December13, 2016

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 11

DIMAPUR, tuesday, december 13, 2016 Pages 12 ` 4.00

National Edu Policy panel in around 10 days: Javadekar

Reds held 2-2 by West ham

Turning away billions, but have right to do business: Trump

national, page 7

sports, Page 11

international, Page 9

Cabinet to discuss ultimatum

Correspondent

KOHIMA, DEC 12 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister T.R.Zeliang informed that the state cabinet would be meeting to discuss the recent 15-day ultimatum issued jointly by Naga Hoho and ENPO to restore the September 22, 2012 resolution adopted by the 11th NLA which exempted Part IX A (2)(3) on 33% women reservation, under Article 371A(1)(a) of the constitution of India. He said this while interacting with media persons on the side lines of the advent Christmas programme for legislators held at the State Banquet Hall here Monday. Zeliang appeared determined to chase after the political and financial benefits of holding civic polls despite strong opposition against the hasty decision from apex tribal bodies of Nagaland. He sought to question the decision of the Naga Hoho over the ultimatum by saying that it should be unanimous along with its other constituent tribes from the United Naga Council (UNC) of Manipur.

NSCN (I-M) questions GoI’s sincerity DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Taking strong exception to what it described as “ongoing incessant assault” on the political and historical rights of the Nagas by the government of Manipur backed by Central government, NSCN (I-M) on Monday maintained that as it represents the Naga people and their political aspirations, it would therefore take full authority to claim the responsibility of their well being and protection. In a press release, MIP, NSCN (I-M) said declaration of disturbed areas in the hill areas of Manipur and sending the Central forces has taken the Nagas by surprise and questioned Government of India if it was “a sign of sincerity or of seeking peaceful political solution?” Objecting to the creation of seven new districts, out of Naga areas, NSCN (I-M) expressed its belief that Naga people’s protest under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) against the creation of new districts was “their legitimate historical and political rights.” Further, it described the arrest of UNC by Manipur police as “not only a cowardly act” but lack of statesmanship in handling political issue. (Full text on p-6)

This is it!

“ Dad, how is Santa Claus related with the baby in the manger?”. K Y M C

Chief Minister T.R.Zeliang

He further questioned the locus standi of the Naga Hoho comprising of only five tribal hohos (Angami, Chakhesang, Rengma, Zeliang and Pochury) in making the decision without inviting all constituent tribes under UNC since the latter was part of the Hoho. With the exclusion of three tribes of NagalandLotha Hoho, Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho - Zeliang said Naga Hoho with only five tribes without UNC did not even constitute one-third of the total. He therefore termed it as “Naga Hoho of Nagaland” and that it could not be a decision of Naga Hoho. When asked if the same applied to ENPO, Zeliang said ENPO should in-

vite all constituent units afer which they should pass such a resolution. He however claimed, that most towns in eastern Nagaland were willing to hold civic polls. Zeliang said ENPO has to seek the consent of village units who constitute the tribal hoho and so without their consent, no such decision can be taken. The chief minister also claimed that Mangkolemba town (where he inaugurated the town council) had resolved to hold civic polls “at any cost” which also ought to be made by all people concerned. He also disclosed that the government had tried on many occasions to convince the Naga Mother’s Association (NMA) to withdraw its SLP in the Supreme Court but failed. He said Naga Hoho was also going to meet NMA on this issue. On the other hand, if NMA withdrew its case then there would be no issue but unless the Supreme Court pass an order, “we cannot move an inch”, he said. The chief minister also said if notification for civic polls was issued then NMA was prepared to withdraw its case but even if it does

not (and since the state has agreed to conduct polls), the case would be infructuous. When asked why had the government taken a hasty step in pre-empting the court decision by agreeing to conduct civic polls with 33% women reservation, the chief minister said after the SLP was admitted, the hearing would take place “sooner or later and our contention was , why wait for the directive from the court?” Zeliang pointed out that following the directive of the court in 2005 on the state government to include women reservation, the Legislative assembly had in 2006 passed an amendment to the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001. However, in 2012 the legislative assembly passed a resolution against implementing 33% women reservation which was then challenged in court by the NMA. The chief minister explained the volte face by saying “ we could not touch, cannot amend neither go ahead. That was why we decided to go ahead with the election with reservation.”

