Older people hit hard :::: France records 1,000 excess deaths during record-breaking heatwave

France records 1,000 excess deaths during record-breaking heatwave, older people hit hard.

Scientists say the heatwave, which began on ​June 20, was the worst recorded in Europe, ​where the climate is changing faster than the global average.

Europeans ​have been enduring blistering conditions during a heatwave that has ​been linked to dozens of deaths - shattering records, disrupting power generation and damaging infrastructure.  

Scientists have said the heatwave, which began on ​June 20, was the worst recorded in Europe, ​where the climate is changing faster than the global average.  

France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the blistering heatwave sweeping Europe, the ​public health agency said on Sunday, warning that ‌the true figure was likely to be higher.

Detailing its preliminary count of excess deaths, Sante Publique said most of the ​fatalities involved older people and that it expected ​the mortality rate to rise as more information ⁠became available about deaths in residential care and homes.  

The heatwave has been moving east. But while France's weather agency said the extreme heat had diminished in most parts of the country, some areas in the ​northeast were still ​under a ⁠heatwave advisory.  

Health Minister Stephanie Rist told La Tribune newspaper that the impact of ​the heatwave could linger for as long ​as 10 ⁠days after the weather had ebbed.

"The episode is not finished," she told broadcaster BFM.

Most of the deaths involved ⁠people ​aged 65 and older, though the ​health effects of the extreme heat affected all categories of the population, ​Sante Publique said.

"Awami League creates its own path with people" - Sheikh Hasina ::: Says will return Bangladesh "this year :::::: "verdict against me is not justice. It is part of an illegal, unconstitutional, and politically motivated process"

No democracy or rule of law in Bangladesh, says former PM Sheikh Hasina

"I was elected Prime Minister five times by the people's vote and worked for the country's unprecedented development. Almost my entire life has been tied to the people of Bangladesh, to the Awami League, to the democratic struggle, and to the development of Bangladesh. 

So, I want to say clearly: overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this year," he told NDTV.

Sheikh Hasina dismissed doubts over whether the Awami League could stage a political comeback despite an ongoing crackdown on its leaders and workers under the successive governments of Muhammad Yunus and BNP’s Tarique Rahman.  

In an unrelated development but marking a significance, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer and Rangpur-2 MP, ATM Azharul Islam, today questioned whether the BNP regime was trying to rehabilitate Awami League.  

"You have called for banning Jamaat. Let me ask just one thing. Suppose we are banned. Who will fill that vacuum?” the senior Jamaat leader asked in what is seen as a clear reference to the Tarique Rahman-led BNP.  

Awami League marked its 77th Founding Day last Tuesday (June 23) in defiance of a nationwide ban. Dozens of its activists were arrested amid tight security, reports said adding, however in many places the AL workers celebrated the occasion and also staged demonstration.  

The Jamaat MP has further asked, “Will you (BNP) run the country alone? 

Do you want to establish a one-party rule? Who will fill that space? Are you trying to rehabilitate the Awami League? I believe you are trying to rehabilitate the Awami League.”

Jamaat leader 

 Sheikh Hasina in her response to a question said:  

"My return is not a question of personal ambition. It is tied to a far larger question: the political rights of the people of Bangladesh, the restoration of democracy, the rule of law, and the spirit of our Liberation War. 

I do not do politics for power. I do politics for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh and for the fulfilment of the dream of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to build a Sonar Bangla."  

She also said:  

"I do not fear death. In 1975, I lost my parents, my brothers, and almost my entire family. On 21 August, there was an attempt to kill me with grenades. Many conspiracies have been hatched against me. But breaking through every web of conspiracy, I stood beside the people of Bangladesh. 

"I was elected Prime Minister five times by the people's vote and worked for the country's unprecedented development. Almost my entire life has been tied to the people of Bangladesh, to the Awami League, to the democratic struggle, and to the development of Bangladesh. 

"So, I want to say clearly: overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this year."

ends 

BJP and Modi Govt more than serious about Delimitation Exercise and Quota for Women !! But 'women in politics' has changed a lot since 2014

In 2014 when Narendra Modi became India's Prime Minister; the country was also witness to emergence of "firebrand women chief ministers" and other limelight. But in circa 2026, two women CMs plus two more are no longer in office. 

