
Members of the anti-Oli faction said they rejected his despite a court-ordered stay, navy ships. authorities to provide more
autocratic style of functioning and the latest court order with some saying the move The prime minister’s of- details of those deported.
proved his inability to govern. could amount to contempt of fice and Immigration But concerns over the de-
All lawmakers opposed to the prime minister are en- court. Department Director-General portation of unregistered
gaged in talks over their next move, said Narayan Kaji The Kuala Lumpur High Khairul Dzaimee Daud did asylum-seekers have per-
Shrestha, a senior NCP leader who organised countrywide Court on Tuesday had not immediately respond to sisted, as the U.N. refugee
protests against Oli in the past months. granted a stay on the deporta- requests for comment. agency has not been allowed
“If Oli does not resign then parliament will take a de- tion of 1,200 Myanmar The court on Wednesday to interview detainees for
citizens held in immigration fixed March 9 to rule on more than a year to verify
cision on his political fate,” Shrestha said, adding that the
detention centres, pending an whether the groups would be their status.
tourism-dependent economy battered by the coronavirus allowed to challenge the de- The rights groups in their
application by Amnesty Inter-
needs a stable government. national and Asylum Access portation, said New Sin Yew, court filing said three U.N.-
Reuters a lawyer for the rights registered people and 17
groups. minors with at least one par-
It also extended the stay ent in Malaysia were on the
order barring the remaining deportee list. It was unclear if
114 detainees from being de- those were sent back. Reuters

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Status quo would be maintained,
says Joseph Pauline Kamson
Mungchan Zimik
UKHRUL, Feb 24: Deputy
Commissioner Ukhrul,
Joseph Pauline Kamson
today assured the student
community of Ukhrul
Higher Secondary school
(UHSS) and Hunphun
villagers that the status quo
would be maintained and
will preserve the educational
institution from any
individual or organization's
interference.
A protest was staged to-
day by the students of
UHSS and Hunphun villag-
Luhphwam
Manipur annual
assembly held
Noney, Feb 24
Annual Assembly of
Rongmei Naga Luhphwam
Manipur (RNLPM) meeting
was held today at Rongmei
Naga Council Manipur
(RNCM) head office,
Longmai Bazaar under
Noney District headquarters.
Addressing the pro-
gramme, RNCM President,
Ramkung Pamei urged the
gathering to stay strong and
united for a better future of
the Rongmei people.
The programme was at-
tended by the representatives
of Longmai Luangrean,
Khoupum Luangrean,
Nungba Luangrean, Taosem
Longrean and Tamenglong
Luangrean.
Later, appointment of
new office bearers cum oath
taking programme was also
held.
42 delegates attended the
annual meeting.
Anti drug
campaign held
Our Correspondent
BISHNUPUR, Feb 24: In
continuation of the fight
against drug addiction and
substance abuse, an anti
drug campaign was
organised under the Nasha
Mukt Bharat Campaign
Bishnupur district at
Kwakta Public ground
today.
During the programme,
Childline Bishnupur Direc-
tor, Dr L Pishak Singh and
campaign coordinator, S
Rebika highlighted the ob-
jectives of the campaign
and the ill effects of drug
and substance abuse.
CPI condoles
IMPHAL, Feb 24
Communist Party of India
Manipur State Council (CPI
MSC) condoled the sudden
demise of Kangujam
Amuchou, ex commissioner,
ward number 9, Imphal
Municipal Council and a
prominent leader of the party.
IMPHAL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 MANIPUR/REGIONAL
'Entrepreneurship cum Skill Hnatham chief coronated
Development' programme begins
ate intervention and to take innovative programmes in
up necessary action. the coming days, he encour-
The representation men- aged the trainee participants
tioned the land donated for and youth of the district to
the construction of Ukhrul apply for schemes relating to
Higher Secondary School MSMEs that are opening up
(UHSS), dispute on school in the near future.
playground, UHSS boys Pawan Yadav highlighted
hostel and UHSS teachers the series of activities under
quarter. MSME, planned in connec-
It also mentioned the tion with the International
Court's observation on the Women’s Day on March 8
dispute of title and owner- and urged the young entre-
ship of the land, "that is to preneurs from the district to Our Correspondent
maintain status quo until take the programmes seri-
adjudication of the matter ously so that they can bring CHANDEL, Feb 24: WL Robertson Anal was coronated as
of title and ownership of the out their potential. the new chief of Hnatham village, Chandel today.
suit land." DIO association with SBI-RSETI, Reeta Yadav, Deputy Di- The oath taking was commissioned by St Thumwar,
ers today at Viewland to The Ukhrul DC, Joseph Churachandpur. rector, MSME-DI, Imphal, chairman, Analons' Chief Association and the act of bless-
prevent the erection of Pauline Kamson after going CCpur, Feb 24: Speaking as the chief while giving the keynote ing was solemnised by Hnatham Village Pastor Js Jamvol.
boundary pillars by through the representation Churachandpur DC, Pawan guest of the inaugural func- address, said that such com- The auspicious ceremony was attended by Chandel
Tangkhul Naga Long assured the student and vil- Yadav today inaugurated the tion, Pawan Yadav stated prehensive training Deputy Commissioner, Mayanglambam Rajkumar; D
(TNL). lagers of Hunphun to take '6 week Entrepreneurship that the training programme programmes are organised Ringo Lamkang, Chairman, Autonomous District Council,
A brief confrontation be- up all necessary measures cum Skill Development is aimed to build and hone to nurture the skills of the Chandel; SS Olish, social worker; District Level Officers,
tween the two parties, to maintain the Status quo Programme on Food the skills of youth and pro- youth by inculcating, moti- Chandel and village chiefs of Chandel district.
prevented the erection of
the pillars. Following
and to further informed the
higher authorities on the
Processing' at DTC Hall, DC
Office Churachandpur.
spective entrepreneurs, and
mentioned the Pineapple
vating and providing
guidance to them on various SVHCP, CoNE conducts HCV
which, the Hunphun village
authority enforced total shut
matter.
Later, the Hunphun Vil-
The programme was or-
ganised by MSME
products of the district’s
Khousabung area as an av-
aspects.
The programme was also screening under NVHCP
down in the District Head- lage Frontal organization Development Institute, enue where entrepreneurs attended by Khailet Haokip,
BISHNUPUR, Feb 24
quarters to protest against briefed the media on the Imphal, Ministry of Small & can chip in. GM, DIC Churachandpur
the dictatorial and arrogant land dispute and elaborated Medium Enterprises Also informing that the and Paulalzon Neihsiel, With an aim to generate demand for testing and treatment
attitude of TNL. the details of the land do- (MSME), Government of District Administration is Project Manager, NARPS/ under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program
Later, a joint representa- nated for the construction of India, Takyelpat, Imphal in planning to organize various LBI Churachandpur. (NVHCP), the State Viral Hepatitis Control Program
tion was submitted to the the educational institution at
Free medical camp held
(SVHCP), a unit of State Health Society, National Health
DC Ukhrul, for his immedi- Wino Bazar. Mission, Manipur tied up with Community Network For
Empowerment (CoNE) and conducted Hepatitis C Virus
AMGSU visits Moreh under Bishnupur. (HCV) screening among the marginalized community at the
Ghar Ghar Niranjan
conference hall of Old CMO office, Bishnupur, today, said a
During the camp, the
medical team led by 32 Bn statement of CoNE.
CRPF Unit Hospital, Medi- The one day outreach programme for demand genera-
Our Correspondent cal Officer, Dr Esther tion, testing and treatment of viral hepatitis through
Khundongbam consisting of awareness and screening held under the joint aegis of
MOREH , Feb 24: The All Manipur Gorkha Students' SVHCP and CoNE was attended by NVHCP State Nodal
Union under its Ghar Ghar Niranjan initiative visited Thanga PHC MO, Dr Alex
Rajkumar and Dr Azimpu Officer, Dr Rk Rosie Devi; Bishnupur district Chief Medi-
Moreh yesterday to spread awareness on the rich culture cal Officer, Dr Ningthoujam Gojendro and Bishnupur
and history of Manipur Gorkhas. Pamei provided free medical
treatment to about 200 vil- District Hospital Medical Superintendent, Laishram Binoi
The 9th friendly football match under the Ghar Ghar Singh as presidium members.
Niranjan initiative between AMGSU Central Committee lagers of Ithai Wapokpi.
Later, an awareness pro- Altogether 60 people took part during the awareness
and AMGSU Moreh was also organized during the tour session, out of which 41 of them were screened for HCV
at Eastern Shine School Ground in Moreh. gramme was also conducted
as a part of the free medical during the programme. 27 were found to be HCV anti-
The friendly match was won by AMGSU Central body reactive. The blood samples of those found reactive
Committee by 4-0 where LB Adhikari, Rajen Thapa, camp. It was attended by
Wangoo Borayangbi Zilla were further collected for HCV RNA confirmation and
Indra Bahadur Chhetri and Puran Katwal scored one deposited at the Model treatment Centre (MTC), JNIMS.
goal each against AMGSU Moreh unit team. Parishad member,
Moirangmayum Brojen and Dr Rk Rosie while providing an overview of the serv-
Puran Katwal from AMGSU Central Committee and ices available under the National programme stated that
Our Correspondent Gram Panchayat ward Ward number 1 member, K
Khin KC from AMGSU Moreh unit were awarded best apart from screening of HCV, the screening of HBV has
number 1 Ithai Wapokpi in Sharat Singh.
player of the friendly match. BISHNUPUR, Feb 24: As a Bishnupur district today. Addressing the gathering, also been started under the National programme and its
The football match was also followed by a prize dis- treatment will also be initiated very soon.
part of the Civic Action The camp was organised M Brojen lauded the CRPF
tribution ceremony of the 3rd Gorkha Premier League Programme 2020-21 under under the supervision of 32 for organising such medical CoNE president, Rk Nalinikanta elaborated on the im-
(Cricket), jointly organized by Moreh Gorkha Samaj, portance of community involvement in mobilising high
CRPF Manipur & Nagaland Bn CRPF CO, H Ranjit camps for the welfare of the
Moreh Gorkha Youth Club and AMGSU Moreh unit at Sector, a one day free medical Singh, along with 32 Bn people and appealed to the risk groups for organising camp so as to help the Govern-
Gorkha community hall, Moreh Nepali basti. ment's effort to eliminate it by 2030.
camp camp was organised by CRPF 2ic, VK Singh; CO of the Battalion to con-
The prize distribution ceremony was attended by the 32 Bn CRPF Loktak at Deputy Commandant, S duct more camps in the CMO, Dr Gojendro spoke on the rationale of conduct-
Durga Sharma, president Moreh Gorkha Samaj, LB ing awareness programme prior to the conduct of
Ithai Wapokpi Ima Phadibi Seikhohen Haokip and in future to help the poor peo-
Adhikari, president AMGSU, L Dhiren Singh, social Community hall, Wangoo collaboration with CMO ple of the area. screening camp while MS L Binoi spoke on the impor-
worker, Dr L Sobita Devi and other members of tance of generating awareness on the existence of
Koide Union urges better requisition of
AMGSU Central Committee and Moreh unit. treatment centres across the State.
Tunia Verma Cricket Team defeated Raghav Cricket
new alignment for alternative NH-2
Team by 8 wickets in the final match of the 3rd Gorkha CHANGE OF NAME OF WIFE AND SON OF
Premier League, where five team participated in the
event held from February 17-22.
SEIKHOGIN KIPGEN
I, LHINGNELCHONG KIPGAN legally wedded spouse and
AMGSU conveyed heartfelt gratitude to Moreh
ment of alternative NH-2 to high terrains slope unless
DOURANKAGUN KIPGEN son of Seikhogin Kipgen resident of
Gorkha Samaj, Moreh Gorkha Youth Club, AMGSU Our Correspondent
Vill- Leikot, PO-Motbung, Tehsil- Saitu, Dist- Kangpokpi, State-
Moreh unit, L Dhiren Singh, Dr L Sobita Devi and the runs along the northern di- a new alignment is made to Manipur PIN-795107 have changed our names from
Gorkha people of Moreh especially the youth for keep- SENAPATI, Feb 24: rection of the Barak River run along the Barak River LHINGNELCHONG KIPGAN to LHINGNEICHONG HAOKIP and
ing the spirit of games and sports as part of their Drawing the attention of the bank. bank in the northern direc- DOURANKAGUN KIPGEN to DOURANKGUN KIPGEN vide Af-
activities. authority concerned and the The alternative NH-2 tion, the Union president fidavit No.
State Government, the Koide running along the northern mentioned.
(1) 02AA 943655 (2) 02AA 943656
AMGSU will continue touring other AMGSU units
Tse/15753-25
to spread the rich culture and history of the Gorkhas in Union sought the requisition direction of the Barak River KS Solomon continued
the state, it added. of new alignment for the bank would definitely that real development would SERVICE BOOK LOST
proposed Karong-Kedima shorten the distance of the come when things are done
Poppy plantations destroyed
Road (Alternative NH-2) road by around 4-5 kms and
Service Book of Mutum Gyanendro Singh, Section Officer,
in the right direction in the having Employee Code No. 005910 of Rural Development &
starting from a place, Khiirei its grading would be better larger interest of the people Panchayati Raj, Govt. of Manipur is lost on 22/2/2021 while trav-
Our Correspondent to Biisho. Khiirei is a place as it runs along the river as such development is only elling in bus from Churachandpur to Imphal.
stated to be around 5 km away bank. For varied reasons, meant for people of the re- If any finder, please contact me,
CCpur, Feb 24: In continuation of "War against Drugs," a from Karong. the drivers prefer to ply on a gion. Similar application
M. Gyanendro Singh
combined team of Bishnupur District Police and NAB led by In an application ad- low terrains slope road and
Tse/15762-25
were submitted to the Min-
Phone # 6909719039
ASP (LO) Luikham Lanmiyo; SDPO (BPR) Shrey Vats; DSP dressed to the Deputy shorter distance road. In a ister, PWD, Manipur; GOVERNMENT OF MANIPUR
(CDO) Gourachand; Loktak PS OC Inspector Raju Khan, Commissioner, Senapati, KS similar way, the alternative Minister, PHE, Printing & OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS/
destroyed illicit poppy plantation of about 30 acres at the Hill Solomon; president Koide NH-2 from Khiirei to Biisho Stationery, Manipur; MLA,
range of Yaingangkhul, Henglep Subdivision in Union stated that it would be running eastward may be 47-Karong A/C and con-
LABOUR COMMISSIONER,
Churachandpur district, today. better if the present align- less taken by the drivers due cerned SDO, Purul block.
MANIPUR, LAMPHELPAT
NOTIFICATION
COACHING/BOARDING/HOME TUTORS Lamphelpat, the 24th February, 2021.
No.Lab/176/2021 (TU): Whereas Shri Mani Leisangthem and
Entrance SAINIK, NAVODAYA, RIMC, 10(ten) others submitted an application for registration of
Exams Ø “Manipur Building Construction Workers’ Semkat
R.K. MISSION, NDA, MEDICAL
Lup” Singjamei Bazar, Imphal West District, Manipur under
Ø IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, Main/All section 5 of the Trade Union Act, 1926
Foundation
Course 2. Now, therefore, all concerned are hereby notified to sub-
IX, X, XI, XII subjects mit claim(s) and objection(s) if any against the proposed
registration to the undersigned on or before 08/03/2021.
SIR BIDYASAGAR (KHAMBA) 3. If no claim(s) and objection(s) are received within stipu-
Khurai lated period, this office shall proceed with the registration.
9383095429, 8787700561, Sd/- Dr. Yumnam Suraj Singh
Registrar of Trade Unions, Manipur/Deputy
Tse/15761-25 8014858970 Tse/15760-25 Labour Commissioner, Manipur.
 Myanmar’s coup is awkward for China
IMPHAL,THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