Legislators celebrate Pre-Christmas on p-7

Zeliang assures support to persons with disabilities

Governor meets jail administration

DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Nagaland governor, PB Acharya, who convened a meeting with various departments including the advocate general of Nagaland to discuss about the jail administration in the state, has directed all responsible departments to ensure that undertrial prisoners were not kept in jails for prolong periods. According to PRO Raj Bhavan, Acharya also directed the concerned departments to work out the modalities where petty criminals or criminals involved in minor crimes could be released at the earliest and also to provide legal aid to all criminals who cannot afford lawyers. Asserting that welfare of prisoners and their physical and mental health were very important, Acharya therefore suggested providing sports and games facilities to the prisoners. Meanwhile, governor also called for opening Jan Dhan Yoajana and one rupee premium insurance for all prisoners.

PWD NH informs on bridge repair works

DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): PWD (National Highway) Division-III, Tuensang has informed that it would be carrying out bridge rehabilitation at location 12.5km T.R. Zeliang receiving a rose from a diffrently abled child (Dikhu),15.8km and 20.51km (chichung) from December 14-20, 2016 . In this regard, the executive engineer, Imkonat a function in State Banquet Hall on Monday. gakum has requested all the commuters to take the old route (short cut) from Mokokchung-Dikhu-Chare. D I M A P U R , D E C 1 2 ents through action songs. (NPN): Nagaland chief According to CMO, Naga Hoho clarifies minister TR Zeliang assured the chief minister also do- DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (AGENCIES): Apropos the news to extend all possible as- nated Rs. 6 lakh to NAPAD item “NH, ENPO 15-day ultimatum on CM”, the joint ulsistance to persons with dis- that could be utilized for the timatum submitted to the chief minister by Naga Hoho and abilities after witnessing the cause of differently abled the Eastern Nagaland people’s Organization on December impressive performances of persons. 10 should be read as “Part IX A of the constitution of India” the differently abled children Reminding the gath- and not as rendered earlier. NH and ENPO have apologized from various schools and ered crowd, which also in- for the inadvertent error. centre at the event organized cluded some legislators, Online payment of power bill available by Nagaland Parents As- Zeliang said, “Disability is sociation for Disabled (NA- not a curse, but God created DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Power department on MonPAD) at State Banquet hall, each individual differently day informed that it has enabled online payment facility Kohima on Monday. and with a purpose, and for consumers of Dimapur, Chumukedima and Kohima Children from G.Rio everyone is unique and tal- towns in its effort to enhance services for consumers. In a school, Tabitha Enabling ented and with determina- press release, Er. K Yiese, nodal officer, RAPDRP, said the Academy, Jo Foundation tion nothing is impossible to facility would ease payment of electricity bills. Customers Inclusive School and EN- achieve”. can login to www.dopn.gov.in and pay the bills at their con(Cont’d on p-7) venience through debit/credit cards and net banking. ABLE showcased their tal-

ACAUT takes on CM, F&CS deptt PDS issue: 4 held; Dimapur police clarifies on arrest

DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Coming out strongly against the arrest of its members, on charges of trespassing into the godowns, ACAUT said it was just an attempt of the state government to cover up the scam, and demanded for a CBI inquiry to deliver justice and expose the can of worms. In a press note, ACAUT media cell, while condemning the arrests, said that the chief minister and F&CS department were allegedly involved in the multi-crore PDS rice scam. Terming it as “an ironical turn of events”, ACAUT said the state government rather than arresting the alleged criminals responsible for siphoning off thousands of crores worth of PDS items meant for the poor Naga public over the decades, had instead arrested ACAUT members on flimsy grounds of trespassing Justifying its stand, ACAUT said the question

