Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 27
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Won’t be ‘blackmailed’ by Trump’s threat: Palestinians
Man City beat Watford; take 15-point lead
We must rise above our ‘microscopic identities’: Army chief
international, Page 9
sports, Page 12
national, Page 7
RSZ, RSU indefinite bandh begins
Correspondent
KOHIMA, JAN 3 (NPN): Indefinite bandh, jointly called by the Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ) and Rengma Students’ Union (RSU), began from Wednesday morning covering Tseminyu subdivision jurisdiction. All business establishments and transportation, both private and government, came to a grinding halt. The protest, demanding upgradation of Tseminyu sub-division to a full-fledged district headquarter, was endorsed by the Rengma Hoho and Rengma frontal organizations. RSZ and RSU also hoisted black flags at all the sub-divisional offices under Tseminyu, including ADC’s office. The volunteers at various stoppage points erected black flags and banners which read “Denial of Tseminyu district, Suppression of Rengma Tribe”. Speaking to Nagaland Post at the Rengma Hoho office Tseminyu, RSZ president, Kenneth Rengma said that the bandh will be intensified until their demand was met. He expressed displeasure over the state government’s talk about criteria
Student killed in Maharashtra shutdown violence MUMBAI, JAN 3 (IANS): A minor boy was killed in Nanded and several people were injured in Mumbai in sporadic incidents of violence which paralysed large parts of Maharashtra during a 10-hour shutdown called by Dalit parties on Wednesday. The ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ call was given by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and other parties, ironically, to protest against Monday’s riots leading to the death of a youth from Nanded in Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district. District Superintendent of Police Chandrakishore Mina said the victim’s body has been sent for autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of the death. The family of the deceased alleged that the youth - Yogesh Prahlad Jadhav- was seriously injured during police caning to clear a road block. Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis said all the incidents of violence across the state shall be probed and appropriate action will be taken against the offenders. Dalit activists were seen seating on rail tracks, shouting slogans and waving flags to block train services in the city and suburbs of Mumbai, Thane and Palghar.
stating that since Nagaland statehood, various district headquarters and administrative headquarters were established and if the government had to talk about criteria, Rengma’s were second to none and deserved to become independent. The president added that they were not aware that the government had an official handbook of “criteria” for creation of districts and that there may be some commission or committee report. However, he said it was not known whether the cabinet had approved the criteria document or report. He said if government had to apply the terms of such a report, it only indicated that government was using the report as a tool to suppress the Rengmas. He added that hoisting the black flags at the government offices was a sign that “Democracy has murdered the rights of the Rengmas” and that since Rengmas had only one MLA, his voice was not heeded. A d d i n g m o r e, t h e president said if the government’s criterion was to have a minimum of two Assembly Constituencies, the state government never invited the Rengmas for dis-
RSZ, RSU volunteers during the ongoing bandh at Henbenji junction on Wednesday. (NP)
cussion on the delimitation and based on such excuses, Rengmas will never get their due share. He recalled the Rengma tribe’s participation in the formation of the state and in the Naga political struggle and how Rengmas were denied their rights through poor infrastructure and educational institutions. The president said that subsequent governments had promised many things to the Rengmas but nothing materialized and said it was a complete betrayal of trust. He informed further that RSZ and RSU, during its meeting held on December 31, 2017, had decided to
