Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 245
DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Replacing single - use plastic with banana leaves
Man City begin title defence with easy win
34 killed in Myanmar landslide
Sunday Post Supplement
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
Govt likely to bring anti-conversion bill
NEW DELHI, AUG 10 (AGENCIES): Buoyed by its victory in scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is likely to touch another contentious issue in the next Parliament session, to bring a bill to prevent conversion of religion. Sources have told Zee News that the BJP-led government may bring the anticonversion bill in the next session of Parliament. “The government has already started preparations for the same and discussions are underway to bring a bill that prevent any kind of religious conversion,” the news portal quoted a well-placed source as saying. The bill, if introduced, is likely to raise the opposition’s hackles and will face a staunch test before it is passed in Parliament. However, the Modi-led government has managed to pass 35 bills in the recentlyconcluded Budget session, despite massive protests by the opposition parties over many of them in both the Houses. This comes shortly
VVC, construction firm settle Aug 8 issue amicably D I M A P U R , AU G 1 0 (NPN): Following the July 26 incident where one Kedichol Kiso, of Virazouma Village had lost his life after a tree fell on the car at 7th Mile Dimapur, the Virazouma Village Council (VVC) and M/s T.K. Engineering (road construction firm) amicably settled the matter in spirit of brotherhood and Christian faith. In statement, VVC chairman Videzol Natso and secretary Visüto Tepa said the decision was made at the meeting held on August 8 at VVC council hall with representatives of M/s TK Engineering-- Issac Zhimomi and Chanchal Nag and chairman Kidima Villagem, Vitsu Rikha and Vipopal Kintso. Both the sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). VVC said M/s. T.K. Engineering expressed deep regret and remorse on the unfortunate incident and committed that henceforth they shall take up all safety measures so that such incidents do not occur again. With this understanding, VVC said the matter was settled and henceforth there shall be no ill-feeling amongst all concerned so long as no party or individual reneged by virtue of this MoU.
This is it!
“People use bikes to avoid traffic but you use it to avoid responsibility.” K Y M C
after the conclusion of the Budget Session of Parliament wherein the government passed key bills like Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, which bifurcates the state into two Union Territories – JammuKashmir and Ladakh, and Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which criminalises triple talaq. Both the bills were passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha amid uproar by opposition. In 2003 when Narendra Modi was chief minister of Gujarat, the state passed the Freedom of Religion Act that prohibits conversion by force or inducement. Narendra Modi called the passage of the anti-conversion Act as one of the main achievements of his government. The Centre may bring a Bill on the line of Gujarat’s anticonversion law. In 2015, the Law ministry had informed the Home Ministry that the anti-conversion issue was purely a “state subject” and the Union government has no jurisdiction for enacting any legislation in this regard.
According to The Economic Times report, quoting an official sources, the Law Ministry told the Home Ministry that any such move will not only be legally untenable, it will also go against the basic tenets of the Constitution. The Law Ministry’s opinion came after Home Ministry sought a clarification in the matter following demands by some Sangh Parivar outfits which was backed by some BJP ministers at the Centre. In the wake of a row over forced religious conversions allegedly by some Sangh Parivar outfits, BJP leaders and some Union Ministers had said they were ready to bring an anticonversion law even as they put the onus on the opposition parties for supporting such a move. Then Home minister Rajnath Singh had questioned the practice of conversions and advocated a debate on the need for an anti- conversion law. “In other countries, it is the minorities which ask for anti-conversion law. Here, we are only saying that there should be an anti-conversion law. There
should be debate over it. We must think on bringing an anti-conversion law. I humbly request all of you to think over it,” Singh had said at a function of state minority commissions. Five states -- BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, BJD-ruled Odisha and Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh -- currently have anti-conversion laws to prevent forced conversion. The laws do not ban conversion so long as it is voluntary. Meanwhile, in 2018, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which examined laws in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, in its special report on anti-conversion laws said: “Anti-conversion laws are frequently abused by extremists who seek to prevent anyone from leaving the majority religion.” “These laws abrogate the religious freedom rights of minority communities, such as Hindus in Pakistan or Christians in Nepal, and as such they should be rescinded,” USCIRF commissioner Nadine Maenza.
NC moves SC on Article 370 NEW DELHI, AUG 10 (PTI): The National Conference mounted a legal challenge in the Supreme Court Saturday to the changes made in the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. Arguing that the legislation approved by Parliament and the orders issued by the President subsequently were “unconstitutional”, the petition prayed for these to be declared as “void and inoperative”. The petition has been filed by Mohammad AKbar Lone and Justice (rtd) Hasnain Masoodi, both Lok Sabha members belonging to NC. They have challenged the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 and the Presidential Orders that have followed. While challenging the Centre’s decisions to scrap provisions of Article 370 that accorded special status to J&K, and dividing it into two Union Territories, the two MPs have sought a direction to declare the Act and the Presidential Orders as “unconstitutional, void and inoperative”. The petitioners said the legislation and the Presidential Orders are “illegal and violative” of fundamental rights.
