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ThursDAY • julY 14 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 192 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
T R u T H
Democracy isn’t a gift. It’s a responsibility — Dalton Trumbo Cameron bows out, May comes in PAGE 09
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Young man, you are killing my optimism with your pessimism.
Five missing Naga youth traced
DImaPuR July 13 (mExN): Five Naga youth who were reported missing while travelling on a Rajdhani train from Dimapur to Delhi have been traced. The five youth departed from Dimapur on July 11 by Rajdhani train but were reported to have gone missing either in journey or in Delhi as they were supposed to reach New Delhi Railway Station on Wednesday morning. Mobile phones of all five are switched off and there is no clue about their whereabouts, Delhi Police IGP Robin Hibu, who is also Nodal Officer for North East People, Delhi had earlier posed on social media websites. However, IGP Hibu, when contacted on Wednesday evening confirmed that the Naga youth have been traced. While he did not specify details, Hibu said they were reportedly detained on a case of “mistaken identity.” Inquiry is underway on the incident, he added.
Total shutdown of power supply KohIma, July 13 (mExN): The testing process for commissioning of 132kV Wokha-DHEP Transmission line is in progress and is likely to continue for the next 10 days. In the process, total shutdown of power supply is required from time to time. All consumers under Wokha district, Tseminyu and Pughoboto area are requested to extend co-operation and bear with the inconvenience, a press release issued by Executive Engineer, Transmission Division, Kohima, Nagaland informed.
Pacquiao plans to return to the ring Nov. 5
Combating human trafficking PAGE 02
PAGE 12
sc restores cong govt in Arunachal
NEw DElhI, July 13 (IaNS): In a major setback to the Centre, the Supreme Court on Wednesday restored ousted Congress Chief Minister Nabam Tuki in Arunachal Pradesh, elating the opposition, which hailed the verdict as a victory for democracy. In an unanimous verdict, a Constitution bench of Justices J.S. Khehar, Dipak Misra, Madan B. Lokur, Pinaki Chandra Ghosh and N.V. Ramana directed the restoration of the status quo ante as it existed on December 15, 2015, effectively bringing Tuki back as Chief Minister. The court quashed President’s Rule imposed in the state and all the decisions taken by Governor J.P. Rajkhowa leading to its imposition. On December 16, the Nabam Tuki government was dismissed in an Assembly session called by the Governor. The bench called the actions of Governor Rajkhowa as “illegal” and violative of the Constitutional provisions.
Govt to study judgment before making any reaction
Commenting on the Supreme Court’s verdict, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government will study Supreme Court judgment in detail before making any reaction. He said the court had
Arunachal governor ‘should be sacked’
A television journalist sets his camera inside the premises of the Supreme Court in New Delhi. (REUTERS/Files)
ordered status quo ante from December 15 and a lot of developments have taken place after that, including withdrawal of President’s Rule and swearingin of a new government under Kalikho Pul. “What requires to be done requires detailed consideration,” Prasad said. Prasad dismissed that “there was any law mismanagement” by the Centre in the case.
No threat to government, claims Pul
In Guwahati, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul maintained that there was “no threat” to his government and he will file a review petition in the Supreme Court. He said a floor test would prove the numbers
backing his government. “The government runs only with numbers. There is no threat to our government. That will be decided on the floor of the Assembly.”
Tuki pleased by historic verdict
A visibly pleased Tuki described the Supreme Court judgment as a “historic verdict” and said the ruling would help protect “healthy democracy” in the country. “This is a historic and remarkable judgment.” “According to the judgment, our government has been restored,” Tuki said. “I’ll go to the state and talk to all the 47 Congress MLAs. We will call a meeting.” It is the second such ruling by the Supreme Court
since May when it similarly restored the ousted government of Chief Minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat in Uttarakhand. He met Congress President Sonia Gandhi after the court verdict.
Opposition leaders criticize Modi’s govt
Sonia Gandhi, welcoming the Supreme Court verdict, hoped the ruling would deter the central government from further misusing its power. “The verdict will deter the Union government from any further misuse of power. Those who had trampled upon constitutional propriety and democratic norms have been defeated,” she said. Taking on the Modi
NEw DElhI, July 13 (IaNS): The Congress on Wednesday hailed the Supreme Court decision restoring the ousted Arunachal Pradesh government and demanded the sacking of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa. Talking to reporters here, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the central ministers involved in taking the decision concerning Arunachal Pradesh “should apologize”. He also demanded a probe into the alleged tape recording of some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders with a businessman for conspiring to topple the Arunachal government. “I have heard that Rajkhowa is on leave, he should go on long leave,” Sibal said. He said if the government
government, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi thanked the Supreme Court for “explaining to the Prime Minister what democracy is”. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been locked in bitter turf battles with the Centre, described the Supreme Court judgment as a “tight slap on (the) dictatorial Modi government”. “Hope Modiji would learn and now stop interfering in democratically elected governments,” the Aam Aadmi Party leader tweeted. The CPI-M urged the Modi government to “stop its growing authoritarian tendency of invoking central rule in states” ruled by non-BJP parties. “Following the Utta-
rakhand experience, this judgment poses an irrevocable question of political morality and accountability of this BJP-led central government,” the Communist Party of India-Marxist said.
