Nagaland Post This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00
www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 117
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018 Pages 16 ` 5.00
Average phone call rate falls to 19 p/min, data tariff to Rs 19/GB: Sinha
Ronaldo spearheads Real’s rout of Juve
Duterte calls UN rights chief ‘empty-headed’
business, Page 8
sports, Page 15
international, Page 9
Centre admits to reports of radicalization in NE states
NEW DELHI, APR 4 (AGENCIES): Centre has conceded that there are reports of radicalisation of youths in the Northeast by elements from across the Bangladesh border. In reply to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju admitted that radicalisation efforts from across the border in Bangladesh are on in the Northeast. Some parts of the North Eastern region are vulnerable to radicalisation from across the border, he said, adding, there are reports that some radical outfits have been trying to expand their network and activities in the region. “Security and intelligence agencies are aware of the threat of radicalisation in the North Eastern states and they are taking necessary steps to thwart these moves. The activities of such radical elements are being monitored closely,” the minister said. Meanwhile, the Centre also reiterated that the government is not considering
Loktak Lake scam: Former Manipur CM under scanner IMPHAL, APR 4 (AGENCIES): Manipur state vigilance department has initiated a probe into former chief minister O. Ibobi Singh’s role in the Rs 244-crore Loktak Lake cleaning scam. Ten days ago, the vigilance and anti-corruption department had filed an FIR against Ibobi and two former project directors of Loktak Development Authority (LDA)– Ch Gojendro Singh and Th Ibobi Singh. They have been charged with misappropriation of funds meant for removal of ‘phumdis’ (floating biomass) from the Lake. On Monday, a team of vigilance officials questioned O. Ibobi at his Babupara residence here. The probe will focus on a period of 14 months from August 2008 to October 2009, a source said. Vigilance officials who quizzed Ibobi did not divulge the details of the interrogation. It is learnt that the two former LDA project directors were also called up by vigilance officials. Apart from the present case, another FIR was registered against Ibobi and some bureaucrats last year in connection with financial irregularities amounting to over Rs 180 crore in the Manipur Development Society (MDS).
This is it!
“If selling vegetables is such a crime, what about those who buy them from us?” K Y M C
Kiren Rijiju (File)
to make any new bilateral agreement with Bangladesh on the issue of illegal migrants. Rijiju said the Government of India has an extensive engagement with the Government of Bangladesh on the issue of illegal migrants under various bilateral mechanisms like the Joint Consultative Commission, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary-level talks, Joint Working Group on Security and Border Management, Joint Task Forces on Human Trafficking, fake currency notes. Earlier, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
also described religious radicalisation as a serious security threat and said if not checked in time, it could lead to terrorism. Singh, who reviewed the security situation in the Northeast with chief secretaries and DGPs of the region, also expressed concern over the proliferation of illegal arms and asked the DGPs to launch organised campaigns against arms smugglers. “If we talk about the future security threats, radicalisation has come as a huge security challenge. Radicalisation is a transnational phenomenon. If we can’t check it, it will turn into terrorism,” he said at the meeting. Singh said because the Northeast was especially vulnerable to attempts of radicalisation, it was essential to identify those behind it. “Some of these agents are operating in the name of religion while some others are operating in the name of NGOs or carrying out development programmes for individuals, socio-cul-
ture uplift and education,” he said. Singh said it was necessary to monitor their activities and take pre-emptive action.“Some of these agents even get foreign funding. So it is necessary to closely monitor their foreign funding and utilisation,” he added. He also expressed serious concerned over proliferation of illegal. “The proliferation of illegal arms in such large numbers leads to more crimes. I urge the DGPs to launch an organised campaign against illegal arm traders,” he said. Though most of the areas in the region were free from insurgency, Singh however said that “there is a need to keep all cadres of underground groups, which are engaged in peace talks with the government, in designated camps and ensure that they follow agreed ground rules. “I am told some (UG groups) are involved in violent criminal activities such as extortion and kidnapping,” he said.
BJP to kickstart 2019 Lok Sabha campaign Friday MUMBAI, APR 4 (IANS): BJP will kickstart its campaign for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a massive show of strength on its 38th Foundation Day to be celebrated on Friday in Maharashtra, a top party official said on Wednesday. Present on the occasion will be BJP president Amit Shah, Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP President Raosaheb Danve-Patil and other top functionaries who will address the party workers. Over 300,000 workers-- booth level to Members of Parliament -- from Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are expected for the mega event, said Danve-Patil. Already, around 80,000 booth heads, 26 wings and unit office-bearers, 5,000 village sarpanches, elected members of 97 big and small civic bodies, all MPs and MLAs, district and sub-district heads-- who have been entrusted to bring another five to ten representatives each-- have started arriving here.
