Nagaland Post This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00
www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 90
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 Pages 16 ` 5.00
STDCM threatens 30-hour strike in Mnp
Ind eye 3-0 in Dhoni’s last home match
N Korea rocket site appears ‘operational’ again: US experts
northeast, Page 5
sports, Page 15
international, Page 13
NPF MLAs want alliance with NDPP
Correspondent/Staff Reporter
KOHIMA/DIMAPUR, MAR 7 (NPN): A day after NPF dismissed outright, a news report in Nagaland Post over a “simmering crisis” within the legislature wing besides claiming that NPF legislature with 26 MLAs were “intact and sailing together in unity”; the fact has been exposed, when over 20 of them have already begun camping in Hotel de Oriental Kohima. By secluding themselves in the hotel, the legislators have clearly sent a strong signal that they were “ready and willing” to make a deal with the ruling NDPP. Earlier, a signed letter by 18 NPF legislators addressed to the NPF legislature party leader, T.R. Zeliang, have mooted for a “coalition of regional parties- NPF (26 MLAs) and NDPP (17 MLAs). The 18 NPF legislators in their letter to T.R. Zeliang, have cited the need to have a stable regional coalition in Nagaland to deliver the goods and “face any eventualities in the upcoming Lok Sabha election”. They have also urged
ZVSU flays alleged gang-rape of minor DIMAPUR, MAR 7 (NPN): Zaonger Village Students’ Union (ZVSU) has condemned the alleged “inhuman and barbaric gang rape” of a 17-year school girl by five men in Tuensang. In a press release, ZVSU president Achung Jangleh claimed that the victim was reportedly called by two of her female friends on February 24, 2019 night on the pretext of bringing home some domestic stuff from the locality. However, upon reaching the locality, ZVSU said the perpetrators, who were already seated in a van, drove them miles away to an unknown place. Alleging that the “ghastly act was premeditated”, the ZVSU said the victim was held captive by perpetrators for three consecutive days and was “brutally gang raped.” The union claimed that the victim was “mercilessly handcuff ” and served booze under duress and sexually assaulted. (Cont’d on p-11)
Gov prorogues budget session
DIMAPUR, MAR 7 (NPN): Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya, has prorogued the third session of the 13th NLA at the conclusion of its sitting on February 26, 2019. The session began on February 23 and was adjourned sine die on February 26.
This is it!
“How dare you question the government? You are a traitor and should go to Pakistan.” K Y M C
over 20 mlas insulate themselves in a hotel
upon the party leader to “initiate necessary steps” to realize the objective as cited by formalizing modalities for a regional alliance with NDPP leadership. The signatories of the letter included the following NPF legislators: 1. Imkong L. Imchen; 2. Azheto Zhimomi; 3. Moatoshi Longkumer; 4. Kijung Chang; 5. Amenba Yaden; 6. Y.M.Yollow Konyak; 7. Muthingyuba Sangtam; 8. E. Eshak ; 9. Dr. Imtiwapang Aier; 10. Er. Picto Shohe; 11.C.L. John;12.Chotisuh Sazo; 13. Y. Vikheho Swu;14.Yitachu;15.Kezhienyi Khalo;16.Keneizhako
Nakro;17. Khriehu Liezietsu and 18.Dr. Chumben Murry. It was learnt that E.E. Pangteang joined the bandwagon later since he returned from Delhi on Thursday. However, it was confirmed that he also signed in the letter making the total to 19 NPF legislators. More NPF legislators are expected to join the group in the next day or two and their next move would prove crucial at a time when national politics is also undergoing a realignment in preparation for the Lok Sabha polls expected from first week of April to May. There is also specula-
tion that the offer by the majority of the NPF legislators to the NDPP may not be immediately accepted but things could change in politics. From 2014 the NPF party witnessed the spectre of legislators taking holiday refuge at Kaziranga resort at least on two occasions and also in luxury hotels in Kohima and Dimapur when the party was wracked by divisions in 2014, 2015, 2016-17. The crisis within the opposition NPF could either spell serious problems for the party if more legislators walk out to cause a split.
