Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVIII No. 295
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Deterrent action will continue at Pakistan border: Sitharaman
ISL 5: Kerala Blasters beat ATK 2-0 in opener
Solih declared Maldives president-elect
national, Page 5
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
CM kick-starts state-wide mass social work
Kenye raises issue of neglect of Dimapur Rly Stn. with NFR
(L-R) State chief minister Neiphiu Rio leading the state-wide mass social work in Kohima. (C) Mass social work in Dimapur led by district legislators & Lok Sabha MP and DY CM, Y. Patton takes part in the mass social work in Wokha, Saturday. (DIPR)
DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, launched the state-wide mass social work at the inaugural programme held at PHQ junction, Kohima on Saturday. According to a DIPR report, the chief minister while launching three-day mass social work, referred to the recent study in which the state capital was adjudged ranked 110 out of 111 cities surveyed in the most unliveable city in India. Asking the citizens of Kohima whether they were ashamed to be tagged as the citizens of the second most unliveable city in the country, the chief minister appealed to all responsible to wake up from their slumber and restore the pride of the state as Kohima
Bihar CM donates Rs.1 cr to CMRF DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN): Bihar chief minister and JD(U) chief, Nitish Kumar, has donated Rs.1 crore to the Nagaland chief minister relief fund (CMRF) for relief and rehabilitation works in landslides and flood affected areas. In a letter to state chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Nitish Kumar said he was deeply distressed and saddened by tragic loss of lives and large scale damages caused by landslides and flash floods in Nagaland. “I convey heartfelt condolence to all the victims and their families on behalf of the people of Bihar,” Nitish Kumar said, adding that no one knows better than the people of Bihar about the miseries caused by natural calamities during flood. JD(U) chief expressed confidence that under Rio’s guidance and leadership, people of Nagaland would recover soon from the losses that they have suffered. Meanwhile, chief minister Neiphiu Rio took to twitter to thank Nitish’s contribution. “Humbled by the generous gesture made by Hon’ble CM of #Bihar @ NitishKumar on #nagalandfloods. The contribution of Rs. 1 cr will make a huge difference in rebuilding the lives of flood and landslide victims in the state of #Nagaland,” Rio tweeted.
This is it!
“I know this is an economy airline but can I get today’s newspaper?” K Y M C
is the mirror of Nagaland. He expressed confidence that everyone will cooperate and make Kohima clean again. The chief minister disclosed that the government on its part would commit to restore roads in Kohima and Dimapur in a year’s time. In this regard, he appealed to the various colony leaders, NGOs and land owners to cooperate with the government. Rio also stated that Road& Bridges department would provide special care to all the districts and sub divisions. He further said that the government would float open tender in the coming weeks to build the proposed roads where the contractors would be scrutinized and selected on their previous
records and vision. Lamenting on the laid back attitude of Nagas, he said Nagas knew only to receive and not to give; resorting to blame game especially the government for their misery. He said everybody had a responsibility to play and contribute for the common good of the society. Rio also said that the government will ensure that the streetlights are working, commercial buildings are painted and clean or else fine will be imposed. He also mentioned that the augmentation of water supply to Kohima town from Teupuiki and Dzupfu River (Khonoma-Poilwa village) will soon see the light of day as the government is pursuing it earnestly with all efforts. He, however, said the citizens will
Fuel prices hit new highs District
Kohima Mon Dimapur Mokokchung Zunheboto Tuensang Wokha Kiphire Phek Peren Longleng
Petrol (per litre)
Rs. 81.73 Rs. 82.51 Rs. 81.06 Rs. 82.42 Rs. 82.87 Rs. 83.32 Rs. 82.25 Rs. 83.22 Rs. 82.52 Rs. 81.24 Rs. 82.57
NEW DELHI/DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (IANS/NPN): Fuel prices in the country continued their upward movement on Saturday, with petrol costing nearly Rs 91 a litre in Mumbai. In the country’s financial capital, petrol was priced at Rs 90.75 per litre, up from Rs 90.57 on Friday, data on the Indian Oil Corp’s website showed. Petrol prices in the other key cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai were at Rs 83.40, Rs 85.21 and Rs 86.70 per
Diesel (per litre)
Rs. 72.87 Rs. 73.65 Rs. 72.37 Rs. 73.53 Rs. 73.85 Rs. 74.29 Rs. 73.34 Rs. 74.25 Rs. 73.61 Rs. 72.53 Rs. 73.74
litre, respectively -- all at new record levels. Prices of the diesel in the four metros of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai were Rs 74.63, Rs 76.48, Rs 79.23 and Rs 78.91 a litre, respectively. Meanwhile, in Dimapur the petrol price has touched Rs.81.06 per litre while diesel was being sold at Rs.72.37 on Saturday. In other districts petrol prices were all above Rs. 81 per litre mark and the costliest being sold in Tuensang at Rs. 83.32. (See table)
have to pay for the services. The chief minister, after the launch of the three-day mass social work, supervised and initiated the social work from PHQ junction, Kohima till TCP gate junction, Kohima. Advisor for rural development (RD) Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire also spoke at the inaugural programme. The launching programme was chaired by deputy commissioner (DC) Kohima, Rajesh Soundaranjan, and invocation was given by Faith Harvest Church Kohima associate pastor Hoping Kips. The mass social work would culminate on October 2, 2018 with clearance of collected debris in commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
Rejoinder to LOU-DHEP DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN): Reacting to a recent press statement issued by the Land Owners’ Union, Doyang Hydro Electric Project (LOU-DHEP), the former president of LOU-DHEP has clarified that currently there was “no legit LOU-DHEP” as the select list of executive members of the LOU-DHEP from 17 villages, which was approved by then DC Wokha for the mater of LOU-DHEP presidential election, has been quashed by the High Court. In a press release, former president of LOU-DHEP, R Yanthan, stated that the issue of LOU-DHEP was sub judice, adding that no individual or group had the legal right to use the nomenclature of LOU-DHEP. Former president of LOU-DHEP said any group or individual exercising any authority in the name of LOU-DHEP would be doing so at their own volition without any sanction of law and could even attract contempt of the court’s proceedings.
