August 2, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 236

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Imran Khan invites Indian celebrities to oath ceremony

India reduce Eng to 285/9 on day one

NRC and electoral roll different: CEC

national, Page 5

sports, Page 12

northeast, Page 4

Kohima’s landscape battered

Correspondent

KOHIMA, AUG 1 (NPN): State capital, Kohima has been hit with its worst calamity in recent memory, where landslides, mudslides and sinking of land continue to pose serious threat to citizens, forcing many families to move out of their houses in some areas. Condition of the main road to Civil Secretariat, Sonoru worsened on Wednesday morning, making it difficult to ply even light vehicle. Further subsidence narrowed the road, posing a huge threat to commuters. The condition of road near Soul Harvest Church also turned from bad to worse, affecting three families. According to an affected person Vira, cracks occurred inside the church and their houses forcing some family members to take shelter outside. Sinking cracks have also emerged in a large area in Para-medical from the riverbed till the main highway. When this Correspondent visited the area on Wednesday morning, it was found that many houses and compounds already bore huge cracks and some fami-

(R) Road washed away at Paramedical area Kohima. (R) Cracks in the road leading to NU Campus Kohima.

lies were living in houses that suffered minor damages. And mud continued to slide towards the river, making life difficult for residents of the area, which also has a church in the vicinity. Massive landslides also occurred in Old Minister Hill. Though arrangement has been made for one-way traffic, there is every possibility of more landslides occurring in the area, if the rainfall continues. Supply Colony also faced the same

situation where a large portion of land was affected by sinking, including the Paramedical-Raj Bhavan road. Cracks appeared to be widening in spite of temporary traffic being restored between medical college and BSF camp. Landslides occurred at three points on the road, and while two points were cleared, the third is yet to be cleared. Meanwhile, a team of 35 personnel from 12Bn NDRF from Doimukh (Ar-

unachal Pradesh) reached Dimapur on August 1, DIPR stated. The NDRF personnel will be stationed at CTI (HG&CD) Dimapur until further directions. All NAP Battalion have also been put on standby. It was stated that the MHA has directed IAF choppers to be made available immediately for air lifting and dropping off of essential commodities in affected districts.

24x7 emergency control room set up DIMAPUR, AUG 1 (NPN): In order to monitor damages of roads, both State & National Highways all over Nagaland, an emergency Control Room has been set up at the office of the Engineer-in- Chief, PWD which will be available 24x7. Informing this in a press note, Home Commissioner, R. Ramakrishnan said the control room will be manned by the officers of the department round the clock. Individual/organization may report on road damages/status of the roads directly to the control room at- 9436016005 (M), Dy.CE9436832299, asst. engineer 0370-2222827 or mail to encnpvvd@gmail.com Ramakrishnan has also requested Food and Civil Supplies department to be ready with sufficient stock or essential commodities for supply to far-flung districts. M e a n w h i l e, H o m e Commissioner has also appraised Union Home Secretary and Defence ministry about the crisis situation. He informed that the state Capital, Kohima along with almost all districts particularly Phek, Kiphire and Tuensang have been cut off for

Govt machinery on high alert to meet challenges, says Rio Rio writes to Modi, seeks Central help

DIMAPUR, AUG 1 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said that the government machinery has been put on high alert and all possible measures and preparedness exercises have been put in place to meet the challenges caused by heavy and incessant rains in the state. Rio on Wednesday undertook inspections of landslide/mudslide affected areas of the state capital along with senior government officials to take firsthand account of the ground situation. CM writes to Centre: State chief minister Neiphiu Rio has shot off a missive to the Centre seeking immediate interim financial assistance and intervention. In a memo to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, Rio pointed out that unprecedented heavy rainfall in Nagaland has resulted in landslides and sinking that had caused (Cont’d on p-7) extensive damage to infra-

Neiphiu Rio inspecting one of the landslide areas in Kohima.

structure and properties all over the State, besides claiming precious human lives. He said landslides have damaged national and state highways disrupting vehicular traffic at many places and snapped power lines and communication networks. Supply of essential commodities, including petroleum products, to all district headquarters was not possible and stocks were getting depleted, Rio said, adding that Aspirational District of Kiphire too had been cut off. In the foothills and plain areas, floods have caused enormous damage to life and property and that

entire colonies and villages had been submerged, the chief minister said. Rio explained that while the local media had extensively covered the calamity, there was hardly a mention in the national media and thus it had become essential to draw “your attention to the calamity we are facing in Nagaland.” Government agencies in coordination with Nagaland Disaster Management Authority were making all out efforts for restoring damaged infrastructure and taking measures for relief and rehabilitation.