T.R. Zeliang responds; convenes meeting on March 8
Leader of Opposition, T.R. Zeliang has confirmed that he had received a letter signed by 18 NPF legislators. When contacted the opposition leader, T.R. Zeliang, admitted saying: “Yes, 18 MLAs have written to me”. Zeliang said that in view of the development, the NPF legislature party meeting has been convened on March 8 along with the party president to discuss the issue. The present ‘rebellion/dissidence’ could be the Ides of March for T.R. Zeliang who has had to battle two bigwigs of the party for the post of chief minister in the past: in 2014 then 2015 and 2017. Known to have been very close with BJP leaders, Zeliang’s attempt to continue alliance with BJP was thwarted by the stand taken by his party president over the issue of the “anti-minority Christian” acts of the saffron party.
Ruling NDPP spurns NPF overture DIMAPUR, MAR 7 (NPN): In response to the signed letter by 18 NPF legislators addressed to the NPF legislature party leader, T.R. Zeliang which went viral on social media, the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has spurned the “offer” for a coalition of regional parties (NDPPNPF). In response, NDPP through its media and communication committee has described the offer as “absurd and incomprehensible” since NDPP has a pre-poll alliance with BJP and where the alliance campaign was addressed at Tuensang by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NDPP said after election other parties such as JD (U), NPP and Independent joined the alliance after declaration of results on January 3,2018 to form the Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA). NDPP said it remained “forever grateful” to its partners and therefore the talk of “regional coalition” was out of question especially when the NPF had “openly rejected the consultation meet of all
stakeholders on 31st January 2019, as well as rejecting the provisions of Article 371A as was endorsed by all tribal hohos.” NDPP also reiterated that its leaders have “never met” with any of the NPF leaders nor ever intended to as the party (NDPP) respected post-poll commitments and especially when PDA was in a much stronger position on completion of one year on March 3,2019. To rub it in, NDPP said the offer for a regional coalition only served to remind what it had always stated “that the opposition camp is wrought with desperation, mistrust and frustration and that it was only matter of time before the dam would burst”. It said the move by the 18 NPF legislators has only exposed the disunity among them which was a well known face too. NDPP admonished the “oldest regional party in the north east” for behaving in “such a cheap manner especially the hon’ble MLAs by resorting to create confusion” among the people so as to divide the PDA. NDPP also said the
“cheap gimmickry employed by the opposition” was not only disgusting but also an insult to the mandate reposed on them by their respective constituencies and asked the NPF to behave as a responsible party befitting a political party. Hitting out further, NDPP said NPF ought to realise that it was rejected by the people during the recent general elections as the mandate was with the PDA government. NDPP asked NPF not to indulge in “all possible kind of mischief ” to dislodge the present dispensation. NDPP also reminded that it was not too long ago when people witnessed the “intra party political drama” in the NPF during the last four years of DAN-III and including the present crisis. It expressed amusement that “such an unpredictable political party” with strife and internal problems and incapable of providing a stable government was “trying to dislodge a firm and united alliance that has the mandate of the people of Nagaland.”
Complaint filed against PM for dyslexia jibe
C H E N NA I , M A R 7 (AGENCIES): An NGO, which works for the rights of differently-abled people, lodged a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged derogatory remarks on dyslexia, at the Saidapet police station on Wednesday. According to The New Indian Express report, PS Bharathi, vice-president of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently-Abled and Caregivers lodged the complaint. He criticised Modi for using dyslexia as a tool for political interests. “For taking a dig at a political rival, the prime minister has insulted the whole differently-abled community which has caused them immense grief,” said the petition. Meanwhile, a source in Saidapet police station said no case has been filed on the complaint. The police told NGO members that they will proceed after taking a legal opinion on whether the police station has jurisdiction or authority to file or probe such a case against Prime (Cont’d on p-11) Minister.
