This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00
Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 76
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 Pages 16 ` 5.00
Mulayam slams son Akhilesh over party’s alliance with BSP
Champions League: Man City beat Schalke 3-2
Concrete measures needed to curb child abuse: Pope Francis
national, Page 11
sports, Page 16
international, Page 13
Dimapur to be brought under ILP: Gov
Correspondents
KOHIMA, FEB 21 (NPN): Admitting that the threat posed to the Naga society by illegal migrants, Governor PB Acharya declared that Inner Line Permit (ILP) would be made applicable across the State, including Dimapur. Addressing the first day of third session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), Acharya informed the House that the committee on ILP had submitted its report and the government had accepted the same, adding directives had been issued for framing rules and guidelines for its implementation. “ILP will be made applicable to the entire State, including Dimapur,” Acharya declared, adding that his government was committed to streamline the ILP system to ensure that no illegal immigrant could come to Nagaland. He appealed for support from civil society, village councils and people in this regard. Naga political issue top priority: The governor also reiterated that early resolution of the Naga political issue was a top priority of the State government, adding it would work with all stakeholders for a solution that was honourable, inclusive, sustainable and acceptable to the people.
Rain alert for Nagaland DIMAPUR, FEB 21 (NPN): Rains in Nagaland are all set to appear starting February 24 and would continue until February 28, 2019. According to Skymet Weather report, the rain on the day of commencement (February 24) would be scattered and light. However, rainfall is all set to pick up pace on February 25 and would increase even further on February 26 and 27 wherein the entire region is likely to witness rains. Northern half would get more showers as compared to the southern areas. Two days of incessant rains would be accompanied with lightning strikes and strong winds. The report cautioned that showers could also cause landslides, inundation, and flash floods. Therefore, residents have been advised to exercise caution in the coming days and remain alert. Nagaland has not seen any good rains since last many years during the winter season. Since the year 2012, rains have been scanty to deficit during the winter season. The month of January was worse wherein the rain deficiency had exceeded 70 percent. However, few days of rains in February reduced the deficient figures to a marginal extent.
This is it!
“Hug-plomacy is his foreign policy initiative and trademark” K Y M C
(L) Governor addresses third session of 13th NLA Thursday in the presence of NLA Speaker, Er. Vikho-o Yhoshu. (DIPR)
Acharya asserted that the PDA government was committed to facilitate an early resolution of the Indo Naga political issue through a negotiated agreement that honoured the unique history and rights of Nagas. With the concerted efforts of tribal hohos, civil society organisations, the church, NGOs and NNPGs, Acharya said different groups had come together, stressing now was the most opportune time for the Naga political groups to resolve the decades-old Naga political imbroglio. He also appreciated the efforts of Government of India (GoI) for ensuring that the peace process moved closer to a solution that was inclusive, honourable and acceptable to the Nagas. CAB rejected: On Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB),
Acharya said the issue was challenging and appreciated Centre for listening to the voice of the people. He pointed out that the State government had opposed and rejected the Bill. Likewise, during a consultative meeting with mass-based organisations, civil societies, tribal hohos, NGOs and political parties at Chumukedima on January 31, he said CAB was rejected outright. Acharya recalled that the consultative meeting had unanimously resolved that Nagaland was a product of the 16-point Agreement and, accordingly, Article 371(A) was inserted in the Constitution of India to protect and safeguard rights and privileges of the citizens of Nagaland. Timely release of scholarship assured: Giving priority to welfare of students and improvement of education, the governor
claimed the government had ensured timely release of scholarships to students, even when there was delay in release of instalments from the Centre. He said the government had actively pursued with the Union tribal affairs ministry and thereafter received funds sanctioned for payment of Post Matric Scholarship to ST students of the State. The governor said SCERT and School Education department have introduced Nagaland Heritage Studies textbook for classes 1 to 5 and also introduced a nine-month diploma course on school counselling. Road, rail and air connectivity: Acharya said projects for improvement of road communication were being taken up through special road programmes, NABARD-RIDF, PMGSY and with funds from Union road transport & highways ministry. He said the government was also pursuing with Centre for approval of the greenfield airport at Ciethu, Kohima. In order to augment air services, Acharya said three new routes were taken up under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) and very soon he said Dimapur would be connected with Guwahati, Imphal and Di(Cont’d on p-12) brugarh.
