January 7, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 30

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Of children and dreams

Lingard secures FA Cup win for Man Utd

Trump seeks $33bn to secure US-Mexico border

Sunday Post Supplement

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

Lalu gets 3.6 yrs. jail; fined Rs 10 L

RANCHI/ PATNA, JAN 6 (AGENCIES/PTI): A special CBI court today sentenced RJD chief Lalu Prasad to three-anda-half years in jail and imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on him in a fodder scam case relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar Treasury 21 years ago. The punishment was handed down to 69-year-old Prasad by CBI court judge Shiv Pal Singh. This is the second time that he has been jailed in the fodder scam. The judge also imposed a fine totalling Rs 10 lakhs on him. He was sentenced to three-and-ahalf years in jail in a fodder scam case for offences of cheating, along with criminal conspiracy, and other sections under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Prasad was also given a jail term of three years and six months in the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA). He was fined Rs 5 lakh each under the IPC and the PCA, CBI counsel Rakesh Prasad said, adding that failure to pay the fine would entail another six months in jail. The sentences will run concurrently, he said. Prasad, who was convicted in the second case on December 23, is at present lodged in the Birsa Munda Central Jail. The judge conveyed the punishment to Prasad through videoconferencing. The

NVCO asks depts. to act against dishonest traders DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organisation (NVCO) has appealed to the concerned departments, district administration and KMC to act against traders using short weights, charging high prices, denying customers their choice of the meat cuts etc. They also strongly condemned butchers in Kohima town who were using altered weighing stones and scales to cheat consumers. Highlighting the issue, a press release from NVCO press & media cell said, a few kilograms of pork bought in Kohima was found to be short by more than 300 grams for every kilogram. When the butcher was asked to empty the scales to show it was evenly balanced the butcher refused saying they had to resort to some unfair means to earn a profit, the press release alleged. An examination revealed that the weighing scale balanced evenly only when a piece of metal attached to one side of the top end was shifted to the other side, NVCO said. They reminded that the KMC had raised the rate of pork from Rs. 180 to Rs. 200 per kilo with an assurance that butchers would be honest with their weights.

as saying. Soon after the sentencing, Lalu tweeted “Rather than practising BJP’s Simple Rule – ‘Follow us or We will Fix you’. I will die happily fixing myself for Social justice, harmony & equality.”

RJD to appeal

Lalu Prasad Yadav

Special CBI Judge Shiv Pal Singh

court had yesterday concluded arguments on the quantum of sentence against Prasad. Earlier today, the court concluded arguments on the quantum of sentence against five other convicts. Prasad was given a prison term of five years on September 30, 2013, in another fodder scam case. He was released on bail by the Supreme Court after having remained in jail for over two-and-a-half months. The CBI special judge had on December 23 acquitted former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra and five others in the case. In 1996, the Patna High Court had ordered an inquiry into the fodder scam cases and a charge sheet in the Deogarh Treasury case was filed against

38 people on October 27, 1997. Prasad faces another three fodder scam cases for illegal withdrawal of Rs 3.97 crore from the Dumka Treasury, Rs 36 crore from the Chaibasa Treasury and Rs 184 crore from the Doranda Treasury. While hearing arguments of quantum of sentence, the judge observed that the convicts “should be kept in open jail as they have experience in looking after cows”. Before the sentencing, Yadav had said he was not worried about his party since his son Tejashwi “is there”, NDTV reported. “It is the BJP, the RSS and Nitish Kumar who are behind all this...They want me to be sent to jail so they have no political opponent” The Hindu quoted Lalu

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav today said a special CBI court verdict sentencing his father Lalu Prasad to three-and-a-half years in jail in a fodder scam case will be challenged in the high court. A bail plea will also be moved in the high court, Tejashwi told a press conference and said “Lalu is not the name of a person but of an ideology. We, his followers, will not be cowed down,” said the 28-year-old Leader of Opposition in the state assembly. Tejashwi said, “The lower court has pronounced its judgement which we respect. We have full faith in judiciary”. “We will study the judgement and then decide on what legal options to exercise,” he added. “Since that does not appear to be the case, we will have to do so before the high court where we will also appeal against the conviction.” Tejaswi was speaking after a RJD meeting, at Rabri Devi’s bunglow.

K Y M C

DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): Deputy commissioner (DC) Kiphire, Mohammad Ali Shihab, has appealed to the people of Kiphire in general and the Sitimi area in particular to maintain peace and tranquillity among different communities in the society. According to an official bulletin, the DC Kiphire also requested all to refrain from rumour mongering and provocative/violent situations to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. Further, DC sought cooperation from all quarters to ensure peaceful coexistence in the area. He also requested all church bodies to pray for the people suffering in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident at Sitimi and also called upon all pastors to spread the message of peace. Meanwhile, the DC has expressed gratitude to all communities, civil society organisations, village councils, student bodies, women organizations, security agencies and the general public for rendering timely support during the unrest at Sitimi.

