April 18, 2019

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 131

DIMAPUR, THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Modi is dividing the nation, says Rahul

Djokovic wins in Monte Carlo

Masood Azhar issue heading towards settlement: China

national, Page 5

sports, Page 11

international, Page 9

Cyclonic storm lashes Nagaland, NE

Correspondent/Agencies

KOHIMA/GUWAHATI/SHILLONG, APR 17 (NPN): A massive cyclonic storm in the wee hours of April 17 lashed most parts Nagaland and other North Eastern states leaving a trail of destruction by uprooting trees, damaging houses and disrupting power supply. Even as the storm, followed by heavy downpour, swept across most parts of Nagaland, reports reaching here stated that Phek district was among the worst affected. At least 17 houses at Sakraba village in Phek district was damaged by the storm. Sakraba Village Council chairman Nerayi D Vadeo informed Nagaland Post that 17 houses and electricity poles were damaged, while many trees were uprooted and fell on power cables and roads disrupting power connection and blocking roads, affecting movement of traffic. He said several water pipelines were also damaged. However, there was no report of any casualty. Stating that certain restoration work like power supply etc. was beyond the

GoI, NSCN (I-M) review CF rules Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APR 17 (NPN): Government of India and the NSCN (I-M) held a review meeting of the cease-fire ground rules here on Tuesday. The cease-fire review meeting is an annual exercise where both the sides discuss several issues particularly observance of the cease-fire ground rules. A c c o r d i n g t o Vi s. Comm. report, MHA joint secretary (I/c NE) Satyendra Garg had said that both the sides held a “cordial” meeting. He said several issues raised by NSCN (I-M) was discussed, however, some points were deferred since the CFMG chairman Lt. Gen. Shokin Chauhan was not present. Steering committee member Phunting Shimrang, who led the 10-member NSCN (I-M) delegation, also said that the meeting was cordial. He was optimistic that whatever issues were discussed would benefitthe Nagas and India in the long run. He said NSCN (I-M) was only concerned about solution to the decades old Naga issue. “We had been patient for the past 22 years and have already made our position clear,” he added. The meeting was also attended by spl. secretary (internal security) AP Maheswari.

This is it!

“Actually, if solution arrives, we’ll have nothing left.” K Y M C

(L to R) A house damaged by the gusty wind in Sakraba village. An electricity pole knocked down by the storm on Wednesday morning. (Via WhatsApp/Veyozo).

villagers’ capacity, Vadeo appealed to the authorities concerned to look into the matter. Veyozo, a villager, remarked “We haven’t seen such heavy wind in our entire life time”. Further details on damage are awaited from State Disaster Management Authority. Meanwhile, the village council acknowledged the Phek district administration and individuals for extending their help and support to the affected villagers.

Assam: A massive storm also lashed parts of Assam including the main city Guwahati on Wednesday around 2.30 a.m. Most of the roads across Guwahati were strewn with torn branches and a blanket of leaves covered all over. The winds were so heavy and so harsh that several tinned roofs were blown away leaving people to spend the rest of the night under the open sky amid continuous rain that continued till early morning. Officials said that

several people were also injured, though no loss of life was reported. Meghalaya: A cyclonic storm accompanied with rain wreaked havoc in parts of Meghalaya during the wee hours of Wednesday with several houses being damaged, roads blocked, trees uprooted and disruption of power supply. According to reports, many houses in the Garo Hills were extensively damaged. Skymetweather report has predicted thunderstorms accompanied

Ex-MLA Rokonicha passes away DIMAPUR, APR 17 ( N P N ) : Fo r m e r M L A Rokonicha Kuotsu passed away at his residence in Medziphema on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. He was 73. The funeral was held on April 17. Born in the year 1944, Rokonicha had served as Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly for six terms. He contested from 5 Ghaspani II Assembly Constituency in 1974 from UDF party and subsequently elected as Deputy Speaker on March 17, 1975. He was elected to the 4th Assembly in 1977 from UDF party; elected to the 5th Assembly in 1982 from NNDP; elected to the 6th Assembly in 1987 on NNDP ticket; elected to the 9th Assembly in 1998 from INC party and appointed as Minister of State for Local Self Government & Wasteland Development. Again, he was elected to the 10th Assembly in 2003 from INC party and remained as MLA.

Late Rokonicha Kuotsu

Before entering into active politics, late Rokonicha had served in various capacities as president, Chakhroma Student’s Conference, 196769; joint secretary, Angami Public Organisation, 1973 and assistant teacher, GHS, Kohima, 1972-73.

