February 29, 2020

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 83

DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Delhi violence: 500 vehicles, 79 houses damaged

Man Utd through to Europa League last 16

COVID-19 toll hits 2,788 in China

national, Page 5

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

GoI cannot wait indefinitely for NSCN (I-M): Ravi India’s Q3 GDP growth dips to 7-yr low

NSCN (I-M) INDULGING IN DELAY TACTICS; FLAG, CONSTITUTION, SHARED SOVEREIGNTY NOT IN FRAMEWORK Tinakali Sumi

DIMAPUR, FEB 28 (NPN): While acknowledging that the final stages for solution to the Naga political issue has reached a stalemate between the government of India and the NSCN (I-M), government of India’s Representative and Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, R.N Ravi Friday has accused the NSCN (I-M) of indulging in delay tactics as it did not seem to be prepared for a final settlement. In an interview to Nagaland Post, the Interlocutor also accused NSCN (I-M) of making “new and mischievous interpretation” of the already agreed positions on contentious issues and thus “misleading” the people. Ravi said that after settling contentious issues, the NSCN (I-M) was now demanding the proposed “Pan Naga entity ” having political and executive influence over Nagaland government, which he said, was not acceptable to government of India. “The NSCN (I-M) is trying to imagine things which are not in the

Delimitation in 4 NE states after a delay of 12 years NEW DELHI, FEB 28 (PTI): Centre on Friday cancelled its earlier notifications which deferred delimitation in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh due to security issues. The “order” issued by the Legislative Department of the Law Ministry said “it appears that the circumstances that led to the deferring of the delimitation exercise” in Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland “have ceased to exist” and that delimitation could now be carried out. The order pointed out that a Delimitation Commission was set up under the Delimitation Act, 2002 to readjust the division of each state and union territory into territorial constituencies for the purpose of Lok Sabha and state assembly elections on the basis of census figures of 2001. The Commission completed the delimitation exercise and the Delimitation Order, 2008 in respect of all the states, except in four NE states, it said. According to the Election Commission website, delimitation literally means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body.

Framework Agreement and misleading the people”, he said. Ravi also categorically clarified on issues such as Framework Agreement, flag and constitution, “shared sovereignty” and the contentious Pan Naga entity.

Excerpts of the interview

NP: Government of India and Naga Political Groups (NPGs) had concluded negotiations over contentious issues on October 31, 2019, what is keeping the negotiating parties from signing the much awaited final agreement? Ravi: The delay is entirely on the part of NSCN (I-M); it appears that they are not prepared for a settlement. They are playing delaying tactics by giving new mischievous interpretations of the already agreed positions on contentious issues and thereby misleading the people. NP: Which issues are we talking about? Ravi: Issues like Framework Agreement, Pan Naga entity etc. NP: NSCN (I-M) has passed a resolution for so-

R.N Ravi (NP file)

lution on the basis of 3rd August 2015 Framework Agreement. Now, you are saying that they are mischievously misinterpreting the agreement and misleading the people. Can you elaborate on it? Ravi: The Framework Agreement does not talk about flag and constitution. There is no mention of shared sovereignty in it. There is no mention of integration. There is no mention of Nagas as a separate entity. Of course it recognizes the unique history of Nagas. Framework Agreement is a commitment to settle the Naga political issue on the basis of power sharing with due regard to the contemporary realities. The NSCN

Publish names of colonies, landlord of spurious liquor outlets: CNTC DIMAPUR, FEB 28 (NPN): Appreciating the Excise department for raiding the outlets selling spurious liquor, the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has, however, demanded that the department and district administration publish the names of colonies and landlords under whose localities and premises those outlets were being allowed to run because they should also bear the responsibility and be penalized as per the law. CNTC through its media cell stated that the colony authorities, who were failing in their responsibilities, should be made known their assigned duties as leaders or they should step down immediately if they cannot perform. “This issue needs a community policing and everyone has to play their part effectively,” CNTC stated. Further, CNTC has appeals to the state government and the Nagaland Baptist Church Council to review the NLTP Act with all the stakeholders at the earliest. It maintained that NLTP Act has only promoted the rise of

liquor syndicates. CNTC lamented that increased flow of spurious liquor and spurt in illegal liquor dens in have taken a huge toll on the lives and health of many people.

Raids continue in Dimapur Stepping up its efforts against bootlegging, the excise narcotic cell along with mobile squad and district excise Dimapur Thursday conducted multiple raids at several locations in and around Dimapur including Rail Bazaar, West Yard colony, New Market, Blue Hill line, Dhobinallah and Railgate areas. Excise commissioner Tarep Imchen informed that 735 bottles of assorted IMFL was seized and 2166 litres of country liquor was destroyed on the spot. He said that 14 persons were also booked under penal section of the NLTP Act 1989. The excise department has sought active support and cooperation from all stakeholders in its prohibition drive.

