Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVII No. 326
DIMAPUR, tuesday, october 31, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00
Atrocities on rise against SCs, Dalits under Modi rule: Tripura CM
Real suffer shock defeat to minnows Girona
GST’s faulty design has killed jobs, businesses: Manmohan
northeast, Page 4
sports, Page 12
business, Page 8
Const bench to hear Aadhaar case
NEW DELHI, OCT 30 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Monday said a five-judge constitution bench would hear a batch of petitions challenging the validity of the Aadhaar law on charges of being intrusive and violating the right to privacy. The top court also pulled up the West Bengal government for directly approaching it against the central government’s move to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits under social welfare schemes. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said the hearing on the petitions challenging the government move would take place in the last week of November. The court said this after Attorney General K.K. Venugopal told the bench that the government had filed a detailed affidavit refuting all the allegations on expanding the area under Aadhaar linkage. Asking the court not to issue any further interim orders, Venugopal said the government was ready to argue and the court, if
deemed fit, could set up a constitution bench to decide on the various Aadhaar petitions. He said the government had already issued more than 100 orders and notifications to address the glitches in the implementation of Aadhaar. The gover nment counsel also told the court that fake reports were being spread about Aadhaar linking, including how the unique ID was being made compulsory for CBSE students to appear in Class 10 and 12 exams. As court said that the challenge to Aadhaar law would be heard by the five judges constitution bench, the issue of extending the deadline for linking Aadhaar with bank accounts, PAN, mobile numbers and other schemes for those who don’t have the unique identification number is now on the backburner. The issue is not there, as the court is hearing the matter in the last week of November, the Attorney General said. The existing deadline is up to December 31. In the last hearing of the matter on October 25, the Centre had indicated
Landslide cuts off Kma-Wka road
KPU NH-2 bandh from today
Road cut off due to landslide.
Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCT 30 (NPN): Landslide triggered by incessant rain near Meriema village, between IG stadium and National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) Kohima junction, on Monday morning has totally cut off the national highway-2 (Kohima-Wokha road). According to Kohima traffic police, the landslide and sinking occurred in two places at the same spot affecting vehicular movement. However, the traffic has been diverted towards new secretariat via NIELIT junction. Meanwhile, Chief Engineer (NH) has advised travellers to take the detour through civil secretariat till the road was cleared. CE said the department has deployed the required machineries but was unable to clear it by late evening due to continuing mudslides.
This is it!
“Give me a break. It’s not the time to talk of development. It’s time to prepare for election.” K Y M C
KOHIMA/DIMAPUR, OCT 30 (NPN): As announced on October 16 last, the Kandi Public Union (KPU) would launch its phase-I agitation by imposing total bandh on NH-2 starting from October 31, 6am to midnight of November 1, 2017. KUP’s 48-hour bandh call comes in protest against the state government’s failure to respond to its 15- day ultimatum that demanded construction of BDO office building at Chunlikha RD block, which was inaugurated on February 29, 2012. In a press release, KPU public & information secretary, Khiyalo Kez, pointed out that the union had submitted a number of representations to the government in connection to the construction of BDO Office building. Further, the union stated that an ultimatum was served on the state government on October 6,
that the deadline for linking Aadhaar with bank accounts, PAN, mobile numbers and other schemes for those who don’t have the unique identification number and are willing to go for it may be extended till March 31. The validity of Aadhaar law that has been challenged by a number of people, including former Karnataka High Court Judge K.S. Puttaswamy, first Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Magsaysay awardee Shanta Sinha and researcher Kalyani Sen Menon. Aadhaar is being challenged in the court amid apprehensions that it violated right to privacy -- which a nine-judge bench had already declared as a fundamental right -- with the use of biometric details like fingerprints and iris scans. The nine-judge bench ruling has a bearing in the Aadhaar case as the petitions argue that the Aadhaar Act 2016 is unconstitutional. Earlier in the court, a separate bench pulled up West Bengal for challenging the Centre’s decision to link Aadhaar for giving subsi-
2017 to direct the contractors to start the construction within 15 days. However, it said there was no sign of construction till date. It may be mentioned that KPU has exempted paramilitary/police, magistrate on duty, ambulance, wedding party and media from the purview of the total bandh.
ANTA Wka unit advisory
In connection with the proposed NH-2 bandh by KPU, the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) Wokha unit has informed all responsible that Wokha-Dimapur taxi would continue to ply from Wokha-MerapaniDimapur route. In a press release, ANTA Wokha unit president, Hayithung Odyuo, and general secretary, Lipenthung Ovung, have, however, stated that Wokha-Kohima taxi service would remain suspended during the bandh period.
dies, wondering how could a state government could challenge a law passed by the central government. “How can a state government challenge a law passed by the Centre? This way the Centre would start challenging the laws passed by the states,” observed a bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan. The bench also gave time to the West Bengal government to amend its petition questioning the linking of Aadhaar for giving subsidy by the state’s Labour Department. The court said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could challenge the aspect of Aadhaar law requiring linking as an “individual” and a “citizen”. However, the court gave notice to the Centre on a plea challenging the mandatory linking of mobile phones with Aadhaar. The Centre was given four weeks to respond. Banerjee said her government had the highest respect for the Supreme Court, saying it had not rejected their plea against the Centre’s move.
