Skip to main content

28 April 2023

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXIII No. 140

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Biden, Yoon warn N. Korea on nukes; unveil deterrence plan

Jaiswal, spinners guide RR to 32-run win over CSK

FOLLOW US ON nagalandpostofficial

INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

@Nagaland_Post

SPORTS, PAGE 12

Nagaland govt reconstitutes Govt to enact suitable Municipal Act: Kenye state land acquisition authority

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 27 (NPN): Power and Parliamentary Affairs minister KG Kenye has revealed that the State government would soon constitute a committee and hold wider consultations with stakeholders to come up with a Municipal Act that would be “befitting our way of life and our social practices”. Addressing media persons at Hotel Japfü, here on Thursday, Kenye said that though there was no timeframe, the government was aware of the urgency to frame the law. “After having tried the Municipal Act 2001, we ran into a lot of controversies. Hence, we took a relook and completely repealed it on March 28 through the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The legislature will adopt the new municipal Act as early as possible,” he stated. Recalling the chronol-

ogy of events, Kenye recalled that the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 was enacted by the Assembly for the first time in the backdrop of the State being a resourcecrunch State with almost zero revenue and the government had to look for funds to develop towns and cities. He mentioned that the Central government gave fund as aid to municipal and town councils only if the States enacted laws to constitute the councils. “Perhaps in desperation, the government of yesteryears had to enact this Act then. We don’t attribute any ill-motive, as we are certain that this was with a good intention. To develop our State and benefit citizens, they pushed through the legislation,” he remarked. Without wanting to point fingers or finding faults of the then government, the minister however pointed out certain oversights on the part

KG Kenye (NP)

of the executive and bureaucracy. “It is their responsibility to properly advice the government,” stressed. Kenye also spoke on the consequences of endorsing the series A-Z of Article 243, besides the 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India. He said the Article can be traced back to the 73rd amendment which was in place prior to 1992 and its transition superseded by the 74th amendment, also contained other articles in the constitution which came along with it.

He recalled that in 1992-93, secretaries of Urban Development departments of different States were asked to put in their opinion or forward their suggestions if any rectification had to be made. Several secretary-level meetings were held thereafter and a lot of correspondences were exchanged between the Centre and the States. Time was given to all the States to react from 1993 to 1994, he added. Kenye said unfortunately, Nagaland got its Municipal department only a few years back, while the Urban Development department was only a small cell under the Planning department. He wondered whether there was any correspondence between the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Nagaland or whether any secretary represented the State at any level for discussion on the (Cont’d on p-8) matter.

Govt mulls official I M A P U R , A P R 2 7 compensation rates for within the state. Besides, interpretation D(NPN): In supersession of various categories of land it would direct preparation planning & transformation proposed to be acquired. of master plans for district of Article 371 (A) department’s notification State Land Acquisi- headquarters, administra-

Meanwhile, Kenye also revealed that the State was mulling to come up with an official interpretation of Article 371A. Pointing out that there were too many interpretations of the Article, he said it was high time for the State to have an official version or interpretation of the Article. He mentioned that the matter was under discussion at the highest level after the need was felt to have an official version of the Article for the State. On the State government’s plan, Kenye said all 60 members of the State Assembly would discuss and deliberate on the matter, following which a consensus would be reached for an official interpretation.

1 dead, 2 injured DNLA signs peace pact with Centre, Assam Govt in road mishap Spl. Correspondent NO MORE ARMED GROUPS IN ASSAM: SHAH insurgency-free by 2024 and

DIMAPUR, APR 27 (NPN): One person was killed in a road mishap at 6th Mile, near JCB showroom here on Thursday morning. In a press note, PRO & DCP (Crime) Dimapur informed that a Maruti Baleno (NL02CA 2113) rammed into the back of a Piaggio auto (NL07F 3401), whose impact pushed the auto to the left side of the road and the auto driver was thrown out of the vehicle. The driver sustained head and was killed on the spot. The car also rammed into a footpath railing on the side. Its driver and co-passenger, who turned out to be his wife, were also grievously injured and were rushed to Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, 4th Mile, along with the deceased who (Cont’d on p-5)

Nagaland logs 2 more Covid cases

DIMAPUR, APR 27 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday reported two more fresh cases of Covid-19 pushing the total caseload to 36,000. According to health department, two fresh cases were reported from Kohima. Currently the state has four active Covid cases. The death toll remained unchanged at 782 (including 5 non-Covid deaths but with positivity) PTI adds: India has logged 9,355 fresh coronavirus infections, while the active cases have decreased to 57,410, while the death toll increased to 5,31,424 with 26 deaths, which includes six fatalities reconciled by Kerala.

This is it!

