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5 Jan 2023

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXIII No. 28

DIMAPUR, THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Pakistani Taliban threatens to target top leaders of PML-N and PPP INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

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EPL: Arsenal held by Newcastle; Man Utd win SPORTS, PAGE 12

NGBF calls for PR and postponing of polls

DIMAPUR, JAN 4 (NPN): Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation (NGBF) has called for postponing the State Assembly election and favoured imposition of President’s Rule in the State to ensure an acceptable and honourable solution to the Naga political issue. NGBF in a statement mentioned that it was convinced that although elections were a necessity in a democratic world, it was not advisable at this hour in Nagaland. “Let elections be postponed in favour of President’s Rule to ensure honorable and acceptable solution is achieved,” the federation stated. Conveying people’s will, the federation also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take a call on the Naga issue, claiming that it had

Four BF.7 cases of Covid detected in West Bengal SAGAR ISLAND (WB), JAN 4 (PTI): Four cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 were detected in West Bengal, a health official said on Wednesday. Genome sequencing of the four people, who have recently returned from the US, confirmed that they were infected with the new variant of the coronavirus, he said. The condition of the four patients is stable, he said. Of the four people, three are of the same family and are native of Nadia district, while one person hails from Bihar but currently resides in Kolkata, the official told PTI. The state health department has found that a total of 33 people have come in contact with these four infected people. “All the 33 people are healthy and we are monitoring their condition as well,” he said. Since last month, the samples of all people arriving at Kolkata airport from abroad who tested positive for COVID-19 were collected for genome sequencing. Last week, two persons, including a foreign national, tested positive for COVID-19 at Kolkata airport, and their genome sequencing later confirmed they were infected with the BF.7 subvariant of Omicron. The current surge in Covid-19 infections in China is believed to be driven by the BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron.

This is it!

“When two or three are gathered, they eventually talk about politics.” K Y M C

felt the pulse of the people at the grassroots ever since the announcement of conclusion of talks with all entities by Centre’s former Interlocutor RN Ravi on October 31, 2019. “Time for hon’ble Prime Minister to fulfil his assurance on Naga issue,” NGBF stated. NGBF fur ther declared that it was duty bound to extend solidarity to the people should they go ahead and refrain from participating in the democratic process, if the political leadership at the Centre focused solely on election and not on Indo-Naga political solution. It cautioned of being compelled to take a decision whether to participate or boycott the forthcoming election. The federation said it was aware that the Central government and NSCN (IM) had declared successful

SAYS TIME FOR PM TO FULFIL ASSURANCE ON NAGA ISSUE conclusion of political talks on August 3, 2015. The folly was ignoring major stakeholders in the peace process, it added. Thereafter, to pursue an inclusive solution, it pointed out that the Centre had officially invited Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) comprising of seven different Naga armed groups to the negotiating table on September 27, 2017, before officially concluding negotiations with all entities on October 31, 2019. NGBF stated that it

understood the intricacies of the Indian system, so also among the two negotiating Naga entities, besides the position of the Centre on symbolic matters. It asserted that the clearest stand and position of Nagaland tribes, relevant Naga civil society organisations and common people was that the Prime Minister must announce the settlement based on what was negotiated and agreed upon, once and for all. The federation insisted that the slogan “Election for Solution” should never be used twice and warned that any delay would hurt the sentiment of the people of Nagaland. “Threats and intimidations by anti-solution elements cannot subdue the overwhelming demand for an honourable solution. Naga people in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and

Assam too have openly expressed their desire for an acceptable political settlement,” the statement read. NGBF also said it understood the genuine grievances of Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO) and alleged that the delay by the Centre in announcing Naga settlement was related to sensitive political and administrative discrepancies in the region over the years. Hence, it claimed that resolving the Naga political issue and post solution realignments of flawed political and administrative status would fulfil the aspiration of Eastern Nagaland tribes. The federation pointed out that boycotting and abstaining from electoral process either by Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) or Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) would serious-

ly dent the image of the world’s largest democratic nation and its political leadership. However, since the matter was about a political struggle that was more than eight decades old, it pointed out that the people had the right to express themselves, in the knowledge that negotiations had already concluded. Meanwhile, NGBF said it was keenly awaiting the proposed visits of Shah and Modi to the State on January 6 and 10 respectively. The federation recalled that its members– as village elders, headmen, guardians and custodians of preBritish Naga customary heritage and usages – had met the Prime Minister at his office in New Delhi in 2017 and urged him to pursue an inclusive path and expedite the solution to the Indo-Naga political issue.