Condolences

Governor: Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya, has expressed sadness at the demise of Rokonicha, former Minister of Nagaland and said that the people of Nagaland have lost a tall leader and a great human being in the demise of late Rokonicha. In a condo-

lence message, the Governor stated that late Rokonicha, who served the people of Nagaland in various capacities, would be remembered fondly by all. Acharya conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and prayed to Almighty God to grant strength and solace to bear the irreparable loss. NLA speaker: Expressing grief at the demise of the former MLA, Rokonicha, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu said he knew the late leader to be a humble and dynamic leader who worked diligently for the welfare and uplift of his Constituency and for the people of Nagaland. In a condolence message, the speaker on behalf of the Members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly conveyed heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Sonei-ii Kuotsu, children and family members. (Cont’d on p-7)

by gusty winds over North Eastern states. It, however, added that the intensity of the weather activities will reduce thereafter in most parts of the region. M e a n w h i l e, r a i n , thunderstorm and strong winds claimed the lives of several people in parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat overnight, leaving over 40 people dead and many others injured. PM announces exgratia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved an ex- gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from the PM’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to unseasonal rain and storms in MP, Rajasthan, Manipur and other parts of the country. Prime Minister has also approved Rs. 50,000 each for those injured. Expressing grief at the loss of lives due to unseasonal rains and storms across India, Modi said: “The government is doing its best to provide all possible assistance to those affected. The situation is being monitored closely.”

Stage set for phase II LS polls today NEW DELHI, APR 17 (PTI): Union ministers Jitendra Singh, Jual Oram, Sadananda Gowda and Pon Radhakrishnan, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and DMK’s Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja and Kanimozhi are among the 1,600-odd contestants in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls to be held in 95 seats Thursday across 11 states and the union territory of Puducherry. Thirty eight of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu will go to polls besides 18 assembly constituencies. Polling in Vellore Lok Sabha seat, which is currently represented by the AIADMK, was cancelled Tuesday by the Election Commission following recovery of huge amount of cash allegedly from an associate of a DMK leader recently. The EC also announced postponement of polling in Tripura (East) Lok Sabha seat to the third phase on April 23, saying the prevailing law-and-order situation there is not conducive for holding free and fair polls. Besides Tamil Nadu, polling will also be held in 14 seats in Karnataka, 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat each in Manipur and Puducherry. Elections will also be held in 35 assembly constituencies in

Odisha. Of the 95 constituencies, the AIADMK holds the maximum of 36 seats, followed by the BJP with 27 seats. The Congress had won 12 of these seats in 2014, the Shiv Sena and the BJD 4 each, the JD-S and the RJD two each and the AIUDF, the NCP, the JD-U, the PDP, the AINRC, the PMK, the CPI-M and the TMC one seat each. Nearly 15.8 crore voters are eligible to vote in the second phase. Other prominent candidates in fray include Congress leaders Verappa Moily and Raj Babbar, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and BJP’s Hema Malini. In Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK, contesting as part of the NDA. The alliance comprises among others BJP, PMK, DMDK and Tamil Maanila Congress of former union minister G K Vasan. DMK has formed a “Secular Progressive Alliance” comprising the Congress and Left parties, among others. In Odisha, Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik is contesting from his home turf Hinjili in Ganjam district and Bijepur in Bargarh. Among others, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Oram of the BJP, BJD’s Rajya Sabha MPs Prasanna Acharya and Achyut Samant, BJP nominee and three-time MP Kharabela Swain are in the fray in the Lok Sabha polls. It is a high-stakes battle

for the ruling Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka as any adverse result is likely to have an impact on the longevity of the coalition government in the state. BJP is determined to improve its tally compared to last time riding on the Modi wave. A total of 179 candidates are in the fray in Maharashtra in the 10 constituencies spread in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. Former chief ministers Ashok Chavan and Sushilkumar Shinde of Congress are contesting from Nanded and Solapur seats respectively. Cinestars Hema Malini and Raj Babbar are among the 85 candidates from Uttar Pradesh, whose electoral fate will be decided on Thursday. The eight Lok Sabha seats, where polling is scheduled to be held, were won by the BJP in 2014. In Jammu and Kashmir, authorities have deployed over 80 companies for election duty in the twin constituencies of Srinagar and Udhampur. Fate of 68 candidates will be decided in Bihar by 86.01 lakh voters across Bhagalpur, Banka, Kishanganj, Katihar and Purnea Lok Sabha constituencies. Five seats in Assam will see polling Thursday and one seat in Manipur. The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting will be on May 23.