“I see opportunity in every adversity. The pig ban has compelled an opportunity for business.” K Y M C

NEW DELHI, APR 27 (NPN): In significant development, a tripartite Memorandum of Settlement was signed between Centre, Assam government and representatives of Dimasa National Liberation Army/ Dimasa Peoples’ Supreme Council (DNLA/DPSC) in Delhi on Thursday, bringing an end to armed movement in Assam. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and DNLA leaders among others. With this, 168 DNLA

Amit Shah during the signing of the tripartite Memorandum of Settlement agreement with DNLA in Delhi. (PIB)

cadres have laid down their arms. Under the agreement, DNLA has agreed to abjure violence, surrender all arms and ammunition, disband their armed groups,

vacate all camps occupied by DNLA cadres and join the mainstream. “This agreement is another significant milestone towards making North-East

fulfilling the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous North East,” Shah said after signing the agreement. He said that this agreement “will put a complete end to the insurgency and with this, there are no more armed groups in Assam today.” “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put forward the vision of a terror-free, violence-free and developed Northeast before the country and under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs is moving forward in this direction,” he stated.

dated November 29, 2021, the state government has re-constituted the State Land Acquisition Authority (SLAA). SLAA headed by chief minister with 24 other members would examine all proposals for land acquisition including compensation for buildings standing in the land to be acquired for the purpose of developmental projects or for public amenities or works of public benefit. According to the terms of reference, role and responsibility of the authority, the SLAA would decide on the area of land required to be acquired and allotted to various departments and agencies for developmental & public utilities. It would approve land

to play politics of this nature. WC demanded to know how natural resources in ancestral Naga soil, for which thousands of Nagas since the time of Britishers, had sacrificed their lives and continued to do so, is to be separated from the Naga political discourse. It asserted that Nagas need not be lectured on oil exploration. WC said that “NCP and other restless individuals and organisations itching to ink MoU for oil exploration with Assam in Naga areas must answer the people of Nagaland first.” While reminding that the oil-bearing area belonged to Nagaland, WC also asked NCP to answer the people of Nagaland how much money it had

DIMAPUR, APR 27 (NPN): As the ongoing ‘shop closure’ protest called by Pork Butchers Union Dimapur (PBUD) entered the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, the union has petitioned the State government seeking urgent intervention into the ban imposed by the Government of Assam on transport of live pigs from other States. In a letter to the governor, chief minister, chief secretary and director of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, through DC Dimapur, PBUD president Shikato T (Cont’d on p-7) Swu and general secretary

allegedly received from oil companies and Assam government. WC termed the entire exercise of granting legitimacy to Assam government at one stroke to co-own and extract oil from Naga areas as a criminal act and unacceptable. Noting that the Indo-Naga political solution was being keenly awaited, WC said that the boundary dispute between Nagaland and Assam would be resolved by a neutral Central body as per negotiated terms. It feared that there would be claimants to other Naga oilbearing areas, encouraged by the proposed MoU. Pointing out that the sellout of Naga people’s assets for cheap profit devalued historical

tive headquarters and strict adherence to the master plans proposed by all concerned. Final approval of the proposals covered under item No. 17 of Second Schedule of Rules of Executive Business, 2020 as decided by the Cabinet in its meeting held on 26th October, 2021. Final approval of the proposals covered under item No. 17 of Second Schedule of Rules of Executive Business, 2020 as decided by the Cabinet in its meeting held on 26th October, 2021. The jurisdiction of the SLAA would extend to the whole State and also cover land and building required to be acquired by the State even outside the State.

PBUD shop closure protest enters fourth day; seeks govt intervention

NCP comment on oil exploration regrettable: WC

DIMAPUR, APR 27 (NPN): Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has taken strong exception to a recent statement purportedly made by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)legislator and spokespersons S. Toiho Yeptho to a news channel, that Naga political issue and oil exploration along the disputed border areas, were two different subjects. Responding to NCP, WC questioned the party as to what legal and historical basis had it commented that oil exploration and political issue were separate issues? Maintaining that political issue and petroleum were interwoven, WC asked NCP legislators as politicians, not

tion Authority would also determine additional areas of land to be acquired for use for future developmental projects. Further, the authority would review the utilization or otherwise of land acquired and allotted to various departments and agencies, which have remained unutilized for more than three years and decide on their cancellation or extension if found warranted. It would direct enforcement of building bylaws and directions for construction of government directorates and offices/ establishments particularly in the New Capital Complex Area. SLAA would also effect eviction of encroachers of government land

right of Nagas, the committee said the joint oil exploration would be a treachery of the highest order and demanded that the deal be called off. Disclosing that there was a clear negotiated terms on the anvil that defined a path for resolving the boundary issue between Nagaland and Assam, WC mentioned that the Centre and NNPGs had agreed that “Naga people were the sole masters of their land, every element on the surface, below and above their head”, barring strategic minerals, rare earths or any new finds having national security implications. But even these would be explored through a joint venture between the Centre and Nagas. (Cont’d on p-5)

