Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 264
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Stop crying unnecessarily over Kashmir: Rajnath to Pak
Mizoram wins U-14 Subroto Cup
Over 1mn sign petition against UK Parliament’s suspension
national, Page 5
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
Assam NRC final list on August 31 Security beefed up; Section 144 CrPC clamped in Guwahati
GUWAHATI, AUG 29 (PTI): Security measures have been tightened across Assam and prohibitory orders under 144 Cr PC have been clamped Thursday in vulnerable areas of the state, including Guwahati ahead of the publication of the final NRC, which is touted as the proof of Assamese identity, police officials said. The final NRC list, which will identify the bonafide citizens of the state, is scheduled to be declared on August 31. The steps have been taken by the district administration to maintain peace and public order ahead of after the publication of the contentious list and will remain in force till further notice, officials said. This has been done as some specified and unspecified persons, groups, organisations or associations are likely to disturb normal functioning of offices, movement of public and traffic flow in
Former minister N. Theyo passes away
Late N. Theyo
KOHIMA, AUG 29 (NPN): Former minister and chairman Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC) Netsutso Theyo (N. Theyo) passed away on Thursday at around 8:40 p.m. at Oking Hospital Kohima after a brief illness. Born in May 1937, late N.Theyo hailed from Thenyizu village of Phek district. He was 82 and leaves behind seven(7) children and 27 grand children. His wife predeceased him in 2017. Family sources informed that the send-off service will be held on August 30 at 10 a.m. at Chakhesang Baptist Church, Kitsubozou, Kohima after which the body will be buried at Thenyizu village. Late N. Theyo was the first Christian from Thenyizumi village. He was also a former minister and a member of the First Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Assam police and security personnel carrying out foot patrolling ahead of the publication of final NRC.
the vulnerable areas, besides holding demonstrations and agitations, they said. In Guwahati the prohibitory order was clamped in Dispur, where the secretariat and Assembly complexes are located, besides at Bhangagarh, Basistha, Hatigaon, Sonapur and Khetri police station areas, the police said. Section 144 Cr PC prohibits assembly of more than five persons, agitation, demonstration, procession inciting communal violence, carrying of arms, ammunition, explosive substances or weapon of any nature in any public placers or vehicles as well as use of loud speakers.
Currency in circulation soars 17% to `21 tn M U M B A I , AU G 2 9 (PTI): Despite the many an effort to shift to digital payments and usher in a digital payment economy, the currency in circulation has jumped by a hefty 17 percent to Rs 21.10 lakh crore as of March 2019, the Reserve Bank says in its annual report for 2019. The demand for the Rs 500 bill, which is the second highest denomination after the Rs 2,000 note, has soared the highest and now accounts for over 51 percent of the value of currency in circulation, says the report released Thursday. “The value and volume of banknotes in circulation increased by 17 percent and 6.2 percent to Rs 21.10 lakh crore and 1,08,759 million pieces, respectively, in FY19,” the report says. It can be noted that one of the objectives of the note-ban of November 8, 2016 rendering as much
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as 86 percent of the outstanding bill useless and had a crippling impact on the economy as a whole, was to encourage digital payments and bring down the use of cash. But the public returned back as much as 99.8 percent of the cancelled notes back into the system, leading many voices to question the rationale for the very exercise itself. The annual report notes a 59 percent increase in retail electronic payment transactions to 23.3 billion. The share of the Rs 500 bill stood at 42 percent as of end June 2018, while the same for the Rs 2,000 notes, declined in value to Rs 6.58 lakh crore as of March 2019. However, the combined basis, the share of the high value Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 bills was almost stable at 82 percent. There was a sharp fall in the instance of fake cur-
rency detections in FY19 to 3.17 lakh pieces down from 5.22 lakh in FY18 and 7.62 lakh in FY17, the RBI says. The RBI’s note printing cost has come down marginally to Rs 4,811 crore in FY19 from Rs 4,912 crore in FY18, reflecting normalisation in operations post-demonetisation. The report says after disposing the demonetised notes, the efforts are now on disposing off the soiled notes of smaller denominations which have piled up. However, over 21,000 fake pieces each of the newly introduced Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes were found in the reporting year. The Reser ve Bank will introduce varnished banknotes of Rs 100 denomination on a field trial basis to increase the life of the banknotes and also look at ways to make them disabled-friendly in FY20.