A silent protest rally held in Chozuba town on Friday.

Correspondent

K Y M C

tion, Pan Naga Hoho etc., will government of India consider signing the final agreement with Working Committee (WC) Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs)? Ravi: On all these issues the NSCN (I-M) has already agreed to a position which could be acceptable to the government of India. These positions were reached after a series of negotiations during the last five years. They are now changing their positions from what they have already agreed. This is not acceptable. This is not the way to negotiate. This will make the proceeds of negotiation endless. It is already 23 years. People are losing patience. Government of india cannot ignore the popular sentiments. Government of India is committed to an inclusive solution without further delay. All stakeholders should be co-owner of the final agreement. Government of India cannot wait indefinitely if someone wilfully chooses to delay it by frequently changing the goalposts.

COVID-19: WHO raises global virus risk to max level GENEVA, FEB 28 (AFP): World Health Organisation Friday raised its global risk assessment of the new coronavirus to its highest level after the epidemic spread to sub-Saharan Africa and caused financial markets to plunge. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the risk was being raised to “very high” because of the continued increase in cases and the number of new countries affected in recent days. These developments “are clearly of concern”, Tedros told reporters in Geneva. But he added: “We still have a chance of containing this virus, if robust action is taken to detect cases early, isolate and care for patients and trace contacts.” The virus has proliferated around the globe over the past week, emerging on every continent except Antarctica.

GDP GROWTH RATE-QUARTERLY (%)

7.1

6.2

5.6 5.83 5.6

Q2

Q3

FY19

Q4

cent versus 0.2 per cent in the Jul-Sept period. Manufacturing output declined 0.2 per cent while electricity growth fell 0.7 per cent compared with a 3.9 per cent growth earlier. The only bright spot in the third quarter of 201920 fiscal was minor improvement in private final consumption expenditure, which grew 5.9%. Going forward, the coronavirus epidemic has added a complexity to economic recovery with production halts in its epicentre China -- source of more than one-fifth of India’s total non-oil, non-gold imports, posing downside risk to domestic manufacturing. Commenting on the GDP data, Economic Affairs Secretary Atanu Chakraborty said the decline in economic

Q1

5.1 4.7

Q2

FY20

Q3

growth has bottomed out. Industry body Assocham also said green shoots are visible in sectors like coal, cement and agriculture, but India Ratings said there are no clear sign of economic recovery in the short-run. India Ratings said since the NSO advanced estimate pegs GDP growth for FY20 at 5 per cent, the fourth quarter (Jan-Mar) of FY20 will need to have the same expansion as Q3, which is achievable. GDP growth for the December quarter is the lowest since Jan-Mar of 2012-13, when it stood at 4.3%. According to NSO data, the gross value added growth in manufacturing sector contracted by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of this fiscal from 5.2 per cent expansion a year ago.

Delhi riot toll rises to 42; life limps back to normalcy NEW DELHI, FEB 28 (PTI/ IANS): The death toll in Delhi’s communal violence rose to 42 on Friday as the situation showed some signs of returning to normalcy and clouds of smoke cleared to reveal the extent of the damage from the worst riots in the city in over three decades. As people gingerly stepped out for work and opened shops and other establishments in northeast Delhi, anxiety escalated outside the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) hospital where people waited outside the mortuary to receive the bodies of their loved ones. Police and paramilitary personnel also maintained a strict vigil in view of the Friday prayers at mosques. The maulvis of mosques in riot-hit areas appealed for peace and harmony and put out announcements asking people not to fall prey to rumours and cooperate with police. GTB hospital has recorded 38 deaths, the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash hospital three, while Jag Pravesh Chandra hospital reported one death, officials said. Delhi Police

Security personnel inspect riot-hit area in Northeast Delhi’s Bhagirathi Vihar, Friday following clashes over the amended citizenship law. (PTI)

spokesperson Mandeep Singh Randhawa, however, maintained that the death toll stood at 38. He told reporters that a total of 148 FIRs were registered and 630 people were either arrested or detained so far. “No untoward incident was reported today,” he said, adding prohibitory orders were relaxed for 10 hours in several areas. 500 vehicles, 79 houses damaged: Three days of violence in north-east Delhi resulted in burning down of at least 500 vehicles, 79 houses besides other

places, official data revealed on Friday. According to the official data of the fire department, at least 79 houses, 52 shops, 3 factories and 2 schools besides places of worship were burned down during the clashes. A senior fire official said at least 218 calls were received of which 25 involved burning down of vehicles. The official also stated that at least 1,000 trips were undertaken by the fire fighting vehicles in the affected areas.

2-LSDAPOA holds silent protest rally at Chozuba town M’laya anti-CAA rally: Curfew imposed, internet suspended after 1 dead in clash

This is it!

“Imagine after so many years, we mothers have to take tuition to teach our children.”

