January 12, 2017

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 36

DIMAPUR, thursday, january 12, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Urjit Patel urges Govt to be mindful of debt levels

Seeds tumble at Auckland

Manmohan takes on Modi; says ‘worse is yet to come’

business, Page 8

sports, Page 11

national, Page 5

535 candidates cleared for ULB polls Ao, Sumi candidates asked to withdraw Correspondent

DIMAPUR, JAN 11 (NPN): Reaffirming their stand to oppose the Municipal/Town Council elections with 33% women reservation, the apex tribal body organizations-- Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho, have warned all candidates from their respective communities to withdraw nominations or face excommunication from the community. It may also be mentioned that the Angami Public Organization on January 4 resolved to “excommunicate any Angami man/ woman for a period of 10 years from Angami jurisdiction” if they violate its directives and file his/her nominations to the ULB elections in any district. Ao Senden: Ao Senden Federal Assembly on Wednesday issued a stern warning to all bonafide Ao community members, who have filed their nominations for the forthcoming Municipal/Urban Local Bodies (ULBS) election, to withdraw their papers on or before January 17, 2017 or face excommunication for a term of 30 years. The decision to this effect was made during the Federal Assembly of the Ao

Airports across India alerted on terror attacks NEW DELHI, JAN 11 (Agencies): Airports across India have been put on alert after intelligence agencies warned of a terror plot ahead of Republic Day celebrations. Agencies have directed authorities related to airports’ security to keep a vigil eye as an attacker could be donning the uniform of a security personnel. The Bureau for Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) had issued an advisory in this regard on December 28. “Some uniformed staff has airport entry pass. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been asked to frisk them carefully even if they have the pass. The security staff has the tendency of going soft if someone is from the police or army. This can be used as a cover,” Hindustan Times has quoted a BCAS official as saying. The CISF guards the country’s airports. Also, the paramilitary force has made a “sweeping squad” which includes personnel trained to profile travellers and spot dubious movements, reported the daily. The Defence Ministry is responsible for conducting the Republic Day celebrations.

This is it!

“Sir we caught him recording on his mobile. Thought it would interest you.” K Y M C

Senden held on January 11, wherein the house also reaffirmed to stand by earlier standing resolution, stated Ao Senden acting president C. Angang Jamir and acting general secretary L. Tally Longkumer through a press release. The Senden said the Assembly also adopted a three-point resolution, wherein it was decided to excommunicate any candidate for a term of 30 years in the event of failure to comply with the directives and that he/she would not be allowed to participate in any Ao society. He/she will be debarred the rights of Aos for holding any position both in the government and private. He/she will be debarred the rights of Aos to participate in all Naga Civil Societies and organizations. The Senden also categorically stated that the Municipal/ULB elections in the present form would not be allowed till “defective provisions are rectified.” In this regard, the Federal Assembly has empowered the presidential council to pursue the matter, taking appropriate measures till matters end.

Sumi Hoho: The Sumi Hoho during its executive meeting held on January 11 at Sumi Hoho Ki, Zunheboto also adopted a fourpoint resolution with regard to civic body polls, In a press note, Sumi Hoho president Toniho Yepthomi and general secretary Vihuto Asumi said the following resolutions were adopted. 1. All the candidates of Zunheboto Town Council who have filed nominations must withdraw nomination immediately. 2. Any candidate failing to withdraw nomination paper shall be ‘excommunicated’ from the Sumi society for a period of 10 years. 3. Until and unless the government of Nagaland review the existing Municipal Act, the Sumi Hoho shall continue to oppose the Urban Level Body Election. 4. In the Sumi jurisdiction of Dimapur district, the Western Sumi Hoho is entrusted to coordinate with the Central Nagaland Tribes Council and Naga Council Dimapur and ensure the withdrawal of nominations by all the candidates. ZPON: Zeliang People’s Organisation Nagaland

