January 9, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 32

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Pope urges efforts to rebuild trust in N Korea, Syria

SA beat India by 72 runs in 1st Test

‘Whip’s duty not just monitoring party men but also motivating’

international, Page 9

sports, Page 12

national, Page 5

Court acquits 2 in chopper scam

MILAN/NEW DELHI, JA N 8 ( P T I / AG E N CIES): An Italian court today acquitted Giuseppe Orsi, the former president of defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica, of charges related to alleged bribes paid in exchange for a Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal to sell 12 AugustaWestland helicopters to India. Orsi was arrested in 2014 and resigned as chief executive of the aerospace group which was later renamed as Leonardo. Orsi was at the helm of AugustaWestland when the deal was struck and he is suspected of involvement in the payment of bribes. He had been sentenced to four-a-half-years years in jail for false accounting and corruption. Bruno Spagnolini, former CEO of the company’s helicopters subsidiary AgustaWestland, who had also been handed a fouryear jail term on the same charges, was also cleared, Italian news agency ANSA reported. The case against Orsi and Spagnolini resulted from an investigation launched in 2012 into the

SC to re-examine Sec 377 gay sex law New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS): Supreme Court on Monday said it will re-examine its 2013 verdict upholding the Indian Penal Code’s Section 377 criminalising gay sex. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M.Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y.Chandrachud decided to re-consider the top court’s December 12, 2013 order. The court order came on a petition by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Bharatnatyam dancer Navtej Singh Johar, celebrity chef Ritu Dalmia and others holding that Section 377 was “violative of fundamental rights under Article Article 21 (right to life)”. The top court had on February 2, 2016 referred to five judge constitution bench the curative petition by NGO Naz Foundation seeking a relook at its 2013 verdict upholding the validity of Section 377.

NPF COB meeting

DIMAPUR, JAN 8 (NPN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, has called for a meeting of the central office bearers (parent body) on January 15, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the Central office, Kohima. In a notice, Dr. Liezietsu requested all responsible members to attend the meeting without fail.

This is it!

“Looks like we the wives of MLAs are also in different camps.” K Y M C

Giuseppe Orsi

Bruno Spagnolini

sale of 12 luxury helicopters to India. India had scrapped the contract with Finmeccanica’s British subsidiary AugustaWestland in January, 2014 for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the Indian Air Force over alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of kickbacks paid by the firm for securing the deal. India’s defence ministry had ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 362 crore after the arrest of Orsi and Spagnolini by Italian investigators in connection with the case. In February 2010, India had inked the deal to acquire 12 three-engine

AW-101 helicopters from AgustaWestland for VVIP use.

Acquittal to have no bearing on case: CBI The acquittal of former top executives of Finmeccanica and AgustaWestland-- Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini -- will have no bearing on the CBI case as it is based on an independent investigation with strong evidence, senior central agency officials said today. The comments came after Orsi, ex-president of defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica, and Spagnolini, a former CEO of the company’s helicopters subsidiary AgustaWest-

land, were acquitted by an Italian court today. The officials said the same set of evidence had resulted in their conviction earlier. The sources said the case in Italian courts is based on the evidence gathered by the Italian authorities whereas the CBI carried out a completely independent investigation in the matter. They said there is an option of appeal with Italian authorities even after the order of the Milan court of appeals. “We have had a completely different probe. We have very strong case,” CBI Spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said here. In Italy, criminal sentences are not usually considered definitive until the appeals process has been exhausted. The two were accused of international corruption and false invoicing in relation to bribes exchanged for the contract with India. Both were cleared on charges of committing international corruption at the first-instance trial in 2014 but convicted of false invoicing and sentenced to two years in prison.

MHA cancels meeting with CM Correspondent

KOHIMA, JAN 8 (NPN): Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) who had convened an emergency meeting with Nagaland state government on Tuesday, cancelled at the eleventh hour as the chief minister, three cabinet ministers and others were on their way to Delhi for the meeting. The meeting was scheduled to be held with Union Home minister, Rajnath Singh and other officials. Though MHA did not specify, it was speculated that the meeting was in regard to the on-going demand of various Nagaland based civil societies and the state government for a “Solution before Election”. Sources informed Nagaland Post that the meeting was cancelled since Rajnath Singh had to attend the valedictory ceremony programme of the DGPs/IGPs conference at BSF Academy at Tekanpur. Ministers-- Kuzholuzo Nienu, Imkong L. Imchen, G. Kaito Aye and advisor to CM, Toshi Aier returned from Guwahati while chief minister, T.R. Zeliang headed on to Delhi for another meeting, sources said.