Several others too are not around for multiple reasons. 

But it is a fact of life that things have changed and many of them are almost lost in oblivion.  Jayalalitha is no more. Mamata Banerjee was recently ousted in a massive mandate and she herself failed to become a legislator. Now her party TMC has virtually suffered two splits - one in the state assembly and the other in Parliament. 

In Modi 1.0; there were women stalwarts - Sushma Swaraj (foreign Minister), Uma Bharti (Minister for Water Resources and Namami Ganga). Smriti Irani (HRD Minister) and also Nirmala Sitharaman (then Commerce Minister). 

Only Ms Sitharaman is now in the cabinet as the Finance Minister. She was also Defence Minister between 2017 and 2019.  Even Jammu and Kashmir had woman CM Mehbooba Mufti and in Gujarat Anandiben Patel had replaced Narendra Modi himself. 

Ms Mehbooba was defeated and Anandiben Patel is now UP Governor. BJP later had Vasundhara Raje Scindia as Rajasthan CM but she was denied the opportunity to lead the government in Jaipur in 2023. 

 

In the political sphere, Sonia Gandhi is also marginalised as she no longer heads Congress. Even her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra though is a MP; she can only suggest or advice and the real power in Congress is with her brother Rahul Gandhi. 

In Uttar Pradesh, BSP supremo Mayawati is now heavily marginalised.  

Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is leading TMC rebellion and she is ably supported by female colleagues such as Shatabdi Roy and Saayoni Ghosh.  In West Bengal, Minister Agnimitra Paul will be an important leader to keep an eye.

Champat Rai, Ram Mandir trust chief quits ::: A RSS man .. he came to Ayodhya from Uttarakhand at the height of Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1991 ::::: Anil Mishra joined RSS during Emergency

A day after eight men were arrested for the embezzlement of funds donated to the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra stepped down. 

Among the eight arrested is Rai’s former driver Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav. Though there have been no allegations against the two, both have come under Opposition fire.

Champat Rai

The 79-year-old was born in the Nagina tehsil of Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district. After completing his post-graduate studies in Physics, Rai taught at a college in Bijnor for nearly 11 years before formally joining the RSS, with which he had been involved since his childhood, and becoming a pracharak. After a year, he was made gat nayak (shakha organiser) and then sah-zila karyavah (district joint secretary) and was among those detained during the Emergency.

After that, between 1981 and 1984, Rai served as the Sangh’s zila pracharak in Dehradun before moving on to adjoining Saharanpur and later Meerut. Rai became the prant co-organisation secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in July 1986 and later served as the organisation secretary in one of its regional units.

At the height of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1991, Rai was moved to Ayodhya. From 1991 to 1995, he was the VHP’s co-organisation secretary for UP. He was shifted to Delhi in 1996 as the outfit’s central co-secretary. He also served as secretary, joint general secretary, and general secretary of the VHP, before being promoted as its international vice-president in 2018.

Rai came to the spotlight when he was appointed the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra’s general secretary, becoming its key face. 

He supervised the temple construction from Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya, which served as his base.

Even as he came under Opposition fire — with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal alleging that Rai refused to share accounts of the donations with the Prime Minister and the SIT that had been set up was only an eye-wash constituted to protect “big-people” — 

VHP’s key functionaries in Ayodhya and Lucknow defended Rai, saying there might have been a “lapse in supervision” by Rai because “he trusted people around him”.

Anil Mishra

The 65-year-old Mishra was one of the 15 trustees of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, which was formed in 2020.

Ahead of the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22, 2024, Mishra and his wife, Usha, performed the rituals as “Pradhan Yajman (main hosts)”. Mishra began the rituals for the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol on January 16 by taking a dip in the Saryu river, amid the chanting of mantras. After that, he began a fast and performed the prashchita, sankalpa, and karmakuti pujas, which lasted for eight hours.

Mishra lives in Ayodhya and, since being named a trustee, has frequently interacted with the media, locals, and VIP visitors about the progress of the temple’s construction work.

Mishra hails from the village of Patauna in UP’s Ambedkar Nagar district. He joined the RSS during the Emergency and rose through the ranks.

ends 

Tushar Mehta is India’s second-longest serving Solicitor General :::: "When mistakes happen, corrective steps are taken quickly before any adverse orders get passed"

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta gets a 4th extension 

The only other person to have a longer tenure than Mehta in the post was C K Daphtary, who served as SG in the first government after Independence from 1950 to 1963.  

