Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 37
DIMAPUR, MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.0
AAP to tell voters ‘reality’ of PM Modi government
Chelsea beat Newcastle; tighten grip on fourth
Brexit: Theresa May warns of ‘catastrophic breach of trust’
national, Page 5
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
Justice Sikri turns down govt offer The judge who voted against CBI chief offered CSAT post in London NEW DELHI, JAN 13 (AGENCIES): Justice AK Sikri, the second seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court, has turned down an offer made by the Centre one month ago of a part-time assignment in London, The Indian Express has learnt. The decision follows his nomination last week by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to the threemember high-powered panel that held two sittings and controversially decided to transfer out CBI Director Alok Verma from the agency on January 10. Hours after theprint.in website reported about his selection as a member of the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT), Justice Sikri is learnt to have written to the Law Ministry Sunday evening to formally turn down the offer. The government had contacted Justice Sikri in the first week of December
Electoral Roll lists over 12L voters: CEO D I M A P U R , JA N 1 3 (NPN): Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, in a press release sent through DIPR, informed that the total electorate of the state stands at 12,02,307, with 606173 male electors and 596134 female electors. The final publication of photo electoral rolls relating to special summary revision, 2019 has been done for all 60 Assembly Constituencies of the State by the concerned Electoral Registration Officers on January 10, 2019, the Chief Electoral Officer stated. Sinha also informed that the final electoral rolls can also be checked/downloaded from the Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland website at www.ceonagaland.nic.in.
NPF calls for CEC meeting on Jan 31
DIMAPUR, JAN 13 (NPN): NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu has called for a meeting of the Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting at 11 a.m. on January 31 at the Central headquarters, Kohima. All CEC members have been requested to attend the meeting without fail.
This is it!
“Well I hope it isn’t accidental that he’s here speaking to us?” K Y M C
Justice AK Sikri
2018 to inform him about the CSAT vacancy and subsequently took his concurrence to be nominated as a member of the eight-member body. CSAT members are “selected by Commonwealth Governments on a regionally representative basis from among persons of high moral character who must hold or have held high judicial office in a Commonwealth country… The members are appointed on a four-year term which may be renewed only once.” Justice Sikri is scheduled to retire from the Supreme Court on March 6, 2019. Following the Supreme Court’s January 8 order reinstating Verma, Justice Sikri was asked to represent the Chief Justice of India as
part of the selection panel, which also had Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge as members. However, the decision of the panel triggered controversy, with Verma refusing to take up his new posting-- DG, Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards-- and informing the government on January 11 that he “may be deemed as superannuated” with im-
mediate effect. Verma was to complete his fixed two-year tenure as CBI director on January 31. On January 11, The Indian Express first reported that Justice (retd) AK Patnaik, who was asked by the Supreme Court to oversee the CVC inquiry against Verma, had distanced himself from the probe report that formed the basis of the decision taken by the highpowered panel.
Modi’s ‘Rafale fear’ behind plum post offer to Sikri: Rahul NEW DELHI, JAN 13 (IANS): Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi with destroying key institutions to cover up the “Rafale scam” following reports of Supreme Court judge A.K. Sikri, who sided with the government to remove CBI Director Alok Verma, being nominated Rahul Gandhi to the Commonwealth Tribunal. Reacting to the development, Gandhi tweeted: “When the scales of justice are tampered with, anarchy reigns.” “This Prime Minister will stop at nothing, stoop to anything and destroy everything, to cover up the Rafale Scam. He’s driven by fear. It’s this fear that is making him corrupt and destroy key institutions,” said Gandhi tagging a media report about the post-retirement offer to the Supreme Court judge.
Imchen reacts to Rio on Citizenship issue DIMAPUR, JAN 13 (NPN): Reacting to the speech purportedly made by chief minister Neiphiu Rio at the Poanglüm Mini Hornbill Festival at Tuensang on January 12, NPF legislator Imkong L.Imchen has described it as “totally wrong and misleading” the contention that Nagas of Nagaland are protected under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873 and Inner Line Permit(ILP) regulations purportedly to explain the PDA government’s stand on the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. Rio had made mention of the above in his speech at the Poanglüm Mini Hornbill Festival at Tuensang on January 12. Imchen said that ILP was derived from BEFR 1873, also known as Regulation 5 of 1873 in operation in Nagaland but added, the BEFR does not protect Nagas, their identity or in-
terest as was being made out by Rio. Imchen said Rio needed to be educated on the difference between acquiring citizenship of a particular country and obtaining permission for access to a particular region of a country. He said the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 sought to amend the Citizenship Act of 1955 to provide citizenship to illegal migrants whereas ILP provided access to outsiders for inward travel into Nagaland. He also pointed out that Dimapur is currently not under the purview of ILP and that citizens of Nagaland know that undocumented immigrants in particular IBIs continue to flood Dimapur district and other interior parts of the state while the chief minister and the PDA government choose to rely on an “unconfirmed hypothesis” about protection under Article
371(A), BEFR 1873, ILP Regulations etc. Admitting that States were not directly intimated when a draft Bill was proposed for introduction in Parliament, Imchen pointed out that as the then lone MP in the Lok Sabha, Rio should explain what did he do when the draft of the Bill was introduced in July 2016. Imchen underlined that draft of Bill was introduced in July 2016 when Rio represented Nagaland in the Lok Sabha and passed when Yepthomi represented the State. Imchen said that by trying to shift the blame on NPF, Rio only reflected his true nature. He further said, when current Lok Sabha member Tokheho Yepthomi of NDPP supported passage of the Bill in Lok Sabha on January 8, the act of PDA in requesting the Centre to review it was a “humiliation and insult” to intelligence of the Nagas.