Cyber threats need highest priority: Modi tells top cops

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the valedictory ceremony at DGP/IGP Conference at Tekanpur on Monday. (PTI)

TEKANPUR, JAN 8 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told police and security agencies that “highest priority” should be given to dealing with cyber security threats and technology could be used to pinpoint problem areas of radicalisation of youth. “Cyber security issues should be dealt with immediately, and should receive highest priority,” he said addressing the valedictory ceremony at the conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police at the BSF Academy here. The Prime Minister

mentioned about the importance of the social media in this context and spoke about the emerging global consensus towards greater information sharing on illicit financial dealings. “India had a key role to play in achieving this. Just as openness is getting increased acceptance worldwide, there is need for greater openness among states too, on security issues.” He said security could not be achieved selectively or alone. “But breaking of silos and information sharing among states can help make everyone more secure. We are not an assembled entity, but an

Cold wave grips Northeast, NSCN (I-M) holds meeting with indigenous communities may continue till mid-January GUWAHATI/DIMPAUR, JAN 8 (AGENCIES/NPN): After a prolonged warm spell, a cold wave has hit northeast India with the mercury dipping well below normal in certain places in the last 24 hours. The Met office has said the cold spell is likely to continue for at least the next couple of days with the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) of IMD predicting that cold weather conditions will persist till mid-January, reported TNN. The deputy director general of meteorology at RMC, Guwahati, Sanjay O’Neill Shaw, told TOI that even though the cold weather has affected the lives of the commoners, the temperature is within the normal range. He attributed the cold spell to a cyclonic circulation over west Assam and its neigh-

bourhood at 0.9 km above the mean sea level. In the region, Tinsukia (plain) has recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the last 24 hours with the mercury touching 8.5° Celsius, while in the hills, Shillong recorded the lowest temperature during the day at 0.8° Celsius. RMC predicted that dense fog was likely to occur at isolated pockets across Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura from Monday to Thursday. NPN adds: In Nagaland, according to AccuWeather.com. the lowest temperature was recorded at Pfutsero at -1°C while Zunheboto was 1°C, Kohima and Peren at 3°C,Wokha 4 °C, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang, Kiphire and Phek at 6°C, 5°C at Mon and Dimapur 11 °C.

DIMAPUR, JAN 8 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) through its MIP Monday informed that the group held an “intensive consultative meeting with indigenous communities from Dimasa Kacharis, Mech Kacharis, Garos and Gorkhas of Nagalim” at Singrijan village local ground, Dimapur on January 8, 2018 and thoroughly briefed them on the current ongoing political scenario. According to MIP, the group was led by kilo kilonser, Hukavi Yepthomi, and Anthony Shimray, Longvibu, Naga Army and political commissar to the collective leadership, NSCN/GPRN, along with several steering committee members, kilonsers and deputy kilonsers. MIP said the kilo kilonser and longvibu also briefed the meet on “the beauty of Framework Agreement that encompass the legitimate rights and safeguard the historical

NSCN (I-M) functionaries with indigenous community leaders after the meeting.

rights of the Nagas”. MIP said, Yepthomi and Shimray had been tirelessly reaching out to the Naga people “on the line of changed political situations following signing the Framework Agreement between the Naga Leaders and the Government of India.” It stated that the main sectors in the present state of Nagaland had become more familiar with the advancement of the peace process. MIP said those sectors had “also understood the

environment of manifestation of misgiving as relentlessly propagated by certain section of our own people to further confuse the truth with fake.” However, MIP said the issue to convey the correct information on perspectives that guaranteed accomplishment of what had been achieved in such a sustained and forward move after putting a Framework in place was NSCN (I-M)’s “most out most priority.” Meanwhile, MIP said

that the gathering later at the end of the meeting “unanimously opted to support Framework Agreement for earliest solution and not election.” The meeting was chaired by Kachari Tribal Council, Nagaland president, Ramesh Hasnu, invocation was done by Dimasa Baptist Church Association, Nagaland mission board chair man, Rev. Simon Khemprai, and benediction by Pastor Lila, Gorkha Baptist Church, Singrijan.

Clamour for solution before 2018 election gets louder DIMAPUR, JAN 8 (NPN): ‘Solution before Election’ chorus against holding of the Assembly election in Nagaland seems to be only getting louder by the day. A day after NTC, CNTC, NGBF and ACAUT shot off separate missives to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking postponement of polls, now Naga Hoho, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, Western Sumi Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association and Indigenous Minority Tribes of Nagaland have joined the bandwagon. NH: In the memorandum, Naga Hoho (NH) president, P. Chuba Ozukum and general secretary, Mutsikhoyu Yhobu reminded Modi that when he had assumed office in 2014 he had set an 18-month deadline to settle the Naga political issue. But now almost three years had elapsed without any tangible solution being found, it pointed out, add-

ing that more than 20 years had gone by since the first cease-fire was reached and political dialogues began. While calling for postponement of the Assembly polls, Naga Hoho also referred to a host of factors to validate its demand. The organisation felt that final peace deal was now at its final stage and likely to culminate in a very short time as Centre’s interlocutor, R.N. Ravi and NSCN (I-M) had jointly stated that they were closer than “ever before to the final settlement and hope to conclude it sooner than later”. It also pointed out that Ravi had also categorically stated on July 6, 2017 during his interaction with Naga civil society groups and media at Kohima that “we are close to a solution and we wanted to have one more round of consultation with the Naga civil society.” NH also pointed out

