Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 312
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Cong wanted abrogation but not BJP way
Viswemi FC in Martyrs’ Trophy final
New Brexit deal agreed with EU : Boris Johnson
national, Page 5
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
Consultative meet in Kohima today NPF slams PDA of making JLF inefficacious
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, OCT 17 (NPN): Against the backdrop of the three-month timeframe given by government of India to conclude the over 22 years of Naga Peace Process, Governor of Nagaland and Centre’s Representative and Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, R.N. Ravi, is set to hold consultative meeting with tribal hohos, civil society organisations and church at Hotel Japfü, Kohima on Friday. Unlike his predecessors, Ravi, who was appointed as the Interlocutor in the year 2014, has been holding extensive consultative meetings with different sections of the Naga society in an attempt to ink an inclusive final agreement. Friday’s meeting is being seen as very crucial by many who are closely following the Naga Peace Process especially when both government of India and NSCN (I-M) have publicly admitted that the talk could not be concluded due to “differing positions” on the demand for separate Naga national Flag and Constitution.
R.N. Ravi (NP)
It may be noted that after Ravi expressed Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s desire to conclude the Naga Peace Process within three months time in the month of July, 2019, NSCN (I-M) chairman, Q. Tuccu in an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post on September 8, 2019, had termed it as an “ultimatum”. NSCN (I-M) leader had also accused government of India of backtracking from the August 3, 2015 “Framework Agreement” and took a firm position that the group would not compromise on its demand for separate Naga national Flag and Constitution. Despite few rounds of both informal and formal
meetings between the two negotiating parties in the last few weeks, reliable sources confirmed to Nagaland Post that the meeting was inconclusive. Ravi’s last meeting with NSCN (I-M) leaders led by its ato kilonser and chief negotiator, Th. Muivah was held on October 14, but both sides could not agree on the two demands. Meantime, another negotiating party Working Committee (WC) of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) had made it known that it was ready to conclude the talk. In an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post on October 6, 2019, WC of NNPGs convenor, N Kitovi Zhimomi had asked, why solution should be kept on hold when there was “no problem between Government of India and Nagas of Nagaland?” Kitovi maintained that “there may be some problem between Government of India and NSCN (I-M), but it must not hamper the Nagas of Nagaland.” In a latest interview to Nagaland Post on 13,
2019, WC of NNPGs coconvenor and ato kilonser of NSCN/GPRN (K), Isak Sumi, said that there were certain “pseudo-nationalist left extremist forces” involved with Naga political talks but who, instead, desire to prolong the conflict and want to hold Nagas to ransom under the barrel of gun, political and economic hegemony. Isak maintained that NNPGs was prepared to conclude talks after a wide and thorough consultation on all status/position of the political talks between the WC of NNPGs and government of India with all Naga stakeholders. Friday meeting is expected to be attended by the 14 Naga tribes of Nagaland, non-Naga minorities of Nagaland, Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Nagaland GB Federation and United Naga Council. While the three negotiating parties have made their position clear, it remains to be seen the decision of the tribal hohos, civil society organisations and church in the meeting.
