June 20, 2019

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 193

DIMAPUR, THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00

‘Would’ve attended all-party meet if it was about EVMs’

Women’s WC: Marta scripts history in Brazil victory

Boris Johnson wins key Brexit backing in Tory leadership race

national, Page 5

sports, Page 11

international, Page 9

PM to form panel on ‘one nation, one poll’

NEW DELHI, JUN 19 (PTI): A committee for giving “time-bound” suggestions on the issue of ‘one nation, one election’ will be set up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced Wednesday after a meeting of chiefs of political parties. In a bid to build a consensus on holding simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, Modi convened the meeting of presidents of all political parties for which 40 were invited. 21 parties attended the meeting while three shared their views on the subject in writing. Addressing media persons after the meeting, Singh, who moderated the gathering, said most parties supported the ‘one nation, one election’ idea. However, Left parties such as the CPI and the CPI-M had “difference of opinion” on how the exercise of joint elections will be held and that they were “not opposed (to the idea)”, he said. Among the notable absentees were Congress president Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata

Electric vehicles to be exempted from registration fees NEW DELHI, JUN 19 (AGENCIES): As per a notification issued by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway led by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, all electric vehicles are exempted from paying road tax for vehicle registration. The exemption of road tax will apply to all categories of vehicles – 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers sold in India. There will be no renewal fees for existing vehicles, while the new vehicles won’t have to pay the fees henceforth. The notification says “Provided further that, for the Battery Operated Vehicles as defined in rule 2(u); the items given at sl. no. 4 of the below mentioned TABLE shall be exempted from the payment of fees for the purpose of issue or renewal of registration certificate and assignment of new registration mark.” Earlier this month, Niti Aayog proposed for the sale of only electric vehicles in India starting 2030. The government is also planning to sell only electric threewheelers from April 2023 and electric two-wheelers under 150cc from April 2025 onwards. The steps will be taken to reduce rising pollution levels in India.

This is it!

“Let me be frank-you know much about health from internet but you can’t treat yourself.” K Y M C

Prime Minister Modi chairs a meeting of the heads of various political parties ahead of the Budget Session 2019 in New Delhi, Wednesday. (PTI)

Baner jee, BSP supremo Mayawati, SP president Akhilesh Yadav, DMK’s M K Stalin, TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party(AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal. TRS was represented by its working president K T Rama Rao. According to sources, this panel is likely to be political in nature that will include leaders from various political parties. Singh said Modi made it clear at the meeting that the “simultaneous polls is not government’s agenda and that it is the nation’s agenda.” Quoting Modi, Singh said he told presidents

of the political parties that if there is any difference of opinion it is welcome. Those who attended the meeting included NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPIM’s Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy, Bihar Chief Minister and JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar, SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik and National People’s Party leader Conard Sangma. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owais also attended. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Yechury described the concept of

Birla elected LS speaker unopposed NEW DELHI, JUN 19 (PTI): NDA nominee Om Birla was on Wednesday unanimously elected speaker of the Lok Sabha with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition assuring him of their whole-hearted support in the smooth conduct of proceedings in the House. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary, DMK’s T.R. Baalu and TMC’s Sudip Bandyopadhyay were among those who backed Birla and urged him to be impartial as presiding officer of the lower house. “I on behalf of the government and the treasury benches assure you full support in conducting the House. I also assure you that your order will prevail and you must be tough even if anyone from our side (treasury benches) crosses the limit,” Modi said, congratulating Birla. ‘Will run House impartially’: Newly-elected Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he will run the

Om Birla

House in an impartial manner, while asserting that the chair should not be biased. Addressing the House after being unanimously elected as the speaker, Birla assured the members that he will preside over the proceedings in accordance with rules and regulations and “safeguard the interests of the members irrespective of the strength of their parties in the House”. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for running a transparent government, Birla said he expects the “government to be more responsible and answerable in the House”.

simultaneous polls as “antidemocracy and anti-federalism” and said “the BJP is trying to bring in president form of government structure through back door.” Sources said that the Opposition parties want proper discussion before going ahead with simultaneous polls.

