Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXIII No. 128
DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00
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Concrete decision on ULB issue After 50 years, over bridge to undergo repair after meeting stakeholders: Rio
(L) Corroded reinforced concrete beams of the over bridge and (R) Illegal settlers right below the over bridge on Saturday. (NP)
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, APR 15 (NPN): After years of negligence and after Nagaland Post since 2012 reported on damages and cracks on the Road/Railway Over Bridge (ROB) near DDSC stadium, authorities are set to undertake major repairs soon. The over bridge, a vital link for NH 29 connecting Numaligarh to Dimapur, Kohima and Imphal, has
PM lauds people of Wansoi village
NEW DELHI, APR 15 (NPN): Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded people of Wansoi village, under Noklak district for adopting progressive gender policies. “A very important step, which will give a boost to dignity and empowerment of women. Compliments to the people of Wansoi village,” Modi tweeted. PM was reacting to a tweet by Rajya Sabha MP S. Phangnon Konyak who said that the women of Wansoi was allowed to enter the Morung and play the logdrum for the first time. In hitherto tradition it never allowed women to even step inside a morung.
remained under a state of disrepair as many areas under and around it have been encroached by illegal settlers over the years. The repairs were precluded with closure of all roads leading to the over bridge from Friday and which resulted in one of the worst and longest traffic jams in Dimapur. When contacted by Nagaland Post, PWD (NH) Dimapur division SDO confirmed that there is a plan
to undertake major repairs on ROB as soon as tendering process of the project was completed. To initiate the rehabilitation works on ROB, the officer said the department had already started the tendering process and details like commencement of project, project estimation, duration etc, could be ascertained after the tendering process was completed. He mentioned that the “major repair work” had
been initiated based on a bridge non-destructive durability test conducted by CE Testing Company Pvt Ltd, a Kolkata-based consultant, along with the PWD (NH). The officer divulged that the test detected two spans (adjacent to Hotel Sente), out of total nine spans of the bridge, that required “serious observation”. He said the two spans would be replaced by RE wall while the remain-
Ward 21 committee lauds Police crackdown on road side vendors DIMAPUR, APR 15 (NPN): Ward 21 Welfare Committee, a conglomeration of four colonies—Middle Point Colony, Churches Colony, Notun Bosti, and Nyamo Lotha Colony— have welcomed the warning issued by Dimapur Police to act against street hawkers and vendors illegally occupying the public footpath and roadside vehicle parking areas in Dimapur city. The warning was published on Friday and by Saturday, the footpaths and roadside parking area were free from all street vendors and hawkers and bringing
much relief to pedestrians and motorists. Welcoming the move, committee convenor D Jonah Achumi and secretary Omega G Naga, in a joint statement, also drew the attention of responsible authorities on the Clock Tower area where “a number of public nuisances are brought about by late-night openings of food carts and stalls” from Clock Tower to Popular Bakery junction. While appreciating the “dignity of labour” by many of local youths running food carts/stalls to make a living; the committee however
pointed out that there were issues should also be looked into such as - food safety, traffic laws, hours of operation, waste management, neighbourhood compatibility, checks on anti-social activities, etc. The committee stressed that these issues needed to be immediately looked into by the authorities so that proper guidelines are implemented. The committee also disclosed that there have been numerous complaints made in the past, concerning the events and activities w h i c h (Cont’d on p-8)
ing seven spans, though in “good condition”, would also undergo “major repairs”. He said apart from the spans, repair of road pavement, hand railing and footpath would be done. He also emphasised on the need for urgent eviction of illegal settlers around the area before commencement of rehabilitation works besides removal of utility pipes and telecom cables. The officer also disclosed that the bridge had been maintained by Border Roads Organisation and later handed over to PWD (NH) only in 2017. Commenting on the April 14-15 trial run, he said the test to assess traffic congestion was conducted in view of the upcoming rehabilitation works. He said the trial-run would help put in place a better diversion plan, focusing more on places where heavy traffic congestion was observed.
DIMAPUR, APR 15 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, said that the discussion on the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) issue with stakeholders would take place where concrete decision would be made for the good of the state. According to a DIPR report, the chief minister said this at a felicitation programme of newly elected legislators of 14th NLA from Kohima district cum monthly DPDB meeting at DPDB Hall Kohima on Saturday. While emphasizing on ULB election, Rio said that the government tried its best to bring more opportunities to its citizens while so many negative impacts and social unrest had been faced. Therefore, he said that in order not to face same situation like in 2017, the government had repealed Nagaland Munici(Cont’d on p-8) pal Act 2001 in toto.