BJP puts up brave front
The Bharatiya Janata Party put up a brave front, saying the ruling was not a setback to it. “This is not a setback for the BJP. The crisis (in Arunachal) was due to the internal differences within the Congress in the state,” Bharatiya Janata Party leader Srikant Sharma said. The Constitution bench also quashed the direction of Governor Rajkhowa on the manner and the order in which the advanced session of the state assembly
conducted its business. The Congress suffered a jolt when 21 of its legislators rebelled. Eleven BJP legislators backed the rebels. Later, 14 of the rebel Congress lawmakers were disqualified. The Governor advanced the state assembly session, in which opposition legislators and the rebels “removed” Tuki and Speaker Nabam Rebia in a session held in a community centre and a hotel. In 2014 elections the Congress had won 42 seats in the 60-member assembly. Peoples Party of Arunachal, which had only five members in 2014, now has 30 members including Congress rebels. The BJP has 11 members in the house. Related news on page 3
Accord top priority to teachers’ salary: ANSTA Keep the spirit of coalition alive: tr
DImaPuR, July 13 (mExN): Distraught with the recurring non-payment of salary to Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) teachers, the All Nagaland School Teachers Association (ANSTA) on Wednesday put forward suggestions to Nagaland Government for due consideration. The Association, in a press statement from its president Ponchulo Wanth and general secretary Visato Koso, suggested that to do away with the problem of pending salaries, the government should submit Utilization Certificate on time; remit State matching share in due time, salary component of teachers should not be diverted for other
purpose. Also maintaining that the government should accord top priority to teachers’ salaries, the Association further suggested that salary for teachers’ could be paid from the state resources before the funding agency release fund. On the non-release of 5/6 months salary to 623 RMSA and 1930 Hindi teachers, the Association asserted that none of the teachers wants to boycott classes or agitate against the authority since the teachers know their assigned responsibilities more than anyone else. However, the Association rued that on many occasions, the deliberate negligence of govern-
ment in attending the genuine problem of the teaching fraternity has compelled teachers to take the road of confrontation for which students are made to bear the brunt of agitation. “Salary is the only source of livelihood for any categories of teacher be it general, CSS, Adhoc, fixed pay or vocational teachers. When salary is not released in due time, it directly affect the teachers putting their survival at stake. When the very survival is threatened, situation compels one to act in contrary to his/her professional ethics though it is difficult to swallow,” it maintained. While asserting strongly on
timely release of pending salaries, the Association also expressed regret that in the midst of its various activities for the common interest of teaching community, it might have overlooked certain section of teachers unknowingly. In spite of certain technical failures and weaknesses, the Association vowed to work for the genuine cause of teachers of all categories as mentioned in the Constitution. It has therefore urged upon to all categories of teachers to coordinate with the parent body and bring any genuine and realistic problem (s) to the Central body for redress.
Govt. initiates Oil spillage destroy Jotsoma paddy fields Nagaland ‘detailed inquiry’ into
Farmers suspects handiwork of depot owners selling adulterated oil fuel adulteration issue Kosievito Nisa, Viliebeinyü Our Correspondent Kohima |July 13
Six paddy fields under Jotsoma village in Kohima district were destroyed after spilledcar fuel (petrol/diesel) leaked into many acres of newly planted paddy fields. On learning of the incident, a group of journalists rushed to the spot to gather information from the farmers. The destroyed paddy fields are located below the National Highway 29, above Dzüdza River. The oil spillage is suspected to be deliberate. There was no sign of vehicle accidents, and the oil were found to have been disposed off from above the national highway from Kezharü, a small stream. Talking to media persons, Razouneikho Nakhro, one of the paddy field owners, regretted that the effort of his family for the last six months have been destroyed by the act of some ‘irresponsible citizens.’ “We suspect that the oil could have been spilled intentionally by some depot owners who sell adulterated
does not quit, he should be sacked. “I also demand an apology of the central government ministers who were part of the conspiracy to topple the government. “My third demand is for a probe into the alleged taped conversations of BJP leaders with a businessman,” he added. Sibal’s remarks came after the apex court restored ousted Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki after it quashed Rajkhowa’s decision of preponing the state assembly session in December 2015. “Today, it has been proved that judiciary can save democracy,” Sibal said. “The court cancelled the Governor’s order saying it violated Articles 174, 175 and 163 of the Constitution,” Sibal added.
