Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXIII No. 181
DIMAPUR, THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00
WTC final: Head rattles India on opening day SPORTS, PAGE 12
AI plane stranded in Russia’s Magadan
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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9
COCOMI declares war on ‘narco-terrorism’
Correspondent/IANS/Agencies
IMPHAL, JUN 7: In a disturbing development with far reaching ramification, a ‘People’s Convention’ organised by Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in Imphal Wednesday, resolved to declare “National War” against narco-terrorism in Manipur. The convention was held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Sanglen at Imphal’s Palace Compound Wednesday where several hundreds attended. With the declaration of “public emergency” in Manipur, the convention also decided to suspend all festivities and entertainment programs except medical emergencies and religious rituals in the state. The convention also resolved that no weapons will be surrendered to authorities as ordered as war had not
Proceedings against them would be taken up after the expiry of the June 16 deadline,” Sapam Nishikant Singh, chairman of the PEC told journalists after a meeting on Wednesday. According to the complaint by one O. Joy, the demand of the 10 tribal MLAs was unethical and a breach of oath. Apart from the Manipur Assembly Speaker, he had submitted a complaint to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, People’s Convention hosted by COCOMI in Imphal on Wednesday. State Governor Anusuiya ended and as they(arms) Ethics Committee (PEC) the majority Meitei and the Uikey, and the State Opposiwere necessary to fight the of the 60-member Mani- Kuki-Chin-Zomi people on tion leader on May 24. narco-terrorists aggression. pur Assembly has asked May 3. Issuing a show-cause It further resolved to 10 MLAs to explain why notice to the MLAs, the press the state government they demanded a separate committee set June 16 as the to set up a Special Village administration for a group deadline for them to respond. Defense Force in each vil- of ethnic communities. Security forces in eth“The committee isThe 10 MLAs, in- sued show-cause notices nic violence-hit Manipur lage for safeguarding their cluding seven of the BJP, to each of the 10 MLAs to have so far recovered 868 life and properties. 10 Manipur MLAs had raised the bifurcation explain why they raised the assault rifles and over 11,000 issued notice for ‘separat- demand soon after ethnic demand that can lead to the rounds of ammunition, ism’: The Privilege and clashes broke out between disintegration of Manipur. sources said. They found
Over 800 arms recovered so far
State logs 1 Atem reaffirms exclusive rights of Nagas over land & resources fresh Covid case Staff Reporter on their sovereign right over out the details of the final
DIMAPUR, JUN 7 (NPN): Nagaland on Wednesday recorded one more fresh case of Covid -19 pushing the total caseload to 36029. According to a health department bulletin, the fresh case was reported from Kohima. With this, the state currently has only one active case. The death toll remained unchanged at 782 (including 5 non-Covid deaths but with positivity) Meanwhile, India recorded 214 new coronavirus infections, while the active Covid cases have dipped to 2,831 from 3,001, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.
DIMAPUR, JUN 7 (NPN): Member collective leadership of NSCN (I-M), VS Atem reiterated that Nagas cannot compromise over their exclusive sovereign rights over land and resources. Atem said this while interacting with media persons on the sideline of the 21st Foundation Day celebration of Operation Salvage at Heningkunglwa in Peren district on Wednesday. However, he said that the government of India “thinks that since there is Article 371(A), it (govern-
VS Atem (NP)
ment of India) is the final authority to legislate and also to give power.” Atem said such a stand taken only revealed that the Government of India thinks that Nagas had no right to extract their own resources. He asserted that Nagas will not compromise
resources above or below the surface of Naga land and reaffirmed that everything belonged exclusively to the Nagas. Atem said when Nagaland government wanted to legislate on resources, the Centre outrightly rejected such move on the ground that the State government has no right to do so on matters pertaining to oil and gas. He said Nagas were dancing to the tune of the Government of India. When asked about the status of Naga talks, Atem said the Central government was supposed to work
Night curfew along Assam- After road repair, DAYO put up street lights Nagaland border Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUN 7 (NPN): Jorhat district administration has imposed a night curfew along a five-kilometre belt on the Assam side of the Assam-Nagaland border with immediate effect. In an order, district magistrate Jorhat Pulak Mahanta stated that the order would remain in force until further orders. The district administration claimed that some extremist organizations were trying to sneak into the state from the Nagaland border to create trouble in Jorhat district. Citing a report from the source, DM said that some report ULFA(I) recently enrolled new volunteers in their group and they may use the Assam Nagaland border areas for transporting new volunteers and other purposes.