Rio along with members of the DPDB Kohima, Saturday. (DIPR)
Implementation of RIIN will depend on VCs: Regarding RIIN, Rio said that Naga people were the native citizens of Nagaland and the village council were the guardian of traditional and customary law and to implement it successfully or not depended on the village councils. Rio said that the village councils have the authority to issue Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate to any eligible citizen. However, he also warned that misusing of the power could invite legal action from the government. In
this regard, the chief minister urged the administration and police to assist in implementing RIIN in a corrective manner. At the meeting, the chief minister also remarked that even the Britishers did not involve in the Naga village level since election process becomes dirty and corrupt. Rio, therefore, suggested selection and head count process instead of election in the village level so as to keep village affairs fair and transparent and to safeguard traditional and customary law and its governance. (Cont’d on p-8)
Army to follow amended CI ops SOPs in NE: Lt Gen Kalita GUWAHATI, APR 15 ( AG E N C I E S ) : I n d i a n Army troops deployed in counter-insurgency terrain in the Northeast are required to follow amended Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for any military operation, General OfficerCommanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command, Lt Gen R.P. Kalita, told reporters in Guwahati Saturday, reports ThePrint. The statement comes nine months after the Supreme Court stayed further proceedings in a botched operation that resulted in the death of 14 civilians in Nagaland’s Mon district. “When this unfortunate incident
Lt Gen R.P. Kalita
took place, a Court of Inquiry was initiated, and that has been finalised. Unfortunately, because of the stay order passed by the Supreme Court, the proceedings have been stayed completely,” Lt Gen Kalita said. He added that alongside the inquiry, the Army has “analysed the mistakes
committed in that operation and taken a comprehensive review of the conduct of operation in those areas”. “Whatever necessary amendments had to be done on the SOPs for Nagaland, Manipur, South Arunachal Pradesh, and upper Assam were already put in place,” he said. Stating that the Army is carrying out only hard intelligence-based operations in these areas, Lt Gen Kalita said: “We are now observing how the troops are following the amended SOPs to carry out operations.” Welcoming the central government’s decision to withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from
parts of Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland for the second time in a year, the officer said “a drop in violence parameters has prompted such decisions”, which were taken after multiple discussions with various stakeholders. He also said that he hoped to see further rollbacks, depending upon the security situation in the region. Furthermore, Lt gen Kalita said the situation along the northern border with China is “quite stable”, adding that “any emerging situation or minor misunderstanding will be resolved through border talks under established protocols”. (Cont’d on p-7)
WSH revokes noncooperation with Isak-led NSCN intact, says WC P&AR dept plea for smooth conduct of interview Ban on transport of pigs in Assam; APR 15 (NPN): Working Committee D I M A P U R , A P R 1 5 2023 NSF representation to ber 9, 2022 for 630 posts. Khango group DIMAPUR, (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) (NPN): The Personnel & the chief secretary objecting Accordingly, written ex- Nagaland to face acute shortage
DIMAPUR, APR 15 (NPN): Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) Saturday announced its decision to revoke the “indefinite non-cooperation” against NSCN Khango group with immediate effect from April 15, 2023. In a ‘revocation order’, WSH president Shikaho Zhimo and general secretary H Kisheto Chishi stated that WSH along with all its frontal organizations (WSKH, WSYF, WSSU, WSTH, WSSA, SOUD) at a meeting held in Hoho Hiyam, Chekiye village on January 5, 2023 resolved to impose an indefinite non-cooperation to NSCN Khango within Western Sumi jurisdiction following the incident at Ceasefire monitoring office at Thilixu Village of January 4, 2023.
This is it!
“See why we call Khatkhati as Dimapur’s Sunday big bazaar?” K Y M C
has clarified that despite the unfortunate internal conflict in the NSCN between Khango Konyak and Isak Sumi, the NSCN/GPRN led by Isak Sumi and Luyanba Yimkhiung remained intact and that status quo continued to be maintained in connection to ceasefire agreement with the Central government. WC also said that the status/position of Isak as the co-convener representing NSCN/GPRN in the WC, NNPGs remained unchanged as he enjoyed the unanimous support of all the affiliates to the NNPGs led by convener N Kitovi Zhimomi, which was reciprocated by the Centre as well. The committee therefore appealed to all peaceyearning Nagas to remain steadfast and continue to extended support and co-operation to the NNPGs in their pursuit for an amicable political solution with the Central government at the earliest. This was not the time for Nagas to be swayed away by anti-peace and anti-solution elements working ceaselessly to sabotage Indo-Naga political solution, the statement emphasised.
