Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXX No. 16
DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Pope Francis abolishes ‘pontifical secrecy’ rule
No league showdown between Kom & Zareen
CAA: Mamata slams Modi for ‘dress’ comment
international, Page 9
sports, Page 12
national, Page 5
Ex-Pak dictator Gen. Musharraf Violent protest against CAA, 21 injured in Delhi sentenced to death for high treason Govt firm on CAA; Oppn petitions President of India
NEW DELHI, DEC 17 (AGENCIES): Protests against the amended citizenship law continued at several places across the country on Tuesday. Violent clashes broke out in the national capital as students, opposition leaders and activists across the country stepped up their protests against the amended citizenship law, even as the government asserted it is “firm like rock” on its implementation and the Supreme Court refused plea for an inquiry panel to probe the violence. Angry protesters demanding scrapping of the amended Citizenship Act pelted stones at police personnel, torched several motor bikes and vandalised two police booths as well as three buses in Northeast Delhi’s Seelampur on Tuesday, leaving 21 people injured in fresh violence in the city. Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused “Congress and its friends” of spreading lies over the new law and asked students to try and
Ravi sworn in as acting Gov of Meghalaya Correspondent
SHILLONG, DEC 17: Nagaland governor RN Ravi was sworn in as the acting governor of Meghalaya by Meghalaya High Court chief justice Mohammad Rafiq at Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday. Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong and council of ministers, senior government officials and defence officials were present at the swearing-in ceremony. Soon after Ravi arrived at Raj Bhavan, chief minister drove to Raj Bhavan and held a meeting with him. Though, it was not known what the agenda of the meeting was. However, it is believed that Conrad has briefed Ravi on the prevailing situation in Meghalaya following the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and the delay of the governor Roy in giving his assent to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019. Unlike other Governors, Ravi avoided speaking to media. Soon after he took charge, Ravi drove back to the Advanced Landing Ground of the Indian Air Force and boarded the helicopter to Nagaland.
Brick-bats lie on a road as anti-CAA protestors clash with police at Seelampur in New Delhi, Tuesday. (PTI)
see whether they were not being made accomplices in a “conspiracy” where “urban naxals” and others were using their “shoulders to fire” to serve their own interests. Even as several opposition parties demanded withdrawal of what they called an “unconstitutional and divisive” law, Home Minister Amit Shah said there was no question of going back on its implementation and expressed confidence about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act standing legal scrutiny. “We are firm like rock on its implementation,” he said in Mumbai. Shah also said action being taken only against those engaging in vandalism and arson during protests and not
against students opposing CAA. He also directed Delhi Police to ensure peace in the national capital. Oppn parties seek President’s intervention: Opposition leaders today knocked on the doors of President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking his intervention in repealing the “unconstitutional and divisive” citizenship amendment law and forming a commission of inquiry to probe violent protests and the police action. A delegation of leaders of a dozen opposition parties, led by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, submitted a memorandum to the president appealing to him to “advise” the government to withdraw the
legislation and “safeguard our Constitution from being violated”. Talking to reporters later, Gandhi alleged the Modi government was “shutting down” people’s voices and bringing legislations which are not acceptable to them. “...(we) met the President to plead with him to intervene in the situation in the North East, which is now spreading throughout the country...because of the act. It is a very serious situation. We fear that it may spread even further...,” she said. Protests in states: Fresh protests took place on Tuesday in Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Maharashtra, West Bengal and several other parts of
3 months sought to act against illegal appointments Correspondent
KO H I M A , D E C 1 7 (NPN): Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and Civil Engineers Association of Nagaland (CEAN) have decided to call off their ongoing agitation after commissioner & secretary of PWD (W&H) assured to address their grievances. A member of the CTAN disclosed that the commissioner & secretary, at a meeting with the two bodies, reportedly sought three months time (till March 31, 2020) to ascertain and terminate any backdoor appointees from the period between June 6,
2016 to August 10, 2018, as demanded by the two associations. CEAN and CTAN have demanded the termination of illegal appointments of SO-Gr II, draftsman and surveyors, allegedly made without any advertisement. In the meeting, it was also decided that the forms issued for appointment of nine post of SO, advertised in November 2019, would be extended till January 17, 2020. It may be mentioned that on December 16, CTAN and CEAN members appealed to the authority for immediate termination of all illegal appointments and advertise all the posts along with existing vacancies. The associations warned that their peaceful sit-in protest would intensify if there was delay in delivering justice.
