March 25, 2018

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 107

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00

The Meaning of the Cross

Manu shoots gold; Rana bags silver at ISSF Junior World Cup

US imposes sanctions on Iranians for cyber theft

Sunday Post Supplement

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

Solution for permanent peace: CM

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 24 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio made a spirited reply to various issues raised by the opposition NPF members who kept the government on its toes. Responding to the opposition during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, Rio maintained that current peaceful climate in Nagaland will be temporary unless there is solution to the Naga political issue. He reiterated his government’s commitment to pursue early solution as facilitator and pave way when a settlement is reached. Rio also reiterated that the Naga political issue was complex since Nagas were also living in Myanmar and thus, requiring two settlements. Rio appreciated former chief minister T.R. Zeliang for writing to NSCN (K) to join the negotiations with the government of India and expressed confidence that the outfit would heed to appeals. On the opposition’s criticism of the Governor’s speech “My Government has come back to power”, Rio said it could be interpreted in many ways; such as the Governor probably being having in mind that he (Rio) was chief minister on three successive terms and so might have referred to the new government as “my government”. On the opposition member Vikheho Swu’s demand that the

Odisha gives warm send-off to Dr. Jamir BHUBANESWAR, MAR 24 (PTI): Former Odisha Governor, Dr. SC Jamir was on Saturday accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at Biju Patnaik International Airport here as he left the state for his hometown in Nagaland, having completed his tenure on March 20, official sources said. State Finance minister, SB Behera, Parliamentary Affairs minister BK Arukha, city Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, Khurda, collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra, Police Commissioner YB Khurania were among those present at the ceremonial send-off at the airport. Jamir, a four-time chief minister of Nagaland, was sworn in as the Odisha Governor on March 21, 2013. On Friday, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik paid a courtesy visit to Jamir at Raj Bhawan, sources added. Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik assumed the additional charge of Odisha on March 21. Meanwhile, a public reception is being organized at Dimapur airport on Sunday to welcome the veteran Naga leader.

This is it!

“Pastor, after the recent election, it’s the ordinary people who must pay more tithes. Don’t you think so?” K Y M C

Governor should resign if solution was not achieved within six months which he (Governor) had stated on March 6, Rio said statement could not be verified and his PDA government had no knowledge about it. On the criticism against the public show of the oath taking ceremony held at Khuochiezie (local ground) on March 8, Rio defended by saying it was a milestone where chief ministers of four states and two union ministers, central party leaders, church and tribal leaders attended amid a mammoth gathering. Taking a dig at the NPF members who raised the issues of portfolio distribution and seat sharing within the PDA, Rio said when NPF could not woo BJP to form the government, it should not be bothered nor spend sleepless nights about what concerns PDA. Rio also informed members that a new system was being introduced for all official programmes which will begin with singing of the national anthem followed by prayer. He said this was done after approval of the Governor. Rio also shared concerns of the opposition by condemning atrocities meted out to Christian community in various parts of India and assured that he would not remain silent on the issue. He also said the PDA government was serious about road repairs and the cabinet at its first meeting decided to do what the previous government failed to do.

BJP member’s Hindi speech in NLA draws flak TR Zeliang attacks NDPP Correspondent

Earlier taking part in the debate, leader of opposition T.R Zeliang, in an oblique reference to the election slogan of NDPP ‘Change Has Come” remarked “change has come and not coming”. He said the unusual oath taking ceremony was organized like a felicitation programme while the governor’s address was complementary to NPF as majority of the policies and programmes were of DAN ministry’s. Zeliang said he was not surprised that Rio was following DAN’s footsteps and so it was a surprise that during his campaign speech in Kohima, Rio (in a slip of tongue) asked people to vote for NPF and not NDPP. Zeliang said DAN ministry tirelessly worked to get funds for road maintenance and lauded the PDA government for following up the projects. While lauding the people for exercising their franchise Zeliang pointed out that many genuine voters could not exercise theirs due to faulty EVM machines. He said effectiveness of EVM’s was highly questionable and suggested to do away with EVMs and to go back to ballot system which could be cross-checked. Zeliang also insisted that the recruitment policy and supply of rations should be streamlined by pointing out that police personnel should get cash for ration because the men do not get their rightful share due to nexus of supplier and middlemen. On NDPP-BJP government Zeliang asked who was leading, since the bigger partner NDPP had only four while the (Cont’d on p-7) smaller party BJP has six in the cabinet?