WHO ‘really concerned’ about surge in Covid cases GENEVA, JAN 4 (AGENCIES): The World Health Organisation says it is concerned about “risk to life” in China amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, while in Europe and the US the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is spreading rapidly. On Wednesday, the WHO confirmed XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible variant so far, but said so far it did not appear to cause more serious illness. Scientists say XBB.1.5 is about as good at dodging antibodies from vaccines and infection as its XBB and XBB.1 relatives, which were two of the most immune evasive subvariants yet. But XBB.1.5 has a mutation that makes it bind more tightly to

cells, which gives it a growth advantage. It evolved from the XBB variant of Omicron, itself a fusion of two different BA.2 variants - BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. Speaking at a news conference, WHO directorgeneral Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN agency was “following closely and assessing the risk” of XBB.1.5. “We are really concerned about the current COVID-19 epidemiological picture, with both intense transmission in several parts of the world and a recombinant subvariant spreading quickly.” More than 40% of COVID cases in the US are now caused by the XBB.1.5

Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus

variant and scientists have warned it could be the one to “watch out for” this year. It was originally detected in October 2022 and has now been identified in more than 25 countries, including the UK. Dr Tedros said the WHO had reiterated to China “the importance of vaccination, including booster doses to protect

Amit Shah to meet state legislators, BJP leaders DIMAPUR, JAN 4 (NPN): Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is scheduled to visit Nagaland on January 6, is likely to meet state legislators and State BJP party leaders, sources said. Sources had told Nagaland Post that Shah will be arriving Dimapur from Imphal and hold meeting with state leaders before leaving for Delhi the same day. Though Shah had reportedly assured the ENPO delegation during December 6 meeting that he would personally visit Eastern Nagaland by January 2023, it was not clear whether he would be meeting ENPO representatives. Sources, however, said that Shah’s proposed visit to Eastern

Nagaland this month would be finalized only after submission of a report by the three-member Home ministry committee on ‘Frontier Nagaland’ demand. Meanwhile, according to reports, Amit Shah’s flight was diverted to Guwahati due to thick fog in Agartala on Wednesday due to poor visibility caused by thick fog. The flight was diverted to Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport where it landed, ATC sources said. Shah was scheduled to arrive at Agartala on Wednesday night and the next day, flag off two rath yatras in Tripura, where assembly polls are due early this year.

against hospitalisation, severe disease and death”. “We continue to ask China for more rapid, regular, reliable data on hospitalisations and deaths, as well as more comprehensive, real-time viral sequencing,” he said. China’s recent COVID-19 outbreak is predominantly led by the Omicron subvariants BA.5.2 and BF.7, which together account for 97.5% of all local infections. The WHO said this data, provided by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, was in line with genomes from travellers from China submitted by other countries. No new variant or mutation of known significance

was noted in the data. On Saturday, England joined a growing list of countries demanding a pre-departure negative COVID test for travellers from China. WHO has warned that China is under-representing the true impact of Covid in the country - in particular deaths. The removal of most restrictions last month has led to a surge in cases. But China has stopped publishing daily cases data, and has announced only 22 Covid deaths since December, using its own strict criteria. “We believe that definition [of a Covid death] is too narrow,” WHO emergencies director Dr Michael Ryan said.

NLF demands PR for Naga political solution DIMAPUR, JAN 4 (NPN): A newly formed plank comprising of leaders and former legislators and others was formed under the banner of ‘Like Minded Naga Leaders’ Forum’ (LMNLF) which has demanded imposition of President’s Rule in Nagaland to accord priority towards solution to decadesold Naga political issue instead of elections. This was the decision made by the LMNLF at a meeting of the forum held in Dimapur on Tuesday, stated Hukavi Zhimomi the forum convener. He also said that the leaders at the meeting noted that things were complex while Nagaland has again been placed at a crossroad and hence solution to the Naga issue was the answer and not elections. According to the convenor of LMNLF, a leader at the meeting had categorically stated that Nagas want solution “now and urgently” but negotiating parties were not ready. He also said there was “no unanimity between New Delhi and Naga organisations.” Also no decision has been taken over the demand for statehood by ENPO, he said. Therefore, in the light of these, LMNLF maintained that President’s Rule should be imposed as it was the “only viable option.” The leader also alleged that the present government was not performing well and the Central government and Naga negotiating parties had also not reached any consensus to sign a peace agreement. Hence, he concluded that it would be appropriate to have the State government dismissed and Nagaland placed under President’s Rule. He claimed that Nagaland was not ready

for election besides, it would also not serve any purpose. He also cited the stand of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee president K Therie who has also demanded imposition of President’s Rule in the State. According to Hukavi, those who participated at the meeting included C Apok Jamir, and Ralanthung Yanthan. All the participants felt that the demand of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) for statehood due to lack of development and welfare measures in ENPO region was genuine. They also expressed support to ENPO demand “in principle” as “some people in power had ignored the region and so the people had every right to ventilate their grievances.” The LMNLF however, reiterated that it was not in favour of division of Nagaland. They also opined that the issues raised by ENPO , particularly the issue of corruption by those responsible should be looked into. It may be recalled that during a closed-door meeting held in Dimapur in August last year, around 35 ex-parliamentarians, candidates, some sitting legislators, retired bureaucrats and young politicians had contemplated on floating a new party with the objective of forming the next government in the State. After recognising the need to throw an alternative to the present set up, the group had decided to work together to contest the ensuing 2023 election either by joining a political party or forming a new one so as to prevent a cake walk in 2023 for the present NDPP-BJP alliance.