China, of course, is no guardian of democracy and free-

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot
be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller
dom. Authorities in Beijing keep draining Hong Kong of its
civil liberties, facilitate repression on an Orwellian scale in
Xinjiang, and deride the democratic successes of Taiwan as
the workings of an illegitimate, renegade Government. On the
international stage, China has helped prop up autocratic re-
gimes and routinely wielded its veto powers at the UN
Security Council to shield human rights-abusing despots from
foreign censure.
Ishaan Tharoor try—what then-US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called
“ethnic cleansing” or, as many international experts contend,
genocide—both Suu Kyi and Chinese officials worked to
shield Myanmar’s top brass from international punishment.
But the military establishment is still wary of Beijing, both
for deep-seated historical reasons as well as China’s increas-
ingly diversified points of contact in a modernizing Myanmar.
Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the country’s top military com-
mander and leader of the coup, “chafed at China’s role in

Not the time to let the guards down

So it would stand to reason that the coup d’etat in Myanmar’s ethnic armed organizations,” a former senior

Second wave
Second wave. This is the reality in some
States of the country, notably in
Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh
Chhatisgarh, Gujarat and Punjab too and
there is a reason why the State Govern-
ment has made it mandatory that anyone
returning home from the named first five
States should undergo compulsory Covid
testing on arrival at the BT International
Airport. Very much like the earlier days
when all returnees and all those who had
arrived on a visit had to undergo the
compulsory testing. With the drop in the
rate of infection and the number of deaths,
the compulsory testing was done away
with, but with reports coming in that some
States across the country are witnessing
a second wave of the infection, the com-
pulsory testing on arrival has been
reintroduced. This is how it is at present
and if things get worse or if things don’t
improve then it will also be a question of
going back to square one. And there is
every reason to fear that such a situation
may become a reality if one takes a look
around. With situation improving, it is not
uncommon to see many moving around
without the mandatory face mask, much
less talk about maintaining physical dis-
tancing. The roads of Imphal are already
choc-a-bloc with traffic and there has
been a surge in marriage ceremony, get
togethers, feasting etc and the script
seems to be just right to roll out the red
Myanmar—a country whose meddling military juntas have
had long and at times close relationships with China—would
barely ruffle a feather in Beijing. But that would be wrong.
To be sure, there was a clear rhetorical difference between
China’s reaction and that of Western capitals after the Feb 1
military intervention in Myanmar before the opening of Par-
liament, which saw hundreds of elected officials and activists,
including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, detained. The
former characterized events as “a major Cabinet shuffle,” the
latter as an illegal power grab that merited targeted sanctions.
China blocked a statement at the Security Council condemn-
ing the coup.
But the coup’s bitterly contested aftermath is presenting
China a serious geopolitical headache. The mass groundswell
of protests rocking cities across the country have, in mo-
ments, taken on anti-China tones, with demonstrators rallying
outside the Chinese embassy in Yangon and calling for boy-
cotts of Chinese goods. Opponents of the coup in Myanmar
have accused China of both aiding the military in censoring
the Internet and supplying illicit transfers of weapons to put
down the protests. Last week, China’s ambassador in the
country denied these activities and said the current situation
in Myanmar is “absolutely not what China wants to see.”
He’s probably right. Beijing was likely satisfied with the
pre-coup status quo, one in which its State companies were
invested in a slate of enterprises throughout the country while
its officials maintained links not just to the military but per-
haps even warmer ties with Suu Kyi and her National League
for Democracy party. The current imbroglio places a question
mark over billions of dollars in deals and is deepening anti-
Chinese sentiment in a strategic country along its border.
The military takeover belies knee-jerk assumptions of an
earlier era, when it was assumed Beijing would prefer an
opaque, quiescent regime on its doorstep. “The coup has
complicated a geopolitical struggle over a country that had
only recently emerged from diplomatic isolation,” noted the
New York Times. “China has sought to make it a pliant
neighbor, while the United States has searched for the right
mixture of pressure and encouragement to nurture a transition
to democratic rule. It is also unclear how much any outside
A protester holds up a defaced portrait of junta chief General Min Aung
Hlaing at a rally against the military coup in Naypyidaw. Photo: EPA
influence, from east or west, will sway the generals, whose
bunkered mentality cut Myanmar off from the world for half
a century.”
While the Biden administration is struggling to muster the
right leverage to pressure Myanmar’s generals, Beijing has its
own problems. “China is the biggest loser from this coup,”
Enze Han, an Associate Professor at the University of Hong
Kong, told the Atlantic’s Timothy McLaughlin. “The PR that
it has done to improve its image over the past five years
working with the NLD has all gone to waste.”
After 2015 elections saw the NLD take control of a civil-
ian-run Government, Suu Kyi chose China as the site of her
first foreign trip. “That showed a clear signal that China’s
worst nightmare wasn’t going to come true: that the NLD,
which China long viewed as being sponsored by, or perhaps
a puppet of, the West, was not wholeheartedly turning toward
the West,” Mary Callahan, Associate Professor of Interna-
tional Studies at the Henry M Jackson School of International
Studies, told the Wall Street Journal.
Suu Kyi’s newfound rapport with Beijing was likely in-
strumental in helping tamp down ethnic conflicts flaring along
China’s borders with Myanmar. After the military’s brutal
campaign against the Rohingya on the other side of the coun-
diplomat who had met the commander told the Atlantic. “I did
not see him as particularly friendly to China.”
That’s not great news for Beijing. “They spent consider-
able energy, time cultivating Aung San Suu Kyi—with some
success,” Bilahari Kausikan, a former Singaporean diplomat
and chairman of the Middle East Institute at the National
University of Singapore, told the New York Times. “Now
they have to start again with a new bunch of generals, and
these generals are not just difficult for the West. They’re
difficult for everyone.”
And as protests continue, the prospect of a bloodier crack-
down remains. “The big questions are will the civil
disobedience movement be sustained and remain peaceful,
and will the police and armed forces continue to avoid a
showdown?” wrote Nicholas Coppel, a former Australian
ambassador to Myanmar. “Min Aung Hlaing sees his forces,
the Tatmadaw, as the praetorian guards of National unity and
stability and will step in if there is rioting or violence.”
There have already been a number of casualties after re-
ported incidents of security forces opening fire. But anti-coup
activists aren’t going to be cowed by the threat of violence.
Violence against protesters “can happen anytime in
Yangon, but we have to keep doing what we should do, even
if the soldiers are ready to shoot us,” Thura Zaw, a 32-year-
old resident, told my colleagues. “Under the military
dictatorship, no one is safe, whether you take to the streets
or sit at home, so we chose to voice our objection rather than
staying silent.”
• Serving as a district councilor in Hong Kong means
addressing everyday concerns such as pest control, traffic
issues and helping elderly residents pay bills. One of the few
perks of the modest office is having a say, alongside tycoons
and Beijing loyalists, in choosing Hong Kong's leader. On
Tuesday, Hong Kong’s Government announced that anyone
running for these local positions will need to be a “patriot”—
meaning they must swear loyalty not to their constituents but
to Beijing and the Communist Party—as China moves to
quash the territory’s last avenue of democracy.
The Washington Post

5 days with Bhaktisvarupa (Dr) Damodara Swami

carpet for the virus to make a smooth
landing. Apparent that the understanding
of the New Normal has been hit for a big
six and with the infection rate dropping to
the single digit mark and active cases

M Asnikumar Singh
down below the fifty mark, everyone
Bhaktisvarupa Damodara pated, he came across as Arjuna and lord Krishna. It of people in any circumstance,
genuinely humble, well in- gave me many valuable les- for a greater cause.
seems to have forgotten that the virus is
Swami, (popularly known as
still out there, ready to strike out at any
Dr Damodara) was one of my formed on any topic and most in ways I never anticipated. sons on ethics, morality, Peace and Manipur : A
given opportunity.
idols and inspirations grow- noticeably, a great listener. To this day, I believe his selfless actions, role of con- lifelong dream of many self-
This is the reality that everyone should
ing up, not only because he I was even more happy to prayers saved my mother in science, and loyalty in any less souls of past times and a
acknowledge, else all the days of was a spiritual leader but be- find out that I was seated on law’s life. crucial moment of someone’s gift to be cherished and pro-
lockdown, the restrictions put on the cause he was a great man the same row with him for In the ward, he told me life. tected by the younger lot.
movement of the people and the dos and who touched the lives of the ‘Ras Lila’ on how he was pained by the He told me to forget the We have achieved his
don’ts that have been followed will not many. Janmashtami day. violence and bloodbath that intense physical pain of the dream of a peaceful Manipur
serve any purpose. This is where it be- Early years My world upside down in had engulfed Manipur and injuries we had sustained and but sadly, the man who had
comes important to remind everyone that He lost his father at a very a literal flash. the pain he was suffering focus on the fact that we had this dream is no more
till date, the virus has claimed over 300 young age, grew up in hard- Unfortunately, our lives from his injuries was nothing been given a second life by amongst us to witness this.
lives and infected many more impacting on ships but those hardships took a huge turn on the day compared to the pain in the lord Krishna and that second That is what hurts me most.
the lives of the people. Global pandemic is were not going to deter him which was supposed to be heart that he was suffering chance was meant for a pur- But looking down on us from
more than just a term, but a reality which in his path. Persisting through one of the happiest days of since decades due to the vio- pose; to do something heaven, he must surely be
has come to stalk mankind and with re- the obstacles in his life, he my life. The infamous bomb lence in our State. meaningful for others. Those happy with how Manipur has
ports of a second wave sweeping across received multiple degrees blast killed and injured many He also narrated me many 5 days I spent with him in come to peace from the days
some States in the country, this is all the from renowned institutes in innocent souls on lord hospital that night, two tales from his eventful life. the septic ward of Shija Hos- of bloodbath.
more reason for the people to be wary. Guahati, Calcutta, New York Krishna’s day. I was severely things kept me going. One Each and every tale he nar- pital was responsible for me It is the responsibility of
Don’t merely look at what is happening in and most impressively, a injured and was brought to was realising that Dr rated me touched me recovering psychologically each and every one of us
one’s immediate environs but across the PhD in scientific Organic Shija hospital for immediate Damodara was alive and be- emotionally. from the traumatic effects of who believed in his life and
world and across the country. It is after Chemistry from University of treatment. We only got to ing treated in the same ward A thing he told me still the blast and the effect it had philosophy to work for
nearly a year that the Ima Keithels have California. know the severity of my in- with me and the second thing resonates in my mind every- on my family. I will always causes, which are greater than
been opened and the past should not be His lifelong association juries late in the night after was getting to see my eldest day. He said Manipur with remain indebted to the fact us in our lives. Peace is not
forgotten in a hurry. Cut down on unnec- with ISKCON started in 1971 the doctors had concluded son (who was 7 years old at its beauty never deserves to that I got to spend some an achievement, it is a re-
essary travel and movement as much as in Los Angeles USA where their assessment. I had suf- the time) for a few minutes at be a place known for its vio- unimaginably tough but in- sponsibility. As people of
possible. Drop the plan to fly or go by he met Swami Prabhupada. fered shrapnel injuries in my the hospital. The following lence and bloodbath and that valuable days with such a this great and beautiful land,
road outside the State. For those who are There he was given the name chest, knee and I had lost a day I had a fairly successful he had a dream to organise an humble, thoughtful and mar- we owe it to ourselves and to
returning home, especially from the States Svarupa Damodara Das. lot of blood due to one of my surgery due to the medical International Peace Confer- vellous soul like Dr our forefathers of the past to
An unsurpassable mo- fingers getting cut off and expertise of Dr Palin, who ence in Manipur, which he Damodara. His view of lord maintain peace and harmony
told me was his lifelong
where the second wave has been re-
ment for a fortunate falling off because of a shrap- took great care of me in his Krishna giving me a second amongst us, so that our chil-
dream and to let the world
ported, take much more care and family
common man nel hitting it directly. hospital. But the fate of my life truly feels like reality to- dren can grow up loving each
mother in law was still not recognise Manipur as a land
members too should extend whatever co-
One of the happiest and After regaining conscious- day as I continue to work other rather than harbouring
known as she had lost all the of peace, beauty and of lord harder than ever before, with hatred, jealousy towards each
operation they can to the measures being
luckiest moments of my life ness for a few hours before I
taken up by the State Government to
came in 2006, when my wife was to be prepared for sur- muscle tissue in her right leg Krishna. To turn this dream renewed energy and opti- other.
avert a second wave. Manipur cannot
was approached to be the lead gery the next day, I got to and the amount of blood loss into reality was his goal. Also mism in my lifelong goal to Great souls touch the lives
afford a second wave of the virus at any
dancer of the ‘Ras Lila’ on know the extent of damage she had suffered could prove he told me of his dream to create a better Thanga (the of many in one form or the
cost. This is a point which can be over-
Janmashtami of that same the blast had done; to many to be a deciding factor in her take Manipur to the level of a place I grew up in). other. Dr Damodara touched
looked only at the peril of the people year in the ISKCON temple families, including my own. survival. developed city like Singa- Building bridges for mine deeply in a short amount
themselves. Let the Government also in Imphal. I was happy for Many of my family members A lifelong lesson in per- pore, which he told me to causes greater than anyone. of time and that is a debt
speed up the vaccination drive and the my wife but was 10 times including my mother in law sistence and optimism in a visit at least once in my life- Dr Damodara was respon- which I shall never be able to
figure of 41 thousand people having re- happier of the fact that I suffered grievous injuries. friendship of 5 days and a time. I visited the place in sible for bringing together repay.
ceived the vaccine shot should be would get to meet the man I She is still disabled to this few tales 2018. many of us to build the
improved. Is it a case of people reluctant had admired since decades. day. After surgery, I spent 5 But perhaps the most im- ISKCON building complex (Writer is a founder sec-
to come forward to take the vaccine or is When I met him, I was Glimmers of hope days in the ward with Dr portant story he narrated to in Imphal. This was his gift retary of Manipur Thinkers
it a question of the Government unable to shocked (a good shock). But in the few hours I Damodara. Those 5 days me was that of Bhagavad which I admired. The ability Forum and also spokesper-
Contrary to what I antici- regained consciousness in the would come to shape my life Gita; particularly tales of to bring together any number son of BJP Manipur Unit)

Shifting gears with confidence

meet the need of the time ?

