Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 51
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2018 Pages 12 `5.00
Ram Pump - Technology that pumps water to higher elevation
India enter 4-nation tourney final
Diplomacy should impose reason on N Korea: Mattis
Sunday post SUPPLEMENT
sports, Page 11
international, Page 9
Lobby for deferment of Assembly polls POL PARTIES WANT GAURANTEE FOR NOT FILING NOMINATIONS
Correspondent KOHIMA, JAN 27 (NPN): Political parties in Nagaland have expressed scepticism about non- participation at the forthcoming assembly elections scheduled for February 27, 2018 as demanded by the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) if it was not acted upon by all political parties. This was the refrain heard during the CCNTHCO consultative meeting held at Hotel Japfu here, Saturday, with representatives of various political parties –NPF, NPP, AAP (BJP did not attend)- for seeking unanimity to not file nominations for the polls. NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu told CCNTHCO that the party would be prepared to restrain its candidates from filing nominations even at the eleventh hour, if all other parties did so too. Dr. Shürhozelie reminded the meeting about the 1998 experience when all parties heeded the non-
State BJP informs DIMAPUR, JAN 27 (NPN): BJP election management committee co-convenor, Mmhonlumo Kikon has informed that the BJP parliamentary board has not finalised the seat sharing agreement with any party till date. Setting aside all speculations about possible permutations and combinations, Kikon said the party was in the process of arriving at an agreement, and the decision on this issue will be declared at the appropriate time. “Till the alliance is officially announced by the BJP, no news about an alliance sans seat sharing has any real bearing or basis,” he added.
Pre-Budget session meetings today
NEW DELHI, JAN 27 (IANS): Two all-party meetings will be held on Sunday, ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament which is due to start on Monday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar has called for an all-party meeting at 4 p.m, and Speaker, Sumitra Mahajan will hold a meeting at 7.30 p.m, government sources said. Budget Session will start on Monday with President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to a joint sitting of the two Houses. Union Budget will be tabled on February 1.
This is it!
“All Naga leaders were former Congressmen so their high command is now BJP high command” K Y M C
participation call of the Naga Hoho but eventually Congress candidates filed nominations under heavy security. While expressing reservations about a repeat of the 1998 situation, Dr. Liezietsu also said it would be a hasty step to agree unless the party went into the details. Dr. Liezietsu also recalled that when the 16th Point Agreement was signed in 1960, Naga Army started mass protest and resulted in firing in Naga areas. He said the agreement did not bring peace but only misery and suffering on the people. He accused the government of India of not being sincere in solving one of the longest political problems in the world. Dr. Liezietsu said in 1998 they all agreed to not participate in the election, as it would create a constitutional crisis and attract the attention of the Centre to the Naga cause. With this in mind, Dr. Liezietsu said all parties in 1998, such as NPC (later NPF), NDM and BJP met with the ‘negotiating party’ to impress upon the Con-
gress not to participate in the polls. However, Dr. Liezietsu said the ‘negotiating party’ “did not keep its word” and 43 Congress candidates filed nominations under heavy security and were declared elected unopposed. During the five years 1998-2003, Dr. Liezietsu said the Congress exploited power while ECI punished NPC by derecognising it and froze the ‘Cock’ symbol. In view of that experience, Dr.Liezietsu said the party would not be willing to risk the same fate and therefore, till a unanimous decision was arrived at, NPF would go ahead with full poll preparations. The NPF president said if any political party filed nominations and NPF followed, Naga people should not misunderstand his decision. Minister of School Education Yitachu demanded to know from CCNTHCO members as to what preparation they had made in order to usher in a solution, if a popularly elected government was not in place? Yi t a c h u r e m i n d e d CCNTHCO that the is-
sue could not be handled through emotion of favouring one party or the other, since without election, there can be no popular government. He asked how Nagas would implement the modalities if any solution achieved? He said if there is a committee to implement such modalities in a solution, then it should be made known to the people so it can successfully implement the modalities. He said that the 1975 Shillong Accord was signed during President’s Rule when there was no popular institution. Yitachu questioned CCNTHCO whether it was right to put pressure on the negotiating parties to sign an agreement when they were not yet ready and whether it was the political way to secure rights of the Nagas? Yitachu said that if the parties involved were not fully prepared, then it was wrong to place the future of Naga people at a disadvantage by playing such a dangerous game. (Cont’d on p-7)
