Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 278
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
IAF chief defends govt on Rafale deal
SAFF: India beat Pak to enter final
Sexual abuse: Pope summons bishops
national, Page 7
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
vows to intensify Road blockade against Manipur crusade against AFSPA Nagaland held in Amguri
ers like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sadar Vallabhbhai Patel and the likes declaring it as a black law. However, not too long after the British had left, the Parliament passed the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in 1958. He added that the first and greatest impact of this law was felt in the hill areas of Manipur which the government first declared as disturbed areas. He also strongly condemned the statement of Army chief general, Bipin Rawat, who mobilized the Army officers especially from the areas of Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast to question and challenge the AFSPA cases in Supreme Court. Phulindro also stated that the intention behind Bipin’s statement is racial and alleged that his statement indicates to genocide of the indigenous people of the northeast. The organizers further resolved to intensify and strengthen the various ongoing agitations against AFSPA.
Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, SEP 12 (NPN): Nagaland is losing its forest cover at an alarming rate of 200 square km per year. This was stated by environment, forest & climate change and parliamentary affairs minister CM Chang while speaking at the “Sensitisation programme of district management unit, field management unit and first batch of villages under Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP)” at forest office complex here on Wednesday. He advocated alternate methods beyond shifting cultivation to attain sustainable forest environment conservation at the programme, which was attended by forest department officials, a representative from Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) and representatives from 33 villages of 11 districts Dwelling on the objectives of NFMP, Chang said the project aims at conserving land under shifting cultivation by a three-pronged approach – forest inter-
DIMAPUR, SEP 12 (AGENCIES): All Assam Tai Ahom Students’ Union (AATASU) on Wednesday enforced a blockade on National Highway 61 and staged a demonstration at the blockade site in Amguri, Sivasagar district, demanding the establishment of a border outpost (BOP) on the Assam-Nagaland border. According to an INSIDENE report, the blockade was enforced near Amguri Tea Estate during which AATASU activists shouted slogans like ‘Naga go back’, ‘Amar Mati, Amr Dabi’, etc. They also demanded that the district administration take immediate measures to stop all “illegal” activities by the Nagaland government on Assam’s land and remove and shift the sanctioned BOP of Nagaland at Haluwating to any other area of Nagaland. Meanwhile, Police sources informed Nagaland Post that the blockade was held a few metres from the Nagaland gate check post at Watiyongpang under Tuli.
The blockade began from 11 a.m. till around 3 p.m. Around 100 AATASU volunteers took part in the blockade, sources added. According to reports, an EAC from the Mokokchung district administration was rushed to the area. The agitating members dispersed from the area only after a memorandum was submitted to DC Mokokchung through the EAC, highlighting their demands. It was pointed out that Assam government had been pushing, with all its machineries, to setup the border out post. However, a resident of Tuli lamented that Nagaland government was yet to take serious note of the issue. It may be recalled that tension erupted when a group of people from Assam along with the local MLA, and backed by Assam Police and Sivasagar district administration started to clear a portion of land to set up the Police Outpost at a spot located at Watiyongpang Nagaland Gate on July 23. However, Wameken
Sumi Hoho reaffirms dissociation from NH; flays threat
China moots high speed train Earthquake hits Gov donates `1 lakh to CTS to promote skill development between Kolkata and Kunming Assam, NE states
DIMAPUR, SEP 12 (NPN): Reaffirming its decision on dissociation from Naga Hoho (NH), Sümi Hoho (SH) on Wednesday also condemned the “threats” made by Naga Hoho in their Senapati declaration. In a press note, Sümi Hoho media cell reaffirmed and reiterated its stand to abide by the 2016 decision to disassociate from Naga Hoho. Dismissing Naga Hoho’s threat as “a shallow joke”, Sümi Hoho said it had not convinced but instead confused the Naga society. Sümi Hoho further reminded Naga Hoho that the latter has no power or jurisdiction to command or issue threats against any apex tribal organization which is not part of their fold anymore. It may be pointed out that apex tribe organisations including APO, CPO, Pochury Hoho and Rengma Hoho had undertaken similar stand on dissociation from the Naga Hoho. The list also includes CNTC (Ao, Sumi & Lotha tribes). ENPO has also withdrawn from the Naga Hoho long back.
This is it!
