Nagaland Post This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00
www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 89
DIMAPUR, THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 Pages 16 ` 5.0
Conrad completes one year in office as M’laya CM
Ombudsman to decide Hardik-Rahul issue
Rumours of rift between Saudi king, crown prince
northeast, Page 5
sports, Page 16
international, Page 13
Rafale documents stolen from MoD: Govt
NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): The central government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that documents related to Rafale aircraft deal have been stolen from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and threatened The Hindu newspaper with the Official Secrets Act for publishing articles based on them. The Centre, which accused former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and lawyer Prashant Bhushan of relying on stolen documents to seek review of judgement dismissing petitions on the Rafale fighter jet deal, faced searching queries from the Supreme Court that also asked, “are these documents untouchable” for consideration by courts. “We can understand you saying that petitioners came with unclean hands. That they got the documents through doubtful sources. But it is another thing to say that the court cannot consider these documents at all. That they are untouchable,” a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi observed. The remarks by the bench came when Attorney General KK Venugopal insisted that the review
Fuel prices unchanged NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (AGENCIES): Fuel prices remained unchanged on Wednesday after six consecutive days of hike. State-run oil marketing companies kept retail petrol and diesel prices stagnant across the major cities. In national capital Delhi, petrol is being sold for Rs 72.24 per litre while diesel costs Rs 67.64 a litre, no change compared to Tuesday’s price. In Dimapur, petrol was retailing at Rs. 69.93 per litre and diesel was being sold at Rs. 65.05 on Wednesday, no change in prices compared with yesterday’s rates. In the state capital, a litre of petrol and diesel was Rs. 70.75 and Rs. 65.67 respectively. As per the country’s dynamic pricing mechanism, the domestic fuel prices depend upon international fuel prices on a 15-day average and the value of the rupee.
‘Stolen Rafale files’ in public domain, can’t be untouchable: SC terms govt defence bad in law petitions and a perjury application filed in the matter has to be dismissed as the petitioners were also averse to disclosing the sources of the documents which were stolen from the Defence Ministry. The high voltage hearing witnessed the bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, asking the Centre: “When there is allegation of corruption, can the government take shelter under national security? “If an act of corruption is committed in Rafale deal, will govt take shelter behind Official Secrets Act? I (CJI) am not saying it is committed, but if it is then government cannot take shelter behind OSA.” It further said it is settled in a catena of judgments that even if stolen documents are cited, and if they are found relevant, the court can look into them. During the hearing, the bench also mentioned the Bofors pay off scam and said, “There were allegations of corruption in Bofors. Now will you say the same
thing that a criminal court shouldn’t look into any such document in that case? Here we have an open system.” AG replied: “Yes, we have an extremely open system here. This is the only country where a court is examining a defence deal as if it is an administrative issue. No other court in any other country will do it.” The bench said if the documents were stolen, the government should put its own house in order. “It is one thing to say that we should look at these documents with suspicion. But to say we can’t even look at those documents may not be a correct submission in law,” the bench observed. The issue of stolen documents was raised by Venugopal when Bhushan submitted an eight-page note to the bench. AG said that contents of the documents were based on the stolen materials and the investigation is underway. Venugopal drew the attention of the bench to the news item published in the daily ‘The Hindu’
on Wednesday and contended that such publication amounted to an offence under the Official Secrets Act. He was referring to the Wednesday’s news item ‘No bank guarantees meant a more expensive new Rafale deal’. The hearing also saw the bench asking the AG, “Can relevant evidence be cut out saying it is illegally obtained? Can’t stolen evidence be looked into if it is relevant? Venugopal said: “They have come with a document which is stolen. Your Lordships might have your view on it but I have a different view.” The bench also gave an hypothetical situation that if an accused is having difficulty in proving his innocence, he steals a document and shows it to judge. “The document clearly shows he is innocent. Should the judge not admit the document,” the bench asked the AG, who said here also disclosure of sources would come to play. This led bench to say, “If your submission is that petitioners have not come bona fide, then that’s different. But can you say that the document is completely not touchable?”
Rahul Gandhi
Alleging “trail of corruption” in Rafale fighter jet deal “begins and ends with” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi claimed there “is now enough evidence” to prosecute him. Gandhi also alleged “destruction of evidence” and “obvious cover-up” after the government told the Supreme Court that crucial files pertaining to the deal were “stolen”. “There is now enough evidence to prosecute the PM in the Rafale Scam. The trail of corruption begins & ends with him. That crucial Rafale files incriminating him are now reported “stolen” by the Govt, is destruction of evidence & an obvious coverup,” he said on Twitter.
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): Inhabitants along the Chathe river in Siethekima Basa are living on the edge quite literally. With this year’s monsoon season looming large, several houses situated precariously close on the edge of the river and where erosion has already taken place are in danger of being washed away with the first heavy burst of monsoon rain. When this reporter visited a family residing barely 100 metres away from the river, it was learnt that around four houses and granaries were washed away last year, resulting in loss of property worth several lakhs of rupees. On March 3 this year, Naga United Village (NUV) council chairman sent a representation to DC Dimapur seeking complete ban on “wanton extraction of sand gravel at Chathe” near Great Commission Hr. Secondary School that threatened to “wash away roads leading to Razho and Lusie Khel and has also damaged several buildings situated along the river banks.”
