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3 May 2023

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXIII No. 145

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

Nagas will move forward through Nagas fed up with AK 47 culture: Imkong L Imchen unity, says Rio at Moatsu Festival Staff Reporter

Correspondent

MOKOKCHUNG, MAY 2 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday expressed his happiness at the presence of leaders of all the 15 tribes hohos during Moatsu festival celebration at the Imkomgmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung, saying coming together of tribal leaders shows the sign of unity amongst the Nagas. The chief minister, who graced the celebration as chief guest, said that through such unity the Nagas will move forward and keep the hopes alive for the younger Naga generations. Stating that there was no place for individualism, clannism and tribalism, Rio called for imprinting ‘Nagaism’ on the minds of the people of the state. On the occasion, the chief minister

Rio and tribal hoho leaders hold hands at Moatsu festival celebration, Mokokchung on Tuesday. (NP)

informed the gathering that a meeting has been called amongst the various tribal leaders, political parties and renowned leaders of the state on May 9 to discuss the issue of Municipal Act. Rio, therefore requested all tribal leaders present at the celebration to attend the proposed meeting. Extending warm Moatsu greeting to

the members of Ao community, the chief minister said that it was very important to celebrate such festivals. He said that it was through celebration of festivals that friendships and bonding between neighbours were built and brotherhood amongst various tribes were strengthened. Rio further stressed that it was through

such festivals that the feeling of oneness, unity and one’s identity was known and that the common traditions and cultures of the Nagas are shared. Minister RD & SIRD Metsubo Jamir, who attended the celebration as the guest of honour, also gave a brief speech. (Cont’d on p-7)

‘Will rethink decision to quit as NCP chief’: Pawar M U M B A I , M AY 2 (AGENCIES): In a dramatic development, Sharad Pawar on Tuesday decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) he founded and helmed since 1999. However, with pressure mounting on Pawar to take back his resignation, the 82-year-old veteran politician has sought 2-3 days to reconsider. The announcement by Pawar at an event in Mumbai to release the updated version of his Marathi autobiography stunned leaders and workers of his party, and many were seen crying and pleading with the 82-year-old wily Maratha

Sharad Pawar with his wife and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI)

strongman to reconsider the surprise decision. A meeting of a committee of party leaders— which Pawar said should decide on the election for his successor—was held at his residence later, after which his nephew Ajit Pawar an-

nounced that his uncle will need two to three days to ‘think over’ his decision. The decision by one of the tallest Opposition leaders in the country who could bring their parties together against the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections also

comes amid intense speculation over Ajit Pawar’s next political move. “I am with you, but not as NCP chief,” Pawar, the master of twists and turns known for his deft political manoeuvring, told the emotional party workers. He had formed the NCP after he was expelled by the Congress for raising the issue of Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin. The announcement by the NCP president, a key Congress ally, came less than a fortnight after his daughter and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule indicated there will be two political ‘blasts’ in 15 days, one in Delhi and another in Maharashtra.

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 (NPN): Information & Public Relations, Soil & Water Conservation adviser Imkong L. Imchen said Nagas are fed up with the AK 47 culture and that every Naga has the right to live in peace. While extending Moatsü greetings, at the festival celebration organised by Ongpangkong Senso Telongjem Dimapur at Senden Riju here on Tuesday, Imchen lamented that people have been held for the past 26 years to the AK 47 and today are demanding to know the status of 26 years of political negotiations. He reiterated that every Naga has the right to know the truth about the negotiations since they were also stakeholders. Imchen recalled that the Naga National Council (NNC) and Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) were functioning together, but after Phizo had left for London, Nagas started killing each other. He claimed that then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had in 1954, admitted to the error he had made by using armed forces to suppress the Naga movement. Thereafter, Imchen said Nehru tried to seek solution politically, admitting that a military solution was not possible. He also admitted that had Nagaland not been created as a state, the condition of Naga homeland would have been worse. Referring to the Shillong Accord, Imchen termed it as nothing but a simple document of defeat and betrayal which led to the birth of NSCN. Later NSCN split into many groups, and termed it as an embarrassment for the integrity of Nagas.

