Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXI No. 36
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 Pages 8 ` 4.00
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SC to stay 3 farm laws; order Today
New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Tuesday will pronounce its order on a bunch of petitions opposing the three farm laws and also the petitions seeking removal of the protesters from various Delhi borders. A bench headed by Chief Justice S. A. Bobde and comprising Justices A. S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian said: “List these matters tomorrow i.e. 12.01.2021, for orders.” In a detailed hearing, which lasted close to two hours, on Monday, Chief Justice Bobde repeatedly questioned the Centre’s counsel - Attorney General K.K. Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta - why are they insisting on the implementation of the law. “We are not experts on economy... you tell us whether you are going to hold these laws or should we do it,” the bench told the Centre. The Chief Justice categorically cited the Centre hasn’t communicated to it on the proposal to keep the implementation of these laws at abeyance for some time. The AG argued that the laws cannot be stayed unless they violate the con-
NSCN (I-M) rejoinder to police DIMAPUR, JAN 11 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) has refuted the claim of police that four of its functionaries were arrested for allegedly trying to hijack a vehicle near New Medziphema area on national highway (NH) 29. Reacting to news reports in this regard, MIP of NSCN(I-M) clarified that the incident had nothing to do with vehicle hijack attempt as claimed by the police in a press release. NSCN (I-M) alleged that there were dark shadows that loom on NH-29 and are involved in illicit drug and arms business. In this regard, MIP said as per intelligence sources, one particular party “inimical to Naga interest” was entering Dimapur with illicit drugs and other illegal items. It said the four cadres were dispatched to identify and deal with the party accordingly. MIP however regretted that the police developed a “misconceived notion that the NSCN members were attempting to hijack the SUV.” NSCN(I-M) therefore demanded that police to come out with an answer as to what transpired between them and the SUV occupants as they were set free after focusing their attention on its cadres.
This is it!
“To satisfy various tribes, this road has become like a tourist road.” K Y M C
Farmers during their ongoing agitation against new farm laws, at Ghazipur border, in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI)
stitutional schemes or fundamental rights, and this needs a detailed hearing. “Can be stayed if the government had no legislative competence, but that is not the case here,” he argued. The Chief Justice replied the Union of India has failed to take responsibility and the laws have resulted in a strike. As the AG reiterated laws cannot be stayed, the bench replied the Centre has failed to stop the agitation and the problem continues to remain unresolved. The top court observed the talks between farmers and the Centre have failed to make any headway, as the former wants laws to be repealed and the latter
wants point by point discussion. Citing its stay on the Maharashtra law granting reservation to Marathas in education in job and education, the bench, however, said it is against the stay on any laws. Reiterating its earlier proposal to constitute a court-appointed committee, which could be headed by a former Chief Justice of India to resolve the impasse, the top court asked the parties to suggest two-three names of former Chief Justices including former Chief Justice R.M. Lodha who can head this panel. Chief Justice Bobde disclosed that he had asked former Chief Justice P.
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Sathasivam but he was dis- prevent any loss of lives and inclined since he doesn’t property. The top court, which understand Hindi. was hearing a batch of petiWe don’t want anybody’s tions challenging the new blood on our hands, says SC farm laws as well as the “We don’t want any- ones raising issues related body’s blood on our hands,” to the ongoing agitation at said the Supreme Court on Delhi borders, expressed its Monday while expressing displeasure that the Centre apprehension that the ongo- has not been able to solve ing farmers’ protest against the problem. “We are exthe new farm laws might tremely disappointed with lead to violence and loss the negotiation process,” the of lives and property if it bench said, adding, “You have made a law without continues for long. The apex court, which enough consultation resultobserved that the Centre has ing in a strike. So you have to resolve the strike.” made these laws “without During the hearing enough consultation”, said conducted through videothe most serious concern is conferencing, the top court about any sort of violence questioned the Centre over and possible loss of lives. the consultative process “Responsibility is on adopted for these laws. all of us. Any stray incident “We don’t know what can spark violence,” said consultative process you a bench headed by Chief have followed before these Justice S A Bobde. laws. Many states are up in “Each one of us will rebellion,” the bench said. be responsible if something Observing that there is goes wrong. We don’t want not a single petition before anybody’s blood on our the apex court which says hands,” said the bench, that these farm laws are also comprising Justices A beneficial, the bench told S Bopanna and V Ramasu- the Centre, “It will not help bramanian. you to say that this was The bench said it is started by last government. not going to protect any We are discussing constitu“law breakers” and want to tionality.”