Congress to hold nationwide stir to mark note ban anniv
the system. He added that laws and legislations alone cannot end the corruption unless the citizens abide by ruled in letter and spirit. H e l i s t e d s e ve r a l wrongs in society which Nagas were too familiar with uch as - cheating in exams, exam paper leaks, poorly constructed bridges, roads and buildings by contractors, banks and finance scams, doctors prescribing unnecessary medicines and surgeries, proxy teachers, ghost employees, social organizations discerning genuine public grievances for individual gains etc. He regretted that Nagas seek shortcuts in life, even to the extent of circumventing the system and bribery which has become an accepted norm in the form of “commissions’ which were being openly demanded by bureaucrats, politicians, various organizations. He said even RTI applicants misuse the Act for individual gains. Further he said the general perception of the public was that the root of corruption lay in elections while many social organizations
including church have started campaigns to raise awareness on the importance and long term consequences of clean elections. Sukhalu however said the fight against corruption should be taken beyond the electoral process and into the daily habits of the citizens. He advocated on sensitisation on corruption, make public aware of the dangers of corruption and the moral rot that was brought into the society. He reminded that corruption was not only the backdoor appointments, multi-crore scams but also bribery, cheating, submission of false completion certificates by VDB’s and village councils for developmental projects etc. The commissioner informed that corruption was at all levels requires the public from all walks of life to be vigilant in the fight against it. Director and DIGP vigilance and anti-corruption police I. Meyionen in his address on commission’s achievement from 2016-17 informed that there were 83 cases under investigation with various departments.
State govt mulls privatizing Hornbill Festival
ABAM revival: MCCI appeals for shop closure
DIMAPUR, OCT 30 (NPN): State government is contemplating privatizing the annual Hornbill Festival, observed from December 1-10 every year, in the near future to save time and resources of the government. In a press release, CMO media cell stated that the issue was discussed at a meeting convened to discuss and improvise activities for the upcoming ‘Festival of Festivals’ on Monday at State Banquet Hall, which was chaired by state chief minister, TR Zeliang. CMO also informed that the government was also likely to cut down the duration of 10-day annual Hornbill Festival to seven-day event starting from 2018. It stated that this year’s Hornbill Festival would be a plastic-free event where only the use of paper bags and recyclable materials would be permitted.
DIMAPUR, OCT 30 (NPN): In connection with the “mega revival” being organised by Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung, from November 1-3, 2017, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) has requested all businesses to remain closed during the service hours on November 2 and 3, 2017 from 10am to 12noon and from 4pm onwards. In a press release, MCCI president, Tsukti Longkumer, and general secretary, Limalenden Longkumer, said the request was being made following an appeal by the organisers that “all shops remain closed during the service timing so as to enable the people to attend the said programme.” MCCI has therefore requested all the local traders to honour the request of the organisers. It also requested non-local traders to comply as a token of sharing solidarity with the organisers.
NEW DELHI, OCT 30 (IANS): Congress on Monday said it will observe November 8 as “Black Day” with country-wide protests against demonetisation with the theme “Bhugat Raha hai desh” (the country is suffering) and will not rest till “inherent flaws” in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are resolved. The party said the people of the country will never pardon BJP and PM Narendra Modi will go down in India’s history alongside Muhammad Bin Tughlak for the “gross misadventure” of demonetisation that wreaked havoc with India’s economy. The party made the announcement after a meeting of its general secretaries which was presided over by Rahul Gandhi. In another meeting on GST, Rahul Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh along with P. Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh and finance ministers of Congress-ruled states examined the “mess created by Modi government on account of inherent flaws in the design, architecture and rates of the GST”.
KOHIMA, OCT 30 (NPN): Leader of NPF Legislature Party, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, MLA has thrown a challenge on the government to come out open on what kind of action government has initiated against the various scams like PDS, fuel adulteration and Pillai’s case etc. Speaking at the 6th day of the sit-in protest organized by NPF Central youth wing at civil secretariat Kohima, Azo accused the government of talking big about good governance but with ‘nil action’. He accused the NLA speaker of not taking up the disqualification case even after a lapse of more than three months which, as per convention, was supposed to be completed within 20 days. Azo further asserted that the speaker had “nothing to say on whip issue” as the chief minister himself declared in affidavit that “whip was appointed by the party”. He said the party and members do not need any justifica-
tion, but if the dissidents were bold enough, they should invite them (members with Dr. Shürhozelie) and discuss the issue. He however said that their silence revealed they were “disturbed”. Further, Azo maintained that if the rivals were confident of claiming the cock symbol, they would not have filed petition to ECI for review. “They are contradicting their own statement,” he added. On the reconciliation called by the dissident group, Azo said it (reconciliation) should not be in the form of ultimatum nor should be time bound. Instead, he said the rivals asked the speaker to disqualify nine MLAs (with Dr.Shurho) which revealed they (rivals) speak one thing and do the opposite. On his appointment as NPF legislature party leader, Azo said the party despite knowing it was wrong had submitted letter of appointment to the speaker on July 20 2017 morning. Azo, however, said the speaker replied on the same day, stating that there was no record to prove the fact that
Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCT 30 (NPN): Vigilance Commissioner K.T Sukhalu, (Retd) IAS maintained that the judiciary should be given more independence so as to be proactive on issues related with corruption while the law and order machinery should be given freedom to function without political interference. Sukhalu said this during the observance of Vigilance Week by the Nagaland State Vigilance Commission under the theme “My Vision-Corruption Free India” at the SVC directorate Monday. Sukhalu suggested that special courts should be set up to take up corruption issues and speedy trails should be held. He pointed out that since government was the single biggest employer and service provider in the state, corruption within its rank automatically translated into a society’s wide problem. Sukhalu further stated that both public and government are responsible for the mass corruption in the (Full report on p-7) state resulting in failure of
TR Zeliang, C. Apok Jamir and Pankaj Kumar at the meeting on Monday. (CMO)
While the dates of VVIP’s attendance, including the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, was yet to be ascertained, the CMO said popular Music Rock events could be shifted to Agri-Expo, Dimapur considering the traffic problems and security related matters in the state capital during such events. Tourism department, the nodal department that has been overseeing the conduct of the Festival, so far has been assigned to start arrangements for the much awaited Festival.
