March 2, 2019

Page 1

Nagaland Post This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00

www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 84

Import and sale of fish banned in Mkg MOKOKCHUNG, MAR 1 (NPN): Mokokchung district administration has banned the import of fish and other fish products from outside and sale of the same item in Mokokchung with immediate effect. In an order issued on February 28, 2019, the deputy commissioner (DC) Mokokchung Rajesh Soundararajan stated that fish samples being sold in the market of the district were collected and sent for testing to the State Public Health Laboratory, Kohima. The test result found positive for presence of added formalin, contravening the Food Safety and Standard (Food Products Standard & Food Additives) Regulations 2011. DC cautioned that anyone found violating the order would be penalised as per the relevant sections of law.

DRDA Tuensang ‘total cease work’

T U E N S A N G, M A R 1 (NPN): Employees under District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Tuensang have decided to resort to “total cease work” with effect from March 2, 2019 till the government released three months pending salary. In a press release, DRDA Tuensang staff stated that the decision was taken during a meeting on February 28, held in connection with non-payment of salary for the past three months.

CMO clarifies

DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Reacting to the report published in a section of the local media under the headline-- “Naga talks in line with 16 Point Agreement”, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) media cell clarified that Rio had been misquoted and had not made any such statement. CMO further stated that the state government was unaware of the details of the Indo-Naga political negotiations since it was not a direct party to the talks.

Fuel prices hiked

DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Fuel prices in India rose for the second consecutive day on Friday. Petrol in Delhi rose by 8 paise to Rs 71.81 per litre against Thursday’s rate and diesel prices went up by 12 paise to Rs 67.12. Both Kohima and Dimapur saw equal price rises of 7 (petrol) and 11 paise (diesel). Petrol was retailing at Rs. 70.34, and diesel at 65.18 in Kohima. In Dimapur it was Rs. 69.52 for petrol, and Rs 64.55 for diesel. Jet fuel price was also was hiked Friday by a steep 8.1 per cent to its costliest level this year as international oil prices rose.

DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019 Pages 16 ` 5.0

Qureshi admits Masood Azhar is in Pakistan

Valencia enter Copa del Rey final

We delivered what we promised: Goyal

international, Page 13

sports, Page 16

national, Page 11

Wg. Cdr Abhinandan returns home

WAGAH/ATTARI, MAR 1 (PTI): After a suspenseful wait lasting hours, Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman finally returned home from captivity in Pakistan Friday, a major step towards defusing a near-war situation triggered by India’s retaliation over Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism. Hoping to give a hero’s welcome to Wing Commander Varthaman, thousands of Indians gathered on the border carrying the tricolour and garlands since morning. But as the day wore on and night fell there was no sign of the pilot, who was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following a dogfight between the two air forces in which his MIG-21 was shot down. He finally emerged at 9.10 p.m. India time at the Wagah checkpost on the Pakistani side, accompanied by Pakistani rangers, the Indian air attache posted in the High Commission in Islamabad. He was wearing a civilian clothes -- a dark jacket and khakhi trousers, walking proudly toward the gates that separated his captors’ country from his homeland.

Was made to record video statement before being allowed to return to India

Wing Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman with Indian High Commission official at Wagah border on the Pakistani side, Friday. (TV Grab/PTI)

“Wing Commander Abhinandan has just been handed over to us. He will be taken now for a detailed medical checkup. This check up is mandatory as he had to eject from an airplane which would have put his entire body under stress,” Vice Chief Marshal R G K Kapoor told reporters in a brief statement in Attari, near Amritstar, on the other side of Wagah. Addressing a public rally in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “every Indian is proud of brave pilot Abhinandan.” Several political leaders, including Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal chief minister

K Y M C

soon as I ejected and when my parachute opened and I fell down, I had a pistol with me.” “There were many people. I had only one way to save myself: I dropped my pistol and tried to run.” “People chased me, their emotions were running high. Just then, two Pakistani Army officials came and saved me. Pakistani army captains saved from the people and did not let any harm come to me. They took me to their unit where I was administered first aid and then I was taken to the hospital where I further underwent a medical exam and received more aid,” he said. “The army personnel saved me from the mob. The Pakistani army is very professional and I am impressed by it,” he said, while criticising the Indian media. India has maintained that Varthaman’s plane was downed when IAF planes foiled an attempt by Pakistan Air Force to target Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir on February 27.