DIMAPUR, OCT 17 (NPN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) Legislature Party in a communiqué, has blamed the ruling PDA government for rendering the Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) on Naga political issue of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), inefficacious. JLF comprised of all the members of the NLA cutting across political party lines and constituted in the 13th house which held meetings to discuss on the Naga political issue, said NPF. NPF said JLF which set up to facilitate for an early amicable solution to the long pending Naga political issue is in “glaringly perilous” position due to the lacklustre attitude of the PDA where the members have not been guided to meet with any central leaders to discuss the Naga issue. Further NPF said the chief minister has instead led only his cabinet to discuss the Naga issue with the central leaders, even with or without the presence of the NLA speaker. Questioning why the chief minister was “not welcoming” the NPF op-
position MLAs when all of them wholeheartedly supported the cause without any conditions attached? NPF also asked whether the chief minister has any hidden agenda to present to the central leaders in the absence of the opposition MLAs? Or was the CM scared of the stand that the NPF MLAs might take in such meetings?” NPF also wanted to know why was the chief minister “not genuine enough’ to take on board all the elected members when the Naga political talks was at the final stage and everyone was awaiting with bated breaths for a final solution to be inked sooner than later?. NPF pointed out that the role of the elected representatives as facilitators was more crucial at this juncture given the advanced state of the talks between the two parties. It also lamented that since constitution of JLF it was “just being confined to the papers for the optics of the present government.” NPF also asserted that it was a time to be vocal and help facilitate an early solution as that was the sole aim of the JLF members as
facilitators. It also reminded that NPF Legislature Party and Leader of Opposition, TR Zeliang, has been very vocal about the NPF and his views but that there was little was heard of where the NDPP party stood. NPF said Zeliang and the party had time and again reiterated that an honourable and amicable solution was “our top priority” and also that final solution must be inclusive of all the Naga political groups lest it “becomes a repeat of history”, which the Nagas cannot afford at this time. NPF Legislature Party also said that Zeliang had “rightly” pointed out on several occasions, that the contentious issue of Naga Flag and a Constitution were issues needed to be settled between the negotiating parties and not the prerogative of the elected members to make comments as facilitators. In this regard, NPF legislature party termed as “unfortunate” how the NDPP leadership has been twisting the statements made by T.R. Zeliang on Naga Political issue and misinterpreted to malign and start a smear campaign
in the sight of the central leaders.” NPF alleged that the leadership of NDPP has been conspicuously instigating the masses that a final solution should be signed at any cause, regardless of whether the Nagas were granted a separate Naga Flag or Constitution. NPF condemned such statements as “irresponsible utterances” while reaffirming that its steadfast support to the stand of its leader TR Zeliang that “any sort of differences” should be handled by the negotiating parties and not by some other third party who were not part and parcel of the negotiations. NPF also maintained that NDPP should be more responsible when it comes to an issue that was very dear to the Naga people and refrain from further instigations, which could adversely affect the future of the Nagas should the talks derail. It also said that the best that elected members could do was to help speed the process and facilitate and not lay down terms and conditions and instigate public for their selfish hidden agen(Cont’d on p-7) das.
Speaker mourns NDPP blasts NPF about shying away from issues PAC holds meeting with DUCCF, L Kuki’s death D I M A P U R , O C 1 7 their confidence by choos- not raise “even a whisper ticle 371(A) and the strict
DIMAPUR, OCT 17 (NPN): Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu has expressed grief over the sudden demise of late Lutjakai Kuki, one of the five surviving Ex-Interim Body Members (Ex-IBMs), who passed away on October 13, 2019 after a brief illness. He was 88 years and left behind his wife, five children, grand and great grandchildren. Late Lutjakai, son of late Pu Paokholen Haokip from Kuki tribe, was born in 1931 and educated at Tesangki government-aided ME school. He was the general secretary Kuki Tribal Council in 1961. Late Lutjakai Kuki became a member of Interim Body and represented the Kukis from 19611963. He was the founder of Ahthibung town, which was established in 1958. He was one of the founding members of ZeliangKuki Public Organisation (ZKPO) that initially demanded Peren sub-division for a full-fledged district in the 1980s. He was also one of the founding members of Peren College in the 1980s. In a condolence message, NLA speaker said late Lutjakai was elected as chairman of United Democratic Front (UDF) Ahthibung area from 1975-1980.
