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ThursDAY • FebruArY 09 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 37 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
Care for the land, Care for the people, Go forward Governor to reach Chennai amid PanneerselvamSasikala war
P o W e R
T R u T H
— Maori proverb
Concerned Nagas For Change appeal for peace
PAGe 08
o F
Suarez hero & villain as Barca reach Cup final
PAGE 02
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Demand for CM’s resignation intensifies Govt offices remain paralyzed for eighth day Withdraw support to Bandh to continue cM: Jcc urges MlAs Our Correspondent
Warns of intensifying bandh including air and train services Morung Express News Dimapur | February 8
The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has appealed MLAs in Nagaland state to withdraw their support to the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang stating that “he is not fit to lead the Naga people.” Addressing media persons in Dimapur on Wednesday, JCC warned of intensifying bandh including air and train services if the CM did not step down within three days. Reacting to the CM’s apology to JCC and NBCC, the JCC “advised” him to behave as a responsible leader. JCC Convenor, Supu Jamir said, “the CM has tendered apology but in the same line he is alleging JCC and NBCC of not understanding which itself manifests that he is not fully aware of the meaning of apology.” According to the JCC, apology comes only when the person concerned or the authority makes mistake and that if Zeliang tendered apology then the same should come from his inward mind without any ulterior motive. “While tendering apology, there is no scope for any allegation to the other party but Zeliang is tendering apology to the NBCC and JCC coupled with unjustified and unreasonable allegation,” JCC said. The JCC maintained that at no point of time during the January 30 meeting at Chumukedima Police Complex, had it accepted or agreed upon 33% women quota. Stating that the CM should not manufacture any fabricated statement to confuse the Naga public, the JCC said that it had agreed to meet the public for consultations with regard to the women quota within two months and intimate the state government on its outcome. “And the January 30 agreement was arrived at in order to avoid bloodshed but unfortunately the agreement was undermined by the state government within no time resulting in
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
the loss of two sons of the soil and a series of injuries to other volunteers,” the JCC said. JCC said it was therefore, of the view, that the CM tendered apology since he defiled the January 30 agreement. It also said that there was no room to blame JCC or NBCC for the commission of mistakes or defilement by the state government. JCC, NTAC turn down another meet by CM It was also informed during the press conference that the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee and JCC had jointly resolved not to attend another consultative meeting called by the CM on February 9 at the State Banquet Hall at 9 am. JCC said that the two bodies decided not to attend the meet so as to “avoid another betrayal by the CM as it has bitterly experienced on January 30.” JCC consultative meet today JCC has convened a consultative meet on February 9 at 3:00pm at Chakhesang Hoho building, Dimapur near Hill Star Cinema Hall. It has requested all Dimapur based tribal hohos, GBs, chairmen, chairpersons of colonies and villages in Dimapur district to attend the meeting. It has also requested office bearers of Diphupar Village Council, Diphupar Naga Youth Organization, Youth Association of Nagaland and Western Sumi Kukami Hoho to attend the consultative meet. Meanwhile, the JCC has exempted postal department from the purview of the ongoing bandh in the interest of public. The JCC said it would intimate to all districts about the next course of action to be taken by it and NTAC. It also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the two slain youths and wished speedy recovery to those injured. DNYF candlelight service today The Dimapur Naga Youth Front will hold a candlelight memorial service in honour of the two slain youths at Naga Shopping Arcade, Super Market, Dimapur at 4:30pm. It has requested well wishers to bring a candle each in honour of the slain youths.
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DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): The Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) has expressed concern at the recent turn of events with regard to the ULB elections, and the “adamant attitude of the state government to find solution to the said impasse.” A press note from the WSBAK stated that the government should have honored the desires of the people in bringing the situation to an amicable resolution. Instead the government refused to read the writings on the wall and went ahead with their own hidden plan leading to the loss of two precious lives, it lamented. The WSBAK mourned the deaths of the two persons and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
The normal functioning of the government offices remained paralyzed for eight days today in the state capital Kohima following the indefinite bandh. The bandh restricted opening of government offices and also movement of government registered vehicles, mobilized by Angami Youth Organization (AYO) in Kohima. Essential services are exempted from the purview of the bandh. Mobile data services remained cut off till today since January 30. Meanwhile, AYO official informed that the bandh will continue in
NPMHR asks CM to step down specify ‘vested interests,’ DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 cessive state governments from ntAc asks nagaland cM (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ the beginning till today, choose Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) today stated that the Nagaland State Chief minister must take moral responsibility for the violent incidents in the state and “step down as happens in any democratic nations and societies across the world, whether one is at fault or not.” A press note from the NPMHR said that the relentless position taken by the Chief Minister refusing to own moral responsibility and to step-down over the violence in the state, “all in the midst of uproars against the holding of ULB Elections causing an unprecedented mayhem in the Naga society has become one of the most unfortunate turn of events in the present day situation.” “While issues of disagreements over the ‘imposition of undesirable alien legal systems and socio-cultural concepts and ways of life’ continue to create chaos and confusions all these while ever since Nagas declared their Independence one day before India, on the 14th of August 1947, all suc-
to defy and suppress its own people’s wishes and aspirations in the name of ‘upholding the Constitution of India,’ even when there is no need at all,” the NPMHR stated. It stated that the sufferings already caused to every household and families across Nagaland, the entire tensed atmosphere has become grimmer with the growing stand-off between the Naga Public and the State Government under the present leadership. “If situation does not normalize in the coming few days and weeks, there is an entire generation of Naga children whose career and future would be affected. And no amount of apologies or justification can undo these damages, for which the present day leadership of all shapes and sizes will be responsible,” it cautioned. The NPMHR meanwhile extended condolences to the families of those who were killed as a result of the recent violence in the state and expressed resentment over the “high-handedness of the state’s brutality.”