(I-M) is trying to imagine things which are not in the Framework Agreement and misleading the people. We must understand that the Naga political issue belongs to the Naga people. No single entity has franchise over it. We must be honest with the Naga people. NP: Why is there disagreement on the proposed Pan Naga Hoho, when Nagas are expecting an early solution after conclusion of negotiations over contentious issues on October 31, 2019? Ravi: Pan Naga entity was mutually agreed to be a cultural body with no political role or executive authority. However, after October 31, 2019, when the contentious issues were settled, NSCN (I-M) is asking for the proposed Pan Naga entity to have political and executive influence over Nagaland government . This is not acceptable to the government of India. Reopening settled issues is the delaying tactics of NSCN (I-M). NP: If NSCN (I-M) refuses to compromise on issues such as flag, constitu-

NEW DELHI, FEB 28 (PTI): India’s economic growth slowed to a near 7-year low of 4.7 per cent in October-December 2019 on continued slump in manufacturing, and now faces the next big challenge of coronavirus outbreak stifling global growth. Despite being one of the strongest periods due to festival season and higher rural spending driven by kharif harvest, Oct-Dec was the third straight quarter of growth decline and the lowest rate in 27 quarters. The 4.7 per cent expansion in the third quarter of the current financial year compares with a revised 5.1 per cent growth witnessed in the previous three months and 5.6 per cent expansion in the same period of the previous year, according to official data released on Friday. The government retained its estimate of 5 per cent GDP growth for the fiscal year through March, the lowest for 11 years. This, after the first quarter growth was revised upwards to 5.6 per cent from earlier estimate of 5 per cent. While agriculture output rose 3.5 per cent versus 3.1 per cent in the previous quarter, mining grew 3.2 per

KOHIMA, FEB. 28 (NPN): Hundred of members of 2-lane Sedzu to Dzulha Aggrieved Property Owners’ Association (2-LSDAPOA)

took out a silent rally at Chozuba town in Phek district on Friday demanding disciplinary action in respect of an alleged obstruction to an RTI application on February 24.

Carrying placards and banners that read “We condemn leader who sabotaged RTI applicants on Feb. 24”, “RTI is a legal right”, “Take immediate action on RTI suppressor”, “Leader who still don’t know RTI may go back to school to fit to leadership role”, “Support RTI to bring change”, “Forcing RTI withdrawal tantamount to murder of democracy”, etc, the rallyists marched from Chozuba town till additional deputy commissioner’s (ADC) office. They then submitted a representation to the ADC demanding disciplinary action and formation of an inquiry committee within 10 days, adding the committee should submit its report within 20 days from the date of its constitution. The representation further demanded befitting disciplinary action against the perpetrators, including

VCCs, GBs and all government servants involved in the incident, by booking them under appropriate provisions of RTI Act, 2005. It warned that failure to fulfil the demand would be viewed seriously by the association and further course of action would be adopted. The representation alleged that a mob of more than 100 people from various villages under Chozuba subdivision thronged into the residences of 2-LSDAPOA convener Cizonyi Khusoh and secretary Veku Khusoh at Chozuba town around 5/6 p.m. on February 25 and threatened the duo with life for filing an RTI application at Phek DC office on February 12 and coerced them to withdraw it. The mob then forced the duo to sign on a draft letter withdrawing the RTI application.

Correspondent

SHILLONG, FEB 28: Meghalaya government imposed curfew in Shillong from 10 p.m. Friday and suspended internet services after a clash erupted at Ichamati village bordering Bangladesh after an anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act rally. According to reports, a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) activist Lurshai Hynniewta was killed and many others injured after a clash broke out between two communities at Ichamati under Sohra Sub-Division on Friday. Soon after the incident, the government temporarily suspended internet services in the six districts- East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi (Cont’d on p-8) Hill, East Jaintia Hills, West

Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi– to prevent misuse of social media to disturb peace and tranquillity in the state. Police officials said that the clash erupted when a group of non-locals armed with sticks and machetes cornered KSU leaders after a public meeting against CAA and demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Ichamati village, organized by leaders of the KSU and Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People. “Curfew has been imposed in Shillong agglomeration and adjoining areas after information is received that there is apprehension of serious deterioration of law and order and there is every likelihood of serious breach of peace and tranquillity and may lead to loss

of life and property,” DC in-charge East Khasi Hills district, Matsiewdor War Nongbri said. Videos on non-locals marching with sticks and machetes have also gone viral on the social media. Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad Sangma held an emergency meeting with top government officials to take stock of the situation. “We will see how the situation goes and if necessary it will be further extended. The internet on mobile phones will be temporarily suspended,” Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said. Meanwhile, Governor Tathagata Roy has appealed to all citizens in Meghalaya, tribal or non-tribal: keep calm. “Don’t spread rumours and don’t listen to rumours,” Roy tweeted. K Y M C


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