Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXIII No. 159
DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00
LSG beat MI by 5 runs; move closer to play-off SPORTS, PAGE 12
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Karnataka CM suspense continues
NEW DELHI, MAY 16 (AGENCIES): Karnataka’s two chief ministerial aspirants Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar held separate meetings with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday as the party held hectic consultations to decide on who would lead the government in the southern state. Former party chief Rahul Gandhi also drove to Kharge’s residence this morning and held an over 90-minute meeting. Top party leaders were, however, tight-lipped on who was the probable choice for the chief minister’s post and by when the decision would be taken. The pictureperfect bonhomie between the two Karnataka heavyweights till May 13 has now turned into a bitter game of one-upmanship as both vie for the post of chief minister. It has been over two days and the Congress top brass is still discussing and
CNC calls for prayer, fasting on May 19 D I M A P U R , M AY 1 6 (NPN): Council of Nagalim Churches (CNC) has called for a special prayer with fasting on Friday (May 19) at CHQ Church Hebron for the situation in Manipur and the Indo-Naga issue. In a press note, CNC general secretary Rev. Seksim Kasar has requested all abled NSCN members“to join in the fasting-prayer and be together on our knees before God.” The council also urged all army and region churches to take up prayer-fasting on the same day. “Time comes and go. Generation comes and go. Leadership comes and go. So also, you and I come and will go. It is just for once. The question is, should we fail and go,” Rev Kasar stated. The council said that the present situation in Manipur and the IndoNaga issue demand faith and action. “Watching and waiting will not save us. It will not bring anything good; but faith in Christ and living out that faith will,” he added.
Slight delay in onset of monsoon; arrival Shivakumar, who is likely on Jun 4: IMD one of the top contenders
(L) Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar during celebrations after the party’s win in Karnataka Assembly elections on Saturday. (PTI)
deliberating a possible compromise formula that can keep both the contenders happy. Sources said that discussions could also be held with Sonia Gandhi before the final decision is taken. The announcement can be delayed until Wednesday and announcement can be made in Bengaluru itself. Party’s spokesperson Pawan Khera said in Hyderabad that a decision on the appointment of the chief minister of Karnataka will be known in a day or two.
“Appointing a chief minister is not an easy thing. It cannot be imposed from Delhi... Everybody’s view has to be taken into consideration. We have to engage with every stakeholder and then decide,” he said. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who has been camping in the national capital since Monday, met Kharge a little after 6 pm and the two leaders discussed various issues related to Karnataka government formation.
This is it!
“Never have I experienced being elected yet not knowing whether I’m in the ruling or opposition.” K Y M C
INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9
Rozgar Mela: Bhoumik hands over 321 appointment letters Staff Reporter
D I M A P U R , M AY 1 6 (NPN): Minister of State for social justice and empowerment, Pratima Bhoumik, handed over appointment letters to 321 youths from six North Eastern states during a combined “Rozgar Mela” held at IMC Hall, here on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday presented 71,000 appointment letters via video conferencing to newly inducted recruits in government departments and organisations across the country. The Rozgar Mela, which was held at 45 locations across the country, is a step towards fulfilment of the commitment of the Prime Minister to accord highest priority to employment generation. Speaking at the programme held here at IMC Hall, Bhoumik informed that
Pratima Bhoumik with officials after handing over the appointment letters to new appointees at IMC Hall Dimapur on Tuesday. (NP)
a total of 321 youths including 67 girls from six North East states—Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh—were receiving their appointment letters. Describing the day as “a significant day for youths”, the union minister said that Prime Minister Modi’s commitment towards women empower ment was not only confined to speeches. She also dwelled on how PM Modi did not only talk about empowerment through government jobs but also
through startups. She said that it was PM Modi’s promise to provide jobs to youths and make India ‘atmanirbhar’ and ‘vishwaguru’ and urged the young people to work hard and contribute towards nation-building. Stressing on the developmental projects carried out under the BJP government, Bhoumik said that North East region did not have good connectivity earlier, but after BJP came to power at the centre, the entire region was well con(Cont’d on p-8) nected.
