Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 130
DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Election Commission ban on Mayawati: SC refuses relief
Arsenal beat Watford to go fourth
No Brexit extension beyond Oct 31: Juncker
national, Page 5
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
NPF suspends 7 rebel legislators
DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): All seven rebel NPF legislators who had announced support to the ruling PDA candidate for the Lok Sabha election, have been suspended from the primary and active membership of the party by the NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu after recommendation from the party Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC). The seven suspended NPF legislators include-N. Thongwang Konyak (46 Mon Town A/C), Eshak Konyak (47 Aboi A/C), E.E. Pangteang (48 Moka A/C), B.S. Nganglang (49 Tamlu A/C), Toyang Chang (53 Tuensang Sadar I A/C), Kejong Chang (54 Tuensang Sadar II A/C) and C.L. John (45 Tehok A/C). In the order, NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu also ruled that while under suspension, the seven MLAs would continue to be bound by the whip of the party on the floor of Nagaland Legislative Assembly as per the existing law and judicial decisions of Supreme Court.
Citizenship Bill to be implemented by July: Ram Madhav
NPF MLAs (from L) E.E. Pangteang, Toyang Chang, (4th & 5th from L) Eshak Konyak, Kejong Chang, N PF legis lator CL. (extreme R) BS Nganglang and (4th from R) N. Thongwang Konyak with Neiphiu Rio. (File) John. (File)
Copies of the order have been sent to Chief Election Commissioner of India, chief electoral officer and speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly. According to the order, the party Disciplinary Action Committee had meticulously examined the replies to the show-cause notices served on them on March 26 and to which they filed their replies on April 1. After proper application of mind, the DAC recommended their suspension from the party’s membership, the order stated. Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu had noted that in their replies, the seven had “un-
ambiguously” admitted what was set out in the show-cause notice in reiterating their stand in siding with the political opponent of the NPF in the Lok Sabha election 2019. The NPF president stated that their attitude was “nothing short of wilfully defying the collective decision of the party” by supporting a candidate of a rival political party for the lone Parliamentary constituency adding this was sufficient to infer that that their decisions and movements were all antiparty activities. Further, the order pointed out that instead of expressing remorse for not
SCERT introduces DIKSHA to aid teachers
Menukhol John and Pranshul Jain launching the DIKSHA portal.
Correspondent Ram Madhav (File)
SILCHAR, APR 16 (AGENCIES): BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday announced that Assam’s National Register of Citizens will be released in July end and predicted that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill could also become reality by then, Inside NE report stated. “The National Register of Citizens (NRC) to be released in July end. Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, will also come by then. Once both of these come; issues relating to foreigners will be resolved”, he was quoted as saying ahead of the election. Both the CAB and NRC continue to be pertinent issues in Assam, but the BJP leadership has remained steadfast in its resolve to implement the Bill despite opposition from many corners.
being able to adhere to the party’s collective decision and directive, the seven instead had demanded withdrawal of the showcause notices. The NPF president noted that their attitudes demonstrated that they held some hidden agenda to “further disintegrate the party which cannot be overlooked.” He also pointed out that NPF had convened a consultative meeting of all its MLAs, Central office bearers, Central Executive Council members, central frontals and cell office bearers, divisional presidents, working presidents and general secretaries on
KOHIMA, APR 16 (NPN): With the aim of aiding teachers in creating and using innovative tech-based solutions in classrooms, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) introduced Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) here Tuesday. DIKSHA is a digital initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and National Council for Teacher Education, SCERT Nagaland. Introducing DIKSHA, principal secretary school
education and SCERT, Menukhol John, in his brief address, said it was a continuous process of development to support teachers in creating a vibrant method of teaching and learning. He said timeline cannot be given to introduce the same for other subjects, but exuded confidence that it would enhance the process of learning to the students. SCERT director, T Sekhose, asserted that SCERT has constituted different committees and would go into business of training master trainers upon the introduction of DIKSHA.
Sekhose disclosed that SCERT has identified two teachers from each EBRC. He said teachers, who were techno savvy, could be in a better position to contribute. Stating that as for now DIKSHA was just for class five students, Sekhose said SCERT would strive to create more contents for all subsequent classes. Resource person Pranshul Jain, team DIKSHA, MHRD project management unit, said DIKSHA was introduced to empower teachers and to make classroom more engaging for students. He said the textbook was introduced to assist teachers, parents and students for better learning. DIKSHA intends to enhance knowledge sharing for better teaching learning materials, encourage teachers for creation and curation of e-contents and create familiarity and comfort ability for teachers with use of technology, network and sharing experiences.