(Cont’d on p-7)

Patton opens 1st mini hornbill fest in Mkg State-wide social work on Aug 11 Flash flood hits parts of Dimapur

Y. Patton speaking at the Tsungremmong mini hornbill festival. (NP)

Correspondent

MOKOKCHUNG, AUG 1 (NPN): The Tsungremmong Mini Hornbill Festival 2018 got underway at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex here on Wednesday. The festival is a collective celebration initiated by the State government and people of

Office shifted N a ga l a n d Po s t Kohima Office Shifted to Mharon Building top floor Old Taxi Stand, Near Bank of Baroda, Kohima. All are therefore requested to contact us at the new location. Kohima Bureau

This is it!

“Even if we had made the road carpet very thick, it wouldn’t have saved the road anyway.” K Y M C

Mokokchung district. The festival was formally inaugurated by deputy chief minister by Y Patton, who attended the inaugural programme as the special guest. Speaking on the occasion, Patton said Mokokchung district was one of the beneficiaries of the deci-

D I M A P U R , AU G 1 (NPN): State government has decided to conduct statewide social work on August 11 2018 with the objective to clear drainage, foliage and outgrowth to not only ensure clean Nagaland but to also prevent water logging which cause landslide and flooding specially in the monsoon season. In a notification, commissioner & secretary (urban development) Abhishek Singh has directed all municipal bodies in the state to ensure active participation in the social work. Deputy Commissioners have been directed to coordinate the social work in their respective districts by giving directions to all village councils/ward councils to ensure social work under their respective jurisdiction. BDOs of rural development department would also assist in social work. Further, PHE depart(Cont’d on p-7) ment have been directed to

sion taken by the PDA government to organise mini hornbill festivals coinciding with major festivals of Naga tribes in order to provide a boost to tourism in all the districts and some subdivisions where some tribes were concentrated. He said the festival was aimed at giving equal opportunities to all Naga tribes to promote local entrepreneurs and showcase their rich and beautiful cultural heritage. He hoped that the mini hornbill festival would help in promoting brotherhood among neighbouring districts and States. Patton said the mini hornbill festival should not be considered as wastage of time, energy and resources, but rather seen as a visionary move taken by the PDA government to encourage people’s participation during premier festivals of different Naga tribes.

ensure active participation as a part of the cleanliness drive being taken by them under Swachh Bharat Mission. The notification stated that all government departments must ensure cleanliness in their office premises. All DCs and municipal bodies are to ensure that after undertaking social work, the garbage collected was properly disposed-off and not left on the road side. Further, the citizens have been requested to join the social work and ensure that they clean their surroundings. Shopkeepers and business establishment have also been requested to ensure provision of dustbins in their premises and to not litter their waste on the road side. The government has appealed to all responsible to ensure success of social work for a “Clean Nagaland.”

Vehicles partially submerged in floodwaters at Super Market area, Dimapur on Wednesday. (NP)

Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , AU G 1 (NPN): Flash flooding in several parts of Dimapur Wednesday following heavy and long spell of rain has sparked concerns about in-

crease in dengue cases. The flood has left affected families to seek shelter outside their houses and forcing some education institutions to close down. The areas mostly affected were low-lying areas

close to storm water drains and where there was no proper outlet for rain water. The areas include Burma Camp, Sachu Colony, Burma Camp, Zeliangrong village, KK Angami Colony, Midland, Railway Colony and Netaji Colony. In Bank Colony, the water levels from the storm water drain behind Eastern Bible College entered the classroom and classes were called off for the day. City College of Arts and Commerce in SM Colony and SM High School in Netaji Colony also bore the look of a lake as they were closed for the day. According to DIPR report, East police colony was also badly flooded. However, casualties have not been reported. Temporary camp arrangement for families where water has still not receded in middle colony Purana Bazaar for the past few days have been initiated.

