Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 275
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Army has inputs of terror threat to south: Lt Gen Saini
Nadal wins US Open title
Pak’s 1st female astronaut Namira congratulates ISRO
National, Page 5
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
CAB will be brought again: Amit Shah
GUWAHATI, SEP 9 (PTI): The Citizenship (amendment) Bill has not been consigned to oblivion and will be brought again, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday, but sought to soothe the concerns of the northeastern states, insisting special laws specific to the region will not be touched. Shah also asserted that the Centre intends to expel all illegal immigrants not just from Assam but the entire country. Visiting the Assam capital for the first time since the vexed final National Register of Citizens (NRC), which validates Indian citizenship of the residents of Assam, was published on August 31, the BJP chief also sought to quell apprehensions about scrapping of Article 371 of the Indian Constitution. Article 371 applies to several states in the northeast and grants them special powers with regard to religious and social practices, and observance of law and order. “We will ensure that existing laws of all states of the region remain as they are even after the introduction of the CAB. We have no in-
Ravi, Muivah hold meeting Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 9 (NPN): Governor of Nagaland and government of India’s Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, R.N Ravi and NSCN (I-M) general secretary and chief negotiator, Th. Muivah sat for a meeting Monday at Nagaland Police Complex Chumukedima. NSCN (I-M) sources informed Nagaland Post that the Interlocutor and general secretary discussed on the issue of separate Naga flag and constitution.
UNTABA welcomes setting up of police outposts
DIMAPUR, SEP 9 (NPN): United Naga Tribes Association on Border Areas (UNTABA) has lauded the ruling PDA government under the leadership of the chief minister Neiphiu Rio for establishment of three police outposts along the foothill areas at Saring, Aokum and Aosenden. In a press release, UNTABA chairman Hukavi T Yeputhomi and general secretary Imsumongba Pongen urged the responsible department to complete the required infrastructures without delay so those outposts were operational at the earliest. (Cont’d on p-7)
This is it!
“Best teacher? I say he’s getting undue credit for the performance of students.” K Y M C
Union Home Minister Amit Shah being feliciated during the 4th Conclave of NEDA in Guwahati on Monday. (PTI)
tention to touch any of these laws applicable to different states of the region”, Shah told a meeting of BJP’s allies who are part of the NorthEast Democratic Alliance (NEDA). He was addressing the fourth conclave of the NEDA, which is the northeastern version of the Centre’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Shah was responding to concerns voiced by chief ministers Conrad Sangma of Meghalaya, Neiphiu Rio of Nagaland and Mizoram’s Zoramthanga. Addressing the conclave, they had voiced fears about the consequences of
reintroducing the CAB, as it could alter the demography of their respective states. They wanted that their states be kept out of the purview of the CAB. The Citizenship (amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8 but could not be tabled in the Rajya Sabha following outrage in several parts of the country, particularly the northeast, where the BJP’s allies led by Sangma were up in arms against it. The bill provided for according Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan
and Afghanistan after seven years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document. The home minister also asserted that even the cut-off date for CAB will remain December 31, 2014. “It is very clear from our side that there will be no other date and Article 371 along with the Inner Line Permits (ILP) will not be touched,” he added. The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to grant permission for inward travel to an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period. It is obligatory for Indians residing outside those states where the ILP is in force to obtain prior permission to enter protected areas. Shah also asserted that the Centre intends to expel all illegal immigrants not just from Assam but the entire country. The BJP president also accused successive Congress governments of having alienated the region from the rest of the country. “Our intention is to ex-
Illegal collection of money: PAC seeks gov’s intervention Submits three-point appeal to Governor DIMAPUR, SEP 9 (NPN): Public Action Committee (PAC) of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has sought the intervention of the governor of Nagaland R.N.Ravi over the issue of illegal collection of money by both state and non-state actors in Dimapur. In a representation addressed to the state governor, PAC convenor Vekhosayi Nyekha and co- convenor K Gokheto Chophy stated that while ceasefire between the government of India and Naga political groups brought about peace and economic benefits, simultaneously there has been some unhealthy developments. PAC mentioned that corruption has reached “ex-
treme indescribable heights” in the state, affecting genuine development of all and creating social and economic disparity in the society. It also drew the governor’s attention to illegal collection of money by vested interests in the state government machinery and Naga political groups which it said, has increased manifold during the ceasefire period. Expressing hope that the governor would recognise political problems and initiate steps to address it, PAC urged upon him to immediately end the “illegal collection” of money by state government machinery. PAC also reiterated that the issue of “illegal collection” of money by the Naga political groups must be resolved through the peace process. Public Action Committee (PAC) said that “cease-
fire has become a license for illegal collection” particularly in Dimapur. While appreciating the desire of both the government of India and the Naga political groups in finding a peaceful and honourable solution to the long standing Naga issue, the PAC expressed confidence that no stone would be left unturned. However, Public Action Committee (PAC) said the interest of the general public should not be ignored during the intervening period when solution was being worked out. It said that the rights of the public should be protected against any illegal action that was detrimental to human development, security and progress. Further, PAC urged that the judicial process and rule of law must be strengthened to protect and safeguard the public.
pel illegal immigrants from the entire country and not just Assam,” he declared. He alleged the prolonged militancy in the northeast was because the Congress hardly cared for the region. “The Congress governments sowed the seeds of strife in the northeast. The party did not care for the northeast and because of that militancy flourished. It always believed in the policy of divide and rule,” he alleged. Shah also sought to re-emphasise the distinction between Article 370 of the Constitution pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir that the Centre revoked to strip the restive state of its special status, and Article 371. “Article 371 is a permanent provision, while Article 370 was temporary,” he said. “I hope, with these assurances, all apprehensions of the chief ministers of the northeast regarding the CAB and the special provisions have been allayed,” he said. After addressing the conclave, the BJP chief held a meeting with the chief ministers of all the eight states of the northeast.
Citizenship Amendment Bill will change demography of NE: Rio G U WA H AT I , S E P 9 (IANS):Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said the “highly controversial” Citizenship Amendment Bill will change the demography of Northeast, if it is implemented by the Centre. Strongly opposing the bill in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the 4th NEDA conclave here, Rio said all the NE states had resolved earlier that they would not let the legislation affect the region. “We believe it will change the demography of the North East. We need to understand the ground situation,” Rio said. He hoped that Shah and the Centre would “listen to us”. Rio also said the negotiations on Naga Peace accord were at an advanced stage. “We are hopeful of a solution very soon. We have also formed a joint legislation group,” he added. Rio also sought support of all the states of the region to amicably settle the Nagaland issue as it was the “mother of all issues in the Northeast”.
CNTC urges state govt to expedite foothill road DIMAPUR, SEP 9 (NPN): Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has urged upon the state government to expedite the foothill road construction. CNTC through its media cell also requested the chief minister Neiphiu Rio to release the remaining amount for the completion of the project. CNTC asserted that foothill road was not only a vital lifeline for commuting between the districts, but also for the safety and security of Naga public. CNTC reminded about the untold harassment faced by Naga travellers while moving across the highways of some neighbouring state. The council further mentioned that the foothill road project, also called the Trans Nagaland Expressway, would boost up the state economy and help uplift the Naga people. Meanwhile, CNTC also lauded ABAM for contributing an amount of Rs.36.56 lakh towards the construction of the foothill road. “It is a very encouraging approach taken by the church to involve and contribute in a developmental activity of the state which other churches should also learn to emulate,” CNTC stated.
Rio, Zoramthanga and Sangma during the 4th Conclave of NEDA in Guwahati Monday. (PTI)
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday told Union Home Minster Amit Shah that the Northeast has fears on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and urged him to take all the states of the region into confidence before bringing in the legislation again. Sangma questioned whether the Centre will bypass discussions with the states before reintroducing the bill. “What will happen after CAB? Will people continuously come from Bangladesh? Will there be any deadline or a continuous flow? We in Northeast have such fears,” Sangma said. He requested the Centre to invite all stakeholders
to discuss and arrive at a consensus over the issue. Re q u e s t i n g U n i o n Home Minister Amit Shah to exclude the Northeast from the purview of CAB, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Monday said that all political parties that supported the contentious bill are on the “verge of suicide”. “If at all, it (the bill) has to be implemented, then please see if the Northeast can be excluded from it. I request you to look into the vulnerability of the region. “The Citizenship Bill is a very very sensitive issue here. In most of the states where political parties supported it, they are on the verge of suicide,” he said.