Post retirement plans

NPS or PPF : Find out what you should
at the water”
choose for a long-term retirement corpus
“You cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring
Tarun Bajaj in the discussions is one of the boldest reforms of the gov-
ernment that in one package brings in efficiency, cost
-Rabindranath Tagore
This quote epitomizes the endurance, resolve and resilience
vestment and raise the medium-term productive capacity and
growth potential. Capital Expenditure budgeted outlay for
reductions and ease of doing business. The PLI scheme
announced in Aatmanirbhar Bharat is now further strength-

Dipankar Jakharia
Contd from previous issue
In the corporate bond fund, the returns for the last one year
have been a little above 11 per cent; the average for the last
five years has been 9.5 per cent.
In case of Government securities, the last one-year average
and the past five-years average has been a little above ten per
cent. Whereas, the current return from the PPF has been fixed
at 7.1 per cent.
The period of investment for PPF is 15 years. But after 15
years, one can continue his/her investment for an infinite time,
but in a block of five years. However, in case of NPS, the
vesting age is 60 years (at which one retires) and can be
extended to 70 years. This was done since NPS was con-
structed as a pure retirement product.
The maximum limit for PPF investment for a financial year
is 1.5 lakh. In case of NPS, a Government employee pays ten
per cent of his/her basic salary, plus his/her dearness allow-
ance. And an equal amount is contributed from the
Government’s end. In the corporate sector, the contribution of
the employee and employer rests at ten per cent each. There
is no limit for the frequency of investment. But for a private
citizen, one should not invest more than 20 per cent of his
annual income in NPS.
In PPF, on maturity, you get back the entire amount as a
lump sum. But NPS withdrawal rules are different. Since the
purpose of NPS is giving you a pension, whatever you ac-
cumulate at the time of retirement, minimum 40 per cent
should be utilised to buy an annuity plan. Rest 60 per cent can
be withdrawn at the time of retirement.
Both NPS and PPF have their own strengths and weak-
nesses. But since NPS is market-linked, its returns in the long
run are superior. But if you want absolute security, PPF is
your choice.
shown by every Indian during a tumultuous year 2020. This
spirit resonated in the recent performance of the Indian team
with Australia with 36 all out to a resolute draw to an
aggressive win! Union Budget 2021-22, rekindles this faith
in the promise and potential of 130 crore Indians to perform
and succeed. It is an earnest attempt to shift gears to ‘fuel’
the economy – a judicious shift in strategy from disruption to
consolidation and now to acceleration.
Budget 2021-22 has been announced amidst a once-in-a-
century global pandemic and following by a series of
mini-budgets in the year 2020-21 – primarily focussed on
cushioning the vulnerable sections, alleviating corporate dis-
tress and a continuum of reforms.
Effective control of the pandemic with a robust recovery
rate and declining daily new cases has receded the fears of a
second wave. Akin to the advent of the COVID vaccine
which ignites hopes on the health front, Union Budget, 2021-
22 has shifted gears and delivers a booster dose on the
economic front with an all-out thrust on investment and in-
frastructure spending.
Given the health sector taking centre stage due to the
pandemic, the Budget, naturally, has enhanced the outlay by
around 2.4 times as compared to last year budgeted outlays.
More significantly, it focuses on a holistic approach towards
health and well-being – developing institutional capacities in
health care; improving nutritional outcomes via Mission
Poshan 2.0; increasing availability of clean water and sanita-
tion via JalJeevan Mission (Urban) and Swachh Bharat
Mission; and reducing stress on clean environment in urban
centres by taking measures to reduce pollution such as the
voluntary scrapping policy to phase out old and unfit vehicles.
An amount of Rs 35,000 crore has been provided for roll-out
of the COVID-19 vaccine with a commitment to provide
additional funds if required.
The Budget recognizes that the multiplier effects of public
investment, especially in infrastructure, crowd-in private in-
FY22 has, accordingly, been raised by 34.5 per cent over
2020-21 (BE) – with a special focus on railways, roads, urban
transport, power, telecom, textiles and affordable housing
amid continued emphasis on the National Infrastructure Pipe-
line. This is besides the more than Rs. 2 lakh crore that will
go to states and autonomous bodies with Central Grants. The
capital expenditure of CPSEs that should also see a big
increase than the current year will add up to the booster dose
of infra spend.
To fund the infra spend, various innovative measures have
been envisaged- new Development Finance Institution, public
infrastructure asset monetization pipeline, PPP in urban trans-
port and ports, debt financing of infrastructure investment
trusts (InvITs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs), zero-
coupon bonds by Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs) to finance
long-term infrastructure projects and rationalisation of rules
for international Sovereign Wealth funds and pension funds
to invest in infrastructure projects in India, to mention a few.
The confidence to turn the ‘crisis’ into an opportunity is
evident in sustaining the momentum of structural reforms.
Various progressive steps for the financial sector, including
single Securities market Code, privatisation of PSBs and
General Insurance Company, setting up of Asset Reconstruc-
tion and Management Companies to address stressed loans of
banks, ensuring adequate allocation for recapitalisation of
public sector banks, promoting GIFT-IFSC as a world-class
fintech hub and increasing FDI limit in insurance from 49
percent to 74 per cent.
These measures on banks and insurance companies would
increase independence, bring in a professional approach, and
will improve operational and financial efficiencies within the
banking and insurance industries. A revamped reforms-based
result-linked power distribution Scheme to equip DISCOMS
and promote competition in the power distribution sector has
also been envisaged.
This reform that has perhaps not got its legitimate space
ened with close to Rs.2 lakh croreallocation over the next five
years. A reinvigorated Disinvestment programme with a clear
delineated role for PSUs in four strategic sectors further
evinces the resolve of Government to enhance the allocative
and productive efficiency of invested capital. The direct tax
proposals in the budget induce investment through reducing
compliance burden, faceless assessments and appeals, and
increasing exemption for startups and One Person Compa-
nies. All these steps are in line to promote ease of doing
business and encourage investments.
As the pandemic tested the mettle of every section of the
society and the economy, Government spending cushioned
the distress and the contraction in the year 2020-21. An
expected fiscal deficit of 9.5 percent of GDP in 2020-21 and
6.8 percent in 2021-22 is a clear testimony to the resolve of
the Government to lend transparency to its accounts. This
reflects a bold decision of clearing the food subsidy and
fertilizer subsidy arrears and financing them through budget-
ary outlays. The extra-budgetary resources for 2021-22 have
been reduced to nil. These figures are, further, based on
conservative and realistic estimates of a nominal growth of
GDP at14.4 percent and gross tax revenue growth of 16.7
percent – lending further credibility to the fiscal numbers. The
return to fiscal consolidation is envisioned steadily to reach
a fiscal deficit of 4.5 per cent of GDP by 2025-26 on the back
of higher realization of disinvestment and asset monetization
proceeds, improved management of expenditures and increased
compliance on taxation front, as recently seen in month wise
GST collections reaching new peaks. The Government re-
mains committed both to fiscal prudence and to give the
requisite impetus to growth. In all, Budget 2021-22, treads a
fine balance in incentivizing all stakeholders in the economy
to propel growth and realize the sankalp of an Aatmanirbhar
Bharat – a land of promise and hope ready to usher in the
new decade! The writer is Secretary, Dept of Economic
Affairs and views expressed are personal.
 Centre rushes high level teams to States
IMPHAL,THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Odisha gangrape that cost JB Largest cricket stadium in Motera

Patnaik CM’s post 22 years ago,
Congress never won election again witnessing surge in COVID-19 cases
NEW DELHI, Feb 24
The Centre has deputed
multi-disciplinary teams to
states witnessing a surge in
COVID-19 cases, including
Maharashtra, Kerala,
Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka
and Jammu and Kashmir, to
support them in effectively
tackling the pandemic.
NEW DELHI, Feb 24: On January 9, 1999, a woman in The three-member
Odisha alleged that she was gangraped by three men. She was
multidisciplinary teams are
the estranged wife of an IFS officer. The incident led to massive headed by joint secretary
— comparable to Nirbhaya incident of Delhi — protests in
level officers in the health
Odisha. The murders of Australian missionary Graham Steins ministry, the Union Health
and his son added fire to the fuel. Five weeks later, Congress
Ministry said.
stalwart JB Patnaik was forced to resign. The Congress lost the “These teams will work
next Odisha election, never to come back to power again.
closely with the states and
This 22-year-old case came back to conversation after UT administration and as-
police made a chance discovery of the main accused and
certain reasons for the recent
arrested from Maharashtra, where he was living under a surge in the number of
new identity.
COVID-19 cases.
The Gangrape That Shook Odisha Government “They will also coordi-
The woman was travelling in a car with her friend from
nate with health authorities
Bhubaneswar to Cuttack on January 9, 1999. According to of the states and UT for req-
her complaint, they were intercepted by three men riding a
uisite COVID-19 control
scooter on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. measures to break the chain
They interceptors forced her out of the car and took her
of transmission,” the minis-
to a nearby forest, where she was gangraped. Her friend and try said.
the driver had been held at gunpoint during the sexual as-
The central teams have
sault on her. been deputed to
The woman alleged that the gangrape was a planned
Maharashtra, Kerala,
assault on her to force her to withdraw a case that she had Chhattisgarh, Madhya
filed against the then advocate general of Odisha. The ac-
Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab,
cused in her previous case was Indrajit Ray, considered Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
close to then Chief Minister JB Patnaik. The woman alleged
West Bengal and Jammu
JB Patnaik shielded Indrajit Ray. and Kashmir.
There Was A Back Story
The states and UT have
been advised for regular
critical review of the emerg-
ing situation with district
officials concerned to ensure
that gains made so far in
COVID-19 management are
not lost, the ministry stated.
The Centre has also writ-
ten to Maharashtra, Kerala,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya
Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab and
Jammu and Kashmir which
have been witnessing a rise in
daily COVID cases, along
with decreasing proportion of
RT-PCR tests and rise in
positivity in some districts.
In the letter, the Union
Health Secretary has ex-
horted Maharashtra, Kerala,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya
Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab
and Jammu and Kashmir to
focus on undertaking ag-
gressive measures to break
the chain of transmission
and to ensure that RT-PCR
testing is amplified to flush
out hitherto undetected cases
from the population.
These states and UTs
have been advised to in-
crease testing in a focussed
manner in the affected dis-
tricts with the appropriate
split of RT-PCR and rapid
antigen tests and to also en-
sure that all symptomatic
negatives of antigen tests are
compulsorily tested via RT-
PCR tests, the ministry said.
The positive persons
must be promptly isolated/
hospitalised, all their close
contacts be traced and also
renamed as Narendra Modi Stadium
tested without delay.
The Centre has reminded
the states and UTs that any
laxity in implementing strin-
gent measures to curb the
spread, especially in view of
new strain of virus observed
in certain countries, could
compound the situation.
The Union Health Secre- NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium in
tary has separately requested Ahmedabad has been renamed Narendra Modi Stadium. The
the chief secretaries of these
world's biggest cricket Stadium, with a seating capacity of
10 States and UTs to pro- 1,10,000 will be hosting the pink-ball Test between India and
vide time to these high level
England from Wednesday.
Central teams to debrief the Earlier on Wednesday, President Ram Nath Kovind per-
respective chief secretaries
formed ‘bhumi pujan’ and inaugurated the newly revamped
at the conclusion of their Motera Stadium ahead of the start of the Day-Night Test
state visits.
between India and England. Home Minister Amit Shah,
These measures are in BCCI secretary Jay Shah and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju
line with the Government of
were also present at the inauguration ceremony of the
India’s graded and proactive world’s largest cricket stadium.
approach to contain COVID
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, who underwent two
across the country. sets of angioplasty last month, was not able to be a part of
The health ministry has
the inauguration ceremony and had rued missing the Pink
been regularly engaging Ball Test.
with states and UTs that
“Will miss being at the stadium today ..what an effort it
have been exhibiting either must have been to create this ..pink test was our dream and
a sudden surge in COVID-
it's going be the 2nd one in india”: Sourav Ganguly wrote
19 cases, high caseload or on Twitter.
reporting a higher mortality
This is only the second Pink ball Test being played in
in some districts, the minis- India. The first such Test match was played at Eden Gar-
try said.
dens in Kolkata against Bangladesh.
The teams interact with With a capacity of 1,10,000, which trumps the MCG in
field authorities to get a first
Australia that can accommodate 90,000 people, this stadium
hand understanding of the in Ahmedabad is also the largest cricket stadium in the
challenges and issues being
world with four world-class dressing rooms. As many as
faced by them, it said. 55,000 fans (fifty per cent capacity) are expected to be
Press Trust of India
present at the stadium for the much-anticipated Pink Ball

