October 16, 2017

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 311

Three NE states poll likely in Feb SHILLONG OCT 15 (AGENCIES): Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura Assembly Election is likely to be held sometime in February, the Shillong Times report stated. An election official said that while Himachal Pradesh polls will be held on November 9 and counting of votes on December 18, the Gujarat polls will be held before the results in Himachal. After these two states, the three states which will go to polls in the next phase are Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland. Though there are talks about simultaneous polls for both Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies sometime in 2018, this is unlikely in the near future as the states which are going to polls have not been informed about the matter, the election official said. Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor, who is Gujarat to understand the poll preparedness in that state, however, refused to comment on the schedule of the Meghalaya polls. An official source said that ECI team is expected to visit Meghalaya after Diwali as part of assessing the preparedness of the State to hold polls.

DIMAPUR, monday, october 16, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Indian economy on ‘very solid track’: IMF chief Lagarde

Sharapova wins first WTA title since return from ban

‘Trump speech violated Iran nuclear deal’

business, Page 8

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

NPF not averse to BJP: Azo tells Amit Shah Correspondent

KO H I M A , O C T 1 5 (NPN): In what is seen as an attempt to mend fences with BJP after severing ties with it on July 18, leader of the Naga People’s Front (Dr. Shürhozelie) legislature party and DAN chair man, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu informed BJP national president, Amit Shah that the NPF party headed by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu was not averse to the BJP. Azo stated this to Amit Shah in a letter, while raising various issues concerning the state and the nation in general. Writing on behalf of NPF president and NPF party legislature, Azo explained that the NPF party severed ties with the BJP “only because in the recent imbroglio, unconstitutional means were adopted to favour an individual leader dismissing the legitimate government headed by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and installing an unconstitu-

tional government.” Azo said this had led to loss of confidence of the people in the Constitution of India but however reiterated that NPF was not averse to the BJP. It may be recalled that the NPF at its emergency meeting of the Central Executive Council (CEC), Central Office Bearers, divisional presidents and frontal organisations on July 18 evening resolved to sever the 40-year old tie with the BJP party. In the letter, Azo assured that the NPF party was committed to permanent solution of the Naga political problem and building a prosperous India. He also specifically highlighted the influx of illegal immigrants into the country, particularly the North Eastern states. Azo said this issue has become a major threat to national security and integrity and urged upon the BJP national president, Amit Shah to let the BJP

party take up the issue with all seriousness. As the interest of the nation should come before the party’s interest, Azo asserted that the NPF party was committed to tackle the menace with outmost sincerity. He said the party would also discuss and deliberate on the issue during the upcoming General Convention to be held in November and “subsequently adopt ways and means to counter this threat in our party manifesto.” “Drastic steps needs to be taken before this problem engulfs the entire NE states,” he added. Azo also recalled that he along with Rajya Sabha MP, KG Kenye had on October 5 met Sunil Deshpande and Arun Kumar Khanna in Delhi and apprised them about the issue. Meanwhile, Azo on behalf of the party extended Diwali greetings to Amit Shah and wished him a long and healthy life.

Govt to implement ‘smart fencing’ project along border

No change in territorial boundary of states: Ravi

GUWAHATI, OCT 15 (AGENCIES): Centre has started the process of implementing the ‘Smart fencing’ project in the areas considered most vulnerable along the international border with Pakistan, and if this project is successful, it can be extended to the eastern border with Bangladesh. However, use of some available modern technology has already improved border management in this part of the country and some new addition of technology is in the pipeline. Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that extensive use of modern technology has improved border management considerably along the international border with Bangladesh and it has acted as force multiplier. They said the hand-held thermal imagers used by the BSF personnel along the Indo-Bangladesh border has improved the performance of the border guarding force. The device can detect movement of any living object within a range of 5kms and if any such movement is noticed, the quick reaction teams can move to the location.

