May 10, 2018

Page 1

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

www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 152

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 Pages 16 ` 5.00

MP elections: BJP dubs Nath as ‘old man’ of Congress

PSG win 4th straight French Cup

European powers try to save Iran nuclear deal after US exit

national, Page 12

sports, Page 15

international, Page 9

PDA, NPF issue party tickets to candidates Neiphiu Rio confident of PDA candidate’s win NPF takes a dig at BJP; warms up to Congress

Kohima, May 9 (NPN): People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government released its common minimum programme (CMP) during a function held to formally hand over ticket to the ruling alliance’s consensus candidate Tokheho Yethomi at NDPP office here on Wednesday. The 16-page CMP contains broad guideline for the PDA government for ensuring all-round development in an equitable manner and bring economic growth. The CMP highlights some of the key areas that PDA government aims to target and make all-out efforts to implement the commitments made in the election manifestoes by prioritising areas. The PDA government called upon all sections of the people to come forward and extend their support for overall welfare of all sections of people. The government assured to play the role of an active facilitator to the ongoing Indo-Naga political negotiations in support of an early solution of the Naga political imbroglio. The CMP promised

a stable, firm and decisive government in the State that would be transparent and accountable, ensuring justice and equity with zero tolerance for corruption. The government also assured quality construction of roads by using modern technology, to connect all district headquarters by allweather roads, upgrade air connectivity, rail, public transport and IT and telecommunication.In agriculture, the government assured of modernisation, promoting organic cultivation, focusing on post harvest activities, ensuring food security by upgrading the PDS systems, implementing Central soil health scheme, etc. To give priority to meat and animal husbandry production, the CMP proposed introduction of modern technologies, promotion of scientific and commercial rearing of mithun for export etc. In forest and environment, priority will be given to afforestation, promoting community conservation programmes and engaging public and student leaders and researchers on climate change, environment and ecology. (Cont’d on p-11)

2 BSF jawans killed in Manipur IED blast

IMD criticised for triggering ‘panic’

Correspondents

KOHIMA, MAY 9 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio exuded confidence that the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), with four political parties in alliance– NDPP, BJP, NPP and JD (U)– and one Independent member, will ensure the victory of the consensus candidate in the May 28 Lok Sabha by-poll with thumping majority. Addressing the ticket distribution ceremony of PDA candidate Tokheho Yepthomi at NDPP’s Kohima regional office, Wednesday evening, Rio said PDA candidate has more advantage of winning the by-election since the alliance was ruling the government. He however, cautioned parties not to be complacent as extra effort was required to win. He said “the opponent is not strong but the opposition has many capable members” so nothing could be taken for granted. Rio also acknowledged the alliance partners for believing in his leadership

ZPO not to attend May 11 meeting DIMAPUR, MAY 9 (NPN): Taking strong exception to the invitation extended to the Zeliangrong Baudi Peren to a special meeting of all tribal hohos on May 11, 2018 at State Banquet Hall, the Zeliang People’s Organisation (ZPO) Nagaland, apex tribal organisation of the Zeliang tribe, Wednesday announced that it would attend the proposed special meeting. ZPO Nagaland through its media cell stated that special meeting invitation extended to a different organisation to represent the recognised Zeliang tribe of Peren district other than the ZPO Nagaland was “absolutely misleading” and posed as stark threat not only to the Zeliang Tribe but the entire interest of all recognised indigenous Naga Tribes of Nagaland. It stated that there was no such tribe as Zeliangrong in Nagaland except Zeliang. ZPO affirmed that it would not be party “to any decision or resolution so adopted in our absence, which may later be detrimental and jeopardizing to our future.” Stating that it had sought clarification from the chief secretary on the issue, ZPO said the CS was now solely answerable to the issue that has led to challenging the legitimate and inherent rights of “our people as well as other indigenous tribes of Nagaland.”

C. Apok Jamir with Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, T.R. Zeliang and others at NPF Central office. (NP) Rio handing over the ticket to PDA nominee, Tokheho Yepthomi. (NP)

and supporting the PDA’s consensus candidate. Rio said NDDP was the youngest party and though its adversaries had tried to belittle it by saying it was still an unrecognized party, yet ECI accorded recognition to NDPP in April based on the performance during the February election. He said PDA candidate Tokheho Yepthomi was not new to the Nagas and termed Tokheho as “a veteran politician who held many important portfolios in the previous government”. Rio said though Tokheho lost the general election, his leadership and services were required. He also hoped that, with his

vast experience, the PDA candidate will do well in Parliament, speak for the Naga political issue, unity of Nagas and pursue early settlement. The chief minister further assured that the PDA government, which completed 61 days in office, will resume all developmental activities on completion of the ongoing Lok Sabha bypoll process. He said the PDA will launch its by-poll campaign on May 15 at Dimapur, which will be followed up in other districts, adding the coalition partners will embark on an aggressive campaign. (Cont’d on p-11)