Azo dares govt to out come clean on ‘scams’ Correspondent
Vig. Commissioner stresses on broadbased strategy to tackle corruption
he (Azo) was elected by more than one half of the members of the NPF legislature party at a meeting. Justifying party position, Azo said that with the suspension and expulsion of the members in the dissident group, there were altogether NPF 15 MLAs (including four members in the rival faction). Thus, he said the party after fulfilling the criteria as per Rule 3 (1) submitted the letter of appointment again on July 31. However, he said the speaker has not acted on it till date. NPF legislature spokesperson Yitachu, MLA said the situation would not have arisen had the governor been guided by and followed the Indian Constitution adding instead, the governor has overshadowed Indian constitution and put the state to shame. Yitachu said the speaker was dancing to the tune of governor by allowing the government to function and said hunger for power has surpassed Indian constitution and rule of laws.
Considering the number of unfortunate vehicle accidents and unruly incidents that occur during this period, CMO said the use of IMFL would be restricted as per the State Liquor Prohibition Act though Naga local brew would be exempted. It stated that assistance of youth and public organisations would be sought for volunteering works in controlling illegal activities including the sale of IMFL and other illegal substance. On the presence of uniformed armed personnel inside the venue during the
Festival, which is considered as an unpleasant sight for visiting tourists, the district administration would ensure that armed forces conduct their drills and patrols outside the periphery of the Festival venue. Media Cell also stated that the quality of sound system at the venue would be up-graded. All media personnel possessing proper Identity cards would be allowed free access to the venue unlike in the past, where purchase of access-tickets were mandatory. (Cont’d on p-7)
NSCN (K) accuses NIA of ‘perpetrating terror’
DIMAPUR, OCT 30 (NPN): Against the backdrop of recent arrest of the wife of its top functionary and other cadremembers besides several state government officials accused of terror funding, NSCN (K) through its MIP has accused the National Investigating Agency (NIA) of “perpetrating terrorism in Nagaland” and warned that it would be “forced to ask every Indian people to leave Naga country” if NIA continued with its policy. Stating this in a press note, MIP said NSCN (K) had been maintaining maximum restraint regardless of the endless provocations of NIA, meant to force it to retaliate by committing terrorist activities Those which NSCN (K) has threatened to target included traders, business men or government servicemen etc as agents, collaborators and sympathizers of NIA, who it said “must be (Cont’d on p-7) evicted from Nagaland or face
(Cont’d on p-7)
Governor greets Zeliang community
DIMAPUR, OCT 30 (NPN): Nagaland governor, PB Acharya, has extended greetings to the Zeliang community on the occasion of Chaga Gadi and Langsimnyi festivals, which he said were celebrated to invoke God’s blessings and bring good harvest and health. In his message, Acharya called upon the Zeliangs to take time and thank Almighty for His unwavering love and blessing. He also reminded the community to thank the farmers for their hard work. Acharya expressed hope that the Zeliang community would continue to preserve and promote their age-old traditions and showcase the rich cultural heritage as they celebrate their premier festival. “May the festivals of Chaga Gadi and Langsimnyi bring peace, unity and prosperity to the Zeliangs in particular and Nagas in (Cont’d on p-7) general,” said the governor.
the same fate which the innocent Nagas are suffering in the hands of NIA and other inimical forces of India covertly or overtly operating in Naga country. MIP further alleged that “NSCN workers are harassed, tortured, homes raided and money and properties stolen and damaged by Indian forces especially by the NIA.” It also alleged that the government of India had empowered NIA “with un-paralleled extra-constitutional and extrajudicial excessive terrorizing powers to harass, arrest, torture and imprison the Nagas far beyond the legal limits.” MIP reiterated that the Naga struggle for freedom was not anachronism requiring resuscitation but a live and continuous progression of the people’s aspiration as a whole which “cannot be stamped out through Indian government terrorism in an overnight.”
K Y M C