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) today asked the Nagaland Chief Minister to clarify on his earlier statements that the present issue has gone beyond 33%, and that there are vested interest and politics in play. A press statement from the NTAC asked the CM “to clearly spell out who, which party or organisation was involved in it, so that the people we represent will clearly understand the matter.” “Since he was not thoroughly specified it amounts to making false allegation with a view to dilute the issue and to derail the ongoing movement which tantamount to misleading the public for his selfish ends,” it stated. It further questioned how the CM can claim to have acceded to the people’s demands. The NTAC reminded the CM that the first demand is for him to step down. “People’s demand is not whether or not he has the majority but purely on moral ground as he has betrayed the people leading to the killing of
two innocent young boys who had bright future and also injuring several others,” it added. The NTAC further accused the CM of demonstrating a “negative attitude towards the appeal of NBCC,” and asked him to “realise now that he is inconsistent with the interpretation of Part IX A of the Constitution of India.” “There is a suspicion that either he is devoid of legal knowledge or someone is misguiding him to jump from one position to the other. TR Zeliang should have been responsible enough to consult the people as he later confessed to do so. The JCC and NTAC, Kohima would like him to recall the fact that all the MLAs including him were elected by the people and not by the Constitution as stated by him in the local daily newspapers and as such, we would like to remind him that he is answerable to the people of Nagaland first and not the Constitution,” the NTAC said. It further stated that the Constitution of India “will not elect him but the people will.”
cM meets civil society leaders Cash withdrawal limit to be Rio hopes ‘voice and desire Rs 50,000 from February 20 of people will be respected’
KohIMA, FEBRUARY 8 (AGENCIES): Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today held a meeting with civil society leaders on the ongoing crisis in the state arising due to announcement of reservation for women in Urban Local Bodies (ULB) polls, but the two major organisations spearheading the movement did not participate. The three-hour-long consultative meeting was attended by around 50 Naga leaders and “fruitful discussion” was held on the entire sequence leading to the present crisis, CMO officials said. The meeting, they clarified, was not called to adopt any resolution but to No government cars al- make the leaders understand the posilowed- we are going to the tion of the state government on the issue, wedding on a rickshaw. which would lead to the finding of an amicable solution. Zeliang’s cabinet colleagues also
Govt should have honoured desire of the people: WSBAK
Kohima | February 8
Kohima. Prohibitory orders promulgated by the Kohima district administration under section 144 CrPC in certain areas here continued to be in force with no reports of untoward incident. The areas where 144 CrPC continues are Old Ministers’ Hill area, Jail Colony and Raj Bhavan area, Kohima is still in place. Private and government educational institutions, banks and health centres have been exempted from the purview of the shutdown by Nagas. Speaking to IANS, Nagaland Police chief L.L. Doungel said, “No untoward incident has been reported so far. The shutdown has been peaceful. Police are keeping Volunteers carrying out a poster campaign demanding the Nagaland Chief a watch on the strike and will function accordingly.” Minister’s resignation in Kohima on February 8. (Morung Photo)
took part in the meeting which was not attended by Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) – the two bodies leading the protests. NTAC and JCC had yesterday declared they would not attend the consultative or any other meeting convened by the Chief Minister unless he steps down as demanded by them. Another meeting with apex tribal bodies has also been convened on February 9, 11:00 am at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima. Earlier on February 7, the Chief Minister at a press conference in Kohima said, “We are not going to force them (civil/tribal organizations) to pass any resolution,” but “we want to make them understand the position of the government so in consulting with people and by explaining the position of the government I think they will understand.”