"I admire what you do": Rahul Gandhi

The woman had filed a case of molestation and attempted Test match- India’s 2nd at home.
rape against Indrajit Ray some 18 months before the alleged "We're proud to have the biggest cricket stadium in the
gangrape took place. She had alleged that in July 1997, world. The infrastructure is very good and we're all really

tells fishermen of Kerala, sails with them

She lodged an FIR in Cuttack against Indrajit Ray. Her
charge against JB Patnaik accusing him of sheltering a
molestation accused created public outcry.
Indrajit Ray was forced to resign, and the case was re-
ferred to the CBI. The Congress was ruling in Odisha and KOLLAM, Feb 24
a coalition government of the United Front was in power at
the Centre. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
A year after the alleged gangrape incident, a CBI court on Wednesday turned seafarer
convicted Indrajit Ray in the molestation and attempted rape and pulled the net with local
case sentencing him to three years’ prison term in February fisherman in high sea here to
2000. For record, the government had changed in Odisha — get a taste of their life and
now under Naveen Patnaik’s BJD — and at the Centre — understand the issues facing
under Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA. them.
The Congress’s Loss In an emotional talk with
The charge of gangrape levelled by an IFS officer’s wife thousands of fisherfolk, in-
shocked the people of Odisha. Protests broke out in the cluding women gathered at
state. Opposition parties led by the Janata Dal and the Left
Front took to streets and called for Odisha bandh.
the Thangassery beach in this
southern coastal district, the
While the protests were going on across Odisha, Austral-
ian Christian missionary Graham Steins and two of his
Nehru scion said he admired
and respected what the fisher-
minor sons were burnt alive in their station wagon in the men do.
Keonjhar district. The murders were committed by a Bajrang “I understand and respect
Dal activist. what you do. I admire what
The twin-incident mounted tremendous pressure on the you are doing. Many times,
JB Patnaik government over the law and order situation in we eat the fish but we will not
Odisha. The Congress was to face an election the next year. understand the hard work be-
JB Patnaik, to salvage the situation, ordered a judicial hind and how it reached our
probe into the gangrape allegation. The probe, however, plate,” Gandhi said.
was conducted by the CBI on the orders of the Orissa High Earlier, the Wayanad MP
Court in February 1999. Before that the police had arrested ventured into sea with some
two of the three accused. The third — identified as fishermen in their boat from
Bibekananda Biswal alias Biban alias Jalandhar Swain — Vadi beach here by 4.30 am
remained at large for 22 years. and spent nearly an hour with
Despite the arrests of two of the accused, the public them before reaching the
pressure was such that the Congress forced JB Patnaik to venue of interaction.
resign. The removal of JB Patnaik saw two chief ministers The Wayanad MP also
over the next one year — Giridhar Gamang, who is best cast the net with them but
remembered for causing the downfall of the Vajpayee gov- could only catch one squid.
ernment in 1999, and Hemananda Biswal. Clad in blue t-shirt and
But the two chief ministers installed by Congress presi- khaki trousers, the Congress
dent Sonia Gandhi could not save the party from the public leader could be seen waving
ire in the Odisha Assembly election in March 2000. The hands to the onlookers from
Congress lost power in Odisha, which saw the rise of the boat while reaching back
Naveen Patnaik. India Today to the shores.
Farmers will gherao Parliament if Govt
Addressing the fishermen
as “brothers” throughout his
does not repeal Agri Laws: Rakesh Tikait talk, he said he wanted to get
a sense of what many of them
go through every day.
“I went to sea early in the
morning with my brothers.
From the moment the boat
left the shore and till the mo-
ment it reached back the
shore, every force was trying
to fight my brothers,” he said.
Sharing his experience of
sailing with the fishermen,
Gandhi said they take the en-
tire risk.
“They put their entire la-
bour and fight the sea. They
buy the net and somebody
else gets the profit,” he said.
They threw the net and
pulled it back out and there
was one squid in it, he said.
“So the whole investment
that was put into the boat, into
the journey, the petrol within
one minute, we saw there was
no return.
In my mind, I was expect-
ing a net full of fish and the
net came back empty. So I
saw with my own eyes, your
experience,” Gandhi added.
Highlighting hardships of
fishermen, he said petrol and
diesel prices go up every sin-
gle day and the fishing
community cannot buy an
engine beyond a certain size.
He said the fishermen told
him that if they come one
hour late, they don’t get the
same price they would get if
they came one hour before.
They also told him that
they did not have any insur-
ance.
“I have a sense of what
you deal with. And now,
when a fisherman comes to
me to tell that they are strug-
gling, I understand a little bit
what they are going through.
Of course I will never un-
derstand exactly your reality.
I only pulled the net for one
day. You do it everyday,”
Gandhi told the gathering.
“They cooked some fish
on the boat. For the first time
I realised, directly with my
own eyes the difficulty to get
the fish on the plate,” he said
amidst thunderous applause.
Noting that he wanted to
work with them to make their
life easier, he also said he
might not be able to resolve
all their problems but he can
certainly work with them and
resolve as many as he can.
“Before I left the boat I
asked the fishermen what
their children do. They said
their children do not want to
be fishermen. Because it is
too difficult and risky,” Gan-
dhi added.
AICC general secretary K
C Venugopal and T N
Prathapan M P, also chairman
of National Fishermen Con-
gress, also accompanied him
during his sea journey.
Gandhi further said he
would strive to have a sepa-
rate ministry for fisheries at
the Centre.
“So that the issues of fish-
ing community can be
defended and protected,” he
said adding that the UDF
leaders in the state would
soon hold discussions with
the fisherfolk to prepare a
separate manifesto for them
during the impending assem-
bly polls.
Taking a dig at the LDF
government apparently over
the ongoing controversy re-
lated to the alleged deep sea
fishing contract, the Congress
leader said he would like to
see what they were going to
do with the trawlers.
“I am for
competition…but not for un-
fair competition.
So, there should be a level
playing filed for everyone,”
he added. Gandhi’s interac-
tion with the fishermen
assumes significance as the
Congress-led UDF has raised
allegations against the Left
government in the state over
an alleged deep sea fishing
contract with a US-based
company. In the wake of the
controversy, Chief Minister
Pinarayi Vijayan had directed
the officials concerned to can-
cel the MoU between EMCC,
the US-based firm and Kerala
State Inland Navigation Cor-
poration (KSINC), a public
sector undertaking and probe
the circumstances under
which it was signed. PTI
excited to play here,” Virat Kohli had said in his press
conference on Tuesday.
Crowd presence does make a big difference. We feel the
pressure too when we play abroad. Hoping for good sup-
port in the coming Tests,” Kohli had added.
Narendra Modi Stadium is the only stadium in the world
with 11 centre pitches on the main ground. It also has 6
indoor pitches with bowling machines and 4 dressing rooms.
A built-in clubhouse with 55 rooms further adds to the
stadium's glory. The clubhouse features both indoor & out-
door games, restaurants, an Olympic size swimming pool,
gym as well as a 3D projector theatre.
It is the first time that the field of an Indian cricket stadium
has been fitted with LED lights. No other stadium has this
feature. There are three entry points to the stadium which has
been spread across 63 acres of land in total. India Today
No ‘mixopathy’, Ayurvedic doctors
well trained: AYUSH Minister
PANAJI, Feb 24: Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik on
Wednesday said there is no concept of “mixopathy”, as claimed
by a section of allopathic doctors, and asserted that ayurvedic
practitioners are also trained to perform surgeries.
The idea behind allowing ayurvedic practitioners to per-
form medical surgeries and other functions is aimed at
supporting the allopathic practice, Naik told PTI shortly before
his discharge from the Goa Medical College and Hospital,
where he was undergoing treatment after an accident.
To a question on the Indian Medical Association (IMA)
opposing the Centre’s decision to allow ayurvedic doctors to
perform surgeries, Naik said there is no term like “mixopathy”.
“We are introducing an Indian system of medicine to sup-
port the practice of allopathy,” he said, adding that it is not a
competition as both the medical practices would compliment
each other. Naik further said that ayurvedic doctors are edu-
cated at par with allopathic practitioners and they are even
trained to perform surgeries.
“After completing their studies, the ayurvedic doctors un-
dergo internship for one year. They are trained surgeons, he
said. Naik said the Indian system of medicine has been for-
warded to people of the country since centuries and its formula
has not changed since then.
Allopathic doctors in some parts of the country recently
protested against the Centre’s decision to allow ayurvedic
physicians to perform certain types of surgeries.
The IMA has been opposing the Central Council of Indian
Medicine’s decision to allow ayurvedic doctors to conduct
certain surgical procedures after completion of their three-year
post-graduate course. Press Trust of India

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait recently

warned that protesting farmers will march to the Parliament in
large numbers if the Centre does not repeal the three agriculture
laws. Tikait said, “This time the call will be for parliament
gherao. We will announce it and then march towards Delhi.
This time 40 lakh tractors will be there instead of four lakh
tractors.”
He also appealed to farmers to be ready as the call for
the ‘Delhi march’ can be given at any time.
Tikait’s remark came while addressing the ‘Kisan
Mahapanchayat’ of the United Kisan Morcha in Sikar,
Rajasthan on Tuesday.
Tikait added the protesting farmers would plough the
parks near India Gate and grow crops there.
Leaders of the United Front will decide the date to gherao
the parliament, he added. He also said there was a con-
spiracy to malign the country's farmers on January 26, when
violence had broken out in the national capital during their
tractor parade.
"The farmers of the country love the tricolour, but not
the leaders of this country," he said. India Today
6 killed after speeding car hits
tanker in Indore
INDORE, Feb 24: Six people were killed after their car
collided with a fuel tanker in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district
in the early hours of Tuesday, police said.
The accident took place around 2 am when the speeding
car hit the stationary fuel tanker on a roadside near a petrol
pump in Talavali Chanda area, they said.
The car was completely damaged and all its six occu-
pants died on the spot, an official from Lasudia police
station said.
The victims, all residents of Indore and in the age group
of 18 to 28 years, were on their way to the city from
Manglia area located on the outskirts of Indore, he said.
The bodies were sent to a government hospital for post-
mortem. Those who died have been identified as Rishi
Pawar, Suraj, Chandrabhan Raghuwanshi, Sonu Jat, Sumit
Singh and Dev, the official said. PTI
 Schedule for Class XII examination 'Umang Lai' carries message for protection and Lecture programme on 'Importance
IMPHAL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

will be announced soon: S Rajen
IMPHAL, Feb 24
Schedule for Class XII
examination will be
announced soon.
Education Minister S
Rajen said this at the first
meeting of the new mem-
bers of Council of Higher
Education Manipur
(COHSEM) held yesterday.
COHSEM expressed
gratitude to the Minister
and added that he is the first
Education Minister to join
meeting of the council, said
a statement issued by the
council today.
The budget for 2021-22
was passed and 5 commit-
tees were formed at the
meeting yesterday. The
committees are administra-
tive committee; curriculum
and syllabus committee; ex-
amination committee;
recognition committee and
finance committee, the
members of which were se-
lected unanimously from
the 22 members of the
council, added the state-
ment.
COHSEM also said in
the statement that the coun-
cil has completed
preparation for the
upcoming examination.
preservation of nature: Leishemba Sanajaoba
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 24: 'Umang
Lai' carries not only
religious ideology but also
carries a message for
protection and preservation
of nature.
MP Leishemba
Sanajaoba said this at the
foundation stone laying
programme of 'Ibudhou
Chajinglakpa Pureilomba'
temple at Lilong Chajing
today.
The foundation stone
laying programme organ-
ised by Ibudhou
Chajinglakpa Pureilomba
said different experts in
the field had a consensus
on the idea that 'Umang
Lai' carries the idea for
preservation and protec-
tion of nature not only for
the humans but also for
other life forms.
He also added that
'Ibudhou Chajinglakpa
Pureilomba' is a very im-
portant deity which is
included in the 'Laikok
Chanba' (a documentation
of Umang Lais with brief
description).
He also said that there
were reports of untoward
incidents at the site of the
temple after the MP Local
Area Development Fund
(LADF) was
released.Speaking on the
event, MLA Karam Shyam
said the unique recogni-
tion that Manipur has in
the country is also because
of 'Umang Lai'.
He added that the
present site of Ibudhou
Chajinglakpa Pureilomba
was in a poor condition
but the work of Ibudhou
Chajinglakpa Pureilomba
Thougal Ashil Lup mem-
bers, youths and locals has
resulted in the present
condition of the site.
of Women Education' held
IMPHAL, Feb 24
Mantripukhri Battalion of 9
Sector Assam Rifles under
the aegis HQ IGAR (S)
conducted a lecture on
“Importance of Women
Education” at Kontha
Khabam Village in Imphal
West district today.
The lecture was aimed
at creating awareness re-
garding the importance
and benefits of providing
good education to women
and girls in order to
achieve holistic develop-
ment in the society, said a

Help pours in for families

statement issued by PRO
Thougal Ashil Lup was deity some 20 or 30 years An open air gym and an Assam Rifles. mindset of the general Padhao which facilitates
also attended by MLA back, but it has all eco park have also been The attendee were also populace and improve the free or subsidized educa-

affected by fire accident

Karam Shyam and
Wairokpam Joy, president
of Ibudhou Chajinglakpa
Pureilomba Thougal Ashil
Lup.Speaking at the event,
MP Leishemba Sanajaoba
changed by the efforts of
the locals under the lead-
ership of MLA Karam
Shyam.
He also assured finan-
cial assistance for the
set up inside the temple
complex and there is also
a plan for a mass tree plan-
tation campaign in the
coming monsoon season,
he added.
enlightened about the vari-
ous schemes and beneficial
programmes initiated by
the State and Central Gov-
ernments for promoting the
women education over the
overall condition of girls
across the nation, added the
statement.
Several campaigns and
programs that are run by
GOI such as Save the Girl
tion for girls, provision of
financial assistance and
provisions like reservations
for women in colleges and
universities were also ex-
plained to the 47 attendee,

Assam Rifles organises

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 24: Help
poured in for the families of
Oinam Megha and Hidam
Sanjip of Khumbong
Mamang Leikai after their
edible items to the families
affected by the fire.
Speaking to the press,
Oinam Megha said a fire
that broke out at around 1
pm yesterday had charred
the houses and a cycle re-
friendly Volleyball match
IMPHAL, Feb 24
Continuing the Fit India
Campaign to take the border
areas of Manipur on the path
of fitness, Sehlon Battalion of
28 Sector Assam Rifles under
the aegis of HQ IGAR(South)
conducted a series of friendly
Volleyball matches from
February 22 to 24 in the
border villages of Old Samtal
and Kovang in Chandel
district.
The matches which were
played between the Assam
Rifles troops and locals, wit-
nessed an overwhelming
participation from the locals
displaying their agility, com-
petence and fitness, said a
statement issued by PRO
Assam Rifles.
Assam Rifles is deter-
mined towards a fit and
healthy future and will con-
tinue to be the foundation of
order and security in the
border areas, added the
statement.
years, to change the Child, Beti Bachao Beti also added the statement.
Police fine
SOPs violators
IMPHAL, Feb 24
The Police Department
continued the crack down on
violators of guidelines and
restrictions issued by the
State Government and the
State Disaster Management
Authority in connection
with COVID-19 pandemic,
including failure to wear
mask in public places,
failure to maintain social
distancing in public places,
spitting in public places, etc.
to prevent the spread of
COVID-19 in the State.