River erosion poses threat to residents along Chathe river. (NP)
To ascertain if rampant sand mining and gravel excavation was still carried out along the Chathe river bank in NUV and Siethekima, Nagaland Post spoke to several individuals and was given different accounts. While a few claimed that illegal sand mining and gravel extraction was stopped last year, others said it was stopped only a few days ago. A resident in Siethekima, however told this reporter that boulders were still being ferried in dumpers. He took this reporter to the edge of the river to show about three to four buildings in
danger of being washed away this monsoon, while also pointing to the area where trucks ferried boulders. It was also observed that there were no concrete embankments along the river to prevent further erosion. On February 22, Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town appealed to the DC to take cognisance of the extraction of gravel and boulder from the river from Khanakhuru (Jharnapani) up to Sirhima village bridge, which made the water muddy and unfit for use by several villages situated along the highway.
NPF refutes report, NLRBA objects to Noke stresses on protecting child rights says MLAs intact parking fee at NL Road Correspondent
DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): Nyamo Lotha Road Business Association (NLRBA) Wednesday reiterated its strong objection to the parking fee to be levied on vehicles along Nyamo Lotha (NL) Road in Dimapur proposed to be monitored by DMC. In a press note, NLRBA general secretary Khekishe Aye affirmed the stand of the association that in the event parking tax was levied, the association would be compelled to down shutters along that stretch. NLRBA said it had earlier appealed to the Dimapur Transport Authority to cancel the notification, but to no avail. Further, NLRBA said it had earlier pointed out that levying parking tax would discourage shoppers to make a stopover along the stretch for shopping. It said shop owners who park their vehicle for the whole day would have to pay Rs 120-150 on a daily basis. “Nyamo Lotha Road is not the only road with heavy vehicular movement and haphazard parking. So why levy parking tax only in that particular stretch?” NLRBA questioned and said that the move to levy parking tax appeared to target only the business activity at NL Road.
DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): NPF has refuted media reports, and rumours being circulated on social about discontentment brewing among its legislators. The opposition party claimed that all its 26 MLS were “intact and sailing together in unity”. In a statement, NPF clarified that due to certain rumours about a standoff, a closed-door meeting was held at Kohima on Wednesday where all its MLAs were present, except a few who were out of the State for medical treatment and other engagements could not attend. It claimed that the meeting cleared all doubts being created in the minds of Naga people due to false rumours. Mentioning that they conveyed their full cooperation to one another, legislature party leader and the party, NPF claimed that all its legislators came together during the meeting for a “gentlemanly talk” to hammer out any differences on issues hindering the party. They also gave their assurance to stand together and uphold party’s integrity and principles, besides never to allow any force to disturb the peaceful ambience in “NPF family”, the statement claimed. Besides other issues, the meeting also discussed at length preparation for the upcoming Assembly by-election to 26 Aonglenden A/C and KOHIMA, MAR 6 (NPN): Lok Sabha election in the State as well the Outer Aggrieved employees under Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh constituencies. District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) office Kohima, currently on strike due to non-payment of pending salary, Wednesday clarified SHAMLI/MAINPURI, MAR supported calls for “decisive that at the meeting convened 6 (AGENCIES): The families proof ” of the strike impact. by commissioner and secre- in Uttar Pradesh of two soldiers There has been no offitary on Tuesday, he gave only killed in the terror attack in cial confirmation of the death verbal assurance. In this re- Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama toll but various ministers have gard, the employees said they have asked for proof of the im- quoted different figures. The would decide further course pact of Indian Air Force’s strike Indian Air Force (IAF) has said of action after holding meet- inside Pakistan, referring to ques- its job is not to count bodies but ing. (Correspondent) tions raised on the casualties. to hit targets. Pradeep Kumar from Sham“Like in our case (Pulwali and Ram Vakeel from Mainpuri ma) we saw someone ‘s hands, died along with other soldiers as someone’s limbs, we need to see a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide something from the other side. bomber exploded a car full of Someone took responsibility bombs near a CRPF convoy in for the bomb attack almost imPulwama on February 14. mediately. I am sure the strikes India sent fighter planes have happened but where have into Pakistan for the first time they done it? There should be in nearly 50 years to bomb a clear proof. Until there is proof, terror training camp of the Jaish- how can we accept it? Pakistan e-Mohammed on February 26. says there is no damage to them The government had said the so how can we accept it unstrike was a success and a “very less there is proof,” questioned large number” of terrorists were Ram Raksha, the sister of Ram killed. But reports in the interna- Vakeel. “Show us, only then we tional media have been skeptical will get peace and know that about the death count. my brother’s killing has been “If they talk only about Amid duelling by the gov- avenged.” the air strike and not ernment and the opposition In Shamli, the mother of farmers’ issue, they’ll get over the Balakot questions, the Pradeep Kumar also echoed the it when we strike.” families of the two soldiers have call for proof. “We are not satis-
Clarification
Enough evidence to prosecute PM: Rahul
Erosion, mining pose threat to residents along Chathe river
