Officials from the Angami Sports Association (ASA) in an exclusive interview with APN News in Kohima informed that it would organise the 50th anniversary of ASA sports meet on February 2022 even as they hope the state would pass off through the pandemic before the games and sports commence.
Officials from the Angami Sports Association (ASA) in an exclusive interview with APN News in Kohima informed that it would organise the 50th anniversary of ASA sports meet on February 2022 even as they hope the state would pass off through the pandemic before the games and sports commence.
ASA president Lhoubeizo Kesiyie said, “The ASA was formed in the year 1967, so we have celebrated our golden Jubilee in the year 2017 as per the formation of the year. So the upcoming event in 2022 would not be celebrated as golden jubilee but 50th anniversary sports meet celebration”. He also announced that a total of 480 contingents from the four affiliating units of sports and youth associations — Northern Angami Sports Association, Southern Angami Sports Association, Western Angami Youth Association and Chakhroma Youth Organisation — will be taking part in the 50th ASA Sports Meet 2022
He informed that all forms of athletic events, indoor and outdoor games including traditional Naga wrestling will be conducted. For the first time, he added, “indigenous games like bamboo walk, tug of war, war cry and cultural song competition will also be organised.Our meet will be a span of seven days and we will be using two outdoor ground and four indoor grounds for the games and sports.”
It was informed that three venues — Kohima Local Ground, State Indoor Stadium and Indira Gandhi Stadium in the state capital would be utilised to conduct the mega events.
Seyielhouvi Nagi, general secretary of ASA, updated that total prize money of Rs 4, 63,000 have been set aside for athletics, games and other events while Rs 8, 70,000 has been earmarked for the Naga style wrestling. He added, “The total prize money for all the events for the 50th ASA meet 2022 comes to 13, 33,000. During the meet, all the Covid Sop’s and guidelines given by the government will be strictly maintained and followed”.
Kesiyie have urged all the sportspersons of Angami community to prepare themselves mentally and physically to dignify the “special sports meet” scheduled for next year.
NAGALAND CELEBRATES 75TH INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY
As Nagaland celebrate the 75th Independence Day at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza on Sunday in Kohima chief minister Neiphiu Rio hoisted the National Flag at the venue before taking the Rashtriya Salute and inspected the parade contingents consisting of Assam Rifles, 78th CRPF Bn, 37th BSF, DEF Kohima, 4th NAP Bn, 10th NAP (IR) Bn, 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Bn, STF, Home Guards and Civil Defence, Nagaland Police Central Brass Band, PTS and 14th Assam Rifles Pipe Band.
Speaking during the occasion, chief minister Neiphiu Rio stated that the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly has come together, irrespective of party affiliations, on the Naga Political Issue and common peoples issues. While taking this spirit of collectiveness further, in the recently concluded session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, he informed that the members unanimously passed a resolution appealing to the negotiating parties on the same lines as resolved by the Core Committee. “The House appealed to the Naga Political negotiating groups to come together in order to hammer out their differences, and give the people an inclusive solution, which is honourable and acceptable,” he said.
Meanwhile, he maintained that the artists, musicians and cultural ambassadors from Nagaland have added much to the vibrant diversity of the country and in the fields of public affairs, bureaucracy, judiciary, sports and the fourth estate, while the citizens of the state have served the country with exemplary distinction.
On Covid-19 preparedness, he asserted that they have taken preventive measures in time, infrastructure while moving swiftly to augment the health infrastructure, particularly the availability of oxygen across the state, “the most critical element in the fight against Covid-19”. From modest oxygen facilities since last year, the chief minister informed that they have 6 functional PSA Oxygen Plants with a daily capacity of 3.7 Metric Ton and another 19 plants are under installation in various District Hospitals and some Community Health Centres.
He also apprised that a total of 1816 oxygen concentrators and 6082 oxygen cylinders of various capacities have been made available in the state. He maintained that they have provided equipment to the government as well as private health facilities so that sufficient oxygen supported beds including ICU and HDU beds are available to meet any emergency.
Besides the 3 BSL laboratories, he said they have also established 25 Truenat and 362 Rapid Antigen Testing facilities for Covid-19 across the state, adding that they are also building a 200 bedded hospital for acute medical care in CIHSR Dimapur which is likely to get operational in a few weeks time.
India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.
The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.
India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.
India warns Pakistan over terrorism
India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.
The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.
The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.
Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks
In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.
India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.
New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.
The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.
Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.
Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.
The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.
What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?
Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.
The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.
The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.
What is the Veeramani POCSO case?
The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.
The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.
The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.
What has MK Stalin said?
Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.
He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.
The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.
Why has the case become a political issue?
The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.
The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.
At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.
Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case
Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.
Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.
The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.
The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.
Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning
In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.
They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.
The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.
Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August
The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.
The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.
The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.
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