Law panel for tough legal framework

As the government toys with the idea of holding simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, the Law Commission has recommended a tough legal framework for such a gigantic exercise. The law panel, in its draft recommendations

made last August, recommended amendments to the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act to ensure simultaneous elections. Simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies can be held in two phases, provided at least two provisions of the Constitution are amended and ratified by majority of the states, the panel had recommended. The law panel document stated that the leader of the majority party be elected prime minister or chief minister by the entire House (Lok Sabha or state Assembly) to ensure stability of the government as well as the Lok Sabha or the Assembly. The report proposed amending the Constitution (Articles 83(2) and 172(1) dealing with tenures of Lok Sabha and state Assemblies) and the Representation of the People Act to extend the terms of state legislative Assemblies to effect the move. It suggested that in case a government fell mid-term, the term of the new government would be for the remaining period “and not for a fresh five-year term”.

Army plans crackdown on key North East insurgent groups NEW DELHI, JUN 19 (AGENCIES): With Rajnath Singh’s appointment as defence minister ‘bridging the gap’ with the Home ministry, the army is preparing for a crackdown on the leadership of key North East insurgent groups that have managed to evade the law for the past several years by taking advantage of the porous borders with Myanmar and Bhutan, The Economic Times report stated. Sources said the top leadership of the most active insurgent groups has been put on the target list and action will unroll over the next few weeks for a sustained crackdown that will follow recent joint operations with Myanmar to shut down camps along the border. “The supply and recr uitment of insurgent groups has been hit badly and the leadership command and control has been affected. The top leadership is now under the scanner,” officials aware of the developments told ET. While a list has been drawn up, active groups in the North East like Na-

Apex Sumi student body reaffirms resolution on adoption of child DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): All Sumi Students’ Union (Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu-SKK) has reiterated the stand on adoption of child by Sumi couples and reaffirmed its commitment to preserve the traditional paternal lineage of inheritance. In a press release, SKK president Atokiho Sumi and general secretary Hutoshe Kits said that SKK would want the inheritance matters of Sumi to continue on ‘paternal’ and not on ‘maternal’ basis. They said that SKK at its 2nd union assembly resolved to preserve and protect the inherent rights of the Sumi and out rightly oppose anybody or authority that “attempt to contaminate the strong fabric of the Sumi cultural identity where the kingship is based on bloodline inher-

ently.” SKK also affirmed that it would not tolerate any move that attempted to snatch ‘Sumi birth right’ by adopted children at any level. The union affirmed that its stand was in line with NSF standing resolution “Nagas by Blood, not by Adoption”. SKK maintained that any opportunity— be it government service, technical studies or inheritance of property, would be based purely on “Sumi by blood, not by adoption”. The union said it does not oppose adoption of child by anybody/couples. SKK, however, stated that it would encourage any Sumi couple to do so on blood line so as to avoid any future complications or deprivations. SKK has, therefore, called upon its constitu-

ent units to be vigilant at their respective level and report the matter to SKK office for further course of action. SKK also urged all responsible authority to respect the rights of the Sumi and not to entertain any doubtful identity/candidate, especially government jobs seekers and get proper verification from SKK. The apex Sumi student body asserted that it would not entertain any recommendation/approval of such doubtful identity and would fix the responsibilities on the concern recommending/approving authority in the event of any discrepancy that arose in its “resolute pursuance to preserve its customary practices and to protect our inherent rights from being invaded by the outsiders.”

Dimapur train travellers rewarded with neglect by NFR Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): Despite increasing number of passengers travelling by trains from Dimapur, whose numbers are around 4500 to 5000 everyday, there are hardly around 4000 tickets available at the passenger ticket counters at Dimapur railway station. As the second highest revenue earner under Northeast Frontier Railway(NFR), Dimapur has not been given its due with regard to the demand for more seats. Passengers of Dimapur are denied seat quotas as well as being deprived of basic amenities as the NFR continues to give lame excuses. Seats for both Jan Shatabdi( which was originally from Guwahti to Dimapur but which has been made into Guwahati to Jorhat), are very limited.

tional Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) and NSCN (K) are likely to face the heat. The biggest hurdle in the past had been the ability of the insurgent group leadership to traverse across porous borders when a crackdown was put into action. This time around, sources say, sustained efforts by the Myanmar Army to clean up the border can pay dividends. NDFB leader G Bidai, who was behind the massacre of 70 tribals in Sonitpur in December 2014, is believed to be hiding along with a small band of cadres on the India-Bhutan border. He escaped a large dragnet by joint forces last year and has been keeping a very low profile. NSCN (K) leader Niki Sumi, who was the mastermind of the attack on an army convoy at Chandel in June 2015 that left 18 soldiers dead, is believed to be in Myanmar and is suspected to be running a successful gold mining business, ET reports stated Officials say the matter was discussed by Rajnath Singh with key military