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SC wonders how Nagaland Lokayukta can discharge his duties from Delhi New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI): The Supreme Court Monday wondered how the Lokayukta of Nagaland would discharge his duties in the North-eastern state while sitting in Delhi and said he was “demeaning” the office. The observation by a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde came after the counsel for state government claimed that the Lokayukta was “not discharging his work diligently” and he want to work from Delhi. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the Lokayukta, said the state want to remove him but there is a procedure for removing the Lokayukta. “We don’t agree with you (Singh). We don’t understand this. How can a person be a Lokayukta while sitting in Delhi just because this is pandemic times,” said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian. “You are demeaning your office,” the bench said. The apex court was hearing a plea filed by Nagaland gover nment which has
raised questions over the functioning of Lokayukta in the state. Former Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, Justice (retd) Uma Nath Singh, is the incumbent Lokayukta of Nagaland. During the hearing conducted through videoconferencing, senior advocate K N Balagopal, appearing for Nagaland, said that appointment of Lokayukta is “void”. “He (Lokayukta) wants to shift to Delhi and does not want to commute five km from his residence to office in the state. He is a nonperforming Lokayukta,” Balagopal said. The bench, while referring to some documents, said the Lokayukta has himself said that the apex court should replace him with a former top court judge. “I have not advised him like this. I am appearing for the first time and it might be due to some frustration,” Singh said, adding, “They (state) want to remove me. I thought the Supreme Court would not interfere with the plea. There is a procedure for
removal of Lokayukta.” The bench told Singh, “We understand that you want to contest this.” After Singh said he will take instruction in the matter, the bench said, “That is better you take instruction and tell us about all this next week.” In August last year, the apex court had agreed to hear the plea filed by the state government which has arrayed Chairperson, Lokayukta as one of the respondents. The state government, in its plea, has urged the apex court to pass appropriate direction in exercise of its power under Article 142 of the Constitution “to ensure that the institutional integrity of the post of Nagaland Lokayukta and the spirit” of the Nagaland Lokayukta Act, 2017 “are preserved”. Article 142 of the Constitution deals with enforcement of decrees and orders of the Supreme Court and says that in exercise of its jurisdiction, it may pass order for doing complete justice in any matter pending before it.
DNSU warns internet NSF reiterates demand to scrap Targeting & dehumanising Dzükou forest fire doused DIMAPUR, JAN 11 (NPN): Dzükou valley wild leaders not Tenyimi service provider offices PHED exam for Group C posts fire, which has been raging for the last 14 days, has
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JAN 11 (NPN): Following reports of complaints and dissatisfaction expressed by several online examinees regarding poor internet connectivity in the State, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has served a stern warning on the internet service providers. Speaking to Nagaland Post, DNSU president Sedevilie Angami said the DNSU decision to issue a warning to all internet service providers was taken at a meeting held here on Monday. He cautioned that if the internet service providers fail to resolve the matter at the earliest, the student body would have no choice but to take its own course of action. Angami informed this reporter that if any complaint was received in the coming days, the union would close down all offices of the internet providers within its jurisdiction. He declared that DNSU would no longer remain silent on the issue as it had received multiple complaints regarding poor internet connectivity from students all over Dimapur. Referring to news reports regarding the issue, he stressed that this should serve as a final warning to the all service providers.
DIMAPUR, JAN 11 (NPN): Naga Students’ Federation has reiterated its demand to ban the proposed departmental exams for recruitment to various Group C posts under public health engineering department (PHED) scheduled on January 13. In a press release, federation president Ninoto Awomi and general secretary Liremo R Kikon also warned that if their stand was defied, officials of the department would be held solely responsible for any unwanted consequences thereafter. NSF asserted that it could not allow the proposed exam to take place as it was convinced that the proposed departmental exam undermined the very principle of meritocracy which it had been staunchly advocating for the last many years. Further, NSF said the exam defeats the very principle of providing a level playing field to everyone aspiring to serve the State government as a Group C employee by constituting Nagaland
Staff Selection Board (NSSB). NSF also appealed to all aspiring candidates to kindly cooperate and abstain from the proposed departmental examination in “our” collective bid to uphold and protect the future of youth and student community. The federation appreciated chief minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues for the sincere efforts been put in to ensure that reservation policy of the State was completely revamped and rationalised. NSF however said the exercise needed to be completed in a time-bound manner and an amicable settlement be sought over the issue of ‘reservation and reservation policies’, which has been stalling the NSSB before February 15, 2021. NSF cautioned that it would be compelled to take actions in conformity with the democratic principles in order to ensure that aspirations of the youth and student community of the State was upheld.