Use of OSA against media reprehensible: Editors Guild BJP minority morcha president NEW DELHI, MAR 7 (PTI/ IANS): Editors Guild of India (EGI) and other media bodies Thursday condemned the government’s stand before the Supreme Court on Rafale deal reportage, and said any attempt to use the Official Secrets Act (OSA) against the media was reprehensible. In a statement, EGI denounced the “threats” against the media in the matter and urged the government to refrain from initiating any action that might undermine the media’s freedom and independence. “The Editors Guild of India unequivocally condemns the Attorney General’s comments before the Supreme Court pertaining to documents based on which the media, including The Hindu, had reported on the Rafale deal,” the statement said. Attorney General KK Venugopal Wednesday sought dismissal of a petition for a review of the apex court’s earlier judgment on Rafale deal on the ground that the fresh
petition relied on documents “stolen” from Defence Ministry and that investigations were going on to find out if it was a crime and violative of OSA, it said. “Although the Attorney General later clarified that the investigation and contemplated action would not be initiated against journalists or lawyers who used these documents, the Guild is perturbed over such threats,” the statement said. A group of press bodies also expressed concern over the government’s submission in the apex court that documents related to Rafale aircraft deal have been “stolen” from the Defence Ministry. N Ram says sources will be protected: Documents pertaining to purchase of Rafale fighter jets based on which articles were published in The Hindu were not stolen and the sources which provided them will not be revealed, said N Ram, Chairman of The Hindu Group of Publications.
Contrasting the days when he wrote extensively on the kickbacks paid in the Bofors gun deal, Ram said no threats were then made to him or to The Hindu like invoking the Official Secrets Act as it was being done by the Modi government. Speaking to IANS on Thursday, Ram said the
bogey of stolen documents were raised during WiKi leaks, Pentagon Papers and other issues as well. Ram said the information was published in public interest as part of investigative journalism as it was suppressed despite repeated demands made inside and outside Parliament.
Press freedom can’t be above natl security: Jaitley
Arun Jaitley (PTI)
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday said that freedom of press cannot be above national security and that the framers of the Constitution too realised this fact. Jaitley’s comments came in response to a media query about the government telling
the Supreme Court that the material published in The Hindu newspaper. “Let me be very clear... What goes on in the court let’s leave it for the court to decide. It is obvious that defence notings of sensitive interests to this country have been leaked out,” the Minister said. “Don’t forget that we have a very free press in India and we respect it. But even the framers of the Constitution have said that national security is an exception. And that has never been challenged in the last 72 years,” he added.
calls for re-electing Modi govt
Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAR 7 (NPN): Pledging full support to the Narendra Modi government, BJP Minority Morcha national president Abdul Rasheed Ansari called for re-electing the Modiled NDA government at the Centre for ensuring security, harmony, development and pride of the nation. He was here to attend the Minority Morcha convention held here to discuss various issues in the State, besides sharing details o several schemes launched by the Union minority affairs ministry for uplift of the minority communities in the country. The convention was held at Niraamaya Retreats Aradura, here on Wednesday evening. Later interacting with media persons, Ansari asserted that BJP was a democratic party. On the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), he remarked, “We had asked and will again ask all our State units in the Northeast to give their opinions. And only after we create a national consensus, we shall
NGBF reiterates call for early Naga solution KL Chishi quits state BJP unit DIMAPUR, MAR 7 (NPN): On behalf of all Naga civil society groups and tribal hohos of Nagaland, Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) has appealed to Naga political groups (NPGs) and Government of India (GoI) to sort out their differing positions, reconsider what could be best for the Nagas’ future and come to a logical conclusion without wasting any more time. In a joint statement by its president Sahleem Konyak, general secretary Shikuto Zalipu and information & publicity secretary Akhu Naga, the federation also appreciated deputy national security adviser and Interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi for his crucial visit to Nagaland on February 26 and 27. The federation also heaped praise on him for meeting all civil society organisations and tribal hohos and sharing vividly
the ongoing Naga peace process. The visit followed the February 6 meeting of all tribal hohos and mass-based organisations under its aegis that called for early resolution of Naga political problem and resulted in a State bandh on February 11. While meeting representatives of various organisations, Ravi updated them about the status of the ongoing peace talks and during which he had categorically stated that, except for flag and constitution, all other relevant points had been discussed and agreed upon by the negotiating parties. According to NGBF, in the last 22 years, a substantial change in political equation has taken place on both sides. Stating that this had led to an inclusive process in the negotiations with all Naga national political groups (NNPGs), the federation
said this was an indication that the composite process was ample enough for finalising the matters. But regretting that in the last 22 years an agreement could not be reached between GoI and NNPGs, the federation likened it to clamping of a sword of uncertainty on the Nagas. Under the circumstances, it explained that the intentions and sincerity of the parties engaged in the negotiations come under a cloud of doubt, besides leading to fear and insecurity among the Nagas. If four governments at the Centre could not find a solution, the fifth also could be expected to linger on one or the other matter. And Nagas would be forced to believe that peace talks were counterproductive and held with the intention of something different by parties on both sides of the table, the statement added.
