Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVII No. 341
DIMAPUR, wednesday, november 15, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00
UN Chief asks Suu Kyi to allow return of Rohingya refugees
Italy fail to qualify for World Cup
Rajiv killing: SC seeks Centre’s response on convict’s plea
international, Page 9
sports, Page 12
national, Page 5
Parl Secy issue: Gov to decide fate of 17 M’laya legislators
Correspondent
SHILLONG, NOV 14: All eyes are now on the Raj Bhavan to determine the fate of the 17 former parliamentary secretaries after the Meghalaya High Court struck down a state law providing for such appointments. On November 9, the Meghalaya High Court had held invalid the state law providing for appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries, but left it to the Governor to determine if those who held the post should be disqualified from the Assembly. The verdict by a division bench of Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Ved Prakash Vaish came on a PIL filed by state resident Madal Sumer, challenging the “extra constitutional and illegal” appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries in the state. A Raj Bhavan official said that Governor Ganga Prasad is waiting the reference of the state government and the assembly speaker on the court verdict on the ap-
NJCF calls for natl day of prayer D I M A P U R , N OV 1 4 (NPN): Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) has appealed to all the churches in Nagaland to observe National day of prayer on November 18-19, initiated by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC). In an appeal note, NJCF vice president, Rev. Dr. N. Paphino and secretary, Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing said that the rationale behind the programme was “to allow people to once more come before God in confession and intercession”. NJCF therefore, requested the pastors of the local congregation to announce and organize prayer meetings during the two days- to pray for our children, young people, parents, church, leaders, present situation, clean election campaign spearheaded by the church, unity and oneness, Naga national political solution and for the negotiation that is taking place in different level for amicable solution.
PWC meet rescheduled
D I M A P U R , N OV 1 4 (NPN): Meeting of the Parliamentary Working Committee (PWC) of the Legislators Forum on Naga political issue has been rescheduled to 2:30 p.m. on November 17 at Assembly Secretariat.
This is it!
“You don’t know but the office has spent a lot of money for vacuum cleaners.” K Y M C
pointment of parliamentary secretary. “The governor is yet to receive a reference from the government and assembly speaker on the court verdict (parliamentary secretary). Once we receive the communication from them, the office of governor will seek the suggestion of the election commission on the matter,” a Raj Bhavan official said on Tuesday. According to Article 192 of the Constitution, if any question arises as to whether a member of a House of the Legislature of a State has become subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in clause (1) of Article 191, the question will be referred for the decision of the Governor and his decision shall be final. Leaving it open to the Governor to decide on the parliamentary secretaries’ disqualification as assembly members, the bench had noted: “It is hardly a matter of any doubt that when a question arises as to whether a member of a House of the Legislature of the state has
become subject to any of disqualifications mentioned in Article 191(1), the question has to be referred for the decision of Governor; and the decision of the Governor in this regard, on the basis of the opinion of Election Commission, is final.” However 10 of the 17 legislators who quit as Parliamentary Secretaries after the High Court struck down a state law providing for such appointments have said there is no ground for their disqualification as members of the Assembly. Sujit Dey, counsel for the 10 legislators, said that the issue of disqualification from the Assembly becomes “infructuous” since the post of Parliamentary Secretary itself has ceased to exist, and out of respect for the court verdict, all Parliamentary Secretaries had immediately resigned. Hours after the verdict, 17 Parliamentary Secretaries quit their post. Meghalaya chief minister, Mukul Sangma, who accepted their resignation, defended their
appointment and the law. “This law has been enacted based on this mandate of the provisions of the Constitution by which we can prevent the members of the august house from getting disqualified from holding an office of profit wherein law says such office will be deemed as not as office of profit,” Sangma said. However, Madal Sumer who submitted a representation to Governor Prasad on Monday evening seek the disqualification of the legislators named in the PIL citing that “they are no longer legislators for holding office of profit”. Sumer urged the governor, the highest constitutional authority of the state, to exercise his power under Article 192 of the Constitution and to take a decision on the issue of disqualification. On July 26, the Supreme Court had declared as unconstitutional a law enacted by Assam in 2004 that allowed the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries in the rank of Minister of State.