“It’s not that I can’t afford petrol but the hikes have inspired me to relive my youth.” K Y M C
KO L K AT A , S E P 1 2 (AGENCIES): Chinese Consul-General in Kolkata Ma Zhanwu on Wednesday said China is keen to build a high-speed train service between Kunming and Kolkata which will pass through Myanmar and Bangladesh. Speaking at a conference here, Zhanwu said, “To increase the possibilities of trade and economic developments in China, Eastern India, Myanmar and Bangladesh, I think with joint efforts of IndiaChina, a high-speed train service could be established between the two cities.” He said that if it could be done, then it will only take a few hours to reach Kolkata from Kunming through train. The project had also found mention at the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) meet in Kunming in 2015, he said.
Village Council claimed that the spot was under its jurisdiction, saying the area had been their traditional jhum land. On July 26, Home commissioner, R. Ramakrishnan shot off a missive to Assam’s Principal Secretary (Home) informing the latter to direct the Sivasagar district administration to stop construction activities in the DAB. He also drew attention to the sudden blockade imposed in Halwating area, causing inconvenience to commuters from Nagaland. Ramakrishnan said that construction activities at DAB under taken by Assam government, if not stopped, would disturb the peace and tranquillity maintained in the border areas. He said it was also a clear violation of the decision agreed upon by both the states to not carry out any construction in the DAB. Further, Nagaland government also asked Assam to provide adequate security for people from Nagaland travelling along the highway through Amguri and border areas.
IMPHAL, SEP 12 (AGENCIES): Various organizations of Manipur have renewed its crusade against the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). Human rights activist of Manipur, Phulindro Konsam, said that the draconian Act should not only be removed from the State, but also repealed. He said this while interacting with media at the Manipur Press club in Imphal, which was organized to protest the 60th year of imposition of AFSPA in the State. The meet the press programme was organized by Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Manipur in association with Extrajudicial Execution Victims’ Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Human Rights Defenders Manipur (HRDM) and Just Peace Foundation (JPF). Chairman of COHR, Phulindro Konsam stated that the British colonial rulers had imposed the Armed Forces Special Ordinance, 1942 which was vehemently opposed by the then lead-
State loses 200 sq km of forest cover every year: CM Chang
“This will also help all the connected countries to grow economically. We may have industries along the route which will increases the possibility of economic development in the Bangladesh-ChinaIndia-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor,” he added. Zhanwu also said that India and China need to cooperate with each other to move forward. Speaking about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), he said, “BRI is not something to conquer the world or its neighbourhood. It is a project which will benefit all.” The rail route aimed at boosting trade flow in the Bangladesh-China-IndiaMyanmar (BCIM) corridor, Zhanwu said, adding that his country has been striving for the revival of Silk Route to increase connectivity from Kunming to Kolkata.
NEW DELHI, SEP 12 (AGENCIES): An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 on the Richter Scale hit Kokrajar, Assam at around 10.20 a.m. on Wednesday. Strong tremors were also felt across the North Eastern states as well as in West Bengal and Bangladesh. Locals in Guwahati said the tremors lasted for about 10 seconds. Tremors were also felt in parts of Bangladesh and in Bihar. There were no immediate reports of any damages. Earlier today, light tremors were felt in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Haryana. An ear thquake of magnitude 3.1 occurred at 5.43 am in Jhajjar, Haryana while an earthquake of magnitude 4.6 on the Richter Scale occurred at 5.15 am in Jammu and Kashmir.
CM Chang releasing the ‘operation manual’ on Wednesday. (NP)
ventions and biodiversity conservation through community participation, livelihood improvement and community development and institutional strengthening. He said all these measures would contribute towards environmental conservation and generate a stable income for villages targeted under the project. He revealed that the project would target 185 villages across 11 districts spread over 22 ranges. The villages would be selected in four batches. The first batch consisting of representative from 33 villages were present at the programme. According to Chang,
Acharya along with Changsao Thangjam Setshang members in Tuensang.
