Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 74
TUESDAY, FEBrUARY 20, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
40% of GDP to come from exports by 2025: Prabhu
Manipur CM warns encroachers
NE coach urges AIFF to improve refereeing standards
business, Page 8
northeast, Page 4
sports, Page 11
CEO warns VCs, favoured candidates
Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEB 19 (NPN): Against the backdrop of pre-poll violence, especially in Wokha and Mokokchung districts, chief electoral officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha on Monday warned that strong action will be taken against those village councils that passed resolutions in support of some candidates and that even candidates being favoured through such resolutions would also be held accountable. Speaking to Nagaland Post, Sinha said instructions were very clear and that action would be taken against those violating the
This is it!
were allegedly taken to an isolated place and beaten up on Sunday night, the CEO informed that police had swung into action and that the women were taken to local police station for recording their statements. However, the victims could not give much information, he added. The CEO said FIR was lodged and case registered and case was under investigation. Sinha admitted that though the complainants had identified the culprits involved in both Bhandari and Tuli incidents, yet no arrest had been made so far. Regarding the complaint filed by a council in
Wokha on the beating up of a middle-aged man, he said investigation had begun on the matter, though no had been arrested. When asked about the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) assurance to issue directives to DEOs and ROs to ensure safety of voters and property, Sinha said that legal action would be initiated based on evidence. To queries on measures taken by ECI, he said arrangements had been made for webcasting and videography in all vulnerable polling stations, besides beefing up their security with deployment of additional forces.
BJP will safeguard interests Choose between money and Cong role crucial in secular of Christians, says Rijiju identity: Dr. Shürhozelie govt formation: Gogoi
DIMAPUR, FEB 19 (NPN): Dismissing allegations that the BJP supports anti-Christian activities, union minister of state for Home and BJP election in-charge for Nagaland, Kiren Rijiju, on Monday said BJP was clear that the interests of the majority Christian people of the state has to be protected at all costs. Speaking at an election rally for party candidate, Kevechutso Doulo at Chizami town, Rijiju termed the allegations as “completely baseless” and said that BJP has been fighting to protect the interests of Christians at the national level. “Our opponents have nothing to say about us as we have tackled corruption and other issues (Cont’d on p-8) successfully unlike (Cont’d on p-7)
Calling upon the people not to let money power and false promises overpower their faith and Naga identity, NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, on Monday urged the Naga people to choose between preserving their identity and money. Addressing the NPF Zunheboto division election rally, the NPF president reminded the people that in 2018 election, money would attack the Naga voters on one side, while the NBCC was propagating for clean elections on the other. Alleging that the NDPP-BJP alliance had nothing but only money to woo the Naga voters, Dr. Shürhozelie called upon the people to take the right decision. (Cont’d on p-7)
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, FEB 19 (NPN): All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson, Gaurav Gogoi has asserted that Congress would play an important role in the formation of a secular government in Nagaland, even as he conceded that no party might get absolute majority this time. Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan here, Gogoi said that though Congress was contesting from only 18 seats, it was present in every district of the State and that it would go from door to door, house to house and village to village through its party workers with the message of (Cont’d on p-7) ‘clean elections’.
Close scholarship issue before polls: ENCSU NSCW, NBCC denounce pre-poll violence DIMAPUR, FEB 19 (NPN): Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) has made a “final call” to the chief minister and chief secretary to “complete” the scholarship issue before the scheduled state elections. A strongly worded press release from ENCSU president, M. Longre Chang and general secretary, WangNei C. Jessuhu warned that the union would not rest until all the students were given their scholarships. It reminded the CM and CS of their assur-
ances that the full amount of students’ scholarship for 2016-17 would be released before Christmas 20017. It asked why the government was deaf to the students’ needs and how, given the circumstances, the students could respect the CM. The union challenged the government to speak the truth because thousands of students were in trouble because of the scholarship problem. ENCSU warned the CM and his government to not campaign for the elec-
tions as it was “shameful” to stand before the students to campaign for re-election. The union also made a “final call” for the SIT report in the public domain. According to ENCSU, the report had already been submitted to the CS. The union also asserted that the scholarship funds misuse “will not reach the new government” because it is a matter concerning the individuals in power now. ENCSU also demanded that the department and
the state Home Commissioner, explain the specifics of why the 4th instalment of the scholarship had not been received from the centre and publish it in print media. The union also asked why the department could still not notify or call up the student beneficiaries who were yet to receive even their first instalment. With the 2018 semester at the door and the 2017 students having graduated, ENCSU pointed out that the department was still standing in 2017.
DIMAPUR, FEB 19 (NPN): Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) and Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) have expressed deep shock and condemned violence in the run up to the assembly polls. NSCW expressed dismay at the reports of the brutal assault on three women at a village in Mokokchung’s Tuli A/C by some youth numbering six/seven on February 17 night for allegedly supporting a candidate not endorsed by the village.
Facta non Verba
While condemning such acts of election-related violence, the commission urged upon the authorities to punish the guilty as per the law. It further demanded appropriate treatment for the injured women and compensation by the relevant state authorities and Election Commission. Meanwhile, NSCW lauded the bravery of all women candidates and workers for expressing their independent choices in the democratic process under
such trying times and wished them success. NBCC: NBCC through its clean election convener, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger condemned the assassination bid against intending candidates both in Mokokchung and Wokha. He said such violence posed a serious threat to the legitimacy of state elections. NBCC called upon all political parties, police/government for utmost vigilance and to ensure that political tensions were kept in check. (Cont’d on p-8)
DC-406
“So frustrating. Can’t even find one dress that I like in this big shopping mall.”
directives. He said village councils interfered with right of individuals in freely exercising their franchise by taking such decisions. Such decisions attract legal proceedings against both the council involved and the candidate favoured. Sinha further warned that action would be initiated against anyone not allowing voters to exercise their franchise freely on the basis of village council decisions. He said the message in this regard had been conveyed to all deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs). Referring to the Tuli incident, where three women
2018 Assembly Polls: Campaign Trails
K Y M C
K Y M C