Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXIII No. 101
DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Venuzo Dawhuo wins 14th open NWC SPORTS, PAGE 12
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State govt duty bound to hold ULB elections as per SC directive: MAD
DIMAPUR, MAR 18 (NPN): Drawing attention to the recent statements made by various organizations with regard to the elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), principal secretary Municipal Affairs Department (MAD) I Himato Zhimomi said that the state government was duty bound to hold the ULB polls in compliance with the Supreme Court directive. MAD clarified that the Supreme Court in the CA case no. 3607/2016 PUCL Vs the State of Nagaland has, after a series of hearings, directed the state government to hold the ULB elections without any further delay in accordance with the 74th Amendment of the Constitution that stipulates 33% reservation for women in ULBs and also directed the state gov-
ernment to issue the notification for elections to the ULBs by March 9, 2023. Accordingly, the State Election Commission issued the notification for the ULB election schedule on March 9 with the polls scheduled for May 16, 2023. Thereafter the Model Code of Conduct was accordingly enforced. Further, with regard to the issue of “Tax on Land and Building”, MDA clarified that the provisions relating to it have already been removed from Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 by the
NMA (3rd Amendment) Act 2016. The amendment of section 120 (1) (a) states that “All references and operative provisions relating to tax on land and buildings wherever these occur in the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 shall be deemed to have been omitted”, it stated. With regard to request made by some section of the organizations to replace the word “Deleted” in lieu of “Omitted”, MAD clarified that as per the legal opinion, the words “Omission, Omitted & Deleted” have no difference but should be read as of the same meaning and character in context of the amendment issue in question. On the suggestions of nominating women in ULBs with voting rights instead of 33% women’s reservations
of wards, MDA said that the Supreme Court in its judgment dated February 22, 2022 had categorically struck down this submission as “something naturally not acceptable”. On the issue of reservations for women chairpersons, MDA said that “women’s reservation of chairpersons of the ULBs was notified as per Section 23B of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, as amended. To bring about fair play, the rotation is being based on the Alphabetical order of the ULBs,” it said. The department pointed out that the Supreme Court, in its judgment on March 14, 2023 “directed that the poll schedule will not be disturbed now and the election process be completed in terms of the schedule. (Cont’d on p-8)
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Pak police storm home of ex-PM Khan INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9
APO reaffirms Dec 2016 Govt should listen to the voice resolution on ULB polls of people: Azo on ULB elections
DIMAPUR, MAR 18 (NPN): Reaffirming its December 11, 2016 resolution vis-à-vis election to Municipal/Town councils, the Angami Public Organisation (APO) said that “till such a space is provided for the amendment and necessary and clear-cut safeguard is provided to Article 371 (A), the APO has resolved not to allow the conduct of election to municipal and town councils in the Angami territories (Chümoukedima, Dimapur & Kohima Districts).” The reaffirmation was made at the extra-ordinary executive meeting held on March 17, 2023 where APO executive members, presidents of all frontal organizations, advisory board members and intellectuals attended the meeting, APO president Razouvoto Chatsu stated in a letter to the chief secretary. After marathon discussion over the issue of
Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001, the house unanimously resolved to re-affirm the “infamous resolution” made on December 11, 2016. APO, therefore, appealed to all political parties, intending candidates and individuals to refrain from filling or nominating any candidate for the forthcoming ULB elections. “Any action in violation of this resolution shall be viewed as a direct challenge to the APO,” it stated. APO also appealed to the newly elected and constituted government to seriously feel the pulse of the public and rectify all points in the Act, which it said was against the interest of the Naga public. The organization further urged upon the state government to seriously review the issue of women reservation before the coming Municipal and Town Council election in the State.
Yhome files paper for Formation of a third opposition-less govt likely NLA Speaker’s poll Correspondent NPP, LJP (RV), RPI (A), BJP coalition government be resolved within a year’s ing recently. Though chief
DIMAPUR, MAR 18 (NPN): In a surprising development, NDPP legislator Dr. Kekhrie Yhome who was appointed as advisor School Education & SCERT has filed nomination papers for the election of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker. Informing this in a tweet, the official handle of NDPP secretary general said that “… KekhrieYhome signed nomination papers for the election of Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The MLA from 11 Northern Angami 1 ac represents and carries the goodwill of the entire NDPP family in the nomination process.” There is considerable speculation about the turn of events since it was largely expected that former Speaker of the 13th NLA Sharingain Longkumer, who was not inducted into the cabinet nor appointed as Adviser, would be re-elected as Speaker of the newly constituted 14th NLA.
KTCN president R Hasnu passes away
DIMAPUR, MAR 18 (NPN): Kachari Tribal Council Nagaland (KTCN) president Ramesh Hasnu passed away on Saturday. According to KTCN media cell, the funeral service would be held at his native village, Amaluma under Dhansiripar on March 19, 2023 at 10am. KTCN stated that Hasnu breathed his last as he was being brought back to Dimapur from Guwahati at around 6:30pm.