DIMAPUR, SEP 12 (NPN): Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya donated Rs one lakh to Changsao Thangjam Setshang-CTS (Chang Women’s Organisation) for promotion of skill development during his visit to Tuensang on September 9. According to a press release issued by PRO to governor, Acharya called on the women’s group to be frontrunners for development of society and empower the people, especially the youth, with skills so as to improve
the economy and solve the unemployment problem faced by the State. Acharya opined that CTS should also take the initiative of keeping the district clean and sensitise the citizens on waste management. He called on the organisation to identify recyclable items and reuse them. He stressed that recycling things would not only curb pollution and help make the environment healthier, but would create jobs as well. Acharya suggested that
the donated amount of Rs one lakh should be kept as seed money and used to encourage skill development in Tuensang district. He encouraged the women’s organisation to promote development of the State through skill development. He added that there were various Central and State government welfare schemes and projects, including Mudra Bank, from where entrepreneurs could avail loans at nominal interest rates and start their own business. The Governor
the project, which began from 2017, would be of 10-year duration and create both direct and indirect employment. The minister also informed those present on the occasion that JICA had signed an agreement with Government of India on March 31, 2017 to provide “Official Development Assistance” loans to eight projects in India. These, he said, included NFMP and for which Rs 533 crore was sanctioned in 90:10 ratio, and that it would be implemented by a society through community participation. (Cont’d on p-5)
also asked CTS to adopt government schools and strengthen them for welfare of the society. CTS was led by its president Naong Chemten and accompanied by other office-bearers of the women’s body. Meanwhile, Acharya held an interactive session with non local community from Tuensang town at CKS town hall. He called on the gathering to live in peaceful coexistence and care and share for their town. Acharya appealed to the community members to come forward and contribute towards the relief fund meant for the people affected by the recent natural calamity. An amount of Rs 8,030 was also raised on the occasion. The amount was later submitted to Tuensang deputy commissioner. The interactive meeting was attended by various non-local businessmen and service providers living in Tuensang.
IRT rescues 41 child labourers in Dimapur Amidst worsening tension in Manipur, UNC DIMAPUR, SEP 12 (NPN): Immediate Response Team (IRT) under Dimapur District Task Force (DDTF) on child labour under the chairmanship of Dimapur deputy commissioner (DC) Sushil Kumar Patel rescued 41 child labourers from garages, workshops, hotels and shops from various locations here on Wednesday. In a press release, Childline 1098 Dimapur nodal coordinator Neiketulie Namdau said the children aged between 10 and 14 years were rescued from Duncan, Notun Basti, Churches Colony, Khermahal, Golaghat Road and Eros Lane areas. The rescued children were produced before child welfare committee (CWC) along with their parents and guardians. The employers were summoned before the CWC and pen-
Officials with DDTF members during the drive to rescue child labourers.
alties were imposed on them as per provisions of the relevant Acts and they were made to sign bonds declaring that they would not employ any child below
14 years in future. The employers were also sensitised on the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, Child and Adolescent
Labour and Prohibition Act and Right to Education Act. The DDTF chairman apprised the children about the evils of child labour and the importance of education and encouraged them to pursue education. Meanwhile, DC Dimapur announced that more such rescue operations would be carried out at regular intervals in different locations. He warned that any person found employing children below 14 years of age would be dealt with strictly as per the law. The IRT consisted of Dimapur SDO civil N Zubenthung Ngullie, district child protection officer Pikato Tuccu, assistant commissioner of police Tiamenla, Childline 1098 nodal director Subonenba Longkumer, labour inspector Yolise Sangtam and Childline Dimapur.
says it is ready to face any form of challenges
IMPHAL, SEP 12 (AGENCIES): United Naga Council (UNC) urged the Manipur Government to try to reduce the increasing tension in the state, particularly in Imphal valley, alleging that the law and order situation has become ‘progressively’ bad to worst. UNC issued the statement in the wake of the 100 hour NH-37 total blockade, in protest against the ‘Nungba incident’ launched by the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), The Indian Express report stated. UNC said deep animosity and distrust between two ethnic groups is hotting up in the state when the Naga people are striving for the restoration of peace and communal harmony to live together as a good neighbour.
“The Naga people have exercised maximum restraint to any challenges but is giving cautionary message to face any forms of situations,” the statement said. “The deep social and psychological divide present in the state of Manipur will continue until and unless the hard facts of one’s history and originality is mutually honoured and respected,” the statement asserted, adding that the present problem is the product of two different people living together from different origin and history. Several attempts have been made politically, socially and culturally for the last many decades to maintain social harmony in the state, yet all remained unsuccessful, it noted. It held that the final
settlement of Indo-Naga political issue at the earliest is the only answer to bring durable peace, security and stability in the region. Moreover, the Naga political issue is a fact of life in South-East Asia and this hard fact cannot be wished away by any forces, the United Naga Council added. UNC also urged Centre to give up its traditional policy of looking at Naga resistance movement from a security point of view. It said no amount of money pumped into Naga territory could put an end to Naga national movement as the Naga national struggle is not aiming at the economic development and that the struggle continued for more than half a century basically for political recognition of Naga as a distinct Nation. K Y M C