Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 282
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
HM Shah reviews JK situation
Aus retain Ashes despite draw
US ‘locked & loaded’ to reply to Saudi oil attack
national, Page 5
sports, Page 11
international, Page 9
PAC checks illegal gate collections
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 16 (NPN): Monday’s ‘Operation Check Gate’ launched by the Public Action Committee (PAC) through deployment of scores of volunteers from various tribe affiliates of Naga Council Dimapur, revealed that collectors having got wind of the much publicised launch, preferred to lie low and to return another day. The volunteers had spread out to three main check gates- New Field Check Gate, Dillai Gate and Burma Camp Check gate from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. The second phase was from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The drive will continue for a week and could be extended said PAC. A telling effect of the PAC operation was that the price of potato which used to be sold at Rs.20 per kg in the market came crashing down to Rs.8 to Rs 10 per kg. It was reported that the same was the case with tomato whose prices had significantly come down. At New Field volunteers came across an underage boy collecting tax on head count of live animals supposed to be done by a veterinar-
ZSU (N) reaffirms ban on logging activities in Peren DIMAPUR, SEP 16 (NPN): Zeliangrong Students’ Union (Nagaland) has reaffirmed to completely ban logging activities in Peren district. In a press release, ZSU (N) president Dithuibo Newmai and general secretary Adona Herie lamented that Peren district, which was often tagged as green district by the government, was gradually losing its greenery because of logging activities. They said the road was also a major concern as timber loaded trucks were causing major damage to the road during the rainy season. ZSU(N) expressed disappointment that log trucks continue to ply despite its appeal and DC’s order dated May 21, 2019. The union expressed dismay at a few individuals for carrying out logging activities despite warning and orders from the union and the district administration. ZSU (N) reiterated that if any truck found ferrying log during its banned period, the union would take action as per resolution. Further, the union has appealed to all responsible to cooperate with its directive till further notice.
This is it!
“This PAC drive is going to make our boys desperate. How will we survive?” K Y M C
Volunteers querying about tax form a truck driver at Dillai gate on Monday. (NP)
ian assistant. Several mini trucks laden with poultry also passed by without the mandatory health check. It appeared that the veterinary department had outsourced collections to some group whether on auction or proxy for some staff. It was also found that DMC collectors who were supposed to charge Rs.10 per tract (compartment level) carrying chickens over charged. A mini-pick up has seven tracts and the total fee was supposed to be Rs.7x 10= Rs.70 per truck but the DMC collector(s) charged Rs.850 per truck. This was despite DMC
having put up signboards displaying rates to be levied. The driver of one pick up truck disclosed that he used to pay Rs.1000 per truck daily to a certain group, while crossing the check gate but he was issued with a challan showing only Rs.10. According to the driver, he used to pay Rs.1800 to the collectors of Veterinary department,Rs.850 to DMC, Rs.100 to police and around Rs.1000 to some group. He also said there were other groups to whom he had to also pay tax. Another lorry driver of a 14-wheeler from Guwahati also disclosed that
he used to pay Rs.4500 to collectors but did not get challan receipt. One truck driver who claimed he had paid some money to unidentified persons was whisked away by a local who claimed to be a driver also, when this Reporter wanted to get more details. Government departments such as Geology & Mining and Forest were also in the fray in collecting taxes from various trucks. Both the government departments have issued permits for tax collection under their respective rules. However, as pointed out by ACAUT convenor Tia Longchar, the
‘Legal recourse’
Farooq Abdullah
respond to a plea seeking that the former Chief Minister be produced before a court. The petition was filed by Tamil Nadu’s MDMK leader Vaiko, seeking Abdullah’s release so he could attend an event in Chennai. Abdullah’s son and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and another former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti are also under detention since August 5.
Abdullah’s party the National Conference (NC) said later in the day that would challenge the detention in court if needed. “They have no justification to do that, but if they have booked him (Abdullah) under the PSA, then what can we do. We can only approach the courts. We will take constitutional and legal recourse,” senior NC leader Mohammad Akbar Lone told reporters here. Lone, the MP from north Kashmir, said the government’s move is unfortunate and it is a matter of shame that Abdullah has been booked under this act. “If there was anyone who would talk of India here, it was Abdullah. If anyone has been abused, it is Abdullah and today, this is how India pays him. This is very unfortunate,” he said.