DIMAPUR, JUN 7 (NPN): After voluntarily initiating the road repair work from Clock Tower section (Tajen Ao road) to DC Court junction, in collaboration with Urban Development Engineering Wing, on Monday, the Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) took up another yeoman service by putting up LED street lights along the same stretch. DAYO in partnership with the Power department replaced the halogen street lamps with more energy efficient LED lights. According to DAYO member, the exercise would
(Before & After) volunteers putting up street lights at Tajen Ao road.
be completed within a day or two. He said the road repair work and putting up of LED lights were both part of the
World Environment Day celebration. DAYO would also be undertaking flower and shrub plantation along the stretch.
solution to the Naga political solution after signing of the Framework Agreement (FA) on August 3, 2015. He said after that, the ball was now in the court of the Government of India and that question should be asked on them regarding the status of the final agreement. “It’s up to them (GoI) when they will find time for the Naga political issue. We have nothing to say,” he remarked. He said when the government of India was “not able to find time for the Indo-Naga talks, we have nothing to say”.
57 guns and 318 rounds in the past 24 hours. These weapons were looted by miscreants from the police and other forces during the violence last month. In a statement, PRO (Defence) said that the security forces on Wednesday recovered 29 weapons (mostly automatic), mortar, hand grenades, small arms ammunition and warlike stores. Kuldiep Singh, the security adviser to the Manipur government, said the weapons recovered in the past 24 hours were found at Porompat in state capital Imphal and Sugnu in Kakching district. Singh told reporters that curfew was eased for 12 hours in five valley districts, for 10 hours in the hills districts neighbouring Imphal. There is no curfew in six other hill districts including Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong.
“He won’t eat because he’s fussy with the mobile phone. I think he wants a new one. “ K Y M C
Vandalized office of the NSF at Naga Club building. (NP file)
DIMAPUR, JUN 7 (NPN): Angami Public Organisation (APO) and Kohima Village Council (KVC) have jointly appealed to the leaders of the Naga Club (NC) and Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to allow “any willing and voluntary third party” to mediate for restoring normalcy and bring about a meaningful reconciliation outside of the legal court at the earliest. In a joint appeal, APO president Razouvotuo Chatsu and KVC chairman Helievi Solo said they were “deeply conscious of the likely long-term consequences” if the conflicts remained (Read more on p-4) unresolved and inevitably
become subjected to provocations and counter provocations. APO and KVC have, therefore, appealed to both the parties to “cease issuing press statements, say or do anything against each other which may only aggravate the situation.” Further, they requested the Naga Club not to take up any activity at the site “if the current volatile public sentiments for and against.” APO and KVC also requested the NSF to “withdraw FIR soonest possible” as a good gesture to find an amicable solution acceptable and honourable to both the parties.
NFHRCC appeals state govt to implement assembly resolution
DIMAPUR, JUN 7 (NPN): Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has reiterated its appeal to the state government particularly the state chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief ministers—Y Patton and TR Zelaing—to put into action the Nagaland Assembly Resolution adopted on September 22, 2022 by taking up the foothills project under NEC during the Financial Year 2023-2024 in the interest of the Naga public at large. NFHRCC convenor (Cont’d on p-8) Supu Jamir, co-convenor
Hokiye Yepthomi, general secretary W. Lemba Chang and assistant general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe asserted that inaction would amount to betrayal of the Naga people. NFHRCC said stated that in democratic government, the legislative assembly was the highest platform to legislate or pass resolution for the people of the state. The committee maintained that the decision made in Legislative Assembly was, therefore, final and binding and the same cannot be washed away. NFHRCC
appreciated the wisdom and concern of the then chief minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio for passing assembly resolution on September 22, 2022, whereby the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously resolved to take up the Foothills project under NEC. The committee termed as “fortunate” that the same chief minister, who had passed the assembly resolution, has once again re-elected as fifth time chief minister of Nagaland, which it said “clearly manifests his tall leadership.”
1 gets 12 years jail CM flays attack on 2 Naga youths for rape of minor girl DIMAPUR, JUN 7 (NPN): Special Court POCSO Phek has sentenced a man to undergo 20 years rigorous imprisonment in jail for raping a 12-year-old girl in 2017. In a press release, public prosecutor Phek, Samuel Ritse, informed that the accused identified as Vebuto Khesoh was sentenced under section 376A(2)(0 IPC read with section 4 POCSO Act, 2012. The Judge Special Court POCSO Phek, Neiko Akami, pronounced the judgment and passed the conviction order on June 7, 2023 upon hearing the accused on quantum of sentence. The Court found that accused on January 5, 2017 committed penetrative sexual assault to a minor girl, wherein the accused after luring the minor victim, took her to jungle, which was one km away from her residence, and committed penetrative assault upon the victim. The prosecution was able to prove guilt of the accused person beyond all reasonable doubt. The case was investigated by UBI Lucy Doungel.
DIMAPUR, JUN 7 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio has termed as “disturbing” the attack on two Naga youths at Chanakyapuri area in Ahmedabad, Gujarat by some 10 men “for selling non-vegetarian and northeastern food” on Sunday night. Taking to twitter, the chief minister said that “The assault on two Nagas for selling non-vegetarian and northeastern food is disturbing.” Calling for respecting each other’s cultural identity and food choices, Rio said “Let us live up to our ideal of unity in diversity.” Minister tourism & higher education, Temjen Imna Along, also expressed pain over the “recent hate crime against two men from Nagaland”.
Along, who is also the president of BJP Nagaland state unit, said it was disheartening to see “our brothers from the northeastern region” being targeted and discriminated against for their cultural identity and food choices. “Let us spread love and compassion, not hate and hostility,” Along added. According to Times of India report, Rovimezo Kehie (33), who is from Kohima, in his FIR said that he and his friend, Mapuyanger Jamir, work at a eatery called One Stop Northeast. As per FIR, those men threatened the duo and asked why were they selling northeastern food. Kehie said some of the men hit him and Jamir with baseball bats.
Western Sümi Totimi Hoho celebrates silver jubilee with traditional fervour Staff Reporter
This is it!
APO, KVC appeal NC, NSF for reconciliation
DIMAPUR, JUN 7 (NPN): Spectacular performance of “Thishole”, a Sümi folksong, by 1400 “Sülimis” (Sümi women) in traditional attire, and a heartwarming rendition of Sümi poem, “Kulolau Sülimi Shekiqhe Leshe”, marked the silver jubilee celebration of Western Sümi Totimi Hoho (WSTH) at Thilixü Village Local Ground, Chümoukedima on Wednesday. “Thishole”, sung by womenfolk while pounding rice in preparation of community feast or pre and post-harvest festivals, was performed by “Sülimis” from
(L-R) Sülimi presenting ‘Thishole’ at Thilixu village ground. Kuholi Chishi and Hekani Jakhalu speak at the event. (NP)
different units and villages under WSTH at the “Mega Cultural Event”. The “Sümi Leshe” was recited by womenfolk from Sümi Totimi Loka (STL) of Chekiye, Kiyeto and Thahekhu villages. Addressing the “Mega Cultural Event” as special guest, advisor industries and
commerce, Hekani Jakhalu, congratulated WSTH on attaining 25 years. She lauded the “visionary” Western Sümi founders/pioneers for their foresight and appreciated their invaluable contributions for the Sümi community to progress. While appreciating the
indispensable involvement of Sümi women in building the Western Sümi community, Hekani said their crucial role was evident in the way Sümis have progressed and prospered in this part of the state. Hekani said she becoming an MLA was also an
answered prayer of the Sümi women in particular and Naga women in general for women representatives in the State Assembly (NLA). Underscoring the importance of representation, Hekani said that more Naga women needed to come out and lead from the forefront.
Speaking on the importance of unity and oneness among the Nagas, Hekani lamented the disunity among the Nagas and called for harbouring the “spirit of brotherhood” for the Naga society to progress. “If we do not change our mindset and unify, then the younger Naga generation will not progress and prosper,” she said. Stating that women could play a vital role in unifying the Nagas, the advisor asked them to exhibit patience, which according to her was God’s “special power” to women, and continue their endeavour to maintain peace and harmony among the Nagas. The special guest
also announced “WSTH Silver Jubilee Scholarship” for Western Sümi women, and informed that the details would be worked out with WSTH. The “Mega Cultural Event” was followed by “Silver Jubilee Service” on the theme, “Kuqhakulu Chikamujo Ani” (Nurturing Unity) with retired director of higher education, Kuholi Chishi as the theme speaker. In her message, Chishi said that unity exists in the Sümi community, but they did not nurture the spirit of unity. She said unity could be nurtured by inculcating the following- “embrace (Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C