Lakhimpur Kheri: In a bid to check the menace created by elephants coming from Nepal to Dudhwa here, villagers with the help of experts from Assam have formed anti-depredation squads to reduce the man-animal conflict.
“A group of experts from Assam led by Hiten Baishya visited Dudhwa, surveyed the elephant-affected villages and submitted their recommendations three months back. “The group relying on their Assam experiences, where elephant menace is a frequent feature held talks with the villagers and persuaded them to form anti-depredation squads (ADS),” WWF-India coordinator Mohit Gupta told PTI.
Rich aquatic resources, a healthy forest cover and adequate protection levels have attracted the migratory elephants of Nepal to such an extent that they have now made the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) their permanent abode.
For the last few years, these elephants have been entering into the human settlements, raiding the crop-fields and damaging hutments, Gupta said.
To deal with this menace, the experts have recommended forming such ADS without causing any harm to wildlife, he added.
Villagers will be imparted training about the nature and behaviour of elephants and the ways to ward them off away from human settlements, Gupta said.
Deputy Director, DTR Ganesh Bhat said initially ADS groups would be formed in the three most affected villages of Tanda, Bhagwantnagar and Baudhiya Kalan, where 15 villagers have been kept in each squad.
The squads equipped with search-lights, communication handsets and other devices would man the watch-towers erected on the tree-tops, Bhat said.
“In case of raiding of wild elephants, the squad members would intimate the Dudhwa authorities and the WWF experts, who would rush to site to drive away the elephants back to forests”, he said.
“This combined effort by the villagers and the Dudhwa authorities would not only help reduce man-animal conflict but ensure active cooperation from the people” Bhat added. (PTI)
Villagers in Dudhwa form squads to check elephant menace
Rape, murder on the rise in Mizoram
Aizawl: Even though Mizoram recorded a comparative less number of cases registered against criminal offences during last year as compared to 2011, cases of rape and murder were on the rise.
According to police records, a total of 2117 IPC and non-IPC cases were registered in 2012 compared to the previous year’s 2238 cases. These were cases registered in northern range, including Aizawl, Champhai, Serchhip, Mamit and Kolasib districts. Crime reports from Saiha, Lawngtlai and Lunglei districts, which fall under southern range, are not available. While IPC cases increased by 34, which accounted for 2.28 per cent of the total IPC cases, non-IPC cases fell by 115 (20.61 per cent), resulting in an overall decrease in crime rate.
However, major crimes like rape and murder were still on the rise at 33.15 per cent and 18.18 per cent respectively. Theft and burglary cases decreased by 6.47 per cent and 1.09 per cent respectively, the sources said. (UNI)
Argo, Les Miserables win best picture
Hostage-crisis drama
Argo beat civil war
movie Lincoln to win the best picture and best director awards at the Golden Globes on Monday while Les Miserables was named best musical or comedy with its actors Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway taking home a trophy each.
Ben Affleck-directed Argo is inspired by the 1979 hostage crisis of US diplomats in Iran.
Other nominees in the best drama category were Django Unchained, Life of Pi and Zero Dark Thirty. Steven Spielberg-directed ‘Lincoln’, leading with seven nominations, had a disappointing run as it took home only the best actor trophy won by Daniel Day-Lewis for his turn as the 16th US president Abraham Lincoln trying to abolish slavery in a civil war-torn country.
The film may have better prospects at the Oscars next month where it is again leading with 12 nominations. Globes also did not favour India-centric drama Life of Pi.
The film won a single trophy – best original score by Mychael Danna – but lost out in the best drama and best director categories.
Affleck missed out on a best director nod at the Oscars but the actor-director had a reason to rejoice at the Golden Globes as his political drama won him the best director and picture gong.
“Look, I don’t care what the award is. When they put your name next to the names she just read off, it’s an extraordinary thing in your life,” Affleck said after actress Halle Berry read out the names of best director nominees — Spielberg, Lee, Kathryn Bigelow and Quentin Tarantino.