Opposition NPF legislators continue to lash out at govt. Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 24 (NPN): Opposition legislators on Saturday continued to hit out at the ruling PDA government during the ongoing budget session of the 13th NLA. Taking part in the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio informed the house that a workshop will be organized particularly for the newly elected members on the proceedings of the House During the debate, leader of the opposition T.R. Zeliang insisted that a workshop be organized particularly for first time elected members on the proceedings of the House as many were not familiar with the conduct of business. Also taking part in the debate, NPF legislator, Y.M. Yollow Konyak questioned the ruling PDA government as to why road repair and filling up of pot holes were undertaken only in Dimapur, Kohima and district headquarters, while majority of the state’s population were (Cont’d on p-7) in the rural areas. Express-

KO H I M A , M A R 2 4 (NPN): It was the first time in the history of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) that a member chose to address the house in Hindi. This happened on Saturday when BJP member and first timer, Temjen Imna Along, minister of Higher and Technical Education minister acknowledged Piyong Temjen Jamir, principal of Rashtrabhasha Hindi Shiksha Sansthan, Dimapur on being conferred the Padmashree award recently. Even as Along began in Hindi, NPF member Imkong L. Imchen raised a point of order by demanding a transcript in English. He urged members to read the rules of procedures for conduct of business which was easily available in the NLA library. The speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu however permitted the BJP member to continue. Later, supporting his colleague, former speaker and NPF member Dr. Chotisuh Sazo cited NLA

ing his concern, Konyak urged the government not to delay any projects in the state, which would result in price escalation. Hitting out at the government, NPF MLA, Dr. Chumben Murry said the government of the day lacked vision to increase the state’s economy and GDP. Recalling the campaign speeches of some NDPP leaders, wherein they had inadvertently appealed the voters to vote for NPF, Murry took the opportunity to urge upon them (NDPP) to rather join them (NPF) while also assuring to give them major cabinet posts. Going by the ratio of MLAs and allocation of cabinet posts, Murry said they were confused as to whether NDPP or BJP was ruling the government. Reacting to Murry’s statement, BJP member Mmhonlumo Kikon said such “open horse-trading” was not acceptable. Kikon was also supported by NDDP member, K.T. Sukhalu and BJP’s Temjen Imna Along. NPF MLA, Amenba Yaden, taking part in the debate, alleged that the atroci-

Lalu gets 14 yrs prison in fourth fodder scam case 4 killed in road mishap RANCHI, MAR 24 (PTI): RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was today sentenced to 14 years in jail and fined Rs 60 lakh by a special CBI court in connection with the fourth fodder scam case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from Dumka treasury in the early 1990s, a CBI counsel said here. CBI judge Shiv Pal Singh awarded two separate sentences of seven years each to Prasad under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Acts, counsel Rakesh Prasad said. Both the sentences will have to be served consecutively, he added. Advocate Vishnu Sharma, while explaining the court’s decision, said, “Lalu Prasad has been sentenced to seven years in prison under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468

Lalu Prasad

(forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged), 477 (fraudulent cancellation, destruction of will or valuable security) and 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), and penalised Rs 30 lakh. “He was awarded another seven-year jail term and slapped with a fine of Rs 30 lakh under the Prevention of Corruption Act... Both the sentences will run consecutively.” For default or nonpayment of fine, the convict would have to spend one more year in prison for each

of the two sets of sections, Sharma said. The court also pronounced the quantum of sentence for 18 other convicts in the case. Former regional director of Animal Husbandry department O P Diwarkar received the same punishment as Prasad. Nine other Animal Husbandry department officials and former IAS officer Phoolchand Singh were sentenced to seven years in prison and fined Rs 30 lakh each for their involvement in the case. Sharma said failure to pay the fine would entail an additional 18-month prison term for each of them. Seven fodder suppliers were given three-and-a-half years of prison terms and Rs 15 lakh penalty each. Prabhat Kumar, Lalu Prasad’s counsel, told reporters he would appeal in a higher court against the judgment.

Tejashwi fears for Lalu’s life

Hours after RJD chief Lalu Prasad was sentenced to 14 years in jail, his son and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav alleged a threat to his father’s life, reported ANI. “I am sure there is a threat to Lalu ji’s life, looking at the conspiracy being planned by BJP,” ANI quoted Yadav as saying after his father was sentenced in connection with a fourth fodder scam case. He also promised to challenge the special CBI court order in the high court. “We will decide further strategy on the basis of overall judgement in all four cases,” he said. Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi, however, dismissed all allegations, and instead advised Lalu to “appeal in court” if he feared for his life.

must see such amazing places, which also will create job opportunity & revenue for the State,” Rijiju tweeted.

Policy decisions

Speaking to The Hindu, Rijiju said, “The MHA is taking a lenient view to open up and relax the PAP regime in some border areas for tourists on the requests of the State governments, including Arunachal Pradesh. We are taking some policy decisions.” Earlier, the Tourism Ministry had written to the Home Ministry, seeking to ease the registration of these permits. It also sought an extension of these permits from the existing one year to two years. Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, all areas falling between the ‘Inner line’ and the International Border of the State have been declared as a ‘Protected Area,’ applicable to all of Arunachal

Pradesh and Sikkim, parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Every foreigner, except a citizen of Bhutan, who wants to enter and stay in a Protected Area, is required to get a special permit. Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and foreign nationals of Pakistani origin are not issued the permit without the Home Ministry’s approval. In states like Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland foreign nationals are not allowed to enter without obtaining a due permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs. In 2017, MHA had announced that relaxation of 5 years has been made on PAP Order, 1958 for the states of Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram with effect from December 13, 2017 till the 31st December 2022.