Former SC judge warns against misinterpreting Article 371A Correspondent
Kohima, Nov 14 (NPN): Former Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir High Court and former Judge of Supreme Court HK Sema has clarified that no part of Article 371A was against women’s reservation. He was speaking as a guest of honour at the training for trainers on women’s rights and peace held at SIRD Auditorium here on Tuesday. The programme was organised by the Department of English of Nagaland University, in association with the Naga Mothers’ Association and Human Rights Law Network. Speaking on the topic “Article 371A and Women Reservation - the Naga debate,” Sema said misinterpretation of Article 371A had become a huge threat
to the Naga society, even as he clarified that no part of Article 371A was against women reservation and added that since men and women are not equal, the later require reservation. The legal luminary added that Article 371A(1) (a) stated that no Act of parliament would apply in Nagaland in respect of religious or social practices of the Nags, Naga customary law and procedure unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides. He cautioned the Naga society that if people continued to misinterpret Article 371A and misused it, then it would become like personal laws of the Muslim and in which Supreme Court had to intervene in the matter of triple talaq to give rights to women. He said in a
Power for one hour to affected areas
Cooperation of all needed to ensure peace, says CM
Staff Reporter
D imapur , N ov 1 4 (NPN): Areas comprising of around 2/3rd of Dimapur City which have been without power since Sunday afternoon due to the damage of a 20 MVA transformer, received a brief respite when power was restored for one hour from 9 p.m. Power de par tment sources informed that the second partially burnt 20 MVA transfor mer was charged on Tuesday evening. The officials said the charged transformer will only be utilising half its capacity of 10 MVA for two to three days and if no problem arises then the transformer will be utilised to its full 20 MVA capacity. However due to deficit because of total damage to one of the 20 MVA transformers, load shedding will continue throughout Dimapur city for a few months. They said affected areas will be getting about an hour of electricity in turn, till the entire situation improved or after procurement and installation of a new higher capacity transformer.
President to attend Hornbill Festival 2017
D I M A P U R , N OV 1 4 (NPN): President Ram Nath Kovind will attend the inaugural programme of the International Hornbill Festival on December 1. In a statement, CMO media cell also informed that Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Textiles, Information & Broadcasting, Smiriti Irani and Judge of Supreme Court justice Ranjan Gogoi have also confirmed their participation. Meanwhile, chief minister T.R. Zeliang has directed the state PWD to repair the roads in Kohima town and adjacent areas. According to PTI, the President is scheduled to arrive here on November 30 and will depart for New Delhi the next afternoon after the programme. (More on p-3) (Cont’d on p-8)
democratic country like India, no authority was above the constitutional law. The former judge said he was ready to explain in detail Article 371 (A) and women reservation on a proper platform, provided he was given enough time. He rued that corruption had pulled down the Naga society and brought development activities to a standstill in the State. Stating that faulty election process was the root cause of corruption, he urged the intelligentsia to do something to change it. Refer ring to Mizo youth and mothers’ association movements to clean up the election process, Sema said Naga society too could change. He warned that money power during elections would rot the society.
Gov summons NLA session
D I M A P U R , N OV 1 4 (NPN): Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya has summoned the Nineteenth Session of the Twelfth Nagaland Legislative Assembly to meet at 9:30 am on December 14, 2017 at the Assembly Hall, Kohima.
Meeting on Lokayukta
T.R. Zeliang with the motorcycle expedition team.
Correspondent Kohima, Nov 14 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, TR Zeliang has sought the cooperation of all in working together towards ensuring permanent peace in Nagaland. He said this while addressing a gathering on the occasion of flagging off an Assam Rifles’ tri -nation motorcycle expedition at Kenguruse Hall, IGAR (N) Hqs here on Tuesday. Expressing his joy at the enthusiastic participation of Assam Rifles (AR) personnel in the motorcycle expedition to Bangladesh and Myanmar, Zeliang also urged the country’s oldest paramilitary force to continue its efforts through various activities to attract youth of the region towards positive pursuits in life. He also lauded the Central force for carrying out charity works in the State, including organizing free medical camps, helping poor villagers and conducting other civic action programmes, and termed these as “remarkable”. Zeliang commended the expedition’s team leader Col Pratyush Kumar Singh
and the AR for enhancing security of the NE region. Recalling the contribution of “Iron Man of India” Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel towards nation building, Zeliang said the first Home minister of free India through his untiring efforts had paved the way for unifying the princely states into one nation. He said the motorcycle expedition was an outcome of special efforts put in by the Assam Rifles to reach out to their counterparts in Bangladesh and Myanmar, besides people of the Northeastern States to foster unity. He added that the expedition would not only offer adventure, but also take its participants through unexplored land that would be an experience of a lifetime. He said it would also allow them direct contact with varied culture and traditions of the Northeast, which would help them in understanding the dynamics of the region and thereby prepare them to serve the people of the region even better. The programme was attended by IGAR (N) Maj. Gen. Sanjay Gupta, host of ministers, parliamentary secretaries and AR officials.