demand the resignation of its MLA if state government does not fulfil their demand as it only showed that the single elected member’s presence in the assembly was not considered. According to RSZ and RSU, Tseminyu Sub Division has 38 government recognized villages and a total population of more than 56,000 (as per the 2011 census) with 69 % literacy. Meanwhile, it may be recalled that Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya, on December 17, 2015, during the 38th general conference of the RSU at Sendenyu Village, assured that a government college would be
NSCN (I-M) observes ‘Naga Army Day’ DIMAPUR, jan 3 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) observed ‘Naga Army Day’ at its general headquarters (GHQ), Hebron on Wednesday with Rh. Raising, steering committee convenor, as the chief guest and kilo kilonser, Hukavi Yepthomi and ‘lt. gen.’ (retd) NG Markson- VC, keya kilonser as the guests of honour. In a press statement, NSCN (I-M) MIP said many dignitaries from both the civil and army wings of the organisation, including Ape Venuh of the collective leadership, attended the event. ‘Lt. col.’ Pitovi, AO Chaplaincy, GHQ led the opening prayer, which was followed by a silent prayer in remembrance of all Naga martyrs. In his speech, Raising stated that Naga army was not only a military army but also a political army and its members were Nazirites. Raising also paid “homage to the departed souls of the Naga army martyred for the cause of Nagalim for Christ.” He said “they (martyrs) were the ones who stayed the course like the rock when storms of enemies’ attacks came.” (Full speech on p-6)
On the other hand, kilo kilonser Hukavi emphasised that Naga army was the backbone of the government without which it could not function. He also asked members of Naga army who carry forward the national movement to stand firm and give their heart and soul for the national cause. Former Longvibu of the Naga Army, ‘lt. gen.’ (retd) Markson, who reinstituted ‘Naga Army Day’ in 2007, talked about the importance of the army, which like a strong wall, had stood firm to defend the nation and its people. He said the ongoing ceasefire was the result of fallen comrades who had stood their ground for the cause of a free Naga nation. The Longvibu, Anthony Ningkhan Shimray thanked all dignitaries and members present on the occasion and reaffirmed that Naga army was a revolutionary force and foundation of Naga national movement. He asked every cadre of Naga army to be a soldier of Christ, fulfil commitment and remember the oath of allegiance to man and God, besides remaining faithful to the national cause.
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refrain from any provocative or instigative measures which could cause intensification of the conflict at Sitimi Village in Kiphire. A press release from SH president, Hekhushe Shikhu and general secretary I. Nkheto Jimomi further discouraged circulation of rumours on social media platforms which were likely to lead to escalation of the ongoing conflict. Sumi Hoho has further warned that in the event of any untoward incident that results directly from such manipulative rumours, the individual so found to have circulated the rumour would bear responsibility in his/her or their personal capacities, and that it shall not reflect the views of the Sumi community. SH further informed that the members were doing everything they could
Kikheto presents Nagaland coffee to Srivatsa Krishna and Dr. Y. Raghuramulu, at Bangalore on January 2.
Nagaland, he added. The statement said that two other proposals – to set up Arabica research and training centre in Nagaland and to continue various coffee development programmes in the State – were also submitted to the Coffee Board of India.
to solve the conflict through peaceful means “and to bring about amicable solution without resorting to intertribal violence.” The hoho also appealed to “our brothers, the Sangtam tribe, and its apex civil organizations” to join them in an effort to forge peace through talks and not violence. SH also appealed to the state government to immediately intervene before the conflict breaks out into an all out communal clash that could lead to loss of life and property. They stressed further that the conflict is the direct escalation of a simmering issue which began more than 20 years ago. The SH has beseeched the State Government to amicably resolve the issue through all possible means so as to avoid aggravation of this same issue time and again.
Cab okays pact to help India-Myanmar border crossing
No provision in law to opt out of Aadhaar: Govt
This is it!