World to witness 4 eclipse events Dense fog in isolated pockets this year; 2 will be visible in India INDORE, JAN 4 (PTI): Four eclipse events including a total solar eclipse would occur in 2023 and two of them would be visible in India, an astronomy expert said here on Wednesday. There would be two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses, said Dr Rajendra Prakash Gupt, Superintendent of Ujjain’s Government Jiwaji Observatory. The celestial events will start with a total solar eclipse on April 20. “But it will not be visible from India,” Dr Gupt said. It will be followed by a ‘penumbral’ lunar eclipse on

the intervening night of May 5-6 which will be visible in India, he said. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through penumbra or lighter part of Earth’s shadow, and sunlight falling on the Moon appears to be partially cut off. The Moon remains visible, but with less-than-usual brightness. The only `annular solar eclipse’ will take place on the intervening night of October 14 and 15, but it would not be visible in the country as it would happen at night.

A partial lunar eclipse would occur on the intervening night of October 28 and 29 and it will be visible in India. As much as 12.6 percent of the Moon will remain in Earth’s shadow during this eclipse, Dr Gupt said. In 2022, there were two total lunar eclipses and two partial solar eclipses, he said. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, while a lunar eclipse takes place when Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon.

DIMAPUR, JAN 4 (NPN): India Metrological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted that dense fog was very likely in isolated pockets over Nagaland during next two days. In its weather forecast, IMD regional meteorological centre, Guwahati stated that dry weather with shallow to moderate fog was likely at isolated pockets in Nagaland including Peren, Phek, Kiphire, Mokokchung and Longleng during the next two days. Thereafter, IMD said the weather was most likely to remain dry. According to IMD, night temperatures had no large change over North East region during last 24 hours. It stated that light snow was very likely to occur at isolated places in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh while light rain was very likely to occur at isolated places over the rest of Arunachal Pradesh.

BJP national leaders prepare blueprint for state assembly polls MMK flays Dec 24 murder DIMAPUR, JAN 4 (NPN): With about a week remaining for announcement of poll schedule for Nagaland, if election is to take place, the BJP has started the process of reviewing the party’s preparation for the upcoming assembly elections in states going to the polls this year including Nagaland. Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya will be the first to have the Assembly polls, most likely in FebruaryMarch. The terms of their respective legislative Assemblies are ending on different dates in March. Central BJP leaders have held talks with the core group leaders from Tripura, Meghalaya and

Rituraj addressing the party workers at State BJP office Kohima. (Twitter)

Nagaland to discuss the upcoming assembly elections in the state. In Nagaland, BJP national secretary and coincharge of North East Rituraj Sinha, national spokesperson and BJP in charge of Nagaland Nalin Kohli and other senior leaders from the party held a meeting

with all district presidents, mandal presidents, mandal in-charges and mandal vistaraks at the BJP state office in Kohima on January 3. The meeting was also attended by State BJP president and minister Temjen Imna Along, deputy CM Y. Patton and Rajya Sabha MP S. Phangnon Konyak.

Sinha also called on chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday at his residence. Taking to Twitter, Sinha said he had met chief minister Neiphiu and had a “detailed discussion on various political issues.” The Assembly polls this year are being considered as semi-finals to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Key states of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana would go for polls this year, besides states from the North East. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir may also have elections this year after the Centre takes a decision.

Meanwhile, BJP chief J.P. Nadda will chair a meeting of the party’s general secretaries on January 10 to discuss various issues. The party is holding a series of meetings with agendas linked to the Assembly elections in nine states and the 2024 Lok Sabha election. As per reports, a detailed strategy will be laid down and the party has decided to increase the visits of senior leaders and Union ministers in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. The central leaders will spend time in these states to increase the Northeast connection of the Modi government.

DIMAPUR, JAN 4 (NPN): Choosing to stand with justice even against its own community member who is the murder accused, M e ya s e t s u m i a M e c h ü Krotho (MMK) through its president N.Khoto Zetsuvi, has condemned the killing of Khrutalu on December 24,2022 by her husband Thejakolie, one of its member. While condemning the murder committed by its member, Thejakolie, MMK said there are no words to ever justify “such a heinous crime” and unthinkable that “someone could murder his wife with such brutality”. The Krotho further termed the condemnation

against the murder by Chozubami village council, Chozubami women society and Chozubami youth association as “well justified.” While mourning the death of Khrutalu, who it said was “one of us too”, MMK urged the responsible authorities to award befitting punishment to “this unworthy husband.” MMK also pleaded with the family of Khrutalu and the people of Chozubami village to not “let this tragic incident, created by Thejakolie, strain the relationship between us.” MMK stated that the children of Khrutalu “may remain a bond to continue with the good will between the families of both sides. K Y M C


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