Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 139
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Govt concerned about petrol, diesel price pinch: Pradhan
Real beat Bayern in CL semi-final 1st leg
Islamabad High Court disqualifies foreign minister Khawaja as MP
business, Page 8
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
Over 30000 take part in mega mock drill
Rescuers evacuating injured persons during mock drill in Kohima (L) and Dimapur (R) on Thursday. (NP/DIPR)
Staff Reporter/Correspondents
DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, APR 26 (NPN): Over 30,000 people took part in the mega mock exercise on earthquake-- Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx) 2018, held across the state Thursday by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) Home Department in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to test the capability of the government of the Nagaland to respond to and manage disasters. NEPEx simulated the 1897 Shillong earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Rich-
Stop ‘teachers attachment culture’: ENSF DIMAPUR, APR 26 (NPN): Calling for immediate ceasing of the “teachers attachment culture”, the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has urged all the responsible legislators and departments to send those attached teachers back to their respective posting places. In a press release, ENSF president, Sepili Sangtam, and general secretary, Imtichoba Chang, said the call was being made in the interest of the students pursuing their studies in the government institutions. While the federation was “tirelessly working to do justice to the students”, the signatories said such “attachment culture” was victimizing the students and benefiting the privileged lot. “This practice is not acceptable and tolerable to the federation,” they said. ENSF leaders maintained that the teachers, who were considered to be the “nation builders”, should play a vital role in reforming and reviving the educational system by executing assigned responsibilities. However, they said observing the “rampant attachment system” presently going on, the federation was “not impressed with the government entertaining this practice.” (Cont’d on p-5)
This is it!
“Madam, these are from Bihar, not China. They contain some fertiliser chemicals and are not synthetic materials.” K Y M C
ter Scale, held at select locations across the state. In the mock drill, human casualties reported from across the 11 districts to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) were 133 persons dead, 234 persons seriously injured and 417 persons were minor injured. DDMAs also reported major destruction to infrastructure. The exercise started with sirens indicating the occurrence of tremors. Once the tremors stopped, evacuation drills were conducted in coordination with various agencies. The exercise was significant as the entire north eastern region is located
in the Seismic Zone V and earthquake could cause major damage in terms of lives and infrastructure. Kohima: In the state capital, the mock drill was conducted in 11 various locations including schools, shopping complex, hospitals and various government directorates. Immediately after sounding of warning sirens at 10am, people in schools and institutions/offices responded by method of “drop, cover and hold on” for two minutes until the siren was sounded for the second time. Similarly, the stakeholders vacated to safe places (pre-identified safe zone) covering their heads with their hands or
any hard object. The state staging area of mock drill was held at Solidarity Park below Civil Secretariat and the district staging area was at Kohima village ground, below Don Bosco Kohima. The simulation exercise was conducted at 56 selected locations including Hospitals, shopping malls, schools, offices, Market area, churches, post office, high rise residential buildings and major hazardous units. Senior officials from all the important departments such as NDRF, Health, Police, Fire fighting, Information & Public Relations, Transport etc attended the
By-poll for lone LS seat on May 28 Correspondent
KOHIMA, APR 26 (NPN): Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced the date for byelections for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland including three other parliamentary constituencies– one in Uttar Pradesh and two in Maharashtra. The by-polls for the Lok Sabha seats will be held on May 28 and results will be declared on May 31. According to Nagaland’s chief electoral officer Abhijit Sinha, the gazette notification in this regard will be issued on May 3. As per the election schedule, the last date for filing nominations is May 10 and scrutiny of nominations will be done on May 11, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 14. He said the entire election process will be completed by June 2.
With the announcement of the by-election to the Nagaland parliamentary constituency, Sinha said the election model code of Conduct will come into immediate effect and will remain in force till the completion of the by-poll process. It may be recalled that former Lok Sabha member and chief minister Neiphiu Rio resigned as a member of parliament on February 17 after being elected unopposed to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly from Northern Angami-II Assembly constituency during the recently-concluded Assembly election. Meanwhile, the three top political parties in the State are yet to decide on fielding candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha by-poll. The parties were of the view that ECI might ultimately forgo the by-polls as hardly 10 months remained for the parliamentary elec-
tion scheduled in 2019. When contacted, ruling NDPP party spokesperson Merentoshi R. Jamir informed Nagaland Post that it would be premature to comment and added that his will hold a meeting with its alliance partner BJP, before declare its decision in a day or two. Voicing the same view, State BJP said the outcome will be known only after the party sits with NDPP. On the other hand, though it was yet to formally decide, opposition NPF said it was also eying for the State’s lone Lok Sabha seat. NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon informed this correspondent that nothing could be said before the party officials hold a meeting in this regard. However, he said there was a feeling within the party that chance should be given to younger politicians.