Petrol, diesel see sharp price rise on Sunday New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS): Transport fuel rates were hiked for the fifth time this month and saw their steepest rise on Sunday, amid global crude oil rates continuing to climb handsomely following the implementation of output cuts by oil producers from January 1. State-run oil marketing companies increased petrol rates by 49-60 paise per litre on Sunday, while diesel prices were raised by 59-75 paise across the four major metros. As per data from Indian Oil Corp, petrol price in the Delhi was increased to Rs 69.75 per litre on Sunday, while in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, the fuel cost Rs 71.87, Rs 75.39 and Rs 72.40 per litre, respectively. Similarly, the price of diesel went up on Sunday in the national capital to Rs 63.69 per litre. In Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, diesel sold at Rs 65.46, Rs 66.66 and Rs 67.26 a litre, respectively. With petroleum products being outside the GST regime, prices vary as a result of local taxes.
North East BJP units ask PM Modi to review citizenship bill GUWAHATI, JAN 13 (AGENCIES): With Northeast India witnessing raging protest following citizenship Amendment act passed in Lok Sabha, BJP in Meghalaya and Mizoram has asked the Prime minister, Narendra Modi to reconsider the bill. According to Economic Times, BJP MLAs from Meghalaya and ministers in the ruling coalition, AL Hek and Sanbor Shullai have submitted memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to reconsider implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The MLAs stated that bill will adversely affect the tribal belt of Meghalaya and would further encourage illegal influx into the state. Mizoram BJP state unit president JV Hluna told ET, “Prior to Mizoram election last December I had sent a letter to Prime minister opposing the bill and I stand by it and reiterate the same that we are opposed to it.” BJP has one MLA in Mizoram. BJP led government in Manipur in a cabinet meet-
ing recently resolved to urge the Centre to exempt Manipur from the jurisdiction of the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The meeting also further decided to urge the Centre to give assent to the Manipur People’s Protection (MPP) Bill, 2018. In Assam, a spokesperson of the party Mehndi Alam Bora has resigned from the party in protest against the bill being in Lok Sabha. BJP has expelled Barak valley party leader Pradip Dutta Roy for his comment that Assamese students will be barred from taking admission in Assam University in Silchar if they continue to protest the bill. Meanwhile protest against the bill continued on Sunday. Several protesters attempted to disrupt Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal’s convoy in Upper Assam’s Jorhat on Sunday. Bolloywood Singer Zubeen Garg who composed songs for BJP ahead of 2016 assembly polls has offered to return the money he received for composition of the song. Garg tweeted, “Dear Sarbananda Sonowal Da, - Wrote a letter to you
few days back. Guess you are too busy counting the black flags to respond. So, can I get the votes back that you earned using my voice in 2016? I am ready to refund the remuneration.”
NPP yet to make a call
Manipur deputy chief minister and the national vice-president of National People’s Party (NPP), Y. Joykumar Singh stated Sunday that NPP will take a stand with regard to severing its ties with BJP on the “finality” of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, which is pending in the Rajya Sabha. The NPP convened an executive meeting in Guwahati on Friday presided by Conrad Sangma, MLAs of five North Eastern states, office bearers and presidents of state units. The NPP vice-president said that an executive meeting was held Saturday to chalk out plans for Assembly election in Arunachal, Lok Sabha election and party organization. But for the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Joykumar informed that a separate meeting was held.
Rio, Zeliang at clan’s first meet since 1942
DIMAPUR, JAN 13 (NPN): Seventy-seven years after the first meet in 1942, the 13th General Conference of Mera/Sechü/Rau clan was held Denis Elunglung’s residence, Jalukie on January 8. Hosted by Nagaland Zeliang Rau, the historic event was attended by more than 2,000 members of the clan, including chief minister Neiphiu Rio, leader of opposition TR Zeliang and NLA deputy speaker Zhaleo Rio. Both Rio and Zeliang univocally urged members to carry out research works on the clan’s history seriously for deeper understanding of the clan origin and family tree in their speeches, while thanking the organisers for the achievements so far. They also stated that in a democratic world there was no a permanent friend or foe. In his address, Neiphiu (Cont’d on p-7)
Neiphiu Rio, T.R Zeliang and others join in prayer at the general conference.
