Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 146
FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
UN urges US not to quit Iran nuke deal
Liverpool reach CL final
Katrina is same despite fame: Isabelle
international, Page 9
sports, Page 12
Infotainment, Page 10
Court orders CBI probe into HC building scam
D I M A P U R , M AY 3 (NPN): In a major development that could set the precedence for spurring probes against various scams, the principal bench of the Gauhati High Court has directed Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a ‘preliminary inquiry’ into alleged misappropriation of funds in construction of Nagaland High Court complex in Kohima by the State government and to submit the report to the Registrar of the Gauhati High Court within three months. The intuitive judgment was given by a division bench of Gauhati High Court comprising of chief justice Ajit Singh and Justice Prasanta Kumar Deka in response to a PIL (suo motu) No. 5 of 2017 on allegations of misappropriation of public money in construction of the new high court complex Meriema. The division bench noted that, on finding any material to support the allegations, CBI will take action as per law by registering an FIR and that the State government will fully cooperate with the investigation. CBI has also been directed to depute an officer to imme-
ANSTA asks govt to address SSA, ad hoc teachers’ issues DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (NPN): Even as the SSA teachers are on pen down strike and the ad hoc teachers served ultimatum on government, the All Nagaland School Teachers Association (ANSTA) Thursday appealed to the state government to address SSA teachers’ pending salary issue and regularization of ad hoc teachers on priority basis. In a press release, ANTSA president, Ponchulo Wanth, and general secretary, Visato Koso, stated that agitation by any group of teachers hampered academic interest of the students, who were made to suffer for no fault of theirs. ANSTA said many government schools, unlike the private schools, began academic session very late due to general election, because almost all government schools have been utilised for election. The association said it was followed by the conduct of HSLC & HSSLC exams in which the exam centre schools could not have the classes. Therefore, ANSTA said launching agitation at this point in time would be too costly for the students as far as student academic interest was concerned.
OBSERVATIONS OF THE HIGH COURT
• Estimated cost of High Court complex construction Rs.161.10 cr. • Rs.36.92 released by Justice & Law deptt and paid to the contractor. • Govt withdrew Rs.44.24 lakh against electrification, water supplies at the project site but basic structure of HC building yet to be completed. • Construction of complex started in 2007 with an estimated budget of Rs.43 crore. • Between March 2009 and March 2017, 18 withdrawals made by Justice and Law deptt Project cost increased to Rs.52.63 crore. • Department took loan of nearly Rs.12.46 crore from HUDCO. • After 11 years, only 35% of work has been completed.
diately collect all relevant records from the Nagaland government pertaining to the PIL. Since CBI has been directed only to carry out a preliminary inquiry, not an ‘investigation’, the division bench refrained from commenting on the explanation given by the Nagaland government justifying use of huge amount of money as well as on completion of works so that neither the inquiry nor interests of the parties suffer prejudice. It may also be recalled, that Nagaland Post as well as other media had on September 13, 2017, published the statement of Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) alleging misappropriation. It pointed out that the founda-
tion stone for an independent High Court for Nagaland was laid at Meriema in 2007, and that the building was still not complete. Even the amount for construction exceeded the original estimate by Rs 9.63 crore. However, planned in the same year (2007), Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura had established their respective high courts and made those functional in 2013. NTC had claimed that as per RTI reply received by it, Rs. 43 crore was the original estimate for the High Court complex. However, between 2009-2014 and 2015-2017, NTC stated that the Justice & Law department had withdrawn Rs 41.62 crore and Rs 11.25 crore against the project respectively. In
2009-2017, there were 18 withdrawals and the amount increased to Rs 52.63 crore against the original estimate. It also stated that despite huge expenses, only 35% work was completed and the concerned department had availed a loan from Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO). Some social and RTI activists of Nagaland also filed a petition at GHC alleging that Rs 22.42 crore was withdrawn against construction of judges’ bungalows even though no area was earmarked for the same. Besides, Rs 44,24,700 was withdrawn against electrification and water supply, whereas the basic structure of the building was yet to be completed. Further, Rs 1.30 crore was paid as consultancy fee, which the activists termed as unbelievable, and that after exhaustion of the entire money, the State government took a loan of Rs 12,45,90,287 from HUDCO, the activists petitioned. On perusal of all records, the division bench found that there was a prima facie case of misappropriation of huge public money and siphoning off the same
2 abductees released unharmed
ENPO leaders with the two rescued persons in Tuensang on Thursday.
DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (NPN): Oil tanker driver and handyman, who were abducted by armed miscreants near New Helipong village under Tuensang district on April 22 last, have been safely released. After the abductees were released, they were brought to the residence of DC Tuensang. DGP Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, has expressed gratitude the ENPO, police, administration, VGs, Assam Rifles, Assam police and all
other state and central agencies for their efforts in ensuring the safe release of the two. Sharma also thanked ENPO president Khoiwang Konyak and ENPO team for walking the last mile. ENPO through its media cell has sincerely appreciated the wisdom and intuition of the “people concerned” for the safe release of the oil tanker driver and a handyman, Tula Ram Bura Gohain and Adman Surin as requested by the organisation. ENPO said
the “people concerned” while understanding the desire of the Naga public at this crucial stage have above all honoured the ENPO December 18, 2007 Tuensang Summit Resolution. In view of the 48-hour deadline given by various unions to ensure safe release of the duo and subsequent expiry of the set deadline, ENPO said the DC Tuensang had personally requested its intervention. Further, ENPO said stated that it was a joint concerted effort of the Tuensang district administration, police, security, tribal bodies and frontal organizations under ENPO which eventually led to the safe release of the driver and handyman. Extending appreciation for reposing faith on it, ENPO expressed hope that “this kind of understanding and joint effort in any matter shall continue in days to come.”
No deadline for signing Naga peace accord: Rio
Correspondent
NEW DELHI, MAY 3 (PTI): Amidst hectic negotiations to resolve the Naga insurgency problem, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio Thursday said there was no deadline for finding a solution to the decades-old issue, but the focus of the talks was on reaching an agreement as early as possible. R io a lso said the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which empowers security forces to conduct operations, arrest anyone, anywhere, without prior notice, should be removed from everywhere, but the controversial law was still in force in Nagaland as the situation in the state was still not conducive. “There is no time-line or deadline for signing the Naga peace accord. But the aspiration is to reach in a solution as early as possible,” he said here after meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh here. Rio said peace negotiations have been going on between the Issak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland
KOHIMA, MAY 3 (NPN): The process of filing nominations for the Nagaland Lok Sabha by-polls, scheduled to be held on May 28, began on Thursday. However, no nominations were filed on day one, as most of the political parties were still undecided on their choice of candidates. Sources within the ruling NDPP party, which is in alliance with the BJP, NPP and JD (U), informed Nagaland Post that they were likely take the opportunity to contest the by-poll. Speculations were also doing the rounds on social media about probable candidates. On the other hand, state BJP sources informed that the party was likely to make way for NDPP, as consensus candidate of the alliance. The decision to field PDA consensus candidate will be made after chief minister Neiphiu Rio, currently in Delhi, returns to state on Friday. (Cont’d on p-7)
(NSCN-IM) and the interlocutor of the government for the last two decades and hence it was time to resolve it as soon as possible. Asked about the possibilities of raising objections by some neighbouring states due to the demand of integration of Naga inhabited areas, chief minister Neiphiu Riosaid, “We don’t want to talk about conflict and focus is on to co-exist”. Rio had a 45-minute meeting with the Home minister during which he discussed various aspects of the Naga peace talks. Rio also said a meeting of various tribal bodies has been convened on May 11 in Kohima to discuss the ongoing peace talks. Asked about Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which is in force in Nagaland even though it was completely removed from Meghalaya and partly from Arunachal Pradesh, the chief minister said, “Our demand and desire is that it should be removed. The AFSPA still exists in Nagaland as the situation is still not conducive”.
ANCSU sets 30-day State of the art NE cultural deadline for govt to act and info Centre in Delhi soon
DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (NPN): All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has denounced the practice of attaching teachers in various capacities to VVIPs, VIPs, directorates, DEOs and SDEOs, besides barring government officials from using their allotted vehicles in dropping and picking students from colleges. In a statement, ANCSU assistant general secretary Imnameren N Jamir and social & cultural secretary Keneitsituo Kense accused the department of not doing justice to students by allowing attachments of teachers, which, according to them, was one of the ill practices of the directorate. ANCSU leaders alleged that the directorate has done “much harm to our society by compromising quality education in various manners, spoiling students’ careers and strangling government schools.” Warning that the union will not sit back idle, the signatories warned of taking the matter into their hands by locking the directorate, if the latter does not detach the attached teachers within (Cont’d on p-7) 30 days. (Cont’d on p-7)
To act as a hub for cultural-cum convention centre
Spl. Correspondent
NEW DELHI, MAY 3 (NPN): Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh Thursday informed that the Centre will be setting up a state-of-the-art North Eastern Cultural and Information Centre (NEC&IC) in the national capital soon. He disclosed this after chairing the review meeting of the “roadmap for implementation of cabinet approval of schemes for North East Council” here. The meeting also reviewed the progress of various on-going projects in the North Eastern region. As a Central government has been giving priority to the NE region, Dr. Jitendra said that Centre
will be a new gift to the people of North Eastern region. Dr. Singh informed that the Centre, which will be one of its kind in the country, is being built on a 1.32 acre land at Sector-13, Dwarka, New Delhi under the North Eastern Council (NEC) at an estimated cost of Rs. 50-55 crores. He said the Centre will act as a cultural and convention, information hub of the North Eastern region in Delhi. The Centre will have a librarycum-reading room with materials on North Eastern Region, an art gallery showcasing the North East, exhibition hall, research centre, sale outlets as well guest houses. Though the architecture, design and planning for the project are in process, Dr. Singh was optimistic that the project will be at the earliest. The review meeting was attended by DoNER secretary, Naveen Verma; NEC secretary, Ram Muivah and senior officials of the ministry.