exercise. Following successful mock drill, NSDMA advisor, Phukayi Sumi, while addressing the press briefing at State Emergency Operating Centre (SEOC) at Kezhiekie Lotha Hoho Ki, expressed gratitude to all government machineries, officials from Assam and neighbouring states who participated in NEPEx. He said the mock drill was to know how much people were prepared and ready to face any mega disaster in the state. Expressing hope that mock drill would improve in the coming years, NSDMA advisor urged every citizen to join hands and cooperate to improve the exercise. He also advised the NSDMA to come out with more action plan in the future. Chairing the press debriefing, state chief secretary, Temjen Toy, said traffic was a major concern in Kohima town both in times of disaster and normal days. Based on today’s mock drill, he shared the need to improve communication system among various agencies, more sirens in various strategic locations and proper coordination.
NEW DELHI, APR 27 (NPN): Seen as a major development which could change the entire insurgency scenario in the North East region, the Narendra Modi government has pulled out all stops to “achieve a breakthrough” with the Naga political problem before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. According to The Indian Express (TIE), the Central government and Naga armed groups have agreed to finalise substantive portions of the peace accord which is likely to be signed before the monsoon session of Parliament. The newspaper disclosed that the final draft of the accord, expected to finally bring India’s oldest insurgency to a close, is now looking to jump the final hurdle: an agreement over the Naga demand for
a separate flag for the state. The government is also apprehensive about a violent reaction in the Manipur Valley to the signing of the accord. However, according to political analysts the issue of Naga flag is not a big deal since Kashmir also has its own flag and its own constitution. The BJP is clear that the nation should have only one flag, one constitution and one language. The boundary of states will not change, according to the report by The Indian Express though there is a clause to provide autonomous Naga territorial councils in Arunachal and Manipur; a common cultural body for Nagas across states under Naga Hoho (like the Sikh Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee which covers all states where Sikhs live). The likely agreement
will also have specific institutions for state’s development, integration and rehabilitation of non-state Naga militia and the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the report stated. Government of India’s Interlocutor to the Naga Peace Talks, R.N. Ravi told The Indian Express: “Yes, we are pretty close to finalising the (Naga Peace) accord”. There is intense media speculation about the outcome of the final draft which is almost ready and it is only “a matter of crossing the Ts and dotting the Is.” It could be taken to the Cabinet before being signed in Delhi “in a couple of months if there is no slip between the cup and the lip”, TIE report had stated. Talks between Ravi and Naga groups, Naga National Political Groups
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, APR 26 (NPN): Oil tanker drivers and helpers under the aegis of Oil Tanker Union, Dimapur (OTUD) staged a protest outside the office of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) depot at Kevijau Colony here Thursday demanding safe and unconditional release of a driver and helper who were abducted by armed miscreants on April 22. The driver, identified as Tula Ram Bura Gohain, and his helper Adman Surin were abducted near New Helipong village under Tuensang district. OTUD general secretary Bokavi Sema warned that oil tanker drivers and helpers might even enforce a chakka bandh until the two innocent driver and helper were released unconditionally. The union also threatened to ban all oil tankers from entering Dimapur until the two were released immediately. The union asserted no loading and unloading of oil tankers will be allowed at the IOCL depot till the (Cont’d on p-5) two were released. Bokavi
OTUD members protest outside IOC Ltd depot on Thursday. (NP)
said there was no confirmation on the whereabouts of the two and that the reason for their abduction was yet to be ascertained. OTUD appealed to Tuensang Police to take immediate and necessary action to trace out the abducted persons. The protestors held placards that read: “We want justice”, “Free our brothers immediately”, etc, while taking part in the dharna programme and condemned abduction of the two OTUD members. Pumps on strike in 4 districts: Ongpangkong Petrol Pump Co-operative Society Ltd, in a letter to Mokokchung deputy commissioner (DC), informed
that all petrol pumps like Essar, Indian Oil, Assam Oil and NRL at Tuli, Longnak, Zunheboto, Longleng and Tuensang remained shut from 1 p.m. on Thursday. The letter signed by Rongsen Kichu and Bendangwati, chairman and secretary of the society respectively, informed the Mokokchung DC that an ultimatum was served on Tuensang DC Wednesday to trace out the abducted persons. However, the letter lamented that no action had so far been taken. Therefore, the society was forced to shut down the petrol pumps effective from 1 p.m. on Thursday, the letter added. (Mkg Correspondent)
AZSU AMN declares tatar Police posts set up at Nagarjan bridge hoho decision ‘null and void’ DIMAPUR, APR 26 (NPN): All Zeliangrong Students’ Union Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (AZSU AMN) has declared the March 23, 2018 and the subsequent order on April 14, 2018 decision of the Tatar Hoho NSCN (I-M) trifurcating Zeliangrong family into Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei as “null and void”. In a press release, AZSU AMN president, Nchaheing Kompoing, and vice president, Hulangbou, said the declaration was made at its 5th Dimki (assembly) session on April 20, 2018 at Lodiram Haflong, Assam. The signatories said that decision of NSCN (I-M) was done without consulting the Zeliangrong apex organisations and against the wishes of the Zeliangrong people. After threadbare deliberation, AZSU AMN assembly also resolved to extend its fullest support to the decision of Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) general decision of April 13, 2018 at Jalukie and joint declaration of Zeliangrong solidarity day on April 1, 2018 at Chingmeirong, Imphal and 8 Dimki (assembly) declaration of ZB (AMN) on April 11, 2018 at Makuilongdi village, Senapati, that “Zeliangrong family as one people would remain united and reaffirmed the solidarity oath of our forefathers in 1934 and Keisamthong declaration of Zeliangrong as one people (Cont’d on p-5) on August 15, 1947.”
