Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 228
KG Kenye seeks Gadkari’s attention to Dmu-Kma road DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Rajya Sabha member KG Kenye has sought the attention of Union road transport & highways minister Nitin Gadkari to the pathetic condition of the Dimapur-Kohima road, which is being converted into a four-lane highway. In an open letter to Gadkari on Tuesday, the State’s lone Rajya Sabha member urged the Central minister to instruct the departments concerned and the contractors to adopt necessary construction site procedures and precautions so that commuters were not put at risk of accidents. He hoped that necessary action would be taken on priority basis for public safety. Pointing to lack of safety measures on the highway, Kenye said it was being upgraded by National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which had awarded the work to various private contractors and that the work was presently on in full swing. He added that earth and rock-cutting works for widening of the road were also underway. (Cont’d on p-5)
APO lauds state govt’s initiative DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Angami Public Organisation (APO) has lauded the state government for taking up positive and proactive decision to ban appointments sans sanctioned posts. In a press note APO president, Dr. Kepelhusie Terhüja and info and publicity secretary, Neithono Sothu said such initiative towards good governance carries more weightage as the OM also included criminal prosecutions against erring officials by filing FIR in the Vigilance Commission and also to stop payment of pensionary benefits until the criminal case was disposed off. APO also appreciated the decision of the government on the stand taken for the appointment to grade IV posts in the districts, which would be filled up by the respective indigenous inhabitants of the district only. APO has assured the government of its support for all the positive initiatives undertaken by it for the welfare of Naga people.
Office shifted
All Indian citizens will be provided security: Sonowal
Chhetri extends stint at Bengaluru FC till 2021
74 killed in Greece Wildfires
northeast, Page 4
sports, Page 11
international, Page 9
States asked to combat lynching Tension along Nagaland-Assam border Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI, JUL 24 (AGENCIES): Against the backdrop of a recent spate of mob attacks/lynching in the country, the Centre has asked all states to appoint a superintendent of policelevel officer in each district, set up a special task force for gathering intelligence and closely monitor social media contents, so that no one is attacked on the suspicion of being child-lifters or cattlesmugglers. It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court had recently pointed out that states are under obligation to prevent lynchings and mob violence and such incidents cannot happen by the remotest chance. The Court reserved its verdict on petitions against lynchings but Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said an elaborate judgment is required to be passed to prevent incidents. In 2018, the first incident was reported from Tamil Nadu in the first week of May followed by a few from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In June, two persons, including a Mumbai based sound engineer, were beaten to death in Assam and in July, five tribals were lynched in
Rainpada village of Maharashtra’s Dhule district. The latest incident took place in Rajasthan’s Alwar where one Rakbar Khan, succumbed to death after a mob allegedly beat him up on suspicion that he was a cow smuggler. The post-mortem report in the lynching of Rakbar Khan revealed on July 24 that the cause of death was shock as a result of the ante-mortem injuries sustained. Under fire from the opposition and with eyes on 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Rajasthan Assembly polls by end of this year, the BJP government at the Centre has come out with strict norms to tackle mobocracy. Citing Supreme Court directives, the Home Ministry said wherever it is found that a police officer or an officer of the district administration has failed to comply with the directions to prevent, investigate and facilitate expeditious trial of any such crime of mob violence and lynching, it should be considered as an act of deliberate negligence and misconduct, and strong action must be taken against the official concerned. Departmental action
CMO Dimapur and food safety team inspecting one of the food joints.
DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Chief medical officer (CMO) Dimapur has directed all the food handlers and dealers in and around Dimapur including all manufacturing and processing units such as restaurants, bakeries, hotels, food stalls, package
drinking water plant, ice cream factories and other edible food items shops to improve the hygiene of their facilities/units within 14 days from the date of issue of the order. In a press release, CMO Dimapur, Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi, stated that
sale of food items without FSSAI Certification and use of prohibited chemicals in fruits and vegetables would be penalized as per Food Safety& Standard Act 2006. He further informed that regular surprise checking would be carried out after the 14 days grace period and warned defaulters of action under FS&S Act 2006. Meanwhile, Health department Dimapur has expressed gratitude to officials if various departments-- administration, police, DMC, DCCI and Naga Council for extending support and cooperation during the food safety drive carried out for the welfare of the public. On Monday, CMO Dimapur and a food safety team inspected Breeze bakery and Popsicle Ice-cream factory and the proprietors were directed to improve hygiene.