Stay focused and bring talks to logical conclusion: NTC conception was delivery of the child, adding that in the event of obstructing the delivery on time, not one but two human beings would perish. And as abortion was inhuman and very costly, all options would have to be used to help the pregnant woman deliver her baby on time to save the lives of both, it added. NTC said same was the case of the ongoing political negotiations, whose process should be allowed to conclude with suitable solution in order to let the Nagas have life and enjoy it too as they deserve. Noting that childbirth was always preceded by labour pain and that there was no delivery without labour pain, the council said the political solution from the negotiations might have to pass through hassles. And the major reason for those who might like to directly or indirectly obstruct formulation of a solution was to let the status quo, “the existing social and political mess”, remained so that they continued to fish in troubled waters, it added.
peace to the entire region, but also catapult developments in the region to newer heights. However, NSCN (R) expressed dismay over what it described as “some forces” who were upping the ante NSCN functionaries through aggressive posture in full combat fatigues in blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement. NSCN (R) cited the incident where a youth was killed in Changlang (Arunachal Pradesh) which it said was not only highly disturbing but also an act of regression. Condemning the killing, NSCN (R) warned that it will not tolerate such killings or intimidations in any manner and under any circumstances. NSCN(R) said an “intensive internal inquiry” has been ordered to ascertain facts of the incident
and that if any of its cadre was found involved, necessary action would be initiated against them as per the “national azah” and party discipline. NSCN (R) said such actions would only send a wrong signal and message to the Nagas and warned that this also has a potential to severely affect the peace efforts of both government of India and NSCN. It reiterated that the Naga national movement was the oldest political movement in the whole of Asia spanning over more than seven decades and during which Naga people experienced bloodshed. It said even though several attempts were made in the past to resolve the Indo-Naga political issue through various accords and agreements, all failed to give desired results. MIP said the situation rather
Yet, NTC asserted that it was confident that such “anti-people” elements, if any, were neither mandated nor represented the people and never commanded common desire of the people. “Whoever tries to show as anti-solution is nobody but mere busybody,” it specified. Mentioning that some were perhaps apprehensive about the post solution scenario and even fearing backlash, NTC expressed confidence that nothing would happen as people of Nagaland had been yearning for practical peace all these decades as they failed to enjoy it under “pseudo peace”. “... and the people know well that only political solution can provide that genuine peace in Nagaland, but not the status quo. The expected solution is not going to confuse or surprise anyone. Besides, handling the post solution situation, if any, is the collective responsibility of all the stakeholders,” the representation added.
NEW DELHI, AUG 29 (PTI): Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched a web portal ‘Shagun’, which links over 15 lakh schools across the country, to provide all information on school education. The schools have been geo-tagged and all the data provided by them can be accessed through this portal. Shagun is an important initiative and through this portal, more than 2.3 lakh educational websites can be integrated, Pokhriyal said. According to HRD officials, there will also be a third-party verification of the information provided by schools and websites of 1,200 Kendriya Vidyalayas, 600 Navodaya Vidyalayas, 18,000 CBSE-affiliated schools, 30 SCERTs, 19,000 organisations affiliated with NCTE among others are integrated with the portal. “Report cards of 15 lakh schools will be available on the newly created junction. The portal seeks to connect approximately 92 lakh teachers and 26 crore students...,” the official said.
D I M A P U R , AU G 2 9 (NPN): Urging Nagaland Governor and Centre’s Interlocutor in Naga peace talks, RN Ravi to proceed with the process of ending the political negotiations with solution as scheduled, Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) said it was time for Government of India and Naga negotiators to stay focused and give importance to the logical conclusion, rather than to anti-talks and anti-solution elements, if any. N o t i n g h ow R av i landed in the scene when uncertainties loomed large as several years of political negotiations had failed to yield anything, NTC in a representation to the governor lauded him for tackling the situation with perseverance and nurturing the negotiations to the present state. So, having come thus far, the council implored him to ensure that the existing tempo was never hampered. Likening the political negotiations with conceiving of a child by a woman, the council stated that the natural end result of the
EJC threatens road blockade
RN Ravi discuss road NACF decries poor projects with Gadkari road condition
D I M A P U R , AU G 2 9 (NPN): Expressing dismay over government apathy towards their long-standing demand for improving 18km road from Khubokita via KPA engineering college, Atoizu ADC HQ to Khitsakita NH 702, the Emlo-to Joint Council (EJC) has threatened to impose road blockade along that stretch. In a press release, EJC chairman Hetoi Zhimo and advisor Khehokhu Kiba said that the joint council in October 2018 had written to the PWD minister, MLA 32 Atoizu A/C, commissioner & secretary PWD, chief engineer PWD (R&B), ADC Atoizu and executive engineer PWD (R&B) Atoizu division demanding construction of road without delay. However, there was not positive response till date. EJC also stated that the fund which was to be sanctioned for the road has not been released even after a lapse of two years. (Cont’d on p-7)
R.N Ravi with Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi.
DIMAPUR, AUG 29 (NPN): Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi, Thursday met with the Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari at Transport Bhavan, New Delhi. According to a Raj Bhavan statement, a review of the status of 14 road projects under NHIDCL in Nagaland was taken during the meeting with special focus on Dimapur-Kohima four laning project. Gadkari assured that all possible measures would be taken to ensure completion of the projects on time. Governor Ravi would periodically review the status of the projects with all concerned including the senior officials of NHIDCL to monitor the progress. The meeting was also attended by chairman NHIDCL and other senior officials of the Ministry.
took a more violent turn spearheaded by NSCN, it added. After many decades of intensive and extensive military showdown, NSCN (R) said Government of India finally recognised the “Indo-Naga” conflict as a political and not military issue and saw the need to resolve the issue through political approach and not through military warfare. It said this led to lifting of the ban on NSCN and both the government of India and the organisation entered into a ceasefire agreement, followed by political negotiations at the highest level. It said that today and after many years of political talks, the Nagas and government of India were closer than ever before to resolve the “Indo-Naga” imbroglio.