Correspondent
departments levied tax on granite and marbles from Rajasthan on which the buyer(s) had paid GST. Geology and Mining charged different rates as ‘royalty’ for various items such as sandstone, limestone, marble, granite, chips etc. In addition, the Forest department also collects its own ‘royalty’ tax on similar items from every truck passing through check gates. One questionable aspect is that the amount mentioned in the challans were not reflective of the actual amount collected. Later briefing media persons at NCD office PAC Convenor Vekhosayi Nyekha pointed out that illegal collections were not only confined to the check gates but that those involved have set up mobile check posts at various roads. He revealed that even those authorised to collect fee/tax like DMC illegally overcharged by 50% to 100%. Nyekha also disclosed that PAC was to file FIR against the veterinary department for not maintaining a proper quarantine check post where animals were to be kept for inspection.
KOHIMA, SEP 16 (NPN): Department of home has been undertaking major revamp in the administration, modernization of arms, procurement of vehicles for better and effective service, setting up of Special Task Force (STF) and other major tasks during the last one year, DGP Nagaland T. J Longkumer told Nagaland Post Monday during an interview in his office chamber. As the review of Nagaland Police Service (NPS) has not be carried out since inception, Longkumer said the government accepted the request for cadre review of NPS officers and constituted a committee, adding that the process was in final stage. Stating that serious anomalies in the regular promotion of UBI, ABI etc were detected, DGP said the government has set up a committee, which sent report to government for approval. Home deptt sets up STF/SSG: With the approval of the state government, the department has formed NAP Special Task Force (STF) where the jawans would be given special train(Cont’d on p-5) ing to meet the challenges of
Heavy vehicles Farooq Abdullah detained under banned between PSA, can go sans trial for two years Chingmei, Noklak SRINAGAR, SEP 16 (PTI): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has now been detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), which enables authorities to detain any individual for two years without trial, sources said on Monday. The 81-year-old patron of the National Conference has been under house arrest since August 5 when the Centre announced abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into Union Territories. Abdullah has been detained under the PSA, official sources said. The tougher law was slapped on Abdullah on Sunday. On Monday, the Supreme Court has asked the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to
Major revamp underway in police deptt
DIMAPUR, SEP 16 (NPN): Movement of heavy vehicles has banned between Chingmei and Noklak with immediate effect. In a notification, ADC Noklak, M Chaitanya Prasad, stated that the bridge (culvert) across Lien stream at 11 Km from Chendang Saddle has been critically damaged and threatens to totally cut off the sub-division from the rest of the state. ADC notified that no vehicles above gross weight of 4 tonnes would be allowed to ply along that road till the repair was completed. However, the following categories of vehicles would be allowed to ply: Tata 407 and similar class; pickups and other passenger cars. All commercial vehicle and taxi service operators are to strictly abide to permissible carrying capacity of the vehicles.
the newer type of crimes like house intersection during kidnapping and ransom situation besides carjacking, bus jacking, search of suspected criminal dens etc. Longkumer said another specialized unit called State Security Guard (SSG) was constituted with personnel trained especially for VVIP duty and for anti-ambush practical situations. Currently, he said there were two units of STF numbering around 500 and SSGs were allotted to Z+ security to chief minister, deputy chief minister and DGP. He said the department imparts specialized training for both those units regularly and would be inducting fresh blood every year. New vehicles for sector forces: In an effort to provide best of safety and quicker service to the people, the home department has procured Isuzu pickup trucks. He said the first batch of14 Isuzu pickups would be arriving soon where the STF and SSG attached to VVIPs would be given first. He said Isuzu pickups were more spacious and best suited to terrain of Nagaland, adding that the department has already conducted trail and expressed its contentment on the new
vehicles. Moder nization of arms: The department is also in the process of procuring latest arms and accessories after having detailed review of weapons in stock. DGP said the department has recently decided to purchase X-95 Tavor Rifles, which would be issued first to the STF. Also, he said the department was upgrading every year to meet the future challenges whereby the older weapons 303 rifles were phased out and now were using AKs and Insas while 7.62 SLR would be replaced with 7.62 newer Version Ghatak. The X.95 rifle which was made in the latest BullPub design with short rifles without recoil can also be handled by IR Mahillas since it was easy to use. He said the security forces would be trained on the usage of the arms. CC lab at Chumoukedima: With the growing trend of cyber crime in Nagaland and across the country, DGP said the department has set up Cyber Crime police station in all the headquarters while CC lab with the latest equipment was set up at Chumoukedima police complex. (Cont’d on p-5)