DIMAPUR, MAR 7 (NPN): Former chief minister KL Chishi, who had joined the saffron party just ahead of 2018 Assembly election, has tendered his resignation from the membership of BJP with immediate effect. In his resignation letter addressed to the state BJP president Temjen Imna Along Longkumer, Chishi termed as “very unfortunate” that during his association with BJP for little over a year, the party chose to ignore the interest of the people of Nagaland especially on the major issues– Naga political solution, CAB and ILP/BEFR, youth unemployment and lack of development. Chishi said BJP’s assurance to solve Naga political issue had rather changed into “shifting of goalpost as per their convenience” with promise of solution within 18 months turning into election for solution and now solution after election. He said insincerity and lack of urgency has greatly harmed the aspirations of the people. On CAB, Chishi said the brazen attempt to ram through Parliament despite massive protest in
North Eastern states only exposed a particular narrative driven agenda, which he described, was “dangerous to the demography of the entire region.” Further, he also stated that the “flip flop stand” of PDA government on CAB only made matters worse. KL Chishi asserted that the proposal for extension of ILP under BEFR to cover the district of Dimapur lacked “a certain political will.” Chishi said the “hallowed slogan” of BJP about development has crumbled while youths were facing major job crisis leading to proliferation of anti-social activities. “In view of these unaddressed issues that has put the state and its people under grave threat and BJP Nagaland playing second fiddle to nascent party NDPP, prolonging my association with BJP has become untenable,” Chishi said. Meanwhile, Chishi has extended gratitude to all those who stood by him while sailing in BJP’s boat, which he said has now become “directionless” without any signs of fulfilling its stated objective for the people of Nagaland.
ensure that the Bill is passed by both Houses of Parliament.” During the convention, Ansari said he had explained to BJP workers that the basic aim of the party was to serve the people at the ground level and ensure that welfare schemes of the government were implemented and benefits availed by those who are entitled. “We also asked our workers to see that they are in touch with us so that we could serve them better,” the minority wing president said. He informed reporters that the convention also discussed the ensuing Lok Sabha election, during which the party workers ensured their maximum time and energy for electioneering, door-to-door campaign and meeting beneficiaries of the government schemes, influential voters, scholars, religious leaders and educationists to enlist popular support. The convention also expressed concern over the activities of certain groups for their role in destabilising democracy and weakening of the country’s unity. (Cont’d on p-11)
DL, VRCs to come in card format only NEW DELHI, MAR 7 (PTI): Going paperless, driving licences and vehicle registration certificates will now be issued as plastic cards in a standard format across the country. The option of providing a paper or booklet-based driving licence or registration certificate has been done away with, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said on Thursday. Under the new norms notified by the ministry, states would have an option to issue the two documents in the form of cards, which would be either made of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or of Poly Carbonate. “The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has prescribed a common standard format and design of the Driving Licence and the Certificate of Registration for the entire country... The option of providing a paper or booklet based driving licence or the registration certificate has been done away with,” the ministry said in a release. The specifications for the cards are high standard and would enable durable and quality cards, it added. K Y M C