Landslides, flood in other parts of state CSOs strike paralyses life in Mnp ABCC, NCSU appeal to Correspondent

(L) Flood in Ruchan village under Bhandari and (R) Massive landslide between Ukha and Tobu. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR, AUG 1 (NPN): Landslides and flood triggered by heavy rains have hit several parts of the state. Wokha: Massive landslides which occurred at Sanis-Moilan road and Baghty division road under Wokha district have been cleared. According to DIPR, around 25 families in Ruchan village, eight families in Liphi village and nine families in Renthan village, under Bhandari were affected by flood. Kiphire: Around 17 landslides have occurred in

between Akash bridge and Meluri. DIPR report stated that two excavators were pressed to clear the road. It further said that 25 meters of road was washed away, three (3) kms beyond Meluri. Also in the 6 km and 8 km mark, there were two major landslides, which will take two-three days to clear. DIPR stated that Kiphire was completely cut off and the district administration has informed about shortage of diesel. Another road, Kiphire to Tuensang was blocked near Yahi bridge.

A massive landslide was also reported between Seyochung and Sitimi town. Kiphire to Kohima road has been completely cut off at various locations due to landslide, DIPR added. Tobu: Landslides have totally cut off Tobu-Mon road and Tobu-Tuensang road. According DIPR report, the people of Tobu subdivision were suffering from shortage of food items. Several terrace cultivation fields were washed also away and some houses were damaged under 55 Tobu A/C.

IMPHAL, AUG 1: Normal life in Manipur came to a grinding halt on Wednesday due to general strike called jointly by three leading civil society organizations (CSOs) and supported by various other organisations. United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur United Club Organization (AMUCO) and Committee of Civil Society Kangleipak (CCSK) gave strike call in protest against Centre’s alleged intention to extend Article 371 (A) to Manipur. According to reports collected from various sources, the strike evoked good response from the people across the valley districts even though there was little impact in the hill districts. The strike was by and large peaceful, except people in large numbers taking to the streets and blocking the roads by making human chains, catching fire, stretching log and piling stones and debris. At some places, strike supporters shouted slogans denouncing Centre’s alleged intention. There was report of brief tension along Imphal-Moreh section of NH-102 at Singjamei area in Imphal after strike supporters blocked even the movement of ambulances and media persons even as they were relaxed from the purview of the strike. At some places in Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, besides blocking the roads, local youth clubs and women bodies organized sit-in protest showing solidarity to the cause of the CSOs. State government took up security measures to prevent any untoward incident during the strike by detailing large number of security personnel at sensitive areas, particularly in the twin Imphal districts. The strike that commenced July 31 midnight was due to end Thursday midnight.

members to extend help

D I M A P U R , AU G 1 (NPN): Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) and Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) have separately urged members to extend assistance to the people affected by natural calamities. Expressing pain and concern over the “emergency-like” situation in the state due to landslides and floods, ABCC has requested all its members to extend help to the affected people. ABCC executive director, Rev. Dr. V. Atsi Dolie in a statement said that though it may not appear unusual to many people in other parts of the world, accustomed to harsh treatment by nature, but for Nagaland it was unusual and developing to an “emergency-like” situation. He also expressed pain over the loss of lives, some of which were still missing. Meanwhile, ABCC con-

gratulated the government, NGOs, social organizations, village authorities, etc., for responding to the crisis efficiently and doing all that they could to minimize hardship and inconveniences. NCSU: Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) has appealed to all its bona fide members and all its eleven district units to come forward and extend humanitarian services to the affected people. In a press release, NCSU president, Pele Khezhie, and general secretary, John Kath, appealed to all the contractors especially those who have machineries like Excavator/JCB, Dozer etc by way of extending free service, manpower, cash and kind. “We will look forward for your kind co-operation for the interest of our people which will remain a source of inspiration to our union fraternity,” NCSU stated. K Y M C


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August 2, 2018 by Nagaland Post - Issuu