and Swachh Bharat Day. During the three-day social work, the focus will be mainly targeted to clean and clear the debris that was left behind by the monsoon rage in the form of flash floods and landslides across the state. In Kohima, the district administration led by DC Rajesh Soundararajan along with administrative officers in all the ADC headquarters and sub-divisions conducted the mass social work involving the wards/colonies in all the towns and villages under Kohima district. All district head offices also participated in the social work as assigned by the district administration in designated locations.
anticipating the remaining amount from the Centre after submission of the SIT report. However, the unions said that the department dishonoured the agreement, which was an insult and direct challenge to the students’ community. ANCSU and ENCSU reiterated its earlier demand not to accept partial payment. While acknowledging that the state government had issues regarding funding from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the unions however maintained that it was not the fault of the students, but the failure of state government and the concern department. Po i n t i n g o u t t h a t scholarships were not being disbursed on time over the years, ANCSU and ENCSU asserted that the students’ community
should not be fooled over and again due to the delay tactics and lame excuses of the government. Though the total required amount for the year 2017-18 was Rs. 30,60,17,435 including 10% state matching share for 29,130 beneficiaries, they said the first installment amounting to Rs. 6.14 crore was sanctioned by the Centre for payment of PMS to the ST students of Nagaland (2017-18) on May 2, 2017 as ad-hoc grant. However, due to delay in submission of SIT report for the year 2010-2015, the unions stated that the Centre was not releasing the remaining amount. They said the students’ community were told on many occasions that the Centre was ready to release the remaining amount, but after submission of SIT report.
without further delay. He also wanted to know why passenger shed at platform No.2 could not be constructed till date. In response NFR authorities informed that the reason was due to land encroachment which impeded the construction work. Kenye then requested the chief engineer of the division to plan out an alternative for construction of the much needed waiting shed at PF No.2 keeping in mind that the land issue may take time in case the matter was lying in the court. He also demanded construction of rest room for passengers and installation of solar plant at the roof top of the station building. Kenye also urged NFR to complete the Dimapur (Dhansiri) to Zubza railway project within the stipulated time. He also requested that reservation policy in railway recruitment be adopted to provide more benefits to local people who would be in a more advantageous position to serve their respective areas of operation since Lumding is spread over a multi-ethnic area having particular problems. According to PRO to the MP, Kenye also reminded NFR on the strategic location of the region surrounded by five countries with insurgency-related problems and which demanded increase of Railway Protection Force to ensure safety of passengers.
MLA objects to CM’s deadline on Wakching area councils DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN): Opposition NPF MLA, Y.M. Yollow Konyak, from 42 Wakching Assembly Constituency, has objected to the chief minister’s one-week deadline given to the Wakching area village councils to make final decision on the proposed diversion of two-lane highway (SARD-NE) Merankong-Tamlu-Mon road alignment at km58 to 63 near Wakching. In a press release, Yollow said that in a democratic country, the government should not force the public to surrender from their will, but should instead try to understand and analyze the problem. Asserting that since the reason for realignment was due to the high gradient (as per NHIDCL and Rites Firm), MLA said the government should instruct the responsible department to immediately check on the gradient of the road. Yollow also suggested that the state government and NHIDCL make final call based on the technical report of the gradient submitted by the department.
