Nagaland Post This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00
www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 13
DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 Pages 16 ` 5.0
‘Reduce weight of govt mandates on PSBs’
Australia 277/6 against India on Day 1
Rajapaksa to resign as PM today
business, Page 8
sports, Page 13
international, Page 9
Rafale relief for NDA govt
SC REJECTS PLEA FOR COURT-MONITORED PROBE
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, DEC 14 (NPN): People from all walks of life, a host of state government functionaries, opposition leaders and representatives from 14 civil society groups and organisations from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland paid rich tributes to NSCN (I-M) vicepresident late ‘gen.’ (retd) Khole Konyak at a public meet jointly organised by Naga Hoho and Naga Council Dimapur at the Agri Expo in Fourth Mile here on Friday. Khole had passed away at a New Delhi-based hospital on Wednesday following a brain haemorrhage. Meanwhile, a funeral send-off service will be held at Hebron CHQ Saturday at 7 a.m. Addressing the programme, Agriculture and Cooperation minister Kaito G Aye said the demise of Khole was a “heart-breaking” moment. Urging all stakeholders to be reasonable, he emphasised that while there could be differences in approach, there should be no difference when it came to chalking out a solution.
NEW DELHI, DEC 14 (PTI): In a major relief to the Modi government, the Supreme Court Friday said it was “satisfied” with the decision making process in concluding the Rafale fighter jet deal and rejected demands for a probe, sparking bitter exchanges between the BJP and the Congress. The verdict by the apex court that it found no reason to intervene on what it called the “sensitive issue” of purchase of 36 jets from France came as a political victory for the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Holding it did not find any substantial material on record to show there was “commercial favouritism” to any party by the Indian Government in choosing an offset partner, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said perception of individuals cannot be the basis of a “fishing and roving enquiry” by the court and it cannot “sit in judgement” over the wisdom of the decision to go in for purchase of 36 aircraft in place of 126. “We are satisfied that there is no occasion to really
doubt the process, and even if minor deviations have occurred, that would not result in either setting aside the contract or requiring a detailed scrutiny by the court,” it ruled. Shortly after the verdict that comes ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls was pronounced, BJP President Amit Shah launched a blistering attack on the Congress, saying it was a “victory of truth” and demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi. But the Congress claimed the Supreme Court has vindicated its stand that the issue of “corruption” in the Rs 36,000 crore Rafale contract cannot be decided by it and challenged the Centre to constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the deal. Bolstered by the Supreme Court verdict on the Rafale deal, the government on Friday ruled out the possibility of a JPC probe into the contract and mounted a strident counter-attack on the Congress, saying the “deaf ” will never hear an answer.
Shops closed in Tsg over demand notice
Gehlot named as Raj CM, Pilot Dy CM Rio urges PM to resolve Naga issue at the earliest
DIMAPUR, DEC 14 (NPN): Tuensang Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI) observed closure of shops and business establishments Tuensang town starting from 10am on Friday after donations and demand notice issued by various groups to shop keepers and business establishments. In a press release, TCCI said it had to resort to such an act due to constant harassment with ultimatums and threats to business establishments. However, TCCI said following an appeal from Chang Khulei Setshang, an emergency meeting was held and decided that shops would open from December 15, for the welfare of the public.
4-lane road work: Dust pollution worries DVC
DIMAPUR, DEC 14 (NPN): Taking note of complaints from residents about dust pollution caused due to four-lane construction works along NH-29 4th Mile, Diphupar village area, the Diphupar Village Council (DVC) has appealed to the responsible contractor to sprinkle water in the working area to reduce dust pollution. In a press release, DVC chairman Ghuzui Shohe has stated that dust pollution was posing health hazards for citizens living in the area.
This is it!