Centre enhances police modernization funding Spl. Correspondent
NEW DELHI, APR 4 (NPN): To equip the security system with state-ofthe-art technology in view of the increasing terrorist and naxalite activities in the country, the Government has approved an enhanced outlay under the umbrella scheme of “Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF)” with a total outlay of Rs. 25,061 crore for years 201718 to 2019-20. Under this umbrella scheme, a sub-scheme of “Assistance to States for Modernization of Police” with an outlay of Rs. 7,380 crore has been approved for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hanraj Gangaram Ahir stated in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday. Ahir said this subscheme was in continuation of the scheme of Modernisation of State Police Forces. Under this sub-scheme, central assistance to States is provided for acquisition of security/surveillance/communication equipments,
modern weaponry, forensic equipments etc. So far as state police forces are concerned, they are primarily the responsibility of the States. However, Government of India supplements the efforts of state governments by providing central assistance to strengthen police infrastructure. Special provision has been made under the Scheme for internal security, law and order, women security, availability of modern weapons, mobility of police forces, logistics support, hiring of helicopters, upgradation of police wireless, National Satellite Network, CCTNS project, E-prison project etc. Under the umbrella scheme, central budget outlay of Rs.10,132 crore has been earmarked for internal security related expenditure for Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern States and left wing extremism affected States. An outlay of Rs.100 crore has been earmarked in the North Eastern States for police infrastructure upgradation, training institutes, investigation facilities etc.
Sushma, NE CMs meeting on May 4 AG A RTA L A , A P R 4 (IANS): Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will meet the chief ministers of all North Eastern states on May 4 to discuss trade, connectivity and other issues vis-à-vis neighbouring countries, an official said on Wednesday. “Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb was told about the proposed meeting when he met her in New Delhi on Tuesday,” the Tripura official said. “Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had called up Biplab Kumar Deb in the past and discussed various issues, including possibility of improving trade and connectivity between North East and Bangladesh,” the official added. India’s eight northeastern states are home to 45.58 million people (2011 Census) and share the country’s border with China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Some of the states have trade ties with some of these countries, especially Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan.
Zeliangrongs oppose NSCN (I-M)’s trifurcation Need to improve rural life to check migration: Metsubo DIMAPUR, APR 4 (NPN): NSCN (I-M)’s move to recognise Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei as separate tribes, who were earlier clubbed together as Zeliangrong, has apparently run into rough weather with a Zeliangrong public consultative meeting expressing its opposition to the move. In this regard, Zeliangrong public consultative meeting held on April 3 at Zeliangrong Baudi Hall, Jalukie Peren district adopted five-point resolution, signed by Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) president, Athuan Abonmai; All Zeliangrong Students’ Union president, Nchahing Kompoing and Zeliangrong Youth Front president, Titus Kamei. They stated that NSCN (I-M) Tatar Hoho’s “arbitrary decision” to trifurcate the three tribes without prior consent of the people was completely contradic-
tory to “Zeliangrong Tribe” as recognised by the “Naga Nation in all platforms.” The signatories said that Zeliangrong people were aggrieved by the “unilateral decision” of the Tatar Hoho. Therefore, they said the “declaration” was made in the common interest and aspiration of the people and to safeguard and protect the political future of the Zeliangrong people in particular and Nagas in general. The declaration stated that history of Zeliangrong people, which was bound by indestructible bond of blood relationship, would uphold to sustain and to remain as one people, one vision and one voice. It declared that the collective political future of the Zeliangrong people should not be disturbed/sabotaged by any other forces from within and without. Further, the Zelian-
grong people demanded for the revocation of NSCN (I-M) Tatar Hoho “arbitrary decision” on or before April 30, 2018 in the interest of the Zeliangrong tribe and in the larger interest of Naga people in general. The declaration sought for upholding Executive Order issued by late Isak Chishi Swu, the then Yaruiwo of NSCN/GPRN dated June 30, 2011, which stated that ‘Zeliangrong should remain Intake’. It also stated that resolution of the Zeliangrong Co-ordinating Committee meeting adopted at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur on April 1, 2018 was “regretted and denounced by the Zeliangrong people.” Meanwhile, the consultative meeting resolved and reaffirmed to “fully support the ongoing Naga Peace Process and the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015.
