December 21, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 19

PSU bank officers’ union strike today

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.0

West trying to ‘hold back’ Russia: Putin

Chelsea through to League Cup semis

EVMs are tamper -proof: CEC

international, Page 9

sports, Page 12

national, Page 7

Cracks in NDA as more depart NEW DELHI, DEC 20 (AGENCIES): For the BJP, its massive victory in 2014 followed by victories in assembly elections where it took over several Congressruled states stopped in 2017 when Congress bounced back in Punjab and by 2018 the BJP has been on the backfoot. The massive blow to the BJP inflicted by a resurgent Congress in its core Hindi heartland states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan has had a very serious impact with its allies. After the losses, the BJP goes to 2019 facing a near revolt from its own allies and a strong undercurrent of resentment against party chief Amit Shah and prime minister Narendra Modi. Days after quitting the NDA, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief and former union minister Upendra Kushwaha joined the UPA on Thursday in the presence of leaders of the grand alliance in Bihar who said they would together throw the BJP out of power in 2019. The announcement of Kushwaha joining the ‘mahagathbandhan’ of opposition parties in Bihar came at a press conference at the par-

NEW DELHI, DEC 20 (PTI): A union of public sector bank officers has called for a strike on Friday, demanding immediate wage revision and protesting merger of the stateowned banks. The strike call given by the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) expected to hit banking operations across the country. However, private sector banks would continue their usual business as they are not part of the strike. Most of the banks have already informed their customers about the strike and its impact on their normal banking operation. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of the top nine bank unions, has also decided to observe a strike on December 26. Taking into account these two days of unions’ strike and other holidays, banks would be closed for most of the extended Christmas weekend. So, most bank branches will be open only for a day between this Friday and next Wednesday. Till December 26, there are three holidays -- fourth Saturday on December 22, then Sunday and then Christmas on Tuesday. DIMAPUR, DEC 20 (NPN): Public Action Committee (PAC) of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), which discussed the prevailing situation in its recent meeting, has set January 20, DIMAPUR, DEC 20 2019 deadline for authorities (NPN): Expressing its concerned to nab the culprits shock and dismay at the and award punishments, failbrutal murder of Kevisolie ing which it threatened to Zakiesato, Public Action determine its future course Committee (PAC), Naga of action, as deemed fit. Council Dimapur (NCD) PAC through its media has appealed to Dimapur cell also vehemently concommissioner of police to demned Sangtamtilla arson investigate the matter, bring by GPRN/NSCN cadres the perpetrators to book allegedly led by GPRN/ and ensure strict punishNSCN kilonser Hokato ment to them to deter recurVusshe, who “deliberately rence of such criminal acts violated PAC bandh called in the future. to convey the message that Assuring its cooperathe public do not want illetion to hasten the probe, gal activities and highhandPAC urged the Dimapur edness of Naga NPGs.” police commissioner to PAC regretted that the leave no stone unturned in cadres, who claim to be nabbing the culprits. The “Naga nationalists”, incommittee expressed confistead of performing their asdence on his ability to nab signed duties were involved the killers. in “land grabbing issues for According to Pubself interests” and physically lic Action Committee NCD convener Vekhosayi Nyekha, the heinous crime committed on a public figure inside his residence had created a fear psychosis among residents of the town. He said public safety was questionable when even a tall figure of Dimapur like him could be brutally murdered by criminals.

Kushwaha (3rd R), with other Mahagathbandhan leaders address the media at AICC Hqs. (PTI)

ty headquarters here in the presence of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, AICC state in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, opposition leader Sharad Yadav and Jitan Ram Manjhi who heads the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular). Welcoming Kushwaha into the grand alliance, the leaders said they will “together throw the BJP out of power” and will work towards mitigating the plight of the people of Bihar and the country. Allies of the BJP have decided to go their own such as TDP, Shiv Sena, RLSP and now even union minister Ram Vilas Paswan and his Lok Janshakti Party(LJP) are unhappy and ready to jump the boat.

As the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) moved on for life outside the NDA, the senior BJP leadership worked hard to pacify another sulking regional ally from Bihar-- Ram Vilas Paswanled LJP. Following signs of unease from the LJP, sources say Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar will be meeting BJP chief Shah in the capital Friday. The development follows the recent exit by the RLSP from the NDA fold over differences in the seat sharing formula in the state. Meanwhile Shiv Sena, a key ally continues to hit at BJP. On Thursday Shiv Sena slammed BJP over the Ayodhya issue, saying the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site

had become another ‘jumla’ (rhetoric) for the party and it would lead to their ouster from power. While Sharad Yadav said the country is going through tough times and all parties are coming together to fight, Jitan Ram Manjhi said the coalition will help correct the mistakes of the NDA government. Kushwaha’s joining the UPA is likely to give a boost to the formation of a grand alliance in Bihar to counter the NDA combine of Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal(U)-Lok Janshakti Party. The Congress, RJD, HAM (S) are already part of the UPA in Bihar and are seeking to give a fight to the NDA in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