Superintendent of Police, as Nodal Officer in each district. Such nodal officer shall be assisted by one of the DSP rank officers in the district for taking measures to prevent incidents of mob violence and lynching.” They shall constitute a special task force so as to procure intelligence reports about the people who are likely to commit such crimes or who are involved in spreading hate speeches, provocative statements and fake news, it said. The state governments shall forthwith identify districts, sub-divisions and/or villages where instances of lynching and mob violence have been reported in the recent past. The process of identification should be done within a period of three weeks from July 17. The secretary, home department, of the states concerned shall issue directives/ advisories to the nodal officers of the concerned districts for ensuring that the officer-in-charge of the police stations of the identified areas are extra cautious if any instance of mob violence within their jurisdiction comes to their notice. (Cont’d on p-5)
DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Heightened tension prevailed along NagalandAssam border (Mokokchung-Amgrui road) bordering Tuli area after police forces of both states were rushed to maintain peace following stray incidents. On Tuesday, villagers near Amguri had blockaded the road against all vehicles going to and coming out of Mokokchung after rumours were spread that some miscreants from Nagaland side had fired some rounds inside a Tea Estate in the border area. According to the sources, around three unknown miscreants fired in the air to scare away some workers who were cutting jungles in the disputed area. However, media in Assam reported that the miscreants threatened the assistant manager of the Tea Estate and fired at him when he fled on his motorbike. The road blockade arose after the rumour was spread about attempted murder. After a meeting between the Addl. SPs of Mokokchung, Amguri, Sivasagar and Jorhat along with ADCs of the three districts Tuesday, the situation
Power shutdown in Dmu from Jul 26-Aug 2 DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Power department has informed the citizens of Dimapur that there would be power shutdown in various parts of Dimapur from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. beginning July 26 to August 2, 2018. In a press note, EE transmission division Dimapur, Er. Nitovi A Wotsa informed that shutdown was being necessitated as the department would be carrying out up-gradation works of 132/33kV 100MVA transformer, installation of protection equipments, strengthening and Bus bar modification at Nagarjan sub-station. Areas that would experience shutdown on July 26 and 27 include Ganeshnagar, Doyapur, Dhansiripar, Razhaphe & Rangapahar Army Cantonment; Kuda, Walford, Rajbari & Adjoining Areas on July 28 and 29; Metha, Thahekhu, Dobhinalla, PWD, Forest, Duncan, Town Area, Signal on July 30 and 31 and Industrial Estate, Sub Jail, Referral, Lengrijan, DC Court, Chekiye, Naharbari, Thilihxu, Full Nagarjan, Power Grid August 1 and 2.
Villagers from Nagaland side keeping a vigil against encroachers.
was brought under control and protestors made to lift the illegal blockade. Official sources told Nagaland Post that tension was sparked on Monday when the civil administration in nearby Assam engaged labourers to clear a spot that fell within Naga area along the border, for establishment of a Police Outpost. On learning of the jungle clearing, villagers of nearby Tuli and surrounding areas rushed to the spot and prevented further work. On directive from DGP Nagaland, the Addl. SP Mokokchung went to the spot to prevent the villagers from precipitating the crisis further. By late Tuesday eve-
ning, additional police force from Mokokchung was deployed along the border to impose law and order. Meanwhile, according to Assam media reports, SP Jorhat, Vaibhav Nimbalkar after hearing of the alleged firing incident, contacted OC of Longchem in Mokokchung district and asked if they had noticed or had been informed of any suspicious movement. The villagers across the border were also questioned regarding this but no one seemed to have seen anyone or heard the gunshots. In this regard, Section 144 CrPc and night curfew have been clamped within 5 km of Assam-Nagaland border.
NFHRCC plea to CM for fund DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Nagaland Foothills Road Co-ordination Committee (NFHRCC) has sought the intervention of chief minister, Neiphiu Rio to accord top priority and urged the latter to provide Rs 11.5 crore for completion of earth cutting to the historic road project, as it would be the gateway for Nagas. In a letter addressed to Rio, NFHRCC convener Supu Jamir and assistant general secretary W Lemba Chang recalled that the State government had started construction of the foothills road in 1974. It, however, did not materialise and was ultimately abandoned. Again, after a gap of almost four decades and at the initiative of NFHRCC, the project was revived in 2013 as “extra-ordinary project” or “people’s project”, they added. They pointed out that landowners were convinced to part with their land without a penny as compensation, Naga political groups agreed upon not to levy tax and department concerned too agreed for statutory deductions. The representation further recalled that NFHRCC leaders had met Rio when he was the chief minister
on June 17, 2013 and that he had assured the former that necessary fund would be provided for construction of foothills road as it was the road to granary. Accordingly, Rio had sanctioned Rs 40 crore as first instalment and Rs 30 crore as second instalment from Special Plan Assistance, before he left for New Delhi as a member of Parliament. Thereafter, they said when TR Zeliang became chief minister, only 8 km (5 km in Nuiland and 3 km in Naginimora) was left for earth cutting and the total amount involved was Rs 11.5 crore. However, Zeliang not only stopped providing fund, but also did not give even an appointment to the committee. Consequent upon this, the historic project came to a grinding halt, NFHRCC claimed. Regarding construction of bridge over Doyang river at Governor’s Camp, a little more than 50% of work was completed. In this regard, a meeting was held on July 9 this year with bridge contractor L Pukhato Shohe and that after a thorough deliberation it was decided (Cont’d on p-5)
Demand for reconstruction of crumbling VK health centre PSUs: NLA panel Nagi officially empowered to
This is it! Pitiable condition of health care centre at VK town
K Y M C
shall be taken to its logical conclusion preferably within six months by the authority of the first instance, it had said in the directive. The advisory has been sent to the states and Union territories following a Supreme Court directive issued in this regard on July 17. “All state governments, UT administrations and their law enforcement agencies are requested to implement the directions of the Supreme Court in letter and spirit...,” the advisory sent to chief secretaries and DGPs of the states and UTs said. This is the second advisory on the issue, within a month. The move came in the wake of constitution of a Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and a committee, headed by the Union home secretary, to suggest legal framework to check incidents of lynching. Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh Tuesday said in Parliament that the government will enact a law, if required, to curb incidents of lynching. Supreme Court directive said, “The state governments shall designate, a senior police officer, not below the rank of
CMO Dimapur directs food dealers
N a ga l a n d Po s t Kohima Office Shifted to Mharon Building top floor Old Taxi Stand, Near Bank of Baroda, Kohima. All are therefore requested to contact us at the new location. Kohima Bureau
“At least there’s some improvement in roads but no one can improve electricity here.”
