Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 94
Petrol price up, diesel down NEW DELHI, MAR 11 (AGENCIES): Petrol prices edged higher by up to 6 paise per litre while diesel rates were cut by up to 11 paise per litre across the four metro cities on Monday, according to state-run IOC’s website. Currently, staterun oil marketing companies review petrol and diesel prices on a daily basis, based on the international fuel prices and the value of rupee. Any changes in the rates are implemented at petrol and diesel stations with effect from 6 am. In Dimapur, petrol price stood at Rs.70.14 per litre after Monday’s hike while diesel price fell to Rs.64.86 per litre. In the state capital, a litre of petrol was retailing at Rs. 70.96 and diesel at Rs. 65.48.
JDU reaffirms support to PDA
DIMAPUR, MAR 11 (NPN): Janata Dal United (JDU) Nagaland state unit, one of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) partners, Monday affirmed that party’s rank and file was “fully behind” the PDA government. In a press release, JDU Nagaland state unit president Senchumo NSN Lotha and general secretary Kitoho S Rotokha also reiterated that the party full support the alliance and would continue to do so. JDU state unit, on behalf of its national president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, has also congratulated the chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton for successfully leading the PDA government to a one-year completion. Recently, BJP Nagaland state unit, another alliance partner, also affirmed that it was fully committed to keep the PDA intact.
NSCN (I-M) budget session
DIMAPUR, MAR 11 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) Tatar Hoho Budget Session 20192020 has been scheduled for March 18 and 19, 2019 at 10 am at Council Headquarters, Hebron. NSCN (I-M) through its MIP has, therefore, informed all the executive members and members of the steering committee, council of kilonsers, Tatars, heads of departments, Naga army authorities, NSWON, NFFWWF, CNC and all the authorities of regions and sub-regions to attend the budget session. Further, all members “in the position of status” irrespective of steering committee, kilonsers, deputy kilonsers and tatars have been informed to attend the session.
This is it!
“My personal car is for church and visits, the office vehicle is used for farm and office work.” K Y M C
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Be job creators, instead of job seekers, Assam CM to youth
ISL: Bengaluru beat NE Utd; enter final
Need responsible solution, says China on global terrorist tag for Azhar
northeast, Page 4
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
Cong for tie up with NPF for LS polls
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAR 11 (NPN): With Nagaland set to go to the polls on April 11 for the lone Lok Sabha seat, the political scenario in the state throws up two alliances- ruling PDA and the other, a possible understanding between the opposition NPF and the recently rejuvenated Congress. The current sitting Lok Sabha MP, Tokheho Yepthomi is from the NDPP and a consensus candidate of the PDA. It is likely that Tokheho would remain as the lone contender as the unanimous candidate of the PDA. He had won the Lok Sabha by-poll in May 2018 over the NPF candidate C. Apok Jamir by a margin of over 1.7 lakh votes. In the by-poll to the lone Lok Sabha seat, the NPF and Congress had forged a strategic understanding by setting up a common candidate from the NPF. While the PDA is all set to roll out its election machinery to retain the seat, the opposition NPF will also not let an opportunity go by in putting up a consensus candidate like the 2018
NAGALAND ASSEMBLY POLLS VOTE SHARE Party INC NPF BJP NDM IND Others NPF INC BJP NCP IND NPF INC NCP BJP IND Others NPF NDPP BJP NPP IND INC
Seats Votes % 2003 21 35.8 19 29.76 7 10.88 5 9.53 4 4.42 4 9.5 2008 26 33.62 23 36.28 2 5.35 2 4.01 7 13.09 2013 38 47.04 8 24.89 4 6.05 1 1.75 8 17.75 1 2.1 2018 26 38.78 18 25.30 12 15.31 2 6.9 1 4.28 0 2.07 Source: ECI
by-poll. With the return of former veteran leaders back into the Congress fold, many more from the Nagaland
Distt administration mulls blocking stretch of NH-29 DIMAPUR, MAR 11 (NPN): Dimapur district administration is contemplating to block movement of vehicles on a particular section of NH-29 between Patkai bridge and Kukidolong area for a specific period of time for blasting of rocks on nearby hills for road widening. Sources said the proposal to ban vehicular movements from 10.30 pm to 5 am was meant for ensuring safety to commuters and allow the contractors to carry out controlled blasting before the arrival of monsoon. The move is aimed at speeding up construction work of the four-lane road prior to arrival of the monsoon rains, sources added. However, sources said the proposal was yet to be finalised and awaiting the State government’s approval. Though only some sections of the road would be blocked for vehicular movements for a particular period of time, arrangements would be made for alternate routes for vehicles plying at night, the sources added.