Imkong L Imchen and Moatoshi Longkumer address the gathering at the Moatsü festival in Dimapur on Tuesday. (NP)

On the issue tribalism among Nagas, Imchen regretted that Nagas were practising tribalism openly and wondered what would be their fate if they achieved independence. Under such a scenario, Imchen predicted that if Nagas got independence but tribalism remained, there would be bloodshed. He said in such a situation, could force Nagas

to ask the Indian government to take back Independence. He questioned, “Why should we ask for independence when there is tribalism?” Imchen also admitted that his statement would be contradicted and that he would be even termed as a “traitor”. Aos need to introspect, says Moatoshi: In his speech on the occasion, Adviser Labour, Employment & Skill

Development and Excise adviser Moatoshi Longkümer observed that the Aos could no longer be considered as the most advanced tribe and urged Aos to introspect where they now stood in comparison with others. He remarked that Aos today lagged behind others in many fields, including education, economy, government service, entrepreneurship, etc. He said the chief reasons as being greed and jealousy. Moatoshi also said the presence of many organisation within the community only led to create further divisions. He exhorted the Aos leaders to restore the past glory and urged Ongpangkong range to lead the community. (Cont’d on p-8)

Urban Local Body issue: Dr Jamir calls for considering Nagaland’s peculiar situation Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 (NPN): Veteran Naga leader and former chief minister Dr SC Jamir claimed that as the Central government recognised the peculiar political situation and identity of Nagas, in return, there was need for applying the same yardstick vis-à-vis urban local bodies (ULBs). Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of Moatsü festival here on Tuesday, Dr Jamir urged the State government to share the peculiar issues of Nagaland Supreme Court at the ongoing case over ULB polls. He said Nagaland cannot have a carbon copy model of other big States so appealed to the State government and all concerned to work out a ULB model

Dr SC Jamir (NP)

befitting Nagaland. “We have to think about population, resources and the kind of development we require in respective urban areas. That’s why I had made an appeal. But, if the people don’t want to listen, it is up to them, but that was my personal view on ULB,” he said. Dr. Jamir also clarified that his recent statement on various issues was to point out the facts and not to criti-

cize. He said that even when he was the chief minister, he took criticisms as “vitamin” which only strengthened him. “Once you are corrected, you have to accept it,” he pointed out and appealed to all leaders to take criticisms in good faith. The nonagenarian (91-year-old) and only surviving signatory to the 16- Point Agreement, reminded that Nagaland attained statehood through political negotiations since it had distinct political identity. After signing of the 16-Point Agreement, he said the question arose on the number of Assembly constituencies. He recalled that since the population of Nagaland at the time of its creation was only 3.5 lakh, a separate arrangement had to be (Cont’d on p-8) made.

Rainfall likely to Nagas, Kukis oppose ST status for Meiteis Naga timber traders resolve Package V: Petty contractors continue in NE IMPHAL, MAY 2 (PTI): protest “the persistent de- community in the ST cattemporarily suspend agitation

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 (NPN): India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that scattered to fairly widespread light/ moderate rainfall was likely to continue over North East region. IMD stated that light/ moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with thunderstorm/lightning/ gusty winds was very likely over the region during next five days. It said that heavy rainfall was very likely at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh during May 3-5 and over Assam & Meghalaya May 3 & 5.. As per IMD’s five-day rainfall forecast, scattered rainfall was likely to occur at isolated places over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura from May 3-6.

Naga and Kuki tribes in Manipur are planning a “Tribal solidarity march” in all hill district headquarters opposing a demand to include the majority Meitei community into Scheduled Tribe list of the Indian Constitution. The rally organised by All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) is being supported by different tribal bodies including the Naga Students Union Chandel, Sadar Hills Tribal Union on Land and Forests, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong and Tribal Churches Leaders Forum. ATSUM, in a statement, had said the rally has been organised to express

This is it!

IMPHAL, MAY 2: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday launched the Facial Recognition System (FRS) for Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and flagged off two camera-mounted mobile FRS vehicles. Addressing the gathering, Singh said the newly launched system will help in effective checking of ILP holders whose validity has expired and help in better management of the ILP System. He said the State, after approval of the Union Home ministry, engaged a reputed international firm for the installation of the FRS.