Correspondent
MOKOKCHUNG, APR 4 (NPN): Minister of Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Metsubo Jamir said that villages are becoming empty due to urban migration and that the only remedy to migration was to improve rural life, so that urban areas do not suffer from population congestion. The minister was interacting with media persons on the sidelines of a Thanks Giving Service held on Wednesday in Mokokchung at his residence in Sangtemla Ward. Metsubo stated that “the process of rural development is urbanisation.” He said that the priority of his ministry was to maintain the best possible basic amenities and public utilities of an urban area, like waste management, proper drainage systems, adequate
Metsubo Jamir
water facilities, smooth traffic flow, etc. At the same time, he said that the people should be embodied with civic sense and hygiene. Moreover, the Minister highlighted that a municipality functions, apart from grants from the government, with municipal tool tax collections but he lamented that such taxes could not be employed in our land due to strong opposition from land owners. He also stated that proper demarcation of villages and towns would go a
long way in proper administration of a town. Speaking about the withholding of the critical ‘Municipal Elections’, the Minster stated that a fast phase revision of the Municipal Act was under process, so that elections could be held at the earliest with due consent from the people. While deliberating the issue of Kohima Smart City, Metsubo Jamir said that the nomenclature ‘Smart City’, does not imply that a city undergoes an overnight drastic make over. He stated that it only means that basic amenities and facilities are utilised to their maximum, such as easing traffic congestion, proper water supply, etc. Metsubo added that some of the unfinished parking lots in different parts of the capital had been revamped with earnest urgency to ease traffic.
Earlier, while delivering his speech for the programme, Metsubo Jamir thanked the people of his constituency for offering him an opportunity to serve the people. He called on his supporters and the people in general to stand ever united to staunchly aspire and work for the general upliftment of the Naga people. Later, short speeches were delivered by the representatives of the 5 ward authorities of his constituency, All Ward president, Ungma Village Council, Longsa Union Mokokchung, Changki Union Mokokchung and a host of well wishers. The Word of God was shared by MTBA Pastor, Rev. Ponen Longchar and God’s presence was invoked by MTBA Deacon, Rev. Nungshi and the service was conducted by Home Missionary, Tiayanger.
Thousands bid adieu to philanthropist Yashitsungba Ao Candidate should not contest Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, APR 4 (NPN): Thousands of people from all walks of life, including political leaders, bureaucrats, business community and other prominent citizens, paid rich tributes on Wednesday to Yashitsungba Ao, one of the pioneering businessmen and philanthropists of Nagaland, who passed away here on Tuesday. A public funeral service was held at State Stadium near DC court here under the aegis of Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD), before his body was finally laid to rest at Naga Cemetery. A prominent contractor, late Y Ao was the chairman of Zion Hospital and Research Centre and Eden Medical Centre. He was also the former president of the Army Contractors and Suppliers’ Union and for-
Public funeral service of late Yashitsungba Ao at state stadium on Wednesday. (NP)
mer advisor of Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU). Late Y. Ao was conferred Lifetime Achievement Award at the North East Expo’ 2010 in recognition of his contribution as an entrepreneur.
All shops in the city downed their shutters from 12 noon to 2 pm at the call of Business Association of Nagas (BAN) as a mark of respect to the departed soul, while most Ao entrepreneurs downed their shutters for the entire day
as requested by Dimapur Ao Lanur Telongjem. Meanwhile, Governor P.B. Acharya, chief minister Neiphiu Rio, agriculture and cooperation minister G Kaito Aye, Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang, Ao Senden, Nagaland Gov-
ernment Registered Class-1 Contractors’ Union, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industries and Dimapur District Ao Pensioners’ Union sent their condolence messages that were read out by associate pastor DABA, Rev Lima Jamir during the funeral service. Zion Hospital managing director and Yashitsungba’s son, Dr Moangwati thanked all the people who had assembled to pay their last respects. He said the public funeral for his father had been organised by ASTD, of which his father had been a treasurer for over 30 years. N a r r a t i n g b r i e f ly about his father’s life, Dr Moangwati said Yashitsungba had begun his career as a businessman in Mokokchung and went on to become a government contractor.
from two seats: EC tells SC
NEW DELHI, APR 4 (AGENCIES): Election Commission has told the Supreme Court that a candidate should not be allowed to contest election from more than one constituencies and the existing law allowing politicians to fight polls from two seats be amended. In an affidavit filed in the apex court, EC said that Section 33(7) of the Representation of People Act be amended to restrict a politician to contest election from only one seat. The affidavit was filed in compliance with apex court’s order seeking its response on PIL challenging validity of the provision. “When a candidate contests from two seats, it is imperative that he has to vacate one of the two seats should he win both. This, apart from the consequent unavoidable financial bur(Cont’d on p-5) den on the public exchequer
and the manpower and other resources for holding byeelection against the resultant vacancy, would be an injustice to the voters of the constituency which the candidate is quitting from,” EC said in its response. It said, “There have been several cases where a person contests election from two constituencies and wins both. In such a situation he vacates the seat in one of two constituencies. The consequence is that a bye-election would be required for one constituency involving avoidable labour and expenditure on the conduct of that byeelection.” EC said in case the present provision is retained then there should be express provision in law requiring a person, contesting and winning from two seats, to bear the cost of the bye-poll after he quits one constituency. (Related news on p-5) K Y M C