Day-Lewis beat fellow nominees Richard Gere in Arbitrage, John Hawkes in The Sessions Joaquin Phoenix in The Master and Denzel Washington in Flight. “My fellow nominees, boys and girls, such beautiful performances this year. I’m very proud to be one amongst you. You have given me an experience that I will treasure until the end of my life,” said the actor, who has previously won a globe for the 2008 film There Will Be Blood.
The highlight of the evening was a surprise appearance by former president Bill Clinton, who came to introduce the film. “Are you sure there’s room for another ex-president on the stage,” Lewis joked while accepting his award. Jessica Chastain, who won the best drama actress Golden Globe for playing a CIA agent in ‘Zero Dark Thirty’, a film on the US manhunt of Osama bin Laden, said, “I have auditioned and struggled and fought and been on the sidelines for years. To be here now in this moment is a beautiful feeling, to receive this encouragement and support.” Jennifer Lawrence beat veterans like Meryl Streep and Judi Dench to win the best actress trophy in the musical or comedy category for ‘Silver Linings Playbook’. Lawrence played a troubled widow in the film, which also starred Indian actor Anupam Kher in a key role. She is also in the race for the best actress trophy at the Oscars on February 24. “What does this say? I beat Meryl,” Lawrence joked as she picked up her award. Tom Hooper’s ‘Les Miserables’ was named best musical or comedy, while Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway claimed best actor and best supporting actress prizes. Jackman, who played Jean Valjean, said he had almost given up on the film but his wife talked him out of it. “My wife talked me off the cliff like she talks me (down) most days. Baby, I will say it in front of the entire world — thank you for always being right, baby. I love you,” said Jackman. Hathaway, who had lost a lot of weight to play the role of doomed single mother Fantine in the film, said, “Thank you for this lovely blunt object that I will forever more use as a weapon against self-doubt.” Christoph Waltz won his second supporting actor globe for his role as Dr King Schultz in slave-revenge drama ‘Django Unchained’. His earlier win was for ‘Inglourious Basterds’, also a Tarantino film. “Quentin, you know that my indebtedness to you and my gratitude knows no words,” said Waltz. (PTI)
at the gala night hosted by comediennes Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. ‘Silence of the Lambs’ actress Jodie Foster was honoured with the Cecil B DeMille award for her contribution to cinema. PTI BK BB BB 01141107
Gaga responds to Osbourne’s Facebook message
Lady Gaga has defended her state
ments against Kelly Osbourne in the ongoing feud between the pop star and the TV presenter, saying she is compelled to be involved as an activist.
The Born This Way singer took to her Facebook page Saturday to defend her statements in response to Kelly’s mother Sharon Osbourne’s comments that Gaga was ‘bullying’ her daughter, reported Us magazine.
“The ‘real world’ can be cruel, why not try to change it into a better place? I am an activist. Nobody takes adolescents seriously, I do. My letter to Kelly Osbourne was open, because her statements on cyber-bullying were public & as a youth activist I’m compelled to be involved,” Gaga posted.
On January 10, Sharon took Gaga to task in a scathing note on her Facebook page, telling the 26-year-old singer to stop being self-righteous while engaging in hypocritical bullying behaviour herself. “You say [Kelly’s] work on E! with the Fashion Police is ‘rooted in criticism, judgement, and rating people’s beauty against one another.’
Welcome to the real world,” the 60-year-old talk show host said. “Example, when I saw you wear a dress made out of raw meat, I was sickened.” (PTI)
Why the bias?
Editor,
We have always been told that the law is same and equal for everyone in India but this is not how it works in Meghalaya. The classic case is about the Supreme Court’s notification on banning tinted glasses on vehicles. There was a sudden enforcement of the SC directive on January 11, 2013 by the traffic police near IGP point and vehicles with tinted glasses were dealt with very sternly. But the same traffic police had a different approach towards vehicles belonging to certain influential people. They were allowed to move on in spite of their having tinted glasses, which is against the law. Only vehicles belonging to ordinary citizens were subjected to the rule of law. Aren’t law enforcers expected to deal with every citizen using the same yardstick? There cannot be two sets of laws in this country or two classes of citizens. The law is equal for all. Sadly this selective use of the law has been happening in our state under the very eyes of the law enforcers. No DGP has so far had the gumption to tell his men to deal sternly with every law breaker, no matter how highly placed he/she is. This is what we citizens want to see in Meghalaya. The police should have some self respect and do their duties without fear or favour and their superiors should protect then for upholding the rule of law.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
So it’s all in the family!
Editor,
It is shocking that the post of Chairperson, Meghalaya State Women’s Commission should go to Theilin Phanbuh, the sister-in-law of the previous incumbent, Ms Roshan Warjri. Are there no women of substance in Meghalaya? Several women with a track record of public service come to mind but politicians are too afraid of having them at the helm. They want “Yes women” who will not be dissident. Women of substance don’t stand a chance in this country because they do not have political leanings or political clout. It is a shame for Meghalaya. It is also a matter of regret that the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma should play politics with this very important and influential position because the incumbent can do a lot to better the plight of women in this State. So far the SWC has not shown extraordinary or exemplary performance.
It has been the sad experience of women that successive chief ministers have played politics with this post. DD Lapang appointed Dr Biloris Lyndem who was never known to be a woman activist. Dr Donkupar Roy too dithered and was pushed into a corner before he appointed someone. But at least he put in place a search and selection committee. Dr Mukul Sangma has arbitrarily done away with the search and selection committee and thereby undermined the very notion of a State Commission for Women. Yet he dares to speak of women’s empowerment! Big deal!
There are people like Dr MPR Lyngdoh, Angela Rangad, Dr Rica Lamar and several other capable women but they have all been by-passed. Shame on this MUA Government! Even on the last leg of its journey it wants to control every democratic institution!
Yours etc.,
AR Dkhar,
Shillong-3
A disturbed state
Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal is reeling under an orgy of political violence. Violent clashes have taken place in and around Kolkata, obviously between members of the ruling Trinamul Congress and the opposition CPI (M). Lawlessness prevails with the ruling party promoting murder and mayhem. Rape has become a household word in Kolkata and the districts. 70 year old CPI (M) leader Rezzak Mollah was allegedly thrashed an injured by Arabul Islam, a local Trinamul leader. Later supporters of the two parties fought each other with guns and bombs. At least 40 people were injured and a large number of vehicles were set on fire. Trinamul ministers Partha Chatterjee and Madan Mitra aggravated the tension by praising Islam. Madan Mitra made the thoughtless remark that with Mamata Banerjee’s permission, his party could erase the CPI (M) in five minutes.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee decided to keep mum which may be regarded as her approval of the danse macabre. Governor M. K. Narayan has said however that it is the responsibility of the administration to maintain law and order. Mamata Banerjee’s claim that her party in power will bring about all round development of the state has proved hollow. Even ruling for over a year, her party has achieved little on any front. The intellectuals who supported her move for change have turned away from her, notably poet Shankha Ghosh who received Padmabhushan last year. Rallies and counter-rallies are disturbing peace day after day. Mamata must promptly condemn violence instead of allowing cabinet members to criticize the Governor. It is encouraging that non-bailable charges have been lodged against Arabul Islam. But the bitter discord between the Governor and Trinamul ministers continues.
A Master Game Plan
By HH Mohrmen
Ordinary citizens of the state would have no reason to doubt that the list of 60 Congress candidates to contest this coming election to the Meghalaya state Assembly was indeed selected and prepared by the All India Congress Committee. Vincent Pala, MP from the Shillong parliamentary constituency has on his Facebook update said something similar, that the list was thoroughly discussed and prepared. Like any ordinary citizen of the state, Congressmen and women too have no reason to suspect that there is a game plan behind the list and congratulated their leaders on completing the difficult task to come up with the list of 60 candidates from hundreds of ticket aspirants. AICC observers too like the MP can now heave a sigh of relief and concentrate on the next important task ahead and that is to win the election.