ENPUD calls for ‘open dialogue’

Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Union Dimapur (ENPUD) has appealed to the Sangtam and Sumi communities from Sitimi village under Kiphire district to settle the matter through open dialogue and peaceful means. In a press release, ENPUD president, M C Ongbou Chang, and general secretary, M Jeange Yanlem, also appealed to both the communities to bring peace and strengthen the bond of love among the Naga brothers in true Christian spirit of forgiveness and acceptance as they stepped into New Year.

Conrad Sangma hopeful of NPP in Nagaland Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): National president of National People’s Party (NPP) and Lok Sabha MP from Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, has projected NPP as a “major political force” in Nagaland for the forthcoming election. Addressing media persons on Saturday at Hotel Saramati, Sangma said NPP Nagaland unit was working hard to set up its organisation in the state adding it will grown “strength to strength”. He also expressed happiness at enrolment of “young people and as well as experienced people” into the party. Sangma said people in Nagaland want to join NPP in order to get respite from the corrupt political system in Nagaland. Sangma claimed that people were joining NPP since it was providing them

with a platform to ventilate their visions for the welfare of the people of Nagaland. On the present position of NPP in Nagaland, he expressed satisfaction about the response from the people who feel connected with the party’s ideals as they realised that there has to be a party to be the voice of the north east in national politics. Sangma was visiting Nagaland after the formation of the party’s committee and inauguration of its office in the state as he could not come earlier due to unavoidable circumstances and parliamentary obligations. Sangma said he felt motivated to see young, dynamic and experienced team (in Nagaland. He however lamented about Nagaland which he said, was going through a very difficult phase with continual political crises In the situation. He said there were different in-

dividuals working for different personal interests, where the interest of the people as a whole has been lost. Sangma opined there was a need for a political party that put the people and the state first before anything else. He said the National People’s Party (NPP), was formed by the late P. A Sangma, in order to give a political platform to the people of Northeast India. There must be a political platform that places the issues of the Northeast and brought different tribes and communities of the Northeast to one platform. He said though P.A. Sangma was no longer present, yet his idea still persists and this idea strengthened NPP. He also spoke about the positive response in Manipur, where in the last election, it won four seats and how NPP was working hard in Meghalaya and Nagaland for the forthcoming

1st Digital billboard for public display Staff Reporter

Dimapur, Jan 6 (NPN): Dimapur became the first city in Nagaland to have a digital billboard after it was set up at the Traffic Police post below the footbridge at Plaza -Holy Cross junction (Cont’d on p-7) Saturday evening. The digital billboard introduced by M/s Global Elite will be for outdoor/ indoor video display for brand promotion advertisement & LED video display . The facility will be leased on monthly rental basis. The billboard was formally inaugurated Saturday evening at Plaza-Holy Cross traffic junction by Editor Nagaland Post Geoffrey Yaden in presence of Kuhoi Zhimomi, president Sumi Hoho Dimapur and noted social worker Timir Choudhury “It’s time you make and the promoter Longtiri yourself seen regularly C.Rudy. There are also plans in church. It’ll make you look like a God fearing to put up similar billboards in Kohima in the next few The new digital billboard at Plaza-Holy Cross traffic candidate.” junction. (NP) months.

This is it!

DC Kiphire CKS indefinite bandh begins State cabinet defers appeals for calm Noklak dist inauguration

elections. He said eight MLAs from Meghalaya from Congress, UDP and independent - recently resigned and joined NPP and gave the party a big boost. He exuded confidence that NPP will form the next government in Meghalaya. When asked about accommodating candidates coming from the other parties, Conrad said there were a lot of qualified and good individuals in the society and the state, and that if these individuals come to NPP the committee will screen them before taking a decision. Conrad said NPP will fight the polls without a prepoll alliance in Meghalaya and possibly in Nagaland too. He was confident that people of Nagaland will give NPP a chance considering the political scenario that

DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): Dismayed over the state government’s failure to respond to its representation for exclusion of Chingmei range villages from newly created Noklak district and to be placed under Tuensang district administrative circle on or before January 5, 2018, the Chang apex bodies headed by Khulei Setshang (CKS) and Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU) began to impose indefinite bandh within Chang jurisdiction on Saturday from 12 noon. In a joint statement, CKS president M P Nokshang; CCSU president, Chingmak; CTS president, Naong and TVCU president, H Wongto, informed that the indefinite total bandh would remain in force until the government fulfilled their demand. Chang apex bodies have, however, exempted police, paramilitary, medical and emergency services from the preview of the bandh. They said the exemption for administration was only within Chang jurisdiction, adding that movement of the administrative officers and their vehicles beyond Chang jurisdiction was prohibited.

DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): State cabinet has decided not to go ahead with the Noklak district inauguration until the boundary issue was amicably settled. According to a CMO media cell press release, the state cabinet decided this at a cabinet meeting held at the chief minister’s office Saturday. At the meeting, the cabinet, while upholding its decision taken on December 20, 2017 with regard to creation of Noklak district, decided that inclusion of Chingmei range villages in Noklak district must first be resolved amicably between Noklak village council and Chingmei village council before government notification earmarking the boundaries of Noklak district was issued. This exercise, the CMO said would be carried out by DC Tuensang under the supervision of commissioner, Nagaland. Meanwhile, the cabinet has appealed to the Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) to call off their ‘indefinite bandh’ in the larger interest of the Naga people.

PCC chiefs DDADU seeks assurance on bridge jan 6 (NPN): Dimapur District Autorickto continue in DIMAPUR, shaw Driver Union (DDADU) has asked the Roads and department and District Administration to issue their posts Bridges an assurance, through the media, that the Nagarjan bridge

NEW DELHI, JAN 6 (PTI): Congress president Rahul Gandhi has decided that all state unit chiefs of the party will continue in their posts until orders to replace them are issued. Gandhi took the decision amid speculation that Pradesh Congress units would see new presidents and teams after the organisational elections. “Congress president Rahul Gandhi has taken a decision that the presidents of all Pradesh Congress Committees (PCC), Regional Congress Committees and Territorial Congress Committees, will continue in their posts after the organisational elections, unless some decision is taken to replace them,” a statement by AICC, general secretary, Janardan (Cont’d on p-7) Dwivedi said.

RH asks all to back ‘solution before election’ DIMAPUR, jan 6 (NPN): Rengma Hoho (RH) has appealed to all the tribal hohos and Naga civil societies, including the religious organizations to unite and come out openly demanding for a ‘solution before election’ in the greater interest of the Naga people’s cause and “to proactively nurture the fragile unity.” A press release from RH president, Kenyuseng Tep said this was imperative considering all the legislators across party affiliations had paved the way for a Naga solution in the form of adopting a resolution and the NPGs had buried their differences to come to the negotiating table. They reiterated their earlier stand that a “solution should precede election” and appealed to all civil societies to present a solemn and united voice for an inclusive solution to the protracted Naga political issue without any further delays. RH said that Nagas should no longer walk in uncertainty as the time had come for Nagas to embrace peace and progress through a reinvigorated dedication towards achieving the united Naga goal.

which is about to open, is safe to ply on. A press release from DDADU president, I. Vitoshe Sema noted that the bridge is on the verge of collapse, and since the commercial vehicles, especially the autorickshaws, are for the public, the DDAU said they will not cross the bridge unless the assurance is given. They also asked the public to not force autorickshaw drivers to cross the bridge.

FNR public invitation for ‘Naga Day’

DIMAPUR, jan 6 (NPN): Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has extended a public invitation to all-- including Naga National Groups, Naga organizations, churches, student and youth organizations, civil societies, Naga leaders and the public -- to the Naga Day celebrations. The invitation said that the Angami Public Organization has “willingly and magnanimously” agreed to be the host and it is being organized at Khuochiezie (Kohima Local Ground), Kohima on January 10 at 10 a.m. to be celebrated under the theme “Nagas Without Borders.” FNR said it was a historic occasion for Nagas across the world. FNR declared that this was an opportunity to come together in solidarity and stand together as one people. “Please treat this public invitation as official” they added. The invitation said the day marks the submission of Memorandum of the Naga Hills - the first written assertion of Naga rightsby the Naga Club to the Simon Commission on January 10, 1929. FNR also urged Nagas all over the world to celebrate the day in the coming years too, because “Naga Day belongs to all!”

TTSU serves ultimatum on private firm

Incomplete youth hall construction at Tobu town.

DIMAPUR, JAN 6 (NPN): Upset with the delay in completion of youth hall construction at Tobu town, the Tobu Town Students’ Union (TTSU) has served an ultimatum on a private firm (NK construction agency) to immediately resume the construction within 15 days, failing which the union would

take own course of action. In a press release, TTSU president, H Khamba, cautioned that it would not be responsible for any untoward incident that could occur in the future. TTSU president said that the matter was deliberated at length during the 37th general session of the union held on

December 27, 2017. According to the union, the construction of the hall began in 2010, adding that as per RTI revelation, the estimated budget for construction was Rs.100 lakh. Out of the total amount, the TTSU said 80% has already been withdrawn from the department. Warning the implementing agency not to take it for granted, the union said it was disappointed with the contractor for failing to respond to the earlier press release published on January 4, 2017. M e a nwhil e, the union has requested the implementing agency to resume the work for improvement of circular road at Tobu town. It also directed the shopkeepers under Tobu town jurisdiction not to sell any crackers. K Y M C


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