(NPN): Ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has accused opposition NPF of raking up the issue of proposed CAB 2016 issue, which has already been discussed threadbare amongst all sections of society including the apex platform of the people and the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), and reminded that a series of resolutions rejecting the CAB have already been passed but lamented these were abstained by the opposition NPF “for reasons best known to them.” NDPP in a press statement issued by its media & communication committee (M&CC) advised the NPF that instead of trying to shield its past mistakes by pointing fingers at the chief minister and the PDA government, the opposition should acknowledge their shortcomings and apologise to the people for betraying
ing to boycott important discussions, debates and resolutions of apex tribal Hohos, CSOs and the state government. Terming such as “unbecoming and uncalled for” NDPP said the NPF after “purposely” boycotting these important meetings was today trying to put blame on the chief minister and the PDA government. NDPP urged the NPF to desist from jumping the gun and criticizing the present chief minister on the issue and instead bring forth positive suggestions as to how best the state could safeguard the interests of the Naga people. Agreeing that the CAB was tabled in July 2016 in the Lok Sabha then referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee the next month, NDPP, however, asserted that the then state government under current opposition NPF leader did
of opposition”, nor did the then cabinet mention it even in passing, unlike the present PDA cabinet under chief minister Neiphiu Rio, which had discussed the issue threadbare four times in a short period of time. “This fact cannot be denied by anyone!” NDPP added. Further, NDPP also said that rather than attributing all its political misfortunes and its ineptness to the then MP Lok Sabha and present chief minister, NPF should “accept the grim reality” that in the absence of Neiphiu Rio from state politics there was a vacuum of capable, charismatic and efficient leadership in the State. “This is also a fact that cannot be denied!” NDPP further added. Further the M&CC added that right from the beginning, the NDPP-led PDA was firm that Ar-
DDVCCA and Dimapur police
DIMAPUR, OCT 17 (NPN): Public Action Committee (PAC) of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) held a meeting with Dimapur Urban Colonies Chairmen’s Federation (DUCCF), Dimapur District Village Council Chairmen’s Association (DDVCCA) and the Dimapur Police Commissionerate officers here on Wednesday. According to a statement by PAC, the sole purpose of the meeting was to briefly highlight the activities undertaken by the committee so far in tackling illegal collection of money in Dimapur and the need and importance of community policing. Leaders from DUCCF and DDVCCA shared their problems as well as experiences in dealing with social evils in the society. The meeting felt that it was important and (Cont’d on p-7) necessary to adopt ways and
means to support and help the police because the latter alone could not deal with bad elements. There were numerous unreported cases of social evils taking place and, unless the community participated, the cops alone would not be able to contain the menace, the meeting stated. Assistant commissioner of police (ACP), who took part in the meeting, pointed out the limited strength of the police in the city. Nevertheless, he claimed they were tirelessly working to their best. Stressing the importance of COPS (communityoriented policing scheme) implemented elsewhere, the ACP said the police and community should work together to prevent crimes by maintaining good communication with each other. He also spoke about sunset policing and neighbour-
hood watch, in which the community played a vital role, but also cautioned the public never to take law into their hands. He called for using advanced technology to “our benefit” by being in close contact with one another. By adopting good community policing system and active participation of community members, a safe environment could be created, he remarked. Officer in-charge of West police station spoke on IPCs and CRPCs. Seeking support and participation of the two civil organisations, PAC leaders suggested that implementing community policing could be contemplated in the near future. They said more meetings would be convened to create better awareness on “our social responsibilities”. They also informed the participants that a meeting with GBs would be held soon.
DDGIF rejects DGU, GSUD suggestion on RIIN NSCN (I-M) on choice before Nagas Staff Reporter
D I M A P U R , O C T. 1 7 (NPN): Pointing out that the Gorkhas have been associated with Nagas even (Cont’d on p-7) before the Nagaland statehood, the Dimapur District Gorkha Indigenous Forum (DDGIF) has rejected the alleged suggestions made by Dimapur Gorkha Union (DGU) and Gorkha Students’ Union Dimapur (GSUD) that the cut-off year for Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) should be 2018. Addressing a press meet that was called at Circuit House here on Thursday to dispel rumours and misleading statements being made, the DGGIF co-convenor, “Meet Paisalal. He knows Dipak Lama, cautioned that nothing about cricket but if DGU and DGSU would made an official, he’ll add be held responsible for any tons to our treasury.” eventuality arising out of
This is it!
