PM, HM, Nadda at Rio’s historic 5th Oath taking as CM

HISTORY SCRIPTED: 2 DY CMs-- TR ZELIANG & Y PATTON APPOINTED; SALHOUTUONUO AS FIRST WOMAN MINISTER

Rio justifies having ‘2 Dy CMs’

Newly sworn-in chief minister Neiphiu Rio explained that the two deputy chief ministers in his council of ministers was needed for convenient functioning of the two-party alliance. He said this while briefly interacting with media at the Raj Bhavan after the swearing-in earlier at Capital Cultural Hall.

to the Rio-led government, while NCP and NPF were also likely to follow suit.

Meanhile, Rio also said it was due to the good wishes and support of the people that he could return as chief minister.

Correspondents

KOHIMA, MAR 7 (NPN):

Veteran Naga politician and leader of the NDPP-BJP alliance Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday took oath as Nagaland chief minister for a record fifth consecutive term in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda and Assam chief

Sec. 144A

CrPC revoked in 3 districts

DIMAPUR, MAR 7

(NPN): With the improvement of the law and order in the districts of Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Niuland and situation returning to normalcy following the conclusion of the conduct of general assembly election 2023, the commissioner of police (CP)

Dimapur Kevithuto Sophie has revoked the prohibitory order with effect from March 10, 2023.

Prohibitory order under Section 144A of the CrPC was promulgated dated January 19, 2023 to ensure peaceful conduct of general elections to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2023.

Gov extends

Holi greetings

DIMAPUR, MAR 7 (NPN): Nagaland governor minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Nagaland Governor La Ganesan administered the oath of secrecy to Rio and nine ministers (See Pics) at the swearing-in ceremony held at Capital Cultural Hall here.

La. Ganesan has extended warm greetings to the people of Nagaland on the occasion of Holi and wished everyone a colourful and happy celebration.

In his message, Ganesan described Holi as a festival of social harmony, which brings joy and hope. “Holi festival with its vibrant colours accentuates positivity and the triumph of good over evil,” governor said. Governor also called upon all to keep in mind the fundamental purpose of the Holi festival, which he said was to unite the people together forgetting all differences, and to have love and respect for one another.

As reported by Nagaland Post, BJP was given five cabinet berths while NDPP kept seven berths including that of the chief minister. The swearing also consisted of two other notable firsts. It is for the first time in Nagaland that a woman (Salhoutuonuo Kruse) who won on her maiden entry into state politics, was sworn-in as cabinet minister. It was also the first time that two deputy chief ministers- TR Zeliang (NDPP) and Y Patton (BJP) were sworn-in.

After filling up all 12 cabinet berths(the maximum permissible for small states under the 91st Amendment Act) sources said that Rio will be allocating the portfolios to the cabinet ministers within a day or two. Though it is the prerogative of the chief minister, yet hectic lobbying was reported as the newly appointed cabinet ministers want key and lucrative portfolios. Chief Minister Rio will also have to accommodate the remaining 18 MLAs from the NDPP and seven from the BJP for appointment as advisors who would be expecting desired portfolios. A balanced and equitable distribution of portfolios is key to running a smooth coalition of which Rio has the experience to handle.

Earlier, the programme began with the national anthem rendered by Music Academy, Kohima (TAFMA) and Police Band.

Invocation was pronounced by Kohima Ao Baptist Church pastor Temjenmongba Sempo. Highlights of the programme included ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus by Cantamus Choir (TAFMA) and ‘This is me’ by Bright Lights (TAFMA). The programme was attended by a host of senior State government officials, tribal leaders, political party leaders and prominent citizens.

Rio holds first cabinet meeting; ULB polls likely in May

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 7 (NPN):

Soon after taking oath, the newly constituted cabinet of the NDPP-BJP government led by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, held its first cabinet meeting here Tuesday afternoon and deliberated on the issue of holding of elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Sources informed Nagaland Post that the cabinet meeting discussed holding of elections to urban local bodies (ULB) in response to the directive of the Supreme Court to the State government to complete the process by March 31.