“I think it’s time to leave the mobile and check the menu for our orders.” K Y M C

mand of Meitei community for inclusion in ST category and the support to this by valley legislators” and “the need for taking appropriate measures to collectively protect the tribal interests.” ATSUM’s decision comes days after an order by a single-Judge bench of the High court of Manipur, comprising of acting chief justice MV Muralidharan, which directed the state government to consider the request of the Meitei community within four weeks. ST Demand Committee Manipur which has been spearheading the movement for inclusion of the Meitei

egory maintained “it is not about reservation in jobs, educational institutions and tax relief and is more about protecting the ancestral lands, culture and identity of the Meitei people threatened consistently by illegal immigrants from Myanmar and outside the state.” Meitei community accounts for around 53 pc of the total state population but are confined to less than 10 pc of the state’s territory. Tribals inhabit the hill areas which accounts for more than 90 pc of the state territory, are mostly Christians by faith and accounts for more than 40 pc of the population.

not to pay tax to any group

DIMAPUR, MAY 2 (NPN): Naga timber traders under Nagaland Timber Traders Union (NTTU) at the meeting held on Tuesday resolved to not pay tax to any group or faction starting from May 8, 2023. The timber traders said that the resolution was adopted due to increase in number of taxes with the formation of many new factions and groups. The meeting was attended by representatives of NTTU, Dimapur District Timber Mill Owners Association, Chumoukedima Timber Traders’ Association, Pungro-Sub Division Timber Traders Union, Nagaland Timbers Union Kohima and Phek District Timbers Associa-

tion. The timber traders alleged that they had been paying tax for the last 20 years, but with the mushrooming of more factions it was “unbearable” for them to pay tax to each and every faction. The traders said that they cannot afford to pay tax to all the groups. The Naga timber traders have, therefore, appealed to all the factions to not levy tax on its “own Naga brothers”. They also alleged that many of them had shut their business as they cannot afford to pay taxes to all the groups. Further, NTTU has sought support of all Naga leaders and civil society organisations in their fight against increase in taxation.

DIMAPUR, MAY 2 (NPN): Local villagers and petty contractors of Package V (KohimaJessami under M/s Stroyproekt LLC OIA JV) have announced temporary suspension of road blockade till May 4 following an appeal made by the company not to go ahead with the agitation programme scheduled from May 2. In a statement, Avi Movi said on behalf of the agitators that, as the matter was at the high court, the contractor had hinted of discussions with government for resolution of their problem soon. He said they accepted the request of the contractor because of their faith in the high court, the Centre and the State government hoped their problems would be resolved. Movi however cautioned that after May 4t, they would not accept any request from anyone whosever and resume their agitation if the resolution was not in their favour.

Education dept to conduct pilot experiment of TAMS The chief minister in-

Manipur launches facial recognition system for ILP Correspondent

Singh flagging off a camera-mounted mobile Facial Recognition System vehicle at Imphal on Tuesday. (NP)

The system has been implemented on a trial basis for some time now, he said, adding that even during the trial period, the system had managed to identify defaulters of the ILPs. Singh informed that

the FRS system has been installed at various places including Imphal Airport, Jiribam, and efforts were on to install at other places including Khongsang Railway Station, Moreh, etc. Apart from this, the

two mobile vehicles will be stationed at different locations in Imphal East and Imphal West districts to identify ILP defaulters, he said. Singh was hopeful that the FRS will facilitate a smoother entry and exit system for permit applicants/ holders from the state. Stressing on the issue of illegal immigrants entering Manipur without valid papers, the chief minister said that approximately 410 Myanmar nationals, without proper valid documents, have been arrested. He said the government has been giving serious focus and thrust to check illegal immigrants.

formed that the committee set up to check illegal immigrants has identified more than 2000 numbers of Myanmarese who have entered the state due to the conflict in their country and were being kept in shelter homes. Highlighting the concern over the issue of illegal immigrants, Singh said that Manipur shares around 398 km porous border with Myanmar. “However, despite cancelling the Free Movement Regime, which allowed travel upto 16 km on both sides, we are still unable to effectively deal with the illegal immigrant issue,” he said.

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 (NPN): State department of school education (DoSE) would be conducting pilot experiment of Teacher Attendance Monitoring System (TAMS) for all government schools under Viswema block, Kohima at SDO (Civil) Jakhama office, comprising of 25 schools from May 3-6, 2023 to verify all the employees’ data and register authenticated employees via a robust process. In a press release, NEPThe Lighthouse (NECTAR) project director Thavaseelan K stated that Nagaland Education Project - The Lighthouse (NECTAR) is

developing a TAMS as part of the World Bank supported “Nagaland: Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources (NECTAR)” project. He said the purpose of TAMS was to provide all the schools, teachers, and school leaders in Nagaland with the necessary software and hardware tools in order to report daily employee attendance in a reliable and timely manner. For this purpose, he said TAMS would specifically employ the facial recognition technology for person identification, along with location and time stamping. (Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C


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3 May 2023 by Nagaland Post - Issuu