Gov joins Moatsu festival celebration at Chungtia Over 100 killed in storm in UP, Rajasthan Correspondent
MOKOKCHUNG, MAY 3 (NPN): Nagaland governor, PB Acharya, joined the visiting students from Mumbai University in celebrating Moatsu – the pre(Cont’d on p-7) mier festival of Ao community – at Chungtia village, here Thursday. The festival programme was organized by the Chungtia Students’ Union as part of the cultural exchange programme between Mumbai University and Nagaland. The students from Mumbai University are here on a seven-day visit under the initiative of Indian National Fellowship Centre and the governor. Addressing the gathering, the governor described the event as a people to people programme and showered praises on the Naga “ G i v i n g c a b i n e t a n d people for their rich cultural minister of state status heritage. He also said that to party members is to Nagaland has vast natural bring change.” and mineral resources that
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in a systematic manner to the gross prejudice to the public exchequer. Though the Nagaland government tried to justify how the money was utilised, it could not however explain as to why only 35% of the construction of the new high court complex has been done, whereas the high court complexes in Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura which also started during 2007 have been completed in 2013 and where the court offices have been fully functioning. The division bench has therefore, directed the State government to expedite the construction and ensure that it is completed at the earliest and with highest standard of construction so that the long cherished dream of the people of Nagaland to have an independent high court of their own materialises. SK Medhi and A. Das argued for the petitioners, while Nagaland government advocate M Keichi argued for the respondents, which included chief secretary, Finance commr & secy, law & justice commr. & secy, Development commr, PWD commr & secy (W&H), PWD E-in-C (W&H) and PWD E-in-C (Housing).
No nominations filed for Lok Sabha by-poll on day 1
PB Acharya watching menfolk starting a fire in the traditional way on Thursday at Chungtia village.
needed to be tapped to so Nagaland could progress economically. Acharya added that the universities needed to skill the students for this. Further, the governor asserted that the students had a great role to play in order to bring mindset change and urged them to be job givers and not job seekers. Saying that festivals were a time for people to come together, the governor
conveyed his best wishes for a prosperous Chungtia village for a prosperous Mokokchung district. Highlights of the festival included folk dance presentation by Chungtia students as well as by the visiting students from Mumbai University, indigenous games, art and craft, a mass Moatsu feast and a cultural extravaganza. Gov meets leaders of frontal organizations: Gov-
ernor, PB Acharya, who arrived in Mokokchung on Wednesday to attend the Moatsu festival at Chungtia village, met the leaders of frontal organizations of Mokokchung town this morning. According to an official bulletin, Acharya had wideranging discussions with the leaders on various issues including an acceptable solution to the protracted Naga issue, opening new avenues for the unemployed educated youth and putting renewed effort in taking up over all development of the state with special focus on education and training of young people for entrepreneurship. During his meeting with leaders of Ao Senden, Watsu Mungdang and Ao Students Conference (AKM), Acharya shared his views on early Naga solution. He expressed hope that it may ‘happen soon’.
LUCKNOW/JAIPUR, MAY 3 (PTI): A storm whipped through a large swathe of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh last night, killing over 100 people in a trail of destruction that brought down mud houses, uprooted trees and flattened crops. At least 183 others were injured as a massive dust storm, followed by thunder showers, snapped power lines and sent tin roofs and street hoardings flying in parts of eastern Rajasthan and the adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh. The death toll this evening was 108. Seventy people were killed in UP and 83 injured. In Rajasthan, 38 died and another 100 were injured in the storm that hit the region around 7 pm. The worst period lasted about 45 minutes, according to reports from Dholpur in Rajasthan. But the extent of the damage was known only (Cont’d on p-7) this morning.
Met department today predicted another dust storm in parts of Rajasthan and UP in the next 48 hours. A Met official told PTI in Jaipur that the department had been issuing dust storm warnings for the past couple of days. India Meteorological Department (IMD) additional director general Mritunjay Mohapatra said the trigger for the storm was a cyclonic circulation over Haryana. But also responsible were a western disturbance over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir, and easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal. In UP, Agra district was the worst hit, accounting for at least 43 deaths and injuries to 51 others, officials said. Besides Agra, other storm-hit UP districts were Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Rae
Bareli and Unnao. In Rajasthan, Bharatpur district was the worst affected with 19 killed. Nine people died in Alwar and nine in Dholpur, officials said. Power supply was cut off in many areas as the squall uprooted trees and snapped electricity cables. Officials said it was being gradually restored. In towns, the storm triggered traffic snarls. Some trains were delayed as overhead power cables broke. In rural areas, there were reports of crop being damaged due to hailstorm. Farmers lost cattle and poultry. UP Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said 160 heads of cattle were lost. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the deaths and directed officials to coordinate with states to ensure speedy relief and rehabilitation. K Y M C