Will set up inquiry into 6 Tening A/C result: Neiphiu Rio Correspondent

The ill-fated autorickshaw after the mishap on Saturday.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAR 24 (NPN): In a tragic incident, four persons were killed along NH-29 7th Mile area, here Saturday evening in a road mishap involving a truck and autorickshaw. According to sources, among the four occupants of the autorickshaw, two died on the spot while two others, who were fatally injured, succumbed to their injuries at a nearby hospital. Sources informed that

Govt to relax PAP with an eye on tourism Organizations flay NEW DELHI, MAR 24 (AGENCIES): Centre is set to relax the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime to enable foreign tourists to access border areas, reports The Hindu. The move follows several requests from the border States of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Nagaland and Manipur, as also the Tourism Ministry. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, an MP from Arunachal Pradesh, tweeted on Saturday that the Ministry had decided to relax PAP. He was responding to a tweet by Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, who posted pictures of “Shungetser Lake at Tawang,” describing it as “paradise on earth.” “Yesterday, I took a review meeting in Home Ministry & decided to relax Protected Area Permit regime of this paradise on earth. People

ties on Christian community in the country had increased after the BJP led government came to power at centre. He said one cannot keep silent when such prosecutions were taking place openly. NPF member, Vikheho Swu also criticized the Governor’s address as for avoiding the word “IndoNaga” and reminded that talks were between two identities. Hitting out at Governor’s claim that Naga political issue would be resolved in six months, Vikheho said such statement was false propaganda and misguiding, favouring the NPDD party. He further demanded Governor’s resignation if Naga solution failed to arrive at within the stipulated time as claimed. On doing away with VIP culture/name plates etc., NPF member B.S. Nganlang advised the ruling government not be in hurry to remove the VIP tag. He cited an instance that any VIP/district head travelling to Assam to deal with border issue may face inconveniences as public may fail to identify such official.

shooting incidents

DIMAPUR, MAR 24 (NPN): Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Federation (DUCCF), ACAUT Nagaland and East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA), have expressed strong resentment and displeasure over the recent shooting incidents in Dimapur in which two traders were left grievously injured. In a joint statement, DCCI president, Akashe K Zhimomi, DUCCF president, Tsenthungo Lotha, ACAUT Nagaland cochairman, Dr.Khekugha Muru, and EDBA vice president, Mukibur Rahman, said the two incidents that occurred within a span of 24 hours in Dimapur were related to extortion and taxation. Stating that the long spell of peace in Dimapur has been muddied by the two mindless shooting incidents, the signatories warned the perpetrators that they should not test the strong public sentiments by terrorizing the innocent public and the business community. The joint statement demanded that the law enforcing agencies immediately arrest the culprits and award exemplary punishment, failing which, the business community and civil society groups would not remain silent (Cont’d on p-7) as a mere spectator.

autorickshaw was heading towards Chumukedima when the accident took place. The driver of the truck escaped from the spot, reports said. The cause of accident could not be ascertained. When contacted, the OC Traffic Zone II could not provide any information citing that he was busy with the formalities relating to the accident. No police official could be contacted for more details as the phone numbers provided were either not reachable or busy.

KOHIMA, MAR 24 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, has disclosed that an inquiry would be set up into the election result of 6 Tening Assembly Constituency wherein two candidates were certified as winners. He said report would be submitted after inquiry was over. Rio said this during his reply to debate on motion of thanks to the governor’s address Saturday. The chief minister said the CEO informed that mistake in result was because of tabulation error. Rio, however, stated that CEO should have put the matter to inquiry in order to find out how the mistake was committed. But, since CEO did not put the matter to inquiry, Rio said (Cont’d on p-7)

NIWN, WinG concerned over post-poll violence DIMAPUR, MAR 24 (NPN): Naga Indigenous Women Network (NIWN) and Women in Governance (WinG) have appealed for peace and ceasing of poll related crimes, saying the scenario of the state election 2018- during and after the polls, witnessed a grave situation. In a joint statement, NIWN and WinG pointed out that in the aftermath of the just concluded election and announcement of results, there were reports that there were wide spread violence, assault particularly on women. The two bodies stated that many families were reported to have been displaced, people excommunicated from villages. “There is fear psychosis, trauma, stress and particularly impacts women,” they said. In this regard, the NIWN and WinG said they held a joint sitting on March 24, 2018 in Kohima to take stock of the situation and expressed unhappiness and concern over the rising crimes

related to election. “We express deep concern and sadness for the unfortunate incidents of the physical assault on women,” they said and appealed to the government to create a peaceful atmosphere. Further, NIWN and WinG also requested the responsible authority(s) the village councils to repeal ex-communication orders on humanitarian ground. The women bodies also urged the district administrations to intervene and take safety and security measures for victims of election related violence. They asserted that such rehabilitation and welfare measures should not discriminate victims on the basis of tribe, clan or community. Meanwhile, NIWN and WinG expressed appreciation to the five women candidates who contested the election. They also acknowledged the role of women and men - at community, village or district levels, who came out to intervene in preventing undesired situations. K Y M C


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March 25, 2018 by Nagaland Post - Issuu