CCNTHCO urges ECI to defer polls
DIMAPUR, JAN 27 (NPN): Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) has appealed to the Election Commission (EC) to defer the Assembly polls, in the interest of peace and tranquillity. In a petition addressed to chief election commissioner, CCNTHCO convenor, Theja Therieh; co-convenors-- H. K Zhimomi, Shikuto Zalipu, David Sangtam and Dr. Vilhusa Seleyi, and secretaries- Joshua Newmai and Joel Naga, reminded that numerous memoranda and appeals were sent or made to ECI by all sections of people including the state government seeking deferment of polls in favour of an early solution. On the demand for “solution before election”, CCNTHCO stated that at the public consultative gathering held on January 25, 2018, people had expressed
desire for deferment of elections to a later date so as to allow bringing to a conclusion, in time, the peace dialogues between the Centre and Naga Political Groups. Further, the committee referred to the ECI note, which stated that “Holding of regular elections can only be stopped by means of a constitutional amendment and in consultation with the Election Commission, and it is recognised that interruptions of regular elections are acceptable only in extraordinary circumstances” Besides this, CCNTHCO also highlighted the Assembly resolution passed on December 15, 2017. Asserting that people of Nagaland were keen and determined to work with the ECI in exercising their franchise to have an elected government, the committee said: “We cannot however participate in such an exercise till our desire for a
political solution is met. We make this appeal based on good reasons.” Further, maintaining that opportunity for a peaceful resolution of the Naga issue had never been this favourable as the political negotiations were at an advanced stage, the committee said people cannot afford to distract focus from the process at any cost. CCNTHCO said it was also aware that Prime Minister was very determined to resolve the Naga issue and interlocutor R.N Ravi along with the Naga negotiating teams were also working hard and committed to conclude the talks soon. Therefore, the committee underscored that EC decision to defer the elections would give crucial time that was needed now for the negotiations to come to a logical conclusion without allowing anything to hamper it.
Holding polls will indicate division: ACAUT D I M A P U R , JA N 2 7 (NPN): Supporting the call for “Solution before election”, Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) said that conducting the elections will be an indication of division, to be used against the Naga negotiating parties. A press release from ACAUT Media Cell said that Nagas are at the threshold of history and doubted the possibility of such an opportunity coming again in the foreseeable future. Calling it a time for Nagas to show unity to the world, it said that Nagas now have the option to tell the government of India that Nagas are untied and will no longer tolerate “dilly dally tactics.” The negotiations going on for more than 20 years smacks of the lack of will and sincerity, it said, and termed BJP Secretary in-charge of Northeast,
Ram Mahadav’s statement “Election for solution” as “rubbing salt in the wound.” ACAUT said that the 20 year negotiations had stretched this far because of the division among the Nagas, and called on all to introspect and overcome petty differences so as to decide the course of our history. It also alleged that conducting the elections serves the interests of the government of India because it would usher in a new legislature who would not work to expedite the Naga peace process or agree to step down having spent crores to get elected. “The GoI by conducting election is essentially delaying the Naga peace process and ultimately Nagas will have lost the opportunity to show oneness akin to the plebiscite of 1951”, it said.
The idea of a solution before election had brought all the negotiating teams on to one platform which ACAUT said was a positive development to be welcomed by all patriotic Nagas. It welcomed the decision of the political parties to not file nominations and appealed to all intending candidates to be weary of the choices they make lest history should judge them harshly. “ Po l i t i c a l p a r t i e s should not allow the 1998 misadventure to be repeated in 2018” it said. ACAUT opined that the loss of this opportunity would cause irreparable damage to the Naga National Movement, or even end it. It stated that the time to bring closure had come and the time was limited as the BJP government was gearing up for the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.