Congress are also in line for the homecoming, said a source from the party. The Congress source told this Reporter, that the party was keen to set up a consensus candidate along with the NPF. For the Congress, a continuation of an understanding with the NPF appears quite ironic since the state party president and high command were totally opposed to having any truck with NPF in the DAN-III government because the BJP was also a constituent. As a result of the manner in which they were almost shown the door, the party lost all eight MLAs on November 21, 2015 when they merged with NPF. Both Tokheho and C. Apok who fought the May 2018 by-poll, were among the eight Congress MLAs who merged with the NPF in defiance of the directive of the party president and party high command. The Congress under Dr. S.C. Jamir, was the dominant party when its vote share in 1993 was a huge 46.02% for the 35 seats it won. The regional party NPC, the forerunner of NPF polled 32.82 % of
CEO warns of action against violators of electoral laws DIMAPUR, MAR 11 (NPN): Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland has warned that appropriate legal action would be taken against anyone found violating laws related to conduct of free, fair and transparent election. In a directive issued in this regard, CEO Abhijit Sinha elaborated that Article 326 of the Constitution of India granted universal adult suffrage to every eligible Indian citizen, while Rule 39 of The Conduct of Elections 1961 mandated maintenance of secrecy of vote by electors. Similarly, Section 135A of Representation of the People Act 1951 on “Offence of Booth Capturing” provides that whoever commits an offence of booth capturing would be punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than one year, which may further extended to three years with fine. Open declaration of support in favour of a particular candidate or political party by a village, ward, khel or community through public announcement and even through publication in electronic or print media violates the above provisions, the CEO added. The CEO order follows announcement of Lok Sabha poll schedule by Election Commission of India on Sunday.
the votes in 1993 and won 17 seats. In 2003, the Congress under veteran leader Dr. S.C. Jamir saw a decline in its vote share when it polled 35.8% and won 21 seats. The same year in 2003, the newly formed regional NPF, under former Congress leader Neiphiu Rio got 29.76% of votes and won 19 seats. The vote swing away from the Congress then was around 13%. Despite being second largest party, NPF with the remaining parties-- BJP (7), NDM (5), J-DU (3), Samata Party (1) and Independent (4) NPF formed the government (DAN-I) headed by Neiphiu Rio, a former Congress leader. In 2008 the Congress, without Dr. Jamir who became Governor of Goa, got a vote share of 36.28% , around 3% more than in 2003. The party won 23 seats two more than in 2003. The ruling NPF got lesser vote share of 33.62% but won 26 seats, seven more than in 2003. The Congress failed to win over other non-NPF elected members despite UPA being inclined to tip the scales due to infighting within its leadership.
