Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 256
DIMAPUR, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Kashmir day-time relaxations continue
Kerala stun E Bengal; enter Durand Cup final
Will meet Modi in France, do best on Kashmir: Trump
national, Page 7
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
CBI arrest Chidambaram amid high drama
NEW DELHI, AUG 21 (PTI): Congress leader P Chidambaram was on Wednesday night arrested by the CBI amid high drama at his posh Jor Bagh residence where some officers scaled walls to gain entry, hours after the former union finance minister failed to get any immediate reprieve in the INX media case from the Supreme Court. Shortly after Chidambaram made a dramatic appearance at the AICC headquarters and addressed a news conference to profess his innocence, the Congress leader was picked up by CBI sleuths an hour after he reached his residence and taken to the nearby CBI headquarters for questioning. Chidambaram has been arrested, said a top CBI official. With the apex court deciding to hear only on Friday Chidambaram’s petition seeking a stay on the Delhi High Court order on Tuesday that dismissed his anticipatory bail plea, the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED)--got a free hand to arrest him. CBI and ED earlier issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) to prevent any at-
5 Tenyimia tribes back Senden, CNTC decisions KOHIMA, AUG 21 (NPN): A meeting of the tribal organisations under the banner of Tenyimia was held at APO Hall Kohima on Wednesday. In a press release, APO vice president K T Vilie stated that the meeting besides deliberating on various issues also “resolved to issue a statement on Naga Hoho confirming that the five Tenyimia tribes viz. Angami, Chakhesang, Rengma, Pochury and Zeliang endorse the decisions of both the CNTC and the Ao Senden which were earlier made public through media.”
SSB demand: NSF serves 1 month deadline on govt D I M A P U R , AU G 2 1 (NPN): Reiterating its demand to constitute committee for implementation of the Staff Selection Board (SSB), the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has served a fresh deadline on the state government along with three-point charter of demands. In an ultimatum addressed to the state chief minister, NSF president Ninoto Awomi and general secretary Liremo R Kikon pointed out that the federation had submitted a memorandum on June 11, 2019 for setting up of committee for implementation of SSB within two months.
(L) Congress leader P Chidambaram being taken away by CBI officials in New Delhi, Wednesday. (R) CBI officials scaling the wall at Chidambaram’s residence in Delhi. (PTI/TV Grab)
tempt by him to leave the country. But Chidambaram’s sudden appearance in public view on Wednesday night to address a news conference after CBI and ED said his whereabouts were not known set off speculation about his imminent arrest. Chidambaram, who is accused of money laundering and getting kickbacks in the INX media case, asked probe agencies to “respect” the law and wait until Friday when the Supreme Court hears his bail plea. He also put up a strong defence of himself and his family members, saying none of them has been accused of any offence by the probe agencies. High drama unfolded at
Chidambaram’s bungalow as a team of CBI officials scaled the boundary wall of his home to gain entrance while another team tried to make way through the backdoor. With a big media contingent beaming live images of the developments, the CBI team first knocked the gates to gain entry but finding no response, they nimbly scaled the nearly five-foot high walls to gain entry. Once three officers reached inside, they opened the gates to allow other team members waiting outside. Chidambaram will be produced before a special CBI court on Thursday, where the agency will seek his remand.
PC’s son in trouble, HC turns down plea The family of former Union minister P Chidambaram seems to be facing bad luck with the judiciary. After the Delhi high court quashed P Chidamabaram’s anticipatory bails in INX Media case, his son and daughter-in-law had to face rejection in Madras high court. Madras high court on Wednesday turned down Karti Chidambaram’s plea seeking an interim stay on an income tax case before the special court for MPs and MLAs. The matter relates to the alleged non-disclosure of Rs 1.35 crore received by Karti Chidambaram and his wife in cash for sale of lands in Muthukadu of Tamil-
Neiphiu Rio at the meeting with Union DoNER minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi, Wednesday.
Karti Chidambaram
nadu. The metropolitan magistrate court transferred the case from the economic offence court to the special court which hears the cases of MLA/MPs after he became MP. Karti approached the Madras high court, stating that he was not an MP during the time the alleged crime happened.