KO H I M A , M A R 1 8 (NPN): As reported by Nagaland Post on March 4, political events in the state indicate an emerging consensus among various political parties in the state on formation of the third opposition-less government. The driving force behind such a move is the Centre’s desire to have all on board so as to ensure peaceful solution of the protracted Naga political issue and also meeting the demands of the people of eastern Nagaland as spearheaded by ENPO. It may be recalled that all other parties such as–
JD(U) and Independentshave extended support to the NDPP-BJP coalition government and also expressed willingness to be part of the coalition government. Significantly, the NPF has also joined all other political parties, in extending support to the NDPP-BJP coalition government. This was informed by NPF legislature party leader Azo Neinu while interacting with media persons at the NPF felicitation programme here at the party central office Saturday. Azo disclosed that NPF had submitted the letter of support to NDPP-
keeping in mind the party’s stand for resolving the Naga political issue. He said the reason behind was for the Naga solution which NPF has been championing. However, he said NPF was yet to receive a reply from the government. Azo mentioned that both prime minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah during the election campaigns on February 24 and 21, promised to solve the Naga issue. Azo said it was high time for both the leaders to walk the talk. He said if the present elected members have the political will, the issue can
“I think, you’re stretching the meaning of day of rest too far.” K Y M C
minister Neiphiu Rio is to accept the letters of support, accepting post-poll support from other parties or legislators has to be decided only after consultations between the two (BJP and NDPP) partners. The BJP will also have to get the nod for a post-poll alliance from its Central high command. Parties appoint legislature party leaders: Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) secretariat has notified the election of legislature party leaders of various political parties to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. (Cont’d on p-8)
KOHIMA, MAR 18 (NPN): NPF Legislature party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, while acknowledging the standing order of the Supreme Court to conduct the Urban Loal Body elections (ULBs), however, maintained that the government should listen to the voices of the people. Citing the 2017 violence where two persons had lost their lives during the protest against holding of ULB polls, Azo said his party had faced a bitter experience and therefore felt that the government and the Supreme Court should listen to the voices of the people. Addressing the media on the sidelines of the felicitation programme for the two NPF legislators, Azo said the main reason the government was trying to push the ULB polls was for “monetary benefit.” “They (government) say that we are losing a lot of funds if we do not hold ULB polls. Why should we lose our political rights just because of money,” Azo stated. While asserting that the ULB polls should be held, Azo however, opined that elections should be kept on hold or postponed for few months till the issues were resolved and also review the Municipal Act, 2021. Also present at the press meet, NPF legislator Achumbemo Kikon said that the NPF working committee had met on March 17 and conveyed that the government should not take any step before arriving at a consensus decision with the public. Kikon also stated that NPF did not want face the 2017-like episode, where two
Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu (NP)
persons had lost their lives, government offices burnt down, houses of some candidates were vandalized etc. No question or merger: When asked if the two NPF legislators would merge with the NDPP/BJP like the 21 NPF MLAs had jumped ship in the previous house, Achumbemo Kikon—chief whip of the party, said that there was no question of merger. He said the party had already dispatched the letter of support to the Rio-led government particularly based on the Naga political issue, adding that it was one of the principles that NPF maintained and supported the government in the past as well. He said if the government does not reciprocate, the party will be left with no other choice but to take another step. On the other hand, Azo said that whether the two legislators were in the government or not, they will raise questions during the assembly session and speak for the rights of the Nagas. Azo reminded that though NPF had been in the opposition-less government for nearly a year in the previous tenure, they had raised questions and charged the government. This trend will be continued even in the new house, he added.
76 samples of new Covid-19 variant Paiwang stresses on goal to eliminate malaria by 2030 XBB1.16 found in India: INSACOG data Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI, MAR 18 (PTI): A total of 76 samples of COVID-19’s XBB.1.16 variant have been found which might be behind the recent rise of cases in the country, according to INSACOG data. The variant has been found across Karnataka (30), Maharashtra (29), Puducherry (7) Delhi (5), Telangana (2), Gujarat (1), Himachal (1) and Odisha (1), the Indian SARSCoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) data showed. XBB 1.16 variant was
first found in January when two samples tested positive for the variant while in February a total of 59 samples were found. In March, till now 15 samples of the XBB 1.16 variant have been found, the INSACOG said. Some experts have attributed the recent rise in COVID-19 cases to this variant. India’s single-day tally of COVID-19 cases crossed 800 after 126 days on Saturday, while the number of active cases climbed to 5,389. Former AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria, who had led the national
Covid task force, said the rise in Covid cases seems to be driven by the XBB 1.16 variant while the influenza cases are because of H3N2. Vipin M Vashishtha, former convenor of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, said the new XBB.1.16 variant has now been detected in at least 12 countries with highest cases in India followed by the US, Brunei, Singapore and the UK. In India, there is a 281 per cent increase in cases 17 per cent increase in deaths over the past 14 days, he tweeted.