(C) CEC S. Arora with the Election Commissioners in Lucknow. (PTI)

L U C K N OW, M A R 1 (AGENCIES): The general elections in the country will be held on time, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said on Friday, amid tensions between IndiaPakistan. The CEC is in the Uttar Pradesh capital for the past two days to review poll preparations in the state. “The election in the country will be held on time,” Arora told reporters when asked about the poll schedule in the wake of tensions between the two countries. He said as per a new notification of the commission, candidates will have to give details of their properties abroad, besides those in the country. “The IT department will look into it and, if any, discrepancies are found then it will be uploaded on the

Election Commission (EC) website and strict action will be initiated,” the CEC said. When asked about the EC’s stand on inflammatory speeches, Arora said in his review meetings, he tried to find out the status of such cases lodged during previous elections. The CEC also said that sensitive places should be identified well in advance, and communal amity at those places should be enhanced. Apart from this, CCTV cameras should be installed at sensitive polling centres. Security should also be stepped up at international and inter-state boundaries. He also said all the directives of the Election Commission must be implemented, warning that stringent action will be initiated against the officials showing laxity.

India no more helpless before terror; will Committed to develop ENPO areas, says Rio pay back for damage with ‘interest’: PM Correspondent

Modi addressing the rally. (PTI)

KANYAKUMARI, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): Against the backdrop of the air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammad camp in Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that India is no more “helpless” before terrorism and will pay back for damage caused by terror acts with “interest”, a ANI report stated. Addressing a rally here, he said the previous UPA government lacked courage to act even after several terror attacks took place across sev-

eral cities between 2004 and 2014, including the major strike in Mumbai in 2008. “India has been facing the menace of terrorism for years but there is a big difference now. India will no longer be helpless in the wake of terror,” Modi said. “From 2004 to 2014, there were several terror attacks. There were blasts in Hyderabad, Jaipur, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru and other places. It was expected that those responsible for these attacks would be punished but nothing happened,” Modi said. He said when people voted BJP to power with full majority in 2014, they wanted a strong government which could take “bold” and “decisive” decisions. “Earlier, you would read that IAF wanted to carry out air strikes after the 2008 Mumbai attacks but it was not given permission.

But today you read that security forces have been given a free hand to act,” he said. “This is new India and this India pay back for damage caused in terror acts with interest,” the Prime Minister asserted. Modi said the events of the past few days have demonstrated, yet again, the strength of India’s armed forces. At the same time, he said a few Opposition parties have raised questions over the air strike. “Sadly, a few political parties guided by Modihatred have started hating India. No wonder while the entire nation supports Armed forces, they suspect our armed forces. These are the same people whose statements are helping Pakistan and hurting India. Their statements are being happily quoted in the Parliament of Pakistan and in the radio of Pakistan,” Modi said.

Railways to connect NE capitals by 2020

This is it!

“I honestly don’t know if passing resolutions for solution has made any impact since past 15 years”.

Mamata Banerjee welcome the IAF hero back home. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after a suicide bomber killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir on February 14 by Pakistanbased terror group Jaish-eMohammad. On Thursday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told a special joint sitting of Parliament that his government was releasing the pilot as a “peace gesture”. However, India has been maintaining that Pakistani decision is in consonance with the Geneva Conventions. After the pilot’s release, the Pakistan Foreign Office described him as a Prisoner of War.

The handing over of pilot Abhinandan Varthaman to India at Wagah was delayed on Friday as he was asked to record a statement on camera by Pakistani authorities before he was allowed to cross the border, according to sources. It was not clear whether he was made to record the video under duress. The video also had several jump cuts indicating that it had been edited heavily, apparently to fit Pakistani propaganda. At 8.30 pm (local) time, the Pakistan government released the pilot’s video message to the local media in which he said as to how he was captured. “Recording of his video message caused delay in his handing over,” a source said. In the video message, Varthaman said he entered Pakistan’s space to “find a target” but his aircraft was shot down. “I was in search of the target when your (Pakistan) Air Force shot me down. I had to eject the plane which had sustained damage. As

Lok Sabha polls will be held on time: CEC

GUWAHATI, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): In what may be termed as a major boost to connectivity of Northeast India, the North East Frontier Railway has informed that all Northeast state capitals are to be connected by BG Rail Link by 2020. The General Manager (Construction wing, North East Frontier Railway) N.K. Prasad confirmed the

same. Taking par t in the monthly Inter Media Publicity Coordination Committee (IMPCC) meeting held in North East Frontier Railway, (construction), Maligaon the General Manager briefed the participants on “Development of Railway Infrastructure in North East Zone”. Giving a detailed presentation about goals, achievements and on-going

projects of NF Railway, he said that, with an aim to provide better communication and facilities in the North East region the North East Frontier Railway is taking various initiatives. In the meeting held under the chairmanship of Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia, Director General, North East Zone, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Apart from the BG Link, other goals by the NF Railway are, conversion of entire MG to BG in NF Railway, to provide faster connectivity to North East by doubling of railway line from New Jalpaiguri to Lumding, avenues for international connectivity etc. In total 43 projects are under execution on NF Railway, out of which 14 projects are physically completed, 3 projects are waiting for CCEA clearance and 4 projects are at their initial planning stage.