No more new talks with NE militants, warns RN Ravi GUWAHATI, DEC 20 (AGENCIES): In a significant development, Deputy National Security Advisor, R.N. Ravi had stated that the government of India would not compromise with militants in the name of conditional or unconditional talks, and categorically ruled out more new talks with militant outfits of North Eastern states. According to a report in the Times of Assam, Ravi ruled any talks with those outfits saying they have no option but either to keep fighting or surrender. Ravi said this while addressing the General Lachit Barphukan Memorial Lecture, an intense lecture concerning critical aspects of conflict resolution, development and security aspects of North East India held in Pune as chief guest. Ravi stated that the current government was clear in its policy – there will be no more talks with any more militant outfit and that the message was clear to those groups wither to fight or surrender. Straying into political arenas, Ravi criticized the previous

R.N. Ravi (File)

governments for not taking right steps for resolving the insurgency issue. He pointed out that in Assam alone more than 20,000 surrendered members of militant outfits were being supported by the government in last two decades. He said the government bore a staggering cost of close to Rs. 3000 crores since the surrendered militants had been part of groups engaging in lateral talks. Talking about the Naga framework agreement signed between Government of India and NSCN (I-M), Ravi stated that the framework was within the constitution of India and the final settlement would be done considering all groups and neighboring states, not just the Naga group alone.

Talking about the recent NRC updating process, which had created much hue and cry in the region, – Ravi appealed to everyone to support the process with sensitivity so that the real migrants can be identified and deported as illegal migration has been a long-term issue of the region. He pointed out that while migration of economic reasons is a threat and would not be tolerated, the migration of minorities from countries such as Bangladesh due to religious suppression may not be looked upon with the same approach. While he did not provide an opinion yet on the subject as this was a sensitive and controversial issue, Ravi criticized the ULFA severely for their dual stand on the migration issue. He said that while ULFA was formed out of the movement to deport illegal Bangladeshis, the ULFA leadership had changed their stand when they took shelter in Bangladesh in 1991 by publishing a white paper which welcomes the Bengali migrants as workers to improve agriculture and infrastructure of the state.

PAC sets deadlines for govt, NPGs Entrepreneurship to bring about changes: Rio

Arrest Zakiesato’s killers, PAC NCD urges CP Dimapur

assaulting women and children of the village. PAC said true Nagas have the highest love, care and respect for women and children. PAC has, therefore, requested the police to arrest the perpetrators and punish them as per law of the land. PAC also demanded that GPRN/NSCN authority take disciplinary action and declare the same publicly. At the meeting, PAC also discussed the shooting case at two-wheeler showroom – Riven Honda on November 20, 2018 and noted that the investigation agency has not been able to arrest the perpetrators till date. Therefore, PAC has served a deadline on the police to arrest the culprits before January 20, 2019 and award punishment. Further, in connection with the Diphupar police station case registered on August 8, 2018 where the NSCN (I-M) unified command Zone I and NSCN

(U) were involved in “preplanned forceful snatching” of Rs.6 lakh and subsequent ransom of Rs. 6 lakh on Wilson Kenye and group. PAC condemned the “act of mafiadom by NPGs” and demanded that cadres of both the groups and criminals involved repay the total sum of Rs.12 lakh through PAC on or before January 20, 2019. PAC said failure to repay would compel the public to declare non-cooperation on those groups. USLP officials visit: United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) officials led by its president visited the families affected by arson at Sangtamtilla village on December 20, 2018. In a press release, USLP president, Seopi Sangtam, and press & info secretary Kyupise Sangtam, said houses were torched to ashes and properties damage by “so called kilonser GPRN/NSCN-U Hukato on 10th of Decem(Cont’d on p-7) ber.”

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 20 (NPN): Outlining Nagaland’s evolution from a turbulent past to the ongoing “democratic negotiations” that has replaced gunfire, the chief minister Neiphiu Rio affirmed that the focus of the current government was to improve infrastructure to facilitate and bolster entrepreneurship in the state. The chief minister said this in his keynote address at the First Northeast Summit 2018 for “developing Northeast through the power of entrepreneurship” held at Niathu Resort here on Thursday. The two-day summit is being organised by Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), government of Nagaland, United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and co-hosted by International Chamber for Service Industry. The knowledge

Neiphiu Rio along with the resource persons release the ‘Theme Paper’. (NP)

partner is Frost and Sullivan and local partner is YouthNet. Acknowledging various factors that have held back northeast region from developing and fully realising its full potential, Rio, however, listed a slew of developmental activities undertaken by the state government to show that the situation has changed dramatically today. “Four lane highways are coming up all over the region indicative of the improving connectivity of the region. In Nagaland,

the work of four lane of Dimapur-Kohima road is underway under a new nomenclature, the Asian Highway-1. Bottlenecks on the Dimapur-Zubza railway line have been resolved. I am hopeful the airport at Chiethu in Kohima will be approved soon.” Calling for ushering in revolutionary changes brought about by “the magic of entrepreneurship,” the CM said the government was committed to change, reform and restructure. “We are in the process of drawing

up a new industrial policy that will help promote micro and small enterprises with a special focus on start ups that will include the agriculture sector,” Rio added. Also, taking note of the constraints to investment in the state, Rio said, “We are devising means for a new land record and land use policy. We intend to revise our power policy to facilitate investment in the hydro power sector and we have set up the IDAN to help set all these into motion.” (Cont’d on p-7)

Naseeruddin Shah’s comment sparks controversy Former CM Zeliang bereaved

This is it!