Sonia named interim Cong chief Congress Working Committee passes 3 resolutions
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, at AICC HQ in New Delhi. (PTI)
NEW DELHI, AUG 10 (PTI): Sonia Gandhi was named interim Congress president on Saturday, returning at the helm after almost 20 months. The announcement was made Saturday night after Congress Working Committee (CWC) accepted Rahul Gandhi’s resignation during its second meeting of the day. A number of leaders, including state chiefs and MPs, backed Rahul Gandhi to continue on the post despite his refusal to reconsider his resignation. However, he did not budge from his stand of quitting as party chief. The CWC then decided to name Sonia Gandhi as the
interim party chief. CWC Saturday passed three resolutions on Rahul Gandhi’s contribution as party chief, Sonia Gandhi being appointed interim chief till the AICC elects a regular president, and on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. According to one of the resolutions, the CWC unanimously resolved to request Sonia Gandhi to take over as interim chief pending the election of a regular president by the AICC. Rahul Gandhi was requested to accept stay on as party chief, however, he declined to withdraw his resignation, it said. The first resolution said that the CWC places on
record its profound sense of appreciation and gratitude for the exceptional leadership provided by Rahul Gandhi as Congress president. “Rahul Gandhi led the party with unbounded drive, fierce determination and dedication,” another resolution said. “Rahul Gandhi’s instinctive moral compass is evident from the manner in which he has taken personal responsibility for the disappointing performance of the party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, thereby setting new standards of accountability in public life,” it said. A third resolution on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was also adopted by the Congress’ top decisionmaking body, Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal and party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala announced. “After thorough deliberations, CWC passed a resolution requesting Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation but he declined it politely saying accountability should begin from him first...,” said party’s communication department chief Randeep Surjewala.
4 Naga youth rescued in Chennai Death toll from floods rise to 114; Kerala worst hit Staff Reporter
D I M A P U R , AU G 1 0 (NPN): Four Naga youth who were working at a hotel in the outskirts of Chennai were rescued by the North East India Welfare Association Chennai (NEIWAC), after a video of some youth being assaulted went viral on social media. Talking to Nagaland Post, Naga Students’ Union Chennai advisor, Maong Jamir said NEIWAC president and pastor NCF Chennai, Wabang rescued the youths at around 1 a.m. on Saturday. It was reported that the manager/owner of the hotel located at Sriperumbudur, Chennai on August 5 assaulted one of the youth after he detected some error in the daily audit of the hotel. Maong said the rescued youth have been provided accommodation at Wabang’s house for time being. Since they are from economically weak background, the NCF
and NEIWAC were trying their best to assist them. He said an FIR will be lodged at the local police station, while also DGP Nagaland TJ Longkumer was in touch with his Chennai counterpart to take up the case. Nagaland Post in its August 5 report ‘Bill for placement agencies needed in Nagaland’ highlighted about the need to enact a bill, which Assam had recently done under the title “Assam Private Placement Agencies For Recruitment of Workers (Regulation Bill)2019.” The Bill prevents any person or private agency from carrying out or commencing the business of private agency unless the agency holds a license issued under the Act. The Act comes with strict rules the bind such placement agencies in doing business. The Act also warns that any placement agency contravening the rule shall be punishable with imprison-
ment for a term which may extend to seven years or fine which extend up to Rs. One lakh. All offences under the Act shall also be cognisable and non-bailable. It may be pointed out that youths from Nagaland, who are employed under various trades in metro cities outside the state, are desperate for jobs and due to ignorance, are ultimately forced to work under pathetic conditions and also underpaid. Almost all those who have gone outside for employment responded either to placement agencies or advertisements. These agencies or individuals are not made accountable whenever some of those employed outside fall in difficult times or even result in death. The government of Nagaland has to take serious note of such reports and contemplate on legislating an Act similar to that done by the government of Assam recently.
NEW DELHI, AUG 10 (PTI): Kerala and Karnataka were facing a grim situation on Saturday as death toll due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains climbed to 83, while over four lakh people were evacuated in Maharashtra and 19 lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Gujarat. Twelve people have died so far in Maharashtra where water level was starting to recede in Sangli and Kolhapur districts, the worst hit by the flood fury. Fifty-seven people died in rain-related incidents with 80 landslides in eight districts of Kerala since August 8, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Many people are still feared trapped under debris following major landslides that hit Kavalappara in Malappuram and Puthumala in Meppadi in Wayanad. The India Meteoro-
People walk through flood waters after a landslide in Meppadi, Wayanad district, in Kerala. (STR/AFP Getty Images)
logical Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for three districts on Sunday -- Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. Across Kerala, 1,24,464 people have been shifted to 1,111 relief camps, including 25,0028 in Kozhikode and 24,990 in Wayanad, officials said. The flood situation worsened in Karanataka too, where the death toll rose to 26 in rain-related incidents. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has termed
the natural calamity the “biggest” in 45 years. The state government pegged the losses caused by rains and floods at Rs 6,000 crore and Yediyurappa revealed that his government has sought Rs 3,000 crore as relief from the Centre. Over four lakh people have been moved to safety from the flood-hit parts of Maharashtra so far, including 3.78 lakh from the worst-hit Kolhapur and Sangli districts where the situation showed signs of
improvement on Saturday as the water level started receding. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the rescue and relief operations in Sangli on Saturday and interacted with the people. Three more bodies were recovered in the boat capsize incident that took place on Thursday near Brahmanal village in Palus tehsil of Sangli district during the flood rescue operations. Nine persons had drowned and as many others had gone missing in the incident. With the recovery of three more bodies, the death toll in the incident has gone up to 12. In Gujarat, 19 people have been killed in rainrelated incidents. As of Saturday morning, the state received 77.80 per cent of annual average rainfall, according to data by the MeT Department.