CCNTHCO lauds pol parties
DIMAPUR, JAN 27 (NPN): Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations has lauded NPF, BJP, Congress, NPP, NDPP, NCP, Nagaland Congress, JD (U) and AAP for wholeheartedly supporting the popular wishes of the people on “solution before election” as per the consultative meetings held between the political parties and CCNTHCO on Saturday. “In short, the political parties in accordance with the wishes of the people will not file nominations,” the committee claimed in a press note issued by its convenor, Theja Therieh and secretary, Joel Naga. It said that they were aware of the adverse ramifications the simultaneous polls would have on the ongoing talks and added that it was not advisable to allow the process of elections to compromise a solution. In this regard, a joint meeting has been convened with all national/regional political parties and negotiating teams (NSCN (I-M) & NNPGs WC) at Hotel Japfu, on January 29 at 11 a.m. and requested all concerned to attend the meeting.
Thousands of train passengers stranded as protests in Dima Hasao continue GUWAHATI, JAN 27 (IANS): At least 1,100 train passengers were stranded at New Haflong railway station in Assam’s Dima Hasao district since Friday as protests continued on Saturday against police firing that killed two persons. The curfew continued in Maibong and some adjoining areas on Saturday. Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner, Deva Jyoti Hazarika said they have failed to send the stranded passengers to their destinations as the picketers have damaged the railway tracks. The agitating organisations have also called a 48hour bandh since the police firing on Thursday morning. The protesters stopped the Guwahati-bound SilcharGuwahati fast passenger train at New Haflong station on Friday. The passengers have been stranded since then. “There are close to 1,100 passengers who are stranded. The picketers have damaged the tracks at many places and removed the fish plates. It will take time to repair them and resume the movement of trains,” Hazarika said. “We have requisitioned 25 buses
Protestors block railway tracks in Dima Hasao.
from Guwahati to send the stranded passengers to their destinations by road. However, the picketers did not allow the buses to proceed to New Haflong,” the deputy commissioner told IANS. He said the district administration has arranged food, drinking water, medicines and other basic amenities for the stranded passengers. “Security has been arranged for the safety of the stranded passengers at the railway stations,” he said. “Curfew is continuing in Maibong. We have relaxed the curfew for two hours on Saturday - from 2 pm to 4 pm - but will continue after 4 pm,” Hazarika said. He added although there were no reports of
any violence, some stray incidents of protests were reported from some places. Several social organisations in Dima Hasao district have been agitating for more than last one week after rumours spread that the Central government has agreed to set up satellite councils for the Nagas in the district as part of the talk process between NSCN (I-M) and the Central government. One such protest rally turned violent in Maibong on Thursday when the mob attacked the security forces and the railway station, forcing the security forces to open fire. Two of the injured protesters died on Friday, which has further fuelled the protests.
High-speed internet for 929 CGBU asks landowners to cooperate DIMAPUR, JAN 27 (NPN): properties despite having received lower courts in remote areas Chakhroma GBs’ Union (CGBU) compensation for the 4-lane road
NEW DELHI, JAN 27 (AGENCIES): Ministry of Law and Justice has signed a deal with public sector telecom giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to provide high-speed internet and cloud connectivity to over 900 subordinate and district courts in remote locations of the country— mostly in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the North Eastern states, a senior official said. The Rs. 194 crore project will provide connectivity to 929 court rooms by mid 2018, secretary, Justice, Alok Srivastava said. “Every single court will be connected through a dedicated 10 Mbps line...” he added. “There are a large number of courts in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram where there is no landline internet connectivity. The makeshift lines are not working,” an official involved with the project in the Gauhati high court which supervises subordinate courts in three states and Assam, said. Another official in Kargil cited similar problems. “Cell phones work here but there is no internet for the ecourts project,” the official said. Once the courts are connected, they will join the national judicial data grid — a platform that provides information and decisions of the subordinate courts.