(ZPON) has asked all candidates who have filed nominations, particularly from Peren district to withdraw their nominations in order to pave way for “drawing an acceptable and conclusive decision” to protect Naga customary law and practises and “to uphold Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India vis-à-vis the state of Nagaland indispensable”. In a press note, ZPON media cell maintained that the proposed civic body election with 33% women reservation was undeniably controversial. To go ahead with the process as intended by the state government at this juncture unquestionably would cast the entire system into a lame duck scenario, ZPON said. “No entity nowhere in a democratic world more so in Nagaland, be it the state government or the tribal organisations can imagine to exist on their own or with severed relationship as is prevalent now,” ZPON stated. It said “a healing to this condition” could only be brought about through consultation and dialogue. Even as such eventuality is anticipated, ZPON said what was

inevitable at the moment to be able to prove that the state government and its citizens are humanly civilised, was to put on hold the proposed ULB elections. To maintain peaceful and conducive atmosphere in order to restore cordial relationship between the state government and the tribal organisations, ZPON said there was a need for further consultations on the contentious 33% women reservation in the ULB election of Nagaland for the best interest of its citizens. MAPO: Meluri Area Public Organization (MAPO) has also reiterated its statement, published on January 5, to uphold and adhere to the call of the Nagas and oppose the Town Council polls in Meluri Town. Being a part and parcel of the Pochury Hoho, MAPO president Riesoupa Kajiri said it respected and never wished to intrude into the authority of the hoho. However, the recent imbroglio of the hoho in support of 33% women reservation had no iota of truth, MAPO added. Referring to the “so called resolution” made on

KOHIMA, JAN 11 (NPN): State Election Commission (SEC) after scrutiny has accepted the nominations papers of 535 candidates for elections to the Municipal/ Town councils slated to be held on February 1, 2017. Nomination papers of four candidates were rejected-- two for Dimapur Municipal Council, one each for Peren and Zunheboto town council polls. According to the SEC’s report, 549 candidates which included standby from NPF, BJP, Congress and Independent filed nomination papers out of which 535 was found valid. Filing of nominations to municipal/town council election was conducted from January 3-7, but with stiff opposition from Naga tribal bodies in boycotting the filing of nomination by taking to the streets, the authorities extended the date of submitting papers to January 9. However, on the extended date (January 9), no nominations could take place in six municipal/town councils- Kohima Municipal council, Mokokchung (Cont’d on p-7) Municipal Council and

Sl. Town/Municipal Council No 1. Dimapur municipal Council 2. Kohima Municipal Council 3. Mokokchung Municipal Council 4. Jalukie Town Council 5. KiphiriTown Council 6. PerenTown Council 7. PhekTown Council 8. TseminyuTown Council 9. TuensangTown Council 10. ZunhebotoTown Council 11. Mon Town Council 12. Longleng Town Council 13. PfutseroTown Council 14. MedziphemaTown Council 15. ChumukedimaTown Council 16. NaginimoraTown Council 17. ChangtongyaTown Council 18. Tuli Town Council 19. WokhaTown Council 20. MangkolembaTown Council 21. LongkhimTown Council 22. Bhandari Town Council 23. Tobu Town Council 24. TizitTown Council 25. East Dimpaur 26. TeningTown Council 27. PungroTown Council 28. ChozubaTown Council 29. ShamatorTown Council 30. AboiTown Council 31. NoklakTown Council 32. MeluriTown Council Total

Validly Validly presented nominated 62 60 Nil Nil Nil Nil 17 20 16 21 21 Nil 22 Nil 24 27 Nil 14 14 Nil 14 33 13 22 22 16 20 15 13 19 21 18 18 19 19 549

17 20 15 21 21 Nil 21 Nil 24 27 Nil 14 14 Nil 14 33 13 22 22 16 20 15 13 18 21 18 18 19 19 535

Tuensang Town Council, cil, as tribal bodies imposed Mon Town Council, Medz- total bandh in three districtsiphema Town Council and Kohima, Mokokchung and (Cont’d on p-7) Changtongya Town Coun-

Ao Senden clarifies CNTC demands postponement CTC candidates decide Rijiju blames Manipur govt for to withdraw nominations of Municipal/Town elections