However, owing to the ensuing board examinations, the cabinet decided to defer holding ULB elections till May, the sources added. Meanwhile, a notifi - cation purportedly issued by the Municipal Affairs department went viral on social media, informing that the ULB polls would be held in all municipal and town councils with women reservation.

Further, the State Election Commission through a circular had also issued directives to all deputy com- missioners to designate returning officers and assistant returning officers for the ULB polls.

CMLOAopposespolls

Meanwhile, Chi and Mon Land Owners’ Association (CMLOA) has declared its opposition against holding of ULB election in Mon town until the state government address its demands.

In a representation to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mon, CMLOA president O Kamzei and general secretary N Loipang said they have made their stand over ULB polls after having learnt that the State Election Commissioner

On all-party govt: Rio also disclosed that he will hold consultation with the BJP alliance partner on whether to include legislators from other political parties who had issued respective letters of support to the NDPP-BJP coalition government.

It may be noted that smaller parties like the NPP, JD(U), RPI(A), LJP(RV) have extended their support

He also remarked that the swearing-in ceremony Tuesday, was a rare occasion because the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, BJP national president and Assam chief minister among other dignitaries , were present to grace the occasion and that he felt blessed to have them.

To a query, Rio replied that keeping its promise for gender equality, the NDPPBJP alliance government had inducted one of the two women legislators in the council of ministers.

Conrad begins second term as Meghalaya CM

Correspondent

SHILLONG, MAR 7: Con- rad K Sangma on Tuesday took oath as the chief minister of Meghalaya for the second consecutive term at a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister, BJP national president JP Nadda and others.

Sangma, who is also the national president of the National People’s Party, was administered the oath of office by Governor Phagu Chauhan at Raj Bhavan.

This was the first time that the Prime Minister attended the swearing-in ceremony of a new cabinet in this matrilineal State. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang and Jharkhand chief minister M Hemant Soren witnessed the oath taking ceremony.

Conrad takes oath as the CM.

DIMAPUR, MAR 7 (NPN): State excise department destroyed seized liquor and drugs worth Rs.2.30 crore at the Excise Directorate Complex, Dimapur on Tuesday.

In a press release, commissioner of excise H.Atokhe Aye informed that the sized items were destroyed under Section 73 of the NLTP Act 1989/ NDPS Act 1985 by the duly constituted liquor/drugs destruction boards.

According to excise commissioner, the destroyed items were seizures made by the three enforcement wings based in Dimapur—district excise, mobile squad and narcotic cell—during the period December 2022 to February 2023.

The destroyed liquor and drugs included 58,647 assorted bottles of IMFL, 22143 assorted bottles/ cans of beer, 1447 assorted bottles of wine/vodka/breezer and 459 bottles (AFD cough brand) of Codeine-based cough syrup. During the period, excise commissioner said an amount of Rs.6 lakh was deposited as revenue realized from case compounding.

DIMAPUR, MAR 7 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) has demanded release of all Naga political prisoners of war (NPPoW) held by India and Myanmar. In a statement issued through its MIP, NSCN (I-M) alleged that India and Myanmar illegally occupied Naga country and systematically framed the conflict as an internal issue, viewing the Nagas defending their own country as a security threat to their respective countries. It claimed that the conflict had resulted in detention of numerous Nagas by the respective governments, many of whom had been labelled as “insurgents”,

(Read more on p-4)

NSCN (I-M) demands release of Naga political prisoners of war

“terrorists”, or arrested under “terror funding” charges. MIP cited the example of Alemla Jamir, a cabinet minister in NSCN/GPRN, who was detained on December 17, 2019 at Delhi airport and later arrested in a terror funding case and continue to remain in Indian custody. NSCN (I-M) urged the international community to uphold and defend international fairness and justice, promote an equal and uniform application of international law and reject double standards. Opposing the occupation of Nagalim, NSCN (I-M) urged the international community to immediately call India and