DIMAPUR, DEC 17 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has rejected the “conditional Citizenship (Amendment) Act” exemption for Nagaland based on Inner Line Permit, saying it was just “a plain hoax to fool our people.” Cautioning the tribe hohos, student bodies and civil society organizations, NPCC urged them “to pay more attention to the wolves at our door in guise of CAA that is camouflaged by ILP.” NPCC said that the act of exempting states/ areas under ILP and Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution was a complete eyewash, since any immigrant getting asylum in any part of the country and after obtaining citizenship could easily travel and sneak into those protected areas to settle down. Asserting that it was high time for the people of
Pervez Musharraf (PTI)
Musharraf is the first military ruler convicted for subverting the Constitution. Though he was not the first General to do so. Three Pakistan Army chiefs including Gen Ayub Khan, Gen Yahya Khan and Gen Ziaul-Haq also abrogated the Constitution but never faced any court. Musharraf ’s sentencing is highly significant moment in Pakistan where the powerful military has ruled the country for nearly half of its 72-year history. Justice Seth, in a short verdict, announced that the court found that Musharraf was guilty of violating Art. 6 of the Constitution that says that suspending the Constitution was an act of treason. “Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or hold in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to
Nagaland to wake up before it was too late, NPCC pointed out that CAA was a lethal blow to the secular foundation of the Constitution. “It marks the victory of Hindutva forces that is against the liberal and pluralistic ethos of India that had withstood the test of time,” it added. Today, NPCC said that the very idea of nationhood was being based on religion and taking the nation on a course to the point of no return. CAA which discriminates grant of citizenship on religious lines not only offends Article 14 but also the very founding principle of our constitution as Secular Republic, it added. While state BJP had wholeheartedly welcomed CAA, the NDPP and NPF after allowing their respective MPs to vote in support of CAB were still hesitant to clearly justify their de-
DIMAPUR, DEC 17 (NPN): Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi during his maiden visit to Tuensang on December 17 voiced his concern over shortage of Science and Math teachers in the district. Addressing the students of St. John Higher Secondary School (SJHSS), Tuensang, Ravi while emphasizing on the importance of quality education and to check the drop out menace, expressed dismay that the district was gripped with shortage of teachers for important subjects like mathematics and science. Beside education, he also stressed on the need to improve the health sector. The Gover nor also took note of the deplorable condition of roads in the district. Asserting that road sector was of priority, Ravi believed that the road condition would improve. Interacting with the students of SJHSS, R.N. Ravi applauded the school (Cont’d on p-7) for their contribution in
cision and many CSOs were confused over CAA exemption based on ILP, the party said. Criticising the two regional parties-- NDPP and NPF for betraying the mandate of the people, NPCC said the two parties should instead merge with BJP rather than taking the Nagas for a ride with their constant political opportunism, that was bartering away the rights of future generations. NPCC recalled that during the December 3 meeting, of all state political parties with Home Minister Amit Shah, the unanimous demand was for total exemption of CAB from Nagaland. However, when CAB was passed in Lok Sabha, the exemption was only granted on the basis of states having ILP and areas covered under Sixth Schedule.
Rallies in Manipur for early solution to Naga issue Prepaid energy meters to
People with placards and banners during the peace rally in Chandel district on Tuesday.
Correspondent
K Y M C
ISLAMABAD, DEC 17 (PTI): Pakistan’s former dictator General Pervez Musharraf was on Tuesday sentenced to death in absentia in the high treason case for subverting the Constitution in 2007, becoming the first military ruler to receive the capital punishment in the country’s history. A three-member bench of the special court, headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth, pronounced the verdict in the landmark case launched in 2013 against the former Pakistan Army chief by the previous government of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The court found the ailing 76-year-old ex-president, now living in Dubai on selfexile, guilty of high treason by abrogating the Constitution and imposing extraconstitutional emergency in Pakistan in November 2007 and handed him the death sentence. He also imprisoned several judges and issued provisional constitutional orders to safeguard his dictatorship. He was convicted in 2014 but later went to Dubai in 2016, stalling the progress in the high-profile case.
abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance the Constitution by use of force or show force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason,” states Article 6. According to the High Treason (Punishment) Act, 1973, the punishment for high treason is death or lifetime imprisonment. The tribunal issued 2-1 split verdict in the case which lingered on about six years. It said that the detailed judgement would be issued in about two days. Musharraf can file appeal against the judgment within 30 days. But he would have to return to Pakistan for it unless allowed by the higher court. According to media reports, Musharraf, who is undergoing treatment in Dubai, expressed regret at the judgment. In a video statement from his hospital bed, he called the treason case “absolutely baseless”. “I have served my country for 10 years. I have fought for my country. This (treason) is the case in which I have not been heard and I have been victimised,” he asserted.
CTAN, CEAN call-off protest CAA camouflaged by ILP to deceive Nagas: Cong Gov makes maiden visit to Tsg after govt assures redressal
This is it!