NG College Students' Union states stand

houses were charred by fire
yesterday.
L a i s h a n g b a m
Indrakumar, principal, Free
Progress Academy and
members of
Unemployement Develop-
ment Organisation
provided financial aid and
pairing shop beyond
recovery even as fire fight-
ers and the locals tried to
douse the fire. He sought
attention of the Govern-
ment to provide some
assistance as the fire had
destroyed everything in the
house.
During today's drive,
214 persons were detained
and released later after
IMPHAL, Feb 24: N G College Students' Union expressed warning and a sum of Rs
discontent at the State Government's indifferent nature to the
28,000/- was collected as
ongoing disruption of academic atmosphere in the colleges. fine from SOPs violators,
The rare opportunity for offline classess brought by sub-
said a statement by the
siding nature of the pandemic after classes has been cancelled Police.
for the last one year has been put into hold by the cease work The Police Department
strike by college teachers demanding implementation of 7th warned that those who vio-

Police complaint filed

UGC pay, said a statement issued by the students' union to- late the SOPs shall be dealt
day. with strong legal action un-
N G College Students Union is prepared for further pro- der National Disaster
test if the Government does not resolve the ongoing agitation Management Act, 2005 and
IMPHAL, Feb 24: A police complaint has been filed at
and bring back normalcy in colleges, added the statement. other appropriate laws.
Moreh police station alleging residential properties of a
resident at Zion Veng Moreh Ward No 7 were destroyed by
four suspected cadres of Kuki National Army (KNA).
The police complaint filed by one Nemzahoi Haokip
said the four suspected KNA cadres came to her house at
around 11.10 am today and destroyed fencing and CCTV
cameras. They also took one of the CCTV cameras, the
complaint said seeking police to file an FIR.
Meanwhile, the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF)
has strongly condemned the “attack” on N Haokip and
appealed Government and authorities concerned to inves-
tigate the incident and take up necessary actions.
India's largest stock exchange reopens after telecoms glitch
IMPHAL,THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Health and Lifestyle

MUMBAI, Feb 24
A telecoms outage shut all
trading on India’s National
Have sensitive skin? Here’s what you
like this in the past decade. Wednesday’s trade was
The move will be welcomed marred by technical disrup-
as people were completely tions caused by a telecoms
stuck ahead of the derivatives glitch, which forced the Na-

need to know before getting a facial

Stock Exchange for nearly four
hours on Wednesday, leaving
investors in the dark ahead of a
monthly derivative contract
expiry and forcing bourses to
extend trading hours after it
reopened.
The NSE, headquartered in
India’s financial capital
Mumbai, is the world’s larg-
est derivatives bourse by
volume and the third-largest
stock exchange globally in
terms of the number of equity
trades, according to its annual
report.
Telecom disruptions forced
the exchange to halt trading
earlier in the day, resuming
with the NSE Nifty 50 Index
gaining 0.39% by 1008
GMT. The stock exchange
did not specify the names of
the telecom carriers.
The BSE and the NSE said
equity and equity derivatives
markets would remain open
until 1130 GMT.
The glitch frustrated bro-
kers, who demanded better
guidelines and longer hours
to to be able to square off
their trades.
“I can’t recall trading
hours having been extended
expiry,” said Ajit Mishra,
vice-president, research at
Religare Broking.
“Participants, especially
derivatives traders, should
now be able to square off or
rollover their positions rather
than leave it to the last day of
expiry.”
BSE’s daily turnover —
the total value of shares traded
— reached nearly 400 billion
rupees ($5.5 billion) by 1100
GMT, almost nine times the
turnover in the previous ses-
sion and about 7.5 times the
average daily turnover, ex-
change data showed.
The NSE handled volumes
worth 925.38 billion rupees
($12.78 billion) on an aver-
age in the financial year
ending March, according to
its annual report. It handled
currency derivatives worth
198.35 billion rupees daily
during the same period.
The stock exchange had
faced a similar systems glitch
in 2017 that led to a five-
hour-long shutdown,
prompting the market regula-
tor to call for a review of the
bourse’s contingency plans.
Market regulator Securities
and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI) did not respond to
Reuters’ request for a com-
ment on the NSE trading halt.
Indian shares closed
sharply higher in a glitch-rid-
den, extended session on
Wednesday, led by gains in
financial stocks after private-
sector lenders were allowed
to carry out government
transactions.
The NSE Nifty 50 index
ended 1.86% higher at
14,982.00, while the S&P
BSE Sensex rose 2.07% to
50,781.69.
The top three boosts to the
Nifty 50 were financial and
banking stocks, which surged
in extended trading, pushing
the Nifty private bank index
higher by 3.9%.
The sub-index snapped a
six-session losing streak to
advance the most among the
14 major sectoral indexes.
HDFC Bank and ICICI
Bank were among the top
gainers, closing 5% and 4%
higher, respectively.
An embargo on private-
sector banks to carry out
government-related transac-
tions including taxes and
pension payments has been
lifted, the finance ministry
said on Wednesday, which
analysts said was a positive
for these lenders.
tional Stock Exchange -
India’s biggest bourse - to halt
trading for nearly four hours.
Analysts said some stock
moves after the resumption of
trade at around 1005 GMT
reflected frantic trading to
square off positions ahead of
the expiry of February deriva-
tive contracts due tomorrow.
Indian equities rose
sharply in the first two weeks
of February, thanks to solid
corporate earnings and a well-
received federal budget,
before trimming some of those
gains due to profit-taking.
With Wednesday’s gains, the
Nifty 50 is now up 9.9% in
February.
Index heavyweight Reli-
ance Industries extended gains
for a second day, settling
1.9% higher.
The Nifty IT services in-
dex was the only sector to
finish lower, falling 0.11%
amid an appreciation in the
rupee which hit a near one-
year high on Wednesday. A
stronger rupee weighs on
earnings of IT services firms,
which receive a bulk of their
revenues from overseas cus-
tomers. Reuters
If you have sensitive skin
and are eager to get a facial --
keep these basic tips in mind
The dermatologist sug-
gests a gap of at least 48
hours before getting an-
other facial treatment.
There is nothing like a
facial massage when you
feel stressed and burnt out.
The soft, firm strokes with
a luxurious cream can help
one unwind and relax. But
can you get a facial done if
you have sensitive skin?
Having sensitive skin
has its own set of issues
leading one to think multi- will be used to get a chemical peel,”
ple times before buying or This is an important step says Dr Sarin.
applying a product. But because it will make or break Stick to one treatment at
worry not, Dr Jushya your plan. It is essential to a time
Bhatia Sarin, a dermatolo- thoroughly understand the It is always better to
gist, shares some important products that will be used space out your facial treat-
things one must keep in because chemical exfoliants ments not only to give your
mind to ensure one does can be harsh, and physical skin the rest it needs but to
not get a reaction after get- exfoliants could aggravate also notice a difference, if
ting a facial. your skin condition. Also, any. The dermatologist
“For most people, get- strong fragrances could im- suggests giving a gap of at
ting a facial treatment can mensely irritate your skin. least 48 hours before go-
be a soothing, relaxing way Always mention your ing on to get another facial
to address some of the skin type and current treatment.

Ant investor Boyu Capital targets $6 India approves $1 billion plan

most common skin con- skincare routine People get facials for dif-
cerns, like acne or signs of It is important that you ferent reasons: While some
aging. But for those with and the beautician have clear people want to remove those

billion for new private equity fund to boost IT product exports

HONG KONG, Feb 24
Chinese private equity firm
Boyu Capital, an investor in
Chinese technology titans
including billionaire Jack Ma’s
Ant Group, is raising a new,
China-focused fund targeting
as much as $6 billion, three
people with knowledge of the
matter said.
Its fifth and largest U.S.
dollar-denominated fund is
likely to close in the near
term, said one of the people,
who declined to be identified
as the information is confi-
dential.
Boyu did not immediately
respond to a request for com-
ment.
The fundraising by a firm
widely associated with tech
startups amounts to a high-
profile test of investor
appetite at a time when
heightened oversight of Chi-
na’s tech giants clouds the
near-term outlook of those
companies.
It follows authorities’ No-
vember suspension of Ant’s
Shanghai and Hong Kong
dual listing, which delayed
the hefty returns early inves-
tors such as Boyu could have
expected from the world’s
biggest initial public offering
(IPO).
The financial technology
giant was set to raise $37
billion at a valuation of $315
billion. Since the suspension,
China has sharpened over-
sight of its home-grown
champions which has also
exposed their investors to
more public scrutiny.
A central bank official said
Ant’s IPO was suspended to
safeguard consumers and in-
vestors. Ant has since agreed
a restructuring plan with regu-
lators, Reuters reported this
month.
ALIBABA AID
Boyu was founded in
2010 by, among others, Alvin
Jiang, grandson of former
President Jiang Zemin. The
firm has offices in Beijing,
Shanghai, Hong Kong and
Singapore, and invests in con-
sumer and retail, financial
services, healthcare and me-
dia and technology sectors, its
website showed.
It is known for its 2012
investment in Alibaba Group
Holding Ltd which helped
Ma buy back half of Yahoo!
Inc’s 40% stake in the e-com-
merce firm, Reuters has
reported.
At $6 billion, Boyu’s new
fund would be one of the
region’s largest focusing on
China. It last raised $3.6 bil-
lion in 2019.
Past investors include
Hong Kong’s richest man Li
Ka-shing and Singapore state
investors Temasek Holdings
Ltd and GIC Pte Ltd, Reuters
has reported. The New York
Common Retirement Fund
has also been an investor,
showed the website of the
state comptroller.
Private equity managers in
Asia raised $108 billion for
481 new funds last year,
down 45% by dollar value
from 2019, showed Preqin
data, as the COVID-19 pan-
demic dampened fundraising.
Activity has picked up in
2021 with $21 billion raised
via 56 funds so far, the data
showed.
TECH INVESTMENTS
Boyu invested in Ant’s
$4.5 billion fundraising in
2016 and $14 billion funding
round two years later. In the
interim, Ant’s valuation leapt
from $60 billion to $150 bil-
lion.
The private equity firm has
invested in other booming
Chinese tech and healthcare
startups in recent years that
generated lucrative
returns,two of the people said.
Portfolio firms include
ride-hailer Didi Chuxing, ar-
tificial intelligence (AI) firm
MegVii and live-streaming
app operator Kuaishou Tech-
nology, according to media
reports and public informa-
tion.
In January, it participated
in a $700 million fundraising
by AI firm 4Paradigm,
Dealogic data showed.
Reuters
NEW DELHI, Feb 24
India on Wednesday approved
a 73.5 billion rupee ($1.02
billion) plan to boost local
manufacturing and exports of
IT products such as laptops,
tablets, personal computers
and servers, the technology
minister said.
The production-linked in-
centive (PLI) plan will help
India export IT goods worth
2.45 trillion rupees, minister
Ravi Shankar Prasad told a
news conference.
It provides manufacturers
cash-backs of between 1%
and 4% of additional sales of
locally made goods over four
years, with 2019-2020 as the
base year.
“The focus of the scheme
is to get global champions to
India and to make national
champions out of local manu-
facturers,” Prasad said,
adding that the plan could
create roughly 180,000 jobs.
The PLI plan is also likely
to help U.S. tech giant Apple
Inc assemble some of its iPad
tablets in India, Reuters previ-
ously reported.
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s policy push in the elec-
tronics sector has prompted
Apple suppliers Foxconn and
Wistron to expand in India,
and driven Pegatron to set up
base there.
The three Taiwan compa-
nies have committed to invest
roughly $900 million to make
iPhones in India as part of a
$6.7 billion PLI plan launched
by the government last year.
Modi’s strategy, coupled
with India’s huge market,
have also helped turned the
country into the world’s sec-
ond-biggest mobile maker
after China.
New Delhi now wants to
replicate the success of
smartphone manufacturing
with other electronics in a bid
to cut imports.
The federal cabinet last
week approved a $1.68 bil-
lion plan to promote local
manufacturing and export of
telecoms and networking
gear. Reuters
sensitive skin, a facial is a
minefield of potential irri-
tation, allergens, and
discomfort. But yes, you
can get a facial even if you
have sensitive skin — and
you might even enjoy it!
To make sure that happens,
though, you need to do a
little extra homework,” she
captioned her Instagram
post.
Take a look at her sug-
gestions below.
Before you get a facial,
consult your dermatologist.
This helps you get half of
your work done because
not only would they tell
you which products to stay
away from but also sug-
gest the place you should
get it done from. “Ask
your dermatologist for rec-
ommendations and have a
good discussion with them
about the products you
should or shouldn’t be us-
ing,” she said
Know which products
communication. This can in-
creasingly improve your
experience. Dr Sarin sug-
gests asking for
hypoallergenic products
such as mandelic acid, hy-
aluronic acid or red and blue
LED light treatments. These
help calm down sensitive
skin. Make sure you share
your skincare routine, espe-
cially if you have been
assigned retinoids or other
actives by your dermatolo-
gist.
Know why are you get-
ting a facial
Before you get your fa-
cial, communicate your
expectations. This can help
you avoid unnecessary prod-
uct usage.
Something feeling
wrong? Speak up
No one knows your skin
better than you. “If you are
feeling any stinging, burn-
ing, or any discomfort, you
must share. This holds true
even when you are choosing
horrible blackheads, others
want some help with an anti-
again regimen. And, then
there are the people who just
want to relax and be pam-
pered.
These are all fine reasons
to get facials. But often the
facial itself is a bit mysteri-
ous. What does the steam
do? Why do they keep
putting creams on and tak-
ing them off? Why get
facials regularly?
A facial is essentially a
multi-step skin treatment that
is one of the best ways to
take care of your skin. A
facial cleanses, exfoliates,
and nourishes the skin, pro-
moting a clear,
well-hydrated complexion
and can help your skin look
younger. You also receive
advice on the best way to
take care of your skin. A
facial works best when it is
part of an on-going program
of skin care.
Indian Express

India's economy likely returned to

growth last quarter: Reuters poll
BENGALURU, Feb 24
India’s economy is likely to
have returned to growth in the
December quarter due to the
easing of restrictions on
movement after the first wave
of the coronavirus epidemic
peaked, a Reuters poll
predicted.
The median forecast from
a survey of 58 economists,
conducted between Feb. 18-
24, put year-on-year growth
at 0.5% in the December
quarter, as the economy stabi-
lised after contracting 23.9%
and 7.5% in April-June and
July-Sept quarters respec-
tively.
“We forecast a mild ex-
pansion in the December
quarter owing to strong re-
sumption in economic
activity, festival led con-
sumer spending and modest
recovery in manufacturing,”
said Rini Sen, economist at
ANZ. “We believe services
likely spearheaded growth.”
The previous poll, taken
a month ago, had predicted
a 2.0%contraction.
However, the wide range
of forecasts in the latest poll
- from a contraction of 4.7%
to a 2.6% expansion - un-
derscores the uncertainty.
India has reported the
second highest number of
coronavirus cases, lagging
only behind the United
States, but it is widely ac-
cepted that infections are far
higher than officially re-
corded.
The economic recovery
has been aided by the gov-
ernment’s spending plan and
its commitment to not bring
its fiscal deficit down to pre-
pandemic levels for at least
five years, and by the Re-
serve Bank of India’s pledge
to keep monetary policy ac-
commodative.
“Pent-up goods demand
supported by elevated finan-
cial savings have led to a
rise in manufacturing.
Alongside this, a strong
pick-up in government
spending on social welfare
schemes and capital ex-
penditure has also helped,”
noted economists at HSBC.
The central bank slashed
its key repo rate by 115 ba-
sis points last year and has
since held it steady at 4%.
“We expect liquidity nor-
malisation to be calibrated
and incremental during the
course of the year. No
change is expected in the
repo rate this year,” said
Radhika Rao, economist at
DBS Bank in Singapore.
Minutes of the last RBI
monetary policy committee
meeting showed optimism
for a recovery, but concerns
have increased about a sec-
ond wave of infections and
renewed lockdowns in a few
areas in the state of
Maharashtra, which ac-
counts for about 16% of
India’s economic output.
Reuters
 IMPHAL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