D I M A P U R , N ov 1 4 (NPN): Parliamentary secretary Housing and chairman of the Select Committee on the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill, 2015, Er. Levi Rengma, has call for a meeting of the Sub-Committee members on November 21, 11 a.m. at the Committee Room NLA secretariat, to examine the report of the Sub-Committee. All committee members have been requested to attend the meeting.
LVSU flays rape of minor D I M A P U R , N OV 1 4 (NPN): Longmatra Village Students’ Union (LVSU) Kiphire has termed the alleged rape of a minor girl on November 3 as “barbaric and heinous” and appealed to the law enforcing agencies to punish the culprits as per the law. In a statement, LVSU president, Rhangpenmong and general secretary, Joel T Sangtam said it acknowledged the step taken by AST to condemn the incident, however its sentiments has been hurt as the union’s village name was dragged in the media without proper verifications. The union clarified that the incident happened at Sangtsoze village. Clarification: Akheda Sangtamlaru Thsingmujang (AST) has issued a corrigendum stating that November 3 rape incident took place at Sangtsoze village under Longmatra area and not as rendered.
PCC’s sit-in stir today; APO reaffirms Nov 11 declaration PCC to press for implementation of Lok Ayukta, others ‘Declaration made for health of our ailing society’ D I M A P U R , N OV 1 4 (NPN): Public Coordination Committee (PCC) has called upon the people of Nagaland to attend the sit-in protest organised by it at the New Secretariat Junction, Kohima on Wednesday in support of its various demands. PCC, under the aegis of ACAUT, PSAN and various other organisations, including technical and students’ bodies, have come together to raise a united voice against rampant corruption in Nagaland and the alleged government’s insensitivity and incapability to provide good governance. In a press note, PCC media cell informed that the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship and All Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat have also extended their full support to the cause and would be taking part in the protest as concerned and
responsible citizens. The key demands of the PCC are setting up of a Lokayukta at the earliest, revocation of the decision to scrap Class-III posts from the purview of NPSC, declaration of marks and answer keys in all stages of NPSC examinations, besides declaring waiting lists, and immediate termination of all backdoor appointments made after June 6, 2016. Appeal to APO: PCC has fervently appealed to the Angami Public Organisation (APO) to reconsider the latter’s stand on protests and make the Wednesday’s peaceful sit-in protest an exception since “the future of the younger generation in particular and the Nagas in general is at stake”. “It is at times like these that Nagas as a race should be united and raise a unanimous voice against all the ills that plague the state,” PCC reminded.
Angami Public Organisation (APO) on Tuesday reiterated its November 11 declaration made through local dailies that no protest, agitation or disruption would be allowed to be held under its jurisdiction. The matter assumes significance in the backdrop of the Public Coordination Committee (PCC) announcing a sit-in protest at the New Secretariat Junction in Kohima on Wednesday in support of its various demands. In a statement issued through its vice president, KT Vilie, APO also declared that it bore no ill will against the various organisations or their any genuine demands. “This declaration is made for the health of our ailing society to at least take a short break this festive season. There are many issues and concerns which require to be addressed by the Government. A tired physical body also needs rest. Our society is tired. It needs rest and get refreshed,” the statement added. APO further emphasized that most students were appearing for their final examinations and that their career and life could never be compromised under any circumstances. “It requires no reminder to exert that the creamiest layer of the Naga society from all Naga communities are residing in its capital who are the future of our society,” the organisation said. The statement added that for the convenience and smooth conduct of the upcoming festivals, the APO had initiated necessary measures so that preparations and the festivities are not disrupted in (Cont’d on p-8) any manner. K Y M C