PUD bans poultry sale in Dimapur Construction of building at New Market raise concern Staff Reporter
D I M A P U R , M AY 1 6 (NPN): Days after Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) revised rate of poultry meat, the Poultry Union Dimapur (PUD) on Tuesday called for an indefinite ban on sale of poultry meat in Dimapur with effect from May 17. Speaking exclusively to Nagaland Post, PUD president Tiameren Aier said that the decision to impose ban on sale of poultry meat was taken at the emergency meeting on Tuesday. While DMC had fixed the broiler (live) at Rs 160 per kg and broiler (dressed) at Rs 250 per kg, the union pointed
out that the wholesale rate in Assam was presently Rs 180Rs 190 per kg for live while Rs. 300 for dressed—a difference of Rs 5-10 for smaller sized chicken. In this regard, the union has questioned how could a trader, who buys products at Rs. 185 sell the same product at Rs 160. Tiameren said the union has, therefore, decided to impose ban on sale of poultry meat starting May 17 until the issue was resolved. PUD lambasted some “propaganda news channel delivering news without checking ground reality or proper investigation.” Tiameren maintained that the media, as a respon-
sible organisation, should take into account the “real picture”, find out the current rate in Assam and disseminate authentic and factual information to its viewers. He also appealed the responsible department to check the rate of poultry meat in Assam and then fix the price accordingly. Aier informed that the union met DMC administrator and raised the issues faced by the poultry traders. When this reporter visited neighbouring Lahorijan in Assam to ascertain the rate, it was found that live poultry was being sold at Rs. 185 and dressed poultry at Rs. 300 per kilo.
Staff Reporter
D I M A P U R , M AY 1 6 (NPN): Thousands of shoppers meander through narrow lanes inside Dimapur’s crowded New Market for buying kitchen items, fresh vegetables, poultry and fish. Located at the heart of Dimapur city, New Market has come a long way from bamboo and thatch stalls to CGI and wooden walls during mid-70s to the present RCC structure constructed in the early 2000s. Construction of the much delayed multi-parking lot changed the face of New Market as space used for parking vehicles became
Photo shows walking space severely restricted. (NP)
severely limited. Over the decades, New Market under various DMC authorities, witnessed construction boom which did not benefit easy movement of shoppers. Recently the construc-
tion of new RCC structure for a building right in front of the daily fish market has raised concern from general public. Media persons at Dimapur visited the site and found that the narrow
passage to the fish stalls was made narrower owing to the new RCC structure being raised at the spot. When asked about the issue, DMC administrator W Manpai Phom clarified it was being done in order to accommodate the demands of vendors and streamline the available spaces in the market. He said “The basic idea is to connect the upper floor so that the ground floor will be open for public movement and proper stall arrangement will be created”. He, therefore, appealed to the public to bear with the inconvenience till comp l e t i o n (Cont’d on p-8)
ILP verification drive conducted in Kohima NHRC issues notice to States on increase in child sexual abuse material on social media
NLA committee district administration and police carrying out ILP meet postponed Kohima verification drive at Kohima town on May 16. (DPRO, Kohima)
D I M A P U R , M AY 1 6 (NPN): The meeting of the Rules Committee of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), which was convened by the assembly speaker on May 18, 2023 has been postponed indefinitely due to Tripura Legislative Assembly Speaker’s visit to Nagaland.
NEW DELHI, MAY 16 (PTI): A slight delay is expected in the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala and it is likely to arrive by June 4, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday. Scientists, however, said the delay is unlikely to impact Kharif sowing and total rainfall over the country. The southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1, with a standard deviation of about 7 days. “This year, the southwest monsoon onset over Kerala is likely to be slightly delayed. The monsoon onset over Kerala is likely to be on June 4 with a model error of 4 days,” IMD said. Private forecasting agency Skymet Weather, however, said the monsoon is likely to reach Kerala on June 7 with an error margin of three days. The monsoon arrived in (Read more on p-7) Kerala on May 29 last year.
for the state chief minister’s post, earlier said the party is his mother and there was no question of his resigning from the organisation. “We have built this party. No question,” he said when asked about reports that he may resign from the party if not given the chief minister’s post. Kharge earlier held discussions with party leaders from Karnataka and the three observers appointed by him to oversee the Congress Legislature Party meeting held in Bengaluru on Sunday. The three central observers - Sushilkumar Shinde, Jitendra Singh and Deepak Babaria - had met all Congress MLAs individually and sought their views on who would be their choice of chief minister. They also held a ‘secret ballot’ on their choice for chief minister.
Russia launches ‘exceptional’ air attack on kyiv with 18 missiles
D I M A P U R , M AY 1 6 (NPN): A day-long Inner Line Permit (ILP) verification drive was carried out in and around Kohima town
on May 16, 2023 consisting of five teams from district administration and police to detect illegal immigrants and ILP defaulters.