Backdoor appts: HC dismisses govt’s plea, claims ACAUT, PSAN DIMAPUR, FEB 21 (NPN): ACAUT Nagaland and PSAN Thursday claimed that a division bench of Gauhati High Court has dismissed the Nagaland govenrment’s plea challenging the judgment and order dated August 3, 2018 passed in W.P. (C) No.145 (K)/2017 filed by ACAUT and PSAN against backdoor appointments to 706 NPSC posts. In a joint statement, ACAUT Nagaland and PSAN media cell said that dismissal of the state government’s appeal by the court was a victory for the public against the “scheming ways” of the authorities and should serve as a reminder that people’s voice “cannot be muted to perpetuity.” According to ACAUT and PSAN, the ground for the state government’s challenge was that the “single judge committed a mistake” in not allowing the state government from regularising the service of backdoor appointees who have completed three years of service as per Office Memorandum (OM) dated 4.8.08 and 11.8.16, though disposed off as not maintainable. However, they said that the division bench by order dated February 7, 2019 dismissed the writ appeal. ACAUT and PSAN clarified that ACAUT first filed PIL
No.11(K)/15 against backdoor appointment and by order dated 5.8.16, the PIL was disposed off on the basis of OM.6.6.16. They said the court gave liberty to ACAUT that in the event of any violation of the clause contained in the said OM, the petitioners would be at liberty to approach the Court. Regardless, they said the state government made another 51 backdoor appointments in Cl-I and II gazetted posts. This, ACAUT and PSAN said compelled them to file W.P. No.145(K)/17 and the judgment and order dated 3.8.17 passed in this case, against which, state government went for appeal. They reminded the state government that any appointment made without advertisement and regularization is not only unconstitutional but also null and void. Further, ACAUT and PSAN reminded the government that any illegal appointment made after the court order 5.8.2016, would tantamount to blatant undermining of the judiciary and contempt of court. Meanwhile, ACAUT and PSAN have thanked the advocates, Zhekheli Zhimomi, Zhevi Swu, Asenla Walling and Toshi O Longkumer for their selfless service.
Panel to work out roadmap for ‘Plastic Free State’ Consultative meetings with
DIMAPUR, FEB 21 (NPN): State government has constituted an empowered committee comprising of different departments and has been entrusted to work out a roadmap and action plan for implementation of “Plastic Free State” declared by the government. According to an official bulletin, the committee headed by principal secretary, urban development, Abhishek Singh, would be assisted by officers from departments such as Home, KMC, Forests, PHE, RD and IPR. State chief secretary, Temjen Toy, who convened a meeting with AHoDs, HoDs and other departments pertaining to “Plastic Free State” at the chief secretary’s conference hall on Thursday, said the present rate of policy implementation on Plastic Free in the state was not satisfied due to poor implementation and non-compliance of government policies besides lack of proper mechanism to control the use of plastics. He emphasised that everyone should implement the policy, saying creating awareness and sensitis-
ing people on discontinuation of plastic use was important for the successful implementation of the programme. Development Commissioner, Sentiyanger Imchen, said that order was already been issued but no follow up action has been taken. He, therefore, reiterated that the home department should issue an order and give directives to all DCs for strict compliance. Retired commissioner & secretary, Thangi Mannen, while sharing her concerns on the issue, stressed on the importance and necessity to have coordination between government and NGOs in order to tackle the issue of Plastic Free in the state. She said the policy for restricting the use of plastics in Nagaland was already in force, but the use of both plastics and other non-perishable products continued in spite of restriction. For that reason, she suggested that government come out with a firm decision on how to go about banning of plastics since clear indication was not
given by the government. She also emphasised on imparting trainings on how to make non plastic bags in order to replace the use of plastic bags. On issue of orders, she urged all the municipalities to issue orders so as to control the use of plastics in their own respective municipalities. “NGOs and Church organisations should be engaged to work hand in hand with the government”, she opined. Commissioner & Secretary, Urban Development, Abhishek Singh, stressed on the importance of mechanism for controlling the use of plastics. He said local authorities should be vested with the powers and responsibilities though violation would continue to happen in spite of strict regulations. He urged the Kohima and Dimapur municipalities to take the lead in controlling the use of plastics. Commissioner & Secretary, PHE, Maongwati Aier, suggested that the state needs to have an Act on the usage of plastics.
Ravi on Feb 26 and Feb 27
DIMAPUR, FEB 21 (NPN): State home department has informed that a consultative meeting with RN Ravi, Deputy NSA and Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, has been convened on February 26, 2019 at 5 p.m. at Hotel Vivor, Kohima and on February 27, 2019 from 1pm at Rhododendron Hall, Central Police Officers Mess, Chumukedima, Dimapur. In a circular, the home department stated that invitations have gone to a few civil societies, but if there were any others who want to meet Ravi, they have been requested to submit the details of their organisation and contact number to Special Secretary (Home) at sshnagaland@gmail.com and saravananips@vahoo. com latest by February 23. The additional list of civil societies/NGOs who will be given time to speak will
be finalised by the government, it stated. Further, all the civil society presidents have been asked to attend the meeting on February 26 at 5pm at Hotel Vivor, Kohima and president of all Tribal Hohos along with representatives to attend the meeting on February 26 at 2:30 pm at Hotel Vivor. JLF, NSCN/GPRN meet: NLA secretariat has informed that speaker-incharge and chairman of the Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) on Naga Political Issue, Zhaleo Rio, has convened a consultative meeting of the JLF including both MPs from Nagaland with NSCN/ GPRN on February 27 at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumoukedima at 3 p.m. NLA secretariat has therefore requested all responsible members to attend the meeting positively.
