Nagaland Post This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00
www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 164
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2018 Pages 16 ` 5.00
Gina Haspel sworn in as CIA’s first female director
Iniesta ends Barca career with win
Congress MLA Shivaram Hebbar says bribe tape fake
international, Page 13
sports, Page 16
national, Page 12
Protests across NE states against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
(L) NSF team submits memorandum to Governor P.B. Acharya in Kohima. (R) BAYM activists shave their heads as a mark of protest in Guwahati on Monday.
(L) Students under Mizo Zirlai Pawl staging a protest in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl. (R) KSU and NESO volunteers burn effigies in Shillong on Monday.
Correspondent/Agencies
KOHIMA/GUWAHATI, MAY 21 (NPN): In a show of total solidarity with North East Students Organization (NESO) for the states opposed to the government of India’s attempt to accord easy grant of citizenship status to Bangladeshi Hindus, via the
Fuel prices hike: Chambers tell govt to cut excise duties NEW DELHI, MAY 21 (IANS): With fuel prices touching an all-time high, industry chambers, Ficci and Assocham, on Monday called for the government to urgently reduce fuel excise duties. It also urged the government to bring automobile fuels under the purview of Goods and Services Tax (GST). “At a time when the Indian economy is on a recovery path, rising oil prices are again posing a high risk to India’s economic growth trajectory,” a Ficci statement said here. “While cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel may provide temporary relief, the sustainable solution lies in the automobile fuel coming under GST, which can happen only after the Centre and states together reduce their dependence on the fuel considerably,” said D.S Rawat, Assocham secretary general.
GPRN/NSCN warns
D I M A P U R , M AY 2 1 (NPN): As directed by the collective leadership, GPRN/NSCN through its MIP has asked all its rank and file not to involve in the upcoming Lok Sabha byelection directly or indirectly. GPRN/NSCN warned that disciplinary action would be initiated against those violating the order.
This is it!
“The way oil prices have shot up, even adulterated oil will no longer be affordable.” K Y M C
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, thousands of student activists on Monday staged demonstrations across the state capitals-- Kohima (Nagaland), Shillong (Meghalaya), Agartala (Tripura) Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) and Aizawl (Mizoram) led by the respective apex bodies under the aegis
of North East Students’ Organisation (NESO). The students’ unions are demanding the immediate scrapping of the proposed legislation by the Central government. In Nagaland, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) volunteers staged a dharna at Raj Bhavan. Speaking on
the occasion, NSF general secretary Imtiyapang Imsong said that the move to provide citizenship to immigrants who had migrated to India due to religious persecution was not justified as there was no record of any such case in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Claiming that the Northeast already has a huge population of illegal immigrants, Imtiyapang asserted that region cannot be a dumping ground for the illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, NSF also submitted a memorandum to JPC chairman and MP, Rajendra Agarwal through Governor PB Acharya. The memorandum signed by its president Kesosul Christopher Ltu and general secretary Imsong appealed to the chairman and members of JPC to ensure that the proposed Bill is recommended as “anti-national and detrimental” to the very existence of good citizens of the country. NSF alleged that the Bill will make a mockery of the spirit of secularism enshrined in Preamble of the Indian constitution, besides violating Article 14 of the constitution that guarantees citizens right to equality. NSF informed that a delegation will be travelling to New Delhi along with leaders of NESO and other organisations to take up the matter with the Centre. Meghalaya: NESO members along with the Khasi Student’s Union
(KSU) jointly staged the protest in Shillong. During the protest campaign, members of NESO and KSU burnt the effigy of the amendment bill. Speaking to media persons, KSU president Lambokstar Marngar demanded that the State government should passed resolution in order to send a clear message to the Centre that it strongly opposed the amendment bill. “We would be forced to agitate if the Government failed to passed the resolution to register their strong opposition to the amendment bill brought by the BJP government,” the KSU president said. NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa said “Meghalaya has been badly affected due to the unabated inflow of influx from Bangladesh even without the amendment bill.” Itanagar: Members of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) said they would continue the stir till the time the government concedes to their demands. “The proposed bill is one among the many examples that show the lawmakers in our country have no or very little regard for the indigenous populace of Arunachal Pradesh
and the entire northeast region,” AAPSU president Hawa Bagang said. “We will soon serve notices to all the Bangladeshis, who have sneaked into our state, after the National Register of Citizens draft was released in Assam,” he added. Mizoram: Echoing similar sentiments, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) urged the legislators of Mizoram to adopt a resolution to reject the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016. If the bill was passed by Parliament, it would mean that the lawmakers do not consider Mizoram an integral part of the country, MZP president L Ramdinliana Rent said while addressing the rally. Agartala: In Tripura, the Twipra Student’s Federation (TSF) also statged a protest demonstration despite the state government rejecting its application to hold a rally. Despite the rejection, TSF general secretary, Sunil Debbarma said the federation held the protest rally at a different venue. Assam: Activists of Brihatar Asomiya Yuva Manch shaved their heads as a mark of protest against the Bill, at Prasanti Udyan in Guwahati.