NEW DELHI, MAR 11 (PTI): The BJP Monday latched on to Rahul Gandhi’s reference to terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad’s head as “Masood Azhar ji” to throw “Rahul loves terrorists” barb at the Congress chief, as the opposition party hit back accusing its rival of deliberately twisting his comments made with sarcasm. Addressing a meeting of Congress workers here, Gandhi attacked the BJP, saying, “These people with 56 inch chest, you would recall, in their previous government, the current National Security Advisor Ajit Doval went in an aircraft with Masood Azhar ji and handed over Masood Azhar there in Kandahar.” Gandhi noted it was Azhar who was responsible for the killing of 40 CRPF soldiers in Pulwama in Kashmir on Feb 14. Azhar’s group JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack. Targeting the Congress chief, BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Come on Rahul Gandhi Ji! Earlier it was (Cont’d on p-7) the likes of Digvijay Ji who
The watchdog has also asked the airlines to ensure various requirements are complied with by engineering and maintenance personnel with respect to 737 MAX planes. The operators have to ensure that no B737– 8 MAX aircraft in their fleet is operated without compliance with DGCA’s latest directions with effect from 1200 hours on March 12, the statement said. Indian airlines continue to operate Boeing 737 Max aircraft, even as China asked its airlines to temporarily ground similar aircraft following an air crash involving this aircraft operated by Ethiopian Air-
called Osama Ji and Hafiz Saeed Sahab. Now you are saying ‘Masood Azhar Ji’. What is happening to Congress Party?” Prasad said Gandhi has caused huge pain to families of martyrs and embarrassed the country with his comments. Gandhi’s remarks showed the Congress can go to any extent for votes, he said. “The Congress on one hand insults our armed forces and Indian Air Force by seeking evidence of their valour but honours a murderer, a terrorist like Azhar,” Prasad said. The BJP leader added India is working to have Azhar declared a global terrorist but Pakistan will now say even Indian leaders are giving the JeM chief respect. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala accused the BJP and a section of media of deliberately twisting Gandhi’s remarks. “Two questions to BJP & select Bhakt Media, who deliberately seek to twist the ‘Masood’ sarcasm of Rahulji- 1) Did NSA Doval not escort & release terrorist Masood Azhar in Kandahar? 2) Did Modiji
not invite Pak’s rogue ISI to investigate Pathankot terror attack?”. Another Union minister Smriti Irani also took a swipe at Gandhi. “What is common between Rahul Gandhi and Pakistan? Their love for terrorists. Please note Rahul ji’s reverence for terrorist Masood Azhar - a testimony to #RahulLovesTerrorists,” she tweeted. In turn, Surjewala used the hashtag “BJP loves terrorists”. Azhar and two other terrorists, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, were released from Indian prison in 1999 by the then BJP-led government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in exchange for the passengers held hostage on board IC-814 flight hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Azhar formed JeM after his release from jail. Since then, JeM, based in Pakistan, has been involved in terrorist attacks in India. The group was responsible for the attack on Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001 in which nine security personnel and officials were killed.
2019 election scenarios for BJP, Congress NEW DELHI, MAR 11 (AGENCIES): The stage is set for 2019 Lok Sabha elections with Election Commission announcing the poll schedule. An aggressive Congress and possibilities of a mega opposition alliance have made the elections highly unpredictable even though Prime Minister Modi has got a massive image boost after air strikes on Pakistan and BJP hopes to get full majority riding on the still-intact popularity of its leader. What are the prospects of BJP and Congress? There are chances of smaller parties playing a decisive role in the formation of the next government in the instances of two biggest parties falling short of seats. Based on a Times of India analysis, below are the possible scenarios for the two biggest parties. Scenario 1 for Congress- 150+ seats: This looks a far cry and will need Congress to get the better of BJP
Rahul Gandhi. (File)
Narendra Modi. (File)
in big states like Rajasthan, MP, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Gujarat where two parties are face to face. This result will mean Rahul Gandhi could lead a non-NDA coalition. Scenario 2- 110-130 seats: Congress will still be the largest non-BJP party by far and can still stake claim to leading a coalition government. This will be resisted by big regional players like TMC, RJD and BSP but other parties like Left, RJD, NC and DMK will support Rahul as PM. Scenario 3- 75-100
seats: This is thin ice as far as the leadership stakes go. This number may well mean a decisive lead for BJP and that may put Congress out of play. Even otherwise, a pre- or post-poll grouping of regional parties may insist on their own candidate though consensus on this is not easy. Scenario 1 for BJP250+ seats: Air strikes on terror camps in Pakistan to avenge Pulwama attack appear to have shifted the narrative from unemployment and farm distress and boosted Modi’s image as a strong leader. It could push
DGCA advisory for flying Boeing 737 MAX planes NEW DELHI/BEIJING/ S E AT T L E , M A R 1 1 (AGENCIES): Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday issued additional safety instructions to SpiceJet and Jet Airways for operating Boeing 737 MAX planes. The pilot commanding the aircraft should have at least 1,000 hours of flying experience, according to the DGCA directions. A day after a 737 MAX aircraft crashed in Ethiopia killing 157 people, the DGCA said interim safety measures are being taken with inputs available at this stage. “The DGCA will continue to closely monitor the situation and may impose/ take any other operational/ maintenance measures/ restrictions based on the information received from accident investigation agency/ FAA/ Boeing,” the regulator said in a statement.