March 30 at its Central office, Kohima. Instead of attending the meeting, which was an opportunity for the seven legislators to explain their position, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu said that the MLAs rather chose to intentionally skip the meeting, and in doing so, forfeited their right to talk as inner party democracy and voluntarily giving their membership of NPF. He further charged them of wilfully ignoring and avoiding NPF Legislature Party meetings since March 25 without valid reasons despite being served show-cause no(Cont’d on p-7) tices.
‘EC has woken up now’: SC after 4 politicians banned from campaign NEW DELHI, APR 16 (PTI): The Supreme Court Tuesday expressed satisfaction over swift action taken by the Election Commission against various politicians, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati, for their alleged communal speeches during campaigning saying the poll panel has now “woken up to its powers”. The apex court refused Mayawati’s plea challenging the EC on Monday banning her from campaigning for 48 hours. A day after EC found itself “toothless” against hate speeches, which had invited the ire of the top court, the poll panel told a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that it has barred Adiytanath, Mayawati, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan from campaigning for varying hours. The bench, also comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna, refused to consider Mayawati’s plea challenging the EC’s 48-hour campaign ban on her on the ground that it has been inflicted on
NPCC files FIR against Dy CM DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has filed an FIR against deputy chief minister, Y. Patton for alleged violation of election Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the recently held Lok Sabha polls. In a press note, NPCC communications department stated that a Police complaint was filed at Wokha Police station against Patton, accusing the latter of serious violation of MCC. NPCC alleged that Patton, during the April 11 Lok Sabha polls, had entered a polling station under 37 Tuyi A/C, wearing political party scarf and criminal conduct of impersonation and forgery by indulging in proxy voting. Earlier, opposition NPF had also urged the sate chief Electoral Officer to take action against Y. Patton for violating MCC and the ‘clean election’ campaign. NPF pointed out that as per Election Commission rules, display of party election symbols in
any form is prohibited within the 200-metre parameter of a polling booth on the polling day. NPF also accused Patton of breaching the long demand for clean election- “one man one vote”- by casting votes eight times against the campaign being advocated not only by government agencies, but also by churches and civil society groups. However, Patton, categorically denied having violated any electoral norm, rule and model code of conduct as alleged. In a rejoinder, Deputy Chief Minister’s Office (DCMO) through its media cell questioned the authenticity and intent of the video clip purportedly showing Patton entering the polling station. Stating that this required scrutiny, DCMO cautioned that the cause of action and legal recourse arising out of the same was reserved. DCMO also clarified that Patton never indulged in any multiple voting but only cast his legitimate vote and not as alleged by NPCC.
Bassist, Benny Ramos
Lead Guitarist, Rex Carroll
Staff Reporter
K Y M C
today,” the bench said, adding that the petitioner may mention the plea in future if the need arises. EC Monday imposed a nationwide campaign ban on Adityanath for 72 hours and on Maneka Gandhi and Mayawati for 48 hours from Tuesday for their “provocative” communal remarks, which it said had the “propensity to polarise the elections”. A 72-hour campaign ban has also been imposed on Samajwadi Party’s Azam Khan for his alleged “khaki underwear” jibe against actor-politician Jaya Prada, who is his rival BJP candidate in Rampur Lok Sabha seat. The all-India ban on all four leaders -- two from the ruling BJP and two from opposition parties -- came into force from 6 am Tuesday. While Adityanath, Mayawati and Gandhi were found guilty of violating the model code, the EC said Khan not only violated the poll code, he also disregarded its November 2013 directive asking politicians to desist from “deeds or actions construed as being repugnant to the honour and dignity of women”.
Polls scrapped in Vellore LS seat after huge cash haul
VELLORE, APR 16 (AGENCIES): President Ram Nath Kovind has accepted the Election Commission’s recommendation to cancel the election in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore over excessive use of money power, days after a large sum of cash was seized from the warehouse of a DMK candidate. The poll panel had sent its recommendation to cancel polling in the Lok Sabha constituency Monday night, but his acceptance of it was a mere formality. Since the President signs the notification for Lok Sabha elections, it is only he who can rescind it. Vellore was to vote in the second phase on April 18. Polling for the two Assembly seats under the Vellore LS seat - Ambur and Gudiyattam - facing by-polls, will go ahead as planned on Thursday as the order was specific to Lok Sabha election, officials told News18. The EC’s recommendation was sent after cash seizures from the premises of DMK veteran leader and party treasurer Duraimurugan’s son Kathir Anand’s house in Vellore on March 29. On April 1, based on information that illegal cash was moved from a college owned by the Duraimurugan family to a cement warehouse in Vellore, a second I-T search was launched and Rs 11.53 crore was seized. “All the cash that was seized was stuffed in cartons and gunny bags neatly packed for distribution division and wardwise. The cash was shifted from Kingston college Vellore to a cement godown in the night between March 29 and 30...,” an I-T source had said.