Will not undermine sentiments: Rijiju
With the NE states witnessing protests from different groups on the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016, Union minister of state for home affairs, Kiren Rijiju stated that the government would not do anything which undermines the sentiments and identities of indigenous communities. Representatives of the North East Women Forum met the minister on Monday. “The interests and identities of indigenous people should not be undermined at any cost,” Rijiju said. “And the government of India will not take any decision which hampers indigenous people’s interests.” Various organizations across the North Eastern states are opposing the bill. The bill for making minority communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for applying for Indian citizenship is under the consideration of the JPC of both the Houses. JPC recently visited Assam and Meghalaya.
State BJP reacts to Zeliang Gov calls upon SGHs to strengthen society Kumaraswamy meets Sonia, D I M A P U R , M AY 2 1 (NPN): State BJP on Monday clarified that the suspension of two of its leaders – former minister and State executive member Kheto Sema and State vice-president Tsasepi Sangtam – was withdrawn in February this year. The clarification follows former chief minister TR Zeliang asking NDPP through a statement as to why it did not try and influence BJP to withdraw the suspension of the latter’s two leaders. It may be mentioned that Sema and Sangtam, who were signatories to a joint statement issued by several organisations on January 29 this year calling for solution to Naga issue before Assembly election, were suspended by BJP on disciplinary grounds. A statement issued by media cell of the party explained that BJP, being a national party, had to abide by directives of its central
leaders and the two leaders were suspended accordingly due to a communication gap. However, with due consultation with the central leaders later, the suspension order was revoked in the “larger interest” of the party during the second week of February, which was widely published in the print media, it added. BJP further pointed out that the issue took place during the DAN regime, when BJP was an alliance partner under the chief ministership of T.R. Zeliang and not with the NDPP. Meanwhile, BJP said it was amused at learning that Zeliang was concerned about its internal matters when NPF faced a bigger predicament of its own like the Manipur unit differing from its parent body’s stance. BJP reminded Zeliang that the party was competent enough to take care of its internal issue as it has its high command to guide it.
Rahul, discusses govt formation
Acharya along with members of SHG Jakhama block at Raj Bhavan, Kohima on Monday
D I M A P U R , M AY 2 1 (NPN): Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya, Monday called upon Self Help Groups (SHGs) to be the pillars for not only strengthening the economy but the society also. The governor said this while holding an interactive meet with Nagaland Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) SHG members and SVEP entrepreneurs of the state represented by SHG members of Jakhama Block on May 21, 2018 in Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Kohima. “Every individual
can contribute to the development and welfare of the society and one such living example are the members of the SHG of Jakhama Block,” said Acharya. Governor also encouraged the SHGs to review their situation and come up with ideas on how to strengthen the society. He reminded them that sincerity to oneself and one’s goal was the first step to success. Further, Acharya insisted that all the SHGs should be the nodal agents to strengthen the society.
Explaining that India belonged to the villages, the governor said if villages prospered, then India would shine. Keeping that in mind, he said the central and state governments have introduced various welfare programmes for the benefit of the villages. In this regard, the governor called upon the SHGs to avail the different schemes and programmes to strengthen themselves and to also inform other villages of the various welfare programmes. (Cont’d on p-8)
NEW DELHI, MAY 21 (AGENCIES): JD-S leader and Karnataka chief minister-designate HD Kumaraswamy on Monday met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to discuss ministerial berth sharing between the coalition partners ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday. He also invited both the Congress leaders to his oath-taking ceremony in Bengaluru The details of the meeting were not divulged but the sources said the Congress demanded two posts for deputy chief ministers-- one for a Dalit and the other for a Lingayat, 12 for ministers and one for the Speaker. However, Kumaraswamy said the matter will be finalised when the two sides sit together on Tuesday in
Bengaluru. The Congress has authorised its general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal to discuss the matter with local Congress leadership. He will also discuss the issue with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leadership. “Rahulji cleared the modalities to be done. He has given permission to Venugopal to discuss all those matters and finalise everything. He will sit together to finalise things,” Kumaraswamy told reporters after meeting the Gandhis. Kumaraswamy earlier met BSP chief Mayawati here and discussed plans of putting in place a Congress and JD-S coalition government. The JD-S contested the Karnataka election in a pre-poll alliance with the BSP and later had a post-poll tie-up with the Congress.
