Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXII No. 303
DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00
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ENSF walkathon for Frontier Nagaland
Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCT 7 (NPN): Following a call for “Mass Public Walkathon” under the aegis of Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), several hundreds on Friday– both young and old – from across six districts of Eastern Nagaland took part in the walkathons held in their respective districts/ areas to press for their demand to create separate Frontier Nagaland state. According to ENSF, the walkathon was the first phase of agitation as per Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation’s (ENPO) demand for a separate State. When contacted, ENSF president Chingmak K Chang informed Nagaland Post that the next phase of protest would be announced after consultation with ENPO. Led by ENSF, seven federating units– Chang Wedoshi Setshang (CWS), Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU),
Govt proposes tweaks in BH series rules
NEW DELHI, OCT 7 (PTI): Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed to allow conversion of regular vehicle registrations into Bharat Series (BH) numbers as part of measures to widen the scope of the BH series ecosystem. At present, only new vehicles can opt for BH series mark. In a draft notification, the MoRTH informed about the proposed amendments in the rules governing Bharat (BH) series registration mark which was launched for people who are in transferable jobs. Among other changes, the transfer of vehicles with BH series registration mark to other persons, who are eligible or ineligible for BH series, has been facilitated, according to the notification. “Vehicles currently having regular registration mark can also be converted to BH series registration mark subject to payment of requisite tax, to facilitate persons who subsequently become eligible for BH series registration mark,” it said. The ministry has also proposed the amendment in rule 48 to provide flexibility to submit application for BH series either at the place of residence or place of work with a view to providing further ease of life to citizen. It also said that the Working Certificate to be submitted by private sector employees has been further strengthened to prevent misuse.
This is it!
“These days, central probe agencies make it easy to guess which side of the political divide some people belong to.” K Y M C
Hundreds of participants during the ‘mass public walkathon’ in Tuensang on Friday.
Phom Students’ Conference (PSC), Tikhir Students union (TSU), United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) and Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako (YAA)– and 63 clusters comprising of 451 subordinate student bodies took part in the walkathon. Seven apex tribal bodies under ENPO – Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC), Konyak (KU), Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC), Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC),
United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USSP) and Phom People’s Council (PTC)– and ENPO leaders also took part in the walkathon and addressed the public. Many were seen with banners and placards some of which that read “Dear GON, where is your promise of ‘Change is Coming’?”, “Free our wings to fly higher”, “Frontier Nagaland for employment justice”, “No more false promise” etc. Business establishments
and schools remained shut during the walkathon. Later, a representation by ENSF/respective students’ union was submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the respective deputy commissioners. (Full text on p-6) Meanwhile, ENSF press, information & publicity secretary Keyoungkhum K Yimkhiung in a statement informed that the walkathon was peaceful and democratic as denizens
from different walks of life joined it, including leaders of civil society organisations (CSOs), church, village elders, students and general public of six districts of Eastern Nagaland. He said chronology and background on the demand for Frontier Nagaland were shared in respective tribal vernacular languages that were initiated by leaders of seven tribal apex student bodies in 63 orchestrated clusters. Speeches on importance of Frontier Nagaland were given by ENSF leaders. The walkathon is believed to be the largest public movement in the history of Eastern Nagaland and revived the decade-old quest for a separate State, he said. In his speech, the ENSF president stressed socio-economic, developmental and political aspects of Eastern Nagaland as he alleged a “colossal deprivation” of the eastern people under different leaders and governments.
Sri Lanka’s top court allows economic crisis case against Rajapaksas INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9
RTI Act being misused by some for personal gain: CIC Nagaland
DIMAPUR, OCT 7 (NPN): Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Nagaland, I Meyionen Jamir, has expressed concern over the misuse of Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 in the state by a few, who he said used it for personal gain, and has become a lucrative business. Speaking at the weeklong celebration of RTI Week, 2022 at Kohima College Auditorium, Kohima on October 7, 2022, Meyionen said RTI Act, 2005 has been one of the most empowering legislations for the people of India and has allowed them to meaningfully participate in democracy, stated a DIPR report. Meyionen, however, stated that the Act should not be misused or abused, or become a tool to obstruct the development of the State or to destroy the peace and tranquillity of the society. He said that RTI blackmailers threaten the depart(Cont’d on p-9) ments with exposure and
I Meyionen Jamir (DIPR)
thereby extorting money to the tune of several lakhs. CIC cautioned that regular information seekers, who indulge in corrupt practices, would be dealt with through appropriate provisions of the law. He also called upon the various public authorities to voluntarily disclose all information held by them related to welfare schemes to educate the general public. Meyionen also called for putting in place various mechanisms for online filing of applications so as to facilitate people’s right to information even during dif-
ficult times. CIC Nagaland appealed to the people to make use of the provisions of the RTI Act to benefit the public, expose the wrongdoers in the government departments and bring about transparency and accountability in the governance system. On the occasion, CIC Nagaland also gave away the prizes to the winners of the college-level essay competition during the function. Kikhosou Rume of Kohima College was adjudged the winner while Imtimenla Longchar of St. Joseph’s College and Tsureto Y Yimchunger bagged the second and third places respectively. Earlier, NIC deputy secretary, Worhonthung Ezung delivered welcome address and shared various features and provisions of RTI Act, 2005. A film on RTI titled, “My Right, My Voice” was screened during the event. NIC secretary Obangla Jamir proposed the vote of thanks.