Vilasielie Keseyie pointed said the ban imposed by the Assam government on transport of pigs from other States from March 15 to date by citing swine flu as the reason had brought hardships to the pork butchers of Dimapur. In this regard, PBUD said they had to source local pork available in Assam for Rs 200 per kg of live pig, which slowly escalated and was presently available for Rs 250 per kg of live pig. They mentioned that the waste produced from the innards of Assam local pig were not less than 15 kg per live pig as the piggery own-

ers overfed the pigs before delivery, which led to waste causing a great loss. PBUD pointed out that it had become impossible to sustain their business and had affected more than 500 butchers in Dimapur, whose livelihood depended on the sale of pork. They said they had resolved to stop the sale of pork till some arrangements were made for sustenance of the business. The union urged the government to take up the matter urgently with the Assam government and impress upon them to lift the ban at the earliest.

Rhino poaching case: CBI nabs accused in Dimapur DIMAPUR, APR 27 (NPN): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an absconding accused at Lhomithi Village, Dimapur in a Rhino Poaching Case after persistent and incessant efforts. The arrested accused has been identified as one Raidang Engti, a resident of Dimapur. CBI took over the investigation after registering a case on the request of Assam government and subsequent notification from Government of India. Earlier FIR was registered at Police Station Rongmongwe, District Karbi Anglong (Assam), on July 3, 2012. It was alleged in the complaint that on July 1, 2012, a Rhino was killed by unidentified poachers

and horn was poached. During Investigation, it was found that after killing the Rhino, the other accused sold the Rhino horn to Engti at Dimapur. The complicity of Engti had emerged as the person through whom the poached Rhino horn was traded and transacted for a hefty amount. After investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet against five accused on March 31, 2018. Investigation was kept open regarding the sale of the Rhino horn and to arrest Engti whose name had emerged during investigation for purchasing the poached Rhino horn. CBI informed that the arrested accused was produced before the Court in Dimapur on Thursday.

NMOPS demands restoration of Old Pension Scheme Kohima-Jessami road: Petty Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 27 (NPN): National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS) president Dr. Manjeet Singh Patel on Thursday alleged that the National Pension Scheme (NPS) was a scam and demanded that the government revert back to the old pension scheme. NMOPS is the first and largest body of central, state and autonomous government employees who joined the service after January 1, 2004 and falls under NPS. In March 2023, government employees spearheaded by NMOPS staged protest across the country

NMOPS and CANSSEA officials at Kohima on Thursday. (NP)

asking the government to revert back to the old pension scheme and do away with NPS. Addressing media persons at the Heritage here on Thursday, Dr. Patel said in the NPS system, money was totally in virtual and digital system similar to Bitcoin and other crypto currencies.

Therefore, he said it would not provide any security to government employees during their time of retirement. He said that five states including Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have already reverted back to the old pension scheme by scrapping NPS from their

respective states while more than 10 States had formed committees to review NPS. NMOPS president disclosed that the central government had also on April 6 formed a committee to review NPS. In this regard, he appealed to the state government headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio to look into this matter. Dr. Patel said that the responsibility to look after 30,000 employees lay on chief minister while cautioning that they would resort to protests if they were not protected by social income security, He said that more than

30,000 new pension scheme employees were investing 10 percent of their salary every month in National Security Depository Limited (NSDL) accounts known as Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN). NSDL Corporation Limited is a central record keeping agency, which manages all the data and the fund from NPS employees. He observed that the money accumulated in NSDL for Nagaland state should be approximately Rs 5000 crore. However, he said data of only Rs 1200 crore was uploaded into the system.

contractors to go on strike

DIMAPUR, APR 27 (NPN): Local villagers and petty contractors of package V (Kohima-Jessami under M/s Stroyproekt LLC OIA JV have announced to go on strike starting May 2, 2023. During the strike, work would be suspended and roads leading from Losami Junction to Lanye towards Jessami under Package V would be blocked. Recently angry local subcontractors stormed the site office of Stroyproekt LLC OIA JV currently executing KohimaJessami Package V under Phek district over non-pay(Cont’d on p-7) ment of pending bills. Ac-

cording to a local subcontractor Avi Movi, NHIDCL has failed to resolve the termination issue and release of outstanding payments. The local contractors stated that site management of M/s Stroyproekt LLC OIA JV and local MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu consoled the agitated local people and the petty contractor that work will be resumed by April 30 and outstanding payments will be made by end of the month. However, the petty contractors stated that they see no resolution and therefore compelled to resume agitation. K Y M C


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook