April 17, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00

www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 129

DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2018 Pages 16 ` 5.00

Bhargava questions reservation; courts controversy

Manchester City win EPL title

China says ties with India now see progress

national, Page 12

sports, Page 16

international, Page 9

Nagas have no concern about economy, says CM Rio addressing the DPDB cum felicitation programme on Monday.

NEW DELHI, APR 16 (PTI): Supreme Court today directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider a representation seeking modification in the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines to enable an elector to cancel his vote if it has wrongly been cast in favour of a candidate. A plea by an engineer today came up for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra alleging that the machines were not “error free” and there should be a system to stop casting of votes if they went in favour of candidates to whom the electors did not intend to vote. The bench refused to entertain the plea and directed the petitioner to make a representation before the ECI with his petition that alleged that the VVPAT machines were not error proof. The petition had sought a direction to the ECI to “modify the VVPAT machines so that there is adequate facility available to stop wrong voting, if the same is detected by the voter in the VVPAT machines.”

Despite warnings, vehicles still ply on Nagarjan bridge Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Despite repeated warnings from authorities concerned, vehicles continue to ply on the British-era bridge at Nagarjan (Kuda) over the Dhansiri river. It may be recalled that cracks appeared on the bridge after its foundations went off-kilter on July 20 last year, barely 10 days after the collapse of the 4th Mile bridge that resulted in four deaths. On Sunday, fresh photos of cracks under the bridge circulated widely on social media, thereby highlighting severity of the danger. However, when contacted, Roads & Bridges Executive Engineer, Talitemsu Jamir told Nagaland Post that these cracks were not new and that they had been there since last year. “But that does not make the bridge any less dangerous,” he was quick to add. According to him, the fact that vehicles were still using the bridge despite warnings was now an administrative issue. After a ban ordered in January this year on restrict-

Deck Slab

DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, Monday said that since Nagas did not have work culture they had no concern about the state’s economy. Asserting that life was all about economy, Rio said “unless you are self sufficient, you are at the mercy of others.” According to an official bulletin, the chief minister was speaking at the Kohima District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting cum felicitation programme for the newly elected members of Kohima district in the DPDB conference hall, Kohima on April 16, 2018 Pointing out that the economy of most of the vil-

lages was agrarian, he said the agriculture and allied sectors should particularly produce sufficiently for sustenance. Rio requested all the heads of departments of the district to make an effort and sincerely work with the villagers closely and built their economy. Further, the chief minister asked the government servants to collectively serve the people so as to ease their life and uplift the economy of the people particularly in rural areas. He suggested that whatever schemes have been given to one village in a year or for a period could be monitored by the deputy commissioner for any overlapping or duplication. He also asked to come up with

rangements to enable commuters to cross the river by using hume pipes or some other similar arrangement, Talitemsu lamented that this was not possible due to land ownership issues. “It’s almost like we are waiting for the disaster to happen, although of course that is not really the case,” he explained. On the current construction work underway to build a new bridge, the executive engineer said work

was progressing quite fast given the circumstances. He said the contractor, who took up the work in October 2017, was given 18 months to complete the task. However, the contractor had not been paid even once, he added. “Considering that he has started work without payment in the interest of public service, it would be good if he starts getting paid,” Talitemsu remarked.

NMA flays Kathua, Unnao rape cases

LRD to bring 300 ha under coffee plantation within 100 days Governor forwards death

NSCN (I-M) recognizes 6 tribes

DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Amid the growing public outrage all over the country over the Unnao and Kathua rape cases, the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has also strongly condemned the heinous crimes against young girls in Kathua and Unnao as well as in other places. In a press release, Naga Mothers’ Association joint secretary, Malsawmthangi Leyri, stated that the rising crimes against women including children in the country as well as in Nagaland called for an end to such inhumane activities. The Naga mothers called upon the leaders of the respective governments of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to ensure the “strictest punishment” on all the perpetrators as per the law. It NMA also urged the government of India to bring out a stricter law against the rape of children. Further, the association appealed to all sections of society to end all forms of violence against women and children and ensure their right to peace, dignity and security. Naga Mothers’ Association also extended solidarity with all those grieving families.

This is it!

“The spot where the signboard has been put up is mine. But I don’t have any idea what CSS is.” K Y M C

an annual progress report of utilizing the local area developing fund, which would be transparent in nature and would give responsibilities to the officers or the villagers to implement the scheme. Recalling his first time member in DPDB as area council chairman way back in early 1980s and then his association with the board, the chief minister said that DPDB made progress over the years. Stating that people belonging to the capital were more privileged than others and likewise officers posted in the capital were also privileged, he said they have more responsibilities to show the way in whatever departments or responsibilities they hold.

SC directs EC on VVPAT machines

(Cont’d on p-7)

Paiwang planting a coffee sapling at the directorate premises. (NP)

Correspondent KOHIMA, APR 16 (NPN): In compliance with the cabinet decision of March 8, land resource department (LRD) plans to develop coffee over 300 hectare of land within 100 days by distributing coffee seedlings. This was announced by land resource, transport, civil

aviation and railways minister P Paiwang Konyak while formally distributing coffee seedlings at LRD conference hall here on Monday. Addressing a brief meeting on the occasion, the minister asserted that the mission was an achievable target. He said coffee was once considered a failed crop, before the efforts put

in by officials and staff of the department changed the situation for the better. He said cultivation of rubber, tea and cardamom could be spread rapidly, but coffee as a crop required scientific assistance. The minister said the LRD had targeted coffee, rubber roller and construction of spring-sheds and added that the project was meant to improve the economy. Stating that the springsheds would be constructed both for domestic use and for farmers, he added that it was the bounden duty of the department to take care of people in rural areas. In his brief address, secretary Kikheto Sema said about five lakh Arabica and Robusta coffee seedlings would be distributed in all the districts. He said the State government had allocated Rs 4 crore for coffee plantation in 2018-19.

Announcing that the department would distribute rubber rollers to rubber growers in Wokha, Mokokchung, Dimapur and Peren, Sema added that the department intended to develop rubber in 50,000 hectares by 2027 and that the current activity was a step forward to achieve the target. He said with market linkage being set up, there was no reason now to make coffee a failed crop. The secretary said the ultimate objective of the department was to improve economy of the rural people by creating employment opportunities for the unemployed youth. Speaking on the occasion, land resource director Hoto Yeptho said 5,75,000 Arabica coffee seedlings and 60,000 Robusta coffee seedlings would be distributed to the farmers for plantation within 100 days.

Pier

The deck slab and the main girder beam separated from the main pier. (NP)

ing use of the bridge by Dimapur deputy commissioner Sushil Kumar Patel, barricades were erected to prevent vehicles from using the bridge, which, however, were promptly burnt down by miscreants. It may also be recalled that Jamir himself had issued an appeal on March 21 this year urging the public to not use the bridge as it was not safe. Asked if there were any plans to make temporary ar-

penalty petition to CMO

DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya, has forwarded to the chief minister’s office (CMO) a petition seeking amendment of law in Nagaland to award death penalty as punishment for child rape. According to Raj Bhavan PRO, the governor extended supported to the petition and forwarded the same for necessary legislation on the matter. The petition, received from chairperson Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India (COWEI), Uma Ghurka, stated that “we need to play our role in the protection of the girl child”. COWEI has initiated a petition asking for awarding death penalty or life imprisonment as punishment for (Cont’d on p-7) child rape and speedy trial

RD deptt, DDVDBSA refute NPF allegation on fund misuse DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Rural development department has denied any irregularity in the department at the behest of principal secretary, Lhoubeilatuo Kire as alleged by NPF. In a statement issued to the media on Monday, rural development director Imlimeren Jamir said the department was constrained to issue the clarification with regard to the press release issued by the opposition party that appeared in local dailies on April 13 with the caption “NPF accuses PDA Government of misusing MGNREGA Fund”. Denying the allegation that the new principal secretary was implementing MGNREGS at his own whims and fancies due to which the department and village development boards (VDBs) were facing difficulties, the director clarified that the principal secretary,

being the commissioner of MGNREGA by default, allocated and sanctioned all fund to the districts. Jamir explained that all proposals and allocations were made by the rural development department based on requirements of the districts, blocks and villages and placed before the MGNREGA commissioner for approval and sanctioning. Therefore, the question of funds being allocated at the whims of the principal secretary/commissioner MGNREGA did not arise, he added. On NPF’s allegation that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 285 crore and that the present PDA government had misused the fund by deducting high percentage, instead of disbursing it to the VDBs for development, the director clarified that Rs 140 crore had been released to the VDBs and that the remaining amount

was awaiting clearance from the State government and not as alleged. He further clarified that Nagarjan (Kuda) village C khel, being a bona fide recognised Naga village having a total job card of 1820, was entitled to demand and take up any work at the village based on the requirement under the MGNREGS as per guidelines. While appreciating the initiative taken up by political parties for proper implementation of MGNREGS, the director felt that it might be too premature for any party to judge the credibility of the officer in question, who took charge on April 1 only. He also urged all parties, organisations and individuals concerned to extend fullest cooperation and support to the department in facilitating the interest and welfare of VDBs.

DDVDBSA: Reacting to the NPF allegations over misuse of MGNREGA fund by principal secretary rural development, the Dimapur District VDB Secretary Association (DDVDBSA) Monday issued clarification on the issue at hand that concerned the welfare of the VDBs. In a press release, DDVDBSA general secretary, Thrilongse Sangtam, said that the association to deliberate on the issue held an emergency meeting on April 14, 2018, wherein it was resolved to examine and unearth the truth of the allegation levelled against the principal secretary RD. After a thorough examination and as per the finding, the association stated that it went through the Management Information System (MIS) of the Nagarjan village and found out that there were 1820 active job cards in the village.

Girder

The association said the village had received the fund as per the approved labour budget. It was also found out that the village could even receive more funds then what has been received in the recent release on MGNREGA if the labour budget was approved. As such, the association said there was no question of unfair means or nepotism in the allocation of the fund to Kuda village by principal secretary RD. Clarifying that MGNREGA was a demand driven scheme, DDVDBSA said there was no uniformity in the allocation of funds. It said that funds varied from village to village as per the approved labour budget. Therefore, the association stated that variation in the allocation of fund should not be confused or be viewed as an unfair means.

in case of child rape to get justice within six months. The letter addressed to the governor stated that the petition has received wide support from all sections of the society and over 15,000 people have signed in within a months’ time and thousands of people continue to sign and propagate it every week. Also over 15 women organisations have extended their support to it, the letter stated. Acharya, who met with Uma Ghurka in Mumbai, had talks with her regarding the matter and asked her to send a letter to his office. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Har yana and Arunachal Pradesh have passed a bill awarding Death Penalty for Rape of Minor Child below the age of 12.

DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): NSCN (I-M), in pursuant to the tribe recognition by its government, has issued an order informing that six tribes shall be affiliated to all Naga apex and frontal organizations. The order, issued by the GPRN vice president’s office, through the secretary LH John, in consultation with the collective leadership stated that the six tribes-- Khoibu, Aimol, Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei and Ollo shall be affiliated to all apex and frontal Naga organizations. Meanwhile, Rongmei Naga People’s Organization has expressed happiness and gratitude to GPRN for officially issuing the order of the tribe recognition and the affiliation to all the Naga apex and frontal organisation, a press note from the RNPO media cell stated.

All 5 accused in Mecca Masjid blast case acquitted

HYDERABAD, APR 16 (IANS): Nearly 11 years after a bomb blast killed nine worshippers at the historic Mecca Masjid here, a special NIA court on Monday acquitted all five Hindu activist accused. The National Investigation Agency court held that none of the charges framed against the accused, including Swamy Aseemanand, had been proved, a lawyer for one of the accused told reporters outside the Nampally criminal court complex. Righwing Hindu activists Nabakumar Sarkar alias Swamy Aseemanand, Devender Gupta, Lokesh Sharma, Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar alias Bharat Bhai and Rajender Chowdhary, against whom the charges were framed, were all acquitted. (Cont’d on p-7) Swamy Aseemanand, a

resident of Gujarat and head of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, was earlier acquitted in the Ajmer Dargah blast case and is currently on bail in Samjhauta Express blast case of 2014. Devendra Gupta is the RSS parcharak from Bihar while Lokesh Sharma is a RSS activist from Madhya Pradesh. Judge resigns after verdict: Hours after acquitting all five right-wing Hindu activists accused in the 2007 Mecca Masjid bomb blast case, special NIA court judge K. Ravinder Reddy on Monday tendered his resignation. Reddy, who is the fourth Metropolitan Sessions Judge, cited “personal reasons” in his resignation letter sent to the Chief Justice of the Hyderabad High Court, said informed sources. (Full report on p-11) K Y M C


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
April 17, 2018 by Nagaland Post - Issuu