Nagaland Tribes Council concern over NSDZ and Indigenous issues Hindu body demands abolition Asks govt to revoke Cab decision and NLA resolution on NSDZs Says RIIN cut-off date should be Dec 1, 1963 DIMAPUR, OCT 7 (NPN): Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has highlighted two core issues--Nagaland Special Development Zones (NSDZ) and Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) over which it has raised serious concerns. Media Cell of NTC recalled that the state gov-
ernment had passed the resolution in the assembly on March 24, 2014 for NSDZs under which foothills from Tizit in Mon district to Khelma in Peren district now covering eight districtsMon, Longleng, Mokokchung, Wokha, Niuland, Chümoukedima, Dimapur and Peren but bereft any blueprint or project report. The proposed NSDZs was preceded by a directive from the chief secretary in 2013 to commissioner & secretary Industries Nagaland to circulate the concept note to all Deputy Commissioners for negotiations with civil
societies for identification for potential areas for NSDZ. According to NTC, the concept note consisted of five clauses and among which was clause (v)which spelt out that in these SDZs the ILP system will be relaxed. NTC also maintained that there were provisions under various clauses of the concept note that would make the earmarked areas for NSDZs without the cover of ILP and the Nagaland Land (Amendment) Act of 1978. NTC said this means the NSDZ will remain beyond the purview of Art 371A to enable “strangers
for permanent settlement” in the vast foothill area. NTC, therefore, asked the government to revoke the Cabinet decision on NSDZs and repeal the Assembly resolution of March 24, 2014 as the earmarked areas for NSDZs would become a buffer zone for subjugating land and gullible population into secondary citizens to the intruders. NTC raised another concern over RIIN, which was necessitated to implement ILP in Dimapur as per public demand. The government constituted the RIIN on July 10, 2019 to
recommend cut-off date to determine indigenous status with effect from December 1, 1963 when Nagaland attained statehood. The Commission on RIIN was constituted on July 28,2019 headed by former chief secretary Banuo Z. Jamir. Despite the RIIN Commission having submitted the report by end of 2019, the government undertook a U-turn, said NTC. NTC reasserted that as and when RIIN is implemented, the cut off year to determine the indigenous status has to be December 1,1963.
of Minority Affairs Ministry
NEW DELHI, OCT 7 (PTI): Top body of Hindu seers Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti Friday passed a resolution demanding abolition of the Ministry of Minority Affairs and Waqf Board. The demand was made in a meeting organised by the seers body here which was attended by various organisations, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Akhara Parishad. “A resolution was passed in the meeting, demanding that Waqf Board (Full text on p-6) and Ministry of Minor-
ity Affairs should be abolished,” VHP general secretary Ashok Tiwari said. In the meeting, the seers reiterated that they would pursue the issues of Gyanvyapi mosque in Varanasi and Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, All India Sant Samiti general secretary Jitendranand Saraswati said. They also discussed “inappropriate” portrayal of Hindu deities and religious leaders in Bollywood films and expressed strong objection to it.
ANATG calls off agitation; HPC to be set up within 15 days Human rights advocates share Nobel Peace Prize
ANATG, ANSTA members with government officials after the meeting.
Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCT 7 (NPN): All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers Group (ANATG)-2015 on Friday night decided to call of the ongoing agitation with immediate effect after their meeting with senior
state government officials, held at the conference hall of IT&C department. The meeting which went on for over five hours was attended by principal secretary to chief minister KD Vizo, commissioner and secretary School Education
& SCERT Kevileno Angami, ANATG-2015 Batch central and core committee members, in the presence of All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) members. A five-point resolution was adopted at the meeting, which included setting up of High Powered Committee (HPC) within 15 days. The HPC will be headed by principal secretary or commissioner secretary, which will submit its recommendation by June 2023, and thereafter take up the issue to resolve the matter of ANATG-2015 batch within December 2023. It was also resolved that the issue of ser-
vice extension will continue till the matter is resolved. However, this dispensation will not apply to proxy and untrained teachers. The meeting also agreed on granting of 7th Revision of Pay based on the recommendation of HPC. Fur ther, ANATG-2015 batch and ANSTA members will be given the opportunity to present their case before the HPC. It was also decided that the HPC will hold review meeting every two months. The resolution was jointly signed by principal secretary KD Vizo, commissioner & secretary Kevileno Angami, (Cont’d on p-5)
OSLO, OCT 7 (AGENCIES): A Belarusian rights activists, a Ukrainian civil liberties NGO, and a Russian rights group have been declared as joint winners of 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday declared Belarusian activist Ales Bialiatski, Russian human rights organisation Memorial, and the Ukrainian NGO Center for Civil Liberties (CLL) as the winners of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said the panel was honoring “three outstanding champions of
Congress launches toll-free helpline ‘STREE’ for women Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, OCT 7 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Mahila Congress (NPMC) launched a toll-free helpline number called STREE (Support Team for Relief, Emergency & Empowerment) 1800-2030589 at Congress Bhavan here on Friday. Speaking at the launching programme, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president, K Therie, stated that the tollfree number was launched to purely assist women in distress all over the country. It may be mentioned that All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) to assist
NPCC and NPMC officials during the launch of STREE on Friday. (NP)
women in distress all over the country launched the toll-free number on August 20 commemorating the birth anniversary of former prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi. Therie stated never once, in over 70 years of India’s independence when
Congress was in power for around 60 years, a women helpline number required. He, however, stated that STREE was bound to be launched because women were being mistreated after BJP same to power in India. Taking a dig at NDDP’s
last assembly election slogan “Change is coming”, Therie said that after NDPP and BJP came to power, the state had only gone from bad to worse. He asked what have the Nagas achieved after electing NDPP and BJP? Reacting to last month speech of RSS Chief, Mohan Bhagwat in Meghalaya that all people living in India were Hindus in terms of identity, NPCC president questioned how could Bhagwat claim Nagas were also Hindus when he did not know about Naga history. Stating that all state legislatures were silent on RSS chief ’s statement, Therie questioned whether there
was any BJP leader would defend Nagas. Maintaining that Nagas want “antiChristian party to rule us”, state Congress chief that if Nagas continued to give power to BJP alliance for the next two three tenures, Nagas would lose their land rights. He also claimed that the identity of Nagas and secularism would be lost. Therie warned that all those candidates seeking BJP ticket would only be harming the state. “India is divided between secular and Hindutva, and question remains which one would Nagas choose,” Therie stated.
Ales Bialiatski
Memorial
human rights, democracy and peaceful coexistence.” “We are in the midst of a war and we are talking about two authoritarian regimes and one nation fighting a war and we would like to highlight the importance of civil society,” she said. Belarus’s activist Ales
Center for Civil Liberties
Bialiatski is a leading Belarusian human rights activist, who founded the non-governmental organization Human Rights Center Viasna. He was detained following protests in 2020 against the re-election of Belarusian President Alexander Lukash(Cont’d on p-9) enko.
CYF appeals for safety of children
DIMAPUR, OCT 7 (NPN): Reacting to the purported “viral circulation of possible operation of child trafficking and kidnapping”, the Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) has appealed to all its bona fide members and subordinate units to “maintain awareness and exercise cautionary measures to ensure the safety, especially of children.” In a press release, CYF president Vezhoduyi Nakro and vice president Nyitso Therie also advised all the like-minded citizens to be vigilant of any suspicious individuals or groups arriv(Cont’d on p-9) ing in their localities. CYF
stated that if necessity rose, one should report the matter to the law enforcement authorities and the administrative department(s) concerned without any delay. Assuring to extend its cooperation to the general public, CYF has also sought cooperation of the administrative department(s) in helping maintain peace, comfort and safety of the people. It may be mentioned that following reports of purported child lifting cases in the state, the school education department recently issued directives to all schools for strict adherence. K Y M C