of trespassing did not arise since ACAUT and CCN members entered the premises with due permission from the residents in the premises. Condemning the outrageous actions of the state government, ACAUT said it (government) had defied the common sense of justice, when all its force and state machinery were put into task to make the arrest on false and flimsy grounds, but not arrest/act on serious issues of multi-crore corruption. “The real criminals run scot free making a mockery of the people of Nagaland setting a frightening precedent that the government can act dictatorially and misuse its power to cover its corruption activities,” ACAUT stated. ACAUT questioned the government as to why it was “hell bent on protecting Mr. Tinku Sethi and Mr. Nirmal Jain, the accused super stockiest”, even after

being caught red handed for siphoning off PDS rice and not taking cognizance of the prima facie evidences provided by Concern Citizens of Nagaland. On the clarification given by F&CS department that the PDS rice were repacked in the synthetic bags to be sent to different districts, ACAUT however said that its members along with the 13 villages council members during market inspection, found out that the same bags of repacked rice from F&CS godowns were being sold at approximately Rs. 35 per kilo in the open market. ACAUT has questioned the legality of repackaging PDS rice without label, trademark, manufacturing date, name of the manufacturer and address, ISI mark and FSSAI license no. which it said was mandatory under Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006.

DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Following the filing of FIRs and counter-FIR that led to the arrest of three ACAUT members and caretaker of a godown, Dimapur police has issued a statement to clarify on the matter. Giving out the details that led to the arrest, Addl. DCP & PRO Dimapur police said that a written complaint was filed by ACAUT member Hukiye Yepthomi that 500 bags of FCI rice were being repacked in white synthetic bags and that around 3500 jute gunny bags of FCI rice were found inside M/s Lotha Trading Agency located at Lhomithi colony. As per the complaint, it was pointed out that the packages, meant for the poor, were being diverted to the open market. “That, Mr. Tinku (M/S Lotha Trading Agency) is dealing in an illegal activity. It also alleged (Cont’d on p-7) that the godown is private

and the storage of FCI items in such also attracts culpability of the involvement in the racket of the nodal department- F&CS,” PRO said quoting the FIR. Another FIR was filed by the same complainant on the same lines that 3500 bags of FCI rice packed in white synthetic bags and about 1800 jute gunny bags were found in the godown of M/s R.Z. Lotha located at Kevijau colony Dimapur, PRO said. The FIR also alleged that Nirmal Jain (M/S R.Z.Lotha) was dealing in an illegal activity. Based on these two complaints, PRO said a case was registered at sub-urban police station under Essential Commodities Act. Later, PRO said the two godowns were sealed for investigation and police arrested one Mintu Tiwari, office caretaker of the two godowns on Sunday. With regards to Tinku and Nir-

mal, PRO said both were not found to be in station. Further, PRO said a counter-FIR was lodged at sub-urban police by Mr. R.Z. Lotha of M/S Lotha Trading Company alleging that a group of 40-70 persons illegally intruded into the godowns owned by him at Kevijau and Lhomithi colonies on December 9. In this regard, PRO said police arrested three ACAUT members-- Joel Nillo; Simon Kelio and Hukiye Yepthomi, prima facie on the grounds of “criminal trespass”. The arrested persons were then forwarded to the court, PRO added. On December 12, police said another FIR was filed at the sub-urban PS by representatives of 13 colonies against owners of the two godowns. The FIR was clubbed with the one filed by ACAUT. The colonies demanded immediate arrest of accused persons--Tinku and

Organizations denounce arrests of ACAUT members; demand unconditional release DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Various civil society organizations have condemned the arrest of ACAUT members and demanded the uncoditional release of the arrested persons. NTC: Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has expressed shock and vehemently condemned the state government in arresting the anti-corruption activists (ACAUT) for busting the illegal operation in the Food Storage Depots. In a press note NTC media cell pointed out that soon after the counter FIR was lodged by the proprietors of the godown, a case was registered, and subsequently arrests were made without conducting proper inquiry into the FIR. “This lightning speed action of the state to arrest and constrain the activists is shocking since in numerous cases where FIRs are