“No it’s not extortion. I’m explaining to you about giving generously and expecting bountifully.” K Y M C
NEW DELHI/JAIPUR, DEC 14 (PTI): Congress on Friday named Ashok Gehlot Rajasthan’s next chief minister and Sachin Pilot his deputy after party president Rahul Gandhi brokered peace between the veteran leader and his younger colleague over several rounds of discussions lasting more than two days. Congress observer to the state KC Venugopal made the announcement at a media briefing here, ending the suspense over who would be appointed chief minister of the state. Gehlot and Pilot will be sworn in on Monday. Gandhi and other Congress leaders are expected to attend the ceremony in Jaipur. Addressing the press conference, Gehlot, 67, thanked Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of the state
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley maintained only a judicial body can carry out such a probe as there has been an experience in the past of JPCs working on partisan lines. “The SC verdict is conclusive and leaves no scope for any doubt on the deal,” he asserted at a joint news conference with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Jaitley dubbed allegations on the Rafale deal as “fiction writing” that compromised national security. Apex court gave its 29-page judgement on pleas seeking lodging of an FIR and a court-monitored probe alleging irregularities in the jet deal, in which both India and France entered into an inter-governmental agreement in 2016 after Modi’s summit talks with the then French President Francois Hollande in Paris the previous year. The three-judge bench dealt with “three broad areas of concern” raised in the petitions, identifying them as “the decision making process, pricing and the choice of Indian offset partners (IOP)”.
JPC probe will expose PM: Rahul
Rich tributes to late Khole Konyak at Dimapur
Unfazed by the Supreme Court verdict on the Rafale deal, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Friday trained his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he cannot escape action and only two names of Modi and businessman Anil Ambani will come out whenever a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe is conducted into the deal. Rahul maintained that corruption had taken place in the contract which he asserted will be proved by his party and claimed that the basis of the court judgement is a CAG report that has neither been seen by anyone, nor shared with Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Addressing a press conference, Gandhi said the Supreme Court in its verdict cited a report by the CAG on Rafale deal that was submitted to the PAC, but he asserted that no such report was given to the House panel headed by Congress’ leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge.
Ashok Gehlot
Sachin Pilot
for a third time and promised that he and Pilot will give “good governance”. Pilot, 41, exuded confidence that Congress’ good electoral performance will continue, saying the party will get a big mandate in 2019 polls and form government at the Centre also. Congress went from 21 seats against the BJP’s 163 in 2013 to getting 99 seats (plus one of the Rashtriya Lok Dal) in the assembly elections, the votes for which were counted on
Tuesday. Pilot said the party’s manifesto will be implemented immediately. Gehlot and Pilot later left New Delhi for a meeting with Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh in Jaipur, where a party delegation presented him a list of the newly elected Congress legislators and supporting MLAs. Only the chief minister and the deputy chief minister will be sworn in on Monday.
DIMAPUR, DEC 14 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, along with Lok Sabha member Tokheho Yepthomi, called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House in New Delhi on Thursday. According to Chief Minister’s Office, New Delhi camp, Rio conveyed to Modi the desire of the Nagas for an early settlement to the vexed, decades-old Naga political issue. He informed Modi that Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation had organised peaceful marches across all districts of the State on December 12 and submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the governor and deputy commissioners of the respective districts seeking an early and inclusive solution. The chief minister also expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister for the
Miners still trapped inside 370 ft coal pit in M’laya Correspondent SHILLONG, DEC 14: The fate of the thirteen miners trapped inside a 370 feet coal pit filled with gallons of water here in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district is still unknown, an official said in Friday. Officials at the accident site, about 130 km East of Shillong, said their chances of survival were bleak. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials called off the rescue operation for the day due to darkness. Residents of Lumthari village, said after the accident five miners somehow managed to escape as water gushed inside the 370-feet coal pit. “The matter came to light only after the five miners managed to come out of the coal pit and alerted others about the accident,” the villagers said. DIG in-charge of Western Range, A.R. Mawthoh and Sylvester Nongtnger, the police chief of East Jaintia Hills, visited the accident site and monitored the rescue operation. “We are making all efforts to rescue the trapped miners from the coal pit. We are
NDRF personnel and state rescue team at the site.
pumping the water out of the pit with the help of generators but the water level has not receded,” Nongtnger told journalists, He said the actual number of coal miners trapped inside could be more or less. He said the police have launched a manhunt to arrest James Sukhlain, the coal mine owner, who was absconding, and others. “We have registered a case against them for violating NGT order banning coal mining,” Nongtnger said. A team of 72 members from the NDRF, 23 members from the State Disaster Response Force
and five members of the Fire and Emergency service were deployed to rescue the trapped miners. The accident inside the coal pit on Thursday was of significance, especially after the National Green Tribunal had ordered an interim ban on “rat-hole” coal mining in the state from April 17, 2014. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said: “Appropriate action will be taken at appropriate time against the people who are involved in the illegal mining.” He said NDRF as well as the SDRF are doing all they can to save the trapped miners.