“Friends I have solution for CAB. Tell your people ILP is the solution.”
the country as well. Road and rail blockades continued in parts of West Bengal Tuesday, though no major incidents of violence were reported, even as rallies were taken out to protest against the citizenship law. Protesters also blocked roads and set tyres on fire in Tehatta and Dhubalia areas of the Nadia district. In South 24 Parganas, protesters blocked roads and railway tracks in Diamond Harbour. Railway officials said all trains from northeast and north Bengal to Kolkata have been cancelled owing to the protests. In Gujarat, protesters gathered outside the Sabarmati Ashram with anti-CAA placards. In Kerala, stones were hurled at state transport buses, shops were forcibly closed and protest marches were held in support of a dawn-to-dusk hartal, while over 200 people were taken into preventive custody. In Tamil Nadu, DMK president M K Stalin called the new law “hasty and autocratic” and alleged the BJP-led Centre’s objective was not India’s progress but trampling the rights of Muslims.
IMPHAL, DEC 17: Hundreds of people participated in the peace rallies in the Naga inhabited hill districts of Manipur on Tuesday pressing the Centre for an early conclusion to the Naga peace process. The rallies under the aegis of United Naga Council (UNC) were held in Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong
districts. The rally at Senapati district was organised by Naga People Organisation (NPO) under the banner “Peace rally for honourable logical conclusion of Indo-Naga talk.” Speaking at the rally, UNC general secretary S Milan said the Naga issue was a political issue, which was waiting for an honourable solution for decades. He insisted that gov-
ernment of India recognise separate flag and constitution for the Nagas in the yet to be finalised Naga accord. After the rally, a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was submitted to the DC Senapati containing demands of the UNC. Similar rally in Chandel district was organised jointly by CSOs and a memorandum signed by CSOs of
the district was submitted to the DC for onward submission to Prime Minister. “Historical mistake should not be repeated”, “Peaceful co-existence through Naga solution,” were some of the slogans displayed during the rally. Speaking at the rally, former UNC president Gaidon Kamei demanded that the final accord that was yet to be signed should be based on the framework agreement which the Centre had signed with the NSCN(I-M) on August 3, 2015. Speaking at Ukhrul rally, UNC president Kho John announced that the vexed Naga issue would be resolved soon. The main objective of organising the mass rally was to urge the Nagas to avoid any conflict with other communities and tread the path that has been trodden by the people of the community.
be installed in Dimapur
DIMAPUR, DEC 17 (NPN): Power department has informed electricity consumers under Dimapur electrical division that under integrated power development scheme (IPDS), existing consumers with electro-mechanical and electronic energy meters would be replaced by the prepaid meters. In a press release, the Dimapur electrical division executive engineer stated that the process of replacement with prepaid meters would be taken up in a phased manner. The department pointed out that there have been many complaints with regard to non-receipt of electricity bill, energy bill not in line with the actual meter reading and nonreceipt of bill in time. With the installation of prepaid meters, the depart-
ment expressed optimism that all the mentioned problems would be eradicated. The department also said that the consumers would be aware of energy conservation, which would lead to overall reduction in power consumption, reduced complaints of voltage drop and reduced wastage of power. As a result, the department said the life of the electrical gadgets/equipments was expected to increase. The department has identified following wards/ colonies in Dimapur for implementation in the first phase: Colony/Ward; Police Colony; Netaji colony; Nagarjan; Civil Hospital area; Duncan Basti; Church Road area; Dhobinala to City tower area; DMC, MP Road, Hongkong market area; NST colony and PWD Complex (Sematilla & PWD).
RN Ravi
education sector despite being in a remote area.The Governor also encouraged the students to study hard and dream big and to invest for a brighter future. Later, Ravi also held an interactive session with tribal bodies-- Chang Khulei Setshang, Khiamniungan Tribal council, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji and Yimchunger Tribal Council including GBs Union, Chambers of Commerce, Red Cross, Tuensang Town All Ward Union at 7th sector AR officers mess. He also held meetings with district administration, security agencies and heads of the district, a DIPR report stated.
Petrol price cut, diesel stable DIMAPUR, DEC 17 (NPN): State-owned oil marketing companies cut the retail prices of petrol by 6 paise across major cities of the country. Diesel price was, however, kept unchanged for the eighth successive day across the country. Following today’s price revision, petrol price in Dimapur was Rs.72.56 per litre while diesel price remained at Rs. 63.89.
NST informs on chopper service
DIMAPUR, DEC 17 (NPN): Nagaland State Transport (NST) department has informed that the state helicopter service would not be available for regular service and for chartering in view of the Christmas and New Year and technical maintenance from December 24-26 and from December 31, 2019 to January 2, 2020. K Y M C