What ordinary folks like you and me fail to see is what lies behind the list? What happened behind closed doors before the list was made public? How was the decision made as to who would be allotted tickets from each of the 60 constituencies? Of course winning the election is one very important criterion for selecting a candidate but there is much more to the list than merely getting a winning candidate. Can anybody believe that the candidates were really selected by Madam Sonia or the AICC observer for that matter? Madam Sonia is a busy person she will not have the time to sit through the selection process; and even if she does; she will not be able to distinguish one ticket contender from the other, not even between Ngaitlang and Stanly Weiss despite the beard. Madam can hardly recognize the 206 Congress MPs in the Lok Sabha and the party’s 70 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, so how can we expect her to know all the aspiring candidates from an obscure Meghalaya and decide to select one from the other. She and the AICC observers have to rely on the information fed by those who are in charge of the party in the state. Madam therefore can at the most sign on the dotted lines of the list prepared by the Congress leaders from Meghalaya and may be bless the Congress candidates featuring on the list.
So who really had a role to play in selecting the candidates? And who was given the responsibility to brief the AICC observers on the winning potentiality of the candidates and convince the observer that candidate A has a better chance to win than the candidate B? Surely, the AICC state observers too could barely identify few prominent candidates let alone comparing the winning prospects of one from the other. In a situation like that is it not true that the three most important Congress leaders of the State have the sole responsibility of providing necessary information to those in charge in Delhi? Inadvertently the power to select lies with the trio from Meghalaya and the kind of information and updates they feed to the powers that be in Delhi. So the sitting MLAs and the aspiring candidates who were not allotted ticket have no one else to blame but the three Congress leaders. They were not allotted tickets because there was nobody to drum up support for them in Delhi. The three most powerful Congressmen must have backed another (hopefully) winning horse hence they were denied Congress ticket. It also means that the 60 names that have made it to the list have the backing of at least one of the three most powerful Congressmen in Meghalaya.
Who are the three musketeers of the Congress in Meghalaya? Obviously the bad blood between Mukul Sangma and DD Lapang is still alive and the wound has not healed. Lapang who was unseated by Mukul Sangma to head the Congress led government in Meghalaya is eying for the Chief Mnisterial berth once again. Of course it is well within Lapang’s right to aspire for another stint as the Chief Minister of the state and Lapang knows that he will need somebody to take on the might of Mukul Sangma. He realizes that it will be an uphill task to defeat young Dr Mukul Sangma in the Congress’s internal politics, therefore he found in the MP of Shillong parliamentary constituency Vincent Pala, a friend turned foe turn friend again to team up and hopefully Pala will be able to help Lapang regain his Chief Ministerial post again.
The battle for the post of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya began even before the election bugle was sounded. Both camps are trying to ensure that their supporters are allotted tickets and this is one reason why there is a delay in declaring the list of candidates allotted party tickets. The struggle to decide which candidate is selected made the two camps revert to their old animal instincts. Like lions in the wild they decided to demarcate the territory they control. The solution was that the Lapang-Pala camp would decide who to allot the tickets to in the Khasi Jaintia part of the state and Mukul would have the final say on who to allot tickets to in Garo Hills.
The process of allotting party tickets to the aspiring candidates is the beginning of the race to the Chief Minister’s post and also the resumption of the old inter-party politicking within the Congress party in Meghalaya. So while the hoi polloi, are busy canvassing for their candidates to win the coming elections, the masters of the game are already in the next stage of the game and that is to gain power and control in the state. No wonder the game of chess was invented by early Indian politicians. Politics is ultimately a game of control and command for those in power. This is the game which involves removing anyone that can be a stumbling block and even sacrificing one of your own to reach the goal. So those Congressmen and women who failed to figure in the list just happened to be on the wrong side of the fence; their only mistake is that they did not kowtow to those who have the power to select candidates.
The issue of allotting party ticket to candidates has not only rocked the Congress ship in Meghalaya, but the issue will have a drastic impact on the prospects of the party winning an absolute majority in the 2013 election. With several disgruntled Congressmen and women throwing their hats in the ring as independent candidates, the Congress candidates’ chances of winning in the particular constituency is already hampered.