NSUD holds mass poster campaign DIMAPUR, JAN 27 (NPN): Hundreds of concerned Naga citizens from all walks of life took part in the mass poster campaign organized by Naga Students Union Delhi (NSUD) on Saturday, at the heart of the National capital, Connaught Place, New Delhi to urge Government of India to expedite the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process and bring it to a logical conclusion. Addressing the gathering, NSUD president, Herangia Zeliang stressed on the need for every Naga to know what we actually want and what was needed to be done. He said it was high time that Nagas strive for one common goal, for which unity was the need of the hour. NSUD said it resolved to hold the campaign, after a deliberation, understanding the fact that Nagas had every right to self determination.
has requested all cooperate towards works being carried out for improvement of Dimapur portion of NH-29 and towards other developmental projects. A press note from CGBU president, Thepfukedo Kuotsu and general secretary, Atso Gwizan said CGBU was delighted by the launching of the said work by chief minister, T.R. Zeliang on January. They also appreciated the commitment given by Zeliang to initiate two laning of the New Field Check Gate to Zion Hospital road, and four lane for Zion Hospital to Chumukedima road, with quality workmanship. While extending its fullest support for the project, CGBU said that although good roads were a necessity, they remained ignored in Nagaland. According to CGBU, it is the custom of the Nagas to not hinder roads and waterways and people give their land freely for roads and canals. The union said it was perturbed to learn that some land owners were yet to vacate their
between Dimapur and Kohima. Noting that this was posing hindrances to the early completion of the work and inconveniences to commuters, the union appealed to landowners within Chakhroma to cooperate so that the works are completed on time. On the stalling of the railway line work from Dimapur to Kohima, CGBU said they were made to understand that inspite of compensation being settled and then paid to the land owners, the concerned villagers were stopping the works citing inadequate compensation. CGBU was of the view that once the compensation had been settled and paid there was no reason to agitate as this was not the practice of Nagas, known for their honesty and for honouring their commitments. The union appealed to the villages to reconsider their stand and also appealed to the respective councils of villages near the highway to see that works are not stalled by a few individuals as and when work commences in their area.
Polls: Cong, BJP release names of candidates for M’laya, Tripura NEW DELHI, JAN 27 (AGENCIES): Congress on Saturday released the names of its candidates for Meghalaya and Tripura Assembly elections to be held next month, with Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma contesting from two seats. The party released a list of 57 candidates in Meghalaya and 56 in Tripura. The strength of the two assemblies is 60 members each. The Congress is seeking to come back to power in Meghalaya and ousting the CPI(M) in Tripura where the Left front has been in power for the last 25 years. According to the list, the Meghalaya chief minister will be contesting from Songsak and Ampathi constituencies. Tripura will go to polls on February 18, followed
by Nagaland and Meghalaya on February 27. The counting of votes will take place in three states on March three.
BJP candidates for Tripura
Hours after Congress announced their candidates Congress announced its list for Tripura elections, BJP too declared its 44 candidates for the 60 members Assembly. Speaking to media, BJP leader JP Nadda said his party would contest in 51 seats in the upcoming polls while Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) in nine seats.”Out of the 60 seats in Tripura, BJP will contest elections in 51 seats and IPFT on the remaining 9 seats,” he was quoted as saying by ANI. He further said that out of 60 candidates, the party today announced
candidates for 44. “There are 60 seats in total. Today we have declared candidates for 44 seats,” NDA was quoted by the agency as saying further. According to then CEC A K Joti, who announced dates days before retiring, for the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will be also deployed in three states along with EVMs. EVMs were used for last 20 years, he added. Terms in Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura are going to end on March 6, March 13 and March 14, 2018, respectively. The strength of these three Assemblies is 60 each. Congress is currently in power in Meghalaya, Left Front in Tripura and the Naga People’s Front is at the helm in Nagaland. K Y M C