14 dec 21

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 12

DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

High time AFSPA repealed from NE after Nagaland incident: Sharmila

KO L K ATA , D E C 1 3 (PTI): Rights activist Irom Sharmila, who was on a 16year hunger strike against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), feels the recent killing of civilians in firing by security forces in Nagaland should be an eye-opener to repeal the controversial security law from the northeast. Sharmila said the AFSPA is not only an oppressive regulation, it tantamounts to gross violation of basic human rights. In the North East, it is in force in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur (excluding Imphal Municipal Council Area) and some districts of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam. “The Nagaland incident has once again shown why the draconian AFSPA should be withdrawn from the northeast. It should be an eye-opener. Human lives are not so cheap.” “For how long will the

Irom Sharmila

people of the region suffer because of it? In the name of battling insurgency, you can’t take away people’s basic rights. There are other ways to tackle it,” Sharmila, who ended her marathon hunger strike in 2016, told PTI in a telephonic interview. “After the passing of the Act in 1958 and subsequent implementation in the northeast, did it achieve the desired purpose? If not, what is the use of thrusting it on the masses? It’s high time the Centre and state governments sit together and take a

relook at AFSPA,” she said. Critics maintain that the AFSPA has failed to control insurgency despite giving armed forces powers to act with impunity, sometimes leading to human rights violations. Asked if its withdrawal from the northeast would worsen the law and order situation in the area, Sharmila replied in the negative. “There are other ways to tackle insurgency. In Chhattisgarh, there have been several Maoist incidents; so did the government impose AFSPA there? The answer is no. The security forces are tackling it in that state, and they have been successful. The same can be done in the northeast,” she said. Claiming that people from the northeast have to face discriminatory treatment in other parts of the country, Sharmila, who unsuccessfully contested the 2017 Manipur assembly

elections, said the “rampant violation of human rights in the name of AFSPA stems from that discrimination”. “We are harassed and humiliated. You have to change your mindset and treat the people of this part of India as your own,” she said. The ‘Iron lady of Manipur’ also said she has realised that her lengthy hunger strike did not achieve its purpose. “All my life, I believed in the Gandhian principles of non-violence. My fast was a non-violent way of registering my protest and press for the people’s demand. But after 16 years, when I ended my hunger strike, a lot of people misunderstood me. It failed to accomplish any purpose,” she said. Sharmila said she has nothing against the armed forces, but politics and political parties have failed the people of the Northeast.

RPP asks Amit Shah to retract statement made in Parl Demands probe by sitting judge of SC/HC; suspension of DC & SP DIMAPUR, DEC 13 (NPN): Rising People’s Par ty (RPP) has condemned the “despicable” statement of Union home minister Amit Shah on the Oting massacre in Parliament and demanded that Shah retract his “fabricated statement” that was made to confuse the outside world and protect the 21 Para SF.

State logs 3 fresh Covid-19 cases DIMAPUR, DEC 13 (NPN): Nagaland on Monday recorded three fresh Covid-19 positive cases while no deaths were reported during the day. Three fresh cases-- one each in Dimapur, Mokokchung and Zunheboto, pushed the total caseload to 32158. Further, a total of 13,29,683 persons have been inoculated against Covid-19 (763958 first dose and 565725 second dose). PTI: India’s Covid-19 tally rose to 3,46,97,860 with 7,350 people testing positive for the infection in a day, while the death toll climbed to 4,75,636 with 202 new fatalities.

This is it!

"Before we got married, shopping together was an honourbable pleasure." K Y M C

In a statement, RPP said that Shah’s statement was like rubbing salt to the wounds and worsened the situation in the State leading to protests, including burning of his effigies in different parts of the State. Pointing out that it has been a week since Shah made the statement but none of the three parties of the ruling UDA were yet to condemn it, RPP demanded that NDDP, BJP and NPF should condemn the Central minister’s statement in totality. The party also wanted to know whether the UDA

was with the Naga people or Shah. “Fundamental to the issue is countering the narrative of the home minister. Suffice to say the UDA coalition should demonstrate beyond doubt that it’s above party politics. The party also demanded that all legislators, during the one-day Assembly session on December 20, should condemn the Oting massacre by troops of 21 Para special forces and adopt a resolution terming that the killings were nothing but cold-blooded murder. RPP emphasised that

this should be done so that justice was swiftly served to the victims of the Oting massacre, alleging targeted killings by army personnel for promotion and medals had been documented in Kashmir and elsewhere and could have happened in this case too. Asserting that the Mon killings required a thorough probe by a sitting judge of high court/Supreme Court, RPP also demanded that NLA should adopt a resolution demanding constitution of a Supreme Courtled independent probe.

