August 7, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 241

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

24 girls rescued from UP shelter home

COTIF Cup: India stun Argentina 2-1

Singer Demi Lovato speaks out after suspected overdose

national, Page 5

sports, Page 12

Infotainment, Page 10

Airdrop of supplies to continue

(L) IAF chopper drops supplies at AR ground Kiphire on Monday (DIPR). (R) Tata Sumo carrying stranded students leaving landslide-hit Kiphire. (NP)

D I M A P U R , AU G 6 (NPN): Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) has announced that airdrop of essential commodities in affected districts would continue in coordination with food & civil supplies (F&CS) department till normalcy returned. In a press release, NSDMA said two teams of 12th National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from Arunachal Pradesh were stationed at Kohima and Dimapur as a ground force to aid in search and rescue. It claimed that all line departments responsible for maintaining road and communication infrastructure were also putting

in all their efforts to restore life-line communication routes. After abor tive attempts to drop supplies in landslide-hit Kiphire district for the past three days due to inclement weather, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper on Monday finally landed at Assam Rifles helipad in Kiphire and dropped the essential commodities. Association of Offroaders Nagaland had also been roped in and its members were using their specially-equipped off-road vehicles to assist stranded passengers and vehicles, the statement said, adding that they were currently operating between Meluri and Kiphire, the statement

NSF to check influx of illegal immigrants

PDA panels to assist dist administrations

DIMAPUR, AUG 6 (NPN): To prevent influx of illegal immigrants in Nagaland particularly in the wake of final draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) publication in Assam, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) Monday said that it would be carrying out phase-I exercise along with its federating and sub-ordinate units. In a press release, NSF president, Kesosul Christopher Ltu, and general secretary, Imtiyapang Imsong, stated that the student volunteers, in order to segregate the genuine Indian citizens from the illegal immigrants, would be assigned to verify the documents of non-locals at any time and at any place. In this regard, the federation has directed the ILP holders to carry along with them their ILP and other relevant documents like Electorate ID Card and Aadhaar card etc. In the process of verification of ILP and other related documents, NSF said those who could not able to produce the documents would be considered as illegal immigrants, adding that defaulters would be handed over to the district administration and police or would be dealt with stern action as deemed fit by the student unions.

DIMAPUR, AUG 6 (NPN): Ruling PDA government has set up coordination committees comprising of presidents of respective coalition partners at the district level to coordinate and offer help, if required, to district administrations in carrying out relief and rehabilitation. According to a release issued by media cell of PDA, the committees will also furnish information on damage caused by the natural calamity and difficulties faced by the people to their respective district administrations for follow-up actions. Following the devastations across Nagaland caused by turbulent rivers and landslides due to heavy rainfall for the past few days, the ruling coalition partners held an emergency meeting here on Monday under the chairmanship of PDA chairman Chingwang Konyak. The meeting resolved that all ruling coalition partners’ MLAs and party

K Y M C

functionaries appointed to various government positions would contribute one month’s salary towards the relief fund, even as it also appealed to rank and file of the parties to contribute voluntarily towards the relief fund drive. While conveying deep condolences to family members of those who lost their near and dear ones in the natural calamity and sorrow to those facing hardships due to floods, landslides and sinking, the PDA expressed its appreciation to the Government of Nagaland and all government and non-government agencies concerned, including the administration, police and paramilitary forces, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, for being alert to the situation and working towards restoring normalcy and ensuring sufficient stock of all essential commodities throughout the State.

commissioner, who in turn issued necessary orders and coordinated with the Union Ministry of Defence for immediate lifting and airdropping of essential commodities to the worst affected districts and also to areas that were likely to be affected, the statement explained.

Gov donates to CMRF

G o ve r n o r o f N a galand, PB Acharya, has announced to contribute Rs.1 lakh from his salary towards the Chief Ministers Relief Fund (CMRF) in aid of the people affected by incessant rainfalls for the last few weeks that resulting in major natural disaster. (Cont’d on p-7)

The ruling coalition also expressed its appreciation to the Government of India (GoI) under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for responding positively to the request of the State by extending all possible assistance and deputing the Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju to visit the State and take stock of the situation. It also appreciated Rijiju for visiting the State and assuring GoI’s fullest assistance to Nagaland. While calling upon all the citizens of Nagaland to come together under a spirit of unity and extend all possible help to various departments and agencies working tirelessly working to ease the sufferings of the people and combating the difficult forces of nature, the PDA partners prayed to Almighty God for relief from the fury of nature and also seeking comfort for those impacted by the nature’s fury.

Shashi Tharoor mocks Naga headgear; CM, others condemn

Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter

D imapur , Aug 6 (NPN): Passengers from Dimapur continue to get a raw deal from the NF Railways and the incident at Guwahati on Saturday amplified it. Some passengers who bought tickets in 2-tier A/C coach of the Nagaland Express at Guwahati on Saturday were asked to adjust in the 3-tier coach. Despite vehement protests, the Station Manager was unable to do anything. The passenger ultimately had to travel in 3-tier but did not get refund. When contacted, railway authorities at both Maligaon and Lumding told Nagaland Post that the issue was acute shortage of 2-tier coaches. When told that Saturday’s humiliation of Dimapur passengers was not the first time, they assured that such incidents will not recur. On utter neglect of travel facilities at Dimapur station, they said the state government should take up the matters with the Centre.