Body of late ‘gen.’ (Retd) Khole Konyak at Agri Expo site during the public meet. (NP)
Referring to Khole as a “jewel”, leader of opposition TR Zeliang remarked that former NSCN (I-M) leader was a man of strong determination and had a genuine desire to serve the cause of Nagas. Pointing out that 70 years of struggle and 20 years of dialogue were a long period of time, Zeliang said it was high time all parties reached a consensus to bring solution. Speaking on the occasion, adviser Toshi Wungtung, who spoke on behalf
of Eastern Naga Legislators’ Union representing 20 legislators from Eastern Nagaland, mentioned that Khole was an open-minded leader who believed in a harmonious existence. He added that the late leader would be remembered for his endurance. He also briefly narrated the struggles faced by Khole in the early days of Naga national movement. Messages sent by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy chief minister Y
Rio and Tokheho with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
NDA government’s commitment towards resolving the long-pending Naga political issue, for which Government of India (GoI) had been negotiating with NNPGs. Raising the issue of Chiethu airport at Kohima, Rio reminded Modi that it was a commitment of then Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee that all State Capitals should have an airport. Comparing the airport
IB and RAW chiefs get extension
C H E N NA I , D E C 1 4 (AGENCIES): Heads of Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing Rajiv Jain and Anil K Dhasmana respectively got extensions of six months each on Friday from their two-year terms, which were coming to an end later this month, a government order said. Jain’s tenure was to end on December 30 and Dhasmana’s on December 29. The decision to extend the tenure of the two intelligence chiefs was taken due to the forthcoming general election by the Prime Minister-led Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Centre wanted a new government to take a decision on appointments on these key posts, officials in the know said. Jain is a 1980-batch IPS officer of Jharkhand cadre and Dhasmana is 1981-batch officer from the Madhya Pradesh.
project with the Silchar-Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway project, he said the estimated cost of the proposed Ciethu airport was much less compared to the railway project. He expressed anguish over the delay in sanctioning the airport and hoped the Prime Minister would personally intervene in the matter. The chief minister further urged the Prime Minister to release the pending amount due to the State
Patton, NPF president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, Asia Indigenous People’s Pact, Naga Political Forum and Peoples’ Democratic Alliance in Manipur, among others, were also read out on the occasion. United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, who was present, recalled his association with Khole and his role in the formation of the united front comprising PLA and ULFA. (Cont’d on p-7)
under the erstwhile SPA as some of those projects had already been completed, while others were on the verge of completion. Rio apprised Modi that the recommendation for release of SPA was duly forwarded by the finance ministry, wherein some queries were made to NITI Aayog for clarification, and which NITI Aayog had duly replied (letter F.No.M13048/19(NL)/2015-S-NE dated 8.10.2018). He urged the Prime Minister to recommend release of the approved amount so that the various ongoing developmental works could be completed at the earliest since it was long overdue. After a patient hearing, the Prime Minister thanked Rio and Tokheho for apprising him about the State’s various issues and assured that he would take these up with the ministries concerned.
Delay in road project irks CPO DIMAPUR, DEC 14 (NPN): Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) has expressed dismay over the delay in initiation of two-lane road project under SARDP-NE (Chakhabama-Zunheboto via Chozuba sub-division and Pfutsero-Phek) due to reasons related to compensation. In a press release, CPO general secretary, Mutsivoyi Kotso, said CPO executive council held its emergency meeting held on December 5, 2018 at Pfutsero and unanimously adopted resolutions for pursuance and implementation of the project. CPO executive council has sought public support and cooperation for the larger interest of the community. In the resolution, the CPO asserted that it shall under no situation allow the construction and completion of two lane road in the district to be blocked or abandoned because of any individual or group whatsoever. CPO also endorsed the decision of the district administration and concerned department to undertake the re-verification of
the affected areas under public protest and to press upon the district administration and concerned department to initiate the exercise with immediate effect. CPO also demanded release of the revised compensation at the earliest in order to enable the working agency to start the work immediately. Further, CPO executive council resolved to stand by the notification issued by deputy commissioner (DC) Phek that new structure or under construction along the mentioned stretch of road post July would not be taken up for compensation. Meanwhile, the executive council has authorized the office of CPO to appoint a high level committee on two-lane road project in Phek district. The committee would coordinate with the district administration, concerned department and agency. CPO has appealed to its units to ensure reasonable settlement compensation and hassle free timely construction of the project. K Y M C