Indian media in crisis: Ravish Kumar MANILA, SEP 9 (PTI): The Indian media is in a state of “crisis” which is not accidental or random, but systemic and structural, prominent Indian journalist Ravish Kumar said here on Monday as he received the prestigious 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award, regarded as the Asian version of the Nobel Prize. Kumar, 44, is NDTV India’s senior executive editor and one of India’s most influential TV journalists who has been reporting real-life and under-reported problems of ordinary people, said the award citation by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. “The Indian media is in a state of crisis and this crisis is not accidental or random, but systemic and structural. Being a journalist has become a solitary endeavour...It has become all the more
Ramon Magsaysay recipient Ravish Kumar at the award ceremony in Manila on Monday (AP/PTI)
important to evaluate the crisis in the media,” he said. “While I am happy for myself today, I am also filled with sadness looking at the state of profession I represent,” Kumar said. Kumar was among five individuals who were declared winners of the award, which is Asia’s highest honour and celebrates greatness of spirit and transformative lead-
ership in Asia. The four other winners of the 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award are Ko Swe Win from Myanmar, Angkhana Neelapaijit from Thailand, Raymundo Pujante Cayabyab from the Philippines and Kim Jong-Ki from South Korea. As uncompromising journalists find themselves being forced out of their jobs by news organisations and those corporate owners are never questioned, nevertheless it is heartening to see still some journalists who continue to put their lives and careers at risk to pratise honest and meaningful journalism, he said in his speech. Kumar also touched upon the situation in Kashmir and the communication gag in the Valley following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.
Ensure people are protected from ‘Statelessness’: Bachelet 68th plenary session of North GENEVA, SEP 9 (PTI): UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Monday expressed “deep concern” over the impact of restrictions in Kashmir, and asked India to ease the current lockdowns to ensure people’s access to basic services. Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, also asked Pakistan and India to ensure that the human rights of the Kashmiri people are respected and protected, amid tensions between the two neighbours after the abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir by New Delhi. In her opening statement at the 42st session of the Human Rights Council, she also asked India to ensure that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) verification in Assam does not leave the people stateless.
On Kashmir, she said her office continues to receive reports on the human rights situation on both sides of the Line of Control. “I am deeply concerned about the impact of recent actions by the Government of India on the human rights of Kashmiris, including restrictions on internet communications and peaceful assembly, and the detention of local political leaders and activists,” she said. “While I continue to urge the Governments of India and Pakistan to ensure that human rights are respected and protected, I have appealed particularly to India to ease the current lockdowns or curfews; to ensure people’s access to basic services; and that all due process rights are respected for those who have been detained,” she said. Asserting that the ab-
Michelle Bachelet (File)
rogation of Article 370 of its Constitution to withdraw J&K’s special status was its “internal matter”, India has defended imposition of restrictions in the Kashmir Valley on the grounds that they were put to prevent Pakistan from creating more mischief through proxies and terrorists. On Saturday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said mobile phone and Internet services can easily be used by Pakistan and terrorists for subversive activities, but the denial of these services should not prevent
people from going about their lives. “Even before Internet came into our lives people were going about their lives doing business,” he said, while acknowledging that people are unhappy with these restrictions. “In any society, people always want more than what they have. But to us their life is more important,” Doval said adding that 92.5 per cent of the geographical area of Jammu & Kashmir is now without restrictions. The government last month decided to abrogate provisions of Article 370 in J&K, and bifurcate it into two Union Territories, evoking strong reactions from Pakistan with its Prime Minister Imran Khan making provocative antiIndia rhetoric, which India dubbed as “irresponsible statements”. Bachelet also said
it was important that the people of Kashmir are consulted and engaged in any decision-making processes that have an impact on their future. On India’s NRC exercise, she said the recent verification process in Assam has caused great uncertainty and anxiety, with some 1.9 million people excluded from the final list published on August 31. She appealed to the Indian government to ensure due process during the appeals process, prevent deportation or detention, and ensure people are protected from statelessness. India says updating of the NRC is a statutory, transparent, legal process mandated by the Supreme Court of India. It maintains that the exclusion from the NRC has no implication on the rights of an individual resident in Assam.
Eastern Council concludes
Spl. Correspondent
G U WA H AT I , S E P 9 (NPN): Two-day 68th Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC), which was inaugurated by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday in Guwahati, concluded Monday. During the two-day session, insights for shaping development agenda of NE region were presented and deliberations were held on the progress of ongoing projects of NEC. Speaking at the session, MoS (DoNER) Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged the uniqueness of the Northeastern region and said that as far as the region was concerned there was much more to learn from Northeast for rest of India than Northeast has to learn from the rest of
the country. In the last five years, Dr. Singh said Northeast has come more into focus and that has been possible because the government was actually moving in that direction. Reiterating the commitment of the government for the development of the Northeast, Dr Singh said that NEC has been given its highest budgetary allotment of Rs. 1476 crore for the year 2019-20. All the governors and chief ministers of the eight north eastern states and other members also attended the meet and presented their speeches. While addressing the Plenary, they highlighted the achievements of the NEC and gave insights for shaping the development agenda of the region. K Y M C