Lok Sabha by-poll campaign: NPF-Cong share platform Demand for clarification on Ravi’s
Therie appeals to secular forces to close ranks NPF committed to work for Nagas: Shürho DIMAPUR, MAY 21 (NPN): Politics make strange bedfellows and that’s how NPF after severing decades of ties with NPF forged new ties with its sworn foe- Congress as confirmed when leaders of both parties shared the dias at the electioneering to the Lok Sabha bypolls. Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) chief K.Therie, who spoke at the rally at Pfutsero on Monday issued a clarion call to all secular forces in Nagaland to come together to prevent communal forces from taking roots in the state. Therie spoke at the joint platform with NPF candidate C Apok Jamir along with a host of other NPF leaders at Pfutsero in Phek district. In his speech, Therie explained the reasons why Congress decided to support the NPF candidate. He said the basic justification was about the concern against allowing communal forces from making inroads into the state. In this regard he said Congress has agreed in principle to support Apok Jamir for the Lok Sabha by-election. He also
Recalling that NPF was formed during the turmoil in Naga society in the early 1960s with top priority on solution to the Naga political issue, party president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu asserted that even today his party’s priority remained the same. Addressing the public rally at Jalukie on Monday as part of NPF’s Lok Sabha by-poll campaign, Dr. Liezietsu wondered how Nagas could so easily forget how and why NPF was formed on the Naga soil, even as he called upon them to clearly understand the difference between the stand of his party regarding Nagas and other political parties. Dr. Liezietsu said his party was in no mood to criticise any leader or party, but was committed to work only for the welfare of Nagas. Pointing out that chief minister Neiphiu Rio was only criticising NPF and its legislative party leader TR Zeliang during his by-poll (Cont’d on p-8) rallies, Dr. Liezietsu said a “true
expressed the hope that Apok will also live up to the expectations to uphold the principles of secularism and liberal democracy. Therie maintained that all secular minded parties need to come together to defeat the imposition of Hindutva in Nagaland leaving aside all political differences. Therie said “BJP is never a political party that belonged to the Nagas, but is here to confuse the mindset of youngsters with their Hindutva policies”. He also claimed that hundreds of Naga youths were being sponsored by RSS in their schools with some already made ministers. He said, “NDPP, which came into existence just recently has entered an unholy matrimony with BJP” adding the NDPP was not different from the saffron party. Therie emphasised that Congress is a party that “upholds secularism and democratic norms” and is strictly against the policies of communal forces of BJP like uniform civil code.
visionary leader” should instead focus more on developmental programmes for the people. He alleged that, during the past four years of NPF government under Zeliang, Rio, who was then Lok Sabha member, did not give a single day of rest to the government and created one problem after another, even trying to break up the government as well as the NPF. “But it was due to God’s blessing that none of his plans succeeded,” he asserted. Dr. Liezietsu also called upon the people to be watchful of the present PDA government that comprises of various political parties, including BJP “whose stand towards minorities and others is known by the whole country.” He also termed NPF candidate for ensuing Lok Sabha by-poll C Apok Jamir as the most capable and rightful candidate for the Naga people and urged them to vote in favour of his candidature.
statement gets louder in Manipur
Correspondent
IMPHAL, May 21: Demand for clarification from prime minister and union home minister on Interlocutor for Naga talks, RN Ravi’s recent statement on Naga accord is getting louder in Manipur with the civil society organizations (CSOs) vowing to intensify their protest. Women vendors of Ima Keithel (women’s market) Monday suspended their business for the day to stage a sit-in-protest demanding centre’s clarification the recent statement of RN Ravi on possible final shape of the Naga peace accord. They staged the protest showing solidarity with CSOs’ demand seeking clarification from prime minister and union home minister to Ravi’s statement which (Cont’d on p-8) was published in the Indian
Express on April 26, 2018. Hundreds of women vendors suspended their business and protested on the street near the Ima Keithel. Shops and other business establishments in and around the market area also downed their shutters showing solidarity with the demand. Members of the three CSOs -- All Manipur United Clubs Organization (AMUCO), United Committee Manipur (UCM) and Coalition of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK)-- strongly reacting to the statement of R.N. Ravi later joined the protest organized under the aegis of Khwairamband Apunba Ima Keithal (KAIK). After the protest, the women vendors marched towards Raj Bhavan and handed over a memorandum to the governor for onward submission to the prime minister. K Y M C