leaders during a round of briefings over the last few days. “In his earlier role as the home minister, he was instrumental in offering the liberal surrender policy. His role as the defence minister now bridges the gap and will synchronise efforts,” an official said. Army officers who have dealt extensively with the North East feel that India is well poised to break the back of the insurgency. “The Indian state is at its strongest now to take on insurgent groups. With the full support of the Myanmar Army, this is the right time to put pressure on the insurgent leadership,” Lt Gen (Retd) Shokin Chauhan, former director general of Assam Rifles, and current Cease-Fire Monitoring Group chairman, Nagaland, told ET. It may be mentioned that the Myanmar army (Tatmadaw) intensified operations against NE insurgents, since January this year. The Tatmadaw said it will continue its operations against the NSCN (K) and Indian insurgent groups working from its soil

After state govt’s assurance, ENSF temporarily suspends indefinite stir DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) on Wednesday announced “temporary suspension” of its proposed indefinite stir from Thursday following a written assurance from the State government to look into its demands. According to federation’s vice-president Hamnyei Angh and assistant general secretary Kumcho Khiungpuh, the government had assured in writing to take up the relaxation policy with Government of India (GoI), especially making a special mention of Eastern Nagaland. The duo said the government had also stated in the letter that the relaxation policy would continue to remain operational till such time the reply from Government of India was received. Following this, the federation held an emergency meeting with its federating units and decided to suspend temporarily the proposed agitation. However, Eastern Naga Students’ Federation reminded the department concerned to implement in letter and spirit the existing notification, besides demanding that the two under-construction DIET institution at Longleng and Kiphire should be made functional from next academic sessions. Further, as mentioned in its representation, the federation also demanded establishment of B Ed colleges in all four districts of Eastern Nagaland within the current financial year. The federation also directed all its federating units to temporarily suspend the proposed agitation until further notice.

TDAPC serves ultimatum on state govt

DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): Tuensang District Action Plan Committee (TDAPC) has served an ultimatum on the state government to initiate the proposed up-gradation/ widening of 95km two lane road of NH 155/202 (Mokokchung-Tuensang) within June 30, 2019. In a representation addressed to the deputy chief minister and minister in-charge of home and national highway, the TDAPC cautioned that failure to initiate with the stipulated period, the committee would be compelled to take certain course of step. The committee stated that despite several appeal letters, the NH 202/155 was still left abandoned. TDAPC has, therefore, appealed to the minister to take up the up-gradation/widening of two lane road of NH 155/202 at the earliest.

DCCI informs business houses

(L) Passengers at canopy-less platform No.2 and (R) Goods unloaded on the platform. (NP)

Dimapur passengers have to buy tickets originating either from Furkating or Jorhat to travel from Dimapur to Guwahati. This is the case with almost all trains passing through Dimapur. Interestingly, there are around 40 trains passing through Dimapur from Tinsukia and Dibrugarh but only Nagaland Express and BG Express operate between

Dimapur to Guwahati and back. Notwithstanding the halt in development, the railway authorities at NFR Maligaon/ Lumding have also neglected Dimapur passenger by not even considering to allot additional coaches in order to meet the rising demands for seats from Dimapur. The Senior Divisional Commercial manager told Nagaland Post that such a request has to be

raised with the divisional operation manager and divisional railway manager. With monsoon bringing rains there is still no canopy over platform No.2 even after decades, resulting in passengers made to bear the fury of rain, the summer heat and chilly winters. As part of development even the ‘Pay and Use’ toilet constructed outside the Railway station near Netaji

colony is not usable. The wall near the footbridge greets passengers with the awful stench of urine and spit on the wall. When asked when NFR plans to provide the canopy over platform No.2, the Assistant Commercial Manager, said that this would depend on outcome of the case being fought in the court of law. (Cont’d on p-7)

DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): In view of its general body meeting scheduled to be held on June 22, 2019, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has directed all business establishments including financial institutions, manufacturing units and factories to down their shutter and attend the meeting without fail. The meeting would be held at Old Market near Durga Mandir from 8:30 am to 10:30am and the business would resume as usual after the meeting. In a press release, DCCI president Akashe Zhimomi and general secretary Sanjay Sethi stated that only medical shops would be allowed to open. DCCI, however, informed the owners of medical shops to attend the meeting. Further, DCCI informed that sitting arrangements would be organised according to area, locality and street and attendance would be recorded. K Y M C


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