But Tushar Mehta also had "setbacks". 

The Supreme Court did not accept the government’s argument of institutional deference during the Pegasus spyware litigation. 

Faced with allegations that government agencies had used surveillance software against journalists, activists and politicians, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had argued that questions involving national security could not always be answered in open court. 

In October 2021, the Supreme Court appointed an expert committee to examine the allegations, declining to accept the government’s position at face value.

The electoral bonds case was another major defeat for the government. 

The Union government argued that anonymous political donations protected the privacy of contributors and encouraged formal banking transactions. A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, however, struck down the scheme in February 2024.

First appointed as Additional SG in 2014, and promoted in 2018 to SG, Tushar Mehta, 61, has been the Narendra Modi government’s main line of defence in court on many consequential political decisions.

He has handled high profile cases vis-a-vis Art 370 abrogation in Jammu and Kashmir to Ram temple, citizenship issues to electoral funding. 

Under him, the post of the SG – officially the second-highest law officer in the country, aiding and assisting the Attorney General of India – has emerged as the government’s primary voice in courts.

On June 20 he was given yet another extension, that is the fourth one. 

He has admirers in all camps.

Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, who has appeared on the opposite side of Mehta in several Constitutional matters, told The Indian Express that the SG is a “fierce fighter” for the government. 

“Mr Mehta has evolved since his early days as a law officer and has built a good team of juniors on whom he relies,” Hegde says.

He also notes that Mehta is not averse to course-correcting when necessary. “Where mistakes have been made, he uses his good offices to rectify them before any adverse orders get passed.”

Mehta’s firefighting ability is also acknowledged by Senior Advocate Atmaram N S Nadkarni, who worked alongside Mehta when both were Additional Solicitors General. Calling him a “formidable counsel”, Nadkarni highlights Mehta’s ubiquitous presence across courtrooms. 

“He appears even in the Delhi High Court and other courts; it is marvellous how he manages to be at so many places,” Nadkarni says, adding that despite this workload, he has never seen Mehta “lose his temper or cool in court”.

Now, set to remain as SG till 2029, Mehta will be appearing for the government in several critical cases in the next few years, including challenges to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, anti-conversion laws, and the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act. 

His court wins

Rafale deal: 

One of the earliest high-profile matters to come to Mehta’s table was the challenge to the Rafale fighter aircraft deal, alleging irregularities in the procurement process and seeking an investigation into the purchase.

Mehta said that courts should not enter questions of defence procurement and military preparedness unless there was clear evidence of illegality. 

The Supreme Court ultimately declined to interfere with the deal, in an order in December 2018. With Rahul Gandhi making the Rafale deal a political plank, the Supreme Court order came as a big boost to the Modi government ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Ram temple: 

Another defining case where Mehta appeared was the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute. In November 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the 2.77-acre disputed land be handed over to a government-run trust for a Ram Mandir, while mandating a 5-acre alternative plot in Ayodhya for a mosque – bringing to an end a dispute that had long been part of the BJP’s core agenda.

Article 370: 

The abrogation of the legislation by the Modi government on August 5, 2019, was the fulfilment of another ideological agenda of the BJP, removing Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. 

Appearing before a five-judge Constitution Bench, Mehta argued that Article 370 had been a temporary provision, and that Parliament could validly exercise legislative powers during President’s Rule, which J&K was under in 2019. In December 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the government’s decision.

Citizenship issues: 

During litigation relating to challenges to Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, Tushar Mehta defended the government’s efforts to address illegal migration. 

Section 6A is a special provision inserted after the Assam Accord of 1985 that created a separate framework for determining citizenship in Assam. A Constitution Bench upheld the provision, accepting the framework defended by the Union.

The government’s approach to citizenship also came under scrutiny after Parliament enacted the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. While the law remains under challenge before the Supreme Court, Mehta has consistently argued that Parliament is entitled to create special citizenship pathways for persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries.

Covid: 

As thousands of migrant workers attempted to return home during the nationwide pandemic lockdown, petitions reached the Supreme Court seeking immediate relief for them. Mehta defended the administration’s response.