'The United States vs Billie Holiday': Film review Spotify launches Barack Obama,
Andra Day burns up the
screen in her first leading role
in Lee Daniels' bio-drama
chronicling the FBI's
unabated persecution of the
immortal jazz singer.
In an uncanny instance of
art mirroring life, two major
Hollywood movies will pre-
miere just weeks apart, both
of which depict relentless
campaigns by American
government intelligence
agencies to silence influen-
tial Black voices. They
follow closely after an im-
peachment trial in which the
majority of GOP senators
showed their complicity in
violence from white
supremacist groups by vot-
ing to acquit the Instigator
in Chief. That packs scald-
ing heat into the
simultaneous arrival of Ju-
das and the Black Messiah
and The United States vs.
Billie Holiday, and should
draw attention when the lat-
ter drops on Hulu, where it
landed after the pandemic
scuttled Paramount's release
plans.
Andra Day gives a daz-
zling star turn in her first
leading role, which estab-
lishes her as a screen natural
with effortless command.
She captures the bruising
pain of the great jazz sing-
er's life onstage and off —
not to mention the smoky
vocals, the supple phrasing
and intimate musical story-
telling that made Holiday
such a legendary talent.
Day mesmerizes even
when Lee Daniels' unwieldy
bio-drama careens all over
the map with stylistic incon-
sistency and narrative dys-
function, settling for
episodic electricity in the ab-
sence of a robust connective
thread. It's a mess, albeit an
absorbing one, driven by a
raw central performance of
blistering indignation, both
tough and vulnerable. Coax-
ing gritty, fully inhabited
work from relatively inexpe-
rienced screen actors is
arguably Daniels' main
strength as a director.
Previous biographical
treatments of Holiday —
among them the 1972 Diana
Ross vehicle, Lady Sings the
Blues; the 2016 play adapta-
tion, Lady Day at Emerson's
Bar & Grill; and 2019's
documentary feature Billie
— have shed light on her
harrowing childhood experi-
ences of sexual predation
and her consequent evolu-
tion into a punishing cycle
of addiction and relation-
ships with abusive,
exploitative men.
Daniels shifts the narra-
tive to focus more squarely
on Holiday's significance as
a pivotal figure in the
racialization of the FBI's war
on drugs. Screenwriter
Suzan-Lori Parks' principal
source material was a sec-
tion of British journalist
Johann Hari's 2015 book,
Chasing the Scream, a his-
tory of the criminalization of
narcotics and its impact,
which places Holiday at the
birth of the anti-drug cru-
sade. As recounted here, this
was largely a smoke-screen
to cover for repeated failed
attempts to stop her per-
forming one of her signature
songs, "Strange Fruit," a
haunting lament for the
Black Americans lynched in
the South. The song was
written by Abel Meeropol, a
Jewish schoolteacher from
the Bronx whose students
had included James
Baldwin.
Parks is a brilliant writer
known for stage work (she
won a Pulitzer for Topdog/
Underdog) that dips into the
volatile rhythms, repetitions
and free-flowing riffs of jazz
for inspiration, which would
make her seem an ideal fit
for the subject. But the com-
bination of the writer's the-
atricality with Daniels' taste
for woozy excess more of-
ten serves as a distraction
from the blistering sorrow of
Holiday's story and the raw
commitment Day brings to
the role.
The film's first hour gives
a semi-coherent account of
Holiday's highs and lows in
the 1930s and '40s. But
around the halfway point,
the director really starts la-
dling in fussy stylistic
flourishes — random B&W,
slow-mo, jump cuts, shuf-
fled chronology — that call
attention to themselves
rather than serve the story.
This continues all the way
through to the end credits,
with a charming visual sabo-
taged by a jarring meta
moment. If the intention was
to show that Holiday re-
mains a vital part of
American cultural life six
decades after her death,
there had to be a less self-
conscious way to convey
that. And isn't that the job of
the movie itself?
Neither Parks nor editor
Jay Rabinowitz has suc-
ceeded in chiseling out a
satisfying through-line —
not the persecution by the
Feds, not the contentious
inclusion of "Strange Fruit"
in her repertoire, and decid-
edly not the awkward frame
that has Leslie Jordan, wear-
ing what appears to be Bea
Arthur's old hair, as a gos-
sipy journalist interviewing
Holiday in late '50s New
York.
The sturdiest thread is
Holiday's involvement with
Jimmy Fletcher (Trevante
Rhodes), an ex-G.I. re-
cruited by Federal Bureau of
Narcotics Chief Harry
Anslinger (Garrett Hedlund)
to destroy the singer's ca-
reer, a campaign
championed by Joe
McCarthy and Roy Cohn.
Fletcher is a complicated
Judas figure whose role
lurches in and out of focus,
like pretty much everything
here. One of just nine Black
FBI agents at the time, he
works in the basement tar-
geting his own people,
reporting to a boss who
makes no secret of his ha-
tred for Black Americans
and for jazz, which he calls
"the devil's work."
Jimmy infiltrates Billie's
inner circle and gains her
trust before leading an arrest
for heroin possession that
lands her in prison for a
year. It's Fletcher's well-
heeled mother (Adriane
Lenox, terrific) who first
opens his eyes to the ways
in which he's being manipu-
lated and to the courage of
Holiday in using her voice
to expose horrific racial vio-
lence that the white
establishment tacitly con-
dones. After Billie serves
her time, Anslinger presses
Fletcher to prevent her from
going back to work by
blocking her New York
cabaret license. Jimmy's re-
morse becomes increasingly
clear as he warns her of the
plot against her; he then falls
in love with her while tail-
ing her tour bus across the
country. The Hollywood Re-
porter
Bruce Springsteen podcast
Barack Obama sat down Podcast” hit the streaming nal to date. The premiere
with Bruce Springsteen for service last summer, and episode featured Barack as
a series of wide-ranging according to Spotify had the Michelle’s first guest.
conversations that will hit biggest debut of any origi- Variety
Spotify as an exclusive
original podcast — the
newest entry in the
company’s expanding slate
of audio programming.
“Renegades: Born in the
USA” is an eight-episode
podcast featuring the
former president and The
Boss, who have been
friends for over a decade,
“in deep and revealing
conversation,” according
to Spotify. In the show,
the duo discuss topics
spanning race, fatherhood,
marriage, and the state of
America.
Starting Monday (Feb.
22), the first two episodes
of “Renegades” will be
available exclusively on
Spotify worldwide.
The Obama/Springsteen
“Renegades” series is the
second original podcast for
Spotify under the compa-
ny’s exclusive deal with
Barack and Michelle
Obama’s Higher Ground.
“The Michelle Obama