DIMAPUR, JAN 11 (NPN): The Ao Senden through a press note issued a clarification, citing reasons as to why one of its member, minister Nuklutoshi was issued a ‘quit notice’ from Ao territory on January 9. Ao Senden acting president C. Angang Jamir and acting general secretary L. Tally Longkumer said Nuklutoshi had acted against the will of the Ao people by “arranging to gather the candidates to file the nomination of Changtongya Town Council from Tuli Town”. However, the people of Tuli town intervened and prevented him from doing so, it said. Further, applying the same tactics, the Senden claimed that Nuklutoshi tried to pursue to get the nominations done from his home town, Chuchuyimlang town. This was also confirmed from the concerned authority to Ao Senden officials that the minister was in the process of doing as stated, the Senden added. In the act, the Senden said the minister’s “convoy was caught red handed by the volunteers of the movement”. On learning of his activities, the peoples’ anger was triggered and thereby decided to personally attack him, said the Senden.“Thus, the Ao Senden with clear sense decided to move him way for the day taking into account his own safety as well as to salvage the situations at hand,” the Senden said.

D I M A P U R , JA N 1 1 (NPN): Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has demanded for immediate postponement of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election in Nagaland with 33 percent women reservation, until the reservation policy was amended in consultation with apex tribal organizations. In this regard, CNTC has asked all candidates to respect the decisions of their respective tribal bodies by withdrawing their nominations. In a press note, CNTC media cell said that the appeal has been made “in the wake of contention over the impugned Municipal Act by all the tribal apex bodies of state”. CNTC was of the opinion that the government, calling for conduct of ULB elections in spite of

widespread objections of tribal bodies, would invite unprecedented ramifications for which it would be held solely responsible. “The hard ear ned rights and provisions of Article 371 A for the state of Nagaland cannot be compromised under any circumstances whatsoever,” CNTC stated. While acknowledging that the Municipal Act had been enacted for developmental purposes, CNTC opined that it was “detrimental to our rich traditional values and customary rights bestowed by the Almighty on our forefathers since time immemorial”. It further made known that Nagas’ traditional rights and heritage was above any elected legislators of the day. “Governments

come and go but the rights of people and our land are permanent and non-negotiable,” the council said. Since there has been clear demarcation between the Indian laws and Naga customary laws indicated by Article 371A, CNTC urged upon all not be mislead by vested individuals by twisting, distorting and manipulating to suit their interests. CNTC reminded those in power today that they were not going to be in their chairs forever, saying one day they too would become a public. Further reminding the legislators that they had been elected by the people, CNTC said it was very disheartening and grossly unacceptable to note that they were going against the wishes of the people.

DIMAPUR, JAN 11 (NPN): Chümoukedima Village Council (CVC) on Wednesday informed that the candidates for Chumukedima Town Council (CTC) polls have “promised to withdraw their nomination papers by signing an undertaking bond” with the council and 16 tribal unit leaders as witness. Informing this in a press note, CVC chairman Razouvotuo Chatsu said the village council and all the 16 tribal units, GBs under Chümoukedima town have expressed profound gratitude to all the candidates. All the candidates, irrespective of party affiliations or tribe, on their own understanding and knowledge, have apologized for going against the public interest, by violating the January 2, 2017 joint resolution of CVC and 16 tribal units, the council stated. “The candidates have clearly stated and promised to withdraw their nominations and that in the failure to do so, he/she shall be held responsible for any action taken against those defaulters”, CVC said. Further, CVC has expressed appreciation to all tribal unit leaders and volunteers of Chümoukedima, APO, AYO, CPO, CYO, CSU, CGBU, CTYO, CVYS, NCYD and all neighbouring villages for extending all support and making the boycott call a grand sucess.