culture, says WC,NNPGs
Dimapur, Jan 11(NPN): Taking note of a recent statement issued by the Tenyimi National Workers Forum (TNWF) of NSCN (I-M), which condemned former chief minister and governor Dr.S.C.Jamir, the Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) said the TNWF “is a tiny fraction within larger Tenyimi community” and that “targeting individuals and dehumanising leaders is not a part of Tenyimi culture”. It said Tenyimi People’s Organisation (TPO), the umbrella organisation of the Tenyimi people stood for “correct political and historical vision” and to “protect and defend the Tenyimi culture, while promoting social harmony among communities”. However it said the “brazen accusations and divisive statement at this crucial moment of Naga history is unfortunate”. WC,NNPGs said Dr.S.C.Jamir and other contemporary leaders had “witnessed utter chaos and destruction of our social and political structure, (and) closely observed Naga history at its worst turbulent hour”. (Full text on page-4 )
Bird flu spreads to 10 states; Centre allays fears New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI): Hundreds of birds were reported dead in different parts of the country on Monday as the raging bird flu spread to 10 states and Union Territories, prompting several control measures and a government assurance that there are no scientific reports of the virus’ transmission to humans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked all state governments to remain alert and ensure a constant vigil near places such as water bodies, zoos and poultry farms. He expressed hope that through proper coordination between Forest, Health and Animal Husbandry Departments, “we will be able to overcome this challenge soon”. Officials also tried to allay fears of those consuming poultry products, saying there is no risk of infection from fully cooked chicken, or boiled and cooked
eggs as the virus cannot withstand high temperatures. Delhi, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra on Monday confirmed bird flu cases, adding to the list of seven states -- Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh – which had already reported avian deaths due to the disease. While states announced several measures including mass culling of poultry, ban on live birds markets and restriction on chicken and related food materials, the Centre asked them not to close mandis or impede the sales of poultry products. Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Giriraj Singh said there have been no scientific reports on transmission of bird flu to humans and consumers should not be scared. The Centre also directed
states to maintain adequate stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations. The Delhi government imposed a ban on the sale of processed and packaged chicken brought from outside the city, as samples of ducks from Sanjay Lake tested positive for bird flu. “But there is no need to panic about bird flu. It is a common influenza,” Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said. Dr Rakesh Singh from the animal husbandry unit of the Development Department said a drive to cull ducks has begun at Sanjay Lake, where several ducks were found dead in the last few days. In neigbourin Haryana, culling of infected birds is underway to control the spread of the disease. A central team was visiting Himachal Pradesh and Panchkula for carrying out monitoring of the epicentre
sites and conducting an epidemiological investigation. The Lucknow Zoo in Uttar Pradesh, meanwhile, suspended its bird exchange programme and closed its aviary for visitors after samples of a couple of bird carcasses in Kanpur Zoo were found positive. The Kanpur Zoological Park has already been closed for visitors till further orders. In Shahjahanpur’s Kalaan three ducks were found dead on Friday morning, with officials saying sample from other ducks will be sent to Bareilly for testing. In Ballia, carcasses of five crows were found on Sunday night in Sahatwar police station area. Chief veterinary officer of the district Ashok Mishra said, “The forest department has taken all the carcasses in its custody and those were being sent to Bhopal for testing.”
been doused, and no fresh fire or smoke was spotted in the valley, informed home commissioner, Abhijit Sinha, who chaired coordination-cum de-briefing meeting on January 11. According to DIPR, the meeting reviewed the entire operation and appreciated all the concerned agencies for assisting in dousing the Dzükou forest fire. The meeting was attended by Commandant NDRF, Rajesh Thakur; Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Mohammed Ali Shihab A; SP Kohima, Manoj Kumar; DFO Kohima, Raj Kumar and ADC Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa. The meeting further decided that since there was no fresh fire reported from anywhere in the area they will instruct the Indian Airforce to de-induct all the helicopters involved in the operation. However, it was decided that DEF Kohima, Forest department and SAYO volunteers will be stationed at the base camp to keep watch and monitor the status for few days. The meeting further decided that de-induction of five NDRF teams deployed at base camp will be carried out from January 12. SDO Kohima, Daniel Angami from Dzükou base camp reported that de-induction of ground operation team was conducted today. Meanwhile, India Air Force has airlifted the fire fighting equipments of NDRF and SDRF stationed at Dzükou base camp to Jakhama Military Helipad.
Nagaland all set to roll out COVID vaccination programme Correspondent
KOHIMA, JAN 11 (NPN): Nagaland is all geared up to roll out the COVID vaccination programme along with the country on January 16. Speaking to Nagaland Post, minister of planning and coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs, Neiba Kronu, who is also one of the spokespersons of the High Powered Committee (HPC) on COVID-19 said that HPC on Monday held video conferencing with the prime minister and union minister and discussed on the COVID vaccine. Kronu said the vaccines- COVID shell and Covaxine will be launched on January 16 and will be made available to the state government of various states. According to Kronu, the vaccine will be provided by government of India through existing cold chain immunization programme for administration in phase manner. In the first phase, 19,690 health care workers of both government and private sectors will get the jabs followed by 30,000 frontline workers (police, administration and others), Kronu
said. The third phase will be those above the age of 50 years numbering around 3,49,757 as per electoral roll while the number of persons below 50 years with co-morbidities was yet to be identified, he added. He said central government will procure everything and will be provided free of cost to all the states. He further said that there was no clarity for the general masses at the moment and that the number of persons to receive vaccine on the first day will be decided after receiving the vaccine. The video conference with the HPC on COVID-19 was held under the chairmanship of chief minister Neiphiu Rio along with minister of health and family welfare, S Pangnyu Phom, advisor and co-spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon, advisor Neikisalie Kire and officials from the department of Health and Family Welfare. Nagaland COVID tally 11,987: Nagaland reported nine new COVID-19 positive cases on Monday – 7 in Kohima and 2 in Dimpaur, taking the tally to 11,987. K Y M C