KOHIMA, MAR 1 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has assured to provide all assistance to uplift ENPO areas and bring the people of these districts on a par with rest of the State. Speaking during the inauguration of Department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA) directorate building here on Friday, Rio exuded confidence that DUDA would come out with more programmes to empower the people of ENPO areas and facilitate all-round development. He was hopeful that the department would focus on development in the four districts and reiterated that the department was created to strengthen and improve infrastructure in Eastern Nagaland. Over the years, the chief minister said the department made tangible progress through its pro-

Neiphiu Rio along with his colleagues and DUDA officials. (NP)

grammes under schemes like Under Developed Areas Programme (UDAP) and Border Area Development Programme (BADP). He said currently the department was manned by 76 staff – 44 from DUDA cadre and remaining 32 from the engineering wing and treasuries – and hoped that the department would have its own full-fledged cadre in the near future. Highlighting some key schemes implemented in the area, Rio said Rashtriya

Sam Vikash Yojana (RSVY) was implemented in Mon district from 2004 to 2007 to accelerate the process of economic growth and social development, besides improving the quality of life. Mentioning that Mon district was the most backward in the State having lowest literacy rate and economic growth, he said road development, institutional buildings and drinking water supply system were developed at a cost of Rs 45 crore. Also, under Social and Infra-

structure Development Fund (SIDF) for North-eastern region, which was a one-time package for the Northeast, Rio said DUDA had implemented various projects for construction of science blocks, girls’ and boys’ hostels, residential schools, academic blocks, cultural halls, teaching staff quarters, 28 suspension bridges and upgrade of roads in Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire districts at a cost of Rs 63 crore in 2010-12. The chief minister said 245 villages benefited under BADP funded by the Union home ministry, while DUDA had set up four computer centres in Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire district headquarters in collaboration with NIELIT with latest equipments and teaching facilities where 1,280 youth of Eastern Nagaland were trained in computers. (Cont’d on p-9)

More rain expected Framework Agreement TR Zeliang apologizes based on ‘unique in NE by March 4 for ‘sexist’ comment NEW DELHI, MAR 1 (AGENMAR 1 (NPN): history’: Rh. Raising DIMAPUR, CIES): Even as the North Eastern Considering the political heat it

region has been seeing some rainfall activities for the past few days, more showers are expected in the region around March 4, a skymetweather report stated. In the next 24 hours, scattered rainfall is likely to continue over Northeast, particularly East Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Thereafter, the Western Disturbance which is affecting the Northern Himalayas at present, will move along the foothills towards North East. Therefore, rains will once again make their appearance over Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of North East around March 4. Rainfall intensity will increase on March 5 and 6. During that time, a Cyclonic Circulation will form over Bangladesh and adjoining areas also. Humid winds from Bay of Bengal will also feed moisture over the region. These rains will continue until March 7. Thereafter, rainfall intensity will reduce. Nagaland will also see some rainfall activity.

DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) steering committee convener Rh. Raising has said that Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015 was based on the recognized unique history of the Nagas. Explaining the “unique history”, he said it meant that Nagas have the history of independence and have never been a part of the union of India or that of Burma (Myanmar). In his speech at the joint consultative meeting with MLAs and MPs held at Rhododendron Hall, Chumukedima on February 27, 2019, the steering committee convenor said that government of India has recognized the sovereignty of the Nagas and the territories of the Nagas by affirming that Nagas were the owner of their land and mineral resources beneath the land and on the surface of land. All subsequent discussions, he said were based on the Framework Agreement. “Except a few points for final touch, we have covered almost all points,” Raising added. He expressed belief that the Framework Agreement solves not only the political problem of the Nagas, but also the security problem of the Indian subcontinent. (Full text on p-6)

had generated, leader of opposition TR Zeliang has apologised for his alleged sexist remark during the recently-concluded session of Nagaland Legislative Assembly. In a statement, Zeliang clarified that the phrase he had uttered was in “good vein” as humorous description of events or topics under discussion was a normal practice and known to all members of the Legislative Assembly. “However, if it has hurt the feelings of any section of the society, I apologise and retract my statement,” he said. The senior NPF leader explained that his remark that “some men can please two girls, but no man can serve two masters” was never intended to hurt the sentiments of any section of the society, particularly women. He made the remark on the floor of the House on February 25 during a debate on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. K Y M C


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.