A view of paddy fields below NH 29 destroyed by oil spillage (Morung Photo)
oil,” one of the farmers present at the site said. He went on to add that the ongoing effort of ACAUT (Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation) Nagaland in checking adulterated oil must have led to this action. He added that the depot owners must have spilledout the oil with the fear of being caught by ACAUT. The exact date when the oils were spilled could not be as-
certained, but the farmers informed that they came to know about it on Saturday. The concerned district administration was also informed about the incident. A complaint letter was submitted along with photographs to the SDO (Civil), Sechü circle on July 11. An FIR was also lodged at Sechü Zubza Police Station today. The affected farmers include Thekrunguto Medoze, Kokehesie Suokhrie,
Nakhro, Sedevilie Gwirie and Razouneikho Nakhro, all hailing from Jotsoma village. The farmers also made a plea to Nagaland Disaster Management Authority to extent grant relief. Meanwhile, the Western Angami Youth Organization (WAYO) condemned the ‘irresponsible action’, which occurred within its jurisdiction. “This is the act of some irresponsible citizens who have intentionally spilled the oil knowing that there are paddy fields below the highway. Whosoever it may be, strong action will be taken once caught,” stated a press release issued by WAYO president Neidilhoutuo Sechü and vice president Neizevolie Nakhro. The organisation also requested the district administration and disaster management authority to visit the affected paddy fields and grant relief accordingly. Further, it appealed the concerned authority to investigate the matter to find out the culprits.
DImaPuR, July 13 (mExN): The Department of Food & Civil Supplies of the Government of Nagaland (GoN) has informed that it has initiated a ‘detailed inquiry’ into the matter of fuel adulteration in the State. In a press release today, Ramongo Lotha IAS, Secretary to the GoN, informed that the matter is under inquiry by informing the State Level Co-ordinator of IOC, Tinsukia on June 20. Accordingly, a ‘joint team’ consisted of District Administration, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd “conducted inquiry” into the adulteration case on July 1 and 2. Their report is awaited. Further, the Secretary stated that the case is also under investigation by the State Police. “Till the investigation/ inquiry into the matter is completed, SK Oil allocation from July 2016 will be issued to only those authorized dealers whose Agencies were not reported in the ongoing investigation/ inquiry.” Meanwhile, if any SK Oil Agency is “found established” by the investigating/ inquiry agencies and “found involved,” the SK Oil License holder(s) “shall be moved for cancellation.” It was also informed that SK Oil allocation from July 2016 onwards will be “issued to the Priority Household (PHH) and AAY ration cards holders/ beneficiaries” under the National Food Security Act.
National BJP President launches the formation of NEDA in Guwahati
DImaPuR, July 13 (mExN): Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang on Wednesday appealed to all political parties under North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) to keep the spirit of coalition alive. Zeliang said when like-minded political parties get together and work for the over-all development of the respective States, the North East Region would develop at par with the rest of the country. A press statement from Media Cell, CMO said Zeliang, in his address during the launching ceremony of the NEDA at Guwahati, recalled how in 2004 some BJP legislators in Nagaland merged with his party the NPF and said, “I realised that it was not the right thing.” “No matter how small or big our coalition partners are, we should keep the spirit of coalition alive and should not attempt to lure them to merge with one’s political party. This is not a healthy development in this era of coalition politics,” he said. “As coalition partners in few crucial North-eastern States, the BJP and other regional parties should respect and honor each other in order to strengthen the coalition and also to ensure smooth function of the coalition governments, Zeliang added. Zeliang also went on to cite practical difficulties the States of the region face presently owing to defective funding pattern and pointed out that instead of hiking up the annual funds for the region, the fund allocation has been di-
minishing over the years. “Moreover, rather than have separate sources of funds such as NEC, NLCPR and DoNER, it would be most convenient to have the funds for the region sanctioned to NEC directly from source,” he said. Earlier in the day, BJP President Amit Shah launched the NEDA by lighting the traditional lamp. NEDA consists of the BJP, the NPF, the AGP, the Bodoland People’s Front, Ganashakti, Mizo National Front, United Democratic Party (Meghalaya), Sikkim Democratic Party, Arunachal People’s Party and the National People’s Party (Meghalaya)
BJP President pledge to set up Hindi learning institutes in all district HQ
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang revealed today at the launching of NEDA at Guwahati that while sharing the dais with BJP President Amit Shah, he confessed that he can’t speak Hindi because the Government of India did not make serious attempts to introduce Hindi as a subject in schools during the 1960s and 1970s. “Do not blame me for being unable to speak Hindi, blame the Government of India! If Mr Shah can teach me how to speak Hindi, I can teach him how to get rid of the Congress party in the States,” he said and revealed that when he told the BJP President this while interacting earlier in the morning, the latter promised to set up Hindi Learning Institutes in all the district headquarters in Nagaland. Zeliang said Nagaland Government will soon prepare a proposal for the same and put up for the approval of, and sanction from, the Government of India.