DIMAPUR, AUG 6 (NPN): Senior Congress Lok Sabha MP, Shashi Tharoor’s remark that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wears all sorts of “outlandish headgear” has been slammed by Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, and others. On Sunday, Tharoor while addressing a seminar in Thiruvananthapuram, said: “Why does our Prime Minister, who wears all sorts of outlandish headgear wherever he goes around the country, refuse to wear a Muslim skullcap? You’ve seen him in hilarious Naga headdress, feathers, and various kinds of extraordinary outfits. Why does he refuse to wear the green?” Reacting to Tharoor remark that referred to Naga headgear, chief minister Rio, in a tweet, said Nagas have rich heritage and vibrant culture and they were proud of their history and traditions. “The Naga headgear is renowned & gifted with honour, definitely not outlandish,” Rio tweeted, adding that mutual respect makes India a great

nation. The chief minister also maintained that Tharoor must apologise and withdraw statements that hurt others sentiments. In response to Rio’s tweet, Tharoor said: “No disrespect was intended, dear CM. The point was simply that when headgear is offered with honour to the PM everywhere, why reject only one type of headgear? What signal does it send?” State, Central BJP demands apology: Also, reacting to the Congress leader, Minister for PHE, Jacob Zhimomi tweeted “We condemn such statements made by Mr. Shashi

resulting in mockery of our culture ignoring our sentiments ...He is unfit to be even passing a remark on our PM. What has he done when they were at the helm of affairs.?” Minister for Higher and Technical Temjen Imna Along, who is also the president of BJP Nagaland state unit, in a series of tweet, demanded apology from the Congress Party “for insulting the people of India’s North East & Tribals.” Along said Tharoor’s “poor knowledge of Nagas and terming it outlandish and hilarious is not amusing for we the Naga people.” he also said that Naga headgear is our pride

Fuel prices soar for fifth day

Schoolteachers’ vacancies due to wrong deployment: HRD

Bypass road construction in North East cities

NEW DELHI, AUG 6 (AGENCIES): There is no respite from the soaring petrol and diesel prices. For the fifth straight day, oil-marketing companies raised the petrol and diesel rates on Monday. Petrol and diesel prices have been rising since August 2. Petrol price was raised by 12 paise in the national capital. Petrol can be availed at Rs 76.97 per litre in New Delhi today as against Rs 76.85 per litre yesterday. On Monday, a litre of petrol was being sold in Kolkata for Rs. 79.89, in Mumbai for Rs. 84.41, and in Chennai for Rs. 79.96, according to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the largest fuel retailer of the country. A litre of diesel was being sold in New Delhi for Rs. 68.44, in Kolkata for 71.22, in Mumbai for Rs. 72.66, and in Chennai for Rs. 72.29, stated iocl.com, IOC’s website.

NEW DELHI, AUG 6 (IANS): India has a “fabulous” teacher-student ratio and over 10 lakh teachers’ vacancies in elementary and secondary schools -- as per the data given by HRD Minister of State Upendra Kushwaha -- is because of wrong deployment of teachers, a Ministry official said on Monday. On the contrary, the Human Resource Development Ministry official said, a survey done by the government found four lakh “surplus teachers” across states. “The country has a teacher-student ratio of 1:24, which is fabulous. The large number of vacancies is a result of teachers getting concentrated in cities and not getting deployed in the remote areas. We are still in the process of reconciling the two contradicting data,” the official said on the condi-

Exposed: Uttar Pradesh’s cash-for-encounter raj

AGRA/NEW DELHI, AUG 6 (AGENCIES): Staged shootouts appear to be a shortcut to promotions, bribes and fawning publicity for some Uttar Pradesh police officers, if not all, as the number of people killed (Cont’d on p-7) in police encounters climbed to over 60 under the Yogi Adityanath government, an India Today TV investigation has found. According to official data, nearly 400 people have been injured in around 1,500 police encounters that have taken place since March 2017. India Today TV’s special investigation team has found that some members of the state police force could be implicating innocent civilians in false cases and shooting them down in staged confrontations in exchange for bribes and pro“There goes the chopper motions. In the Agra zone, to drop relief. They should which has accounted for 241 help us since we’re also encounters since the BJP helpless.” government took charge in

This is it!

added. State chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief minister Y Patton, in coordination with NSDMA adviser and F&CS adviser, immediately reached out to the affected people in far flung districts, especially in the eastern parts. It claimed that the government activated its entire machinery, besides involving local communities and NGOs, to address the unprecedented natural disaster. The chief secretary, who is also the chairman of the State Executive Committee of NSDMA, immediately notified a single window communication system through the Home