being lodged by the concern citizens on many corruption and criminal cases are kept in cold storage without any visible action from the law enforcing agencies,” NTC stated. For no concrete reason, NTC alleged that a fake counter FIR was lodged by the complainant(s). “It was very unbecoming for the state to act upon such an FIR without proper inquiry”, it added. NTC said this was a “clear case of government trying to protect the illegal operators to save those people in authority and holding public offices from possible exposure”. Making it known that the public had absolute right to know how Public Distribution System works and how the stockiest had been operating to distribute PDS items to the public through distribution points, NTC said the action of ACAUT

was well justifiable without any doubt since they had not ulterior motive but to make the public know the truth behind the nefarious operations in the store houses. In this regard, ACAUT urged upon the state government to take immediate measures and unconditionally release the activists. DUCCF: Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) has appealed to the responsible authority (administration) to release the arrested ACAUT members --- Joel Kath, Simon Kelio and Hukiye Yepthomi -- unconditionally. In a press release, DUCCF general secretary, L Temjen Imsong, said the federation held at an emergency meeting on December 12, 2016 over PDS issue, which was detected at Kevijau colony and Lhomithi village by the ACAUT and the joint action committee

comprising of 13 villages and colonies. Meanwhile, DUCCF has requested ACAUT, DNSU, Naga Council Dimapur, YAN, CNN, Chu-

mukedima Chambers of Commerce, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce, BAN, CNTC, NTC, DDCF, East Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Naga

Women Hoho Dimapur and all frontal organisations and NGOs to attend the meeting scheduled to be held on December 13, 2pm at Lengrijan Council Hall, Dimapur.

JAC of 13 colonies submit representation to DC Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising of 13 villages/colonies have condemned the “unethical” action of police in arresting ACAUT members based on “flimsy” counter FIR lodged by one of the owner of the godwon, instead of arresting the accused alleged to be involved in the PDS rice scam. In this regard, JAC Monday submitted a representation to DC Dimapur urging him to act upon the FIR lodged by the ACAUT and book the accused (owners of the godwons) under relevant section of IPC and CrPC. The representation signed by 18 representatives of JAC also urged DC to ensure that no public/public leader should be unduly harassed by initiating corrective measures for the safety of the general public and its leaders. The signatories also warned that no

FCI godwon located in their jurisdiction would be allowed to function unless the case was brought to a logical conclusion. If necessitated, JAC said that it would resort for further course of action and for any consequences it would not be responsible. JAC has also lodged FIR at SubUrban Police Station demanding the arrest of the two accused (owner of the godwons) and accomplices to prevent further illegal activities and unwarranted situation under its jurisdiction. In the FIR, JAC charged the owners of the godwons for indulging in illegal activities and siphoning of PDS rice and selling in open market and mills at exorbitant rate. It also accused the two of misleading the department of F&CS and public, by filing FIR against ACAUT member with false allegation.

Nirmal Jain for indulging in illegal activities, misleading the F&CS department and public, for filing false information against ACAUT members and creating communal disharmony. Further, Dimapur Police clarified that it was legally bound to act upon any complaints received and due procedure of law was applicable equally to one and all. PRO said both the complaints and the investigations were being carried out on equal merits. However, police reminded the public and various civil societies that “irrespective of the causes undertaken, one cannot take law in ones hand and function as a parallel authority”. While acknowledging the role of civil society organisations, PRO said “actions must be confined within the ambit of law and cannot be based on preassumptive assertions”.

NPMCC backs women quota DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Welcoming the move of the state government to hold civic polls with 33% reservation seats for women, the Nagaland Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (NPMCC) has appealed to those organizations who opposed 33% women quota to be more reasonable towards women. In a press statement, NPMCC president N. Lucy asserted that even the Congress has a long standing policy for women liberation and gender equality. According to NPMCC, during the course of discussion on the issue, it came across certain elements with an “intention to eliminate women” from participating in the decision making process. NPMCC also dismissed and termed it as baseless on the claimed by various organizations (Cont’d on p-7) K Y M C


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December13, 2016 by Nagaland Post - Issuu