Kikheto stated that the Coffee Board of India had agreed to send an officer to Kohima to coordinate with the land resources department. The officer will be attached with the department to assist it in development of coffee plantations in
DIMAPUR, JAN 3 (NPN): Situation in Sitimi area under Kiphire district is under control as government has taken effective steps by rushing additional armed police and Assam Rifles troops to Kiphire where curfew under Section 144 CrPC had been imposed in Kiphire district since January 2, 2018 after reports of prevailing tension in Sitimi area. The state government had also suspended internet and bulk SMS services in Kiphire district as precautionary measures. A notification was issued by the Home commissioner, Nagaland on January 2, 2018 imposing Section 144 CrPC and suspension of mobile internet/data services and bulk SMS. M e a n w h i l e, S u m i Hoho (SH) has appealed to the Sumi community to
established within a year. Reacting to a memorandum, submitted by the RSU, to establish a Government College in Tseminyu, Governor vowed to establish the college by the 2016 academic session and said that the memorandum was a “small thing”, and that the students deserved the college. Even during the press conference in 2016, when queried about the progress of the college, the Governor’s immediate reply was that 95% of the work was already done and that it would be established soon. Spl. Correspondent However, till today, Tseminyu is yet to see a govern- NEW DELHI, JAN 3 (NPN): Union ment college of its own. Cabinet on Wednesday approved an agreement to facilitate border crossing between India and Myanmar. The agreement will facilitate regulation and harmonization of already existing free movement rights for people residing in the border areas of both countries. “It will also facilitate movement of NEW DELHI, JAN 3 (AGENCIES): A campaign to ‘opt out’ of Aadhaar people on the basis of valid passports and might be gathering steam in Meghalaya visas which will enhance economic and sobut the fact is there is no provision under cial interaction between the two countries,” the law letting one to be forgotten by the said an official statement. UID database. “There is no provision The pact is an enabling arrangement in the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of for movement of people across the IndiaFinancial and Other Subsidies, Benefits Myanmar border. “It is expected to provide and Services) Act, 2016 for citizens to connectivity and enhance interaction of the opt out of the Aadhaar scheme,” stated a government reply in Lok Sabha. Union Minister of State in Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Alphons Kannanthanam laid out the answer to a question by BJD MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo asking if citizens could opt out of Aadhaar. Responding, the Ministry maintained that the Act does not make for any provision to opt out of the scheme. Recently, a group of citizens in Meghalaya signed up for a campaign to ‘opt out’ of Aadhaar. In letters written to the UIDAI, they stated that they no longer consent to be registered on the Aadhaar database. Led by the Meghalaya People’s Committee on Aadhaar, the campaign was organised by representatives of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and civil society collective Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR).
Govt aims 50k ha coffee plantation by 2030
DIMAPUR, JAN 3 (NPN): Nagaland government has proposed to bring 50,000 hectares of land in the State under coffee plantation by 2030. This was stated by secretary, finance and land resources, Y Kikheto Sema (More reports on p-5) in a press release. In this regard, the State government will provide the required amount from the Budget 2017-18, he said. Kikheto claimed the government’s move would improve the economic condition of rural people, besides generating employment opportunities for unemployed youth. The secretary said he had already submitted a proposal in this regard to Coffee Board of India when he called on the Board’s secretary Srivatsa Krishna and “If the government cannot finance and research direcmake roads then next tor Dr Y Raghuramulu at time,they should use their offices in Bangalore helicopters to fight fires.” on January 2.
State govt clamps Sec 144 CrPC in Kiphire dist; SH appeals for calm
people of North Eastern States of India with the people of Myanmar,” it said. “The agreement would give a boost to the economy of NE and allow us to leverage our geographical connections with Myanmar to boost trade and people-to-people ties,” said the statement. The agreement will also safeguard the traditional rights of the largely tribal communities residing along the border which are accustomed to free movement across the land border. It may be recalled that Nagaland chief minister T. R Zeliang had also urged the Centre, on January 18, 2017, to ask Myanmar to stop border fencing in the Noklak area of Tuensang district as it would adversely affect free movement and the traditional land-holding system of the area.
Rly project ban: Landowners warn companies DIMAPUR, jan 3 (NPN): Landowners of six villages, that are enforcing the stoppage of the ongoing rail project work within their jurisdictions, have warned the companies involved to not defy the “bandh call” to avoid any untoward incidents. The press note jointly signed by head GB of Pimla, Dohoi, head GB of Dhansiripar, Dejiraj Girisa, VCC of Razaphe Basa, K. K. Rio, head GB of Zutovi, Victo, GB of Shokhuvi, Vekuto, and GB of Khemnok, P. Singyu cautioned that the ban would continue till their demands were met. Considering that the stoppage had entered the third month with no positive responses, they villages have reminded the rail authorities and state government to review the demands of the beneficiaries. K Y M C