NEW DELHI, AUG 21 ( AG E N C I E S ) : U n i o n minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh Wednesday reportedly conveyed to Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio that a proposal for sanction of Rs. 1,000 crore towards setting up of an airport at Ciethu, about 50 kms away from the state capital, Kohima. According to a report by Devdiscourse, Dr. Singh told Rio that the proposal to set up an airport at Kohima is being pursued seriously by
DoNER ministry and after an appropriate site was identified by the state government, a technical feasibility report was also prepared by the Airport Authority of India which was favorable for an all-weather airport. Dr. Singh further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set high priority of all the eight North Eastern States, particularly the far-flung ones like Nagaland. Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio along with a delegation of senior officials
Wednesday met Dr. Jitendra Singh and discussed with him the proposal for setting up an airport at Ciethu. He said, under the directions of the Prime Minister, all the development projects of NE are put on a fast-track and a follow-up is done on a regular basis to complete these projects within the stipulated timeline. Dr. Jitendra Singh also conveyed the keen desire of the Centre Government to ensure equitable development of Nagaland and at the same time, find a lasting end to insurgency-related incidents. Rio informed DoNER minister that the total estimated cost to set up the airport could be around Rs. 6,000 crores. For which, he requested that a part of it could be funded by DoNER ministry or North-Eastern Council (NEC). Meanwhile, Rio in a tweet said he had met DoNER minister. “I congratulated him on his electoral success and discussed matters related to connectivity and infrastructure development,” Rio tweeted.
Ravi’s statement triggers uneasy calm in Mnp Merger claim: NSCN (I-M) refutes NSCN (R) claims Correspondent IMPHAL, Aug 21: A recent statement by Nagaland Governor and Interlocutor for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi has triggered apprehension of Manipur befalling a similar fate of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a large gathering at a grand civic reception on August 16, organised in his honour at Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Convention Centre in Kohima, Ravi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed the need to conclude the Naga peace process within three months. Ravi’s statement has added fuel to the apprehension of the people of Manipur, Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK), a pressure group in Manipur, said on Wednesday. Talking to the media at its office in Imphal, CCSK president Jitendra Ningomba said that the abrogation
of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir were done in the national interest of India and the same move to Manipur cannot be ruled out. He claimed that there was strong apprehension in the minds of people of Manipur of the Centre applying the same in Manipur. He, however, warned that Manipur’s integrity should not be sacrificed in the national interest and if Centre happened to do so, Manipur will witness an intense uproar never seen before. Ningomba said that there was no opposition to any move of the Centre to resolve the vexed Naga political issue as far as it was confined to Nagaland. “We always welcome settling Naga political issue. But, we will not agree with any settlement that will infringe the interest of Manipur’s territorial integrity,” he declared. He warned the govern-
ment of India that interest of other communities should not be infringed while appeasing a particular community of the region. “We welcome Centre’s peace initiative with Nagas but we would not agree with a settlement that would hurt the sentiments of other communities,” he said. CCSK president said centre should not affect in any form the integrity and harmony of different communities living together in the state while resolving an issue of a particular community. He said the centre at the same time must not indulge in any move that will make a change to Manipur physically or in administration. Reminding the assurance given by the Centre to the people of Manipur regarding its territorial integrity, Ningomba expressed belief that Centre would keep its word.
JD(U) issues legal notice to NDPP
DIMAPUR, AUG 21 (NPN): Janata Dal (United) through its advocate has issued legal notice to NDPP president Chingwang Konyak, and G. Kaito Aye, Minister for Agriculture, on 19th August 2019 returnable within thirty days. In a press release, JD(U) coordinator (publicity & program) Mohammad Nisar said that the legal notice was issued in connection with the false claim of merger of JD(U) Nagaland Unit with NDPP by the NDPP in the presence of Nagaland chief minister on June 24, 2018 and developments that followed after. Nisar said the party has also opened a window of opportunity to the responsible false claimants to make a public apology in both print and electronic media failing which all legal option available in the law of the land would be explored to bring about criminal proceedings against the false claimants.
