December 3, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 1

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

India-Pakistan friendship will solve Kashmir issue: Farooq

Juventus extend Serie A lead

Lopez Obrador sworn in as Mexico’s president

National, Page 5

sports, Page 11

international, Page 9

NE is distinct and unique: Acharya

Correspondent

Bank strike on Dec 26 against mergers, salary revision

KOHIMA, DEC 2 (NPN): Nagaland Governor PB Acharya Sunday remarked that the North Eastern region was unique and well known for its distinct culture and traditional lifestyle that offered a colourful mosaic, adding that every tribe from each of these states had its own unique culture, food and crafts. H e o b s e r ve d t h a t though each tribe had its own distinct identity, culture and tradition, the people lived in harmony and peacefully, pointing out that unity in diversity was the peculiarity of India. For this, he said the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) was established with the objective to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the NAMASTE (N-Nagaland, A-Ar unachal Pradesh, M-Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, A-Assam, SSikkim, T-Tripura and EEast) States. Addressing the second day of the ongoing 10-day Hornbill Festival at Kisama, Acharya said festivals were an integral part of the tribes along with their tra-

CHENNAI, DEC 2 (IANS): A day after the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) raised its wage hike offer to 8% from 6%, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) called a nationwide strike on December 26 against bank mergers and pay revision. UFBU, the consortium of nine unions in the banking sector, is opposed to the merger of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank, the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and the National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) said on Saturday. The AIBEA and the NOBW are constituents of the UFBU. “Merger is not a solution. It (merger of BoB, Dena and Vijaya banks) was a unilateral decision of the government. Views of other stakeholders like shareholders and employees should have been sought,” NOBW Vice President Ashwani Rana told IANS. Rana said the government has been short-sighted as it can’t wish away nonperforming (NPAs) assets through mergers.

Arora takes charge as CEC, seeks support for polls NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (IANS): Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Sunday assumed charge as the 23rd Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), a day after O.P. Rawat demitted the office, and sought support from “all the stakeholders” for conducting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. He will have a nearly two and a half years tenure as CEC till April 2021, during which he would preside over the general election in 2019, besides elections to Assemblies of Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, Delhi, Bihar and J&K. “I have already remained here as an Election Commissioner for a little over a year. It is with utmost humility and an enormous sense of responsibility that I have just taken over as CEC,” he said. Arora said the EC had appointed a committee led by Senior Deputy EC Umesh Sinha to review the various facets of Section 126 of Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, and its report was likely to be submitted by December 30. Arora retired on April 30, 2016 as Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

This is it!

“Who has time for hygiene when cooking takes so much time?” K Y M C

P. B Acharya with other delegates at the International Hornbill Festival in Kisama, Sunday. (NP)

ditional dance and music. It is the best time to know the culture and traditional costumes of the Northeast, he added. Acharya said NEZCC had been the forerunner in preserving, nurturing and showcasing the cultural mosaic of the North-eastern States since its inception, adding that the rich composite culture of the region was seen by the country due to its initiative. He commented that NAMASTE States were not only rich in terms of landscape, natural beauty and

flora and fauna, but also in music and dance. He said the youth here were second to none and were experts musicians, both in traditional and modern music, a primary reason why rock music was so popular in this part of the country. He said the people were talented in arts and skilled in handicrafts and handlooms, and their handicrafts and handlooms were acclaimed worldwide. He said the culture and handicraft and handloom items were in high demand all over the country and

KTU imposes ‘chakka jam’; demands release of member

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Khatkhati Transport Union (KTU) has imposed an indefinite ‘chakka jam’ after one of its members, an employee of Kay Kay Agency, was abducted by unknown miscreants on Saturday. In a condemnation note, the union said three armed miscreants abducted one of its member, Lenny Gonmei, from his residence at Sunday Bazaar, Rongmei Colony, Lahorijan, at around 6.10 a.m. Saturday Morning. The abductors after taking away Lenny came back and tried to abduct another employee Wilson Achumi, mistaking him to be his elder brother Kasheto Achumi, KTU stated. After establishing the identity, the abduc-

tors left leaving behind a warning that they would eliminate Kasheto Achumi if they see him, the union said. KTU vehemently condemned the abduction and termed it as a huge blow to the honest and hardworking youths of the region. Following the incident, KTU lodged FIRs at Khakhati Police Station and East Dimapur Police Station and have also submitted a memorandum to the SDO (C), Karbi Anglong, for safe and unconditional release of its member at the earliest. The union said it would impose the bandh until its member was released without any harm. Police has reportedly gathered the CCTV footage of the abduction and that the case was under investigation.

abroad. Acharya exuded confidence that guests from within and outside the State and from abroad would further help in popularising the culture and tradition of the NAMASTE States, especially Nagaland. Tourism, art & culture adviser H Khehovi Yepthomi, water resources development adviser Namri Nchang and fisheries, evaluation, economics & statistics advisor L Khumo were also present on Day-2 of the event, billed as festival of the festivals.