Renewed speculation over Naga solution Spl. Correspondent/Agencies
Abduction: Oil tanker union stage protest; threatens chakka bandh
(NNPGs)-- comprising the representatives of six Naga groups-- and NSCN (I-M) are currently taking place in Delhi. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, the report added. However, there is also another problem to these speculations which can come from other Nagalandbased armed groups. Most of the groups have been demanding that the Framework agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) be first laid on the table before they commit to it. Centre has also made its stand clear that it will sign “only one single accord with all of them”. Sources said the contentious issue of Naga autonomy has been settled amicably with India’s federal structure emphasising “shared sovereignty” between the states and the Centre.
Dimapur police personnel manning the Nagarjan bridge on Thursday. (NP)
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, APR 26 (NPN): Dimapur Police has set up temporary posts at both ends of the decrepit Nagarjan bridge in order to prevent heavy vehicles from plying on the bridge and regulate traffic. The move comes after height bars, erected on both ends of the bridge to prevent heavy vehicles from plying over it, were reportedly brought down by a vehicle, following which Deputy Commissioner Dimapur had urged the police commissioner to deploy sufficient police personnel to regulate
traffic on the bridge. Speaking to Nagaland Post, Commissioner of Police Dimapur, Limasunep Jamir warned that any heavy vehicle found violating the order and plying on the bridge will be penalised. He said only light motor vehicles (LMVs) will be allowed to cross the bridge. While the police personnel will be conducting duty round the clock at both ends of the bridge, traffic police personnel too have also been deployed to regulate traffic, the police commissioner added.
RH demands inclusion of Assam FNR invites Rengmas under new adm set-up suggestions
DIMAPUR, APR 26 (NPN): Fearing that Rengmas living in Assam may be excluded from any new administrative set-up that might follow the final Naga solution, Rengma Hoho (RH) has reiterated its demand that Rengmas living in Assam should not be deprived of their right to maintain their own administrative and social system In a press note, RH president Kenyuseng Tep said the hoho was “apprehensive and perturbed” that the Indo-Naga political deal, which is the final stage, may exclude the Rengmas living in Assam from its ambit. He claimed that Rengmas were living in their own territory since time immemorial and are very much part of the Naga political movement since its inception. Tep recalled that the tribe had even submitted a memorandum to Sundaram (Cont’d on p-5) Commission against division
of the community under different administrative units, besides apprising Centre and Naga leaders of the Rengmas’ desire to live under one administrative roof. Stressing that Rengma Hoho was firm and committed to its stand, Tep said the apex tribal body has been supporting the ongoing Naga peace process hoping to get justice in the event of a final political settlement. Once again appealing to all negotiating parties not to neglect the Rengmas of Assam in any administrative arrangement in the event of a final agreement, Rengma Hoho warned that if justice is not done to its demand then it shall treat any agreement as betrayal and will challenge any settlement that subjugates the tribe. “Intentional political decision to dehumanise the Rengmas will not be accepted by us,” RH asserted.
DIMAPUR, APR 26 (NPN): Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), as part of the process of “Reasoning Together”, has sought constructive, valuable suggestions and thoughts on what are Naga shared values of belonging and what steps should FNR take to build public confidence and trust? FNR has also asked people to propose pragmatic steps of forgiveness, healing and reconciliation to take the Naga Concordant forward and also provide constructive criticisms and suggestions to empower the Naga reconciliation process. One could send suggestions, comments, criticisms and thoughts to email address nagareconciliation@gmail.com Meanwhile, FNR’s open public interaction on “Reasoning Together” would be held at The Heritage in Kohima on April 28, 2018 at 10 a.m. K Y M C