DIMAPUR, AUG 21 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) through its MIP Wednesday refuted NSCN (R) allegation and clarified that its cadres did not intend to kill NSCN (R) supervisor-cum-defence kilonser Khekato Kinny at his Thilixu village residence on Tuesday. In a statement, MIP claimed that upon receiving confidential information of Khekato’s involvement in the murder of ‘lt. col.’ Toishe Yeptho of Naga Army at his residence at Unity Colony, Purana Bazar-B here on August 16, its members led by ‘col.’ Khehoto went to his residence to inquire. It also added that there was no order to shoot Khekato. But, NSCN (I-M) said “guilty conscience took control of Khekato”, who directed his boys not to entertain Khehoto into his house and in panic started firing from behind the gate forcing its cadres to retaliate. One of the bullets whizz passed Khehoto’s head, MIP added. Mentioning that it did not resort this harsh step for no reason, NSCN (I-M) claimed that during its investigation, it got hold of one of Khekato’s men who revealed that he was involved. “To kill Khekato was not our mission. Had our motive been to kill him, we
could have adopted other recourse that would not miss him. Khekato and his boys had the audacity to kill ‘lt. col.’ Toishe Yeptho in cold-blooded manner right in front of his wife, who was also shot at. So, we are constrained to go for this action as demanded by the nature of murder and we shall leave no stone unturned to take the case to its logical conclusion,” the statement warned. However, NSCN (I-M) expressed surprise at the “unyielding mentality” showed by NSCN (R) and issuing a “misleading” press statement stating it was restraining itself though it was well equipped for any defence and ready to go to any extent to thwart any threat against its members. Responding to NSCN (R)’s question why this offensive action should take place at a time when the Nagas were yearning for peace and trying to hammer out a political solution with the Government of India, NSCN (I-M) said the question should be why Toishe was murdered by the former when the Nagas were in an upbeat mood having recently celebrated the 73rd Naga Independence Day and when the reconciliation process was going on for finalising the Indo-Naga political solution. (Cont’d on p-7)
NTWTADD initiates free scooter rides in Dimapur NPF leaders call on Ravi; affirms stand on Naga issue Staff Reporter
D I M A P U R , AU G 2 1 (NPN): In a city like Dimapur where population has grown exponentially, traffic congestion continues to account for loss of (Cont’d on p-7) time, fuel, etc. Poor road infrastructure, violations of traffic rules, insufficient parking space and illegal parking have also added to traffic congestion. During peak hours, two wheeler rides are the preferred mode of transportation to beat the traffic, said Nagaland Two Wheeler Taxi Association Dimapur District (NTWTADD) vice-president Shiyeto Wotsa. Talking to this reporter over phone, Wotsa said 60 students had availed free rides (pick-up and drop) “ This is jungle pata. Even initiated by NTWTADD cows eat it. I’m sure on Wednesday from 7 am. you’ll like it.” Students of schools
This is it!
K Y M C
Centre likely to sanction Rs. 1000 cr for Ciethu airport
Students about to take two wheeler taxi ride. (NP)
like St John Higher Secondary, Government College, Immanuel College, Pranabananda Women’s College, AG Higher Secondary School, Government Higher Secondary School Nagarjan, Unity College, St Mary’s Mon-
tessori School, Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, Herbert Spencer School Walford and Government Middle School, United Colony were ferried by 15 scooters. He said the free ride was initiated as part of the
association’s social work, adding they would continue to provide such services even in the days to come. Revealing that the association would continue to provide free ride to students till August 31, Wotsa said that one could identify a two wheeler taxi by its logo pasted at the back of the scooty. Though there charges would be levied after August 31, he said concessions would be provided for students and senior citizens. Only skilled riders would ferry passengers and wearing helmets would be compulsory, he added. Wotsa explained that some likeminded youth of Dimapur formally launched the two wheeler taxi service in Dimapur district on August 4 after deliberating on the issue for the past three-four months.
NPF leaders with RN Ravi at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday.
D I M A P U R , AU G 2 1 (NPN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) delegation called on the Governor RN Ravi at Raj Bhavan, Kohima Wednesday and affirmed its stand that the Naga political problem was the top most priority for the party and was “ready to pave way for any new (Cont’d on p-7) arrangement for the welfare
of the Naga people.” NPF through its press bureau stated that NPF delegation led by party secretary general, KG Kenye, congratulated the governor on his new assignment as the head of the state and welcomed him. The party expressed the hope that an amicable and acceptable solution to
the Naga political problem would arrive soon under his initiative. According to press bureau, the party maintained that the dual charge of Ravi as interlocutor and the Governor should not contradict and hamper the ongoing political dialogue, but should facilitate more in expediting in bringing the solution at the earliest. It asserted that NPF would extend “full cooperation for any peaceful and amicable settlement to the vexed Naga political problem and for which the solution is said to be nearing.” Press bureau said the governor also expressed his happiness over the meeting with the oldest regional political party of the Northeast and assured the delegation his full support to the cry and desire of the Naga people. K Y M C