Naga Hoho officials slammed for ongoing controversy DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Naga Hoho (NH) appears to be headed for its worst ever crisis due to the controversial actions of a handful trying to hold on to their positions even as the Adviser Naga Hoho Keviletuo Kiewhuo and NH speaker Kenyusen Tep questioned the constitutional validity of some officials who are no longer members of the Naga Hoho but who continue to upstage and illegally manipulate the NH office. In the statement, the signatories reminded that NH functioned within its laid down rules but the constitutional provisions were fully violated and illegal methods adopted to protect these officials. Both opined that the blatant act to nullify the hoho constitution was to suit the controversial leaders in their ploy to “drive away the tribes” so they could retain their positions without the participation of their respective tribe hohos. The duo maintained that those who had dissociated from NH have genuine reasons that needed to be addressed but unfortunately,

certain officials “are more important than the tribe hohos.” On the controversial presidential meeting that was converted to federal assembly without proper representation of tribe hohos, the duo said it indicated a vested interest that violated the basic tenets of the NH constitution and disregards its principle of oneness. They said laid down rules and procedures exist for calling a federal assembly where certain decorum is called for. They also said the federal assembly has to be duly represented by tribe members official endorsed by their tribes but the recent federal assembly was not constitutional due to absence of the speaker NH. As per rule, they said a search committee has to be constituted by the federal assembly comprising of three presidents and two eminent members chosen in view of the hoho being a people’s organisation through tribe participation. They said the names as proposed for the search committee were not in tune

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (NPN): Centre has released worth Rs. 3200 crore to the North Eastern states to take up various central schemes under ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the minister of state Hardeep S Puri informed. Reviewing the progress of Urban Missions in the North Eastern states, Puri said that construction of more than 2.3 lakh houses have been sanctioned for the Urban poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas yojana (PMAY-Urban) in the North Eastern States during the last four years. About 1.16 lakh houses have already been grounded for construction, he added. He said that this approval needed to be seen in the context of 26,041 houses which were sanctioned during ten years between 2004-14 under JNNURM and Rajiv Awas Yojana. Out of the houses sanc-

(Cont’d on p-7)

PAC clarifies NFHRCC against taxing contractor India’s heaviest WSH appeals satellite to be NPGs to desist DEC 2 (NPN): rived between the NFHRCC on report DIMAPUR, Nagaland Foothills Road and the NPGs.

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Public Action Committee (PAC) of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has clarified its statement published on December 2, stating that culprits involved in the kidnapping of the manager of KK transport agency was carried out by NSCN Unification group and not as reported. In a press statement, Public Action Committee convenor Vekhosayi Nyekha and co-convenor K. Ghokheto Chophy said that most of the rampant collection of taxes and kidnappings were carried out by NPG cadres without the knowledge of their higher ups. The committee has therefore urged the concern authority to keep their respective cadres under control and maintain complete discipline so as not to create any unwanted situation.

Coordination Committee (NFHRCC), on receipt of information that some Naga Political Groups (NPGs) were attempting to tax the contractor handling the Doyang Bridge construction, has stated that any form of taxation levied by any group will be treated as being against Naga integrity. NFHRCC convenor, Supu Jamir, general secretary, W. Lemba Chang and assistant general secretary, W. Chenithung Humtsoe, in a press release said that the committee held a meeting on December 2 and this antitaxation stand was among the resolutions it adopted “in regards to the Naga Historical Survival Foothills Road.” In the release, the committee said it sought to make it loud and clear that NPGs were neither allowed, nor permitted to levy any tax as per an understanding ar-

It appealed to all the NPGs, irrespective of position, rank and status, to reaffirm the understanding that had been arrived at earlier between them at the time of commencement of the project in 2013. The NFHRCC also resolved to routinely visit and inspect the ongoing construction works at the Doyang Bridge site. Appreciating reports that work had resumed on the bridge, the NFHRCC requested the contractor and workers to cooperate with the team when they visit the site. It also appreciated the present government for its concern for the project, and appealed to the government to issue work orders in regard to the remaining uncut portions as promised by the minister of Road and Bridges, Tongpang Ozukum and, chief minister, Neiphiu Rio.