Similar arguments were advanced in litigation concerning the PM CARES Fund, when demands were made for the fund to be treated as a public authority subject to greater disclosure requirements. The petitions demanding that PM CARES be brought under the RTI were ultimately dismissed by the apex court in August 2020.

PMLA: 

Tushar Mehta has also underlined Executive authority in cases involving investigative agencies. In 2022, the Supreme Court heard challenges to key provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which gives extensive investigative powers to the Enforcement Directorate and restricts bail to those accused under the Act, against claims of due process and personal liberty. Mehta argued that money laundering is a serious economic crime with international dimensions, requiring specialised powers to investigate effectively.

The Supreme Court largely upheld the law, reinforcing the ED’s powers, in July 2022.

Quota for EWS: 

Mehta also prevailed in the challenge to the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections. In November 2022, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court upheld the amendment creating the quota, accepting the government’s argument that economic disadvantage could be an independent basis for affirmative action.

UAPA: 

In prosecutions and bail applications under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the principal anti-terror law, the SG has argued that judges should take into account the gravity of allegations and wider security implications when considering bail. While outcomes have varied across cases, the broader legal framework defended by the Union remains largely intact.

Sedition: 

During the Constitutional challenge to the law of sedition under the erstwhile IPC, the Centre adopted a different strategy. Rather than defending the law in its existing form, Mehta informed the Court that the government was reconsidering the provision. The proceedings led to a pause on new sedition prosecutions.

ends 

Memories : When Nagaland Governor Lt Gen Nayar (Retd) threatened to "pick" me up !! :::: Another Governor Shrivastava had married a Naga but was 'Ganesh Bhakt'

The best way to buy peace with Tension is refresh some memories !!

Of former Nagaland Governors, their controversies and great humility --

I can mention Guv O N Shrivastava, who married a Naga but was a 'Ganesh Bhakt'. 

The 1993 assembly elections went on under Loknath Mishra as the Governor.  The then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao visited Dimapur on Feb 4, 1993 and addressed an election rally. In effect, that rally and the manner it went on had left S C Jamir red-faced.

Jamir's differences with NPCC chief Chingwang Konyak enhanced further.

Chingwang had asked Hokishe Sema to deliver the welcome address and Jamir was slated for a Vote of Thanks. But after Hokishe delivered his speech, it was PM Rao's turn. He addressed the rally and held Hokishe by shoulders and waved hands towards the crowd and thus the function ended without Jamir getting his chance to speak.

Talking to a select group of journalists (I was lucky to be among them), PM Rao said his government had no problems to lift the ban on NSCN.

He said the government's decision would depend on the "underground group's activities".

"All problems can be solved through dialogue," said Narasimha Rao - certainly often a man of few words.

Among others, AIR News Editor Asheem Poddar was also present in the group of journalists.

The 1993 assembly polls went on under the influence of guns. Hokishe lost to Independent candidate Vikishe Sema in Dimapur I, Chingwang lost to P Enyie Konyak of NPC. 

Needless to say, S C Jamir had influences practically everywhere.

S C Jamir, his wife and Blogger : File snap - Dec 2022

The November 19, 1992 assassination attempt on him in Delhi left Jamir an angry tiger and injured. 

He fought the polls fiercely. Less talk about the election that year in Mokokchung town (Jamir returned from here) - it would be better.

Jamir's chosen man K Therie defeated the then controversial Speaker Thenucho in Pfutsero, I K Sema (another Jamir rival and Congress nominee) lost to his cousin. 

"I will handle...." Jamir was heard telling someone over the phone in the Secretariat complex as he walked in with his cowboy hat a day after the counting of ballots.

The CEO that year was Lalhuma. He later became Financial Commissioner. Central officials deputed as EC observers were in an extraordinary hurry to fly out of Dimapur after the polls. 

One of them even told us, "We need to go back fast, my daughter is leaving for abroad tomorrow". 

Nevertheless, Governor Lok Nath Mishra as convention addressed the opening session of the new House. During the debate on Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address, flamboyant regionalist Huska Sumi of NPC had said --  "Who knows, his Excellency may not be happy to see some of us in this Assembly".

 

In fact, during President's Rule, one advisor to Governor Mishra got into some controversy after there was a 'theft case' of a considerable amount of cash from his house.

