AFSPA

The Calicut Heroes booked their place in the semi-finals after registering an incredible 5-0 victory over Hyderabad Black Hawks at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here on Monday. Calicut, who beat Hyderabad 15-14, 15-10, 15-14, 15-14, 15-9, took an extra point from this match. They picked up a total of seven points in the league stage. Calicut Heroes' David Lee was adjudged the Player of the Match.

According to the Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): "Whereas the Central Government is of the opinion that the entire area comprising the whole of the state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that use of armed forces in aid of Civil is necessary.

The committee was formed after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on December 23 in New Delhi chaired a meeting which was attended by Nagaland Chief Minister, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton and Naga People's Front (NPF) legislature Party leader T.R. Zeliang. The meeting also discussed the present scenario in Nagaland and the decision about formation of the committee was taken in that meeting.

A decision on withdrawing the AFSPA would be taken only if the present peace prevails for a longer term, CM Himanta Sarma said, expressing doubts whether militant outfits would reciprocate the same manner if the AFSPA is lifted from Assam. Though the BJP leaders in Nagaland are strongly demanding lifting of the AFSPA from the region, the Central leaders of the party have yet to disclose their stand.