Rio urged clan members to uplift each other as one clan wherever possible. He said “We must collectively support students, if there was anyone facing difficulty in pursuing education due to financial problems.” He went to say that if bright students could be nurtured among the clan members, Mera/ Sechü/Rau clan would be stronger and brighter. T.R. Zeliang recalled the popular proverb “blood is thicker than water” and stressed that blood relation could not be replaced or avoided whether one liked it
or not, adding when humanity existed very much in the society “we can also have stronger bond among our clan members for a better future”. In his welcome speech, Denis Elunglung remarked “It was a great day for our blood brothers and in the true spirit of brotherhood we all have gathered here as a mark of unity. God has blessed us with two shinning stars for which we must gratefully uphold each other as brothers, lest the blessing will go to others hands.” Earlier, the clan’s gath-
ering began with a prayer by Puilo New Baptist Church pastor Gohing. While Rau, Mera and Sechü Yieko entertained the crowd with folk songs, Rüüngutuo delivered his presidential speech. This was followed by reports from the secretary, treasurer and research committee. Kethozhapu Sahu delivered the vote of thanks before Heuzieteusing blessed the clan on behalf of Rau elders, which was followed by a mass prayer and brotherhood feast. This was stated in a press release.
Opposition NPF continues to take on PDA govt over GiA issue Army team recovers body of DIMAPUR, JAN 13 (NPN): Opposition NPF has gone for the jugular of the ruling PDA coalition government sensing that the issue over delay in release of Rs 96 crore as grant-in-aid (GIA) to village development boards (VDBs) could rattle the government. NPF press bureau and its legislators-- Vikheho Swu, Dr. Chumben Murry and Er. Picto-- issued separate statements on the matter. In a press note, NPF press bureau reacted sharply to the claim by Nagaland State Village Development Board Secretary Association (NSVDBSA) that grantin-aid was released and kept in respective deputy commissioners’ (DC) bank accounts by saying that there was a gap between the delay in release of GiA and the claim by the Rural Development (RD) department that it was released in December 2018.
NPF reminded that the leader of opposition TR Zeliang had raised the issue on January 5 at a press conference at Dimapur after reports of non-receipt of the fund was authenticated from the DCs who were also VDB chairmen of their respective districts, viz, Dimapur, Peren and Mon. As reported, the party claimed that Peren DC had confirmed receipt of the fund only on January 9, and not in December 2018, which the RD department officials claimed. The party urged the association to clearly state the facts for general comprehension rather than giving piece-meal press release that would only aggravate the issue and further confuse the public. NPF claimed that outgoing Dimapur DC too had confirmed that he had received the fund in batches, and not in a single demand draft on January 10, which had complicated
the process of disbursement to the respective VDBs in the district. In Mon district too, the fund had been released only to some blocks after January 5 and not as claimed by NSVDBSA, the party alleged. Further, according to the opposition party, the clarification and rebuttal by the RD department to Zeliang’s statement on the backlog years only corroborated its apprehension of the involvement of department’s officials, along with minister in-charge, in changing the High Level Committee’s (HLC) allocation. When the statement of NPF Legislature Party’s leader was based on the records of HLC where the years were plainly written, the party asked how the department responsible for feeding data to the committee could contradict the years in question. And the department’s
contradictory statement only gave rise to a pertinent question whether it had given false data to the committee, the party added. Warning that the anomaly in managing GIA by the RD department could be just a “tip of the iceberg”, NPF legislator from Wokha Dr Chumben Murry urged governor PB Acharya to institute an impartial inquiry into the matter, while urging the RD department to immediately release the backlog of Wokha district. In a press release, he claimed that interactions with VDB secretaries in Wokha revealed that though schemes were submitted since long, the district had not received GIA backlog. Murry said parking money meant for development for a prolonged period was not acceptable, adding that the department owed an explanation to the people. He demanded to know from
the department as to why allocation made to health & family welfare, school education, power, PHE, etc, departments by HPC headed by the chief secretary was ignored and curtailed and for what purpose. Meanwhile, two opposition MLAs from Zunheboto district – Y Vikheho Swu and Er Picto Shohe – asserted that the entire controversy was a big jolt to the “callous” NDPP-led PDA government and a wakeup call for the Naga people. They said the future of Nagaland looked grim, should this government continue to stoop so low as to even deprive the rural poor of the State of their basic due share. The duo said NDPP’s slogan of “change is coming” was indeed here, but added that it was not the kind of change that the Nagas had desire.
drowning victim from Doyang
The Army team during the search operation at Doyang Dam on January 13.
DIMAPUR, JAN 13 (NPN): In a tragic incident, on January 12, a 23 year old male resident of Englan Village, Wokha district, drowned in the waters of Doyang Dam. PRO (Def), Col C Konwer, in a press note stated that Wokha district administration swung into action and a detailed search was carried out by local authorities and the SDRF but the body was (Cont’d on p-7) not found due to difficult
conditions in the dam. On January 13, a team of divers from Army Special Forces unit under Dimapur based 3 Corps commenced the search. The muddy waters and its depth made the search a slow and deliberate process. The team was eventually able to recover the body which was handed over to the family members of the victim. The family expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Army team. K Y M C