BJP, Congress in war of words over Rahul’s ‘Masood Azhar ji’ comment
lines on Sunday. SpiceJet operates 13 Boeing 737 Max aircraft in its fleet, while Jet Airways operates five such aircraft in its fleet, according to its website. However, most of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft owned by Jet Airways have been grounded by lessors due to non-payment of dues. China, Indonesia ground B737 Max 8: Responding to the second crash of a Boeing 737 Max 8 soon after takeoff in less than five months, China and Indonesia ordered their airlines on Monday to ground all of these aircraft that they operate. Civil Aviation Administration of China noted
in its announcement on Monday morning of the grounding that both the Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday and a Lion Air crash in Indonesia in late October had involved very recently delivered Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft that crashed soon after takeoff. Indonesia joined China about nine hours later in also ordering its airlines to stop operating their Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. Boeing not to change 737 MAX guidelines: Boeing said it had no reason to issue new guidelines to operators, which have bought 737 MAX airliner after one crashed in Ethiopia, killing all 157 people on board. “The investigation is in its early stages. But at this point, based on the information available, we do not have any basis to issue new guidance to operators,” Boeing said in a statement on Monday.
BJP’s tally to within sniffing distance of a majority, and along with the support of allies, see him return for a second term. Scenario 2- 220-230 seats: Ahead of 2014, there was talk of a “160 club” inside BJP and outside as well which believed that Modi’s perceived lack of acceptability will mean a compromise choice for PM. This has now been replaced by a “220 club” that similarly feels current and potential allies would seek Modi’s replacement. But BJP may well insist on Modi becoming the PM or choose to sit in opposition. Scenario 3- 140-160 seats: This will mean Congress and others having made significant gains. A low BJP number could set the stage for a Congress-led government. It will almost certainly mean BJP sits in the opposition. It will still command numbers likely to be more than Congress.
RBI had objections to notes ban, agreed in ‘public interest’, reveals RTI NEW DELHI, MAR 11 (AGENCIES): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) board had warned about the short-term negative effect of demonetization on growth and had noted that it would have no material impact on the campaign against black money. The central bank had listed four objections to the overnight notes ban announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi before agreeing to it “in larger public interest”, an RTI reply has revealed. The central bank board had met just about 2.5 hours before PM Modi’s sudden announcement in a televised address to the nation on November 8, 2016. The ban of Rs. 500 and 1,000 notes, which wiped out 86 per cent of the cash in circulation, was announced even before the board’s ap-
proval. The approval was sent to the government five weeks later, on December 16, and the RBI had recorded its objections to most of the government’s arguments for banning high value notes. According to the minutes of the RBI meeting, shared in response to the Right To Information (RTI) query, the directors had noted that it was a “commendable measure” but would have a short term negative effect on the GDP “for the current year”. Then RBI Governor Urjit Patel, and the man who succeeded him as central bank chief -- Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das -- were present in the meeting that approved demonetisation. The government had argued that the circulation
of Rs. 500 notes was up by 76 per cent and Rs. 1,000 up by 109 per cent. The RBI, however, said that argument did not adequately support cash ban recommendation. The central bank directors also felt that while counterfeit notes were a concern, “Rs. 400 crore as a percentage of the total quantum of currency in circulation in the country is not very significant”. Also, most of the black money was held not in the form of cash but in the form of assets like gold or real estate and demonetization would not have a material impact on those assets, the board felt. The board pointed out that the growth rate of economy mentioned was the real rate while the growth in currency in circulation was nominal. K Y M C