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Expressing concern over the crumbling infrastructure of the Health Centre at VK town, RJD state unit has appealed to chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, to intervene and address the problems faced by VK area and immediately repair/reconstruct the health centre. In a press release, RJD state unit president, Khetovi
Kinny, also demanded construction of staff quarters and approach road in the interest of the welfare of the public. RJD unit president stated that VK town under Akuluto came into existence in 1992 and the current condition of health centre at VK clearly reflected how the town has been neglected. According to Kinny, he visited health centre on July
19, 2018 to avail treatment for injury, but was surprised to witness crumbling structure of VK Hospital. He said all furniture and equipments were rusted and ceilings torn. Kinny said he was made to sit on a foldable rusted steel bed, which was bind with a torn piece of cloth to prevent from crashing on the floor. RJD unit president said no doctor was present due to the reason that no quarter for the doctor was available. He said there were three nurses present who nursed his injury. Kinny said the doctor only comes sometimes and goes back. On that day, Kinny said he happened to meet VK town chairman, who is also the chairman of the health centre, and discussed the problems of the only government hospital at VK town that remained neglected by the government for decades. Further, RJD unit president said that the health centre
was the “most unhygienic medical centre” he had ever come across in the state. He said the entire structure looked like it would crumble at the slightest wind. He said toilet was filthy, furniture broken, smelly rooms with dirty linens, cranky doors and windows. Kinny also stated that the road leading to the health centre was hardly visible owing to overgrown tall grasses. He said the footpath leading to the medical centre was laid with age old stones most of which had been washed away. “How can such a medical centre effectively cater to the medical needs of the public when the road leading to it is almost invisible,” RJD unit president queried. He claimed that the health centre receives medicines once in a year and that too when the medicines were just about to expire the next month.
meet with depts negotiate: NNC ‘Parent Body’ DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): Er. Zale Neikha, advisor Youth Resources & Sports and chairman of the committee on public undertakings, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) has convened a meeting of the committee for oral evidence with the department representatives pertaining to NSMDC under the department of Geology & Mining and NHL, NIDC and NHHDC under the department of Industries and Commerce. The meetings will be held on July 31, 2018 and August 1, 2018 at 11a.m. in the committee room of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly secretariat. In a statement, the Assembly secretariat has requested all the members of the committee to make it convenient to attend the meeting on the date and time as mentioned.
DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN): NNC “Parent Body” has reaffirmed that V. Nagi was officially empowered with executive power to speak, negotiate and take decision on behalf of the group. In a press release, YC Lotha of group’s information and publicity wing, reminded all the responsible especially those “people involved in our political affairs with destructive politics of conspiracy” against its leader that Nagi would do the job of political negotiation as he was only one officially and unanimously declared by the group. It stated that the declaration was reaffirmed in the speech of group’s acting president, Z Royim, on the occasion of Naga National Plebiscite Day on May 16, 2018. It said the decision was taken again in the central executive council mem-
ber’s meeting on May 8 and May 10, 2018 in Dimapur after thorough discussion on the matter. NNC “Parent Body”, therefore, asserted that there was “no confusion or dispute in this political matter” since Nagi has been empowered and entrusted for political negotiations with all concerned party/ parties. Meanwhile, the group stated that nobody can change or replace the officially empowered and entrusted leader, who it said has been doing all the political and official works “with integrity, experience and boldness for the Naga people and its land.” Further, NNC “Parent Body” cautioned those responsible leader(s) not to interfere in the independent affairs of the group with their destructive politics. K Y M C