MYO locks Kisama gate Statewide mass social work on May 4 APR 17 (NPN): To with Road & Bridges department after recovery of body DIMAPUR, avert landslide and other disasters should work out an alternative

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 17 (NPN): Following the recovery of a dead body inside the Naga Heritage Village complex, Kisama on April 16 morning, the Merama Youth Organization (MYO) of Phesama village has locked the main gate of the festival venue demanding the state government to respond to their demands. A 40-year old man, who hailed from Phesama village, was found dead at Naga Heritage complex by a person on April 16 morning. MYO president Vipu Zashumo told Nagaland Post that they (MYO) had requested the responsible department and state government through representation to maintain better security and regulate proper mechanism to access the venue since 2016 and 2017. He said the villagers witnessed “unethical activities” happening within the complex especially at night as it was opened 24/7. However, he said the government turned a deaf ear to their demand. He cautioned that if the government failed to regulate and maintain proper security, greater problem could happen within the complex in the future. Zashumo said the villagers were often blamed for damage caused to government properties and for the things stolen by unknown persons inside the complex. He expressed regret for the inconveniences caused to the genuine visitors and tourists visiting the Heritage village.

during monsoon, a statewide mass social work would be carried out on May 4, 2019 clearing out all clogged drainages, culverts and debris. This was decided at a meeting to review pre-monsoon preparedness with AHoDs, HoDs and DCs at the secretariat conference hall on April 16, 2019. In districts, similar meeting would be held by DCs with the line departments and discuss matters relating to pre-monsoon preparedness. Speaking at the meeting, state chief secretary, Temjen Toy, urged all the departments to take preventive checks and be prepared for any emergencies. He said most disasters in Nagaland occur in the form of landslides due to excessive rain and clogged drainages, adding that many such disasters could be avoided with timely action. Deliberating on the roads blockage in far flung areas of the state during monsoon, the meeting decided that an alternative route would have to identify by all the DCs which would be led by NSDMA and line departments. It was also decided that DCs along

routes in the districts and important places to be used during the monsoon season. On the issue of shortage of food supplies in the far flung areas during disasters, it was decided that the divisional godown would be stocked up with food grains so that it can be used as relief materials for the affected people or as and when the need arises. Further, it was decided that the department of health & family welfare to keep sufficient stock of medicines and manpower available in district hospitals, community health centres and PHCs at district levels in case of any emergencies. While discussing on the suspected cattle epidemic in some parts of Dimapur and Medziphema areas, the animal husbandry department has been directed to procure sufficient medicines to contain the outbreak of the epidemic and also to keep sufficient drugs in stock in case of any such outbreak of epidemic during the monsoon season. (Cont’d on p-7)

50 lakh jobs lost after note ban, youth worst hit: Report Dimapur Rly. Station: Neglected by NFR NEW DELHI, APR 17 (AGENCIES): Around 50 lakh people lost their jobs since the Narendra Modi government launched demonetisation in November 2016, an Azim Premji University report has revealed. The report titled State of Working India, based on CMIE-CPDX data highlighted that India’s unemployed were mostly the youth. The report has come at a time when employment is one of the biggest issues in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Contrary to the BJPled government’s promise of providing over 1 crore jobs, the 146-page research report says that though 50 lakh people lost jobs between 2016 and 2018. However, no direct relationship could be established between job loss and demonetisation, the report. It also says the higher educated people are the most unemployed in India, with

5

MILLION Jobs lost due to

DEMONETIZATION

the majority of them in the age bracket of 20-24 years. The report was formed using data from the Consumer Pyramids Survey of the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE-CPDX) to understand the employment situation between 2016 and 2018. CMIE-CPDX, a nationally representative survey, covers about 160,000 households and 522,000 individuals. The report says unemployment, in general, has risen steadily after 2011. “Both the PLFS and the CMIE-CPDX report the

overall unemployment rate to be around 6 % in 2018, double of what it was in the decade from 2000 to 2011.” It added that women were much more affected than men when it came to jobs with higher unemployment rates and lower labour force participation rates. “Among urban women, graduates are 10% of the working age population but 34% of the unemployed. The age group 20-24 years is hugely over-represented among the unemployed. Among urban men, for example, this age group ac-

counts for 13.5% of the working age population but 60% of the unemployed,” says the report. The report reveals that the less educated (and likely, informal) workers have also seen major job losses and reduced work opportunities since 2016. Citing the report, the Congress party has hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of employment. Former finance minister P Chidambaram, in a series of tweets, said on Wednesday that the report by Azim Premji University was “another confirmation that lakhs of jobs were lost after demonetisation”. He said: “PM claims there is no unemployment in India. This is the problem if the PM will fly around the world but will not drive on the roads of India or walk A crowded Dimapur Railway station on April 17, 2019 shows how Northeast Frontier Railway on the streets of small towns (NFR) has not accorded due importance to the second highest revenue earning station in the North East by giving more trains that should originate from Dimapur. (NP) and villages.” K Y M C


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