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implementation of the ILP regime would protect the people of Nagaland from the proposed CAB. However, it said the ruling PDA government had taken into consideration, apprehensions of the people and civil societies on various occasions with the central leaders. NDPP said it was grateful that the central leadership took its suggestions into consideration and acted positively. Further, NDPP affirmed that PDA government continue to maintain the stand, that Nagaland remained protected by Article 371(A), the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873 and the ILP regime in relation to the proposed CAB 2016 or any such Acts of parliament that were detrimental to the rights and privileges of the people of Nagaland.
(L-R) DDGIF convenor Puspa Raj Sharma, co-convenor Dipak Lama and secretary Deepak Chettri at Circuit House, Friday. (NP)
their suggestions regarding cut-off year. He stated that the forum stood by the suggestions made by Naga tribal hohos and JCPI and would respect the decision of the state government with regard to RIIN. Stating that DDGIF was particularly formed to unite and safeguard the genuine indigenous Gorkhas of Dimapur district and support Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI), the forum co-
convenor accused the DGU and GSUD of undermining the efforts of DDGIF and that of Nagaland Gorkha Association (NGA). Lama stated that the forum has been tirelessly working for the Gorkhas of Dimapur pertaining to RIIN and Inner Line Permit (ILP) in collaboration with NGA and JCPI. DGGIF co-convenor, however, expressed regret that DGU and DGSU did not even a single meeting to discuss RIIN issue
despite repeated invitations and reminders. Meanwhile, DDGIF has vehemently condemned the “notification” allegedly issued by GSUD president, Anand Gurung that accused a few groups of people of misguiding the public pertaining to ILP and RIIN and cautioned people to stay away and not to entertain such “contagious group.” In this regard, DDGIF has questioned whether the GSUD president was pointing out finger at the JCPI since it was the sole group spearheading the RIIN and ILP issues. DDGIF has also demanded reply form GSUD president pertaining to threats made on his facebook post. In the event of his failure to reply, the forum demanded “unconditional apology” and resignation from the post of GSUD president.
DIMAPUR, OCT 17 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) through its MIP said Nagas were driven to the point where they had to decide which way to go, “either we allow ourselves to be exploited because of our insanity or we decide ourselves by taking the right decision at the right time.” S t a t i n g t h i s, M I P pointed out that it was certainly the reckoning time for the Nagas as the world was watching how “we Nagas” handled this defining moment. NSCN also maintained that above everything, God was also definitely keeping an eye on how Nagas, irrespective of groups or factions, civil society organizations, the church and individuals, took their ground to uphold the course of Naga history.
NSCN (I-M) said that in the present testing moment, no sacrifice was too big to save the Naga nation from drifting away into oblivion and no individuals were untouchable, to come to common ground to save the Naga nation. It also said no leaders were too big before God to find the meeting point with other leaders to save the Naga nation. NSCN (I-M) also pointed out that on many occasions, much has been said about hundreds and thousands who were martyred and also unfailingly acknowledged, that it was because of them (martyrs), that NSCN (I-M) has come this far to negotiate with the Government of India to present “our historical and political rights in the manner that ultimately won the recognition of our unique
history and situation to put us in the winning position.” H o w e v e r, N S C N (I-M) alleged that Government of India and its agencies too were working sleeplessly to exploit “our vulnerabilities” to pull away many Naga individuals or groups with monetary baits and other highly rated economic packages” adding that these were short-term gains that did not merit the blood of “our martyrs”. NSCN (I-M) said Naga history would not certainly end here and that it had cautioned that a time would come in history when “our children” who would take over the reins to finish the unfinished task from “us” would question “us for our failure to take the right decision at the right time”. (Cont’d on p-7) K Y M C