Cong shelves plan to field candidate for LS by-poll May support NPF candidate but with rider DIMAPUR, MAY 9 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Wednesday informed that the party decided to shelve the plans to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha by-election. Informing this through a press note, NPCC media cell said the party had earlier proposed to the NPF for setting up combined opposition candidate to uphold the principles of secularism and democracy. Based on this, NPCC said NPF agreed in principle to their proposal and went ahead in announcing the party’s candidate. NPCC made its stand clear that the party cannot

support any political party that was aligned with the BJP in one way or the other. It said the party’s executive committee will be meeting shortly to review the situation and issue necessary directives to Congress party workers at all levels on the next course of action. Meanwhile, NPCC sources said that the party was ready to support NPF candidate provided the latter officially sever ties with the BJP at the Centre and North East-- as NDA and NEDA partner respectively. The other condition for the NPF was to ensure that its Rajya Sabha member sits separately from the treasury bench, it added. Once all these are officially carried out and made known, only then the party will be ready to extend all out support to the NPF candidate, sources said.

NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu has put all matters at rest when he informed that the long association between NPF and NDA has been severed since the BJP, which dictated NDA, had walked out of the DAN in Nagaland and has taken the NDPP into the NDA fold. Dr. Shürhozelie used the ticket distribution ceremony for NPF candidate for the Lok Sabha by-election on May 28 at the party Central Office Wednesday, to hit out against the BJP while stopping short of calling it anti-Christian. While Dr. Shürhozelie’s stand over BJP vis-à-vis communalism was unexceptional, NPF legislature party

Tremors in parts of India after quake in Afghanistan NEW DELHI, may 9 (AGENCIES): A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Wednesday afternoon in northern Afghanistan, sending tremors that were felt in Pakistan and parts of north India. The earthquake shook buildings in Afghan capital Kabul, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, reported Reuters. People in Delhi and the NCR region reported feeling light earthquake tremors. The quake was felt at about 4.15 p.m. in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, a MeT Department official said. “The intensity of the earthquake, which had its epicentre in AfghanistanTajikistan border, measured 6.2 on the Richter Scale,” the official said.

Bank employees protest outside at SBI regional branch, Dimapur on Wednesday. (NP)

Staff Reporter/Correspondent

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leader T.R. Zeliang avoided any mention of BJP indicating continuation of the ambivalence between the two senior NPF leaders. Dr. Shürhozelie also disclosed that he has instructed the NPF secretary general and Rajya Sabha MP, K.G. Kenye to apply for a separate seat in parliament in view of NPF having no more truck with the BJP in Nagaland. He said NPF will strive to uphold Article 25 of the Indian constitution that guarantees freedom of religion and practices for all people as in Nagaland. However, he lamented that in BJP-ruled states like UP this constitutional freedom does not exist. Dr. Shürhozelie urged Apok

Correspondent IMPHAL, MAY 9: Two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were killed and at least two civilians including a woman were severely wounded after a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) went off near the gate of the 49 battalion BSF camp in Imphal’s Koirengei on Wednesday. Police suspect the IED was planted by militants to target the security force at the camp. The blast that occurred around 2 p.m. seriously injured two BSF jawans identified as Sanjay Tirkey, a native of Orissa, and N Ningthouba Meitei of Imphal’s Bashikhong Kitna Panung. While the former one was declared brought dead the latter succumbed to multiple splinter injuries at RIMS hospital. The two slain jawans

to be a master of his own destiny and to let his action be a testimony in the coming days. He also acknowledged Apok’s willingness to be the party candidate to uphold the prestige of NPF. He described Apok as a “well mannered, well educated and a refined gentleman”. Dr. Shürhozelie said Apok was an experienced parliamentarian as a one-term Rajya Sabha MP and NPF was proud to set him up. While making an appeal to people to support NPF with their sacred vote, Dr. Liezietsu also acknowledged the “positive response” of the Indian National Congress for responding genuinely to fight against communal forces. (Cont’d on p-11)

were among the jawans of the BSF, who recently joined general duty after completion of their trainings. The slain jawans faced the tragic incident on the first day of their duty as sentry, sources said. Among two civilians wounded in the explosion, the condition of the woman identified as Mangshatabam Premlata Devi (40) was stated to be critical. She has been kept at ICU of Rajmedicity hospital at North AOC where the other wounded man, Heishnam Mubi, was also admitted. Another girl identified as Bindya Thakuri (19) also suffered minor injuries. Soon after the blast, high ranking officials of the state police and BSF rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation. Even though they suspected hand of militants behind the blast, no mili-