The next part of the game will be after the election results are declared. The master players are all set. They have already placed the dice on the chessboard. But election can also be a game of chance; it could go either way. There is also a saying that ‘politics is the art of the possible.’ It will be interesting to see what Pala’s game plan is? Now that he has been relieved of his ministerial post in the Union Government, Pala is no longer as busy as he used to be in Delhi. He would definitely have more time and energy to spare. Knowing that his future lies in the state politics, the young and active MP will definitely plunge into State politics sooner than later. Pala will also be tempted to get his hands dirty in the state politics after the elections. Politics as we all know is about power. It only depends on who has a better game plan now, or who will be able to play the master stroke. For voters in general, no matter how sincere we are in our effort to get (what we believe) good candidates elected, we are only playing the politician’s game.
LoC clash a setback to peace initiative
By Harihar Swarup
The border clash in which two Indian soldiers were killed could not have come at a worse time when a Indo-Pak peace initiative was making steady progress in Lahore. As the SAFMA (South Asian Free Media Association) conference was pledging opening borders, opening minds, came the report of the clash. Ironically, viewed from Pakistan side, one gets the impression, as if, the Indian side was at fault, while seen from the Indian side, it appears, the fault was that of Pakistani troops. The people in general were thoroughly confused. Neither Islamabad nor New Delhi want to escalate the tension and keen to defuse the volatile situation by back channel diplomacy. It is a welcome sign.
One has only to cross the Indo-Pak border, either via Attari-Wagah border or by air, to see and appreciate the urge of the people of Pakistan to forge peace with the people of India. So is the desire of the people of India. This correspondent, having visited Pakistan several times, has seen the overwhelming desire of the Pakistani people to live in peace with their Indian counterpart.
Having crossed the Wagah border last week as part of the SAFMA delegation to participate in the 8th SAFMA conference in Lahore, this correspondent moved about freely in dense markets like Anarkali and other areas and talked to a cross section of the people and found they were more keen to open borders and remove stringent visa restrictions.
And, co-incidentally, the theme of the conference too was “opening minds, opening borders”. There was time when Attari-Wagah border was an open border and the Grand Trunk Road connected Kabul with Calcutta and onwards to Dacca. People on both sides of the border have been urging their governments to keep the borders open to each other’s benefit.
Once Amritsar and Lahore were like twin cities and Lahore, Delhi, and Dacca were inseparable. The purpose of holding SAFMA’s inaugural session in Amritsar and closing it in Lahore was to demonstrate the desire of the people of India and Pakistan to relish the memories of the past, to bring back happiness of togetherness of the peoples of South Asia.
The 14th SAARC Summit (3-4 April 2007 in New Delhi) had agreed to build “intra-regional connectivity, particularly physical, economic and people-to-people connectivity”, facilitating “smooth flow of goods, services “smooth flow of goods, services, peoples, technologies, knowledge, capital, culture and ideas for social and economic change in South Asia stuck in the obsolete paradigm of national security states or nation states and opposite to what Mahnaz Ispahani in her book Roads and rivers described as “anti-routes”.
The issue of opening borders means opening routes and allowing access without barriers and restrictions and keeping borders closed means “anti-routes”. Therefore, a choice has to be made by opening minds: whether we will continue to be held back behind the barbed wire of anti-route ideologies and structure, or follow the consensus reached at the 14th SAARC summit for far greater connectivity and opening of routes and borders.
The first session of SAFMA was addressed by the former Pakistani Prime Minister and Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif. He said the most favoured nation status to India would pave the way to facilitate a better trade between India and Pakistan and result in progress and development of the people of both the countries. He said he strongly believed in establishing better ties with India and the Lahore declaration was proof of it. He vowed to pick up the thread where they were left once the PML-N comes to power again.
About SAFMA and regional peace, the former Prime Minister said media had promoted tolerance and peaceful coexistence trans-boundaries. By informing the public and putting people’s interest on top priority, the media had changed dogmatic views and led to providing an enabling environment for peace to take its course.