Zeliangs dissolve two ZPOs DIMAPUR, SEP 16 (NPN): General convention of Zeliang people of Nagaland, which was held at Jalukie town on September 13, 2019, has unanimously resolved that the two Zeliang People’s Organizations (ZPOs) would stand dissolved to give way for constitution of unified apex body for Zeliangs of Nagaland. In a press release, general convention session chairman Dr. Tumda Newme and session secretary Khenglubo stated that the convention was necessitated due to confusion in the Zeliang community over the existence of parallel ZPOs within the community. The convention has resolved that, henceforth, no ZPO would be allowed to represent Zeliang Tribe in any manner in any platforms. The general house also unanimously resolved that the name of unified apex organisation for Ze-
liangs of Nagaland would be called by the name and style of “Zeliang Tribal Council Nagaland” in the tradition of the past. Fur ther, the house unanimously constituted the Interim Body (IB) led by Dr.Tumda Newme as Convenor, Khenglubo as member secretary and Ramdi Meru, Kiezen and GH Ramlia as members. IB was entrusted to conduct election to new team of office bearers of Zeliang Tribal Council Nagaland within the month of October 2019. IB was also authorised to frame modalities for election to the new team of office bearers. Meanwhile, the general convention unanimously nominated the heads of Zeliang sub-tribes councils (the genuine stakeholders) to represent Zeliang tribe in any platforms till the new team of Zeliang Tribal Council was duly consti-
tuted: Dr. Tumda Newme, Convenor IB and president Zeme Council Nagaland (ZCN) and Khenglubo, member secretary IB and president Liangmai Council Nagaland (LCN). The general convention requested the government and its agencies, Naga political groups, tribal hohos – APO, Ao Senden, CPO, Lotha Hoho, Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sumi Hoho, WSH, NTC, CNTC, ENPO, etc to extend cooperation in clearing confusion on representation of Zeliang tribe in Nagaland as per the resolutions of general convention of Zeliang people. The house cautioned that extending invitation or cooperation to any fringe element taking the name of the tribe except the “Zeliang Tribal Council Nagaland” would be doing so at their own risk and Zeliang people of Nagaland would not be responsible for any consequences.
First gravity goods ropeway inaugurated in Nagaland WC, NNPGs holds meeting DIMAPUR, SEP 16 (NPN): The first Gravity Goods Ropeway (GGR), a rope based transport system for mountainous regions, was inaugurated in Nagaland at Punglwa village under Peren district on September 16, 2019. The project was supported by North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) under the Ministry of DoNER and aided by the World Bank. Besides GGR, collection centre and feed mill was also inaugurated with chief operating officer, World Bank in India, Dr. Hisham Abdo Kahin as the special guest. Built at an estimated cost of Rs.22,066,47, it was learnt that GGR would help reduce 2 hours of time spent to carry the materials and save around Rs. 630 towards labour charges for carrying the materials. The project that started on October 5, 2018 and completed on September 10, 2019 was
with 14 tribes of Nagaland
Local produce about to be transported through GGR at Punglwa village, Peren. (Twitter)
given technical support by Practical Action, an international development organisation. The community contributed labour and locally available materials towards the project. The goods from hills of old
village Peren can be transported in just two minutes, which initially took 3 hours to reach to road head. The inauguration programme was chaired by principal secretary Rural Development, Bendangkokba,
while the district project manager NERLP Peren, Ruuvilie Kuotsu, spoke on the progress of the project. Vote of thanks was proposed by the State Project Co-ordinator NERLP, Peren, Ringsanbo Zeliang.
DIMAPUR, SEP 16 (NPN): Representatives of 14 tribes, who met Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) at Niathu Resort Chumoukedima, Dimapur on September 15, 2019, have “strongly” urged that crucial and substantive issues that have been painstakingly negotiated and agreed upon between Government of India and Naga negotiators be put into agreement at the earliest. According to WC, NNPG media cell, the 14 tribes opined that Nagas must take what was possible at this hour, which was honorable and acceptable. 14 tribes maintained that symbolic issues that remain unresolved be pursued through continuous, consistent democratic and political process, adding that the aspiration of the Naga people must be fully met in due course of time. WC, NNPGs has acknowledged the pragmatic approach proposed by the 14 Naga tribes.
WC stated that practical and positive progress of the negotiations, which would safeguard and protect the distinct identity of the Naga people and land beyond the present state of Nagaland, was briefed to the tribal leaders present. The 14 tribes encouraged WC, NNPGs to strive for peace and unity since violence and bloodshed had taken enough Naga lives. Stating that Naga generations were in peril and face uncertain future, they, therefore, asserted that negotiations must reach a practical, pragmatic and logical conclusion. Meanwhile, WC, NNPGs has acknowledged the advice of the 14 tribes. WC assured the Naga people that Indian leaders have demonstrated political will and commitment to solve the Naga issue this time around. “A moment has come for Nagas to reciprocate equally. Naga negotiators are confident that a comprehensive political settlement will be announced soon,” WC stated. K Y M C