According to a DIPR report, during verification, cases of ILP with expiry date and some without valid pass were detected and accordingly penalties were imposed. A total of 325 ILP defaulters were detected and after verification of all required documents a total amount of Rs 1,20,000 was realized as penalty, which would be deposited as government revenue. The special task force (STF) constituted for ILP verification would be conducting periodic checking for detection of illegal immigrants and ILP defaulters.
NEW DELHI, MAY 16 (AGENCIES): The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Centre and all states and union territories over the reported increase of 250-300% in Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on social media in India as per a media report. A detailed report has been sought from the authorities within six weeks on the steps taken to prevent such a menace on social media. “The Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that CSAM has increased by
250-300% on social media in India. Reportedly, the CSAM contents are from foreign, and the Indian Investigation Agencies have not come across any Indianmade CSAM so far,” the NHRC said in a press statement. The Commission has observed that the content of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights relating to the life, liberty and dignity of citizens, and protection of young children from the danger of sexual abuse on social media. “A c c o r d i n g ly, t h e
Commission has issued notices to the Delhi police commissioner, director generals of the police of all the states/UTs, the director of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), and the secretary of the ministry of electronics and information technology, calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks on the steps taken to prevent such a menace on social media,” the NHRC elaborated in its statement. According to the media report, published in a newspaper on May 15 that the NHRC has taken cog-
nizance of, about 4,50,207 cases of spread of child sexual abuse material, have been reported in the year 2023, so far. There were reportedly 2,04,056 cases reported in 2022, 1,63,633 in 2021 and 17,390 in 2020 of CSAM on social media in India. The NHRC asserts that it has been concerned about the ill effects of online child sexual abuse material on human rights. “It may cost irreparable psychological damage to children, impacting their growth and development,” the Commission observes with concern.
logs 1 fresh NH-2 road construction: Wokha Assam Police to offer VRS to obese personnel State case of Covid-19
GUWAHATI, MAY 16 (PTI): Barely a month after Assam government announced that at least 300 Assam Police officers, who are “habitual drinkers”, would be given the option of voluntary retirement, Assam Police on Tuesday said it will start offering voluntary retirement to all obese personnel if they fail to reduce their weights by November this year. Director-General of Police Gyanendra Pratap Singh said the decision was taken on the direction by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. “@assampolice Hq has decided to go in for professional recording of
(Source Twitter: Representational image)
Body Mass Index (BMI) of all Assam Police personnel including IPS/APS officers and all DEF/Bn/Organisations,” he tweeted. It has been decided to give three months to all personnel, including IPS and Assam Police Services
officers, till August 15, and then start BMI assessment, Singh said. “All those who are in obese (BMI 30+) category would be offered another three months time to reduce weight (till November end) and after that VRS option
except those who have genuine medical ground like thyroidism etc (sic),” he added. The DGP further said that he will be the first one in the force to record the BMI on August 16. On May 8, Singh had said that the Assam Police drew up a list of about 680 personnel, who are habitual drinkers or obese, and after a multi-tier review, those found unfit for duty will be offered voluntary retirement. In April, the chief minister had said that around 300 officers and personnel of Assam Police would be handed retirement due to their problem of alcoholism.
D I M A P U R , M AY 1 6 (NPN): Nagaland on Tuesday recorded one more fresh case of Covid-19 pushing the total caseload to 36016. The fresh case was reported from Kohima. With this, the State currently has six active cases, all under home isolation. The death toll remained unchanged at 782 (including five non-Covid deaths but with positivity). Meanwhile, India recorded 656 new cases, while the active cases dipped to 13,037 from 14,493. The death toll increased to 5,31,790 with 12 deaths which includes three reconciled by Kerala.
village bodies serve ultimatum
DIMAPUR, MAY 16 (NPN): Wokha village organisations have set a six-day deadline for Wokha district administration to intervene in the ongoing constr uction of NH-2 (erstwhile NH-61) starting from 72.40 km to 83.00 km (Wokha town). In a joint representation to Wokha deputy commissioner (DC) on Monday, Wokha Village Youth Organisation (WVYO), Wokha Village Council (WVC), Wokha Village Wo m e n O r g a n i s a t i o n (WVWO), Wokha Village Students’ Union (WVSU)
and Wokha Village Elders’ Forum (WVEF) appealed to the administration to ensure work was carried out as per necessary specification. They alleged that the ongoing construction had not met the requirement at various locations. In case of failure to meet their deadline, the organisations threatened to take various actions, including blocking of highway. They stated that they took the initiative as the matter concerned safety of citizens and overall development of Wokha district. K Y M C