The concluding session was addressed by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. He urged SAARC member states to dismantle political barriers for economic development of the region and vowed to introduce a mechanism to facilitate the media persons of South Asia in visa protective filters. “When minds are open, borders don’t matter much. Less there be no visa restrictions on journalists”, the Prime Minister said.
He urged political leadership of South Asia to show courage, flexibility and statesmanship, dismantle political barriers and resolve inter-state conflicts for laying foundations of regional economic take off. There is immense scope of collaboration in the spheres of culture, sports, tourism, education, research, human resource development, poverty alleviation and environment among SAARC member countries.
Raja said the region had peculiar challenges, which could be tackled effectively by developing homegrown solutions. He added that it was in this context that diversity among the member countries needs to be employed to accelerate the process of development through greater connectivity. Calling for collective efforts to tackle the challenges faced by the region, the Prime Minister, said conflict over disputes must give way to reconciliation, connectivity, openness and regional co-operation. He added that collective well-being of the people of South Asia could not be left at the mercy of any one country. “We need to resolve all political and economic issues with an open mind and sincerity of purpose”, he said. (IPA Service)
Lajong hold off Dempo to secure draw
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Although their winless streak has now been extended to eight matches, Shillong Lajong FC can take some comfort after drawing their I-League match against defending champions Dempo at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Sunday.
The goalless game lacked neither suspense nor thrills for the Shillong crowd, who had to settle for their team sharing points with the Goan giants.
The hosts were the better team on the day, holding most of the possession and continually attacking in the Dempo half, although none of their chances came off.
With striker Sushil Kumar Singh suspended for one match, the Shillong team were forced to field Ebi Sukore, recently returned from injury, up front along with Friday Gbeneme.
The two Nigerians received tumultuous cheers as they stretched the Dempo defence early on, but as the match worn on and each attempt on goal was rebuffed or went wide, Friday, in particular, bore the brunt of the crowd’s frustration.
The striker is going through a run of bad luck, which as affected his confidence, said Desmond Bulpin on Friday, but the coach added that he still had confidence in the player.
Friday was energetic in the field and helped to create opportunities with some fine displays of passing and coordination with his team mates. What was absent, however, was the finish to convert those chances into goals.
Lajong started aggressively, with Friday in action early on with a couple of nice forays in the eighth and 10th minutes.
Two of the best chances for Lajong came in the 22nd and 25th minutes. In the first, Friday headed the ball to Ebi close to the Dempo box. Ebi passed it back to Friday, now unmarked, who took a running strike slightly off balance and hit it wide. Although it was a missed chance, the crowd responded positively and in the next few minutes Lajong were in the ascendance.
In the 25th minute Lalchhuanmawia, who was named Man-of-the-Match, ran up the left flank and passed the ball in between two Dempo defenders to Ebi who was just inside the penalty box. Three defenders were pressing on Ebi, however, and he kicked the ball over the crossbar.
Dempo had their chances in the first half but often lost the ball through some sloppy play.
SLFC were not blameless, either, however. In the 44th minute defender Lallawnzuala dropped the ball almost into the lap of striker Koko Sakibo deep in Lajong’s half, but thankfully for the home team, nothing came of the resulting opportunity.
Three changes were made by Bulpin in the second half, with Jacob Lalrawngbawla coming on for Lalramluaha Hmar at the restart.
Shillong Lajong started slowly and the visitors had a half chance almost immediately. With Dempo getting the second half underway, Clifford Miranda had the ball in Lajong’s half but took a tumble in the box, for which the referee took no action.
Two minutes later Anthony Pereira put in a dramatic-looking bicycle kick, but the ball went over the bar.
It was only after four minutes of play in the second half that the Lajong players really came alive.
Jibon Singh had a look-in in the 53rd minute up the left flank and there was good defending on display by Minchol Son during the Dempo counterattacks.