ENPO highlights border fencing issue with Centre D imapur , J an 1 1 (NPN): A team of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) on Wednesday approached the officials of external affairs, home and defence ministries, Government of India and appraised on the problems to be faced by Naga people living on both sides of the countries due to the ongoing construction of international border fencing along IndoMyanmar border at Pangsha village. In a joint press statement, chairman of Pangsha village council and a representative of Khiamniungan Tribal Councl (KTC) said that the team met the central officials and highlighted the activities of the Myanmar authority- to erect fencing between International Border Pillars no 145 -146 within Pangsha Village jurisdiction under Noklak sub-division of Tuensang district.

ENPO members with Central and state government officials in New Delhi.

The delegation stated that once fencing was constructed around 3500 acres of prime cultivating/farming land and large tracks of forested areas belonging to Pangsha village would be cut off. The team also highlighted on the perceived apprehension raised by the other Eastern Nagas. Meanwhile, External Affairs Ministry, which opposed random fencing and in honouring the sentiments of the locals to maintain peace and tranquillity informed the

official position and opinions of the Government of India, the statement stated. The visiting team was also informed on the proposal by the central officials for a joint spot verification however the Myanmar authorities had unilaterally gone ahead. As the demarcation and pillars have never been formally accepted by the land owners on both sides of the border, ENPO hoped for an amicable solution at the earliest by taking into confidence the landowners

(trilateral). In the light of the above, ENPO demanded that the ongoing work be stopped immediately till further deliberations with both the PMOs at the earliest along with the landowners.

ACAUT questions

In the wake of the ongoing construction of Indo-Myanmar international border fencing at Pangsha by both the governments of India and Myanmar, the ACAUT Nagaland on Wednesday asked the state

government to spell out the steps taken by it to safeguard the Nagas living in the border areas. According to ACAUT media cell, the arbitrary border fencing was against the will of the Naga people, to divide the villages and families, who have been living together since time immemorial. In this regard, the anticorruption body questioned the state government whether border fencing has been carried with its knowledge and consent? ACAUT also questioned chief minister whether his recent trip to Myanmar was about border fencing? If not, ACAUT demanded that the government should take up the issue with the Central government at the highest level. Further, ACAUT also demanded state government to come out with an official statement if it was serious on the issue.

eco-blockade

Guwahati, Jan 11 (IANS):Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday blamed the Congress-led government for the deteriorating law and order situation in Manipur, saying the maintenance of law and order is the “constitutional obligation” of the state government. Rijiju, on the sidelines of a function at Guwahati, also appealed to Manipur government as well as the agitating United Naga Council for joint efforts to call off the economic blockade to allow free and fair elections in the state. “I had visited Manipur two weeks ago and held a very positive meeting with CM Okram Ibobi Singh. Central government is ready to intervene and assist the state government in any matter,” said Rijiju.

Civic polls: KUT expresses dismay DIMAPUR, JAN 11 (NPN): The Khiamniungan Union Tuensang (KUT) has expressed dismay that the Senior Citizen Forum of Noklak Town (SCFNT)/ area had undermined the office of the Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) and allegedly submitted an application to the State Election Commissioner giving its nod to hold the Town Council polls in Noklak Town. In this regard, KUT held an emergency executive meeting on January 10 to discuss the issue, after which KUT president M. Neolo in a letter to KTC sought immediate intervention. In the letter, KUT pointed out that the “ridiculous action” of “so called SCFNT” was against the directive of KTC and ENPO and alleged that some vested interest persons of the KTC were also directly involved by disrespecting their official responsibilities. In this regard, the union asked

KTC to call for a general public meeting, where it said SCFNT should be made to explain, as stated in their letter to the State Election Commissioner, “the advantages and disadvantages of accepting the Town Council Election, and how Art.371 (A) would not be infringed. It further demanded that the “so called Senior Citizen Forum of Noklak Town, a non-entity and un-mandated organization should be immediately banned”. The union also demanded that the defaulting KTC officials “should be dealt with as per the provisions enshrined under Art.12 of KTC Constitution”. Meanwhile, the union said KTC, in solidarity with the rest of other Naga tribes, should initiate necessary action at the earliest to ensure that nominations filed by candidates were withdrawn before the last date of withdrawal notified by the State Election Commission. K Y M C


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