“We appointed you as syndicate cement dealer; not pilferer and adulterator.” K Y M C

Naseeruddin Shah

‘Poison has already spread and it will be now difficult to contain it’ MUMBAI, DEC 20 (PTI/ AGENCIES): In an apparent reference to the recent mob violence, actor Naseeruddin Shah said at many places the death of a cow is being given more importance than the killing of a policeman. Shah also expressed anxiety over the well-being of his children, who he said

have not been brought up as followers of any particular religion. Shah made the comments in a video interview with Karwan-e-Mohabbat India and the organisation shared it on its YouTube channel on Monday. The actor said the “poison has already spread” and it will be now difficult to contain it. “It will be very difficult to capture this djinn back into the bottle again. There is complete impunity for those who take law into their own hands. In many areas we are witnessing that the death of a cow is more significance than that of a police officer,” he added. Shah, who is married to actor Ratna Pathak Shah, said they chose not to give any religious education to their children -- Imaad and Vivaan -- as he believes “being good or evil has nothing to do with religion”. His fear for his children’s safety is reminiscent

of Aamir Khan’s comments on intolerance in 2015 that had sparked a major controversy. “I feel anxious for my children because tomorrow if a mob surrounds them and asks, ‘Are you a Hindu or a Muslim?’ they will have no answer. It worries me that I don’t see the situation improving anytime soon,” he said.

Sinha, also did not take Shah’s comments too kindly and said that his statement showed his ‘low thinking.” In his tweet, Sinha said, “Nasiruddin Shah should first ask Rohingyas to leave Hindustan as according to him India is unsafe for him and his family!...He also accused Shah of being a part of a conspiracy to “defame BJP spokesperson BJP leaders attack India.” Sambit Patra also told Times After veteran Bolly- Now that he believed that wood actor expressed anger Shah’s comments were simover the recent incidents of ply a “PR stunt.” lynching in the country in the name of cow vigilantism, Cong, NCP slam BJP Latching onto actor leaders of the BJP accused Shah of “fear-mongering” Naseeruddin Shah’s “cow’s death given more signifiand “hypocrisy.” Reacting sharply to cance than a cop’s” remark, Shah’s criticism of the ‘in- the NCP and the Congress tolerant’ atmosphere in the Thursday attacked the BJP, country, BJP leader Ramesh accusing it of vitiating atmoBidhuri reportedly said that sphere across the country for Shah should take his kids to political gains. Pakistan “and settle there”, “Certainly, he (Shah) is as per Indiatvnews.com. BJP worried about the future of MP in Rajya Sabha, Rakesh his children. Such an atmo-

sphere prevails over the entire country,” NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik told reporters. “The RSS’ is vitiating atmosphere in the country for political benefits...The BJP needs to understand such incidents do not benefit politically,” Malik added. Speaking to reporters in Indore, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said secular citizens in the country are living in an “atmosphere of fear” because of BJP’s attempts to polarise people on religious grounds. “The statement of Shah should be taken seriously,” the former chief minister of Maharashtra said. “The statements of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath post the mob violence in Bulandshahr and also during assembly poll campaigning in five states clearly established that BJP wants to polarise people on religious lines,” he said.

DIMAPUR, DEC 20, (NPN): Mother of Leader of Opposition and former chief minister, TR Zeliang, passed away at Nkialwa village after a prolonged illness on Wednesday. She was 90. Funeral service of late Latongle Rangkau, wife of Rangleu Rangkau, was held at family residence Nkialwa village under Peren district on Thursday. Meanwhile, Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya, has expressed grief over demise of Latongle Rangkau describing her as a guiding pillar of the family. In a condolence message addressed to the Leader of Opposition, TR Zeliang, the Governor Acharya and his wife Kavita Acharya expressed their deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant strength to bear the irreparable loss. CM: State chief minister Neiphiu Rio expressing

sadness over the demise of Latongle Rangkau, said he cannot imagine the pain bereaved family must be going through in this time of grief. In a condolence message to TR Zeliang, the chief minister loss of a mother indeed creates a void that cannot be filled by anyone. However, Rio said she has left for heavenly abode in a ripe age after living a contented life; seeing her children and grandchildren grow up and prosper. “Though it is hard to accept the reality, she has gone to a better home to be with the Lord, he said and conveyed deepest condolences to all members of bereaved family and prayed to Almighty God to let her soul rest in eternal peace. Dy.CM: deputy chief minister, Y Patton, has mourned the death of late Latongle Rangkau, mother of TR Zeliang. (Cont’d on p-7) K Y M C


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