Ryan Reynolds won't appear in
Zack Snyder's 'Justice League'
Rumors had been swirling that
the actor might reprise his role of
Hal Jordan, aka Green Lantern.
DC fans were struck with a
blow on Monday when they
learned Ryan Reynolds will
not cameo in the upcoming
Zack Snyder cut of Justice
League. Rumors had been
swirling that Reynolds might
appear as Hal Jordan, aka
Green Lantern, reprising his
role from the 2011 film.
Speculation resurfaced after
Vanity Fair reported Monday
that the ending would include
a major cameo.
But, alas, it is not happen-
ing, the actor said. Replying to
a Twitter user who suggested
Reynolds' Hal Jordan is the big
surprise allegedly in store,
Reynolds said, "It’s not me.
But what a cool pirate flag to
‘Tom and Jerry’ set as first foreign
film to hit China post New Year
Warner Brothers’ live ple indicate that they “want
cameo as Hal. Maybe it’s an- action-animation hybrid to watch” it on the Maoyan
other GL? But for me, the suit film “Tom and Jerry” has industry data platform.
stays in the closet. I mean, quietly locked in a Feb. 26 In comparison, Disney’s
computer." release date in China, which upcoming “Raya and the
Reynolds' performance was will make it the first foreign Last Dragon,” which on
the highlight of the otherwise film to hit theaters in the Saturday announced a
disappointing Green Lantern. wake of the Chinese New China theatrical release on
However, fans were intrigued Year. March 5, currently has a
at the possibility of the charac- Despite having very little “want to watch” count of
ter getting an appropriate time before its release for less than 3,400.
curtain call since the actor has promo, the film already has
been among those who have had more than 233,000 peo- —China Film Insider
mocked the film over the years,
even working jokes about it
into the Deadpool films.
A new trailer for Justice
League was released earlier this
month, which did feature a new
face: Jared Leto, who is
reprising his role as The Joker.
That moment was, by far, the
most talked-about section of the
nearly three-minute trailer.
Zack Snyder's Justice
League, which is rated R, hits
HBO Max on March 18. The
Hollywood Reporter
 The Milky Way may be swarming with planets
CM inaugurates buyer-seller meet
with oceans and continents like here on Earth
Contd from page 1
encouraging use of compost made of phumdis (biomass) of
Loktak Lake.
Appreciating Agricultural and Processed Food Products ScienceDaily
Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Com-
merce and Industry, for supporting the State Government in Astronomers have long been
organizing the conference cum buyer seller meet, he said looking into the vast universe
that such programmes would provide a platform for inter- in hopes of discovering alien
action between local entrepreneurs and potential buyers civilisations. But for a planet
thereby increasing their exposure. This will also strengthen to have life, liquid water must
the Government’s aim of achieving self reliance, he added. be present. The chances of
N Biren further said that the Government, considering that finding scenario have
the hardship faced by farmers due to shortage of water, has seemed impossible to
taken up certain projects to ensure adequate supply of water calculate because it has been
for agricultural activities. the assumption that planets
Delivering his presidential speech, Commerce and Indus- like Earth get their water by
tries Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh informed that the chance if a large, ice asteroid
Department of Textiles, Commerce and Industry is setting hits the planet.
up a Mega Food Park which will house a 2000 MT capacity Now, researchers from
cold storage, 5000 MT warehouse, workshed and other fa- the GLOBE Institute at the
cilities. In addition, 100 MT cold storages and 500 MT University of Copenhagen
warehouses would be constructed in eight districts for pri- have published an eye-open-
mary processing of raw materials. ing study, indicating that
He further stated that a Food Testing and Research Labo- water may be present during
ratory would be set up in the State under the Ministry of the very formation of a
Food Processing Industries, Government of India. The labo- planet. According to the
ratory would enable testing of food products of the State study's calculations, this is
which were earlier sent to different States like Delhi, true for both Earth, Venus
Kolkata and Karnataka for testing, he added. and Mars.
The Minister also informed that a Ready to Serve (RTS) "All our data suggest that
Juice Line with Aseptic Bricks Filling (Tetra Pak) has also water was part of Earth's
been set up at Nilakuthi Food Park. building blocks, right from
During the programme, the Chief Minister also launched the beginning. And because
the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Process- the water molecule is fre-
ing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme. The scheme aims to quently occurring, there is a
provide financial, technical and business support to micro reasonable probability that it
food processing units, Farmer Producer Organizations applies to all planets in the
(FPOs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs). The scheme will Milky Way. The decisive
also promote One District One Product to reap the benefit point for whether liquid wa-
of scales in terms of procurement of inputs, availing com- ter is present is the distance
mon services and marketing of products. of the planet from its star,"
The inaugural programme was also attended by Addi- says Professor Anders
tional Chief Secretary P Vaiphei, Commissioner RK Dinesh, Johansen from the Centre
Assistant General Manager, APEDA Sunita Rai, Govern- for Star and Planet Forma-
ment officials, farmers and potential buyers. tion who has led the study
Eco-Tourism project opened that is published in the jour-
nal Science Advances.
at Cheirao Ching Using a computer model,
Anders Johansen and his
team have calculated how
Contd from page 1
quickly planets are formed,
and from which building
would be installed up to the hilltop and security would be
deployed for the safety and security of the visitors at night as blocks. The study indicates
Different social media platforms foster different
well. Hoping that the project would benefit the local people, he
sought support and cooperation from them for proper
maintenance and running of the site.
levels of segregation in online communities
Regarding COVID-19, he said that people still need to
be careful and strictly maintain Covid Appropriate Behav-
iours because some States are currently facing the second
wave of the pandemic. As a preventive measure, Biren said,
testing of passengers coming from five States has already Phys.org
begun at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.
Tourism Minister Oinam Lukhoi, CAF and PD Minister A team of researchers from
Thokchom Satyabrata, Deputy Speaker Kongkham Ca'Foscari Univerity of
Robindro and Thangmeiband AC MLA Kh Joykisan, Chief Venice, the Institute for
Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar and other high ranking officials Scientific Interchange
of the Government also attended the function. Foundation, the University of
FEGOCTA pooh-poohs verbal assurance Brescia and the Sapienza
University of Rome has
Contd from page 1 found that different kinds of
social media platforms foster
through the Deputy Commissioner. different levels of segregation
Showing solidarity with the agitating college teachers, in online communities. In
the Manipur Government Services’ Federation (MGSF) has their paper published in
also appealed to the Government to implement the 7th UGC Proceedings of the National
Pay and Regulations, 2018. Academy of Sciences, the
In a statement, MGSF noted that ignoring the legitimate group describes their study of
demand of the teachers may jeopardise the academic career millions of online posts on
of thousands of students as the teachers have launched several leading social media
cease work strike. sites and what they found.
It is very unfortunate that the State Government is yet to It has been noted in main-
adopt the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations for the college stream media that social
teachers till date, despite the assurances given on many oc- media sites tend to foster
casions. Ignoring the legitimate demands of the employees idealistic segregation—lead-
is tantamount to inviting trouble. The Government should ing to so-called "echo
grant the demand of the teachers immediately in the interest chambers," in which people
of all concerned, MGSF said. with the same views on cer-
Minor held with drugs
tain topics gather and
support one another, a proc-
ess that some have
Autonomy cannot determine Manipur's future : RPF-I
Contd from page 1
The minor further disclosed that he had allegedly kept
concealed 20 packets containing 2 lakhs WY tablets in the
vehicle. The WY tablets were allegedly handed over to him by
one person of Sora Maning Leikai to be transported to Silchar. Contd from page 1
He had earlier ‘transported’ 1 lakh WY tablets to Silchar in to create Purvanchal Pradesh
January on the instruction of the person from Sora. (North East Frontier
The two arrested persons and the items seized including Province) by encompassing
the vehicle have been handed over to Patsoi police station. some parts of Manipur and his
A case has been registered and investigation is on. Some understanding of the
‘important persons’ involved have also been identified and particular initiative as a threat
efforts are on to nab them, said the police source. to the integrity of Manipur
PR in Puducherry was well placed, the outfit
remarked.
Revolutionary leaders of
Contd from page 1
Manipur, in their search for
no party claimed to form a Government in Puducherry a common platform or idea
following the resignation of the Chief Minister there. of Western South East Asia
Subsequently, the Lieutenant General had recommended
President’s Rule in Puducherry and the Union Cabinet has
(WESEA), must see that no
situation emerges which
approved the same, the Minister said.
After the President’s assent, the Assembly will get re-
challenges the collectiveness
of Manipuri society for it is
solved, Javadekar said, while adding that further necessary this collectiveness which
steps for administrative work in Puducherry would be taken serves as the very spirit of
soon. the history of independent
He also noted that the model code of conduct was ex- Manipur.
"Right to silence is virtue in noisy times":
pected to come into effect soon after the Election
Commission announces the dates for elections there, along
with four States. PTI
Facebook boss to Supreme Court
11 more absent teachers suspended
Contd from page 1
the infrastructure of those schools. NEW DELHI, Feb 24
He stated that the surprise visit will continue and cover
schools in all districts. He also appealed to all school staff Fending off summons by the
to be dutiful and sincere in their service at this juncture Delhi assembly over an
since Board and Council examinations are knocking at the investigation into last year's
door. He urged the teachers to work in the interest of the riots in the city, Facebook India
student community. Vice President and MD Ajit
ZUF wishes on the eve of
Mohan Wednesday told the
Supreme Court that the "right
'10th Rising Day'
to silence" is a virtue in present
"noisy times" and the
legislature had no authority to
IMPHAL, Feb 24 examine him in a law and order
case.
Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) wished Zeliangrong people The court reserved its ver-
on the occasion of 10th Rising day which falls on February 25. dict after lawyers representing
Zeliangrong people are not related by temporary alliance Facebook official, Delhi as-
but by birth as well as kin tribes eminence, said a statement sembly and the centre
issued by ZUF today. wrapped up submissions on
'We should avoid violence and unite once again and act the plea of Mr Mohan chal-
wisely to inherit the legacy left by our forefathers', said lenging summons issued by
Raitu Chawang, chairman ZUF in the statement. the 'Peace and Harmony com-
IMPHAL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021
that it was millimetre-sized
dust particles of ice and car-
bon -- which are known to
orbit around all young stars
in the Milky Way -- that 4.5
billion years ago accreted in
the formation of what would
later become Earth.
"Up to the point where
Earth had grown to one per-
cent of its current mass, our
planet grew by capturing
masses of pebbles filled with
ice and carbon. Earth then
grew faster and faster until,
after five million years, it
became as large as we know
it today. Along the way, the
temperature on the surface
rose sharply, causing the ice
in the pebbles to evaporate
on the way down to the sur-
face so that, today, only 0.1
percent of the planet is made
up of water, even though 70
percent of Earth's surface is
covered by water," says
Anders Johansen, who to-
gether with his research
team in Lund ten years ago
put forward the theory that
the new study now confirms.
The theory, called 'pebble
accretion', is that planets are
suggested leads to increased
polarization in politics. In
this new effort, the research-
ers wanted to verify such
reports using actual data and
also to find out if different
types of sites lead to differ-
ent levels of segregation.
The work involved
analyzing 100 million pieces
of content concerning con-
troversial topics on four of
the most popular social me-
dia sites: Twitter, Facebook,
Reddit and Gab. The re-
searchers specifically looked
“At the same time, revo-
lutionary leaders must also
see that our concern for the
collectivity of Manipur
should not hinder from
shouldering and discharging
our responsibilities and du-
ties in fighting the common
enemy, India,” it said.
The ‘pretentious activi-
ties’ of the Government of
India to develop WESEA on
the pretext that India cannot
be developed without devel-
oping WESEA does no
mean India really cares for
the peoples of WESEA. It is
a trap aimed at enabling
New Delhi to use the peo-
ples of WESEA as a shield
in countering neighbouring
China, it continued.
Delhi is still haunted by
mittee' of the Delhi assembly
for failing to appear before it
as a witness in connection
with the riots.
Senior advocate Harish
Salve, appearing for
Facebook official, said setting
up of the panel was not the
core function of the Delhi as-
sembly as the law and order
issue fell under the domain of
the centre in the national capi-
tal.
"There are two broad silos,
one is existence of powers in
compulsion of appearance
and second is competence. I
will submit that they (Delhi
assembly) are wrong on
both," the senior lawyer said.
During the proceedings
held through video-
formed by pebbles that are
clumping together, and that
the planets then grow larger
and larger.
Anders Johansen explains
that the water molecule H2O
is found everywhere in our
galaxy, and that the theory
therefore opens up the pos-
sibility that other planets
may have been formed in
the same way as Earth, Mars
and Venus.
"All planets in the Milky
Way may be formed by the
same building blocks, mean-
ing that planets with the
same amount of water and
carbon as Earth -- and thus
potential places where life
may be present -- occur fre-
quently around other stars in
our galaxy, provided the
temperature is right," he
says.
If planets in our galaxy
had the same building
blocks and the same tem-
perature conditions as Earth,
there will also be good
chances that they may have
about the same amount of
water and continents as our
planet.
for known controversial top-
ics such as gun control and
abortion. They also tried to
measure each data point by
how much of an echo cham-
ber surrounded it.
In looking at their data,
the researchers found differ-
ences in levels of
segregation. They found it
highest on Facebook. They
also found a clear difference
between sites where users
could tweak their feed to
edit the kinds and amounts
of posts they saw—more
the 1962 war and does not
want a repeat and hence
feels the need for the people
of WESEA to stand on the
side of India, claimed the
statement.
It said that the existing
conflict between India and
China is not restricted to the
boundary issue. The conflict
has its roots in Arunachal
Pradesh which is around
84,000 Sq Kms in area and
is contested between the
neighbouring countries.
China has still not recog-
nized Arunachal Pradesh as
a part of India rather Beijing
treats Arunachal Pradesh as
Zangnan Region (South Ti-
bet), a part of their own
territory, it remarked.
Some days back,
conferencing, Mr Salve said
these kinds of "expansion of
power through the backdoor"
should not be allowed and "in
the noisy times of the present,
right to silence is a virtue.
And leave it to me to decide,
whether or not I want to go".
Earlier, senior advocate
Abhishek Manu Singhvi,
representing the panel of the
assembly, had said that the
assembly did have the power
to summon.
However, Solicitor Gen-
eral Tushar Mehta had
opposed the submission of
the panel of the assembly
saying that the law and or-
der squarely fell under the
domain of the Delhi police
which is accountable to the
Professor Martin
Bizzarro, co-author of the
study, says: "With our
model, all planets get the
same amount of water, and
this suggests that other plan-
ets may have not just the
same amount of water and
oceans, but also the same
amount of continents as here
on Earth. It provides good
opportunities for the emer-
gence of life."
If, on the other hand, it
was random how much wa-
ter was present on planets,
the planets might look vastly
different. Some planets
would be too dry to develop
life, while others would be
completely covered by wa-
ter.
"A planet covered by
water would of course be
good for maritime beings,
but would offer less than
ideal conditions for the for-
mation of civilisations that
can observe the universe,"
says Anders Johansen.
Anders Johansen and his
research team are looking
forward to the next genera-
tion of space telescopes,
which will offer far better
opportunities to observe
exoplanets orbiting a star
other than the Sun.
"The new telescopes are
powerful. They use
spectroscopy, which means
that by observing which
type of light is being
blocked from the planets'
orbit around their star, you
can see how much water
vapour there is. It can tell us
something about the number
of oceans on that planet," he
says.
tweaking tended to mean
less segregation. Facebook,
notably, does not have such
an option, while Reddit's
tweaking options are very
strong.
The researchers also con-
ducted a simulation of the
four social networks to learn
more about how information
spreads—they used a model
similar to that used to study
disease spread. The model
showed that users with par-
ticular views on certain hot
topics were much more
likely to come into contact
with other users who felt the
same way on Facebook and
Twitter; they were less likely
to have similar contacts on
Reddit or Gab.
The researchers suggest
that different types of media
sites have different levels of
segregation, and that such
differences can be associated
with the degree to which
users can modify what is
shown to them.
Manipuri Tangkhul
Ralengnao Bob Khathing
was conferred the
‘Arunachal Ratna’ title for
bringing Tawang and Bumla
areas within the territory of
India from Tibet in 1951 and
this can be a testimony of
China’s claim that
Arunachal Pradesh was once
a part of Tibet, it alleged.
The conflict between In-
dia and China is so deep that
a war may break out be-
tween the two countries any
time. Keeping this foresee-
able war in mind, India has
been circulating volumes of
fabricated propaganda
through newspapers and TV
channels to persuade their
own people to stand against
China, it said.
central government.
Earlier in December, the
Peace and Harmony com-
mittee had moved the top
court seeking to intervene in
the plea filed by the
Facebook Vice President
and MD.
On October 15, last year,
the centre had told the court
that proceedings of the
Peace and Harmony com-
mittee are "without
jurisdiction" as the issue was
about law and order.
It had said that "public
order and police are not
within the domain of the
Delhi Legislative Assembly
and therefore this proceed-
ing is without jurisdiction."
NDTV
Government has 'no business to be
in business': PM Modi announces
plans to privatise 100 PSUs
NEW DELHI, Feb 24: The
government has "no
business" to be in business,
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi said on Wednesday in a
clear push for disinvestment
and privatization of public
sector undertakings (PSUs).
The PM made the remarks
during a webinar on privatisa-
tion by the Department of
Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).
"It is the government's duty to support enterprises and
businesses. But it is not essential that it should own and run
enterprises," PM Modi said. He went on to add, "There was
a different time when public sector enterprises were estab-
lished and the needs were also different."
Speaking on the Budget 2021-22, the Prime Minister said
Centre's fiscal plan has given a clear roadmap to take India
to a high growth trajectory. "There is always scope to re-
form the policy which was good 50-60 years ago. Now
when we are bringing reform, our aim is to optimally utilise
public money," he added.
PM Modi went on to say, "We cannot continue with
public entities just because they have been operational for
so long. The government's focus should be on the welfare
of society and policies related to people. It sounds like
misusing the talent of our officers to keep them in the busi-
ness operation of public entities."
Mapping the Centre's plan to privatise all PSUs, with the
exception of four strategic sectors, the Prime Minister said
his government has decided to monetize 100 such entities
valued at Rs 2.5 lakh crore.
"Our focus is to monetize and then modernize. The pri-
vate sector brings modern technology, a change in the
management mindset and creates more efficient jobs. This
can increase in efficiency of the system," PM Narendra
Modi said during the webinar.
He goes on to add that the money coming from this
monetization will be utilized to enhance rural connectivity,
supply safe drinking water and make provisions for cheap
housing. India Today
Found naked along UP highway, college student
says set on fire for resisting gang-rape
LUCKNOW, Feb 24: A college student in Uttar Pradesh has
alleged that she was set on fire after a failed attempt to gang-
rape her. The girl, a student of BA second-year, is currently
undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Lucknow.
The matter first came to light on Wednesday when locals
found the girl without clothes and severely burnt along a
national highway in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district.
She was immediately rushed to a hospital in the district and
later referred to Lucknow with 72 per cent burns.
Director of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Civil Hospital
in Lucknow, Dr SC Saundriyal told news agency PTI that
the girl's condition is now stable.
A native of a village in the Jalalabad police station area,
the girl's father demanded the arrest of three boys who he
claims set his daughter on fire.
What happened
Asked about the case, Superintendent of Police (SP) S
Anand said the girl told investigators that three people tried
to rape her in a field near Rai Kheda village on Monday.
When they did not succeed, they poured kerosene on her
and set her ablaze, the girl said.
Prior to the incident, CCTV cameras show the girl talk-
ing to her friends outside a classroom on the third floor of
her college building before going to the library. The girl
said she does not know how she reached the hospital from
the third floor of her college building, SP S Anand added.
"Investigations with the help of CCTV footage have
found that the girl went out of the college campus from a
broken outer wall about 20 minutes after entering the
premises and was seen walking alone on a canal road," the
Superintendent of Police told news agency PTI.
One of the first people who found the girl, Asif Ali said
that she was lying alongside the national highway without
clothes. Villagers covered her with a stole before alerting
the police, he added.
Police to record girl's statement
The police have already questioned more than a dozen
stud4ents of the girl's college, including her friends. A vil-
lager from her native village, who received a phone call
from her on the day of the incident, has also been ques-
tioned.
As many as three teams led by deputy superintendents of
police (Dy SPs) and a Special Operations Group (SOG)
have been deployed to probe the case. In addition, another
team of five policemen led by a Deputy SP has been sta-
tioned at the hospital in Lucknow where the girl is
undergoing treatment.
The investigating officer (IO) will take up the matter
once the girl's statement is recorded, Superintendent of
Police (SP) S Anand said.
Chinmayanad connection
The girl is a student of Swami Shukdevanand Post
Graduate College, which is run by Mumukshu Ashram Trust
of Swami Chinmayanand. A former BJP leader, Swami
Chinmayanand was at the centre of a controversy in 2019
after a female student of a law college run by his trust had
accused him of sexual assault.
Chinmayanand, however, was released on bail after
spending nearly five months in prison as a result of the
complainant withdrawing the charges against him.
India Today
Women commando force becomes
part of Uttarakhand police
DEHRADUN, Feb 24: A women commando force became
part of the Uttarakhand police on Wednesday.
Uttarakhand is the fourth state in the country to have
such a force, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said at
a function held at the police lines here on the occasion.
There are 22 well-trained women commandos in the force
who can play a big role in training young girls in self-
defense techniques and physical agility, he said.
Mr Rawat also honoured trainers Shifu Shaurya
Bhardwaj and Rubina Korky for imparting training to the
women commandos.
DGP Ashok Kumar said that at a time when terrorist
outfits are making use of women operatives, an all-women
commando force can be very effective in counter-terrorist
operations.
A Smart Cheeta Police consisting of both men and
women personnel was also launched on the occasion. PTI
 I-League : TRAU return to top six after HUSub-Jr
IMPHAL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Men and Women Hockey C'ship