group of Naga interlocutors
D I M A P U R , AU G 2 9 (NPN): A new group styles as ‘The Naga Rising’ (TNR) has suggested to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately appoint a group of Naga interlocutors for early conclusion of the peace talks and help avoid the risk of the negotiations breaking down. In the memorandum, TNR said the Naga interlocutors should be chosen on the basis of their wide acceptability and ability to unify the Naga socio-political divide and who would work alongside government of India’s Interlocutor and gover nor of Nagaland R.N.Ravi. TNR said the Naga interlocutors would help facilitate a sustained dialogue – even beyond the solution – among a larger (Cont’d on p-7) pool of stakeholders in a
(Cont’d on p-7)
DIMAPUR, AUG 29 (NPN): Niuland Area Citizen Forum (NACF) Thursday strongly decried poor condition of road between 4th Mile Junction to Niuland Town, saying the road stretch has almost become unmotorable due to negligence for years. In a press release, NACF president Kakishe Shikhu Achumi, and information and publicity secretary Soul Kiho pointed out that the road, which connects many villages under Ghaspani-2 and Ghaspani-1 assembly constituencies, was also used by Ralan area commuters. During emergency road diversion, the forum also said the road was used as a bypass from Dimapur to Kohima via Zadima. “The roads here are in terrible conditions due to negligence for many years,” NACF said, adding that the potholes on the road were a major cause of concern. The forum asserted that Niuland being ADC Hqs has many government offices and educational institutions and most of the staff commute between Dimapur and Niuland on a daily basis. Therefore, it urged the responsible department/ministry to intervene and take concrete measures at the earliest.
NSCN (R) urges Nagas to support peaceful solution TNR suggests PM to appoint
D I M A P U R , AU G 2 9 (NPN): NSCN (Reformation) has called upon the people to support both government of India and the NSCN to resolve the long-pending issue at the (Cont’d on p-7) earliest. In a statement, NSCN (R) through its MIP expressed happiness that after decades of bloodshed, Nagas were finally preparing to embrace an acceptable solution and logical conclusion based on “contemporary reality” with all Naga stakeholders while keeping in mind the historical and political rights of the Nagas. NSCN(R) hoped Nagas would not miss the opportunity by supporting both government of India and NSCN to resolve the “I’m charged every time long-pending issue at the I use my own money. earliest. This is worst than paying It said such an efincome tax?” fort would not only bring
This is it!
The state police on Thursday appealed to the people not to believe in rumours as some elements are trying to create confusion. The government has ensured adequate safeguards for people, whose name may not appear in the final NRC, it said. “Safety of citizens is our top priority,” the Assam police tweeted. The force also issued a five-point advisory stating that persons whose names are not in the NRC will not be declared as foreigners and can appeal to the Foreigners Tribunals. The time limit for doing so has been increased form 60 days to 120 days and the government will provide legal aid through
the district legal service authority to the needy who are excluded from the NRC. Besides, the number of Foreigners Tribunals have been increased and are being set up at convenient locations. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had on August 23 reviewed the law and order situation of the state with the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police where he had directed them to maintain close relations with the influential persons and opinion makers to ensure that there is no misunderstanding among the people about the NRC process. Appealing to the people to maintain peace, he said, “A government is there in Assam to look after people’s interest. All are living here with unity and honour ... We are confident that all sections of society will come forward to maintain peace and tranquility for all times to come”. In the complete draft of the NRC, which was published in July last year, names of 40,07,707 people were excluded. It had which contained names of 2,89,83,677 eligible persons out of a total 3,29,91,384 applicants.
HRD launches School Education portal ‘Shagun’
KMC clarifies on sale of poly bags
D I M A P U R , AU G 2 9 (NPN): Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) has clarified that it has not authorised any individual or group for the sale of non-woven poly propylene carry bags in Kohima and that such activity was unauthorized, nonpermissible and illegal. In a notification, KMC administrator Kovi Meyase stated that certain individual/group reportedly selling “non-woven white poly propylene bag” in Kohima in the guise of having been authorized by KMC. It stated that those non-woven white carry bags were made from poly propylene, which was a thermo plastic polymer and therefore not plastic free. Therefore, in line with the government ban from all single-use plastic, KMC said non-woven white carry bags also fell within the category (Full text on p-6) of banned plastic items.
climate of transparency and mutual trust, which in turn would help in the successful outcome of the “Indo-Naga peace process”. However, TNR said the Naga interlocutors would not participate in the negotiations but would only work with the large Naga civil society in facilitating the way forward. TNR said the group would have a placating effect in offsetting any negative connotations related to the peace talk and help find a larger audience on the perception of an acceptable and honourable Naga settlement. TNR said Naga interlocutors could also hold sustained people-to-people dialogue with neighbours, as and when required, in order to promote peace and understanding in the region.
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