Hyderabad FC crush NorthEast United FC 5-1 to climb to second spot in ISL SPORTS, PAGE 12

Candlelight services culminate 7-day mourning  Non-cooperation with Indian armed forces till demands are met  Customary landowners asked to denounce all agreements for setting up army base camps  To make Tiru police station operational within five days  State govt asked to take responsibility of 2 survivors DIMAPUR, DEC 13 (NPN): The seven-day mourning of the Konyaks culminated on Monday with candlelight services being held across Mon district under the banner of the Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum (KBBB) in memory of the 14 innocent civilians massacred on December 4 and 5 by armed forces personnel This was in accordance with the resolution adopted during a meeting of Konyak civil society organisations (CSOs)-- Konyak Union (KU), Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) and Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khung (KNSK)-- on Sunday. In a joint statement, S Howing Konyak, Ponglem Konyak and T Noklem

Hundreds of people with candlelights during the culmination of the 7-day mourning period in Mon town on Monday evening. (KU)

Konyak, presidents of KU, KNSK and KSU respectively, announced that Konyaks would continue their fight for justice. In accordance to their four-point charter of demand, they said the agitation would continue in various forms and on various dates and time till justice was served. Accordingly, the first phase of agitation against the “tyranny” of Indian armed force would begin on December 16 with a public rally all over Mon district. They said black flags would be hoisted in every vehicle, black badges worn by all and flags would fly at half-mast in offices as a sign of resentment and till justice was delivered.

Owing to gravity of the situation, the Konyak CSOs urged citizens to refrain from any kind of merrymaking activities like night bazaars, open picnic and other entertainment activities in Mon district. They appealed to all citizens to adhere to the regulation. However, pre-scheduled programmes like weddings, church events, etc, have been exempted. The CSOs further said they would not withdraw their “Non-cooperation” with the Indian armed forces till their demands were met and called for strict adherence to their decision. Further, in pursuance to their “Non-cooperation” declared against the Indian armed forces, they said the

constraints, they do not augur well. The top court said: "The district judiciary is expected to be the foundational court, and therefore, should have the freedom of mind to decide a case on its own merit or else it might become a stereotyped one rendering conviction on a moral platform. Indictment and condemnation over a decision rendered, on considering all the materials placed before it, should be avoided." The bench said every case has its own journey towards the truth and it is the court's role to undertake this and the truth has to be found

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 13 (NPN): Konyak Union Dimapur (KUD) marked culmination of the seven-day mourning period under the aegis of Konyak Union to show solidarity with the victims of Oting incident with a programme at Konyak community centre here. Delivering the introductory speech, KUD president A Mosa said it was the right time for Nagas to unite and (Cont’d on p-8) fight against the perpetrators

on the basis of evidence available before it. "There is no room for subjectivity nor the nature of offence affects its performance. We have a hierarchy of courts in dealing with cases," it added. Justice Sundresh, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said an appellate court shall not expect the trial court to act in a particular way depending upon the sensitivity of the case. "Rather it should be appreciated if a trial court decides a case on its own merit despite its sensitivity," he noted, adding that the appellate court is expected to maintain a degree of caution before making any remark.

(Cont’d on p-8)

KUD marks culmination of 7-day mourning in Dimapur till justice was served. He acknowledged the solidarity and respect shown by all Nagas during this time of grief, stating that the Konyaks would never forget the solidarity shown towards them. Speaking on the occasion, Dimapur Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU) president Bendangnuken said even though the mourning period concluded, the fight for justice would go on till it was served, adding that the real fight for justice has started. Mentioning that

Section of the gathering at the event on Monday. (NP)

Nagas were silent not because it was afraid, but observing a mourning period, he said the fight for justice would only grow stronger. He maintained that unless the AFSPA was with-

Use freedom of mind, don’t convict Protest in Naginimora over Oting massacre on moral grounds, SC to lower courts NEW DELHI, DEC 13 (IANS): Supreme Court on Monday said the district judiciary is expected to be the foundational court, and therefore, should have the freedom of mind to decide a case on its own merits, rather "rendering conviction on a moral platform". A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.M. Sundresh said at times, courts do have their constraints and different decisions are being made by different courts, namely, trial courts, on the one hand and the appellate courts, on the other. However, it added that if such decisions are made due to institutional

total restriction on military convoys and patrolling in Konyak soil would continue. While no military recruitment rally would be allowed in Mon district, they decreed that no Konyak youth should participate in any such rally. They directed all customary land owners to immediately denounce the past land agreements for setting up army base camps (operating points) within their jurisdiction (Naginimora, Tizit, Lampong Sheanghah, Wakching Town, Mon Town, Longshen Town, Sheanghah Wamsa, Longwa, Chenmoho, Chenloishu, Wangti, Aboi, Angjangyang, Tobu and Monyakshu).