Correspondent

tant group owned up till the NEW DELHI, MAY 9 time of filing this report. (AGENCIES): Under attack for issuing an alert for a Manipur chief min- thunderstorm that triggered ister, N Biren Singh has widespread panic among strongly condemned the people, especially in Delhi, blast incident and said the the Met department today government was taking the said the wind speed observed was well within the range incident very seriously. Talking to reporters of what it had forecast. In at the hospital, Singh said a statement, the India Me“We will not remain as teorological Department a silent spectator to hunt (IMD) said thunderstorm down the perpetrators and was observed at a few places book them under the law over Himachal Pradesh, at isolated places over Jammu of the land.” Informing that the and Kashmir, Punjab, west state police department Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, was investigating recent Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi blasts at different pockets and Rajasthan. Hailstorm of the state capital, the was also observed at isochief minister said that lated places over Himachal necessary steps would be Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it put in place and more se- added. (Full report on p-11) curity measures activated to check such incidents. He said that govern- D I M A P U R , M AY 9 ment would bear all the (NPN): State government medical expenses of the has informed all the heads of departments (HoDs) to injured persons. furnish the total number of Grade- IV employees, who are on GPF as on March 31, 2017 and March 31, 3, 2018. However, they said 2018, under their respecthe meetings did not result tive departments and to be in any substantial solution forwarded to the ministry and the demands could not of finance. In a notification, OSD be addressed. (Budget), V Kezo, stated Therefore, NSSATA through a press release has that furnished data also be informed its members that submitted to the finance phase-I agitation would department, Government of be brought to an end on Nagaland on or before May May 10, 2018, and phase- 10, 2018. II agitation in the form of Orientation prog for boycotting of classes would MLAs postponed be initiated from May 11, D I M A P U R , M AY 9 2018 till further notice. NSSATA affirmed that (NPN): The orientation proit would not rest until de- gramme on parliamentary mands were met, adding practices and information that it would continue to technology for the newly strive till justice was deliv- elected members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative ered. Meanwhile, expressing Assembly (NLA) scheduled appreciation to the members for May 15 and 16, 2018 at for cooperation extended NLA secretariat has been till date, NSSATA further postponed due to ensuing informed them to strictly Lok Sabha by-election and adhere to the agitation di- other unavoidable circumrectives. The association stances. In a circular, ascautioned its members that sembly secretariat informed stern actions would be taken that the NLA speaker has in case of non-compliance expressed deep regret for the inconvenience caused. by any of the members.

Manipur CM condemns

Finance deptt informs

Bank employees protest 2% pay hike offer NSSATA phase-II stir from May 11

This is it!

“Our party JD-S will not win the election but I’ll surely be CM.”

PDA releases common minimum programme

DIMAPUR/MOKOKCHUNG, MAY 9 (NPN): Responding to the protest call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) against meagre 2% salary increase offer, the Bank employees from two regions in Nagaland –– Dimapur and Mokokchung

–– staged protest demonstrations Wednesday under the banner of All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) Nagaland demanding immediate and decent wage revision to all scales. In Dimapur region, the protest against the delayed negotiation over wage revision for bank employees was held at SBI Regional

Branch, Super Market. The striking bank employees holding placards and shouting slogans expressed resentment over the lackadaisical attitude of the Indian Banks Association (IBA) and the central government in resolving their genuine demands for wage revision. One of the placards di-

DIMAPUR, MAY 9 (NPN): Nagaland Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) has announced that it would conclude the ongoing phase-I pen down strike on May 10 and begin phase-II agitation in the form of boycotting classes. The association is on protest demanding implementation of 7th Revision of Pay (ROP) in line with regular state employees and inclusion to State Non-Plan budget. In a press release, NSSATA president, Penthungo Y Yanthan, and general secretary, Vinoka Sohe, stated that the executives along with district representatives held a consultative meeting on May 1, 2018 with the advisor education, principal secretary, director and other officials from the education department followed by another consultative meeting with the chief secretary and the principal secretary, (Cont’d on p-11) school education on May

rected at Prime Minister Narendra Modi read “we want justice”. It pointed out that bankers have been implementing his schemes such as PMJDY, APY, PMJBSY, MUDRA, AADHAAR, Gas Subsidy, NPS and all subsidy related and in return 2% increase in salary after five years. “Is it justified?” they asked. AIBOC Nagaland secretary, T.A. P. Paul, told Nagaland Post that IBA offered 2% hike in wage bill, which the UFBU out-rightly rejected. He said the wage bill of the bank employees were due since November 1, 2015, whereas the UFBU had submitted its charter of demand to IBA prior to November 1, 2017. Paul said it would resort to 48-hour continuous strike by the end of May 2018 if demand was not addressed.

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