No limit from March 13
MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 8 (IANS): The limits on savings bank cash withdrawals post-demonetisation are to be withdrawn in two stages, the Reserve Bank of India announced on Wednesday, with the limit slated to go up to Rs,50,000 per account from February 20 and to cease from March 13. The announcement was made by RBI Deputy Governor R. Gandhi saying it awaited data on the full impact of the government’s demonetisation drive three months ago. On January 30, the RBI had ended all curbs on withdrawals from Current Accounts, Cash Credit Accounts and Overdraft Accounts. While lifting of ATM withdrawal limits from March 13 will represent coming full circle for these machines in respect of demonetisation, it is to be seen whether the amount of cash supplied by RBI will be able to satisfy the demand of citizens in future.
WSH stand on current impasse one man Jic constituted
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) and its frontal organisations, including the Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH), Western Sumi Totimi Hoho (WSTH), Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF), Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) and Western Sumi Sports Association (WSSA) held a consultative meeting on February 8 and resolved to re-affirm the Sumi Hoho and CNTC decision against the ULB elections with 33% women reservation. It further appealed to the Nagaland State Government to issue an official notification nullifying the entire process of ULB elections at the earliest. The WSH appealed to the CNTC to have a consultative meeting with its federating units as no such meetings have been initiated after the formation of JCC under CNTC.
It asked the CNTC to monitor the activities of Dimapur Naga Youth Front (DNYF) which was formed in connection with the issue of ULB elections and hence co-terminus with the JCC. The WSH also urged the CNTC/JCC to see to it that “no press statements/comments are issued by the DNYF but only through CNTC/JCC in order to avoid confusion within the constituent units.” It meanwhile assured that “as and when situation arises, it will mobilize its youth.” The WSH re-affirmed that it stands strongly against holding of the ULB elections until and unless thorough amendments are made in the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 by safeguarding the powers conferred under Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution. “The WSH is not against or in favour of any other issue except Naga common issue of ULB elections,” it added.
to probe Jan 31 violence
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): The Home Department of the Nagaland State Government today informed that the one man Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) on the violent incidents in the state, particularly the mob violence in Dimapur on January 31, in which two persons were killed and several injured will be headed by LN Sema, District & Session Judge (Retired). A press release from the Home Commissioner stated that the commission would look into the chain of events leading to the violent incidents which occurred in Dimapur on January 31 and the role/ involvement of groups/individuals in aiding/ abetting it. It will also look into the steps taken and the arrangements made by the district administra-
tion/ police/ security agencies for dealing with the law and order situation as it evolved in Dimapur on that day and the adequacy, or otherwise of the same. The commission will also probe the cause of the death of the two persons; late Khriesavizo Metha (Avizo) and late Bendangnungsang Longkumer and injury to others and the person or group of persons responsible for the violence. The Commission will function in Police Officers’ Mess, Chumukedima, Dimapur, and be provided with all the logistic support and the required manpower by the Home Department by issuing separate orders. The Commission is expected to finish the inquiry and submit its report in sixty (60) days from the dateofissuanceofthisnotification.
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 8 (MExN): Nagaland State MP to the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio spoke during the recently held budget session in Parliament and touched on many topics including the ongoing turmoil over ULB polls in Nagaland, the Indo-Myanmar border fencing issue, connectivity issues in the state and the need for inclusive development in the region. In his speech, the Nagaland MP informed that the state is “now facing problem for about two weeks because the voice and the wishes of the Tribal Hohos are not respected and going against the spirit of Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which give them special protection.” He further appealed that “good sense should prevail.” He further informed that the ENPO and the tribe Hohos, including Myanmar civil societies have protested against the international border fencing between India and Myanmar (Nagaland area 215 km - from Pillar no. 139-146). “I hope that voice and desire of the people will be respected to maintain good relationship with the local people in the border areas,” he urged. Regarding development, Rio stated that unless the North East is developed, India will not be developed. He urged for the Look East and Act East policies to be made into a reality, to bridge economic development with ASEAN countries. He meanwhile lamented that the original proposed
Trans Asian Highway from Guwahati- Dimapur- SenapatiImphal- Moreh- Myanmar has been diverted to Guwahati- Silchar- Jiribam- Tupul avoiding Naga areas, and appealed that the original plan should be restored. Further, the MP said that the Dimapur- Tizit 257 KM Railway Line costing 4274Cr appeared in the Pink Book of 2013-14 as “awaiting NITI AAYOG approval, completed the techno economic and included in new project.” Railways and highways, he affirmed, need to reach remote areas especially the eastern part of Nagaland. He added that the Chiethu Airport proposal in Kohima has been lying in the cold storage for one and a half decade. The MP stressed that local air strips need to be developed and regional airline set up, especially to tackle situations during emergencies and calamities. Rio also suggested top priority towards infrastructure, connectivity and human resources, while stressing on the need to set up a medical college, engineering college, tech institutes, centre of excellence for education etc. Regarding the Naga political issue, the MP said that the Naga people are still struggling to resolve the larger issue. “We all pray and hope that the present negotiation which is going on for the last 20 years will be consummated soon and peace restored,” he said.