GUWAHATI, OCT 15 (AGENCIES): Government of India’s interlocutor for Naga talks, RN Ravi asserted that the territorial boundary of any of the states of the region would not be affected while finding a solution to the Naga political issues. Talking to The Assam Tribune, Ravi said that the GoI is keen on finding a comprehensive solution acceptable to everyone in Nagaland and that is why efforts were made to involve all concerned. He said that six more armed groups of Nagaland have already joined the peace process and the first round of formal talks involving all the groups has already been held. “The talks are progressing well and we hope to find a solution acceptable to all soon,” he added. Replying to a question whether the NSCN (K) will also join the peace process, Ravi said that it is for the outfit to decide whether to join the peace talks or not. “If the Assam government has any doubt, it can always contact me or the Central government to

clarify any point,” he added. He also said that during the tenure of the previous Government in Assam, he had sent a formal invitation to the Assam government for discussing the issues. But the Assam government did not send any representative and when a reminder was sent, the government replied that as the State Assembly election was approaching it would not be possible to send anyone for talks. In recent times, there are speculations that a portion of Assam’s land would be included in Greater Nagalim as a part of final solution to the Naga issue. There are also speculations that the final accord with the NSCN (I-M) would be signed on the day of the Christmas. However, Ravi termed the speculations as “false and malicious propaganda”. He also clarified that though talks are progressing well, no date has been fixed for the signing of the final agreement and it would be wrong to say that the accord would be signed on the Christmas day.

Manipur: Security beefed up ahead of Dalai Lama’s visit

Correspondent

IMPHAL, OCT 15: As the Manipur gears up to welcome the Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama on October 17, Manipur government has beefed up security in Imphal where Dalai Lama would be attending the global peace conference. Manipur police on Sunday conducted search operation in the surrounding areas of Imphal City Convention Centre, where the conference is scheduled to be held on October 18. Many religious leaders including Buddhist monks from Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries would be attending the conference.

ANI bureau clarifies

DIMAPUR, OCT 15 (NPN): Asian News International (ANI) Nagaland bureau has clarified that the news regarding Rohingya militants planning to attack Nagaland, “was manufactured in Delhi, solely based on the fake viral news on social media” ANI Nagaland bureau, Ngathingkhui Jagoi said that the news carried the dateline as Kohima without consulting the Nagaland Bureau. “I came to know about it only when it appeared in local dailies. ANI office has apologised saying that they have done the story based on DIMAPUR, Oct 15 (NPN): United Naga Tribes As- BSF sources,” Jagoi said. sociation on Border Areas (UNTABA) has called for a Corrigendum meeting on October 20, 2 p.m. at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur to discuss all pending matters related to boundary issue as D I M A P U R , O C T 1 5 (NPN): Apropos the news desired by the Nagas. The following agendas-- detail report on the issue, reit- item “NSCN (I-M) directs” erate demand for boundary settlement along with political published on October 15, settlement, questionable points on Joint Boundary Commis- it should be read as “... sion and the emergent need of litigation process on the issue, collecting taxes, extortion would be deliberated, said UNTABA chairman Hukavi T and disturbing the peaceful Yeputhomi and general secretary Imsumongba Pongen in environment...” and not as (Cont’d on p-7) rendered. a press statement .

ITBP combat wing for quick Doctors tussle with surge in dengue cases UNTABA meeting on boundary issue deployment at China border Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, OCT 15 (AGENCIES): For the first time in its over 50 years history, the ITBP is raising and deploying a mechanised column of power vehicles and machines to speedily mobilise troops along the Sino-India border in case of Chinese military transgressions and Doklam-like standoffs. The decision to raise such a military-style combat wing in the paramilitary was taken after the Union home ministry recently approved deployment of snow scooters at all the high-altitude border outposts of the mountain-warfare trained force along the 3,488-km long frontier it guards. A senior home ministry official told PTI on the condition of anonymity that the mechanised column of the force will comprise over 250 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snow scooters, excavators and few other medium-lift four-wheeled vehicles. While the army has the mechanised infantry, it was essential to have a mechanised column in the border guarding force as it secures this border in peace times and will bear the first onslaught in case of a war or a conflict, the official said

This is it!

“You must be new here. See that PHE tap? It’s been without a drop of water since 30 years ago. K Y M C

explaining the rationale for the latest move. Till now, only the Border Security Force under the home ministry, that guards the IndoPak border, had an artillery unit and some mechanised components to aid it. A proposal to raise a full-fledged mechanised column under the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force was moved by the forces’ headquarters here sometime back, the official said, with the force Director General (DG) R K Pachnanda making a specific presentation to the ministry in this context. The about 90,000-personnel force has sanctions to procure about 150 SUVs for high-altitude deployment, out of which it has about five dozen already deployed, half-a-dozen snow scooters and few excavators to clear snow-bound passes and landslide-prone border tracks.