Mishra was relieved of his responsibility in Nagaland and came in,  Lt. Gen.V. K. Nayar (retd).

He took charge on October 2, 1993. 

Nayar had served as GOC at Jakhama and gradually differences surfaced between him and Chief Minister Jamir. 

Nayar was also a little moody type and someone who could not be predicted. We met him at Chumukedima police complex once. Interacting with me, he said, "Jamir has a mandate as there are 36 Congress members with him".

Naturally, I did the story. The pro-Congress newspaper 'Nagaland Times' highlighted it on page-1.

Somehow, the Governor was furious and complained that I had misquoted him. He told Raj Bhavan staffers in presence of All India Radio officers that he had the power to 'get me picked up'.

Fortunately both the AIR officials - Madam Viya Sekhose (then Station Director at Kohima) and B B Sharma - knew me as I used to often work (on contract) for AIR, Kohima too.

They tried to reason with him saying - "Dev also works for a government organisation like AIR, He does not have any bad intention".

Some Congress ministers later said, "The Governor was unhappy as your story appeared pro-Jamir".

And, I was stunned a little as my colleagues in 'Nagaland Times' including Editor S K Dutta and his coterie knew me as a hardcore anti-Jamir scribe.

Presumably, there were other problems between the Governor and Jamir.  On the political front, Jamir started lobbying with Delhi to replace the Governor. 

One Saturday afternoon, DIPR officials from Kohima rushed to Dimapur. I was stationed at Dimapur those days and so we were invited to Jamir's Half Nagarjan House.

To a question, Jamir told us that day, "The Governors keep coming and going. It is a constitutional post and an office of dignity". 

Hints were clear, Nayar sahab would be packing off.

Incidentally, it was in this press conference, Jamir had said - "Bangladeshis are increasing like rabbits".

Actually, he countered Assam Congress chief minister Hiteshwar Saikia's statement that there 'was no Bangladeshi citizen in Assam'.

Lt Gen Nayar was replaced by Oudh Narayan Shrivastava, a former IGP who had served in Nagaland in the 1970s.

Interestingly, Shrivastava was a thorough gentleman and had a genuine concern for people he met. The 'apnapan'.

He even used to enquire "whether you are trying to move out of Nagaland. I can recommend you Bhopal. It's a lovely place". 

Shrivastava had married a Naga (former chief secretary Zopianga's daughter - sister of retired IAS officer Banu Z Jamir). 

Once, for his role as Manipur Governor, I wrote a critical article and used one line -

"Didi dekh, tera pati Congress-I banta jae (Hey sister, please see, your husband is behaving like a Congressman)". 

It was based on a popular Hindi song.

Governor Shrivastava later said he read the piece (in a Dimapur-based daily, 'The Nagaland Post;), but he did not allow such things to come in between.

On one occasion, I was sort of shocked and really embarrassed myself.

During our interaction, he just happened to tell me - "My daughter sent me this small statue of Lord Ganesha, and He gives me inspiration and peace".

Frankly, I was taken aback. Shy, I was, but I took the risk of asking him - "Sir, as you are married to madam, I thought you would not be so religious. She being a Naga".

A senior former cop and a man of vast experience, he understood my question - whether he still followed Hinduism despite marrying a Naga Christian.

Shrivastava smiled towards me, perhaps trying to give me advice - not to get so personal with a Governor !

But he said mildly - "Kya baat karte ho (What are you talking)".

My respect for him increased manifold. But he himself used to ask even small family matters - whether my hospitalised sister in Kolkata is back in her hostel. 

Some people at the top still can maintain humility and simplicity. That's the touchstone of a virtuous man. I visited Bhopal more than once in recent years, but sadly could not manage time to pay my gratitude to him.

ends 

NSCN-IM and NNPG (Alezo faction) stay away from Fed Up Nagas - FUN- show at Dimapur :::: Big Picture ?? or Is there any Picture at all ??? :::: NPF will continue to bask in 'reflected glories'; Nagaland BJP should opt for 'merger' with Cock outfit

It's an evening of 'Cock party' yet again. 

What matters is politically the NPF seems to have won another round. 

The Status Quo club and metaphysical organisations can join the gala dinner!!

The NSCN-IM and NNPG (Alezo) did not turn up for the hyped rally organised by the newly floated Fed Up Nagas (FUN) at Dimapur on Saturday, June 27th.  