ANCSU, ENCSU reject partial payment of PMS DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN): All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) and Easter n Nagaland College Student’ Union (ENCSU) have expressed shock and dismay by the state government’s decision to disburse the 2017-18 Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for ST students of Nagaland on installment basis. The unions affirmed that they would not accept partial payment of scholarships or on installemnt basis. In a joint statement, ANCSU president Katho P Awomi and ENCSU president M Longre Chang said after meeting the department officials, commissioner & secretary Higher and Technical Education and the concerned minister, it was agreed upon to disburse the full amount to the beneficiaries, while
(Cont’d on p-8)
DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN): Nagaland’s lone Rajya Sabha MP and NPF secretary general, K.G. Kenye has taken up the issue of neglect of Dimapur railway station with North Frontier Railway (NFR) authorities following recent reports by Nagaland Post highlighting lack of passenger amenities, unhygienic conditions, lack of adequate tickets and quotas including connecting trains. Despite Dimapur railway station being the second highest revenue earner for the NFR after Guwahati, it is given a stepmotherly treatment with the least being given in terms of passenger amenities and connectivity. In his address at the consultative meeting of NFR authorities and MPs representing areas under Lumding division held at Maligaon on September 28, Kenye sought immediate attention of NRF for urgent improvement of Dimapur railway station. Making a strong plea, Kenye maintained that Dimapur station “cannot be neglected” in infrastructure and passenger amenities since the station serves both Nagaland, Manipur as well as parts of upper Assam. As highlighted in the report by Nagaland Post, Kenye raised the issue of lack of amenities for passengers including the shocking unhygienic condition, which he demanded, ought to be addressed
Though the SIT report for the year 2016-17 was submitted earlier, they said the report for 2010-15 could not be prepared on time due to untold reasons which was best known to the Special Investigation Team and the concern department. ANCSU and ENCSU cautioned that they will not accept any kind of manipulated or compromised SIT report. It further demanded the SIT report to be made public and not to be delayed any further. ANCSU and ENCSU warned that the unions would resort to its own course of action if scholarship was disbursed on installment basis. In this regard, the union have called upon all affiliated colleges to be prepared if their demands were not met by the state government.
MLA expressed dismay that despite many petitions to the state government and NHIDCL with regard to the proposed diversion, the government and the firm turned a deaf ear to the request of the public of 42 Wakching A/C. Yollow said out of the 100km length of the said highway, 37km long stretch of land belonged to Wakching alone. He said a new alignment prepared by the Rites Firm without the consultation of the stakeholders excluded Wakching town where 90% of earth work was already completed by Maytas & Gayatri firm during 2011-2012. When the public objected to the realignment, MLA said Rites Firm and NHIDCL claimed Wakching portion did not fulfil the highway criteria as the gradient was high. However, MLA said Maytas & Gayatri had no problem with gradient during the alignment, survey and earth cutting. Yollow stated that area public had suffered for seven long years as the existing road had been
NTTU warns units collecting tax DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN): Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) has warned that stern action would be initiated against any of its affiliated unions and associations found levying tax on vehicles carrying logs and timbers in the districts. In a press release, NTTU president, Kevise Sogotsu, said timber community has been fighting all these years against taxation imposed on them by various government agencies and other groups.“This fight for justice is meaningless if we do not first clean our own kitchen,” NTTU president said. NTTU has also reminded the state government that its departments and agencies manning check gates were still collecting tax from timber-laden trucks despite repeated reminders in the past that such collection was illegal and amounts to extor(Cont’d on p-8) tion.
damaged by earth work during 2011-2012. “They suffered but never complained as they hoped that the project would continue,” he said. Further, MLA said that Wakching area public had strongly objected to the proposed realignment and held three rounds of meeting with the government and NHIDCL. He said a public memorandum was also submitted to the DC Mon on July 9, 2018. Consequently, he said a meeting was convened by the chief secretary on August 28, 2018 and finally by the chief minister on September 27, 2018. In every meeting, MLA said NHIDCL turned down the plea of Wakching area public for retaining the old alignment citing that realignment was done by Rites Firm due to high gradient in Wakching portion. Meanwhile, MLA said that the proposed new alignment road runs through heavy plantation of valuable trees, wild fruits, tea, cardamom and palm leave, adding that it has to be compensated.
NSCN (K): rejoinder to rival group’s statement DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN); Reacting to the statement issued by NSCN (K) kilonser MIP, ‘col.’ Isak Sumi, the rival group- NSCN/GPRN MIP in-charge ‘maj.’ Joseph Lamkang claimed that the impeachment of former chairman ‘lt. gen.’ (retd) Khango was done according to the party formalities, which was consented and endorsed by all member of the NSCN/GPRN. Lamkang alleged that some “self-vested individuals and Indian-backed agents within the party”, taking advantage of the situation, had sided with Khango to use him for “their selfish dreams and to work for the enemy”. He also stated that have also been automatically terminated from the party with immediate effect. Lamkang said that since the traitors had no agenda, the statement by rival group
claiming legitimacy of the impeached chairman was completely baseless, null and void. He said the statement was aimed to tarnish the party’s image, confuse and divide the Nagas and also to create misunderstanding between fraternal revolutionary parties of WESEA. Lamkang claimed that the NSCN/GPRN under the new leadership and all WESEA parties based at “base-area” were fully intact. “NSCN/GPRN repledge ourselves before God and to the people to continue the Naga freedom struggle, and will not tolerate antinational elements conniving with the enemy to demean the struggle,” it stated. The group appealed to Nagas in particular and the people of WESEA “to be alert and not to be confused with baseless statements and allegations in the near future.” K Y M C