launched on Dec 5 from collection

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (AGENCIES): The stage is finally set for the launch of the India’s heaviest satellite Gsat-11, weighing 5,854 kg, from French Guiana by Europe’s Ariane-5 rocket early on Wednesday morning. The communication satellite, which will help increase internet speed in the country, was earlier scheduled for launch early this year but suspecting a glitch in the system the Indian space agency recalled it to check for anomalies. ISRO felt the need to take the unusual step of recalling the satellite in April as a precaution measure. Gsat-11 is a highthroughput satellite that carries 40 transponders in the Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies and is capable of “providing high bandwidth connectivity”.

NE gets Central Assistance worth `3200 cr Spl. Correspondent

with procedure and only tarnished the integrity of those who were chosen to form the committee. The signatories also said no official can summon or preside over the federal assembly without the knowledge of the Speaker. Also, they said all decisions taken on November 26 “is invalid and tantamount to usurpation of the constitution and tribes authority.” On that basis they said only a proper federal assembly has the power to extend the tenure of the executive council. However the November 26 “unconstitutional gathering” with individual interest, extended the tenure of the EC when they were supposed to demit office. The two also pointed out that the general secretary and finance secretary were removed because the Angami and Chakhesang tribes dissociated from the NH but the president, vice president and secretary cultural affairs were retained when their three tribes in the NH had dissociated much before the former two.

tioned during 2004-14, only 21,159 houses were constructed and the remaining 4892 houses were under construction. Puri informed that Central Assistance amounting to Rs 3570 crore had been sanctioned and Rs 1520 crore released during the last four years as against Rs 683 crore sanctioned and Rs 586 crore released during 2004-2014. Puri also informed that the entire State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) for the North East region envisaging an investment of Rs 1506.62 crore has been approved. While projects worth Rs 332 crore was under implementation, projects worth Rs 21.37 crore have been completed so far, he said. For Smart City Mission, he said Rs 1024 crore worth of Central assistance was already released to the North Eastern states. Centre has also proposed the Integrated Command

and Control Centre (ICCC), considered as the ‘brain’ of a city, integrating all utilities and services through digital technology. An Integrated Command and Control Centre developed in a cloud based system for the North Eastern cities would have the advantage of lowering the cost of development, faster deployment and peer to peer learning among cities. For this, he said the MoU has been signed with BEL to facilitate in the development of a cloud based Integrated Command and Control Centre system in the cities of Imphal, Itanagar, Pasighat, Kohima, Namchi, Gangtok and Shillong. As regards Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U) Urban, the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and Nagaland been declared ODF status, he added. The minister was optimistic that the entire North East A troupe from Chhattisgarh performing Panthi Nritya, one of the prominent region will achieve ODF by dance forms of Chhattisgarh State, on December 2 at the Hornbill International January 2019. Festival 2018. (NP)

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has fervently appealed to all Naga Political Groups to desist from collection of taxes in any form within Western Sumi jurisdiction with regard to various developmental works taking place. In a press statement, WSH president Zheshito Swu and general secretary, Vikato K. Achumi stated that development was for all and therefore every stakeholder should work towards successful completion of ongoing projects. Further, WSH cautioned that it will not remain a mute spectator if any of the ongoing developmental works within its jurisdiction were hampered owing to “coercion, threat, taxation or any sort of disturbances from any quarter”.

43,079 visitors on 2nd day of Hornbill

Kohima, Dec 2 (NPN): Altogether 43,079 visitors visited Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage village Kisama on the second day on Sunday. According to Tourism department, 398 foreign tourists, 4,870 domestic tourists and 37,811 local visitors registered on the second day. So far, 63,032 visitors including foreign, domestic and local people have visited the Hornbill Festival since its inauguration on Saturday. (Correspondent)

Fuel prices slashed

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (IANS): State-run oil firms continued to lower fuel prices for the eleventh straight day on Sunday. In Delhi, petrol price fell to Rs 72.23 per litre, against Saturday’s Rs 72.53, according to data on the Indian Oil Corp’s website. Price in Delhi was the lowest recorded level in 2018-19, with the previous low being Rs 73.73 on April 1. In other metros too, petrol prices fell by around 30-40 paise on Sunday. K Y M C


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.