DIMAPUR, OCT 15 (NPN): Even as the monsoon season has almost receded, there is no let up in the number of patients suffering from dengue virus. In Dimapur alone there have been almost 100 unreported cases. However, Dimapur District Hospital authorities said only 65 cases have been confirmed so far. Speaking to Nagaland Post, Dr. Vikato said that the doctors have been battling tooth and nail for five months due to rise in dengue infections. “The cases were quite high last year and so we had to prepare beforehand. We have been doing our best and have been conducting fogging drives all over the town”, he said. Dr. Vikato stressed on the importance of keeping the surroundings clean and

clear from water-logging in order to prevent Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to breed. He said most importantly people need to keep their areas healthy and hygiene. It is pertinent to note that the stagnant drain water in and around Dimapur has become a major concern. The result is that the stagnant sewage has aided mosquito breeding in a big way. Dr. Vikato said that the department had been conducting awareness drives, as educating the public was essential in preventing

and combating the fever. He also urged the public to co-operate with the health department officials during such drives. It may be noted that dengue is caused by Aedes aegypti mosquito which also causes zika virus-infection. It breeds during the rains continue to reproduce and add to its numbers usually till winter months. The only way to truly prevent dengue virus acquisition is to avoid being bitten by a vector mosquito and although this could be accomplished by avoiding areas where dengue is endemic, it is not an ideal strategy. Other measures include wearing N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET)–containing mosquito repellent, protective clothing, remaining in wellscreened or air-conditioned places and eliminating the mosquito vector using indoor sprays.

Affordable air connectivity for NE may never take flight NEW DELHI, OCT 15 (AGENCIES): The implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) Act has greatly affected the growth of aviation sector. Aviation sector is one of the growing sectors in India in the last decades and the Indian Aviation sector is ranked among the top ten market in the world. And it seems there is no reason to cheer with GST implementation under the aviation industry as it will take an annual hit of Rs. 5,700 crore following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), domestic airlines told the Finance Ministry recently. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents IndiGo, SpiceJet, Jet Airways and GoAir, made a presentation before top Finance Ministry officials on September 27 on behalf of the entire airline industry, saying guideline principles of the new indi-

rect system — revenue neutrality and equity — have been violated by the GST. “The airline industry will be hit by Rs. 5,700 crore per annum and the GST will make the flourishing sector sick. The Indian carriers will become globally un competitive as it will give huge benefit to competing airlines, especially from the Gulf,” the airlines said in their submission to the Finance Ministry. The airlines further said that the GST, in the current form, was against the objective of “affordability and sustainability” stated in the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 and regional connectivity scheme UDAN released last year. It may be mentioned that Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) is a regional connectivity scheme of the Union Civil Aviation Ministry that makes flying affordable to the masses. This would

not only pave the way for providing affordable air connectivity within the country but also boost tourism and facilitate import and export of goods and agriculture, horticulture produces of the state. Northeast India has a huge scope in terms of development in aviation sector and recently there have been a lot of developments in terms of air connectivity of different states of Northeast India with the rest of the country. It may be mentioned that under the UDAN scheme of the GoI, Arunachal Pradesh has now been included under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN). This implied that this would not only pave the way for providing affordable air connectivity from the ALG (Advanced Landing Ground)/Airport within Arunachal Pradesh to the rest of the country but also boost tourism and facilitate

import and export of goods and agriculture as well as horticulture produces of the state. During the meeting, other issues including commencement of commercial fixed-wing aircraft services from Pasighat to the rest of the country were also discussed wherein the union civil aviation secretary assured that air services from Pasighat would commence by November next positively. However, under the given circumstances, the objectives seems to be far from materialization as GST may pose a huge hurdle towards implementation of UDAN scheme as already stated above. Z o o m A i r, w h i c h marked its entry as the 12th operational carrier in the domestic aviation market on February 15 this year had resolved and in fact taken steps to make air travel in Northeast India (Cont’d on p-7) K Y M C


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