KOHIMA, MAR 6 (NPN): With an aim to facilitate harmonisation, coordination and integration of different efforts and enhance networking and collaboration among various stakeholders for providing effective service to children, the first consultative meet on effective implementation of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 was held here on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, adviser for Social Welfare, HG&CD, Noke Wangnao said, as stakeholders of child rights and protection, the department was entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of the most important asset of the nation. As many worked directly or indirectly with and for the children in their own respective fields, he
appealed everyone to work together as members of one body, adding that together the objective of child welfare could be achieved and contribute meaningfully to the future generation. In her keynote address, social welfare secretary and Child Protection Services chairperson Sarah R Ritse remarked that child protection was about protecting children from or against any perceived or real danger or risk to their lives, their personhood and childhood. She explained that it was about reducing their vulnerability to any kind of harm and ensuring that no child falls out of the safety net and that those who do receive necessary care protection are supported to bring them back into safety net. To reach out to all children, particularly in difficult times, Ritse said the Union ministry of women & child development has
stressed that other sectors have vital roles to play. Emphasizing that child protection was a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary issue that required involvement of everyone with primary responsibility resting with the family and supported by the community, government and civil society, Ritse said it was important that the respective roles were articulated clearly and understood by all parties in an effort to protect children. She exuded confidence that the consultative meet would equip the participants with useful information. In his brief address, social welfare director T Merangtsungba Aier said Nagaland was one of the first States in the Northeast and third in India to have embraced the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, also known as the Child protection Services. As envisaged in the
scheme, he said all necessary service structure had been put in place both at the State and district levels. He mentioned that recognising the role played by various agencies and organisations in ensuring rights of the children was required to create a platform where all the stakeholders could come together to share their concern and ideas and, most importantly, get to know each other. Officials and representatives from Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Labour department, Police, NSLSA, State Resource Centre for Women with 181 helpline and one stop centre, Nagaland Alliance for Children and Women Rights, Childline (Kohima and Dimapur), district child protection units and childcare institutions run by NGOs and the government attended the consultative meet.
Show us bodies of dead terrorists’: soldiers’ families on Balakot air strike
This is it!
K Y M C
fied. So many sons died. We saw no one dead. There are no dead bodies on the other side. In fact, there was no confirmed news. We need to see this on TV. And we need to be told at our homes. We need to see the dead bodies of the terrorists,” said Sulelata, in her 80s. The government has firmly refused to give out any such details despite daily opposition criticism and attacks. On Tuesday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh appeared to validate the unofficial figure of “300” while countering the Congress. That too, after his colleague, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman remained silent on the casualty. “The NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation), which has an authentic system, said that 300 mobile phones were active... Were these mobile phones used by the trees? Now will you not believe the NTRO also?” Rajnath said after inaugurating a surveillance system of the Border Security Force in Assam.
Claims and counter-claims over IAF’s Balakot bombing damage
The Indian Air Force has given the government radar and satellite images that showed bombing of the “intended targets” at the JeM terrorist training camp in Pakistan’s Balakot had “causing significant damage” to it, sources in the security establishment said on Wednesday. The source-based information about the “evidence” comes after a Reuters report claimed that satellite images of the Jaish-e-Mohammad Madrasa in Balakot showed the facility is still intact and buildings are standing. The sources told news agency PTI that the S-2000 laser-guided bombs hit the target and caused significant “internal damage” at the site, sources said. S-2000 smart bombs penetrate the targets and cause a blast inside, they said. However, according to Reuters report, the madrasa run by JeM at the Balakot site hit by IAF fighter planes appears to be still standing with no visible damage, as per high-resolution satellite images of the site, says news agency Reuters. It says at least six buildings were visible on the site on March 4, six days after the air strike, and that the image was virtually identical to an April 2018 satellite photo of the facility. The satellite images from San Francisco-based private satellite operator Planet Labs Inc are the first high-resolution satellite images publicly available and show details as small as 72 cm. Until now, no highresolution satellite images were publicly available. But the images from Planet Labs, which show details as
Satellite images of 2018 and March 4, 2019 shows a close-up of a Madrasa near Balakot. (Planet Labs Inc./Handout via REUTERS)
small as 72 cm (28 inches), offer a clearer look at the structures the Indian government said it attacked. “There are no discernible holes in the roofs of buildings, no signs of scorching, blown-out walls, displaced trees around the madrasa or other signs of an aerial attack. The images cast further doubt on statements made over the last eight days by the Indian government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the raids, early on Feb 26, had hit all the intended targets at the madrasa site near Jaba village and the town of Balakot in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province,” the Reuters report said. K Y M C