Ebi had to be substituted on the hour mark after he collided with a sprinting Lallawnzuala in the Dempo box; they were both going for the ball and either did not see each other or did not communicate effectively enough.
Ebi came off the worse and had to be stretchered off. He was replaced by Renedy Singh, who was an injury worry for the club before the game.
Renedy almost brought immediate joy to the spectators. During an attack on the Dempo goal he was unmarked and struck a fearsome volley just wide of the upright.
In contrast to the Lajong defence, which was tight and effective, Dempo’s was shambolic at times, but the home team could not make them pay for their mistakes.
One such chance came in the 76th minute when Jibon was unmarked and in possession of the ball in the box. He had time to take a good strike but hit it wide. Two minutes later he made a good run but mistimed his shot on goal.
At this stage the crowd were audible in their chants of “Boithang, Boithang, we want Boithang” and the Manipur player was duly substituted in for Jibon in the 78th minute.
Despite his inclusion, there was little more that Lajong were able to do to break the deadlock. They were, however, almost helped by two own goals from Dempo.
In the 84th minute the ball was played back to Dempo custodian Subhasish Chowdhury, but it was too wide for him to collect.
Fortune was with the Goans, however, as the ball hit the upright and stayed out of goal. Then, in stoppage time, a miscued clearance in front of goal by a defender fortuitously went straight to Chowdhury, who collected it and saved his side some embarrassment.
It was neither side’s finest performance, but both teams can still be pleased.
Dempo take away a point from an away game against tricky opponents and remain in fourth place in the points table.
Lajong, on the other hand, move up to 11th spot, one point ahead of Salgaocar, although they have also played an additional match.
In other matches on the day, East Bengal beat Mumbai FC 2-0 at home.
Churchill Brothers later beat United Sikkim 2-1 to stay on top of the standings.
East Bengal move up to second, while Mumbai and Sikkim stay in sixth and 13th respectively.
Dominant United and City beat pretenders
LONDON: Even the most ardent Liverpool fans would have left Manchester United with embarrassed smiles had they snatched a draw today but plenty will be asking why goalscorer Daniel Sturridge started on the bench in the 2-1 defeat.
Later, Manchester City moved back to within seven points of the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory against Arsenal as both sides finished with 10 men on a hostile afternoon in north London.
The Gunners were forced to play with a man disadvantage for most of the game after Laurent Koscielny was sent off for hauling down Edin Dzeko in the penalty area – although the Bosnian striker missed the resulting penalty.
City made the man advantage count with two first-half goals as James Milner fired an excellent opener from a tight angle before Dzeko did manage to get his name on the scoresheet with close-range tap in.
Both teams were then forced to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men after City captain Vincent Kompany was also sent off for a two-footed challenge on Jack Wilshere.
Premier League leaders United dominated their old rivals for much of the Old Trafford clash with Robin van Persie and Nemanja Vidic, albeit just offside when he deflected in Patrice Evra’s header, giving them a 2-0 lead.
Ex-Chelsea forward Sturridge, introduced at halftime despite having scored on his club debut in the FA Cup win over Mansfield Town last weekend, was straight into the action and pulled a goal back on 57 minutes after Steven Gerrard’s shot was saved.
Looking twice as lively as any other visiting player, Sturridge then had three decent chances to level as United panicked at the back before holding on in a game where they should have been home and dry.
Although his finishing was not up to scratch, Liverpool fans will be pleased to see a player with attacking intent in the box after spending the first half of the season almost entirely dependent on 15-goal Luis Suarez – who was disappointing on the day.
“He (Sturridge) was terrific when he came on and we were much better in the second half,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told a TV channel without revealing why the England man had not started having been starved of football latterly at Chelsea.
“In the second half, after we conceded the goal, we could have given up the fight but that is the nature of the group. In the end, I thought we maybe deserved something from the game. The goals we conceded were disappointing.
“We will learn from days like today, even though we didn’t get the result.”
“It obviously doesn’t matter when you play Liverpool, it is a big game and I hope it’s an important result,” Alex Ferguson said of his team’s performance. (Reuters)