Not many would be surprised by the NSCN-IM decision. Any pro-Neiphiu Rio faction enjoying good working rapport with the BJP-NPF dispensation at Kohima was not quite expected to attend such rallies. 

However, the fact that the NNPG-Alezo faction had stayed away has surprised and given an indication that "all is not well" with those who want an early Solution.  

Bad luck youngsters !!  

Just by attending such a meet, none would have lost anything. But non-participation has given an altogether a different message to Delhi. The Status Quo may prevail. 

It's like no one killed Jessica. None wants Solution or what ? 

Bravo NPF -- compliments for winning another game, another round. Look towards BJP. 

Before 2028 only natural course left for the Lotus outfit (party with a difference) in Nagaland is to opt for 'merger' with the NPF.

No where, the saffron party has displayed so much indecisiveness and weakness like in Nagaland. If ever Mr Neiphio Rio attains some position where he can announce some special prizes -- he and his dispensation should recommend the names of Ram Madhav and Himanta Biswa Sarma.  

The victory word is also linked to a simple phrase - willful sabotage !!

June 27 and beyond - the NPF should give up its mask and make a correction on their recent press statement. Yes; they may take the entire credit rather openly for shunting out R N Ravi as interlocutor and Governor. 

Of course, despite temporary hobnobbing with DMK and a few others in Chennai; the machinations from Nagaland has not harmed Ravi or his career. 

But someone else will have to continue to pay the price. Extortion may continue. The common people in Nagaland and especially Dimapur will pay that price and watch helplessly what happens in Ukhrul region of Manipur. What happens with the so-called Eastern Flank and the Hebron camp? 

And what would New Delhi do or whether - even for mandarins in Delhi - 'No Solution is also a Solution'. 

Long live P V Narasimha Rao's famous quote : "Not to take a decision is also a decision". This philosophy has caught up Delhi's Babus - I am Sorry Club and also also senior/special cops. 

Who knows Late Narasimha Rao would have done better had he not trusted likes of Rajesh Pilot ? 

Things are more than just being 'fed up'. It's utter Frustration and this Frustration is making the Team Rio shine in "reflected glories". 

Neiphiu Rio - Longest serving Naga CM .... but ..... 

(Nowhere, a CM who has failed to deliver the chief demand of generations - Solution to Naga problem - is being rewarded by circumstances and good luck.)   

Heart in heart and later -- Alezo Venuh and his colleagues will have to face the mirror --- whatever the excuse might have given for giving the June 27 rally a miss. 

Unconfirmed reports from Dimapur and elsewhere suggest; the NSCN-IM had decided to stay away from the rally because former chief minister S C Jamir was also expected to attend and address the gathering. Well; the NPF story-tellers will continue to have a gala time and Nagaland BJP leaders will readily endorse them. 

In the run up to the rally, I spoke to few people and one feedback was a striking one. One retired Central Govt employee said: 

"There was and is a sense of Hope but also Confusion.

First 'confusion' was the roadmap was not clear. The 1998 assembly election was boycotted by all parties including BJP and then a principal opposition party NPC. Today, NPC is NPF. The BJP is in power in Kohima and New Delhi but what about the clearer roadmap? Is it ready to walk on ?" 

Big question/issue therefore is == the fate of Naga peace talks and possible Solution is in the hands of those protagonists who are "not only pro-Rio; but they are also outside Nagaland state". 

With such a situation; who can be happier than Amit Shah himself ?

 

NNPG convener Kitovi Zhimomi was asked by journalists on NSCN-IM decision to stay away. 

His response was: "The Naga delegation went to Atlanta in 1997. It was organised by Baptist Fellowship. S C Jamir (then CM) too was supposed to go. The NSCN-IM said if Jamir comes; we will not attend".  

(Notably, this was prior to Ceasefire announcement in July 1997 and the Atlanta meet was attended among others by the then LoP, Late Vamuzo)

Kitovi also said: "Then Jamir cancelled his Atlanata visit and still the NSCN-IM did not turn up. Today's rally ... the NSCN-IM did not come, may be there is some other reason. But .... Why they don't have courage or they don't want to meet Dr Jamir face-to-face ? Only NSCN-IM can answer this question". 

ends