Dmu passengers continue to get raw deal from NFR

Uttar Pradesh last year, a sub-inspector, Sarvesh Kumar of the local Chitra Hat police station offered to gun down an innocent civilian for around Rs 8 lakh. This, after India Today TV’s reporters, posing as businessmen, approached him about framing a fictitious competitor in a bogus case. This is how the conversation proceeded: “The problem that you are facing has only one solution. By chance, I have two-three banks under my jurisdiction. If any incident happens, I will involve (implicate) him into it,” Kumar told the undercover journalists. “And he can be involved (implicated) to a great extent into it. He could be injured and could also lose his life,” Kumar added. Kumar brazenly guaranteed that the target would be eliminated. “There’s no chance of survival. If someone is my target, what’s the

chance for him to survive?” Kumar boasted. “Nothing is put on the record even if it’s an arrest. When the shooting is done out in the open, there’s no chance of survival.” India Today TV’s probe doesn’t suggest that all police encounters under the Yogi government are fake, but Kumar’s admissions suggested that some of the encounters could have been staged to kill suspects in detention. “That’s a fact that they (targets) are brought from some other locations,” Kumar claimed. “You mean they are caught and killed?” asked the reporter. “Whether we bring them ourselves or via some other medium, someone (the target) is taken or lured into some specific location for a meeting. We have our men in place... Done,” the SI said. At the local police station in Basai Jagner, station officer Jagdamba Singh acknowl-

edged that the temptation of promotions was encouraging some trigger-happy police officials to hold fake encounters in the state. “One can do anything for this charge of a station officer. Killing, bribing, anything can be done for this post,” the SO claimed. He alleged that extrajudicial killings and power abuse are common in UP. “Imagine how influential the media is today. Still, encounters are happening. There’s no more powerful police force in India than U.P.’s. We are the best, like the Kabul steed,” the SO bragged. “The hands and feet are tied and the face is covered. We still kick and bite. We kill... We are the most powerful police force in India.” Singh contradicted his department’s official claims that every encounter happens instantly. He also alleged that district police chiefs might be in the know of potential encounters in some

instances. “Who all take part in an encounter? Constables, inspectors. That’s it. But nothing happens without the consent of the captain (SSPs).” At the same police station, sub-inspector Balbir Singh sounded desperate for a transfer to a city jurisdiction. “If it’s a chowki in a city area, it’s okay. Otherwise, there’s no benefit. If I am posted at a police station and the inspector sends me to a chowki, the man in charge there would take all the money (bribes). He’ll be the decision-maker of everything,” Balbir Singh said in a glaring reflection of chronic corruption in the Uttar Pradesh police. He was ready to stage an encounter in exchange for his urban posting. Agra SSP Amit Pathak announced an immediate suspension of the three policemen caught on tape willing to stage shootouts of innocent civilians.

(L-R) Shashi Tharoor mocks Narendra Modi for donning ‘outlandish’ Naga headgear.

tion of anonymity. The Ministry has asked the states to do a “demandsupply analysis” every year and to install a tracking software to tackle absenteeism among teachers. It is yet to be analysed, the official said, as to how many of these surplus teachers are contractual employees. Kushwaha last week informed Parliament that over 10 lakh posts of teachers at elementary and secondary levels were lying vacant across the country, with Jammu and Kashmir topping the chart at secondary and Uttar Pradesh at elementary levels. The official also spoke about introducing a fouryear integrated B.Ed programme, replacing the present two-year one, for all-round teacher training, including training in debates, elocution, essay and short-story writing.

(Cont’d on p-7)

Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG 6 (NPN): Government of India is contemplating construction of bypasses in important cities of the country under Bharatmala in order to avoid congestion. 28 Ring Roads, 125 Choke Points and 66 Congestion Points have been identified in the entire country under Phase-I of BharatmalaPariyojana, where interventions have been planned. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Monday, the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemical & Fertilizers, Mansukh L Mandaviya, said that major cities in the North Eastern states where such intervention have been planned are Guwahati, Imphal, Silchar, Shillong, Dibrugarh, Dimapur and Aizawl.

NCD sees flaws in Dmu city footpath construction DIMAPUR, AUG 6 (NPN): Alleging flaws in the construction of footpaths being carried out in Dimapur city, the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has urged the district administration to intervene at the earliest and take necessary action against the implementing agency (Urban Development Department Nagaland). In a representation addressed to the deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, NCD president, T Bangerloba, and general secretary, Thsapongkyu Sangtam, alleged poor workmanship and use of poor quality materials in the construction of footpaths by department of urban development. Pointing out that majority of the general public commute on footpaths, NCD said there were some footpaths that still remained non-functional, occupied by vendors,

encroached and in some places footpath condition posed danger to pedestrian. With the increase in vehicular traffic in the city, NCD said suggested that the state government and responsible department should encourage walking by investing in improving the quality of footpaths for pedestrians in the city. However, NCD said the recent footpath work that was being carried out has several flaws in the quality and designs. “The workmanship is poor and the materials that are being used are inferior quality,” it stated. Therefore, NCD appealed to the district administration and the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) to accord priority in creating longterm sustainable plan for the city infrastructure such as pedestrian-friendly footpaths in the streets of Dimapur. K Y M C


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