DIMAPUR, DEC 13 (NPN): Konyak Union Naginimora along with Naginimora Students Union (NSU) and KNSK held a protest rally on Monday against the cold-blooded massacre of 14 innocent civilians. In a joint statement, KU unit president Khampei Konyak, secretary Shuao Konyak, NSU president Konang Angh and KNSK unit president Shikmeth Konyak said that the organisations also hoisted 14 black flags inside the 27 Assam Rifles camp, which they said “will stand to its ground until the Justice is delivered”. They also said that the unions stood for repeal of AFSPA. They said that unless AFSPA was revoked,

drawn, justice would not be done, and demanded that the Central government must withdraw the Act and book all criminals and punish them as per the law. (Cont’d on p-8)

CM to launch online ILP module

DIMAPUR, DEC 13 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio will launch the Online Inner Line Permit (ILP) module for all the categories of ILP applicants, developed by the Directorate of Information Technology & Communication in consultation with the Home Students seen carrying banners and placards during the Department. The programme will protest rally on Monday. be held on December 16 at such incident was bound to claiming that the killings 10 a.m. at CM’s residential occur again. They therefore, were collateral damage. complex, Kohima. urged the government of InThey appealed to the dia to seriously take note of State and Central governit and revoke AFSPA once ments to take immediate necand for all. essary action and demandAsserting that the ci- ed exemplary punishment vilians were deliberately against those involved in the D I M A P U R , D E C 1 3 targeted, they further con- barbaric act. The unions fur- (NPN): The finance dedemned the insinuation ther extended condolences to partment has issued a notification stating that, in of mainstream media for the bereaved family. conformity with the special provision conferred by Article 371A (1) (a) (iv) of the Constitution of India, secured assets taken over by banks and financing institutions could only be sold to LONDON, DEC 13 (AFP): indigenous inhabitants of Britain on Monday conThree new cases of Nagaland in accordance firmed what is thought to Omicron were reported in with provisions of the Nabe the first confirmed death India on Monday– two in galand Land and Revenue after infection with the Omi- Maharashtra (one each in Regulations (Amendment) cron variant, as the country Latur and Pune) and one in Act, 2002. launched an ambitious Co- Gujarat’s Surat-- taking the According to a DIPR vid booster shot programme total tally of the new variant report, Nagalnad Governor to stop the virus spiralling in the country to 41. With Prof Jagdish Mukhi had out of control. Prime Minis- this, the number of cases already notified implementer Boris Johnson said Omi- in Maharashtra rose to 20 tation of the Securitisation cron accounted for about 40 and in Gujarat to 4. Other and Reconstruction of Fipercent of the cases in the states are Rajasthan- 9, Kar- nancial Assets and EnforceBritish capital, and hospital nataka- 3, Kerala-1 and ment of Security Interest admissions were rising. Andhra Pradesh-1, Delhi- 2 (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 in (Read more on p-9) and Chandigarh-1. Nagaland.

Finance dept on SARFAESI Act

3 health workers get ‘best performance’ award First Omicron death in UK as DIMAPUR, DEC 13 (NPN): Three health workers of the State were awarded for best performance in New Delhi on Monday. The three health workers-- community health officer Viseno Dolie of Anatonger Health & Wellness Centre, Kiphire; ANM Rhikiuchi of Phelungre HWC, Kiphire and ASHA Kesangcetle of Pungwla HWC, Peren-- were felici- Kesangcetle, Viseno & Rhikiuchi with Dr. Talitemsula & Dr. Thanghoi. tated along with other health workers from 36 States durThey were honoured & Wellness Centre- Primary ing the Universal Health under the category of Best Healthcare Team Award Coverage Day, 2021. Ayushman Bharat-Health for their commendable per-

formance in delivering the expanded package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar was the chief guest on the occasion. The awardees were accompanied by National Health Mission’s (NHM) mission director Dr I Talitemsula Jamir, NHM State prog ramme officer Dr Thanghoi Lam and Pairson, State programme officer, CPHC-NISHTHA Jhpiego.

new variant spreads like wildfire

India tally mounts to 41

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