Christian metal band ‘Whitecross’ rocks DDSC stadium NDPP welcomes CF extension
This is it!
“He’s used to play the role of a daku in films. Now he’s a star campaigner.”
her without being granted an opportunity to put forth her views. “File a Special Leave Petition or an appeal if you want. We are not commenting on anything now,” the bench told senior lawyer Dushyant Dave, representing the BSP supremo. EC has acted because of the apex court’s order and the ban is “extremely drastic” in view of the fact that she has not been heard and, moreover, she has prior scheduled public meetings, Dave said. The bench, which had summoned an EC official for Tuesday to examine the ambit of the poll panel’s to deal with hate speeches, said, “It seems you have got your powers. It seems you have woken up to your powers”. Senior advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for the EC, said, “We have found we have several powers” and listed out the action taken by the poll panel against some politicians. “Pursuant to the order passed yesterday, the Election Commission of India has taken action and the appropriate details of which have been submitted. No further order is called for
DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Whitecross, an American Christian metal band from Illinois, shook Dimapur’s DDSC stadium Tuesday evening with hard rock Christian songs for thousands of young crowd gathered there. The band members- Rex Carroll, Peter Stenlund, Benny Ramos and Michael Feighan- rendered heavy metal Christian rock music that thundered across the stadium and echoed across Dimapur city.
Vocalist, Peter Stenlund
Thunderous cheers from the crowd greeted the famous tracks of the band including “Attention please”, “Takes it to the limit”, “Looking for a reason”, “Top of the world”, “Prisoner” “We know what’s right”, “Signs of the end” and the like. The crowd was thrilled to listen to the band, geared up in acoustic instruments, playing one of their original songs “Simple man”. Alemtemshi Jamir, who was the guest of honour, in his speech, admitted that he was
Drummer, Michael Feighan
surprised by how metallic rock music was used to worship and praise God. He also thanked the Sky Entertaining Group for their hard work and initiative in making the concert a grand success. Alemtemshi also acknowledged that music is indeed the gift of God to mankind. After a dynamic drum solo, drummer, Benny Ramos, shared a short testimony about God and encouraged the young people not to give up their dreams. He said God’s love was much bigger
than any love and that God loves everyone. Other members of the band also shared their testimony of the word of God. The mostly young crowd not only got to enjoy their music but left with blessings of hope and love. Leading Naga musicians-Mengu Suokhrie, Jano Nyekha, Tokaholi, Brainstorm Island including Shillong-based Gospellers also performed. The concert was managed by Sky Entertainment and powered by the Nagaland Bamboo Timber Unit.
DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): NDPP-led PDA has welcomed and appreciated extension of the ceasefire agreement by Government of India (GoI) on Monday with GPRN/NSCN and NSCN (R) for another year with effect from April 28, 2019 to April 27, 2020, along with the signing of a “fresh cease fire agreement” between Centre and NSCN/GPRN (K) with effect from April 15. In a communiqué issued by its media & communication committee, NDPP said this gesture of GoI and NNPGs proves that all negotiating parties are committed to resolving the decades-old Naga political issue. Stating that ruling coalition believes that the ongoing dialogue between the negotiating parties will ultimately result in a solution that will be honourable, inclusive and acceptable to the people and eventually bring lasting peace and settlement, NDPP stressed that it was also the desire of PDA that the negotiating parties would expedite the talks so that a final settlement
comes about at the earliest as the Framework Agreement was already signed on August 3, 2015 and that it was also now 22 years since the dialogues began in 1997. NDPP maintained that though the state government was only a facilitator to the ongoing talks, it is the commitment of the NDPP-led PDA to extend its fullest support and co-operation towards bringing about a permanent solution. With the coming onboard of NNPGs to the negotiating table, along with the ongoing talks and the signing of the Framework Agreement, NDPP said the PDA once again appeals for early resolution of the Indo-Naga peace process in line with the desire of the people for lasting peace. The party also gave a clarion call on behalf of PDA to the people of Nagaland as stake holders to continue upholding the all-important Naga issue, even as it assured its cooperation in extending support so that a final settlement that is honourable and acceptable is reached at the earliest. K Y M C