Administrative Reforms (P&AR) department has appealed to the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), other student bodies, candidates, their parents and guardians, and the citizens at large to appreciate the need to continue the current recruitment process with the existing Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) regulations and let the forthcoming interview process starting on April 18 be conducted without any hindrance in the interest of the future of the meritorious youth. Reacting to April 13,
to the viva-voce component in the ensuing Combined Staff Recruitment Examination (CSRE), 2022 and demanding reduction of the personal interview marks from 12.5% to 5%, P&AR secretary Akunu S Meyase clarified that the State government, with due consultation with various stakeholders, including NSF, set up the NSSB and notified the NSSB regulations on July 20, 2020, which was also in the public domain. Meyase said the NSSB had advertised its first Combined Staff Recruitment Exams 2022 on Septem-
ams were conducted at 111 exam centres across 13 district headquarters for around 50,000 candidates. Of these, 1,866 candidates were shortlisted requiring computer proficiency test and other skill tests. Currently, she mentioned that 1,368 candidates had been called for vivavoce that would commence from April 18 and continue till June 28. Meyase explained that the government had framed the regulations taking into account the practices of other State recruitment b o a r d s (Cont’d on p-7)
DIMAPUR, APR 15 (NPN): Nagaland is likely to face acute shortage of pork as Assam government has imposed ban on transportation of live pigs through the state of Assam. Pork Butchers’ Union Dimapur (PBUD) has informed that Assam government through a notification has imposed temporary ban on transportation of live pigs through the State of Assam. In a press release, PBUD president Shikato T Swu informed that supply of live pigs was not restricted within the State of Assam. The union said that Assam government was allowing infra-district and inter-district transportation to
help and facilitate their farmers. PBUD stated that live pigs were being brought to Nagaland from the other parts of the States and cities through Assam just like transportation of other essential goods and items. According to PUBD, the live pigs come from other States and cities such as Punjab, Haryana, U.P, Bangalore and Hyderabad. “Hence, there is no point in imposing ban on free passage of the live healthy pigs to Nagaland,” the union said. PBUD stated that pork shortage would result in price escalation and also impact the lives of butchers who earn their livelihood through the trade.
Local subcontractors gherao road contractor’s site office No link with Naga-American Council: NSCN (I-M) Correspondent
KOHIMA, APR 15 (NPN): Irked over non-payment of pending bills, angry local subcontractors on Saturday stormed the site office of Stroyproekt LLC OIA JV that was currently executing Kohima-Jessami Package V under Phek district. According to a local subcontractor A Movi, the local contractors became agitated as some officials of National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) informed them that the contract was terminated on account of slow progress. He said the project employed
Local subcontractors during the protest on Saturday.
around 90% of the local population. Speaking to Nagaland Post, he disclosed that the local subcontractors were working under Stroyproekt, which was engaged by NHIDCL, and claimed that pending bills of the local
subcontractors were worth more than Rs 25 crore. He mentioned that were altogether 42 local subcontractors having about 120 staff/labourers, all of whom were yet to be paid since NHIDCL did not release the payment to the firm.
He alleged that in spite of not being paid, NHIDCL intended to terminate the contract, which infuriated the subcontractors. According to Movi, the general manager of Stroyproekt had contacted local MLA Küzholuzo (Azo) Nienü, who was on his way to Phek. Azo rushed to the spot halfway and calmed the situation with assurances, to take up the matter with NHIDCL on Monday, Movi said. They, however, gave time till April 30 to clear the pending bills and threatened to start blockade of the road from May 1, which would disrupt traffic leading to Meluri-Kiphire..
DIMAPUR, APR 15 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) has denied having any connection with the Washington D.C.based organization under the name and style-- NagaAmerican Council (NAC). Though NAC’s objective was to establish cooperation in socio-political issues for promoting peace and development in Nagaland, NSCN (I-M) clarified that NAC was in no way connected with NSCN in any manner. Appreciating the concern of NAC vis-à-vis ongoing Indo-Naga political development, NSCN (I-M) through its MIP said that NAC’s April 14, 2023 comments and statement on Naga issue did not reflect
the official policy and stand of NSCN/GPRN. NSCN (I-M) said the Indo-Naga issue has been regarded as one of the oldest political issues in the world and had naturally drawn the attention and sympathy of many international organisations around the world, including NAC, which had shown keen interest in IndoNaga affairs. MIP asserted that the Naga flag was the identity of Naga nationhood and did not have different meaning as mentioned by Naga-American Council and regretted the council’s “bewildering understanding” of the flag. “We understand that NagaAmerican Council must have
given their interpretation of flag from American context and not from Naga context,” MIP stated. Further, NSCN (I-M) said the Framework Agreement (FA) between Centre and NSCN/GPRN recognised the Indo-Naga conflict as political, besides acknowledging the unique history and position of the Nagas and the FA was signed on the cornerstone of sovereignty. MIP asserted that there was no ambiguity in the FA and hence demanded that the Centre must honour and implement the FA in letter and spirit and recognise the Naga national flag and constitution in the Indo-Naga political agreement. K Y M C