DIMAPUR, MAR 18 (NPN): Stressing on India’s goal to eliminate malaria by 2030, state health & welfare minister P Paiwang Konyak on Saturday said that the National vector borne disease control programme (NVBDCP) in the state has been progressing steadily towards a malaria-free Nagaland. Speaking at the regional review meeting of Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) states at Niathu Resort on Saturday, health minister said that the journey towards malaria elimi-
P Paiwang Konyak (NP)
nation programme over the years had witnessed a sharp decline in malaria morbidity and mortality. He informed that in 2009, malaria health workers under NVBDCP Nagaland, detected 8489 malaria cases and 35 lives were lost
to the dreaded disease in the same year. He, however, said that with the support of the global fund and the directorate NCVBDC, the state has been able to bring down the malaria cases. He said that there had been no malaria deaths since 2017. Health minister also informed that three districts—Mokokchung, Longleng and Zunheboto—have been very successful in the malaria control programme in the last three years. He also said that seven out of 16 districts have not detected any malaria positive in 2022. In this regard, Paiwang acknowledged various stakeholders involved in making
it possible and expressed hope that the trend to continue. The minister said that the emerging trends of other vector borne diseases like Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue have been observed in the state. He said that the aim was to be more alert, cautious and identify early signals to help prevent any further spread or prevent any mortality and morbidity that could arises. Health minister has, therefore, called upon all responsible to be informative, practical and fruitful in order to make better policy (Cont’d on p-8)
2023 poll a gambling bout, highest bidder becomes winner: Shürho CBSE schools warned against
(Cont’d on p-8) Correspondent
This is it!
time and that members can vacate their chairs anytime if an honourable and acceptable solution was arrived at. Azo acknowledged that public had condemned the elected members and criticised them for taking up the Naga political issue only at the end of their tenure. Therefore, NPF has decided to extend support to the government at the beginning of the 14 NLA to pursue Naga solution. M e a n w h i l e h i g h ly placed government sources disclosed to Nagaland Post, the NDPP-BJP legislators had discussed the letters of support at a joint meet-
Correspondent
KO H I M A , M A R 1 8 (NPN): Congratulating Kuzholuzo Nienu and Achumbemo Kikon on their victory in the recent assembly election, NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Saturday said that the just-concluded election was purely a money game—”a gambling bout” where the highest bidder becomes the winner. NPF president said that party’s two MLAs, however, survived the onslaughts and emerged victorious. Describing the two MLAs as “big winners”, Liezietsu also conveyed
(L-R) Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Azo Neinu, Achumbemo Kikon and Apong Pongener at the felicitation programme. (NP)
the party’s gratitude to all the supporters and wellwishers of 19 Phek A/C and 40 Bhandari A/C. Speaking at the NPF
felicitation-cum-thanksgiving event at the NPF central office here, NPF chief recalled that the recent election was in name only
as political ideology and principles had no place. he said that even the election manifesto had no meaning for the people. Dr. Shürhozelie said that with money power and other government machineries, the ruling alliance put in maximum efforts to crush NPF, the only regional political party in Nagaland. Liezietsu asserted that out of 10 political parties that participated in the last election, nine were National political parties and NPF was the only Regional political party. He said that even as NPF could secured only two seats, there was no
reason to be discouraged because NPF was the only party, which has its roots in the Naga society and on Naga soil while the rest were all “migratory political parties” in nature. He encouraged the two leaders to hold NPF fort with pride because from this stem, which has its root in the unique history of the Nagas, new sooth would sprout when spring comes. Party chief informed that in 2018 general elections, NPF won 26 seats though it could not secure the magic figure to form the government.
starting session before April 1
NEW DELHI, MAR 18 (PTI): Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has warned schools against starting the academic session before April 1, saying it poses the risk of causing anxiety and burnout among students. The warning by CBSE comes after several schools commenced their academic session, especially for Classes 10 and 12. “It has been noticed that some of the affiliated schools have started their academic session quite early in the year. Attempt(Cont’d on p-8) ing to complete an entire
year’s worth of course work in a reduced timeframe poses risks for students who may get overwhelmed and struggle to keep up with the pace of learning, leading to anxiety and burnout,” CBSE secretary Anurag Tripathi said in an official order. “The principals and heads of institutions of the schools affiliated with the board are, therefore, advised to refrain from beginning academic sessions before the specified time and strictly follow the academic session from April 1 to March 31,” Tripathi said. K Y M C