that the 19th session of 12th NLA had on December 15, 2017 adopted a resolution calling for postponement of Assembly election till a final solution to the vexed Naga issue was arrived at. It said former parliamentarians, NSCN (I-M), Naga National Political Groups, tribal hohos and Naga civil society groups too supported solution before election. Recalling that Government of India had ignored a similar boycott called by Naga Hoho, political parties and other civil society groups and went ahead in holding the election in 1998 in Nagaland, the apex tribal body urged Modi not to repeat the act as it would only show that New Delhi had no will to resolve Indo-Naga political problem. Admitting that holding of election was a constitutional necessity, Naga Hoho said it could be deferred as well “for a short period for

the greater national interest and, particularly, in the interest of law and order situation”. It also referred to the observation of Supreme Court, which, while upholding supremacy of Election Commission to decide upon elections, had also ruled that certain circumstances could delay holding of elections. According to the memorandum, in view of the “exceptional situation” prevailing in the State as a result of the ongoing negotiations, notification for election at this juncture was “fraught with complications”. Stating that the “unanimous view” of Naga people was for political solution over election, it called for deferment of polls “for peace and tranquillity”. ENPO: In a separate memorandum to Union Home minister, Rajnath Singh, ENPO, which represents six Naga tribes of Chang, Khiamniungan,

Konyak, Phom, Sangtam and Yimchunger of eastern Nagaland, too called for postponing the 2018 election. The memorandum said in view of the final stage of negotiations for arriving at a solution to the Naga political issue and other important matters pertaining to eastern Nagaland, ENPO held a public consultative meet on December 21, 2017. After daylong deliberations on the issue, it was unanimously resolved to urge Government of India to resolve the protracted Naga political issue before announcing elections to NLA, it added. Holding elections without solving the vexed Naga political problem would only invite misunderstanding and misgivings among the people, the memorandum warned. ENPO further reiterated its stand that Naga solution should be a “po-

litical consensus” that was acceptable and agreeable to all concerned among Naga people, to avoid repetition of the violent past. It also added that its demand for a separate State of Eastern Nagaland, as reminded to NNPGs, remained uncompromised and pleaded for support. The organisation urged Singh to take the matter to a higher level of deliberations and give chance to Naga people to live peacefully. WSH: On the other hand, asserting that it firmly supported the stand of Central Nagaland Tribal Council (CNTC) and various other organisations seeking postponement of Assembly elections, WSH appealed to the Government of India to postpone it so that a final solution to the vexed Naga political issue could be arrived at the earliest “without any hindrance”. (Cont’d on p-7)

organic entity.” The Prime Minister recalled how the nature and scope of the annual conference have changed since 2014, when he suggested that the yearly affair should be shifted out of Delhi. The annual conference is an event where top police officers share and discuss security related issues. The conference was held in Guwahati in 2014, Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch in 2015 and at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad in 2016. “The conference has now become more relevant in the context of challenges and responsibilities facing the country,” Modi said. He commended the country’s security apparatus and said there was a lot of cohesion in managing the country’s security. The Prime Minister also presented President’s Police Medals for distinguished service to IB officers. Union Home Minister Raj Nath Singh and Union Ministers of State for Home Hansraj Ahir and Kiren Rijiju also attended the conference.

Kohima traffic regulations for Naga Day DIMAPUR, JAN 8 (NPN): Kohima police has issued some altered traffic regulations for the Naga Day celebration scheduled to be observed on January 10, at Khouchiezie (Kohima Local Ground). These regulations will be enforced from 8 a.m till the end of the programme on the said day. A press note from Addl. SP & PRO, Watichuchang Jamir said that the road from TCP Gate to Keziekie will be reserved for Parking for delegates on a ‘first come first’ basis while buses carrying delegates are to be parked at Old Taxi Stand and Old NST. No vehicle will be allowed parking in the road leading from Razhu Point to Northern Gate of Local Ground and from Y-Junction to Congress Bhavan. Delegates can enter the venue from both the Northern and Southern Gates of the venue. Citizens have been advised to car-pool and also utilize the parking spaces judiciously. They also solicited the general public’s cooperation with the Traffic Police and Volunteers on duty, and requested the public to follow the regulations. FNR appeals: Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has appealed to citizens to follow the traffic advisory issued by the Kohima Traffic Police in the interest of smooth operations of the Naga Day celebrations to be held on January 10 at Khuochiezie (Kohima Local Ground). A press release from FNR also requested the citizens of the capital to cooperate and bear with any inconvenience caused during the day. FNR further requested all tribes involved in the preparation of food to reach the North Gate (UBC) by 11 a.m. They also requested delegates to be at the venue by 9.30 a.m. K Y M C


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