5-1 victory over Indian Arrows
KALYANI, Feb 24
Tiddim Road Union Athletic
(TRAU) defeated Indian
Arrows 5-1 to go fifth on the
Hero I-League table with 13
points. A Bidyashagar Singh
brace, coupled with strikes by
Mayosing, Komron Tursunov,
and Chanso Horam led
Nandakumar Singh’s men to a
win after Harsh Patre’s magical
free-kick had reduced the deficit
for the Arrows. With this win,
TRAU, despite being level on
points with Mohammedan,
climbed to fifth courtesy of
better goal difference, to set up
an exciting last game-week
showdown for all mid-table
teams involved.
Needing a win to propel
them higher up the table,
TRAU showed urgency in the
opening minutes of the match
win big in men's Pool-B opener
seemed to knock the wind of
the Indian Arrows’ sail and
the developmental team
largely played catch-up to
superior opponents. In the
29th minute, Ricky
Shabong’s majestic effort
from the edge of the box
came close to reducing the
deficit for the young guns.
It took a moment of gen-
ius for the young Arrows to
score. In the 42nd minute,
Harsh Patre stood tall over a
free-kick from the edge of the
box and sent a curling shot
into the top left corner to re-
duce the deficit for the Indian
Arrows.
After the half-time scoreline
read 2-1 in TRAU’s favour,
the club once again showed
urgency in attack right from
the start. And it did reap divi-
dends for them in the 49th
minute. Komron Tursunov
once again combined with
Bidyashagar Singh and this
time as well he assisted his
strike partner, who slotted the
ball comfortably into the net to
extend TRAU’s lead.
Regaining the two-goal
cushion allowed TRAU to
dominate possession comfort-
ably once more. But
Nandakumar’s team did not
hold back in trying to score
more to better their goal dif-
ference. In the 62nd minute,
Tursunov passed unselfishly
to Bidyashagar who shot wide
of the goal. Had the Tajik
import taken an effort itself,
the Indian Arrows could have
been in more trouble.
Komron capped his two
assists with a goal in the 74th
minute when a driven through
pass from the midfield found
him inside the box, and the
Tajik import made little mis-
take from an acute angle as
his low finesse shot found the
back of the net to make the
scoreline read 4-1 in TRAU’s
favor.
TRAU added more gloss
to the scoreline through a
Chanso Horam strike in the
84th minute and the full-time
scoreline read 5-1 as TRAU
comfortably trotted on to win.
AIFF Media Team
By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : Hockey Union (HU),
Lairikyengbam Leikai opened its men's Pool-B
league campaign with a 12-2 win against MLHU,
Langthabal in the 8th State Level Sub-Junior Men
and Women Hockey Championship currently
underway at Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium
under the aegis of Manipur Hockey.
HU dominated the game right from the
beginning and were 5-1 ahead till the first
quarter before sealing a 12-2 win at the end.
Sachin doubled the lead in the 10th minute
before Sushanta M (10', 52'), M Nganba (15',
54'), Kh Somikanta (20', 38'), Y Bidyananda
(32', 42') all scored two goal each.
A Suresh was able to convert a penalty
corner to add to HU's tally in the 39th minute
and M Manimatum too converted a field goal
in the 51st minute to help HU finish big.
Both the goals of the losing side were on
the other hand scored by S Sanson in the
18th and 45th minutes.
Meanwhile in the Pool A league match of
the day, KHSC , Khongman romped past
AJSA, Jiribam 11-0 as L Sushilkumar hit a
treble (2', 15', 56') including the opener. N
Suraj (31', 36') and M Benarjit (6', 44') scored
two goals each for the winning side while the
remaining were added by Ksh Borish (28'),
Harish L (17'), W Paikhomba (27') and Thoiba
(50) as AJSA failed to open up its scoring
account till the end.
In the second Pool B league match,
Bishnupur Hockey won 3-0 over SEYO,
Singjamei thanks to goals by N Rojit (17') and
Th Bikramjit (51', 55').
The opening match for the beginners, on
the other hand saw Tamenglong District team

Churchill Brothers beat NEROCA 1-0 to regain I-League top spot

to find the back of the net. K Mykolin opened up the scoring for the and KYUC, Konthoujam playing out a goal-
Helder Lobato’s header in the winning side early in the 4th minut and A less draw.

8th SHDVSM 2021 : Kanggui Veteran, Leikot AV,

3rd minute itself came close
to handing Nandakumar’s
team the lead but Ahaan KOLKATA, Feb 24 Three minutes later, the duo again combined and created

Leimakhong AV script convincing wins

Prakash’s heroics between the
sticks saved Lobato’s effort.
TRAU followed their trend
of scoring within the first fif-
teen minutes of the match
when Komron Tursunov
cleverly stepped past his
marker and released a deli-
cious through ball for
Bidyashagar Singh. With
ample time, Bidyashagar
Singh found the back of the
net to hand TRAU the lead in
the 14th minute. But TRAU
had more planned.
In the 15th minute, Joseph
Olaleye ran onto the left flank
and sent inside a low cross
for Mayosing who slotted
home from close range as
TRAU scored two goals in
two minutes to take a two-
goal advantage.
Conceding two goals
another opportunity. However, this time, Zuniga curled his
Churchill Brothers regained the top spot on the I-League table after effort wide of the target.
they beat NEROCA FC 1-0 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan here The Red Machines dominated the first half completely,
on Wednesday. continuously creating chances.
Clayvin Zuniga's 16th-minute strike was enough to give Vikas came close to scoring the second goal after the Our Correspondent in the 37nd and 59th minutes half 1-0 through a 24th minute
and Paaji managed another in strike by Haojakhup as
Fernando Varela's side all three points in a game full of restart when his cross looked like creeping in at the far post.
chances. However, Bishorjit Singh recovered well and tipped it over KANGPOKPI, Feb 24: Len the 55th minute. Seikhohen drew level in the
Lhouvum and Paaji Hangshing In the second match, Leikot 56th minute before Thonglal
With the win, the Red Machines have also secured them- for a corner.
selves a top-six spot in the first phase of the I-League. At the other end, NEROCA strung up a few chances. gave Kanggui Veteran a brilliant Area Veteran had a similar 3- (65'), Letminlal (80', 83')
win in the ongoing 8th Sadar 0 win over Phaijang Veteran. scored to make it 4-0 at the
Churchill Brothers created two chances within the first Shibinraj was finally forced into action when he came off his
five minutes of the game. However, Luka Majcen was unable line to collect Singam Subhash's cross in the 55th minute. Hills District Veteran Sport Meet Kammang (14') and Paolun end.
2021 at Brig M Thomas Ground, (53', 58') scored to ensure Tomorrow's matches
to reach Vinil Poojary's deflected cross in the second minute, Three minutes later, the Churchill custodian was again
followed by Clayvin Zuniga's long-range attempt, which was sharp to come off his line and clear with his head, when Kangpokpi DHQs today. Leikot Area Veteran the win. LKLK vs Tujang Lhang
The defending champions, In the third match, Motbung Veteran (B); Twilang Area
skied in the fourth minute. Subash tried to reach Songpu Singsit's through ball.
NEROCA got a great chance in the seventh minute when NEROCA pushed harder for the equaliser and came close Kanggui Veteran had an easy Veteran suffered a huge 1-4 Veteran vs Keithelmanbi Vet-
3-0 win over IB Area Veteran loss to Leimakhong Area Vet- eran ; Kalapahar Veteran vs
Judah Garcia pounced on Bishorjit's long kick. With only the again when Subash's cross into the area was cleared by
keeper to beat, the Trinidadian blasted his shot high over the Hamza Kheir before Judah Garcia could pounce on it. as Len Lhouvum scored twice eran despite leading the first Twilongkun Area Veteran
target. Churchill realised they needed another goal to safeguard
The game turned into fast end-to-end action over the next the result, and kept pushing for the second.
few minutes and the opening goal came in the 16th minute. They came close twice in the span of five minutes as
Zuniga started the move in midfield and found Kingslee Bishorjit Singh had to come off his line and prevent Luka
Fernandes, who lifted a perfect chipped return pass for him Majcen from scoring in the 66th and 71st minute.
on the run. The Honduran then volleyed it beyond Bishorjit The NEROCA custodian showed quick reflexes to keep
Singh's reach. out Zuniga's powerful header in the 75th minute. PTI

MNCA Plate Tournament YMDO emerge champions

CRAU beat PCC by 4 wickets in quarter final thriller
By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : CRAU,
Khamnam Bazar made their
way into the semifinals of the
5th MNCA Plate Tournament
beating PCC, Mayai Koibi by 4
wickets in a thrilling quarter
final encounter today here at
Model Hr Secondary &
Oriental College Ground.
PCC chose to bat first af-
ter winning the toss and
posted a total of 192 runs
losing 9 wickets in the stipu-
lated 40 overs. CRAU
however put up a brave show
in the last over to finish off
the chase at 196 for 6 with
Rajkumar Herachandra hit-
ting a brilliant four to the
deep backward square leg on
his way to unbeaten 38 in 48
balls.
1st AMFA Cup : WAFA seal 2-0 win
over KYVO, NESU hold LYGSEDA
By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : WAFA,
Wangoi eased to a 2-0 win
against KYVO, Kwasiphai in a
GroupA league match of the
ongoing 1st AMFA Cup at
Artficial Turf, Khurai Lamlong
as NESU, Khurai played out a
2-2 draw with LYGSEDA in
another Group A league match
of the day.
In the first match of the
day, WAFA had a slender 1-
0 lead till the break through
Peter's goal in the 39th
minute before E Joykison
made his effort count in the
72nd minute to hand WAFA
a 2-0 win against lacklustre
KYVO.
The second match on the
Charoibam Tyson was the
topscorer of the Mayai Koibi
side with a commendable
knock of 42 runs and
Thokchom Anand was sec-
ond highest run getter with
37 runs in his name.
PCC's innings saw
Ayekpam Rakesh bag three
wickets for 38 runs in 8 overs
which contained a maiden
while Lamabam Jotin and
Tonjam Sudhir earned two
wickets each.
In the chase, Dennis
Khangemba got the game
going adding 42 runs off 60
balls despite losing Ayekpam
Amitkumar on duck in the
fourth over and Ayekpam
Rakesh and Takhellambam
Kala added 23 runs each to
keep the scoreboard ticking.
Rajkumar Herajit then
other hand emerged a close
contest with both NESU and
LYGSEDA sharing a fair
share of possession and scor-
ing chances before settling the
game in a 2-2 draw.
Though the first half went
barren, the two teams were
more purposeful in the sec-
ond half and it was in the
63rd minute that Y Sobha
broke the deadlock to put
NESU ahead.
anchored well for the seventh
wicket stand with Lamabam
Jotin (21) to steer home PCC
to 3 wicket win.
Mathurabashimayum
Jobanta bowled well and
fetched 2 crucial wickets offer-
ing only 22 runs in his spell of
8 overs which contained a
maiden, and it considerably
helped CRAU scoring in check
before Herajit's last over heroic
shifted the fate of the game.
Thokchom Anand,
Luchinghunbam Meitei and
Thokchom Santosh of PCC
also chipped in with a wicket
apiece in CRAU's innings.
RK Herachandra was even-
tually named man of the match.
ESU, Wangkhei will face
KSDO, Kiyamgei in the sec-
ond quarter final match
tomorrow at the same venue.
The lead however did not
last long as Paolenlal pulled
off the equaliser for
LYGSEDA in the 68th
minute. Seiminthang then
scored another five minutes
later to hand LYGSEDA the
lead but S Bikas cancelled out
the lead in the 83rd minute to
ensure that NESU came on
level terms.
The match eventually
ended with the score level at
2-2 despite late efforts from
both the ends.
Next matches on Feb 27:
SYMROPIA, Churachandpur
vs TRUGPU, Nambol from
12.15 pm
AMOFA, Moirang vs
RAU, Lairikyengbam Leikai
from 2.12 pm.
contested final match staged
today.
Earlier in the day, MPSC
beat KYLSC, Kachikhul 25-
23, 23-25, 19-25, 25-15,
15-13 for the third place title.
Winners, YMDO walked
away Rs 40,000 richer along
By Our Sports Reporter with a trophy and runners up,
TRYVC were awarded Rs
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : YMDO, 25,000.
Heirangoithong were crowned Third place winners,
the champions of 1st Kh MPSC were also encouraged
Sanajaoba and Kh (O) Memma with a cash prize of Rs
Memorial Men's Open 10,000.
Volleyball Championship As for the individual
organised under the aegis of All prizes, Dingku Singh of
Manipur Volleyball YMDO bagged best player
Association at Upokpi. title and a cash prize of Rs
YMDO, who were un- 3,000 as best setter, K
beaten throughout the league Deepak of TRYVC and best
stage, defeated TRYVC, spiker, L Santosh of KYLSC
Ukhrul 25-22, 31-29, 21-25, settled for cash prizes of Rs
16-25, 15-12 in an evenly 1,000 each.
AMOFA Academy beat ELSA
in 5 goal thriller
By Our Sports Reporter earned it in the 43rd minute
through Suraj before Mangilal
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : AMOFA helped the team retain the lead
Academy, Moirang overcame and 3-2 win at the end of the
ELSA, Naranseina 3-2 in the match.
2nd K Babu Memorial Super
Division Football League 2021
being organised by DFA
Moirang at Moirang
Multipurpose Ground.
Both the teams made a fine
start to the game and
AMOFA Academy were 1-0
ahead when Avinash drew
first blood in the 22nd minute
after a fine run.
ELSA however rode on
Kh Alu's equaliser in the 31st
minute before Alu found the
target and completed his brace
in the 35th to overturn the
lead.
After having trailed by 1-
2 margin, AMOFA Academy
pushed hard for the equaliser
after the break and eventually

Stage set for finals of State Model Club post 6 wicket win
Kabaddi C'ship in MNCA Elite Tournament
By Our Sports Reporter By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : The final line up for the 67th Senior State IMPHAL, Feb 24 : Model
Kabaddi Championship and the 1st MUC Veteran Men's Kabaddi Club, Chingamakha after a spell
Tournament have been completed today. of three defeats finally opened
The tournament is being organised by Manipur State its winning account in the 5th
Kabaddi Association at Moirang Kampu playground with 9 MNCA Elite Tournament with
men's team, 4 women's team and 6 veteran's teams taking part a 6-wicket win against REYS,
in it. Nagamapal at Luwangpokpa
VETO, Laphupat Tera will be locking horns with LYUC- Cricket Stadium,
A, Lourembam for the veteran's title tomorrow. Luwangsangbam today.
VETO saw off ALUC 36-31 in the first semi-final match REYS won the toss and
staged today to earn the final berth before JIBIKA, Imphal opted to bat first but bundled
West edged out MUC, Moirang Kampu 26-17 for the remain- out on a meagre total of 130
ing final berth. Meanwhile, in the senior men's semi-final runs in 35.4 overs as Model
matches, LYUC-A carved out a 31-24 win against LYUC-B Club bowlers made a con-
to book the final ticket before VETO pulled off a 46-29 win certed effort. Mintu Chandra
against MUC to complete the final line up. (21), Nongthombam Ajit
On the other hand, VETO will face off with LYUC-B for Singh (20) and Leishangthem
the women's title tomorrow. Bishorjit (23) were only sig-
In the last league match of the competition staged today, nificant scorers in this
VETO got the better of MUC 42-20 and eventually sealed a innings which witnessed
place in the final. Loukrakpam Superhit,
Thounaojam Jenius, Mangi
Sharma and Veteshor Sharma
of Model Club claiming two
wickets each. Yumnam
Karnajit then scored a half
century (55 off 62 balls) and
Th Deepak (27 not out) and
Viking (21) played their part
to set the pace of the chase
before Th Iboyaima (6) hit a
four to help Model Club reach
the target in 32.5 overs with
6 wickets left in the hand.
REYS's Jitendra, Pradeep,
L Bishorjit and Mintu
Chandra all picked up a
wicket apiece in Model Club's
innings. Y Karnajit of Model
Club was adjudged man of
the match.
CHAMP will play
FORCE, next in the Group A
league match tomorrow.