Astro Turf at DDSC stadium remains a distant dream Correspondent
Kohima, FEB 21(NPN): The long awaited Astro Turf pitch in DDSC Stadium Dimapur seemed to be a distant dream as even as materials have been lying at the stadium since 2017. When contacted, Dimapur district football association president, Joseph Sumi informed Nagaland Post that the artificial astro turf has been lying at DDSC stadium, Dimapur since 2017. He said that the contractor had assured to take up the project this year and expressed hope that project could be completed by the year end. It may be mentioned the mega project was announced by the then Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in 2003, however the project was yet to be completed even in 2019. According to Joseph, Dimapur was supposed to
have the astro turf. However, he lamented that it went the other way round and the materials kept at the stadium were getting spoilt and being destroyed by rats. He further pointed out and questioned the contractor as to why some of the materials from Dimapur were taken to Kohima, which should not have been the case. When contacted, advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, Er. Zale Niekha said the main issue to complete the project was fund constraints. Neikha informed that the astro turf project for Dimapur and Kohima was funded through Special Planning Assistance (SPA) scheme. He further informed that the department was able to convince to chief minister to allocate additional fund for Kohima (IG Stadium), for which it was done and Astro-truf mat and other materials lying at DDSC stadium now the department was Dimpur since 2017. (NP) preparing to setup the flood
lights. Neikha said state government is unable to give huge amount as additional fund to complete the project in Dimapur and said “since fund constraint is there and non release on SPA fund from Centre, it will take a little time to start the work in Dimapur”. He also that since DDSC stadium was a multipurpose stadium, there was a need to hold consultations with the management and see if the astro turf should be laid or shifted to another location. In an interview in August 2018, the advisor said that the PDA government had planned to establish two astro turf one each in Kohima and Dimapur. On the issue of the incomplete Multi-Disciplinary Sports Centre at Dimapur, Neikha said that in order to complete the project, there was a need of additional fund of Rs. 70-90 crore.
AR empowered to arrest, search sans warrant NEW DELHI, FEB 21 (PTI): Assam Rifles personnel have been empowered by the Central government to arrest anyone and search a place without warrant in North Eastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram. According to a Home Ministry notification, “an officer of the rank corresponding to that of the lowest rank of members of the Assam Rifles” has been given these powers under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Assam Rifles personnel will exercise these powers and discharge their duties “under sub-section(1) of section 41, sections 47, 48, 49, 51, 53, 54, 149, 150, 151 and 152 of the CrPC within the local limits of the area comprised within the border districts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram”, the notification said. The Assam Rifles is the leading counter-insurgency force in the Northeast. It also guards the sensitive India-Myanmar border.
NTUCT calls for ban on riverbed mining DIMAPUR, FEB 21 (NPN): Expressing concern over the extraction of boulders, sand and gravel from Chathe river, the Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town (NTUCT) has appealed to the deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur to ban riverbed mining “for the sake of safe and clean water.” In a representation to DC Dimapur, the Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town (NTUCT) president Lhousito Khro and Chümoukedima town head GB Kelenguzo Kuotsu pointed out that the river Chathe, which flows all along national highway, was muddy and dirty nowadays unlike previous years due to riverbed excavation beginning from Khanakhurü (Jharnapani) area up to the bridge of Sirhima (Kuki) village and beyond. They stated that the entire population in and around the river were totally depending on the Chathe river water for all kinds of purposes. In the event of long spell of dry season, the signatories said all other sources of water for daily need have already dried up. However, they said that due to the mining activities, the small amount of water now flowing in the river was also not fit for consumption. In the light of the above, the signatories urged the responsible authority to issue a strong directive and immediately take necessary corrective measures.
Kohima DRDA staff on strike over non payment of salary Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEB 21 (NPN): In protest against non-payment of salary for seven months (since July 2018), the staff under District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Kohima have been on “total cease work” since February 6, 2019. Altogether 39 administrative regular state cadre employees of DRDA Kohima abstained from performing office duty and their rooms remained locked since February 6 paralysing the normal functioning of office, which caters to 90 villages of Kohima district. Sources said the other DRDA staffs of 10 districts in the state were also facing similar problem of non payment of salary for several months. On a query, a staff from DRDA Kohima said that in December last year, the department assured to
release two months’ pending salary before Christmas, but failed to release. They informed that the aggrieved staff had also submitted representation to director rural development blocks on January 23 and February 5, 2019, however, no there was positive response so far. The aggrieved staff informed that they have decided to continue total strike until their pending salaries were released. One of the aggrieved staff told this correspondent that he said can no longer fulfil the family needs, pay school fees for children and pay house rent. The members alleged that the director refused to meet them when they had gone with representation on February 5, saying that aggravated the situation and the staff decided to go for total cease work. (KDVDBU backs DRDA staff see on page-12) K Y M C