Pending salary: DRDA employees threaten to launch protests Aug 7 issue: AR refute allegation Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUG 10 (NPN): A total of 291 administrative regular state cadre employees of District Rural Development Agencies (DRDA) from 11 districts of the state have threatened to launch series of protests if their pending salaries were not released immediately. The aggrieved employees said they will hoist ‘black flags’ in all DRDA offices and wear black arm bands from August 16 to 22. They have also threatened to launch a pen down strike from August 23-30, mass casual leave from September 2-6 and shutdown of offices from September 7, 2019 onwards if their demands were not made. “We demand our rightful salary from the Government and reiterate that we are not in a position to accept our salary in piece-
Sl. No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11
Name of DRDA Dimapur Kohima Kiphire Longleng Mokokchung Mon Peren Phek Tuensang Wokha Zunheboto
Period of pending salary 6 Months 11 Months 5 Months 5 Months 6 Months 5 Months 3 Months 6 Months 6 Months 12 Months 3 Months
meal anymore,” they aggrieved employees stated in a representation to the state government. The aggrieved employees including 11 project directors expressed dismay that despite repeated requests made to authority, they were given false assurances that their salary would be released in due course of time. (See table) “We were made to suffer and bear with all incon-
veniences and discomforts all these years. It can only be surmised now that there is deliberate ignorance to our pleas made on rightful salary, which have all, but fallen on deaf ears” it stated. They reminded the government that all employees serving under DRDAs were regular state government employees and entitled to all salary, rights and privileges’ like any other state government employee serving in the Rural Development department or any other department. On the other hand, it pointed out that MGNREGA honorarium employees were duly paid on time. “RD Officials posted to DRDA’s are caught in this vicious web, whereas the same employee when posted to other offices in the same department are free from this quagmire. This step motherly treatment
and deprivation of salary to DRDA officers and staffs is highly condemnable, to the point of it being questionable,” it stated. The aggrieved employees said they were unable to pay their children’s school fees, causing much embarrassment and being repeatedly reprimanded by school authorities. Besides, not being able to pay medical fees for treatment, the employees said some have even been asked to vacate their houses for non-payment of rent, unable to pay grocery bills. The employees said they have dutifully performed their duties and responsibilities, adding it was time the department shows sincerity and humanity towards its own colleagues. Talking to Nagaland Post, principal secretary RD, Bendangkokba said the department had obtained certain assurance from the Finance
department to release the money for certain months. He clarified that DRDA was a Centrally sponsored scheme funded by Ministry of Rural Development, out of the total annual requirement amounting to Rs. 22 crore for DRDA employees’ salary in the state, the department has received around Rs. 2 crore. On the action taken, he said the department was in touch with the Finance department. After clarifying certain issues, he said the Finance department was contemplating to clear the salaries. But we are not fully depending on the Finance department as the amount may not be sufficient, he added. He said the major problem faced by the department for those under DRDAs was that the officials are sent on deputation to all the district and are bound to draw salaries from Central ministry.
D I M A P U R , AU G 1 0 (NPN): Strongly rejecting the claim of Zunheboto Sumi Totimi Hoho (ZSTH) that the personnel of 32 Assam Rifles beat up youth and womenfolk at Zunheboto town on August 7, 2019, the Assam Rifles Saturday described the claim as “a malicious attempt at maligning the image of Assam Rifles”. In a press release, PRO (Defence) Col C Konwer clarified that the troops of AR, based on specific input of presence of an armed cadre of NSCN (K-YA) faction in general area Project Colony, Zunheboto, launched an operation on August 7 at around 5:30 p.m. along with a police representative from Zunhebhoto police station. On reaching the location, PRO claimed that when the AR troops observed locals, including women beating up an (Cont’d on p-7)
CNTC flays incident; demands action
Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has vehemently condemned the August 7, 2019 incident that occurred at Project Colony, Zunheboto town where two youths were beaten up “mercilessly” by the jawans of 32 Assam Rifles. The counicl through its media cell lamented that some womenfolk who tried to intervene were also assaulted by the AR personnel with gun butts. Taking note of this, the Central Nagaland Tribes Council has demanded strict action against those erring personnel and urged the Assam Rifles authorities to book those responsible by at the earliest. “Such barbaric action and uncivilized action has no place in today’s world,” CNTC stated. K Y M C